Death has followed Charlotte Markham her entire life. First
her mother dies when Charlotte's young, then her father,
and even her husband shortly after their marriage. With no
family to call her own, she takes a job as the governess
for two young boys who've also lost their mother recently.
Here she feels confident that she can help the boys through
their loss. When an outing into the woods reunites the boys
with their dead mother Lily Darrow, Charlotte doesn't know
what to think or how to handle this situation. Somehow Lily
Darrow has found a way to get a little more time with her
children. Lily invites the boys and Charlotte to spend time
with her in the Ending, 'the place for the Things Above
Death' and where things and people are not what they
appear. Everything is telling Charlotte that there's
something wrong with the situation and Charlotte vows that
she'll protect the children, even if it means protecting
them from their mother.
This is an amazing story with magnificently creative
worlds, remarkable characters, and with a universal
question; what if you could have a little more time with
someone you loved and lost? Would you take it no matter the
cost? That lingering doubt haunts this story from beginning
to end and driving Charlotte and Lily to accept truths
about themselves neither want to face.
In true Gothic fashion, Charlotte is a respectable, young
woman who's fallen on hard times and just happens to be
employed by a charming, handsome widower and this is where
Mr. Boccacino takes a step back and avoids the pit of
clichés. Charlotte is more self-aware than many Gothic
heroines. I particularly enjoyed her questioning her own
motives over her budding relationship with Mr. Darrow. It's
that frank and critical logic that makes Charlotte an
intriguing character. She's a good study in contradictions.
She feels deeply and passionately but she's reserved and
calm. She's suspicious and curious but trusts implicitly
when she does. Her interaction with the children were some
of my favorite scenes of the story.
Michael Boccacino's paints worlds of staggering beauty and
horror in the best Gothic fashion. His writing is
beautiful, evocative and creepy. Seriously creepy and I
mean that in the best possible way. The words flow
smoothly, creating images so real I didn't need to close my
eyes to see them and he does this with every one of the
senses. I cannot say enough how lovely his writing is. The
story is wonderful but to have such beautiful writing makes
CHARLOTTE MARKHAM AND THE HOUSE OF DARKLING a joy to read.
This is Michael Boccacino's first novel and I can't wait to
see more from him and the stunning world of The Ending.
When the nanny to the young Darrow boys is found murdered
on the outskirts of Blackfield, Charlotte Markham, the
recently hired governess, steps in to take over their care.
During an outing in the forest, they find themselves
crossing over into The Ending, the place for the Things That
Cannot Die, where Lily Darrow, the late mistress of Everton,
has been waiting. She invites them into the ominous House of
Darkling, a wondrous, dangerous place filled with
enchantment, mystery and strange creatures that appear to
be, but are not quite, human.
However, everything comes with a price, and as Charlotte
begins to understand the unspeakable bargain Mrs. Darrow has
made for a second chance at motherhood, she uncovers a
connection to the sinister occurrences in Blackfield and
enters into a deadly game with the master of Darkling, one
whose outcome will determine not just the fate of the
Darrows, but of the world itself.
Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling is a Victorian
gothic tale about family ties, the realm beyond the living,
and the price you pay to save those you love.
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