Gothictown is a captivating blend of dark atmosphere and intriguing characters. The story draws you into a mysterious town filled with secrets, and Carpenters does a great job of weaving a haunting yet immersive setting. The pacing is solid, with enough twists to keep you hooked without feeling rushed. I appreciated the way the book balances its gothic charm with emotional depth, making it more than just a spooky tale. It’s a compelling read for anyone looking to get lost in a moody, atmospheric story. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy gothic fiction with a modern twist.

*Gothictown* is a slow-burn Southern Gothic thriller that starts with a dream opportunity and spirals into something much darker. Billie Hope, a New York restaurateur, moves her family to Juliana, Georgia, lured by a $100 Victorian home and a business grant. But beneath the town's charm lies a web of secrets and unsettling control.

The atmosphere is thick with unease, reminiscent of *The Stepford Wives* or *The Wicker Man*. Carpenter skillfully builds tension, making you question what's real and what's facade. While some readers found the horror elements subtle, the psychological suspense keeps the pages turning.

This book was fine but nothing ground-breaking. I enjoyed it well enough, but I probably won’t go out of my way to recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Gothictown.

I’m a sucker for anything gothic, and though this wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it was still an enthralling read.

The opportunity of a lifetime is presented to Billie and her family; own your own home for $10,000, all you have to do is relocate to the small town of Juliana and start up a business. But Juliana isn’t quite so quaint, and things start to get strange.

I enjoyed the mystery throughout as Billie tried to uncover the truth behind Juliana. The small town mindset bordering on cult-like behaviour made for an interesting take too. I loved the way the story seemed to become more and more unravelled.

Well written with just enough to keep you wondering what will happen next.

Not only is this a creepy house story, but a creepy town story. We find out the backstory right in the beginning but the main character is not in the know. It’s an unusual perspective for the reader but I loved it. There was a lot of town history that was revealed in small chapters which added a richness to the story. It gets very exciting with lots of action and is extremely satisfying at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for an eARC of this book!

This was a fast-paced, easy book to get through in a couple of afternoons. Billie is a likable character, and most of her decisions made sense in the name of the story, even if I wouldn't agree with them in real life. The mystery behind the town was very well down, and there were some legitimately creepy moments. I was surprised at how part of the storyline turned out--I didn't think Emily Carpenter would actually go there with how sad/dark part of it went.

I also really liked how the town's history was intertwined with the present day story without taking over. The book's atmosphere could fit a good summer read or October read!

When Billie receives an email offering her the opportunity to move to charming Juliana, Georgia, and set up a new life there for a song, she is eager to give it a try. After she had to close her successful restaurant in New York because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the offer to buy a beautiful old home for $100 and be given a business grant to open a new restaurant in the small Southern town is irresistible.

Billie packs up just a few belongings from her small apartment and brings her husband, little girl, and cat to the lovely town. The Initiative, Juliana’s plan to build itself up again after the pandemic, is true to its promises. The house she found on a short reconnaissance visit is huge and fully furnished, surrounded by a lot of land. She finds an old building downtown that’s perfect for her new restaurant. Life should be blissful.

But right away, little things crop up that seem odd. She isn’t sleeping well in the house; she has recurring nightmares. Her husband is having even worse nightmares and can barely rest. Even their cat is acting strange. And she starts suspecting the “founding families” of the town are keeping secrets.

As life in Juliana begins to feel truly ominous, Billie starts investigating to find out the facts behind what she’s experiencing and what she’s been told. But the danger may be too great to get the full story and, if necessary, make an escape.

I was pretty excited about the premise of Gothictown. I love gothic stories, secrets, cool old houses, etc. This delivered pretty well, though there were a few spots that I didn’t quite believe (and not the potential paranormal stuff that requires any reader to suspend belief in “reality”). They were choices the protagonist made that seemed to be unlikely. Those (not to share any spoilers) kept me from really believing in the full story arc and how certain things played out. I did like the conclusion, though.

Generally enjoyable though not fully satisfying.

4.25 rounded up!
I one shot this today and I loved it. This was so bonkers yet SO realistic. I can totally see a small southern town operating like this and wouldn't be surprised if this was loosely based on a true story.
I loved Billie and her drive to turn her life around after there had been so much loss. I did have a hard time understanding exactly HOW she kept going when the losses kept coming later on in the book, but I'll chalk that up to her being a tough cookie.
I REALLY loved the way this story wrapped up and how Billie 'got the bad guys'. It was incredibly clever and totally realistic. I don't want to give too much away, but I thought this was a great thriller/horror and definitely recommend it if you're looking for something with a little bit of a weird, southern edge! Thank you Netgalley for my ALC & ARC!

See full review on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's website: Atlanta author’s ‘Gothictown’ blends Roswell history with ‘The Lottery’

"Roswell was home to a number of textile mills in the 19th century that began producing Confederate military uniforms after the Civil War broke out. When Union troops arrived on their March to the Sea, they burned down the mills, charged the 400 women and children working there with treason for supporting the Confederate war effort and sent them north. Roswell author Emily Carpenter asserts in the author’s note of her new Southern Gothic novel “Gothictown” that many of these workers went unaccounted for after their dispersal.

Carpenter couldn’t shake this turbulent slice of her town’s history and used it to build the foundation of her sixth book. Inspired by Shirley Jackson’s 1948 short story “The Lottery,” about the residents of a small American town who randomly choose one person to be the town’s annual sacrifice, Carpenter inserts a sinister spin on the unknown outcome of Roswell’s missing figures..."

https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/georgia-entertainment-scene/atlanta-authors-gothictown-blends-roswell-history-with-the-lottery/OFAVAZQTSJDSZHP2DQDBZUCPVE/

4.5 ☆ - This was a really well-crafted modern southern gothic horror. I enjoyed trying to decipher all the secrets and motivations alongside Billie. I enjoyed the suspicious tones of the small town and the psychological dynamics between characters. What I notably appreciated was the representation of what a healthy relationship looks like when partners confront to resolve issues head-on and communicate collaboratively. I know Billie is married to a therapist, which makes all the more sense, but I'm always frustrated at books that make plots weak through making their characters conveniently avoid communication/ discussion. Just big points for me on this one! I loved the suspense throughout. I loved the nasty secrets and really felt for the grief representation. 👏 This author gets it. And what a satisfying ending! What prevented this being a 5☆ was perhaps just the length of content that could have been edited out. But overall, what a great read!

🖤 Cult Vibes
🩸 Southern Gothic Horror
🖤 Spooky Haunted House
🩸 Atmospheric
🖤 Suspenseful Fever Dream

This one had me on the edge of my seat!

Billie Hope is burnt out from the pandemic. She's closed her restaurant, she lives in a smaller apartment with her husband + free-spirited daughter, and her mom has run away to join a cult. When an email arrives in her inbox nudging her to relocate to the small town of Juliana - where she can live in a large Victorian home on an acreage for $100 - it's an offer that's simply too hard for her to resist.

Personally, pretty much upon arrival to the small town of Juliana, *I* would've run for the hills. But Billie wants to prove to herself and her family that this is a *great* choice. Eerieness ensues pretty much right away. The townsfolk are a little odd. The new home seems to be shrouded in mystery – what the hell is going on in Juliana?

I loved the overall atmospheric horror vibes here. There are skin-crawling occurrences and a past that haunts the present. While reading, I had almost a constant prickle of unease. It was wonderful. Billie is a very bad decision-maker, but maybe she's just never picked up a horror novel before.

My only setback was that the ending was a little too hasty and fluffy despite the occurrences in the rest of the book. Some of the plot points also felt a little far-fetched, but not so much that it detracted from the storytelling.

This was an easy, suspenseful, and sometimes grotesque read that I flew through rather quickly; so it worked well for me.

~

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓽𝓸𝓷 𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓸𝔀𝓷.

A southern thriller set in an eerie small town. Completely unbelievable from the first page to the last. This one was for me, but you may enjoy it more than I did.

I consumed this via audio book.
The first quarter had me anticipating a good southern 'gothic' atmosphere. It wasn't ever really delivered. I did get a bit of an 'ah ha' moment that was slightly satisfying and a bit of a ghost story. It was a fun listen. it just didn't feel like it ever really took off.

But alas this book was a bit of dud for me. For one it just took too long to get going anywhere and it often seemed like the same conversations were on a repetitive loop. When things finally did start to happen I became mildly intrigued and then there was an ending tagged on that felt like an episode of a 70s mystery series instead of the excitement and darkness a horror novel deserves. I listened to this one on audio and it was fine, but lacked anything special enough to make up for the weak plot.
The one thing I did enjoy was the southern setting., which gave me great southern gothic atmosphere.

If something sounds too good to be true...

A gorgeous furnished house in rural Georgia, completely furnished for $100 AND a small-business startup loan? That might classify as too good to be true, but I for one am glad that Billie Hope and here family didn't think so and moved to Juliana, because I loved every single page of Gothictown. Emily Carpenter's latest release is so deliciously creepy, with just enough paranormal to raise the hair on the back of my neck without going over the top. For animal lovers like me who might be wondering, Ramsey and Ever are both fine at the end,

I feel like this was is what comes from a gothic, cozy mystery and a horror-ish thriller having a baby. The tones from the beginning, middle and end of the story all felt different- but it was entertaining nonetheless.

The town of Juliana is definitely not what it seems and honestly, Billie should've known better; $100 house is jot something you jump for without enough research!

Satisfying ending, I guess the slower burn/pacing wasn't what I wanted from it, but overall, worth a read!

The premise of Gothictown drew me in - $100 to move to a small, creepy town? A house that feels haunted? Sign me up! Billie, the main character, is unlikeable and untrustworthy, which adds an element of suspense to the book. Although I was drawn in, Gothictown did fall a little flat at the end.

Emily Carpenter's latest Southern Gothic thriller, soon to be a TV series, GOTHICTOWN, is a dark, creepy, and wickedly delicious thriller. It beckons you into a seductive world, where all your desires can be fulfilled… if you're willing to pay the price.

The story unfolds in a seemingly idyllic town in Georgia, rich with history and a chilling atmosphere, making it a captivating read for fans of the genre. A restaurateur from New York City is lured to a Southern town in Georgia, post-pandemic, with all the enticing incentives that turn into a horror nightmare for her and her family.

About...

Billie Hope was the successful owner of a New York restaurant called Billie's, which celebrities often frequented; however, during the pandemic, she was forced to close it.

She is at odds since her mom decided to join a cult in Maine, and she misses the busy restaurant to keep her busy.

She learns of a Southern town, two hours north of Atlanta, in (fictional) Juliana, Georgia, offering incredible incentives to build up the city and business. A beautiful, spacious Victorian home (furnished), land to grow things for a restaurant, and a large grant to open a restaurant. Billie is delighted, thinking this is fate.

Gentle Juliana Beckons You…

"Start your life today in a community that cares, courtesy of the Juliana Initiative.

Founded in 1832, Juliana, Georgia, is an idyllic, historic, riverside mill town that offers every amenity you need to start your new business, continue your remote work, or set up your practice in a safe, secure, and vital environment away from city life. Juliana has always been its own town, and we are proud of it. The weather is warm here,and so are the people. We welcome all to our jewel of the South."
— Gentle Juliana

Finally, Billie convinces her husband, Peter (therapist), and young daughter, Mere, to make the move, filled with hope and excitement at the prospect of the beautiful home and the opportunity to open her dream restaurant.

But then, things take a bizarre turn. Sleep becomes elusive, nightmares and strange events unfold, evil forces of Juliana surround their home, and the town's leaders exhibit peculiar behavior. Rumors about a well on their property add to the mystery. Beneath the town's warm hospitality, something sinister lurks. As the stress mounts, their marriage is tested, and Billie is left grappling with the inexplicable.

The story is filled with suspense and tension, keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering if they will escape.

Check out the website for more: Gentle Juliana. So much fun and a playlist!

My thoughts...

I loved GOTHICTOWN! The author cleverly creates a Southern Gothic, chilling atmospheric setting that is so enticing on the outside, with a menacing, sinister horror lurking on every page turn and those creepy, evil characters!

From the evil forces of Juliana to its eccentric characters, sins of the town's past, and sinister ghostly events, all make for an engrossing, unputdownable tale.

GOTHICTOWN is the author's finest work, and I eagerly anticipate a sequel. The TV series based on this gripping tale only adds to the excitement.

Audiobook...

The audiobook is superb, narrated by one of my favorites, Cassandra Campbell! Her performance was award-winning, elevating the story with vivid settings and the perfect, impressive voice for all the characters, particularly Billie! I highly recommend the audiobook.

The area...

An Atlanta gal for many years, spending my entire career there, living in Vinings, Buckhead, and Midtown, and later Big Canoe, GA (which I loved), about an hour north of Atlanta, and dated a guy in Dalohenga (mentioned in the book) until I moved to Florida. I love stories set in Georgia, and Atlanta will always be home for me. My grown sons wish I still lived there, as Florida is not an easy drive from North Carolina. I adore and support Atlanta authors.

Author's Note...

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's note. It provided a fascinating insight into the inspiration behind the book and the history of Roswell, GA. Wow, I could not wait to find the inspiration, adding depth to the story, making me appreciate the author's work even more.

Ironically, years ago, I was the Director of Membership and Events for the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (overseeing the cities of Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Mountain Park) and did not know about all this scandalous history! Later, I was an associate publisher for Atlanta's largest commercial real estate directory for many years, Atlanta B2B Magazine, Publisher of Atlanta New Homes Data Book and several online commercial real estate companies in Atlanta, covering these areas. It is always fun to learn something new. Fascinating. Thank you, Emily!

Note to Emily...

Please write a ghostly Gothic book set in Columbus, GA! This town also has many historic Victorian homes, and the city has ghosts, very mysterious, creepy, and strange townspeople, making this a perfect setting. I had a client located downtown, and I spent six months there and could not wait to leave! Lots of haunting stories here.

Recs...

GOTHICTOWN is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Ashley Winstead, Stacy Willingham, Laura McHugh, and Jennifer McMahon—for readers who enjoy well-written Southern Gothic tales with a touch of horror.

Thanks to Kensington, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for the gifted advanced review and listening copies in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: March 25, 2025
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Thank you to the publisher for granting my request!!

Hello again dear reader,
So this is a mixed feelings one because while the book kept me engaged and wanting to reach the end to see how it would all turn out, days after finishing the more I think about it the less I’m satisfied.

The ambience is well rendered and Carpenter’s narrative pace is well regulated so as to keep you on your toes. The flashback prologue and then interludes that chronicle some of the town’s misdeeds were the best part for me as well as they complemented the developments in the present plot line.

But that’s about where the good ends for me as, past that, the story very much hinges on the protagonist making extremely stupid and frankly unrealistic decisions. I’m a big fan of Southern Gothic and the disorientation and so on that are staples of the genre but I would’ve felt much more for the character had her circumstances been more believable.
I can’t really get into it without major spoilers but in broad terms, the author can’t really lay the groundwork for a perfect partnership between spouses and then allow it to be manipulated and broken as easily as it was within this story. Even with the cracks shown at the beginning. I’m all for an unlikeable protagonist as well but not when the author is clearly trying to get us to root for her despite it all in a way that’s basically saying eeeh it’s not really her fault, she’s absolved actually (when it very clearly was her failings). That’s not quite the way it works. You either have the guts to go full out with your unlikeable protagonist/ antihero and let them be wrong, or you don’t start down that path of pretending you’re going for layering and imperfections but then wrapping it all in a bow and saying nah it was someone else’s faults.
Had it been done well, it might’ve made for a more compelling psychological study, alas this did not feel the case here.

I was very amused by the final resolution however because by that point I’d removed a level of seriousness and investment from my expectations of the story so I was more entertained. Even if there was a slight savior complex vibe through it all.

I wanted to enjoy this book more and for some aspects I did but ultimately the author failed to create a protagonist I could root for or feel invested in. By the end I was only curious to see how it would all turn out for the baddies more than rooting for a victory of the good guys.

Until next time dear reader,
Eleni A.E.

3.5/5⭐, rounded up

A perfect house in a perfect town… what could go wrong? Similar in premise to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯, Jennifer Thorne’s 𝘓𝘶𝘵𝘦, and Christopher Golden’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵, this folk-horrorish-ghost-story of Gothictown lures a small family with an incentivized offer of a beautiful, cheap Victorian home in the seemingly idyllic town of Juliana, Georgia.

However, it doesn’t take long for strange things to start to happen at Billie, Peter and their young daughter’s lovely home and the friendly town. Is the house and town haunted? Cursed? Is it just full of crazy-culty townsfolk who all drank the kool-aid? Her family, haunted by dreams, plagued by insomnia and generally creeped out by the ‘old guard’ historical families, Billie begins to wonder if she’s made a huge mistake that proves almost impossible to extricate her family from.

I found the story well written, keeping me interested all the way through (I pushed other books away to concentrate on this one.) The mystery goes back to the civil war, and it’s a horrifying one. There are some genuinely creepy bits, and as the menace threatens her family, Billie delves into uncovering the dangerous secret at the heart of the town.