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Quaint Folk
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Expected 6 Oct 26The Wicker Man meets The Twisted Ones in Bitter Karella’s Quaint Folk—a queer folk horror novel that peels back the idyllic veneer of a seemingly perfect island town to reveal the rot beneath.
From the outside, it looks like Jessica has the perfect life. She's a stay-at-home mom, married to a man with a respectable job, raising a son they adore. Her family is as wholesome as all-American pie. But deep down, Jessica knows there's something wrong with her; she knows she can't escape her past.
When her husband’s job has them move abroad, Jessica thinks this is her chance for a fresh start. On the remote island of Hasenhurst, the modern world can’t get in. The people there grow their own herbs, make their own jam, and mind their own business. They believe in folk tales and the power of dreams. They tell visitors, we’re a quaint, quiet people. The right sort of family would do well here.
Jessica is determined to be the right kind of person for a family—and a life—like this. But as she tries to befriend the townsfolk and learn their ways, she soon realizes that beneath the town’s cozy idyll, something sickly-sweet and rotten lays buried...
From the outside, it looks like Jessica has the perfect life. She's a stay-at-home mom, married to a man with a respectable job, raising a son they adore. Her family is as wholesome as all-American pie. But deep down, Jessica knows there's something wrong with her; she knows she can't escape her past.
When her husband’s job has them move abroad, Jessica thinks this is her chance for a fresh start. On the remote island of Hasenhurst, the modern world can’t get in. The people there grow their own herbs, make their own jam, and mind their own business. They believe in folk tales and the power of dreams. They tell visitors, we’re a quaint, quiet people. The right sort of family would do well here.
Jessica is determined to be the right kind of person for a family—and a life—like this. But as she tries to befriend the townsfolk and learn their ways, she soon realizes that beneath the town’s cozy idyll, something sickly-sweet and rotten lays buried...
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quaint Folk felt less like reading a book and more like slowly wandering into a fever dream you can’t quite wake up from. This story was masterfully written in a way that felt completely original every page carried this eerie, almost hypnotic atmosphere that crawled under my skin and stayed there long after I finished. The imagery alone was stunning. Bitter Karella paints Hasenhurst so vividly that you can practically smell the herbs drying in the kitchens and feel the heaviness lurking underneath all the cozy charm.
What really got me was the unsettling sense that something was always just slightly off. The story never rushes to explain itself, and somehow that makes it even more haunting. I spent the entire book questioning everyone, questioning reality, and honestly questioning myself. It’s one of those rare horror novels that leaves you staring at the wall afterward trying to process what you just experienced.
Jessica was such a fascinating character to follow because so much of the horror feels deeply personal and internal while the island itself slowly transforms into something deeply sinister. The folk horror elements were beautifully done, quiet, strange, claustrophobic, and deeply unsettling without relying on cheap scares.
This book feels like a piece of art more than a traditional horror novel, and I already know I’ll be diving into Bitter Karella’s entire backlist after this. Absolutely unforgettable.
What really got me was the unsettling sense that something was always just slightly off. The story never rushes to explain itself, and somehow that makes it even more haunting. I spent the entire book questioning everyone, questioning reality, and honestly questioning myself. It’s one of those rare horror novels that leaves you staring at the wall afterward trying to process what you just experienced.
Jessica was such a fascinating character to follow because so much of the horror feels deeply personal and internal while the island itself slowly transforms into something deeply sinister. The folk horror elements were beautifully done, quiet, strange, claustrophobic, and deeply unsettling without relying on cheap scares.
This book feels like a piece of art more than a traditional horror novel, and I already know I’ll be diving into Bitter Karella’s entire backlist after this. Absolutely unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quaint Folk is a folk horror novel with the unique narrative style which made made this authors first book, Moonflow,, so memorable.
This is about an American couple who go to a "quaint" British town because the husband, Greg, works for a tech firm and is tasked with getting this town into the 21st century. Currently, there's no internet or modern electronics. The town seems to be cemented in the past.
But of course there are big evil secrets. They celebrate a holiday just for them and speak of a creature named Round Robin who makes sure only "the right people" are allowed in town. It's secretive and has a decidedly creepy vibe.
But the family doesn't want to be THOSE kind of Americans so they'll get caught up in the festivities whether they like it or not.
And, yes, this family has their own secrets. The wife, Jennifer plays the main role along with their fifteen year old teen, Sandy, who is non-binary. As you can imagine, this isn't something the town accepts freely.
This is a novel about identity, religion, relationships, and acceptance while also keeping it creepy and terrifying. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
This is about an American couple who go to a "quaint" British town because the husband, Greg, works for a tech firm and is tasked with getting this town into the 21st century. Currently, there's no internet or modern electronics. The town seems to be cemented in the past.
But of course there are big evil secrets. They celebrate a holiday just for them and speak of a creature named Round Robin who makes sure only "the right people" are allowed in town. It's secretive and has a decidedly creepy vibe.
But the family doesn't want to be THOSE kind of Americans so they'll get caught up in the festivities whether they like it or not.
And, yes, this family has their own secrets. The wife, Jennifer plays the main role along with their fifteen year old teen, Sandy, who is non-binary. As you can imagine, this isn't something the town accepts freely.
This is a novel about identity, religion, relationships, and acceptance while also keeping it creepy and terrifying. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
May 14, 2026
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This book definitely kept me interested with the towns superstition and the way everything in the town was very “right” like back when people were more closed minded.
Sandy was amazing THEY were my favorite I loved the whole story and the ending was so wild. I thought someone (actually no spoilers) but they didn’t. This was a great read for me and I’m definitely recommending this book to my friends and family.
This book definitely kept me interested with the towns superstition and the way everything in the town was very “right” like back when people were more closed minded.
Sandy was amazing THEY were my favorite I loved the whole story and the ending was so wild. I thought someone (actually no spoilers) but they didn’t. This was a great read for me and I’m definitely recommending this book to my friends and family.
May 21, 2026
Received as an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for review!
A whimsical, wild, eerie fever dream. A unique narrative style that was often hilarious to me without trying too hard to be funny and lose momentum which is very easy to do with thrilled/horror. Felt very odd and unique. A solstice Midsommar. I love folk horror!
A whimsical, wild, eerie fever dream. A unique narrative style that was often hilarious to me without trying too hard to be funny and lose momentum which is very easy to do with thrilled/horror. Felt very odd and unique. A solstice Midsommar. I love folk horror!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
a jolly good romp, jiggery jam!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOW!! My first encounter with Bitter Karella and am absolutely blown away. Folksy, postmodern, kind of batshit, all around great time. The combination if very modern, 'online' language and themes contrasted well against the traditional values and setting of the island. I never really knew where the story was heading, but I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews