Sophie’s world is shattered when disaster bankrupts her family. She’s still reeling from the news when she’s offered an unexpected solution: Mr Argenton, a wealthy stranger, asks for her hand in marriage.
Marrying Mr Argenton will restore her family’s fortunes and save them from scandal, but condemns Sophie to a life in Northwood, a vast and unnaturally dark mansion situated hours from civilisation.
Sophie struggles to adjust to her new position as mistress over the desolate house. Mr Argenton’s relatives are cold, and Mr Argenton himself is keeping secrets. Even worse, the house is more than it seems.
Mr Argenton’s young cousin, Elise, draws terrifying images. Doors slam. Inhuman figures slink through the forest surrounding the house. A piano plays in the middle of the night. Blood drips from the ceilings.
Sophie is inevitably pulled towards the terrifying truth: Northwood’s ancient halls are haunted by the family’s long-dead ancestors. The malevolent spirits-produced by grisly deaths-resent her intrusion into their home.
Trapped in Northwood and desperate for an escape, Sophie’s fate is further complicated as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to the tall, dark-eyed man she married. She suspects her feelings are returned, but Mr Argenton is hiding the truth about the house-and his secrets are so dangerous that they might just be unforgivable.
House of Shadows by Darcy Coates. Book #1 in the House of Shadows series. Self published in 2015. Large paperback edition, 284 Pages.
I love this author. I discovered her last year and I’ve been trying to get my hands on all her books. Everything I’ve read so far has been amazing and always leaves me on the edge of my seat. Darcy is the queen of modern gothic horror in my eyes.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but this book’s premise looked too mysterious to pass up. So happy I read House of Shadows because I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. The plot left me guessing the whole time. Love it! Such a creepy setting, family, and bad guys. A whole lot of NOPE if I was Sophie!
How does Darcy keep writing so many creepy haunted house stories that are so different from each other? Magic? I think it’s magic….
Once again, I will recommend Darcy Coates. She really knows her classic gothic feel. I look forward to reading book 2 in the series.
Creature From The Book Lagoon 