A boy like no other embarks on a transformative journey of magic and self-discovery in the next enchanting Whimbrel House novel by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.
Merritt Fernsby’s life has changed considerably since he inherited Whimbrel House. He’s engaged to Hulda Larkin, who opened his eyes to the uncanny. And he’s grown quite protective of his uncle Owein—several generations, and iterations, removed. Owein is presently inhabiting the body of a mixed-breed terrier when Merritt receives a missive from none other than Alexandrina Victoria, the Queen of England: I am interested in your dog.
It’s the queen’s duty to the peerage to keep British wizardry empowered. Her offer: England will find a human vessel for Owein, marry him into the royal family, and add this remarkable soul-shifter to its lineage. For Owein, a boy trapped in the body of a pup, it’s a dream come true. How can Merritt refuse? However, once they are in London and in consortium with a necromancer, the situation doesn’t feel right, both with their hosts and the house they inhabit. Owein is having nightmares. And Hulda’s premonitions warn of danger in Merritt’s future. Clearly, someone doesn’t want them in town.
But after two hundred years of being cursed to drift, Owein is determined to chart his own destiny. He’s ready to defy whatever chaos is coming. After all, Owein is the master of chaos, and with Merritt and Hulda’s love and magical support, he can overcome anything.
The series
Some houses whisper. Whimbrel House remembers.
Read full series description
Set against the brooding elegance of 19th-century New England, the Whimbrel House series unfolds like a forgotten diary—one inked in mystery, magic, and unexpected intimacy. What begins as a strange inheritance for Merritt Fernsby, a reclusive writer with no family and few attachments, soon becomes a reckoning with forces far older—and far more sentient—than he ever imagined. This house isn’t haunted in the traditional sense. It’s alive, and it doesn’t take kindly to strangers.
Enter Hulda Larkin, a no-nonsense enchantment specialist from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms. Her job is to pacify magical spaces that don’t follow the rules. But Whimbrel House isn’t just unruly—it’s protective, secretive, and deeply entwined with Merritt’s own buried history.
Laced with quiet suspense, slow-burn romance, and gothic atmosphere, the series blends historical fantasy with a tender exploration of human connection. Holmberg doesn’t just build magical worlds—she invites readers into homes with creaking floors, enchanted doorways, and hearts that beat beneath the walls. The story balances the eerie allure of sentient architecture with the emotional pull of found family, all while hinting at darker truths that ripple beneath its polished surface.
Perfect for readers drawn to character-driven historical fantasy with a touch of the uncanny, Whimbrel House leaves its doors ajar just long enough to invite you in—before deciding whether it will ever let you go.
Be the first reviewer
Sign in and write the first reader review.
