This book was insane. I was so confused til literally the last couple chapters. I was so lost and honestly I’m glad I was, it made the book more interesting. I wanted to know what happened. I wanted the main character to have a happy ending. I wanted everything to not be wrong. But I was wrong. Everything was bad. And it was such an amazing story.

This story is creepy, twisted, and impossible to look away from. I loved the unsettling atmosphere and the way it kept me guessing. Is Willow trapped by someone else or is her mind playing tricks on her? The mystery builds slowly but pays off in chilling ways.

The writing pulls you into Willow’s world where nothing feels safe or certain. The house feels like a character on its own and the clues hidden in the wallpaper and garden added such a creepy touch. A few parts moved a little slowly but overall it was a dark and haunting read that stuck with me.

This was the most unusual and unsettling book I’ve read in a long time (compliment) it felt like such a fever dream the entire story. We only get any real reliable information at the absolute end of the book but the way it brought all the small details strewn throughout the story was seriously impressive and magical. This was a realistic horror and it was so well done. I’ll be thinking about the ending for forever.

4.5 stars!

This was a wild ride and a lot of fun to read. It did remind me of the Yellow Wallpaper in which the narrator is unreliable, but is you wonder if there is also something sinister going on. It’s one of the books where the reader is confused on and off for a while, but you just need to keep reading to get the full scope. There are still some unanswered questions that add to the overall feel of the book. It’s creepy and ominous and it constantly builds the dread and suspense. It’s full of twists and turns and I highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for allowing me to read this book. I am writing this review based on my own opinion.

OMG! What did I just read?!? That felt like a crazy fever dream, Willow’s unreliable narrative style and being unable to decipher was real and what’s not was beautifully written, I had to keep reading searching for answers.
I was instantly hooked on the psychological spiral right from the beginning, I’m so happy to of been able to read this book that I’ve anxiously been awaiting

Thank you, Marie Still NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

How do I even explain what I just read? I can't. It's like a roller coaster full of twists, turns, loops, and unexpected jokes. Not only that, you're going to get whiplash from being perked around in every direction, and oh yes, let's not forget the hidden trapdoor! I had absolutely no idea where this book was taking me. All i know was i was not expecting anything it threw at me. This is definitely going in wtf did I just read. This isn't going in that category because of gore, blood, and nastiness. Oh no, it's just because this book is so tripping, and I had no idea what was happening most of the time. I thought i was losing my mind by the end of the book.

There is such darkness in this book and such sadness. It runs deep within the pages, and once you realize what's actually happening, it's truly awful. Im still wrapping my mind around it all. The emotions I went through with this book and with the main character I just have so many feelings about it all. Not only that, you just look at the husband and have so many questions.

The mind is a powerful thing, and this book certainly proves that. It will do so much to try and keep you safe, even from yourself. The question is, though, is it too much? What is the mind trying to do? Maybe it is, or maybe it's not. All i can say is that this book was truly tripping and certainly had me gasping by the end of it. I had no idea what was going on until the very end, and im still thinking about it all.

Five stars—easily. This book drags you into a spiraling psychosis alongside the protagonist. The way the storyline twists and folds into the ending is masterful. You don’t just read it—you experience it. I felt like I was losing my grip right along with the characters. Absolutely haunting

I couldn't stop reading this book! It's an example of what fractures the mind; loss, fear, regret... Still's work is very descriptive, and will take you straight into the reality that is the life of the mentally disturbed and ill.

Willow is the epitome of mental illness, and demonstrates the depths it can take the mind. Liam is Willow’s husband. He comes home every day, and expects routine. However, is he conspiring against her? Willow is dedicated to her garden, the flowers are almost like her children. One day she meets a young girl, Sarah, in her garden. Why does Sarah not seem like her correct name? Willow can’t tell right from wrong, cannot differentiate time differences of days and seasons. Willow is not well.

What is real? What is hallucination? After falling into the madness of Willow’s mind, will you be okay?

I loved her book My Darlings and I was so excited to read this one. There are so many spelling errors in this book. It makes it really difficult to focus on the story when I’m trying to piece together what it says. I honestly can’t believe it was sent out that way.

Still does it again with her newest novel! The constant wondering keeps the pages turning as the reader wonders what is happening and has happened to Willow, the mother or the mother that isn't the mother. The words, with their rich textures and vibrant hues, create a mesmerizing world, captivating the mind and transporting the reader to another realm. Curiosity propels the narrative to a shocking revelation, leaving the reader speechless. If you like Still's previous books, grab your copy of this psychological thriller filled with secrets, endless time loops, and the fine line between delusion and reality, exploring the depths of a dark mind.

4.5 ⭐️

Unhinged. Haunting. Visceral. Surreal. I was immediately captivated by this chilling tale. It was dark, claustrophobic and devastating. It was brilliantly composed.

Marie Still has such a distinct writing style. I find it utterly intriguing. Her prose is lyrical and hypnotic. Bad Things Happened in That Room was the second book I’ve read by Still and it was equally, if not better, than My Darlings. Her intense prose and vivid imagery had me questioning my own sanity. It was that twisted and manic.

Bad Things Happened in This Room centered on Willow, a woman whose life had become a disorienting "fever dream" where time felt warped. She was trapped in a house that seemed to be alive with malevolent energy, and the unsettling question arose: was she a prisoner of her domineering husband, Liam, or of her own fractured mind?

Marie Still expertly embodied deep and dark themes such as motherhood, grief, and the precarious line between reality and delusion. I appreciated how the story explored motherhood within the context of Willow's psychological struggles and experiences. More specifically, the narrative hinted at the pressures and challenges of being a mother. Even more, I appreciated how loss and grief was addressed when Still illustrated Willow’s mental state and the bad things that happened in the room. Not only that, the detailed descriptions of Willow life as a “fever dream” and her unraveling grip on reality emphasized the gradual loss of her sanity. Above all, I most appreciated how Still unveiled Willow's Journey of her facing the dark shadows of her past and uncovering her buried truths. All these themes collectively added layers to this already intricately elaborate story.

All in all, I absolutely loved how Marie Still designed this story to be disorienting and kept me guessing until the very end. It was a brilliantly crafted, unhinged story. This one will linger with you long after the last page.

Thank you to Net Galley and Rising Action Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

✨✨✨Did I just hallucinate?! ✨✨✨

I feel like I didn’t read Bad Things Happened in This Room, I feel like instead I just had the most horrifying hallucination. Or like I just woke up from a wicked nightmare that was erratic, unstable, and completely terrifying.

This book is top tier unreliable narrator psychological horror and extremely unique!! Willow is one of (if not THE most) unreliable narrators of all time. This book is fast-paced, crazy, confusing, psychotic, dark, creepy, twisted, thought provoking, heartbreaking, and chilling all at the same time!

Bad Things Happened in This Room is an astonishingly dreadful, out of sorts, harrowing, and gloomy book and I loved it!! 👏 Even though the ending made me SO SAD! You will just have to read this one and see for yourself!!

✨Definitely be sure to check out the trigger warnings on this one first though.✨

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 16, 2025.

This is my first novel from Marie Still, so I was intrigued to read. Bad Things Happened in this Room was a little hard for me to get into. It didn't grab my attention like most suspense/horror books do. I am open to reading other novels by her.

Hey Hollywood, here's a book you need to adapt asap. Oh my goodness, how have I never read from this author before?? This was trippy and a addictive read. If you ever wanted to go down a mind bending spiral that may even drive you to madness, please pick this up. You won't regret it. I loved how the narrator does break the 4th wall and calls us out a little, which I mean rude, but totally valid. I wanted to say, "I'm sorry but I don't know what's going on either!"

We follow Willow whose life has been turned upside down. Her once happy life with her husband Liam has turned into nothing but a shell of a marriage. One day Willow becomes obsessed with a young girl named Sarah, who shortly after meeting, vanishes. Willow is convinced she alone can save Sarah. But things are not always what they seem. See Willow can't tell what is reality or a figment of her imagination. Her psyche is broken from past trauma so to save Sarah, she must confront her past. Can she do it? Is her husband pulling the strings or is there something more sinister going on?

Its been a long time since I have given a thriller/horror 5 stars and this was well deserved. I can't wait to read more!

I don't know if this book is supposed to have grammatical errors I'll try reading it again if there's supposed to be but if not I'm not continuing reading it.

This psychological horror novel felt like a real nightmare and had me questioning everything! It is dark, chilling, emotional, mysterious, sad, tense and terrifying! I read a lot of horror books and I will say that this one freaked me out, in a good way of course. I love a good horror book, there just aren’t many that actually scare me. This book is not for the faint of heart and is very creepy. It is more of the psychological aspect of this horror book that frightened me the most. It has an excellent build up and the plot was very well executed. This is a fast paced read that I found to be thought provoking, captivating and entertaining. It is intense! It may make you feel claustrophobic, as it did me. This author really brought this book to life in the most creepiest, craziest way imaginable!

“Bad Things Happened In This Room” centers around Willow Hawthorne, who has a fractured mind. She is trapped in her own house and is haunted by a past of hers that she struggles to remember. I give this horror book a 5 out of 5 stars!

I think anyone that loves extreme horror and can handle the trigger warnings would enjoy this book! Content warnings include Body horror, domestic abuse, miscarriage, stillbirth, infertility, mental health deterioration, infant mortality, death of a parent, insects, manipulation, gaslighting, drugging and suicide.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Marie Still and Rising Action Publishing Co. for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 16, 2025!

It was tough to get into this one at first but then seemed to flow better and keep me interested. This was the first book I have read by this author so wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. If trigger warnings don’t bother you, this is a fascinating read for sure with an unreliable narrator. Thought it was just OK because I didn’t love the writing style.

Was a hard read to really get into at first but it started to get better! I didn’t care for the writing style unfortunately and the POV of a child was not my thing.

Doesn’t mean you wouldn’t like it!

I could not get into this at all and ending up not finishing at 20% because I just couldn't do it anymore. The premise seemed interesting and promising but this just wasn't the book for me.

This book feels like a fever dream you can’t tell what’s real or fake throughout the entirety of this book and you are left confused in a good way. The devastating grief Willow goes through is truly horrifying even though I knew where all the craziness was heading I did not expect the last few pages, those really surprised me.

Willow's life is a constant loop of controlled existence, marked by the strict rules of her husband Liam and the unsettling nature of her surroundings. Her only connection to the outside world is a young girl named Sarah, whose visits to Willow's garden offer a glimmer of hope. However, as cracks appear in Willow's reality, sinister truths begin to surface, revealing haunting messages on the walls and a malevolent presence within her house. When Sarah suddenly disappears, Willow is forced to confront her past and the dark secrets that threaten to consume her. The central question is whether Willow is a prisoner of her home or of her own fractured psyche

Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication date : Sep 16, 2025