She invited a stranger to her Italian vacation and it escalated rapidly. Anna Pace, a New York advertising executive, was looking forward to a break from her hectic life. She had been invited to join her family for a vacation in Tuscany, Italy, at the Villa Taccola, a six-hundred-year-old house perched on a hilltop in the medieval village of Monteperso. The trip was fully funded by her parents, and Anna was grateful for the opportunity, despite her reservations about spending time with her toxic family.
Anna’s twin brother, Benny, brought along his new boyfriend, Christopher, who had already formed a negative opinion of Anna based on Benny’s descriptions. Her sister, Nicole, arrived with her husband and two young daughters, Waverly and Mia, who adored their Aunt Anna. Despite the tension between Anna and Nicole, the family settled into the villa, ready to follow Nicole’s meticulously planned itinerary.
From the moment they arrived, strange occurrences began to unfold. Anna heard voices when no one was around, doors slammed shut on their own, and swarms of flies invaded the house. The villa’s tower room, locked and off-limits, seemed to harbor a mysterious presence. Anna saw a figure at the tower window, only for the window to disappear the next time she looked. She also experienced vivid dreams about a woman with bright yellow hair.
As the days passed, the haunting incidents escalated. Anna found herself caught between the vengeful spirit of the villa and her dysfunctional family. The rest of the family dismissed her experiences, attributing them to her dramatic nature. However, Anna couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister was at play.
The villa’s haunting was masterfully crafted, with every detail contributing to the eerie atmosphere. The secluded village, the crumbling villa with its secret doors and drafty rooms, and the insect-infested grounds all added to the sense of unease. The presence of a goat tied up outside hinted at dark rituals, and the constant presence of insects, from mosquitoes to maggots, heightened the horror.
The tower room, with its old-fashioned skeleton key, became a focal point of the haunting. Despite warnings not to open the door, the key played a crucial role in the unfolding events. The villa’s pool, seemingly a place of relaxation, also became a site of terror. Anna’s shower scenes were particularly frightening, leaving her and the reader on edge.
The family dynamics added another layer of discomfort. Anna, a successful yet misunderstood woman, was treated poorly by her family. Nicole’s resentment towards Anna, stemming from past incidents, created a tense atmosphere. Anna felt like an outsider, only invited on the trip because of her ability to speak Italian and interpret for the family.
Anna’s artistic nature provided a respite from the tension. She spent time sketching the beautiful Italian landscape and exploring museums and old churches. Her knowledge of Italian art history became central to the ghost story, adding depth to the narrative.
As the haunting intensified, the story took a surprising turn. Just when it seemed like the story was about to end, it shifted into “bat shit crazy” territory. The ghostly antics reached a fever pitch, but the author, Jennifer Thorne, maintained control over the narrative. The final chapter provided a sense of closure, leaving a lasting impression.
Diavola, the book that chronicled Anna’s harrowing experience, was a stunning piece of folk horror fiction. The perfect balance of elements, from the atmospheric setting to the unforgettable characters, made it a must-read for horror fans. The haunting was genuinely scary, and the family dynamics added a layer of dark humor. Thorne’s writing was pitch-perfect, and the pacing kept the reader engaged from start to finish.
In the end, Anna’s Italian vacation was far from the relaxing break she had hoped for. The haunted villa and her toxic family created a perfect storm of horror and tension. Yet, through it all, Anna emerged stronger, having faced both the ghosts of the past and the demons of her present.
Source: Jennifer Thorne’s Diavola
