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What Remains of Teague House: A Mystery
Three siblings reckon with the darkness hidden within their family after multiple graves are discovered behind their childhood home.
When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly dies, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlinses want to believe these discoveries point to a crime long past. But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week—and its inhabitant is a local woman they knew.
Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide guilty of her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? Why is their aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister's funeral?
Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Detective Reed sets out to unmask a killer—one she may have been hunting all her life.
When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly dies, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlinses want to believe these discoveries point to a crime long past. But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week—and its inhabitant is a local woman they knew.
Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide guilty of her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? Why is their aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister's funeral?
Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Detective Reed sets out to unmask a killer—one she may have been hunting all her life.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2025
54 people are currently reading
13401 people want to read
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April 24, 2025
A captivating mashup of a murder mystery and family drama, What Remains of Teague House quickly had me under its thrall. With a dysfunctional family and plenty of long-buried secrets, the echoes of the past reverberated throughout this original story. After all, it started off with quite the bang and smoothly unfurled layers of foreboding thanks to the dual timelines and multiple POVs. And let me tell you, that setting? It was simply divine. Between the ominous woods and a house sprinkled with hidey-holes throughout its walls, it came brilliantly to life before my eyes.
Just as the setting was a hole in one, so too were the characters. Thanks to a number of flaws, each of the family members felt true-to-life as they dealt with their grief in their own individual ways. In the same breath, they all had my hackles raised as I looked at them with utter suspicion. Well-developed and fully-fleshed out, they felt as real as could be just like the setting. Alongside an atmosphere rife with eerie, dark tension, this family’s past was peeled like an onion as betrayals and deceit oozed out of the walls. All told, it delivered in spades—for the most part, that is.
You see, there were sadly a few weak spots for me. My biggest hang up was how I guessed the big, giant twist almost right from the start. Sure to be a jaw-dropper for most readers, for this thriller lover I jumped the gun early. I also found myself having a tough time keeping track of whose history was whose as the number and depth of backgrounds grew with each page. That being said, the last handful of chapters left me with a Cheshire Cat-esque grin taking over my face. Clever, well-plotted, and oh so suspenseful, I was pulled into this slow burn murder mystery despite its few flaws.
All said and done, this debut novel managed to transport me onto the grounds of Teague House in no time at all. With complex group dynamics and a fine web of secrets, I was head over heels as I felt like a fly on the wall. Do I wish that the finale had been explored in more detail? Well, yes. Despite this, however, the brilliant epilogue won me over 100%. Delivering a right hook just when I thought it was all over, Ms. Johns showed off her masterful skill. So if you’re looking for a riveting whodunnit full of dead bodies, enigmatic mysteries, and well-hidden lies, you’ve found it right here. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly passes, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlins want to believe the discovery points to a crime long past.
But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week―and its inhabitant a local woman they all knew.
Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide somehow involved in her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? And why is the Rawlins aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister's funeral?
Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Maddie sets out to unmask a killer. One she may have been hunting all her life.
Thank you to Stacy Johns, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2025
Content warning: death of a parent, missing person, gun violence, infidelity, suicide
Just as the setting was a hole in one, so too were the characters. Thanks to a number of flaws, each of the family members felt true-to-life as they dealt with their grief in their own individual ways. In the same breath, they all had my hackles raised as I looked at them with utter suspicion. Well-developed and fully-fleshed out, they felt as real as could be just like the setting. Alongside an atmosphere rife with eerie, dark tension, this family’s past was peeled like an onion as betrayals and deceit oozed out of the walls. All told, it delivered in spades—for the most part, that is.
You see, there were sadly a few weak spots for me. My biggest hang up was how I guessed the big, giant twist almost right from the start. Sure to be a jaw-dropper for most readers, for this thriller lover I jumped the gun early. I also found myself having a tough time keeping track of whose history was whose as the number and depth of backgrounds grew with each page. That being said, the last handful of chapters left me with a Cheshire Cat-esque grin taking over my face. Clever, well-plotted, and oh so suspenseful, I was pulled into this slow burn murder mystery despite its few flaws.
All said and done, this debut novel managed to transport me onto the grounds of Teague House in no time at all. With complex group dynamics and a fine web of secrets, I was head over heels as I felt like a fly on the wall. Do I wish that the finale had been explored in more detail? Well, yes. Despite this, however, the brilliant epilogue won me over 100%. Delivering a right hook just when I thought it was all over, Ms. Johns showed off her masterful skill. So if you’re looking for a riveting whodunnit full of dead bodies, enigmatic mysteries, and well-hidden lies, you’ve found it right here. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly passes, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlins want to believe the discovery points to a crime long past.
But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week―and its inhabitant a local woman they all knew.
Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide somehow involved in her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? And why is the Rawlins aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister's funeral?
Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Maddie sets out to unmask a killer. One she may have been hunting all her life.
Thank you to Stacy Johns, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2025
Content warning: death of a parent, missing person, gun violence, infidelity, suicide
January 7, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
3.5 stars.
What Remains of Teague House is a mystery thriller with multiple POV.
The Rawlins siblings (Jon, Sandy, and Rob) have regrouped at their childhood home, Teague House, after the passing of their mother. Each sibling has troubles and wants to bury their mother and move on with their lives. When Sandy and Jon stumble across a recently dug mound of earth with part of a body sticking out whilst out for a walk on their family's vast plot of land, which then uncovers a burial site of multiple bodies, this makes their time back at the house even more conflicted. As each sibling tries to connect the dots and uncover what and who has murdered and buried these bodies on their land and if their parents were a part of something sinister, the house is broken into making them realise someone is looking for something they don't want to be found. Along side this we follow Maddie who's a private investigator searching for her missing friends remains and when similarities are found with one of the bodies that coinside with her friends disappearance, body type etc, she's hot on the heels to discover if this is the breakthrough she's been chasing for years so she can finally put her friend to rest.
This was an interesting and twisty read that took some time to get into, but I felt the ending was very rushed together and was missing something for me.
3.5 stars.
What Remains of Teague House is a mystery thriller with multiple POV.
The Rawlins siblings (Jon, Sandy, and Rob) have regrouped at their childhood home, Teague House, after the passing of their mother. Each sibling has troubles and wants to bury their mother and move on with their lives. When Sandy and Jon stumble across a recently dug mound of earth with part of a body sticking out whilst out for a walk on their family's vast plot of land, which then uncovers a burial site of multiple bodies, this makes their time back at the house even more conflicted. As each sibling tries to connect the dots and uncover what and who has murdered and buried these bodies on their land and if their parents were a part of something sinister, the house is broken into making them realise someone is looking for something they don't want to be found. Along side this we follow Maddie who's a private investigator searching for her missing friends remains and when similarities are found with one of the bodies that coinside with her friends disappearance, body type etc, she's hot on the heels to discover if this is the breakthrough she's been chasing for years so she can finally put her friend to rest.
This was an interesting and twisty read that took some time to get into, but I felt the ending was very rushed together and was missing something for me.
April 15, 2025
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3.5 ⭐️
Teague House is a creepy family estate that’s giving major "skeletons in the closet" vibes… except, you know, they’re actual skeletons in the backyard. Let’s dive in, shall we?
The Rawlins siblings—Jon, Sandra, and Robby—reunite at their gloomy Oregon childhood home, Teague House, after their aloof mother, Val, kicks the bucket. I was so here for the gothic vibes: creaky floors, foggy woods, and a family so dysfunctional they make my holiday dinners look like a Hallmark movie. Then, bam! They find a fresh grave in the backyard, followed by a whole cemetery of older ones. Cue Whoopi Goldberg, “You in danger, girl!”
Johns paints Teague House like it’s auditioning for a horror flick. The woods feel alive, whispering secrets, and every room in that house is stuffed with grief and old grudges. I could practically smell the musty curtains and hear the wind rattling the windows. The multiple POVs—siblings, their aunt Phil, and a PI named Maddie Reed—kept me on my toes, like I was piecing together a juicy puzzle. Maddie, oh my gosh, she’s my kind of girl: tough, haunted, and chasing a killer who might tie to her own past. I was rooting for her.
But, okay, let’s get real for a sec. The pacing? It’s like Johns invited me to a fabulous party but forgot to serve snacks for the first hour. The start drags, with too much family bickering before the bodies pop up. I was ready to yell, “Get to the good stuff!” And when the reveals finally hit, they’re juicy, but some felt like they were pulled out of a hat. I wanted more breadcrumbs, more “aha!” moments that made me feel clever, not just shocked. The ending, bless its heart, tries to tie every loose end into a bow, but it’s more like a hasty knot.
Still, I enjoyed reading about Sandra’s repressed memories or Robby’s shady vibe that had me side-eyeing him from page one. Johns nails the messy, human side of family trauma—like, I texted my sister after reading to make sure we don’t have any buried secrets (jury’s still out, even though we already found out about the killer uncle—true story). The characters are flawed and gray, and I was living for it. Aunt Phil’s flashbacks? Chef’s kiss for adding spice to the past.
So, What Remains of Teague House is a moody, twisty debut that’s perfect for anyone who loves a thriller with a side of family drama. I’m already daydreaming about Johns’ next book, because if this is her first swing, I’m obsessed with what’s coming.
February 12, 2025
This is a dark mystery that started out with potential, but left me disappointed in the end. After the death of their mother, three siblings return to their childhood home, Teague House, to settle her affairs. After a lifetime of family disfunction, their troubles are compounded when remains are discovered on the property, including a fresh grave.
Throughout the book, I felt like there weren't enough significant/intriguing events happening to keep me invested. Also, there wasn't enough backstory for certain characters to make this a satisfying mystery. In the end, I was hoping for a creepier story or a more twisty outcome.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
Throughout the book, I felt like there weren't enough significant/intriguing events happening to keep me invested. Also, there wasn't enough backstory for certain characters to make this a satisfying mystery. In the end, I was hoping for a creepier story or a more twisty outcome.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
November 16, 2024
“What remains of Teague house” is a dual timeline / multiple POV murder mystery that follows the lives of the Rawlins family.
The Rawlins siblings return to the childhood home when news of their mother’s passing reaches them via their aunt.
Their mother is a strange case.. she’s chosen to be mute since her husband / their father committed suicide many years previous.
While back at their old home they discover a recently buried body on their land. This leads to more bodies being discovered that have been there for many years.
Is the recent murder tied to the old murders? How is it they are in the same location?
This one was a mixed bag for me. Some of the characters I found interesting.. the aunt seemed like an odd ball although seemingly harmless. The sister was probably the sibling I liked the most, who seemed like the nicest of the bunch. One brother was a hopeless cause who couldn’t keep from having multiple affairs and ended up in trouble because of it. Although his character was pretty much a waste of space I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him and want a redemption arc.
The beginning of the book almost put me off, I was tempted to DNF but decided to continue. From there on things got more interesting when the bodies where discovered and the family was under investigation.
The ending for me just seemed a bit too random. I found that explanations where left to the very end of the book without much hints clues or Easter eggs to go off throughout the rest of the book, making it feel a little clumsy and disjointed.
I have mixed feelings. It was somewhat of an entertaining read but definitely didn’t hit the mark for me and left me feeling a little unsatisfied by the ending. Giving this one a mid wirh 3⭐️
Thank you to Stacy Johns. And Poisened Pen Press for the EARC!
Publish date April 8th 2025
The Rawlins siblings return to the childhood home when news of their mother’s passing reaches them via their aunt.
Their mother is a strange case.. she’s chosen to be mute since her husband / their father committed suicide many years previous.
While back at their old home they discover a recently buried body on their land. This leads to more bodies being discovered that have been there for many years.
Is the recent murder tied to the old murders? How is it they are in the same location?
This one was a mixed bag for me. Some of the characters I found interesting.. the aunt seemed like an odd ball although seemingly harmless. The sister was probably the sibling I liked the most, who seemed like the nicest of the bunch. One brother was a hopeless cause who couldn’t keep from having multiple affairs and ended up in trouble because of it. Although his character was pretty much a waste of space I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him and want a redemption arc.
The beginning of the book almost put me off, I was tempted to DNF but decided to continue. From there on things got more interesting when the bodies where discovered and the family was under investigation.
The ending for me just seemed a bit too random. I found that explanations where left to the very end of the book without much hints clues or Easter eggs to go off throughout the rest of the book, making it feel a little clumsy and disjointed.
I have mixed feelings. It was somewhat of an entertaining read but definitely didn’t hit the mark for me and left me feeling a little unsatisfied by the ending. Giving this one a mid wirh 3⭐️
Thank you to Stacy Johns. And Poisened Pen Press for the EARC!
Publish date April 8th 2025
May 6, 2025
This was an average thriller that was a little too long, in my opinion. I liked the main characters, Sandra, Jon , Robby and especially Aunt Phil but I had figured out who the murderer was fairly easily and just felt the whole story could have been wrapped up quicker.
December 31, 2024
What Remains of Teague House
Stacy Johns
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
Three siblings reckon with the darkness hidden within their family after multiple graves are discovered behind their childhood home.
I loved the dual timeline / multiple POV.
It is not always done correctly in my opinion, but it definitely works here.
This read kept me entertained the whole time. The first couple chapters had me hooked & is well written.
If you are into thrillers and family secrets, this should be your next read!
Thank you to @poisonpenpress, @netgalley & @authorstacyj for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
#review #bookreview #netgalley #kindle #arc #reader #bookish #readmore #suspense #thriller #bookrec
Stacy Johns
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
Three siblings reckon with the darkness hidden within their family after multiple graves are discovered behind their childhood home.
I loved the dual timeline / multiple POV.
It is not always done correctly in my opinion, but it definitely works here.
This read kept me entertained the whole time. The first couple chapters had me hooked & is well written.
If you are into thrillers and family secrets, this should be your next read!
Thank you to @poisonpenpress, @netgalley & @authorstacyj for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
#review #bookreview #netgalley #kindle #arc #reader #bookish #readmore #suspense #thriller #bookrec
January 7, 2025
I was intrigued by the premise of this book. Siblings reunite at their childhood home after the death of their mother. A body is found on their property and secrets from long ago start to unravel. By the halfway point it just felt like nothing was happening. This person doesn’t feel like confronting this person and this person finds a teeny tiny clue, possibly? None of the characters are likable and I felt like Maddie’s (the detective) entire storyline was unnecessary. It would have been more interesting with flashbacks to Val’s earlier life and how they even met Nate Belter. The setting was spooky and seemed like it wanted to be horror like Pet Sematary for a minute and then turned into some political suspense.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
November 3, 2024
I don't typically read murder mysteries, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, which was provided as an advance copy by the publisher. I liked how the story was told through the voice of different characters, and also bouncing back in time and then forward to modern day. I especially enjoyed the perspective of the private investigator who was one of the victim's foster sister. Also being from a small town in Oregon where everyone knows everyone and family memories go back multiple generations... this book was interesting, and definitely entertaining as the family secrets and childhood memories unfolded for the reader. Totally recommend.
April 7, 2025
After the unexpected death of their mother, the Rawlin’s family return home to The Teague House just in time for the family secrets to be unearthed!
Local law enforcement are investigating a body discovered buried in the woods behind the family home. While processing the scene more bodies are discovered! Private Investigator Maddie Reed joins the investigation, looking to solve a missing persons case near and dear to her. 🚔
This dysfunctional family was bound to have a mystery afoot living so close to the Teague Woods and its pet cemetery.🪦 The siblings and Aunt Phil are left to pick up the pieces and solve the puzzle.
This is a dual story line, multi POV read with more than one mystery to solve. Can you dig in and find the clues of this family saga?
This was an intriguing read where things are not always what they seem. Enjoy this creepy, murder mystery soaked in family drama.
Thank you to the author,Stacy Johns, publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received an epub and my review is being left voluntarily.
Local law enforcement are investigating a body discovered buried in the woods behind the family home. While processing the scene more bodies are discovered! Private Investigator Maddie Reed joins the investigation, looking to solve a missing persons case near and dear to her. 🚔
This dysfunctional family was bound to have a mystery afoot living so close to the Teague Woods and its pet cemetery.🪦 The siblings and Aunt Phil are left to pick up the pieces and solve the puzzle.
This is a dual story line, multi POV read with more than one mystery to solve. Can you dig in and find the clues of this family saga?
This was an intriguing read where things are not always what they seem. Enjoy this creepy, murder mystery soaked in family drama.
Thank you to the author,Stacy Johns, publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received an epub and my review is being left voluntarily.
July 28, 2025
What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns is a mystery novel about the Rawlins family and the bodies found on their property.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I believe this is a debut novel, and I'm always happy to discover a new author. Basically it is about family, the good and the bad.
I struggled at the beginning of this book, as there seemed to be a lot of characters. However, there weren't really that many, and I believe it was just the method that they were introduced that created the confusion.
The story is told in two time-lines, and through the perspectives of a number of characters. and while this often works well, and adds complexity, this time it again, just added confusion. However, if you really paid attention, it was okay.
The plot was intriguing, but rather slow moving. Until the end, which I found to be rushed.
Overall, it was good, but it could have been great. I will be watching this author.
Anyway, until next time....
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
April 6, 2025
I was initially very intrigued by this premise, but it ultimately fell flat for me. This book starts off in a disjointed and confusing manner and it doesn't improve from there. It has far too many characters introduced in a short period of time and there's no coherency in the story for the first part of the novel. Once you do understand the world and how all the characters relate to each other, the plot is extremely slow and nothing interesting really happens.
The ending was also unexpected, but not in a good way. It just didn't make a lot of sense and there was nothing to lead the reader down that route. Overall, a pretty mediocre mystery.
The ending was also unexpected, but not in a good way. It just didn't make a lot of sense and there was nothing to lead the reader down that route. Overall, a pretty mediocre mystery.
April 4, 2025
Told through multiple perspectives, this book is a tangled web of family dysfunction, long-buried secrets and suspenseful moments that occasionally hit hard. The shifting viewpoints are intriguing but, at times, the sheer number of characters makes it tricky to keep track of who’s who.
The build-up is solid but when the final reveals arrive, they feel a bit too neat. The ending is somewhat disappointing - the work up to the climax felt good but it fell flat. I kept feeling like I was waiting for something to actually happen and when it did, it felt rushed and a little too convenient.
With that being said, I liked the atmosphere of the creepy house/woods and the tension left me wanting to keep on reading until the last page.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
The build-up is solid but when the final reveals arrive, they feel a bit too neat. The ending is somewhat disappointing - the work up to the climax felt good but it fell flat. I kept feeling like I was waiting for something to actually happen and when it did, it felt rushed and a little too convenient.
With that being said, I liked the atmosphere of the creepy house/woods and the tension left me wanting to keep on reading until the last page.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
January 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley, and Stacy Johns for giving me the opportunity to receive an ARC of What Remains of Teague House, for simply an honest review.
In the beginning of the book, I was not able to get through it. I decided to push through and I am glad I did. The story began to get interesting, mysterious, suspenseful, entertaining with family secrets, and dramatic.
