Review: Lost in Darkness

 Lost in Darkness

by Michelle Griep

About the Book

Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does…in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

My Thoughts

I loved this book! Simply put; it was amazing. I’m a big fan of Michelle Griep and I adore her talent for writing authentic English Regency/Victorian fiction with a Gothic flair, and Lost in Darkness is a shining example of her immense ability at writing this genre. This is my favorite book by her so far.

I don’t even know where to begin; this book has left me speechless. I loved all of the main characters. Amelia was such a fabulous heroine. Prior to reading this book, I hadn’t known much about female travel writers in the early 19th century. I found it so interesting to read about her career, as well as her time spent with Mary Shelley. Graham was a very likable character. Unlike many of his peers, he has a compassionate heart that drives him to do what is right for his patients rather than his pocketbook. One cannot help but love gentle giant Colin. A misunderstood soul with a truly caring heart, he is a literary character on par with Frankenstein’s monster and Quasimodo, yet sets himself apart with his complete relatability.

The setting of this book is so perfect. As with her other novels, Griep paints a spot-on portrait of 19th century England that will make you wish for a time machine. The half-abandoned estate where Amelia and Colin live lends itself wonderfully to the atmosphere of the novel and pairs seamlessly with the mystery weaved into the story.

Readers that love historical fiction with a Gothic flair will not want to miss Lost in Darkness. Not only do I highly recommend this book, I also must add it to my top ten reads of 2021!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.