This was one of those books that sounded incredible on paper: a group of horror writers trapped in a haunted manor, solving riddles room by room while the house picks them off one by one? Yes, please! The premise immediately hooked me, and I was genuinely excited going in.

That said, while the concept was super fun and had a lot of potential, the execution didn’t quite live up to the setup. The story had moments of cleverness and suspense, and I appreciated the nods to classic horror tropes, but overall it felt like it didn’t fully commit to either being genuinely creepy or sharply satirical. The pacing was uneven, and I often found myself wanting more depth from the characters and the atmosphere.

I debated between giving this 2.7 or 3 stars, but ultimately settled on 3 because I didn’t have a horrible time reading it, there were definitely entertaining bits, and I can see horror fans enjoying it as a light, meta take on the genre.

If you’re in the mood for something quirky, mildly spooky, and full of references to horror storytelling, this might be worth a try.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC of How to Survive a Horror Story in exchange for an honest review.

This book is such an entertaining and creative book for a horror genre, with a mix of spooky moments and humor. I liked how the characters were self-aware and acted like they knew they were in a horror movie, it made the story feel different and entertaining. The book had creepy scenes but wasn’t too scary, so it was a good balance. It also had some good messages about friendship and facing your fears. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes horror but also wants to laugh a little along the way.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

7 authors attend a will reading in which they were told they would be receiving something of value from a fellow author. What they find they have been given is not exactly what they thought.

This book gave me such a nostalgic feeling while reading this. It felt like reading a modern-day Agatha Christie novel, mixed with more horror elements. There were lots of twists and turns throughout the book, sometimes literally. I sped through this book, because I truly did like reading it. The characters were fun to read about, and the ultimate plot of the book was so entertaining. The plot twist at the end is also one that I did not see coming at all. Some of the horror elements that were brought up gave it an old school horror vibe.

However, there were a few things that did make it feel like it was lacking a little bit. I wish there had been a little more information on some of the characters. Without giving anything away, there were two characters that were made to look like they were interested in each other, but it felt very forced and random. Also, I feel like the character development for the main character went downhill at the end of the book. She was built up one way and did a complete 180. The ending actually made me so sad.

Overall, it is a fun read that you can get through quickly! 3.5/5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC of this book. This was nonstop good, creepy, gory done well, fun! The ick factor is so on point I was totally blown away. In this book we follow Melanie, Chester, Crystal, Scott. Buck, Winnie and Petey on their collective adventure of dealing with what Mortimer has left for them. This is a very introspective narrative about how people cope with the choices they make. I couldn't put this down.

A group of horror writers are invited to the estate of the late, great Mortimer Queen; the king of horror fiction. He has included 8 contemporaries and peers in his will, and they flock to his estate to hear what he’s bequeathed them. However, they soon realize that their inheritance is more sinister than they could have imagined; the group are forced to play a game with deadly consequences if they don’t win.

This was a fun and fast paced cozy horror mystery. Fans of Clue will enjoy this one, it feels thematically like a horror spin on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The character work was a little clunky at times, with the characters feeling more like caricatures (for example, Buck felt like an SNL depiction of a country boy), but the plot moved quickly and had some interesting turns. I think mystery fans looking for something with a bit of paranormal would enjoy this one!

3.5 Stars rounded up

A group of writers trapped in a twisted, escape room style haunted house by the vengeful spirit of a dead colleague? Yes, please! The premise of How to Survive a Horror Story is darkly clever and irresistibly fun, especially for fans of meta horror and stories that skewer the literary world.

Told through alternating POVs, each character takes a turn narrating their experiences in the manor, intercut with eerie vignettes that reveal what each of them did to anger the deceased author. These interludes were some of the strongest parts of the book. Sharp, damning, and often darkly funny, but the way they were structured felt disjointed. The shifts between perspectives and backstories didn’t always flow smoothly, making it difficult to track who was who, and why their sins mattered in the moment. I often found myself flipping back to earlier chapters just to reorient.

Despite the narrative structure being a bit chaotic, I was still fully entertained. The character work is excellent. Each one is deeply flawed, and watching them unravel under pressure is part of the fun. This isn't a gore heavy horror; it leans more toward psychological tension and slow building dread, with a healthy dose of dark satire.

Overall, if you're in the mood for a horror story that’s more about guilt, ego, and revenge than outright bloodshed, this one is worth checking out, even if the storytelling gets a little tangled along the way.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Mallory Arnold for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

How to Survive a Horror Story had such a cool setup; a spooky old manor, a group of horror authors trapped in a twisted game, and a meta, haunted feel. It should have been a blast. But sadly, it just didn’t deliver. All the characters kind of blended together, so even with seven POVs, there wasn’t much depth or tension. The creepy atmosphere showed up here and there, but not enough to carry the story. I really wanted to love this one, but it ended up feeling kind of flat.

I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Crafty. That is the word for this book. A gruesome in both body and soul tale of how to manipulate the perfect successor, like a serial killer grooming an apprentice. An abused child desperate for appreciation that they will embrace the monster as it is soothingly whispered into their ear that everyone around them was the real monster [I feel like some reviewers misunderstood that and thought we were being told to feel bad for Queen, but we were not, he is the biggest monster of them all] absolutely chilling twist. The setting feels like a heavy, humid, cramped room instead of a manor with its riddles and sinister feel, like a monster in of itself. But of course, we were told that from the start.

⅘. 8/10 .

I had a good time with this one! When I started it I was in a slight reading slump, nothing was catching my interest. Before I knew it I was already 20% into this one.

This does have 7 POVs. They are the individuals that were mentioned in the Will of a well-known author. The characters are at times a little out there but it also goes with their character.

I really enjoyed the concept and the outcome.

ARC provided by NetGalley, sourcebooks, & poisoned pen press.

3.5 stars rounded up and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC.

Mallory Arnold knows how to write a spooky setting, I'll give her that. The dialog and characterization could use a little bit of work, but I enjoyed the hell out of this novel.

If this is her debut novel, I'm excited to see what she comes up with next.

In this quirky, blood-soaked horror novel, a group of classic horror movie archetypes find themselves trapped in (you guessed it) a horror story. But instead of running scared, they’re trying to outsmart the tropes that usually get people killed. The story bounces between characters, each with their own flashbacks and mini arcs, as they piece together what’s really going on and how to survive until the end credits.

I really enjoyed this one overall! I liked the structure and the way it was written—switching narrators and jumping between timelines made it feel lively and a little chaotic (in a good way). It’s definitely tropey and doesn’t shy away from the gore, but it’s more “fun-horror” than nightmare fuel. Think The September House vibes: creepy, gory, and self-aware without being genuinely terrifying. If you’re looking for a horror story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, give this one a try.

How to Survive a Horror Story comes out July 8, 2025. Huge thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
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This really looked like it would be a fun one.
And the first 20% of the book was promising. But then I got really bored with it.
I have picked it up and put it down so many times, I just don't have any interest in finishing it.
I think the best part was the descriptiveness with the house, gothic vibes, very grabby...
But the rest of it was just meh. A shame, great premise for a really fun book.
In fairness, because I did not finish it (50%)...I will give it 3 stars just in case it got better!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for the ARC of How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold. This story starts with group of strangers who have been invited to the mysterious home of the late horror author, Mortimer Queen for the reading of his will where they are invited to play a game as he completes his final story. The rules state that they have to solve a riddle in a specific amount of time in order to proceed to the next room of the house. If they answer wrong or too slowly, the house itself will devour them. Through the book, each stranger's story and connection to Mortimer Queen is revealed as they navigate the often gruesome stages of the so-called game. Mixing mystery and horror, this book is perfect for fans who enjoy a good riddle, a setting where the characters are locked together, and don't mind exploring a haunted hungry house. 3.5 stars rounded up.

4.5 ⭐️

Following his death, top horror writer Mortimer Queen invites a group of fellow horror writers to his estate for his will reading. Assuming they were left something of great value, the group arrives in good spirits at the Queen Manor in Vermont. The group quickly discovers that this is no typical will reading and is actually a game. Will everyone make it out alive?

I inhaled this book, I loved it so much! Each character was written so well and I loved each of their story lines. This face paced mystery kept me turning page after page until I found out what happened! This was such a good read with a satisfying ending.

Big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Mallory Arnold for the arc! Grab a copy when it drops on July 8th (just look at the sprayer edges of the deluxe edition 🤩) 💜🖤

Thank you Netgalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read the arc How To Survive A Horror Story! I can't wait for July!

When author Mortimer Queen, who by all accounts is horror story royalty, meets his demise, 7 authors are called to his dilapidated mansion for the reading of his will. As his will is read the 7 definitely get more than they bargained for because they are thrust into a creepy game of riddles.

We get this story from 7 different pov. It really seems like that every author there has something to hide, nor do they know why they were even included in Queen's will.

👻 It's giving House on Haunted Hill, Knives Out, Clue vibes. This was a very fun read for me. I love the campy locked door whodunit vibe of this book! This book is good, spooky fun!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an eARc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

This was so much fun! It is a combination of a locked room mystery, set in a "haunted/possessed house" with lots of horror and gore elements. I would say it's a genre blend between mystery and horror and I loved every second of it. Each character has a point of view within the story which may become overwhelming as each chapter switches POV's. The deaths were fun with an accompanying riddle to solve. The reason for the kills was a little lackluster for me, not all the secrets were super compelling but the process of finding out about each character was really fun. If you are okay with a little more gore and horror than a typical mystery book, I would definitely recommend this. This is also a very well-done debut, and I will be watching for Mallory's next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s Agatha Christie mixed with Julia Bartz with a little gore thrown in. There are multiple POVs as the story progresses and just when you think you’ve guessed what’s going to happen, some other piece of the story is revealed. The pacing was spot on and the story never lagged.

I hope we get more like this in the future.

The plot definitely caught my attention and is why I wanted to read this. The concept felt fresh and fun. There were times I felt the storyline was dragging. Overall it did keep my attention cause I wanted to know what was going to happen.

How to Survive a Horror Story is a gripping blend of thriller and horror that follows seven authors invited to the will reading of renowned horror novelist Mortimer Queen. The reading takes place at the eerie Queen mansion—an unsettling, sentient estate with a sinister agenda of its own. As secrets unravel, the question becomes not just why they were summoned, but who, if anyone, will survive.

The premise immediately intrigued me. I'm particularly drawn to the "authors meet their doom" and "escape room" tropes, and this novel executes both effectively. The horror elements strike a perfect balance—gruesome and atmospheric without being overwhelmingly terrifying (which I appreciated, as someone who’s usually a bit of a horror lightweight).

The mansion itself is a standout element. Built over the graves of the Queen family, it serves its creators even in death, twisting the environment and tormenting the guests in disturbing ways. The house’s unsettling presence added a deeply creepy layer to the narrative.

While the characters themselves are not particularly likable, their flawed and often morally questionable perspectives are revealed through alternating points of view. This multi-POV structure worked well, allowing for an engaging unraveling of each character’s backstory and motivations. Watching their past sins come to light—and the consequences that followed—was both satisfying and thematically fitting.

Overall, How to Survive a Horror Story is an engaging read, ideal for thriller fans who enjoy a dark, slightly gruesome twist of horror without venturing too far into full-on terror. A chilling and clever take on guilt, legacy, and literary revenge.

Review to be posted on Instagram on the 8th July 2025.
Review has been posted on Waterstones.

Wow! Monster House, indeed.
It was a slower start for me but it picked up fast and I felt compelled to keep going to figure out what would happen next. Kind of felt like I knew how it was going to end, but the delivery of the ending was still very well done. Will be looking out for more books by this author!

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.