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The Sisters of Crimson House
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For fans of Starling House, Play Nice, and Practical Magic comes a biting, layered, and haunting debut following one woman from a long line of psychics who will do anything to save her family legacy and the haunted house she grew up in from an entity threatening to destroy everything she's built.
Every house has its secrets.
Charley Bryde is miserable in a house filled with magic. The only woman in a long line of famous psychics to not inherit the family gift, she spends her days inside Crimson House, the coveted family mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, living in the shadows of her talented older sister, Miranda. But when a shocking tragedy scatters the Brydes across the globe, Charley is forced to grow up on her own, and fast. As the money runs dry and Charley's ownership of Crimson House is put at risk, she's left with no other option; turn the manor into a haunted attraction and start representing the family brand with lies, cons, and expertly read tarot cards to make ends meet.
When a skeptic starts targeting Charley for the fraud that she is, she'll stop at nothing to save the family legacy. But the skeptics' arrival cracks something open in Charley that the Brydes wanted to remain buried. Deep. And when Miranda shows up unannounced after eight years away, the two will come to realize that Crimson House, and their own family, hold secrets even the greatest psychics couldn't foresee. Secrets that will threaten to destroy them.
Every house has its secrets.
Charley Bryde is miserable in a house filled with magic. The only woman in a long line of famous psychics to not inherit the family gift, she spends her days inside Crimson House, the coveted family mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, living in the shadows of her talented older sister, Miranda. But when a shocking tragedy scatters the Brydes across the globe, Charley is forced to grow up on her own, and fast. As the money runs dry and Charley's ownership of Crimson House is put at risk, she's left with no other option; turn the manor into a haunted attraction and start representing the family brand with lies, cons, and expertly read tarot cards to make ends meet.
When a skeptic starts targeting Charley for the fraud that she is, she'll stop at nothing to save the family legacy. But the skeptics' arrival cracks something open in Charley that the Brydes wanted to remain buried. Deep. And when Miranda shows up unannounced after eight years away, the two will come to realize that Crimson House, and their own family, hold secrets even the greatest psychics couldn't foresee. Secrets that will threaten to destroy them.
417 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Melissa Anderson Sweazy
2 books68 followersMelissa Anderson Sweazy is a screenwriter, podcaster, and filmmaker based in Memphis, Tennessee. Her creative sweet spot is haunted houses and haunted people, best evidenced by YOU CAN SEE ME IN THE DARK, her monthly true ghost story podcast with listeners around the globe. The Sisters of Crimson House is her debut novel.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
May 21, 2026
I’ve just finished The Sisters of Crimson House by Melissa Anderson Sweazy and I don’t really know what I just read, but I can’t stop thinking about it.
It’s a gothic mystery / dark family drama set around Crimson House, which is basically an old, unsettling house packed with secrets, tension, and generations of things nobody ever bothered to say out loud. From the start, everything feels slightly off in that “this family definitely needed therapy decades ago” kind of way.
The story follows the sisters connected to the house, and it’s just messy in a very deliberate way. Secrets, strained relationships, buried truths, and that constant feeling that no one is being fully honest with anyone else. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on, the story shifted again and I just had to go with it.
The atmosphere is easily one of the strongest parts. It’s so vivid and heavy that it practically clings to everything. I found myself getting properly immersed in the gloom of Crimson House, to the point where even normal house noises started feeling slightly suspicious. Probably fine. Probably.
The sisters themselves are brilliantly complicated. I kept changing my mind about them the whole way through. One moment I’d sympathise with one of them, the next I’d question everything they’d ever said. It felt like being stuck in a group chat where everyone is typing “it’s fine :)” and you absolutely know it is not fine at all.
Melissa Anderson’s writing is incredibly atmospheric and sharp. It’s beautiful in places, tense in others, and constantly shifting between emotional and unsettling without ever feeling forced. It really pulls you in and refuses to let the tone stay comfortable for too long.
Overall, I finished this feeling slightly unsettled, impressed, and still turning parts of it over in my head.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and the author Melissa Anderson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: September 26th 2026
It’s a gothic mystery / dark family drama set around Crimson House, which is basically an old, unsettling house packed with secrets, tension, and generations of things nobody ever bothered to say out loud. From the start, everything feels slightly off in that “this family definitely needed therapy decades ago” kind of way.
The story follows the sisters connected to the house, and it’s just messy in a very deliberate way. Secrets, strained relationships, buried truths, and that constant feeling that no one is being fully honest with anyone else. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on, the story shifted again and I just had to go with it.
The atmosphere is easily one of the strongest parts. It’s so vivid and heavy that it practically clings to everything. I found myself getting properly immersed in the gloom of Crimson House, to the point where even normal house noises started feeling slightly suspicious. Probably fine. Probably.
The sisters themselves are brilliantly complicated. I kept changing my mind about them the whole way through. One moment I’d sympathise with one of them, the next I’d question everything they’d ever said. It felt like being stuck in a group chat where everyone is typing “it’s fine :)” and you absolutely know it is not fine at all.
Melissa Anderson’s writing is incredibly atmospheric and sharp. It’s beautiful in places, tense in others, and constantly shifting between emotional and unsettling without ever feeling forced. It really pulls you in and refuses to let the tone stay comfortable for too long.
Overall, I finished this feeling slightly unsettled, impressed, and still turning parts of it over in my head.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and the author Melissa Anderson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: September 26th 2026
April 28, 2026
Dripping with Southern Gothic horror, magic, and searing wit, THE SISTERS OF CRIMSON HOUSE grabbed my hand and would not let go. I fell in love with the tragic Bryde family and know you will too— but be sure to read with *all* the lights turned on!
May 7, 2026
I’d give The Sisters of Crimson House 3.5 stars. The story follows the Bryde family, a psychic and magical family brought together largely because of their grandmother’s influence and legacy. The family dynamics were easily the most interesting part of the book, especially since nearly everyone has some kind of unique talent — except for Charley, who often feels like the outsider among them.
The beginning was definitely slow, and it took a while for the story to really pull me in. There’s a lot of setup with the family history and relationships, which made the pacing drag at first. However, once the plot started moving, the story became much more engaging. The mystery, magic, and family tension all started to come together in a way that kept me interested.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an intriguing magical family at its center, even if it took some patience to get there. If you like stories about complicated families, hidden abilities, and supernatural elements, this one is worth checking out.
The beginning was definitely slow, and it took a while for the story to really pull me in. There’s a lot of setup with the family history and relationships, which made the pacing drag at first. However, once the plot started moving, the story became much more engaging. The mystery, magic, and family tension all started to come together in a way that kept me interested.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an intriguing magical family at its center, even if it took some patience to get there. If you like stories about complicated families, hidden abilities, and supernatural elements, this one is worth checking out.
Want to Read
July 5, 2026🏚️🔮 The Sisters of Crimson House 🔮🏚️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Southern Gothic Horror
• Haunted House
• Psychic Family
• Family Secrets
• Tarot Reading
• Supernatural Mystery
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Southern Gothic Horror
• Haunted House
• Psychic Family
• Family Secrets
• Tarot Reading
• Supernatural Mystery
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
June 18, 2026
The Sisters of Crimson House is a southern gothic horror that dives into the occult and follows Charley, a woman from a family of psychics who harbor a legacy and a dark secret.
To say that I loved this novel would be an understatement.
If you're a fan of The September House and Practical Magic, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.
The book starts at a pivotal moment in the story and if I'm being fully transparent, it took me a little while to adjust to the third person narrative. There is a bit of a dual timeline as well which caused me to backtrack just a bit. This would be the only reason to dock half a star of what would be for me, a five-star read.
The struggles that Charley goes through as the "black sheep" of the family, keeping the legacy and the family house afloat after the tragedy(ies) was something that I could understand and resonate with. Being a sister myself, the relationship between Charley and Miranda simply broke my heart in the best way. Their journey was something filled with unconditional love, and it reflected the complications of protecting the people who matter the most.
I absolutely loved the Crimson House and it haunts. It brought me back to my love of haunted houses and ghosts who roam around stuck in the in-between. This book will definitely leave you feeling uneasy, spooked and eager for more!
Overall, this was wonderfully written. You can tell this book was written from a place of love. As a debut novel, Melissa Sweazy did a fantastic job, and I would absolutely read any of her future work.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Melissa Anderson Sweazy for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
To say that I loved this novel would be an understatement.
If you're a fan of The September House and Practical Magic, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.
The book starts at a pivotal moment in the story and if I'm being fully transparent, it took me a little while to adjust to the third person narrative. There is a bit of a dual timeline as well which caused me to backtrack just a bit. This would be the only reason to dock half a star of what would be for me, a five-star read.
The struggles that Charley goes through as the "black sheep" of the family, keeping the legacy and the family house afloat after the tragedy(ies) was something that I could understand and resonate with. Being a sister myself, the relationship between Charley and Miranda simply broke my heart in the best way. Their journey was something filled with unconditional love, and it reflected the complications of protecting the people who matter the most.
I absolutely loved the Crimson House and it haunts. It brought me back to my love of haunted houses and ghosts who roam around stuck in the in-between. This book will definitely leave you feeling uneasy, spooked and eager for more!
Overall, this was wonderfully written. You can tell this book was written from a place of love. As a debut novel, Melissa Sweazy did a fantastic job, and I would absolutely read any of her future work.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Melissa Anderson Sweazy for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free copy from Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date September 29th, 2026.
I'm back to trawling through Gothic house horror. In The Sisters of Crimson House, Charley is the only one without a gift in her family of psychic women. After a catastrophic Halloween party leaves her family in ruins, Charley is left to mourn—until a prying skeptic disturbs old family secrets.
This book dabbles with several elements, like the sinister Crimson House crumbling despite Charley's best efforts, Charley gaining the psychic powers she always wanted, and a minor romance plotline with Cy the skeptic. But the heart of the story Charley's bitter jealousy that her medium sister is special and she is not. The Sisters of Crimson House asks what if Charley was more special, and she had magic powers too. Besides the meanspirited jealousy, the other story elements don't have the strength to drive the narrative. The romance is barely there, Charley's cool magic powers are backgrounded except for a few visions, and the house and the general setting don't have much in the way of brooding atmosphere. It's not even about family, since most of Charley's was killed in the flashback chapters. If the book isn't going to commit to the horror, I'm not sure why we're here.
The overall pacing focuses more on the questions than the answers, with the actual reveals left very late. This is a book that's content to noodle around asking what if... there was a sinister curse on the Bryde family... what if... Charley could have powers too... without pulling any triggers for a very long time. We're not focused on the consequences of these developments, we're focused on the mere possibility. In the end, Sisters of Crimson House only has one big reveal to play. And some of the plot points in the interim were flawed—I was baffled by the concept that Charley could be "evicted" from the house her family owns by the HOA. Fined to death, yes, condemned by the city, yes, but evicted like a renter?
In the end, I think this book never quite commits to any of its component genres. It's not a horror story, or a romance, or a mystery, or even a novel about messy family. Without the direction of genre, Charley's jealousy isn't compelling enough to hold up the entire book. For a different take on modern, grimy, horror-tinged fantasy, I think Holly Black's Charlie in Book of Night addresses these themes better.
I'm back to trawling through Gothic house horror. In The Sisters of Crimson House, Charley is the only one without a gift in her family of psychic women. After a catastrophic Halloween party leaves her family in ruins, Charley is left to mourn—until a prying skeptic disturbs old family secrets.
This book dabbles with several elements, like the sinister Crimson House crumbling despite Charley's best efforts, Charley gaining the psychic powers she always wanted, and a minor romance plotline with Cy the skeptic. But the heart of the story Charley's bitter jealousy that her medium sister is special and she is not. The Sisters of Crimson House asks what if Charley was more special, and she had magic powers too. Besides the meanspirited jealousy, the other story elements don't have the strength to drive the narrative. The romance is barely there, Charley's cool magic powers are backgrounded except for a few visions, and the house and the general setting don't have much in the way of brooding atmosphere. It's not even about family, since most of Charley's was killed in the flashback chapters. If the book isn't going to commit to the horror, I'm not sure why we're here.
The overall pacing focuses more on the questions than the answers, with the actual reveals left very late. This is a book that's content to noodle around asking what if... there was a sinister curse on the Bryde family... what if... Charley could have powers too... without pulling any triggers for a very long time. We're not focused on the consequences of these developments, we're focused on the mere possibility. In the end, Sisters of Crimson House only has one big reveal to play. And some of the plot points in the interim were flawed—I was baffled by the concept that Charley could be "evicted" from the house her family owns by the HOA. Fined to death, yes, condemned by the city, yes, but evicted like a renter?
In the end, I think this book never quite commits to any of its component genres. It's not a horror story, or a romance, or a mystery, or even a novel about messy family. Without the direction of genre, Charley's jealousy isn't compelling enough to hold up the entire book. For a different take on modern, grimy, horror-tinged fantasy, I think Holly Black's Charlie in Book of Night addresses these themes better.
August 22, 2026
I’m not a fan of the supernatural, but I love gothic horror and ghost stories. This story, however, is far more on that level.
It follows a family of women with supernatural powers, including healing and foresight. Charlie, the only one without any abilities, is thrust into a world of magic and responsibility. She must protect her family’s legacy at all costs, even as someone challenges their claims of genuine gifts.
The story unfolds slowly, but it’s a captivating read that will keep you hooked until you uncover the truth. If you enjoy stories about witches and psychics, give this one a try.
It follows a family of women with supernatural powers, including healing and foresight. Charlie, the only one without any abilities, is thrust into a world of magic and responsibility. She must protect her family’s legacy at all costs, even as someone challenges their claims of genuine gifts.
The story unfolds slowly, but it’s a captivating read that will keep you hooked until you uncover the truth. If you enjoy stories about witches and psychics, give this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Sisters of Crimson House is a slow-burn paranormal story, with lots of shifting timelines. It might have been a little too slow for my liking; my attention wandered often, and I enjoyed the concept more than the overall execution.
Ann Marie Gideon narrated the audiobook. I enjoyed her performance, but the audio production quality felt a little lacking.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.
Ann Marie Gideon narrated the audiobook. I enjoyed her performance, but the audio production quality felt a little lacking.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.
September 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the free ARC!
Wow, what a debut from Melissa Anderson Sweazy! The Sisters of Crimson House is a Southern Gothic horror story that also explores family, love, and the sacrifices we make for the people we care about.
I went into this expecting spooky psychics and ghosts, but I was not expecting this book to actually scare me as much as it did. There were multiple nights where I had to stop reading because I was genuinely creeped out, which is always a win for a horror book.
The ending felt a little anticlimactic compared to the rest of the story, but I did like how everything wrapped up and came together in the end.
Overall, this was such an impressive debut. If you’re looking for a spooky Halloween read that still has a lot of heart and focuses on the love between family, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Pub date: 29 Sep 26
#landmarkpartner
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the free ARC!
Wow, what a debut from Melissa Anderson Sweazy! The Sisters of Crimson House is a Southern Gothic horror story that also explores family, love, and the sacrifices we make for the people we care about.
I went into this expecting spooky psychics and ghosts, but I was not expecting this book to actually scare me as much as it did. There were multiple nights where I had to stop reading because I was genuinely creeped out, which is always a win for a horror book.
The ending felt a little anticlimactic compared to the rest of the story, but I did like how everything wrapped up and came together in the end.
Overall, this was such an impressive debut. If you’re looking for a spooky Halloween read that still has a lot of heart and focuses on the love between family, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Pub date: 29 Sep 26
#landmarkpartner
Read
May 7, 2026I blurbed this one!
A twisting, turning saga full of deeply buried secrets, magic born of blood, and the extent we’ll go to in the name of family. I found myself immersed.
A twisting, turning saga full of deeply buried secrets, magic born of blood, and the extent we’ll go to in the name of family. I found myself immersed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 💫
This. This.
Charley Bryde is a daughter in a magical, supernatural family, with one slight issue: she has no powers.
I loved the supernatural stories, links to different spiritual elements, and, of course, the ghost stories. I will definitely be rereading this on a dark Halloween night.
If you like magical realism, ghost stories, and willow by taylor swift, you should read this!
thank you to netgalley and sourcebooks for the e-arc!
This. This.
Charley Bryde is a daughter in a magical, supernatural family, with one slight issue: she has no powers.
I loved the supernatural stories, links to different spiritual elements, and, of course, the ghost stories. I will definitely be rereading this on a dark Halloween night.
If you like magical realism, ghost stories, and willow by taylor swift, you should read this!
thank you to netgalley and sourcebooks for the e-arc!
September 24, 2026
The Sisters of Crimson House, a paranormal, thriller, mystery
I was invested in this story after just a few chapters! The Bryde family Spectacular sounded so amazing, and something I am sure a lot of us in the real world would pay to go see! Charley being the main character, happens to be the only Bryde without any abilities, something she holds a bit of a grudge over. Charley is left to fend for herself, and without the magic the rest of her family possesses, making ends meet in a southern Victorian mansion, is near to impossible. I found it amusingly ironic that Charley is forced to "fake" her way through tarot card readings, the exact type of psychics who make people question her own families real powers. I love her room mates, Zavier and Astrid, and their Black and Bell Memphis Mystery Tour right inside Crimson House itself.
When a skeptic named Sy comes to call, Charley has to do her best to try and prove she isn't the fraud she is pretending to be. Unexpectedly, Charley's "luck" with magic takes a turn, and she starts to see the ghosts that have been haunting Crimson House for decades, as well as other-worldly things, are they visions, are they dreams, are they things that actually happened? It would be such a trip to be bombarded with these psychic abilities basically overnight, without anyone to guide her.
Charley's sister Miranda is back in town, the famous Bryde who can channel dead spirits. But their relationship is strained. As yet another tragedy strikes the family, long buried secrets start to unravel.
I loved the dual timeline at the start of the story, so we are able to learn more of the families background, although it mostly just left me with more questions! We stay in the current timeline after about halfway through, but the mystery of what is happening to Charley remains.
I absolutely loved this story, the slow reveal of the biggest secret of all, that had shaped all of the tragedy the Bryde family goes through, and how Charley is the center of that. I could not imagine being her and learning this secret, it would take a very strong person to maintain their sanity in light of this horror.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"The guests had been instructed to remain calm “regardless of what might occur on the stage,” and no one was willing to risk their hostess’s charity, especially when the hostess was proving to be a psychopath."
"Crimson House was not stately so much as poised to strike with its gabled roofs culminating in a stark fourth-story watchtower."
"“And we are standing at the precipice of 878 Elizabeth Street, better known as Crimson House due to the blood spilled inside its walls…and on them.”"
"Charley surmised that the collective psychic energy of the Brydes worked as a lighthouse to attract wayward spirits to Crimson House regardless of where they’d met their actual end."
"Keep your voice at a whisper. The quiet is best. The bones are sleeping inside Elmwood’s chest. Charley ran her finger over the inscription that time had failed to completely erase."
"She was buried in scarlet-red sheets inside a large four-poster bed with braided columns, a bed that had often made her feel she was trapped inside one of the Anne Rice novels she’d snuck from her mother’s bedside table."
"Crimson House loomed like a fortress in the gloom, and for once she felt grateful to be swallowed up in its darkness. That’s where monsters belonged."
"This was one of the few things she and Miranda had in common: they were two witches threatened by stoning in the twenty-first century. "
"“I am in service to the grim reaper. That doesn’t exactly make me fun at parties.”"
"So many witnesses to what could be her biggest triumph, she thought uneasily, or catastrophic failure."
I was invested in this story after just a few chapters! The Bryde family Spectacular sounded so amazing, and something I am sure a lot of us in the real world would pay to go see! Charley being the main character, happens to be the only Bryde without any abilities, something she holds a bit of a grudge over. Charley is left to fend for herself, and without the magic the rest of her family possesses, making ends meet in a southern Victorian mansion, is near to impossible. I found it amusingly ironic that Charley is forced to "fake" her way through tarot card readings, the exact type of psychics who make people question her own families real powers. I love her room mates, Zavier and Astrid, and their Black and Bell Memphis Mystery Tour right inside Crimson House itself.
When a skeptic named Sy comes to call, Charley has to do her best to try and prove she isn't the fraud she is pretending to be. Unexpectedly, Charley's "luck" with magic takes a turn, and she starts to see the ghosts that have been haunting Crimson House for decades, as well as other-worldly things, are they visions, are they dreams, are they things that actually happened? It would be such a trip to be bombarded with these psychic abilities basically overnight, without anyone to guide her.
Charley's sister Miranda is back in town, the famous Bryde who can channel dead spirits. But their relationship is strained. As yet another tragedy strikes the family, long buried secrets start to unravel.
I loved the dual timeline at the start of the story, so we are able to learn more of the families background, although it mostly just left me with more questions! We stay in the current timeline after about halfway through, but the mystery of what is happening to Charley remains.
I absolutely loved this story, the slow reveal of the biggest secret of all, that had shaped all of the tragedy the Bryde family goes through, and how Charley is the center of that. I could not imagine being her and learning this secret, it would take a very strong person to maintain their sanity in light of this horror.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"The guests had been instructed to remain calm “regardless of what might occur on the stage,” and no one was willing to risk their hostess’s charity, especially when the hostess was proving to be a psychopath."
"Crimson House was not stately so much as poised to strike with its gabled roofs culminating in a stark fourth-story watchtower."
"“And we are standing at the precipice of 878 Elizabeth Street, better known as Crimson House due to the blood spilled inside its walls…and on them.”"
"Charley surmised that the collective psychic energy of the Brydes worked as a lighthouse to attract wayward spirits to Crimson House regardless of where they’d met their actual end."
"Keep your voice at a whisper. The quiet is best. The bones are sleeping inside Elmwood’s chest. Charley ran her finger over the inscription that time had failed to completely erase."
"She was buried in scarlet-red sheets inside a large four-poster bed with braided columns, a bed that had often made her feel she was trapped inside one of the Anne Rice novels she’d snuck from her mother’s bedside table."
"Crimson House loomed like a fortress in the gloom, and for once she felt grateful to be swallowed up in its darkness. That’s where monsters belonged."
"This was one of the few things she and Miranda had in common: they were two witches threatened by stoning in the twenty-first century. "
"“I am in service to the grim reaper. That doesn’t exactly make me fun at parties.”"
"So many witnesses to what could be her biggest triumph, she thought uneasily, or catastrophic failure."
June 8, 2026
Sisters of Crimson House was the perfect blend of southern gothic horror and Practical Magic-eque family drama, magical realism and supernatural elements.
Our story predominantly focuses on Charley — the daughter of a long line of skilled magical women, who has no power, Miranda, older sister to Charley who is gifted with the ability to be a conduit for spirits, good, and evil.
We’re introduced to the Bryde family on Halloween night, the night of the infamous and exclusive Spectacular, an annual event for those who dared to enter Crimson House to seek answers and entertainment from the talented Bryde women, however — tragically strikes and the family suffer a loss that unravel a series of tragic, painful events that lead Charley to uncover the deepest darkest secrets of her family and the hidden truth about her own power, while simultaneously trying to hold onto her families legacy.
Filled with wildly atmospheric, ninety’s era gothic, emotional, evocative storytelling, ‘Sisters of Crimson House’ will have you scared of the things that go bump in the night. Classic true supernatural horror with a rich, heartfelt yet haunting and unsettling story and an unexpected beautifully crafted love story twisted throughout.
It actually really read like a horror mini series it would be well adapted to screen!!
I am slowly recognising how much I enjoy very female focused stories, especially those of a generation nature. All in all — I really enjoyed this, it kicked up a notch in the middle and stayed incredibly interesting until the very end. I loved how the story weaved the past and the present together to create a fully immersive experience, especially in relation to the connections between certain characters. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Our story predominantly focuses on Charley — the daughter of a long line of skilled magical women, who has no power, Miranda, older sister to Charley who is gifted with the ability to be a conduit for spirits, good, and evil.
We’re introduced to the Bryde family on Halloween night, the night of the infamous and exclusive Spectacular, an annual event for those who dared to enter Crimson House to seek answers and entertainment from the talented Bryde women, however — tragically strikes and the family suffer a loss that unravel a series of tragic, painful events that lead Charley to uncover the deepest darkest secrets of her family and the hidden truth about her own power, while simultaneously trying to hold onto her families legacy.
Filled with wildly atmospheric, ninety’s era gothic, emotional, evocative storytelling, ‘Sisters of Crimson House’ will have you scared of the things that go bump in the night. Classic true supernatural horror with a rich, heartfelt yet haunting and unsettling story and an unexpected beautifully crafted love story twisted throughout.
It actually really read like a horror mini series it would be well adapted to screen!!
I am slowly recognising how much I enjoy very female focused stories, especially those of a generation nature. All in all — I really enjoyed this, it kicked up a notch in the middle and stayed incredibly interesting until the very end. I loved how the story weaved the past and the present together to create a fully immersive experience, especially in relation to the connections between certain characters. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really liked the vibe of this one! A dysfunctional family, a strained sibling relationship, a haunted house, psychic abilities, and enough family secrets to keep everyone’s business firmly out of the group chat? Sign. Me. Up.
The premise and plot were definitely the standouts for me. I loved how the story blended horror, paranormal, mystery, and thriller elements without feeling like it needed to neatly fit into one category. It gave the book this really fun, spooky-season energy while still having some heavier themes underneath it. The themes of isolation and jealousy were especially interesting, and I liked how they played into the family dynamics.
The pacing was a little slow for me in the beginning, but honestly, I think the story needed that time to build. There’s a lot of family history to unpack, and with the nonlinear timeline and flashbacks, we’re slowly piecing together who these people are and what happened between them. And BOY were there family secrets! Every time I thought I had a handle on things, another layer got peeled back.
Overall this was such a fun, atmospheric read with the perfect amount of spooky family drama! If you’re looking for something that feels like horror, paranormal mystery, with a sprinkling of found family this one is worth adding to the spooky season TBR!
The premise and plot were definitely the standouts for me. I loved how the story blended horror, paranormal, mystery, and thriller elements without feeling like it needed to neatly fit into one category. It gave the book this really fun, spooky-season energy while still having some heavier themes underneath it. The themes of isolation and jealousy were especially interesting, and I liked how they played into the family dynamics.
The pacing was a little slow for me in the beginning, but honestly, I think the story needed that time to build. There’s a lot of family history to unpack, and with the nonlinear timeline and flashbacks, we’re slowly piecing together who these people are and what happened between them. And BOY were there family secrets! Every time I thought I had a handle on things, another layer got peeled back.
Overall this was such a fun, atmospheric read with the perfect amount of spooky family drama! If you’re looking for something that feels like horror, paranormal mystery, with a sprinkling of found family this one is worth adding to the spooky season TBR!
September 24, 2026
Y’all, I’ll be honest: I really enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. I have only just begun dipping my toe into the spooky/thriller genre, so when I read the synopsis, I thought hmmm ok I’ll bite. What a ride it was!
As usual, I’ll keep this short, sweet, and spoiler-free. My first thought was poor Charley!! She really goes through it from beginning to END! Her need to prove herself while already being the “odd one out” in her family made me really feel for her.
I was also surprised by the plot twists and the connections the book makes between characters throughout. I love how the family dynamics unfolded, especially learning their reasoning for their actions and how everything started coming together for those “ooooh, that makes sense” moments. The Sisters of Crimson House is witchy, thrilling, and has a Halloween timeline, making it a perfect spooky-season read!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Audio, I paired the audiobook with the e-ARC for an immersive read. Let me tell you… Having someone whisper, “You’re not supposed to be here,” in your ear in the middle of the night will ABSOLUTELY make you feel completely in the story. If you have the opportunity to grab the audio - DO IT! Ann Marie Gideon does an amazing job narrating!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for providing me with an ALC via Libro.fm! All opinions are voluntary and entirely my own.
As usual, I’ll keep this short, sweet, and spoiler-free. My first thought was poor Charley!! She really goes through it from beginning to END! Her need to prove herself while already being the “odd one out” in her family made me really feel for her.
I was also surprised by the plot twists and the connections the book makes between characters throughout. I love how the family dynamics unfolded, especially learning their reasoning for their actions and how everything started coming together for those “ooooh, that makes sense” moments. The Sisters of Crimson House is witchy, thrilling, and has a Halloween timeline, making it a perfect spooky-season read!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Audio, I paired the audiobook with the e-ARC for an immersive read. Let me tell you… Having someone whisper, “You’re not supposed to be here,” in your ear in the middle of the night will ABSOLUTELY make you feel completely in the story. If you have the opportunity to grab the audio - DO IT! Ann Marie Gideon does an amazing job narrating!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for providing me with an ALC via Libro.fm! All opinions are voluntary and entirely my own.
September 10, 2026
Charley Bryde is the only woman in her family not to have the famous Bryde pentagram star branded on her body. She is the only one that also doesn't have the gift like her grandmother, mother, aunt, and sister. She spends most of her days at the Crimson House located in the shadows. Every Halloween the Crimson House located in Memphis, Tennessee opens its doors to host a night of seances and readings. Inbeknowest to Charley, this is going to be the very last one they all spend together. Eight years later, Charley is trying everything she can think of to save her beloved Crimson House from forecloser. She decides with the help of her two friends to reopen Crimson House one last time, but when a skeptics' shows up and sldo her estrainged sister Charley shuts the whole ordeal down. Will Charley find the answers she is looking for from either her sister or Orius, who is out to make sure everyone knows that they are fake. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Sourcebooks for letting me listen to an advance copy of this audiobook.
September 16, 2026
3.5 stars
The perfect read for around Halloween if you want something with a little bit of a supernatural twist. The Bryde family is full of psychics except the youngest member, Charlie, who is our main character.
The book switches between two timelines. One in the year 2000, which gives us a lot of background to the characters’ history and motivations. The other timeline is in 2008 where Charlie is struggling to keep up financially and is also still wrecked from the events that happened 8 years ago.
I enjoyed that the book used 2008 as one its timelines since I think the financial struggle of period isn’t something I’ve seen in a while.
I am not sure how the family went from extremely wealthy to destitute that quickly nor how the house deteriorated as much as it did in 8 years.
I wish there was a little more done to develop the relationships between the characters.
The perfect read for around Halloween if you want something with a little bit of a supernatural twist. The Bryde family is full of psychics except the youngest member, Charlie, who is our main character.
The book switches between two timelines. One in the year 2000, which gives us a lot of background to the characters’ history and motivations. The other timeline is in 2008 where Charlie is struggling to keep up financially and is also still wrecked from the events that happened 8 years ago.
I enjoyed that the book used 2008 as one its timelines since I think the financial struggle of period isn’t something I’ve seen in a while.
I am not sure how the family went from extremely wealthy to destitute that quickly nor how the house deteriorated as much as it did in 8 years.
I wish there was a little more done to develop the relationships between the characters.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Sisters of Crimson House is an atmospheric Southern Gothic horror filled with complicated sisters, family secrets, restless spirits, witches, and dark magic.
The story was a little slow getting started, but once it gained momentum, it was great! I enjoyed watching the family’s secrets unfold as the sisters were forced to question everything they believed about one another and their past.
Crimson House created an eerie setting, and the combination of supernatural danger and complicated family relationships made this a great fall read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy.
The story was a little slow getting started, but once it gained momentum, it was great! I enjoyed watching the family’s secrets unfold as the sisters were forced to question everything they believed about one another and their past.
Crimson House created an eerie setting, and the combination of supernatural danger and complicated family relationships made this a great fall read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.0 Stars
The Sisters of the Crimson House is a Southern Gothic Tale about a family of sisters with physic abilities and the night that broke them apart. The story flashes back to Halloween parties in the late 90's where the family held seances for their rich clientele. The story uses those parties to unravel family mysteries and tension between the two main characters, Miranda the eldest a talented celebrity medium and Charley the powerless baby sister, The story holds you captive as you turn the page to resolve the family secrets and hold out hope that Charley can keep her families Victorian House and legacy afloat by hosting the first Halloween party in eight years.
The Sisters of the Crimson House is a Southern Gothic Tale about a family of sisters with physic abilities and the night that broke them apart. The story flashes back to Halloween parties in the late 90's where the family held seances for their rich clientele. The story uses those parties to unravel family mysteries and tension between the two main characters, Miranda the eldest a talented celebrity medium and Charley the powerless baby sister, The story holds you captive as you turn the page to resolve the family secrets and hold out hope that Charley can keep her families Victorian House and legacy afloat by hosting the first Halloween party in eight years.
September 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and SourcebooksLandmark for my advanced reader copy!
I truly enjoyed this book it pulled me out of a rut. Perfect for spooky season if you’re not looking for anything incredibly scary and over whelming. I felt like the main take away from this book was the dynamic between the sisters, loss, hurt, sacrifices and renewed bonds. The psychic powers and haunted house was a great premise to build on.
On thing, be warned the chapters are very long! But the book is worth the read!
I truly enjoyed this book it pulled me out of a rut. Perfect for spooky season if you’re not looking for anything incredibly scary and over whelming. I felt like the main take away from this book was the dynamic between the sisters, loss, hurt, sacrifices and renewed bonds. The psychic powers and haunted house was a great premise to build on.
On thing, be warned the chapters are very long! But the book is worth the read!
September 17, 2026
Wow! For a debut novel this book gets you. I felt it had a little bit of a slow start but half way through I was sucked in and kept me guessing on what was coming next. In the end I really did enjoy the book. I feel the ending could have gone a little different for our FMC and MMC but maybe that is the whole point. Great job! Great spooky season read!
September 11, 2026
what a spooky read! i truly was captivated by this story and the vibes it was giving off. i did not expect the big reveal and never expected the turn of events. this book is def for those who love a god haunting, but also a story about family and love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book took me by surprise. It is urban generational witch story mixed with horror and deadly family secrets. A vision. A baby born. A guardian made. A candle blown out before its time. Something awakens. A family hunted. Tragedy ensues. Everything changes during the 32nd annual Bryde Family Halloween Spectacular where the elite pay a hefty fee to come and see the Byrde women perform their magic at the famous Crimson House. Charley is the anomaly who is the first to be born without the seeker star. Miranda is the older sister that Charley loathes. In fact, 8 yrs later, Charley is holding a grudge against her entire family that abandoned her to keep a hold of the crumbling Crimson House. She meets the mysterious and skeptical Sy Prescott who unlocks something inside of Charley. Miranda shows back up acting weird. The truths Charley has wanted her whole life start to reveal themselves and wreak havoc. Thankfully, she has her amazing roommates, Zavier & Astrid, to come to her rescue.
Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book feels like secrets, grief, and generational weight all tangled together inside one house that absolutely refuses to let the past stay buried.
Sisters of Crimson House is very character-driven, and the atmosphere does so much of the heavy lifting—but it’s the sisters and their fractured bond that really carry the emotional core.
At the heart of it, this is a story about family, but not in a soft or comforting way. It’s about how complicated love becomes when it’s mixed with resentment, history, and things that were never fully spoken out loud.
The FMC (and each sister’s perspective, depending on how you read their roles in the story) feels shaped by survival in different ways. None of them respond to the house or their shared past the same, which is what makes their dynamic so tense and so compelling.
They’re dealing with:
* unresolved grief that has been sitting for years, unprocessed
* the way family roles get assigned and then never questioned
* the pressure of returning to a place that remembers everything they’d rather forget
What I loved is that none of the sisters feel like “types.” Even when they clash, you understand *why* they are the way they are. Every one of them carries a different version of the same history.
And that’s where the tension really comes from.
Because this isn’t just about what happened in the past—it’s about:
* how differently each sister remembers it
* what each of them chose to carry and what they chose to bury
* and whether reconciliation is even possible when truth feels subjective
The house itself becomes almost like a character in the dynamic. It holds memory, guilt, and emotional weight in a way that constantly pressures the sisters back into old patterns.
The relationships are messy in a very real way:
* love that feels conditional at times
* loyalty that gets tested by silence and misunderstanding
* affection that exists alongside deep frustration
What I really liked is that the book doesn’t rush their healing. There are moments where they take steps forward and immediately fall back into old emotional habits, which makes everything feel much more authentic.
The emotional push and pull comes from:
* wanting connection but not knowing how to ask for it
* protecting yourself by shutting people out who are trying to get closer
* the fear that being honest might break what’s left of the family completely
The emotional core of the story is about:
* sisterhood that survives even when it’s fractured
* grief that reshapes relationships instead of just sitting quietly in the background
* the difficulty of returning home when “home” is also the source of pain
* learning that truth doesn’t always bring comfort, but it can bring clarity
If you like:
* gothic-leaning family dramas
* sibling dynamics full of tension and history
* atmospheric, emotional storytelling
* slow emotional unraveling instead of fast resolution
* stories about grief, memory, and reconciliation
this is such a gripping read.
It’s haunting in tone, heavy in emotion, and deeply focused on the way family can both wound and anchor you at the same time. The relationships are complicated in a way that feels painfully real—and that’s exactly what makes it stick.
Sisters of Crimson House is very character-driven, and the atmosphere does so much of the heavy lifting—but it’s the sisters and their fractured bond that really carry the emotional core.
At the heart of it, this is a story about family, but not in a soft or comforting way. It’s about how complicated love becomes when it’s mixed with resentment, history, and things that were never fully spoken out loud.
The FMC (and each sister’s perspective, depending on how you read their roles in the story) feels shaped by survival in different ways. None of them respond to the house or their shared past the same, which is what makes their dynamic so tense and so compelling.
They’re dealing with:
* unresolved grief that has been sitting for years, unprocessed
* the way family roles get assigned and then never questioned
* the pressure of returning to a place that remembers everything they’d rather forget
What I loved is that none of the sisters feel like “types.” Even when they clash, you understand *why* they are the way they are. Every one of them carries a different version of the same history.
And that’s where the tension really comes from.
Because this isn’t just about what happened in the past—it’s about:
* how differently each sister remembers it
* what each of them chose to carry and what they chose to bury
* and whether reconciliation is even possible when truth feels subjective
The house itself becomes almost like a character in the dynamic. It holds memory, guilt, and emotional weight in a way that constantly pressures the sisters back into old patterns.
The relationships are messy in a very real way:
* love that feels conditional at times
* loyalty that gets tested by silence and misunderstanding
* affection that exists alongside deep frustration
What I really liked is that the book doesn’t rush their healing. There are moments where they take steps forward and immediately fall back into old emotional habits, which makes everything feel much more authentic.
The emotional push and pull comes from:
* wanting connection but not knowing how to ask for it
* protecting yourself by shutting people out who are trying to get closer
* the fear that being honest might break what’s left of the family completely
The emotional core of the story is about:
* sisterhood that survives even when it’s fractured
* grief that reshapes relationships instead of just sitting quietly in the background
* the difficulty of returning home when “home” is also the source of pain
* learning that truth doesn’t always bring comfort, but it can bring clarity
If you like:
* gothic-leaning family dramas
* sibling dynamics full of tension and history
* atmospheric, emotional storytelling
* slow emotional unraveling instead of fast resolution
* stories about grief, memory, and reconciliation
this is such a gripping read.
It’s haunting in tone, heavy in emotion, and deeply focused on the way family can both wound and anchor you at the same time. The relationships are complicated in a way that feels painfully real—and that’s exactly what makes it stick.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A deft exploration of past, present, and how secrets can fester. The Sisters of Crimson House is elegant and haunting and had me gasping at each new reveal of who these women were and what they'll become.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for offering me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Crimson House is fun. Well, not for its inhabitants, but definitely for me.
I was immediately interested in this book because of its marketing as a Southern Gothic novel full of magical revelry and paranormal mystery, all set in a haunted Victorian house. It felt like someone had cracked my brain open and decided to write a book about all the things that usually swim around in there.
Sweazy was very successful at conjuring up an incredibly entertaining and original story. I was glued to the pages as I tried to figure out what would happen next and how everything tied together, and I am glad to say I was very satisfied when the curtain was finally pulled back and we, along with Charley, finally understood what was really going on under the Bryde roof. I think the story was well constructed, and the reveals were handled in a convincing and entertaining way that felt earned by the end of the book.
The author was also very successful in creating a believable and interesting dysfunctional family dynamic for the Brydes. I found the relationship between Charley and Miranda really touching, despite its many hiccups - and despite the several times I wanted to punch Miranda in the throat.
Unfortunately, Sisters of the Crimson House was also far from a perfect read. Although the book is marketed as Southern Gothic, the only particularly Southern Gothic elements are that the story is set in Tennessee and that its main events are magical in nature and unfold in an old, dilapidated Victorian house. Beyond that, many of the stylistic features I would usually associate with Southern Gothic are not really present. Although this is not the author’s fault, since I imagine she has little control over how the book is marketed, it was disappointing to go into this read expecting the atmospheric, dark, unnerving qualities of the genre and instead find a thrilling but fairly sparsely written paranormal romp.
On the topic of the writing itself, I found its simplicity somewhat jarring, especially given the possibilities this type of story offered for really evocative, atmospheric prose. Because the book is marketed as an adult novel, I expected more complexity in both its themes and its writing. Instead, it often felt closer to reading a Young Adult novel which, again, is not inherently a bad thing. It was simply disappointing to feel that my expectations had not been met when the book was so openly publicised as one thing and turned out to be something quite different.
I also think a lot of the characters were unfortunately underdeveloped, which undermined what I believe Sweazy wanted to be one of the most important themes in the novel: found family. Astrid and Zavier are little more than set dressing in the narrative. They are portrayed as dependable and protective of their friend, whom they treat like family, but they do little beyond gravitate around Charley and throw in a few jokes here and there. There was a lot of potential in those relationships, but by the end it felt somewhat squandered. I could tell that the author wanted me to feel deeply about that found family, which is usually one of my favourite tropes in any type of fiction, but here it rang hollow from beginning to end.
I also found the main love interest’s motivations rather silly, despite
There were also several issues with the editing, which I hope will be corrected before the final printing of the book and which may only be present because I read an Advance Copy. Some sections of the book felt noticeably underdeveloped, while others clearly seemed to have received more attention. There were also many spelling and grammar mistakes throughout, which often took me out of the narrative.
All in all, Sisters of the Crimson House is a fun book, and I would recommend it to YA readers who are looking for an engaging story with lots of interesting paranormal and mystery elements that will keep them on the edge of their seat. However, if you are looking for adult Southern Gothic, I fear this might not be for you.
Crimson House is fun. Well, not for its inhabitants, but definitely for me.
I was immediately interested in this book because of its marketing as a Southern Gothic novel full of magical revelry and paranormal mystery, all set in a haunted Victorian house. It felt like someone had cracked my brain open and decided to write a book about all the things that usually swim around in there.
Sweazy was very successful at conjuring up an incredibly entertaining and original story. I was glued to the pages as I tried to figure out what would happen next and how everything tied together, and I am glad to say I was very satisfied when the curtain was finally pulled back and we, along with Charley, finally understood what was really going on under the Bryde roof. I think the story was well constructed, and the reveals were handled in a convincing and entertaining way that felt earned by the end of the book.
The author was also very successful in creating a believable and interesting dysfunctional family dynamic for the Brydes. I found the relationship between Charley and Miranda really touching, despite its many hiccups - and despite the several times I wanted to punch Miranda in the throat.
Unfortunately, Sisters of the Crimson House was also far from a perfect read. Although the book is marketed as Southern Gothic, the only particularly Southern Gothic elements are that the story is set in Tennessee and that its main events are magical in nature and unfold in an old, dilapidated Victorian house. Beyond that, many of the stylistic features I would usually associate with Southern Gothic are not really present. Although this is not the author’s fault, since I imagine she has little control over how the book is marketed, it was disappointing to go into this read expecting the atmospheric, dark, unnerving qualities of the genre and instead find a thrilling but fairly sparsely written paranormal romp.
On the topic of the writing itself, I found its simplicity somewhat jarring, especially given the possibilities this type of story offered for really evocative, atmospheric prose. Because the book is marketed as an adult novel, I expected more complexity in both its themes and its writing. Instead, it often felt closer to reading a Young Adult novel which, again, is not inherently a bad thing. It was simply disappointing to feel that my expectations had not been met when the book was so openly publicised as one thing and turned out to be something quite different.
I also think a lot of the characters were unfortunately underdeveloped, which undermined what I believe Sweazy wanted to be one of the most important themes in the novel: found family. Astrid and Zavier are little more than set dressing in the narrative. They are portrayed as dependable and protective of their friend, whom they treat like family, but they do little beyond gravitate around Charley and throw in a few jokes here and there. There was a lot of potential in those relationships, but by the end it felt somewhat squandered. I could tell that the author wanted me to feel deeply about that found family, which is usually one of my favourite tropes in any type of fiction, but here it rang hollow from beginning to end.
I also found the main love interest’s motivations rather silly, despite
There were also several issues with the editing, which I hope will be corrected before the final printing of the book and which may only be present because I read an Advance Copy. Some sections of the book felt noticeably underdeveloped, while others clearly seemed to have received more attention. There were also many spelling and grammar mistakes throughout, which often took me out of the narrative.
All in all, Sisters of the Crimson House is a fun book, and I would recommend it to YA readers who are looking for an engaging story with lots of interesting paranormal and mystery elements that will keep them on the edge of their seat. However, if you are looking for adult Southern Gothic, I fear this might not be for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Landmark and Netgalley for providing a free copy of The Sisters of Crimson House for review!
Vibes: 4
Skill: 3.5
Rec: yes
Reread: nah
The story centers are sisters Charley and Miranda, the youngest in a long matriarchal line of mystics. All of the Bryde women bear a five pointed star on their palm marking them as psychically gifted, all except Charley.
After a tragic Halloween the Bryde family is severed and Charley is left to care for their deteriorating home and reputation, until the incredibly gifted, beautiful, and aloof Miranda returns.
Charley is plagued by a skeptic determined to ruin her, bill collectors who just won't quit, and an angry violent entity out for destruction.
I really enjoyed this book, it has the same magical quirky vibe as things like Practical Magic and Starling House, so if you enjoy those you'll likely enjoy this as well. Charley is immediately an extremely sympathetic character, she is desperate to prove herself and she's ingenuitive enough to skate by.
The supporting friend cast is also very loveable, even though we don't get to know them very well.
Charley needs her found family, let me tell you, because her blood relatives suck. I know that we are supposed to feel frustrated with her family, but I think the author might make them too unlikeable. We get the impression the her family loves her, but that they treat her as an afterthought because she lacks any mystic ability. It's shown in several flashbacks that Charley is routinely cast aside, ignored, and demeaned because she lacks any special ability. Meanwhile her sister Miranda is doted on, spoiled and praised constantly for how incredible her ability is.
This is worsened by how needlessly mean Miranda is to Charley on a regular basis. The flashbacks of Miranda make her seem like an irredeemable beezy, so when she comes back under the pretense of "protecting" Charley it feels false. At times I think the author wants use to sympathize with Miranda but it's very difficult because she is almost never kind.
I enjoyed the mystery of Mr. tall, dark, and angry. I thought his part of the story was a good addition and it added a surprising layer of moral complexity and depth to the Bryde family.
Now for what I didn't like:
The writing is not bad at all, but there are some clunky moments, especially with some of the dialogue; it's not always clear who is communicating or what is happening.
The ending felt appropriate but also anticlimactic at the same time. I felt like the core mystery was never solved/resolved it just kind of... Went away.
I really wanted to hear the long sordid true history of the Bryde women and how they came to be mystics but (spoiler) the author never gives us any clear explanations.
I both like and dislike how things end up with Sy. It bums me out, but also feels completely appropriate.
This isn't really a critique, but I think the time frame should have been rescaled; I think the 'preaent day' should have beenaube 2000 or 2003 instead of 2008. But that's just a personal preference, not a critique on writing or story.
Overall I did really enjoy this one, it's a lot of fun, it's a witchy fun time, and makes me want to go watch Practical Magic for the 700th time.
If you're looking for a minimal spook factor, family drama, and quirky mysticism then this one might be for you!
Vibes: 4
Skill: 3.5
Rec: yes
Reread: nah
The story centers are sisters Charley and Miranda, the youngest in a long matriarchal line of mystics. All of the Bryde women bear a five pointed star on their palm marking them as psychically gifted, all except Charley.
After a tragic Halloween the Bryde family is severed and Charley is left to care for their deteriorating home and reputation, until the incredibly gifted, beautiful, and aloof Miranda returns.
Charley is plagued by a skeptic determined to ruin her, bill collectors who just won't quit, and an angry violent entity out for destruction.
I really enjoyed this book, it has the same magical quirky vibe as things like Practical Magic and Starling House, so if you enjoy those you'll likely enjoy this as well. Charley is immediately an extremely sympathetic character, she is desperate to prove herself and she's ingenuitive enough to skate by.
The supporting friend cast is also very loveable, even though we don't get to know them very well.
Charley needs her found family, let me tell you, because her blood relatives suck. I know that we are supposed to feel frustrated with her family, but I think the author might make them too unlikeable. We get the impression the her family loves her, but that they treat her as an afterthought because she lacks any mystic ability. It's shown in several flashbacks that Charley is routinely cast aside, ignored, and demeaned because she lacks any special ability. Meanwhile her sister Miranda is doted on, spoiled and praised constantly for how incredible her ability is.
This is worsened by how needlessly mean Miranda is to Charley on a regular basis. The flashbacks of Miranda make her seem like an irredeemable beezy, so when she comes back under the pretense of "protecting" Charley it feels false. At times I think the author wants use to sympathize with Miranda but it's very difficult because she is almost never kind.
I enjoyed the mystery of Mr. tall, dark, and angry. I thought his part of the story was a good addition and it added a surprising layer of moral complexity and depth to the Bryde family.
Now for what I didn't like:
The writing is not bad at all, but there are some clunky moments, especially with some of the dialogue; it's not always clear who is communicating or what is happening.
The ending felt appropriate but also anticlimactic at the same time. I felt like the core mystery was never solved/resolved it just kind of... Went away.
I really wanted to hear the long sordid true history of the Bryde women and how they came to be mystics but (spoiler) the author never gives us any clear explanations.
I both like and dislike how things end up with Sy. It bums me out, but also feels completely appropriate.
This isn't really a critique, but I think the time frame should have been rescaled; I think the 'preaent day' should have beenaube 2000 or 2003 instead of 2008. But that's just a personal preference, not a critique on writing or story.
Overall I did really enjoy this one, it's a lot of fun, it's a witchy fun time, and makes me want to go watch Practical Magic for the 700th time.
If you're looking for a minimal spook factor, family drama, and quirky mysticism then this one might be for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks so much to Landmark for the free book!
Memphis in this book is not a place of neon and blues; it is a humid, rotting stage for generational baggage. Melissa Anderson Sweazy uses The Sisters of Crimson House to examine the misery of being ordinary in an extraordinary family. We get Charley Bryde, the only non-psychic in a bloodline of mediums. She lives in a massive, decaying mansion. It smells of dust, old paper, and desperation. The mood is heavy with resentment. Sweazy avoids the whimsical charm of standard witch fiction. Instead, she goes straight for the commercialization of grief. Charley turns her family home into a fake haunted attraction, selling cheap parlor tricks to pay the taxes.
The story moves with an irregular, jerky momentum. Sweazy keeps the chapters focused on Charley's immediate panic, but the pacing stumbles when the supernatural elements force their way in. The transition from a gritty story about a female con artist to a literal ghost story feels clunky. Charley’s sudden discovery of hidden family secrets happens precisely when the plot requires a scare. The skeptic character who arrives to expose her fraud feels like a mechanical device, a simple tool to create conflict rather than a real person. The book is fast, but you can feel the author pushing the pieces across the board.
Beneath the gothic decorations, the book handles a very modern absurdity: the exhaustion of maintaining a personal brand. Charley has to perform a heritage she does not possess just to keep a roof over her head. It is a cynical look at how capitalism forces people to commodify their trauma. The family mansion is less of a sanctuary and more of a corporate asset that requires constant feeding.
This is a predictable piece of horror fiction that delivers a reliable dose of tension without changing the rules of the genre. The flaws stand out clearly; the long-lost sister Miranda returns with a predictable set of revelations, and the final confrontation relies on traditional spooky house tropes. Yet, the book has a sharp directness in its prose that keeps it from becoming sweet or sentimental. It functions well enough as a quick weekend read. You get a solid dose of Southern decay and sibling rivalry, and then the details leave your head before the book even hits the shelf.
A fast, cynical Southern Gothic tale for readers who prefer family resentment and fake tarot cards over gentle magic.
Memphis in this book is not a place of neon and blues; it is a humid, rotting stage for generational baggage. Melissa Anderson Sweazy uses The Sisters of Crimson House to examine the misery of being ordinary in an extraordinary family. We get Charley Bryde, the only non-psychic in a bloodline of mediums. She lives in a massive, decaying mansion. It smells of dust, old paper, and desperation. The mood is heavy with resentment. Sweazy avoids the whimsical charm of standard witch fiction. Instead, she goes straight for the commercialization of grief. Charley turns her family home into a fake haunted attraction, selling cheap parlor tricks to pay the taxes.
The story moves with an irregular, jerky momentum. Sweazy keeps the chapters focused on Charley's immediate panic, but the pacing stumbles when the supernatural elements force their way in. The transition from a gritty story about a female con artist to a literal ghost story feels clunky. Charley’s sudden discovery of hidden family secrets happens precisely when the plot requires a scare. The skeptic character who arrives to expose her fraud feels like a mechanical device, a simple tool to create conflict rather than a real person. The book is fast, but you can feel the author pushing the pieces across the board.
Beneath the gothic decorations, the book handles a very modern absurdity: the exhaustion of maintaining a personal brand. Charley has to perform a heritage she does not possess just to keep a roof over her head. It is a cynical look at how capitalism forces people to commodify their trauma. The family mansion is less of a sanctuary and more of a corporate asset that requires constant feeding.
This is a predictable piece of horror fiction that delivers a reliable dose of tension without changing the rules of the genre. The flaws stand out clearly; the long-lost sister Miranda returns with a predictable set of revelations, and the final confrontation relies on traditional spooky house tropes. Yet, the book has a sharp directness in its prose that keeps it from becoming sweet or sentimental. It functions well enough as a quick weekend read. You get a solid dose of Southern decay and sibling rivalry, and then the details leave your head before the book even hits the shelf.
A fast, cynical Southern Gothic tale for readers who prefer family resentment and fake tarot cards over gentle magic.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Melissa Anderson Sweazy’s The Sisters of Crimson House was my after-dinner read, and apparently I thought settling into a creepy old Memphis mansion filled with psychics, family secrets, and things that definitely should stay buried was a relaxing way to spend the evening. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted copy. Tell me I’m not the only person who finds a haunted house strangely irresistible when there’s a seriously messy family living inside it?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Charley Bryde grew up in a family of famous psychics, which sounds pretty fabulous until you learn she’s the one Bryde woman who didn’t inherit a gift. After tragedy tears the family apart, she’s left trying to hold onto Crimson House and the family legacy, even if that means turning the mansion into a haunted attraction and pretending she has abilities she definitely does not.
I really liked Charley. There’s something about the person who feels like the odd one out in her own family that gets me every time, and I was rooting for her even when some of her decisions had me questioning her judgment. Then her estranged sister Miranda suddenly returns after eight years, a skeptic is determined to expose Charley as a fraud, and the house starts revealing that the Bryde family may have buried a whole lot more than hurt feelings.
And Crimson House? That place has opinions.
The Southern Gothic atmosphere was probably my favorite part. The house feels like another character, and I loved the combination of psychic abilities, tarot cards, family history, supernatural weirdness, and secrets that slowly start working their way to the surface. The story moves between past and present, letting us see what happened to this family instead of simply being told about it, and some of those discoveries completely changed how I looked at the sisters.
There were moments when several different story threads were happening at once and I had to stop and get my bearings, which kept this from being a five-star read for me. But once everything started coming together, I was absolutely invested in finding out what Crimson House had been hiding.
Give me a crumbling mansion and generations of questionable family decisions and apparently I’m staying for dinner.
What fictional house would you be brave enough to spend one night in?
#TheSistersOfCrimsonHouse #MelissaAndersonSweazy #GothicFiction #SouthernGothic #HorrorBooks #HauntedHouse #Bookstagram #BookReview
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Charley Bryde grew up in a family of famous psychics, which sounds pretty fabulous until you learn she’s the one Bryde woman who didn’t inherit a gift. After tragedy tears the family apart, she’s left trying to hold onto Crimson House and the family legacy, even if that means turning the mansion into a haunted attraction and pretending she has abilities she definitely does not.
I really liked Charley. There’s something about the person who feels like the odd one out in her own family that gets me every time, and I was rooting for her even when some of her decisions had me questioning her judgment. Then her estranged sister Miranda suddenly returns after eight years, a skeptic is determined to expose Charley as a fraud, and the house starts revealing that the Bryde family may have buried a whole lot more than hurt feelings.
And Crimson House? That place has opinions.
The Southern Gothic atmosphere was probably my favorite part. The house feels like another character, and I loved the combination of psychic abilities, tarot cards, family history, supernatural weirdness, and secrets that slowly start working their way to the surface. The story moves between past and present, letting us see what happened to this family instead of simply being told about it, and some of those discoveries completely changed how I looked at the sisters.
There were moments when several different story threads were happening at once and I had to stop and get my bearings, which kept this from being a five-star read for me. But once everything started coming together, I was absolutely invested in finding out what Crimson House had been hiding.
Give me a crumbling mansion and generations of questionable family decisions and apparently I’m staying for dinner.
What fictional house would you be brave enough to spend one night in?
#TheSistersOfCrimsonHouse #MelissaAndersonSweazy #GothicFiction #SouthernGothic #HorrorBooks #HauntedHouse #Bookstagram #BookReview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Charley Bryde is miserable. She is the only woman in a long line of famous psychic’s to not inherit the family gift. She spends her days surrounded by magic inside Crimson House and when a shocking tragedy scatters the Bryde family, Charley is forced to grow up on her own. As money runs out and Charley’s ownership of the family mansion is put at risk, it leaves her no other choice but to turn the manor into a haunted attraction. Soon a skeptic starts targeting Charley for the fraud she is, putting everything at risk. But with the arrival of the skeptic, something cracks deep in Charley revealing something the Brydes wanted to remain buried. Miranda, Charley’s older, talented sister arrives, after eight long years away. The two will realize their family and Crimson house hold secrets that even the greatest psychic couldn’t foresee, secrets that will threaten to destroy them.
The ambiance of a Gothic manor full of magic, secrets, paintings that follow your every move and ghosts is more than prevalent throughout the entire book. Found family mixed with familial generational secrets really added to the mysterious drama portrayed. The family is mysterious enough that you’ll want to follow along with Charley as you both continuously uncover secrets that you’ll never see coming.
I think the biggest drawback of this story is the way it’s portrayed. The story itself is being promoted as an adult, southern gothic tale. The story reads more YA in my personal opinion along with the only Southern aspect being that the story takes place in Memphis, Tennessee. If the author would have made up a random town there is nothing in the story that would have suggested that said town took place in the south. I also believe that the book was painfully slow. There are a lot of elements to this story including found family, grief, returning family, secrets along with magic and the discovery of oneself. With all these elements I thought the story would be thrilling and unable to put down, but unfortunately the story was slow. A lot of these plots felt unfinished as the story continuously changes plots and left me with some questions. A lot of my questions centered around a main plot that doesn’t get revealed until the end with almost no questions answered. I wish the author had introduced the main plot point earlier, so we had more answers since holding it until the end did the book a disservice. A lot of times the book also felt confusing and muddled when Charley was experiencing things.
If you enjoy an easy, magical storyline full of gothic vibes with a twisting tale of familial secrets then this is the book for you. The story is thrilling as you learn about Charley’s family secrets along with her. Charly is a fun and entertaining character to follow, along with her family and sister. The perfect read for a cozy, autumn night. This would be the perfect read for a teen who wants to dip their toe in horror while enjoying stories full of magic and characters who have never fit in.
The ambiance of a Gothic manor full of magic, secrets, paintings that follow your every move and ghosts is more than prevalent throughout the entire book. Found family mixed with familial generational secrets really added to the mysterious drama portrayed. The family is mysterious enough that you’ll want to follow along with Charley as you both continuously uncover secrets that you’ll never see coming.
I think the biggest drawback of this story is the way it’s portrayed. The story itself is being promoted as an adult, southern gothic tale. The story reads more YA in my personal opinion along with the only Southern aspect being that the story takes place in Memphis, Tennessee. If the author would have made up a random town there is nothing in the story that would have suggested that said town took place in the south. I also believe that the book was painfully slow. There are a lot of elements to this story including found family, grief, returning family, secrets along with magic and the discovery of oneself. With all these elements I thought the story would be thrilling and unable to put down, but unfortunately the story was slow. A lot of these plots felt unfinished as the story continuously changes plots and left me with some questions. A lot of my questions centered around a main plot that doesn’t get revealed until the end with almost no questions answered. I wish the author had introduced the main plot point earlier, so we had more answers since holding it until the end did the book a disservice. A lot of times the book also felt confusing and muddled when Charley was experiencing things.
If you enjoy an easy, magical storyline full of gothic vibes with a twisting tale of familial secrets then this is the book for you. The story is thrilling as you learn about Charley’s family secrets along with her. Charly is a fun and entertaining character to follow, along with her family and sister. The perfect read for a cozy, autumn night. This would be the perfect read for a teen who wants to dip their toe in horror while enjoying stories full of magic and characters who have never fit in.
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