The universe works in funny ways. The morning before I started reading The Place Where They Buried Your Heart, I was typing up my notes for a Dark Side of the Word episode. And I wrote down, with much regret, that “nothing really scares me anymore” because I’ve read so many horror novels.
That night, I was awake until 2am reading this new supernatural suspense novel from Christina Henry. And I was totally afraid to get out of bed and...
First of all, many thanks to author Gail Priest for reaching out to me about her novel Soul Dancing. Gail’s a loyal Tartlet, and she offered to send me a review copy of her book since she knows I love women’s fiction and supernatural stories.
Well, Gail, let’s remove all the suspense – I loved Soul Dancing. I’m so glad you sent it my way!
What’s Soul Dancing about?
We meet elderly main character Shirlene at the very beginning of...
Tartlets, I was super excited when I saw the publication announcement for The Medici Curse by Daco S. Auffenorde. It promised Gothic suspense, missing family jewels, a potential family curse -- and, it's set in Italy. It all sounds so good.
Unfortunately, I added The Medici Curse to my DNF pile. Let's talk about why.
What’s The Medici Curse about?
In The Medici Curse, Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her childhood home: an opulent...
Congrats to When the Wolf Comes Home for being my first five-star read of 2025. Tartlets, this book. Blew. My. Freaking. Mind.
Nat Cassidy is a relatively new author to me. I read his previous novel, Nestlings, which I thought was fantastic. When the Wolf Comes Home is billed as a monster story, which isn’t my favorite genre of horror. I was tempted to sit this one out.
I am SO glad that I didn’t miss reading this one!
What’s When the...
Things Half in Shadow is written by an author that you’ve all heard of.
You’re probably looking at the book cover photo and going, “Nope. Never heard of Alan Finn.” And, I agree: most of you probably haven’t.
But I’m sure many of you have heard of Riley Sager, author of bestselling thriller novels like Lock Every Door, The House Across the Lake, and his latest, Middle of the Night.
Before Sager’s name was everywhere as a prolific...
Welcome, Tartlets, to my living, breathing, ever-updating list of Scary Books You Need to Read.
This book list is compiled by yours truly. Unlike a lot of book lists on the internet, the spooky books I've recommended below are all books I’ve actually read.
Table of Contents for The Best Scary Books to Read List Horror consists of so many subgenres these days, so I've divided my list into separate categories. You can scroll...
Tartlets, I literally jumped at the chance to receive an ARC of Wilderness Reform by authors (and brothers) Matt Query and Harrison Query. Their first novel, Old Country, is one of my favorite horror novels ever. I will read anything this duo writes.
While I didn’t love Wilderness Reform quite as much, I really enjoyed the story, especially toward the end. Let’s get into it.
Before you start reading, you should know that Wilderness...
Forgotten Sisters combines true crime, suspense, historical fiction, fairy tales, and supernatural horror to deliver a ghostly tale of two sisters with a past.
What’s Forgotten Sisters about?
The Forgotten Sisters follows Anna and Jennie Arbor, who live in an historic and ghost-filled house on the Chicago River. Anna hosts her own spooky podcast, while Jennie fixes antique musical instruments. Neither young woman leaves the house...
Tartlets, I’m a bit confused about my thoughts on The Cloisters.
When I first finished reading this suspense novel that combines medieval art history, dark academia, and astrology, I really liked it. Then, after talking with a few people, I realized that I didn't like this book as much as I think I did.
You know how when you’re dating someone new and you think they're awesome? Then, that person meets your friends, and they all throw you...
The Hacienda is one of those books that’s received a lot of buzz – and I’m happy to report that it lived up to the hype.
I’ve seen a lot of bloggers/reviews comparing The Hacienda to Mexican Gothic, which was a DNF for me. So, it took me awhile to gather the courage to attempt The Hacienda.
I’m not sure why people keep comparing these two novels. Maybe -- disappointingly -- it’s because they’re both set in Mexico?? Sigh. It's a...
