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Winter Ghosts #2
Deathcap
Pop+Gothic, Supernatural Suspense for your winter reading pleasure!
1990 Supermodel of the Year, Zoey boards a private jet bound for an exclusive alpine retreat, a glamorous detox for the world’s most beautiful and broken. A rebel from Brooklyn and best friend of Suki Murphy, the enigmatic frontwoman of L.A.’s cult-sensation band Synthwave Siren, Zoey is no stranger to decadence… but nothing can prepare her for what waits in the shadow of the French Alps.
The chateau is a masterpiece of Gothic opulence—silk-draped halls, flickering candelabras, shuttered windows that tremble beneath a bruised sky. Isolated by a sudden storm and a total communications blackout, the retreat guests soon sense something is off. Whispers echo through the corridors. The forest presses closer. And in the flicker of candlelight, even their reflections seem unfamiliar.
Then a guest disappears after a terrifying incident.
As the line between dream and nightmare dissolves, Zoey finds herself entangled in a sinister web of ancient folklore and ritualistic horror, where mushrooms bloom with sentient intent, the forest hides something feral and divine, and the house itself breathes with memories of the past.
When another guest stumbles upon a pagan monument hidden deep in the woods—an altar dripping with fungal dread, the women must decide: will they fight for the truth, or be consumed by the dark glamour that surrounds them?
A spellbinding collision of fashion, folklore, and femme power, Deathcap is a haunting supernatural thriller where the '90s pulse with danger, legends fester beneath haute couture, and nothing is what it seems.
Welcome to the retreat. Check your secrets at the door. You won’t be needing them where you're going…
1990 Supermodel of the Year, Zoey boards a private jet bound for an exclusive alpine retreat, a glamorous detox for the world’s most beautiful and broken. A rebel from Brooklyn and best friend of Suki Murphy, the enigmatic frontwoman of L.A.’s cult-sensation band Synthwave Siren, Zoey is no stranger to decadence… but nothing can prepare her for what waits in the shadow of the French Alps.
The chateau is a masterpiece of Gothic opulence—silk-draped halls, flickering candelabras, shuttered windows that tremble beneath a bruised sky. Isolated by a sudden storm and a total communications blackout, the retreat guests soon sense something is off. Whispers echo through the corridors. The forest presses closer. And in the flicker of candlelight, even their reflections seem unfamiliar.
Then a guest disappears after a terrifying incident.
As the line between dream and nightmare dissolves, Zoey finds herself entangled in a sinister web of ancient folklore and ritualistic horror, where mushrooms bloom with sentient intent, the forest hides something feral and divine, and the house itself breathes with memories of the past.
When another guest stumbles upon a pagan monument hidden deep in the woods—an altar dripping with fungal dread, the women must decide: will they fight for the truth, or be consumed by the dark glamour that surrounds them?
A spellbinding collision of fashion, folklore, and femme power, Deathcap is a haunting supernatural thriller where the '90s pulse with danger, legends fester beneath haute couture, and nothing is what it seems.
Welcome to the retreat. Check your secrets at the door. You won’t be needing them where you're going…
254 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2025
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Bibiana Krall
34 books199 followersJoin her free list (become Literati) and get an exclusive story, Witchhaus. as her personal thank you for subscribing. Bibiana has been publishing since 2015! Celebrating ten amazing years of storytelling, www.bibianakrall.com/freebook
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 28, 2025
Serious Supernatural Chills!
“Deathcap,” Bibiana Krall’s spellbinding book, plunges you straight into the dazzling yet dangerous world of 1990s supermodels whose lifestyle is overbrimming with opulence, beauty and jet setting. A small but select group of iconic women known for their beauty are invited to the isolated and decadent Chateau Bien Être for a seemingly innocent and lavish spa retreat.
These women, as the sole guests, quickly realize Chateau Bien Être’s chilling mysteries and otherworldly dangers. Dark secrets of the Chateau are revealed as the world of luxury is melded into terror.
The author masterfully weaves glamour, supernatural suspense, and gripping twists into an unforgettable page-turner. The author’s writing is a beautiful blend of poetic descriptions and suspense.
Krall is my go-to for any type of supernatural mystery books as she has an extraordinary gift for writing and supernatural storytelling!
“Deathcap,” Bibiana Krall’s spellbinding book, plunges you straight into the dazzling yet dangerous world of 1990s supermodels whose lifestyle is overbrimming with opulence, beauty and jet setting. A small but select group of iconic women known for their beauty are invited to the isolated and decadent Chateau Bien Être for a seemingly innocent and lavish spa retreat.
These women, as the sole guests, quickly realize Chateau Bien Être’s chilling mysteries and otherworldly dangers. Dark secrets of the Chateau are revealed as the world of luxury is melded into terror.
The author masterfully weaves glamour, supernatural suspense, and gripping twists into an unforgettable page-turner. The author’s writing is a beautiful blend of poetic descriptions and suspense.
Krall is my go-to for any type of supernatural mystery books as she has an extraordinary gift for writing and supernatural storytelling!
October 24, 2025
An elite spa in a centuries-old country estate perched in the French Alps is a luxury to be savored, unless it’s owned by the Comtesse Odile Desmarais. Set in 1990, we can still hear the echoes of 80s music in the breath-holding moment just before a new age of technology. But inside the walls of Château Bien Être, the inconceivable horror unveiling itself is magnified by its initial indulgence. The calming teas and natural spring therapies become more questionable with each passing hour. A harsh and unforgivingly remote landscape is only one obstacle Zoey and the other ladies face in a fight for their lives; one that has been planned out well in advance with an ending set in the stones of the old estate. Get a hot cuppa and settle in for Deathcap. You’ll want to keep turning those pages.
October 3, 2025
If you enjoy spooky stories that are sensual and surreal with a touch of romance, then you will love Deathcap, Book2 in author Bibiana Krall’s Winter Ghosts series, which readers can also enjoy as a stand-alone novel. The action takes place at an ancient castle in the French Alps, where the mysterious owner has invited an elite group of international supermodels, including main character Zoey, to escape their hectic lives for some much-needed pampering. Initially, all seems well. The castle looks like something out of a fairytale; the women dress like goddesses; the food is divine; and the champagne flows. Most of the models even resist their competitive instincts to bond with each other. But it isn’t long before the tone changes. When ancient tales of werewolves and witches mix with modern apparitions and shapeshifters, not to mention an extensive system of caves beneath the building, the women are soon literally running for their lives. Fortunately, Zoey’s best friend, Suki, former lead singer of Synthwave Siren, is herself no stranger to battling dark forces. (Suki stars in Banshee, Book 1 in the Winter Ghosts series.) She trusts her intuition that something is terribly wrong and, certain that Zoey is in grave danger, sets out to rescue her friend. But it won’t be easy. Before the full extent of the ugliness lurking beneath the surface emerges, Suki must first face her own demons. Beneath its gorgeous imagery, Deathcap is thematic, thoughtful, and deeply disturbing as it lays bare the risk in valuing appearance above all else. But the story is also hopeful because, as Krall notes, “There is a freedom in accepting the truth, in seeing things exactly as they are.” What if you just can’t do that? Then take a tip from a supermodel: when you don’t understand what you’re seeing, you should always trust your instincts.
September 22, 2025
“Deathcap,” the second installment in Bibiana Krall's Winter Ghost Series, plunges readers into the glamorous world of the 1990s supermodel era. Krall assembles a compelling cast of powerful women: Suki, the gorgeous lead singer of Synthwave Siren from book one; Zoey, a New York City model; Astrid, a former tennis pro from Malmö, Sweden; Lola, a ketchup heiress and struggling artist from Seattle; Yoko, a PhD student in religious archaeology from London (originally Okinawa); Lulit, daughter of Ethiopian diplomats; and Anya, a Russian supermodel.
When enigmatic beauty Odile Desmarais invites these women as personal guests to her family's retreat, Château Bien Être, in the French Alps, they expect luxury spa treatments in an elegant setting. What they find instead is a grand estate with a dark history, where danger lurks behind every elegant wall. Krall's descriptive prose brings both the opulent setting and its sinister undercurrents to vivid life.
While the women indulge in spa treatments by day, their nights become filled with strange dreams, visions of mesmerizing men, and overwhelming desires. The atmosphere grows increasingly ominous as unimaginable threats emerge both inside and outside the château. When the women witness the strange attack and disappearance of their friend by something otherworldly, and their host Odile begins acting strangely, they realize things are not what they seem.
The story's true captivation lies not only in Odile's dark family curse and the mystery of what hunts these women, but in witnessing the resilience, bravery, and unique skills each woman brings to defend against evil. Krall reveals personal insights into what makes each character powerful enough to overcome the encroaching threats as they race to save themselves and each other through nightmarish woodlands where abominable things shift and change in the foggy depths.
This supernatural thriller kept me on the edge of my seat, fearing the worst while hoping for their survival. Though I've loved every story by Krall, this well-crafted tale has become my favorite. I highly recommend “Deathcap” to anyone seeking a blend of glamour, mystery, and supernatural suspense.
When enigmatic beauty Odile Desmarais invites these women as personal guests to her family's retreat, Château Bien Être, in the French Alps, they expect luxury spa treatments in an elegant setting. What they find instead is a grand estate with a dark history, where danger lurks behind every elegant wall. Krall's descriptive prose brings both the opulent setting and its sinister undercurrents to vivid life.
While the women indulge in spa treatments by day, their nights become filled with strange dreams, visions of mesmerizing men, and overwhelming desires. The atmosphere grows increasingly ominous as unimaginable threats emerge both inside and outside the château. When the women witness the strange attack and disappearance of their friend by something otherworldly, and their host Odile begins acting strangely, they realize things are not what they seem.
