“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
If there are two things we love here at What We Reading, it’s creepy gothic backdrops and chilling psychological thrillers. Sadly, we haven’t read nearly as many historical mysteries as we would have liked recently, which was one of the reasons we beelined straight to Hester Musson’s The Beholders when we saw it on sale in our local Waterstones. This new bestselling 2024 historical mystery promised a haunting thrill ride through the Victorian aristocracy with a tale about sinister MPs, unhinged mistresses and the discovery of a body in the River Thames. But, did it deliver the goods when it came to its twists and reveals? Join us today for our book review of The Beholders to find out what we made of Hester Musson’s debut novel!
Date Published: 2024
Author: Hester Musson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Gothic
Pages: 336
Goodreads Rating: 3.62/5
The Beholders Premise
The Beholders is a historical gothic thriller set in Victorian England. The story centres around Harriet Watkins, a young maid who starts working at Finton Hall, the home of the enigmatic Clara Gethin and her husband, the esteemed Liberal MP Ralph Gethin. As Harriet becomes entangled in the household’s mysteries, she begins to discover dark secrets that threaten both her safety and her freedom.
The narrative is told through Harriet’s diary entries, offering readers an intimate lens into her experiences as well as the eerie atmosphere within Finton Hall. Some of the central themes of The Beholders include power dynamics, societal expectations, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of shocking suppression. The Beholders has been selected as a Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month and was shortlisted for the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Prize.
What Worked
The Beholders immerses readers in a dark, atmospheric tale set in Victorian England where the line between servitude and survival is razor-thin. The novel’s meticulous world-building captures the eerie, oppressive feel of Finton Hall perfectly, a mansion as much a character as its inhabitants. From the foreboding shadows of the Gethins and their employees to the fog-filled streets of bustling London, Musson crafts a Victorian landscape brimming with tension and mystery.
At the heart of this gothic tale is Harriet, a resilient and empathetic protagonist whose journey we follow through the halls of Finton and the intricate social landscape of the period. Harriet’s sharp observations and courage make her a compelling guide through the dark secrets that unfold within the estate. Her relationship with Clara Gethin, the melancholic and enchanting lady of the house, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. There’s a delicate balance between Clara’s role as a mother figure and the subtle sapphiric chemistry brimming underneath that makes their dynamic complex and unpredictable.
Musson also uses Harriet’s perspective to explore important historical themes often overlooked in traditional depictions of the Victorian era. The novel touches on the societal decay beneath the surface of the so-called ‘gentlemanly’ society, the lingering legacy of slavery and the exploitation of the powerless, providing readers with a fascinating commentary on the social order of the time.
The pacing of The Beholders is divided into two distinct sections. The first two-thirds or so is a slow burn, focusing on the claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere of Finton Hall, which draws the reader in with a growing sense of unease. As the plot accelerates toward its conclusion, the final third picks up the pace dramatically, tying the mystery together.
What Didn’t
While The Beholders truly comes into its own midway through the book, with its suspense, claustrophobic atmosphere, and mounting tension, the before can sometimes feel uneven. The slow-burn nature of the first half occasionally leaves the story feeling draggy, making it harder to fully engage. This imbalance between tension and pacing can make some portions feel less compelling, even as the mystery gradually unravels.
Though Harriet and Clara are nuanced, complex characters, they really are the highlights when it comes to the characters. Most of the other inhabitants of Finton Hall fall into the usual one-dimensional roles. These characters never quite rise to the level of credible threats or suspects, instead serving as uncomfortable figures helping to maintain that sense of unease. They’re often recognisable types in the mystery genre, and their motivations are all largely predictable. As a result, their presence doesn’t heighten the mystery in a way a seasoned thriller fan might hope for.
Similarly, Ralph Gethin and his associates don’t add much to the plot. While they all fit the mould of entitled, corrupt figures, their actions and motivations feel almost too familiar, making them less of a mystery and more of a predictable commentary on the abuse of power. Although this plays into the book’s social critique, it doesn’t contribute massively to the mystery aspects of the story.
There are also a few elements that take away from the novel’s overall impact. A romantic subplot involving Harriet near the end feels forced and ultimately unsatisfying. This arc, rather than adding depth to the story, undermines the intriguing relationship between Clara and Harriet, making the dynamic between them feel less believable. Additionally, there are elements of tokenisation that we picked up on here. Whilst these characters do serve a purpose, they don’t feel integral to the narrative whatsoever, and their role takes a backseat to the book’s core focus.
Verdict
The Beholders excels as a claustrophobic, atmospheric historical novel, skillfully immersing readers in the eerie underbelly of Victorian England. Its exploration of social issues like class disparity, corruption and hierarchies adds depth and nuance to the story, making it a thought-provoking read. Harriet and Clara’s compelling relationship, combined with the tense environment of Finton Hall, creates a gripping experience for those drawn to slow-burn gothic tales.
However, when it comes to delivering a truly suspenseful and shocking mystery, brimming with multi-dimensional characters and jaw-dropping twists, the book falls short. While the tension in the first half is palpable, the predictability of the characters and their motivations, coupled with a lack of truly startling reveals, weakens the mystery aspects. If you’re looking for a chilling edge-of-your-seat thriller, you may find The Beholders lacking in that department. But, if you’re looking for a well-crafted historical read that delves into the atmosphere and social critique, it’s definitely worth the journey.
Our Rating: 3.5/5
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
