Wow, I cannot believe it has been almost two years since I wrote a blog post for this site! If you’ve been following me on Twitter or Instagram, you know that I’ve been active and writing during that time, but just didn’t have much to share. Until now!
I’m excited to share with you all that my second novel, The Bloody Key: A Bluebeard Retelling, will be published on April 25, 2023!
Fifteen-year-old Anne tends goats while daydreaming of fairy tales—until the day she finds herself in one. When a wealthy nobleman marries her older sister, they’re both swept off to his castle deep in the woods. Upon entering this world of finery, lush gardens, and nightly balls with dashing suitors, Anne believes her own happily-ever-after is just around the corner. She has almost forgotten the rumors surrounding the estate—tales of the castle’s tragic history and whispers of ghosts—when her sister falls mysteriously ill.
To save her, Anne must uncover the shadowy pasts of those who share her new home. Her sister’s husband refuses to speak of the disappearance of his last wife (or possibly wives), the domineering housekeeper hides her own secrets in a forbidden garden, and the handsome, enigmatic gardener urges Anne to escape the castle and leave her sister behind. There are signs, too, that something dark and supernatural haunts the estate.
If Anne misplaces her trust or fails to discover where the real danger lies, she’ll forfeit her sister’s life—and her own.
Told through the diaries and letters of those who live within the castle, this reimagining of the Bluebeard fairy tale is perfect for fans of Crimson Peak, Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows, or classic Gothic horror.
Bluebeard was the fairy tale that always most horrified and fascinated me as a kid, so a few years ago I decided to write a version of it with some of my own twists – Gothic literature traditions, a strong focus on sisters, and a Bavaria-inspired setting. I cannot wait for you all to meet Anne, her older sister Liesl, and of course: Bluebeard!
And just because I can’t resist giving you a little taste, here are a few aesthetics/moodboards I made throughout the brainstorming, writing and editing process!
You can add The Bloody Key on Goodreads or pre-order the eBook now. If you’d like a physical copy, you’ll have to wait until a bit closer to the release date to order one. Stay tuned the next few months for the cover reveal, pre-order incentives, and giveaways!
Thanks for another great post.