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Pam Kowolski is a Monster!
If Janet Chow hadn’t been such a jerk to everyone at Sewanhaka High, they might have voted her Most Likely to Succeed. Twenty-plus years later, life hasn’t turned out how Janet expected. She’s rudderless, her career in journalism crashed, burned, and buried. How did it come to this?
But then one day, Janet recognizes her mortal enemy from high school—Pam Kowolski! Somehow, Pam’s become America’s manic pixie sweetheart, an online psychic predicting the end of the world. Pam’s rich, hawt, and famous, meanwhile Janet looks...middle aged. How did this happen? How did Pam Kowolski steal Janet’s life?
Janet knows the there’s no way a dumb ass like Pam earned her success. She’s lying about her powers. The world isn’t ending. Pam’s a FRAUD. It’s time for Janet to wake up and claim what’s hers by writing an article that TAKES PAM DOWN. But to reveal Pam, she’s got to dig deep into their shared past. There’s bad stuff back there, scary stuff, and the more Janet learns, the more she what if Pam Kowolski is right?
“A high school reunion is the end of the world in this slap-happy, upbeat carnival ride into the Apocalypse.”— Grady Hendrix, author of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
"…simply genius in the way it explores the changeable nature of memory and whether it’s possible to escape a traumatic past. No one writes defiant, damaged characters like Sarah Langan; no matter how they try to hide it, you see every bruise.” —Alma Katsu, author of The Fervor
“Creepy and manic, Langan’s mixed media novella will grip you, pull you in, and take you right to the center of its beating, bloody heart.”—Kate Maruyama, author of Bleak Houses, The Collective, and Harrowgate
“…totally unhinged, absurdly delightful, a ripper of a novella.”—Lindy Ryan, author of Another Fine Mess
“I couldn’t have loved this more. Funny, smart, disturbing, creepy. The novella that 2025 deserves.”—Paul Tremblay, author of Horror Movie
But then one day, Janet recognizes her mortal enemy from high school—Pam Kowolski! Somehow, Pam’s become America’s manic pixie sweetheart, an online psychic predicting the end of the world. Pam’s rich, hawt, and famous, meanwhile Janet looks...middle aged. How did this happen? How did Pam Kowolski steal Janet’s life?
Janet knows the there’s no way a dumb ass like Pam earned her success. She’s lying about her powers. The world isn’t ending. Pam’s a FRAUD. It’s time for Janet to wake up and claim what’s hers by writing an article that TAKES PAM DOWN. But to reveal Pam, she’s got to dig deep into their shared past. There’s bad stuff back there, scary stuff, and the more Janet learns, the more she what if Pam Kowolski is right?
“A high school reunion is the end of the world in this slap-happy, upbeat carnival ride into the Apocalypse.”— Grady Hendrix, author of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
"…simply genius in the way it explores the changeable nature of memory and whether it’s possible to escape a traumatic past. No one writes defiant, damaged characters like Sarah Langan; no matter how they try to hide it, you see every bruise.” —Alma Katsu, author of The Fervor
“Creepy and manic, Langan’s mixed media novella will grip you, pull you in, and take you right to the center of its beating, bloody heart.”—Kate Maruyama, author of Bleak Houses, The Collective, and Harrowgate
“…totally unhinged, absurdly delightful, a ripper of a novella.”—Lindy Ryan, author of Another Fine Mess
“I couldn’t have loved this more. Funny, smart, disturbing, creepy. The novella that 2025 deserves.”—Paul Tremblay, author of Horror Movie
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Langan
52 books910 followersSarah grew up on Long Island, got her MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, her MS in environmental toxicology from NYU, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her family, two rabbits, and three chickens.
Her next novel TRAD WIFE is due out from S&S and Tor UK in Summer, 2026.
Her most recent works include A BETTER WORLD, GOOD NEIGHBORS, PAM KOWOLSKI IS A MONSTER, YOU HAVE THE PRETTIEST MASK, "Does Harlen Lattner Dream of Electric Sheep?," "Squid Teeth," "The Devil's Children," and "I Miss You Too Much."
*I acknowledge that I have massacred the punctuation surrounding the above quotations marks. I will now resume talking about myself in the third person.*
Her books have received favorite of the year distinctions from NPR, Newsweek, The Irish Times, Publisher's Weekly, and the AARP (best of the last five years).
She is also three-time Bram Stoker award winner for outstanding novel in 2007 - The Missing, outstanding short story in 2008 - The Lost, and outstanding novel in 2009 - Audrey's Door.
Blog:https://sarahlangan.com/blog/
Her next novel TRAD WIFE is due out from S&S and Tor UK in Summer, 2026.
Her most recent works include A BETTER WORLD, GOOD NEIGHBORS, PAM KOWOLSKI IS A MONSTER, YOU HAVE THE PRETTIEST MASK, "Does Harlen Lattner Dream of Electric Sheep?," "Squid Teeth," "The Devil's Children," and "I Miss You Too Much."
*I acknowledge that I have massacred the punctuation surrounding the above quotations marks. I will now resume talking about myself in the third person.*
Her books have received favorite of the year distinctions from NPR, Newsweek, The Irish Times, Publisher's Weekly, and the AARP (best of the last five years).
She is also three-time Bram Stoker award winner for outstanding novel in 2007 - The Missing, outstanding short story in 2008 - The Lost, and outstanding novel in 2009 - Audrey's Door.
Blog:https://sarahlangan.com/blog/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
November 17, 2025
Janet Chow is 40 years old and has nothing to show for it. She shares an apartment with an aging ex-rock star that can't stand to be around her. She works a thankless job for little pay. She hasn't been touched, not even a shoulder tap, in over a year.
Imagine her surprise as she's scrolling social media to come across her mortal enemy from high school, Pam Kowolski. Madame Pam is now a very successful psychic medium claiming she can predict the future. She'll be making a prediction in a few days time and that prediction will change the world and how we see it.
Janet, of course, thinks Pam is full of shit and she decides that taking her down a notch or two is what is needed for humanities sake.
Will she succeed? You'll need to read this to find out!
This was fun! Janet Chow is incredibly snarky so I found many moments inappropriately hilarious. Langan and I share the same humor for sure.
Where this book fell down for me was the end. I needed a little more explanation as to what actually happened because I haven't a clue at all.
Even though the ending was abrupt it was such a fun ride getting there, and being a huge Langan fan already, I'm willing to let her slide here. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for my complimentary copy.
Imagine her surprise as she's scrolling social media to come across her mortal enemy from high school, Pam Kowolski. Madame Pam is now a very successful psychic medium claiming she can predict the future. She'll be making a prediction in a few days time and that prediction will change the world and how we see it.
Janet, of course, thinks Pam is full of shit and she decides that taking her down a notch or two is what is needed for humanities sake.
Will she succeed? You'll need to read this to find out!
This was fun! Janet Chow is incredibly snarky so I found many moments inappropriately hilarious. Langan and I share the same humor for sure.
Where this book fell down for me was the end. I needed a little more explanation as to what actually happened because I haven't a clue at all.
Even though the ending was abrupt it was such a fun ride getting there, and being a huge Langan fan already, I'm willing to let her slide here. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for my complimentary copy.
April 2, 2025
this was phenomenal. a story that unexpectedly had me in a choke hold. a story about trauma, odd supernatural elements, and friendship that made me genuinely emotional. the writing was great, it felt like the perfect length for what it was. thank you to the publishers for the ARC!!
March 14, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
If there was a Big Reveal in my life, it would be an anticlimactic letdown because I exist on microcosmic scales. But I’m good with that, even if it means I’ll never be a world famous psychic, who may or may not be bringing upon the apocalypse on camera.
This book was a zippy, mind-melting jaunt. It left me feeling off consistently kilter with its surrealist quality, but never in a way that was unpalatable. I was captivated by its thrust, and I needed to know what the ending had in store. Although, that ending is where I think the story falls down. I didn’t enjoy its abruptness. I’m all for filling in some blanks, but there needs to be some surrounding material for there to be some blanks that need filling. This was really a non-ending for me, and it just didn’t work. I could have used another 30 pages to bring this story to a close.
If there was a Big Reveal in my life, it would be an anticlimactic letdown because I exist on microcosmic scales. But I’m good with that, even if it means I’ll never be a world famous psychic, who may or may not be bringing upon the apocalypse on camera.
This book was a zippy, mind-melting jaunt. It left me feeling off consistently kilter with its surrealist quality, but never in a way that was unpalatable. I was captivated by its thrust, and I needed to know what the ending had in store. Although, that ending is where I think the story falls down. I didn’t enjoy its abruptness. I’m all for filling in some blanks, but there needs to be some surrounding material for there to be some blanks that need filling. This was really a non-ending for me, and it just didn’t work. I could have used another 30 pages to bring this story to a close.
Read
July 15, 2025Dnf
June 19, 2025
Sarah Langan -- what a talent!!
💙♥️💛💙♥️💛💙♥️💛💙♥️💛💙
This unique Horror Novella is a glimpse into one woman's life as she works through her complicated feelings in regards to her old high school nemesis, Pam Kowolski.
Janet, our MC, is a woman who once confidently believed her life was going places. Unfortunately, it hasn't panned out quite the way she expected.
Her journalism career is in the toilet, she has nobody to come home to at night, she's a lone wolf. How did her life turn out this way?
While she's not exactly sure, she can't help but feel like darn Pam Kowloski had something to do with it. That girl. Grrrrrrrrrr, even thinking of her gets Janet's hackles up.
Surfing mindless media one day, Janet comes across a super popular psychic predicting the end of the world. Sure, this could be a disturbing predication, but the predication itself isn't what has Janet's jaw on the floor.
This popular psychic is none other than Pam Kowolski!
Janet sees through her. This predication isn't even true, and Pam Kowolski is an absolute fraud. Janet will not rest until she can bring her down off her perfect pedestal.
But in order to reveal Pam as the con artist she is, Janet will have to dig deep into their past, uncovering things she may have conveniently forgotten.
This was an odd little story, but it was super compelling. I read this in a day, because I couldn't put it down. There was no way really to predict where it was going.
I've read two novels from Langan before, and really enjoyed both of them. Her writing is wild and wicked, but also quite subtle. It's not throwing a lot of body horror, or things of that nature, in your face.
I feel like Langan is very smart with her choices of how she builds out characters, and naturally reveals what's going on in their minds; their intentions and neuroses.
The vibes of this are unsettling, but it's really difficult to explain why. I think maybe they came mostly from the uncomfortable position of being in Janet's mind, and I loved how the truth was revealed.
There were moments that gave me chills, just from learning new insights and seeing how the puzzle fit together. I would def recommend this if you enjoy Weird Fiction; something you end up a little unsure how to classify.
It's surprising to me how much Langan was able to do in this with so few pages. Sometimes with a novella, I feel slightly unsatisfied, like I want more, but I didn't feel that way here. I thought this was the length it needed to be in order to be effective.
Thank you to the publisher, Raw Dog Screaming Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Sarah Langan was already an auto-read author for me, and this only solidifies that status more!
💙♥️💛💙♥️💛💙♥️💛💙♥️💛💙
This unique Horror Novella is a glimpse into one woman's life as she works through her complicated feelings in regards to her old high school nemesis, Pam Kowolski.
Janet, our MC, is a woman who once confidently believed her life was going places. Unfortunately, it hasn't panned out quite the way she expected.
Her journalism career is in the toilet, she has nobody to come home to at night, she's a lone wolf. How did her life turn out this way?
While she's not exactly sure, she can't help but feel like darn Pam Kowloski had something to do with it. That girl. Grrrrrrrrrr, even thinking of her gets Janet's hackles up.
