Set in Stone

Story

Samuel Godwin, a young artist, is forced to drop out of art school when his father dies. He accepts a job as a painter and art tutor with a wealthy widower, Ernest Farrow, at his beautiful mansion, Fourwinds. Samuel’s two tutees are as different as chalk and cheese – Marianne, the beautiful younger sister with whom Samuel is infatuated, is passionate and unpredictable, and Juliana, quiet and sad. Samuel discovers that the girls’ previous art tutor, Gideon Waring, was dismissed from Fourwinds without completing a carving (the West Wind) for the mansion. With their governess, Charlotte Agnew, Samuel uncovers secrets that are horrifying and dangerous to all.

Why we chose it

The book is a Victorian gothic mystery loved by fans of secret romance and romantic mystery. The narrative voice passes between two different characters, in alternating chapters. It is a “crossover title” - written for young adults but also published for adults.

Where it came from

Linda Newbery is a British writer best known for her young adult fiction. She wanted to be a writer from the age of 8 and wrote her first books while teaching English in a comprehensive school.

Where it went next

The book won the 2006 Costa Book Awards prize for Best Children's Book and was nominated for the 2007 Carnegie Medal.

Associated stories

Other young adult fiction titles by Newbery include Sisterland (2003), The Shell House (2002), The Damage Done (2001), Flightsend (1999) and Some Other War (1990).