The Unforgetting by Rose Black: A Book Review

Her fate was decided. Her death foretold. Her past about to be unforgotten.

When Lily Bell is sold by her father to a ‘Professor of Ghosts’ to settle a bad debt, she dreams of finding fame on the London stage. But Erasmus Salt wants Lily not as an actress, but his very own ghost – the heart of his elaborate illusion for those desperate for a glimpse of the spirit world…

Obsessed with perfection, Erasmus goes to extreme lengths to ensure his illusion is realistic. When Lily comes across her own obituary in the paper, and then her headstone in the cemetery, she realises she is trapped, her own parents think she is dead, and that her fate is soon to become even darker…

Publisher: Orion
Published: January 9th, 2020
Format: Hardcover
Victorian Gothic

Erasmus Salt is a deeply troubled man. When you meet his father you’ll understand his fascination with young girls. He calls himself a ‘Professor of Ghosts.’ You will have to find out for yourself about his deep interest in ghosts and the spirit world and how it is connected to family.  The final chapters leaving the door open for a continuation perhaps with Faye, Clara Valentina, and Maria Hedges. I need more Maria Hedges.

Poor Lily Bell won in a bet to Erasmus Salt. She quickly becomes an actress playing a ghost appearing on stage. Be careful what you wish for girl! For in The Unforgetting nothing is as it seems. 

I can’t go into real details because I don’t want to give anything else away. 

Nothing about this novel is predictable. I enjoyed some twists in the storyline and for once I was not beaten over the head with the love story between Lily and fellow actor Tom Ames. 

The Unforgetting is a very enjoyable novel. I felt the Salt family could’ve been further explored but other than that I loved the wonderful descriptions of dark London streets and the theatre scenes of men waiting off stage to snuff out the lights as the play began and ended.

Thank you to Orion Publishers for my review copy.