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Wings
London, 1895. The house doors are open at The Alexandra Theatre.
As A Midsummer Night’s Dream stumbles towards opening night, whispers seep through the rafters, cues go wrong, and shadows refuse to stay still.
Jasper knows the theatre better than anyone. He knows its trapdoors,
its shadowed passages… its ghosts. Six months ago, an actress died on this stage—and he has never escaped the feeling that it was his fault.
January remembers differently.
Beautiful, brilliant, and dangerously composed, she has returned to claim the spotlight—and bury the truth.
But she is hiding something far darker than grief, and the role she plays onstage is not the only performance she’s perfected.
As the spirits of The Alexandra begin reaching out, reality fractures,
and Shakespeare’s words twist into something sinister.
Because in a theatre where illusion reigns, love is just another kind of haunting—and some roles demand a terrible price.
The course of true love never did run smooth… but this one runs red.
If We Were Villains meets Penny Dreadful in a gothic romance where the everyone is guilty and nobody is safe.
As A Midsummer Night’s Dream stumbles towards opening night, whispers seep through the rafters, cues go wrong, and shadows refuse to stay still.
Jasper knows the theatre better than anyone. He knows its trapdoors,
its shadowed passages… its ghosts. Six months ago, an actress died on this stage—and he has never escaped the feeling that it was his fault.
January remembers differently.
Beautiful, brilliant, and dangerously composed, she has returned to claim the spotlight—and bury the truth.
But she is hiding something far darker than grief, and the role she plays onstage is not the only performance she’s perfected.
As the spirits of The Alexandra begin reaching out, reality fractures,
and Shakespeare’s words twist into something sinister.
Because in a theatre where illusion reigns, love is just another kind of haunting—and some roles demand a terrible price.
The course of true love never did run smooth… but this one runs red.
If We Were Villains meets Penny Dreadful in a gothic romance where the everyone is guilty and nobody is safe.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2024
About the author
C.T. Klass
3 books3 followersCT Klass has always been kind of spooky. She is originally from West Wales where she used to perform with local amateur theatrical groups and work in a castle, but moved to Yorkshire and started writing slightly creepy stories. She enjoys books, films, theatre, pro-wrestling, rock music, hiking in the moors, and rum. She lives with her family, some cats and a few ghosts. She's good value on Tiktok, if that's your thing.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 20, 2026
Such a gorgeous gothic romance, set in The Alexandra, a haunted theatre looking for vengeance against stars.
The switch between past and present keeps you on your toes, constantly wanting more information. This is such an amazing story of love, grief, retribution and peace, and I'm so excited to read more of Klass's work.
The switch between past and present keeps you on your toes, constantly wanting more information. This is such an amazing story of love, grief, retribution and peace, and I'm so excited to read more of Klass's work.
July 25, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. 7/10
Anyone who has ever been the member of a cast or crew for a theatre production knows that there is an air of superstition which surrounds them. For anyone who loves this particualr niche of the spooky and supernatural, this book is for you. Rich with atmosphere and steeped in a sinister mystery, the non-linear narrative made me intrigued. I found myself breezing through this book rather quickly because I wanted to learn more!
It's clear the author has a deep understanding of the culture surrounding theatre productions, but where the book fell a little short for me came down to some anachronisms, particularly in dialogue. However, if you want to focus on hauntings and a good ghost story, it's easy to put aside. The time period is (appropriately) more like set-dressing than a historical novel.
Overall an enjoyable ghost story, perfect for theatre nerds in need of a good spine-tingle.
Thank you to C.T. Klass for the ARC.
Anyone who has ever been the member of a cast or crew for a theatre production knows that there is an air of superstition which surrounds them. For anyone who loves this particualr niche of the spooky and supernatural, this book is for you. Rich with atmosphere and steeped in a sinister mystery, the non-linear narrative made me intrigued. I found myself breezing through this book rather quickly because I wanted to learn more!
It's clear the author has a deep understanding of the culture surrounding theatre productions, but where the book fell a little short for me came down to some anachronisms, particularly in dialogue. However, if you want to focus on hauntings and a good ghost story, it's easy to put aside. The time period is (appropriately) more like set-dressing than a historical novel.
Overall an enjoyable ghost story, perfect for theatre nerds in need of a good spine-tingle.
Thank you to C.T. Klass for the ARC.
August 5, 2026
'Wings' is a ghost story set in late nineteenth-century London, during a time when the Victorian theatre scene was flourishing and new playhouses popped up like mushrooms after rain. The story follows the cast and crew of the fictional Alexandra Theatre, which is haunted by the malignant presence of a dead actress.
As always, C.T. Klass has an almost magical ability to draw the reader into her world. Her prose paints a vivid and immersive picture of both the theatre and the people who inhabit it. Much of the novel revolves around Jasper Fletcher and January O’Hara, with a quite a lot of “will they or won’t they?” tension between them. The other members of this family-run theatre provide a solid background cast of Victorian Londoners, each with their own troubles and stories.
With mysterious deaths, near-deaths, and suspicious accidents, the story also carries a strong "whodunit" flavour. It is not a detective novel, but there is plenty of mystery: who died, why, how, and who might be next? There are some rather surprising twists, and around halfway through the book I had one of those moments of disbelief: “The author did not just do that, did she??”
One thing worth noting is that the narrative moves between two different time periods, which can occasionally be a little disorienting. I had to pause a few times to work out whether I was reading about events in the past or the present. Then again, perhaps that is simply the book’s way of making the reader pay closer attention to the details.
Anyway - there is death, romance and mystery - plus a nail-biting tension and sense of unease throughout. This is an excellent ghost story, superbly delivered by the very talented C.T. Klass.
As always, C.T. Klass has an almost magical ability to draw the reader into her world. Her prose paints a vivid and immersive picture of both the theatre and the people who inhabit it. Much of the novel revolves around Jasper Fletcher and January O’Hara, with a quite a lot of “will they or won’t they?” tension between them. The other members of this family-run theatre provide a solid background cast of Victorian Londoners, each with their own troubles and stories.
With mysterious deaths, near-deaths, and suspicious accidents, the story also carries a strong "whodunit" flavour. It is not a detective novel, but there is plenty of mystery: who died, why, how, and who might be next? There are some rather surprising twists, and around halfway through the book I had one of those moments of disbelief: “The author did not just do that, did she??”
One thing worth noting is that the narrative moves between two different time periods, which can occasionally be a little disorienting. I had to pause a few times to work out whether I was reading about events in the past or the present. Then again, perhaps that is simply the book’s way of making the reader pay closer attention to the details.
Anyway - there is death, romance and mystery - plus a nail-biting tension and sense of unease throughout. This is an excellent ghost story, superbly delivered by the very talented C.T. Klass.
July 27, 2026
I picked up this book expecting Victorian-era theater, gothic atmosphere, and plenty of creepiness... and it absolutely delivered.
I'm not a theater enthusiast myself, but it was obvious the author knows that world inside and out. The setting felt authentic and immersive.
I especially loved the author's storytelling. The prose is beautiful, and while the pacing is on the slower side, it constantly builds tension and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Also, bonus points for the ending. I won't spoil it, but it suited the story perfectly.
I'm not a theater enthusiast myself, but it was obvious the author knows that world inside and out. The setting felt authentic and immersive.
I especially loved the author's storytelling. The prose is beautiful, and while the pacing is on the slower side, it constantly builds tension and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Also, bonus points for the ending. I won't spoil it, but it suited the story perfectly.
August 6, 2026
Frightfully spooky, full of love for the theater and quite lovely overall.
I struggled a bit with the timeline of events with some of the jumps but thoroughly enjoyed the tale.
I struggled a bit with the timeline of events with some of the jumps but thoroughly enjoyed the tale.
Did Not Finish
August 18, 2026Unfortunately a DNF for me at 30%, I can see this book has a lot of potential for the right reader however I just didn’t gel with the characters or story line.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews