An imaginative genre debut, How to Survive a Horror Story was a fun twist on the closed-door mystery featuring horror writers trapped in a haunted manor. The mystery of the inclusion of one of the writers was clever and fun to follow through the story. It kept me guessing until the end! The many POVs made it a little hard to feel super connected to any individual character, but it was a good way to give readers the backstory build up for each "guest" of the manor. The horror itself leans a bit campy, but that was part of the appeal for me!

Mallory Arnold’s How to Survive a Horror Story is a sharp, self-aware thriller that feels like a love letter to horror fans with a killer twist. Blending suspense, humor, and heart, the story follows characters who are equal parts clever and relatable, navigating a plot where every choice could be their last.

Arnold excels at tension—each chapter ratchets up the stakes while sprinkling in meta moments that acknowledge the genre without undercutting the thrills. The dialogue is witty, the scares are earned, and the pacing keeps you flipping pages faster than a flashlight in a dark hallway.

The locked room premise with a horror twist premise was intriguing. Unfortunately, the characters were underdeveloped and the plot was predictable. This is a pass for me.

Thanks to Poisoned Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found this to be full of promise but lost its way. Character building and their growth was top-notch, and the initial setup has a ton of promise. However, as it goes on, the writing got to be quite repetitive, and the actual mysteries/riddles were quite dull and unoriginal. I wanted this one to reaally excite me and have some fun with it, but it never quite got there.

Welcome to Queen Manor. Survive, and you’ll have a story worth telling…

When famed horror author Mortimer Queen dies, a group of writers gather at his estate for the reading of his will—each hoping for a share of his fortune. Instead, they’re drawn into a deadly game: solve the riddles to advance, or let the house claim its due. Built on family bones, Queen Manor still hungers—and it always gets fed.

Anyone else a fan of the 1985 classic Clue: The Movie? (Because same—hi, it’s me, the fan.) This book takes that familiar setup and cranks it into full-on horror instead of mystery/comedy. Gruesome at times, yes—but the “Monster House” twists kept me hooked and I tore through it in two days just to see how it ended. Solid 3 stars from me. Perfect spooky-season read, and I could totally see this adapted for the big screen—with some killer CGI, of course.
I'll be recommending this to everyone! 3 stars and thank you to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

This book was an entertaining read that felt like a mix between the movies 'Monster House' and 'Escape Room.' I’ve always enjoyed horror stories where houses are sentient and take control, and this one was cartoonishly evil.
The ending wasn’t quite what I hoped for. Personally, I would have loved to see Melanie embrace the house’s darkness and turn it against her enemies, rather than continuing to be afraid of it. That twist could have given the finale more punch.
Overall, it’s a creative and entertaining horror read, especially if you enjoy creepy houses with a mind of their own.

Follow 7 authors as they are locked inside the mansion, a mansion with a soul. Rules are simple… answer the riddle, move on to the next room. Who will survive?


Ultimately, I wanted to love this book. The description really piques my interest, but unfortunately it just didn’t hit for me. I feel like there was just too many characters to keep me focused on the story. I love the concept, I just feel like it fell flat for me. Others have loved this book, so I would suggest reading it yourself to find out!

a bit late but here is my review; An addictive read that masterfully blends classic mystery with elements of horror and the supernatural. Each character's story is gripping, with plenty of unexpected twists along the way. A must-read

This book is a great homage to the classic 'surviving a horror book/movie. I enjoyed the switch between character POVs for each chapter, as well as the short stories woven in to deliver each of their back stories. I found some parts quite creepy and tense + like watching a horror movie and waiting for the jump scare. I quite enjoyed the plot and it rounded out nicely.

4/5 ⋆｡°✩

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold is a mystery horror that combines murder, a haunted house, and unreliable (and v unlikable) narrators into a fast-paced novel that I loved!

Each of our 7 POVs follows a character who's been invited to a reading of the will of a famous author, an author that each character has interacted with in some way. Some of the relationships go much deeper than meets the eye, and not always in a good way. Having a POV for each character allows us to see their story from their own perspective while we get a view at what may (or may not) be the real version. I enjoyed that none of the characters are likable in the least. They're selfish, arrogant, creepy, and at worst liars (allegedly).
My only qualm is that from the beginning, there is one character that deserves our sympathy, and it somewhat gives away the ending. (I will note that this did not ruin the story for me in any way.) There's just enough mystery, just enough gore, and just enough drama to keep you sucked in, even through the worst character's turn. Definitely worth a read and high on my re-read list for spooky season!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Mallory Arnold for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!


Mini Playlist:
7 Devils - Florence + the Machine
Eat Your Young - Hozier
Sun Killer - SpiritBox

Firstly, I have to say we can expect great things from this author. For a debut novel, this one is impressively solid. And because it’s a debut, I won’t be too picky—after all, everyone has room to grow!

Let’s start with the atmosphere, which I genuinely loved. It was spooky, creepy, and perfectly suited for the Halloween season. The setting really drew me in.

The book features a large cast of characters, and we get to see the story from multiple perspectives. I know that might not appeal to everyone, but I love books with multiple POVs. I’m a nosy reader—I want to know what every character is thinking!

The plot reminded me of the movie The Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy: a strange, spooky mansion, and main characters trying to escape its mysteries.

That said, there were a few things I didn’t enjoy as much. The pacing was uneven. The first part of the book flew by—it was a real page-turner—but after about 40%, things slowed down, and at times it felt like the story was repeating itself. I also noticed some plot holes that kept nagging at me as I read.

Finally, the ending was anticlimactic. The survivor left me disappointed. I was rooting for this character from the beginning, but with each page, I found myself liking them less and less.

Overall, though, as the author’s first work, this novel is solid and definitely worth a read. I’m excited to see what they write next.

Did not get to read this title due to archive date.
But will be purchasing it. Seems very interesting.

This book is about authors that are told they have inherited something from a world renowned author and go to his estate to hear the will, only to be trapped in the manor with a series of tasks/riddles to complete before the manor kills them. This book had potential but it was hard to push through and the ending just fell flat for me.

Alright, I just finished How to Survive a Horror Story and... well, it was a mixed bag for me. 😬 The premise? Absolutely genius! Authors trapped in a hungry manor, solving riddles to survive? I was SO hyped for that. It sounded like the perfect blend of locked-room mystery and creepy horror. But honestly, the execution didn't quite hit the mark for me. While the idea was super clever, I found myself wishing the tension and payoff had landed a bit harder. It had all the ingredients for something amazing, but it just didn't fully click. Still, if the premise grabs you, it might be worth a look!

3.5★ (rounded up, for the concept and fun).

📖 Creepy and a lot of fun to read.
This story drops you into a chilling mystery: a famous horror author dies, and a group of fellow writers—all successful in their own right, except for one mysterious newcomer—are invited to his remote estate for the reading of his will. But soon, strange happenings unfold, secrets surface, and the group finds themselves in a tense game of survival.
What I appreciated:

🔹 The premise was an instant hook, with a perfect locked-room/manor setting that gives the story excellent atmosphere.

🔹 The pacing steadily picks up—especially in the latter half—keeping the momentum high and my interest sustained.

🔹 Introducing a fairly large cast can be tricky, but the author handled it well: each character felt distinct, and their relationships added real tension to the group dynamics.

🔹 The writing is atmospheric and suspense-driven rather than gore-heavy—ideal for those who enjoy eerie vibes and mystery over outright horror.

A few elements didn’t fully land:

▪️ I didn’t connect deeply with some characters, so a few emotional moments felt less impactful.

▪️ A few character reactions under stress seemed slightly immature, which sometimes pulled me out of the moment.
▪️ I was hoping the danger and death scenes would carry more gravity and realism.

▪️ The ending was a bit predictable—but still provided a satisfying conclusion.

Final thoughts:

Overall, it's a fast-paced, entertaining horror mystery with a strong concept and great atmosphere. It’s a promising debut in the genre, and I’m excited to read what Mallory Arnold does next.

—
🖤 I’m always drawn to eerie manors, closed-circle mysteries, and secrets-laden survival stories—and this one absolutely delivered.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy provided via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I just finished How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold, and I’d give it a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5).

The concept was super intriguing - a creepy manor, a horror author’s legacy, and a deadly game of riddles? Definitely my kind of setup. I really liked the mix of horror and mystery vibes, and the haunted house element kept me curious about what would happen next.

That said, it did take me a while to get into because there are so many POVs to juggle, and at times the pacing dragged. A few random scenes (like the bath scene) pulled me out of the story, and some parts felt unnecessarily drawn out.

Overall, I’d call it an interesting, atmospheric read that had me hooked in moments, even if it wasn’t completely consistent.

This one was a good starter story for people that don't want a heavy horror. For me it was a little disappointing because I wanted more.

Mallory Arnold’s How to Survive a Horror Story follows a group of seven authors invited to the manor of a recently deceased horror legend, Mortimer Queen. Here, they’re drawn into a haunting, dangerous game under the guise of a will reading. As each room reveals new challenges and deadly stakes, Arnold crafts a universe that is both suspenseful and eerie. With an amusing setup and a fast-paced narrative, How to Survive a Horror Story instantly draws you into a story you’ll be absorbed in from start to finish.

This book had me entertained from the start, with twists and turns that, while predictable at times, kept me hooked and eager to turn the page. With a cast of seven morally-grey characters, I worried the POV switches would grow repetitive or feel too ambitious — and yet, I felt it helped move the story along adequately as we waited for the mystery to play out. There were characters I rooted for, and others I was glad to watch meet their demise. I appreciated that even the manor felt like an additional character playing alongside the authors, with its creepy, vintage charm and merciless hunger. Combined with shorter chapters and balanced writing, I finished this story in just a couple of days.

The reader is forced to consider the question: is Mortimer Queen rewriting the narrative and exacerbating the wrongs each guest has committed against him, or is he simply holding up a mirror to their actions and forcing them to reckon with their morals? Several characters felt he was doing just that: rewriting the story to paint himself in a better light. They wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to those who wronged Mortimer, while others realized the game was simply forcing the group to confront the truth of their actions. It’s a unique take on the traditional escape-room-esque thriller, and I liked that Arnold encouraged the reader to make their own judgements about each character. I also enjoyed the early and very fitting observation that each character parallels a chess piece. It reinforced the strategic, game-like nature of the evening, and revealed a lot about each character in just the first chapter.

That being said, How to Survive a Horror Story is not groundbreaking or wildly unique in its character tropes, setting, and plot twists. Hardcore fans of the genre might find some elements familiar or lacking pure, inscrutable suspense; but for me, I felt it was a story readers could undoubtedly have fun with. It was engaging the entire time, the twists felt satisfying, and there was plenty of drama to keep the story from ever falling into a moment of boredom. The scenes were gory when they needed to be, and the prose was never grating or over-the-top for a story of this nature. What I enjoyed the most was Arnold’s ability to paint a story with such vivid imagery, it was like I was watching a film projected directly into my mind.

How to Survive a Horror Story delivered exactly what I hoped for when I first glanced at the cover. Arnold’s debut novel is a solid, enjoyable read that’s perfect for those craving a quick, autumnal escape into a spooky haunted house setting — and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an advanced reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book wasn’t for me at all. I loved the premise but felt at times the writing lost me. It got very messy at points and felt like I was losing the plot sometimes

3.5⭐️

This was my first dive into the horror genre - which is quite shocking considering I’m such a big horror movie fan 😅 - and I had a lot of fun reading How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold.

After best selling horror author, Mortimer Queen, dies a group of well known horror authors are invited to the deceased’s house to find out their dear friend Mortimer left them…. a game.

The game is simple… to reach the exit the group must enter each room and answer the riddle. Get the riddle right the group can move on…. get the riddle wrong and… well let’s just say you don’t want to get the riddle wrong 🫣

Feel the fear… survive the night!

I really enjoyed the immersive, multiple POV story that Mallory has created in How to Survive a Horror Story, I felt I was right there with them in Queen’s Manor fighting for my life. If you’re new to the horror genre or like horror movies like Escape Room then I recommend checking this book out

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are my own honest thoughts and opinions.