The Agony of Her: An Ohio Gothic

by Cassandra L Thompson

220 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 13, 2026

Reviews

[Kimberly Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m completely OBSESSED with this story!!!! When I tell you this book not only had me hooked but it had my mind reeling through out the night it was so good!

This book gives The Haunting (Hugh Crane) mixed with Coraline vibes in all the best of ways!

We get the story of Ada Haite the new and third wife of Charles Haite, as her and his two daughters from two previous marriages get sent to Haite Hill. Charles owned the mill and as such the town was named Haite Town. Ada suffered from sleepwalking and Charles solution was to hid her away in a summer home that was built for his first wife Julianna. As the story goes along Ada starts experiencing strange things both during waking hours and at night.

We go back and forth between timelines (1910 & 1981) to get the full story.

We also meet Lori Green whom inherits Haite Hill, an abandoned Victorian Gothic set in the long forgotten company town deep in the Cuyahoga valley. Lori happens to be a historical home renovator. This unexpected inheritance comes during a time when she needs it the most. Lori has recently been divorced and needed a fresh start. Lori same as Ada has two step daughters whom unfortunately have an absent father by his choosing. We finally have a story that paints a stepmother in a good light and not as the villain.

[Tatyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely pulled me in from the very first pages, it is intense, emotional, and impossible to put down. “The Agony of Her”is a haunting, emotionally charged novel that blends history and supernatural elements into a gripping and unforgettable story.

The characters feel real, flawed, and shaped by both history and forces beyond their control. As the story unfolds, the line between what is remembered, what is hidden, and what is otherworldly becomes beautifully blurred. The emotional impact stays with you long after the final page.

Dark, thoughtful, and compelling, this book is perfect for readers who love historical depth mixed with eerie supernatural undertones and strong emotional storytelling. An absolutely captivating read that lingers in your mind.

[Caroline Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of this book as the characters really came to life and the mystery surrounding the history of the house and its occupants was described in such a way that I could tell things were going to get creepier. I liked both timelines and the links between the stories. However at around the 70 per cent mark there was a dump of background story which was simply one character relaying the history to fill in the gaps. This felt like a lazy way to convey the details and I completely lost interest. It's a shame because I do love a good spooky house/folklore combination.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Kimberrose_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly captivating. Well-written & well-paced. It's not quite a dual POV, it's more of parallel storytelling. Each storyline filled in gaps and answered questions for the other. An absolutely exquisite horror novel.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t typically read horror, but the description and cover made me say, “Eff it—I’ll give it a try.” And I was not disappointed.

From the very beginning, I was hooked. I even had a moment of absolute horror early on and legitimately had to put the book down for a minute.

Since horror is a new genre for me, I’m not sure how this compares to others, but I found the story incredibly captivating—I finished it within 24 hours. I loved the coinciding timelines and how they intertwined by the end, and I thought I had the characters all figured out… I absolutely did not.

This might have been the perfect introduction to horror for me, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone curious about dipping their toe into the genre.