The Black Feathers by Rebecca Netley

October is one of my favourite reading months. Autumn and Winter shout Gothic, and the bookshop shelves are filled with books with darker-coloured covers and even darker themes. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that Rebecca Netley was publishing a new book to be released on the 12th of October entitled The Black Feathers. I loved The Whistling and so couldn't wait to drop deep into the pages of this new book. And in no way was I disappointed. 

I'll never lose interest in reading books featuring big gothic mansions filled with secrets and aspects of the past that often don't want to remain there. The Black Feathers absolutely feeds my addiction.

Here's the blurb about the book:

Where ghosts tread, black feathers fall . . .

When Annie marries widower Edward Stonehouse and arrives at Guardbridge, his estate on the Yorkshire moors, she thinks she has finally put darkness behind her.

She is mistaken . . .

Edward's sister, Iris, still lives in the family home. A taxidermist and medium, she urges Annie to watch out for black feathers - claiming that they mark the spot where a spirit has visited.

At first, Annie dismisses her warnings. But, before long, an eerie almost haunting feeling takes over her.

What exactly happened to Edward's first wife? Why is Iris so disturbed?

And should Annie be watching for signs from the dead - or rather is she the one being watched?

SET ON THE YORKSHIRE MOORS IN THE 1800S, THE BLACK FEATHERS IS A GHOSTLY TALE OF MAGIC AND WICKEDNESS.

I mean, come on - what's not to love about that. 

This book is proper creepy, and some shades of 'Rebecca' by Du Maurier are here with Annie living in the house and estate where Edward's now dead first wife and son lived. Edward is often away, leaving her in the company of Iris (Edward's sister) and her companion. There are also secrets and seances and strange goings on a plenty. It's a perfect read for this time of year. Light a fire, make a nice hot cup of tea and settle in. Because once you start this, you'll want to keep going to find out what the heck is happening.

I loved The Whistling, but Rebecca Netley has delivered an even more eerie, atmospheric tale in her latest book with a compelling and vulnerable main character, Annie, who has her own secrets to guard.

Highly recommended to all who love a gothic ghostly tale.