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Her Little Flowers: A Spellbinding Gothic Ghost Story
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2023)Readers of Eve Chase, Kate Morton, and Anita Frank will devour this bewitchingly atmospheric, melancholy modern ghost story set in the lush hills of England’s Lake District. There, a solitary women’s quiet life spent in her crumbling ancestral manor house with the company of a child’s ghost is dramatically interrupted when her estranged sister returns to share a horrific story of cruelty and desperation from decades earlier…
Goodreads Most Anticipated Books
“Atmospheric…a compelling supernatural mystery that will hold a reader’s attention right up to the last page.”— Library Journal
Francine Thwaite has lived all her fifty-five years in her family’s ancestral home, a rambling Elizabethan manor in England’s Lake District. No other living soul resides there, but Francine isn’t alone. There are ghosts in Thwaite Manor, harmless and familiar. Most beloved is Bree, the mischievous ghost girl who has been Francine’s companion since childhood.
When Francine’s estranged sister, Madeleine, returns to the manor after years away, she brings with her a story that threatens everything Francine has always believed. It is a tale of cruelty and desperation, of terror and unbearable heartache. And as Francine learns more about the darkness in her family’s past—and the role she may have played in it—she realizes that confronting the truth may mean losing what she holds most dear.
As moving and poignant as it is chilling, Her Little Flowers is a story of grief and enduring love—and of the haunting regrets only forgiveness can dispel.
Goodreads Most Anticipated Books
“Atmospheric…a compelling supernatural mystery that will hold a reader’s attention right up to the last page.”— Library Journal
Francine Thwaite has lived all her fifty-five years in her family’s ancestral home, a rambling Elizabethan manor in England’s Lake District. No other living soul resides there, but Francine isn’t alone. There are ghosts in Thwaite Manor, harmless and familiar. Most beloved is Bree, the mischievous ghost girl who has been Francine’s companion since childhood.
When Francine’s estranged sister, Madeleine, returns to the manor after years away, she brings with her a story that threatens everything Francine has always believed. It is a tale of cruelty and desperation, of terror and unbearable heartache. And as Francine learns more about the darkness in her family’s past—and the role she may have played in it—she realizes that confronting the truth may mean losing what she holds most dear.
As moving and poignant as it is chilling, Her Little Flowers is a story of grief and enduring love—and of the haunting regrets only forgiveness can dispel.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2023
551 people are currently reading
56283 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Morgan
4 books513 followersShannon has had a nomadic past involving, but not limited to, nearly being shot in Kashmir, playing a marathon, ten-hour game of backgammon on the side of the road in Turkey, getting horribly sea-sick off the coast of Madagascar, and milking a camel in the Sahara Desert.
More recently, she moved from Africa with her husband and their four boys to the windswept moors of western England, where she gives in daily to her obsession to write. If not writing or reading, she will be collecting a worrying number of unusual and rather macabre plants, many of them poisonous as they tend to produce the most interestingly weird flowers.
Shannon is the author of HER LITTLE FLOWERS, IN THE LONELY HOURS and GRIMDARK, which are all available for purchase at all the usual retailers. Her upcoming title, A PENANCE FOR CROWS, is due for release on 26 August 2026.
For further details to see Shannon's book news check out the links here:
https://linktr.ee/shannonmorganauthor
More recently, she moved from Africa with her husband and their four boys to the windswept moors of western England, where she gives in daily to her obsession to write. If not writing or reading, she will be collecting a worrying number of unusual and rather macabre plants, many of them poisonous as they tend to produce the most interestingly weird flowers.
Shannon is the author of HER LITTLE FLOWERS, IN THE LONELY HOURS and GRIMDARK, which are all available for purchase at all the usual retailers. Her upcoming title, A PENANCE FOR CROWS, is due for release on 26 August 2026.
For further details to see Shannon's book news check out the links here:
https://linktr.ee/shannonmorganauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 821 reviews
May 31, 2025
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“What a charming conceit it is to communicate through flowers instead of words.” - Jean Marsh (The Illuminated Language of Flowers)
This book was unique, a woman who has ghosts in her home and uses plants and flowers to ward off bad juju. What made this story so different is the fact that the heroine is middle-aged and has a love interest then when her sister comes to visit her quaint life comes crashing down around her. The house she lives in is five-hundred years old so the book had definite gothic vibes I loved that the ghosts, the house and the plants were all characters as well. But, this is not just a story about ghosts it is a story about a family tragedy and when the past and present collide hearts are shattered and the big secrets that are eventually revealed are genuinely surprising.
The story is told in past and present chapters and explores how the sisters are dealing with their newfound knowledge of the past. Every day they learn something new as they do the investigation themselves...And what they reveal broke my heart. This was such an intricately woven storyline and a very sad read that eventually left me feeling hopeful for the two main characters in the end. There is a lot going on in the story, sibling conflict, buried memories, a house with secrets not to mention an old asylum on the premises, but the author manages to keep the reader captivated and wanting to find out more.
I felt emotionally invested in the characters, I cared what happened to them and was hoping they'd find the answers they were looking for. I was also hoping the sisters would learn to trust each other again and become closer. The book is ultimately about family bonds, loss and forgiveness and we are given an inside look at what abuse can do to an entire family. The research about the plants was impeccable, I was really impressed with that. What an exceptional debut.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
“What a charming conceit it is to communicate through flowers instead of words.” - Jean Marsh (The Illuminated Language of Flowers)
This book was unique, a woman who has ghosts in her home and uses plants and flowers to ward off bad juju. What made this story so different is the fact that the heroine is middle-aged and has a love interest then when her sister comes to visit her quaint life comes crashing down around her. The house she lives in is five-hundred years old so the book had definite gothic vibes I loved that the ghosts, the house and the plants were all characters as well. But, this is not just a story about ghosts it is a story about a family tragedy and when the past and present collide hearts are shattered and the big secrets that are eventually revealed are genuinely surprising.
The story is told in past and present chapters and explores how the sisters are dealing with their newfound knowledge of the past. Every day they learn something new as they do the investigation themselves...And what they reveal broke my heart. This was such an intricately woven storyline and a very sad read that eventually left me feeling hopeful for the two main characters in the end. There is a lot going on in the story, sibling conflict, buried memories, a house with secrets not to mention an old asylum on the premises, but the author manages to keep the reader captivated and wanting to find out more.
I felt emotionally invested in the characters, I cared what happened to them and was hoping they'd find the answers they were looking for. I was also hoping the sisters would learn to trust each other again and become closer. The book is ultimately about family bonds, loss and forgiveness and we are given an inside look at what abuse can do to an entire family. The research about the plants was impeccable, I was really impressed with that. What an exceptional debut.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
July 25, 2023
Fifty-five-year-old Francine Thwaite has lived in the family home, Thwaite Manor in Cumbria, England for all of her life. The land her home was built on has been in her family for over five hundred years. Francine is a loner who rarely ventures outside her home and her social interactions are limited to her trips to the nearby town for necessities, visits from her late mother’s close friend and her interactions with lodgers who rent rooms in her home. Her younger and somewhat estranged sister, Madeleine has a life very different from Francine and lives in London. But Francine is content with her quiet life and is averse to modern technology (no phone or computer to be found on the premises), She spends her time tending her garden, reading about the history of the house and the family and in the company of the ghosts of the Manor among whom is a six or seven-year old girl she calls Bree her favorite since her childhood. Francine’s late mother was a believer in the healing and protective power of herbs and flowers and passed the same down to Francine who regularly uses her knowledge to keep evil spirits away. When Madeleine returns home after several years away, she shares some shocking information she has gathered about their family history forcing Francine to question everything she knew about her parents and her childhood. As the narrative progresses, Francine tries to find out the truth behind Madeleine’s revelations and what follows is a journey of catharsis and discovery, recovery of repressed memories of traumatic events from their childhood dating and unraveling of long-buried family secrets from over fifty years ago. Her search is complicated by the presence of an evil apparition that enters her home with harmful intent and it will take all of her knowledge and courage to keep herself, Madeleine, her home and her friendly ghosts safe from harm.
With its combination of Gothic elements, mystery and family drama, Her Little Flowers by Shannon Morgan is an absorbing read. The author seamlessly weaves past and present timelines into an engaging narrative. I enjoyed getting to know both Francine and Madeleine and was invested in their stories and liked how their quest brought them closer together. I loved how the author incorporates the language of flowers, which plays such an important role in this story, into the narrative. Initially, the pacing is a tad uneven but picks up as the plot progresses. The narrative does suffer from minor repetitiveness but not so much that it detracts from the overall reading experience. I did think, however, that the romance track felt forced and unnecessary. There are some heartbreaking moments in this story but I am glad that the author chose to end it on a positive and hopeful note. The plot is well structured and the build-up to the final reveal was suspenseful with plenty of surprises along the way.
”There were so many reasons a soul might remain: a debt that needed paying, vengeance, guilt over earthly actions and their subsequent consequences”.
This is not a genre I read much, but I enjoyed the spooky, Gothic vibe, the characters (even the "ghosts and ghoulies") and the mystery at the core of the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
With its combination of Gothic elements, mystery and family drama, Her Little Flowers by Shannon Morgan is an absorbing read. The author seamlessly weaves past and present timelines into an engaging narrative. I enjoyed getting to know both Francine and Madeleine and was invested in their stories and liked how their quest brought them closer together. I loved how the author incorporates the language of flowers, which plays such an important role in this story, into the narrative. Initially, the pacing is a tad uneven but picks up as the plot progresses. The narrative does suffer from minor repetitiveness but not so much that it detracts from the overall reading experience. I did think, however, that the romance track felt forced and unnecessary. There are some heartbreaking moments in this story but I am glad that the author chose to end it on a positive and hopeful note. The plot is well structured and the build-up to the final reveal was suspenseful with plenty of surprises along the way.
”There were so many reasons a soul might remain: a debt that needed paying, vengeance, guilt over earthly actions and their subsequent consequences”.
This is not a genre I read much, but I enjoyed the spooky, Gothic vibe, the characters (even the "ghosts and ghoulies") and the mystery at the core of the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 8, 2023
Her Little Flowers by Shannon Morgan
Gothic mystery. Dual time line.
Francine has lived in her ancestral home her whole life. She lives alone but occasionally rents out rooms for the income. She converses regularly with Bree, a mischievous ghost that lives in a tree on the property. Other ghosts are in the house but Francine is familiar with them and also is very knowledgeable about plants and their protective powers. When her sister Madeleine returns for a visit, everything changes for Francine. New menacing ghosts, and memories of having brothers and sisters including Bree start an investigation into their past and an abusive father.
Suspenseful and a bit old fashioned, the story moves well and kept me reading. The healing and protective powers of plants was interesting. The family secrets are sad and I understand why Francine would want to forget everything.
I received a copy of this from the publisher and @BetweenTheChapters.
Gothic mystery. Dual time line.
Francine has lived in her ancestral home her whole life. She lives alone but occasionally rents out rooms for the income. She converses regularly with Bree, a mischievous ghost that lives in a tree on the property. Other ghosts are in the house but Francine is familiar with them and also is very knowledgeable about plants and their protective powers. When her sister Madeleine returns for a visit, everything changes for Francine. New menacing ghosts, and memories of having brothers and sisters including Bree start an investigation into their past and an abusive father.
Suspenseful and a bit old fashioned, the story moves well and kept me reading. The healing and protective powers of plants was interesting. The family secrets are sad and I understand why Francine would want to forget everything.
I received a copy of this from the publisher and @BetweenTheChapters.
September 4, 2023
HER LITTLE FLOWERS came to me in the mail as a Goodreads giveaway. The following is my review.
My take on this was that it was a mild paranormal with a bit of crime solving mystery thrown in. I say 'mild' because although there was the presence of ghosts, they didn't seem as scary as in some stories. I had no trouble turning off the light at bed time.
From the beginning we learn of a possible crime, or crimes, but we don't learn until the end what happened. There was a pretty good twist I didn't see coming, but I should have as the subtle hints were there. And they were quite clever, I must add. I guess we see what we want to see.
Overall it was a pretty good story, but it took me about a hundred pages before I really got into the story. It seemed to drag on, or was just too slow moving for me. If they were talking about tanks instead of flowers the book would have been glued to my fingers. But that version of the story wouldn't have made sense.
I shall pass this book on in the hope that somebody else enjoys it rather than finding a place for it on my bookshelf.
My take on this was that it was a mild paranormal with a bit of crime solving mystery thrown in. I say 'mild' because although there was the presence of ghosts, they didn't seem as scary as in some stories. I had no trouble turning off the light at bed time.
From the beginning we learn of a possible crime, or crimes, but we don't learn until the end what happened. There was a pretty good twist I didn't see coming, but I should have as the subtle hints were there. And they were quite clever, I must add. I guess we see what we want to see.
Overall it was a pretty good story, but it took me about a hundred pages before I really got into the story. It seemed to drag on, or was just too slow moving for me. If they were talking about tanks instead of flowers the book would have been glued to my fingers. But that version of the story wouldn't have made sense.
I shall pass this book on in the hope that somebody else enjoys it rather than finding a place for it on my bookshelf.
August 20, 2023
This is an entertaining, well-written, dual timeline, contemporary ghost story. It has a vividly described, spooky setting, tragedy, loss, heartbreak, family drama, sadness, forgiveness and hope. Its mystery, suspense, and twists and turns make it a real page turner. I received this novel as a gift from Kensington Books as a member of its Between the Chapters Book Club, and this is my honest opinion.
June 16, 2024
3.5/5
Wow, this was quite a ride and it really took me a bit to finish it.
Francine lives in a manor that has been there for around 500 years and has the capacity of seeing ghosts. She doesn’t remember anything about her past nor childhood, all she remembers is her sister Madeleine who she really doesn’t get along with that much.
Until one day, after so many years of not seeing each other, Madeleine suddenly arrives to the manor with a huge surprise and so so many news about the place Francine has been living in, some good, some awful. Now they’ll both have to figure out what to do with said news and see if that will tear them apart even more or will help strengthen their bond.
The plot was very good, don’t get me wrong, it truly was somehow fast paced and you could say it’s a short book plus it was entertaining, the only problem is that I felt like there was just some unnecessary repetition in so many things and at times it became so god damn slow.
The characters were nice as well, though I saw no point in there being a love interest at all. But the main character was really nice, clever, mature, but a bit self-centered but honestly that wasn’t even a flaw.
So yeah, maybe I’d recommend this to someone who wants a small mystery and horror book to spend some time reading? Idk. But it was quite fun.
Wow, this was quite a ride and it really took me a bit to finish it.
Francine lives in a manor that has been there for around 500 years and has the capacity of seeing ghosts. She doesn’t remember anything about her past nor childhood, all she remembers is her sister Madeleine who she really doesn’t get along with that much.
Until one day, after so many years of not seeing each other, Madeleine suddenly arrives to the manor with a huge surprise and so so many news about the place Francine has been living in, some good, some awful. Now they’ll both have to figure out what to do with said news and see if that will tear them apart even more or will help strengthen their bond.
The plot was very good, don’t get me wrong, it truly was somehow fast paced and you could say it’s a short book plus it was entertaining, the only problem is that I felt like there was just some unnecessary repetition in so many things and at times it became so god damn slow.
The characters were nice as well, though I saw no point in there being a love interest at all. But the main character was really nice, clever, mature, but a bit self-centered but honestly that wasn’t even a flaw.
So yeah, maybe I’d recommend this to someone who wants a small mystery and horror book to spend some time reading? Idk. But it was quite fun.
May 16, 2023
You have horror gothic vibes, an unsolved family tragedy, a 500-year old Elizabethan manor inhabited by a 55-year old woman and her ghosts--what's not to love? Add herbal knowledge, sibling drama and secrets, and I'm sold. This isn't as gory as you'd expect in the genre, which makes it an excellent read for those new to reading horror, like I am. Get this one: completely worth all the hype. You won't regret it.
July 22, 2025
I’ve devoured two books by Shannon Morgan, and I can without a doubt say she is one of the strongest, suspense and mystery writers I’ve ever come across. Her twists honestly impress me as if I was reading a Christie book, and her prose and settings are just so vivid and enthralling, especially with my love of all this nature and its overlap. I truly struggle with putting the book down in order to savor and not just take it all in in one long sitting. I really felt not only like I sympathized and connected to Francine but also this might be the first time in a novel in which I relate and even revere a ghost in Bree. I was shocked and twisted from one theory to the next as I read through this grim, dark shadows esque manor and time-place, and aside from selfishly wishing it was longer and dove even deeper into that dreadful July 26th day. Shannon has very quickly risen to an author to always watch and look forward to reading here on out, because I’m guaranteed a delightfully dark tale that meets my every need and expectation and honestly exceeds them. 4.75/5
August 26, 2025
Well, I absolutely LOVED this and I'm going to continue on with Shannon Morgan's books reading them immersively (eBook & audiobook at the same time on hoopla) I also just bought the first two in paperback and will swoop that new one, Grimdark as well
Review soon!
Review soon!
October 2, 2023
I rushed to finish this book mostly because I wanted it to end that badly. The prose was super descriptive but at times felt like the author was trying too hard. No amount of beautiful prose could make this plot good.
The characters were terrible and poorly developed. The only character I liked was the little girl ghost. The dialogue was so old fashioned (like, Victorian) that I completely forgot the story took place in present day.
The romance was random and made zero sense. Felt really unnecessary to add to the story at all. The dad leaving so easily and THEN coming back only after escaping an asylum that just so happened to be in the backyard? Made zero sense. Also, how did Francine not remember the name of the asylum she lived by her WHOLE FREAKING LIFE? Just stupid.
This book was really hyped as a ghost story but aside from the actual ghosts this book was boring.
The characters were terrible and poorly developed. The only character I liked was the little girl ghost. The dialogue was so old fashioned (like, Victorian) that I completely forgot the story took place in present day.
The romance was random and made zero sense. Felt really unnecessary to add to the story at all. The dad leaving so easily and THEN coming back only after escaping an asylum that just so happened to be in the backyard? Made zero sense. Also, how did Francine not remember the name of the asylum she lived by her WHOLE FREAKING LIFE? Just stupid.
This book was really hyped as a ghost story but aside from the actual ghosts this book was boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
Having a rare drizzly, spring day seemed perfect for reading this book set in a remote 500-year-old Elizabethan manor that has always been owned by one family. Even better, the main character is 55-year-old, unmarried Francine, who is slightly odd and lives there alone with the ghosts. Looking for hashtags? How about #language of flowers, #ancient herbal lore, #unsolved family tragedy, #priest holes, or #abandoned insane asylum?
This book oozes ghostly whispers as you try to solve the tragedy along with Francine. It's beautifully written with alternating chapters of present and past that flow seamlessly. I'm so impressed that this is a debut book as well as the horticulture research required for the story. It was a glorious, atmospheric read for a rainy day and I highly recommend it no matter what the weather is. (I'm not sure why the date on this review shows as July 20, 2023, since I posted it on April 9, 2023!)
I'm grateful to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read the ARC. The opinions and the review are my own.
This book oozes ghostly whispers as you try to solve the tragedy along with Francine. It's beautifully written with alternating chapters of present and past that flow seamlessly. I'm so impressed that this is a debut book as well as the horticulture research required for the story. It was a glorious, atmospheric read for a rainy day and I highly recommend it no matter what the weather is. (I'm not sure why the date on this review shows as July 20, 2023, since I posted it on April 9, 2023!)
I'm grateful to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read the ARC. The opinions and the review are my own.
July 26, 2023
For her debut Morgan uses the language of flowers adding a layer to the story. A layer of passion towards nature, a layer of being part of our surroundings.
Her protagonists are marvellously middle aged in the middle of a ghost story, a story of family, love and hate and consequences and new beginnings.
I wouldn't label this as a horror story, rather a story with ghosts.
An ARC gently provided by author/publisher via Netgalley.
Her protagonists are marvellously middle aged in the middle of a ghost story, a story of family, love and hate and consequences and new beginnings.
I wouldn't label this as a horror story, rather a story with ghosts.
An ARC gently provided by author/publisher via Netgalley.
February 16, 2023
4.25/5 stars! I love a good middle-aged mystery. That's what I was expecting with 55-year-old Francine in this story. Gothic horror vibes abounded and I was really excited. This book was surprisingly cozy for a horror book. I loved Bree and the other ghosts. The family angst was surprising and drew me in. Overall, an enjoyable gothic thriller.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 25, 2023
A dual timeline ghost story that will be a sure favourite with fans of the genre. Set in the scenic Lake District area of England, the story centres around an ancient haunted house called Thwaite Manor. A modern gothic tale.
Present Day: Francine Thwaite lives alone in the vast manor of her forebears. She is fifty-five years old and is quite eccentric in that she shuns the modern world. She doesn't own a television or a telephone, preferring her garden as a pastime. She has never been more than twenty miles away from the house where she was born and raised. She doesn't seem lonely as such, but she is very solitary - with only the company of the manor's many ghosts for company. In particular a small girl ghost called Bree. When her younger sister Madeline comes to visit after becoming widowed, Francine's world is rocked to the core. Her beloved Thwaite Manor now seems to exude an awful sensation of malice.
Summer 1969: Thwaite Manor is the home of George and Eleanor Thwaite along with their six children. Five girls and one baby boy. It is not a happy household. George Thwaite is an abusive man who's every action is spurred by his corrosive hatred. He rules the manor with an iron fist evoking fear into the lives of his entire family. Eleanor Thwaite is the mother of six and is only in her twenties. She is an avid gardener and is well versed in the lore of floral symbolism. She calls her darling children 'her little flowers' and does her best to protect them from their abusive, drunken father.
As the reader is made privy to the events that occurred in 1969, Francine's family history is every so slowly revealed... Thwaite Manor finally reveals it's myriad secrets.
For the reader who is game to suspend belief for the duration of the read, this debut novel has many aspects to recommend it. An eerie and atmospheric centuries old manor house complete with priest holes and several ghosts, a family mystery shrouded in secrets, and a fascinating glimpse into sibling relationships. Not to mention good and evil at war within its pages.
The title was absolutely perfect for the book, and I appreciated learning much about the language of flowers.
Recommended to fans of ghost stories who like to read authors such as Laura Purcell and Anita Frank. For those who read seasonally, it would be the perfect read for a chilly October evening.
Present Day: Francine Thwaite lives alone in the vast manor of her forebears. She is fifty-five years old and is quite eccentric in that she shuns the modern world. She doesn't own a television or a telephone, preferring her garden as a pastime. She has never been more than twenty miles away from the house where she was born and raised. She doesn't seem lonely as such, but she is very solitary - with only the company of the manor's many ghosts for company. In particular a small girl ghost called Bree. When her younger sister Madeline comes to visit after becoming widowed, Francine's world is rocked to the core. Her beloved Thwaite Manor now seems to exude an awful sensation of malice.
Summer 1969: Thwaite Manor is the home of George and Eleanor Thwaite along with their six children. Five girls and one baby boy. It is not a happy household. George Thwaite is an abusive man who's every action is spurred by his corrosive hatred. He rules the manor with an iron fist evoking fear into the lives of his entire family. Eleanor Thwaite is the mother of six and is only in her twenties. She is an avid gardener and is well versed in the lore of floral symbolism. She calls her darling children 'her little flowers' and does her best to protect them from their abusive, drunken father.
As the reader is made privy to the events that occurred in 1969, Francine's family history is every so slowly revealed... Thwaite Manor finally reveals it's myriad secrets.
For the reader who is game to suspend belief for the duration of the read, this debut novel has many aspects to recommend it. An eerie and atmospheric centuries old manor house complete with priest holes and several ghosts, a family mystery shrouded in secrets, and a fascinating glimpse into sibling relationships. Not to mention good and evil at war within its pages.
The title was absolutely perfect for the book, and I appreciated learning much about the language of flowers.
Recommended to fans of ghost stories who like to read authors such as Laura Purcell and Anita Frank. For those who read seasonally, it would be the perfect read for a chilly October evening.
February 11, 2024
Her Little Flowers is a surprisingly adept gothic mystery debut novel by Shannon Morgan. It is a story about family and how far we will go to protect those we love. There is much to love here including: a haunted mansion, an eccentric main character, family secrets, a garden full of poisonous flowers, an abandoned insane asylum, surprising twists, and a bit of romance. I give it a solid 4* despite the hokey ending.
I received a drc from the publisher via NetGalley.
I received a drc from the publisher via NetGalley.
April 29, 2023
When I received this author's ARC, I was thrilled. I've waited ever so long to hold a copy of Her Little Flowers in my hands. Disclaimer now: I had the honor and privilege of reading HLF prior to this version, offering suggestions and watching the author work her magic way beyond what I envisioned . . . assuming the arduous process of taking a good thing and making it better, and better still, and even better after that. I could go on and on about how this author's grit and determination forged an amazing novel but I don't want to embarrass said author any more than I already have. :)
Suffice to say, it's a damn good read. The genre is gothic horror/paranormal and ergo, the setting is sufficiently eerie and mysterious, the plot thoughtfully and intricately woven, the characters--both living and non--unforgettable. The ending . . . lordy lord. There is one part in this novel that will stay with me forever, such a gut-punch.
How Ms. Morgan thought of this story I do not know, but it speaks to her seemingly endless well of creativity and I shall speak no more of wells. (Why? You'll have to read the book.)
Before I end this tome to Shannon Morgan, a word, literally, about her research: WOW. Read this book and you will see what I mean. And when you've finally read the last page you may find yourself, as I did, wondering which flower best symbolizes who you are. I'm not sure yet, but somehow, I suspect Shannon Morgan already knows.
Suffice to say, it's a damn good read. The genre is gothic horror/paranormal and ergo, the setting is sufficiently eerie and mysterious, the plot thoughtfully and intricately woven, the characters--both living and non--unforgettable. The ending . . . lordy lord. There is one part in this novel that will stay with me forever, such a gut-punch.
How Ms. Morgan thought of this story I do not know, but it speaks to her seemingly endless well of creativity and I shall speak no more of wells. (Why? You'll have to read the book.)
Before I end this tome to Shannon Morgan, a word, literally, about her research: WOW. Read this book and you will see what I mean. And when you've finally read the last page you may find yourself, as I did, wondering which flower best symbolizes who you are. I'm not sure yet, but somehow, I suspect Shannon Morgan already knows.
July 30, 2023
DNF. I pushed myself to stick with this for 100 pages because I was hoping it would get better. While the premise was interesting, and I was really excited to read this book, I felt like it dragged with overly descriptive prose. I also feel like this was improperly classified as “gothic horror”. I didn’t find anything remotely scary about this.
March 28, 2023
Review coming soon.
August 12, 2023
Y’all. I don’t think I’ll be able to get over this book for a while. It was heartbreaking and beautiful and just an amazing read.
Our MC see’s ghosts. They haunt her 500 year old home, but she’s used to it. They don’t speak, but she has a very close relationship to a little girl ghost, named Bree. But where did Bree come from? And how is she attached to this house?
There were some jaw dropping revelations. And there were definitely some creepy vibes as well. It’s very historical as well, dealing with the history of an old home - which I absolutely love. But, if you are looking for a fast paced thriller/horror read, this is not the book for you. This was very slow paced and beautifully written and deals with grief, sisterhood, and trauma. BUT I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
Our MC see’s ghosts. They haunt her 500 year old home, but she’s used to it. They don’t speak, but she has a very close relationship to a little girl ghost, named Bree. But where did Bree come from? And how is she attached to this house?
There were some jaw dropping revelations. And there were definitely some creepy vibes as well. It’s very historical as well, dealing with the history of an old home - which I absolutely love. But, if you are looking for a fast paced thriller/horror read, this is not the book for you. This was very slow paced and beautifully written and deals with grief, sisterhood, and trauma. BUT I LOVED IT SO MUCH.
March 10, 2023
I couldn’t believe that this was Shannon Morgan’s debut novel. If these are the books she will continue to write, I will read every one of them. Ghost stories, haunted houses, sibling drama and secrets make for a thrilling gothic book that was hard to put down.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington books for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington books for an advanced copy for an honest review.
September 7, 2023
Nothing about this worked for me. I considered DNF-ing at 90% but I thought that was silly. But then it got worse, so there you go. Really contrived gothic atmosphere - so many elements thrown in (child ghosts, abandoned asylum) but none of them actually had feeling attached to them, which is what actually makes something gothic.
All my spoiler-y thoughts below:
-I never want to hear the name "Bree" again. So many times! Not sure if this was as annoying in print, but it was maddening on audio.
-Why did Tom Constable (his name was something like that) even like about Francine? It made no sense that he was interested in her. Or why he was in the story.
-Her mom was a witch? I wanted more of this or none at all.
-Her dad went back to the house after the asylum because he couldn't deal with the fact that he wasn't going to get the house now that their son was dead? Mmm okay I guess.
-What did the last 50 years of Francine's life even look like?? I don't get what she does.
-So F lives alone in this old house that then also ends up having an abandoned asylum and a graveyard on the property? What? Why?
-Who cares that her sister had so many husbands?
-And so I waited out this whole book to find out that three little kids died in a horrible way? Yep, one star.
All my spoiler-y thoughts below:
-I never want to hear the name "Bree" again. So many times! Not sure if this was as annoying in print, but it was maddening on audio.
-Why did Tom Constable (his name was something like that) even like about Francine? It made no sense that he was interested in her. Or why he was in the story.
-Her mom was a witch? I wanted more of this or none at all.
-Her dad went back to the house after the asylum because he couldn't deal with the fact that he wasn't going to get the house now that their son was dead? Mmm okay I guess.
-What did the last 50 years of Francine's life even look like?? I don't get what she does.
-So F lives alone in this old house that then also ends up having an abandoned asylum and a graveyard on the property? What? Why?
-Who cares that her sister had so many husbands?
-And so I waited out this whole book to find out that three little kids died in a horrible way? Yep, one star.
May 25, 2023
** I received a free paperback copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway winner **
This book was a fast paced, well written story encompassing the love among siblings and their devotion to protecting each other. Including a middle aged protagonist was a fresh change in the thriller genre, and it made for a unique experience.
The atmosphere was phenomenal and was true to the gothic genre. Dilapidated old house, mysterious family histories, and a slight dip into the supernatural reminded me of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca in regards to setting and mood.
Overall, this novel exceeded my expectations and was a fun, quick little entertaining read.
This book was a fast paced, well written story encompassing the love among siblings and their devotion to protecting each other. Including a middle aged protagonist was a fresh change in the thriller genre, and it made for a unique experience.
The atmosphere was phenomenal and was true to the gothic genre. Dilapidated old house, mysterious family histories, and a slight dip into the supernatural reminded me of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca in regards to setting and mood.
Overall, this novel exceeded my expectations and was a fun, quick little entertaining read.
May 20, 2023
Secrets and plant lore, the language of flowers. I loved it.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 30, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for my free-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In Her Little Flowers, we embark on a heart-wrenching journey with a family that has endured both loss and survival. Shannon Morgan's narrative is delivered in dual timelines that seamlessly blend the past and present.
We follow Francine, the protagonist, as she navigates her way through life, surrounded by the ghosts of her family's past. The lush gardens, which Francine has cultivated with her green thumb, provide an idyllic backdrop for the eerie manor and the woodland behind it. Morgan's descriptive writing adds an extra layer of tension that keeps readers on edge.
The language of flowers is a central theme in the book. The way in which they convey emotions and messages is fascinating. Memory, too, plays a significant role in this story as we witness the human mind's ability to block out trauma. It's a heartbreaking revelation when everything is finally unveiled.
But at the core of Her Little Flowers is the bond of sisterly love. The story shows how this love transcends life and death and how sisters will do anything to protect their loved ones.
As a reader, I found myself emotionally invested in the characters, particularly the young sisters whose mother's attempts to shield them from harm gutted me.
Overall, Her Little Flowers is a creatively written book.
In Her Little Flowers, we embark on a heart-wrenching journey with a family that has endured both loss and survival. Shannon Morgan's narrative is delivered in dual timelines that seamlessly blend the past and present.
We follow Francine, the protagonist, as she navigates her way through life, surrounded by the ghosts of her family's past. The lush gardens, which Francine has cultivated with her green thumb, provide an idyllic backdrop for the eerie manor and the woodland behind it. Morgan's descriptive writing adds an extra layer of tension that keeps readers on edge.
The language of flowers is a central theme in the book. The way in which they convey emotions and messages is fascinating. Memory, too, plays a significant role in this story as we witness the human mind's ability to block out trauma. It's a heartbreaking revelation when everything is finally unveiled.
But at the core of Her Little Flowers is the bond of sisterly love. The story shows how this love transcends life and death and how sisters will do anything to protect their loved ones.
As a reader, I found myself emotionally invested in the characters, particularly the young sisters whose mother's attempts to shield them from harm gutted me.
Overall, Her Little Flowers is a creatively written book.
Read
August 12, 2024dnf dnf dnf
I read half of this book in hopes that it would get better. Alas, it did not. Not for me. I was excited about this book because the description sounded interesting and I think the cover is beautiful. However, from page one, there was really nothing there to grab my attention. This is way less horror and way more domestic mystery.
There are a lot of descriptive passages but it’s description that doesn’t add to the story. On the flip side, there was a lack of description where it would have really added to the story. I don’t want to read “the house felt different… the house felt uneasy”. I want to be SHOWN. It’s a lot more fun to figure it out ourselves, isn’t it? This is a “horror” novel after all — the house should be its own character. That being said, this is a very easy, breezy horror.
Another problem was that I never connected with Francine or Maddie and because of that, I found myself not really caring about the story itself.
I read half of this book in hopes that it would get better. Alas, it did not. Not for me. I was excited about this book because the description sounded interesting and I think the cover is beautiful. However, from page one, there was really nothing there to grab my attention. This is way less horror and way more domestic mystery.
There are a lot of descriptive passages but it’s description that doesn’t add to the story. On the flip side, there was a lack of description where it would have really added to the story. I don’t want to read “the house felt different… the house felt uneasy”. I want to be SHOWN. It’s a lot more fun to figure it out ourselves, isn’t it? This is a “horror” novel after all — the house should be its own character. That being said, this is a very easy, breezy horror.
Another problem was that I never connected with Francine or Maddie and because of that, I found myself not really caring about the story itself.
March 22, 2024
3-1/2 / 5
This is not my usual genre but the title and beautiful cover captured me.
Francine Thwaite has lived alone in her ancestral manor home for her entire 55 years only occasionally taking in paying lodgers. Her passion is her garden with flowers and plants all of which has special properties for both good and evil and Francine learned about these specialties from her mother.
Francine is pretty much content with her beloved ghost Bree and the cat Tibbles until her sister Madeleine arrives after several years away bringing with her some unsettling news that is going to upset Francine’s world with long lost family secrets.
Since Francine was only 5-years old when the tragedy took place it is no surprise that she has blocked out the terrible memories but now must face the terrifying truth of what happened to her abusive father, her beautiful mother and her lost siblings.
What was unnecessary was the love interest introduced for Francine and I felt it had no place in this chilling gothic tale of family secrets, tragedy and ghosts.
This is not my usual genre but the title and beautiful cover captured me.
Francine Thwaite has lived alone in her ancestral manor home for her entire 55 years only occasionally taking in paying lodgers. Her passion is her garden with flowers and plants all of which has special properties for both good and evil and Francine learned about these specialties from her mother.
Francine is pretty much content with her beloved ghost Bree and the cat Tibbles until her sister Madeleine arrives after several years away bringing with her some unsettling news that is going to upset Francine’s world with long lost family secrets.
Since Francine was only 5-years old when the tragedy took place it is no surprise that she has blocked out the terrible memories but now must face the terrifying truth of what happened to her abusive father, her beautiful mother and her lost siblings.
What was unnecessary was the love interest introduced for Francine and I felt it had no place in this chilling gothic tale of family secrets, tragedy and ghosts.
October 25, 2023
Shannon Morgan created an inviting gothic tone through her gorgeous writing in this ghostly suspense, although it was not unblemished prose. I did find myself perturbed by the superfluous word usage, but that proved to be the least of my concerns in the end.
The mystery of Her Little Flowers was a unique one and that did help me stay invested in this story. While the tale was not one with spooky apparitions that made me question the creaking of my own old house, it did succeed in encompassing dark content.
I struggled, however, to embrace the characters. They never felt real to me. The two sisters’ personalities were amplified extremes lacking nuance, but I found it even harder to buy into the glimpses of the past, as the little girls were far too astute to convince me that they were children.
I wasn’t particularly fond of the romantic aspect, either. It felt forced and underdeveloped, plus I wasn’t really impressed with Todd. I hated the way he kept casting doubt onto the secrets and theories Francine shared with him. He seemed emotionally unsupportive, and he was a bit of a mansplainer. I was not rooting for their spark to grow into a flame.
SPOILERS:
I do wish the suspense hadn’t kept me tied to the narrative, as I don’t feel the reveals were worth the time I devoted to this book. While so much within that ending felt silly to me, I was especially disappointed in the mystery regarding the three missing sisters. I’m all for suspending disbelief when it’s called for, but this was ludicrous. Am I really supposed to accept that those little girls didn’t make any noise, didn’t choose to give up their hiding spot, and just stayed in one place until they died? And then no one caught a whiff of their decomposing bodies?! Really? The implausibility of it all was just too much for me.
Had I trusted my instincts early on, I never would have finished this book. But I convinced myself that the story held promise and I rode it out to see how the mystery unraveled, only to find myself crushed under the heavy weight of regret.
I am immensely grateful to Bibliolifestyle and Kensington for my copy. All opinions are my own.
The mystery of Her Little Flowers was a unique one and that did help me stay invested in this story. While the tale was not one with spooky apparitions that made me question the creaking of my own old house, it did succeed in encompassing dark content.
I struggled, however, to embrace the characters. They never felt real to me. The two sisters’ personalities were amplified extremes lacking nuance, but I found it even harder to buy into the glimpses of the past, as the little girls were far too astute to convince me that they were children.
I wasn’t particularly fond of the romantic aspect, either. It felt forced and underdeveloped, plus I wasn’t really impressed with Todd. I hated the way he kept casting doubt onto the secrets and theories Francine shared with him. He seemed emotionally unsupportive, and he was a bit of a mansplainer. I was not rooting for their spark to grow into a flame.
SPOILERS:
I do wish the suspense hadn’t kept me tied to the narrative, as I don’t feel the reveals were worth the time I devoted to this book. While so much within that ending felt silly to me, I was especially disappointed in the mystery regarding the three missing sisters. I’m all for suspending disbelief when it’s called for, but this was ludicrous. Am I really supposed to accept that those little girls didn’t make any noise, didn’t choose to give up their hiding spot, and just stayed in one place until they died? And then no one caught a whiff of their decomposing bodies?! Really? The implausibility of it all was just too much for me.
Had I trusted my instincts early on, I never would have finished this book. But I convinced myself that the story held promise and I rode it out to see how the mystery unraveled, only to find myself crushed under the heavy weight of regret.
I am immensely grateful to Bibliolifestyle and Kensington for my copy. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2023
THE GOOD: Deliciously gothic. Atmospheric, spooky, suspenseful. A manor house alive with ghosts and a creepy garden full of the language of flowers and poisonous plants.
THE BAD: A couple of the points in the conclusion seem a tad off, but easily forgiven for this genre.
CONCLUSION: Especially recommended for a cozy, spooky, autumn night near the fireplace. Well done.
THE BAD: A couple of the points in the conclusion seem a tad off, but easily forgiven for this genre.
CONCLUSION: Especially recommended for a cozy, spooky, autumn night near the fireplace. Well done.
May 14, 2024
When you find out what happened to all of the siblings it's very sad and heartbreaking. It takes until the end of the book to figure anything out, even though some "clues" were literally right next door. The dialect did not match the time period. I'm glad that Bree had stuck around she was the vip in life and death. Overall it's a slow mystery with a tragic revelation.
Would recommend.
Would recommend.
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