The Silk House

Weaving. Healing. Haunting. The spellbinding story of a mysterious boarding school sheltering a centuries-old secret...

Australian history teacher Thea Rust arrives at an exclusive boarding school in the British countryside only to find that she is to look after the first intake of girls in its 150-year history. She is to stay with them in Silk House, a building with a long and troubled past.

In the late 1700s, Rowan Caswell leaves her village to work in the home of an English silk merchant. She is thrust into a new and dangerous world where her talent for herbs and healing soon attracts attention.

In London, Mary-Louise Stephenson lives amid the clatter of the weaving trade and dreams of becoming a silk designer, a job that is the domain of men. A length of fabric she weaves with a pattern of deadly flowers will have far-reaching consequences for all who dwell in the silk house.

Intoxicating, haunting and inspired by the author's background, THE SILK HOUSE is an exceptional gothic mystery.

'The ghostly stories of three women who had all spent time at a mysterious boarding school are beautifully woven together in this spellbinding tale. An exceptional gothic mystery' Woman's Day

'This spellbinding story intertwines three strong, fearless women in the pursuit of fulfilling their dreams' Family Circle

'The stories of three fascinating women weave seamlessly together in this atmospheric book set against the sumptuous backdrop of the eighteenth-century silk trade... a mystery that is so compelling I found myself racing towards the final pages. Utterly spellbinding' NATASHA LESTER

“Two incredibly likeable, headstrong heroines ... watching them flourish is captivating. Compelling storytelling. - The Australian Women's Weekly on The Botanist's DaughterA sensitive, atmospheric and often heartbreaking story told with real mastery. - WHO Weekly on The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant”

A haunting, atmospheric novel that is near-impossible to put down - SALLY HEPWOTH

An elegantly woven ghost story that both chills and delights ... this evocative tale of mystery and secrets continued to haunt me long after I turned the last page - JOANNA NELL

Kayte Nunn has the gift of creating characters, stories and settings that become as cherished as old friends... This book is the best kind of escapism: thoughtful, colourful and meaningful - SOPHIE GREEN

Kayte Nunn is a former book and magazine editor, and the author of six previous novels, including the international bestselling The Botanist's Daughter, The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant, The Silk House and The Last Reunion. The Botanist's Daughter was the 2020 winner of the Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize. Kayte lives in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. You can find Kayte at kaytenunn.com

Weaving. Healing . Haunting . The spellbinding story of a mysterious boarding school sheltering a centuries-old secret by the bestselling author of THE BOTANIST'S DAUGHTER Australian history teacher Thea Rust arrives at an exclusive boarding school in the British countryside only to find that she is to look after the first intake of girls in its 150-year history. She is to stay with them in Silk House, a building with a long and troubled past, where the shadows hide more mysteries than she could ever imagine. In the late 1700s, Rowan Caswell leaves her village to work in the home of an English silk merchant. She is thrust into a new and dangerous world where her talent for herbs and healing soon attracts attention. In London, Mary-Louise Stephenson lives amid the clatter of the weaving trade and dreams of becoming a silk designer, a job that is the domain of men. Arriving in the market town of Oxleigh, she brings with her a length of fabric woven with a pattern of deadly plants that will have far-reaching consequences for all who dwell in the silk house. Intoxicating, haunting and inspired by the author's background, THE SILK HOUSE is the exceptional new gothic mystery by Kayte Nunn. Praise for Kayte Nunn: 'A sensitive, atmospheric and often heartbreaking story told with real mastery' WHO Weekly'Two incredibly likeable, headstrong heroines . . . watching them flourish is captivating. With these dynamic women at the helm, Kayte weaves a clever tale of plant treachery involving exotic and perilous encounters in Chile. Compelling storytelling' The Australian Women's Weekly 'I loved THE BOTANIST'S DAUGHTER . I was transported to the 1880s and Chile, to contemporary Sydney and Kew. A gripping read' JOY RHOADES 'The characters are all vivid and interesting, and there's a dash of romance and a splash of intrigue' KATE FORSYTH

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