"A beautifully atmospheric and foreboding novel, where elements of the supernatural breathe in synchronicity with the uprising of Fascism in 1930’s Italy."
A chilling and provocative historical novel with the most wonderfully realised sense of place and time. As Europe begins to tip into the Second World War, Eva enters the home of a widower in Rome to teach his daughter the piano, unfathomable whispers and incidents within the house gather pace as she forms an attachment with the family. Author Anna Mazzola writes with such exquisite grace, yet has the ability to send goosebumps skittering. Here she has created an absolutely fascinating blend of historical and supernatural fiction where the echos of the past desperately warn against the mistakes of today. Whispers of the supernatural and the increasing boot of fascism spread across every page creating a two-tone fear of what is to come. The themes of impending war with expanding human atrocities, and the uncanny presence within the house intensify the sense of danger. The fear and hesitation felt by Eva helps to create a link and understanding of how easily a collective of people can slip into utter horror. There is an edge to the characters, each has an element that is hard to grasp yet I lived alongside and felt as though I was a part of them. This clever, bold, intensely fierce writing felt incredibly powerful as it hammered at my awareness. Chosen as a LoveReading Star Book, The House of Whispers is an achingly compelling novel that slices into hearts and minds with beautiful authority.
Sometimes the secrets of the past are more dangerous than the present...
Rome, 1938.
As the world teeters on the brink of war, talented pianist Eva Valenti enters the house of widower Dante Cavallera to become his new wife.
On the outside, the forces of Fascism are accelerating, but in her new home, Eva fears that something else is at work, whispering in the walls and leaving mysterious marks on Dante's young daughter.
Soon she starts to wonder whether the house itself is trying to give up the secrets of its mysterious past - secrets that Dante seems so determined to keep hidden.
However, Eva must also conceal the truth of her own identity, for if she is discovered, she will be in greater danger than she could ever have imagined...
Anna Mazzola is a criminal justice solicitor, based in London. Whilst The Unseeing is her debut, it has won awards including the Brixton Bookjam Debut Novel competition and she came runner up in the 2014 Grazia First Chapter competition judged by Sarah Waters.
