After surviving the car crash that killed her husband, Charlotte Astor wakes to more than grief—she wakes to ghosts. Haunted by trauma and wracked with guilt over the stillbirth of her daughter three years earlier, Charlotte begins to unravel. But the whispers in her dreams, the shifting shadows in her home, and the constant sense of being watched aren’t just symptoms of PTSD—they’re warnings. Something ancient and hungry is stirring. Desperate to heal, Charlotte retreats to the one place her husband Edward always loved: the family's secluded cabin deep in the woods. What was meant to be a refuge becomes a reckoning. The Astor estate doesn’t just hold memories—it holds secrets. And the deeper Charlotte digs, the more she uncovers a legacy of madness, missing women, and a curse passed silently from mother to daughter, generation after generation. Pregnant once again and spiraling fast, Charlotte is plagued by hallucinations, haunting visions, and the suffocating grip of generational trauma. By her side is Amelia—her fierce, lifelong best friend—who harbors a secret of her own: a buried love for Charlotte that refuses to stay hidden. As their bond deepens, so does the darkness surrounding them, forcing Charlotte to confront not only the entity stalking her, but the parts of herself she’s long kept locked away. Legacy of Lies: The Last Astor is a gothic thriller laced with psychological realism, romantic longing, and queer undercurrents. Think The Haunting of Hill House meets Verity, where breaking the curse means facing your ghosts—both living and dead—and embracing the truth you’ve spent a lifetime burying.

Comparable Stories:

Perfect for fans of Verity and The Haunting of Hill House, it appeals to readers who love atmospheric fiction, generational secrets, and complex female leads. With its subtle LGBTQ+ romance and exploration of trauma and identity, it resonates with both gothic fiction fans and those seeking diverse, character driven narratives that linger long after the final page.

Trigger Warnings:

This story delves into the shadows where grief and memory linger. It is a tale of haunted hearts, unraveling truths, and the fragile line between love and loss. The following themes are explored with emotional depth and intensity: • Child loss and stillbirth • Grief and prolonged mourning • Suicidal ideation and mental health struggles • Depression and emotional breakdown • Sexual content and intimate memory • Rape • Psychological horror and supernatural elements • Death and funeral imagery • Familial estrangement and inherited trauma • Gaslighting and emotional abuse • Substance use (prescription medication) • Allusions to religious trauma and repressed identity This book is a safe haven for those who see beauty in broken things, but please take care while reading. Your well-being matters more than any chapter. If you need support, you are never alone. Reach out. There is always light— even in the dark.