Surfing mindless media one day, Janet comes across a super popular psychic predicting the end of the world. Sure, this could be a disturbing predication, but the predication itself isn't what has Janet's jaw on the floor.
This popular psychic is none other than Pam Kowolski!
Janet sees through her. This predication isn't even true, and Pam Kowolski is an absolute fraud. Janet will not rest until she can bring her down off her perfect pedestal.
But in order to reveal Pam as the con artist she is, Janet will have to dig deep into their past, uncovering things she may have conveniently forgotten.
This was an odd little story, but it was super compelling. I read this in a day, because I couldn't put it down. There was no way really to predict where it was going.
I've read two novels from Langan before, and really enjoyed both of them. Her writing is wild and wicked, but also quite subtle. It's not throwing a lot of body horror, or things of that nature, in your face.
I feel like Langan is very smart with her choices of how she builds out characters, and naturally reveals what's going on in their minds; their intentions and neuroses.
The vibes of this are unsettling, but it's really difficult to explain why. I think maybe they came mostly from the uncomfortable position of being in Janet's mind, and I loved how the truth was revealed.
There were moments that gave me chills, just from learning new insights and seeing how the puzzle fit together. I would def recommend this if you enjoy Weird Fiction; something you end up a little unsure how to classify.
It's surprising to me how much Langan was able to do in this with so few pages. Sometimes with a novella, I feel slightly unsatisfied, like I want more, but I didn't feel that way here. I thought this was the length it needed to be in order to be effective.
Thank you to the publisher, Raw Dog Screaming Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Sarah Langan was already an auto-read author for me, and this only solidifies that status more!
March 8, 2025
What a firecracker of a novella, firstly the cover art is *chefs kiss* I enjoyed this so much, I love a darkly humorous disturbing read and this was exactly that, I want to keep my review short as to not spoilt it for others as it is a quick read! Highly recommend to horror fans or weird fiction lovers! I'm a fan of Sarah and knew I'd enjoy this, I'd love it as a longer story 👀 just because I enjoyed it s'much
August 16, 2025
Pam Kowolski is a Monster or is she?
The story started out interesting. Janet, a fourty-year-old woman finds that her classmate who has hurt her so badly, is Madam Pamela. When Madam Pamela, a psychic with a long list of followers, gets ready for The Big Reveal, Janet finds a chance to find the truth about her.
I was curious to know how Pamela wronged Janet and how she overcame all that. The past was a bit blurry and even Jane seem to be unaware of many things.
I enjoyed reading the story of the past. Of Pam and Janet. That was interesting and gives a view on who they really were.
I felt that the Big Reveal was a bit rushed. By the end of the story, things were suddenly speeding up. Also I was a bit confused as to what was really happening.
That said, the story was interesting enough to read and I don't regret reading it!
The story started out interesting. Janet, a fourty-year-old woman finds that her classmate who has hurt her so badly, is Madam Pamela. When Madam Pamela, a psychic with a long list of followers, gets ready for The Big Reveal, Janet finds a chance to find the truth about her.
I was curious to know how Pamela wronged Janet and how she overcame all that. The past was a bit blurry and even Jane seem to be unaware of many things.
I enjoyed reading the story of the past. Of Pam and Janet. That was interesting and gives a view on who they really were.
I felt that the Big Reveal was a bit rushed. By the end of the story, things were suddenly speeding up. Also I was a bit confused as to what was really happening.
That said, the story was interesting enough to read and I don't regret reading it!
March 26, 2025
Oof! Loved the synopsis, but could absolutely not engage with the material.
I found the beginning very drawn out, with a detestable narrator that I kept wanting to shout at. This ruined the reading experience for me, and I kept forcing myself to finish this story despite it not being that long.
The author is a fantastic writer, but this book and I just didn’t get along.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and RDS Publishing for a copy!
I found the beginning very drawn out, with a detestable narrator that I kept wanting to shout at. This ruined the reading experience for me, and I kept forcing myself to finish this story despite it not being that long.
The author is a fantastic writer, but this book and I just didn’t get along.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and RDS Publishing for a copy!
March 14, 2025
Pam Kowolski Is a Monster starts out feeling like a slightly unhinged revenge story and slowly morphs into something much weirder. Janet Chow, once a high school overachiever, is now a washed-up journalist with nothing to her name but a pile of ignored emails and a grudge that just won’t die. Pam Kowolski.
Back in the day, Pam was a nobody. Now, she’s famous, rich, and recognized as a psychic guru who predicts the end of the world. Janet is bitter, broke, and not above a little righteous takedown. She’s sure it has to be a scam. So she sets out to expose Pam. The more she digs, the stranger things get. The past isn’t adding up the way she remembers, and Pam’s doomsday visions start to feel unsettlingly accurate.
This book is fast, sharp, and funny. At just 120 pages, it’s worth a try.
ARC through NetGalley
Back in the day, Pam was a nobody. Now, she’s famous, rich, and recognized as a psychic guru who predicts the end of the world. Janet is bitter, broke, and not above a little righteous takedown. She’s sure it has to be a scam. So she sets out to expose Pam. The more she digs, the stranger things get. The past isn’t adding up the way she remembers, and Pam’s doomsday visions start to feel unsettlingly accurate.
This book is fast, sharp, and funny. At just 120 pages, it’s worth a try.
ARC through NetGalley
May 18, 2025
3.8/5
It was definetely interesting read. This novella left me in good mood cause I got everything. Girl who is a little obsessed over old school rivalry. Plus she is journalist. Plus jer old rival is now famous medium and nor ugly woman how it was in MC fantasies. No more spoilers.
It was quick read that gor me hooked and made me think if it's real, maybe not. If you ask me about tropes It can contain potential spoilers
Maybe I wish it was a little longer and gave me more school moments. Cause for me it felt strange, like we got one moment and that's all? I need to know deapth of that hate. But anyway it was refreshing read
Thanks NetGalley and Sarah Langan for ARC!
