House of Furies

Seventeen-year-old Louisa Ditton takes a position as a maid at Coldthistle House, a boarding house in Victorian England. She soon discovers the house is not what it seems, and its mysterious owner Mr. Morningside has sinister purposes for accepting certain guests. The Gothic atmosphere intensifies as Louisa witnesses inexplicable events and encounters supernatural forces within the house's walls. Her quest to uncover the truth about Coldthistle House puts her in increasing danger, forcing her to question whom she can trust among the staff and guests. The novel blends historical fiction with supernatural horror, building tension through its isolated setting and dark revelations. The story explores themes of justice, redemption, and the complexity of human nature through its examination of sin and punishment.

Readers describe House of Furies as a gothic horror story with beautiful writing but a slow-moving plot. Many note the atmospheric Victorian setting and detailed descriptions create a strong sense of unease. Readers appreciated: - Historical accuracy and period details - Illustrations throughout the book - Complex moral questions raised - The creepy, supernatural elements Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Character development feels incomplete - Romance subplot seems forced - Marketing as YA horror when content skews younger Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) Several readers noted similarities to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in tone and style. One frequent comment was that the book works better as gothic fiction than horror, with one reviewer stating "the scares are mild but the atmosphere is perfect."

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🏰 Though set in Victorian England, author Madeleine Roux wrote most of House of Furies while living in a small village in France, drawing inspiration from the historic architecture surrounding her. ⚰️ The character Mr. Morningside was partially inspired by real-life Victorian-era murderer H.H. Holmes, who operated a "murder castle" hotel in Chicago. 📚 The book incorporates actual medieval woodcuts and illustrations throughout its pages, adding authenticity to its Gothic atmosphere. 🔮 Many of the supernatural elements in the story draw from Welsh mythology and folklore, particularly the legends of the Cwn Annwn (supernatural hounds) and the Wild Hunt. 🖋️ Roux originally conceived the story as a standalone novel, but its success led to it becoming the first book in a trilogy, followed by "Court of Shadows" and "Tomb of Ancients."