Wow. Seriously just wow. I just finished and I’m trying to get my jaw off the floor. What a delightfully twisty and fun read. I loved every single thing about this book. I usually can see where a book is going and I absolutely had no clue at any point what was going to happen next. Then when you think you’ve gotten to the “big” plot twist, it twists again. You’re just along for the ride.

This is absolutely the best book I’ve read for far this year and deserves every bit of 5 stars. It had me hooked from the first chapter and I couldn’t put it down. 5 hours of me just absolutely obsessed with this book.

Is this an unreliable narrator? Is this really happening? What is happening? I’m just gonna sit here reeling in the best possible way over the last 10% of this book.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I don’t even know if I’ll make it to the publication date before I re read. This is one of those novels that I know will be an entirely different adventure on subsequent reads.

Evil Dead meets It Rides a Pale Horse in this book about a demonic muse haunting a cursed manuscript that possesses those who add to the story. An Evil Premise takes the “book within a book” story to gory new places, and the result is a frighteningly fun read.

When Jewel receives the call that Deidra, her famous author sister, is injured and in a coma, she travels to her sister’s home to be near the hospital. There she finds an unfinished book draft that Deidra’s publishers are desperate to have finished. An aspiring author herself, Jewel thinks this might be her chance to get the attention of a big publishing company, and agrees to finish the book for them. But this is no ordinary book, and soon the line between reality and fiction begins to blur in a terrifyingly evil way.

This book was very interesting to me. It somehow managed to be both a meta possession-slasher, and also an exploration of the deep personal struggle and sacrifice of the artist trying to create their art. I wouldn’t have thought both could work in the same story, but it really does. Reading this book felt like a fever dream; it is truly frightening, and disorienting at times. I felt pulled into the madness of the story in a way I haven’t experienced since reading House of Leaves and It Rides a Pale Horse; this story yanks you in and won’t let you go.

I would say there is a TW for gore; this is a violent book, and there are multiple descriptive death scenes. I didn’t think they were excessive, and even felt they were necessary in that they are a big part of what the story is trying to do; but if you are sensitive to violence, this may not be the one for you. But if you are a fan of slashers, especially supernatural ones, this book should definitely be on your radar.

I would recommend An Evil Premise to fans of the Evil Dead franchise, as well as to readers who love gory horror, possession stories, evil manuscripts, and disorienting plots.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the arc! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. I loved this book so much. It was creepy, exciting, mysterious, and overall thrilling. Deidre is a bestselling author and is in a coma. Her sister comes to her rescue to be with her and help her get better. Deidre's publisher reaches out for her finished manuscript, her sister Jewel decides to take over and finish it for her. She desperate for a break, but something weird is going on. The word count continue to rises even when she's not writing.

An Evil Premise is a slow-burning, psychological horror that plays with the idea of fiction bleeding into reality—sometimes literally. The setup is irresistibly eerie: a struggling writer, a cursed manuscript, and a mysterious affliction that seems to consume both body and mind. The concept alone had me hooked, and the first half of the book builds an unsettling atmosphere of paranoia and dread.

Jewel’s descent into obsession is the highlight here. The way she rationalizes each unsettling event—her worsening rash, the growing word count, the sinister thoughts creeping in—makes for a disturbingly immersive read. The story within the story, with its twisted, self-fulfilling narrative, adds another layer of horror that keeps you questioning what’s real and what’s fiction.

That said, the pacing is uneven. The middle section drags a bit, spending too much time on Jewel’s internal struggle without enough external escalation. And while the buildup is fantastic, the climax feels somewhat abrupt and leaves some questions unanswered. The body horror elements are disturbing (in a good way for horror fans), but the book could have leaned even harder into its premise for a more satisfying payoff.

Overall, An Evil Premise is a chilling, paranoid horror with a brilliant concept, even if it doesn’t fully stick the landing. If you love slow-burn psychological horror with creeping dread, give it a shot—but be prepared for an itch you just can’t scratch.

T. Marie Vandelly has done it again! Her sophomore novel “An Evil Premise” is a claustrophobic meta horror novel taking us on the downward spiral of possession, obsession and the destruction of the mind. Our story revolves around Jewel who has returned to her childhood home after her sister was involved in a hit and run accident. While staying in what is their childhood home, Jewel discovers the unfinished manuscript her sister has been working on and at the prompting of her editor decides to finish it. This novel is nothing like Deidre has written before. As she reads stories of the protagonists in the manuscript, she starts to see and hear things that can’t possibly be real….can they?
This is a novel that will have you screaming at Jewel like you are watching a horror movie. Set in their childhood home that has been converted into apartments lends to a closed in atmosphere creating a claustrophobic setting that makes you feel like the walls are closing in on you every turn of the page. There is a constant sense of loss of control and a tug of war in what is real and what is not. This manuscript starts telling the story as it happens and the twists are insane. This is a novel that you will not soon forget. There is also a dark comedic element that, I feel, is something that Vandelly will continue in her future novels and I cannot wait!!!

An Evil Premise is a masterclass in psychological horror—a novel so deeply disturbing and relentlessly twisty that it invades your psyche and gnaws at your bones from the inside. From the first page, Vandelly grips you in a suffocating embrace of obsession, possession, and madness, spinning a tale that is as unpredictable as it is unnerving. With each chapter, the story takes on a nightmarish quality, its intricate plot weaving through shocking revelations and gut-wrenching terror, leaving readers breathless and unmoored.

The novel’s characters are masterfully crafted, their descent into darkness so convincingly drawn that you’ll feel their paranoia creeping under your skin. Vandelly builds an atmosphere thick with dread, every sentence dripping with ominous foreboding. The pacing is nothing short of perfect—each moment of eerie stillness followed by a sudden, heart-stopping jolt. Just when you think you understand the twisted logic of An Evil Premise, it shifts beneath you like a floor ready to collapse, pulling you deeper into its abyss of psychological torment.

Lovers of horror should get in line for this one—it just might be the book that everyone is talking about this year. Vandelly has crafted a novel that doesn’t just frighten; it burrows into your mind, forcing you to question your own grip on reality long after you’ve turned the final page. This is horror at its most insidious and unforgettable, a haunting tale that lingers like a shadow in the corner of a darkened room. If you crave a story that will unnerve, surprise, and utterly consume you, An Evil Premise is an absolute must-read.

ARC Review: An Evil Premise by T. Marie Vandelly

Wow this book delivers a twisted, spine-chilling meta-horror experience in An Evil Premise, a novel that blurs the line between fiction and reality in the most unsettling way possible.

When Jewel Baldwin’s estranged sister, bestselling author Deidre Baldwin, falls into a coma under disturbing circumstances, Jewel steps in—only to uncover an unfinished manuscript that seems to take on a life of its own. As she attempts to complete it, eerie coincidences spiral into full-blown terror. The manuscript’s sinister influence seeps into her world, her thoughts, even her skin, mirroring the grotesque affliction that struck Deidre. But is it paranoia, possession, or something far worse?

Vandelly masterfully crafts an atmosphere of creeping dread, where every page feels like a trap closing in. The novel plays with the idea of artistic obsession in a way that feels both deeply psychological and disturbingly supernatural. The tension is relentless, the horror visceral—body horror, paranoia, and the terror of losing one’s mind intertwine in ways that will make readers squirm.

With echoes of The Ring and House of Leaves, An Evil Premise is a fever dream of a novel—brilliantly unsettling and impossible to put down. Horror fans, especially those who love stories about the cost of creation, will devour this one. Just don’t be surprised if you start scratching at phantom itches long after you’ve finished reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Whoooie...that was a ride. I thought it was a really good premise for a book...within a book...it was cool.

I think I give it 4.5 stars and rounded up here to 5. It did get a little repetitive in spots, but I was never bored. I really had to know what exactly was going on.

I thought the author did a good job making me feel the unhinged and a little crazy way that Jewel was/felt. I was never completely sure if what she was doing or seeing was really happening or if she was imaging it. I wouldn't say 'fever dream,' but she definitely wrote it in a way that made you feel uneasy.

I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a horror book to make you feel a little uneasy and confused in a good way, this one will do it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC.

Holy moly, this is definitely my top 5 of the year and it is only March! I absolutely loved this book, and it was unhinged in the very best way possible. When her sister Diedre goes into a coma from a skin rash, her sister Jewel is there for her. When Diedre's publisher calls, Jewel says she will finish the manuscript as she is an author as well. There is something not quite right with the manuscript, and that is where this book takes it turn for the insane (again, in a horrifically great way!) I now feel I need to read Theme music by T. Marie Vandelly, which has been on my TBR for too long!

Before I say anything about this book, I need my horror fans to go add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY. ((And if you haven't added Theme Music yet, do that, too, because you've been slacking.))

Yes, it's early in the year, but An Evil Premise already has a strong claim to the Best Horror of 2025 Throne. The concept of the "book within a book" is expertly crafted here, with excerpts from the manuscript woven throughout, adding another incredible layer. Seeing fiction and reality blur for our protagonist makes this story so unsettling, and watching the pieces come together had me up all night so that I could binge this one from start to finish. If reading the preface alone doesn't hook you as a reader, then I dont know what will.

