“For the love of God, cut off my head.”The last request in Uncle Silas’s will shocks everyone speechless, everyone except his favorite niece, Anna. More than death itself, the claustrophobic Silas fears a premature burial. Will her elders carry out his request? Anna is certain they will not. It’s up to her to do the right thing, even if it is a bit grisly. Armed with butcher knife and candle, … candle, Anna heads for the crypt underneath the church in the dead of night. All does not proceed according to Anna’s careful planning. Graves have a way of not letting go.
Last Request is a historical novella set in Victorian England with gothic sensibilities. What’s more gothic than beheadings, nightmares, and a dusty crypt filled with moldering corpses? Your heroine faces plenty of suspense, terror, and horror in her quest to fulfill her uncle’s wish, but there are also moments of comedy along the way. Fans of historical fiction, gothic thrillers, and Edgar Allan Poe will find something to like in Last Request.
So step inside a dark story in the tradition of the penny dreadful, at times humorous and horrifying, but don’t close the door behind you. Someone might lock you in.
Categories: 19th century historical fiction, historical fiction novellas, gothic historical suspense, Victorian horror stories, gothic thrillers, Victorian thrillers.
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The reading of the will. A last request. Chop off the deceased’s head!?! Who will grant his wish? His young niece, Anna using a butcher knife. Creepy. Scary. Claustrophobic. Funny!
I listened to Audible. The narrator’s accent took a little getting use to, but it was perfect for this novel. Very entertaining.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Story Origin.
Jeff Chapman is a new author for me. For fans of gothic horror Last Request shouldn’t be missed. The story is great and Caprisha Page does an excellent job narrating. I look forward to enjoying more of Jeff Chapman’s work.
This was a very enjoyable Audible book to listen to, with a Young lady who grew up with a Uncle she adored. The Uncle reels from Severe Claustrophobia via a accident that happened in his youth. The Story highlights how severe the Claustrophobia affected many of his decisions.
Narrator did a lovely job on the characters in this Story.
Last Request: A Victorian Gothic by Jeff Chapman is a short and snappy read that I devoured in one sitting. It is a horror novella based upon the gloomy and gothic themes prevalent in Victorian literature, and as such, it is filled with the suspenseful and atmospheric sort-of terror that I was hoping to find. It is bleak in a way that all good Gothic horror should be, and the claustrophobic impression it left on me means it mostly hit the mark.
The first page was a little drab (like period-drama-drab), but this felt intentional to me, as if it were a set up for what comes next. When the last clause of Silas’s will was read out (revealing to the room that he wishes to be decapitated in his tomb for fear of being buried alive) I realised that this was a book I was going to enjoy. This twist took me by surprise and really made me laugh, serving as a complete contrast to how the novella started. From then on, I enjoyed the role that Anna played, and the conflict of the dilemma she faced in wanting to honour her uncle’s last request but also not wanting to bring down the wrath of the strict and emotionally-distant relatives whom she lived with in a large and rural manor house.
The set-up is good, and the middle is even better. I greatly enjoyed the character of the Sexton and his subtle insanity and associated mannerisms that came with him. The true horror of the story starts about halfway through, and it is quickly ramped up, putting Anna through her paces. This is the standout moment of the book: it is psychologically draining and enthralling to read, and the way Chapman delivers such a claustrophobic and damning sense of fear is truly a skill which he excels at. Books rarely make me talk out loud, but I muttered some curses at one terrifying moment (when that candle went out). Chapman moves from scene to scene with ease, upping the tension with every paragraph. This makes the horror of Anna’s situation even more terrifying and the read even more compelling. Furthermore, the writing flows nicely and the descriptions, word choices, and metaphors (especially around the human body) were an absolute delight to read.
The ending left me a little wanting. I was glad that it ended in the way that it did, but I did feel like the journey had been a little pointless. This part didn’t leave the lasting impression on me in the same way that the rest of the book did: the story just sort of fizzled out. Still, this is a wonderful short story that delivers upon its promise to captivate you in a bleak and atmospheric setting.
Engaging Gothic Tale!
Anna’s attempt to honor her favorite Uncle Silas’s last wish shows she has exceptional spunk for a Victorian maiden and provides us with a wonderfully humorous tale. I received a free audiobook copy and found the English accents of the narrator delightful. It definitely added flavor to the drama and dark humor. I hope Mr Chapman writes more of Anna’s adventures and maybe even a story about the Sexton who speaks to ‘ghosties’. Enjoy!
Perfect short story. Quite the type to grab and hold your attention