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Fragments
London, 1774.
Charlotte is a renowned London actress who has the world at her feet. Until one day she disappears, never to be seen again.
London, Present Day.
Hazel has the job she has always dreamed writing plays in an iconic theatre in London. But when a secret room is discovered, and a ghostly presence begins to haunt the theatre, she finds herself drawn into the centuries-old mystery. Piecing together the clues from fragments of memory and madness, Hazel must find out the truth or be driven mad by it...
A gothic novella of tragedy, loss, and ghosts on the London stage.
Charlotte is a renowned London actress who has the world at her feet. Until one day she disappears, never to be seen again.
London, Present Day.
Hazel has the job she has always dreamed writing plays in an iconic theatre in London. But when a secret room is discovered, and a ghostly presence begins to haunt the theatre, she finds herself drawn into the centuries-old mystery. Piecing together the clues from fragments of memory and madness, Hazel must find out the truth or be driven mad by it...
A gothic novella of tragedy, loss, and ghosts on the London stage.
- GenresHorror
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2025
5 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Catriona Mowat
2 books42 followersSpecialising in historical, gothic horror, Catriona is influenced by classic horror like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, as well as modern classics like The Woman in Black by Susan Hill.
Living in Swindon, UK, Catriona loves museums and exploring the local area, and can often be found wandering through woodlands and exploring the Cotswolds. She sings and enjoys the theatre as well as being a book and movie nerd.
Catriona has previously had poetry published in 8 anthologies and magazines from Forward Press, Aberdeen University Press and The Illustrated Ape art magazine, although she has only been writing prose and publishing full works since Jan 2025. She is one to watch in the indie horror scene
Living in Swindon, UK, Catriona loves museums and exploring the local area, and can often be found wandering through woodlands and exploring the Cotswolds. She sings and enjoys the theatre as well as being a book and movie nerd.
Catriona has previously had poetry published in 8 anthologies and magazines from Forward Press, Aberdeen University Press and The Illustrated Ape art magazine, although she has only been writing prose and publishing full works since Jan 2025. She is one to watch in the indie horror scene
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 19, 2025
Fragments by Catriona Mowat is an entertaining story, with good and strong bones. While, in my opinion it's not scary at all, but tragic and heartbreaking, it doesn't make it less good. It will keep you enthralled in the story looking forward to find out more about the fate of the characters. The weaving of past and present to form the whole picture, makes it even more entertaining. A good and cozy gothic horror perfect for a relaxing evening.
September 27, 2025
Car Mowat is new to the Indie author scene, but it definitely does not show.
This is her 2nd book and I adored it.
Charlotte is an actress in 1774 who is sort after by many, including a member of the Royal family, even though she is happily married, yet has to keep her husband hush hush to keep her position and keep her boss happy, until she goes missing.
In present day, Hazel starts work at the very same theatre where Charlotte had worked many many years before.
Revealing a secret room, strange things begin to happen when a presence is released and starts Haunting the property.
Hazel tries to piece together the mystery as she believes the ghost to be that of Charlotte and wants to help her.
Yet by helping Charlotte, Hazel releases something evil that's out for everyone.
I loved this story and the way it was told. Well written and love the characters. A beautiful and cosy ghost story. Can't wait to read whatever Catriona brings out next.
This is her 2nd book and I adored it.
Charlotte is an actress in 1774 who is sort after by many, including a member of the Royal family, even though she is happily married, yet has to keep her husband hush hush to keep her position and keep her boss happy, until she goes missing.
In present day, Hazel starts work at the very same theatre where Charlotte had worked many many years before.
Revealing a secret room, strange things begin to happen when a presence is released and starts Haunting the property.
Hazel tries to piece together the mystery as she believes the ghost to be that of Charlotte and wants to help her.
Yet by helping Charlotte, Hazel releases something evil that's out for everyone.
I loved this story and the way it was told. Well written and love the characters. A beautiful and cosy ghost story. Can't wait to read whatever Catriona brings out next.
July 22, 2025
Fragments by Catriona Mowat is a beautifully written novella which I read in one sitting.
A tragic ghost story which spans two timelines in London during 1774 and 2025. The author's attention to detail is superb and from the prologue to the last page of the epilogue I was totally drawn into the story, almost felt like I was living/seeing through the eyes of the main character, Hazel.
I love dual timelines and the historical hauntings in a book fascinate me. The horror side of this novella was fairly minimal, which worked really well.
Thank you for the ARC, I highly recommend this novella. Perfect for dark nights and autumn reading.
A tragic ghost story which spans two timelines in London during 1774 and 2025. The author's attention to detail is superb and from the prologue to the last page of the epilogue I was totally drawn into the story, almost felt like I was living/seeing through the eyes of the main character, Hazel.
I love dual timelines and the historical hauntings in a book fascinate me. The horror side of this novella was fairly minimal, which worked really well.
Thank you for the ARC, I highly recommend this novella. Perfect for dark nights and autumn reading.
September 5, 2025
Arc Review 🥀 : “Fragment’s” by Catrinoa Mowat
Fragment’s is a phenomenal story written by Catriona Mowat. You will not want to put this book down, I know that I couldn’t. I really enjoyed this book and I did not see the final plot twist coming.
The story goes back and fourth between Charlotte and Hazel. Charlotte being a huge star of a historic London theater from the 1770’s and Hazel, a playwright who lands a job at the very same theater to only have vision’s and memories that belong to someone else. That person being Charlotte. Hazel want’s to help Charlotte tell her story, but will she? How far will Hazel go to make sure that Charlotte’s story is told? What secret’s will Hazel discover?
I would highly recommend this story if you love mysteries, ghost stories and gothic literature. I truly felt myself becoming absorbed in this story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Five Star Rating.
“Fragment’s” will be released on September 6th, so in just one more day here. Please go support Catriona Mowat. Thank you Catriona as I really enjoyed this book. 💕
Fragment’s is a phenomenal story written by Catriona Mowat. You will not want to put this book down, I know that I couldn’t. I really enjoyed this book and I did not see the final plot twist coming.
The story goes back and fourth between Charlotte and Hazel. Charlotte being a huge star of a historic London theater from the 1770’s and Hazel, a playwright who lands a job at the very same theater to only have vision’s and memories that belong to someone else. That person being Charlotte. Hazel want’s to help Charlotte tell her story, but will she? How far will Hazel go to make sure that Charlotte’s story is told? What secret’s will Hazel discover?
I would highly recommend this story if you love mysteries, ghost stories and gothic literature. I truly felt myself becoming absorbed in this story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Five Star Rating.
“Fragment’s” will be released on September 6th, so in just one more day here. Please go support Catriona Mowat. Thank you Catriona as I really enjoyed this book. 💕
October 2, 2025
I utterly loved this book! For a relatively new author, Cat has managed to write a book that skillfully combines the modern world with the past. A hauntingly good mystery. Superb
July 28, 2025
"Fragments" is a beautifully written, atmospheric Gothic horror story, with ghosts, murder, deceit, and the high cost of salvation - especially when the truth is far more complicated and bleaker than expected. The tale takes place mostly on the actual stage: Hazel, a playwright, starts her new job in the theater world, in no way anticipating that the London theater she's going to work for is haunted by the spirit of Charlotte, an actress who vanished 250 years ago after performing on the same stage Hazel is now standing on. Poor Hazel begins having visions - fragments of Charlotte's memories. Soon, she's trying to uncover the truth about Charlotte's disappearance, inadvertedly provoking the ire of an evil spectre which has ensured that Charlotte's spirit would never be free from her centuries long imprisonment. Hazel decides to sort everything out, with the help of a few new friends and people who can handle the supernatural. Things are darker than they seem, though, and almost immediately Hazel has to balance work and her paranormal investigation, with Charlotte keeping asking to free her, and the shadowy menace sabotaging her best efforts.
I loved the way Mowat portrays theatre, with a nice attention to detail and a sharp eye for the characters populating this demanding world. I liked the references to Shakespeare and his plays. And I definitely appreciated the surprising, rather un-Gothic ending! The novella should be praised for approaching the familiar ghost story with a strong sense of the ambiguities surrounding a spirit's situation: what does it mean for a soul to stay isolated for centuries, seeking justice, craving freedom? Do they suffer? Do they change? Can they even change?
Although the horror elements are subtle and kept rather backstage (pun intended!), this story will certainly satisfy the itch for a good ghost tale, with interesting characters and an unexpected ending. Recommended!
P.S. I want to read that Jim Ody book too! Hope it comes out soon. Wonder what Ralph made of it!
I loved the way Mowat portrays theatre, with a nice attention to detail and a sharp eye for the characters populating this demanding world. I liked the references to Shakespeare and his plays. And I definitely appreciated the surprising, rather un-Gothic ending! The novella should be praised for approaching the familiar ghost story with a strong sense of the ambiguities surrounding a spirit's situation: what does it mean for a soul to stay isolated for centuries, seeking justice, craving freedom? Do they suffer? Do they change? Can they even change?
Although the horror elements are subtle and kept rather backstage (pun intended!), this story will certainly satisfy the itch for a good ghost tale, with interesting characters and an unexpected ending. Recommended!
P.S. I want to read that Jim Ody book too! Hope it comes out soon. Wonder what Ralph made of it!
August 26, 2025
In the 1770's, Charlotte Robinson was a huge star of a historic London Theatre. She is beloved by her fans, her adoring husband, and cast and crew. But, unfortunately for her, someone very dangerous, and powerful also has eyes for her, and he will do what he can to possess her. In 2025, Hazel Wilkins, a playwright, gets her dream job at the Theatre only to, shortly after, begin to have visions and memories that aren't her own. Hazel sees, and experiences the sad and traumatic life of Charlotte Robinson. Upon realizing, through the visions that she went missing, Hazel begins to obsess over uncovering the truth of what happened. Hearing voices, along the way, both what she associates as good, and some definitely bad. She wants to help the spirit of Charlotte be free. How far will Hazel go? What can she possibly do? All she knows is, that she won't rest until she discovers the secrets behind this mystery, that has plagued the old theatre for centuries. I enjoyed this! Admittedly, it took me longer to read than most titles I've read, as I'm not the biggest fan of paranormal mysteries. That being said, I really loved the writing style, the storytelling was amazing, and it really hit the mark for being what fans of those particular books look for! The twist near the end was stellar! It was so good, though, that I would read it, again. And, I definitely recommend it to people who love a good ghost story of a battle between good and evil spirits, with a few twists and turns! 4⭐/5⭐
August 5, 2025
A story that brings two characters together. One from the 1700s, the other from the present day. Hazel becomes haunted by the memories of past theatre actress Charlotte and is consumed by finding out the truth, of which tragedy unfolds, bringing a dramatic and unbelievable ending. An ending that had my mouth agape!
This has been sitting waiting for me for 2 and a half weeks, and boy, was it worth the wait!
I loved how, although quite different to Beyond the Smoke and Shadow, Fragments is still full of the gothic prose that Cat is known for and what I adore. The background story of Charlotte is hauntingly beautiful, full of heartbreak, tragedy, and cynicism, yet it brings revenge in the most unexpected way. It entwined perfectly with the modern-day story where Hazel brought Charlotte back to life. Everything matched in the most stunning, effortless way.
I'll say it again like I did with Beyond the Smoke and Shadow - Cat, you've smashed it. I can not believe how effortlessly you draw me into your stories. It honestly feels like you've been writing for years. You have such natural talent, and I will forever be a lover of your writing. Give me more!! I loved this so much. I read it twice in a row, and then a 3rd time this morning just because I could 😅 I drank in every word. It was beautiful. Also, I loved the nod to Jim! 5 haunting stars ☆
This has been sitting waiting for me for 2 and a half weeks, and boy, was it worth the wait!
I loved how, although quite different to Beyond the Smoke and Shadow, Fragments is still full of the gothic prose that Cat is known for and what I adore. The background story of Charlotte is hauntingly beautiful, full of heartbreak, tragedy, and cynicism, yet it brings revenge in the most unexpected way. It entwined perfectly with the modern-day story where Hazel brought Charlotte back to life. Everything matched in the most stunning, effortless way.
I'll say it again like I did with Beyond the Smoke and Shadow - Cat, you've smashed it. I can not believe how effortlessly you draw me into your stories. It honestly feels like you've been writing for years. You have such natural talent, and I will forever be a lover of your writing. Give me more!! I loved this so much. I read it twice in a row, and then a 3rd time this morning just because I could 😅 I drank in every word. It was beautiful. Also, I loved the nod to Jim! 5 haunting stars ☆
September 2, 2025
London 1774. Charlotte was an actress with adoring fans, a happy life and an amazing husband. However, when a man with power sets his sights on her, no one else is allowed to have her, including her own husband.
Now in 2025, Hazel has just landed a job writing plays at a theatre. However when she starts her job, she starts seeing things and having flashbacks that aren’t hers to see. Will she continue and see her play until the end? Or will someone stop her from achieving what she sets out to do?
From the opening we are thrown into the deep end with Charlottes demise. Already from this point I wanted to know what happened. When Hazel got introduced and she started to see things to do with Charlotte, a little bubble of excitement filled me as I knew I would find out what happened! Hazel finally finding a topic to write her screen play about and goes ahead with it to try free a spirit that was stuck in the theatre. However many things get in the way of her achieving this. Including people not believing her, multiple unexpected injuries or death and a botched attempt to trap an evil spirit. This had me hooked until the end. I woke up before my children were even awake to make sure I could get in some more reading time 😂 the ending blew me away. I did not expect Hazel to end up where she did in the end and the twist left me with my mouth hanging open. Brilliant overall story!
