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The Scald-Crow
Shot through with gallows humor and speaking in the voice of a trusted best friend, this self-deprecating horror novel explores medical trauma through Irish folklore, asking “Can a sick woman ever be trusted?"
Brigid—that’s the Irish Breej, not “Bridge-id,” though it’s not like she’d correct you—has had a rough go of it. Her mother abused her when she was little, her best friend (and secret crush) is too busy chasing some blonde to answer Brigid’s calls, and she lost her job thanks to chronic pelvic pain with no identifiable cause. As a self-doubting, disabled adult, she’s certain that everything that has happened to her is her fault.
Now her mother has gone missing and Brigid’s only option is to move back into her childhood home in the idyllic Midwestern town of St. Charles, Illinois. Soon the uncanny begins: A particular crow that once harassed her reappears, following her everywhere. A painting of Jesus keeps coming back, no matter how many times she throws it away. Frozen body parts show up in places rubber band balls and door stoppers ought to be. Every night the same nightmare repeats: her real mother is dead and decaying in the closet, and the identical mother who raised her is not her mother. But it’s all in Brigid’s head. It’s all her fault. It must be. What other explanation could there be?
After all, since when can a sick woman be trusted?
Brigid—that’s the Irish Breej, not “Bridge-id,” though it’s not like she’d correct you—has had a rough go of it. Her mother abused her when she was little, her best friend (and secret crush) is too busy chasing some blonde to answer Brigid’s calls, and she lost her job thanks to chronic pelvic pain with no identifiable cause. As a self-doubting, disabled adult, she’s certain that everything that has happened to her is her fault.
Now her mother has gone missing and Brigid’s only option is to move back into her childhood home in the idyllic Midwestern town of St. Charles, Illinois. Soon the uncanny begins: A particular crow that once harassed her reappears, following her everywhere. A painting of Jesus keeps coming back, no matter how many times she throws it away. Frozen body parts show up in places rubber band balls and door stoppers ought to be. Every night the same nightmare repeats: her real mother is dead and decaying in the closet, and the identical mother who raised her is not her mother. But it’s all in Brigid’s head. It’s all her fault. It must be. What other explanation could there be?
After all, since when can a sick woman be trusted?
258 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
October 12, 2025
"...it is terror she wants, I will not give it to her. She cannot hurt me. She is weak in the face of her own suffering and I'm resilient in the persistence of mine ."
4.75 ✨🎧📖
☠️ Love the book cover art and the (emotional support) cat she adopted from the shelter which she named Cú (meaning Dog in Irish 😅).
☠️ Has strong Edgar Allan Poe vibes (imagine The Raven and The Telltale Heart) and also Coraline vibes (iykyn).
☠️ is a debut horror novel that mixes Gothic horror, Irish folklore/mythology, feminine rage, haunted‑house tropes, chronic illness, and family trauma.
☠️ The tone is darkly humorous in places — Breej’s voice is self‑deprecating, sardonic, witty even in desperate or frightening moments.
☠️ Much of the novel plays with what is “real” vs what may be trauma manifesting or supernatural haunting. The question “Can a sick woman ever be trusted?” is central — both as a reflection of how others treat her, and how she treats herself.
☠️ enjoyed listening to the audible and will reread once I have the digital copy. Aven Shore handles the narration, giving voice to Breej’s internal monologue, her emotional turmoil, and the shifts between calm and terror. Love how the narration enhanced the sense of immersion: hearing the MC's doubts and fears.
☠️ Though the ending wasn't what I really expected or wanted, it didn't ruin the overall experience for me.
Thank you you to Netgalley, the publishers and Dreamscape Media for the audible arc in exchange for an honest review.
4.75 ✨🎧📖
☠️ Love the book cover art and the (emotional support) cat she adopted from the shelter which she named Cú (meaning Dog in Irish 😅).
☠️ Has strong Edgar Allan Poe vibes (imagine The Raven and The Telltale Heart) and also Coraline vibes (iykyn).
☠️ is a debut horror novel that mixes Gothic horror, Irish folklore/mythology, feminine rage, haunted‑house tropes, chronic illness, and family trauma.
☠️ The tone is darkly humorous in places — Breej’s voice is self‑deprecating, sardonic, witty even in desperate or frightening moments.
☠️ Much of the novel plays with what is “real” vs what may be trauma manifesting or supernatural haunting. The question “Can a sick woman ever be trusted?” is central — both as a reflection of how others treat her, and how she treats herself.
☠️ enjoyed listening to the audible and will reread once I have the digital copy. Aven Shore handles the narration, giving voice to Breej’s internal monologue, her emotional turmoil, and the shifts between calm and terror. Love how the narration enhanced the sense of immersion: hearing the MC's doubts and fears.
☠️ Though the ending wasn't what I really expected or wanted, it didn't ruin the overall experience for me.
Thank you you to Netgalley, the publishers and Dreamscape Media for the audible arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2025
Loved the humor and the chronic invisible illness rep. Brigid is a living, breathing, lovable character and the Irish mythology is awesome. There were some legit creepy scenes in here. In addition, it was the perfect combination of gross/funny/heartwarming. I enjoyed how unflinching certain scenes were and how they made the humorous scenes even funnier, the illness scenes feel all the more real, and made the Horror scenes feel inventive and thrilling. Loved how the structure of the novel had Brigid tackling cleaning one room at a time of her childhood home as a vehicle to uncover more about her childhood trauma, and how her disability and an unseen force (or her imagination) complicate these tasks, and with Mammy’s room being dead last. The pacing and the flow of this novel were fantastic. Couldn’t put it down.
September 26, 2025
I was SO excited about The Scald-Crow but it unfortunately ended up being just ok for me.
The positives:
-Disability representation and the horrors of not being believed when having an invisible illness! Very realistic and tbh the medical trauma was one of the scariest parts of the book IMO.
-The cat.
-The tiny bit of Irish folklore that was thrown in towards the end.
The negatives:
-The MC hates herself and never lets you forget it. We get her internal monologue and it seemed like half of the book was her thinking about how she's probably imagining everything, apologizing for existing, writing off her childhood abuse thinking she deserved it, etc. and it was exhausting. Brigid is supposed to be a grown woman but this self-pity was SO extreme that if I hadn't known better, I would've thought she was 6.
