A Dark Roux by Blaine Daigle

I’m a sucker for books set in Louisiana, with its bayous, culture, and folklore. This Gothic horror has all of that and did not disappoint.

Siblings Rhiannon and Rhett LeBeau have been through a lot. Abandonment of their mother, suicide of their father…after which Rhiannon left for 15yrs. When Rhett contacts her to let her know their mother died, she returns to the family home that holds so much traumatic memories for them both. The house is located in the bayou on an old sugarcane farm. The atmosphere that the author builds is palpable. You can feel the tension and nervousness within the characters, the animosity toward them from other residents of Terrebonne Parish, the evil that is always lurking nearby.

This was one hell of a great book, in my opinion. An absolute must read. Very well done, Mr. Daigle!!

My thanks to Wicked House Publishing, Blaine Daigle, and NetGalley for the advanced copy to read and review. The thoughts herein are my own and voluntary.

Dark southern Gothic, one of my favorite tropes..I enjoyed this story very much. Just wish it had been longer.

A very atmospheric Gothic horror set in the Louisiana bayou. A creepy tale about a haunted house and a family curse with some genuinely chilling moments.

This was a really good gothic horror ghost story. I devoured this book. It’s frightening, thrilling, eerie, and bittersweet. There’s a lot of heart in this book and it is so well written. I think it’s easy to say that Blaine Daigle is at the top of my list of horror authors to watch! I can't wait to read his next book. I would highly recommend this book.


Thank you NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.

“Dark Roux” by Blaine Daigle is a dual-timeline fantasy haunted house novel set in the ominous, atmospheric bayou of Louisiana, which is always restless, forever changing, and never without its blood-curdling sounds and lurking creatures.

Several generations of the LeBeau family have lived in their bayou home and grown sugar cane in the surrounding fields, as have most other farmers in the area. But something is wrong with the LeBeaus and their house. As children, Rhiannon and Rhett are booed and bullied at school. Classmates even call their mother a witch. This is even more common when a local man disappears and his mother is blamed.

Years later, after the siblings are adults and living on their own, they receive word that their mother is dead and must return to their dreaded childhood home to make arrangements for her funeral. Both have been tortured by physically overwhelming dreams since the news of the death. The fear of returning home is almost paralyzing – especially for Rhiannon – who feels as if she is drowning and suffocated by mold and moss.

But they must return, the compulsion is stronger than fear. Something old, evil and deadly has its fangs in Rhett and Rhiannon, and it has waited long enough to collect its money.

As an aside for more depth and insight, “Roux” could be improved by more thoroughly exploring and developing the shape-shifting aspects of witchcraft, voodoo, and rougarou. These were simply reviewed and readers were asked to take them as fact. Was their mother a generational witch in a coven? Did their father know he was marrying a witch? Did any of her children genetically inherit her abilities? Explain more about the voodoo church and the voodoo priestess. It's the origin story. There are so many more interesting aspects to this story that I would like to know.

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Blaine Daigle's 'A Dark Roux' is a great southern gothic ghost story, well-written, suspenseful, brimming with mystery, subtlety, and an atmosphere of grief, dread, and regret. Family issues dominate the narrative, though the resolution rests on the two central characters, siblings Rhiannon and Rhett. We meet them both as children and grown-ups, their past full of unfortunate events (a father dead, a mother having abandoned them to relatives). An equal central figure is their family house, in a sugar cane property in the Louisiana bayou: a wonderful setting for the superb haunted house tale Dingle offers as his second novel! When their mother dies, the siblings go back to their family house; step by step, everything is revealed in incredible, heart-breaking detail, with amazing prose, riveting imagery, and engaging plot twists. In fact, the book is essentially a series of huge plot twists I never saw coming, but thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the bittersweet ending, though I was prepared for a more intense involvement of the supernatural: the author seems to take ghosts and monsters for granted, not really spending all that much time on the nature of the apparitions, the details of the magic employed (throwing around the word "voodoo" was not very convincing) or the animalistic origins of the monsters; still, I myself did not feel cheated, realizing this rather secondary complaint only after I'd finished reading. So immersive writing is another strong point of this wonderful book!

Thank you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Dark southern gothic with very good writing and a good story. My disappointment was the lack of character development, the “monster’s” development was good, but not the main characters. Including the house itself, as an obvious character and focal point, was not described in any detail at all so its decline was less measured. Set in modern day Louisiana bayou country on a sugar cane farm that was successful in the earlier 1900’s, the idea of the abuse of the workers as a basis for the story was intriguing and could have been developed more. Over all I enjoyed the book, primarily for the writing itself.

When I saw this book listed I was immediately drawn in by the title and the cover art; I'm a sucker for Louisiana stories. Add some possible cryptids and some voodoo and I'm sold. I will say that this book started as a slow burn, but once that essential puzzle piece clicked into place I could NOT read fast enough. I devoured this book. The ending was not what I expected but I'm not at all unhappy with it. I like that its not the typical happy ending. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

What starts off as a typical southern-fried ghost story, steeped in the sounds and smells of the bayou, becomes something very unique. This is literary gothic horror at its best, full of beautiful passages and atmosphere. I recommend going into the book semi-blind and letting it surprise you. The story becomes so much bigger and more complicated than expected and I enjoyed the ride very much. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

A Dark Roux by Blaine Daigle #eightyfourthbookof2023 #arc

CW: suicide, death, ghosts, rougarou, hallucinations, purgatory, haunted house

This book was everything I wanted: a New Orleans bayou setting, supernatural elements, and a return to the family home which was the source of past trauma. But it didn’t come together in a way that worked for me. I prefer a more plot based book, and this one was a little too shy on action and a little too heavy on introspection and inner dialogue. That’s not to say it’s not a good book, but it’s not what I was hoping for. At another time, this probably would have been right up my alley.

The positives: a super creepy setting, a haunted house, dual timelines, awesome character names, that incredible cover. The author has another novel that sounds interesting, so I may look into that one.

Thank you to @netgalley and @wicked_house_publishing for the advance copy. (Pub date 11/10/23)

#nolabooks #adarkroux #inlovewiththecover

It's hard to nail the Southern Gothic vibe without falling onto tropes and stereotypes, and unfortunately this book did just that. The seemingly gratuitous violence towards PoC (especially children!) didn't sit right with me and these characters' trauma only seemed to serve to further the personal journey of the white protagonists. The bones of a really interesting examination of generational trauma were there, but never really developed beyond that.

This book was beautifully sad. I wouldn’t call it scary and there were very few spooky moments, but the atmosphere was what really stood out and carried this book. You could FEEL the atmosphere of the bayou and the oppressive force this family is trying to escape. You sympathize with the main characters and as truths come to light you really get to understand them and what drives them and just how far they will go to save the ones they love. It was a great story.

What a story! Mr Daigle's way of writing is so captivating. The description of the Bayou was my favorite, it felt so poetic and indeed is such a mysterious and fascinating place.
I loved the different POV's. It made me understand the characters more, their bond, fears and struggles. The different timelines were also well done and easy to understand and it connected beautifully at the end.
My only issue was that I felt that some of the most important questions were left unanswered or important parts weren't given enough attention or any at all.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to more of Mr. Daigle's future work.

4/5. Thank you to #Netgalley and #WickedHousePublishing for this ARC.

This gripped me from the first page. You don’t just picture the story, you FEEL it! I could feel myself paddling through the bayou and stepping into the mud. Some masterful writing! I will be reading this again, it was so good, I enjoyed every word. I highly recommend this great read! Brilliant!

The initial impression set by the first few paragraphs of the book is nothing short of captivating and descriptive, immediately drawing the reader into the story's setting. The evocative imagery creates a vivid portrayal of a dark, eerie bayou, reminiscent of films like "The Skeleton Key" (2005) or media with similar settings. If you're a fan of "Old Gods of Appalachia" (2019), you're in for a treat with this book. "A Dark Roux" masterfully delivers on this atmospheric feeling without merely replicating it from other sources. The book weaves dark folklore seamlessly into the narrative, as it seeps through the floorboards of an old sugarcane farmhouse in Louisiana, entwining itself with the history and lives of the LeBeau family.

The title, "A Dark Roux," might not have held immediate meaning for you, but you chose to let the book guide you on its intended journey. The connection between the title and the story's content is revealed in a heartfelt and unexpected way, offering valuable context. This clever use of the title is a testament to the author's skill and adds to the overall experience, particularly for readers who may not be familiar with the term "roux."

The overarching storyline follows a somewhat familiar trope where a family member's death draws the main character back to their ancestral estate to unravel a mystery. However, "A Dark Roux" offers a fresh perspective on this classic family tragedy narrative, turning it into something distinct. While there may be minor concerns about logic, pacing, or timing, these are outweighed by the originality of the paranormal and fantasy concepts introduced in the story. The plot generally maintains a satisfying momentum, keeping readers engaged and interested.

