Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy! I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4.5 stars! I was quickly sucked into the story and I loved the creepy haunted house vibes. Sam’s dry humor made me laugh countless times and as a nerdy science person myself, I loved her quirks. It was touching and relatable as well to see how much Sam cared for her mother and wanted to protect her.
I also found the pacing and length of the book perfect. I thought that the way the book was tied up neatly at the end was satisfying too and the neat ending felt similar to the style of other books I’ve read by this author. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and will definitely be reading more of her books in the future!

So, I had a feeling that this book would be very atmospheric and eerie, and it was. But you know what I didn't know I was getting? A book that was so very fun and entertaining, too! Like yes, it was creepy, but that is not what endeared me to this story. That would be Sam, and her wonderful sense of humor, and the author's amazingly witty and entertaining style of writing.

I fell in love from the start, when we meet Sam and you just know you are in for a treat with her at the helm. She could, quite literally, make bugs interesting. I also loved that from the start, Sam is skeptical of the shenanigans happening in the house, and to her mom. Like- her skepticism made the whole story feel more plausible, basically, because I too am a skeptic and would have had a really hard time believing it. She of course assumes that her mother is showing early signs of some kind of dementia, as opposed to something paranormal.

But there is something amiss around here, no question. Her mom is acting very out of character, to start. And while Sam was thrilled to be able to stay with her mom for a bit, she is soon far more concerned about her wellbeing than anything else. I really enjoyed their relationship, too. Sam and her mom were great, and I loved their bond. Sam's mom clearly had to put up with a lot from Sam's late grandmother, and she did it for her kids first and foremost.

Sam is on a mission to figure out what exactly is going on, and I won't tell you any more than that. Sam is awesome, her mom is awesome, and I loved going sleuthing with her. The ending of the story was... well look, it took a very different turn, and it wasn't my favorite part? But I didn't totally hate it either, and it did end in a satisfying way, and anyway it was all worth it just to hang out with Sam for a few hours, right?

Bottom Line: So fun and quirky and charming while still being incredibly atmospheric and eerie. Kingfisher nailed it, as usual.

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Format: eBook courtesy of Tor Nightfire & NetGalley

Moving back into your childhood home as an adult is rarely a comfortable experience. You have a weird sense of déjà vu, muscle memory pulling you back into old routines and habits left behind when you moved out, remembering intrinsically what it was like to live with your parents (and also remembering why you left in the first place).

In A House With Good Bones by horror-favorite author T. Kingfisher, Sam Montgomery has bigger issues to deal with when she crashes at her mom’s house. Something is not right with her mother. Gone is her usual vibrant, eccentric home decor. She’s lost weight, and doesn’t seem well. Most alarming to Sam, Mom seems to have thick rose colored glasses when speaking of the past, when the whole family lived under one roof. Sam is determined to get to the bottom of what is disturbing her mother, and quickly finds out that some questions are better left unspoken.

This was my first novel by T. Kingfisher, and I see why she has a cult following. The writing style in A House With Good Bones is remarkably lighthearted despite the dark and unsettling content of the text. The amalgamation of light and dark works so well in this book, combining creepy Southern gothic vibes with the banality of a 20th century subdivision, and pairing the uncanny with downright hilarious commentary from our would-be heroine. I did not expect this book to be so funny; most of my highlights are in the humor category. But don’t be fooled by the wry language- this is a horror novel, which more than earns that distinction by the end of the novel. What begins as creepy-crawly, “things going bump in the night” moderate scares eventually transform into truly terrifying nightmare fuel.

I loved every second of reading A House With Good Bones. This is easily the best horror I’ve read this year so far, and will likely be among the top books in that category for me this year overall. I would recommend this book to any veteran horror reader, but also to horror-curious readers looking to get into the genre. I genuinely look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When Sam Montgomery returns home for an extended stay she immediately notices that her mom is not acting like herself, and things around the house have changed. Mom is scared, and Sam needs to find out why.

This southern gothic is a really great family drama with plenty of creepy moments. I flew through this book a lot faster than most. This is because the characters were wonderful and the story was told in a very witty and gripping way. This story perfectly points out the darker side of the most perfect seeming family. I highly recommend this book to those who want a creepy story tackling a family's dark past.

