I am massively into period dramas and sometimes wonder if I was born in the wrong century all-together. Now, add a little bit of supernatural and mystery into the mix and you have a stunning concoction! The Silent Companions has the perfect amount of paranormal, chill and doubt with a hint of death. Okay, quite a bit of it actually. I mean the book basically begins with Mr Bainbridge’s death a few months into his marriage.. (Poor man!)
Synopsis
Newly married, newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at the late husband’s crumbling country estate, The Bridge. With her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie only has her husband’s awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. For inside her new home lies a mysterious wooden figure – a Silent Companion – that bears an unsettling resemblance to Elise herself…
My thoughts: I was whisked away into the late 19th century country estate and totally lost myself in the astounding story, at times doubting my own sanity. The chapters alternated between Elsie and the journal excerpts written by Anne Bainbridge, the lady of the house at The Bridge in the mid 1600s. The wooden figures, or the silent companions as they were called, were supposed to offer just that – companionship. However, they turned out to have a more sinister agenda..
Did people know when they were going insane? she wondered. Did they feel the weave of their mind ripping apart? Or was it like passing into a gentle dream-world?
Elsie was hands down my favorite character in this book for her strength and resilience. I am sad to say goodbye to Mrs Bainbridge and the frightening wooden figures. And I am left to wonder, what happened to Sarah…
It’s odd, because I really, really enjoyed this dark, mysterious and chillingly creepy book. Yet I struggled to write down my thoughts on it.. So lets just call it a short review, huh!?
The Silent Companions was a perfect October read. Mysterious, dark and creepy! This definitely has a place on my “would read again” list.
I’m excited to add The Corset to the collection once it comes out in paperback (if I can wait that long!)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Have you read either books, or perhaps have a one that’s similar? Let me know!
