Maria Tureaud
Kensington
27 January 2026
368
eBook - PDF
Gothic
ARC via Edelweiss
County Clare, 1848: In the scant few years since the potato blight first cast its foul shadow over Ireland, Maggie O’Shaughnessy has lost everything—her entire family and the man she trusted with her heart. Toiling in the Ennis Workhouse for paltry rations, she can see no future either within or outside its walls—until the mysterious Lady Catherine arrives to whisk her away to an old mansion in the stark limestone landscape of the Burren.
Lady Catherine wants Maggie to impersonate her late daughter, Wilhelmina, and hoodwink solicitors into releasing Wilhelmina’s widow pension so that Lady Catherine can continue to provide for the villagers in her care. In exchange, Maggie will receive freedom from the workhouse, land of her own, and the one thing she wants more than a chance to fulfill the promise she made to her brother on his deathbed—to live to spite them all.
Launching herself into the daunting task, Maggie plays the role of Wilhelmina as best she can while ignoring the villagers’ tales of ghostly figures and curses. But more worrying are the whispers that come from within. Something in Lady Catherine’s house is reawakening long-buried memories in Maggie—of a foe more terrifying than hunger or greed, of a power that calls for blood and vengeance, and of her own role in a nightmare that demands the darkest sacrifice . . .
The House Will Feed was a captivating Gothic tale. I was caught up in Maggie's story right from the first chapter and enjoyed following it until the end. The book moved at a good pace throughout with just the right blend of drama/emotion and action. The Gothic vibe was beautifully set once she arrived at the mansion, with new layers of intrigue building as the story progressed. I could see this being turned into an atmospheric film by someone like Guillermo del Toro. I felt the background of the famine was poignantly portrayed and explained, with enough detail for understanding without overshadowing the other elements of the story. I would certainly pick up another book by this author in the future. I am giving this one 4 stars. It is a worthwhile read for fans of Gothic tales.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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