“Anywhere there’s people, there’s a possibility of evil…”

This book perfectly balanced a slew of elements. It was so weird, darkly funny, foreboding, creepy, magical, horrifying, and touching.

Re: horrifying and creepy: if you have even the slightest entomophobia (cough cough, insects), keep scrolling and don’t read this book!

Re: touching: I actually really enjoyed the book’s commentary on family, mother-daughter relationships, etc.

I don’t want to give too much away, so read this if you’re in the mood for weird and thank me later.

4.5 stars

When I read a horror book, I really want to get goosebumps, and oh boy did this book deliver.

Sam returns to her mother's home while on the break from a work project and her mom is acting strange. She's jumpy, her values seem to have changed, and she's lost a ton of weight. The neighbor's vultures are circling the property, and it seems like Sam's late grandmother might have something to do with it.

A short read filled with great house-haunting, plant, and bug horror, A House With Good Bones was fantastic! T. Kingfisher knows how to write horror, and fans will love this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A House With Good Bones is every bit as good as we've come to expect from T. Kingfisher. In short this book is about Sam Montgomery, an archeological entomologist who returns to the Southern home of her late grandmother to check on the health of her mother. Sam's mom is not doing well, and the first challenge she faces is trying to figure out what kind of situation her mother is in- is this dementia, garden variety eccentricity, or a different condition altogether?

As Sam is exploring this conundrum and sorting out her life with her contracted archeological dig on hold, strange things begin to happen. This book is horror, but it's horror light for scaredy cats like me. There is a beautiful but also creepy focus on Gran Mae's old rose garden and lots of ladybugs. And in T. Kingfisher fashion, there are lots of laughs.

I loved every bit of this book, from the Southern Gothic bones of the story to the rich details about entomology and roses. T. Kingfisher is quick with the subtle humor, lots of anti-fat bias, and takedowns of stereotypical Southern racism and toxic communication styles. As usual, I cannot believe what she accomplishes in a short book and I can't fit it all into a concise review. If you love a dark Southern story, a little bit of humor, a dash of romance, poignant symbolism, and can suspend your disbelief for the horror aspects- this book is truly, truly special.

After Sam receives a call from her brother intimating things aren’t quite right with their mother, she returns to her childhood home in North Carolina and finds that yes, things have indeed changed. Family secrets can be deadly. A really fun twist on the southern gothic genre.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to T. Kingfisher, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire, and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of "A House With Good Bones" for an honest review.

I fell in love with T. Kingfisher recently reading "What Moves The Dead" for an end-of-2023 Challenge Read and was so moved I had to snap up the forthcoming arcs for her books being published this year. It was a perfect move on my part, following that intuition and drive off the most recent read as I devoured this new novella in the space of a little less than two days.

I loved the spiral twists and turns. I loved our unapologetic heroine being proud of being fat, being drawn to a life not focused on marriage/children, and being fiercely complete as she was, following her truth. I loved the reflection on down-home Southern values, the good and the bad in them. I loved the decidedly creepy slow lead-up with the house, the roses, the grandmother, the "Witch" down the road, and the "underground" children.

I don't want to give any spoilers, but I definitely advise reading it!

I want to say this is more than a haunted house story, because I want people to be more excited about reading it than that familiar and overdone genre allows. But in truth, A House with Good Bones isn’t some fresh new take on an old trick. It is a modern archetype to inspire and reinvigorate a horror genre that fell a little too far into the shock and jumpscare value of works like Bly Manor and The Haunting of Hill House—post their Netflix fame, of course. People needed to be reminded that quiet and unsettling can be just as scary, and this book does that.
Speaking to the unique aspects of the novel, I loved the slow build up. Sam’s scientific background allowed her to continually doubt whether or not there were actual ghosts, or it was all just something that remained in her mother’s head from past trauma and abuse. However, despite all her concern for her mother’s mental health, there was also a very real and organic bond between them that had the reader hoping for a ghost as opposed to the alternative, a degenerative disease like Alzheimers.
As a fun little side note, as a bit of a rose anthophile myself I loved the categorial variants and their descriptions between each chapter. It really helped to set the atmosphere, as this being a heavily overgrown and encapsulated house, surrounded by something so beautiful but with such a sordid history behind closed doors.
As a whole, I would definitely recommend this, especially if you’re not into very gruesome horror. It is very much more ambience and family drama focused than it is murderers and monsters.

