A deliciously gothic and utterly atmospheric, Daphne Du Maurier style historical mystery that will definitely have you on the edge of your seat.

It’s set in a remote Scottish castle, spanning two timelines and the lives of two women: Hester Vogel (who died falling from the Brooklyn Bridge during the gilded age), and Emily Blackwood, a 1930s botanist and explorer hired to hunt down a lost family heirloom by Hester’s reclusive brother-in-law, Heinrich. 

Having lost a huge chunk of wealth to the financial crash, Emily needs the reward money that finding Heinrich Vogel’s prized heirloom will earn her—an heirloom which disappeared along with his brother after Hester’s untimely death. 

But what Emily finds instead is an old journal of Hester’s which leads her to a book—The Birdcage Library—and a scavenger-style hunt that uncovers long buried secrets (both Hester’s and her own) that could lead her down a path from which there’s no escape…

I absolutely devoured this! 

The clever, mystery within a mystery-style plot was incredible—I genuinely had no idea where things were heading 90% of the time, with the other 10% spent marvelling at how intricately devised even the smallest and inconsequential of details was. 

I adored how rich and visceral the descriptions were and felt they definitely brought 19th C New York and 1930s Scotland to life. And was equally impressed by the depth and complexity Freya Berry manages to imbue her characters with. Even the more antagonistic characters, prone to bouts of cruelty and avarice were really well written (if not as in-depth as Emily or Hester.)

Emily, our bright and determined adventurer had such an emotional story arc that I couldn’t help but root for her to succeed, and overcome her alcohol dependency, survivors’ guilt (surrounding her twin’s death) and distant relationship with her father. 

Hester, (whose life we explore solely through the pages of old journals) was also a really compelling character who, much like the vibrant birds in her husband’s emporium, yearns for something more meaningful than the gilded cage she’s been thrust into. 

We do encounter a lot of real historical figures such as Mamie Fish, Hyatt Frost and Lord Rothschild, which I thoroughly enjoyed—though historical purists should probably take note that there’s has been some creative licence taken with some of their stories/ personal lives. 

 

Freya is clearly a master at her craft and I look forward to reading more of her work —She’s definitely a new auto buy author for me. 

Overall, an immersive and exquisitely slow-burn historical fiction with twists and turns that mystery loving sleuths definitely need to add to their TBRs ASAP!