But Not Too Bold

Dália's life changed the morning the maid found the typewritten note that said:

"HIRE A NEW KEEPER OF THE KEYS; URGENT; BEFORE DAWN"

Everyone in Capricious House knew what the note meant and who had written it. Its author was the Lady of Capricious House, Lady Anatema, a gargantuan spider/human hybrid with a taste for laudanum who is searching for a bride. The meaning of the note was clear: the old keeper of the keys was dead, and Dália, her apprentice, would be taking her place.

For as long as she can remember, Dália has been Ms. Matilde's, the Keeper of the Keys, protege. Now, Ms. Matilde is gone, and Dalia is the new Keeper of the Keys. In her first encounter with Lady Anatema, Dália learns that Ms. Matilde died because Lady Anatema believed Ms. Matilde had stolen something from Capricious House. Dália is able to convince Lady Anatema that Ms. Matilde was innocent, but now she is charged with identifying the thief and returning the stolen items. And she must do so before Lady Anatema becomes so agitated that she eats Dália as well...

In her debut novella, Hache Pueyo tells a story that is a bit Gothic Horror, a bit classic Mystery, a bit Romance, and a bit Fairy Tale, and the resulting novella is magical.

Pueyo creates a striking balance between prose that is almost dreamlike while simultaneously providing sharp and, at times, frighteningly clear depictions of the characters and locations.

Pueyo's Capricious House is described as a "neo-Gothic palazzo with Germanic inspiration" and a "Flemish pediment" covered in gargoyle-like creatures. Like the novella itself, it is a fever dream of styles that should not work well together, and yet they do. And it's maintained by a staff who all know their mistress is a monster, but they have learned to navigate, as best they can, her whims (which are as capricious as her home).

Pueyo skillfully weaves a strong fairy tale influence into her plot, drawing liberally from the stories of Bluebeard and Beauty and the Beast for elements of the novella. The staff of Capricious House have watched as numerous young women have been presented to Lady Anatema as potential brides, none of whom have left the house alive, having been devoured rather than wed. Dália knows this and also understands how she came to be in her current position. But it becomes clear early on that she is drawn to Lady Anatema. It is also clear that the feeling may be mutual. As they explore their new relationship, with Dália now serving the Lady directly, the romantic tension between them grows into something palpable.

Brief, but wondrous and wonderful, But Not Too Bold will leave readers wondering where Pueyo will take them next.

• Read an interview with the author here.