Her Little Flowers

DEBUT Morgan’s debut novel is a treat for fans of the supernatural. Francine Thwaite is a self-described spinster with the ability to see ghosts. She’s spent her life in comfortable solitude living in her family’s ancestral manor, where she cohabitates with a host of harmless spirits. An unexpected visit from Francine’s sister comes with the revelation that their late mother sought to bury a dark family secret. As the women dive into the mystery of their family’s past, a malevolent spirit is awoken in the home. Worse still, the more Francine discovers about this mystery, the more certain it becomes that Francine herself had a hand in the family tragedy. Horticulture and floriography play key roles in the novel, and the author’s research on the subjects creates a rich reading experience. Morgan’s prose is atmospheric without being overly dense, and tropes of the classic gothic novel are juxtaposed with references to the 21st century to create a sense of anachronism.