The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague

by M.K. Hill

There's something wrong with Haddon Hall...

In 1876, Eleanor Teague lives in a lonely house far from the glamorous London Society she once knew. Confined to Haddon Hall by agoraphobia, bedevilled by nightmares of the death of her daughter, and haunted by the guilt of a terrible crime she committed, Eleanor depends on the household servants and on her husband Ezra, who is kind, patient… and controlling.

But when an apparition appears at her bedside, and mysterious voices urge her to find the 'Shadow House', she’s convinced an uncanny presence dwells within the walls of Haddon Hall, and that the staff are lying to her – they, in turn, fear she’s descending into madness.

As Eleanor’s world starts to fracture, the very foundations of Haddon Hall seem to shake. Why is the attic room locked? What is the Shadow House? Who is the strange woman in the woods?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: Also writes as Mark Hill

Reviews

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A Gothic psych thriller. Fabulous use of the Gothic house and the woodsy location. Aggravating MMC (as usual), agoraphobic FMC (not so usual). Fast-paced writing. Loads of creepy vibes and twisty turns. A bit too much telling at times and slightly convenient towards the end. But overall, a great entertainer. Definitely recommended. As always, suspend disbelief while reading this genre to enjoy it better. Go in blind.

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Plot Preview:

England. Since eighteen months, Eleanor Teague has been staying in the remote but beautiful Haddon Hall, confined to the house because of her severe agoraphobia. Her peace of mind is further affected by almost-daily nightmares about the death of her daughter and her role in the same. Haunted by this guilt, she is ever restless, and entirely dependent on her loving but controlling husband Ezra, and on the household servants who are loyal to her spouse.
When she sees a strange apparition in her room and also hears an urgent appeal repeatedly in her nightmares: “Come to the Shadow House”, she is convinced that either Haddon Hall is haunted or she is descending into madness. What is the truth? Is she hallucinating some paranormal entity? Where is the Shadow House? Can she trust the residents of Haddon Hall, and if yes, which ones: those who are alive or those who mysteriously appear?
The story comes to us in Eleanor’s third-person perspective.

Ever since I started reviewing, I have taken notes while reading books so I know what I want to talk about in my review. This time though, most of the points I jotted down ended up useless. For one, a majority of the (positive or negative) observations I had about the plot or characters or timeline or setting ended up nullified because they were altered by reveals in some subsequent chapter. Further, if I discuss any of the points that initially aggravated me and later impressed me, my review will be full of spoilers. There’s so much I am bursting to talk about but I can reveal nothing. Here’s a vague, diluted-down, spoiler-free version of this twisty ride.


Bookish Yays:
🤯 Eleanor. She annoyed the heck out of me at the start with her subservience to Ezra. But once I figured out what was happening, she earned my respect. Her emotions were written excellently. (All the greater compliment as the writer is a man.)

🤯 Ezra. It's so tough to look at overly-loving husbands without suspicion or judgement. (I mean husbands in psych/suspense thrillers, of course.😇) In many ways, Ezra is the typical psych-thriller hubby, but he also displays supportive behaviour. Figuring him out is fun (in a devious way.)

🤯 The three main staff members at Haddon Hall. So distinct in their behaviour and so vital to the plot. The housekeeper gave me Mrs. Danvers vibes.

🤯 The Gothic setting of Haddon Hall. Perfect for the story!

🤯 The plot development. Started great, ended wild!

🤯 The representation of agoraphobia. Very convincing.

🤯 The creepiness of the atmosphere, whether through the house itself or the woodsy exteriors or the mildly paranormal vibes or the strange character behaviour… Everything was so vivid and eerie, even when it wasn’t supposed to be!

🤯 The twisty turns – awesome! There are so many misdirections and yet, almost everything makes sense at the end. I simply couldn’t see the big reveal coming!

🤯 The fast pacing. No time wasted on an extensive build-up. We take a deep-dive into the suspense right from the very first scene, which is so unsettling!

🤯 The vagueness and the lack of synchronicity in certain details, which irked me when they first appeared but later caused me to go “Ohhhhh!” and “Oh my!” in the best possible way. I really want to talk more about this but I can't! 🤐

🤯 The use of ‘Then’ and ‘Now’. Oh, so devious of you, Mr. Author! But so clever as well!


Bookish Okays:
🤔 The writing is a bit hurried at times, especially in the in-between transition scenes. But this isn't a big issue as it is better for psych thrillers to be rushed than dragged.

🤔 The title is really clever, but it indirectly leads you in a direction that should have been a surprise. Then again, this realisation comes only retrospectively, so it still does its job of creating a hook.

🤔 There is a little too much telling in a few scenes, especially in the second half. And a few too many coincidences. All par for the course in psych thrillers.


Overall, it has been ages since I read such a satisfying psych thriller. While reading the book, you know that something is off, and there are clues scattered throughout the writing. But figuring out their significance is tricky until we learn the main reveal. As most thriller fans know, suspension of disbelief is essential for this genre. But I am impressed by how most of the unbelievable occurrences were explained or hinted at logically. This book contains many of the things that usually bug me while reading psych thrillers, but because of the… ahem-ahem…🤐, I couldn’t stay bugged.

This is my first book by this author, and given how satisfying this was (I read 300 pages in a day!), I’d love to read more by him.

Definitely recommended to fans of twisty psych thrillers.

4 stars.


My thanks to Random Things Tours, Pellerin Books, and author M.K. Hill for a complimentary copy of 'The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague'. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

The digital version of this book is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

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I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.

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Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||

[Dutchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! This is an extremely fast paced, twisty, psychological, gothic mystery!

Eleanor spends her days at Haddon Hall suffering from extreme agoraphobia and mourning the loss of her daughter, Mia. Her husband, Ezra, is always out of town on business, trying to get his company ready to sell. The goal is that once he sells, he will be able to spend more time with Eleanor. During the time that she spends alone, things feel slightly amiss. She’s having nightmares and is seeing things of the ghostly variety at night. There is something wrong at Haddon Hall, and she is determined to find out what it is.

I’m always drawn to gothic novels, and this is no exception. It’s extremely atmospheric and creepy and then turns into something completely different. Which was really fun to read. I can’t say anymore without spoilers, but this definitely was unique for sure.

This is definitely one to be added to your TBR for sure!

Special thanks to Rosh for putting this on my radar🫶🏻

[Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smashing!

I liked this book. I read it in one day. Stayed up all night. Couldn’t put it down for nothing. I thought, at first, that this would be a haunted house novel.

Nope. No haunted house. Just a big old house filled with traumatized people. It’s the people who are scary and creepy. What’s wrong with them?Z

This book is so good that I am going to read it again. Kudos to the author. This book is highly recommend.

Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫

[Zoe Kindle Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride this was! My best advice is go in blind without any expectations, it certainly took turns I did not anticipate and was completely different to anything I’ve read before.

I would say it’s a psychological mystery, with mild supernatural undertones and I really can’t say anything about the plot without spoiling it, so my advice is to read it and enjoy!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had fun reading this! It was so haunting & dark with so many twists, each chapter kept me gripped everytime I picked this back up.

It took me a moment to really connect with the characters in this but soon enough I was firmly on the side of Eleanor the whole time. I found every character so intriguing & mysterious which I enjoyed and as well as that, I thought the villain of the story was so well written & I was desperate to see their comeuppance by the end. The setting of the main part of the story was also done well, there were so many points where I felt completely immersed, especially in the last half of the book. My only very mild criticism is the ending felt slightly rushed for my taste but perhaps I just wasn't ready for this to end.

This felt like a complete dystopian mind fuck, in the best kind of way! I struggle comparing this to other books as I don't think I've read anything else quite like this, I can say though that if you're a Black Mirror fan, this will definitely be a book for you. I was also getting strong Don't Worry Darling vibes (but even better), more so in the second half so any fans of that movie, I'd recommend this. Or, if you just enjoy dark psychological thrillers with a haunting Victorian setting, again I'd highly suggest picking this up.

Thank you Pellerin Books & Tandem Collective UK for my free eARC!

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Blimey, what a gripping and heart-racing read. The story is split into two halves, and honestly, both were as captivating as each other. What I loved about the first part was that you genuinely didn’t know where it was heading. Once you hit the midpoint, you get a glimpse of what’s happening, but certainly not the whole truth. Part two then delivers the rest with revelation after revelation. If your heart isn't thumping by the end like mine was, I’ll be judging you

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* ->> 5*

“The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague” was nowhere near my radar but I sure am glad I came across it thanks to a blogger or two taking the time out to review it.

On paper, this sounded right up my alley. A story set during the Victorian era will always grab my attention. Throw in a big house and odd shenanigans and I was pretty sure I’d have a good time. It’s pretty obvious early on that things aren’t quite as they seem at Haddon Hall. The staff acts rather weird towards Eleanor, her husband comes across as somewhat of a control freak. But Eleanor is here to be comforted after the death of her daughter. Her grief has caused some kind of mental breakdown and the people around her just want her to recover and be well again.

There's a constant reminder that Eleanor owes her husband, Ezra, a lot. He is by all accounts forgiving and loving, despite Eleanor apparently making huge mistakes in the past and hurting his feelings. She should be thankful, and she is. Because her husband is keeping her safe and making her feel protected. But Eleanor is also trapped in more ways than one. There is a bad case of agoraphobia that keeps her from leaving the house. But more than anything, there are her memories. Or lack thereof.

To be quite honest, I got to a point where I began to feel disappointed, wondering why this book was recommended as being special, when all I could see was a long path of predictability. I thought I had it all worked out and was I was ready to pull the "been there, done that" t-shirt from my closet. But then, something happened - that I obviously can't tell you about - which made me sit up that little bit straighter and start paying closer attention. You think you know what's going on, but you really don't.

I really can't say anything more for fear of spoilers slipping out. Suffice to say there is an entire web of secrets and lies that needs to be unraveled and, while I hate using this phrase, there actually really is a twist you won't see coming. It turns the entire story onto its head and it's done so incredibly brilliantly you wish you could talk to people about it but you can't because it would ruin everything. I already feel like I'm saying too much but I will mention that I felt just a little bit let down by the ending. But that's my own personal preference, as it actually fits the story quite well.

'The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague' is a well-executed, well-plotted and addictive mystery that truly entertained me. Slight departure from the crime fiction stories I was used to from M.K. Hill but - as the kids say - I'm here for it. If this is to be a new direction for him, I will gladly follow.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I am more used to reading M.K. Hill's work set in a very modern world with some very modern, sometimes morally dubious, police types at the helm. The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague is a very significant departure from that kind of story, and one that had me hooked from the beginning, loving every single page of it. Jam packed with mystery, suspense, intrigue and a key gothic styling, this is the kind of book that draws you in, leads you down one dark and sometimes sinister path, only to veer off in an entirely unexpected direction halfway. And, perhaps strangely, it felt absolutely right.

Now, I will be honest, this is, for me, a hard book to get too far into the detail of. The beginning of the book has an almost atmospheric, gothic edge, and it is clear from the start that its protagonist, the eponymous Eleanor Teague, has many secrets that remain, as yet, undisclosed to the reader. The more time we spend with her, the more we get those hints of tragedy and, perhaps, scandal, but it will be some time before the extent of them are revealed. Agoraphobic, Eleanor's world is finite, existing merely within the corridors and rooms of her new home, Haddon Hall, and it gives the story a somewhat claustrophobic feel at times. There are limited characters as a result, few of whom it is easy to like for various reasons, but this all adds to the edginess and tension that drive the heart of the book.

The centre of Eleanor's somewhat limited world, beyond Haddon Hall, is her devoted husband, Ezra. And yet, for all of her desire and excitement for his to return home from his business trip, there is a sense that all is not as it seems. Apparitions, fading and inconsistent memories, and shocks lie in store the further we venture into Eleanor's story, and it is with dizzying effect that the author starts to reveal some of the hidden aspects of this oh so clever story. There is a clever use of misdirection, backed by Eleanor's seemingly fragile state of mind, that drives our understanding of what is happening even as it builds an entirely different picture just out of our direct line of sight.

Now, as fragile as Eleanor appears to be on the surface, she is actually a very well developed and determined character. There are aspects to her nature that belie the timidity we see at first and the more time I spent with her, the more I grew to like her. Now I know that Mr Hill is more than able to create truly believable and fleshed out characters, and there is a spark within Eleanor that is key to maintaining our attention, espcially as she strives to recapture memories that are lost to her. There are key themes within this book that any reader could identify with from more modern concerns, despite its Victorian setting and whilst the staff at Haddon Hall appear to be dedicated to the Master and Mistress, and Ezra is besotted with his wife, well, do not believe all you see and hear.

And then, at the halfway point, when you feel you will have a handle on what is happening, when you think you have got to grips with the spooky and unsettling goings on, trust me. You don't. I really like what the author has done here. For the sake of spoilers I will say no more, but there came a point in the story when it took on what I will describe as a somewhat 'Turton-esque' air, and some of the clues that feed throughout the earlier part of the book start to make total and utter sense. And it made me smile. A very happy and satisfied smile.

If you have come looking for your typical Victorian era gothic suspense, well, it's here, but with a very specific twist. It worked perfectly for me, in fact that swivel from the halfway point made me all the more engaged and determined for Eleanor to come good. Whether she ever manages to break free of her 'agoraphobic' prison, or unlock the truths her mind is keeping hidden, you'll have to read to find out. Definitely recommended if, like me, you love a book where the plot rests on somewhat of an angle.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strange Lives of Elenaor Teague, the new novel by M.K. Hill, is very difficult to talk about without giving the plot away, but what I can say is that it blew my mind. It is very different to what M.K. Hill has written before, but I thought this made it feel really fresh and much more entertaining.

We meet Eleanor Teague, who is the Lady of the House at Haddow Hall in the year 1876. The house holds many mysteries, giving Eleanor reason to believe that something about her home isn’t quite right. She believes she is seeing ghosts, which alarms her, and there are whisperings, urging her to go to The Shadow House. Eleanor is also grieving for her daughter, who passed away, and this tragic loss has undoubtedly destabilised her. But there is also a mystery surrounding her daughter’s death, which is revealed when her husband, Ezra, returns home from London. It becomes very clear to see why Eleanor is so distressed and why she is finding it so difficult to return to normal life.

Eleanor is pretty much confined to Haddow Hall with only her servants to attend to her. There are some really tense scenes, even between her and her servants, which intrigued me. It gives the book a very claustrophobic feeling and gives the sense that Eleanor was trapped in her own home. The setting really did draw me in, and I felt trapped there, like I felt Eleanor was, despite her husband’s profound love for her and his insistence that she was safe and well looked over.

I was definitely not expecting the direction M.K. Hill takes this book in, and this definitely gives the book a renewed sense of propulsion. I was really rooting for Eleanor in this section of the book. I did wonder just how Eleanor was going to get herself out of the predicament she was in and what it was that her husband was really up to. It does make for such intense reading as she fights to find out the truth, and M.K. Hill continues to raise the stakes for her, making it more and more difficult for Eleanor to fight.

I absolutely loved the fresh angle in this book, which, for me, makes it stand out, and made me really invested in the characters. M.K. Hill has written an intense, highly entertaining read that doesn’t feel too far from the realms of possibility, which is a scary thought. I absolutely loved it!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn to this book by the front cover. It was dark and mysterious and with those tag words too, I knew that this was my kind of read.

 

As someone who doesn't read blurbs and being my first read by this author, I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm pretty sure that I was going into a standard thriller and was looking forward to the twists throughout.

But, I hadn't expected that this would have such a dark and eerie setting.

 

Haddon Hall was the perfect place to host us and I was instantly on edge from the first few pages.

We were also set in the late 1800's which again, seemed to just add to this dark, Victorian creepy vibe.

 

I was intrigued by our main character and her condition. It's not too often that we see much about agoraphobia and I think this added to the tension, knowing that she was essentially trapped within a prison (of her own making) and that was definitely enough to mess with anyone's mind.

This left us wondering how much of what we were being told was real a f what was just poor Eleanor's mental health further suffering.

 

Despite this untreliability, I was completely on edge throughout and raced through the pages, desperate to find out how everything was going to play out.

The twists hit just right and kept me making theories right the way through.

 

This was a great mix of genres and the pacing and development was perfect.

The writing style was dark and compelling and I will definitely be looking out for this author in the future.

 

 

 
 

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we meet Eleanor, who is stuck at Haddow Hall - isolated, trapped, and surrounded only by her servants, and even those relationships feel tense and uneasy. 🥺 She’s grieving the loss of her daughter, and when her husband returns, the truth about Mia’s death slowly begins to unfold. 🫣 From that point on, everything becomes more unsettling and nothing feels quite real anymore. 😳

The atmosphere is so heavy that even the smallest interactions feel loaded. It pulled me in instantly. 🤯

Wow… I never expected to enjoy this kind of book, but it completely hit me with disturbing, gripping, creepy twists. 👩🏼‍🏫 The secrets, the tension, the way the atmosphere is built - it honestly blew my mind. 😱 The whole book feels claustrophobic, like the walls are slowly closing in, and you can really feel how trapped Eleanor is in her own home. 🤔

Thank you to Mark and Tandem Collective for letting me join the readalong. ♥️ I’ve absolutely loved every second of it. 😍 I’m so glad I signed up because I was completely invested from start to finish! 📖👀

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really gave me ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ vibes and I am so here for it!

This was such a gripping and fast paced read and I honestly struggled to put it down. Such a good psychological thriller.

This book is split into two parts and both parts of the book were so good. Both parts captivate you and make you want to keep reading to solve the mystery of what is real and what is not.

Think haunting, mysterious & twists.

Absolutely hooked on this book. The twist was so cleverly written so kudos to Mark Hill. It’s not until part two you’re like holy… 😂

Each character is so intriguing and so well written.

A perfect thriller.

[ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing I can say about this book that won't give the story away—you just HAVE to experience it... 

I read this book in less than 24 hours and was gripped by the very first chapter! Twisty, mind-melting and the finest Gothic gaslighting, you will not want to stop until you've truly figure out the mystery for yourself! 

A quick, fast-paced psychological thriller for those who love a truly immersive mystery 🙌 

Thank you Pellerin Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review, and congrats on your first publication!

[Kelly Van Damme · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

Definitely in the top 10 of best twists ever. If you're reading it and you're wondering what all the fuss is about (as I was), just keep at it and prepare for your jaw to drop cos it is is not what you think at all.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read the blurb before reading so with open eyes I eagerly dove in. I can't even begin to tell you much I loved this book. It took me to places I wasn't expecting...

Now I'm in for anything gothic and for the first half of the book that's what we got, a haunting story full of atmosphere and cloaked in mystery. The second half blew me away, flipping all my theories on their heads.

Distorting reality, the boundaries of obsessive love, and surpassing the wildest of imaginations, Hill has delighted with one of my favourite books of '26.

If they ever need a creative mind for future episodes of Black Mirror, Hill's the man!

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily one of my favourite books of the year and gets all the stars, but is just as easily the hardest to review as I wouldn’t want to risk any spoilers.

I loved everything about this, the characters, the setting (Victorian gothic houses? Hell yes) the twists, the intensity and the oh my f***king gods throughout.

This needs to be on screen and on your TBR!!

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague, by author M.K. Hill is a atmospheric, gothic psychological mystery. Set in the gaslit chill of Victorian England, Hill crafts a a masterclass in gaslighting, isolation, and spectral dread.

The year is 1876. Eleanor Teague lives a profoundly lonely existence within the looming, silent walls of Haddon Hall, a far cry from the glamorous London high society she once inhabited. Eleanor is trapped, both physically and mentally, by a severe case of agoraphobia that prevents her from ever crossing the threshold.

Her internal world is an absolute minefield. She is bedevilled by relentless, agonizing nightmares of her young daughter’s death, and further crushed by the overwhelming guilt of a terrible crime she committed in her past. In this fragile state, Eleanor relies entirely on her household servants and her husband, Ezra. On the surface, Ezra is the picture of a devoted Victorian spouse, kind, infinitely patient, and deeply attentive. Beneath the surface, however, his attentiveness harbours a chilling, suffocating undercurrent of control.

The fragile status quo at Haddon Hall shatters when the supernatural bleeds into Eleanor’s isolation. An eerie, shifting apparition begins appearing directly at her bedside, accompanied by disembodied, mysterious voices that desperately urge her to find something called the “Shadow House.”. An uncanny, malevolent presence dwells within the stone walls of her home, Eleanor turns to her household for answers. But she is met with a wall of denial. She becomes certain the staff are actively lying to her to protect a dark secret, while they, in turn, whisper behind closed doors, fearing their mistress is hopelessly descending into clinical madness.

As Eleanor’s perception of her world begins to violently fracture, the very architectural foundations of Haddon Hall seem to shake. Hill masterfully piles on a series of deeply unsettling, gothic riddles: Why is the attic room kept permanently locked, and what is Ezra hiding behind its door? What or where, is the elusive “Shadow House” the spirits keep whispering about? Who is the strange, silent woman spotted lurking just beyond the estate’s tree line in the deep woods?

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel that captures the oppressive social structures of the Victorian era where a woman’s trauma was easily dismissed as hysteria. Eleanor is an incredibly compelling, tragic heroine. Because she is burdened by genuine guilt over a past crime, Hill sets up a brilliant, shifting puzzle: is Eleanor an entirely unreliable narrator succumbing to the weight of her own sins, or is she the victim of a monstrous, living conspiracy?

The novel is well paced with a slow burn sense of dread for Eleanor. The imagery of the locked attic and the mysterious “Shadow House” serves as a brilliant metaphor for the locked-away secrets of the human psyche. When the truth behind the apparitions and the strange woman in the woods is finally unearthed, it flips the entire narrative on its head in a jaw-dropping finale.

This is a good solid read from an author I plan to read more of.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an absolute 5 star read for me. And the twist…chefs kiss! The book is a haunting, hypnotic descent into grief, guilt, and the uncanny. It’s the kind of novel that seeps under your skin and lingers long after the final page. Set against the isolating backdrop of Haddon Hall in 1876, this is a richly atmospheric gothic tale that masterfully blends psychological suspense with the supernatural—leaving you constantly questioning what is real and what is unraveling inside Eleanor’s fragile mind.

Eleanor herself is an unforgettable protagonist. Once part of London’s glittering society, she is now imprisoned—not just by the walls of Haddon Hall, but by her agoraphobia, her grief, and the crushing weight of guilt over a past crime. Her character is written with remarkable nuance; she is both unreliable and deeply sympathetic, and her internal conflict drives the narrative with a quiet, relentless intensity. You feel her fear, her confusion, and her desperation as if they were your own.

The setting is nothing short of exquisite. Haddon Hall is more than just a house—it’s a living, breathing entity filled with shadows, secrets, and a suffocating sense of dread. The locked attic room, the whispering voices, and the elusive “Shadow House” create an intricate web of mystery that tightens with every chapter. The eerie atmosphere is beautifully sustained, with a creeping tension that builds rather than relying on cheap shocks.

