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The Maid of Murder Castle
In a hotel built on secrets, a young maid with a haunted past must unravel a deadly mystery before the walls close in around her forever…
In 1893, Chicago dazzles with the promise of the World's Fair — but beneath the glittering skyline, darker dreams take root. Nineteen-year-old Eliza Hart arrives with nothing but a carpetbag, a bruised heart, and the hope of starting over. Hired as a housemaid at the World’s Fair Hotel under the mysterious Dr. H. H. Holmes, she soon discovers that the labyrinthine halls conceal more than lost keys and dusty linens. Doors lock from the outside. Shadows whisper through the walls. And guests sometimes vanish without a trace.
As suspicion deepens and survival grows precarious, Eliza must navigate a world where obedience is prized, questions are dangerous, and the cost of silence may be her very soul…
Based on the true story of America’s first serial killer, this terrifying novel is perfect for readers of Nita Prose and Simone St. James.
In 1893, Chicago dazzles with the promise of the World's Fair — but beneath the glittering skyline, darker dreams take root. Nineteen-year-old Eliza Hart arrives with nothing but a carpetbag, a bruised heart, and the hope of starting over. Hired as a housemaid at the World’s Fair Hotel under the mysterious Dr. H. H. Holmes, she soon discovers that the labyrinthine halls conceal more than lost keys and dusty linens. Doors lock from the outside. Shadows whisper through the walls. And guests sometimes vanish without a trace.
As suspicion deepens and survival grows precarious, Eliza must navigate a world where obedience is prized, questions are dangerous, and the cost of silence may be her very soul…
Based on the true story of America’s first serial killer, this terrifying novel is perfect for readers of Nita Prose and Simone St. James.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2025
49 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 12, 2025
Thh Living Hotel
Just finished reading this novel. It’s an interesting story; part paranormal, part mystery, part psychological thriller. Throw those three elements together and you find yourself trapped in a living hotel, where the walls breathe with the heavy sounds of muted screams and voices whisper constantly. The hallways seemed to elongate and the pumping of the boiler carries heartbeats through out the building. The maid brings you in to this castle and is forced into sharing her tale of deception, decay, madness and loss through her own experiences and memories.
This is a good tale of true evil and how it can plunge into the depths of one’s soul.
Just finished reading this novel. It’s an interesting story; part paranormal, part mystery, part psychological thriller. Throw those three elements together and you find yourself trapped in a living hotel, where the walls breathe with the heavy sounds of muted screams and voices whisper constantly. The hallways seemed to elongate and the pumping of the boiler carries heartbeats through out the building. The maid brings you in to this castle and is forced into sharing her tale of deception, decay, madness and loss through her own experiences and memories.
This is a good tale of true evil and how it can plunge into the depths of one’s soul.
July 26, 2025
4.5 ☆
Where do i start?
The only reason I have found this book because earlier in the year I have played 'The devil in me' on Playstation. The game was about H H Holmes. I googles to see if he was real and to my surprise, he was! ( The game by the way was really good!).
Anyway, on 8th of July I noticed that this book was coming out on the 9th, I read the synopsis and absolutely gasped! I had to read it, and I am glad I did. This is because, this story was so well written and so soul breaking! At the start the story seemed to be so repetitive and it didn't flow but there was a reason for it.
The plot twist in this book was so heart breaking, I couldn't believe what had happened to Eliza.
I really hope that more people read this story as it is really worth it!.
This was my first ever historical fiction - and I loved every bit. I still think of this book!
Where do i start?
The only reason I have found this book because earlier in the year I have played 'The devil in me' on Playstation. The game was about H H Holmes. I googles to see if he was real and to my surprise, he was! ( The game by the way was really good!).
Anyway, on 8th of July I noticed that this book was coming out on the 9th, I read the synopsis and absolutely gasped! I had to read it, and I am glad I did. This is because, this story was so well written and so soul breaking! At the start the story seemed to be so repetitive and it didn't flow but there was a reason for it.
The plot twist in this book was so heart breaking, I couldn't believe what had happened to Eliza.
I really hope that more people read this story as it is really worth it!.
This was my first ever historical fiction - and I loved every bit. I still think of this book!
August 24, 2025
This is the most beautifully written story I have read in a long time. The imagery is haunting, the story immersive and chilling. The novel circles themes of preservation, memory, and voice in a way that lingers long after the last page.
I did begin to get frustrated with the repetition of a single backstory thread about Eliza’s brother, phrased in nearly the same way each time, as it dulled the emotional impact. But it made sense as part of the motif.
The characters of Eliza, George, and Mrs. Kearney are fleshed out well and felt unique and braided together seamlessly.
An unforgettable read for me!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I did begin to get frustrated with the repetition of a single backstory thread about Eliza’s brother, phrased in nearly the same way each time, as it dulled the emotional impact. But it made sense as part of the motif.
The characters of Eliza, George, and Mrs. Kearney are fleshed out well and felt unique and braided together seamlessly.
An unforgettable read for me!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2025
While this certainly isn’t the worst book I read this summer, I didn’t love it. The first 3/4 was relatively slow going and the last 1/4 seemed utterly unbelievable, but there were some interesting and unexpected bits mixed in that I enjoyed.
January 24, 2026
Good read
An interesting book based on a true life monster and his crimes. Parts of the book were a little confused and I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. The characters were interesting.
An interesting book based on a true life monster and his crimes. Parts of the book were a little confused and I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. The characters were interesting.
October 19, 2025
Wow! I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews