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The Residency
Don't linger in the gallery. Don't look too closely at the artwork. Don't ask questions.
Artist and single mom Ginny is offered a place on a three-month artist retreat on a remote Scottish island. She leaps at the chance. Even better, her host is happy for her to bring her daughter Isla.
But the island is not what it seems. The inhabitants greet Ginny and Isla with stares and avoid contact wherever possible. And the house they're staying in is old and strange. Eerie whispers follow Ginny through the corridors. Artworks once covered become uncovered. And unexplained smells clings to the walls lavender, cigar smoke and vomit.
With no WiFi on the island, no help from the locals and no regular transport back to the mainland, Ginny is stranded and all alone. She must unravel the dark secrets of the house before they claim her and her beloved daughter.
An unsettling gothic horror novel set on an isolated Scottish island. Perfect for fans of Sarah Pinborough, Rebecca Netley and Laura Purcell.
Artist and single mom Ginny is offered a place on a three-month artist retreat on a remote Scottish island. She leaps at the chance. Even better, her host is happy for her to bring her daughter Isla.
But the island is not what it seems. The inhabitants greet Ginny and Isla with stares and avoid contact wherever possible. And the house they're staying in is old and strange. Eerie whispers follow Ginny through the corridors. Artworks once covered become uncovered. And unexplained smells clings to the walls lavender, cigar smoke and vomit.
With no WiFi on the island, no help from the locals and no regular transport back to the mainland, Ginny is stranded and all alone. She must unravel the dark secrets of the house before they claim her and her beloved daughter.
An unsettling gothic horror novel set on an isolated Scottish island. Perfect for fans of Sarah Pinborough, Rebecca Netley and Laura Purcell.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
C.D. Major
5 books210 followersWebsite: www.cescamajor.com
Twitter: @CescaMajor
Instagram/FB: CescaMajorAuthor
Twitter: @CescaMajor
Instagram/FB: CescaMajorAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
August 7, 2026
When Art Becomes Something to Fear
What if the opportunity that could save your career as well as your family came with rules you didn’t understand and a benefactor no one was willing to talk about?
In The Residency, C.D. Major takes the idyllic concept of an artist retreat on a remote Scottish island and slowly transforms it into something dark and treacherous.
Ginny is a struggling artist and single mother who believes she has finally caught a much-needed break when she is offered a three-month, all-expenses-paid artist residency. Money is running out, and her daughter, Isla, has been bullied at school because of her disabilities. The residency offers Ginny a chance to escape their problems for a while and provide some financial security. Perhaps most importantly, it may help her return to the art she once loved.
At first, the opportunity seems almost too good to be true. The house where Ginny and Isla will stay is enormous, and even the expensive art supplies she could never afford herself have been provided. But there is something distinctly wrong with Stark Island. The locals are quiet and evasive, particularly whenever Ginny asks about Phillip, the elderly benefactor responsible for bringing her there.
Then there are the paintings.
Some of the artwork inside the house is morose or grotesque, depicting subjects with an unnerving realism, including people captured in apparent agony. The house itself comes with equally strange rules: Ginny is warned about where she can go, what she can touch, and even how closely she can approach certain pieces of art. When Phillip finally appears, he seems elderly and physically frail, even friendly. Yet the islanders clearly fear him.
Why would an entire community be frightened of one infirm old man?
Through divided perspectives, C.D. Major gradually reveals Phillip’s history and how Stark Island came to exist under his influence. His chapters add an entirely different kind of darkness to the story. The more I learned about his thoughts and past, the more disturbing he became. A person like this should never be given power, which makes the question of exactly how Phillip maintains his grip over the island even more compelling.
The isolated Scottish setting works particularly well for this story. Ginny has entered a community with its own history, secrets, and rules, while having very little understanding of what she has actually agreed to. That creates a creeping sense of unease rather than relying solely on sudden scares. The artwork adds another layer of gothic horror because something that should represent beauty and creativity gradually becomes threatening.
Sarah Cullum gives an impressive audiobook performance. She moves between different accents, ages, and genders with ease, but what stood out to me most was how well she captures the emotional performances happening within the characters themselves. She deftly portrays the confusion and fear beneath their words, as well as the forced cheerfulness of people pretending everything is perfectly normal when it clearly isn’t.
The Residency reminded me of a cross between the isolated, secretive community of Apple TV+‘s Widow’s Bay and the disturbing relationship between art, morality, and corruption in The Picture of Dorian Gray. It has that wonderful gothic quality of making you question not only what is happening, but what has happened before the story even began.
If you enjoy atmospheric gothic suspense, remote settings, sinister artwork, morally disturbing characters, and communities hiding dark secrets, The Residency is well worth visiting.
Just don’t expect to feel particularly comfortable once you arrive on Stark Island.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
What if the opportunity that could save your career as well as your family came with rules you didn’t understand and a benefactor no one was willing to talk about?
In The Residency, C.D. Major takes the idyllic concept of an artist retreat on a remote Scottish island and slowly transforms it into something dark and treacherous.
Ginny is a struggling artist and single mother who believes she has finally caught a much-needed break when she is offered a three-month, all-expenses-paid artist residency. Money is running out, and her daughter, Isla, has been bullied at school because of her disabilities. The residency offers Ginny a chance to escape their problems for a while and provide some financial security. Perhaps most importantly, it may help her return to the art she once loved.
At first, the opportunity seems almost too good to be true. The house where Ginny and Isla will stay is enormous, and even the expensive art supplies she could never afford herself have been provided. But there is something distinctly wrong with Stark Island. The locals are quiet and evasive, particularly whenever Ginny asks about Phillip, the elderly benefactor responsible for bringing her there.
Then there are the paintings.
Some of the artwork inside the house is morose or grotesque, depicting subjects with an unnerving realism, including people captured in apparent agony. The house itself comes with equally strange rules: Ginny is warned about where she can go, what she can touch, and even how closely she can approach certain pieces of art. When Phillip finally appears, he seems elderly and physically frail, even friendly. Yet the islanders clearly fear him.
Why would an entire community be frightened of one infirm old man?
Through divided perspectives, C.D. Major gradually reveals Phillip’s history and how Stark Island came to exist under his influence. His chapters add an entirely different kind of darkness to the story. The more I learned about his thoughts and past, the more disturbing he became. A person like this should never be given power, which makes the question of exactly how Phillip maintains his grip over the island even more compelling.
The isolated Scottish setting works particularly well for this story. Ginny has entered a community with its own history, secrets, and rules, while having very little understanding of what she has actually agreed to. That creates a creeping sense of unease rather than relying solely on sudden scares. The artwork adds another layer of gothic horror because something that should represent beauty and creativity gradually becomes threatening.
Sarah Cullum gives an impressive audiobook performance. She moves between different accents, ages, and genders with ease, but what stood out to me most was how well she captures the emotional performances happening within the characters themselves. She deftly portrays the confusion and fear beneath their words, as well as the forced cheerfulness of people pretending everything is perfectly normal when it clearly isn’t.
The Residency reminded me of a cross between the isolated, secretive community of Apple TV+‘s Widow’s Bay and the disturbing relationship between art, morality, and corruption in The Picture of Dorian Gray. It has that wonderful gothic quality of making you question not only what is happening, but what has happened before the story even began.
If you enjoy atmospheric gothic suspense, remote settings, sinister artwork, morally disturbing characters, and communities hiding dark secrets, The Residency is well worth visiting.
Just don’t expect to feel particularly comfortable once you arrive on Stark Island.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 16, 2026
Title/Author: The Residency
Format Read: Audio (Libro FM early listening)
Pub date: August 04, 2026
Publisher: Canelo
Page Count: 336
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979821726...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- A rural island setting with a small community in Scotland
- Widow's Bay vibes
- Mother/Daughter relationship/Motherhood/
- MCs who are artists/painters
- Fresh start/escaping a dangerous relationship/starting over
- Haunted manors/estates/mysterious host
-Island secrets/unusual happenings/solving a mystery/high stakes
__
Minor complaints:
- A bit of a slow burn but I liked the pace
Final recommendation: I just finished THE RESIDENCY by C. D. Major and it scratched an itch which unlocked a core memory!
.
Remember The Witches (1990) and the story about Erica, the little girl abducted by the witch and trapped inside the painting? That story scared me! I never forgot it—it’s been locked inside my core memories as something that frightens me. Here we are, almost 40 years later and this book, The Residency unlocked and unleashed this niche, secret core movie memory. I enjoyed the audiobook SO MUCH.
“Ginny, a struggling single mother and once-promising artist living in London, gets accepted for an all-expenses-paid, three-month artist residency on a remote Scottish island called Stark Island. She brings her young daughter, Isla, along for the retreat.”
The people on the island are a little weird and tight-lipped. This gave me Widow’s Bay vibes!
Ginny realizes too late that the Residency art program she signed up for is not what she thought it was going to be…
.
Highly recommend! Especially in audio 🎧
Comps: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, It Will Only Hurt for A Moment by Delilah S. Dawson, King Nyx by Kristen Bakis
Format Read: Audio (Libro FM early listening)
Pub date: August 04, 2026
Publisher: Canelo
Page Count: 336
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979821726...
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- A rural island setting with a small community in Scotland
- Widow's Bay vibes
- Mother/Daughter relationship/Motherhood/
- MCs who are artists/painters
- Fresh start/escaping a dangerous relationship/starting over
- Haunted manors/estates/mysterious host
-Island secrets/unusual happenings/solving a mystery/high stakes
__
Minor complaints:
- A bit of a slow burn but I liked the pace
Final recommendation: I just finished THE RESIDENCY by C. D. Major and it scratched an itch which unlocked a core memory!
.
Remember The Witches (1990) and the story about Erica, the little girl abducted by the witch and trapped inside the painting? That story scared me! I never forgot it—it’s been locked inside my core memories as something that frightens me. Here we are, almost 40 years later and this book, The Residency unlocked and unleashed this niche, secret core movie memory. I enjoyed the audiobook SO MUCH.
“Ginny, a struggling single mother and once-promising artist living in London, gets accepted for an all-expenses-paid, three-month artist residency on a remote Scottish island called Stark Island. She brings her young daughter, Isla, along for the retreat.”
The people on the island are a little weird and tight-lipped. This gave me Widow’s Bay vibes!
Ginny realizes too late that the Residency art program she signed up for is not what she thought it was going to be…
.
Highly recommend! Especially in audio 🎧
Comps: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, It Will Only Hurt for A Moment by Delilah S. Dawson, King Nyx by Kristen Bakis
April 24, 2026
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley and I was so excited to start it as the cover really intrigued me.
The character in this book annoyed me from the get go because she was clearly suspicious of everything moving to the island with her young daughter, but just brushed everything off?
The book definitely had a spooky/uneasy feeling from the beginning but I think the first few chapters of the book are extremely clunky and they were hard to get through. It definitely picked up in the second half where I enjoyed it a lot more but I would’ve liked the pacing to be better across the entire book☺️
The character in this book annoyed me from the get go because she was clearly suspicious of everything moving to the island with her young daughter, but just brushed everything off?
The book definitely had a spooky/uneasy feeling from the beginning but I think the first few chapters of the book are extremely clunky and they were hard to get through. It definitely picked up in the second half where I enjoyed it a lot more but I would’ve liked the pacing to be better across the entire book☺️
August 13, 2026
✨ 3.5 stars ✨ I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed it. I haven’t read anything like this before and it was interesting to hear the authors inspiration in the note at the end. I think some people will be frustrated by our MC and other characters, but I tend to give a lot of leeway for bad decision making in horror/thrillers. I’m always appreciative of a feminism theme, even if this was quite heavy handed with it. The dual timeline was great and the ambience and descriptions of the house/island!
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC.
August 21, 2026
Thank you C. D. Major and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
2.75 Stars
The Residency has a really interesting premise and I can tell what the author was attempting to accomplish with this story but I don't quite think it hit the mark for me.
The accent in the narration performance was a bit thick at times but listenable.
I wish I liked it more but unfortunately I looked forward to the story ending.
Meh read.
2.75 Stars
The Residency has a really interesting premise and I can tell what the author was attempting to accomplish with this story but I don't quite think it hit the mark for me.
The accent in the narration performance was a bit thick at times but listenable.
I wish I liked it more but unfortunately I looked forward to the story ending.
Meh read.
August 3, 2026
Single mother and artist Ginny accepts a three-month residency on a remote Scottish island, bringing her daughter Isla along for the opportunity of a lifetime. But the isolated island and the strange house they stay in are filled with secrets, strange noises, and unexplained occurrences that leave Ginny feeling trapped and unwelcome. With no way to contact the outside world, Ginny must uncover the dark history of the house before its secrets put her and Isla in danger.
I was immediately drawn to the premise of this novel. Having been involved in artist residencies, I was excited to see how the creative setting would be written into a gothic horror story. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to become invested in the story.
The pacing felt very slow, and it wasn't until around the 70% mark that I found myself genuinely intrigued by what was happening. The sections that kept me reading were the flashbacks to Phillip's life (the owner of the house), which revealed the history of the residency and the supernatural events surrounding it. The suspicious locals, the decaying house, and the sense of isolation all created a strong gothic feel, but I never felt the plot had enough momentum to fully capitalise on that atmosphere.
While I sympathised with Ginny and everything she had endured, particularly her past abusive relationship, I never truly connected with her. Her internal monologue often felt repetitive which prevented the tension building. As a result, I found myself feeling more detached from her journey than I wanted to.
Overall, while I admired the gothic atmosphere, the unique artist residency setting, and the historical inspiration behind the story, the slow pacing and lack of connection I felt with the main character meant it never fully came together for me. If you enjoy slow-burning gothic horror that prioritises atmosphere, this may still be for you. 2.5/5
Thanks to Canelo and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Available from the 4th August 2026.
I was immediately drawn to the premise of this novel. Having been involved in artist residencies, I was excited to see how the creative setting would be written into a gothic horror story. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to become invested in the story.
The pacing felt very slow, and it wasn't until around the 70% mark that I found myself genuinely intrigued by what was happening. The sections that kept me reading were the flashbacks to Phillip's life (the owner of the house), which revealed the history of the residency and the supernatural events surrounding it. The suspicious locals, the decaying house, and the sense of isolation all created a strong gothic feel, but I never felt the plot had enough momentum to fully capitalise on that atmosphere.
While I sympathised with Ginny and everything she had endured, particularly her past abusive relationship, I never truly connected with her. Her internal monologue often felt repetitive which prevented the tension building. As a result, I found myself feeling more detached from her journey than I wanted to.
Overall, while I admired the gothic atmosphere, the unique artist residency setting, and the historical inspiration behind the story, the slow pacing and lack of connection I felt with the main character meant it never fully came together for me. If you enjoy slow-burning gothic horror that prioritises atmosphere, this may still be for you. 2.5/5
Thanks to Canelo and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Available from the 4th August 2026.
September 5, 2026
Ginny a single mother and her 6 year old daughter move away from London to Stark Island near Scotland after she successfully gains an Artists Residency. The people on the island are scared of their benefactor an old artist Philip, what secret power does he hold over the inhabitants and now that Ginny has come will his evil be defeated. An artistic nightmare of a book where painting is more diabolical than reality. Enjoyed this horror novel that escalated towards the end into a great finale. I highly recommend it.
August 14, 2026
The Residency follows Ginny, an artist and single mother who is down on her luck and gets the opportunity to work as an artist-in-residence on a small Scottish island. She and her daughter, Isla, arrive expecting a beautiful, peaceful place, but it doesn’t take long before things start to feel unsettling.
As strange events begin happening, Ginny realizes the island may not be as perfect as it first appeared. People seem frightened of the residence, Philip warns her not to go certain places, and the paintings themselves seem to have a voice of their own. I enjoyed the mysterious and eerie atmosphere and the way the story slowly revealed that there was much more going on beneath the surface.
My favourite chapters were the ones exploring Philip’s history. I found his past especially interesting and thought those sections added depth to the overall story.
Overall, this was an intriguing and atmospheric read with plenty of mystery and suspense. It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but I enjoyed the setting, the secrets, and uncovering what was really happening on the island.
As strange events begin happening, Ginny realizes the island may not be as perfect as it first appeared. People seem frightened of the residence, Philip warns her not to go certain places, and the paintings themselves seem to have a voice of their own. I enjoyed the mysterious and eerie atmosphere and the way the story slowly revealed that there was much more going on beneath the surface.
My favourite chapters were the ones exploring Philip’s history. I found his past especially interesting and thought those sections added depth to the overall story.
Overall, this was an intriguing and atmospheric read with plenty of mystery and suspense. It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but I enjoyed the setting, the secrets, and uncovering what was really happening on the island.
June 10, 2026
This book is about an artist down on her luck that gets offered a residency on a remote island. She and her daughter take up this residency and everything seems idyllic. Soon though weird things start to happen on the island and she realizes that they're completely isolated.
I enjoyed this book it was a fun time. I liked all of the twists. I will definitely read more from this author. I think you'll like this if you like light horror, little twists, a bit of historical fiction and how to escape an island books.
I enjoyed this book it was a fun time. I liked all of the twists. I will definitely read more from this author. I think you'll like this if you like light horror, little twists, a bit of historical fiction and how to escape an island books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Goth thrillers rely on mood and setting to build an eerie atmosphere with undertones of unreliable narrator who's tattered perception stems out of trauma. While unreliable narrators make plot stimulating by peppered moments of confusion, paranoia and anxiety.
Ginny, our narrator, worries so much that it distracts from the plot, the atmosphere. While she has some justifiable worries (her ex finding them, lack of financial freedom etc), her distrust in others never becomes her strength in this setting. It just makes the narration dense for the first half of the book but then rushes the final act to answer lingering questions.
The setting is good and the author sets up psychological isolation well with slow burn exploration of Ginny's adjustment to residency and the house itself. Life slowly unraveled is an excellent addition to the already gloomy mood. It was a decent read overall.
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for providing me with a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Ginny, our narrator, worries so much that it distracts from the plot, the atmosphere. While she has some justifiable worries (her ex finding them, lack of financial freedom etc), her distrust in others never becomes her strength in this setting. It just makes the narration dense for the first half of the book but then rushes the final act to answer lingering questions.
The setting is good and the author sets up psychological isolation well with slow burn exploration of Ginny's adjustment to residency and the house itself. Life slowly unraveled is an excellent addition to the already gloomy mood. It was a decent read overall.
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for providing me with a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2026
🖌️ The Residency by C.D. Major 🖌️
CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve been accepted to participate in a once in a life time opportunity! You’re invited to stay on a remote Scottish island for an artist apprenticeship. All costs and housing covered.
What could go wrong?
I LOVED this book. It was recommended to me by @mother.horror due to my love of artistic horror. It was a slow burn horror filled with isolation, small town secrets , and some SERIOUSLY creepy paintings. I truly enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship between Ginny and Isla.
This one is fantastic on audio! VERY EERIE 👀
CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve been accepted to participate in a once in a life time opportunity! You’re invited to stay on a remote Scottish island for an artist apprenticeship. All costs and housing covered.
What could go wrong?
I LOVED this book. It was recommended to me by @mother.horror due to my love of artistic horror. It was a slow burn horror filled with isolation, small town secrets , and some SERIOUSLY creepy paintings. I truly enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship between Ginny and Isla.
This one is fantastic on audio! VERY EERIE 👀
July 13, 2026
I received a copy from NetGalley
I don’t really have much to say about this book. I didn’t hate it, not did I like it. It has an interesting concept that I figured out quite early in the book. Around the 40% mark. It was confirmed around the 65% mark. Then the book just felt like it was dragging on and on. I honestly think this would have been a more interesting novel if it was shorter. Possibly even a novels. I just didn’t really care about the main female character. Not did I care about what was going on with the island. I just didn’t care. I can’t really explain it more than that. I can’t really recommend this book because I found it boring. My attention kept drifting away.
It’s slow with no real plot nor character development. Everyone is very one dimensional. There’s no big secret or anything really. It’s just very surface level.
I don’t really have much to say about this book. I didn’t hate it, not did I like it. It has an interesting concept that I figured out quite early in the book. Around the 40% mark. It was confirmed around the 65% mark. Then the book just felt like it was dragging on and on. I honestly think this would have been a more interesting novel if it was shorter. Possibly even a novels. I just didn’t really care about the main female character. Not did I care about what was going on with the island. I just didn’t care. I can’t really explain it more than that. I can’t really recommend this book because I found it boring. My attention kept drifting away.
It’s slow with no real plot nor character development. Everyone is very one dimensional. There’s no big secret or anything really. It’s just very surface level.
June 15, 2026
I wanted so badly to enjoy this book. I had so much hope for the story, but I just could not get into it. There's no pull, there's no draw, there's hardly even any suspense. Enough hasn't been revealed to keep me interested. The pacing was like being read the story by Ben Stein.
The concept was interesting enough, the setting was perfect. The story just fell flat.
The concept was interesting enough, the setting was perfect. The story just fell flat.
August 29, 2026
This book is almost a five star - but I have notes.
Ginny is a Royal Academy artist down on her luck. She is raising her daughter on her own and hasn’t had time or money for painting for years. When she receives an invitation for an art residency on a remote Scottish island, all expenses paid, she can’t believe her luck. It seems too good to be true.
What I liked: The atmosphere of the island is dark, tense, secretive, and clannish. The residents appear to be on the alert, fearful of being overheard. The old house where the residency’s benefactor resides is lovely but is also sinister, with whispers, crying, and things that go bump in the night. All of these gothic vibes come together to make a spooky gothic horror story. The “benefactor’s” back story is revealed piece by piece - giving the reader breadcrumbs to discover what is really going on. There is also a weak element of psychological horror. The book is an easy read and difficult to put down.
What I didn’t like: Uneven pacing - the first part of the book is a slog, but the momentum picks up and the second half has you racing to the end.
No cell phone, no computer. We got it. We don’t have to be told over and over.
We have potential storylines that don’t go anywhere. They aren’t left as loose ends. They are tied up perfunctorily and amount to nothing. They could have been omitted entirely without changing the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and feel like it brought something new to the table with elements of Laura Purcell’s The Silent Companions (sort of) and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Ginny is a Royal Academy artist down on her luck. She is raising her daughter on her own and hasn’t had time or money for painting for years. When she receives an invitation for an art residency on a remote Scottish island, all expenses paid, she can’t believe her luck. It seems too good to be true.
What I liked: The atmosphere of the island is dark, tense, secretive, and clannish. The residents appear to be on the alert, fearful of being overheard. The old house where the residency’s benefactor resides is lovely but is also sinister, with whispers, crying, and things that go bump in the night. All of these gothic vibes come together to make a spooky gothic horror story. The “benefactor’s” back story is revealed piece by piece - giving the reader breadcrumbs to discover what is really going on. There is also a weak element of psychological horror. The book is an easy read and difficult to put down.
What I didn’t like: Uneven pacing - the first part of the book is a slog, but the momentum picks up and the second half has you racing to the end.
No cell phone, no computer. We got it. We don’t have to be told over and over.
We have potential storylines that don’t go anywhere. They aren’t left as loose ends. They are tied up perfunctorily and amount to nothing. They could have been omitted entirely without changing the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and feel like it brought something new to the table with elements of Laura Purcell’s The Silent Companions (sort of) and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
August 4, 2026
Creepy secluded island and a mysterious rich benefactor? Yes please. Sometimes I beg of FMC’s to be more socially aware because if a random guy offered for me to come to his island and paint for me my red flag alarm would go off so loudly that would be all I could hear. However, I’m glad she didn’t give a hoot because I loved watching the mystery unfold through her eyes.
Everyone on the island gave me the creeps. It was giving terrified brainwashed cult members. If you were the only sane person on an island surrounded by those people it’s only a matter of time before you’d lose it too.
I don’t really know how to say that I loved the magical aspect of this and exactly what I liked about it without spoiling it, but I really did like it. It felt so unique and then listening to the author’s note about how the idea was based on true stories made it even more intriguing.
Also, I received the ALC from NetGalley and I must say the narrators voice was perfect for the FMC and made it all so much more immersive. Even the old man’s voice and when he was struggling to breathe with whatever ailment he had was so good.
Everyone on the island gave me the creeps. It was giving terrified brainwashed cult members. If you were the only sane person on an island surrounded by those people it’s only a matter of time before you’d lose it too.
I don’t really know how to say that I loved the magical aspect of this and exactly what I liked about it without spoiling it, but I really did like it. It felt so unique and then listening to the author’s note about how the idea was based on true stories made it even more intriguing.
Also, I received the ALC from NetGalley and I must say the narrators voice was perfect for the FMC and made it all so much more immersive. Even the old man’s voice and when he was struggling to breathe with whatever ailment he had was so good.
August 29, 2026
2.5 rounded up to 3
Can't say the book was good. The audiobook narrator made it compelling and there was enough for me to become addicted because I wanted the whys and hows. The ending felt rushed and easy after so much mystery and darkness. Also, the main character is annoying as hell.
Can't say the book was good. The audiobook narrator made it compelling and there was enough for me to become addicted because I wanted the whys and hows. The ending felt rushed and easy after so much mystery and darkness. Also, the main character is annoying as hell.
September 7, 2026
Listening to this book on audio truly makes all the difference! The perfect narrator elevates the overall experience. Feast your peepers on this cover! It has this mesmerizing quality that you can’t look away from!
We meet Ginny, a single mother, and her daughter Isla as they navigate challenging circumstances together. Living on a single paycheck is no easy feat, especially when you have a growing daughter and expensive talents to support. Ginny struggles to pay the bills, even sacrificing her own meals so that Isla has enough to eat. As if things weren't tough enough, Isla is facing bullying at school. So when an invitation to a secluded Scottish island for a three-month retreat arrives, it couldn’t come at a better time! But as soon as Ginny boards the ferry, a sense of foreboding washes over her, especially after the ferry operator's warning. Nevertheless, Ginny has sold off some belongings to get there, so she presses on with no turning back!
Once on the island, the inhabitants are far from the welcoming crowd she expected. With no cell signal or Wi-Fi, this becomes a full-on digital detox! Shortly after her arrival, Ginny assumes that past retreat participants have moved on to pursue their ambitions, but the reality is much darker! Some participants have died, some disappeared, and others simply lost their minds. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out the bizarre Picasso-style chaos unfolding around her!
The author has painted a vivid picture of this eerie island, filled with odd happenings that keep you guessing about the underlying truth. The whispers, the smells, and especially the strange paintings all contribute to the atmosphere. There are house rules in place, including one that prohibits uncovering the paintings. But telling someone not to do something is like putting up a neon sign saying, “Look here!” The chilling ambiance of the house sends shivers down your spine. Wait, did that portrait just blink? What on earth?!
Sarah Cullum, the narrator, did an exceptional job bringing this story to life! I can easily imagine that if I had read the text myself, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much since it’s a slow-burn horror. But her narration saved the day! She infused a childlike quality into Isla’s character while capturing the sadness, dread, and daily struggles Ginny faces. What a brilliant choice for a narrator! My rating will definitely reflect this positive experience with the audiobook.
If you enjoy a slow-burn mystery horror packed with enough intrigue to keep turning the pages, or listening, this one’s for you. It’s a dark, atmospheric mystery that weaves together themes of greed, jealousy, and ambition. I really appreciated both the concept and the execution, especially since it answered all my questions by the end and tied everything together seamlessly. I liked the ending because it leaves you wanting to punish evil and help others live better lives. If modern gothic Scottish horror with ambitious themes intrigues you, this is a must-read! I understand the mixed reviews, but the audiobook truly enhances the experience. So, don’t hesitate this spooky season and add this audiobook to your list! Who's ready to bail out some spook-tacular souls stranded on this nightmare island? Don't wait for Halloween! These characters need saving NOW, and I won’t take NO for an answer! Ha!
Thank you, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We meet Ginny, a single mother, and her daughter Isla as they navigate challenging circumstances together. Living on a single paycheck is no easy feat, especially when you have a growing daughter and expensive talents to support. Ginny struggles to pay the bills, even sacrificing her own meals so that Isla has enough to eat. As if things weren't tough enough, Isla is facing bullying at school. So when an invitation to a secluded Scottish island for a three-month retreat arrives, it couldn’t come at a better time! But as soon as Ginny boards the ferry, a sense of foreboding washes over her, especially after the ferry operator's warning. Nevertheless, Ginny has sold off some belongings to get there, so she presses on with no turning back!
Once on the island, the inhabitants are far from the welcoming crowd she expected. With no cell signal or Wi-Fi, this becomes a full-on digital detox! Shortly after her arrival, Ginny assumes that past retreat participants have moved on to pursue their ambitions, but the reality is much darker! Some participants have died, some disappeared, and others simply lost their minds. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out the bizarre Picasso-style chaos unfolding around her!
The author has painted a vivid picture of this eerie island, filled with odd happenings that keep you guessing about the underlying truth. The whispers, the smells, and especially the strange paintings all contribute to the atmosphere. There are house rules in place, including one that prohibits uncovering the paintings. But telling someone not to do something is like putting up a neon sign saying, “Look here!” The chilling ambiance of the house sends shivers down your spine. Wait, did that portrait just blink? What on earth?!
Sarah Cullum, the narrator, did an exceptional job bringing this story to life! I can easily imagine that if I had read the text myself, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much since it’s a slow-burn horror. But her narration saved the day! She infused a childlike quality into Isla’s character while capturing the sadness, dread, and daily struggles Ginny faces. What a brilliant choice for a narrator! My rating will definitely reflect this positive experience with the audiobook.
If you enjoy a slow-burn mystery horror packed with enough intrigue to keep turning the pages, or listening, this one’s for you. It’s a dark, atmospheric mystery that weaves together themes of greed, jealousy, and ambition. I really appreciated both the concept and the execution, especially since it answered all my questions by the end and tied everything together seamlessly. I liked the ending because it leaves you wanting to punish evil and help others live better lives. If modern gothic Scottish horror with ambitious themes intrigues you, this is a must-read! I understand the mixed reviews, but the audiobook truly enhances the experience. So, don’t hesitate this spooky season and add this audiobook to your list! Who's ready to bail out some spook-tacular souls stranded on this nightmare island? Don't wait for Halloween! These characters need saving NOW, and I won’t take NO for an answer! Ha!
Thank you, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this title.
When you think life can't beat you up anymore and every day is a struggle.....sometimes a glimmer of light appears at the end of the tunnel. At least that's what seems to have happened to Ginny. She is raising her little girl on her own and trying so hard to make ends meet. She thought that her dreams of becoming a successful artist were behind her (yet another thing her worthless ex took from her). When she receives a letter offering her a residency on an island that includes supplies, rent, food, school for her daughter, and a huge stipend at the end, Ginny decides that the next three months of working on her art and making a bank of work to sell is just the thing to get her out of the hole she has found herself in.
But the island is strange. It is more isolated than any place she has ever been. The people are strangely cold and distant. She keeps hearing odd stories about the island. And the house itself is creepy. What is this island hiding and why is everyone acting afraid of her?
I liked this a lot. The end was somewhat anti-climactic. It was a little too long and dragged out. The idea and the story were great but I'm a big stickler for pacing in a book and I found myself skimming the last few chapters because I knew where we were going and I was ready to arrive.
When you think life can't beat you up anymore and every day is a struggle.....sometimes a glimmer of light appears at the end of the tunnel. At least that's what seems to have happened to Ginny. She is raising her little girl on her own and trying so hard to make ends meet. She thought that her dreams of becoming a successful artist were behind her (yet another thing her worthless ex took from her). When she receives a letter offering her a residency on an island that includes supplies, rent, food, school for her daughter, and a huge stipend at the end, Ginny decides that the next three months of working on her art and making a bank of work to sell is just the thing to get her out of the hole she has found herself in.
But the island is strange. It is more isolated than any place she has ever been. The people are strangely cold and distant. She keeps hearing odd stories about the island. And the house itself is creepy. What is this island hiding and why is everyone acting afraid of her?
I liked this a lot. The end was somewhat anti-climactic. It was a little too long and dragged out. The idea and the story were great but I'm a big stickler for pacing in a book and I found myself skimming the last few chapters because I knew where we were going and I was ready to arrive.
Read
September 30, 2026As soon as I saw that this was a gothic horror set on a remote Scottish island, I knew I needed to read it! Although there is definitely tension and unease woven throughout the story, I found the first third to be so atmospheric that it almost felt a bit cozy. I really enjoyed getting to experience those first few days on the island alongside Ginny and Isla as they settled into the manor.
But the story definitely gets creepy as it progresses. We eventually get pieces of a past timeline from a character who reads (to me) as sociopathic, and I thought that was such an interesting contrast to the wholesome dynamic between Ginny and her daughter.
I read a lot of "creepy house" books, but the focus on painters and the line between artistic obsession and something darker made the story feel fresh!
I won't share too much about where things end up, but By the end of the novel, I was thoroughly freaked out.
🕯️Contemporary Gothic horror (with pieces of a past timeline woven in)
🕯️Remote Scottish island setting
🕯️Single mother protagonist
🕯️Mother/daughter relationship
🕯️Artistry and obsession
But the story definitely gets creepy as it progresses. We eventually get pieces of a past timeline from a character who reads (to me) as sociopathic, and I thought that was such an interesting contrast to the wholesome dynamic between Ginny and her daughter.
I read a lot of "creepy house" books, but the focus on painters and the line between artistic obsession and something darker made the story feel fresh!
I won't share too much about where things end up, but By the end of the novel, I was thoroughly freaked out.
🕯️Contemporary Gothic horror (with pieces of a past timeline woven in)
🕯️Remote Scottish island setting
🕯️Single mother protagonist
🕯️Mother/daughter relationship
🕯️Artistry and obsession
August 10, 2026
With a slightly disabled daughter, and a violent partner about to be released from prison, Ginny is determined to escape her London poverty.
Crikey. What a fabulous read. I loved The Residency even as I found it creepy and unsettling. It would be difficult to discover a more perfect exploration of being careful what you wish for and of the concept that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
The plot of The Residency would make a fantastic film or television series. There are chilling moments aplenty, but the real skill comes through the gradual build up of tension, the weird behavior of the inhabitants of the remote Scottish island and the way in which Ginny realises that an evil is lurking that is far more powerful than the fears sparked by creaking floorboards and strange aromas. I thought it inspired to have the dated events from Philip’s past because they mean the reader has an understanding of him that Ginny doesn’t realise, adding to the sense of danger and the pressure of feeling. The reader becomes as controlled by Philip and as unable to assist Ginny as the other residents on the island. Her first person account adds to this sense of danger.
The island setting of The Residency is brilliant because it lends a claustrophobic, locked-room feeling. As the residents become less friendly, and Ginny becomes more isolated, there’s a real sense of doom that is enhanced by the technique of condensed sentences at the ends of chapters that compel the reader on through the narrative. The house where Ginny and daughter Isla are accommodated is right out of the tradition of gothic horror with dark oppressive corridors, strange smells and noises, an attic and a literal locked room so that C D Major manipulates the reader into feeling unsettled even when seemingly innocent events are taking place.
Ginny might be a talented artist, but she is also a modern woman. Her fierce protection of Isla illustrates a mother’s love and the complications of her life in London as a single parent with an abusive criminal for a partner are very modern concepts. Transporting her to an all expenses paid artistic residency on a remote island is, therefore, attractive to her and all the more powerful because the reader realises this will not end well – especially with the underlying supernatural evil aspect rippling through the art work, the island and the house, but I’m not going to say more and spoil the read. Not all Ginny’s actions are rational, altruistic and benevolent, but these aspects make her all the more appealing.
Themes in The Residency are fascinating, engaging and explored with aplomb. Family rivalry, parental love (or lack of), control and fear on many levels pulsate through the story. I found them so convincing.
I thought The Residency was a corker of a read. I found it creepy, engaging and unnerving. If you want a fantastic gothic thriller to keep you up at night, read The Residency as I thoroughly recommend it. Oh – and remember, when given an attractive offer, always read the small print!
Crikey. What a fabulous read. I loved The Residency even as I found it creepy and unsettling. It would be difficult to discover a more perfect exploration of being careful what you wish for and of the concept that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
The plot of The Residency would make a fantastic film or television series. There are chilling moments aplenty, but the real skill comes through the gradual build up of tension, the weird behavior of the inhabitants of the remote Scottish island and the way in which Ginny realises that an evil is lurking that is far more powerful than the fears sparked by creaking floorboards and strange aromas. I thought it inspired to have the dated events from Philip’s past because they mean the reader has an understanding of him that Ginny doesn’t realise, adding to the sense of danger and the pressure of feeling. The reader becomes as controlled by Philip and as unable to assist Ginny as the other residents on the island. Her first person account adds to this sense of danger.
The island setting of The Residency is brilliant because it lends a claustrophobic, locked-room feeling. As the residents become less friendly, and Ginny becomes more isolated, there’s a real sense of doom that is enhanced by the technique of condensed sentences at the ends of chapters that compel the reader on through the narrative. The house where Ginny and daughter Isla are accommodated is right out of the tradition of gothic horror with dark oppressive corridors, strange smells and noises, an attic and a literal locked room so that C D Major manipulates the reader into feeling unsettled even when seemingly innocent events are taking place.
Ginny might be a talented artist, but she is also a modern woman. Her fierce protection of Isla illustrates a mother’s love and the complications of her life in London as a single parent with an abusive criminal for a partner are very modern concepts. Transporting her to an all expenses paid artistic residency on a remote island is, therefore, attractive to her and all the more powerful because the reader realises this will not end well – especially with the underlying supernatural evil aspect rippling through the art work, the island and the house, but I’m not going to say more and spoil the read. Not all Ginny’s actions are rational, altruistic and benevolent, but these aspects make her all the more appealing.
Themes in The Residency are fascinating, engaging and explored with aplomb. Family rivalry, parental love (or lack of), control and fear on many levels pulsate through the story. I found them so convincing.
I thought The Residency was a corker of a read. I found it creepy, engaging and unnerving. If you want a fantastic gothic thriller to keep you up at night, read The Residency as I thoroughly recommend it. Oh – and remember, when given an attractive offer, always read the small print!
September 15, 2026
What even was this? Why must we make female characters absolute idiots in books? WHY?! It serves no real purpose. Our FMC Ginny could have been an absolute baddie who would do anything for her daughter and acts in a heroic way. Instead, she's a moron for 95% of the book and then gets back to cell service to find out magically her former abusive-ex was planning on leaving her and kiddo alone anyways!?! Idk. Just stupid followed by stupid followed by more stupid.
August 3, 2026
This was one of those books where my desire to love it outweighed my actual reading experience. The narrator, Sarah Collin, did a wonderful job overall, and her British accent was a pleasure to listen to. While I enjoyed her narration for most of the characters, her voice for the young child became somewhat grating over time.
There were certainly aspects of the story that I enjoyed, but I found the overall narrative repetitive. The plot never seemed to gain much momentum, and the story felt like a collection of separate—though very similar—tales rather than a cohesive novel. While there were threads connecting the different sections, they weren’t strong enough to create a compelling sense of progression or build toward a satisfying, propulsive conclusion.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Bolinda Audio via NetGalley ahead of publication.
There were certainly aspects of the story that I enjoyed, but I found the overall narrative repetitive. The plot never seemed to gain much momentum, and the story felt like a collection of separate—though very similar—tales rather than a cohesive novel. While there were threads connecting the different sections, they weren’t strong enough to create a compelling sense of progression or build toward a satisfying, propulsive conclusion.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Bolinda Audio via NetGalley ahead of publication.
April 16, 2026
From early on in The Residency, there’s a subtle but constant uneasy feeling, and it just builds steadily the further you get into the story which really kept me hooked.
I loved the remote Scottish island setting, with the descriptions being so immersive that it’s easy to picture everything clearly, which makes the whole atmosphere feel even more intense and a bit claustrophobic at times. It’s definitely a slow burn, but in a good way, as the tension keeps building and really gets under your skin.
If there’s one downside, it’s the ending, not because it isn’t a great twist, because it is, but after such a careful build-up, it feels a little rushed, and I found myself wishing it had been drawn out just a bit longer to really let everything land.
Overall though, it’s a gripping and atmospheric read. If you like stories that rely heavily on tension and that lingering sense of unease, this is definitely one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced reader copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I loved the remote Scottish island setting, with the descriptions being so immersive that it’s easy to picture everything clearly, which makes the whole atmosphere feel even more intense and a bit claustrophobic at times. It’s definitely a slow burn, but in a good way, as the tension keeps building and really gets under your skin.
If there’s one downside, it’s the ending, not because it isn’t a great twist, because it is, but after such a careful build-up, it feels a little rushed, and I found myself wishing it had been drawn out just a bit longer to really let everything land.
Overall though, it’s a gripping and atmospheric read. If you like stories that rely heavily on tension and that lingering sense of unease, this is definitely one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced reader copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
August 31, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Canelo publisher for a copy of this book for review
Ginny is a single mother; she has done everything she can to care for her daughter. But working a low paying job doesn't help clear the debt from Isla's surgeries. Ginny is scraping by and feeling every awful second that she struggles to give her daughter what she needs.
They are on the verge of eviction; Isla is being bullied at school and Ginny can't work more than she is. So maybe her luck is about to change. She stumbles across an ad that offers all the answers to her problems. A residency on an island in Scotland where Isla can go to school while Ginny stays at home working on art. Art that she will be paid for making and allowed to keep. They will also get free lodgings for 3 months! Plenty of time to find a new home where her abusive ex can't find them.
Who would turn it down? But when Ginny is accepted, strange things happen before she has even stepped foot on the boat.
From the start we are aware of the theme of motherhood, particularly single motherhood. In a few pages Major depicts the struggle very well, we feel for Ginny at once. I think Major tries to find a balance when talking about Isla's disability and additional needs. As a disabled reader I was annoyed by the use of the term "special needs" this is considered an outdated turn but at least Major didn't use terms such as "handicapped" or "crippled."
I couldn't talk about this book and not mention the major theme of betrayal and abuse. For the most part these are shown through Philips actions. He broken promises to the islanders, and how he treats his family. And shockingly when he killed his only friend and half-brother.
We see this also from Ginnys side when she tells us about her ex, Isla's father. The idea if escaping the island only to be caught by her ex leaves her feeling trapped.
Major has such a talent for atmospheric scenes that I was torn reading this book. Scenes would play over and over in my head, and I would want to get back to reading ASAP but whenever I reached for the book I would dread reading what would happen next.
I really feel this could have been a 5-star read. The issues that stopped me were, Major would say "I have no idea how i got here. I don't remember leaving the square." Then Major would have the character describe leaving the square. This was confusing and a little frustrating.
I also didn't see the need for the chapter "Now" in my opinion It spoiled the next chapter and seemed random as a narrative. Up to that point Ginny's perspective was first person and we only had 3rd person with Philip. So it was confusing to have a narrative not linked to a character as Philip wasn’t there. I thought it was Susan at first but as this narrator mentions Susan by name it isn't her.
I would have liked some idea of how the painting had magic to begin with and a better explanation of the Ex leaving. Maybe being re-arrested. After the empowering monologue about women dealing with abuse, the idea that her ex just gave up was infuriating.
I wasn't sure if this work was adult or YA. As I am a fan of both I didn’t mind but I would say it reads young.
Having never read Major before I would say that I enjoyed the book as a standalone. Had it been a series I’m not sure I would continue.
I'm glad I read it. The concept was great and I'm glad Major explained how they came up with the idea.
Ginny is a single mother; she has done everything she can to care for her daughter. But working a low paying job doesn't help clear the debt from Isla's surgeries. Ginny is scraping by and feeling every awful second that she struggles to give her daughter what she needs.
They are on the verge of eviction; Isla is being bullied at school and Ginny can't work more than she is. So maybe her luck is about to change. She stumbles across an ad that offers all the answers to her problems. A residency on an island in Scotland where Isla can go to school while Ginny stays at home working on art. Art that she will be paid for making and allowed to keep. They will also get free lodgings for 3 months! Plenty of time to find a new home where her abusive ex can't find them.
Who would turn it down? But when Ginny is accepted, strange things happen before she has even stepped foot on the boat.
From the start we are aware of the theme of motherhood, particularly single motherhood. In a few pages Major depicts the struggle very well, we feel for Ginny at once. I think Major tries to find a balance when talking about Isla's disability and additional needs. As a disabled reader I was annoyed by the use of the term "special needs" this is considered an outdated turn but at least Major didn't use terms such as "handicapped" or "crippled."
I couldn't talk about this book and not mention the major theme of betrayal and abuse. For the most part these are shown through Philips actions. He broken promises to the islanders, and how he treats his family. And shockingly when he killed his only friend and half-brother.
We see this also from Ginnys side when she tells us about her ex, Isla's father. The idea if escaping the island only to be caught by her ex leaves her feeling trapped.
Major has such a talent for atmospheric scenes that I was torn reading this book. Scenes would play over and over in my head, and I would want to get back to reading ASAP but whenever I reached for the book I would dread reading what would happen next.
I really feel this could have been a 5-star read. The issues that stopped me were, Major would say "I have no idea how i got here. I don't remember leaving the square." Then Major would have the character describe leaving the square. This was confusing and a little frustrating.
I also didn't see the need for the chapter "Now" in my opinion It spoiled the next chapter and seemed random as a narrative. Up to that point Ginny's perspective was first person and we only had 3rd person with Philip. So it was confusing to have a narrative not linked to a character as Philip wasn’t there. I thought it was Susan at first but as this narrator mentions Susan by name it isn't her.
I would have liked some idea of how the painting had magic to begin with and a better explanation of the Ex leaving. Maybe being re-arrested. After the empowering monologue about women dealing with abuse, the idea that her ex just gave up was infuriating.
I wasn't sure if this work was adult or YA. As I am a fan of both I didn’t mind but I would say it reads young.
Having never read Major before I would say that I enjoyed the book as a standalone. Had it been a series I’m not sure I would continue.
I'm glad I read it. The concept was great and I'm glad Major explained how they came up with the idea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 16, 2026I bought this after reading a review of it in The Bookseller, and was intrigued by the idea of a Gothic novel set on a Scottish island. Hmmm.
Once I fail to empathise with a main character, I am generally lost to the book, and I'm afraid this happened very quickly with me on this one. The main character is a struggling artist with a small daughter, the father of whom is about to be released from prison. She gets the offer of a three month residency on a remote Scottish island sponsored by a 'famous' artist. She's never heard of him, she can't find any trace save one article on him. She's expected to up sticks with her daughter, no questions asked. And she does.
And here's where she lost me. She's really poor - I got that, but I didn't get her being so poor she can't afford a litre of milk, so she uses the milk for her own tea and has to water down the dregs for her daughter's cereal. She asks her friend, should I go? And the answer, despite all the red flags, is yes. So she hands in her notice at her flat thus making herself and her daughter homeless. She sells all their belongings (Why????) and leaves them only what they can wear and carry in some plastic bags (really, she doesn't even have a rucksack). Then she takes her daughter out of school - the English system, and expects her to start two days later in the very different Scottish system.
I read on a bit, enough for her to get to the island, to ignore various red flags and yet be upset by a tiger rug. I suspect this is one of those books, like The Housemaid, that don't work for me but work for thousands and thousands of other people, but I couldn't see past the practicalities to the Gothic bits. Maybe I was the wrong reader.
Once I fail to empathise with a main character, I am generally lost to the book, and I'm afraid this happened very quickly with me on this one. The main character is a struggling artist with a small daughter, the father of whom is about to be released from prison. She gets the offer of a three month residency on a remote Scottish island sponsored by a 'famous' artist. She's never heard of him, she can't find any trace save one article on him. She's expected to up sticks with her daughter, no questions asked. And she does.
And here's where she lost me. She's really poor - I got that, but I didn't get her being so poor she can't afford a litre of milk, so she uses the milk for her own tea and has to water down the dregs for her daughter's cereal. She asks her friend, should I go? And the answer, despite all the red flags, is yes. So she hands in her notice at her flat thus making herself and her daughter homeless. She sells all their belongings (Why????) and leaves them only what they can wear and carry in some plastic bags (really, she doesn't even have a rucksack). Then she takes her daughter out of school - the English system, and expects her to start two days later in the very different Scottish system.
I read on a bit, enough for her to get to the island, to ignore various red flags and yet be upset by a tiger rug. I suspect this is one of those books, like The Housemaid, that don't work for me but work for thousands and thousands of other people, but I couldn't see past the practicalities to the Gothic bits. Maybe I was the wrong reader.
September 12, 2026
🎧 The Residency by C.D Major 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a unsettling gothic horror that was terrifying. Some of this premise and themes of this book I remember from reading a Roald Dahl as a child and was spooked then. This audiobook was made all the more terrifying by having a real life crazed axe assailant on the loose in country Victoria. Quite close (8KM) to where I live. I actually spooked myself so much, I had to read cookbooks until the axe assailant was captured and arrested by police and I could resume reading terrifying books at night in the comfort of my safe small country town.
The pace was a medium then was quite a slow burn. The ending was great. But it took a while to get there. The character development was there and one in particular very evil and gave me the creeps. Overall a good book.
"Don't linger in the gallery. Don't look too closely at the artwork. Don't ask questions.
Artist and single mom Ginny is offered a place on a three-month artist retreat on a remote Scottish island. She leaps at the chance. Even better, her host is happy for her to bring her daughter Isla.
But the island is not what it seems. The inhabitants greet Ginny and Isla with stares and avoid contact wherever possible. And the house they're staying in is old and strange. Eerie whispers follow Ginny through the corridors. Artworks once covered become uncovered. And unexplained smells clings to the walls lavender, cigar smoke and vomit.
With no WiFi on the island, no help from the locals and no regular transport back to the mainland, Ginny is stranded and all alone. She must unravel the dark secrets of the house before they claim her and her beloved daughter."
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a unsettling gothic horror that was terrifying. Some of this premise and themes of this book I remember from reading a Roald Dahl as a child and was spooked then. This audiobook was made all the more terrifying by having a real life crazed axe assailant on the loose in country Victoria. Quite close (8KM) to where I live. I actually spooked myself so much, I had to read cookbooks until the axe assailant was captured and arrested by police and I could resume reading terrifying books at night in the comfort of my safe small country town.
The pace was a medium then was quite a slow burn. The ending was great. But it took a while to get there. The character development was there and one in particular very evil and gave me the creeps. Overall a good book.
"Don't linger in the gallery. Don't look too closely at the artwork. Don't ask questions.
Artist and single mom Ginny is offered a place on a three-month artist retreat on a remote Scottish island. She leaps at the chance. Even better, her host is happy for her to bring her daughter Isla.
But the island is not what it seems. The inhabitants greet Ginny and Isla with stares and avoid contact wherever possible. And the house they're staying in is old and strange. Eerie whispers follow Ginny through the corridors. Artworks once covered become uncovered. And unexplained smells clings to the walls lavender, cigar smoke and vomit.
With no WiFi on the island, no help from the locals and no regular transport back to the mainland, Ginny is stranded and all alone. She must unravel the dark secrets of the house before they claim her and her beloved daughter."
September 8, 2026
Ginny is relieved when she's offered a chance to escape to a remote Scottish island for an exclusive artistic residency. Her and her daughter had been running out of options previously: low on money, and facing the prison release of her daughter's father, the well-paying three-month gig seems idyllic at first. But then things go bad as the villagers exhibit strange behavior and her new benefactor is evasive. As new secrets come to light, Ginny realizes that her dream job may actually be a nightmare.
The book alternates between Ginny's POV in the present day and a narrator from the past, explaining the history of the house.
This was such a great, creepy read. I was constantly trying to guess what was going on, but didn't quite get a handle on it until it was all revealed - the twists were good and well-thought out! Some of it was so creepy, I even cringed a little bit - when you read it, you'll understand, but some of the themes deal with obsession and possession. It gave me the icks.
Like I said, the ending was really intense and I didn't see it all coming. It was set up really well from the beginning looking back on everything and I loved that. It all came together beautifully and the ultimate ending was just a masterpiece.
That's really all I can say, because it's best to go into this one a knowing as little as possible, because it truly is unique! A great catch for thriller fans!
The book alternates between Ginny's POV in the present day and a narrator from the past, explaining the history of the house.
This was such a great, creepy read. I was constantly trying to guess what was going on, but didn't quite get a handle on it until it was all revealed - the twists were good and well-thought out! Some of it was so creepy, I even cringed a little bit - when you read it, you'll understand, but some of the themes deal with obsession and possession. It gave me the icks.
Like I said, the ending was really intense and I didn't see it all coming. It was set up really well from the beginning looking back on everything and I loved that. It all came together beautifully and the ultimate ending was just a masterpiece.
That's really all I can say, because it's best to go into this one a knowing as little as possible, because it truly is unique! A great catch for thriller fans!
September 21, 2026
This book was deliciously creepy, full of suspense, and absolutely gripped me from the very beginning right through to its terrifying end.
The tension builds slowly and brilliantly, with the isolated island providing the perfect backdrop for the story to unfold. From the outset, I found myself asking the same question as the main character: would I take the opportunity of a lifetime, or would I stay safely at home? And as the story progressed, I found myself becoming increasingly unsure of my answer!
C.D. Major’s writing is clever and atmospheric, creating that wonderful, creeping sense that something is not quite right. At times I was practically urging the main character on, desperate to find out exactly what was happening on the island. At other times, I was willing her to turn around, get back on the boat and just go home!
A remote island, cut off from communication and the outside world, is hardly a new setting for a suspense novel, but somehow C.D. Major brings something fresh to the genre. There’s a real sense of isolation and claustrophobia, and the further into the story you get, the more that feeling of unease builds.
And then there’s that element. I can’t say too much without wandering firmly into spoiler territory, but Major takes the story somewhere I really wasn’t expecting — somewhere horrific.
Creepy, atmospheric, suspenseful and wonderfully unsettling, this is exactly the sort of book that makes you say “just one more chapter” while simultaneously wondering why on earth you’re still reading it at bedtime!
The tension builds slowly and brilliantly, with the isolated island providing the perfect backdrop for the story to unfold. From the outset, I found myself asking the same question as the main character: would I take the opportunity of a lifetime, or would I stay safely at home? And as the story progressed, I found myself becoming increasingly unsure of my answer!
C.D. Major’s writing is clever and atmospheric, creating that wonderful, creeping sense that something is not quite right. At times I was practically urging the main character on, desperate to find out exactly what was happening on the island. At other times, I was willing her to turn around, get back on the boat and just go home!
A remote island, cut off from communication and the outside world, is hardly a new setting for a suspense novel, but somehow C.D. Major brings something fresh to the genre. There’s a real sense of isolation and claustrophobia, and the further into the story you get, the more that feeling of unease builds.
And then there’s that element. I can’t say too much without wandering firmly into spoiler territory, but Major takes the story somewhere I really wasn’t expecting — somewhere horrific.
Creepy, atmospheric, suspenseful and wonderfully unsettling, this is exactly the sort of book that makes you say “just one more chapter” while simultaneously wondering why on earth you’re still reading it at bedtime!
July 26, 2026
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This concept and plot had me so intrigued and excited, only for the execution to bring it down for me.
The idea of this is great and grabbed my attention immediately. It’s pretty easy to parse out what’s happening in the story, and feels like it should be a great read.
The problem for me is how much the writing slows this down.
It feels as though it should be a fast paced book, but the writing slows it to a slow/medium feel. This really made me struggle. I found myself losing interest a few rimes, which is a shame considering how much I like the plot.
The characters are interesting enough, but I was ready to knock out Ginny multiple times because she just kept doing stupid typically horror movie stunts. I was yelling at my book I was so mad at one point. Other than that, I really like the characters.
All in all I don’t regret reading this, because I suspect the plot will stick in my brain far longer than the writing.
This concept and plot had me so intrigued and excited, only for the execution to bring it down for me.
The idea of this is great and grabbed my attention immediately. It’s pretty easy to parse out what’s happening in the story, and feels like it should be a great read.
The problem for me is how much the writing slows this down.
It feels as though it should be a fast paced book, but the writing slows it to a slow/medium feel. This really made me struggle. I found myself losing interest a few rimes, which is a shame considering how much I like the plot.
The characters are interesting enough, but I was ready to knock out Ginny multiple times because she just kept doing stupid typically horror movie stunts. I was yelling at my book I was so mad at one point. Other than that, I really like the characters.
All in all I don’t regret reading this, because I suspect the plot will stick in my brain far longer than the writing.
October 4, 2026
This was very meh for me and I had such high expectations 😩
Positives:
-Eerie vibes, especially with the isolated setting
-Second half was stronger, I was so gripped by it that I read it in a day. I had to keep reading to find out more (but unfortunately, the book fizzles out at the end)
-Liked the idea of how he was doing what he was doing
-Isla was a great character
Negatives:
-Sloooooow start. First half dragged a lot, I get you have to set the scene but nothing was happening. Meant it was hard to get invested
-I loved Isla, but Ginny I felt disconnected from
-All the characters (except maybe Isla. And possibly Phillip, in flashbacks to a degree) feel one dimensional
-Ending felt rushed, too easy and predictable, and you're telling me he couldn't have stopped her in the time it took? I get he's frail but not THAT frail. And why didn't he just move it? Urgh
Although I enjoyed the second half for the most part, this is one of those cases where the premise is better than the execution imo. It was fine, but just fine.
Positives:
-Eerie vibes, especially with the isolated setting
-Second half was stronger, I was so gripped by it that I read it in a day. I had to keep reading to find out more (but unfortunately, the book fizzles out at the end)
-Liked the idea of how he was doing what he was doing
-Isla was a great character
Negatives:
-Sloooooow start. First half dragged a lot, I get you have to set the scene but nothing was happening. Meant it was hard to get invested
-I loved Isla, but Ginny I felt disconnected from
-All the characters (except maybe Isla. And possibly Phillip, in flashbacks to a degree) feel one dimensional
-Ending felt rushed, too easy and predictable, and you're telling me he couldn't have stopped her in the time it took? I get he's frail but not THAT frail. And why didn't he just move it? Urgh
Although I enjoyed the second half for the most part, this is one of those cases where the premise is better than the execution imo. It was fine, but just fine.
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