Behind the Book – The Crow Garden
October 5, 2017
The Crow Garden – published by Jo Fletcher Books on 5th October 2017.
Available in hardback, paperback, trade paperback (in some territories), and in audiobook, narrated by Leighton Pugh.
Reviews
“Excellent . . . she creates a chilling atmosphere of skulls, seances, secrets and hysteria.” Antonia Senior, The Times
“(An) enjoyable excursion . . . gripping.” The Sunday Times.
“Not only a creepy page-turner but a Gothic masterpiece.” The Lady magazine.
“My favourite of her novels so far are the nineteenth century-set ones The Hidden People and The Crow Garden, the latter of which I’ve already praised highly… these books are worthy additions to the tradition of neo-Victorian gothic pioneered by Susan Hill with The Woman in Black and Sarah Waters with Affinity and Fingersmith.” Tom Johnstone
“This novel is by far Littlewood’s best, and by the looks of it, she’s only going to get better. If you like the dark and twisted nature of Drood by Dan Simmons, if you like books that make you think and draw your own conclusions, then you’re guaranteed to enjoy this book.” Charlotte Bond, British Fantasy Society.
“The key to a good Gothic mystery is atmosphere and The Crow Garden has that in spades, right from its opening paragraph . . . a great seasonal treat.” SciFiNow.
“This couldn’t be more atmospheric if it tried . . . the overall effect for me was chilling, disturbing and a darn good gothic read.” The Book Trail.
“Nothing is as it seems, and as young Nate Kerner fights to keep his sense of what is real, the reader is drawn along with him to the almost inevitable conclusion – which still comes as a surprise, because it’s cleverly concealed within twist after twist as the plot is gradually revealed.” Marie O’Regan, SciFi Bulletin.
“This deliciously atmospheric psychological thriller evokes Victorian England in vivid detail.” Bookriot.
“A fantastic historical fiction novel, offering an insight into mental health in the Victorian era . . . I would be delighted to read more by this author!” Anne Bonny Book Reviews.
“Alison Littlewood has crafted a sublime blend of the psychological and the supernatural that keeps the reader in suspense until the end.” Starburst Magazine.
“The scenes in which Littlewood exposes the situation of a woman at the mercy of the (male) law and society are some of the most chilling I’ve read in fiction, supernatural or otherwise – but that isn’t the end of this story. An excellent, chilling, autumn read, all about the dangers of power, obsession, and guilt, this is sure to be another hit.” Blue Book Balloon.
“A rare treat! I love the idea of novels about madness but it is rare that I find one so well written . . . reminds me a lot of the writing of Daphne Du Maurier.” Life Has a Funny Way
“It enchanted me, drew me in, captivated and ensured that I was unable to look away . . . Littlewood’s characters always seem to have that special *something*, crafted so minutely it’s almost impossible to believe that they’re fictional.” The Book Babe Reviews
“The narrative voice and dialogue are perfectly pitched – they could have come out of Dickens or, better still, Wilkie Collins . . . And as with the best supernatural fiction, there is that constant niggling doubt as to whether the allegedly otherworldly manifestations are all a product of the mind.” Joseph, Goodreads
“A really intriguing and enigmatic read. Described as ‘Susan Hill meets Wilkie Collins’, I knew from that single line that I had to read this book. I loved the Victorian meets Gothic meets psychological chiller atmosphere of the story and I found it a real page-turner.” A Dream of Books.
In the Media
Michael Rooker, Guardians of the Galaxy star, steps into The Crow Garden at Comic Con.
“Fiction set in an asylum often makes us question whether true mental imbalance lies within the patients or the doctors, a device that Littlewood uses to terrific effect in this claustrophobic Victorian gothic. An absorbing tale that plays adroitly with the concepts of reality and trust.” Laura Purcell, Guilt, Innocence, and Doubt in the Historical Crime Novel, Crimereads
A podcast interview at Unnerving Magazine.
An interview at Ginger Nuts of Horror.
Halloween reading: the Definitive Guide at Bookriot.
Featured in October Reads at The Verge.
A Q&A at Jo Fletcher Books.