Northamptonshire author explores Malay folklore in haunting debut novel
Silhouettes of Inheritance combines a poignant narrative with spine-chilling supernatural and fascinating insights into Malay culture. Putri Soraya blends gothic horror with a deeply personal exploration of identity, heritage, and the ghosts that families leave behind.
Struggling with her marriage and feeling disconnected from her Malay roots, a woman receives a letter, informing her of an inheritance – a house from a relative she has never met. Seizing the chance to escape her life in England and reconnect with her mother’s heritage, she impulsively travels to Malaysia. But little does she know that she will soon be confronted with both spiritual and real-world horrors, forcing her to reconcile her identity and embrace the family legacy she had once feared.
Drawing heavily from her own mixed Malay heritage, Soraya infuses the novel with authenticity and emotional depth. “My book reflects the relationships I have had with my nanny, my wonderful and loving Malay grandmother, and all my Malay aunties, uncles, and cousins,” she explains. Soraya also weaves in her lifelong belief in spirits, shaped by “a few scary encounters in Malaysia as well as here in England.”
Silhouettes of Inheritance by Putri Soraya is out on 24th February 2026 and offers a compelling blend of heartfelt narrative, sharp humour, and spine‑tingling horror. Perfect for fans of culturally rich fiction, such as Silvia Moreno‑Garcia’s Mexican Gothic or Stephen Graham Jones’s The Only Good Indians.