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May the Dead Keep You
Perfect for fans of
Don't Let the Forest In
and
Wuthering Heights
,
May the Dead Keep You
is a gothic YA horror about the pasts that haunt us and the stories we decide to make for ourselves.
There’s nowhere Catie East would rather be than the redwood forest that surrounds her family’s unusual historic home, the Heights.
She prefers being alone in the forest. People are…complicated. But when a scientist and his son move into the estate’s cottage, planning to study the woods around them, the boy catches Catie’s eye. And when a dead woodpecker miraculously comes back to life in his precious hands…he captures her heart.
Necromancy isn’t the only strange thing happening in the Heights. There’s an unfamiliar face in the mirror. Blood on the floors. Eyes in the wallpaper. And the men around her—including her once-sweet nature boy—are becoming something else. Something possessive and frightening. Something violent.
As the Heights’s dark history starts to come to light, Catie discovers that the home she loves is imbued with pain. And even though the pain isn’t her own, it will corrupt her and the people around her all the same—unless she can stop it.
A story about breaking cycles of abuse and overcoming generational trauma, May the Dead Keep You is an edge-of-your-seat listen—equally horrifying, heart-wrenching, and hopeful.
There’s nowhere Catie East would rather be than the redwood forest that surrounds her family’s unusual historic home, the Heights.
She prefers being alone in the forest. People are…complicated. But when a scientist and his son move into the estate’s cottage, planning to study the woods around them, the boy catches Catie’s eye. And when a dead woodpecker miraculously comes back to life in his precious hands…he captures her heart.
Necromancy isn’t the only strange thing happening in the Heights. There’s an unfamiliar face in the mirror. Blood on the floors. Eyes in the wallpaper. And the men around her—including her once-sweet nature boy—are becoming something else. Something possessive and frightening. Something violent.
As the Heights’s dark history starts to come to light, Catie discovers that the home she loves is imbued with pain. And even though the pain isn’t her own, it will corrupt her and the people around her all the same—unless she can stop it.
A story about breaking cycles of abuse and overcoming generational trauma, May the Dead Keep You is an edge-of-your-seat listen—equally horrifying, heart-wrenching, and hopeful.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2026
About the author
Jill Baguchinsky
6 books146 followersJill Baguchinsky grew up fluent in darkness and Disney. She spent much of her life on a barrier island just off the coast of Southwest Florida, where she read way too much Stephen King and dodged more hurricanes than she could count.
Jill still lives in Florida, but after one hurricane too many, she and her mini menagerie of rescue animals moved inland. Aside from the manatees she used to watch in her backyard canal, she doesn’t miss much about island life.
Jill still lives in Florida, but after one hurricane too many, she and her mini menagerie of rescue animals moved inland. Aside from the manatees she used to watch in her backyard canal, she doesn’t miss much about island life.
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August 6, 2025Hey there! Just dropping by to note that content/trigger warnings for MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU are available here: https://jillbaguchinsky.com/mtdky-con...
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April 19, 2026
Thank you to Little, Brown Books For Young Readers and NetGalley for access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
With beautiful prose and an unsettling atmosphere, May The Dead Keep You is a YA Horror novel that touches upon dangers of both a supernatural and all-too-human nature. Comparisons to Wuthering Heights are understandable, as themes pertaining to unhealthy relationships, generational trauma, possession and abuse are present.
There is also commentary regarding capitalism, poverty and medical misogyny and I especially appreciated the mentions regarding PCOS, as it isn’t discussed often despite its prevalence.
The Heights-a remote estate surrounded by a vast forest-where protagonist Catie, her mother and older brother Leigh reside, is an intriguing setting for the novel. Created by a famous architect for his family, Catie’s mother’s decision to maintain its historic and gothic aesthetic leads it to serving as not only an isolated refuge for Catie, but also as its own character when frightening events happen and unexpected revelations occur. When a scientist moves into the nearby cottage in the woods, Catie finds herself drawn to his son Hunter.
Although I am a fair bit older than Catie, I related to her desire for and fear of independence, her anxiety and overthinking, especially when dealing with situations that were far from normal. Nevertheless, I felt that the romance between Catie and Hunter developed a bit too quickly and I was honestly expecting there to be a plot-related reason behind its speed.
But I also felt that the whirlwind nature of infatuation, the single-minded focus and the dismissal of self-doubt that can be present in romances was well-executed. Nevertheless, I was still-mentally-yelling at Catie quite a few times while reading.
The supernatural experiences are slightly unnerving and I was fond of the unreliable aspects of some of them. The utilization of necromancy is particularly eerie and-at times-unpleasant-and although the reason for its existence wasn’t explicitly explained, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
The dual perspectives-one from Catie’s perspective and another with various types of media labelled “ephemera”-were effective at moving the plot forward and foreshadowing the truth behind the unusual occurrences.
Overall, May The Dead Keep You is a disquieting novel and I would recommend checking the author’s website to verify trigger warnings.
With beautiful prose and an unsettling atmosphere, May The Dead Keep You is a YA Horror novel that touches upon dangers of both a supernatural and all-too-human nature. Comparisons to Wuthering Heights are understandable, as themes pertaining to unhealthy relationships, generational trauma, possession and abuse are present.
There is also commentary regarding capitalism, poverty and medical misogyny and I especially appreciated the mentions regarding PCOS, as it isn’t discussed often despite its prevalence.
The Heights-a remote estate surrounded by a vast forest-where protagonist Catie, her mother and older brother Leigh reside, is an intriguing setting for the novel. Created by a famous architect for his family, Catie’s mother’s decision to maintain its historic and gothic aesthetic leads it to serving as not only an isolated refuge for Catie, but also as its own character when frightening events happen and unexpected revelations occur. When a scientist moves into the nearby cottage in the woods, Catie finds herself drawn to his son Hunter.
