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Kate Mosse

The Taxidermist's Daughter Paperback – 9 September 2014

by Kate Mosse (Author)

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Sussex, 1912.

In a churchyard, villagers gather on the night when the ghosts of those who will die in the coming year are thought to walk. Here, where the estuary leads out to the sea, superstitions still hold sway.

Standing alone is the taxidermist's daughter. At twenty-two, Constantia Gifford lives with her father in a decaying house: it contains all that is left of Gifford's once world-famous museum of taxidermy. The stuffed birds that used to grace every parlour are out of fashion, leaving Gifford a disgraced and bitter man. The string of events that led to the museum's closure are never spoken of and an accident has robbed Connie of any memory of those days.

The bell begins to toll and all eyes are fixed on the church. No one sees the gloved hands holding a garotte. As the last notes fade into the dark, a woman lies dead.

While the village braces itself against rising waters and the highest tide of the season, Connie struggles to discover who is responsible - and why the incident is causing memories to surface from her own vanished years. Does she know the figure she sees watching from the marshes? Who is the mysterious caller that leaves a note without being seen? And what is the secret that lies at the heart of Blackthorn House, hidden among the bell jars of her father's workshop?

The Taxidermist's Daughter is the stunning new novel from the multi-million copy bestselling author, Kate Mosse.

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Product details

Publisher : Orion; 1st edition (9 September 2014)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1409153762
ISBN-13 : 978-1409153764
Dimensions : 23.29 x 15.39 x 3.2 cm

Customer Reviews:
1,066 ratings

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Review

Glossy as a crow's wing. Sure as a surgeon's scalpel. I bloody loved it. (JOANNE HARRIS - Author of CHOCOLAT)

THE TAXIDERMIST'S DAUGHTER is amazing - atmospheric, gripping . . . I can't put it down (MARIAN KEYES - Author of THIS CHARMING MAN)

I loved the atmosphere: the time, the place, the weather, the cold. An unholy collision of Daphne du Maurier and Agatha Christie (ANTHONY HOROWITZ - Creator and Writer of FOYLE'S WAR)

[A] classic tale of marshland murder and madness ... The strength of this book likes as much in the startling imagery and atmospheric description as it does in the story ... A deliciously dark novel that races towards its grotesque conclusion (DAILY EXPRESS)

It is a cleverly constructed thriller, keeping its secrets for a good two thirds of the book. Mosse excels at building up clammy, dank suspense while keeping her readers in the dark ... A seriously satisfying read (METRO)

A new novel from Kate Mosse is always a treat. Set in a Sussex village where a grisly murder has taken place, The Taxidermist's Daughter is part ghost story, part psychological thriller and will send shivers down your spine. (GOOD HOUSEKEEPING)

This latest tale from the bestselling author of Labyrinth, Sepulchre and Citadel (a mere 5 million in sales) is set in Sussex in 1912 and filled with grizzly murders, stuffed birds and suspicious villagers. It's a compulsive read reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier. (STYLIST)

A beautifully told story of revenge, justice and secrets. If you haven't read any Kate Mosse then this is a gem to start with ... Cast with a Victorian darkness, filled with taxidermy, cemeteries and shifty types it is everything you could possibly want from this genre (WE LOVE THIS BOOK)

This is magnificent. A gothic tale of murder, superstition and mystery that will really keep you glued to your seat ... The build is superbly done. The author is excellent on drawing out the tension, a real page-turner and a thrilling read (LOVEREADING)

Nestled in among the feathers and flesh is a dark and mysterious tale, but one that is also touching and passionate. Mosse strikes a fine balance between character and concept, creating a thriller so unique that her talent is indisputable (THE LIST)

Review

These eerie tales are perfect for stormy winter darkness. - DAILY MAIL on THE MISTLETOE BRIDE

This action-packed epic contains everything we've come to expect - mystery, adventure and long-buried secrets just waiting to be uncovered. - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING on CITADEL

A deeply satisfying literary adventure, brimming with all the romance, treachery and cliffhangers you would expect...It is also steeped in a passion for the region, its history and legends, and that magical shadow world where the two meet. - OBSERVER on CITADEL

