The Taking of Irene Hart
Madeleine Reiss
‘Not just a tale of suspense; it’s also a poignant exploration of familial love, resilience, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Reiss’ evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell
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1859. Somerset, England.
When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.
Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.
When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be saved…See what readers are saying:
'The eerie, cultish atmosphere is perfectly done. The tension between the family dynamics, Ruby’s sharp instincts, and the slowly unraveling dark secrets makes this a gripping, emotional ride. It’s a paragon of historical fiction, and I was hooked from start to finish’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A fascinating read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘An intriguing plot which is enjoyable and entertaining’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘One of those books that you can't put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Reiss's meticulous attention to detail and rich character development elevate the novel… a thought-provoking and powerful read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A gripping, dark, well written story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As suspense builds, the mystery at the heart of these stories exposes how a mother’s love and a wife’s vulnerability can be exploited by those who claim salvation. Ruby’s detective resolve keeps the tension razor-sharp, delivering the claustrophobic momentum of thrillers right to the final reckoning.
For fans of Fiona Mcintosh (The Pearl Thief), Victoria Scott (The Storyteller's Daughter), Madalyn Morgan (Redemption), Jojo Moyes (The Giver of Stars), and Chris Whitaker (All the Colours of the Dark).
HarperCollins 2025
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