What an absolutely beautiful tale. The perfect amount of twists and turns, all of which surprised me. Kyrie McCauley’s masterful storytellings painted a darkly compelling storm, quietly raging at Lovelace house. The storm may quietly rage through the night, but come dawn, there will be damage.
After Marin’s mother passed away unexpectedly, she’s offered a nanny position by a woman who was once friends with her mother. Not just any woman. Alice Lovelace: one of the greatest horror novelists of our time.
Room and board in an all out *estate*, in exchange for watching a couple of kids during the day? Yes, please.
But right away, things aren’t what they seem at Lovelace house. From the house grounds to its occupants.
Can Marin find out what cursed Lovelace house? Or will she die trying?

I couldn’t get enough of this sapphic, gothic mystery. 5 stars. Lovelace house and grounds will be the setting of many a nightmare, I’m sure.

What I would have done for a book like this when I was in my teens. It was the perfect combination of horror, suspense, and light romance. The slowly blossoming romance between Marin and Evie was done well. The fragility and newness came through in the story.

Reading this as a mature adult, I had no issue with reading or completing it. Was it my favorite or would I read it again? No, but it is perfect for its target audience, and I can think of at least one teenager I would recommend this to. There was nothing overtly sexual and the language was tame enough for teens.

The ending fell a little flat for me. I expected a more defined outcome.

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

I used to read nothing but horror then Stephen King ruined that for me. I won’t get into the reasons for that here. I just wanted to say that it has been a long time since I have taken a chance on a horror story and I have to say I am glad I did.

I really enjoyed the story. I got wrapped up in the characters and really started to care about what happened to them.

There is nothing I dislike more than a bratty kid, I am glad the story turned that around right quick or I may not have made it through the whole thing.

Seriously though, it is a good story with some twists and turns you might not have guessed were coming and a few you might guess. Nothing overly scary or dread worthy but still creepily good.

This cover is beautiful! I really enjoyed this book.
It was a little cliche at times but I didn't mind. It was still enjoyable and had a few twists of its own.

It takes place on a gloomy seaside estate, surrounded by woods, and a family graveyard.
If you like YA Gothic Horror/ Gothic Romance, family curses, gloomy atmosphere, and sapphic love stories, check this one out!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Horror stories are not my typical go books, but wow I really enjoyed this one. There is also a bit of romance between the two characters, Marin and Evie, so that was a plus.

The strange things that happen at Lovelace House are talked about by the town so it is known by everyone prior to Marin being invited there to serve as a nanny for, Alice Hallowel, her mother's childhood friends two younger children.

The creepy thing that happen in this house just keep getting creepier and creepier and at times everyone seems to be suspect.

When Evie, the oldest daughter returns from bording school unexpectedly, she becomes my main suspect. However, later I begin to doubt that theory.

There are several unexpected twists and turns throughout the story and the ending just blew me away.

Highly recommend. Not a typical haunted house/horror story.

**I received a free advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review**

This is, perhaps, one of the most hauntingly beautiful modern gothic novels I've read in a very long time.

McCauley's writing is atmospheric and poignant—beautiful and imagery-ladened but not too purple that it feels forced—and the intimate tale of loss, grief, and magic she weaves is proof of that. Our protagonist, Marin, carries her ghosts with her in everything she does and her sadness is palpable. When she is asked to be a live-in nanny for her mother's old friend, esteemed horror fiction writer Alice Lovelace, the last thing she expects to find is a broken, decomposing family that ends up becoming like her own.

While Marin and Evie, the eldest Lovelace daughter and Marin's love interest, both feel much older than their teenage years allow for, their blossoming affection helps to ground readers in the midst of even the darkest, most turbulent scenes. Fans of the Romantic macabre will love this novel: stormy estates on remote peninsulas, family shame and secrets, morbid curiosities and decay, and so much more wait on every page.

The novel has its pitfalls. For one, Alice is critically underutilized and sadly undeveloped, though it's understandable given the younger skew of the audience. Additionally, the ending feels rushed and much of the "action" doesn't start until the 50% mark, but all in all, this was absolutely worth a sleepless night spent reading under the covers because I couldn't stop turning the page.

Rating a very high 4.5 stars (4.75, if we want to be more precise).

This book had me pretty hooked from the beginning. I was intrigued right when the car dropped the main character off and mentioned that family being cursed, I had to know more. As I read this book and little bits of information started to come into play I was shocked, terrified, amazed, and finally all of it made sense. It was really a book that kept me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going on. I give it 4 stars because I feel like there are still some questions that I was left with but overall it was such a fun read!!

I will not be reviewing this book while the HarperCollins Union is on strike. Until fair wages, diversity and job security are negotiated, I will not cross the picket line and post my review. When the strike ends, I will happily review this book.

All the Dead Lie Down was a fantastic atmospheric thriller that had me hooked from the first page. I loved the descriptions, and felt like I was in this story with the MC. For those who enjoyed The Companion by Kate Alender, stick around and read this, you won’t be disappointed!

I loved it! I was looking for something that was similar to Belladonna, one of my favorites from last year. This seemed like it might fit the bill and I’m so glad I tried it! I usually don’t like stories where someone goes to a creepy place to watch children so I was expecting to dislike that aspect of the story. I also don’t love horror so I was surprised to find myself sucked in and okay with the horror elements of the book. So read it even if you’re not usually into horror! This was a great way to start the year of books.

I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marin never had a home growing up, as her mother moved her from state to state quite frequently. That all came to an end after a tragic accident. Marin is taken in by her mothers oldest friend Alice Loveland with free room and board in exchange for becoming her children’s nanny while Evie, the eldest daughter is away at school. The two youngest daughters seem to act strangely with mysterious mishaps occur, causing Evie to return home. Marin and Evie face many obstacles caring for the children and together they unlock the secrets of the Lovelace House.
This was a great page turning book with unexpected twist and turns.

I finished this book about a week ago and I still find myself lost within the atmosphere of this book. All the dead Lie Down takes place on a secluded manor on cliffside in Maine during the summer months. After loosing her mom in an accident, Marin is invited to live with her mother's childhood friend at Lovelace house and take care of her daughters in return for board. I was initially interested in reading this book because of the similarities it had to The Haunting of Bly Manor- creepy children who live in a seemingly "haunted house" and are taken care of girl who has no one left, not to mention a live-in chef who knows all the family's secrets. So although that's what pulled me in, I'm so glad to say this book exceeded my expectations exponentially. This book has an exquisite atmosphere- dark greenhouses, gloomy July mornings, a mysterious forrest, an unforgiving ocean- on top of having a intrigue mystery about magic, deceit and family. It also falls into one of my favorite tropes of found family which I honestly wasn't expecting and was so happy when it did. Although the romance takes a back seat to the mystery, there is still a good amount of yearning and slow-burn goodness for an incredible pay off at the end that feels authentic to the story and characters. Underneath the mystery of this book is quite a pure story of love and doing what you must for the people you love. I can't wait for this book to be released because I just know all the cottagecore/lgbtq+/light academia girlies will eat this up (just like i did!)

This book was definitely not for me. Uninteresting characters with a plot that was mediocre at best and super duper cliched at worst. Teenagers that speak/act like dumb young adults and children that act like dumb teenagers.

From chapter one, this seems like a fairly blatant retelling of Bly Manor (main character’s last name is Blythe even). Very cliche and over the top. Nothing felt spooky but a lot felt tacky and ridiculous. About 15% in, the book just straight up states that the girls are crazy despite not showing that AT ALL leading up to that. A little weird but definitely not homicidal. [insert meme voice] Well, that escalated quickly.

The romance is very cliche and felt super forced to me. The second the love interest showed up our narrator acted like one of those cartoon dogs whose eyes fall out of their head while their tongue hangs to the floor. There was never any real chemistry, instead it was just a case of being the only two teenagers within eyeshot so they must be in love.

Plus, I literally rolled my eyes throughout the entire part 3.

As an avid lover of Shirley Jackson, this book hit the spot! I did not think I could find a perfect balance between gothic, horror, and romance. However, McCauley brilliantly tied these elements together in a story that will stick with me for a long time. The writing style absolutely made me fall in love with this book. The elegant voice mixed with the at times gruesome descriptions had me hanging onto every word.

I love a good haunted house story, but this was so much more than that. The time spent reading this book, I felt was time spent on the Lovelace estate. The shoreline, the orchard, the greenhouse, the library, these were all places I wanted to be and could imagine them perfectly. Yet, at the same time the house terrified me. Marin’s instinct to run and her desire to stay in the home resonated with me as the story progressed.

P.S. shout out to all the cinnamon toast comfort food people out there.

Withholding my review due to the Harper Collins Strike. Please visit the HCPUNION instagram for more information about the strike and how you can help those employees.

Writing: 5/5
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5

Warnings: None

Themes: Mystery, Thriller, Magical Realism

All the Dead Lie Down is about a girl who is asked to nanny 2 girls over the summer in a dark, strange house that holds a lot of secrets. This was a great read. I enjoyed Marins character and the sisters were fun to read about, especially Theo. The mystery around the Loveless house was well written and easy to understand but it also had its plot twists and turns. The ending seemed a little rushed but I still really enjoyed it.

This book is great for anyone who loves dark secrets centered around an old estate and the family who lives there.

I received a free copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.

Excellent atmospheric gothic novel, plenty of horror elements to go around complete with incoming child care giver to weird creepy estate with weird children who may or may not be trying to kill her plus a curse and the anticipated skeletons in the closets that fullfill their promise of ghastliness.

All The Dead Lie Down
Kyrie McCauley
16 May 2023 - expected publication date
ya / gothic romance / horror / lgbtqiap+

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5/5

Description:
Days after a tragedy leaves Marin Blythe alone in the world, she receives a surprising invitation from Alice Lovelace—an acclaimed horror writer and childhood friend of Marin’s mother. Alice offers her a nanny position at Lovelace House, the family’s coastal Maine estate.
Marin accepts and soon finds herself minding Alice’s peculiar girls. Thea buries her dolls one by one, hosting a series of funerals, while Wren does everything in her power to drive Marin away. Then Alice’s eldest daughter returns home unexpectedly. Evie Hallowell is every bit as strange as her younger sisters, and yet Marin is quickly drawn in by Evie’s compelling behavior and ethereal grace.
But as Marin settles in, she can’t escape the anxiety that follows her like a shadow. Dead birds appear in Marin’s room. The children’s pranks escalate. Something dangerous lurks in the woods, leaving mutilated animals in its wake. All is not well at Lovelace House, and Marin must unravel its secrets before they consume her.

Review:
I could not put this book down. I started it at 7:45pm and had it finished at 11:50pm. I DEVOURED THIS BOOK. It was really that good. The characters were each flawed and even a little creepy in their own ways, which for the most part made them endearing. They were fleshed out enough to feel like we knew them, without giving too much away from the get go. A couple things (nothing major to the plots twists and turns) were a little predictable which is why I couldn’t give it a full 5 stars, but damn it was still so good. It was dark and creepy and entirely gripping without being over the top and completely gross. TRIGGER WARNING if teeth/bones/dead things get to you. It’s not overly graphic but it’s there. I want to spend a summer at Lovelace House. Maybe not a WHOLE summer, but I could do a couple weeks. For now, I will settle for the book.

thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for access to the earc in exchange for my honest review.

“Something dangerous lurks in the woods, and all is not well at Lovelace House”

all the dead lie down is dark, twisted and disturbing down to the bones and it is the perfect blend of southern gothic, mystery and romance. full of surprising revelations, characters of ill intent, and a healing sapphic romance, all the dead lie down brings its readers into the large but claustrophobic Lovelace house where not all is as it seems, and secrets long buried threaten to reveal themselves again.

I love haunted house stories, and this was no exception. I loved the setting, the creepy vibes, the characters. There were some parts of the story that did seem a bit slow, but overall I enjoyed the story, and I am interested in reading more from this author.