Historical gothic horror featuring sapphic longing, blood-hungry ghost companions, and (of course) an extremely creepy house! I enjoyed this read, though I didn’t ultimately end up loving it.

The atmosphere was very nicely done, and I liked the concept behind the ghost companions, who I wish had been even a little more present in the story; I felt a little less sure about the central romance, and the plot beats (while almost entirely Gothic classics) didn’t do a lot to really capture my attention.

I think this might be an excellent fit for someone who wants more vibes and less driving action in their horror, though it wasn’t quite right for me; and I’m always happy to have read more queer horror. If it sounds up your alley, it’s probably worth the read!

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the review copy!

Books that make you think and also question everything are some of the best books in my opinion. After finishing my darling dreadful thing- I’m sitting here wondering what the true narrative is. I’ll probably think about it for awhile.
Queer, gothic and horribly morbid are words I’d associate here and it was impossible to stop reading it. The whole time I was starving for more of Roos’ story and for what happened in the end of it all.
The story follows Roos’ a young girl whose mother forces her to perform seances with the help of her spirit companion Ruth. After one particularly exciting seance a wealthy widow whisks Roos away to live with her and her dying sister in law and in her deceased husbands home. The story continues to grow more complicated and twisted. You have to appreciate the imagery the author puts forth, it’s so morbid the way she describes the spirits- not as they’d perhaps wish to be remembered. Instead they are shown as dilapidated corpses left into whatever stage of rot their body can be presumed to be in.
This book deals with some pretty dark themes (make sure to check triggers!) but the author handles them well.
Overall I think this book is perfect for anyone who enjoyed books such as Mexican Gothic or Carmilla. The author captured all the best components of the genre. I will say I would definitely categorize this more as gothic than horror as the language used is so descriptive and beautiful that it’s easy to forget at times what exactly it is you are reading about.

This book was fantastic. I’ve given ‘My Darling Dreadful Thing’ 4.25 stars out of 5.

As we begin the story the supernatural elements are well underway. This book had a secret, a mystery, seances, alluring narration and a creepy, dark atmosphere which allowed me to be completely immersed in the book. The characters were engaging and the writing only elevated the story that much more. Also, I love me some sapphics. This is a brilliant debut novel from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC.

*Advance copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.*

While tackling some really heavy themes like abuse, starvation and grief, van Veen tells a beautiful, but also problematic, love story between a tortured girl and her saviour. Ghosts who are friends but also violent, benefactors who are also tormentors, lovers who are also foes. van Veen also mixes in the prejudices and believes of the mad and hysteric woman of the 50s from a new perspective.

I was instantly struck by the poetic and yet clearcut language and the dark imagery. There are some sequences I really want to point out here, but I will contend to recommend this book when it's released as our store's Horror or Fantasy Book of the Month, and to my horror enthusiast colleague, so I can discuss these scenes and imagery in detail.

5 stars

"Spirits like her are not drawn to the happy and carefree; they want salt, be it blood or be it tears."

What a thoroughly wonderful, dreadful thing, this book. I enjoyed every chapter, every page, every word of this novel. This story had everything I love in a horror novel. Ghosts, a gothic mansion, seances, tension, horror, and revenge. This is the story of Roos Beckman and her spirit companion Ruth. Roos's mother is a "medium" in the worst sense of the word, using Roos to trick her clients out of their money using fake seances to communicate with dead loved ones. And Roos is the star of the show. But behind closed doors, Mama is abusive, using torture and starvation to keep Roos in line. But one day, a new client comes to call, Agnes Knoop, and Roos's life will never be the same.

At its heart, this is a story of women. I loved the Sapphic elements of the story and the love between Roos and Ruth and Roos and Agnes was so powerful, beautiful, and ultimately toxic. The plot developed at just the right pace for me, slowly but not too slow. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, there was a twist I definitely did not see coming.

This book gave me everything I wanted. I would highly recommend this to fans of gothic horror and lovers of a good ghost story. This was intelligently written and includes multiple times lines, with the narrator telling her story to the doctor trying to save her from a murder conviction.

This book reminds me very much of A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay, so if you liked that book and would enjoy similar vibes but in a gothic setting, this book is definitely for you.

I’ll start by saying that the cover of this book had me sold from the start! I saw it and knew I needed to read this. I know we aren’t suppose to judge a book by its cover, but my judgement was very correct!

What a debut! I loved this book so much! It had everything I could have wanted in a gothic horror novel. It had a crumbling estate, seances, ghosts, death and decay, sickness, and a queer romance! The way the author describes the different settings and characters is beautifully done. The descriptions of the ghosts are so grotesquely beautiful and so visceral. I was fully captivated by it all!

The story is written where Roos is telling her story to a case worker about what happened at the estate. Getting a glimpse at the case notes throughout the novel gives an interesting perspective and had me trying to decide what the truth really was for myself. The style of the author’s writing had me very much engrossed in Roos’ experiences. The lines between sanity and madness seemed clearly drawn, but then I found myself blurring them in my own head as I read. If you’re interested in gothic horror, I’d recommend this novel!

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

Too often, I see the words “gothic horror” thrown around for books that have nothing to do with the influences and style of gothic literature. THIS IS NOT THAT BOOK. The vibes were immaculate. The atmosphere was haunting in the most beautiful way. I’m in love… with the attention to detail, the fully realized characters, all of it.

From the author: “If you strip down My Darling Dreadful Thing until nothing remains but its essence, you will not find a horrific secret at its very heart. You will find, instead, a love story.”

This is a well written gothic tale about a girl named Roos and her spirit companion Ruth. I loved the characters including the past and present perspectives. The author did a great job navigating through delicate issues and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc.

Such a creepy, uncomfortable, gothic tale that I couldn’t get enough of. I haven’t found a book with this plot to this extent- and I just wanted to hug our main ghostie seeing friend. I’m definitely itching for more!


Thank you NetGalley for an approved arc in exchange of a honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

My Darling Dreadful Thing is a VERY slow gothic horror story about an abused girl, Roosje, who can see spirits. When she meets Agnes, a widow and a foreigner, Roosje is drawn to her instantly. The pair are brought together by circumstance into a series of bizarre circumstances leading to Roosje being arrested for a number of deaths.

The first 65% of this book was so slow I almost quit. The rest of it was fine but nothing to write home about. It’s pretty formulaic and unsurprising.

2.5 rounded up to 3 for goodreads.

My Darling Dreadful Thing had me at the cover and this was a book that had me turning pages till the end. What happens in the world where the dead can wake up and walk among us, do we really know what's real?
The book was so gothic and I loved how well the author wrote this. It had great characters, the supernatural elements and the dark vibe of this book. This was one that I highly enjoyed and would recommend this one to other readers especially if they love gothic books. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review.

I loved this book! The writing was phenomenal, chilling and so well-written.
I went through a stream of emotions reading this 😂 honesty may be an auto-read author already!
I genuinely can’t wait to get my hands on a physical version of the book!

I was deeply enamored and in complete awe of this story, to the point of being utterly devoted to it. While I had hoped to provide a thorough and explicit review, I am finding it difficult to articulate my thoughts. This book was nearly flawless, a true masterpiece, and has become my cherished obsession. However, there were two areas in which I felt the execution could have been improved. Firstly, the passing of time was unclear to me, and I struggled to discern the specific period in which the story was set. Secondly, there was a disconnect between the intended period (late 1800s) and the atmosphere and events portrayed.



My admiration for Ruth was boundless, and her intimate bond with Roos was sacred and delicate. I was moved to tears in chapter 32, only to realize a few more chapters remained. The writing was exquisite, and I longed for more moments between Ruth and Roos. While I did appreciate the character of Agnes, it was Ruth who truly captivated me.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

As a lover of gothic and horror novels, I really enjoyed this book! It's dark, grimy, and filled with chilling descriptions of rotting flesh, creaking bones, and the most foul odors we can muster. It is also filled with love, loyalty, and desire.

The world building is very rich, and I really enjoy how the author poises two possible points of view for the narrative: is it truly a haunting or just a glimpse into psychosis? This is done very delicately, with sensitivity, and not so much in a clichéd approach — even if I did guess some events ahead of time. I also enjoyed it a lot not only because it's well written, but because it has many nods to Gothic stories I already love: namely, The Turn of the Screw and Crimson Peak.

