I picked this up based on the author. Didn't read the blurb.
So I was part of the way in when my brain just clicked that this was about Bathory. I've read a good few books about her.
This is a good one.
It paints a toxic relationship that you want to get out of, because you know everything around you is wrong, yet still you stay.
So many conflicting emotions from this young girl with nothing, to now a girl with a lot to loose.
I thought it gave a well rounded story , seeing how anyone and everyone found themselves caught up in the madness.
A sure sign of a great story, I'm off to Google the facts now.

The Last Handmaid provided a captivating take on the Countess Báthory myth/history. Catalina was a relatable heroine, torn between what she feels is right and what is right for her, and how the two may not always align. I enjoyed the gradual escalation of the tale, which was dark and atmospheric from start to finish. The pacing was good, always making me want to keep turning the pages, and the characters were all well drawn. There were a few times I thought Catalina a bit of a fool, but she had had, after the initial drama, a fairly sheltered upbringing, which perhaps accounts for her willingness to believe in people who were so clearly unworthy of her trust. Despite my occasional frustrations with her, though, I had fun following her tale to the bitter end. I am giving this book 4 stars. It's worth a read if you like dark historical fiction offering a twist on real events.

This was my first book by Claire Whitfield and it did not disappoint. I was hooked by the first chapter and could not put it down, I then researched the true story behind it, totally fascinated with both the fiction and the reality behind it.

A story inspired by the alleged most prolific female serial killer of all time told through the eyes of their most trusted companion. A historical gothic suspense.

What an intriguing tale this was!!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading, I knew the synopsis really intrigued me and I’m always in for an interesting and mysterious story!
Once I started reading it, I was hooked. I really liked seeing the ups and downs of Catalina’s life. The mysteriousness of the Countess. The vampire allegation and - maybe or maybe not - allegations of bleeding out young handmaids.
I was seriously so shocked by how interesting the story is written and I also really liked the pace of it. Sure, some parts did seem to stretch on but I think overall, it only added to the plot and flair of the story. Moreover, and speaking of atmosphere, I think a thing this book really did exceptionally well was create this dark, mysterious and almost scary atmosphere. Where one was scared for Catalina and what she would experience. Besides that, I also liked the writing style a lot and I think the narration (in first person) really added to the overall feel too. Another thing I really liked was the kind of crush, kind of mentorship/guardianship relationship between Catalina and the countess. As someone who notoriously crushed on her older female mentors, I felt myself somewhat represented (only with the added fact that my mentors were actually nice haha). I also really liked how this relationship between the two kept being a central part of the book, especially the question if the countess is Catalina’s savior or torturer or if both of them can co-exist to some extent too?
I also really liked the way the book dealt with issues such as poor/rich, differences between the way a man is framed vs a woman, religion and more.
Generally though, this was such an interesting and really captivating read. One which will definitely stay in my mind. I can only recommend if you’re in the mood for something mysterious and dark that will completely captivate you.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntarily given review!

The story of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory told from the point of view of Catalina a young orphan who become the Countess’ handmaid.

I did not know the story of Elizabeth Bathroy, a real historical figure, infamous for her torture before reading this so I did not know the ending before starting. I enjoyed reading it, and it was very atmospheric, and dark in a few places. At some points I was really felt for Catalina who could not see a way out. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction but who doesn’t already know the story of the Countess as I can see how already knowing this would spoil the ending. I have already recommended this to several people who I know read historical fiction.

I appreciate the author's work; I have read her previous books, and I found them all to be brilliant reads. When I discovered the existence of this book, particularly because it addresses the myth of the countess, I was eager to request it.I wasn't entirely certain what kind of experience to anticipate when I began reading this particular book or story; however, I was aware that the summary or synopsis had really captured my interest, and I am consistently drawn to engaging and mysterious narratives.
Once I began reading it, I found myself completely captivated by the story. I particularly enjoyed following the fluctuations and challenges throughout Catalina's life. The enigmatic presence of the Countess, coupled with the vampire accusation and the ambiguous allegations regarding the draining of young handmaids, kept me thoroughly engaged. Although the content turned out to be a bit more graphic and somber than I had initially expected, I found myself appreciating the intricate relationships depicted, as well as the exploration of themes such as abuse and the dynamics of power and control, and overall, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book.

