Books matching: gothic mystery
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- #1
Save:The Minotaur by Barbara Vine is a psychological thriller set in an English country house where a Swedish nurse, Kerstin Kvist, is hired to care for John Cosway, a man diagnosed with schizophrenia. The story unfolds as Kerstin navigates the dysfunctional dynamics within the Cosway family, particularly the controlling matriarch, Julia Cosway, and her four daughters. As Kerstin delves deeper into the family's secrets, a tragic event occurs that changes everyone's lives forever. The book is described as a character-driven narrative, focusing on the intricate observations of a dysfunctional family and the few outsiders they interact with, set against a Gothic and suspenseful backdrop.
We are thin on the ground, we women cartoonists, it's still thought of as a man's job, and there are even fewer of my sort who aren't English and never went to art school. Over the close-on thirty yea... The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins is a gothic mystery novel set in Venice, revolving around the mysterious death of Lord Montbarry and the subsequent haunting of the hotel where he passed away. The story unfolds with intricate relationships and hidden motives among the characters, leading to a chilling climax where dark secrets are revealed. The narrative style is described as melodramatic yet engaging, with a mix of supernatural elements and suspenseful twists that keep the reader guessing till the end.
- #3
Save:'Gentle from the Night' by Meagan McKinney is a gothic mystery set in 1858, revolving around Alexandra Benjamin, a Jewish woman who poses as a man to accept a position at Cairncross Castle with John Damien Newell. Damien, haunted by a dark past involving an evil governess who silenced his brother Samuel, initially resents Alexandra's presence but soon realizes she may hold the key to restoring Samuel's speech. The story is filled with ghostly sightings, spooky occurrences, and a mysterious atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged till the end. McKinney weaves snippets from 'Ivanhoe' into the narrative, adding depth and intrigue to the plot.
Alexandra, with her scientific background and determination to help the deaf hear, faces challenges in gaining Damien's trust and unraveling the mysteries of the castle. The book explores themes of love, redemption, and the struggle between darkness and light, all while keeping the reader on the edge with its suspenseful storytelling and complex characters.
- #4
Save:Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty two years later, one is found but she's still the same age as when she disappeared. In 1998, single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a century old lighthouse, and it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters Luna, Sapphire and Clover. When two of them go missing, she's frantic. She learns that hundreds of years ago, several women were tried for witchcraft on the island, and cursed it in an act of revenge. Twenty two years later, Luna has still not given up searching for her missing sisters. When she receives a phone call that her youngest sister, Clover, has been found, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers, except she's still seven years old. Luna quickly begins to think her sister may in fact be a wildling, an evil supernatural being that mimics children. The book is a cleverly written novel that brings together a modern day missing persons mystery with dark and deadly superstition from the past. Slightly eerie and gothic, readers were drawn in from the start and found it to be a really compelling read. There was a lightbulb moment when some loose ends made sense and the twist at the end was delivered superbly.
- #5
Save:'The Thirteenth Tale' by Diane Setterfield follows the story of Margaret Lea, a young biographer hired by the reclusive writer Vida Winter to pen her autobiography. As Margaret delves into Vida's mysterious past, she uncovers a gothic tale involving the Angelfield family, secrets, and ghosts. The narrative weaves together themes of family, mystery, and self-discovery, drawing parallels between the lives of the characters and the haunting stories they hold.
Setterfield's writing style in 'The Thirteenth Tale' has been described as beautifully written, captivating, and reminiscent of classic authors like Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. The book is praised for its poetic prose, intricate storytelling, and the way it keeps readers guessing until the very end. With elements of gothic mystery, psychological depth, and a touch of realism that blurs the line between possibility and fantasy, this novel offers a compelling journey through dark secrets and unexpected revelations.
It was November. Although it was not yet late, the sky was dark when I turned into Laundress Passage. Father had finished for the day, switched off the shop lights and closed the shutters; but so I wo... - #6
Save:Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a gothic mystery novel that revolves around the second Mrs. de Winter, who marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and moves to his grand estate, Manderley. The shadow of Maxim's late wife, Rebecca, looms large over the household, with the housekeeper Mrs. Danvers and other characters adding to the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere. The story is filled with plot twists, dark secrets, and a haunting sense of doom that keeps readers engaged until the shocking ending.
Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again. It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while I could not enter, for the way was barred to me. There was a padlock and ... - #7
Save:In "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, the story unfolds in Barcelona in 1945, where a young boy discovers a book titled 'The Shadow of the Wind' in a secret library of forgotten titles. This discovery sets off a chain of events as he delves into the mystery of the book's author, Julian Carax, whose life and death are shrouded in secrets. The plot weaves through murder, madness, and love, creating an epic tale of intrigue and suspense. As the protagonist, Daniel, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind Carax's works, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of mysteries and revelations.
Zafon's writing style in "The Shadow of the Wind" is described as enchanting, atmospheric, and immersive. The author skillfully combines elements of mystery, romance, and historical fiction to create a captivating narrative that transports readers to post-war Barcelona. Through intricate plots, fully developed characters, and evocative descriptions, Zafon crafts a story that explores the power of books, the complexities of human relationships, and the enduring impact of secrets and betrayals.
THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES IN LIFE, EXCEPT TO FEEL remorse. Julián Carax and I met in the autumn of 1933. At that time I was working for the publisher Toni Cabestany, who had discovered him in 1927 i... - #8
Save:Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a gothic mystery set in Mexico in the 1950s, following the story of a young socialite named Noemi Taboada. Noemi receives a troubling letter from her cousin who recently married into the Doyle family and is unwell. She travels to the family's eerie mansion, High Place, where she encounters strange inhabitants and begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding her cousin's illness. The book combines elements of classic gothic romance, a haunted house mystery, and explores themes of colonialism and horror in a unique setting.
The writing style of Mexican Gothic is described as atmospheric and immersive, drawing readers into the cold and haunted environment of the mansion. The plot unfolds with suspenseful pacing, blending Victorian sensibilities with creepy and grotesque elements like mushrooms, mysterious dreams, and family secrets. The protagonist, Noemi, is highlighted as a strong and brave heroine who must navigate the dark secrets of High Place to save her cousin and herself, making for a gripping and eerie tale.
The parties at the Tuñóns’ house always ended unquestionably late, and since the hosts enjoyed costume parties in particular, it was not unusual to see Chinas Poblanas with their folkloric skirts and ... - #9
Save:In 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters, the story revolves around Doctor Faraday, who becomes entwined with the Ayres family residing in the deteriorating Hundreds Hall. As strange occurrences start happening at the mansion, a mix of psychological and supernatural elements come into play, leading to a gripping narrative that delves into the decline of the English landed gentry post-World War II. Waters masterfully crafts a tale that not only explores the haunted house but also delves deep into the characters' emotions and behaviors, creating a nuanced story set in a time of societal change and decay.
I first saw Hundreds Hall when I was ten years old. It was the summer after the war, and the Ayreses still had most of their money then, were still big people in the district. The event was an Empire ... - #10
Save:The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware follows the story of Harriet Westaway, also known as Hal, who receives a letter about an inheritance from her grandmother, Hester Westaway, a woman she never knew existed. Desperate for money, Hal decides to attend the funeral and reading of the will, only to uncover a web of family secrets and mysteries that she must navigate. As she delves deeper into the Westaway family, Hal finds herself in danger and must untangle the truth about her parentage amidst a backdrop of isolation, deception, and dark revelations.
Ruth Ware's writing in The Death of Mrs. Westaway is described as engrossing, gothic, and suspenseful, reminiscent of classics like Rebecca. The book combines elements of family turmoil, long-buried secrets, and a brooding Cornish mansion, all wrapped up in a twisty mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With a compelling protagonist, shifty characters, and a questionable will, Ware's storytelling style draws readers in and immerses them in a modern take on the classic gothic mystery genre.
The girl leaned, rather than walked, into the wind, clutching the damp package of fish and chips grimly under one arm even as the gale plucked at the paper, trying to unravel the parcel and send the c...
