The Night Pool

by Lauren Lee Smith

The Night Pool is a blood-soaked, page-turning horror set in the Gold Rush West, where three women must battle monsters both human and inhuman to survive—perfect for fans of Alma Katsu’s The Hunger and Victor LaValle’s Lone Women.

The American West is no safe haven for women—least of all in the Gold Rush town of Coloma, California. Not for Clara Tice, the blacksmith’s strange and stubborn daughter. Not for Mei, the healer whose calm presence the makeshift camp for Chinese immigrants contrasts sharply with her brother’s hard-eyed pursuit of riches. And certainly not for Haloke, a Nisenan Shaman’s granddaughter whose native village has been devastated by smallpox, hunger, and the relentless greed of Outsiders.

One night, Clara and Haloke meet at the river’s edge and watch in horror as Clementine Cobb, the town beauty, is lured across the water. Together they witness something terrible in the Night Pool. Soon after, an unseen attacker descends upon the mining men of Coloma, abandoning heartless bodies one-by-one. As the gruesome killings in Coloma threaten to incite further violence, Clara, Haloke, and Mei find themselves unlikely allies—without the gangs, guns, or bravado of the men who claim Coloma’s riches. The three women must work together to confront the evil that menaces them from both monsters and men.

A gripping tale of sisterhood, vengeance, and survival, The Night Pool explores the horrors of greed and lust, and the hidden strength of the most vulnerable among us.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Westerns

400 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Lauren Lee Smith was born and raised in rural Northern California Gold Country on Nisenan land, surrounded by remnants of forgotten history like pioneer cemeteries, abandoned gold mines, indigenous grinding rocks and of course, the powerful river and its many tributaries. As a mother, mental health advocate, and history lover, her work often explores maternal mental health, trauma, male brutality, and the historical intersections of diverse cultures through the lens of feminist horror. She now lives by the sea in Southern California with her family and a herd of dogs and cats. She enjoys trying to grow old fashioned roses in the balmy climate and writing novels and screenplays that confront the darker, more taboo elements of the feminine experience. 

Reviews

[sof · Rating 4 out of 5]

a stunning debut that tackles greed and grief in equal measure at the height of the American Gold Rush.

wow. where to begin. there is so much to love about this book. first off, the writing was gorgeous; flowing and thoughtful, I was swept away. there were some delicate themes and serious historical references balanced here, and I thought Lauren Lee Smith delivered them beautifully.

in terms of the horror elements… you know it’s bad when the town runs out of lumber for coffins. there were some cringing, gasping moments with an overall haunting aura that was very fun.

the themes and ideas here were very powerful and this story serves as a great reminder to recall the mistakes of our recent past. the displacement of Indigenous communities was unjust and shameful, and completely changed the physical and social landscape of North America. further, the treatment of women (ongoing, by the way) was disheartening. at the same time, it was empowering to read about three women who stood by their beliefs despite the social repercussions and setbacks they endured.

one of my critiques was the delivery of themes and commentary was sometimes overly transparent and repetitive (i.e., greed, human capacity for violence, dark desires, power, morality, etc). as a reader, I want to be invited to draw conclusions, not have them explicitly stated for me. although they were still meaningful, the impact was lost on me. another critique was how the flow of the central plot felt a bit disjointed at times.

however, I think this was an incredible debut. I can’t wait to see more from Lauren Lee Smith in the future.

thank you very much to Blackwell Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4 stars

[A Bookish Little Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night Pool
By Lauren Lee Smith
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genres: Mystery / Feminist Horror / Historical Fiction
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Story
Set against the brutal backdrop of the 1850s California Gold Rush, The Night Pool follows two young women bound by grief and an ancient, burgeoning terror.

• Haloke, a Nisenan teenager, mourns her murdered brother while sensing a predatory spirit lurking in the Sierra Nevada shadows.

• Clara, newly arrived in the settlement of Coloma, carries the heavy silence of her own lost sibling.

Their lives collide one night when they witness a local beauty lured into a warm sulfur spring by a "man beast"—a horrific hybrid of mountain lion and man. As the creature’s influence spreads, the men of Coloma are found mutilated, and Haloke begins to suffer "waking dreams" where she finds herself elbow-deep in the victims' chest cavities. Together with Mei, a Chinese immigrant, the women must navigate a landscape of rising body counts and ancient curses to find a way to survive.

My Thoughts
This novel is a searing look at autonomy and the trapped circumstances of women in the mid-19th century. Whether escaping domineering parents or the stigma of being a "misfit," Haloke and Clara are both burdened by the painful realization that their parents might have preferred they be the ones lost to death instead of their siblings.

What I Loved:
• Character Growth: Witnessing Haloke’s transformation from an anger-filled avenging sister into a powerful shaman of deep compassion was the highlight of the book.

• The Atmospheric Blend: I wasn't initially thrilled by the "Wild West" setting, but the deeper I delved, the more fascinated I became. It is a surprising, gory blend of historical fiction and psychological introspection.

• The Emotional Weight: The prose captures the physical sensation of grief beautifully—like "incremental pressure" around the throat.

Final Verdict
The Night Pool is a must-read for fans of historical horror who don't mind getting their hands a little dirty. It is a 5-star journey into the dark heart of the Gold Rush.

⚠️ Content Warning: This book contains graphic accounts of violence, sexual assault, and extreme gore. It is not recommended for readers sensitive to depictions of dismembered bodies or sexual assault.

Favorite Quotes:
"Peace of mind, perhaps. A rarer thing than gold in this world, and something I doubt I’ll ever find for myself." — Haloke

"It is such a horrible sensation, the impulse to weep. Like someone has you round the throat and they’re squeezing with agonizingly slow, incremental pressure." — Clara

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayla ✧♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I've been on a historical fiction horror kick here lately and this fit in perfectly.

The Night Pool is set in the gold rush era, and my oh my, am I glad to not have been there. As the synopsis states, that is no place for women. This story follows two FMCs as weird shit starts to happen around the settlement. Both of these women were wonderfully written.

The pacing in this one was alright, it kind of lulled at one point. It is a very fun and gory, creature feature read with great characters and relationships. The romance that was sprinkled in had no right being that hot. Ma'am, I needed more.

» Thank you to Blackstone Publishing | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «

❗ Expected Publication Date: August 25, 2026

[Hoyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A stunning and gruesome tale of greed and vengeance in this amazing debut horror novel. This is a true horror story, with many layers of horror: 1) the despicable treatment of Indigenous people and immigrants in the US by settlers/miners and the government, 2) the general misogyny of the time period toward the female main characters, and 3) all overlaid with the supernatural horrors of the evil slaughtering the inhabitants of the town.

The writing is very atmospheric, instantly drawing the reader into this world. The characters are nice and complex, in particular our two main POVs (Clara, the newly arrived blacksmith's daughter, and Haloke, the Nisenan shaman's granddaughter) and several of the inhabitants of the town. The steady pace of the plot held attention throughout, making this a true page-turner (I was compelled to finish the book in two sessions!).

Overall, a superb debut from Lauren Lee Smith, and I'll definitely be reading whatever else she chooses to write in the future. Highly recommended for all horror fans!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal and captivating. You can tell this was well researched. The descriptions were accurately disgusting to the time period and living situations, which I appreciated. Captured the grief of watching your home, nature, be ripped from you and the feeling of helplessness to do anything to stop it. That resonated with me considering we are plunging ourselves into a climate crisis with thoughts only for the profits of the billionaire class. I think I will be sad for a long while now after finishing this book.

ARC provided by Blackstone Publishing, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Set during the 1850s in the gold rush town of Coloma, The Night Pool is a gruesome, feminist, Western horror. It features two point-of-view characters, and a cast of interesting side characters (some of whom don't wind up dead). Themes include the displacement of indigenous peoples, the destruction of the environment due to greed, and cruelties against women. A glimmer amongst the darkness, there are also themes of found family, friendship, healing, and even a light smattering of romance.

The two main characters are Clara Tice and Haloke. Clara, dragged to the frontier by her blacksmith father, has just moved to Coloma following the deaths of her mother and sister. Though she's conventionally attractive, she's an odd woman who studies to be a doctor's assistant and doesn't defer to men, causing her trouble acclimating to the town. Haloke, a Nisenan native to the valley, has already suffered through the introduction of small pox into her tribe, the murder of her brother and death of many of the members of her village, and is driven by a desire for revenge that sends her into the settler's town. Chapters alternate between Clara and Haloke's points-of-view, and while both have their own motivations, the writing can blur together at times.

The description of this book also mentions Mei, which made me expect a third POV character, but Mei, a Chinese immigrant who's come to Coloma with her brother, doesn't appear for the first time until about 30% into the book. She's no more major a character than Texas Ellen, the local madam, Will Fury, the mysterious leader of a group of bounty hunters, or Liam Murphy, an Irish fop who came on the same wagon train out west that Clara did.

As a horror, this is first and foremost a creature feature. Clara and Haloke witness the town beauty being lured into the Night Pool, a supernatural location only accessible by night, where she's set upon by a beastly creature, half man, half big cat. This unleashes a Killing Spirit into the valley, and it racks up a high death toll in short order. There are many descriptions of viscera and gore, and body horror as we see more of the creature. As with most good horror though, The Night Pool comes at you from multiple fronts. The horrors of the Old West are also present on every page, along with the horrors of greed and misogyny.

Once this book got going, I found it compelling, but it was slow to pick up for me and I fell asleep trying to read it multiple times. It includes graphic sexual assaults and dismemberments, which may make it a hard read for some people. Enjoyers of western settings and horror will probably find this a perfect niche.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

[KRISTEN CONNELL]

The Night Pool is a haunting and atmospheric horror novel that fuses historical Western grit with supernatural terror to create a visceral story of survival, vengeance, and female resilience. Set against the brutal backdrop of the Gold Rush era, Lauren Lee Smith delivers a chilling narrative where human greed and inhuman forces collide with devastating consequences.

At the center of the story are three women—Clara, Mei, and Haloke—each navigating a world defined by violence, displacement, and survival. Clara, the blacksmith’s daughter, carries a fierce independence shaped by a harsh frontier town. Mei, a healer within a Chinese immigrant camp, embodies quiet strength and compassion amid exploitation and hardship. Haloke, a Nisenan Shaman’s granddaughter, represents a people devastated by disease and colonial violence, yet still deeply connected to the spiritual world around her. Together, they form an unlikely alliance in a place where women are rarely granted safety, let alone power.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its immersive atmosphere. The Gold Rush setting is rendered with stark realism—dust, greed, superstition, and desperation shaping every corner of Coloma. Against this historical backdrop, the introduction of supernatural horror through the mysterious “Night Pool” elevates the tension, transforming the landscape into something both beautiful and deeply unsettling.

Smith balances historical brutality with horror elements in a way that feels seamless rather than decorative. The violence is not only physical but symbolic, reflecting the exploitation of land, bodies, and belief systems. As the deaths begin to mount and suspicion spreads through the town, the story builds an oppressive sense of dread that steadily intensifies.

The emotional core of the novel rests in the bond between Clara, Mei, and Haloke. Their alliance is not built on shared background but on necessity, courage, and an emerging understanding of one another’s pain and strength. This layered portrayal of sisterhood adds depth to the horror, grounding supernatural events in very human stakes.

What makes The Night Pool especially memorable is its ability to merge genre storytelling with thematic weight. Beyond its chilling imagery and suspenseful pacing, the novel explores colonial violence, greed, survival, and the resilience of marginalized women in a world determined to erase them. The result is a story that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.

Dark, gripping, and richly atmospheric, The Night Pool will appeal to readers of historical horror, feminist Westerns, supernatural thrillers, and literary genre fiction that blends emotional depth with relentless suspense and striking imagery.

[Jonnie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Lauren Lee Smith for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Thankfully, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Lauren’s characters in the old American West.

It’s 1856 in the Gold Rush town of Coloma, and all is not well. Newly arrived blacksmith’s daughter Clara Tice and Nisenan shaman’s granddaughter Haloke meet and witness a horrific act at the titular Night Pool, before a monstrous force descends on the town to tear through its inhabitants – quite literally.

Together with Chinese immigrant Mei, Clara and Haloke become unlikely allies, forced to confront the evil stalking the streets of Coloma, from monsters and men alike.

The themes aren’t subtle, but they don’t need to be. Lauren Lee Smith deftly weaves together multiple strands of horror: the misogyny, sexual violence and physical brutality faced by women; the violent displacement of Indigenous people; and finally, the more traditional supernatural horrors lurking in the dark.

The writing is gorgeous, atmospheric and visceral. The pages drip with tension, just as the gore drips from the town’s trees.

The characters are complex and well written, especially the two narrators. Clara and Haloke are given distinct voices and viewpoints, each growing and developing throughout the story. I was intrigued whenever the dark and mysterious Will Fury entered a scene, and I was also a big fan of brothel madame Texas Ellen. The most monstrous character in the book, however, isn’t the entity tearing people limb from limb, but the Irish dandy Liam Murphy – a hateful mix of pride, greed, violence and perversion, who I wanted to punch through the pages myself.

My one issue with the book – and it is a small one – is that jumping back and forth between Clara and Haloke’s perspectives in alternating chapters occasionally left the plot feeling a little disjointed. However, I was deeply invested regardless, and this is a minor complaint in what is otherwise a hugely compelling read.

For a debut author, this is thoroughly impressive stuff. The Night Pool is bloody, atmospheric and emotionally charged historical horror, and I’m very much looking forward to its physical release later this year. Lauren Lee Smith is definitely an author to watch.

[Ruthann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most highly anticipated books releasing in 2026, “The Night Pool” is a compelling, violent, and stunning debut novel from author Lauren Lee Smith.

The California Gold Rush provides a backdrop of greed, misogamy, and all manner of horrors, both human and supernatural, with a well-researched and little-known connection to early Native American lore.
The lives of three young women, Clara, Mei, and Haloke, unfold as each is forced to confront turbulence, abuse, and desperation in circumstances Smith expertly defines with visceral descriptions.
Their unlikely bonds ground this story of survival in unforgettable scenes of determination, vivid characters, and, ultimately, the consequences of actions forced on them by those around them, including men who demand control of their fate.

The writing is razor-sharp, and the author doesn’t shy away from the sights, smells, and gore surrounding the harsh personal environment that all three women struggle to overcome; she scratches at every emotion, sometimes with sharp claws!
When we’re introduced to the creature of Night Pool, there’s a dreadful originality to the monster that is positively cinematic in its satisfaction.

Smith crafts not only a uniquely harrowing story but also a poignant one that will leave the reader satisfied long after her relevant concluding notes.
“The land never forgets,” and neither will readers of “The Night Pool.”

Lauren Lee Smith is poised not only as an important writer to watch but also as one who understands and champions the force of nature that is exclusively female.

