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The Death of Clara Willenheim
"This sublimely nerve-racking tale takes hold and never lets go." -
Kirkus Reviews
Something always has to die for something greater to be born.
Surrounded by family secrets, suspicious deaths, and her own repressed memories, fifteen year-old Clara Willenheim lives as a prisoner in her ancestral estate in 1860s Bavaria. Her only chance of escape is to journey through the castle’s secret passages, unraveling her family’s dark history and its place at the center of a vast web of crime. Driven by the capricious and vengeful ghost of her long-dead aunt, Clara opens doors that threaten powerful enemies, a place where she’s forced to choose between righting past wrongs or losing her own life.
A historical Gothic mystery brimming with suspense and plot twists, The Death of Clara Willenheim is layered in rich, period detail. The novel explores the cost of selflessness and the struggle to choose between justice and vengeance. But at its heart, it’s a story about how, when one part of ourselves dies, something greater can rise in its place.
Something always has to die for something greater to be born.
Surrounded by family secrets, suspicious deaths, and her own repressed memories, fifteen year-old Clara Willenheim lives as a prisoner in her ancestral estate in 1860s Bavaria. Her only chance of escape is to journey through the castle’s secret passages, unraveling her family’s dark history and its place at the center of a vast web of crime. Driven by the capricious and vengeful ghost of her long-dead aunt, Clara opens doors that threaten powerful enemies, a place where she’s forced to choose between righting past wrongs or losing her own life.
A historical Gothic mystery brimming with suspense and plot twists, The Death of Clara Willenheim is layered in rich, period detail. The novel explores the cost of selflessness and the struggle to choose between justice and vengeance. But at its heart, it’s a story about how, when one part of ourselves dies, something greater can rise in its place.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
42 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 26, 2025
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a deliciously dark and intricately woven tale that dives deep into the murky waters of family secrets, complicated relationships, and the messy aftermath of a life untangled by death.
The story revolves around Clara Willenheim, a girl whose father's sudden and mysterious death becomes the catalyst for an unraveling of decades' worth of family drama, lies, and unspoken truths. The home Clara is trapped in is a labyrinth of secrets — some so deeply buried that even the house seems to shudder when they come to light. It’s clear that Clara’s home was a place where truths went to die and the author masterfully crafts a setting where every object, every room feels like it holds a piece of the puzzle, but nothing is ever quite as it seems.
If you enjoy stories about families so layered with dysfunction you wonder if they'll ever recover, this book is a must-read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story revolves around Clara Willenheim, a girl whose father's sudden and mysterious death becomes the catalyst for an unraveling of decades' worth of family drama, lies, and unspoken truths. The home Clara is trapped in is a labyrinth of secrets — some so deeply buried that even the house seems to shudder when they come to light. It’s clear that Clara’s home was a place where truths went to die and the author masterfully crafts a setting where every object, every room feels like it holds a piece of the puzzle, but nothing is ever quite as it seems.
If you enjoy stories about families so layered with dysfunction you wonder if they'll ever recover, this book is a must-read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 16, 2025
Wait for it. Keep reading. Once you get past the first 15% of the novel it opens up and takes off at a quick pace.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. I thank the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
The introduction of Detective Richter and Jan in the second chapter is very clumsy. It starts with them in mid-conversation about a topic that is confusing to the reader. There is no reference to what their roles in the story is until much later.
The description of the manor house by Clara is constantly one of being closed, tight, smothering, or constraining. There were occasions when I felt claustrophobic.
The story is one about evil, what the evil desires of people can lead them to do. The storyline describes how evil can corrupt entire families and communities. Evil can be found everywhere.
It is also a story about personal strength and how reliance upon that strength can help us rise above evil. The second component that helps lift us up from evil is love. Although it was realized too late by Clara it was the love of her mother, father and uncle that brought her out of the clutches of evil.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. I thank the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
The introduction of Detective Richter and Jan in the second chapter is very clumsy. It starts with them in mid-conversation about a topic that is confusing to the reader. There is no reference to what their roles in the story is until much later.
The description of the manor house by Clara is constantly one of being closed, tight, smothering, or constraining. There were occasions when I felt claustrophobic.
The story is one about evil, what the evil desires of people can lead them to do. The storyline describes how evil can corrupt entire families and communities. Evil can be found everywhere.
It is also a story about personal strength and how reliance upon that strength can help us rise above evil. The second component that helps lift us up from evil is love. Although it was realized too late by Clara it was the love of her mother, father and uncle that brought her out of the clutches of evil.
November 15, 2024
This will be a five-star book for some people. The fact that it is not one for me is entirely due to my own preferences, and that's actually the reason I procrastinated so long on writing this review.
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a dramatic, suspenseful, thrilling Gothic mystery, full of secrets, hidden passages, and people who aren't who or what they seem. It's beautifully written; the settings seemed to come to life (or unlife, depending on your perspective), and the characters are masterfully drawn. The mystery itself slowly unwinds, teasing you with red herrings and hints, all while building up to the truth. The ghost aspect was interesting; not my favorite part, but the author used it well. If you're a fan of historical thrillers or suspense stories, you will quite possibly find this worth picking up, as in all technical aspects, it's a five-star story.
So why is it only three stars from me? I rate stories not just on technical quality but on how much I enjoy them, and this book got much darker than I usually want to read. Without giving away spoilers, the villains in this story are involved in some truly awful things, and while the author handles these matters tastefully, she also doesn't hold back on how bad they are. That, plus the mindsets of many of the characters (with the exception of the two detectives) and the fact that, for a solid chunk of the book, I thought I'd stumbled into an "everybody dies" story, make this a very heavy read, not necessarily a fun one (at least for me).
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a well-written historic Gothic mystery-thriller full of twists, turns, and secrets. It's not precisely my cup of tea, but I suspect it would be just right for someone else.
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a dramatic, suspenseful, thrilling Gothic mystery, full of secrets, hidden passages, and people who aren't who or what they seem. It's beautifully written; the settings seemed to come to life (or unlife, depending on your perspective), and the characters are masterfully drawn. The mystery itself slowly unwinds, teasing you with red herrings and hints, all while building up to the truth. The ghost aspect was interesting; not my favorite part, but the author used it well. If you're a fan of historical thrillers or suspense stories, you will quite possibly find this worth picking up, as in all technical aspects, it's a five-star story.
So why is it only three stars from me? I rate stories not just on technical quality but on how much I enjoy them, and this book got much darker than I usually want to read. Without giving away spoilers, the villains in this story are involved in some truly awful things, and while the author handles these matters tastefully, she also doesn't hold back on how bad they are. That, plus the mindsets of many of the characters (with the exception of the two detectives) and the fact that, for a solid chunk of the book, I thought I'd stumbled into an "everybody dies" story, make this a very heavy read, not necessarily a fun one (at least for me).
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a well-written historic Gothic mystery-thriller full of twists, turns, and secrets. It's not precisely my cup of tea, but I suspect it would be just right for someone else.
November 10, 2024
** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
This novel, The Death of Clara Willenheim by Charlotte Lesemann, was absolutely engrossing, chilling, and well written. I found myself being pulled into the story and the dark manor passages along with Clara. At first I was a tad confused due to the amount of characters in this book. I had some trouble not only keeping the characters straight, but also their intertwining relationships. Almost all of the characters are NOT what or who they seem.
At first Clara was a fragile, frail, timid girl who was a prisoner in the Willenheim Manor. As the novel progressed, Clara gained a backbone with the help of an unlikely friend. She became sneaky and obsessed with solving a family mystery. I was confused on exactly what that mystery was at first (there seemed to be many), but it revealed itself and its very dark, depraved details slowly with mind-blowing results. Clara did not know who she could trust inside or outside the Manor, which often had unfortunate consequences. This book kept going full speed ahead towards a twisted, disastrous ending. I liked how the author was able to get the sordid details across without going DEEPLY into the details.
Ms. Lesemann was an expert at creating the chilling, damp, and dark atmosphere in this novel. I felt like I was creeping along the dark, smelly passageways with Clara. I felt the tension in the air at the family gatherings and events. I made the mistake of reading this novel before bedtime and it made falling asleep very difficult! The mysteries in the story plot kept my mind racing long into the night and the creepiness had me burrowing deeper into my covers at every bump in the night. I was shocked to find out that The Death of Clara Willenheim was Charlotte Lesemann’s debut novel!! I really hope to read more novels from Charlotte Lesemann in the future! I also recommend The Death of Clara Willenheim to anyone who is looking for a chilling gothic mystery story that stays with you long after you put it down.
This novel, The Death of Clara Willenheim by Charlotte Lesemann, was absolutely engrossing, chilling, and well written. I found myself being pulled into the story and the dark manor passages along with Clara. At first I was a tad confused due to the amount of characters in this book. I had some trouble not only keeping the characters straight, but also their intertwining relationships. Almost all of the characters are NOT what or who they seem.
At first Clara was a fragile, frail, timid girl who was a prisoner in the Willenheim Manor. As the novel progressed, Clara gained a backbone with the help of an unlikely friend. She became sneaky and obsessed with solving a family mystery. I was confused on exactly what that mystery was at first (there seemed to be many), but it revealed itself and its very dark, depraved details slowly with mind-blowing results. Clara did not know who she could trust inside or outside the Manor, which often had unfortunate consequences. This book kept going full speed ahead towards a twisted, disastrous ending. I liked how the author was able to get the sordid details across without going DEEPLY into the details.
Ms. Lesemann was an expert at creating the chilling, damp, and dark atmosphere in this novel. I felt like I was creeping along the dark, smelly passageways with Clara. I felt the tension in the air at the family gatherings and events. I made the mistake of reading this novel before bedtime and it made falling asleep very difficult! The mysteries in the story plot kept my mind racing long into the night and the creepiness had me burrowing deeper into my covers at every bump in the night. I was shocked to find out that The Death of Clara Willenheim was Charlotte Lesemann’s debut novel!! I really hope to read more novels from Charlotte Lesemann in the future! I also recommend The Death of Clara Willenheim to anyone who is looking for a chilling gothic mystery story that stays with you long after you put it down.
December 24, 2024
3.5. I’m impressed by the way Lesemann weaves a story, especially creating a very atmospheric setting. Her writing is vivid and there’s a rich depth of symbolism throughout the book. The subject matter gets much darker than I expected, but not gratuitously. I appreciate when stories show the unvarnished depravity humans are capable of—IF we also see the triumph of hope and justice—and in this book, hope and justice do prevail. The book presents many interesting philosophical questions; I think the tension between justice and revenge was the most compelling. This is a very promising debut! I’m looking forward to more from Charlotte Lesemann.
November 14, 2024
“It had stood there for more than four hundred years…”. The ancestral mansion of the Willenheim family was clouded by “the moist air of the gathering storm…Of the moist earth mixed with the frail afterlife of fallen leaves.”
1865, Bavaria. The house trembled, shifted and creaked. The worn stone stairs led to a plethora of walkways and tunnels weaving their way, above and below, the family’s stellar living space. Fifteen year old Clara, however, was confined to a locked suite of rooms. She wandered unseen through the hidden corridors and stairways inside the walls of the Willenheim estate. Sitting unobserved, she witnessed her father Edgar’s fall to his death from the rooftop. Was it suicide?
Baron Edgar Willenheim had been the middle child of Conrad and Lina Willenheim. Edgar was Lina’s favorite child, siblings Cora and Nathaniel were largely ignored. Upon Edgar’s untimely death, Lina insisted on a seance to communicate with Edgar’s spirit. Edgar’s daughter, Clara was summoned to attend. The seance did not create an apparition of Edgar. The ghost of Edgar’s sister Cora, who had died fifteen years prior, became visible solely to Clara. Would Clara be willing to form an alliance with her dead ghostly Aunt Cora in order to investigate the underbelly of the estate and unravel the lies and deceptions both familial and political?
The March Revolution of 1848 continued to spin a web of coordinated protests and rebellions in the Germanic countries. Meetings were often held at the Willenheim estate. Powerful men attended, their agenda unknown. Would planted secret agents successfully thwart the plans of these aristocrats who visited Edgar’s home for political discussion? Perhaps some other nefarious activities might be unmasked. Lina Willenheim, with the assistance of her cohort, Berend had ironclad control over the estate. At all costs, Clara’s repressed memories must stay hidden.
“The Death of Clara Willenheim” by debut author Charlotte Lesemann, is a gothic, historical mystery in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier. The setting is a mansion with pulsating walls, staircases that lead to tunnels beneath the dwelling and latches in the walls allowing entry to bedrooms, the library and the crypts. Would Clara be willing to open a Pandora’s Box to expose her memories if she might sacrifice herself in the process? Are there enemies within the halls and/or the walls of the estate? This twisting, turning novel is both riveting and intriguing.
Highly recommended.
Thank you Charlotte Lesemann and Book Sirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1865, Bavaria. The house trembled, shifted and creaked. The worn stone stairs led to a plethora of walkways and tunnels weaving their way, above and below, the family’s stellar living space. Fifteen year old Clara, however, was confined to a locked suite of rooms. She wandered unseen through the hidden corridors and stairways inside the walls of the Willenheim estate. Sitting unobserved, she witnessed her father Edgar’s fall to his death from the rooftop. Was it suicide?
Baron Edgar Willenheim had been the middle child of Conrad and Lina Willenheim. Edgar was Lina’s favorite child, siblings Cora and Nathaniel were largely ignored. Upon Edgar’s untimely death, Lina insisted on a seance to communicate with Edgar’s spirit. Edgar’s daughter, Clara was summoned to attend. The seance did not create an apparition of Edgar. The ghost of Edgar’s sister Cora, who had died fifteen years prior, became visible solely to Clara. Would Clara be willing to form an alliance with her dead ghostly Aunt Cora in order to investigate the underbelly of the estate and unravel the lies and deceptions both familial and political?
The March Revolution of 1848 continued to spin a web of coordinated protests and rebellions in the Germanic countries. Meetings were often held at the Willenheim estate. Powerful men attended, their agenda unknown. Would planted secret agents successfully thwart the plans of these aristocrats who visited Edgar’s home for political discussion? Perhaps some other nefarious activities might be unmasked. Lina Willenheim, with the assistance of her cohort, Berend had ironclad control over the estate. At all costs, Clara’s repressed memories must stay hidden.
“The Death of Clara Willenheim” by debut author Charlotte Lesemann, is a gothic, historical mystery in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier. The setting is a mansion with pulsating walls, staircases that lead to tunnels beneath the dwelling and latches in the walls allowing entry to bedrooms, the library and the crypts. Would Clara be willing to open a Pandora’s Box to expose her memories if she might sacrifice herself in the process? Are there enemies within the halls and/or the walls of the estate? This twisting, turning novel is both riveting and intriguing.
Highly recommended.
Thank you Charlotte Lesemann and Book Sirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2024
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a spine-tingling, atmospheric experience. It has all the classic earmarks of gothic literature such as Rebecca and Turning of the Screw: big decrepit mansion, old family secrets, thematic dark and stormy weather, vengeful ghosts, and a main character who may or may not be insane. I loved every well-written, evocative word. Readers need to pay attention. Every detail is important.
Clara Willenheim is a 15yo heiress to a Bavarian estate. She lives with her parents and grandmother, and is kept upon the estate and locked in her room at night. The novel opens with Clara’s father’s supposed suicide and the ensuring funeral where everyone claims how much they liked him. But soon, two local officers come and claim that it looks like it may have been murder. Clara’s grandmother Lina is bereft, displaying her love of her son. She has been so obsessed with him forever and done horrible things to honor his darkness. And now she will do what she must to maintain her loyalty and find his killer.
In an attempt to contact him after death, Clara’s grandmother releases her long dead daughter Cora, who’s vengeful ghost haunts Clara and says if she wants freedom, she’ll have to unravel some family secrets and face suppressed memories to do it. Together, they start not only spying via secret tunnels and peep holes throughout the mansion, but also ferreting out diaries and official documents at the risk of Clara being determined insane or worse, being killed.
Meanwhile, Inspector Ritcher and Jan are two officers of the Prussian secret service and have been informed by someone that some horrible crimes have been committed by major players in the Bavarian resistance of Prussian unification in the Willenheim estate. They are trying to confirm the information to dismantle the corrupt leadership of Bavaria, both from evidence without as well as trying to find a way into the crime ring.
This book has multiple POVs, with Clara’s being the main one. We also get peeks into her mother and grandmother, law enforcement officers, servants, and the Prussian secret service.
What really makes this book special is the way in which the house and weather are a character unto themselves. It creates this emotional weight that captures the reader and never let’s go.
This book is perfect for gothic and horror fans, especially those who like deep themes of vengeance, loyalty, evil versus good, and survival. I will be reading everything by this debut author and look forward to her next book.
Trigger warnings: While handled delicately, this book contains references to rape, child molestation, and kid napping.
The Death of Clara Willenheim is a spine-tingling, atmospheric experience. It has all the classic earmarks of gothic literature such as Rebecca and Turning of the Screw: big decrepit mansion, old family secrets, thematic dark and stormy weather, vengeful ghosts, and a main character who may or may not be insane. I loved every well-written, evocative word. Readers need to pay attention. Every detail is important.
Clara Willenheim is a 15yo heiress to a Bavarian estate. She lives with her parents and grandmother, and is kept upon the estate and locked in her room at night. The novel opens with Clara’s father’s supposed suicide and the ensuring funeral where everyone claims how much they liked him. But soon, two local officers come and claim that it looks like it may have been murder. Clara’s grandmother Lina is bereft, displaying her love of her son. She has been so obsessed with him forever and done horrible things to honor his darkness. And now she will do what she must to maintain her loyalty and find his killer.
In an attempt to contact him after death, Clara’s grandmother releases her long dead daughter Cora, who’s vengeful ghost haunts Clara and says if she wants freedom, she’ll have to unravel some family secrets and face suppressed memories to do it. Together, they start not only spying via secret tunnels and peep holes throughout the mansion, but also ferreting out diaries and official documents at the risk of Clara being determined insane or worse, being killed.
Meanwhile, Inspector Ritcher and Jan are two officers of the Prussian secret service and have been informed by someone that some horrible crimes have been committed by major players in the Bavarian resistance of Prussian unification in the Willenheim estate. They are trying to confirm the information to dismantle the corrupt leadership of Bavaria, both from evidence without as well as trying to find a way into the crime ring.
This book has multiple POVs, with Clara’s being the main one. We also get peeks into her mother and grandmother, law enforcement officers, servants, and the Prussian secret service.
What really makes this book special is the way in which the house and weather are a character unto themselves. It creates this emotional weight that captures the reader and never let’s go.
This book is perfect for gothic and horror fans, especially those who like deep themes of vengeance, loyalty, evil versus good, and survival. I will be reading everything by this debut author and look forward to her next book.
Trigger warnings: While handled delicately, this book contains references to rape, child molestation, and kid napping.
November 7, 2024
An honest look at humanity's struggle, it is a skillfully dark Gothic novel.
This is a book with adult themes, not for YA or children.
(Spoiler alert)
The ghost is only Scrooge-like in the story's purpose to reveal the stark darkness of humanity's evil and despair without God. The story of Clara's journey leaves you with a horror of child trafficking and all that entails, which I think the book is meant to do. It contains brave sparks of decency and hope and war on evil. An honest look at humanity's struggle, it is a skillfully dark Gothic novel.
The mood of the story is deftly crafted; even the old house is a breathing character with things to say. Against the backdrop of a rich and powerful family, Clara is a central figure with her own secret sorrows. Clara searches for the light in a story of a family caught in a web of murder, child trafficking, and demonic influence. Salvation is metaphorically implied, and demonstrated by a Christ-figure.
Its looming theme is the reality of human depravity and our helpless struggle toward the light. The depths of darkness that only God can save us from. The turning from despair, a groping after light, and how we can be saved from ourselves when we have given up.
It is not light reading, for it stirs heart and soul. It is a little heavy for me, though to be fair to the author and the story itself, the only Gothic I have read before is The Woman in White. I would not call it a squeaky clean read because of one scene and the subject matter, but it is not graphic or explicit compared to many books. The Death of Clara Willenheim had a profound impact on me.
This is a book with adult themes, not for YA or children.
(Spoiler alert)
The ghost is only Scrooge-like in the story's purpose to reveal the stark darkness of humanity's evil and despair without God. The story of Clara's journey leaves you with a horror of child trafficking and all that entails, which I think the book is meant to do. It contains brave sparks of decency and hope and war on evil. An honest look at humanity's struggle, it is a skillfully dark Gothic novel.
The mood of the story is deftly crafted; even the old house is a breathing character with things to say. Against the backdrop of a rich and powerful family, Clara is a central figure with her own secret sorrows. Clara searches for the light in a story of a family caught in a web of murder, child trafficking, and demonic influence. Salvation is metaphorically implied, and demonstrated by a Christ-figure.
Its looming theme is the reality of human depravity and our helpless struggle toward the light. The depths of darkness that only God can save us from. The turning from despair, a groping after light, and how we can be saved from ourselves when we have given up.
It is not light reading, for it stirs heart and soul. It is a little heavy for me, though to be fair to the author and the story itself, the only Gothic I have read before is The Woman in White. I would not call it a squeaky clean read because of one scene and the subject matter, but it is not graphic or explicit compared to many books. The Death of Clara Willenheim had a profound impact on me.
November 18, 2024
Wow, what a story! After finishing, I had to wait a few days to process this book before leaving a review. The Death of Clara Willenheim is a weighty story, one I would recommend reading along with a friend so that you can talk about its portrayal of humanity, suffering, evil, goodness, courage and hope (among other things). I highly recommend it, but not for those looking for a light read or for those who are young. This meaningful book requires reading with intentionality—with the kind of purposeful reflection that can change us—for the better. I appreciate how the author describes the horrors the protagonist, Clara, has experienced in life without giving the gory details or resorting to gratuitous descriptions of violence. She lets the reader knows what’s going on, without too much imagery given to the dark deeds of evil. As to the author’s use of descriptive writing overall—she is a stand out! She sets a scene that is imaginative and rich yet in the spookiest way (it’s a Gothic story, after all). In the end, it left me asking myself…what sacrifices should individuals, families and communities willingly accept in order to combat terror? An important reflection for all of us. Read the book. Courageously facing the dark issues this story addresses will make us better humans.
November 23, 2024
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
I love the artistry and imagery in the writing, the ways the images and very atmosphere of the scene appears so perfectly in my mind. It is so well written, and everything is so well shown that u felt immersed in the story. The pace is somewhat slow at the start but definitely picks up. I do love the way the plot unfolds, and the multiple povs definitely add to the mystery and intrigue.
The revelations, the plot twists, it's all so magnificent. I love how in depth the characters are portrayed, I also like how the monsters in this book are human, and how the characters are shown to not be what they seem. It makes it feel real and adds that much more emotion to the scenes, as well as deepening the impact on the reader. It is definitely a dark, chilling Gothic mystery with themes that shocked me to the core.
The main character Clara is definitely a fascinating character, and development had me hooked. Her circumstances and the circumstances surrounding her were so intriguing and I just needed to know more.
The ending, the plot twists, the fact that it's a debut novel as well!! My gods, I think that was the best thing I've read this year, I'm not going to be able to get over this. It's going to live with me forever.
I love the artistry and imagery in the writing, the ways the images and very atmosphere of the scene appears so perfectly in my mind. It is so well written, and everything is so well shown that u felt immersed in the story. The pace is somewhat slow at the start but definitely picks up. I do love the way the plot unfolds, and the multiple povs definitely add to the mystery and intrigue.
The revelations, the plot twists, it's all so magnificent. I love how in depth the characters are portrayed, I also like how the monsters in this book are human, and how the characters are shown to not be what they seem. It makes it feel real and adds that much more emotion to the scenes, as well as deepening the impact on the reader. It is definitely a dark, chilling Gothic mystery with themes that shocked me to the core.
The main character Clara is definitely a fascinating character, and development had me hooked. Her circumstances and the circumstances surrounding her were so intriguing and I just needed to know more.
The ending, the plot twists, the fact that it's a debut novel as well!! My gods, I think that was the best thing I've read this year, I'm not going to be able to get over this. It's going to live with me forever.
October 25, 2024
Looking for a good spooky, Halloween kind of a book? This book is it. Set in the 1800's, Bavaria, huge creepy old house, full of tunnels, locked rooms, catacombs, ghosts, rain and something evil in the midst. Clara's father has just died from a possible suicide. She lives in this old old mansion with her mother and grandmother and sinister servants. She is not allowed outside, or outside of her room at night. A ghost of a 15 yr old distant cousin Cora appears to her and confirms, there is something really wrong going on in this house. Together they try to find out what it is and put a stop to it. There is a lot of atmospheric tension as Clara explores the tunnels and rooms underneath the house. descriptions are definitely scary and creepy. There are some disturbing things but you won't be able to put the book down before finding out how it all ends...
I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
December 26, 2024
If you're looking for a modern book written in the style of traditional gothics, this is your book. The language is complex, florid at times, and beautifully descriptive which will appeal to readers who truly love language. The author has a solid grasp of descriptive narrative bolstered by a suspenseful and horrifying story with a satisfying resolution.
The first chapter skillfully set the stage for the suffocating, dangerous narrative which followed. There's a lot in this story that will make a person with claustrophobia cringe. Which brings me to my only issue with this book - lack of trigger warnings in the description. While gothics traditionally hint at truly terrible things that occur to the heroine, the truly terrible things here - child molestation and trafficking - are topics that I typically avoid in the books I select. Taking my personal reaction to that out of the mix, I am left with a favorable review because the story is very well-written and the plot convincingly dark.
The first chapter skillfully set the stage for the suffocating, dangerous narrative which followed. There's a lot in this story that will make a person with claustrophobia cringe. Which brings me to my only issue with this book - lack of trigger warnings in the description. While gothics traditionally hint at truly terrible things that occur to the heroine, the truly terrible things here - child molestation and trafficking - are topics that I typically avoid in the books I select. Taking my personal reaction to that out of the mix, I am left with a favorable review because the story is very well-written and the plot convincingly dark.
November 23, 2024
An affluent family with so many deep, dark and disturbing secrets. Who can Clara trust? How can she tell if it isn’t all in her head? When Clara sets out to discover the truth but finds herself saddled with a vengeful ghost. Clara has to uncover the sinister truth behind the happenings at the family mansion. I was caught up with so many emotions while reading about what she had already endured, after all she is a mere teen. Family is supposed to love and protect you and Clara’s family really missed the mark on that. The author alludes to what is really happening but doesn’t go into full details which I for one appreciated. Yet this is a story of growth and courage and good ultimately triumphing over evil.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you BookSirens!
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you BookSirens!
October 17, 2024
The Death of Clara Willenheim by Charlotte M. Lesemann
Received as an ARC!
Clara’s father died oddly. Supposedly like by friends and family but when authorities see it was murder a family with many dark secrets back generations come to light.
Clara and her dead aunt Cora who was accidentally summoned are trying to solve the mystery before something awful will befall Clara
Also hundreds plus young girls disappear over the decades with no answers Jan and Richter detectives having to get into the society to find out why
A vile thing that rich men tend to do with young girls even now more so now days that can cost Clara her life
An exciting climax that brings out more darkness of humans, hate and vengeance, as well as loving sacrifice.
Amazing debut novel
Received as an ARC!
Clara’s father died oddly. Supposedly like by friends and family but when authorities see it was murder a family with many dark secrets back generations come to light.
Clara and her dead aunt Cora who was accidentally summoned are trying to solve the mystery before something awful will befall Clara
Also hundreds plus young girls disappear over the decades with no answers Jan and Richter detectives having to get into the society to find out why
A vile thing that rich men tend to do with young girls even now more so now days that can cost Clara her life
An exciting climax that brings out more darkness of humans, hate and vengeance, as well as loving sacrifice.
Amazing debut novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and Book Siren for providing a free ebook ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
This is a dark and intricately woven tale that goes deep into the murky depths of family secrets, relationships and the aftermath of life and death. It revolves around Clara, whose father's sudden death is shrouded in mystery and starts a decades worth of family drama, lies and hidden truths. This family is very much like a reality show with characters that could overwhelm any therapist.
This is a blend of mystery and drama of the psychological sort, exploring hidden corners of a family's past that will explore secrets.
4 stars. Recommend to those who enjoy family dramas heavy on dysfunction.
This is a dark and intricately woven tale that goes deep into the murky depths of family secrets, relationships and the aftermath of life and death. It revolves around Clara, whose father's sudden death is shrouded in mystery and starts a decades worth of family drama, lies and hidden truths. This family is very much like a reality show with characters that could overwhelm any therapist.
This is a blend of mystery and drama of the psychological sort, exploring hidden corners of a family's past that will explore secrets.
4 stars. Recommend to those who enjoy family dramas heavy on dysfunction.
November 9, 2024
The Death of Clara Willenheim by Charlotte Lesemann is excellent! If you like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or the film Crisom Peak, you should read the book!
The author certainly has a way with words. I have so many highlights I am unable to share on Goodreads since I read an ARC, but so you know, they are many amazing quotes.
The plot was unique. I had mixed feelings about most of the characters for the longest times, because I did not know whether I should love or hate them.
The message of this novel, though it is set in the 1860s, is scarily relevant today.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author certainly has a way with words. I have so many highlights I am unable to share on Goodreads since I read an ARC, but so you know, they are many amazing quotes.
The plot was unique. I had mixed feelings about most of the characters for the longest times, because I did not know whether I should love or hate them.
The message of this novel, though it is set in the 1860s, is scarily relevant today.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 8, 2024
Gothic mystery, parts were hard to follow at times (at least for me).
November 15, 2024
An enjoyable read. The characters are well thought out and the writing moves the story along at a nice pace. If another book is written by this author I would read it.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 7, 2024
This was nonstop from the first page. I definitely didn't want to stop reading. Lots of suspense. Looking forward to more.
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