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How to Survive a Horror Story
Seven authors enter the manor
Can they survive the story within?
When legendary horror author Mortimer Queen passes, a group of writers find themselves invited to his last will and testament reading expecting a piece of his massive fortune. Each have their own unique connection to the literary icon, some known, some soon to be discovered, and they've been waiting for their chance to step into the author’s shoes for some time.
Instead, they arrive at his grand manor and are invited to play a game. The rules are simple, solve the riddle and progress to the next room. If they don’t, the manor will take one of them for itself.
You see, the Queen estate was built on the bones of Mortimer’s family, and like any true horror story, the house is still very, very hungry.
With the clever, locked-room thrills of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone with the ghostly horror of The Fall of the House of Usher, How to Survive a Horror Story is a bright, biting, thrill-ride that begs us to contemplate how the best horror stories come to be.
Can they survive the story within?
When legendary horror author Mortimer Queen passes, a group of writers find themselves invited to his last will and testament reading expecting a piece of his massive fortune. Each have their own unique connection to the literary icon, some known, some soon to be discovered, and they've been waiting for their chance to step into the author’s shoes for some time.
Instead, they arrive at his grand manor and are invited to play a game. The rules are simple, solve the riddle and progress to the next room. If they don’t, the manor will take one of them for itself.
You see, the Queen estate was built on the bones of Mortimer’s family, and like any true horror story, the house is still very, very hungry.
With the clever, locked-room thrills of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone with the ghostly horror of The Fall of the House of Usher, How to Survive a Horror Story is a bright, biting, thrill-ride that begs us to contemplate how the best horror stories come to be.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2025
744 people are currently reading
49037 people want to read
About the author
Mallory Arnold
4 books175 followersMallory Arnold is an editor and writer who resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three cats. She's part of the Women's Fiction Writer's Association and enjoys writing drama, thrillers, and horror.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,832 reviews
July 10, 2025
4.5 ☆
“There are so many monsters in this world. Not the ghouls and ghosts we authors often create, but true forms of evil masked beneath soft flesh, friendly eyes, and steady hands. I am giving you mine.”
i don’t think I’ve been this entertained by a thriller in a long time. the premise follows seven horror authors who are gathered at the mansion of a revered author who has recently died. they’re led to believe that he’s left them all something in his will, but the truth is more sinister. Mortimer reminded me a tiny bit of Jigsaw, but less brutal and if his traps were escape rooms instead.
each of the characters have done something terrible to Mortimer while he was alive and i loved getting the drama, details and snippets of their stories woven throughout the book. there’s also an interesting monstrous take on his mansion itself, it’s got a sort of sentience to it as well. i felt like this book was catered to everything i love in a book like this. it’s very ambitious to try and balance 7 povs but i thought the author did a good job and it felt necessary to get all of their povs. the way this ended and the reveals were all perfectly executed for me. i can’t believe this is a debut, but I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this author now.
➣ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poison Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
“There are so many monsters in this world. Not the ghouls and ghosts we authors often create, but true forms of evil masked beneath soft flesh, friendly eyes, and steady hands. I am giving you mine.”
i don’t think I’ve been this entertained by a thriller in a long time. the premise follows seven horror authors who are gathered at the mansion of a revered author who has recently died. they’re led to believe that he’s left them all something in his will, but the truth is more sinister. Mortimer reminded me a tiny bit of Jigsaw, but less brutal and if his traps were escape rooms instead.
each of the characters have done something terrible to Mortimer while he was alive and i loved getting the drama, details and snippets of their stories woven throughout the book. there’s also an interesting monstrous take on his mansion itself, it’s got a sort of sentience to it as well. i felt like this book was catered to everything i love in a book like this. it’s very ambitious to try and balance 7 povs but i thought the author did a good job and it felt necessary to get all of their povs. the way this ended and the reveals were all perfectly executed for me. i can’t believe this is a debut, but I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this author now.
➣ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poison Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
August 9, 2025
An enjoyable horror x mystery book! How to Survive a Horror Story felt like a combination of Clue the board game, Escape Room the movie, and Monster House. While it was a bit predictable and there weren't massive reveals/twists, it was fast-paced and kept my interest throughout. I also loved the morally gray characters and manipulations of the truth.
The horror element made it much more intriguing that it would be if it were simply a locked room murder mystery. Some of the scenes became a bit repetitive, but I loved how the short stories/backstories were interspersed. A great read for the upcoming spooky season!
The horror element made it much more intriguing that it would be if it were simply a locked room murder mystery. Some of the scenes became a bit repetitive, but I loved how the short stories/backstories were interspersed. A great read for the upcoming spooky season!
July 4, 2025
Seven authors have been invited to legendary deceased author, Mortimer Queen's home for the reading of his last will and testament. Each has some form of connection to the late author. Each are invited to play a game....
I enjoyed the creepy and eerie vibe of this book - a grand manor, a game where the players must solve riddles to move on. If you don't solve the riddle, the house will make its move! This was an unusual, unique and at times entertaining book. This book is like a fantasy horror locked room game where the stakes are high, and consequences are deadly. Other times, I felt as if there were too many characters and my attention waned. As the characters connection to the late author were told, I found some interesting and others meh.
I thought I would enjoy this book much more than I did. It has a great premise, but the execution didn't quite work for me. Normally I loved that 'trapped' feeling in books, but this one didn't quit3 work for me. Others are enjoying this book much more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Creepy, horrific, and eerie.
2.75 stars
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
I enjoyed the creepy and eerie vibe of this book - a grand manor, a game where the players must solve riddles to move on. If you don't solve the riddle, the house will make its move! This was an unusual, unique and at times entertaining book. This book is like a fantasy horror locked room game where the stakes are high, and consequences are deadly. Other times, I felt as if there were too many characters and my attention waned. As the characters connection to the late author were told, I found some interesting and others meh.
I thought I would enjoy this book much more than I did. It has a great premise, but the execution didn't quite work for me. Normally I loved that 'trapped' feeling in books, but this one didn't quit3 work for me. Others are enjoying this book much more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Creepy, horrific, and eerie.
2.75 stars
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
January 16, 2026
How to Survive a Horror Story features a classic Locked-Room set-up, but does actually still manage to bring something new to the trope-filled table.
After the death of legendary Horror author, Mortimer Queen, seven writers are invited to his mysterious manor home for the reading of his last will and testament. It's believed that each one of them may be bequeathed a part of his estate.
Our characters are Melanie, Crystal, Winnie, Felix (Winnie's uninvited +1), Scott, Petey, Buck and Chester. In addition, we also have Gia, working on behalf of Mr. Queen's estate.
This story bounces between the perspectives and follows them over the course of their wild time within the manor.
Kicking off with a very classic Clue-like set-up, our characters individually make their way to the manor full of questions. Each wonders why exactly they've been included, and what they can possibly get out of it.
After everyone is settled, they're told they need to attend dinner together and that's when the rules of their stay are explained, and yes, it involves a dangerous game.
From here it proceeds into uncharted territory. The way the story was structured, the game itself and all that happened was fairly original. I wasn't expecting the direction it went in, particularly in regards to the manor house itself.
And while I appreciate the author taking it in a new direction, it also felt like it was trying to do too much. For me, I wanted it to pick a lane. Was it going to be a gruesome, supernatural infused game for survival, or was it going to be a slow burn character driven literary horror story?
Nevertheless, I always love when an author takes risks and reaches to bring something new to their Readers. While the execution of this one wasn't a perfect fit for me, that doesn't mean it won't be for you.
If you love this kind of classic set-up, but want something a little different, I highly recommend you check this one out. You could find a new favorite.
It also features a book-within-a-book aspect, so if that's something you love, again, give it a shot. For me, it won't go down in history as a new favorite, but I am definitely planning to pick up future releases from Mallory Arnold.
Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm excited to see what other Readers think of this one. Maybe they'll change my mind on it...
After the death of legendary Horror author, Mortimer Queen, seven writers are invited to his mysterious manor home for the reading of his last will and testament. It's believed that each one of them may be bequeathed a part of his estate.
Our characters are Melanie, Crystal, Winnie, Felix (Winnie's uninvited +1), Scott, Petey, Buck and Chester. In addition, we also have Gia, working on behalf of Mr. Queen's estate.
This story bounces between the perspectives and follows them over the course of their wild time within the manor.
Kicking off with a very classic Clue-like set-up, our characters individually make their way to the manor full of questions. Each wonders why exactly they've been included, and what they can possibly get out of it.
After everyone is settled, they're told they need to attend dinner together and that's when the rules of their stay are explained, and yes, it involves a dangerous game.
From here it proceeds into uncharted territory. The way the story was structured, the game itself and all that happened was fairly original. I wasn't expecting the direction it went in, particularly in regards to the manor house itself.
And while I appreciate the author taking it in a new direction, it also felt like it was trying to do too much. For me, I wanted it to pick a lane. Was it going to be a gruesome, supernatural infused game for survival, or was it going to be a slow burn character driven literary horror story?
Nevertheless, I always love when an author takes risks and reaches to bring something new to their Readers. While the execution of this one wasn't a perfect fit for me, that doesn't mean it won't be for you.
If you love this kind of classic set-up, but want something a little different, I highly recommend you check this one out. You could find a new favorite.
It also features a book-within-a-book aspect, so if that's something you love, again, give it a shot. For me, it won't go down in history as a new favorite, but I am definitely planning to pick up future releases from Mallory Arnold.
Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm excited to see what other Readers think of this one. Maybe they'll change my mind on it...
December 17, 2024
Okay, this is fun.
Yes, it’s kind of a tropey plot. And, yes, the characters are a little much. But the author has given us something quite unusual in the *who* behind everything and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There are gruesome deaths – some that do require you to suspend your sense of disbelief just a touch – and some that feel just a little guiltily satisfying.
And as the author starts to reveal the secrets behind the secrets, you’ll be munching your popcorn and greedily devouring every last lie.
Does the book need a little tightening and maybe a little more logic? Sure. But is it an entertaining read that gives you some chills and thrills? Absolutely.
Probably a 3.5 stars, but bumping it up because it was just pure fun.
• ARC provided by Publisher
Yes, it’s kind of a tropey plot. And, yes, the characters are a little much. But the author has given us something quite unusual in the *who* behind everything and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There are gruesome deaths – some that do require you to suspend your sense of disbelief just a touch – and some that feel just a little guiltily satisfying.
And as the author starts to reveal the secrets behind the secrets, you’ll be munching your popcorn and greedily devouring every last lie.
Does the book need a little tightening and maybe a little more logic? Sure. But is it an entertaining read that gives you some chills and thrills? Absolutely.
Probably a 3.5 stars, but bumping it up because it was just pure fun.
• ARC provided by Publisher
June 10, 2025
“𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙧. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚... 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡…”
The premise? Intriguing. A group of writers summoned to a legendary horror author’s creepy estate to claim their slice of his fortune — only to find themselves trapped in a deadly, riddle filled game orchestrated by a house with a very real hunger. Honestly, it sounds like something right out of a late night thriller or one of those twisty horror movies you can’t stop watching. That’s part of what drew me in.
That said, it took me a few tries to really get into it. The opening didn’t immediately hook me — it felt a bit dry and slow to pick up steam. But once the story found its rhythm, I was definitely along for the ride. The writing style is sharp and clever, and I found myself enjoying the atmosphere and pacing more as things progressed.
The manor itself was a standout — eerie, atmospheric, and practically a character of its own. The riddles and room-by-room setup were definite highlights — tense, creative, and kept me curious about what challenge would come next. The “solve or perish” rule added real urgency, which I appreciated, though I wish the death scenes and challenges had been a bit more fleshed out. Some big moments felt rushed, like the book was racing through its most suspenseful parts just to reach the next twist.
The seven POVs were ambitious — some characters clicked with me, others not so much. To be honest, I didn’t really care who lived or died, which might be a sign that we didn’t spend enough time getting to know them. Either that, or there were too many players on the board without enough depth. The way their pasts were woven into the story made sense narratively, and some flashbacks were compelling, but it also contributed to uneven pacing — a little too fast in some places, repetitive in others.
Overall, kind of a mixed bag. It starts off slow and even gets a little boring at times, but there are also some fun, creepy bits and a cool concept underneath it all. I’d still be interested in seeing what this author does next.
- 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💐ᡣ𐭩
The premise? Intriguing. A group of writers summoned to a legendary horror author’s creepy estate to claim their slice of his fortune — only to find themselves trapped in a deadly, riddle filled game orchestrated by a house with a very real hunger. Honestly, it sounds like something right out of a late night thriller or one of those twisty horror movies you can’t stop watching. That’s part of what drew me in.
That said, it took me a few tries to really get into it. The opening didn’t immediately hook me — it felt a bit dry and slow to pick up steam. But once the story found its rhythm, I was definitely along for the ride. The writing style is sharp and clever, and I found myself enjoying the atmosphere and pacing more as things progressed.
The manor itself was a standout — eerie, atmospheric, and practically a character of its own. The riddles and room-by-room setup were definite highlights — tense, creative, and kept me curious about what challenge would come next. The “solve or perish” rule added real urgency, which I appreciated, though I wish the death scenes and challenges had been a bit more fleshed out. Some big moments felt rushed, like the book was racing through its most suspenseful parts just to reach the next twist.
The seven POVs were ambitious — some characters clicked with me, others not so much. To be honest, I didn’t really care who lived or died, which might be a sign that we didn’t spend enough time getting to know them. Either that, or there were too many players on the board without enough depth. The way their pasts were woven into the story made sense narratively, and some flashbacks were compelling, but it also contributed to uneven pacing — a little too fast in some places, repetitive in others.
Overall, kind of a mixed bag. It starts off slow and even gets a little boring at times, but there are also some fun, creepy bits and a cool concept underneath it all. I’d still be interested in seeing what this author does next.
- 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💐ᡣ𐭩
June 26, 2025
⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒
2.5 stars
ᝰ.ᐟ Okay, honestly, I was going to give this book a nice, safe 3 stars because yeah, it was mid, but it was just interesting enough to keep me going.
ꨄ︎ Not super great. Not terrible either just a perfect balance. But then
That ending.
That’s where the whole book collapsed for me
ᝰ.ᐟ Mortimer was the haunting narrative of the book
ꨄ︎ From the beginning, we were given every sign that this man was not a good person. He was manipulative, abusive, rude as hell, dismissive, cruel. He mistreated literally everyone.
ꨄ︎ He traumatized Winnie for being concerned. He humiliated Buck. He destroyed Chester over one moment of misplaced anger etc. The man was the problem.
ᝰ.ᐟ So then what’s up with Melanie?
ꨄ︎ Girl. GIRL. You had everyone telling you this man ruined their lives, and then you find out your friend to the end lied about one detail not even a major one, mind you (it was a well deserved blackmail) and you’re suddenly Team Mortimer?
ꨄ︎ Suddenly they’re the monsters and he’s the misunderstood victim? Excuse me? I didn’t really have a problem with her, don’t get me wrong I’m not excusing what they did but at the end of the day it’s never that deep enough for her to have that huge internal betrayal.
ᝰ.ᐟ Let’s break it down
ꨄ︎ Buck: Not even a villain. He made one career move and got sentenced to death-by-haunted-house energy? Please.
ꨄ︎ Winnie: Cared too much and paid the price. She saw his wife who was being abused and asked her if she was cool, then she got humiliated then published the truth?? What was the issue actually?
ꨄ︎ Chester: A literal victim of harassment who lashed out once in anger by telling her to jump off the roof for all he cares. She was silly enough to do it and that makes him soo bad or?!? Yes he could’ve controlled his anger but he told that girl to stop harassing him several times?!?
ꨄ︎ Crystal & Scott: The only two who should’ve gotten that mansion. Period.
ᝰ.ᐟ The vibes were there. The premise was promising, the execution? Okay. That ending dragged the whole story down into the basement and left it there
Thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are mine
2.5 stars
ᝰ.ᐟ Okay, honestly, I was going to give this book a nice, safe 3 stars because yeah, it was mid, but it was just interesting enough to keep me going.
ꨄ︎ Not super great. Not terrible either just a perfect balance. But then
That ending.
That’s where the whole book collapsed for me
ᝰ.ᐟ Mortimer was the haunting narrative of the book
ꨄ︎ From the beginning, we were given every sign that this man was not a good person. He was manipulative, abusive, rude as hell, dismissive, cruel. He mistreated literally everyone.
ꨄ︎ He traumatized Winnie for being concerned. He humiliated Buck. He destroyed Chester over one moment of misplaced anger etc. The man was the problem.
ᝰ.ᐟ So then what’s up with Melanie?
ꨄ︎ Girl. GIRL. You had everyone telling you this man ruined their lives, and then you find out your friend to the end lied about one detail not even a major one, mind you (it was a well deserved blackmail) and you’re suddenly Team Mortimer?
ꨄ︎ Suddenly they’re the monsters and he’s the misunderstood victim? Excuse me? I didn’t really have a problem with her, don’t get me wrong I’m not excusing what they did but at the end of the day it’s never that deep enough for her to have that huge internal betrayal.
ᝰ.ᐟ Let’s break it down
ꨄ︎ Buck: Not even a villain. He made one career move and got sentenced to death-by-haunted-house energy? Please.
ꨄ︎ Winnie: Cared too much and paid the price. She saw his wife who was being abused and asked her if she was cool, then she got humiliated then published the truth?? What was the issue actually?
ꨄ︎ Chester: A literal victim of harassment who lashed out once in anger by telling her to jump off the roof for all he cares. She was silly enough to do it and that makes him soo bad or?!? Yes he could’ve controlled his anger but he told that girl to stop harassing him several times?!?
ꨄ︎ Crystal & Scott: The only two who should’ve gotten that mansion. Period.
ᝰ.ᐟ The vibes were there. The premise was promising, the execution? Okay. That ending dragged the whole story down into the basement and left it there
Thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are mine
August 29, 2025
This book was an interesting one. There is a large cast of characters here and I actually had to cast them in my head in order to keep them all straight. It took a bit for me to get my bearings here, but once I did and the action started - it was an enjoyable ride. This is a locked room mystery with a horror twist! Which added a fun layer to it. I did struggle to pick this book up at times because I had to have the attention to keep everyone straight, but the ending made it so worth it!! The publisher sent me my own invitation letter from the author explaining her connection to the board game Clue, which makes so much sense to how the story is laid out. Additionally, there is a reading group guide in the end making it great for buddy reads or bookclubs! Definitely recommend if you like horror, Clue, or locked room mysteries!
March 4, 2025
"You know I believe in the power of ghosts like Jennifer Aniston believes in the magic of moisturizer."
Okay so this story was a fun idea...but the execution of it didn't quite hit the mark for me personally. I think I was hoping for a bookish SAW meets Squid Game scenario with nods to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None (all of which I'm a huge fan). But after reading for a while, the danger and deaths felt... cartoonish.
So this wasn't for me, but it looks like quite a few people are loving it so far and therefore I'm in the minority here. And that's okay!
If you love books about writers in peril or locked room mysteries with a horror vibe, you might enjoy this one a lot!
Okay so this story was a fun idea...but the execution of it didn't quite hit the mark for me personally. I think I was hoping for a bookish SAW meets Squid Game scenario with nods to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None (all of which I'm a huge fan). But after reading for a while, the danger and deaths felt... cartoonish.
So this wasn't for me, but it looks like quite a few people are loving it so far and therefore I'm in the minority here. And that's okay!
If you love books about writers in peril or locked room mysteries with a horror vibe, you might enjoy this one a lot!
January 13, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 8, 2025.
1 star.
Famous horror author Mortimer Queen has died and a group of writers, each of whom is connected to Queen in some way, is invited to the reading of his Will.
When they arrive at his spooky manor house they are invited/compelled to play a game. There are riddles that allow the group to move from room to room. If they fail to solve the riddle one of them will die by being taken by the house. Eaten, I guess.
This wasn’t just silliness. That’s it. I thought of not finishing it but I pushed on. I shouldn’t have bothered.
1 star.
Famous horror author Mortimer Queen has died and a group of writers, each of whom is connected to Queen in some way, is invited to the reading of his Will.
When they arrive at his spooky manor house they are invited/compelled to play a game. There are riddles that allow the group to move from room to room. If they fail to solve the riddle one of them will die by being taken by the house. Eaten, I guess.
This wasn’t just silliness. That’s it. I thought of not finishing it but I pushed on. I shouldn’t have bothered.
July 13, 2025
Not what I expected.
This debut gothic novel’s premise is enticing. Six authors are invited to attend the legendary horror author Mortimer Queen’s last will and testament reading at his grand manor. Each are expecting to inherit part of his fortune. While all of them have a connection to the author, some are known and others are soon to be discovered. Queen’s last wish is to have the six play a game…they must solve a riddle to move to the next room in the house. If they guess wrong, the manor will take one of them for itself. The house is hungry!
The book starts off strong with terrific character development and an engaging plot. However, the escape rooms and riddles weren’t as clever as I had hoped. The writing is very repetitive and could definitely use more editing. The plot also felt super campy, as the characters even compare themselves to Scooby-Do characters several times. The Goodreads blurb equates this book to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and Fall of the House of Usher, but both of those books are far superior to this one. Unfortunately, the reveal was lackluster and you really have to suspend your belief.
If you are looking for a book with an almost identical premise that is super clever (and about 150 pages shorter), I highly recommend Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Thank you to Edelweiss and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of How to Survive a Horror Story in exchange for an honest review.
This debut gothic novel’s premise is enticing. Six authors are invited to attend the legendary horror author Mortimer Queen’s last will and testament reading at his grand manor. Each are expecting to inherit part of his fortune. While all of them have a connection to the author, some are known and others are soon to be discovered. Queen’s last wish is to have the six play a game…they must solve a riddle to move to the next room in the house. If they guess wrong, the manor will take one of them for itself. The house is hungry!
The book starts off strong with terrific character development and an engaging plot. However, the escape rooms and riddles weren’t as clever as I had hoped. The writing is very repetitive and could definitely use more editing. The plot also felt super campy, as the characters even compare themselves to Scooby-Do characters several times. The Goodreads blurb equates this book to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and Fall of the House of Usher, but both of those books are far superior to this one. Unfortunately, the reveal was lackluster and you really have to suspend your belief.
If you are looking for a book with an almost identical premise that is super clever (and about 150 pages shorter), I highly recommend Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Thank you to Edelweiss and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of How to Survive a Horror Story in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2025
3.5- 𝒲𝑒𝓁𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝑀𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓇 ✨The manor is a character of its own. Chilling and devilishly fun. Locked-room mystery. Deathly games. Revenge. Each chapter gave just enough to keep you guessing.
#earlyreadcopy
#earlyreadcopy
August 6, 2025
How to survive this book?
Don’t read it. 😂
Don’t read it. 😂
July 8, 2025
4/5 ✩
“If you knew what I did, would you still mourn me?”
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with this ARC.
QUICK SUMMARY
How to Survive a Horror Story is a fun and mysterious horror story, which felt like a combination of Cluedo, Knives Out, and the work of Agatha Christie rolled into one. Although perhaps leaning a little more towards the mystery than horror genre, Arnold nonetheless created an engaging narrative, complex characters, and a fun atmosphere that old school horror fans are sure to love.
R.E.A.D.S. SCORE
R: 6/10
E: 8/10
A: 9/10
D: 8/10
S: 7/10
Total: 7.60/10.00
“If you knew what I did, would you still mourn me?”
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with this ARC.
QUICK SUMMARY
How to Survive a Horror Story is a fun and mysterious horror story, which felt like a combination of Cluedo, Knives Out, and the work of Agatha Christie rolled into one. Although perhaps leaning a little more towards the mystery than horror genre, Arnold nonetheless created an engaging narrative, complex characters, and a fun atmosphere that old school horror fans are sure to love.
R.E.A.D.S. SCORE
R: 6/10
E: 8/10
A: 9/10
D: 8/10
S: 7/10
Total: 7.60/10.00
July 13, 2025
Wait, didn't I just read this book? Debut novel featuring a group of so-called "famous genre writers" trapped in an isolated location via the invitation of mysterious grand master of said genre... check. Dumb riddles, convoluted backstories, prose that reads like someone is poking you with a stick, similes that are downright insane (though not in a good way), no atmosphere whatsoever and a narrative that manages to be completely OTT without being in the slightest entertaining? Check, check, check and check... so basically this is You Are Fatally Invited in a new box with new wrapping paper and a spiffy new bow tied around it. And, surprise, it's still the same sorry mess of a book.
First of all, what was with the gay sidekick (who promptly ends up dogmeat, because he's just. Too. Handflapping. Gay, darlin'), aren't we kinda past this type of depiction of LGBTQ+ folks?? This was just so tone-deaf, it boggled my mind. I'm guessing it was supposed to be, I don't know, funny? (It wasn't.)
Then again, the other characters don't fare much better, they all feel like feeble attempts at stereotype by a writer who just can't quite pull it off (and how sad is that, I might ask). I mean, there's the proud Texan who speaks with a "Southern accent" that goes like this: "Are yeh okay?" (not "y'all"??), "Maybe 'ss stuck", and, when fondly quoting his granny admonishing him regarding his lack of truthfulness, "You're fixin' to lie like a rug in a church". Which isn't even correct usage of Southern vernacular, where, you know, "fixin' to" indicates futurity. Not a current state of action or being. Nothing about this dude sounds even remotely Texan.
But, really, none of the characters come close to sounding even believably human, so fine details like speech patterns and dialect might be a bit much to ask for. Although I have to say, I can't help but feel sorry for Ms. Arnold's creations; just take a look at the names she's saddled them with:
Mortimer Queen; Melanie Brown (Scary Spice???? What happened?); Buck Grimm; Scott Clay; Petey Marsh; Chester Plumage; Crystal Flowers; Winnie Roach (somehow pronounced "Roashay"... no, me neither); Liotta Queen; Waldorf Queen; Regulus Queen.
What madness is this????? Are we in a Tim Burton film? A porn movie? A chapter book? Some short-lived streaming show? I'm confused.
Impossible as it may seem, Ms Arnold's idea of the author's life and "the industry" might be even more crackpot that the ones featured in Ms Pliego's book. How's this for a career: not only is this guy a best-selling horror writer, "Magazines feature his photo on their covers, he's pulled onto talk shows to discuss his dating life and fitness routine, and Hollywood agents are at his heels about starting an acting career." When's the last time you heard Stephen King entertain breathless millions with the details of his prowess on the Peloton? Who in the world cares about an author's dating life? And why would a writer have "Hollywood agents" hound him about starting acting??
Then again, that whole writing thing just seems to serve as a door opener for all kinds of side-gigs; as another writer introduces herself, "I'm a bestselling author, a hand model, and an active guest on several daytime talk shows."
Phew! Busy days. Hand modeling and acting and talk show appearances, a writer's life is not an easy one. And yet, the public seems to be set on one thing, and one thing only: reducing a writer to their looks. It's enough to drive one mad, as referenced by Cynthia in her reaction to this awfully superficial dying lady complementing her on her "pretty complexion and lovely hair":
"'I'm a writer', Crystal bursts like an angry pimple after it's been poked too much. 'I've published twelve books, a few of them landing on the New York Times bestseller list.' Humiliation blushed the apples of her cheeks, and she wishes she could suck the words back up with a straw."
Yes. She bursts like an angry pimple. And who can blame her. (Also, "a few" of her books... ouch. And what's this about her face containing produce?)
Incidentally, this is what you're up against if you decide on wading into this stylistic cesspole of a novel: bad writing imbued with even worse similes. Just a few choice examples:
Melanie can't help but tense, her muscles bunching like rusted mattress springs under the weight of the manor's eye. (Bunching like rusted mattress springs?!?)
The wind picks up, bending trees like asparagus stems. (Asparagus stems?!?)
The road is strangled by a thick forest, with trees bearing down on it, giants bending over to inspect something squashed on their shoe. (On their shoe?!?!?)
Someone is "certainly jumpy [...] like an overweight rat"... wouldn't those be, I don't know, a tad more stationary?
His pupils take up most of the real estate in his eyes, making them deep pools of tar. (Real estate IN HIS EYES?!?!? Go see a doctor, NOW)
Her nerves are throwing an unbridled dance party in her chest while wearing sharp heels and heavy loafers. (There are nerves in her chest? And they're wearing different types of footwear? Why? Do nerves even have feet?!?)
Someone is suffering an allergic reaction to a between-the-eyes eyebrow wax: "Which is why she's wearing her beanie low: 60 percent of her face looks like it was stung by hornets." That beanie: how low exactly, down to the neck? And, um, 60%? What size was that monobrow???
A lot of the sentences don't even make sense, because it's, like, huh?...
([H]is dad was a vocal Churchill fan, a man so obsessed, he kept stacks of World War II books and autobiographies in their living room like he was building a replica of London circa 1940." Er... he was building 1940s London out of piles of books? And isn't there more to Churchill than London, 1940? And why "books and autobiographies"... aren't they all books, and won't decent biographies do just as nicely? Autobiographies by whom, Churchill himself? The whole sentence does not make an iota of sense. Also, it's absolutely irrelevant to the novel. EDITOR? EDITOR????)
...or just plain clunky and amateurish:
"A few feet away, an older woman hasn't reached Melanie's same conclusion".
After her pixie cut, "Melanie tries to curl a piece of hair behind her ear and finds it's no longer there"... oh no! Another trip the the ER...
Gay Redshirt Guy discovers a secret door in one of the walls, which is then referred to as a "trapdoor" by multiple characters throughout the book, notwithstanding the fact that it is, you know, located in the wall, whereas a trapdoor by necessity is something covering a hole in the ground. Oh well.
Apart from architectural features, the author displays glaring ignorance concerning the details and trajectory of 20th century horror fiction, as evidenced by one character's whining about her career struggles:
"When she began writing back in the early eighties, so many publishers wouldn't even take meetings with her -- because she was a woman who wrote scary books about serial killers and vengeful female protagonists, the industry was unkind."
I'm sorry, we are talking about THE EARLY EIGHTIES?????? As in, the 1980s on planet Earth? Like, that time when you literally couldn't breathe for all the wild, crazy, cheap, highly profitable horror fiction that publishers kept saturating the market with until it finally collapsed under its own weight??
Back then, a dung beetle could have gotten a book deal, as long as it kept pumping out shlocky fiction with a high enough body count and/or gore quotient. But nooo. That poor, poor lady couldn't get published because "the industry" did not like women. Sheesh.
The group's deceased host, being male, fared a lot better, seeing as he's the "author of beloved classic Monster House, among other classics". I see. That classic Monster House (the animated kids' movie from 2006?), among other classics. So I'm guessing the Monster House classic is even more classic-y than those "other classics" that remain unnamed? Or are they just not as beloved? Are there some classics more equal than others? What a dumb, dumb sentence.
And, while in this book's interpretation of the literary world, women authors can be hand models, but not get a serial killer novel published, there is no limit when it comes to the cultural appreciation of horror fiction. Not only are there unnamable scores of "classics", one character even made it into the upper echelons of highbrow culture by penning "'Shrieking and Shrinks', a well-known horror classic that's so highly acclaimed, college professors include it in their fiction curriculum and lit snobs constantly cite its merits."
Wow. Must be the title.
I'll just say, this is not something the author has to worry about with this book.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. Can't wait for the next Group-of-famous-authors-stuck-in-mysterious-manor-by-spooky-master writer's-evil-designs-involving-riddles-and-liberal-helpings-of-improbable-past debut novel.
Well actually, yes I can.
First of all, what was with the gay sidekick (who promptly ends up dogmeat, because he's just. Too. Handflapping. Gay, darlin'), aren't we kinda past this type of depiction of LGBTQ+ folks?? This was just so tone-deaf, it boggled my mind. I'm guessing it was supposed to be, I don't know, funny? (It wasn't.)
Then again, the other characters don't fare much better, they all feel like feeble attempts at stereotype by a writer who just can't quite pull it off (and how sad is that, I might ask). I mean, there's the proud Texan who speaks with a "Southern accent" that goes like this: "Are yeh okay?" (not "y'all"??), "Maybe 'ss stuck", and, when fondly quoting his granny admonishing him regarding his lack of truthfulness, "You're fixin' to lie like a rug in a church". Which isn't even correct usage of Southern vernacular, where, you know, "fixin' to" indicates futurity. Not a current state of action or being. Nothing about this dude sounds even remotely Texan.
But, really, none of the characters come close to sounding even believably human, so fine details like speech patterns and dialect might be a bit much to ask for. Although I have to say, I can't help but feel sorry for Ms. Arnold's creations; just take a look at the names she's saddled them with:
Mortimer Queen; Melanie Brown (Scary Spice???? What happened?); Buck Grimm; Scott Clay; Petey Marsh; Chester Plumage; Crystal Flowers; Winnie Roach (somehow pronounced "Roashay"... no, me neither); Liotta Queen; Waldorf Queen; Regulus Queen.
What madness is this????? Are we in a Tim Burton film? A porn movie? A chapter book? Some short-lived streaming show? I'm confused.
Impossible as it may seem, Ms Arnold's idea of the author's life and "the industry" might be even more crackpot that the ones featured in Ms Pliego's book. How's this for a career: not only is this guy a best-selling horror writer, "Magazines feature his photo on their covers, he's pulled onto talk shows to discuss his dating life and fitness routine, and Hollywood agents are at his heels about starting an acting career." When's the last time you heard Stephen King entertain breathless millions with the details of his prowess on the Peloton? Who in the world cares about an author's dating life? And why would a writer have "Hollywood agents" hound him about starting acting??
Then again, that whole writing thing just seems to serve as a door opener for all kinds of side-gigs; as another writer introduces herself, "I'm a bestselling author, a hand model, and an active guest on several daytime talk shows."
Phew! Busy days. Hand modeling and acting and talk show appearances, a writer's life is not an easy one. And yet, the public seems to be set on one thing, and one thing only: reducing a writer to their looks. It's enough to drive one mad, as referenced by Cynthia in her reaction to this awfully superficial dying lady complementing her on her "pretty complexion and lovely hair":
"'I'm a writer', Crystal bursts like an angry pimple after it's been poked too much. 'I've published twelve books, a few of them landing on the New York Times bestseller list.' Humiliation blushed the apples of her cheeks, and she wishes she could suck the words back up with a straw."
Yes. She bursts like an angry pimple. And who can blame her. (Also, "a few" of her books... ouch. And what's this about her face containing produce?)
Incidentally, this is what you're up against if you decide on wading into this stylistic cesspole of a novel: bad writing imbued with even worse similes. Just a few choice examples:
Melanie can't help but tense, her muscles bunching like rusted mattress springs under the weight of the manor's eye. (Bunching like rusted mattress springs?!?)
The wind picks up, bending trees like asparagus stems. (Asparagus stems?!?)
The road is strangled by a thick forest, with trees bearing down on it, giants bending over to inspect something squashed on their shoe. (On their shoe?!?!?)
Someone is "certainly jumpy [...] like an overweight rat"... wouldn't those be, I don't know, a tad more stationary?
His pupils take up most of the real estate in his eyes, making them deep pools of tar. (Real estate IN HIS EYES?!?!? Go see a doctor, NOW)
Her nerves are throwing an unbridled dance party in her chest while wearing sharp heels and heavy loafers. (There are nerves in her chest? And they're wearing different types of footwear? Why? Do nerves even have feet?!?)
Someone is suffering an allergic reaction to a between-the-eyes eyebrow wax: "Which is why she's wearing her beanie low: 60 percent of her face looks like it was stung by hornets." That beanie: how low exactly, down to the neck? And, um, 60%? What size was that monobrow???
A lot of the sentences don't even make sense, because it's, like, huh?...
([H]is dad was a vocal Churchill fan, a man so obsessed, he kept stacks of World War II books and autobiographies in their living room like he was building a replica of London circa 1940." Er... he was building 1940s London out of piles of books? And isn't there more to Churchill than London, 1940? And why "books and autobiographies"... aren't they all books, and won't decent biographies do just as nicely? Autobiographies by whom, Churchill himself? The whole sentence does not make an iota of sense. Also, it's absolutely irrelevant to the novel. EDITOR? EDITOR????)
...or just plain clunky and amateurish:
"A few feet away, an older woman hasn't reached Melanie's same conclusion".
After her pixie cut, "Melanie tries to curl a piece of hair behind her ear and finds it's no longer there"... oh no! Another trip the the ER...
Gay Redshirt Guy discovers a secret door in one of the walls, which is then referred to as a "trapdoor" by multiple characters throughout the book, notwithstanding the fact that it is, you know, located in the wall, whereas a trapdoor by necessity is something covering a hole in the ground. Oh well.
Apart from architectural features, the author displays glaring ignorance concerning the details and trajectory of 20th century horror fiction, as evidenced by one character's whining about her career struggles:
"When she began writing back in the early eighties, so many publishers wouldn't even take meetings with her -- because she was a woman who wrote scary books about serial killers and vengeful female protagonists, the industry was unkind."
I'm sorry, we are talking about THE EARLY EIGHTIES?????? As in, the 1980s on planet Earth? Like, that time when you literally couldn't breathe for all the wild, crazy, cheap, highly profitable horror fiction that publishers kept saturating the market with until it finally collapsed under its own weight??
Back then, a dung beetle could have gotten a book deal, as long as it kept pumping out shlocky fiction with a high enough body count and/or gore quotient. But nooo. That poor, poor lady couldn't get published because "the industry" did not like women. Sheesh.
The group's deceased host, being male, fared a lot better, seeing as he's the "author of beloved classic Monster House, among other classics". I see. That classic Monster House (the animated kids' movie from 2006?), among other classics. So I'm guessing the Monster House classic is even more classic-y than those "other classics" that remain unnamed? Or are they just not as beloved? Are there some classics more equal than others? What a dumb, dumb sentence.
And, while in this book's interpretation of the literary world, women authors can be hand models, but not get a serial killer novel published, there is no limit when it comes to the cultural appreciation of horror fiction. Not only are there unnamable scores of "classics", one character even made it into the upper echelons of highbrow culture by penning "'Shrieking and Shrinks', a well-known horror classic that's so highly acclaimed, college professors include it in their fiction curriculum and lit snobs constantly cite its merits."
Wow. Must be the title.
I'll just say, this is not something the author has to worry about with this book.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. Can't wait for the next Group-of-famous-authors-stuck-in-mysterious-manor-by-spooky-master writer's-evil-designs-involving-riddles-and-liberal-helpings-of-improbable-past debut novel.
Well actually, yes I can.
May 5, 2025
2.5 Stars – Great premise, underwhelming execution
How to Survive a Horror Story had everything going for it—a killer blurb, a spooky manor, and a meta setup with seven authors trapped in a deadly literary game. It sounded like a deliciously dark locked-room mystery-meets-haunted-house ride. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the premise.
The biggest letdown? The multiple POVs. Seven authors with different relationships to a horror legend should’ve meant layered personalities, tension, secrets, and conflicting agendas. Instead, they all sounded frustratingly the same. Their voices blended into one unremarkable stream, making it hard to care who lived, died, or monologued next.
There were moments of cleverness and flickers of that gothic, ghostly vibe promised in the synopsis, but they were few and far between. The manor never quite became a character of its own, and the stakes felt oddly low for a book that claimed it might devour its cast.
🎶“Bells in Santa Fe” – Halsey
🎶“bury me low” – 8 Graves
* arc review
thanks to NetGalley and the publisher
How to Survive a Horror Story had everything going for it—a killer blurb, a spooky manor, and a meta setup with seven authors trapped in a deadly literary game. It sounded like a deliciously dark locked-room mystery-meets-haunted-house ride. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the premise.
The biggest letdown? The multiple POVs. Seven authors with different relationships to a horror legend should’ve meant layered personalities, tension, secrets, and conflicting agendas. Instead, they all sounded frustratingly the same. Their voices blended into one unremarkable stream, making it hard to care who lived, died, or monologued next.
There were moments of cleverness and flickers of that gothic, ghostly vibe promised in the synopsis, but they were few and far between. The manor never quite became a character of its own, and the stakes felt oddly low for a book that claimed it might devour its cast.
🎶“Bells in Santa Fe” – Halsey
🎶“bury me low” – 8 Graves
* arc review
thanks to NetGalley and the publisher
January 6, 2025
”You know I believe in the power of ghosts like Jennifer Aniston believes in the magic of moisturizer.”
How to Survive a Horror Story is a wild ride through revenge, betrayal, and morally messy characters. From Scott Clay to Melanie Brown, everyone has something to hide - and none of them are particularly likable. Mortimer, the self-proclaimed judge of justice, dishes out fates that seem excessive for some, yet fitting for others. The quirky names and dark humor add some levity to the twisted drama.
”You can tell a lot by the contents in someone’s library!”
The pacing starts slow, but once it picks up you'll be hooked, even if the characters' backstories sometimes drag. It's not your typical horror - more creepy than terrifying - but it keeps you on the edge. If you're a fan of light horror with a side of moral ambiguity, this one's for you.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
July 8, 2025
What a surprising story! I was going in expecting that the authors would be getting picked off one by one, but I never expected such a deeply connected and twisting plot, as well as some supernatural elements.
If you loved “Puzzle House” by Duncan Ralston, definitely give this one a read, it’s got similar vibes.
I just overall found this to be a fun and thrilling read, enjoying every moment of it. The switching perspectives and narratives worked really well in my opinion, adding insights and new commentary. I would’ve loved to see the Queen Family’s history expanded upon a bit more though. Like how is some of this stuff happening? The riddles/clues could’ve been a bit more obscure, as it seemed kind of obvious what the answer would be each time.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy.
If you loved “Puzzle House” by Duncan Ralston, definitely give this one a read, it’s got similar vibes.
I just overall found this to be a fun and thrilling read, enjoying every moment of it. The switching perspectives and narratives worked really well in my opinion, adding insights and new commentary. I would’ve loved to see the Queen Family’s history expanded upon a bit more though. Like how is some of this stuff happening? The riddles/clues could’ve been a bit more obscure, as it seemed kind of obvious what the answer would be each time.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy.
August 6, 2025
I was really looking forward to this book because I love books about writers and murder! Unfortunately, this book didn't quite deliver everything I wanted. Some of the killings were original but I felt it actually became kinda boring halfway through. Still, it was a good book for a debut novel and I will read more from the author in the future.
September 6, 2025
Seven writers, one haunted manor, and a deadly game where only the clever survive.
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Summary
A gothic horror-thriller that follows seven horror writers invited to the secluded manor of the late author Mortimer Queen. Upon arrival, they find themselves trapped in a deadly game: solve a riddle every hour or face gruesome consequences. Each writer has a dark secret tied to Mortimer, and the house itself seems to have a mind of its own.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
Tropes & Themes
Revenge and Redemption
Isolation and Paranoia
Locked Room Mystery
Unreliable Narrators
Haunted House
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
My Thoughts
This was such a fun, suspenseful read! I loved the locked loom mystery vibe and the eerie, gothic atmosphere of Mortimer Queen’s manor. The puzzles and twists kept me guessing, and the characters each had secrets that made the story more intense. Overall it’s a clever, spooky thriller that fans of horror and mystery will really enjoy.
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🤍 I want to give a huuugeee thank you Netgalley and Mallory Arnold for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🤍
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
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Medium
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
Summary
A gothic horror-thriller that follows seven horror writers invited to the secluded manor of the late author Mortimer Queen. Upon arrival, they find themselves trapped in a deadly game: solve a riddle every hour or face gruesome consequences. Each writer has a dark secret tied to Mortimer, and the house itself seems to have a mind of its own.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
Tropes & Themes
Revenge and Redemption
Isolation and Paranoia
Locked Room Mystery
Unreliable Narrators
Haunted House
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
My Thoughts
This was such a fun, suspenseful read! I loved the locked loom mystery vibe and the eerie, gothic atmosphere of Mortimer Queen’s manor. The puzzles and twists kept me guessing, and the characters each had secrets that made the story more intense. Overall it’s a clever, spooky thriller that fans of horror and mystery will really enjoy.
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
🤍 I want to give a huuugeee thank you Netgalley and Mallory Arnold for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🤍
﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒﹒⟡﹒
Follow me on my socials ↓
Medium
December 18, 2024
I knew from the description that this would be good and it definitely delivered!
Love a horror story where the characters are trapped in a demented creepy home which has a mind of its own? Then read this!
The plot follows 7 guests who are invited into the manor of a late horror author who has left something for them in his will. Each of the guests are also horror authors but they have more in common with the deceased than that, and over the course of the book you will discover just exactly what landed them an invite to their ultimate demise.
If you enjoy puzzles and riddles combined with a race against the clock to not get eaten by a haunted house, combined with complex characters that will leave you debating whether or not they deserve a terrible death then again.. read this!
This is a chefs kiss debut and deserves all the credit for a well thought out, well put together book. Over the course of the book I developed a soft spot for Melanie and Buck and my thoughts on Mortimer are still mixed up, I need more clarification on the wife components!
Overall thoughts - loved it, plenty of entertainment and suspense from page 1 to the finish and I very much look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
Thank you to Poisened Pen Press and Mallory Arnold for the EARC!
Publish date: July 8th 2025
Love a horror story where the characters are trapped in a demented creepy home which has a mind of its own? Then read this!
The plot follows 7 guests who are invited into the manor of a late horror author who has left something for them in his will. Each of the guests are also horror authors but they have more in common with the deceased than that, and over the course of the book you will discover just exactly what landed them an invite to their ultimate demise.
If you enjoy puzzles and riddles combined with a race against the clock to not get eaten by a haunted house, combined with complex characters that will leave you debating whether or not they deserve a terrible death then again.. read this!
This is a chefs kiss debut and deserves all the credit for a well thought out, well put together book. Over the course of the book I developed a soft spot for Melanie and Buck and my thoughts on Mortimer are still mixed up, I need more clarification on the wife components!
Overall thoughts - loved it, plenty of entertainment and suspense from page 1 to the finish and I very much look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
Thank you to Poisened Pen Press and Mallory Arnold for the EARC!
Publish date: July 8th 2025
April 23, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Seven authors have been invited to the home of Mortimer Queen, a legendary horror author, to hear his last will and testament. Each of them has a history with the author that makes them question why he would even leave them in the will. But how can they resist. They are soon to discover that they are actually there to play a game. Play if you want to survive.
This was a unique twist on the locked room trope. I enjoyed the way it all played out and the short stories thrown in. I thought I knew how it would end but I was wrong and am not disappointed. I could tell from the first page it would be good and was immediately hooked.
Seven authors have been invited to the home of Mortimer Queen, a legendary horror author, to hear his last will and testament. Each of them has a history with the author that makes them question why he would even leave them in the will. But how can they resist. They are soon to discover that they are actually there to play a game. Play if you want to survive.
This was a unique twist on the locked room trope. I enjoyed the way it all played out and the short stories thrown in. I thought I knew how it would end but I was wrong and am not disappointed. I could tell from the first page it would be good and was immediately hooked.
October 27, 2025
ahhh this was so fun and I enjoyed it way more than I expected to!
Seven authors are invited to the manor of Mortimer Queen after the famous writer's death. Each member of the group has a secret connection to Mortimer, yet no one really knows why exactly they were called there. They soon become unwilling participants in a game where all secrets will be exposed, and not everyone will make it out alive.
As soon as the characters begin arriving to the estate, you can tell there is something off. The dark, looming presence of the home sets the scene for a classic horror story. I loved the set up for this - it had me thoroughly engaged. Even though there are seven characters to keep track of, and we read from the perspective of each of them, I think they were all distinguished very well. It is definitely not something easy to pull off - introducing a reader to this many people, providing their backstory, and making sure it is not redundant. Mallory Arnold successfully achieved this, creating a convincing narrative for each character and allowing their personality to shine through.
Many reviewers criticize this for being "too silly", which is fair, if that isn't what you are expecting. But, I personally loved the ridiculous, "silly" aspects of this and the way they easily blended with the classic horror foundation. Like, a house that physically consumes people is so fun, and the fact that the house got to be its own character playing by the rules of the game was so interesting to follow!
I recommend to mystery readers looking to dabble into horror, who won't mind the comedic elements, and those who enjoy games/riddles, dark secrets coming to light, and a bit of revenge. 😈🏚️
Seven authors are invited to the manor of Mortimer Queen after the famous writer's death. Each member of the group has a secret connection to Mortimer, yet no one really knows why exactly they were called there. They soon become unwilling participants in a game where all secrets will be exposed, and not everyone will make it out alive.
As soon as the characters begin arriving to the estate, you can tell there is something off. The dark, looming presence of the home sets the scene for a classic horror story. I loved the set up for this - it had me thoroughly engaged. Even though there are seven characters to keep track of, and we read from the perspective of each of them, I think they were all distinguished very well. It is definitely not something easy to pull off - introducing a reader to this many people, providing their backstory, and making sure it is not redundant. Mallory Arnold successfully achieved this, creating a convincing narrative for each character and allowing their personality to shine through.
Many reviewers criticize this for being "too silly", which is fair, if that isn't what you are expecting. But, I personally loved the ridiculous, "silly" aspects of this and the way they easily blended with the classic horror foundation. Like, a house that physically consumes people is so fun, and the fact that the house got to be its own character playing by the rules of the game was so interesting to follow!
I recommend to mystery readers looking to dabble into horror, who won't mind the comedic elements, and those who enjoy games/riddles, dark secrets coming to light, and a bit of revenge. 😈🏚️
April 25, 2025
This was like… a deranged Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Except instead of spoiled, sugar addicted kids, it had greedy, selfish adults with dark secrets. Instead of Oompa Loompas, we get Gia.
After the death of famous horror author Mortimer Queen, seven strangers are invited to his manor for the reading of his will. Though they all have reasons to be confused or suspicious about the invite, greed and curiosity draws them in. What follows is a twisted game in which they must solve puzzles and face their past misdeeds - or fall victim to the manor itself.
I thought this was a unique and intriguing concept, and the mystery of the weird, murderous house grabbed my interest right away. However, though both the beginning and the end had my undivided attention, the middle dragged a lot, and I had a really hard time convincing myself to pick this book back up each time. It takes until around the 25% mark to really introduce the conflict, and once it did, I found everything a bit silly and ridiculous. This is not my usual genre, so I’m definitely not an expert, but I think this reads more like a dark comedy than a horror or thriller. If it leaned into that a bit more, I think I would have enjoyed it more.
At the beginning of the story, the characters have a discussion about what makes a horror story great - the journey, the characters, or the gory deaths. In this book, I thought the journey was the best part. Having the characters move through the house solving puzzles that force them to reflect on their past mistakes was such a cool concept. However, the more I read, the more I realized I didn’t actually care about any of them. It switched back and forth between their point of views, and I kept getting stuck when certain characters came up because I just wasn’t interested. Some of them were truly unlikable, while others just didn’t intrigue me. When the “gory deaths” occurred, only a few of them actually packed a punch.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t a good fit for me. However, it is a quick and easy read, and if you enjoy locked door mysteries, horror (dark comedy?), and sort of weird, sort of gross stories about vengeance and revenge, this might be for you!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my honest review! Out July 8th.
After the death of famous horror author Mortimer Queen, seven strangers are invited to his manor for the reading of his will. Though they all have reasons to be confused or suspicious about the invite, greed and curiosity draws them in. What follows is a twisted game in which they must solve puzzles and face their past misdeeds - or fall victim to the manor itself.
I thought this was a unique and intriguing concept, and the mystery of the weird, murderous house grabbed my interest right away. However, though both the beginning and the end had my undivided attention, the middle dragged a lot, and I had a really hard time convincing myself to pick this book back up each time. It takes until around the 25% mark to really introduce the conflict, and once it did, I found everything a bit silly and ridiculous. This is not my usual genre, so I’m definitely not an expert, but I think this reads more like a dark comedy than a horror or thriller. If it leaned into that a bit more, I think I would have enjoyed it more.
At the beginning of the story, the characters have a discussion about what makes a horror story great - the journey, the characters, or the gory deaths. In this book, I thought the journey was the best part. Having the characters move through the house solving puzzles that force them to reflect on their past mistakes was such a cool concept. However, the more I read, the more I realized I didn’t actually care about any of them. It switched back and forth between their point of views, and I kept getting stuck when certain characters came up because I just wasn’t interested. Some of them were truly unlikable, while others just didn’t intrigue me. When the “gory deaths” occurred, only a few of them actually packed a punch.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t a good fit for me. However, it is a quick and easy read, and if you enjoy locked door mysteries, horror (dark comedy?), and sort of weird, sort of gross stories about vengeance and revenge, this might be for you!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my honest review! Out July 8th.
June 30, 2025
4.95 ✨ CONTAINS LIGHT SPOILERS
Thank you to Net Galley and Poison Penn Press for the advanced copy of this title.
From the first 10 pages, I knew I would enjoy this title. It reads like a locked-door Agatha Christie mystery or a good movie—think of The Last of Sheila or Murder on the Orient Express.
Mortimer Queen, a famous horror author, has died and invited several other well-known horror authors (in his circle) to his home to read his will. They can't think of why they are named, but they all turn up eager to receive (what they believe): a piece of Morimer's massive wealth.
All the authors have had experiences with Mortimer (on some level), and all have something salacious to hide. What they don't realize is that they would get more than what they bargained for.
They have all been named recipients, but what they get will surprise them all. Solve the riddle corresponding to everyone invited, survive Mortimer's house of horrors, and get out alive.
This is such a great mystery, and learning about everyone’s backstory lends itself to the reason they were brought to the house. To think that their successes were built on the back of Mortimer Queen is despicable. What’s more interesting is that they thought they’d gotten away with it.
Sooner or later, everyone would get their comeuppance, as Mortimer has other plans to ensure debts are paid in full. (so to speak)
This title ended a little too perfectly for me, but I can’t be mad at whom that end was intended for. In conclusion, this is still a title that keeps the pace, has a great story, and the characters have a great chemistry (good and bad). So, if you’re searching for a locked-door mystery, this is the one. I gave this title 4.95 ✨.
Thank you to Net Galley and Poison Penn Press for the advanced copy of this title.
From the first 10 pages, I knew I would enjoy this title. It reads like a locked-door Agatha Christie mystery or a good movie—think of The Last of Sheila or Murder on the Orient Express.
Mortimer Queen, a famous horror author, has died and invited several other well-known horror authors (in his circle) to his home to read his will. They can't think of why they are named, but they all turn up eager to receive (what they believe): a piece of Morimer's massive wealth.
All the authors have had experiences with Mortimer (on some level), and all have something salacious to hide. What they don't realize is that they would get more than what they bargained for.
They have all been named recipients, but what they get will surprise them all. Solve the riddle corresponding to everyone invited, survive Mortimer's house of horrors, and get out alive.
This is such a great mystery, and learning about everyone’s backstory lends itself to the reason they were brought to the house. To think that their successes were built on the back of Mortimer Queen is despicable. What’s more interesting is that they thought they’d gotten away with it.
Sooner or later, everyone would get their comeuppance, as Mortimer has other plans to ensure debts are paid in full. (so to speak)
This title ended a little too perfectly for me, but I can’t be mad at whom that end was intended for. In conclusion, this is still a title that keeps the pace, has a great story, and the characters have a great chemistry (good and bad). So, if you’re searching for a locked-door mystery, this is the one. I gave this title 4.95 ✨.
October 26, 2025
3.5/5 stars
June 17, 2025
Ooooh, this book was an absolute blast—I devoured it! The best part? I went in with zero expectations, and it completely blew me away.
A deceased writer assembles a carefully chosen group at his mansion—each with a unique connection to him. The promise of an inheritance draws them in, but once inside, they realize they’re not beneficiaries —they’re contestants in a deadly game of survival.
Think escape room meets Clue meets Disney’s Monster House —only the house isn’t just haunted, it’s hungry. Solve the riddles to move through each room or someone dies. Horribly. Their sacrifice feeds the house. And in the end, only one walks away—with everything.
Eerily reminiscent of Wendig's recently released Staircase in the Woods, the 'players' quickly realize the only way out is through, and each riddle unearths a secret so damning, they’d sooner lie, betray, or kill than confess.
It was deliciously campy and entertaining—light on scares but wound so tight with tension that putting it down simply wasn’t an option. This was exactly the book I needed after the streak I’d been on.
You’re going to read it, right?! Tell me you're running out to buy it when it releases in July...! Trust me, you don’t want to sleep on this one.
A deceased writer assembles a carefully chosen group at his mansion—each with a unique connection to him. The promise of an inheritance draws them in, but once inside, they realize they’re not beneficiaries —they’re contestants in a deadly game of survival.
Think escape room meets Clue meets Disney’s Monster House —only the house isn’t just haunted, it’s hungry. Solve the riddles to move through each room or someone dies. Horribly. Their sacrifice feeds the house. And in the end, only one walks away—with everything.
Eerily reminiscent of Wendig's recently released Staircase in the Woods, the 'players' quickly realize the only way out is through, and each riddle unearths a secret so damning, they’d sooner lie, betray, or kill than confess.
It was deliciously campy and entertaining—light on scares but wound so tight with tension that putting it down simply wasn’t an option. This was exactly the book I needed after the streak I’d been on.
You’re going to read it, right?! Tell me you're running out to buy it when it releases in July...! Trust me, you don’t want to sleep on this one.
August 16, 2025
3.5 Stars!
An interesting twist on what can be a Horror cliche, a group of strangers are invited to a creepy manor and hijinks ensue.
I didn't love this book, I thought the middle was a little boring but the ending saved it.
I would definitely recommend this book because it put me in that Fall mood.
An interesting twist on what can be a Horror cliche, a group of strangers are invited to a creepy manor and hijinks ensue.
I didn't love this book, I thought the middle was a little boring but the ending saved it.
I would definitely recommend this book because it put me in that Fall mood.
October 25, 2025
"This brings me joy, because if I'm dead, that means you all are surely sitting around my table, breaking bread together. I'm sure many of you are wondering why you are here tonight. And I shall leave you in suspense no longer, as I'm not a writer of thrills but of horror. So we bring on the fear."
When legendary horror writer Mortimer Queen passes away, seven authors are invited to his manor for the reading of his last will and testament. But things quickly take a sinister turn when it’s revealed that the guests are expected to play a game. The rules? Solve a riddle to advance to the next room. Fail, and the manor itself will claim a victim. (Yes, the manor because we are dealing with a property that will...eat you?)
Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but instead of Oompa Loompas singing a fun song escorting annoying kids away, it’s a haunted house eating the authors one by one. Got it? Good. And actually, now that I mention it, the CATCF (Charlie and the chocolate factory, please keep up) parallels don’t stop there, the golden-ticket-style invites, the eccentric (and now deceased) genius behind it all, and the group being picked off as they go deeper into the property. Mortimer Queen is basically the Willy Wonka of horror writing… if Willy was dead and his factory was possessed (is anybody still following this?) (is this my most chaotic review yet?) (is it okay to put so many bracketed comments next to each other?) (is bracketed a word?) Wait, I digress...did I just crack the book’s inspiration in real time? Am I spoiling it? Should I stop rambling?
Anyyywaaayyyyy a closed-door horror story about a demon house? Yeah, sign me the hell up (pun very much intended).
The story is told in third person, rotating between all seven authors, which gives us a fab insight into each character’s past, personality, and connection to Mortimer. Every single POV is interesting, no filler chapters here and the pacing kept me completely hooked. The horror is great, but what really makes this book shine are the characters and their tangled, often terrible, inner worlds. And despite each of them being deeply flawed (okay, actually the fucking worst), I found myself rooting for every single one of them. You cannot trust a single narrative in this story. Just when you think you’ve got someone figured out, another chapter flips everything on its head. It’s a constant guessing game of who’s telling the truth.
I highly, highly, highly recommend this book, especially if you love your horror with a side of mystery, drama, and manors that may or may not eat people.
"All her English professors say the best authors write what they know, but all Melanie knows is what has already been written. Petra is always on her case about going out into the world, experiencing things, but Melanie prefers to spend her time in her own reading chair at home. There she can sit with the quiet and not worry about filling a silence, coming up with something to add to a conversation. Petra always says Melanie is too worried about what people think, that Melanie truly believes no one will think what she has to say is worth listening to. Maybe Petra is right."
"Comedians are often the saddest people Buck knows, psychologists definitely do not have their shit figured out, and the best chefs in the world go home at the end of the day and eat bowlfuls of cereal."
"Doing something stupid doesn't mean you're brave"
When legendary horror writer Mortimer Queen passes away, seven authors are invited to his manor for the reading of his last will and testament. But things quickly take a sinister turn when it’s revealed that the guests are expected to play a game. The rules? Solve a riddle to advance to the next room. Fail, and the manor itself will claim a victim. (Yes, the manor because we are dealing with a property that will...eat you?)
Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but instead of Oompa Loompas singing a fun song escorting annoying kids away, it’s a haunted house eating the authors one by one. Got it? Good. And actually, now that I mention it, the CATCF (Charlie and the chocolate factory, please keep up) parallels don’t stop there, the golden-ticket-style invites, the eccentric (and now deceased) genius behind it all, and the group being picked off as they go deeper into the property. Mortimer Queen is basically the Willy Wonka of horror writing… if Willy was dead and his factory was possessed (is anybody still following this?) (is this my most chaotic review yet?) (is it okay to put so many bracketed comments next to each other?) (is bracketed a word?) Wait, I digress...did I just crack the book’s inspiration in real time? Am I spoiling it? Should I stop rambling?
Anyyywaaayyyyy a closed-door horror story about a demon house? Yeah, sign me the hell up (pun very much intended).
The story is told in third person, rotating between all seven authors, which gives us a fab insight into each character’s past, personality, and connection to Mortimer. Every single POV is interesting, no filler chapters here and the pacing kept me completely hooked. The horror is great, but what really makes this book shine are the characters and their tangled, often terrible, inner worlds. And despite each of them being deeply flawed (okay, actually the fucking worst), I found myself rooting for every single one of them. You cannot trust a single narrative in this story. Just when you think you’ve got someone figured out, another chapter flips everything on its head. It’s a constant guessing game of who’s telling the truth.
I highly, highly, highly recommend this book, especially if you love your horror with a side of mystery, drama, and manors that may or may not eat people.
"All her English professors say the best authors write what they know, but all Melanie knows is what has already been written. Petra is always on her case about going out into the world, experiencing things, but Melanie prefers to spend her time in her own reading chair at home. There she can sit with the quiet and not worry about filling a silence, coming up with something to add to a conversation. Petra always says Melanie is too worried about what people think, that Melanie truly believes no one will think what she has to say is worth listening to. Maybe Petra is right."
"Comedians are often the saddest people Buck knows, psychologists definitely do not have their shit figured out, and the best chefs in the world go home at the end of the day and eat bowlfuls of cereal."
"Doing something stupid doesn't mean you're brave"
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