I did like the multiple POV, the family secrets was interesting, and I did not see that coming at all. The twist caught me off guard!
I would’ve wanted more as I felt like it was missing something but it’s a book I’ll recommend.
#netgalley #poisonedpenpress #stacyjohns #arc #whatremainsofteaguehouse
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley, and Stacy Johns for giving me the opportunity to receive an ARC of What Remains of Teague House, for simply an honest review.
In the beginning of the book, I was not able to get through it. I decided to push through and I am glad I did. The story began to get interesting, mysterious, suspenseful, entertaining with family secrets, and dramatic.
I did like the multiple POV, the family secrets was interesting, and I did not see that coming at all. The twist caught me off guard!
I would’ve wanted more as I felt like it was missing something but it’s a book I’ll recommend.
#netgalley #poisonedpenpress #stacyjohns #arc #whatremainsofteaguehouse
April 17, 2025
Yet another book that is a difficult rating for me. This book starts off strong. I was thinking that it would keep with the psychological thriller/creepy vibe but it devolved into a more mundane character story. The kids day to day issues and lives just didn’t seem to fit.
Added into that I had the killer pegged from pretty much the first chapter and I didn’t have a lot of motivation to read about the kids.
So though it wasn’t a horrible read; it wasn’t something I would read again. I do believe if you don’t read a lot of these style books you might have fun figuring it all out.
After a bit of debate, I decided it would land firmly at 3 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own:
Added into that I had the killer pegged from pretty much the first chapter and I didn’t have a lot of motivation to read about the kids.
So though it wasn’t a horrible read; it wasn’t something I would read again. I do believe if you don’t read a lot of these style books you might have fun figuring it all out.
After a bit of debate, I decided it would land firmly at 3 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own:
April 5, 2025
The Rawlins siblings are summoned back to their familial home when their elderly, mute-by-choice mother has died, and while awaiting her funeral, they stumble on a fresh grave that leads to decades old graves. They’re left reeling over what happened on their property while they were children, and struggling to figure out who killed all these people—and why.
What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns takes the narrative in turns, alternating between the adult children and a PI in the present, as well as their parents and aunt in the past. The family are third person perspective and Maddie, the PI, is first person, like an outsider trying to peek into a place she doesn’t belong. The youngest (adult) child is Robby, a -y name that mirrors the actual child present in the story named Denny. He’s the baby of their clan, and he’s treated similar to Denny, shielded and viewed as immature even though he’s an adult man.
The plot itself is interesting, and I was eager to find out how the present day murder connected to the past. As it progressed, I found myself growing a little impatient, wanting to hurry up and get to the conclusion. The way the death matched up with those of the past made sense, but wasn’t exactly satisfactory. I don’t want to get into spoilers, so I’ll try to be vague, but I’m not sure the impetus of the murders was set up sufficiently soon enough in the text, which led to the ending feeling a bit abrupt and sudden.
The characters thrown at the reader in the beginning can be super overwhelming, but the author does a good job of fleshing them out and making them distinct enough that they feel real. The writing style is nice, too; the descriptions are so clear.
All in all, I’d give it 3.5. I suppose I will round up. I’d recommend this for people who want a story involving a family with secrets in a modern day setting.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns takes the narrative in turns, alternating between the adult children and a PI in the present, as well as their parents and aunt in the past. The family are third person perspective and Maddie, the PI, is first person, like an outsider trying to peek into a place she doesn’t belong. The youngest (adult) child is Robby, a -y name that mirrors the actual child present in the story named Denny. He’s the baby of their clan, and he’s treated similar to Denny, shielded and viewed as immature even though he’s an adult man.
The plot itself is interesting, and I was eager to find out how the present day murder connected to the past. As it progressed, I found myself growing a little impatient, wanting to hurry up and get to the conclusion. The way the death matched up with those of the past made sense, but wasn’t exactly satisfactory. I don’t want to get into spoilers, so I’ll try to be vague, but I’m not sure the impetus of the murders was set up sufficiently soon enough in the text, which led to the ending feeling a bit abrupt and sudden.
The characters thrown at the reader in the beginning can be super overwhelming, but the author does a good job of fleshing them out and making them distinct enough that they feel real. The writing style is nice, too; the descriptions are so clear.
All in all, I’d give it 3.5. I suppose I will round up. I’d recommend this for people who want a story involving a family with secrets in a modern day setting.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2025
This was a highly anticipated book for me this year. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc! This is set to publish April 8th, 2025.
This is a mystery thriller that slowly unravels through an entire family’s pov along with a private investigator’s pov. So, yes there are a lot of people but it was quick to remember who was who. You find out early on there are bodies buried at the family home and are trying to figure out all the pieces right along with the characters.
The opening chapter gripped me and I ate it up. The story is fast paced and suspenseful at times which made for the quick read. I did figure out some of the mystery but a little twist I didn’t figure out. It was a very enjoyable read and I would read this author again.
This is a mystery thriller that slowly unravels through an entire family’s pov along with a private investigator’s pov. So, yes there are a lot of people but it was quick to remember who was who. You find out early on there are bodies buried at the family home and are trying to figure out all the pieces right along with the characters.
The opening chapter gripped me and I ate it up. The story is fast paced and suspenseful at times which made for the quick read. I did figure out some of the mystery but a little twist I didn’t figure out. It was a very enjoyable read and I would read this author again.
June 30, 2025
What Remains of Teague House
suffers from three of the worst qualities in a book, any book:
1. Oh so boring story - blah blah long, slow, tedious slog through mud.
2. Mystery is a subplot since the narrative is focused on the bickering siblings
3. Speaking of siblings, boring unlikable characters with no dimension
As one reviewer noted, borrow this from the library like I did.
1. Oh so boring story - blah blah long, slow, tedious slog through mud.
2. Mystery is a subplot since the narrative is focused on the bickering siblings
3. Speaking of siblings, boring unlikable characters with no dimension
As one reviewer noted, borrow this from the library like I did.
May 15, 2025
This is one of my favorite reads of the year! The character development is perfect along with the pacing. The writing is great and I was drawn into the story start to finish. This is fantastic and I would highly recommend this. Special Thank You to Stacy Johns,Poisoned Penny Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2025
Ahh, yes. White people thinking their whiteness makes them the superior race. Gurl, bye.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
Awful.
Let this book be a cautionary tale of why you should rent from the library instead of buying with money. What a slog. The story was slow. The characters bland. A disaster.
Let this book be a cautionary tale of why you should rent from the library instead of buying with money. What a slog. The story was slow. The characters bland. A disaster.
February 28, 2025
thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
this book unfortunately fell very flat. there wasn’t much that went on the entire book, which isn’t great for a mystery/thriller. there was finally a dusting of build up about 80% in but even then it was too late and caused the ending to be unsatisfying. there were hardly any big wow moments or events to keep things interesting and moving, and what did happen was so confusing or small it didn’t help the story at all. i also feel like we didn’t get enough backstory on some of the characters, especially ones mentioned more towards the end of the book. it felt like the characters in the story knew things about everyone and what was happening and kept it to themselves, leaving the reader to try to piece it together with nothing but crumbs. the ending of the book gave me whiplash because for one, everything was thrown out at a rapid pace and so far out of left field i wasn’t sure how we got there. and two, basically nothing from the rest of the story added up to us getting to that conclusion. overall, just very disappointed in the story’s execution.
this book unfortunately fell very flat. there wasn’t much that went on the entire book, which isn’t great for a mystery/thriller. there was finally a dusting of build up about 80% in but even then it was too late and caused the ending to be unsatisfying. there were hardly any big wow moments or events to keep things interesting and moving, and what did happen was so confusing or small it didn’t help the story at all. i also feel like we didn’t get enough backstory on some of the characters, especially ones mentioned more towards the end of the book. it felt like the characters in the story knew things about everyone and what was happening and kept it to themselves, leaving the reader to try to piece it together with nothing but crumbs. the ending of the book gave me whiplash because for one, everything was thrown out at a rapid pace and so far out of left field i wasn’t sure how we got there. and two, basically nothing from the rest of the story added up to us getting to that conclusion. overall, just very disappointed in the story’s execution.
April 18, 2025
What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns #thirtyfourthbookof2025 #arc
CW: death, suicide, murder, adultery, bullying, blackmail
From NetGalley: When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly passes, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlins want to believe the discovery points to a crime long past. But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week—and its inhabitant a local woman they all knew. Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide somehow involved in her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? And why is the Rawlins aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister’s funeral? Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Maddie sets out to unmask a killer. One she may have been hunting all her life.
My thoughts: This book was a little slow although I was interested enough to keep reading. The three siblings weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked, and I would have liked more about Aunt Phil in the beginning. Maddie seems to appear out of nowhere and I didn’t feel like her storyline was on par with the others. The epilogue was a surprise and the most interesting piece of the novel. Not sure that the reveal was earned, I wish there had been more story and explanation to get there. It was rushed and could have used a couple more chapters to round it out. The book was fine but I was hoping for more.
Thank you to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Available now, pub date was 4/8/25)
CW: death, suicide, murder, adultery, bullying, blackmail
From NetGalley: When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly passes, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlins want to believe the discovery points to a crime long past. But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week—and its inhabitant a local woman they all knew. Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide somehow involved in her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? And why is the Rawlins aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister’s funeral? Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Maddie sets out to unmask a killer. One she may have been hunting all her life.
My thoughts: This book was a little slow although I was interested enough to keep reading. The three siblings weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked, and I would have liked more about Aunt Phil in the beginning. Maddie seems to appear out of nowhere and I didn’t feel like her storyline was on par with the others. The epilogue was a surprise and the most interesting piece of the novel. Not sure that the reveal was earned, I wish there had been more story and explanation to get there. It was rushed and could have used a couple more chapters to round it out. The book was fine but I was hoping for more.
Thank you to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Available now, pub date was 4/8/25)
April 8, 2025
What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns is a twisty and atmospheric thriller with a dual timeline and multiple POVs.
After their mother's death, the Rawlins siblings Robbie, Sandra and Jon all return to Teague House to make funeral arrangements and to sort through years of belongings. But one day when walking through the woods Sandra and Jon find a freshly dug grave. When the police are called out to investigate, they discover multiple remains on the property. As the investigation continues, dark family secrets come to light and repressed memories start to surface. Why were the bodies buried on their property? Did their parents know? And why is Aunt Phil, who had been their mother's caretaker, suddenly packing up to go on an indefinite vacation? What other dark secrets will come out of Teague House?
This was definitely an intriguing read full of drama, mystery, and hidden secrets!! This book is a bit of a slow burn but still interesting enough to keep with it. The multiple POVs and dual timeline really lets the reader explore the family's motivations behind the deception. Definitely kept me guessing until the last twist. All of the characters are well developed, even if some are more likable than others. I really enjoyed the atmospheric setting for the whole novel and the tension buildup was perfect. Definitely can't wait to see what Stacy Johns comes out with next!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Stacy Johns, and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!!! Publication date is April 8th 2025.
After their mother's death, the Rawlins siblings Robbie, Sandra and Jon all return to Teague House to make funeral arrangements and to sort through years of belongings. But one day when walking through the woods Sandra and Jon find a freshly dug grave. When the police are called out to investigate, they discover multiple remains on the property. As the investigation continues, dark family secrets come to light and repressed memories start to surface. Why were the bodies buried on their property? Did their parents know? And why is Aunt Phil, who had been their mother's caretaker, suddenly packing up to go on an indefinite vacation? What other dark secrets will come out of Teague House?
This was definitely an intriguing read full of drama, mystery, and hidden secrets!! This book is a bit of a slow burn but still interesting enough to keep with it. The multiple POVs and dual timeline really lets the reader explore the family's motivations behind the deception. Definitely kept me guessing until the last twist. All of the characters are well developed, even if some are more likable than others. I really enjoyed the atmospheric setting for the whole novel and the tension buildup was perfect. Definitely can't wait to see what Stacy Johns comes out with next!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Stacy Johns, and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!!! Publication date is April 8th 2025.
April 7, 2025
A stunning and mysterious thriller revolving around dysfunctional families, secrets, grief and of course, murder.
The story centers around the Rawlins family: Russ, a father who built his dream home for wife, Valerie, and their three children, and then ruined the dream, years later with his suicide.
Years later, the children, now grown, must return to the fold when Valerie passes away, unexpectedly.
One grown child, never left and lives at the back of the property, another comes home to face the demons of their past and the oldest, wishes to be anywhere but home, not willing to face dark memories.
A walk in the woods with the two oldest children brings the unfortunate discovery of a dead body in a freshly dug grave. It’s the body of a local woman, the family knew. Who killed her? Why was she buried on their property?
As pages fly by the family begins to realize multiple secrets-secrets that might explain their father’s suicide and possibly the truths about the five other buried bodies. Who’s been killing these people? How long have they been buried?
An exciting thriller that drops several clues, but with the help of misdirection, the answer as to who’s been murdering people is not as easy as it’s presented.
A true mystery with complex characters, a steady plot and quite a bit of excitement on uncovering the murderer.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this gripping mystery! All opinions are my own.
The story centers around the Rawlins family: Russ, a father who built his dream home for wife, Valerie, and their three children, and then ruined the dream, years later with his suicide.
Years later, the children, now grown, must return to the fold when Valerie passes away, unexpectedly.
One grown child, never left and lives at the back of the property, another comes home to face the demons of their past and the oldest, wishes to be anywhere but home, not willing to face dark memories.
A walk in the woods with the two oldest children brings the unfortunate discovery of a dead body in a freshly dug grave. It’s the body of a local woman, the family knew. Who killed her? Why was she buried on their property?
As pages fly by the family begins to realize multiple secrets-secrets that might explain their father’s suicide and possibly the truths about the five other buried bodies. Who’s been killing these people? How long have they been buried?
An exciting thriller that drops several clues, but with the help of misdirection, the answer as to who’s been murdering people is not as easy as it’s presented.
A true mystery with complex characters, a steady plot and quite a bit of excitement on uncovering the murderer.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this gripping mystery! All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary early release copy of What Remains Of Teague House by Stacy Johns.
What Remains of Teague House is an interesting but slow story, it is told through various perspectives which I enjoyed. There are quite a few characters in this story and I sometimes found it hard to keep track of relationships but otherwise it was okay. The thrilling bits did feel thrilling but I just thought they could have used a bit more of punch/gory feel to them. Some of the reveals felt rather underwhelming and when stuff eventually gets revealed I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to see how things had played out from other people despite us getting so many perspectives. The ending of the story was a bit disappointing, the work up to that moment felt good and I liked how it was playing out but then it fell flat for me.
Overall the writing is nice and descriptive, while I wasn’t too pleased with some of story elements What Remains Of Teague House was still an entertaining read with interesting characters.
What Remains of Teague House is an interesting but slow story, it is told through various perspectives which I enjoyed. There are quite a few characters in this story and I sometimes found it hard to keep track of relationships but otherwise it was okay. The thrilling bits did feel thrilling but I just thought they could have used a bit more of punch/gory feel to them. Some of the reveals felt rather underwhelming and when stuff eventually gets revealed I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to see how things had played out from other people despite us getting so many perspectives. The ending of the story was a bit disappointing, the work up to that moment felt good and I liked how it was playing out but then it fell flat for me.
Overall the writing is nice and descriptive, while I wasn’t too pleased with some of story elements What Remains Of Teague House was still an entertaining read with interesting characters.
April 16, 2025
You ever get to the end of a book and think what even was that? That was my experience with What Remains of Teague House. It had so many elements that could’ve made it a great mystery, but it was too jumbled to execute it well.
What worked well:
- Started off with a very captivating first chapter, hooked me right in and you have a death right up front, love that.
- Creepy house in the woods and a family full of secrets
- I enjoyed the alternating timelines and would’ve enjoyed more of the past.
What needed work:
- Too many characters and not enough context on who they were before diving into their daily lives. Felt like this book was more character driven than plot driven?
- The PI’s personal plot-line felt unnecessary to the story; it muddled the story even further.
- Finished the book with unanswered questions
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What worked well:
- Started off with a very captivating first chapter, hooked me right in and you have a death right up front, love that.
- Creepy house in the woods and a family full of secrets
- I enjoyed the alternating timelines and would’ve enjoyed more of the past.
What needed work:
- Too many characters and not enough context on who they were before diving into their daily lives. Felt like this book was more character driven than plot driven?
- The PI’s personal plot-line felt unnecessary to the story; it muddled the story even further.
- Finished the book with unanswered questions
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2025
Three siblings find themselves at their childhood home after the passing of their mother. Whilst dealing with grief and funeral arrangements, a body is discovered on their land, leading to several more bodies to be uncovered.
What Remains of Teague House is a mystery thriller with dual timelines and multiple POVs. It is fast paced and easy to follow. There were a few times about 50% I felt like I was losing interest, however, the twists and turns kept me going. I was not expecting the ending.
I love a good thriller with family drama, but I felt that some of the characters could have used a bit more to their backstory.
Overall What Remains of Teague House is a great addition for a thriller lover’s shelf.
Thank you to NetGalley and PoisonedPenPress for this advanced copy. My review is honest and thoughts are my own.
What Remains of Teague House is a mystery thriller with dual timelines and multiple POVs. It is fast paced and easy to follow. There were a few times about 50% I felt like I was losing interest, however, the twists and turns kept me going. I was not expecting the ending.
I love a good thriller with family drama, but I felt that some of the characters could have used a bit more to their backstory.
Overall What Remains of Teague House is a great addition for a thriller lover’s shelf.
Thank you to NetGalley and PoisonedPenPress for this advanced copy. My review is honest and thoughts are my own.
May 3, 2025
This book was such a fun surprise! We don't get a lot of authors in my area and I got notice that an independent bookstore near me was hosting this author and her debut, What Remains of Teague House. I love supporting independent bookstores as well as new authors so I went, and I'm so glad that I did! Stacy Johns was a librarian for many years and now she has written her own mystery. She read the first chapter at her author event and I was hooked! It's entertaining to the point that I truly did not want to put it down! There are lots of twists and turns--right up to the very last page! In some respects her writing reminded me of Frieda McFadden books and that's saying something!
April 4, 2025
I loved this book! Even after I am done reading it I keep thinking back to how well done some parts of the book were!
The rawlins siblings mother has passed away, so it’s time for them to go home. Aunt Phil has been taking care of their mom since their dad passed away years ago. So she was waiting for them to come home. Once the siblings arrive home, secrets start to come out, and bodies start to appear. From there, things only start to get deeper and deeper
This was a quick read! Had me wanting more after each chapter. The suspense is pretty constant making the reader wonder what’s going on.
The rawlins siblings mother has passed away, so it’s time for them to go home. Aunt Phil has been taking care of their mom since their dad passed away years ago. So she was waiting for them to come home. Once the siblings arrive home, secrets start to come out, and bodies start to appear. From there, things only start to get deeper and deeper
This was a quick read! Had me wanting more after each chapter. The suspense is pretty constant making the reader wonder what’s going on.
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