Description

Book Synopsis


'This brooding tale of obsessive love, teenage jealousy and hidden desire has a dark charm' The i paper


'Atmospheric, creepy, tense and utterly absorbing' Harriet Tyce


'Clean prose, subtle characters and intrigue to keep the pages turning' Mike McCormack


___________________

Power. Jealousy. Desire.

Twenty-five years ago, a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl and her charismatic teacher disappeared without trace...

When Louisa arrives at Temple House, an elite catholic boarding school, she quickly finds herself drawn to sophisticated fellow pupil Victoria and their young bohemian art teacher, Mr Lavelle. The three of them form a bond that seems to offer an escape from the repressive regime of the nuns who run the cloistered school. Until Louisa and Mr Lavelle suddenly vanish.

Years later, a journalist with a childhood connection to Louisa determines to resolve the mystery. Her search for the truth will uncover a tragic, mercurial tale of suppressed desire and long-buried secrets. It will shatter lives and lay a lost soul to rest.

The Temple House Vanishing is a stunning, intensely atmospheric novel of unrequited longing, dark obsession and unintended consequences.

'Chilling' Christine Dwyer Hickey

'Exquisite' Jo Spain

___________________

Perfect for fans of Emily M. Danforth's's Plain Bad Heroines...



Trade Review
Evocative and mysterious... sublime writing with an engaging plot and superbly drawn characters * Sunday Independent *
Donohue is a master of clean, sharp prose * Irish Times *
Donohue looks to be the latest name to join the ranks of Ireland's proud female thriller-writing tradition. * Irish Independent *
Subtle, intriguing and very well written * Guardian: 'The best recent crime and thrillers' *
This brooding tale of obsessive love, teenage jealousy and hidden desire has a dark charm. * i *
An enchanting writer... ingenious * Sunday Business Post *
A hugely promising debut * Mike McCormack, author of Solar Bones *
Atmospheric, creepy, tense and utterly absorbing * Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange *
Beautifully written... chilling * Christine Dwyer Hickey *
An exquisitely written novel. Absolutely beautiful * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *
Assured and compelling * Liz Robinson, LoveReading *
An extremely fine novel... compelling * New Books Magazine *
Beautifully atmospheric... terrific... Intelligent, insightful and intriguing * LizLovesBooks *
This eerie mystery thriller, which has also evoked comparisons with Picnic at Hanging Rock, has pitched Donohue as a rising star. Definitely worth a look. * RTE Guide *
A chilling, atmospheric tale of obsession and desire * Culturefly *
Casts a spell that keeps you captivated. * Heat *
Exceptional * The Canberra Times *
A highly entertaining thriller * Coly Point Observer *
An atmospheric, gothic read * The List *
Sublime writing, thick with atmosphere * Irish Independent *

The Temple House Vanishing

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 26 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Rachel Donohue

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue

      Publisher: Atlantic Books
      Publication Date: 03/09/2020
      ISBN13: 9781786499394, 978-1786499394
      ISBN10: 1786499398

      Description

      Book Synopsis


      'This brooding tale of obsessive love, teenage jealousy and hidden desire has a dark charm' The i paper


      'Atmospheric, creepy, tense and utterly absorbing' Harriet Tyce


      'Clean prose, subtle characters and intrigue to keep the pages turning' Mike McCormack


      ___________________

      Power. Jealousy. Desire.

      Twenty-five years ago, a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl and her charismatic teacher disappeared without trace...

      When Louisa arrives at Temple House, an elite catholic boarding school, she quickly finds herself drawn to sophisticated fellow pupil Victoria and their young bohemian art teacher, Mr Lavelle. The three of them form a bond that seems to offer an escape from the repressive regime of the nuns who run the cloistered school. Until Louisa and Mr Lavelle suddenly vanish.

      Years later, a journalist with a childhood connection to Louisa determines to resolve the mystery. Her search for the truth will uncover a tragic, mercurial tale of suppressed desire and long-buried secrets. It will shatter lives and lay a lost soul to rest.

      The Temple House Vanishing is a stunning, intensely atmospheric novel of unrequited longing, dark obsession and unintended consequences.

      'Chilling' Christine Dwyer Hickey

      'Exquisite' Jo Spain

      ___________________

      Perfect for fans of Emily M. Danforth's's Plain Bad Heroines...



      Trade Review
      Evocative and mysterious... sublime writing with an engaging plot and superbly drawn characters * Sunday Independent *
      Donohue is a master of clean, sharp prose * Irish Times *
      Donohue looks to be the latest name to join the ranks of Ireland's proud female thriller-writing tradition. * Irish Independent *
      Subtle, intriguing and very well written * Guardian: 'The best recent crime and thrillers' *
      This brooding tale of obsessive love, teenage jealousy and hidden desire has a dark charm. * i *
      An enchanting writer... ingenious * Sunday Business Post *
      A hugely promising debut * Mike McCormack, author of Solar Bones *
      Atmospheric, creepy, tense and utterly absorbing * Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange *
      Beautifully written... chilling * Christine Dwyer Hickey *
      An exquisitely written novel. Absolutely beautiful * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *
      Assured and compelling * Liz Robinson, LoveReading *
      An extremely fine novel... compelling * New Books Magazine *
      Beautifully atmospheric... terrific... Intelligent, insightful and intriguing * LizLovesBooks *
      This eerie mystery thriller, which has also evoked comparisons with Picnic at Hanging Rock, has pitched Donohue as a rising star. Definitely worth a look. * RTE Guide *
      A chilling, atmospheric tale of obsession and desire * Culturefly *
      Casts a spell that keeps you captivated. * Heat *
      Exceptional * The Canberra Times *
      A highly entertaining thriller * Coly Point Observer *
      An atmospheric, gothic read * The List *
      Sublime writing, thick with atmosphere * Irish Independent *

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