Solace House

Pub Date: 10/13/2026

An Indie Next Pick for October 2026 | A LibraryReads Pick for October 2026 | A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2026 | A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2026 | An Apple Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2026 | A Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2026

"The Secret History meets The Haunting of Hill House . . . rich, thoughtful, terrifying." --Nicholas Binge, author of Dissolution

You are about to enter a place of strange genius, possible madness, and timeless love . . .

An addictive and brilliant puzzle box of a novel following a group of university students who discover an astonishing secret while clearing out a neglected Victorian mansion

For Alex Lane's wealthy university friends, the summer break stretches out before them, full of promise and fabulous plans. But for Alex, broke as usual, going home is not an option. So when the university offers him an unusual summer job clearing out a dilapidated Victorian mansion, Solace House, he jumps at the chance.

Alex joins an unlikely crew of students, from stoner Clive to uptight, short-tempered Helen, and the extremely peculiar Adam. Alex is particularly drawn to mercurial, red-headed Ella, and as the students begin sorting through piles of old newspapers and magazines, dusty antiques, and esoteric junk, Alex and Ella become enthralled by the elaborate and eerie journals of the house's former owner, Edwin Flayne. In these diaries, Flayne details his obsession with his missing mother and his belief in a mysterious realm lying parallel to ours, along with coded instructions on how it might be reached.

As the students gradually uncover the house's secrets, the rift between those who want to delve further and those who believe they've already gone too far grows ever wider.

Will Maclean is a screenwriter whose first novel, The Apparition Phase, was shortlisted for The McKitterick Prize. Solace House is his American debut. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.