Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author Katrina Monroe for the arc!

Three sisters with a haunted past. Three perspectives of their survived trauma. And one house that calls to the guilt, depression, anger & fear that exists between them.

This story is a blend of horror, fantasy & psych thriller with a very atmospheric setting & lots of creeeeepy moments, creating the perfect level of tension & suspense! The relationships between the sisters are relatable & real & the whole way through I was really rooting for them to get honest with each other & find their way back to the bonds of sisterhood.

And only because I'm a "need to know" type of gal, I'm thinking that I really would like to have learned more about the house itself & the doors & the history there … but I guess not knowing was a sound contributing factor to the mysterious, eerie vibe.

All in all, it was a solid thrill ride that kept me reading into the night!

This blend of horror and psychological suspense hauntingly explores the bond between sisters and how their relationship evolves after experiencing significant trauma. Each sister carries her own version of guilt, which grows like a consuming darkness, shaping their lives and futures. The supernatural element heightens the darkness that binds them, while the tragic horrors they endure create an emotionally evocative story that is spine-tingling, dark, and utterly compelling. It was difficult to put this book down, it captured me from the very beginning. Highly recommend it.

I loved this! The writing style really gripped me right away and I was hooked to the story. I loved the emphasis on the sisterly bond and think anyone, especially those who like a creepy book, whill really gravitate to this one.

This book is just wow. I love it when I can totally relate - some part gave me the aches, some part makes me ponder upon my own life / situation, some part sheds some light too towards my own, etc. It includes a lil bit of everything - mental health (tw suicide, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, trauma, loneliness, etc), family issue, life struggles, marriage, relationships (w siblings, people, significant other, etc), and more. Seems heavy but for me it’s just like scratches the surfaces, not quite feel like being dive deep into those heavy topics. It’s also being braided with paranormal & mystery vibes along the way, which managed to clouded my judgement of what truly happened excellently towards the end.

I love the plot growth & how it’s been brilliantly and carefully laid out from the start towards the end - it filled us between the past & the present, as well as feeding us all those breadcrumbs that manage to either reveal or shift things (as well as upon our judgements / understanding) along the way - I’m always hungry for more, definitely hooked & giving my full attention from chapter to chapter till the end, just can’t put this one down as I kept going with full interest.

The ending also doesn’t disappoint. I guess I can say it’s a wrap, and in a good way too. Can feel the warmth seeping through after everything. Overall, such a lovely read indeed. Virtual hugssss for everyone that have read this too! 💝

When a neighborhood boy convinces the three Finch sisters to explore a creepy abandoned house in the neighborhood, their lives are inexplicably changed forever. Within the house, each sister finds a key leading to a distinct door, and behind each door, each sister faces unspeakable terrors. Two decades later, youngest sister Claire is found dead in the very same house, leaving older sisters Meg and Esther to face the darkest corners of their past to discover the truth. Did Claire end her own life, or was there something more sinister at work? And what really happened behind those mysterious doors all those years ago?

If I had to quickly describe this book, I’d call it House of Leaves meets The Haunting of Hill House (particularly the Netflix adaptation, but the original Shirley Jackson novel too). I enjoyed this story and it’s exploration of trauma, guilt, depression, and sisterhood. The three sisters and their relationships to one another were complex and believable, and there were some moments that were downright creepy. Given the title of the novel and the significance they play in the story, I would have loved to have learned more about the doors and the lore behind the house. While that is explored, it remains rather surface-level and is something I wanted more of as a reader. I also felt like the ending of the novel was a bit rushed and therefore not as satisfying as it could have been. Those two elements kept this from being a 5-star read for me, but overall it was an enjoyable book.

A big thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book! I went in blind, I didn't read the description or any previous reviews made. I love that it's a mixed bag of genres (in my opinion.) you get a little bit of thriller, horror, and a touch of fantasy. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, the dual timeline. It was such an interesting and entrancing read. I was sucked in from the beginning and absolutely would recommend!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the book #ThroughTheMidnightDoor by #KatrinaMonroe. Years ago the Finch sisters, Claire, Meg and Esther stumbled upon a strange home with endless hall of doors. They vowed never to go there again after each entered room which scared them badly. Present day and Claire is found dead in the same house. Esther and Meg are searching for the truth about the shadows and their sisters death. What is the connection. Highly recommend this spooky book!

This story is portrayed from the perspectives of the three sisters in both the past and the present. I was immediately drawn to the atmosphere of this book. The atmosphere is ominous, with a sense of gravity and gloom throughout. I like the idea of a past resurfacing in a mysterious way and forcing the protagonists to revisit a past they thought they had left behind. I particularly enjoyed the sister component of this narrative, as well as how the characters connect with one another and begin to reconcile after growing apart after a horrific childhood. I thought the weaving of the different timeframes and character perspectives was so effectively done that I didn't want to put the book down. This was my first book by this author and I’ll be glad to check out more. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

I went into this novel completely blind and I'm so glad I did! What a great mix of multiple genres: psychological thriller, horror, a bit of fantasy. This book had it all. I loved the flashbacks and multiple POVs. This was well written and I can't wait to read more from Katrina.

