The Corset

The Corset is another book that had been sat on my TBR pile for such a long time I was starting to think I might never get around to it. I’m not sure why, but it is one of those books I just wasn’t expecting to like, despite having been told by so many people how brilliant it is. The story is about two women; Dorothea, a young and wealthy woman whose charitable work leads her to the Oakgate Women’s prison. Here she meets self-confessed murderess Ruth, a talented teenage seamstress who claims to have dark powers. Ruth is destined for the gallows, and during Dorothea’s visits Ruth starts to reveal the secrets of her disturbing past. Can she be trusted? Is she mad or a murderer? A villain or a victim? The Corset is a brilliant Victorian gothic tale, that had me desperately trying to get to the bottom of all the secrets. It is slightly reminiscent of Alias Grace, which is one I’m hoping to read again one day. I don’t want to say too much about this one as I would hate to spoil it for you. The Corset is incredibly atmospheric and there are parts that are very dark and chilling to read. There was a small section in the middle where I started to lose interest but then it gathered its pace and I was hooked until the end. As for the ending, I did not see that coming at all, I thought it was a really clever and totally unexpected.

This is the first of Laura Purcell’s books that I’ve read and I would really like to read more. Have you read The Silent Companions, is it one you would recommend? Her new book Bone China is out in September and sounds like it will be a really good one. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.