The Secret of Nightingale Wood

Henry and her family have moved to beautiful Hope House to start a new life in the country after her brother Robert's untimely death. Henry buries herself in her beloved books - but her family is falling apart. Father is away and mother's developing illness puts them all at the mercy of a doctor that Henry does not trust. 

The beautiful woods that back on to the grounds of Hope House offer Henry an escape, but it is the mysterious Moth, a witch-like woman who lives there, who will save her.

A sensitive and intriguing story set in a time when mental illness and depression were new ideas in the medical world. Henry's frustration with the adults stays relevant and relatable, and the country house setting with its dreamy woodlands give it a classic feel. Some spooky moments shake up the story and the creepy characters will keep readers turning the page. There are some truly beautiful turns of phrase, too: Lucy Strange is a writer to watch.