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The Chambermaids
Claymore Award Winner for Best Southern Gothic
Wilbur and Elouise Saxton are forced to move south after losing their fortune following the Civil War. Hot-headed Wilbur was not happy about the adjustment, but his wife is glad to finally return to her home state. At least she was until they arrive at the home her late uncle left her, and find it in much despair. It also comes with a dark secret, something her family hid from her for good reason.
When two strange women knock on their door offering to help the couple, claiming they know the land more than anyone, those secrets unfold. While Elouise loses her mind, Wilbur is already lost under a spell cast by their young, charming chambermaids.
What was supposed to be a dream come true is slowly turning into a nightmare.
Elouise must fight for not only her life but her husband’s as well. Will her days ever return to normal, or was this the future assigned to her all along? Did she ever have a choice?
Sinister is what comes to Elouise’s mind when she pieces the clues together, but that does not even begin to cover what is really going on.
Wilbur and Elouise Saxton are forced to move south after losing their fortune following the Civil War. Hot-headed Wilbur was not happy about the adjustment, but his wife is glad to finally return to her home state. At least she was until they arrive at the home her late uncle left her, and find it in much despair. It also comes with a dark secret, something her family hid from her for good reason.
When two strange women knock on their door offering to help the couple, claiming they know the land more than anyone, those secrets unfold. While Elouise loses her mind, Wilbur is already lost under a spell cast by their young, charming chambermaids.
What was supposed to be a dream come true is slowly turning into a nightmare.
Elouise must fight for not only her life but her husband’s as well. Will her days ever return to normal, or was this the future assigned to her all along? Did she ever have a choice?
Sinister is what comes to Elouise’s mind when she pieces the clues together, but that does not even begin to cover what is really going on.
Unknown Binding
First published September 3, 2025
5 people are currently reading
3943 people want to read
About the author
Leigh M. Hall
16 books373 followersLeigh is a believer in fairytales, the kind that keep some people up at night.
She lives in Texas with her family of gremlins and their amazing dogs. Not only does she love the heat, but she is preparing herself just in case there, in fact, will be a hell at the end of all this.
Growing up, she spent most of her time in the land of fictional characters and kept her head buried in a book. With ideas continually running around in her strange mind, she decided to dip her toes into writing.
Leigh published her first novel, Girl Bully (a best-selling psychological thriller), in 2020. Since then, she has published many more intensely dark and captivating novels. Many of her books can be listened to through Audible and Apple books.
Leigh loves staying in touch with her fans. You can follow her through her newsletter and many social media sites. She is very active in the writing community. You can find her at an in-person signing at any point during the year, including the incredible Wild Dead Wood Reads held during Wild Bills days in South Dakota every summer. She also attends Wanderlust in San Antonio, Texas, an event known for attracting a plethora of different readers.
Over the last few years, Leigh has been very busy building her career as a writer. She is a Houston Writer’s Guild member and an active in-person member/contributor to the 20 books community. She is also a sponsoring author for The Bookworm Box/Bookbonanza, a Texas-based charity bookstore, and event. As of 2022, Leigh is now an associate member of International Thriller Writers (ITW).
She lives in Texas with her family of gremlins and their amazing dogs. Not only does she love the heat, but she is preparing herself just in case there, in fact, will be a hell at the end of all this.
Growing up, she spent most of her time in the land of fictional characters and kept her head buried in a book. With ideas continually running around in her strange mind, she decided to dip her toes into writing.
Leigh published her first novel, Girl Bully (a best-selling psychological thriller), in 2020. Since then, she has published many more intensely dark and captivating novels. Many of her books can be listened to through Audible and Apple books.
Leigh loves staying in touch with her fans. You can follow her through her newsletter and many social media sites. She is very active in the writing community. You can find her at an in-person signing at any point during the year, including the incredible Wild Dead Wood Reads held during Wild Bills days in South Dakota every summer. She also attends Wanderlust in San Antonio, Texas, an event known for attracting a plethora of different readers.
Over the last few years, Leigh has been very busy building her career as a writer. She is a Houston Writer’s Guild member and an active in-person member/contributor to the 20 books community. She is also a sponsoring author for The Bookworm Box/Bookbonanza, a Texas-based charity bookstore, and event. As of 2022, Leigh is now an associate member of International Thriller Writers (ITW).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 12, 2025
When a couple falls on hard times they are forced to take up residence in a late relative’s rural urban farm. As if dealing with farm life wasn’t hard enough, they suddenly find out that the help may not be as helpful as they first thought.
🖤🕯️
Set in the 1800s in a middle of nowhere Texas farm makes the vibes creepy as hell. Add in some “too nice to be for real” chambermaids and you have yourself a spooky good time.
🖤🕯️
This is a departure from what Hall typically writes, and I only hope she keeps going in this direction. 19th century goth is where Hall needs to stay! I read this in two sittings and now I won’t be able to sleep tonight. You should read it too…
Snuggle up with your favorite black velvet blanket, light a candelabra, and allow Chambermaids to take you back to a time when people kept to themselves, neighbors were few and far between, and everyone had secrets they would die to keep.
🖤🕯️
Set in the 1800s in a middle of nowhere Texas farm makes the vibes creepy as hell. Add in some “too nice to be for real” chambermaids and you have yourself a spooky good time.
🖤🕯️
This is a departure from what Hall typically writes, and I only hope she keeps going in this direction. 19th century goth is where Hall needs to stay! I read this in two sittings and now I won’t be able to sleep tonight. You should read it too…
Snuggle up with your favorite black velvet blanket, light a candelabra, and allow Chambermaids to take you back to a time when people kept to themselves, neighbors were few and far between, and everyone had secrets they would die to keep.
July 30, 2025
The review does NOT contain spoilers!
