‘Slade House’ by David Mitchell

People are masks, with masks under those masks, and masks under those, and down you go.

‘Slade House’ by David Mitchell is one of his earliest books. Like all of his books, it’s a wonderful story with surprising plot twists. Set mostly in and around Slade Alley, the novel spans several decades.

In 1979, Nathan and his mother, Rita Bishop, visit Slade House after receiving an invitation from Lady Grayer. They are never seen again.

Nine years later, in 1988, Detective Inspector Gordon Edmonds follows a lead about the Bishops to Slade House, where he meets Chloe Chetwynd, an insecure widow.

1997, another nine years later, Sally Timms and four other members of the Paranormal Society she joined are off to investigate Slade Alley.

2006. Journalist Freya Timms is looking for her sister. She meets Fred Pink at The Fox and Hounds, a bar close to Slade House. He seems to have answers.

Nine years again, 2015. Dr Iris Marinus-Fenby, a psychiatrist, meets Bombadil in Slade Alley.

If you’ve read more than one David Mitchell book, you know you’ll find some beautiful cross-references here, too! :)

CW: child abuse, suicide, mental illness, gaslighting & psychological manipulation, ableism, drugging, supernatural violence, claustrophobic scenarios, grief & trauma