I really enjoyed Rachel Harrison’s first two books, so this was a bit of a disappointment.

The Return was a terrifically creepy horror novel, and Cackle a delightfully macabre revenge tale. Such Sharp Teeth felt less successful, but was at least a compelling story.

Here in Harrison’s fourth book, things seem to have gone off the rails. Though the pacing is fine, there’s nothing scary about this book, and Vesper’s personal tale feels like one more Woman Breaks with Cult story, which never interests me much and isn’t presented in any especially unique way here.

It also bears mentioning that there’s a pretty significant difference between the church of Satan and a satanic cult, and this book seems to confusingly conflate the two. What’s happening here is much more evil cult in theme, but it’s presented as the church of Satan, which is not exactly correct and doesn’t help a meandering narrative that never really gets anywhere.

Harrison is at her best when she’s either scaring us senseless or appealing to our gleeful macabre revenge fantasies, and this book missed the proverbial boat on both of those things.

I was so scared to read Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison because I am admittedly a chicken. Now that I have kids, I am so out of practice with reading horror stories. I cannot handle anything with kids in danger. However, Cackle was soooo good that I knew I needed to give Black Sheep a shot. Add in that the audiobook is narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker, and friends, I am SOLD.

This book is about Vesper Wright. Vesper works at a restaurant and is a twenty something living a pretty quiet life. She has quite a history though. You see, Vesper grew up in the Hell’s Gate cult. She ended up leaving at 18. Vesper is called back with an invitation to the wedding of her best friend and ex boyfriend. Rather than turning it down, she ends up going back home. There we learn about her mom, Constance Wright, who was a famous horror actress. Also, about her mysterious father who has been in and out of her life. Only, y’all there’s a huge twist with her dad. Also, this book for sure takes a supernatural turn.

I am so glad I read Black Sheep. It was a solid spooky season read for me. I like books that are creepy and not gory. I am not at all a fan of gore. There’s a smidge of gore and moments where I was like WTF is going on here. However, the best part is that this gives off that creepy feeling where we know something is sinister and off but not quite what it is. I love that. Also, Vesper kind of starts off as kind of… someone in need of growth and she really just is so dynamic by the end. The audiobook was worth the listen. Jeremy Carlisle Parker does an excellent job as Vesper, but also with the voice of Vesper’s father. It was easy to differentiate between the different characters. The audiobook is 9 hours and 54 minutes long – a superb spooky season listen, although I did feel a little awkward everytime they were like hail Satan hahaha.

One thing I love about Berkley Publishing is when they publish a thriller or horror book, you know it will be unique. As I started reading this one, I was sure I knew where it was headed. It eluded to a cult that seemed to be religious in nature, but of course there is always a twist.

Vesper is heading home. A place she’s stayed away from for some time because she isn’t welcome. She wasn’t sure why she was invited to the wedding. As the reader, I wasn’t sure why she wasn’t welcome and I had all kinds of guesses. I related to Vesper, because at times I am the black sheep of the family too.

This one explores family and community. Both personally and as a big picture. As I read I was slowly let in to all the secrets this community has. I am going to leave my review here so I don’t spoil anything. But if you are looking for something a little different than your average thriller, this will definitely fit the bill. Nothing is as straightforward as it seems and I couldn’t read/listen to this one quick enough to be let in on the secrets.

When listening to this one, I enjoyed Jeremey Carlisle Parker’s narration. She nailed Vesper in all her youngness and cynicism. You can’t go wrong with either reading or listening or both to this one. A perfect choice for the start of spooky season.

**Many thanks to Shelf Awareness, Berkley, and Rachel Harrison for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

There's one in every family...

Vesper considers herself lucky to have made it out alive. Growing up in a hyper-religious cult, she was taught not to question and that her future would consist of perpetuating the next generation of cult members...so Vesper bolted at age 18 and hasn't looked back. Sure, her job at a local restaurant isn't exactly ideal, but who can put a price on freedom? She grits her teeth at the stereotypical customers who drive her crazy and tries to stay on her boss' good side (despite a couple unusual run-ins with the patrons that only seem to happen when she gets VERY angry...)

But when she gets invited to her former best friend's wedding, Vesper decides to fight back against the rules and return to the place she so long called home. At first, she's happy to see her friends and even puts on an artificial happy face in the presence of her Scream Queen movie star mother, whose icy demeanor hasn't warmed a single iota. Until a terrifying secret about her life, her past, her family, AND her potential future is revealed....and everything Vesper thought she knew about her upbringing takes an enlightening ---and terrifying---turn. Why DID Vesper's dad abandon her at a young age...and why is he back now? And though she tried to run, is there a force buried deep within her, stronger then she even realizes, that cannot and WILL NOT ever let her leave?

Rachel Harrison is easily becoming a go-to horror author for me. Her blend of snark, feminism, humor, insight, and OF COURSE eerie and sometimes gory horror is bar none some of the best and most creative writing in the genre right now. The female characters who lead her stories are all cut from the same strong, vibrant cloth...and all seem to have just the SLIGHTEST dark streak in them too. (Okay, sometimes it's NOT so slight!) Vesper was a very accessible character from the jump, and I had no trouble feeling empathy for her situation and the general state of her life after what she endured: her choices aren't easy at the beginning and become exponentially LESS easy as time wears on.

I would LOVE to get into more specifics re: Vesper's father and the BIG SECRET...but doing so in any fashion would basically spoil 70% of the book for you. Let's just say the publisher's blurb was written in a cryptic way for a VERY important reason...and leave it at that. This is a book where going in blind is not only optimal, but is sort of necessary for full effect. What I can tell you is that your expectations will be subverted, your funny bone will be tickled, AND you'll get that pull and twist in your stomach while reading some of Harrison's gorier sections...but it is ALL worth it in the end.

And one thing is for certain: after finishing this one, you will NEVER be able to listen to Sweet Child Of Mine exactly the same way EVER again.

4 stars

My favorite thing while reading is when a book's plot shocks me so much my jaw drops; Black Sheep is basically just a series of jaw dropping, "oh my gosh," "what the hell?!" moments. But also with a main character I really like, a dark sense of humor, and a super original story.

My advice is to go into this one knowing nothing about the plot other than what's in the blurb, so you can have the full jaw-dropping experience. Basically, the main character is estranged from her family because they're in a weird religious cult, but she was invited back home to attend a wedding.

I laughed, I gasped, I cried. This story is about family, generational trauma, religious horror, and choosing your own path. Rachel Harrison is a favorite author at this point.

Thank you to @berkelypub @prhaudio for the #gifted arc. I listened to this one while following along and loved the narration. Jeremy Carlisle Parker was the perfect choice.

Vesper Wright, clearly the "black sheep", returns home after 14 years away after receiving a wedding invitation from her cousin and former bestie, Rosie. She was always told that once she left her religious community she could never return home. Vesper isn't sure she should. She wonders if it’s a set up. She didn't have a great relationship with her mom and she wanted to get away from her religious upbringing. Vesper's family was a hot mess and it was obvious that Brody was still in love with her!

I read Such Sharp Teeth last year and was a big fan so I did not hesitate to pick this one up. I just love Rachel Harrison's writing style and this cult horror book did not disappoint. This is a perfect spooky season read. Dark, creepy with a twist. I don't want to give too much away here, but I suggest you go into this one blind. You will not be disappointed! She will continue to be an auto-buy author for me!

This book was bananas and I enjoyed every second of it. This is by far my favorite Rachel Harrison book. It was sarcastic, funny and yet creepy and I couldn't put it down.
It tackles tough family, a religious cult...maybe even a Satan cult, an indie horror actress and it just goes everywhere.
A great read for the spooky season.

3.5 stars!

Rachel Harrison has done it again, balancing humor with horror, and creating such a fun cult classic horror novel that is just creepy enough, but won’t have you too scared to sleep without the lights on.

I loved Vesper’s character, a strong female MC that has fled her religious cult family, until she receives an invitation in the mail to return.

Each story Rachel writes is so creative, and I always find myself on the edge of my seat with the fast paced twists, and all the secrets that start to unfold. For me, I just didn’t love this story as much as I’ve come to love Cackle and Such Sharp Teeth.

🎧I absolutely loved the narration by Jeremy Carlisle Parker, who I’ve been listening to for a few recent reads, and have really enjoyed. She always manages to really draw me into the storyline and I thought she was great!

📖𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗽
✍️𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻
🗓️𝟵.𝟭𝟵.𝟮𝟯
🩸𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿
★★★.5

*many thanks to Berkley, PRH Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I am not a binge reader. It’s rare when a book makes me stand still and read it in less that two days.

I binged this arc of Black Sheep. I couldn’t put it down.

Harrison is the queen of capturing the horrors of everyday life. Black Sheep follows Vesper, a 20 something (with a pixie cut!!!) who left a fraught home and never looked back. When she’s invited “home” for a wedding, she’s drawn back into the fold and the toxic home she fought to escape. Vesper remembers just why she left, and learns of the even darker underbelly of her “family.”

Black Sheep explores the idea that family is so much more than the blood in our veins. Just because we share the same blood as someone else doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily ours.

The scares in this one felt surreal and dreamlike rather than downright scary, making it a great intro to horror read this spooky season. While I wish some pacing was different and some reveals were revealed sooner, I was still enraptured by this book.

If you love found family and are curious about horror, grab a copy of it next time you’re at the bookstore!

This was SO much fun! I had such a great time reading this book. Vesper is probably one of my favorite characters of the year. Her sass and point of view is so interesting.

I honestly don't want to give any of the plot away! I went in blind and am so happy I did! It made the "twists" so much more fun and had me binging this.

If you are into cultish vibes and interesting family dynamics, then you have to pick this up for Halloween/ fall season!

This book was so interesting to read, I couldn't put it down. I was intrigued when we follow the FMC as she struggles to survive outside of the small, religious community she was raised in, but then it got so much better as more and more info about where she came from and about her family. I really enjoy reading books from this author. There is always something just a little bit extra that turns a pretty simple plot line into something so much more.

Okay, but wow.

So straight up it's impossible to talk about this book in any depth without giving out information that should be preserved for the reading experience. As spoiler-free as possible is the best way to go into this one. But generally, and this is as far as the synopsis goes, Vesper Wright left her strict religious community six years before the book starts, when she was almost eighteen. The hypocrisy and insulated nature of the community was stifling her, and she never felt like she fit in, and didn't believe like the others did. Now, she has received a wedding invitation from her cousin Rosie out of the blue, and Rosie is marrying Vesper's ex-boyfriend, Brody. This seems to be the catalyst Vesper needs to finally go home again, because off she goes, only realizing what a terrible idea this is upon entering her old family home mid-rehearsal dinner, all eyes on her.

But Vesper's problems are not as simple as family squabbles and disagreements over their creepy religious cult. Things are going on that Vesper never understood as a child, and it would be spoilers to tell you what kind of reaction to those things I had and why. Just know they are WEIRD and things get kind of wild. Also, if you've read Rachel Harrison before and complained about a lack of horror, I feel like you won't be saying that with this book. The second half is probably chock full of stuff you will love, while also giving me what I want, in that I want funny, clever writing and an ending that doesn't make me want to crawl into my bed and never come out.

I am more and more loving Rachel Harrison's style. Vesper as a narrator is mean but funny, judgmental and cynical, but you root for her anyway. And the way that Harrison plays with story structure and reader expectations here is so, so clever, on top of her prose really leveling up. Before I switched over to the audiobook from the e-book, I was highlighting multiple lines per page because they struck me as funny or interesting or just really well-written. I was so delighted at certain plot turns of this book that I was literally cackling out loud like a witch and stomping my feet. And the ending, the way that she brought everything together, just really sealed this one for me. On re-read, which I would do with a hardback that I'm going to go out and buy very soon, I'm pretty sure I would just rate this a flat five stars, but it's one of those books I kind of need to let simmer in my head before committing to that.

Anyway, highly recommend this book, highly recommend this author. I can't wait to see what she'll do next.

[4.5 stars, rounded up]

I love a cult book and a story about someone who has escaped coming back is even better. There was a lot I liked about Black Sheep but I lot I didn't. The tone was super uneven for me, at times it was campy and then darkly funny and then just dark but never really settled one way or another.

Vesper Wright has done her best to stay away from the toxic environment that is her family and the Satanic religion they follow, after leaving them when she was 18. Now, years later, she unexpectedly receives an invitation to her cousin's wedding and decides to attend despite her misgivings and the fact that her cousin is marrying Vesper's ex-boyfriend. As soon as she arrives back on the farm, it's like she never left and her horror movie star mom Constance Wright is as cold and aloof as ever. As Vesper tries to figure out the dynamic between everyone, she's also trying to figure out who sent her the invitation in the first place, since people who leave the community are not welcomed back. Weird things keep happening to her causing her to question her past and present, as well as the intentions of the religious community, and she's reminded of why she left in the first place in order to live her life. Overall, a creepy read as Vesper starts to question her family's history and her role in the community and discovers who she really is. Readers of Grady Hendrix will like this one.

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison is a genre-defying masterpiece that seamlessly blends razor-sharp wit, pitch-black humor, and a storyline that's as engrossing as it is terrifying. The author has managed to infuse the narrative with a surprising depth of emotion and comedy without sacrificing an iota of horror's inherent drama and grisly details. To say I was riveted would be an understatement; the book had me glued to the edge of my seat, each page a new revelation of delightful terror. Far from a dull read, this book offers a unique smorgasbord of ghastly thrills that will leave you begging for more. A five-star experience in every sense.

Is it even really spooky reading season if you don't pick up a Rachel Harrison book? Without a doubt she's become one of my auto-read authors, and Black Sheep only cements my obsession with her terrifying, nerve-wracking writing style. In an effort to keep it spoiler free, I will say there's a pretty big reveal in Black Sheep that essentially blew my mind. Once I recovered, I binged the rest, because it's a must-know situation at that point, and it doesn't disappoint.

Rachel Harrison has created a work of horror fiction that evokes the strongest emotions surrounding the ideas of identity and self with the focal point straddling faith and family. Black Sheep haunts you with the question: Just who are you? Most people will answer this question with statements about their past. But what happens when you want to leave that past behind? Who are you then? There is something special in every single one of her books that makes me feel truly seen as a twentysomething-year-old forever trying to find herself; this one is no exception. In Black Sheep, we meet Vesper who has left her entire family behind on account of their overly religious nature. One invitation changes that all, and she is forced to reckon with her and her family’s sordid past.

Beginning with the very first line of the book, I knew I was going to be in for a treat. One of the best parts of this novel is its balance between humor and suspense. Vesper’s character encompasses exactly what it feels like to be a woman in your twenties in this day and age. Even in the synopsis, she is characterized as cynical and snarky; however, I found myself relating to her and her past with religion more than I expected. Truthfully, how can we not be cynical and snarky? We twentysomethings have lived through more historically traumatic events than we can keep count. Above all, Black Sheep felt very real despite the horror influences and plot lines it follows.

When I say there were multiple moments when reading this book that I gasped out loud, that is not an exaggeration. You can ask any of the other passengers on the flight I was on at the time; they can 100% confirm it. Harrison is such an intentional, intelligent author, particularly in the way she paces the events of this novel. There is an immersive quality to the imagery and settings described, effortlessly assisting in creating an “off-kilter” tone. I expected a twist within the first few pages, but I truly could not predict the events that transpired. Not only was this an entertaining, relatable read, but it was surprising as well.

The only area of this novel that I wish I could have explored further is the character of Constance Wright. Her relationship with Vesper is truly confounding given her icy demeanor and overall air of indifference towards her daughter. As events transpire, we witness certain aspects that call into question Constance’s true motives and feelings regarding her family and faith. Her seemingly ambiguous nature may be the overall reason for having a character like her. Not all characters (or people) are meant to be understood completely, something Vesper must come to terms with, in addition to the events related to her reunion with her family.

Another striking facet of this novel is its ability to confront issues related to faith and religion head-on. There is very little room for interpretation based on many of the points acknowledged in this book, and I have to say I agree with nearly all of them. Religious preferences aside, it is so fresh and exhilarating to read something that does not shy away from the harsh truths of those who have left or are making sense of organized religion. Harrison does an excellent job of intertwining the traumas experienced in Vesper’s past with the realities of the faith she was raised. I could argue that this book speaks to the horror of organized religion, but moreover, this is a novel about acknowledging one’s past and deciding how that affects one’s identity.

A story of cataclysmic reckoning, Black Sheep is a sharp, clever novel that surprises and delivers on numerous fronts. Rachel Harrison’s characters feel incredibly real despite the fantastical elements employed throughout the plot. Vesper’s struggle to come to terms with the reality of her childhood is a universal truth so many of us face while growing into adulthood. Additionally, her confrontation with her faith is bold and refreshing in a day and age where ugly truths are normally swept under the rug. This is a poignant read that, while humorous, voices bold ideas and dares us all to be our most authentic selves, despite the nature of our past. Harrison proves yet again, she’s an instant-buy author for me.

The Book: Vesper lives in New York City working a dead end waitressing job after she fled her intense religious community in Southern New Jersey. Then, an invitation shows up in the mail — her former best friend is marrying her ex-boyfriend and her attendance is requested. Vesper decides to make the trip back home and deal with what waits for her there — including her ice queen mother, Constance, a horror film star.

My Thoughts: I loved Harrison’s quirky werewolf story SUCH SHARP TEETH, released last year. It was fresh and unique. Black Sheep, although it has some of that quirky DNA, did not work for me in the same way. The characters were underdeveloped to the point that the climax meant nothing to me. I was just glad to be finished. I will still read Harrison, though. I have Cackle and The Return on my shelf. She is not afraid to try something different, which I respect. And yes folks, Penn Station is actually hell. She nailed that.

Thank you to @netgalley and at @berkley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the free book @berkleypub and @prhaudio. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartner

This was my first Rachel Harrison book and I had no idea what to expect! What a wild ride this turned out to be…perfect for spooky season!

Vesper Wright, daughter of a scream queen icon, grew up in a religious community. However, at the age of 18, she left her hometown and the church. Somehow she secretly knew they would take her back; and when she received an invitation to her cousin’s wedding, she decided it was time to return. Everyone did welcome her back, but there were a few mysteries surrounding her return: Who actually sent Vesper the wedding invitation? Why did the groom kiss her the night before the wedding? Why was her mother never happy to see her? Why wouldn’t her mother reveal the identity of Vesper’s father? What would all of this mean when Vesper discovered who her father really was?

Told entirely from Vesper’s perspective, this turned out to be one woman’s entertaining and irreverent look at religion, cults, and family ties as she discovered her true identity.

I listened to parts of this novel and read the print version at other parts. I enjoyed both versions. The narrator did a great job with the voice of Vesper.

📕 Black Sheep
✍️ Rachel Harrison
😱 Horror / Thriller
📄 336 pages
🎙️ Jeremy Carlisle Parker
🎧 12 hours
🗓️ September 19, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Undeniably, Rachel Harrison has written another five star horror book! I love Rachel Harrison’s dark humor and brutal honesty. Using satire and prose Rachel weaves horrific, occasionally gruesome moments together that leave you eerily unsettled yet craving more.

Cackle was the first introduction I had to her hypnotic horror books. I have shamelessly devoured each book within a single sitting since that time.

Angsty and rebellious, Vesper leaves home at eighteen and denounces the religion she was raised in. She doesn’t run far, but she distances herself enough that hopefully she won’t be easily found.

On her way home from work after she’s been fired from her waitressing job, Vesper senses a wrongness in the evening air. An envelope inviting her back home waits for her on her front doorstep. Her cousin and first love are set to be married. Now, Vesper must decide if she should go back. She always believed that once you left you could never return.

It’s hard to say more without giving too much away about Black Sheep. This is a book that horror fans should go into blind and enjoy the many of twists and unforeseen events.

Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the advanced copies of Black Sheep.