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The House of Whispers
Sometimes the secrets of the past are more dangerous than the present...
Rome, 1938.
As the world teeters on the brink of war, talented pianist Eva Valenti enters the house of widower Dante Cavallera to become his new wife.
On the outside, the forces of Fascism are accelerating, but in her new home, Eva fears that something else is at work, whispering in the walls and leaving mysterious marks on Dante's young daughter.
Soon she starts to wonder whether the house itself is trying to give up the secrets of its mysterious past - secrets that Dante seems so determined to keep hidden.
However, Eva must also conceal the truth of her own identity, for if she is discovered, she will be in greater danger than she could ever have imagined...
Rome, 1938.
As the world teeters on the brink of war, talented pianist Eva Valenti enters the house of widower Dante Cavallera to become his new wife.
On the outside, the forces of Fascism are accelerating, but in her new home, Eva fears that something else is at work, whispering in the walls and leaving mysterious marks on Dante's young daughter.
Soon she starts to wonder whether the house itself is trying to give up the secrets of its mysterious past - secrets that Dante seems so determined to keep hidden.
However, Eva must also conceal the truth of her own identity, for if she is discovered, she will be in greater danger than she could ever have imagined...
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2023
55 people are currently reading
2354 people want to read
About the author
Anna Mazzola
9 books383 followersAnna Mazzola is a writer of historical and Gothic fiction.
Her bestselling third novel, The Clockwork Girl, set in Paris in 1750, is a Sunday Times Historical Fiction pick for 2022
Her debut novel, The Unseeing, won an Edgar Allan Poe award. Her fourth novel, The House of Whispers, is a ghost story set in Fascist Italy and will be published in April 2023.
Anna also writes legal thrillers under the name Anna Sharpe, the first of which will be published in 2024.
When not writing or tutoring, Anna is a human rights and criminal justice solicitor, working with victims of crime. She lives in South London, with her husband, their two children, a snake and a cat.
She loves to hear from readers, so do get in touch on Goodreads or on social media.
annamazzola.com
Her bestselling third novel, The Clockwork Girl, set in Paris in 1750, is a Sunday Times Historical Fiction pick for 2022
Her debut novel, The Unseeing, won an Edgar Allan Poe award. Her fourth novel, The House of Whispers, is a ghost story set in Fascist Italy and will be published in April 2023.
Anna also writes legal thrillers under the name Anna Sharpe, the first of which will be published in 2024.
When not writing or tutoring, Anna is a human rights and criminal justice solicitor, working with victims of crime. She lives in South London, with her husband, their two children, a snake and a cat.
She loves to hear from readers, so do get in touch on Goodreads or on social media.
annamazzola.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
August 25, 2023
Set in Rome 1938, as the world hovers on the brink of war, the story follows pianist Eva Valenti as she navigates her way through these extraordinary times. With Fascism on the rise, Eva is more determined than ever to hide her true heritage as a Slav, and as she grows closer to the wealthy Italian family whom she works for as piano tutor, and in particular to the widowed father, Dante, it seems Eva might have a chance of putting her past behind her and starting afresh, with a new identity. Yet, the Cavallera household seems to hold its own secrets and dangers, with Dante seemingly not quite the man that Eva initially thought he was.
I enjoyed Mazzola's debut novel The Clockwork Girl, and was interested to see what she would have in store with her follow up book. The House of Whispers, though not quite living up to its predecessor for me personally, was still an enjoyable read, with Mazzola's writing capturing that same sense of tension and suspense that I had liked in her first book.
The story is a slow build, however, the sense of tension is there from the very beginning in terms of the political unrest of the times. Indeed one of my favourite aspects of the book was the insight it gave into Italy during this period, with Il Duce aligning with Hitler, and the rising Fascist movement. Through Eva's eyes as an 'outsider', as well as some of her friends, Mirella, a Jew, and Ettore, who is homosexual, we see how frightening these times must have been for those who did not 'fit the mould'. We also see differing reactions to the sociopolitical climate, with characters who from the off feel they need to take a stand and do something, to Eva, who tries to hide who she is and blend in, and to some extent try to ignore what is going on around her. I could appreciate where Eva was coming from, even when her friends were sometimes frustrated with her, however, she does develop as a character through the course of the book as she has her eyes opened more to the way of the world.
Alongside this story of the political climate at the time, is the more intimate story of Eva first of all growing close to the Cavallera family, and then slowly discovering that all is not well in their household with a gothic/horror vibe. Again this is a slow build, with a certain creepiness there from the off, as we learn that the children's mother is deceased, and as the household servant reports of some strange goings on. However, as the story goes on, Eva herself is witness to these strange occurrences, and certainly the story has a touch of the macabre and paranormal, though there is no definitive explanation given for the goings on, something which I personally wasn't that keen on.
I will say that the more horror aspects to the story were not my favourite part, and I did at times find things overdone and becoming a little repetitive. Also I thought the story of Eva and the Cavallera family felt somewhat formulaic, and wasn't as keen on the parts where Eva was coming across as hysterical. I also thought the sudden change in Dante's character was very predictable.
Overall, I probably enjoyed the first part of the story more than the second half, and it was probably the more sociopolitical and historical aspects of the story that appealed to me as opposed to the more gothic aspects.
I enjoyed Mazzola's debut novel The Clockwork Girl, and was interested to see what she would have in store with her follow up book. The House of Whispers, though not quite living up to its predecessor for me personally, was still an enjoyable read, with Mazzola's writing capturing that same sense of tension and suspense that I had liked in her first book.
The story is a slow build, however, the sense of tension is there from the very beginning in terms of the political unrest of the times. Indeed one of my favourite aspects of the book was the insight it gave into Italy during this period, with Il Duce aligning with Hitler, and the rising Fascist movement. Through Eva's eyes as an 'outsider', as well as some of her friends, Mirella, a Jew, and Ettore, who is homosexual, we see how frightening these times must have been for those who did not 'fit the mould'. We also see differing reactions to the sociopolitical climate, with characters who from the off feel they need to take a stand and do something, to Eva, who tries to hide who she is and blend in, and to some extent try to ignore what is going on around her. I could appreciate where Eva was coming from, even when her friends were sometimes frustrated with her, however, she does develop as a character through the course of the book as she has her eyes opened more to the way of the world.
