The Wild Hunt

by Jill Tattersall

Wild rides at midnight, witches' masks and whispered conversations about pagan sacrifice . . . Jill Tattersall's latest novel builds around the awful possibilities of murder and the mysterious suggestions of witchcraft that haunt the eerie household where Chantal Fabian has been forced to reside.

Genres: Gothic, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, Gothic Romance, Historical Fiction

243 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure this book has its flaws, but I loved it anyway. When I saw it at some random thrift store I immediately snatched it up, because OBVIOUSLY I would pick up a book called THE WILD HUNT, which teases an antlered figure in the excerpt on the back. I was afraid it wouldn't be the score I'd hoped it was though, because a lot of these old gothic novels (or in this case, romantic suspense, but I feel like it's gothic-adjacent at least) disappoint me. But I loved the heroine, who didn't have that perfect, righteous, morally superior Mary Sue-ish air that's so common in gothics. And the hero was awesome too. With the layered plots and the backdrop of paganism, I ended up really enjoying this one. Now someone make it into a limited series please.

[Christine Honsinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

jill tattersall writes amazing gothic suspense novels, there is no doubt about that...but this is the second one i have read now that I found to be just way too confusing. There are so many intricately detailed plots on top of subplots woven in and out of the fabric of the story, not to mention the ginormous cast of characters...so many that you have to keep straight, each one with their own set of background stories, including more names of people and thus more subplots...all contributing to the overall incredulous and overly complex plotline of the story...truthfully, when once I had finally reached the grand climax of the thing, i hardly cared anymore! I much prefer Dark at Noon and even Lady Ingram's room to the Wild Hunt, if you are so inclined...I think they do ms tattersall much more credit.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel I read by Jill Tattersall and it made me want to read all her books. Love her style of writing. She inspired me to look at other Gothic Romance novels such as Victoria Holt. I'll admit I suspected the identity of Morimain but I still was waiting till the very end to understand the full mystery of the Wild Hunt. Excellent read only wish she wrote more novels.

[Falina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book would, as my fourth gothic romance in a row, blend with the others into obscurity, but I was pleased to find that it stands out among those of its genre. The characters were clever and amusing, the heroine especially, and the hero was as dark, satanic, and attractive as I could hope. The witchcraft makes the plot a little different and intriguing, and the Wild Hunt is very cool. The romance is great, not explicit but there are some small but satisfying hints of sex at the end and some great UST moments scattered throughout. This book is one of the best gothics I've read so far.

[Wordlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the premise of the book.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill Tattersall wrote an interesting Regency/Gothic romance story involving seeming pagan rituals, mysterious persons, weird happenings. This story is told partly thru "First Person - the heroine," with dialogue, actions of other characters filled in. Atmosphere, season descriptions helped add to the mysterious places. The heroine of this story was attacked at times, a survivalist who earned respect as a lowly governess to a spoiled brat boy. The beginning provides mysteries from the heroine's past as a child, which are later revealed from trauma.
I was hoping for a different version of "The Wild Hunt" myth & Jill Tattersall delivers it in mystery & interesting ways.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

With this messy novel, Jill Tattersall began her fascination with witchcraft subplots, as Chantal Fabian takes a position as governess at a mysterious manor in the English countryside. But what a jumble: there are just too many things going on for the reader's comfort and the heroine herself is beyond annoying. Gothic heroines in general often have a certain naïveté, but in Chantal's case, the reader could be forgiven for rooting against her. The novel is worth reading as a spectacular misfire in the genre: too well-written to be awful; too strange to be good.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much witchy fun as I had expected. Started out very well but became much too complicated mid way through, and the resolution was rushed and rather confused. A typical gothic romance from the period but really had the potential to have been much better.

[Barrymore Tebbs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty dull even for Gothic suspense. Suspense? Nope. None. Hoping for a big Wild Hunt scene at the end, just couldn't bring myself to finish it. But OH! that gorgeous cover of the hardback edition!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old-fashioned Gothic romance at its best.