The Last Handmaid is historic gothic horror at its very best. It tells the horrific story of Countess Bathory probably the most prolific serial killer of all time from the POV of Catalina one of her young servants. Catalina gets tangled up in the Countess's inner circle and despite trying to escape is repeatedly drawn back into her circle.
I have enjoyed Clare Whitfield's previous novels so looked forward to this one. I was not disappointed. Yes it's quite gory but not overly so. I really enjoyed the way the author took her time allowing the truth to finally dawn on Catalina. She really hoped she'd found a home and family at last. Instead she'd found a nightmare she couldn't have imagined. The interplay between the Countess and Catalina is beautifully written. And the research is exceptional. Definitely a 5* read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I love a good book based on Vampires not the romatasy or enemy to lovers type but the proper horror / historical tales. This book well has finally done Elizabeth Balthory some justice. We don't often hear about her the Eastern European Countess who is proclaimed to be the female Dracula. Whitfield present a tale from a maid servants view and the story behind Countess downfall. I absolutely loved how we get pulled into story from the get go and get made to feel we are actual there with everything thatbis going on. It's been a while since a book has made me feel like this. All the characters are so well written and the main MFC had her pulling at my heart strings. We are placed with Catalina when she is young after a couple of tragic event were she is taken in by an ex priest....we later move on to when she is alone and has to get work to survive so she gains a place ina household of a Countess. Unknown to Catalina this is going to be the worse decision of her life......Catalina is going to face abuse, torture and peril and Whifield does it so tastefully that she never falls to make you gasp at the horror the Countess inflicts. I cant wait to recommend this book to everyone. If you want a break from the amount of Vampire fiction that is around atm and read a real book about it then this is the one you should pick up

I was excited to read The Last Handmaid by Clare Whitfield, having previously enjoyed two of her earlier books. She has a real knack for exploring fascinating subjects, often rooted in history and interesting women, and this novel was no exception. This novel is inspired by the legend of Elizabeth Báthory, the Hungarian countess infamous for allegations of torturing and murdering young women, which I knew nothing about - so discovering the historical inspiration behind the fiction was an added layer of fascination for me.
Told through the eyes of Catalina, a young orphan who becomes one of the countess’s handmaids, this is a dark, atmospheric gothic thriller that explores power, control, faith and the complicated nature of toxic relationships. Catalina’s growing attachment to the countess, despite the increasingly disturbing things she witnesses, is both fascinating and frustrating. You find yourself wondering why she doesn’t simply leave, but the author does a great job of showing how vulnerability, a longing for safety and belonging, and feeling indebted to someone can make escaping a harmful relationship far more complicated than it seems.
The relationship between Catalina and the countess is at the heart of the story, with a constant tension between protection and manipulation, affection and cruelty. I was particularly interested in how Catalina’s understanding of the woman she serves gradually changes, and how difficult it is for her to reconcile what she believes with what she experiences. Themes of religion, class, morality and the different ways men and women are judged add further depth to the story.
It’s quite a lengthy book, but I found it compelling throughout, with an atmosphere of unease that builds as Catalina’s world becomes increasingly sinister. Some scenes are genuinely gruesome and uncomfortable, so this definitely isn’t a read for the faint-hearted! The author handles the darker elements effectively, sometimes leaving just enough to the imagination to make them even more unsettling.
Overall, this was a fascinating and gripping historical thriller that kept me invested in Catalina’s story. Clare Whitfield has once again taken an intriguing subject and turned it into a compelling work of fiction. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark historical fiction, gothic mysteries and stories that explore the complexities of power and control.

I’m grateful to NetGalley and to the publisher, Head of Zeus, for the arc.

The Countess Bathory story has been told and retold, some tellings better than others. Claire Whitfield shares the story through Catalina in "The Last Handmaid". You can see how girls rose through the ranks, some treated better than others. Although as we know, not all the girls died of cholera. A refreshing angle on this story with the added emotional manipulation that kept the handmaids fiercely loyal.

I really like Clare Whitfield’s writing, and her last book, Poor Girls, has really stuck in my mind, so I was looking forward to reading this when NetGalley provided me with an advance copy.
This is the tale of Catalina, a Roma child who is separated from her mother and sister in the 1600s. She’s taken in by a religious man, who is kind, but doesn’t seem to teach her much about the world. When he dies, she’s supposed to go to a convent, but instead she goes to work as a laundress in the household of one Countess Erzsébet Báthory, possibly the most prolific female serial killer in history.
The castle is a place of cruelty and secrets. Maids disappear all the time, the countess suffers from a mysterious ailment which seems to be ameliorated by drinking blood, and Cat becomes her favourite servant, via a rather terrifying route.
This book is dark, and full of mystery and horror, all the more so given its roots in historical research. It’s an ideal read for spooky month, I loved it.

What an absolutely brilliant, dark and disturbing read!

This is a beautifully written historical gothic novel that completely drew me in. The atmosphere is wonderfully unsettling, the storytelling is immersive, and the character development is exceptional.

What really stood out to me was the complexity of the characters. I loved how richly developed they all were, including the antagonists. Nobody felt one-dimensional, and the author did an incredible job of exploring the blurred lines between affection, cruelty, loyalty and control.

The story takes its time building the relationships and establishing the world, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. As the tension escalates, the narrative becomes increasingly harrowing, with some genuinely shocking and gruesome moments. It certainly isn't a book for the faint-hearted!

I particularly appreciated how the author managed to make me understand certain characters without ever excusing their actions. That's a difficult balance to achieve, and it was handled brilliantly.

The ending was satisfying and brought the story together beautifully.

I genuinely cannot pick a fault with this book. It was compelling, atmospheric, emotionally challenging and wonderfully written.

A solid five-star read, and one I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dark historical fiction with complex characters and a generous helping of gothic horror.

Content warning: Graphic violence, torture, abuse and disturbing themes.

Well could there BE a better book for spooky season? Inspired by a real life woman too. vampiric in nature. There's a castle Darkness and even more superstition. Amazing, Loved it, Read it now.

What would you do if surviving in a castle meant becoming complicit in the horrors taking place behind its walls?

In Hungary, 1604, young orphan Catalina is sent to work at Csejte Castle, home of the notorious Countess Erzsébet Báthory. Within its walls, servants disappear without explanation, obedience is essential and the Countess's mysterious illness is treated with increasingly disturbing remedies. When Catalina attracts her mistress's attention, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous relationship where escaping may be just as terrifying as staying.

🏰 A sinister Hungarian castle in the seventeenth century
🩸 Countess Erzsébet Báthory and her alleged crimes
🕯️ Gothic horror, blood rituals and disturbing secrets
👗 A young servant caught in a dangerous household
🔪 Survival, manipulation and moral dilemmas

The decision to tell the story through the eyes of a young servant offers an interesting perspective on the legend of Countess Báthory, particularly as Catalina becomes increasingly involved in the household's disturbing activities.

The historical setting and the Countess's obsession with blood create a suitably unsettling atmosphere, while the question of how far Catalina might go to survive adds another layer to the story. Its roots in one of history's most notorious alleged murder cases make the premise even more chilling.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Give me a Gothic castle, a potentially murderous countess, a young woman desperate to belong, and a relationship built on psychological manipulation, and you already have my attention.

Inspired by the infamous Elizabeth Báthory, "The Last Handmaid" takes us into seventeenth-century Hungary, where Catalina, a young Roma woman, enters the Countess's household and finds herself drawn into a world of privilege, cruelty, religious guilt and disturbing secrets.

What fascinates me most about this story is the psychology behind Catalina's attachment to the Countess... there is something deliciously sinister about a woman who can make someone feel protected while simultaneously becoming the greatest threat to her existence. Right?

Catalina's naivety? I find that psychologically interesting. A young woman raised in isolation, taught to fear the world, suddenly receives attention from someone powerful... of course she wants to believe in that affection... of course she struggles to recognise manipulation when it comes disguised as protection. I love that!

The Countess is exactly the kind of morally disturbing character I find fascinating... her power extends beyond wealth and social position, she understands dependency, loyalty and the human desire to be chosen, and the historical setting adds another fascinating layer... Religion, class divisions, the treatment of women and the legends surrounding Báthory all contribute to the darkness of the story.

The pacing could have been tighter in places, particularly when Catalina's dependence on the Countess begins to follow familiar patterns. However, that psychological relationship remains the most compelling element of the novel.

There is something especially frightening about cruelty that doesn't need supernatural explanations... human beings are perfectly capable of creating their own monsters. All the time...

Four stars and half for a dark Gothic premise, a fascinating exploration of manipulation, and a relationship where affection and danger become almost impossible to separate.