Alongside this story of the political climate at the time, is the more intimate story of Eva first of all growing close to the Cavallera family, and then slowly discovering that all is not well in their household with a gothic/horror vibe. Again this is a slow build, with a certain creepiness there from the off, as we learn that the children's mother is deceased, and as the household servant reports of some strange goings on. However, as the story goes on, Eva herself is witness to these strange occurrences, and certainly the story has a touch of the macabre and paranormal, though there is no definitive explanation given for the goings on, something which I personally wasn't that keen on.
I will say that the more horror aspects to the story were not my favourite part, and I did at times find things overdone and becoming a little repetitive. Also I thought the story of Eva and the Cavallera family felt somewhat formulaic, and wasn't as keen on the parts where Eva was coming across as hysterical. I also thought the sudden change in Dante's character was very predictable.
Overall, I probably enjoyed the first part of the story more than the second half, and it was probably the more sociopolitical and historical aspects of the story that appealed to me as opposed to the more gothic aspects.
March 28, 2023
Set in Rome in the run up to what becomes World War II, The House of Whispers tells the story of Eva, who teaches piano to Chiara. She befriends Chiara’s father, Dante, a widower & over time, they develop a close relationship. But it’s not until it’s too late that Eva discovers Dante’s fascist views & a lot more besides.
This almost feels like two books in one - not only a story of secrets (as Eva cannot reveal her background for fear of recrimination) but also a ghost story. And the two stories collide to a distressing conclusion.
The House of Whispers is a well told tale of the fear of revealing your true self, whilst also coming to realise the devastation caused by someone else hiding their true self. A clever idea to see the flip side of something being done to you that you’re also doing yourself. But the revelations come too late, which makes for a tense & fast paced conclusion.
This almost feels like two books in one - not only a story of secrets (as Eva cannot reveal her background for fear of recrimination) but also a ghost story. And the two stories collide to a distressing conclusion.
The House of Whispers is a well told tale of the fear of revealing your true self, whilst also coming to realise the devastation caused by someone else hiding their true self. A clever idea to see the flip side of something being done to you that you’re also doing yourself. But the revelations come too late, which makes for a tense & fast paced conclusion.
November 7, 2023
There is far too much about the history of fascism in this and not enough story to balance it. It's incredibly repetitive and the main character, the narrator, is too annoying to bear. She, apparently, foresees all the worst that the Nazis and Italian Fascists would do in the next few years, but is in a state of paralysis over it, not seeing how she can fight it. I find that very credible, but utterly tedious to read as she whines internally over and over. The promised Gothic horror aspects amount so far to a couple of strange events with no real atmosphere of fear. The narrator saying things like "If only I'd realised then..." every now and then is not enough to build tension. I stuck it out to 50% because I've enjoyed a couple of Mazzola's earlier books so much, but this one simply isn't working for me. C'est la vie!
October 29, 2023
why is it so hard to have a good gothic story ?
this historical gothic book should have decided (like most historical gothic books) if it wanted to be historical or gothic because the two together, unfortunately didn't work.
the historical and political settings were interesting by themselves but added nothing to the gothic plot line and on the contrary were taking me entirely out of it causing no eerie or oppressive ambiance. the gothic aspect of the book was brushed over and the 'climax' if you can call it that was the most disappointing passage ever, it's like the author didn't even bother to try. No depth for those characters either, just the basic stereotypes for the sake of putting this book into the gothic genre. This book has no tension whatsoever and is 100% predictable.
this historical gothic book should have decided (like most historical gothic books) if it wanted to be historical or gothic because the two together, unfortunately didn't work.
the historical and political settings were interesting by themselves but added nothing to the gothic plot line and on the contrary were taking me entirely out of it causing no eerie or oppressive ambiance. the gothic aspect of the book was brushed over and the 'climax' if you can call it that was the most disappointing passage ever, it's like the author didn't even bother to try. No depth for those characters either, just the basic stereotypes for the sake of putting this book into the gothic genre. This book has no tension whatsoever and is 100% predictable.
April 11, 2024
This story is set in Rome, right before World War II starts. We follow Eva, a piano teacher, who hides her real identity as a Slav in order to survive in fascist Italy. She sees friends and colleagues fleeing before the regime imprisons them, but unlike them, she's too scared to show her true heritage and simply pretends she's fully italian, ignoring their warnings.
She finds herself teaching piano to a young girl named Chiara. Through her pupil she befriends the widowed father, Dante, a very wealthy and charming man. Eva starts falling for him and they develop a close relationship rather quickly. Eva naively sees her chance at building a real italian family.
It's only once it's too late she realizes Dante might not be the man he pretends to be. With very fascist views and secrets, Eva is not so safe in that house anymore.
This book was a very good read. With the political climate and Eva's point of view, it feels tense right off the bat. I really liked the historical context as it made the story even more layered.
The main character's acts can sometimes feel very naive and delusional. However, she's still very lovable and goes through very sad and unfair events a lot of women have gone through and still go through. Her friends are also a great group of people that brought a nice addition to the story.
She finds herself teaching piano to a young girl named Chiara. Through her pupil she befriends the widowed father, Dante, a very wealthy and charming man. Eva starts falling for him and they develop a close relationship rather quickly. Eva naively sees her chance at building a real italian family.
It's only once it's too late she realizes Dante might not be the man he pretends to be. With very fascist views and secrets, Eva is not so safe in that house anymore.
This book was a very good read. With the political climate and Eva's point of view, it feels tense right off the bat. I really liked the historical context as it made the story even more layered.
The main character's acts can sometimes feel very naive and delusional. However, she's still very lovable and goes through very sad and unfair events a lot of women have gone through and still go through. Her friends are also a great group of people that brought a nice addition to the story.
October 8, 2023
So this was okay. I found the first half to be so slow and it took a while for anything big to happen, however once Eva had moved in to the house, I found the story to be a lot more enjoyable.
There were definitely moments that were eerie and chilling and at one point I actually jumped at a noise coming from my sons bedroom!
The ending was too abrupt in my opinion. I turned the page to find the epilogue and had to make sure I hadn't just skipped a chapter somehow. I still have questions and don't feel like I've had any closure.
This aside, I do think it's a good read for the spooky season, it definitely had the creepy, sinister vibes! I just expected a lot more.
The book is stunning though... Points for the gorgeous cover and sprayed edges!
There were definitely moments that were eerie and chilling and at one point I actually jumped at a noise coming from my sons bedroom!
The ending was too abrupt in my opinion. I turned the page to find the epilogue and had to make sure I hadn't just skipped a chapter somehow. I still have questions and don't feel like I've had any closure.
This aside, I do think it's a good read for the spooky season, it definitely had the creepy, sinister vibes! I just expected a lot more.
The book is stunning though... Points for the gorgeous cover and sprayed edges!
May 7, 2023
The House of Whispers is a beautifully written, somewhat unsettling read filled with tension.
The book is set across three parts, multiple locations (in Italy) and across a time span of six years (1938-1945). A great deal changes, and also happens, within each part of the novel, splitting the story up and learning more and more with each part.
The novel is told through Eva’s perspective and right from the outset I felt drawn to her. Anna Mazzola’s writing is really powerful and she really draws you in with her characters. I felt very involved in Eva’s life and very much a part of her struggles.
There are some comments thrown in across the storytelling, that imply hindsight. Eva reliving the time as if telling it directly to a reader made it feel all the more real. These comments were also very mysterious and always caught my attention.
Eva is drawn in by mysterious Dante and his two children and as a reader I felt the same. The way my emotions and feelings towards them altered throughout the novel was surprising. I didn’t expect there to be such a rollercoaster of discoveries. The web of secrets, lies and history make for a compelling read.
The House of Whispers covers such a lot of history, in detail, and I found this fascinating. I really felt immersed in the 1930’s Italy of the novel. It was tense, shocking, emotional… My list could go on! Prior to reading I didn’t know much about the time period but I really felt like I was living it through Anna Mazzola’s writing.
Italy and the Cavallera house are described so well I felt like I was a part of the furniture. The atmosphere is captured so beautifully right from the outset, Eva’s unsettledness and her general unease comes across in a very striking way.
A rich and intense read!
The book is set across three parts, multiple locations (in Italy) and across a time span of six years (1938-1945). A great deal changes, and also happens, within each part of the novel, splitting the story up and learning more and more with each part.
The novel is told through Eva’s perspective and right from the outset I felt drawn to her. Anna Mazzola’s writing is really powerful and she really draws you in with her characters. I felt very involved in Eva’s life and very much a part of her struggles.
There are some comments thrown in across the storytelling, that imply hindsight. Eva reliving the time as if telling it directly to a reader made it feel all the more real. These comments were also very mysterious and always caught my attention.
Eva is drawn in by mysterious Dante and his two children and as a reader I felt the same. The way my emotions and feelings towards them altered throughout the novel was surprising. I didn’t expect there to be such a rollercoaster of discoveries. The web of secrets, lies and history make for a compelling read.
The House of Whispers covers such a lot of history, in detail, and I found this fascinating. I really felt immersed in the 1930’s Italy of the novel. It was tense, shocking, emotional… My list could go on! Prior to reading I didn’t know much about the time period but I really felt like I was living it through Anna Mazzola’s writing.
Italy and the Cavallera house are described so well I felt like I was a part of the furniture. The atmosphere is captured so beautifully right from the outset, Eva’s unsettledness and her general unease comes across in a very striking way.
A rich and intense read!
April 18, 2023
This is part historical fiction, part ghost story. It is thrilling, complex and beautifully written. This author just made it onto my auto-read list.
July 28, 2023
The House of Whispers is a deeply unsettling read, examining a turbulent time in history through a very personal lens.
Our main character is the young piano tutor Eva Valenti. Of Slav descent she has been used to hiding her identity so she can settle into life in Italy. As the Fascists rise in power, her background - and the need to hide it - becomes ever more important. Her best friends have their own reasons to fear the growing tension, and initially nobody dares speak of their concerns.
Eva finds herself tutoring a young girl and she gets drawn into the strange circumstances that take place in the home. Widower Dante Cavallera is charismatic, and Eva finds herself falling under his spell. Curious about the death of his previous wife, Eva wonders who or what might be responsible for the strange events taking place in the house. When she moves in as Dante’s new wife, the events become stranger.
Set against the backdrop of the rumours of war, Eva finds herself increasingly troubled by what’s happening. So used to keeping safe, it soon becomes clear that she can’t continue to hide. However, as she learns the truth about Dante and his new role Eva is increasingly in danger.
This felt like two quite different stories. The historical element was fascinating, and it certainly presented a stifling and quite terrifying environment. The ghost story was the one I found more intriguing, but I never felt we really got enough detail. However, as things build to their chilling climax I had so many questions.
Our main character is the young piano tutor Eva Valenti. Of Slav descent she has been used to hiding her identity so she can settle into life in Italy. As the Fascists rise in power, her background - and the need to hide it - becomes ever more important. Her best friends have their own reasons to fear the growing tension, and initially nobody dares speak of their concerns.
Eva finds herself tutoring a young girl and she gets drawn into the strange circumstances that take place in the home. Widower Dante Cavallera is charismatic, and Eva finds herself falling under his spell. Curious about the death of his previous wife, Eva wonders who or what might be responsible for the strange events taking place in the house. When she moves in as Dante’s new wife, the events become stranger.
Set against the backdrop of the rumours of war, Eva finds herself increasingly troubled by what’s happening. So used to keeping safe, it soon becomes clear that she can’t continue to hide. However, as she learns the truth about Dante and his new role Eva is increasingly in danger.
This felt like two quite different stories. The historical element was fascinating, and it certainly presented a stifling and quite terrifying environment. The ghost story was the one I found more intriguing, but I never felt we really got enough detail. However, as things build to their chilling climax I had so many questions.
June 5, 2024
Book club book no. 3
This book almost had it all.
I really enjoyed ‘The House of Whispers’ on the whole, it started off slow for me and took me a while to get into it, but in the end I realised that the slower start, setting the scene was necessary.
I really enjoyed how mysterious everything was made out to be. I was honestly so confused about the origin of all the strange goings-on for most of the book, so it kept me engaged and wondering how it would all end. I liked that it was a closed story with few characters, so we really got to know them individually, as well as how their family network functioned. I found the horror/ poltergeist elements fascinating as well as their link to psychology, a combination that was completely new to me, and once I reached that part of the novel, I found it hard to put down.
There were a few elements of the story I didn’t like so much. For example I thought the way that Eva revealed her true identity to Dante was too little too late and could have made for a slightly deeper storyline if it was revealed earlier in the book. I also would have liked to have seen more emphasis on the musical side of the story from Mazzola, I think she missed a trick not using it as prominently throughout. I found some of the horror elements to do with the poltergeist/ ghost a little hard to believe but I don’t often read things with that sort of element to the story, so that could have just been a personal thing. I also wasn’t a fan of the ending, it felt rushed and I would have liked Eva, Chiara and Alessandro to have “got back” at Dante for how horrible he was. However, I can understand that an ending with that sort of note could have made the story a lot more problematic, so I can understand why Mazzola didn’t go for that.
I really enjoyed the familial connection which was formed by Eva, Chiara and Alessandro. I found it so heart-warming that they stayed together. I think Mazzola wonderfully portrayed how children can be influenced way more but nurture over nature in some instances.
Personally, I think the poltergeist was Eva and Adelina, unknowingly teaming up against Dante. I think at first, it was Adelina trying to get Eva’s attention and warning her that something was wrong, then later, as Eva began to lose her sense of reality a little (from the situation in general but also probably from the blue pills) her subconscious joined forces with Adelina to create the strange occurrences.
I think Eva was very brave for staying in that house for as long as she did, and I’m glad she took the children with her when she did leave. There were some pretty clear warning signs though, that she should leave. I mean, a fascist husband who does so much cocaine that it’s making him seriously ill?! Hun, GET OUT OF THERE!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book almost had it all.
I really enjoyed ‘The House of Whispers’ on the whole, it started off slow for me and took me a while to get into it, but in the end I realised that the slower start, setting the scene was necessary.
I really enjoyed how mysterious everything was made out to be. I was honestly so confused about the origin of all the strange goings-on for most of the book, so it kept me engaged and wondering how it would all end. I liked that it was a closed story with few characters, so we really got to know them individually, as well as how their family network functioned. I found the horror/ poltergeist elements fascinating as well as their link to psychology, a combination that was completely new to me, and once I reached that part of the novel, I found it hard to put down.
There were a few elements of the story I didn’t like so much. For example I thought the way that Eva revealed her true identity to Dante was too little too late and could have made for a slightly deeper storyline if it was revealed earlier in the book. I also would have liked to have seen more emphasis on the musical side of the story from Mazzola, I think she missed a trick not using it as prominently throughout. I found some of the horror elements to do with the poltergeist/ ghost a little hard to believe but I don’t often read things with that sort of element to the story, so that could have just been a personal thing. I also wasn’t a fan of the ending, it felt rushed and I would have liked Eva, Chiara and Alessandro to have “got back” at Dante for how horrible he was. However, I can understand that an ending with that sort of note could have made the story a lot more problematic, so I can understand why Mazzola didn’t go for that.
I really enjoyed the familial connection which was formed by Eva, Chiara and Alessandro. I found it so heart-warming that they stayed together. I think Mazzola wonderfully portrayed how children can be influenced way more but nurture over nature in some instances.
Personally, I think the poltergeist was Eva and Adelina, unknowingly teaming up against Dante. I think at first, it was Adelina trying to get Eva’s attention and warning her that something was wrong, then later, as Eva began to lose her sense of reality a little (from the situation in general but also probably from the blue pills) her subconscious joined forces with Adelina to create the strange occurrences.
I think Eva was very brave for staying in that house for as long as she did, and I’m glad she took the children with her when she did leave. There were some pretty clear warning signs though, that she should leave. I mean, a fascist husband who does so much cocaine that it’s making him seriously ill?! Hun, GET OUT OF THERE!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2023
There is an incredible balance in "The House of Whispers" that seems to come solely from the author's talent: there is ghostly, paranormal, frightening horror. And then there is real, accurate and violent horror, that stems from society itself, from the way it is divided and corrupted by hate and incomprehension of another that is different.
It was truly interesting, as well as informative, to read about the unrest in Italy, during its Fascist days. It is clear that Anna Mazzola does her research deeply and with accuracy and I believe that adds a layer of reality to her stories. The way society slowly begins to accept their ruler's deranged beliefs and the way groups of people begin to be treated as outcasts is truly horrifying, not because there is also a paranormal element to this narrative, but also because it was real and it is real. It still happens today and this brings me to the reflection that independent media might still be one of the most important means to spread awareness and accurate information. For this reason alone, this book is worth reading.
Now, the gothic elements in the story were expertly introduced over the chapters. Reading Eva's hauntings, her fear and anxiety inside the house... Everything was carefully added to create an eerie, uncomfortable and unsettling atmosphere. Right from the moment she enters the house, the reader's instinct is to yell at her to run. I usually am not a fan of horror, but I really enjoy the way Anna Mazzola writes it and I think it is one of her strong points!
While I do think that the plot elements are the stronger aspect of "The House of Whispers", there is a compelling and diverse set of characters that helps bring the plot forward. Eva was a good main character to follow, her emotions were really well written and explored, which I really enjoyed to read. At times, she almost seemed naive and foolish, for some of the choices she made, but when you remember her setting, the time and context of her reality, I feel like it made sense. She wanted to be safe, she wanted to forget the hurt of her past and I will never fault her for that. Chiara and Alessandro were an honest portrait of what youth must have been like during that period of history. Confused, sad, angry and frustrated at times... They clearly had their own trauma and hurt to deal with and I am glad that they had Eva to take care of them, at least.
As for Dante... I am sure his characterization is a portrait of the way men behaved, at the time. If only I could say there aren't any like him left... He added a lot of tension and fear to the story, making him important for the plot to progress, but I will not say I regret his end.
There is also Mirella, Pietro, Ettore... all people of groups that have been marginalized, but whose courage compels them to be better and to have strength for others, as well as themselves. I really enjoyed that we got a glimpse into the way the Resistance was formed too, in the midst of all the chaos, violence and pain.
I believe this book is really unique. The paranormal and the horror of pre-WWII are so intertwined, you finish the story without real assurance of what actually happened: whether it was histeria, fear, an hallucination, or the actual truth. Eva herself seems to be unsure of her experiences, but choses to move on with her life the way she can, with her new-found family.
Although I wished the story was longer, especially the final chapters, I did love it and I will definitely look forward to more of Anna Mazzola's books! If you enjoy historical fiction, properly researched, as well as Gothic and paranormal elements, then this book is the one for you!
P.S. Eternally grateful that Bruno and Zefiro were never left behind! 🤍
It was truly interesting, as well as informative, to read about the unrest in Italy, during its Fascist days. It is clear that Anna Mazzola does her research deeply and with accuracy and I believe that adds a layer of reality to her stories. The way society slowly begins to accept their ruler's deranged beliefs and the way groups of people begin to be treated as outcasts is truly horrifying, not because there is also a paranormal element to this narrative, but also because it was real and it is real. It still happens today and this brings me to the reflection that independent media might still be one of the most important means to spread awareness and accurate information. For this reason alone, this book is worth reading.
Now, the gothic elements in the story were expertly introduced over the chapters. Reading Eva's hauntings, her fear and anxiety inside the house... Everything was carefully added to create an eerie, uncomfortable and unsettling atmosphere. Right from the moment she enters the house, the reader's instinct is to yell at her to run. I usually am not a fan of horror, but I really enjoy the way Anna Mazzola writes it and I think it is one of her strong points!
While I do think that the plot elements are the stronger aspect of "The House of Whispers", there is a compelling and diverse set of characters that helps bring the plot forward. Eva was a good main character to follow, her emotions were really well written and explored, which I really enjoyed to read. At times, she almost seemed naive and foolish, for some of the choices she made, but when you remember her setting, the time and context of her reality, I feel like it made sense. She wanted to be safe, she wanted to forget the hurt of her past and I will never fault her for that. Chiara and Alessandro were an honest portrait of what youth must have been like during that period of history. Confused, sad, angry and frustrated at times... They clearly had their own trauma and hurt to deal with and I am glad that they had Eva to take care of them, at least.
As for Dante... I am sure his characterization is a portrait of the way men behaved, at the time. If only I could say there aren't any like him left... He added a lot of tension and fear to the story, making him important for the plot to progress, but I will not say I regret his end.
There is also Mirella, Pietro, Ettore... all people of groups that have been marginalized, but whose courage compels them to be better and to have strength for others, as well as themselves. I really enjoyed that we got a glimpse into the way the Resistance was formed too, in the midst of all the chaos, violence and pain.
I believe this book is really unique. The paranormal and the horror of pre-WWII are so intertwined, you finish the story without real assurance of what actually happened: whether it was histeria, fear, an hallucination, or the actual truth. Eva herself seems to be unsure of her experiences, but choses to move on with her life the way she can, with her new-found family.
Although I wished the story was longer, especially the final chapters, I did love it and I will definitely look forward to more of Anna Mazzola's books! If you enjoy historical fiction, properly researched, as well as Gothic and paranormal elements, then this book is the one for you!
P.S. Eternally grateful that Bruno and Zefiro were never left behind! 🤍
April 5, 2023
Rome, 1938.
The threat of war taints everything it touches, painting what was once a beautiful landscape with the very damning possibility of obliteration, death, and destruction.
Eva, a talented pianist can feel this shadow ever looming but knows she must carry on in the only way she can and one day she enters the grand and mysterious house of the handsome yet rather unnerving Dante Cavallera and soon after a very short period of getting to know each other, finds herself his new wife.
Outside her new home, the forces of Fascism are accelerating and gaining momentum, tearing lives apart and making others flee from the country they once so loved, but in her new home, Eva cannot help but sense another type of evil is at work, emanating from the walls in what appears to be a hum of whispering, and even leaving marks on Dante’s young daughter and objects falling seemingly by their own accord.
Eva soon wonders if the house is trying to tell her something, maybe divulging the past of Dante’s previous wife, secrets that he is so very determined to keep hidden, meanwhile Eva must battle with herself to keep her true identity veiled for if she is discovered, her life will be in much more danger and Dante won’t hesitate in making it known to the authorities who she really is.
Will Eva be able to carve a new life for herself and the children trapped within these encroaching walls, or will her past take any chance of hope away?
Sinister, gothic, and humming with a slow-burning uncertainty, this will keep you up long into the night…
The threat of war taints everything it touches, painting what was once a beautiful landscape with the very damning possibility of obliteration, death, and destruction.
Eva, a talented pianist can feel this shadow ever looming but knows she must carry on in the only way she can and one day she enters the grand and mysterious house of the handsome yet rather unnerving Dante Cavallera and soon after a very short period of getting to know each other, finds herself his new wife.
Outside her new home, the forces of Fascism are accelerating and gaining momentum, tearing lives apart and making others flee from the country they once so loved, but in her new home, Eva cannot help but sense another type of evil is at work, emanating from the walls in what appears to be a hum of whispering, and even leaving marks on Dante’s young daughter and objects falling seemingly by their own accord.
Eva soon wonders if the house is trying to tell her something, maybe divulging the past of Dante’s previous wife, secrets that he is so very determined to keep hidden, meanwhile Eva must battle with herself to keep her true identity veiled for if she is discovered, her life will be in much more danger and Dante won’t hesitate in making it known to the authorities who she really is.
Will Eva be able to carve a new life for herself and the children trapped within these encroaching walls, or will her past take any chance of hope away?
Sinister, gothic, and humming with a slow-burning uncertainty, this will keep you up long into the night…
December 29, 2023
Whilst this book felt like a debut novel, it's the author's fourth.
The writing was elementary, helping us understand why "show, don't tell" is an important phrase in writing classes. It addressed the reader from the future at random intervals and sometimes switched tenses.
The characters didn't feel real and there was no chemistry to make me believe in the romance. There were also sexual events that were never given the proper discussion or acknowledgement they deserved.
As this is a historical fiction, the book contained a lot of history. However, the character managed to predict the future, as propaganda simply had no influence at all on them, and I could tell it was written with the power of hindsight.
But most of all, this book contained many small elements that did not come together in a satisfying manner. The bits of history, thriller, mystery and romance remained detached and it felt like the author wanted too much. It never managed to fully develop any of the genres. I was also annoyed by the constant "And this is where it went wrong" comments from the future narrator, failing to add tension.
It wasn't all bad. In fact, there was a lot of potential. The characters were shallow but interesting, and I wanted to know more. There were shocking moments and revelations and I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and the concept. The ending was quite satisfying, though the epilogue less so, and best of all: my edition has beautiful piano sprayed edges.
Overall, I think this could have benefited from a stronger editor. 2/5
The writing was elementary, helping us understand why "show, don't tell" is an important phrase in writing classes. It addressed the reader from the future at random intervals and sometimes switched tenses.
The characters didn't feel real and there was no chemistry to make me believe in the romance. There were also sexual events that were never given the proper discussion or acknowledgement they deserved.
As this is a historical fiction, the book contained a lot of history. However, the character managed to predict the future, as propaganda simply had no influence at all on them, and I could tell it was written with the power of hindsight.
But most of all, this book contained many small elements that did not come together in a satisfying manner. The bits of history, thriller, mystery and romance remained detached and it felt like the author wanted too much. It never managed to fully develop any of the genres. I was also annoyed by the constant "And this is where it went wrong" comments from the future narrator, failing to add tension.
It wasn't all bad. In fact, there was a lot of potential. The characters were shallow but interesting, and I wanted to know more. There were shocking moments and revelations and I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and the concept. The ending was quite satisfying, though the epilogue less so, and best of all: my edition has beautiful piano sprayed edges.
Overall, I think this could have benefited from a stronger editor. 2/5
July 9, 2023
Only later would I understand that this is how you begin to destroy people: you take away their jobs, their identity, their culture. You make them question who they are.
I bought this book on my trip to London, and I'm so glad I made a group buddy read out of it. Although I still can't put my finger on the exact genre of the book, I really liked the atmosphere. It definitely reminded me a lot of Th Last Tale of the Flower Bride. The house was pretty cool, although I'm still a bit confused about it all. It was definitely creepy at times, and I wish it got explained a bit more.
I enjoyed the setting a lot, especially considering the fact that I don't know that much about Italy in the second World War. Eva's past was heartbreaking, and the way she kept surpressing her own heritage even more. Poor thing. I did hate that she was blinded to everything at first, ignoring all the problems in the world because they scared her. That's no way to live. I enjoyed Mirella a lot too, especially because she did not want to lie about being Jewish. I loved how strong she was! I also enjoyed Ettore and Pietro, Dante immediately gave me weird vibes,
The main thing is that I'm still confused whether this is a fantasy. It is set in reality, but it is also not, so I'm left a bit confused. Furthermore, I hate the pace of the ending. It was all suddenly resolved in like twenty pages, which was really odd. I don't like that at all. The ending was just really sudden. It just feels like the ending ruined it a bit, it was just unsatisfying and oddly paced, and a lot of things feel unresolved. I did like the weird vibes though. It was definitely a very easy read.
July 26, 2023
Rome.1938. As the world teeters on the brink of war, talented pianist Eva Valenti enters the house of widower Dante Cavallera to become his new wife. On the outside, the forces of Fascism are accelerating, but in her new home, Eva fears that something else is at work, whispering in the walls and leaving mysterious marks on Dante's young daughter. Soon she wonders whether the house itself is trying to give up the secrets of its mysterious past.....
I recently read 'The Clockwork Girl' by this author and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to dive into her latest offering. Described by reviewers as ' a darkly delicious Gothic ghost story ' and with a beautiful cover to match the stunning reviews, I couldn't wait to start.
And?? The verdict?? A bit disappointed if I'm honest. A hybrid of historical fiction meets Gothic - this story was more politics and history than it was ghosts and ghouls. Don't get me wrong, I love historical fiction, just not when the synopsis promises something different. Set in Rome in the late 1930's this story highlights the rise of Fascism and the unrest felt across Europe fuelling the start of World War II - this story was obviously well researched. The writing is beautiful and, as with any good HF novel I did learn a great deal. But did it give me the chills? No. Was it atmospheric? No. Was it full of suspense and tension? No. I didn't find it chilling in any way shape or form which really disappointed me.
Fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this but if you prefer your reads to be dark and macabre then this may not be for you. 3 stars from me ...⭐️⭐️⭐️
I recently read 'The Clockwork Girl' by this author and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to dive into her latest offering. Described by reviewers as ' a darkly delicious Gothic ghost story ' and with a beautiful cover to match the stunning reviews, I couldn't wait to start.
