[Query Letter] The Fine Art of Shadows

Read the second-place entry for our week of February 2, 2025 prompt, Query Letter.

Query Letter for The Fine Art of Shadows
by Matthew Tucker

Dear [Agent Name],

I am writing to you seeking representation for my 91,000 word debut novel THE FINE ART OF SHADOWS, a twisty supernatural mystery that explores grief and trauma against the backdrop of post-war 1922 England.

THE FINE ART OF SHADOWS follows Fabian Hackett, a spirit photographer who can sense psychic memories stored in the doors of houses. Amidst the rise of Spiritualism after the Great War, he is sent to Sarig Island, to document the death of a wealthy English Lord. Accompanied by novice medium Eliza and Thomas, a sin-eater and fellow war veteran, Fabian meets widowed Lady Whittsam. She presides over the island’s stately home, which recently served as a convalescent hospital for shell-shocked soldiers. Lady Whittsam is convinced the island is withering under the presence of a malevolent force. As the island’s dark mystery comes to light, Fabian finds his own buried war trauma dragged to the surface.

The target audience are readers who enjoy upmarket gothic fiction and traditional ghost stories. The novel would appeal to fans of The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell, The Spirit Engineer by A. J. West and The Apparition Phase by Will Maclean.

In 2022, a scene from THE FINE ART OF SHADOWS was a finalist in the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize and was included in the competition’s anthology book.

I love film photography and enjoy developing pictures in my local darkroom, which helped conjure my main character into life. I also grew up between a Spiritualist grandmother and an atheist, physics-minded father, so felt compelled to write about the tension between occultism and science.

I’ve been a journalist for 14 years and currently work for BBC News Online, with previous writing roles at BuzzFeed UK, HuffPost UK, Sky One and Sky Arts. I have a BA degree in English Literature and Creative Writing (2:1) and have completed creative writing courses at Curtis Brown Creative and City Lit college, London.

THE FINE ART OF SHADOWS stands alone, but has potential for a follow-up novel set in 1930s Europe against the backdrop of the rise of fascism.

I have attached the first three chapters and a synopsis. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Matthew Tucker

A Note From Our Guest Judge, James Spackman

You explain a potentially complex very clearly, while conveying what's unique about the book's proposition. I get a very strong sense both of the reading experience and the market for this book. And the way your bio lays out the origin story for the book is priceless. Feels like a very PR-able story!

About Matthew Tucker

Matthew Tucker is querying his gothic mystery novel, The Fine Art of Shadows.

He has been a journalist for 14 years and currently works for BBC News Online, with previous writing roles at BuzzFeed UK, HuffPost UK, Sky One and Sky Arts. Matthew holds a BA degree in English Literature and Creative Writing (2:1) and has completed creative writing courses at Curtis Brown Creative and City Lit college, London.

You can find him on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/matt-tucker.bsky.social

This piece was written in response to the prompt Query Letter.