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* Winner of the HWA Debut Crown Award 2020*

Some secrets are unspoken. Others are unspeakable . . .

August 1939.

Thirty-year-old Hetty Cartwright is tasked with the evacuation and safekeeping of the natural history museum's collection of mammals. Once she and her exhibits arrive at Lockwood Manor, however, where they are to stay for the duration of the war, Hetty soon realizes that she's taken on more than she'd bargained for.

Protecting her charges from the irascible Lord Lockwood and resentful servants is work enough, but when some of the animals go missing, and worse, Hetty begins to suspect someone - or something - is stalking her through the darkened corridors of the house.

As the disasters mount, Hetty finds herself falling under the spell of Lucy, Lord Lockwood's beautiful but clearly haunted daughter. But why is Lucy so traumatized? Does she know something she's not telling? And is there any truth to local rumours of ghosts and curses?

Part love story, part mystery, The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey is a gripping and atmospheric tale of family madness, long-buried secrets and hidden desires. Jane Healey's excellent debut novel is a rich story full of tension and darkness. The star of the novel is the claustrophobic Manor itself, which casts a shadow over every page and hides a truly horrible secret. Atmospheric and disquieting, The Animals at Lockwood Manor is an ideal book club read -- A J Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird An eerie puzzle box of a book . . . a deeply consuming read and a fantastic novel to get lost in -- Erika Swyler Such a vivid, beautiful but haunting story, with a thread of darkness running through it . . . I was thoroughly engrossed -- Cressida McLaughlin This story will keep you captivated * Women's Weekly * Hypnotic . . . Will keep you emotionally invested to the end * Woman & Home * In this modern gothic, animals disappear, chilling screams pierce the night, and tales of abuse and madness abound. An appropriately horrific conclusion is worthy of the genre's best storytellers * Audiofile *

The Animals at Lockwood Manor