Sarah Schmidt

Sarah Schmidt is an Australian author best known for her debut novel "See What I Have Done" (2017), a historical fiction work that reimagines the Lizzie Borden murder case from 1892. Prior to becoming a novelist, Schmidt worked as a teaching librarian at La Trobe University in Melbourne. The idea for her first novel came to her in a dream about Lizzie Borden, leading to extensive research into the historical case and a visit to the Borden house in Fall River, Massachusetts. "See What I Have Done" received significant critical attention and was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. The novel has been published in multiple countries and translated into several languages. Schmidt's work is characterized by its psychological depth and detailed historical research. Her writing style often incorporates multiple viewpoints and explores themes of family dynamics, violence, and domestic tension.

Readers consistently note Schmidt's visceral, sensory writing style in "See What I Have Done," particularly her ability to capture unsettling domestic details. Many reviews highlight her unique approach to the Lizzie Borden story through multiple perspectives. What readers liked: - Immersive historical atmosphere - Psychological complexity of characters - Distinctive sensory descriptions - Fresh take on a well-known historical case What readers disliked: - Repetitive descriptions of smells and bodily functions - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the multiple viewpoints confusing - Several readers mentioned feeling physically nauseated by graphic details Ratings averages: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (32,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "The rotting pears and mutton soup will stay with me forever" - Goodreads "Too much focus on bodily fluids and nauseating details" - Amazon "Made me feel like I was actually in that suffocating house" - Goodreads

See What I Have Done (2017) A reimagining of the 1892 Lizzie Borden murder case, told through multiple perspectives including Lizzie, her sister Emma, the housemaid Bridget, and a stranger named Benjamin.

Blue Hour (2023) A historical novel set in 1929 following the lives of a projectionist and a Hollywood studio photographer whose paths intersect through a mysterious series of photographs.

Hannah Kent writes historical fiction centered on real-life murders and dark events, incorporating deep research and psychological elements. Her novels "Burial Rites" and "The Good People" explore isolated communities and female protagonists facing moral dilemmas.

Emma Donoghue reconstructs historical events through fiction with a focus on women's experiences and untold stories. Her work includes detailed period research and examines domestic spaces as sites of tension and conflict.

Margaret Atwood creates narratives that blend historical fact with psychological horror, often featuring female characters navigating power structures. Her novel "Alias Grace" specifically deals with a historical murder case through multiple perspectives.

Shirley Jackson writes about psychological horror and domestic spaces, examining female characters under pressure from society and supernatural forces. Her work focuses on the intersection of violence and everyday life.

Paula Hawkins constructs narratives around crime and memory, using multiple viewpoints to examine violence against women. Her books focus on unreliable narrators and domestic spaces as sites of danger.