Yet another fantastic novel from a wonderful author! This book is about a family that is about to celebrate Christmas when Alison gets word that her mother is dying. With only weeks to live she wants to repair the relationship she has with her estranged daughter, so Alison arranges to have her moved to her home. As time goes by Alison feels that she is the only one that sees the threat and can put a stop to it even as her family feels she is a danger to herself and others.

I love everything that Jennifer McMahon writes, and this was no exception. Who doesn't love a good demon possession story? Jennifer manages to take everyday life problems and spin them just enough to put me on edge. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I was so happy to get this book!

I belong to a "Spooky Book Club" group, and Jennifer McMahon is definitely an author who fits well in that group. McMahon's Island of Lost Girls was one of the very first books reviewed on this blog back in July 2009(!) -- she's an author I never miss. So I was really excited to get my hands on My Darling Girl, with a planned release in October (not surprising) of 2023.

I've read all of McMahon's books, and I "think" this is her first book about demonic possession. So if you're not into that, you may want to pass on this one! This is the story of Alison, who gets a call one day that her estranged mother is dying. Alison goes to see her, but her brother cannot forgive what their mother put them through as children. Her mother has one request -- to die in Alison's home. Admirably, (or stupidly?), she agrees. When her mother arrives, strange things start to occur - some even involving Alison's two children, who Alison will do anything to protect.

I read this one before bed with the lights off, and it really scared me at times. While I didn't like it quite as much as her best (the aforementioned Island), this still has the classic slow-building creepiness that McMahon is known for. Can't wait for the next one!

MY RATING - 4

If you've been looking for the Hallmark Christmas movie cozy-times version of an "is it family trauma or is it demonic possession?" horror novel, Jennifer McMahon's My Darling Girl is everything you've been pining for. And you might think I'm saying that in a snarky, sneery way, but you know what? I am totally not. My advice? Save this for December when the wooly socks, hot chocolate, and twinkle lights come out of storage, and have a good time with it.

Queen of horror did it again! Another story that was told in such a captivating way. Horror that is tangled in the love of a family. My only complaint is that I wish this book was longer! Thank you so much to the publisher for letting me read and review this on netgallery! McMahon, this is your best work yet! Amazing

Jennifer McMahon's books are auto buys for me. This is her best one yet, which says a lot as I love all her books. It's the perfect blend of thrills and supernatural elements. I highly recommend this book.

This book would work for older readers, it might be too scary for younger students. It is the story of a troubled abusive relationship between a mother and a daughter, during the mother's dying days. The use of demons and who is crazy and what is real was explored. More contemporary than some of the author's usual works and more of a horror element. I enjoyed it but it was disturbing

I love Jennifer McMahon. She writes some seriously weird and creepy books. I also love how a lot of her books have a supernatural element – or do they? The ambiguity is part of the fun, albeit sometimes this is more successful in some books than others. In My Darling Girl, it works pretty well with a few shaky plot points.
My Darling Girl has a solid premise. Our heroine Alison has a husband and two daughters and a happy life, despite having had a troubled childhood herself. She gets the call that her mother, who she is estranged from, is dying and wishes to come live out her final days with her. Alison is unsure about this idea as her mother was physically and emotionally abusive, but her husband, a super annoying glass-is—REALLY-full type, convinces her that it will be good for her to get some closure from her difficult childhood. The time together will heal them and some other nonsense that he spouts and convinces her it is a good plan. Alison’s brother tells her it’s a terrible plan and asks why she is even in contact with that monster.
Right away, it’s clear the brother is smarter than the husband. But, of course, Alison believes her husband might be right and allows her mother to move into her home. Naturally, this is a huge mistake. From there, a lot of fun twists happen. Some are really frustrating – I wanted to shake sense into Alison many times. The entire book was the literary equivalent of watching a horror movie and yelling at the characters to stop being so stupid/naïve. In other words, it was tons of fun to read.
There IS a supernatural element – perhaps. Or maybe it’s straight up psychological horror. You decide. Loved the ending!

Wow wow wow!!! This was not at all what I was expecting this book to be about as I hadn’t read the synopsis beforehand. This was such a crazy good book, and another home run from Jennifer McMahon. 4/5 stars! I really enjoyed it!

I'm a big McMahon fan, but this one was just meh to me. I love McMahon psychological terrors, but the "supernatural" in this one just didn't do it for me.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I truly devoured this book and I fell to in love with all of it. I loved the mother character and her whole experience with that rock and her relationship with her mother as she lives with her and her family. This is for sure a book I will buy to simple have and will for sure be re reading. I feel like I zoomed straight through this read, I was constantly reaching for it every chance I could. I think this may be my new favorite book and has officially bumped The Drowning Kind to spot two.

This was a good old fashion story about possession all triggered by a mysterious stone. Jennifer McMahon writes another great novel!!

I love Jennifer McMahon and anxiously await every one of her new releases. My Darling Girl did not disappoint. In true McMahon fashion, she delivers a story that has all the suspense and creep factor I've come to expect from her. I couldn't put this book down, and I'm sad that I've finished it. Well done!
Thank you to NetGalle and Gallery/Scout Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I generally love Jennifer McMahon, but this was just meh to me. I don’t know exactly what it was, but it was missing something. It was an easy and creepy read but it just felt rushed in spots.

Alison , a successful children's writer Lives with her husband and two daughters . She agrees to let her estranged Mother who is dying with Cancer to come live with her . This brings up many bad memories from her child hood. . Full Of twists and scares this novel like the rest of Ms. McMahon"s novels is addictive. Scary, thrilling and unforgettable don't miss this incredible novel

Oh my goodness! Jennifer McMahon is a favorite author and her latest work is so very good. The creep factor is on point and the storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters were individually interesting and well developed, and the pacing was just right. I bet the audiobook will give a whole other level of suspense. This story reminded me a little of Paul Tremblay's Head Full of Ghosts, which I also highly recommend. I would love to see this story play out on film. Keep these scary stories coming Jennifer McMahon! Fantastic!

Epic read! As per usual, Jennifer McMahon has created an absolutely unputdownable novel that needs to be at the top of everyones reading list! My Darling Girl centers around Alison and her twisted/complicated relationship with her mother, Mavis. Growing up Alison has some pretty horrific memories of her mother and because of that experience has kept Mavis at arm’s length from her husband and daughters. Alison finds herself in a tough position when Mavis asks to live out her final days with Alison and her family while she succumbs to pancreatic cancer. From that point in this story I was hooked and completely wow’ed by this insane journey!

I was fascinated with the concept of this storyline! For fear of giving away any spoilers, I want to stay pretty vague, but I will say there are many moments throughout this novel, that my jaw hung wide open! The novel had a high erie/creepy vibe that had me reeling with every twist and turn! My Darling Girl is a combination of a domestic thriller and the supernatural to create a 5 star novel that is unforgettable! Jennifer McMahon simply does not disappoint and I highly recommend everyone check out this book!

MY DARLING GIRL by Jennifer McMahon
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Too many to list! The Winter People, The Children on the Hill, Promise Not to Tell, Don’t Breathe A Word

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9781668019061

Release Date: October 3, 2023

General Genre: Horror, General-Thrillers, Supernatural, Women

Sub-Genre/Themes: Psychological thriller, mystery, alcoholism, child abuse, mother & daughter relationships, artists, estranged family, secrets, mental institutions, demon possession, hospice, sick parent

Writing Style: a delicate balance of character-driven & plot-driven storytelling, intricately plotted, fast pace

What You Need to Know: You need to know this book will be released October 3rd, 2023 but it would be perfect to wait until Christmas to read it for those “in the Christmas spirit” horror vibes.

My Reading Experience: When Jennifer McMahon is “on” she is full on. One of my favorite storytellers. There is just an ease and accessibility to her writing that triggers my brain to slip into that effortless, uninterrupted reading space that feels like a movie in my mind. I could see every scene in cinematic detail.
The horror creeps in on multiple levels. There is that whole “old people are scary” element right away (think Adam Nevill’s The Vessel or M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit). There is a well-developed, complicated relationship between mother and daughter that feels authentic. The right amount of tension and anxiety.
The main character, Alison, is front and center as the protagonist–her mother, Mavis as the antagonist and then Alison’s husband and two daughters in supporting roles. I will say that there could have been a little more to Alison’s husband, Mark but was just enough. I have no complaints.
I especially loved Mavis’s backstory and the way McMahon was strategic about peeling back the layers a little at a time. The italisized font signaled to the reader we were getting a section of storytelling from Mavis’s viewpoint and that worked well, I preferred that over getting chapters of varying POVs. It was a good choice for us to stay with Alison the whole time–it keeps readers limited to one POV and wondering the whole time if the narrative is reliable.
I won’t say too much about the demon possession element because the reading discoveries in this book are so entertaining and exciting, so I will just say this is a new favorite demon possession book and I will never stop recommending it.

Final Recommendation: MY DARLING GIRL is a new Jennifer McMahon book. Returning fans will devour this one and new fans should definitely pick this one up for a great introduction to her work. If you love complicated mother/daughter relationships, freaky old people, demon possession, and peak Christmas vibes buy this one and put it at the top of your December TBR pile.
Comps: The Vessel by Adam Nevill, A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay, The Visit (2015)

My Darling Girl
By Jennifer McMahon
Pub Date- October 3, 2023
Gallery
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
* horror, thriller mystery
I have loved McMahons previous books, however, this one felt flat to me. Quick and well paced novel. There are some loose threads that I felt needed a firmer conclusion. I also wish the characters were fuller.
This was not a hit for me, but I look forward to her next book.
3 stars

This is the second novel I read by Jennifer McMahon and unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me. I was intrigued by the fact that Alison and her mother (also her brother Ben) had an incredibly strained relationship. The level of abuse they suffered as children led to not much contact, but when her mother's caretaker contacts her she knows something is up. Her mother is dying, and one of her last wishes is to try and mend the broken relationship they have.

Alison has two children and both of them seem excited to have their grandmother coming to stay. And, initially things seem to be going well and Alison thinks maybe her mother has changed. But soon, she starts to see things that make her think that nothing is different, and when Paul comes to visit and makes a startling statement, Ali begins to question everything. Much to the dismay of her family.

It held a good pace but I felt that it had an ending that I didn't care for and felt rushed.