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A review by gloomynomad
The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins
3.0
The plot of "The Haunted Hotel" revolves around the mysterious death of Lord Montbarry, a wealthy Englishman who dies suddenly while on his honeymoon in Venice. After his death, strange occurrences begin to happen at the palazzo where he stayed, including sightings of his ghost.
The story is told through a series of letters and accounts from various characters. We learn that Lord Montbarry had a complicated personal life, including a former mistress and various family members with questionable motives. As a result, suspicion falls on several individuals as the investigation into his death continues.
As the detective assigned to the case delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a web of secrets and deceit involving the Montbarry family and their associates. Ultimately, the detective is able to solve the mystery and bring the culprit to justice.
The novella is known for its intricate plot, vivid descriptions of Venice, and eerie atmosphere. It explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the supernatural, and has become a classic example of Victorian ghost fiction.
Although I was enamored with the author's writing style and found myself annotating numerous lines throughout the text, I ultimately found the plot to be rather predictable.
The story is told through a series of letters and accounts from various characters. We learn that Lord Montbarry had a complicated personal life, including a former mistress and various family members with questionable motives. As a result, suspicion falls on several individuals as the investigation into his death continues.
As the detective assigned to the case delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a web of secrets and deceit involving the Montbarry family and their associates. Ultimately, the detective is able to solve the mystery and bring the culprit to justice.
The novella is known for its intricate plot, vivid descriptions of Venice, and eerie atmosphere. It explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the supernatural, and has become a classic example of Victorian ghost fiction.
Although I was enamored with the author's writing style and found myself annotating numerous lines throughout the text, I ultimately found the plot to be rather predictable.