Katie by Michael McDowell

Set in the year 1871 across the rugged terrain of the northern United States, Hija de la venganza introduces us to Philomela Drax, a destitute yet determined woman who receives a startling letter from her grandfather – he fears for his life at the hands of the ruthless Slape family. With time running out, Philomela travels from a dusty New Jersey town, through the bustling wharves of New York, and onto the polished avenues of Saratoga. There she is pursued by Katie Slape: gifted with clairvoyance, armed with a hammer, and bent on eliminating anyone in her path. What follows is an electrifying duel between two female protagonists, charged with betrayal, ambition, and an unforgiving desire for retribution. Michael McDowell weaves a narrative that fuses gothic suspense, historical atmosphere and fiercely drawn characters—echoing the visceral intensity of Stephen King with a moral complexity reminiscent of Jane Austen’s psychological insights. For readers who crave a thriller rooted in period detail, high stakes and singular characters, this novel delivers both suspense and a darkly elegant examination of revenge’s cost.