Now in 2025, Hazel has just landed a job writing plays at a theatre. However when she starts her job, she starts seeing things and having flashbacks that aren’t hers to see. Will she continue and see her play until the end? Or will someone stop her from achieving what she sets out to do?
From the opening we are thrown into the deep end with Charlottes demise. Already from this point I wanted to know what happened. When Hazel got introduced and she started to see things to do with Charlotte, a little bubble of excitement filled me as I knew I would find out what happened! Hazel finally finding a topic to write her screen play about and goes ahead with it to try free a spirit that was stuck in the theatre. However many things get in the way of her achieving this. Including people not believing her, multiple unexpected injuries or death and a botched attempt to trap an evil spirit. This had me hooked until the end. I woke up before my children were even awake to make sure I could get in some more reading time 😂 the ending blew me away. I did not expect Hazel to end up where she did in the end and the twist left me with my mouth hanging open. Brilliant overall story!
September 19, 2025
Oh okay so I loved the last book of Cat’s I read, it was fabulous and I loved the cover, this one was no different.
We start out with a bit of a mystery, which let me say, I love and dont get nearly enough of, murder and horror are great but give me some mystery!!
So Charlotte a famous actress disappears one day with no trace…
Hazel, much much later on writes play and just so happens that a secret room gets opened and guess what, ghost stuff.
Hazel, is absolutely an odd detective and is trying to solve the mystery while keeping her dream job and trying to stay sane.
I can’t even do two of those at a time, and our girl is over here multi-tasking with the greats.
I loved this in a way I can’t explain so much, but I will try, it reminded me of all the UK mysteries I used to read as a kid, there was always something so different and cool about how the mystery would unfold and really ruined typical mysteries for me, this book though, had that special spark and I could not put it down.
The dark horror that unfolds as we saw those fragments of Charlottes life through Hazels visions had me on edge, I ate them up and needed more, just a little more so I could figure out what was going on, who did this to Charlotte way back then.
This was an absolutely well built atmosphere of a story that had its dark fingers laced into my brain before I even realized it, and I was hooked.
Cat has a kind of writing I haven’t seen in a long time and did I ever miss it.
We start out with a bit of a mystery, which let me say, I love and dont get nearly enough of, murder and horror are great but give me some mystery!!
So Charlotte a famous actress disappears one day with no trace…
Hazel, much much later on writes play and just so happens that a secret room gets opened and guess what, ghost stuff.
Hazel, is absolutely an odd detective and is trying to solve the mystery while keeping her dream job and trying to stay sane.
I can’t even do two of those at a time, and our girl is over here multi-tasking with the greats.
I loved this in a way I can’t explain so much, but I will try, it reminded me of all the UK mysteries I used to read as a kid, there was always something so different and cool about how the mystery would unfold and really ruined typical mysteries for me, this book though, had that special spark and I could not put it down.
The dark horror that unfolds as we saw those fragments of Charlottes life through Hazels visions had me on edge, I ate them up and needed more, just a little more so I could figure out what was going on, who did this to Charlotte way back then.
This was an absolutely well built atmosphere of a story that had its dark fingers laced into my brain before I even realized it, and I was hooked.
Cat has a kind of writing I haven’t seen in a long time and did I ever miss it.
August 4, 2025
1775 - Charlotte is the darling of the Theatre Royal, adored for her portrayal of Ophelia she is now lauded for her Desdemona. But, she is reported missing, never found and the theatre burns to the ground.
2025 - Hazel is the new playwright at the Royal, rebuilt in the 1800’s and a beacon of excellence but she is haunted by a voice who begs her for help and a dark force lurks in the corners of the building.
This is a gorgeously gothic feast that oozes with darkness and pain. The tale plays out across two timelines as the ghost of Charlotte seeks help by showing Hazel fragments of her story in vivid historical flashbacks. Here lies adoration, love and beauty but also obsession, betrayal and madness.
The prose is exquisite and flows with such grace even amidst the true horrors depicted here. There is such sadness, such pathos, such cruelty all wrapped up in a fabulous story that gives all the gothic vibes. Historical figures and events woven into a fictional murder mystery spanning centuries, wonderful.
2025 - Hazel is the new playwright at the Royal, rebuilt in the 1800’s and a beacon of excellence but she is haunted by a voice who begs her for help and a dark force lurks in the corners of the building.
This is a gorgeously gothic feast that oozes with darkness and pain. The tale plays out across two timelines as the ghost of Charlotte seeks help by showing Hazel fragments of her story in vivid historical flashbacks. Here lies adoration, love and beauty but also obsession, betrayal and madness.
The prose is exquisite and flows with such grace even amidst the true horrors depicted here. There is such sadness, such pathos, such cruelty all wrapped up in a fabulous story that gives all the gothic vibes. Historical figures and events woven into a fictional murder mystery spanning centuries, wonderful.
July 18, 2025
This novella bridges the past and present to show the stories of the two main characters, Charlotte and Hazel. As Hazel finds herself haunted by fragments of Charlotte's memories, she must piece together the truth of Charlotte's disappearance before she is driven mad by it. Catriona weaves the two stories together perfectly, and in true gothic style leads you through the supernatural and the isolating terror as the story reaches its dramatic conclusion. I loved this story, with its interesting places, the focus on Shakespeare, and the classic types of characters- tragic heroes, the darkness of the villains, the questions of what's going to happen next. Once again, Catriona has proven her talent and ability to create gothic wonder, and I can't wait to see what she does next.
August 22, 2025
One of my biggest dreams is to time travel but only as a visitor. I find myself wondering what different time periods would be like. Since I cannot time travel; reading helps with this dream. This book was like setting foot into a time capsule and being transported to the past times in theatre. The story written described how some women must have felt before women had any autonomy. Charlotte just wanted to be an amazing actress and give people joy. Because of her beauty and skill, she caught the attention of a man of wealth and stature, he thought he could force her to become his property. When she refused, her choice brought about tragedy to her life. The interesting fact about this story was how the end came about as a twist I did not expect. I am sure Hazel had second thoughts about being able to see and communicate with spirits.
August 22, 2025
Hazel realises her life ambition when she takes on the role of playwright at the Theatre Royal in London.
Renovations are ongoing in the basement below the theatre. A secret store is found in the basement housing a painting. So lifelike, Hazel imagined the image of a woman breathing through the canvas. Hazel feels like she’s seen the woman in the painting before… in the theatre but surely that can’t be. She played Desdemona in 1774.
Charlotte aka Desdomona captures the hearts of her audience. Though she hates the publics assumed ownership of her. Hazel realises that by looking at the portrait she was seeing Charlottes memories.
What ensues is a dark tale of fragmented memories, haunting and possession. Portrayed over a dual timeline narrative. I enjoyed this one!
August 10, 2025
The paranormal world is crazy! All the events leading up to the end is insane. Poor Hazel! She was just trying to help. To be honest, if I saw a woman in the top balcony and then was gone I probably would have left and never went back. She just had to find that secret room. Wish Hazel did the same. Charlotte though? Oof
August 10, 2025
Excellent ghost story about Hazel who gets a job in a top theatre in a London as a playwright and start to see visions from a murder that happened back in 1774, But it’s not only a ghost she see there is a evil spirit lurking in the theatre and Hazel is determined to find the truth and rid the theatre of the evil presence.
July 29, 2025
Charlotte is a renowned actress from days gone by and she disappeared and there has been no clues at all as to what happened.
Hazel got a job in the refurbished theatre that Charlotte was working in.
As more work is carried out a secret room is found. Has it disturbed the past and will secrets come out.
A ghostly presence is felt and will this continue.
A gothic tale with modern and past mixed so well.
Really good read.
Hazel got a job in the refurbished theatre that Charlotte was working in.
As more work is carried out a secret room is found. Has it disturbed the past and will secrets come out.
A ghostly presence is felt and will this continue.
A gothic tale with modern and past mixed so well.
Really good read.
July 25, 2025
Thank you for the ARC. This story reminded me a bit of Moulan Rouge. This novella is about finding out what happened to Charlotte. It goes from past to present. Present being Hazel, a play-write out to find out what happened to Charlotte.
November 3, 2025
this was interesting!
the reveals and twists were fun, and I think the concept is really cool!
the reveals and twists were fun, and I think the concept is really cool!
September 21, 2025
On the whole, this was a fantastic and rather fun novella. The generally heartbreaking dual storyline, offering the present-day events of the playwright looking into the history of the renovated theatre for inspiration and finding it in the story of a celebrated actress who disappeared in mysterious circumstances several hundred years earlier, which plays out as the secondary storyline, gives this the kind of strong starting point where multiple different avenues can work with. The main idea about the ghost of the actress working to bring her story to light and help the playwright by getting to look into her life as an inspiration to create a new story based around her life, including her murder, which all comes into a strong-willed obsession to fulfill those wishes, which sets up the fun storyline at play.
That gives everything the kind of starting point for the second half, bringing everything together to provide a series of reveals and storylines to play out. With the more involved first half that plays out, the kind of setup focused here to then focus on the ghostly encounters and confrontations that reinforce those elements going forward, it lets the film feature a strong series of scenarios where the girl and the staff try to overcome the different obstacles presented to stopping the figure holding the ghost hostage in the building. These are generally fun and far more effective than expected, adding a great deal of heart to the proceedings as we learn more about the old-school events that took place and keep the pace moving along incredibly well without much holding it back.
5/5
That gives everything the kind of starting point for the second half, bringing everything together to provide a series of reveals and storylines to play out. With the more involved first half that plays out, the kind of setup focused here to then focus on the ghostly encounters and confrontations that reinforce those elements going forward, it lets the film feature a strong series of scenarios where the girl and the staff try to overcome the different obstacles presented to stopping the figure holding the ghost hostage in the building. These are generally fun and far more effective than expected, adding a great deal of heart to the proceedings as we learn more about the old-school events that took place and keep the pace moving along incredibly well without much holding it back.
5/5
September 11, 2025
If you like a gothic style story with an unpredictable ending, then this may be the tale for you. The characters were likeable, and the writing style was easy to absorb. I really enjoyed how the story bounces from past to present to give the backstory, and the ending was great. It's definitely worth the read.
July 19, 2025
Another phenomenal story by Catriona Mowat, this novella gives us a mesmerising dual-timeline tale of obsession, secrets, theatre and murder. This is absolutely a book to devour in one sitting!
The characters are so endearing, the humour & tension are perfectly balanced, and the story itself blends horror, gothic fiction & mystery so smoothly across the 18th & 21st centuries, with such impressive style & panache. I loved the Shakespearean focus, and, as with her first book, Catriona Mowat really knows her stuff when it comes to historical & literary accuracy! Without risking spoilers, the plot itself is very clever and keeps you constantly guessing.
I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, supernatural tragedy and a clever twist! I can’t wait to see what Cat writes next!
For anyone who finds them useful, I am also including a list of Content Warnings so STOP READING HERE TO AVOID MINOR SPOILERS:
——————————-
Content Warnings:
The characters are so endearing, the humour & tension are perfectly balanced, and the story itself blends horror, gothic fiction & mystery so smoothly across the 18th & 21st centuries, with such impressive style & panache. I loved the Shakespearean focus, and, as with her first book, Catriona Mowat really knows her stuff when it comes to historical & literary accuracy! Without risking spoilers, the plot itself is very clever and keeps you constantly guessing.
I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, supernatural tragedy and a clever twist! I can’t wait to see what Cat writes next!
For anyone who finds them useful, I am also including a list of Content Warnings so STOP READING HERE TO AVOID MINOR SPOILERS:
——————————-
Content Warnings:
October 22, 2025
Fragments
By Catriona Mowat
Publisher: Question Mark Horror
Published: September 6, 2025
ASIN: B0FG3GF71R
139 Pages
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skull Dread Rating: 💀(Gothic tension and quiet hauntings)
Check Your Triggers
What Did I Just Walk Into?
It’s giving Phantom of the Opera with a PhD in melancholy and a side of Shakespeare. Fragments is a gorgeously written dual-timeline ghost story where the stage lights never quite go out—and neither do the dead.
In 1774, Charlotte is London’s brightest theatre star, adored by audiences and stalked by powerful men who see her as property instead of person. In 2025, Hazel, a modern playwright, takes a dream job at the same theatre, only to discover a secret room and start catching ghostly reruns of Charlotte’s final days. What follows is a slow, elegant unravelling of obsession, injustice, and the price of being a woman who dares to stand in her own spotlight.
Here’s What Slapped:
The atmosphere is pure velvet gloom with candle smoke, creaking boards, and whispers from the wings.
Hazel and Charlotte’s mirrored stories hit deep; both women claw for creative freedom in worlds that keep trying to script them.
The prose? Lush and lyrical. Every sentence feels soaked in candlelight and grief.
That twist ending? I actually said “oh no” out loud like I was in a Regency séance.
Mowat understands theatre, ghosts, and tragedy like she’s lived them all.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly? It’s short. I’d have lived in this haunted theatre for another hundred pages.
The horror is subtle so if you’re after jump scares or buckets of blood, you’re in the wrong playhouse.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Gothic ghost stories with emotional teeth
Dual-timeline mysteries
The Woman in Black meets The Haunting of Bly Manor
Melancholy heroines, tragic romance, and secrets that refuse to stay buried
Final Judgment:
Fragments is the kind of ghost story that whispers rather than screams, beautiful, sorrowful, and quietly devastating. Ms. Mowat delivers an atmosphere so rich you can almost hear the applause echoing through the centuries. A perfect autumn read for anyone who likes their hauntings intelligent, tragic, and just a little bit theatrical.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By Catriona Mowat
Publisher: Question Mark Horror
Published: September 6, 2025
ASIN: B0FG3GF71R
139 Pages
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skull Dread Rating: 💀(Gothic tension and quiet hauntings)
Check Your Triggers
What Did I Just Walk Into?