If you're not a fan of a slow burn, this may not be the book for you, but the payoff is so worth it. ((I love a good slow burn, and I think it adds to this particular story brilliantly, but I know it's not for everyone.)) But I would recommend this one for horror fans who like their unhinged characters with a side of possession and a sprinkle of light body horror. ((I'm also dishing out bonus points for creative kills.)) Come August 2025, I will absolutely be clutching a physical copy of this book in my greedy little gremlin hands, and I already can't wait to see what T. Marie Vandelly graces us with next!

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and T. Marie Vandelly for this complimentary copy.))

5⭐️

This was an INSANE book, in the best possible way! With its unique plot, riveting twists and turns, and intriguing characters, this has got to be one of the best horror books I’ve ever read. This is definitely going to be the best horror book of the year for me! That ending?? Had my jaw on the floor.
I was so excited to receive the arc for this book because I read Vandelly’s other book, Theme Music, and loved it. This one was even better though.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Seriously super excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint! This was literally *chef’s kiss* from start to finish! This was such an unsettling, uber creepy, atmospheric read! A book about a book, but make it completely unhinged & shocking! Loved the MC & her sister, their back story, and well every single thing about this book. A MUST READ for any horror fan this year, and I know it’s early but I feel this will become one of the best horror novels of 2025.

Great book! Thank you for letting me read in advance. Couldn't put it down. I have to look up this author to see what else they have to offer now.

Wow! I loved this! I couldn’t put it down and read during every free second I could spare. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I’m not totally sure what to think about this one. I loved Theme Music and honestly, this didn’t measure up for me, but the ending was worth it. As I was reading I wasn’t sure where the story would go but I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Extremely thankful to receive this coveted ARC!!!! T. Marie Vandelly is as talented as they come. While I thought the story was a little bit repetitive (main character thinks she sees something, acts crazy, shakes it off and says “it’s nothing”), I was consistently drawn in and dying to know WTF IS GOING ON!!! The ending is worth the wait, and very satisfying IMO. Thank you again and happy reading to anyone who picks this up! 4 stars :)

Omg!!! This book was so unhinged in the best way possible!!! I loved it! Thank you so much NetGalley and publisher for arc copy!

Oh. My. Gosh. This book?? Absolutely unhinged in the best way possible. It’s creepy, it’s twisty, and it messes with your head in a way that had me side-eyeing my own laptop like… is it typing by itself??

The whole “book within a book” concept is chef’s kiss perfection, and the way reality and fiction start bleeding together?? CHILLS. Jewel is such a fascinating character—equal parts desperate, determined, and maybe just a little (a lot?) unwell. And don’t even get me started on the slow-burn horror of it all. That rash scene? Nope. Nope. Nope. But also, I couldn’t look away.

By the time I reached the final act, I was full-on clutching my Kindle, because every new reveal just made the story even wilder. It’s dark, it’s smart, and it’s one of those books that lingers in your brain long after you finish. Horror fans, trust me, you need this one on your shelf.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This is a fantastic, fun, twisty turny novel about madness, demonic possession, and some very unexpected reveals which will make your head spin.

Jewel is our protagonist and she races to a hospital at the beginning of this book because her sister, Deirdre, was hit by a car. Dierdre is a famous author and Jewel is a struggling self published writer. There's tension between them from the starts. But Dierdre is in a coma and covered with a disgusting rash.

Jewel finds out that Dierdre was finishing a horror novel and decides to finish it for her to meet her agents deadline. What happens next is a fever dream of possession, obsession, paranoi, and lots of bloodshed as the manuscript seems to write itself using real people as characters to kill in extremely brutal ways.

But there's a lot more going on and, as the book progresses, we're going to discover some things which completely turns the story on it's head and makes yours do the same! It's so much fun.

I absolutely loved this novel. The characters are great, the secrets reveal themselves throughout, and by the end you'll be reading wide eyed and with your mouth dropping to the floor. I highly recommend this one.

Screaming, crying, throwing up. First of all, because I received this ARC. Second of all, because this author KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK AGAIN. If you didn’t read Theme Music (you’re wrong but okay) you’ve missed this author and that’s a shame.

Now into the book itself. I could not put it down. The characters are great, the story is insane, and you almost feel a part of the tension. Parts of a manuscript have been added to the story and they are PERFECT inclusions that make the novel even more amazing. This is already going on my top horror of 2025. I even liked it more than Theme Music.

Lastly I’ll just say that I think everyone should read this okay? As soon as it’s published (August 2025). I’ll see you in line for it; because I can’t wait to have this one in my hands.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC (seriously, bottom of my heart)