I am not even a fan of the horror genre, and this was more of an experimental read. But my gosh, I loved this book! It kept me on edge and I couldn't put it down at all. I am a horror noob right now, but this book has convinced me to explore this genre more. Definitely looking forward to more of the author's works.

It was a good book, a solid 3 stars⭐️ I was interested throughout. I wmdo wish for a little more but I think I could bump it up to a 3.5⭐️

I love a locked room mystery as much as the next person. And the addition of horror elements is the icing on the cake. But, I felt the story was drawn out in some parts.

Not the story you think it is. It you are looking for a fun mystery, multiple POV book that will satisfy your mystery and horror and monster house loving heart this is the book for you. The characters are all so alive and the way Arnold has them interact and connected is incredible. As someone who like horror but doesn't love it, I was very excited by the premise of this novel and it doesn't disappoint. There are twists and turns, things only the reader gets to know, but also so much kept from us until the right time. AND THAT ENDING! Truly an incredible and fun story. Arnold's debut deserves all the praise and more. Can't wait to see what she writes next!

I’m so pleasantly surprised by this fun, campy, sometimes gruesome, locked door haunted mansion thriller/horror novel!

How to Survive a Horror Story follows 7 horror authors (or wannabe horror authors) as they go to the mansion of a legendary horror author for the reading of his will…but will all of them make it out of the mansion??

There’s nothing I love more in horror novels than a sentient house and a locked door mystery, and this book delivers both! I really enjoyed the flashback timelines for each character as we try to figure out if they are lying about their motives. The multiple POVs meant every character could be an unreliable narrator, making it hard to figure out who to trust.

I love that we got small asides for each character that told us the real truth, showing that no character in the book was “good”. It’s up to the reader to decide if the truth justifies what happens to them.

The end was a bit anti-climactic, but wrapped everything up nicely. You definitely knew where things were going by the last 15%, but the journey to get there was really good!

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!! All opinions are my own 🫶🏻

How to Survive a Horror Story.
Seven authors enter renowned horror author Mortimer Queens manor following his death. Each have their own unique connection to this literary icon, but can anyone survive his final horror story?

This was an easy 5 star read for me! I loved it! From beginning to end I was immersed in the story. I enjoyed getting to know each character and what they had to hide. I enjoyed the way the game within the story was set up. The characters were ones you loved to hate, but each one brought their own unique part to the story. I love when a book keeps me wondering what will happen next while also ending with all my lingering questions answered. This book did just that! Some of the twists were easy to predict, but it added to the fun of trying to solve the mystery of the manor. This story would make a really fun Netflix limited series. I enjoyed how the author brought the manor to life with the details written and had me feeling like I was right there with the characters trying to escape!

A famous author dies. A handful of other horror story authors are invited to a reading of his last will and testament. None expect what happens next, a game of sorts. With simple rules of solving riddles to move to the next room. If not the house will take one for itself! Will they survive, or will they be eaten?

Was so excited about this book! It starts off giving you a feeling that you have read or watched a movie like this previously. However, that is totally not the case. All of the characters have an interesting reason on why they were invited to Mortimor Queen's manor for a reading of his will. Once inside the manor the guests have to play a game to get out of the house. If they don't follow rules or solve the riddles in time the house devours one of them and the remainder of the group can move on until the last person alive wins. They all have a different reason why they have been invited and it's interesting to read about their backgrounds with Mortimer. I thought I had figured out pretty quickly who was going to be the winner however it came as quite a surprise. I would have never guess that and the connection they had.

Thank you Poison Pen Press an imprint of Source Books for publishing and Mallory Arnold for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Review will be posted on Goodreads and Fable on June 25, 2025.

Sadly this was a DNF for me. It was an interesting idea, but the characters were so very unlikeable and the plot was predictable - I've seen this done much better elsewhere recently, which I think made it even more frustrating. I got halfway and just wasn't enjoying. Apologies.

2.5 stars rounded down.

There was just something about the title and cover of How To Survive A Horror Story that intrigued me immediately, and then I read the blurb and I became even more excited. I'm a sucker for a good locked room mystery, so the promise of one set inside a haunted manor with deadly consequences sounded absolutely fantastic. I'm not sure if I simply set my expectations too high for this book, but the fact is that I ended up feeling rather underwhelmed by the execution.

Don't get me wrong, there is no denying that How To Survive A Horror Story has an absolutely brilliant premise, and this story had SO much potential. Like I said before, I have a weak spot for locked room mysteries, and this particular story had that 'escape room' vibe; only 100% more deadly. I do have to say that the rooms themselves as well as the mysteries inside ended up being a bit underwhelming for me... Somehow they weren't as dark and thrilling as I thought they were going to be, and the story was surprisingly tedious and basically boring in parts.

As for the Vermont haunted manor setting: this was such a great backdrop for this plot, and I don't think the author used it to its full potential. I mean, the haunted manor is so delightfully creepy and has that atmospheric gothic feel about it, and the strange things inside add a supernatural horror vibe... But somehow quite a lot of the scenes fell flat for me, and it just wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. It's a shame the author didn't use the opportunity to turn the haunted house into a proper character, because that really would have taken the story to the next level.

How To Survive A Horror Story uses a multiple POV structure, and this is partly where it went wrong for me. Sure, the different POVs are all important as it tells us more about the seven characters in play during the game, but the majority are considerably unlikeable and I didn't enjoy having to spend time inside their heads. They all kind of sounded the same after a while as well, which made it harder to keep them apart... And I honestly couldn't care less if any of them would make it out alive. This also ment I wasn't really invested in the plot, and I often struggled to find the motivation to keep reading.

This struggle probably also had to do with the fact that it was SO obvious who would end up being the winner and make it out alive from the very beginning. One of the things I love most about a locked room/escape room plot is trying to figure out the puzzle, so when that is taken away from me it really puts a damper on things. Instead, there was a lot of focus on unlikeable characters doing what unlikeable characters do best, and even their deaths were underwhelming. Sure, the short stories about each character were a nice touch, especially with how it ties in with the ending, but as a whole it wasn't enough to win me over.

In short, while How To Survive A Horror Story has a fantastic premise with SO much potential, I'm sad to say that my expectations for this book weren't exactly met. The story itself ended up being rather underwhelming for me, and not quite as dark and compelling as I thought it would be. It's a shame, because I truly thought it was going to be a contender for my 2025 favorites list based on the blurb.

A twisted game of secrets, survival, and deception.

A group of writers gathers at the reading of horror author Mortimer Queen’s will, only to be trapped in his haunted manor. To escape, they must solve riddles to advance through the rooms—or be taken by the house, which was built on the bones of Mortimer’s family. As deadly secrets unfold, the writers must survive the twisted game while confronting the dark legacy of the manor.

It delivers a sharp, blood-soaked commentary on fame, ego, and the darkness people hide behind curated personas. Set inside what can only be described as a true monster house turned escape room from hell, the story pushes its characters through a nightmarish gauntlet where every room is a trap, and every choice has consequences.

The novel thrives on its vivid, often gruesome detail. With shocking comparisons and jarring diction, certain scenes practically crawl off the page, showcasing not only the sinister imagination of the house itself but also the human capacity for cruelty and selfishness. As the story unfolds through shifting POVs, it becomes clear: the real monsters aren’t behind the walls—they’re inside the characters.

Each narrator is unapologetically narcissistic, clinging to their illusions of innocence and entitlement. The rotating perspectives are a strength of the novel, revealing hidden histories, twisted relationships, and the lies people are willing to tell (and believe) to protect their image. This technique effectively highlights the disconnect between the glossy surface of social media fame and the brutal truth underneath.

The book leans more into mystery, focusing on the chilling question: who hurt Mortimer, and why? The gore adds shock value, but the real horror lies in human nature—jealousy, betrayal, and the terrifying ease with which people justify harm in the name of success or revenge.

While the novel is thought-provoking and cleverly constructed, the over-the-top egos and sometimes repetitive self-delusions of the characters can grate, making it hard to fully root for anyone. Still, the concept is fresh, the writing daring, and the message unforgettable: we don’t just survive horror stories—we create them.

Rating 5/5 😍😍: Blood, Gore, Revenge, Underdog!! This book gave me everything I needed. I was literally on the edge of my seat. I stopped 40 pages in and told my Husband my theory. BOY, WAS I WRONG? Guess what, I’m never wrong! Kidding.🤣 This story takes you through and from what is a seemingly sweet gesture to a fight to the death. I don’t think I looked away from this book one second start to finish. I was glued.

Gore: 4/5 🤯 If you are squeamish, just pass! If you can’t have enough, this is for you!

Suspense: 5/5 😬 DID I NOT SAY I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT? I might as well had been in the floor by the end of this.

Favorite Character: Buck! He was killing me with the sayings. Being raised in the South, I added a few of these to my notes!🤣

Overall Review: I’ll read this again, again, and again! I’m a sucker for horror and even more so for gore. I love a good surprise. It’s hard to come by when you’ve read as much horror as I have growing up. In my 22 years, this tops any Darcy Coates or Stephen King I’ve ever read. (All love for both ofc) They raised me! I just have to be able to explain to you what exactly went through this demented head! To Mallory, bravo! You wowed and surprised me. And to that, you amassed an incredible feat.

This book was dark, disturbing, and completely engrossing! I was so invested in figuring out why each of the authors was invited and wasn’t disappointed by the answers. I really love a locked room (house) thriller where people die one by one and this was an excellent example of that trope. The ending especially got to me. I really didn’t see that coming at all! This is a great summer book to get you in the mood for the Halloween season.

This started and ended as a fun locked-door mystery. However, the middle felt too all over the place and didn’t really allow for any mystery to take place. Seemed like any time there was some sort of mystery, the mystery was quickly uncovered. Loved the writing and pacing of the story. The characters also felt pretty fleshed out, however, a few could have had a bit more layers to them. Overall, I enjoyed this “horror story.”

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold is a satirical horror-mystery that blends campy slasher tropes with a haunted house puzzle narrative. This debut novel is perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix and Agatha Christie, offering fast-paced storytelling with alternating POVs, dark humor, and eerie deaths—but without extreme gore.

Review Snapshot:
What mood is this right for: You are looking for a fun murder-mystery esq horror.
Length: 368 Pages
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Horror
Source: Digital ARC via NetGalley
Where to Buy: How to Survive a Horror Story - Pre-Order Affiliate Link
Release Date 07/08/2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1 Sentence Summary: “Sometimes monsters are the people we love the most.”

My Thoughts:
July has some solid debuts coming out. Between this and A Resistance of Witches, I think we’ve got two bangers on our hands.

Grady Hendrix meets Agatha Christie—that’s what you get with How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold. This quirky, trope-driven, satire-esque debut follows seven characters through a haunted house competition set up by their nemesis/frenemy/possible ex-lover, Mortimer Queen,

Reminiscent of Christie’s And Then There Were None, we have alternating POVs between the characters of the book, the premise is simple: survive Mortimer’s nightmare house and you win whatever he left you in his will. But each room is a trap, each puzzle a punishment. And the deeper they go, the more they’re forced to confront what they did to Mortimer while he was alive.

If you like campy slasher energy, a la The Final Girl Support Group, you’re going to have fun with this one.

“”You can tell a lot by the contents in someone’s library!””
— Mallory Arnold
I finished this in two days. As someone who owns every Grady Hendrix book, I can confidently say this hit that same weird-horror sweet spot. Fast-paced, absurd in the best way, and impossible to put down.

The plot
The pacing is nearly perfect. It starts a bit slow while the setup unfolds, but once the characters are inside the house, the story kicks into high gear.

Arnold uses alternating POVs to tell the story, and she peppers in short “mini-stories” between chapters that add texture without dragging down the pace. The ensemble structure gives us shifting perspectives and mounting tension as each character gets closer to their fate.

““ ‘Now, that’s what I don’t like about the genre these days,’ Scott says, flapping his cloth napkin in the air to seemingly fan away the smell of burnt wood. ‘It’s all about the worst imaginable ways to die.’ ” ”
— Mallory Arnold
We do get some creepy, unsettling deaths. Not over-the-top, but definitely enough to raise your eyebrows. One scene in particular—think: spider where your eyeball used to be. That said, if you’re expecting high body horror or extreme gore, you may be left wanting a bit more.

The setting
““The manor is an extremely tall house, though it’s terribly skinny in width and slightly leaning like a stack of badly organized books.””
— Mallory Arnold
The house is practically a character in its own right. It’s one of those “bigger on the inside” haunted homes, constantly shifting and revealing new horrors as the characters move through it. Every room has its own puzzle, trap, or test—and all of it feels intentionally orchestrated to expose their past sins.

Reading this felt a lot like playing Betrayal at House on the Hill. As the characters enter new rooms it’s as if a player is flipping a new board tile revealing some new horror. Each room offers clues, death. And, of course, there’s a traitor in the mix.

It’s clever, it’s atmospheric, and it keeps the tension high while the characters navigate both the house and each other.

What Worked (and What Could’ve Worked So Much Better)
💜 What Worked:

The pacing: quick and engaging without feeling rushed

The setting: creative and vivid. The house truly elevates the story.

The balance of horror and humor: eerie enough to make you flinch, but still fun and campy.

⚠️ What Didn’t:

The characters could have used more distinction. With seven POVs, some blended together.

The horror could have had a little more bite. I liked what we got, but a touch more dread would’ve added impact.

Final Thoughts on How to Survive A Horror Story
This book is a sharp, fun, genre-aware horror comedy that leans more into camp than creep. It pokes fun at the horror genre while still delivering on some genuinely unsettling moments. And while it doesn’t hit the emotional depth some readers might expect, it absolutely delivers as a fast, weird, satisfying read.

If you love haunted houses, locked-room mysteries, or quirky horror with teeth, this one should be on your radar. As a debut, it’s incredibly promising—and yes, I’d absolutely read whatever Mallory Arnold writes next.

Also, if they ever adapt this, please cast Neil Patrick Harris as Mortimer Queen. He was born for it.

Final Rating: 4 stars

“‘No it would be wonderful!’ He chortles. ‘I recommend you try it, Melanie. Take the world into your own hands and add a little darkness to it.”

⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒
2.5 stars

ᝰ.ᐟ Okay, honestly, I was going to give this book a nice, safe 3 stars because yeah, it was mid, but it was just interesting enough to keep me going.

ꨄ︎ Not super great. Not terrible either just a perfect balance. But then
That ending.

That’s where the whole book collapsed for me

ᝰ.ᐟ Mortimer was the haunting narrative of the book

ꨄ︎ From the beginning, we were given every sign that this man was not a good person. He was manipulative, abusive, rude as hell, dismissive, cruel. He mistreated literally everyone.

ꨄ︎ He traumatized Winnie for being concerned. He humiliated Buck. He destroyed Chester over one moment of misplaced anger etc. The man was the problem.

ᝰ.ᐟ So then what’s up with Melanie?

ꨄ︎ Girl. GIRL. You had everyone telling you this man ruined their lives, and then you find out your friend to the end lied about one detail not even a major one, mind you (it was a well deserved blackmail) and you’re suddenly Team Mortimer?

ꨄ︎ Suddenly they’re the monsters and he’s the misunderstood victim? Excuse me? I didn’t really have a problem with her, don’t get me wrong I’m not excusing what they did but at the end of the day it’s never that deep enough for her to have that huge internal betrayal.


ᝰ.ᐟ Let’s break it down

ꨄ︎ Buck: Not even a villain. He made one career move and got sentenced to death-by-haunted-house energy? Please.

ꨄ︎ Winnie: Cared too much and paid the price. She saw his wife who was being abused and asked her if she was cool, then she got humiliated then published the truth?? What was the issue actually?

ꨄ︎ Chester: A literal victim of harassment who lashed out once in anger by telling her to jump off the roof for all he cares. She was silly enough to do it and that makes him soo bad or?!? Yes he could’ve controlled his anger but he told that girl to stop harassing him several times?!?

ꨄ︎ Crystal & Scott: The only two who should’ve gotten that mansion. Period.


ᝰ.ᐟ The vibes were there. The premise was promising, the execution? Okay. That ending dragged the whole story down into the basement and left it there

This book is campy, chaotic fun that I read in nearly one sitting. The story doesn't really hold up to scrutiny, and it's not really scary at all, but it's definitely a fun popcorn read.

A group of horror authors are summoned to a creepy, remote mansion under mysterious circumstances. Soon, they find themselves trapped in a high-takes survival game orchestrated by a famous, recently deceased horror author with a flair for the dramatic.

Once the premise is revealed, I was hoping for more of an escape room horror story or Saw-like punishments; instead, the deaths are absurd and the "riddles" are simple. The charm of the story is in the big personalities and over-the-top theatrics, and the fun is in the structure - the characters have to puzzle their way out of 5 or 6 haunted rooms, and each one plays out like a horror short story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC!

Slow to start, but decent fun when it got going. I enjoyed the cast of characters, but I saw the "survivor" coming a mile off.

This was such a good read. For some reason I love horror books that are set in creepy houses where the house is almost like a character of its own and that is totally what I got with this book. I loved it

This was a book unlike anything I’ve ever read before, it was a horror novel that was written from 7 POV’s telling a story that unfolds slowly as the chapters continue.
I was hooked and couldn’t put it down, because I needed to see what happened next and I wanted to understand the overall story.

This one comes out 8th July and I was lucky enough that I got an ARC thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this amazing book!

I was really hoping that this would be a lot of campy fun, and while there were definitely some elements of this book that I enjoyed, overall, I never really connected with the characters, so it felt hard to become invested in whether they lived or died. 😬 (Sorry!)

Also, having read and enjoyed another book earlier this year that had a similar premise (You Are Fatally Invited), this one seemed to fall extra short for me. It was still a decent ride, but I was just hoping it would have been even more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.