The Taking of Irene Hart

‘Not just a tale of suspense; it’s also a . Reiss’ evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ *** 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… '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 . It’s a , and I was hooked from start to finish’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An plot which is enjoyable and entertaining’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One of those books that you can't put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Reiss's meticulous attention to detail and elevate the novel… a thought-provoking and powerful read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A , dark, well written story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, ’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell See what readers are saying: