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The House Built on Alligator Bones
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26
The Greers built their fortune on alligator bones.
Dartrine Beaumont believes her mother’s sudden death has left her alone in the world—until she learns of long-lost wealthy relatives living in Florida. Confused but delighted by the possibility of extended family, Dart travels to her grandmother’s stately Gilded Age mansion on Amelia Island for answers, just in time to stake a claim on an unusual inheritance: an alligator farming empire.
Her arrival at Greer House isn’t everything she hoped. Without warning, Dart finds herself in fierce competition with her grandmother’s arrogant heir-apparent, and tensions rise as threatening acts of vandalism escalate on one of the farms. More unsettling is her hostile grandmother’s fanatical belief that the danger stems from a curse; according to legend, a larger-than-life alligator hunted down by a bloodthirsty ancestor still haunts the family. Yet Dart can’t deny that the farm’s placid alligators hiss only at Greers, or that a shadowy figure creeps through the mansion’s halls, plaguing her with suspicions that the mythical alligator and monstrous, long-dead matriarch may have unfinished business.
As Dart uncovers the truth about her violent birthright, she faces a terrible accept her place in her family’s grim legacy or forge a new path by slaying a different beast entirely.
Dartrine Beaumont believes her mother’s sudden death has left her alone in the world—until she learns of long-lost wealthy relatives living in Florida. Confused but delighted by the possibility of extended family, Dart travels to her grandmother’s stately Gilded Age mansion on Amelia Island for answers, just in time to stake a claim on an unusual inheritance: an alligator farming empire.
Her arrival at Greer House isn’t everything she hoped. Without warning, Dart finds herself in fierce competition with her grandmother’s arrogant heir-apparent, and tensions rise as threatening acts of vandalism escalate on one of the farms. More unsettling is her hostile grandmother’s fanatical belief that the danger stems from a curse; according to legend, a larger-than-life alligator hunted down by a bloodthirsty ancestor still haunts the family. Yet Dart can’t deny that the farm’s placid alligators hiss only at Greers, or that a shadowy figure creeps through the mansion’s halls, plaguing her with suspicions that the mythical alligator and monstrous, long-dead matriarch may have unfinished business.
As Dart uncovers the truth about her violent birthright, she faces a terrible accept her place in her family’s grim legacy or forge a new path by slaying a different beast entirely.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Sophia Huneycutt
1 book24 followersSophia Huneycutt was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. Her short fiction has won the Porch Prize, judged by Kevin Wilson, and appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, STORY, The Greensboro Review, Nashville Review, and elsewhere. She has received support from the de Groot Foundation, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and the Ohio Arts Council. A Tin House alumna, she holds a BA in English literature from Davidson College and an MFA in creative writing from The Ohio State University. The House Built on Alligator Bones is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Want to Read
February 4, 2026guys sophia was my instructor for my literary publishing class so i may be biased but im SO EXCITED TO READ THIS
April 16, 2026
{Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the ARC}
I thoroughly enjoyed The House Built on Alligator Bones. Honeycutt does a great job of balancing the ethical implications of this type of farming with the conservation aspects, and doesn’t shy away from the brutality of it all. Additionally, the atmosphere is consistent, spellbinding, and intoxicating, and, as a Florida native, I felt that the setting was very accurate. My main criticism would be how hard it is to naturally and casually include something like POTS (postural orthostaric tachycardia syndrome) through narration, and I wonder how it adds to the story, other than by offering representation. I felt it could’ve been woven in more strongly, especially in the case of Ida, who was said to have it but no proof was ever given. Additionally, I get tired of horror books always having to have a love interest. He could’ve been the same character doing the same things without the romance and it would’ve been the same reading experience.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! .
I thoroughly enjoyed The House Built on Alligator Bones. Honeycutt does a great job of balancing the ethical implications of this type of farming with the conservation aspects, and doesn’t shy away from the brutality of it all. Additionally, the atmosphere is consistent, spellbinding, and intoxicating, and, as a Florida native, I felt that the setting was very accurate. My main criticism would be how hard it is to naturally and casually include something like POTS (postural orthostaric tachycardia syndrome) through narration, and I wonder how it adds to the story, other than by offering representation. I felt it could’ve been woven in more strongly, especially in the case of Ida, who was said to have it but no proof was ever given. Additionally, I get tired of horror books always having to have a love interest. He could’ve been the same character doing the same things without the romance and it would’ve been the same reading experience.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! .
May 11, 2026
thank you to netgalley for the ARC!
this was definitely an interesting concept! i've never read anything dealing with alligator farming, but the author did a lot of research to make it sound like a legitimate company in florida. definitely check this one out when it releases in october!
this was definitely an interesting concept! i've never read anything dealing with alligator farming, but the author did a lot of research to make it sound like a legitimate company in florida. definitely check this one out when it releases in october!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The House Built on Alligator Bones
By Sophia Hunneycutt
Pub Date:Oct 06 2026
This is a heavily character driven book. There is a wild family mystery that is unsettling from the start. I enjoyed the character development and family mystery kept me interested.
This book definitely gave me can't trust anyone vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
By Sophia Hunneycutt
Pub Date:Oct 06 2026
This is a heavily character driven book. There is a wild family mystery that is unsettling from the start. I enjoyed the character development and family mystery kept me interested.
This book definitely gave me can't trust anyone vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
May 15, 2026
I wanted to love this. Southern gothic family drama with curses, haunted mansions, alligator farms, hurricanes, and generational secrets? I really thought this would be the “it” Halloween book this year. Unfortunately, this ended up being one of the most frustratingly horrible books I’ve read in a long time.
My biggest issue was that the story felt like it had absolutely no idea what it wanted to be. Was this a haunted house story? A southern gothic? A family curse novel? Psychological horror? Possession story? Murder mystery? The book throws plotline after plotline at you without fully developing or resolving almost any of them.
Characters and motivations constantly felt unfinished or abandoned entirely. Joe’s hatred of the Greers and the farm seemed important until it suddenly wasn’t. Ida’s influence over the family never became clear enough to feel satisfying. Was Gazzie possessed? Was Harrison losing his mind (or just as sick in the head as them)? Was the house actually haunted? By the end, I genuinely couldn’t tell what the author intended versus what was simply left underdeveloped.
The pacing was painfully slow, but somehow the book still felt chaotic because so many threads were introduced with little payoff. Instead of building tension, it became exhausting. On top of that, the prose leaned heavily into overwriting and “purple prose” moments that often distracted from scenes that desperately needed actual clarity and substance.
Also, as someone familiar with Florida and hurricanes….some of the storm and injury details also felt unbelievable enough to pull me completely out of the story. The alligator injury in particular had me rolling my eyes and actually yelling lol.
What disappointed me most was the ending. After all the buildup, there was no real emotional payoff, growth, justice, or sense of resolution. It just felt like the cycle of madness would continue endlessly, making the entire journey feel pointless rather than haunting.
There is definitely some atmosphere here, and I can see what the author was aiming for, but for me this was a slow, muddled, deeply unsatisfying read.
My biggest issue was that the story felt like it had absolutely no idea what it wanted to be. Was this a haunted house story? A southern gothic? A family curse novel? Psychological horror? Possession story? Murder mystery? The book throws plotline after plotline at you without fully developing or resolving almost any of them.
Characters and motivations constantly felt unfinished or abandoned entirely. Joe’s hatred of the Greers and the farm seemed important until it suddenly wasn’t. Ida’s influence over the family never became clear enough to feel satisfying. Was Gazzie possessed? Was Harrison losing his mind (or just as sick in the head as them)? Was the house actually haunted? By the end, I genuinely couldn’t tell what the author intended versus what was simply left underdeveloped.
The pacing was painfully slow, but somehow the book still felt chaotic because so many threads were introduced with little payoff. Instead of building tension, it became exhausting. On top of that, the prose leaned heavily into overwriting and “purple prose” moments that often distracted from scenes that desperately needed actual clarity and substance.
Also, as someone familiar with Florida and hurricanes….some of the storm and injury details also felt unbelievable enough to pull me completely out of the story. The alligator injury in particular had me rolling my eyes and actually yelling lol.
What disappointed me most was the ending. After all the buildup, there was no real emotional payoff, growth, justice, or sense of resolution. It just felt like the cycle of madness would continue endlessly, making the entire journey feel pointless rather than haunting.
There is definitely some atmosphere here, and I can see what the author was aiming for, but for me this was a slow, muddled, deeply unsatisfying read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
April 7, 2026I am SO excited for this one!! Just Look at that cover!
** ARC REC'D THANK YOU ***
** ARC REC'D THANK YOU ***
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The House Built On Alligator Bones opens on Dartrine (Dart) Beaumont walking through the collapsing corpse of her ancestral home debating the fate of her unborn child and recounting the story of the curse that haunts her family.
What follows is a strong southern gothic horror that explores abusive family systems and the corruption that comes when human greed and nature collide. The atmosphere is chilling despite the heat and detailed, and the charged family dynamics have real teeth. In fact, the combination was effective enough to force me to slow down and stop while reading at several points. The gore is not mild when it is present, and if you can't deal with animals being harmed, this is not the book for you. Same if you struggle with emotional abuse or abusive family systems. It was very much worth the discomfort for me.
Dart is not an entirely reliable narrator, and doesn't really try to be. Her life is shaped by trauma, isolation, and the reality of living with an invisible illness. We get to see and live with the way having POTS has changed how Dart has to navigates the world and what she expects of others. The fact that she is dependent on some assistance for survival heightens the hostile atmosphere of the Florida gator farm. So does her desperation to finally be loved and cared for by someone who doesn't see her as a monster.
We are told that her family has a long history of a variety of chronic illnesses, and to the point POTS plays a role in the curse's origin. There is the implication that the ongoing health struggle of the family are part of nature's revenge. It feels strange to have disease/disability treated as a moral punishment in 2026 when the author avoids other genre pitfalls by not having the curse come from stigmatized religions or people. Of course, the very limited representation of non-white people in a southern gothic talking about a house built on bones has its own discomfort.
I do believe that the book does manage to stand despite this in part because of the depiction of the ways in which white women can become complicit or even driving forces in destructive power systems. We are given space to understand the decisions of the matriarchs of the Greer family while seeing exactly how monstrous they actually were. I was a little disappointed in the final resolution of the novel. Dart provides us an extremely poetic and quotable resolution to the novel, but when compared to the visceral intensity of the rest of the novel, it feels like it is wrapped up a little too kindly to the surviving characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
What follows is a strong southern gothic horror that explores abusive family systems and the corruption that comes when human greed and nature collide. The atmosphere is chilling despite the heat and detailed, and the charged family dynamics have real teeth. In fact, the combination was effective enough to force me to slow down and stop while reading at several points. The gore is not mild when it is present, and if you can't deal with animals being harmed, this is not the book for you. Same if you struggle with emotional abuse or abusive family systems. It was very much worth the discomfort for me.
Dart is not an entirely reliable narrator, and doesn't really try to be. Her life is shaped by trauma, isolation, and the reality of living with an invisible illness. We get to see and live with the way having POTS has changed how Dart has to navigates the world and what she expects of others. The fact that she is dependent on some assistance for survival heightens the hostile atmosphere of the Florida gator farm. So does her desperation to finally be loved and cared for by someone who doesn't see her as a monster.
We are told that her family has a long history of a variety of chronic illnesses, and to the point POTS plays a role in the curse's origin. There is the implication that the ongoing health struggle of the family are part of nature's revenge. It feels strange to have disease/disability treated as a moral punishment in 2026 when the author avoids other genre pitfalls by not having the curse come from stigmatized religions or people. Of course, the very limited representation of non-white people in a southern gothic talking about a house built on bones has its own discomfort.
I do believe that the book does manage to stand despite this in part because of the depiction of the ways in which white women can become complicit or even driving forces in destructive power systems. We are given space to understand the decisions of the matriarchs of the Greer family while seeing exactly how monstrous they actually were. I was a little disappointed in the final resolution of the novel. Dart provides us an extremely poetic and quotable resolution to the novel, but when compared to the visceral intensity of the rest of the novel, it feels like it is wrapped up a little too kindly to the surviving characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
as someone who knows a thing or two about a powerful matriarch who lives on past her death and once sewed hair into portraits (what are the odds, lmao!), and as a reader who is OBZEST with alligators, hauntings, and doomed/tragic family lines, this book is BURSTING with everything I need.
the atmosphere here is unmatched. the way we slowly sink into greers' house and their history is so satisfyingly spooky; the small bits of the paranormal that poke through act as beautiful moments of unrest and catharsis in what they represent. as such, I actually think this would have been a lot better served as a slow-burn literary gothic, rather than one with the pacing and stakes that follow the dramatic arcs of a proper thriller. I was ravenous for any information about this family I could get: leon, the older generations' experiences growing up, ida herself, and our mc's mother-daughter relationship. I really craved a bit more juice when it came to their family history, and the cycle and hereditability of violence.
as such, I felt very thrown off kilter-by the action scenes and neat conclusion. everything ended up feeling very cinematic in a way that I wasn't massively invested in.
regardless, I think that some of the writing in this book is SO exciting!! from memory: the barn (if I'm remembering correctly) affixed to the gator farm building being described as being a tumor; the slow-build of the haunting developing over time. sometimes, though, I do think the lyrical writing floundered when it came to the actions scenes. some similes felt out of place; someone's words hanging in the air "like a feather" without any indication or call-back as to why that was the imagery used. an "anvil" hitting an ankle that is later revealed to be a bite. I felt that the use of plain language would have served these scenes much better, and that it only muddled my ability to picture what was going on, thus negating the sense of urgency.
ultimately, I do think this book ended up having a heavier focus on commercial entertainment than I cared for, and I would have drooled over a more immersive literary experience. despite these personal criticisms, it's hard for me to look past the atmosphere, setting, and imagery, as they were just so good.
I think I can settle on a 3.5 here. thank you for the advanced copy! :)
the atmosphere here is unmatched. the way we slowly sink into greers' house and their history is so satisfyingly spooky; the small bits of the paranormal that poke through act as beautiful moments of unrest and catharsis in what they represent. as such, I actually think this would have been a lot better served as a slow-burn literary gothic, rather than one with the pacing and stakes that follow the dramatic arcs of a proper thriller. I was ravenous for any information about this family I could get: leon, the older generations' experiences growing up, ida herself, and our mc's mother-daughter relationship. I really craved a bit more juice when it came to their family history, and the cycle and hereditability of violence.
as such, I felt very thrown off kilter-by the action scenes and neat conclusion. everything ended up feeling very cinematic in a way that I wasn't massively invested in.
regardless, I think that some of the writing in this book is SO exciting!! from memory: the barn (if I'm remembering correctly) affixed to the gator farm building being described as being a tumor; the slow-build of the haunting developing over time. sometimes, though, I do think the lyrical writing floundered when it came to the actions scenes. some similes felt out of place; someone's words hanging in the air "like a feather" without any indication or call-back as to why that was the imagery used. an "anvil" hitting an ankle that is later revealed to be a bite. I felt that the use of plain language would have served these scenes much better, and that it only muddled my ability to picture what was going on, thus negating the sense of urgency.
ultimately, I do think this book ended up having a heavier focus on commercial entertainment than I cared for, and I would have drooled over a more immersive literary experience. despite these personal criticisms, it's hard for me to look past the atmosphere, setting, and imagery, as they were just so good.
I think I can settle on a 3.5 here. thank you for the advanced copy! :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 3.75 rounded up
The House Built on Alligator Bones by Sophia Huneycutt is dark, eerie, and suspenseful, with a strong Southern Gothic atmosphere. In true Southern Gothic style its a thriller about family secrets, inheritance, and a possible curse lurking in the Florida swamps. As a Florida Native I have always had a respectful and healthy fear of our official state reptile and oddly enough have dreamed of being stalked by them on and my whole life. Ok so maybe the fear is not as healthy as I first claimed. Anyway, back to the book.
Dark and ominous, the story constantly suggests that something is wrong beneath the surface with both the Greer family and their history. The mansion, the swamps, and the alligator farms create a sense of constant danger and impending doom. For me the Florida swamp setting is the core of this novel. The humid air, dark water, and lurking alligators create a heavy, moody atmosphere that makes the story feel mysterious and unsettling. Truly portraying a sinister, suspenseful, and haunting feel that perfectly fits a Southern-Gothic mystery about family curses and buried secrets.
This is a character heavy read. The story spends a lot of time exploring Dartrine “Dart” Beaumont’s thoughts and emotions, the complex Greer family relationships, uncovering the Greer family’s past and the tension that comes from trust issues, manipulation, and hidden intentions among characters. That said, the pacing can feel slow in the middle as the novel focuses on family history and character dynamics. Some of the rivalries and motivations between relatives are interesting but occasionally difficult to keep track of. I also found myself wanting a little more clarity around the supernatural elements.
Overall, The House Built on Alligator Bones has a rich atmosphere, unusual setting, and family-mystery plot that is truly engaging. If you enjoy stories about complicated families, haunting legacies, and mysteries buried in the past, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The House Built on Alligator Bones by Sophia Huneycutt is dark, eerie, and suspenseful, with a strong Southern Gothic atmosphere. In true Southern Gothic style its a thriller about family secrets, inheritance, and a possible curse lurking in the Florida swamps. As a Florida Native I have always had a respectful and healthy fear of our official state reptile and oddly enough have dreamed of being stalked by them on and my whole life. Ok so maybe the fear is not as healthy as I first claimed. Anyway, back to the book.
Dark and ominous, the story constantly suggests that something is wrong beneath the surface with both the Greer family and their history. The mansion, the swamps, and the alligator farms create a sense of constant danger and impending doom. For me the Florida swamp setting is the core of this novel. The humid air, dark water, and lurking alligators create a heavy, moody atmosphere that makes the story feel mysterious and unsettling. Truly portraying a sinister, suspenseful, and haunting feel that perfectly fits a Southern-Gothic mystery about family curses and buried secrets.
This is a character heavy read. The story spends a lot of time exploring Dartrine “Dart” Beaumont’s thoughts and emotions, the complex Greer family relationships, uncovering the Greer family’s past and the tension that comes from trust issues, manipulation, and hidden intentions among characters. That said, the pacing can feel slow in the middle as the novel focuses on family history and character dynamics. Some of the rivalries and motivations between relatives are interesting but occasionally difficult to keep track of. I also found myself wanting a little more clarity around the supernatural elements.
Overall, The House Built on Alligator Bones has a rich atmosphere, unusual setting, and family-mystery plot that is truly engaging. If you enjoy stories about complicated families, haunting legacies, and mysteries buried in the past, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
(e-ARC received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; thank you to Sophia Huneycutt and Dutton)
actual rating: 3.75⭐️
If I recall correctly, this is my first experience with a southern gothic horror novel, and I had an enjoyable time. This is a character-driven story, with elements of the paranormal and a unique representation of man vs. nature.
I really liked all of the characters in this book. Our FMC Dartrine struggles with sudden bursts of anger and POTS, the latter of which I don’t think I’ve ever read about in a novel so that representation was nice to see. Her love interest Harrison, who begins as a rival in Dart’s inheritance, is mentioned to have struggled with OCD in the past. I wish we could’ve explored that a bit more.
I absolutely loved the setting being on an alligator farm in Florida, on an island with a close-knit group of people. The eeriness of nature creeping in to take back what was stolen from them was very well-written, and the added aspect of the family home being inhabited by the spirit of an ancestor added the perfect level of creepiness.
There were a few moments that dragged on for me, or where I had a hard time focusing. That could’ve also had to do with the fact that I had to read this ARC on my phone, as a Kobo option wasn’t available. I lose focus quicker when reading on my phone, so I’ll blame it on that.
The last 30%-ish and ending of this book was really intense, and I enjoyed the almost cult-like vibe I got from the Grear family. I thought the writing style flowed well, and I’ll be sure to check out more of this author’s work in the future.
actual rating: 3.75⭐️
If I recall correctly, this is my first experience with a southern gothic horror novel, and I had an enjoyable time. This is a character-driven story, with elements of the paranormal and a unique representation of man vs. nature.
I really liked all of the characters in this book. Our FMC Dartrine struggles with sudden bursts of anger and POTS, the latter of which I don’t think I’ve ever read about in a novel so that representation was nice to see. Her love interest Harrison, who begins as a rival in Dart’s inheritance, is mentioned to have struggled with OCD in the past. I wish we could’ve explored that a bit more.
I absolutely loved the setting being on an alligator farm in Florida, on an island with a close-knit group of people. The eeriness of nature creeping in to take back what was stolen from them was very well-written, and the added aspect of the family home being inhabited by the spirit of an ancestor added the perfect level of creepiness.
There were a few moments that dragged on for me, or where I had a hard time focusing. That could’ve also had to do with the fact that I had to read this ARC on my phone, as a Kobo option wasn’t available. I lose focus quicker when reading on my phone, so I’ll blame it on that.
The last 30%-ish and ending of this book was really intense, and I enjoyed the almost cult-like vibe I got from the Grear family. I thought the writing style flowed well, and I’ll be sure to check out more of this author’s work in the future.
May 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for a early read in exchange for an honest review!
Unfortunately, Dartrine and her family missed the mark for me. I will be honest that I did not really know what I was getting into. Definitely thought it was a whodunnit and set in a creepy little swamp town. What you actually got was a lot of violence towards animals. Specifically crocs, and the mass killing of them and then being referred to throughout the entire book as carcasses. Dartrine as a child was the creepy, introverted weird kid who was fascinated with dead animals and had temper issues. Turns out she really didn’t grow out of that, but the apple doesn’t fall from the tree here.
The setting was actually nicely laid out and I did feel like I was transported to the Greer House in all its sticky Floridian charm.
Another big problem I had was the lack of anything really happening of value too late into the book. We are already on chapter 15 or 18 before things really started getting better and they unfortunately still were quite flat for me. The romance interested me a tiny bit.
Then the back and forth with the characters health - we have a character with POTS who seems to pass out at the most opportune moments yet casts her own frightful shadow. I’m just not buying it.
It’s unfortunate that I just could not get into this one, I thought I’d love the creepy cursed house! However I would not hesitate to try another of this authors book.
Unfortunately, Dartrine and her family missed the mark for me. I will be honest that I did not really know what I was getting into. Definitely thought it was a whodunnit and set in a creepy little swamp town. What you actually got was a lot of violence towards animals. Specifically crocs, and the mass killing of them and then being referred to throughout the entire book as carcasses. Dartrine as a child was the creepy, introverted weird kid who was fascinated with dead animals and had temper issues. Turns out she really didn’t grow out of that, but the apple doesn’t fall from the tree here.
The setting was actually nicely laid out and I did feel like I was transported to the Greer House in all its sticky Floridian charm.
Another big problem I had was the lack of anything really happening of value too late into the book. We are already on chapter 15 or 18 before things really started getting better and they unfortunately still were quite flat for me. The romance interested me a tiny bit.
Then the back and forth with the characters health - we have a character with POTS who seems to pass out at the most opportune moments yet casts her own frightful shadow. I’m just not buying it.
It’s unfortunate that I just could not get into this one, I thought I’d love the creepy cursed house! However I would not hesitate to try another of this authors book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I read the premise of this book, it was somewhat different to my usual reads but I was intrigued. Now I'm so glad I requested it!
This book is awesome! I loved the steamy, brooding setting of the old world Florida island, and really enjoyed seeing all the characters fully fleshed out throughout the story. Sophia Huneycutt does this really, really well and I like the return to fully-fleshed, fully human characters with proper grey areas and flaws, and baggage! Two dimensional characters with no blood in their veins just don't do it for me.
The plot and pacing kept me hooked throughout and despite the dark tones I enjoyed diving into this world - I didn't want to put it down. The ending and wrapping up of the story was swift but satisfying and I know this book will be living rent free in my brain for a long while.
This was my first foray into the Southern Gothic genre and after that incredibly strong start I will be searching for some more! (Any recommendations welcome!)
If you're looking for a read full of mystery, supernatural threat, intriguing characters, family skeletons and a truly immersive setting, look no further than this book. Chef's kiss!
I can't wait to see what Sophie Huneycutt writes next!
Thank you very much to Sophia Huneycutt, NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book is awesome! I loved the steamy, brooding setting of the old world Florida island, and really enjoyed seeing all the characters fully fleshed out throughout the story. Sophia Huneycutt does this really, really well and I like the return to fully-fleshed, fully human characters with proper grey areas and flaws, and baggage! Two dimensional characters with no blood in their veins just don't do it for me.
The plot and pacing kept me hooked throughout and despite the dark tones I enjoyed diving into this world - I didn't want to put it down. The ending and wrapping up of the story was swift but satisfying and I know this book will be living rent free in my brain for a long while.
This was my first foray into the Southern Gothic genre and after that incredibly strong start I will be searching for some more! (Any recommendations welcome!)
If you're looking for a read full of mystery, supernatural threat, intriguing characters, family skeletons and a truly immersive setting, look no further than this book. Chef's kiss!
I can't wait to see what Sophie Huneycutt writes next!
Thank you very much to Sophia Huneycutt, NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book starts off with our main character 'Dart' returning to her now ruined ancestral home, then we get to see how she got there in the first place...reuniting with family she did not know she had...and learning the hard way on why she never got the chance to meet that family prior.
I love that Dart is a very flawed character, she is very much as we learn a part of her family. But she does has the opportunity to change and take a different path. A lot of the book is going through the changes of emotion and perceptions that Dart has towards he family and wanting to belong. That does not take away from the eerie atmosphere throughout the book. There are many instances in which action happens while there is character development going on. The way the author incorprated the generational traumas and current day Darts dealings was done very very well, I was not bored at all with the inner monologs.
I do wish there was a bit more of the horror element, while the atmosphere was really good...I was hoping for a few more scarier or eerie bits involving Ida or even Gazzie.
Overall, a very fun experience with reading this novel. I would definitely recommend this to my audience as it is definitely a more action packed generation trauma type horror novel.
I love that Dart is a very flawed character, she is very much as we learn a part of her family. But she does has the opportunity to change and take a different path. A lot of the book is going through the changes of emotion and perceptions that Dart has towards he family and wanting to belong. That does not take away from the eerie atmosphere throughout the book. There are many instances in which action happens while there is character development going on. The way the author incorprated the generational traumas and current day Darts dealings was done very very well, I was not bored at all with the inner monologs.
I do wish there was a bit more of the horror element, while the atmosphere was really good...I was hoping for a few more scarier or eerie bits involving Ida or even Gazzie.
Overall, a very fun experience with reading this novel. I would definitely recommend this to my audience as it is definitely a more action packed generation trauma type horror novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📖 Aaron Todd Reads | TikTok: @theaarontodd
“I am wicked, and I am loved. Apparently, both things can be true.” 🐊🦴🌺
TLDR;
A 2026 must-read. Most suited for readers who enjoy gothic thrillers like The Only One Left and Midnight Is the Darkest Hour. I rate this a 3/5 on my AT Intensity Scale due to several detailed scenes of violence (primarily animal slaughtering) and themes of generational trauma, bullying, family secrets, and inherited evil.
Title: The House Built on Alligator Bones
Author: Sophia Huneycutt
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: October 2026
Format: Ebook
ARC: Thank you NetGalley and Dutton!
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
🔪 AT Intensity Rating: 3/5
📄 Pages: 384
Quick Descriptors
• Southern Gothic
• Thriller pacing with Gothic Horror aesthetic
• Generational curse
• Mystical alligator
• Family secrets
• Dark inheritance
• Atmospheric coastal setting
Review
A haunting Southern Gothic Horror Thriller about the weight of legacy and the monsters families leave behind.
While The House Built on Alligator Bones begins with an unexpected inheritance, the story quickly reveals itself to be about something far darker: the generational curse Dartrine (Dart) Beaumont unknowingly carries and the secrets her family has hidden from her for years.
After the sudden death of her mother, Dart receives an unexpected visit from her long lost Aunt Virginia and discovers that her relatives are tied to a powerful alligator farming empire on Amelia Island. Hoping to finally understand where she came from, she travels to Greer House, only to find a family that views her as a threat, a legacy built on violence, and whispers of a curse tied to a mystical ancestor.
What makes this story compelling is that the true conflict isn’t just external. Dart has spent her entire life grappling with dark impulses and shame, believing there is something fundamentally wrong with her. As she learns more about her family’s past, she begins to question whether those instincts are simply part of who she is or something she inherited.
The novel also thoughtfully incorporates Dart’s experience living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), bringing awareness to the condition while shaping how she navigates stress, danger, and the physically demanding world she’s stepped into.
Huneycutt leans into classic Southern Gothic atmosphere: decaying wealth, a looming ancestral curse, and a mansion filled with hostile relatives and buried truths. Jump-scares galore, scenes that will cause you to look over your shoulder, and several that depict the brutal slaughter and processing of the alligators. The latter adds a visceral layer to the story and reinforcing the brutal legacy that built the Greer family fortune. This element of the book is challenging to grapple with, due to the descriptive writing and the general nature of animal brutality. I believe the author did her due-diligence to research and portray this element with as much care as possible, while honoring the brutal reality of the alligator farming industry.
This lands at a 3/5 on my intensity scale. There are several moments of graphic violence, particularly surrounding the alligators, but the novel leans just as heavily into psychological tension, family trauma, and the unsettling question of whether the curse haunting the Greers might actually be real.
A HUGE thank you for the chance to read this story! This was refreshing, entertaining, disturbing, informative, and gripping. I was hooked from the first page.
I am anxiously awaiting the next book from Sophia Huneycutt.
“I am wicked, and I am loved. Apparently, both things can be true.” 🐊🦴🌺
TLDR;
A 2026 must-read. Most suited for readers who enjoy gothic thrillers like The Only One Left and Midnight Is the Darkest Hour. I rate this a 3/5 on my AT Intensity Scale due to several detailed scenes of violence (primarily animal slaughtering) and themes of generational trauma, bullying, family secrets, and inherited evil.
Title: The House Built on Alligator Bones
Author: Sophia Huneycutt
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: October 2026
Format: Ebook
ARC: Thank you NetGalley and Dutton!
⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
🔪 AT Intensity Rating: 3/5
📄 Pages: 384
Quick Descriptors
• Southern Gothic
• Thriller pacing with Gothic Horror aesthetic
• Generational curse
• Mystical alligator
• Family secrets
• Dark inheritance
• Atmospheric coastal setting
Review
A haunting Southern Gothic Horror Thriller about the weight of legacy and the monsters families leave behind.
While The House Built on Alligator Bones begins with an unexpected inheritance, the story quickly reveals itself to be about something far darker: the generational curse Dartrine (Dart) Beaumont unknowingly carries and the secrets her family has hidden from her for years.
After the sudden death of her mother, Dart receives an unexpected visit from her long lost Aunt Virginia and discovers that her relatives are tied to a powerful alligator farming empire on Amelia Island. Hoping to finally understand where she came from, she travels to Greer House, only to find a family that views her as a threat, a legacy built on violence, and whispers of a curse tied to a mystical ancestor.
What makes this story compelling is that the true conflict isn’t just external. Dart has spent her entire life grappling with dark impulses and shame, believing there is something fundamentally wrong with her. As she learns more about her family’s past, she begins to question whether those instincts are simply part of who she is or something she inherited.
The novel also thoughtfully incorporates Dart’s experience living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), bringing awareness to the condition while shaping how she navigates stress, danger, and the physically demanding world she’s stepped into.
Huneycutt leans into classic Southern Gothic atmosphere: decaying wealth, a looming ancestral curse, and a mansion filled with hostile relatives and buried truths. Jump-scares galore, scenes that will cause you to look over your shoulder, and several that depict the brutal slaughter and processing of the alligators. The latter adds a visceral layer to the story and reinforcing the brutal legacy that built the Greer family fortune. This element of the book is challenging to grapple with, due to the descriptive writing and the general nature of animal brutality. I believe the author did her due-diligence to research and portray this element with as much care as possible, while honoring the brutal reality of the alligator farming industry.
This lands at a 3/5 on my intensity scale. There are several moments of graphic violence, particularly surrounding the alligators, but the novel leans just as heavily into psychological tension, family trauma, and the unsettling question of whether the curse haunting the Greers might actually be real.
A HUGE thank you for the chance to read this story! This was refreshing, entertaining, disturbing, informative, and gripping. I was hooked from the first page.
I am anxiously awaiting the next book from Sophia Huneycutt.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the ARC of this book!
This was a hauntingly beautiful southern Gothic mystery with family mysteries and some not so southern charm.
Greer House has been owned by the Greer family for over 100 years. Ida Greer had it built on top of the bones of a legendary alligator that she slayed to gain her fortune. The family continues their fortune by creating an alligator farm and Dart unsuspectingly inherits that farm after her mother dies. She must then figure out what is going on at the Greer House- is it the family curse or something else?
A great novel with deep characterization. Much more of a thriller/mystery than a horror in my opinion and as someone who was born in Florida, this one hit home. I enjoyed the pacing and the writing style and I did enjoy the prologue as well. I would recommend this one to anyone looking got a good southern gothic thriller!
This was a hauntingly beautiful southern Gothic mystery with family mysteries and some not so southern charm.
Greer House has been owned by the Greer family for over 100 years. Ida Greer had it built on top of the bones of a legendary alligator that she slayed to gain her fortune. The family continues their fortune by creating an alligator farm and Dart unsuspectingly inherits that farm after her mother dies. She must then figure out what is going on at the Greer House- is it the family curse or something else?
A great novel with deep characterization. Much more of a thriller/mystery than a horror in my opinion and as someone who was born in Florida, this one hit home. I enjoyed the pacing and the writing style and I did enjoy the prologue as well. I would recommend this one to anyone looking got a good southern gothic thriller!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Deeply atmospheric, The House Built on Alligator Bones is the story of one girl's reckoning with her family past, and how the actions and attitudes of our descendants echo to the present. Good characterization, with an unreliable (yet human) narrator. I appreciated the depiction of the character's battle with POTS, as it is still a disease many do not understand. The only drawback was the draggy parts in the middle that seemed to build suspense but not deliver. The ending was still pretty solid, with the biggest strength being the incredible setting on Amelia Island, along with the theme of man vs. nature. Would recommend. #thehousebuiltonalligatorbones. #sophiahoneycutt #netgalley #goodreads
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC
4 stars
After the death of her mother, Dart finds a letter from her great aunt, and finds out everything her mother told her about her family has been a lie. Determined to lean more about her long lost and wealthy family, Dart decides to travel to Greer House and it’s a massive alligator empire, however the more time she spends with her newly found family the more she realizes there’s something off about the Greer family.
This was an amazing southern gothic horror book. The vibes were spooky and suspenseful. Dart was such a complex character, she really grapples with wanting to be apart of this new family but has that burning suspicion of them. I loved the POTS representation and how she wasn’t infantilized or looked down on.
4 stars
After the death of her mother, Dart finds a letter from her great aunt, and finds out everything her mother told her about her family has been a lie. Determined to lean more about her long lost and wealthy family, Dart decides to travel to Greer House and it’s a massive alligator empire, however the more time she spends with her newly found family the more she realizes there’s something off about the Greer family.
This was an amazing southern gothic horror book. The vibes were spooky and suspenseful. Dart was such a complex character, she really grapples with wanting to be apart of this new family but has that burning suspicion of them. I loved the POTS representation and how she wasn’t infantilized or looked down on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
Starting off with the cover--I LOVE LOVE the cover. Perfect for the book honestly. I am excited to see what Huneycutt comes out with next. Can now say I've read my first book about gator farming. This book had such a great storyline, setting and I enjoyed our characters and this book was very character driven. This was moody, eerie and had a dark loom overhead. You have a slow burn read with turns around the corners and mystery weaved through the pages.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Horror, Gothic, Southern, Thriller, Halloween, Gator Farming, Paranormal, Slow Burn, Family Secrets, Florida Swamps, Inheritance
Thank you NetGalley, Dutton, & Sophia Huneycutt, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing on October 06, 2026!
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
Starting off with the cover--I LOVE LOVE the cover. Perfect for the book honestly. I am excited to see what Huneycutt comes out with next. Can now say I've read my first book about gator farming. This book had such a great storyline, setting and I enjoyed our characters and this book was very character driven. This was moody, eerie and had a dark loom overhead. You have a slow burn read with turns around the corners and mystery weaved through the pages.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Horror, Gothic, Southern, Thriller, Halloween, Gator Farming, Paranormal, Slow Burn, Family Secrets, Florida Swamps, Inheritance
Thank you NetGalley, Dutton, & Sophia Huneycutt, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing on October 06, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy.
