Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "gothic-romance"

The Mummy by Anne Rice

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Anne Rice tackles another classic horror legend in this Edwardian/Egyptian gothic romance.

Egyptologist Lawrence Stratford unearths the archaeological discovery of the century – the tomb of Ramses the Great. Inside, the perfectly preserved mummy of the ancient pharaoh, long believed to have already been discovered and residing in a museum in Cairo. Lawrence begins to transcribe the hieroglyphs and Latin and Greek texts in the tomb, hoping to uncover its mysteries. They refer to an elixir granting eternal life. But before Lawrence can uncover more, he is found dead. Rumours of curses abound – but the truth is far more malign, though the only witness to his murder is the slowly awakening mummy. The mummy is transported to London, where it is held in the Stratford home prior to its acquisition by the British Museum. Lawrence’s daughter, Julie, grieving for a loss of her father, finds herself in danger at the hand of her father’s killer. Rejuvenated by rays of sunlight, Ramses fully awakens and prevents her murder.

Intrigued and terrified, Julie shelters Ramses, watching as he transforms from a shrivelled, dusty corpse into an attractive, handsome man, full of youth and energy, absorbing language as quickly as he consumes food and wine. Having lain dormant for centuries, Ramses quickly adapts to the modern world – he and Julie developing a passionate desire for each other. But Ramses is also haunted by the memories of the last time he was awakened to serve as an advisor to pharaohs – by the last ruler of Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, with whom he fell in love, who turned down his offer to partake of the elixir if Ramses would not also grant it to her lover, Mark Antony.

Travelling from England to Egypt with Julie and a small group of others, Ramses is staggered by the changes to his homeland, while he struggles to maintain his disguise in the modern world. What the future will hold for him as an immortal surrounded by mortals remains uncertain. Then a chance discovery in a museum leads Ramses to take action that endangers him and all those around him, unleashing an unrelenting force of fury and vengeance.

I love Ancient Egyptian themes and stories set in the Victorian, Edwardian and pre-First World War eras, from which many of the classic gothic horror monsters originate (in their typically recognisable forms in literature and film, that is). We don’t see Egyptian mummies reimagined as frequently as vampires or Frankenstein’s monster, so a new mummy story to delve into is always an exciting prospect. Taking inspiration from classic short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Anne Rice’s ‘The Mummy’ is a romanticised and eroticised version of the concept – Ramses is an immortal hero in the image of a Greek demi-god. Conflicted and at times amoral, he is nonetheless very much the co-protagonist in this tale, rather than the typical antagonist of horror literature. Both the love story and horror unfold throughout the novel, exploring moral questions along the way while under the intense heat of the Egyptian sun, building to a fiery climax and its emotional denouement.

The story reportedly began life as a screenplay for a film, which Rice later turned into a novel instead. A sequel would follow twenty-eight years later with the novel ‘The Passion of Cleopatra’, co-written with Rice’s son Christopher Rice.

Oozing with slow-burning horror and the subtle eroticism that bleeds through Anne Rice’s work, ‘The Mummy’ is a decadent Egyptian delight that will satisfy a desire for a summer romantic-horror fix.



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The Italian by Ann Radcliffe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In the ruins of an abandoned convent, an assassin is said to still reside, having sought sanctuary within its walls. This is the story that precedes the urban legend.

When Vincentio di Vivaldi first lays eyes upon Ellena Rosalba, he knows she is everything he has ever wanted and desired, and vows to make her his bride. Yet his parents are opposed to such a marriage, as their son’s selection possesses no social standing.

Father Schedoni, confessor to Vivaldi’s mother, appears to have his own motivations for preventing such a union. He sets in motion a malign plot to ensure their love cannot blossom.

But even the most carefully orchestrated plots can unravel and, once set in motion, the consequences prove catastrophic. In the wake of the damage, can the passion of true love and the might of moral justice hold true, or must everything inevitably descend into ruin?

Published in 1796, Ann Radcliffe’s ‘The Italian’ is a gothic tale of passion and love, penance and retribution, with hints of a supernatural influence and mystery woven beneath every chapter. Blending elements of romance, horror and suspense to build its intensely gothic atmosphere, it oozes its themes of morality and religion, specifically that of Roman Catholicism and the Holy Inquisition, while exploring the thoughts, emotions and motivations of each character in depth and building a vivid sense of place and setting.

Evocative of Shakespearean drama, alluding to and doubtless deeply influenced by many of his plays, the story is told in three volumes (perhaps mirroring the traditional three acts of a play). Often rich in dense description, this is a novel to be savoured and allowed time to develop as you read. It also provides a detailed insight into some of the views held at the time, such as those of the class system, the role and dependence of women, and the might and corruption of large (in this case, religious) institutions. It should perhaps be remarkable that we are still talking about the same views and issues, all across the world, over two hundred years later.

The characters are heavily developed, particularly the central three – we learn of their family circumstances, their histories, and their innermost turmoil. The relationship between Vivaldi and Ellena begins with Vivaldi’s obsessive passion and desire to win Ellena’s hand. For many reasons, she is resistant, but Vivalidi’s persistence holds strong. Throughout the novel, we witness the development of genuine affection between them, made bittersweet by the pain of separation and fear of loss.

Schedoni, the mysterious monk and eponymous figure, is the hand that pulls the strings of the narrative. An incredibly well-developed antagonist, his characterisation is perhaps the greatest strength of Radcliffe’s novel. From the shadows, he manipulates and orchestrates much of the unfolding tragedy, before it escalates out of his control; his motivations and personal desires ultimately may be his undoing, as his dark past begins to come to light.

As alliances break, and tension and dread build, through murder plots, kidnappings, escape plans, and a fight for justice, we arrive at the revelations of the final chapters deep in the dungeons of the Inquisition, where mysteries are solved and questions finally answered. This may not be a novel for casual reading, but if you are interested in early gothic literature or religious and social history, then I would recommend delving in and committing to it. Faced with the sometimes overwhelming emotions of the characters cannot help but encourage empathy – the universal experiences of love and loss and fear keeping you travelling with these characters through to the conclusion of their journeys.

Gothic and tragic, Ann Radcliffe’s ‘The Italian’ is both mystery and social commentary, told through confessions of deep emotion that will haunt even the coldest of hearts.



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The Haunting of Noyo Bay by L.B. Stimson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gothic ghost story layered with romance and suspense.

An unknown little boy plays in the cemetery in the seaside village of Keesbury. Yet no one appears to have ever seen him.

Charlotte Goolsby finds herself avoiding the cemetery and the presence of the little boy, unable to fully explain how unsettling she finds his presence. She confides her fears in Rees Pendleton, with whom an attraction is blooming.

As their bond deepens, Charlotte and Rees strive to solve the mystery of the little boy, uncovering the tragedy that hides beneath the town's surface.

'The Haunting of Noyo Bay' is the fourth of L.B. Stimson's books I've read and once again she delivers a tale packed with gothic imagery, suspense and buried secrets. In a story driven by the romance of two sweethearts on the cusp of adulthood, the ghostly, haunting scenes are juxtaposed with the sweet innocence of youth and first love.

Also blending elements of historical fiction and young adult fiction throughout, Stimson develops an authentic and character-driven drama that ensures the supernatural horror elements remain chillingly realistic, wrapped in the fraught emotion of several characters.

Well-plotted and fast-paced, the multiple plot threads are neatly resolved, ultimately culminating in a fantastically creepy final chapter. As always, I finished this book in eager anticipation of the next tale that L.B. delivers.

Both haunting and romantic, 'The Haunting of Noyo Bay' will have you questioning if the dead ever truly rest.



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The Lady Of The Shroud by Bram Stoker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A gothic tale of mystery and adventure, horror and romance, sci-fi and politics.

Unexpectedly coming into a huge inheritance, Rupert Sent Leger finally decides to settle from his life of adventure, moving to an expansive property nestled in the Land of the Blue Mountains, an independent country in the heart of the Balkans.

During the night, Rupert is visited by a mysterious and beautiful lady, one whom he comes to believe is undead. As these nighttime encounters continue, Rupert finds himself enamoured with her, and can think of little else.

As tensions escalate throughout the land and Rupert comes closer to solving the mystery that entrances his heart, we witness the birth of a new power in the political landscape of Europe.

'The Lady of the Shroud' is a gothic novel by Bram Stoker, who returns somewhat to the theme of vampirism following his masterpiece, 'Dracula'. Written in the style of journals, letters, articles and legal documents, we follow the fate and fortunes of central character Rupert. The opening chapter concerns a last will and testament and the expectations of inheritance and attitudes within a British upper class family, forming what is truly an extensive prologue to the main events.

The core narrative kicks in with Rupert's emigration to the Land of the Blue Mountains. Stoker captures the beauty of this fictional land, a civilisation hidden within a wilderness, the isolation of its natives, and the architecture of Rupert's new home. The novel's strengths are undoubtedly the scenes of supernatural suspense and the blossoming romance between Rupert and the mysterious lady who visits his bedroom in the depths of the night, dressed in only her shroud, a beauty who appears to have risen from the dead. The gothic imagery of these scenes is sublime, Rupert becoming enraptured by this strange and almost ethereal woman, the connotations of unease and seduction bubbling beneath the surface.

The novel was written against the backdrop of European Imperialism, when the great powers of Europe sought territories and colonies in the expansion of their empires. The fictional Land of the Blue Mountains is independent and a much sought after region. We witness them defend against the prelude to an invasion by Turkey, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. Whether Stoker's portrayal of the invaders as the villains was a criticism of imperialism in general is open to interpretation. While, at the time, people held much pride in their empires, over a century later and following two world wars, our modern perspective differs; we can empathise all too well with the perils faced by this small and independent nation having to defend itself against those in pursuit of power.

It is worth noting that the novel was written and published several years before the Balkan Wars and subsequently the First World War took place. What is perhaps less apparent on reading during the 21st century is that the novel also includes elements that may have been deemed science-fiction on its publication in 1909. At this time, there were no air forces, though several countries were on the cusp of recognising the potential of military aircraft. Rupert's foresight to build a 'navy of the air' may have appeared fantastical to many readers. The First World War (1914-18) saw the first uses of such aircraft in warfare. In Great Britain, there were air arms to both the Army and Navy during this period, with the separate Air Force formed towards the end of the war - the first independent air force on the planet.

Despite its place in history and being ahead of its time with certain concepts, the latter half of the novel is pretty dry and loses its gothic atmosphere. With the mystery, adventure and suspense resolved, it reads more like an extended epilogue. Perhaps Stoker was interpreting tensions across Europe while writing this novel and, thus, it became a different story. Much of this was excised from many subsequent publications of the novel, perhaps in an effort to retain its promise as a story of gothic horror and romance.

It is unfortunate too, and perhaps somewhat unfair, that we struggle to judge 'The Lady of the Shroud' solely on its own merits, as it will forever be compared to Stoker's masterpiece, perhaps more so than any of this other work due to its re-visitation to the vampire theme. It isn't in the same league as the gothic beauty of 'Dracula' (yet no doubt Stoker had no intentions of this being another 'Dracula', instead with a female villain). With the horror and romance becoming somewhat overshadowed by the politics, there are moments when its feels as if you have been reading two different books. Had the novel consisted of chapters two through to five, it would have instead been a vastly superior novella of gothic horror and romance, all the more enjoyable for that alone.



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"Falling in love was a remedy with which no drug could compete."

In the spotlight this month is "The Wanderer", a gothic romantic mystery.

Behind the Story

'The Wanderer' was the third of the original three short stories I planned for 'Whispers from the Dead of Night'. A gothic romance and historical slow-burn mystery with overtones of horror, this was the fifth of the stories that I wrote.

Set in rural 17th century France, a traveller of British origin, who has journeyed all over Europe across a period of many years, is attacked and left for dead. A man takes pity on him and takes him to his humble family home to recover. The opening scene was inspired by the Biblical fable of the Good Samaritan, before we then descend into the vulnerability and discomfort experienced by the lead character during illness.

It was important to me to allow the emotional experience of a soul on a journey to drive the narrative. The man is undoubtedly either seeking something or trying to escape something, yet we join him on only a small part of his journey, as is the way we encounter many people in our lives.

The forbidden romance lies at the heart of this story - a simple tale with a creepy undercurrent that comes to the surface as it reaches its climax.

Together, let's wrap up warm against the night and travel back in time to bear witness to a forbidden love...
___

"Now I lay in chains, more trapped by my pining heart than by the walls that surrounded me."

A forbidden love...

Attacked and abandoned on the side of the road, a pilgrim with no destination is rescued only by the kindness of strangers.

During the long hours of the night, a young woman nurses him back to health, a woman who quickly steals his heart.

But, within the walls of this family's home, he finds, there hides a secret...

Opening Scene

The night was long and dark, as was the road before me. The night was my friend, my comrade, the best companion with whom to travel. The road was another of my friends; I walked it in long stretches by foot, always at night when it was cool. There were times when a stranger let me sit awhile as they journeyed in their cart and I was always grateful for their kindness. Ofttimes, I was alone.

Dusk fell and I crawled out from beneath the tree under which I had camped during the daylight, sheltering from the hot and heavy sunshine in the shade it cast. Stretching in the twilight, I found that the heat of the day had subsided to a warm night. I packed my meagre belongings into my sack, swinging it on to my back and setting off to the east.

No one else walked the road at night. I enjoyed the solitude. Never have I enjoyed the noise that people make, their desire to give voice to trivialities. Rarely did they make noise over important matters. I have watched men argue and fists fly over a game of darts and the question of fair play; watched those same men turn their backs as a woman was stoned in the street. I used to believe that was shame. Other times I attributed it to cowardice. But it was neither of those things. It was indifference.

Dust kicked up in front of me, shoes scuffed on the roughshod road. Along the way I saw a stray dog and several cats; at times a rat or a squirrel scurried across my path. After quite some time walking, I heard hooves approaching behind me from a distance. They rapidly gained on me.

“Hello, fellow traveller.” A man’s voice, merry, perhaps with liquor. “To where are you travelling on this fine night?”

I stopped and turned, smiling up at the cart. There were two men sat within it.

“I hope to reach the next village before dawn,” I replied, not slowing my pace. The man with the reigns, the one who had spoken, slowed his horse to a trot as he drew level with me, slowing him further to a walk.

“You’ve no hope of reaching it on foot,” the same man said. “You can ride with us the rest of the way.” We had all slowed to a stop. I looked from the spokesman to his less talkative companion.

“As long as it causes you no trouble.”
___

Available as part of the original "Whispers from the Dead of Night" short story collection in ebook and paperback and the deluxe collection in ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"

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The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A bewitching gothic family saga crafted with history, horror and romance.

Dr Rowan Mayfair, adopted at a young age, is unaware of the legacy she stands to inherit when her birth mother, Deirdre, reaches the end of her life.

Michael Curry, after being rescued from drowning and a near death experience, finds himself with newfound psychic abilities, while his memories from the other side convince him he has a mission to fulfill.

Rowan and Michael are drawn to each other with a passion and emotion that envelopes and enslaves them, setting them on a path to discover the truth of the Mayfair dynasty and unravel the mysteries at its heart.

'The Witching Hour' is the first novel in Anne Rice's 'Lives of the Mayfair Witches' trilogy, a sublime work of gothic fiction, laced with philosophy, romance, eroticism and horror. Rice's rich and evocative gothic prose is almost lyrical and poetic, sublimely conjuring time and place in each scene and breathing life into the characters through their actions, thoughts and emotions. Dark and atmospheric, with a pervasive evil lurking behind every twist and turn, it lures you in from the beginning and then refuses to relent its grip.

Through a vast cast of characters, each impeccably developed and contributing to moving the narrative forward, we witness the history of the Mayfair family from the very beginning - with the persecution and witch trials in Scotland in the 17th century, travelling to France and Saint Domingue and New Orleans, through to the present day remnants of their legacy of witchcraft; a tale fraught with power, corruption, incest and tragedy.

Through the ages, there is one constant - an entity that is at once dangerous and destructive, charming and seductive. Lasher lurks forever in the shadows, perhaps a faithful familiar, perhaps something demonic with his own malignant motives, a constant companion and lover to the Mayfair Witches. This mystery stretches through the centuries, ever present through the trauma, drama and tragedy experienced by the family.

Deeply immersive, endlessly fascinating and provocative, the novel perfectly evokes the passing expanse of the centuries and the complex web of the characters' lives, culminating in a brutal and disturbing climax. With bursts of graphic imagery and raw emotion, squalour and desperation juxtaposed with glamour and indulgence, marinated in sin and debauchery, moulded with history and spiritualism, magic and science, while forever shrouded in a haunting and gothic atmosphere, this saga has everything you could wish for and more. I'm very excited to read the first sequel, 'Lasher', and also highly anticipating the upcoming TV adaptation.

Spellbinding and suspenseful, 'The Witching Hour' is a chilling and seductive masterpiece that takes you on an epic journey that leaves you exhilarated, fulfilled and gasping for more.



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"As the monastery swallowed the last morsel of daylight, he didn't notice the murder of magpies gathering on the roof and window ledges..."

As the countdown to Hallowe'en begins, this month's spotlight is on short story "Bluebell", a tale of present-day haunting and historical mystery.

Behind the Story

Part of the concept for "Bluebell" first came to me many years ago. I was on my way to a date and thinking of a new crime story, the title and the twist already formed, considering the idea of a date as the hook, a man trying to move on but haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his wife. As I walked, a single magpie flew past and landed ahead of me. Those elements coalesced and remained linked in my mind.

I returned to "Bluebell" several years later when working on my short story collection. I combined the original crime story with gothic horror and a historical mystery to be solved from the present day, with a streak of feminism running through the tale. Probably the most traditionally gothic story in the collection, with the crumbling presence of the monastery ever-looming, it is set on Hallowe'en night and also serves as a love letter to autumn.

"Bluebell" was the final story I wrote of the seven featured in "Whispers from the Dead of Night". I remember writing the final words and the incredible sense of achievement and excitement I felt at that moment. Perhaps due in part to this, if I had to choose my favourite or the story of which I'm most proud among those short stories, it would probably be this one.

Let the chill of autumn pull you into its embrace and get yourself a warm drink, ready to join me for mystery, romance, and an investigation into a haunted monastery...
___

"Now the monastery's secrets were for all to find, if they could decipher the clues left under the weight of years gone by."

An investigation into a haunted monastery...

During a chance meeting, Emily and David arrange their first date. Despite the chill of autumn, the hope of romance is in the air.

But David cannot escape the visions of a wraith haunting his step, while Emily's fascination with a crumbling monastery may lead her into jeopardy.

For it is Hallowe'en night, when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, and the past and present collide...
___

Opening Scene

The decaying remnants of a life long ago lived stood at the peak of a gentle slope, descending to a field at the front and woodland at the rear. The church tower and lopsided walls framed the façade, while the ghost of the moon’s glow filtered through the cracked stonework. Stars winked through hollow windows.

The wind strummed the weeds and grass that had grown around the gravestones that lined the inner wall of the garth like soldiers. Percussive against the weathered stone, it drummed its beat along with a whistling accompaniment through the cracks in the crumbling stone.

So it had stood and played its melodies for centuries, more shrivelled year by year, but ever present. Sometimes, it sounded as if nature’s tunes were accompanied by a choir singing, the harmony not of the wind, but voices, once human but no longer. In years past, the locals steered clear of the ruins by night, still wary by day.

As the years fell away, the fear was forgotten, relegated to myth, the choir now a campfire tale. Many sought out the ruins to listen for it. Few could claim honestly to have heard it.

So it was that many a still night lit by the moon would not be greeted by music or the voices of a choir. The wind rocked against the plants, rustling tree branches, leaves floating to the ground. The moonlight shone through the broken roof and walls, lighting the windowless voids from within. In a rear window, a shadow moved, framed in the moonlight. Its shape appeared human, perhaps possessed by something that once was. But there was no one there to see it.

Want to continue reading? "Bluebell" is available as part of the original "Whispers from the Dead of Night" short story collection in ebook and paperback and the deluxe collection in ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"

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Malevolent Hearts by Carrie Dalby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The opening installment in a gothic historical family saga.

Merritt Hall arrives in Mobile to stay with her aunt and uncle and their orphaned niece, her cousin Winifred, with whom she quickly develops a bond.

Haunted by tragedy, the family strives to overcome their sadness, though Winifred may be haunted by more than just her memories and her grief.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Fever epidemic rages. As it reaches the town, their hopes for happiness and their very lives become fraught with peril.

'Malevolent Hearts' is the first novel in 'The Malevolent Trilogy' by Carrie Dalby, a family saga in the Southern Gothic tradition, with ties to her gothic saga 'The Possession Chronicles'. Set in Mobile, Alabama, during the 1897 Yellow Fever epidemic, this is emotive historical fiction, evermore poignant when you consider it was written and published during the 2020 global pandemic. The story is narrated by Merritt, who, at nineteen years old is charged with the care and education of her fifteen year old cousin, Winifred. Their family is haunted by grief and guilt connected to the tragic losses of many of their loved ones.

This is also a tale of romance, Winifred's mutual attraction with their charming and roguish neighbour, Sean, building into a burgeoning passion, a love forbidden for many reasons, while Merritt also begins a courtship of her own. There's a coming-of-age theme running throughout, with Merritt, Winifred and Sean all on a journey of self-discovery, events forcing them to mature and to discover their adult selves through the trauma they suffer. The core characters never fail to be likeable, even when one or two may engage in rather questionable behaviour. Winifred is perhaps my favourite character - her fighting spirit, innocence and rebellious streak provoking amusement, sadness and admiration. Dalby has crafted an emotionally-driven tale, our connection to these characters keeping us riveted through joy and tragedy.

The historical backdrop is well-developed, an authentic exploration of the social norms and expectations of the period, demonstrating just how scandalous some things would be. The attitudes of some of the more powerful male characters in particular are quite stark, though you never lose sight of an awareness of experiencing the past through the lens of its sometimes vastly different attitudes. The subtle demonstration of female strength and rebellion was one of my favourite elements. Religion and spirituality are also explored – in the societal split between Catholics and Baptists, as well as some traditional ways to avert the attentions of evil spirits. Most of all, the fear and isolation as a result of the epidemic is sublimely captured, and the dreadful reality that sometimes illness can claim us and there is little we can do to prevent or even fight it.

The story continues in 'Tangled Discoveries', taking the saga into the next generation - with threads seeded through this novel that may have a bearing on the future. Chronologically, Dalby's young adult novel 'Fortitude' and the first novel in 'The Possession Chronicles' follow this one, all part of a shared universe of historical gothic fiction. Nevertheless, this book also works brilliantly as a standalone Southern Gothic historical drama.

Equally heart-wrenching and heart-warming, 'Malevolent Hearts' is a moving story of love and loss, a fantastic first chapter in the history of a family and their haunted legacy.



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Dunmoor: a compelling journey in gothic suspense by London Clarke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A Regency Gothic supernatural suspense thriller.

Abandoned by her rogue of a husband, Lady Helena Winters finds herself drawn to his childhood home, Dunmoor, where the origins of his troubles may be buried.

Dunmoor has been refashioned as an orphanage for foundlings, a venture led by Luke Lennox, who already finds himself up against many who wish to see its failure.

Within the walls of Dunmoor, and in the nearby Black Friars Forest, resides a darkness, now disturbed and threatening to engulf all within its reach.

'Dunmoor' is the first novel in a duology by London Clarke, exploring the dark history of Dunmoor, its current inhabitants haunted by the evil that lingers around the property, having claimed it for its own. Set towards the end of Britain’s Regency period, it blends the genre niches of Regency romance and gothic horror to mould a story that has both a classic and historical feel - like Jane Austen meets Shirley Jackson - combined with a modern edge, notably in the portrayal of its central female character and exploration of themes of child neglect and abuse, allowing us to view this prejudice and mistreatment through the progressive views of key characters.

At the centre of the narrative is Lady Helena Winters, whose husband has vanished, leaving her with huge debts and a damaged reputation. Alongside Helena’s story, we follow the challenges faced by Luke Lennox in opening Dunmoor as both a home and school for children whose families are unable or unwilling to raise them and whom society would otherwise neglect and abandon. Helena shares Luke’s ideals and finds herself helping him whilst also beginning to uncover her husband’s history. Throughout, Helena battles her attraction to Luke, with moments of burgeoning desire threatening to spill into passion, while the secrets the house hides are slowing revealed through the creeping suspense that seeps through the prose, building to dark revelations, the evil threatening to fully overwhelm and overcome both Dunmoor and all those in its clutches.

Clarke does a brilliant job of portraying this era of history, exploring social attitudes and the class system, particularly with regard to the place of women, “parent-less” children and employees of those with power and influence. Helena's predicament affords her a degree of independence, allowing the narrative to realistically explore the period whilst not leaving her reliant on the permissions and whims of men. Meanwhile, the gothic atmosphere is richly developed and the imagery of nature reclaiming the mansion, the subterranean passageways and the foreboding depths of the forest all vividly realised, as we hurtle into an intense and claustrophobic climax. The novel ends with a tantalising cliffhanger, which hints at what’s to come in book two, promising to delve deeper into the depravity and horrors that personally link Helena to Dunmoor through her husband and his family's legacy.

Lavishly gothic and dripping in suspense, 'Dunmoor' is a thrilling opening chapter, leaving us in eager anticipation of the second book, 'House of Brutes and Angels'.



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Perilous Confessions by Carrie Dalby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A consuming gothic romance laced with desire and demons of the mind.

Aspiring writer Lucy is preparing for her society coming out at the New Year's Eve ball, while furiously working on her novels and poetry.

At a Christmas party, she meets the dashing Alexander Melling. Their attraction is instant, and he sweeps Lucy off her feet as their romance blooms.

But society has no place for the passion of a love story, while Alex's demons lurk beneath the surface, threatening to doom their relationship before it's even begun.

'Perilous Confessions' is the first novel in 'The Possession Chronicles' by Carrie Dalby, a Southern Gothic family saga set in Mobile, Alabama during the early twentieth century. Set at the end of 1904 into early 1905, the novel introduces us to the Easton and Melling families and charts the beginning of a relationship that may alter the fates of both dynasties. Impeccably researched, the novel is rich in historical detail, with particular attention to the structure, attitudes and beliefs of society during this time.

The romance between Lucy and Alex, the two lead characters, sweeps us away, with their chemistry and passion, the intensity of their connection. At a time in history when displaying affection or succumbing to desire before marriage was forbidden and sinful, we witness their struggle during those early days of courtship when it entirely consumes you and anything feels possible. Tragically, Alex is damaged and haunted, his emotion and desire for Lucy at war with his natural instinct to run from her in the belief she will be better off without him. His trauma has nurtured a dark side, one that succumbs to weakness and cruelty, engulfing him and threatening to destroy what he cherishes most.

Through its delicious gothic prose and a brisk-paced plot, the novel perfectly portrays both characters and evokes the heart of their relationship, leading to some incredibly moving, emotional scenes that many will find relatable, some elements desirable while others potentially triggering. We may all crave such a connection, the fortunate amongst us may experience it, but it is undeniable that something so potent is as dangerous as it is beautiful.

Impassioned and tragic, 'Perilous Confessions' immerses us in a tale of love and longing, and the impact of the ghosts that haunt us; a fantastic opening installment to a gothic saga.

Next chronologically in the series is novella 'Mosaic of Seduction', shifting the focus to Alex's sister, Eliza, whom we met in this first novel.



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