Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #613: Hell to Pay by Kylie Lee Baker

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: The new book from Kylie Lee Baker, the critically acclaimed, USA TODAY bestselling, New York Times Top 100, Shirley Jackson Award–winning author of Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng and Japanese Gothic.

A riveting, darkly humorous, and deeply strange story of three roommates whose everyday struggle to survive in New York is complicated by the intestine-eating demon who haunts their apartment.

Leni was kidnapped and almost sacrificed to the devil as a child, but now she’s perfectly fine. Aside from the fact that she has three reflections in the mirror…and one of them wants her to poison people.

Emerson was a leading heart surgeon until The Incident that left his patient dead. Now he’s too sick to work, keeps finding severed fingers in his water bottles, and is followed around by a faceless Girl Scout with a creaky red wagon.

Jasper is a line cook with a criminal record, just trying to keep his chosen family together. Sure, he sees a man in the shadows who likes the taste of blood, but he’s very good at ignoring that. He would do anything for Leni and Emerson. Anything.

They’re fine. They’re normal. They’re roommates making it work in New York City. 

That is, until a demon leaves his sigil on their wall. 

Now, they have seven days to bring Sychar a sacrifice, or he’ll tear off their skin. Who knew demon-slaying wasn’t a valid excuse to miss work? Why are murder supplies so expensive? Just how is a low-income household supposed to afford a human sacrifice?

As their personal ghosts grow louder and Sychar’s deadline draws nearer, Leni, Emerson, and Jasper discover just how far they’ll go to protect each other.

Hell to Pay by Kylie Lee Baker is expected out March 30, 2027 from Hanover Square Press.

Why am I waiting on this book? From what I've read, this book is supposed to appeal to fans of Grady Hendrix and Stephen King. I have enjoyed reading both of those authors. I am hoping it will have a lot of humor as it is described as "darkly humorous and deeply strange." It certainly sounds weird and appealing from the synopsis. And just a little bit, it reminds me of the plot of King Sorrow by Joe Hill, which I also enjoyed.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever-growing TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Cackle by Rachel Harrison

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

 It's best not to be specific with wishes. Otherwise, you end up getting what you think you want instead of what you really need. How dangerous.

(p.285)

The kindle edition of Cackle by Rachel Harrison was released October 5, 2021 from Penguin. I borrowed my copy from the local library.

Book Review: Dark Is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce

From the publisher:

Full of creeping dread and suffocating unease, Dark Is When the Devil Comes is an atmospheric and chilling novel from Something in the Walls author Daisy Pearce.

The woods are known as the place to avoid. What goes in, doesn’t come out.

Hazel has been gone from her small hometown of Idless in the English countryside for years. Now returned in the wake of a traumatic divorce and crumbling personal life, her simple plans are to lay low at her parents’ vacated house, reconnect with her prickly sister Cathy, and slowly get back on her feet.

She's his captive but something has come home with her.

Cathy is surprised when Hazel doesn’t show. Their relationship strained from a fallout half a decade ago, she didn’t expect them to get back into a sisterly rhythm…though she hadn’t counted on Hazel bailing, either.

But something isn’t adding up. Other people in town whisper of a threat that can’t be shaken. The woods are known for being restless. And Cathy knows the old saying.

If you go looking for trouble, you just might find it.

Dark Is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce was released April 28, 2026 by Minotaur Books.

My Thoughts: I was impressed with the ability of the author to create and maintain tension and suspense. I found myself holding my breath at times. Other times I became aware that I was all tensed up and had to put the book aside to relax a little. Not only does she maintain the sense of unease and increasing dread, but she is able to keep the book fast-paced.

The characters are interesting. Their interactions both through the present and flashbacks help to show what kind of people they are. And the author does well at showing how each grows.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. The story and the characters have stuck with me for days after I finished the book. To be honest I almost DNF'd it because I was having trouble handling the tension and suspense. If you like books with a strong suspense, horror elements, and the paranormal then this would be a good book for you.

I received an arc of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Friday Favorites: Horror with a Dash of Humor

For Friday Favorites, I will be sharing some books or authors or genres that I find interesting and enjoy. Please feel free to leave a book/blog related comment.

