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Black Heart
In a rainy Hungarian mining town in 1979, Ria lies awake listening for her husband to come home.
By morning, she knows her marriage is over. Her husband János—once charismatic, ambitious, and full of life—has become unpredictable, reckless, and increasingly absent.
She believes the hardest part will be leaving him. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a bitter struggle over money, property, and custody of their young son, while János and his domineering mother work to dismantle the life she built piece by piece.
Isolated and increasingly desperate, Ria finds herself fighting for her dignity, her livelihood, and her grip on reality itself.
Black Heart is a powerful family drama about marriage, motherhood, and the brutal cost of survival.
By morning, she knows her marriage is over. Her husband János—once charismatic, ambitious, and full of life—has become unpredictable, reckless, and increasingly absent.
She believes the hardest part will be leaving him. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a bitter struggle over money, property, and custody of their young son, while János and his domineering mother work to dismantle the life she built piece by piece.
Isolated and increasingly desperate, Ria finds herself fighting for her dignity, her livelihood, and her grip on reality itself.
Black Heart is a powerful family drama about marriage, motherhood, and the brutal cost of survival.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2026
About the author
Péter Fritsi
7 books15 followersPéter Fritsi is a librarian and author from Hungary with several published novels. His first English-language short story, Hide, appeared as an episode of The Creepy Podcast, while another story, By the Lake, was featured in the December issue of ParABnormal Magazine. His debut English novel, Black Heart, is forthcoming from Vulpine Press. He is represented in India by the Zuna Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 4, 2026
I received an eARC from the author for an honest review.
During the late 1970s in Hungary, a woman named Ria decides she needs to leave her marriage. Her husband is no longer the man she thought he was, and she is determined to take their five year old son with her. Her mother in law though, has made it her mission to make Ria’s life as difficult as possible, though Ria would never guess just how far she’s willing to go.
I was genuinely surprised at how well this story flowed and how engaged I was. It was so atmospheric, where I just imagined gray skies the whole time, which definitely matched with Ria’s storyline. She runs into various hardships, with her divorce, custody battle, and it all just gets progressively more challenging. Even though this takes place in the late 70s, it’s still something we see today. Some things really do transcend time and place.
I also loved the bits of history that was mentioned. It was very grim, as it is generally the case in surveillance states and war time. It didn’t dive too deep into it, but the author touched on it just enough to make it relevant to the plot and to give background.
Definitely recommend to readers who enjoy thrillers or dark fiction. I read this in English, which was translated by Austin Wagner.
During the late 1970s in Hungary, a woman named Ria decides she needs to leave her marriage. Her husband is no longer the man she thought he was, and she is determined to take their five year old son with her. Her mother in law though, has made it her mission to make Ria’s life as difficult as possible, though Ria would never guess just how far she’s willing to go.
I was genuinely surprised at how well this story flowed and how engaged I was. It was so atmospheric, where I just imagined gray skies the whole time, which definitely matched with Ria’s storyline. She runs into various hardships, with her divorce, custody battle, and it all just gets progressively more challenging. Even though this takes place in the late 70s, it’s still something we see today. Some things really do transcend time and place.
I also loved the bits of history that was mentioned. It was very grim, as it is generally the case in surveillance states and war time. It didn’t dive too deep into it, but the author touched on it just enough to make it relevant to the plot and to give background.
Definitely recommend to readers who enjoy thrillers or dark fiction. I read this in English, which was translated by Austin Wagner.
July 30, 2026
Received an early copy from the author
I found it an interesting and excellently written novel. I thought it was a translation but it is in fact the author first English book. I applaud him.
Gripped from the start by the characters and the atmosphere.
I didn’t give it 5 star due to the fact that I thought Ria seemed quite blasé by the disappearance of her son. Didn’t feel the real urgency in her search.
Also, the physical fight with Edith was so long. A bit like those film where people keep fighting even when they are 99% dead.
Overall, I loved this novel and would recommend it. One of the best book I read this year.
Thank you for the advance copy .
I found it an interesting and excellently written novel. I thought it was a translation but it is in fact the author first English book. I applaud him.
Gripped from the start by the characters and the atmosphere.
I didn’t give it 5 star due to the fact that I thought Ria seemed quite blasé by the disappearance of her son. Didn’t feel the real urgency in her search.
Also, the physical fight with Edith was so long. A bit like those film where people keep fighting even when they are 99% dead.
Overall, I loved this novel and would recommend it. One of the best book I read this year.
Thank you for the advance copy .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2026
eARC received by author -
I really enjoyed the book, however I kind of went in thinking it was more a literary fiction about family drama, but it turned almost into a thriller and a little horror vibes. But I was invested in the story and I liked the writing, however few times things went a little too fast or underexplained for my liking.
I really enjoyed the book, however I kind of went in thinking it was more a literary fiction about family drama, but it turned almost into a thriller and a little horror vibes. But I was invested in the story and I liked the writing, however few times things went a little too fast or underexplained for my liking.
August 14, 2026
: Black Heart by Peter Fritsi is a literary thriller set in the 1970s, and it’s a story that quietly gets under your skin.
The writing has an eerie quality to it, creating an unsettling atmosphere that builds as the story progresses. I found the characters believable and their reactions and motivations felt authentic, which made it easy to become invested in what was happening. Despite being a relatively short read, there is a surprising amount packed into its pages, particularly around family breakdown, relationships and the instinct to survive when circumstances become increasingly difficult.
The chapters are interspersed with snippets of events happening in Hungary at the time. While these provide some historical context and help to establish the period in which the story is set, I didn’t feel they necessarily enhanced the main narrative. For me, they occasionally interrupted the flow of the story and pulled me away from the characters and events I was most invested in. That said, this is very much a matter of personal reading preference, and I can appreciate what they were intended to add to the wider story.
What worked particularly well for me was the way the tension develops. It doesn’t immediately hit you; instead, it creeps in gradually, creating an underlying sense that something is not quite right. Then, as the story progresses, that tension ramps up and the pace gathers momentum. The contrast between the quieter beginning and the increasing sense of danger makes the latter part of the book particularly compelling.
Black Heart is a short but impactful literary thriller that explores family breakdown, fear and the powerful instinct for survival. Atmospheric, eerie and quietly unsettling, it’s a story that demonstrates you don’t need hundreds of pages to leave a lasting impression.
The writing has an eerie quality to it, creating an unsettling atmosphere that builds as the story progresses. I found the characters believable and their reactions and motivations felt authentic, which made it easy to become invested in what was happening. Despite being a relatively short read, there is a surprising amount packed into its pages, particularly around family breakdown, relationships and the instinct to survive when circumstances become increasingly difficult.
The chapters are interspersed with snippets of events happening in Hungary at the time. While these provide some historical context and help to establish the period in which the story is set, I didn’t feel they necessarily enhanced the main narrative. For me, they occasionally interrupted the flow of the story and pulled me away from the characters and events I was most invested in. That said, this is very much a matter of personal reading preference, and I can appreciate what they were intended to add to the wider story.
What worked particularly well for me was the way the tension develops. It doesn’t immediately hit you; instead, it creeps in gradually, creating an underlying sense that something is not quite right. Then, as the story progresses, that tension ramps up and the pace gathers momentum. The contrast between the quieter beginning and the increasing sense of danger makes the latter part of the book particularly compelling.
Black Heart is a short but impactful literary thriller that explores family breakdown, fear and the powerful instinct for survival. Atmospheric, eerie and quietly unsettling, it’s a story that demonstrates you don’t need hundreds of pages to leave a lasting impression.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Black Heart is one of those novels that quietly pulls you in and then refuses to let go.
Set in a rainy Hungarian mining town in 1979, this story follows Ria as she comes to the heartbreaking realization that her marriage is beyond saving. What begins as a story about leaving an unhappy relationship quickly transforms into something much deeper—a raw, emotional battle for survival, dignity, and independence.
I was completely invested in Ria’s journey. She is a strong yet incredibly human protagonist, and I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning. The author does an excellent job portraying the emotional toll of a toxic marriage, the complexities of motherhood, and the crushing weight of isolation. The custody battle and family conflicts felt painfully realistic, and I could feel Ria’s frustration, fear, and determination on every page.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The bleak setting perfectly mirrors the tension and despair that surround Ria’s circumstances, creating a story that feels immersive and authentic. The characters are layered and believable—even the ones you love to hate.
What I appreciated most was that Black Heart doesn’t shy away from difficult realities. It explores how emotional manipulation, financial control, and family pressure can slowly erode a person’s sense of self. Yet beneath the hardship is a powerful story of resilience and the courage it takes to fight for a better future.
This was an emotional, compelling family drama that stayed with me long after I finished the final chapter. If you enjoy character-driven stories about marriage, motherhood, survival, and finding strength in the darkest moments, I highly recommend Black Heart.
Set in a rainy Hungarian mining town in 1979, this story follows Ria as she comes to the heartbreaking realization that her marriage is beyond saving. What begins as a story about leaving an unhappy relationship quickly transforms into something much deeper—a raw, emotional battle for survival, dignity, and independence.
I was completely invested in Ria’s journey. She is a strong yet incredibly human protagonist, and I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning. The author does an excellent job portraying the emotional toll of a toxic marriage, the complexities of motherhood, and the crushing weight of isolation. The custody battle and family conflicts felt painfully realistic, and I could feel Ria’s frustration, fear, and determination on every page.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The bleak setting perfectly mirrors the tension and despair that surround Ria’s circumstances, creating a story that feels immersive and authentic. The characters are layered and believable—even the ones you love to hate.
What I appreciated most was that Black Heart doesn’t shy away from difficult realities. It explores how emotional manipulation, financial control, and family pressure can slowly erode a person’s sense of self. Yet beneath the hardship is a powerful story of resilience and the courage it takes to fight for a better future.
This was an emotional, compelling family drama that stayed with me long after I finished the final chapter. If you enjoy character-driven stories about marriage, motherhood, survival, and finding strength in the darkest moments, I highly recommend Black Heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Black Heart is a powerful and emotionally charged family drama that pulled me into Ria's story. I was rooting for her from the very beginning as she fought to reclaim her independence, protect her son, and survive a situation that seemed determined to break her.
The bleak setting reflected the emotional weight of the story. Every setback Ria faced felt believable, and experiencing her navigate manipulation, control, and an increasingly bitter custody battle was heartbreaking.
It caught my attention how relevant it feels despite being set in 1979 Hungary. The themes of emotional abuse, power, motherhood, and resilience remain just as impactful today.
Thank you so much, Pèter Fritsi, the #gifted earc. All opinions are my own!
The bleak setting reflected the emotional weight of the story. Every setback Ria faced felt believable, and experiencing her navigate manipulation, control, and an increasingly bitter custody battle was heartbreaking.
It caught my attention how relevant it feels despite being set in 1979 Hungary. The themes of emotional abuse, power, motherhood, and resilience remain just as impactful today.
Thank you so much, Pèter Fritsi, the #gifted earc. All opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy
I absolutely loved this book. It was an incredibly gripping and emotional family drama that kept me hooked from the very first page. The characters felt real and deeply relatable, and the story was full of tension, secrets, and unexpected twists. I couldn’t put it down because I always wanted to know what would happen next. A beautifully written and truly captivating read — highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews