"Another excellent entry in the Pendergast series from Preston and Child. Quite a few plot lines are tied up in this one. Each of the series recurring characters gets a chance to shine as the story unfolds. The tension is high as usual and the witty repertoire is on full display."

"What the hell was that? Based on the synopsis, I thought I was getting a somewhat scary thriller about one girls nightmare weekend meeting her boyfriends family for the first time. He'd prewarned her his parents would be snobbish and stuck up. His siblings cold and unfriendly. However, Connie and Evan arrive, his mother greets them with open arms. Again, I thought I was getting a domestic cat and mouse game. I was so wrong.

The very first line set the bar astronomically high. A few chapters in, I was fully invested. By the time Connie went down to the basement to investigate the strange noises coming from the darkness, I was jumping out of my skin. Usually I hate a somewhat misleading synopsis, but I'm so glad I went in mostly blind. I never knew what was coming next chapter to chapter. This was relatively short but no time was wasted. The writing flowed beautifully, at times intense and heartfelt. I could never have predicted that ending. My first, but definitely not my last, Abe Moss.

Content warnings - body horror (medium) sexual assault (from the past, mentioned but no details) child death, arachnophobia. "

"I found a book that’s just in time for the Fall/Halloween season! This book delivered on every aspect- it was fun, fast-paced, and it was a bit creepy 🧛🏻‍♀� This was my second read by Rachel Harrison, but moving forward I know she will be a go-to author for me.

In this story we have our main character Sloane, who is not looking forward to her 36th birthday. She is starting to notice lines in her forehead that were never there before, crows feet around her eyes, and just not feeling very attractive like she used to. Although her husband doesn’t make her feel very desirable, so there’s that. One thing her husband does do for her however, is plan a surprise weekend getaway for Sloane and her best friend Naomi. Sloane isn’t too pleased about this situation, as she doesn’t like surprises.

Upon meeting Naomi for the weekend at the cottage, Sloane is not sure of the plans Naomi has in store for them. After meeting a handsome man at a bar they were at, Naomi decides they should go back to his place for a party the next night. At this party, things start to get out of control and Sloane and Naomi will never be the same again. Both women learn what it’s like to live for themselves once again, and to be desired. They also learn that nothing can tear apart their friendship. They will be friends forever�

I had fun with this book and did not want it to end. I loved Sloane’s character and resonated with her on feelings of getting older, past mistakes, and friendships. I highly recommend reading this book, because after you have finished reading it- you will be thirsty. Very thirsty for more from this author 🍷

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date is: September 10, 2024.
Genre~ General Fiction (Adult), Horror"

"This is an extremely dark, gory, twisted tale inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s stories, and I have to admit that its dark humor and quirky, absurd characters—who feel like they’ve just walked off a Coen Brothers set—blend surprisingly well with its chilling elements.

If you love The Twisted Ones or the short stories of King, Lovecraft, and Tremblay, this book is a match made in heaven for your dark, weird, and nerdy soul!

The story is driven by two main characters who carry the narrative from start to finish, making us quickly accustomed to their antics and peculiar attitudes: Kara and Simon.

Kara, newly divorced, broke, and on the verge of losing her house, is forced to move in with her mother, who never stops talking. Initially, her story feels almost like a romcom. Then, her Uncle Earl, the owner of one of the world’s weirdest museums—Natural Wonders, Curiosities, and Taxidermy in Hog Chapel, North Carolina—offers her a place to stay rent-free in exchange for helping him while he recovers from a knee injury. Eager to escape her mother, and already fascinated with the museum since childhood, Kara accepts without hesitation.

Kara’s early days are amusing: she spends her time cyber-stalking her ex, using the coffee shop’s free Wi-Fi, and befriending Simon, a quirky character with an eccentric fashion sense. He insists he ate his twin in the womb and carries her eye, giving him a unique perspective on life. Simon is delightfully weird and lovable.

When Uncle Earl leaves for his knee operation, driven by Kara’s mom, Kara finds herself alone in the museum. At first, she’s confident she can handle it—but then she discovers a carved hole in the wall and enlists Simon’s help to patch it. They soon realize it’s not just a hole—it’s a hidden tunnel leading to alternate universes. Driven by curiosity, the two embark on a surreal adventure, finding themselves in hollow places they couldn’t imagine even in their darkest nightmares.

Their journey, a twisted blend of Narnia and Pan’s Labyrinth, forces them to confront horrifying creatures and an alternate version of humanity that’s lost all remnants of decency. Just when they think they’ve escaped, the mystery deepens as they realize everything ties back to the willows, which grow brighter and more powerful each day.

This fast-paced, entertaining, smart, and terrifying story had me hooked—I devoured it in half a day. I loved the characters, enjoyed the references, and appreciated the eerie, atmospheric setting. I’m giving it 4 taxidermy stars and highly recommend it to fans of the genre!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Saga Press for sharing this remarkable ARC with me in exchange for my honest review. I genuinely had so much fun with it!"