Set in 1740's Silesia, 'The House of War and Witness' follows a young lieutenant investigating the mysterious disappearance of a militia in a sleepy village on the outskirts of the Austrian empire. Simultaneously, a camp follower with a supernatural ability to see ghosts uncovers eerie spirits in the manor house where the officers reside, not belonging to the missing militia but from various time periods. As the characters delve into the village's peculiar behavior and the secrets of the manor house, they unravel the mysteries behind why it is known as the house of war and witness. The narrative style is described as slow-paced yet suspenseful, with a focus on building detailed settings, characters, and atmosphere to create a chilling and thought-provoking story.

Characters:

The characters include a principled lieutenant and a pragmatic woman who sees ghosts, offering a range of complexity and depth despite mixed perceptions about their dimensionality.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is rich and detailed, carefully building atmosphere and suspense while combining dark humor with profound themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a young lieutenant investigating the mysterious disappearance of a militia in a peculiar village while a camp follower, who can see ghosts, uncovers deeper supernatural connections.

Setting:

The setting in 1740 Silesia presents a rich, claustrophobic atmosphere steeped in historical detail, with a focus on the village and its haunted manor.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, balancing character development and atmosphere while providing moments of tension throughout.

Notes:

Set in 1740s Silesia, the story follows the Austrian army's eerie encounter with a missing militia.

A young lieutenant investigates the strange disappearances in a quiet village.

A camp follower, Drozde, can see ghosts and communicates with them.

The ghosts in the manor house belong to various times, not just the missing militia.

The narrative slowly builds suspense and delves into character development and atmosphere.

The story reflects themes of power dynamics between the royal elite and impoverished citizens.

The authors, Mike and Louise Carey, blend historical fiction with supernatural elements.

Drozde's character is independent and pragmatic, contrasting with the younger lieutenant.

The book is noted for its rich detail and explorative character studies.

Despite being a ghost story, it focuses more on gradual tension than shock value.

The setting is a unique and lesser-known historical area in Europe, opening new literary exploration.

The writing style is descriptive and immersive, creating a gripping story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of war, trauma, potential violence associated with military life, and supernatural elements that may be unsettling.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romantic tension, particularly involving Drozde's pragmatic relationship with a quartermaster, but it is not the central focus of the story.

From The Publisher:

1740. With the whole of Europe balanced on the brink of war, an Austrian regiment is sent to the furthest frontier of the empire to hold the border against the might of Prussia. Their garrison, the ancient house called Pokoj.

But Pokoj is already inhabited, by a company of ghosts from every age of the house's history.

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The House of War and Witness

M.R. Carey, Louise Carey