Product Details

[Title] The Essex Serpent [Genre] Historical Fiction / Gothic Fiction / Literary Fiction / Historical Romance / Mystery [Blurb] After the death of her controlling husband, amateur naturalist Cora Seaborne leaves Victorian London for the coastal marshes of Essex. There, rumors are spreading that a legendary creature known as the Essex Serpent has returned. While Cora believes the sightings may lead to a scientific discovery, local vicar William Ransome sees the creature as nothing more than superstition. Their opposing beliefs draw them into an intense friendship as fear takes hold of the village and the boundary between science, faith, friendship, and desire begins to blur. [Key Tropes] Victorian Gothic, Science vs. Faith, Local Folklore, Mythical Creature Mystery, Small Village, Opposites Attract, Intellectual Connection, Complicated Romance, Forbidden Attraction, Slow Burn, Female Naturalist, Atmospheric Setting, Widow Starting Over [Trigger Warnings] Domestic and emotional abuse, death, grief, animal death and cruelty, chronic and terminal illness, medical procedures, surgical detail, blood, gore, body horror, infidelity, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide, sexual content, misogyny, ableism, religious bigotry, and classism. [Spice Level] 3/5 — Moderate Spice. Contains a limited number of on-page sexual encounters and some descriptive sexual content, but intimacy is not the primary focus of the story. [Condition] Very Good [Condition Notes] Minor curling at one cover corner and a light crease remaining on one previously bent page. Otherwise, the cover, spine, and pages are clean and in very good condition.