Books matching: gothic style setting
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- #1
Save:Lady Julia Grey and her family are summoned back to their country home in England for Christmas, where they are met with a ghost, stolen jewels, and a murder mystery to solve. Amidst relationship issues and subplots, Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane work together to uncover the truth while navigating family dynamics and romantic tensions. The book is praised for its intriguing characters, engaging plot, and a blend of multiple mysteries that keep the reader hooked.
I threw my elder brother a repressive look. “Do not be so morose, Plum. Father’s only really angry with Lysander,” I pointed out, brandishing the letter from England with my fingertips. The paper fair...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Lady Julia Grey ) - #2
Save:'The Ballad of Black Tom' by Victor LaValle is a Lovecraftian novella set in the 1920s, a period marked by racism and social unrest. LaValle reimagines Lovecraft's story 'The Horror at Red Hook' from the perspective of a working-class African American musician, offering a fresh take on themes of immigrants, poverty, and marginalization in early 20th-century New York. The book expertly combines elements of horror, racism, and cosmic terror, creating a story that gradually transitions from a realistic setting to supernatural occurrences, making the supernatural aspects feel all the more unnerving.
The narrative follows Charles Thomas Tester, a black man navigating through a white-dominated city while facing racism and police brutality. LaValle's writing style is praised for its masterful handling of setting and circumstances, as well as the complexity of the protagonist's character. The book delves into the horrors of racism and the Great Old Ones, intertwining Lovecraftian mythology with social commentary, creating a compelling and powerful story that resonates with readers.
People who move to New York always make the same mistake. They can’t see the place. This is true of Manhattan, but even the outer boroughs, too, be it Flushing Meadows in Queens or Red Hook in Brookly... - #3
Save:'The Woman in White' by Wilkie Collins is a Victorian thriller filled with mystery and suspense. The story follows Marian Halcombe and Walter Hartright as they try to unravel the secrets surrounding a mysterious woman in white who holds the key to saving their friend Laura Fairlie from dark forces seeking to claim her estate and her life. The novel is masterfully crafted with classic Victorian elements such as unexplained apparitions, exotic dangers, a larger-than-life villain, secret ancestries, and the looming threat of an asylum next door.
The plot of 'The Woman in White' unfolds through documents and diaries of the characters, slowly revealing a tale of societal position, inheritance, confused identities, secrets, and crimes. The narrative is rich with twists and turns, mistaken identities, and surprise revelations, keeping readers engaged in the investigation led by Walter Hartright after his eerie encounter with the woman in white. Overall, the book offers a strange and eerie mystery tale that is well worth reading, despite some dated aspects.
If the machinery of the Law could be depended on to fathom every case of suspicion, and to conduct every process of inquiry, with moderate assistance only from the lubricating influences of oil of gol... - #4
Save:In The Only Child by Andrew Pyper, the story follows Lily, a forensic psychologist who is haunted by visions of her mother's death. Assigned a curious admission at a criminal center in New York, Lily encounters a patient claiming to be the inspiration behind classic monsters like Frankenstein's monster, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As she delves deeper into the patient's claims, a cat and mouse game unfolds, leading Lily on a journey across Europe to uncover the truth about her mother and the mysterious patient. The book is described as a horror story wrapped in a dark psychological drama, with elements of action and adventure that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Andrew Pyper's writing style in The Only Child is praised for its ability to transport readers to different locations, allowing them to feel the surroundings vividly. The author's use of minimal words to convey maximal emotion is highlighted, making readers gasp time and time again. The book is commended for its fast-paced plot, filled with phenomenal cliffhangers that keep readers flipping the pages frantically, immersing them in an alternative history tale that blends horror, psychology, and suspense.
Lily knows better than most how unlikely it is that this is real. Through her years of training and now her days in the courtroom providing expert testimony on psychological states of mind, she has le... - #5
Save:"A Stranger's Wife" by Maggie Osborne follows the story of Lily Dale, a paroled prisoner who is coerced into playing the role of a missing woman, Mariam, by Quinn Weston, a man seeking the governorship of Colorado. As Lily delves deeper into Mariam's life, she becomes convinced that something is amiss, leading her to uncover dark secrets and mysteries. is described as having a gripping plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with unexpected twists and turns that make it a compelling read. The writing style is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions, particularly in the development of the characters and their relationships.
- #6
Save:"Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver is a beautifully written novel that intertwines the lives of different women, each connected in subtle ways, much like the ecosystems they are part of. The book combines themes of ecology, romance, and nature seamlessly, with each character having a unique voice and depth. Kingsolver's storytelling weaves together three seemingly disparate stories, focusing on strong female characters and the interconnectedness of nature and human relationships.
Her body moved with the frankness that comes from solitary habits. But solitude is only a human presumption. Every quiet step is thunder to beetle life underfoot; every choice is a world made new for ... - #7
Save:Catherine House is a prestigious and exclusive college hidden in the woods where students are offered full scholarships and a chance at a prestigious career. The story follows Ines, a student running from her past, who finds herself drawn into the mysterious and unsettling world of Catherine House. The setting is described as gothic and eerie, with elements of mystery, mind control, and secret experiments, creating a dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere. The plot revolves around the students' isolation from the outside world, the unconventional curriculum, and the hidden agenda within the school's walls.
I ran a hand over my stomach. I was going be sick. The back of my throat tasted like sour wine and my ears rang with the echoes of a party: a smutty, fucked-up bass line reverberating through the floo... - #8
Save:'The Bean Trees' by Barbara Kingsolver follows the journey of Missy Taylor Greer, a young woman who leaves her Kentucky home and embarks on a road trip that takes her to Tucson, Arizona. Along the way, she acquires an abandoned toddler named Turtle and becomes responsible for her welfare. Through her travels, Taylor encounters a diverse cast of characters who help her navigate the challenges of motherhood and life on the road. The story touches on themes of adoption, undocumented immigrants, and the Southwest, all while exploring the bonds between parent and child.
Kingsolver's writing style in 'The Bean Trees' is described as well-written, with well-drawn characters that bring the narrative to life. is noted for its engaging plot, memorable characters, and the way it weaves real-life issues into the story. Readers appreciate the author's ability to create a compelling plot while exploring themes of family, compassion, and the search for belonging.
I have been afraid of putting air in a tire ever since I saw a tractor tire blow up and throw Newt Hardbine’s father over the top of the Standard Oil sign. I’m not lying. He got stuck up there. About ... - #9
Save:Abigail Kelly's 'Empire' in the New Protectorate series is a masterclass in paranormal fantasy romance writing. The book follows the story of Harlan Bounds, an ex-vampire syndicate assassin, and Zia North, a young green witch rosarian, as they navigate their budding relationship amidst the backdrop of the criminal underworld that runs the New Zone. The writing style is immersive and descriptive, drawing readers into a world filled with unique species, magic systems, and intricate mate bonds. As Harlan and Zia's romance unfolds, readers are treated to a blend of cozy moments, found family dynamics, and elements of suspense that keep them on the edge of their seats.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series New Protectorate ) - #10
Save:'The Quick' by Lauren Owen is a gothic tale set in late Victorian London, where the story follows James Norbury as he moves to London to pursue a career as a poet. However, things take a dark turn when he gets caught up with a mysterious club of vampires, leading to his disappearance. His older sister, Charlotte, sets out on a mission to uncover the truth and rescue her brother, delving into a world of horror, suspense, and eerie atmospheres. The narrative weaves through various viewpoints, exploring the themes of social class, repressed desires, and the thin line between sanity and insanity in a fog-shrouded Victorian setting.
At the end of the hall gardens, the ground gave way to a sudden drop that felt like the edge of the world. Below was a ditch full of nettles, which was called a ha-ha. Beyond that there were wide flat...
