This was an incredibly atmospheric read, with Scarlett blending the elements of Victorian gothic novels with a more modern approach, to create a gripping page-turner. The tension was there throughout, permeating through the setting – beautifully described, with some truly evocative descriptions of the country house and the north-eastern setting – the mystery, and the relationships between the characters, and there was a feeling of holding your breath throughout the book. There were twists and turns, and the mystery element was handled very well, although I did feel that the ending and resolution was perhaps a little rushed in comparison to the build-up, although I did find the ending itself more than satisfying.

This was a very strong debut, and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future books by the author and I would recommend the Deception of Harriet Fleet to anyone who enjoys atmospheric reads that will pull you in completely.