What truly elevates this novel is its ambiguity. Is Eleanor being haunted by something otherworldly, or is her mind fracturing under trauma and control? The presence of her husband Ezra—gentle yet unsettlingly controlling—adds another layer of unease, blurring the lines between care and manipulation. Even the servants feel suspect, contributing to a pervasive sense that Eleanor is utterly alone, unable to trust anyone—not even herself.

The pacing is deliberate but gripping, allowing the psychological horror to unfold gradually. Each revelation feels earned, and the narrative never loses its hold. The imagery is vivid, the prose elegant, and the emotional depth profound.

This is not just a ghost story—it’s a story about confinement, power, and the haunting nature of guilt. Fans of gothic fiction and psychological thrillers will find themselves completely absorbed. I was!

A beautifully written, deeply unsettling novel that proves the most terrifying prisons are often the ones we carry within us.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kindly given an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.

In 1876, Eleanor finds herself a prisoner within the walls of Haddon House. Trapped by a paralyzing blend of agoraphobia, the weight of past crimes, and the recurring nightmares of her daughter’s death, the world beyond the front door is an impossible frontier. Were it not for the patience of her husband, Esra —whose forgiveness she does not deserve— Eleanor is certain she would be rotting in an asylum, or worse.

​However, the sanctuary of Haddon House is beginning to fracture. Guided by spectral apparitions and voices whispering of a "Shadow House," Eleanor starts to suspect her home is a veneer for something darker. From the gaslighting staff and the mysterious woman in the woods to the attic that remains perpetually locked, the atmosphere is thick with unease. Even the weather seems to shift unnaturally the moment Ezra returns home.

​The core concept of this novel feels refreshingly distinct. Without venturing into spoilers, I’ll say the central idea left me with a profound sense of discomfort; when I finally closed the book, I had to step away from all distractions just to process what I'd read.

​This is a propulsive read rather than a visceral one. I found myself reaching for it every night, driven by a genuine need to untangle the central mystery. Yet, while the pacing is brisk, the emotional stakes never quite reached a fever pitch. It’s a "page-turner" in the literal sense, though the heart-pounding tension was sometimes missing.
​
​While I suspected Eleanor’s "crimes" weren't as black-and-white as they first appeared, I never could have predicted the twist. There is little to prepare you for the true nature of Ezra’s invention, and I’m still torn on whether the lack of foreshadowing made the reveal more brilliant or simply more jarring.

Even though I wasn't gasping at every chapter break, the conceptual payoff is heavy. It doesn't rely on explosive action to leave a mark; instead, it haunts you with its implications. It is the kind of ending that demands a few minutes of silence. It may not have "blown my mind" in the traditional sense, but the story has burrowed into my thoughts, and I suspect it will stay there for a long time.

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

If, like me, you ever wondered what a 21st century woman would do if she found herself in the predicament of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper, look no further than The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague.

Eleanor’s language, thought processes, and vague surprise at the everyday life of a housebound Victorian mark the mysteries at the heart of this novel to be how did she end up in this gothic pile and, more crucially as the story progresses, how is she going to get back home?

Is this a ghost story? A time travel novel? Speculative fiction? From page 1 until half way through the novel we are wondering. Then, once we know, we are willing Eleanor to get out and get back to safety.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this novel is that it has all the markers of good, if somewhat early, feminist fiction, and it was written by a man. I’m not sure what the author’s political views are (and I’m too British to ask such a rude question of him) but there is always something refreshing when a male author sees the inequalities women have faced and are still facing, and documents them. We are always calling for blokes to call out toxic masculinity, and I have to say, this novel is an example of that for me.

In Eleanor’s journey she is helped by a range of characters, mainly other women. But there are key men in her life who do their bit too. But only their bit. They don’t “rescue” her. And it’s an older, wise woman who equips Eleanor with knowledge and a dose of self-belief. But ultimately, when she realises she’s trapped in the middle of the forest, in this story the princess knows she has to save herself.

In short, more of this kind of thing, please. More books by blokes who write women as fully-fledged humans and who point out that sometimes other men do truly awful things for selfish reasons.

Three word review: pro-feminist gothic thriller.

[Jas Stock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Pellerin Books for the review copy of The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague by M.K.Hill

This story follows the life of Eleanor Teague a seemingly ordinary victorian lady of the house with a loving husband and doting staff. Eleanor also has a troubled past having been responsible for the death of her child. The story follows Eleanor discovering all is not what it seems following visions and dreams which plague her. Is she who she thinks she is? What is in the attic? These and many more twists and turns are experienced in this sort of dual timeline thriller.

When I started this book, I wasn't sure what to make of it. It was suitably creepy but did seem to take a little while to get going. It also seemed to almost be coming to a conclusion halfway through before we go to the alt timeline and things start to unravel (I'm being deliberately vague as to avoid spoilers) The second half of the book was very different with pacing but was enjoyable and kept me pivoting as to what is going on. I felt once the reveal was evident that it could have been wrapped up quicker but I enjoyed the level of detail in things that this book went to. Characters were well done with no character taking up more time than they needed to. It was a good representation of the genre and I really enjoyed this different take on a common themes. the new world and old world blended well.

My true rating for this was 4.5 stars as whilst it's not a 5 star for me, it definitely was one that I got through quickly and enjoyed. I wasn't bored and for the most part I wasn't left wanting. The victorian setting of this made it quite interesting to me and the world building really made me feel like I was in a house of that time.

[Amie Derricott · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1986 and Eleanor Teague lives in a secluded manor house, far from the busy London society she is used to. Trapped within the confines of Haddon Hall due to crippling agoraphobia, plagued with nightmares of her daughters death and riddled with guilt over a terrible crime she committed, her only company is the houses servants and her husband Ezra, who on the surface is kind, patient and forgiving, but underneath it all is incredibly controlling. When a strange apparition starts appearing at her bedside and she starts to hear strange voices, Eleanor starts to think that the house is haunted and that the staff are lying to her about these occurrences. They on the other hand, fear that Eleanor is descending once more into the madness that led to her confinement at Haddon Hall.

This is absolutely one of the best books I’ve read this year. From start to finish it has you on the edge of your seat, heart racing and unwilling to stop reading. It is split into two parts and part one hooks you in and has you wondering exactly where things are heading, building up tension that has you questioning Eleanor’s reality alongside her. Then at the cusp of the second part you get a glimpse of the truth that the rest of the book goes on to fully explain with revelation after revelation that leaves your jaw on the floor, racing through to a conclusion that despite wrapping everything up nicely, does leave the very very end open to interpretation. I’m being deliberately vague so as not to spoil anything as I definitely think this is one you need to go into blind! One of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WHAT A BOOK!

We find ourselves at Haddon Hall in the year 1876, a foreboding house with a skeleton staff of Mrs Knox the housekeeper, Lucy the ladies maid and Mr Thorogood the valet to Eleanor and Ezra a young married couple. Eleanor is at Haddon Hall to recover her nerves after the death of their young daughter which has left her traumatised with agoraphobia.

Eleanor has come to Haddon Hall to heal, rest and recover, but all is not what it seems. Often she will wake in the night to find someone stood at the end of her bed urging her to go to the "shadow house". On waking when Eleanor tries to find answers to her nightly visitors the staff at Haddon Hall are very dismissive and try and change the subject, what are the staff at Haddon Hall trying to hide? What is the Shadow House?

Ezra is often in London trying to secure investors for his business "Looking Glass" and becomes Eleanor's only link to the world outside Haddon Hall after the relationship she had with her sister Clara has broken down. Ezra and Eleanor's relationship is built on co-dependency, Ezra wants to ensure Eleanor has everything she needs to recover but when Eleanor asks Ezra for help finding the "shadow house" things take a sinister turn.

This gothic psychological thriller is PACKED with twists and some of them really have you second guessing what you have just read and worked brilliantly to turn the plot on its head. The tension builds steadily for some heart in the mouth moments as you discover more about Eleanor and her reasons for being at Haddon Hall.

If I try and say anymore it will be full of spoilers and this is a book you need to just read and discover for yourself. If I had to sum up the feeling the book gave me it would be "Trampolining over sharks" - the exhilaration, the danger, the suspense and the terror - WONDERFUL BOOK!

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an absolute corker of a book! It's not a spoiler to mention the jaw-dropping twist as it's stated in the blurb but it is MINDBLOWING!

The main character of Eleanor Teague is complex and I really felt for her. Not only is she grieving for her young daughter but she is filled with guilt over her death. It's no wonder that she's frightened to leave the house. Luckily for Eleanor, she lives in a large house with servants and her doting husband Ezra so she is well looked after...or so it would appear.

Mental health wasn't even considered in Victorian times so Eleanor is just seen as a weak and hysterical woman. Haddon Hall is both her sanctuary and her prison and now it looks like it's haunted too. Eleanor doesn't know what to believe or who to trust and the suspense and tension ramps up with every turn of the page.

Mind-bending, addictive and highly original, The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague is completely unpredictable and incredibly suspenseful. I was already hooked on the book when M K Hill delivered an ingenious twist that really pulled the rug out from beneath me and I take my hat off to you, sir! The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague is unmissable and highly recommended.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of my favourite books I've read this year as it was completely different to what I've ever read before! I went in 'blind' with this book so it made my experience more shocking with the twists as I weren't expecting them.
It was fast paced as it went straight in from the first chapter and had me HOOKED, right until the very end!

The story is split into two distinct parts. The first part is primarily a gothic Victorian mystery that builds up tension and you aren't sure where it's heading, while the second part completely flips the script with a dystopian twist that has loads of revelations.

I found all the characters so intriguing, mysterious and I was rooting for Eleanor so much the whole way through! Hill's writing is gripping and he uses 'creative imagery' and a 'locked room' atmosphere that builds up a sense unease of Haddon Hall.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a dark, haunting Victorian setting, then I'd highly suggest picking this up! I absolutely LOVED it!!

Thank you @pellerinbooks and @markhillwriter for selecting me to read an early copy of the book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague is exactly that, a strange tale, and I loved it!
It's hard to talk about this book without mentioning any spoilers. We first meet Eleanor Teague as an agoraphobic recluse in Victorian England, never leaving her safe space of Haddon Hall with her 3 members of staff for company while her husband travels for work. In the second half of the book, we meet Ellie Teague living in present day England with her daughter and close family. It becomes clear early on that all is not as it seems in Haddon Hall, but it's hard to pinpoint the exact reason why, until it all starts to quite literally fall apart.
A dark and haunting tale, exploring the lengths someone could be willing to go to in order provide the person they love the most with the perfect life, even if it means destroying theirs.
I had no idea where the story was going until it was revealed, but then it becomes clear that there had been breadcrumbs dropped along the way, I just hadn't put them together. Hard to put into a specific genre or box as I haven't read anything like it before, the only thing I can think is that The Strange Lives is perfect for fans of Black Mirror!

[Mimsy James · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of gothic fiction and Victorian ghost stories I was keen to read this new book by M.K. Hill. It tells the tale of Eleanor Teague who is confined to her husband's mansion in the late 19th century. For the first half of the book I thought I knew what to expect. Yes I was anticipating twists and secrets, and maybe a ghost or two, but I thought I had a grasp on the genre. Then, about half way through, came a twist that I truly didn't see coming! I know it says that in the synopsis, but there's no way I could have predicted it.

The best part of the twist is that it took the story from a standard mystery set in a spooky Victorian mansion and turned it into a dystopian nightmare that was all the more engaging. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers, but it's definitely worth reading.

While the twist makes the book darker, it also made me like the main character of Eleanor Teague even more. In the first half of the book she is a stereotypical Victorian invalid, and in the second half she becomes a strong feminist character.

It's a great genre-bending book.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a completely and utterly unique book. I can see why it had some of the comparisons it did. As soon as I saw those, I had to read this because I love a quirky thriller, especially when it messes with your mind.
Throughout the entire book I was trying to guess what was happening, who certain people were or were not, what was actually there and anything I could piece together. There was so much I was blown away by and honestly had not thought the author would hit us with out of left field. I loved the way things were written and how we got tossed into the unknown more than once.
The characters match the story and style perfectly and it only helps to solidify the absolutely bonkers, curious nature of this brilliant book.
The pace is spot on for the book as well. Right when you need to get hit with a sprint of action, you are, and just as you need to tiptoe through to figure a few things out, you do. It was excellent.

[Antonella Gramola-Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed The Strange Lives of Eleanor Teague by Mark Hill. It’s got that properly moody, slightly creepy gothic feel, and it keeps things moving at a nice pace. Set in Victorian times at Haddon Hall, the atmosphere really comes through, all creaky rooms and lingering secrets. It follows Eleanor Teague, who starts to realise things about her life don’t quite add up, odd gaps in her memory, little details that feel off, and it slowly unravels from there. The more she tries to make sense of it, the stranger it all gets. But, above all, is she really safe?

This book is very easy to read quickly because you want to find out what’s happening in the story as soon as possible. And the twist? Didn’t see it coming at all, but it works. Everything clicks into place in a way that feels satisfying rather than over the top. Thanks to Pellerin Books for the preview ebook.

[Nicola Mostyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1876 and Eleanor Teague is grieving the death of her child and fears to leave her home, the grand Haddon Hall. She drifts around the house and waits her beloved husband’s return. But there’s something very wrong with Haddon Hall. And Eleanor begins to suspect she is being lied to...

A gothic novel like you’ve never read before, this high concept thriller absolutely hooked me from the start. I can’t say anymore, just that you have to read this book - it is clever and compelling and keeps us a great pace as we root for Eleanor while, treated as though she doesn’t have a grasp on reality, she tries to figure out what is being hidden from her and what she has forgotten.

M.K Hill takes the Gothic novel - hysterical woman trapped in grand old house - and turns it on its head. Clever, compelling and deliciously creepy, with a heroine you’ll root for. I was hooked from the start!