I do like a good cover and the one for Montacute House is just lovely. Montacute House actually exists in Somerset and the author, Lucy Jago spent a lot of time during her childhood exploring it's many rooms and expansive grounds.
The main character is Cess, she is only thirteen and a lowly poultry girl at the great house. Cess and her mother are social outcasts in the village due to Cess having been born out of wedlock and therefore considered the lowest of the low. The villagers are shocked when the body of a young boy is discovered; his body is blackened and bruised and they are at a loss as to who or what could have inflicted such awful injuries.
Cess' friend William then goes missing and she feels that she has to get involved in the mystery in the hope that she will not be too late to save her dearest friend. However, Cess has no idea what she is getting herself involved in. She enters a world of witchcraft, greed, ambition, religious differences and extreme danger and risk. Montacute House appears to be in the centre of it all but it becomes clear that the pain and suffering will be far reaching unless it is stopped.
Lucy Jago has written a very interesting historical mystery. Her knowledge of Montacute House and it's history is evident as she gives the reader vivid descriptions of the rooms and secret passages and what they were used for. The house holds many secrets and they creep through the story tying everything together.
Cess is a particularly likeable character, she is the underdog who is prepared to fight for others experiencing mistreatment and prejudice. She carries the whole story as she fights for peace and justice.
Montacute House is the first book that Lucy Jago has written for young adults and it is published this week. She is an excellent story teller and I will be on the lookout for her future books.
Many thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me this to review.
