Dora Blake lives in London and works in an antiquarian shop. The shop once belonged to her parents but they are dead and her uncle took it over. She is unhappy. Hezekiah, her uncle, is not a nice man - he sells fakes - and she longs to sell the jewellery designs she makes so that she can live independently. In the basement of the shop she discovers a Greek pithos, a vase that was made to contain other things and realises that this can be an inspiration for her drawings. She seeks help from a would-be antiquarian, Edward Lawrence. Before long they are both in danger.

I'm a huge fan of novels that draw on Greek myth and this one does so in a very clever way. The myth of Pandora's Box is used to great effect here and Dora (full name Pandora of course) is an admirable heroine. The streets of Georgian London are brought to life with the dirt and smells vividly portrayed. Overall a really good read and I look forward to more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book opens with such intrigue and menace that it's impossible not to read on.

Dora Blake, an aspiring jewellery artist, lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents’ respected antiquities shop. When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, Dora enlists a young antiquarian to find out more about the vase – and, she hopes, restore the shop to its former glory. But the vase holds secrets, just like Pandora's box did in the Greek myth...

The dusty old shop and the menace of Dora's uncle and 'housekeeper' are expertly evoked as we get drawn into the mystery of the vase. Dora is a hugely likeable character and it's impossible not to root for her in her efforts to make a life of her own and have her talents recognised. The parallel storyline, with would-be antiquarian Edward Lawrence, is less convincing, and the atmosphere of menace doesn't build as much as I'd have hoped, but it's such an original story that I'd still recommend it to anyone who likes a 19th-century mystery based on the Greek myths.

Having read a few books based on Greek myths recently, I wasn't sure if this was going to be a retelling of Pandora's box or something else. Yes there is a bit of Greek mythology in there but it is so much more than that. A mystery of what happened to Dora's parents, her uncle and the pithos that pre-dates time in the basement. A fantastic romp through Georgian London paired with Pandora's box. What else could you ask for?

What a fascinating and unique read! I've always been fascinated by Greek mythology and also the story of Pandora's Box. This is such a clever play on that myth. A box that can unleash the worst evil; a box that can divide people; a box that can destroy people's lives.

Pandora (Dora) Blake's parents died when she was younger and she was taken in by her uncle who is now running the business. Or more accurately running it into the ground. A business dealing in antiques that her parents built up. She realises her uncle is up to something and her curiosity leads to the discovery of an ancient vase called a pithos (a large earthenware storage jar)
Together with the help of a bookbinder Edward Lawrence, they try to figure out the origin and authenticity of the vase but what will this unleash? Is this vase cursed as some people believe because people start to die......

A beautifully written story set in 1799 in London with such an authentic feel of that era.
Highly recommend!

"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven" John Milton

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

This is a really good historical novel set in Georgian London but made even more interesting by having a historical root to the protagonists story as they uncover Ancient Greek artefacts and myths. I loved the writing as it was so easy to get lost in the story and it made the characters and story come alive, I would happily have carried on reading, as I wasn’t quite ready for the story to end. All the characters in the story added something, with some larger than life characters too which helped make the story feel even more alive. This is a really impressive debut novel.

I was fascinated by the premise of this book and my appetite was whetted by reading the sampler.

I loved it. It was everything a historical novel should be. Dora, or Pandora for her full name, was orphaned as a child and raised by her wicked uncle in an old antiquities shop in Georgian London, a potential suitor and the disapproval of his friend. There are some real historical characters in it and there is some artistic licence with the events of that day but it's all totally forgivable and acknowledged in the authors notes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and now I'm finished, I feel sad that I've finished as I no longer have the story to discover.

Thankyou to the publisher and to the author for the early copy.

Set in Georgian London, this book follows Dora, the protagonist of the title, who lives and works in her late parents' antiquities shop now run by her shady uncle Hezekiah. Dora discovers a mysterious Greek vase in her uncle's possession and conducts her own investigation into its origins.

I really liked the writing in Pandora which is rich with atmosphere and detail to set the scene and enabled me to immerse myself in the historical world of the story. I also liked the supernatural elements to the story which added to the central mystery of the plot.

