Ever since I read the description of the novel “This Cursed House” by Del Sandeen in library and blog previews, I knew I was dying to read it, and it's one of the best novels I have read in 2024. It starts off with a young woman, Jemma, who gets a letter, in August 1962, telling her that she’s being offered a position with the Duchon family of New Orleans. All the letter says is that she has the ‘qualities’ that the family wants, and that she would get free room and board in addition to pay.

Sandeen immerses the reader into the way New Orleans was in the early 1960s -- the French Quarter, the Treme, and all of the segregation of Jim Crow laws.

This isn't a spoiler, because it's in the description, I think: the house that Jemma has agreed to work at is a plantation. People Jemma meets on her bumpy ride to get to the Duchon place warn her to go back to Chicago, where she has left a relationship in a painful way and where her father has passed on. But without much money to her name, she doesn't have a choice.

For the rest of the novel, I can't give away anything about the Duchon family and what they're hiding. When Jemma finds out, bit by bit, it sickens her to her core. What I *can* say is that there are ghosts everywhere. And that it doesn't take long for Jemma to find out that the real reason she's here is not for her tutoring skills as a teacher, but for something far worse.

One of the things that this novel did a fantastic and excellent job of was highlighting the very complex and intertwined issues of two things: the first is the issue of colourism. For folks who are not aware, one of the things that impacts Black people as well as those who may be multiracial or mixed race, having partial African ancestry, is the notion that the closer to white you are, the better you are. The darker-skinned you are as a Black person, and you'll have lighter-skinned Black people looking down on you, and discriminating against you. When we go back to the early 1700s and 1800s to the very connected histories of Louisiana and Saint Domingue (the name of Haiti prior to the Haitian Revolution), we find that there were classes of people who enforced these white supremacist systems. In Haiti, the mixed-race and usually lighter-skinned people there were known as 'les affranchis.' They carried themselves as if they were white and had all the same rights as their Western-European descended colonizers. In Louisiana, you had a class of 'les gens de couleur libres' or 'free people of colour.' They, too, like their Haitian counterparts believed that the closer to white they were -- the lighter-skinned, or preferably if they could pass for white -- that they were superior in all ways and that they were an elite upper crust of society who believed they could move as freely as the whites did in antebellum New Orleans.

The second thing that this novel does is it introduces readers who don't already know about the extremely complex and painful issue of some of these gens de couleur libres who were enslavers. To put it more bluntly, Black people owning other Black people. And I have to provide one important historical note here: in many, many cases, the only way that a recently emancipated and formerly-enslaved person could free the rest of their family members -- particularly their spouse, parents, children, and other relatives -- was to purchase them from the enslaver who owned them as property, and to become their new owner. So yes, it is true that in some cases when a formerly-enslaved Black person who had purchased or otherwise been granted their freedom sought ways to reunite their families and to free their still-enslaved relations, the only way to do that was to purchase them and become their new enslaver (technically) and to become their new owner.

However, a sidebar to this is the case of Marie Thérèse "Coin-Coin" Metoyer, which I have been studying for years. Marie Thérèse is an important case because she started out her life as an enslaved person and was owned by a white woman. She started a relationship with a white French dude named Pierre Metoyer, and rumours spread around the Cane River region and in New Orleans society that she was a concubine or a prostitute. So Pierre purchased Marie Thérèse from her enslaver, married her, and made the decision to manumit or give her freedom. Of the ten or so children they had, he freed some of them but not all. And when he left property and estates to Marie Thérèse, she eventually purchased enslaved people of African descent and owned them as property with seemingly no issues or ethical objections to how she could do something like that to her own people.

Some historians have suggested that the reason could be that knowing the horrors of slavery herself for her early life, she wanted to spare her children from ever going through the same thing, so she figured "better other people of African descent than us."

Without spoiling anything, all I will say is that family lineage plays a very significant role in Sandeen's novel and that the ways it comes out, particularly with Jemma's experiences throughout the novel, are very staggering and hit hard.

This novel has all of the aspects that readers who can't get enough of haunted house stories will want, and more. It's got all kinds of Southern Gothic creep factors to it, historical ties, and family secrets in spades.

Additionally, this novel seeks to use the form of entertainment to educate people about the realities of chattel slavery while trying to strike a balance between the present-day narrative and Jemma's quest to push back all the way, as hard as she can, on what her family is so desperate to hide, and to shine the light on all of the horrific things that are part of that house.

While some of the narrative felt rushed or repetitive toward the end of the novel, with the protagonist having already stated several things and that unintentionally having the effect of dulling the impact of her otherwise breath-taking revelations, this novel remains one of the best I've read all year. I'm going to pay very close attention to anything Den Sandeen does next!

