The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice

The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice - Wilkie Collins The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice is a gothic mystery novella by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1878. Blending elements of suspense, the supernatural, and psychological intrigue, the story follows a trail of ominous events that unfold after a broken engagement and a mysterious death. The novel begins in London, where the ambitious Countess Narona becomes engaged to the English aristocrat Lord Montbarry. However, Lord Montbarry abruptly ends his relationship with his former fiancée, Agnes Lockwood, to marry the enigmatic countess. The newlyweds soon travel to Venice, where Lord Montbarry dies under suspicious circumstances at a decaying old palace that has been converted into a hotel. As rumors of hauntings spread and the countess’s behavior grows more disturbing, Agnes is drawn to the same hotel—now rumored to be cursed—where she experiences strange visions and chilling occurrences. With a tangled web of secrets, lies, and ghostly presences, the mystery of Lord Montbarry’s death slowly unravels. Collins masterfully creates a dark and atmospheric setting in the decaying grandeur of Venice, using gothic tropes to explore themes of guilt, madness, and the supernatural. The Haunted Hotel remains a gripping tale of suspense, filled with eerie ambiance and moral ambiguity, showcasing Collins’ skill at crafting psychological thrillers ahead of his time. Hardcover, 125 х 190 x 21.25 mm, 0.343 kg, 384 pages Edition: English AST Publishing