It’s giving Phantom of the Opera with a PhD in melancholy and a side of Shakespeare. Fragments is a gorgeously written dual-timeline ghost story where the stage lights never quite go out—and neither do the dead.
In 1774, Charlotte is London’s brightest theatre star, adored by audiences and stalked by powerful men who see her as property instead of person. In 2025, Hazel, a modern playwright, takes a dream job at the same theatre, only to discover a secret room and start catching ghostly reruns of Charlotte’s final days. What follows is a slow, elegant unravelling of obsession, injustice, and the price of being a woman who dares to stand in her own spotlight.
Here’s What Slapped:
The atmosphere is pure velvet gloom with candle smoke, creaking boards, and whispers from the wings.
Hazel and Charlotte’s mirrored stories hit deep; both women claw for creative freedom in worlds that keep trying to script them.
The prose? Lush and lyrical. Every sentence feels soaked in candlelight and grief.
That twist ending? I actually said “oh no” out loud like I was in a Regency séance.
Mowat understands theatre, ghosts, and tragedy like she’s lived them all.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly? It’s short. I’d have lived in this haunted theatre for another hundred pages.
The horror is subtle so if you’re after jump scares or buckets of blood, you’re in the wrong playhouse.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Gothic ghost stories with emotional teeth
Dual-timeline mysteries
The Woman in Black meets The Haunting of Bly Manor
Melancholy heroines, tragic romance, and secrets that refuse to stay buried
Final Judgment:
Fragments is the kind of ghost story that whispers rather than screams, beautiful, sorrowful, and quietly devastating. Ms. Mowat delivers an atmosphere so rich you can almost hear the applause echoing through the centuries. A perfect autumn read for anyone who likes their hauntings intelligent, tragic, and just a little bit theatrical.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
July 26, 2025
Set in London with a dual timeline, which switches between 1774 and 2025 throughout, this novella draws you behind the curtain into the world of theatre where spectacular performances on the playbill don’t just get the leading lady rapturous applause and flowers strewn across the stage.
The story switches between Charlotte, a thespian and leading lady in the Theatre Royal 1774, and Hazel, a playwright for the same theatre in the present day.
Charlotte, a renowned theatre actor, becomes a puppet controlled by the demands and unwanted adoration of evil men from the 1700’s and onwards through the afterlife.
Hazel, a playwright desperate to prove her worth, begins to see fragments of Charlotte’s troubled life in visions after a secret basement room is discovered in the theatre.
This is not a horror in the normal sense of the word; this is a subtle gothic horror with a foreboding atmosphere, which creeps from chapter to chapter, and timeline to timeline in a centuries old mystery.
As the king of gothic horror, Edgar Allen Poe, said in his poem The Haunted Palace, “… But evil things, in robes of sorrow … Is but a dim-remembered story of the old time entombed,” and his poem’s vision feeds in beautifully with Charlotte’s story and the atmosphere that Cat portrays in Fragments.
I must admit that I did not see the final twist coming!
A great read, and a perfect homage to gothic horror.
Five out of five theatrical skulls 💀💀💀💀💀
The story switches between Charlotte, a thespian and leading lady in the Theatre Royal 1774, and Hazel, a playwright for the same theatre in the present day.
Charlotte, a renowned theatre actor, becomes a puppet controlled by the demands and unwanted adoration of evil men from the 1700’s and onwards through the afterlife.
Hazel, a playwright desperate to prove her worth, begins to see fragments of Charlotte’s troubled life in visions after a secret basement room is discovered in the theatre.
This is not a horror in the normal sense of the word; this is a subtle gothic horror with a foreboding atmosphere, which creeps from chapter to chapter, and timeline to timeline in a centuries old mystery.
As the king of gothic horror, Edgar Allen Poe, said in his poem The Haunted Palace, “… But evil things, in robes of sorrow … Is but a dim-remembered story of the old time entombed,” and his poem’s vision feeds in beautifully with Charlotte’s story and the atmosphere that Cat portrays in Fragments.
I must admit that I did not see the final twist coming!
A great read, and a perfect homage to gothic horror.
Five out of five theatrical skulls 💀💀💀💀💀
August 26, 2025
loved Catriona Mowat’s previous collection of short stories and poetry, so it was with great anticipation that I began to read Fragments.
Simply put,I loved it. Written in two timelines, both Charlotte’s story told in 1774 and Hazels’s set in the present day, this ghost story had me enthralled from the first page. Very atmospheric, the setting of the theatre made me feel as though I was there with them both. I could almost feel the pain and desperation of both women, especially Hazel as she tries to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance. As I live in another city where a theatre is reputed to be haunted, I felt a kinship with this tale of love, loss and tragedy.
Although Fragments is a short story, a novella of 139 pages, it is wonderfully written and I raced through the pages to its satisfying ending. And with this in mind, I am without a doubt, looking forward to reading Catriona’s next book.
Simply put,I loved it. Written in two timelines, both Charlotte’s story told in 1774 and Hazels’s set in the present day, this ghost story had me enthralled from the first page. Very atmospheric, the setting of the theatre made me feel as though I was there with them both. I could almost feel the pain and desperation of both women, especially Hazel as she tries to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance. As I live in another city where a theatre is reputed to be haunted, I felt a kinship with this tale of love, loss and tragedy.
Although Fragments is a short story, a novella of 139 pages, it is wonderfully written and I raced through the pages to its satisfying ending. And with this in mind, I am without a doubt, looking forward to reading Catriona’s next book.
October 12, 2025
👻Fragments by Cat Mowat👻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fragments is a tale set in two different time periods in London. First, we have Charlotte, who worked in the theatre in 1774 as the lead actress before she suddenly went missing one day in mysterious circumstances. Then, in the present day, we have Hazel working as a new playwright in the same theatre where she starts to see visions of Charlotte's life. Through these visions, Hazel starts to reveal the dark mystery of what happened in the theatre all those years ago.
Although light on horror, this is an excellent story which is both harrowing and haunting. The characters of Charlotte and Hazel are believable and excellent, and because of this, it will keep you reading more to discover their fates. The end has plenty of twists to keep you guessing, which I loved as I didn't expect how it actually ended (and that doesn't happen often!).
If you want an atmospheric story with murder, deceit and tragedy, then look no further! 🔪
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fragments is a tale set in two different time periods in London. First, we have Charlotte, who worked in the theatre in 1774 as the lead actress before she suddenly went missing one day in mysterious circumstances. Then, in the present day, we have Hazel working as a new playwright in the same theatre where she starts to see visions of Charlotte's life. Through these visions, Hazel starts to reveal the dark mystery of what happened in the theatre all those years ago.
Although light on horror, this is an excellent story which is both harrowing and haunting. The characters of Charlotte and Hazel are believable and excellent, and because of this, it will keep you reading more to discover their fates. The end has plenty of twists to keep you guessing, which I loved as I didn't expect how it actually ended (and that doesn't happen often!).
If you want an atmospheric story with murder, deceit and tragedy, then look no further! 🔪
August 1, 2025
📿ARC Review Time📿
FRAGMENTS
by Cat Mowat
Releases September 16th
I have completely re-fallen in love with gothic horror 😍, it had been so long since I'd read any, until recently when Cat sauntered her way onto the scene and blew me away with her debut Beyond the Smoke and Shadow. Every single story in her collection was a haunting 5 ⭐️ read. So when offered the opportunity to ARC read her novella, I was all over it!!!
For fans of Phantom of the Opera with a modern Ghost Whisperer vibe, this book is so so much for you.
I loved ❤️ the past and present narratives mixed with the shared grief that carried across centuries. Fragments is a ghostly tail that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions!!!
FRAGMENTS
by Cat Mowat
Releases September 16th
I have completely re-fallen in love with gothic horror 😍, it had been so long since I'd read any, until recently when Cat sauntered her way onto the scene and blew me away with her debut Beyond the Smoke and Shadow. Every single story in her collection was a haunting 5 ⭐️ read. So when offered the opportunity to ARC read her novella, I was all over it!!!
For fans of Phantom of the Opera with a modern Ghost Whisperer vibe, this book is so so much for you.
I loved ❤️ the past and present narratives mixed with the shared grief that carried across centuries. Fragments is a ghostly tail that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions!!!
September 10, 2025
Most of the time my feed seems to be bombarded with the more extreme horror, so it's not often I come across a classic ghost story, and I appreciated it! Cat blends horror with history in a way that had me engaged in the story to the end. I don't usually write long reviews (because I don't know how to without giving too much of the story away) but I will say I thoroughly enjoyed this spooky adventure and the cover fits it so perfectly.
August 14, 2025
A moving gothic story set in 1774 London and 2025. Hazel joins the theater and starts to see visions of Charlotte, a former actress there in the 1700's. This is a quiet horror that elevates as Hazel becomes more involved with Charlotte. It has tragic elements and flows well throughout. Cat does a great job on the horror and the historical theater of the 1700's. Overall a fun and moving read!
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