80,000+ Books in-stock in NZ πŸ“š

Blog updates ✍️ Shirl’s May Reads & Book Briefing

Rottenheart

The unmissable new gothic horror novel from the author of Hungerstone
Brief Description
THE UNMISSABLE NEW SAPPHIC GOTHIC HORROR NOVEL FROM KAT DUNN, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF HUNGERSTONE AND BITTERTHORN 'Feed this directly into my veins' TAYLOR JENKINS REID 'A darkly intoxicating and fierce sapphic retelling of Hamlet. Extraordinary' LUCY ROSE, author of The Lamb 'Sinister and devastating. I want... Read More
Format: Hardback
$4500
Pre-order
Releases 4th August 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Rottenheart" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

From the author of Hungerstone, an unmissable gothic, sapphic, gender-swapped reimagining of Hamlet

From the author of Hungerstone, an unmissable gothic, sapphic, gender-swapped reimagining of Hamlet

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 UNMISSABLE NEW SAPPHIC GOTHIC HORROR NOVEL FROM KAT DUNN, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF HUNGERSTONE AND BITTERTHORN

'Feed this directly into my veins' TAYLOR JENKINS REID

'A darkly intoxicating and fierce sapphic retelling of Hamlet. Extraordinary' LUCY ROSE, author of The Lamb

'Sinister and devastating. I want to read it again and again and again' BEA FITZGERALD

Revenge me. For I am murdered . . .

Odette and Cecilia are young women, living between their grand homes in Hampstead and the imposing, ancient Herne House in Suffolk. Though Odette's artist mother Lydia keeps a tight grasp on her, she and her beloved Cecilia are mostly left free to roam, to learn and to love.

But when Lydia inexplicably sickens and dies, a dark veil falls. As the funeral rites are performed, Odette's aunt, the cold and implacable Claudine, increasingly takes charge of the household, while her father retreats to his study. Odette, lost in grief, disappears into the shadows.

But as Claudine is announced as Odette's new stepmother, a sinister presence in the house makes itself known. To her horror, Odette realises that despite her death, Lydia never really left. And now she wants revenge . . .

Inspired by Hamlet, the ultimate revenge tragedy, Rottenheart is the stunning new sapphic gothic horror novel from Kat Dunn, the lauded author of Hungerstone and Bitterthorn. Set in the 1890s, this is a story of love and grief, mothers and daughters, death and madness.

'Sinister and devastating. I want to read it again and again and again' Bea Fitzgerald

Praise for Hungerstone

'Rich and daring' Ava Reid

'Phenomenal' Samantha Shannon

'An extraordinary book' Jennifer Saint

'Hungerstone grabbed me body and soul' Anya Bergman

'Intoxicating and vivid . . . Sensual and vicious' Hannah Kaner

'A true feast for all the senses' Cosmopolitan

'A beguiling and spellbinding story of female repression and appetite' Heat

'A fabulous gothic feast of a novel' Elodie Harper

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786583970

Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 04 June 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Manilla Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Kat Dunn grew up in London and has lived in Japan, Australia and France. She has a BA in Japanese from SOAS and an MA in English from Warwick. She's written about mental health for Mind and the Guardian and worked as a translator for Japanese television. Kat Dunn's YA fiction has been published by Head of Zeus and Andersen Press, including Bitterthorn, which was shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards and the Polari Prize and nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. Hungerstone was her hugely acclaimed adult fiction debut. Follow Kat @KatAliceDunn

Also by Kat Dunn

View all

More from Horror & Supernatural

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.