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Tillinghast
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26A dark and utterly original literary horror debut, following a priest whose bloodthirsty life has extended far longer than any mere human's—and is upended when a stranger comes to town
Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life, ostensibly as the minister of a remote rural parish in Rhode Island. For many decades now, what little human contact he’s allowed himself has been brief, frenzied and bloody, and has always ended in a shallow grave in his cellar. There’s a name for what he is, but he prefers not to use it is simple enough that he has his needs, and that when they become unbearable, he fulfils them. In his long and lonely life, he has met only one other like him—the woman he still yearns for, the one who made him what he is.
Then a girl arrives, searching for him. She has his last name, and bears an uncanny resemblance to that woman, awakening memories Tillinghast had long suppressed; the connection he feels for her is immediate and overwhelming. She’s also sick, very sick, with symptoms Tillinghast recognizes all too well...and only he knows how to cure her.
Inspired by the real events of the New England vampire panic of the nineteenth century, Tillinghast is a novel to sink your teeth at once a gripping, atmospheric horror that turns the classic monster narrative on its head; a literary work of exceptional prose about giving into--or resisting--our impulses; and a remarkably moving father-daughter story that will leave you unexpectedly hopeful—and rooting, despite your every instinct, for the killers.
Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life, ostensibly as the minister of a remote rural parish in Rhode Island. For many decades now, what little human contact he’s allowed himself has been brief, frenzied and bloody, and has always ended in a shallow grave in his cellar. There’s a name for what he is, but he prefers not to use it is simple enough that he has his needs, and that when they become unbearable, he fulfils them. In his long and lonely life, he has met only one other like him—the woman he still yearns for, the one who made him what he is.
Then a girl arrives, searching for him. She has his last name, and bears an uncanny resemblance to that woman, awakening memories Tillinghast had long suppressed; the connection he feels for her is immediate and overwhelming. She’s also sick, very sick, with symptoms Tillinghast recognizes all too well...and only he knows how to cure her.
Inspired by the real events of the New England vampire panic of the nineteenth century, Tillinghast is a novel to sink your teeth at once a gripping, atmospheric horror that turns the classic monster narrative on its head; a literary work of exceptional prose about giving into--or resisting--our impulses; and a remarkably moving father-daughter story that will leave you unexpectedly hopeful—and rooting, despite your every instinct, for the killers.
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 23, 2026
19 people are currently reading
10091 people want to read
About the author
Clare Cavenagh
1 book36 followersClare Cavenagh spent her childhood in Erica, Australia, and her adolescence in Fribourg, Switzerland. She read English and then renaissance literature at the University of Cambridge, and now lives in London where she works as a copywriter. Her short fiction and criticism have been published in Editions L'Hèbe, Cambridge Quarterly and Eucalyptus Lit. Her first novel, TILLINGHAST, will be published in June 2026. She is currently working on her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 15, 2026
"Tillinghast inhaled through his nose, mostly fuel, but a little bit of soft, vegetal dampness. He could feel the potential of the movement in his hand. The band was wound, the energy was stored up, energy in his hand, in the match head, in the gasoline puddles on the floor and the volatile fumes in the air. No more actions were needed. He just had to let go. It was as easy as anything."
2.5.
I wanted to like this book soooo freaking bad. There's a review about Pride and Prejudice that says it's just about people going to each other's houses, and that's kind of how this novel felt to me. Nothing really happens. It's just the protagonist going from place to place.
Tillinghast kills a man within the first couple of pages, and through his letters his vampirism is explored, but not in the moment. So much more could've been expanded on, though it simply wasn't. I wish Tillinghast's relationship with Sarah would've been explored more.
The prose was easy to read, though a bit bland. Everything flowed smoothly, and I had a nice experience reading it—I just wish quite literally anything interesting would've happened. My expectations were a bit high, and unfortunately they weren't met.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
2.5.
I wanted to like this book soooo freaking bad. There's a review about Pride and Prejudice that says it's just about people going to each other's houses, and that's kind of how this novel felt to me. Nothing really happens. It's just the protagonist going from place to place.
Tillinghast kills a man within the first couple of pages, and through his letters his vampirism is explored, but not in the moment. So much more could've been expanded on, though it simply wasn't. I wish Tillinghast's relationship with Sarah would've been explored more.
The prose was easy to read, though a bit bland. Everything flowed smoothly, and I had a nice experience reading it—I just wish quite literally anything interesting would've happened. My expectations were a bit high, and unfortunately they weren't met.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 3, 2026
I assumed the stilted writing was due to translation issues, but nope, apparently it was an intentional choice. Huh.
DNF
ARC from netgalley
DNF
ARC from netgalley
Want to Read
March 23, 2026lol got an ARC of this but now i'm scared
April 20, 2026
A Man Called Ove if he was a vampire lolol
March 23, 2026
3.5* really. An interesting take on a familiar theme just thought it took a long time to get where it was going.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Extremely well written, just a little boring for me
May 6, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Per the publishers’ synopsis, “TILLINGHAST is a dark, atmospheric literary horror novel inspired by the real events of the 19th century New England vampire panic. It follows a solitary, ancient protagonist living as a minister in a remote Rhode Island parish, whose violent, hidden life is upended by the arrival of a young woman.”
Vampires have always been my favorite monster, so I was excited to read TILLINGHAST, my sixth vampire novel in four months. I liked the unique concept and looked forward to learning about the New England vampire panic, as well as Rhode Island. I loved the book cover design. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the novel.
The characters did not seem like fully realized individuals. There were notable inconsistencies, such as Tillinghast switching from a formal voice to “popping open” a car trunk. He wishes to go unnoticed and states he “hides by habit”, yet wears a priest’s collar, which would only draw attention to him. These are just a couple of examples.
There are numerous plot holes. It doesn’t make sense that Tillinghast lives in a house that is not wired for electricity, yet he drives a car. There is a scene that takes place in an ER waiting room that is implausible. The individual sitting behind the plexiglass who is an ER Register Clerk/Admitting Representative, not a nurse. They don’t have access to medical equipment, and they would certainly never give you a sample “because it’s disposable.”
I understand that this book is being published simultaneously in the UK and the US, but given that it is set in Rhode Island, it’s important that the vernacular reflect that. As an American reader, there were numerous times that I had to look up terminology that we don’t use in the US, such as “bitumen” (asphalt), “Perspex” (plexiglass), “pinboard” (bulletin board), and “singlet” (tank top).
The pace was too slow. There isn’t a strong sense of place. The storyline is fairly uneventful. The vampire mythos was confusing. These vampires are free to move about day and night, yet they spend a lot of time being sickly. It’s also unclear if Tillinghast was born a vampire or made a vampire.
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Thank you, Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with a complementary DRC of TILLINGHAST. All opinions are my own.
Vampires have always been my favorite monster, so I was excited to read TILLINGHAST, my sixth vampire novel in four months. I liked the unique concept and looked forward to learning about the New England vampire panic, as well as Rhode Island. I loved the book cover design. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the novel.
The characters did not seem like fully realized individuals. There were notable inconsistencies, such as Tillinghast switching from a formal voice to “popping open” a car trunk. He wishes to go unnoticed and states he “hides by habit”, yet wears a priest’s collar, which would only draw attention to him. These are just a couple of examples.
There are numerous plot holes. It doesn’t make sense that Tillinghast lives in a house that is not wired for electricity, yet he drives a car. There is a scene that takes place in an ER waiting room that is implausible. The individual sitting behind the plexiglass who is an ER Register Clerk/Admitting Representative, not a nurse. They don’t have access to medical equipment, and they would certainly never give you a sample “because it’s disposable.”
I understand that this book is being published simultaneously in the UK and the US, but given that it is set in Rhode Island, it’s important that the vernacular reflect that. As an American reader, there were numerous times that I had to look up terminology that we don’t use in the US, such as “bitumen” (asphalt), “Perspex” (plexiglass), “pinboard” (bulletin board), and “singlet” (tank top).
The pace was too slow. There isn’t a strong sense of place. The storyline is fairly uneventful. The vampire mythos was confusing. These vampires are free to move about day and night, yet they spend a lot of time being sickly. It’s also unclear if Tillinghast was born a vampire or made a vampire.
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Thank you, Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with a complementary DRC of TILLINGHAST. All opinions are my own.
Did Not Finish
April 14, 2026read about 50% of this - and i still couldn’t really tell you what the plot was
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚
3.5 ⭐️
"Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life, ostensibly as the minister of a remote rural parish in Rhode Island. For many decades now, what little human contact he’s allowed himself has been brief, frenzied and bloody, and has always ended in a shallow grave in his cellar."
I was so excited to recieve this ARC. I grew up in Rhode Island, and still live in New England. I've spent many late nights with friends trying to see if Mercy Brown's ghost would appear at her grave.
This book started off slow for me. Tillinghast's life is so routine and mundane that it almost leaks into the text. I had thought about DNFing it 7% in. I'm glad I decided to keep with it. It picks up when Sarah enters, and it kept me engaged for the rest of the story.
Ok, so I may be partial to any and everything written about New England. I may also love seeing names like Mystic, Beavertail, Fisherman's Memorial Park, etc. written in novels. This is also a story that everyone who grew up in Rhode Island knows by heart. The vampire panic of the late 1800's. Spurred on by the fear of death by consumption (tuberculosis) the graves of the Brown family were exhumed one by one when Mercy's brother said she visited him at night and sat on his chest. When they got to Mercy's grave its said that she was not in the state of decomposition that was expected. Her heart and liver were removed and burned to the point they were charcoal, mixed with water, and given to her brother to consume as a cure for vampirism. He died a few months later.
What if the story wasn't that simple though? What if there really was some truth the vampire panic? This novel explores that in a way that seamlessly blends the past with the present while adding in a love story/mystery that doesn't overshadow the gothic feel. I feel that this was a really strong debut novel, and I would definitely be interested in reading more writing by the author.
P.S. The only part that took me completely out of the story was the flashback about digging the graves up. The was a description of the sound of a "shovel slicing through damp earth". This is probably not something people who don't live in New England would even realize, but we have rocks, lots and lots of rocks. So many rocks that I have never once dug a hole and have heard a shovel slice through the ground. What you would hear is the ping of metal on stone and the crunching of stone as the shovel was slid around to wiggle past. Again if you aren't from New England this probably wouldnt even be on your radar, but it definitely was a detail that I picked up on.
I want to extend thanks to Clare Cavenagh, Viking Penguin, and Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for a review
3.5 ⭐️
"Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life, ostensibly as the minister of a remote rural parish in Rhode Island. For many decades now, what little human contact he’s allowed himself has been brief, frenzied and bloody, and has always ended in a shallow grave in his cellar."
I was so excited to recieve this ARC. I grew up in Rhode Island, and still live in New England. I've spent many late nights with friends trying to see if Mercy Brown's ghost would appear at her grave.
This book started off slow for me. Tillinghast's life is so routine and mundane that it almost leaks into the text. I had thought about DNFing it 7% in. I'm glad I decided to keep with it. It picks up when Sarah enters, and it kept me engaged for the rest of the story.
Ok, so I may be partial to any and everything written about New England. I may also love seeing names like Mystic, Beavertail, Fisherman's Memorial Park, etc. written in novels. This is also a story that everyone who grew up in Rhode Island knows by heart. The vampire panic of the late 1800's. Spurred on by the fear of death by consumption (tuberculosis) the graves of the Brown family were exhumed one by one when Mercy's brother said she visited him at night and sat on his chest. When they got to Mercy's grave its said that she was not in the state of decomposition that was expected. Her heart and liver were removed and burned to the point they were charcoal, mixed with water, and given to her brother to consume as a cure for vampirism. He died a few months later.
What if the story wasn't that simple though? What if there really was some truth the vampire panic? This novel explores that in a way that seamlessly blends the past with the present while adding in a love story/mystery that doesn't overshadow the gothic feel. I feel that this was a really strong debut novel, and I would definitely be interested in reading more writing by the author.
P.S. The only part that took me completely out of the story was the flashback about digging the graves up. The was a description of the sound of a "shovel slicing through damp earth". This is probably not something people who don't live in New England would even realize, but we have rocks, lots and lots of rocks. So many rocks that I have never once dug a hole and have heard a shovel slice through the ground. What you would hear is the ping of metal on stone and the crunching of stone as the shovel was slid around to wiggle past. Again if you aren't from New England this probably wouldnt even be on your radar, but it definitely was a detail that I picked up on.
I want to extend thanks to Clare Cavenagh, Viking Penguin, and Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for a review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After I finished reading Tillinghast, I immediately hopped over to Goodreads because I knew this one was going to ruffle some feathers. The lenses through which readers experience books always amazes me — the words on the page don’t change, but the way they hit us absolutely does. So I was dying to see what everyone thought.
One reviewer, a Rhode Islander with deep personal ties to the area’s 1800s vampire panic connected with the book on that level. Someone else compared it to A Man Called Ove, which I've never read, and said it’s basically that book… if Ove were a vampire. And another reader referenced a review of Pride and Prejudice that described it pretty much as “a novel about people going to each other’s houses,” and said: samesies. And there was one person who was hilariously hung up on all of the situational things that were completely unplausible, as if the fact that the main character was a vampire wasn't unplausible enough, haha.
As far as vampire lore goes, Tillinghast is definitely a slower burn. We spend most of the novel inside the mind of a man who has learned to quietly manage his urges and pass as a priest and caretaker of a sleepy, retired church. It’s a very internal, introspective take on the monster myth — one that humanizes him and leans into the emotional and psychological toll of his condition.
Everything shifts when he receives a call from a local hotel claiming that a woman named Sarah — calling herself his niece — is gravely ill and asking for him. He has no idea who she is, but curiosity gets the best of him, and he brings the nearly unconscious woman back to his home. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s no longer the only one of his kind… and he becomes determined to help her survive. Together, they begin unraveling the threads that bind them.
It’s cheeky, contemplative, and surprisingly tender, but also undeniably slow. The introspection works, for the most part, though the pacing sometimes drags the story down instead of deepening it.
In the end, Tillinghast is a thoughtful, offbeat twist on the vampire tale — not a new favorite, but a solid three‑star read with enough charm and melancholy to keep me turning the pages.
One reviewer, a Rhode Islander with deep personal ties to the area’s 1800s vampire panic connected with the book on that level. Someone else compared it to A Man Called Ove, which I've never read, and said it’s basically that book… if Ove were a vampire. And another reader referenced a review of Pride and Prejudice that described it pretty much as “a novel about people going to each other’s houses,” and said: samesies. And there was one person who was hilariously hung up on all of the situational things that were completely unplausible, as if the fact that the main character was a vampire wasn't unplausible enough, haha.
As far as vampire lore goes, Tillinghast is definitely a slower burn. We spend most of the novel inside the mind of a man who has learned to quietly manage his urges and pass as a priest and caretaker of a sleepy, retired church. It’s a very internal, introspective take on the monster myth — one that humanizes him and leans into the emotional and psychological toll of his condition.
Everything shifts when he receives a call from a local hotel claiming that a woman named Sarah — calling herself his niece — is gravely ill and asking for him. He has no idea who she is, but curiosity gets the best of him, and he brings the nearly unconscious woman back to his home. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s no longer the only one of his kind… and he becomes determined to help her survive. Together, they begin unraveling the threads that bind them.
It’s cheeky, contemplative, and surprisingly tender, but also undeniably slow. The introspection works, for the most part, though the pacing sometimes drags the story down instead of deepening it.
In the end, Tillinghast is a thoughtful, offbeat twist on the vampire tale — not a new favorite, but a solid three‑star read with enough charm and melancholy to keep me turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As clergymen go, Reverend Stutley Tillinghast is, shall we say, quite unorthodox. Nominally in charge of a rural parish in Rhode Island, previously ministered to by his ancestors, he is afflicted by an irresistible taste for blood, which makes him kill to live and live to kill. You might well call him a monster, except that he takes no pleasure in his hunting sprees and is, on the contrary, torn by guilt at what his body makes him do. And so Tillinghast plans his own death (not easy when you are what he is). Then his reality is upended by the arrival of a young woman who may or may not be a relative, and may or may not share his affliction.
As explained in the author’s note at the end, Clare Cavanagh’s debut novel is inspired by the vampire panic that seized New England in the 19th century. During a wave of cases of consumption, people started believing that their deceased relatives were returning from the grave to feed on the living. A famous case involved Mercy Brown in Rhode Island in 1892, whose body was exhumed during an outbreak that locals thought was being caused by vampirism. This historical episode is woven into a contemporary tale with roots in the historical past.
The particular inspiration for this novel gives Cavenagh the opportunity to write a vampire novel with a twist. Indeed, the reverend protagonist is never explicitly described as a “vampire” and lacks some of the more typical qualities of the literary undead. For instance, he does not seem to mind sunlight; he is not a mind-reader; and his frenzied attacks lack the eroticism of the typical “Old World” vampire, seeming closer to the behaviour of a werewolf. Ultimately, Tillinghast comes across as a weary anti-hero who needs to confront tough moral choices.
Tillinghast suffers from some plot gaps and narrative gear changes that ultimately leave the reader wanting. Yet the unusual take on the vampire myth, the weaving of elements of New England folklore, and the psychological and moral debates at the heart of this novel still make it a worthwhile and compelling debut.
3.5*
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
As explained in the author’s note at the end, Clare Cavanagh’s debut novel is inspired by the vampire panic that seized New England in the 19th century. During a wave of cases of consumption, people started believing that their deceased relatives were returning from the grave to feed on the living. A famous case involved Mercy Brown in Rhode Island in 1892, whose body was exhumed during an outbreak that locals thought was being caused by vampirism. This historical episode is woven into a contemporary tale with roots in the historical past.
The particular inspiration for this novel gives Cavenagh the opportunity to write a vampire novel with a twist. Indeed, the reverend protagonist is never explicitly described as a “vampire” and lacks some of the more typical qualities of the literary undead. For instance, he does not seem to mind sunlight; he is not a mind-reader; and his frenzied attacks lack the eroticism of the typical “Old World” vampire, seeming closer to the behaviour of a werewolf. Ultimately, Tillinghast comes across as a weary anti-hero who needs to confront tough moral choices.
Tillinghast suffers from some plot gaps and narrative gear changes that ultimately leave the reader wanting. Yet the unusual take on the vampire myth, the weaving of elements of New England folklore, and the psychological and moral debates at the heart of this novel still make it a worthwhile and compelling debut.
3.5*
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Stutley Tillinghast. Reverend Stutley Tillinghast. He is about as unreverential as it gets. He hunts, it’s a necessity and afterwards, there’s penitence. Now, he’s making an exit strategy. Then, most unexpectedly a young English girl comes into his life, she’s ill and extremely so. Tillinghast has seen her symptoms before, indeed, has experienced them and so knows what to do.
This story will not be for everyone as it’s undeniably dark, mysterious and very chilling. The writing is of a high-quality and this keeps me immersed in the storytelling. Infused into the strangeness of the plot is the story of him and Lena Browne whose name is the stuff of legend and rumour in this area of New England. The pacing is not fast, Stutley is telling his story and he’s taking his time in doing so. He gives his backstory, his interactions with Lena and to inform readers of his ghastly tale and the deeper it goes, the stranger it gets. It’s not especially graphic yet it’s obvious what’s happening annd the whys and wherefores soon become apparent and it has me transfixed. I like how things change and develop between Sarah and Tillinghast which is not expected given how things have been shaping up.
The strongest element of the book in my opinion, lies in the atmosphere created, it’s ghostly, ghastly and eerie with Tillinghast’s isolation and the isolated nature of its property and the church adding to this. Throughout there’s a palpable sense of unease, of off kilter oddness and at times a kind of weightless almost like an out of body experience is conveyed. Torment and turmoil are most apparent. Is there regret? Possibly.
Overall, I’d probably describe this tale which is based on real events in 19th century New England, as mild horror. It’s told at a languid pace but the high-quality writing has me engaged throughout.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction /The Borough Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
This story will not be for everyone as it’s undeniably dark, mysterious and very chilling. The writing is of a high-quality and this keeps me immersed in the storytelling. Infused into the strangeness of the plot is the story of him and Lena Browne whose name is the stuff of legend and rumour in this area of New England. The pacing is not fast, Stutley is telling his story and he’s taking his time in doing so. He gives his backstory, his interactions with Lena and to inform readers of his ghastly tale and the deeper it goes, the stranger it gets. It’s not especially graphic yet it’s obvious what’s happening annd the whys and wherefores soon become apparent and it has me transfixed. I like how things change and develop between Sarah and Tillinghast which is not expected given how things have been shaping up.
The strongest element of the book in my opinion, lies in the atmosphere created, it’s ghostly, ghastly and eerie with Tillinghast’s isolation and the isolated nature of its property and the church adding to this. Throughout there’s a palpable sense of unease, of off kilter oddness and at times a kind of weightless almost like an out of body experience is conveyed. Torment and turmoil are most apparent. Is there regret? Possibly.
Overall, I’d probably describe this tale which is based on real events in 19th century New England, as mild horror. It’s told at a languid pace but the high-quality writing has me engaged throughout.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction /The Borough Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Note for fellow horror readers: The Closet Door Rating System
Because I read mostly horror and psychological thrillers, my dark walk-in closet has become part of my review system. If a book is disturbing enough that I have to shut the closet door before bed so I’m not staring into the void during a midnight bathroom trip, it earns a 5/5 Closet Door rating. The lower the score, the safer I felt leaving it open… even if my husband “accidentally” did.
Closet Door Rating: 3/5 — Book Rating: 4/5
Inspired by the 19th-century New England Vampire Panic, Tillinghast follows Stutley Tillinghast, a man living a solitary and bloody existence due to a strange sickness. His quiet routine is disrupted when a woman named Sarah arrives carrying the same last name and the same affliction, forcing him to confront the long path that led him here.
Clare Cavenagh’s writing is deeply atmospheric, pulling you into the damp, decaying world of rural New England with vivid sensory detail. The novel opens strong, immediately immersing the reader in the brutality and isolation of Tillinghast’s life. His backstory is the most compelling part of the book and really drives the narrative forward. Tillinghast himself is a fascinating character. Despite how closed off he appears, his loneliness and desire for companionship quietly shape many of his choices.
The pacing slows once Sarah arrives, creating a few lulls in the middle, and the ending felt somewhat rushed compared to the careful buildup earlier in the story. Some developments resolve a bit too quickly.
Overall, this is a haunting and immersive gothic horror story about isolation and the powerful pull of human connection. The horror element is much more of that classic gothic building of dread and tension, and it sure does work well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Because I read mostly horror and psychological thrillers, my dark walk-in closet has become part of my review system. If a book is disturbing enough that I have to shut the closet door before bed so I’m not staring into the void during a midnight bathroom trip, it earns a 5/5 Closet Door rating. The lower the score, the safer I felt leaving it open… even if my husband “accidentally” did.
Closet Door Rating: 3/5 — Book Rating: 4/5
Inspired by the 19th-century New England Vampire Panic, Tillinghast follows Stutley Tillinghast, a man living a solitary and bloody existence due to a strange sickness. His quiet routine is disrupted when a woman named Sarah arrives carrying the same last name and the same affliction, forcing him to confront the long path that led him here.
Clare Cavenagh’s writing is deeply atmospheric, pulling you into the damp, decaying world of rural New England with vivid sensory detail. The novel opens strong, immediately immersing the reader in the brutality and isolation of Tillinghast’s life. His backstory is the most compelling part of the book and really drives the narrative forward. Tillinghast himself is a fascinating character. Despite how closed off he appears, his loneliness and desire for companionship quietly shape many of his choices.
The pacing slows once Sarah arrives, creating a few lulls in the middle, and the ending felt somewhat rushed compared to the careful buildup earlier in the story. Some developments resolve a bit too quickly.
Overall, this is a haunting and immersive gothic horror story about isolation and the powerful pull of human connection. The horror element is much more of that classic gothic building of dread and tension, and it sure does work well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book has an interesting and unique premise, and while it didn't 'hit the spot' for me, I was still intrigued to finish it until the end. It helped that I enjoyed Clare Cavenagh's writing.
This book was slow-paced, and my interest truly only peaked after the 60% mark. You are contained in a limited setting (mainly Tillinghast's house with the occasional visit to his past or Sarah's life in London) with an equally limited cast of characters. As I said, I only really got sucked in once Sarah started coming-to more and more.
Mr. Stutley Tillinghast is a miserable, sad, almost pathetic man - but!!! he is one that grew on me the more I learned about him, his childhood, and his subsequent 'pre' and 'post-Vampirism' life. Essentially, the man is lonely and needs a therapist :( He's just going through the motions of life, dulled and numb, until he encounters Sarah and begins to feel something akin to hope.
Sarah herself is someone who comes along trying to find him. Her mother is Lena Browne, a vampire that Tillinghast met briefly in his youth. She aptly abandons Sarah when she reaches adulthood, leaving Sarah to figure stuff out for herself... where she eventually ends up thinking Tillinghast may be her dad. Is he? idk. I don't think so, but why did Lena leave him n only him alive?? Cuz he was like her? mannn I just have so many q's!!
Will wrap up this review with just a snippet some of my questions: Who really is Lena Browne? Are these vampiric people born this way, based on what we heard in the book? Who is Sebastian and the reporter and how do they even connect??
All that's to say, I do enjoy how this was loosely based on the New England vampire panic back in the 18th/19th century. I had no idea this was a thing, and reading the blurb about it at the end was enjoyable.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
This book was slow-paced, and my interest truly only peaked after the 60% mark. You are contained in a limited setting (mainly Tillinghast's house with the occasional visit to his past or Sarah's life in London) with an equally limited cast of characters. As I said, I only really got sucked in once Sarah started coming-to more and more.
Mr. Stutley Tillinghast is a miserable, sad, almost pathetic man - but!!! he is one that grew on me the more I learned about him, his childhood, and his subsequent 'pre' and 'post-Vampirism' life. Essentially, the man is lonely and needs a therapist :( He's just going through the motions of life, dulled and numb, until he encounters Sarah and begins to feel something akin to hope.
Sarah herself is someone who comes along trying to find him. Her mother is Lena Browne, a vampire that Tillinghast met briefly in his youth. She aptly abandons Sarah when she reaches adulthood, leaving Sarah to figure stuff out for herself... where she eventually ends up thinking Tillinghast may be her dad. Is he? idk. I don't think so, but why did Lena leave him n only him alive?? Cuz he was like her? mannn I just have so many q's!!
Will wrap up this review with just a snippet some of my questions: Who really is Lena Browne? Are these vampiric people born this way, based on what we heard in the book? Who is Sebastian and the reporter and how do they even connect??
All that's to say, I do enjoy how this was loosely based on the New England vampire panic back in the 18th/19th century. I had no idea this was a thing, and reading the blurb about it at the end was enjoyable.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TILLINGHAST caught my eye on a list of vampire books, although the V word is never mentioned in the blurb. After I started reading this, I was no longer sure if it WAS a vampire book at all. I’ll let you figure that out for yourself, because the mystery of this book is what is so great about it 🩸 What I can tell you is this is classic gothic, inspired by the New England vampire panic in the 19th Century.
I gratefully received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review (Spoiler free).
Reverend Stanley Tillinghast lives a solitary life in present day, in a rural parish on Rhode Island. We know from the start that he is compelled to kill people. He’s got a lot of skeletons in the closet, and he seems to feel pretty bad about it. His routine is upended when a young girl from England turns up and claims to be his relative. How can that be? She’s very sick though. And he thinks he might know what to do about it.
From the first few pages I was hooked! This book isn’t super scary or especially gory, but the vibes are immaculate, and there are some creepy, tense and spooky moments. There are no gimmicks such as dual timelines, nothing feels hidden in a frustrating way, and the writing isn’t flowery, but the author describes every event and sensation in such vivid clarity, that I could tell immediately I was in safe hands. The mystery of who Tillinghast is, and what is going on is so fluidly revealed that I kept staying up far too late for “just one more chapter”. I was really intrigued by Tillinghast as a character, and rooted for him.
The only thing more that I wanted from this book is a few loose ends tied up. It might have been deliberate… it felt like a fully contained stand alone, but I guess there could be a prequel / sequel / spin off? If so I’ll be the first in the queue to get it because I wanted more to this story.
I gratefully received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review (Spoiler free).
Reverend Stanley Tillinghast lives a solitary life in present day, in a rural parish on Rhode Island. We know from the start that he is compelled to kill people. He’s got a lot of skeletons in the closet, and he seems to feel pretty bad about it. His routine is upended when a young girl from England turns up and claims to be his relative. How can that be? She’s very sick though. And he thinks he might know what to do about it.
From the first few pages I was hooked! This book isn’t super scary or especially gory, but the vibes are immaculate, and there are some creepy, tense and spooky moments. There are no gimmicks such as dual timelines, nothing feels hidden in a frustrating way, and the writing isn’t flowery, but the author describes every event and sensation in such vivid clarity, that I could tell immediately I was in safe hands. The mystery of who Tillinghast is, and what is going on is so fluidly revealed that I kept staying up far too late for “just one more chapter”. I was really intrigued by Tillinghast as a character, and rooted for him.
The only thing more that I wanted from this book is a few loose ends tied up. It might have been deliberate… it felt like a fully contained stand alone, but I guess there could be a prequel / sequel / spin off? If so I’ll be the first in the queue to get it because I wanted more to this story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 3.75 Rounded up
Tillinghast changes from a lonely man who hides from his monstrous nature into someone who confronts who he truly is and tries to act with compassion despite his curse. One of the aspects I appreciated most about the story is the complexity of the main character, Mr. Tillinghast. He is not simply portrayed as a monster; he still possesses a sense of humanity. His struggles with guilt, loneliness, and morality make him a layered and sympathetic figure. Because of these qualities we are given an interesting moral conflict, the battle between humanity and monstrous instinct.
Another strong element of the novel is its rich gothic atmosphere. The story builds a dark, eerie mood that fits the supernatural theme very effectively. The isolated setting and mysterious tone, combined with a suspenseful sense of mystery, help keep the reader engaged. The novel is also deeply introspective. Much of the narrative explores questions of morality, identity, and whether someone who has done terrible things can still choose compassion. Readers who enjoy character-driven gothic fiction will likely find this especially appealing.
However, the slow and reflective style may not appeal to everyone. The novel contains relatively little action, and some sections focus heavily on Tillinghast’s internal thoughts, which can make the pacing feel slow at times. In addition, a few of the side characters could have been developed further.
Overall, Tillinghast is a thoughtful, moody gothic story about loneliness and the struggle between human conscience and monstrous instinct. It’s best suited for readers who enjoy atmospheric horror and complex characters rather than fast-paced thrills.
Tillinghast changes from a lonely man who hides from his monstrous nature into someone who confronts who he truly is and tries to act with compassion despite his curse. One of the aspects I appreciated most about the story is the complexity of the main character, Mr. Tillinghast. He is not simply portrayed as a monster; he still possesses a sense of humanity. His struggles with guilt, loneliness, and morality make him a layered and sympathetic figure. Because of these qualities we are given an interesting moral conflict, the battle between humanity and monstrous instinct.
Another strong element of the novel is its rich gothic atmosphere. The story builds a dark, eerie mood that fits the supernatural theme very effectively. The isolated setting and mysterious tone, combined with a suspenseful sense of mystery, help keep the reader engaged. The novel is also deeply introspective. Much of the narrative explores questions of morality, identity, and whether someone who has done terrible things can still choose compassion. Readers who enjoy character-driven gothic fiction will likely find this especially appealing.
However, the slow and reflective style may not appeal to everyone. The novel contains relatively little action, and some sections focus heavily on Tillinghast’s internal thoughts, which can make the pacing feel slow at times. In addition, a few of the side characters could have been developed further.
Overall, Tillinghast is a thoughtful, moody gothic story about loneliness and the struggle between human conscience and monstrous instinct. It’s best suited for readers who enjoy atmospheric horror and complex characters rather than fast-paced thrills.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Inspired by true events during the New England vampire event of the 19th century, Stutley Tillinghast has been living a solitary, bloody lifestyle. Alone until a woman comes searching for him, bearing the same last name and the same sickness that plagues him.
Upon her arrival, #Tillinghast takes us down the winding path of his past—where he came from, his family, and how he became the monster he is now. His desire to end the wicked pattern he’s been living slowly slips away as he spends more time with his unexpected guest.
Clare Cavenagh writes beautifully as she takes us through this dark, twisted world, becoming immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells.
The novel starts off strong, diving right into the dark and gore of Tillinghast’s life. It slows down a bit upon the arrival of Sarah, maybe showing how Tillinghast had little awareness of time until now—how time didn’t matter until now. Tillinghast’s backstory is captivating and the driving force of the story.
I overall enjoyed this book, even though there were a few lulls throughout. I felt the ending was a little rushed—or that it was like “okay, moving on.” Some things were sort of easily accepted and brushed over.
I also loved Tillinghast’s dynamic character—how closed off he seems only because of the unnatural forces keeping him from others. He perfectly demonstrates how the desire for companionship—no matter what form—can trump all else.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves haunting and dark stories that captivate the senses and transform the world around you.
Thank you #NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.
Upon her arrival, #Tillinghast takes us down the winding path of his past—where he came from, his family, and how he became the monster he is now. His desire to end the wicked pattern he’s been living slowly slips away as he spends more time with his unexpected guest.
Clare Cavenagh writes beautifully as she takes us through this dark, twisted world, becoming immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells.
The novel starts off strong, diving right into the dark and gore of Tillinghast’s life. It slows down a bit upon the arrival of Sarah, maybe showing how Tillinghast had little awareness of time until now—how time didn’t matter until now. Tillinghast’s backstory is captivating and the driving force of the story.
I overall enjoyed this book, even though there were a few lulls throughout. I felt the ending was a little rushed—or that it was like “okay, moving on.” Some things were sort of easily accepted and brushed over.
I also loved Tillinghast’s dynamic character—how closed off he seems only because of the unnatural forces keeping him from others. He perfectly demonstrates how the desire for companionship—no matter what form—can trump all else.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves haunting and dark stories that captivate the senses and transform the world around you.
Thank you #NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
How is this a debut novel? I loved it *so* much, and was immediately sucked into the world of this Rhode Island vampire-adjacent man. It was a character study that also somehow moved so quickly that the end of each chapter left me promising myself "just one more" until the early hours of the morning.
There was something so absolutely delicious about Cavenaugh's writing. The verbs she chooses are so descriptive in the most surprising ways sometimes. One sentence described fire as "herniating" through a window – what a perfect visual, especially paired with some of the body horror that a vampire-adjacent book is wont to have.
I also found the premise of this lonely man incredibly interesting in the same vein as the creation of Frankenstein's monster/the Bride of Frankenstein. Tillinghast has been so alone (and almost entirely silent as a result) for so long his voice is whispery, so when he meets this person who he thinks he might share some connection with, it's incredibly interesting to watch his internal dialogue as he thinks through the ethics of his choices.
I loved how the book flips between his confession, his present day telling of events, and Sarah's perspective of those same events.
For me, this has been the most interesting vampire book to come out since Vampires of El Norte. It sits perfectly at the intersection of horror and litfic, and was such a great time.
Thank you to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. Can't wait to add a physical copy to my collection.
There was something so absolutely delicious about Cavenaugh's writing. The verbs she chooses are so descriptive in the most surprising ways sometimes. One sentence described fire as "herniating" through a window – what a perfect visual, especially paired with some of the body horror that a vampire-adjacent book is wont to have.
I also found the premise of this lonely man incredibly interesting in the same vein as the creation of Frankenstein's monster/the Bride of Frankenstein. Tillinghast has been so alone (and almost entirely silent as a result) for so long his voice is whispery, so when he meets this person who he thinks he might share some connection with, it's incredibly interesting to watch his internal dialogue as he thinks through the ethics of his choices.
I loved how the book flips between his confession, his present day telling of events, and Sarah's perspective of those same events.
For me, this has been the most interesting vampire book to come out since Vampires of El Norte. It sits perfectly at the intersection of horror and litfic, and was such a great time.
Thank you to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. Can't wait to add a physical copy to my collection.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A vampire story with a twist. Or rather, this isn't a romantasy with hunky men and heaving bosoms. (I don't read it so apologies if I've got everything wrong).
Stutley Tillinghast believes he is the last of his line. He is much older than he looks and he is tired of the life, tired of the needs he cannot control and tired of the killing. He is also concerned that people are taking notice, asking questions he will not answer.
As he writes a final confession and makes plans to end everything he gets a phone call asking him to pick up a girl from a nearby hotel. She has been asking about him and shares his name. But exactly who is Sarah Tillinghast and will she bring comfort to the lonely man or simply more trouble?
Tillinghast isnt particularly horrifying as such. It feels much more like a novel describing a "real" vampire and how they would live hundreds of years, avoiding detection whilst still needing to feed.
The whole novel is dark and forbidding. There is nothing attractive about Stutley and Sarah is portrayed as understandably bewildered and afraid by what she finds out.
The novel could have benefited from a little more lightness but it did feel honest and believable (or as honest and believable as a vampire book can get). It reminded me of the more prosaic parts of Vampire Tapestry by Anne Rice, which is the only other book about about vampires that I've actually thought "well I could see that being possible".
I would recommend this book for anyone who prefers less gory horror. Do not expect attractive young people simply dying (sorry) to be introduced to a vampire. I liked it. It was cleverly done.
Thankyou to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the digital review copy.
Stutley Tillinghast believes he is the last of his line. He is much older than he looks and he is tired of the life, tired of the needs he cannot control and tired of the killing. He is also concerned that people are taking notice, asking questions he will not answer.
As he writes a final confession and makes plans to end everything he gets a phone call asking him to pick up a girl from a nearby hotel. She has been asking about him and shares his name. But exactly who is Sarah Tillinghast and will she bring comfort to the lonely man or simply more trouble?
Tillinghast isnt particularly horrifying as such. It feels much more like a novel describing a "real" vampire and how they would live hundreds of years, avoiding detection whilst still needing to feed.
The whole novel is dark and forbidding. There is nothing attractive about Stutley and Sarah is portrayed as understandably bewildered and afraid by what she finds out.
The novel could have benefited from a little more lightness but it did feel honest and believable (or as honest and believable as a vampire book can get). It reminded me of the more prosaic parts of Vampire Tapestry by Anne Rice, which is the only other book about about vampires that I've actually thought "well I could see that being possible".
I would recommend this book for anyone who prefers less gory horror. Do not expect attractive young people simply dying (sorry) to be introduced to a vampire. I liked it. It was cleverly done.
Thankyou to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the digital review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | The Borough Press for providing me with the ARC.
Pub Date 4 Jun 2026
I fell in love with the cover, it’s simply one of the most beautiful covers ever. But I’m sad to say that the book itself was a bit of a letdown. I loved the different approach to the vampire subgenre of horror, how Tillinghast is not named the thing that he is. It adds to the mystery, although you clearly know what is happening. But the main issue for me was the pacing of the story, it was painfully slow. This is more of a historical novel that takes part in our modern times. I was highly intrigued by the confession that Tullinghast was writing and if the book was presented solely that way, I would have liked it better, no doubt. At times the narrative really dragged, there were sentences describing every little action the character took to do simple tasks and the constant questions the characters were asking themselves started to bother me by the end. I just don’t like this type of writing. And the biggest negative for me was a time discrepancy that was not explained and it was one of the main mysteries of the plot. I won’t get into this, because it is a spoiler, but it was unsatisfying not knowing how exactly this “relationship” was possible. I am still interested in Clare Cavenagh’s future works. Read this novel if you love slower paced historical fiction with dark and disturbing elements.
Pub Date 4 Jun 2026
I fell in love with the cover, it’s simply one of the most beautiful covers ever. But I’m sad to say that the book itself was a bit of a letdown. I loved the different approach to the vampire subgenre of horror, how Tillinghast is not named the thing that he is. It adds to the mystery, although you clearly know what is happening. But the main issue for me was the pacing of the story, it was painfully slow. This is more of a historical novel that takes part in our modern times. I was highly intrigued by the confession that Tullinghast was writing and if the book was presented solely that way, I would have liked it better, no doubt. At times the narrative really dragged, there were sentences describing every little action the character took to do simple tasks and the constant questions the characters were asking themselves started to bother me by the end. I just don’t like this type of writing. And the biggest negative for me was a time discrepancy that was not explained and it was one of the main mysteries of the plot. I won’t get into this, because it is a spoiler, but it was unsatisfying not knowing how exactly this “relationship” was possible. I am still interested in Clare Cavenagh’s future works. Read this novel if you love slower paced historical fiction with dark and disturbing elements.
March 17, 2026
*Review based on an ARC ebook copy courtesy of NetGalley and Viking Press*
Tillinghast was an interesting story. I wanted to love it, as I felt the description was captivating. In reality, I felt pretty neutral about it. It is well-written, and the author captures the gothic and bleak tones well. The plot has a lot of potential, but ultimately I feel like the author missed some opportunities in the story. Within the first few pages, we already see Stutley Tillinghast in the throes of his secret desires, but the way the author has chosen to portray the story and the way the story is meant to unfold, you end up with my questions than answers.
I did enjoy the way the author chose not to name what Tillinghast is. It is implied, and the more you learn, the more you begin to unpack what/who he is, but that mysterious unnamed monster in him really adds to the gothic nature of this story.
Probably the biggest negative for me was a time discrepancy that was never explained and it was one of the biggest mysteries in the plot. I don’t like posting spoiler reviews, but it felt very incomplete not knowing how this relationship and the fruits of such was possible.
I would definitely read more of Clare Cavenagh in the future, but this book did fall short of my expectations. If slow paced gothic historical fiction is your thing, read this!
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Tillinghast was an interesting story. I wanted to love it, as I felt the description was captivating. In reality, I felt pretty neutral about it. It is well-written, and the author captures the gothic and bleak tones well. The plot has a lot of potential, but ultimately I feel like the author missed some opportunities in the story. Within the first few pages, we already see Stutley Tillinghast in the throes of his secret desires, but the way the author has chosen to portray the story and the way the story is meant to unfold, you end up with my questions than answers.
I did enjoy the way the author chose not to name what Tillinghast is. It is implied, and the more you learn, the more you begin to unpack what/who he is, but that mysterious unnamed monster in him really adds to the gothic nature of this story.
Probably the biggest negative for me was a time discrepancy that was never explained and it was one of the biggest mysteries in the plot. I don’t like posting spoiler reviews, but it felt very incomplete not knowing how this relationship and the fruits of such was possible.
I would definitely read more of Clare Cavenagh in the future, but this book did fall short of my expectations. If slow paced gothic historical fiction is your thing, read this!
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
3/5 stars overall
Tillinghast is, at it's core, a vampire book. because of this, and because "literary horror" is typically the only kind of literary narrative i can tear through, i really expected this to be a quick and thought provoking read.
i think that this book was not for me. the narrative meanders and feels kind of pointless at times, and Tillinghast (the main character) is the most bland character in the novel. Sarah's sections were much more interesting in my opinion, and i found myself disappointed whenever we inevitably returned to focusing on Tillinghast again. i also don't think that the narratives of Sarah and Tillinghast seem distinct enough, as both kind of read as vaguely british even though Tillinghast has primarily resided in new england.
i felt like sections of this book were overwritten while questions still remained--i will try to convey this without giving away any plot details. at one point, a blood transfusion is needed, and we get laborious detail regarding how the materials for this are obtained,inserting the needle and cannula, and the timing of each medical procedure, but the fact that this blood could not have been refrigerated for days is ignored.
i think that readers that enjoy very slow-burn horror and can't handle much gore would enjoy reading this, but that is the opposite of my taste when it comes to horror.
3/5 stars overall
Tillinghast is, at it's core, a vampire book. because of this, and because "literary horror" is typically the only kind of literary narrative i can tear through, i really expected this to be a quick and thought provoking read.
i think that this book was not for me. the narrative meanders and feels kind of pointless at times, and Tillinghast (the main character) is the most bland character in the novel. Sarah's sections were much more interesting in my opinion, and i found myself disappointed whenever we inevitably returned to focusing on Tillinghast again. i also don't think that the narratives of Sarah and Tillinghast seem distinct enough, as both kind of read as vaguely british even though Tillinghast has primarily resided in new england.
i felt like sections of this book were overwritten while questions still remained--i will try to convey this without giving away any plot details. at one point, a blood transfusion is needed, and we get laborious detail regarding how the materials for this are obtained,inserting the needle and cannula, and the timing of each medical procedure, but the fact that this blood could not have been refrigerated for days is ignored.
i think that readers that enjoy very slow-burn horror and can't handle much gore would enjoy reading this, but that is the opposite of my taste when it comes to horror.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
Reverend Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life in a remote area of Rhode Island. When overcome by his needs, he does what is necessary. The result is always another body in his cellar graveyard.
Haunted by what he is and what he does, Stutley hides from what makes him a monster; he questions who and what he is as he battles between his nature and his humanity.
What lies ahead for the tortured man?
=========
Inspired by real events of the vampire panic in New England during the nineteenth century, “Tillinghast” gives readers a distinctly unique look at a vampire and at the life he leads. There is horror here, but it is rather restrained. Readers may find themselves feeling a bit of sympathy for the reverend as his backstory reveals the details of his life and showcases both his anguish and his loneliness.
There is an undercurrent of apprehension throughout the story; it is both dark and disturbing. However, the unfolding tale captivates even as it haunts; those who enjoy vampire tales are likely to appreciate this unique take on the genre.
Readers who enjoy mysteries, vampire tales, and unusual explorations of situations are likely to find much to appreciate here.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Viking Penguin / Viking and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tillinghast #NetGalley
Reverend Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life in a remote area of Rhode Island. When overcome by his needs, he does what is necessary. The result is always another body in his cellar graveyard.
Haunted by what he is and what he does, Stutley hides from what makes him a monster; he questions who and what he is as he battles between his nature and his humanity.
What lies ahead for the tortured man?
=========
Inspired by real events of the vampire panic in New England during the nineteenth century, “Tillinghast” gives readers a distinctly unique look at a vampire and at the life he leads. There is horror here, but it is rather restrained. Readers may find themselves feeling a bit of sympathy for the reverend as his backstory reveals the details of his life and showcases both his anguish and his loneliness.
There is an undercurrent of apprehension throughout the story; it is both dark and disturbing. However, the unfolding tale captivates even as it haunts; those who enjoy vampire tales are likely to appreciate this unique take on the genre.
Readers who enjoy mysteries, vampire tales, and unusual explorations of situations are likely to find much to appreciate here.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Viking Penguin / Viking and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tillinghast #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm sorry to say it, but this was an extremely tough read for me. I had high expectations and I thought this would be a great read for me, but I honestly had to force myself to continuously pick this up. It became a chore instead of a pleasure.
The pace is so, so, so slow. The start was promising. We very quickly see Tillinghast's vampire nature within the first handful of pages, but after that it completely dropped off. The writing, while not poor, felt incredibly bland to me. The characters felt flat, the story felt flat, and nothing of true substance happened within this whole book. A lot of this book is written from the past and I think that furthered my feeling of disconnect to the characters and the overall story.
I thought with Sarah's integration into the story that the plot would finally pick up, but instead it just added to the repetitive and bland nature of this book. For far too many pages, we were constantly told about Sarah's "treatment" and suffering in bed. This was one of the hardest sections of the book to get through.
Seeing as though this is within the "gothic" genre, I was expecting a slower paced story, but nothing like what I received here. The atmosphere that I normally see within the gothic genre was absent here. Maybe this book will resonate with you, but it certainly did not with me. Onto the next vampire horror novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The pace is so, so, so slow. The start was promising. We very quickly see Tillinghast's vampire nature within the first handful of pages, but after that it completely dropped off. The writing, while not poor, felt incredibly bland to me. The characters felt flat, the story felt flat, and nothing of true substance happened within this whole book. A lot of this book is written from the past and I think that furthered my feeling of disconnect to the characters and the overall story.
I thought with Sarah's integration into the story that the plot would finally pick up, but instead it just added to the repetitive and bland nature of this book. For far too many pages, we were constantly told about Sarah's "treatment" and suffering in bed. This was one of the hardest sections of the book to get through.
Seeing as though this is within the "gothic" genre, I was expecting a slower paced story, but nothing like what I received here. The atmosphere that I normally see within the gothic genre was absent here. Maybe this book will resonate with you, but it certainly did not with me. Onto the next vampire horror novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a bit light on horror in my opinion, but I still found Tillinghast to be entertaining. In tone and premise this reminded me a lot of The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland, but I think the page count here was more appropriate for the pacing. The main character leads a very solitary life as a sort of self-inflicted punishment for what he is, so the beginning is a little light on action other than his murder routine. While I don't think it's for everyone, I liked that a lot of things were left unanswered as to how the vampirism here works. It makes sense that we don't get to understand something the characters themselves have no answers for, so I'll allow the ambiguity to an extent.
I think for me what would have fleshed this out more is greater depth on his early life pre-vampirism, as this is limited to short excerpts of his written life story. The parts that focus on the New England vampire panic were really interesting, and I wish we got more of this so we could expand his character a bit. I warmed up to him more once Sarah comes into the picture; their relationship was oddly heartwarming to watch develop. If this were any longer I think I'd expect more questions answered, but overall I enjoyed the character development and the particulars of the vampirisim so I think I'd give this 4.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.
I think for me what would have fleshed this out more is greater depth on his early life pre-vampirism, as this is limited to short excerpts of his written life story. The parts that focus on the New England vampire panic were really interesting, and I wish we got more of this so we could expand his character a bit. I warmed up to him more once Sarah comes into the picture; their relationship was oddly heartwarming to watch develop. If this were any longer I think I'd expect more questions answered, but overall I enjoyed the character development and the particulars of the vampirisim so I think I'd give this 4.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐
As someone who is a big fan of vampires and their mythos I found this to be an interesting read. I loved the inclusion of the New England vampire folklore and origins, which I haven’t often seen in other vampire novels. Though the word “vampire” is never said in this story, it’s interesting to read about the characters’ physical condition and draw your own conclusions. Similar to the condition of vampirism in this book, the author leaves a lot of things for the reader to speculate on their own, which may unfortunately leave many people wanting more from the story.
The story was a bit slow-paced and though not a lot happened in the plot, it managed to keep me interested though the entire book. The story is mainly told from the perspective of Reverend Stutley Tillinghast, a dejected vampire set on ending his own life until Sarah appears. From there the story unfolds as he searches for ways to care for her and reflects on his past. The writing is pretty straightforward and very atmospheric; it creates a dark, unsettling mood that complements the setting very well.
I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to others who enjoy vampire folklore and gothic fiction, though it may not be for you if you prefer highly-eventful or fast-paced stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who is a big fan of vampires and their mythos I found this to be an interesting read. I loved the inclusion of the New England vampire folklore and origins, which I haven’t often seen in other vampire novels. Though the word “vampire” is never said in this story, it’s interesting to read about the characters’ physical condition and draw your own conclusions. Similar to the condition of vampirism in this book, the author leaves a lot of things for the reader to speculate on their own, which may unfortunately leave many people wanting more from the story.
The story was a bit slow-paced and though not a lot happened in the plot, it managed to keep me interested though the entire book. The story is mainly told from the perspective of Reverend Stutley Tillinghast, a dejected vampire set on ending his own life until Sarah appears. From there the story unfolds as he searches for ways to care for her and reflects on his past. The writing is pretty straightforward and very atmospheric; it creates a dark, unsettling mood that complements the setting very well.
I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to others who enjoy vampire folklore and gothic fiction, though it may not be for you if you prefer highly-eventful or fast-paced stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A slow, sprawling read about a reverend recounting his eternal life as a monster while handling the unexpected visit from a woman with his last name. This novel tackles the interesting side to vampirism and eternal life that I find more compelling than the usual escapades vampires get up to. With the the monsterous mysticism comes the downside of having to live every day unchanging, unable to age or grow. Seeing how Tillinghast is handling it is how I imagine it would end up eventually, unfeeling and barely able to expend the energy to care beyond feeding yourself. It's close to a vampiric depression in a way. It's also interesting to see how he responds to having his rolling, unbroken days interrupted by this woman showing up practically on his doorstep.
This novel feels like the weather where I live: slow, hot, and languid. It has stilted, older language that ages the novel, like it actually was written by someone from 150 years ago and helps you connect more with Tillinghast himself.
Sarah herself, the mysterious woman, is fascinating on her own as well with how she is handling everything thrown at her. I would love to see even more of her than this novel, I really enjoyed her and her thoughts.
Thank you NetGalley for this early copy!
This novel feels like the weather where I live: slow, hot, and languid. It has stilted, older language that ages the novel, like it actually was written by someone from 150 years ago and helps you connect more with Tillinghast himself.
Sarah herself, the mysterious woman, is fascinating on her own as well with how she is handling everything thrown at her. I would love to see even more of her than this novel, I really enjoyed her and her thoughts.
Thank you NetGalley for this early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I really liked this! Thank you to Viking and Edelweiss for the e-ARC.
This is a literary horror that definitely leans more literary. The story follows a reclusive reverend, Tillinghast, who has quite a few shallowly buried secrets in his cellar.
One day he gets a phone call from a local hotel. There is a mysterious girl there who has been looking for him and she shares his last name. But she is incredibly sick. She’s so unwell she’s unresponsive and the hotel wants her to be taken away to get some help. So Tillinghast takes this mysterious girl home with him where he can cure her.
This is a very unique vampire story that is very subtle. Psychological. This one quietly sneaks up on you and haunts you quietly from behind. It’s less about jump scares and way more about the atmospheric dread, the tension that builds and the questions that arise as the character’s stories are told.
The prose is great! Cavenagh writes directly. It’s quiet but heavy. This takes place in New England, in Rhode Island, but she does use some British words like ‘car park’ instead of ‘parking lot’, but it’s very readable. I think this is a great, solid debut and I’m absolutely on board for the next book from this new author.
This is a literary horror that definitely leans more literary. The story follows a reclusive reverend, Tillinghast, who has quite a few shallowly buried secrets in his cellar.
One day he gets a phone call from a local hotel. There is a mysterious girl there who has been looking for him and she shares his last name. But she is incredibly sick. She’s so unwell she’s unresponsive and the hotel wants her to be taken away to get some help. So Tillinghast takes this mysterious girl home with him where he can cure her.
This is a very unique vampire story that is very subtle. Psychological. This one quietly sneaks up on you and haunts you quietly from behind. It’s less about jump scares and way more about the atmospheric dread, the tension that builds and the questions that arise as the character’s stories are told.
The prose is great! Cavenagh writes directly. It’s quiet but heavy. This takes place in New England, in Rhode Island, but she does use some British words like ‘car park’ instead of ‘parking lot’, but it’s very readable. I think this is a great, solid debut and I’m absolutely on board for the next book from this new author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
High hopes... were not met. The writing keeps you at an emotional remove from the characters and I didn't feel like I knew or cared for any of them. Not much happens but there is also not much beneath the surface.
Stutley Tillinghast is the minister of a seemingly closed parish in Rhode Island. He also kills people and buries them in his basement. He is a vampire, but he and the novel avoid this word, instead reiterating hints towards his nature so much that I wish they had just come out and said it. The vampire that made him is the only other one he has met, and since she left, he has lived a long and lonely existence and changed his name when required every few decades. He has always hoped she would one day return, so when a girl arrives looking a lot like her with Tillinghast's last name, with symptoms Tillinghast knows well, he cures her the way he learned to, as he writes his story with all of his resurfaced memories.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Stutley Tillinghast is the minister of a seemingly closed parish in Rhode Island. He also kills people and buries them in his basement. He is a vampire, but he and the novel avoid this word, instead reiterating hints towards his nature so much that I wish they had just come out and said it. The vampire that made him is the only other one he has met, and since she left, he has lived a long and lonely existence and changed his name when required every few decades. He has always hoped she would one day return, so when a girl arrives looking a lot like her with Tillinghast's last name, with symptoms Tillinghast knows well, he cures her the way he learned to, as he writes his story with all of his resurfaced memories.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
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