Although I am a fair bit older than Catie, I related to her desire for and fear of independence, her anxiety and overthinking, especially when dealing with situations that were far from normal. Nevertheless, I felt that the romance between Catie and Hunter developed a bit too quickly and I was honestly expecting there to be a plot-related reason behind its speed.
But I also felt that the whirlwind nature of infatuation, the single-minded focus and the dismissal of self-doubt that can be present in romances was well-executed. Nevertheless, I was still-mentally-yelling at Catie quite a few times while reading.
The supernatural experiences are slightly unnerving and I was fond of the unreliable aspects of some of them. The utilization of necromancy is particularly eerie and-at times-unpleasant-and although the reason for its existence wasn’t explicitly explained, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
The dual perspectives-one from Catie’s perspective and another with various types of media labelled “ephemera”-were effective at moving the plot forward and foreshadowing the truth behind the unusual occurrences.
Overall, May The Dead Keep You is a disquieting novel and I would recommend checking the author’s website to verify trigger warnings.
May 2, 2026
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings regarding this book, and I'm not sure how to rate it honestly, so I've settled on an honest 3-star rating. I think the author nailed the gothic, eerie atmosphere. I found the writing to be really good; I flew through the first half of the book, but I found myself not reaching for it after the 60% mark, as I felt it got a bit repetitive. I didn't really find the relationship between the main characters to be believable, it simply developed way too fast, and I didn't really root for them at all. I also wish the necromancy was a bigger part of the plot - it didn't add much to the story and I think it wasn't explored enough.
I was led to believe that the necromancy aspect would be more of a plot point, and I was severely disappointed to find out it was barely mentioned. None of the questions I had were answered by the end, and I do think the book would've been the same had it never been mentioned. None of the side characters seem to be phased by it, which is weird, because I would be creeped out had I just found out my best friend can revive dead creatures just by touching them. Why was it a thing that happened just if these two particular characters did the touching?
We spend a good chunk of the story following Catie, so the side characters aren't developed enough for the reader to care about any of them, to be honest. The romance is also insanely forced, and I didn't think they had any chemistry at all. I quite wonder why Catie can't seem to notice how abusive the relationship is, since the House cannot affect women. There's also commentary on big pharma and the treatment of women in medical spaces, but the subjects were only briefly touched upon. I think it tried to do too much, so it all ends up feeling a little rushed.
Overall, it was an okay read, I did really like reading the first half. I think the author has a lot of potential and I might pick up their future works.
I have mixed feelings regarding this book, and I'm not sure how to rate it honestly, so I've settled on an honest 3-star rating. I think the author nailed the gothic, eerie atmosphere. I found the writing to be really good; I flew through the first half of the book, but I found myself not reaching for it after the 60% mark, as I felt it got a bit repetitive. I didn't really find the relationship between the main characters to be believable, it simply developed way too fast, and I didn't really root for them at all. I also wish the necromancy was a bigger part of the plot - it didn't add much to the story and I think it wasn't explored enough.
I was led to believe that the necromancy aspect would be more of a plot point, and I was severely disappointed to find out it was barely mentioned. None of the questions I had were answered by the end, and I do think the book would've been the same had it never been mentioned. None of the side characters seem to be phased by it, which is weird, because I would be creeped out had I just found out my best friend can revive dead creatures just by touching them. Why was it a thing that happened just if these two particular characters did the touching?
We spend a good chunk of the story following Catie, so the side characters aren't developed enough for the reader to care about any of them, to be honest. The romance is also insanely forced, and I didn't think they had any chemistry at all. I quite wonder why Catie can't seem to notice how abusive the relationship is, since the House cannot affect women. There's also commentary on big pharma and the treatment of women in medical spaces, but the subjects were only briefly touched upon. I think it tried to do too much, so it all ends up feeling a little rushed.
Overall, it was an okay read, I did really like reading the first half. I think the author has a lot of potential and I might pick up their future works.
April 29, 2026
3.5 Stars, rounded up
Most ghostly than grisly (despite what the cover might suggest), I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It's perfectly Gothic in a way that I rarely find in YA, which I greatly appreciate. But it just didn't capture me as much as I would have hoped. Maybe the cover steered me wrong, or maybe it just didn't have the right hook. I don't know.
Anyway, my full review is already available over at Gateway Reviews. Check it out if you want to know more!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
Most ghostly than grisly (despite what the cover might suggest), I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It's perfectly Gothic in a way that I rarely find in YA, which I greatly appreciate. But it just didn't capture me as much as I would have hoped. Maybe the cover steered me wrong, or maybe it just didn't have the right hook. I don't know.
Anyway, my full review is already available over at Gateway Reviews. Check it out if you want to know more!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
May 9, 2026
BLURB:
Catie East is a 17-year-old who feels best in the forest surrounding her family’s isolated gothic estate, the Heights. When Hunter and his father move into a nearby cottage, Catie and Hunter discover they can bring dead animals back to life. As supernatural events escalate inside the house, Catie uncovers the estate’s violent history and a dangerous entity connected to it.
REVIEW:
If a gothic horror novel inspired by Wuthering Heights with a haunted gothic mansion in the woods, possession-like horror, and reality distortion is up your alley, look no further! And don’t let the YA label fool you into thinking this is a lighter read—it’s an intricate, dual-timeline story with body horror, necromancy (and more) that’ll appeal to adult horror readers. If you’re new to Jill Baguchinsky’s books (like me), she’s written several horror stories, and this one showcases her “creeping dread” writing style. And let’s talk about thought-provoking—the story weaves in themes of generational trauma, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, grief, abandonment, control, and putting an end to harmful cycles (PHEW!!).
The story is mostly told via Catie’s 1st-person POV. She’s a forest-loving outsider protagonist who’s easy to root for, but you may question her mental health as her hallucination-like visions bring her mind to breaking points. She’s also isolated—her mother is the CEO of a pharmaceutical and is often gone for work, and her relationship with her brother Leigh gets volatile as the haunting escalates. The author’s writing does a great job bringing the woods and the “Heights” mansion to life, making them feel like characters in their own right.
There are also some well-developed secondary characters, including Catie’s ex-girlfriend and best friend Ivy, who often acts as the voice of reason when Catie ignores red flags. The most compelling relationship is between Catie and Hunter, the mysterious boy who arrives with his father to stay in the cottage nearby. There’s a magnetic connection between them, and their discovery of being able to revive dead animals together gives the relationship a “fated mates” romance vibe (at first). But Hunter’s jealousy soon becomes apparent, and Catie has unresolved trauma from her father leaving years earlier—so their connection also feels rooted in trauma bonding.
The second POV/timeline is told via ephemera (diary entries) from the 1950/60s, told mainly by Catherine Earnshaw, the daughter of the mansion’s original owner. The entries become increasingly tragic and heartbreaking, so if you’re an emotional reader, have some tissues on hand. Eventually, the two timelines come crashing together in unpredictable ways that will keep you flipping pages, eager to see how it all ends!
This is very much a slow-burn, but short, punchy chapters (many ending with excerpts of ephemera) make the book very immersive. If you think not much is happening horror-wise, be patient because the second half has some freaky twists and several frightening scenes. By the climax, Catie is forced to confront her trauma and make some difficult decisions for herself and her family, and her growth is notable. The ending is bittersweet and a bit open-ended, which suits this story much more than a HEA would!
Catie East is a 17-year-old who feels best in the forest surrounding her family’s isolated gothic estate, the Heights. When Hunter and his father move into a nearby cottage, Catie and Hunter discover they can bring dead animals back to life. As supernatural events escalate inside the house, Catie uncovers the estate’s violent history and a dangerous entity connected to it.
REVIEW:
If a gothic horror novel inspired by Wuthering Heights with a haunted gothic mansion in the woods, possession-like horror, and reality distortion is up your alley, look no further! And don’t let the YA label fool you into thinking this is a lighter read—it’s an intricate, dual-timeline story with body horror, necromancy (and more) that’ll appeal to adult horror readers. If you’re new to Jill Baguchinsky’s books (like me), she’s written several horror stories, and this one showcases her “creeping dread” writing style. And let’s talk about thought-provoking—the story weaves in themes of generational trauma, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, grief, abandonment, control, and putting an end to harmful cycles (PHEW!!).
The story is mostly told via Catie’s 1st-person POV. She’s a forest-loving outsider protagonist who’s easy to root for, but you may question her mental health as her hallucination-like visions bring her mind to breaking points. She’s also isolated—her mother is the CEO of a pharmaceutical and is often gone for work, and her relationship with her brother Leigh gets volatile as the haunting escalates. The author’s writing does a great job bringing the woods and the “Heights” mansion to life, making them feel like characters in their own right.
There are also some well-developed secondary characters, including Catie’s ex-girlfriend and best friend Ivy, who often acts as the voice of reason when Catie ignores red flags. The most compelling relationship is between Catie and Hunter, the mysterious boy who arrives with his father to stay in the cottage nearby. There’s a magnetic connection between them, and their discovery of being able to revive dead animals together gives the relationship a “fated mates” romance vibe (at first). But Hunter’s jealousy soon becomes apparent, and Catie has unresolved trauma from her father leaving years earlier—so their connection also feels rooted in trauma bonding.
The second POV/timeline is told via ephemera (diary entries) from the 1950/60s, told mainly by Catherine Earnshaw, the daughter of the mansion’s original owner. The entries become increasingly tragic and heartbreaking, so if you’re an emotional reader, have some tissues on hand. Eventually, the two timelines come crashing together in unpredictable ways that will keep you flipping pages, eager to see how it all ends!
This is very much a slow-burn, but short, punchy chapters (many ending with excerpts of ephemera) make the book very immersive. If you think not much is happening horror-wise, be patient because the second half has some freaky twists and several frightening scenes. By the climax, Catie is forced to confront her trauma and make some difficult decisions for herself and her family, and her growth is notable. The ending is bittersweet and a bit open-ended, which suits this story much more than a HEA would!
April 27, 2026
Quietly creeping dread from the very first pages. This one takes up space in your gut and makes you feel a little ill as your brain yells about the red flags. Catie lives in a gothic estate surrounded by redwood forest and prefers it that way. Until a childhood friend moves back for a period of time. And then the men around her start changing. And something very old and very wrong begins to surface.
The dual POV chapters are particularly unsettling because they hand you clues just fast enough to make you dread what's coming before Catie can see it herself. The horror builds steadily and gets genuinely visceral. There are body horror elements that made me grin because I love them. Sorry, not sorry. Underneath all of it is a really thoughtful story about generational trauma, cycles of abuse, and reclaiming your identity from something/someone who tried to consume it.
It makes the thematic work around cycles of abuse land a little less cleanly than I think it wanted to. I'm still not entirely sure the book fully reckoned with that.
The romance moves fast, though the story isn't about that, so it's fine. The ending left me rewinding more than once, trying to piece together what was actually happening. I'm still not one hundred percent sure.
A genuinely atmospheric and unsettling horror read with real craft behind it. I just wish the thematic work had landed as fully as the dread did. Still had a great time!
Thanks so much to Toppling Stacks Tours, the publisher, and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The dual POV chapters are particularly unsettling because they hand you clues just fast enough to make you dread what's coming before Catie can see it herself. The horror builds steadily and gets genuinely visceral. There are body horror elements that made me grin because I love them. Sorry, not sorry. Underneath all of it is a really thoughtful story about generational trauma, cycles of abuse, and reclaiming your identity from something/someone who tried to consume it.
It makes the thematic work around cycles of abuse land a little less cleanly than I think it wanted to. I'm still not entirely sure the book fully reckoned with that.
The romance moves fast, though the story isn't about that, so it's fine. The ending left me rewinding more than once, trying to piece together what was actually happening. I'm still not one hundred percent sure.
A genuinely atmospheric and unsettling horror read with real craft behind it. I just wish the thematic work had landed as fully as the dread did. Still had a great time!
Thanks so much to Toppling Stacks Tours, the publisher, and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm quite impressed by this author this time around. This story was original with just the right amount of creepy mystery. I really enjoyed the writing style, character development, world building and consistent pacing. The cover didn't pull me in but the blurb had me intrigued enough to give this book a try, and I'm glad I did. This is an author to watch.
Thank you to Netgalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
If you love active book communities, check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh Book Club (on Facebook)! Games, giveaways, discussions, reviews, bingo, swaps, traveling books, and a lot more!
Thank you to Netgalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
If you love active book communities, check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh Book Club (on Facebook)! Games, giveaways, discussions, reviews, bingo, swaps, traveling books, and a lot more!
May 10, 2026
I stayed up reading until almost 2am one night so safe to say I actually very much enjoyed this book. Pretty predictable and the “love” story in this is kinda weird to me. Each character has lots of trauma and I love messy characters like that. Can relate to them better. This isn’t super horror but definitely has horror elements. As this is YA, I think it would be pretty creepy to me a few years ago.
June 8, 2026
i went into the bookstore planning to buy a book that’s been getting a ton of hype, but somehow this one caught my eye instead with its yummy cover and intriguing blurb
the first third of the book was really good. i absolutely devoured the atmosphere and loved every grim and creepy detail of the redwood forest. sadly, once that initial atmosphere faded, things became pretty predictable (e.g. the story behind the heights or what really happened to catie’s dad)
a couple of other things fell flat, too, like the whole necromancy aspect. i honestly thought it would have a much bigger impact on the storyline but it mostly stayed in the background and never felt fully explored. the story in general felt like it was pulling in several different directions without really committing to any of them, which made it difficult to get fully invested
3.0 stars
the first third of the book was really good. i absolutely devoured the atmosphere and loved every grim and creepy detail of the redwood forest. sadly, once that initial atmosphere faded, things became pretty predictable (e.g. the story behind the heights or what really happened to catie’s dad)
a couple of other things fell flat, too, like the whole necromancy aspect. i honestly thought it would have a much bigger impact on the storyline but it mostly stayed in the background and never felt fully explored. the story in general felt like it was pulling in several different directions without really committing to any of them, which made it difficult to get fully invested
3.0 stars
April 28, 2026
Unfortunately, this story just fell flat for me. Although it was written with a lot of prose, the execution was severely lacking. I thought the scientist and necromancy would be completely fleshed out but they weren’t. It was a real shame because I think with better content editing and less tell instead of show, this could’ve been a great story. Of course, we all interpret books in our own way and this is just my opinion. I gave it two stars because the narrator was great.
January 26, 2026
Oh how I love non traditional happy endings. A “this didn’t end how you wanted it to, but it’s how it NEEDED to end.” The boy didn’t get the girl, the girl possibly loses her best friend, the ghost child was set free… but it’s not a traditional happy ending and I love those types of stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
Characters: 3.75⭐️
Setting: 3.75⭐️
Plot: 3.75⭐️
Themes: 3.00⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.50⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.50⭐️
Overall rating: 3.75⭐️
Catie lives in a sprawling forest in a large manor called the Heights. Its historical, and she loves the trees more than she loves people. One summer, her mother invites a scientist and his son Hunter to live on the property for research. Hunter and Catie knew each other in the past, and there is something strange about them. They are able to bring dead animals back to life. But not only that, Catie starts to discover the dark secrets of the home she loves and the boy she begins to have feelings for isn't what he seems either.
Going into this story, I did not realize this is a Wuthering Heights retelling which I say rather loosely. But I don't think you necessarily need to know that when going into the book. Catie is introverted and an outcast of sorts who would rather be among the trees so when Hunter comes into her life and meets her weird with his weird she becomes smitten and he immediately gives off red flag and toxicity. There are many layers to this story and many themes, but the central is breaking cycles of abuse.
I think at some points of the book there was a bit much going on, but the ending is wrapped up nicely. This was definitely a creepy, atmospheric book.
Would I recommend this book? Yes.
Thank you to StoryGram Tours and Little, Brown for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Setting: 3.75⭐️
Plot: 3.75⭐️
Themes: 3.00⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.50⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.50⭐️
Overall rating: 3.75⭐️
Catie lives in a sprawling forest in a large manor called the Heights. Its historical, and she loves the trees more than she loves people. One summer, her mother invites a scientist and his son Hunter to live on the property for research. Hunter and Catie knew each other in the past, and there is something strange about them. They are able to bring dead animals back to life. But not only that, Catie starts to discover the dark secrets of the home she loves and the boy she begins to have feelings for isn't what he seems either.
Going into this story, I did not realize this is a Wuthering Heights retelling which I say rather loosely. But I don't think you necessarily need to know that when going into the book. Catie is introverted and an outcast of sorts who would rather be among the trees so when Hunter comes into her life and meets her weird with his weird she becomes smitten and he immediately gives off red flag and toxicity. There are many layers to this story and many themes, but the central is breaking cycles of abuse.
I think at some points of the book there was a bit much going on, but the ending is wrapped up nicely. This was definitely a creepy, atmospheric book.
Would I recommend this book? Yes.
Thank you to StoryGram Tours and Little, Brown for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2026
thank you so much to netgalley and colored pages blog tours for the early copy! all opinions are my own!!
for the first time, the comps were right: it definetly felt like Wuthering Heights and Don't let the forest in 😱😱
the house was an amazing setting and so well described, i totally imagined myself in there. also the forest was 👌👌 it truly starts out strong, presenting all the characters and the weird things happening. i loved the relationship with the best friend and how she didn't judge the MC because of all the things she was seeing, which were creepy af, some of them left me open mouthed and in shock. i think the books deals with a bit more than solving the mystery of the house: it also talks about how hard it is to break patterns of violence, how important it is to see red flags in someone you love, how important it is to protect yourself in such cases. the male characters had me on edge because i liked him and doubted him at the same time, which i think it was the author's intent.
overall, an amazing horror that left me speechless more than once, super intriguing and that will probably have thinking about it for a long time
for the first time, the comps were right: it definetly felt like Wuthering Heights and Don't let the forest in 😱😱
the house was an amazing setting and so well described, i totally imagined myself in there. also the forest was 👌👌 it truly starts out strong, presenting all the characters and the weird things happening. i loved the relationship with the best friend and how she didn't judge the MC because of all the things she was seeing, which were creepy af, some of them left me open mouthed and in shock. i think the books deals with a bit more than solving the mystery of the house: it also talks about how hard it is to break patterns of violence, how important it is to see red flags in someone you love, how important it is to protect yourself in such cases. the male characters had me on edge because i liked him and doubted him at the same time, which i think it was the author's intent.
overall, an amazing horror that left me speechless more than once, super intriguing and that will probably have thinking about it for a long time
Did Not Finish
July 16, 2026Dnf'd at about 27%. It's not bad, but I'm just not clicking with this book. The prose is solid. The suspense and light horror elements are fun. The characters are fleshed out. I like the archival materials. It has a lot of elements that I enjoy. It's just not holding my interest. May try again some other time.
May 4, 2026
Catie is a 17-year-old living in the Heights, an old, enormous, castle of a house in a forest with her mom and older brother. When she gets a neighbor, Hunter, Catie is scared and intrigued, and also intriguing to Hunter. Catie and now Hunter live in a huge, mysterious forest, a setting that is very much a character in the story, along with the house, the Heights.
As Catie starts to become friends, and maybe more than friends with Hunter, she also starts having strange visions and symptoms around her house, and her brother isn’t acting normally either.
This story is very mysterious and a real page turner. Every chapter in the book, until the end, closes with a cliffhanger making you NEED to turn the page and keep reading. Mixed in with Cathie’s first person present day accounts are “emphemera” of former residents of The Heights, Cath and neighbor Eddie, and Cath’s parents. This definitely adds to the suspense.
This is a YA book but I think it would appeal to an adult audience also, some parts are pretty dark. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a haunted house set in a forest. Thanks to Colored Pages book tours, Little Brown Young Readers, and the NOVL for the ARC.
4.5 rounded up, I didn’t like one character, which is likely a me problem.
As Catie starts to become friends, and maybe more than friends with Hunter, she also starts having strange visions and symptoms around her house, and her brother isn’t acting normally either.
This story is very mysterious and a real page turner. Every chapter in the book, until the end, closes with a cliffhanger making you NEED to turn the page and keep reading. Mixed in with Cathie’s first person present day accounts are “emphemera” of former residents of The Heights, Cath and neighbor Eddie, and Cath’s parents. This definitely adds to the suspense.
This is a YA book but I think it would appeal to an adult audience also, some parts are pretty dark. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a haunted house set in a forest. Thanks to Colored Pages book tours, Little Brown Young Readers, and the NOVL for the ARC.
4.5 rounded up, I didn’t like one character, which is likely a me problem.
May 6, 2026
It was ok not something I'd normally grab for myself. But I'm glad I did it was a nice read.
May 22, 2026
Not the best. The fact that this book was super YA isn’t a problem at all, I knew what I was picking up. The real issue for me was that it had no idea what it actually wanted to be. And once my brain fully switched on and started really paying attention, staying engaged became a struggle. The beginning was genuinely eerie, I was creeped out in the best way. But somewhere along the way, that atmosphere just evaporated; it felt like the book had forgotten its own vibe and was lost, wandering around without a clear goal. And don’t even get me started on the sentence structure; it was so weird and repetitive. There were some interesting pieces buried in there, but honestly, there was just way too much going on. When you strip it all down, this is supposed to be a haunted house gothic horror. But then the author tried to pile on toxic male relationships and the execution just didn’t land; it felt forced, like it was trying to be deeper than it actually was, and it ended up pulling the story in too many directions. Overall, cool and creepy start, but somewhere along the way, the plot lost its keys, and forgot its own address.
June 5, 2026
Very good book.
June 5, 2026
Really enjoyed the read more than I thought I would. Loved the setting and fusing of the timelines, even though some aspects of the story weren’t explored as deeply as I hoped they would be. The romance did feel a bit rushed and incoherent but overall I was still „intrigued“ and enthralled by this book; finished it in a day!
May 14, 2026
Cool paranormal concept that wasn't really explored...
May 12, 2026
Audiobook 🎧
This was so good! The cover is what brought me in but the plot and ongoing craziness kept me going. I was not expecting some of the twists and turns. I hate Hudson and he is such a little weirdo despite all the issues with the house. Catie was such a strong character and I was so happy she continued to remain brave to the very end.
This was so good! The cover is what brought me in but the plot and ongoing craziness kept me going. I was not expecting some of the twists and turns. I hate Hudson and he is such a little weirdo despite all the issues with the house. Catie was such a strong character and I was so happy she continued to remain brave to the very end.
February 15, 2026
Rounded up maybe to a 2.5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Some nice prose, and an interesting premise but the execution of this story just fell flat. It just felt like something essential was missing to really tie this story together and make it great.
The book was definitely atmospheric, and the descriptions of the forest and the house were some of the highlights of the book- but I didn't really feel too creeped out or feel an escalation with some of the horror elements.
The relationship between the two love interests moved waaaay too fast, as did the storyline. I think some time skips or something to stretch the story out may have helped the plot and the relationships develop more. The ending was definitely rushed through, right as things were getting interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Some nice prose, and an interesting premise but the execution of this story just fell flat. It just felt like something essential was missing to really tie this story together and make it great.
The book was definitely atmospheric, and the descriptions of the forest and the house were some of the highlights of the book- but I didn't really feel too creeped out or feel an escalation with some of the horror elements.
The relationship between the two love interests moved waaaay too fast, as did the storyline. I think some time skips or something to stretch the story out may have helped the plot and the relationships develop more. The ending was definitely rushed through, right as things were getting interesting.
April 29, 2026
I LOVED this. CG Drews fans would seriously adore this book—it’s got those wonderfully unsettling vibes, gorgeous writing, and such a great blend of horror, fantasy, and mystery. Plus it’s set in a redwood forest (and I love a creepy forest setting). Part of what I enjoyed most is EXACTLY the kind of horror I’ve been craving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
This is a book that instantly grabs you and doesn’t let go. The cover is where it started for me and then the blurb. I was hooked and knew I needed to read this. The plot was engrossing and the characters kept piecing everything together. I really enjoyed the FMC and how she handled everything that was thrown at her. The supporting characters gave it depth and detail. The world that was created felt expansive in a sense that anything could happen without being too far fetched. I also really enjoyed the emotion in this book. Some bits were heartbreaking but it made the story even stronger. A true page turner. If you like Gothic/YA/Horror books or even a mix, then you need to pick up this book!
October 24, 2025
May the Dead Keep You is a spooky YA mystery for ages 14+. It mixes ghostly chills with a real look at love, trust, and personal boundaries. I loved how the main character stands up for herself in a pressured moment—and the guy actually listens and apologizes. There are elements of bisexuality exploration and underage drinking that might not suit all readers, but overall, it’s a thoughtful story about recognizing red flags and learning self-respect amid the scares.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for the ARC!~~
2.5/5 stars rounded up.
I totally didn't intend this, but reading this while listening to Wuthering Heights was a massive advantage for me. The whole plot is reframing the conditions of Emily Brontë's book into the modern age, its presentation more far horror than gothic. Plus, there's the addition of the Heights' architect being named Patrick after the Brontë patriarch, who historians believe Emily based Heathcliff's character on. From some sources I glanced, he was prone to violent outbursts but not outright abusive to his kids. Take that with a grain of salt, for I'm not a Brontë scholar.
Despite the personal enjoyment from understanding the references and connections to a beloved classic, I don't like this as much as I thought I would.
Don't get me wrong — I recognize Baguchinsky's skill to crafting prose. Her descriptions, particularly of the Heights and the forest surrounding it, to be vivid and deliciously dark. The constant creeping feeling of someone watching you follows you heavily throughout the story. There's also incorporation of diary entries, photo descriptions, even floor layout plans that gradually reveal the history behind the Heights that heavily connected to the central mystery. It made the mystery-solving much less challenging in my eyes, but I still liked how it was utilized. This book would make an excellent spooky read based on vibes alone.
But when it came much of everything else, it didn't impress me as much. The "romance" between Catie and Hunter had good intentions for what it portrays, but with how fast Catie's lovesickness came over her after being extremely suspicious of the guy, I thought the spooky thing put a curse on her or something, especially when she kept excusing and brushing aside Hunter's many red flags. But no, that wasn't the case. They also can randomly perform necromancy when they both touch a dead thing at the same time? Interesting concept that is never explained, nor does it weird out other characters in the slightest when they find out about it. The side characters had potential, particularly Ivy and Catie's mom, but their moments to shine are very brief. The story's focus was primarily on Catie getting gaslit by her house and/or her boyfriend.
Besides the main mystery, the story tries to take big pharma and other medical wrongs brought on by capitalism that really stretch the main themes of the story. Some of it is related to women's autonomy, which is related to the mystery, but it still felt like the story was trying to eat more than it could chew, because, by the end of the story, it doesn't really go anywhere.
All in all, there's so much great potential here that kinda fumbled in on itself. But if you're into great description horror writing, then I'd give this a heartedly recommendation.
2.5/5 stars rounded up.
I totally didn't intend this, but reading this while listening to Wuthering Heights was a massive advantage for me. The whole plot is reframing the conditions of Emily Brontë's book into the modern age, its presentation more far horror than gothic. Plus, there's the addition of the Heights' architect being named Patrick after the Brontë patriarch, who historians believe Emily based Heathcliff's character on. From some sources I glanced, he was prone to violent outbursts but not outright abusive to his kids. Take that with a grain of salt, for I'm not a Brontë scholar.
Despite the personal enjoyment from understanding the references and connections to a beloved classic, I don't like this as much as I thought I would.
Don't get me wrong — I recognize Baguchinsky's skill to crafting prose. Her descriptions, particularly of the Heights and the forest surrounding it, to be vivid and deliciously dark. The constant creeping feeling of someone watching you follows you heavily throughout the story. There's also incorporation of diary entries, photo descriptions, even floor layout plans that gradually reveal the history behind the Heights that heavily connected to the central mystery. It made the mystery-solving much less challenging in my eyes, but I still liked how it was utilized. This book would make an excellent spooky read based on vibes alone.
But when it came much of everything else, it didn't impress me as much. The "romance" between Catie and Hunter had good intentions for what it portrays, but with how fast Catie's lovesickness came over her after being extremely suspicious of the guy, I thought the spooky thing put a curse on her or something, especially when she kept excusing and brushing aside Hunter's many red flags. But no, that wasn't the case. They also can randomly perform necromancy when they both touch a dead thing at the same time? Interesting concept that is never explained, nor does it weird out other characters in the slightest when they find out about it. The side characters had potential, particularly Ivy and Catie's mom, but their moments to shine are very brief. The story's focus was primarily on Catie getting gaslit by her house and/or her boyfriend.
Besides the main mystery, the story tries to take big pharma and other medical wrongs brought on by capitalism that really stretch the main themes of the story. Some of it is related to women's autonomy, which is related to the mystery, but it still felt like the story was trying to eat more than it could chew, because, by the end of the story, it doesn't really go anywhere.
All in all, there's so much great potential here that kinda fumbled in on itself. But if you're into great description horror writing, then I'd give this a heartedly recommendation.
December 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“May the Dead Keep You” is an atmospheric, slow-creeping YA horror that combines supernatural terror with the real-life horrors of control, abuse, and generational trauma. Intensely eerie and emotionally layered, it reads like “The Haunting of Hill House” meets “The Shining,” with unsettling body horror and psychological tension threaded through every chapter.
The story follows Catie East, a quiet, nature-loving teen who has always felt safest wandering the redwood forest surrounding her family’s crumbling estate, The Heights. She’s lived there for years, but strange things are only just beginning with blood appearing where it shouldn’t, figures flickering in reflections, and the wallpaper seeming to watch her. Interwoven between Catie’s perspective are “ephemera” chapters: haunting historical snippets about Catherine, a former teenage resident trapped in a life of fear under her abusive father. These flashbacks gradually parallel Catie’s reality, tightening the story’s unsettling tone as past and present collide.
When a researcher and his son Hunter move into the property’s cottage, the book briefly shifts toward soft first-crush energy. Hunter is sweet and is golden retriever–coded at first, and their relationship develops quickly in a way that feels authentically teenage. But as the haunting escalates, Hunter’s behavior becomes controlling, jealous, and frightening. The supernatural influence never excuses his actions, and the book does an excellent job highlighting warning signs in relationships like touching without consent, isolation, manipulation, especially for younger readers still learning to recognize red flags.
The horror elements grow steadily more visceral, including possession and moments of disturbing body imagery, making this best suited for older YA audiences. The necromancy subplot is intriguing, particularly during one unforgettable scene with a dead woodpecker, but it receives limited explanation, leaving that thread underdeveloped.
The climax ties together the past and present in a predictable but satisfying way, offering closure, emotional release, and, most importantly, hope. The story wraps up well with a bittersweet resolution centered on reclaiming safety, agency, and identity.
Overall, “May the Dead Keep You” is chilling, thoughtful, and nearly impossible to put down. Those who enjoy haunted houses, psychologically complex characters, and horror with emotional depth will find plenty to love. It’s unsettling, empowering, and a compelling exploration of how cycles of trauma (and the ghosts they leave behind) can finally be broken.
“May the Dead Keep You” is an atmospheric, slow-creeping YA horror that combines supernatural terror with the real-life horrors of control, abuse, and generational trauma. Intensely eerie and emotionally layered, it reads like “The Haunting of Hill House” meets “The Shining,” with unsettling body horror and psychological tension threaded through every chapter.
The story follows Catie East, a quiet, nature-loving teen who has always felt safest wandering the redwood forest surrounding her family’s crumbling estate, The Heights. She’s lived there for years, but strange things are only just beginning with blood appearing where it shouldn’t, figures flickering in reflections, and the wallpaper seeming to watch her. Interwoven between Catie’s perspective are “ephemera” chapters: haunting historical snippets about Catherine, a former teenage resident trapped in a life of fear under her abusive father. These flashbacks gradually parallel Catie’s reality, tightening the story’s unsettling tone as past and present collide.
When a researcher and his son Hunter move into the property’s cottage, the book briefly shifts toward soft first-crush energy. Hunter is sweet and is golden retriever–coded at first, and their relationship develops quickly in a way that feels authentically teenage. But as the haunting escalates, Hunter’s behavior becomes controlling, jealous, and frightening. The supernatural influence never excuses his actions, and the book does an excellent job highlighting warning signs in relationships like touching without consent, isolation, manipulation, especially for younger readers still learning to recognize red flags.
The horror elements grow steadily more visceral, including possession and moments of disturbing body imagery, making this best suited for older YA audiences. The necromancy subplot is intriguing, particularly during one unforgettable scene with a dead woodpecker, but it receives limited explanation, leaving that thread underdeveloped.
The climax ties together the past and present in a predictable but satisfying way, offering closure, emotional release, and, most importantly, hope. The story wraps up well with a bittersweet resolution centered on reclaiming safety, agency, and identity.
Overall, “May the Dead Keep You” is chilling, thoughtful, and nearly impossible to put down. Those who enjoy haunted houses, psychologically complex characters, and horror with emotional depth will find plenty to love. It’s unsettling, empowering, and a compelling exploration of how cycles of trauma (and the ghosts they leave behind) can finally be broken.
April 22, 2026
#MayTheDeadKeepYou by #JillBaguchinsky was an intriguing read.
The world building was very well done, with good character development and consistent pacing that kept the story from lagging in any parts. There was only one problem with the book that I could see and that was one of the main story lines. We don't get an explanation as to how it came to be, only a brief few times that it ties in with the storyline from the past.
Catie has grown up in The Heights even though its a massive and strange place back in a large Redwood forest its home for her. She has always felt welcomed in the woods like it is a part of her very essence. She honors the forest and its creatures by burying any dead she finds in a little graveyard by her favorite tree. For each animal she leaves a small painted stone to remember that they were once there.
Things go from peaceful to something different after a woodpecker runs into her french door shattering the glass and causing Catie to cut her foot open. She tries to save the woodpecker but, unable to, she takes it to the woods to bury it.
Sometimes there is a moment, a singular moment that changes the world as you know it and for Catie that is the moment that she meets Hunter for the second time. This strange boy that stirs something within her. Something dark and heady but something bright and delicious as well.
Together the two of them discover something wonderful that they can do when each of them touch the body of something deceased.
This is the moment though when Catie’s world becomes something else and when her home The Heights starts to feel less like home and more like something to dread. The Heights has a complicated past built by a famous reclusive architect for his wife and daughter. The home is massive with hidden rooms, a great hall, and even its very own suit of armor. No one really knows what happened to the man and his family, the only thing truly known is that once they moved into that home the family pulled away from the public and eventually the wife died in a horrible fire. The architect's body was found several days after he had passed away in the home.
People aren't known to visit The Heights as the whole place tends to make people uneasy. It's as if the home has the spirit of its creator within its beating walls. What lengths can a place go to in order to keep someone? Catie is going to find out first hand how terrifying a haunting can be.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read #MayTheDeadKeepYou in return for a fair and honest review.
The world building was very well done, with good character development and consistent pacing that kept the story from lagging in any parts. There was only one problem with the book that I could see and that was one of the main story lines. We don't get an explanation as to how it came to be, only a brief few times that it ties in with the storyline from the past.
Catie has grown up in The Heights even though its a massive and strange place back in a large Redwood forest its home for her. She has always felt welcomed in the woods like it is a part of her very essence. She honors the forest and its creatures by burying any dead she finds in a little graveyard by her favorite tree. For each animal she leaves a small painted stone to remember that they were once there.
Things go from peaceful to something different after a woodpecker runs into her french door shattering the glass and causing Catie to cut her foot open. She tries to save the woodpecker but, unable to, she takes it to the woods to bury it.
Sometimes there is a moment, a singular moment that changes the world as you know it and for Catie that is the moment that she meets Hunter for the second time. This strange boy that stirs something within her. Something dark and heady but something bright and delicious as well.
Together the two of them discover something wonderful that they can do when each of them touch the body of something deceased.
This is the moment though when Catie’s world becomes something else and when her home The Heights starts to feel less like home and more like something to dread. The Heights has a complicated past built by a famous reclusive architect for his wife and daughter. The home is massive with hidden rooms, a great hall, and even its very own suit of armor. No one really knows what happened to the man and his family, the only thing truly known is that once they moved into that home the family pulled away from the public and eventually the wife died in a horrible fire. The architect's body was found several days after he had passed away in the home.
People aren't known to visit The Heights as the whole place tends to make people uneasy. It's as if the home has the spirit of its creator within its beating walls. What lengths can a place go to in order to keep someone? Catie is going to find out first hand how terrifying a haunting can be.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read #MayTheDeadKeepYou in return for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’re a Wuthering Heights girlie like me, and you love a good gothic YA horror story, MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU is absolutely for you. A modern day Heights for a modern day reader, but with all the trappings of Emily Bronte’s characters. Perfect for fans of Skyla Arndt and Kelly Andrew.
This book is one part haunted house story, one part classic retelling, with dual modern-historical narratives and a touch of necromancy, you know, just for funsies. The dual narratives fill in the past little by little, teasing enough from the historical events to add tension in Catie’s modern point of view.
The obsessive, codependent love of Cathy and Heathcliff is present and accounted for, but instead, it’s Catie and Hunter. Well played, Jill Baguchinsky, well played! Hunter as Heathcliff is SO. WELL. DONE, too. He’s got the shape of Bronte’s boorish hero, without most of the attitude. Hunter is definitely more likeable (because let’s be real, OG Heathcliff was a bully). Hunter is not as irredeemable, and does genuinely seem to like Catie… and also possesses the ability to feel remorse.
Honestly, I didn’t know I needed Wuthering Heights with necromancy until I read MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU. It was kind of understated, this fantasy element, and the characters didn’t really go into depth about how it was possible. Their world is a largely grounded, non-magical world, so it was strange—in a good way. The downplaying felt natural somehow? (even if Catie’s and Hunter’s combined ability definitely is outside the realm of natural :P)
I could wax poetic about how much I enjoyed this book. I will say that even if you haven’t read Wuthering Heights, you’re still going to enjoy MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU. The parallels between Bronte’s story and this one exist, but it’s not like you have to read the classic story first to understand what’s going on. You’re still getting a tense, spooky story about a girl navigating rapidly changing relationships in an atmospheric setting.
And, the necromancy. Can’t forget the necromancy. :P
Overall, this is a well-balanced tale, borrowing the best aspects from Wuthering Heights and adding some new, chilling twists. I had the opportunity to read a free advance review copy of MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley. My review is honest, and given freely.
This book is one part haunted house story, one part classic retelling, with dual modern-historical narratives and a touch of necromancy, you know, just for funsies. The dual narratives fill in the past little by little, teasing enough from the historical events to add tension in Catie’s modern point of view.
The obsessive, codependent love of Cathy and Heathcliff is present and accounted for, but instead, it’s Catie and Hunter. Well played, Jill Baguchinsky, well played! Hunter as Heathcliff is SO. WELL. DONE, too. He’s got the shape of Bronte’s boorish hero, without most of the attitude. Hunter is definitely more likeable (because let’s be real, OG Heathcliff was a bully). Hunter is not as irredeemable, and does genuinely seem to like Catie… and also possesses the ability to feel remorse.
Honestly, I didn’t know I needed Wuthering Heights with necromancy until I read MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU. It was kind of understated, this fantasy element, and the characters didn’t really go into depth about how it was possible. Their world is a largely grounded, non-magical world, so it was strange—in a good way. The downplaying felt natural somehow? (even if Catie’s and Hunter’s combined ability definitely is outside the realm of natural :P)
I could wax poetic about how much I enjoyed this book. I will say that even if you haven’t read Wuthering Heights, you’re still going to enjoy MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU. The parallels between Bronte’s story and this one exist, but it’s not like you have to read the classic story first to understand what’s going on. You’re still getting a tense, spooky story about a girl navigating rapidly changing relationships in an atmospheric setting.
And, the necromancy. Can’t forget the necromancy. :P
Overall, this is a well-balanced tale, borrowing the best aspects from Wuthering Heights and adding some new, chilling twists. I had the opportunity to read a free advance review copy of MAY THE DEAD KEEP YOU from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley. My review is honest, and given freely.
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