The Knowing
An intoxicating gothic historical fiction debut
Published on 18. January 2024
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-915798-13-8 (ISBN)
Description
A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
'Vivid, visceral and utterly immersive. Extraordinary' LIZ HYDER author of The Gifts
'You can smell the spit and sawdust rising from the pages of this atmospheric gothic novel.' - RED Magazine
'A Violent, disturbing gothic tale compellingly told.' - The Guardian
'If you love Sarah Waters and dark historical fiction, you will no doubt be hooked.' - Diva magazine
In the slums of 19th-century New York.
A tattooed mystic fights for her life.
Her survival hangs on the turn of a tarot card.
Powerful, intoxicating and full of suspense. The Knowing is a darkly spellbinding novel about a girl fighting for her survival in the decaying criminal underworlds.
Whilst working as a living canvas for an abusive tattoo artist, Flora meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers her love and refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Mr Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead. Caught in a dark love triangle between Minnie and Chester, Flora begins to unravel the secrets inside their house.
The Knowing is a stunning debut inspired by real historical characters including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, New York gang the Dead Rabbits, and characters from PT Barnum's circus.
'Vivid, visceral and utterly immersive. Extraordinary' LIZ HYDER author of The Gifts
'You can smell the spit and sawdust rising from the pages of this atmospheric gothic novel.' - RED Magazine
'A Violent, disturbing gothic tale compellingly told.' - The Guardian
'If you love Sarah Waters and dark historical fiction, you will no doubt be hooked.' - Diva magazine
In the slums of 19th-century New York.
A tattooed mystic fights for her life.
Her survival hangs on the turn of a tarot card.
Powerful, intoxicating and full of suspense. The Knowing is a darkly spellbinding novel about a girl fighting for her survival in the decaying criminal underworlds.
Whilst working as a living canvas for an abusive tattoo artist, Flora meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers her love and refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Mr Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead. Caught in a dark love triangle between Minnie and Chester, Flora begins to unravel the secrets inside their house.
The Knowing is a stunning debut inspired by real historical characters including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, New York gang the Dead Rabbits, and characters from PT Barnum's circus.
Reviews / Votes
'Dark, atmospheric and compulsive, The Knowing is a bewitching book that kept me up reading late into the night' -- Sophie Keetch 'If you love Sarah Waters and dark historical fiction, you will no doubt be hooked.' * Diva Magazine * 'Vivid, visceral and utterly immersive. Extraordinary' -- Liz Hyder 'You can smell the spit and sawdust rising from the pages of this atmospheric gothic novel.' * Red Magazine * 'I adored this atmospheric, gripping, dark-as-night tale about a tattooed mystic trying to survive the slums and glittering facades of 19th century New York, I compel you ALL to read it' -- Sophie KeetchMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
502 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-915798-13-8 (9781915798138)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2024
Bedford Square Publishers
€8.49
Available for download
Person
Emma is a queer playwright living in Manchester with a focus on telling untold feminist narratives. Her latest play, PURE, was featured in Turn On festival at Hope Mill Theatre Manchester and she was the recipient of the Artist Development grant. She has written an essay published in Tarantino and Theology with Gray Matter Books, and her book Ineffable Love: Christian Themes in Good Omens was published by Darton Longman & Todd.