The Savage Instinct
Published on 18. May 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
377 pages
978-1-947848-67-2 (ISBN)
Description
"A fascinating portrayal of womanhood in Victorian England that is also a nail-biting thriller that will keep readers riveted until the very last page." -Booklist
Perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace and Hannah Kent's Burial Rites, this taut psychological thriller offers a delicious take on deviant and defiant Victorian women in a time when marriage itself was its own prison.
England, 1873. Clara Blackstone has just been released after one year in a private asylum for the insane. Clara has two goals: to reunite with her husband, Henry, and to never-ever-return to the asylum. As she enters Durham, Clara finds her carriage surrounded by a mob gathered to witness the imprisonment of Mary Ann Cotton-England's first female serial killer-accused of poisoning nearly twenty people, including her husbands and children.
Clara soon finds the oppressive confinement of her marriage no less terrifying than the white-tiled walls of Hoxton. And as she grows increasingly suspicious of Henry's intentions, her fascination with Cotton grows. Soon, Cotton is not just a notorious figure from the headlines, but an unlikely confidante, mentor-and perhaps accomplice-in Clara's struggle to protect her money, her freedom and her life.
Perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace and Hannah Kent's Burial Rites, this taut psychological thriller offers a delicious take on deviant and defiant Victorian women in a time when marriage itself was its own prison.
England, 1873. Clara Blackstone has just been released after one year in a private asylum for the insane. Clara has two goals: to reunite with her husband, Henry, and to never-ever-return to the asylum. As she enters Durham, Clara finds her carriage surrounded by a mob gathered to witness the imprisonment of Mary Ann Cotton-England's first female serial killer-accused of poisoning nearly twenty people, including her husbands and children.
Clara soon finds the oppressive confinement of her marriage no less terrifying than the white-tiled walls of Hoxton. And as she grows increasingly suspicious of Henry's intentions, her fascination with Cotton grows. Soon, Cotton is not just a notorious figure from the headlines, but an unlikely confidante, mentor-and perhaps accomplice-in Clara's struggle to protect her money, her freedom and her life.
Reviews / Votes
"DeLuca keeps readers guessing. Minette Walters fans will be pleased." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Not only does this novel do Mary Ann Cotton justice, but it paints a realistic and emotional portrayal of the struggles of a woman in Victorian England." - Mystery & Suspense Magazine
"Fans of Fingersmith and Alias Grace should enjoy Marjorie DeLuca's take on deviant, dangerous, and defiant Victorian women." -Erin Sulla, Librarian at University of Illinois
"DeLuca's thriller is like boiling a lobster; the pot gets hotter and hotter while you weren't watching till it is boiling over in the final act where the tension is high and keeps the pages turning." - Horror Buzz
"Immediately gripping." - Biblio Obscura
"Underneath all the wonderful dramatic tension is the frequently horrifying theme of pre-code of ethics psychology and a medical-legal system far too willing to certify inconvenient people insane." -Utah Valley University
"Knocks your socks off." - The Book Review Crew
"Flawless narration that captivated me until the very end. Recommended to everyone who enjoys atmospheric historical fiction featuring strong women." -The Elder Books
"If you have high blood pressure, maybe skip this one. The writing and story is incredible-I can't remember the last time I was this angry at a story I loved." - Only The Darkest Reads
"A compelling story set in the 1800s about a young woman as she navigates suffocating societal expectations, the torments of the human mind, and a growing fascination with England's first female serial killer." - Jacqui Castle, award-winning author of The Seclusion
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 207 mm
Width: 144 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
458 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-947848-67-2 (9781947848672)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Marjorie DeLuca spent her childhood in the ancient cathedral city of Durham in North-Eastern England. She attended the University of London, Goldsmiths College, studied psychology, then became a teacher. Marjorie immigrated to Canada and lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two children.