First published 2024
Hecate Cavendish pedals her bicycle through the cobbled streets of Hereford in 1881, her skirts scandalously high as she races to begin work as Assistant Librarian at the cathedral. The ancient chained library holds centuries of guarded wisdom, but Hecate discovers the collection contains more than books. Lost souls inhabit the cathedral's stone walls, drawn to her unusual ability to see the dead. A medieval world map hangs beside her desk, its curious figures and mythical creatures soon becoming central to her new existence. Some spirits become trusted companions. Others desperately seek her assistance to find their final rest. But darker forces also lurk within the cathedral's shadows, threatening not only Hecate but everyone she holds dear. As she navigates her role among the living and the dead, Hecate must learn to distinguish between souls who need her help and those who would use her gift for dangerous purposes.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, fantasy, 19th-century, gothic, academic
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, supernatural-abilities
Setting: Hereford
Period: 1881
356 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press