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Tillinghast: A Novel

Author:
Clare Cavenagh
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Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
1
Narrator
1
Release Date
June 23, 2026
Duration
10 hours 14 minutes
Summary
'A vampire (don't say that word) novel like no other.' —Paul Tremblay, New York Times bestselling author of Horror Movie and A Head Full of Ghosts

'Wonderfully mysterious and gorgeously written...a boldly original take on what it means to be a monster.” —Monika Kim, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of The Eyes Are the Best Part

A dark and utterly original literary horror debut, following a priest whose bloodthirsty life has extended far longer than any mere human's—and is upended when a stranger comes to town

Stutley Tillinghast lives a solitary life, ostensibly as the minister of a remote rural parish in Rhode Island. For many decades now, what little human contact he’s allowed himself has been brief, frenzied and bloody, and has always ended in a shallow grave in his cellar. There’s a name for what he is, but he prefers not to use it: it is simple enough that he has his needs, and that when they become unbearable, he fulfils them. In his long and lonely life, he has met only one other like him—the woman he still yearns for, the one who made him what he is.

Then a girl arrives, searching for him. She has his last name, and bears an uncanny resemblance to that woman, awakening memories Tillinghast had long suppressed; the connection he feels for her is immediate and overwhelming. She’s also sick, very sick, with symptoms Tillinghast recognizes all too well...and only he knows how to cure her.

Inspired by the real events of the New England vampire panic of the nineteenth century, TILLINGHAST is a novel to sink your teeth into: at once a gripping, atmospheric horror that turns the classic monster narrative on its head; a literary work of exceptional prose about giving into--or resisting--our impulses; and a remarkably moving father-daughter story that will leave you unexpectedly hopeful—and rooting, despite your every instinct, for the killers.
Reviews
Profile Avatar Jake R. Sep 2026

Tillinghast is a deeply atmospheric, character-driven slow burn that trades a traditional, fast-paced plot for a rich, literary exploration of mortality and morality. Set in 19th-century New England, the story centers on Reverend Tillinghast, a man who completely subverts the traditional expectations of his... condition. He begins the novel questioning his future and whether he should even continue on, reflecting back on his origins alongside a mysterious woman named Lena. When Sarah suddenly enters the picture, it shifts his entire perspective, causing him to reevaluate his choices and forcing him to once again grapple with his own morality and mortality. What stands out most is the novel's unique take on the genre. The author completely refuses to use a certain word to name what the central character is. While I found this a bit annoying at first, it actually pays off beautifully by the end, reinforcing that these beings aren't inherently evil the way they are portrayed in most stories. Tackling this with my usual read-along method-listening to the audiobook while following the physical text-really helped me soak in that moody, gothic prose. That being said, the ambiguity can be a little frustrating at times. The true origins of these characters-whether they were born or made-remains difficult to grasp. While I loved the intense moments, I found myself wishing for just a bit more traditional horror to give it some edge. I also would have loved a deeper exploration of the relationship between Tillinghast and Sarah, which felt like a missed opportunity. Ultimately, Tillinghast offers a highly unique take on the genre wrapped in beautiful writing, but the story itself didn't feel fully developed just yet. It pulls you into its atmospheric world, but leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

Tillinghast: A Novel

Tillinghast: A Novel

Author: Clare Cavenagh
Read by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
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