The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

Look. This is not a book for a casual reader. This is not a book for someone who reads supermarket, airport, chick-lit, hot-pink cover type thrillers. This is gothic horror, magic realism at its ultimate best. This is the kind of book that need a reader who will take their time to read, and re-read page after page because...did that just happen? Did THAT JUST HAPPEN???????

Jane Lawrence - is like so many Jane's before her. Practical, plain, level-headed and smart. She's looking for a husband, a marriage that's convenient and quickly finds and arrangement that is suitable with the local doctor. It's more of a business arrangement. The doctor has certain conditions to the arrangement - she must always sleep in the office location while he will stay at the family home outside of town. Jane finds this suitable, until the wedding night when a storm strands her at the run-down manor.

Reviews will mention Rebecca, and The Haunting of Hill House, Crimson Peak and House of Leaves. And yes, all of those are good reference points. I think there's a good bit of Dracula, Bluebeard and Jane Eyre to throw in as well. But honestly - this is unlike anything I've ever read. The rituals are insane. The imagery on the back half of the book is so disturbing that I could only read this during the day to prevent nightmares.

I loved every single word.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.