This is one of those books that I entered blindly and of which I still can not define which genre is more accurate, since it has a mixture of different elements.

Although I found it a super interesting read, I don't think it was the right time to read it, I am a state reader and I think I would have enjoyed it better at another time.

Here we meet three sisters who in their childhood visit a mysterious house, which leaves them too marked in such a way that even in their adulthood they still carry the memories and lack of them regarding that day, but it's not until the little sister commits suicide that they don't start digging with the eagerness to find the answers to their doubts.

The terrifying vibes and marked with family dramas and psychological elements make it a good read for those who enjoy this genre.

So if you are one of those who are attracted to a haunted house to the point of going into it, then this is the story for you (not me, colorful chickens).

I thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I went into this book blind and it was a great haunted house/horror/thriller book. Loved the sisters story throughout the book! Will be great for spooky season!

I really enjoyed Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe. The author was able to include so many different genres, that I'm not sure which one to categorize it in. The book starts how in very fast past. One of three sisters is on her way to "help" her youngest sibling. The story just unfolds from there. It is told from three sisters' POV's and the sisters have been through a lot of childhood trauma and secrets. At first, I struggled with Meg and Esther's relationship but as the story progressed, I understood their point of views. I enjoyed the creepy haunted house feeling with a blend of horror, supernatural and psychological thriller vibes. I would recommend this book to all that enjoy any of these genres.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.

I started this book with a lot of promise. Sisters who had seen something and then it haunted them. However, this book got a little boring to me about halway through and never really recovered. I was kind of disappointed.

A nice blend of psychology and horror. I enjoyed this one, thanks poisoned press for the arc of this wildly h unique read.

Is there a day in your childhood that sticks out in your mind like it happened only yesterday?

For the Finch sisters, it’s the day a boy in town showed them an abandoned house that had a seemingly endless amount of doors and three specific keys, one for each sister. That day changed all three of them, leaving a sort of stain on their souls they were never able to cleanse or forget about. Then, one night, the youngest of the three sisters hangs herself inside the house, an event which opens up old emotional wounds and wakes up memories long since laid to rest. The darkness that claimed one sister permeates all three of them, and now it’s up to the two that remain to keep one another safe and find out what really happened to their little sister.

I felt the same way about Through the Midnight Door as I did about Monroe’s last book, Graveyard of Lost Children: Everything about this book is fantastic except for a single plot point that somehow is just sticking in my craw. Can I tell you what it is? No. That’d be a huge spoiler. All I can tell you is that when this plot point was revealed I felt like a rapidly deflated balloon. That’s how disappointed I was. It’s the kind of disappointment that makes me feel like an author didn’t have the gumption to take a subject or a point to a certain level, to really go for it and write something large. (To be clear, I’m not saying that was Monroe’s intention at all.)

Monroe has done a spectacular job at weaving characterization, worldbuilding, plot, and story in this book. To understand the characters of this book you have to understand the world they grew up in and currently live in, which is a post-2000 American Rust Belt. During the 2000’s, the Rust Belt saw a drop in employment of around 35%, which was over a million jobs. This drop was due to companies in the area not growing along with their rivals in industry and the amount of jobs that were being moved overseas. An unfettered and unchecked pharmaceutical industry was also far too willing to dole out prescription painkillers to white men and women, who sometimes became addicted and then also became dealers and users of other drugs.

Industry towns in the Rust Belt used to be ripe with Boomers working at the plants and sending their Gen X and Millenial kids to university in the large cities, but as the years went on it became harder and harder for parents to send their children anywhere or for children to leave. This is how the family circle of the Finches works and how it informs both the characters and the story. Dad works at a plant, but work has been getting scarcer over the years. Mom has always stayed at home. Their daughters had run kind of wild when they were smaller, but they were as happy as they could be when they knew their parents were struggling to make ends meet. But then there was the boy, and the abandoned house that was somehow creepier than all the other abandoned property around town, and then nothing was ever the same between the three of them.

Poverty, mental illness, child welfare, substance abuse, crime, suicide, strained relationships, secrets, family trauma, gun violence, small town gossip, personal demons, things you wish you could forget, and more are all themes that intertwined at the heart of this book. If you like a book that can bring all of that home tied in a bow, you’re going to like this book.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Ghost Fiction/Horror/Psychological Thriller/Supernatural Horror/Suspense Thriller

"Through The Midnight Door"
by Katrina Monroe
★★★☆☆


Katrina Monroe skillfully balances elements of horror and psychological suspense, in her debut “Through The Midnight Door”, creating an atmosphere that keeps readers on edge while simultaneously delving into the emotional struggles of sisterhood.

The Finch sisters once spent long, hot summers exploring the dozens of abandoned properties littering their dying town—until they found an impossible home with an endless hall of doors…and three keys left waiting for them. Curious, fearless, they stepped inside their chosen rooms, and experienced horrors they never dared speak of again. Now, years later, youngest sister Claire has been discovered dead in that old, desiccated house. Haunted by their sister's suicide and the memories of a past they've struggled to forget, Meg and Esther must confront their past traumas while grappling with the resilience of their bond in a landscape fraught with danger.

Monroe´s debut novel beautifully strikes a balance between terror and psychological suspense, immersing readers in a chilling atmosphere while exploring the complexities of the Finch Sisters. Monroe skillfully tackles themes of trauma and mental health, illustrating how the bond between siblings can serve as both a lifeline and a source of vulnerability, creating a captivating narrative that resonates on multiple levels. The exploration of trauma and mental health is poignant throughout the narrative, and readers may find it very relatable. The sisterhood drama is the story's heart and clearly adds depth to the plot, illustrating how sisterhood love can emerge even from darkness.

Although the conclusion may not be groundbreaking or entirely unpredictable, "Through The Midnight Door" remains a solid read that effectively blends haunting elements with deep emotional moments. Monroe’s storytelling is engaging, making this book a compelling journey worth taking, even if the final revelations don't completely shock the readers.

(P.S.: Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)

I received a Netgalley ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

Three sisters, the oldest on the cusp of adulthood, are lured into an abandoned house. On some level they never leave, and their connection to one another is damaged.

This is my third Katrina Monroe book, and definitely my favorite. I love that her wheelhouse is the lives of women, their relationship with one another, and this one hit exactly right. Which is ironic since I'm an only child.

The story concerns, among other things, the deaths of family members, one quite young. There's a lot of talk about darkness, and the darkness is a metaphor inner darkness and depression. One of the sisters has OCD. Self-harm is definitely on the menu for multiple characters. Extreme self harm. Gun violence. A pervading sense of guilt and regret.

The timeline alternates between the past and the present day, which is really effective. I know I wanted to step in and, well, help, fix, prevent.

This being a story about sisters, it's also a story about sisterhood. In the very earliest timeline we see them as a close unit. The oldest sister is making a point of hanging out with her other sisters, who are a fair amount younger, and -- well -- she has her reasons. A local boy leads them to an abandoned house. The abandoned house has rooms (that come and go) and they're each attracted to a room. They don't tell one another exactly what their room holds, and their relationships and support system weakens.

As a Buffy fan -- but a Joss Whedon hater -- I think of the lyric in the musical: Understand we'll go hand and hand, but we'll walk alone in fear. Tell me, where do you go from here? And I think about how abusers, even if they don't fracture bones, fracture relationships. They isolate. Because you don't want the person or people you're harming to have defenders and a support system.

This is a different book if the sisters had been able to talk, to share secrets, to shine a light. At a glance, it's the house that separated them, but Katrina Monroe makes clear over the course of the narrative that secrets and unmentionable topics predate the 3 sisters walking into the house.

As the cliche goes, you're only as sick as your secrets.

The house is scary, and the rooms in the house are scary, and I like a scary house. The sisters hallucinate a dead character -- or is it a hallucination -- and trust me that that's creepy. And also a fabulous metaphor.

I'm giving the book 5 stars because it was creepy and insightful and I get the impression I'll be thinking about it a fair amount. I enjoyed the previous books by the author, but I think she just became an auto-buy.

When sisters Meg, Ester, and Claire are talked into going to a haunted house their lives are forever changed. They go into three separate rooms and each come back with secrets. I really liked that it was horror, but you also get family drama, mental health, and phycological elements. It was a great mix to keep you invested in their lives. You feel the heavy of the secrets the sisters the sisters are holding and the effect it has on them and everyone around them. I really wanted to know what these sisters saw and why they act the way they do the rest of their lives. The sense of being alone and hopeless and wanting your family. It wasn't necessarily scary in the sense in of the haunted house but what it did to the sisters. I really enjoyed the story and the authors writing!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for my #gifted copy.

All the creepy vibes!!!! 🙌 I inhaled this one, my book peeps!! Could not put it down!! I was invested in the story and the characters!! 🥰

Highly recommend this one for horror lovers, especially those into creepy houses and grief horror!! Now I need to go read everything else Katrina Monroe has put out!! 👏

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Katrina Monroe for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️

TW: suicide, self-harm, infant death

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC copy of this book via NetGalley for review.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Katrina Monroe and I really love her writing. She created a tense and foreboding atmosphere in this story that I loved. This is a mystery with paranormal elements and there were some creepy moments in this story.

Through the Midnight Door is not just a horror/mystery about a creepy abandoned house. The story is also about the bond between sisters, the effects of trauma and grief, and the way that guilt can eat you up inside.

The pacing was slow in parts and I did get a little bored in the middle of the book. The story picked up more in the last quarter of the story. I loved the ending.

I definitely recommend this book to horror/mystery lovers. I want to read Monroe’s other books now.

3.5 stars