The Beholders
by Hester Musson· 2024
Centring around a young maid in a politician's house, this period novel weaves a tale of intrigue, power and complicity.
Some houses are haunted by the living.
June, 1878. The body of a boy is pulled from the depths of the River Thames, suspected to be the missing child of the Liberal MP Ralph Gethin.
Four months earlier. Harriet is a young maid newly employed at Finton Hall. Fleeing an unwanted engagement in the village where she grew up, Harriet is entranced by the grand country hall; she is entranced too by her mistress Clara Gethin, whose unearthly singing voice floats through the house. But Clara, though captivating, is erratic. The master of the house is a politician, but he is strangely absent. And some of their belongings seem to tell terrible stories.
Unable to ignore her growing unease, Harriet sets out to discover their secrets. When she uncovers a shocking truth, a chain of events is set in motion that could cost Harriet everything, even her freedom...
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Centring around a young maid in a politician's house, this period novel weaves a tale of intrigue, power and complicity. Some houses are haunted by the living. June, 1878. The body of a boy is pulled from the depths of the River Thames, suspected to be the missing child of the Liberal MP Ralph Gethin. Four months earlier. Harriet is a young maid newly employed at Finton Hall. Fleeing an unwanted engagement in the village where she grew up, Harriet is entranced by the grand country hall; she is entranced too by her mistress Clara Gethin, whose unearthly singing voice floats through the house. But Clara, though captivating, is erratic. The master of the house is a politician, but he is strangely absent. And some of their belongings seem to tell terrible stories. Unable to ignore her growing unease, Harriet sets out to discover their secrets. When she uncovers a shocking truth, a chain of events is set in motion that could cost Harriet everything, even her freedom...