I requested this book purely for the cover, I admit. I was hopeful beginning, but the writing style wasn’t for me. The overall premise was interesting, and gave “women as witches” vibes. But I was left wanting for more explanation, especially with the ending.

I enjoyed every second of this book, I could have kept reading about these sisters forever. My imagination was running wild the entire time. I hope this book never gets made into a movie because I want it to live in my head forever as I imagined it. For being relatively short it packed in so much character development and plot. One of my favorite things I've read in recent history!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

There's a lot to admire and like about this gothic that invokes the moors and mysterious families. It's told from the villagers of Little Nettlebed's perspectives as they go about their daily activities and rumors spread about the Mansfield sisters. The title never gives any insight into the private life of the sisters and their daily habits, but instead features the bitter ferryman, a farm hand hired for the summer, the alewife, and their grandfather, who may or may not witness the girls turn into dogs. Still, they all hear the barking in the village.

The environment is mysterious and haunting and the reader is transported into the world of Little Nettlebed. Peter, the ferryman, maliciously spreads rumors about the Mansfield girls being unnatural and attempts to ruin their reputation to make himself feel superior, it gradually creates a thread of suspense that heightens through the novel. It toes the careful line between the supernatural and fear of the unknown, but the lack of the Mansfields' perspective leaves a lot to be desired. It's an interesting technique, but it leaves the reader far too distant from the girls, with unresolved questions and the vague sense of an unfinished narrative.

"What lay before Joesph was unknowable, a gape. It scared him. Yet lying there, on this summer afternoon, he soothed himself with a question: How bad to be buried in the warm earth and listen to the world conduct itself around you."

"Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no tomorrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace." - Oscar Wilde

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis is an absurd, insightful, and captivating novel. Set in a small village in 18-century England, its charming atmosphere is shadowed by unsettling characters who feel disconcertingly real. There’s a persistent undercurrent of unease, and Purvis masterfully leverages the unknown, keeping both her characters and readers perpetually in the dark.

Although five sisters are the book's central characters, they are not granted POVs. Instead, that privilege belongs to the villagers: a misogynistic ferryman, a barmaid nicknamed Temperance, a lovesick farmhand, the sisters' blind grandfather, and an animal-loving youth struggling with his identity. This eclectic group forms a complex society where gossip thrives, and fear of the unknown spreads like wildfire. Each narrator embodies distinct facets of the community, with their perspectives on the sisters revealing more about their own beliefs and biases than about the girls themselves.

The Hounding is an incredibly well-written novel about truth, femininity, fear, and sisterhood. Several lines made a big impact on me and my understanding of today's political climate. I really hope this book gets the hype it deserves. If you’re considering picking this up, please do—it absolutely lives up to its stunning cover.

I sadly did not finish this book. I tried many times to get into this book but just couldn’t, I think the way it was written - the perspectives and the writing style was just not for me. I have given it a rating here but will not rate it elsewhere given I didn’t totally finish it.

What is going on with the Mansfield girls? Are they haunted or just weird? Are they simply being themselves in a world that is not made for a young woman? Do they really turn into dogs every once in a while, or are the villagers more afraid of the girls themselves than they were of dogs?
What is the secret behind the village Small Nettlebed?
What an absolutely wonderful page turner. Historical well researched fiction with strong characters and a strong message about girldom, feminism.
This book will grab you and not let you go until you've finished the last page.

I will definitely order this book for my bookstore once it comes out.

The writing of this debut novel was excellent. The story flowed wonderfully. I appreciated that it was a compelling story while being short and not overly long. It left me with much to ponder over. The feelings I experienced while reading, I can still recall weeks after finishing the book. I have already recommended this story to my friends and colleagues. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ahead of it's publishing date.

I got excited because hounds! but alas, there's death in a non fun non human way

The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides in this haunting debut about five sisters in a small village in eighteenth century England whose neighbors are convinced they’re turning into dogs.

Even before the rumors about the Mansfield girls begin, Little Nettlebed is a village steeped in the uncanny, from strange creatures that wash up on the riverbed to portentous ravens gathering on the roofs of people about to die. But when the villagers start to hear barking, and one claims to see the Mansfield sisters transform before his very eyes, the allegations spark fascination and fear like nothing has before.

The truth is that though the inhabitants of Little Nettlebed have never much liked the Mansfield girls—a little odd, think some; a little high on themselves, perhaps—they’ve always had plenty to say about them. As the rotating perspectives of five villagers quickly make clear, now is no exception. Even if local belief in witchcraft is waning, an aversion to difference is as widespread as ever, and these conflicting narratives all point to the same ultimate conclusion: something isn’t right in Little Nettlebed, and the sisters will be the ones to pay for it.

As relevant today as any time before, The Hounding celebrates the wild breaks from convention we’re all sometimes pulled toward, and wonders if, in a world like this one, it isn’t safer to be a dog than an unusual young girl.

The synopsis aptly compares this book to both The Virgin Suicides and The Crucible. Five sisters live in a village and are accused of turning into dogs at night, killing local livestock, causing a drought, and being possessed by demons.

Told from the perspective of a few select villagers, occasionally from the girls' grandfather, but never from the girls. A story unfolds but we never seem to get to the truth. Each villager believes something different, depending on their biases or their relationship to the girls. Other villagers seem to truly believe that they see these girls change into dogs. A doctor comes into town and diagnoses mass hysteria amongst the girls, and this hysteria reaches the villagers. This book seems to be exploring the importance of truth and facts, especially amidst fear and superstition. Rumors spread, fingers point, violence ensues. Also illustrates the ways in which humans refute facts once they believe their superstitions, making truth futile

The book is also, and perhaps primarily, tackling issues of the patriarchy. The girls were raised mostly as orphans, under the care of a semi-blind grandfather who cannot take care of them as efficiently as he hopes. In turn, the girls have been raised odd and unlike since they've been raised as orphans. The fear that the villagers have of the girls stems from the fact that they are not docile, quiet, or obedient. They dare to question social norms and to act in a way that is immediately taken as transgressive for the time and for their village. We've come a long way.

Very solid debut. Thank you for the ARC!

Thank you, Netgalley, Xenobe Purvis, and Henry Holt & Co for the eARC. This met all of my expectations, moody, atmospheric and transported me to a humid and stifling village in England. I enjoyed the tension, the mystery, the characters. The writing and the language were excellent and it left a strong impact at just over 200 pages. If I'm picky, I wished for a little more of an explanation with the ending but I also loved the way the author chose to end it so I can't gripe too much. One of my favorite reads of 2025 and looking forward to publication day and more from this author!

This book was a slow tense build. You know it is happening and you can feel the tightening and the dread. It is such a great book. I was very into it and the characters as each chapter jumped around to from character to character. You really get a sense of what this town is about. A small town and of course small town dynamics. You also get the dynamics is what it means to be a young girl or woman in this small town. I will recommending this one for a long time to come. I read a NetGalley copy of it.

Pete Darling‘s is a local drunk whose job is to ferry people across the river. He believes he is chosen by God and once ferried across an angel. However, with a worsening drought, his job is quickly becoming obsolete, right in time for his wedding.

The five Mansfield sisters live alone with their grandfather following the death of their parents and grandmother. They mostly keep to themselves and for some reason people in the village feel uneasy around them, especially Pete Darling.

As the drought affects the village along with a series of strange events, tensions rise, and the focus on the Mansfield sisters increases, especially following a series of rumors spearheaded by Pete Darling.

Is this a case of mass hysteria, or are the sisters really wreaking havoc on the village?

The rising panic vibes of this book are great and it really reads like a classic, with an 18th century setting. We get a slow building of dread as rumors about the sisters spread and the drought persists. The story is told from the perspectives of a handful of villagers, but never from the sister’s themselves, which adds to the air of mystery surrounding them. This is a rather quick read, but enjoyable nonetheless. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy reading about the Salem Witch Trials or similar events, as the vibes definitely match, although the events of this book were fictional.

While I enjoyed how the story ended, I would have liked a bit more, and feel the book could have benefited from a few more chapters during and after the climax.

I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for providing me with an advance copy of The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis. This beautifully bizarre novel explores themes of conformity, societal expectations, and the way women are often misunderstood, oppressed, or demonized.

Set in the eerie village of Little Nettlebed, The Hounding revolves around five sisters who are mysteriously accused of transforming into dogs. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the girls’ alleged transformation is an allegory, mirroring how society views those who refuse to fit neatly into prescribed roles. Purvis’s narrative weaves a commentary on women’s experiences — from being seen as dangerous or unknowable to the ways in which their lives and identities are often controlled by others’ perceptions.

What’s striking about The Hounding is its rich, immersive atmosphere. The novel is part When Women Were Dragons and part The Virgin Suicides, blending magical realism with sharp social critique. The writing itself is poetic, with moments of haunting beauty that capture the villagers’ complex emotions, fears, and desires. The story is told through the perspectives of various villagers, and Purvis masterfully shifts between voices, giving a multifaceted view of how the sisters’ story unfolds in a world that refuses to understand them.

At its core, this is a novel about those who are marginalized, whether through gender, behavior, or the simple act of defying the expectations placed upon them. The Hounding doesn’t just explore what happens to women who step outside of society’s norms, but also delves into the responses of those who claim to be their allies.

The Hounding is a striking and timely read — unsettling, thought-provoking, and powerfully written.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the opportunity to read this incredible novel in advance.

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis is a dark, modern twist on the Salem witch trials, drawing apt comparisons to The Crucible and The Virgin Suicides. Set in the early 18th century, it trades historical accuracy in vernacular for accessible prose, creating a narrative that feels immediate and unsettlingly relevant.

The novel follows the unraveling of a town’s collective sanity through multiple perspectives as hysteria mounts over the belief that the five Mansfield sisters have turned into hounds, terrorizing the community. At the center of this chaos is Pete, an archetype of entitlement and fragility—a bitter, incel-like figure whose wounded pride drives him to destroy the sisters after perceived slights. His descent into obsession, violence, and manipulation is chillingly plausible, making him a compelling, if deeply repugnant, antagonist.

The story’s undercurrents of sexual violence and societal complicity are handled with subtlety, adding depth to the narrative without sensationalizing its darker elements. Purvis captures the horrifying ease with which unchecked rumors and misogyny can spiral into life-altering consequences.

The resolution is satisfying, offering a glimmer of justice amidst the chaos, though some supporting characters’ arcs remain unresolved. Still, the novel’s blend of sharp social commentary and a hauntingly immersive plot makes for an impactful read.

The Hounding is a powerful exploration of collective paranoia, gendered violence, and the chilling ways in which rumors gain traction. Purvis delivers a harrowing and timely tale that lingers long after the final page.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the advanced copy.

What an absolutely STUNNING debut! Xenobe Purvis has crafted something truly wonderful here. I was honestly in disbelief for the first half of this book because I couldn't believe I had yet another 5 star read!

The Hounding takes place in 18th century England in the small village of Little Nettlebed amidst a drought. We open on the local ferryman, Pete Darling, who is ushering the Mansfield sisters across the Thames after their grandmother's funeral. We quickly learn through Pete that not all is as it seems with the Mansfield family, pariahs steeped in mystery. An eerie, not quite right aura seems to radiate off of the Mansfield sisters, especially the oldest--Anne. They defy all that it means to be a traditional woman in 18th century England, which greatly disturbs the villagers. Already outcast and shunned, the girls' lives are endangered when a local spreads a rumor that they're shape-shifting beasts. Hushed whispers of bloodthirsty dogs spread like wildfire around the village, fueled by paranoia, hatred, and misogyny.

Described as a mash-up of The Crucible and Virgin Suicides, The Hounding DELIVERS. Is the true horror shape-shifting beasts or the guile of man? Would it be safer to be a dog than a girl? I read this whole book with my brows furrowed in dread, horror, and disgust. Purvis has created such a thought-provoking feminist horror here.

My favorite part about The Hounding is that we're only told the story through the eyes of men, providing such interesting, unreliable narration. Everything we know about the sisters, we only know through others' eyes. Even our ending is not quite so concrete. You're left second-guessing all you think you know throughout this story, and can only watch in horror as the final confrontation unfolds.

What a PHENOMENAL read! Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt for providing an ARC of The Hounding in exchange for an honest review.

Can you think of anything better than a mash-up of Shirley Jackson and the moodiness of the Virgin Suicides soundtrack? I loved this smart, creepy novel. Is there anything more terrible than hearing a story about 5 clever, creative women from the point of view of a misogynistic man? The thing I loved best about this novel is that we, as readers, still don't know the whole story since it's told to us from the POV of three men. I know what I think happened - but it's still just conjecture! I'm planning to reread it again close to it's release date, but it made for a deliciously eerie winter read.

I loved this book. It’s set in a little town in 18th century England, and the townspeople are convinced that one family has 5 daughters that turn into dogs. This book is weird, a little haunting, and will keep you guessing what’s happening until the very end.

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.

I found The Hounding to be unique and one of a kind. I found myself questioning the historical and modern day safety of girls and women. Light was shed in a way to highlight how rumors can spread life wildfire and expectations can be either met, defied, or altered to meet the needs of those around them. I think that most would find this book enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone regardless if they find the title, cover, or blurb interesting in any way.

This book was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the different POVs presented through the different villager characters. The writing was beautiful.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one but it definitely stays with you. The description and the tagline: The Virgin Suicides meets the Crucible definitely intrigued me. However, like both those stories the book focused mainly on the (male) side characters and their feelings and suspicions toward these strange girls.

The Hounding is set during an unseasonably hot summer in a small English village surrounded by water and requires a boatman to traverse from one side to the other. The novel is written in third person but focuses on a few different characters. Pete the boatman who spends most of his time at the public house and sleeping outside, Temperance the wife of the owner of the public house who has a strong aversion to alcohol, and the two young men who come work for the Mansfield family and help with the summer harvest.

The novel begins with a bad encounter between Pete and the Mansfield sisters and things just get worse from there. It's pretty predictable what happens next but Purvis keeps the tension high and there's a sense of foreboding throughout the book. I found the ending interesting and a little unexpected but altogether not very surprising.

The book is definitely good but I don't think it really breaks new ground in the "women who don't conform to society or spurn men's advances and therefore are seen as other and perhaps even nonhuman" genre. Overall I like it but didn't love it.