The Hidden People
Allison Littlewood
Nov 2016 · Jo Fletcher Books
4.8star
6 reviews
Ebook
384
Pages
About this ebook
"an excellent and engaging read, moving to an absorbing conclusion" --Historical Novel Society
"The perfect book to curl up with on a chilly fall day, The Hidden People will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up." --Booklist
In 1851, within the grand glass arches of London's Crystal Palace, Albie Mirralls meets his cousin Lizzie for the first--and, as it turns out, last--time. Coming from a backward rural village, Albie expects Lizzie will be a simple country girl, but instead he is struck by her inner beauty and by her lovely singing voice.
When next he hears of her, many years later, it is to hear news of her death at the hands of her husband, the village shoemaker.
Rumors surround his young cousin's murder--apparently, her husband thought she had been replaced by one of the "fair folk" and so burned her alive--and then disappeared. Albie becomes obsessed with bringing his young cousin's murderer to justice.
When he arrives, he finds a community in the grip of superstition, nearly every member believes Lizzie's husband acted with the best of intentions and in the service of the village. And the more he learns, the less sure he is that there aren't mysterious powers at work.
"The perfect book to curl up with on a chilly fall day, The Hidden People will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up." --Booklist
In 1851, within the grand glass arches of London's Crystal Palace, Albie Mirralls meets his cousin Lizzie for the first--and, as it turns out, last--time. Coming from a backward rural village, Albie expects Lizzie will be a simple country girl, but instead he is struck by her inner beauty and by her lovely singing voice.
When next he hears of her, many years later, it is to hear news of her death at the hands of her husband, the village shoemaker.
Rumors surround his young cousin's murder--apparently, her husband thought she had been replaced by one of the "fair folk" and so burned her alive--and then disappeared. Albie becomes obsessed with bringing his young cousin's murderer to justice.
When he arrives, he finds a community in the grip of superstition, nearly every member believes Lizzie's husband acted with the best of intentions and in the service of the village. And the more he learns, the less sure he is that there aren't mysterious powers at work.
Ratings and reviews
4.8
6 reviews
Shan Piercy
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November 13, 2017
I have not read a novel completely for several years, and this one I finished in two weeks; which is fast for me, as I am a slow read. The suspense and psychology of the townspeople were the main things that kept me interested. I am an anthropology major, and the exploration of culture and how long forgotten tales still influence our perception of the world enthralled my mind when I realized this book dealt with such topics.
2 people found this review helpful
About the author
Alison Littlewood is the author of A Cold Season, published by Jo Fletcher Books. The novel was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club, where it was described as 'perfect reading for a dark winter's night.' Her second novel, Path of Needles, is a dark blend of fairy tales and crime fiction. Alison's short stories have been picked for the Best Horror of the Year and Mammoth Book of Best New Horror anthologies, as well as The Best British Fantasy 2013 and The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 10. Alison lives in West Yorkshire, England, with her partner Fergus.
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