Carrion Crow

A gruesome, provocative, stylish fairytale Kaliane Bradley, internationally bestselling author of The Ministry of Time Magnificent and devastating Alan Moore, author of Watchman As mesmerizing as it is surreal, a haunting gothic tapestry Lucy Rose, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamb I loved it Julia Armfield, author of Our Wives Under The Sea Will win awards Observer A worthy entrant into the contemporary gothic hall of fame Financial TimesMarguerite P rigord is locked in the attic of her family home, a towering Chelsea house overlooking the stinking Thames. For company she has a sewing machine, Mrs Beeton s Book of Household Management and a carrion crow who has come to nest in the rafters. Restless, she spends her waning energies on the fascinations of her own body, memorising Mrs Beeton s advice and longing for her life outside.C cile P rigord has confined her daughter Marguerite for her own good. C cile is concerned that Marguerite s engagement to a much older, near-penniless solicitor, will drag the family name her husband s name, that is into disrepute. And for C cile, who has worked hard at her own betterment, this simply won t do. C cile s life has taught her that no matter how high a woman climbs she can just as readily fall.Of course, both have their secrets, intentions and histories to hide. As Marguerite s patience turns into rage, the boundaries of her mind and body start to fray. And neither woman can recognise what the other is becoming.