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Mystery Play
Win a free print copy of this book!
22 days and 05:57:06
50 copies available
U.S. only
The youngest son in a family of historians who has been hunted by dark forces associated with Dracula finds himself in peril at the hands of a new threat—a thrilling novel from the bestselling author of The Historian.
When his mother passes away suddenly, Jay Turner finds himself at a crossroads. She was always secretive, raising him alone in Boston and staying single until her death. Returning to their brownstone to clear out her possessions, he finds two unusual objects: a partially burned scrap of newspaper bearing the name “Gael Brogan,” and a small antique volume bound in leather.
The sight of the volume is chilling. As a young scholar, his mother had been given the medieval book—one of a set commissioned by Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as Dracula, just before his death in 1477. She'd always warned Jay of how dangerous it was, and had donated it to a museum before she died . . . yet here it sits before him.
Taking leave from his position as a history instructor at a boys’ boarding school, Jay sets out to learn more about Gael Brogan, a prominent nineteenth century actor whose last and most famous role was the Count himself in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. As Jay begins to dig deeper—helped by a mysterious woman named Rhiannon he meets along the way—he uncovers a frightening story of a young actress who fell under Brogan's sway long ago. And before long, Jay and Rhiannon realize that something similarly implacable is also pursuing them.
Hypnotic and atmospheric, Mystery Play is a novel richly steeped in lore, pulsating with tension as it chronicles a dark secret history of rituals, religion, and immortality.
When his mother passes away suddenly, Jay Turner finds himself at a crossroads. She was always secretive, raising him alone in Boston and staying single until her death. Returning to their brownstone to clear out her possessions, he finds two unusual objects: a partially burned scrap of newspaper bearing the name “Gael Brogan,” and a small antique volume bound in leather.
The sight of the volume is chilling. As a young scholar, his mother had been given the medieval book—one of a set commissioned by Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as Dracula, just before his death in 1477. She'd always warned Jay of how dangerous it was, and had donated it to a museum before she died . . . yet here it sits before him.
Taking leave from his position as a history instructor at a boys’ boarding school, Jay sets out to learn more about Gael Brogan, a prominent nineteenth century actor whose last and most famous role was the Count himself in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. As Jay begins to dig deeper—helped by a mysterious woman named Rhiannon he meets along the way—he uncovers a frightening story of a young actress who fell under Brogan's sway long ago. And before long, Jay and Rhiannon realize that something similarly implacable is also pursuing them.
Hypnotic and atmospheric, Mystery Play is a novel richly steeped in lore, pulsating with tension as it chronicles a dark secret history of rituals, religion, and immortality.
577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Kostova
17 books5,423 followersElizabeth Kostova was born Elizabeth Z. Johnson in New London, Connecticut and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee where she graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville. She received her undergraduate degree from Yale University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, where she won the 2003 Hopwood Award for her Novel-in-Progress. She is married to a Bulgarian scholar and has taken his family name.
Her first novel, The Historian, was published in 2005 and it has become a best-seller.
In May 2007, the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation was created. The Foundation helps support Bulgarian creative writing, the translation of contemporary Bulgarian literature into English, and friendship between Bulgarian authors and American and British authors.
Kostova released her second novel The Swan Thieves on January 12, 2010. Her third novel, The Shadow Land, was released in 2017.
Her first novel, The Historian, was published in 2005 and it has become a best-seller.
In May 2007, the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation was created. The Foundation helps support Bulgarian creative writing, the translation of contemporary Bulgarian literature into English, and friendship between Bulgarian authors and American and British authors.
Kostova released her second novel The Swan Thieves on January 12, 2010. Her third novel, The Shadow Land, was released in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I rate this book 2.5 stars rounded down. This is a book with a strong paranormal element. I decided to read it because I had previously read and enjoyed "The Shadow Land" by Elizabeth Kostova. But this was not an enjoyable book for me.
Pros: There is a romance between the two main characters. They start out as strangers, then develop feelings for each other as they investigate a sinister entity which is killing people. The more they find out, they realize that the murders have going on for over a hundred years, connected to the same person.
Cons: This book, at 592 pages, is about 150-200 pages too long. The paranormal element is an overwhelming presence. I don't usually read paranormal books, but gave this one a chance because I liked the author's previous book. In addition, there were 4 different timelines.
Principal two characters:
James Turner, who is settling his mother's estate.
Riley "Rhiannon" O'Sullivan, a guide at the Castle Durmore, built by the late actor Gael Brogan.
One quote by James Turner: "The olive skin tone had been my mother's , too, from her own mother, beautiful Romanian Helen, even if my eyes were blue, 'chips of the sky', my mother had called them, from some book or other, or maybe a poem."
I may be an outlier, since the majority of the Goodreads reviews are 4 and 5 star. However, this book didn't work for me. If you like paranormal books, you might like it.
Thank You RACHEL TAYLOR at Ballantine Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Pros: There is a romance between the two main characters. They start out as strangers, then develop feelings for each other as they investigate a sinister entity which is killing people. The more they find out, they realize that the murders have going on for over a hundred years, connected to the same person.
Cons: This book, at 592 pages, is about 150-200 pages too long. The paranormal element is an overwhelming presence. I don't usually read paranormal books, but gave this one a chance because I liked the author's previous book. In addition, there were 4 different timelines.
Principal two characters:
James Turner, who is settling his mother's estate.
Riley "Rhiannon" O'Sullivan, a guide at the Castle Durmore, built by the late actor Gael Brogan.
One quote by James Turner: "The olive skin tone had been my mother's , too, from her own mother, beautiful Romanian Helen, even if my eyes were blue, 'chips of the sky', my mother had called them, from some book or other, or maybe a poem."
I may be an outlier, since the majority of the Goodreads reviews are 4 and 5 star. However, this book didn't work for me. If you like paranormal books, you might like it.
Thank You RACHEL TAYLOR at Ballantine Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was ecstatic when I saw that Elizabeth Kostova had written another thriller like The Historian. It was a little bit unclear if Mystery Play was a sequel to The Historian. It's not front and center in the book's marketing, which I think can be explained by the two novels being published by different publishers. But it IS a sequel. The main character, Jay Turner, is the son of one of the main characters of The Historian, who, in that book, is a teenager living in Amsterdam who discovers dangerous secrets that tie her family to Dracula, a deadly presence who is the historical Vlad Tepes (the Impaler). Let's get this out of the way: Dracula as an antagonist is a hard act to follow, but I think Kostova has successfully created one in "Gael Brogan," and the theater's ancient roots in myth and sacrifice are very interesting and fresher to me than the vampire lore we are all familiar with by this point. What I was most looking forward to in another Kostova novel was immersion in evocative atmosphere, experiencing the sense of the uncanny, and most of all, the intellectual puzzle of solving a mystery that depends on libraries, museums, and archives. I hit those three sweet spots once again, and I particularly liked the atmosphere of a Maine collection of cottages; a Connecticut restored 19th-century theater/mansion; Charleston, SC; and, most of all, an unnerving passage from the Hebrides in the 1930s. I read that Hebrides passage twice, my pulses racing with excitement, appreciating every creepy detail.
I have to say that the three main characters of The Historian--the teenage daughter, and, in an earlier timeline, her graduate student father, Paul, and Helen Rossi, a fearless academic educated in Hungary--pulled me in more than the two main characters of Mystery Play: teacher Jay Turner and grad student Rhiannon. I also found I connected more strongly to a character in a 19th century timeline, a young actress named Quinn, and to a secondary modern-day character: a Charleston archivist who is an older single Southern woman with an acerbic wit. I wish she had appeared in Mystery Play earlier! I didn't care for an Italian flashback sequence that I can't properly critique without spoiling the plot--I will just say I wasn't persuaded by a crucial decision made by a key character about the aftermath of a love affair. I was also confused by a twist that came after the main thriller climax. But with an ambitious book like this, I am not going to fall in love with every single character and plot twist. I have to say I really enjoyed Mystery Play and I hope Elizabeth Kostova gives us more historical thrillers like Mystery Play and The Historian. I recommend this novel! It's such a delight to get this level of atmosphere, lore, and suspense.
I have to say that the three main characters of The Historian--the teenage daughter, and, in an earlier timeline, her graduate student father, Paul, and Helen Rossi, a fearless academic educated in Hungary--pulled me in more than the two main characters of Mystery Play: teacher Jay Turner and grad student Rhiannon. I also found I connected more strongly to a character in a 19th century timeline, a young actress named Quinn, and to a secondary modern-day character: a Charleston archivist who is an older single Southern woman with an acerbic wit. I wish she had appeared in Mystery Play earlier! I didn't care for an Italian flashback sequence that I can't properly critique without spoiling the plot--I will just say I wasn't persuaded by a crucial decision made by a key character about the aftermath of a love affair. I was also confused by a twist that came after the main thriller climax. But with an ambitious book like this, I am not going to fall in love with every single character and plot twist. I have to say I really enjoyed Mystery Play and I hope Elizabeth Kostova gives us more historical thrillers like Mystery Play and The Historian. I recommend this novel! It's such a delight to get this level of atmosphere, lore, and suspense.
October 17, 2026
Mystery Play is a long book and quite often I felt it's length. This book is a bit of a slow burn, and I often struggle with slow burns. While I did enjoy parts of this book such as the atmosphere, the paranormal, and the mystery. But having said that, this book took its time, one thing that its predecessor, The Historian did as well; but for some reason that book worked for me while this one was a struggle. If you enjoy the theater, slower paced books and books told in more than one timeline, this may be the book for you. While the author is a wonderful writer, I would have liked a faster paced book, more explanations as I felt at times I lost parts of the plot, more editing, and a more straightforward path to the conclusion of the book.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Remember how you felt when the first Star Wars prequel came out in 1999? That is to say, fairly certain there was no way it was going to live up to the original trilogy, but excited to try it anyways because... against all odds... it could be good? Then, after spending two odd hours of your life and $9 (or whatever a theater ticket was back then), feeling strangely empty and flat - like, why did this have to exist at all? Why couldn't they have just left that imaginary world where it was?
Well, if you're anything like me (and also old enough to remember the debut of The Phantom Menace) that's how you'll feel about Mystery Play if you enjoyed The Historian.
This book is most definitely a sequel, although the description deliberately obscures its relation, partly to avoid narrowing the audience by having potential readers feel they have prereqs and partly to avoid reminding people too much of the plot twists of the original book which this book takes out of the trunk, like old costumes, and puts on attempting for the same scares. It does not succeed. To paraphrase the quote from Jack Kemp, "I've read The Historian and you, sir, are no Historian."
Indeed, to continue the acting metaphor, this book reminded me of Marx's famous quip about 1848 being a literal travesty of 1789 that history plays "the first time as tragedy, the second as farce." While I make no claim that the original was great literature, it was a genuinely absorbing book that did not *feel* (at least for me) like it was 700 pages but at the same time felt like a world I genuinely enjoyed (maybe the wrong word?) living in.
The world of Mystery Play, a comparatively svelte 590 pages, is stilted and contrived and the book feels much longer. I'm surprised I made it through - tbh I found myself skimming a lot, particularly over Quinn's diary entries which were just too precious. However, never fear, I managed to catch lots of changing perspectives and random found diaries and reminiscences and people staring at each other meaningfully and gasping and grasping arms and completely predictable relationships forming and driving to archives and books being destroyed and strange seals and whatnot. Also a huge body count that is treated with remarkable casualness, and a fairy-godmother-like character who is for some reason named Helsa Grace and in my mind is Mystery's Play equivalent of Jar-Jar Binks.
There were a lot of these kinds of corny horror thriller elements in The Historian as well, but for me they did not take away from the reading experience in the same way perhaps because the central villain - Vlad Teppes - had an innate gravity and the central mythology was compelling and well-developed (in part because it was already existent). I don't know if it was just because I started skimming so much to just be done, but the dueling Eleusian mysteries plot (introduced at exactly 50% the way through the book - formulaic if ever anything was!) just didn't make a lot of sense and Gael Brogan wasn't a very compelling villain.
TL; DR. Don't.
A huge thanks anyways to NetGalley for the ARC.
Well, if you're anything like me (and also old enough to remember the debut of The Phantom Menace) that's how you'll feel about Mystery Play if you enjoyed The Historian.
This book is most definitely a sequel, although the description deliberately obscures its relation, partly to avoid narrowing the audience by having potential readers feel they have prereqs and partly to avoid reminding people too much of the plot twists of the original book which this book takes out of the trunk, like old costumes, and puts on attempting for the same scares. It does not succeed. To paraphrase the quote from Jack Kemp, "I've read The Historian and you, sir, are no Historian."
Indeed, to continue the acting metaphor, this book reminded me of Marx's famous quip about 1848 being a literal travesty of 1789 that history plays "the first time as tragedy, the second as farce." While I make no claim that the original was great literature, it was a genuinely absorbing book that did not *feel* (at least for me) like it was 700 pages but at the same time felt like a world I genuinely enjoyed (maybe the wrong word?) living in.
The world of Mystery Play, a comparatively svelte 590 pages, is stilted and contrived and the book feels much longer. I'm surprised I made it through - tbh I found myself skimming a lot, particularly over Quinn's diary entries which were just too precious. However, never fear, I managed to catch lots of changing perspectives and random found diaries and reminiscences and people staring at each other meaningfully and gasping and grasping arms and completely predictable relationships forming and driving to archives and books being destroyed and strange seals and whatnot. Also a huge body count that is treated with remarkable casualness, and a fairy-godmother-like character who is for some reason named Helsa Grace and in my mind is Mystery's Play equivalent of Jar-Jar Binks.
There were a lot of these kinds of corny horror thriller elements in The Historian as well, but for me they did not take away from the reading experience in the same way perhaps because the central villain - Vlad Teppes - had an innate gravity and the central mythology was compelling and well-developed (in part because it was already existent). I don't know if it was just because I started skimming so much to just be done, but the dueling Eleusian mysteries plot (introduced at exactly 50% the way through the book - formulaic if ever anything was!) just didn't make a lot of sense and Gael Brogan wasn't a very compelling villain.
TL; DR. Don't.
A huge thanks anyways to NetGalley for the ARC.
Did Not Finish
October 20, 2026Let me start by saying that The Historian is one of my favorite books of all time. I’m also not a big rereader (I can count on one hand the number of books I’ve reread), but I did reread this one last year. So, needless to say, I was SO EXCITED for this book, which takes place in the same universe as The Historian.
So no one was more surprised than me when I DNF’d this book about ⅓ of the way in.
The book is told in two timelines (at least that’s how it worked for as far as I read). There is the modern timeline, told by the son of the main character in The Historian, and then through letters written by a historical character, Fern.
The biggest issue I had was that this book is not really what you expect when you hear that it’s a sequel to The Historian. This is not a hunt that weaves together history and folklore in a tantalizing way. It teases that it might be this at the start, but it is not.
For me, this is much more a book about theater. Theater lovers who aren’t expecting a book written like The Historian may enjoy this, but it was a pass for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
So no one was more surprised than me when I DNF’d this book about ⅓ of the way in.
The book is told in two timelines (at least that’s how it worked for as far as I read). There is the modern timeline, told by the son of the main character in The Historian, and then through letters written by a historical character, Fern.
The biggest issue I had was that this book is not really what you expect when you hear that it’s a sequel to The Historian. This is not a hunt that weaves together history and folklore in a tantalizing way. It teases that it might be this at the start, but it is not.
For me, this is much more a book about theater. Theater lovers who aren’t expecting a book written like The Historian may enjoy this, but it was a pass for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova was an absolutely fantastic read. Once again, Kostova has hit it out of the park with the kind of dense, immersive historical fiction she does so well. Returning to a story centered around Dracula, Vlad Țepeș, history, and legend made this feel like a wonderful companion to The Historian, a novel I absolutely loved.
One of my favorite things about Kostova's writing is the journey she takes you on. These aren't books that rush from one plot point to another. She takes her time building the world, digging into history, developing her characters, and creating an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and experience everything alongside them. Mystery Play has that same richness. It's dense, but in a way that I found rewarding rather than overwhelming.
I especially enjoyed the way Kostova once again plays with the boundary between historical fact, folklore, and the supernatural. Vlad Țepeș is already such a fascinating historical figure, and when his real history becomes intertwined with the mythology of Dracula, there's an enormous amount of material to explore. Kostova clearly understands how compelling that intersection can be, and she uses it to create a story that feels historical and mysterious at the same time.
There's also something wonderfully old-fashioned about the experience of reading a novel like this. It's a book that asks you to give yourself over to it, follow its characters through history and mystery, and trust that the journey itself is just as important as reaching the destination. I really appreciated that. In an era when so many novels seem determined to move as quickly as possible, Kostova isn't afraid to slow things down and allow her story to unfold at its own pace.
For me, the greatest compliment I can give Mystery Play is that it immediately made me want to revisit The Historian. It's been long enough since I read that book that I've forgotten many of the smaller details, but I still remember how much I loved the experience of reading it. Mystery Play brought those feelings right back and reminded me why Kostova's particular combination of history, mystery, travel, folklore, and the supernatural works so well for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Elizabeth Kostova for granting me access to a digital ARC of this title.
One of my favorite things about Kostova's writing is the journey she takes you on. These aren't books that rush from one plot point to another. She takes her time building the world, digging into history, developing her characters, and creating an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and experience everything alongside them. Mystery Play has that same richness. It's dense, but in a way that I found rewarding rather than overwhelming.
I especially enjoyed the way Kostova once again plays with the boundary between historical fact, folklore, and the supernatural. Vlad Țepeș is already such a fascinating historical figure, and when his real history becomes intertwined with the mythology of Dracula, there's an enormous amount of material to explore. Kostova clearly understands how compelling that intersection can be, and she uses it to create a story that feels historical and mysterious at the same time.
There's also something wonderfully old-fashioned about the experience of reading a novel like this. It's a book that asks you to give yourself over to it, follow its characters through history and mystery, and trust that the journey itself is just as important as reaching the destination. I really appreciated that. In an era when so many novels seem determined to move as quickly as possible, Kostova isn't afraid to slow things down and allow her story to unfold at its own pace.
For me, the greatest compliment I can give Mystery Play is that it immediately made me want to revisit The Historian. It's been long enough since I read that book that I've forgotten many of the smaller details, but I still remember how much I loved the experience of reading it. Mystery Play brought those feelings right back and reminded me why Kostova's particular combination of history, mystery, travel, folklore, and the supernatural works so well for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Elizabeth Kostova for granting me access to a digital ARC of this title.
July 4, 2026
Written for adults but relevant for anyone who enjoyed the original Dracula. I have not read the author’s first book, The Historian, but was still able to follow this story without much confusion. I should also note that I read an ARC I received at a conference. I liked how the things that happened to the characters were subtle enough that they (and the reader) could second guess if it meant anything. I also liked that what was going on (no spoilers!) had echoes and familiarity with classic horror but wasn’t derivative.
September 7, 2026
I read Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian 20-ish years ago and was mesmerized by her writing. She hasn’t lost her touch! I was hard pressed to put it down! At almost 600 pages, putting it down was inevitable, but it was in my thoughts in the meantime.
It is related to The Historian in that the protagonist is Helen and Paul’s grandson. His story is different. Though Dracula lore hovers in the background of this story, it isn’t front and center. There are references to Vlad and other characters in The Historian, but none feature here. Mystery Play covers completely fresh ground and can easily function as a standalone novel. I love this book and hope everyone loves this twisty story as much as I do!
Taking this one to the family mausoleum!
Thank you to Elizabeth Kostova , Ballantine Books , and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this uncorrected proof. The opinions herein are my own.
It is related to The Historian in that the protagonist is Helen and Paul’s grandson. His story is different. Though Dracula lore hovers in the background of this story, it isn’t front and center. There are references to Vlad and other characters in The Historian, but none feature here. Mystery Play covers completely fresh ground and can easily function as a standalone novel. I love this book and hope everyone loves this twisty story as much as I do!
Taking this one to the family mausoleum!
Thank you to Elizabeth Kostova , Ballantine Books , and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this uncorrected proof. The opinions herein are my own.
October 16, 2026
Disappointing. Derivative. Nearly succeeds in tainting the original and great novel THE HISTORIAN, but that one still stands. ( I know this is true because I did a reread immediately before diving into this wreck. Apologies to A Rich)
A mass/ a mess of influences come into play: Stoker, Anne Rice, the Twilight books, Sherlock Holmes - none successfully. An analogy: The Historian is to Dracula as Mystery Play is to The Jewel of Seven Stars.
I did barrel through it but it is an ordinary horror/thriller.
A mass/ a mess of influences come into play: Stoker, Anne Rice, the Twilight books, Sherlock Holmes - none successfully. An analogy: The Historian is to Dracula as Mystery Play is to The Jewel of Seven Stars.
I did barrel through it but it is an ordinary horror/thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mystery Play is another of Kostova's literate, twisting mysteries/adventures with a supernatural element. The novel has two timelines: one is the world of the US theater world during the 19th Century; the other is the present day, in which a son mourning his mother's death suspects that it's something much more sinister than a sudden cancer.
I can't help comparing it to Kostova's The Historian, which isn't fair—particularly since it's been year since I read that title—but I came to Mystery Play because I loved The Historian, so the two inform each other. The plotting of Mystery Play moves slowly through the first two-thirds and the balance between pages of text and new pieces of information felt tipped towards the words, rather than the info. (I remember The Historian as jumping in much more rapidly.) In the last third, the pace picks up and the book becomes of of those titles that a reader races through because "just one more page." The reader has to be patient while waiting for the set-up to become clear.
