#Gothic Mystery

[judgeitbyitscover]

The Reimann Curse by Jean DeWeese

Cover art by Charles Gehm

Beagle Book Gothic, February 1975

Something Brought Her Here...

Helen lowered herself into the bath slowly, luxuriating in the warmth as it flowed up and around her body. For the first time since Gerald's death her mind was occupied only with her own comfort and well-being. She fell into reverie, going over events of the day. After all that driving she wasn't sorry she got side-tracked off the main highway. She'd get some much-needed sleep. She mused on the two other guests at the hotel. The old woman had an aristocratic air and was too spry for someone past seventy. The man was unusually handsome...

What was that? Helen sat bolt upright, blinked and shivered, her fingers grasping the edge of the tub. For a few breathless seconds her eyes searched every shadow in the room and her ears listened intently. Nothing. The wind moaned, tree branches scraped the window panes, and Helen was starkly, utterly alone...and terrified!

[thenalexica]

Gothic Fiction Plot Structures

Ancient curse afflicts family Mysterious mansion holds secrets Gothic romance with supernatural Haunted estate inheritance Dark family legacy revealed Ghostly warnings/prophecies Gothic horror psychological twist Victorian supernatural mystery Doomed gothic love story Ancestral sins surface Trapped in cursed manor Gothic psychological horror Sinister servant revelations Occult ritual discovery Religious horror elements

[lot666achandelierinpieces]

Zariya Hollow: S2Ep04 – The Ghost in the Opera House, (Chapter 5, Part 1)

Raoul, desperate to save Christine, teams up with the mysterious Persian to navigate the shadowy underbelly of the opera house. Their journey through the labyrinthine passages beneath the building unveils new dangers at every turn. With every whispered secret and echoing footstep, the tension mounts as they descend into darkness.

This episode features immersive binaural sound—designed to place you directly in the heart of the opera house’s eerie depths. For the most chilling experience, listen with headphones as the story surrounds you in the haunting atmosphere of the catacombs.

Warning: This episode contains themes of self-harm and violence that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

[tenderlywicked]

What I really, really want is a series like the beginning of Adamas, but without it evolving into a social drama/action movie. The first episodes had all of my favorite elements:

— a mystery set in a secluded mansion with too many secrets, hidden doors, nooks meant for eavesdropping, surveillance on everyone, and unhealthy relationships;

— an outsider who comes to stir the wasp’s nest with unclear intent—someone smart enough to read people and manipulate them;

— an atmosphere of suspense: veiled threats, murderous women, and vague homoerotic tension :)

[starsarefire824]

Ya’ll got me inspired with these Will Mermaid au— fanarts. 😊

Death Lies In Wait

April 18th, 1890

Max stares at the white spray of the waves as they crash along the high rock when the man operating the small, wooden skiff brings her along the dock that leads to where stairs are carved into the side of the rock. As he ties the heavy rope to secure them, she watches the muscles of his forearms where he has pulled up the sleeves of his thick, wool cable knit sweater that’s the same color as the grey sky. His skin is dark like the color of earth after a rainstorm, and when he peeks back at her his eyes are warm and playful. He takes hold of her hand as she steps out onto the dock and smiles, and she can’t help but smile back at him as she takes it, holding her skirts up and away from her ankles.

“Miss,” he says and nods as he helps her up. Then hands her her small suitcase filled with the few possessions she owns.

“Thank you, sir,” she offers with a gracious smile.

The man tips his cap. “Lucas,” he says. “Lucas Sinclair.”

“Mr. Sinclair,” Max nods with a little bow of her head. “Pleased to meet you.”

“I come once every three or four weeks with provisions,” he explains as he sits back down on the bench of his boat. “So you can expect me.” He winks at her.

Max blushes and wishes behind her fake smile that he’d take her away from this barren place. From this stranger that waits for her at the top of this cliff.

Lucas raises his eyebrows at her when he pulls away, his body swaying with the boat as it rocks in the waves. “Your name, Miss?!”he calls.

She blushes deeper. “Maxine,” she says with resolve. “Maxine Mayfield.”

Well, not for long , she thinks regretfully. Soon to be Maxine Wheeler. A lighthouse keeper's wife.

“Ms. Mayfield,” Lucas ducks his head low, his eyes too direct and lit up. It makes a sparking thrill shoot down her spine.

“I’ll see you about, Ms. Mayfield,” he says as his strong shoulders shrug her away, falling back into the depths of the water, his boat hopping over a rather large wave that rushes towards the slate cliffside. It jumps up into the sky and its mist settles along her cheeks and eyelashes.

Max puffs an agitated sigh and rests her palm along her flat top hat, takes her case in her hand, and trudges up the slippery, rocky stairs.

She keeps her eyes on each steep step, twenty-two to be exact, and she’s out of breath by the time she reaches the top. She curses the damned corset that resides underneath her plain, white cotton high collared shirt, curses the green skirts that tangle around her ankles. Curses the heeled, laced boots that offer no traction or support. She misses her brother’s old boots she’d worn around the farm. The ones she could muck her favorite cow’s stall out with and climb a mountain within the same day. They were brown and useful. Sturdy and sensible. The only kind of shoe she was interested in.

But today is her wedding day. Dreaded, blasted day.

[leonardoeatscarrots]

[bookishlyvintage]

The Daughters of Block Island, Christa Carmen [x]

[protagonistspub]

Rebecca by Daphne De Maurier

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier was an audio book listen for me while stitching. It is a Gothic mystery, more suspense than mystery. Our young, naive, and desperate protagonist remains unnamed throughout the novel. She is a pathetic woman who is both gullible and duplicitous. Yes, I despised her from the opening of the book. She impulsively marries Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo for reasons that…

[trout-scout]

I'm away tomorrow night so here's chapter 7 ~

THE GHASTLY FOUR...

[jenmedsbookreviews]

The #Bookvent Calendar 2023: Day Sixteen

My day 16 #bookvent pick is by an author who never fails to mesmerise with his writing. Beautiful, poetic and totally engaging, this was an another stunning, mystery laden read. @michaelJmalone1 @OrendaBooks #books #bookvent2023

#Bookvent – Celebrating my top reads of 2023 My day sixteen #bookvent selection is by an author whose work never fails to delight, mesmerise and enthrall. He’s a master at poetic imagery – not really a shock seeing as his other gift is writing poetry. He’s also an absolute gent. This latest book is one that is packed with mystery and misdirection, characters whose unique perspective on life gets…

[splatland]

BOOK REVIEW: HEMLOCK ISLAND, A NOVEL by Kelley Armstrong

The setting for Hemlock Island is an ominous one. Steeped in Native American legends, Lake Superior is the largest and coldest of the Great Lakes. Hemlock House is located on a small, private island in the middle of the lake and lacks any internet, cell, or landline phone access. For author, Laney, it’s a dream come true — a place to write without interruption, a place of inspiration. However,…

[judgeitbyitscover]

We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) by Shirley Jackson

Cover art by Thomas Ott

Penguin Classics, November 2006

Merricat Blackwood lives on the family estate with her sister Constance and her uncle Julian. Not long ago there were seven Blackwoods—until a fatal dose of arsenic found its way into the sugar bowl one terrible night. Acquitted of the murders, Constance has returned home, where Merricat protects her from the curiousity and hostility of the villagers. Their days pass in happy isolation until cousin Charles appears. Only Merricat can see the danger, and she must act swiftly to keep Constance from his grasp.

[weirdlookindog]

Edward Gorey (1925-2000) - Illustrations 1-8 from 'The West Wing', 1963

[jackiesreadingcorner]

THE SECRETS OF HARTSWOOD HALL By Katie Lumsden @MichaelJBooks #KatieLumsden #TheSecretsofHartswoodHall @Squadpod3 #BookReview

Available now / Hardback / ebook / audiobook / SYNOPSIS It’s 1852 and Margaret Lennox, a young widow, is offered a position as governess at Hartwood Hall. She quickly accepts, hoping this isolated country house will allow her to leave her past behind. Cut off from the village, Margaret soon starts to feel there’s something odd about her new home, despite her growing fondness for her bright,…

[spookyasmr]