The Nightingale’s Castle: A Novel of Erzsébet Báthory, the Blood Countess

Velton’s (Blackberry and Wild Rose) fictionalized story of the year preceding the trial of Erzsébet Báthory, the real 17th-century Hungarian noblewoman known as the Blood Countess who was alleged to have murdered hundreds of peasant girls and bathed in their blood, brings magic, love, and cruelty together for a chilling, can’t-miss novel. In 1610, Boruka is brought to Countess Erzsébet’s castle to be a servant. Boruka soon discovers a magical box with a book about her family history, a history that was previously unknown to her. While the servant learns more about her past and the frightening widowed countess, Báthory’s confidantes enact swift and violent discipline on those under their charge, and the king seeks a way to eliminate the countess. Was Erzsébet truly a serial murderer or is there more to her story? Elinor Coleman expertly narrates, creating a sense of mystery and longing for connection. Although the novel starts slowly and has many characters, listeners will be hooked by the end.