Love Is a Curse is the fourth novel from Keith Stuart, who also wrote the wonderful A Boy Made of Blocks, Days of Wonder and The Frequency of Us.

This book is a very different read from his previous novels – a modern gothic tale which focuses on a years old curse, disclosed on the deathbed of a beloved Aunt. Cammy writes it off as nonsense but when things soon take a tragic turn, she starts to delve deeper and deeper into her family’s past, and uncovers a lot of secrets and lies – but can the curse really exist, and more importantly – can she risk it?

There are a few obvious twists along the way and some interesting back stories, although I, like some other reviewers found some of the timeslip segments took me out of the main story, leaving it feeling a little disjointed. I could also have done with a family tree or a glossary of characters as there are quite a few of them, though I realise this could be difficult without spoilers.

All in all, a different type of book from Keith, and I’m not sure it holds quite the poignancy of his other subjects which tend to focus on a much smaller ‘cast’, but it’s still sensitively done and should be appealing to a wider audience as the paranormal/spiritual element is kept in check and doesn’t take over the story. This becomes more evident as the investigation goes on, so don’t be put off by the blurb if you are not of a mystic persuasion! A It’s a great read, spanning the years and told from several different voices, through rediscovered letters and historical accounts.

If you enjoyed Weyward, or Fyneshade, or any gothic/modern day timeslip, you’ll probably enjoy this one too.

(to be released by Sphere Books on 25th April)

About the Author

Keith Stuart

Keith Stuart is a veteran journalist who has been covering video games and digital culture for over 20 years. In 2015 he wrote his first novel, A Boy Made of Blocks, which was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club. It has sold over 200,000 copies and is translated into 24 languages. His second novel, Days of Wonder, is available in paperback, audio and ebook, and his third, The Frequency of Us, was selected for BBC2’s Between the Covers series and is available in hardback, ebook and audio.