Circle of Shadows: A gripping historical fantasy steeped in mystery, menace, and the macabre

Private detection is no profession for a woman of standing. Evie Winstanley doesn''t care.

When Evie''s father, a collector of occult books, dies in suspicious circumstances, she decides to uncover the truth. Her only clue is a mysterious reference to the ''circle of shadows.'' Her investigation takes her from a séance in a manor house on the Yorkshire moors to a sinister cult hidden amongst the elite of an Oxford University college . . . and all the while, she is haunted by whispers of an ancient monster, and an ominous, ever-changing symbol.

When the body of a young woman is discovered floating in the Cherwell, marked with the same occult symbol, Evie realises that her investigation is far bigger than one death - and that her own life, and the lives of those she loves, might very well be in danger . . .

Blending historical fantasy with Golden Age classic crime, Circle of Shadows is a dark and twisty adventure through an occult Edwardian England where wealthy boys toy with powers they don''t understand, and women are forced to pick up the pieces. Perfect for fans of Sarah Painter, Michelle Paver, and Laura Shepherd-Robinson.

SHERLOCK HOLMES DIDN'T DEAL WITH THE SUPERNATURAL. EVIE WINSTANLEY DOES.

'Everything I want from dark academia' Susan J. Morris

'A terrifically engaging tale of supernatural goings-on' Tim Major

It's 1904, and being a detective - let alone an occult detective - is no profession for a woman. But that won't stop Evie Winstanley.

When her father, a collector of occult books, dies in strange circumstances, Evie is determined to investigate. Her only lead: a cryptic mention of the 'Circle of Shadows.' From a chilling seance on the lonely Yorkshire moors to the sinister, hedonistic halls of Oxford's elite, Evie hunts for answers, stalked by whispers of an ancient monster and an ever-shifting, ominous symbol.

But when a young woman's body surfaces in the Cherwell, bearing that same mark, Evie uncovers a truth far more terrifying than a single murder. Now, Evie isn't just seeking justice; she's fighting to save her sister, in a dark and twisted adventure where gilded boys unleash hell and defiant women must pick up the pieces. Nothing will stop her investigation, not outraging Edwardian notions of female propriety, and certainly not offers of romance.

Blending historical fantasy with Golden Age classic crime, Circle of Shadows is a dark and twisty adventure through an occult Edwardian England where wealthy boys toy with powers they don't understand, and a lone woman takes a stand against them.


NETGALLEY READERS LOVE CIRCLE OF SHADOWS!

'If you're looking for an eerie, gothic, historical fantasy packed with secrets, suspense, and a dash of horror, then Circle of Shadows is for you'

'An eerie and evocative Edwardian occult mystery, with a wonderful protagonist in Evie'

'A suspenseful historical fantasy'

'Plenty of twists and an all round great story. I hope there will be more books featuring Evie!'

• | Author: Marisa Linton
• | Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• | Publication Date: Oct 09, 2025
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language: eng
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781399740197
• | ISBN-10: 1399740199