The estranged grandson of a wealthy collector of human curiosities becomes fascinated with teenaged twin sisters, leading them into a web of dark obsessions. A dazzlingly dark gothic novel from the bestselling author ofThe Somnambulist.

'Makes skilful use of the tropes of Victorian gothic fiction a story of societys outsiders seeking acceptance and redemption'Sunday TimesBook of the Month

Mysterious, sometimes shocking, full of surprises and twists brimming with Victorian wonders!Sean Lusk

A magical, macabre masterpiece A.J. West

Fascinating and immersive Anna Mazzola

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Victorian England. A world of rural fairgrounds and glamorous London theatres. A world of dark secrets and deadly obsessions

Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical in every way, except that Tilly hasn't grown a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting their father's quack elixir as they tour the country fairgrounds, at the age of fifteen the girls are sold to a mysterious Italian known as Captain.

Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has a dark interest in anatomical freaks and other curiosities particularly the human kind. Resenting his grandson for his mothers death in childbirth, when Seabrook remarries and a new heir is produced, Theo is forced to leave home without a penny to his name.

Theo finds employment in Dr Summerwells Museum of Anatomy in London, and here he meets Captain and his theatrical family of performers, freaks and outcasts.

But it is Theos fascination with Tilly and Keziah that will lead all of them into a web of deceits, exposing the darkest secrets and threatening everything they know

Exploring universal themes of love and loss, the power of redemption and what it means to be unique,The Fascinationis an evocative, glittering and bewitching gothic novel that brings alive Victorian London and darkness and deception that lies beneath

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Essie Fox follows in the footsteps of Angela Carter and AS Byatt with an adult fairy tale that delves into the darkest compulsions of human nature an opium trance of a novel, a vivid fantasmagoriaNoel OReilly

Deliciously dark, full of twists and surprises Liz Hyder

Filled with gothic darkness and glorious hope Liz Fenwick

Rich, dark and heady a glorious gothic carnival Kate Griffin

Truly unexpected and original Kate Forsyth

Beautifully researched, full of horrors and delights a chilling, thrilling slice of Victorian gothicBridget Walsh

A cast of characters Dickens would be proud of Frances Quinn

A dizzying potion of a novel Polly Crosby

A twisty, gothic treat wild and wonderful cast of characters Rebecca John

Rich in peril, tempered with strange, theatrical beauty Kate Mascarenhas

Awonderful, captivating carnival Elizabeth Fremantle

Haunting and emotive Gill Paul

A gorgeously gothic slice of Victoriana Katherine Clements

Beautifully controlled exceptional storytelling, exquisitely toldNydia Hetherington

A beautiful, haunting tale peopled by a thrilling set of living, breathing characters very fine historical fictionEmma Carroll

So inventive and surprising beautiful writing, unforgettable charactersJuliet West

Asumptuous, gothic treat that will reel you in and not let you go untilthefinal page. Bravo!Caroline Green

Essie Fox isthemistress of gothic Victoriana utterly beguiling and rendered in exquisite detail awonderful, captivating carnival ofanovelElizabeth Fremantle

Wonderfully vivid and touching extraordinaryAdele Geras

I loved this story of a group of wonderful others fighting to find their place and purpose in a glittering, but unforgiving, Victorian EnglandMarika Cobbold

Atmospheric, gripping and ultimately upliftingKaren Coles

Richly detailed, beautifully written a fascinating readMichael J Malone

The very best kind of gothic Lianne Dillsworth

Masterful Louise Swanson

A kaleidoscopic, twisting, devilish novel guaranteed to dazzle and delight. I was utterly beguiledDan Bassett, Bookseller