Promise Not To Tell

The Mysteries of Udolpho

In "The Mysteries of Udolpho," Ann Radcliffe masterfully weaves a tale of gothic romance punctuated by the sublime and the terrifying. Set against the scenic backdrop of the French countryside and the imposing Udolpho Castle, Radcliffe explores themes of fear, imagination, and the repressive societal norms of her time. Her rich, descriptive prose employs a distinctive style that emphasizes atmospheric tension and the psychological complexity of her characters, inviting readers to grapple with the secrets that haunt both the landscape and the hearts of its inhabitants. The novel serves as a cornerstone of the Gothic literature movement, reflective of the late 18th-century interest in the supernatural and the exploration of the human psyche. Ann Radcliffe, a pioneering figure in the genre, was profoundly influenced by her own experiences and the Romantic ideals of her era. Born in 1764, her upbringing in rural England exposed her to the power of landscape and emotion, elements that permeate her narratives. Radcliffe's own literary innovations, particularly her use of detailed settings and suspenseful narrative techniques, have left an indelible mark on subsequent generations of writers, shaping the evolution of Gothic fiction. Readers seeking a gripping blend of adventure, psychological depth, and an exploration of the human condition will find "The Mysteries of Udolpho" a compelling addition to their literary diet. As an archetype of Gothic storytelling, this richly layered novel continues to enthrall and provoke thought, ensuring its place in the canon of classic literature.

Peterson's Magazine

Promise Not To Tell

Part coming-of-age novel, part ghost story, part psychological thriller - a powerful novel of adolescent friendship, betrayal and murder Kate Cypher has returned home to Vermont, after a telephone call from friends who are worried about her mother's failing health. On the night she arrives, a young girl is murdered, a horrific crime that eerily mirrors another from Kate's childhood. Three decades earlier, her misfit friend Del, shunned and derided by her classmates as "the potato girl", was brutally slain. Del's killer was never found, and Del achieved immortality in local legends and ghost stories. Now, as the new murder investigation draws Kate irresistibly in, her past and present collide in terrifying and unexpected ways. But nothing is quite what it seems - and the grim spectres of her childhood are far from forgotten.