This week's subject is Horror with a dash of Humor. 

It seems from time to time that many people like to read a little horror while others prefer a steady diet of it. I  like it now and then, but don't read it constantly. And I prefer my horror to come with the occasional comic relief. It breaks some of the tension and sometimes sets you up for the next scare. 

Why do people like to read horror at all? There are many reasons. The one I found most interesting was that it gives people control. If it's getting too scary, you can close the book for a while. You can decide how scary the book you pick is. And sometimes this is the best thing we can do when the world around us is crazy. 

Some of my favorite horror/humor authors are: Lindy Ryan, Maureen Kilmer, Grady Hendrix, and Christopher Moore. Although Christopher Moore's books I think are more humor than horror. And full disclosure I haven't read Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines yet nor Anima Rising by Christopher Moore. And I have just dipped into the anthology Blood Lite from time to time.

I'm looking forward to Slayers of Old. Here's a quotation I found on Amazon from it. "As a Hunter, my body reacted to the presence of unnatural threats: monsters and demons and people who hung the toilet paper roll "under" instead of "over." My duty was to track down and end these threats." 

Lindy Ryan's stories of the Evans women - Bless Your Heart and Another Fine Mess were joined by Dollface this year in the horror with a dash of humor category. Dollface is not one of the Evans women, but it is a story about a serial killer killing off people in the PTA of an elementary school.

Christopher Moore's book, A Dirty Job, asks the question what would happen if you had to raise a toddler while perhaps being the personification of death. The Stupidest Angel - "a heart warming tale of Christmas terror" cautions be careful what you wish for and combines the undead with the holiday season.

If you haven't already, do also check out Maureen Kilmer and Grady Hendrix. For more on horror and humor suggestions, my post from this past October is still available to read, Spooky Season Recommendations. 

Do you like to read horror with or without humor? What are some of your favorite authors or books? Drop a line in the comments. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts by Kim Fu

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

She felt certain she wouldn't get the house. She'd been gone for only a couple of hours, not long enough to have made such a momentous decision, the largest purchase of her life. It was like coming home married from a first date. 

(7% through on my Kindle)

The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts by Kim Fu was published March 3, 2026 by Tin House.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #594: The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

This week I'm waiting on The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore.

From the publisher: "Quirky and hilarious but also with depth and heart, The Henchperson’s Guide To Unionizing is an unforgettable and fantastic story about being human. I loved it!"

—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

As the laboratory assistant to the brilliant but demanding Doctor, Igor spends his nights robbing graves, stitching together body parts, and ensuring that his master doesn’t electrocute himself (too badly).

When a mob of peasants wielding torches and pitchforks drives them out of town (again), Igor and the Doctor relocate to the isolated Ravenwald Manor to resume their experiments creating new life from dead flesh. But Igor and the Doctor are not the only ones seeking refuge within the walls of Ravenwald. The manor is already home to a vampiric Count and his highly dissatisfied bride, Cornelia—and an enigmatic witch and her feline familiar, Grimalkin, intend to use it as the site of a magical ritual.

At Igor’s suggestion, the three pairs come to an uneasy agreement to cohabitate in Ravenwald, lest they attract the suspicion of the nearby village. In the wake of this truce, Igor, Cornelia, and Grimalkin soon begin to realize that they might have more common with one another than their respective masters. When the trio discovers that they've been unwitting participants in a horrible plan to destroy the world as they know it, they must work together to stop their masters from bringing on armageddon... and stop the increasingly suspicious villagers from reaching for their pitchforks and torches. 

Igor, Grim, and Cornelia must unite to cast off the chains of their masters and embrace life on their own terms in the hilarious, heartwarming, and just-scary-enough The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing.

The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore is expected out September 22, 2026 from Bantam. The stunning first edition paperback of The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing features stenciled edges depicting a character from the book—order while supplies last!

Why am I waiting on this book? I like a blend of horror and humor and this promises to deliver. And the plot sounds unique. Supervillains cohabitating in a space where the henchpersons finally understand just what is at stake in their masters' works isn't something I've run up against before.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Reading!

Book Review: Dollface by Lindy Ryan

 

From the publisher:

Barbie meets Scream with a 90s nostalgia twist in this horror romp from Bless Your Heart author Lindy Ryan.

Horror author Jill has just moved to suburban New Jersey, hoping to fit in with the new PTA moms and maybe not weird everyone out with her Final Girl coffee mug. You know. Make some real friends.

But then a plastic face-masked serial killer begins slashing their way through town, one overly made-up mom at a time. The police are incredulous. The moms are indignant. And Jill is slowly wrapped into a killer’s murderous spree, until she might just be the last woman standing.

A delightfully murderous novel that is equal parts scathing and salacious, Dollface will win you over with its gossip and gore, one body at a time.

"A juicy, irreverent and bloody twist on the genre." - Variety

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the book. I've enjoyed other things that I had read by Lindy Ryan, so I went into it thinking that I might enjoy this book as well. I like my horror a little on the light side. This was perfect for me. There were some scenes that were horrifying to be sure, but it all came together to make one good book.

From the minute that Jill has to answer the door in her bathrobe for her overly friendly new neighbor to the final scene, the book delivers on its promise. There is 90s nostalgia and horror trivia. There are mean girls. All that Jilly wants is to fit in and get her book written. The attacks and the growing friendship she has with Darla keep the book moving forward. It moves along at a good pace, right up until the final scenes with the plot twists. While I did guess at some of what was going on, I didn't predict all of the twists. That makes it a good book. It was unique. 

I gave this book 5 stars. I would recommend it to people who enjoy light horror and aren't too squeamish. There are a few scenes that are rather descriptive when it comes to the actual attacks.If you enjoyed other writings by Lindy Ryan, you will most likely enjoy this as well. Also, if you enjoyed Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer, you might enjoy this one as well.

Dollface by Lindy Ryan was released February 24, 2026 from Minotaur Books.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Happy Book Birthday and a Teaser from Dollface by Lindy Ryan

 

From the publisher:

Barbie meets Scream with a 90s nostalgia twist in this horror romp from Bless Your Heart author Lindy Ryan.

Horror author Jill has just moved to suburban New Jersey, hoping to fit in with the new PTA moms and maybe not weird everyone out with her Final Girl coffee mug. You know. Make some real friends.

But then a plastic face-masked serial killer begins slashing their way through town, one overly made-up mom at a time. The police are incredulous. The moms are indignant. And Jill is slowly wrapped into a killer’s murderous spree, until she might just be the last woman standing.

A delightfully murderous novel that is equal parts scathing and salacious, Dollface will win you over with its gossip and gore, one body at a time.

"A juicy, irreverent and bloody twist on the genre." - Variety

Dollface by Lindy Ryan is available today from Minotaur Books.

A Teaser for you:

This is a lie. I will not be going anywhere near the furnace. Horror author or not, I don't do basements-- or dusty attics, or backyard pools. (location 177 on my Kindle)

What are you reading? Is there a book out today that you've been waiting for?

Teaser Tuesday: King Sorrow by Joe Hill

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

The dragon had been hunting people off Colin's Enemies List since 1990, five years now, and all of them had prayed for intercession, had suffered, bled, feared, and bargained with Jesus, Allah, and the stars. It always ended in fire. Allie didn't know how hard it would be to penetrate the scales slabbing King Sorrow's body, but she was quite certain that devout prayer bounced right off them. (page 326)

King Sorrow by Joe Hill was published October 1, 2025 by William Morrow. What have you been reading? Share it or a teaser in the comments. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

Of course, one problem with playing dumb is that it seeps into your everyday life. But that has its advantages too. No one ever asks me to help with their taxes.

---From The Ungrateful Dead by Kelley Armstrong location 69

Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson was released October 21, 2008 by Gallery Books.

What are you reading?

Book Review: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 

Have you ever shopped in Ikea? Did you get lost trying to find the exit or the bathroom or the people you came with? Getting lost like that is horrifying enough. Grady Hendrix  starts with that and runs with it in his low budget knock off of Ikea called Orsk. On top of being difficult to navigate at times, strange things are happening in the store overnight. Things are being broken or otherwise desecrated. As the book goes on, so does the strangeness.

Management is having fits. People from corporate are coming to see the store. 3 employees volunteer to stay overnight and try and puzzle out what's going on. But, will they make it through the night?

My Thoughts: Haunted building stories are interesting. Like a good haunted house story, they can be satisfying and perhaps make you a little more grateful for the mundane homes and businesses. 

The main character of the book is Amy Porter. Her point of view is crucial to the success of the story. The other 2 employees that stayed are Basil (management) and Ruth Anne. In some ways they are stereotypes. Amy is the employee that wants to get by by doing the least she can. Basil wants everyone to toe the line and follow corporate rules. Ruth Anne is that employee who is nice to everyone - customer and fellow employee alike. I wasn't expecting it, but each character reveals more about themselves as the book goes on. They go from stereotypes to real people. And they are not always what you would expect them to be. The other thing that surprised me about some of them was that their characters showed growth and change as the story progressed.

The plot moves along fairly quickly once night has come to this Orsk store. At first everything is pretty normal. Then stuff hits the fan. One event leads to another and it snowballs to the conclusion.

I could suspend my disbelief for most things in the book because I was expecting a haunted building story and it delivered. The only thing that I couldn't quite buy was the very end of the book. It was set up in such a way that the author could have written a sequel if he wanted to do so. Otherwise, I loved the character development, setting, and pace of the novel.

I gave this book 5 out of  5 stars. It has stayed with me even after more than a week's time since my reading it. And I have to admit I am currently a little less likely to go shop in Ikea until this works its way out of my system. If you like a good haunted house story, especially one with a little humor, then this could be a good match for you. I think it's definitely worth a read.

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix was published September 2014 by Quirk Books. I purchased my review copy.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #576: You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Demons clash with inheritance claims as secrets unfold and violence is unleashed over twelve harrowing hours trapped in a house with the worst thing imaginable: family.

When Papi Ramon, the patriarch of the wealthy Abreu family dies, he gives the family one last message in the will: “One of you is el bacà, the demon that I made a deal with. Get rid of them or you will be damned.” Xiomara, the uncontested favorite of Papi Ramon (and therefore the least liked in the family), watches as everyone dismisses this as the joke of a senile old man and demands the lawyer obtain the previous will Papi wrote.

While the lawyer drives back to his office, a storm breaks out, forcing the entire family—Xiomara’s aunts and uncles and cousins—to remain in the house. And the words of Papi’s will hangs over their heads even heavier than the rain clouds. Over the course of the night, scandal after scandal is revealed to the public about the family. Suddenly a tense few hours of surviving her family turns into a vicious night of recrimination, violence, accusations…and murder.

Xiomara is faced with an impossible task: uproot a demon and somehow kill it or excise the ghosts that linger within her own family.

And the clock is ticking...

You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado is expected out March 10, 2026 from William Morrow.

Why am I waiting on this book? I find it an interesting concept that a demon would masquerade as one of the family. And I am wondering what scandals of the family will be revealed. I figure Xiomara will probably survive, but will all of the rest of them? And honestly, I really like the cover. The book also is billed as a modern gothic. And since I've enjoyed gothic literature, I am curious about what makes it so.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

All at once, Ruth Anne strode past him, approached the bed and raised one end, revealing a man splayed out facedown like a starfish. He burst into motion, scuttling away like a bug after its rock has been lifted.

--page 92

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix was released September 23, 2014 from Quirk Books. I am on page 92 and it is a quirky read so far. It is scary, but it is also tinged with humor. Puts me in mind of my first trip to an Ikea where I got lost trying to find the bathroom on the market level. Too much fun. The horror was real. 

Are you reading anything spooky? Share something about it in the comments. Happy Reading!

Spooky Season Recommendations: Horror with Some Humor

 October is the perfect time to read books that give you a bit of a chill or a thrill. As far as I'm concerned, horror books are made better when they have some humor to them. One example released this past Tuesday would be, Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines. 

From the publisher: 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time

Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, MA. A calm, peaceful, tourist-filled oasis, where they never have to worry about saving the world. Until some of the locals start summoning ancient creatures best left where they were . . . and they discover that their bookstore basement just may be the portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes may have thought they were done . . . but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to join together to save the world one last time.

Why leave saving the world to the young? Cozy mystery readers looking for an extra dash of magic will eat this story up: fun, funny, and heartwarming, it's a novel about community, second chances, and the healing power of scones.

While that is the most recent example, and one I am looking forward to reading, there are plenty others in the genre.

Suburban Hell and Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer are two such books. One asks the question of what would happen if evil is accidentally summoned in a suburban neighborhood by a group of friends looking to build a she-shed. And the other sees a group of friends from college that have been practicing witchcraft for decades losing control of their magic and needing to work hard to get it back under control. 

Bless Your Heart and  Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan also present a pair of horror stories that have humor as an element. While humor is definitely not the whole thing, it is present. The Evans women who run a funeral parlor in a small town have been keeping it safe for a long time from the undead. In these two books, they and the sheriff continue to do so.

For something heavier on the humor and lighter in tone while still asking some tough questions there are books by Christopher Moore. A Dirty Job and Secondhand Souls investigate what it might be like to be saddled with the job of Death unwittingly and unwillingly. Sophie, the daughter, is precious in the first book along with her hellhound companions. Her father is struggling with what it is like to be raising a precocious daughter while quite possibly being Death with a capital D. If this particular pair of novels is not quite for you, Moore has several others that are humorous while investigating other paranormal topics such as vampires, demons, and zombies.

These are just seven novels in the genre. There are many more where they come from: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero are just two more. Hopefully, you will find something you will enjoy this spooky season. Do you have a favorite Halloween time of year book? Or perhaps a favorite genre? Share it in the comments. Wishing you Happy Reading and a Happy Spooky Season!

Book Review: The Salvage by Anbara Salam

 

From the Publisher:

It is 1962, and Marta Khoury, a trailblazing marine archaeologist, has been called to Cairnroch, a small island off the east coast of Scotland. A Victorian shipwreck, dragged from arctic waters, holds the remains of a celebrated explorer and the treasures of his final expedition. But on her first dive down to the ship, Marta becomes convinced she has seen a dark figure lurking amid the wreckage.

When the Cuban Missile Crisis and the deep chill of a record-breaking winter keeps Marta stranded on Cairnroch, she forms a relationship with Elsie, a local woman working in the island’s only hotel. When the ship's artifacts inexplicably disappear, Marta and Elsie have to brave the freezing conditions to search for the missing objects before anyone else catches on. As something eerie seems to follow her at every step, Marta must confront if the haunting is a figment of her imagination, the repercussions from a terrible mistake from her past, or if something more sinister is at play that will trap her and everyone on the island—and their secrets—in an icy wilderness.

The Salvage by Anbara Salam was published October 7, 2025 by Tin House Books.

My Thoughts: This is a gothic tale set in the 1960s. It starts in the water, but spreads to land. Marta's dive is creepy in and of itself. But, then she sees a figure amidst the wreckage of the ship. Later she thinks she might have also seen it on land. Convinced it is a ghost, Marta has to figure out who or what it is haunting. She keeps the sightings of the ghostly figure to herself for many reasons including fear that she wouldn't be believed. As she works to recover the stolen artifacts, there are more clues as to the mystery of the figure.

I liked Marta and her love interest the best, but there are other good characters. There are bad as well as morally questionable characters also.

The plot was interesting, but moved slowly for the most part. The slowness seemed to echo how life had slowed down on the island with the uncharacteristic amount of snow and freezing temperatures. Still, I felt like it could have moved a tad faster.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The haunting is mysterious. And it is infectious. More people are aware of it than are willing to admit to it. And it affects people in different ways. There is a question of whether or not it is a real haunting. It is definitely gothic in tone. And it is generally well-written. If you like gothic books with some effects from the real world, then this would be a good book for you. I would buy it for a fan of gothic literature and I enjoyed it as a fan of gothic literature. This does make a good spooky season read.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #568: Descendants of the Big House by C. Vonzale Lewis

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Beatrice Monroe is still getting used to the knowledge that she was born a champion for Good and Evil. She spends her days combing through her great grandmother’s journals trying to find answers to what this newfound ability means for her as a member of law enforcement.

When a woman walks into her precinct claiming her aunt was murdered, Beatrice discovers a link between their families that may just have the answers she needs. But those answers are not easy to find. Because this mystery’s roots are buried in the past with five young girls and what they gave birth to…in The Big House.

Descendants of the Big House is a standalone installment in A Horde of Dead Poets collection featuring seven authors and their stories inspired by famous literary poems. If you often find yourself steering toward a dark, mysterious, isolated location; if family curses haunt you and unreliable narrators keep you in suspense, you won’t want to miss a single volume in this gripping collection.

Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Simone St. James, Stephen King, and Shirley Jackson.

Descendants of the Big House by C. Vonzale Lewis is expected out October 14th, 2025 from Percy's Heart Press.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like that it is a standalone. I'm not familiar with the Horde of Dead Poets, but this has piqued my interest. It sounds interesting combining a mystery with what sounds like either dark fantasy or horror. I'm wondering what's in The Big House and how it fits in with the the murder and the woman's family.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Book Review: Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez

 

From the publisher: 

An eerie, hypnotic debut about friendship, desire, and memory set against the sultry backdrop of Florida’s swamplands.

LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE

It’s been years since Ingrid has heard from her childhood best friend, Mayra, a fearless rebel who fled their hometown of Hialeah, a Cuban neighborhood just west of Miami, for college in the Northeast. But when Mayra calls out of the blue to invite Ingrid to a weekend getaway at a house in the Everglades, she impulsively accepts.

From the moment Ingrid sets out, danger looms: The directions are difficult, she’s out of reach of cell service, and as she drives deeper into the Everglades, the wet maw of the swamp threatens to swallow her whole. But once Ingrid arrives, Mayra is, in many ways, just as she remembers—with her sharp tongue and effortless, seductive beauty, still thumbing her nose at the world.

Before they can fully settle into the familiar intimacy of each other’s company, their reunion is spoiled by the reemergence of past disagreements and the unexpected presence of Mayra’s new boyfriend, Benji. The trio spend their hours eating lavish meals and exploring the labyrinthine house, which holds as much mystery as the swamp itself. Indoors and on the grounds, time itself seems to expand, and Ingrid begins to lose a sense of the outside world, and herself.

Against this disquieting setting, where lizards dart in and out of porches and alligators peek from dark waters, Gonzalez weaves a surreal, unforgettable story about the dizzying power of early friendship and the lengths we’ll go to earn love and acceptance—even at the risk of losing ourselves entirely.

Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez was published July 22, 2025 by Random House.

My Thoughts: It's a good haunted house/gothic novel. The story is told from Ingrid's point of view. To me she came across as a pretty normal person. Not really happy with her job, looking for love, and she has family ties. Presented with an opportunity to revisit an earlier friendship that was very important to her, she feels ambiguous. Last time they saw each other didn't go spectacularly. Pushed together in this way out of the way place, Ingrid tentatively tries to bond with Mayra again. 

It's awkward with Mayra's boyfriend Benji around. He's doing everything for them - cooking, cleaning, laundry. Their happiness seems to be paramount to him to the point of being creepy. And as they explore the house, they keep finding creepy little details that make them wonder about the previous residents.

The narrative takes on a dreamlike tone the longer they are there. Ingrid feels like she is forgetting something, but not quite what. She is lulled into a false sense of security. It's at this point, you speculate what is causing the disconnect. I somewhat expected the source, but there were still surprises. I ended up staying up to finish it once I hit the 90% mark. I had to know what would happen next.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars. Dreamlike, the story is a little slow in a few places. It still moves the ladies further down the path to the conclusion. And it makes the ending feel positively manic. I enjoyed the book as a whole. I would recommend it for people who enjoy gothic literature and gothic horror.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Have you read Mayra? What did you think?