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.