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The Red Sacrament
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26A savage, hypnotic dive into the lives and deaths of a coven of vampires living in 19th Century Paris, perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Laura Purcell and Elizabeth Kostova
Paris, 1869. The Théâtre Saint-Siméon is the place to be, if you can get in. The black slips of paper that guarantee entry are rare and highly desired, and given only to certain persons. The actors on stage are magnetic and ageless, performing only at midnight and never seen during the day…
Arnault and his clan of vampires have survived for as long as they have by observing a rigid set of rules. At night, they perform on stage at the Théâtre Saint-Siméon, picking off just enough people in the audience to survive. But they understand the city, and how to live in it without being noticed.
Their peace is shattered first with a visit from Béatrice, a witch who forms a strange connection to Arnault; then with the arrival of Victor de Rouvray and his sister Françoise, vampires from a very different world. And, as Arnault grows closer and closer to the beautiful, enigmatic Victor, he risks becoming distracted from the constant bickering of his immortal friends, from the daily running of the theatre, and worse, from the premonitions of blood, death and starvation that he receives at night.
For a terrible change is on the horizon, revolt and revolution are brewing in the streets and soon, the city, and Arnault will never be the same again.
Paris, 1869. The Théâtre Saint-Siméon is the place to be, if you can get in. The black slips of paper that guarantee entry are rare and highly desired, and given only to certain persons. The actors on stage are magnetic and ageless, performing only at midnight and never seen during the day…
Arnault and his clan of vampires have survived for as long as they have by observing a rigid set of rules. At night, they perform on stage at the Théâtre Saint-Siméon, picking off just enough people in the audience to survive. But they understand the city, and how to live in it without being noticed.
Their peace is shattered first with a visit from Béatrice, a witch who forms a strange connection to Arnault; then with the arrival of Victor de Rouvray and his sister Françoise, vampires from a very different world. And, as Arnault grows closer and closer to the beautiful, enigmatic Victor, he risks becoming distracted from the constant bickering of his immortal friends, from the daily running of the theatre, and worse, from the premonitions of blood, death and starvation that he receives at night.
For a terrible change is on the horizon, revolt and revolution are brewing in the streets and soon, the city, and Arnault will never be the same again.
512 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 7, 2026
766 people want to read
About the author
Sara Hinkley
1 book10 followersI'm a costume designer and writer living in Brooklyn, NY. I work primarily in TV & film, with a background in theatre, dance, and opera. I started writing during COVID when the industry shut down, and I'm still at it! :)
The Red Sacrament is my first novel. See my bookshelves 'the-red-sacrament-research' for what i read to write it, and 'the-red-sacrament-inspiration' for some of my favorites that lit a spark, or showed the way.
The Red Sacrament is my first novel. See my bookshelves 'the-red-sacrament-research' for what i read to write it, and 'the-red-sacrament-inspiration' for some of my favorites that lit a spark, or showed the way.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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December 14, 2025they could've at least tried to file the serial numbers off. arnault sounds an awful lot like armand 🤔🤔
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lovingly crafted with scrupulous historical research and beautiful, arresting use of language. Hinkley works at the axis of passion and intelligence—her erudite curiosity for history, the arts, industry, and the sociopolitical philosophies of the time show in every word, creating an incantation that summons late 19th century Paris in charged, vivid detail.
Like all exceptional theatre, The Red Sacrament is profoundly imaginative, startlingly erotic, exquisitely clever, and above all deeply entertaining. The most consequential and necessary vampire book of this generation and simply one of the most impressive literary debuts you will ever read. Truly and fully a sublime masterpiece.
Thank you to Titan Books and Sara Hinkley for an advanced reader copy.
Like all exceptional theatre, The Red Sacrament is profoundly imaginative, startlingly erotic, exquisitely clever, and above all deeply entertaining. The most consequential and necessary vampire book of this generation and simply one of the most impressive literary debuts you will ever read. Truly and fully a sublime masterpiece.
Thank you to Titan Books and Sara Hinkley for an advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I blurbed this book! Here's what I said:
"Vampire fans, rejoice! A new successor to the throne of Anne Rice has arrived! With lush, sensual prose and authentic period detail, Sara Hinkley transports us to historical France on the jagged edge of the Belle Époque, where dark delights await anyone with the courage to accept the invitation. Let The Red Sacrament take you behind the curtain--it has such sights to show you!"
"Vampire fans, rejoice! A new successor to the throne of Anne Rice has arrived! With lush, sensual prose and authentic period detail, Sara Hinkley transports us to historical France on the jagged edge of the Belle Époque, where dark delights await anyone with the courage to accept the invitation. Let The Red Sacrament take you behind the curtain--it has such sights to show you!"
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A luxurious slowburn horror ideally read by guttered candlelight.
This book was written for readers like me who want beauty and horror, romance and betrayal, friendship and death wrapped neatly in prose that's made to die for.
A totally stunning debut. I can't wait to see how Sara Hinkley awes us next.
This book was written for readers like me who want beauty and horror, romance and betrayal, friendship and death wrapped neatly in prose that's made to die for.
A totally stunning debut. I can't wait to see how Sara Hinkley awes us next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wrote this book and I think it's really really good.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews