Member Review
Review by
Michael B, Reviewer
Trauma Manifests
In “These Walls Remember,” Del Sandeen proves that we don't just move into new homes—we bring our own ghosts with us. A haunting exploration of the Southern Gothic, Sandeen’s novel sidesteps tired slasher tropes to offer something far more unsettling: an intimate study of how grief and trauma can manifest as true terror. The horror here isn't merely about monsters under the bed; it is a heavy, lingering weight born of the past.
Although the setup – estranged sisters Mickie and Delilah inheriting a Savannah home—begins with a classic premise, Sandeen quickly elevates the material. What truly distinguishes the novel is its integration of the oppressed Black experience with the supernatural. The horror isn't arbitrary; it springs directly from the home's past and is set in motion by the inhumane racial treatment of its original owners. Sandeen forces the reader to confront how American history encompasses too many horror stories, showing that the most chilling specters are the ones created by dehumanization and systemic suffering.
I particularly appreciated the focus on the trio of strong African American females at the heart of the story. Seeing Mickie, Delilah, and Joy navigate their complex family dynamics while fighting for one another provided a grounded, emotional anchor that made the supernatural elements feel much more consequential.
While the character work is undeniably the book's greatest strength, the setting provides a more mixed experience, a missed opportunity. While there were a few "joking asides"—references to the idea that “you know there’s ghosts all over Savannah”—the location itself felt largely incidental to the plot. The atmosphere was certainly evocative, but the aura and local flavor of Savannah felt underutilized.
Ultimately, “These Walls Remember” challenges our expectations of a haunted house. We are conditioned to expect these structures to embody some singular, objective evil, but Sandeen posits a more psychological question: how much of the haunting is the house, and how much is the pain we bring inside with us? It is a creepy, atmospheric read that succeeds because it prioritizes the human cost of grief over cheap, gross-out scares.
Thank you to the Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheseWallsRemember #NetGalley
In “These Walls Remember,” Del Sandeen proves that we don't just move into new homes—we bring our own ghosts with us. A haunting exploration of the Southern Gothic, Sandeen’s novel sidesteps tired slasher tropes to offer something far more unsettling: an intimate study of how grief and trauma can manifest as true terror. The horror here isn't merely about monsters under the bed; it is a heavy, lingering weight born of the past.
Although the setup – estranged sisters Mickie and Delilah inheriting a Savannah home—begins with a classic premise, Sandeen quickly elevates the material. What truly distinguishes the novel is its integration of the oppressed Black experience with the supernatural. The horror isn't arbitrary; it springs directly from the home's past and is set in motion by the inhumane racial treatment of its original owners. Sandeen forces the reader to confront how American history encompasses too many horror stories, showing that the most chilling specters are the ones created by dehumanization and systemic suffering.
I particularly appreciated the focus on the trio of strong African American females at the heart of the story. Seeing Mickie, Delilah, and Joy navigate their complex family dynamics while fighting for one another provided a grounded, emotional anchor that made the supernatural elements feel much more consequential.
While the character work is undeniably the book's greatest strength, the setting provides a more mixed experience, a missed opportunity. While there were a few "joking asides"—references to the idea that “you know there’s ghosts all over Savannah”—the location itself felt largely incidental to the plot. The atmosphere was certainly evocative, but the aura and local flavor of Savannah felt underutilized.
Ultimately, “These Walls Remember” challenges our expectations of a haunted house. We are conditioned to expect these structures to embody some singular, objective evil, but Sandeen posits a more psychological question: how much of the haunting is the house, and how much is the pain we bring inside with us? It is a creepy, atmospheric read that succeeds because it prioritizes the human cost of grief over cheap, gross-out scares.
Thank you to the Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheseWallsRemember #NetGalley
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