Cape Fever

‘A cleverly told and ultimately satisfying novel, by an author bold enough to reveal uncomfortable truths’ — Claire Adam, Guardian

‘Efficient, and unsettling… Davids assembles the requisite parts of a Gothic novel — a hysterical woman, a haunted dwelling, a perverse family secret — into an elegant narrative’ — New York Times Book Review

An exhilarating tale of twisted desire and the unexpected shape of justice, perfect for readers of The Safekeep.

1920, in a small colonial city. Soraya Matas believes she has found the ideal position as a personal maid to the enigmatic Mrs Hattingh, whose beautiful but decaying home sits not far from the Muslim Quarter where Soraya lives with her parents. But as she settles into her role, Soraya begins to sense that the house is alive with secrets — and perhaps with spirits.

While Mrs Hattingh eagerly awaits her son’s return from London, she offers to help Soraya stay connected to her fiancé, Nour, by writing letters on her behalf. What begins as a practical arrangement becomes a strange weekly ritual: Soraya dictates, Mrs Hattingh writes, and an unsettling bond forms between the two women — one that slowly threatens both their sanity.

Slim, taut and haunting, this gothic-tinged novel explores power, longing and the fragile line between devotion and control.