Credenza

by Wendy Dalrymple

Whether it’s renovating her home, running her online boutique, or taking care of her daughter, Veronica Marquette is no stranger to handling things on her own. So when her beloved Grandma Maddie passes away, she thinks nothing of hauling her cherished credenza home herself. But with the arrival of the peculiar piece of furniture, old family secrets also emerge. Veronica is confronted by an ancient enemy who has come to claim a lost relic that represents much more than she could have ever imagined.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Wendy Dalrymple loves to explore the beauty in horrific things.. When she’s not writing #pinkhorror or Florida Gothic horror, you can find her hiking with her family, painting (bad) wall art, and trying to grow as many pineapples as possible. Follow her on IG or TikTok @wendydalrymplewrites.
Www.wendydalrymple.com

Reviews

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!! 🩷🖤🩷🖤

May 3, 2025 Review:

♥ My Overall Thoughts ♥

I had no idea how much I would love a horror book about a credenza, but here we are! This novel is emotional and full of gothic pink horror! I went into this book thinking that, oh it can be that horrific, because it’s just about a credenza. I was completely wrong! While this book does revolve around a cursed heirloom, it dives deep into family trauma and relationships. It starts off slow and confusing at times, then it quickly picks up and things start making sense! It is very well written, easy to read and captivating.

It’s an emotional journey of mothers and daughters. It’s about sacrifices and breaking generational curses. There are multiple characters in this book, both likable and unlikable. This also comes with several timelines, which was important in this book because it gave insight into the cursed credenza. My favorite characters in this story were Fernando and Star! Oh and I loved the movie The Shining reference in this! It also comes with some humor and a potential love story. Don’t let this beautiful cover fool you! Overall, I give this a 4.5 out of 5 star rating!

♥ Content Warnings & Who I think would enjoy reading this ♥

Content warnings include death, fear, trauma and memory loss. I think people that like to read fictional dark horror books that involves haunted furniture would enjoy reading this one!

♥ Thank You ♥

Thank you to NetGalley, author Wendy Dalrymple and Quill & Crow Publishing House for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

♥ Publication Date ♥

This book is expected to be published on June 13, 2025!

♥ Quick Review ♥

🩷 Gothic Pink Horror
✔️ Haunted Credenza
🩷 Emotional Journey
✔️ Multiple timelines & POV’s
🩷 About Mothers & Daughters
✔️ Family Trauma
🩷 Mysterious Vibes
✔️ Generational Curses

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥

ツ౨ৎ

[Adrienne L · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Veronica (“Ronnie”) is a single mother in in her thirties, living in Florida with her young teen daughter. She is struggling to provide a stable, loving home to her child, reckon with her feelings about her formerly drug addicted ex and her mentally unstable mother, trying to keep her small business (vintage items she finds at estate sales, restores and resells) afloat, and now dealing with the grief from the recent death of the grandmother who raised her. When she inherits grandma Maddie’s antique walnut credenza, there is no consideration of reselling an item of such sentimental value. But when sinister and strange events start occurring, a ghastly old book is discovered, and a mysterious stranger makes a generous offer to purchase the sideboard, Ronnie soon finds herself debating whether to let the family heirloom go. But it may be too late to save her little family from the curse it carries.

Credenza is a pretty straightforward cursed object tale, as the title and cover would imply. This is a short and easy read, and I would compare Dalrymple’s writing to cozy horror author Darcy Coates, although with a few more rough edges that could stand to be smoothed over through better editing. There’s nothing really new here, the cursed object playbook is certainly not being rewritten or even offering anything particularly unique in Credenza, but I still found the story engaging enough that I was happy to go along for the ride. It’s a short book too, which is in it's favor. I don’t know how I would feel about 300+ pages of this.

I would recommend it for an easy read to horror fans interested in the cursed object trope, who are looking for something more cozy than disturbing. There was some gore at the end, but nothing too extreme. This was my first book by the author, and I would definitely check out more of her work, probably as one of the palate cleanser books I like to pick up sometimes between more dark and/or challenging reads.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of Credenza in exchange for an honest review.

[PlotTwist&Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s get one thing out of the way: this book is about a credenza. Yes, a credenza. A piece of furniture. But not just any furniture. This one bleeds, hoards secrets, possibly whispers threats, and has the audacity to stab people in the finger. So of course, it belongs to a woman who’s barely holding it together.

Enter Veronica Marquette — single mom, vintage reseller, emotional damage sponge, and unwitting heir to a haunted heirloom. She’s got 99 problems, and all of them stem from men, moldy Florida air, and her grandmother’s terrifying taste in mid-century décor. She’s relatable, especially if you’ve ever argued with your teenager while holding a wine glass and a disinfectant wipe.

The Setup: After inheriting the titular credenza from her late grandmother (RIP Maddie, you deserved better than this mess), Veronica discovers the cabinet has more secrets than a Brat Pack reunion. Things escalate from emotional breakdowns to ghostly shenanigans, mysterious business cards, a potentially cursed blade, and — of course — someone willing to pay $10,000 cash for this IKEA reject from hell.

Honestly, that price tag alone should’ve been a red flag.

Characters We Love, Tolerate, and Suspect Are Demonic:
• Star (Veronica’s daughter): Wise beyond her years, fluent in sarcasm, and ready to ditch Mom for pizza or K-dramas at a moment’s notice. Would 100% survive a horror movie.
• Fernando (Hot Nurse): Too good to be true. Possibly the only man in this entire book who doesn’t deserve to be hexed.
• Paul Dietzer (Creepy Furniture Dealer): Shows up like a bargain-bin Dracula with a business card. Definitely has bodies hidden under some mid-century modern chairs.

What Works:
The voice. Veronica’s inner monologue is peak exhausted-mom-meets-true-crime-binger. Her sarcasm, bitterness, and wine-fueled anxiety spiral make her both hilarious and heartbreakingly real. The generational trauma and horror are woven with a soft touch — and yes, there’s a genuinely spooky mystery unraveling with each drawer she dares open.

What Doesn’t:
The pacing sometimes drags like a haunted Roomba. We know the credenza is cursed, the vibes are off, and the ghosts are ghosting, but the plot circles back on itself a bit before things truly unravel. Also, if you’re expecting gore and jump scares, this is more “cozy paranormal descent into madness” than “The Conjuring.”

Trigger Warnings:
Grief, generational trauma, gaslighting (ghostlighting?), memory loss, single parenting, creepy knives, suspicious furniture, implied murder, splinter-related injuries

Final Thoughts:
Credenza is for the reader who wants a slow burn with bite. It’s dark, smart, and occasionally petty — just like your favorite aunt after three glasses of cabernet. Perfect for fans of The Haunting of Hill House who also follow estate sale Instagrams religiously.

But let’s be real: the real villain here isn’t the haunted credenza — it’s late-stage capitalism, generational neglect, and the Florida humidity.

Sell the cabinet, Veronica. Take the $10K. Buy a therapist, a security system, and maybe a nice Danish sideboard.

[Anahita ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ A horror story surrounding a credenza! Yeah, you heard it right, one evil piece of furniture...

I don't want to spoil the fun (or rather funny things) by explaining the things this crendenza holds/does, because those were some of the interesting parts of this book. As you read on, you learn more about its powers, or the evil power it holds! Just to give you a gist of what you can expect, the credenza bleeds, it stabs, etc., to mention a few.

Veronica, the FMC, kind of inherits the credenza, a family heirloom, when her grandmother passes away in a nursing home. Right off the bat, you can sense something is off with the way the author is setting the tone. I liked that! That's what pulled me in!! You know when you watch a horror movie, and the beginning is just the main characters clueless going about their lives, but something off-putting is in the air! Veronica and Star (her daughter) are transferring the credenza to their home. One by one, weird things start to happen. Veronica gets a splinter from the credenza, ignores the immense pain (of course). She sees someone's reflection in her wine glass (or is she hallucinating?), and the police do not find anything! A crazy offer from a strange man to buy the credenza, and more.
☁ 𓂃𓈒𓏸
𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴:
🌑 The characters and the dialogues were fun to read
🌑 Veronica, as the main character, shows off a real side of a mother who is struggling to hold it together sometimes
🌑 Star is a strong and smart kid, and didn't make me hate reading a kid's dialogue and side of things, which is a plus!
🌑 The setting and vibe were a good match for the mood I was in and a good choice for summerween

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷'𝓽 𝓮𝓷𝓳𝓸𝔂 𝓪𝓼 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱:
🌑 I wish the story didn't drag as much in the beginning, since the book was quite short; there was potential for more
🌑 Cursed object is not an original story, so I kind of wanted some twist to this story

At first, I expected a scary movie, like Annabelle vibes. This book captures a quieter and cosy horror atmosphere, a mix between mystery novels and if Nosferatu's Count Orlok was a credenza!

I think I'd like to read from Wendy Dalrymple again, I liked her writing style and storytelling! Overall, I recommend this book to readers who enjoy classic Halloween movies, gore, and cosy horror!

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚕 & 𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚎-𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠.♡

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I had no clue what a credenza even was before picking up this book, so points for teaching me something new! I’m also a sucker for cursed objects, and this one totally delivered.

Veronica is a well-written, relatable character just trying to keep it together as a single mom. As someone who grew up with a single mom myself, I really connected with the authentic dynamic between her and her daughter, Star. It felt raw, real, and refreshingly honest.

The flashbacks featuring Grandma Maddie added a nice touch of backstory and made the cursed object’s history that much more interesting, I actually wish there was more.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, pink-horror story with a lot of heart. Spooky and surprisingly emotional. I really enjoyed it!

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this off of Netgalley to read on a whim, and no regrets.

Am I a sucker for a pink cover?
Yeah I am but it was in the horror section, so that’s my story.

I love a story where someone dies ( lord was that morbid lol ) and they will someone something, sometimes its a house and sometimes its a uh supernatural credenza possibly from hell.

Veronica has this covered, she has everything covered, kind of have too when you always have to do everything on your own, so hauling this piece of furniture home, not a big deal, and after always having to work for everything, I know the feeling of finally getting something nice for free, and all you need to do is get it home.

When things get weird, and a creepy guy shows up wanting the credenza, you start to wonder, what secrets was granny hiding ?
This isn’t what you think, but it is what you think, I really did think I knew exactly what I was getting into with this book, but I was so wonderfully surprised to get much more.

This wont be my last book by Wendy, this was beautiful and horrifying and some how wholesome, with twists that kept me on my toes, wondering, what really is going on with this family and this credenza, is it just a simple cursed object or are there more factors at play, making things, complicated and crazy in a way no one really expected?

Check it out.

[Wyetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.8 ✰

Thank you to Net Galley and Quill & Crow Publishing for this title.

This story is a quick read, clocking in at 199 pages. You could finish it in an afternoon 📖. Credenza is terrifying, and the prologue provides a lot of information, including a brief explanation of the tree from which this cursed credenza originates.

Our protagonist, Veronica, a single mom, is trying to keep her online antique business afloat while raising her daughter, Star. Star’s father is only now starting to reappear in her life, being clean, sober, and eager to be involved.

I like this character. She runs her own business, owns a home, and while things are not perfect, she’s making it work. I admire her hustle. Veronica is also grieving her recently deceased grandmother, Maddie, who raised her. Towards the end, Maddie had dementia, but Veronica still took the time to visit her with Star and make memories. She struggles without her. Veronica’s mother, Karen, is out of the picture and has been since she was two years old.

There is a reason Veronica’s mother, Karen, has stayed away, but after her mother’s death, she reaches out to Veronica about the credenza, pleading with her to get rid of it. As a child, she heard voices from the cabinet, but no one believed her.

It was interesting to learn (not just the origins of the wood to make the credenza) but the reason behind why it was created, what it was used for, and the group of women who were tasked with protecting it.

This cabinet (throughout the years) would bring on mysterious beheadings, poisonings, and other deaths 💀. The best is saved for the last 15 pages of the story, and I usually would be mad at waiting so long, but the short story builds the tension, and some things are better left to the very end.

Great quick Summer horror read!

[Matilda (booksinwildplaces) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Quill & Crow Publishing House, NetGalley & Wendy Dalrymple for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 stars.
Genre(s): horror.

Overall impression: a fast-paced and quirky pink horror novel that revolved around a very unassuming piece of furniture. I really liked the backstory to the credenza and could have easily spent more time going down a rabbit hole to learn about the evil wood that it was crafted from. The rest of the story was exciting and unpredictable, with lots of twists and turns. I found the characters to be really relatable and their reaction to supernatural events to be very realistic. I had a lot of fun reading this!

Tropes:
➵ Single mum
➵ Family heirlooms
➵ Haunted furniture
➵ Evil book
➵ Helpful or harmful ghosts
➵ Mystery men in black
➵ Rituals & human sacrifice
➵ Secrets & betrayal
➵ Flawed characters
➵ Not everything is as it seems
➵ Not everyone survives
➵ Happy-for-now (HFN)

⤷ Plot:
The story was a mix of plot- and character-driven. Veronica inherited an evil piece of furniture from her deceased grandmother and was subject to hallucinations, unsavoury characters and deadly rituals. At the same time, she had to mend broken relationships, be a steady presence for her frightened daughter and redefine her identity as life evolved. There were a few twists towards the end which I wasn't expecting and it had an open 'happy-for-now' ending that left me a bit unsettled (which I don't mind at all in horror books).

⤷ Characters:
Veronica and her family were really interesting and had very complex relationships. Generational trauma and mental illness were unpacked and we got to see the start of the healing process between Veronica and her mother/ex-husband. I found the characters to be very relatable with their flawed personalities, ability to adapt and grow, and responses to supernatural events. There was a lot of depth to the story which made it even more intriguing to read.

⤷ World-building:
The initial setup for the story was really well done and it had me hooked. The first scene showed where the wood came from that was then crafted into the credenza and we got to see some of the early horrors it brought to people through newspaper clippings and flashback/old POV's trickled throughout the story. I wish there was a bit more time spent describing the old days and how the wood actually grew from evil. It was glossed over at one point and I felt like it was a missing part of the story. The world-building did ramp up a lot towards the end and we were confronted with some grotesque scenes involving cannibalism, rituals and sacrifice. It certainly felt like a horror book in the last few chapters!

⤷ Writing:
The story had a great flow and it was a very quick read. I liked that we got to see the different generations cope with the credenza through past POV scenes - it helped build a few of the characters' backstories up and made it easier to understand how they ended up the way they were. I'll definitely read more of Wendy's books in the future.

Statistics:
➵ Date read: 25/05/2025-26/05/2025 (2 days).
➵ Page count: 234.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: standalone.
➵ Special: NetGalley ARC.

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[Emily | emilyisbookedup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book.

I went into this book completely blind. If I’m being honest, I didn’t even know what a credenza was before I started reading, but I figured it out quickly and flew through this short read.

The pros: This book is written well and the creepy scenes did a good job of creeping me out. Veronica is a relatable main character and her story was very real.

The cons: I didn’t find the plot very exciting. I love a good haunted house story, but I don’t know if I’m crazy about haunted furniture. I also would’ve liked more chapters from Grandma Maddie and Karen to build the history. I know not everyone is a fan of multiple POVs, but sometimes they help the story. The ending was rushed and left me with more questions than answers and it’s a bummer that didn’t feel full fleshed out.

With all that taken into account, I still enjoyed the book. It was creative and kept me interested. However, won’t be buying any credenzas in the near future.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, yes, this is about a cursed family heirloom. I’m still waiting on someone to do a possessed tea set tale.

I enjoyed the story, but Dalrymple isn’t reinventing the wheel here with the genre she’s chosen.
It’s definitely horror you can jump into and out of, if that makes sense. An enjoyable tale that you really don’t have to think too hard about. I wasn’t overly invested in the characters, but the plot kept me engaged.

I like that the author is doing “pink horror” stories, and recommend checking out her other books as well! Each of her stories has amazing covers that add flair to readers’ bookshelves as well.

Lastly I will be working hard at incorporating the word “credenza” in my day to day vocabulary because it’s tragically under-utilized.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Quill & Crow Publishing House for a copy.

[Katrina G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review

This started as a basic, run of the mill, haunted piece of furniture, scary story. I want to give a huge shout out to Veronica for actually having a goo head on her shoulders and saying "Oh, fuck no," upon finding a creepy book about ritualistic cannibalism. It's so hard to find smart heroines these days.

She went through the typical stages of being haunted (the denial, the "maybe I'm actually crazy," and finally the acceptance) but it wasn't in a way that made me want to reach through the book and shake some sense to her.

I found some things predictable Fernando? I didn't trust that guy from the beginning. And this was by all accounts a cozy scary story. And then I got to the last 20% and all hell broke lose. There was fire and gore and lots of unpleasantness that actually caught me off guard because it was so far away from the vibe the first 80% of the story gave me.

I am docking this star because there was one loose end that I don't understand. What was the deal with the plates? And that Billie girl dying? I feel like this should have been explained a bit more, because that wasn't really resolved. Her death was suspected to be foul play, and that's all we know. Who has the plates? Are they just gonna keep getting passed around and getting people sick? I'm more worried about that than I am with the knife still being active in the epilogue lol

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘻𝘢 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥.”

Credenza by Wendy Dalrymple is a chaotic tale of a single mother, Veronica, trying to stay afloat and support her daughter, while also dealing with the death of her grandmother, the antics of her estranged mother, the reappearance of her ex, and… an inherited credenza that might just be evil.

I enjoyed the flashbacks across the credenza’s lifetime, through the generations of women in Veronica’s family, to the crafting of the credenza, and even all the way back to the act of chopping down the tree to obtain the wood.

With threads of folk horror mixed with a modern atmosphere, Credenza is a horror that grips you in under 200 pages. I flew through the second half! For a wild and fun
premise of haunted furniture, Wendy Dalrymple also succeeds in delivering emotion that packs a punch through the inner monologue of the main character. Seeing Veronica grapple with grief, confusion, loneliness, and sanity, all on her own, brings an emotional edge to this tale of centuries-old evil.

“𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘻𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”

*𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘭 & 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦. 𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯!

[Catherine McCarthy]

Cursed objects, an ancient cult and a folklore thread that reminded me of Sleepy Hollow.
Dalrymple's Credenza builds to a startling climax as it untangles the roots of the past. A genre blend that feels both modern and ancient.

[Dalia Elvira · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of a single mom inheriting a mysterious credenza with a haunted past definitely caught my eye. It leans into that “pink horror” space, mixing feminine themes with supernatural elements, which I usually find interesting. But for me, the story played it a little too safe.

I’m not big on cozy or soft horror, and this felt like a story I’ve read plenty of times before: spooky heirloom, unsettling family history, a slow unraveling. Nothing wrong with it, just not super memorable for me. I didn’t hate it, I just wanted something riskier with more bite.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat.

Veronica is no stranger to doing things on her own, so when her grandma Maddie passes away and leaves Veronica her old credenza, Maddie doesn't blink twice at hauling the thing home on her own. But with the arrival of the strange piece of furniture bring with it odd happenings in Veronica's house, and also the presence of a strange man who will stop at nothing to obtain ownership of the credenza. Unravelling long lost family secrets and an ancient enemy, can Veronica triumph over everything and make it out the other side? Or will she become just another victim?

This was my first Dalrymple read, and it certainly won't be my last. This was such a great haunted object horror, and it was so different to what I was expecting, and not in a bad way. It went places that I wasn't expecting it to and I was just along for the ride. I wasn't a hundred percent sure where the story was headed, and it touched on things I wasn't expecting which was great.

I really enjoyed the character of Veronica; she was a strong and independent character which I really enjoyed. I did feel for her, the feeling of occasional loneliness and of not really having anyone that she could lean on or contact for help when she needed illustrated really well. I enjoyed the character of her daughter Star, and thought she was a wonderful support character, and the addition of the character of Veronica's mother, which helped deepen the story was great. I loved the relationship dynamics between Veronica and all of the characters that she was connected to and came in contact with. The character of the furniture buyer was a great addition, and his creepy aura really jumped off the page, some characters just ooze atmosphere, and he was one of them. The credenza even felt like a character, which is something that I love. I love when inanimate objects become such a big part of a story that they become a character all of their own.

The story itself wasn't what I was expecting, and this wasn't a bad thing. It's kinda nice when a story turns out to be different that your expectations, especially when it's in a good way. This was fairly formulaic as a haunted object story, until it wasn't. It took a little bit of a turn into territory that I wasn't expecting, and I was here for it. I worked things out right about the time that I was supposed to and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The pacing held up well and I'm curious to know if Dalrymple will revisit this world at some point.

All in all, this was a great haunted object story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel like the world could be revisited and it will be interesting to see if this is something on Dalrymple's schedule. There's a lot that can be explored here and I'd read it in a heartbeat. If you're after a good haunting story with good characters give this one a go.

[Erica Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: Gore, strained mother-daughter relationships, mental illness, oh yeah, and cannibalism. casual.

Credenza opens with the death of MC Veronica's beloved grandma, who raised her when her mentally ill mother became too unstable to do so. I suppose from that opener alone, I SHOULD'VE realized this was gonna be a hard-hitting multi-generational mother-daughter horror story. Is there anything more horrific than having to face the deep running mental illness in your family?

Idk. Maybe the cannibalistic cult your family is involved with could be a close second. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Veronica is a mildly successful vintage and antique reseller struggling through the woes of realizing how lonely she is as a single mother as her daughter becomes more and more independent. she's also struggling with bills (relatable) and the disturbing visions of her dead grandma.

Maybe I'm dumb. Typing that out makes it seem so obvious that this is at its core a mother-daughter story. Its about what mental illness can do to that bond. What it means to forgive. What it means to understand your ill mother. AND YET MY BRAIN REELED AS THE PIECES FELL TOGETHER????

This book strikes a remarkable balance between being narratively gorgeous and emotionally weighty. The story itself is as compelling as the emotions are deep. I have a fractious relationship with my mentally ill mother, and I'd like to think if my life rested on her burning a credenza to ashes, she'd do it. But, honestly, I don't think she would. She loves antique furniture too much to do that, even if the voices in her head urged her to.

Still, reading stories like this helps. Stories baptized in blood and sacrifice and Thanksgiving gravy can give rise to soul nourishing realizations. What an unexpected holiday story that I am already recommending to my other friends with selfish moms.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a basic level this is a cursed object (credenza) story, but the use of old magic, religious ceremonies, and family trauma to drive the story was really well done here. I wanted more about the Old Mothers, The Divinity and the Dead Wood. It felt like a lot of that part of the story was *told* to the reader near the end of the book rather than being *shown* throughout the book. It was told with various points of view and timelines, so parts were shown during those segments from the past. It feels like there are more stories to tell about the Old Mothers, The Divinity and the Dead Wood.

The family trauma, grief, and mother/daughter relationships were beautifully done. I was so invested in the story of this family and these women through multiple generations. The majority of the story felt like more of a mysterious vibe rather than horror. But near the end the horror certainly ramped up and things got a bit gory.

I read this so fast. It's a relatively short, easy read, and I really enjoyed it and didn't want to put it down. I look forward to reading more by Wendy Dalrymple. Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for an advanced e-copy of this book. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Dalrymple is such a gem of a pink horror writer, and her latest, Credenza, is another terrifically fun read that is just the right amount of creepy.

I love horror built around household objects that either aren’t what they seem or have sentiently taken on sinister motives, and the titular Credenza is a bit of both. It feels like the perfect piece of furniture to use for something like this, and Dalrymple gives us a well-crafted and creepy backstory for both the object and the characters dealing with it.

I tend to not like true horror because it dips too often into really icky themes or torture porn, and I love that Dalrymple is so good and knowing how far to go to be as eerie as possible without ever tipping over into something off-putting. Is it scary? Yes! Is it a little gross? Yes! Will it also make you laugh just a little while still glancing nervously over your shoulder? You bet.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
When her grandmother passes away, the assisted living home she was in saves her cherished antique credenza for Veronica Marquette, who has mixed memories of that piece of furniture. Her crazy, estranged mother always claimed it was cursed and used to whisper to her. But now that it's in Veronica's home, strange things occur, making her wonder if somehow the credenza is putting her and her daughter in danger.
An antique piece of furniture, an evil cult, a family of witches and a slew of paranoia. These elements all come together in a sometimes cray-cray, but overall solidly written novel. Though it has a bit of a slow start, once the story really got going it didn't let up till the end. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. 4.5 of 5 stars.

[bookreader_nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for providing me a complimentary copy of this book.

Veronica is a struggling, albeit stubborn, single-mother to a 12-year old and an antiques seller. The book begins with an eerie scene back in time where a specific, special tree is being cut down by a young man who is desperate to make money to feed his family. Fast-forward to the present and Veronica's grandmother has passed away and she has inherited an antique credenza that's been in the family for years and a box of her grandmother's belongings. After she brings the items home, she begins to experience strange occurrences in her home and life. She realizes that the credenza might be the common denominator for these strange happenings and she is set on finding out more information about this credenza and the creepy green-clothed covered book she finds in a hidden compartment in one of the drawers.

Okay, I *really* enjoyed this. I devoured this in a whole 24 hours and I am not complaining. Even though the book was on the shorter side, I felt like the pace of the story wasn't rushed, but it unraveled at a good speed. The mystery and the weird occurrences were actually pretty creepy. I love the idea of a haunted piece of furniture that is filled full of suspicious history and suspected evil. My only "complaint," which really isn't a complaint, it's just more unrealistic in my eyes, is how honest Veronica is with her 12-year old Star - I feel like the honesty and the amount of information Veronica shared with Star was a little too much. There were things that Star definitely didn't need to know about and I feel like at her age, Veronica was a little TOO honest and open with her; but I also understand that Veronica didn't have anyone else, what with her mother disappearing when she was young, having a non-existent father figure in her life, no friends, and no family around.

The ending was super satisfying, but I feel like it left off on a cliffhanger, maybe? If so, I am totally looking forward to the next one because I need to know what happens next!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

I picked this because, well it’s a cursed piece of furniture! The actual story was different from what I had anticipated and it was a very quick read. There were a few creepy moments and some gore, but it was not revolutionary and the ending was very straightforward. I suppose in my head I had hoped for something a bit sillier like a murderous piece of furniture!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[From The Reader’s Nest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just felt like this book called me to read it, sort of like the voices in the book!! This was a PAGE TURNER!!! I wanted to stop reading for the night because I was so tired but not even half way, I HAD to stay up and it got better and better and more and more twisty!! Really enjoyed this book!!! Satisfying the whole time!

[Autumn E. T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning is really fun! I feel like the end gets a bit cheesy but I had fun. The end started to feel a bit more YA, especially with some scenarios that happened.

[Noir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for providing me a copy to review.

As an avid horror fan, I thought Credenza was a pretty nice short horror read for the summer. It's also not too gorey for anyone who wants to dip their fit into this genre as it's mostly character driven. The horror elements don't really happen until the end of the book. Personally, I would've liked more horror elements sprinkled a little more throughout the book.

I liked the cast of characters in Credenza; I found them quite realistic and relatable. The writing was good, as well as the pacing of the plot unfolding.

[Crim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel this would have been better perceived by me as a movie rather than a book. I don't usually read horror but for someone who does read it I am sure you may like it.

I really really really wish....there had been a heads up about the cannibalism that would be in this story. I always stay away from books that have it because I can't stomach it. It pops up vaguely as a light mention of it at first which is why I kept reading. It wasnt too descriptive. Towards the end, you get tossed right into an entire scene with it however.

Aside from that I feel we needed a bit more detail in the story to make it flow a bit better but as I said had it been a movie I probably would have been able to track it better.

I did like the idea of this story and the little goodies like the plot twist, the mother, and ghostly appearences .


I want to thank the author for this gift to read early.

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale manages to make an inanimate object feel creepy and dangerous, I shall never again read the word "credenza" without a chill.

The ominous feeling of the story is its greatest achievement in my opinion, I felt unsettled throughout the whole book and kept waiting for more terrible things to happen.
On the other hand, I didn’t enjoy the main character’s internal monologue or her decisions, and at many points I was screaming at her in my head to please be sensible 😭
When the mysteries are finally revealed, I liked the concept but the evil characters felt a bit cartoonish.

Overall even if it wasn’t my favorite it’s a good horror story.

Thanks to Quill & Crow Publishing House via NetGalley for providing an eARC

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Credenza by Wendy Dalrymple

Wendy Dalrymple’s Credenza is a masterfully woven gothic tale that blends the eerie allure of haunted antiques with the psychological unraveling of its protagonist. The story centers around an enigmatic piece of furniture—a credenza—that holds secrets, memories, and perhaps a malevolent presence, drawing the protagonist into a world where the past refuses to stay buried.

Premise & Themes
While specific plot details are being omitted to prevent spoilers, Credenza explores themes of inherited trauma, the weight of history, and the thin line between reality and the supernatural. Dalrymple’s narrative is a slow-burning descent into darkness, where every creaking floorboard and flickering shadow feels heavy with meaning. The credenza itself becomes a character, embodying the horrors and memories it has witnessed over the years.

Strengths & Highlights
-Atmospheric Mastery: Dalrymple excels at crafting a setting that feels alive with dread. The old house, the credenza, and even the surrounding landscape are imbued with a palpable sense of unease.
-Psychological Complexity: The protagonist’s journey is deeply rooted in their inner turmoil, making their interactions with the supernatural elements all the more unsettling and relatable.
Supernatural Ambiguity: The novel leaves readers questioning what is real and what is the protagonist’s paranoia, a hallmark of effective gothic horror.
-Lyrical Prose: Dalrymple’s writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into the decaying grandeur of the protagonist’s world.

Areas for Improvement
Some readers might find the pacing a bit slow, as the narrative relies heavily on building atmosphere and tension. Additionally, a few supporting characters feel somewhat underdeveloped, though this may be a deliberate choice to focus on the protagonist’s isolation.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A textbook example of gothic atmosphere.
-Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The protagonist is compelling, though some secondary figures lack depth.
-Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Deliberate and suspenseful, but occasionally sluggish.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Familiar gothic tropes are reimagined with fresh twists.
-Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Haunting and emotionally resonant.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A beautifully crafted gothic horror novel that will appeal to fans of atmospheric dread and supernatural mystery.

Perfect For:
-Lovers of slow-burning, psychologically rich horror.
-Readers who enjoy haunted object narratives or atmospheric gothic fiction.
-Fans of authors like Shirley Jackson or Barbara Vine.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Wendy Dalrymple for providing an advance review copy of Credenza in exchange for an honest review.

Final Thought: Credenza is a haunting, atmospheric novel that will linger in readers’ minds long after the final page is turned. Dalrymple’s ability to weave together psychological tension and supernatural elements makes this a standout in the gothic horror genre.

[Tori North · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for providing this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review

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⚝ Rating ⚝: 4.25✩ / 5✩’s

⚝ Review ⚝: Pink Horror? Absolutely! I need more!

Credenza follows Veronica ("Ronnie"), a single mother raising a young teenage daughter, scraping by as she tries to keep her small business afloat, renovate her home, and maintain a sense of stability. All while reeling with the reality that her ex and the father of her daughter, a recovering drug addict, is back in her daughter's life, her unstable mother who abandoned her as a toddler is showing back up, and her grandmother, the only sense of normalcy she has ever had, has just passed away.

In picking up the pieces after her grandmother's death, Ronnie inherits one box of personal effects and a vintage credenza. Being a lover of vintage and antiques and having nothing else from the woman who raised her, Ronnie and her daughter tote the heavy sideboard from the Assisted living facility where h grandmother has been living to their home. Immediately, strange things start to happen and both Ronnie and her daughter start to question if they are as crazy as the mother that abandoned Ronnie more than 30 years ago.

This is a horror that eases you into it instead of being a straight gut punch. It moves a bit slow in the beginning which is where I struggled, but once things pick up, it is definitely a fun ride for horror fans. Ronnie gives you a look into horror not often seen: a truly good, loving mother who is struggling to hold herself and her life together for her daughter. Let me tell you, having a parent in a horror book actually say 'I believe you' was a fantastic turn.

The story wasn't entirely what I expected, but it also wasn't shocking. This story about a cursed object takes some interesting, bloody turns that had me absolutely devouring this book as quickly as possible. The writing style was fantastic and easy to follow/read, the characters were believable and likeable (at least the ones readers are supposed to write) and the book hit just the right levels of creepy.

Wendy Dalrymple is definitely an author I'll look into more!

⚝ Representation ⚝: N/A

⚝ TWs ⚝: Death, Gore, Murder, Fire, Cannibalism, Blood, Family Trauma

[Bri☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Credenza follows Veronica Marquette, a single mom who's used to handling everything on her own. From renovating her home to running her online boutique. When her beloved Grandma Maddie passes away, Veronica brings home her grandmother's cherished credenza, thinking it's just a beautiful piece of furniture. But this particular credenza comes with more than just storage space. It carries old family secrets and attracts an ancient enemy seeking a lost relic that's far more significant than Veronica ever imagined.

If you like...

☑️Haunted/Cursed Object
☑️Multiple Timelines & POVs
☑️Generational Curses
☑️Family Trauma & Secrets
☑️Single Mom
☑️Emotional Journey

This was such an enjoyable emotional journey packed into a quick, easy read. If you're looking for accessible horror with cursed objects, this is definitely your book. The pacing moves fast, which works perfectly for the story being told.

What really got me were the flashbacks that trace the credenza's entire lifetime. We get to see it through generations of women in Veronica's family, all the way back to when it was crafted, and even further back to the actual chopping down of the tree for the wood. There's something both beautiful and deeply unsettling about following this piece of furniture through time and watching how it affects each generation.

The horror elements hit just right. Creepy enough to give you goosebumps but not so extreme that you'll be sleeping with the lights on. There's some gore, but it's not overwhelming, making this a great choice if you want to dip your toes into horror without diving into the deep end.

The mother-daughter themes and family trauma elements give the story real emotional weight beyond just the supernatural scares. It's not just about a spooky piece of furniture, it's about how family secrets and trauma get passed down through generations, sometimes literally through cursed objects apparently!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Wendy Dalrymple and Quill & Crow Publishing House for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review! There was no obligation to post/give this book a certain rating. All views are genuinely my own.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for readers looking for a fun creepy read, Credenza drew me in with the slightly wacky premise and then kept me hooked through a well-done pink horror story!

When Veronica picks up her late grandmother’s antique credenza, she thinks the only difficulty the piece of furniture will give her is the moving process; but the real nightmare begins after she gets it home, and frightening things start to happen around the furniture. Veronica is forced to confront the possibility that something evil has followed the credenza into her house, and as the haunting escalates, she will have to fight to protect her daughter from the evil she accidentally brought home.

This is a quick read that packs an enjoyable amount of creepiness within its pages. The pacing is fast; this is not a slow-burn story, and the frightening action starts right away, which made this book a nice break in between some non-fiction and slower burn books I’ve been reading recently. I found Veronica a sympathetic and likable main character, though I think some of the relationships in the story could have been fleshed out a little more. My favorite part of this book was the premise, and the execution of the premise. As an adult reader who started my horror journey young with the Goosebumps books, a story about an evil credenza immediately grabbed my interest; but I thought perhaps it might be more of a horror comedy. However, the author takes the potentially funny premise and turns it into a well-done scary story that explores themes of motherhood and generational trauma, built around a haunted credenza. I always love a fun concept executed well, and Credenza does exactly that.

I would recommend Credenza to readers who enjoy pink horror, haunted objects, and fast-paced creepy stories.

Thank you to NetGalley & Quill & Crow Publishing House for the arc! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.