What do you think?
I'll Watch Your Baby: A Novel
A suffocating and sharp narrative horror novel for fans of Victor LaValle and The Reformatory from "addictive" (Publishers Weekly) horror author Neena Viel, I’ll Watch Your Baby is a
haunting reimagining of Linda Taylor--known as the original Welfare Queen—pursued, scrutinized, celebrated and vilified, and the impact her image has had for generations.
1974. Lottie Turner is already infamous. Running a wheel of schemes and scams, she’s willing to work for what she wants in…creative ways. But no business is more lucrative than desperate families looking to adopt a child—and there’s only one way to procure children quickly.
And the only way to take what’s owed you is to cross the line no one else is willing to cross.
1994. Bless has finally found the family she deserved. After suffocating slowly with lackluster parents and a non-starter past, she’s found the friends that means everything to her. That she’d live and die for. As they make their way across the country, one smash and grab at a time, Bless is used to acting fast and thinking on her feet.
But someone is playing a long game. Someone has unfinished business. Soon Bless is trapped in a web of horrors past and present, where the only escape hatch is a path only she can walk, if she finds the courage to take it.
1974. Lottie Turner is already infamous. Running a wheel of schemes and scams, she’s willing to work for what she wants in…creative ways. But no business is more lucrative than desperate families looking to adopt a child—and there’s only one way to procure children quickly.
And the only way to take what’s owed you is to cross the line no one else is willing to cross.
1994. Bless has finally found the family she deserved. After suffocating slowly with lackluster parents and a non-starter past, she’s found the friends that means everything to her. That she’d live and die for. As they make their way across the country, one smash and grab at a time, Bless is used to acting fast and thinking on her feet.
But someone is playing a long game. Someone has unfinished business. Soon Bless is trapped in a web of horrors past and present, where the only escape hatch is a path only she can walk, if she finds the courage to take it.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2026
About the author
Neena Viel
2 books428 followersNeena is a horror writer who lives in a cabin in the Washingtonian woods with her husband. She has a canine assistant who fundamentally disrespects the creative process.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
June 2, 2026
Phenomenal!! So weird, creepy, crazy, dark, rage inducing, sometimes disgusting, and so unexpectedly fun. This will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and proves once again that Neena Viel is writing some of the most unique horror around!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley and st. martin's press for the eARC—all are thoughts are my own!
✦ publication date: may 26, 2026
i don’t usually read horror books, but this year i decided to go diverse. i'll watch your baby taught me a lot, especially about a real person i had never heard of before: linda taylor, the woman who was called the “welfare queen.” the author turned her story into a horror tale, and i learned why she became such a famous (and controversial) figure.
the novel follows two main characters, lottie and bless, who live in different time periods. both of them do things that aren’t good. even though they make bad choices, i still felt sorry for them because the world around them is so harsh. the book shows how black women are often blamed and treated as villains just for trying to survive.
at first i wondered how the writer would connect the two timelines. the parts jump back and forth, and for a while it felt confusing. but as i kept reading, the pieces fell into place. when the two stories finally meet, the twist hits hard. everything i thought i understood changes, and the ending left me shocked and thinking about the whole story long after i turned the last page.
you should pick up this novel when it’s released. neeva viel is definitely a writer to watch, and i recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrilling read that also matters.
⤿ historical fiction
⤿ horror/thriller
⤿ generational trauma
⤿ systematic oppression
⤿ possession
౨ৎ ⋮ more by neena viel
— listen to your sister
✦ publication date: may 26, 2026
i don’t usually read horror books, but this year i decided to go diverse. i'll watch your baby taught me a lot, especially about a real person i had never heard of before: linda taylor, the woman who was called the “welfare queen.” the author turned her story into a horror tale, and i learned why she became such a famous (and controversial) figure.
the novel follows two main characters, lottie and bless, who live in different time periods. both of them do things that aren’t good. even though they make bad choices, i still felt sorry for them because the world around them is so harsh. the book shows how black women are often blamed and treated as villains just for trying to survive.
at first i wondered how the writer would connect the two timelines. the parts jump back and forth, and for a while it felt confusing. but as i kept reading, the pieces fell into place. when the two stories finally meet, the twist hits hard. everything i thought i understood changes, and the ending left me shocked and thinking about the whole story long after i turned the last page.
you should pick up this novel when it’s released. neeva viel is definitely a writer to watch, and i recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrilling read that also matters.
⤿ historical fiction
⤿ horror/thriller
⤿ generational trauma
⤿ systematic oppression
⤿ possession
౨ৎ ⋮ more by neena viel
— listen to your sister
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review in the April 2026 issue of Library Journal. Issue will also feature an interview with the author: https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/...
Three Words That Describe This Book: physically upsetting, generational trauma of systemic oppression, possession
Draft Review: Viel (Listen To Your Sister) returns with an original, visceral, and terrifying tale of revenge against the harm inflicted upon generations of black women, stigmatized for needing the help of welfare, even though systemic racism and violence against their bodies is what put them in this unending cycle of oppression in the first place. Told by two unforgettable narrators– Lottie in 1974, a Welfare Queen, villainized by the media and sought by law enforcement and Bless in 1994, a troubled young woman on the run with a group of friends– readers will quickly and eagerly follow these fully realized, extremely flawed, but undeniably sympathetic women as their stories overlap and supernatural forces (and oh so many white flies) lead them to a conclusion that is upsetting on many levels. Exploring a range of very real emotions from intrigue to repulsion, anger to frustration, victimization to freedom, Viel boldly reclaims the Welfare Queen narrative in what is sure to be one of 2026 most unforgettable horror novels.
Verdict: With her second novel, Viel has quickly become a must read horror author, especially for fans of the imaginative, thought provoking, and unsettling work of writers like Tananarive Due, Catriona Ward, Caitlin Starling, and Hailey Piper.
This book is physically upsetting on so many levels. Readers are angry, frustrated, sympathetic to the trauma and horror inflected upon all of th characters, mad and their choices, frozen knowing it is systemic oppression, terrified, and you can feel it all in your body.
It is also original, visceral, terrifying. It is a direct and emotional response to the harm inflicted upon generations of black women who were villainized for having to get help through welfare even though systemic oppression and violence against them and their bodies is what put them there. The anger and revenge that is wanted at all costs. How this turns them against themselves. How it is cycle that may not be able to be broken, etc....
And it is all wrapped up in a very entertaining horror package.
The white flies that are used throughout the book and across story lines to unite the supernatural haunting is a nice touch. They appear at key moments -- sometimes a few and sometime MANY-- but they are a nice bridge between the timelines to unite the timeless story Viel is telling, They are the psychical manifestation of the real life horrors inflicted upon black women and their bodies over time.
This story is much about getting revenge over the harmful welfare queen stereotype-- owning it and controlling the narrative, taking it away from the white media and politicians-- as it is a chance for the current generation of black women -- like Viel herself-- come to terms with their own shame of growing up in a family who accepted welfare-- she speaks about this with honest emotion in the Afterword.
4 parts-- alternating between the story of Lottie-- a fictionalized version of the welfare queen-- in 1971 and Bless in 1994. Both stories are told on a tight timeline with flashbacks. It alternates Lottie, Bless, Lottie, Bless. As part 2 gets going, readers can see the storylines overlapping and it keeps the pacing compelling.
Lottie and Bless are characters readers want to follow. Both are flawed, both are technically criminals and readers know that. But Viel builds sympathy for them. Especially Lottie. She is both awful and charming. Bless you feel badly for but she gets her autonomy as the story goes on. As a reader you don't identify with these women, but you sympathize with their circumstances and more importantly, you want to keep watching to see what happens.
Haitian god of Legba is invoked. And the recurrence of a field in TN, the dirt, the bugs....these details repeat in a way that readers can feel the grime, see the space, and feel the lingering trauma in their own bodies as we see it affecting characters bodies.
I like Viel's debut and this is a very good second book. I will keep reading her work for sure.
For fans of Tananarive Due, Catriona Ward, Caitlin Starling, and Hailey Piper.
Three Words That Describe This Book: physically upsetting, generational trauma of systemic oppression, possession
Draft Review: Viel (Listen To Your Sister) returns with an original, visceral, and terrifying tale of revenge against the harm inflicted upon generations of black women, stigmatized for needing the help of welfare, even though systemic racism and violence against their bodies is what put them in this unending cycle of oppression in the first place. Told by two unforgettable narrators– Lottie in 1974, a Welfare Queen, villainized by the media and sought by law enforcement and Bless in 1994, a troubled young woman on the run with a group of friends– readers will quickly and eagerly follow these fully realized, extremely flawed, but undeniably sympathetic women as their stories overlap and supernatural forces (and oh so many white flies) lead them to a conclusion that is upsetting on many levels. Exploring a range of very real emotions from intrigue to repulsion, anger to frustration, victimization to freedom, Viel boldly reclaims the Welfare Queen narrative in what is sure to be one of 2026 most unforgettable horror novels.
Verdict: With her second novel, Viel has quickly become a must read horror author, especially for fans of the imaginative, thought provoking, and unsettling work of writers like Tananarive Due, Catriona Ward, Caitlin Starling, and Hailey Piper.
This book is physically upsetting on so many levels. Readers are angry, frustrated, sympathetic to the trauma and horror inflected upon all of th characters, mad and their choices, frozen knowing it is systemic oppression, terrified, and you can feel it all in your body.
It is also original, visceral, terrifying. It is a direct and emotional response to the harm inflicted upon generations of black women who were villainized for having to get help through welfare even though systemic oppression and violence against them and their bodies is what put them there. The anger and revenge that is wanted at all costs. How this turns them against themselves. How it is cycle that may not be able to be broken, etc....
And it is all wrapped up in a very entertaining horror package.
The white flies that are used throughout the book and across story lines to unite the supernatural haunting is a nice touch. They appear at key moments -- sometimes a few and sometime MANY-- but they are a nice bridge between the timelines to unite the timeless story Viel is telling, They are the psychical manifestation of the real life horrors inflicted upon black women and their bodies over time.
This story is much about getting revenge over the harmful welfare queen stereotype-- owning it and controlling the narrative, taking it away from the white media and politicians-- as it is a chance for the current generation of black women -- like Viel herself-- come to terms with their own shame of growing up in a family who accepted welfare-- she speaks about this with honest emotion in the Afterword.
4 parts-- alternating between the story of Lottie-- a fictionalized version of the welfare queen-- in 1971 and Bless in 1994. Both stories are told on a tight timeline with flashbacks. It alternates Lottie, Bless, Lottie, Bless. As part 2 gets going, readers can see the storylines overlapping and it keeps the pacing compelling.
Lottie and Bless are characters readers want to follow. Both are flawed, both are technically criminals and readers know that. But Viel builds sympathy for them. Especially Lottie. She is both awful and charming. Bless you feel badly for but she gets her autonomy as the story goes on. As a reader you don't identify with these women, but you sympathize with their circumstances and more importantly, you want to keep watching to see what happens.
Haitian god of Legba is invoked. And the recurrence of a field in TN, the dirt, the bugs....these details repeat in a way that readers can feel the grime, see the space, and feel the lingering trauma in their own bodies as we see it affecting characters bodies.
I like Viel's debut and this is a very good second book. I will keep reading her work for sure.
For fans of Tananarive Due, Catriona Ward, Caitlin Starling, and Hailey Piper.
Read
August 6, 2026not for me:)
July 24, 2026
This is an absolutely bonkers (in a good way) horror novel inspired by the story of the “welfare queen” Linda Taylor. There are multiple timelines, POVs, and narrative threads, but it adds up to a story that was fun to follow and kept me guessing. The main character does some truly evil things and is never fully redeemed, but by the end of the book, I felt empathy for her. There are also some fantastic moments of dark humour. This book was truly unlike anything I’ve read before, and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!
Thank you to the publisher for giving me access to an eARC of this book.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me access to an eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a hard read for me. From the very beginning, I felt confused and struggled to find my footing in the story. There were moments where I thought I was finally starting to understand Lottie’s schemes and Bless’s journey, but that clarity never lasted. Instead, the plot became more tangled, and I found myself feeling more lost as the story moved between timelines and revealed darker truths. I had such high hopes for this book because the premise was intriguing and full of potential, but it often felt like the author was trying too hard to be complex and shocking rather than letting the story unfold naturally.
That said, the book wasn’t without promise. The ideas behind the characters and their motivations were interesting, and there were glimpses of what could have been a powerful and haunting story. Unfortunately, it never fully came together for me, and the emotional impact didn’t land the way I expected. The ending was great, mostly because it meant the journey was finally over and I could step away from the confusion. Overall, while the concept was strong, the execution came up short, leaving me disappointed in what could have been a much more compelling read.
Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
That said, the book wasn’t without promise. The ideas behind the characters and their motivations were interesting, and there were glimpses of what could have been a powerful and haunting story. Unfortunately, it never fully came together for me, and the emotional impact didn’t land the way I expected. The ending was great, mostly because it meant the journey was finally over and I could step away from the confusion. Overall, while the concept was strong, the execution came up short, leaving me disappointed in what could have been a much more compelling read.
Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
December 19, 2025
Thank you to edelweiss for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Actual rating 4.5. I’ll be the one to say I loved Listen To Your Sister. Low rating means nothing to me. I enjoy Neena Viel’s writing and this was just as interesting as her last book.
I’ve actually not really heard of Linda Taylor and this book had me doing a lot of research. I loved how the author was able to spin this real life event into a horror story. In the beginning I wasn’t sure how the two plot points would merge but the way it did was so good! I’ll admit I wasn’t sure if I really hated Lottie. She was bad of course like kidnapping kids and babies and ripping them from their families is devastating but also she was real and loyal to Filly. I wanted her to lose and win at the same time. Bless I identified with a bit. Wanting so bad to have friendship and connection. I was a bit surprised she got so attached after only 3 months but I guess it was trauma bonding.
There were a few things I was confused about with the timeline. Were Lottie’s parents around during slavery? How old was she if the originally story was in 1974? Or maybe I just didn’t understand it all the way. Also, what happened to Manny? He just disappeared never to be seen again. I was hoping he’d pop up and never did. And another question I had was about Wayne and why he never showed back up again. The ending felt off to me and I wasn’t a huge fan but I loved the build up till the end.
This story gripped me and I was focused till the end. This type of slow horror that builds up is great if done well. I’m going to say I loved this book and as the first review I’ll tell everyone to read it. Might not be everyone’s thing but who knows! Neena Viel I’ll be your reader for the next book!!
Actual rating 4.5. I’ll be the one to say I loved Listen To Your Sister. Low rating means nothing to me. I enjoy Neena Viel’s writing and this was just as interesting as her last book.
I’ve actually not really heard of Linda Taylor and this book had me doing a lot of research. I loved how the author was able to spin this real life event into a horror story. In the beginning I wasn’t sure how the two plot points would merge but the way it did was so good! I’ll admit I wasn’t sure if I really hated Lottie. She was bad of course like kidnapping kids and babies and ripping them from their families is devastating but also she was real and loyal to Filly. I wanted her to lose and win at the same time. Bless I identified with a bit. Wanting so bad to have friendship and connection. I was a bit surprised she got so attached after only 3 months but I guess it was trauma bonding.
There were a few things I was confused about with the timeline. Were Lottie’s parents around during slavery? How old was she if the originally story was in 1974? Or maybe I just didn’t understand it all the way. Also, what happened to Manny? He just disappeared never to be seen again. I was hoping he’d pop up and never did. And another question I had was about Wayne and why he never showed back up again. The ending felt off to me and I wasn’t a huge fan but I loved the build up till the end.
This story gripped me and I was focused till the end. This type of slow horror that builds up is great if done well. I’m going to say I loved this book and as the first review I’ll tell everyone to read it. Might not be everyone’s thing but who knows! Neena Viel I’ll be your reader for the next book!!
January 7, 2026
Two timelines, two stories wrapped in a surprising horror story.
I really liked that this one was based on a real person, Lottie Turner. It gave it such a sinister and eerie quality, wondering where it pushed the story and what was based on history. But it's a bit of a slow burn, taking a minute to really show the twists in the story. By midway in the story, I was hooked, wondering about 2 friends and a man who knew secrets and the group of kids barging into an old house. The flies were in the story just enough to really make your skin crawl.
This was an interesting horror story that took a minute to get going, but once it did, I was all in.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I really liked that this one was based on a real person, Lottie Turner. It gave it such a sinister and eerie quality, wondering where it pushed the story and what was based on history. But it's a bit of a slow burn, taking a minute to really show the twists in the story. By midway in the story, I was hooked, wondering about 2 friends and a man who knew secrets and the group of kids barging into an old house. The flies were in the story just enough to really make your skin crawl.
This was an interesting horror story that took a minute to get going, but once it did, I was all in.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
May 13, 2026
I read this in one sitting. It's not my favorite. I couldn't stop anyway.
I had never heard of the Welfare Queen before this book. I went in blind, having loved Neena Veil's Listen to Your Sister, expecting a wild ride. I wasn't wrong. It started off thriller-esque, a woman I initially thought was helping mothers out. Boy was I wrong about that too.
The timeline shift was where things got more interesting for me. The group of friends robbing the elder woman had me wishing someone would have a change of heart and leave her be. Well, the twist in the situation surprised me. The supernatural and social horror elements gripped me, and watching everything connect between the timelines was satisfying. The characters were unlikable, but that was the draw. The ending was ambiguous, which worked for the story.
It kept me turning pages even when it unsettled me.
The Vibe: Nightmarish, Sassy, Crime-Gone-Wrong
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Thank you St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for my review copy. All opinions are my own.
I had never heard of the Welfare Queen before this book. I went in blind, having loved Neena Veil's Listen to Your Sister, expecting a wild ride. I wasn't wrong. It started off thriller-esque, a woman I initially thought was helping mothers out. Boy was I wrong about that too.
The timeline shift was where things got more interesting for me. The group of friends robbing the elder woman had me wishing someone would have a change of heart and leave her be. Well, the twist in the situation surprised me. The supernatural and social horror elements gripped me, and watching everything connect between the timelines was satisfying. The characters were unlikable, but that was the draw. The ending was ambiguous, which worked for the story.
It kept me turning pages even when it unsettled me.
The Vibe: Nightmarish, Sassy, Crime-Gone-Wrong
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Thank you St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for my review copy. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2026
I had never heard of the Welfare Queen! I love when a book teaches me something new.
Part One was so, so good! I flew through Lottie's chapters. Once I started part two and it switched to Bless, it felt a bit disjointed and took me out of the flow of the story. I don't think I ever quite got back there.
I did however enjoy the horror elements and the setting. The creep factor was definitely there. It's not a bad read by any means, it just didn't work for me. I would still check out books by this author down the road.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy!
Part One was so, so good! I flew through Lottie's chapters. Once I started part two and it switched to Bless, it felt a bit disjointed and took me out of the flow of the story. I don't think I ever quite got back there.
I did however enjoy the horror elements and the setting. The creep factor was definitely there. It's not a bad read by any means, it just didn't work for me. I would still check out books by this author down the road.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy!
May 27, 2026
An Ambitious Timeline That Lost Its Momentum
Neena Viel clearly possesses an incredibly promising voice and her attempt to dismantle the complex, real-world "welfare queen" myth through a split-timeline horror lens is extremely admirable. The atmospheric writing in I'll Watch Your Baby sets up a very distinct, heavy landscape right from the start.
However, despite the wonderful social commentary and interesting premise weaving 1974 Chicago with 1994, the execution ultimately fell flat for me. The pacing felt noticeably sluggish in the middle acts, and the transition between the dual timelines disrupted the narrative flow rather than building the necessary suspense; especially moving from Part I to Part II. While the thematic concepts are undeniably powerful, the story lost the urgent momentum needed to keep me fully invested, making this a three-star read for me.
I do recommend giving it a read because it may be a great fit for you!
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Neena Viel, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Neena Viel clearly possesses an incredibly promising voice and her attempt to dismantle the complex, real-world "welfare queen" myth through a split-timeline horror lens is extremely admirable. The atmospheric writing in I'll Watch Your Baby sets up a very distinct, heavy landscape right from the start.