It was definetely interesting read. This novella left me in good mood cause I got everything. Girl who is a little obsessed over old school rivalry. Plus she is journalist. Plus jer old rival is now famous medium and nor ugly woman how it was in MC fantasies. No more spoilers.
It was quick read that gor me hooked and made me think if it's real, maybe not. If you ask me about tropes It can contain potential spoilers
Maybe I wish it was a little longer and gave me more school moments. Cause for me it felt strange, like we got one moment and that's all? I need to know deapth of that hate. But anyway it was refreshing read
Thanks NetGalley and Sarah Langan for ARC!
May 19, 2025
This little novella was entirely unexpected but extremely enjoyable!
What begins as a seemingly straightforward case of a long-standing grudge festering into an intense revenge plan changes into something much more complex and heartfelt during this 120 page book.
Janet and Pam used to be childhood friends, but after an incident in high school, the pair's relationship changed drastically. Now, Janet is a journalist without much to show for herself and Pam is a highly successful psychic who is watched by millions worldwide. As Janet sets out to seek justice for her past self and expose the truth of Pam Kowolski - the entire world finds itself entering a period of great transformation.
Janet's repressed memories and hidden grief gradually work their way into the plot in a way that is palpable to the reader as the story builds to its transformative ending. Things get strange, and the whole journey feels vaguely surreal, which is complimented nicely by Sarah Langan's captivating writing style, infused with dark humor. This was the perfect length for a strange novella that packs an unexpected punch. Also has themes of loneliness, grief, and the occult. 3.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to review.
What begins as a seemingly straightforward case of a long-standing grudge festering into an intense revenge plan changes into something much more complex and heartfelt during this 120 page book.
Janet and Pam used to be childhood friends, but after an incident in high school, the pair's relationship changed drastically. Now, Janet is a journalist without much to show for herself and Pam is a highly successful psychic who is watched by millions worldwide. As Janet sets out to seek justice for her past self and expose the truth of Pam Kowolski - the entire world finds itself entering a period of great transformation.
Janet's repressed memories and hidden grief gradually work their way into the plot in a way that is palpable to the reader as the story builds to its transformative ending. Things get strange, and the whole journey feels vaguely surreal, which is complimented nicely by Sarah Langan's captivating writing style, infused with dark humor. This was the perfect length for a strange novella that packs an unexpected punch. Also has themes of loneliness, grief, and the occult. 3.5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to review.
May 7, 2025
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Over 20 years ago, Pam Kowolski did something to embarrass Janet Chow in high school, a dark incident that eventually derailed the future Janet had envisioned for herself. Now, Janet realizes that Madam Pamela, a famous internet psychic whose recorded sessions have gone beyond viral, is in fact that very same Pam Kowolski. And there's a frenzy leading up to Pamela's upcoming special event, where she promises all will be revealed. With somewhat of a journalistic background, this is Janet's chance to finally get revenge, and expose Pam for the fraud she is.
I was not prepared for a story like this. It was truly unique and unlike anything I've read before. Sarah Langan has been at the top of her game with her most recent novels, and this novella is no exception, as it's absolute peak writing.
Over 20 years ago, Pam Kowolski did something to embarrass Janet Chow in high school, a dark incident that eventually derailed the future Janet had envisioned for herself. Now, Janet realizes that Madam Pamela, a famous internet psychic whose recorded sessions have gone beyond viral, is in fact that very same Pam Kowolski. And there's a frenzy leading up to Pamela's upcoming special event, where she promises all will be revealed. With somewhat of a journalistic background, this is Janet's chance to finally get revenge, and expose Pam for the fraud she is.
I was not prepared for a story like this. It was truly unique and unlike anything I've read before. Sarah Langan has been at the top of her game with her most recent novels, and this novella is no exception, as it's absolute peak writing.
May 2, 2025
This is the first book I've read by Sarah Langan, but I hope not the last--I loved this! This novella is an eerie horror story, but it's really about the everyday horror in our own lives, our pasts, and our memories. I don't know exactly what to say about it, because I think you should just read it and find out for yourself, but I would recommend it for people who enjoy reading about damaged characters with all their very human foibles and pain, and exploring what made them that way. The story is told with a biting humor by a protagonist who begins to recognize herself as a not-so-reliable narrator as the story progresses. Read this book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the ARC.
March 28, 2025
Sarah Langan really gave us something special here. We follow Janet, who feels deeply wronged by Pam Kowalski, on her bite-sized, unhinged journey for revenge with some unexpected heart. Are things always as we remember them? Or are we victims of our own hells we create in our heads? Sarah combines humor & some dark themes into a mind-bending, weird read and I loved it. We stan a petty queen hehe. There is a lot to unpack in this novella and I will be thinking about it for awhile. Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Definitely give this a read when it publishes May 21, 2025!
April 6, 2025
I loved this novella! It was scary, witty, funny, and thought-provoking. We follow Janet, who wants to take down her old high school friend-turned-famous-psychic Pam Kowolski and expose her as a fraud. Langan’s writing is sharp and had me gripped on every word of this story. I love stories that play on how we remember things and Langan nails that feeling of being in the head of someone who is simultaneously so in her own head but also avoiding many of her own flaws and own memories. I will be checking out more of Langan’s work!
Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me an ARC!
Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me an ARC!
November 30, 2025
This is very much my type of book. Deeply unsettling and the way it unfolds for the reader make it totally brilliant. Love love loved this.
April 27, 2025
This novella certainly packed a punch. I identified with Janet in so many ways and felt extreme sympathy for her this was an excellent story.
March 21, 2025
Oh man, this story was a punch in the gut! So much going on and a fantastic mc that I was never sure if I loved or hated. Either way Janet Chow was perfectly created by Sarah Langan, whose writing I can’t get enough of. Her sardonic wit with a little bit of pulling on our heartstrings is what I look forward to every time I open one of her books. This was a wonderfully odd story of a woman (Janet) who felt wronged by a woman she went to school with (Pam Kowolski) who has gone on to become a huge celebrity psychic. She’s trying to write an expose on Pam to show the world what a phony she is. The question is, is this all real or is it fake? Janet is the perfect unreliable narrator and the odd characters she interviews for her story are off the charts weird! So much creepiness and just a perfect sense of dread throughout this book. I was just obsessed with getting to the bottom of this story, and I refused to put it down until I did. I loved this so much!!
September 6, 2025
Janet is kind of a jerk. She's not having a great time, living with a roommate who doesn't like her very much and working at Congo, an Amazon-like warehouse with bleeding-edge AI employee "support."
Madam Pamela is the most famous psychic in America. She's also Janet's old classmate, Pam Kowolski, and Janet knows she's a fraud. What better way for Janet to satisfy an old grudge and get her writing career back on track than to write the ultimate exposé to coincide with Madame Pamela's Big Reveal livestream?
But Janet's memories about school might not be correct, and Pamela might just be what she claims to be.
I think at this point I'll gobble up anything Sarah Langan writes. This novella is absolutely perfect. It's gutting in all the right ways. I loved hating Janet even as I regretfully could empathize with her quite a bit. The gradual reveals and slow descent were perfectly paced, and I ended up kind of emotional at the end. There was something off about the world Janet and Pam inhabit (other than the obvious), and I love how Langan refuses to pause and overexplain those things, instead just sprinkling them in frequently enough to unsettle us. And what a killer cover! My only wish is that it could have lingered over the end a little more.
Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Madam Pamela is the most famous psychic in America. She's also Janet's old classmate, Pam Kowolski, and Janet knows she's a fraud. What better way for Janet to satisfy an old grudge and get her writing career back on track than to write the ultimate exposé to coincide with Madame Pamela's Big Reveal livestream?
But Janet's memories about school might not be correct, and Pamela might just be what she claims to be.
I think at this point I'll gobble up anything Sarah Langan writes. This novella is absolutely perfect. It's gutting in all the right ways. I loved hating Janet even as I regretfully could empathize with her quite a bit. The gradual reveals and slow descent were perfectly paced, and I ended up kind of emotional at the end. There was something off about the world Janet and Pam inhabit (other than the obvious), and I love how Langan refuses to pause and overexplain those things, instead just sprinkling them in frequently enough to unsettle us. And what a killer cover! My only wish is that it could have lingered over the end a little more.
Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
April 29, 2025
Because of the cover, title, and overall premise, I expected a campy horror story. I’ve read Sarah Langan’s work before, and I know that isn’t her typical style, but I thought she’d changed course. I wasn’t entirely mistaken. There was a darkly humorous starting point to Pam Kowolski Is a Monster, but this novella ventured into deeply disturbing territory quickly, with a sheer veil of sadness draped over all of its violence. Despite the horror of it all, there was a beautiful unraveling that took place as Langan examined trauma and memory, the haunting agony and angst of young, fragile friendships, and the way our understanding of the past can change as we mature.
The character growth of the embittered narrator was remarkable. It’s hard to believe this novella only hit 120 pages, as so much happened throughout this deranged journey. While I initially thought Janet’s caustic attitude proved that she was the true monster of the story, I eventually began to believe she might be right about Pam Kowokski. This story completely messed with my head, but it also surprised me and challenged my thinking.
Pam Kowolski Is a Monster made a tremendous impression upon me, and I’d like to reread it soon. Processing it with what has now been revealed, I can see it through a newly cleansed lens. Sarah Langan possesses great insight into human behavior, and I love the way she weaves that into her impactful stories.
I am immensely grateful to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
The character growth of the embittered narrator was remarkable. It’s hard to believe this novella only hit 120 pages, as so much happened throughout this deranged journey. While I initially thought Janet’s caustic attitude proved that she was the true monster of the story, I eventually began to believe she might be right about Pam Kowokski. This story completely messed with my head, but it also surprised me and challenged my thinking.
Pam Kowolski Is a Monster made a tremendous impression upon me, and I’d like to reread it soon. Processing it with what has now been revealed, I can see it through a newly cleansed lens. Sarah Langan possesses great insight into human behavior, and I love the way she weaves that into her impactful stories.
I am immensely grateful to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
August 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Thanks to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for providing me with an eARC.
This was a fun, quick read. I was really interested in the premise but the execution let me down. I definitely enjoyed reading it and binged it in one sitting because of the easy writing and the fast pace of the book. It felt like a lot of themes were being pushed into one small book -- jealousy, revenge, horror, paranormal, friendship, random roommate situations etc. It took way too many tangents, that didn't make a lot of sense. I also found there to be a lot of unexplained things like what was actually causing all those events to happen and the ending was somewhat underwhelming. I would recommend this to those looking for a quick read about friendship and past trauma but slightly supernatural.
Thanks to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for providing me with an eARC.
This was a fun, quick read. I was really interested in the premise but the execution let me down. I definitely enjoyed reading it and binged it in one sitting because of the easy writing and the fast pace of the book. It felt like a lot of themes were being pushed into one small book -- jealousy, revenge, horror, paranormal, friendship, random roommate situations etc. It took way too many tangents, that didn't make a lot of sense. I also found there to be a lot of unexplained things like what was actually causing all those events to happen and the ending was somewhat underwhelming. I would recommend this to those looking for a quick read about friendship and past trauma but slightly supernatural.
May 5, 2025
Book Review:
Pam Kowalski Is A Monster
Sarah Langan
Rating: ★★★★★
This novella was such a breath of fresh air. I read it over the weekend and couldn’t get enough. The character development was chef’s kiss—I was fully invested in Pam and totally hooked waiting for The Big Reveal.
Loved the dark humor, the strange supernatural touches, and the overall vibe. It’s weird in the best way and totally original. If you’re into stories that blend suburban drama with eerie twists, this one’s a must-read.
Big thanks to Sarah Langan, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing for the ARC!
Pam Kowalski Is A Monster
Sarah Langan
Rating: ★★★★★
This novella was such a breath of fresh air. I read it over the weekend and couldn’t get enough. The character development was chef’s kiss—I was fully invested in Pam and totally hooked waiting for The Big Reveal.
Loved the dark humor, the strange supernatural touches, and the overall vibe. It’s weird in the best way and totally original. If you’re into stories that blend suburban drama with eerie twists, this one’s a must-read.
Big thanks to Sarah Langan, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing for the ARC!
May 10, 2025
Three and three quarter stars.
May 8, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and RDS for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
I’m a sucker for a short book so as soon as I got this recommended I requested it, and I was NOT disappointed. The cover art sets this book up so well, it is absolutely stunning.
This book is wild ride- reality descends slowly from oddness to madness, while our narrator Janet, deeply dysfunctional and heavily traumatised, is spurred on by a seemingly unexplained hatred to uncover her old schoolmate, Pam. And this is done so well. I loved how everything built to a confusing chaotic mass before the pieces started to slide into place, how Janet finds clarity and understanding as the world around her is turned on its head. Her voice is distinctive and sharp, even with her foggy memory and unreliable narration, and I felt a deep sense of empathy with her as she went on her absurd mission to uncover what she believes to be the truth.
The narrative voice is the highlight of this book, the comedic timing paired with her deep cynicism makes this such an enjoyable read. This book is full of deeply flawed people with vibrant personalities, and their interactions and relationships are at the heart of the story. In only 100 pages I cared for almost every single person in this book. The storyline itself was absurd and surreal in a convincing way- I never once felt it was too far fetched despite it being, irrefutably, far-fetched. It’s such a colourful book and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I’m a sucker for a short book so as soon as I got this recommended I requested it, and I was NOT disappointed. The cover art sets this book up so well, it is absolutely stunning.
This book is wild ride- reality descends slowly from oddness to madness, while our narrator Janet, deeply dysfunctional and heavily traumatised, is spurred on by a seemingly unexplained hatred to uncover her old schoolmate, Pam. And this is done so well. I loved how everything built to a confusing chaotic mass before the pieces started to slide into place, how Janet finds clarity and understanding as the world around her is turned on its head. Her voice is distinctive and sharp, even with her foggy memory and unreliable narration, and I felt a deep sense of empathy with her as she went on her absurd mission to uncover what she believes to be the truth.
The narrative voice is the highlight of this book, the comedic timing paired with her deep cynicism makes this such an enjoyable read. This book is full of deeply flawed people with vibrant personalities, and their interactions and relationships are at the heart of the story. In only 100 pages I cared for almost every single person in this book. The storyline itself was absurd and surreal in a convincing way- I never once felt it was too far fetched despite it being, irrefutably, far-fetched. It’s such a colourful book and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
March 12, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for the advanced copy.
This novella caught my eye with a fun cover and intriguing blurb. I normally wait for a few reviews first but given this was a novella I figured it couldn't be a big waste of time at least - and I'm glad to say it wasn't at all!
Sarah Langan has written something special here. It's a work on memory and self-esteem, and how getting lost in your head, in your own thoughts, can make you your own worst enemy. The horror is multi-layered and very effective, as we see the effects of Pamela's "big reveal". It's difficult to discuss without giving away too much - this story is short enough to be consumed within an hour, and meaty enough to leave you thinking about it for days. Or weeks. I know it'll be on my mind for a long time.
Langan is an excellent writer as well, with vivid descriptions in the now and murkier in the past, only getting clearer as the main character learns the truth as well.
This kind of gives some things away but it's similar to: Nightbitch, American Psycho, Pulse/Kairo (the films)
This novella caught my eye with a fun cover and intriguing blurb. I normally wait for a few reviews first but given this was a novella I figured it couldn't be a big waste of time at least - and I'm glad to say it wasn't at all!
Sarah Langan has written something special here. It's a work on memory and self-esteem, and how getting lost in your head, in your own thoughts, can make you your own worst enemy. The horror is multi-layered and very effective, as we see the effects of Pamela's "big reveal". It's difficult to discuss without giving away too much - this story is short enough to be consumed within an hour, and meaty enough to leave you thinking about it for days. Or weeks. I know it'll be on my mind for a long time.
Langan is an excellent writer as well, with vivid descriptions in the now and murkier in the past, only getting clearer as the main character learns the truth as well.
This kind of gives some things away but it's similar to: Nightbitch, American Psycho, Pulse/Kairo (the films)
August 23, 2025
Is it possible to win three Stoker awards and still be underrated? Sarah Langan has been on a roll with socially important science fiction. Good Neighbors was a smart hybrid of cli-fi, The Burbs, and Twilight Zone’s The Monsters are Due on Maple Street. A Better World was a Phil Dickian sheltered reality in a dying Earth. Deep thinking books.
PKIAM is a short and fun little bizarro horror tale that can be read in a single sitting, although I did it in two, mostly sitting in the park. So it was a fun reading experience. I know I often complain about first-person narratives, but this was a perfect example of a good time for first-person. It is a bit of a spoiler, so you want a totally cold entry, know that I loved this novella, A very character-driven story of Janet Chow, who is drifting through life, suffering from a bunch of various setbacks. She is really bothered by the success of a high school classmate who has become a TV psychic. Janet believes she is unique position to out her former friend.
What makes this novella so entertaining… It starts with the tone.
“Some context: back at Sewanhaka Senior High, Pam was one of those agreeable girls everyone liked. She wore witchy black broom skirts and carried A tarot deck to fool people into thinking she was deep. Her crew was an assortment of mid-level popular, moderately but not especially athletic norm-cores. in other words, she was Wonder Bread. Tapioca. The extra rice you get at a Chinese restaurant that you don't want.”
Janet’s personality comes through each page that is supposed to happen in first person. One of the important things is that Janet is not exactly the best judge of what happened in the past, or in the story as it unfolds. Langan really does cool things with ooey-gooey ooey-gooey-ness of reality.
He chuckled. “Don't worry about it. It was a great story, though. You know when you've got a tiger by its tail. You can feel it. I had that. They come fewer and farther with age, but my Madam Pamela exposé had it all. I'll send it to you. You should use it. Just remember to credit me.”
“Absolutely,” I said.
Someone has to expose her, if it can't be me, I'd be happy for it to be you. So what are your questions?”
Outside, Dean was hacking up blood and possibly a literal lung. I was sitting on my small bed. Below, like dangerous lava, was the rotten carpet. I was aware that reality remained reality; it wasn't breaking or slipping into some new and horrific iteration simply because Pam Kolowski insisted it was.”
By the end, Pam and Janet are not who we think they are, a short book that touches on epic scope. It has a cool design, which didn’t prepare me for what was coming. That said, I trust Sarah Langan; this novella again proves she is worth following to any genre.
PKIAM is a short and fun little bizarro horror tale that can be read in a single sitting, although I did it in two, mostly sitting in the park. So it was a fun reading experience. I know I often complain about first-person narratives, but this was a perfect example of a good time for first-person. It is a bit of a spoiler, so you want a totally cold entry, know that I loved this novella, A very character-driven story of Janet Chow, who is drifting through life, suffering from a bunch of various setbacks. She is really bothered by the success of a high school classmate who has become a TV psychic. Janet believes she is unique position to out her former friend.
What makes this novella so entertaining… It starts with the tone.
“Some context: back at Sewanhaka Senior High, Pam was one of those agreeable girls everyone liked. She wore witchy black broom skirts and carried A tarot deck to fool people into thinking she was deep. Her crew was an assortment of mid-level popular, moderately but not especially athletic norm-cores. in other words, she was Wonder Bread. Tapioca. The extra rice you get at a Chinese restaurant that you don't want.”
Janet’s personality comes through each page that is supposed to happen in first person. One of the important things is that Janet is not exactly the best judge of what happened in the past, or in the story as it unfolds. Langan really does cool things with ooey-gooey ooey-gooey-ness of reality.
He chuckled. “Don't worry about it. It was a great story, though. You know when you've got a tiger by its tail. You can feel it. I had that. They come fewer and farther with age, but my Madam Pamela exposé had it all. I'll send it to you. You should use it. Just remember to credit me.”
“Absolutely,” I said.
Someone has to expose her, if it can't be me, I'd be happy for it to be you. So what are your questions?”
Outside, Dean was hacking up blood and possibly a literal lung. I was sitting on my small bed. Below, like dangerous lava, was the rotten carpet. I was aware that reality remained reality; it wasn't breaking or slipping into some new and horrific iteration simply because Pam Kolowski insisted it was.”
By the end, Pam and Janet are not who we think they are, a short book that touches on epic scope. It has a cool design, which didn’t prepare me for what was coming. That said, I trust Sarah Langan; this novella again proves she is worth following to any genre.
March 31, 2025
This novella certainly packs a punch—my heart raced at concerning speeds through the last third and I had nightmares all night. So thanks but no thanks for making me drag myself through life on this fine Monday!!
Though at times it leaned towards flowery and sentimental when the narrator was trying to be emotionally affecting, particularly at the start, overall this was really enjoyable prose. Pam Kowolski is a Monster! is fast-paced, intriguing and funny but also bleak and spooky. Glossing over the human and technological disasters happening in the background is enough to add to the dire atmosphere. In fact one thing I loved was the near-future setting, familiar enough but allowing for small (and ominous) technological advances that seemed uncomfortably possible. The build-up towards the end was really effective, perhaps it was inevitable that the ending would feel abrupt. There's not a lot of resolution, which doesn't bother me that much, but I would imagine it might disappoint some readers.
I was reminded of Rogue and Patricia Wants to Cuddle, not sure why exactly since Pam Kowolski has little to do with any of them so maybe ignore me. I’d recommend this to those who want a quick fix of horror and love a deplorable narrator.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
Though at times it leaned towards flowery and sentimental when the narrator was trying to be emotionally affecting, particularly at the start, overall this was really enjoyable prose. Pam Kowolski is a Monster! is fast-paced, intriguing and funny but also bleak and spooky. Glossing over the human and technological disasters happening in the background is enough to add to the dire atmosphere. In fact one thing I loved was the near-future setting, familiar enough but allowing for small (and ominous) technological advances that seemed uncomfortably possible. The build-up towards the end was really effective, perhaps it was inevitable that the ending would feel abrupt. There's not a lot of resolution, which doesn't bother me that much, but I would imagine it might disappoint some readers.
I was reminded of Rogue and Patricia Wants to Cuddle, not sure why exactly since Pam Kowolski has little to do with any of them so maybe ignore me. I’d recommend this to those who want a quick fix of horror and love a deplorable narrator.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 11, 2025
What is life but one horror after another? Sarah Langan's part-scifi, part-horror novella is an exploration of survival in the times of horror. It is an exploration of what horror is, who percieves life and horror in which ways, how and what we rely on to survive.
As the world goes to shit, we see around us, the increasing reliance on and popularity of psychics, astrologers. Langan's novella is centred around this phenomenon - of belief and disbelief. Our narrator, Janet, is curious about one viral psychic called Madam Pamela, and basically loses her shit when she recognises the psychic Madam to be none other than her childhood frenemy Pam Kowolski.
Janet cannot believe Pam is now conning the whole world (she is so popular that even Janet's roommate watches Madam Pamela video streams constantly). Janet cannot believe that where Pam seems to have succeeded in life (she has a whole business empire built around her psychic persona), Janet herself is an abject failure, who cannot even call herself a "struggling" writer or journalist.
Well, obviously, this is Janet's one chance. She sets out to write an exposé on Madam Pamela, in the run up to her big "reveal" about the truth (really the end) of the world. There are manic sections, and flashbacks, as the world starts to burn around her and Janet slowly starts to remember parts of her childhood she had forced to the depths of her brain.
There is no clean conclusion, and the horrors continue to persist as the novella reaches the climax, and yet, just yet, you feel a strange glow because Janet has maybe, almost, started to heal.
Short and super fun, just the kind of absurd book needed for our times.
Thanks to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the ARC. Out May 21st 2025!
As the world goes to shit, we see around us, the increasing reliance on and popularity of psychics, astrologers. Langan's novella is centred around this phenomenon - of belief and disbelief. Our narrator, Janet, is curious about one viral psychic called Madam Pamela, and basically loses her shit when she recognises the psychic Madam to be none other than her childhood frenemy Pam Kowolski.
Janet cannot believe Pam is now conning the whole world (she is so popular that even Janet's roommate watches Madam Pamela video streams constantly). Janet cannot believe that where Pam seems to have succeeded in life (she has a whole business empire built around her psychic persona), Janet herself is an abject failure, who cannot even call herself a "struggling" writer or journalist.
Well, obviously, this is Janet's one chance. She sets out to write an exposé on Madam Pamela, in the run up to her big "reveal" about the truth (really the end) of the world. There are manic sections, and flashbacks, as the world starts to burn around her and Janet slowly starts to remember parts of her childhood she had forced to the depths of her brain.
There is no clean conclusion, and the horrors continue to persist as the novella reaches the climax, and yet, just yet, you feel a strange glow because Janet has maybe, almost, started to heal.
Short and super fun, just the kind of absurd book needed for our times.
Thanks to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the ARC. Out May 21st 2025!
December 1, 2025
Pam Kowolski Is a Monster — 4.75 ⭐️
I shaved off .25 stars only because it’s 120 pages long. Which is wild, because this story feels full, complete, and layered — like a 300-page novel that refused to waste your time. No fluff, no dragging. Just 120 pages tightly packed with greatness.
This story was for me. It was for you. You can deny it all you want, but you’re just as guilty of popping out of your dream bubble, looking around at your real life, and realizing you haven’t become the person you thought you’d be.
You’re a struggling writer and journalist. Meanwhile, your high school enemy has become wildly successful — in this case, a famous TV psychic (because of course she is). And because misery loves company (and, you know, bills), you decide the only reasonable response is to write an exposé to drag her ass down… and hopefully you can use her body to climb that ladder a little yourself.🤭
I already know some readers are going to want more from the “big reveal,” but I am not one of them. I thought it was perfect. I couldn’t have loved this more.😩
Thank you to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for letting me read this ARC.🫶
I shaved off .25 stars only because it’s 120 pages long. Which is wild, because this story feels full, complete, and layered — like a 300-page novel that refused to waste your time. No fluff, no dragging. Just 120 pages tightly packed with greatness.
This story was for me. It was for you. You can deny it all you want, but you’re just as guilty of popping out of your dream bubble, looking around at your real life, and realizing you haven’t become the person you thought you’d be.
You’re a struggling writer and journalist. Meanwhile, your high school enemy has become wildly successful — in this case, a famous TV psychic (because of course she is). And because misery loves company (and, you know, bills), you decide the only reasonable response is to write an exposé to drag her ass down… and hopefully you can use her body to climb that ladder a little yourself.🤭
I already know some readers are going to want more from the “big reveal,” but I am not one of them. I thought it was perfect. I couldn’t have loved this more.😩
Thank you to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for letting me read this ARC.🫶
January 20, 2026
Feel like my edition is missing a chapter or two. And the main character’s level of unreliability and repression of memory at times was a bit unconvincing. Otherwise this was super cool, vivid (I’d like to adapt!) and not at all what I’d expected. I’m so excited to now read Trad Wife and the author’s backlist. Well-written, had some really interesting ideas, my fav being: “They’re coming for us. They want to live inside us. It’ll happen. We’re all gonna die” and now I want a short story that’s completely dedicated to the idea of ghosts wanting to take over living people’s bodies, all over the world. And I’d also to know what the situations was like exactly in India, how was it going over for people over here. So many threads can be turned into short stories/novellas of their own. I’ve got to watch Pulse, the Asian movie cuz the concept of infectious suicide through tech aspect is so interesting and the main thing I can think of that this book might have drawn inspiration from. Also didn’t see the twist with the mom coming, and the exploration of that trauma. I’ve got to mulll over what it all means more, but the physical manifestation of trauma is easy to pick up on. And how shame can fill the places of undisclosed incidents of hurt, where love would be filled if we shared them. How skewed her interpretation of other people’s perception of her was due to the trauma, relatable. The magnification of self, and blurring out of the other.
Quotes I want to remember:
“You know how, when you’re low, you’re haunted by the worst versions of your life? The worst interpretations of who you used to be, who you are, and who everybody else is, too” so true
“To suffocate the dust and mold, we spread clean, white bedsheets over the carpet. This had the effect of making the entire apartment look like a crime scene: Murder had happened, or was happening, or would happen.”
“How is it bad for the world?” she asked, and I could sense she wasn’t trying to argue with me. Like all good teachers, she probably wanted to help me articulate my thesis”
“How often do real life villains so openly admit they’re villains? Probably, pretty often, because they have no idea that the things motivating them are awful”
Jan 8: 3.75?
Quotes I want to remember:
“You know how, when you’re low, you’re haunted by the worst versions of your life? The worst interpretations of who you used to be, who you are, and who everybody else is, too” so true
“To suffocate the dust and mold, we spread clean, white bedsheets over the carpet. This had the effect of making the entire apartment look like a crime scene: Murder had happened, or was happening, or would happen.”
“How is it bad for the world?” she asked, and I could sense she wasn’t trying to argue with me. Like all good teachers, she probably wanted to help me articulate my thesis”
“How often do real life villains so openly admit they’re villains? Probably, pretty often, because they have no idea that the things motivating them are awful”
Jan 8: 3.75?
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