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Wildefell
Ex-pagan and reluctantly clairvoyant reporter, Sara Wilde, thinks she escaped the curse of Wildefell Manor by planting shallow roots in Savannah. But Wildefell, her family’s historic estate in idyllic Beaufort, South Carolina, still harbors a lurid secret.
When the brutal murders of her sister and grandmother send Sara back up the groaning steps of Wildefell, she discovers their bodies arranged in a manner reminiscent of Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue. As corpses turn up all across the city, all mirroring victims in Gothic-era stories, and Sara begins to receive cryptic messages from the murderer, she realizes the curse blighting her family tree is branching out.
Plagued by premonitions of the murders and the grotesque spirits of long-dead ancestors, Sara fears the only place she belongs is with the husk of her grief-stricken mother, in the asylum.
To break a story centuries in the making and stop a vicious killer, Sara must exhume the secrets of Wildefell Manor, or she’ll risk losing both her family’s legacy and her own mind.
When the brutal murders of her sister and grandmother send Sara back up the groaning steps of Wildefell, she discovers their bodies arranged in a manner reminiscent of Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue. As corpses turn up all across the city, all mirroring victims in Gothic-era stories, and Sara begins to receive cryptic messages from the murderer, she realizes the curse blighting her family tree is branching out.
Plagued by premonitions of the murders and the grotesque spirits of long-dead ancestors, Sara fears the only place she belongs is with the husk of her grief-stricken mother, in the asylum.
To break a story centuries in the making and stop a vicious killer, Sara must exhume the secrets of Wildefell Manor, or she’ll risk losing both her family’s legacy and her own mind.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2024
23 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
H.B. Diaz
9 books14 followersH.B. Diaz is a gothic horror/mystery writer and HWA member whose short stories have been featured in publications/productions from the likes of Flame Tree Press, The NoSleep Podcast, Ghost Orchid Press, and PseudoPod, among others. Her gothic novels, THE GHOST OF RAVENSWOOD HALL (Literary Wanderlust) and WILDEFELL (Cemetery Dance) are forthcoming in 2024. She lives in a historic (and likely haunted) East Coast town. Visit her on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook (@HollyBDiaz), and Instagram (H.B. Diaz).
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 22, 2024
This is the epitome of a gothic horror story.
I’ve been waiting for a modern gothic that reflects the classics and I finally found it!
Diaz’s timing and delivery is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson, my absolute favorite. The eeriness and dreadful atmosphere we all love from the classic gothic genre are found and delightfully haunting in this novel.
True fans on the genre will revel in the nods to our favorite stories while also placing this one in the top tier. The ghosts, the architecture, the mystery, the family secrets, the grief, the romance. This one has it all and then some I didn’t even know I wanted but absolutely loved.
Thank you Cemetery Dance Publications & the author for the ePub ARC!
I’ve been waiting for a modern gothic that reflects the classics and I finally found it!
Diaz’s timing and delivery is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson, my absolute favorite. The eeriness and dreadful atmosphere we all love from the classic gothic genre are found and delightfully haunting in this novel.
True fans on the genre will revel in the nods to our favorite stories while also placing this one in the top tier. The ghosts, the architecture, the mystery, the family secrets, the grief, the romance. This one has it all and then some I didn’t even know I wanted but absolutely loved.
Thank you Cemetery Dance Publications & the author for the ePub ARC!
August 28, 2024
A terrrifc Gothic horror novel for modern sensibilities. One of the very few books where romance worked for me, and drove the story forward without unnecessary complexities. It's atmospheric, moody, suspenseful, extremely intelligent, and quite empathetic with its characters, both victims and villains. It's also brimming with ghosts, apparitions, supernatural visions, paranormal events, and revenge and love stories from the past impacting the present. But what stands out is the strong female protagonist, whose love and knowledge of classic detective stories, from Poe's Dupin to Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, populates the book with some truly riveting moments of discovery and revelation.
Although it's not very hard to have some idea of the point where the plotlines are converging, the impeccable writing and the fast pacing make sure that the experience of reaching the end is enjoyable and immersive. Recommended!
Although it's not very hard to have some idea of the point where the plotlines are converging, the impeccable writing and the fast pacing make sure that the experience of reaching the end is enjoyable and immersive. Recommended!
September 1, 2024
I absolutely adore books, stories and films about old potentially haunted houses. Prior to reading this I had just finished "Hell House" by Richard Matheson, which I might be so bold as to recommend as a good companion piece to this one. The fact that it takes place in the Southern Bermuda triangle that is Beaufort, Savannah and Athens, GA made it all the better. Go Dawgs!
I myself love ghost stories that straddle the potential to be supernatural, or possibly simply perceived as such by the characters. In fact I wrote one myself. I feel that these are the scariest, because they are relatable, and open the door to "what if" scenarios. This one does that with all the Southern charm of an antebellum mansion and the heirs to its hauntings.
Clearly the author of this book writes that she knows. The book wraps its tale around generations of writers, an ailing newspaper editorial, and of course a mansion so haunted it gives the "Hatbox Ghost" a run for its money. With all the trappings of classic gothic horror novels, fans of Sherlock Holmes, Bram Stoker, Poe and Shelley will easily understand all the literary references.
At its core, it's a classic whodunit, although it's a little more edgy and grittier than your typical Agatha Christie's "Orient Express". Throw in a forbidden romantic relationship, the bucking of authority, and a cavalier heroine, and you are in for one wild ride. I also like that a key plot point involves August 31, which happens to be the day the novel premiered. Probably a marketing tool, but clever nonetheless.
For me, I guessed the ending, but I'd prefer to think that is because I create stories for a living as a filmmaker and author. That takes nothing away from the level of suspense this novel provides. There are plenty of red herrings, or "means and motives" peppered throughout, that create a great sense of insecurity for the audience. This is particularly nice if you are picking this book up in the fall, in hopes for a spooky good read. Add in a touch of mental illness in the family lineage of the main characters, and it creates just enough doubt as to whether any of it is real at all.
If you're looking for an entertaining read to keep you in a delightfully frightened mood, this might be just the book for you. However, if you are squeamish, you might want to stuff this book in the orangutan's chimney or in the wall with the cat, to be discovered by someone a little more adventuresome.
I myself love ghost stories that straddle the potential to be supernatural, or possibly simply perceived as such by the characters. In fact I wrote one myself. I feel that these are the scariest, because they are relatable, and open the door to "what if" scenarios. This one does that with all the Southern charm of an antebellum mansion and the heirs to its hauntings.
Clearly the author of this book writes that she knows. The book wraps its tale around generations of writers, an ailing newspaper editorial, and of course a mansion so haunted it gives the "Hatbox Ghost" a run for its money. With all the trappings of classic gothic horror novels, fans of Sherlock Holmes, Bram Stoker, Poe and Shelley will easily understand all the literary references.
At its core, it's a classic whodunit, although it's a little more edgy and grittier than your typical Agatha Christie's "Orient Express". Throw in a forbidden romantic relationship, the bucking of authority, and a cavalier heroine, and you are in for one wild ride. I also like that a key plot point involves August 31, which happens to be the day the novel premiered. Probably a marketing tool, but clever nonetheless.
For me, I guessed the ending, but I'd prefer to think that is because I create stories for a living as a filmmaker and author. That takes nothing away from the level of suspense this novel provides. There are plenty of red herrings, or "means and motives" peppered throughout, that create a great sense of insecurity for the audience. This is particularly nice if you are picking this book up in the fall, in hopes for a spooky good read. Add in a touch of mental illness in the family lineage of the main characters, and it creates just enough doubt as to whether any of it is real at all.
If you're looking for an entertaining read to keep you in a delightfully frightened mood, this might be just the book for you. However, if you are squeamish, you might want to stuff this book in the orangutan's chimney or in the wall with the cat, to be discovered by someone a little more adventuresome.
August 27, 2024
Really enjoyed this one! This is a book that will do extremely well for people who enjoy the books of Simone St. James and Jennifer McMahon. Diaz definitely goes harder with the horror and gore than the aforementioned authors which only added depth and authenticity for me. I struggle often with paranormal thrillers in the sense that the supernatural aspect is often used to justify implausibility, but found Diaz toes this line well.
In Wildefell we have Sara suddenly returning to her childhood/ancestral home after a cryptic text from her sister. She find her sister and grandmother’s bodies after arriving home and things really begin to ramp up. Much of this book is a homage to some of the horror classics which I think will be greatly appreciated. The book is modern but there’s major threads into the late 19th century that added depth. This book is also a bit twisty which should do well with the thriller crowd.
Diaz’s writiing is accessible but mixed within is some truly beautiful imagery. I enjoyed the characters and found them realistic and still amicable. The book takes place over a short period of time so it’s a quick paced read. I did find the ending to veer off into a somewhat cliched, cinematic direction: Overall I was still very keen on this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes the horror thriller genre and might admire some classic literary references. I look forward to reading more from Diaz in the future.
In Wildefell we have Sara suddenly returning to her childhood/ancestral home after a cryptic text from her sister. She find her sister and grandmother’s bodies after arriving home and things really begin to ramp up. Much of this book is a homage to some of the horror classics which I think will be greatly appreciated. The book is modern but there’s major threads into the late 19th century that added depth. This book is also a bit twisty which should do well with the thriller crowd.
Diaz’s writiing is accessible but mixed within is some truly beautiful imagery. I enjoyed the characters and found them realistic and still amicable. The book takes place over a short period of time so it’s a quick paced read. I did find the ending to veer off into a somewhat cliched, cinematic direction: Overall I was still very keen on this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes the horror thriller genre and might admire some classic literary references. I look forward to reading more from Diaz in the future.
August 27, 2024
A terrrifc Gothic horror novel for modern sensibilities. One of the very few books where romance worked for me, and drove the story forward without unnecessary complexities. It's atmospheric, moody, suspenseful, extremely intelligent, and quite empathetic with its characters, both victims and villains. It's also brimming with ghosts, apparitions, supernatural visions, paranormal events, and revenge and love stories from the past impacting the presence. But what stands out is the strong female protagonist, whose love and knowledge of classic detective stories, from Poe's Dupin to Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, populates the book with some truly riveting moments of discovery and revelation.
Although it's not very hard to have some idea of the point where the plotlines are converging, the impeccable writing and the fast pacing make sure that the experience of reaching the end is enjoyable and immersive. Recommended!
Although it's not very hard to have some idea of the point where the plotlines are converging, the impeccable writing and the fast pacing make sure that the experience of reaching the end is enjoyable and immersive. Recommended!
December 14, 2025
Unfortunately, I had to give up around 80% and skim the rest of the book.
There needed to be more editing as there were too many incorrect words used, improper grammar, and some phrases and sentences just didn't make sense.
More often than not I found that the author didn't properly indicate the subject of her sentences as I kept having to go back and reread a few sentences before and after to make sure I understood who said what or did what. A couple of times it wasn't clear so I just went with my best assumption.
I really liked the idea, but everything just seemed too easy. Sara knows every sentence of every Gothic book she's read and can conveniently tie them back to each murder, she can eavesdrop on any conversation she wants, she's allowed to interfere with investigations and crime scenes without repercussions and other characters just give her any information she needs.
Also, Sara must be a stronger person than me. If I came across my Grandmother's and sister's murdered bodies and passed out in a pool of their blood, I wouldn't be wandering around flirting with a guy and insisting I report on their murder.
I just sadly didn't like this book as much as I wanted to.
There needed to be more editing as there were too many incorrect words used, improper grammar, and some phrases and sentences just didn't make sense.
More often than not I found that the author didn't properly indicate the subject of her sentences as I kept having to go back and reread a few sentences before and after to make sure I understood who said what or did what. A couple of times it wasn't clear so I just went with my best assumption.
I really liked the idea, but everything just seemed too easy. Sara knows every sentence of every Gothic book she's read and can conveniently tie them back to each murder, she can eavesdrop on any conversation she wants, she's allowed to interfere with investigations and crime scenes without repercussions and other characters just give her any information she needs.
Also, Sara must be a stronger person than me. If I came across my Grandmother's and sister's murdered bodies and passed out in a pool of their blood, I wouldn't be wandering around flirting with a guy and insisting I report on their murder.
I just sadly didn't like this book as much as I wanted to.
August 28, 2024
I have come to realize with the many books I have read that I really enjoy the genre of gothic horror. There is something about a haunted house filled with history. Ghosts from the past looking for revenge. My favorite are the ones with a strong female protagonist that must confront the ghosts of the past to solve a puzzle in the future. This book fit in this category very well. I loved that Sara had to come back to her ancestral home to solve a mystery surrounding her family. There was a killer that based all his killing around her family’s past. All the clues that were presented enabled me to realize the killer was a long lost relative but I was not prepared for who the person was. I could hear the noises in the house. I was captivated by the danger that was around every corner. Mostly I enjoyed the closure that was brought to the family as the mystery was finally solved. A definite 👻👻👻👻👻.
December 24, 2025
Wildefell
"Sara Wilde" is a captivating read that blends mystery with the supernatural, anchored by a strong protagonist. The plot kept me guessing, and the author's writing style is both engaging and atmospheric. While the pacing occasionally falters, and a few subplots could have been more developed, the book's strengths lie in its unique premise and Sara's compelling journey. It's a solid choice for fans of Gothic mysteries with a modern twist.
"Sara Wilde" is a captivating read that blends mystery with the supernatural, anchored by a strong protagonist. The plot kept me guessing, and the author's writing style is both engaging and atmospheric. While the pacing occasionally falters, and a few subplots could have been more developed, the book's strengths lie in its unique premise and Sara's compelling journey. It's a solid choice for fans of Gothic mysteries with a modern twist.
January 30, 2025
1) We love a Southern Gothic!
2) We love a Rappaccini's Daughter reference!!!!
It is truly the year of the Goth Girl Rising and I am so excited to see Gothic having a much-deserved renaissance. Full of atmosphere, ghosts, and the bitter echoes of memory, Wildefell is a haunting addition to the genre.
2) We love a Rappaccini's Daughter reference!!!!
It is truly the year of the Goth Girl Rising and I am so excited to see Gothic having a much-deserved renaissance. Full of atmosphere, ghosts, and the bitter echoes of memory, Wildefell is a haunting addition to the genre.
August 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. It's got ghosts, family secrets, drama, a little romance and revenge. A serial killer mystery that had me guessing the entire book. The ghosts added an interesting supernatural element and it all tied together beautifully.
November 17, 2024
Loved this book! I couldn't put it down. H.B. Diaz's prose grabbed me from the first sentence. The framework on which the story is built is unique and very engaging. This southern gothic mystery had me guessing until the end. Highly recommend!
June 30, 2025
This was a whole lot of gothic fun! I loved the element of the murders being modeled after classic gothic stories and it was so well done! I would love to see another book delving further into the history of Wildefell manor and the Wilde family which was briefly hinted at near the end.
July 8, 2025
Part murder mystery, part gothic horror, this haunted house story is lots of fun to read, and keeps you guessing right up until the end. Holly successfully intertwines the different genres, and creates characters you can really empathise with and root for. Very enjoyable read.
November 21, 2025
What a great little gothic ghost story/murder mystery! I couldn't put this down. It was beautifully written and creeeeepy. The author did a great job of using descriptive language that really painted a picture well, but yet it didn't feel OVER written. I think this would make a great movie.
September 13, 2024
Wonderful, spooky read!
Highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Southern gothic literature. At times lighthearted, other times dark and disturbing (in a delicious way)!
Highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Southern gothic literature. At times lighthearted, other times dark and disturbing (in a delicious way)!
September 13, 2024
Highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Southern gothic literature. At times lighthearted, other times dark and disturbing (in a delicious way)!
October 4, 2025
No one is writing horror like H.B. Diaz. You can tell she has a deep knowledge and appreciation of the entire genre and gives you every unsettling thing you could possibly want in a book.
August 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. It's got ghosts, family secrets, drama, a little romance and revenge. A serial killer mystery that had me guessing the entire book. The ghosts added an interesting supernatural element and it all tied together beautifully.
August 27, 2024
I am sooo happy I stuck with this book....it was a slow burn but once you get there it is fire! I great blend of ghost story, thriller, and love story! Definitely has a lot of twists and turns, and a great weekend read indeed!
August 27, 2024
Creepy spooky read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews