Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
I knew from the synopsis I would love this, and I was right. The twist on the haunted house story hooked me. I was curious not only how the house became so bloodthirsty, but also what drove Queen to send these writers to play "Saw: Home Edition." The stakes are high, and the tension builds with every riddle. As the game plays on, you realize that each are hiding something, and some reveals were well done but others were kind of meh. At times, the plot felt overloaded, but I was entertained throughout and recommend this for a fast-paced thriller with horror elements.
I've had this on my TBR for so long, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. The historical mystery, combined with a ghostly element, felt perfect for spooky season. Genevieve was an interesting main character to follow. She's very selfish and only out for herself at the beginning, but as the story progresses, you see her start to care about those around her more and learn to put their well-being before her own. There's also a subtle romance that brews between her and Mr. Pemberton, which was sweet but didn't bring much to the table. The mystery element is what really kept me hooked. I couldn't figure out where Myers was going, and some moments felt genuinely creepy. It wasn't the most mind-blowing reveal, but it was still satisfying. If you're in the mood for an atmospheric, lighter mystery for the fall, I recommend checking it out.
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| Pub Date: 7-8-25 Adult - Horror |
How to Survive a Horror Story- Mallory Arnold: When horror legend Mortimer Queen dies, seven writers receive mysterious invitations to his remote manor for the reading of his will. Each shares a history with the famous author and hopes to claim a piece of his vast estate. Instead, they must compete in a riddle-filled game to progress through the sprawling house. There's a catch: only one contestant will make it out, for the Queen estate was built upon the bones of the past and now hungers for more.
I knew from the synopsis I would love this, and I was right. The twist on the haunted house story hooked me. I was curious not only how the house became so bloodthirsty, but also what drove Queen to send these writers to play "Saw: Home Edition." The stakes are high, and the tension builds with every riddle. As the game plays on, you realize that each are hiding something, and some reveals were well done but others were kind of meh. At times, the plot felt overloaded, but I was entertained throughout and recommend this for a fast-paced thriller with horror elements.
Rating: 3/5
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| Pub Date: 10-28-25 Adult - Fantasy |
Witches of Dubious Origin- Jenn McKinlay: Zoe Ziakas lives a quiet life as a librarian in a small New England town. When a mysterious book arrives at her workplace bearing her name, Zoe suspects a prank. But then it appears on her doorstep, and she begins hearing faint whispers. Determined to uncover the book's secrets, Zoe enlists experts at the Museum of Literature. This museum houses numerous odd volumes, fondly labeled the Books of Dubious Origin. There, Zoe learns she is the last descendant of a family of witches, and this book is their grimoire. Zoe resolves to master all the book reveals to unearth her family's fate, but its immense power draws many magical creatures to her. With help from an irritatingly charming containment specialist, Zoe must accept her past and embrace her destiny.
Ugh, this is one of those 'It's not you, it's me' instances. I loved the premise of this librarian discovering she comes from a long line of witches and coming into her power. The world-building and magic definitely added a whimsical touch. However, my issue was that it was way too heavy on the cozy vibes, which made the story feel so boring. Zoe was like a Saltine cracker, and I felt like if it wasn't for other characters leading her along, she'd just sit like a bump on a log. She had zero personality except for her sugar addiction. There's also a very dull romance that did nothing for me. I do see how this would appeal to many readers, but, unfortunately, I wasn't one of them.
Ugh, this is one of those 'It's not you, it's me' instances. I loved the premise of this librarian discovering she comes from a long line of witches and coming into her power. The world-building and magic definitely added a whimsical touch. However, my issue was that it was way too heavy on the cozy vibes, which made the story feel so boring. Zoe was like a Saltine cracker, and I felt like if it wasn't for other characters leading her along, she'd just sit like a bump on a log. She had zero personality except for her sugar addiction. There's also a very dull romance that did nothing for me. I do see how this would appeal to many readers, but, unfortunately, I wasn't one of them.
Rating: 2/5
*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!
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| Pub Date: 7-12-22 Adult - Historical Mystery |
A Dreadful Splendor- B.R. Myers: Genevieve Timmons is a con artist who poses as a spiritualist to swindle wealthy mourners, and her ruse is working out well until one misstep leaves her staring down the hangman's noose. Genevieve can't talk her way out of this one, but to her surprise, she's rescued by a strange man with an even stranger proposition. He wants Genevieve to perform a séance persuasive enough to bring the Lord he works for some peace after the tragic death of his betrothed. Genevieve expects to find a distraught lover when she arrives at the estate, but instead, Mr. Pemberton believes his fiancée was murdered, and he wants Genevieve to use her powers of illusion and manipulation to get the killer to confess. As she begins investigating, eerie occurrences begin cropping up around the manor, leaving Genevieve to wonder if there truly is a ghost haunting the halls.
I've had this on my TBR for so long, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. The historical mystery, combined with a ghostly element, felt perfect for spooky season. Genevieve was an interesting main character to follow. She's very selfish and only out for herself at the beginning, but as the story progresses, you see her start to care about those around her more and learn to put their well-being before her own. There's also a subtle romance that brews between her and Mr. Pemberton, which was sweet but didn't bring much to the table. The mystery element is what really kept me hooked. I couldn't figure out where Myers was going, and some moments felt genuinely creepy. It wasn't the most mind-blowing reveal, but it was still satisfying. If you're in the mood for an atmospheric, lighter mystery for the fall, I recommend checking it out.
Rating: 3.5/5
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