This was my first time reading a book by Katrina Monroe. I hadn’t realized it was a horror novel when I requested it, and I may not have been in the right mindset for such a depressing topic. However, I can't fault the writing or the plot. I just felt it was a little slow.

However, the story of the Finch sisters, reflect a narrative that is both chilling and introspective.

The novel begins with the tragic suicide of the youngest sister, Claire, before delving back into the Finch sisters' childhood summer. During that summer, their adventures took a dark turn when they discovered a strange house filled with mysterious doors and shadowy secrets. Whatever happened in that house left a lasting impact on the sisters, shaping their lives for years to come and culminating with the heartbreaking death of one of them.

This devastating event propels the story into a deeper exploration of grief, guilt, and the complex dynamics of sibling relationships.

The first part of the story reminded me strongly of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House," both in its thematic depth and the way it immerses readers in an unsettling atmosphere. Both narratives explore the psychological intricacies of family dynamics, particularly childhood traumas that resurface in adulthood. The houses in each story serve as eerie vessels, embodying the characters’ deepest fears, regrets, and unresolved issues, creating a sense of dread that goes beyond physical horror.

In the second half, the book takes a different direction, offering a satisfying explanation and resolution—something not always guaranteed in horror novels.

Thanks @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for my ADC!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. These opinions are my own. I was so excited for the description but this one just did not do it for me. Very slow and hard to get into. Hard to engage with the characters and determine their motivations. The concepts of grief and loss are so important but I felt like they got tangled up in this storytelling.

What a haunting and atmospheric story! Loved the eerie vibes!

I enjoyed the plot and loved the dual timelines and multiple POVs! It is very well written and of course I always love a creepy house as a setting. And I liked that it also went into the complexities of sisterhood.

Some sections were faster paced and some slower paced, but overall I was able to get through this one pretty quickly (and would’ve been even quicker if I wasn’t in the middle of a move).

This is also one of my favorite covers!

Definitely a good one to read during spooky season coming up!🖤

I really enjoyed They Drown Our Daughters so I was super excited for this one. It was everything I expected from Katrina Monroe. Through the Midnight Door is heavy on the grief, light on the horror, and kept me reading through the night to find out how this all ends. Straight from the beginning the grief hits you right in the face and continues to grow. Told from all three sister’s points of view in different timelines, the story is haunting and sad and written well. There are plenty of triggers, including death of a child, substance abuse, childhood trauma and mental health troubles. If you like haunted houses, grief and psychological thrillers, Through the Midnight Door is the perfect read for spooky season! Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for my eARC. Through the Midnight Door is available now.

This was such an interesting story. It really gave me Haunting of Hill House vibes. It was creepy and mysterious. If you like these kind of vibes- this book is for you!

An abandoned house has a terrifying hold over three sisters in the atmospheric Through the Midnight Door, the latest from Katrina Monroe.

As kids, Meg, Esther, and Claire went exploring through an old, dilapidated house. What was meant to be fun left them forever haunted, as they each a darkness they never discussed. As adults, all three are struggling, but when Claire commits suicide, Meg and Esther find they will have to face what they have kept buried for so long.

Monroe references Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House at the start of the book, paying homage to it, and there is a similar feel to the story. The haunting and supernatural element adds to the atmospheric setting, and the relationship between estranged sisters Meg and Esther is compelling.

The story has a gothic horror atmosphere, but it is also tinged with sadness. The deep regret felt by both sisters is palpable, and it is much more about how fragile life is than anything else. It is much more heartbreaking than it is spine-tingling and is the type of book that could lead to lively discussions.

Rated 4.5 really.

First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.

SISTERS IN HARMS

Haunted/cursed/magical/evil houses have been a horror trope for ages, and 2024 in particular turned out to be rife of novels that put them front and center - I've read three in the last weeks alone, and that's only the tip of the iceberg. This is why it's all the more remarkable that some authors are still able to spin a fresh story around spooky mansions, as it's the case with Through the Midnight Door. I'll be honest though - in this book, it's the complex, often frayed relationship between three sisters (and their characterisation as individuals, or with regard to other people) that steals the scene. That's not to say that the house portion of the story doesn't deliver, though I expected a tad more (I'll come to that in a minute), and there's no denying that the other supernatural occurrences sprinkled throughout the novel are appropriately chilling - but the sisterly dynamic remains the core of the narrative, and a strong one at that. Through the Midnight Door weaves sibling rivalry/dependency, dysfunctional and toxic relationships, familial trauma, mental health issues, yet it's an uplifting story in what its protagonists are doing their best to bring justice to their dead sister, conquer the darkness that's trying to engulf them, and ultimately, find their way back to each other.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

As I said above, the supernatural aspect of the story is fresh and intriguing, and the reveal about the house's powers is a slow burn that only gets enhanced by the use of multiple timelines. I have to admit that I expected a little more from the "impossible home with an endless hall of doors" - maybe it's just that I'm a sucker for parallel universes/alternate realities, and there was so much potential for this story to lean in that direction more than it does. Instead, most of the sisters' visions inside the house are on the short side, and the house's interior itself doesn't feature in the narrative as prominently as I anticipated. On the other hand, I loved the connection between the evil inside the house and the sisters' generational trauma/complex feelings and emotions (not to mention that there's another character who brings their own darkness to the party, and it's my interpretation that the house feeds on it too at some point). It's so much more interesting than your average supernatural haunting, and it gives the story a different, very human kind of depth. Through the Midnight Door ended up being another instance of "I came for the weird magic, I stayed for the characters' journey" for me. Despite my expecting more from the supernatural premise, and a couple of hiccups (see the Cons section above - I'm not going to dwell on them and risk to become boring or spoilery), I found it to be a solid, emotional read that supernatural-horror-meets-family-drama fans shouldn't miss.

Very creepy. Three young sisters explore an old empty house full of corridors and doors, they discover something that makes them very afraid.

This was about mental illness, suicide and grief. Set mostly in the present time and back to 1999.

Full of twists and turns. Meg and Esther struggle with their memories and the death of their younger sister Claire.

Evil characters creeping around and always watching. Very creepy.

Thank you NetGalley and Source Books for a chance to read this E-Book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Captivatingly dark, chilling and disturbing. It reminded me at times of The Haunting of Hill House, which I absolutely loved. Definitely one to pick up for horror and thriller fans.

Snippet from my full review on Cemetery Dance

“The psychological element lent itself well to the story as it developed, and some of the scariest scenes I’ve read came from it. When you get there, fight the adrenaline and urgency and savor each of Monroe’s horrific and brilliant words. The images are stunning. This is a hellish nightmare that readers will be all too enthused to witness. Soon, they’ll realize the only light offered in this deeply unsettling tale is the power of sisterhood.

If you like haunted house stories, The Haunting of Hill House (Flanagan’s or Shirley Jackson’s), horror with psychological flares, and books about family secrets, you will love Through the Midnight Door.

It is my new favorite from Katrina Monroe.“

- Haley Newlin, Cemetery Dance

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the EArc in return for an honest review.

3 sisters 3 keys.

Growing up, the Finch sisters were always close; until that one horrible summer.
Their decision to venture into an old abandoned house changed their lives forever.
As adults, each sister is dealing with their own demons and that fateful trip to the abondoned house is at the root of it. Each sister obtained a key to a door inside the house. They each went inside the door that their keys open and when they came out, they were never the same.

Told in alternate 3rd person POv from each sister, I felt I got to know them and dive into their own personal trauma that stemmed from the events in the abandoned house so long ago.
The past and present timelines worked well on this book. I enjoyed getting little nuggets of information in the past that helped me better understand the present. Everything wrapped up so well in the end.

There were some really compelling parts to this story. Relationships between sisters are complicated. There is love and there is competition. This book showed that perilous balance. It droned a little at parts. Sometimes it was difficult to remember which sister was which of about the first half of the book. I wished they would be more differentiated.

During childhood, three sisters were led to an abandoned house where each entered a different room and confronted evil. Years later, one of the sisters is found dead inside the abandoned house, leaving the remaining two sisters to question what actually happened that night.

This was definitely creepy. The author creates vivid imagery that had me reading quickly at parts, trying to escape from what was occuring in the pages. However, after finishing the book I'm not quite sure I grasped what was happening and why. Even with my confusion, I'd recommend it to horror fans just for the great creep factor.

Thank you poised pen press and Netgalley for a copy.
🏚️Psychological Thriller/Horror
🏚️Old Haunted Abandoned House
🏚️Mental Health Rep
🏚️Then and Now

I absolutely loved this story. The imagery was fantastic and so immersive. It follows the POV of three sisters with a past and now timeline. In their childhood they follow a local boy to an abandoned house. Once they get upstairs there are rows and rows of doors. Each sister magically gets a key to their own door and inside they experience and see something so horrible they never tell each other what they each saw.
Now as adults, one sister tragically dies and is found inside that very house. The remaining two sisters start seeing terrifying and sinister things. They team up to figure out what really happened to her sister and get rid of what’s in that house for good.
Dark, chilling and disturbing. It reminded me at times of The Haunting of Hill House, which I absolutely loved. Definitely one to pick up for horror and thriller fans.

I really enjoyed Through the Midnight Door, it was a slow burn - but I feel like it would be perfect for reading in fall, with a chilly breeze and warm blanket. More detailed review to follow.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Katrina Monroe’s Through the Midnight Door is a haunting and evocative tale that masterfully blends horror with deep emotional resonance. This novel explores the fragile bonds of sisterhood and the enduring impact of trauma, set against the eerie backdrop of a seemingly endless house filled with dark secrets.

The story revolves around the Finch sisters—Meg, Esther, and Claire—who, as children, discovered an abandoned house with an endless hall of doors and three mysterious keys. Each sister chose a door and faced unspeakable horrors that they never spoke of again. Years later, Claire is found dead in that same house, and Meg and Esther are forced to confront their past and the sinister forces that have haunted them.

Monroe excels in creating complex, relatable characters. Meg and Esther’s strained relationship is portrayed with nuance and sensitivity, capturing the lingering effects of their childhood trauma. Claire’s tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the sisters to reconcile and uncover the truth. The characters’ emotional journeys are as compelling as the supernatural elements, making the story both chilling and poignant12.

The novel delves into themes of grief, guilt, and the enduring power of family bonds. Monroe’s depiction of the haunted house is both vivid and unsettling, with its endless doors symbolizing the many facets of the sisters’ trauma. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the sense of dread builds steadily as the story progresses.

Monroe’s prose is lyrical and precise, capturing the eerie beauty of the setting and the raw emotions of the characters. Her ability to balance horror with heartfelt moments is impressive, making the novel a deeply affecting read.

Through the Midnight Door is a standout in the horror genre, offering a richly layered terrifying story.

This novel’s exploration of sisterhood and trauma adds depth to the chilling narrative, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read.

Monroe’s skillful storytelling and deep understanding of her characters make this a must-read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers.

This is a riveting, and in fact occasionally stunning, horror read. The writing is, of course, flawless and absolutely compelling, but what stands out is the imagery: some of the descriptions of the haunted house reminded me of early King, but there were many times the narrative became so darkly atmospheric it clearly stood on its own two feet and brought to mind no comparisons. The relationship of the sisters was deftly handed, though several situations between them were clearly inspired by the well-known Flanagan show. Trauma was tied with knowledge a bit too close, and many choices and decisions were grounded on logic and thought rather than emotion - I confess I found that refreshing, since so many novels seem to be driven blindly by strong feelings, instead of attempts to think things through soberly and rationally. Although not my favorite Katrina Monroe book (it borders too much on fantasy), I enjoyed it and gladly recommend it to all horror fans who enjoy terrific writing, perfect pacing, and a nicely wrapped up plot with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Claire, Meg, and Esther Finch are sisters that spent their summers exploring abandoned houses in their neighborhood, until one day, a young boy shows them one particular house containing a hallway of endless doors. As they each get their own key to a door, each finds themselves in a room where they have horrifying experiences. A darkness that penetrates their being.

Years later, as adults the sisters have for the most part drifted away from each other, until the youngest sister, Claire, dies by suicide in the same house with the endless doors. The sisters and family are brought together again. Flipping between the past and the present and POVs from each of the sisters, we get an overarching view of the insidiousness of generational trauma and how it haunts our present-day lives. Family secrets and memories are slowly unearthed. Plagued by the darkness and past, Meg and Esther try to put the pieces together between Claire's death and their past trauma. How can they find their way back to each other and work towards healing?

This was a dark read and it had whispers of Stephen King as it personified trauma into a horrifying entity that is all consuming. I enjoyed the different POVs as they each added to the story in how each of the sisters experienced the trauma and what they did or did not know. The character development was great, and I literally flew through this book wanting to know what would happen next. Readers may want to check trigger warnings before reading.

A phenomenal exploration of guilt and grief. It took me a. while to get into but once it got going, it took off. I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I love what Monroe did with the haunted house trope and the idea of "darkness." Definitely recommend!