Megan, Esther, and Claire are three sisters that explore abandoned building together as part of their very own, Midnight Society. During one of their society meetings, they lured to an abandoned house by a neighborhood boy, Donny. They are forever plagued with darkness following this unplanned exploration. Each sister is trapped within different rooms and each sister has different experiences. However, neither of them shares the specifics of their experiences with one another. As adults, the sisters have drifted apart but after a sister commits suicide, the two remaining sisters must work together to understand what happened to their sister and what lead her to this end. As they work together, they discover more about hidden family secrets, and they learn to reconnect with each other.
This book was told from the perspectives of each sister, and it jumped between timelines. Despite the multiple perspectives and timelines, the story was easy to follow. This book is a combo of mystery, psychological thriller, and horror. It was the perfect combination of each for me and I really enjoyed it. I had trouble putting this book down because I was hooked. I really enjoyed the Haunting of Hill House Netflix series and this kind of gave me those vibes. The characters were well developed, and I could really feel for the Finch sisters.
Thank you to Katrina Monroe, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my honest review.
Publish date: August 13th, 2024

This was SO CREEPY and forced me to stay up way too late to finish. I loved every second of it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[ 3.5 / 5 ]

Through the Midnight Door is a wonderfully spooky case of classic, haunted house horror with a human twist. In the beginning, the protagonists may seem like they’re facing off a mysterious monster, but in the end, humanity prevails as the enemy.

Esther and Meg Finch are drawn back to their hometown in this tragic tale, following the untimely death of their little sister. Though the police and the coroner suspect no foul play, the sisters can’t help but think that this is all tied to the darkness that has clung to them since childhood.

Against the backdrop of a decrepit house of horrors, Esther and Meg attempt to repair their relationship in order to bring justice to their sister’s death.

• • • • • •

This is about as distressing as I thought it would be, which is a compliment in this context. Katrina Monroe explores the relationship between a person and their demons, and how it affects the way they interact with the people in their lives.

I’m a sucker for a good horror laced with family drama, and this book pretty much delivered on that front. I guess I just wanted the climax to shock or move me more, considering all the build-up.

Overall, a pretty solid book! Would read more from this author.

I absolutely love the horror genre when it blends with psychology because what authors do in this case is manifest one's darkest fears, devastating experiences, or severe trauma into a being out of nightmares.

⚜Genre: Psychological Horror
⚜Targeted audience: 13+
⚜Characters: 3 sisters "Meg, Esther, Claire", haunted house, Donny
⚜Representation: mental illness, depression
⚜TW: child loss, suicide, self-harm, kidnapping, alcoholism
⚜ POV: multiple third person
⚜ rating: 3.5 🌟🌟🌟 🔅

First a thank you to the author and Netgalley for this EARC

There is no doubt that the story here is heavily influenced by Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson



from the dedication at the beginning of the page to the number of the main characters involved, which is four, to the use of the name Hill for the street where the haunting house resides, to the creepy House itself and the darkness that lurks inside.

Monroe's "Through the Midnight Door" is a poignant and chilling narrative that delves into the complexities of sisterhood and the haunting echoes of intergenerational trauma. It is a testament how hidden secrets and miscommunication among families can be the reason to break them apart.

We follow the three Finch sisters' journey through their past and present to see how their adventure into the heart of an enigmatic house and it's creepy keys led by a mysterious boy named Donny has brought out the darkness within them and haunted them throughout their adulthood.

The novel masterfully intertwines the sisters' present-day struggles with the unresolved mysteries of their family history, culminating in a harrowing examination of loss and the indelible impact of shared experiences. Monroe's prose is both evocative and lyrical, crafting a story that is as much about the strength found in familial bonds as it is about the terror of facing the ghosts that linger in the shadows of their lineage.

The writing style is not complicated. It is a page-turner book suitable for 13 and above. I was hooked from the beginning and kept intrigued until the last page.

However, I felt that the timeline was a bit off because the ages of the characters were not stated directly. Other than Meg, who says she is 35, the other sisters were not given a direct age. They are referred to as close to 30 or older than Claire by a bit. Even Donny's age was not mentioned directly. He was described as "At first, he looked a little older than Claire, maybe ten or eleven....which meant he was probably older. Thirteen or fourteen.

If he was fourteen when we first see him, this makes him about 8 or 9 years older than Claire, but that means that he did what he did when he was 8 or 9!!!! which would be ridiculous! even if he were older, let's say ten, this is still impossible.

I did not like how the mother was left off the hook and blamed so many times. I am not spoiling, but there was a scene where she beat the shit out child- Claire because she was grieve-stricken and everyone just swept this under the rug!!!

A past POV from Donny could have enriched the book's mystery, offering a deeper dive into the house's eerie lore. While the narrative stretches thin in places and treads familiar ground in others, incorporating Donny's viewpoint might have tightened the tension and enhanced the overall intrigue of the story.

other than that, this book is a compelling read for those who are drawn to stories that probe the depths of human emotion and the specters of the past that shape our present.

The Finch sisters don't talk about what happened when they were kids. They don't really talk to each other at all. When youngest sister Claire is found dead in an abandoned house that they played in, the sisters are forced back to their home town to support their parents and find out what happened.
Katrina Monroe beautifully pushes the boundaries of the supernatural and of horror with this novel of grief and family. Sometimes I was very creeped out and sometimes I re-read paragraphs. This is a great novel for all horror lovers, supernatural story lovers and those who love a story about family #poisonedpenpress #throughthemidnightdoor #katrinamonroe

I absolutely loved this one. The dual timeline and multiple POVs were done so well and in a way that benefitted the story. I was rooting for Meg throughout the whole story. Esther I felt for at times but at other times she was driving me a little crazy (like pointing a gun at her kid). There was an equal amount of horror and mystery and it all tied together well. I did guess part of the ending but I enjoyed the supernatural element as well. This story definitely handled some very heavy topics but handled them well. Overall I would recommend this book; however, I will stress the importance of looking up trigger warnings as this book handles not only mental health issues but also suicide and death of an infant.

This novel is a poignant exploration of sisterhood and the lasting impacts of generational trauma. It captivates readers with its chilling atmosphere and delves into the delicate dynamics between sisters. The story follows how deeply rooted trauma can permeate through generations, shaping the lives of its characters.

The sisters' relationship takes a dramatic turn after they stumble upon a mysterious hallway filled with various doors. Some doors appear ordinary, resembling those found in any home, while others seem like mere voids with faint outlines. Each sister keeps their door's secret to themselves. In the present day, Meg and Esther regularly encounter keys that seemingly materialize out of thin air.

The heart of the conflict in this book lies in the Finch family's reluctance to communicate openly, opting to bury their darkness instead of exposing it to the light. Although a tragedy, the death of Claire ultimately compels Meg and Esther to confront the fractures in their once-tight bond.

In terms of characters, the novel primarily explores the intricate bond between the sisters, unearthing the complexities and vulnerabilities inherent in such relationships. The characters are portrayed as multi-dimensional, each with their struggles and perspectives.

Among the sisters, Esther undergoes the most significant transformation from childhood to adulthood. Her personality takes on obsessive and paranoid tendencies. While Claire and Esther envision harm befalling themselves, Meg's vision reveals the demise of her sisters, leading her to view herself as a threat rather than their protector. As the eldest, this dynamic proves particularly detrimental to their sibling bond.

Although Donny serves as the novel's antagonist, he too becomes a victim of the darkness that haunts the sisters. His victimhood shapes his character, while his envy of the Finch family stems from his connection to the darkness.

The writing style of this novel evokes an emotional and haunting tone, leaving readers with a profound sense of unease and suspense throughout the narrative.