And?? The verdict?? A bit disappointed if I'm honest. A hybrid of historical fiction meets Gothic - this story was more politics and history than it was ghosts and ghouls. Don't get me wrong, I love historical fiction, just not when the synopsis promises something different. Set in Rome in the late 1930's this story highlights the rise of Fascism and the unrest felt across Europe fuelling the start of World War II - this story was obviously well researched. The writing is beautiful and, as with any good HF novel I did learn a great deal. But did it give me the chills? No. Was it atmospheric? No. Was it full of suspense and tension? No. I didn't find it chilling in any way shape or form which really disappointed me.
Fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this but if you prefer your reads to be dark and macabre then this may not be for you. 3 stars from me ...⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 15, 2023
I read the clockwork girl last year from this author and I loved it. it was one of favorite books of 2022. So I was really looking forward to reading this so I went in with preconceived expectations I guess and this book was honestly not what I was expecting at all but I did still enjoy this one a lot and I am excited to read more from this author in the future. This was a very slow building plot but it got my attention pretty quickly and I felt invested in the storyline and characters I wanted to no where it was headed and I did not want to put the book down ( Although I had to for a while because I things that I needed to do in the real world lol) this book is set In 1938 Rome in the run up to World War Two when fascism is growing in popularity and power and is having more effect on the population what do they do? what can they do? who’s keeping secrets? and what effects will they have? As well as the mysterious going’s on in the house I found this story to be really atmospheric and I was hooked
May 8, 2023
4.5
This book was eerie as it was fascinating as in a big way it stands as a commentary on pre WW2 Italian politics. I've never directly considered what was going on in Italy at the time but even if you're not a history lover like me you'll find this important as the facts have direct consequences on the main story and the MC herself and it was thrilling stuff.
It was also very creepy and by the time the MC moves into the haunted house a lot of spine tingling stuff is going on reaching a point where you wonder who the real monster is.
Even though I felt the ending was slightly rushed I loved the way that the creepy moments and the tension just built and built and there was no chance of me putting this book down. I will definitely read more from this author
This book was eerie as it was fascinating as in a big way it stands as a commentary on pre WW2 Italian politics. I've never directly considered what was going on in Italy at the time but even if you're not a history lover like me you'll find this important as the facts have direct consequences on the main story and the MC herself and it was thrilling stuff.
It was also very creepy and by the time the MC moves into the haunted house a lot of spine tingling stuff is going on reaching a point where you wonder who the real monster is.
Even though I felt the ending was slightly rushed I loved the way that the creepy moments and the tension just built and built and there was no chance of me putting this book down. I will definitely read more from this author
May 24, 2023
This is a book that I found difficult to rate. I really enjoyed ‘The Clockwork girl’ so I knew I liked Mazolla’s writing. On the one hand, I was fascinated by the story about the growth of fascism in Italy in the run up to the Second World War. The handling of the story from the perspective of one of the new ‘undesirables’ and the personal impact of trying to hide her identity was compelling. On the other, even though I am a fan of gothic novels and ghost stories I am afraid the poltergeist episodes in this book seemed overblown and left me cold.
So, as a ghost story a 2, as a historical novel that taught me much, definitely a 4. I have therefore compromised on a 3 for this particular book. I will, however, look out for further works by this novelist.
So, as a ghost story a 2, as a historical novel that taught me much, definitely a 4. I have therefore compromised on a 3 for this particular book. I will, however, look out for further works by this novelist.
July 2, 2023
3.5 stars
A curious time setting for this story and one I was deeply enjoying (as much as one can enjoy such a time) it at first. While I have read and studied the time period a bit, I have not done much from the perspective of what happened in Italy. I just wish it pulled in more of the creepy factors, the paranormal. It had the right vibes but the execution was a bit lacking and minimal outcome. The history and what was happening in and to Italy was the bigger focus. While an important message was there for us, I felt it also covers part of the story.
Some dark Jane Eyre feels which I did like. I don't know any Italian so I stumbled a bit over some of the words and terms but that is on me, not the author.
Overall, a decent read but I had hoped for a but more.
A curious time setting for this story and one I was deeply enjoying (as much as one can enjoy such a time) it at first. While I have read and studied the time period a bit, I have not done much from the perspective of what happened in Italy. I just wish it pulled in more of the creepy factors, the paranormal. It had the right vibes but the execution was a bit lacking and minimal outcome. The history and what was happening in and to Italy was the bigger focus. While an important message was there for us, I felt it also covers part of the story.
Some dark Jane Eyre feels which I did like. I don't know any Italian so I stumbled a bit over some of the words and terms but that is on me, not the author.
Overall, a decent read but I had hoped for a but more.
August 31, 2023
mission of the year: read as many books as possible where my name is the main character's
September 9, 2023
Like it was fine. But I felt like not a lot happened and I was just kinda thinking about what I would read next???
It was fine
It was fine
November 18, 2023
4,5 stars Just half a point deduction because in the middle the story has a part where it looses too much pace.
July 21, 2025
This was super different from what I usually read, but damn
May 14, 2025
I realised while reading this just how little we are taught in school about how other countries were affected by the war, only England and Germany. It was really interesting to read about how it affected Italy, even in this fictional story - it definitely brought up a lot of questions for me about what was happening in the rest of Europe at that time.
May 28, 2024
I really enjoy historical fiction, it was a good balance of history and story telling. I had minimal knowledge of Italy and its place within the fascist movement in the 1940’s so this was also eye opening. I really hated Dante and his character growth/change was well curated and had me full of angst and frustration. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this book to others.
July 19, 2025
Much to recommend this book. Set against a rising threat in Mussolini’s Italy, Eva keeps her Slav background a secret, even from her new husband, the charming and attentive Dante, whom she met whilst teaching his daughter to improve her piano playing skills.
Beautiful as he4 life appears, Eva is subjected to strange and terrifying unexplained happenings in the house, from the spontaneous cracking of a vase to the buzzing of wasps seemingly from within the walls.
Clearly, there is history in this house, just as there was in Manderlay, the house in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
The resolution though, is a let down, in my opinion. Too quick, too neat and unsatisfying.
The best parts were the true parts, about the impact of Fascism on European people.
Beautiful as he4 life appears, Eva is subjected to strange and terrifying unexplained happenings in the house, from the spontaneous cracking of a vase to the buzzing of wasps seemingly from within the walls.
Clearly, there is history in this house, just as there was in Manderlay, the house in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
The resolution though, is a let down, in my opinion. Too quick, too neat and unsatisfying.
The best parts were the true parts, about the impact of Fascism on European people.
May 4, 2023
This one was a resounding meh. It almost stuck the landing to get an uninspiring 3* rating, but the pacing was just too off - it’s a short book but it nevertheless takes half the runtime for the main character to even move into the titular haunted house and the resolution gets slapped together in literally just a few pages at the very end.
I didn’t quite catch the blurb’s drift enough that this was going to be a ghost story, which I usually find super boring, especially if the authors don’t utilise the “is this real or am I going crazy?” mind game enough by having the haunting “confirmed” by third parties.
Mazzola also finds it necessary to handhold her readers through the entire thing: the story is told in retrospect by main character Eva, so we already know she makes it out fine; and every time some ghostly stuff is going on, this gets pointed out with blinking neon signs. Ie, vase falls to the floor without anyone touching it, cue Eva’s narration, “in hindsight I should’ve been worried about this.” Ya we know. A vase just decided to jump off the table. We know this means there’s some haunting going on.
The most interesting aspect is the setting - late 1930s fascist Italy - but even that fell pretty flat. Eva is just way too naive and politically uneducated for any worthwhile thoughts to come through.
(Also, just as a side question to any readers more knowledgable about Italian history than me: the burning of the Slovene cultural centre in Trieste in 1920 plays a central role in this book, with Eva remembering “rows and rows” of people being shut inside while the building gets burned down by the fascists; I wanted to do some further reading on this and couldn’t find any sources saying there were people inside, let alone this many? Would be a weird detail for Mazzola to make up considering the real history of the Slovene minority in Italy under Mussolini is gruesome enough.)
I didn’t quite catch the blurb’s drift enough that this was going to be a ghost story, which I usually find super boring, especially if the authors don’t utilise the “is this real or am I going crazy?” mind game enough by having the haunting “confirmed” by third parties.
Mazzola also finds it necessary to handhold her readers through the entire thing: the story is told in retrospect by main character Eva, so we already know she makes it out fine; and every time some ghostly stuff is going on, this gets pointed out with blinking neon signs. Ie, vase falls to the floor without anyone touching it, cue Eva’s narration, “in hindsight I should’ve been worried about this.” Ya we know. A vase just decided to jump off the table. We know this means there’s some haunting going on.
The most interesting aspect is the setting - late 1930s fascist Italy - but even that fell pretty flat. Eva is just way too naive and politically uneducated for any worthwhile thoughts to come through.
(Also, just as a side question to any readers more knowledgable about Italian history than me: the burning of the Slovene cultural centre in Trieste in 1920 plays a central role in this book, with Eva remembering “rows and rows” of people being shut inside while the building gets burned down by the fascists; I wanted to do some further reading on this and couldn’t find any sources saying there were people inside, let alone this many? Would be a weird detail for Mazzola to make up considering the real history of the Slovene minority in Italy under Mussolini is gruesome enough.)
November 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this slow burn of a novel set in Rome, 1938 as fascism starts to take its hold over Italy and Il Duce aligns himself and his country with Hitler's Germany. Throughout the story the tension builds in the streets as those who don't fit with Mussolini's vision of a true Italian are ostracised from society, creating division, distrust and secrecy.
Our protagonist, Eva, has her own secrets -she desperately wants to fit in with Italian society and avoid drawing attention to herself, even if that means turning a blind eye to some of the things she sees going on. As a talented pianist she finds employment as a tutor in the home of widower Dante, teaching his daughter Chiara how to play the piano - a role previously carried out by her late mother. There's an intense and sinister energy in the home and Eva begins to fear that evil forces could be at play as her relationship with the family deepens and darkens.
Although the story is set in the past there is a correlation to many of the issues being faced today with the rise of right-wing views and a desire to demonise those who are seen as different or foreign. It showed how easy it can be for people who previously lived together in harmony to become segregated and identities weaponised for the benefit of political gain.
I'd highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction and dark family dramas with a hint of the supernatural!
Our protagonist, Eva, has her own secrets -she desperately wants to fit in with Italian society and avoid drawing attention to herself, even if that means turning a blind eye to some of the things she sees going on. As a talented pianist she finds employment as a tutor in the home of widower Dante, teaching his daughter Chiara how to play the piano - a role previously carried out by her late mother. There's an intense and sinister energy in the home and Eva begins to fear that evil forces could be at play as her relationship with the family deepens and darkens.
Although the story is set in the past there is a correlation to many of the issues being faced today with the rise of right-wing views and a desire to demonise those who are seen as different or foreign. It showed how easy it can be for people who previously lived together in harmony to become segregated and identities weaponised for the benefit of political gain.
I'd highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction and dark family dramas with a hint of the supernatural!
April 17, 2023
Having previously read "The Clockwork Girl" by Anna Mazzola, I just had to pick this one up.
While both books contain somewhat magical realism, I think I enjoyed this one on this aspect more. Loved how mystery/horror aspect was woven into the story that made me question whether this has a real explanation or are we stepping into paranormal world.
On the other side, this book being historical, I thoroughly (can I say that) enjoyed pre WWII Italy setting. It was very depressing, but also I felt that I was there in that time, and I can't give an author a higher praise than that.
Anna Mazzola is my auto-buy author, for sure.
While both books contain somewhat magical realism, I think I enjoyed this one on this aspect more. Loved how mystery/horror aspect was woven into the story that made me question whether this has a real explanation or are we stepping into paranormal world.
On the other side, this book being historical, I thoroughly (can I say that) enjoyed pre WWII Italy setting. It was very depressing, but also I felt that I was there in that time, and I can't give an author a higher praise than that.
Anna Mazzola is my auto-buy author, for sure.
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