Perhaps one thing I should point out is that, at times, the love story becomes a little overwhelming, or repetitive even, because of Roos loyal behavior. I wished I could see even more of a change in her.

DNF @ 85%. This starts really strong - icky spooky grimy etc., just generally very good in the mood department, and a great creepy premise.

However, as the revelations start to occur and the plot gets closer and closer to resolution, it’s become extremely literal. Characters are just describing the themes, the actions they’re taking aren’t plausible (except that they’re necessary to advance the plot).

The intermittent doctor-patient interviews also have diminishing returns. I enjoy the concept but from the beginning they reminded me of the interactions between the paychologist and Grace in the Alias Grace miniseries - and unfortunately for the book, the way the dialogue is written is just far more rote and far less compelling that that show.

I also think Roos’s characterization in particular sort of falls apart in the second half. It’s so strong in the first half - but suddenly she’s saying and doing things for plot and theme reasons which are totally implausible for someone with the life experience she was depicted as having earlier. The believability of the interviews also falls apart since the way she’s acting in those doesn’t feel consistent with the way she tells her story in the main chapters… and while I think horror can push very successfully at those bounds in general, it just didn’t work here.

Basically, I just checked out of the story. The blatant Doctor-Who-creepy-statues-that-move-when-you’re-not-watching-them ripoff was when I decided to pull the cord - I love a reference but (like the Alias Grace-type psychologist interview frame narrative) when all it makes me think is “oh, I should go back and rewatch the original instead” then maybe the author would have been better off dropping it.

The first half of the book was so strong, particularly in terms of character and mood, I just wish the second half lived up to that.

Under all the horror and paranormal there hides a live story if you look hard enough.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC. First, I want to start with the sheer creativity of Johanna van Veen. This novel was terrifying, loving, gruesome and entertaining all in one. I cannot wait to see what else they have in store for us readers.

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I usually don’t enjoy horror but the cover of this one was too beautiful to pass. And I did not regret it! Enjoyed the creepy atmosphere and still wonder if the FMC is insane or spirits are real in that world.

This book is wonderfully creative!! I love the LGBT+ inclusivity, the dark ambiance, supernatural elements, and characters that you learn about bit by bit. The premise keeps you guessing as you try to figure out motives for actions taken. I love the relationship between the two protagonists. My lesbian heart wishes they could have connected earlier in the story, but it made the small touches/interactions all the more sweet. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next from this author!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!

Top notch gothic horror with an innovative new spirit is a win for Johanna van Veen’s amazing debut! Wow! It’s difficult for me to believe that this is a debut novel because it is just that good!

I appreciate the author’s voice, both while writing as protagonist, Roos, and as her psychiatrist. This novel hits many of the finer points of gothic literature, while breathing new life into it with her spiritual world building. Sensual, visceral, and dark, while still retaining a glimmer of hope, this book does so many things well. Maybe what I appreciate most is the way in which van Veen guides us through the horrors of Roos’s old life without being crass or overt in the descriptions of trauma. The author treats the character with dignity, helping also to retain some of the mystery that’s so important to gothic literature!

I can’t wait to read Johanna van Veen’s next novel!

I can see this book becoming my entire personality.

We love an unreliable narrater and this book is just chock-full of them. Our mc, Roos, is forced to perform séances with the help of her spirit companion, Ruth. It’s not a great gig and her mom is the absolute worst. Things look pretty grim until a beautiful young widow named Agnes comes to a séance to hear from her dearly departed hubby.

The two women have an undeniable connection and Roos goes to live at Agnes’ crumbling gothic manor where she’s caring for her dying sister-in-law.

Secrets run amuck as we’re pulled from the story into current day where Roos is being interviewed by a psychologist who is trying to understand and clear up some truly awful things that we’ve yet to find out.

The writing is gorgeous. I’ve been in a reading slump for a hot minute and this book was everything I needed. I read the entire thing in one sitting. I was entranced, I think was disgusted, I was terrified at times. This book is positively spooky.

Imagery was off the charts. I could feel everything on the page as if I was there myself and that’s my favorite kind of book to read.

I am so thankful I got to read this book early (thank you NetGalley!!) and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy as soon as it releases! Also so excited to see more work from this author in the future!