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The Roots In Your Bones
After her marriage unexpectedly ends, 26 year old Marisa takes her cat and moves halfway across the country for a fresh start in a nowhere town on the Maine coast. With free lodging in the form of housesitting a cozy, log cabin, Marisa makes herself overlook the town’s local legend about the woman who lived there first. Some people believed Evie killed a guy, others think she cursed him, but everyone knows neither she nor her alleged victim have been seen for two decades.
When Marisa stumbles across Evie’s journal in the house, strange things start occurring around her. Animals scratch at the windows and walls of the house, invisible eyes watch her every move, and, somehow, a horse appears in the previously empty barn. And that’s before the hallucinations start.
With no one else to turn to, Marisa seeks the reluctant help of her new friend, Jonah, to solve the mystery of what Evie did and where she went and determine if her ghost is responsible for the strange events surrounding Marisa. Marisa must uncover the truth about the entity haunting her house, or risk losing a chance at a fresh start, or worse, her life.
When Marisa stumbles across Evie’s journal in the house, strange things start occurring around her. Animals scratch at the windows and walls of the house, invisible eyes watch her every move, and, somehow, a horse appears in the previously empty barn. And that’s before the hallucinations start.
With no one else to turn to, Marisa seeks the reluctant help of her new friend, Jonah, to solve the mystery of what Evie did and where she went and determine if her ghost is responsible for the strange events surrounding Marisa. Marisa must uncover the truth about the entity haunting her house, or risk losing a chance at a fresh start, or worse, her life.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2023
2 people are currently reading
3252 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Eaton
2 books167 followersSamantha Eaton lives in the little, coastal town of Lincolnville, Maine. She shares her home with her boyfriend, three cats, three dogs, and twenty-something chickens.
Like many horror fans, she began reading Stephen King at far too young and impressionable an age and became irreversibly intrigued by all things creepy.
When she is not writing or reading, Samantha enjoys heavy music, photography, hiking, traveling, and cooking. Occasionally, she may be found transporting injured wildlife to local rehabbers across the state or volunteering at a wild bird sanctuary.
Like many horror fans, she began reading Stephen King at far too young and impressionable an age and became irreversibly intrigued by all things creepy.
When she is not writing or reading, Samantha enjoys heavy music, photography, hiking, traveling, and cooking. Occasionally, she may be found transporting injured wildlife to local rehabbers across the state or volunteering at a wild bird sanctuary.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 20, 2023
This is one of my favorite things I have written and I will not apologize for that. Long live Beef the cat!
July 22, 2023
I am so grateful to Sam for allowing me to read an early manuscript of this book.
All I can say is… BEEF!
Beef the cat will forever be immortalized in this low key disturbing, haunted forest/cabin horror novel.
Also, I will ALWAYS refer to this book as Horse Divorce and you can’t stop me.
But in all seriousness, this was another hit for me with Sam. I feel like her writing is so down to earth and it’s so easy to be completely absorbed by her world and characters. I don’t know if it’s intentional but the mind fuckery, in my opinion, is subtle enough that you don’t realize it’s happening until it’s already over, making me want to reread passages to make sure I’m not going crazy.
I am so excited to have a physical copy added to my collection along with her other horror novel: The Insatiable Hunger of Trees (which I highly recommend!)
All I can say is… BEEF!
Beef the cat will forever be immortalized in this low key disturbing, haunted forest/cabin horror novel.
Also, I will ALWAYS refer to this book as Horse Divorce and you can’t stop me.
But in all seriousness, this was another hit for me with Sam. I feel like her writing is so down to earth and it’s so easy to be completely absorbed by her world and characters. I don’t know if it’s intentional but the mind fuckery, in my opinion, is subtle enough that you don’t realize it’s happening until it’s already over, making me want to reread passages to make sure I’m not going crazy.
I am so excited to have a physical copy added to my collection along with her other horror novel: The Insatiable Hunger of Trees (which I highly recommend!)
August 16, 2023
Horror is usually not my cup of tea, but I really enjoyed this trippy book. I felt like the mystery was good and I really liked how the main characters focused on a solid friendship before a romantic relationship. I really related to Marissa (although I didn't read her as someone in her late 20s, maybe in her 30s). The only thing I had critiques on was how quickly the ending was. I wanted a bit more time with the characters processing everything and starting their new lives. Overall this was an easy book to read through and one I would definitely watch if it was a movie/TV show.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2023
THE ROOT IN YOUR BONES by Samantha Eaton is a hauntingly trippy book with such mystery and rich storytelling, it's one to read this September.
The writing is so encapsulating and I flew through the book because of it and the amazing story that unfolded before me.
Also, there is a cat.
The writing is so encapsulating and I flew through the book because of it and the amazing story that unfolded before me.
Also, there is a cat.
October 22, 2023
4.5 Stars.
THE ROOTS IN YOUR BONES, by Samantha Eaton was the first book I'd read by this author, and I'm definitely planning on reading more! Marissa, a woman whose husband blindsided her with a divorce recently, moves away with her cat (Beef!), to housesit a haunted house, owned by a co-worker's relatives. Of course, this co-worker neglected to tell her this fact until AFTER she had decided to make the move and start over.
As soon as she gets to the secluded home, she finds the diary of a woman accused of murder--before disappearing herself. On the first trip into the tiny town, she gets the gossip of what people claim had happened there, and meets a new friend/ally. There is no denying that there is definitely something "off" about the place and its surrounding woods. The first few incidents she can call off as hallucinations, but these begin to ramp up in intensity and danger quickly.
". . . Whatever lives out here, it's more woods than human now. It's got nature braided into its should, and even if we pulled them out, the ghosts would still be tangled in roots and vines."
The atmosphere and imagery of the novel is top-notch. Although I wasn't sure of Marissa at first, she quickly grew on me (and I adored Beef!).
When things ramped up, they continued that way, leading to a very exciting conclusion.
Recommended.
THE ROOTS IN YOUR BONES, by Samantha Eaton was the first book I'd read by this author, and I'm definitely planning on reading more! Marissa, a woman whose husband blindsided her with a divorce recently, moves away with her cat (Beef!), to housesit a haunted house, owned by a co-worker's relatives. Of course, this co-worker neglected to tell her this fact until AFTER she had decided to make the move and start over.
As soon as she gets to the secluded home, she finds the diary of a woman accused of murder--before disappearing herself. On the first trip into the tiny town, she gets the gossip of what people claim had happened there, and meets a new friend/ally. There is no denying that there is definitely something "off" about the place and its surrounding woods. The first few incidents she can call off as hallucinations, but these begin to ramp up in intensity and danger quickly.
". . . Whatever lives out here, it's more woods than human now. It's got nature braided into its should, and even if we pulled them out, the ghosts would still be tangled in roots and vines."
The atmosphere and imagery of the novel is top-notch. Although I wasn't sure of Marissa at first, she quickly grew on me (and I adored Beef!).
When things ramped up, they continued that way, leading to a very exciting conclusion.
Recommended.
August 15, 2023
Thank you to Sam for the ARC!
The Roots in Your Bones is absolutely fantastic. I know so many people will mislabel this as simply a haunted house book, but that just minimizes the extent of the haunting in the book. I don’t want to give any details because, to quote River Song, “Spoilers!”
The characters of Marisa and Jonah are extremely relatable. They feel so real. The events of the book feel very real. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. Eaton does both of these things extremely well. They were showcased in her debut novel, The Insatiable Hunger of Trees, and expanded upon here.
The tension very gradually ramps up as the book progresses. It’s very natural.
If you enjoy horror (and tons of food and beer), this is a book that you need to read.
The Roots in Your Bones is absolutely fantastic. I know so many people will mislabel this as simply a haunted house book, but that just minimizes the extent of the haunting in the book. I don’t want to give any details because, to quote River Song, “Spoilers!”
The characters of Marisa and Jonah are extremely relatable. They feel so real. The events of the book feel very real. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. Eaton does both of these things extremely well. They were showcased in her debut novel, The Insatiable Hunger of Trees, and expanded upon here.
The tension very gradually ramps up as the book progresses. It’s very natural.
If you enjoy horror (and tons of food and beer), this is a book that you need to read.
September 25, 2023
*REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR*
Sometimes, a horror book, no matter how simple the central conceit might seem from the outside, will grab onto you in a way that only other horror reads will understand. That is exactly what this book did to me.
From the very beginning, the characters and setting grabbed onto me and carried me through the entire narrative in a way that was powerful, lived, and, in places, painfully relatable. The plot itself is an exciting take on a haunted house story that feels King-ian in its execution, and that further aids the way that the central cast of characters is weaved in and out of the setting.
If you are a fan of horror, especially horror rooted in the personal lives of the characters, then this is absolutely a book for you.
Sometimes, a horror book, no matter how simple the central conceit might seem from the outside, will grab onto you in a way that only other horror reads will understand. That is exactly what this book did to me.
From the very beginning, the characters and setting grabbed onto me and carried me through the entire narrative in a way that was powerful, lived, and, in places, painfully relatable. The plot itself is an exciting take on a haunted house story that feels King-ian in its execution, and that further aids the way that the central cast of characters is weaved in and out of the setting.
If you are a fan of horror, especially horror rooted in the personal lives of the characters, then this is absolutely a book for you.
September 10, 2024
I finished this book last night and I had to come back and review it. I really enjoyed reading it and found it very hard to put down. I thought the characters were well written and interesting and the story was, well...let's just say I was never sure what exactly was going on, but in a good way. I'm still not sure about some of it to be honest. I am sure that Beef is the best kitty and I'll be reading the author's other book ASAP
May 10, 2025
This was a random grab at the library and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, because it’s not a book I would normally gravitate toward. I was instantly hooked though. I hate to say it, but I was a little disappointed by how rushed the ending felt, but that disappointment couldn’t compete with the enjoyment I felt while reading the book. I also think I just wanted more time with the characters. Loved it!
November 14, 2023
Hallmark meets Horror - but in the best way.
If you want a cozy horror with elements of Rom -Com that has a cat named Beef that steals scenes, then this book is for you! Samantha expertly crafts an almost too real depiction about anxiety, depression, and making friends as an adult - all set to a mystery where nothing can be trusted - even ourselves as readers.
If you want a cozy horror with elements of Rom -Com that has a cat named Beef that steals scenes, then this book is for you! Samantha expertly crafts an almost too real depiction about anxiety, depression, and making friends as an adult - all set to a mystery where nothing can be trusted - even ourselves as readers.
October 13, 2024
First, this fed into my horse fever. Can I request a ghost horse of my very own?
In Beef, I saw several of the cats in my life.
This was an enthralling quick read… perfect for finishing up during a power outage, I might add! It had a great mystery and enough of a creepy factor to keep those pages turning!
In Beef, I saw several of the cats in my life.
This was an enthralling quick read… perfect for finishing up during a power outage, I might add! It had a great mystery and enough of a creepy factor to keep those pages turning!
October 6, 2023
Holy Smokes! First let me say I am not a horror reader, at all. EVER. This book was a page-turner, and I couldn't wait to return to it even though it put fear into me going outside at night.
Not my normal "horse" content for sure! I really loved the characters, especially the cat.
Not my normal "horse" content for sure! I really loved the characters, especially the cat.
April 21, 2024
This is the second book of Samantha’s that I have read and this one was just as equally excellent in the mix of horror and nature. I couldn’t put it down and the few times I did I rushed to get back to it.very well done.
April 28, 2024
I couldn’t put this book down. The only thing stopping me was work. This was such a cozy, relatable book with some nice creepy eco horror, hauntings. I loved the small town feel, the characters, the secrets.
April 18, 2025
Riveting. This fresh Maine writer weaves a believable haunting story of a small town in maine where strange happenings have turned into local ghost stories that come true! I can't wait to read her other book and look forward to many more books but this author?
August 25, 2024
Great atmosphere and overall feel. This book was so good. It started slow but grabbed your attention them amped up. Couldn't put it down.
August 29, 2024
This book perfectly captures spooky cozy horror vibes of a small maine town. I couldn't put this book down.
September 7, 2024
I enjoyed this. It was a bit slow to get started. Wasn’t a page turner for me, but still a good story and I love the kitty ☺️
May 4, 2024
Engaging read! Had some great twists and turns in the end.
August 23, 2025
This was a very creepy read that definitely kept me hooked. The writing pulls you in with a strong sense of unease and the small-town setting gave it that perfect slow-burn horror vibe.
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I gave it 4 stars because while the story had a strong build-up and some genuinely unsettling moments, the ending felt rushed—and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense. It left me flipping back, trying to figure out if I missed something.
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Favorite Line: “If it were that easy to find the exact steps to curse a man to a miserable eternity stuck in the woods, I suppose more people would have done it.”
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I gave it 4 stars because while the story had a strong build-up and some genuinely unsettling moments, the ending felt rushed—and honestly didn’t make a lot of sense. It left me flipping back, trying to figure out if I missed something.
.
Favorite Line: “If it were that easy to find the exact steps to curse a man to a miserable eternity stuck in the woods, I suppose more people would have done it.”
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews