Murkmere

British Fantasy Society: Best Novel nominee (2005).
Longlisted for the Guardian Award.
Shortlisted for the Calderdale Award.

A haunting Gothic novel about loyalty, betrayal and age-old fears.

"Yours is an unblemished soul, Aggie," he whispered, "a sweet, pure delicacy of a soul – and we must keep it that way, mustn't we?"

Born and brought up in a small village, Aggie knows that she must never question the power of the divine beings – the birds – nor the omens in the Table of Significance. But when the Master of Murkmere Hall summons her to be companion to his ward, Leah, she enters a new and disturbing world. Leah is headstrong, spoilt and unhappy, and challenges everything Aggie has ever known to be true.

Secrets and betrayals lurk within the old house, and when the shadowy but all-powerful Ministration arrives for a grand ball, questioning becomes a dangerous game...