Twisty, chilling, and impossible to put down, Do What Godmother Says is a thriller that keeps you second-guessing until the final page. L.S. Stratton weaves a gripping tale of secrets, power, and buried truths with sharp social commentary and a creeping sense of dread. The story pulses with tension as it unravels generational trauma and hidden agendas—all through a voice that’s fierce, intelligent, and unapologetically bold.

Smart, suspenseful, and haunting in all the best ways—Do What Godmother Says proves that the past never stays buried... especially when the godmother is watching.

In this book readers are treated to a suspenseful and richly woven narrative that centers on Shanice Pierce, a woman facing a tumultuous turning point in her life. Newly single and jobless, Shanice's fortune takes an intriguing twist when she discovers a haunting portrait left to her by her grandmother. This painting, a creation of Harlem Renaissance artist Estelle Johnson, becomes the catalyst for a gripping exploration of mystery and history.

The author expertly crafts a dual narrative that oscillates between Shanice's contemporary struggles and the tragic past of Estelle Johnson. As Shanice uncovers the unsettling circumstances surrounding Johnson’s life and the enigmatic patron Maude Bachmann, readers are drawn into a web of intrigue that blurs the lines between the past and present.

Shanice’s journey is filled with tension, amplified by her growing paranoia and the inexplicable deaths that seem to surround her. The author deftly builds suspense, making it hard to put the book down as Shanice grapples with both her inner demons and external threats. The themes of legacy, art, and the haunting power of history resonate deeply throughout the story.

While the pacing occasionally slows as the narrative delves into backstory, the revelations and twists keep the reader engaged and eager for more. The rich character development, particularly in Shanice’s evolution, adds depth to the overall experience.

Overall, this is an enthralling blend of mystery, artistic exploration, and personal discovery. This compelling novel firmly earns a four-star rating, leaving readers both satisfied and intrigued by the layered narrative and its stunning conclusion.

I really enjoyed this book and the story line. I’m a fan of thrillers and even more a thriller that also incorporates some historical elements. The only downfall for me is that I was able to guess the twist before it was revealed. Overall o enjoyed this and was very entertained.

Do What Godmother Says is a highly engaging story that young adults would be extremely interested in. This plot follows a young woman as she searches for the story behind Black creative works. She uncovers a mystery that is wrought with loss, oppression, but also hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so gripping! There was a sense of the supernatural in this book and it was handled in a great way that added a creepiness to the book at the right moments. I loved how we got chapters from the past and present and how all the chapters played together to unravel the mystery of the painting. I really enjoyed this book and was dying to find out how it would all play out in the end.

This was a creative dual-timeline mystery! I love an unreliable narrator and when things feel gothic as this does. It did feel pulled in many different directions at points but I enjoyed the listen even if the narrator wasn’t my favorite. Thank you!

Really tried to start this book multiple times but could not get into it the storyline enough to enjoy it.

"Do What Godmother Says" is a captivating dual-timeline mystery with gothic elements that I thoroughly enjoyed. The narrator really drew me in, although I did find the story a bit unbalanced at times.

Shanice is facing challenges in her life and struggling with her mental health. However, when she discovers a mysterious painting of a woman at her grandmother's house, she embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the story of Estelle Johnson, a Harlem Renaissance artist. As Shanice delves deeper, she learns about Estelle's connection with Maud, a wealthy white woman who exploited young Black artists.

I was intrigued by the gothic elements in the novel and fascinated by the story of the Harlem Renaissance artist. The alternating timelines helped to provide a well-rounded perspective. While some of the plot twists were predictable, the ending took me by surprise - what a twist! Overall, I had a great time reading this book and would definitely read more from this author. The atmospheric gothic elements were expertly woven into the story. I highly recommend it! The audio narration was also top-notch.

I received an ARC audio copy from NetGalley for review, but all opinions expressed are my own. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gothic vibes. Dual timelines. Slow burner start.

the narration was a little painful for me. The dual narrations/timelines did not align in terms of energy. I enjoyed Estelle’s part, but Shanice.... it just irked me for some reason. The emphasis on the narration was placed in the wrong sections.

The premise itself was interesting; very different than what I typically indulge in.

I wish there was more of the history component to highlight the Harlem Renaissance and shed light on what black women were subjected to. This is important to understand.

I absolutely love the book/audiobook cover. It made me excited to read/listen. It was a bit different than what I expected but that wasn't a bad thing. My friends and I have been working on starting our own bookclub and I plan to suggest this. "Do What Godmother says" is a good read for those who enjoy family dramas with a touch of mystery and wisdom.

Addictive and creative is how I describe this book. I loved the complexity of the story and the structure of the plot. The characters are rich and unforgettable. It was an excellent read

Thank you Netgalley for letting me listen to this audio ARC.

I really wanted to like to like this book but couldn't fully get into this. Although I loved the narrator for Shanice, I found myself getting annoyed with her character. There were moments that I found myself figuring out things before she did and mentally yelled at her to pay attention to the obvious facts in front of her. The constant "Inhale, Exhale, Inhale, Exhale" parts found me more stressed out and that's coming from someone who also experiences anxiety.

However, I did really enjoyed Essie's parts of the book and found myself excited to learn more about her story. For me though, I really didn't enjoy the choice of voice for Godmother, it just felt off to me?

Overall this book was 3.5 stars.

Stratton is such an amazing storyteller. After reading her first book Not So Perfect Strangers I knew we were in for another amazing book. Although it didn’t top her 1st book for me I still loved the dark suspense she created with this one. I know I’m not the only one who was hoping the painting was haunted. Told from a dual POV between alternating timelines we got a lot of backstory on the artist who originally created the painting which I enjoyed.

Essie’s timeline was very eerie I knew nothing good would come from her dealing with godmother and her son Elias. Seemed like both Essie and Shanice had a problem with being to trusting with people. As the plot unfolds the pacing was up and down but you could feel the tension and paranoia building within each chapter.

What made the novel stand out most were the unexpected twists and the acts of betrayal. Blurring the lines between who’s actually good versus who’s really evil and playing the characters against each other was perfectly executed. Weaving historical, thriller, and gothic fiction together the author created an unforgettable read.

The story was a little different for me the audio book it self was amazing the narrators did an amazing job , it felt more like a movie than a book .

Love it! Art, cults, dark academia, diverse characters? Yes please :) This novel is expertly paced and very exciting.

4.25 - This was a good time.

Really enjoyed the concept of finding the history behind a portrait and having that pull you into a dangerous world filled with mystery and backstabbing. The dual perspective was nice and I ended up enjoying both sides, although I do think there was one or two times that I was annoyed by the switch but ended up not minding as I got into it.

I did guess some things that felt more obvious. But overall I had a fun time and enjoyed the little twists and turns. I don't think this was a masterpiece within its genre, but I still really liked it and think that if the premise sounds good to you, and you go in without any big expectations, you'll probably enjoy it as well.

What a beautiful story of growth and joy. I loved watching her discover her history and unravel ehat happened to the women before.

If you’re looking for a Thriller/murder mystery with slight paranormal vibes and amazing mental health (anxiety) rep, then hold up and check out this book!

Do What Godmother Says will have your brain wheels turning, looking over your shoulder, and writing theories down as to whodunnit! The narration was smooth and easy to get lost in while the story unfolds. I’m so glad to have discovered this author, and cannot wait to read more of their books!

I listened to the audio book narrated by Aure Nash, York Whitaker who did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and giving them voice.
The book was a bit of a slow start, but otherwise this was rather entertaining. I enjoyed the dual timelines and the two protagonists. I really loved Estelle - she seemed so switched on, and I was quite sad for how things went down for her. Shanice was a strong character but I thought she was a little dense at times, as there were so many red flags that she ignored.
The story itself, though, was really fun. There's 'Godmother', who is the quietly menacing patron that is supposed to be looking after Estelle but is quite clearly swindling everyone. Both girls became acquainted with new fellas and I didn't really like either of them, several problematic things with them. I was sucked into the mystery of what had happened to Estelle and how the painting came to be in Shanice's family.The atmosphere is sufficiently creepy, and this progresses along with the story, leading to some decent chills towards the end. The historical parts shed some decent light on treatment of black women at this time and the art scene, and I found that incredibly interesting.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book much more than I thought I might.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

Within the first few chapters of this book I had developed a few theories of what I thought would go down in the end, but the author kept me guessing until the final pages!

Do What Godmother Says was a thrilling read, full of questionable characters, deception, paranoia, and murder. As Shanice dove headfirst into her research of the painting that had been in her family for generations she found herself caught in a nefarious scheme that just might be intertwined with the operations of a cult.

The dual timeline was used perfectly in this book, with the pieces of Essie’s story revealed in sync with Shanice’s investigation. I recommend listening to the audiobook like I did, because the narrators really brought each character's story to life!

My only complaint throughout the whole book was that I would’ve loved to see an epilogue. The story ended in a way that you could assume what would happen next to the main character, but to be able to read about where she was a year after the final events would’ve been the cherry on top of the cake!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.