Midnight Rooms A Novel
Midnight Rooms A Novel by Donyae Coles, published by HarperCollins Publishers on June 10, 2025, is a historical thriller set in a Gothic mansion in England during 1840. This debut novel intertwines elements of horror and mystery, presenting a tale that explores the unsettling experiences of Orabella Mumthrope, who finds herself drawn into a world of sinister magic and hidden secrets after marrying Elias Blakersby, a man from a wealthy family. As Orabella navigates her new life at Korringhill Manor, she encounters a decaying estate filled with eerie occurrences that challenge her understanding of reality.
Readers will discover a richly atmospheric narrative that delves into themes of trust, identity, and the supernatural. The story unfolds with Orabella’s increasing paranoia as she grapples with the dark forces within the manor, leading her to question her own sanity. Midnight Rooms combines elements of Gothic literature with a haunting exploration of familial bonds and personal transformation, making it a compelling addition to the genres of horror and suspense. This edition spans 336 pages and is presented in English, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a world where the boundaries between dreams and reality blur.
Official synopsis Publisher
“An immersive horror fairy tale marrying Crimson Peak to Pan’s Labyrinth upon strange foundations. You’re never really safe here, with Midnight Rooms wondrously defying expectation and refusing obedience. Donyae Coles leads us into a house of sinister magic, full of corners for peeking around, but careful–these walls have claws. A feverish, labyrinthine debut.”–Hailey Piper, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Queen of Teeth
Set in a foreboding Gothic mansion and infused with the heightened paranoia and creeping horror of novels like Catherine House and Crimson Peak, a spine-chilling debut historical thriller from a fresh voice in the genre that will leave you questioning who, or what, you can trust . . . including your own sanity.
England, 1840. Orabella Mumthrope spies an unexpected visitor in her uncle’s parlor. Scruffy in appearance yet claiming to be the scion of a fabulously wealthy family, Elias Blakersby declares a deep desire to make Orabella his wife. The orphaned daughter of a white man and a Black woman–an outsider with no fortune or connections–Orabella never expected to marry. But her uncle has many debts, and Orabella, curious about the seeming devotion Elias bestows upon her, agrees.
The new bride is quickly whisked away to Korringhill Manor, the Blakersby family estate, and far from everything she knows. Expecting splendor, Orabella is shocked to find decay, skittish servants, and curt elders. But her kind new husband’s loving touch, promises of a happy life together, and his assurances she’ll never want for anything soothe her concerns.
Yet there is a darkness deep within this house. Rooms are locked or hidden away, and the walls seem to thrum with secrets. Orabella can never venture outside unattended; she spends her days having tea with a catatonic sister-in-law and evenings at Elias’s side, dutifully hosting lavish dinners. The darkness soon begins to engulf her, too. Becoming dizzy and drowsy after dinner, she falls into a fitful sleep filled with macabre dreams, and is awakened by blood-curdling screams in the night. In the morning she rises from her bed covered in mysterious bruises. Confused and terrified, she begins to question where her dreams end and reality begins. The longer Orabella stays in this place, the more she loses parts of herself . . . how long until she no longer exists
Midnight Rooms is a sweeping saga with supernatural undertones set in Victorian England. Vibrating with tension, richly atmospheric–haunted by ghosts, guilt, and familial bonds–it is an electrifying story that will linger in your dreams.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Midnight Rooms A Novel” about?
Who is the author of “Midnight Rooms A Novel”?
When was “Midnight Rooms A Novel” published?
What is the ISBN for “Midnight Rooms A Novel”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
