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Henbane Hollow #1
Mandrake Manor
Inherited magic.
A secret neighborhood.
And... a formidable Homeowner's Association?
When Mathias Mandrake becomes the unexpected heir of Mandrake Manor, he and his friends are thrust into a world of witchery and mystery. Juggling romance, nosy neighbors, and looming fines, they must decide: is the magic worth the mayhem?
A secret neighborhood.
And... a formidable Homeowner's Association?
When Mathias Mandrake becomes the unexpected heir of Mandrake Manor, he and his friends are thrust into a world of witchery and mystery. Juggling romance, nosy neighbors, and looming fines, they must decide: is the magic worth the mayhem?
Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2023
319 people are currently reading
1752 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Rindfleisch IX
22 books67 followersHello! I am a writer of things Dark, Strange, and Queer. I currently live with his partner of eleven years in Illinois with a menagerie of animal children, including a Siberian husky, miniature dachshund, African grey parrot, Quaker parrot, and suspiciously immortal cat. I love creating art, nerding out over science, video games, tabletop RPGs, and spending hours in the kitchen crafting up delectable vegan grub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
May 15, 2024
Mandrake Manor is the perfect fall, cozy fantasy book! I was in need of a cozy LGBTQ+ fantasy and this book fell right into my hands. The three protagonists, as well as the setting of the story, are in my mind what made this book so enjoyable. The dynamic between the three main characters was incredibly well written and so fun that I caught myself smiling many times while reading! I absolutely love different points of view in stories, so I was very happy to find that this book split between the three main characters’ perspectives. Another thing I found adorable was the herb poems at the beginning of each chapter. They were well written and gave a bit of insight into what was going to take place in the chapter ahead, which I found very smart. That being said, I felt that the plot did not hook me as much as I was hoping it would. I felt that if the plot started out as more of a main focus in the beginning and if it was more controlled that it would have flowed seamlessly with the rest of the story. I loved the amount of time spent on the character dynamics and descriptions of the setting, but I just wish that same amount of time was taken to establish the plot elements early on. Overall, I highly recommend picking up Mandrake Manor for a cozy read to get you ready for autumn!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this story and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this story and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
February 20, 2025
Mat, Frankie, and August 🧙🏼♀️
I enjoyed 'Mandrake Manor'. It's a fun, whimsical queer adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a cast of unique characters, including newbie witches, werewolves, and demons. What I particularly appreciated was how the queer identities of the characters were simply a part of the story, without needing explanation or justification.
The magic elements were engaging, and I liked that we got to see the story from the perspectives of Matt, Frankie, and August. However, at times, The transitions between these POVs felt a bit jarring, and we were told about events rather than shown. I'd love to see smoother transitions in future books to help the story unfold more naturally.
That said, 'Mandrake Manor' sets up a promising foundation for a potential series, and I'll definitely be interested in continuing if JP writes more. It's a cozy, enjoyable fantasy with some mystery, and the queer representation is excellent.
3.5 stars because it's an enjoyable read with room for growth.
I enjoyed 'Mandrake Manor'. It's a fun, whimsical queer adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a cast of unique characters, including newbie witches, werewolves, and demons. What I particularly appreciated was how the queer identities of the characters were simply a part of the story, without needing explanation or justification.
The magic elements were engaging, and I liked that we got to see the story from the perspectives of Matt, Frankie, and August. However, at times, The transitions between these POVs felt a bit jarring, and we were told about events rather than shown. I'd love to see smoother transitions in future books to help the story unfold more naturally.
That said, 'Mandrake Manor' sets up a promising foundation for a potential series, and I'll definitely be interested in continuing if JP writes more. It's a cozy, enjoyable fantasy with some mystery, and the queer representation is excellent.
3.5 stars because it's an enjoyable read with room for growth.
September 8, 2025
Mandrake Manor was a great book! The story was cozy and such a joy to read. The author did a great job of bringing Henbane Hollow to life. Even the chapter titles added some whimsy to the story. The vibes were creepy and witchy, with just the right amount of sass and humor. All of the characters were so vibrant and likable. Mat, Frankie, and August make such a great trio of friends. I loved all of them! And some of their new friends as well. I can’t wait for more!
March 30, 2025
A wonderfully cozy LGBTQIA+ suburban fantasy with just the right dose of humor. The story reminded me of the show ‘Charmed’ but instead of three sisters there are three queer roommates with vastly different personalities.
For anyone who hates their HOA, you’ll love the villain of the story.
A few plot holes are present but not glaring enough to distract too much from the story. And characters could use some more development, which I’m sure will be given as the series continues.
Quite the delightful tale. Again, very cosy. Perfect for bad weather days.
For an independently published book it was very well executed. Bravo to the editor(s).
For anyone who hates their HOA, you’ll love the villain of the story.
A few plot holes are present but not glaring enough to distract too much from the story. And characters could use some more development, which I’m sure will be given as the series continues.
Quite the delightful tale. Again, very cosy. Perfect for bad weather days.
For an independently published book it was very well executed. Bravo to the editor(s).
August 24, 2024
Audiobook review. Excellent narration, with the right amount of drama for me.
Story 4 stars. Very interesting world building with lots of plot twists. A place with magic and lots of different creatures combined with a HOA with an evil leader had enormous potential. The queer representations and growing relationships were really nice. However, it didn't quite feel finished although the main plots were resolved, I hope that there will be a sequel, particularly for Mat. The poems at the start of each chapter were a nice addition.
Story 4 stars. Very interesting world building with lots of plot twists. A place with magic and lots of different creatures combined with a HOA with an evil leader had enormous potential. The queer representations and growing relationships were really nice. However, it didn't quite feel finished although the main plots were resolved, I hope that there will be a sequel, particularly for Mat. The poems at the start of each chapter were a nice addition.
July 21, 2025
It was fine. It was cute. It was just missing some depth.
March 26, 2025
✨ Hocus Pocus this was fantastically adorable! ✨
What do you get when 3 bestie roommates move into a mysterious manor in a secret town inhabited by supernatural beings that is full of magical mayhem with an evil HOA??? An absolutely enchanting cozy fantasy!! This was such a charming read packed with cozy vibes, all the sass & otherworldly magic! 100% recommend!!
✨ Cozy Fantasy
✨ Found Family
✨ Mysterious Inheritance
✨ Adorable Rescue Pup
✨ Paranormal Activity
✨ Supernatural Haven
✨ Queer Joy
✨ Evil HOA
✨ Series Debut
✨ Magic & Mayhem
Mandrake Manor is the first installment of the Henbane Hollow series and I’m so excited to see what will happen next when the story continues in book 2!!
PS reading Mandrake Manor totally felt like watching a cute & cozy version of Being Human + The Gates! 🖤
What do you get when 3 bestie roommates move into a mysterious manor in a secret town inhabited by supernatural beings that is full of magical mayhem with an evil HOA??? An absolutely enchanting cozy fantasy!! This was such a charming read packed with cozy vibes, all the sass & otherworldly magic! 100% recommend!!
✨ Cozy Fantasy
✨ Found Family
✨ Mysterious Inheritance
✨ Adorable Rescue Pup
✨ Paranormal Activity
✨ Supernatural Haven
✨ Queer Joy
✨ Evil HOA
✨ Series Debut
✨ Magic & Mayhem
Mandrake Manor is the first installment of the Henbane Hollow series and I’m so excited to see what will happen next when the story continues in book 2!!
PS reading Mandrake Manor totally felt like watching a cute & cozy version of Being Human + The Gates! 🖤
August 18, 2024
4-⭐
I think we all would want to inherit a magical manor from some distant great-aunt and move in there with out besties. This is a cosy and funny book, if somewhat cliched. There is enough charm and originality to earn a positive review.
There's diversity with two gay MCs, a nonbinary MC and a trans love interest. The characters are likeable, though Mat is a bit forgettable. I recalled he's a redhead and had to really focus to remember anything else. He feels just a bit like this bland custom character self-insert in an RPG. But even he's alright in the end. The villain also seems very one note but ends up as an okay character too. August and Frankie I really liked.
There's a budding romance for each MC in this book. I enjoyed following all these three MCs, but I would have wished for more in-depth romances. The story does continue though, so I might still get what I want.
Each chapter is named after a herb and has a poem in the beginning. I like this type of flair in books but the poems here are a bit too long and interrupt the story flow a bit. They're completely skippable though so that's not an issue. And they might have worked quite well when the story was published chapter by chapter.
I wasn't wowed, but this was cosy and fun enough to leave a good feeling, and I'd be happy to read the second book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I think we all would want to inherit a magical manor from some distant great-aunt and move in there with out besties. This is a cosy and funny book, if somewhat cliched. There is enough charm and originality to earn a positive review.
There's diversity with two gay MCs, a nonbinary MC and a trans love interest. The characters are likeable, though Mat is a bit forgettable. I recalled he's a redhead and had to really focus to remember anything else. He feels just a bit like this bland custom character self-insert in an RPG. But even he's alright in the end. The villain also seems very one note but ends up as an okay character too. August and Frankie I really liked.
There's a budding romance for each MC in this book. I enjoyed following all these three MCs, but I would have wished for more in-depth romances. The story does continue though, so I might still get what I want.
Each chapter is named after a herb and has a poem in the beginning. I like this type of flair in books but the poems here are a bit too long and interrupt the story flow a bit. They're completely skippable though so that's not an issue. And they might have worked quite well when the story was published chapter by chapter.
I wasn't wowed, but this was cosy and fun enough to leave a good feeling, and I'd be happy to read the second book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2025
like a 3.25
the characters felt kinda one-dimensional, the only mc that felt believable was August, and Mat kinda got on my nerves. but the villain is hilarious, and the simple writing style makes this an easy read... if you don't have ADHD. a magic neighborhood and the villain is the president of the HOA, trying to suburbanize every home? that's fun as hell. I think this would be significantly better if not all 3 leads had a love interest. there just wasn't enough time for me to care about each of them. and I know there will eventually be more books, so we can space these out!
the dynamic between August, Frankie, and Mat was great! they banter like real queer friends. but when they were apart it was kinda boring.
there were a couple instances of the narrator misgendering August. to the point I had to look back and see if they said their pronouns were they/them, and yeah they do, multiple times. it wasn't dialogue, it was third person narration following August, and occasionally switched to he/him.
the descriptions of Demetri are still weird to me and kinda give me the ick.
overall, I think the story was great, the characters are at their best when they are together. but it could have used another editor.
the characters felt kinda one-dimensional, the only mc that felt believable was August, and Mat kinda got on my nerves. but the villain is hilarious, and the simple writing style makes this an easy read... if you don't have ADHD. a magic neighborhood and the villain is the president of the HOA, trying to suburbanize every home? that's fun as hell. I think this would be significantly better if not all 3 leads had a love interest. there just wasn't enough time for me to care about each of them. and I know there will eventually be more books, so we can space these out!
the dynamic between August, Frankie, and Mat was great! they banter like real queer friends. but when they were apart it was kinda boring.
there were a couple instances of the narrator misgendering August. to the point I had to look back and see if they said their pronouns were they/them, and yeah they do, multiple times. it wasn't dialogue, it was third person narration following August, and occasionally switched to he/him.
the descriptions of Demetri are still weird to me and kinda give me the ick.
overall, I think the story was great, the characters are at their best when they are together. but it could have used another editor.
September 26, 2025
A delightful cozy read. Perfect witchy, queer, and quick story because I read it so fast!
Mathias Mandrake receives an inheritance of a house when he's at a point in his life when nothing is going right. He scoops up his best friend, Frankie, and a new friend, August, and off they travel to figure out what the heck is going on.
A new house, sexy neighbors and bosses, and a mysterious HOA... these are what find the trio as they settle into their new lives.
Definitely a queer Charmed. I can't wait for the next.
Mathias Mandrake receives an inheritance of a house when he's at a point in his life when nothing is going right. He scoops up his best friend, Frankie, and a new friend, August, and off they travel to figure out what the heck is going on.
A new house, sexy neighbors and bosses, and a mysterious HOA... these are what find the trio as they settle into their new lives.
Definitely a queer Charmed. I can't wait for the next.
March 11, 2025
Cute but..
I really wanted to like this book more, it was cute and I finished it quite easily in an evening.
My problem is the characters felt way to stereotypical and lacking any depth, like they didn't have nuance and had exactly one personality trait a piece (a bit of exaggeration but pretty close)
The plot was ok and easy to ready but nothing that I haven't read before. The familiarity wasn't bad just wanted a bit more from it overall.
I really wanted to like this book more, it was cute and I finished it quite easily in an evening.
My problem is the characters felt way to stereotypical and lacking any depth, like they didn't have nuance and had exactly one personality trait a piece (a bit of exaggeration but pretty close)
The plot was ok and easy to ready but nothing that I haven't read before. The familiarity wasn't bad just wanted a bit more from it overall.
September 17, 2025
Its very inconvenient to finish a book when I'm still 5 stops away from my stop on the train. Mandrake Manor had me totally absorbed the entire ride into the city, on my lunch break, and then for what it could on the train ride home.
Mandrake Manor is a suburban cozy fantasy, where three people move into a house and find themselves in a magical world. Its delight and cozy in all aspects but one - The HOA.
Having personal experience with a terrible HOA, a shiver ran down my spine. I really appreciated that in a world where magic runs wild, that sirens still need the dentist, and the HOA president is still power hungry. It almost makes me want to call this book magical realism.
I really loved the way that the story is told - each character is distinct, and each gets a POV in sequence. I liked the romance aspect to this book a lot, as each character gets a moment of romance but it doesn't take over the story.
Not only was the coziness enticing, but the plot was a lot of fun. I found myself caring for the characters and rooting for them with each move they make.
Overall, a fantastic read, 10/10
Mandrake Manor is a suburban cozy fantasy, where three people move into a house and find themselves in a magical world. Its delight and cozy in all aspects but one - The HOA.
Having personal experience with a terrible HOA, a shiver ran down my spine. I really appreciated that in a world where magic runs wild, that sirens still need the dentist, and the HOA president is still power hungry. It almost makes me want to call this book magical realism.
I really loved the way that the story is told - each character is distinct, and each gets a POV in sequence. I liked the romance aspect to this book a lot, as each character gets a moment of romance but it doesn't take over the story.
Not only was the coziness enticing, but the plot was a lot of fun. I found myself caring for the characters and rooting for them with each move they make.
Overall, a fantastic read, 10/10
September 2, 2025
From an author I found on TikTok - #mandrakemanor is the story of 3 friends that move to the house 1 of them inherits and find more than they bargained for. A fun story of mischief and mayhem. An evil HOA. Finding family in those around you and some new love interests as well of course! A book for all those with a little witch inside you. Sassy and smart! #bookstagram #bookreview #loveyourlibrary #readersgonnaread #booknerd #pagesandprimrose @jp_rindfleisch
October 7, 2025
I absolutely could not put this down. Such a fun cozy read. A fitting read for October. I do wish there was a bit more meat to the story. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
June 29, 2024
I LOVED it! The shenanigans, the love, the completeness, the brotherhood, the gayness, it was all amazing. Lgbtq story as it should be, written by one in the know.
February 26, 2025
When main characters Mat, Frankie, and August move into a house together, they never could have anticipated they would become a magical coven destined to save a whole town. Magical HOAs, sentient houses, and werewolves, this book has a little bit of everything. There's even a coffee shop with annimated pasteries and a shape-shifting barista. Perfect for anyone who wants a queer(er) Wandavision/Agatha All Along read.
January 31, 2024
The book is three seperate couples M/M, M/M, and X/F. There are three POV characters, the three friends sharing Mandrake Manor (M, M, X).
Overall, the book is exactly what it sells itself as, a cozy suburban fantasy. The worldbuilding is not super deep, but it's cute and fun.
One of the love interests is trans, which I also enjoyed seeing. The character's relationships are major parts of the books and the relationships at the end help them defeat the books big bad, which was great.
The two minor issues I had with the book:
one of the couples, when they first meet, the POV character simultaneously 1. says the love interest isn't his type and 2. drools and oogles over him. I don't mind a slow burn where a character starts to find someone attractive that they didn't think were before getting to know them, but yeah, the pov character insisting the man isn't his type while then in the next paragraph thinking the man shouldn't ever wear a shirt had me scratching my head. thankfully the 'he's not my type' talk drops after that initial chapter where they meet.
two, the ending for one of the couples is very puzzling for a romance.
Overall, the book is exactly what it sells itself as, a cozy suburban fantasy. The worldbuilding is not super deep, but it's cute and fun.
One of the love interests is trans, which I also enjoyed seeing. The character's relationships are major parts of the books and the relationships at the end help them defeat the books big bad, which was great.
The two minor issues I had with the book:
one of the couples, when they first meet, the POV character simultaneously 1. says the love interest isn't his type and 2. drools and oogles over him. I don't mind a slow burn where a character starts to find someone attractive that they didn't think were before getting to know them, but yeah, the pov character insisting the man isn't his type while then in the next paragraph thinking the man shouldn't ever wear a shirt had me scratching my head. thankfully the 'he's not my type' talk drops after that initial chapter where they meet.
two, the ending for one of the couples is very puzzling for a romance.
October 8, 2024
2.75, rounded up to 3 stars. this book had a lot of things going for it; a diverse cast, plot twists, creatures both big and small, unique magic, and a gorgeous victorian house. i really enjoyed where the story went narrative wise and through often prose-like descriptions of the settings (especially in the manor itself and in dream sequences). not one, but two plot twists managed to catch me off guard which is hard to do for most cozy fantasy series. what the book didn't have and i personally found lacking was character depth. this isn't to say the cast didn't have flaws, positive traits, motivations, fears- they did and we learned all about them. but the dialogue often felt rushed and like it was an after thought to the plot. because of that, i rarely felt like i had time to connect with the characters. this is true for mat most of all, who fell into the backdrop as stronger characters like frankie, august, helena, and dimitri happened to him while the plot unfolds. it was an easy read, a decent length, and a heart warming story, but i wanted more from it than it was able to deliver. overall i did enjoy reading it and would in fact recommend it to cozy mystery and lgbtqia+ lit fans.
February 2, 2024
You can tell that a lot of time and energy has been put in these words. The world slowly gets built up and you get attached to the characters, almost feeling as if you’re right there with them. Only critic is timing. Some chapters do feel rush and interactions could use a couple more moments to feel realistic. That way relationships have something more solid to stand on, and we can understand why certain character(s) are being treated as “bad guys”
That being said JP does a great job setting scenes, conveying emotions, and keeping the stakes high enough to merit action. The cliffhanger… let’s just say, I’m gonna be holding on tight for the next book. I just know Henbane Hollow has more stories to tell.
That being said JP does a great job setting scenes, conveying emotions, and keeping the stakes high enough to merit action. The cliffhanger… let’s just say, I’m gonna be holding on tight for the next book. I just know Henbane Hollow has more stories to tell.
August 8, 2025
The plot and characters were just a drag. I wanted to love this but I struggled to even finish it. I also didn’t like the fact that each character just happened to find a partner upon arriving. Just felt fake and weird.
May 26, 2025
Debated giving this 2 stars, but I was thinking more 2.5 stars which rounds up to 3.
The book was overall enjoyable, but it has a lot of room to grow. I loved the three protagonists, even though they largely felt one-dimensional. I appreciated the setting, the characters, and the “coziness” of it all… but it left me hanging in many ways. It attempts to tackle numerous storylines but never really gives them the finish that they deserve. I also didn’t appreciate how things wound up in the end.
It’s an easy read that was upbeat and enjoyable, but not necessarily one that I’d recommend to others because it simply left a bit to be desired.
The book was overall enjoyable, but it has a lot of room to grow. I loved the three protagonists, even though they largely felt one-dimensional. I appreciated the setting, the characters, and the “coziness” of it all… but it left me hanging in many ways. It attempts to tackle numerous storylines but never really gives them the finish that they deserve. I also didn’t appreciate how things wound up in the end.
It’s an easy read that was upbeat and enjoyable, but not necessarily one that I’d recommend to others because it simply left a bit to be desired.
June 27, 2025
2/5⭐️
Honestly I should have DNF’d this. However I usually DNF after 100 pages and this one still had me then. Then as I got further and further it started to fall off. The third person POV amongst three different characters was sloppy. The magic portion had good build up, but wasn’t executed properly once it started. It definitely needing major editing and I also didn’t find myself attached to a lot of the characters. Also the ending definitely felt like a cliffhanger but not one I would want to continue myself.
Honestly I should have DNF’d this. However I usually DNF after 100 pages and this one still had me then. Then as I got further and further it started to fall off. The third person POV amongst three different characters was sloppy. The magic portion had good build up, but wasn’t executed properly once it started. It definitely needing major editing and I also didn’t find myself attached to a lot of the characters. Also the ending definitely felt like a cliffhanger but not one I would want to continue myself.
November 14, 2024
Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX.
This review also reviews the audiobook for Mandrake Manor, narrated by Kirt Graves.
Mandrake Manor is a 2023 novel about three recent college graduates, Mat, August, and Frankie. Mat inherits an old family manor. Unsure of their post-college plans, Mat convinces August and Frankie to move with him to this mysterious manor with him. They know nothing of the estate, Mat didn't even know about this aunt who willed her entire estate to him upon her death.
The estate, it turns out, is magic, the neighborhood is a shelter for magical beings, and everything is not as it seems. The trio quickly discover this as they acclimate to the neighborhood. Frankie works at a veterinary office run by a werewolf, Mat is a dentist who has clients who freeze time to reveal their magical side so he can deal with their magical toothaches, and August is a novelist who finds a quiet but magical café where they can settle in and write their book.
Henbane Hollow
The Henbane Hollow neighborhood seems to be an entity itself. The trio of friends can't even find the neighborhood at first, which is hilarious. But, it is being taken over by a crazy HOA suburbanization project that sounds awful with how dull it will make everything. Who in their right mind would take historic Victorian mansions and make them McMansions straight out of the 90s? This plot is so sinister in its drive to take all the character out of a perfectly paranormal neighborhood that it is outwardly the big bad in the novel from the start. The HOA president takes being the nefarious neighborhood Karen to the magical next level.
World-Building
The audiobook narration is spot on for building the mystery and sense that there's something not quite right with the neighborhood. The character POVs are interwoven well and the narrator's voices for the various characters are entertaining. I loved how Graves narrates Frankie most of all, the character with the most sass.
Characters
I enjoyed the main characters and their POVs were clearly written as different, such a hard thing to do when writing from so many POVs. Narration also differentiated between the characters well so it was easy to tell whose chapter it was from the narration style.
Mat
Despite being the main character I felt like his characterization is the weakest and could use some bolstering. He just seems anxious and awkward but we never get beyond that. He saves his budding love interest from freaking hell! He should show some character growth.
August
August is my favorite character and not just because it makes me think of my boy Augst D. They are nonbinary and I loved the seamless narration and writing of a nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns. I was reading a review and someone was saying there were grammar errors because of the use of they/them pronouns and I couldn't tell if the reviewer was being willfully obtuse or if they thought the author really didn't catch all those "mistakes" but anyone who knows anything queer will love the way August is described. I loved his quiet, lucid-dreaming self so much. I feel like readers get to know him the most.
Frankie
Frankie is all sass and I love him, but he is another character I wish we got more insight into his inner workings, so to say. He's bright, altruistic, and funny. He's not just the one who brings the sassy takes on things. So we need more of him being authentically himself to see that.
Love Interests
I liked the love interests and how they were integral to the overall story. I wish we had more actual romance building instead of the SLOW burn we're setting out on if this series continues.
Audiobook Gripes
The narrator said the word "vague" as "vahg" when it's pronounced "vayg" and that rubbed me wrong. And then let's talk about the French. Oh the French. I KNOW I can be super picky about French dialogue. Full disclosure, I am a French teacher IRL. But Oh My God y'all. If you know there is French dialogue, make sure you have the phonetic pronunciation to guide you.
I can tell the narrator tried and they probably took French at one point in their life because it wasn't all wrong. But there were times when he was reading spells that I couldn't even tell what he was saying. And I am well versed in understanding butchered French pronunciation. I hear all sorts of wildly mispronounced French on the daily, as a MIDDLE SCHOOL teacher of French. I teach children who were not taught to read using phonics. I would be so happy to help with pronunciation. Or there are so many websites where you can ask native speakers how to pronounce things.
Overall I enjoyed the narration, the narrator did a good job of building the tension, speaking clearly, acting out characters differently, and keeping the pace steady. I also enjoyed the narrator's reading of the poems at the start of each chapter. On the flip side, the narrator's voice lulled me into not paying as close enough attention as I could have been, at times. This is likely a user error, as I don't often listen to audiobooks and find my adhd self's attention wandering quite easily.
Overall
Overall, I enjoyed this book and want more from the series. I hope we continue to see character growth and development as they continue their adventures as the Mandrake coven.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This review also reviews the audiobook for Mandrake Manor, narrated by Kirt Graves.
Mandrake Manor is a 2023 novel about three recent college graduates, Mat, August, and Frankie. Mat inherits an old family manor. Unsure of their post-college plans, Mat convinces August and Frankie to move with him to this mysterious manor with him. They know nothing of the estate, Mat didn't even know about this aunt who willed her entire estate to him upon her death.
The estate, it turns out, is magic, the neighborhood is a shelter for magical beings, and everything is not as it seems. The trio quickly discover this as they acclimate to the neighborhood. Frankie works at a veterinary office run by a werewolf, Mat is a dentist who has clients who freeze time to reveal their magical side so he can deal with their magical toothaches, and August is a novelist who finds a quiet but magical café where they can settle in and write their book.
Henbane Hollow
The Henbane Hollow neighborhood seems to be an entity itself. The trio of friends can't even find the neighborhood at first, which is hilarious. But, it is being taken over by a crazy HOA suburbanization project that sounds awful with how dull it will make everything. Who in their right mind would take historic Victorian mansions and make them McMansions straight out of the 90s? This plot is so sinister in its drive to take all the character out of a perfectly paranormal neighborhood that it is outwardly the big bad in the novel from the start. The HOA president takes being the nefarious neighborhood Karen to the magical next level.
World-Building
The audiobook narration is spot on for building the mystery and sense that there's something not quite right with the neighborhood. The character POVs are interwoven well and the narrator's voices for the various characters are entertaining. I loved how Graves narrates Frankie most of all, the character with the most sass.
Characters
I enjoyed the main characters and their POVs were clearly written as different, such a hard thing to do when writing from so many POVs. Narration also differentiated between the characters well so it was easy to tell whose chapter it was from the narration style.
Mat
Despite being the main character I felt like his characterization is the weakest and could use some bolstering. He just seems anxious and awkward but we never get beyond that. He saves his budding love interest from freaking hell! He should show some character growth.
August
August is my favorite character and not just because it makes me think of my boy Augst D. They are nonbinary and I loved the seamless narration and writing of a nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns. I was reading a review and someone was saying there were grammar errors because of the use of they/them pronouns and I couldn't tell if the reviewer was being willfully obtuse or if they thought the author really didn't catch all those "mistakes" but anyone who knows anything queer will love the way August is described. I loved his quiet, lucid-dreaming self so much. I feel like readers get to know him the most.
Frankie
Frankie is all sass and I love him, but he is another character I wish we got more insight into his inner workings, so to say. He's bright, altruistic, and funny. He's not just the one who brings the sassy takes on things. So we need more of him being authentically himself to see that.
Love Interests
I liked the love interests and how they were integral to the overall story. I wish we had more actual romance building instead of the SLOW burn we're setting out on if this series continues.
Audiobook Gripes
The narrator said the word "vague" as "vahg" when it's pronounced "vayg" and that rubbed me wrong. And then let's talk about the French. Oh the French. I KNOW I can be super picky about French dialogue. Full disclosure, I am a French teacher IRL. But Oh My God y'all. If you know there is French dialogue, make sure you have the phonetic pronunciation to guide you.
I can tell the narrator tried and they probably took French at one point in their life because it wasn't all wrong. But there were times when he was reading spells that I couldn't even tell what he was saying. And I am well versed in understanding butchered French pronunciation. I hear all sorts of wildly mispronounced French on the daily, as a MIDDLE SCHOOL teacher of French. I teach children who were not taught to read using phonics. I would be so happy to help with pronunciation. Or there are so many websites where you can ask native speakers how to pronounce things.
Overall I enjoyed the narration, the narrator did a good job of building the tension, speaking clearly, acting out characters differently, and keeping the pace steady. I also enjoyed the narrator's reading of the poems at the start of each chapter. On the flip side, the narrator's voice lulled me into not paying as close enough attention as I could have been, at times. This is likely a user error, as I don't often listen to audiobooks and find my adhd self's attention wandering quite easily.
Overall
Overall, I enjoyed this book and want more from the series. I hope we continue to see character growth and development as they continue their adventures as the Mandrake coven.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 22, 2025
This book was a weird experience: it was fast paced but at the same time the triple POV made it seem like I was left hanging on the plotline sometimes; it also felt a bit forced and random in some points. The characters did make me laugh throughout the whole book tho and I got a little comfort from it.
December 12, 2024
Mandrake Manor is a wonderful cozy suburban fantasy (LGBT).
The story has stakes, but they are gentle, and gently dealt with. If you want a sassy feel-good narrative to soak into, this is the book for you. I look forward to Henbane Hollow #2!
The story has stakes, but they are gentle, and gently dealt with. If you want a sassy feel-good narrative to soak into, this is the book for you. I look forward to Henbane Hollow #2!
January 27, 2024
Mandrake Manor (Henbane Hollow 1)
By J.P. Rindfleisch IX
9th Publishing, 2022
Four stars
What happens when three slightly feckless college students find themselves in charge of a crumbling mansion in a mysterious hidden Connecticut village?
Now, Mathias Mandrake is completing dental school, while his two friends, Frankie and August, are similarly occupied with finishing their studies and pondering what’s going to happen next. None of them have job prospects firmly in hand, which is no surprise. They are not fools, but they are anxiously unfocused in that way young people are today, given the uncertainty of the world.
Then Mat receives a puzzling letter about being named in the will of a hitherto-unknown great aunt, Melinda Mandrake. He finds himself caught up in an increasingly confusing situation, speaking to a handsome young lawyer named Demetri, in his cozy cottage of an office that appears out of nowhere in a Chicago vacant lot.
“Buildings come and go, but this one is here now.”
Rindfleisch launches this twee story with the chapter title “Devil’s Snare,” originally published as the first of a serialized novel of thirty-six chapters, each of which bears the name of a plant. Every installment of the series also begins with a poem regarding the special properties—magical and medicinal—of the plant named in the title.
The purpose of these is not to suggest a direct relationship between them and the action of the chapter, but to slowly build up the reader’s awareness of just what Mandrake Manor—and its attendant village of Henbane Hollow—are. These plants are the stock-in-trade of a herbalist, used for many purposes. They can kill and they can cure. The roots (no pun) of modern medicine are found here, but also the historical suspicion of herbalists as having magic powers, and a link to the witch hunts of 17th-century Europe.
It seems that Mathias Mandrake is the heir to a centuries-old legacy, established in rural Connecticut during its Puritan days. The only catch is that he must move into Mandrake Manor, and he must bring two roommates to help him manage the house. The fun proceeds as these three young people discover the weirdness and the charms of their new home; while also stumbling into some more sinister realities regarding the town, its denizens, and the role they are expected to play.
As the author notes, this is meant to be a cozy suburban mystery, but there are surprises, along with darker threads involving thwarted love and the battle between individual desires and the greater good of the community. Mat, Frankie and August are more or less tricked into moving into Mandrake Manor. The question is whether or not they will rise to the occasion and accept their collective destiny in a place they never imagined.
And this is just the first book!
By J.P. Rindfleisch IX
9th Publishing, 2022
Four stars
What happens when three slightly feckless college students find themselves in charge of a crumbling mansion in a mysterious hidden Connecticut village?
Now, Mathias Mandrake is completing dental school, while his two friends, Frankie and August, are similarly occupied with finishing their studies and pondering what’s going to happen next. None of them have job prospects firmly in hand, which is no surprise. They are not fools, but they are anxiously unfocused in that way young people are today, given the uncertainty of the world.
Then Mat receives a puzzling letter about being named in the will of a hitherto-unknown great aunt, Melinda Mandrake. He finds himself caught up in an increasingly confusing situation, speaking to a handsome young lawyer named Demetri, in his cozy cottage of an office that appears out of nowhere in a Chicago vacant lot.
“Buildings come and go, but this one is here now.”
Rindfleisch launches this twee story with the chapter title “Devil’s Snare,” originally published as the first of a serialized novel of thirty-six chapters, each of which bears the name of a plant. Every installment of the series also begins with a poem regarding the special properties—magical and medicinal—of the plant named in the title.
The purpose of these is not to suggest a direct relationship between them and the action of the chapter, but to slowly build up the reader’s awareness of just what Mandrake Manor—and its attendant village of Henbane Hollow—are. These plants are the stock-in-trade of a herbalist, used for many purposes. They can kill and they can cure. The roots (no pun) of modern medicine are found here, but also the historical suspicion of herbalists as having magic powers, and a link to the witch hunts of 17th-century Europe.
It seems that Mathias Mandrake is the heir to a centuries-old legacy, established in rural Connecticut during its Puritan days. The only catch is that he must move into Mandrake Manor, and he must bring two roommates to help him manage the house. The fun proceeds as these three young people discover the weirdness and the charms of their new home; while also stumbling into some more sinister realities regarding the town, its denizens, and the role they are expected to play.
As the author notes, this is meant to be a cozy suburban mystery, but there are surprises, along with darker threads involving thwarted love and the battle between individual desires and the greater good of the community. Mat, Frankie and August are more or less tricked into moving into Mandrake Manor. The question is whether or not they will rise to the occasion and accept their collective destiny in a place they never imagined.
And this is just the first book!
July 24, 2024
Mandrake Manor by J.P Rindfleisch is a urban fantasy book containing magic and what could be described as elements of Wicca. This book tells a story of found family, of acceptance and shows that things aren’t always what or how they seem.
“For every outcast, misfit, and queer person seeking refuge – may you find comfort here.” This is the dedication at the very beginning of the book, and it immediately made me feel welcome. As someone who spent years feeling like an outcast and a misfit in every group they were a part of, it feels good to find books that encapsulate what it feels like to finally be included.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew early on that I enjoyed the writing style as I’ve read from this author before and enjoyed that book too.
Something I also picked up on within the first couple of chapters is that this book is written using the same type of language that I personally use when communicating with people, both written and spoken, which makes me feel at home with the characters.
Similarly, the whole ‘I hate you’ ‘Love you too’ commentary is very familiar. It’s the sort of thing lots of good friends would say to each other, or siblings that have a good relationship with each other.
The three main characters, Mathias (Mat), August, and Frankie are all very typical of people in their early 20s. Not even 100 pages in and they’re all expressing a healthy interest in various different men. And in discussing the characters, I felt that they were very well written, they had a lot of depth to them, and felt very 3 dimensional and relatable.
This is the type of fantasy I tend to enjoy a little more. The type of urban fantasy that’s based in the same world as the readers, where the fantastical elements don’t necessarily feel so out of place because there is magic in our world, it just comes in different forms.
I award this book 5 stars.
“For every outcast, misfit, and queer person seeking refuge – may you find comfort here.” This is the dedication at the very beginning of the book, and it immediately made me feel welcome. As someone who spent years feeling like an outcast and a misfit in every group they were a part of, it feels good to find books that encapsulate what it feels like to finally be included.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew early on that I enjoyed the writing style as I’ve read from this author before and enjoyed that book too.
Something I also picked up on within the first couple of chapters is that this book is written using the same type of language that I personally use when communicating with people, both written and spoken, which makes me feel at home with the characters.
Similarly, the whole ‘I hate you’ ‘Love you too’ commentary is very familiar. It’s the sort of thing lots of good friends would say to each other, or siblings that have a good relationship with each other.
The three main characters, Mathias (Mat), August, and Frankie are all very typical of people in their early 20s. Not even 100 pages in and they’re all expressing a healthy interest in various different men. And in discussing the characters, I felt that they were very well written, they had a lot of depth to them, and felt very 3 dimensional and relatable.
This is the type of fantasy I tend to enjoy a little more. The type of urban fantasy that’s based in the same world as the readers, where the fantastical elements don’t necessarily feel so out of place because there is magic in our world, it just comes in different forms.
I award this book 5 stars.
July 24, 2024
“For every outcast, misfit, and queer person seeking refuge - may you find comfort here.” This is the dedication at the very beginning of the book, and it immediately made me feel welcome. As someone who spent years feeling like an outcast and a misfit in every group they were a part of, it feels good to find books that encapsulate what it feels like to finally be included.
~
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew early on that I enjoyed the writing style as I've read from this author before and enjoyed that book too.
Something I also picked up on within the first couple of chapters is that this book is written using the same type of language that I personally use when communicating with people, both written and spoken, which makes me feel at home with the characters.
~
Similarly, The 'I hate you' 'Love you too' commentary is very familiar. It's the sort of thing lots of good friends would say to each other, or siblings that have a good relationship with each other.
~
The three main characters, Mathias (Mat), August, and Frankie are all very typical of people in their early 20s. Not even 100 pages in and they're all expressing a healthy interest in various different men. And in discussing the characters, I felt that they were very well written, they had a lot of depth to them, and felt very 3 dimensional and relatable.
~
This is the type of fantasy I tend to enjoy a little more. The type of urban fantasy that's based in the same world as the readers, where the fantastical elements don't necessarily feel so out of place because there is magic in our world, it just comes in different forms.
~
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew early on that I enjoyed the writing style as I've read from this author before and enjoyed that book too.
Something I also picked up on within the first couple of chapters is that this book is written using the same type of language that I personally use when communicating with people, both written and spoken, which makes me feel at home with the characters.
~
Similarly, The 'I hate you' 'Love you too' commentary is very familiar. It's the sort of thing lots of good friends would say to each other, or siblings that have a good relationship with each other.
~
The three main characters, Mathias (Mat), August, and Frankie are all very typical of people in their early 20s. Not even 100 pages in and they're all expressing a healthy interest in various different men. And in discussing the characters, I felt that they were very well written, they had a lot of depth to them, and felt very 3 dimensional and relatable.
~
This is the type of fantasy I tend to enjoy a little more. The type of urban fantasy that's based in the same world as the readers, where the fantastical elements don't necessarily feel so out of place because there is magic in our world, it just comes in different forms.
October 24, 2025
Loved it.
Definitely recommend it. It's hard to describe a book without spoilers!
It's mostly cosy, character driven, soft fantasy, nicely written, friendship and queer romance, escapism.
I feel warm, uplifted, curious, and imaginative whenever I read this book.
I felt like at the start I could tell it was self published and a full publishing company staff of editors might have changed a few aspects of the pacing or found the couple of typos. If you don't value and appreciate an independent artist and you only like things extremely polished, it's only a maybe (plenty of the books I enjoy I could not recommend). I'm actually very impressed with how well done it is.
Okay, to the story with minimal spoilers. It's got an extremely cosy vibe, mysterious fantasy novel with an emphasis on friendship. I really thought not that much would happen, and some of what happens is cute and cheesey: someone's day at work, a dream sequence, a date. But there was a lot of engagement with the plot for me.
It got a little darker than I was expecting from the 'cosy fantasy' vibe, but still very low on violence, no SA, minimal social injustice, so quite light on upsetting content in my opinion.
I can't wait to read more from this author when the books are available in paper - I can't hack ebooks, I actually usually can't hack paperbacks and just stick to audiobooks, but I read this one faster than I usually read paper books because it was so enjoyable.
It's on the blurb so it's not a spoiler, I love that the home owners association is the baddy.
Definitely recommend it. It's hard to describe a book without spoilers!
It's mostly cosy, character driven, soft fantasy, nicely written, friendship and queer romance, escapism.
I feel warm, uplifted, curious, and imaginative whenever I read this book.
I felt like at the start I could tell it was self published and a full publishing company staff of editors might have changed a few aspects of the pacing or found the couple of typos. If you don't value and appreciate an independent artist and you only like things extremely polished, it's only a maybe (plenty of the books I enjoy I could not recommend). I'm actually very impressed with how well done it is.
Okay, to the story with minimal spoilers. It's got an extremely cosy vibe, mysterious fantasy novel with an emphasis on friendship. I really thought not that much would happen, and some of what happens is cute and cheesey: someone's day at work, a dream sequence, a date. But there was a lot of engagement with the plot for me.
It got a little darker than I was expecting from the 'cosy fantasy' vibe, but still very low on violence, no SA, minimal social injustice, so quite light on upsetting content in my opinion.
I can't wait to read more from this author when the books are available in paper - I can't hack ebooks, I actually usually can't hack paperbacks and just stick to audiobooks, but I read this one faster than I usually read paper books because it was so enjoyable.
It's on the blurb so it's not a spoiler, I love that the home owners association is the baddy.
April 11, 2024
“Cozy queer fantasy” were the only three words that I needed to hear before knowing that I was going to love this book, and I was so right! Mandrake Manor is so delightfully cozy as it made me feel like I was wrapped in the warmest, softest, fluffiest blanket ever. I savored each and every word as I learned more about Mat, Franky, and August through each of their POVs as they explored Mandrake Manor, a house that is humorously playful yet protective of its inhabitants. The house is located in Hanbane Hollow, and it was so fun to meet the inhabitants right alongside the three main characters. The integration of witchy magic with herbs, dreams, and spells only added to the fun, and I really liked learning about how all the magic worked as the characters learned themselves. Not to mention the nonbinary rep (August is such a teddy bear and I love them), transmasc werewolf (I love Remmy so much!!), and queer relationships that made my enby queer heart so so so happy to read.
I could gush about this book all day, it more than deserves the five stars I’m rating it. It’s clear that J.P. Rindfleisch IX put so much love and thought into this world and especially these characters. Mandrake Manor has me craving all the cozy queer fantasy books, and I hope that we get to see more of these characters and this wonderful world someday. What I really want to say is that Mandrake Manor feels like the joy, comfort, safety, and love found in coming home.
I could gush about this book all day, it more than deserves the five stars I’m rating it. It’s clear that J.P. Rindfleisch IX put so much love and thought into this world and especially these characters. Mandrake Manor has me craving all the cozy queer fantasy books, and I hope that we get to see more of these characters and this wonderful world someday. What I really want to say is that Mandrake Manor feels like the joy, comfort, safety, and love found in coming home.
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