Beneath, It Sleeps

by Maria Tureaud

In this lush, gripping Gothic novel set in 18th century Ireland, a young woman on the run from her past goes undercover within the infamous Hellfire Club, a remote lodge mired in rumors of Devil-worship and depravity . . .

Charlotte “Lotty” Boyle fled to Dublin to escape the clutches of a powerful duke. She’s found some measure of protection working as the accountant for Dorcas Kelly—the city’s most notorious brothel keeper. But now, with the duke hot on her heels, Lotty needs another refuge, and Dorcas has just the place in mind.

Dorcas wants Lotty to act as her spy while posing as a servant at the Hellfire Club. The very name evokes a strange dread. Nestled deep in the mountains, the old hunting lodge is rented out for secret meetings where rakish gentlemen indulge their tastes for debauchery. But from the moment she arrives, Lotty senses more at play here than human vices. The locals talk of banshees and forest spirits, and in her nightmares, Lotty is visited by a púca—a terrifying shapeshifter of Irish folklore.

It is said that those who flock to the Hellfire Club dabble in satanic rituals and sacrifices. What those men don’t know, and what Lotty begins to understand, is that something far more ancient sleeps beneath the lodge—an elemental power unafraid to wage war with the Devil himself. Now, as dark magics collide, that power will awaken, eager to appease its vengeance at any price . . .

Genres: Horror, Gothic, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Ireland

Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 26, 2027

About the author

Maria Tureaud hails from the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland. A Developmental Editor of fourteen years, and acclaimed author of children's and adult fiction, you can find her drinking tea in New Jersey as she dreams of moving home to her beloved County Clare, Ireland.

Reviews

[Fede]

DNF at 74%

I appreciated what Beneath, it sleeps tried doing, even if in the end it didn't land. While the premise was interesting and the first half of the book was very gripping, after the 50% mark we lost the plot.

The story follows Lotty, an Irish accountant trying to flee from a man who has been haunting her for years. With the help of Dorcas, her employer, she sets out to a remote hill near the Hellfire Club to escape from the Duke's clutches, but also to gather information on the infamous lodge's activities. Lotty was an amazing main character. It was easy to root for her and sympathize with her.

The story is told in dual timelines: one from the present (1760) and the other from 1753. The first half of the book (before the 50% mark) did a wonderful job in setting the claustrophobic atmosphere through dreams, places, and sounds. I really enjoyed the inclusion of Irish folklore and Gaeilge words - I wish we had gotten more of that.

As chapters went on, I started losing interest in the present timeline. I didn't feel any emotional connection with Seoirse and the romance that slowly developed lacked chemistry in my opinion. I despised Seoirse's silence towards the rituals that were happening inside the lodge: if he was against it, why not report it or, at least, stop working with Henry? It made no sense that he was against them, but then, he still worked with Henry, letting him live in the lodge even though he believed what he was doing was evil. I found myself more engaged with the past timeline, as it focused more on Lotty's character and explained to us why she acted in a certain way.

The latter half of the book focused too much on romance, and the plot started going off the rails, but not in a good way. When I started this book I was expecting an exploration on the activities that took place inside the lodge, I wanted to go deeper into the rituals, the dreams, and the significance of it all. But the second half of the book didn't deliver what it promised. The focus shifted and my reading experience suffered because of it. I appreciate what this tried doing, but I think I was expecting something different, less romance focused.

Thank you to Kengsington books for the free advance copy. All opinions are my own.

-----------------------------------

DNF at 74%

Full RTC.

-----------------------------------


Half-way through so far and I'm enjoying it. This has nailed perfectly the balance between "where am I? I'm scared" from Courage the cowardly dog and "but I need to find out what's happening back there" from the Backrooms' movie.

[Tova]

Another hauntingly beautiful cover? Yes, please! I will read anything Irish horror-related from the talented Maria Tureaud!

[Teagan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

My editorial review:

“Dark and devilishly Gothic, Beneath, It Sleeps sets readers on a journey through the seedy Dublin underbelly and to the haunted countryside, never shying away from the true horrors and injustices faced by women, both of the time and to this day. Tureaud, once again, demonstrates that she is the reigning master of historical Irish Gothic.”

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Marie and Kensington for my Arc. The opinions are my own.

This was a perfect addition to my summerween reading. It’s dark and gothic and richly historic. Loved the Irish folklore and Gaelic. This story follows Lotty from what she thinks is basically the end full circle. I really loved how the end looped back round to the beginning and Marie’s writing was eerie, horrific, lyrical and absolutely the perfect vibe.

[Sam Sigelakis-Minski]

So excited to be getting an ARC of this from Goodreads!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a GOOD book!! So dark, creepy, and macabre, I loved it. I think all the characters were done spectacularly well, and I liked the dual timeline. One thing I think this author does extremely well is taking bits of history and basing people and places in her books off of them. The author’s note was very interesting! Do check the trigger warnings, as there are plenty.
So well done, Maria Tureaud is turning into an instant read author, since I also loved This House Will Feed!
Very special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in turn for an honest review.

[DaniPhantom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️, Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington for an ARC!!

With a lush cover, I knew that Marie would absolutely deliver on another Irish gothic read. This one has a bit more of a drama vibe, with the main character, Lotty having to escape a duke that she was associated with when she was of marriageable age. She is under the care of Dorcas, one of the cities largest brother keepers, at the start of the story. When the duke hears of her whereabouts, Dorcas and Lotty plot a scheme for her to get away from the drama, with a twist: help Dorcas find out where her enemy is trying to start a new business. The Hellfire Club is a notorious lodge on a hill that is known for wild parties, beautiful women and debauchery. Little does Lotty and Dorcas know what truly lurks in the woods beyond the lodge.

The first part was really interesting, immersing you into the desperation that Lotty has to survive and get away from her old life. She is a really well-rounded character, being a bit too trusting yet still cunning. The latter part lost me a bit, it felt like it dragged on for a bit too much with the creature lore and Lotty being lost in the woods.

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, and an immediate add to my Top 5 of 2026 read.

Maria Tureaud brought the HEAT with Beneath It Sleeps.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one, and considering it doesn't release until January 2027, it's frankly rude that I now have to wait that long for everyone else to read it. Because I already know I'm going to be talking about this book for the rest of the year.

This book is THICK, atmospheric, strange, suspenseful, and so much fun. We've got occult worship, unexplained noises and happenings, Irish folklore, goddesses, púcas, family drama, political intrigue, murder, historical figures, and just the right splash of romance.

The story moves between Lotty's past and present, but the timelines are clearly labeled and incredibly easy to follow. We meet Lotty sitting in a jail cell with absolutely no idea what the hell has happened, and from there Maria starts slowly pulling apart the story of how she got there (and where she's going)—including the unraveling of her life as accountant to Dorcas Kelly, who was, fascinatingly enough, a real person.

Tureaud lets you be well and truly lost at the beginning without making the story confusing. There's a difference. The breadcrumbs are there, and once I started picking them up, I actually figured out where part of the story was heading well before the reveal. But here's the thing: I didn't care. Knowing where we were headed didn't make getting there any less satisfying. If anything, I was practically vibrating waiting for the pieces to finally fall into place.

The world-building is fantastic, especially the way historical fact, Gothic atmosphere, Irish folklore, and the supernatural are woven together. And somehow, despite everything happening in this book, I became genuinely attached to these characters.

Except William.

We don't like William.

I personally think that man got off entirely too easily, but that's between me, Maria, and my own grudges.

I also really appreciated the subtle romantic element. This isn't a romance masquerading as horror; it's allowed to exist quietly alongside the much larger story, and it worked beautifully. And THAT ENDING. So damn satisfying.

The author's note was the cherry on top because Tureaud explains which characters were inspired by real historical figures and which came entirely from her imagination—which, naturally, sent me down a historical rabbit hole afterward.

I first met Maria when This House Will Feed released, and watching what she's done with Beneath It Sleeps has me ridiculously excited to see what she does next.

This one has officially earned a spot in my Top 5 Reads of 2026.

Huge thank you to Maria Tureaud and her Kensington Rep for the ARC. Now I just have to sit here until January while everyone else waits to meet Lotty.

Sorry in advance, because I will absolutely be talking about this book all damn year.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tureaud is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. Beneath, It Sleeps is a dark, atmospheric Gothic that blends 18th-century Irish history, folklore, horror, and a touch of romance. A woman fleeing a powerful duke is sent undercover to the infamous Hellfire Club, where rumors of Devil worship and dark rituals soon prove to be more than just rumors.

One of the things I particularly appreciated was how the historical setting is used to explore more than just horror. Religious beliefs, Irish folklore, and the influence of the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions create an interesting contrast with the occult practices of the Hellfire Club and the older supernatural forces lurking beneath it all. The class dynamics add another compelling layer, especially in the way wealthy and powerful men are able to exploit those with less social standing. Lotty's experiences make those differences especially clear, and her struggle for independence gives the supernatural elements a more personal dimension.

That said, the same thing I appreciated about the book may also be a drawback for some readers: there are a lot of ideas competing for attention. Historical fiction, Gothic horror, Irish mythology, occult rituals, romance, revenge, and several twists are all packed into one story. At times, it felt like the plot was trying to do too much rather than giving its strongest elements room to breathe.

Still, the atmosphere, setting, and central premise kept me invested. I appreciated that the book wasn't afraid to get dark or uncomfortable, although some of the heavier subject matter may be a lot for readers who prefer their Gothic horror to stay more atmospheric than graphic.

Overall, Beneath, It Sleeps is an imaginative and haunting historical Gothic with an excellent setting and plenty of unsettling ideas. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but there was more than enough here to keep me turning the pages. A solid four stars for the atmosphere, Irish folklore, and wonderfully dark premise.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beneath, It Sleeps is a lush, atmospheric Gothic tale that sinks its roots deep into 18th‑century Ireland and refuses to let go. Maria Tureaud blends folklore, dread, and historical intrigue into a story that feels both mythic and intimate—a slow‑building, shadow‑soaked novel perfect for readers who love their horror with literary richness and a strong emotional core.

Charlotte “Lotty” Boyle is a compelling heroine from the start: clever, wounded, and desperate to outrun a past that keeps tightening its grip. Her refuge in Dorcas Kelly’s brothel is already precarious, but when she’s sent undercover to the infamous Hellfire Club, the novel truly unfurls. The lodge itself is a character—isolated, unsettling, and steeped in whispered rumors of devilry. Tureaud captures that Gothic tension beautifully: the sense that something is wrong long before Lotty can name it.

The folklore elements are woven with care. Banshees, forest spirits, and the púca—an eerie shapeshifter that stalks Lotty’s dreams—give the story a haunting, folkloric pulse. Yet the real terror lies beneath the lodge, in the ancient power that stirs as human depravity and dark rituals collide. The supernatural threat feels primal and old, something beyond the Hellfire Club’s theatrics, and watching Lotty piece together the truth is deeply satisfying.

What elevates the novel is its atmosphere: mist‑drenched mountains, creaking floorboards, whispered warnings, and the constant sense that the land itself remembers. Tureaud’s prose is vivid without being overwrought, and the pacing balances character depth with steadily rising tension.

For readers who love Slewfoot, Weyward, or The Year of the Witching, this is a standout addition to the Gothic canon—rich, eerie, and steeped in Irish myth. Beneath, It Sleeps is a gripping tale of survival, vengeance, and the ancient forces that wake when pushed too far.

with thanks to Maria Tureaud, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Paulette Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the stunning success of Tureaud's powerful debut, This House Will Feed, she returns with another haunting, seductive tale about a young woman with a scandalous past who must confront a sinister secret society hiding in plain sight. Beneath it Sleeps is a dark, high-stakes liaison between ancient Irish folklore and aristocratic intrigue.

Lotty, the disgraced daughter of a wealthy landowner, is forced to seek employment as an accountant for a high-end Dublin brothel after escaping the clutches of a powerful duke. With her keen eye for detail, her familiarity with the aristocracy, and her strong sense of loyalty, Lotty is the perfect weapon of espionage. Her employer enlists her help with a special assignment: to go undercover as a servant and report the activities of the notorious Hellfire Club--a satanic cult that indulges in debauchery and vice.

When Lotty journeys to the superstitious countryside, she encounters dangers of the natural world and beyond. For the land is haunted by something much darker and more powerful than the scheming, sadistic men of the Hellfire Club. An elemental and ancient entity that calls to Lotty and demands to be awakened.

I cannot begin to tell you how much this novel meant to me. Lotty's journey, from being used, shamed, and discarded, to her growth into personal sovereignty, spoke to me on a deeply spiritual level. Rife with shocking betrayals and reversals, this class-conscious Georgian Gothic teems with bloody secret societies and perilous alliances. Vivid, surreal, and completely captivating.

[Knyquol Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Tureaud has apparently figured out exactly what I want from a Gothic novel, because once again, I absolutely loved this.

Beneath, It Sleeps is dark, atmospheric, beautifully unsettling, and steeped in Irish folklore. The remote Hellfire Club setting was fantastic, but it was the combination of historical horror, human cruelty, banshees, forest spirits, the púca, and something far older lurking beneath it all that completely won me over.

I especially loved the way the supernatural and historical elements were woven together. The human characters are capable of horrors all their own, while the ancient forces surrounding them feel wild, dangerous, and wonderfully unknowable. The atmosphere builds beautifully until the entire story feels soaked in dread.

This is exactly the kind of Gothic horror I want to disappear into: folklore, history, isolated places, dangerous old things, and the creeping suspicion that perhaps the humans should be considerably more afraid of what they’ve disturbed.

An easy 5 stars. Maria Tureaud is rapidly becoming an auto-read author for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Eevee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the Irish folklore elements in this one, especially the parts involving the púca, rituals, and the Hellfire Club. Those were easily my favourite parts and I honestly wish there had been much more of them.

Unfortunately, the story felt much more focused on romance, relationships, and political drama than on the folklore and supernatural elements. At times it felt like you could remove most of the supernatural parts and the main story would barely change, except for how everything comes together at the end. The folklore also isn't always explained very clearly, so I found myself confused about how some of it connected to the story.

The book had some really interesting ideas and atmospheric moments but the pacing felt extremely slow to me especially with the dual time lines and the supernatural parts were too much of a small side element for what I was hoping for. I was expecting a much more folklore-heavy and creepy Gothic horror story, so unfortunately this one just wasn't for me.

[Maria Tureaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Author:

This book is a work of fiction and mentions several
infamous characters who lived in, or owned property in Ireland in the eighteenth century. Some of these characters were most certainly diabolical, but some are merely victims of the author’s imagination.

The story itself is centered on legend and folklore, but also the very real, debauched, and satanic activities that took place at the notorious Hellfire Club and its renowned location—the
Conolly Lodge (the unusual spelling of “Connolly” comes from the Gaelic surname O’Conaighle, and the Anglicized version of Conolly is specific to this particular family) also known as Montpelier Hill, in Dublin.

Because of this, depictions of manipulation, assault, body horror, blood, torture, graphic rituals, hauntings, sexual coercion, child abuse (mentions off-page), trafficking, implied incest, and scenes of a sexual nature appear on these pages.

[Sunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

*lifts water bottle* "To rot!" Let me start off by saying this wasn't a bad book. Twas very good. I thought "Tis a good read, maum." Okay, I'll stop.

This felt very much like a vampire fiction, which I'm not fond of. I liked the use of Gaelic, but I would have appreciated a translation. It really bugs me when authors include a foreign language but doesn't give a translation or includes it somewhere at the very end where I have to go find it. It was too "historical" for my taste. I think people who enjoy that kind of thing would really like this book.

This was an interesting read, but the pacing was slow and I wish it was half as long. The writing style twas good. Seriously, every time I read those old English words I had to laugh. Twasn't a good look during the serious parts.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Elena M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

This book was unfortunately a case of too many ideas thrown into one pot. We start off following Lotty Boyle. who is on the run from a powerful duke. Her confidante, Dorcas Kelly sends her on a spying mission to a remote cabin in the mountains, The book started strong and I very much enjoyed the characters in particular Dorcas and Lotty. At around the 60% mark however, the plot goes awry and it felt like the author crammed a lot of plot twists into the story, the majority of which were, in my eyes, wholly unnecessary. In particular the ending was extremely unrealistic and therefore disappointing. The atmosphere of the book was great as were the individual characters. I just wish the author had done less with the multiple plot elements and focused on one individual one.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible book from Maria Tureaud!

I read This House Will Feed and loved every moment, and was thrilled to receive an ARC for this one!
Once again, the author blended layers of fiction with true historical elements to create an immersive and deliciously dark story set in Ireland.

I truly enjoyed every moment, not wanting to put this book down! I am a bit of a history nerd so having something such as the Hellfire Club mixed in to this story had me sat immediately! As with This House Will Feed, the writing was beautiful and pulls you in from the very beginning! You feel like you are there. The story itself was so well thought out and was so interesting that I didn’t want it to end!
Well done! 5⭐️

[Brenda Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow build historical gothic tale focusing on gender and class disparities. Absolutely held my attention - the tension made my teeth cringe.
Told in dual timeline - Lotty has been running from the Duke for almost a decade - a rich, powerful, politically connected man. As an accountant for Dublin's woman gang leader, Lotty is placed in a small household as maid. A very easy job - requiring deep cleaning of a lodge a few days a month.
What lives at the lodge now haunts Lotty, while the reader is fed glimpses of Lotty's previous life as a Peer in the Irish countryside.

[Jenny Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Official blurb to come, but WOW. Another stunner from Maria Tureaud!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend this read - it will grab you right away - you will not want to put down.

[Jennifer King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this book! Very detailed and pulls you in right from the start.
If you like horror romance books then this is for you.
Great ending as well 💕