[From The Reader’s Nest · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Pool is a deeply important book, historical horror at its finest. The book was billed as Victor Lavelle’s Lone Women and Alma Katsu’s The Hunger, and it is so very accurate for comps. I would also add in Stephen Graham Jones for Buffalo Hunter Hunter as its focusing on the indigenous people who were wiped out. I really enjoyed learning about how rough and wild it was with the behaviors and beliefs at that time. Superstitions and entitlement. Greed. Lawlessness. The xenophobia and feelings of superiority are throughout the novel. The book is very well written, obviously very well researched. You can tell even before reading the POV from the author how important telling this story is and shining a light on hidden atrocities. As a debut novel, would definitely read more of their work. One “complaint” is the cover did not match my experience with the book, which is sad, because I feel that it will be potentially overlooked as just another creepy pool book, when it’s nothing of the sort. It’s deep, rich, and the point of the night pool has indigenous spiritual properties. I felt that the cover will make it that it’s not read as much as it should be as this work was profound and deserves to be read and the stories exhumed in it with a few add on for embellishments and liberties, has roots in historical impacts that show the gross beginnings of our nation and expose the American dream, gold rush, pioneers, and land cultivation for what it was: horrific.

[Krystelle (based on the novel by Stephen King) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

A fascinating historical fiction horror with a focus on an era that’s more neglected than others, this is a really unique horror. It has distinctly Innsmouth-esque vibes but with an Indigenous folklore tilt, which is a brilliant way to handle the material.

Some of the scenes in this were fantastically visceral. There’s a lot of gore for those who are seeking that payoff, and I love the creepiness of the story as it unfolds.

The characters are really good too, although I do wish they were a little more fleshed out in places. The use of Clementine in the way that the author positioned her was fantastic, although I think one of my poor dogs (also called Clementine) got tired of me singing it.

Clara, Mei, and Haloke are fascinating characters, and they carry the story beautifully. It can be frustrating when you have so many characters involved in a book, but this one did it so well. I was shocked by just how well the flow of it went, and I really enjoyed learning little bits about all of them and their backgrounds too.

I do think that some of the writing could have been pared back a little. It did get a bit flowery at times, but I really enjoyed how lyrical it was for some of the scenes. This is a fantastic debut novel, and well worth the read.

[Cec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book by the publisher through Netgally so thank you for that. This had everything I like, historical. female lead horror stories. I wanted to like this more than I ended up when I finished. It had some really interesting parts like I like the premise and the time period of people moving west when Gold had been found plus the horror. It was very bloody with the scenes and I liked the monster and the similarities between Clementine and Lucy from Dracula was cool too. I felt things moved along kinda fast it seemed like it took all of 3 days for things to unfold and the character of Liam kinda bugged me. He's meant to be a bad and a weasel and he did something very bad to Clara but even with her not trusting him and a lot of her early chapters ending with her making a comment on him shit eating grin or something, at points in the book Clara calls on him to be her witness or to tell the truth like you know he won't so why are you banking on him helping you. Same with Will Fury I wasn't sure if we were meant to like him and by the end I'm not too sure why he was even at the confirmation. Either way it's a decent book and it will defiantly be recommended as a suggestion in the future too

[Brya B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was an ode to Northern California's Gold Country. As someone who grew up in the area, I greatly appreciated the research and attention to detail that went into capturing both the history and the essence of Coloma - the positive and the negative.

The author artfully balances character development with the building tension of a good supernatural horror story. I found the characters engaging, particularly Will Fury, though I struggled to invest in their outcomes emotionally. That said, I do appreciate a strong female character in a period piece, and there was no lack of those here.

Overall, a good read for someone who enjoys a historical novel with a strong sense of place and a heaping portion of body horror.

A big thank you to the author for providing me with an opportunity to read before the publication date. I can't wait to see what she does next!

[Christina Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting tale that takes the reader back to the days of the gold rush and westward expansion. A group of unlikely characters form a bond in the chaos that develops in a small mining town. Something is killing people in the town and those that go after it are likely not to return.

This story links supernatural with Native American lore and creates an alternative history for this little town that actually existed. I loved how the story telling gave me a true sense of what it was like for travelers looking to find their fortune and a better life. The character interactions within the town shops and brothels were believable and flowed well within the story. There are quite a few horror elements with murder, rape and plenty of gore. Life was rough back then and the author held nothing back.

I enjoyed this story. It had a good pace and made me want to keep reading. Check it out!

[always reading ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Pool is a fantastic debut of Western horror with a feminist theme. Trigger warning for those who need it because this is rife with misogyny, sexual abuse, and violence towards women. But it's also full of themes of strong women, sisterhood, feminine rage, and women overcoming insurmountable odds. It was very atmospheric, with a constant feeling of building dread. The setting was excellent with a very isolated and creepy vibe. Very gory. The writing and the pacing are both good. However, the switching between POVs didn't feel entirely cohesive. It took a minute to find out exactly where in the story you were. I loved the strong female characters that ultimately save the day. They were well developed with depth. I also loved that they were of diverse ethnicities, creating a kind of unlikely alliance. Overall I really enjoyed it and can't wait to see what she gives us next.

[✧˖°.⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚₊ ⊹ ♡Megan ₊˚⊹ ᰔ ⟡ ݁₊ . · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 12%

I really wanted to like this book but I can’t force myself to read something that I’m not enjoying, it takes the fun out of reading. The premise of this book seemed promising but the execution did not deliver. It seems that the author focused more on this book being lyrical and poetic than actually telling the story. This story was not compelling at all and nothing about the authors story telling abilities kept me engaged enough, I just found myself being annoyed with every page trying connect with the characters and focus on the storyline when everything is desperately trying to be melodic.

[kindle.babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This book is beautifully written -- unlike anything else, the storyline, characters--strong and jaw dropping. The horror, the greed and the survival. A book that has it all weaved throughout eachother and This book will haunt you long after youve finished. I am going to patiently be waiting for what Lauren has coming for us next.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Historical Fiction, Horror, Greed, Survival

Thank you NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, & Lauren Lee Smith, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing on August 25, 2026!

[Nicolette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive this book from the publisher. Lauren Lee Smith did a wonderful job writing this novel. I was captivated with each page turned. I favored the ease to read through each chapter as a mom of 4, if I wanted a 5 minute quick page turning update I would be able to do so without stopping mid way through a scene. I love the culture mix, the spiritual horror, gender dynamic and power gaps, the grief and pain, just everything was beautiful and respectfully written. (Honestly started my deep dive into my own Taino culture.) I will be recommending this book.

[Joan Blendowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Lauren Lee Smith did such an amazing job toggling between the 2 voices/perspectives of the main characters. Each voice stood out on its own and yet coming together to tell a single story (from 2 vantage points) The historical aspect of this was fantastic, as well as the horror/fiction side of things. It kept me guessing and interested, and wanting to read more! This is my first time reading this author but not my last, thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for letting me read this ARC.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Pool is a gruesome tale of vengeance and greed.

Lauren Lee Smith writes her characters with claws in the very best way. We need more female horrorwriters - and I'm sure that Lauren Lee Smith will be a rising star in the horrorverse.

This was an incredible debut and I recommend it to all horror readers out there.

Many thanks to Edelweiss+ and Blackstone Publishing for this DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Promise Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for letting me have the ARC of the book through Netgalley.

I did struggle through this book. I did finish it though.
The book brings you into the gold rush days only adds the twist of men and monsters.
I do believe the author had a great idea and they definitely can write as they are very flowery with their wording. Unfortunately the prettiness of the passages and the constant poetic wording drew me out of the story.

[Cristina Comeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I went in expecting more horror, but it never delivered the atmosphere or tension I was hoping for. I found it difficult to stay engaged and struggled to get through it.

While it didn’t work for me personally, I can see other readers enjoying it more than I did.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language here was thick, in a way, slow and lyrical in a way that made it difficult for me to get through. I like the premise and think it deals with both interesting and important themes. Ultimately, I just really struggled my way through and feel as if it would have worked better in a shorter form.