Silent film star Venita Rost's malevolent spirit lurks spider-like in her cliffside mansion, a once-beautiful home that's claimed countless unlucky souls. And she's not alone. Snared in her terrible web, Inspector Bartholomew Sloan—her eternal nemesis—watches her wreak havoc in helpless horror, shackled by his own guilt and Venita's unrelenting wrath.

Now the house has yet another new owner. This time it's Ronnie Mitchell, a grieving woman who buys the run-down place sight unseen. She arrives armed with an unexpected inheritance, a strong background in renovation, and a blissful ignorance regarding the house's blood-soaked history. But her arrival has stirred up more than just dust and decay. In the shadows, unseen eyes watch. Then, a man comes knocking. He brings wild stories and a thinly veiled jealousy, as well as a secret connection to the house that can only lead to violence.

Venita's fury awakens, and a deadly game unfolds.

Caught between a vengeful ghost and a ruthless living threat, Ronnie's skepticism crumbles. The line between living and dead isn't as sharp as it seems, and she realizes too late that in Venita's house, survival might be just an illusion.

Loved it. I love how the past and present come together. Will recommend to others.

Eerie, gripping, and wonderfully characterized, this novel is the haunted house novel of your dreams, and maybe even your nightmares!

i love when writers actually have a story to tell rather than just falling into the same old tropes. haunted house stories can be so good and so varied, and in the last few years i've read a handful that have really pushed the boundaries on what it means to haunt a house. this one is no exception. i love that this book is weird, mysterious, and fun instead of just trying to be scary. it reminded me of being a teenager and doing dumb and dangerous things with my friends. someone could have dictated our experiences together with a totally foreboding narrative, but the more authentic take would have been to just let us experience whatever wild things happened to us through our own perspectives. sometimes that might come off as creepy, while most of the time it would probably a little goofy -- but either way, it would be honest. this book trusts the characters enough to let them tell their own stories in their own way and it really works. i enjoyed ronnie and kate, as well as bartholomew and venita. everything made sense to me and kept me engaged throughout. would definitely recommend!

thanks to poisoned pen press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I saved this as a summerween read this year and I am glad I did! I love a haunted house story and how eerie it was at times. Very well written and a good read over all! Perfect for summerween or as we approach fall!

Thank you netgalley for the eArc.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

I’m a haunted house story fan, haven’t met one I didn’t love, this one I LOVED a lot. I saved this for the beginning of summer because I love a good summerween read. I love a book with multiple POV and I enjoyed each and every one of the characters in this story and how our author delivered each of their POV’s. This will have you hooked by the first page and have you turning page after page to see how it ends. This book will give you the eerie and creepy vibes just as it should and it definitely needs to be on your TBR either for now or for fall time, it just the perfect weekend cozy up read.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Dark, Twists, Eerie, Gothic Vibe, Fast Paced, Multiple POV

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Poisoned Pen Press

4.5 stars
The House has some very unusual occupants, so much grief and despair sticks to it like mud. The history of the home is fascinating, and new owner Ronnie is not the only one wanting to know all the facts. Making friends with the dead could be her only way of staying alive.

Ronnie is dealing with her grief the only way she knows how, by throwing herself all in to remodelling this broken down, historic house. With the help of Kate, also trying to deal with her grief and move on, they lean on each other for support.

This is my first time reading a book from this author, and I absolutely loved it. Every time I picked it up, I was lost in Ronnie's world. I found it so interesting to go back in time and hear about what happened to the previous owners, told from their point of view, and slowly piece the whole story together. All main characters were very strong in their storytelling, which just made the book as a whole so much easier to get lost in. Thank you, Cherie Priest and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this eARC!

Cherie Priest’s It Was Her House First offers a unique take on the haunted house genre, but it may not satisfy readers looking for a truly scary or traditional ghost story. While the writing is solid and the premise certainly stands out, the execution feels a bit off—more quirky than chilling, and more strange than suspenseful.
The story leans heavily into the oddness of its concept, which might appeal to fans of offbeat horror, but for those hoping for creeping dread, dark atmospheres, or classic haunted house tropes, this one might fall short. The supernatural elements are present, but they’re wrapped in a narrative that often feels more whimsical or abstract than frightening.
Overall, It Was Her House First is an unusual and imaginative read, but not the eerie, spine-tingling haunted house tale I was hoping for. The premise is intriguing, but its delivery may leave some horror fans wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was enjoyable and entertaining! I’m always a fan of books that involve old movie stars and their secretive pasts. And in some ghosts, and I’m sold!

I would recommend this book and I would read another book by this author. Well done!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the book #ItWasHerHouseFirst by #CheriePriest. I love spooky, paranormal books and this one is such a good book. Ronnie has just bought a dilapidated, run down, haunted house with her late brother’s insurance money. The house used to be owned by Venita Rost, the Platinum Pussycat, an actress from long ago, and her husband and small child. They all perished and some of them haunt it today. Previous owners have met untimely deaths, will Ronnie be among them or can she bring this house back to life. What will Venita do about this?

A sharp and eerie ghost story, It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest combines magical realism, supernatural suspense, and real-world danger. Ronnie’s inherited mansion may be haunted, but it’s the living she should fear most. Priest’s unique ghostly elements—especially the unforgettable Venita—shine, and the novel offers a powerful message about listening to your instincts. Read my full review on my website:

https://writeontheworld.wordpress.com/2025/08/07/it-was-her-house-first-by-cherie-priest-is-a-chilling-ghost-story-with-a-smart-skeptical-heroine-and-a-lesson-in-listening-to-your-gut/

An advance reader copy (ARC) of this book was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, this was a very well-written book. Now here comes the but...

But I felt like the synopsis sounded like the book was going to be a lot more exciting and interesting than what it actually ended up being. For this being a ghost story, there wasn't much haunting going on. An incredible amount of time was spent on describing the decay of the house the main character purchased, followed by detailed construction/work that needed to be done to it. Because of this, the book felt slow and any time a little haunting happened, it was quickly brushed aside to get back to cleaning up the dilapidated house.

I wish more effort had been spent on the ghosts because Venita Rost and Bartholomew Sloan were fascinating characters but completely underused until the last bit of the book. All in all, this was not a bad book by any means, but it was a little dull.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I wanted to really like this book. I was super excited to read it, but it was just very slow paced and not very engaging for me. I felt I needed more ghost jump scare type content. It just did not have enough. The characters were well written and easy to engage and want to root for. I did not get a good vibe from the characters you were supposed to before even finding out they were no good. I liked the way it was written coming from the main character then flipping to one of the ghosts to see their POV. I would definitely try more of this authors books, but this one just was too slow paced for me.

This book had a really unique style that made it stand out from other ghost stories I’ve read. The mix of different media formats and multiple POVs kept things interesting. I liked Ronnie’s chapters the most—her story felt emotional and real. Bart’s chapters were a bit slow and didn’t hold my attention, though there were a few spooky moments. Sloane’s chapters were definitely the highlight—getting into the ghost’s mind was super cool.

The beginning was a bit of a slow burn, but the ending really delivered. If you’re into ghost stories with a twist, some revenge, and a bit of creepiness, this one’s worth checking out. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Book Review: It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest, and this was a solid read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story revolves around Ronnie Mitchell, a woman grappling with grief who unknowingly steps into a world far darker than she anticipated when she buys a dilapidated cliffside mansion. This house is no ordinary fixer-upper—it’s haunted by the malevolent spirit of Venita Rost, a silent film star whose wrath has claimed many lives. Alongside Venita is Inspector Bartholomew Sloan, her eternal nemesis, trapped in a ghostly limbo, watching helplessly as Venita’s fury unfolds.

Ronnie’s arrival stirs up old ghosts—both literal and figurative—and introduces new threats, including a mysterious man whose connection to the house spells danger. As Ronnie’s skepticism fades, the story blurs the line between the living and the dead, creating a tense atmosphere where survival feels uncertain.

One of the first things that grabbed me was the book’s striking cover—a vivid red that perfectly captures the eerie and captivating vibe inside. Cherie Priest’s writing is immersive and well-paced, making it easy to get lost in the haunting setting. The cliffside mansion itself almost becomes a character, with its history and secrets woven seamlessly into the narrative. The cast of characters felt fleshed out and interesting, adding depth to the supernatural thriller.

Overall, It Was Her House First is an entertaining blend of mystery, horror, and suspense that I’d recommend to fans of ghost stories with a twist. It might not have been perfect enough for five stars, but it certainly delivered a gripping and satisfying read. If you’re in the mood for something atmospheric with a haunting edge, this one’s worth checking out.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

4 stars

Ronnie Mitchell is still raw from having recently lost her brother. He left her a sizable amount of life insurance and she decides to invest it in an old house restoration (bought at auction sight-unseen), the kind of project that the two of them might have tackled together in days gone by. With her friend and nearly-sister-in-law Kate by her side, Ronnie thinks she might have a shot at bringing this mansion back to its former glory. But what she doesn't realise is that the original owner, gorgeous silent film star Venita Rost, still maintains a presence and rule over her former home. Venita, along with her husband's old friend and private detective Bartholomew Sloan, remain trapped together here, locked in an eternal struggle due to the terrible tragedy that occurred in the home while they were still alive. With mounting terror from forces both inside the house and in the form of a young man named Coty that's just a little TOO keen on the history of the place, can Ronnie stem Venita's rage before they are all consumed by her unquenchable appetite for violence and revenge?

I honestly thought that this was going to be your typical, run-of-the-mill ghost story. But the plot sucked me in and I was drawn to the characters immediately. I didn't like Coty from the start though, and as his motives become clearer as the story progresses, my opinion never changes. Ronnie is damaged in a way I think most people can understand. And of course the mansion is a character in its own right - with its gothic, moody vibes, the dilapidated home really stands on its own as the perfect haunted house of mythic lore. The pacing of the story is quite slow to start and it doesn't really build much until closer to the end, when everything sort of turns all at once. So if you enjoy an unhurried plot, building suspense through atmosphere and paranormal weirdness, then I think you'll probably enjoy this spellbinding tale.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Cherie Priest, and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

I was familiar with Cherie Priest's cozy mysteries, but I was eager to explore her horror genre, and I found this book to be mysterious, engaging, and a unique take on the haunted house theme, showcasing her exceptional writing skills that I look forward to reading more of in the future.

Ronnie moves into the house of silent film star Venita Rost, who had died years ago after the death of her young daughter. there’s been all this speculation over what and who was responsible for her daughter’s death, mainly the father and his longtime friend, Bartholomew Sloan. now, the ghosts of both Venita and her eternal nemesis Bartholomew inhabit the house and when his nephew starts digging around and asking Ronnie suspicious questions, they just might have to put their hate on the back burner and intervene from the other side. i had so much fun with this book.. the supernatural elements, the DRAMA, the reveals, the old film star vibe, the revenge, the plot, all of it was done so well. you’d have to pry ghost stories from MY cold dead hands.

My favorite horror story trope is one where the ghost haunting the house comes with an intriguing backstory. It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest ticked all the boxes! It’s not really a scary book. In fact, it was quite fun and entertaining. I adored main character Ronnie — despite having chronic anxiety, she remained feisty and knows what she wants in life. I had a blast reading her running commentaries! I also loved the ghosts, especially Venita. I actually want more of her!!! All in all, this was a nice found family haunted house book. If you are looking for a light horror reading with gothic vibes this summer, this one’s for you! Thanks @poisonedpenpress and @skullsandpinkflamingos for my digital copy.

4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2025/07/28/review-it-was-her-house-first-by-cherie-priest/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: A View to Die For

I loved It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest. It was easy to read, the writing is excellent and there’s a mystery at the core of this haunted house that I really wanted to uncover.

Ronnie Mitchell has just bought a house at auction, unseen, with the intention of renovating it and making a beautiful place to live. What she is perfectly unaware of is that the house is haunted. It has a tragic past that continues to draw attention, in fact Ronnie isn’t the first person to purchase the place hoping to go to work – and it hasn’t ended well for the previous owners.

By way of a little background. Ronnie is suffering from a huge dose of guilt, her brother died in a tragic accident and she believes herself to be guilty through neglect. Ronnie has severe anxiety issues and was, at the time of her brother’s demise, taking medication that left her feeling numb and oddly disconnected with the world around her. Now, she is able to purchase this huge project courtesy of the money bequeathed to her upon her brother’s death – this was unexpected and Ronnie is determined to make the most of this legacy by renovating this project to the best of her ability. She’s accompanied by her brother’s girlfriend Kate (another source of guilt for Ronnie as Kate did not inherit a thing).

In terms of the house. The house was built for Venita Rost, a successful movie star from the silent movie era. Venita and her husband have an almost idyllic existence shared with their young daughter, that is until Venita’s husband befriends a famous investigator called Bartholomew Sloan. At first everyone bumbles along quite nicely until Venita starts to develop suspicions about Bartholomew and begins to snoop into his affairs. Within fairly short order the entire family is dead as is Bartholomew and the house is neglected, standing empty with just the ghosts from the past rattling around.

So, what I really enjoyed about this.

Firstly, the writing. Priest writes with such flair and confidence. Her characters all shine off the page and the jump between past and present is handled with finesse. Clearly, this author knows a thing or two about renovating houses (or she’s undertaken a lot of research) and these elements really play into the story rather than feeling tacked on just for convenience’s sake. In fact that’s true of the entire story. There’s substance to everything included. The house is a gothic masterpiece, the ghosts themselves feel fleshed out and the mystery is the hook that propels everything forward. Plus the attention to detail, particularly the dialogue which feels really fitting depending which story you’re currently reading.

Secondly, I love a story with a dual timeline and this one is no exception. We jump back and forth between now and the 1930s and Priest captures the element of both periods so well. Ronnie is the central pov and she is accompanied by Bartholomew as he follows Ronnie around the house, gradually telling us his story, and of course the mesmerising Venita’s sections told through her water damaged journal. I loved the way Venita shines from the page, she has a captivating presence and allure that has been honed during her time trapped as a ghost, her fury becoming a thing to be feared.

I loved the house setting. It really feeds into the narrative with it’s creepy basement, dodgy floors and rat infested walls. It really is a ‘fixer upper’. And, it still contains most of the original furniture and trappings, right down to a rather spooky mirror on the Parlour wall. I also think it worked really well as we flit between the past and present seeing the house in its splendour compared to the spooky thing it has transformed into.

And, I liked Ronnie, she doesn’t always make the best choices or indeed trust her gut instincts but she has a no nonsense approach to the house and it’s strange inhabitants. Me, I’d be terrified, no way could I spend a night in that house but Ronnie just gets on with it – although she does use alcohol and other ‘things’ to sometimes boost her courage – which sometimes gives off slight ‘whiff’s of unreliability in terms of what she thinks she’s hearing or seeing.

Personally I thought Venita kind of stole the show with her magnetism and her beautifully written journal. Bartholomew comes across as a slightly lumbering, guilt riddled guy who made bad choices and suffers terrible regrets.

I don’t think I can add too much more. This isn’t a totally ‘in your face, all out action, story. It does take it’s time a little to set the scene and develop the characters but this is something I really appreciated as it adds a certain gravitas.

A haunting with a difference, angry ghosts, a vaudevillian style villain and a protagonist determined to make her peace with this house and its strange inhabitants.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

After the death of her brother, Ronnie uses the unexpected life insurance money to buy an old mansion in serious need of repairs. Luckily, Ronnie is a renovation queen and hopes that by fixing up the old mansion it will also help her grieve and rebuild her life. What she doesn't know is that the house has a different idea! The ghostly presence of forgotten silent film star Venita Rost and the spirit of Inspector Bartholomew Sloan stalk the mansion, each with their own motives and secrets. As if that's not enough to deal with, a stranger with mysterious ties to the property starts to intrude upon Ronnie. What has she gotten herself into?

I'm conflicted with this one. There are definitely some hits but definitely some misses here. The setting, arguably, it's the strongest character in my opinion. Rich and moody vibes and detail, creaking floors and rot, and haunted.. literally. The POVs alternate between Ronnie, former starlet Venita, and Inspector Sloan (1930s noir vibes), but I especially liked Ronnie's voice and Venita's diary entries. All of this to say it didn't fully satisfy me. The pacing drags a bit in parts and I genuinely wanted more frightening horror elements! Overall, It Was Her House First has a compelling premise, but the tension and suspense didn't quite hit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cherie Priest, and Poisoned Pen Press for this eArc! Publication date was July 22nd 2025.