The Thirteenth Tale, Once Upon a River, Bellman & Black 3-Book Collection Set by Diane Setterfield - Fiction - Paperback
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Titles in This Set:
The Thirteenth Tale
Once Upon a River
Bellman & Black
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
Overview:
Three masterworks from the celebrated Diane Setterfield, presented together in a single, pristine paperback collection. The Thirteenth Tale invites you into the shadowed corridors of Angelfield House, where a renowned reclusive author compels a biographer to uncover her most closely guarded secret. Once Upon a River unspools a midwinter mystery along the River Thames, where storytelling becomes the lifeblood that binds strangers, legends, and a rescued child who may not be what she seems. Bellman & Black follows a man haunted by a single childhood act and the long shadow it casts across adulthood, marriage, and the idea of fate. This set is ideal for readers who crave atmospheric, character-driven fiction—rich with twists, folklore, and moral texture. As a unified collection, it offers immediate immersion in Setterfield’s signature blend of Gothic mood, literary craftsmanship, and propulsive storytelling, all in accessible paperback form for easy reading, gifting, and display on any bookshelf.
What Makes This Collection Special:
This trio showcases Setterfield’s remarkable range within Gothic storytelling—three standalone novels linked by themes of memory, storytelling, and the consequences of hidden truths. Across The Thirteenth Tale, Once Upon a River, and Bellman & Black, readers meet deeply human characters whose lives are reshaped by secrets and the power of narrative to redefine identity. The collection rewards binge-reading—each title invites you to linger, reflect, and return to the pages for fresh clues and mood shifts. It’s a perfect gift for book lovers who delight in literary mystery, evocative prose, and the sensation of stepping into a finely crafted world where every detail matters. With uniform paperback formatting, the set makes a cohesive, collectible addition to any shelf and a reliable go-to for thoughtful gifting.
Books Included in This Collection:
The Thirteenth Tale
The Thirteenth Tale braids memory and confession as a reclusive author’s life is opened by a biographer seeking truth. Set in the eerie, stately halls of Angelfield House, the novel unfolds through a dual narrative—past and present—where every reveal reshapes the reader’s sense of who is telling the truth. Setterfield’s prose is lush and precise, building an atmosphere that is at once nostalgic and suspenseful. The result is a Gothic mystery that rewards careful reading with a powerful, emotional payoff and a tale that lingers long after the final page is turned.
Once Upon a River
On a cold winter night beside the Thames, stories become lifelines. A stranger arrives at an old inn with a drowned child, and then the child awakens—alive. The narrative fans out through a chorus of inn regulars, legends, and the family history of a vanished girl, weaving a hypnotic tapestry of myth and memory. Setterfield’s storytelling prowess shines as she blends fairy-tale cadence with contemporary romantic and moral questions, delivering a haunting mystery that invites readers to question what counts as truth and what is worth believing.
Bellman & Black
A boy’s reckless act—killing a rook with a catapult—sets in motion a sequence of strange, haunting events that follow a man into adulthood. The book probes the ethics of choices, the cost of joy, and the allure of collecting and controlling the world around us. With a funeral-director’s measured calm and a supernatural undercurrent, Bellman & Black becomes a meditation on time, memory, and the price of a life well-lived versus a life well-remembered. It’s a keen, principled Gothic novel that lingers with quiet, uneasy resonance.
Who This Set Is Perfect For:
Ideal for adult readers who relish literary Gothic fiction, intricate plots, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Fans of atmospheric mysteries, character-driven narratives, and book lovers who enjoy a blend of folklore and psychological suspense will find this collection irresistible. It’s a superb choice for gift-givers seeking a complete, collectible set for birthdays, anniversaries, or the “one-perfect-book-now-and-forever” shelf. Great for BookTok enthusiasts, reading circles, and anyone building a personal library with enduring, re-readable classics.
Key Benefits:
- Three acclaimed, standalone Gothic novels in one elegant Paperback set.
- Uniform formatting for a cohesive shelf display and gifting appeal.
- Rich, literary storytelling from a bestselling, atmospheric author.
- Engaging plots that reward careful reading and re-reading.
- Perfect for fans of mystery, memory, and narrative-driven fiction.
- Great value for collectors seeking a complete Diane Setterfield collection.
- Accessible, immersive prose that’s easy to pick up and hard to put down.
About the Author:
Diane Setterfield is a British novelist renowned for atmospheric, intricately plotted fiction with a strong emphasis on memory, storytelling, and the moral dimensions of life. Her breakthrough novel The Thirteenth Tale established her as a leading voice in contemporary Gothic fiction, celebrated for rich prose, layered narratives, and emotionally resonant twists. In addition to The Thirteenth Tale, she has written other acclaimed works, including Once Upon a River and Bellman & Black. Set in bucolic English landscapes and infused with folklore, Setterfield’s books invite readers to lose themselves in stories while quietly interrogating the truths we tell about ourselves and each other. Her work appeals to readers who crave substantial, character-led narratives that linger long after the last page is turned.
Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you’re building a literary Gothic bookshelf, this three-in-one collection delivers. You gain immediate access to Setterfield’s most celebrated standalone novels, each offering rich atmosphere, clever plotting, and memorable characters. The uniform paperback format ensures a polished display and makes gifting straightforward for fellow book lovers. Whether you’re curling up with a winter mystery, searching for a gateway into literary suspense, or expanding a collection of acclaimed contemporary fiction, this set provides a cohesive reading journey—three complete stories that stand strong on their own, yet feel perfectly of a piece when enjoyed together.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
