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Dear Mr. Boyd: A Thistle Grove Gothic Horror Story | Book One: Johnny Arthur Lee
Blackrush, Pennsylvania | 1883
Sybil Foxglove is a quiet woman. As a girl, she fled the drunken rages of her father; as a wife, she endures the stifling cruelty of railway investor Johnny Arthur Lee, who lured her into marriage with public charm only to terrorize her behind closed doors.
In the confines of Johnny’s home, Thistle Grove, Sybil’s tortured silence morphs into something darker. Is it true madness, or a living nightmare? She can no longer determine. As she spirals deeper and deeper into her undoing, one thing is abundantly clear: as long as her husband controls the trajectory of her existence, she is doomed to a life of misery and cruelty.
In letters to her lawyer, Mr. Boyd—the man chosen to defend her in her murder trial—Sybil reveals what she endured, what she destroyed—and why she will never, ever say the words “I’m sorry” again.
Dear Mr. Boyd is a haunting confessional of rage, resilience, and what happens when a woman breaks her silence.
Sybil Foxglove is a quiet woman. As a girl, she fled the drunken rages of her father; as a wife, she endures the stifling cruelty of railway investor Johnny Arthur Lee, who lured her into marriage with public charm only to terrorize her behind closed doors.
In the confines of Johnny’s home, Thistle Grove, Sybil’s tortured silence morphs into something darker. Is it true madness, or a living nightmare? She can no longer determine. As she spirals deeper and deeper into her undoing, one thing is abundantly clear: as long as her husband controls the trajectory of her existence, she is doomed to a life of misery and cruelty.
In letters to her lawyer, Mr. Boyd—the man chosen to defend her in her murder trial—Sybil reveals what she endured, what she destroyed—and why she will never, ever say the words “I’m sorry” again.
Dear Mr. Boyd is a haunting confessional of rage, resilience, and what happens when a woman breaks her silence.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2025
About the author
H.M. Mast
3 books14 followersH. M. Mast is a historical fiction and gothic fiction author. She writes stories featuring soul-tied lovers, beautifully researched historical settings, and raw human experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 2, 2025
This little novella packs a big punch! Dark gothic horror with a sprinkling of feminine rage, it’s the perfect starter to the official spooky season. It’s beautifully written and snares you from the very first pages. Taking place in 1903 and told in a series of letters to her attorney, this is an ode to women who reach their very last straw and what comes after. It's giving The Yellow Wallpaper and Jane Eyre with horror that makes it the perfect October read. And I am here for it. I think I highlighted at least 25% of this book. It’s witty, pithy, and scandalously scathing. Thank goodness this is the first in a series. H.M. Mast, you gained a new fan for sure!
It’s a novella, just 119 pages. No excuse not to add this to your TBR when it comes out October 13. Off you go now. I don’t think you want to make her upset…
Thank you so much to author H.M Mast for the gifted ARC! My opinions are my own. (But seriously go get this, it’s fantastic!)
It’s a novella, just 119 pages. No excuse not to add this to your TBR when it comes out October 13. Off you go now. I don’t think you want to make her upset…
Thank you so much to author H.M Mast for the gifted ARC! My opinions are my own. (But seriously go get this, it’s fantastic!)
December 8, 2025
An absolutely beautifully written story of a woman and her journey to something different. A story of chaos, abuse, strength, and survival.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
October 5, 2025
This was a little horror novella!
I enjoyed it!
The way Sybil Foxglove Lee rolls off your tongue is sweet!
She's a fiery little lady!
I read this in a very country twang, lol
As it is nowOctober this is the Perfect little novella!
Even the kind & the meek have a limit...
Thank you @H.M. Mast for allowing me to read this little ball of fire early! PERFECT start to my October reads
I enjoyed it!
The way Sybil Foxglove Lee rolls off your tongue is sweet!
She's a fiery little lady!
I read this in a very country twang, lol
As it is nowOctober this is the Perfect little novella!
Even the kind & the meek have a limit...
Thank you @H.M. Mast for allowing me to read this little ball of fire early! PERFECT start to my October reads
May 1, 2026
As a survivor I felt every moment of this story.
The red flags, the unseen warnings, the frustrations in losing ones self before the catalyst that sparks an explosion and retaliation.
Thistles, ghosts, and secrets haunt these pages.
A quick read and so satisfying.
The red flags, the unseen warnings, the frustrations in losing ones self before the catalyst that sparks an explosion and retaliation.
Thistles, ghosts, and secrets haunt these pages.
A quick read and so satisfying.
October 8, 2025
This novella is every bit beautiful as it is chilling.
While reading, I felt like I was Mr. Boyd, reading these letters from Sybil. And I too felt like Sybil, longing to be free. I am a huge fan of H.M Mast’s lyrical prose but wow—this blew me away.
If you’re a seasonal reader, this is a must add to your Fall TBR. I, myself, love this any time of the year because it’s like a portal into the past. This feels like a recovered text. It feels raw and painful and beautiful and my gods—freeing.
Absolutely will be needing a shelf trophy of this hauntingly beautiful story.
While reading, I felt like I was Mr. Boyd, reading these letters from Sybil. And I too felt like Sybil, longing to be free. I am a huge fan of H.M Mast’s lyrical prose but wow—this blew me away.
If you’re a seasonal reader, this is a must add to your Fall TBR. I, myself, love this any time of the year because it’s like a portal into the past. This feels like a recovered text. It feels raw and painful and beautiful and my gods—freeing.
Absolutely will be needing a shelf trophy of this hauntingly beautiful story.
August 24, 2025
I never have enough praise to give H M Mast for her work. Perfectly gothic, uneasy, thought provoking, and raw in the best ways possible. If you’ve ever had a love for historical works, this is it. If you’ve not, this is also it.
Thankful to have gotten an early copy as a beta, and I can say, you will not be disappointed in the slightest. Eerie and tender, Sybil takes you into a slow spiral you won’t want to step out of.
Thankful to have gotten an early copy as a beta, and I can say, you will not be disappointed in the slightest. Eerie and tender, Sybil takes you into a slow spiral you won’t want to step out of.
November 5, 2025
This book was incredible. Deliciously well written, short but not-so-sweet, and oozing with historical true crime vibes. If you’re looking for a black widow story with a promise of more to come, I highly recommend this! H.M. Mast is a master storyteller and is the quintessential example of not judging a book by its cover. She seems so sweet but then hits with gore, deep pain, and a hauntingly good series starter. Well done and can’t wait for the rest!
January 8, 2026
A brilliant piece of writing.
September 23, 2025
There is new talent afoot. Yes, I will compare her to SK. Sybil is every woman in every time. She is every woman who is destroyed by the lack of love in her life. Mistreated, melancholic, gaslighted. Oh yes, all the things. Her slow downward spiral is painful to watch. Her blurred lines of reality merge into fitful nightmares and creepy hauntings. Left alone to her thoughts, no soul would have been sympathetic to her plight anyway, she tangles the daily patterns in her life with extended lapses in time and functionality. Again, blurring the lines of reality for the reader. One must take the time to read. This is not an impatient quick read. Sybil's life depends upon you, the reader, to uncouple the disasters. The author's visual creations are stunning. They are equally chilling and cringeworthy and yet beautiful and tender. Your sense of foreboding will not override your sense of passionate anger at the men in her tragic life. The story development is dense with these visuals. You will find yourself standing in her room above the drive, beneath the stars of Thistle Grove, digging up bull thistles planting then in eerie places. And poor Mr. Boyd. I have no doubt that he, esquire that he is, is above all this. It's a brilliant read. Enjoy.
October 24, 2025
A delicious little horror novella that reads more like a dark fable and requires no “monsters” to curdle your blood. I appreciate that component because I personally do not much enjoy zombies and monsters. They feel tired and kind of lazy and they’ve got nothing on the human monster, which is far more interesting and fraught.
I enjoy H. M. Mast’s stories and writing so much (her first, The House of Henshaw, is a dark love story set against the American Revolution in Boston) and her explorations of the darker side of the human psyche. Here, Sybil Foxglove Lee is a woman who—no spoilers, as this is page one of the book—believes herself to have found freedom from trauma and DV through madness and murder. More scintillatingly, this appears to be the first in a series of her dark fables that she intends to spin from her jail cell in letters to her lawyer, the titular Mr. Boyd.
It is beautifully written, which is a wonderful contrast to the subject matter and works to kind of create an uncomfortable disconnect (in the best way) for the reader. Beautiful language heightens the growing feeling of dread at what has NOT yet been seen or shared. A creepy, thought-provoking new series on the horizon, which I look forward to and also highly recommend!
I enjoy H. M. Mast’s stories and writing so much (her first, The House of Henshaw, is a dark love story set against the American Revolution in Boston) and her explorations of the darker side of the human psyche. Here, Sybil Foxglove Lee is a woman who—no spoilers, as this is page one of the book—believes herself to have found freedom from trauma and DV through madness and murder. More scintillatingly, this appears to be the first in a series of her dark fables that she intends to spin from her jail cell in letters to her lawyer, the titular Mr. Boyd.
It is beautifully written, which is a wonderful contrast to the subject matter and works to kind of create an uncomfortable disconnect (in the best way) for the reader. Beautiful language heightens the growing feeling of dread at what has NOT yet been seen or shared. A creepy, thought-provoking new series on the horizon, which I look forward to and also highly recommend!
October 17, 2025
Dear Mr. Boyd
Quiet female rage is when the woman stows away her anger, keeping it, shoving it deep down so as not to cause a fight–to stir trouble. We never want the fight, we just want to be heard and not be told to ‘not worry our silly little heads.’
Shut up.
Look pretty.
Have dinner ready.
That is what a woman is for, right?
Not for Sybil. She cowered and stroked Johnny’s ego in an attempt to ward off a fist or a hand around her throat. But when a man is wronged, a man with no confidence, a frail masculinity, he’s dangerous. Angry.
Sybil quickly found out exactly how painful marriage to a man who only wanted to check off boxes could be, and when she couldn’t take any more, and had nowhere else to go, she learned to chip pieces from herself: her heart, her mind, her flesh
She gave so many pieces to a man undeserving of them, losing her heart, her peace.
But in the end, her pound of flesh was restored.
Quiet female rage is when the woman stows away her anger, keeping it, shoving it deep down so as not to cause a fight–to stir trouble. We never want the fight, we just want to be heard and not be told to ‘not worry our silly little heads.’
Shut up.
Look pretty.
Have dinner ready.
That is what a woman is for, right?
Not for Sybil. She cowered and stroked Johnny’s ego in an attempt to ward off a fist or a hand around her throat. But when a man is wronged, a man with no confidence, a frail masculinity, he’s dangerous. Angry.
Sybil quickly found out exactly how painful marriage to a man who only wanted to check off boxes could be, and when she couldn’t take any more, and had nowhere else to go, she learned to chip pieces from herself: her heart, her mind, her flesh
She gave so many pieces to a man undeserving of them, losing her heart, her peace.
But in the end, her pound of flesh was restored.
September 4, 2025
It's spooky season, and this is the book to start it with! As soon as you open the pages, you get the distinct feeling this isn't just another horror book; this is literature that belongs on the bookshelves alongside Shirley Jackson's masterful horror stories, or "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Set at the turn of the 19th century in Pittsburgh, we follow Sybil Lee's descent into madness through the lens of her lawyer. With the intimacy of the narration through letters of confession, Mast weaves together a tale of macabre horror and madness that tickles the brain and gives horror readers everything they'd love.
Honestly, while reading it, I kept thinking this would do well on the screen, preferably filmed by Mike Flannigan.
I was given a free copy as a beta reader in exchange for an honest review.
Set at the turn of the 19th century in Pittsburgh, we follow Sybil Lee's descent into madness through the lens of her lawyer. With the intimacy of the narration through letters of confession, Mast weaves together a tale of macabre horror and madness that tickles the brain and gives horror readers everything they'd love.
Honestly, while reading it, I kept thinking this would do well on the screen, preferably filmed by Mike Flannigan.
I was given a free copy as a beta reader in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2026
What a chilling descent into madness.
This story paints a heartbreaking picture of a life shaped by abuse, isolation, and the desperate need to be loved and heard. Watching the main character struggle in a time when mental health was misunderstood, or ignored entirely, was both unsettling and deeply emotional.
The author does an incredible job capturing the loneliness, hopelessness, and gradual unraveling of someone pushed beyond their limits. I found myself torn between heartbreak and horror as the story unfolded, knowing that every choice was shaped by circumstances no one should have to endure.
Dark, haunting, and thought-provoking, this is a book that lingers long after the final page. If you enjoy psychological stories that explore the fragility of the human mind and the devastating effects of abuse, this one is worth picking up.
This story paints a heartbreaking picture of a life shaped by abuse, isolation, and the desperate need to be loved and heard. Watching the main character struggle in a time when mental health was misunderstood, or ignored entirely, was both unsettling and deeply emotional.
The author does an incredible job capturing the loneliness, hopelessness, and gradual unraveling of someone pushed beyond their limits. I found myself torn between heartbreak and horror as the story unfolded, knowing that every choice was shaped by circumstances no one should have to endure.
Dark, haunting, and thought-provoking, this is a book that lingers long after the final page. If you enjoy psychological stories that explore the fragility of the human mind and the devastating effects of abuse, this one is worth picking up.
June 14, 2026
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” perfectly captures the essence of this book.
This story is a chilling exploration of what happens when a woman is pushed beyond her limits..when pain, betrayal, and heartbreak fester long enough to transform into madness. I devoured every single page. It was grotesque, dark, unsettling, outrageous, and completely impossible to put down.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its portrayal of feminine rage. The author captures it with remarkable intensity, weaving raw emotion into every scene. The descent into delirium feels both horrifying and captivating, making for an unforgettable reading experience.
This book left me shocked, fascinated, and eager for more. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately preordered the next installment, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next.
July 29, 2026
Dear Mr. Boyd by H.M. Mast was a roller coaster ride I never wanted to end.
Sybil Foxglove tells her story through letters to Mr. Boyd, the attorney who defended her during her murder trial. Through those letters, the author creates a three-dimensional protagonist who is unapologetic in her justification of the crime she committed.
Using the letter format, Mast crafts a clever and compelling narrative as Sybil recounts, in beautifully written prose, the atrocities she endured throughout her childhood and later in her relationship with Mr. Lee. I found it nearly impossible to put it down until I had finished.
I loved the rhythm and flow of the letters. I devoured this novella in a single sitting because I simply couldn't look away. The pacing was steady and deliberate, never rushed, yet never dragging. It's a haunting, thought-provoking read that made me want more.
Sybil Foxglove tells her story through letters to Mr. Boyd, the attorney who defended her during her murder trial. Through those letters, the author creates a three-dimensional protagonist who is unapologetic in her justification of the crime she committed.
Using the letter format, Mast crafts a clever and compelling narrative as Sybil recounts, in beautifully written prose, the atrocities she endured throughout her childhood and later in her relationship with Mr. Lee. I found it nearly impossible to put it down until I had finished.
I loved the rhythm and flow of the letters. I devoured this novella in a single sitting because I simply couldn't look away. The pacing was steady and deliberate, never rushed, yet never dragging. It's a haunting, thought-provoking read that made me want more.
August 20, 2025
I was chosen to beta read Dear Mr. Boyd and can attest - the second offering from Mast is magnificent. There is no sophomore slump here. If anything, she's polished her already exceptional ability to paint a picture to a pristine sheen. From the surroundings to the intricacies of the characters to the fascinating decisions they make- I saw it all and couldn't step away for even a moment until I'd fully consumed it in its entirety. If you're looking for a quick but enthralling read, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend Dear Mr. Boyd. Mast proves once again that she's a special sort of new-age vintage and remains an auto buy for me.
September 17, 2025
A very quick read 👻—fast-paced yet deeply thought-provoking. The story captures what could very well be running through the mind of a married woman, even in today’s world. I found it compelling and haunting 🎃.
Sybil was a truly tormented character, haunted by her past and driven to despair by the men in her life 🕯️. The atmosphere was chilling, yet beautifully written, and it kept me turning the pages until the end.
I received this copy as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review. 🦇 I can confidently say it was an excellent two-hour read, and I’ll be eagerly watching for Book 2. 🕷️
Sybil was a truly tormented character, haunted by her past and driven to despair by the men in her life 🕯️. The atmosphere was chilling, yet beautifully written, and it kept me turning the pages until the end.
I received this copy as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review. 🦇 I can confidently say it was an excellent two-hour read, and I’ll be eagerly watching for Book 2. 🕷️
September 20, 2025
Dear Mr. Boyd by H.M. Mast perfectly captures the essence of gothic horror. Mast leads readers through Sybil’s gradual descent into madness with writing that is both unsettling and beautifully atmospheric. The blurred line between reality and illusion keeps the story tense and unpredictable, pulling the reader deeper with every page.
This novel isn’t just frightening, it’s thought-provoking, showing how horror can be both psychological and poetic. Dear Mr. Boyd is a chilling, unforgettable experience that lingers well after the final chapter.
This novel isn’t just frightening, it’s thought-provoking, showing how horror can be both psychological and poetic. Dear Mr. Boyd is a chilling, unforgettable experience that lingers well after the final chapter.
October 6, 2025
This was a very interesting book. It goes back and forth between a letter that someone is reading and then to the female main character telling her story. This book is a horror but it did not hit the horror for me. I feel like the author used this book to introduce us to the characters and build the story up for the next book.
I will be sticking around for the next book but I really hope it picks up and becomes scarier.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. *
I will be sticking around for the next book but I really hope it picks up and becomes scarier.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. *
October 9, 2025
I started this book yesterday and finished it last night. Very fast paced, dark, haunting, sad. The writing was stellar with portraying the FMC's thought process and the buildup that led to the feminine rage boiling in her blood. Overall this story isn't scary or too gory. I feel it is very haunting and horrifying depicting what happens when dealing with alcoholism and domestic violence. It is in the trigger warnings. I would definitely read more by this author. This book had me by the very first page until the end. This was my very first ARC read and I loved it.
January 18, 2026
A haunting story and beautifully written
Gosh I just adore this authors writing. It is so beautiful. Her prose is soft, cutting, and seductive. As are her stories. The story follows Sybil, who, through letters to her lawyer and personal accounts, explains the murder of her husband. It is hauntingly delicious. It gives me all my favorites; historical fiction, deep emotional evocation, and filled with feminine rage. A must read if you like historical horror and gothic fiction. Can't wait for more accounts from Sybil and Thistle Grove.
Gosh I just adore this authors writing. It is so beautiful. Her prose is soft, cutting, and seductive. As are her stories. The story follows Sybil, who, through letters to her lawyer and personal accounts, explains the murder of her husband. It is hauntingly delicious. It gives me all my favorites; historical fiction, deep emotional evocation, and filled with feminine rage. A must read if you like historical horror and gothic fiction. Can't wait for more accounts from Sybil and Thistle Grove.
