The Monster's Wife: A gothic Frankenstein mystery set in the Orkneys

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Following in the tradition of Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea and Valerie Martin's Mary Reilly, Kate Horsley’s debut novel The Monster’s Wife is a gothic mystery that re-envisions Frankenstein, set on Hoy in the 18th Century Orkneys…

Shortlisted for the Saltire Society's Scottish First Book of the Year

To a tiny island in Orkney comes Victor Frankenstein, driven by a Devil’s bargain: to make a wife for the Creature who is stalking him across Europe. Maidservant Oona aids in his experiments. They grow close until her best friend goes missing. Oona's search reveals secrets darker than anything she imagined.

‘That Mary Shelley has a lot to answer for! This is an extraordinary novel, an honourable response to its progenitor while being startlingly original. Kate Horsley has grounded and voiced her Frankenstein “sequel” in the Orkneys which bring their own mythic load with them and she takes the Gothic to new places, where the darkness of Frankenstein meets the darkness of isolated communities of love and fear and survival. It is brilliantly weird, dark and “horrid” – and it is a tender account of women’s friendships and dreams of freedom. It is profoundly touching and weirdly macabre at the same time. I’ve never read anything quite like it and I think it is wonderful.’ – Sara Maitland

‘This is a superb debut, an atmospheric and gripping mystery that picks up where the original Frankenstein left off. But to call it a sequel would do it no justice, because this book is fresh and original, and bursting with the most beautiful and lyrical prose.’ K.J.Wignall, author of THE MERCIAN TRILOGY

'One of my highlights of the year. The writing is not only crisp but keeps you glued, the prose is wonderfully inviting and when added to a solid pace all round makes this a title that is hard to put down. Add to this characters that you can’t wait to spend time around alongside an overall arc that really does keep you gripped to the last page. It's definitely a cracking title and if you don’t pick up any other Gothic book this year, make sure its this one. Absolutely corking.' - Falcata Times