Wow, what an amazing debut novel. Gothic novels have always had a history of exploring deeper issues. This one uses the genre perfectly matching the rot and destruction of a curse to the same that is found within the hearts of this awful family. It also plays into themes of what family truly is and how it doesn’t always look how we think it should. The eeriness and build up paired with strategically placed twists was done expertly. This book was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time especially with its themes of forgiveness. The only area I felt was a little lacking was the atmosphere. I feel that gothic novels are made stronger by the descriptions of the settings and surroundings of the story sometimes taking on a character all their own. I feel like it could have been more present especially when you have the “Southern Gothic” presence to play with. But this is definitely one of my favorite books this year and one that I think will sit with me for a long time.

I can’t remember the last time I finished a book this quickly and man is it going to be the perfect read for spooky season.

‘This Cursed House’ brings us down to New Orleans offering opportunities to Jemma as she accepts a job offer with a reclusive family at their estate but it’s not without its fair share of secrets and as she gets closer to the family, and the skeletons in the closet, she finds more than she’s bargained for and may not make it out alive.

There are so many layers to this and I am very eager to speak with other readers who can better discuss the struggles of race and identity as it relates to those in this book. I am not qualified to do that as a white woman however this is ghost story and to leave out one of the main reasons they became ghosts in the first place would do a disservice to the story itself.

Running from the past was a strong plot point to not only motivate our main character but also those around her as she had to work inward in order to uncover the tragic history of those around her and following her on that journey is one I absolutely loved and there were times when I absolutely agreed in letting those who can be so hateful suffer but finding strength in spite of those who wish to see you fail is what makes us stand apart.

Our characters here are so well done and Jemma stands out as someone to root for from the second we meet her. Her relationships, both good and bad, ground her in a way that makes you want to stand at her side and face off what is to come. There is a lot of hate and cruelty amongst some of the other characters we meet and this sort of self loathing that becomes an antagonist all its own.

This is one of my best reads this year and I am very excited for everyone to read it!

**special thanks to netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

_This Cursed House_ is a nightmarish Southern gothic horror read with well-developed characters and detailed settings. It follows Jemma Barker, who leaves her life in Chicago after tragic events, as she travels to New Orleans to work for the enigmatic Duchon family. Jemma soon finds out that the Duchons are cursed, with horrible family secrets that have plagued them for decades. This book delves into racism and family trauma from the perspective of Jemma, the outsider tasked with helping the proud family.

This horror-thriller has some truly amazing and wild moments, and the way it depicts colorism and rabid racism, along with the literally haunting aftermath of slavery is great, albeit understandably intense. It's also an affecting story about family, belonging, deep betrayal, and acceptance (and the aggressive lack thereof). At the same time, I didn't love some of the overall messaging toward the end (I really wanted it to be angrier and have more teeth, as it were, than it did), and like other reviewers I wish the main character was less long-suffering. Still a solid horror book with some truly horrifying (albeit predictable) twists, though, so I definitely recommend checking it out.

Southern Gothic featuring a young woman who leaves her tattered life in Chicago to work for an affluent family in New Orleans. Leaving the North for a segregated South in the 1960s is a rude awakening for the main character. Finding out her employers hired her under false pretenses and trapping her in their plantation ups the level of creepiness.
This book had some strong moments but dragged quite a bit throughout. Editing was needed to tighten up the plot. However, it was a solid 3 stars for the author's first book

🍃 𝕬𝕽𝕮 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 🍃

Title: This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
Genre: Gothic Horror
Pub Date: October 8, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🍃 Southern Gothic Horror
✨️ Historical Fiction
🍃 Set in 1960 NOLA
✨️ Racial Prejudice
🍃 Generational Curse
✨️ Dark and Atmospheric
🍃 FMC Sees Spirits

My Review:

This Curse House is an incredible debut novel and a must-read for lovers of paranormal/gothic horror! I loved the writing style and didn't want to put it down! There were several unexpected twists, and the storyline was unique and engaging!

Thank you so much, @NetGalley and Berkley Publishing, for the digital review copy ❣️

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Well-developed characters. Interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. A good, solid read.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

I adored this southern gothic horror and it is so unique compared to anything else I have been reading lately. I highly recommend.

Excellent mystery and ghost story in one. Jemma sees ghosts but doesn't want to. Life is rough, her boy friend is cheating and she needs a job. A good job and a move south are just what she needs. The secrets slowly reveal themselves as Jemma tries to help her new employers and the horror grows.
I enjoyed the book. Jemma is wonderful character and I totally related to the character. Sandeen has captured the feel and reality of the American 1960's south and immerses the reader in it with well-rounded characters. The mystery and suspense gradually builds till you can't put the book down.

This book was right up my alley! Southern gothic horror, a family cursed, the 1960s, a young woman who can see ghosts, and a family in New Orleans who feels she can break the curse. This book was rich and atmospheric. The family in New Orleans is rooted in racism (they are 'light' black) and are true monsters. Honestly, the true horrors are not the curse, the haunted mansion/plantation, but rather the family with generational trauma rooted in racism to hate what they are. This book is simply amazing!

"This Cursed House" by Del Sandeen is a humid Southern gothic taking place in New Orleans. Our heroine, Jemma, can see ghosts - and fleeing to a new job in Louisiana, she hopes to leave actual and metaphorical hauntings in Chicago behind. That's not to be, however - the family that hires her is odd, welcoming but clearly hiding something, and in true gothic heroine fashion, Jemma will weather a ton of weird happenings in her desire to find out what's going on!

"This Cursed House" is fast-paced and written much like a YA horror in tone - Jemma is immediately sympathetic and a little desperate, although some of the decisions she makes off the bat are suspect. Anyone who's read a lot of horror can see where a lot of the plot is going, and while nothing is terribly surprising, it's brisk pace and endearing heroine go a long way to keeping things interesting.

This book will take you straight to the deep south with its atmosphere. I love that southern gothic vibe, with the spooky old housed, moss draped trees…. Just, yes.

I struggled connecting to the story for some reason, I don’t know if it’s because the writing felt a bit YA for me or what. The book had everything in it for it to be a banger, it just fell flat. I think this is a debut, so I definitely want to check out her future books.

I wanted so badly to love this book. Based on the summary it should be right up my alley. However, I never fully connected with the story.

A young woman is sent to Louisiana for a new job. She finds out that not only is house haunted, but that the family that owns the house is her family too. She is tasked with breaking the family curse, but also navigating their relationship because they do not want to claim her because of her color. Heart wrenching story, but does have a silver lining in the end.

The story was repetitive. I never felt like I was able to connect to the characters in a meaningful way. I felt like the author was telling me the story instead of allowing the story to carry itself. The setting was great and the story fit well within the gothic genre.

This is a strong debut novel. While some of Jemma's decision-making didn't make total sense to me and some of the reveals weren't as punchy as they could be, the way that Sandeen utilized history and the supernatural to have discussions around racism, colorism, and classism made the book engaging and elevated the paranormal aspects of the story. This is definitely an author with a wonderful career ahead of them!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Not long ago, in far too recent history, trains still carried signs that designated cars for segregation. In this time of the 1960’s, Jemma travels to the Big Easy and is immediately immersed into the charm and southern hospitality of this beloved city. Ignoring all the warning signs from locals about her new job on a plantation, Jemma becomes immersed into a truly riveting gothic horror. This Cursed House is a beautifully written atmospheric read. Perhaps Jemma should have known that she cannot escape the ghosts that haunt her, both of this world and the next but when all you have left is hope, there’s nothing left to lose. Through the page-turning suspense and alluring writing is the quiet desperation to break a generational curse; the everlasting theme of hope for redemption. Mark your calendar for October 8th because this stunning southern gothic read is one of the top books of the year!

Review is posted on Goodreads and the final review will be posted ahead of publication date.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book.

On one hand, it kept me in suspense and jumping for spooks. I’m usually good at predicting what is about to happen in these types of horror stories and I was only able to guess about half of it, which is great. I really like Jemma and a very few select other characters and I think Del Sandeen did a great job of portraying the racism and societal standards of the time the novel is set in and addressing the long-term effects of slavery and racism of the past and how that impacts future family members, creating generational trauma. She also did a wonderful job of creating a Southern Gothic novel, with ghosts, curses, a haunted plantation, and all. Overall I enjoyed the story.

On the other, I was really frustrated with the Duchon family and why Jemma stayed. Without getting into spoilers it’s hard to describe, but I just felt that Jemma was too strong of a character to be held up by the reasons she stayed. Then once she finds out the truth, after truth, and more truth, it feels at some point that things get too crazy for her not to have told the Duchon family to stuff it. Even if she had stayed to help, it would not have been under the conditions that she had stayed in. For example and a minor spoiler, the grandmother Honorine has some really weird rules about dining together, but she needs Jemma to stay. I know Jemma rebels against this in little ways but it just feels like it wasn’t enough. To understand what I mean you have to read the story. Also, the Duchon family sucks. They are horrible people who get off light in the end, in my opinion. Certain members deserve way worse than what they get.

Overall this was a great read and I don’t have to love everything about a story to have enjoyed the book, and I did enjoy it. I’m just not usually this torn on how I feel, so I would also add that this book has tapped into emotions that stories I read normally don’t tap into. This was a reach for me as horror is not the usual type of novel I enjoy reading, so that might be part of it too. Overall I recommend reading.

Jemma Barker has little to lose when she accepts a job offer from the Duchon family - she thinks it is to works as a tutor, but soon finds out that the strange family is under a curse, and they believe she is the one who can break it. The atmosphere is charged with mystery and secrets, not to mention the spirits Jemma has been able to see all her life.

The Duchons are light enough to pass as white, and make no secret of looking down on Jemma's darker skin even as they mean to use her for their benefit. There is a deadline looming, and it is all up to Jemma to figure out before another tragedy accurs.

I appreciated that the moment Jemma confronts the family about what they are keeping from her, they come clean and tell her (almost) everything, not because they are good people, because most of them aren't, but because they are afraid of what's coming. There is some editing that could have been done, especially in the middle of the story, but overall this is an impressive debut.