It is 1867 and Eliza Caine, whose father has just died and left her virtually penniless, responds to an advertisement for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall in Norfolk, England. When she finally arrives, after a frightening incident in the thick fog, she’s greeted by the two children for whom she’ll care, Isabella and Eustace. But there is no adult present, and the children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room a second terrifying incident occurs and Eliza begins to question whether she should have taken this assignment.

In this work, Boyne focuses his considerable talent on writing a classic gothic ghost story. The writing style is reminiscent of Dickens and Bronte; I definitely pick up echoes of Jane Eyre. The reader learns pretty quickly that there is something not right in this house, but Boyne takes his time building suspense before letting us know definitively what is going on. I felt Eliza’s frustration when no one in town would tell her the full truth, cheered her on as she stiffened her spine and decided to take matters into her own hands, and I applauded her dedication to the children when she refused to leave them alone despite any danger to herself.

The big climax is somewhat overdramatic, though typical of the genre. But the ending is downright chilling.