"A House With Good Bones" by T. Kingfisher is a delightful and captivating read that blends elements of horror, mystery, and fantasy. The story follows a young woman named Allison, who inherits a strange old house from her estranged aunt, and decides to renovate it with the help of a quirky cast of characters. But as they uncover the house's dark and sinister secrets, they realize that they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Kingfisher's writing is witty, atmospheric, and deeply engaging, drawing the reader in with every page. The characters are well-drawn and unique, each with their own quirks and motivations. The horror elements are subtle yet effective, and the pacing is just right, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

Overall, "A House With Good Bones" is a highly entertaining and engrossing read that will appeal to fans of horror, mystery, and fantasy alike. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

REVIEW TO FOLLOW.

-1 point for dissing Cheerwine. but relatable in the North Carolina experience. I am one of those North Carolinians who will go to bat for Cheerwine.

I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere and appreciated the the light-hearted tone the main character takes. Personally, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much it it was more morose (pun intended).

The aspect of generational trauma is the most important element in my opinion. It's giving Disney's Encanto but add vultures, bugs, rose, and boxed wine. It also gave me a bit to process about my own trauma.

Would recommend to fans of horror, humor, gothic vibes, and nature conservation.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire, and T. Kingfisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

<i>A House With Good Bones</i> is a mashup of Southern Gothic and horror but what really shines here is the characterization. Sam is a archaeoentemologist (a scientist who studies historical insect remains, I believe) and has a dry, sarcastic, irreverent sense of humor that the reader can’t help but smile at. The “plot twist” isn’t really a twist, as it’s obvious from practically the get-go, but Sam’s gradual descent from denial and rational explanation into full-blown horror is mesmerizing to watch. What really shone for me were the moments of EPIC “southernness”: Sam’s description of the crackers old man next door, the way southern neighbors chitchat about the weather in a ritualistic fashion, the faux pas of bringing back an empty dish (how do you end that cycle of reciprocal food-giving? Sincerely: I’m curious), Sam’s disdain of Piggly Wiggly, etc. I’m not from the South and despite my zip code it could be argued that I still don’t live there (this portion of my current state isn’t really “Southern” per se, I don’t think) so I found that fascinating.

The end seemed a little abrupt considering the buildup but overall I still really enjoyed this. It’s such an easy book to get completely absorbed in: I found myself pulling it open left and right even when I thought I was in the mood for something else. 4 stars.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sticks in the woods. A hole in the wall. Mushrooms. What do these things all have in common? They're common, everyday things that T. Kingfisher has made terrifying in the novels The Twisted Ones, The Hollow Places, and What Moves The Dead.

Now, we can add roses to the list with A House With Good Bones. Or, more specifically, rose GARDENS, full of rose bushes. Or, even more specifically, a PARTICULAR rose garden - the one occupying the backyard of the titular house.

The rose garden has secrets, you see. Just like Sam's grandmother, who owned the house when she, her mother, and her brother lived in it when she was a child. And although Sam's grandmother is dead and buried, that rose garden is still there. Its roots are still there. And those secrets are DEFINITELY still there. And when Sam's brother tells her that their mother, who still lives in the house now, seems... OFF, the urge to dig those roots up is strong.

Trouble is - what Sam finds when she starts digging isn't easily reburied.

And I'm not just talking about the jar of teeth she unearths from the garden.

What really makes A House With Good Bones tick, though, isn't just the roses, or the ghosts, or the thing that sometimes tickles Sam's hair or face when she sleeps. It's the relationships at the heart of it: The warmth between Sam, her mother, her brother, and even the (perhaps literally) witchy neighbor down the street and the handyman/gardener from across the way makes the terrifying bits all the more frightening because you *really want these people to make it out of here unscathed.* I always find Kingsfisher's protagonists people to root (har har) for, and here, we see that quality exemplified.

