https://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2024/05/2024066-house-with-good-bones-t.html ( )

Sam returns to her family home in North Carolina and bad things begin happening almost immediately. Sam's first "greeter" waiting to welcome her home is a vulture perched on the mailbox. It's watching the house like any good "watchdog" would. Sam hardly recognizes her mother. She's lost so much weight and is unusually anxious, even fearful, about something. The house feels and looks strange. The brightly colored walls of before are now painted a dull white and old decorations from her late grandmother time are displayed all over the house. Sam is worried... but she is determined to find out what is the cause of all this strangeness that now surrounds the house. As a biologist I had to chuckle at Sam’s nerdy opinion on insects and arthropods. It added the balance that was badly needed to offset the dark secrets that she eventually discovers. Sam’s humor also provided a realistic commentary on racism and generational conflict in the "old south".... not bad but rather comical. The main problem with this story and what lost it a half star, is that the main plot twist is glaringly obvious, way to early...almost from the start of the story. Sam herself is also too oblivious to all the glaring clues. Nevertheless, this was a really good story.... especially if you are a horror fan. Sam’s thoughts were interesting and revealing as she uses her scientific training to try to "make rational the irrational". The final part of the book contains enough gory detail to make any horror lover squirm. The final conflict could have lasted a bit longer, especially when it had had such a huge buildup for about 75% of the story. Still, I had a great journey with it. ( )

Samantha Montgomery is worried that her mother is losing it. Sam was looking forward to a nice long visit with her mom while on furlough from her job, but now that she's back home, things seem off. The house has been painted shades of cream and ecru, instead of her mom's chosen bright colors. Gone are the funky art prints her mom favored, and in their places are family photos and the old artwork her grandmother loved. In fact, the whole house looks just like it did back when her grandmother was alive, and Sam's mom has started praying before meals and giving Sam dirty looks when she swears, which she never did before. And then, there's the jar of human teeth that Sam finds buried under a rose bush...

I'm super not into horror, but I'm to the point where I trust T. Kingfisher's writing, and I don't regret it. This book definitely leans into the Southern Gothic, and there are definitely some scary elements, but I listened to it with great enjoyment and no nightmares after. Mary Robinette Kowal does an excellent job with the audiobook narration. I liked the affectionate mother/daughter relationship, and the tiniest hint of possible romance. There's also plenty of humor. Recommended, even for the squeamish. ( )

Facts you need to know: it is a page turner, fast paced, engaging and a fun read.

This book was interesting from the start, grabbing me in the first few pages while on a mini road trip. I found myself trying to figure out the mystery of it all.

This book is not really horror in my opinion but instead a gothic thriller of sorts. I understand why it was voted in 2023 but it is not what I think of when I think horror.
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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was so FUN. I saw a woman on tiktok recently describe her love of "comfy horror", and I had no idea what she meant, but this is it to a tee. Scary, but funny, cool imagery, well written characters, it's just all around a treat to be in this fast talking, spooky world. ( )