The story's true captivation lies not only in Odile's dark family curse and the mystery of what hunts these women, but in witnessing the resilience, bravery, and unique skills each woman brings to defend against evil. Krall reveals personal insights into what makes each character powerful enough to overcome the encroaching threats as they race to save themselves and each other through nightmarish woodlands where abominable things shift and change in the foggy depths.
This supernatural thriller kept me on the edge of my seat, fearing the worst while hoping for their survival. Though I've loved every story by Krall, this well-crafted tale has become my favorite. I highly recommend “Deathcap” to anyone seeking a blend of glamour, mystery, and supernatural suspense.
October 11, 2025
“Stop pretending this ritual is anything other than cold-blooded murder.”
The action in ‘Deathcap’ (‘Winter Ghosts’, Book 2) takes place in 1990, a time before our brains had been turned into digital soup – or the Pre-End of Days, as I like to term it – and the author supplies us with a helpful mix-tape of the music of that halcyon era (Hey! Remember Duran Duran and Roxette?).
The narrative continues the story of rocker Suki Murphy and is a heady mix of sex and horror – or everyday rock and roll, if you prefer. Her band Synthwave Siren is no more, and Suki is attempting to come to terms with the traumatic events of Book 1. (No spoilers, but good luck with that, Suzi!)
Now in France, club-girl and model Zoey is levered into Suki’s chaotic world, as new characters are introduced. A descent into supernatural darkness follows at the chateau of the enigmatic Comtesse Odile Desmarais.
“Odile reveled in the spectacle she created, becoming increasingly aware that Death waited in the wings…”
‘Deathcap’ is a fast-paced read, full of incident (as are all the books I have so far read by Bibiana Krall) – and it is definitely not for YA readers; as, sealed off by a storm, the group of women trapped in the chateau discover their nightmares taking a more concrete form…
Can Suki save the day? Can anyone?
“The bloated moon spilled pink mercury across the ancient stone bridge behind the château, casting twisted shadows through bare branches that clawed at the night sky.”
Buckle up, witches.
The action in ‘Deathcap’ (‘Winter Ghosts’, Book 2) takes place in 1990, a time before our brains had been turned into digital soup – or the Pre-End of Days, as I like to term it – and the author supplies us with a helpful mix-tape of the music of that halcyon era (Hey! Remember Duran Duran and Roxette?).
The narrative continues the story of rocker Suki Murphy and is a heady mix of sex and horror – or everyday rock and roll, if you prefer. Her band Synthwave Siren is no more, and Suki is attempting to come to terms with the traumatic events of Book 1. (No spoilers, but good luck with that, Suzi!)
Now in France, club-girl and model Zoey is levered into Suki’s chaotic world, as new characters are introduced. A descent into supernatural darkness follows at the chateau of the enigmatic Comtesse Odile Desmarais.
“Odile reveled in the spectacle she created, becoming increasingly aware that Death waited in the wings…”
‘Deathcap’ is a fast-paced read, full of incident (as are all the books I have so far read by Bibiana Krall) – and it is definitely not for YA readers; as, sealed off by a storm, the group of women trapped in the chateau discover their nightmares taking a more concrete form…
Can Suki save the day? Can anyone?
“The bloated moon spilled pink mercury across the ancient stone bridge behind the château, casting twisted shadows through bare branches that clawed at the night sky.”
Buckle up, witches.
September 30, 2025
"Deathcap" is a (pop) Gothic suspense and thriller novel by author Bibiana Krall. It is the second book in the Winter Ghosts series. I have to start by saying that diving into this book is like being hidden away with a decadent box of chocolates. The imagery is so rich that readers can practically taste, smell, and feel through the reading experience. Kudos to the superior writing. Though a work of Gothic fiction, the story is set in the early 90's...the perfect backdrop for a dark tale of opulence and indulgence. Six "beautiful people", all women, find themselves invited to an exclusive French Alps castle retreat for some restorative self-care. However, what they discover is an ancient evil at play that tests their moral fiber, survival skills, and strength of sanity. Never one to disappoint, the author carefully builds a well-crafted story line, and the takes readers on a breathless thrill ride of plot twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a superior mix of Gothic horror, paranormal suspense, and 90's glitz. Wonderfully spooky!
October 30, 2025
Deathcap: The story follows Zoey, a supernatural psychological thriller-horror drama. In the second book of the series, the author weaves together her characters' 1990s with glamor and treachery, creating a sinister setting of isolated and buried truths.
The Winter Ghost series explores the intersection of pop culture, gothic elements, fearful encounters, and melodramatic themes. The friendship facing challenges, combined with female empowerment in the face of darkness, makes for a great suspense tale.
Author Briana Krall delivers with so many twists and turns in this book that it is sometimes a spine-tingling plot. I enthusiastically endorse this fantastic tale.
The Winter Ghost series explores the intersection of pop culture, gothic elements, fearful encounters, and melodramatic themes. The friendship facing challenges, combined with female empowerment in the face of darkness, makes for a great suspense tale.
Author Briana Krall delivers with so many twists and turns in this book that it is sometimes a spine-tingling plot. I enthusiastically endorse this fantastic tale.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews