I finished this and just felt okay about it. There were parts I liked and other parts that were very dragged out. This was a mix of horror, mystery, and surrealism I would say. But underlining all of that were heavy topics: grief, complex relationships, sadness, and loss. Interesting plot idea and I like how there was depth to the characters, and the tone was atmospheric. Some scenes were quite creepy!! 😳

However, it felt like the timelines were a bit off and it left me lost. And while I do appreciate a slow burn, this was almost TOO slow that it dragged about 60% of the way in.🤷🏻 It was all just very okay.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

what's it about? ⬇️

Meg, Esther, and Claire Finch used to know the lay of the land in their dying little town like the backs of their hands, spending most of their time away from home exploring all the emptied out, hollow places left vacant. But when a chance encounter with a boy named Donny leads to the discovery of an abandoned house that completely defies reality once you step inside, the Finch sisters' lives are changed forever by the rooms they find upstairs.

Haunted even years later by the horrors they experienced in the old house, the sisters have spread out and separated, nowhere near as close as they once were. But when Claire is found dead--and in the room she'd claimed as her own in that old house of horrors, too--Meg and Esther come home, desperate to find some closure and to understand what happened to their sister. Was it grief and depression that stole Claire from them, or did the house's horrors finally catch up with her? And if the house is the real villain in this story...will they be next?

my thoughts? ⬇️

I will admit that from chapter one, I had my concerns that this book was going to read like a pure rip off of Haunting of Hill House (perhaps the Shirley Jackson novel but for sure the Mike Flanagan show) based on the myriad of similarities between the opening chapters and Hill House's story. But while the inspiration was clearly there and very blatant, Katrina Monroe found a way to take that inspiration and to make the story her own. The Finch sisters are deeply flawed, fascinating women with their own struggles in life and their own resentments toward themselves and each other, and the journey that Meg and Esther take to not only find their way back to their family and each other but also to themselves was such a pleasure to read.

The twist in the story was heart breaking and added so many extra layers to the heavy, broody, depressive shroud that hangs over the Finch family and, by proxy, the rest of the town and the house that destroyed them as young girls. I loved this story, I loved this world, I *loved* reading about that awful, horrible house. 10/10 would recommend.

based on your likes? ⬇️

If you enjoyed any of the following, I think this one will be great for you (and vice versa)!

🏹 Haunting of Hill House (TV) made by Mike Flanagan - siblings reunite after the tragic death of another sibling in the house where their trauma was born.
🏹 On A Clear Day, You Can See Block Island by Gage Greenwood - A group of siblings return to the sight of their shared trauma years after their family has been torn apart by their shared tragedy.
🏹 Home Before Dark by Riley Sager - a woman returns to the 'haunted' home of her childhood after her father's death, following the awful legacy of the book he wrote about their experiences.

trigger warnings ⬇️

suicide, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, self harm, death, child death, violence, gun violence, murder, torture, child abuse, domestic abuse, kidnapping, alcoholism, alcohol abuse, mental illness, grief, stalking.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me the wonderful chance to read this book!

I love this author quite a bit. Because every book includes an emotional bond of sorts and i love it. Such an intense yet unique horror story. Wow

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.

I requested this book a while back from the cover alone and I went into the story blind. I found this book to be interesting from the beginning and it held my attention to the end. I think I just wanted more from it overall? The ending felt too quick. , while other parts too slow throughout.

This was my first read by this author, but I’d consider reading more in the future.

Through the Midnight Door was a cool read—moody, mysterious, and with just the right touch of creepy. The worldbuilding was really well done; it felt like you were stepping into this dreamy, slightly haunted version of reality. And the main character? Super relatable, especially as things started getting weird and personal.

That said, the pacing was kinda all over the place. Some parts dragged a bit, like the story forgot it had somewhere to go, and then suddenly stuff would happen way too fast. A few of the side characters seemed interesting at first, but they kind of fizzled out without much payoff.

Still, it was worth the read. If you’re into slow-burn fantasy with a gothic vibe and don’t mind a few bumps along the way, this one’s for you.

"Through the Midnight Door" by Katrina Monroe is a slowly paced paranormal horror. It goes beyond the genre to delve into destructive family trauma and the intricacies of sisterhood. This one is going to be a bit divisive. Don't be surprised it you love it but the person you recommend it to does not.

Prepare to be utterly transported and deliciously chilled by Katrina Monroe’s "Through the Midnight Door"! This isn’t just a book; it’s a portal to another world, a mesmerizing journey into a realm where reality bends and shadows whisper secrets. From the very first page, you'll be drawn into a captivating atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, a world where the line between dreams and reality blurs with every turn of the page.

Monroe’s writing is evocative and immersive, painting vivid images that will linger in your mind long after you've finished reading. The characters are complex and compelling, each with their own hidden depths and motivations. The story unfolds with a slow, deliberate pace that builds tension and suspense until you're practically holding your breath. You'll find yourself questioning everything, wondering what is real and what is merely a figment of the imagination. The sense of unease grows with each passing chapter, as you delve deeper into the secrets that lie hidden.

"Through the Midnight Door" is a haunting and beautiful tale that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. It's a story that will make you think, make you feel, and make you question the very nature of reality. If you're looking for a truly unique and unforgettable reading experience, look no further. Katrina Monroe has crafted a masterpiece of atmosphere and suspense that will leave you utterly spellbound!

Check out this teaser :

Three sisters. Three keys. Three unspeakable horrors.

The Finch sisters once spent long, hot summers exploring the dozens of abandoned properties littering their dying town―until they found an impossible home with an endless hall of doors…and three keys left waiting for them. Curious, fearless, they stepped inside their chosen rooms, and experienced horrors they never dared speak of again.

Now, years later, youngest sister Claire has been discovered dead in that old, desiccated house. Haunted by their sister's suicide and the memories of a past they've struggled to forget, Meg and Esther find themselves at bitter odds. As they navigate the tensions of their brittle relationship, they draw unsettling lines between Claire's death, their own haunted memories, and a long-ago loss no one in their family has ever been able to face. With the house once again pulling them ever-closer, Meg and Esther must find the connection between their sister's death and the shadow that has chased them across the years…before the darkness claims them, too.

An intriguing tale with a great premise and an eerie, atmospheric setting. The pacing felt a little uneven at times, which distracted me.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the Midnight Door is a good read overall. I don't really feel like this book felt like a horror story like I have read before. I think this would be a good read for teen and older or possible advanced preteen readers as it's not scary nor does it have gore. I do think the story is good, and well written. It is filled with mystery and family drama. I would recommend this book because it is interesting and entertaining.

I enjoyed this one! I love a haunted/abandoned house story. I liked how the story really was character driven and focused on the relationships between the 3 sisters.
I would say this one is more of a slow burn which i enjoyed. There were a lot of psychological elements which really deepened the experience of the story

When they were younger, the Finch sisters entered ran abandoned house with an endless hall of rooms. Three keys lay waiting, one for each of them, that opened a door to unspeakable horror.
Years later, they need to revisit that house after the death of the youngest sister to figure out why she took her own life and why in that abandoned house. Before the darkness claimed them.

This book was very reminiscent of The Haunting of Hill House. I found it a little slow to begin with but it became more of a page turned by the second half. Please check out trigger warnings for this book but there is an underlying theme of sisterhood and how secrets and lack of communication can lead to a breakdown in relationships. There were some good reveals in the book but also there were times I was left a little confused and had to reread a few paragraphs. Ultimately, I loved how Esther and Meg were able to salvage their relationship.
I though Donnie as a character was a little disjointed and not fully needed and more time could have been given to explain the ‘darkness’.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. It was my first by the author and I will look into her other books.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. Here are my thoughts!

When sisters, Meg, Esther and Claire were young they faced the traumatic loss of their sister, which heavily influenced their lives afterwards. In the present day, Claire explores her past with fatal results. Meg and Esther are now trying to navigate their past and try to find out what happened to Claire.

This book does a great job of weaving emotional horror through a story of family coming together. Meg and Esther had to face their own demons and learn to work together as sisters in order to find freedom. The characters grow and change a lot throughout the work, and the plot moves nicely with some unexpected twists and turns. The mysteries of what happened to each sister are unraveled in a satisfying manner.

Overall, this book was a little medium for me. It was heavily influenced by The Haunting of Hill House, both the book and show. Sometimes it felt a little too similar to me, so it lost a little of it’s originality. I was also hoping it would be a little scarier and I wanted a little more of my questions answered.

Three sisters find themselves at a creepy abandoned house and experience terrors that then follow them throughout their lives.

The evilness within these pages is personified and represented as almost a physical being as well as metaphors for mental illness, traumas and psychological struggles.

If you enjoy books with underlying subtext and ever changing chapters that make you question everything then you will likely enjoy this book!

Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe is a chilling and atmospheric tale that delves into the darkness of memory, trauma, and family secrets. The story follows the Finch sisters—Meg, Esther, and Claire—who, as children, explored the many abandoned houses in their town, eventually discovering one with an endless hall of doors and keys that led them to unimaginable horrors. Years later, Claire is found dead in that very house, leaving her sisters to grapple with her tragic suicide and the terrifying events that have haunted their family for years.

Monroe weaves a gripping narrative, combining elements of horror and psychological suspense. As Meg and Esther return to confront their past and the house that seems to hold the key to Claire's death, the tension between the two sisters is palpable. The relationship dynamics are beautifully crafted, with the past haunting not only their memories but their bond as well. The house itself becomes a character, its dark presence pulling the sisters back in as they unravel the mystery of what happened to Claire—and what still lurks in the shadows.

The pacing is tight, and Monroe skillfully builds a sense of unease, making each chapter feel like a descent deeper into a haunting truth. The horror is both supernatural and psychological, leaving readers questioning what is real and what is a manifestation of the sisters’ unresolved trauma.

Through the Midnight Door is a hauntingly compelling read, perfect for fans of slow-burn horror that explores the human psyche just as much as the supernatural. It’s a story about loss, guilt, and the terrifying power of a past that refuses to stay buried. Monroe’s atmospheric writing and deep character development make this an unforgettable and unsettling experience.

I wasn't very interested in this book. I suppose it just wasn't really my kind of thing unfortunately.

This one was an interesting plot and very different characters but unfortunately this one was not for me. I didn't live it enough to get past about 15%.

There was definitely a lot of mystery and intrigue that propelled this story onward, but when the ending with its answers came, it was still too vague and there were still too many questions left unanswered.
I really don't like when a book does that, hence the lower rating.

Through the Midnight Door by Katrina Monroe is a suspenseful and atmospheric tale that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and psychological thriller. The story follows a group of individuals who find themselves drawn into a mysterious and supernatural realm, where danger lurks behind every corner and the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur. Monroe does a great job of creating a tense, eerie atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge throughout the novel.

While the book is engaging in parts, it struggles with pacing and character development. The plot, although full of potential, feels a bit uneven at times, and some characters are underdeveloped, leaving their motivations and actions unclear. The transitions between the world of the living and the supernatural realm can feel abrupt, and the resolution may leave some readers wanting more in terms of closure.

That said, Through the Midnight Door is a strong debut with intriguing concepts, especially for fans of supernatural thrillers. Monroe’s writing is vivid and evocative, and the world she builds has a lot of promise. It’s a solid read for those who enjoy atmospheric horror and mystery but might not fully satisfy those looking for deeper character arcs or more cohesive storytelling.

I was very excited to read this, but it was just ok to me. It was a bit domestic drama with horror throughout. I was just expecting to be more spooked while reading this. I would definitely try the author again.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Katrina Monroe for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 star