Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Malice House by Megan Shepherd. This chilling psychological thriller expertly combines eerie suspense with complex characters and a deeply unsettling atmosphere. Shepherd’s sharp writing and intricate plotting kept me guessing throughout, with twists that landed perfectly. The exploration of trauma and trust adds emotional depth, making this a gripping, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the last page.

Haven Marbury, an artist escaping her failed marriage moves into her late father’s eerie seaside home, where she discovers an unpublished manuscript. Bed time stories for monsters. It’s different from her father’s previous works but she figures it could jumpstart her illustrative career if she brought the monsters in the stories to life through her drawing.
Things start to go awry when she realizes the mysterious incidents happening around her new town is eerily similar to what’s she’s been drawing.

The atmosphere was one of the highlights for me. With a creepy house, coastal isolation, and mysterious townsfolk all added to this eerie seaside vibe that is Lundie Bay. The concept of fictional monsters leaking into the real world was really gripping for me, and I loved how that idea unfolded initially.

However, I found the main character a bit underwhelming, and the plot began to meander about halfway through. Some of the reveals were predictable, and I didn’t feel quite as connected to the protagonist. That said, the story still held enough eerie intrigue to keep me reading, and I think fans of horror-fantasy with a gothic flair will find plenty to enjoy here.

This was okay but felt like a lot of books I’ve read in a row about a sad woman in a big creepy house. Nothing about it really sets it apart for me

Malice House is full of things I usually love: big, old, creepy houses, the Pacific Northwest, small towns with people hiding stuff, hidden manuscripts, and fairy tales for adults but sadly I only liked it and didn’t love it. The first 70% or so was great but then it kind of went off the rails and i admittedly got very very lost with the Robber Saints, Salem Dreamer, etc and understanding who they were.

Malice House is the first book by Megan Shepherd I’ve ever read and I think it’s her first book for adults. It’s labeled as horror but I’ll describe it as horror tinged fantasy plus it absolutely gives me young adult vibes. I realize that the publisher is an imprint of Disney so that probably explains the lightness of the horror and Haven only making out with her neighbor (twice) instead of a full blown sex scene. I want to read Bed Time Stories for Monsters and wish it would be published. There’s now a book 2 in the Malice Compendium out but not sure I will read it. I may read more from this author.

There is a character of a homicidal crustacean with a glutton for amputating body parts (which sounds horrific but it’s really not) that’s named Pinchy and every time he is named all I could see is the lobster from my favorite Simpsons episode…also named

**Thanks to the author and Hyperion Avenue for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Glad I finally got to read it.**

This book had a super cool concept—a creepy manuscript, haunted seaside house, mysterious locals, and monsters both literal and emotional. There were definitely moments where the atmosphere really worked: eerie woods, weird literary cult vibes, and that feeling like something is just a little off at all times. But overall, it didn’t totally land for me. Haven was interesting, but I didn’t feel super connected to her or some of the side characters, and the twists were a bit predictable. Still, it was a creative take on grief, legacy, and the monsters we inherit. If you like a slow-burn horror-lite story with a literary edge and a spooky coastal setting, it might be worth checking out. Just not one that fully wowed me.

Was it dementia, a disease of the mind, that caused Haven's father to go crazy toward the end of his life, or was it something else borne out of his mind?

Haven returns to Malice House after the passing of her father, broke and having left a broken relationship, to pick up the pieces of her life and sort through her father's legacy as an accomplished author.

Instead, she finds pieces of what, at first, appear to be pieces of a deteriorating mind...but they soon turn into real terrors threatening to catch up with her. She must face these terrors head on and come to terms with the thing that runs in her blood, her very core identity, which is not what she expected at all.

This was a fun read, filled with a whole lot of creepiness combined with a story about discovering the true meaning of identity and family. I really enjoyed it, although it as not what I expected when I read the synopsis. I've only read the author's more YA leaning books before, so this was a refreshing read.

Don't forget to check under the bed.

Thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my advanced reader copy.

Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thrill factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The perfect blend of creepy, spooky and poignant. This authors writing style is perfect for this genre. Easy flow - keeps you on the edge of your seat!

When a book is NOT NOW kind of book, but you come back to it, and it's a winner! This is exactly how Malice House worked for me.

The problem was the moody beginning. It was weird, sad, and very much atmospheric. Not much was happening, and I guess I wasn't in the mood for it. But I came back, and now off to read the next book in this series and find out how our MC is doing now.

The story is about a woman that moves to her dad's house. He was a famous writer, and he died with dementia making him loose his mind in the end. Now, Haven is left with a legacy and his old things to clean up after. Until she finds his unpublished manuscript. The weird part? People start dying after she shows up in town. People are acting weird. And she is seeing weird shadows, and hearing weird noises.

It was a nightmare brought to life. Unique plot line (to me), and an ending that left me wanting more. Like I said a winner in my books.

I feel that this book was nowhere near horror in any way, shape, or form. I would think it is more of a dark fantasy after reading it. The only really great thing about this book is the Bedtime Stories for Monsters excerpts. I wanted to see this entirely with little snippets of what was going on with Haven concurrently. The best part of this book was when it ended, sadly. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

OMG!!! This book was exactly what I wanted it to be! I loved it. I will make sure to check out other books by this author. When I requested this I was just intrigued by the concept of it and I loved how it turned out. This story had a great plot and if you have read this and enjoyed it, This was so much. It was such a great story. I would say give this one a try. I will continue to follow this author. Way to go to this author for not letting me down.

I highly enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. Kept me listening.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the Publisher for sending me a copy of this book! I am a big fan of Megan Shepherds books so I was so excited to read this book. Unfortunately I was disappointed, I just felt like it was a little to hard for me to read!

interesting premise for a horror thriller that came across more as a fantasy read.
Didn't love Haven's character and the ending was left open so we will see what happens.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

I had the pleasure of reading Malice House, a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The author's skillful storytelling and ability to create tension and suspense had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, adding depth to the plot. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling ride filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected surprises. It's a must-read for fans of the genre!

Haven Marbury, a struggling artist, finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of terror upon inheriting her late father's eerie abode, aptly named Malice House. With its haunted reputation and the discovery of her father's unpublished manuscript, Bedtime Stories for Monsters, Haven's life takes a sinister turn as she delves into a world of spectral whispers and unexplainable horrors.

Megan Shepherd deftly crafts a narrative that grips you from the outset, blending elements of gothic horror and psychological suspense with masterful precision. Through Haven's eyes, we witness a descent into darkness as she navigates the labyrinthine corridors of her father's legacy, grappling with both external threats and the demons of her own past.

The novel's strength lies in its atmospheric richness, painting a vivid portrait of dread and foreboding. Shepherd's prose drips with palpable tension, each page resonating with an ominous energy that keeps you on edge until the final chilling revelation. However, like the creaking floorboards of Malice House itself, Malice House stumbles slightly in its execution. While the initial buildup is masterfully executed, the narrative loses some of its momentum in the latter stages, descending into a chaotic frenzy that may leave readers disoriented. Nevertheless, amidst the shadows and whispers, there are moments of brilliance that shine through.

Malice House is a haunting odyssey into the heart of fear, a testament to the enduring allure of the macabre. While it may falter in its final steps, the journey itself is a testament to Shepherd's talent for crafting tales that linger in the mind long after the last page is turned. If you dare to peer into the darkness, Malice House awaits, beckoning you to uncover its secrets...

Read this book if you like:
🫨 Psychological suspense
🗝️ Haunted houses
👹 Monsters that go bump in the night
👀 A story that sticks with you long after you have finished it

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the electronic advanced reader's copy to this spooky tale in exchange for an honest review!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Malice House by Megan Shepherd

Megan Shepherd, author, weaves a complex tale of dark magic and family secrets when a woman attempts to settle the estate of her father, a horror novelist.

Very spooky and intriguing at the same time. It was dark with many twists.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Megan Shepherd hooked me right from the start! I devoured this book and could not guess where it was headed. I enjoyed the characters and the fact that I could not figure out who the bad guy was until the last like 10% of the book. Malice House was full of twists and turns, as well as monsters and family horrors. A really fun and creepy story!

I enjoyed this quite a bit! It kept me guessing until the end and I like how it wrapped up. I am excited to pick up more by Megan!

4.5 stars

God, this book was so creepy, I loved it. It felt like a mix of its own story but had the creepy elements that The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher had. I will definitely be adding this to my favorite/reread shelf.

Also, HOW DID I NOT KNOW IT WAS GETTING A 2ND BOOK?! AND I HAVE SAID 2ND BOOK? AHHHH.