The Companion

Written by Kim Taylor Blakemore

Narrated by Ann Etter

They say she’s a murderess. She claims she’s innocent. But Lucy has been known to tell lies…

1855, New Hampshire. Lucy Blunt is set to hang for a double murder. Murderess or victim? Only Lucy knows the truth.

In the shadow of the gallows, Lucy reflects on the events that led to her bitter downfall—from the moment she arrived at the rambling Burton mansion looking for work and a better life to the grisly murders themselves.

In a mysterious household of locked doors and forbidden affections, Lucy slips comfortably into the shadows, where she believes the indiscretions of her past will remain hidden. But when Lucy’s rising status becomes a threat to the mistress’s current companion, the delicate balance of power and loyalty begins to shift, setting into motion a brewing storm of betrayal, suspicion, and rage.

Now, with her execution looming closer, Lucy’s allies fight to have her sentence overturned as the tale she’s spinning nears its conclusion. But how much of her story can we trust? After all, Lucy’s been known to bend the truth…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781799749639

Kim Taylor Blakemore

Kim Taylor Blakemore is the author of the novels The Companion, Bowery Girl, and Cissy Funk. She has been honored with a Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award, a Willa Award for Best YA Fiction, and a Regional Arts & Culture Council grant. She teaches Craft of Fiction and Historical Fiction with PDX Writers in Portland, Oregon. Please visit her at www.kimtaylorblakemore.com.

Reviews for The Companion

[lkernagh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An atmospheric story of lies and deception, told by an unreliable narrator, that kept me second-guessing as I read along. Always tricky to trust the story of a prisoner on death row. Through the use of flashbacks, we learn from Lucy the series of events - and the possible suspects - for the crime Lucy stands accused of. Cleverly written and steeped in vividly descriptive details, Blakemore gives readers an absorbing Gothic tale of jealousy, forbidden love and a cautionary glimpse into the precarious nature of the balance of power and false affections. If you like your historical fiction stories to be dark, atmospherically Gothic and character-driven with a slow-building psychological suspense - think Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca - this may be the perfect read for you!

[cathygeha · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Companion by Kim Taylor BlakemoreWell written, dark depressing story set in the mid 1800’s that is told by a woman sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of two women. The story begins with Lucy Blunt being employed by the Burtons to assist the cook. Her story is told from that day forward with segments of her life in prison interspersed. As there were no clues to indicate which portion of her life was being told it was not immediately known if she was in prison or back at the Burton home. After finishing the book I have to say that I came away feeling unsettled. I never really could relate to Lucy or any of the characters in the story. I am still trying to figure out why the story was written and what message it was trying to relay. Lucy was not a good person but one who used her wits to survive...until her wits failed her. Did I like this book? Not reallyWhat was the quality of the writing? Very goodWould I read more by this author? Perhaps – I would not tackle one this dark and depressing, thoughThank you to NetGalley and Lake Unioin Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review. 2-3 Stars

[a9shelf9apart · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

***Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Like "The Favourite", but with murder...

Maybe.

Lucy Blunt is our unreliable narrator of the events that take place while she serves the wealthy Burton family as a maid and companion to Mrs. Burton.

I am not a thief, though I have stolen.
I am not a murderer, though I have killed.

The language is beautiful and crafty, especially when describing people - People called her "sweet" and "helpful" and "cheerful". Drop those words in a pot and stir and they might congeal into the word "thick." - and the natural world that changes with the seasons.

The only rough patch for me was the romance with Mrs. Burton - I didn't feel any chemistry between her and Lucy (or her and Rebecca) and I didn't find her an attractive character. If you can accept that as part of the plot and move on, though, the rest of the story is enthralling.

(And chilling - I had a vivid dream about being hanged one night after reading this.)

Thoroughly recommend.