The Nightingale's Castle

'Absorbing' Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Picks

'I was blown away by this dark, enchanting story of witchcraft, power and injustice' Mary Chamberlain

'A mesmerising combination of gothic horror and elegant restraint' Francesca De Tores, author of Saltblood

Members of Countess Bathory's household have been sent out to gather new serving girls and the kindly old man who gave Boroka a home as a baby knows that it is dangerous to turn them away. As the 15-year-old girl reluctantly leaves the safety of the only home she has ever known in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, the future looks uncertain - and dangerous.

Boroka is frightened of the countess's reputation and the whispers of cruelty and unexplained deaths. She finds the women who run Cachtice Castle terrifyingly cold and the other girls are as scared as she is. Despite this, Boroka slowly begins to find her feet - until a bout of plague breaks out at the castle.

Powerful forces are moving against a woman whose wealth poses such a threat to the king. And when the show trial begins against the infamous 'Blood Countess' where will Boroka's loyalties really lie?

A page-turning tale of witchcraft and cruelty... Perfect for fans of Stacey Halls, Laura Purcell, and Anna Mazzola Historical Novel Society
I was blown away by this dark, enchanting story of witchcraft, power and injustice. The writing is exquisite, the atmosphere of late 16th century Hungary magnificently evoked with all its forbidding secrets, sinister machinations and heart wrenching detail. I was gripped from start to finish. The Nightingale's Castle is a triumph of story-telling and nothing short of brilliant Mary Chamberlain
The Nightingale's Castle is as intricately and deftly woven as the lace made by the girls of the castle. It's a moving, fascinating and haunting tale, immaculately researched. A mesmerising combination of gothic horror and elegant restraint Francesca De Tores, author of Saltblood
The Nightingale's Castle is a gripping read - beautifully written, skilfully plotted, and a fascinating exploration of women's struggle to have their truth heard Louise O'Neill, author of Idol
An enthralling retelling of the story of the Blood Countess, with all the unsettling mystery of a dark fairytale, yet populated by utterly believable characters. A book to lose yourself in Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman and The Smallest Man
Dark, unsettling and so skilfully written, The Nightingale's Castle is a novel that takes the reader by the hand and leads them to the wintry side of the human soul. Tinged with a creeping horror from the opening pages, it reads like the finest fairy tale. I loved it, and admired it greatly Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure
[An] incredible story. Sonia Velton's writing and characterisation are masterful Emma Caroll
In The Nightingale's Castle, Sonia Velton expertly blends historical research, fiction and myth to bring to life a fascinating historical figure and show the destructive power of propaganda, rumour and political intrigue. I was captivated by the story of Elizabeth Barthory, her supposed terrible crimes and the truth behind them - a vivid, visceral and compelling read Sarah Day, author of Mussolini's Island
A gripping tale of feminism and power, love and deceit, secrets and revenge, all soaked in a dark and rich tapestry of history. An unforgettable novel that inspires and enthralls in equal measure, it had me reading well into the night. Velton's best one yet Awais Khan, author of No Honour and Someone Like Her
The Nightingale's Castle is a beautifully crafted story that keeps the reader constantly balanced between hope and fear, just as the characters are. A gripping tale of power, loyalty and betrayal. I loved it Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women
A dark and powerful tale of women fighting for their truths to be heard. Dripping with unease, it is a story filled with the bloodthirsty horror, not of monsters, but of humankind Polly Crosby, author of Vita and the Birds
Absolutely loved this novel of the 'Blood Countess' - secrets, betrayals and survival, and how women's stories are told and twisted and changed Sarah Brooks, author of The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands
The 17th-century Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory, allegedly responsible for the torture and murder of hundreds of young girls, is one of history's most notorious serial killers.... Seen through the eyes of Boroka, a young woman who becomes her servant, the countess appears little like the monster posterity has taken her to be. She is instead a woman struggling to resist the demands of powerful men intent on seizing her land and riches, and eager to exploit dark rumours to ruin her... an absorbing work of fiction Sunday Times Historical Fiction Picks

Sonia Velton, a former lawyer, is the author of two other books. Her historical debut, Blackberry and Wild Rose, was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, long-listed for the HWA Debut Crown and has been optioned for film.

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