As much as I loved van Veen's previous novel, she somehow managed to top it with this one. She really captured the griminess of the gothic setting, which sometimes gets lost in the aesthetic, and as always her characters perfectly toed the line between bizarre and believable. Katje is best girl.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the early access copy!

Wow. This is an incredible sophomore novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even the icky bits. I'm finding that (thanks to Johanna Van Veen), I really enjoy gothic bog horror. She writes it so well! It feels like I'm watching a penny dreadful movie in my mind, which is honestly amazing. I loved this take on parasitic vampirism. It was wonderful, brava!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an e-ARC of Blood on Her Tongue.

After reading My Darling Dreadful Thing earlier this year, I did not think I would be able to find and read a better book this year. Well, as it turns out, I might have been mistaken.

Blood on Her Tongue is set in the 19th century Netherlands and revolves around twin sisters—Lucy and Sarah. They have been incredibly close since they were children, and now that Sarah has taken ill, Lucy travels to see and help her sister. The situation is, unfortunately, quite dire, and nobody believes Sarah will survive her illness.

Sarah's mysterious illness appeared with the discovery of a bog body—a centuries-old corpse. Sarah confides in Lucy that she is being haunted and possessed by the spirit of the body. But will Lucy believe her sister? After all, she has previously struggled with mental illness (or fever of the brain, as it is called in the book), and so did their aunt.

The sisters are now both facing a challenge: Lucy is trying to save her sister from being sent to an asylum while Sarah is trying to get rid of the ghost inside of her.

Both Lucy and Sarah are interesting characters. Despite being twins, the differences between them become more and more apparent as the novel progresses. I really loved their dynamic, and I also really liked how strong their relationship was—they were both ready to sacrifice everything for the other. While they aren't particularly likeable, I found it incredibly easy to connect with them.

As for the other characters, they were also pretty well written. I do have to say I hoped we would see more of Michael´s and Katje´s past too. I also hoped we would get more of the relationship between Katje and Sarah.

While the plot was quite predictable, as this was a pretty classic gothic horror, I really loved how the story progressed. Similarly to My Darling Dreadful Thing, the writing was breathtaking, but one thing I definitely missed was a true haunted manor.

Blood on Her Tongue starts a bit slow, but the pace slowly increases in intensity as the story progresses, all the way to the grand finale.

I have to say, the way this novel finished surprised me a little. I definitely did not expect such a strong and powerful ending.

Blood on Her Tongue might be a horror, but it explores some deep topics such as misogyny and medical misogyny, mental illness, grief, and family relationships. It also touches a lot on the topic of the “traditional” roles women are supposed to have in society.

I can honestly say Johanna van Veen is becoming my favourite author. Both My Darling Dreadful Thing and Blood on Her Tongue are beautiful, atmospheric novels that talk about the horrors of love. I genuinely cannot wait to read her future novels.

SPOILERS--as limited as possible to tell why I lost interest in reading it.
I was excited to receive this ARC. Based on the cover and description, I expected to enjoy it.The begining was slow, and the tone and character actions felt at odds with the situation.It caught my interest with the bog body discovery. There were unsettling details and a sense of danger.

Unfortunately, I couldn't remain engaged with it. There were phrases and ways of thinking that jarred with the era. Many readers won't mind.The ongoing male-female drama got old fast. The crescendos of both men pressing her right when the FMC is supposedly grieving...seriously? 'Forbidden love' MF affairs are extremely popular, as are necro... , cannibalism, and taboo desires. They simply aren't what I seek to read.

I got tired of the prolonged gross-out material. I've read splatterpunk and some extreme horror--it can work well with the right tension and pacing. Here, it was simply repetitive and off-putting. It all felt too static. It wasn't scary, and I've seen more than enough wounds and body fluids IRL.

I was over Lucy after what she did in the fouled deathbed. The long conversation and proposal at the funeral while Sarah clawed to get out felt ridiculous. The book became unpleasant to read.

At 54%, I gave up on it. Nothing against the author and her intended audience, this simply didn't fit what I want from horror.
Many readers are delighted by this author and will be thrilled to read Blood on Her Tongue.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen for the e-ARC via NetGalley for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.

**Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.**

4.5 STARS

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
There was mystery, complex and interesting characters that you sometimes just didn't like and a delightfully eerie gothic setting and if you know me at all you'll know that's all I could every ask for in a book.

I quite literally devoured this book and I can't wait to see what else Johanna can Veen comes out with!

A fantastic addition to the horror canon. This book is hauntingly beautiful. The sibling dynamic explored in this novel makes for a compelling core relationship. The writing helps bring this strange world to life.

This was such a good book with unique and interesting characters, and plot. I found it an awesome read and would highly recommend.

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC of Blood on Her Tongue.

This novel follows twin sisters, Lucy and Sarah, beginning with Lucy visiting Sarah, who has fallen ill with a mysterious ailment upon the unearthing of a strange body found in the bog. The book is rich with atmosphere, delivering a dark, gothic tone that the author executes very well.

Unfortunately, I’ve decided to DNF this book at 25%. I restarting it twice, giving it two strong attempts, but I struggled to stay engaged with the story and characters. While the writing itself is strong, I found my attention drifting frequently, often needing to reread paragraphs. and at the end of the second attempt, I just couldn’t make it any further to care about the rest of the story.

I feel terrible since I was super excited for this book. I’ve heard amazing things about this authors debut novel, and I’ve recently developed a love for gothic fiction. So in my head this was going to be a great fit. However, I promised my honest thoughts. While it didn’t work for me personally, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy a slow-burning, atmospheric story.

Blood on Her Tongue
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“There was beauty in it still, the way imperfect things can be beautiful, but it was a beauty of a dark and fading kind.”

Netherlands 1887, gothic horror, queer lit, sign me up! Overall I enjoyed this one, but once I was done I honestly didn’t feel like much happened. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling anything, but I felt like the premise had a lot of promise and I wish the author did more with it! I thought for a moment it was giving Mexican Gothic vibes (which I loved) but it didn’t quite reach that and I really wanted it to! I did enjoy the eerie letters between the sisters, there’s some feminine rage, and a lot of talk surrounding mental health, which in 1887 a woman could sneeze and they would stick her in an asylum so I did enjoy watching these women develop throughout the story and the revenge *chef’s kiss*. Now if you like a little horror and not terribly spooky then this may be perfect for you, I just wanted a little more horror because the parts that were very descriptive and creepy I really enjoyed! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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“Please please please come to me my sweet sister I am terrified of what I might do if you don’t.”
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Thank you @poisonedpenpress @netgalley and Johanna Van Veen for this e-arc, it comes out March 25th

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmospheric Gothic Horror with Compelling Elements

Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen is a chilling and atmospheric gothic horror novel that draws readers into a dark and twisted mystery. Set in 1887 Netherlands, the story follows Lucy Goedhart as she tries to unravel the mystery behind her twin sister Sarah's strange illness, blending supernatural horror with themes of sisterhood. The writing is immersive, and van Veen excels at creating a tense, eerie atmosphere that fans of gothic fiction will appreciate.

This was a wonderful read and I enjoyed so much: 4.5 Stars. I knew I had to read this one solely based on the cover and synopsis! I absolutely LOVE gothic horror and especially horror written by women authors. I didn’t know until after finishing this book, that the author also wrote “My Darling Dreadful Thing” and I’m so glad that she got redemption in my eyes with this book (I HATED her other book and actually DNF’d it). I absolutely adored that this had such a unique and original premise for a horror book. The creature in this story was entirely rad and so different from a typical “vampire” character. The horror elements, especially body horror was so well done and really felt so creepy. The concept of a living corpse is just so good and has so much potential for good horror, and the author really was able to hit it out of the park. The characters in this book really are such a standout, Sarah and Lucy had such a strong and loving bond. It was so great seeing them support each other as woman and sisters. The story pacing was really perfect; I was gripped right from the start of the story and felt super engaged throughout! The ending was super satisfying and I would have loved to read more but the length felt perfect! Definitely recommend this to all my horror loving peeps!!!

