The Villa

M Warnasuriya’s The Villa follows Jason and Susan Smith, a couple who have been married for two years. Jason works as a cardiologist while Susan is a homemaker with aspirations to become a writer. They live in an apartment with their cat, Penny, until Jason buys a four-story villa in the mountains overlooking the beach to surprise his wife. Susan admires the home's beauty and extravagance, noting that it is over a century old. She soon discovers a dark past of suffering and death linked to angry spirits dwelling within and beyond the walls. Susan is expecting a child during this time and seeks answers about the terror affecting their lives. She finds old journals in the attic and begins reading them to understand the truth behind the hauntings. The narrative focuses on her unraveling these secrets as she attempts to put the spirits to rest. This story appeals to readers interested in domestic supernatural fiction and ghost stories set in historic homes. It may not suit those who prefer fast-paced action or non-fiction accounts of real hauntings. The book relies on the trope of a new owner uncovering hidden history through archival materials. Warnasuriya structures the plot around Susan’s discovery of the past while she manages her pregnancy and marital life. The setting provides a gothic atmosphere typical of traditional haunted house narratives.