Gothic FICTION
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell, Bloomsbury
Swirling storytelling in the backstage machinations of the Mercury “tragic-play” Theatre Company. Jenny Wilcox’s theatre painter brother stole the family money and absconded with a “soubrette” (supporting actress) to America. She has a job interview with theatre owner’s wife Mrs Dyer, who says her job is “correspondent”: to keep an eye on lead actress Lilith, who Mrs Dyer believes