“How To Survive A Horror Story” was such a fun read!

While I did find some of the characters to be a lot, I really enjoyed the premise of the book. I appreciated the multiple POVs, mostly because there was a decent cast of characters to keep track of. I loved how all the crimes were brought to light and the deaths were spectacular. The games, riddles and secrets made this a very quick and entertaining read.

Overall, it was the perfect balance of thriller and horror.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review!

The review will be full of spoilers, so if you haven't read the book yet - be warned!!

The reveal was too clumsy and rushed for me to enjoy the story properly, unfortunately. The unanswered questions seemed too important to just gloss over. So this human-eating house - what's its story? Who built it? Was in cursed? By whom? Who's Gia? Is she the house itself? Ok, then where did she come from? Where did those Hitman-looking bold men come from? Can the house just produce humans like that? How was it changing at will? Because I doubt Mortimer could've predicted every single word and action of his visitors. I kept hoping till the very end that I'd get SOME lore on such a massive element of the story, but there was none.

Then there's the whole issue with those photos and recordings in the basement of the cabin. Who the fuck was taking all those pictures? Was Mortimer just recording every single second of his life on tape? Was someone following not only him, but every other person he knew, juuuust in case they did something shady? WHY were no actions taken to deal with the authors who wronged Mortimer? So, your lover blatantly poisons your wife, and you just... let it slide? Some schmuck steals your manuscript literally from your house, and you can't prove the authorship OR catch the man? You see your rival beating up your PR agent half to death and then DON'T reveal that information? And instead of publicly shaming the beloved authors, taking the fame and fans' adoration - everything they ever coveted - away from them, you... what, send them to your magic house to be eaten? "Oh, they've disappeared, haha, all of them at once, immediately after visiting the same location, nothing suspicious whatsoever, police doesn't exist in this universe, but they're tooootally good, even though no one's seen them for years!" - HUH??? They're not good and they never were! Mortimer called what was about to happen to them a mercy, but why should they deserve it?? So, they're horrible enough to be tortured and slaughtered, but sending them to jail is a step too far??

And don't get me started on Melanie! What a disappointing ending for her. She kills Crystal - the woman whom she'd known for a few hours, for what she wasn't even sure was true at the time - in cold blood, and then... decides to be friends with her mom who'd terrorised Melanie her whole life? I felt like I was supposed to believe that the experience in the manor changed her, but she was still meek and weak by the end. Mortimer read her writing, called it "lifeless and dull", and then - "yeah, this is exactly the person who can wreak my vengeance, which definitely makes sense, because I was established as an extremely strict person with very rigid views on writing, so of course I'd let this boring nobody tell my story!"

I did enjoy the irony of Melanie eventually becoming a sort of amalgamation of the people who died for her to become famous. I guess vanity, telling people's stories as if they're your own, attention of fangirls, and making people disappear is a-okay when YOU'RE doing it.

Overall, I did like some parts of the book, but there were too many questions that were answered with mere "eh, just 'cos" that left me frustrated.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to review How To Survive A Horror Story!

This was so much fun! I read this in bed every night and during the day I found myself thinking about it. That's my sign that this book is super entertaining and well written.

The characters can be insufferable at times but that's perfect because you want them to die and thus move the plot along lol. There were no overly descriptive parts (which can be exhausting) and I was still able to see this mansion and the characters in my mind so easily. It was such an easy read and helped me out of a reading slump. I will 100% purchase a book from this author in the future.

I almost put this on my DNF list. Then a body fell through the ceiling. While a part of me wanted this to be darker and not quite so equivocal, I did have a very good time reading this. There are a few slow parts, but then as mentioned before bodies fall through ceilings, toes fall off, plants attack. HTSAHS is quite a fun ride.

Locked room mystery/thriller with a little horror mixed in. When a famous author dies he brings a group of people together, other writers, to try and solve riddles in the rooms of his mansion. If you can solve the riddle someone will die at random to get out you have to get through all the rooms. I liked the different perspectives of each of the characters and that you really didn't know who to trust while reading this book. I thought this was a quick and entertaining read and would read more from Mallory Arnold. I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold releases July 8, 2025.

Seven people are invited to the home of Mortimer Queen after his death. Each person has a different reason to think they’ve been chosen to receive a chunk of the dead author’s immense wealth. Upon arrival, they learn they need to play a game and the real fun begins.

As the story unfolds, things are slowly reveled about each person and their connections to Queen. The atmosphere is spooky and unsettling.. I didn’t find the characters likable but I was invested in their stories. Ultimately, I wished for more depth for the main character and less noise from some of the others. I liked the Clue/Locked room vibe.

Overall this was an enjoyable read. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Thank you to to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary early release copy of How To Survive A Horror Story by Mallory Arnold.

How to Survive A Horror Story was a fun read! I was invested in these characters and the plot line. I liked Melanie and I was really happy to see social anxiety representation with her. I rarely see social anxiety representative in books, I thought it was written in a good genuine way. Melanie isn’t the only character that I enjoyed, I enjoyed many of the characters in How To Survive A Horror Story. There wasn’t a single character in this book that I didn’t like. The characters feel well put together, I enjoyed reading from all of their perspectives and finding out their backstories was so interesting and fun.

The plot of the book kept me hooked the entire time, I had no clue what direction the book was going to go in or what could possibly happen next. I liked all the riddles and how the characters went about solving things, it never felt like things were dragging on as something interesting was always happening whether it was the characters or the house in general. It was refreshing to read a locked door/house troupe kind of book without having the characters bicker over petty things the entire time. These characters genuine had some kind of strange found family vibe to them that I loved which made it hard to know things was going to happen to them at some point. The punishments of the house though creative kept the tension high as I was nervous to see which one of my favorite characters would be facing the punishment. Overall I really enjoyed my read of How To Survive A Horror Story, it was an enjoyable read with enjoyable characters.

The moment I read the blurb I was hooked on the idea, While Arnold manages to describe vivid scenes and create poetic dialog, there are too many flaws from me to rate the book higher than three stars.

With in the first fifty pages there are numerus continuity errors.
The first one I noticed was when everyone went to the drawing room. We are told that Scott took two large sips of his drink and then to escape Winnie he goes to top up his drink "Not that it really needs topping up as he has only had a sip"

Similarly during dinner, it is made quite clear that there is only wine on offer and that there is no water. Yet later in the same scene Petey takes a swig of water. Then again his glass is referred to as a wine glass shortly after.

Also during dinner we are told Crystals plate is already empty, then she is taking a bite of her stake, then her plate is full like everyone else's except for Bucks.

Given that there are seven plus characters it was sometimes hard to tell who was speaking and I had to reread a passage several times to understand who spoke.

Again with continuity, when everyone's real story has been told and we see that they have lied every one has two versions, the lie and the truth for some reason we are told that Crystal purposely overdosed Mrs Queen with an injection. Yet later it becomes a poisoned cup of tea. then why was Scot killed with a needle meant for Crystal, surly the ghost of Mrs Queen would have known how she was poisoned. This made no sense when we find out later it was a cup of tea.

Melanie was supposed to have banged her head the day before. But from what I remembered Mortimer had died a week before and Mel hit her head the night of his book launch which was in October.????

There were also too many conveniences. Winne was left alive to be found when Felix was not? Gia says the house will not kill anyone until the game has ended, but the house already has. Gia herself was a convenience. Also no gossip rag gives a shout out to an informant, It's that common knowledge?

Melanie was allowed by the house to go and get an epi pen to save Buck even though she was told one of the rules was that she could be the only survivor.

Buck with a toe burned down to the bone, not only made it to the attic but managed to walk up and down the length of the house several times and then to the cabin.

We finally get Melanie's story in a flashback and then go directly into a flash forward? Where Melanie has a hallucination, almost has a breakdown and then stares down the ghosts of her victims telling them she is going no where.

I feel like this book could have been so much more. I can't entirely blame Arnold for the faults of the book. There was at least one editor involved in the process. It was their job to point out the inconsistences, lack of flow, plot holes and contradictions.

Unfortunately I think Arnold was trying to do too much with too little. Maybe if the book was longer, the continuity fixed and the flow better it would be a five star book. I think the whole thing felt too rushed.

In the end I gave 3 stars for
Plot Idea
Atmospheric writing
and Character description.

I can see Arnold has potential but this book definitely felt unpolished.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for the e-ARC of this book. Despite the title, this book is not a horror story, it is more along the lines of a mystery thriller. A group of horror authors are invited to a manor for the last will and testament of Mortimer Queen, a best-selling horror novelist. However, they soon realize that Mortimer Queen is out for revenge beyond the grave and only one of them will make it out alive. Although this was overall a fun read, it was far from perfect. The execution was clunky, the characters could have been further developed, and the ending was quite predictable.

This is a tough one, I liked the plot. Some parts were kinda like ‘really!?’ - but it’s fiction so we can let it slide feel? I like the characters being a bit much. But the outcome, hell yeah. The little tid bits being delivered to us on a little platter as we go along. Hell yeah. You know what, yeah this was fun!

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold is a darkly clever, tightly woven collection of six short stories that blend mystery, horror, and a dash of surrealism. Mallory Arnold crafts a world where every piece matters—from the delightfully eerie riddles to the unfolding narrative connections that build tension without overwhelming the reader.

This is the kind of horror that’s more psychological than gruesome. It asks you to pay attention, but it doesn’t demand you overthink. The tone is sharp and accessible, and the pacing is brisk, making it a perfect companion for a weekend getaway or an afternoon on the beach when you’re in the mood for something both eerie and entertaining.

The book truly shines in its unique structure and atmosphere. There’s a sense that something larger is at play behind the scenes, and watching it all click together is part of the fun. The writing is stylish and smart, with just enough creep factor to unsettle without overwhelming.

This is a solid, inventive read for horror fans who appreciate a little wit and a lot of atmosphere. It doesn’t redefine the genre, but it definitely leaves its mark.

After horror author Mortimer Queen dies, a few other horror writers are invited to the reading of his will. They are all told they will receive something of great value. But when they arrive at Queen Manor they are told they will have to play a game: solve the riddle and continue to the next room, if they get it wrong one of them will fall victim to the manor. Mortimer Queen is ready to take revenge on those who wronged him in life and the house is very hungry…
▪
When reading the blurb I was expecting a nice, entertaining horror story.
Sadly, the whole thing was pretty predictable. It’s clear from the beginning who will be the one to make it out alive. The characters are not at all likeable (ok they made mistakes in the past but still), after a bit I didn’t really care anymore who would die next. There was one character that could have gotten a lot more story and I want to know more about that person but nope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a bit of Saw mixed with Clue, and as someone who genuinely loved both of those, this story definitely spoke to me.

After Mortimer Queen, renowned horror author, dies, a group of seemingly unrelated authors of the same genre are invited to Queen’s mansion and are told they are to receive something from his will. What transpires from there is nothing short of nightmare material. This was a wild ride from start to finish, and the ending was great.

This was gruesome and scary and some parts were completely unpredictable. While I will say, there were a few parts I found to be on the “over-the-top” side, it did not take away from the enjoyable aspects of this book.

I appreciated that this had different POVs throughout the story and found that it gave each character an internal voice that was juxtaposed to their background story and their perception by the other characters.

Overall, as someone who looks for a good scary movie or scary story once in a while, this scratched that itch.
Would rate 3.75/5 stars!

I'm not usually a fan of so many different viewpoints, but this book i found it very fitting. I enjoyed getting to know some background on each character and going through the monster house as each person and how they viewed what was happening. And that twist of an ending was definitely not what I seen coming!

3.5 ⭐️

This was such a fun, quirky twist on the horror genre! I loved the concept — it felt like a love letter to classic horror tropes with a fresh, modern spin. Mallory Arnold’s voice is witty and engaging, and the humour really shines through.

That said, a few parts felt a little chaotic and the pacing was a bit uneven at times. But overall, it’s a creative, entertaining read that horror fans (especially those who love a meta moment) will really enjoy.

Loved this one so much, will definitely come back for a reread at some point and might even have to purchase it for myself.

✨This was a fantastic debut novel. 

࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪

Seven authors are invited to the manor of the recently deceased horror author Mortimer Queen for the reading of his last will and testament. Unsure of why they have been included in the will, each author shares a connection to Mortimer, though none strong enough to believe they would inherit anything.
Upon arrival, instead of the reading of the will, the seven attendees must compete in a game of riddles to advance to the next room. Quickly, the atmosphere shifts from playful to one of concern. It appears that one of Mortimer Queen's novels may be coming to life. 

࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪

This locked-room mystery, mixed with light horror, was an enjoyable, over-the-top, popcorn read. It leaned more towards being a creepy story than true horror.
It gave me Monster House (2006 film) vibes, and I was all for it. This was a fast-paced book and it had some really awesome, somewhat gruesome deaths, and concluded with an entertaining and unique twist.



✨Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

My rating is closer to a 3.5 but with debuts I always round up.
⭐⭐⭐✨

Creepy houses are an undeniable draw for me.🤷🏻‍♀️ 👻
Famed horror author Mortimer Queen has died, and seven authors are invited to his spooky manor for a reading of his Will. They are trapped within, and the only way out is through completing a deadly game. Solve a riddle for each room and be released to the next. Fail and the house devours one of them at random. The story is told through multiple POVs giving readers pieces of the past and present. Putting together snippets of truth to assemble a complete picture and trying to decide what I thought was true was my favorite part. It's heavy with tropes and the characters seem more like caricatures at times. BUT it has its unputdownable moments, and it is easy to get sucked into.

I've read a lot of horror over the years. My feeling with this story was overall it read like a mystery that had moments of horror and chilling thrills. If a novel has the word horror in the title, I think most people are going to expect a little more horror than we have here. The novel could be tightened up in places and made more streamlined, but as a whole it's a fun read for fans of the genres.

Did each character wrong Queen or are they victims of a brutal rewriting of history?

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for an Advanced Reading Copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Very entertaining! . i can't take my eyes off the e-book for a second. what makes the story even more interesting are the additions to the background story of why everyone is in that place. i think that is a plot twist that not all writers can do.
although there are many characters in the story, it doesn't make the story overlap, because each character has their own portion.

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold and I'm obsessed! The characters are so well-developed, each with their own secrets and lies. The plot is expertly woven, with twists and reveals that kept me guessing until the very end.

I loved how the book explores the nature of revenge and morality - none of the characters are innocent, but who's really in the wrong? The writing is playful and suspenseful, with a unique blend of horror and intrigue. I was hooked from the start and finished the book in just two days.

The ending was a total surprise - I didn't see it coming! The author's use of multiple perspectives adds to the suspense, and the way each chapter ends with a teaser will keep you reading late into the night. Highly recommend this one to fans of horror and mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC - I'm so glad I got to read it!