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The Hong Kong Widow
The Hong Kong Widow | Kristen Loesch
2 posts | 1 read | 4 to read
Hong Kong, 1953: In a remote mansion, witnesses insist a massacre took place. The police see nothing but pristine rooms and declare it a collective hallucination. Until decades later, when one witness returnsfrom the Edgar-nominated author of The Last Russian Doll. In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitationto take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six sances over six nights, until a single winner emergesshe has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Meis entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that houseeven if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .
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OutsmartYourShelf
The Hong Kong Widow | Kristen Loesch
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Ever since she was a child, Mei has been able to see & speak to ghosts, but even so she is shocked to receive an invitation from former silent film star, Holly Zhang, inviting her to her home - Maidenhair House. The only details are that all of the guests are spirit mediums & will take part in a séance each night for 6 nights. After each evening, one medium will be asked to leave until only one remains. (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf So far, so mysterious. Mei decides to attend but only because it will gain her access to the House which is owned by the man who destroyed her life years before & she still wants revenge. What happens that night becomes an urban legend & in 2015 Maidenhair House lies abandoned....but not empty.

It's not very often that you find me awarding 5 stars to two consecutive books in my TBR pile, but this book absolutely deserves top marks.
2w
OutsmartYourShelf After a slow start, the story starts to draw the reader in with the descriptions & main character, Mei. Beautifully written, it is a mix of horror, historical fiction, & mystery as Mei attempts to find out what was behind the events at Maidenhair House all those years ago. The house is wonderfully creepy, & the characters all have their own secrets - especially the dead. 2w
OutsmartYourShelf I have no hesitation in recommending this if you enjoy slow-building historical fiction with horror elements. 5🌟

Check out link below for TWs (possible spoilers)

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Allison & Busby, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7752045567
Read 6th - 8th Oct 2025
(edited) 2w
See All 6 Comments
PuddleJumper Congrats on finding brackish! I think that's the hardest one to find 2w
OutsmartYourShelf @PuddleJumper Yes, I was surprised to find that one early on. 2w
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SilversReviews
The Hong Kong Widow | Kristen Loesch
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“Alternating between 1930s Shanghai, 1950s Hong Kong, and modern day, the novel offers a ghost story brimming with Chinese lore and set within the walls of an infamous haunted mansion. Perfect for readers of historical fiction, horror and mystery/thrillers!”

FULL SPOTLIGHT: https://tinyurl.com/y9sjtbmn

@kristenloeschwriter
@penguinrandomhouse

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