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. “Blood on Her Tongue” will be published March 25, 2025.

2.8 — i thought i was going to love this but it took me almost a month to finish. the writing felt very repetitive. the pacing for most of this book was VERY slow and things didnt start getting picked up until the end

I’ve been trying to summarize this book for the past few days and can’t seem to find the words. But what I can tell you is that this book is gothic, gory and un-put downable. This book devoured me whole.

This is my first Johanna van Veen book and I promise it won’t be my last. The writing was so lush and dark. It felt so easy and natural to immerse myself into this story. I especially loved the descriptions of the bog woman and the estate the majority of this book takes place in. There were so many times I had to put the book down because some of the descriptions sent shivers down my spine. I felt like a ghost in a room watching these events take place and loved every second.

My favorite thing about this whole book was the topic of women. I loved the social commentary on women in society. It added to the horror element of this book so well. The sister relationship between Lucy and Sarah was superb. I loved how much the lines between how far we’re willing to go for the people we love were blurred and I thought it touched on women’s mental health in a way that was accessible and entertaining at the same time. The queer undertones of this book had me hooked even more. There’s nothing like the experience of reading a queer vampire-esq novel.

Overall, I was entranced from beginning to end. I devoured this book and it devoured me. This would be the perfect read for spooky season and I would highly recommend it for everyone to read.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eArc. What a delightfully delicious horror novel. The setting is gothic, the atmosphere is creepy, the pacing is a bit inconsistent but it felt intentional so I didn't totally mind. One thing I'd say though, the dialogue is a bit modern for a book set in the 1800s. Still, van Veen does it again! You'll want to snag this one.

Johanna van Veen’s "Blood on Her Tongue" is a captivating gothic horror novel that masterfully blends psychological tension, family secrets, and supernatural intrigue.

Set in the Netherlands in 1887, the story follows Lucy as she rushes to her twin sister Sarah's side, only to uncover a chilling mystery surrounding Sarah’s descent into madness after discovering a centuries-old corpse on her husband’s estate. The deliberate unraveling of this eerie plot keeps readers enthralled, with each revelation deepening the enigma and amplifying the suspense.

The novel’s pacing is both immersive and measured, allowing the tension to build gradually while delivering moments of startling clarity. Van Veen’s richly atmospheric prose brings the haunting estate to life, enveloping readers in an environment of dread and uncertainty. The balance between slow-building intrigue and bursts of intense revelation ensures that the story remains engaging from beginning to end, with the mystery of Sarah’s affliction acting as the driving force behind the narrative’s momentum.

Characterization is a true standout, with Lucy emerging as a determined and empathetic protagonist. Her unwavering devotion to her sister is the emotional anchor of the story, while the nuanced depiction of the twins’ complex relationship adds depth to the narrative. Secondary characters like Michael, Sarah’s husband, and Arthur, the enigmatic family doctor, add further layers of intrigue and moral ambiguity.

Van Veen has crafted a spellbinding tale where themes of madness, obsession, and the supernatural converge to create a beautifully unsettling reading experience. "Blood on Her Tongue" is a must-read for fans of gothic fiction and those seeking an atmospheric, thought-provoking journey into the unknown.

This was a disturbing, compelling, well written gothic horror novel with extremely complex, morally gray characters and set back in the 1790 or 1800’s. The twin sister of the MC goes to see the body found in a bog on her husband’s estate. She tries to dislodge a stone trapped between the corpse’s teeth, thinking it disrespectful and cuts her hand on the corpse’s teeth. Soon afterward, she falls ill and her husband sends for her twin, who is serving as a lady’s companion, to come and care for her. Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited about this one because I’m extremely fascinated by bog bodies and love a weird twin dynamic but it unfortunately fell flat for me. If I hadn’t received this as an ARC, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. The anachronistic language really stuck out and took me out of the story. I also think it didn’t go in any one direction hard enough for me. It wasn’t as gross, scary, gay, or gothic as I was hoping for. The first part of the book is genuinely good though. Van Veen really nails the atmosphere at the start of the novel and the epistolary parts were excellent but then it just sort of…deflated about halfway through. Unfortunately, you can really tell she struggled with writing this book, which she plainly admits in the afterword. I’d be interested to try to read her other novel to see if she just hit a snag with this one or if I just don’t like what she’s doing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC for review.

Intrigued at first by the beautiful cover and then by the synopsis, I was really excited to get to read this early. While I did have a few complaints here and there, this was a refreshing new take on vampires that I didn’t know I was looking for.

The story follows Lucy, a young woman working as a companion for a old lady, as she travels to nurse her twin Sarah on her deathbed. Lucy can’t imagine her life without her sister, and is willing to do anything to help her, even if the Sarah she finds waiting for her is so different, in both looks and behavior, as almost a different person completely...

I knew I was going to enjoy this book from page one - a quote for Bram Stokers “Dracula”, followed up with a letter from one main character to another? Sign me up, I love epistolary novels (this book is not comprised solely out of letters, but even a few of them being included made the reading experience more varied and fun. To me). The build up of the story, the niche topic of bog bodies, the sister dynamics, the way vampirism worked in this book made for a fast and compelling read. There were points in the book when I disliked all of the characters, and then certain points when I rooted for them to get even worse (might be a first for me!), and by the end I felt like almost everyone got what they deserved.

My main issue with the book lies with the ending. Hard to explain without spoiling anything, but I just felt like with all the previous build up it was too abrupt, and something that seemed to be the main goal/problem posed to/by certain characters ended up being resolved swiftly and then afterwards completed off the page. And here I was, really looking forward to some meatier descriptions (pun intended). Despite that, the ending in general was a happy one, sort of, if you support womens’ wrongs, like I do.

To sum it up, “Blood on Her Tongue” is a short horror novel centering hungry women getting fed (up) and taking matters into their own hands - what more do I need to say? Certainly worth picking up and checking out!

I received an advance review copy from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Blood on Her Tongue" by Johanna van Veen had all the elements of a story I should have loved—gothic horror, historical setting, vampires, and eerie supernatural vibes—but it just didn’t grip me the way I hoped. It had an interesting take on relationships, mental health, bog people, and vampirism, but the execution fell flat. The storyline was plain and boring, the writing didn’t stand out, and most of the characters were unlikeable (Arthur being the exception).

One of the biggest issues for me was how modern some of the dialogue and descriptions felt. It took me out of the historical setting completely. I honestly think this could have worked better as a YA novel. Sadly, I lost interest and had to DNF halfway through.

✨✨Arc Review✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Some spice in chapters: 9&15 but keep in mind this is a horror book so it isn’t explicit

‼️‼️TW|CW‼️‼️
- Death of a loved one
- Sickness
- Mental illness
- Body horror/ gore
- Mentions loss of a child
- Misogyny
- Stigmatization of the mentally ill
- Sexual abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Cheating
- Toxic codependent relationships

✨✨Onto the review✨✨

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book!

“Blood on Her Tongue” is a historical gothic horror novel that is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for the squeamish. I always say I have no Trigger Warnings, but this book has made me realize maybe I have one and that may be content that includes eyeballs. There are several instances of things being done to eyeballs in this book and any time I think of it I get ✨nauseous✨.
This book has two FMC’s Lucy and Sarah. Lucy is Sarah’s unmarried twin sister who lives with an older widowed woman as her companion. Sarah is married and helps her husband Michael with his job, documenting things he discovers. One day a body is pulled from the bog on their property and Sarah’s mental health rapidly declines shortly after. Lucy comes to take care of her sister and her declining health and is lead to wonder if the person she’s taking care of is even Sarah anymore or if Sarah’s body has been taken over by a malicious parasite that came from the bog woman.
I haven’t read a horror book in a while (unfortunately) and was so thrilled to receive this ARC! This book did not disappoint! There were several times I had to lock my kindle and sit in silence and wonder what the heck my eyes just saw. This book is full of all the spooky, gory and unsettling elements that any horror reader loves. If you are looking for a book to deeply disturb you go pick up “Blood on Her Tongue” March 25th!