Their Monstrous Hearts: A Gothic Horror Novel with a Dual Timeline and a Suspenseful Mystery
"A gothic, darkly alluring tale that will leave readers spellbound"--Dua Lipa, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter
A compelling take on folk horror and macabre rituals, this debut novel uncovers dark secrets about how far people will go to keep their dreams alive. A Goodreads Most Anticipated Horror pick for Spring 2025!
A mysterious stranger shows up at Riccardo's apartment with some news: his grandmother Perihan has died, and Riccardo has inherited her villa in Milan along with her famed butterfly collection.
The struggling writer is out of options. He's hoping the change of scenery in Milan will inspire him, and maybe there will be some money to keep him afloat. But Perihan's house isn't as opulent as he remembers. The butterflies pinned in their glass cases seem more ominous than artful. Perihan's group of mysterious old friends is constantly lurking. And there's something wrong in the greenhouse.
As Riccardo explores the decrepit estate, he stumbles upon Perihan's diary, which might hold the key to her mysterious death. Or at least give him the inspiration he needs to finish his manuscript.
But he might not survive long enough to write it.
A compelling take on folk horror and macabre rituals, this debut novel uncovers dark secrets about how far people will go to keep their dreams alive. A Goodreads Most Anticipated Horror pick for Spring 2025!
A mysterious stranger shows up at Riccardo's apartment with some news: his grandmother Perihan has died, and Riccardo has inherited her villa in Milan along with her famed butterfly collection.
The struggling writer is out of options. He's hoping the change of scenery in Milan will inspire him, and maybe there will be some money to keep him afloat. But Perihan's house isn't as opulent as he remembers. The butterflies pinned in their glass cases seem more ominous than artful. Perihan's group of mysterious old friends is constantly lurking. And there's something wrong in the greenhouse.
As Riccardo explores the decrepit estate, he stumbles upon Perihan's diary, which might hold the key to her mysterious death. Or at least give him the inspiration he needs to finish his manuscript.
But he might not survive long enough to write it.
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Community Reviews
The premise, themes, lore and mystery of Their Monstrous Hearts promises readers a lot, but in my opinion it failed to deliver. I found that the most intriguing and captivating part about this book was when readers were focused on Perihan (the grandmother's) pov and timeline. The building tension and eerie vibes disappear and break when Riccardo's perspective takes over. I also struggled believe that Riccardo's character recall of memories were honest accounts considering the fact that he is only 20 years old and we are told early on in the book that he was essentially kicked out of the family home (by his grandmother) at an early age--it left me questioning a lot of narrative that was hard to shake. The gothic aesthetic of Perihan's house/estate lives up to all it promises, including those who were closest to her in her life in Milan.
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