Wow! Beneath the Poet’s House was the perfect tale to begin “spooky season”.

This book wasn’t my typical read but it was a fun one to get me outside of my usual genre — I was immediately gripped (though it had a bit of a slow bit in the middle) and I couldn’t put it down, I had to know how it ended, and boy it was not what I expected.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Another great thriller with an atmosphere that is super captivating. The writing will pull you into the story and not let go till its over. The mystery itself is thought provoking and will make you think of it long after the book is over.

Book Name: Beneath the Poet’s House

Author Name: Christa Carmen

Publication Date: December 10, 2024

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC copy.

Summary:
In Beneath the Poet’s House, grieving novelist Saoirse White relocates to Providence, seeking inspiration in the home of 19th-century poet Sarah Helen Whitman. The house, once tied to Edgar Allan Poe, exudes a mysterious and haunted energy, with a forgotten cemetery and rose garden adding to its eerie charm. Saoirse soon befriends a group of transcendentalists enthralled by Whitman’s mystic past, finding solace in their company and a budding romance with celebrated author Emmit Powell. As she immerses herself in her writing once more, buried fears resurface, threatening to unravel everything. Dark secrets linger in the house, forcing Saoirse to confront the ghosts of the past in this compelling blend of psychological suspense and gothic intrigue.

My Thoughts:
Beneath the Poet’s House delivers a mesmerizing blend of psychological suspense and gothic horror, wrapped in an atmosphere so rich and spooky, you can almost feel the chill of the forgotten cemetery and hear the whispers of long-buried secrets. Christa Carmen doesn’t just create a haunting setting; she breathes life into it through her vividly drawn characters. Saoirse is a brilliantly layered protagonist, her grief palpable, and her slow descent into the eerie world surrounding her is both unnerving and captivating.I loved the interactions between Saoirse, Mia, Roberto, and Lucretia—they bring both warmth and tension, making the unraveling of the plot even more suspenseful. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly with the emotional weight of the story, keeping you wondering where reality ends and the paranormal begins. And those final chapters? Absolutely heart-stopping. The intensity and breathtaking twists will leave you reeling, questioning everything you thought you knew about the story.This book is dark, spooky, and utterly unputdownable—perfect for fans of gothic suspense who love being kept on the edge of their seat.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and Christa Carmen for allowing me the chance to read this novel early.

Sadly I won't be finishing this and DNF it at 49%.

I requested this because the premise sounded so good and the cover caught my eye. I wnjoyed the beginning of the story, and loved Lucretia, Roberto, and Mia. Hated HATED Saoirse. Hated her character. Hated how the secrets of her past were doled out in little bits, like damn, how many secrets you got lady? Just seemed to be used as a bandaid to get the story where it needed.

And the coincidences had me rolling my eyes. It was about as subtle as a brick to the face.

I got severe second hand embarrassment while reading this book and I want to find a whole to hide ahhh. Seriously though whats wrong with Soirose’s thinking or is she just blind!! I don’t understand how her mind worked but the way she jumped from a years-long abusive and equally traumatic relationship to another even more toxic relationship. Like girl how!??? I just wanted to breech the 4th wall and go inside the book to give her a nice little shake and tell her to OPEN YOUR EYES AND SHE THE FLASHING RED FLAG IN FRONT OF HER EYES. But I guess girly was too drugged out with the possibility of love, delusions and whatever that guy poured in her drink. I know this whole plot was just to fuel the story but still the way she just kept contradicting her own ideas and decisions over and over again made me feel so annoyed. And when finally the oh-so-unforseen twist came I was literally jumping saying I TOLD YOU SO but then I was hit with even more gruesome scenes. The sex scenes are hard to get by. I had to skip those to keep my sanity in check cause the guy was giving me such a ick since the start but I guess the author’s way of keeping the readers engaged in the story and I applaud her for that cause it certainly worked in a way as I was very much waiting for a downfall but it turned out to be a land mine. Over-all, this story keeps you hooked till the twists after that you just have to stick till the ending to satisfy your curiosity and nothing much. The author’s ability to create a gothic and beautiful scenery in every chapter is commendable. I love how she added a bit of her own imagination to the story pf Poe and the past cause that’s made it even more intriguing. Although the story after the mid parts feels a bit off, you can still breeze past it smoothly. In the end I’m glad I finished this one, it was such a twisted experience.

As a fan of "The Daughters of Block Island", the author's former book, and someone familiar with Poe's work, the premise of "Beneath the Poet’s House" by Christa Carmen immediately piqued my interest. A book inspired by Poe? Count me in! This atmospheric, slow-paced psychological suspense novel nods to Edgar Allan Poe and his former fiancée, Sarah Helen Whitman.

The story follows Saoirse White, a novelist with a traumatic past who is struggling with writer’s block, among other issues. To escape her demons, she relocates to Providence shortly after the death of her husband, unwittingly renting the historic home of Sarah Helen Whitman, the nineteenth-century poet and spiritualist once courted by Edgar Allan Poe. Soon, the turbulent courtship of Poe and Whitman begins to mirror Saoirse’s own life.

Saoirse starts experiencing a series of Poe-themed coincidences: strange noises in her house, a tackle with a trio of eccentric occultists obsessed with Whitman who become her friends, and stumbling upon a Poe display at the local library. A chance meeting with the famous author Emmit Powell, who bears an eerie resemblance to both her late husband and Poe, pulls her deeper into the lives of Poe and Whitman and the mystery surrounding Whitman’s house. As her relationship with Emmit rapidly deepens, she finds herself entangled in a web of mystery, secrets, and lies.

In the tradition of atmospheric gothic novels, this book offers a mystery rich in period detail and sinister intrigue. I enjoyed learning about the history of Sarah Whitman and Edgar Allan Poe and appreciated the parallels the author drew between them and Saoirse. The inclusion of poems and the voice of Saoirse’s late husband in her head added to the eerie atmosphere.

There's a solid cast of supporting characters, and Saoirse is a well-rounded protagonist. However, there were moments when I wanted to shake her. She fell in love too quickly, made poor choices - such as neglecting her health by drinking - and was too easily swayed by others. Despite her flaws, her vulnerability touched me, and I rooted for her throughout. The novel explores several serious themes, including drugs, abuse, toxic relationships, depression, life and death, and, of course, Poe-inspired elements.

While I enjoyed the book, a few things irritated me. A character was given LSD without her knowledge or consent, and this was brushed off with a mere slap on the wrist. Additionally, Saoirse’s neglect of her diabetic cat was troubling, and despite warnings from her friends, she continued to make poor decisions.

The book had all the elements of a great story - ghosts, catacombs, secret passages, séances, chanting voices, residual hauntings, and a forgotten cemetery - but these elements were somewhat muddled by the slow pacing, meandering plot, and excessive introspection. The first two-thirds of the book focuses on character development and setting the stage for the various themes and mystery, and the pace only picks up toward the last third.

The final third was its saving grace. It was intense, keeping me on the edge of my seat and reading into the wee hours. I had to know what would become of our heroine. I decided to rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a good book, but it could benefit from some refining. Tightening up the plot would make it a better read. I recommend it to fans of gothic novels and Poe’s work.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

I chose this book to read because it was inspired by one of Edgar Allen Poe's girlfriends I've never heard of. The book was a little slow to start and had a very fast page turning ending. I would rate higher but the main character kept on making the worst unrealistic decisions.

Christa Carmen ties the history of Edgar Allan Poe, his fiancé Sarah Helen Whitman, and the city of Providence, RI to a modern haunted love tale. Saoirse White moves back to her college town after the untimely death of her husband. Of course she doesn't move into just any old house, but the one in which poet Sarah Helen Whitman resided while being courted by the legendary Edgar Allan Poe.
Strange sounds emit from the walls of Saoirse's house and she discovers a trap door. Where does it lead? Rumors run through the city that this house, among others nearby, is haunted. Is her's among the truest of haunts?
Saoirse quickly gets drawn into the hype and heart of hauntings. In order to learn more about the woman who formally lived in the house and to keep herself among the living, Saoirse takes part in seances and researches Sarah Helen Whitman. Her new friends draw her out into the city and Saoirse is ready to be swept away.
I was quickly engrossed with this book and Saoirse's journey into life as a young widow. She is pulled toward learning more about Poe & Whitman's courtship while haunted by the death of her husband. His voice constantly in her head, questioning her moves had me wondering if her new friends were all illusions too. I was skeptical of her whirlwind romance and how quickly obsessed Emmitt became of Saoirse. He is the guy every mother warns against. But then, I, like Saoirse, set those notions aside.
The plot line was enjoyable; I did not see the ending coming, nor could I figure a way out of it for Saoirse. The characters were each a bit eccentric, especially her new friends. Saoirse White is layered with secrets, hope, health issues, and a yearning to find herself.
Christa Carmen is a artist with her imagery. I felt like I could taste the dirt and feel the flies & bones while reading Beneath the Poet's House. Carmen artfully explains to the reader how to pronounce 'Saoirse' a few times which I gratefully appreciated.
In her second novel, Carmen does not disappoint. The beginning grabbed my attention and wrapped me up in the intrigue surrounding Sarah Helen Whitman's old house. The details, the mystery, and the fated romance had me flipping the pages and staying up way too late.
If you liked Daughters of Block Island, you will love Beneath the Poet's House.
I read this novel by Christa Carmen courtesy of the author, publishers, and NetGalley. I look forward to its release in December 2024 when the air is as cold as the ground beneath Providence.

What a thrill ride, down to the last word. There's so much to enjoy from seances to hidden catacombs mixed with the lost romance of classic authors and a genuinely sincere appreciation of the mysteries of Providence. I enjoyed the insight into the life of writers - good and evil - past, present and future. It's a truly lovely ghost story.

Thank you Netgalley, Christa Carmen and Thomas & Mercer for the eArc of Beneath the Poets house.

Beneath the Poets house is a mystery/ thriller with supernatural elements. I found that the narrative drew me in from the beginning and even though I read it over a course of a few days. I looked forward into picking this up and finding out what happened to Saoirse, the main character. I appreciated the nods to Edgar Allan Poe and his life within this narrative and the direction that the plot eventually took. I loved the character building and the dynamics between Saoirse and her new friends, Mia, Roberto, and Lucretia as well as her new love interest, Emmitt. The supernatural elements added to the tension of the plot line which I also thoroughly enjoyed.

I found the area building, even though was a relatively small area, was well described and even inspired me to go and google about where Sarah Whitman's house in which Saoirse resided in. All in all, I thought that Beneath the Poets House had a great balance of different elements which provoked different emotions.

4 stars

Beneath the Poet’s House tells the tale of Saoirse,
a troubled writer whose inspiration has withered in the wake of her husband's passing. During this intensely tumultuous time, amidst disconcerting exchanges and feelings of immense strain and guilt she removes
herself to more insular environs by way of the historic Providence residence of Edgar Allan Poe’s late love interest, Sarah Whitman. In this place, Saoirse meets a cast
of unlikely eccentric characters some of whom have a vested interest in, what Saoirse quickly discovers is, her reportedly haunted new abode.

These aforementioned individuals are both, in the literary sense and that of the spiritualist’s realm, kooky Poe-fans. Despite her initial misgivings our FMC soon becomes entangled in all sorts of occult-based mischief and hyperfixates on the history and secrets of the house and the tension-fueled romance of its previous inhabitant with the ever-tragic figure, Poe. So much so that Saoirse gets carried away with the romantasy of it all and the parallels between the ill-fated lovers, herself and a striking stranger.


The characters explored are all well-developed and intriguing. Saoirse is a complex protagonist whose layers slowly begin to peel away over the course of the story, hinting at her circumstances and state of mind being something other than what they initially appear. Thus, as her backstory unfolds so too does a torrid scenario in which she will have to quickly determine to either prevail or fall prey to a sociopath.

There is a melancholic gothic charm to this psychological thriller that evolves into a very Poe-like tale that both wrapped me up in its air de tragédie and left me feeling at odds at other points. This isn't to suggest that it was an unsatisfactory read by any means because truth be told I happily passed several hours between the pages of Beneath the Poet’s House and recommend it and author Christa Carmen. I look forward to exploring other works by this author in the near future.

