Blood Stained Genes

by Kelsey Paul

Cherry leaves her cruel childhood home behind, shortly after officially becoming an adult.
Haunted by her missing twin, Noah, she struggles with the weight of believing her
addict father may have had something to do with the disappearance.

At her new job as a “dancer,” she meets Jake. He’s older, mysterious, and seemingly
everything she’s been searching for, perfect for what she needs from him.

Jake invites her to his family’s old Victorian mansion, isolated in rural Tennessee
and surrounded by nothing but trees. At first, his family seems warm and welcoming,
the kind Cherry has always longed for.

But as a brutal snowstorm sets in, so too does a storm of dark family secrets.

What begins as a relaxing weekend, quickly becomes a fight for survival.

Surrounded by isolation, snow, and a family full of hidden motives,

Can Cherry navigate the dangers closing in before it’s too late?

Blood Stained Genes is a gripping tale of betrayal, survival, and the haunting
echoes of family secrets that threaten to consume them all.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2025

Reviews

[Megan Rader]

This thriller book is phenomenal! I have heard people refer to this author as the dark Freida McFadden and I’m gonna have to agree ! They have similar writing styles yet Kelsey Paul books are way more dark and disturbing which is exactly what I look for in a book !
The way this author always has my jaw on the floor with her twists and dark chapters is just crazy. This book will leave you on the edge of your seat and not able to turn the pages quick enough. I finished this book in 24 hours just like her last book Good Girl Miss Annie. They are both so fast paced which I love. I loved the characters in this book and not knowing what was going to happen next. And that ending .. omg are you kidding me ?!?? So crazy yet sooo good. I really hope this author keeps releasing books bc now I’m hooked !! 5 stars all the way , I would give more if I could.

[Amanda Nevins]

Firstly I love Kesleys writing. I was captivated with this one and had it read in less than 24 hours. This follows Cherry who's twin Noah disappears and she is on the hunt to reunite with her twin. In her hunt she finds herself locked in a cage where unimaginable horror waits. It takes place rural Tennessee. I was staying guessing and on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the twists and turns and not being able to predict what was going to happen. And the ending...omg I DID NOT see coming. My jaw dropped. I give 5 stars and would give more if I could.
If you havent read her other book, Goo Girl miss Annie, go check it out also.
Ill be buying the paperback in this one too! I have the other.

If you love a good thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is th

[Nick Gordon-Clark]

This was such a fun read and absolutely perfect to finish on Halloween of all days. I enjoyed the FMC Cherry, and I genuinely didn’t see so many of the twists coming which is always a pleasant surprise. This felt so well thought out and as the reader, I really felt like I got to know both Cherry and the sibling Noah through the time jumps and changes in POV. Some definitely dark moments but also a lot of dark humor (see for yourself IYKYK). Kelsey Paul is already one of my favorite thriller/horror authors and this just solidified that. 5 stars all around!

[Logan Harper]

Holy crap !! This book had me flipping the pages so fast! It’s so thrilling and had me questioning everything. This is the first book from this author I have read and now I can’t wait to read her other ones. This book was amazing and probably my favorite read so far from 2025. Check your trigger warnings, this book is def. Dark. But i absolutely loved every minute of it !

[RobJansen]

Is this Freida McFadden?
I thought mm maybe it could be ,
yet this book is dark and Freida never goes dark.
The twists were outstanding.
Each page leaves you with a cliff hanger.
I loved every minute of it , fast read for me.
Bravo !

[Hailey Harper]

LOVED THIS THRILLER!!! I didn’t see any of the twists coming , and I usually always can ! This book had my adrenaline going the entire time. Great read !

[Molly Emily]

This book was amazing! Totally didn’t expect the ending. A definite must if you love thrillers.

[Lake Deem]

What a Fantastic thriller!!! The story line, the plot, the layers of family horror, the dark chapters. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
all of it together made into a very good thriller masterpiece!!!!

[Stacy Bell]

WOW!! That ending shook me !
Great thriller. The one twist had me staring
at the floor! I absolutely loved the main character
Cherry, I love a good female badass.