A novel steeped in treachery and sin? Count me in! Delightfully dark and undeniably spine-tingling, The Gallows Curse, Karen Maitland’s third historical novel, transports the reader back to 1210, a brutal time of political and religious upheaval, when a black force was sweeping across England.

While all of England is suffering on the grand scale under a papal Interdict [no church services, no baptisms, no last rites], the lack of Church protection is being felt particularly strongly by the poor and downtrodden amongst the citizenry. In the rural village of Grastmere, innocent and trusting servant girl Elena is dragged into a conspiracy to absolve the sins of the lord of the manor. Elena is left suffering from nightmares and, as the terrors of her sleep become increasingly severe, she seeks help from a cunning woman [the friendly neighbourhood wicked witch] who has been awaiting just such an opportunity to fulfil an ancient curse conjured at the gallows.

Shadowed by the curse and sentenced to death for a crime she didn’t commit, Elena flees from Grastmere but discovers that, for her and for the country as a whole, the danger is only just beginning. King John’s brutal reign is a time of treachery and intrigue as brother turns on brother and sin races unchecked across the countryside. Another casualty of this upheaval is Raffaelle, a knight who returned from the Crusades only to face danger and betrayal at home. Partly in order to try and atone for the horrendous crimes he committed in the past and partly due to his lust for her, Raffaelle determines to try and help Elena. As Elena and Raffaelle fight to save themselves, long-buried truths emerge and devastating secrets are revealed.

With both Company of Liars and The Owl Killers Karen Maitland has proved herself an expert in all things medieval and she has kept up the sterling work in The Gallows Curse. The sights, smells, superstitions and catastrophes of life in 13^th century England are brought to life here in a startling fashion. As well as all the day-to-day matters, The Gallows Curse offers a fascinating insight into the medieval attitude towards evil and magic and into the numerous superstitions [for example, sprinkling salt on a baby’s crib to protect the infant from fairy abduction] that people worked into their daily routines.

Maitland has also succeeded in creating yet another excellent, eclectic cast of characters. Although Elena at first seems a tad too perfect and naive, especially for such a misfortune magnet, she emerges as a strong and believable heroine. Raffaelle is a great antihero; he commits some undeniably despicable deeds but ultimately redeems himself through his attempts to aid Elena. Through him an additional layer is added to the story as we get to witness some distressing recollections of life on the Crusades. Amongst the lesser characters, Osborn and Hugh are nefarious villains of the first order, the brothel keeper is an absolute gem and even the mandrake is a pithy storyteller.

The Gallows Curse is a tense and claustrophobic nightmare of a tale that is steeped in folklore and bloody superstition. At its heart is a labyrinthine mystery that keeps the reader guessing as twist follows turn, disaster careens round every corner and Elena and Raffaelle stumble from one perilous event to the next.

Bookmark to