Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for the #gifted listening The Haunting of Moscow House! #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley #PRHAudioPartner #PRHAInfluencer #TheHauntingofMoscowHouse

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐎𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐝
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Haunting of Moscow House was an atmospheric, gothic novel set in post-revolutionary Russia. It is a blend of historical fiction with supernatural elements and also contains Russian Folklore. There were also some diary entries woven into the book which I really enjoyed and added a different element to the story for me. Overall, I did have a difficult time getting into the overall plot and staying engaged with the storyline. I thought the premise was interesting, and I loved the historical fiction side of things but it just seemed a little slow at times. I would still recommend this one, especially if you do enjoy horror novels.

🎧I listened to the audio, which was narrated by the skillful Saskia Maarleveld. She did a great job on audio and I always love my time listening to any audiobook narrated by her. If you are looking for your next fall read on audio, consider giving this one a listen!

Posted on Goodreads on September 2, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around September 3, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on September 3, 2024
**-will post on designated date

Early Soviet Russia, dispossessed aristocracy, Slavic folklore, ghosts, and evil family machinations made this Russian gothic novel the perfect kick off to my PSL/Spooky Season of reading! This cover drew me in, and the atmospheric story did the rest. While definitely in the (light) horror genre, The Haunting of Moscow House would also be enjoyed by fans of historical fiction looking for a spooky or supernatural read. The American Relief Administration and how Americans saved everyday Russians after their revolution and subsequent civil war is a piece of history not taught. I found this fascinating layer amidst the backdrop of a stately but decaying Moscow mansion and its family caught between two worlds in a country rapidly and violently undergoing major change. I loved the two strong female main characters, Irina and Lili, who were doing everything thing they could to hold onto their family and a secure a place in the new Russian world as "former people." But in the new Soviet regime and when the past won't be forgotten, is any place secure... even home?

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC,

I soaked up the history that is interwoven into the story that also showcases Russian folklore and mysticism.
The Russian Revolution was a haunting time for all but especially the wealthy aristocrats.
Lili and Irina are the surviving remnants of their once large family but as they search for ways to keep alive their ancestral home is full of the dead and unhinged.
I really liked this book because I learned about the ARAm whom is never heard about before. I liked how Gilmore intersected history with magician realism and ghostly apparitions.
I’d highly recommend this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed the author notes at the end.

3.5 gothic horror stars

This would make a great fall/Halloween read if you like the horror/supernatural genre. I read it more for the Russian and historical fiction elements.

Two sisters, Irina and Lili, are trying to survive in 1921 post-revolutionary Russia. As with many families, the men are all dead, and it’s up to the women to continue the family legacy. In this case, the family has been allowed to stay in their once-beautiful mansion, Moscow House. The Bolsheviks show up and move in, taking many of the house's treasures with them. The family is forced to move to the attic, but they still have a roof over their heads.

It isn’t long before very odd things start happening. A soldier is found dead. Was it natural causes or something more sinister? Then, there are loud noises at night, and are ghosts walking the halls of Moscow House? The walls are covered in mold, and insects are plentiful.

Irina and Lili are hired by ARA, an American relief organization, because they can serve as translators. The best part is that it provides some food for the family.

Why are the ghosts back, and what are departed family members trying to tell them? Are they helpful?

The last part of this one gets really dark and I don’t think I would set foot in the house!

Don’t miss the author’s notes at the end, which explain historical elements.

The Haunting of Moscow House ☾𖤓
by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars!!

f you’re into gothic tales with a historical twist, The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is worth a look. Set in post-revolutionary Russia, it weaves together eerie hauntings with rich historical detail. The story follows sisters Irina and Lili, who are struggling to adapt to their drastically changed world while dealing with supernatural disturbances in their ancestral home. The gothic atmosphere is spot-on, and the blend of Russian history and folklore adds depth. It’s a slow burn, but if you enjoy atmospheric ghost stories with a historical edge, this one’s definitely intriguing.

As someone who loves both Russian history and gothic ghost stories, I don’t know if a synopsis has ever jumped out to me more than this one. And although I didn’t love it quite as much as I thought I would, I am still glad that I read it and would recommend it to a certain subset of readers. This is definitely a slower-paced, tension-building gothic story than I think a lot of readers would want, but if you enjoy some of the more classic gothic stories, this one is definitely worth a read!

My favorite part of this one was definitely the setting. Post-revolution Russia is one of the historical periods that I am most interested in, so having the story set around a formerly bourgeois family that lost almost everything to the revolution immediately captivated me. I honestly haven’t read a lot about the “former people” of this period, so I feel like I learned a lot reading this one! Having them moved into their ancestral home in Moscow alongside a group of Bolshevik secret police definitely heightened the tension and kind of diverted attention at first to a more human adversary.

But strange things immediately start happening in Moscow House bringing the supernatural adversary to light. The haunting scenes are really well done. This author has a beautiful way of describing the spectors at their various stages and really builds the fear of the family living in the house. I have also always been fascinated by Russian mysticism, and I enjoyed that the story really dived into that.

Although this is a book about a haunted house and family, like most gothic novels, this book is really about the family at the center of the story and their grappling with their traumatic past and loss. Reading the author’s note at the end about how this was based on an actual family and a lot of research on the lives of these former people really added a lot to what I had read and made the story that much more heartbreaking. The sisters at the heart of the story are truly characters that you can root for and watching them juggle caring for their family, blossoming romances, a haunted house, and dealing with the Bolsheviks was inspiring. My main complaint with this one was that it felt a little too long and repetitive at parts, particularly with the romances.

Ok so first of all gothic horror is hit or miss for me, because I’m the world’s biggest scaredy cat. However, I loved Olesya’s feminist retelling of Baba Yaga in the Witch and the Tsar so I had to try this one. And even though there were large sections where I was pretty scared, I found that I couldn’t put the book down. Olesya did an amazing job of creating an atmosphere that grew more and more sinister as the story progressed. She also masterfully gave the reader pieces of the puzzle throughout in such a way that you had to keep reading because you needed to know what was causing these hauntings. Aside from the mystery, I really enjoyed Olesya’s references to Russian classical literature and a sprinkling of Russian mysticism and folklore. I have a bit of a love hate relationship with Russian classics, but after finishing the Haunting of Moscow House I’m tempted to give a few classics I wasn’t originally sold on another chance. Finally, the way that Olesya wove the human cost of the Russian Revolution into the heart of the story really resonated with me. The Haunting of Moscow House is a ghost story, but it is also the story of a family that suffered unimaginable losses during a bloody conflict. Much of the events of the story are the result of the pain and sorrow the revolution sowed. Reading the Haunting of Moscow House at times felt like reading an ode to the Russian soul and the love that so many Russians feel for a country that has often been, shall we say, less than kind to its children

Whether you are looking for a good ghost story, enjoy Russian history and/or literature or like me loved Olesya’s The Witch and the Tsar, I hope you pick up The Haunting of Moscow House.

A very intriguing story that is a mix of historical fiction and paranormal activity. The protagonist sisters will hold your attention throughout the story, made even more fascinating as you can imagine many of the perils happening to real life people at this point in history.

There's something irresistibly alluring about haunted house stories, isn't there? The eerie atmosphere, the whispers of the past, the mysteries woven into the very walls—it's a genre that calls out to me, inviting me to unravel the histories that made these places haunting grounds.

The Haunting of Moscow House is a captivating blend of horror and historical fiction, a combination that immediately piqued my interest. The novel transports us to 1921, amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Russian Revolution, where we follow the gripping tale of sisters Irina and Lili. Once proud countesses, they find themselves stripped of their titles and properties, forced to navigate a world that has turned its back on them.

Irina and Lili's story is one of resilience and determination. As they struggle to support their impoverished family, they also encounter love in unexpected places. Yet, beneath the surface of their solidarity lies a web of family secrets that threatens to unravel the delicate bond between them—and perhaps, to finally release the restless spirits haunting their ancestral home.

The narrative is peppered with scenes that send shivers down your spine, evoking a haunting atmosphere that's both chilling and compelling. The author masterfully crafts an environment that feels alive with ghostly presence, making every shadow and creak of the house pulse with tension.
The Haunting of Moscow House is a perfect read for those seeking a spine-tingling journey during the spooky season. It's an enthralling tale for fans of historical fiction who crave a touch of horror and romance, where the past and the supernatural collide in an unforgettable story.

Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley, for my free books for review.

This historical horror/suspense I really enjoyed, I think I am liking these more and more. We go to the summer of 1921 in Russia, where we are taken into the lives of a family mainly sisters as they are dealing with the changes in their country, and their own homes, it’s so sad. I do enjoy the romance, the family secrets revealed, the HAUNTINGS, I did NOT read this book a night, creepy but so good.

- Historical Fiction
- Horror/Gothic
- Haunted House
-Post Revolutionary Russia

I'm gonna start off with the caveat that I normally don't read gothic ghost stories. This one reminded me why. I just am not a big fan. This isn't to take away from the author's work. It was wonderfully written and had all the gothic atmosphere vibes. So if you like the spooky then this one will work for you. I did enjoy the historical ficton part, and the characters were relatable and I liked their stories. If the focus of the book was on them and their work with the Americans helping in Post Revolutionary Russia, I think I would have been much more engaged. It was a slow paced book, and the house with its ghosts didn't do it for me.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read an early digital copy. All opinions are my own.

The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is a novel that intertwines history, folklore, and the supernatural, set against the backdrop of a mysterious and eerie house in Moscow. The premise is intriguing, especially for fans of historical fiction and ghost stories, but the execution leaves something to be desired.

The novel’s strongest asset is its atmospheric setting. Gilmore paints a vivid picture of Moscow, capturing the city’s rich history and the palpable sense of unease that permeates the house at the center of the story. The blending of Russian folklore with the supernatural elements adds a layer of depth, giving the story a unique flavor. The author’s writing style is descriptive and evocative, making it easy to imagine the cold, haunting corridors of the house.

However, the novel struggles with pacing. The story takes a long time to build momentum, with much of the first half spent on exposition and setting up the various plotlines. While this might appeal to readers who enjoy a slow-burn narrative, it can be frustrating for those expecting a more dynamic plot.

The characters, though well-developed, sometimes feel distant, making it difficult to form a strong emotional connection with them. The protagonist’s motivations are not always clear, which can lead to confusion about the direction of the story. Additionally, the supernatural elements, while intriguing, are not fully realized and leave some questions unanswered, which may disappoint readers looking for a more cohesive resolution.

The Haunting of Moscow House is a book with a lot of potential, offering a unique blend of history, folklore, and the supernatural. However, its slow pacing and occasionally underdeveloped characters and plot elements make it a somewhat uneven read. It’s a decent choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings and Russian history, but it may not fully satisfy those looking for a gripping ghost story.

"In this elegant gothic horror tale set in post-revolutionary Russia, two formerly aristocratic sisters race to uncover their family's long-buried secrets in a house haunted by a past dangerous - and deadly - to remember.

It is the summer of 1921, and a group of Bolsheviks have taken over Irina and Lili Goliteva's ancestral home in Moscow, a stately mansion falling into disrepair and decay. The remaining members of their family are ordered to move into the cramped attic, while the officials take over an entire wing of grand rooms downstairs. The sisters understand it is the way of things and know they must forget their noble upbringing to make their way in this new Soviet Russia. But the house begins to whisper of a traumatic past not as dead as they thought.

Eager to escape it and their unwelcome new landlords, Irina and Lili find jobs with the recently arrived American Relief Administration, meant to ease the post-revolutionary famine in Russia. For the sisters, the ARA provides much-needed food and employment, as well as a chance for sensible Irina to help those less fortunate and artistic Lili to express herself for a good cause. It might just lead them to love, too.

But at home, the spirits of their deceased family awaken, desperate to impart what really happened to them during the Revolution. Soon one of the officials living in the house is found dead. Was his death caused by something supernatural, or by someone all too human? And are Irina and Lili and their family next? Only unearthing the frightening secrets of Moscow House will reveal all. But this means the sisters must dig deep into a past no one in Russia except the dead are allowed to remember."

I love the combination of a not oft explored aspect of history with a Gothic vibe.

"Olesya Salnikova Gilmore's 'The Haunting of Moscow House' is a riveting novel that seamlessly blends historical depth with supernatural thrills. Gilmore's skillful writing and the vividly painted setting draw readers into a deeply haunting journey that holds them captive until the very end. The narrative's complexity and the ghostly atmosphere distinguish it within its genre, providing an enthralling and disquieting experience. The historical aspects of the narrative are particularly impressive; the meticulous attention to detail and integration into the storyline make the reader feel an integral part of the unfolding events. The novel also experiments with a mixed media approach through diary entries, adding a unique layer to the storytelling. Although these entries occasionally decelerate the narrative's pace, they are generally a delightful addition. The supernatural elements are, without a doubt, the highlight of the book, offering the most enjoyment and keeping readers eagerly engaged."

This was an interesting and creepy historical gothic novel about Russia. I found certain parts of the story rather intriguing. I listened to this one on audio, and it really drew me in. However, even on audio the story was rather slow, and felt like it was dragging. I understand that gothic stories are inherently slow, but I have listened and read a lot of them, and this was on the slower end of the spectrum. Because of the pace, it was hard to become fully engrossed as I felt my mind wandering and it prevented me from being truly engaged with the characters. The historical side of the book was fantastic. I loved all the details that were included and woven into the plot, this made me feel like I was part of the story (albeit a slow story). This book also had some fun mixed media format in the form of diary entries. While these were fun, I felt that they slowed down the already slow plot which was a bummer because normally I usually enjoy the inclusion of mixed media. I did enjoy the supernatural elements a lot, and they were probably my favorite part of the whole book and why I kept tuning in.

*Historical fiction
*Russian fairytales and folklore
*Gothic horror (on the lighter side)
*Supernatural
*Ambiance
*Wonderfully detailed and descriptive

The historical aspects of this story are excellent, the writing solid, and the descriptions topnotch. The Haunting of Moscow House was an enjoyable, slower paced mystery that held my attention throughout.



Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC

The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is a chilling and atmospheric novel that masterfully combines historical intrigue with supernatural suspense. Gilmore’s evocative prose and richly detailed setting create a hauntingly immersive experience that grips readers from start to finish. The book’s intricate plot and eerie ambiance make it a standout in the genre, offering a captivating and unsettling read.

The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

I greatly enjoy historical fiction and over the last few years I've been learning more about this time and location so this book held great interest to me despite it also falling under the horror genre. The tags also mention gothic and the Moscow House oozes gothic. The house also literally oozes a lot of other things.

Irina and Lili Goliteva’s ancestral home, a once beautiful, regal mansion, has been taken over by a group of Bolsheviks. Felix, one of the high ranking men, would just as soon shoot Irina and Lili's family as to let them live and life has already been lost in this house. Now the remains of their family are packed into a tiny area of the attic while the Bolsheviks overwhelm and destroy the rest of the house. But something else is going on, too, something possibly supernatural. The walls are oozy, the place covered with massive swarms of insects, there are strange noises, there is an ever increasing stench.

The women know the "fairy tales", the long told legends of witches, stories of otherworldly beings and they are suspecting a family member might be dabbling in something evil. They are determined to not be run out of their house although they, and the children under their care, are in great danger staying in this mansion. It's their ancestral home and they have no where else to go...they can starve on the streets or they can starve with a roof over their heads. At least they have found paying jobs with the Americans and there is a small measure of protection from being associated with them.

I'd call this horror-lite based on the fact that it wasn't too much for me. The supernatural is there, it is a horror story, but the story is more hopeful and caring of the characters than I was expecting. I like several of the characters and hoped the best for them. No matter what happens in this story, the real life horror for the Russian people is far from over. The story is sad, it is depressing, but the author did a great job of instilling some hope and at least the tiniest light at the end of the tunnel, if only one could live to get to it.

Be sure to read the author's note at the end. The two main characters and the mansion have a basis in real people. Actually there are a lot of characters that have at least a passing connection to real life, even if just a name is used. At some point I may read some of the books the author mentions or read about the real life people that she mentions. I enjoyed the story and I know it helped that I had a small understanding of Russian history during this time. The people depended on strong women to hold things together and this book shows that happening during the worst of times.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC

For me the most interesting part of this book was the historical aspect since it’s the first time that I’ve read a book set in Russia after the revolution. And I enjoyed the Russian fairytales. But the pacing of the story felt slow to me and I never connected with the main characters.

Because their uncle decides that the Golitevs would wait out the revolution in the hope that things would return to normal, Irina and Lilya Goliteva are eking out a precarious existence in Moscow. Anyone who knows a bit about Russian history will know that there are several long decades of Soviet rule stretching out ahead of 1921. Irina and Lilya have no way of knowing this, of course, but they know that their only chance of a long life is to somehow get themselves out of Russia. It’s hard enough to get one person past the murderous Red Army and nascent Soviet government, let alone the remnant of their family (two children, an aunt, and a grandmother), let alone the remnant of an aristocratic family. Olesya Salnikova Gilmore’s atmospheric and gripping new novel, The Haunting of Moscow House, follows Irina and Lilya as they face battles that might finally end their illustrious family.

All that remains of the Golitev’s vast fortune is Moscow House. The estates are gone. Their palace in Petrograd (previously St. Petersburg, soon-to-be Leningrad) had to be abandoned as the revolution broke out. Worse, most of the family are dead. The Golitevs are now considered former people, which means that no one can employ them and anyone helping them will draw the gimlet eye of the NKVD. If it weren’t for Grandmère Goliteva’s friendship with the powerful politician Lev Kamenev, the rest of the Golitevs would’ve lost Moscow House and probably their lives during the worst of the revolution and subsequent civil war. Irina and Lilya are only able to keep the family fed by selling and bartering their remaining possessions at a street market where other former people are likewise liquidating their own dwindling riches.

Who knows how long the family would’ve carried on like this if two things hadn’t happened? First, the sisters meet two representatives of the American Relief Administration, a humanitarian project to feed the starving in Russia. Second, Moscow House has at last been requisitioned by the Soviet Government. The first event offers a rare ray of hope for the Golitevs. The Americans are perhaps the only people who can hire former people with impunity. Hard currency and food from the ARA means that the Golitevs are no longer flirting with hunger. The second event, however, is much more dire. Previously, the Golitevs kept a low profile. With a squad of soldiers and agents in Moscow House, it’s impossible to hide from the Soviets. But that’s when a third thing happens that turns everything on its head. Irina and Lilya discover that Moscow House is haunted. Not only is the house haunted, Moscow House does not like having Soviets in it.

Even though there is a fair amount of death and a lot of threats of death in The Haunting of Moscow House, I was completely hooked by this novel. Gilmore has a light hand with her research about the fates of aristocrats in Russia during and after the revolution, the American Relief Administration, and Russian folklore but this book is so rich with details that I was transported headlong into its pages. Gilmore also has a gift with plotting and pacing. Hints about what’s going on are doled out at just the right moments to deepen mysteries, reveal secrets, and twist the plot in a new direction. This book was an incredible read and I plan to badger a whole bunch of people into reading it.