Phoebe Wynne’s gothic début novel, Madam, is set in Caldonbrae Hall, a boarding school for girls that promises pupils will leave resilient and ready to serve society. Rose Christie joins the establishment as a classics teacher and new head of department, as is overwhelmed by the institution’s arcane traditions, prestige, and vindictive students. Her classroom becomes her haven where she can share the stories of fearless women from ancient Greek and Roman history, igniting her students’ curiosity and unknowingly teaching them to be suspicious of the powers that be. As Rose uncovers the darkness of Caldonbrae Hall the lines between myth and reality blur, and it’s up to her and the fierce young women under her care to find a way to escape what the school has in store for them before it’s too late.