The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins is a gothic mystery novel set in Venice, revolving around the mysterious death of Lord Montbarry and the subsequent haunting of the hotel where he passed away. The story unfolds with intricate relationships and hidden motives among the characters, leading to a chilling climax where dark secrets are revealed. The narrative style is described as melodramatic yet engaging, with a mix of supernatural elements and suspenseful twists that keep the reader guessing till the end.

Characters:

Characters exhibit typical gothic traits, though they may lack depth, with a compelling Countess and an innocent heroine.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characteristic of Victorian literature, incorporating melodrama and rich descriptions that enhance the gothic atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intertwines murder, guilt, and ghostly elements, culminating in a complex mystery set against a haunting backdrop.

Setting:

The setting effectively creates a gothic mood, primarily in a Venetian hotel that adds to the story's eerie atmosphere.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, with an initial emphasis on character setup followed by a rapid build-up to a dramatic climax.

Notes:

The story revolves around Countess Narona and Agnes Lockwood, two women with a complicated relationship.

Lord Montbarry, initially engaged to Agnes, marries the Countess, leading to tragic events.

The novel is set in Venice, mainly in a haunted hotel where dark secrets unfold.

Collins explores themes of guilt and punishment through supernatural and psychological elements.

The story features typical Gothic characters like the villainous Baron and the sweet heroine Agnes.

The book is reminiscent of earlier Gothic novels, particularly Ann Radcliffe's works.

It includes a mysterious death linked to a life insurance policy, raising questions about foul play.

The Countess's past actions haunt her, blurring the lines between victim and villain.

The narrative features a gruesome revelation involving Lord Montbarry's severed head that leads to a dramatic climax.

Despite its melodrama and some stock characters, the story has been described as a captivating page-turner.

From The Publisher:

Is there no explanation of the mystery of The Haunted Hotel? Is The Haunted Hotel the tale of a haunting - or the tale of a crime? The ghost of Lord Montberry haunts the Palace Hotel in Venice - or does it? Montberry's beautiful-yet-terrifying wife, the Countess Narona, and her erstwhile brother are the center of the terror that fills the Palace Hotel. Are their malefactions at the root of the haunting - or is there something darker, something much more unknowable at work?

Ratings (3)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (3)
Did Not Finish (1)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Loved It

2 months

Enjoyed this cozy mystery book a lot, it was such a fun read and it felt very cozy curling up in bed with this book and a cup of tea. Will definitely reread Woman in white and give his other books a go after this!

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About the Author:

Wilkie Collins was born in London on 8 January 1824. His father was the landscape painter William Collins. After school he worked for a tea merchant before studying to become a lawyer. In 1848 he published a biography of his father and his first novel, Antonina, followed in 1850. In 1851 he met Charles Dickens who would later edit and publish some of his novels. Collins's novels were extremely popular in his own time as well as now. The Woman in White (1859), No Name (1862), Armadale (1866) and The Moonstone (1868) are his best known works. Collins was linked with two women (one of whom bore him three children) but he never married. He died on 23 September 1889.

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The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

Wilkie Collins