BOOK: THE TAKING OF IRENE HART
AUTHOR: MADELEINE REISS
PUB DATE: FEBRUARY, 2025
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REVIEWThanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I liked this book because it was different. A religious cult in the late 1800s? Sign me up! Plus, the author said it was based in a real life story. This just shows that we're not really different from those in the past.
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Anyway, the book follows Ruby Hart, who followed her mother, Hester, alongside her epileptic younger sister, Irene, to the Garden Kingdom after her mother lost her senses after her husband and their father's death. Irene also has 'sightings' when she has seizures predicting the future. Hester didn't make any impression on me at all. She was my least favorite character here, even more than the villains, because she was weak and failed to protect her young daughters.
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This book was slow paced, but it will keep you engaged, wanting to know the next thing. The other main character was Inspector Philip Hodge, he was a dedicated police officer and a good person in general. He started investigating the cult when he found a newborn baby abandoned in the compound. I admired his doggedness.
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Now, through Ruby, the female main character, we were able to experience what leaving in the community did. It was just like how cults are described. The gullible followers and the charismatic leader who thinks he's a God wannabe. I liked Ruby's description. It was similar and engaging. I liked it.
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I liked the book, but I wanted more of an epilogue, especially the aftermath and the lives of Ruby and Philip. Regardless, it was good, and I'm glad I read it. I'd definitely recommend it.
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I read this book with a touch of morbid fascination. Based loosely upon a cult in Victorian Somerset it tells the story of a widow, Hester, and her two daughters Irene and Ruby. Hester is swayed by the charismatic Reverend Peters and sells her property and gives all her monies to him so that she and her daughters may join the cult. It is difficult to place yourself in that situation, I certainly hope that I wouldn't be taken in by such a way, however it is clear that even today, when people should be better informed, that such cults still exist. It is interesting to see how the story develops, including an abandoned baby and a police constable who is uneasy with the commune. Not really my cup of tea, but I can see that many people would enjoy it and have scored it accordingly.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This is a very dark and disturbing novel taking you deep into the realms of religious cults and their lasting effects on individuals.
A well structured book with well portrayed characters

The Taking of Irene Hart was an emotive, uncomfortable and intriguing read. I think cults are a fascinating topic and this book was no exception to that. The characters were interesting and I loved Ruby! I enjoyed the twist at the end and so happy that the sisters managed to stay together through everything. The book was on the slower side but well paced for the story being told. Historical fiction isn’t my usual genre but I enjoyed reading The Taking of Irene Hart!

Set in 1859 Somerset, England, The Taking of Irene Hart is a historical fiction inspired by a real religious community/cult. The story focuses on the Hart sisters, headstrong Ruby and the more delicate Irene, whose mother has fallen under the sway of the community’s charismatic leader, Reverend Peters. While Irene starts to feel acceptance and comfort within the community, Ruby is less sure. As she spends more time within the secluded community, talking to the members and asking questions, she starts to fear that the community is only idyllic on its surface.

I love historical fiction, so I was immediately drawn in to the idea of a Victorian-era cult operating in a sleepy English town. I found the entire premise so fascinating and full of stakes—Irene suffers from seizures, a condition little understood at the time by the wider public, which essentially ostracizes her from much of polite society. Compounding that is the fact that the sisters are women in Victorian England, unable to do much about their own fates. While author Madeleine Reiss doesn’t harp on this, it's evident throughout the novel that fear and a lack of power and self-determination helps effectively trap the Hart sisters within the community just as much as Reverend Peters’ warnings of damnation if they leave.

While the story primarily focuses on Ruby as she tries to navigate her space within the community, we also get chapters from the point of view of Phillip Hodge, a local constable investigating the community for various suspicions. I loved Phillip’s chapters—while he helped further the sense that dark things were happening in the shadows—he also helped to contextualize the setting. Through him we see the poverty and hardship the working class endured, and the hardships the Hart sisters could face without financial protection.

I also feel like this could qualify as a mystery/thriller. Throughout the novel we see hints of darker things happening behind the scenes; Ruby and Phillip are both convinced that something is not right within the community. There’s a definite looming sense of dread that permeates the pages. We have come to care about Ruby and Irene and don’t want to see them remain inside the walls of this sinister place, and we can’t put our finger on exactly what is wrong or who’s behind it. That dread had me flying through the second half of the book, desperate to see the conclusion.

My only quibble was that in the first half of the book we are treated to small bits of insight from other characters, members of the community who also believe in Reverend Peters’ mission. I really liked these moments, so I was a bit disappointed when they trickled off in the latter half of the book. But overall this is a good read for fans of historical fiction who enjoy a mystery on the side.

Very fun read, not too much to my liking but intriguing to say the least. I’d definitely recommend it to friends who are interested in historical fantasy/fiction.

It's 1859, in England where some religions were like being in a cult. They had their own laws and secrets. Heater Hart is a widow who is drawn into a secretive and mysterious community in Somerset. Hester and her daughters, Irene and Ruby, become entangled in intense beliefs, emotional struggles, and hidden agendas. Irene and Ruby are quite different from each other. The community is led by Charismatic Reverend Peters. Irene is prone to seizures, Ruby is a determined young woman, she was not keen to join the cult.

This book is loosely based on a true story. It can be quite a distressing read. The book has a slow pace, and it's also quite dark. Some of the actions in the commune were scary, the rules were strict. Irene was believed to have second sight. This was an intriguing read.

Published 13th February 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #MadeleineResis for my ARC of #TheTakingOfIreneHart in exchange for an honest review.

A Dark and Gripping Historical Mystery – 4 Stars

The Taking of Irene Hart by Madeleine Reiss is a haunting historical novel that kept me captivated from start to finish. Set in 1859 Somerset, the story centres on the Hart family, led by the widowed Hester, who makes the shocking decision to sign over her family's life and freedom to a secretive religious community. The setting, combined with the atmosphere of suspense and mystery, made for a gripping read.

The novel is told from the perspectives of two very different sisters: Ruby, headstrong and determined, and Irene, fragile and plagued by illness. I found their contrasting characters fascinating, and the tension between them added emotional depth to the story. Ruby, in particular, was a standout for me – her growing suspicions about the community and her drive to protect her sister from the community's sinister grip were compelling.

Reiss does a brilliant job of creating a chilling atmosphere around the religious community, led by the charismatic Reverend Peters. It’s clear from the start that something isn’t quite right, and as the story unfolds, the layers of manipulation and control within the group begin to emerge. The theme of blind faith, coupled with the psychological and physical abuse the sisters endure, made for a thought-provoking and unsettling read. The way Irene's supposed 'second sight' is exploited by the community only added to the sinister nature of their beliefs.

The pacing of the novel is steady, with tension building slowly as Ruby uncovers the darker truths lurking behind the community’s teachings. There’s a particular revelation in the latter half of the book that completely shocked me – it was unexpected and made the stakes feel even higher. Ruby’s determination to protect her sister and escape the influence of the Reverend created a strong sense of urgency, which kept me turning the pages.

While the novel is incredibly engaging, I did feel that the character development could have gone a bit deeper. Some of the secondary characters, particularly the other members of the religious community, were intriguing but didn’t receive as much attention as I would have liked. I would have loved to learn more about their motivations and backgrounds, as they added an extra layer of mystery to the plot.

Overall, The Taking of Irene Hart is a beautifully written, atmospheric historical thriller with a strong emotional core. It’s a compelling tale of family, faith, and the search for truth. With its eerie setting and shocking twists, I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction with a darker edge. Four stars from me!

Thank you to publisher for the ARC!

I went into this book blind and knew immediately that this typically would not be a book I would have picked up. Surprisingly, the plot and characters fascinated me, especially since it is loosely based on a real-life church/cult. This definitely made me curious and I started googling to learn the history since this is a new learning area for me. The premise was interesting and I had to keep reading to know what happens next! I definitely would recommend this to my friends.

As soon as I saw that beautiful cover and the words 1859 Somerset, I knew this was going to be a Dark, rich, gothic historical story and it did not disappoint. I loved the descriptions, it was so atmospheric throughout it had me holding my breath. Ruby and Irene are really put through the mill by their mother, Hester, who decides to sign over their house to the Reverend Peter's, after the death of her husband (their father), and move into the Garden Kingdom, and when consequently it all goes downhill. The historical aspect and the cults that were around in those times are terrifying and I can't imagine what it must have been like to be sucked into that system, and their trust be broken, especially in the religious context where trust shouldn't be questioned and yet it is taken advantage of in the most heinous of ways. On top of that, poor Irene's seizures, which are completely exploited by the community, and further leads to the sisters detachment from their mother. The mysterious 'suicides' in the community attracts the attention of the Police Constable, Hodge, who starts to delve deep into the puzzle and is very suspicious and acutely aware of how dangerous Reverend Peter's is, especially when his position gives him so much influence and power over 'his people'.
An incredibly written masterpiece that was terrifying and enchanting at the same time!

3.5 ⭐️
Set in Somerset, England in 1859 this is a tale loosely based on a real life religious group in that era.
After the death of her husband Hester is in deep mourning and is drawn in by the charismatic Reverend Peters and his teachings of a new way of life. She decides to move herself and her daughters Ruby and Irene to the Garden Kingdom where they will live in the community to gain ever lasting life.
The sisters have little choice to go with their mother and the eldest Ruby is not happy about it. Irene suffers with seizures and while being ostracised by many in their previous life is thought of as a visionary when she sees things during her ‘takings’ that could be seen as visions of the future.
There is a mystery element which I enjoyed in this story. Supposed suicides, stolen pineapples, cult secrets and an abandoned baby are investigated by Constable Phillip Hodges who is the local law enforcement in the area.

Phillip and Ruby were by far the most interesting characters and I found myself rooting for them the most.

I really enjoyed this read although found it slow going in places.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the arc.

1859. Somerset, England: When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.

Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.

This was unexpectedly emotional for me. The story is engaging, and the undertones are decidedly critical of some modern thinking. The Gothic vibe was very well-done. The characters were realistic and well-developed, and the plot was excellent. High praise from me! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

A fictional tale set in 1859 rural England. A father’s death leads to Hester and Irene being dragged by their mother into a closed community by their mother’s blind infatuation with a charismatic clergy man. We find these characters subsumed into a cult environment. When does that ever have a happy ending? The community is rife with secrets. Will Hester, Irene and their mother regret their decision, especially as Irene is given a special place in the Master’s plans. Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

An enjoyable true story set in Victorian times. This book really grabbed me and I couldn't put it down. Very interesting and not a hard read at all. The pages just flowed along. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Loosely based on a true story this is set in Somerset, UK in 1959. Following the death of her husband Hester Hart goes into deep mourning, leaving sisters Ruby and Irene to their own devices. When they do eventually persuade her to leave the house she hears Reverend Peters talk and is entranced. Following him around and listening to more she eventually decides to moves herself and two daughter to a religious community run by Peters, signing over all that she owns to them. This is a slow burn which suits the story as the atmosphere becomes more and more tense.

Briefly, headstrong Ruby is not happy with the turn in their lives but decides to go with her mother and sister to watch out for them. Irene suffers with seizures, which recently caused her fiancé to leave her so when a seizure happens at the commune and she mutters what appears to be a vision of the future she expects horror from the other members. But the opposite happens and she becomes respected and treated with importance. Meanwhile, following the discovery of a newborn baby near the commune and later a hanged woman the local police are investigating and the members are under some suspicion.

The actions within the commune are quite scary. The rules are very strict and the ideology of “The Beloved” as Peters is known are dark and twisted. It’s shocking to see how easily people are taken in by a charismatic character. Ruby is a great, albeit flawed, character who is determined to do right by her family. A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable.

The Taking of Irene Hart by Madeleine Reiss.
1859. Somerset, England.
When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.

Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight.
More enjoyable knowing it was based on a true story , loved the fact that the mother Hesterwhil is taken in with the teachings of Rev Peter's , one of her daughters Ruby was not so much and fought against it whilst trying to find out the truth about it.

The Taking of Irene Hart by Madeleine Reiss is a slow burn but one where menace oozes off the page. Set in Somerset, England in 1859 and loosely inspired by a real religious group in that area at that time, this book tells the story of two very different sisters who find themselves becoming part of an unusual community led by the charismatic Reverend Peters when their widowed mother is swept away by his teachings. Elder sister Ruby is not keen on the move, fearing it will leave the family isolated and at the whims of a stranger while younger sister Irene is more keen as the Community seems to be a welcoming place for those with shortcomings such as hers, she is prone to seizures and her ill health has already cost her a suitor. Of course the Community is not the paradise it seems and when a determined policeman is determined to investigate its links to an abandoned baby found in the area his scrutiny feeds into Ruby's fears. The only question is if it will be enough to save her little sister.
As I have already said this is a book for those who like a slower paced darker read. If like me you find cults fascinating, this book is a great historical take on the subject and the author does a very good job of showing how easily vulnerable women in particular could find themselves caught up in such an organisation. The cloistered setting of the Community adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

After a slow start I became invested in this story and the characters portrayed. I was interested to find there had been a cult in Somerset during this time period although this is of course a fictional story. It gave an insight into how people are persuaded to believe in the vision of others. Enough twists and turns to keep it interesting and a satisfactory ending.

I did find the story quite slow to move along. I liked the characterisations with Ruby being the most compelling of them all. She had a lot of doubts about joining the commune right from the beginning, thinking her mother had taken leave of her senses giving up their home and handing over the proceeds to the commune but she felt she didn't have a choice because she was very close to her sister Irene and felt she should be there for her sister.

On the whole though, I did find it very slow and fairly uneventful most of the way through, often finding my mind drifting as I read. I did enjoy the ending when all the secrets were revealed but up to that point I could easily have given up as it just failed to capture my interest really. Sorry but just not one for me.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that historical romance element that I was looking for and enjoyed the element of this book. The time-period worked well overall and was engaged with with what was going on with the characters. It was everything that I was looking for and glad everything worked together to tell the story. Madeleine Reiss has a strong writing style and am excited to read more.