I feel as I’ve been in a dream. Barker’s writing is entrancing and lyrical. Beautiful and terrifying in its own class. I would classify this a literary horror novel. Something I have not had an experience with. However, this flowed so naturally and all consuming.

There is a woman who stays on the move. Never goes by the same name and she never ages. How is this even possible?

Two people meet in an airport. One stranger spills some information that ties them both to this woman. After that, we are taken on a disturbing journey into the lives of these people and the evil force that resides within.

No matter what I write, it will not compare to the talent that is outlined in this story. Prose so eerily evocative and compelling. I find my conclusion with Barker’s work a true literary masterpiece!

This is excellent literary horror! More unsettling than truly scary, "Old Soul" is the tale of an uncanny woman and her impact on many lives over the course of decades. The novel is well-structured and uses creative framing, including switching perspectives and styles throughout. It's one of the few recent novels where alternating POVs really works and makes sense. It's best to go into this story with little idea of the premise, so I'll just leave this here: I really enjoyed this-- go read it!

I could not get enough of this book!

Old Soul by Susan Barker is a genre-blurring novel that combines horror, thriller, and philosophical exploration into a gripping narrative. It follows Jake and Mariko, two strangers bound by loss, as they pursue a mysterious woman whose presence leaves devastation in her wake. As Jake travels across countries gathering haunting stories about her, the novel unfolds as a chilling exploration of identity, morality, and predation. Barker’s evocative prose and the eerie atmosphere build a slow-burn tension that keeps the reader on edge.

Blending elements of gothic horror and psychological thriller, Old Soul grapples with deep themes of free will and human destructiveness. The novel’s shifting locations and timelines add to its intrigue, culminating in a thought-provoking confrontation between Jake and Theo, a sculptor who knows the woman’s true nature. Barker’s unique storytelling leaves a lasting impact, offering no easy answers but compelling readers to reflect on the unsettling questions it raises about human nature.

Jake meets Mariko at the Osaka airport when they both happen to miss their flights. Mariko suggests they grab dinner and drinks together. After imbibing several cocktails Mariko informs Jake about the loss of her twin brother. Jake can't believe what he's hearing because he, too, lost his best friend under the same circumstances.

The story goes like this: They met a woman that photographs them only to lose their mind and life soon after. What's even odder is that during their autopsy's it's discovered that their internal organs have all be reversed.

This sends Jake on a worldwide journey to track down this mystery woman to confront her. Along the way he meets others who have also encountered her and the path of destruction she always seems to leave in her wake.

"That she was unnatural. The she could manipulate her face to any affect. That her entire being was a perfidious mask of surging life, behind which lurked something not-living and predatory."

Wow, this book was absolutely phenomenal. The most intelligently written horror novel I have read in quite some time. Susan Barker has spun a tale that is both spine chilling and wildly original in concept. Enthralling in the best way possible. A book that will consume you ever so slowly until you turn the final page. A perfect example of the horror genre done right. ALL. THE. STARS.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing Group for my complimentary copy.

There is nothing scarier than a subtle horror that quietly works on your mind and makes you look over your shoulder while walking down the street. This book has it in spades.
When Jake and Mariko meet by chance in the Osaka airport, an uncanny connection is discovered. Jake's best friend and Mariko's twin both died in suspicious circumstances, 6000 miles apart, but both had come into contact with a strikingly similar woman in the weeks before their deaths. This sets Jake on a quest to find the woman, and he gathers the stories of other victims. Who is the woman, where did she come from, and how is she connected to the bizarre string of deaths?
These victims each show us a human vulnerability, one the chameleon of a woman exploits for her own twisted purposes.
Can Jake find her and stop her?
The beautiful writing style, so soft and elegant, portraying the horror the woman trails along behind her, was such a perfect contrast. The pace isn't fast, but it never feels bogged down by that, the timing is perfect for the storyline.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Publishing Group for this ARC.

Chilling and compelling. It’s not often a book touted as “literary” is also a page-turner in the truest sense, beautiful prose that reads quickly and easily. This is a twisty and twisted tale that unfolds as Jake, investigating his friends’ strange death, uncovers decades of sinister encounters with a charming and malevolent mystery woman who leaves a trail of death and destruction in her wake. The closer Jake gets to the truth, the more danger he is in from evil forces beyond his understanding. I had hoped the ending would take a different turn than the one it did (no spoilers), but I still enjoyed the ominous and thoroughly unsettling journey we took to get there.

I struggled with this one. The process “the woman” had to go through to maintain her immortality was interesting but I struggled to maintain interest. None of the characters were particularly well drawn or sympathetic. I didn’t like the ending as there was no path to how she could ultimately live forever without the constant offerings to “the Tyrant”.

I. Love. Literary. Horror.

This book is STUNNINGLY written and deliciously unsettling. I really think this one is best to go in blind, but seriously, preorder, request the ARC, etc. You'll want to get your hands on this!

I absolutely loved this. Literary fiction is my favorite genre and I've always tried to like horror, but it never really clicked for me. Old Soul and a few other books I've read recently (Monstrilio, Our Wives Under the Sea, Our Share of Night) have helped me figure out that literary horror is the horror for me. This was so beautifully written and incredibly unsettling; I had a hard time reading before bed. I really enjoyed all the different perspectives and stories throughout time of how "Eva" had impacted these different lives. Highly recommend you give this one a try!

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC

More subtle in its horror, but somehow still very unsettling. I didn’t wanna read this before bed. The concept is very unique and lived up to its potential in my eyes. I really enjoyed the way the story orbited around the villain, with her dipping in and out and slowly revealing more.
The middle chapters lacked in my eyes and slowed me down, with the beginning and wrap-up being much stronger.
And that ending! Damn! 3.5 stars rounded up.

Old Soul
Susan Barker

An absolutely enthralling and genre-defying tale that's part horror, part folk tale, part Western, part action/thriller, and 100% entertaining.

A true page turner, I wasn't bored or disinterested once.

One of my favorite novels is Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian, and this novel definitely brought that to mind, mixed with a little Addie LaRue and a touch of Scarlet Johanson in Under The Skin.

An excellent story I can safely recommend to many, regardless of the genre they're most interested in.

4.5 / 5

This book was phenomenal. Multi POV, weird, a little creepy, and different than anything I’ve read. It was refreshing to feel like I was experiencing different places and cultures, without really keeping up with one “main character.”

I truly loved everything about this book and couldn’t put it down.

My only gripe is the lack of quotation marks because what gives?

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Susan Baker for providing this ARC for an unbiased review.

Old Soul by Susan Barker is a deeply reflective and evocative novel that weaves together themes of reincarnation, memory, and identity. The story follows a protagonist who recalls past lives spanning centuries, each chapter adding layers to the exploration of fate, love, and loss. Barker’s writing is lyrical and immersive, drawing the reader into both the historical and emotional landscapes of the characters’ journeys. The novel’s philosophical depth, paired with Barker's vivid storytelling, makes it both a compelling narrative and a meditation on the cyclical nature of existence. Old Soul is a captivating read that will resonate with readers interested in the mysteries of time and the human soul.

Wow! I think this was one of the most polished ARCs I have ever read.
This was my first read of Susan Barker's and I am so impressed with her ability to fully flesh out characters so quickly.
Each testimony introduced has one thing in common: a strange woman who it increasingly seems has the mark of the devil. All testimonies are gathered from people from all walks of life, in all different eras, in different parts of the world. In this way, the book almost reads like an anthology of short stories with one common thread; that is, until the reader starts to slowly see revealed the back story from this elusive woman and what her purpose is. It takes a truly great writer to make 'short stories' stand out and stand alone. Barker did such a great job of doing just this and THEN, tying it all together with this wild thread. She writes so smartly that the reader is simply along for the ride and believes whatever story she is telling. I think the only thing holding me back from rounding up to 5 stars was the ending; I do appreciate the implications of it but after such great writing, it almost felt like a let down.
I know this is set to pub in January but I am SO glad I read this near to Halloween -- it's just what I was in the mood for!

Old Soul by Susan Baker is a gripping and genre-defying narrative that seamlessly weaves elements of horror, western, and thriller into a profound exploration of loss, morality, and the haunting impact of a mysterious figure. The story begins in Osaka, where two strangers, Jake and Mariko, bond over their shared grief after missing a flight. Both have suffered the brutal loss of loved ones connected to a beguiling woman who seems to leave destruction in her wake.

