Harvill Secker nabs new book from Pandora author Stokes-Chapman

Harvill Secker has nabbed a “gripping and atmospheric” second novel from Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora.

Publishing director Liz Foley bought UK and Commonwealth rights in the book from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment in the pre-emptive two-book deal that included Stokes-Chapman’s début, Pandora, which was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction prize. 

Set in Wales in 1793 and drawing on Welsh folklore, The Shadow Key will be published in April 2024. The synopsis said: “Meirionydd, 1783. Henry Talbot has been dismissed from his post at a prestigious London hospital. The only job he can find is as a physician in the backwaters of Wales where he can’t speak the language, belief in myth and magic is rife, and the villagers treat him with bewildering suspicion. When Henry discovers his predecessor died under mysterious circumstances, he is determined to find answers.

“Linette Tresilian, the unconventional mistress of Plas Helyg, lives a lonely life. Her father is long dead, her mother haunted by demons that keep her locked away in her room, and her cousin treats her with cool disdain. She has had no choice but to become fiercely self-reliant. Linette has always suspected something is not quite right in the village, but it is only through Henry’s investigations that the truth about those closest to her will come to light.”

Foley commented: “I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect follow-up to the glorious Pandora than The Shadow Key. It has the same qualities in Susan’s brilliant characters and immersive and gripping storytelling but with added gothic vibes – and her expression of her love of Welsh folklore and landscape is gorgeously done. It’s an absolute treat!” 

Stokes-Chapman said: “This is a novel which has been on my mind since 2006! My connection to Wales is longstanding and I knew that one day I would write a novel set within the beautiful, lush landscape of the country which I now call home.

“The Shadow Key is a story of faith and family bonds, elitism and exploitation, and the power of friendship to surmount evil. It’s my love letter to Wales, and while in comparison to Pandora it is darker, I hope my readers will fall in love with Linette and Henry’s story.”