Haunting Adeline Audiobook Free
By H. D. Carlton
∘ Haunting Adeline Overview
∘ Haunting Adeline Summary
∘ Haunting Adeline Themes
∘ Haunting Adeline Characters
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Haunting Adeline Overview
Haunting Adeline is a dark romance thriller penned by H. D. Carlton, an internationally acclaimed author specializing in dark romance literature. Carlton’s forte is crafting morally complex characters, often provoking a mix of fascination and ire among readers, and Haunting Adeline exemplifies this signature style. Initially self-published by Carlton in 2021, the novel blends murder mystery, thriller, and psychological suspense to heighten the darkness and tension underlying its romantic narrative.
Part of The Cat and Mouse Duet series, Haunting Adeline serves as the inaugural installment, followed by Book 2, Hunting Adeline (2022), and a prequel titled Satan’s Affair (2021). Despite encountering initial obstacles, such as being banned from Amazon books due to trigger warnings, Haunting Adeline has found a devoted audience, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok’s BookTok community. While facing criticism for its portrayal of sensitive topics such as sexual assault and graphic depictions of violence and sexuality, the novel, along with its companion works Satan’s Affair and Hunting Adeline, has achieved significant success.
The narrative revolves around Adeline Reilly, a young writer who relocates to her family’s estate in Washington state following her grandmother’s demise. Adeline finds herself pursued by Zade Meadows, leader of the clandestine organization Z, dedicated to combating human trafficking. With the assistance of her friend Daya, Adeline delves into the mysteries surrounding Parsons Manor, her new residence, and the unresolved murder of her great-grandmother, Gigi, all the while grappling with Zade’s persistent advances. The themes explored within the novel include the nuances of consent versus arousal, Zade’s moral ambiguity, and the role of performance in deception, both among the criminals Zade pursues and within Zade himself.
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Haunting Adeline Summary
Following the passing of her grandmother, Serafina, Adeline returns to her childhood roots in Washington, opting to reside in Serafina’s ancestral abode, Parsons Manor. Despite her mother Sarina’s objections, Adeline is drawn to the Gothic, Victorian allure of Parsons Manor, seeking solace and connection with her late grandmother. As a successful young author, Adeline relishes the opportunity to immerse herself in her writing within the comforts of the manor. However, her newfound sanctuary is quickly shattered when she becomes the target of a relentless stalker, evident from the repeated break-ins and the unsettling presence of roses left behind.
In an attempt to buoy Adeline’s spirits, her friend Daya extends invitations to social outings, leading Adeline to cross paths with a man named Arch, whom she brings home one evening. This seemingly innocuous act stokes the ire of her stalker, culminating in a horrifying sequence where Arch is captured, tortured, and ultimately slain, his severed hands delivered to Adeline as a twisted token of possession and control.
Amidst the escalating threats, Adeline unearths the diaries of her great-grandmother Gigi, concealed within a hidden safe. Thus begins her quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding Gigi’s tragic demise decades earlier. Gigi’s past is fraught with its own turmoil, marked by the haunting presence of a man named Ronaldo, whose relentless pursuit eventually evolved into a tumultuous love affair.
As Adeline delves deeper into her investigation, her stalker’s actions escalate, transitioning from invasive intrusions to violent sexual assaults, both within the confines of her home and in public spaces, leaving Adeline trapped in a harrowing web of fear and uncertainty.
The narrative unfolds through dual perspectives, alternating between Adeline and her stalker, whose identity is revealed later in the novel as Zade. Adeline’s segments are titled “The Manipulator,” while Zade’s are denoted as “The Shadow.” Zade operates within an underground organization known as Z, dedicated to eradicating human trafficking. His clandestine endeavors involve infiltrating trafficking networks to rescue victims, a mission that fuels his obsession with Adeline.
Despite his noble intentions to combat the atrocities committed by traffickers, Zade finds himself ensnared in a moral quandary as he succumbs to the urge to manipulate and torment Adeline. Concurrently, Zade harbors a personal mission: to unearth and dismantle the sinister rituals conducted by the Society, an exclusive cadre of influential figures who sacrifice children to appease cosmic deities.
As Zade grapples with his conflicting desires and ethical dilemmas, his abusive actions towards Adeline underscore his internal turmoil. Despite his professed aim to protect her from harm, his predatory behavior ultimately betrays a distorted perception of love and possession. As the narrative unfolds, Zade’s dual role as both Adeline’s assailant and would-be savior blurs the boundaries between protector and predator, plunging both characters into a perilous dance of power and control.
Zade and Adeline join forces to investigate Senator Mark Williams, a member of the Society and the son of Adeline’s great-grandmother, Gigi, and her husband’s best friend, Frank Williams. Attending a party at Mark’s residence, they seek answers but come up short. However, with the arrival of Satan’s Affair, a haunted house fair in town, their quest intensifies as Mark threatens Adeline with abduction.
Forming an unlikely alliance with Sybil, a young woman, Zade takes decisive action by eliminating Mark and three other Society members, uncovering their headquarters and devising a plan for infiltration. Meanwhile, Adeline and Zade’s relationship deepens, with Adeline willingly engaging in intimacy, a dynamic possibly influenced by Stockholm Syndrome — an affliction wherein abuse victims develop feelings for their perpetrators. Zade also assumes the role of Adeline’s personal trainer, imparting self-defense skills to fortify her against potential threats from the Society.
Exploiting his connection with another Society member, Daniel Boveri, Zade orchestrates his entry into the clandestine group. Leveraging Z’s resources, Zade thwarts a blood ritual by rescuing a targeted victim and secures his initiation into the Society. Concurrently, Adeline and her friend Daya unravel the mystery of Gigi’s murder, discovering that Frank, not Adeline’s husband John or Ronaldo, was the perpetrator. The final revelation emerges from Adeline’s mother, Sarina, who had provided crucial information to solve the case, while her grandmother Serafina had concealed the truth to shield herself from Frank’s retribution.
As the narrative reaches its climax, Zade’s infiltration of the Society is disrupted by an enigmatic adversary, while Adeline falls prey to kidnapping at the hands of a vengeful associate of Arch, seeking retribution for his demise.
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Haunting Adeline Themes
Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton delves into a multitude of intricate and potentially unsettling themes, some of which include:
Obsession and Control
At the heart of the narrative lies the twisted dynamic between Adeline and Zade. Zade’s obsessive tendencies manifest through manipulation, stalking, and even violence, illustrating the destructive nature of such relationships and the blurred boundaries between passion and dominance.
Consent and Arousal
The depiction of intimacy between Adeline and Zade is fraught with complexity. Adeline experiences a conflicting mix of fear, arousal, and a desire to resist Zade’s advances, prompting questions about the authenticity of consent in situations rife with power imbalances and coercion.
The Dark Side of Romance
Haunting Adeline challenges conventional notions of romantic love by spotlighting the unhealthy dynamic between its protagonists. The relationship between Adeline and Zade serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the perilous consequences of idealizing or glamorizing abusive behavior in the name of love.
The Unreliable Narrator
Primarily narrated from Adeline’s perspective, the story is colored by her emotions and trauma, rendering her an unreliable narrator. This narrative technique adds layers of suspense and complexity, making it challenging for readers to discern the complete truth behind the unfolding events.
Identity and Trauma
Adeline grapples with her sense of self as she navigates the aftermath of her encounters with Zade and confronts the lingering trauma from her past. The profound impact of these experiences leaves an indelible mark on her identity, shaping her perceptions and actions throughout the narrative.
Secrets and Lies
As Adeline delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the house and its inhabitants, she unravels a web of hidden truths and deceit. The exploration of these clandestine revelations infuses the story with a sense of intrigue and suspense, keeping readers on edge as they uncover the sinister underbelly lurking beneath the surface.
It’s essential to recognize that Haunting Adeline confronts mature themes that may be distressing for some readers. Potential readers of this dark romance should exercise caution, as the narrative traverses complex and potentially triggering terrain.
Haunting Adeline Characters
Here are the primary characters in Haunting Adeline:
Adeline Reilly
The central figure, Adeline inherits her grandmother’s grand estate, Parsons Manor, following her passing. As a writer seeking a fresh start, Adeline becomes ensnared in the dark secrets lurking within the mansion, while also entangled in a perilous relationship.
Zade Meadows
An enigmatic presence, Zade is the catalyst for much of the turmoil in Adeline’s life. As the leader of a mysterious organization, Zade becomes fixated on Adeline, blurring the boundaries between protector and obsessive stalker.
Sarina Reilly
Adeline’s mother, Sarina, harbors concerns for her daughter’s safety, particularly due to the family’s troubled history with Parsons Manor. Sarina may hold vital information regarding the estate’s past.
Gigi
A shadowy figure from the past, Gigi is Adeline’s great-grandmother whose brutal murder within Parsons Manor remains shrouded in mystery. Unraveling the secrets surrounding Gigi’s demise becomes a central quest for Adeline.
These core characters drive the narrative in Haunting Adeline. Readers should note that the relationship dynamics between Adeline and Zade involve elements of obsession and manipulation, which may prove unsettling to some.