The characters are an interesting mix—and I want to give particular props to Costova for making so many of those characters women. The central character here is the mourning son, but the majority of people who help him along in his journey are female: scholars and librarians with essential specialized knowledge. Still, I don't know that I ever reach that point where the characters started to feel "real," people I was coming to know and choosing to spend my time with.
If you like mystery/adventures with a supernatural bend, I think you'll find Mystery Play a satisfying read, but I found it a one-read book, as opposed to other titles, such as The Historian, that I've gone back to for additional reads.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
I can't help comparing it to Kostova's The Historian, which isn't fair—particularly since it's been year since I read that title—but I came to Mystery Play because I loved The Historian, so the two inform each other. The plotting of Mystery Play moves slowly through the first two-thirds and the balance between pages of text and new pieces of information felt tipped towards the words, rather than the info. (I remember The Historian as jumping in much more rapidly.) In the last third, the pace picks up and the book becomes of of those titles that a reader races through because "just one more page." The reader has to be patient while waiting for the set-up to become clear.
The characters are an interesting mix—and I want to give particular props to Costova for making so many of those characters women. The central character here is the mourning son, but the majority of people who help him along in his journey are female: scholars and librarians with essential specialized knowledge. Still, I don't know that I ever reach that point where the characters started to feel "real," people I was coming to know and choosing to spend my time with.
If you like mystery/adventures with a supernatural bend, I think you'll find Mystery Play a satisfying read, but I found it a one-read book, as opposed to other titles, such as The Historian, that I've gone back to for additional reads.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I spent a week reading this book so you don’t have to.
I went into "Mystery Play" knowing almost nothing about it. I requested the ARC because I have read all of Elizabeth Kostova’s previous books and especially enjoyed "The Historian". So imagine my excitement when I started reading and discovered that "Mystery Play" was connected to "The Historian". I was immediately pulled in. Unfortunately, if you loved "The Historian" and that connection is what draws you to this book, let me save you from making the same mistake I did.
For the first third or so, I was completely invested. The story was mysterious and suspenseful, and I genuinely wanted to know where Kostova was taking it. Then things began to unravel. The coincidences became increasingly convenient, revelations that were supposed to be surprising felt predictable, and unanswered questions began piling up. Eventually, I was doing so much eye-rolling that it became difficult to stay immersed in the story.
Most disappointing was the connection to "The Historian". The novel establishes that connection almost immediately in a way that makes it seem as though it will be important to the mystery. Instead, it ultimately felt contrived rather than essential. The main character did not need this particular connection for the central story to work, and I was left wondering whether it was included largely to tie "Mystery Play" to a much-loved earlier novel. Readers hoping for something that feels like a meaningful continuation of "The Historian" may be disappointed.
There are also simply too many plot holes and unresolved questions. I don't need every mystery neatly explained, and I actually enjoy some ambiguity. But there is a difference between deliberately leaving something open to interpretation and introducing intriguing events, relationships, and questions that never receive a satisfying explanation. Several character choices also seemed inconsistent with the emotional histories the novel had spent so much time establishing.
And then there is the ending. After nearly 600 pages, I expected the many threads of this story to come together in a way that made the journey worthwhile. Instead, I was left with even more questions and coincidences. There were so many more interesting and satisfying directions Kostova could have taken with the ending.
I love long books and regularly seek out novels over 400 pages, so the length itself was never the problem. The problem was reaching the end of nearly 600 pages and feeling that the considerable time I had invested hadn't been rewarded. Kostova is a talented writer, and the beginning of "Mystery Play" reminded me exactly why I have enjoyed her previous novels. Unfortunately, by the end, I mostly wished I had spent that week reading something else.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I went into "Mystery Play" knowing almost nothing about it. I requested the ARC because I have read all of Elizabeth Kostova’s previous books and especially enjoyed "The Historian". So imagine my excitement when I started reading and discovered that "Mystery Play" was connected to "The Historian". I was immediately pulled in. Unfortunately, if you loved "The Historian" and that connection is what draws you to this book, let me save you from making the same mistake I did.
For the first third or so, I was completely invested. The story was mysterious and suspenseful, and I genuinely wanted to know where Kostova was taking it. Then things began to unravel. The coincidences became increasingly convenient, revelations that were supposed to be surprising felt predictable, and unanswered questions began piling up. Eventually, I was doing so much eye-rolling that it became difficult to stay immersed in the story.
Most disappointing was the connection to "The Historian". The novel establishes that connection almost immediately in a way that makes it seem as though it will be important to the mystery. Instead, it ultimately felt contrived rather than essential. The main character did not need this particular connection for the central story to work, and I was left wondering whether it was included largely to tie "Mystery Play" to a much-loved earlier novel. Readers hoping for something that feels like a meaningful continuation of "The Historian" may be disappointed.
There are also simply too many plot holes and unresolved questions. I don't need every mystery neatly explained, and I actually enjoy some ambiguity. But there is a difference between deliberately leaving something open to interpretation and introducing intriguing events, relationships, and questions that never receive a satisfying explanation. Several character choices also seemed inconsistent with the emotional histories the novel had spent so much time establishing.
And then there is the ending. After nearly 600 pages, I expected the many threads of this story to come together in a way that made the journey worthwhile. Instead, I was left with even more questions and coincidences. There were so many more interesting and satisfying directions Kostova could have taken with the ending.
I love long books and regularly seek out novels over 400 pages, so the length itself was never the problem. The problem was reaching the end of nearly 600 pages and feeling that the considerable time I had invested hadn't been rewarded. Kostova is a talented writer, and the beginning of "Mystery Play" reminded me exactly why I have enjoyed her previous novels. Unfortunately, by the end, I mostly wished I had spent that week reading something else.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS RULED, I LOVE YOU ELIZABETH KOSTOVA. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with a follow up to The Historian. It is such a unique book that I was intrigued what elements and concepts would pop up in this one. But, oh man, I had so much fun. To me, there is nothing better than a research filled romp mixed with the gothic and magic and horror. And as a theatre kid and a spooky girl, this was made just for me, it seems. I found Jay to be a very readable MC, he was easy to fall in with and a great voice to follow along with. The side characters were engaging and I liked the mystery elements. I found myself getting excited when I would figure out a twist right before it was revealed. Great fun. It is a long book and extraordinarily thorough, so it may not be every reader's cup of tea. But I do think, in general, if you enjoy the unique charm of The Historian in terms of writing style and format and intrigue, this is a follow up that will not disappoint. The tone is less horror-forward, as the villain is less shrouded in the same level of mystique and horror-adjacent contexts (a fictional gilded age actor vs vlad tepes, obviously there is a fundamental difference between those two figures) but it was not bad at all. I could not put this down.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for review. And thank you to Elizabeth Kostova for writing bangers for us spooky librarians!
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for review. And thank you to Elizabeth Kostova for writing bangers for us spooky librarians!
October 8, 2026
Old books, theater history, and something sinister hiding in the past: Mystery Play had plenty to tempt me, and I loved it. Elizabeth Kostova is so good at making the smallest discovery feel unsettling. Just as she did in The Historian, Kostova brings in letters and diaries that help the reader piece together the mystery. I particularly enjoyed the connections between theater, myth, and the mysterious past that Gael Brogan led. A perfect book for the Spooky Season!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was excited to see this pop up as an ARC because I remembered loving The Historian back when it first came out, and so I was very much looking forward to this sequel. I reread The Historian before I picked up this one, and I'm glad I did, because I didn't remember a ton of details about it. My reading of The Historian really held up, and I still loved it. Unfortunately, I found this one fell a little flat.
The biggest issue I had with this book was it felt like very much a retread of the plot of the first one—the developed romance between a man and a woman drawn together to investigate a mystery, the slow unfurling of said mystery, even down to surprise secret societies dedicated to fighting against monsters. It just felt like I'd already read a better, more interesting version of this book. A lot of what worked for me in the first book felt awkward here. For instance, there are a lot of coincidences that drive the plot along; in the first book, this felt like the shadowy hand of fate because of their ties to Dracula. In this one, it just felt convenient.
The book weaves a lot of narratives together, but several of the threads felt like they picked up too early. The first chapters of Helsa Grace's reminisces and Fern Quinn's diaries could have been cut with no loss to the story, and because they seemed so irrelevant at first, it felt off being jerked out of the "action" in order to get the inconsequential musings of someone who seemed random.
There is a lot that is over the top theatrical about this one, which I suppose makes sense given its subject, but in many cases it kind of read a bit too corny and campy for my tastes. People who are super into theater may find it more palatable, perhaps. The end also felt a little hokey, I can't like. I also feel like a bunch of plot threads were left hanging, which bugs me.
All that said, Kostova's prose remains gorgeous and she really knows how to paint a picture with words. I am sure there was a lot of research done for this one too, but it's less obvious in the text. I really wish I liked this one better, but it just didn't work well for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The biggest issue I had with this book was it felt like very much a retread of the plot of the first one—the developed romance between a man and a woman drawn together to investigate a mystery, the slow unfurling of said mystery, even down to surprise secret societies dedicated to fighting against monsters. It just felt like I'd already read a better, more interesting version of this book. A lot of what worked for me in the first book felt awkward here. For instance, there are a lot of coincidences that drive the plot along; in the first book, this felt like the shadowy hand of fate because of their ties to Dracula. In this one, it just felt convenient.
The book weaves a lot of narratives together, but several of the threads felt like they picked up too early. The first chapters of Helsa Grace's reminisces and Fern Quinn's diaries could have been cut with no loss to the story, and because they seemed so irrelevant at first, it felt off being jerked out of the "action" in order to get the inconsequential musings of someone who seemed random.
There is a lot that is over the top theatrical about this one, which I suppose makes sense given its subject, but in many cases it kind of read a bit too corny and campy for my tastes. People who are super into theater may find it more palatable, perhaps. The end also felt a little hokey, I can't like. I also feel like a bunch of plot threads were left hanging, which bugs me.
All that said, Kostova's prose remains gorgeous and she really knows how to paint a picture with words. I am sure there was a lot of research done for this one too, but it's less obvious in the text. I really wish I liked this one better, but it just didn't work well for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found Mystery Play to be a fabulously paced story in which the author essentially invites the reader to pull up a seat and settle in to watch the story unfold.
I have not yet read The Historians by this same author, and although Mystery Play is a sequel, it can certainly function as a standalone without requiring any knowledge of its predecessor. The author provides backstories where needed, but I wasn’t at any point confused or feeling lost because I didn’t read The Historians first. That said, I found the writing so enjoyable and the storytelling so engaging that I do plan to read the first book of this series soon and suspect people that have read The Historians will probably get some points of historical reference that will make this book even more rewarding.
This is a story told from a couple of different timelines and perspectives in which a number of people are directly interacting with or are trying to learn history about renowned actor Gael Brogan and his potential dark historical ties. There are bits and pieces of information that slowly develop meaning and come together so nicely as the story wraps up.
This is a bit of a lengthy read, but well worth it. It’s a little spooky and eerie at times, but not overly scary. The descriptions of the plays and the atmosphere that is set around each production is incredible. So many times as I was reading I felt like I was an audience member or was watching a film play out in my head. The storytelling is so well done, and the characters are all varying degrees of engaging, interesting, and mysterious.
I enjoyed this book greatly and very much look forward to working my way through The Historians soon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Elizabeth Kostova for providing me with an e-version of this book. All opinions expressed here are fully my own.
I have not yet read The Historians by this same author, and although Mystery Play is a sequel, it can certainly function as a standalone without requiring any knowledge of its predecessor. The author provides backstories where needed, but I wasn’t at any point confused or feeling lost because I didn’t read The Historians first. That said, I found the writing so enjoyable and the storytelling so engaging that I do plan to read the first book of this series soon and suspect people that have read The Historians will probably get some points of historical reference that will make this book even more rewarding.
This is a story told from a couple of different timelines and perspectives in which a number of people are directly interacting with or are trying to learn history about renowned actor Gael Brogan and his potential dark historical ties. There are bits and pieces of information that slowly develop meaning and come together so nicely as the story wraps up.
This is a bit of a lengthy read, but well worth it. It’s a little spooky and eerie at times, but not overly scary. The descriptions of the plays and the atmosphere that is set around each production is incredible. So many times as I was reading I felt like I was an audience member or was watching a film play out in my head. The storytelling is so well done, and the characters are all varying degrees of engaging, interesting, and mysterious.
I enjoyed this book greatly and very much look forward to working my way through The Historians soon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Elizabeth Kostova for providing me with an e-version of this book. All opinions expressed here are fully my own.
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October 19, 2026Readers of THE HISTORIAN will be entranced by the sequel, that follows the form of research, travel, and discovery. The protagonist is endearing and earnest, the diary of the actress interspersed throughout much of the book is a highlight and a propulsive element, and there are scenes of genuine, spine-tingling terror.
The book is quite long (as is its predecessor) and a character list would have been helpful.
The book is quite long (as is its predecessor) and a character list would have been helpful.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 really, rounded up.
It’s been forever since I read Kostova’s The Historian, so there are possibly differences between the two books that I’m not remembering, but this essentially is a rehash of The Historian’s plot, with a different monster standing in for Dracula.
It’s been forever since I read Kostova’s The Historian, so there are possibly differences between the two books that I’m not remembering, but this essentially is a rehash of The Historian’s plot, with a different monster standing in for Dracula.
September 20, 2026
What a remarkable and surprisingly complex novel! And so full of secrets and surprises!
I have read every book by Elizabeth Kostova (author of THE HISTORIAN) and I find her a brilliant story creator and exceptional writer. In MYSTERY PLAY what starts out as a story of one history teacher's curiosity over his late mother's work is slowly and carefully transformed into a psychological thriller that will have you frantically turning pages. And you'll never again think of an historian as a boring job. Awarded four stars but 4.5 is more accurate.
You'll need to pay close attention reading this book. Not just because there are multiple story lines to follow from different time periods. But also because there are many small details dropped along the way that turn out to be important. The story itself is built by the characters within the novel - created out of old research, journal entries, a few random letters, and even travel notes.
Here's my best attempt at an overview:
• One story line is about a (fictional) world famous stage actor, Gael Brogen, from the early 1900s. (Think of the great American actor, Edwin Booth,* 1833-1893). His power in the theater world is unquestioned, his performances mesmerizing, and his influence over up-and-coming actress Fern Quinn feels a little #MeToo-ish.
• A second story takes place in our own time. 30-year-old James "Jay" Turner, an only child who never knew his father, is grieving the recent loss of his loving mother, an academic historian. Not long after her death, Jay takes delivery of an unusual book that dates from the 1600s, but contains mostly blank pages. Believing his mother had already donated it to a museum, Jay sets out to find out why it ended up in his hands. He is joined by Riley, the niece of one of his mother's colleagues. For her own reasons, she too is eager to get answers.
• A third shorter strand concerns Jay's mother and a vacation trip she took to Tuscany in her mid-30s.
Moving back and forth in time, from New York City to London, from Italy to the remote Hebrides, author Elizabeth Kostova slowly builds this novel the way a good detective investigates a crime. Bit by bit.
So much isn't as it appears. Facts you believed turn out to be untrue. Characters you meet begin to exhibit strange behavior. Those who appeared reliable now look suspicious. More and more questions arise. And there are some gruesome murders. It's helpful (but not essential) if you are familiar with the original story of DRACULA by Bram Stoker (1847-1912), based loosely on the historical figure of Vlad Tepes (1428-1476).
The combination of plot, building suspense, and sheer complexity of how the novel is constructed held my attention firmly until about 2/3rds of the way in. That was when I began to feel fatigue at having to juggle so much information without understanding why. I felt ready for a payoff. I even momentarily considered dropping the book. Fortunately, soon enough the plot picked up again and then I found myself racing toward the page-turning conclusion. The only reason I did not award five stars is because of the length (592 pages) and my own loss of faith.
I consider this novel an exceptional accomplishment. Kostova is such an intelligent writer and she knows how to challenge her readers in a good way. No wonder her books only come out every five to seven years! Each one requires such careful research but winds up offering such uniqueness.
Like any good historical fiction, MYSTERY PLAY will also teach you about new topics. You'll learn about theater in the early 20th century. A bit about staging Shakespearean plays. You'll go behind the scenes at several museums. All in all, highly recommended!
I have read every book by Elizabeth Kostova (author of THE HISTORIAN) and I find her a brilliant story creator and exceptional writer. In MYSTERY PLAY what starts out as a story of one history teacher's curiosity over his late mother's work is slowly and carefully transformed into a psychological thriller that will have you frantically turning pages. And you'll never again think of an historian as a boring job. Awarded four stars but 4.5 is more accurate.
You'll need to pay close attention reading this book. Not just because there are multiple story lines to follow from different time periods. But also because there are many small details dropped along the way that turn out to be important. The story itself is built by the characters within the novel - created out of old research, journal entries, a few random letters, and even travel notes.
Here's my best attempt at an overview:
• One story line is about a (fictional) world famous stage actor, Gael Brogen, from the early 1900s. (Think of the great American actor, Edwin Booth,* 1833-1893). His power in the theater world is unquestioned, his performances mesmerizing, and his influence over up-and-coming actress Fern Quinn feels a little #MeToo-ish.
• A second story takes place in our own time. 30-year-old James "Jay" Turner, an only child who never knew his father, is grieving the recent loss of his loving mother, an academic historian. Not long after her death, Jay takes delivery of an unusual book that dates from the 1600s, but contains mostly blank pages. Believing his mother had already donated it to a museum, Jay sets out to find out why it ended up in his hands. He is joined by Riley, the niece of one of his mother's colleagues. For her own reasons, she too is eager to get answers.
• A third shorter strand concerns Jay's mother and a vacation trip she took to Tuscany in her mid-30s.
Moving back and forth in time, from New York City to London, from Italy to the remote Hebrides, author Elizabeth Kostova slowly builds this novel the way a good detective investigates a crime. Bit by bit.
So much isn't as it appears. Facts you believed turn out to be untrue. Characters you meet begin to exhibit strange behavior. Those who appeared reliable now look suspicious. More and more questions arise. And there are some gruesome murders. It's helpful (but not essential) if you are familiar with the original story of DRACULA by Bram Stoker (1847-1912), based loosely on the historical figure of Vlad Tepes (1428-1476).
The combination of plot, building suspense, and sheer complexity of how the novel is constructed held my attention firmly until about 2/3rds of the way in. That was when I began to feel fatigue at having to juggle so much information without understanding why. I felt ready for a payoff. I even momentarily considered dropping the book. Fortunately, soon enough the plot picked up again and then I found myself racing toward the page-turning conclusion. The only reason I did not award five stars is because of the length (592 pages) and my own loss of faith.
I consider this novel an exceptional accomplishment. Kostova is such an intelligent writer and she knows how to challenge her readers in a good way. No wonder her books only come out every five to seven years! Each one requires such careful research but winds up offering such uniqueness.
Like any good historical fiction, MYSTERY PLAY will also teach you about new topics. You'll learn about theater in the early 20th century. A bit about staging Shakespearean plays. You'll go behind the scenes at several museums. All in all, highly recommended!
October 18, 2026
I've had "The Historian" on my tbr forever and have thought for years that it sounds right up my alley, so I jumped at the chance to read Elizabeth Kostova's "Mystery Play." And even though I probably *should've* read "The Historian" first, I definitely was able to follow and appreciate the story without it. And I really really loved it!!!
"Mystery Play" was very dark and mysterious, with some reallyyyyy creeeeeepy moments and a bunch of twists and turns. The multiple POVs—especially across timelines—were really effective at both revealing and propelling the story, and very much kept me on the edge of my seat guessing both at what *had* happened in the past as well as what was *going to happen* in the present. It might've gotten a smidge convoluted at times, but I honestly prefer a detailed narrative that demands my attention and prompts me to connect some dots myself. And as we jumped from candlelit theaters to grand libraries to eerie castles, all the settings across POVs really brought the story to life and created the perfect spooky atmosphere for a gothic tale.
There was definitely a lot of (warranted) exposition, so I was actually a little surprised by how quickly and intensely the resolution came upon us; though we'd already crossed 500 pages, I would've been happy to spend even more time at the end to address and tie up a few loose ends. But that small complaint didn't temper my enjoyment, as this easily warranted 4.5 stars from me. Catch me diving right into "The Historian" next!
[Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance reader copy of this book!]
"Mystery Play" was very dark and mysterious, with some reallyyyyy creeeeeepy moments and a bunch of twists and turns. The multiple POVs—especially across timelines—were really effective at both revealing and propelling the story, and very much kept me on the edge of my seat guessing both at what *had* happened in the past as well as what was *going to happen* in the present. It might've gotten a smidge convoluted at times, but I honestly prefer a detailed narrative that demands my attention and prompts me to connect some dots myself. And as we jumped from candlelit theaters to grand libraries to eerie castles, all the settings across POVs really brought the story to life and created the perfect spooky atmosphere for a gothic tale.
There was definitely a lot of (warranted) exposition, so I was actually a little surprised by how quickly and intensely the resolution came upon us; though we'd already crossed 500 pages, I would've been happy to spend even more time at the end to address and tie up a few loose ends. But that small complaint didn't temper my enjoyment, as this easily warranted 4.5 stars from me. Catch me diving right into "The Historian" next!
[Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance reader copy of this book!]
October 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy.
When I saw that Elizabeth Kostova was releasing another book, I knew I had to request it. I am a huge fan of The Historian and it's one of the only books that I intimately can remember details of. I don't believe this was described as being a sequel to The Historian; however, one of the main characters of The Historian is the mother of the MMC here, Jay.
Jay Turner, the only son of a historian, is being hunted by dark forces that may be related to Dracula. Jay's mother passes away suddenly, leaving him alone in the world and unsure of his future. As he is clearing out her possessions, Jay comes across two unusual objects that throw him into a world that he never knew existed. His search for Gael Brogan and what his mother knew about this famous actor sends him on an adventure that will truly change his life.
This book took me a while to get through - it felt more slow-paced in the beginning. However, about 25% of the way through the book, it became much more fast-paced. I have not really been interested or fascinated in Dracula or Vlad Tepes; however, this was an interesting read. I loved the atmosphere - rustic Maine; a restored Castle in Connecticut, and Charleston, SC. Additionally, I loved the change in narration. One chapter would be from Jay's perspective; then we got the next chapter from Fern Quinn, an actress associated with Gael Brogan; and other chapters from other characters.
If you enjoyed The Historian, you will definitely enjoy Mystery Play.
When I saw that Elizabeth Kostova was releasing another book, I knew I had to request it. I am a huge fan of The Historian and it's one of the only books that I intimately can remember details of. I don't believe this was described as being a sequel to The Historian; however, one of the main characters of The Historian is the mother of the MMC here, Jay.
Jay Turner, the only son of a historian, is being hunted by dark forces that may be related to Dracula. Jay's mother passes away suddenly, leaving him alone in the world and unsure of his future. As he is clearing out her possessions, Jay comes across two unusual objects that throw him into a world that he never knew existed. His search for Gael Brogan and what his mother knew about this famous actor sends him on an adventure that will truly change his life.
This book took me a while to get through - it felt more slow-paced in the beginning. However, about 25% of the way through the book, it became much more fast-paced. I have not really been interested or fascinated in Dracula or Vlad Tepes; however, this was an interesting read. I loved the atmosphere - rustic Maine; a restored Castle in Connecticut, and Charleston, SC. Additionally, I loved the change in narration. One chapter would be from Jay's perspective; then we got the next chapter from Fern Quinn, an actress associated with Gael Brogan; and other chapters from other characters.
If you enjoyed The Historian, you will definitely enjoy Mystery Play.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an ARC review! Thank you!
I have been personally recommended The Historian by Kostova more times than I can count. Do I have a copy of it? Yes! Have I read it? Don’t look at me like that, you know I haven’t. When this tip toed across my desk, of course I nabbed it, so take this with a grain of salt, this IS in the world of The Historian, but it is reviewed as someone just being introduced to it.
If you haunt opera buildings and have a habit of destroying extremely expensive chandeliers, you’re going to love this book. It IS too long by about 200 pages, but I enjoyed the very smooth prose (not you, Quinn’s diary entries, I’m not acknowledging you). I think the antagonist was actually incredibly well done, and I love how his character arc unfolded. The twist was telegraphed a Pacific Ocean length away, it was guessable from the start.
If Diana Gaboldon wrote Interview With a Vampire, this would be the book.
I have been personally recommended The Historian by Kostova more times than I can count. Do I have a copy of it? Yes! Have I read it? Don’t look at me like that, you know I haven’t. When this tip toed across my desk, of course I nabbed it, so take this with a grain of salt, this IS in the world of The Historian, but it is reviewed as someone just being introduced to it.
If you haunt opera buildings and have a habit of destroying extremely expensive chandeliers, you’re going to love this book. It IS too long by about 200 pages, but I enjoyed the very smooth prose (not you, Quinn’s diary entries, I’m not acknowledging you). I think the antagonist was actually incredibly well done, and I love how his character arc unfolded. The twist was telegraphed a Pacific Ocean length away, it was guessable from the start.
If Diana Gaboldon wrote Interview With a Vampire, this would be the book.
October 11, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for access to the e-arc
i wasted nine days of my life on this book. it started out so strong! i loved that it was pretentious and scholarly. the diary elements were right up my alley.
however, i could not get over the way these people in their late 20s were talking in present day. i am so sorry but i felt no difference between the present day chapters and the past chapters. i was soooo disconnected by the way the characters were acting. this whole book would have benefitted by taking place in the past.
the random conception chapters…. how convenient. omg terrible and i smelled it coming a mile away.
also i read almost 600 pages for THAT to be the ending…. no. i am so disappointed. this was so bad.
oh well. on to the next i guess.
i wasted nine days of my life on this book. it started out so strong! i loved that it was pretentious and scholarly. the diary elements were right up my alley.
however, i could not get over the way these people in their late 20s were talking in present day. i am so sorry but i felt no difference between the present day chapters and the past chapters. i was soooo disconnected by the way the characters were acting. this whole book would have benefitted by taking place in the past.
the random conception chapters…. how convenient. omg terrible and i smelled it coming a mile away.
also i read almost 600 pages for THAT to be the ending…. no. i am so disappointed. this was so bad.
oh well. on to the next i guess.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Elizabeth Kostova clearly knows how to create a Gothic atmosphere, and Mystery Play has that in spades. The old books, Dracula connections, theater history, international settings, mysterious deaths, and centuries-old secrets all work together to create exactly the kind of dark, elaborate atmosphere I was hoping for. The sections set in Italy and Ireland were especially effective, and those were easily my favorite parts of the novel.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere wasn't always enough to overcome the pacing. This is a long, sprawling mystery, and there were definitely stretches where I felt like the story was dragging rather than building momentum. I was also more interested in Jay's mother's story, which we get in tantalizing fragments, than I was in Jay's present-day investigation. Her history seemed to contain a more compelling mystery than the one Jay was actually trying to solve.
My bigger problem was that too many pieces of the backstory felt unfinished. There are questions about Jay's parentage, his grandparents, Riley's family, and what various characters knew that I kept expecting the novel to answer. Some ambiguity is perfectly appropriate in a Gothic mystery, but there is a difference between leaving a mystery deliberately unresolved and simply leaving me feeling like I missed a few pages. By the end, I still had questions that I thought needed actual answers for the story to feel complete.
So while I appreciated the rich atmosphere and the fascinating theater history, I found Mystery Play more successful as a Gothic mood piece and historical journey than as a tightly constructed mystery. There is a lot here for readers who enjoy slow-burning, atmospheric Gothic fiction, but I wanted the payoff to be stronger and the loose ends tied up more convincingly.
You can read my full literary analysis on my website at: https://writeontheworld.com/2026/10/0...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere wasn't always enough to overcome the pacing. This is a long, sprawling mystery, and there were definitely stretches where I felt like the story was dragging rather than building momentum. I was also more interested in Jay's mother's story, which we get in tantalizing fragments, than I was in Jay's present-day investigation. Her history seemed to contain a more compelling mystery than the one Jay was actually trying to solve.
My bigger problem was that too many pieces of the backstory felt unfinished. There are questions about Jay's parentage, his grandparents, Riley's family, and what various characters knew that I kept expecting the novel to answer. Some ambiguity is perfectly appropriate in a Gothic mystery, but there is a difference between leaving a mystery deliberately unresolved and simply leaving me feeling like I missed a few pages. By the end, I still had questions that I thought needed actual answers for the story to feel complete.
So while I appreciated the rich atmosphere and the fascinating theater history, I found Mystery Play more successful as a Gothic mood piece and historical journey than as a tightly constructed mystery. There is a lot here for readers who enjoy slow-burning, atmospheric Gothic fiction, but I wanted the payoff to be stronger and the loose ends tied up more convincingly.
You can read my full literary analysis on my website at: https://writeontheworld.com/2026/10/0...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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August 21, 2026The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing, publisher of Mystery Play.
‘Seamlessly blends history with the supernatural...an atmospheric mystery built around the Gilded Age of American theatre.’
Kirkus
‘Kostova’s dark tale delves into secret societies, obsession, and immortality, but also shows how far a mother’s love and protection can reach. Readers looking for an engrossing escape will find themselves transported.’
Booklist
‘Seamlessly blends history with the supernatural...an atmospheric mystery built around the Gilded Age of American theatre.’
Kirkus
‘Kostova’s dark tale delves into secret societies, obsession, and immortality, but also shows how far a mother’s love and protection can reach. Readers looking for an engrossing escape will find themselves transported.’
Booklist
October 20, 2026
Gothic story with Dracula and theater. I read the Historian a long time ago, really liked it although don't remember it, so was looking to to his book. Unfortunately, it was just mediocre. The pacing was off and was just too long.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the author’s previous work, and a book about Dracula should have been right up my alley. Unfortunately, I found my attention wandering more than once.
There were a lot of details that didn’t seem to add much to the plot, which isn’t something I particularly enjoy. I also struggled to connect with any of the characters, and ultimately, I think the book was simply a little too long. Even as a theatre fanatic, I eventually found the abundance of theatrical detail tiresome.
That said, the writing itself is flawless, and there were some genuinely deep and thought-provoking ideas throughout. Still, despite its strengths, I came away feeling a little disappointed.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Ballantine Books.
There were a lot of details that didn’t seem to add much to the plot, which isn’t something I particularly enjoy. I also struggled to connect with any of the characters, and ultimately, I think the book was simply a little too long. Even as a theatre fanatic, I eventually found the abundance of theatrical detail tiresome.
That said, the writing itself is flawless, and there were some genuinely deep and thought-provoking ideas throughout. Still, despite its strengths, I came away feeling a little disappointed.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Ballantine Books.
September 21, 2026
A 4.5/5 stars. Truly nearly perfect.
I have dearly loved The Historian for over 20 years and have read and reread it a dozen times or more in those two decades. It would be impossible to beat the 5/5 stars rating of The Historian.
Mystery play was truly marvelous. I started crying on the first page and every time after one of the original characters was introduced in this story. Loved learning about Jay, Riley, Helsa Grace, and everyone still tied to Brogan’s history. Love the epistolary format and I can’t wait to add the physical copy to my library. I think there is still space on my Dracula shelf!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Ballentine Books, and Elizabeth Kostova for this wonderful and long awaited sequel.
I have dearly loved The Historian for over 20 years and have read and reread it a dozen times or more in those two decades. It would be impossible to beat the 5/5 stars rating of The Historian.
Mystery play was truly marvelous. I started crying on the first page and every time after one of the original characters was introduced in this story. Loved learning about Jay, Riley, Helsa Grace, and everyone still tied to Brogan’s history. Love the epistolary format and I can’t wait to add the physical copy to my library. I think there is still space on my Dracula shelf!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Ballentine Books, and Elizabeth Kostova for this wonderful and long awaited sequel.
September 13, 2026
Happy Publication Day!!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I took a long time to mull over my feelings for this book before putting it all down in a review but I honestly still feel pretty conflicted. Let me explain.
I LOVED The Historian. Loved it a whole lot. I read that book at formative point in my life and it definitely helped shape me into the reader I am today. Which is why I was a little disappointed that Mystery Play seems to be…I’m not sure. A sequel? Technically? The same story with different characters? It didn’t feel like a new story and I spent a lot of my time going “Wait, I’m pretty sure that’s how it went in The Historian.”
I also found myself enjoying the chapters about Fern Quinn much more than the chapters with our MC. I almost wish the book had been just from Fern’s POV because that part of the story was gripping, chilling and oh-so-spooky.
Elizabeth Kostova has a beautiful writing style and I owe much of my identity as a reader to her. And while I don’t want to minimize that, this book felt messy and poorly paced a lot of the time. However, there were a lot of stand out moments and there were large chunks of the story that I genuinely enjoyed. I would say that, in this case, it comes down to personal preference rather than author ability. I fear I have just become rather persnickety and hard to please in my old age.
Thank you again to Netgalley for letting me read this early!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I took a long time to mull over my feelings for this book before putting it all down in a review but I honestly still feel pretty conflicted. Let me explain.
I LOVED The Historian. Loved it a whole lot. I read that book at formative point in my life and it definitely helped shape me into the reader I am today. Which is why I was a little disappointed that Mystery Play seems to be…I’m not sure. A sequel? Technically? The same story with different characters? It didn’t feel like a new story and I spent a lot of my time going “Wait, I’m pretty sure that’s how it went in The Historian.”
I also found myself enjoying the chapters about Fern Quinn much more than the chapters with our MC. I almost wish the book had been just from Fern’s POV because that part of the story was gripping, chilling and oh-so-spooky.
Elizabeth Kostova has a beautiful writing style and I owe much of my identity as a reader to her. And while I don’t want to minimize that, this book felt messy and poorly paced a lot of the time. However, there were a lot of stand out moments and there were large chunks of the story that I genuinely enjoyed. I would say that, in this case, it comes down to personal preference rather than author ability. I fear I have just become rather persnickety and hard to please in my old age.
Thank you again to Netgalley for letting me read this early!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This sequel to The Historian brings the same quest we loved with a new setting, characters, and chilling mystery. The end had me terrified (in the best way) and I loved the connection to The Historian without it being a repeat of that book. Definitely check it out if you're a Kostova fan!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was very excited for another book from Kostova, as I loved The Historian and have been anticipating this release; sadly, it was a bit of a disappointment. This book did not live up to that previous novel, though it was somewhat of a sequel to it. The characters were not as well developed, and there were times during the reading that it dragged and things were just told and explained instead of allowing the characters to develop. It was almost as if, at points in the book, there was too much she needed to happen and she spent too much time telling us facts. And, on the other hand, there were times where it seemed very repetitive, and I wanted the plot to move along a bit.
Toward the end of the book, James and Riley make a discovery about a character who, until that point, did not have much of a role in the book, and in fact, it seemed he had just disappeared = -perhaps died in the gruesome way that other characters died in this novel. But this character, all of a sudden, is playing an important role and helps to save the day. It didn't make plot sense. Also, there was too much time spent on James' mother's story in Italy, and it was pretty clear during that time what happened and why it was included, so the details were not needed, which brings me to the subject of the two buttons. What was the point of that part of the story? There are two places in the tale where a button shows up on the floor of a bedroom, and then the buttons disappear, and the characters find it disturbing, but nothing else is ever said about the buttons. It was an undeveloped plot point.
All in all, I was a bit disappointed, and I give this book 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Toward the end of the book, James and Riley make a discovery about a character who, until that point, did not have much of a role in the book, and in fact, it seemed he had just disappeared = -perhaps died in the gruesome way that other characters died in this novel. But this character, all of a sudden, is playing an important role and helps to save the day. It didn't make plot sense. Also, there was too much time spent on James' mother's story in Italy, and it was pretty clear during that time what happened and why it was included, so the details were not needed, which brings me to the subject of the two buttons. What was the point of that part of the story? There are two places in the tale where a button shows up on the floor of a bedroom, and then the buttons disappear, and the characters find it disturbing, but nothing else is ever said about the buttons. It was an undeveloped plot point.
All in all, I was a bit disappointed, and I give this book 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
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