When well-to-do Hester learns of her sister Mercy's death at a Nottinghamshire workhouse, she travels to Southwell to find out how her sister ended up at such a place.

Haunted by her sister's ghost, Hester sets out to uncover the truth, when the official story reported by the workhouse master proves to be untrue. Mercy was pregnant - both her and the baby are said to be dead of cholera, but the workhouse hasn't had an outbreak for years.

Hester discovers a strange trend in the workhouse of children going missing. One woman tells her about the Pale Lady, a ghostly figure that steals babies in the night. Is this lady a myth or is something more sinister afoot at the Southwell poorhouse?

As Hester investigates, she uncovers a conspiracy, one that someone is determined to keep a secret, no matter the cost...

**********

'A creepy, evocative mystery' Heat

'An historical novel dripping with menace' Shari Lapena

'If you like gothic mystery, buckle up! This atmospheric read has it all' Woman magazine

About the Author
Rhiannon Ward is the pseudonym for Sarah Ward, the bestselling and critically acclaimed crime author. Sarah has a masters degree in Religious History and has long been fascinated by the long tradition of spiritualism in England and is a member of the Institute of Psychical Research. Sarah is also a crime reviewer and book blogger at Crime Pieces.

Reviews
A creepy, evocative mystery * Heat *
An historical novel dripping with menace, featuring a sympathetic heroine, seances, and family secrets-there's so much to love about The Quickening! * Shari Lapena, author of The End of Her *
If you like gothic mystery, buckle up! This atmospheric read has it all * Woman magazine *
Utterly brilliant... full of secrets and deliciously creepy, I raced through it * Lisa Hall, author of The Perfect Couple *
A spooky treat, which had me turning the pages faster and faster * Cass Green, author of In a Cottage in a Wood *
A powerful, spine-tingling, beautifully written gothic mystery full of real, complex characters, smart, dark twists and utterly immersive historical detail * Hayley Webster *
It's twisty and atmospheric, seriously creepy, and has an inspiring central character I was rooting for * Cressida McLaughlin *



Book Information
ISBN 9781409192220
Author Rhiannon Ward
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 220g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 24mm