Dark, dreamy, and utterly feral. The Hounding is one of those books that gets under your skin in the best way.

The Mansfield sisters are already outcasts—too proud, too strange, too themselves for the small village of Little Nettlebed. So when a local accuses them of turning into dogs, the town doesn’t hesitate. Rumors turn to rage, and what follows is part fever dream, part witch trial. It reminded me a bit of Shirley Jackson (We Have Always Lived in the Castle especially), but Purvis has her own voice—sharp, haunting, and weirdly beautiful. The atmosphere? Oppressive heat, creeping dread, and that bone-deep sense of being watched. This isn’t just a horror story—it’s about girlhood, sisterhood, and the quiet violence of being different. And yeah, it’s feminist as hell.

One of the best things I’ve read all year. Strange girls, you’re gonna love this one.

The Mansfield girls give the “the dog days of summer” a whole new meaning in The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis. Sorry I couldn’t resist! This was a fairly quick read and I enjoyed the setting of a small 18th century village and the deep sense of foreboding the author creates. As the summer heat slowly becomes oppressive, the river dries up and the folks in the village seem more on edge. Never much caring for the Mansfield girls anyway, things began to boil over in town when one of the locals accuses them of turning into dogs. The novels touches on several topics including what is a young woman’s place in the society in which she lives? Can she/should she challenge societal norms? And what will the consequences of her choices be? It was interesting to see how this story plays out and how the different characters in the village react to the the rumors and innuendos about the girls. I enjoyed this but it just fell a little flat for me. Thank you so much to Henry Holt publishing for the opportunity to read The Hounding.
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Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. This book was short, but really good. It was giving The crucible, which is one of my favorite classic stories. This town is weird and so are the things that happen in it. Someone claims to see the Mansfield girls turning into some sort of creature and it gets the village talking.

Recall the intimate relationship of strange sisters and the distrust of women that exists in We Have Always Lived In The Castle. Now mix in a British village in the 18th century, a deep fear of difference and a series of unusual events. That's Xenobe Purvis' debut novel: The Hounding. And it is brilliant.

I don't say this lightly! People who have followed me for a while know I am a big DNFer. No chance here of that. The Hounding is not only compulsively readable and highly original but every element - dialogue, plot, world building- is a master work in execution.

The 1700s are The Age of Enlightenment but for whom, exactly? Not common villagers whose education steadies at primary school level. They see a strange, unusually large animal and think “monster!”. Purvis’ consideration of mob mentality and misogyny during this time period is a clever choice. The pacing of the book is exciting (be ready to stay up late!) and Purvis' level of research and attention to detail (gah....the character names!) is superb. The softly compelling characters are also a delight. "Softly" because there is not a single character around whom the story orbits. Rather, the reader gets the feel for several...and not just the sisters. The result is a fascinating glimpse into the minds of humans who take desperate actions. Listen: there are no dips, no extra words, no characters who don't advance the story and no end to the drama. The Hounding hits every.single.note.

I highly recommend The Hounding to anyone who loves original stories. But especially to readers who dig: historical fiction, the weird+strange and defiant women.

The Hounding comes out June 24, 2025. Pre-order!

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

A rumor that the five Mansfield sisters in Oxfordshire had changed into hounds. Sounds of barking and a dead man with bite marks on his fist seemed to confirm the rumor.

But the truth is elusive and the villagers in Little Nettlebed have never liked the girls or their grandfather and have always spread stories about the girls. And when an eyewitness claims to have seen the transformation, that is all the "proof" the villagers need.

What will the villagers do? And what of the sisters?

=========

Suspicion runs rampant throughout the telling of this creepy tale. The sisters have always been fodder for the villagers rumor-mongering because they didn’t comport themselves as the villagers believed they should, making them perfect for the prejudice and fear that perpetrated the unrelenting gossip in the first place.

A strong sense of place, the haunting atmosphere, and the constantly-building tension all work together to keep those pages turning as fast as possible. The growing hysteria, a sense of desperation, and an inexorable dread create a lingering sense of foreboding that contributes to the uneasiness readers are likely to feel as the unfolding story puts a focus on the dangers of whispers and rumors.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Henry Holt and Company / Henry Holt and Company and NetGalley
#TheHounding #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book but I feel like it was just ok. It could've gotten a lot weirder, a lot sooner. I liked the mystery behind the girls and the difference POV's of the townspeople because they were all so different. It's a relatively short book so it was a fairly quick read. I think I just wanted it to lean more into horror than just historical fiction; other authors have similar stories that were executed a little more to my liking. I did however find the ending satisfying.

This was a strange story. It took me a while to get into in. I enjoyed the twisty, small village feel when every word, deed, movement is judged. Had a witch trial vibe.

The description of this book ("The Crucible" meets "The Virgin Suicides") is quite apt, although I must admit that impression comes from seeing the Sofia Coppola film rather than reading the novel. The build up to the ending was a bit dragged out but the creepy, uncomfortable atmosphere throughout the story was well done.

The premise of this book immediately caught my eye. These central ideas— regarding the harmful side of storytelling and the difficulty of being a young woman in a suspicious society— are ones I always love to see explored in fiction. I knew from the beginning I would love this story, and upon reading, I discovered The Hounding is exactly what I thought it would be; an investigation into town gossip, societal norms, and possibly mass hysteria.

This story has Gothic influence to it, no doubt. The rural 17th century English setting and emphasis on claustrophobic small-town connections reminded me of the Brontës’ work. Even the narrative, being told from an outside perspective (in this case, the townsfolk, rather than the Mansfield sisters) was Gothic inspired, and incredibly well crafted. Purvis is a talented writer, clearly pulling from centuries of literary influence.

Despite being a relatively short read, the world and characters were well developed; every person in this story was a believable, complex character who had trouble reaching a conclusion on the strange occurrences around them. A part of me wished to hear more of the story from the sisters’ perspectives, and to hear more about them individually, but upon reflection, I think this story was told exactly as it should be. The decision to have ‘the sisters’ or ‘the girls’ referred to as a collective was a smart one, as it stripped them of their identity and individuality. The reader is then left in the dark and forced to consider siding with the townsfolk; to believe that the Mansfield sisters truly are turning into dogs, despite all rationality and evidence suggesting otherwise.

I found this a poignant, thought-provoking read, though I was not surprised by the turns the story took. I would recommend this story regardless.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for providing me with an eARC.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for the ARC of Xenobe Purvis's 'The Hounding,'

This is a haunting and evocative novel set in 17th century Oxfordshire and focuses on a small Thames-side village in which several key characters interact during a hot, drought-ridden summer. It's about the targeting and 'hounding' of women by damaged and imperious men and taps into the insanity that pervaded then and pervades now about women and the power (or the perceived power) they have over men, in league with the devil, of course.

This family of young girls and women become the focus of outlandish rumours about them transforming into dogs and the men (and some women) of the area are determined that they should pay for it.

The atmosphere of centuries-ago rural England is captured wonderfully by the author and the atmosphere of suspicion, hate. and misogyny of the time and of every time period since, including today, is equally well captured and conveyed.

The ending is abrupt but, I felt, as ambiguous as it should be but it may dismay some readers.

Given the backsliding in the US and elsewhere into white male-centrism, Christian fundamentalism, and superstitious nonsense from the top down, this is a very timely read.

A gorgeous cover for a gorgeous book. This was such a strange and haunting read. A beautiful look at what it is to be a woman in the world and how society views and punishes those that it doesn't feel correctly slot into their roles and expectations.

God I loved this writing. It was so atmospheric and immediately put me into the setting and place. I loved the characterization of the town, it felt like its own person and really drove that us versus them mentality. This seems like it’ll be an instant classic.

Darkly atmospheric and unsettlingly immersive, this novel captures the chilling power of collective fear and suspicion in a small, superstitious village. Set in Little Nettlebed — a place steeped in eerie folklore and uncanny occurrences — the story centers around the Mansfield sisters. The townspeople have always regarded these three women with a wary eye. But when rumors surface of the sisters transforming into animals and strange barking is heard in the dead of night, the simmering tension in the village boils over into something far more sinister.

Told through the rotating perspectives of five villagers, the novel cleverly exposes how fear, prejudice, and gossip can spread like wildfire. Each narrator offers a distinct and often contradictory version of events, leaving readers to piece together the truth—if there even is one. The author masterfully captures the voice of each character, from the devout housewife to the local drunk, creating a web of conflicting narratives that keeps readers guessing.

What makes this book so compelling is its refusal to provide easy answers. Are the Mansfield sisters harboring dark powers, or are they misunderstood women who don’t conform to the village’s narrow expectations? The novel expertly blurs the line between reality and paranoia, allowing the reader to feel the weight of collective hysteria closing in on the sisters. The constant presence of supernatural folklore — the ravens, the river creatures, the barking in the night — heightens the sense of dread, making it impossible to separate superstition from truth.

Beneath the eerie premise lies a sharp commentary on societal othering and the timeless human tendency to demonize those who are different. The Mansfield sisters’ fate feels heartbreakingly inevitable, as does the community’s desperation to find a scapegoat for their fears. Yet the story never feels heavy-handed; instead, it thrums with a quiet, unrelenting dread that captivates readers.

The final chapters are particularly haunting, leaving readers to question what happened to the Mansfield sisters and the nature of truth itself. Was the village cursed — or were the sisters simply victims of a different kind of evil? This ambiguity lingers long after the book closes, making it an unforgettable read.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've been on a kick lately for atmospheric, haunting books that highlight the hardships/accusations/abuse that women have faced throughout history when they've tried to exist in a way that doesn't quite fit society's mold and The Hounding was another perfect fit for me. It's a character-driven story that examines a family of young women who live life a little too freely for their 18th-century, small town British neighbors and the rumors that grow around the free-spirited girls. The book does a good job of cleverly guiding you to the climax scenes by examining the girls through the eyes of a number of their neighbors, friends, enemies and lovers.

There are some incredibly serious topics that the book touches on but the way it's handled is masterfully vague enough to not be triggering. I found myself pondering the hints as to what really happened in the story to cause the trauma (on page and off) - hints both slight and overt - long after I had finished reading. Just when you think you know where the story is going and what a character will do, it shifts and I will say that it ends with a beautiful, albeit vague resolution. Additionally, I couldn't stop thinking about the way that Ms. Purvis excelled in making the setting, the heat, the river, and the villagers feel completely real and immersive whilst reading. It was all very beautifully built in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Purvis, and the publisher for the opportunity to receive and review this ARC

THE HOUNDING is a short, impactful, strangely beautiful book that explores concepts of rumor, collective paranoia and misogyny in a unique way. My basic takeaway: Is it safer to be a dog than it is to be a woman?

THE HOUNDING is told from several different perspectives, but never from the POV of any of the five sisters who are suspected of transforming into dogs. This choice was intriguing to me … at first, I wanted that glimpse into their minds. Were they or weren’t they? But the further I got into the book, the genius of author Xenobe Purvis was revealed: her decision made the book more haunting.

Although the ending didn’t completely do it for me - some of the questions I had went unanswered - there is enough closure to be satisfying. This one won’t appeal to everyone, but for those who enjoy eerie literary fiction that will sweep them away, this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Henry Holt & Co. for the chance to read an early digital copy of THE HOUNDING in exchange for my honest feedback.

Sometimes you just want to turn into a dog with your sisters in the eighteenth century English Countryside, but men have to come and ruin it!
The Hounding was so so good - very much a mix of The Virgin Suicides with The Crucible as described. I loved how as the readers, we were kept on the outside of the Mansfield sisters and were told the story through rotating perspectives of those around them, never really knowing the truth of the allegations (until perhaps the very end).

"Beautiful dogs, fierce and full of power... he'd rather they were dogs than damaged girls. He's rather they were free than confined by him." Of course the scariest thing to the townsfolk is a group of girls who don't conform to exactly who they want them to be.

As a fan of The Crucible, the description of this book hooked me immediately! This was such a beautiful and unique read. I sometimes hesitate to pick up historical fiction from this time period, as the language can be daunting at times, but this book was written incredibly well and was easy to follow. I only wish it had been a bit longer, as I would have loved to learn more about what happened to the girls at the end of the novel—but I understand why the author stopped there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc!

"For a moment, she wanted nothing but to think about these women, and the many women like them, and those unlike them too. She thought about what they all went through each day: the great, gruelling trial of being a woman in a world governed by men."

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis is a phenomenal debut. Beautifully written and very timely, I highly recommend this read for 2025.

Five strange and gothic sisters living on a farm in 18th century England who are spotted by villagers turning into dogs? Ya, you read that right.

This is a story about how the world views women who are outside of the norm, who don't fit the mold, and who dare to be independent or different.

We follow multiple villagers perspective of the girls, including some who love them and some who hate them. We watch as rumors spread and destroy their reputation, and the lengths that people will go to to get them back in line.

Also, the cover is clearly gorgeous.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for the eARC. It was a wonderful read.

I was sold on the "girls that transform into dogs" aspect right away, but such an amusing plot hook was only a small piece of a complex little story. In 17th century England, the Mansfields - elderly, nearly blind Joseph, and his five granddaughters - weren't anyone's favorites in the tiny country village. Joseph owned a big house and a successful farm, and the five girls weren't stereotypical meek, quiet ladies. A drunk, grumpy local, Pete Darling, began a rumor that he saw the girls turn into dogs, and of course, the tale spread like wildfire.

I really enjoyed the writing and format of the book. It truly felt like I was part of the rumor mill because we uncovered the point of view from several characters in town, but never the young women in question. I liked the powerful, feminist message, and it was easy to get sucked into this beautifully-written novel.

As soon as I read the description of The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis, I knew it would be right up my alley. The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides? Five sisters in 18th century England? Townspeople think the girls are turning into dogs? Sign. Me. Up.

The book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting (I was prepared for 18th century Nightbitch), but I thoroughly enjoyed this exploration of gender, conformity, and patriarchy. Yes, these are similar themes to Nightbitch, setting it in the past—where panicked villagers hold all the power and the sisters have none—makes for a very different experience. The story is never told from the sisters' perspectives, which only reinforces their lack of agency. Instead, we witness their fate through the eyes of those around them.

Purvis’s writing is sharp and unsettling, with a detached tone that reminded me of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. This is Purvis’s debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Also, that cover! 😍

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC to review.