The Hidden People

The Hidden People blends historical fiction with supernatural horror, set in Victorian England during the 1850s-60s. The narrative centers on Albie, a London businessman who investigates the disturbing death of his cousin Lizzie in a remote Yorkshire village. After learning that Lizzie was burned alive by her husband who claimed she was a fairy changeling, Albie travels to the isolated community of Halfoak. There he encounters deeply-rooted folklore beliefs and mounting tensions between rational city values and rural superstitions. The setting shifts between London's Great Exhibition of 1851 and the stark Yorkshire countryside of 1862. The story draws inspiration from the real historical case of Bridget Cleary, who was killed in 1895 Ireland under similar circumstances. The novel explores themes of rationality versus belief, the clash between progress and tradition, and how isolation can shape community beliefs. It raises questions about the nature of truth and perception in a time of rapid social change.

Most readers found the book slower-paced than expected for a Victorian-era faerie tale. The atmospheric buildup and period details earned praise, with readers noting the authentic portrayal of 19th century Yorkshire customs and beliefs. Liked: - Historical accuracy and research - Gothic atmosphere - Treatment of folklore and superstition - Writing style captures Victorian sensibilities Disliked: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Limited character development - Ambiguous ending frustrated many readers - Some found it too light on supernatural elements Several reviewers compared it unfavorably to similar Victorian Gothic novels, noting it "promises more than it delivers" in terms of folklore and fantasy elements. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.3/5 (90+ ratings) One recurring comment across platforms: "Beautiful writing but moves too slowly to maintain suspense."

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Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Victorian-era villagers along the Thames River face supernatural occurrences after a girl who appears to have returned from the dead arrives at their inn.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell. A pregnant widow in a Victorian country house uncovers wooden figures that seem to move on their own and connect to dark events in the manor's past.

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. A Victorian widow investigates reports of a mythical serpent in Essex while navigating relationships with a local vicar and suspicious townspeople.

🌟 The changeling myth - where fairies steal human babies and replace them with their own - was so widely believed in Victorian Britain that some parents took extreme measures like leaving their children on hillsides to "test" if they were real. 🌟 The Great Exhibition of 1851, mentioned in the book, was the first World's Fair. Housed in London's Crystal Palace, it showcased Britain's industrial might and displayed over 100,000 exhibits from around the world. 🌟 Author Alison Littlewood wrote her first novel, A Cold Season, as part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and it became a Richard and Judy Book Club pick in 2012. 🌟 Yorkshire folklore, which features prominently in the novel, has one of the richest fairy traditions in England, with stories of "hobs" (household spirits) and "bogles" (mischievous creatures) dating back centuries. 🌟 The Victorian era saw a unique collision between scientific advancement and supernatural belief, with many educated people attending séances while simultaneously embracing new technologies and rational thinking.