-VERY repetitive. I typically enjoy atmospheric/gothic/literary horror so scene setting is important to me. However, the middle 15-50% of the book was just the same scenes/thoughts/dreams over and over again without enough variation to actually effectively increase suspension.
-I wanted more Irish folklore! It was just kind of thrown in at the end and more background on that would have been so neat.
-I listened to the audiobook so I couldn't tell if this was a narration choice or how the book was written - but instead of "F*ck" it was always pronounced "feck" even though the MC is literally from Chicago??? It stood out so much.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Creature Publishing/Dreamscape Audio for the free ALC in exchange for an honest review*
The positives:
-Disability representation and the horrors of not being believed when having an invisible illness! Very realistic and tbh the medical trauma was one of the scariest parts of the book IMO.
-The cat.
-The tiny bit of Irish folklore that was thrown in towards the end.
The negatives:
-The MC hates herself and never lets you forget it. We get her internal monologue and it seemed like half of the book was her thinking about how she's probably imagining everything, apologizing for existing, writing off her childhood abuse thinking she deserved it, etc. and it was exhausting. Brigid is supposed to be a grown woman but this self-pity was SO extreme that if I hadn't known better, I would've thought she was 6.
-VERY repetitive. I typically enjoy atmospheric/gothic/literary horror so scene setting is important to me. However, the middle 15-50% of the book was just the same scenes/thoughts/dreams over and over again without enough variation to actually effectively increase suspension.
-I wanted more Irish folklore! It was just kind of thrown in at the end and more background on that would have been so neat.
-I listened to the audiobook so I couldn't tell if this was a narration choice or how the book was written - but instead of "F*ck" it was always pronounced "feck" even though the MC is literally from Chicago??? It stood out so much.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Creature Publishing/Dreamscape Audio for the free ALC in exchange for an honest review*
September 17, 2025
The Scald-Crow tells the story of Brigid, a chronically ill, trauma filled, queer woman who moves into her childhood home after her mother’s car was found in a lake with her mother no where to be found and presumed to be deceased. With her intention being to clean out the house and make it her own, weird things start to happen. Like, mysterious meat appearing, a strange bird that follows her wherever she goes, a picture of Jesus that she just can’t seem to get rid of, and so much more. Is she hallucinating or what is actually going on?
The Scald-Crow focuses heavily on Brigid’s chronic illness, the pain she suffers, the constant issues she has with medical personnel, and not being believed, which is a gaslighting horror story that is the true reality of so many. On top of that, we get a glimpse into how she was abused, manipulated, and constantly gaslit by her mother her entire childhood, and even worse after father left.
I really, really loved this book. With humor that reminded me of Big Swiss and writing that reminded me of Catriona Ward, this was exactly my type of book. It fell on the lighter side of horror with a lot of dark humor, but Daly was able to immerse us in such a level of dread and curiosity throughout each page that lead us to such a satisfying ending. I am honestly beyond impressed with this book, and the fact that it was a debut?! Wow. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Thank you SO much to Creature Publishing for this ARC!
@creaturepublishing @gracedalyauthor
The Scald-Crow focuses heavily on Brigid’s chronic illness, the pain she suffers, the constant issues she has with medical personnel, and not being believed, which is a gaslighting horror story that is the true reality of so many. On top of that, we get a glimpse into how she was abused, manipulated, and constantly gaslit by her mother her entire childhood, and even worse after father left.
I really, really loved this book. With humor that reminded me of Big Swiss and writing that reminded me of Catriona Ward, this was exactly my type of book. It fell on the lighter side of horror with a lot of dark humor, but Daly was able to immerse us in such a level of dread and curiosity throughout each page that lead us to such a satisfying ending. I am honestly beyond impressed with this book, and the fact that it was a debut?! Wow. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Thank you SO much to Creature Publishing for this ARC!
@creaturepublishing @gracedalyauthor
May 28, 2025
Thank you so much to Creature Publishing for providing me with an arc in exchange of an honest review
4.5 stars
Unsettling, dark and painful (quite literally, shout out to my chronic pain ghoulies woop woop)
As someone with endometriosis I really reallllly appreciated seeing it represented when so often I hear so little about it. Brigid's story allows us access to the reality of what it can be like to live with a chronic condition. The narration through Brigid's self-deprecating humour and somewhat glum outlook on life was actually very captivating, because I felt it and could relate to it. I also valued the exploration of how absolutely "insane" some health professionals can make you feel (I know I've left majority of phone calls and visits if you can somehow get one in tears). All I can really say without giving too much away is that this felt so real.
The focus on Irish folklore was also very interesting! I now want to delve deep into it and research it all!
While I enjoyed it, I did feel that the pacing felt slightly stilted at the beginning compared to how quickly it ramped up in the final 25%. It was still enjoyable though but I perhaps wanted a bit more of that ending pulled forward a little to enjoy it for longer.
ALSO there is a quote that I will not share as I read an arc and will check it when it's published! But it's about Catholic guilt and it HIT ME!!
I will definitely be recommending this!
4.5 stars
Unsettling, dark and painful (quite literally, shout out to my chronic pain ghoulies woop woop)
As someone with endometriosis I really reallllly appreciated seeing it represented when so often I hear so little about it. Brigid's story allows us access to the reality of what it can be like to live with a chronic condition. The narration through Brigid's self-deprecating humour and somewhat glum outlook on life was actually very captivating, because I felt it and could relate to it. I also valued the exploration of how absolutely "insane" some health professionals can make you feel (I know I've left majority of phone calls and visits if you can somehow get one in tears). All I can really say without giving too much away is that this felt so real.
The focus on Irish folklore was also very interesting! I now want to delve deep into it and research it all!
While I enjoyed it, I did feel that the pacing felt slightly stilted at the beginning compared to how quickly it ramped up in the final 25%. It was still enjoyable though but I perhaps wanted a bit more of that ending pulled forward a little to enjoy it for longer.
ALSO there is a quote that I will not share as I read an arc and will check it when it's published! But it's about Catholic guilt and it HIT ME!!
I will definitely be recommending this!
October 3, 2025
In the Scald Crow, Brigid is chronically ill and had a traumatic childhood. Now she has moved back to her childhood home after her abusive mother has gone missing and her car was found in a river. Being in this house is bringing back bad memories and when weird things start happening she doesn’t know if she can even trust her own mind.
I didn’t love this but didn’t hate it either…overall it was just ok. I liked the humor and the uneasy vibes like with the portrait being hung back up. I also loved the cat. The most horrific part of the story is that she has been living with all this pain and not been taken seriously by doctors up until now. I loved the irish folklore but wanted more. The resolution was kinda satisfying but also a little underwhelming.
I listened to the audio of this and liked it ok. The inner monologue bits were good but for some reason the main characters actual speaking voice was a lot higher and almost childlike at times and it took me out of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
I didn’t love this but didn’t hate it either…overall it was just ok. I liked the humor and the uneasy vibes like with the portrait being hung back up. I also loved the cat. The most horrific part of the story is that she has been living with all this pain and not been taken seriously by doctors up until now. I loved the irish folklore but wanted more. The resolution was kinda satisfying but also a little underwhelming.
I listened to the audio of this and liked it ok. The inner monologue bits were good but for some reason the main characters actual speaking voice was a lot higher and almost childlike at times and it took me out of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
July 7, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars for this delectable and gaslighting treat! A journey in believing yourself when you feel something is wrong, even if others can't, or won't, see it.
Brigid(pronounced Breej) is constantly in pain. She has been to specialist after specialist only to be told that there is nothing wrong with her...it's all in her head....she has a known history of mental illness so it must be a side effect of it. When Brigid's abusive mother goes missing, Brigid must return home to try to figure out what to do with her childhood home and come to terms with the fact that her mother may be gone. That's when things get weird....what's worse than not being believed about being in constant pain? How about body parts randomly replacing inanimate objects? A human finger as a doorstop in the bathroom, a tooth in a loaf of bread; all of which are just pebbles and doorstops after a good night's rest....well, as good as can be when you see your mother in the doorway at night, telling you she killed your mother and put her in the closet. Is Brigid's mental illness finally crippling her more than she can take? Or are there real supernatural forces at work?
Oh man this was a stellar read. On that rollercoaster with Brigid emotionally and physically(the author is so good at describing the pain I began to feel it) at breakneck speed....it's intense. And the twist at the ending? Oh my goodness....it was just....magnifico! Chef's kiss! Encore! When I finished I took a huge exhale and the relief and release that Brigid finds released me from the emotional and physical turmoil I felt with her. Closure, and true freedom from oppressive forces at work in her life. It was powerful and healing...even from wounds I didn't realize I had inside with my own mother. I can't recommend this book enough, the author is a genius and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Recommended for those 14+ as there is severe gaslighting, a tid bit of gore, and abuse on page. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Brigid(pronounced Breej) is constantly in pain. She has been to specialist after specialist only to be told that there is nothing wrong with her...it's all in her head....she has a known history of mental illness so it must be a side effect of it. When Brigid's abusive mother goes missing, Brigid must return home to try to figure out what to do with her childhood home and come to terms with the fact that her mother may be gone. That's when things get weird....what's worse than not being believed about being in constant pain? How about body parts randomly replacing inanimate objects? A human finger as a doorstop in the bathroom, a tooth in a loaf of bread; all of which are just pebbles and doorstops after a good night's rest....well, as good as can be when you see your mother in the doorway at night, telling you she killed your mother and put her in the closet. Is Brigid's mental illness finally crippling her more than she can take? Or are there real supernatural forces at work?
Oh man this was a stellar read. On that rollercoaster with Brigid emotionally and physically(the author is so good at describing the pain I began to feel it) at breakneck speed....it's intense. And the twist at the ending? Oh my goodness....it was just....magnifico! Chef's kiss! Encore! When I finished I took a huge exhale and the relief and release that Brigid finds released me from the emotional and physical turmoil I felt with her. Closure, and true freedom from oppressive forces at work in her life. It was powerful and healing...even from wounds I didn't realize I had inside with my own mother. I can't recommend this book enough, the author is a genius and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Recommended for those 14+ as there is severe gaslighting, a tid bit of gore, and abuse on page. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2025
[NetGalley Read #37]
4.5 ⭐️
"What can you believe when you can't believe yourself?"
Excellent.
These kind of psychological thrillers with one character losing their mind over the course of the story and then, hopefully, getting their shit together by the end really... intrigue me.
It's a great story with great themes and solid characters, especially the main character. Delightful side characters as well. The lady at the resale shop. The guy at the charity shop/cat shelter. No names but memorable, charming characters.
Good handling of the themes of mental health issues and childhood trauma, interspersed with Irish Mythos and personal experiences of the author with the healthcare system and mysterious illnesses that affect people both physically and mentally.
I like the genre tropes this story did and didn't follow. Whenever I was expecting a bland twist, I was rewarded with an interesting one instead. There is also a surprising amount of humour in this dark story. It's welcome, though. All kinds: Self-deprecating, dark, normal. All of it well-integrated into the dialogues.
It's easy to read. Short (200+ pages). And that's a brilliant cover. The image of a cat with a bird in its mouth makes you think the story is going in a certain direction in the third act and then it doesn't. In the most wonderful way.
Highly Recommended. 👍
4.5 ⭐️
"What can you believe when you can't believe yourself?"
Excellent.
These kind of psychological thrillers with one character losing their mind over the course of the story and then, hopefully, getting their shit together by the end really... intrigue me.
It's a great story with great themes and solid characters, especially the main character. Delightful side characters as well. The lady at the resale shop. The guy at the charity shop/cat shelter. No names but memorable, charming characters.
Good handling of the themes of mental health issues and childhood trauma, interspersed with Irish Mythos and personal experiences of the author with the healthcare system and mysterious illnesses that affect people both physically and mentally.
I like the genre tropes this story did and didn't follow. Whenever I was expecting a bland twist, I was rewarded with an interesting one instead. There is also a surprising amount of humour in this dark story. It's welcome, though. All kinds: Self-deprecating, dark, normal. All of it well-integrated into the dialogues.
It's easy to read. Short (200+ pages). And that's a brilliant cover. The image of a cat with a bird in its mouth makes you think the story is going in a certain direction in the third act and then it doesn't. In the most wonderful way.
Highly Recommended. 👍
January 31, 2026
This book was an actual mind-melt… but in all the best ways. Equally terrifying and heartfelt, Scald-Crow tracks the story of Brigid dealing with the disappearance of her mother alongside coming to terms with a traumatic upbringing and currently difficult adult life. There were some genuinely horrifying moments in this book that made my skin crawl and made it difficult to get to sleep some nights… but there was also a profound message weaved throughout the narrative about illness (mental and physical) and views and stigmas surrounding it which was interesting. Overall an atmospheric, dark read with plenty of scares.
September 19, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this debut! The story gave me major Edgar Allan Poe vibes—think The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart… but layered with themes of mommy issues, hysteria, and physical struggles. It had that gothic, unsettling atmosphere that pulls you in.
My only complaint? I wish it had leaned harder into the horror. With a main character suffering from a condition that specifically affects people with a uterus, the setup was perfect for more body horror, and I found myself wanting the author to push it further.
Still, for a first novel, this one impressed me, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what this author does next.
My only complaint? I wish it had leaned harder into the horror. With a main character suffering from a condition that specifically affects people with a uterus, the setup was perfect for more body horror, and I found myself wanting the author to push it further.
Still, for a first novel, this one impressed me, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what this author does next.
October 27, 2025
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifting me the audio version of this book! 🫶
My Thoughts:
I loved this! If you’re a fan of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward or Mary by Nat Cassidy, I think you’ll dig The Scald-Crow. It’s weird, dark, and…funny? I found myself laughing at times, though I’m not sure if I was laughing because the situation was funny or if it was because it was freaking me out. Maybe both.
The way The Scald-Crow examines the downfalls of women’s healthcare and the dismissal of women’s health concerns through the lens of humor, terror, and Irish Folklore is brilliant. I was forced to question my own biases of who I define as a “believable” person. It made me reflect on how easily I’ve allowed myself (and others) to dismiss my own health concerns.
The audio version of this book is fantastic! The narration is perfect. Aven Shore brings Brigid to life. She brings a level of intensity that makes the listener feel like they’re losing their mind right alongside Brigid. The emotion Shore puts into reading this book heightens the experience of an already amazing book. I definitely recommend checking out this version if you enjoy reading with your ears!
5 / 5 stars
✔️ Highly Recommend!
My Thoughts:
I loved this! If you’re a fan of The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward or Mary by Nat Cassidy, I think you’ll dig The Scald-Crow. It’s weird, dark, and…funny? I found myself laughing at times, though I’m not sure if I was laughing because the situation was funny or if it was because it was freaking me out. Maybe both.
The way The Scald-Crow examines the downfalls of women’s healthcare and the dismissal of women’s health concerns through the lens of humor, terror, and Irish Folklore is brilliant. I was forced to question my own biases of who I define as a “believable” person. It made me reflect on how easily I’ve allowed myself (and others) to dismiss my own health concerns.
The audio version of this book is fantastic! The narration is perfect. Aven Shore brings Brigid to life. She brings a level of intensity that makes the listener feel like they’re losing their mind right alongside Brigid. The emotion Shore puts into reading this book heightens the experience of an already amazing book. I definitely recommend checking out this version if you enjoy reading with your ears!
5 / 5 stars
✔️ Highly Recommend!
October 7, 2025
4.5 so many things to say about this book!! Where to start!!
First off, I love the invisible chronic pain/illness rep. As someone who also has “invisible, mysterious pain” (but not nearly on Brigid’s scale), the super graphic ordeal of having scary, normal to you body functions is wildly relatable. Love that she doesn’t just magically overcome her being sick.
Also, amazing CPTSD rep as well. Also love that she doesn’t just magically “recover” from that as well. But gosh, she was just a sweet baby angel child and she didn’t deserveeeee that.
Dr. Hemmerly (I’m guessing on the spelling because I’m listening to the audiobook) also healed a tiny part of me distrusting medical professionals. Yes, I know she’s make believe and I’ll have to go back to real life and continue to be dismissed and encounter countless roadblocks to care due to insurance. But she still made me almost happy cry. Love her.
Anyways, great book. Loved the Irish folklore.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC.
First off, I love the invisible chronic pain/illness rep. As someone who also has “invisible, mysterious pain” (but not nearly on Brigid’s scale), the super graphic ordeal of having scary, normal to you body functions is wildly relatable. Love that she doesn’t just magically overcome her being sick.
Also, amazing CPTSD rep as well. Also love that she doesn’t just magically “recover” from that as well. But gosh, she was just a sweet baby angel child and she didn’t deserveeeee that.
Dr. Hemmerly (I’m guessing on the spelling because I’m listening to the audiobook) also healed a tiny part of me distrusting medical professionals. Yes, I know she’s make believe and I’ll have to go back to real life and continue to be dismissed and encounter countless roadblocks to care due to insurance. But she still made me almost happy cry. Love her.
Anyways, great book. Loved the Irish folklore.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC.
October 8, 2025
So I read this book and listened to the audiobook at the same time. I'd recommend listening to the audiobook just to hear how to properly pronounce her name.
I really liked that this was so heavily tied into mythology, I dont have much knowledge about Irish folklore outside of Fionn mac Cumhaill so I was really interested watching everything unfolded and the conclusion of this book. The only thing though that kind of surprised me which I didnt hate but really took me out of thinking of this as a horror book was the rather comical goodbye to the Scald Crow. It had me laughing at how unserious it was. But when you hear folklore, silly things happen where tricks and deals are made so I'm going to go with the author trying to be authentic to that aspect.
When it comes to horror, I'm a sucker for metaphors, symbolism, the whole shebang. So I really thought/wanted there to be more of a tie in with her invisible illness to the horror but it wasn't. But that's totally fine, Im all for character that represent individuals not normally seen in books and we don't need to add speculative elements to very real situations. But I was a tiny weenie bit disappointed that her uterine pain wasn't caused from like I don't know a crow baby or something but Im just messed up so ignore me.
The first 60% did drag a little for me but I thought that there were enough mystery/intrigue into all the weird things that she was seeing that it kept me going. I definitely enjoyed the last half more than the first.
Also I think this cover is just the cutest thing ever.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this arc.
I really liked that this was so heavily tied into mythology, I dont have much knowledge about Irish folklore outside of Fionn mac Cumhaill so I was really interested watching everything unfolded and the conclusion of this book. The only thing though that kind of surprised me which I didnt hate but really took me out of thinking of this as a horror book was the rather comical goodbye to the Scald Crow. It had me laughing at how unserious it was. But when you hear folklore, silly things happen where tricks and deals are made so I'm going to go with the author trying to be authentic to that aspect.
When it comes to horror, I'm a sucker for metaphors, symbolism, the whole shebang. So I really thought/wanted there to be more of a tie in with her invisible illness to the horror but it wasn't. But that's totally fine, Im all for character that represent individuals not normally seen in books and we don't need to add speculative elements to very real situations. But I was a tiny weenie bit disappointed that her uterine pain wasn't caused from like I don't know a crow baby or something but Im just messed up so ignore me.
The first 60% did drag a little for me but I thought that there were enough mystery/intrigue into all the weird things that she was seeing that it kept me going. I definitely enjoyed the last half more than the first.
Also I think this cover is just the cutest thing ever.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this arc.
October 1, 2025
This is a book that you have to chew on for a while after reading. Our main character Brigid aka “Breej”, suffers debilitating pain, both physically and mentally due to the abuse she endured from her mother as a child. Oh, and she is being stalked by a crow from her childhood.
I loved Brigid and her story of endurance and growing into herself and gaining confidence. I, as many women, can relate to her frustrations dealing with invisible pain in a medical setting. Not being taken seriously, being doubted, and being prescribed band-aids when stitches are needed. The Scald Crow explores these frustrations and adds in a good dose of Irish folk lore to bring it home.
Thank you NetGalley and DreamScape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved Brigid and her story of endurance and growing into herself and gaining confidence. I, as many women, can relate to her frustrations dealing with invisible pain in a medical setting. Not being taken seriously, being doubted, and being prescribed band-aids when stitches are needed. The Scald Crow explores these frustrations and adds in a good dose of Irish folk lore to bring it home.
Thank you NetGalley and DreamScape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
June 12, 2025
Love! Love, love, love! I read this in one sitting, absolutely devoured it. Thank you Daly for this food.
I actually only have positive things to say about this book! As a chronic illness girlie myself, I was blown away with how accurate and close to home reading our main character's experiences were. It's accurate down to every little bit; and Daly doesn't refrain from showing those gory and gross details, which I greatly appreciate. It's refreshing to read a book that doesn't censor what living with a chronic illness is really like. I really enjoyed moving through the story with this character and I was cheering for her the whole time.
The horror itself is creepy and suspenseful, and the interweaving of Irish folklore into it works well. The humor doesn't take away from any of the horror either. In fact, the main character's use of humor really brings to light how her experiences with her family shape her reactions to (and dismissals of) the horrifying things happening to her.
Amazing characters, great horror, and also a lovely cat. Can't forget to mention the cat! An actual 11/10 with no notes. I adored this!
Thank you NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC!
I actually only have positive things to say about this book! As a chronic illness girlie myself, I was blown away with how accurate and close to home reading our main character's experiences were. It's accurate down to every little bit; and Daly doesn't refrain from showing those gory and gross details, which I greatly appreciate. It's refreshing to read a book that doesn't censor what living with a chronic illness is really like. I really enjoyed moving through the story with this character and I was cheering for her the whole time.
The horror itself is creepy and suspenseful, and the interweaving of Irish folklore into it works well. The humor doesn't take away from any of the horror either. In fact, the main character's use of humor really brings to light how her experiences with her family shape her reactions to (and dismissals of) the horrifying things happening to her.
Amazing characters, great horror, and also a lovely cat. Can't forget to mention the cat! An actual 11/10 with no notes. I adored this!
Thank you NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC!
May 8, 2025
Creature Publishing knocked it out of the graveyard by publishing The Scald Crow this fall. This is a must read for me as someone who absolutely loves Irish folklore and Grace Daly weaves the lore so eloquently. From each page I needed to read what was going to happen next and I like how this mimicked Cú Chulainn journey in the Ulster cycle. And finally, a narrative that does not reduce the Morrigan to a watered-down version of herself but truly shows the power in the Morrigan’s spirit.
More books with Irish mythology please! Daly really modernized the Irish myths and how they are incorporated into the psyche of a girl facing constant pain. What is constant pain and what does it mean to experience the world with that pain? This is the manifestation of slow agony that has been neglected because society refuses to listen. A metaphor for the way society bashes women’s healthcare beneath the fabric – because it is deemed unworthy!
Reading this book partially was hard because the struggles the protagonist endures with her uterus are almost identical to my personal journey. The descriptions were grotesque but also honest. Going down the health journey with her felt like my own and the way the world isolates you with this pain is how the world falls behind you. This is a girl bonding with her cat, a girl navigating pain beyond period cramps, a girl who is thrown into hallucinations that merely touch the tip of the pain women experience.
The descriptions are ghastly and alluring. Each simile and metaphor are so carefully chosen and really sets the world around the unreliable narrators quest... Read more on my blog in June! https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Thank you Net Galley and Creature publishing for this digital arc for an honest review.
More books with Irish mythology please! Daly really modernized the Irish myths and how they are incorporated into the psyche of a girl facing constant pain. What is constant pain and what does it mean to experience the world with that pain? This is the manifestation of slow agony that has been neglected because society refuses to listen. A metaphor for the way society bashes women’s healthcare beneath the fabric – because it is deemed unworthy!
Reading this book partially was hard because the struggles the protagonist endures with her uterus are almost identical to my personal journey. The descriptions were grotesque but also honest. Going down the health journey with her felt like my own and the way the world isolates you with this pain is how the world falls behind you. This is a girl bonding with her cat, a girl navigating pain beyond period cramps, a girl who is thrown into hallucinations that merely touch the tip of the pain women experience.
The descriptions are ghastly and alluring. Each simile and metaphor are so carefully chosen and really sets the world around the unreliable narrators quest... Read more on my blog in June! https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Thank you Net Galley and Creature publishing for this digital arc for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
Thank you to Creature Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a really strong, creepy build-up. It was done in such a way that you start to question whether the main character is just losing her mind and maybe needs to schedule another session with her therapist.
But then strange things start happening, described in a way that makes you go, wait… something really is off here. And from there, it just keeps escalating until you’re fully in a horror story.
The parallels drawn to living with chronic illness and chronic pain felt incredibly raw and honest. They made the story feel truly authentic and highlighted how living with that kind of struggle can sometimes feel like a horror story in itself
This book had a really strong, creepy build-up. It was done in such a way that you start to question whether the main character is just losing her mind and maybe needs to schedule another session with her therapist.
But then strange things start happening, described in a way that makes you go, wait… something really is off here. And from there, it just keeps escalating until you’re fully in a horror story.
The parallels drawn to living with chronic illness and chronic pain felt incredibly raw and honest. They made the story feel truly authentic and highlighted how living with that kind of struggle can sometimes feel like a horror story in itself
September 16, 2025
4.5⭐ ARC review. Thank you NetGalley & Creature Publishing.
Loved this one! It was funny, creepy, and had unapologetic disability & queer representation. This debut novel had me so invested to keep reading so I could find out the truth. I just had to know what was really going on!
This book contains themes of Irish folklore, a chronic invisible disability that can't be explained, self deprecating thoughts due to childhood abuse, and a woman who is afraid she may be losing her mind.
The writing was engaging, vivid, and raw as we see the FMC adjusting to the first 13 days moving back into her childhood home after her abusive mother's disappearance.
Loved this one! It was funny, creepy, and had unapologetic disability & queer representation. This debut novel had me so invested to keep reading so I could find out the truth. I just had to know what was really going on!
This book contains themes of Irish folklore, a chronic invisible disability that can't be explained, self deprecating thoughts due to childhood abuse, and a woman who is afraid she may be losing her mind.
The writing was engaging, vivid, and raw as we see the FMC adjusting to the first 13 days moving back into her childhood home after her abusive mother's disappearance.
October 3, 2025
Blurb:
The Scald-Crow by Grace Daly is a gothic folk-horror dripping with atmosphere, family trauma, and a cursed crow that never seems to shut up. Chronic pain, missing mothers, and religious icons that won’t stay where they belong twist together in a story that’s equal parts haunting and suffocating. This one perches on your shoulder like a bad omen and dares you to look away. 🐦💀
Review:
This was a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me. The writing style was sharp, the themes heavy with folklore and grief, and the crow imagery? Chef’s kiss 🪦🐦. The atmosphere alone kept me turning the pages like I was sneaking into a church I had no business being in 🙏😈.
That said… something kept it from being a full 5 stars. For me, it was the pacing. The build-up clawed along forever 🐢⏳, making me feel like I was trapped in purgatory with the crow just staring at me. And then when the climax finally arrived—bam!—it was over in a snap. ⚡🪓 The end felt too brief compared to the long, simmering tension leading up to it.
Still, I really enjoyed the overall experience. It’s atmospheric, unsettling, and full of moments that crawl under your skin. If you like your horror mixed with family secrets, creeping dread, and a side of gothic Catholic guilt, this one’s for you.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC 🖤🎧
The Scald-Crow by Grace Daly is a gothic folk-horror dripping with atmosphere, family trauma, and a cursed crow that never seems to shut up. Chronic pain, missing mothers, and religious icons that won’t stay where they belong twist together in a story that’s equal parts haunting and suffocating. This one perches on your shoulder like a bad omen and dares you to look away. 🐦💀
Review:
This was a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me. The writing style was sharp, the themes heavy with folklore and grief, and the crow imagery? Chef’s kiss 🪦🐦. The atmosphere alone kept me turning the pages like I was sneaking into a church I had no business being in 🙏😈.
That said… something kept it from being a full 5 stars. For me, it was the pacing. The build-up clawed along forever 🐢⏳, making me feel like I was trapped in purgatory with the crow just staring at me. And then when the climax finally arrived—bam!—it was over in a snap. ⚡🪓 The end felt too brief compared to the long, simmering tension leading up to it.
Still, I really enjoyed the overall experience. It’s atmospheric, unsettling, and full of moments that crawl under your skin. If you like your horror mixed with family secrets, creeping dread, and a side of gothic Catholic guilt, this one’s for you.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC 🖤🎧
October 10, 2025
✨Arc Review✨
Release date: 10/16
4.5 ⭐️
I want to thank Grace Daly and Creature Publishing for this Advanced reader copy to review.
“I am a strong, capable woman. I can handle any manner of body parts in my freezer.”
“The Scald Crow”
is a story of tolerating pain, dealing with past trauma, and navigating a haunting all with a bit of humor.
Brigid, a woman with a chronic illness, moved back home after the disappearance and probable death of her mother. She is left with a house that holds painful memories and a painting of Jesus that seemed to be haunting her. Odd and unsettling (putting that mildly) occurrences begin to happen that leave her wondering if it’s all in her head. To make the situation more unnerving, there is a Crow that seems to enjoy terrorizing and following her wherever she goes.
I found this story to be incredibly relatable.
First off, I agree, FUCK Cobra insurance!
Second: Chronic Illness is SO real.
Third: Dropping a bomb like your house being broken into 5 minutes before your therapy appointment ends is a universal experience.
There is so much I want to say about this book. But the most prominent is that some may find a lot to be repetitive. The constant internal monologue of pain, the routine. That’s one of the most accurate parts of this book. The constant acknowledgment of pain and discomfort one might feel daily is something most who deal with chronic pain go through. It can be very isolating. I find that Brigid had to face that double in this story. Moving back home alone and the mystery diagnosis. She was made to feel like everything was in her head and that she was hallucinating. Not only that, but to move back home to a town where she had no support other than her therapist and best friend through phone calls. Growing up with no answers as to why your body fights against you and being told there's nothing wrong by doctors and family…. It's exhausting physically and mentally. You question everything. You start to believe maybe you ARE making it up. Then one day you get a lead and the hope for answers comes back and it feels great. Still you navigate the grief of what may have been taken due to it all.
The only reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because I felt the ending was rushed. The confrontation with the Scaled crow was exciting but the outcome was lackluster. The deal made was clever, but we went from fighting off this monster to acting like it was any other Tuesday. Which I mean IS a mood, but I would have loved more instead of the whole ending being wrapped up in a few pages.
So that aside, I for sure recommend this.
Release date: 10/16
4.5 ⭐️
I want to thank Grace Daly and Creature Publishing for this Advanced reader copy to review.
“I am a strong, capable woman. I can handle any manner of body parts in my freezer.”
“The Scald Crow”
is a story of tolerating pain, dealing with past trauma, and navigating a haunting all with a bit of humor.
Brigid, a woman with a chronic illness, moved back home after the disappearance and probable death of her mother. She is left with a house that holds painful memories and a painting of Jesus that seemed to be haunting her. Odd and unsettling (putting that mildly) occurrences begin to happen that leave her wondering if it’s all in her head. To make the situation more unnerving, there is a Crow that seems to enjoy terrorizing and following her wherever she goes.
I found this story to be incredibly relatable.
First off, I agree, FUCK Cobra insurance!
Second: Chronic Illness is SO real.
Third: Dropping a bomb like your house being broken into 5 minutes before your therapy appointment ends is a universal experience.
There is so much I want to say about this book. But the most prominent is that some may find a lot to be repetitive. The constant internal monologue of pain, the routine. That’s one of the most accurate parts of this book. The constant acknowledgment of pain and discomfort one might feel daily is something most who deal with chronic pain go through. It can be very isolating. I find that Brigid had to face that double in this story. Moving back home alone and the mystery diagnosis. She was made to feel like everything was in her head and that she was hallucinating. Not only that, but to move back home to a town where she had no support other than her therapist and best friend through phone calls. Growing up with no answers as to why your body fights against you and being told there's nothing wrong by doctors and family…. It's exhausting physically and mentally. You question everything. You start to believe maybe you ARE making it up. Then one day you get a lead and the hope for answers comes back and it feels great. Still you navigate the grief of what may have been taken due to it all.
The only reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because I felt the ending was rushed. The confrontation with the Scaled crow was exciting but the outcome was lackluster. The deal made was clever, but we went from fighting off this monster to acting like it was any other Tuesday. Which I mean IS a mood, but I would have loved more instead of the whole ending being wrapped up in a few pages.
So that aside, I for sure recommend this.
December 15, 2025
A dark and unsettling psychological horror, with irish folklore twisted in, you will question throughout what is real.
Uncomfortable in places as previous severe emotional and mental abuse and its affect on Brigid is a big part of this.
Excellent rep of chronic illness, I appreciated the author note at the end that of all the things that was most unrealistic about this story is the quickness and ease Brigid is treated for her pain.
Emotionally heavy, but compelling.
Big fan of the cat.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher.
4/5 stars.
Uncomfortable in places as previous severe emotional and mental abuse and its affect on Brigid is a big part of this.
Excellent rep of chronic illness, I appreciated the author note at the end that of all the things that was most unrealistic about this story is the quickness and ease Brigid is treated for her pain.
Emotionally heavy, but compelling.
Big fan of the cat.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher.
4/5 stars.
Read
September 24, 2025Bird’s the word, and the word is “childhood trauma”.
3.75⭐️
3.75⭐️
September 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I loved this book so much. It’s queer, creepy, and perfect for anyone who knows what it’s like to have a chronic illness and the struggle for diagnosis.
I loved this book so much. It’s queer, creepy, and perfect for anyone who knows what it’s like to have a chronic illness and the struggle for diagnosis.
May 30, 2025
Scald-Crow immediately caught my eye when I saw Creature Publishing's post for their new on NetGalley books. This story follows Brigid, who lives with chronic pelvic pain, as she moves into her now missing mother's home. She tries to find answers not only as to her mother's whereabouts, but also the cause of her chronic pain and illness. Irish mythology also plays a heavy part in this story.
Brigid has a difficult relationship with her mother who abused her as a child and made her believe everything was always her fault. This has led her to doubt herself in everything. Doctors don't make anything easier when they would rather brush her off than find real answers.
On top of all that, Brigid starts experiencing the strangest things upon moving back into her childhood home. A crow that used to harass her comes back into her life, a painting of Jesus keeps reappearing no matter how many times she throws it out, and frozen body parts keep popping up in the weirdest of places.
Everything is in her head though, right? That's what everyone's always told her and made her believe. So why start questioning it now?
The chronic pelvic pain is what caught me, because it's something I've lived with for years and years. IC and Adenomyosis have both been parts of my story, and both are a part of Brigid's as well.
The chronic illness representation in this book is so well done. I can't thank Grace enough for writing this deeply needed story. Anything I can see myself in will have a deep impact on me, and I love that horror is becoming this for so many of us more and more. It's a safe way to see and experience the very real things we live with in real life. Before this, I don't think I've ever seen IC or adenomyosis mentioned in fiction, so thank you for helping to bring awareness to both of these diseases.
Thank you Grace Daly, Creature Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced E-book.
The Scald-Crow publishes October 14th. Be sure to read this one!
Brigid has a difficult relationship with her mother who abused her as a child and made her believe everything was always her fault. This has led her to doubt herself in everything. Doctors don't make anything easier when they would rather brush her off than find real answers.
On top of all that, Brigid starts experiencing the strangest things upon moving back into her childhood home. A crow that used to harass her comes back into her life, a painting of Jesus keeps reappearing no matter how many times she throws it out, and frozen body parts keep popping up in the weirdest of places.
Everything is in her head though, right? That's what everyone's always told her and made her believe. So why start questioning it now?
The chronic pelvic pain is what caught me, because it's something I've lived with for years and years. IC and Adenomyosis have both been parts of my story, and both are a part of Brigid's as well.
The chronic illness representation in this book is so well done. I can't thank Grace enough for writing this deeply needed story. Anything I can see myself in will have a deep impact on me, and I love that horror is becoming this for so many of us more and more. It's a safe way to see and experience the very real things we live with in real life. Before this, I don't think I've ever seen IC or adenomyosis mentioned in fiction, so thank you for helping to bring awareness to both of these diseases.
Thank you Grace Daly, Creature Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced E-book.
The Scald-Crow publishes October 14th. Be sure to read this one!
October 13, 2025
The Scald Crow is everything I love about horror put under a magnifying glass. It is a profound commentary on aspects of life that often pass for the status quo but, in reality, have very insidious implications.
The Scald Crow emphasises the very horrifying realities of an unhealthy mother-daughter relationship, medical trauma, gaslighting, with truly hair-raising supernatural horror elements, and even an element of humor.
I particularly love the way this title handles invisible disability. It's cathartic and visceral and made me feel so seen. This one wins my 2025 superlative for "Most likely to be the book I won't shut the ef up about."
Many thanks to Libro.FM and Creature publishing for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
The Scald Crow emphasises the very horrifying realities of an unhealthy mother-daughter relationship, medical trauma, gaslighting, with truly hair-raising supernatural horror elements, and even an element of humor.
I particularly love the way this title handles invisible disability. It's cathartic and visceral and made me feel so seen. This one wins my 2025 superlative for "Most likely to be the book I won't shut the ef up about."
Many thanks to Libro.FM and Creature publishing for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
Who can you believe if you can't believe yourself?
Brigid ("Breej") returns to her childhood home after her abusive mother's disappearance. Being in her childhood home is quite traumatic, and brings back the fear and dark memories of those years stuck in that house with her "Mammy." Weird things start to happen that make you question if someone is terrorizing Brigid or if Brigid herself can't be trusted as a narrator.
I wasn't sure what direction this was going in at first, I had many theories. Slow to start, but very interesting and intense once the core story picks up, I enjoyed this one! I wasn't familiar with the Irish folklore and mythology, so that made this really intriguing.
A+ disability rep!
Brigid ("Breej") returns to her childhood home after her abusive mother's disappearance. Being in her childhood home is quite traumatic, and brings back the fear and dark memories of those years stuck in that house with her "Mammy." Weird things start to happen that make you question if someone is terrorizing Brigid or if Brigid herself can't be trusted as a narrator.
I wasn't sure what direction this was going in at first, I had many theories. Slow to start, but very interesting and intense once the core story picks up, I enjoyed this one! I wasn't familiar with the Irish folklore and mythology, so that made this really intriguing.
A+ disability rep!
July 2, 2025
Mixed feelings on this upcoming new release (expected Oct 2025). I enjoyed the Irish folk horror elements and the story itself, but I could not stand the main character. I get it, she has this "mysterious pelvic pain" that has, unfortunately, come to define her very existence, but the constant repetition of it, in nearly every other paragraph, was exhausting. It overshadows everything else in the story.
And yeah, I know folks are gonna say I'm heartless (because the author has gone through something like this and I guess I should have more empathy but I just can't) and probably tell me I'm missing the point or something (but look! she eventually overcomes it all!!) but it kept me from enjoying the actual story.
It seems the MC has exactly three elements to her entire personality: pelvic pain, crush on her best friend, mother trauma.
That's it. There's a great deal of feeling sorry for oneself, and a little bit of dark humour that just wasn't enough to overcome the relentless "I need to curl up in a ball again, mid-morning, because - you guessed it - pain!"
I give it a 2/5 for the folk horror aspects and the for the plot being ok. But this was just not for me.
My thanks to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And yeah, I know folks are gonna say I'm heartless (because the author has gone through something like this and I guess I should have more empathy but I just can't) and probably tell me I'm missing the point or something (but look! she eventually overcomes it all!!) but it kept me from enjoying the actual story.
It seems the MC has exactly three elements to her entire personality: pelvic pain, crush on her best friend, mother trauma.
That's it. There's a great deal of feeling sorry for oneself, and a little bit of dark humour that just wasn't enough to overcome the relentless "I need to curl up in a ball again, mid-morning, because - you guessed it - pain!"
I give it a 2/5 for the folk horror aspects and the for the plot being ok. But this was just not for me.
My thanks to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2025
(This book was initially provided as an arc by netgalley)
Brigid is forced to move back to her mother's house due to her mother's sudden disappearance. Immediately the house appears to resent her presence, playing tricks on her and making her doubt her own sanity. That is not the only battle Brigid is fighting, her daily life with her chronic illness makes even the best days difficult. Brigid takes on the internal fight against her own body whilst her house tries to take her down from the outside.
This is such an incredibly clever horror book. It takes you through twists and turns that are genuinely terrifying, never letting you get too comfortable before ripping the rug out from under you.
Brigid's life with her chronic illness adds a depth to this story that I haven't seen before. A haunted house story where the main victim is often bed bound initially seems difficult to pull off but Daly pulls it off perfectly.
This is such a great spooky read if you love hauntings, folklore and truly endearing main characters.
Brigid is forced to move back to her mother's house due to her mother's sudden disappearance. Immediately the house appears to resent her presence, playing tricks on her and making her doubt her own sanity. That is not the only battle Brigid is fighting, her daily life with her chronic illness makes even the best days difficult. Brigid takes on the internal fight against her own body whilst her house tries to take her down from the outside.
This is such an incredibly clever horror book. It takes you through twists and turns that are genuinely terrifying, never letting you get too comfortable before ripping the rug out from under you.
Brigid's life with her chronic illness adds a depth to this story that I haven't seen before. A haunted house story where the main victim is often bed bound initially seems difficult to pull off but Daly pulls it off perfectly.
This is such a great spooky read if you love hauntings, folklore and truly endearing main characters.
September 14, 2025
The Scald-Crow is dripping with self-deprecating humor, Irish folklore and a dead mom who may not really be dead… Is Brigid, our main character, losing her marbles? First, a very unique crow that once harassed her reappears, basically stalking her everywhere. Her late mother’s painting of Jesus keeps coming back, despite the fact she’s thrown it out several times. Frozen (human?) body parts show up where they really shouldn’t be. And, each night, Brigid experiences the same nightmare: that her real mother is dead and decaying in the closet. But then, who raised her? Is it all in Brigid's head? Well you’ll just have to read to find out. This book was a blast and genuinely creepy. It’s witty and sharp. Thank you to Creature Publishing for the ARC! You can pick this up when it publishes October 14, 2025.
January 29, 2026
Irish folklore, PTSD, and lesbians, The Scald-Crow is a unique tale. I enjoyed the narrative, especially it's look at invisible disabilities and women's reproductive health. The fact that it takes so long for Brigid to find a practitioner that is more focused on her pain than her fertility is almost as insane as what the titular crow is capable of. Horror is such a great lens to explore other themes and dealing with grief and childhood traumas.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel.
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