"A Bone Chilling Southern Gothic Horror Novel & Killer Nashville Award Winner"
Thank you to Leigh M. Hall for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Hall usually writes psychological thrillers and took a complete left turn with a genre that is out of her realm and absolutely nailed it. This book kept me guessing, trying to come up with theories, and pushing me into a love hate relationship with all of the characters. There were moments of repulsion, laughter, horror, love, hope, nightmares, deceit, fear - you name it.
My favorite quote and how I felt the whole book - "I am so confused. The more I think about it, the more my head spins, as if it is battling itself between what is reality and what is not".
Hands down a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
🐂 🪑 🕯️ 🐔 🐴 🫖 🥚 🥓 🪟 📜 🤎
"A Bone Chilling Southern Gothic Horror Novel & Killer Nashville Award Winner"
Thank you to Leigh M. Hall for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Hall usually writes psychological thrillers and took a complete left turn with a genre that is out of her realm and absolutely nailed it. This book kept me guessing, trying to come up with theories, and pushing me into a love hate relationship with all of the characters. There were moments of repulsion, laughter, horror, love, hope, nightmares, deceit, fear - you name it.
My favorite quote and how I felt the whole book - "I am so confused. The more I think about it, the more my head spins, as if it is battling itself between what is reality and what is not".
Hands down a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
🐂 🪑 🕯️ 🐔 🐴 🫖 🥚 🥓 🪟 📜 🤎
November 2, 2025
From the moment Wilbur and Elouise Saxton stepped onto that decaying Southern estate, I knew things were about to get deliciously eerie and I was so here for it!
At first, it’s all faded grandeur and post–Civil War tension. Elouise is hopeful, finally back in her home state, while her husband Wilbur sulks about their lost fortune. But the house they inherit isn’t just falling apart it’s hiding something alive beneath all that dust and despair. And when two mysterious chambermaids show up, offering to help with the house and land, things quickly slip from unsettling to downright chilling.
Leigh M. Hall nails that creeping, atmospheric dread I crave in gothic fiction. Every scene hums with quiet menace, the flicker of a candle, the sound of footsteps when no one should be there, the way charm slowly curdles into horror. Watching Elouise unravel as she uncovers her family’s dark secrets had me second-guessing everything and everyone. And those chambermaids? Let’s just say they redefine helpful in the most terrifying way.
What makes the story really stick, though, is how it weaves madness, manipulation, and fate together until you can’t tell what’s real or if Elouise ever stood a chance. It’s twisted, haunting, and so immersive I swear I could smell the rot of magnolia blossoms turning in the summer heat.
If you love gothic horror with a sharp bite and slow-building dread, The Chambermaids is your next obsession. Just.. maybe don’t read it alone at night!
⚡️Thank you Books Forward PR and Leigh M. Hall for sharing this book with me!
At first, it’s all faded grandeur and post–Civil War tension. Elouise is hopeful, finally back in her home state, while her husband Wilbur sulks about their lost fortune. But the house they inherit isn’t just falling apart it’s hiding something alive beneath all that dust and despair. And when two mysterious chambermaids show up, offering to help with the house and land, things quickly slip from unsettling to downright chilling.
Leigh M. Hall nails that creeping, atmospheric dread I crave in gothic fiction. Every scene hums with quiet menace, the flicker of a candle, the sound of footsteps when no one should be there, the way charm slowly curdles into horror. Watching Elouise unravel as she uncovers her family’s dark secrets had me second-guessing everything and everyone. And those chambermaids? Let’s just say they redefine helpful in the most terrifying way.
What makes the story really stick, though, is how it weaves madness, manipulation, and fate together until you can’t tell what’s real or if Elouise ever stood a chance. It’s twisted, haunting, and so immersive I swear I could smell the rot of magnolia blossoms turning in the summer heat.
If you love gothic horror with a sharp bite and slow-building dread, The Chambermaids is your next obsession. Just.. maybe don’t read it alone at night!
⚡️Thank you Books Forward PR and Leigh M. Hall for sharing this book with me!
November 29, 2025
Sense of err and darkness falls on this story. This was first introduction to Leigh M Hall and I’m impressed.
Set in the 1800’s on an isolated farm that Elouise inherited after her uncles death. Going from a life of leisure and money with her husband Wilburn the two move to the farm after Wilburn loses everything. They are adjusting until two chambermaids show up and offer their help in exchange for room and board. Things are not as they seem though.
The book slowly builds and lays a good foundation for what’s to come. The chambermaids brought a sense of eeriness to the story. If I could have swooped in and rescued Eloise I would have at several points. Wilburn, never liked him or the mentality men of that era had on women.
Set in the 1800’s on an isolated farm that Elouise inherited after her uncles death. Going from a life of leisure and money with her husband Wilburn the two move to the farm after Wilburn loses everything. They are adjusting until two chambermaids show up and offer their help in exchange for room and board. Things are not as they seem though.
The book slowly builds and lays a good foundation for what’s to come. The chambermaids brought a sense of eeriness to the story. If I could have swooped in and rescued Eloise I would have at several points. Wilburn, never liked him or the mentality men of that era had on women.
November 8, 2025
I just want to start by saying how much I loved Hall’s writing. She does a phenomenal job setting the tone and atmosphere for this southern gothic horror.
We follow Elouise and her husband Wilbur, who have fallen on hard times and decide to move into a remote Texas home left to Elouise by her late uncle. At first, it feels like a normal adjustment as they get the house in order and settle into a quieter life in the middle of nowhere. But soon, Elouise begins to sense that something isn’t right. Shadows move at the edges of her vision, she hears voices in her head, and the weight of exhaustion grows heavier each day. Then, out of nowhere, two chambermaids arrive dressed in black, offering to help with the house and the farm. All they ask in return is food and a place to stay.
From there, Elouise’s world begins to unravel, and the question lingers of whether the chambermaids are truly there to help or if something much darker is at play.
I really enjoyed this one. One of the major reveals is a twist I have read before and always love, but Hall’s version felt fresh and satisfying. It is the kind of gothic story that is easy to sink into as it is moody, eerie, and beautifully written. If you are looking for a quick and atmospheric read steeped in southern gothic horror, The Chambermaids is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc
We follow Elouise and her husband Wilbur, who have fallen on hard times and decide to move into a remote Texas home left to Elouise by her late uncle. At first, it feels like a normal adjustment as they get the house in order and settle into a quieter life in the middle of nowhere. But soon, Elouise begins to sense that something isn’t right. Shadows move at the edges of her vision, she hears voices in her head, and the weight of exhaustion grows heavier each day. Then, out of nowhere, two chambermaids arrive dressed in black, offering to help with the house and the farm. All they ask in return is food and a place to stay.
From there, Elouise’s world begins to unravel, and the question lingers of whether the chambermaids are truly there to help or if something much darker is at play.
I really enjoyed this one. One of the major reveals is a twist I have read before and always love, but Hall’s version felt fresh and satisfying. It is the kind of gothic story that is easy to sink into as it is moody, eerie, and beautifully written. If you are looking for a quick and atmospheric read steeped in southern gothic horror, The Chambermaids is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc
October 2, 2025
Y’all, *The Chambermaids* by Leigh M. Hall is a full-blown ride, and I mean one of those ghost stories that crawls under your skin and won’t let go. If you like your suspense served with a side of goosebumps, this book delivers.
What makes it so damn good:
1. **Atmosphere for Days**
From page one, Hall paints places with such detail you can nearly feel the cold stone walls, hear the whisper of silk dresses, smell dust motes in moonlight, all in the same room. Every shadow feels like it’s hiding something.
2. **Characters Who Haunt You**
These chambermaids aren’t just spooks. They’re people (or maybe more than people?): vulnerable, torn, and intricately human. Hall fleshes them out so well you ache for their fears, hate their secrets, and root for their survival (even when the odds are stacked high).
3. **Pacing & Suspense That Knows Just When to Squeeze**
Hall doesn’t rush the eerie stuff, but when it finally hits, you jump. The slow build is deliberate, with whispered clues, muffled footsteps, odd reflections. Then comes the kind of scene that makes you check over your shoulder. Each chapter leaves you with questions, enough to turn the page, every single time.
The way Hall weaves the past and present together, so you can’t help but wonder what haunts a place, and it's not always just ghosts.
Five stars, no question. Dare I say, a modern classic in the haunted-house genre. Leigh M. Hall, you done wrote something special.
What makes it so damn good:
1. **Atmosphere for Days**
From page one, Hall paints places with such detail you can nearly feel the cold stone walls, hear the whisper of silk dresses, smell dust motes in moonlight, all in the same room. Every shadow feels like it’s hiding something.
2. **Characters Who Haunt You**
These chambermaids aren’t just spooks. They’re people (or maybe more than people?): vulnerable, torn, and intricately human. Hall fleshes them out so well you ache for their fears, hate their secrets, and root for their survival (even when the odds are stacked high).
3. **Pacing & Suspense That Knows Just When to Squeeze**
Hall doesn’t rush the eerie stuff, but when it finally hits, you jump. The slow build is deliberate, with whispered clues, muffled footsteps, odd reflections. Then comes the kind of scene that makes you check over your shoulder. Each chapter leaves you with questions, enough to turn the page, every single time.
The way Hall weaves the past and present together, so you can’t help but wonder what haunts a place, and it's not always just ghosts.
Five stars, no question. Dare I say, a modern classic in the haunted-house genre. Leigh M. Hall, you done wrote something special.
October 2, 2025
"The Chambermaids" is a mesmerizing dark slow burn that gradually unfolds its layers, particularly intensifying in the final 25%. At first, the pacing may feel leisurely, but this slow build is masterfully crafted to create an atmosphere thick with suspense as the story progresses.
The characters are robustly developed, and their attire and actions are meticulously described, adding a genuine sense of time and place that enhances the plot. As the narrative approaches its climax, the tension escalates dramatically, leading to revelations that are both surprising and impactful.
What’s particularly striking is the way the author manages to keep readers guessing; just when you think you have the story figured out, it takes a turn that leaves you both startled and in awe. Overall, "The Chambermaids" is a rewarding read for those who appreciate a gradual buildup that culminates in a thrilling payoff. Highly recommended for fans of atmospheric storytelling!
The characters are robustly developed, and their attire and actions are meticulously described, adding a genuine sense of time and place that enhances the plot. As the narrative approaches its climax, the tension escalates dramatically, leading to revelations that are both surprising and impactful.
What’s particularly striking is the way the author manages to keep readers guessing; just when you think you have the story figured out, it takes a turn that leaves you both startled and in awe. Overall, "The Chambermaids" is a rewarding read for those who appreciate a gradual buildup that culminates in a thrilling payoff. Highly recommended for fans of atmospheric storytelling!
December 4, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! I am so thankful to Books Forward for giving me access to this book. I love when I read a book and it captivates me so much that it lives rent free in my mind long after I finish reading it. That's exactly what this book did to me.
I love a good southern, gothic, horror tail. Leigh M. Hall has become one of my favorite authors with just one book. Her writing style was so vivid and descriptive that it felt like a movie in my mind. To the point that it literally gave me a shiver while reading. The characters were so well written that you literally could picture them. This book had me feeling a variety of emotions in all of the best ways. I felt like I was on the wildest roller coaster and I was here for every second of it.
I would love to say so much about this book, but this is just one uou have to read for yourself because I don't want to spoil anything. It's just that good. Definitely a five star read for me.
I love a good southern, gothic, horror tail. Leigh M. Hall has become one of my favorite authors with just one book. Her writing style was so vivid and descriptive that it felt like a movie in my mind. To the point that it literally gave me a shiver while reading. The characters were so well written that you literally could picture them. This book had me feeling a variety of emotions in all of the best ways. I felt like I was on the wildest roller coaster and I was here for every second of it.
I would love to say so much about this book, but this is just one uou have to read for yourself because I don't want to spoil anything. It's just that good. Definitely a five star read for me.
November 4, 2025
The Chambermaids by Leigh M. Hall is the kind of southern gothic horror that seeps under your skin and steals your sleep.
The story follows Wilbur and Elouise Saxton, a couple trying to start over , but their new home has other plans—dark, and seriously unsettling ones.
The house itself feels alive, and maybe is...still unsure TBH.... oozing secrets from every cracked wall and shadowed corner. Hall nails the eerie atmosphere, mixing southern charm with that slow, creeping dread that makes you double-check your locks. As Elouise spirals and the mysterious chambermaids close in, the line between desire and doom blurs beautifully. The story is a slow burn in the best way—moody, haunting, and twisted enough to keep you hooked and make sure you read on!
This book did exactly what a horror should do, made me take forever to read it because I had to make sure I had enough time before I slept to get something not scary into my head!
Horror is not my first pick, but this one was a good read!
The story follows Wilbur and Elouise Saxton, a couple trying to start over , but their new home has other plans—dark, and seriously unsettling ones.
The house itself feels alive, and maybe is...still unsure TBH.... oozing secrets from every cracked wall and shadowed corner. Hall nails the eerie atmosphere, mixing southern charm with that slow, creeping dread that makes you double-check your locks. As Elouise spirals and the mysterious chambermaids close in, the line between desire and doom blurs beautifully. The story is a slow burn in the best way—moody, haunting, and twisted enough to keep you hooked and make sure you read on!
This book did exactly what a horror should do, made me take forever to read it because I had to make sure I had enough time before I slept to get something not scary into my head!
Horror is not my first pick, but this one was a good read!
November 26, 2025
4.5
Thank you BooksforwardPR for the gifted eBook—my TBR never rests thanks to you! 💖
The Chambermaids is a slow-burn Southern Gothic that crawls beneath your skin in the best way. Dark, eerie, and beautifully atmospheric—this 1800s farm setting felt so real I could almost taste the dread in the air.
Wilbur and Elouise Saxton move south after the war hoping for a fresh start, but their inherited home holds secrets their family never meant them to uncover. When two mysterious chambermaids arrive offering help, fascination turns to terror as sanity slips and reality blurs. What should’ve been a dream becomes a nightmare—and Elouise must fight for her life, her marriage, and her mind.
Creepy, haunting, and unforgettable. This one lingers like a ghost. 👻
Thank you BooksforwardPR for the gifted eBook—my TBR never rests thanks to you! 💖
The Chambermaids is a slow-burn Southern Gothic that crawls beneath your skin in the best way. Dark, eerie, and beautifully atmospheric—this 1800s farm setting felt so real I could almost taste the dread in the air.
Wilbur and Elouise Saxton move south after the war hoping for a fresh start, but their inherited home holds secrets their family never meant them to uncover. When two mysterious chambermaids arrive offering help, fascination turns to terror as sanity slips and reality blurs. What should’ve been a dream becomes a nightmare—and Elouise must fight for her life, her marriage, and her mind.
Creepy, haunting, and unforgettable. This one lingers like a ghost. 👻
December 9, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Y’all, The Chambermaids grabs you by the scruff from page one and drags you straight into a haunted old house full of secrets and regrets. The story starts with Wilbur Saxton and his wife Elouise Saxton, fresh on the heels of losing everything after the Civil War.
Then two strange young women show up, offer to work as chambermaids saying they know the land better than anyone and they take em in. But that choice? Starts unraveling everything. Suddenly Wilbur’s acting strange, falling under their spell. Elouise begins losing her grip on what’s real. What was supposed to be a fresh start slowly turns into something dark and twisted. 
Hall paints that house and its secrets with Southern-Gothic flair: the kind that seeps into your bones. You feel the weight of the walls, hear the hush in the halls, smell the rot and history hanging thick in the air. As the mind games and horror pile on, you start wonderin’ who’s haunted: the house…or the people inside it.
Elouise fights tooth and nail for her sanity and for Wilbur, but you don’t come away from this book feeling safe. Instead, you leave questioning whether freedom ever meant anything, or if that fate was wired the moment she accepted the keys to the place. 
If you’re hankerin for a story that mixes spine-chilling horror, Southern decay, and a whole lotta psychological dread you gotta grab The Chambermaids. It ain’t pretty. It ain’t gentle. But damn, it hits hard.
Y’all, The Chambermaids grabs you by the scruff from page one and drags you straight into a haunted old house full of secrets and regrets. The story starts with Wilbur Saxton and his wife Elouise Saxton, fresh on the heels of losing everything after the Civil War.
Then two strange young women show up, offer to work as chambermaids saying they know the land better than anyone and they take em in. But that choice? Starts unraveling everything. Suddenly Wilbur’s acting strange, falling under their spell. Elouise begins losing her grip on what’s real. What was supposed to be a fresh start slowly turns into something dark and twisted. 
Hall paints that house and its secrets with Southern-Gothic flair: the kind that seeps into your bones. You feel the weight of the walls, hear the hush in the halls, smell the rot and history hanging thick in the air. As the mind games and horror pile on, you start wonderin’ who’s haunted: the house…or the people inside it.
Elouise fights tooth and nail for her sanity and for Wilbur, but you don’t come away from this book feeling safe. Instead, you leave questioning whether freedom ever meant anything, or if that fate was wired the moment she accepted the keys to the place. 
If you’re hankerin for a story that mixes spine-chilling horror, Southern decay, and a whole lotta psychological dread you gotta grab The Chambermaids. It ain’t pretty. It ain’t gentle. But damn, it hits hard.
December 31, 2025
I’m a total sucker for gothic horror, and this book delivers that eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The story is deeply immersive, pulling you in alongside Elouise as she navigates a world steeped in dread and long buried secrets. There’s a constant sense of unease and you never quite know how twisted things are about to become as the family’s dark truths slowly unravel. It’s a haunting, atmospheric read that I really enjoyed.
November 7, 2025
When I met the author at a book festival in New Orleans this fall I never thought The Chambermaids would be so fiendishly good! Haunting and satisfying, it sucks you in. I couldn’t put it down! The horror was subtle and I found myself racing towards a remarkable and unpredictable conclusion. I’ve never read anything like this. In fact, I can’t wait to read it again.
November 13, 2025
Horror didn’t used to be my genre, but that’s changing, especially with books like The Chambermaids coming my way. I truly loved this book with its gothic setting and creepy vibe. Finishing the book after dark while platform camping in the woods was a solid choice that I don’t regret.
Elouise and Wilbur Saxton are forced to move to rural Texas after losing their fortune following the Civil War. Elouise is excited to return to her family estate. Finding it in disrepair after her uncle’s passing, the arrival of sisters that know the home seems to be a dream come true, but things slowly unfolds into a nightmare. As Wilbur slips into a world of drink under the spell of the chambermaids, Elouise finds for her life trying to uncover her family’s dark secret.
Elouise and Wilbur Saxton are forced to move to rural Texas after losing their fortune following the Civil War. Elouise is excited to return to her family estate. Finding it in disrepair after her uncle’s passing, the arrival of sisters that know the home seems to be a dream come true, but things slowly unfolds into a nightmare. As Wilbur slips into a world of drink under the spell of the chambermaids, Elouise finds for her life trying to uncover her family’s dark secret.
November 10, 2025
This was a great read, it had me hooked and making up my own theories. Set back in the 1800's in a ranch in the middle of nowhere Texas with so much mystery and isolation. I enjoyed it very much and when I wasn't reading it I was definitely thinking about it. I do recommend it if you're looking for a horror/thriler/goth read. #leighmhall #elouise #wilbur #mary #margot
December 1, 2025
This book has become one of my favorite reads of 2025. I love a good gothic atmosphere and this story delivered! There was an eerie quality all throughout that kept me flipping pages and reading as fast as my eyes would allow. A very well done and unique story that had me captivated from the very first line!
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November 3, 2025Of course, I give this book 5 stars, I'm my #1 fan after all 😂
The Chambermaids is different than my other books, but still just and dark and delicious.
It starts out slow, letting the characters and setting creep in and lay claim to your mind. But hold on tight, once it has hold, things get wild!
Happy reading 🤓
The Chambermaids is different than my other books, but still just and dark and delicious.
It starts out slow, letting the characters and setting creep in and lay claim to your mind. But hold on tight, once it has hold, things get wild!
Happy reading 🤓
November 10, 2025
A slow burn suspensefully, creepy haunting tale. The Chambermaids did not disappoint.
August 15, 2025
A hauntingly dark tale set in the 1800s, The Chambermaids pulled me in from the start and refused to let go. I was captivated by the mystery surrounding the two chambermaids and consumed by the need to understand their hidden motives. Horror isn’t my typical genre but I found this book impossible to put down.
August 6, 2025
I had the opportunity to read this book coming soon & guys...you need to add this one to your collections📖❤️
Book Review
The Chambermaids was an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read. From the very first chapter, it captured my attention and never let go—there was truly never a dull moment. The pacing was spot on, keeping the story moving while allowing the characters and plot to develop naturally. What stood out most was the ending; it was unexpected and kept me guessing right up until the final pages. I appreciate a book that can surprise me, and this one certainly delivered. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story with plenty of intrigue.
Book Review
The Chambermaids was an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read. From the very first chapter, it captured my attention and never let go—there was truly never a dull moment. The pacing was spot on, keeping the story moving while allowing the characters and plot to develop naturally. What stood out most was the ending; it was unexpected and kept me guessing right up until the final pages. I appreciate a book that can surprise me, and this one certainly delivered. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story with plenty of intrigue.
November 25, 2025
Bone chilling southern gothic horror…two chambermaids…sign me up, please! Horror on the Moors…okay…Horror at a secluded cabin in the woods…okay… but Horror on an isolated farm in Texas, who knew?
“We were not the only ones whose land had run barren because of the drought in the east; so many people are desperate and starving, and it makes me even more grateful for the gift we have been given…my great uncle’s estate…in Texas.” Wilbur Saxton was once a wealthy man, the Civil War changed all that. Wilbur and Elouise Saxton hired a carriage to take them to the Texas estate. Elouise recalled wonderful childhood memories of time spent with her family. She did not expect to find a crumbling, isolated farm with no neighboring farms within sight. The town was a distance away, impossible to access once they arrived. Finances were such that Wilbur had to go along with this move to Elouise’s home state.
Upon inspection, it was strange that the kitchen was pristine, the pantry stocked and the livestock well cared for. Someone must have been there before they arrived. Suddenly, Elouise felt a presence join her. “...a slight breeze rushes through…a shadowy figure past (her) sight.” But- “(Elouise) takes it upon (herself) to embark on the land…It has been a long time since (she has) been a physically motivated woman, and…will enjoy this venture…”. This, however, will not be the case! A shadow in her peripheral vision…voices…has someone walked by? Wilbur is oblivious to his wife’s distress.
Hearing noises above the bedchamber, the Saxton’s discover a creaking, creepy staircase leading up to the locked attic for which they have no key. Late one night, there is a knock on the door. How did two chambermaids, dressed in black, arrive with no means of transportation? They know how the estate is run, the lay of the land and how to care for the livestock. They used to work for Elouise's uncle, however, upon his death, they claim to have worked for the Wilkersons who lived 14 miles away. There is no question that Wilbur and Elouise need help running the farm. In lieu of a salary, the chambermaids wish to exchange their services for food and board, requesting to stay in the attic room they previously occupied. They have the room key.
The relief that flooded over Elouise will diminish as she slowly becomes undone. Slow burning tension builds as Elouise has nightmares and hears continual voices, especially at night. Shouldn’t the tea made by the chambermaids have calmed her? How could a ham hock have been procured from the Wilkersons if the farm had been deserted for years? While Elouise seemed to be losing her grip on reality, Wilbur was partying hardy with the chambermaids. How could “this Wilbur” be the man she married?
The sinister events propelling this story will appeal to most gothic horror fans. The revelation of the dark family secret was a complete surprise!
This novel by Leigh M. Hall is her first foray into this genre. A well written tome.
“We were not the only ones whose land had run barren because of the drought in the east; so many people are desperate and starving, and it makes me even more grateful for the gift we have been given…my great uncle’s estate…in Texas.” Wilbur Saxton was once a wealthy man, the Civil War changed all that. Wilbur and Elouise Saxton hired a carriage to take them to the Texas estate. Elouise recalled wonderful childhood memories of time spent with her family. She did not expect to find a crumbling, isolated farm with no neighboring farms within sight. The town was a distance away, impossible to access once they arrived. Finances were such that Wilbur had to go along with this move to Elouise’s home state.
Upon inspection, it was strange that the kitchen was pristine, the pantry stocked and the livestock well cared for. Someone must have been there before they arrived. Suddenly, Elouise felt a presence join her. “...a slight breeze rushes through…a shadowy figure past (her) sight.” But- “(Elouise) takes it upon (herself) to embark on the land…It has been a long time since (she has) been a physically motivated woman, and…will enjoy this venture…”. This, however, will not be the case! A shadow in her peripheral vision…voices…has someone walked by? Wilbur is oblivious to his wife’s distress.
Hearing noises above the bedchamber, the Saxton’s discover a creaking, creepy staircase leading up to the locked attic for which they have no key. Late one night, there is a knock on the door. How did two chambermaids, dressed in black, arrive with no means of transportation? They know how the estate is run, the lay of the land and how to care for the livestock. They used to work for Elouise's uncle, however, upon his death, they claim to have worked for the Wilkersons who lived 14 miles away. There is no question that Wilbur and Elouise need help running the farm. In lieu of a salary, the chambermaids wish to exchange their services for food and board, requesting to stay in the attic room they previously occupied. They have the room key.
The relief that flooded over Elouise will diminish as she slowly becomes undone. Slow burning tension builds as Elouise has nightmares and hears continual voices, especially at night. Shouldn’t the tea made by the chambermaids have calmed her? How could a ham hock have been procured from the Wilkersons if the farm had been deserted for years? While Elouise seemed to be losing her grip on reality, Wilbur was partying hardy with the chambermaids. How could “this Wilbur” be the man she married?
The sinister events propelling this story will appeal to most gothic horror fans. The revelation of the dark family secret was a complete surprise!
This novel by Leigh M. Hall is her first foray into this genre. A well written tome.
January 24, 2026
I'm giving this a 3 because I really like the story. However, this book desperately wants a good editor. There are so many problems.
First, the story is riddled with holes. So many questions remain unanswered and not in a mysterious sort of way but in a way that reveals a lack of planning for the direction of the story.
Secondly, in a related issue, the reader never knows what's happening or what the big "secret" is until, PLOP, right at the very last minute. This is just poor execution of the story. I would love to have had the mystery slowly unraveled through hints and clues, but I got nothing. Just a big BAM, here's the explanation in the last 5 pages. Disappointing to say the least.
Third, so much opportunity for developing this story was wasted. I wanted information about compelling bits here and there, but they were never mentioned again. So disappointing.
Fourth, the narrative method, basically the protagonist's inner dialog as she lives the story, is, at times, too much. It becomes chaotic, not in a planned way, but like the author herself couldn't keep it all straight. It gives the story a contrived feel.
Also contributing to the contrived feel is the language itself, especially the dialog. The unnatural formality with which the characters talk to each other is difficult to take and pulls the reader out of the story. And no one has inner dialog so formal and stilted.
Finally, minor errors add up to big problems. The author spells the same names in different ways. For instance, the main character's name is written as Elouise AND Eloise. An editor would have/should have easily spotted that! In the same vein, the author uses a couple of words incorrectly. Again, another pair of eyes would have done wonders here!
I want this author to try Southern gothic horror again, but this time, with a solid outline, a good dictionary, and a ferocious editor!
First, the story is riddled with holes. So many questions remain unanswered and not in a mysterious sort of way but in a way that reveals a lack of planning for the direction of the story.
Secondly, in a related issue, the reader never knows what's happening or what the big "secret" is until, PLOP, right at the very last minute. This is just poor execution of the story. I would love to have had the mystery slowly unraveled through hints and clues, but I got nothing. Just a big BAM, here's the explanation in the last 5 pages. Disappointing to say the least.
Third, so much opportunity for developing this story was wasted. I wanted information about compelling bits here and there, but they were never mentioned again. So disappointing.
Fourth, the narrative method, basically the protagonist's inner dialog as she lives the story, is, at times, too much. It becomes chaotic, not in a planned way, but like the author herself couldn't keep it all straight. It gives the story a contrived feel.
Also contributing to the contrived feel is the language itself, especially the dialog. The unnatural formality with which the characters talk to each other is difficult to take and pulls the reader out of the story. And no one has inner dialog so formal and stilted.
Finally, minor errors add up to big problems. The author spells the same names in different ways. For instance, the main character's name is written as Elouise AND Eloise. An editor would have/should have easily spotted that! In the same vein, the author uses a couple of words incorrectly. Again, another pair of eyes would have done wonders here!
I want this author to try Southern gothic horror again, but this time, with a solid outline, a good dictionary, and a ferocious editor!
December 16, 2025
Elouise and her husband inherit a home, and two women offer their services as chambermaids. As they work in the house, the truth behind it and Elouise's family is revealed.
This is a Southern Gothic tale, even though it takes place in Texas. Elouise had married the much older Wilbur at nineteen, and in ten years, his finances dwindled to nothing. The inheritance came just as they would have otherwise been evicted, and Wilbur remains distant and mostly unhelpful on the farm. Elouise has the bulk of the work in the house and grounds, and she hears voices whispering at night while Wilbur is asleep after drinking. The two are isolated for long periods of time, and we see the daily work it takes to survive on the land before the two chambermaids arrive about a third of the way through the book.
The creepiness comes in slowly, from the whispers at night to the implications that the closer neighbors they trade with might not actually be there. Wilbur discounts all the warnings Elouise says, especially when the chambermaids seem to conspire to make her look crazy. Second-guessing reality and sanity, a big feature of Gothic literature, is heavy in this book. It's not clear exactly when it takes place, though it feels like the late 1800s because there are references to carriages, and there aren't phones or modern conveniences for them to communicate.
The horror element of the book escalates in the final third, when the otherworldly aspects come to the forefront. By the end, we figure out what happened and how circular curses can be. It was a fascinating read, pulling me in to see what happened to Elouise and what the chambermaids were planning.
This is a Southern Gothic tale, even though it takes place in Texas. Elouise had married the much older Wilbur at nineteen, and in ten years, his finances dwindled to nothing. The inheritance came just as they would have otherwise been evicted, and Wilbur remains distant and mostly unhelpful on the farm. Elouise has the bulk of the work in the house and grounds, and she hears voices whispering at night while Wilbur is asleep after drinking. The two are isolated for long periods of time, and we see the daily work it takes to survive on the land before the two chambermaids arrive about a third of the way through the book.
The creepiness comes in slowly, from the whispers at night to the implications that the closer neighbors they trade with might not actually be there. Wilbur discounts all the warnings Elouise says, especially when the chambermaids seem to conspire to make her look crazy. Second-guessing reality and sanity, a big feature of Gothic literature, is heavy in this book. It's not clear exactly when it takes place, though it feels like the late 1800s because there are references to carriages, and there aren't phones or modern conveniences for them to communicate.
The horror element of the book escalates in the final third, when the otherworldly aspects come to the forefront. By the end, we figure out what happened and how circular curses can be. It was a fascinating read, pulling me in to see what happened to Elouise and what the chambermaids were planning.
December 19, 2025
The Chambermaids is a Southern gothic horror novel with historical elements that follow Wilbur and Elouise Saxton, a couple who move to Texas after losing their fortune in the wake of the Civil War. Wilbur is bitter about their financial fall, while Elouise is cautiously hopeful about returning to her home state and inheriting her late uncle’s estate. When they arrive, the house is dilapidated and carries a dark family secret. Two young women appear at the door, offering their services as chambermaids and claiming to know the land better than anyone else. Their arrival begins to twist the household into something uncanny. Elouise’s sense of self fractures as she struggles to tell whether the demons she faces are from her own mind or from the influence of the women who now shadow her every move, while Wilbur falls under the spell of their charm.
I found the book uses the figure of the chambermaid in a clever reversal. Instead of invisible domestic laborers, these women are catalysts for psychological and supernatural unraveling. Themes include gendered power, class resentment, and the horror of having little control over one’s own life trajectory. Elouise has been carried along by male decisions and social expectations, and inheriting the house seems at first like a chance to breathe. The house’s history and the maids’ presence complicate that hope, suggesting that unacknowledged family sins and rigid hierarchies do not simply vanish with a change of address. The book plays with ambiguity around madness and magic, and it uses the decaying postwar estate as a physical metaphor for a social order falling apart but still dangerous for the women caught inside it.
I found the book uses the figure of the chambermaid in a clever reversal. Instead of invisible domestic laborers, these women are catalysts for psychological and supernatural unraveling. Themes include gendered power, class resentment, and the horror of having little control over one’s own life trajectory. Elouise has been carried along by male decisions and social expectations, and inheriting the house seems at first like a chance to breathe. The house’s history and the maids’ presence complicate that hope, suggesting that unacknowledged family sins and rigid hierarchies do not simply vanish with a change of address. The book plays with ambiguity around madness and magic, and it uses the decaying postwar estate as a physical metaphor for a social order falling apart but still dangerous for the women caught inside it.
December 10, 2025
I really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't it for me. The premise sounded super interesting and exactly what I was looking for. But the delivery of said plot is really what caused the downfall.
I can't truly place what it is, but the writing just feels exceedingly choppy and off-putting. From the first chapter I was already trying to figure out why this felt so weird to me. I think honestly there was just a complete lack of flow to the writing, as it felt like the sentences were playing bumper cars with each other instead of working together.
I did however like the inner dialogue a lot, even if half the time I was questioning what was going on. I also thought the pacing was nice even if it was slow. Because of this, the entire book felt like a descent into madness which is always something I look for and greatly enjoy in horror books. Though at around 70% the book (at least for me) completely comes apart. Every page felt like a fever dream, and I was constantly going back and forth to try and figure out what I was reading and what was going on. Regardless of if this was done on purpose or not, I absolutely did not enjoy and ultimately left me feeling relatively negatively about this book.
The characters themselves was also a stuck point for me. I felt no real attachment to them and their personalities felt lacking even if there is clearly a ton of effort put into the relationships and interactions of both the primary and secondary characters.
I can't truly place what it is, but the writing just feels exceedingly choppy and off-putting. From the first chapter I was already trying to figure out why this felt so weird to me. I think honestly there was just a complete lack of flow to the writing, as it felt like the sentences were playing bumper cars with each other instead of working together.
I did however like the inner dialogue a lot, even if half the time I was questioning what was going on. I also thought the pacing was nice even if it was slow. Because of this, the entire book felt like a descent into madness which is always something I look for and greatly enjoy in horror books. Though at around 70% the book (at least for me) completely comes apart. Every page felt like a fever dream, and I was constantly going back and forth to try and figure out what I was reading and what was going on. Regardless of if this was done on purpose or not, I absolutely did not enjoy and ultimately left me feeling relatively negatively about this book.
The characters themselves was also a stuck point for me. I felt no real attachment to them and their personalities felt lacking even if there is clearly a ton of effort put into the relationships and interactions of both the primary and secondary characters.
December 11, 2025
A dream come true turns into a nightmare in The Chambermaids by Leigh M. Hall.
Elouise Saxton is thrilled to learn her late uncle has left her his estate in Texas in his will. After she and her husband, Wilbur, arrive, Elouise is plagued by nightmares. But when two women show up at their door offering help around the house for free, Elouise and Wilbur can’t say no.
What started as ideal quickly turns into a nightmare, especially for Elouise. Trying to sort through real and dreams, Elouise must figure out what these chambermaids are doing and how to stop it.
Hall does a great job with her writing. Her prose is very engaging and easy to follow. I wasn’t expecting the turn the story took, despite this being labeled a horror novel. This very much felt along the lines of films like Hereditary and The Witch.
It starts small and then turns crazy very quickly. My biggest complaint with this novel was the pacing. It started very slowly, and the next second, it was complete chaos. I had to stop reading for a second to figure out what had happened. Personally, I am a bigger fan of paranormal horror rather than supernatural horror, but I still found the writing quality and the story interesting.
The Chambermaids is a mind-bending supernatural horror that will leave you stunned.
**REVIEW FOR NOVELSALIVE.COM**
Elouise Saxton is thrilled to learn her late uncle has left her his estate in Texas in his will. After she and her husband, Wilbur, arrive, Elouise is plagued by nightmares. But when two women show up at their door offering help around the house for free, Elouise and Wilbur can’t say no.
What started as ideal quickly turns into a nightmare, especially for Elouise. Trying to sort through real and dreams, Elouise must figure out what these chambermaids are doing and how to stop it.
Hall does a great job with her writing. Her prose is very engaging and easy to follow. I wasn’t expecting the turn the story took, despite this being labeled a horror novel. This very much felt along the lines of films like Hereditary and The Witch.
It starts small and then turns crazy very quickly. My biggest complaint with this novel was the pacing. It started very slowly, and the next second, it was complete chaos. I had to stop reading for a second to figure out what had happened. Personally, I am a bigger fan of paranormal horror rather than supernatural horror, but I still found the writing quality and the story interesting.
The Chambermaids is a mind-bending supernatural horror that will leave you stunned.
**REVIEW FOR NOVELSALIVE.COM**
November 14, 2025
This is an author that I love reading. Her books are creative, engaging and the characters pop. I enjoyed her use of details that bring life to the story that makes it easy to read and entertaining as well. This is a well written story about Elousie and her fight for her life as well as her husbands. I enjoyed reading this gothic mystery. The characters are connectable and made me want to see what would happen to them. They are strong and add so much to the story. I enjoyed watching the growth of the story as well as the characters throughout. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story. This is a story you do not want to miss and it is a must read. I highly recommend this book.
January 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and LMH Publications for the ARC!
I really loved the premise! A house that’s decrepit and has dark secrets and two women come in and secrets start spilling, and Elouise’s husband starts acting strange? Sign me up! While the writing feels a bit disjointed, I really loved the pacing and all the details that slowed the story down when it needed to. There were times where you didn’t know if something was real or not, and yet somehow came all together, especially with the atmosphere. I absolutely loved the gothic creepy vibes overall.
I really loved the premise! A house that’s decrepit and has dark secrets and two women come in and secrets start spilling, and Elouise’s husband starts acting strange? Sign me up! While the writing feels a bit disjointed, I really loved the pacing and all the details that slowed the story down when it needed to. There were times where you didn’t know if something was real or not, and yet somehow came all together, especially with the atmosphere. I absolutely loved the gothic creepy vibes overall.
November 17, 2025
I've read several books written by Leigh M. Hall; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
She has written another good stand-alone book. The story is about Elouise & Wilbur.
She has written another good stand-alone book. The story is about Elouise & Wilbur.
January 20, 2026
I received an ARC for an honest review.
OVER-Hyped
Would I recommend - NO
Overall - 1.14 ⭐️
Character - 1⭐️
Setting - 2⭐️
Plot - 1⭐️
Themes - 1⭐️
Writing - 1⭐️
Emotions - 1⭐️
Enjoyment - 1⭐️
The narration style ruined the book.
OVER-Hyped
Would I recommend - NO
Overall - 1.14 ⭐️
Character - 1⭐️
Setting - 2⭐️
Plot - 1⭐️
Themes - 1⭐️
Writing - 1⭐️
Emotions - 1⭐️
Enjoyment - 1⭐️
The narration style ruined the book.
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