J.M. Varese

The Company: A haunting novel of Victorian gothic J.M. Varese

London, 1870.

Lucy Braithwhite lives a privileged existence as the heir to the fortune of Braithwhite & Company-the most successful purveyor of luxury wallpapers in England and the world over. The company's formulas have been respected for nearly a century, but have always remained closely guarded and cloaked in mystery. No one has ever been able to explain the originality of Braithwhite & Company's designs, or the brilliance of their colours, leaving many to wonder if the mysterious spell-like effect of their wallpapers is due simply to artistry, or perhaps something more sinister.

When Mr Luckhurst, the company's manager, and the man who has acted as surrogate father to Lucy and her invalid brother John since they were children, suddenly dies, Lucy is shocked to discover that there is no succession plan in place.

Who will run the company and ensure that it-and her family-continue to thrive?

The answer soon arrives in the form of the young and alluring Julian Rivers, who, unbeknownst to Lucy and John, has been essential to the company's operations for some time. At first, he seems like the answer to their prayers, but as Lucy begins piecing together Julian's true intentions, and John begins seeing distortions-and soon spectral visions-in the house's wallpaper, it becomes clear to Lucy that she must do everything within her power to oppose the diabolic forces that have risen up to destroy her family.

Taking place at the height of the arsenic wallpaper controversy of the late 19th century, The Company is an intoxicatingly atmospheric slice of gothic Victoriana, following one woman's fight to preserve all that she holds dear, and her determination to defeat the monsters that surround her.