A House With Good Bones is scary, yes. But it's also warm, and funny, and full of life... amidst all the death, of course.

If you pick this one up, you may never look at a bouquet of roses the same way again.

This book got me with its catchy title and beautiful cover, but the plot and main character kept me interested throughout the rest of the read. It is definitely a classic Southern Gothic with many twists and inversions of the genre. I would definitely read this author again and recommend this book to my friends.

Spoilers beyond this point!

What I liked:

-The Southern culture elements: This book was masterful at including classic elements of Southern culture and inverting them to make them add to the horror/creepiness of the narration. The setting itself in a seemingly perfect subdivision sets up the scene amazingly, showing how much appearances matter and can be deceiving. To Sam, everything appears "nice and normal", lulling her into a false sense of security. The rose bushes and gardens are staples into the South, and many homeowners put countless hours into maintaining and perfecting their gardens. In a similar way, Gran Mae puts her life into the roses too, allowing her spirit to remain behind long after her death. The Confederate wedding photo and family secrets add to another part of Southern culture, while making the reader feel more uncomfortable and uneasy about the environment Sam's in.
- Sam's voice: Sam was an excellent narrator. She has such a distinct voice that shows clearly through side notes in paratheses and nerdy anecdotes about bugs and her other academic interests. Her interactions with other characters and internal narration felt more real and realistic than other protagonists. She was likeable without being perfect, encouraging readers to keep going throughout the story and root for her.
- The format into days: The formatting of the book definitely made it easy to read and consume. I liked that readers could clearly chart Sam's progress through discovery because some horror makes it unclear if events take place over days or months. While Sam is there indefinitely, seeing how her presence escalates events or encourages her mom to get help adds more stakes to the story and boosts intrigue. I also loved that each day started with a different rose variety, ending with the Sunday Dinner type. It was a subtle symbolic detail that tied back once again to the roses and Gran Mae's desire to fit into Southern culture as a normal person.
- Phil: This is just a small detail, but Phil was such a nice character. Most love interests contrast with the main character, but I love how similar Phil and Sam are. They are both nerdy and love playing in the dirt. It was refreshing to how interested Phil was in Sam's work and bugs. He never called her weird or diverted topics. They were able to bond on something other than their shared experience in the haunted house and with the paranormal. I almost wanted her to stay in North Carolina in the end.

What I didn't like/ wanted more of:

- The bugs/Sam as a sorceress: While I loved that Sam had a unique career and special interest, the ending and resolution of the book had me craving more from this element of the book. It almost seemed like a way to show how Sam is different than other girls. She doesn't care about getting married or having children like Gran Mae or other traditional Southern girls, but instead is content to play in the dirt. Especially when Gran Mae pointed out that the swarms of ladybugs were a manifestation of Sam's magic, I wanted that to be her main ability. Gran Mae had the roses, symbolizing her desire to fit in, while Sam would have her bugs, showing how she rejects Southern traditions. It would've been so powerful if her bugs would've eaten the Underground Children when Gran Mae's could only keep them out.
- Gail: Gail was so intriguing. I loved how she foiled Gran Mae as a witch in tune and accepting nature rather than a sorceress who was blocking everything out. Comparing her garden to Gran Mae's was a lovely element of Southern culture, while highlighting how Sam's observations are valid. However, I wanted more of her. I wanted her to play a more active role in the magic of the book, rather than just calling Hermes and giving Sam vague information.
- The underground children: The reveal that the Underground Children were the real villain/threats of the story was great. Because Gran Mae's haunting was a bit obvious, it was cool to see how the characters then had to navigate the horrors she was protecting them from. However, I kind of wanted more foreshadowing. We have the stories that Brad and Sam share over the phone and the hand that Sam sees under the bushes, but Sam doesn't really do anything with that information, instead focusing on her mother's behavior and the possible source. Maybe if she had more information from her great-grandfather and the circumstances of his death, readers could get more details without necessarily giving it away. Maybe Sam would think her grandmother was a cannibal or a vampire, making her the evil spawn her great-grandfather was terrified of. Sam's overthinking definitely could've added to the conspiracies around the information readers receive.
- Explanation: Even after reading the book, I'm left with some questions. I understand why the roses helped protect the property, but how did the teeth and nails in jars help? If Gran Mae was dead for almost 10 years, what triggered her spirit manifesting then? I think having more of a shift in Edith's life right before the haunting would've helped explain the sudden emergence of Mae's spirit.
- The pacing: This one is a double-edged sword because I loved the pacing in many ways (see the formatting pro). However, I also felt the book could be slow at some points. It takes almost 60% of the book for Sam to even get to the jar of teeth that were promised to me in the description. Before that, the ladybugs are the most exciting event she faces. Information reveals and comes together very slowly, while also moving very quickly in the second half of the book. I think I would've liked higher stakes at the beginning of the book and more resolution or explanations about Sam's family history and powers.

Overall, I really loved this book, and special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for issuing me a digital ARC of this book.

I don't think this book was for me. The tone was odd and because the beginning was so repetitive, I found it very slow to start. The ending also felt disjointed from the rest of the book. I'm definitely in the minority though.

Some family secrets are supposed to stay buried.

Sam’s having a rough time. Her post-graduate fieldwork in archaeological entomology is on hold, and so she makes the long trans-Texas drive from Arizona back to North Carolina to live with her mother until the work has funding again. Sam’s mother is living in her own mother’s old house now that Gran Mae is dead, and is happy to have Sam come back home for however long it will last.

The problem is that the house no longer feels like home for Sam. With blandly-painted walls (ugh, ecru), and familiar knickknacks out of sight, the house itself seems to be telling her that something is wrong. Never mind her mom’s behavioral regressions to the days of Gran Mae’s life, or the vultures that are hanging out in the neighborhood. There’s also Gran Mae’s rose garden, which, while stunningly beautiful as ever, is suspiciously devoid of insect life (trust Sam on this one, she’s an entomologist, after all).

Before long, Sam begins to have dreams of her grandmother, and remembers things she said. “The roses say to say your prayers,” and “the underground children will get you…” and not-so-startling fatphobia linger in her memory. But how much of that was real? All is clearly not well on Lammergeier Lane, and Sam is determined to find the answers. Negotiating Southern hospitality and prejudices and overcoming her own fears will be critical.

A House With Good Bones is a quick, fun horror read, y’all. T. Kingfisher has put together one fantastic ride. I loved following Sam on her journey through her family’s past as she strove to save her mom and herself from a disturbing legacy. Not to mention that I will never look at ladybugs (Coccinellidae) the same way again.

My utmost thanks to NetGalley and to the folks at MacMillan/Tor for an eARC of A House With Good Bones in exchange for a fair review. You can snag a copy for yourself starting on March 28th.

This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2023/03/22/a-house-with-good-bones-a-review/

This is my second book by Kingfisher and it’s fair to say I’ve got a new auto-buy author!

I absolutely love the way that Kingfisher can mix humor with unsettling scenes and underlying tension. Our main character and narrator, Sam, is a hoot to follow along with as she worries herself over what’s happening with her mom. Sam felt so real through her dialogue and rabbit holes of wandering thoughts. Each reaction felt like something I might say to myself, minus the fact that Sam is filled with way more bug knowledge than I could ever pretend to know.

On top of a fabulous main character, Kingfisher transports us to an isolated lane in North Carolina that crafts the perfect setting. Sure, the neighbors are a bit odd and there are several vultures just hanging around outside, but the creepiest part is what’s happening inside the house. The scares aren’t over-the-top. They may be subtle at times, but overall the story consistently has a sense of unease.

I highly recommend going into this one as blindly as possible. I didn’t reread the synopsis before picking it up and I think that helped everything feel very fresh and unsettling as it was happening.

A huge thank you to Tor Nightfire for my gifted copy!

I really enjoyed this book. This is the first gothic novel I've read, and I think I like the genre. The book is overall engaging - some of the horror elements are a bit obvious before our MC figures it out, and the middle of the book was slow for me, while the ending felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed the characters and the world building - though some of our MC's humor/snark fell flat to me. I am interested in reading more T. Kingfisher after reading this.