The Last Handmaid

by Clare Whitfield

Bloomsbury presents The Last Handmaid by Clare Whitfield, read by Gemma Lawrence.

There's more than one way to feed her hunger.

'An evocative and unsettling tale ... Chilling and thought-provoking' ANNA MAZZOLA, author of The Clockwork Girl

'Richly-drawn and atmospheric.... Whitfield is a masterful storyteller who shines a light on the darkest of themes' NIKKI MARMERY, author of Lilith

THE HANDMAID
Hungary, 1604. Orphaned and alone, Catalina arrives at Csejte Castle with no protection and no power. It is a place of shifting loyalties, and girls who displease the household simply vanish. Survival here depends on obedience – and silence.

THE COUNTESS
Catalina is summoned to serve Countess Erzsébet Báthory, a woman as volatile as she is feared. Only she seems able to soothe her moods, drawing Catalina into the Countess' private chambers and her interest in strange ‘medicines’.

THE COMPULSION
As more girls disappear, Catalina knows there is a cost to staying alive. She must decide whether to try and escape her mistress’ hunger, be consumed by it – or learn to feed it herself…

Inspired by the alleged most prolific female serial killer of all time, told through the eyes of their most trusted companion, this gothic historical suspense is perfect for fans of Carmilla and Weyward.

‘A blood-tinged treasure of a novel… Clever and atmospheric.’ SONIA VELTON author of The Nightingales Castle

'Capturing a sense of Gothic splendour tempered with humour and suspense. An epic in every sense' TOM MEAD, author of The House at Devil's Neck

Praise for Clare Whitfield
'Fast-paced and dark' ELODIE HARPER
'Brave and bold' ARAMINTA HALL
'A compulsive read' CAITLIN DAVIES
'An addictive, thrilling five-star read' ELENI KYRIACOU
'An exuberant and atmospheric read' THE TIMES

Genres: Gothic, Historical Fiction

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 5, 2026

About the author

My latest book is THE LAST HANDMAID out November 2026.

A Gothic historical novel, TLH can be described as Bram Stoker’s Dracula meets The Favourite, with a dash of The Devil Wears Prada thrown in for good measure. The story draws on the legend of one of history’s most infamous alleged female serial killers – the countess Bathory.

I'm the author of PEOPLE OF ABANDONED CHARACTER, THE GONE AND THE FORGOTTEN and POOR GIRLS. THE LAST HANDMAID is out November.

Follow me on Instagram at @clarewhitfieldauthor. You’ll also find me on Facebook.

Reviews

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (4.5 stars, rounded down here)

What an intriguing tale this was!!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading, I knew the synopsis really intrigued me and I’m always in for an interesting and mysterious story!
Once I started reading it, I was hooked. I really liked seeing the ups and downs of Catalina’s life. The mysteriousness of the Countess. The vampire allegation and - maybe or maybe not - allegations of bleeding out young handmaids.
I was seriously so shocked by how interesting the story is written and I also really liked the pace of it. Sure, some parts did seem to stretch on but I think overall, it only added to the plot and flair of the story. Moreover, and speaking of atmosphere, I think a thing this book really did exceptionally well was create this dark, mysterious and almost scary atmosphere. Where one was scared for Catalina and what she would experience. Besides that, I also liked the writing style a lot and I think the narration (in first person) really added to the overall feel too. Another thing I really liked was the kind of crush, kind of mentorship/guardianship relationship between Catalina and the countess. As someone who notoriously crushed on her older female mentors, I felt myself somewhat represented (only with the added fact that my mentors were actually nice haha). I also really liked how this relationship between the two kept being a central part of the book, especially the question if the countess is Catalina’s savior or torturer or if both of them can co-exist to some extent too?
I also really liked the way the book dealt with issues such as poor/rich, differences between the way a man is framed vs a woman, religion and more.
Generally though, this was such an interesting and really captivating read. One which will definitely stay in my mind. I can only recommend if you’re in the mood for something mysterious and dark that will completely captivate you.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntarily given review!

[Eva · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

This really didn't turn out the way I had expected it to and I have to admit to being somewhat disappointed.

'The Last Handmaid' is inspired by the - allegedly - most prolific female serial killer of all time. Countess Elizabeth Báthory of Ecsed was a Hungarian noble woman who, along with her servants, was accused of torturing and killing hundreds of women and girls in the early 1600s. The story by Clare Whitfield is told via a fictional handmaid by the name of Catalina.

Catalina is from Roma descent. As a child, the camp she and her family were staying at was overrun by an army. She and her sister managed to get away, but her sister died shortly after. Catalina was rescued by Varga, a former monk. They had quite a companionable relationship, living on the outskirts of a village in a tiny home. This also meant that Catalina didn't know much about the world. Only what Varga had taught her, which was mostly of a religious content and how men were dangerous. When Varga dies, Catalina is supposed to go to the convent and become a nun. But she wants more out of live than to take the veil so she heads to the castle and at first ends up in the laundry room. Until she catches the eye of the countess.

I found it quite hard to get into this story. Catalina is so incredibly naive, not to mention blind as a bat. It really started to get to me and I often found myself rolling my eyes in disbelief. The promise of the countess's story being told through Catalina's eyes took forever to materialise. For most of the book, she doesn't have a clue what's going on and the merest inkling of something being wrong, not to mention the giant red flags, is completely ignored.

The countess suffers from the "falling sickness" and seemingly the only thing that helps her feel better is the blood of virgins. But if that is unavailable, she'll make do with whatever is on offer. She is presented as an incredibly manipulative woman and an expert in gaslighting. This seems to work rather well on Catalina, who is apparently just looking for someone to care about her. Along the way, I began to think there may have been something of a Stockholm Syndrome thing going on, as even when Catalina may have opportunities to escape she chooses not to.

Obviously this story is full of unlikeable characters. There are a few handmaids who get a total kick out of torturing people. It's not just because they enjoy it so immensely, it's also because it shows their loyalty to the Countess. But they don't realise that the countess's affections are fickle. When push comes to shove, she will sacrifice just about anyone. Needless to say, she's a rather despicable character. But I also lost patience with Catalina, which felt wrong somehow as surely I was meant to support her and feel sorry for her.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. Seeing as Catalina is often found on the outside of proceedings, I didn't really feel I learnt much about the Countess which is what I had hoped for as I was entirely unfamiliar with that part of history and had never heard of her before. Thank goodness for the internet. I also had an issue with some of the language, since I doubt people in the 1600s used words like sh** and f***. On the whole, I really can't quite decide if it was the book or me, but I have realised that Clare Whitfield and I just don't seem to get along and that "People of Abandoned Character" was a fluke.

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical thriller gives us the story of Elizabeth Báthory, the Hungarian countess who became infamous for allegedly torturing and murdering numerous young women at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, told through the eyes of one of her handmaids, Catalina. The novel was easy to read and well structured, but I’d be lying if I said it left a lasting impression on me.

It wasn’t the first book about Báthory that I’ve read, and I think it might work better for readers who aren’t already familiar with her story. Her life is fascinating material for a historical thriller, but because I already knew the broad outline of the events, there wasn’t much that surprised me. As a result, I found myself paying more attention to the character work, especially the protagonist, Catalina.

Catalina is an orphaned, inexperienced young woman who’s desperate to find someone to protect her, whether that’s a man or, ultimately, the countess herself. At the beginning, I thought the conflict between her strong moral values and her need for safety and belonging was portrayed convincingly, both in her relationship with her love interest and in her growing attachment to Elizabeth Báthory. However, as the novel entered its final stretch, that balance seemed to disappear. I struggled to understand the logic behind some of Catalina’s decisions.

I don’t want to spoil the ending, even if it’s more or less historically accurate, so I won’t go into details, but I didn’t quite buy Catalina’s passive attitude once it became obvious that staying close to the countess could only end badly for her. The book places a lot of emphasis on Catalina’s Catholic faith and her belief that she must bear the consequences of her sins, which I assume was meant to justify some of her choices later on. However, it felt like the novel relied more on telling than showing, so I wasn’t fully convinced. Because of that, I found it harder to connect with Catalina, even though I found her inner conflict genuinely interesting.

The novel is also quite brutal and gritty, with several scenes that can feel uncomfortable or disturbing. But I guess that hardly comes as a surprise if you have even a basic idea of who Elizabeth Báthory was and what her legend is built on. Anyways, I’d say this is a good read if you want to be surprised by the ending, so maybe not for those already familiar with the historical outline or expecting major twists.

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark gothic historical thriller told through the eyes of a handmaid, within a Countesses household. The Countess is based on a real Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory who it was said tortured and murdered numerous young women. Although I had heard of her before I read the book I knew nothing about her as I started this read.

This book was fascinating to me, very well laid out and a clear demonstration of a toxic relationship and all that it in tails. The struggles that Catalina the handmaid goes through with her own emotions of wanting to leave the countess one day and then wanting to stay as she felt she owed the countess something was very well set out and described by the author. The author makes it easy to see how someone can get caught up in a dangerous relationship even with someone they know causes them pain both mentally and physically.

There were points where I found myself incredibly frustrated with Catalina and her actions and questioning how can anyone be so naive? But then you are reminded that she is but a child who has no real skills of the world and feels and clearly is, trapped in a world not of her making.

The countess and 2 of her other handmaids in particular are diabolical as human beings and the author really gets this across and it’s is highlighted even more as a stark contrast to Catalina and her nature. Some of their actions will leave you rather queasy. Made worse by the fact that some of the disturbing things happen off the page and as such are left to your imagination. The author I felt did this really well. Although a lot of disturbing things also take place on the page like descriptions of cures for certain illnesses and a botched execution.

For most of the first bit of the book Catalina simply cannot see the Countess for who and what she really is. But then we get the realisation and it’s incredibly interesting the way the author drip feeds us Catalina’s dawning moment. Which is a little further on cemented for her by a close friend. I found it very interesting also how the Countess reacts later on towards Catalina and how it differed from her behaviour towards others.
I was constantly asking myself why doesn’t she just leave, she owes her nothing just leave. And whilst I found it frustrating the author really does show you why and how the relationship has shaped both the central characters into doing what they do to each other.
Control plays a massive part in this book and how one can loose their voice in the noise of other people’s wants, politics and religion but also shows that control can be taken back if only the strength to do so can be found.

Thank you to the author Clare Whitfield for an advance reader copy of the book.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LAST HANDMAID tells the sinister story of the infamous Countess Bathory, the Hungarian aristocrat with a reputation for bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her eternal youth. It's a fascinating true-life vampire story, one that holds all of its power in the twenty-first century, and so it's unsurprising that Clare Whitfield's retelling of the story in novel format is as dark and disturbing as you'd expect.

Whitfield decided to tell this story from the point of view of the weakest character, and in fairness I did struggle with Catalina's weakness throughout this one. She's believable but also rather insipid, reactive rather than proactive, somebody who never really achieves anything. I found it hard to warm to her, or indeed her plight. Thankfully the supporting characters are a lot better drawn: the sadistic Anna and Helena, the hulking mute, the loyal coachman, the wood-dwelling witch, and of course the psychotic Countess herself.

Whitfield writes in an easy, accessible style that favours physical action and incident over airy description, making this a fast and often vivid read. There's a lot of conflict here, too, meaning this a book that frequently grips as it delves into yet more sadism and bodily punishment. There are plenty of graphic moments that make this a disturbing read throughout, and I felt that the author did a fine job of portraying what it would have been like to live alongside the sadists at the heart of this macabre story.

(Advance review copy supplied by Netgalley)

[M.S. Hawthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read this book in return for an honest review.

What an absolutely brilliant, dark and disturbing read!

This is a beautifully written historical gothic novel that completely drew me in. The atmosphere is wonderfully unsettling, the storytelling is immersive, and the character development is exceptional.

What really stood out to me was the complexity of the characters. I loved how richly developed they all were, including the antagonists. Nobody felt one-dimensional, and the author did an incredible job of exploring the blurred lines between affection, cruelty, loyalty and control.

The story takes its time building the relationships and establishing the world, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. As the tension escalates, the narrative becomes increasingly harrowing, with some genuinely shocking and gruesome moments. It certainly isn't a book for the faint-hearted!

I particularly appreciated how the author managed to make me understand certain characters without ever excusing their actions. That's a difficult balance to achieve, and it was handled brilliantly.

The ending was satisfying and brought the story together beautifully.

I genuinely cannot pick a fault with this book. It was compelling, atmospheric, emotionally challenging and wonderfully written.

A solid five-star read, and one I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dark historical fiction with complex characters and a generous helping of gothic horror.

Content warning: Graphic violence, torture, abuse and disturbing themes.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Handmaid is a dark, intoxicating descent into the world of Csejte Castle—one that feels as claustrophobic and compelling as the legends surrounding Countess Báthory herself. Clare Whitfield blends gothic tension with sharp emotional insight, creating a story that’s as much about power and hunger as it is about survival.

Catalina is a wonderfully drawn protagonist: vulnerable yet quietly observant, trying to navigate a household where obedience is currency and girls vanish without explanation. Her relationship with the Countess is the beating heart of the novel—uneasy, magnetic, and threaded with a creeping dread that builds beautifully. Whitfield never rushes the horror; instead, she lets it simmer, making every disappearance, every whispered “medicine,” feel like a step closer to something inevitable.

The atmosphere is lush and unsettling, the historical detail vivid without ever weighing down the pace. I loved how the novel plays with the idea of compulsion—what we do to survive, what we become when survival demands more than we ever intended to give. There’s more than one way to feed a hunger, and Whitfield explores each one with elegant menace.

Perfect for readers who enjoy gothic historical fiction with teeth. The Favourite meets Dracula is exactly right: decadent, dangerous, and impossible to look away from.

With thanks to Clare Whitfield, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Carrie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical gothic horror, rich atmospheric setting and vampyric power and allure - on paper this should have been absolutely right up my street.

I liked this well enough overall but my main struggle was the protagonist Catalina for much of the book is a child, and then remains naively childlike in her behaviours. This meant her thoughts and POV felt a bit simplistic. I also found her action (or lack of) quite frustrating in the second half of the book. Having a main character who is so completely passive and just lets events unfold around her was an interesting choice. I know this was about portraying lack of choice and feeling trapped in a toxic relationship, but this didn’t really work for me, unfortunately.

The Countess and the other handmaids were truly despicable but they at least brought some passion and personality to the story. It was clever having some of the more disturbing events happen off page so the reader has to imagine, (though there were also many on page too!) Not having everything spoon fed worked well to create a building sense of dread.

I can’t decide if this was better or worse for being based on a real historical figure, and if I was better or worse for knowing at least the gist of the story beforehand. No real surprises or twists, unless you have no idea who Countess Bathory was, or what she did, in which case enjoy!

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Handmaid provided a captivating take on the Countess Báthory myth/history. Catalina was a relatable heroine, torn between what she feels is right and what is right for her, and how the two may not always align. I enjoyed the gradual escalation of the tale, which was dark and atmospheric from start to finish. The pacing was good, always making me want to keep turning the pages, and the characters were all well drawn. There were a few times I thought Catalina a bit of a fool, but she had had, after the initial drama, a fairly sheltered upbringing, which perhaps accounts for her willingness to believe in people who were so clearly unworthy of her trust. Despite my occasional frustrations with her, though, I had fun following her tale to the bitter end. I am giving this book 4 stars. It's worth a read if you like dark historical fiction offering a twist on real events.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Handmaid is historic gothic horror at its very best. It tells the horrific story of Countess Bathory probably the most prolific serial killer of all time from the POV of Catalina one of her young servants. Catalina gets tangled up in the Countess's inner circle and despite trying to escape is repeatedly drawn back into her circle.
I have enjoyed Clare Whitfield's previous novels so looked forward to this one. I was not disappointed. Yes it's quite gory but not overly so. I really enjoyed the way the author took her time allowing the truth to finally dawn on Catalina. She really hoped she'd found a home and family at last. Instead she'd found a nightmare she couldn't have imagined. The interplay between the Countess and Catalina is beautifully written. And the research is exceptional. Definitely a 5* read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[L Lynwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy received with thanks from the publisher through Netgally.

The story of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory told from the point of view of Catalina a young orphan who become the Countess’ handmaid.

I did not know the story of Elizabeth Bathroy, a real historical figure, infamous for her torture before reading this so I did not know the ending before starting. I enjoyed reading it, and it was very atmospheric, and dark in a few places. At some points I was really felt for Catalina who could not see a way out. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction but who doesn’t already know the story of the Countess as I can see how already knowing this would spoil the ending. I have already recommended this to several people who I know read historical fiction.

[karla JR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the author's work; I have read her previous books, and I found them all to be brilliant reads. When I discovered the existence of this book, particularly because it addresses the myth of the countess, I was eager to request it.I wasn't entirely certain what kind of experience to anticipate when I began reading this particular book or story; however, I was aware that the summary or synopsis had really captured my interest, and I am consistently drawn to engaging and mysterious narratives.
Once I began reading it, I found myself completely captivated by the story. I particularly enjoyed following the fluctuations and challenges throughout Catalina's life. The enigmatic presence of the Countess, coupled with the vampire accusation and the ambiguous allegations regarding the draining of young handmaids, kept me thoroughly engaged. Although the content turned out to be a bit more graphic and somber than I had initially expected, I found myself appreciating the intricate relationships depicted, as well as the exploration of themes such as abuse and the dynamics of power and control, and overall, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up based on the author. Didn't read the blurb.
So I was part of the way in when my brain just clicked that this was about Bathory. I've read a good few books about her.
This is a good one.
It paints a toxic relationship that you want to get out of, because you know everything around you is wrong, yet still you stay.
So many conflicting emotions from this young girl with nothing, to now a girl with a lot to loose.
I thought it gave a well rounded story , seeing how anyone and everyone found themselves caught up in the madness.
A sure sign of a great story, I'm off to Google the facts now.

Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.

[julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested this book to review after seeing on Netgalley that it would appeal to fans of Weyward and The Doll Factory, both books which I have read and enjoyed. Gothic historical thrillers are a favourite genre of mine, but unfortunately although well written and an interesting plot line based on true events, I did not engage with the gory and graphic horror aspects and did not finish, although I can see that other readers will enjoy this type of novel. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review.