Thank you to NetGallery and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC!

I love the story premise with an author luring a group of other authors into a haunted house and having them play a game to escape, but it fell flat for me in the execution. I felt like there weren’t any twists I wasn’t able to guess, so there was nothing really shocking or keeping me hooked on reading the story.

The writing style also didn’t really work for me. Some of the writing was detailed and descriptive, but it pulled away from the story.

Melanie is invited to a manor in the woods when Mortimer Queen, a famous horror author, dies. She, and other guests, are there for the will reading expecting a piece of his fortune. But they get much more than they ever wanted.
How to Survive a Horror Story becomes a deadly escape room as they try to escape his devious plans.

I really liked the locked door, riddle aspect. It was like being in an escape room (with much higher stakes). The slow reveal of why everyone was asked to the manor was very clever and well done.
The writing was excellent, with everything having a reason for being on the page. I found there were very few wasted words, and that is a rarity in books these days.
What didn’t work for me was Gia and the supernatural element of the story. This book would have worked without it. I can understand the uniqueness of the concept, but it didn’t mesh very well. And the few times we saw Gia, I didn’t really see any point to her.
The ending was also very convenient with what happens (without spoiling anything). That needed some work.

I would recommend this book to those wanting to get into horror, but don't want something too scary. Think of the idea behind SAW without all the gore. It moves very quickly and is a great page turner.

I gave this book a 4 star rating. While the motives of Mortimer were not unique, I found the riddles and puzzles to be unique and interesting. How to Survive a Horror Story is perfect for your next popcorn read!
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was a roller coaster!

It's not a flawless read, by any means, but I found it very entertaining.

While a lot of the plot points are very cliché, I won't hold that against the author. It's incredibly hard to create stories that are not, in one way or another, reminiscent of others, these days.

Now, and hopefully without too many spoilers, here we go:

How to Survive a Horror Story starts in the way most good horror begins: with a group of people making all the wrong moves.

I will never understand what drove these people to believe going into this manor was a good idea, other than that, if they didn't - as the author themselves mention later in the story - it wouldn't be a very good story, now would it?

Still as the scene was being set, I couldn't help but yell at my phone screen "Why did you even go there?" a lot. So much so, that it may have taken me longer to get through the first 20 pages than the rest of the novel.

Be prepared for a slow pace and a lot of frustration, but also for some very well described scenes, enjoyable writing and a good murder mystery. The book is full of humor, even making fun of itself at points and, while not as scary as it could have been, there are some good moments of tension.

The best part, for me, was figuring out who the villains really are, and finding out that I wasn't as right as I thought I was... more than once.

Even after having finished it, I still have my doubts! It's hard to go through so many moments of self doubt and not question if things are really what they seem, in the end.

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold is a darkly thrilling, satirical novel that takes readers on a twisted ride through the haunted halls of Queen Manor. When a group of writers gathers for the reading of legendary horror author Mortimer Queen’s will, they expect a fortune. Instead, they are trapped in a game where they must solve riddles to progress or face being consumed by the manor itself. The estate, built on the bones of Mortimer's family, has a sinister life of its own, hungry for more. With echoes of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and The Fall of the House of Usher, this novel masterfully blends locked-room thrills with ghostly horror. It’s a biting, clever commentary on the creation of horror stories, filled with sharp wit and heart-pounding suspense. How to Survive a Horror Story is a fast-paced, darkly humorous ride that horror lovers will devour—just be careful not to let the manor take you too.

Mallory Arnold's debut novel hits like a sledgehammer to the skull—in the best possible way. How to Survive a Horror Story throws seven bitter writers into a deceased horror legend's mansion, locks the doors, and watches chaos unfold. Think "And Then There Were None" meets "The Haunting of Hill House," but with a wicked sense of humour about the whole publishing industry.

The setup is pure gold. Horror master Mortimer Queen is dead, and he's summoned a group of writers who hate his guts for the reading of his will. But Queen's mansion isn't just a house—it's a character with teeth, and it's hungry. As the night wears on, these authors learn that writing about horror is nothing compared to living it.

Arnold's prose cuts deep. She builds tension like a master architect, layering psychological dread with moments of gut-churning terror. The writers' professional jealousies and personal vendettas feel painfully real, offering a deliciously dark peek behind publishing's polite facade.

What makes this book sing is its brilliant self-awareness. It's a horror story that knows it's a horror story, playing with genre conventions while still managing to scare the hell out of you. Early chapters take their time to set the stage, but once the trap springs shut, you won't be able to tear yourself away.

Sure, some plot twists require Olympic-level mental gymnastics to believe. But when the storytelling is this good, who cares? Arnold sticks the landing with an ending that's both shocking and inevitable, like the best horror stories always are.

How to Survive a Horror Story proves that sometimes the scariest monsters aren't the ones lurking in the shadows—they're the ones wielding pens, ready to write your death scene. Just don't expect to survive until the final chapter.

This was another case of interesting premise, bad execution. Nothing happens for the first 25% except introductions. Then the plot becomes a mix of Saw and fucked up Charlie and the Chocolate factory. The rooms felt very samesy and lacked distinction, which was strange because the author loved using simile in the beginning to describe the characters. I wish the magical realism of a living, hungry, house had been expanded on and used more. I didn't like any of the characters, which was half the point, but the person we're meant to root for has no defining character growth or arc and the unreliable narrator bit was half baked. I was expecting more based on the synopsis.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m glad I took a chance on something outside my usual reading lane!

How to Survive a Horror Story was a surprising, fun, and twisty read that kept me guessing from start to finish. While horror isn’t typically my go to genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky, genre-aware tale. Mallory Arnold delivers a fresh take on the horror genre, filled with dark humor and clever turns. What stood out most to me was the uncertainty… you’re never quite sure which character’s version of events is reliable, which made the plot feel unpredictable in the best way.

The manor setting was atmospheric and haunting, practically becoming a character of its own. It added a layer of tension and mystery. I also appreciated that the story didn’t lean heavily into gore or violence, which can often be a deterrent for me. Instead, it focused on psychological tension, character dynamics, and eerie suspense, perfect for readers who enjoy a more playful twist on horror tropes.

Slow Start yet Strong Finish
First of all, I'm so grateful to receive this ARC! Many Thanks to the Author and the Publisher.
I don't want to spoil the story but this book might be the definition of "Perception" and how tricky it gets to understand multilayered characters. I just enjoyed all the vivid descriptions of blood and gore and just loved the overall story! The ending was just amazing! Didn't think it would arrive to that and it was quite surprising.
I hope this book gets every bit of attention it deserves

From the blurb I thought I would be reading a novel that was in a similar vein as "Haunting of Hill House" and a psychological horror. I was mistaken.

Personally, this was not for me. The only reason I kept reading was to find out if the ending would have a satisfying conclusion. But it just made me sad and disappointed. Without spoiling the story, I will just say that so many random coincidences had to happen for the plot to come to a close and none of the characters were as well-rounded as I would have enjoyed.

Overall, it was an odd story that I felt didn't live up to its potential.

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for letting me have early access to an e-galley.

“[…] The true root of horror is in its characters. They should be the scariest part of a book because the human mind is the most macabre protagonist in existence” - How to Survive a Horror Story, Mallory Arnold

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me an ARC of this suspenseful, intriguing horror story, which I absolutely raced through and highly recommend to fans of self-aware horror.

The first thing I want to highlight about this book is the excellent divergence from standard horror tropes of characters behaving completely unrealistically (the ones that make you scream “DON’T DO THAT, what is wrong with you?!!” at the page). This is a horror story starring horror authors who work out they’re in a horror setting, immediately call out those character clichés and vow to act differently - it helps keep this fast-paced, with our focus shifted to solving the mysteries of the very creative ‘locked rooms’ in which they are trapped. That is not to say that there are never moments where characters make unrealistic or downright idiotic choices (come on, you need *some* of that in any horror!) but it makes sure you aren’t pulled out of the story by your own incredulity.

I also really enjoyed a lot of the character development, especially the inter-character relationships. One or two characters either didn’t get much development or were a little far-fetched, but most of them had believable & impressively thorough character arcs for so short a book with so many characters. I especially enjoyed some of the character arcs in the last third of the book, though I won’t say any more to avoid giving spoilers.

I felt that the riddle elements started off very strong but began to feel a little more basic later on. But the ‘personalised’ elements to each room showed excellent attention to detail throughout, and it all still served as an effective vehicle for the background reveals. This is also much more of a tense & suspenseful horror than a terrifying or stomach-churning one - while there is a decent amount of gore, none of it is excessively visceral, which suited my tastes perfectly - and I think Mallory Arnold maintained an excellent balance of all of those elements from start to finish.

I really like this book, and although I think there was potential for the reveals to have been less predictable and the ending to be more chilling, I think it’s absolutely worth a read for any seasoned or new horror fans!

I am including a list of Content Warnings below for those who find them helpful (in addition to the obvious warnings about gore that I gave earlier!). If that’s not you, then STOP READING HERE TO AVOID MINOR SPOILERS!

——————

Content Warnings:
- alcohol use/abuse (throughout), alcohol addiction including relapse, and drink-driving
- animal death
- bereavement, including loss of a friend and grandparent
- bigotry - ableism, chauvinism, classism
- child abuse (physical, emotional & neglect), described in limited detail
- domestic violence
- suicide (multiple, one described in limited detail)
- terminal illness - cancer
- violence, death/murder, blood, vomit, burning flesh & body horror

Thank you Net Galley for the arc of How to Survive a Horror Story! This was a twisted, spooky horror that entwined thriller and paranormal elements to tell a story of revenge. My favorite part of this book was the varying viewpoints given through multiple narrators. While each character has their own vice and secret to keep, some were more likable and you found yourself rooting for. As the plot unfolds, I feel like the chapters and sequence of events become predictable. The characters are who you thought and do what you expected, and the “big twist” felt oversimplified and unbelievable. While certain parts will appeal to horror readers, I wanted more from the storyline, the characters, and the overall message, so this lands as a solid 3 star read for me.

One of these things is not like the others…

Melanie and 6 famous horror authors are invited to the reading of the will of Mortimer Queen, an OG of the horror world, but they must survive the night to get their reward.

What a ride! This book took classic horror tropes and turned them into something fun. A mix between Fall of the House of Usher and Squid Games, this story took me for a spin. It was engaging and the characters were great.

How to Survive a Horror Story follows a group of writers invited to the eerie Queen Manor, where they must solve deadly riddles to survive. As they uncover secrets about the legendary horror author Mortimer Queen, they find themselves trapped in a terrifying game with a house that has its own dark appetite. This thrilling, locked-room mystery mixes dark humor with spine-chilling horror.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Knives out the book! This was fun, gorey, intense and twisty. The characters were a bit much, but I think how it was set up was a great homage to the great mystery writers of our time.

Book Title: How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold
Start Date: March 28, 2025
Finish Date: April 30, 2025

Synopsis: When legendary horror author Mortimer Queen passes, a group of writers find themselves invited to his last will and testament reading expecting a piece of his massive fortune. Each have their own unique connection to the literary icon, some known, some soon to be discovered, and they've been waiting for their chance to step into the author's shoes for some time.

Rating: 📖📖📖📖/5: Thank you to @Netgally and @poisonedpenpress While I thought this book was going to feel like Clue or Knives out, it had a REALLY nice and surprising turn. While this book took me a month to read (mainly because life has a way of lifing and making it hard to read), it had nothing to do with the contents of the book. The beginning set up each character with proper background. One thing I did appreciate was that while the story moved forward, you got each character's point of view. I would recommend this book to friends. However, I would put it more in the thriller category vs horror. I didn't feel scared, which I did not want to.

Audio/Physical/Digital: @amazonkindle @netgally

Gene: #Horror #Mystery #MysteryThriller #Thriller #Adult #Fiction #HorrorThriller #AdultFiction #Dark #BooksAboutBooks
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#bookreview #bookworm #bookstagram #booklover #bookaddict #reader #bookish #bookrecommendations #bookreviewblog #bookreviewer #bookwormlife #bookstagrammer #netgally

I expected a bit more from this book, especially since the concept in the summary really caught my attention. But even the beginning was a bit of a slog. I struggled to stay engaged even at the start—the first chunk of the book was excruciatingly slow and dragged on so much, I ended up stretching it over weeks.

By the time I reached what I assume was the actual storyline, I honestly didn’t even realize it had started—which probably says a lot. That said, I did enjoy Mallory Arnold’s writing style; her voice and storytelling weren’t the issue. The real problem, for me, was the core concept itself—it just didn’t click.

How to Survive a Horror Story turned out to be tedious and painfully predictable. Every supposed twist felt signposted well in advance, and the action rolled out with a flat rhythm that made it tough to stay invested.

Still, I can absolutely see that effort was put into this book. While I didn’t connect with any of the characters on a personal level, I can appreciate that they were thoughtfully developed. When I read the summary, I was genuinely intrigued—as a fan of horror escape rooms and scary stories in general, I thought this would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t do it for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the ARC!

While the book had some great moments of suspense and eerie atmosphere, the pacing dragged in places. Some sections felt repetitive, and I wished the characters had been developed a bit more. The twists were interesting, but not all of them landed as strongly as I had hoped.

The premise was fun and very reminiscent of other classic works of thrillers and horror stories. One dead celebrity has sent out invitations to a group of people and they must survive an ordeal of some kind. Nice premise, good for a horror story.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel anything reading this. I didn’t care for any of the characters. The premise that had sounded so interesting and engaging simply did not live up to my expectations.

As this book is released in July there are still time – I think (I know nothing of publishing) – to make the characters a bit more clear so that you care about them just a bit more.

I'm not a horror girly but I am a How to Survive a Horror Story fan! The story follows several horror writers who are invited to Mortimer Queen's (a famous horror novelist) mansion after his passing for the reading of his will. Instead of getting part of his fortune, the writers are locked in the mansion and must solve clues to escape. The catch? Each room has a 1 hour time limit, and if the room is not escaped in that time, the house will take (eat) one of the remaining people at random.

I love escape rooms and wanted to branch out to the horror genre so I was drawn to reading this book and it did not disappoint. The clues told were hidden very well within the eccentric house, so I enjoyed trying to figure out the escape room before the houseguests. The house was a perfect setting as its whimsical touches made it very eerie but atmospheric (for example, Queen had dozens of cuckoo clocks that were slightly out of sync). The horror aspect came into play with the way the house interacted with the guests, especially the special chosen ones, and while it was somewhat gruesome at times, it was so over-the-top that it wasn't scary.

I had trouble at first with learning all the different characters as they were introduced quickly and then each had their own chapters and backstories. But, as the story went on, that became easier and easier (as they disappeared). Looking back, I like the various ways the characters were tied together and their interesting backstories and personalities, so I ultimately didn't mind the big cast of perspectives.

Overall this was a fun horror story with some escape room elements and I think it was a good way to start off reading horror books for me.

Thank you to NetGalley + Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC

I really liked this story. This book had a unique premise in a world where books sre all starting to sound like the same. I recommend it.