The Observations

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Set in Victorian Scotland in 1863, a young Irish girl named Bessy Buckley seeks to escape her troubled past in Glasgow by becoming a maid in a grand house near Edinburgh. Despite lacking the necessary skills for her new role, Bessy's ability to read and write makes her valuable. She is captivated by her employer, Arabella, whose peculiar requests and obsession with a deceased former maid, Nora, raise Bessy's suspicions. Tasked with keeping a journal of her daily chores and personal thoughts, Bessy becomes increasingly intrigued by the secrets surrounding Arabella and Nora's mysterious demise. Driven by jealousy, Bessy plays a prank that spirals out of control, threatening her newfound stability. As she navigates a web of madness, ghosts, and deception, her loyalty to Arabella remains steadfast. However, as her past looms closer, Bessy realizes that her situation is more precarious than she thought. This story unfolds as a compelling exploration of one woman's journey from a difficult past into a disturbing present, highlighting themes of loyalty and friendship. With its blend of intrigue and dark humor, this debut novel showcases a vividly imagined heroine and establishes Jane Harris as a significant new voice in literature.