A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher Published by Tor Nightfire on March 28, 2023
Genres: Horror
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads
Also by this author: Nettle and Bone, What Moves the Dead, Thornhedge
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
About A House With Good Bones
The House With Good Bones is T. Kingfisher at her creeping dread best. No jump scares or gore. Just the steady and relentless increase of terror as small things accumulate leading to larger things until it’s an avalanche of terror burying you.
Sam, a smart, prone to cursing, chonky, archaeoentomologist visits her mom when a dig is temporarily shut down. And from the moment Sam arrives, her mom seems…off. Almost haunted by Gran Mae, Sam’s long-dead grandmother. Now Sam’s back in the house that Gran Mae owned. The house where Gran Mae taunted and belittled her.
At first, Sam thinks maybe her mom is grieving still for Gran Mae. Or maybe suffering from a health issue. But dementia can’t explain paintings falling off the wall, and swarms of ladybugs in the house. Or Sam’s nightmares featuring the underground children that Gran Mae threatened would take her when she misbehaved as a child.
Sam’s scientific mind refuses to believe in a haunting so she starts researching the house and her family history, discovering that Gran Mae’s father was a contemporary of Aleister Crowley’s and thought himself a sorcerer. And maybe those underground children aren’t just made-up threats…
My thoughts about A House With Good Bones
T. Kingfisher creates fantastic women characters full of intelligence, resourcefulness, and heaps of determination. Sam and her mom, and the vulture rehabilitating neighbor are all a delight.
I love that Sam is comfortable and at ease with her extra fluffy body. Having her boobs get in the way was definitely real and relatable.
This is a fast read, taking place over a few days but it definitely punches above its weight in terms of engrossing story and quality storytelling!
In closing
Thank you Tor Nightfire for the ARC.
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