WOW, the vibes with this one!! Spooky & gothic, and including one of my favorite horror tropes: dolls! I felt like I was in the Sleeping House myself. I read this later at night while I was the only one awake and every creak in the house made me anxious as heck, lol, I was so creeped out. Loved this.

I loved the idea of this one. Queer horror is right up my alley and this was billed as House of Salt and Sorrows meets The Haunting of Bly Manor, both of which I loved. Unfortunately, the character development was severely lacking in this one. All of the characters fell flat for me and were completely forgettable. I finished this just a few days ago and I don't remember any of the characters' names. There were some creepy moments, but the setting also didn't draw me in the way I hoped. And the romance was super insta-lovey, which was disappointing.

In a word, this book was amazing! I'm a bit ashamed it took me so long to read it, but I'm grateful that NetGalley provided a copy in exchange for an honest review. This hit all the right notes for gothic romance and horror without being overbearing. I found that I couldn't stop reading it once I started and I was rewarded with twists and turns and a thoroughly satisfying ending. I can't wait to recommend this to my library kids looking for a book that feels like Crimson Peak.

All the Dead Lie Down had a little bit of everything I enjoy in horror - haunted house vibes, creepy plants, strange family members, a little necromancy…and it all came together beautifully!

Marin Blythe is desperate to figure out what to do with her life after her mother dies in a sudden train accident. Her salvation comes in the form of horror novelist Alice Lovelace, who used to be close with her mother. Alice invites Marin to live at Lovelace House in exchange for acting as a nanny to her young children, Wren and Thea. But the inner workings of Lovelace House and the peculiar habits of the children have Marin questioning reality. When Alice’s oldest daughter Evie returns home, Marin thinks she might finally have a partner in the uncertainty; however, danger continues to lurk around every corner and Marin must quickly figure out who she can trust…and how to answer the question of what’s really going on at Lovelace House.

Disturbing and atmospheric, this story gripped me from beginning to end! At first I thought it was going to be exactly like The Haunting of Bly Manor, but it definitely took a turn I didn’t expect! Thea and Wren were so fun to read, and Marin and Evie’s relationship was a slow burn but worth it.

Thank you NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books for this arc!

"When will you understand, Marin? Lovelace House has its own rules."

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of All the Dead Lie Down in exchange for an honest review.

I'd recommend this book to fans of Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Katrina Leno's Horrid.

I'd describe this book as soft horror or cozy horror. Throughout the book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort despite the eerie atmosphere, making it a truly cozy reading experience. The initial plot follows a familiar pattern found in horror books: a young woman becomes the caretaker of peculiar children living in a strange house with an even stranger family. While this may sound cliché, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed these familiar tropes. McCauley's writing is skillful, capturing my attention from start to finish, and I found myself engrossed in the story, devouring it at a rapid pace.

What sets "All the Dead Lie Down" apart is the unique plot twist that unravels the mysteries surrounding the house and its occupants. The explanation, though fantastical in nature — an aspect that typically doesn't resonate with me — fits seamlessly with the overall tone of the book. I appreciated that the author took the time to provide explanations rather than leaving loose ends hanging. Furthermore, we have a sapphic main couple, which is awesome!

This was my first foray into Kyrie McCauley's writing, and I can confidently say that it won't be my last. "All the Dead Lie Down" captivated me with its cozy yet unsettling atmosphere, expert storytelling, and well-executed ideas. I eagerly look forward to exploring more of McCauley's works in the future.

Even though it’s a horror novel, All the Dead Lie Down is such a dark and beautiful book. The immense love just made my heart so happy. The family love aspect was perfectly woven into the story, not disturbing the suspense.

Seeing how Marin grew as a person, especially as her love for others grew, was a great touch. It wasn’t an overnight, snap of the fingers progress. You’re walked through every hurdle, tear, and lightbulb moment.

I can generally guess what’s coming but I couldn’t with this. I’d have an idea or feeling of what to expect but never guessing completely and I thoroughly enjoyed that.

The overall biggest thing I liked about All The Dead Lie Down is that the suspense is well worth it. It’s the perfect perfect balance of suspense and surprise.

Oh, and Thisbe’s love for her brother? Just precious!

I ended up listening to the finished audiobook version of this book from my local library. I'll be honest, I got this as a 'read now' book and I wasn't really sure what it was about. I was expecting some sort of creepy haunted house but things got so much darker than I predicted. I think this one will be very popular for the spooky season this year. I will definitely be recommending it. I had to only listen during the day because it was creeping me out. There is a female/female romance and I loved it.

All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McAuley is a captivating gothic read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Blending elements of "Haunting of Bly Manor" and "The Shining," with its haunting atmosphere and spine-chilling plot, this book had me on edge from start to finish.

The claustrophobic house theme adds to the ambiance, while the creepy sisters play the meanest and most terrifying pranks on their unsuspecting nanny. The dysfunctional family dynamics and each character's unique way of dealing with their grief add depth to the story, immersing readers in a world that keeps you on alert. The twists are scream-worthy, I don't mind some insta-love but this was less believable for me. Though they provided a brief respite from the dark and disturbing scenes, it slightly diminished the overall dramatic impact.

The conclusion of the story was satisfying. There were unforeseeable and shocking twists that kept me hooked until the very end.

Another solid horror novel from Kyrie McCauley. This one wasn't particularly my cup of tea but it was a solid novel with lots of suspense. A fair amount of Mexican Gothic vibes for those that are a fan of gothic horror in that vein. A solid pick for a HS library.

All The Dead Lie Down is reminiscent of The Haunting of Bly Manor with a dash of necromancy and generational horror. I thought the book takes some time to get going. The first half is basically about Marin adjusting to living in the house and taking care of the children while grieving for her mother. The story becomes a tad more interesting when Evie, the oldest sister, arrives at the house. She carries her own mystique and Marin is immediately smitten. While their relationship moves quickly, I thought their connection is sweet and believable. The picturesque setting has shades of darkness, making you feel blanketed in Marin's experience.

However, the book’s pace leaves a lot to be desired. It’s told in starts and stops, where something ominous happens but is forgotten or breezed by in the next moment. By the time Marin figures out what’s going on, the story is close to its denouncement. There is less character development and more dealing with the present danger. I was waiting for something sharper and scarier but this is a gentle tale of love, life, and loss. For readers looking for a gothic fantasy with sapphic romance, give this book a go.

3.25 stars. I liked this a decent amount, but not thatt much. The plot was interesting as well as the magic system, but it does fall into the same setup as most ya horror. They tend to blend together. I liked the ship, but again, not thatt much. I didn’t feel that strong of a connection, though they were still cute. This definitely did resemble Bly Manor. The ending was satisfying, and I liked how they used Evie’s abilities.

Wow! So creepy and well crafted. I did NOT see any of that coming and there was one twist so shocking, my hands actually flew to my mouth. Kept me guessing until the end.

However, the reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is that, once the big twists were revealed, there was a barrage of twists building upon them that became, well, a bit tooooo twisty. Not that any of the events are believable to start with but I felt like the author pushed it past the point of shocking and there was just an overload.

I still highly recommend it for anyone who likes horror and especially creepy houses full of secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy.

"All the Dead Lie Down" by Kyrie McCauley is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. McCauley's skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters make for an engaging and immersive reading experience.

The novel follows a complex and compelling protagonist as she delves into a web of secrets and lies, uncovering dark truths along the way. McCauley's writing style is evocative, painting vivid pictures of the setting and creating a palpable sense of tension and suspense.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its well-developed characters. The protagonist feels authentic and relatable, with flaws and vulnerabilities that make her journey all the more compelling. Supporting characters are equally well-drawn, adding depth and complexity to the story.

The pacing of "All the Dead Lie Down" is well-executed, with a perfect balance between action-packed moments and quieter, introspective scenes. The author masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages to unravel the mysteries at hand.

Furthermore, the novel explores thought-provoking themes such as trust, betrayal, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones. These deeper layers add emotional resonance to the story, elevating it beyond a mere thriller.

In conclusion, "All the Dead Lie Down" is a captivating and well-crafted thriller that will leave readers hooked until the final page. Kyrie McCauley's skillful storytelling, atmospheric writing, and compelling characters make this book a must-read for fans of the genre. Prepare to be enthralled by the twists and turns of this suspenseful tale.

Sapphic, gothic, and creepy, this story is so well written, it's one I will definitely be adding to my permanent collection. I loved its eerie vibes!

Sapphic, Gothic, and YA perfection in one book. Marin arrives at the Lovelace expansive, creepy house after her mother's death. Alice is her favorite horror author, a widow, and mother to 3 girls. Marin has been hired to take care of the youngest two because the eldest is away at school. But, a multitude of pranks and secrets test Marin along the way as the story gets increasingly creepier.

Very creepy and well written! I'll definitely be recommending this to teens who are looking for a horror read.

The perfect amount of haunting, creepy and surprisingly quite lovely. The plot moved on forward at the perfect pace with just enough creepy occurences and realizations to keep me invested. And of course I can't refuse a cute but fulfilling lesbian romance.

I’ve watched The Haunting of Bly Manor twice and read House of Salt and Sorrows, so those comps combined with the eerie book title sounded like an atmospheric read I’d enjoy.

With no other relatives, Marin is alone in the world after losing her mother in a tragic accident. She’s left with no money, no job, and no prospects. Until her favorite horror writer, Alice Lovelace, offers her a nanny position for the summer at her estate in Maine. Marin’s mother and Alice were childhood friends and with no other options, Marin accepts the job.

I was absolutely right about the atmosphere – it’s dripping with creepiness. Alice’s husband passed away about a year ago, and the family is still grieving his death. The two young girls Marin is to supervise are …. challenging. Wren clearly doesn’t want her there and plays cruel pranks on Marin. Thea assists with the pranks and also buries her dolls in graves after they “die” of various illnesses. Although Linda offered Marin the job, she’s far from welcoming. Strange animals roam the estate – animals with half their skulls visible, missing limbs, etc, and the forest isn’t a safe place. Alice’s oldest daughter, Evie, and Neera, another employee, seem pretty normal and round out the cast. The author did a wonderful job with characterization.

Marin is immediately drawn to Evie (it was insta-love), but Evie is holding onto a long list of secrets. Once she learns to trust Marin, they discover there are even more mysteries to uncover. Some of those mysteries are pretty gruesome and come as quite a surprise – which just added to my enjoyment of the story.

I’d recommend this novel to fans of Gothic atmosphere, paranormal happenings, some romance (it wasn’t the primary focus), and decades old secrets. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but I couldn’t look away.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars

This is a YA sapphic horror about Marin, who's moved to Maine after her mother's death to be a nanny for a horror author, Alice Lovelace. Marin's hoping this job will help her feel closer to her mother, who grew up with Alice. Instead, she gets a cold & distant boss, a "townspeople-don't-go-to-the-manor" creepy house, & 2 charges (Thea & Wren) who are way too comfortable around the dead animals that keep showing up in Marin's room. She blames it all on grief for the girls' father/Alice's husband, who's also recently passed, & is determined to stick it out.

Just when Marin starts to settle in, Evie (the oldest daughter) returns home, because what is a gothic story without a beautiful, mysterious type? She & Marin grow closer, but what Marin first assumes is emotional distance due to grief quickly proves to be a dark secret. Duh.

There are genuinely creepy elements in this book. It's atmospheric, & there are fun excerpts from Alice's horror books interspersed throughout. Relationships between the sisters were well-written; Thea & Wren especially felt like distinct & realistic characters. I wanted this to be something that I could really sink into, though, & it fell a bit short. I wish it was longer, particuarly the last 1/3rd, to fully explore all the twists it delivered.

I also didn't feel the romance as much as I wanted--I was told about the feelings more than I experienced them, but so much of the emotional intensity of this story relied on the bond between Evie & Marin. I think I'd have preferred a slower burn to let the tension of their relationship build with the creepiness of the overall story. Admittedly, (maybe unfairly) I'm comparing to "Such Pretty Flowers", another sapphic gothic horror, which knocked things out of the park for me.

Don't get me wrong, there was nothing WRONG here. I just felt a lot of pieces were just shy of hitting as hard as I wanted. But I had a good time reading it & am interested in more from this author to see if those elements are stronger in other works.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, & the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a great story to kickoff the seasonal change from spring to summer. We follow Marin as she unravels the secrets of the Lovelace Estate. Brought on as a nanny for two young children - the dark, strange, and sometimes sinister things that keep occurring has Marin constantly on her toes.

The balance of gothic atmosphere, beauty within the dark, horror of past traumas, and depth of character development was well done. Kudos to Kyrie McCauley for truly intertwining these aspects into an engaging story. This was my first read from her and I look forward to picking up more.