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The Residency

A gothic suspense novel set on a remote Scottish island that will keep you up all night
Brief Description
The opportunity of a lifetime, or the worst mistake of your life? Life in London is hard for Ginny as a single mother barely scraping by. Once she was a promising artist with a glittering future ahead. On a whim, she applies for an artist’s residency... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$999
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Releases 1st August 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Residency" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The opportunity of a lifetime, or the worst mistake of your life?

Life in London is hard for Ginny as a single mother barely scraping by. Once she was a promising artist with a glittering future ahead. On a whim, she applies for an artist’s residency – all expenses paid – and is astonished to be accepted.

Soon, Ginny is on a boat to a remote Scottish island, her daughter by her side. But was she too hasty, attracted by the promise of security and a chance to make art again? Locals she meets are tight-lipped about the man who is Ginny’s benefactor, but she senses underlying fear. Her contract contains odd rules about avoiding the gallery at the vast property where she is living, and there is an undeniable eeriness to the place. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she could hear whispers, and that the people in the paintings were changing overnight…

By the time Ginny realises what a grave mistake she has made, she is stranded. Accepting the invitation has sealed her fate and the only way to survive is through escape – or sacrifice.

An atmospheric gothic suspense novel to send a chill down your spine and keep you reading late into the night.

Praise for The Residency

'Skin crawlingly good. I was screaming at the page as the boat approached the island. C.D. Major has written a belter. Claustrophobic, isolated, unnerving ... I was on edge from the first page. Loved it.' Rachel Wolf

'An unsettling, atmospheric mystery you'll race through right to the chilling supernatural twist. Loved it!' Ellery Lloyd, NYT Bestselling author of The Club

'Atmospheric, compelling, genuinely chilling. The only thing that stopped me staying up all night to finish was being too scared to read it in the dark!' Tammy Cohen

‘Beautifully written and utterly chilling’ Susi Holliday

‘This modern gothic tale has it all. Creepy, atmospheric, and scarily addictive, you’ll never look at a painting the same way again’ Amanda Jennings

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781835987599

Publisher: Canelo

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Canelo

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 272

About the Author

C. D. Major is the pseudonym of novelist and screenwriter Cesca Major. She’s been published in over 12 countries and has TV and film in development with major streamers. She’s been a Reese’s Book Club Pick and nominated for both the CWA and the HWA Awards. She loves teaching and has mentored for both Reese’s Book Club and the Black Girl Writers.

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