The Haunting of Moscow House is atmospheric, with the backdrop of Soviet Russia and the harsh reality of prison, starvation, or death at any moment.
We are following two sisters who are living in Moscow House, they and the rest of their family are on the brink of starvation. They are selling family heirlooms, and just doing what they can day to day to survive. The atmosphere is really detailed, it felt like you were right there with the sisters, the rest of the story build-up was on the slower side, unfortunately too slow for me. I found my mind wandering while reading, and I found myself not really connecting to the characters.

I did enjoy the folklore, and certain other elements, but it was enough to keep me fully invested in what was happening with the plot or the characters.
While this didn't 100% work for me, I think others would enjoy it, so if the synopsis sounds interesting, I would recommend reading it.

The Haunting of Moscow Houseis a blend of gothic horror, Russian folklore, and historical fiction. The story is set in post-revolutionary Russia and follows two sisters, Irina and Lili, who were members of the Russian nobility, as they attempt to make their way in the new Soviet Russia.

To escape the Bolsheviks who have taken over their ancestral home, Moscow House, the sisters start working for the American Relief Association (ARA). However, while they find food, enjoyment, and even love at work, at home, the spirits of dead family members are roused and haunting the grounds.

Soon, some of the Bolshevik officials requisitioning Moscow House are found dead. Are the deaths from a supernatural cause or human one? It is up to Irina and Lili to unravel the sinister secrets of the Revolution, their family, and their home. Can they do it before it the deceased come for them, too?

I liked the post-revolutionary backdrop of this, found it to be the most intriguing part of the story. I haven't read many books about the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution and I appreciated the peek into it. I also enjoyed Irina and Lili's sisterly bond and the way they sought to help their family as well as others who were struggling in Russia. Where the story fell apart for me was in the gothic/folklore elements. The bleak and eerie ambiance was there, and well executed; however, it didn't mesh as believably or as seamlessly with the historical pieces as I had hoped it would. Narratively, it felt fragmented and disconnected. The pacing was glacial as well, which didn't help matters. I think I would've liked this better had it focused more on the sister's work at the ARA rather than the ghosts/Domovoy at Moscow House, but that could come down to preference more than anything.

Other readers will love the haunted house mystery with the Russian history tossed in. For me, it simply didn't merge well, read like oil and water.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Historical fiction + gothic horror + haunted house and we have a winner! Set in post-revolutionary Russia, I was immediately absorbed by this story of two sisters uncovering secrets in a haunted mansion. This story is dark, creepy, and unsettling. There is some romance as well, but it fit nicely into the story. The author did an incredible job of building tension leading to a satisfying ending. This is a perfect spooky season book club read.

Thanks so much for letting me read in advance and I’m highly recommending as a must-read for fall 2024!

The Haunting of Moscow House is a compelling and atmospheric novel set in post-revolutionary Russia. It follows former aristocrats Irina and Lili Goliteva after their ancestral home in Moscow is taken over by Bolsheviks and the remaining members of their family are forced to move into the attic. Irina and Lili secure jobs with the ARA allowing them a brief respite from their new landlords while supplying food for their family but the house has dark secrets that no longer wish to remain buried. Soon strange things start happening in the house - cold drafts, noises reminiscent of the past, mysterious deaths and excessive signs of decay and it's up to Irina and Lili to find out what is happening, before it's too late.

I loved the blend of historical horror and Slavic folklore. Add a haunted house to the mix and I'm sold! The house was terrifying and the worse things got, the more anxious I was for them to escape.
This is a slow burn and I found that it lagged around the half way mark but it didn't take long before I was hooked again. There's a bit of mixed-media in the form of journal entries that help uncover some of their family history and how it connects to what is currently happening which I enjoyed.

I liked the romance storylines for both Irina and Lili as they helped to lighten up an otherwise bleak plot. This period in time is devastating and my heart hurt for the sisters, especially Irina, as they struggled with their trauma and immense loss while trying to stay strong for the family they had left.

I definitely recommend this for fans of gothic horror. Be sure to read the authors notes at the end!

Thank you Berkley for my free ARC of The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore — available Sep 3!

» READ IF YOU «
✨ love lush historical fiction
🔆 enjoy a gothic atmosphere
🥂 prefer your historical fiction to be set fully in the past

» REVIEW «
First off, I love that this story was completely set in the historical timeline, rather than doing a dual timeline of past/present which is so popular these days. I enjoy those too, but prefer to be immersed in the past! Next, the atmosphere in this story was just perfect — gothic without being strictly horrific — and I think it was especially well done because the vibes linger even when you're done reading. Sisters Irina and Lili were very different and they read this way to me, which I also appreciated. I loved watching their relationship evolve as they dug for answers to the past, and I think the complex change in their status as "Former People" was really well navigated.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was looking forward to the Haunting of Moscow House and truly enjoyed it! It gave me a bit of the feeling of Amor Towles' Gentleman in Moscow, especially when Uncle Pasha explains why he would never leave Russia.

Knowing all we know now about the millions who died in the years following the revolution, especially those who were considered the enemies of the people, it is difficult to understand the desire to stay. Yet I can imagine how some of these formerly wealthy, highly educated people who lived according to their honor principles could not leave.

I am deeply curious about the 1920s in the Soviet Union, especially regarding the fates of the "former people." The author put a lot of time into research and it shows.

As a fellow Russian speaker who lives in the U.S., I enjoyed the book from the point of view of all the connections to folklore and history while appreciating the prose and Salnikova Gilmore's approach.

What I loved:

- The relationship between two sisters and how it evolves throughout the book.
- The attention to detail, from clothing and descriptions of spaces to rituals and creatures.
- The inclusion of Russian folklore and fairytales truly brought me back to my childhood and made me reexamine what I remembered. I did not question where these interesting storylines and characters originated when I was a kid, but the book inspired me to look into it all with fresh eyes. I hope readers without prior knowledge of these folk tales will also enjoy them.
- I enjoyed little bits of Russian here and there. "Her insides turn as wobbly as holodets meat jelly at the thought."
- The ending was quite symbolic, in my opinion, showing that both staying and leaving can be a good solution.

What I did not care for:

- Some phrases sound like they were directly translated from Russian or as if a crucial word is missing, not fully finishing the sentence structure.

"A place they are safe"
"But then the foyer, the doors, and they are leaping into the night and snow"
"Irina whirls, shutting her eyes against the oak, who is buried there, the usual dark feeling at the sight"

- There are some repetitions of the reasoning, which could be considered realistic - we often go back and forth in our thoughts about something - but reading about whether taking the job at the ARA is a good idea for the fifth time was a bit too much.

- The pace suffers in the middle part of the book before picking up again before the ending - repetitions and lack of anything truly happening don't help.

Overall, it is a very unusual and lovely read for fans of Russian history and ghost stories. How many books fit that criteria?

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for providing an early reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. The book is out on September 3.

Soviet Russia + ghosts? Sign me the absolute f*** up! This is my most anticipated ARC of the year (and probably ever) and it’s out today! The Haunting of Moscow House is a historical gothic set in 1921 Russia-after the 1917 Revolutions and Lenin is firmly in power. It follows the story of two sisters, Irina and Lili Goliteva, from a formerly aristocratic family (based on the real life Golitsyn/Sheremetev aristocratic families) as they navigate their new status as “Former People” in post-revolutionary Russia. The Bolsheviks take over their home and they and the rest of their family are relegated to the attic. Irina and Lily do their best to move on with their new normal and take care of their family, but their aunt seems unable to let go of the family’s former status. Then strange things start happening in the house and the spirits of their family members that died during the Revolution seem to emerge inside the house.

This was so great. Gilmore did such a wonderful job weaving together characters based on the dribs and drabs left in the history books about the Golitsyns/Sheremetevs. She really brought them to life for me. While I am no educated Russian history scholar, I’ve certainly read a lot about it and it seemed to me that Gilmore did not sacrifice historical accuracy for a great story. She managed to do both. Also shout-out for the numerous Gogol references.

If you are interested in this period of history or if this book piques your interest, I recommend you read Former People by Douglas Smith and Caught in the Revolution by Helen Rappaport. Thank you netgalley and penguin random house for the e-ARC.

I have to applaud Olesya Salnikova Gilmore for choosing a setting that many historical fiction writers tend to avoid. Then to successfully create a story of generational trauma centered around an upper-class Russian family in a way that is historically believable is a rare feat! The black rot and dust lift off the page, reflecting irrecoverable loss and a bygone era. The haunting is the result of a man's foolish pride that allowed anguish and pain to fester. Like a metaphor for the Revolution itself and how Tsar Nicholas II turned a blind eye until it was too late. With bread lines, cold outdoor markets and scavenging children outside, Gilmore reminds the reader how privileged the Golitevas were, even if they are only now coming to terms with it. For Irina and Lili, they must cling to the memories and fight for what the House represents; not wealth or status, but family. And old curses require even older magic, and they come to realize that sisterhood is the strongest magic there is.

My only issue is with the pacing at times. I was enraptured by the unique folklore and the terrifying spirits that the ARA party, the romance, etc cut the tension like a knife. I wanted to frantically remind both Irina and Lili about their imprisoned Aunt Marie, the children, and the constant threats from all sides. Once they're settled into the plot though, progressive Will and loyal Nicky prove themselves to be supportive and genuine. I was glad the ladies at least got the peace they deserved, but the ending is far beyond what you'd ever expect!

Thank you Penguin Random House for the ARC on NetGalley!

I was captivated by this gothic horror historical fiction, a paranormal mash-up set in 1920s post-revolutionary Russia. The story follows two sisters struggling to keep their family together and fed while living in their ancestral home, now occupied by Bolsheviks. As they begin seeing the spirits of their deceased relatives throughout the house, strange and eerie events unfold. Desperate to escape their haunted home and provide for their family, the sisters take jobs with the American Relief Administration which sets them on a path to uncover family secrets. The book is haunting not just because of the ghosts, but also because of the bleak and devastating reality of life in Russia during this tumultuous period. It’s a part of history I haven’t explored much but am eager to learn more about. This was an incredible blend of genres and a truly fascinating read.

The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesva Salnikova Gilmore

“ What is it about night that brings out the ghosts, you think?
Don’t you know? He had smiled, heavy lidded, teasing, his face incredibly close. Night belongs to the unholy and the dead, morning to God and the living.”

Thank you @berkleypub for the advanced readers copy of this gem in exchange for an honest review.

To me this book is perfection! And here is why:

1. The genre is gothic historical horror with elements of Russian/Slavic folklore woven in with a heavy dose of fairytales. What’s not to love about that mash up?

2. The history depicted is accurate to the time and you can tell the author thoroughly researched the political, social and economic situation in Moscow during the 1920s. And sources were included, which always gets bonus points from me!

3. The atmospheric writing is what makes a gothic horror book and it was executed flawlessly. It was creepy, kept you on the edge of your seat and engaged the whole time, even though it is a slow burn.

4. The character development was fantastic. Without giving away too much, I particularly loved how everything with the aunt unfolded/developed. The whole arc was so well done.

5. The house and people are actually inspired by real life places and individuals which I found to be fascinating. While events are obviously exaggerated and made up to make a good, fictional, story, I love that the bases of this book are founded in reality. I also love that the author provides that information in the historical note at the end.

6. I personally love a slow burn horror so, to me, the pacing is perfect for the genre. But I understand that isn’t for everyone.

If you are a fan of gothic haunted houses + slow burn horror novels, this is a must read and I cannot recommend it enough.

The Haunting of Moscow House is out today and I suggest you run to the book store to snag a copy for your fall TBR!

I think this was not the right book for me right now. I had so much trouble telling the characters apart and found that there was way too much info about the plot given in the very beginning of the story. The writing style just didn’t work for me, even though the premise was intriguing.

This was a really cool historical fiction horror that takes place in Russia, it was a wildly unique setting and premise but I just didn’t love the overall premise of this unfortunately y

Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for the #gifted listening The Haunting of Moscow House! #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley #PRHAudioPartner #PRHAInfluencer #TheHauntingofMoscowHouse

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐎𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐝
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Haunting of Moscow House was an atmospheric, gothic novel set in post-revolutionary Russia. It is a blend of historical fiction with supernatural elements and also contains Russian Folklore. There were also some diary entries woven into the book which I really enjoyed and added a different element to the story for me. Overall, I did have a difficult time getting into the overall plot and staying engaged with the storyline. I thought the premise was interesting, and I loved the historical fiction side of things but it just seemed a little slow at times. I would still recommend this one, especially if you do enjoy horror novels.

🎧I listened to the audio, which was narrated by the skillful Saskia Maarleveld. She did a great job on audio and I always love my time listening to any audiobook narrated by her. If you are looking for your next fall read on audio, consider giving this one a listen!

Posted on Goodreads on September 2, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around September 3, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on September 3, 2024
**-will post on designated date

Early Soviet Russia, dispossessed aristocracy, Slavic folklore, ghosts, and evil family machinations made this Russian gothic novel the perfect kick off to my PSL/Spooky Season of reading! This cover drew me in, and the atmospheric story did the rest. While definitely in the (light) horror genre, The Haunting of Moscow House would also be enjoyed by fans of historical fiction looking for a spooky or supernatural read. The American Relief Administration and how Americans saved everyday Russians after their revolution and subsequent civil war is a piece of history not taught. I found this fascinating layer amidst the backdrop of a stately but decaying Moscow mansion and its family caught between two worlds in a country rapidly and violently undergoing major change. I loved the two strong female main characters, Irina and Lili, who were doing everything thing they could to hold onto their family and a secure a place in the new Russian world as "former people." But in the new Soviet regime and when the past won't be forgotten, is any place secure... even home?

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC,

I soaked up the history that is interwoven into the story that also showcases Russian folklore and mysticism.
The Russian Revolution was a haunting time for all but especially the wealthy aristocrats.
Lili and Irina are the surviving remnants of their once large family but as they search for ways to keep alive their ancestral home is full of the dead and unhinged.
I really liked this book because I learned about the ARAm whom is never heard about before. I liked how Gilmore intersected history with magician realism and ghostly apparitions.
I’d highly recommend this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed the author notes at the end.

3.5 gothic horror stars

This would make a great fall/Halloween read if you like the horror/supernatural genre. I read it more for the Russian and historical fiction elements.

Two sisters, Irina and Lili, are trying to survive in 1921 post-revolutionary Russia. As with many families, the men are all dead, and it’s up to the women to continue the family legacy. In this case, the family has been allowed to stay in their once-beautiful mansion, Moscow House. The Bolsheviks show up and move in, taking many of the house's treasures with them. The family is forced to move to the attic, but they still have a roof over their heads.

It isn’t long before very odd things start happening. A soldier is found dead. Was it natural causes or something more sinister? Then, there are loud noises at night, and are ghosts walking the halls of Moscow House? The walls are covered in mold, and insects are plentiful.

Irina and Lili are hired by ARA, an American relief organization, because they can serve as translators. The best part is that it provides some food for the family.

Why are the ghosts back, and what are departed family members trying to tell them? Are they helpful?

The last part of this one gets really dark and I don’t think I would set foot in the house!

Don’t miss the author’s notes at the end, which explain historical elements.

The Haunting of Moscow House ☾𖤓
by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars!!

f you’re into gothic tales with a historical twist, The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is worth a look. Set in post-revolutionary Russia, it weaves together eerie hauntings with rich historical detail. The story follows sisters Irina and Lili, who are struggling to adapt to their drastically changed world while dealing with supernatural disturbances in their ancestral home. The gothic atmosphere is spot-on, and the blend of Russian history and folklore adds depth. It’s a slow burn, but if you enjoy atmospheric ghost stories with a historical edge, this one’s definitely intriguing.

As someone who loves both Russian history and gothic ghost stories, I don’t know if a synopsis has ever jumped out to me more than this one. And although I didn’t love it quite as much as I thought I would, I am still glad that I read it and would recommend it to a certain subset of readers. This is definitely a slower-paced, tension-building gothic story than I think a lot of readers would want, but if you enjoy some of the more classic gothic stories, this one is definitely worth a read!

My favorite part of this one was definitely the setting. Post-revolution Russia is one of the historical periods that I am most interested in, so having the story set around a formerly bourgeois family that lost almost everything to the revolution immediately captivated me. I honestly haven’t read a lot about the “former people” of this period, so I feel like I learned a lot reading this one! Having them moved into their ancestral home in Moscow alongside a group of Bolshevik secret police definitely heightened the tension and kind of diverted attention at first to a more human adversary.

But strange things immediately start happening in Moscow House bringing the supernatural adversary to light. The haunting scenes are really well done. This author has a beautiful way of describing the spectors at their various stages and really builds the fear of the family living in the house. I have also always been fascinated by Russian mysticism, and I enjoyed that the story really dived into that.

Although this is a book about a haunted house and family, like most gothic novels, this book is really about the family at the center of the story and their grappling with their traumatic past and loss. Reading the author’s note at the end about how this was based on an actual family and a lot of research on the lives of these former people really added a lot to what I had read and made the story that much more heartbreaking. The sisters at the heart of the story are truly characters that you can root for and watching them juggle caring for their family, blossoming romances, a haunted house, and dealing with the Bolsheviks was inspiring. My main complaint with this one was that it felt a little too long and repetitive at parts, particularly with the romances.

Ok so first of all gothic horror is hit or miss for me, because I’m the world’s biggest scaredy cat. However, I loved Olesya’s feminist retelling of Baba Yaga in the Witch and the Tsar so I had to try this one. And even though there were large sections where I was pretty scared, I found that I couldn’t put the book down. Olesya did an amazing job of creating an atmosphere that grew more and more sinister as the story progressed. She also masterfully gave the reader pieces of the puzzle throughout in such a way that you had to keep reading because you needed to know what was causing these hauntings. Aside from the mystery, I really enjoyed Olesya’s references to Russian classical literature and a sprinkling of Russian mysticism and folklore. I have a bit of a love hate relationship with Russian classics, but after finishing the Haunting of Moscow House I’m tempted to give a few classics I wasn’t originally sold on another chance. Finally, the way that Olesya wove the human cost of the Russian Revolution into the heart of the story really resonated with me. The Haunting of Moscow House is a ghost story, but it is also the story of a family that suffered unimaginable losses during a bloody conflict. Much of the events of the story are the result of the pain and sorrow the revolution sowed. Reading the Haunting of Moscow House at times felt like reading an ode to the Russian soul and the love that so many Russians feel for a country that has often been, shall we say, less than kind to its children

Whether you are looking for a good ghost story, enjoy Russian history and/or literature or like me loved Olesya’s The Witch and the Tsar, I hope you pick up The Haunting of Moscow House.

A very intriguing story that is a mix of historical fiction and paranormal activity. The protagonist sisters will hold your attention throughout the story, made even more fascinating as you can imagine many of the perils happening to real life people at this point in history.