Cape Fever by Nadia Davids
Cape Fever is a novel by Nadia Davids set in a small colonial-era city in 1920. Soraya Matas takes a maid’s position in an eerie, decaying home, where a weekly letter-writing ritual with her employer draws the two women into a tense relationship shaped by spirits, desire and justice.
At a glance
- Set in 1920 in an unnamed city within a colonial empire, with Soraya living near the Muslim Quarter.
- The plot follows Soraya's work as a personal maid to Mrs Hattingh in a beautiful but decaying home said to be alive with spirits.
- Mrs Hattingh writes letters to Soraya's fiancé as Soraya dictates, creating a weekly ritual that threatens both women's sanity.
- Described as a Gothic novel concerned with twisted desire and the unexpected shape of justice.
Reference price: $29.99
Price checked: 14 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- A compact 240-page length suits readers looking for a shorter novel.
- Its central relationship combines domestic tension, letter-writing and supernatural elements rather than relying only on a conventional mystery setup.
- The colonial-era setting and Soraya's connection to the Muslim Quarter give the story a specific social and geographic frame.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Scribner UK |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 30 December 2025 |
| Edition | Export/Airside |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 240 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1398554235 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1398554238 |
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 1.5 x 21.6 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 505 g |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Gothic fiction, haunted houses and unsettling family secrets.
- Readers seeking a historical novel centred on two women and an increasingly intense personal bond.
- Those drawn to colonial-era settings and stories involving letters, desire and justice.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
43% 43% - 4 stars
38% 38% - 3 stars
15% 15% - 2 stars
3% 3% - 1 star
1% 1%
Aggregate ratings lean favourable, with most ratings in the four- and five-star categories and a smaller share across the lower categories. This gives a broad indication of reception but does not reveal what readers praised or criticised. The listing's Gothic setting and tense relationship may help readers judge whether the premise suits them, but those features are not customer-feedback findings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cape Fever about?
In 1920, Soraya Matas becomes a personal maid to Mrs Hattingh in a decaying home where she believes spirits are present. Mrs Hattingh's offer to write letters to Soraya's fiancé develops into an unsettling weekly ritual between them.
How long is Cape Fever?
The listing gives a print length of 240 pages.
Who is Cape Fever for?
Its Gothic household, supernatural atmosphere and tense relationship between Soraya and Mrs Hattingh may appeal to readers seeking unsettling historical fiction.
What edition and language are listed?
The listed edition is Export/Airside, and the language is English.
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