Jake’s quest to uncover the truth about this enigmatic figure takes him across the globe, gathering chilling testimonies from those who have crossed paths with her. Baker’s writing is evocative and immersive, as she captures the haunting stories of shattered souls that build a rich tapestry of human devastation. The journey leads Jake to Theo, a dying sculptor in rural New Mexico, who possesses insights into the woman’s true nature that could change everything.

The novel skillfully balances tension and philosophical inquiry, delving into themes of predation and free will. It raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of grief and the ways in which we confront our own moral complexities in the face of tragedy.

Baker's ability to blend various genres results in a narrative that is both thrilling and introspective, making Old Soul a unique reading experience. Fans of literary fiction with dark undertones will find this story compelling and unforgettable, as it navigates the depths of human suffering and the relentless search for understanding in a chaotic world.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A series of deaths years apart are linked to a mysterious European woman.

🪞Book review: Old Soul by Susan Barker🪞

For fans of Stephen King’s The Outsider, but make it…

Haunting
Ethereal
Beguiling

•SYNOPSIS•
When a missed flight connects two grieving strangers, they discover they share more than a disrupted destination. As they swap stories of losing their loved ones under bizarre circumstances, they find disturbing parallels, like their loved ones’ strange encounters just before their deaths. Both had met a mysterious woman with black eyes who took their photo and maybe their lives…

Who is this mystery woman?
Is her camera the kiss of death or a mere coincidence?
And, most importantly, can they stop her before it happens again?

•THOUGHTS•
A tale of morality, greed, and sacrifice, Old Soul is supernatural, literary horror that’s fast-paced and fun (in a morbid way 😈). Barker brilliantly bobs between narrators and timelines, weaving a deliciously demonic web for readers to untangle.

I was hooked from the first page, savoring the rush of this free-fall into hell.

Thanks @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC. Old Soul hits shelves in January ✨

“In Osaka, two strangers, Jake and Mariko, miss a flight, and over dinner, discover they've both brutally lost loved ones whose paths crossed with the same beguiling woman no one has seen since.” With this gripping premise, the novel sets the stage for a dark and captivating mystery that spans decades and continents. What begins as a chance encounter between Jake and Mariko quickly spirals into a complex and chilling investigation as Jake becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about the enigmatic woman who has left a trail of devastation in her wake.

The novel skillfully weaves together the personal tragedies of Jake and Mariko, creating a shared sense of loss that drives the narrative forward. Jake’s determination to find out who—or what—this woman is takes readers on a globetrotting journey as he pieces together haunting testimonies from others who have encountered her. Each story adds another layer to the mystery, deepening the tension and adding a pervasive sense of unease. The author does an excellent job of building suspense as Jake’s quest becomes more desperate and the answers seem more elusive.

Overall, this beautifully crafted, atmospheric novel blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. Readers who enjoy literary mysteries with complex characters and an unsettling, otherworldly edge will find this an unforgettable read.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This very mysterious story features two adults who meet after they miss a flight in Japan. Mairko and Jake are quite different but find after the missed flight and ensuing dinner that they have something strange in common - both lost a loved one after the person interacted with a mysterious woman. Jake is hot on the trail of this mysterious Marion and the chapter alternate as he reveals stories from others who also met Marion and then met with a disaster.

Quite gripping and twisted, well written and lite horror, this is a story for those who love well written books and maybe a side of scare!
#penguin #oldsoul #susanbarker

If David Mitchell and Stephen King had a book baby, this might be it.

This beautifully written novel does really defy genre. I’ll call it speculative literary horror. It is beautiful and horrifying. Not really scary but truly creepy.

In it we follow Jake, an Englishman on a mission to find out who or what caused the mysterious death of his dear friend Lena. Jake investigates an international trail of similar deaths, finally reaching a horrifying conclusion.

There is a lot to love in this novel: the incredibly vivid, lyrical writing, fantastic sense of place (and time), character development, and the horrific dis-ease that underlies it all. The mystery kept me turning pages. Jake’s investigation leads him to many clues from several people and this is where the pacing has problems. Perhaps all the backstories slowed down the momentum in the second half. I felt myself getting frustrated with the details (albeit gorgeously written details) when all I wanted was to get to the end and find out what was going to happen!

This is horror for smart people. I’m not sure if I’m smart enough. There are so many themes to this multilayered book, and I didn’t quite connect all the dots all the time. Part of me wants to give this 5 stars but the confused part of me 3, so I will agree on 4 stars for this unique metaphysical and truly horrifying novel.