Overview

In London, 1893, Judith leads a quiet life until her brother-in-law, thought drowned a year earlier, returns with no memory of what happened. Determined to uncover the truth, she ventures beyond her sheltered Jewish household into a world of occult rituals, art classes and haunted houses. Secrets rise from beneath the ice of grief and memory.

Writing & Voice

Saxey crafts prose that shimmers like candlelight on old walls—elegant, evocative, occasionally spellbinding. The atmosphere is immersive: foggy London streets, hushed family voices, lingering dread. However, the deliberate pace and ambiguity may test readers looking for tighter plotting or clearer resolutions.

Characters

Judith’s internal world—her artistic wanderings, her hidden longings, her sense of being an outsider—is compelling and finely drawn. Sam’s return shakes the household foundations, but his fragility means he never fully anchors the story. Supporting characters add mood rather than action, leaving the narrative hovering in shadow.

Themes

Memory, identity and the weight of the past stand at the heart of this novel. The sense of being unseen, unheard and unquiet feels pervasive: Saxey explores how grief and concealment twist reality, and how returning from death may mean entering a different kind of life altogether.

What Worked

• Atmosphere and setting: The Victorian London milieu is richly realised and haunting.
• Character focus: Judith’s perspective gives the novel emotional intimacy and nuance.
• Stylistic ambition: The blending of gothic, occult and psychological elements is bold and memorable.

Minor Quibbles

• The plot’s momentum sometimes falters in favour of mood and reflection rather than action.
• The ending leaves several threads unresolved, which may frustrate readers wanting closure.

Final Thoughts

Intriguing and beautifully written, Unquiet shines where it lingers—on memory, art and the haunted spaces in between. It may not satisfy readers seeking fast-paced thriller-horror, but for those willing to move slowly through shadows, it offers a resonant gothic experience.

Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)