The story culminates in the burning of the house, along with the assumed eradication of the darkness. The shadow creature embodies despair, heartache, regret, anger, jealousy, fear, and guilt.

However, one can't help but wonder if the darkness could find a new manifestation elsewhere.

If you enjoy books that delve into deeper meanings and keep you engaged with their ever-evolving narratives, then this book will likely be captivating.

This book was really disappointing to me. I was so excited when I read the synopsis, who doesn't love a good haunted house story but I didn't really feel like that's what this book was. I feel like there were 2 different plots going on in this story that should have been 2 different books. I did finish it because I was curious to know what happened and the writing was good but I can't say that I enjoyed the book very much.

I just finished reading this book no more than 10 minutes ago. I don't know whether I need to take more time to absorb it before writing my review or just to go for it when my reaction is fresh. I have SO many mixed feelings about this book. I almost DNF'd it several times, but kept going because the story, despite the fact that it was dragging, held my attention. I actually liked the sisters and their stories. Esther was my favorite sister, and I think she is the reason I continued to muddle through. I am still baffled at what the book really meant, honestly. I believe it was that a darkness hangs over each of us, and if we don't rise above it, it eventually will eat us alive. Meg, Esther and Claire all went through their own path with "the darkness" that was hidden in a neighborhood house. I did not love this, but I didn't hate it either. I am giving it 3 stars. It was not scary by any means, and fell along the lines of an intense family drama. The author's writing was so enjoyable. It was descriptive, very high on character development and quite nostalgic. I would read more by her in the future.

Having experienced an abandoned house and the horrors within growing up, three sisters are forever haunted by this incident. The story moves between the present day and the past, including multiple points of view. It all comes together to help the reader understand the events that start the book and the family dynamic throughout. Through the Midnight Door is an atmospheric story involving an abandoned house, three sisters, their trauma, and their relationship. The darkness throughout the book is encompassing. I found the story hard to read at times due to the deep emotions, trauma, and tragedy involved in addition to the horror elements.

I will be thinking about this one for a while.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy.

This was such a haunting read as you delve into this skewed family dynamic that is so vivid and encompassing. Powerful read overall.

“Through the midnight door” touches upon multiple genres, horror, psychological thriller, fantasy, surrealism etc. It’s hard to pin point one genre or theme and the writing style is so fluid and keeps on blending and merging into something different page after page.

The chapters alternate between past and present timelines as well as possible future outcomes, as shown across multiple POV.

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!

Thank you to Katrina Monroe, Poisened Pen Press and NetGalley for the EARC!

Publish date: August 13th 2024

I loved the premise, but there wasn’t enough horror to be a great horror story, and there wasn’t enough psychological thriller to be a great thriller. It’s like the author tried to do both, and didn’t quite succeed at either.

The shadow creature reveal came too late in the book for it to have that atmospheric, creeping, building terror. It did have a handful of decent horror descriptions throughout the book, but they felt more like descriptions, and less like vital parts of the story. There just wasn't enough inner dialogue from the characters - like, "hey, I'm throwing up leaves and grave dirt. Am I crazy or is this real?"

For me, this story would’ve packed a lot more punch as a psychological thriller, with the real evil being what humans are capable of. This book will find fans, but libraries looking for unique picks for their horror collection may want to look elsewhere.

One can safely say that this book is going to be one of the best books of this year. Equal parts heartbreaking, reflective, and atmospheric, this story will make your heart bleed. This is not just a horror novel but a wonderful deconstruction of a very special bond — sisterhood. It was wonderful, an experience that I won't forget for a long time to come. Recommend this with all my heart.

This was my second book by Katrina Monroe and I am not disappointed. It’s a very emotional and haunting story that dug its claws in and didn’t let go. This book grabbed me from the very beginning. I was thinking it might be a slow build but, for me, that wasn’t the case.

We have the POV of each of the three sisters with some going back in the past explaining what happened then. I loved getting to know each of them, and they all had very different voices. The story centers on a creepy old house the girls find when they are kids and some pretty scary stuff happens to each of them. The mystery of it all kept me guessing until the end.

Katrina Monroe is an excellent author and I really enjoy her atmospheric writing. This was definitely a winner for me, I can’t wait to read more from this author. 5 stars. Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

This book had such an interesting premise, a creepy house with impossible hallways and rooms and a secret that both bound and broke the sisters that experienced it. But it felt like it did not quite live up to the promises it made.

It certainly had some odd pacing. You get ramped into the creepiest part of the story way too early, before you can really settle into the world, and it felt rather jarring. I wanted to savor the slow build up into the world and the supposedly most traumatic part of the girls lives but it was just too fast and peaked far too early. Then after that the middle dragged for far too long without much progress as well which really emphasized the weird pacing.

There were some decently creepy parts spread thinly throughout but overall it was not that exciting as the sisters mostly bickered and made bad decisions. Even the end was fairly bland right up until the last chapter where it finally came together. The best parts were certainly the beginning and end.

The theme of the book was rather blunt in how it was presented to the reader as well. There was very little subtlety in its messaging and what it was trying to convey, so much so that the final reveal was not at all surprising or even a reveal at all.

I think there was a good idea here but not quite executed to its full potential.

Haunting, atmospheric and breathtaking. I could not wrap my head and heart around some of the passages because they were all encompassing. As a reader I could see, hear and feel what she wrote. From the love inside of a family, between the sisters and on to the secrets that each person held trying to protect the others. Simply amazing.
“ The foyer reminded her of an open mouth, the molding along the entrance archway like sharp teeth.”
‘…damp and heavy. It smelled like lonely places.’
‘…velvety touch move from her neck to her ears, to her nose. It climbed inside and slithered down her throat.’
“The shadow creature was despair. It was heartache and regret and anger and jealousy. It was fear. It was guilt.’
The best part was that while I know that sisters are real, and family is real and all of the things that were concrete are real, as a reader I could float right into the darkness and believe everything I read.

3.75/5 (rounded up)

This book is on the heavier side, and I couldn’t get fully invested into the story. I did find parts of it enjoyable, but not all.

Horror, Fantasy, Thriller, Adult Fiction


“She knew that, but the dark things inside her had grown fat with her failures, taking up what little space she had.”

Through the Midnight Door bounces back and forth between the past, the present, and possible futures. Not only do you travel through different timelines you also read multiple perspectives throughout the book. Three sisters are led to an abandoned house and soon experience the unimaginable. After their mysterious encounters within the house, the horrors follow them throughout their lives. Growing up is hard enough but add something spooky to the mix and it won’t be hard to imagine the girls had a hard time adjusting to their new normal.

Katrina Monroe has a way of personifying darkness as well as mental illness. I loved how Monroe created this imagery of darkness feeding off of the sisters and toying with them. Nowhere was safe. The journey you’re taken on with the sisters is winding, it made me think about my time growing up with my sisters. If we were in this haunted house story, would we have told each other everything? Or would we have kept it to ourselves and suffered in silence?

Through the Midnight Door will make you think about a lot of things, including mental health, sibling relationships, past trauma, and how can you move through it when it feels like everything is closing in on you.

I will be thinking about the book for a while. It was haunting because even without the spooky strained sibling relationships happen all the time. Sometimes real-world connections or lack of connections are scarier than the monsters we dream up and that’s what Katrina Monroe leaves you with.

When their younger sister Claire is found dead in an old house, siblings Meg and Esther must once again face a darkness that has haunted them since they entered the strange house as children many years before. This was an enthralling novel with a unique take on the scary old house theme. It had fleshed-out characters with a full family dynamic that was central to the story, and a haunting horror at its core that slowly, but steadily unveils itself throughout. I lack the writing ability to adequately express just how excellent the novel was, but if you're looking for a solid horror tale that will keep you riveted, look no further.