Murmurs of Evil: The Possession Chronicles #2

Name: Murmurs of Evil: The Possession Chronicles #2
Price: 18.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781957892146

✍️ Carrie Dalby

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$18.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gothic novel about faith, demons, and forbidden love in a haunted cottage.

Magdalene faces a dual threat from both supernatural entities and human emotions while working at Seacliff Cottage. She teams up with Claudio De Fiore to solve the mystery of the vile spirits inhabiting the home. Meanwhile, her heart is pulled between Alexander Melling and the newly arrived Douglas Campbell. The demons exploit these romantic tensions to snare Magdalene’s soul. Dalby uses the setting of mourning and isolation to heighten the sense of dread. The inclusion of The Portrait of Eliza Melling provides additional context to the haunting. This story appeals to fans of atmospheric horror that blends romance with religious themes.

Key Themes

demonic possession forbidden romance spiritual warfare

Literary Context

This work sits within the tradition of gothic supernatural fiction, drawing on late nineteenth-century settings and Catholic imagery through characters like Claudio De Fiore. It reflects American interest in haunted house narratives published by Olive Kent Publishing in 2022.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · M.R. James · Daphne du Maurier · The Haunting of Hill House

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Olive Kent Publishing 📅 2022 📖 462 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781957892146

📝 Description: Murmurs of Evil: The Possession Chronicles #2

Carrie Dalby’s second installment in The Possession Chronicles follows Magdalene as she enters Seacliff Cottage to serve as a companion for Mrs. Melling. The household is already grieving the loss of Mrs. Melling’s daughter, but dark forces quickly manifest within its walls. Magdalene finds herself drawn to Alexander Melling, the employer’s son, while simultaneously befriending Claudio De Fiore, a young Italian deacon who helps her investigate the demonic activity. Their efforts are complicated by the arrival of Douglas Campbell, the Scottish nephew of the coachman. Magdalene must balance her growing affection for Douglas against the memory of her haunting interactions with Alexander. The narrative explores how past secrets and spiritual corruption threaten to destroy their lives. Dalby constructs a gothic atmosphere where faith and temptation collide in a confined domestic setting. This edition includes the bonus short story titled The Portrait of Eliza Melling at the end. Readers who enjoy supernatural romance and historical horror will find this tale compelling. Those seeking fast-paced action or modern settings may prefer other genres. The book relies on traditional gothic tropes of haunted houses and spiritual warfare to drive its plot forward.

💎 Our verdict on Murmurs of Evil: The Possession Chronicles #2

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Dalby effectively constructs a claustrophobic gothic atmosphere where spiritual corruption thrives on romantic vulnerability. The narrative succeeds in weaving together demonic hauntings with complex interpersonal dynamics, particularly the protagonist's divided affections. This approach creates a unique tension that elevates standard possession tropes into a study of emotional and spiritual fragility. The inclusion of the bonus short story adds valuable context to the haunting without disrupting the main plot. While it relies on traditional haunted house elements, the execution is solid. It best suits readers who enjoy historical settings and slow-burn psychological horror rather than fast-paced action or modern supernatural thrillers.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers drawn to atmospheric gothic horror and supernatural romance will find this narrative compelling due to its intricate blend of religious dread and romantic tension. The book excels in using the confined setting of a mourning household to heighten psychological pressure, making it ideal for those who appreciate slow-burn terror over jump scares. Fans of tales where faith and temptation collide within domestic spaces will enjoy the exploration of how past secrets corrupt the present. It offers a rich, immersive experience for audiences seeking historical horror that prioritizes mood and emotional stakes alongside supernatural threats.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Dalby effectively constructs a claustrophobic gothic atmosphere where spiritual corruption thrives on romantic vulnerability. The narrative succeeds in weaving together demonic hauntings with complex interpersonal dynamics, particularly the protagonist's divided affections. This approach creates a unique tension that elevates standard possession tropes into a study of emotional and spiritual fragility. The inclusion of the bonus short story adds valuable context to the haunting without disrupting the main plot. While it relies on traditional haunted house elements, the execution is solid. It best suits readers who enjoy historical settings and slow-burn psychological horror rather than fast-paced action or modern supernatural thrillers.