The woman never goes by the same name.
She never stays in the same place too long.
She never ages. She never dies.
But those around her do.

Two grieving strangers meet by chance in Osaka airport and uncover a disturbing connection. Jake's best friend and Mariko's twin brother both died, 6,000 miles apart, in brutal and strange circumstances after having encountered a mesmerising, dark haired woman in the days before their deaths. That same woman came looking for Mariko and then disappeared.

Jake decided to follow the trail set by Mariko's story, a tale that spans across continents and centuries and leading back to the many who have all died in terrifying and similar ways.

Old Soul is such a creepy and horrifying story. The story slowly plays out as Jake gathers testimonies. The stories he hears are interesting but there are a lot of them. It takes a while to get any answers.

A slow paced narrative combined with a lack of quotation marks for dialogue creates a sense of being outside the story. This probably makes sense in the end, but it's not my preferred style. The story is original and quite horrific in the end.

This book was mesmerizing. Creepy, intriguing, a mystery. The subject matter made me mildly uncomfortable, yet the writing style was elegant and the characters were all so real and raw in their terror. This is not the genre of book I usually go for, but I'm really glad I did, I really enjoyed it. It did deal with subjects such as immortality, murder and being possessed, so avoid if that's not your thing. The only thing that drove me crazy was the lack of quotation marks throughout the book during all the characters' conversations 🥴 However, I could not put this down and will likely buy it in print, and read it again to soak in all the details.

I give this a 4.5/5.

I haven’t heard anything about this author or this novel other than in my very intense 2025 releases research, and I haven’t seen it crop up on anyone else’s anticipated reads list - which is such a shame! Old Soul was such a unique and propulsive reading experience, firmly cemented in my brain as completely different than anything else I’ve read. Described as part thriller, part Western, and part Japanese horror, the book starts when two strangers meet at the Osaka airport after missing their flights. Over dinner and drinks, Jake and Mariko discover that each of them has lost someone close to them in the same horrible and mysterious way. Shortly after each met and was photographed by a peculiar woman, they devolve into madness and die. Upon investigation into their deaths, it’s discovered that all of their organs have been reversed inside their bodies. The woman is an old soul, seemingly immortal and always under the guise of a new identity while seeking out her next victim. The book takes us through Jake’s journey across the globe to find out who she is and why she’s leaving this path of macabre destruction in her wake.

Old Soul by Susan Barker is a compelling and intriguing story.
This was haunting, it was beautifully written and so unique. I really excited reading this book and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

A malicious entity is out there, slithering across continents and through time. A shadowy woman is on her quest for immortality. She is collecting images, each one with the veiled figure of the otherworldly Tyrant taking hold.

Jake meets Mariko when they both miss a flight in Osaka. They are stunned to find they are each mourning loved ones who died under highly unusual circumstances; autopsies showing the reversals of internal organs. Their shared tragedy is linked to a woman– known as “E”– who vanished after the deaths.

Jake takes on the role of the investigator, tracking the woman’s activity and the long line of horrific deaths in her wake. Initially he is able to interview the loved ones of the victims; their accounts are presented here as testimonials. Later he discovers a disturbing pictorial record of these tragedies on the dark web, covering 150 years and hundreds of entries.

The narrative unfolds deliberately, showing how “E” relates to each victim… and what she robs them of. Interspersed between each account is the developing story of her current activity. She is out in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico with a seventeen-year-old girl who believes they are establishing a YouTube channel. This parallel storyline prevents the novel from becoming just a collection of short stories.

The label "literary horror novel" is always questionable, but it fits "Old Soul." This is a creepy journey with a truly evil protagonist whose quest to keep living shows no empathy or remorse for the lives and suffering of others. She is a manipulative predator, exploiting the fears and insecurities of her victims, all the while deluding herself that this existence is worthwhile.

This will not be for everyone. Newly introduced characters necessarily exit quickly, before there is much room for development. The exception is The Sculptor, a wonderful character who leaves an unexpected impression on “E.” A little patience with the slow burn is rewarded, though, as the book pays off with a chilling wrap that will stay with you long after the lights have been turned off.

Thank you to the Penguin Publishing Group, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #OldSoul #NetGalley

While I did really enjoy this- the writing felt a bit underwritten at times. Making it hard to understand what was exactly going on. Overall the premise was very dry interesting. Felt so original and something that I’d never really found in books before that I wanted to figure it out and stay engaged the entire time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam books !!!

When a novel doesn’t live up to the premise, it’s really difficult to find a happy medium where any enjoyment isn’t directly impacted by the lack of expected execution. Old Soul by Susan Barker, unfortunately, falls prey to this all too common affliction and yields a novel high in expectations but much lower in results.

On the outside, the novel sounds ambiguously terrifying, two people who meet by pure happenstance discovering that they’ve lost loved ones who both met the same women shortly before their disappearance, who has since vanished. And for roughly the first third of the novel, with the various points of view giving readers a glimpse into others who have met this enigmatic women, dread slowly starts to build, a bit of constriction and claustrophobia as each story evokes the same feelings of terror and yields more questions for the reader to ponder.

But it’s here, also, where the novel falters. There are so many shifts in perspective, so many opportunities for the author to keep her foot on our throat while reading but choosing to leave us high and dry and shift back to another point of view, that indignation sets in and frustrations abound. So many opportunities to keep us glued to the book, wanting to explore, get more answers, and so many opportunities gone unrealized, the author instead pulling the rug out from under us, a precipitous shift in tension and intrigue yielding a loud sigh of exasperation and an eye roll, that the author just keeps getting in their own way.

Each perspective in this novel IS interesting, the main focus the search for this woman and who she is, but the issue lies in execution; too many times the author makes the wrong decision to switch perspective and grind the book to a screeching halt. Had these shifts been spaced out a little better, giving us more time to digest each point of view before being thrust into another, then this likely would have been a far more satisfying novel.

I still recommend picking this novel up for the intrigue factor alone: for those readers that maybe aren’t as impacted by swift shifts, this could end up being the perfect execution. It may not have been for this reader, but the entirety was still well written and fascinating, so it’s worthy of at least 3*.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC!

This was such unique story. Very twisted, and slightly confusing at times. It was nothing like I anticipated it to be, it was a lot darker of a tale, but very good!

*2.5

While I found this book intriguing, I was never fully invested in it. It felt disjointed with each testimonial, and maybe that was the point. Each testimonial introduced new characters and their backstory, but I just did not care. I especially did not care for the sculptor's section, it was too long and the diary format made me feel an even greater disconnect to the book. I kind of wish the entire book had just been told like the Badlands sections, still focused on a different victim, but told through the woman's perspective. The ending was not what I was expecting, which is a good thing. Overall, not my favorite horror, but it did have parts that I enjoyed and would probably read other works from this author.

The book starts off with Jake missing his flight out of Tokyo, and as he is trying to get on the flight - up runs Mariko who was supposed to be on the flight as well. Since they are unable to get a flight, they end up getting dinner together as they had nothing else to do until their rebooked flights the following day. During dinner, Mariko discussed that she lost her twin brother in a weird way - he called her right before his death telling her not to let the woman in, and then he was found dead with his intestines disrupted inside. Jake is shocked as he reports his best friend died in the same way in a different country. When Mariko gives Jake a tip of another encounter, Jake begins to follow a trail collecting interviews with people who have lost loved ones in the same way. The book then flips back and forth between Jake's interviews and the woman in question (Marion). Marion seems to never age - meeting people from decades ago, but still looking the same in current times.

This was labeled as horror, literary fiction - I thought it was more literary fiction with a very tad amount of horror/maybe more scifi than horror when it comes to the Tyrant. I really enjoyed this book though as I wanted to see what was going to happen and to discover if Jake and the woman would eventually collide. It was a quick read, I think it could have used some editing in regards to shortening the novel as it dragged on at times.

Check my goodreads review linked below. I also posted on IG at @the.bookish.dietitian

Old Soul by Suan Barker is a deeply reflective and thought-provoking novel that I found absolutely captivating from start to finish. It explores themes of life, love, aging, and the passage of time, all through the lens of a character who feels out of sync with the world around them. This novel is one of those rare finds that both entertains and challenges its readers, leaving you with much to ponder long after you've finished it.

At the heart of Old Soul is the protagonist, whose journey is both personal and philosophical. As the title suggests, the character is someone who feels like they have lived many lives and carry the wisdom and weariness of an old soul, despite being young in years. The exploration of this feeling of disconnection from the world is handled beautifully by Barker, who allows the reader to really connect with the protagonist’s sense of isolation and longing for something deeper. The internal dialogue of the character is rich and layered, adding depth to their experiences and making their emotional journey all the more relatable.

What really stood out to me in Old Soul was the lyrical and introspective writing. Suan Barker has a way with words that pulls you into the character’s world, making you reflect on your own perceptions of time and existence. There’s a quiet beauty to the way the author captures the mundane aspects of life and turns them into poignant, almost sacred moments. The prose has a contemplative quality that invites the reader to pause and consider the larger meaning behind the character’s experiences.

The novel’s pacing is steady, allowing the character’s introspections and emotional growth to unfold naturally. It’s a slower read, but that works in the book’s favor, as it gives the story space to breathe and for the reader to truly sit with the themes being explored. Barker doesn’t rush through the character’s evolution, which only adds to the novel’s emotional depth.

The supporting characters are also well-crafted and add layers to the protagonist’s journey. Each person they encounter serves as a mirror or a contrast to their own internal struggles, helping to shed light on the larger themes of identity, connection, and the search for meaning. The way Barker uses these relationships to highlight the protagonist’s growth is subtle yet impactful.

Old Soul is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place in the world or pondered the bigger questions of life. Suan Barker’s writing is thoughtful, poetic, and immersive, making this book a true gem. If you enjoy introspective literature that explores complex emotions and the intricacies of the human experience, Old Soul is a must-read. I look forward to seeing what Barker creates next, as this book has firmly established her as a writer to watch.

I really loved this one. It was a beautiful, creepy story that kept me intrigued but at times I needed to take a break from because the writing sometimes felt more like a chore than anything else to get through but overall I enjoyed this one.

Old Soul by Susan Baker is certainly a unique and compelling read. The concept and the plot are rich with potential, and there’s an undeniable depth to the story that makes it stand out. However, for me personally, it felt a bit dragged out. While I appreciated the intricate details and the character development, I found myself wanting to get to the conclusion much sooner than it arrived. The pacing didn’t quite match my reading preferences, and I often felt that the story could have been tightened up. Despite that, it’s clear that this book will resonate with many readers who enjoy a slower, more reflective narrative. It just wasn’t the right fit for my reading taste.

This book sounded really interesting, but I got bored throughout the book.

The chapters were long and there weren't quotations during dialogue so I kept having to re-read. Not for me.

Old soul by Susan barker starts with an intriguing premise that initially excited me. Two strangers, separated by 6,000 miles, have a layover together and connect that they both lost loved ones brutally after encountering a mysterious woman. United in their grief, the two vow to find the woman after they discover more cases of brutal and ritualistic murders. However, they are up against an entity that has been around for much longer and driven by true evil. Will they finally beat her in a game of cat and mouse?

This is literary and high brow horror that blends elements of western and eastern horror and folklore, American western, and the supernatural. This is also a meditation on trauma, grief, and loss.


While the plot initially drew me in, I felt a strange disconnect from
The characters that made it hard to invest. I also had a hard time orientating myself to characters between chapters and the settings. However, I know many reviews have raved about this, so this is an issue with me more so than the book itself. I still think many horror readers will love this, even if it wasn’t for me.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adding this to a list of recs for books with Faustian bargains—this was unique in format, and genuinely had my heart pumping by the end (although it did take me 318 pages for my curiosity to turn into concern). I found the ~old soul~ to be a fascinating character, but I was a little disappointed that the original narrator drifted off the page by the end. The ending felt both long-awaited and a little rushed for my taste, and the scene of the climax was somewhat unexpected. I liked the thread of ambiguity throughout the story; it felt like it made the general plot more expansive. I also liked the steady imagery of rot and decay that pervaded the old soul's perspective—it added both an urgency and a level of disgust to the story that I think helped deliver the concept more convincingly.

Thank you to Putnam for the opportunity to read and review!

Marketed as literary horror, which is an apt description. I acknowledge the style and pace might not suit everyone, but I liked it, can recommend it, and will be on the lookout for more of her work.

I am so thankful to Putnam Books, Susan Barker, PRH Audio, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this book before it hits shelves on January 28, 2025. This book encapsulated true horror, and it really resonated with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the arc copy of this book!

4.75 rounded up to 5 because it was THAT good.

I received this arc on release day and I was so excited to get into it that as soon as it was approved I sat down to read it. I didn't stop until I finished it several hours later. I only stopped for dinner and to get my kids in bed!

So I go into most books blind - but I had heard this was kind of like 'Under the Skin', which I will agree with - but it definitely had its own unique twists, which I really approve of.

One little side note I want to add - I LOVED that the "current day" timeline took place in Albuquerque and New Mexico in general. As someone that was born and raised in Abq. and spent 30 years of my life there, I really appreciate when the city/state gets some love and gets mentioned in media - let alone having a huge part of a story take place there!

This book was artfully written and the way the timelines and stories connected was amazing. There are no quotations in this book - something I don't think I have seen before - so that was a little odd, and sometimes a little hard to read or follow - but it didn't take much away from this book for me.

I also am not sure I have read "literary horror" before, but if this is how they all are - I'm a big fan.

I appreciate that it was not super gory or campy horror - it just was pure, lingering dread. It was haunting, and at times, skin crawling. It is creepy and disturbing.

I absolutely loved the ending as well, and the epilogue was a cherry on top. What a novel. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. Definitely recommend this!

Thank you again to NetGalley for the e-arc copy.

4.5 stars. Wow wow wow I loved this book so much. Somehow a mix of Japanese horror, desert horror, European folk horror, and historical mystery all in one. Which, if you know me, is a dream come true.

The way this book is written and crafted is 10/10. Through this book we’re given several victim testimonies and each feels like its own little horror story interconnected with the others. Each had its own special flavor and I was obsessed with that. The actual enemy in this book is shrouded in mystery and but you slowly gain more details via each new testimony. Believe me when I say things get creepier, weirder, more unsettling and insidious. Supernatural elements come out that are unlike any I’ve heard of before. I was eating it up. The horror didn’t feel super in-your-face and was more literary, but invoked so much dread. My favorite chapter was “Bedwyr”.

There are so many reasons to love this book. Just read the synopsis and I guarantee you’ll be hooked. Thank you NetGalley + the publisher for this ARC!