A SKINFUL OF SHADOWS

Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2017 A Skinful of Shadows confirms Hardinge s status as one of our finest storytellers It s rare to find a book which is every bit as intelligent and stylish as it is riveting I was enthralled Sarah Perry author of The Essex Serpent Frances Hardinge weaves a dark otherworldly tale in A Skinful of Shadows her first book since the Costa Award winning The Lie Tree When a creature dies its spirit can go looking for somewhere to hide Some people have space inside them perfect for hiding Makepeace a courageous girl with a mysterious past defends herself nightly from the ghosts which try to possess her Then a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard for a moment And now there s a ghost inside her The spirit is wild brutish and strong but it may be her only defence in a time of dark suspicion and fear As the English Civil War erupts Makepeace must decide which is worse possession or death