Paperback
Remote island residency turns deadly; escape or sacrifice is the only way out.

The Residency

A gothic suspense novel set on a remote Scottish island that will keep you up all night

$37.56

  • Paperback

    336 pages

  • Release Date

    4 August 2026

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Summary

‘So creepy you’ll want to sleep with the lights on’ The Sun

‘Deliciously sinister and wonderfully atmospheric.’ BP Walter

The opportunity of a lifetime, or the worst mistake of your life?

Life in London is hard for Ginny as a single mother barely scraping by. Once she was a promising artist with a glittering future ahead. On a whim, she applies for an artist’s residency – all expenses paid – and is astonished to be accepted.

Soon, Ginny is on a boat to a remote…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9798217269495
Author:C.D. Major
Publisher:Canelo
Imprint:Canelo
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:336
Release Date:4 August 2026
Weight:232g
Dimensions:21mm x 127mm x 197mm
A-Format
The Residency by C.D. Major - ISBN: 9798217269495
127 × 197 mm
B-Format
C-Format
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

“So exquisitely dark, yet so beautifully written, Cesca Major hits the perfect balance with The Residency. I read it one sitting and was totally enthralled from the outset. A horror of the modern ages. A thriller unlike any other. But ultimately a story of a mother’s love. Cesca may just have invented a new genre…” - Sandie Jones, New York Times Bestselling author of The Other Woman

‘I could not stop reading this breathless, fast-paced tale! If you like your novels with a very dangerous twist, you’ll love this book.’ Ava Glass

‘A gripping Gothic delight. CD Major has decided to scare us senseless and she succeeds masterfully. A sinister Scottish tale with a big dash of the supernatural. Loved it.’ Anna Mazzola

‘Beautifully written and utterly chilling’ Susi Holliday

‘An unsettling, atmospheric mystery you’ll race through right to the chilling supernatural twist. Loved it!’ Ellery Lloyd, NYT Bestselling author of The Club

‘Atmospheric, compelling, genuinely chilling. The only thing that stopped me staying up all night to finish was being too scared to read it in the dark!’ Tammy Cohen

‘An unsettling portrait of a wild Scottish island controlled by a malevolent benefactor. Struggling artist Ginny is hoping for a chance to get back on her feet but in the large old house on Stark Island things move and whisper in the night, the inhabitants are worryingly withdrawn and there is no way to leave. A tantalising blend of gothic suspense and feminine power, The Residency will keep you up at night, clutching the covers and turning the pages with desperate fingers. Deeply disturbing and utterly compelling.’
Heather Critchlow

‘A creeping sense of unease builds to some genuinely terrifying moments in this unsettling and chilling tale. Beautifully written and steeped in atmosphere, this is a must-read for fans of modern gothic horror.’ Lisa Gray

‘Eerie and unsettling, haunting and hypnotic. A modern classic in the making.’ John Marrs

‘This modern gothic tale set on a remote Scottish island cut off from the world has it all. A malevolent old house, a village of people concealing a terrifying secret, and an elderly artist with a very dark past. Creepy, atmospheric, and scarily addictive, you’ll never look at a painting the same way again.’ Amanda Jennings

‘Skin crawlingly good. I was screaming at the page as the boat approached the island. CD Major has written a belter. Claustrophobic, isolated, unnerving … I was on edge from the first page. Loved it.’ Rachel Wolf

‘A deliciously sinister and wonderfully atmospheric thriller. The Residency is filled with eerie suspense and terrific characters, with an artfully crafted mystery at its centre. I loved it.’ B.P. Walter/S.G. Hartnell

About The Author

C.D. Major

C. D. Major is the pseudonym of novelist and screenwriter Cesca Major. She’s been published in over 12 countries and has TV and film in development with major streamers. She’s been a Reese’s Book Club Pick and nominated for both the CWA and the HWA Awards. She loves teaching and has mentored for both Reese’s Book Club and the Black Girl Writers.

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