Book Review: Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Nightfire (March 26, 2024)

Length: 293 pages

Author Information: Website

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne is the second haunted house book set in Italy that I’ve read in as many months (the other being The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden). In a way, that’s not too surprising; Italy boasts a long and rich history filled with a wealth of folklore and superstition—the perfect backdrop for the eerie and unexplained. The concept of ghosts and spirits is prevalent, as well as strong beliefs in the supernatural. But what’s great about this particular novel is the blending of gothic folk horror with the hilarity and torment of a dysfunctional family vacation, a recipe promising more than just a ghost story.

For many, the idea of spending a few sun-soaked summer days in a luxurious villa in Tuscany would sound like a dream holiday, but for Anna Pace, it is a nightmare. That’s because she’ll be traveling with her family, who will never let her forget all the ways she has been a disappointment or a failure. Still, black sheep or not, as the only member who can speak fluent Italian, she’s roped in for the ride and stuck with interpreter duty. And sure enough, the vacation has barely begun and her parents are already tight-lipped with their simmering disapproval, her older sister Nicole with her seemingly perfect family can’t stop making snide and passive aggressive comments, and her twin brother Benny has brought along his pretentious boyfriend who doesn’t even try to hide his dislike for Anna.

But the real chills begin when the Paces arrive at the quaint little property that they’ve rented in the remote village of Monteperso. It was supposed to be their quiet refuge away from the more bustling touristy areas, a place to relax and unwind each night after packed days of beach visits and sightseeing trips. However, the villa turns out to be anything but peaceful. Doors and drawers open and shut on their own. Strange, disembodied whispers can be heard at night. Anna starts having disturbing dreams and visions. When her family goes out in town, the locals seem afraid and clam up around them when they mention where they are staying. Anna has the sense that something is seriously wrong, but as always, any attempts to warn her family are waved off with derision and contempt.

I first discovered the author with her book Lute and having enjoyed that one very much, I looked forward to Diavola and its mix of spine-tingling horror and family drama. Once again, Thorne manages to deliver a tale thick with atmospheric dread, the prose and its vivid descriptions bringing the sights and sounds of the ancient Tuscan villa. Somehow, this backdrop perfectly complements the simmering tensions within the Pace family with their long history of bitter resentment and hostility.

We get to experience many of these toxic relationships through Anna’s eyes, but while her family members may treat her appallingly, there’s a touch of the unreliable narrator in our protagonist too as we realize her memories and perceptions might be colored by her own frustrated feelings of being the outsider. The story delves deeply into these complex dynamics, and I’m sure anyone who has ever vacationed with extended family can relate. The Paces, however, are on a whole other level. From baseless accusations to passive aggressive jabs, their dysfunction transcends the usual family squabbles, turning this Italian vacation into a pressure cooker ready to explode.

In fact, their desperation to salvage the situation must have been strong, because I think most sane people would have cut their losses and got the hell out of there soon after the first terrifying experience—and things certainly do get creepy! The setting is ideal for a haunted house story, the villa with its creaky corridors and mysteriously locked spaces. There’s even an eeriness to the quiet beauty of the surrounding village, steeped in local legends and home to superstitious folk. These spooky vibes add another layer of anxiety (and entertainment) to make the horror all the more immersive and keep you on your toes.