My thanks to author Christa Carmen, Publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC of Beneath the Poet’s House. My opinions are my own and given freely without incentive.

I hated how much this book was able to manipulate my emotions. So I also loved it?

I was initially drawn to this book with the promise of a spooky mystery/thriller regarding Saoirse White, a haunted writer moving into the potentially haunted historic home of Edgar Allan Poe's one-time fiancee and poet in her own right, Sarah Helen Whitman. And I was utterly charmed by the transcendentalist friends that were introduced to Saoirse in a surprising way. But as the story went on, I was less charmed and more alarmed by the meeting of, and then intensely quick and passionate relationship with, Emmit Powell. I consume a lot of true crime content and the amount of red flags that went up around that guy were innumerable.

There's enough spooky tension and mystery that builds throughout the first parts of the story that will keep readers hooked up to the terrifying third act, when it becomes chillingly obvious that residual energy and possible ghosts are the least of Saoirse's problems. The whole situation felt farfetched to me, but I guess it did line up with the madness that was gradually being alluded to over the course of the book. Those red flags I mentioned? Yeah, alarm bells were SCREAMING in my head way before everything went sideways.

After reading this book, I definitely want to go and read Carmen's other books because I really enjoy her style of storytelling.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Christa Carmen, and publisher Thomas & Mercer for the digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’m very conflicted on how to rate this book. It was a five star for me up until about 60% in but Emmitt’s spiral into madness felt so extreme and over the top, it became hard to remain in the story and I quickly lost interest. Love the concept and premise but the twists and reveals proved a bit too far fetched for me.

There is a melancholic gothic charm to this psychological thriller that evolves into a very Poe-like tale that both wrapped me up in its air de tragédie and left me feeling at odds at other points. This isn't to suggest that it was an unsatisfactory read by any means because truth be told I happily passed several hours between the pages of Beneath the Poet’s House and recommend it and author Christa Carmen. I look forward to exploring other works by this author in the near future.

"Beneath the Poet’s House" is a hauntingly beautiful novel that swept me off my feet, even as I navigated its occasional unevenness. Christa Carmen draws us into the world of Saoirse White, a once-vibrant novelist grappling with grief after the loss of her husband. Seeking solace and creative inspiration, she relocates to Providence, into the historic home of the lesser-known yet fascinating poet and spiritualist, Sarah Helen Whitman. If, like me, you have a soft spot for Edgar Allan Poe and the gothic charm of the past, the premise alone beckons invitingly!
From the outset, I felt Saoirse’s pain as she waded through her writer’s block and the heaviness of her heart that accompanied her husband’s death. Moving into a house with such a rich literary history seemed like a perfect antidote to her loneliness. The setting itself—complete with hidden rose gardens and an old cemetery—felt like a character in its own right, enhancing the story's atmosphere. Carmen’s lush descriptions of Providence had me vowing to explore the homes of Whitman and Lovecraft myself!
One of the highlights of the novel is the company Saoirse finds in a trio of passionate transcendentalists, each of whom immerses themselves in Whitman’s mystic beliefs. Their energy pulls Saoirse into their circle, and while I appreciated the camaraderie, I often found myself wanting to shake her for the decisions she made—especially regarding her new romantic interest, Emmit Powell. While her choices reflected her trauma, at times, they felt maddeningly naïve. I have to admit, I worried for her cat more than once as she navigated these new relationships!
As the narrative unfolds, Carmen expertly weaves in Saoirse’s parallel journey with that of Sarah Helen Whitman. This layer of historical context enriched the story, and I found myself revelling in the delightful poetry excerpts that punctuated the novel. The core themes of loss, rebirth, and the sometimes-unruly nature of inspiration felt both relatable and profound, echoing throughout the pages.
However, about three-quarters of the way through, I sensed a shift in tone. The final chapters ratcheted up the suspense and introduced an array of plot twists that felt a bit overzealous, perhaps leaning too hard into Poe-inspired allusions. There was a fine line between thrilling and excessive, and I felt the narrative crossed it, dragging on longer than necessary. Despite that, the climax had my heart racing and left me eagerly flipping pages to see how everything would resolve.
Ultimately, beneath its occasional flaws and the cosy mystery vibes that at times steered it away from pure gothic thriller territory, "Beneath the Poet’s House" is a captivating and atmospheric read. Carmen has crafted a plot that cleverly reflects the struggles of a blocked author—an experience that resonates deeply with aspiring writers like myself. It’s a perfect blend of literary homage and personal journey, and even with its inconsistencies, it left me with much to ponder about creativity, loss, and the complexities of moving forward.

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐁𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: 📖
𝐏𝐮𝐛. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is BRILLIANT. Gothic features, Poe references galore, a haunted town, and a haunted woman. After the death of her husband, Saoirse moves into 88 Benefit Street, home to Sarah Helen Whitman; Poe's former fiancée. When she meets a trio of transcendental writers (performing a séance in her basement), Saoirse thinks things can't get any weirder. Then she meets Emmitt Powell.

Charming and eccentric, it isn't long before the two are consumed with each other, a lust and connection that border on obsession; and rival that of their predecessors Whitman and Poe. But is Emmitt too good to be true?

Blending a charming cast of characters with a gothic setting, Christa brings to life the city of Providence, the magic of starting over, and the terrifying things that go bump in the night.

I think I loved this even more than Daughters of Block Island. The writing is beautiful, the story compelling, and the characters are lovable and interesting. Christa Carmen is a masterful storyteller. This is the perfect book to read next to a crackling fire with a warm cup of tea. Don't miss this stunning book!
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#book #books #bookstagram ##readersgonnaread #girlswhoread #girlswithbooks #reading #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #thrillers #thrills #suspense #gothic

I expected to like this. Poe is one of my favorite authors, and the situation sounded intriguing.
Unfortunately, this book isn't a fit for me. I don't care about the main character and the scattered bits of mystery aren't holding my interest.  DNF at 39%.

The instant passion for a stranger and continuous foolish choices lost me. I don't want to know how badly things go for the diabetic cat in the care of the main character, either.

The novel fell far short of the "gripping psychological suspense" description. I wish the blurb had mentioned the main character was a cozy mystery writer. This book may be a better fit for readers who enjoy that genre.

For me,  what suspense there could have been was ruined by too much meandering internal monologue, unbelievably bad decisions, and far too many coincidences used as plot points.

I enjoyed the scene in the town's libtary. No doubt many readers will find this more appealing. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC. These are my opinions.

I am a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe and I jumped at the chance to read this title! I think the overall premise is good. Unfortunately, the author did not build enough suspense. The small nods to EAP and Whitman were fun but the story needed suspense and mystery to have been truly effective.

Wow, wow, WOW! This story had me hooked from the first page. Christa Carmen reeled me in with her charming characters, witty friendships, and poetic writing.

Recently widowed, Saoirse divides herself from her tragic home and moves to a long deceased poet's home, where she stumbles upon an unlikely gang of transcendentalists. While the group is determined to bring the rightful homeowner back from the dead via seances, they are even more enraptured in their new friends' writing, likely inspired by Sarah Whitman. Saoirse quickly finds herself trapped between her past relationship and the residual haunting of the bond between two famous poets, all the while harboring a dangerous secret of her own.

If you're in search of a gripping, gothic/poetic tale with likable characters, this is for you. It's also clear that the author did a ton of research for her writing to be in synch with the lyrical prose of Edgar Allen Poe and Sarah Whitman, which elevates her story even more. Run, don't walk to find this on shelves this December.

Wow. While a few parts in the middle are just slightly slow, the plot slaps you in the face again immediately. Characters are well written and love the ending which is surprising, for me.

The way the author tends to drag you into the story and keep giving you just a little more revealing factors as you go is nice. Even with the fast pace you don't feel like it's unraveling too quickly.

Personally, I love the friendships and the heroin feel. Very dramatic, gothic themes as well. Interested to read more by this author as this is my first!