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ericarobyn's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Those Who Dwell in Mordenhyrst Hall by Catherine Cavendish is an unsettling tale of love, secrets, and monsters set in a sprawling estate that holds power over a small, isolated town.
It’s no secret that everyone but the couple themselves disapprove of their plans to wed. The two are of separate classes, but they focus only on their love rather than social expectations.
Traveling to stay in her husband to bed’s family estate to get to know her future in-laws, Grace finds that her future sister-in-law is openly and calculatedly hostile toward her while her future father-in-law gives her the creeps. That bothers her, but she can put on a smile and cope with it. But what she will not put up with is the way her fiancé begins to treat her. It’s as if the house has a strange influence on him.
She points out how she has been treated one morning when she has had enough and then announces that she will return to London. Her fiancé begs her to stay just a bit longer, showing little glimpses of the version of him she loves. While she agrees to stay through the week, during that time she unlocks a second sight with the help of one of the women staying at the estate for the weekend.
Soon, Grace learns that there is a great darkness that only she can help eliminate in hopes of freeing the townspeople that have been sucked into the toxic influence of Mordenhyrst Hall. But can she do it?
I was so anxious for Grace right from the start. The focus on her new relationship made me nervous that a trick was about to be played with each scene that went by. But oh my gosh, I did not see what was coming next! The little supernatural bits are sprinkled in wonderfully once Grace crosses the property line to Mordenhyrst Hall and it only gets darker and more haunting from there!
My Favorite Passages from Those Who Dwell in Mordenhyrst Hall –
He squeezed my free hand and winked at me. I squeezed back and winked at him. It was as if a chunk of ice fell off the massive iceberg that had come between us.
I stared at her, more in pity than anger. So much physical beauty wasted on such lamentable soul.
“It’s that obvious, is it?’
“Let’s put it this way, don’t audition for any leading roles until you’ve perfected your acting skills a bit more.”
“Let’s put it this way, don’t audition for any leading roles until you’ve perfected your acting skills a bit more.”
The women’s murmuring became a chant and grew louder, more urgent. I moved my hands to cover my face against their penetrating stares, which stabbed at me, sending daggers of pain through my body.
“We can never know the reason for the riddles the universe presents us with.”
Below us, the river flowed as it had for thousands of years, oblivious to the three pairs of eyes that now gazed down into its dark depths.
My Final Thoughts on Those Who Dwell in Mordenhyrst Hall –
Another amazingly mysterious and thrilling tale from Catherine Cavendish! I had an absolute blast reading this!
Horror fans, this gothic horror story will have you ready to leave an extra light on while reading as you may just hear footsteps when no one else is around or see ghostly figures lurking… And watch out for any birds of prey!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
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