The Death of Jane Lawrence: A Novel

Written by Caitlin Starling

Narrated by Mandy Weston

Best Books of 2021 · NPR
ALA/The Reading List Best Horror 2021 Pick
Longlisted for the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement in a Novel, 2021

From the Bram Stoker-nominated author of The Luminous Dead comes a gothic fantasy horror—The Death of Jane Lawrence.

"Narrator Mandy Weston's cool narration is the perfect match to this tale, making the twists and turns in the plot especially surprising ...This tale mixes gothic horror, ghosts, and a love story to create a potent listen." - AudioFile Magazine

"A jewel box of a Gothic novel." —New York Times Book Review

“Delicious.... By the time the book reached that point of no return, I was so invested that I would have followed Jane into the very depths of hell.” —NPR.org

“Intense and amazing! It’s like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell meets Mexican Gothic meets Crimson Peak.” —BookRiot

Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town.

Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him. By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to.

Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Caitlin Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781250821737

Caitlin Starling

Caitlin Starling writes horror-tinged speculative fiction of all flavors. Her first novel, The Luminous Dead, won the LOHF Best Debut Award and was nominated for both the Bram Stoker and Locus Awards. She is also the author of the gothic horror tales Yellow Jessamine and The Death of Jane Lawrence, as well as a novella in the Vampire: The Masquerade audio collection, Walk Among Us. Her nonfiction has appeared in Nightmare and Uncanny. Starling also works in narrative design, and has been paid to invent body parts. She’s always on the lookout for new ways to inflict insomnia.

Reviews for The Death of Jane Lawrence

[Audra Rose House · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book started so strong and I was really enjoying it. Towards the end I felt the plot became confusing and I’m still not sure I fully grasp what the ending means. Overall really well written and very atmospheric.

[Caleb Finley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’ve figured out that gothic horror is a sub genre that absolutely enraptures me. ‘The Death of Jane Lawrence’ hooked me within the first 20 pages and didn’t let go until the end. It was magical, mysterious, and metaphysical in all the best ways, though I will not the ending was a bit rushed in pacing (at least for me.) I loved how visually captivating the story kept me and the characters were fascinating, yet untrustworthy at times.

If you’re into dark, spooky, and gruesome, I definitely recommend it!

[Katrina Thaxton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent read. The twist and turns that the author had you thinking about life and death during that time period.

[Darcia Helle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Normally when I have a dissenting opinion, I’m on the wrong side of a book being praised. This time, I’m blown away by a book getting some pretty negative reviews.

I absolutely loved everything about The Death of Jane Lawrence.

Expect slow burn, psychological horror in a historical setting. Expect a second half that makes you ponder life and death and reality itself. Expect to question the characters’ sanity and your own.

Jane’s character is unique and complex, and I couldn’t help but empathize with her at every turn. She struck me as someone who’d probably be diagnosed as being on the spectrum in our current society, while at the time she’d have been simply considered odd.

I loved the originality and weirdness of this story. No complaints at all.

I switched between reading this in print and listening to the audiobook on Scribd. The narrator does a fantastic job of embracing the characters and mood.

[Doug Weaver · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderfully witty and gothic horror story. This book was everything that I hoped it would be. And the narration is perfect.

[Sierra Bellinger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My romantic heart wanted to love it, but I also kept wondering when it would be over. It felt like Crimson Peak meets Corpse Bride (which is maybe just because of the narrator). I would love to see this as a movie!

[Haley Prager · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been waiting for this book for months. It did not disappoint. The characters were lovingly written and the ending was perfect. This one has earned a spot on the favorite bookshelf!

[Dee Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had me on pins and needles the entire time! Definitely gothic with a bit of a modern twist. It is deliciously atmospheric with twists and turns that might have you turning your lights a bit brighter!

[M Pryor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a great gothic horror novel that still manages to surprise! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and loved the ending! Another great work from a great author

[Kayla Pratt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ummmmm, ok . . .

Soooooo, Jane died and is alive now . . . What exactly happened to Augustine? Is that Augustine? If not, what is Augustine???

4 stars