However, despite the wonderful social commentary and interesting premise weaving 1974 Chicago with 1994, the execution ultimately fell flat for me. The pacing felt noticeably sluggish in the middle acts, and the transition between the dual timelines disrupted the narrative flow rather than building the necessary suspense; especially moving from Part I to Part II. While the thematic concepts are undeniably powerful, the story lost the urgent momentum needed to keep me fully invested, making this a three-star read for me.
I do recommend giving it a read because it may be a great fit for you!
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Neena Viel, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 9, 2026
This one will appeal to horror fans, especially those that love the southern Gothic horror feel. This story was a lot to unpack as this all slowly unfolds the infamous Welfare Queen. From the beginning, I was invested in Lottie’s outcome and was wondering, would she be able to outrun the powers that be that are on the search for her. I was also invested in seeing how the intertwining story brewing with Bless, Manny, Sasha & Devin would all come together. Overall, a good read that fans of this genre may enjoy. Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for a listening copy.
April 15, 2026
I’ll Watch Your Baby had an interesting premise, and I did appreciate the addition of Lottie’s backstory—it added some depth and gave the story a bit more intrigue. Her history was easily the most engaging part for me and made me want to keep going, hoping the rest of the book would build on that momentum.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the writing style. It felt a bit flat and didn’t fully draw me into the story or the characters. Because of that, I found it hard to stay invested, even when the plot had potential.
Overall, while there were a few elements I liked, especially Lottie’s character, the writing just didn’t work for me, which made this a disappointing read.
⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the writing style. It felt a bit flat and didn’t fully draw me into the story or the characters. Because of that, I found it hard to stay invested, even when the plot had potential.
Overall, while there were a few elements I liked, especially Lottie’s character, the writing just didn’t work for me, which made this a disappointing read.
⭐️⭐️ (2/5)
Did Not Finish
July 3, 2026DNF @ 22%
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the gifted copy - all opinions are my own.
This was a promising premise and had captivating moments but the writing felt disjointed and I found myself grasping to find the plot line.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the gifted copy - all opinions are my own.
This was a promising premise and had captivating moments but the writing felt disjointed and I found myself grasping to find the plot line.
June 10, 2026
《2.5⭐️ rounded up to 3⭐️》
In 1974, Lottie Turner has built a life on scams and deception, running schemes that eventually lead her into the dark world of illegal adoption. Inspired by the real life figure Linda Taylor, the woman infamously labeled the "Welfare Queen", Lottie's story explores survival, ambition, and the consequences of crossing moral boundaries. Twenty years later, Bless has finally found a sense of belonging with a tight-knit group of friends who have become her chosen family. But after a robbery goes wrong, she becomes entangled in a terrifying mystery tied to crimes from decades earlier. As supernatural horrors begin to surface Bless is forced to look at the painful truths hidden in her past.
I really wanted to love this one but unfortunately it ended up being a miss for me. The biggest highlight was Lottie's storyline. Every time the narrative shifted to her chapters I was immediately hooked! Her character was fascinating, brash, messy and morally complex and easily was the most compelling part of the book for me. The historical elements surrounding the story kept me engaged and I wanted more of her perspective. Unfortunately the present-day storyline just didn't have that same effect. While I appreciated the themes the author was exploring, I struggled to connect with the characters and found my attention drifting. The pacing felt uneven and it took me longer than expected to get through sections that should have been more suspenseful. There are definitely some interesting ideas like generational trauma, exploitation and the consequences of the past. Overall, this wasn't an awful read but I wish the book leaned into a different direction. Read if you love historical horror, dual timelines, social commentary and morally gray characters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Neena Viel, and St. Martin's Press for this eARC!
In 1974, Lottie Turner has built a life on scams and deception, running schemes that eventually lead her into the dark world of illegal adoption. Inspired by the real life figure Linda Taylor, the woman infamously labeled the "Welfare Queen", Lottie's story explores survival, ambition, and the consequences of crossing moral boundaries. Twenty years later, Bless has finally found a sense of belonging with a tight-knit group of friends who have become her chosen family. But after a robbery goes wrong, she becomes entangled in a terrifying mystery tied to crimes from decades earlier. As supernatural horrors begin to surface Bless is forced to look at the painful truths hidden in her past.
I really wanted to love this one but unfortunately it ended up being a miss for me. The biggest highlight was Lottie's storyline. Every time the narrative shifted to her chapters I was immediately hooked! Her character was fascinating, brash, messy and morally complex and easily was the most compelling part of the book for me. The historical elements surrounding the story kept me engaged and I wanted more of her perspective. Unfortunately the present-day storyline just didn't have that same effect. While I appreciated the themes the author was exploring, I struggled to connect with the characters and found my attention drifting. The pacing felt uneven and it took me longer than expected to get through sections that should have been more suspenseful. There are definitely some interesting ideas like generational trauma, exploitation and the consequences of the past. Overall, this wasn't an awful read but I wish the book leaned into a different direction. Read if you love historical horror, dual timelines, social commentary and morally gray characters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Neena Viel, and St. Martin's Press for this eARC!
May 16, 2026
If you’ve never heard of the Welfare Queen, I’m gonna need y’all to take a seat and pay attention.
It’s the 1970s, and Lottie Turner is a young mixed race woman who always gets what she wants, whatever it takes… and she uses her racial ambiguity to her advantage.
Her whole philosophy is essentially, if people are going to say things to vilify you no matter what, why not make it so?
She’s got a whole slew of different identities, names, looks, and has claimed welfare for children that don’t even exist, all while living comfortably, stylishly, and without fear.
She even takes it up a few notches when she starts abducting children and selling them for profit, essentially participating in trafficking children.
The law has been tailing her for years, but when they finally arrest her, her best and only friend Filly comes to her rescue with bail and an attitude that leaves law enforcement scratching their heads.
Filly has been sickly for an extended time, and has two young children of her own. Their father is a rat who is mostly absent. After the arrest, Lottie resigns herself to helping Filly by caring for her in her fragile state, while also caring for her children.
Fast forward to 1992. Here we meet a rag tag crew of young adults that have committed to a life of crime, but only against those that supposedly deserve it.
Bless and Sasha find eachother while working as exotic dancers, and Sasha sees something in her that leads her to bring her into the fold with her two cohorts, Manny and Devon.
One of their carefully crafted plans leads them to a completely destitute Antebellum era Plantation, where Bless is told that the woman who lives there should be receiving a large settlement in 5 days that they are going to take for themselves.
But the woman there is silent, decrepit, and sickly looking, which gives Bless pause on their mission. She even tries to help her dress the strange weeping wounds that mottle her legs.
But there is a lot more history and secrets behind this cursed property and the sickly Mrs. Gibson than Bless can even imagine, and it all comes out in some of the most creepy and unnerving ways you could ever think of.
This story was a fictional tale, based on the real woman by the name of Linda Taylor, the politically proclaimed ‘welfare queen’. Welfare fraud was disproportionately brought to the forefront of her recorded trespasses, as she likely was also guilty of murder and child trafficking.
The widely publicized accusations against her were a blatantly manipulative criminalization of young black and brown mothers of the time that has lasted generations. In the afterward, Neena Viel writes that she wanted to capture the vision of a black woman behaving badly, with all the messy happenings that don’t make it to the forefront in story like Linda Taylor’s.
Overall, this story had a level of depth that I was not expecting, and came as a very welcome surprise. It was eerie, atmospheric, and Lottie’s attitude towards life is absolutely unmatched.
It’s the 1970s, and Lottie Turner is a young mixed race woman who always gets what she wants, whatever it takes… and she uses her racial ambiguity to her advantage.
Her whole philosophy is essentially, if people are going to say things to vilify you no matter what, why not make it so?
She’s got a whole slew of different identities, names, looks, and has claimed welfare for children that don’t even exist, all while living comfortably, stylishly, and without fear.
She even takes it up a few notches when she starts abducting children and selling them for profit, essentially participating in trafficking children.
The law has been tailing her for years, but when they finally arrest her, her best and only friend Filly comes to her rescue with bail and an attitude that leaves law enforcement scratching their heads.
Filly has been sickly for an extended time, and has two young children of her own. Their father is a rat who is mostly absent. After the arrest, Lottie resigns herself to helping Filly by caring for her in her fragile state, while also caring for her children.
Fast forward to 1992. Here we meet a rag tag crew of young adults that have committed to a life of crime, but only against those that supposedly deserve it.
Bless and Sasha find eachother while working as exotic dancers, and Sasha sees something in her that leads her to bring her into the fold with her two cohorts, Manny and Devon.
One of their carefully crafted plans leads them to a completely destitute Antebellum era Plantation, where Bless is told that the woman who lives there should be receiving a large settlement in 5 days that they are going to take for themselves.
But the woman there is silent, decrepit, and sickly looking, which gives Bless pause on their mission. She even tries to help her dress the strange weeping wounds that mottle her legs.
But there is a lot more history and secrets behind this cursed property and the sickly Mrs. Gibson than Bless can even imagine, and it all comes out in some of the most creepy and unnerving ways you could ever think of.
This story was a fictional tale, based on the real woman by the name of Linda Taylor, the politically proclaimed ‘welfare queen’. Welfare fraud was disproportionately brought to the forefront of her recorded trespasses, as she likely was also guilty of murder and child trafficking.
The widely publicized accusations against her were a blatantly manipulative criminalization of young black and brown mothers of the time that has lasted generations. In the afterward, Neena Viel writes that she wanted to capture the vision of a black woman behaving badly, with all the messy happenings that don’t make it to the forefront in story like Linda Taylor’s.
Overall, this story had a level of depth that I was not expecting, and came as a very welcome surprise. It was eerie, atmospheric, and Lottie’s attitude towards life is absolutely unmatched.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved this. I was completely immersed from start to finish. The author gives us morally gray to pitch-black characters we somehow can’t help but root for. Watching their development and reckoning was deeply unsettling but addictive.
The story unfolds through dual POVs, Lottie and Bless, across two timelines set decades apart. I loved how the narratives slowly intertwined, allowing me to piece everything together bit by bit.
Lottie and Bless are women behaving badly. Lottie, cast into the public spotlight and branded “The Welfare Queen,” is inspired by a real-life figure who carried the same title. But the author takes that foundation and builds something far more layered. Lottie isn’t just committing welfare fraud. She is entangled in murder and child trafficking. Then there’s Bless, a young runaway who joins a group of misfits plotting to break into an elderly woman’s home to steal her settlement money. Both storylines lead to an inevitable reckoning neither can outrun.
This book is gritty, grimy, and deeply disturbing. The horror elements, especially the ghost story aspects, are uniquely executed and genuinely creepy. The atmosphere is tense, and the descriptive scenes are vivid and beyond the eerie horror, the story explores loyalty and friendship, both the beauty and toxicity of it, and opens up conversations about how media can easily target a demographic of people by using one terrible example for all. That depth and thought-provoking element will stay with me for a long time.
The ending feels intentionally open, and I am fully hoping for a sequel because I have so many questions and would love to see where this story goes next.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story unfolds through dual POVs, Lottie and Bless, across two timelines set decades apart. I loved how the narratives slowly intertwined, allowing me to piece everything together bit by bit.
Lottie and Bless are women behaving badly. Lottie, cast into the public spotlight and branded “The Welfare Queen,” is inspired by a real-life figure who carried the same title. But the author takes that foundation and builds something far more layered. Lottie isn’t just committing welfare fraud. She is entangled in murder and child trafficking. Then there’s Bless, a young runaway who joins a group of misfits plotting to break into an elderly woman’s home to steal her settlement money. Both storylines lead to an inevitable reckoning neither can outrun.
This book is gritty, grimy, and deeply disturbing. The horror elements, especially the ghost story aspects, are uniquely executed and genuinely creepy. The atmosphere is tense, and the descriptive scenes are vivid and beyond the eerie horror, the story explores loyalty and friendship, both the beauty and toxicity of it, and opens up conversations about how media can easily target a demographic of people by using one terrible example for all. That depth and thought-provoking element will stay with me for a long time.
The ending feels intentionally open, and I am fully hoping for a sequel because I have so many questions and would love to see where this story goes next.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 16, 2026
What Viel does with the character of Lottie - based on "welfare queen" Linda Taylor - is absolutely fascinating. I initially thought I understood where the story was going, but the execution was more morally complex than I anticipated. I'm not always a horror reader, but this had the right mix of unsettling, disturbing, slight humor, and social commentary.
I wanted a bit more of Bless (and definitely more from Sasha, though I understand she's more of a side character). Her sections were interesting, but felt more like a function to forward the plot than like the deep characterization we got with Lottie. But overall this was super engaging.
I wanted a bit more of Bless (and definitely more from Sasha, though I understand she's more of a side character). Her sections were interesting, but felt more like a function to forward the plot than like the deep characterization we got with Lottie. But overall this was super engaging.
Did Not Finish
September 8, 2026I read from this author previously, a book called "listen to your sister," which I ended up dnfing, and I don't think neena viel is an author for me. this book was also a dnf on page 103.
the story, for me personally, was just so boring... at times, I thought it'd picked up, but then soon after, the storyline ended up losing me again. I couldn't care less about bless's chapters, and lottie was an interesting character at times, but I just didn't care about her or any of the other characters either.
I think my main issue is the writing style. something about it just doesn't seem to be working for me and makes the story quite slow paced.
I don't think I'll be picking up any of the other books that this author may come out with. they're just not for me.
the story, for me personally, was just so boring... at times, I thought it'd picked up, but then soon after, the storyline ended up losing me again. I couldn't care less about bless's chapters, and lottie was an interesting character at times, but I just didn't care about her or any of the other characters either.
I think my main issue is the writing style. something about it just doesn't seem to be working for me and makes the story quite slow paced.
I don't think I'll be picking up any of the other books that this author may come out with. they're just not for me.
May 23, 2026
4.25 stars
Thank you MacMillan Audio, Netgalley and the author for this advance copy.
Well goddamnit I support women’s rights AND wrongs!
What a ride this was. Neena Viel has been on my TBR for a while so I was really excited to get this ALC. I love horror that shines a light on the world’s evils and this was social commentary aplenty.
We have poor Black women who are committing crimes of poverty to survive. They don’t want to hurt the other folks in their community, but for generations now, they’ve been abandoned and set up to fail. Viel takes the messed up stereotype of the “welfare queen” that falsely demonizes poor Black mothers (fuck Reagan 🥰) and said, well what if Lottie also really harmed her OWN people? Wow. This was complicated. I loved it, and it made my heart hurt and rage. It was gross and also somehow hysterical. So much blood and witty banter and sociopolitical critique.
At first, the transition between 1974 and 1994 felt a bit bumpy, but honestly it’s cause I fell so in love with Lottie’s voice, it made it hard for me to leave her. I know Lottie is stealing people’s babies and selling ‘em but LISTEN she’s funny and hot and a total man eater, and she’s really sticking it to the government and she said this is for the REPARATIONS, and what am I supposed to do with that!
This is a story with a lot of heart - it’s about loneliness, belonging, chosen and bio family. It’s about how the system is set up to fail Black families and blame them for hundreds of years of oppression. It’s also about how men really are not shit :) and as your resident misandrist, I loved that! (I'm joking I'm joking)
I do think there were some moments in the end that wrapped up a bit too neatly for me, and I wanted more from Bless and Sasha. This is a shorter book and I wouldn't mind 50 more pages to flesh out some plot points. But honestly, this was a great horror and I highly recommend it as an audiobook.
I’ll Watch Your Baby is out on Tuesday, May 26th!
Thank you MacMillan Audio, Netgalley and the author for this advance copy.
Well goddamnit I support women’s rights AND wrongs!
What a ride this was. Neena Viel has been on my TBR for a while so I was really excited to get this ALC. I love horror that shines a light on the world’s evils and this was social commentary aplenty.
We have poor Black women who are committing crimes of poverty to survive. They don’t want to hurt the other folks in their community, but for generations now, they’ve been abandoned and set up to fail. Viel takes the messed up stereotype of the “welfare queen” that falsely demonizes poor Black mothers (fuck Reagan 🥰) and said, well what if Lottie also really harmed her OWN people? Wow. This was complicated. I loved it, and it made my heart hurt and rage. It was gross and also somehow hysterical. So much blood and witty banter and sociopolitical critique.
At first, the transition between 1974 and 1994 felt a bit bumpy, but honestly it’s cause I fell so in love with Lottie’s voice, it made it hard for me to leave her. I know Lottie is stealing people’s babies and selling ‘em but LISTEN she’s funny and hot and a total man eater, and she’s really sticking it to the government and she said this is for the REPARATIONS, and what am I supposed to do with that!
This is a story with a lot of heart - it’s about loneliness, belonging, chosen and bio family. It’s about how the system is set up to fail Black families and blame them for hundreds of years of oppression. It’s also about how men really are not shit :) and as your resident misandrist, I loved that! (I'm joking I'm joking)
I do think there were some moments in the end that wrapped up a bit too neatly for me, and I wanted more from Bless and Sasha. This is a shorter book and I wouldn't mind 50 more pages to flesh out some plot points. But honestly, this was a great horror and I highly recommend it as an audiobook.
I’ll Watch Your Baby is out on Tuesday, May 26th!
June 10, 2026
Spooky, crazy, funny, scary! This was such a rollercoaster ride of a book. The dialogue was sometimes surprisingly funny but the overall book was haunting as hell. I got a little lost towards the end but things wrapped up by the end of the book.
Thankful to the publisher for my gifted book.
Thankful to the publisher for my gifted book.
May 9, 2026
“She’s so pretty when her eyes are full of malice.”
THIS is how you write gothic horror!
If you are looking for a suspenseful slow burn horror novel for your TBR then this may be exactly what you’re looking for.
This was a beautifully written blend of southern gothic horror with historical fiction elements and unapologetically Black characters.
-early 40s FMC
-“The Welfare Queen” reimagining centering Linda Taylor
-dual timeline
-multiple POVs
-hilarious, relatable narration
-Black motherhood
-poverty & systemic racism
-generational trauma and revenge
-disturbingly captivating
-vivid descriptions
-spirits, ghosts, & haunting
-complex relationship dynamics
-based in 1970s-1990s Chicago
This is a novel to take your time with.
It is multilayered, complicated and raw in a way that will have you enthralled in Lottie’s story from start to finish.
The “scary” elements didn’t emerge quickly. There was a blind-siding blend of funny commentary and story building that has you completely unaware of the horror that awaits you.
Everything came together seamlessly by the end. This felt like a movie.
Neena Viel’s writing style is beautifully immersive and captivating.
I will never not read what she writes.
THIS is how you write gothic horror!
If you are looking for a suspenseful slow burn horror novel for your TBR then this may be exactly what you’re looking for.
This was a beautifully written blend of southern gothic horror with historical fiction elements and unapologetically Black characters.
-early 40s FMC
-“The Welfare Queen” reimagining centering Linda Taylor
-dual timeline
-multiple POVs
-hilarious, relatable narration
-Black motherhood
-poverty & systemic racism
-generational trauma and revenge
-disturbingly captivating
-vivid descriptions
-spirits, ghosts, & haunting
-complex relationship dynamics
-based in 1970s-1990s Chicago
This is a novel to take your time with.
It is multilayered, complicated and raw in a way that will have you enthralled in Lottie’s story from start to finish.
The “scary” elements didn’t emerge quickly. There was a blind-siding blend of funny commentary and story building that has you completely unaware of the horror that awaits you.
Everything came together seamlessly by the end. This felt like a movie.
Neena Viel’s writing style is beautifully immersive and captivating.
I will never not read what she writes.
Did Not Finish
May 23, 2026DNF @ 41%. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC. Maybe I'm dense but nothing interesting is happening nor do I understand what is happening or the point lol. May return but for now, this is too slow of a slow burn for me.
March 21, 2026
I loved Neena Viel’s first novel, Listen to Your Sister, and her second novel is even more assured, layered, brilliantly written and complex. Viel tackles a difficult and controversial subject and turns it into a scary, visceral, and compulsively readable book. Lottie Turner, based on the infamous “welfare queen” that Ronald Reagan vilified in his rise to the presidency, is one of the most difficult to pin down characters I’ve read in a long time. Sometimes you hate her, sometimes you enjoy her, but you always understand her and she’s always honest about who she is, and that is fascinating to read. The book skips around in time and requires your attention, something her first novel required as well, and I for one love that, as it does not fit into a cookie cutter narrative and reads as a mix of literary and horror fiction, doing both brilliantly well.
May 29, 2026
3.5⭐️ Certified page turner! I wore my eReader remote out!! I HAD TO GET TO THE ENDING BECAUSE WTF?!?! 😂
August 7, 2026
I've been a fan of this author ever since her first book, Listen to Your Sister, and her sophomore effort isn't quite as good but still very much my cup of tea. Her writing isn't for everyone, as evidenced by this author's undeservedly low ratings on Goodreads, but I love her books.
This just isn't like horror I have read from white authors, but I would still very much classify it as horror, with generational trauma, possession, and lots of gross moments with bugs. It's got a bit of a literary vibe and a bit of family drama mixed in, and the characters in this book are unredeemable, genuinely awful people, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from them.
Lottie is a woman inspired by a real life welfare queen whose notorious crime is welfare fraud, but she's also involved in an operation to traffic children, she's a thief, and a whole litany of other crimes. She's not a killer, though, and she's at her heart a lonely, abused girl looking for a friend. She grew up on a plantation haunted by the ghosts of enslaved people, and she has revenge on her mind.
The story is told in two points of view, her first person viewpoint and that of a young woman, whose origin story is a spoiler, who is embarking on her own life of crime.
I didn't feel the author made excuses for Lottie's behavior, she really was an awful, unlikable character who was unapologetic in her crimes, but I understood her motivations in the end. I was also rooting for her even when I found her despicable. I wanted to see her take revenge against all the white men who had abused Black women throughout history, even if that revenge is messy and unpalatable.
The first half of the book reads more like true crime than horror, but the horror bit really picks up in the second half. It's subtle but you keep wondering what's happening to Lottie as she makes her first and only friend in Filly and tries to protect her from herself.
The descriptions of the flies and bugs in this book were so visceral and nasty that I often wanted to throw up in my mouth but that's also the reaction I want from good horror.
The ending was frustratingly open-ended, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. Enjoyment is probably the wrong word though for a book with so many trigger warnings.
This book will be for a niche audience but it's my kind of book. Weird horror that I wish got published more by mainstream, traditional publishers. The kind of horror that I want to see more of in the market and why it saddens me to see these books get such low ratings. People say they want weird books and when they get them these books are just too weird for them. Not for me though. This was one wild fever dream of a book. Eagerly awaiting this author's third book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This just isn't like horror I have read from white authors, but I would still very much classify it as horror, with generational trauma, possession, and lots of gross moments with bugs. It's got a bit of a literary vibe and a bit of family drama mixed in, and the characters in this book are unredeemable, genuinely awful people, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from them.
Lottie is a woman inspired by a real life welfare queen whose notorious crime is welfare fraud, but she's also involved in an operation to traffic children, she's a thief, and a whole litany of other crimes. She's not a killer, though, and she's at her heart a lonely, abused girl looking for a friend. She grew up on a plantation haunted by the ghosts of enslaved people, and she has revenge on her mind.
The story is told in two points of view, her first person viewpoint and that of a young woman, whose origin story is a spoiler, who is embarking on her own life of crime.
I didn't feel the author made excuses for Lottie's behavior, she really was an awful, unlikable character who was unapologetic in her crimes, but I understood her motivations in the end. I was also rooting for her even when I found her despicable. I wanted to see her take revenge against all the white men who had abused Black women throughout history, even if that revenge is messy and unpalatable.
The first half of the book reads more like true crime than horror, but the horror bit really picks up in the second half. It's subtle but you keep wondering what's happening to Lottie as she makes her first and only friend in Filly and tries to protect her from herself.
The descriptions of the flies and bugs in this book were so visceral and nasty that I often wanted to throw up in my mouth but that's also the reaction I want from good horror.
The ending was frustratingly open-ended, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. Enjoyment is probably the wrong word though for a book with so many trigger warnings.
This book will be for a niche audience but it's my kind of book. Weird horror that I wish got published more by mainstream, traditional publishers. The kind of horror that I want to see more of in the market and why it saddens me to see these books get such low ratings. People say they want weird books and when they get them these books are just too weird for them. Not for me though. This was one wild fever dream of a book. Eagerly awaiting this author's third book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 25, 2026
Three different genres blended together to bend our minds and tickle our skin in fright, the author hits historical fiction, horror and thrillers. Neena Viel takes a real person, Linda Taylor (aka The welfare Queen) and reimagines her into one of her aliases Lottie James. The setting is a Chicago and I vaguely remember hearing relatives talk about the Welfare Queen. We have a duel timeline of two FMCs , Lottie James in 1974 and Bless in 1994. Viel uses the duel timelines as a writing mechanism to elevate the storyline and overall it was effective in delivering the best story. I must admit I listened to the audiobook twice as I was confused about what I was listening to. As I read other genre, confusion comes with the book reading experience and if you go with it, eventually it will pay off. And when I tell you it pays off throughout.
A key highlight in this book is the maturity and quick witted character of a Lottie James. There were times when I would replay some of her lines as it made me laugh and also made me say “I know she didn’t just say that”. She reminds me of the older ladies that used to cook in church and would cuss too down in the kitchen. Lottie has some good comebacks and cuss downs on people.
In contrast, we have the character of Bless who is naive but has a good heart. We see some character growth with Bless as she is with a group of people stealing across the country. It is an entertaining story of seeing the two timelines come into sync. If you enjoy thrillers and horrors, you will enjoy this reimagining.
Another highlight of this dramatic story is the use of dual narrators and they do a great job of keeping the listener engaged. Thanks Macmillan and Meena for choosing the duel vocals of Chanté McCormick and Keylor Leigh. The audio experience brings the tension and theatrics out as the terrors start leaping out at you. It’s not really a jump scare kind of horror but a skin crawling that will make you look twice at people around you.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for providing the advanced audio version in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 stars
A key highlight in this book is the maturity and quick witted character of a Lottie James. There were times when I would replay some of her lines as it made me laugh and also made me say “I know she didn’t just say that”. She reminds me of the older ladies that used to cook in church and would cuss too down in the kitchen. Lottie has some good comebacks and cuss downs on people.
In contrast, we have the character of Bless who is naive but has a good heart. We see some character growth with Bless as she is with a group of people stealing across the country. It is an entertaining story of seeing the two timelines come into sync. If you enjoy thrillers and horrors, you will enjoy this reimagining.
Another highlight of this dramatic story is the use of dual narrators and they do a great job of keeping the listener engaged. Thanks Macmillan and Meena for choosing the duel vocals of Chanté McCormick and Keylor Leigh. The audio experience brings the tension and theatrics out as the terrors start leaping out at you. It’s not really a jump scare kind of horror but a skin crawling that will make you look twice at people around you.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for providing the advanced audio version in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 stars
March 26, 2026
I’ll Watch Your Baby is based on Linda Taylor, the woman behind the welfare queen mythos. In 1974, Lottie Turner is a woman on the make. She likes nice things and beautiful clothes, furs, wigs, and makeup. Get what you can however you can. She makes her money by procuring and selling children and has a multitude of looks and aliases. Lottie was only looking out for herself until she met Filly. Filly is a dear friend, and Lottie loves her.
Twenty years later, Blessyn falls in with a group of petty criminals and ends up in a filthy, hoarded up antebellum house in the middle of Tennessee. Sasha has gathered them together for a very significant reason.
This book is a love story, a revenge story, a ghost story, a story of families found and lost. It examines poverty, government assistance, political theater, and race and shines a light on the struggles faced by Black mothers eking out a living for their families in a world that pushes them down and shames them if they seek help. The stories of Lottie, Filly, Bless, and Sasha are interlaced with a supernatural, insectile horror. If bugs, flies, or creepy crawlies are a hard no for you, you should probably sit this one out.
Now, for those who of us who love horror and don’t mind entomology, Viel’s writing is sharp, unapologetic, and evocative. She shows her characters to us in all of their messiness. No rose colored glasses. No excuses. Both the bad and the good. As a result, these characters become living, breathing human beings you won’t soon forget.
This is a review of an uncorrected digital galley. I would like to thank Neena Viel, St.Marten’s/Griffin Publishing, and NetGalley for this opportunity. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are my own.
May you read in peace.✌️
Twenty years later, Blessyn falls in with a group of petty criminals and ends up in a filthy, hoarded up antebellum house in the middle of Tennessee. Sasha has gathered them together for a very significant reason.
This book is a love story, a revenge story, a ghost story, a story of families found and lost. It examines poverty, government assistance, political theater, and race and shines a light on the struggles faced by Black mothers eking out a living for their families in a world that pushes them down and shames them if they seek help. The stories of Lottie, Filly, Bless, and Sasha are interlaced with a supernatural, insectile horror. If bugs, flies, or creepy crawlies are a hard no for you, you should probably sit this one out.
Now, for those who of us who love horror and don’t mind entomology, Viel’s writing is sharp, unapologetic, and evocative. She shows her characters to us in all of their messiness. No rose colored glasses. No excuses. Both the bad and the good. As a result, these characters become living, breathing human beings you won’t soon forget.
This is a review of an uncorrected digital galley. I would like to thank Neena Viel, St.Marten’s/Griffin Publishing, and NetGalley for this opportunity. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are my own.
May you read in peace.✌️
September 21, 2026
So this horror book consists of 4 parts. Reading the first one, I was ✨flabbergasted✨. Our welfare queen Lottie's voice was so rich you could taste it, vocabulary - distinct and raw. It seemed like pacing of the story & characters woke me up from a year long literature dimness I didn't even comprehend feeling 🤩 A steady realisation settled within me... I found my favorite book of 2026...
The second part threw me out of the story a bit and I immeadiatly started missing our welfare queen. Writing style was still superb, but I couldn't connect to the new set of characters as well, which led to me putting my kindle away more and more. There was one day when I read one page and had to take a week's long break. Literally huh
Third part brought me back!! Yay! But the break took it's tool on me. Now the richness of sentences, the way Neena Veil crafted her (still incredible) paragraphs felt a tad overwritten. And in the third act, where we really needed to get going or lean on suspense more!! I started to think I would never finish this (still magnificent) book.
Fourth part tied everything nicely and we finally found the perfect balance between gorgeous prose and suspense. Hooray 👾
+ I got the impression that the author was trying to establish whiteflies as the next *unconventionally scary object that you see everyday but never before realised it could be disgusting*. You know, what Junji Ito did to spirals, or R. L. Stine to sponges. I didnt feel a new phobia forming, and I wont remember the dread of whiteflies. But hey, writing is personal.
The second part threw me out of the story a bit and I immeadiatly started missing our welfare queen. Writing style was still superb, but I couldn't connect to the new set of characters as well, which led to me putting my kindle away more and more. There was one day when I read one page and had to take a week's long break. Literally huh
Third part brought me back!! Yay! But the break took it's tool on me. Now the richness of sentences, the way Neena Veil crafted her (still incredible) paragraphs felt a tad overwritten. And in the third act, where we really needed to get going or lean on suspense more!! I started to think I would never finish this (still magnificent) book.
Fourth part tied everything nicely and we finally found the perfect balance between gorgeous prose and suspense. Hooray 👾
+ I got the impression that the author was trying to establish whiteflies as the next *unconventionally scary object that you see everyday but never before realised it could be disgusting*. You know, what Junji Ito did to spirals, or R. L. Stine to sponges. I didnt feel a new phobia forming, and I wont remember the dread of whiteflies. But hey, writing is personal.
June 22, 2026
This is rage and envy and fury and want.
This is a complicated story about a terrible woman. The trauma of an entire people's history of being subjected to racism, abuse, and horrors have created her. You find yourself weeping for the child she once was while absolutely loathing the woman she becomes.
You aren't meant to like Lottie. Although she's strong and bold, obstinate and clever, she does things that are pure evil. But when she starts to gain a tiny bit of humanity, she does all the horrible things she has to do in order to lock that evil away.
Unfortunately, as we all know, evil doesn't go quietly.
The more modern timeline is just as disturbing. It's here that we learn the long reach of rage and vengeance. It's a gruesome, violent and strangely satisfying section of the book.
I don't think this book is for everyone. There's very little of the story that isn't putting terrible pictures in your brain and tearing out pieces of your heart. But it's well written and a very good story!
This is a complicated story about a terrible woman. The trauma of an entire people's history of being subjected to racism, abuse, and horrors have created her. You find yourself weeping for the child she once was while absolutely loathing the woman she becomes.
You aren't meant to like Lottie. Although she's strong and bold, obstinate and clever, she does things that are pure evil. But when she starts to gain a tiny bit of humanity, she does all the horrible things she has to do in order to lock that evil away.
Unfortunately, as we all know, evil doesn't go quietly.
The more modern timeline is just as disturbing. It's here that we learn the long reach of rage and vengeance. It's a gruesome, violent and strangely satisfying section of the book.
I don't think this book is for everyone. There's very little of the story that isn't putting terrible pictures in your brain and tearing out pieces of your heart. But it's well written and a very good story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews