The nitty-gritty: Mystery and horror combine with gothic literary elements in this excellent, atmospheric tale.

If you haven’t discovered Christa Carmen yet, now's your chance. In Beneath the Poet’s House, Carmen sets her literary, gothic mystery in Providence, Rhode Island and centers it around 19th century poet Sarah Helen Whitman’s famous house at 88 Benefit Street. Whitman was briefly engaged to Edgar Allan Poe, and the story is full of references to both Whitman’s and Poe’s work and incorporates those into the contemporary literary scene of Providence’s Brown University. And while that alone would make a fascinating story, Carmen has penned a thrilling mystery revolving around a woman named Saoirse who moves to Providence after her husband dies of a heart attack. There’s a wonderfully eerie ambiance to the story, although the ghostly elements may or may not be real, so readers will have to decide for themselves.

Saoirse White is a thirty-something writer who has just rented 88 Benefit Street in Providence, Rhode Island. After the shocking death of her husband Jonathan several months earlier, she left New Jersey in order to escape her memories of finding Jonathan dead in his home office. 

Saoirse has had writer’s block for a while, but she hopes the gothic atmosphere of her new house will provide inspiration. Her new friends Lucretia, Mia and Roberto—writers and transcendentalists who are trying to contact the ghost of Sarah Helen Whitman—are determined to get Saoirse back on track with her writing, and drawing her into their mystical world seems to be working. One night in the basement of her house during a séance, she experiences an odd vision, and later finds herself in a frenzy to write down the lines of poetry that appear in her head. Could it be Sarah’s ghost speaking to her?

Even odder, Saoirse keeps running into a strange man in town, a man who looks very similar to both her late husband and Edgar Allan Poe. Emmitt Powell is a literature professor at Brown and a Pulitzer Prize winner as well. Saoirse is drawn to him despite a few red flags: she’s convinced he’s been stalking her, although he denies that claim. Still, she finds herself unable to resist Emmitt’s charisma and is drawn into a passionate affair. But then Emmitt confesses he needs Saoirse as his muse. The deadline for his next novel is looming and he’s convinced she is the only one who can help him out of his writer's block. His intensity is both exciting and frightening. Just how far will Emmitt go for literary inspiration?

You can tell from my recap that there are several mysteries going on. The reader gets hints about the circumstances of Jonathan’s death early on, but we don’t learn the truth until much later in the story. Jonathan’s friend Aidan comes to Providence, trying to talk to Saoirse about the night her husband died, but she refuses to talk to him. Why is he being so pushy? And what does he know about his friend’s death?

Then there’s Emmitt, who is clearly more than he appears on the surface. Despite the immediate attraction between him and Saoirse, and the fact that Emmitt actually listens to her (as opposed to her late husband), there’s a sinister undercurrent to their relationship. Emmitt, with his professorial good looks and intense gaze, seems almost fictional, as if he were the embodiment of Edgar Allan Poe himself. This is both a turn-on and a red flag for Saoirse, although it will take her some time to come to terms with the latter.

Saoirse is a complex character with a rather upsetting backstory (trigger warnings for verbal abuse and gaslighting). When she moves into 88 Benefit Street, she starts seeing flies buzzing around her head, but it’s unclear at first whether they are real or only in her imagination. She’s eager to start a new life, but things in Providence are weird. I loved the way she’s both strong and vulnerable. She wants to trust Emmitt because he’s so different from Jonathan, but when things go south she goes into survival mode and surprises everyone. 

In addition to many thoroughly researched historical details about Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Whitman, the author mentions aspects of publishing in her story, which was a lot of fun. Both Emmitt and Saoirse are traditionally published authors, and one of the characters even mentions Goodreads at one point, which was such a fun reference and put a smile on my face.

The story takes a very dark turn at about the halfway point, morphing from mystery into visceral horror. Carmen’s descriptions of the basements and tunnels below the houses on Benefit Street give the story a claustrophobic feel, much like being in one of Poe's stories. The ending is thrilling and tense and very scary! There are so many elements in Beneath the Poet’s House that I haven’t even touched on in this review, so I will leave the rest for you to discover yourself. Highly recommended for lovers of gothic mysteries with well developed characters.

Big thanks to the author for providing a review copy.

Christa Carmen’s Beneath the Poet’s House is an atmospheric, beautifully written thriller that blends gothic horror with psychological suspense. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, the story pulls you into the eerie charm of a historic home tied to Sarah Helen Whitman, a 19th-century poet and spiritualist once connected to Edgar Allan Poe. The descriptions of the house and its surroundings are so vivid and haunting that it feels like you’re right there. The book skillfully weaves historical elements into the plot, making it even more intriguing. With well-developed characters and twists that keep you guessing, this is the kind of story that lingers long after you turn the last page. If you love moody, gothic tales with a touch of suspense, this one is a must-read!

Thank you Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for an eARC 🔥

Meet Saoirse White, a former novelist trying to escape her painful past after her husband's passing. She finds herself in Providence, Rhode Island, renting the historic home of Sarah Helen Whitman, a 19th-century spiritualist and poet. But little does Saoirse know, this old house holds secrets and stories that will change her life forever.
As Saoirse delves deeper into the mystery of the house, she meets a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. There's the charming author who sparks her creativity, the trio of friends obsessed with Whitman's life and work, and the eerie, unexplained occurrences that will keep you guessing until the very end.

What I loved most about this book is its ability to transport you to another time and place. Christa Carmen’s writing is vivid and immersive, conjuring up the sights, sounds, and sensations of 19th-century Providence.♥️

Saoirse is an author. An author with writer’s block. And a lot of grief.

Her husband has died. Not that he was a great husband or anything. Overly critical and making her doubt herself and her writing. But grief has her adrift with her life.

After renting a house sight unseen in Providence, Saoirse discovers that the house belonged to Sarah H. Whitman, the nineteenth century poet and beau of one Edgar Allen Poe. Well, that should be inspirational enough, right?

Except for the voices. Strange voices coming from the basement. And when she finds actual living people there holding a seance, well, what in the world?

With the group of transcendentalists as her new friends, She is stepping out of her comfort zone, and meets a semi-famous author who is way too into her from the start. He was suspiciously nice.

And she should have been paying attention, because he is trouble.

With ghosts, odd houses, cemeteries in the backyard and lots of secrets. Some are hers. More are not.

Saorise may be meeting her ghostly hubby herself!


Such a good read. Horror, psychological torture, and a lot of supernatural shenanigans. And I loved it!



NetGalley/ Thomas and Mercer December 10, 2024

(4.5 Stars) Many thanks to @netgalley and the author for the #gifted advanced digital and audiobook copies!

Novelist Saoirse White is still grappling with the death of her husband when she decides to start over in Providence, Rhode Island. Seeking inspiration to reignite her writing career, she rents the historic Whitman House, once home to Sarah Helen Whitman, a 19th-century poet and spiritualist famously courted by Edgar Allan Poe.

Saoirse quickly connects with three eccentric transcendentalists obsessed with the Whitman House and soon begins a romance with Emmit Powell, a globally acclaimed author and professor at Brown University. But as she settles into this new chapter, Saoirse can’t shake the feeling that the house is hiding dark secrets. The past and present blur, and she begins to wonder: is she unraveling, or is someone deliberately trying to harm her?

Like Carmen’s 2023 release, The Daughters of Block Island, this story beautifully blends fact and fiction. Rooted in the history of Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Helen Whitman, Beneath the Poet’s House pays homage to Poe and Whitman’s haunting legacies while weaving a wholly original and mesmerizing tale. What starts as a slow-burn exploration of grief and inspiration quickly crescendos into a pulse-pounding psychological and physical thriller. The result is a deeply satisfying, intensely gripping story that will leave you breathless.

Linda Jones delivers another stellar solo narration, bringing both the eerie and emotional elements to life. Fans of Carmen’s previous work will love her performance and her ability to make the characters and setting feel vivid and real.

If you enjoy smart thrillers steeped in historical detail, I can’t recommend Beneath the Poet’s House and The Daughters of Block Island enough. Both books will have you itching to explore Rhode Island’s rich history and mysterious allure.

Interesting historical fiction. Saoirse, a recent widow, finds herself folded into what becomes a gothic horror novel by the end. It might seem slow at first (it does meander a bit) but know that it will pick up. You might also find yourself down the Google hole looking for more information about the various writers-making this a learning opportunity as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

**Review for *Beneath the Poet's House* by Christa Carmen**

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Christa Carmen's *Beneath the Poet's House* is an atmospheric and deeply immersive masterpiece that blends haunting suspense with sharp emotional depth. From the very first page, Carmen demonstrates her exceptional talent for crafting vivid, unsettling imagery and intricate character dynamics that grip the reader and refuse to let go.

This book is much more than a tale of terror—it’s an exploration of the human psyche, laced with themes of resilience, identity, and the power of storytelling. The protagonist is compellingly written, her struggles and triumphs pulling you into a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Carmen’s prose is beautifully evocative, painting scenes that linger long after you’ve turned the last page.

The setting, a crumbling poet's house with secrets hidden in every shadow, becomes a character in its own right. The eerie atmosphere builds steadily, with the suspense tightening like a coiled spring. Fans of psychological and domestic horror will find echoes of Shirley Jackson and Gillian Flynn, but Carmen’s voice remains entirely her own—fresh, bold, and unforgettable.

The pacing is pitch-perfect, with twists that caught me completely off guard and an ending that left me both breathless and satisfied. This book is not only a must-read for fans of horror and suspense but also for anyone who loves richly layered stories with heart and complexity.

*Beneath the Poet's House* is a triumph, and Christa Carmen has firmly established herself as a modern master of the genre. I can’t wait to see what she delivers next!

Perfect for readers of domestic thrillers, literary horror, and anyone looking for a story that is as chilling as it is thought-provoking. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this unforgettable read.

Coming off her Stoker-winning debut novel, The Daughters of Block Island, Christa Carmen leaves the island gothic behind for the city. Towing the line between horror and historical fiction, Beneath the Poet's House is a must-read for fans of Poe, Whitman, Providence history, and the interesting twists and turns fiction can spin on already-fascinating historical figures and events. Carmen masterfully writes the present while paying homage to the past, giving us a unique play on dual timelines without actually doing dual timelines. Beneath the Poet's House is intriguing, surprising, and (oh no, I'm going to say it) unputdownable. Easily one of my favorite books of the year.

It's not really a review because I stopped reading after 23%. I am an impatient reader, and this book seemed to be meandering.
I requested this book. I loved the title and the cover, and the blurb seemed intriguing. It starts well, and the prologue builds pretty strong intrigue. The writing is neat and nice, but I didn't like the storytelling. It's too descriptive; it tries too hard to create that eerie ambience. I couldn't connect with the main character (and couldn't pronounce her name), or any character for that matter).
As I said, the writing is good, and the premise is literary, as the title of the book suggests. However, it failed to grip my attention.

Thank you for the ARC.

Christa Carmen’s Beneath The Poet’s House entices from page one with the set up of Saoirse White, a woman with a complex past and a recently deceased husband starting fresh in a house formerly owned by the poet and spiritualist, Sarah Helen Whitman, who Edgar Allen Poe courted. The gothic shadows loom in layers with mysteries of the house itself, Saorise’s past, and her new found friends who are a group of transcendentalists.

The complex story unfolds as we get to know the handsome award winning author and a romance begins. But the shadows only deepen from there and when the rollercoaster starts to ride the pages turn while we begin to pray that Saoirse will make it out alive. With the sprinkle of horror, Carmen infuses the macabre of Poe into the gothic thriller, riveting the reader to the end.

I must add that Bram Stoker Award Winner Christa Carmen’s detailed research adds a really lovely depth to this multi-layered story which is a thrilling delight from start to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Christa Carmen does gothic thrillers immaculately every time. It’s one of my favorite genres and is so hard to get perfect but she does. The Daughters of Block Island was one of my top books last year so my expectations were high for Beneath the Poets House and they were met!

You know you’re in for a wild ride when within the first chapter, the main character moves into a gothic house next to a cemetery and finds 3 people holding a seance in the basement.

I loved all the Sarah Helen Whitman and Edgar Allen Poe tie-ins. The way Saoirse’s life begins to parallel to Sarah’s as she’s living in her house and meets a writer whose life strangely parallels Poe’s.

This was such a nerve wrecking ride and I loved (almost) every second of it. Some parts at the end dig drag on and get a little silly but it didn’t take much away from the overall book.

4.5 ✨ rounded up 🐦‍⬛

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I’m actually blown away at how much I loved this ARC. I usually stray away from books with a ghostly, supernatural edge to them but this totally worked with the setting and the story. A must read for a well-crafted plot and New England vibes.

I also enjoyed learning a bit about Sarah and Edgar’s careers, as well as their relationship. I’m all for history infused thrillers 🙌🏼

After the death of her husband, Saoirse moves into the historic home of Sarah Helen Whitman in Providence, RI. She keeps running into a man around town who reminds her both of her dead husband and of Edgar Allan Poe, Whitman’s one-time fiance; the two seem to have an instant connection and start spending a lot of time together. Soon, she finds herself experiencing uncanny similarities to Whitman - could it be a residual haunting, or is it something even worse?

I wanted so badly to love this book, and there were parts of it that really hit the spot - the descriptive writing that transports the reader to the graveyard behind Saoirse’s house (and other spooky settings) and the weaving in of Whitman’s and Poe’s histories and poetry. I even liked Saoirse’s kooky friends, who she meets when she finds them having a seance in her basement.

But there were a bunch of things that really didn’t sit right with me - specifically, the romantic relationships. I wanted more mystery about Saoirse’s past and what happened to her husband - it was immediately clear to me, and I would have liked to be kept guessing for longer. (He also couldn’t have gotten a JD from Princeton, which does not have a law school.)

But more importantly… to watch as women ignore red flags and explain away abuse is just not enjoyable to me, even when it achieves something for the plot. After seeing what the (eventual) villain gets up to in the second half of the book, I really wished that he hadn’t had such a connection with Saoirse; the plot could still work if she and he had been strangers. I guess having it be so emotionally charged was helpful to the story, but it felt like too much to me. Sarah Helen Whitman was a formidable woman eclipsed by a man (Poe) and unfortunately Saoirse seems to suffer the same fate.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. Christa Carmen has done it again! This book was brilliant. If you need an atmospheric, gothic, suspenseful novel - this is it. The author has such a magical way of transporting you into her stories. I loved Saoirse and following along with her while she navigated her grief, new friendships, and her return to her craft. I don't typically reread books, but this is one I will absolutely read again on a cozy, chilly weekend.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Christa Carmen’s Beneath the Poet’s House is a spellbinding thriller that seamlessly blends gothic horror with psychological suspense. Set against the eerie backdrop of Providence, Rhode Island, this novel explores the haunting legacy of the past and the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface.

The story follows Saoirse White, a grieving novelist who moves into the historic home of Sarah Helen Whitman, a 19th-century poet and spiritualist once courted by Edgar Allan Poe. Seeking solace and inspiration, Saoirse is drawn into the enigmatic world of Whitman and her fervent followers. As she begins to uncover the house’s hidden history, Saoirse’s own past resurfaces, intertwining with the present in chilling and unexpected ways.

Carmen’s portrayal of Saoirse is poignant and compelling. Struggling with the loss of her husband and a crippling writer’s block, Saoirse’s journey is one of self-discovery and resilience. Her interactions with the eccentric trio of transcendentalists—Lucretia, Mia, and Roberto—add a layer of mysticism and intrigue to the narrative. The introduction of Emmit Powell, a charismatic Pulitzer Prize-winning author, further complicates Saoirse’s emotional landscape, leading to a series of revelations as shocking as they are inevitable.

The novel’s setting is richly atmospheric, with Carmen’s descriptive prose bringing the haunted house and its surroundings to life. The sense of place is palpable, from the tucked-away rose garden to the forgotten cemetery at the back of the property. This gothic ambiance enhances the suspense, making the reader feel as though they are walking alongside Saoirse through the shadowy halls and hidden rooms.

Carmen excels at creating a sense of unease and foreboding, with each chapter peeling back another layer of the mystery. The pacing is expertly managed, building tension and keeping the reader engaged until the very end. The twists and turns are well-crafted, ensuring that the story remains unpredictable and thrilling.

Beneath the Poet’s House is a masterful thriller that will captivate fans of gothic horror and psychological suspense. Christa Carmen has crafted a tale that is both haunting and deeply human, exploring themes of grief, identity, and the enduring power of the past. This novel is a testament to Carmen’s skill as a storyteller and her ability to create a world that is as mesmerizing as it is terrifying.

Well written thriller with some gothic horror thrown in. I really enjoyed Beneath the Poet's House and found it to be a quick and entertaining read with just the right amount of horror in it for me. The premise was interesting and I always love having a story with Poe references in it. There were some good twists and surprises and would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved my first experience with this author's writing when I read The Daughters Of Block Island last year; its gothic and creepy vibe perfect for Halloween month. Christa Carmen's newest story Beneath The Poet's House promised to have that same vibe, and it's an Edgar Allan Poe inspired bookish gothic thriller plot at that! I simply couldn't say no to this story after I read the blurb, and I decided to read it during October as it seemed so fitting for this time of the year. I'm definitely glad I read it a bit early, because it ended up being exactly the creepy, ominous and atmospheric gothic/paranormal thriller read I was craving!

I'm going to keep this review short to avoid spoilers, because Beneath The Poet's House is one of those books where it's best to go in blind. What I can say that it is an extremely atmospheric read; the Providence setting makes for a perfect backdrop of this gothic story and I LOVED the many references to Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Helen Whitman and their lives/work. This story is based on historical facts, which really took the story to the next level for me. The author even explains which parts are real and which parts are invented after the story ended... And it made me want to know even more about both authors.

Like I said, it shows that Beneath The Poet's House was inspired by both Poe and Whitman, and there are many references and connections. Both are integral to the plot, playing a key role in both the character development and the events that take place. The building up of tension and the gothic atmosphere is very well done, and especially the second half goes darker than expected. Part of me did feel Saoirse had it coming with some of the stupid decisions she made... But there is no doubt that the story becomes properly intense and creepy once certain escalations take place.

As for the characters... While Saoirse frustrated me at times (the stupid decisions I mentioned), as a whole it was interesting to see how she developed over time. I did feel that the whole secret she was hiding was hyped up too much, and as a result the reveal fell a bit flat for me. Emmit was intriguing with his growing obsession and his similarities to Poe... He livened up the plot, that's for sure. It was the group of Saoirse's new friends I warmed up the most to though, and I liked how they helped adding some lighter moments to the plot.

If you are looking for a more character-driven psychological thriller with a bookish angle and a gothic/paranormal vibe, Beneath The Poet's House is a great choice. It ended up being another very atmospheric and ominous story!

Beneath The Poets House is an exciting thriller with such a strong sense of time and place with gothic literary influences. Saoirse is newly widowed from her toxic, controlling husband. She moves back to Providence where she had gone to college and had happy years.
She unknowingly has leased the home of Sarah Helen Whitman, poet, intellectual and lover of Edgar Allen Poe.
Saoirse makes a quirky group of friends who are huge fans of Whitman and transcendentalism. And she keeps bumping into dark, passionate Emmit.
This a smart and literary thriller. I love a flawed yet earnest heroine who is just beginning to learn to trust her gut. And I love that Carmen gave Saoirse a health issue that makes her more accessible and completely human.
This book has wonderful pacing and breathless twists and turns. A fun and clever read.

Although gothic horror isn't my normal genre, this was a perfect book to read during "spooky" season. well developed characters and a story that kept me wanting to know what would happen next.

I couldn’t wait to read Beneath the Poet’s House, as it would take me back to College Hill in Providence. I was quickly rewarded with gorgeous, poetic writing, befitting the subject matter. The book has a little bit of everything in it - supernatural, romance, historical references, thriller and horror.
Saoirse moves to Providence upon the death of her young husband. She takes a lease on 88 Benefit St., sight unseen. She hasn’t even brought all her belongings into the house when she hears voices. Turns out, the house belonged to Sarah Helen Whitman, poet , transcendentalist and romantic interest of Edgar Allen Poe. And here are three spiritualists having a seance in the basement trying to commune with her dead spirit. What a great start to a story! Surprisingly, Saoirse not only becomes friends with them but quickly develops a love interest that she meets through a series of coincidences. It soon seems like her life in Providence is mirroring that of SHW. Cue the eerie music.
I struggled a little that Saoirse so quickly fell under Emmitt’s spell to the detriment of her own well-being. I’m not a fan of stupid characters and Saoirse was rapidly becoming one. And it wasn’t like she was all that young. So, I was really curious to see if she would wise up and break the cycle of being with controlling men.
Carmen does a good job of giving the reader a great sense of place. It was easy to envision the scenes, even some I’d rather not have envisioned so well! I appreciated that while the book relies heavily on history, it’s not historical fiction.
I was disappointed that some of the plot points were so obvious. But the last third of the book really took a turn and became quite the thriller with several unexpected twists.
My thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.