Dark Observation

Cavendish (In Darkness, Shadows Breathe) cleverly toggles between present and past in a spooky tale that integrates historical details about Nazi occult beliefs. Readers first meet Violet Harrington in the present, as a nonagenarian exploring London with her granddaughter, Heather, where both see a man and woman no one else does, leading Violet to cryptically warn Heather to “keep away from them.” The narrative then flashes back to 1941 London, when Violet was promoted from government pool typist to an ultra-confidential post in Britain’s Cabinet War Rooms, working directly for Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This challenging opportunity coincides with some strange developments in her boarding house; her friend and fellow boarder, Tilly Layton, suspects that the newest tenant, Sandrine Maupas di Santiago, may be a spy. Violet grows similarly suspicious after she finds a book with satanic images in Sandrine’s room and then has what she thinks is a nightmare about Sandrine plotting with a strange man in the home’s kitchen. The shift between time periods only enhances the suspense as the mystery of Sandrine and her occult connections unfold. Throughout, Cavendish showcases her expertise at creating a creepy atmosphere and facilitating suspension of disbelief. It’s a dark, disturbing thrill ride. (Sept.)