My reaction to this is a very solid, "Hmm."

This story follows a colorful cast of horror writers (and one normie) who are called to a recently deceased famous writer's mansion in the country for his will reading. They are all expecting to receive something from the decedent, but they get more than they bargained for when things turn deadly.

The situation reminded me of if The Fall of the House of Usher and And Then There Were None had a gory, violent, blood-soaked baby.

Each character has secrets to hide, and each character gets rotating POV chapters. With each shift of POV, we learn more about why these people are being forced by a dead man to play the worst escape room of all time. But the further we get in the story, the more you have to question - what about the normie, Melanie? Why is SHE in this mess, when she seemingly has nothing to do with the background tapestry of lies, grudges, and sins that ties the others together?

As someone very new to the horror genre, it's hard to know if my reactions are really to this specific book, or if it's the broader genre itself.

The violent, creative deaths were certainly horrifying. The tense, uncertain atmosphere as I got closer to the end of the book, where I began to wonder if I actually knew what I thought I knew, was even more horrifying in my opinion. The story held my attention the whole way through, and I very much wanted to know every answer to the many present mysteries! Three stars for a solid, compelling narrative.

I didn't actually care about any of the characters. I'm not sure if I was supposed to.

Two other things stymied the satisfaction I wanted to feel at the end of the book:

1. The house. What? And why? This is probably a horror genre thing and not actually a problem, but I cannot be satisfied with zero exploration of the wider ramifications of sentient monster houses. Melanie even thinks to herself about this, and then none of it ever comes up again or matters. Again, probably a horror genre thing. I can read about the wildest fantasy worlds without blinking an eye, but for some reason random, unexplained, impossible stuff in what is otherwise the real world makes my suspension of disbelief pump the brakes.

2. Melanie. I wasn't convinced by her character arc. She seemed to go from normal and well-meaning to unapologetically ruthless and murderous like the flip of a light switch. I would have believed seeing this side of her come out gradually, as if it had always been there, hidden under her people-pleasing, anxious behavior. The flashback reveal of her meeting with Mortimer didn't explain any of this. She was barely conscious at the time.

And the rationalization the story offers doesn't explain it either, in my opinion. Some of the people trapped in the game deserved what they got, sure. Crystal was the most deplorable of all of them, and I don't really blame Melanie for murdering her. But SOME of them DIDN'T.

Buck, honestly, was maybe the best person in the whole book from an ethics standpoint. Oh no, he's a drunk and a slob? So awful. He blackmailed a horrible, disgusting man who was not only cheating on his sick wife, but also was unrelentingly cruel to everyone he ever met, AND partners in crime with his serial killer sentient house, probably with scores of bodies on his hands? Tragic. I'm scandalized. Like, come on. This was - if not righteous - absolutely logically justifiable.

And not only did Melanie personally kill him for that, but she TRAPPED HIM IN A CELLAR AND WORKED THERE FOR DAYS, LISTENING TO HIS PLEAS AND CRIES FOR HELP AS HE SLOWLY DIED. That's not 'repressed, abused girl turns her infinite inner pool of resentment and self-hatred into a firehose of vitriol to wreak vengeance on an unjust world.' That's a TRUE sociopath move.

I do NOT see that in the Melanie at the beginning of the book, or the Melanie in the middle of the book. The whiplash-sudden shift is jarring and seems to come out of nowhere. It was hard to feel like the ending satisfied or even made sense, when after Melanie comes back she again seems to revert to her previous character. She doesn't become a dark queen intent on being the next harbinger of revenge. She seems intent on never going back to the house, and never feeding it, even when her awful, abusive mother gives her the opportunity.

Why? It left me with an overall feeling of confusion, not horror.

This was an interesting read. I'm always a fan of horror stories where they're trapped together and have to survive some sort of game/solve the riddles to get by. This reminded me of a lot of horror movies like the Saw movies, Escape Room movies, and Would You Rather. It was interesting seeing all the different characters' perspectives and trying to sort out what the characters had done to make them targeted. Plus, the split POV raised the stakes for me since it meant you didn't know for sure who would and would not survive based off of who was narrating the story. The unreliable narrator(s) aspect definitely kept things interesting, too.

I had to sit with my thoughts for a moment, mainly because this was the first book I've devoured this fast in a long time.

I was excited for this book, the blurb sounded good, and for me honestly, it delivered! I felt like I was reading a book that had the vibes of Ready or Not, Clue, Squid Games, and the Monster House movie I watched growing up. It was a spooky tale that sent chills down my back multiple times, and one I had to put down if I had any hope of sleeping at night.

I will say however, without saying it, that there was one character that I enjoyed who I thought did not deserve the ending he got. The rest of the seven authors invited though? Yeah they were kind of awful.

It leaves you guessing until the very end, and even then, you have to sit there and process everything that you just read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC copy!

This book had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to its potential. The pacing felt uneven, with long stretches where not much happened, and the characters lacked the depth needed to make their journeys compelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

A locked house horror story that definitely makes you not want to cross anyone especially a horror novelist. I did really enjoy getting to the finish line and who I thought would make it there did… so that part was rather obvious. I don’t read a lot of horror so it was interesting to branch out with this novel. There were some gruesome deaths so definitely read after dinner with a flashlight!

Mortimer Queen, genius horror author, has died. When seven writers are invited to Queen's home for the reading of his will, they are delighted to learn exactly what they were left. However, not everyone is being truthful about their relationship with Queen.. but he is determined that their secrets come to light, even if it's from beyond the grave.
Instead of gaining things of monetary value, the group gains a game; answer a riddle to move on to the next room, or die. You see, Queen's home is built on top of the graves of his family. And the home has a hunger that can only be satiated by flesh.

This book was absolutely amazing! Arnold did such a fantastic job with this one, I could not put it down. However, this book did hit a lot of tropes. Understandable, because there were so many characters, but it was slightly overwhelming. About 2/3 of the way in, it did make sense who would "win", but I had no idea the why of it all until it was revealed.
The book is slightly gore-y, so beware of that!
I tried to like all the characters, but there were a couple that were impossible to root for. I will say, Melanie and Buck were absolutely my favorites from the beginning. This was so great, will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out to lend to my mom because I know she'll enjoy it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC! Projected publishing date: July 8th, 2025

I was unsure about picking this up at first… It seemed very mystical, fantastical, and downright strange. I’m here to say… It was all of those things and more. It was amazing! I absolutely fell in love with this book from the very first chapter, and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. It was so unique, truly scary, and gory in a way that was endearing, fascinating and shocking. The characters were perfectly cast, from all different backgrounds, and all mysterious in their own ways. I found myself rooting for all of them, and was so surprised by the ending, which was super satisfying All in all - LOVE this!

This book was a fun old time, i loved the depth of each of the characters at initial thoughts reading this book I thought wow this feels like watching a scary movie the typical invite to a will reading after a person has passed away, once the book evolved it made me more intrigued on why each of the characters was invited to this house. Each character had a good background story and i enjoyed each of their povs. I just wished one character had more of a personality and background like the others as I felt it lacked a lil bit of luster. I still enjoyed and would recommend

A revenge story about seven horror authors and their race against time, struggling to complete riddles and challenges before a sentient house eats them alive. It was a very fun read although the characters were a bit predictable and tropey, the atmosphere was eerie enough even if we could have played more gruesome and scary. For a debut novel I think the idea was very intriguing and it was executed well, I'm sure in her next books she will improve even more and it will feel more cohesive and smooth.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Seven writers arrive at the manor.
Will they make it through the tale that unfolds? When the renowned horror novelist Mortimer Queen passes away, a group of authors receives an invitation to the reading of his will, each hoping to claim a share of his substantial fortune. Each writer has a distinct connection to the literary legend, some of which are well-known, while others will soon come to light. They've long awaited the opportunity to step into the shoes of the master storyteller.
Upon their arrival at the opulent manor, they are greeted with an unexpected challenge: a game. The objective is straightforward—solve the riddle to advance to the next room. Failure to do so means the manor will claim one of them. The Queen estate, built upon the remains of Mortimer's ancestors, is not just a house; it is a living entity, and like any classic horror tale, it has an insatiable appetite.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
The pacing of this book starts slow, but once it gains momentum, it becomes hard to put down. While some of the character backstories feel a bit drawn out, the story's unique blend of creepy rather than outright terrifying horror keeps you engaged. The moral ambiguity of the characters adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.
I especially enjoyed the "book within a book" concept, where the characters' differing connections to a deceased author added depth to the plot. The race for survival element also kept things exciting. Overall, this was a fun, engaging read that delivers just the right amount of tension and mystery. If you're into light horror with complex characters, this one’s definitely worth checking out!
Thank You @Netgalley and @ Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to review this ARC.

This is an enjoyable easy read which would be a great introduction to the horror genre. , It has a unique concept that sets it apart from the typical genre fare. It plays with genre tropes in a fun way, presenting readers with a quirky, self-aware tone that keeps things light, even as the narrative delves into eerie and chilling moments.

The character development, while not overly deep, fits the book's tone. The characters, while relatable, often feel like a vessel for the book’s larger comedic and suspenseful moments rather than fully fleshed-out characters as we dont get to really kmow anyone in a lot of depth. That said, the humor is well-executed, and some of the interactions and scenarios are genuinely entertaining.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is its pacing. Arnold keeps the story moving at a steady clip, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers intrigued. However, there are moments when the quirkyness and horror clash a bit too much, leading to a slightly uneven tone. Some readers may find the light-heartedness undermines the tension in the more suspenseful scenes, while others might appreciate the contrast.

Ultimately, How to Survive a Horror Story is a fun read that combines a lot of different elements, but it doesn’t quite fully deliver on the depth that could have made it truly exceptional. It's a perfect pick for those who enjoy a mix of thrills and quirkyness, but it might not satisfy hardcore horror fans looking for a more traditional or intense experience.

In conclusion, while the book has its flaws, its creativity make it an enjoyable read for a wide audience, earning it a solid 3stars.

thanks to @netgalley for my ARC. 🤍

I don't know if this one was for me. I enjoy books in this genre when it comes to locked rooms and a cast full of strangers. However, this book at times read more like a dark comedy to me than a horror. I think it was the house that actually had the ability to eat people, I wasn't expecting it to have a fantastical element.

Don't expect a horror novel, because despite what the title says this is much more of a mystery novel with a bit of horror used to move the story along. Nothing is exceptionally graphic or scary if you're not a horror fan.
There was fairly good pacing, and it was interesting hearing from all of the different characters, although some were portrayed better than others. I also love a story where the characters are the real horror, not the setting they've been placed in.
But it was very predictable. After the first riddle, it's clear what's happening. There's still the mystery of whether you believe the characters or Mortimer, and honestly even seeing all that evidence at the end still makes me not want to believe Mortimer. He seemed like a horrendous guy who'd bend things so they fit his story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

This story follows six people who are invited to the home of the recently deceased horror author, Mortimer Queen, who has left something for them. They have to go through a series of tests and puzzles to advance to the next stage to obtain the prize. There might be something sinister going on in the home at the same time.

This was fun. It’s like a combination of House on Haunted Hill and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s a locked room mystery with a race against the clock to keep you on your toes. There’s a variety of characters who are mostly morally gray and you wonder which fate they deserve. It was quite predictable, but you’ll still have a quirky, good time. I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in the premise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

With the death of Mortimer Queen, a prolific and somewhat ego driven writer, a group of other writers and people from his life (or, at least, connected in one way or another to him) find themselves in a mansion with far greater secrets than they would hope.

This was definitely an interesting combination of a lot of different sources of inspiration, with an eventual climax that could be seen a mile off, but was still fairly fun.

This book went a little too far into the moral purpose as well, which was a bit frustrating, and the twist could be seen from a mile away. That said, it was still well-paced and a fun read- it just could have been a little better in execution.

The characters all had their own distinct voices, and the little stories throughout were well done. It just could have done with a tiny bit more of a kick to push it into that four star territory.

I liked where the book was going. I enjoyed what Mallory was putting down. I personally felt the outcome was called for. Especially with all the hints that Gia was giving.

Mortimer Queen, a famous horror author, passes away leaving behind a will that included 6 writers. As his final request, they are to show up at his manor that will include his will reading and a feast...But are the writers feasting? Or the manor? Little did they know, they're in for a bumpy, unforgettable night. They're forced to enter each room and solve reach riddle. If they don't, the manor takes one as a snack. Who will make it out alive? Who's secrets will spill? Read to find out!

Thank you netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

I know writing is subjective, but in this case I truly don't understand all the reviews that say this is unique or inventive. I don't know if I've ever read a more cliched book, and it was so disappointing because the premise seemed really fun. Though, it wasn't unique either, so perhaps that's on me for assuming the rest of it would be. There were so many POVs that I think it detracted from telling a solid story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!!

This was honestly such a fun read. I have read similar “escape room” type novels, but this one was above the mark for me with intertwining the pasts of the characters and their fates for the future. It definitely keeps you one your toes the entire read.

Omg that was a great locked mystery thriller! I loved all of the characters and how realistic they were. Definitely will recommend to everyone

The wrap up of the book was great. Loved seeing it come full circle. The characters and plot were a bit much for me.