The Caretaker, Marcus Kliewer’s follow up to his debut, We Used to Live Here, is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated horror books of 2026. Of course I grabbed it as soon as I could! And I was not disappointed. Young Macy is struggling financially to support herself and her younger sister. Macy is … Continue reading Review: The Caretaker, by Marcus Kliewer (Atria Books)
Review: She Waits Where Shadows Gather, by Michelle Tang (Poisoned Pen Press)
I really love it when I read a book that has very little fanfare, and it blows me away. This was definitely the case with Michelle Tang’s debut novel, She Waits Where Shadows Gather. Avery and Carlos’s marriage is on the rocks. Avery badly wants a child, whereas narcissistic Carlos cannot deal with having to … Continue reading Review: She Waits Where Shadows Gather, by Michelle Tang (Poisoned Pen Press)
Review: Rabbit Test, by Samantha Mills (Tachyon)
Pretty much every story in Rabbit Test and Other Stories punched me in the feels. In the first part of each story, I was getting the lay of the land, following the path so expertly laid out by Mills. I trusted this writer to lead me, as a reader. And by the end of each … Continue reading Review: Rabbit Test, by Samantha Mills (Tachyon)
Review: The Haunted Houses She Calls Her Own, by Gwendolyn Kiste (RDS Publishing)
It has been so amazing to see Gwendolyn Kiste’s career accelerate over the last few years. My first encounter with her work was her debut collection, And Her Smile Will Untether the Universe, which contains one of my all-time favorite stories, The Man in the Ambry. Her novels are also great, but especially The Haunting … Continue reading Review: The Haunted Houses She Calls Her Own, by Gwendolyn Kiste (RDS Publishing)
Review: Odessa, by Gabrielle Sher (Little, Brown & Company)
Gabrielle Sher has planted her weird fiction flag firmly in the ground, with her folklore-rich debut, Odessa. I had no idea what this book was about before I read it, and I recommend other readers go in with minimal knowledge. There are so many surprises in the narrative; I found myself yelling “oh no!” to … Continue reading Review: Odessa, by Gabrielle Sher (Little, Brown & Company)
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