“With her debut, Cross puts the often neglected brides of the most famous vampire front and center in this bloodthirsty gothic novel.”
Mafalda travels to Budapest, circa 1884, to care for her aunt. Lucy, her secret love, rushes from London to comfort Mafalda, the lady’s maid along for the journey.
Lady’s maid Alice, both blessed and cursed with the Sight, is tortured by horrifying visions. When their chaperone Eliza begins to suffer from a strange wasting illness, the woman seek the mysterious healing waters of Transylvania. Invited by a nobleman, they journey to Castle Dracula.
Caught in the forest, miles away from the closest city, their host reveals his vile intentions. His monstrous desires threaten to tear the women apart, and not all will survive.
“Come to me, and be mine for eternity.”
Why we’re excited about this book:
Occasionally, a first novel arrives that hits the right notes at the right time. This novel by Charlotte Cross could be one of those books. Cross hails from England, now living in Scotland with her partner. With her debut, Cross puts the often neglected brides of the most famous vampire front and center in this bloodthirsty gothic novel. Publishers Weekly says: “Puts a lively, queer spin on Dracula’s brides … Cross crafts characters worth rooting for … Fans of S.T. Gibson’s A Dowry of Blood will want to check this out.”, and Johanna Van Veen (Blood on the Tongue) says: “The Brides is Dracula‘s worthy successor: a gothic, sapphic epistolary novel that thrills, chills, and delights in equal measure. I loved every page!” Jennifer Thorne (Diavola) calls The Brides “An astonishing literary magic trick, managing to sew itself seamlessly into Dracula in a way that wholly honors the original while forging new ground with vibrant compelling characters and a story that held me rapt.”
Releasing from Hanover Square Press 7 July 2026, The Brides by Charlotte Cross is available for pre-order now.
BOB PASTORELLA
