Thank you Netgalley, Blaine Daigle and Wicked House Publishing for the arc of A Dark Roux.

This is the first book Ive picked up by Blaine and the blurb captured my interest straight away.. The narrative is well written and the prologue gets right in there under your skin, pulling you forward into reading more about the haunted past of LaBeau House and the family. Throughout the book, the writing is palpable, creative and atmospheric. Building in dread, mystery and legends of the Bayou of South Carolina. Not often do I get a little freaked out by atmospheric writing and boy, some of the scenes described had my hairs of my arms stand on end!
There was some great folklore weaved into the storyline as well as some twists, which add to the tension right to the last page.

5 stars!

This book has been about the second horror book that genuinely made me feel paranoid. It was hard to read at night but it was so amazingly written that i just wanted to keep reading. The different elements in this book kept me on the edge of my seat and it was done in such an interesting and captivating way! Not only did this book make me feel terrified, and paranoid, but it also made me sad for multiple reasons in the end, very heart wrenching. Thank you to Blaine Daigle and NetGalley for the ARC of The Dark Roux!


#netgalley #thedarkroux

IVery atmospheric and compelling, I do enjoy a good southern gothic story. I was completely immersed right from the start.

A delicious southern gothic read. The characters drew me in and wouldn’t let me go. The writing was superb and I look forward to more from the author.

Another home run from Blaine Daigle! A Dark Roux is set in Louisiana and it is the perfect spooky atmosphere. The sense of dread and throughout Daigle’s books are so incredibly well executed! Talk about dangling the carrot in front of the horse. Autobuy author for me, can’t wait for his next book.

This was very creepy and atmospheric. It was very well written. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and was reading well into the middle of the night because I couldn't stop reading. It's start off slow but the built up was intense. Can't wait to read more by this author.

Absolutely brilliant southern horror ghost story!
A brother and sister return to their childhood home to bury their mother and the secrets of the past come back to haunt them. Through that sibling love, they find a way to fight it... it doesn't end the way you hoped, but it ends the way it needed to. Enough twists and turns to keep you intrigued without causing any confusion.
Loved the entire story. The setting was well described and the characters were both loved and hated.

3.5/5. I loved the premise and I was fully engaged for the first like 4/5ths of this book. Kind of fell apart at the end but it was still worth the ride. The southern gothic vibe was fun and I liked the POV changes between the two main characters. Would recommend.

Blaine has skillfully crafted a dark and flavorful southern gothic horror novel, aptly titled "A Dark Roux". The writing is immersive and vivid, transporting the reader to the Bayou and the haunting world of the LaBeau Family.

The details and sensory descriptions are sharp, pungent, and impressive, adding depth to the story. Unlike many modern horror novels, this book pays attention to detail, making it a truly engrossing read. I found myself fully immersed in the story, feeling as though I was treading through the murky waters of the Bayou and experiencing the dark history and secrets of the LaBeau family.

This is my fifth book of 2024, and it is by far my favorite. It was also my first book by Blaine, and I am now a fan. I look forward to reading more of his works published by Wick House. I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and WickedHouse for providing me with the ARC.

Wow this was truly just incredible. It was so scenic and beautifully terrifying and the reveal towards the end - don't even get me started! I cannot recommend this enough to my fellow horror enthusiasts it is a trip reminiscent of Iain Reid and Mona Awad. I will definitely be keeping up with Daigle's works in the future!

I was simply immersed in Blaine Daigle's "A Dark Roux." I had been meaning to read this for October, but am so glad I got to it now. I found Detective Dwyer navigating the Louisiana police force with stark realism. Daigle’s storytelling vividly captures the essence of Cajun life, seamlessly intertwining elements of voodoo, corruption, and family secrets. The narrative dives into the gritty details of crime within the rich backdrop of Cajun culture.

Throughout the book, the Louisiana atmosphere comes to life, painting a vivid picture of bayous and cultural intricacies. The story feels so authentic, offering an exploration of justice against the unique tapestry of Louisiana. Reading "A Dark Roux," I felt truly immersed—the details were so vivid that the story felt exceptionally real, allowing me to step into the shoes of Detective Dwyer as she unraveled mysteries amidst the captivating Cajun world. Just a fun read.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley
I only recently have started to explore the horror genre. With that being said, picking this book up was a wonderful decision on my part. From start to finish I enjoyed every moment of unraveling the story of Rhiannon and Rhett. What drew me to this book originally was the paranormal aspect as well as the Louisiana location. I can honestly say that I have never read a book with setting, and I was absolutely rewarded by taking that chance.
Immediately off the bat I was taken away by the writing style and how immersive it felt in creating the sense of living truly in the bayou, and how the house progressed through the story. Not only that, but the mere descriptions of what the siblings were seeing and feeling. I think in horror especially it is crucial to be able to dive deep into the emotions and fears that are being felt, which is something that was done masterfully. It honestly made me stop in my tracks and marvel over how perfectly descriptive it was.
In terms of storyline, I was totally blown away by the rich history and plot twists throughout the story. It was less paranormal than I was expecting and honestly more folklore, which was a happy surprise. I truly think that this southern type of folklore makes it such a unique read. I would have liked just a tad more background to be completely honest but I’m just a sucker for that kind of stuff. Before I forget- the plot twists are incredible. I did not see any of it coming to be honest. I got about halfway and was truly wondering where the story was going to end up going. To my surprise it went totally left field but was wrapped up nicely.
I appreciated that this was a pretty mild horror read, it was more spooky than anything. There are a few sensitive topics but nothing that is overly gruesome especially in this day and age.
Even if you aren’t a fan of horror, I would still recommend this book 10 times over. It’s the perfect spooky read that gives you just a bit of chills reading it, and maybe makes you interested enough to dip your toes in even more!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley

I loved THE BROKEN PLACES so much so when I saw A DARK ROUX, I knew I had to request it. I was not disappointed. Daigle has a way of building creepy atmosphere that I feel like I'm there, trapped in a house haunted by many ghosts and mucking through a bayou. Rhiannon and Rhett haunted by both their past and present kept me invested as they pieced together what has happened in the summer of '99 and the truth of what plagued their family. The ending, as heartbreaking as it was, also felt satisfying as a conclusion, not just to the present but to everything that had culminated. Daigle is quickly becoming a must read author for me.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley. Here are my thoughts.

I should have liked this book based on Louisiana, the bayou, a family curse, and a haunted house. Instead, I really struggled with the writing and was unable to engage. The language was often overwrought, but in other cases felt lifeless, and I was turned off by it early on, which affected everything. While I cared about the characters in abstract and wanted some answers, there were few moments where I enjoyed this journey.

Towards the end, I found some moments and concepts scary or interesting, but it's a long journey there. I liked the concept of the ghosts as truly lost spirits wandering in confusion. I'm always creeped out by that.

I lightly cared about the characters, but not at the level I needed to. They have this deeply traumatic backstory while not being deep characters. I didn't want them harmed, but also felt like I wasn't going to be deeply wounded no matter what. The only characters I truly cared about were ones with their fates well sealed.

It took me months to finish this book. I could have quit 100 times. This was such a miss for me.

But I don't recommend anyone write off A Dark Roux -- great title -- based solely on my experience. This story contains great elements that might work perfectly for someone who doesn't have a road block of not connecting with the writing. Check out a sample, and if you like the voice and the plot, setting, etc. feel right, I believe you will have a more satisfying experience.

Thank you Netgalley and wicked house publishing for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

"We don't always have to stay in the cages people pick out for us."


This was good. Creepy and atmospheric. Set on Louisiana bayou where the LeBeau house is - hides a horrifying mystery that has not been touched by anyone since years.

Rhiannon and Rhett are last of the LeBeau family. First their father dies in mysterious way but is dismissed as suicide and later their mother is found dead. Something sinister is hidden in the musky , moldy LeBeau house.

The reveal of mystery in the end was good. But it was too streched in my opinion. It would have been better had it been shorter as I as a reader was waiting for the final reveal and it wouldn't come. It was definitely getting on my nerves.

Overall okay. 3.5 stars.

4.5

Hey all! This was a great ominous spooky bayou horror with some very dark and very cool elements the chars were realistic and the plot worked. Thanks for the ARC and Cheers

Blaine Daigle's A Dark Roux hits all the spots with what I like in my horror. The atmospheric descriptions, family drama, the house, the characters, the writing, the slow build up, and the tension. It also left me scratching my head as to whether or not it was a haunted house story, a witch story, a werewolf story, or all of the above? Like, what is going on? The novel becomes convoluted at times, but I just rode with it and it eventually makes some sense but not completely.

A Dark Roux is a fantastic read for horror fans and I will definitely be checking out other Daigle novels. A high recommend.

Boy, am I glad I read this literally during the last few days of the year, because this turned out to be one of my favourite reads of 2023. I'm a sucker for horror where at the core of the story is a relationship between family members, particularly siblings contending with the aftermath of trauma inflicted on them by parents, either unwittingly in the case of Rhiannon and Rhett's mother, or purposefully, in the case of their father. And this book did not disappoint!

Rhiannon and Rhett were both well-rounded, relatable characters. Their deep connection was beautiful to read, but they stood strong in their own right as well. The writing is spectacular. The horror is vivid and lyrical and very reminiscent to me of Shirley Jackson. The pacing of the backstory against the horror of today was well-done and well-structured. The setting of the Louisiana bayou was also perfect as the scene for so many creepy things.

Wholeheartedly would recommend to others!

Once had a teacher say one sign of a well written book is if you dream about the characters. I dreamt about Rhiannon & Rhett.

I loved how there were lots a questions that kept the interest going. Well-paced and vivid.

Looking forward to more from this author!

The book is creepy. There is an invigorating mystery of the place that is located in the heart of Louisiana. The description is so creepy and the vibe is atmospheric. There are innumerable tales about this place. A young girl decides to go there. But don’t come back. Rhiannon and Rhett have seen a lot of tragic things. While Rhiannon left fifteen years ago and Rhett is doing what’s best for everyone. There are a lots of secrets, memories, loss of loved ones and the demons of past and present. The book is melancholic, mysterious and scary. The world is full of misery, reminiscent memories, and tragedy. Horror lovers will like this book.

Many Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley.