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.

A Dark Roux
Blaine Daigle
Pub: Wicked House Publishing
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2023
Format: eBook from NetGalley
5/5

Huge thank-you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

Y'all. When I say I was obsessed, you need to understand. I. Was. Obsessed. I literally could not put this book down. This novel was a beautiful blend of heartbreaking and terrifying. The visuals that Daigle came up with were just extraordinary. I have only been in Louisiana once, but I have read my fair share of stories that take place there, and I feel like it is easy to tell who is from the state and who is not. Daigle clearly has a connection to Louisiana and the bayou, and that really showed throughout the story.
This is definitely one of my favorite horror books I have read this year. The writing itself was elegant and yet easy to digest. The storyline also left me wanting more, and it took me a bit longer than I would like to admit to figure out the full extent of what was going on. This is the first book I read by Daigle, but I promise it will not be the last. He has quickly made his way into my top authors.
A Dark Roux is a story about familial trauma, curses, a little bit of historical fiction, and a whole lot of folklore. We follow a brother and sister as they return to their family’s sugarcane plantation for the first time in fifteen years to get their recently deceased mother’s affairs in order. As an older sister to a younger brother, I really related to Rhiannon and her innate need to take care of Rhett. I cried quite a few times because of their relationship and the difficulties that they endured together.
This is a book that I will gladly say “run, don't walk!” to preorder!

I loved this!! So much!
I read The broken places by Blaine earlier this year and loved the atmosphere he put into it and ‘a dark roux’ was very similar!
The atmosphere was so tense and creepy throughout the story which made it so much fun to read! Daigle painted a very unique and eerie landscape which makes it easy to picture the events of the book unfolding, even for someone like me whose never set foot in Louisiana.
This one is perfect for those looking for a quick Halloween read which mixes family tragedy with supernatural horror.

Have you read a book that made you think... "were the things I imagined as a kid really just my imagination?"

"Did those events have some grain of truth?"

This book definitely made me question things.

I don't want to and won't spoil anything.

Just read this.

5/5

Woah, this was great! I haven’t read anything by this author before but I’ve heard he’s starting to make waves in the horror world so I was looking forward to this one.

I’m happy to say it exceeded my expectations. The setting was sufficiently creepy and being from the south, it’s nice to have a southern setting (although the bayou is a beast I know little of). At first the story was a bit confusing but as soon as the puzzle pieces started coming together the book really flew by.

I’m looking forward to more books by Mr. Daigle on the future.

This was a very well written book & the atmosphere was perfect! It's a horror story that is simply a must read that has totally captivating characters! Rhiannon LeBeau left her home and thought she would never return. She does return to Terrebonne Parish after finding out that her mother has died. Now she has to face her past. Would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to BLaine Daigle & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy