I was excited to dive into C.J. Cooke’s newest novel, The Ghost Woods, and I was not disappointed. This dark, gothic horror fantasy takes us to Lichen Hall. A place shrouded in folklore about ghosts & witches. This remote home stands alone deep in the woods. Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, to give birth to a child and the tale that unfolds held me captive.
Narrated by Natalie Naudus, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker delivers a chilling ghostly thriller. The story takes place in New York City during Covid that touches on horror, cultural prejudices and culture. Addictive and dark, you’ll want to grab this one!
I had the privilege of reading along as I listened to The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig, narrated by Jay Myers, Amber Benson, and Xe Sands. Never ever climb a staircase you find in the woods. Seriously. Don’t do it! Don’t believe me? Grab the book or audiobook and travel with four friends as they climb those stairs in search of their lost friend.
In Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix, the author explores witchcraft and the horrors young women faced when they got in the family way 70s and end up spending time away from their loved ones at the Wayward Girls home. The horror elements were as much about what happened to these young girls as it was the witch they encounter.
Fair Market Value by Hailey Edwards is the first audiobook in her newest series, The Body Shop. Narrated by Candace Joice, I was immediately drawn to the body shop and necromancer, Mary Frances Talbot, aka Frankie. Dead vampires and an ex boyfriend turned police delivered an intense first listen.
The Mirror by Nora Roberts is the second novel in the Lost Brides trilogy about a curse and a majestic (haunted) Victorian house on the Maine coast. Sonya MacTavish must live there for three years to gain her inheritance. She has no intentions of leaving. Sonya, along with her best friend, cousin and new boyfriend, are working to undo the curse. Another addictive installment filled with danger, swoons and friendship.
