A good creepy story with a messed up family. This book had many interesting details including a creepy island, historical connections and even snakes. A good read for the genre.

Don't Eat the Pie is a spooky tale full of twists and turns. Monique Asher wove a great tale with this book.

unfortunatly i couldn't get into the writing style so this was a early dnf, or did not finish, for me.

While I sometimes got a little lost in dream like sequences, it worked beautifully. Very Rosemary's Baby. Thank you for sharing!

What is a normal family to you??
Gothic , horror, with a modern family twist of new and blended families. The unfolding of the residents who came to Camilia before is dine at a steady pace, and you only learn something crucial…and often creepy…right when you need to learn it. I need to find time to Reread to see if I missed any crucial foreshadowing. A perfect autumnal novel.

The narration for this audiobook narration is heard from two different characters. Samantha, a middle aged mother who has recently married a man named Ben and Emma, the teenaged daughter. I appreciated that the publisher hired good audio narrators. The voices were very distinct and very different in tone. It was very easy to tell both of the characters apart.. The narrator for Emma was very youthful and the narrator for Samantha was mature and well spoken. The audio quality of the recording was also excellent.

My only critique is of the novel itself. I felt like the characters were well developed. Transitions between the two characters were smooth and I didn't catch myself wishing that I was with the opposite character. My complaint is with the plot. I never felt a sense of dread and unease. Moments of the book that were supposed to stir up angst came across as dreamlike as if it wasn't really happening. I'm reading about a man that is supposed to be seen in a house next door and the descriptions leading up to the observation went from zero to "A MAN IS THERE!" in about 10 seconds. A character wakes up and I didn't know if the character was dreaming or really observing what she claimed to be seeing. At 50% into the book there simply wasn't enough of a plot to keep my curiosity going. I simply didn't care any longer and I put the book down.

There was no concept of what the reader should be afraid of nor of who or what was our antagonist. All I understood was that Samantha and Ben were back from their honeymoon, the mother-in-law is ill and Emma thinks the local soda jerk is cute. DNF at 50%

Don’t eat the Pie by Monique Asher

Spending the summer on an island with your new husband and his family should be fun but what do you do when your new husband's first wife died there and your daughter is seeing some strange things on the island…

I love horror so I set the bar high… This one started out not so good. I almost DNF it. I was so underwhelmed and my brain was elsewhere then BAM…. I got pulled in and that was that… I was hooked.

It did flip between different POVs and it did get a bit confusing for me at times but it did round the story out having all of them.

It was a really solid horror book once it found its footing. The story of the missing roanoke settlers and the witchcraft…wooooweeee it was one heck of a ride!

4 stars

Not the best read, it had loads of potential but it not meet the expectations….
The beginning was dragging, then story started to become more interesting but quickly turned in to mess

Monique Asher’s "Don't Eat the Pie" serves up a deliciously eerie tale that’s perfect for the spooky season. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Camillia Island, the story follows newlywed Sam, who finds herself entangled in a web of family obligations and sinister secrets after moving there to care for her ailing mother-in-law. The idyllic island community initially embraces Sam and her daughter, Emma, with open arms, but it soon becomes clear that this warm welcome comes with its own chilling undercurrents.

Asher expertly crafts a sense of foreboding that intensifies as the narrative unfolds. The haunting presence of the house next door—where Ben's first wife mysteriously died—adds layers of intrigue and dread. Emma's unsettling experiences with the supernatural serve as a catalyst for tension, as her mother grapples with the desire to fit into her new family while dismissing her daughter's warnings. The contrast between Sam's yearning for a perfect family life and Emma's visceral connection to the island's dark history creates a compelling narrative tension that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The characters are vividly drawn, particularly Sam, whose pregnancy adds a layer of complexity to her already fraught situation. The revelation of a “demon baby” is a wild twist that amplifies the story's dark witchy undertones, blending elements of horror and psychological thriller in a way that feels fresh and engaging.

Asher’s prose is both evocative and unsettling, making every shadow feel like it could conceal a secret waiting to be uncovered. The older women of Camillia Island, with their endless cocktails and superstitions, provide a unique charm while simultaneously heightening the eerie atmosphere. Their cryptic behavior hints at the island’s buried secrets, drawing readers deeper into the mystery.

In "Don't Eat the Pie," Monique Asher masterfully combines elements of horror, family dynamics, and the supernatural, resulting in a narrative that is as compelling as it is creepy. This book is a must-read for fans of dark thrillers and anyone looking to embrace the chills of the season. Just remember: sometimes, the sweetest appearances can hide the darkest truths.

