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.

not the biggest fan of creepy/horror stories, but i have to admit the audiobook is great.
perfect for this fall season that it's starting.

This is not you typical cosy (food in the title) mistery. It is way more creepy and darker. Cult, witchcraft and paranormal stired together in one very good story. There are so many secrets revealed and "oh dang" moments, that you won't be bored at all. I ate that book whit pleasure. Only thing I am a little disapoited is tje ending, but part 2 maybe?
P.S. all puns arw intended.

WOW!! so obviously this is five stars. I loved this one. Horror + spooky mystery= perfection. i’m going to go pick up a physical copy for my fiance. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher

From the start I struggled with the daughters perspective because it made the book feel like a young adult novel with all of the immaturity. I initially enjoyed the Mother but then found that it dragged and lost interest. The narration was decently performed but ultimately this one feel flat and I didn't enjoy it enough to finish

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

Although I enjoyed this book, the pacing was not my favorite. It started off really well but then almost grinded to a halt and continued slowly for much of the book. I wonder if I would have enjoyed a physical copy more than this audio version....

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in excahnge for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media as well as the author and the narrator for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #DreamscapeMedia #Don’tEatThePie #MoniqueAsher #CadyZuckerman #StephanieWilling

Title: Don’t Eat the Pie
Author: Monique Asher
Format: Audio
Narrators: Cady Zuckerman and Stephanie Willing
Producer: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Themes: pregnancy, childbirth. Paranormal, cult behavior
Trigger Warnings: black magic, domestic abuse, car accident,

This is one book cover that pulled me in from the start. It looked equal parts delicious and stomach-churning. It looks like Leatherface went to school to be a pastry chef. Just beautiful!
Sam and her family move to Camila island after she marries Ben. The island is beautiful and her family and new friends are warm and welcoming. After attending a party based around a pie contest, Sam becomes very ill and finds out that she’s pregnant, even after taking precautions. As her condition deteriorates, she begins to wonder if everything, and everyone, is what it seems.

This one started out just slightly slow but once it picked up, it really picked up. The characters pop off the page and the tension and the bizarre feeling of unease just crawls through the reader. The atmospheric dread is really well done with its witchy gothicness. The two narrators did a good job of voicing their respective characters. I appreciated their pacing and inflections. It was super easy to tell which character was speaking. Being an audiobook narrator is an underrated talent and I applaud them.

This book is filled with ghosts, witches, and delicious dread. Fans of Rosemary’s Baby will find this book right up their alley. Highly recommend.

A gosh darn wild ride! We follow Sam and Emma, a mother/daughter duo embarking on a new life with Sam’s new husband and his family on a small island off South Carolina’s coast. Ben, the husband, got a call while they were honeymooning in Italy, and they rushed back to the states to take care of his mother who had fallen. Some weird stuff starts happening. A woman comes out of the bushes with shining green eyes and blue around her mouth, massively pregnant and is taken to the island doctor and then isn’t seen until a few days later when she screams on the beach to Sam and Becca’s (Sam’s sister) horror as they witness a tragedy. They are shaken, but the rest of the townsfolk barely acknowledge the passing of their community member.

Did I mention that Ben’s ex-wife died in their old house that was across the street from his mother Nadine’s home? Emma and Sam start to see figures in the windows, but shake it off as stress and exhaustion. The most exciting thing keeping the island all a-twitter is the annual pie contest where each family prepares a pie to taste and enjoy at a massive party at the doctor’s house! A tradition passed down for centuries. Remember the ghostly figure in Ben’s old house? She warns Emma to not let Sam eat the pie during a Ouiji board session. Sam barely acknowledges the sentiment and the party gets wild and crazy. Pies and cocktails and weird looks, strange comments. The kids are not allowed at the party. But that doesn’t stop Emma and Jax (her cousin who drove down with her and Becca to help her and Sam settled) sneak in and witness some weird trippy scenes. Sam appears incredibly drunk, but alive and well, so they go home accompanied by Daniel, and Emma is crushing on him hard.

Sam is super sick after the party and starts vomiting, soon finding out she is pregnant. And that is soooooo NOT what she wants. The pregnancy drains her and develops way faster than normal, and the fetus is causing her loads of pain, but Nadine and the doctor continue to focus on the health of the baby while Sam is wasting away. And Becca, Emma, and Jax are stuck watching.

The mysteries that unravel kept me on my toes and trying to come up with what happened next! And the narrator did a great job bringing the story and its emotion to life!!