In Stacey Halls’ Mrs England a young governess must navigate the challenging dynamics of family life underneath the polished surface of an Edwardian marriage. Set against the atmospheric West Yorkshire landscape, the author of The Familiars’ third novel is a powerful examination of truth and deception.

Beth Underdown’s The Key in the Lock is a gothic mystery around a mother mourning the loss of her son in the Great War, haunted by more than his loss. Underdown’s previous novel is The Witch Finder’s Sister.

The novelists discuss secrets and the creation of eerie atmosphere.