Don't Eat the Pie is an intriguing Horror story following a mother-daughter duo, Sam and Emma. This book features a mysterious atmosphere, creepy characters, and luckily, quite a few tropes I tend to enjoy.

I've read a few reviews of this novel and many mention comps to Rosemary's Baby. I absolutely see that, but I would add that it's Rosemary's Baby mixed with The Skeleton Key. Do y'all remember that movie? It released in 2005 and starred the beautiful, Kate Hudson; set in New Orleans and contained some great supernatural Folk Horror elements. This book was definitely giving me all that.

The Southern Gothic vibes, the protagonists being new to town, the locals behaving strangely, particularly on the home-front. It's all very intriguing and definitely succeeded in pulling me in. It's set on Camillia Island and the island helped add to the mystery. I think it's mentioned that like only around 40-people actually reside there, so it's super small and feels very remote; not a lot of outside influence.

Sam and Emma move there after Sam marries Ben, and his mom, who lives on the island gets sick. Emma wasn't thrilled about the move, but it's padded a bit by one of her friends, as well as her Aunt and cousin, going along for a bit; at least for the Summer.

I liked the back and forth of the perspectives between Sam and Emma. It really helped to build out their relationship, as well as their current circumstances. They were both experiencing different things on Camilia Island and it was the totality of their experiences that really created the suspense and mystery.

I felt the author did a great job of creating a sense of danger within this atmosphere. It felt unsettling, even when you weren't sure what you were really being unsettled by and I love that sort of reading experience. The audiobook does have dual narration, which is perfect for providing distinction between Emma and Sam. I liked that aspect as it made me feel like I was actually listening to the two women tell their story.

While some parts felt a little drawn out, and certain details towards the end got a little muddled, overall, I had a great time with this story. It kept me on my toes. I've never read from this author before, but I would definitely be interested in picking up more of their work. Particularly, if they have this same dark Southern atmosphere. We love to see it.

Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This book deserves more buzz, and I hope it starts getting it soon. It's a perfect Spooky Season read!!!

I listened to maybe an hour of this, then the audio stopped and kept having me restart. I really enjoyed what I had listened to, I just wish I could have listened to the entire book.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The story had promise in a modern Gothic type of way, but instead of ever pulling the trigger, the book falls flat.

The narration was fine but there was something in the differentiation between the characters that made one feel very young.

This is a fun creep fest! The narration is great on the audiobook. If you are familiar with Rosemary’s Baby, you’ll be feeling that vibe in this story. I’d recommend this as a good, somewhat campy horror read.

What can I say about this book. Let's see......

2 cups what the hell is in the pie?
1 cup mystery
1/2 cup something is fishy
1/4 cup ghosts
1/4 cup thriller
1 tbsp wtf

This had it all. From the beginning I was wondering what was in the pie and I had some theories. This was fast paced, creepy, and pretty messed up once you finally find out what is happening. Pay attention to those trigger warnings. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

2.5 stars.

I struggled with this one for a few different reasons. I absolutely loved the plot and storyline, but the execution was what I struggled with. Some of the transition left me feeling like I missed something.

This felt like it was written/POV for the MC Emma made the book feel like it was written for a middle grade audience. I don’t mind reading that genre, but this wasn’t what I thought I was getting into when I read the book. She was properly written like a teenager, but it made the book feel very immature.

I loved the twists at the end, but I wish some of that would have been sprinkled in throughout the book. Then the end of the ended abruptly.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

In DON'T EAT THE PIE, readers are transported to the hauntingly picturesque Camillia Island, where gothic horror meets family drama, unraveling the sinister secrets behind a mother and daughter's summer that promises to be as unsettling as it is compelling for fans of Shirley Jackson and Daphne du Maurier.

I listened to the audiobook version.

It's rare a gothic horror book makes me uneasy, but Don’t Eat the Pie has done that. Not because it was particularly scary but because of some of the subject matter that just felt a little skeevey.

There are shades of Rosemary's Baby within the novel but almost portrayed in a more unsavory way then that older novel.
There were times I just wanted to smack Sam, the mother, for not seeing what Emma, her daughter saw, or for just being empty headed.

The narration was good but the voices of Emma and Sam were so similar I occasionally missed who was speaking.

If you like Gothic, strange families on remote island type books then you should enjoy this greatly.

Thanks to @netgalley and Dreamscape Media for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Sam and her teenage daughter get pulled into the tiny seaside village of Camilla, after Sam’s new husband gets a call from his mother that she needs caring for. The population of Camilla mostly consists of elderly people who have pie baking parities with their close knit community. When a sudden death strikes Sam and Emma with dread, Emma starts to explore and plays an Ouija board in the house of the deceased neighbor and starts to unravel sinister secrets.

This novel is for fans of strange cultish small towns, creepy old ladies, and Rosemary’s Baby. It’s propulsive and deeply unsettling in the best way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5 stars)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author, Monique Asher, for providing me with an ARC of Don't Eat the Pie.

With echoes of Shirley Jackson and Daphne du Maurier, Don't Eat the Pie offers a haunting blend of gothic horror and family drama, set against the eerie backdrop of Camillia Island. Monique Asher crafts a slow-burn thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end, but ultimately, it didn’t quite hit the 4-star mark for me—though it comes close!

The story follows Sam, a newlywed yearning for a sense of normalcy and family life. When her mother-in-law falls ill, Sam, along with her teenage daughter Emma, moves to Camillia Island—a seemingly idyllic place where the locals, particularly the older women, warmly welcome them. But as with any gothic tale worth its salt, appearances are deceiving. The house next door, where Ben’s first wife died, casts a long shadow, and it’s not long before things start to unravel, particularly for Emma, who begins to see ghosts warning her of impending danger.

Asher excels at atmosphere. Camillia Island, with its unsettling mix of charm and dread, becomes a character in its own right. The island's residents, with their cocktails, superstitions, and cryptic behavior, add to the feeling that something sinister lurks just beneath the surface. The house itself, haunted by tragedy and secrets, provides a gothic backdrop that feels both familiar and chilling.

Emma’s character is the driving force behind much of the tension. Her reluctance to be on the island—and her increasing encounters with ghostly warnings—inject a real sense of urgency into the story. Meanwhile, Sam’s desire to blend in with her new family and avoid confrontation feels realistic, though frustrating at times, as she dismisses Emma’s pleas. Their mother-daughter dynamic, coupled with the weight of Camillia’s secrets, creates a compelling push-pull throughout the novel.

Cady Zuckerman and Stephanie Willing do an excellent job narrating the audiobook, with each voice capturing the nuances of Sam and Emma’s perspectives. Zuckerman’s portrayal of Sam feels grounded, as we watch her try to maintain control amidst growing unease. Willing brings an emotional depth to Emma’s character, highlighting her frustration, fear, and determination. Together, the narrators bring the tension to life, enhancing the sense of dread that simmers beneath the surface.

However, while the tension builds nicely throughout the novel, the pacing feels uneven in parts. There are moments where the story lingers a bit too long on the mundane, making the progression of the mystery feel slower than it should. The revelations, when they finally come, are satisfying, but the buildup sometimes feels stretched. This kept me from giving it a full 4 stars, as the momentum stumbles here and there.

Despite this, Don't Eat the Pie is a solid read for fans of gothic horror and slow-burn mysteries. The eerie setting, the island's unsettling residents, and the ghosts of past tragedies all add up to a chilling atmosphere that keeps you hooked. And while the story may not be as sharp or intense as some of its gothic predecessors, it still delivers an engaging and haunting experience.

If you’re in the mood for a suspenseful, atmospheric read with family drama and supernatural twists, Don't Eat the Pie might just be the perfect pick. Just beware of what’s buried beneath Camillia Island’s surface—it might be more sinister than you think.

This has to be the first horror novel in a long time to make me physically uncomfortable. While the story itself takes place during the summer the vibes are 100% fall and creepy. The story follows mother and daughter as they move to an island off the coast. Everyone seems nice and welcoming, but their tone seems off. I enjoyed how the idyllic island scenery was at odds with the growing insidious feelings as events unfold. There were a few times I wanted to shake the mom, Sam, but it mostly came together in the end. The inhabitants of the island did a great job of feeding off Sam and Emma’s internalized fears and struggles.

I do wish the voices for Sam and Emma were more differentiated. At times during the story it was hard to tell which POV we were in.

I kept listening in part because it started fairly strong, and in part due to morbid curiosity. Don't Eat the Pie is told by two narrators: recently married single mom Sam, who is deep in the honeymoon phase with her new husband, and her sixteen year old daughter, Emma, who is much more cynical about this all. The pair have to move to a sleepy island in North Carolina, to take care of Ben's (the new husband) recently injured, elderly mother, and things get really weird. And then they just keep getting weirder to the point that it was kind of comical.
The pacing was weird and there was an entire sideplot with Emma's estranged father that had no real bearing on the plot whatsoever. The pregnancy/body horror was indeed believably horrifying, to the point that I was viscerally disgusted, but the rest of the horror was heavy handed and then just goofy. Also, the title feels so jarringly bright/cozy-mystery-esque compared to the gothic horror vibes inside that it really kept throwing me off.