“Wisteria Cottage, first published in 1948, pushes the boundaries of psychological terror, and showcases Coates’ incredible range as a storyteller.”
Though he might be a little odd, Florence Hackett takes a liking to Richard Baurie. A clerk at the local bookstore, Richard is nice, helpful, and over time, becomes part of the family Florence has made with her daughters Elinor and Louisa.
When Richard suggests the family rent Wisteria Cottage for their summer holiday, Florence is taken in by the charm of the place by the sea.
But Florence doesn’t know that Richard is quite disturbed. He’s only been out of the institution for a while.
Soon the Hackett’s relaxing vacation will turn into a hellish nightmare.
Why we’re excited about this book:
Robert M. Coates (1897-1973) was an art critic for the New Yorker, and a writer of both fiction and book length non-fiction. Best known for The Outlaw Years, Coates wrote in speculative fiction with The Eater of Darkness, The Bitter Season, and Wisteria Cottage (also called The Night Before Dying), as well as the short-story collection The Hour After Westerly, among others. His last two fiction novels dealt specifically with criminal insanity, with Wisteria Cottage adapted for film in 1958 as Edge of Fury. Wisteria Cottage, first published in 1948, pushes the boundaries of psychological terror, and showcases Coates’ incredible range as a storyteller. The New York Times Book Review called it “A brilliant tour de force.” Forthcoming February 11, 2020 from Valencourt 20th Century Classics, Wisteria Cottage by Robert M. Coates is back in print and available for pre-order.
BOB PASTORELLA
