The Last Handmaid : the chilling Gothic historical suspense, perfect for dark Halloween nights

Author: Clare Whitfield

True crime

Published on 5 November 2026 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book) in the United Kingdom

Hardback | 384 pages
235 x 158 x 36 | 572g

A gothic historical suspense novel about Countess Erzsébet Báthory, the world’s most prolific female serial killer, told through the eyes of the maid who served her.

Hungary, 1604. Catalina, an orphaned girl is sent to serve the infamous Countess Erzsébet Báthory at Csejte Castle. It is a place of shifting loyalties, where girls who displease the household vanish without a trace. Survival here depends on obedience and silence.

When Catalina is summoned to the Countess's private chambers, she is drawn into a dangerous relationship and becomes entangled in the Countess’s obsession with strange ‘medicines’. As more girls disappear, Catalina knows there is a cost to staying alive.

She must decide whether to try and escape her mistress’ hunger, be consumed by it – or learn to feed it herself…· Inspired by the life of the alleged most prolific female serial killer of all time.

· Perfect for fans of gothic suspense novels like Carmilla and Weyward.

·Readers call it 'dark and disturbing', 'wonderfully unsettling' and 'an ideal read for spooky month'.

· From award-winning author Clare Whitfield, praised as 'fast-paced and dark' by Elodie Harper and 'brave and bold' by Araminta Hall.

'An evocative and unsettling tale ... Chilling and thought-provoking' ANNA MAZZOLA, author of The Clockwork Girl'Richly-drawn and atmospheric.... Whitfield is a masterful storyteller who shines a light on the darkest of themes' NIKKI MARMERY, author of Lilith