Carolyne Topdjian on reimagining gothic horror for the modern reader

Carolyne Topdjian’s The Black Moth offers a compelling blend of suspense, atmosphere and psychological depth. The novel is the sequel to her first, the acclaimed The Hitman’s Daughter, and continues to explore the story of Mave and Holden, whose troubled pasts are interwoven with supernatural elements, creating a layered narrative with psychological complexities. The tale is marked by vivid prose and unexpected twists that draw readers into its eerie world. Topdjian doesn’t rely on gratuitous gore; instead, she ensures that every horror element serves the story’s emotional impact, deepening its themes of trauma and fortitude. In The Black Moth, Topdjian offers a gothic experience that is as much about her characters’ inner workings as it is about the external forces haunting them. 

Anouche Agnerian (A.A.): Can you walk us through your process for developing a gothic horror story? Do you start with a concept, a character or a setting?