For me, the issue with the book was the pacing and that the subject matter was not compelling enough to keep me hooked through the slower moments in the story. There were a few scenes that were brilliantly written but the moments between them felt very slow without much really happening that added to the story. I found my interest in this mysterious vase waning by the half way point and felt like there needed to be more to keep the tension and retain my engagement throughout the book.

I am impressed with Pandora as a debut novel though and there is a lot of promise in Susan Stokes-Chapman's writing so I would like to read any future books from her.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC of this book.

I love a Greek myth, so a historical late-18th century mystery centred around Pandora's Box was always going to be intriguing, and after reading the sampler, I coudn't wait to read this book. Evil already stalks orphaned young Pandora Blake's life in the shape of her uncle Hezakiah, who has taken over her parents' antiquary shop and run it into disrepute with his collection of forgeries. Now Hezekiah is hiding something in the basement - an ancient artefact that itself hides secrets, and he's prepared to do anything to uncover them.
Pandora, an aspring jewellery designer, and her new acquaintance, young book binder Edward Lawrence, are determined to discover her uncle's plans - Pandora so she can free herself from his influence, Edward so that he can write a paper on Hezekiah's treasure and fulfill his ambition of entering the Society of Antiquaries. But Hezekiah will stop at nothing to keep his secret safe.
I really enjoyed this story. The promise of myth and mystery permeates every single page as we are guided through late 18th century London life in all its superficial splendour and underlying dangerous, dank dirtiness. Pandora is an immediately sympathetic character and her battle for independence will resonate with readers. Edward is very complex, with his own dark hidden secrets. Why is he in thrall to his friend Cornelius Ashmole? And why does Cornelius hate Pandora so?
The narrative has an almost Dickensian feel - though I found it a lot easier to read than Dickens! - with its atmospheric and colourful evocation of life a couple of centuries ago, and its variety of characters like evil uncle Hezekiah, blowsy housekeeper Lottie, the salty Coombe brothers who work covertly for Hezekiah, and snobby entitled Lady Latimer. But it cleverly avoids caricature.
Rich descriptive prose, a plot that crackles with danger and mystery that may or may not have its roots in the supernatural, and a colourful cast of characters all make this a joy to read.

I really enjoyed this book it was different and an excellently written story. Set in Georgian London you can really feel the atmosphere of a very different time and place and I think the author did a great job of transporting the reader to that time.
The story is based loosely on the the Pandora’s box myth with a lot more going on as the the main character of Pandora or Dora as she is known living unhappily with her very dislikable uncle in what was once her deceased parents antique shop.
I loved the pet bird a magpie named Hermes he was just wonderful and the book also has a wide range of characters that are all brilliantly described.
I flew through the book I wanted to know the outcome and my only disappointment was I felt the book ended rather too quickly but overall it was a read that as I said was thoroughly enjoyable.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Uk, Vintage, Harvill Secker for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pandora is a historical mystery novel with a focus on Greek mythology and Pandora’s box.

Set in Victorian London, Dora is a young aspiring jewellery maker that is looking for that break that will take her away from her unhappy life with her scheming Uncle. Dora has been in the care of her uncle since the day her parents died in a tragic accident on an archaeological site in Greece. The arrival of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets a chain of events that will change Dora’s life forever and uncover the truth of her parents’ deaths.

I always enjoy a historical fiction and this one did not disappoint.

In Georgian London the arrival of an ancient discovery blurs the boundaries between myth and reality.

Pandora Blake, ambitious and talented, is hemmed in by her status as an orphan woman dependent on the good-will of her dishonest uncle. Edward Lawrence is also trying to make something of himself, desperate to follow his passion and join the Society of Antiquities. Both are drawn into the fate of an ancient Greek relic that may have an astonishing link to the past as well as a place in Pandora's tragic personal history and may also have a power far beyond its monetary and historical value...

This was a fun and mysterious tale in a well- Georgian setting. There's a real sense of London from the dock-side squalor to the faded gentility of the Blakes' antiquities store and the opulence and excess of the higher classes. It's pacy and dynamic with dark overtones of criminality, mystery and the supernatural. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite all come together. Pandora is likable enough in her intelligence and determination to better herself but she's a fairly standard heroine. Edward is very under-developed and is more of a plot-device than a character, with a back-story designed to give him something in common with Pandora. The rest ticked off a number of historical fiction tropes.

Villainous uncle ✅
"Woman of the night" ✅
Deceased parents ✅✅✅✅
Wealthy patrons ✅✅

The supernatural element added an intriguing flavour but was never resolved in a satisfactory way. Ambiguity is fine but it needs to be a deliberate choice. All in all, a quick easy read that kept me turning the pages but didn't offer much that was fresh in style or substance

Pandora Blake lives in the attic of what used to be her parents antique shop dreaming up jewellery designs that will make her name and set her free. Both Dora and the shop are now under the dubious care of her shifty uncle who has run the business into the ground selling dodgy forgeries and junk to a dwindling clientele. When Dora’s uncle takes possession of an Ancient Greek Urn locking it away in the basement and allowing no one near it, history that has long been buried begins to surface as Dora sets out to discover the truth of the Urn with the help of a budding academic.
I really enjoyed this, it was an absolute treat. Dastardly uncles, mysterious mythical and magical pots, rich old ladies with brilliant taste, unrequited gay love, magpie friends, hot pint sized scholars, murder and ill fortune it’s all there. It’s a bit gothic and a bit romantic and all historical. I loved it.

Excellent historical fiction set in dark, secretive Georgian England but weaving in the myth of Pandora’s box. Intriguing and full of adventure, there are strong characters (and a magpie) and lots of historical detail to make this a cracking read.

Completely adored this evocative piece of historical fiction!
Immediately sympathised with the character of Dora and her struggles trying to find independence and freedom in a patriarchal society. Edward was equally wonderful - so good and earnest and the perfect foil to Dora’s detestable uncle - a Thenadier style character - that everyone will love to hate.

The relationship and backstory between Edward and his complex friend and benefactor and the development of his relationship was really the heart of the story for me - and the mythological touches were added special detail.

I loved it!

I don't often read historical fiction which reimagines greek myths but this was very good! I may now read others like it as it has totally changed my views. Pandora's box as a vase? Set in London in an antiques shop! A weird uncle! A girl desperate to find out the truth! Well that was me well and truly Pandorad. Yes that is now a word.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (there are other reviews like that out there if that's what you are looking for).

I really enjoyed this novel - it suite me, being a fan of historical fiction, fantasy, and "Dickensian-style" characters. There are several layers to the plot, and various mysteries - apart from the obvious one concerning the vase.

There are some really well-observed characters - I particularly liked Dora and the eccentric lady-patron - goodies, baddies, gloomy settings and a supporting cast that you'd not be surprised to find in a Dickens nocel (yes I know it's set in Georgian times, but the vibe felt that way to me).

I think that the author probably had more to write about Dora's adventures than would fit into this novel - maybe the tale could have been expanded and made into two books? or maybe a sequel will follow? In any case, I'll happily read more by this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

What a stunning cover - this is what drew me in initially
This is clever and engrossing - I couldn't put this down

Loved this

This was such a pleasant book to read, I couldn't put it down and loved the setting and characters. Don't sleep on it!

WHAT a unique book! Atmospheric, mysterious, clever, and thrilling, this novel kept me gripped from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more by Stokes-Chapman, if she releases more novels in the future. Thank you so much for this ARC!

A thoroughly enjoyable adventure around ancient artifacts, beautiful jewels, fakes... set in a well conjured 1799 London (from shops and grand houses in town, to the least salubrious dockland areas) at the centre of which is Pandora Blake, young, orphan, artistic, living with her odious uncle and housekeeper in the "antiques" shop once belonging to her parents...

We enter the adventure through an intriguing subaquatic operation... and from that moment the action takes you on a (obviously!) voyage of discovery which is highly entertaining as the characters are vivid and engaging, the plot mysterious, and the discoveries judiciously paced. At the same time one gets glimpses of how the commercial and antiquarian world worked at the time and even the very historically real Sir William Hamilton (husband of Emma, Lady Hamilton) has a part to play... I liked the writing too, which is very good at description of place and action, and although it is not the primary objective of the novel, makes motivations of all parties plausible which add to the pleasures of reading. The end is perhaps a bit of predictable and leaves a number of loose ends but perhaps there is going to be a sequel!! I would read it.

With many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this most promising and entertaining first novel.