Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. Here are my thoughts!

When sisters, Meg, Esther and Claire were young they faced the traumatic loss of their sister, which heavily influenced their lives afterwards. In the present day, Claire explores her past with fatal results. Meg and Esther are now trying to navigate their past and try to find out what happened to Claire.

This book does a great job of weaving emotional horror through a story of family coming together. Meg and Esther had to face their own demons and learn to work together as sisters in order to find freedom. The characters grow and change a lot throughout the work, and the plot moves nicely with some unexpected twists and turns. The mysteries of what happened to each sister are unraveled in a satisfying manner.

Overall, this book was a little medium for me. It was heavily influenced by The Haunting of Hill House, both the book and show. Sometimes it felt a little too similar to me, so it lost a little of it’s originality. I was also hoping it would be a little scarier and I wanted a little more of my questions answered.

Three sisters find themselves at a creepy abandoned house and experience terrors that then follow them throughout their lives.

The evilness within these pages is personified and represented as almost a physical being as well as metaphors for mental illness, traumas and psychological struggles.

If you enjoy books with underlying subtext and ever changing chapters that make you question everything then you will likely enjoy this book!

Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe is a chilling and atmospheric tale that delves into the darkness of memory, trauma, and family secrets. The story follows the Finch sisters—Meg, Esther, and Claire—who, as children, explored the many abandoned houses in their town, eventually discovering one with an endless hall of doors and keys that led them to unimaginable horrors. Years later, Claire is found dead in that very house, leaving her sisters to grapple with her tragic suicide and the terrifying events that have haunted their family for years.

Monroe weaves a gripping narrative, combining elements of horror and psychological suspense. As Meg and Esther return to confront their past and the house that seems to hold the key to Claire's death, the tension between the two sisters is palpable. The relationship dynamics are beautifully crafted, with the past haunting not only their memories but their bond as well. The house itself becomes a character, its dark presence pulling the sisters back in as they unravel the mystery of what happened to Claire—and what still lurks in the shadows.

The pacing is tight, and Monroe skillfully builds a sense of unease, making each chapter feel like a descent deeper into a haunting truth. The horror is both supernatural and psychological, leaving readers questioning what is real and what is a manifestation of the sisters’ unresolved trauma.

Through the Midnight Door is a hauntingly compelling read, perfect for fans of slow-burn horror that explores the human psyche just as much as the supernatural. It’s a story about loss, guilt, and the terrifying power of a past that refuses to stay buried. Monroe’s atmospheric writing and deep character development make this an unforgettable and unsettling experience.

I wasn't very interested in this book. I suppose it just wasn't really my kind of thing unfortunately.

This one was an interesting plot and very different characters but unfortunately this one was not for me. I didn't live it enough to get past about 15%.

There was definitely a lot of mystery and intrigue that propelled this story onward, but when the ending with its answers came, it was still too vague and there were still too many questions left unanswered.
I really don't like when a book does that, hence the lower rating.

Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe is a suspenseful and atmospheric tale that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and psychological thriller. The story follows a group of individuals who find themselves drawn into a mysterious and supernatural realm, where danger lurks behind every corner and the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. Monroe does a great job of creating a tense, eerie atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge throughout the novel.

While the book is engaging in parts, it struggles with pacing and character development. The plot, although full of potential, feels a bit uneven at times, and some characters are underdeveloped, leaving their motivations and actions unclear. The transitions between the world of the living and the supernatural realm can feel abrupt, and the resolution may leave some readers wanting more in terms of closure.

That said, Through the Midnight Door is a strong debut with intriguing concepts, especially for fans of supernatural thrillers. Monroe’s writing is vivid and evocative, and the world she builds has a lot of promise. It’s a solid read for those who enjoy atmospheric horror and mystery but might not fully satisfy those looking for deeper character arcs or more cohesive storytelling.

I was very excited to read this, but it was just ok to me. It was a bit domestic drama with horror throughout. I was just expecting to be more spooked while reading this. I would definitely try the author again.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Katrina Monroe for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 star

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review "Through the Midnight Door." I was really surprised that this book did not have a higher rating. It is a mix of a thriller and a horror novel. It grips you from the beginning and keeps you guessing what secrets the Finch sisters are keeping and what forces are lurking in the abandoned house. I like how the author includes mental illness, which makes the novel more believable. I enjoyed this fast paced novel. I would recommend this book to any horror fan.

A compelling psychological suspense and horror that delves into the impact of family trauma and secrets. There is an unsettling atmosphere throughout this dark story and the paranormal element makes this an eerie read. Monroe masterfully blends the events to a solid outcome through multiple POVs and timelines.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #ThroughTheMidnightDoor #PoisonedPenPress

This book was seriously creepy and definitely kept me up at night. However, underneath the horror was a story about loss, grief, family drama, and the complex relationships between sisters.

I loved how the secrets unraveled and the dynamics shifted and changed. Through the Midnight Door was scary but also emotional. I highly recommend it even if horror isn't your typical genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It wasn't always clear what genre this was trying to be and the story seemed stretched out, but I was intrigued by the sisters and ended up enjoying the book and the resolution. Family is complicated, and it's way more complicated when people keep secrets. The story starts with the young sisters in a house that's -- haunted? I wasn't sure, and followed their attempts to deal with the aftermath. The book does cross over into horror, but it was also a sad story about a family with unresolved grief. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This was VERY well-written. Unfortunately the content was just too much for me. I read a lot of thriller & suspense novels but this was more on the horror end of the spectrum. I would be interested in reading more from this author because I did enjoy the story and writing, but the horror side of things was too much for me!

Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe is a chilling horror story woven across multiple timelines and perspectives. It delves into the bonds of sisterhood as the Finch sisters navigate a haunting old house, confronting terrors that linger long after they leave.

While I appreciated the concept of a creepy old house interweaving horror, family dynamics, and the psychological manifestation of fears, the execution fell a bit short for me. The writing style is engaging and will likely captivate many readers, but I struggled with the lack of clarity in the timeline, some characters avoiding accountability, and an ending that felt rushed, leaving me with unanswered questions.

Overall, it’s an intriguing read with potential, but it didn’t fully resonate with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am so thankful to Poisoned Pen Press, Katrina Monroe, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this galley before publication day. I really enjoyed the dialogue and plot of this book and can’t wait to chat this one up with my friends!

I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it lost me. I was trying to get through it so I could have a better review but unfortunately I ended up DNF this book. I thought it had such a strong beginning but wavered off rather quickly. I may try again in the future!

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press & Sourcebooks for the complimentary copy of this book!

I am torn on how I feel about this book. I thought it started off strong & I was pulled into the story but then the more it went on, the more confused I became. I am not sure if it was my mental space just wasn't grasping at what was happening. There were just a lot of moving pieces towards the end and I know the whole first half of the book was leading up to the moment.

There was a mystery within the mystery. Meg & Esther's sister Claire is found in an old house they visited as kids where she committed suicide but Esther cannot fathom that she had done this herself. She is convinced that she was murdered. They also try to unwrap the mystery of their other sister Julie's death as well. At the heart of all the thrills & mystery in the book, this book is about sisters. The relationships of when they were young and how it evolves & (can) become complicated as you enter adulthood.

This book is told from two timelines - the past and the present with dual timelines between the sisters Meg, Esther & Claire. I think bouncing from the different timelines kept the story going and allowed us into their past which ultimately shaped their future. I really felt for Esther as she was having such paranoia thoughts and her husband was trying his best to keep her steady.

I would check this book out if you are looking for a book centered around sisters and a creepy abandoned house.

I’m a little torn on this one. Overall I enjoyed it, but I would say it’s less horror and more about family relationships, childhood traumas, and how those traumas stay with us throughout our lifetimes.

The story is told from multiple POVs and through dual timelines. Monroe’s writing drew me in immediately. She uses evocative language that really pulls you into the story and makes it easy to feel like you’re right there with the characters. Her descriptions of the house and everything related to it created a spooky atmosphere which was one of the stronger horror aspects of the book.

Through the Midnight Door had me hooked at the start, making me want to learn more about Claire, Esther, and Meg, and what each one was going through. I was invested in their past and was eager to find out what happened to them “that day” that changed the course of their lives. The build-up to the house reveal was suspenseful and kept me turning the pages.

The initial reveal of the house and what happened to Claire in the room was well worth the wait, but once past the initial reveal the story takes a turn and slows down. We get less of the horror story and more focus on the sister’s histories, the cracks in their relationships, and the mystery surrounding what happened to their youngest sister.

There were some interesting scenes between the sisters and we get some glimpses of how they were each affected by their time in the house, but it didn’t feel like there was enough time spent on what happened to each of them in those rooms. With those scenes not fleshed out as much as they could have been it’s hard to believe the enormity of the house’s impact on the sister’s lives. It also made it hard to believe that the sisters would have kept what happened in the rooms to themselves, that they wouldn’t have shared with each other at some point in their lives.

If you’re looking for straight horror this one probably isn’t for you, but if you enjoy stories about complicated relationships, family drama, and past trauma threaded through with horror then definitely give this one a try.

Thanks NetGally and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy.

This was a gripping read. The tenderness mixed with unease and even terror is wonderful. Will definitely be reading this authors other books.