At a glance
The Little Stranger
Historical Gothic psychological horror
The Little Stranger
528 pages · First published 2010
In postwar England, country doctor Faraday is summoned to Hundreds Hall, a once-grand Warwickshire estate where his mother worked as a servant. The Ayres family struggles to maintain its crumbling ancestral home as Britain's changing social order threatens their way of life. When disturbing incidents begin to plague the household, Faraday becomes increasingly entangled with the family, even as his fascination with the estate complicates his understanding of what is happening. Strange sounds, unexplained injuries, and mounting tragedy raise a chilling question: is Hundreds Hall haunted, or is something more human responsible? Perfect for a stormy night, this slow-burning Gothic mystery will captivate readers who enjoy unsettling houses, unreliable narrators, and supernatural mysteries that resist easy explanations.
Paired for this story
Jump to the pours ↓Burma Milk Tea + Irish Coffee
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Psychological horror and sustained dread; disturbing incidents of possible supernatural origin; a child seriously injured in a dog attack; suicide; death and grief, including the death of a child in the family's past; severe war-related injuries and disfigurement; mental health deterioration and psychiatric institutionalization; a destructive fire; obsessive and controlling behavior; class prejudice and resentment. **Editor's note:** The 5/5 Creepy rating reflects the novel's intense psychological horror, pervasive dread, and disturbing atmosphere rather than graphic violence or gore.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Burma Milk Tea
A soothing cup of milky, honey-sweetened tea offers a comforting contrast to the unsettling events unfolding inside Hundreds Hall.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Serve hot.
- Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
- Glassware: Mug.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Mug ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Irish Coffee
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Dark coffee, whiskey, and a deceptively soft layer of cream echo the respectable surface and troubling secrets of Hundreds Hall.
What you'll need
- 6 oz hot brewed coffee ↗
- 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
- 2 tsp brown sugar, adjusted to taste ↗
- 1 oz lightly whipped heavy cream ↗
Shop the spirits 21+Search Total Wine for Irish whiskey · 21+ ↗
How to mix it
- Warm a heatproof glass with hot water, then empty it. Add coffee and sugar; stir until dissolved. Stir in whiskey. Gently float lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon onto the coffee.
- Glassware: Heatproof Irish coffee glass or mug.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Irish coffee glass ↗Mug ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.