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In the Howling Storm
A vanished sister. A spooky village. A killer hiding in plain sight.
When Imogene York stumbles upon a long-lost letter hinting at the fate of her sister Felicity who has been missing for over a decade, it leads her to the village of Linwood. Posing as a secretary in the powerful Linwood household, Imogene begins a covert investigation into Felicity’s disappearance.
Her only confidant is Spencer St. George, the village architect with secrets of his own. As fellow outsiders, they forge a connection that transcends mere friendship. But as their bond deepens, so do the dangers that surround them. Imogene’s search for the truth leads her to cross paths with a killer whose dark impulses are tightly interwoven with Linwood’s past.
As Imogene edges closer to uncovering what happened to her sister, she must confront a chilling truth: the monster she seeks is not lurking in the shadows... but hiding in plain sight.
When Imogene York stumbles upon a long-lost letter hinting at the fate of her sister Felicity who has been missing for over a decade, it leads her to the village of Linwood. Posing as a secretary in the powerful Linwood household, Imogene begins a covert investigation into Felicity’s disappearance.
Her only confidant is Spencer St. George, the village architect with secrets of his own. As fellow outsiders, they forge a connection that transcends mere friendship. But as their bond deepens, so do the dangers that surround them. Imogene’s search for the truth leads her to cross paths with a killer whose dark impulses are tightly interwoven with Linwood’s past.
As Imogene edges closer to uncovering what happened to her sister, she must confront a chilling truth: the monster she seeks is not lurking in the shadows... but hiding in plain sight.
- GenresMystery
299 pages, ebook
Published October 15, 2025
73 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Italia
22 books152 followersNicola spent her childhood in Los Angeles. She graduated from university with a degree in communications and held a variety of positions in journalism, education, government and non profit.
Nicola has traveled extensively throughout Europe, China and Central America.
She currently has twenty one novels available at Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble.
https://linktr.ee/authornicolaitalia
Nicola has traveled extensively throughout Europe, China and Central America.
She currently has twenty one novels available at Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble.
https://linktr.ee/authornicolaitalia
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 17, 2025
A vanished sister. A spooky village. A killer hiding in plain sight.
Sort of a Gothic suspense / mystery set in England in the late 1800's. Not my usual go to mystery, but entertaining and suspenseful all the same. The whereabouts of the missing sister remains elusive as does the identity of the perpetrator right up until the end. Nice twists folded in. Definitely better than your average mystery.
Sort of a Gothic suspense / mystery set in England in the late 1800's. Not my usual go to mystery, but entertaining and suspenseful all the same. The whereabouts of the missing sister remains elusive as does the identity of the perpetrator right up until the end. Nice twists folded in. Definitely better than your average mystery.
October 19, 2025
In The Howling Storm by Nicola Italia
The scenery descriptions for this book are stunning, and you will feel the cold wind and rain as you read these pages. The characters are all well described and have full development.
Imogen was such a fantastic leading character. She is intelligent, compassionate, and determined. Her loyalty and bravery were admirable, and her composure was beautiful.
Spencer was the perfect leading man. His mystery, kindness, and unwavering ability to be everywhere when necessary were brilliantly played out. His chemistry with Imogen was charming and kept me engaged in their romance.
Beryl was a fantastic supporting character, and I think she would be an excellent leading lady in her own right. She is kind, intelligent, and bold—a character far ahead of her time but with all the poise of a lady of means.
Rowena, Howell, and Hettie were all the perfect additions, with their mystery, money, and secrets. Red was endearing, and you felt the need to protect him.
The way everything came together for this plot was so deceitfully curated. While the details are dark and terrifying, figuring out the truth was intense. AS each piece fell into place, I could only read faster because I needed to know the truth.
The descriptions, details, and twists were all beautifully done. The way this twist played out and the reveal collapsed in my lap left me speechless. I did not see any of this coming.
This book was beautifully written about forgiveness, perseverance, and family. Love makes us all a little mad, and this story was no exception.
Publication date: October 15, 2025
The scenery descriptions for this book are stunning, and you will feel the cold wind and rain as you read these pages. The characters are all well described and have full development.
Imogen was such a fantastic leading character. She is intelligent, compassionate, and determined. Her loyalty and bravery were admirable, and her composure was beautiful.
Spencer was the perfect leading man. His mystery, kindness, and unwavering ability to be everywhere when necessary were brilliantly played out. His chemistry with Imogen was charming and kept me engaged in their romance.
Beryl was a fantastic supporting character, and I think she would be an excellent leading lady in her own right. She is kind, intelligent, and bold—a character far ahead of her time but with all the poise of a lady of means.
Rowena, Howell, and Hettie were all the perfect additions, with their mystery, money, and secrets. Red was endearing, and you felt the need to protect him.
The way everything came together for this plot was so deceitfully curated. While the details are dark and terrifying, figuring out the truth was intense. AS each piece fell into place, I could only read faster because I needed to know the truth.
The descriptions, details, and twists were all beautifully done. The way this twist played out and the reveal collapsed in my lap left me speechless. I did not see any of this coming.
This book was beautifully written about forgiveness, perseverance, and family. Love makes us all a little mad, and this story was no exception.
Publication date: October 15, 2025
October 31, 2025
⭐ 5-Star Review Thank you to BookSirens and Nicola Italia for the ARC.
Short Summary:
When a young woman arrives at a brooding manor in the heart of the English countryside, she finds herself swept into a chilling web of secrets, danger, and deceit. As the storm outside howls through the night, it soon becomes clear that one among them is not who they seem and that the key to a long missing person lies buried in the shadows of the estate.
From the very first page, In the Howling Storm transported me straight into its gothic world, a place of candlelit halls, echoing footsteps, and whispers behind closed doors. Nicola Italia has an incredible gift for atmosphere; you can practically feel the damp chill of the manor walls and hear the relentless wind pressing against the glass.
The writing is elegant and immersive, painting every scene in shades of melancholy and suspense. Each character was vivid and sharply drawn, with complex motivations that made it impossible to tell who could be trusted. The slow burn tension was perfection, not rushed, not dragged out, but a steady climb into unease that kept my heart racing.
The mystery itself was layered beautifully, interweaving themes of grief, justice, and the haunting consequences of buried truths. I especially loved how the “killer in plain sight” trope was handled subtly yet chillingly, once the truth unfolded. And the romance thread, soft and tender amidst the chaos, gave just enough warmth to balance the darkness.
This is gothic fiction at its best, where the setting is almost its own character and danger seeps into every shadow. I couldn’t put it down; every chapter begged me to keep turning the pages through the night.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. If you adore atmospheric historical mysteries, crumbling estates, and characters with secrets that could destroy them, this one’s for you. A flawless blend of gothic suspense and emotional storytelling.
⚠️ Triggers / Content Warnings:
Missing person, murder, danger, grief, deception.
🕯️ Genres & Tropes:
Historical Mystery • Gothic Fiction • Secrets • Slow Burn • Killer in Plain Sight • Missing Person
Short Summary:
When a young woman arrives at a brooding manor in the heart of the English countryside, she finds herself swept into a chilling web of secrets, danger, and deceit. As the storm outside howls through the night, it soon becomes clear that one among them is not who they seem and that the key to a long missing person lies buried in the shadows of the estate.
From the very first page, In the Howling Storm transported me straight into its gothic world, a place of candlelit halls, echoing footsteps, and whispers behind closed doors. Nicola Italia has an incredible gift for atmosphere; you can practically feel the damp chill of the manor walls and hear the relentless wind pressing against the glass.
The writing is elegant and immersive, painting every scene in shades of melancholy and suspense. Each character was vivid and sharply drawn, with complex motivations that made it impossible to tell who could be trusted. The slow burn tension was perfection, not rushed, not dragged out, but a steady climb into unease that kept my heart racing.
The mystery itself was layered beautifully, interweaving themes of grief, justice, and the haunting consequences of buried truths. I especially loved how the “killer in plain sight” trope was handled subtly yet chillingly, once the truth unfolded. And the romance thread, soft and tender amidst the chaos, gave just enough warmth to balance the darkness.
This is gothic fiction at its best, where the setting is almost its own character and danger seeps into every shadow. I couldn’t put it down; every chapter begged me to keep turning the pages through the night.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. If you adore atmospheric historical mysteries, crumbling estates, and characters with secrets that could destroy them, this one’s for you. A flawless blend of gothic suspense and emotional storytelling.
⚠️ Triggers / Content Warnings:
Missing person, murder, danger, grief, deception.
🕯️ Genres & Tropes:
Historical Mystery • Gothic Fiction • Secrets • Slow Burn • Killer in Plain Sight • Missing Person
December 3, 2025
I read In the Howling Storm out loud to my husband over the course of a roadtrip. Overall, we both enjoyed the gothic, historical, mystery set in the late 1800s England. The story set up is compelling and the main character, Imogene York, is tenacious and endearing. The mystery at the center of the story is also engaging and kept us interested over the course of many miles.
I just wish our enjoyment carried through the last maybe 5% of the book. The last bit of this novel suffers in a similar manner to campy horror movies. Imogene ends up making seemingly naive decisions that put her in the path of danger for no good reason. It is not a spoiler to say my husband was screaming, “just read the letter” as Imogene makes one dumb decision after another while literally holding the riddle solution in her hand. I struggled with the shift in character and the explanations.
Aside from the ending, it took extra effort to read the novel out loud as the sentence structure, while likely fine visually, was more difficult rolling off the tongue. I found I had to slow down and reread sections as a result, although my husband did not seem to notice this as I read. Otherwise, the writing style was fine although I did wonder why rather than having a clear section break like used elsewhere the author use “***” to signify time had passed in several parts of the book. This might be a result of reading an advance reader copy.
I can appreciate why this book received so many other good reviews. Readers of this genre will likely appreciate the story and its grounding in reality, even if this inspiration is only revealed at the very end. I continue to be bothered by the ending, which has unfortunately spoiled the rest of the novel for me. It is the disappointing end or possibly the road trip traffic that has ultimately colored my opinion of this novel.
I am grateful to BookSirens and to the author for providing me with this free advance review copy of this book; I have read and honestly reviewed this book voluntarily.
I just wish our enjoyment carried through the last maybe 5% of the book. The last bit of this novel suffers in a similar manner to campy horror movies. Imogene ends up making seemingly naive decisions that put her in the path of danger for no good reason. It is not a spoiler to say my husband was screaming, “just read the letter” as Imogene makes one dumb decision after another while literally holding the riddle solution in her hand. I struggled with the shift in character and the explanations.
Aside from the ending, it took extra effort to read the novel out loud as the sentence structure, while likely fine visually, was more difficult rolling off the tongue. I found I had to slow down and reread sections as a result, although my husband did not seem to notice this as I read. Otherwise, the writing style was fine although I did wonder why rather than having a clear section break like used elsewhere the author use “***” to signify time had passed in several parts of the book. This might be a result of reading an advance reader copy.
I can appreciate why this book received so many other good reviews. Readers of this genre will likely appreciate the story and its grounding in reality, even if this inspiration is only revealed at the very end. I continue to be bothered by the ending, which has unfortunately spoiled the rest of the novel for me. It is the disappointing end or possibly the road trip traffic that has ultimately colored my opinion of this novel.
I am grateful to BookSirens and to the author for providing me with this free advance review copy of this book; I have read and honestly reviewed this book voluntarily.
January 10, 2026
Deserves more than 5 Stars on a 5 Star Rating System
In The Howling Storm by Nicola Italia is about one sister, Imogene, determined to find her sister Felicity after 15 years at all costs. She goes to Linwood Park as the last letter received from Felicity was postmarked Linwood Park. There, Imogene gets a job working for Howell Linwood as his secretary to deal with his letters and dealing with the architect who is working up plans and blueprints to overhaul 5 abandoned employee cottages and a Conservatory.
There are a number of characters In The Howling Storm. Ms. Italia handled each character well throughout her story and developed them nicely. Immy, as she's known, showcases a great depth of emotions, which Ms. Italia was able to give great deoth to without making Immy a caricature.
The first chapter was mildly interesting, but I wasn't sure if it was enough to continue reading. I'm so glad I did. In the second and third chapters, the story took flight, and I, as the reader, just held on to see where the flight and story would end.
I definitely recommend In The Howling Storm. (The title is a great description of the story. Best title I've seen to so closely match the story.)
In The Howling Storm by Nicola Italia is about one sister, Imogene, determined to find her sister Felicity after 15 years at all costs. She goes to Linwood Park as the last letter received from Felicity was postmarked Linwood Park. There, Imogene gets a job working for Howell Linwood as his secretary to deal with his letters and dealing with the architect who is working up plans and blueprints to overhaul 5 abandoned employee cottages and a Conservatory.
There are a number of characters In The Howling Storm. Ms. Italia handled each character well throughout her story and developed them nicely. Immy, as she's known, showcases a great depth of emotions, which Ms. Italia was able to give great deoth to without making Immy a caricature.
The first chapter was mildly interesting, but I wasn't sure if it was enough to continue reading. I'm so glad I did. In the second and third chapters, the story took flight, and I, as the reader, just held on to see where the flight and story would end.
I definitely recommend In The Howling Storm. (The title is a great description of the story. Best title I've seen to so closely match the story.)
October 29, 2025
Good Gothic novel with mysterious goings on galore! Both Imogene and Spencer are hiding secrets, truths about themselves and why they are in Linwood. The facts in this story are based on actual historical events which is terrifying! I wasn’t sure who the true villain was until the end of the novel, but a solid read. Although I received a complimentary readers’ copy, my opinions are my own and freely given.
December 1, 2025
A vanished sister. A spooky village in the English countryside. A killer hiding in plain sight. Yes please!
Superb writing and an expertly crafted plot put this gothic mystery in the 5-star category. Complex, interesting characters and the immersive descriptions added to the twisty suspense in the most engaging and chilling way. This is gothic mystery at its finest. I couldn’t put the book down!
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy of her book!
Superb writing and an expertly crafted plot put this gothic mystery in the 5-star category. Complex, interesting characters and the immersive descriptions added to the twisty suspense in the most engaging and chilling way. This is gothic mystery at its finest. I couldn’t put the book down!
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy of her book!
October 23, 2025
I found this book hard to put down. It was an intriguing murder mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. The ending was a surprise to me. What a very caring sister Imogene portrayed. Great world building and interesting characters. Would like to read more books by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 5, 2025
LOVELY STORY
This was a lovely exciting clean story. Wonderful characters wonderful people in the story plenty of excitement for those who love thrillers, but don’t love all the gratuitous killing and sex.. a very good read well written with a beautiful beginning and a beautiful ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This was a lovely exciting clean story. Wonderful characters wonderful people in the story plenty of excitement for those who love thrillers, but don’t love all the gratuitous killing and sex.. a very good read well written with a beautiful beginning and a beautiful ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 8, 2025
This is a wonderful dark mystery that will keep you captivated until the very end. The characters are complex, chasing answers while disbelieving voices from the grave will make you love this novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
February 2, 2026
Loved the Twists
This story has interesting and likable characters that keep you guessing until the end. Imogene is reckless but she has lots of determination and more compassion than I’d have under the circumstances!
This story has interesting and likable characters that keep you guessing until the end. Imogene is reckless but she has lots of determination and more compassion than I’d have under the circumstances!
December 7, 2025
Very different story
This was a very different story. The end had some shock to it, but mostly due to to mental health issues of some very sick people.
This was a very different story. The end had some shock to it, but mostly due to to mental health issues of some very sick people.
December 13, 2025
Had me on the edge of my seat
January 1, 2026
Interesting read…kept me guessing.
February 11, 2026
A low 3, it had me on edge I was nervous and it was sooo atmospheric I wish I read this around Halloween but overall I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews