Cursed Land

10 hrs. 9 min.

Mystery, Thrillers & Action

Language Russian

Author Svetlana Tyulbasheva

Narrators Alexey Barynin, Alla Dolina

Narrator Alexey Barynin

Narrator Alla Dolina

Description

“Cursed Land” is a mystical thriller about a young family that moves from Moscow to the village of Асташово in order to build a glamping site (a landscaped leisure camp), but finds itself confronted with secrets of a neighboring estate and its former owners. Светлана Тюльбашева blends family drama, horror, and an investigation into events that began in Tver Oblast more than a century ago. Anya and Lёsha put all their money into a neglected plot of land and plan to open their own hotel in nature. The construction drags on, the funds run out, and the spouses’ relationship can’t withstand the constant tension. Not far from their future hotel complex stands a half-ruined manor of the Astafyevs. Local residents avoid discussing this house, and the story of the count’s family gradually begins to intrude into the lives of the new owners of the land.

What the book is about
At the beginning of the 20th century, the family of Count Astafyev is plagued by misfortunes whose causes remain unknown. In the present day, Anya, Lёsha, and their son Lev arrive in Асташово and try to get settled on the purchased plot. Instead of a quiet life outside the city, the spouses get an endless construction project, financial difficulties, and an unsettling neighborhood. Interest in the estate intensifies after strange incidents and encounters. The couple studies the history of the Astafyevs, photographs, and online publications, but every fact they find raises new questions. Now the family must figure out what the manor is hiding—and whether the old events are connected to what is happening in the village today.

About the author of the book
Светлана Тюльбашева writes mystical thrillers set in Russia’s provinces. Her debut novel “Лес” was released in 2024 and received the журнала «Сноб» “Сделано в России” award in the literature category. A feature film was also made based on the work. “Cursed Land” is the writer’s second novel, but not a continuation of “Лес”.

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