“With this nightmarish debut, Turhan twists dual timelines, a run-down old house, and monarch butterflies into a gothic fable readers won’t soon forget.”
When a mysterious stranger shows up at Riccardo’s apartment, they come with news his grandmother Perihan has died. Riccardo inherits her villa in Milan, as well as her butterfly collection. A struggling writer, Riccardo is running out of options. Hoping for inspiration from the change of scenery, Riccardo moves into the villa.
Once there, he finds Perihan’s house isn’t as luxurious now as he remembers, and the butterflies pinned in the glass cases appear more threatening than artful. Perihan’s group of old friends continuously lurk around the property. And there’s definitely something wrong in the greenhouse.
While exploring the now decrepit estate, Riccardo finds Perihan’s diary. Riccardo looks for clues to her mysterious death in the entries, hoping to perhaps find inspiration to finish his manuscript.
But he might not survive long enough to write it.
Why we’re excited about this book:
Early buzz says the first English language release from Yiğit Turhan is definitely one to look out for. Hailing from Ankara Turkey, Turhan now calls Milan, Italy home, holding a C-suite role at a renowned fashion house when not writing horror novels. Turhan is also the author of a previous Turkish novel, Kadük. With this nightmarish debut, Turhan twists dual timelines, a run-down old house, and monarch butterflies into a gothic fable readers won’t soon forget. Cynthia Pelayo (Vanishing Daughters) says: “Their Monstrous Hearts is a beautiful, yet haunting, story of memories, generations, and sparkling mysteries. The beautiful prose poses important questions of connection throughout one’s life, and the ghosts that hover over us. And like the beating of delicate butterfly wings, one will be transfixed by the mystery that unravels masterfully. There is magic in Turhan’s words.”, and Douglas Copeland (Generation X, Binge) says: “Yiğit Turhan is a young and necessary writer who brings beauty into gothic storytelling. His confident new novel unfurls as a dreamy realm, into a garden of secrets, magic, and angels as he invites readers to delve into the enigma of Perihan. While a dark presence lurks in these pages, the novel also resonates as a tribute to Turhan’s mother and the women in his life, and the struggles behind surface glamour. It was a lovely privilege to read.”
Releasing from MIRA 8 April 2025, Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan is available for pre-order now.
BOB PASTORELLA
