Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a scary and devastating read. Cora Zeng is an Chinese American living in New York City in 2020. She is a crime scene cleaner grieving after witnessing the murder of her sister, Delilah. Her sister is just one of many East Asian women attacked as a result of the racism and fear mongering during the pandemic dubbed "the China Virus." As Cora finds herself cleaning crime scenes of murdered Asian women, she believes that there is a serial killer targeting them and no one else seems to care. At the same time, Cora is being haunted by her sister who has returned as a Hungry Ghost. She and her two coworkers attempt to help her sister Delilah move on while solving the mystery of who is brutally murdering Asian women and leaving mangled bats at the scene.

I want to read it again.

Wow!! 4.5 stars

I didn’t know if I’d like a book that took me back to such an awful time that I didn’t want to remember. Being half Chinese myself, I experienced racist remarks and treatment in light of the pandemic by people in my vicinity. Some I just walked past on the streets telling me to go back to China - a place I have never been, having been born and raised in the US lol. So how this book opens up with Cora’s sister being brutally murdered and called a “bat eater” hit a nerve and quickly threw me into this story. Raw, thought-provoking and dark, this book was a very solid read and Kylie is such a talented author!

I have devoured everything she has read and this book is so exception.

Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Cora Zeng is a biracial Chinese American living in Chinatown NYC with her half-sister. It is March 2020 and the recently unemployed sisters have just secured the only roll of toilet paper they could find and they are awaiting a very delayed subway (triple whammy because it's the end times). Just as the train is rolling into the station, a white man shouts "bat eater" before shoving Cora's sister in front of said train. Chapter 1 ends with Cora covered in her sister's blood, standing next to her headless body. Safe to say: this is going to be a gorey ride!

The book proceeds to August 2020 whence Cora has secured a job as a crime scene cleaner. She is cleaning out what is clearly a 🔪 scene where an Asian woman was the victim when the drain clogs. No stranger to the disgusting, Cora unclogs the drain only to pull out a bat carcass. This is the first in a string of scenes where the victim is an Asian woman and there are bats and bat carcasses on scene. She and her two Chinese team members battle casual and overt racism every day during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it's hard to not see these as a connected string of hate crimes.

To make matters worse, the eighth month is the Hungry Ghost month in Chinese mythology. Being an ABC Chinglish-speaking daughter to a mid-western mom, Cora doesn't put much stock into Chinese superstitions. However, it does seem that her sister is haunting her. Given Cora's history of mental illness, however, she is unsure if she is being haunted or if she needs to seek psychiatric help again. But it also seems that the ghost wants her to solve her sister's unsolved murder. After breaking down to her coworkers, who very much believe in ghosts given their sordid pasts, the team goes on the hunt to solve the crime so that her sister may get to rest.

I thought I knew how this mystery was going to unfold from the start, but boy howdy, I was wrong.

<Spoiler>Given Cora's internal monologue in Chapter 1 and the likelihood of her being an unreliable narrator, I definitely thought Cora was the guilty party and that the ghosts and the bats were all figments of her imagination. But in fact, there are ghosts and they all want their pound of flesh.</spoiler>

I adored the connections that Cora unwittingly made with her coworkers after a string of family abandonment. The author says this is the most depressing book she has written to date and in many ways, this book is full of tragedy and unfortunately, there's a lot of truth and reality in the tragedies examined. However, there was love and joy and growth to balance it out. Oh, and an epic scorched earth ending.

Full stars for an important story well told. Excellent narration.

Disclosures: ARCs and ALC received as an influencer with The Hive/HTP Books. Opinions are my own as well as the money I spent on the special edition of this book :)

3.5/5 - Horror and thrillers aren’t my usual go-to genres, but I wanted to try something new. This was a blend of a whodunnit mystery, social commentary and folklore, making an interesting mix. I really appreciated the insight into Asian culture and the way the book addressed real world issues. I wasn’t fully aware of the rise in all the anti-Asian hate crimes in NYC during COVID, and the way the book portrayed these events was both eye-opening and horrifying.

The first chapter immediately pulled me in. The horror scenes felt like something straight out of a horror movie. As for the character work, it was okay but not particularly standout. That said, I don’t usually expect deeply intricate character work in thrillers. And while the plot was engaging, the writing itself felt a tad cold and removed.

The audiobook narrator did a good job - you could really sense the emotion in her voice.

Overall, I’d recommend this to fans of horror and thrillers, especially those interested in stories that blend social commentary with suspense.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book!

4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! The author is a gifted storyteller and she created a phenomenal book about the heartbreak of loss, isolation, sisterhood, and grief while also exploring the impacts of the COVID-19 shut down and its aftermath, especially on the Chinese community. I loved how the main character was also unsure of her own identity and seemed to be trying to figure it out along the way with much difficulty because of how heavily she found herself in the shadow of her sister who seemed more “Chinese” than her. There were also a number of twists and turns I never saw coming which kept my AirPods glued to my ears until I finished this book,

The narrator was also phenomenal. When I find a narrator I love, I will read any book they narrate. So consider me an official fan of Natalie Naudus. She did such an amazing job telling this story and using her voice to accentuate the characters and convey their emotions. You can’t help but grieve with them, feel for them, and want to comfort them after listening to this audiobook.

Horror with strong social commentary is becoming a favorite genre for me. This book had gore, supernatural elements, culture, lore, tension, and spot on messages about Asian hate - specifically against Asian women - and its rise during the pandemic. Cora cleans up after crime scenes, she’s used to blood and bone fragments, but when her sister becomes a victim of an unsolved violent crime that Cora witnessed, she begins to see a trend in the crime scenes she’s cleaning. Someone is brutally murdering Asian women and leaving mangled bats at the crime scenes. It becomes obvious that there is a serial killer at play and no one seems to be investigating, until a ghost appears and compels Cora to find the truth herself. This book was written in such a smart and effective way. It tied together racism and fetishization and how these were compounded during the pandemic that became quickly known as the “China virus” without care or thought of the harm that would cause the Asian community. I loved the lore and customs that were woven into this story and the way Cora and her different family members approached death. And I loved the horror aspects that raised the tension and made my skin crawl. The narrator brought all the right vibes at all the right times. It was an amazing audiobook.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook!

This book probably isn't my normal go-to type of book. The thriller/true crime vibes at the start weren't my jam, but I was hooked once it eased into the supernatural aspects. This is a really thought-provoking book in that it was clearly written towards the start of COVID and sadly, we aren't out of the woods yet. I'd definitely recommend this for folks who enjoy thrillers but want to lean more into horror.

Chinese lore meets Covid epidemic. A germaphobe who disguises her phobia as a crime scene cleaner. Is there a serial killer among them or is it the souls of all who have passed during the epidemic. Is Cora going crazy? Or is it something more sinister that’s lurking at her crime scenes? This was a trippy read. Such a beautifully written horror story that was so relevant to those who went through 2020. I thought it was brilliant how the author blended Chinese lore with Covid and really highlighted what truly is worth hiding under your covers for.

I absolutely loved this book! The narration was intriguing, the storyline entertaining, and the folding in of Chinese culture was a bonus. I was rooting for Cora and her friends the whole way through.
Suspense, supernatural, thriller, sadness, redemption… it’s all here!

4.25 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio & NetGalley for the ALC! 💌

Wow. Where do I even start?! This book absolutely wrecked me in the BEST way! Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker is everything you didn’t know you needed in a horror novel—gory, eerie, and uncomfortably . Seriously, if you’re into dark, twisted stories, this one is for you. 💀🔥

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner in the thick of the COVID pandemic, and she's living with trauma, ghosts, and a whole lot of germs (I felt that in my bones!). 🦠 After witnessing her sister’s brutal murder, Cora’s life spirals into a nightmare of superstition, racism, and a serial killer targeting Asian women. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg—enter the Hungry Ghost Festival and a mysterious connection to dead bats, and you’ve got yourself a seriously spooky ride. 🦇👻

What I LOVED:
✅ The tension and atmosphere: Seriously, I felt like I was suffocating right alongside Cora. The claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in her own head and the dark corners of Chinatown had me on edge the whole time.
✅ The social commentary: Kylie nails it. Racism during COVID is front and center, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking to read. The way Cora deals with this hate while battling the supernatural was so powerful.
✅ Cora’s character: She’s messed up in all the right ways—haunted by her sister’s death, pushing everyone away, but also trying to hold onto what’s left of herself. Her growth? Tough to watch, but so worth it.
✅ The mythology: The Hungry Ghost Festival vibes were creepy as heck and felt like a perfect parallel to everything Cora was dealing with. 🏮👀

What could’ve been better:
❌ The pacing: It sometimes dragged a little bit, and I wish we’d gotten more from the side characters. But hey, that’s a small complaint in the grand scheme of things. 👀 
❌ The ending: Talk about relentless! Dark, heavy, and emotional, but if you love stories that don’t pull punches, you’ll love it. Heartbreaking doesn’t even cover it. 💔

Final thoughts: This book is haunting, gory, and so much more than just a typical horror novel. It tackles grief, racism, and a whole lot of supernatural terror. If you’re looking for a book that makes you feel deeply and question everything, this is it! 💥🌑

Highly recommend this one, especially if you're a fan of true crime, supernatural horror, and stories that leave you thinking long after the last page. 🚨

This book is a visceral, haunting gut-punch wrapped in ghostly horror and crime-thriller suspense. If you mashed up The Ring, How to Sell a Haunted House, and the suffocating grief of navigating the pandemic as an East Asian woman in America, you might get close to what Bat Eater does—but Baker’s storytelling is on another level.

The horror here is relentless, but it’s not just in the ghosts and gore—it’s in the very real, unflinching portrayal of racism, xenophobia, and grief. It’s terrifying, cathartic, and full of ghostly teeth. If you love horror with meaning and don’t mind losing sleep, Bat Eater is waiting for you.

Spooky, Gorry and Thrilling.

I loved Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng so much that I went through the book in 24 hours! I honestly did not know what to expect, and I was a bit worried I would not like this book because the pandemic was a rough few years, but wow, was I pleasantly surprised. The mixture of ghosts, serial killers and COVID, combined with the tough topic of racism, was done beautifully.

So Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng takes place in 2020 New York City and follows Cora, a young Asian woman who is trying to survive the pandemic. Now, surviving can be used in multiple contexts; not only does Cora have to survive the illness, she has to survive making ends meet and avoid getting murdered. You see, her sister Delilah was pushed to her death while both were waiting for the subway. The man got away but not before calling Delilah a “bat eater”.

Months after the incident, we learn that Cora works as a part of a crime scene cleanup crew. She notices that she's been cleaning up a great deal of Asian women and bats just so happen to always been at the scene as well. If this doesn't scream serial killer, I don't know what does! To add to this mix, Cora can see ghosts, and one ghost in particular wants Cora to get to the bottom of these murders.

I highly recommend everyone pick this up to find out what happens!

Thank you to Kylie Lee Baker, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the audio-digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I devoured this book! I loved the pandemic setting and identified with being extra clean since then. I also loved the East Asian representation and hungry ghosts. I highly recommend this book.

Wow. Pandemic based novels can be very hit or miss for me, but this one was definitely a hit. I admire authors that delve into the world of social commentary horror. Cora and her sidekicks are so likeable, you easily get sucked into the story before you even really know what’s going to happen. The unease and tension only continues to build from there. Humans really make for the best horror villains and this novel proves that again and again. The authors note is a must read and really drives home the overarching themes of this must-read story. As for the narration, incredible. It was easy to follow, clear and concise.

This book left me speechless! I devoured it in 24 hours, it was absolutely amazing. This is the first (and likely last for a while) pandemic related book that I've even wanted to read or finished. I'm generally not ready to go there, but this was a visceral experience that sucked me in and I could not stop.

Audio review: Natalie Naudus is a favorite narrator of mine, so I just knew this audio would be incredible, and it was.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year simply because of how beautiful the cover is and I was not disappointed! I always love when authors blend horror with their culture (not in a trauma way, but in a cultured main character way) because learning about other culture's folklore has always been interesting to me. I don't know if I had ever heard about hungry ghosts before diving into this, but I'm definitely going to be searching out more horror with them! It was so refreshing to read a 5 star book, it feels like I've been in a drought for a long time. Kylie Lee Baker did an amazing job blending real life horror and paranormal to a point where it was difficult to tell what was real and what wasn't. I'm a sucker for an unreliable narrator and I enjoyed following Cora's journey throughout the book. I also really love Natalie Naudus' as a narrator! She does such a good job distinguishing between character voices and I'm always so invested in her storytelling.

Bonus points because my cat's name is Coraline!

This was such a profoundly unsettling book, seeing as the horrors of 2020 and what the Asian community endured is still so fresh. I really love the uptick I've been seeing in real world issues placed into horror reads so that people actually see the issues (hopefully). The authors note at the end of this is one of the best I've read and it hits hard. This is one of those stories that will sit in my head for a very long time.

I received an advance reader copy, and advance listener copy of Bat Eater and other names for Cora Zang and WOW. This story was an extremely dark, graphic, and thought provoking look into the Covid pandemic and its effect on the Asian American population. Our main character Cora witness something extremely haunting and has to cope with her grief, while also dealing with racism, corruption, and misogyny. The book was so beautifully written and graphic, and the narrator really brought this to life in the audiobook. Definetly a must read for anyone who likes horror and ghost stories.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio & Harlequin Trade Publishing for both the ARC & the ALC.

I did a tandem read of this book. I liked the narrator. She did a good job differentiating voices between the characters.

Make sure to check your triggers before reading this book. It’s set in the beginning of the Covid pandemic and has heavy themes of racism, misogyny and there’s gore as well.

This book starts off with little build up. It’s the beginning of the pandemic and Cora and her sister are searching for toilet paper. While waiting for a train in NYC her sister is pushed in front of an oncoming train by a racist white man.

Shortly after, Cora gets a job cleaning up crime scenes and we learn that more Asian women are being murdered by what appears to be a serial killer. On top of that Cora starts to think the ghost of her sister may be haunting her.

Throughout this book we learn more about Cora, her complicated relationship with her sister and other family members. Her feelings of not fitting in enough or knowing enough about her culture. Her self doubts and the things she deals with being Asian in the US during the pandemic.

There were times I felt the pacing was a little slow, and I wish things had gone a little differently with a couple of the characters, but overall, I thought this was a well written book that sheds light on a very real problem that is still an issue.

ALC 🎧📖 Review: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went in blind on this one, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! The blend of paranormal elements, serial killers, COVID, and race is refreshingly unique and adds unexpected depth to the story. It’s such a thought-provoking read that keeps you hooked until the end. I highly recommend checking out this book!

Thank you @netgalley and @harlequin_audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

🦇🍽️

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner, washing away the remains of brutal murders and suicides in Chinatown. But none of that seems so terrible when she’s already witnessed the most horrific thing possible: her sister, Delilah, being pushed in front of a train.

Before fleeing the scene, the murderer shouted two words: bat eater.