Linda's Reviews > The Death of Jane Lawrence

Death always wins......

The Death of Jane Lawrence is a hot, bubbling cauldron of emotions. We've got all the dark, slimy things that go bump in the night and the movement of ill-shaped shadows that form along the winding hallways. No matter how tightly you close your eyes, strange wigglies seem to seep into the webby corners of your mind and play loud echoes all night long.

Meet Jane Shoringfield, a crackerjack accountant who specializes in annuity funds. She's lived with the Cunninghams since she was a child. But Mr. Cunningham will be taking on a new judgeship in another town. Jane realizes that opportunities for marriage will soon be out of reach because of her age and position. She's talented in business transactions and that's exactly what her next step will be.

Meet Dr. Augustine Lawrence. Augustine is an over-worked physician in the town of Larrenton. He has gained a reputation for his patient care and his success as a surgeon. Our Jane corners Augustine one morning as he is leaving his surgery. She bargains with him to become his wife with strictly friendly terms. She can take care of his ledgers and efficiently run his office. Our girl is persistent and Augustine agrees to allow her into his surgery on a trial basis. Marriage is not what he has in mind. But by chance, Jane assists him in an emergency surgery and keeps her wits about her. Augustine has now changed his mind.....

Oh, Sweet Girl, be careful what you wish for. There is something beyond peculiar at Lindridge Hall, the rundown family mansion of Augustine. He insists on sleeping there each evening with new wife Jane staying at the surgery. And the minute that Jane steps over the threshhold of that eerie decaying house, the Creep-O-Meter will be at full throttle. Just check out all those little details in that eye-catching book cover.

Caitlin Starling has created a Gothic nightmare within these pages and approaches it with a very original theme. And yet, there is the familiarity of classic horror of long ago movies and literature within these walls. The story does become very detailed in its conclusion with some repetitious scenes that could have benefitted from paring down. But The Death of Jane Lawrence hits its target with the main ingredient of horror......heart-pounding apprehension. Foreboding served up in those long, boney fingers ready to grab you on that hair-raising cover.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Caitlin Starling for the opportunity.