The House Built on Alligator Bones follows Dartrine Beaumont, who, after her mother's death, travels to Amelia Island, Florida. While there, she hopes to claim her share of her family's alligator farming empire. Instead, she finds a rival heir and a family curse stretching back generations to a ruthless ancestor and the legendary alligator Ironhearrt.
Some books ease you in gently, and then there are some that drag you into a swamp and dare you to find your way out. Sophia Huneycutt's debut novel has everything I love about Southern Gothic lore: swampy atmospheres, messy family secrets, revenge, and just enough “what the hell is going on?”
Four stars for this beautifully written Southern Gothic mystery.
The House Built on Alligator Bones follows Dartrine Beaumont, who, after her mother's death, travels to Amelia Island, Florida. While there, she hopes to claim her share of her family's alligator farming empire. Instead, she finds a rival heir and a family curse stretching back generations to a ruthless ancestor and the legendary alligator Ironhearrt.
Some books ease you in gently, and then there are some that drag you into a swamp and dare you to find your way out. Sophia Huneycutt's debut novel has everything I love about Southern Gothic lore: swampy atmospheres, messy family secrets, revenge, and just enough “what the hell is going on?”
Four stars for this beautifully written Southern Gothic mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A spooky, Southern gothic horror that pulled me in with its slow building dread. I really enjoyed how creative the concept is. Can't say I've read any other stories involving alligator farming. The writing is vivid and lush, making it easy feel immersed in every eerie and unsettling detail. The characters are messy and complex, which lends well to the generational family turmoil.
If you enjoy stories with complicated family histories, eerie mystery, and faulted characters, I recommend picking this one up!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Dutton for the digital ARC.
If you enjoy stories with complicated family histories, eerie mystery, and faulted characters, I recommend picking this one up!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Dutton for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75/5 rounded up.
This was a super unique read for me. And it reminded me of that Gatorsburg episode of Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated.
This was very vibey and spooky and atmospheric. A very unique take on the Southern Gothic horror kind of genre.
And I got a kick out of the Savannah references as someone who went to school there.
And I did learn quite a surprising bit about alligators and that whole industry/market/situation.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was a super unique read for me. And it reminded me of that Gatorsburg episode of Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated.
This was very vibey and spooky and atmospheric. A very unique take on the Southern Gothic horror kind of genre.
And I got a kick out of the Savannah references as someone who went to school there.
And I did learn quite a surprising bit about alligators and that whole industry/market/situation.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
April 24, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! It was my very first Horror/ Thriller and I’m so excited to read more in this genre based on this book. To be honest, I don’t know how I could love a book where I really didn’t like any of the characters. I did enjoy their stories, and how they developed over the course of the book. I didn’t find it super “scary” but it was a nice creepy mysterious vibe. I think the author did a great job tidying up the ending and making it all come together in a nice neat bow. Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the free arc in exchange for my honest review
I thought this book was mostly good. I didn’t know much about alligator farming and what I learned creeped me out and also made me feel bad for alligators. There was a part in the middle of the book that dragged and I almost stopped reading but in the end I’m glad I finished it because I thought it had an interesting climax and satisfying ending. I would consider this more of a slow burn thriller.
I thought this book was mostly good. I didn’t know much about alligator farming and what I learned creeped me out and also made me feel bad for alligators. There was a part in the middle of the book that dragged and I almost stopped reading but in the end I’m glad I finished it because I thought it had an interesting climax and satisfying ending. I would consider this more of a slow burn thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s always fun to read a book that takes place somewhere I could drive to in a day! As a Florida local (shoutout to my panhandle peeps) the setting was very familiar and accurate to me. I love southern gothic and dysfunctional family dynamics and a dysfunctional southern family is exactly my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Family secrets hang heavy as the Florida heat in this Southern Gothic ghost story, where lies burn like salt water— and what lurks at the bottom of the swamp won't lie dormant forever. Hauntingly captivating, the warped halls of this mystery brim with cinematic prose, the dark heart of family legacy, and of course-the whispers of the dead.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 rounded up
the cover and description really drew me in! the story was very interesting but dragged in the middle. i did not like the romance aspect at first but it ended up growing on me somewhat. i enjoyed seeing dart grow as a person throughout the story and the ending as a whole. would recommend!
the cover and description really drew me in! the story was very interesting but dragged in the middle. i did not like the romance aspect at first but it ended up growing on me somewhat. i enjoyed seeing dart grow as a person throughout the story and the ending as a whole. would recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
5 stars! This book is exactly what I want from Southern Gothic. It was so atmospheric, the characters felt real and otherworldly. The haunting of the family by the matriarch and the original alligator was wild. This book was perfect. No notes.
5 stars! This book is exactly what I want from Southern Gothic. It was so atmospheric, the characters felt real and otherworldly. The haunting of the family by the matriarch and the original alligator was wild. This book was perfect. No notes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the gift of reading this book early.
The house built on Alligator Bones is a very unique and unsettling story about family trauma and one generation's determination to overcome.
Overall a good story.
The house built on Alligator Bones is a very unique and unsettling story about family trauma and one generation's determination to overcome.
Overall a good story.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Absolutely everything is polluted in this book, (with the possible exception of my new monster ghost god buddy Ironheart.) A+++ Florida gothic goodness.
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April 7, 2026I received a NetGalley widget from Nicole Jarvis the Associate Director of Marketing, Dutton, Plume, Tiny Reparations Books.
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