I didn't like it. The author tried different approaches to make it mysterious and suspenseful, but there was no depth or 'meat' behind any of the story arcs.
When you think about it, Val, the mother, although a bad mother, I felt like she was misrepresented as an almost malevolent being and not a human being with severe mental health problems. At least until the very ending.
The same goes for the aunt, who was also made to look odd and not a person to trust the narrative of, for seemingly minor reasons.
And the same for the siblings as well. If you analyze each character individually and their backstory, you'll realize they were simply.. fuc*ed!
It was trauma. Their father killed himself, their mother stopped talking, they were basically left to fend for themselves, at least the older ones.
I just couldn't understand why the author chose the who dunnit way when everyone was just, not normal, but average!
I won't comment on the ending, by that point I was already done with the book.
Don't recommend.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoyed this novel, especially the examination of how family dynamics affect us and shape us as we grow. The writing was well done and the characters were nuanced.

#WhatRemainsOfTeagueHouse #NetGalley
Stacy Johns’ What Remains of Teague House is an atmospheric and haunting debut that intricately blends family drama with a chilling murder mystery. Set against the eerie backdrop of Teague House, this story dives deep into the Rawlins family’s secrets and the sinister events that unravel following a shocking discovery.
What I liked:-
1 Gripping Premise: The discovery of multiple bodies buried in the backyard, including one disturbingly fresh grave, immediately hooks readers. The idea of a family’s dark history manifesting in such a visceral way is both unsettling and fascinating.
2 Complex Family Dynamics: The Rawlins siblings’ relationships are fraught with tension, guilt, and lingering childhood scars. Each member is well-drawn, and their interactions feel raw and authentic. The layers of dysfunction keep the narrative emotionally engaging.
3 Engaging Mystery: The dual focus on the family’s buried secrets and private detective Maddie Reed’s personal motivations adds depth to the central mystery. Maddie’s investigation creates a compelling counterbalance to the family drama.
4 Sinister Atmosphere: Teague House itself is almost a character in the story. Its creaking halls and the ominous woods surrounding it amplify the tension and lend the novel an eerie, gothic tone.
Overall :- What Remains of Teague House is an impressive debut that deftly combines family drama with a chilling murder mystery. Stacy Johns weaves a tale of buried secrets, fractured relationships, and the lengths people go to protect—or destroy—those they love. With its eerie atmosphere and compelling narrative, this book will appeal to fans of gothic suspense and psychological thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“What Remains of Teague House” is a dark and twisty murder mystery that combines family drama and buried secrets into a suspenseful tale of deception and discovery. Stacy Johns weaves a dual-timeline story and multiple perspectives into an atmospheric story about the Rawlins siblings and their haunting return to their childhood home.

The story begins with the Rawlins siblings reuniting after the death of their estranged mother, who had remained mute for years following their father’s tragic suicide. As they return to their family estate, Teague House, their grief and simmering familial tensions are interrupted by a chilling discovery: a recently buried body on the property. As more bodies are uncovered, the siblings find themselves tangled in an investigation that unearths long-buried secrets and forces them to confront the darker sides of their family history.

The book’s strength lies in its richly drawn characters and their complicated dynamics. The Rawlins siblings are flawed and dysfunctional, each struggling under the weight of their past. The sister, empathetic and grounded, stands out as the most likable character, while one of the brothers—reckless and morally compromised—elicits both frustration and pity. The aunt, an eccentric and mysterious figure, adds intrigue, while a private investigator, with ties to one of the victims, provides an outside perspective that deepens the plot.

The dual-timeline structure, which alternates between the siblings’ childhood and the present-day investigation, adds depth to the story and reveals how trauma and unresolved grief have shaped each character. The private detective’s chapters, in particular, provide a unique lens on the unfolding mystery, connecting past and present in unexpected ways.

The pacing is a bit uneven, with a slow beginning that made it a little difficult to get invested in the plot. However, the story gains momentum after the discovery of the first body, pulling you into a whirlwind of shocking twists and revelations. While the mystery keeps you guessing, the ending feels did feel a bit rushed and slightly disjointed, with key explanations packed into the final chapters, leaving some threads feeling underdeveloped.

Despite these flaws, “What Remains of Teague House” succeeds in delivering a gripping and suspenseful story. The book excels in exploring the darker sides of family relationships, from generational rivalries to buried resentments, all while maintaining a chilling sense of tension. Johns’ ability to capture the messiness of family bonds against the backdrop of murder and mystery elevates the book beyond a standard whodunit.

Overall, if you enjoy murder mysteries with complex family dynamics, dual timelines, and plenty of twists, “What Remains of Teague House” is worth the read. Fans of small-town secrets and true-crime vibes will find plenty to savor here.

I have many mixed feelings about this book but I did overall enjoy it. I liked the different perspectives and story telling from different angles and people. But, for me personally I felt like I wanted a more fast paced mystery but this was much more of a “slow burn” for me. It eventually got there and in the end, I did enjoy it and would recommend to a friend.

I really enjoyed reading this and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Rating: 4/5

This book pulled me in right from the start. When the three Rawlins siblings return home after their mother’s sudden death, they’re not just dealing with grief—they’re unearthing decades of dark secrets buried behind their family home. The shocking discovery of multiple graves, including one that’s disturbingly fresh, sets off a chain of questions that no one wants to answer.

The characters feel raw and conflicted, especially as old memories resurface and trust within the family begins to crumble. The tension runs high, and the story isn’t afraid to show you just how messy and complicated these relationships are. The mystery itself keeps you guessing, and the introduction of private detective Maddie Reed brings another layer of intrigue, hinting that these crimes might be part of something bigger and more personal than anyone realized.

While the pacing lags a bit in the middle, the emotional intensity and the slow, careful unraveling of family secrets more than make up for it. If you enjoy stories that mix character-driven drama with a murder mystery’s creeping dread, you’ll find a lot to love here.

This story was so suspenseful and so full of twists and turns. A story full of family secrets. I was completely pulled in by the first few chapters and was caught by complete surprise till the end. I’m a thriller girlie at heart and this one was right up my alley!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: April 8, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Do you like a good ol game of CLUE….I do and this was quite the fast paced murder mystery who-done-it read that I was ready to play along all the way to the end. We follow siblings who are attempting to get rid of the past and its secrets after their mother passes. This book played out like a show, it could probably be a really great show to be honest. I didn’t figure this one out until the ending which I thought was refreshing. This is just one of those books that I am going to give a vague review because you need to read it to experience it. Have this ready on your TBR for its release.

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Poisoned Pen Press

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Multiple POV, Timelines, Murder Mystery, Secrets, Infidelity, A Game of Clue, Siblings, Fast Paced

This book had so much promise! It took a bit for me to get into the story because of all the POV’s, but once the finger was found I was intrigued! I really wish we got more of the backstory with Phil and Val, those chapters were the most interesting. I didn’t find many of the characters likable, especially Denny. Overall it was a fine read with a good mystery but the ending was SO rushed & not very well explained.

Three adult siblings return to their childhood home to plan their mother's funeral. When human remains are discovered in the woods on their property, they are forced to confront family secrets... including the possibility that one or both of their parents might be responsible.

I was hooked by this mystery with a focus on family dynamics. I particularly liked the theme of missing and surrogate mothers that ran through the book: Aunt Phil as a mother figure to the adult children; daughter Sandy supporting her widowed brother, Jon, and nephew; problem-child Robby attempting to reconcile with his wife following his adultery. I also found the focus on family relationships refreshing: it was nice to see a book that treated platonic relationships as equal to (even more important than) romantic ones.

If I had to pick a criticism, it would be that I found the decision to have one character's chapters in first person, while the others were all in third person a little jarring. Other than that, I enjoyed the wide range of perspective characters; there was a lot to keep track of as information was revealed to some characters and not others, and I thought Johns handled this masterfully.

Thank you to Stacy Johns and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in return for an honest review.

What Remains Of The Teague House was a slow burn for me but it in a perfect way. Excellent character development and a story that ties up perfectly in the end. The layers and twists kept my mind racing for answers. If you are into dark family secrets this book is for you. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Stacy Johns and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest feedback.

The three adult Rawlins siblings are reunited at the family home, Teague House, when their mother, Val, dies. Val had been mute and in poor health for decades, ever since their father had committed suicide. One brother, Robby, still lives in a cabin on the property, but the other two siblings, Jon and Sandra, live several hours away. Jon has recently lost his wife to cancer and has been living with Sandra who is helping to care for his son Denny. While their mother's death wasn't unexpected, it still was a shock for Robby to find her. Since Jon and Sandra haven't been at the property for a long time, they decide to go out exploring some of the familiar areas. In a clearing they call "the pet cemetery" they stumble over what looks like a hand sticking out of the ground. When police are called, they discover not only a recently deceased woman, but five skeletons belonging to much older victims. As the police try to sort out what might have happened, private detective Maddie Reed hears about the bodies being found. She has been desperately trying to find out what happened to her foster sister who disappeared in the area nearly 30 years ago. She becomes convinced that one of the older bodies might belong Davina, so she travels to the area and begins to research the family and look for answers as to what might have caused Davina to possibly end up a victim. When it turns out that Robby was having an affair with the recently deceased woman found on their property, Sandra and Jon begin to wonder if murder might run in their family.

I enjoyed the mystery and how various chapters were told from different characters' points of view. After the "big reveal" I'm still a bit unclear as to who all the victims were and how they came to meet their demises (although the killer is revealed, it was all a bit fuzzy). The house and all its nooks and crannies and hidden compartments scattered around everywhere also seemed a bit unnecessary. It seemed as if most of the book was taken up with everyone searching the house for clues!

I was totally hooked from the start with this one, but I have to admit, the beginning almost lost me. 😬 It felt a little slow at first, but once things started happening—hello, major plot twist—I couldn't stop reading! 🔪 The whole mystery surrounding the Rawlins family's dark secrets, and like, their buried past (literally) was SO intense. I loved how it kept me guessing the whole time—just when I thought I had it figured out, BAM, new twist!

The characters are, like, super complex, which made everything way more interesting. You know, there's that totally dysfunctional sibling dynamic, and then a private detective who's got her own mystery to solve. It's like, family drama, murder, and secrets all mixed together in the juiciest way. 🕵️‍♀️

I gave it four stars because, while the ending was kinda random and felt a little too rushed, the overall suspense and thrills were totally worth it. Definitely recommend this if you like twists, turns, and a little family drama with your murder mystery!

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! 😘📚

Some secrets are buried more than six feet deep.

What I love about a good mystery book is its magical ability to hold your attention permanently and allow you to gain complete control of all thoughts and feelings until the book is complete and you get the answers you seek. What Remains of Teague House is a perfect example of that.
What appears to be a simple story of siblings coming together to bury their recently deceased mother quickly unravels into a tale of murder, deceit, secrets and learning that sometimes people just aren't what they seem, and the memories we hold as children can be easily manipulated.
I really enjoyed this story. I read it in less than 24 hours, and I love how humbled I was to think I knew how it was going to end and be so completely wrong.
What to expect:
Murder Mystery
Haunted childhood memories
Parental Su*cide
Hidden Secrets
Infidelity
Family Dynamics
Multiple POV

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Source Books and Stacy Johns for my EARC Copy

This one wasn’t my favorite to be honest. It was hard to get through, with a very short anti climactic ending. The thrill we all want from reading a mystery thriller was lacking, and some of the ending was predictable. I feel the premise of the book is promising but ultimately didn’t deliver in the end. There was too much filler and not enough intrigue within the characters themselves, not enough depth to really connect, felt very surface level. On a positive, I enjoyed the multiple POV’s, dual time lines and short chapters. I feel the author has potential, but didn’t quite hit the mark with this one. I gave it a 2/5⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

What Remains of Teague House is a sinister mystery wrapped within layers of secrets harbored by the members of the dysfunctional Rawlins family!! Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, and a few crazy twists and turns. The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

When Val Rawlins dies, her children come home to plan her funeral. Val’s sister Phil, and the youngest sibling Robby have taken care of Val. Or have they? Robby cannot seem to get out of his own way. While their aunt Phil wants to leave as soon as possible. But why?
Val’s two other children, Sandra and Jon need some air and take a walk in the woods. The siblings are horrified to find a body. When the police uncover more bones, someone in this family has been hiding their true nature. But who?
This mystery was told from multiple perspectives and in the now and many years ago. It took me a few chapters to get the characters straight, but once I did, I kept my trusted notepad close, writing my thoughts about who might be responsible. This was just another reason I am glad I am an only child. So many potential suspects and motives, and none of my guesses were correct.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This read was right up my alley and I loved every minute. The storyline was incredibly well done and kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were well drawn and mysterious. The multiple POVs made this story jump off the page and kept reading all night. Highly recommend

This had that element that I was hoping for in this type of book, it uses the mystery element that I was hoping for and glad it was so well written. The characters had that overall feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. Stacy Johns has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.