As you progress from the prologue into the main body of the story, you may notice a slight shift in the writing style. The prose may appear less polished, with descriptions and language that are not as refined as in the prologue. This shift is noticeable but not necessarily a letdown. It's more of an observation, and it doesn't detract significantly from the overall reading experience. Given that you read a pre-release version, it's possible that further editing will address this minor disconnect.

Additionally, the author deserves recognition for the portrayal of female characters in the story. Rhiannon, the main character and a female lead, is depicted as a fully realized person with emotions, inner dialogue, conflicts, and a distinct personality. Her character is not reduced to physical descriptions or attire, which is sometimes an issue when male writers tackle female characters. Rhiannon's portrayal is handled with care, making her a relatable and authentic character.

You've chosen to leave the critiques section out of this review due to its pre-release status, and that's a respectful approach. Once the book is officially released, you can revisit and add any critiques you may have.

In conclusion, "A Dark Roux" offers a unique and engrossing experience in the world of bayou haunts. The well-realized setting, from the bayou to the house and the land, immerses the reader in the story. Despite minor concerns about timing in plot point revelations and circular inner monologues, the book stands as a gem, leaving readers eager to return to the LeBeau family. Blaine Daigle's storytelling is a delight, and I look forward to exploring more of his work in the future.

Wow wow wow

Thank you Netgalley, Wicked House Publishing & Blaine Daigle for the ARC of this book

Another absolute winner from Blaine. He has a way in writing the perfect balance of action, addictive back story & setting up a creepy atmosphere.

Excellent pacing, brilliant plot and its official that Blaine is quickly becoming one of my FAV horror authors! Waiting on this next book now haha!

4.5/5 stars

Daigle really sets the stage with A Dark Roux; there’s the Louisiana bayou, the LeBeau secret legacy and their dilapidated home. Each one seems to be its own character.

The LeBeaus are a broken family and when Rhiannon and Rhett’s mother dies, they are forced back to their ancestral home and the buried memories it contains. At the core, this is a haunted house story but to say that feels like you’re just skimming the surface. It’s a sad story of a family history and tragedy; a legacy that follows and haunts them constantly.

This is my second read from Blaine Daigle and both have been so diametrically different but both horrifying in their own way. He consistently completely encapsulates the atmosphere and feel of what he writes. You are Rhiannon LeBeau, in the bayou surrounded by floating bones. In this instance, Daigle writes what he knows and in doing so, creates a rich southern gothic setting.

I devoured this book. It’s frightening, thrilling, eerie, and bittersweet. There’s a lot of heart in this book and it is so well written. I think it’s easy to say that Blaine Daigle is at the top of my list of horror authors to watch!

Pleasantly surprised by A Dark Roux. This was my first book by this author and certainly won’t be my last. His world building was atmospheric and made you connect with the creepiness of the bayou. I enjoyed that this book was far from predictable and kept me hooked start to finish. Getting dual POV’s was helpful in connecting with the main players with past and present timelines. Perfectly executed plot! Well done!

“Dark Roux,” by Blaine Daigle, is a dual-timeline fantasy haunted house novel set in the foreboding, atmospheric Louisiana bayou that is always restless, forever changing and never without its blood-curdling sounds and lurking creatures.

Several generations of the LeBeau Family have resided in their bayou home and grown sugarcane in its surrounding fields— like most other area farmers nearby. But there is something wrong about the LeBeaus’ and their house. As children, Rhiannon and Rhett are jeered and bullied at school. Classmates even call their mother a witch. This becomes even more prevalent when a local man disappears and their mother is blamed.

Years later, after the siblings are grown and living on their own, they get word that their mother is dead and they must return to their dreaded childhood home to make arrangements for her burial. Both have been tortured by physically overwhelming dreams since the news of the death. The dread of returning to the house is almost paralyzing—especially to Rhiannon—who feels as if she’s drowning and suffocating with mold and moss.

But return they must, the compulsion is stronger than fear. Something old, malignant and deadly has its fangs in Rhett and Rhiannon, and it has waited long enough to collect its due.

As an aside for added depth and insight, “Roux” could be enhanced by exploring and developing the witchcraft, voodoo and rougarou shape-shifting aspects more thoroughly. Those were just skimmed-over and readers were asked to take them as fact. Was their mother a generational witch? Was she in a coven? Did their father know that he was marrying a witch? Did either of her children genetically inherit her ability? Explain about the voodoo church more in depth and the voodoo priestess. It’s origin story. There are so many more interesting aspects to this tale that I would like to know.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Blaine Daigle, and Wicked House Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

The writing here was like a middle school English assignment. Very choppy and juvenile. Maybe some more editing would have helped but I’m not sure. The premise was good but I just didn’t care for this.