The Knowing: An intoxicating gothic historical fiction debut - Emma Hinds

Faber & Faber - <p>A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH'Vivid, visceral and utterly immersive. Extraordinary' LIZ HYDER author of The Gifts'You can smell the spit and sawdust rising from the pages of this atmospheric gothic novel.' - RED Magazine'A Violent, disturbing gothic tale compellingly told.' - The Guardian'If you love Sarah Waters and dark historical fiction, you will no doubt be hooked.' - Diva magazineIn the slums of 19th-century New York.A tattooed mystic fights for her life.Her survival hangs on the turn of a tarot card.Powerful, intoxicating and full of suspense. The Knowing is a darkly spellbinding novel about a girl fighting for her survival in the decaying criminal underworlds.Whilst working as a living canvas for an abusive tattoo artist, Flora meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers her love and refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Mr Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead. Caught in a dark love triangle between Minnie and Chester, Flora begins to unravel the secrets inside their house.The Knowing is a stunning debut inspired by real historical characters including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, New York gang the Dead Rabbits, and characters from PT Barnum's circus.</p>