This was my first read by this author but certainly won’t be my last. The gothic vibes are immaculate, and this cover is perfect for gals like me that love some #pinkhorror! Although this is largely a cursed object horror, the short novella offers so much more in terms of touching family moments, the dark side of family legacies and heirlooms, and the struggles of single motherhood. The author perfectly blends humor and horror in this one to create a lasting piece of gothic fiction that I will be thinking about. I will certainly be thinking of this the next time I need to buy a new piece of furniture - who would have thought that a credenza could offer so many frights?

A no nonsens straight forward haunted house story. It gives you a eery feeling, this one. It is an easy read about family connection and how far people will go to protect their family. A fast-paced horror story with some characters which are well described.
A good horror story with a utterly beautiful pink cover.
I had a great time reading this one!
Thank you Netgalley for my gifted copy.

I’m writing this as I’m sitting next to my antique armoire that survived a house fire giving it major eye after this one.

I loved this! This is about family and what we pass down. I really don’t want to spoil too much about this because I feel it’s best gone in as blind as possible but I will warn that cannibalism plays a factor and is depicted rather graphically.

I grabbed this off of Netgalley to read on a whim, and no regrets.

Am I a sucker for a pink cover?
Yeah I am but it was in the horror section, so that’s my story.

I love a story where someone dies ( lord was that morbid lol ) and they will someone something, sometimes its a house and sometimes its a uh supernatural credenza possibly from hell.

Veronica has this covered, she has everything covered, kind of have too when you always have to do everything on your own, so hauling this piece of furniture home, not a big deal, and after always having to work for everything, I know the feeling of finally getting something nice for free, and all you need to do is get it home.

When things get weird, and a creepy guy shows up wanting the credenza, you start to wonder, what secrets was granny hiding ?
This isn’t what you think, but it is what you think, I really did think I knew exactly what I was getting into with this book, but I was so wonderfully surprised to get much more.

This wont be my last book by Wendy, this was beautiful and horrifying and some how wholesome, with twists that kept me on my toes, wondering, what really is going on with this family and this credenza, is it just a simple cursed object or are there more factors at play, making things, complicated and crazy in a way no one really expected?

Check it out.

3.5 rounded down.

Single mother, Veronica, was very close with her Grandmother, who passes away. All that she has left are her memories, a box with a few of her items, and Grandma's credenza. After bringing it into her home, bizarre things begin to happen. Are those voices she hears coming from Granny's credenza? Who is this stranger offering her large sums of money to purchase it off of her?

This reads like a straightforward haunted/possessed item with a touch more care given to our main character's personality and backstory. There is quite a bit surrounding Veronica's mother and their lack of relationship...but instead of exploring that further, I felt like it was all just a quick fix in the end. After a decent amount of buildup, I felt that the end was a bit rushed and didn't 100% make sense. Overall, it was a decent read, but could be improved.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this novel for my honest review

I was pulled into this story by the exceptional writing. But the intriguing plot made me unable to put it down. This is essentially a haunted/possessed object story, however, it delves so much up deeper into things that make this story unique. It was spooky and it had heart.

I think that this is a well written spooky story. I did struggle with the mother connection in is at I have poor relationship with my own mother but I felt that this was still a good story.

At a basic level this is a cursed object (credenza) story, but the use of old magic, religious ceremonies, and family trauma to drive the story was really well done here. I wanted more about the Old Mothers, The Divinity and the Dead Wood. It felt like a lot of that part of the story was *told* to the reader near the end of the book rather than being *shown* throughout the book. It was told with various points of view and timelines, so parts were shown during those segments from the past. It feels like there are more stories to tell about the Old Mothers, The Divinity and the Dead Wood.

The family trauma, grief, and mother/daughter relationships were beautifully done. I was so invested in the story of this family and these women through multiple generations. The majority of the story felt like more of a mysterious vibe rather than horror. But near the end the horror certainly ramped up and things got a bit gory.

I read this so fast. It's a relatively short, easy read, and I really enjoyed it and didn't want to put it down. I look forward to reading more by Wendy Dalrymple. Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for an advanced e-copy of this book. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.

To be honest, CREDENZA by Wendy Dalrymple is exactly what I want in a horror book. 

For one, the characters are realistic and relatable. Ronnie, the main character, isn't perfect—she's dealing with complications in her career, her family, and in her personal relationships. Her daughter Star is spending more time with her father, who only reappeared in their lives recently, and Ronnie's mother, who she hasn't seen in years, is acting crazier than ever.

Likewise, as most of the horror stories I enjoy, the spooky stuff isn't really the point. I enjoyed following Ronnie as she balanced the difficulties of her everyday life with the weirdness of her grandmother's credenza. Sure, the ancient piece of furniture is creepy—she gets a gross splinter from it, and has started seeing things in her house—but it feels more like a mystery to solve than a problem.

For these reasons, Dalrymple's book is a fun spooky story that wasn't trying too hard to be literary and, yet, told its tale in a compelling way. More than creepy, CREDENZA is simply a fun, spooky read.

Until you get to the last 10% of the book.

That's the moment CREDENZA truly lives up to its horror label. Those last few chapters are pretty fucked up—in the creepiest, goriest way possible. Here, not only does the shit truly hit the fan, and not only does the mystery come together in an unpredictable way, but the themes are revealed in a compelling way.

Because CREDENZA is not really a book about haunted furniture. It's really a book about what it takes to protect family, about the curses that can haunt generations, about believing the people around us, and about second (and third, and fourth) chances.

Again, CREDENZA features a lot of what I love in any horror book—relateable characters, horror as a complication rather than the point. But the themes and its build-up to truly creepy, disturbing details made this one of the most fun horror novel I've read this year.

A Mesmerizing, Macabre Gem!

“Credenza” by Wendy Dalrymple is an absolute treat for horror fans who appreciate a touch of whimsy mixed with the sinister. From the very first page, Dalrymple draws you in with her trademark voice—a blend of wit, charm, and an undercurrent of creeping dread that’s impossible to shake.

The story centers on Veronica, who inherits her grandmother’s antique credenza—a seemingly harmless piece of furniture that quickly reveals a dark side. Dalrymple masterfully transforms the ordinary into the uncanny, weaving a tapestry of family secrets, unsettling inheritances, and a piece of furniture that feels disturbingly alive.

What really makes this book shine is Dalrymple’s gift for character. Veronica is instantly relatable, her skepticism giving way to curiosity and then to sheer terror in a way that feels heartbreakingly human. The supporting cast adds layers of humor and horror, grounding the story while letting its twisted heart unfurl.

The writing is sharp, fresh, and evocative. Dalrymple captures both the nostalgia of a grandmother’s house and the menace of something lurking within its walls. Her pacing is spot-on, building tension with each turn of the page until you can’t look away—and you absolutely can’t put it down.

If you love horror that’s both elegant and unsettling—where the line between the mundane and the macabre is deliciously blurred—then “Credenza” is a must-read. Wendy Dalrymple has crafted a haunting, unforgettable tale that lingers like a chill in the bones. Five stars, and then some.

Review to come in a few days on my blog/other places.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

The newest Wendy Dalrymple and of course I couldn't just leave it when I saw it on Netgalley, I had to request it! I am so thankful that I got to read this book! It was a ride! I started reading on one day just to get a taste and then the next I just read it all. It was that good. You just don't want to stop. 

I thought this book would just be about a spooooooky credenza and see people get haunted, I would have been happy with that already, but instead it is so much more. The credenza is almost alive. It seems to have a heartbeat. Then there is a weird and creepy dude who is desperate to get his hands on it which already raised many a red flag for me. And then as the story continues we learn more about the credenza, about our MC's family, why her mom went crazy and why her mom is so desperate to get that credenza out of this world, and much more. I loved every nugget of new information and I was just so invested. I never once thought it was too much, in fact it was just perfect. Plus, it got really scary and I love that. 

Then it all comes together in the end and boy there were some revelations that had me GASPING and going OMG. Plus, that last bit of the story? Perfection! And yes, as you may notice I am keeping things vague as much as I can. I want people to gasp and squeal and go OMG at all the points as well. 

The only parts that didn't work for me were the cannibalism parts at the end. I am already not a gore girl, but with my (I assume given other symptoms) perimenopause around I really cannot stomach much. So yeah, I almost puked over my Kindle, sorry Kindle. 

And as a Dutchie, I appreciate the Dutch references/the fact things were made in my country. 

All in all, if you want an exciting read with cannibalism, mysterious organisations/protectors, and tons of scary WTF/OMG moments, I would highly recommend this one. You won't be bored!

Truth be told, pink horror and Florida gothic? I knew there was an excellent chance I'd love this book. Dalrymple does a spot on job of combining the intricacies of familial relationships, inherited trauma, and horror. The book was creepy and unsettling without jump scares, moving us further into the weeds of how an ancient evil ended up on the southwest coast of the Sunshine State. If, like me, you prefer your horror with a bit of femme rage and more, it's 95 degrees out so why do I have goosebumps, then dive into Credenza, and see just how menacing a piece of furniture can be. Maybe you'll read it in one sitting like I did.

This was so fun! CREDENZA isn't breaking any molds—this is a pretty standard cursed object story—but I didn't think too hard about that. I was enjoying the ride. I honestly wish it was longer—there were a few events the story skimmed over where I thought we could have gone deeper into Ronnie's interiority and experience, and with this being under 250 pages, there was definitely room for some more depth. But I would still recommend!

My first Wendy Dalrymple, I will be searching out her backlist. I couldn't put this down. Fast paced with many twists and turns, but enough ick to satisfy, but doesn't push it too far. Likable characters with real life problems aside from the horror.
Gives us all a good reason to let go of the stuff our parents hand down to us!

Credenza is described as a gothic pink horror and I think that is such an accurate take. It follows a single mother, Veronica, after her grandmother passed away leaving her heirloom credenza. Veronica decides to bring the piece home and it begins to rip her life at the seams. Only, she was never warned how to stop it.

After reading the first chapter of this novel, I instantly felt unsettled and became hauntingly addicted. Wendy Dalrymple tackled difficult family dynamics and the trauma that occurs and passes down to generations. She tackled grief and the stigmas of mental health in such a raw manor.

I did not expects the twists in the trip this book took me through. I would recommend this quick read to lovers of gore, horror, and antique thrifting.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy of Credenza via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Veronica inherits a credenza from her Grandma Maddie. However, once she has moved the furniture into her own home, it turns out the credenza is more than just an old piece of family furniture and old secrets start to emerge.

This was creepy in all the right ways and had me gripped throughout reading it. It was an enjoyable fast paced read.

They're something so chilling about a horror book that starts of utterly mundane and then just erupts into chaos. Wendy Dalrymple does a great job of situating you in a typical day, with a typical experience that we have all lived. As I started Credenza and read the scenes about Veronica moving the furniture, I immediately thought back to all the times I've moved and it built a kind of personal backstory into the plot that I wasn't expecting. When things start to go south and the hauntings and such start, it's so easy to imagine it happening because you've already built that personal relationship with the plot. I have to say that kind of thinking is a first for me while reading. But the juxtaposition of mundane and supernatural was so jarring it immediately came to mind.

For anyone who likes horror I would recommend Credenza. I actually discovered this book on an instagram post about Pink Horror and realized I hadn't really read anything that fit that bill before and I am so glad I found it! This was such a fun time, cursed objects and Florida gothic? How could you possibly say no!

I felt a personal connection with parts of this novel; just like Veronica and Star, my mother and I were also the only ones there for my grandmother in the end and I actually ended up furnishing my apartment with my grandmothers furniture luckily I did not encounter any cursed or haunted pieces of furniture but reading this book made me appreciate that I have her items.
I definitely was not expecting the twist in this book, I actually had to set my kindle down and walk away for a minute because I was shocked!

No spoilers!

I really enjoyed this book. It is fairly short and gets right to the point, but still allows for some story weaving to be done. This was a unique read. I've never come across a book like this before for multiple reasons. In my opinion, thus is one of those books you just have to read to understand how good it is.

I had never read anything written by Wendy before but I really enjoyed CREDENZA.

I like just a touch of horror and this was a nice (actually kind of a gross) story and a quick read.

The relationship between the main character and her daughter was interesting, as well as the relationship between her and her own mother and grandmother.

I thought the pacing was both a bit too fast and a bit too slow. I know, I know. I think maybe we needed more character development from the main character's mom and grandmother.

Nonetheless, this would be a good story for those who like antiques and wonder about the history of items. I'm sure there are cursed antiques floating around out there. :)

Thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for an e-copy of CREDENZA to review.

I rate CREDENZA four out of five stars.