February 9, 2026
This dark Gothic thriller is written in a way that you're cheering on the FMC all while hating the MMC and waiting for justice for his actions. Sadly there is some truth to these romantic situations even in modern times and some women feel like they don't have a voice. I think this story is a great reminder that we do have a voice and we can stand up for ourselves in toxic relationships. This was another great story written by H.M. Mast. If you like this book you should check out her other book as well.
May 17, 2026
Gothic Horror At Its Finest!
I fancy myself a gothic horror enthusiast and am so glad to have discovered this novella! The writer has truly found a way to give us glimpses of a tortured soul as Sybil, our heroine, descends into madness.
The story is perfectly paced. The narration draws you into the despair and distress Sybil experiences. Overall, this story is well worth your time and its beautifully crafted prose will stay with me.
This title was given to me with no expectations of a review. My opinions are my own and freely given.
I fancy myself a gothic horror enthusiast and am so glad to have discovered this novella! The writer has truly found a way to give us glimpses of a tortured soul as Sybil, our heroine, descends into madness.
The story is perfectly paced. The narration draws you into the despair and distress Sybil experiences. Overall, this story is well worth your time and its beautifully crafted prose will stay with me.
This title was given to me with no expectations of a review. My opinions are my own and freely given.
October 24, 2025
Truly something else!
I loved the build up and breaking down of Sybil's hopes with passing years. H M Mast is a poetic writer of extraordinary ability.
I think the reader was meant to guess a little at the outcome, from the start, but it was more a matter of how, why, rather than what occurred.
I would recommend to anyone looking for something new and powerfully different. This writer is in a league of her own. I cannot compare her to any other author.
I loved the build up and breaking down of Sybil's hopes with passing years. H M Mast is a poetic writer of extraordinary ability.
I think the reader was meant to guess a little at the outcome, from the start, but it was more a matter of how, why, rather than what occurred.
I would recommend to anyone looking for something new and powerfully different. This writer is in a league of her own. I cannot compare her to any other author.
May 14, 2026
A not so slow descent into madness.
The execution of this story is brilliant. You're told the ending from the start. Letters from prison and an admission of guilt. However, none of that prepares you for the journey. At first I thought this story might be too short, but it is very well paced and reaches the climax exactly when it should. No padding for additional word count. Highly recommended.
The execution of this story is brilliant. You're told the ending from the start. Letters from prison and an admission of guilt. However, none of that prepares you for the journey. At first I thought this story might be too short, but it is very well paced and reaches the climax exactly when it should. No padding for additional word count. Highly recommended.
September 19, 2025
Just in time for spooky season this historical gothic horror was read in 1 sitting! I couldn’t put it down! It has a very Edgar Allan Poe/ Alias Grace, feel to it. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to see how everything unfolds. If you love crime documentaries then I feel you too would enjoy this book. Be sure to check your trigger warnings first at the beginning of the book.
October 13, 2025
A phenomenal spooky season read. This bite sized book packs the biggest punch! Sybil seems to have it all… from the outside looking in. But from behind her eyes she lives a horror that peels away the flesh of her soul until she’s left with nothing but the primal need to get away. I can’t give this book enough praise, if I could give it 100 stars I’d do that 50 times over
October 26, 2025
This was a great read. Short and sweet. Definitely something different for me. But it was just the difference that I was looking for. The letters that the character is writing and telling the story of her life, and what she has done and the freedom that she has now, even from where she is. It was a great perspective and a wonderful read.
August 14, 2025
H. M. Mast has done it again. Just when I think I couldn't love her lyrical prose and complex characters more, she goes and adds horror into the mix. Bravo.
This is by far my favorite read of 2025, and I am absolutely honored to have been able to get my hands on an early copy.
This is by far my favorite read of 2025, and I am absolutely honored to have been able to get my hands on an early copy.
August 24, 2025
I had the honor to beta read this and OMG H.M. Mast has done it!! This book was absolutely amazing from the letters to everything sybil went through. H.M. Mast had me feeling what Sybil felt, and some sayings definitely hit home. This is definitely in the top 5 of my favorite reads this year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews