This is an absolutely perfect example of an historical gothic story. Full of folklore, magic, witchcraft and herbalism and all thoroughly researched and exquisitely written. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and look forward to the next one from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance review copy.

What a beautiful cover for a dark gothic- style novel. Set in west, Welsh speaking Wales in the 1700's this book tells the story on Henry Talbot who was a physician in London but fell on hard times when a wealthy patient dies under his knife. It seems the only job he is offered is at Plas Helyg, a huge stone house, run by the eccentric Linette Tresilian. Her mother is 'mad' and her cousin, Julian, fears that Linette maybe as well. Henry is tasked with looking after the family as well as tending to the estate tenants and mine workers.
Readers are immersed in the Welsh landscape and folklore as well as the more fashionable activity of 'hellfire' clubs. These two worlds collide to bring misdemeanour and mayhem to the family.
The book has some beautiful prose and is well researched. Descriptions take the reader into the heart of the Welsh countryside and into the lives of its residents.
The plot has plenty of twists although was a little slow at times. A must for lovers of things historical and fantastical.
With thanks t to Netgalley and Random House Uk, Vintage for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Shadow Key' by Susan Stokes-Chapman.

Susan Stokes-Chapman, renowned author, writing about Wales? Beauty. I always get nervous when I read about Wales because I'm scared authors are gonna butcher the language - and usually they do - but not Susan. She unapologetically used Welsh in this novel and it's used in this as a plot point for the story. Our main character is an English lad who moves to Wales to become their doctor, the Welsh residents are super suspicious of him after what happened to the last doctor - and because he is English and I don't really need to explain history for you to understand that. I absolutely loved this story and the mystery woven in. Thank you Susan for this beauty.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this.

A beautifully written, compelling tale of the Welsh countryside, family mysteries and secret societies.

We follow Henry, a prestigious surgeon who after a deadly mistake is forced to give up his practice in London and take a rural posting in Wales. The villagers are hostile towards him. He meets Linette who is holding the estate together at great personal cost and is tasked with assessing if she shows signs of the same madness afflicting her mother. Henry becomes suspicious of the death of his predecessor and starts his own investigation whilst facing threats to his safety.

This is a compelling story of love of the Welsh countryside, betrayal, greed and intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this, the characters were so well developed, flawed and believable. Henry is an intelligent and capable protagonist who refuses to be convinced by the tenuous explanations provided to him and perseveres in his own investigation. His supportive and growing friendship with Linette and his deepening love for the land created a likeable and empathetic main character. Lunette’s bravery and determination to protect and maintain her home and its people while atoning for the sins of her ancestors made her a fascinating character too.

I found this to be very well written, the pacing was good, the atmosphere haunting, the mystery that unravelled was exciting. This is the second book from this author that I have thoroughly enjoyed and I will eagerly await their next novel.

A darkly gothic novel of superstition, folklore and the trappings of power set in the remote Welsh countryside. An accomplished novel with plenty of twists and an atmospheric setting, although a bit slow at times.

I picked this novel based on the cover, and I'm so glad that I did. Dark, gothic, full of superstition with beautiful descriptions of the setting. Henry moves to the Welsh countryside after a scandal, and struggles to fit into a community that won't accept him. Historical fiction mixed with fantasy. A great read. Thank you to Net Galley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy

🗝️A perfectly spine chilling gothic based in wonderful Wales.
If you are a fan of historical fiction and dank dripping caves, traditional folklore and superstition then preorder your copy and prepare for some twists and turns.
🕸️Release date 11th April 2024

3.5 stars

An enjoyable read.
I took a while to warm to it, I felt the start was slow this is probably me.
It has a good solid storyline that I could hazard a guess where it MIGHT be going.
Very pleased when I was wrong.
I particularly liked seeing some Welsh language and folklore thrown in there.
Coming from Wales myself, it adds a little something to the story.
Glad I picked this one up.

A suspenseful gothic mystery novel with interesting plot twists and relatable, well-built characters.

We are in Meirionydd, it’s the year 1783 and Henry Talbot is a physician who has been dismissed from a London hospital. He has has to move to Wales to work there. He doesn’t know the language and the people are suspicious of him. He discovers that the previous physician died mysteriously and he investigates as he goes through romance, myths and beliefs.

The prose is precise and delicate at the same time and it immerses the reader in a suggestive landscape suspended in time and magical while leading him through an intense story full of suspense, mystery and romance.

Recommended for those who love intriguing mysteries, gothic atmosphere and witty but lovely main characters.

This was a highly anticipated read after loving Pandora by this author and she sure does know how to write a clever novel! She’s rapidly become an auto-buy author for me and this one was just perfection!

The vibes. THE VIBES. Spot on and the sense of dark, creeping, spine tingling goosebumps began from the very first page. I loved the feel of this book and I was hooked from the first chapter. And also, as someone who is learning Welsh, I so enjoyed the setting of this book. I even managed to translate a few words!

From the very beginning, we follow Henry on his move to the rural welsh countryside, and things feel far from comfortable for our MC. After leaving scandal behind in London, he takes up the position as doctor to tend a household and the outlying village, but he is far from well received. Is it because he’s an Englishman in a strong welsh community or does it run deeper… the few attempts on his life would suggest the latter…!

You can really see just how much research and time the author put into this book and it truly shows, not just in the writing but how the history is captured. I love an author who takes background research seriously and it shines from this book!

I loved the plot, everything was cultivated and created in such a perfect way to have you enchanted and fully invested. At least I was- I couldn’t put the book down! It had a steady rhythm that built you up to an ending that will have you speeding through the pages. A quick blink and I seemed to have finished the book and was staring at the end! I honestly cant wait for the books to follow from this author!

This was a delicious gothic mystery perfect for a long winter night. I was delighted to see something set in rural Wales and the historical setting was pitch perfect. The prose was also beautiful. highly recommend this especially if you like books like The Essex Serpent or The Thirteenth Hour.

As the nights grow longer and the weather turns wet and cold, The Shadow Key is the perfect gothic historical mystery to curl up with in front of the fire. Eighteenth century rural Wales is masterfully conjured up by the author. The gorgeously written prose creates a tense atmosphere, and the story is deliciously packed with suspense and threat.
Doctor Henry Talbot travels to Wales, to look after his employer’s mad cousin and her resourceful daughter Linette, also seen by her guardian to be verging on madness, just because she dresses like a man and runs the country estate. It’s a disquieting world full of shadows and sinister secrets waiting to be discovered. Why are the locals so suspicious of the newcomer? And what is the meaning of the signet ring crests? I enjoyed the Welsh myths and hint of otherworldly evils, and finished the book in almost one sitting.