Les racines vénéneuses

The atmosphere and setting really heighten the suspense, but I'm curious whether the Gothic tone was planned from the start or developed during writing.

The romance added complexity but also contrasted sharply with the horror elements. Did it enhance or detract from the overall mood for others?

The setting felt so integral to the mood — I wonder if it was based on a real place or purely fictional, and how much it influenced the plot.