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2 star		4%
1 star		3%

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Jean Seifert

Punishment equal to the Crime

Reviewed in Australia on 4 January 2016

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The Taxidermist's Daughter is a complex, mysterious and an utterly compelling read. It is a gothic, psychological thriller that is set in Sussex in 1900's when suspicion, obedience, respectability and duty were the norm. The main character 'Connie' and her father lead a lonely life in Blackthorn House. Her father, the taxidermist is a strange man, prone to drink. Connie has mastered his art and continues to stuff birds and animals to earn money since his demise 10 years prior, which ruin his reputation and ambition. Connie had an accident at this time too, causing complete amnesia and this combined with the recent murder of a young woman are intricately interwoven, producing a story that is both stunning and surprising with macabre turns. One aspect of the story details short quotes from a 'Taxidermy Reference' includes how fastidious and delicate this process is.
Entire lives are stripped back to that one night 10 years ago.

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Pauline Westalll

Fascinating

Reviewed in Australia on 28 October 2020

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I found the whole concept fascinating. Descriptions were well written and the story line pulled me in from the start. It did get a bit confusing once of twice but fid not distract from the overall story..

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Mary Bird

Superb!

Reviewed in Australia on 8 November 2019

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Breathtakingly atmospheric!

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Belinda

Couldn’t put it down

Reviewed in Australia on 3 March 2019

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Brilliant read, strong character and historical drama.

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Mulan

Page turning

Reviewed in Australia on 1 April 2015

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As usual Kate Mosse produces a wonderful, heart warming story. Well worth the page turning read.

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Lorraine alcorn

Great read

Reviewed in Australia on 4 March 2015

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Really enjoyed Kate's latest novel. Different to her previous novels but still a satisfying read

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robyn meara

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia on 18 March 2015

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Brilliant read. Rivetting

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Beautifully written but a bit macabre for me

Reviewed in Australia on 19 September 2014

Kate Mosse, author of The Taxidermist’s Daughter grew up in Fishbourne, the setting for her latest novel. Her familiarity is evident, as this novel is as much about the setting and environment as the (slowly) unfolding plot itself.

It’s a bit hard to say too much about this novel without giving away its secrets. Having said that – however – much of what unfolds is fairly obvious. There are too many coincidences to not be able to join the dots.
I have to admit this is not the sort of book I’d usually read. On the face of it, it’s about a fresh murder and some disappearances which may, or may not, be associated with long-hidden events.

I really struggled with the first third of this book – which was very slow – but eventually became intrigued by the two lead characters, Connie and Harry.

3 stars from me - mostly because of the writing.

Read the rest of the review in my blog:
http://www.debbish.com/books-literature/book-review-taxidermists-daughter/

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Read On!

DARK, ATMOSPHERIC, GRIPPING PAGE TURNER FROM START TO FINISH!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 November 2015

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It's 1912 and in the deepest, darkest, depths of the Sussex countryside lies a small village. On the outskirts, in a large, isolated house, lives 22 year old Connie with her alcoholic father, Gifford.

Gifford used to be a successful taxidermist who owned a museum where people would come from miles around to marvel at his exhibits. He and Connie lived there happily until she was 12.
An unsuccessful court case ruined him financially and they were both forced to move into the current property but not before the terrible incident. The incident that Gifford's kept a secret and which has haunted him for years, driving him out of the love of his work and into the depths of alcoholism.

At the age of 12 Connie witnessed something. At first she couldn't understand what was happening. Then she knew it was WRONG. A fall. She's lost all memory of the first 12 years of her life. Except, now, images are beginning to flash in her mind that are oddly familiar and they're becoming more and more frequent.

One grim day, Connie and her maid discover a woman's body floating in the stream at the bottom of the garden. She's been murdered. Garrotted with a taxidermist wire. Connie's father is the only taxidermist for miles around. Surely he couldn't... Connie needs to know who the woman is, with the minimum of fuss and why her father's mysteriously disappeared on the day the dead woman's been found.

Though set in 1912, the story has a very dark Victorian feel to it. This compliments the bleak, ferocious weather conditions that are prevalent throughout the novel and adds a very strong oppressive atmosphere.

What starts off, as one assumes, to be a good old fashioned murder mystery, speedily evolves into something far more sinister and gruesome (the clue's in the title).

Mosse takes enough time on her leading characters for you to learn enough to be interested in them but doesn't dwell too long and concentrates more on keeping the plot running at full pelt, whilst you're left constantly guessing and hungry for what's around the corner.
The supporting roles, particularly Mary, (Connie's maid) and my favourite, 11 year old wayward Davey, are very endearing, as they rally round Connie in the second half of the book when she's at her most frantic.

There are bursts of graphic detail of taxidermy, but to start with, the author cleverly leaves an air of uncertainty of what the animal is, the unknown person is working on. All is revealed at the novel's intensely suspenseful, dramatic conclusion.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed Mosse's tale of what some may believe as justice. A classic page turner in every sense. It reads easily. The chapters are short and the plot moves relentlessly. The epilogue was the cherry on the cake.

I'd recommend The Taxidermist's Daughter to all. Guaranteed to get you biting your nails on those cold, windy, wet nights.

21 people found this helpful

Blackadder

A Gothic Thriller That Fails To Deliver

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2019

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Except for the last quarter of the book, where it really comes to life, 'The Taxidermist's Daughter' is a rather lifeless story. For what bis meant to be a gothic thriller, it just doesn't have the right ingredients.

Set in 1912, it concern's Connie Gifford who lives with her father. She has taken up his occupation of taxidermy. She has a partial loss of memory as a child due to an unknown dreadful event that took place. Gradually, however, her memory has started to return. Connie knows she used to have a sister called Cassie.

There is a slight gothic air in the first few pages, and towards the end, which would have been better applied throughout, rather than leaving it until the truth is revealed.

Kate Mosse had the groundwork to make it a very good story, with the chilling facts that are disclosed. The storm that hit's the village near the end is a highlight. Alas, it is one of those stories I would read only once.

3 people found this helpful

Karen Whitewood

A twisted tale, a tale of horror

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 May 2018

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If you're not too squeamish and have a lust for revenge encapsulated in a tale of forgotten nightmares in a remote setting then this is a book for you. A macabre story woven by the authors undoubtedly deft skill with not just pen but needle too. A young woman who has lost her memories of childhood, a drunken father, living in an isolated locale, hiding secrets which become revealed as the story unfolds. A terrible act has been committed and retribution must follow. Kate Mosse weaves her magic and it's horror will creep up on you, unexpectedly, over the days that follow your reading of the novel.

6 people found this helpful

Nicola in South Yorkshire

Dark but enjoyable

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2016

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Set in 1912, The Taxidermist's Daughter takes place within a week in Fishbourne, Sussex. Connie Gifford follows her father to the graveyard and witnesses a strange scene involving a number of gentlemen following which her father takes to his room and drinks himself into a stupor. She doesn't know what it's all about but other strange things start to happen and men are going missing. Connie's father is a taxidermist but she also stuffs animals, despite it being quite frowned upon for a woman to do such a thing.

I really liked this book. I have found some of Kate Mosse's other books a bit too long and drawn out but this one is a more reasonable length and a very intriguing storyline. I liked how it all unfolded and it kept me guessing for the most part. It's very atmospheric and I found I could easily imagine each setting. Quite a dark tale but I enjoyed it.

9 people found this helpful

Teefus

An intriguing historical novel which will have you on the edge of your seats to the last page.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 July 2018

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I have read quite a few of Kate Mosse books, especially the Labyrinth series, so this was an easy choice as something out of the ordinary to have a go. I found it intriguing from the start and had me hooked. The concept of using the backbone of taxidermy (no pun intended), is not something I would have initially picked up, it's use in the story and reflections are well supported.
I enjoyed the characters and the locations as well as the views and use of taxidermy in earlier times when modern technology wasn't available.

3 people found this helpful

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