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These Familiar Walls
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A spine-chilling, heart-pounding suburban horror novel at the heart of the genre, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Cassandra Khaw, and Catriona Ward.
In 1998, desperate loneliness pushes preteen Amber to ignore the misgivings of her family, particularly her younger sister, when she befriends the troubled new kid in the neighborhood—a boy with dead eyes, a fascination with fire, and no remorse. Their turbulent relationship is brief but creates lasting consequences.
Twenty-two years later, in 2020, he resurfaces to kill Amber’s parents, and is in turn betrayed by his accomplice and killed in Amber's childhood home.
After the deaths, Amber inherits the house and, in an effort to save money, moves in with her husband and two children, hoping to reclaim some sense of stability in the grief and chaos surrounding her. Instead, she finds that the familiar walls are haunted by more than just bitter memories and lockdown stress. She shifts in and out of dreamlike trances, her reflection won’t blink, and a menacing voice whispers to her from the gathering shadows. Although she tried to brush off the strange happenings as stress-fueled hallucinations, Amber is soon forced to admit that something much more real—and more dangerous—haunts her family. But Amber has deadly secrets of her own, and she must resolve these long-buried truths or lose the life she’s contrived for herself.
In 1998, desperate loneliness pushes preteen Amber to ignore the misgivings of her family, particularly her younger sister, when she befriends the troubled new kid in the neighborhood—a boy with dead eyes, a fascination with fire, and no remorse. Their turbulent relationship is brief but creates lasting consequences.
Twenty-two years later, in 2020, he resurfaces to kill Amber’s parents, and is in turn betrayed by his accomplice and killed in Amber's childhood home.
After the deaths, Amber inherits the house and, in an effort to save money, moves in with her husband and two children, hoping to reclaim some sense of stability in the grief and chaos surrounding her. Instead, she finds that the familiar walls are haunted by more than just bitter memories and lockdown stress. She shifts in and out of dreamlike trances, her reflection won’t blink, and a menacing voice whispers to her from the gathering shadows. Although she tried to brush off the strange happenings as stress-fueled hallucinations, Amber is soon forced to admit that something much more real—and more dangerous—haunts her family. But Amber has deadly secrets of her own, and she must resolve these long-buried truths or lose the life she’s contrived for herself.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 14, 2026
10882 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Dotson
13 books152 followersC.J. DOTSON possesses the statistically average number of body parts for a human being to have. She and her husband, stepson, and children (all of whom also appear human) share a cabin in the woods with more bugs than she would ever like to see. In her limited spare time she enjoys reading, video games, painting, baking and decorating cakes (with…questionable success), and petting her dog and five cats. Visit her at cjdotsonauthor.com or cjdotsonsdreadfuldispatch.substack.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
October 10, 2025
These Familiar Walls is equal parts chilling, shocking, thrilling, atmospheric, horrific, and spooky! Woohoo! This is how you do it! C.J. Dotson had my attention from the very first page! Plus, talk about a jaw dropping shocking reveal!!!!!!!! I did not see that coming AT ALL! Whew! What a SHOCKER!
This book is told in two timelines, 1998 and 2020, and both are intriguing and intense! Usually when there are two timelines, I tend to enjoy one more than the other. I actually enjoyed both timelines equally. Both timelines have shocking and thrilling moments!
In the 1988 timeline, readers are introduced to Amber, her younger sister, Hannah, and the new boy who moved into the home next door. Amber is lonely and hopes to make a new friend with her new neighbor and to say that their relationship is chaotic is an understatement.
In the 2020, Amber's parents are murdered in their family home. Amber inherits the home and moves in with her husband, Ben and their two children. Soon, Amber will find that These Familiar Walls that she grew up are quite eerie, spooky, creepy and chilling. She begins to experience strange things. She hears whispers, strange reflections, and experiences creepy sensations. She is not the only one in the home who experiences these things.
First off, I would have been out of there so fast it would make my families head spin! Haunted Houses freak me out. Home is where you are supposed to feel safe. I wondered how do these people sleep at night with all this eerie and spooky crap happening? But they stay and HOLY CRAP, I was not prepared for the suspense and shocking reveals that came at warp speed toward the end of the book!!!!!!!
Hats off to C.J. Dotson, seriously, hats off. So well done, so well thought out! So clever, so shocking, so spooky, and so eerie! This book was oozing with creepy vibes, dread, tension, and dread!!!
4.5 stars
*This was a fantastic witches words buddy read with Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch! We had a great time discussing this book. Please be on the lookout for her review to get her thoughts on These Familiar Walls!!!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
This book is told in two timelines, 1998 and 2020, and both are intriguing and intense! Usually when there are two timelines, I tend to enjoy one more than the other. I actually enjoyed both timelines equally. Both timelines have shocking and thrilling moments!
In the 1988 timeline, readers are introduced to Amber, her younger sister, Hannah, and the new boy who moved into the home next door. Amber is lonely and hopes to make a new friend with her new neighbor and to say that their relationship is chaotic is an understatement.
In the 2020, Amber's parents are murdered in their family home. Amber inherits the home and moves in with her husband, Ben and their two children. Soon, Amber will find that These Familiar Walls that she grew up are quite eerie, spooky, creepy and chilling. She begins to experience strange things. She hears whispers, strange reflections, and experiences creepy sensations. She is not the only one in the home who experiences these things.
First off, I would have been out of there so fast it would make my families head spin! Haunted Houses freak me out. Home is where you are supposed to feel safe. I wondered how do these people sleep at night with all this eerie and spooky crap happening? But they stay and HOLY CRAP, I was not prepared for the suspense and shocking reveals that came at warp speed toward the end of the book!!!!!!!
Hats off to C.J. Dotson, seriously, hats off. So well done, so well thought out! So clever, so shocking, so spooky, and so eerie! This book was oozing with creepy vibes, dread, tension, and dread!!!
4.5 stars
*This was a fantastic witches words buddy read with Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch! We had a great time discussing this book. Please be on the lookout for her review to get her thoughts on These Familiar Walls!!!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
December 21, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Here’s one thing about me I know to be true:
If my parents were murdered in horrific fashion, inside my childhood home, it would never cross my mind to move my family there. There isn’t much else I have that kind of certainty about, but I stand firmly on this.
But, this book reveals that there is much more to the story than that. While it impersonates a standard, trope laden horror novel for 75% of the book, its shift into unexpected territory will leave your head spinning. I know it did mine. While this novel is scary, filled with supernatural dalliances, the real world horror of the boy next door is the thing that disturbed me the most. He’s got mad serial killer vibes and every time he was in story, I was tense.
This is a solid horror novel, and is the second in a row of C.J. Dotson’s I’ve said that about. It feels like she’s coming into her own. You should definitely read this.
Here’s one thing about me I know to be true:
If my parents were murdered in horrific fashion, inside my childhood home, it would never cross my mind to move my family there. There isn’t much else I have that kind of certainty about, but I stand firmly on this.
But, this book reveals that there is much more to the story than that. While it impersonates a standard, trope laden horror novel for 75% of the book, its shift into unexpected territory will leave your head spinning. I know it did mine. While this novel is scary, filled with supernatural dalliances, the real world horror of the boy next door is the thing that disturbed me the most. He’s got mad serial killer vibes and every time he was in story, I was tense.
This is a solid horror novel, and is the second in a row of C.J. Dotson’s I’ve said that about. It feels like she’s coming into her own. You should definitely read this.
September 2, 2025
This book gave off an unsettling, disturbing, look behind your shoulder kind of feel.
Quick synopsis: Amber, her husband Ben and two kids have just moved in to her recently deceased parent’s house. As soon as they move in, strange things begin to happen. Amber starts seeing things within the closets and mirrors. It’s not just things that she’s seeing she also is having other sensory type feelings. There are two timelines one in the present and one in the past revisiting Amber’s childhood. To go any further would involve spoilers so that’s just the basic gist of it.
I found the present timeline very confusing, which coincided with what Amber was feeling. I was grasping for answers as much as Amber was. The past timeline was ultimately my favorite because while it was completely disturbing to me, it gave a good glimpse into what made these characters who they were in the present day. The ending gave a nice little twist which pulled everything together well but then it became too drawn out. There was a point that I think it should’ve ended, but then it kept going that it kind of gave me a bit of an eye roll. But that’s just a minor quibble.
Thinking back onto the novel as a whole it almost seemed like there were two genres intertwined, the thriller aspect, and then the horror aspect. There was one component /character that I felt didn’t fit both of those aspects and was kind of a loose end. But other than that, both genres were woven together really well.
This is a great spooky season read and definitely a bit on the disturbing side. Maybe make sure your doors are locked and you have your nightlight plugged in.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Quick synopsis: Amber, her husband Ben and two kids have just moved in to her recently deceased parent’s house. As soon as they move in, strange things begin to happen. Amber starts seeing things within the closets and mirrors. It’s not just things that she’s seeing she also is having other sensory type feelings. There are two timelines one in the present and one in the past revisiting Amber’s childhood. To go any further would involve spoilers so that’s just the basic gist of it.
I found the present timeline very confusing, which coincided with what Amber was feeling. I was grasping for answers as much as Amber was. The past timeline was ultimately my favorite because while it was completely disturbing to me, it gave a good glimpse into what made these characters who they were in the present day. The ending gave a nice little twist which pulled everything together well but then it became too drawn out. There was a point that I think it should’ve ended, but then it kept going that it kind of gave me a bit of an eye roll. But that’s just a minor quibble.
Thinking back onto the novel as a whole it almost seemed like there were two genres intertwined, the thriller aspect, and then the horror aspect. There was one component /character that I felt didn’t fit both of those aspects and was kind of a loose end. But other than that, both genres were woven together really well.
This is a great spooky season read and definitely a bit on the disturbing side. Maybe make sure your doors are locked and you have your nightlight plugged in.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
September 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
The cover of These Familiar Walls immediately drew me in, and the synopsis intrigued me even more. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. I love a great horror story, and this one delivered a fresh and original take on psychological horror that kept me turning pages. It’s gut wrenching, anxiety ridden, and dripping with paranoia. Add in a touch of the paranormal, and it hit all the right notes for me. The ending left me gasping, and starting this late at night definitely came with some strange, unsettling dreams.
I highly recommend this one, Mark your calendars for Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Huge thanks to @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
#SMPEarlyReaders #BookReview #BookTok #Bookstagram #PsychologicalHorror #ParanormalReads #SpookySeason #ARCReview #ReadersOfInstagram #HorrorBooks
The cover of These Familiar Walls immediately drew me in, and the synopsis intrigued me even more. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. I love a great horror story, and this one delivered a fresh and original take on psychological horror that kept me turning pages. It’s gut wrenching, anxiety ridden, and dripping with paranoia. Add in a touch of the paranormal, and it hit all the right notes for me. The ending left me gasping, and starting this late at night definitely came with some strange, unsettling dreams.
I highly recommend this one, Mark your calendars for Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Huge thanks to @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
#SMPEarlyReaders #BookReview #BookTok #Bookstagram #PsychologicalHorror #ParanormalReads #SpookySeason #ARCReview #ReadersOfInstagram #HorrorBooks
September 6, 2025
Wow. I don't call novels "scary" lightly, and this novel is SCARY. 4/5 stars.
Amber suffers from childhood trauma, and also from her parents' murder in their own home, which she now lives in. She's going through a lot. When she moves into her family home after her parents are murdered, she starts experiencing strange phenomenon. Her reflection's eyes are always closed, she hears strange whispers, her children start acting strange, and worst of all, she's not alone in experiencing all of this. She has to figure out what is going on, and quick, before she loses her mind completely.
I reaaaally enjoyed this novel! I felt a connection with the main character Amber, as she portrays symptoms of PTSD and BPD, both of which I personally have experience with. I truly found this novel creepy. I love all things horror, so of course I would read bits of this book right before bed, and it really freaked me out! I say this is going to be an extremely popular novel when it releases!
The author's prose is the perfect heart-pounding pace for a horror novel, and the story itself was so intriguing I couldn't put it down!
Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Amber suffers from childhood trauma, and also from her parents' murder in their own home, which she now lives in. She's going through a lot. When she moves into her family home after her parents are murdered, she starts experiencing strange phenomenon. Her reflection's eyes are always closed, she hears strange whispers, her children start acting strange, and worst of all, she's not alone in experiencing all of this. She has to figure out what is going on, and quick, before she loses her mind completely.
I reaaaally enjoyed this novel! I felt a connection with the main character Amber, as she portrays symptoms of PTSD and BPD, both of which I personally have experience with. I truly found this novel creepy. I love all things horror, so of course I would read bits of this book right before bed, and it really freaked me out! I say this is going to be an extremely popular novel when it releases!
The author's prose is the perfect heart-pounding pace for a horror novel, and the story itself was so intriguing I couldn't put it down!
Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 27, 2025
I read a lot of horror, and this book is my favorite of the year! From the first page, you're sucked into a macabre and blood-soaked nightmare. These Familiar Walls is also a very uncomfortable read, as it deals with explicit bullying (much of which is very disturbing and will leave your heart racing). That's not to mention all the spooky haunting, fire imagery, and familiar drama/tragedy.
This is a layered and terrifying novel that you absolutely have to read if you're a fan of the genre (and especially haunted houses).
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a layered and terrifying novel that you absolutely have to read if you're a fan of the genre (and especially haunted houses).
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2025
These Familiar Walls (C.J. Dotson)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - ARC Review (releasing April 14th, 2026)
I'm so thankful to C.J. Dotson for sending me the ebook of her 2nd ever novel. An absolute nightmare of a book (in the best possible way), These Familiar Walls gave me 3 nights of uneasy sleep and constant anticipation throughout my day so I could return to the story (and the house) to find out what would happen next.
Reviewing this book is very hard without spoiling it, so I will be vague. I mostly read this book at night in my bed, which was both a huge mistake and also accentuated just how creepy Dotson is able to make a house feel. This story is about a woman named Amber who moves into her parents' house with her husband shortly after her parents are murdered. What follows will have you peeking around corners and paranoid of every noise you hear in your house.
I felt the entire story was extremely well written, but I did find some dialogue at the end took a bit of the bite out of the fear factor for me, but overall the story held strong.
If you're into horror/thrillers like me, go ahead and add this book to your Want to Read list on GoodReads. Releasing April 14th, 2026, this one will haunt you long after you're done with it.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - ARC Review (releasing April 14th, 2026)
I'm so thankful to C.J. Dotson for sending me the ebook of her 2nd ever novel. An absolute nightmare of a book (in the best possible way), These Familiar Walls gave me 3 nights of uneasy sleep and constant anticipation throughout my day so I could return to the story (and the house) to find out what would happen next.
Reviewing this book is very hard without spoiling it, so I will be vague. I mostly read this book at night in my bed, which was both a huge mistake and also accentuated just how creepy Dotson is able to make a house feel. This story is about a woman named Amber who moves into her parents' house with her husband shortly after her parents are murdered. What follows will have you peeking around corners and paranoid of every noise you hear in your house.
I felt the entire story was extremely well written, but I did find some dialogue at the end took a bit of the bite out of the fear factor for me, but overall the story held strong.
If you're into horror/thrillers like me, go ahead and add this book to your Want to Read list on GoodReads. Releasing April 14th, 2026, this one will haunt you long after you're done with it.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 22, 2025
Haunting, spooky, creepy… a multi timeline horror which will leave you absolutely shook from the insane twists 😆😆
This book couldn’t have come at a better time! Literally the perfect read for the Halloween period… I was thoroughly creeped out!
I loved the psychological aspects the most.. I was definitely questioning everything and feeling the palpable sense of paranoia from the main character in present day.
I definitely recommend reading at night time if you wanna scare yourself 🤣 just be sure to sleep with the lights on 💡
Disclaimer: this book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own!
This book couldn’t have come at a better time! Literally the perfect read for the Halloween period… I was thoroughly creeped out!
I loved the psychological aspects the most.. I was definitely questioning everything and feeling the palpable sense of paranoia from the main character in present day.
I definitely recommend reading at night time if you wanna scare yourself 🤣 just be sure to sleep with the lights on 💡
Disclaimer: this book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own!
September 18, 2025
Wow yeah this book messed with my head (compliment). An extremely dark psychological mind game that had me invested from the start. My favorite parts of this book were the childhood flashbacks, I flew through them trying to figure out everything. I will say that there are certain relationships that I wish were more fleshed out — without spoilers, I was desperate to fill in some of the blanks in the development of the book’s main marriage.
September 11, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this novel. The premise of this book was really good, with the main character being so unlikable that I was not disappointed with the ending. The paranormal activity had me scared of mirrors and I do not recommend reading this one at night. While I found some of the book to be repetitive and a bit overdone, I still really enjoyed it and look forward to another read by this author.
October 12, 2025
A major ick, if you will, for me as a reader is any mention of the pandemic, Covid, lockdowns, etc. I do not wish to immerse myself in this time. Period. I have been there along with everybody else and have no desire to reach my mind back to an overall unpleasant time when I’m indulging in my favourite pastime of reading.
I want to immerse myself, I want to get carried away in a story. Mentioning the pandemic puts a block to my imagination, my ability to flow. The same way it was symbolically and literally a big ‘block’ in real life. I don’t want to start a book with an eye roll, which I did here.
I found this book pretty substandard overall. The house has the history of a crime and the only remaining adult child is moving back in with her own family. Nothing mind blowing or imaginative. Any creepiness wasn’t all that creepy or effective. I did feel some boredom and indifference while reading that made me want to skim. There was nothing that set this book apart.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
I want to immerse myself, I want to get carried away in a story. Mentioning the pandemic puts a block to my imagination, my ability to flow. The same way it was symbolically and literally a big ‘block’ in real life. I don’t want to start a book with an eye roll, which I did here.
I found this book pretty substandard overall. The house has the history of a crime and the only remaining adult child is moving back in with her own family. Nothing mind blowing or imaginative. Any creepiness wasn’t all that creepy or effective. I did feel some boredom and indifference while reading that made me want to skim. There was nothing that set this book apart.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
August 26, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the privilege of reading this advanced copy! This was my first one and what an experience. I can honestly say this story was gripping, horrifying and left me gasping. I’m typically the kind of reader who can see a plot twist fairly quickly but C. J. Dotson got me good in “These Familiar Walls” Without giving spoilers I can say I was truly afraid to read this book home alone, the scenes played out in my head and stayed with me long after I put it down. I love a good dual timeline that helps with giving context to current situations the characters are facing. I wish this book was coming out this fall so that I could recommend it for a fall TBR but nonetheless I will tell all my spooky readers to pick up this paranormal, psychological thriller!
August 27, 2025
This was definitely a chilling suburban horror novel that caught me off guard. This is a hard book to review without giving spoilers but I found myself intrigued which kept me turning the pages!
When Amber and her husband and 2 kids move into her family home after the brutal double murder of her parents, the house doesn’t seem to want them there. We go back and forth in time to Amber’s childhood friend who was the one who later returned to murder her parents.
I will say things were not what they seemed in this book. The twist at the end really shocked me and that’s hard to do!
When Amber and her husband and 2 kids move into her family home after the brutal double murder of her parents, the house doesn’t seem to want them there. We go back and forth in time to Amber’s childhood friend who was the one who later returned to murder her parents.
I will say things were not what they seemed in this book. The twist at the end really shocked me and that’s hard to do!
October 27, 2025
This wasn't terrible, per se, it just didn't have that sort of spark I'd like to see. Also, a warning: there is violence against an animal in here (a mouse is tortured briefly—I wanted to quit reading, but I was so far in already that I continued).
I think my problem with this was the twist relies on the author deliberately withholding information from us readers.
The supernatural elements were just strange and seemed a bit shoehorned in. I guess this one just wasn't for me. I normally love horror, but I don't think I could recommend this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
I think my problem with this was the twist relies on the author deliberately withholding information from us readers.
The supernatural elements were just strange and seemed a bit shoehorned in. I guess this one just wasn't for me. I normally love horror, but I don't think I could recommend this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
September 30, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this! My opinions are given voluntarily.
After reading The Cut, I was very interested to see what C.J. Dotson would come up with next. What I've discovered is that she is an absolute master of plucking at the strings of a reader's subconscious, prodding that part of our lizard brains that tell us something is wrong.
These Familiar Walls felt off from the first moment in a way that was creepily intriguing - the book was like a puzzle that I needed to unravel. I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong for a good chunk of the book and that made it even creepier - it's a DIY haunting that made me look sideways at the windows of my room as I was reading.
And when Dotson decides to kick things up a notch, she serves something utterly blood chilling. No holding back, just pure terror. I'm a grizzled veteran of the horror genre but let me tell you, These Familiar Walls is PETRIFYING. There's something viciously visceral about this haunting that puts it above your normal door-slamming, cold-spots, ookie-spooky kind of ghost story.
After reading The Cut, I was very interested to see what C.J. Dotson would come up with next. What I've discovered is that she is an absolute master of plucking at the strings of a reader's subconscious, prodding that part of our lizard brains that tell us something is wrong.
These Familiar Walls felt off from the first moment in a way that was creepily intriguing - the book was like a puzzle that I needed to unravel. I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong for a good chunk of the book and that made it even creepier - it's a DIY haunting that made me look sideways at the windows of my room as I was reading.
And when Dotson decides to kick things up a notch, she serves something utterly blood chilling. No holding back, just pure terror. I'm a grizzled veteran of the horror genre but let me tell you, These Familiar Walls is PETRIFYING. There's something viciously visceral about this haunting that puts it above your normal door-slamming, cold-spots, ookie-spooky kind of ghost story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
These Familiar Walls by C. J. Dotson is a quiet, unsettling read that sneaks up on you. The story lives in the small moments and unspoken tensions, letting atmosphere do most of the heavy lifting. Dotson has a sharp eye for how familiar spaces can slowly turn claustrophobic, and that sense of unease never really lets go.
What stands out most is the emotional restraint. Nothing feels overexplained or forced, which makes the characters and their choices feel uncomfortably real. The pacing is deliberate, but it works in the book’s favor, giving you time to sit with the discomfort and piece things together on your own.
If you like character driven stories that rely more on mood than spectacle, this one is worth your time. It is the kind of book that lingers after you finish, especially if you enjoy fiction that trusts the reader and doesn’t spell everything out.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ebook ARC!!
What stands out most is the emotional restraint. Nothing feels overexplained or forced, which makes the characters and their choices feel uncomfortably real. The pacing is deliberate, but it works in the book’s favor, giving you time to sit with the discomfort and piece things together on your own.
If you like character driven stories that rely more on mood than spectacle, this one is worth your time. It is the kind of book that lingers after you finish, especially if you enjoy fiction that trusts the reader and doesn’t spell everything out.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ebook ARC!!
November 21, 2025
What a ride! This book had multiple elements that I love; paranormal activity, whodunnit mystery, childhood nostalgia (thankfully unreliable childhood nostalgia for this one). The main character is, in my opinion, incredibly unlikeable but it totally works for this book. There were some things that I predicted while reading that I was correct about and some that I was wrong about. Even though I was right about some things, it didn’t take away from the story or make it any less satisfying to read. If you’re in the mood for a a thriller with some very spooky scenes, this is a great novel! It will be a book I recommend to people for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for the ARC!
October 29, 2025
Such a good book. Sometimes horror books can be hit or miss but this was spot on. I kept thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it. Defintiely gives all the chills.
November 2, 2025
This book had me turning every page this was a well written book I loved it it was horrific scary and chilling this book had everything you needed and more.
November 9, 2025
Love this book!! I’ll update my review later I need to digest it all!!
I love this book! The name is perfect for the plot very claustrophobic by the end nowhere feels safe. The surge does a great job of creating sympathy for both amber and her husband though I had reservations about amber from her internal monologue.
Trapped in their home (amber’s parents) during covid there is more of cabin fever atmosphere and thus extends to the backyard; literally nowhere is safe. Things are happening to them, around them, disembodied sounds, mirrors are distorted but amber refuses to acknowledge this. Out loud. Seems amber wont talk about much. Great story! Thanks NetGalley for this arc!
I love this book! The name is perfect for the plot very claustrophobic by the end nowhere feels safe. The surge does a great job of creating sympathy for both amber and her husband though I had reservations about amber from her internal monologue.
Trapped in their home (amber’s parents) during covid there is more of cabin fever atmosphere and thus extends to the backyard; literally nowhere is safe. Things are happening to them, around them, disembodied sounds, mirrors are distorted but amber refuses to acknowledge this. Out loud. Seems amber wont talk about much. Great story! Thanks NetGalley for this arc!
August 26, 2025
When I chose to read this book, I had never heard of the author before and, so, I did not know what to expect, which means I didn't go in having high hopes. I was surprised with how much I kept picking this book back up to not only see what would happen next, but to figure out what the heck was going on! This book opened in a way that really captured me, something thrilling with a mystery left hanging, but I was sure I had figured it out very early on. While some parts of this book may feel like you've figured it out, lean into the things that don't make sense to you yet and let it carry you to the end. There were definitely some twists and things that did make sense later, while I was still able to have that feeling of "yep, I did call that part at least!" Trying to leave this vague for an early review, but if you like horror and hauntings this will satisfy that itch. Perfect for a fall read. Is the main character seeing something paranormal or having perceptual disturbances? It's one of those that you'll have to work out (or find out at the end). I felt like that there was a satisfying end to the book as well in that you aren't left wondering. This book jumps back-and-forth between two time periods, sometimes three, but it is very easy to follow and understand what's happening and why. There were some parts that I wish were explored more, but I liked the length of this book and was okay not having those explored and imagining some things. There aren't extra "nobody" characters and I definitely had some scared moments reading this book in bed, in the dark, alone at night! It made sense that the setting was the house in question throughout the book, but the reader should also be prepared for the story to pretty much all take place there so no change of scenery although the differing times help with that. I would read more by this author and happy I gave it a chance. I rated this a 4.75, but 5 when there are no "in-between" ratings.
August 26, 2025
I received this book as an ARC- thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s, and OF COURSE C.J. Dotson for this absolute whirlwind of a novel! Difficult to write anything about the plot without giving anything away but let’s try anyways
The story begins with the truly gruesome murder of Amber’s parents, and from there we pop between present day Amber and her husband and two kids fighting a terrifying and fiery presence in their home (the home of her murdered parents?!? Girl 😩) and flashbacks of Amber growing up in this same house and her relationship with the serial killer wanna be neighbor, Nathan.
This book read so much like a movie to me I could see every scene perfectly, and that made each moment of unease and terror that much more unbearable. It was awesome!!! The need for control and the fine line Amber walks trying to rein in that control is so expertly done and left me feeling like I was on edge with my skin crawling on more than one occasion. Being in her mind as she reasoned through her interactions with Ben and the kids, as well as trying to rationalize the unexplained phenomena in the house, was excruciating-but in a fun way! And then, once I l felt like maybe I had this story figured out, Dotson hits me with the twist of the century!!! Blown away!!? You got me good!!! I finished the last 15% of this book absolutely gagged, jaw on the floor.
TLDR uncomfortable and on edge the whole time it was amazing 10/10 wish I could experience it for the first time again thank u C.J. Dotson that was crazy 😌
The story begins with the truly gruesome murder of Amber’s parents, and from there we pop between present day Amber and her husband and two kids fighting a terrifying and fiery presence in their home (the home of her murdered parents?!? Girl 😩) and flashbacks of Amber growing up in this same house and her relationship with the serial killer wanna be neighbor, Nathan.
This book read so much like a movie to me I could see every scene perfectly, and that made each moment of unease and terror that much more unbearable. It was awesome!!! The need for control and the fine line Amber walks trying to rein in that control is so expertly done and left me feeling like I was on edge with my skin crawling on more than one occasion. Being in her mind as she reasoned through her interactions with Ben and the kids, as well as trying to rationalize the unexplained phenomena in the house, was excruciating-but in a fun way! And then, once I l felt like maybe I had this story figured out, Dotson hits me with the twist of the century!!! Blown away!!? You got me good!!! I finished the last 15% of this book absolutely gagged, jaw on the floor.
TLDR uncomfortable and on edge the whole time it was amazing 10/10 wish I could experience it for the first time again thank u C.J. Dotson that was crazy 😌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC made available to review! This book is an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me.
Amber and her husband Ben return to live in her childhood home after the tragic loss of her parents who were murdered in that very house. The events of the past start to shape themselves into a terrifying haunting that starts to unravel the calm and sanity of the life Amber so desperately wants to achieve…
Not only will this book grip you right away it will most certainly scare you to your core. I didn’t expect to feel actual fear from this book but fear is what I experienced! The way the writer describes the events along with how being afraid can feel is perfect. I had a constant sense of dread as this story unfolded and the twists were delivered with just the right kind of clarity you expect from a twisty tale.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to pick up other titles by C.J Dotson.
Amber and her husband Ben return to live in her childhood home after the tragic loss of her parents who were murdered in that very house. The events of the past start to shape themselves into a terrifying haunting that starts to unravel the calm and sanity of the life Amber so desperately wants to achieve…
Not only will this book grip you right away it will most certainly scare you to your core. I didn’t expect to feel actual fear from this book but fear is what I experienced! The way the writer describes the events along with how being afraid can feel is perfect. I had a constant sense of dread as this story unfolded and the twists were delivered with just the right kind of clarity you expect from a twisty tale.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to pick up other titles by C.J Dotson.
October 8, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's press for the ARC!
3.80 rounded up.
I don't want to write a summary because I don't want to give away any of the surprises the story holds. So, it is a soft horror (I'd call it dark more than horror) book with a background of Covid-19 (not sure if it will age well, but bold move).
The book starts right in the middle of the action. There are then 2 timelines: the present and Amber's childhood.
While reading the book, I was taking notes of what I wanted to highlight but it kept changing. What I mean by that is that the story is well-constructed and some things that are annoying or appear pointless are actually not. There were pretty good twists that I did not see coming.
Some elements still bothered me, such as long explanations of how Amber was feeling without much going on, the layout of the house did not make sense to me (but that may just be me), and I wasn't drawn to the reveal ; it felt too easy. But overall, it was worth the read!
This book packs a lot of topics:
3.80 rounded up.
I don't want to write a summary because I don't want to give away any of the surprises the story holds. So, it is a soft horror (I'd call it dark more than horror) book with a background of Covid-19 (not sure if it will age well, but bold move).
The book starts right in the middle of the action. There are then 2 timelines: the present and Amber's childhood.
While reading the book, I was taking notes of what I wanted to highlight but it kept changing. What I mean by that is that the story is well-constructed and some things that are annoying or appear pointless are actually not. There were pretty good twists that I did not see coming.
Some elements still bothered me, such as long explanations of how Amber was feeling without much going on, the layout of the house did not make sense to me (but that may just be me), and I wasn't drawn to the reveal ; it felt too easy. But overall, it was worth the read!
This book packs a lot of topics:
September 22, 2025
ARC review. Unfortunately this book was not for me. The basic plot is one that’s been rehashed many times over, the twists were easily guessed early on, and pretty much all of the characters were intensely unlikeable. That being said, there were some solid chills and eerie scenes, so I would definitely try another book by this author, I just felt this specific story fell a little flat.
November 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Review to come! 🫶
August 31, 2025
This wasn’t terrible but I just like my thrillers and horrors to be a bit more interesting and not just the ending to be fast paced and gripping. Once you really get into the book, it’s hard not to see where and how it’s going to end.
The characters are terrible and with the plot being a bit flat, I didn’t want to always pick this up and keep reading. The ending is satisfying though so that’s a good thing about this book.
Overall, I liked where the author was going with the story but it wasn’t executed well enough for me to enjoy it.
The characters are terrible and with the plot being a bit flat, I didn’t want to always pick this up and keep reading. The ending is satisfying though so that’s a good thing about this book.
Overall, I liked where the author was going with the story but it wasn’t executed well enough for me to enjoy it.
October 10, 2025
The walls whisper. The shadows wait. And she’s not alone.🕯
These Familiar Walls- by CJ Dotson
🩶Blurb🩶
In 1998, desperate loneliness pushes preteen Amber to ignore the misgivings of her family, particularly her younger sister, when she befriends the troubled new kid in the neighborhood—a boy with dead eyes, a fascination with fire, and no remorse. Their turbulent relationship is brief but creates lasting consequences.
Twenty-two years later, in 2020, he resurfaces to kill Amber's parents, and is in turn betrayed by his accomplice and killed in Amber's childhood home.
After the deaths, Amber inherits the house and, in an effort to save money, moves in with her husband and two children, hoping to reclaim some sense of stability in the grief and chaos surrounding her.
Instead, she finds that the familiar walls are haunted by more than just bitter memories and lockdown stress. She shifts in and out of dreamlike trances, her reflection won't meet her gaze, and a menacing voice whispers to her from the gathering shadows.
Although she tried to brush off the strange happenings as stress-fueled hallucinations, Amber is soon forced to admit that something much more real-and more dangerous-haunts her family. But Amber has deadly secrets of her own, and she must resolve these long-buried truths or lose the life she's contrived for herself.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
The past never dies… it waits in the shadows.
Amber, along with her husband Ben, and two children have just moved into her childhood home after inheriting it following the passing of her parents.
Her childhood home where her parents were brutally murdered.
Not long after moving in, Amber starts to notice strange happenings. She starts seeing things in the closets, and mirrors. She sees her reflection's eyes ad being always closed, begins hearing strange whispers, and now her children have begun to act strange.
Haunted by the trauma of her parents murder and the her past, Amber is forced to deal with her long buried deadly secrets before it’s too late.
She thought the danger was gone. But in the quiet rooms and shadowed corners of her old home, something waits. Alive, patient, and hungry for the truths she tried to bury.
I am a horror fan, so I don’t deem books as Scary unless they really truly are. This one will keep you up at night. A perfect horror read for the spooky season.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley, and the Author for allowing me to ARC read for you.
These Familiar Walls- by CJ Dotson
🩶Blurb🩶
In 1998, desperate loneliness pushes preteen Amber to ignore the misgivings of her family, particularly her younger sister, when she befriends the troubled new kid in the neighborhood—a boy with dead eyes, a fascination with fire, and no remorse. Their turbulent relationship is brief but creates lasting consequences.
Twenty-two years later, in 2020, he resurfaces to kill Amber's parents, and is in turn betrayed by his accomplice and killed in Amber's childhood home.
After the deaths, Amber inherits the house and, in an effort to save money, moves in with her husband and two children, hoping to reclaim some sense of stability in the grief and chaos surrounding her.
Instead, she finds that the familiar walls are haunted by more than just bitter memories and lockdown stress. She shifts in and out of dreamlike trances, her reflection won't meet her gaze, and a menacing voice whispers to her from the gathering shadows.
Although she tried to brush off the strange happenings as stress-fueled hallucinations, Amber is soon forced to admit that something much more real-and more dangerous-haunts her family. But Amber has deadly secrets of her own, and she must resolve these long-buried truths or lose the life she's contrived for herself.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
The past never dies… it waits in the shadows.
Amber, along with her husband Ben, and two children have just moved into her childhood home after inheriting it following the passing of her parents.
Her childhood home where her parents were brutally murdered.
Not long after moving in, Amber starts to notice strange happenings. She starts seeing things in the closets, and mirrors. She sees her reflection's eyes ad being always closed, begins hearing strange whispers, and now her children have begun to act strange.
Haunted by the trauma of her parents murder and the her past, Amber is forced to deal with her long buried deadly secrets before it’s too late.
She thought the danger was gone. But in the quiet rooms and shadowed corners of her old home, something waits. Alive, patient, and hungry for the truths she tried to bury.
I am a horror fan, so I don’t deem books as Scary unless they really truly are. This one will keep you up at night. A perfect horror read for the spooky season.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley, and the Author for allowing me to ARC read for you.
November 29, 2025
3 stars
What a creepy book, but transparently, the most traumatizing part is having to read something set during the height of the pandemic. These folks undeniably go through it, but we were ALL doing weird stuff at that time, and I'm sure that if some narrator were spying on any one of us, they'd not have seen this exactly, but they'd have seen us at our weirdest and probably not our best. I am not in the absolutely no pandemic books mode, but I'll admit I'm still finding them offputting. I'm certain that impacted my lackluster feelings about this one.
Amber is a tough character. Readers spend time with her in her preteen years (when, yes, we were all awful), but unfortunately she is also kind of a terrible adult. Traveling between the timelines is fascinating in this case because she's so frustrating. I kept thinking I'd get some good rationale for her behavior and then at least sympathize with her, but the opposite happened. It's true that Amber's entire immediate family dies in terrible ways, so yes, her trauma is unmistakable, but still. It's really hard to root for her when she presents constant reasons to do the opposite (starting but not even close to ending with a weird obsession with how the neighbors will see her family. Get over it. Ugh).
This is a disturbing and creepy book, but it's not as layered or provocative as I was hoping for. Its chills really rely on a nasty character with whom I spent way too much time in different stages of her life. I'll definitely give this author another shot based on the concept alone and will anticipate a different outcome with the next read.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
What a creepy book, but transparently, the most traumatizing part is having to read something set during the height of the pandemic. These folks undeniably go through it, but we were ALL doing weird stuff at that time, and I'm sure that if some narrator were spying on any one of us, they'd not have seen this exactly, but they'd have seen us at our weirdest and probably not our best. I am not in the absolutely no pandemic books mode, but I'll admit I'm still finding them offputting. I'm certain that impacted my lackluster feelings about this one.
Amber is a tough character. Readers spend time with her in her preteen years (when, yes, we were all awful), but unfortunately she is also kind of a terrible adult. Traveling between the timelines is fascinating in this case because she's so frustrating. I kept thinking I'd get some good rationale for her behavior and then at least sympathize with her, but the opposite happened. It's true that Amber's entire immediate family dies in terrible ways, so yes, her trauma is unmistakable, but still. It's really hard to root for her when she presents constant reasons to do the opposite (starting but not even close to ending with a weird obsession with how the neighbors will see her family. Get over it. Ugh).
This is a disturbing and creepy book, but it's not as layered or provocative as I was hoping for. Its chills really rely on a nasty character with whom I spent way too much time in different stages of her life. I'll definitely give this author another shot based on the concept alone and will anticipate a different outcome with the next read.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
October 15, 2025
ARC Review: The mix of murder mystery and paranormal entities really hooked me on These Familiar Walls. The book begins with with a couple being murdered in their own home. The prologue concludes with "Dave died" which in the moment, felt a little comical stating that. However, the book ends on a full circle moment which ties back to the "Dave died" line which I ended up appreciating it more.
The author did a good job with keeping the reader on edge with the right amount of spooky, anxiety causing moments. However, I anticipated the twist in the novel about half way to it's exposure. Personally, I am someone who is not easily surprised but I think with the lack of characters in the novel, I think most people might be able to get an idea early on.
I found Amber a little unlikeable. Her fixation on how others perceive her and her seemingly odd relationship with her husband both bothered me, but by the end of the book, I found that I loved to hate her.
The author did a good job with keeping the reader on edge with the right amount of spooky, anxiety causing moments. However, I anticipated the twist in the novel about half way to it's exposure. Personally, I am someone who is not easily surprised but I think with the lack of characters in the novel, I think most people might be able to get an idea early on.
I found Amber a little unlikeable. Her fixation on how others perceive her and her seemingly odd relationship with her husband both bothered me, but by the end of the book, I found that I loved to hate her.
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