An evocative and unsettling tale of persecution, abandonment and complicity inspired by a terrifying true tale. Chilling and thought-provoking

Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl

From the first page, the reader falls headlong into this pacy, gripping novel about Elizabeth Bathory, the world's most prolific female serial killer. The setting of early 17th century Hungary is richly-drawn and atmospheric, the study of female cruelty is unflinching and vivid. But this is also a thoughtful book, which reflects on the ties that bind a victim to her tormentor and exposes the bystanders who enable abuse. Whitfield is a masterful storyteller who shines a light on the darkest of themes to ask: how innocent are any of us?

Nikki Marmery, author of Lillith

When it comes to humanising history and demystifying its bloodthirstiest myths, nobody does it better than Clare Whitfield. This time she sets her sights on mercurial, monstrous Countess Bathory, capturing a sense of Gothic splendour tempered with humour and suspense. An epic in every sense, The Last Handmaid is awe-inspiring.

Tom Mead, author of The House at Devil's Neck

THE LAST HANDMAID is a blood-tinged treasure of a novel that fed my hunger to step into Countess Báthory's dark-hearted world. Clever and atmospheric, it makes the legend of the Blood Countess feel terrifyingly alive.

Sonia Velton, author of The Nightingale's Castle