I'm so sorry to say, but I dnf "My Darling Dreadful Thing" around 9% because I'm unfortunately not in the right headspace to read something this dark at this time. Mind the content warnings, y'all, because the author isn't playing around. This is truly a gothic novel.

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

the author’s note was my favorite part of this novel—she begins by warning the reader how dark the novel is, which set this expectation in my mind that unfortunately wasn’t quite met. this gothic love story between two women who can see ghosts was beautiful at points, but felt tepid. i do think my feeling meh about the darkness & plot was more an expectations problem than a plot problem.

My Darling Dreadful Thing was a dark and mysterious tale of love and obsession and the blurred lines between the two. I adored Ruth and Roos’ sticky codependent relationship, and how it juxtaposed Roos and Agnes’ relationship which, while still dark and creaky, would have been a step in a more positive direction for Roos.

The gothic atmosphere was so well crafted, helped along but the presence of Ruth and Peter whose creepy ever changing appearances which leant a certain level of surreal-ness to everything. AND THE MYSTERY ELEMENTS! Each reveal made me gasp with horror but it was so delightfully twisted to discover each one.

If this story was comprised solely of the life and Roos as she suffered the mysteries of Rozentuin, it would be a solid 4 stars for me! Roos desperation to please Agnes and the tenuous foundation of their relationship was compelling. I wish I could splice those parts of the story apart from the oddness of of the rest of it,,,

While I loved the writing and the main story of it all, I found myself in turns baffled and frustrated by the interviews with the doctor. At first it was an interesting tilt on the ghostly story to inject a bit of realism, to throw doubt into Roos’ story. But soon it was being used to undermine much of the sense of mystery. We weren’t allowed to sit with any ominous foreshadowing before the Doctor was spelling it out for us, as if we couldn’t draw the conclusions ourselves.

**SPOILERS** The doctor’s presence was especially redundant during the trial. Any doubt that was created about Roos actual mental health and the realness of the ghosts was ruined when the lawyer outright proved Roos couldn’t have done anything she was accused of, veritably proving the reality of the ghosts and destroying any mystery. From there the story limped on a few more baffling chapters of Roos starting her new life and getting better? Question mark? But still having Ruth and still firmly believing Agnes would come back to her. It felt like, especially with the inclusion of the excerpt of the Doctor’s writing, that the author was still trying to draw back to the doubts about Roos’ mental health and the reality of Ruth, but by that point it felt thoroughly shattered. At least for me!

Anyways while I loved the main story, I didn’t not appreciate the use of the Doctor as a story telling element and felt he greatly diminished much of the appeal of the main storyline. For that I can only give 3.5 stars :/

The cover alone drew me to this book and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I was definitely hooked from the start and didn’t want to put it down until I was done. It definitely was a quick read which allowed me to finish it in two days. I liked that mental health was a subject of the story and made you think if it was an illness or if Roos was really seeing ghosts. This was definitely a unique ghost story with some twists thrown in and I did quite enjoy it!

DNFing at 11% unfortunately. Too much of this story is giving me a massive ick. The men leering at this little girl and the mom just going along with it for the money, I can't do it. I loved the premise of a spirit taking over this girl that she communicates with but I can't get behind everything else. This book does have a gorgeous cover though.

This book and it's characters will stay with me for a long time. I haven't ever read anything like it. There's mystery, horror, intrigue, body horror, everything! I thought that I had already read the best book of 2024 last month but I was wrong. I enjoyed this book so much! The author is wonderful at evoking depth of imagery in your mind I could clearly see the story happening. A masterful author at showing what is happening instead of just telling. I loved the main character and could feel what she felt. An amazing read that I highly, highly recommend.

Roos does what her mother says. Always. She is underfed, mistreated and has one thing most people don't - a spirit companion called Ruth. When Roos does a seance for wealthy Agnus Knoop, Agnus see's just how much trouble Roos is in, and besides, who could ignore that chemistry between them both. But when something goes amiss, and Roos is caught red handed in a crime, a crime that insists is the doing of Ruth, she'll have to prove her innocence and her sanity, or lose everything.

My Darling Dreadful Thing is a beautiful blend of gothic horror and a hint of paranormal. The additions of the seances helped lend the atmosphere to an incredibly creepy, and haunting story. The use of the doctors notes helped this to become a unique read, giving us the point of view from the narrator as well as the medical professional handling the case. Our main character Roos is well developed, however some of the other characters do fall into the background and that is my only negative take on this read.

Johanna Van Veen has created a haunting, sapphic read perfect for lovers of gothic romance, horror and intrigue. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy for review. My Darling Dreadful Thing will be released May 14th, 2024.

Three words - sapphic gothic horror. Could you ask for more? It turns out you can, because not only does My Darling Dreadful Thing have a fantastic premise, but it is beautifully executed. The writing is poignant without being too flowery, the characters are complex and compelling, and the plot kept me hooked until the last page. As the author mentioned, while this can easily fall under the horror genre (although it’s certainly not too scary for a non-horror enthusiast to enjoy), at its heart, it is about love, romantic and otherwise. This would be the perfect read for fans of The Haunting of Bly Manor. My Darling Dreadful Thing is a rare mix of touching, spooky, and sultry, and I would recommend it to anyone! Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a chance to read this fantastic work!

My Darling, Dreadful Thing (hereafter referred to as MDDT in this review) is an absolutely lovely, dark, and haunting piece of gothic fiction with delicious hidden pockets of horrid secrets tucked away like terrible treats right up until the end.

We’re in the Netherlands and it’s the 1950s (probably early 1950s). Our protagonist is Roos, who is being examined by a psychiatrist (sadly, a Freudian) to ascertain whether or not she’s mentally responsible for the death of her employer, a Mrs. Agnes Knoop.

Roos is of the opinion that she both is and isn’t. It’s a long story, and it starts when she’s only about five years old and her mother traps her for interminable hours underneath the floorboards of the house in order to better play a fake spirit medium.

MDDT is told in two timelines, with two formats: One is the main story, told from Roos’ first-person POV, and the other is in the format of interviews the psychiatrist has with Roos in order to evaluate her mental state. This format can be hard to nail, but I thought van Veen did an absolutely fantastic job showing both sides of the coin. The psychiatrist comes across as understandably and realistically skeptical, and even though he’s a Freudian thinker (yuck), he never comes across as vulgar. He also does also seem to be truly interested in understanding Roos instead of exploiting her.

The main story, Roos’ story, is the stuff gothic fiction dreams are made of. A cruel mother, a childhood full of suffering, and a rescue from that wretched existence by a rich and lovely widow who brings Roos to her estate ostensibly just because she they are so similar and she couldn’t stand to see Roos suffer in those conditions. However, in every gothic novel there must be a Manderley or Thornfield, and Rozentuin is the setting for where everything goes wrong in this book, because Rozentuin is where all those horrid secrets have been tucked away and left to fester. With Roos, Agnes, their respective spirit companions, and Agnes’ slowly-dying sister-in-law all inside this old house with all their combined secrets and personal ghosts it’s not too long until things start to go terribly wrong.

It was really a terrific book and satisfied every need I have when it comes to gothic fiction. I definitely recommend it.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Gothic Fiction/Historical Fiction/LGBTQ Fiction/Occult Horror/Sapphic Romance

If you don't know by now, my metric for horror isn't exactly what most would call standard. Having said that, "My Darling Dreadful Thing" was such a wonderfully creepy story, and Roos was, ultimately, such a sweet character. Her traumas are REAL, and there were many times I fumed for her, but despite everything she was subjected to, her love for Ruth, Agnes, and even Peter was so wholesome. In some ways, this added an undercurrent of melancholy throughout the story, but that only added to the tension and terror that filled the book. The vibes were a mix of Crimson Peak and The Conjuring Series with just a dash of Nefarious. I'd highly recommend it for people who like their horror heavy on the spirits and light on the detailed gore.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I loved that the author gives content warnings! It’s something I think every book should have. Now into the review-The novel is set in The Netherlands during the 1950s. I was so excited to discover this since I haven’t read many books set in The Netherlands!

The story goes back and forth between the main plot and transcripts of Dr/patient interviews at the end of each chapter. It made the plot feel more driven, and was a big reason why I didn’t want to put it down!

Agnes is part Indo, and we learn a bit about the culture as well as the history of Dutch colonization in Indonesia. I found it very interesting and learned a lot I didn’t know before about that piece of history!

Although the story is eerie and disturbing at times, it also has an undertone of warmth and affection, especially regarding the found family between the characters! The book slowed down a little bit in the middle but overall it was an engaging story. I enjoyed the complex characters and the unique ghost story aspect, with having spirit companion instead of being unwillingly haunted.

I did half guess a couple of the twists but they were still really well written! The novel was a quiet horror book with more disturbing imagery than fast paced action. The imagery of Ruth gave me nightmares and made me scared of the dark for sure

Fantastic gothic story with a haunting, atmospheric setting and sapphic romance subplot! I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for the author’s next book 🤍 I enjoyed the book and the story but it wasn’t exactly what I hoped for. It was slower paced than what I wanted/hoped for and I kind of expected more action based on the synopsis. It was good just not great, if that makes sense?

I’d recommend for anyone wanting a sapphic love story (that’s not a romance book), unique haunting/ghost story, or a gothic horror set in an eerie estate!

I'm the odd one out, I know, but this, while definitely gothic horror, didn't grab me in the way I'd hoped. Roos and her spirit companion Ruth (or is she?) move in with Agnes at her disintegrating home and creepy things ensue. It was intriguing but she lost me part way through, although I'm not entirely sure why (sorry). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Over to others who I'm sure will enjoy it.

The author, Johanna van Veen gives us a a trigger warning to start the book, so suggest people read that and see if they want to move forward. From there we talk about Henry James "The Turn of the Screw" and Gothic novels. That sets the stage for "My Darling Dreadful Thing."

Taking place in the Netherlands after War World II and in the 1960s and beyond, we follow Roos Beckman. Roos and her mother have a business allowing the living to still be visited by the dead. Roos has a spirit companion Ruth that allows to let go so that Ruth can take over and allow others to be visited by their dead loved ones. Until the day that Roos meets Ms. Agnes Knoop. Agnes is a widow and Roos thinks that Agnes wants word of her recently dead husband Thomas. When Roos is taken over by something else during the session, that leads to Agnes buying Roos and taking her back to her moldering estate.

So, there are a lot of Gothic elements at play. Scary old house that used to be the very thing, but is decaying. Dying relative with a lot of say, who may be up to some mischief. Roos and Agnes are both keeping secrets too. Combine that with us knowing that people died and Roos stands accused of it, you read the book to figure out who did what to whom and why.

What I thought really worked was that the book follows Roos point of view, but we also get interviews that are being conducted by a doctor along with case notes. Just like "The Turn of the Screw" you are left wondering about what is real, what is not, and whether Roos is insane or not.

I thought Roos was a great character who even at the end, does not seem to understand herself or even Agnes. I felt nothing but pity for her. I thought Agnes remained elusive to the very end. You also had to wonder about her and the stories she told. I liked the character of Doctor Montague who definitely wants to find out the truth.

The flow of the book though was up and down after we get to a key point of the book. After that I don't know, I just didn't think things hung together very well. Maybe because it just felt like at that point you had to wonder if Roos was telling us and even herself the truth. I think that's the main point of this book so I just went with it and let it go, but it was enough to have me just give this four stars.

The setting of old and decaying house reminded me so much of the home in the "Fall of the House of Usher".

The ending though I think did a great job of giving us that flavor of Henry James. You are left wondering who was telling the truth, if anyone, and if all the parties mentioned, outside of the doctor, were insane.

Roos’ only friend is a spirit companion, Ruth, only she can see and hear. Until she meets young, wealthy widow, Agnes. They have an instant connection and attraction. Roos goes to life with her in her crumbling manor. She narrates to her psychologist what went wrong and it ended with a dead body.

I really liked this one because it totters the line between paranormal and mental illness. You get both perspectives. I found the notes from the doctor interesting but the true heart of the story was Roos’ narration. I also enjoyed how in the beginning the author said if you stripe away everything at its base, it’s a love story. While you wouldn’t think so because it’s so spooky and perfectly gothic, it really is.

“Some things are so horrible that the only sane response is a bit of madness.”

My Darling Dreadful Thing comes out 5/14.

Not usually a Gothic fan, but the cover and title was too intriguing to miss. "In a world where the dead can wake and walk among us, what is truly real?" This statement alone is bizarre and eerie, so read on if you can stand the supernatural and creepy tale. It is so well written that the author shows off some amazing skills. At times I was confused, but kept reading to see how it would all play out...curiosity will suck you in.
The character Roos is a very confused character with her mom mistreating her and having her to participate in seance from a young age. When the very wealthy and eccentric Agnes visits, she asked her to come live with her at her crumbling estate. There is a strange attachment to Roos and it is a corpse-like companion Ruth. What makes it even weirder is Agnes also has a spirit companion/guide too. There is a conflict between them all and when dead bodies appear Roos is accused.
The story progresses with Roos point of view as she converses with a psychologist thinking Roos is mentally ill. She tries to explain that Ruth did it all because she is furious and desperate.... I'm not usually a literature reader of this type, but this was a supernatural trip that was well-written and entertaining even in its horror state.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In this debut novel, a murder trial hinges on whether or not ghosts are real. This is the story of Roos Beckman, a girl with a spirit companion named, Ruth, who is forced to do seances for wealthy patrons, and endures horrific abuse at the hands of her (maybe) mother. Until one day, when Agnes Knoop, a rich young widow comes to claim Roos as a companion. Her motives lie in the fact that she too, has a spirit companion and so understands Roos on a whole other level.
But in trying to make Agnes happy, Roos commits an atrocity and people end up dead. Will she be sentenced to an asylum for madness or convicted of murder?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this e-arc.*

This might be the most beautiful writing style I encountered in a while. I loved the atmosphere, and the horror elements were incredibly well written - it truly sent shivers down my spine.

I enjoyed myself a lot trying to identify all the gothic classics (but not only) that influenced this work, and I adored all the little references to the TV series The Haunting of Bly Manor.

The dynamic between the characters was amazing. There was not much action, but it was an engaging and gripping story nonetheless. It was also a great example of a well-executed ambiguous ending.

I had a couple of issues with the logic throughout the book, but nothing major.

I would highly recommend this if you're looking for your next queer gothic book. Just please make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading it.

My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna Van Veen
4.5⭐

Thank you Netgalley and and Poisoned Pen Press, Sourcebook imprint for an advanced copy as an exchange for an honest review.

A gothic horror that I enjoyed?! Finally found one that's not vibes only.

I think this one actually worked for me is not only because the creepy, eerie feeling I got reading this, especially at the beginning but because I liked the character. I didn't know if I should trust her but also you felt bad so her at the same time.

The other thing I enjoyed, which might not be for everyone is the breaks between patient and doctor. I personally didn't mind them and found them a bit interesting.

I also recommend checking content warning the author wrote at the beginning of the book.

Release date is May 14, 2024

I wasn’t really sure how to rate this one. I definitely enjoyed the overall concept, I think the execution just missed the mark for me. That ending just wrapped up too neatly for the chaos that occurred only pages earlier.

I loved this book soooo freaking much! I completely ate it up and sped all the way through it.

It is the PERFECT amount of historical fiction, paranormal, haunting, poetic, mysterious… all of the elements to this book are in perfect harmony and balanced so well, nothing is over the top or over done.

The characters are alluring, the setting feels right. The intrigue about class, politics, race all things relevant to the time frame are posed in a way that is interesting and informative to the reader.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book it has my full seal of approval and recommendation! Please give this a read!

Thank you to Poisened Pen Press, Johanna Van Veen and Netgalley for the EARC.

Publish date May 14th 💜💜💜