In Beauty in the Blood, Charlotte Carter masterfully intertwines multiple narratives across different time periods to explore the enduring impact of generational trauma and a centuries-old curse. The novel seamlessly transitions between the harrowing journey of five formerly enslaved individuals fleeing a Georgia plantation in 1865 and the unsettling experiences of Sarah Toomey, a successful Black lawyer in New York City in 2000. Sarah's life unravels as she grapples with unexplained violent urges and memory lapses, leading her to uncover a connection to a malevolent force rooted in her ancestry.

Carter's narrative structure effectively highlights how the atrocities of slavery and the Civil War cast long shadows, influencing descendants generations later. The juxtaposition of historical and contemporary storylines emphasizes the persistent nature of inherited trauma and its manifestations in modern life. Through vivid characterizations and atmospheric settings, the novel delves into themes of racial violence, identity, and the struggle for liberation from the past's haunting grip.

While the complex interplay of timelines and perspectives may initially challenge readers, the intricate plot ultimately coalesces into a compelling and thought-provoking tale. Beauty in the Blood stands as a testament to Carter's prowess in blending supernatural elements with profound social commentary, offering a narrative that is both chilling and deeply resonant.

Billed as a horror/thriller, this book flips back and forth in time between the narratives of two women. Unfortunately , I just could not connect with the story. The characters felt so flat that is was hard to stay interested in the story. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this one.

This story mainly focuses on Sarah and Yvonne in New York. Since her mom died, Lawyer Sarah has been having lapses in time where she doesn't remember where she's been or what she did. Yvonne is an ex-prison guard turned baker. A former inmate, Bitty, comes to ask for Yvonne's help in investigating her brother's suspicious death that had been ruled a suicide. Before Yvonne can help much, Bitty is killed as well. There is also a storyline focusing on the south in the Civil War era, uncovering a familial curse.

At first this came on as a slow burn, and generally I'm too impatient for that. There are a lot of time jumps and different storylines, which was losing my focus at first. But once I got into it and the storylines start to converge, I had to know what happened and finished this one in less than a day.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that some of the dialogue felt rather forced and awkward.

Recommended for those who like horror, mysteries, multi-timeline/POVs.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This phenomenal look at generational trauma, evil, and how sometimes love is not enough is propelled by a thrilling plot. The dialogue is rendered faithfully to how people actually speak, something that reminded me of Denise Mina. This added a lot of authenticity and heart to an already intriguing novel.

This ARC was provided free in exchange for an unbiased review.

I love a book that opens up well; powerful verbs and imagery. And this one does it. Told in multiple timelines, manhattanite Sarah in today’s time, feels the weight of monsters. Sarah is fast paced, a little too much, and completely haunted. But she may not know that, between blackouts and her memory lapses. Unfortunately one black out later, a murdered man, and the suspicions of former prison guard Yvonne - Sarah seemed to be in more trouble than she bargained for.

Oh Sarah. I wish the descriptions about her could go past superficial only. Did every comment toward her need to be sexual, every description related to looks and sexuality? I would have liked to see her with more depth. The past timeline have feelings of an afterthought, particularly in the beginning. Which was a shame, since the writing in those chapters was good. My brain did do a double check on genre, as that definitely entered the horror elements in slowly but powerfully. So check your trigger warnings.

Even though this was spicier than I usually enjoy, I appreciated that the author seemed to care as much about the spice scenes as the rest of the plot. This is plot heavy, as the characters were more one note. And I liked the idea of the plot; but the execution would lose me at times, with uneven pacing and the way it would jump around. The last 20% of it definitely brought the chills. The ending didn’t feel fully wrapped up, so I’m not sure how to feel; except that it is sticking in my mind. I’m intrigued to see what the author does next.

An unusual and somewhat challenging novel of two women- Sarah and Yvonne- who are linked in a way that won't be apparent until deep in the novel. This melds horror with the very real issue of generational trauma. Both women are interesting, both of their plights intriguing. Hard to review but one to admire. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.

Racial trauma and generational curses form an uneasy mix

Charlotte Carter has written a wide range of thriller and mystery novels, including the two series Nanette Hayes (1997-2001) and Cook County (2003-5) with her latest Beauty in the Blood edging towards horror, whilst still featuring elements of mystery and thriller. The author is of African American descent, with her fiction predominately featuring Black characters, exploring the Black experience and identity, often focusing upon racial issues. Beauty in the Blood continues in the same vein, heading back to the final days of slavery in one narrative and, for example in another, features a contemporary discussion of two Black female lawyers light-heartedly chatting why they are often the only Black woman at the work conferences they attend.

Although Beauty in the Blood held my attention at certain points in the narrative, much of it failed to grab mainly because it lacks spark as a horror novel. Written in a literary style, where there is significant musings about race, with the pivotal story of a curse lurking too far in the background. There is a big reveal in the final sections which felt like it was tacked on somewhat, with a slavery era explanation for the mystery at the heart of the novel in modern day New York. I am happy to suspend belief and run with any supernatural idea but the manner in which this story is framed came across as farfetched, particularly in the hustle and bustle of busy city lawyers. How horror is grounded within the confines of a storyline is crucial to its success and Beauty in the Blood missed the mark, and ultimately the centuries old curse was rather dull.

The story is told via two main narratives, Sarah Toomey and Yvonne Howard, who do not know each other when the story begins. This was a key part of the mystery, and I found how the women eventually connect together to be pedestrian, holding little in the way of surprises. Both are Black and come from vastly different backgrounds, with the story making a big deal out of Sarah being light skinned and could almost pass for being white. This opens the door for more commentary about race and social discussion and it was too easy to forget Beauty in the Blood is supposed to be a supernatural thriller.

Sarah is a successful young lawyer, who since the death of her mother has been having strange memory lapses and acts completely out of character with one-night stands, shopping sprees and unexplained acts of violence. She also begins a highly charged relationship with a married work colleague (this dominates far too much of the story) and her mental health problems push her to the edge, unaware that her problems have significantly murkier origins.

How Yvonne Howard’s story, the second narrative, eventually connects to Sarah is a major stretch and hard to swallow. After years as a prison guard, she retrains as a chef and life is going well until an ex-convict seeks her out, asking for help in investigating her brother’s recent and shocking death which the police ruled as a suicide. Against her better judgement, Yvonne soon finds herself in the unlikely role of amateur detective, unravelling a mystery connected to numerous deaths. Why Yvonne decides to help the ex-con is a stretch, however, this narrative is more grounded and grittier than Sarah’s with a couple of interesting side-characters thrown into the mix.

Although this was undoubtedly an ambitious novel involving memory, trauma, and the lingering effects of America’s violent past through the lives of two women it fails to hang together convincingly. As well as the two main narratives there were multiple jumps to different time periods (too many) with the story of the original freed slaves being by far the most involving and gruesome. Beauty in the Blood undoubtedly has more depth than your average supernatural thriller, particularly in its examination of race, class, and systemic violence over an extended period of time but it fails to ignite. Finally, the narrative threads connecting Sarah and Yvonne’s lives were too weak to be overlooked in what is a predictable novel with an unconvincing supernatural spin.

The lives of two women collide, connecting in a bloody way, back to a curse from the Civil War.

Sarah Toomey is a successful lawyer who recently lost her mother. She's also losing her mind, finding herself missing blocks of time and zero recall on what she was doing.

Yvonne Howard is a former prison guard and now a successful soul-food chef.

The women connect, because of tragedy. American history, its dark, dark history of how we have treated marginalized communities, is the key to this book.

There are deep triggers of racial and sexual violence and plenty of blood and gore, so readers beware.

Charlotte Carter explores the deep-seeded topics of race and privilege and how it still affects the modern and future generations.

It's not an easy read, but it's an important one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

By the time I figured out what was happening in this book, my mind was blown. I might have to read it again during spooky season, as it hits all the right notes of murder, suspense, tragic backstory, and supernatural elements. What a ride!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Beauty in the Blood.

The word 'curse' in the blurb is what drew my eye and I'm grateful my request was approved.

Sarah Toomey is a successful lawyer who feels she is losing her mind. She has begin to find herself losing blocks of time with no memory of where and what she was doing the previous day.

At the same time, her narrative is juxtaposed with Yvonne Howard, a former prison guarded turned chef.

These two very different women will suddenly collide in ways they never could have imagined...and blood will be spilt.

Not surprisingly, I found the curse fascinating, the origins of its history and how it came to be and how it disrupted and caused havoc with Sarah's privileged life engrossing.

I liked Yvonne more than Sarah but I felt her narrative more contrived, especially when the men enter her life and how their presence leads back to Sarah.

I thought it was too convenient and pat. I don't believe in coincidence, not in books and not in real life.

Readers should be aware of triggers; racial and sexual violence, blood and gore.

The author delves into themes of class, race, and generational violence and how it permeates future generations and how we perceive ourselves and those around us.

This was a disturbing read, particularly the ending, but perhaps that's the point. It makes the reader uncomfortable and makes you think of subjects we should be talking and discussing more.

It is an ambitious novel that interweaves themes of memory, trauma, and the lingering effects of America’s violent past through the lives of two women—Sarah Toomey, a successful but unraveling lawyer, and Yvonne Howard, a former prison guard turned soul food chef.

Sarah’s storyline is compelling, particularly in exploring grief and the disintegration of a carefully constructed life. Her struggles with intrusive memories and violent outbursts create a sense of unease that permeates her otherwise privileged existence. The suggestion that Sarah’s personal haunting connects to broader historical trauma adds an intriguing layer. However, it sometimes feels underdeveloped in favor of her workplace romance, distracting from the novel’s more significant themes.

Yvonne’s arc, by contrast, brings a grittier and more grounded perspective. Her journey from prison guard to aspiring chef is engaging, and the mystery surrounding Bitty’s death propels the plot forward with a sense of urgency. Yvonne’s transition into a reluctant detective is an interesting shift, even if her motivations and some plot developments stretch believability. Still, Yvonne’s raw, determined, and authentic voice offers a welcome counterbalance to Sarah’s polished but fragile exterior.

There are moments of striking insight, particularly in its examination of race, class, and systemic violence. However, the pacing can falter, and the narrative threads connecting Sarah and Yvonne’s lives sometimes feel tenuous or overly convenient.

Despite its flaws, this is a thought-provoking read with strong moments of emotional resonance and social commentary.

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

The story follows Yvonne Howard, a woman who has tirelessly worked her way up from her working-class roots. After years as a prison guard, Yvonne reinvents herself, channeling her passion for cooking into a promising career at a trendy soul food restaurant.
Just as she begins to savor her newfound success, her past comes crashing back with the reappearance of Bitty, an ex-inmate.
The blood soaked plot twists and turns with unexpected developments, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The blend of culinary delights and brutal crime scenes creates a unique and haunting backdrop for Yvonne's journey.
With its richly drawn characters and intense narrative, it’s a book that leaves a lasting impression, proving that beauty and horror often coexist in the most unexpected places.

Interesting concept in bringing the horror of history. Nice flow throughout.
Good job intertwining the two familes.