The Secrets of Hartwood Hall

I loved this fresh take on the gothic genre. Vivid, haunting, surprising – Stacey Halls, author of Sunday Times bestsellers The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs EnglandA full-blooded gothic mystery with bite, great characterisation and heaps of atmosphere – Emma StonexA delicious Gothic mystery with an unexpected final twist * Heat *A brilliantly creepy and utterly compelling read, which put me in mind of Laura Purcell, Stacey Halls and Michelle Paver: it’s up there with the most wonderfully engrossing and twisty gothic historical fiction – Caroline LeaA creepy, captivating gothic mystery * Woman’s Weekly *Smart, atmospheric, gripping and full of surprises, this is a Gothic spine-chiller by an absolutely modern writer – Maggie GeeThis book delivers HUGE Jane Eyre vibes, gothic and mysterious Victoriana. I LOVED it – Sophie Irwin, author of Sunday Times bestseller A Lady’s Guide to Fortune HuntingAn immersive, atmospheric novel and a true love letter to Gothic fiction * i *With echoes of Jane Eyre but with a heart of its own … a suspenseful and beautifully crafted novel filled with atmosphere, rich characters and plenty of layers to keep a reader hooked right to the end – Susan Stokes-Chapman, the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of PANDORAIn her atmospheric debut, The Secrets of Hartwood Hall, Katie Lumsden enthralls us with a quintessential manor-home mystery. Fans of gothic literature will savor the peculiar characters, the abandoned corridors, the deceptions and twists behind every door… Ultimately a story about women and the haunting secrets they keep, Lumsden’s debut reminds us never to trust first appearances. A mesmerizing debut! – Sarah Penner

Katie Lumsden discovered her love for reading at thirteen, captivated by Jane Eyre. Her teenage years were dedicated to devouring 19th-century literature, immersing herself in the works of Dickens, Brontë, Gaskell, Austen, and Hardy.

She holds a degree in English Literature and History from the University of Durham and an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Her short stories have received recognition, being shortlisted for the London Short Story Prize and the Bridport Prize, and have been featured in various literary magazines.

Katie is also a successful YouTuber, with her channel “Books and Things” boasting over 28,000 subscribers. She currently resides in London, where she works as an editor.

Her debut novel, The Secrets of Hartwood Hall, was shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award. Her second novel, The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst, is a heartfelt tribute to Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell.