Book Review: Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova

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

Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror, Mystery

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 13, 2026)

Length: 592 pages

Author Information: Website

Mystery Play by Elizabeth Kostova is a different kind of horror and paranormal historical mystery, and I mean that in a good way. There’s definitely a puzzle at the heart of the story for the reader to solve, but it is also much more interested in slowly uncovering its secrets than delivering scares or nonstop suspense. Emphasis on SLOWLY! I came away from this knowing that I enjoyed myself, yet at the same time, there’s no denying some major pacing and structural issues.

The story follows Jay Turner, a young history teacher who loses his mother to a sudden illness. After taking leave from the boarding school where he works, he returns home to sort through her belongings. There, he discovers a collection of unusual keepsakes, including an old book and references to Gael Brogan, a celebrated nineteenth-century stage actor whose many roles included Shakespearean characters, but whose most famous performance was Dracula in a stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic. Curious about his mother’s apparent fascination with these collected materials and the secrecy surrounding them, Jay begins his own investigations. His research soon leads him into a much larger mystery involving Brogan’s productions, the actor’s relationships with those around him, including a young co-star with whom he was rumored to have been romantically involved. Letters, diaries, and other surviving documents gradually reveal hints of strange rituals and darker secrets lurking beneath the theatrical world.

Following even more clues, Jay’s efforts eventually lead him to tour a historic estate, where he meets Rhiannon, a graduate student in history who works there. While Jay immediately finds himself drawn to her, their connection takes on a much greater significance after someone close to both of them is brutally killed, revealing a link between their lives that neither knew existed. Together, they set out to understand the murder and what it might have to do with the secrets they have been uncovering. Jay begins to wonder whether the strange objects his mother left behind are connected to the killing and whether someone is trying to stop them from putting the pieces together. Before long, the two find themselves caught between pursuing answers and trying to stay ahead of something that may already be pursuing them.

I really enjoyed the way the story gradually connected the pieces, particularly the historical details. The strong theatrical themes also ended up being one of my favorite aspects of the book. I learned that a mystery play is a type of medieval religious drama depicting biblical stories or spiritual themes, and Kostova expands on that idea, connecting literature, mythology, and theater with dark rituals and paranormal elements across several periods. She weaves all these threads together so well that it becomes difficult to tell where history ends and the otherworldly begins.

Then there are the nods to Dracula itself. The story is written in an epistolary style, with diaries, letters, documents, and other written accounts forming the backbone of the novel. At the same time, Shakespeare and the traditions of theater are woven throughout, giving the book an appropriately old-world quality. There were times when it felt as though I was digging through some dusty archive alongside Jay and Rhiannon, and I appreciated how the plot drew on the rich history of theater to create a sense of awe around its ancient, mysterious traditions.

But towards the middle, I struggled. As I mentioned before, pacing can be rather slow, though this is likely by design. Generally, I don’t mind too much as long as the atmosphere and mystery are strong enough to carry it, but there were admittedly stretches that really tried my patience, leading to boredom. Several interruptions to the main narrative, including an extended section that cut in following another character’s diary and writings made me wonder why I was suddenly reading about this person and what it had to do with everything else. Once the significance was revealed, it made much more sense, but getting there sure felt like a chore at times. There were more detours and abrupt switches like this throughout the book, and while they eventually fit together, they frequently pulled me out of immersion rather than drawing me deeper into it.

Fortunately, the atmosphere ultimately won me over and motivated me to finish the book. Mystery Play isn’t a horror novel that will have you peeking through your fingers or jumping at every noise in the house, but the gradual accumulation of strange details is designed to fill you with a sense of unease. Kostova is very good at letting that tension simmer rather than constantly pushing it to the surface, and I thought that worked particularly well given the story’s themes.

Overall, I have to say Mystery Play was an interesting and atmospheric read that, while not without its flaws, stands out as one of the more unique and distinctive books I’ve read this year. Its blend of historical fiction, paranormal mystery, and gothic horror makes it feel special, and despite some narrative hiccups and slower stretches, there was plenty here to keep me invested. When everything clicks, it’s an experience that makes the journey worthwhile.