I enjoyed this author's previous book but I possibly liked this one even more. Codependent twins! Bog bodies! Dead daughters! Murderous hunger!

The main character is an unmarried companion to an old lady, whose science-minded married sister becomes violently sick and disturbed in the mind after finding an old corpse in the bog surrounding their estate. (A very gothic setting.) You have the creepy atmosphere, the mysteries, and the creeping sense that something is really wrong with Sarah.

I'd say the plot is quite predictable, but that's not really the point, rather the atmosphere and the characterization, which were both worth the read.

Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen is a gothic slow-burn that simmers with dread beneath its polished historical setting. Set in the misty expanses of 1887 Netherlands, it tells the unsettling story of twins, Lucy and Sarah, as their once-inseparable bond becomes twisted by secrets, illness, and a creeping, almost folkloric horror.

Where the book truly shines — and why I think it would make a fantastic adaptation — is in its visual and emotional potential. The story lends itself beautifully to a limited series or a tightly directed film: haunting landscapes, a decaying estate hiding generations of secrets, and two actresses tasked with conveying an intense sisterly bond strained to the breaking point. You can almost see the flicker of a lantern in the dark, hear the ragged breath of something not quite human moving through the halls.

Still, the middle dragged in places, slightly muting the urgency of the plot. A tighter focus and a more vivid exploration of the "possession versus madness" question could have elevated the story into something truly unforgettable.

Overall, Blood on Her Tongue is a dark, moody gothic with rich atmosphere and strong emotional stakes. Fans of Crimson Peak or The Haunting of Bly Manor would likely find a lot to love here — and with the right hands, it could absolutely come alive (and haunt us) on screen.

4

setting: the Netherlands
rep: sapphic side character

Johanna van Veen knows how to write gross atmospheric historical horror! I've enjoyed both of her books so far, and I really appreciated the sister relationship in this story. Note - it is mismarketed as a queer book (at least by Netgalley) - Sarah, the protagonist's sister, is sapphic, but Lucy is not. P.s. there is some seriously gross eyeball stuff going on in this book.

While I thought this book did great with the atmosphere and gothic vibes, the characters kind of ruined it for me.
At first, I was very intrigued by both Sarah and Lucy; their relationship is beyond codependent, but I really enjoyed the glimpses of what happened in the past and all the references to the woman who was found in the bog. That bog lady was my favorite part! I loved the research that went into finding out who she was and how she ended up where she did.

The sister relationship got weirder and kind of more sinister, and while I found the dynamics interesting, I really didn't care about either of them that much. I liked the side characters, I'm talking to you, Mrs. van Dijk, and loyal companion Pasha
. The whole book was a slow burn, which felt right for the tone of the story, but didn't give me any moments where I didn't want to put it down.
While this one didn't fully work for me, I've enjoyed this author's previous book, and will be reading whatever she comes out with next.

<b>Very saddening 2.75👯‍♀️</b> (Edit after rereading)

<b><i>“She did not suck on ribbons for their color, though; she simply liked the sensation of the thin wet silk on her tongue and against her lips.”</b></i>
- If this was said before the speaking of your dying sisters’s husband, I would’ve thought you were something else!

<b> Thank you so much NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Johanna van Veen for giving me this eARC and exchange for my full and honest opinion! </b>

<i><b>‘Blood On Her Tongue’</i></b> is both slow and fast paced. A lot of things were <i>mediocre</i>— more so heading into the middle— which I feel should be really hard to accomplish when writing gothic/vampiric-esque fiction, but van Veen unfortunately was able to do just that with this story, and I hate that because I know she can do it based off word of her debut!

This was disappointing to me as those are some of my favorite things to read about and I was excited about this release, especially since the beginning was really gripping and suspenseful. I’ve heard great things about this author’s debut (to which I will be reading next) to be excited about this book, the synopsis to the looming danger of <i>‘what is it?’</i>during our first handful of chapters, I was ready for a fleshed out story containing elements of what you’d expect in a gothic read! Except it became rather plain and spark-less after a while, as if the story lost itself throughout.

:(

<b><i>‘Afraid she’d drop it and lose it between the heavy sheets, she did the only thing she could think of to keep it safe: she popped it into her mouth and held it under her tongue.’</b></i>
- What a strange one Lucy is. It’s giving me Yellowjackets flashbacks lol.

I didn’t like Lucy as our protagonist or just as a character. Lucy is someone who is sickly obsessed with her twin, which I guess is why she selfishly does what she does with her twins husband and acts the way she does in certain situations. But again, I just felt she never has <i>real</i> reasons to her behaviors and actions—though a bit interesting of a dynamic that could’ve really soared. I just really didn’t get it or <b>her</b> in full, and maybe it’s because we don’t see their relationship before Sarah turns.

Either or, her weird devotion to Sarah and perhaps ‘wanting’ to be her, is flat! Feels to me, the whole ordeal with that was just for some extra “gothic essence” and unsettling vibes. I mean she has no real character reflection all throughout the story nor development and depth to her drastic’s so..

Sarah/not-Sarah was definitely my favorite character(s) out of our pretty ordinary cast but fucked up cast lol. Her letters and parasite self was highly interesting and unsettling. She gave me more of a real gothic-esque character than our main girl Lucy, who just—again— feels flat in comparison. I mean, Lucy was so obsessed with Michael and his sex to do what she claims she always needs to, and that’s helping Sarah and (newly, her feeding). The other characters felt either flat as well or just not enough time was spent with them.

<b> SPOILERS IN BETWEEN BELOW PORTION</b>

<u><b>Departing Thoughts</u></b>

- Being that this book is set in 1887 Netherlands. Tone, words, and settings felt modern lots of the time.
- This story has very interesting concepts that helps with immersion.
- Love the take on vampirism and the takes in it.
- Story would’ve been better told if not solely through Lucy’s perspective.
- It does have disgusting/ grotesque moments, author did that right and if that’s what you need right now, this has it!
- Author really knows how to write an eerie scene don’t she!
- The whole ‘men are terrible, see let’s keep showing how’ to prove this as historical and gothic was irritating after a while because all the men SUCKS SO BAD!
- Rushed climax that wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted it to be.
- Wasn’t as queer as I was expecting, confused why it was advertised as such. Katje (side character) and the constant use of <i><b>‘queer’</i></b> as an adjective is the most you’re getting if you’re looking for queerness. We should’ve had more show not tell regarding her and Sarah’s relationship, but this was done just period.
- Gothic elements slip after the resurrection. Inconsistencies as well as things that were seeded at the start just never bloomed.
- Really great writing though and will read authors other work!


<i>** Will probably try this read again once it’s released**</i>

It wasn’t really my favorite. Honestly, a bit difficult to get through. I was really hoping for more since the synopsis sounded so interesting. I’m going to try to read it again some other time and hope that I enjoy it the second time around. Will come back to this at a later point with an updated review if the second read changes any feelings or perception. Love me a good unhinged/horror book so definitely looking forward to coming back to this novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC Copy! 4.5 Stars

I have been looking forward to this book since the moment it was announced, and I am so happy to say that it was complete worth the wait. I read another book by this author last year and I loved it so much, it really solidified that my favorite genre is sapphic gothic horror. This book was brutal, and gory, and at times disgusting but it was also so easy to devour, I would sit down to read a few chapters and end up reading 100 pages! The dynamic between the characters in this book was so interesting, with the dominate and submissive twins, but also watching Lucy grow and learn to stand up for herself all while dealing with such a wild situation was so pleasant when set in the backdrop of such a brutal and violent world.

I really loved gothic it was and the hidden messaging. I already bought a physical copy of this book. I highly had a good time after putting it down at first.

I think Johanna van Veen writes book specifically for me. While this book didn't hit me as hard as her debut novel, My Darling Dreadful Thing, I LOVED this!!! I'm not a multiple and I also don't have close relationships with my siblings but the relationship between Lucy and Sarah tugged on my heartstrings. This book was a perfect mix of weirdness and gore set in a beautifully crafted gothic setting. The body horror in this actually made me sick to my stomach (which is truly hard to do with novels). While I was expecting there to be a bigger focus on romance in this, I'm glad that's not the way the book went. The focus is on how much Lucy cares for her twin sister and that's exactly what this book needed to be. Johanna van Veen is a wonderful writer and I will probably continue to read and LOVE everything she writes!

I’ve never read anything by Johanna van Veen, but when I noticed the cover of her new book on NetGalley’s shelves, and after reading its plot, I decided to give it a chance.

I’m truly glad I did.

“Blood On Her Tongue” is a macabre, unsettling, and extremely easy-to-read story. I started and finished the book in just a couple of days because I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Johanna van Veen’s writing style isn’t too complex, but it is exquisitely visual. I was able to visualize every scene described in the book, especially the most macabre ones (I’m not sure how much of a positive side that is. For sure, I’ll have to sleep with one eye open for the next few days, and definitely make sure that there are no bog women around).

Lucy is a very unique protagonist—so realistic and raw in her emotions that at times it felt like I was dealing with a real person. Overall, it’s an original and enjoyable story. I recommend it.

This book was everything I would want from a gothic horror. From gore, to yearning, to ancient mysteries in a bleak rainy landscape, this book had it all. I very much enjoyed the story, and the characters were interesting and complex. I am hoping to see more from this author in the future as this is now one of my top reads of the year.

I went through a short vampire fiction phase in my younger years, and I’m guessing that there is at least one person reading this who did too. There’s something about them that appeals to readers, since we’ve remained fascinated by them for centuries, from Dracula to modern day.

The summary sounded quite intriguing, and for some of the book, it was. But I didn’t realize that the summary would basically be a synopsis of the book itself, leaving very little left to surprise the reader. Additionally, I was clearly confused by the summary, because for some reason, I thought this was going to be about the Lucy involved with the OG Dracula, but I’m not sure what would have made me think it other than the name Lucy.

I went into this unfamiliar with van Veen’s writing, and was quickly slapped in the face with her writing style. She has a tendency towards the gross part of gory, and it happens several times throughout the book. I don’t mind a little gore, but this felt like it was a bit excessive, and I don’t know if all of it was really necessary to further the plot. In addition, there was a lot happening, yet the reading felt like it was so slow-paced. Maybe it was just that I was less and less motivated to pick it up the more I read.

Something that I really struggled with was the wide range of unlikable characters in the story. Lucy and her sister have such an unhealthy, codependent, and toxic relationship. Lucy is the quiet twin who is satisfied with letting her twin have all the time to shine, yet it comes to light that both of them have kept really harmful secrets from each other. Since this is the late 1800s, the men in the story all demonstrate differing levels of toxic masculinity … or maybe they all have equal levels of it, but some are better at hiding it than others.

The story is told through the eyes of Lucy, as well as some journal entries of Sarah’s, and it never really felt high-stakes until the very end of the book. Like, the last three chapters. But the rest of the book felt as though it was just a meandering stroll through the dysfunctional interactions between Lucy and Sarah, as well as everyone else that they come into contact with. Saddest of all was the character of Katje, who just feels like she’s present in the story just so certain events occur, yet we never really get to know Katje on her own, as a unique character. There are hints towards her background, but her character never felt as though it was fully developed.

Overall, this historical horror had great gothic vibes, and I loved the way it was set outside of the usual places, landing it in the Netherlands. The social norms of the times also played a role in this story, leading our female characters towards becoming morally gray because that was the only way for them to be who they are. However, I can’t say that I found this to be an enjoyable read, yet there are many who are raving about it. So take my opinion with a grain of salt, but go into this reading prepared for some eyeballs exploding.

Having previously enjoyed another work by this author, I approached this second offering with eager anticipation. While it didn't quite possess the same captivating force as its predecessor, it nonetheless proved to be an engaging and swiftly consumed narrative.

The central thread of the story weaves around twin sisters, a familiar archetype where one – Sarah – radiates brilliance, while the other, Lucy, is perceived as a muted reflection. The narrative lens focuses on Lucy's journey to her sister's residence. Sarah's sudden and inexplicable illness follows her discovery of a bog body, an event that ignites a consuming fear within her.

The initial portion of the book excels in crafting a palpable atmosphere of unease, the author skillfully evoking a sense of creeping dread. Their descriptive prowess is particularly striking when depicting both human remains and the natural world, allowing the reader to almost tangibly experience the scent of damp earth and decay. This masterful build-up of ominous anticipation marks the story's zenith; regrettably, much of this initial enchantment dissipates as the narrative unfolds.

A sense of déjà vu might briefly settle upon the reader, prompting the question of whether the story will adhere to a predictable path. However, just as this thought solidifies, the narrative executes a clever subversion of expectations, propelling the story onto a more distinctive trajectory. This unexpected turn was a genuinely delightful surprise. Nevertheless, the subsequent pacing feels accelerated, moving rapidly from one plot point to the next. This briskness leaves limited opportunity for the reader to become truly immersed in the story, feeling more like a detached observer of events. Contributing to this sense of detachment is a cast of characters largely devoid of sympathetic qualities. The male figures, in particular, lean towards an exaggerated cruelty that borders on the absurd rather than genuinely menacing. In stark contrast, the canine character, Pasja, became the sole recipient of my emotional investment, and I confess to experiencing genuine concern for her well-being on numerous occasions.

The book's true brilliance lies in its quieter, more introspective moments, and I found myself wishing for a greater exploration of this heavy, atmospheric tension.

Blood on Her Tongue follows a woman called to the bedside of her sick sister who begins to notice strange goings on at the estate. The novel is thick on gothic atmosphere and classic horror lit references, which readers may like, however, for all the buildup (at times on serious topics) the resolution felt rushed and unfinished particularly in response to heavy topics and themes.

After Sarah discovers the remains of a woman in her backyard things take a dark turn and she is given the diagnosis temporary insanity. Her twin sister travels to see her in an effort to find out what has happen with her dearest twin.

I´ll start with what I loved, the gothic and unsettling ambiance was truly amazing. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of the bog-woman.

However, that was pretty much all I enjoyed, I couldn't´t care less about the characters, the romance or what was happening to her sister.

With that being said though, I definitely think I´m part of a minority and that most of gothic lovers will love this story, so you should certainly give this a go despite my feelings!

Big Thanks to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author Johanna Van Veen for allowing me to read an e-arc of this novel.

Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen
#thirtysecondbookof2025 #arc #bloodonhertongue

CW: death, adultery, bog people, cannibalism, lots of eye assault and damage, so much blood and gore, body horror

From Netgalley: The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy’s twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband’s grand estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister’s condition, but it’s clear her twin is hiding something. Then again, Lucy is harboring secrets of her own, too. Then, the worst happens. Sarah’s behavior takes a turn for the strange. She becomes angry… and hungry. Lucy soon comes to suspect that something is trying to possess her beloved sister. Or is it madness? As Sarah changes before her very eyes, Lucy must reckon with the dark, monstrous truth, or risk losing her forever.

My thoughts: This was a wild ride. It’s slow to start but then takes off and doesn’t stop. There’s a lot of violence, blood, and gore, and I loved it more than I expected to. It’s dark and gothic and queer and weird. It’s not for the faint of heart, with quite a lot of body horror so keep that in mind. But I really enjoyed the story of a sister who, once discovering the truth behind her twin’s illness, will stop at nothing to save her. The characters of the sisters are flawed but it’s so easy to see their true nature and goodness and, most importantly, their love for each other. Love this book and I plan to seek out van Veen’s previous novel.

Thank you to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Available now, pub date was 3/25/25)

“It’s not an easy thing, having a mind that can’t always be trusted.”

I’m creeped out, horrified and in love with this dark, gothic story. The writing in this was fantastic in this in that I physically recoiled reading some parts. I don't usually read books that have gore, so the beginning threw me in for a loop as I didn't exactly know what I was getting myself into. I audibly said "EW" at some of the scenes described, which I believe shows the talent of Johanna van Veen. I don't usually react to stories out loud.

The sisters' relationship in the story was very fascinating to explore and unravel. What a strange and compelling dynamic between the two that became even more strange and fierce as the story unravelled. I'm a twin myself, so I connected with Lucy and Sarah's fierce protection and love for each other.

This story was, in short, utter insanity and an unsettling horror that will be in my mind for a while. This was a great introduction into gothic horror for me! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The author describes this book as "this dark, twisted, obsessive little novel", and I think that that's a very valid description. I enjoyed the concept behind Blood on Her Tongue - a novel described as being about a young woman in the Netherlands in the late 1880s who suddenly changes after the discovery of a corpse in the bog on her husband's property, told by her twin sister, who rushes to her side when she becomes ill - and it is that. However, gothic horror is not my usual genre, and while well done, this novel doesn't particularly appeal to me; those who enjoy the genre will quite likely enjoy it, as it does have a certain "I have to find out what happened next" quality to it. Recommended for adults due to violence and cannibalism (of a sort).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Johanna van Veen, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Blood on her Tongue is a gothic tale about twin sisters Lucy and Sarah and their bond. Sarah gets terribly sick and Lucy, dedicated sister that she is, will stop at nothing to see her sister better.

I liked it; I don’t have any strong feelings towards this one, as I didn’t have for My Dreadful Darling Thing, Johannna’s debut novel, but I can see how people would go feral for this one. This book is creepy, yucky, sensual and dark; the vibes are immaculate.

Johanna van Veen’s Blood on Her Tongue is a slow-burning gothic novel that expertly blends psychological tension with folkloric unease. Set in the chilling, fog-draped landscape of 1887 Netherlands, the story follows Lucy, a young woman summoned to her twin sister Sarah’s side after Sarah becomes dangerously fixated on a bog body unearthed near her rural estate. What begins as concern for her sister’s strange behaviour quickly evolves into a spiralling journey through madness, obsession, and ancient forces that may never have truly died.

From the start, van Veen’s writing is lush, immersive, and tinged with the macabre. Her descriptions of the bog and its preserved corpse set the tone for a novel that thrives on discomfort. The atmosphere is dense, leaving every page heavy with dread, not from jump scares or gore, but from the creeping sense that something is deeply, terribly wrong—and no one is willing to name it.

At its core, this is a novel about women: their rage, their repression, their devotion to one another, and their monstrous potential. Lucy and Sarah’s relationship is intense, messy, and at times disturbingly intimate. The way Lucy struggles to reconcile the sister she once knew with the increasingly violent, otherworldly creature Sarah is becoming, drives much of the book’s emotional power. Van Veen explores codependency and self-erasure with a deft hand, turning Lucy’s quest to “save” her sister into a tragic mirror of her own unraveling.

Where Blood on Her Tongue truly shines is in how it uses horror to interrogate societal expectations. The supernatural elements—the bog body, the whispers in the dark, the sense of something ancient rising—are all tied thematically to the ways women are silenced, consumed, and buried by those around them. It’s horror as a metaphor, and van Veen leans into it fully.

That said, the novel may not be for everyone. Its pacing is deliberate, sometimes bordering on sluggish in the middle chapters, and those expecting a more action-driven narrative might find themselves impatient. But for readers willing to sink into the mood and let the story simmer, the payoff is ultimately worth it.

In my opinion, Blood on Her Tongue is a standout in the gothic horror genre—equal parts beautifully written and deeply unsettling. It’s a story of sisterhood and trauma, of feminine fury and ancient hunger, all wrapped in a decaying, dread-soaked setting. I am eager to read more from this author in the future!