The Silk House by Kayte Nunn

Australian history teacher Thea Rust arrives at an exclusive boarding school in the British countryside only to find that she is to look after the first intake of girls in its 150-year history. She is to stay with them in Silk House, a building with a long and troubled past, where the shadows hide more mysteries than she could ever imagine.

In the late 1700s, Rowan Caswell leaves her village to work in the home of an English silk merchant. She is thrust into a new and dangerous world where her talent for herbs and healing soon attracts attention.

In London, Mary-Louise Stephenson lives amid the clatter of the weaving trade and dreams of becoming a silk designer, a job that is the domain of men. Arriving in the market town of Oxleigh, she brings with her a length of fabric woven with a pattern of deadly plants that will have far-reaching consequences for all who dwell in the silk house.          

The Silk House was such a gorgeous story, and I was so blessed to receive an ARC copy from Hachette. I love historical fiction, and I especially love dual story/time lines, so this book was perfect for me. The writing style was beautiful, and it flowed perfectly despite switching POV frequently which was wonderful. The characters were all exceptional women who defied the cultural views towards women during the 18th century. I grew to love them all dearly! The gothic setting of 'The Silk House' was fantastic and mysterious, which really added to the intrigue and spookiness of the story. I was reading this home alone at night and my imagination was running wild! Usually I put books down at nighttime that give me the spooks, however, I was so delighted in the story that I couldn't bear to put it down. 
This is a spellbinding, and haunting story that will not disappoint! I cannot wait to read more of Kayte Nunn's novels!