(S) Phantom, by H.D. Carlton (softback, english edition)

🇬🇧 This Book Is In English

"This house holds on to souls for a lifetime."

Phantom by H.D. Carlton
(Cat & Mouse Duet, Book 0 — Prequel)

The story that started the haunting — before Adeline, there was her.

November 12, 1944. She thought she had given her soul to this house when she vowed to love her husband until the end of time. Then her phantom appeared outside her window — terrifying, hypnotizing, and impossible to deny.

H.D. Carlton takes us back to the dark origins of Parsons Manor in this gothic historical romance set in 1944. Phantom is a story of forbidden obsession, dangerous desire, and the secrets that haunt a house long after its inhabitants are gone. Essential reading for fans of the Cat & Mouse Duet — and utterly devastating on its own.

Why readers can't stop talking about it:

• 🖤 The origin story of Parsons Manor — before Adeline's haunting began
• 🏰 Gothic historical romance set in 1944 with suffocating atmosphere
• 🔪 Forbidden love between a married woman and her dangerous phantom
• 😮‍💨 Stalker romance with morally grey characters and impossible choices
• 📖 A must-read for fans of Haunting Adeline and the Cat & Mouse world

Perfect for readers who love:
historical romance · stalker romance · gothic atmosphere · forbidden love · morally grey · H.D. Carlton · BookTok favourites

But what stood out wasn't the obsession.

It was the themes underneath.

🖤 Forbidden Desire
🖤 Survival in a Dangerous Marriage
🖤 Finding Solace in the Wrong Place
🖤 What We Risk for Love
🖤 The Weight of Secrets
🖤 Choosing Yourself When Everything Says Not To

At Dark Rose, we believe stories are often about far more than their plot.

You may never find yourself in Parsons Manor in 1944.

But you may know what it feels like to be trapped, to find unexpected comfort in someone you shouldn't, or to wonder if the risk of loving the wrong person is worth the cost of never feeling alive.

👤 Recommended Age: 18+

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
Stalking • Domestic abuse • Violence • Explicit sexual content • Psychological manipulation • Forbidden relationship • Historical setting with period-accurate themes

✨ Best for readers who love:
Historical Dark Romance • Stalker Romance • Gothic Atmosphere • Forbidden Love • Morally Grey Characters • H.D. Carlton

⚠️ Probably not for readers looking for:
Cozy Romance • Light-Hearted Stories • Contemporary Settings • Safe Relationship Dynamics

📚 Format & Details

• Format: Softback
• Pages: 368
• Dimensions: 196 x 130 x 31 mm
• Genre: Dark Romance / Historical Romance
• Series: Cat & Mouse Duet, Book 0 (Prequel)
• Published: 13 May 2025

The Cat & Mouse world reading order:
0. Phantom (Prequel, 1944)
1. Haunting Adeline
2. Hunting Adeline
3. Where's Molly

🛝 Please note: This is a Scratch & Dent copy — the story inside is perfect, but the cover or pages may have minor cosmetic imperfections such as scuffs, bent corners, or small marks. Priced to reflect the condition.

"Before Adeline, there was another woman in Parsons Manor. And her story is just as haunting."