The Weight of Loss

The Weight of Loss is a daring, unsettling, and original debut to savour, according to Victoria Gosling, author of Before the Ruins.

This spine-tingling debut explores themes of grief and obsession, leading to a shocking twist of an ending. Marianne, the protagonist, is still reeling from the death of her sister when she starts to exhibit some strange physical symptoms. Each day, it seems, her body betrays her a little bit more, and no one can explain what is happening to her.

A doctor offers her a glimmer of hope: a stay at Nede, an experimental health retreat deep in the Welsh countryside. The retreat, surrounded by high walls and isolated from the outside world, seems like exactly what Marianne needs.

Desperate to get her life back on track, she leaves behind her stressful job, unsatisfactory relationship, and troubled family, hopeful for a chance to heal. However, all is not as it seems at Nede. Although the surroundings are idyllic and the other residents appear happy, something feels amiss.

Marianne begins to lose control, obsessively revisiting the days and weeks leading up to her sister's death. She is soon forced to confront a more immediate threat: a dark experiment that appears to be taking over her mind, body, and precious memories.