Look What the Cat Dragged In: A Novel

by Jason Rekulak

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Pictures and The Last One at the Wedding comes a new supernatural thriller about a young woman pet-sitting a cat with a mysterious secret.

Meet Penny Padgett, a twenty-seven-year-old cartoonist in Philadelphia who agrees to pet-sit a very peculiar cat named Godfrey in her home. At first, he’s a warm and affectionate companion who follows Penny all around the house and insists on sleeping by her side every night. But soon strange things are Penny is haunted by disturbing and violent nightmares. There’s a terrible insect infestation in her basement. Her cute cartoon illustrations turn dark and surreal, as if influenced by some invisible hand. And her health starts failing, as if her mind and body are under attack by a sinister, malevolent force.

Penny may be a cat person, but she’s starting to think Godfrey is no ordinary cat. . . .

"Jason Rekulak’s new novel is intensely plotted, wonderfully frightening, and wildly clever. He more than lives up to his reputation as having “a freakishly fertile imagination” —The New York Times

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Horror Thriller

Audible Audio

Expected publication October 13, 2026

About the author

I'm the author of four novels: THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTRESS (2017), HIDDEN PICTURES (2022), THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING (2024) and (coming in October 2026!) LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN. For many years I was Publisher of Quirk Books, an indie press headquartered in Philadelphia, where I ghost-wrote many odd books that may or may not surface on this page, depending on the metadata. I live in West Philly with my wife and children.

Reviews

[STEPH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this was scary. The slow-burn, the horror build-up, the cat, the suspense.

If you think this is just a typical story about an illustrator and her cat, then you are sadly mistaken. Everything felt normal at first. The cat was clingy, following her around and lying on her belly for hours on end. Then strange things started happening. Unlocked doors, missing books, a repulsive smell, and a black beetle infestation. Now Penny is plagued by nightmares, blackouts, and hallucinations.

The first few chapters were so steadily slow I almost fell asleep. It also felt repetitive at times, which got a bit annoying. However, the pace picked up during the third quarter and everything completely blew over. Scary shit. One funny thing though was the Pokémon reference. Lol.

Pagan rituals, satanic cults, and witchcraft. I suggest not reading this beside your cat. Lol. Your cat might morph into something feral and evil.

Overall, this was unsettling and genuinely creepy, but it didn’t quite capture the same magic Jason was able to pull off with Hidden Pictures.

[Laura]

i'm ready to be let down :)

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I adored this book! It’s so unexpected. Without giving away too much, it starts with the mystery of Penny’s missing cat Popcorn. Not only is it upsetting to her as her beloved pet, she also makes a career of writing graphic novels about their relationship. After taking in a new cat temporarily, strange things begin happening. The book takes a dramatic turn from solving the mystery of Popcorn’s disappearance to solving why Penny seems to be unraveling. I couldn’t put this book down and loved the cast of supporting characters. Some parts feel far fetched, but that’s what made it the most fun. I also loved that the book explored the important relationship between people and pets in a more dynamic way than most stories. A must read!

[Theresa Sivelle]

I can't wait for this one. I don't give many 5 star ratings. Those are usually reserved for Stephen King books but Hidden Pictures got 5 stars from me. Can't wait to read this one.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are comic strips and sh*t gets weird. Very readable and I appreciate that the author puts in something a little extra in the novel. ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Kim McFall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, and honestly don’t exactly know how I feel about it after finishing.

I will say the narration is fantastic! I absolutely loved the audio for this one.

The storyline….its different, weird, unique, and strange. I enjoyed it, but at the same time it was a little too strange for me.

I couldn’t stop listening it, like I had to know what happened next. But it also was very far-fetched. Maybe it’s just different from what I’m used to & what I expect from this author.

I rated it four stars because the narration is that good & I couldn’t stop listening. But the storyline I’m still undecided on.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this ALC!!

[Mandy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look What the Cat Dragged In
(audio) 4⭐️

Well, I liked it. Never really know what you will get with Jason Rekulak. So thankful to Macmillan Audio for this gifted ALC! I flew this. A bit of gore. A bit of demons. A bit of cat cartoons. What more could you want? I enjoy the mystery in horror books of what is causing all the chaos. Everything is relatively normal until it goes off the rails, but it’s done in a way that makes sense and brings everything together. Stephanie Németh-Parker did an amazing job with the narration. (I wasn’t a huge fan of the demon’s voice, but.. it was a demon, so being unlikable is on brand).

Pub Date: Oct 13 2026

[weary willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

what the hell, sure

[Ashley Flippin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this title. I was so excited to be approved for this audiobook because I have loved the author’s previous Books. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations. I have had trouble staying focused on the storyline and it is just not very interesting to me. The descriptions are just gross and a little over the top. I ended up DNF this book at about 57% because I could not keep reading about the blood and guts that Godfrey brings home and leaves for Penny I do think that some people may enjoy this book, but it was just not for me.

[Chelsea (gofetchabook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quirky, lighter horror read that was almost comical at times.

True horror fans looking for something dark and grotesque probably won’t love it.

At first I thought it was almost satire, a demonic cult and demon infested cat trying to take over its new owners body? The premise was kind of cutesy, but it did have some darker aspects.

Overall, I thought it was a fun, popcorn horror.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bones of a great supernatural horror story are here, but the execution fell completely flat for me.

For something being marketed as frightening, I never found it scary. If anything, a lot of it felt more comedic or satirical than horror. The majority of the book is spent slowly watching Penny's life unravel, and it DRAGS. I kept waiting for all of that buildup to lead somewhere worth the time I'd invested, only to get an incredibly short climax that didn't come close to making up for the pacing.

The book is also absolutely littered with pop culture references. Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey, Marvel...it just keeps going. A few references can help establish the time period or a character's personality, but there were so many here that they started feeling like product placement.

And then there were little details that kept pulling me out of the story. An 88-year-old neighbor talks about her father serving in the Korean War, and I actually stopped reading to do the math. Is it technically possible? Sure. Did it immediately make me think, "Wait, WHAT?" Also yes.

I've now read all three of Jason Rekulak's thrillers, and unfortunately I think it's time for me to admit that his books just aren't for me. I thought Hidden Pictures was okay, really disliked The Last One at the Wedding, and this was easily my least favorite.

Great premise. Great cover. There was absolutely a good book hiding somewhere in here. I just don't think this was it.

[megs_bookrack]

ARC received! Thank you, Macmillan Audio!!!

[Amy Soe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg this was SPOOKY! Perfect book for Halloween! I actually got really creeped out reading this at night. The story was absolutely insane. Also loved all the illustrations!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As expected from Jason Rekulak, this was another compulsive read—absolutely brilliant.

His writing style pulls you in from the very first page and keeps you hooked throughout. Combined with the spectacular artwork included in the book, it was an absolute joy to read.

His previous novel, *Hidden Pictures*, was one of my top ten books of the year, but this one has surpassed it and has already secured a place among my favourite books of 2026.

Having read Jason's other books, I know he's an author I can trust to deliver, and none of his novels have disappointed me so far. I absolutely loved *Hidden Pictures*, but for me, this is his best book to date. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I'd happily read it again, despite only just finishing it.

Perhaps it helped that I'm a self-confessed crazy cat lady. Some of the things my cats have dragged into the house over the years have certainly been questionable, though thankfully nothing to rival what Godfrey brings in!

If this is your first experience with Jason Rekulak's work, I have no doubt it will make you an instant fan, eagerly awaiting his next release. I highly recommend checking out his previous books as well.

And if you're already familiar with his work, you're in for a real treat. Not a single page disappoints, and the additional artwork adds an extra layer to an already fantastic story.

Cancel your plans, clear your calendar for a day or two—depending on how quickly you read—grab your favourite drinks and snacks, settle in, and lose yourself in the world of Penny, Popcorn, and Godfrey.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you MacMillian audio and NetGalley for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look What the Cat Drugged In by Jason Rekulak

Well… this book was CRAZY! 😂 It was definitely not what I expected going into it, and I had absolutely no idea where the story was going to take me. There were so many strange and unsettling moments that kept me guessing, and the whole thing was just wonderfully weird.

I really enjoyed the audiobook! The narrator did a fantastic job and really helped bring the story to life. One of my favorite parts was the breaking news segments throughout the book. Getting to hear the music and those little audio touches made everything feel so much more real and immersive.

This was such a wild, creative, and unexpected ride. If you’re looking for something completely different that will keep you wondering what the heck is happening, definitely give this one a try!

[Stephanie Gonter · Rating 3 out of 5]

After giving Hidden Pictures five stars, I was incredibly excited to read Jason Rekulak's latest novel. Unfortunately, this one was a disappointment for me.

The premise immediately drew me in. It felt like Pet Sematary meets Rosemary's Baby, and I was completely on board for that combination. The atmosphere was unsettling, the concept was intriguing, and I genuinely wanted to see where the story would go.

Unfortunately, the execution didn't live up to the premise. The writing often felt very YA in style, despite this being decidedly not a YA novel when it came to the horror elements. The pacing leaned heavily into a slow burn, but the payoff never quite delivered. There weren't many surprises, and by the end I found myself wishing for more.

I also struggled with the tone. At times I couldn't tell if certain moments were intended to be satirical or if the writing was simply awkward, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the idea behind the novel much more than the novel itself. There are readers who may appreciate its creeping sense of dread and gradual build, but after Hidden Pictures, my expectations were much higher. This one just didn't quite come together for me.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took SO LONG to get interesting. I don’t know if it was the way it was told or the lack of adequate descriptions, but this didn’t feel scary in a horror say, just gross. There were moments where he overly described characters, by addressing random facts about their bodies, languages or other facts that had no reason to be in the story.

This became interesting but did not feel AT ALL like his last two novels. Do NOT go into this thinking it’s going to give similar vibes, because it is far far far from his other work.

If you told me someone else wrote this, I’d believe you.

[Connor Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. Told in a mixed media format between chapters and comic strips weaves a tale of horror that stems from a lost cat and a strange new cat. While the horror unraveled this story took directions I was not expecting and overall really enjoyed. Excited to check out Rekulak’s other works.

[Alishia Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even like cats, but I loved this one! Thrill + suspense with a little supernatural horror: all the ingredients you need for a good time. Penny is a must love cats kinda girl, including her own fur baby, popcorn. But when popcorn goes missing, and she agrees to cat sit for her mans friend, things start to go awry. Penny can’t stop hearing the “horn”, and she’s losing blocks of time… the worst part is, no one believes her. (Shocker, I know) you’ve got to read to find out the rest.

[Emily Trepanier]

I don’t think I have words or a rating for this crazy book yet.

[Kerry Pechon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I am not a cat person and Look What the Cat Dragged In by Jason Rekulak did not do anything to persuade me into being a cat person. Look What the Cat Dragged In a is eerie, thrilling, horrifying, and downright creepy tale that did a wonderful job terrifying me at the same time emotionally attaching me to the story at hand.

Meet Penny Padgett, a twenty-seven-year-old cartoonist in Philadelphia who agrees to pet-sit a very peculiar cat named Godfrey in her home. At first, he’s a warm and affectionate companion who follows Penny all around the house and insists on sleeping by her side every night. But soon strange things are happening: Penny is haunted by disturbing and violent nightmares. There’s a terrible insect infestation in her basement. Her cute cartoon illustrations turn dark and surreal, as if influenced by some invisible hand. And her health starts failing, as if her mind and body are under attack by a sinister, malevolent force.

Penny may be a cat person, but she’s starting to think Godfrey is no ordinary cat...

I typically wouldn't gravitate towards a terrifying story featuring a cat, but Rekulak has not steered me wrong over the years with The Last One at the Wedding and Hidden Pictures . So, it was inevitable that I was going to dive head-first into Look What the Cat Dragged In , cat present or not. Like the two novels I mentioned, I was not disappointed and while it didn't land as amazingly as either of them, it was still an amazing ride and a wonderfully crafted story.

Rekulak does a truly fantastic job setting up locations and characters in this book. We have buildings that give off creepy vibes, houses that shouldn't but end up more sinister than expected, and characters that I emotionally attached myself to, but also those I loved to hate. Penny is a lovable character that for the most part you feel for as she is dealing with the unthinkable and as things get worse along the way you can't help but cheer for her. Yes, there are moments that I want to yell at the pages, but overall she is just one that you want to hangout with. Others, such as her boyfriend and a character that seems innocent but becomes more sinister are those that are less likable and sometimes annoying.

Like Hidden Pictures, Rekulak does a wonderful job immersing the reader into the story with added illustrations and comic strips. Penny, our protagonist, is a cartoonist telling stories of her cat while working on her fourth book. So, fittingly, Rekulak has added snippets from these stories into the book to allow you to enjoy the experience of reading so much more. The nearly 80-pages of drawings connected me to Penny even further, as you blend the lines between fact and fiction when you get to see the artwork and cartoons that she is talking about in person.

Billed as a supernatural thriller, I would easily say this could slide into the horror genre as well. Rekulak does not shy away from the vivid and grotesque explanations and creepy even this veteran horror reader out at times. Those looking for a simple mystery thriller are in for a treat when they get to a few specific pages where Rekulak pulls no punches.

For those who get to experience Look What the Cat Dragged In with the narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker are in for a treat. Németh-Parker adds a dimension to the storytelling that will immerse you even further into the novel. While, Stephanies narration is spot-on, I would recommend a more hybrid-style of reading as you don't get the full experience of the artwork in audiobook. Németh-Parker reads the comics along the way, but the artwork helps the enjoyment even more.

Look What the Cat Dragged In is a thrilling and downright horrifying mystery that had me guessing to the end. Jason Rekulak once again blends illustration and mystery into a wonderful novel that was as mysterious as it was terrifying. I cannot tell whether cat lovers will love Look What the Cat Dragged In or hate it, either way Rekulak had me hooked till the end.

Look What the Cat Dragged In hits bookstores everywhere on October 13, 2026 from Flatiron Books. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Look What the Cat Dragged In from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[witchy_book_babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and the Author for the ALC.

I can't decide whether this was a 3 or 4 Star read....so, I think 3.5 is where I am landing.

What I liked:
-The cover. I love the use of electric green (I feel like this shade pairs so well with Horror/Thriller books).
-The Satanic/Demonic Lore. I felt that's what held my interest the strongest.
-Greg. He was the absolute MVP and I'm so sorry, but he deserved better in my opinion. He was such a great guy that was easy to be empathetic towards. He deserved to be happy with a certain someone that actually showed up for him when he needed it.
-The "descent into madness" was really cool. Something that has been done absolutely so much, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. There is just something so gripping when watching a character completely fall apart and no one believes what crazy stuff that they are trying to warn everyone about.

What I wasn't a huge fan of:
-The pacing. I felt that this book would have hit harder for me if it was a Novella. I personally think that this story could have moved at a much faster pace; I felt that this is the type of story that I didn't want to be able to take a breath, I wanted to be anxious and panicking that there was no time for rational thinking to be applied by Penny (FMC). But, because the book had some lulls, and Penny (FMC) had the means to escape (financially independent, had access to transportation, lived in a city, etc) it did create a plothole that the character had the means and A LOT of time to escape the problem.
-All of the name dropping and pop culture-modern references were a bit odd for me to read. This is absolutely a ME problem....it's just weird for me to read about Instagram, TikTok, Netflix, Instacart/DoorDash, and Trending Musical Artists. It's not an element that I personally need or get a kick out of. I am forever stuck in nostalgic era's, give me some kick backs to the early 2000's (and older) and I actually do really love that.
-Penny, FMC, was a bit frustrating to follow along as a leading character. As I mentioned earlier, she had the means to escape. I think if the author placed restrictions on how mobile Penny was, limited her finances, or just overall truly trapped Penny and removed any and all solutions then I would believe why she did not run away as fast as she could sooner. I think if an author is going to have a character remain in a really horrible situation, they have to take away the characters options to flee and make them be as trapped as they are trying to convince us that the character is.

I do think that this story is a great addition to the genre. I wish it was slightly more compacted, but it was a fine read. Also, I should mention that I think that this story will have a range of emotions or reactions depending on the reader. I personally did not find anything spooky, creepy, or chilling...but, I could think of a few people whom I think would be freaked out by this story. So do with that what you will. I will remain to keep an eye out on Jason's future releases, but I don't think this is his strongest piece of work personally.

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who wouldn’t sell their soul for the ability to recite the names of all 1025 species in the Pokémon universe? OK, brace yourself for Jason Rekulak’s “Look what the Cat Dragged In,” a sort of “Rosemary’s Baby” but with a cat.

Main character Penny Padgett, a twenty-something illustrator (so innocently and sweetly voiced by narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker), is at odds when her cat Popcorn, also the star of her cartoon series, goes missing during a ravaging blizzard. Weeks later, her very seemingly kind and caring financier boyfriend Dean suggests that they cat-sit for one of his most important clients for just a couple of months while she travels aboard. Dean is sensibly reasoning that another cat (a sometimes demonic black one named Godfrey) will rescue Penny from her grieving funk.

Except that the spoiled Godfrey, who does quickly acclimate to Penny, is a handful. The owner demanded that Godfrey be free to roam outside to forage and hunt, and, indeed, he’s gifting Penny with the half-eaten, mangled remains of recently alive animals (not all small ones). Godfrey’s personal vet, the quirky Dr. Bellamy, accompanied by his strange mute assistant, does bi-weekly Kitty-Dash deliveries of a feline version of farm-to-table — very fresh avian/rodent kills, not always fully minced, but always steeping in fresh blood. Not only does Penny’s townhome now have an awful smell, the basement litter box is infested with giant unidentifiable beetles and clouds of gnats. Penny’s cartoons get dark and weird; her skin is erupting with pustules; her nightmares get stranger. Her normally close circle of friends become more and more alarmed, even though Dean is apparently trying his best to calm Penny.

Rekulak’s last novel, “The Last One at the Wedding” was a high stakes psychological thriller, and “Look What the Cat Dragged In” leans that way (vividly describing Penny’s descent into mental instability) until Part 3, when it becomes a full blown supernatural horror story. You have been warned.

Stephanie Németh-Parker, rapidly becoming one of my favorite narrators, giving an award-winning performance. For Penny, she presents a joyous, sometimes naive young woman’s voice; Dean’s voice seems mature and world-weary. The older adult women present as sophisticated and refined.
I found it hard to believe that the nightmare demon’s voice was still Németh-Parker — it’s so crude and primitive. Even her cat voices “Meow, meow, meow, meow MEOW, meow, meow, MEEEOOOOWWW” are sweet and cute when necessary or scary and off-putting in other circumstances. Bravo!

I only listened to the audio version, so I know I’m missing Rekulak’s 60+ original illustrations (so crucial to the plot of “Hidden Pictures”). So, I have pre-ordered a physical copy of the book. This is such a 5 star auditory experience that I’m recommending that the reader listen to Németh-Parker while being able to see Rekulak’s visual drawings.

5 stars for the audiobook and the story!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced audio copy.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥'𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭." ~𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Penny Padgett is a struggling cartoonist who agrees to pet-sit a cat named Godfrey, a decision that initially seems far less dangerous than literally anything that happens in most horror novels. Godfrey is affectionate, charming, and insists on being involved in every aspect of her life. Penny welcomes the distraction as she's heartbroken over the disappearance of her own cat, Popcorn, who mysteriously vanishes during a blizzard. Then the nightmares start. Her artwork begins changing in disturbing ways. Strange infestations appear. Her health deteriorates. And little by little, Penny realizes that Godfrey may not be the average housecat. What follows is a supernatural horror story filled with illustrations, creeping dread, and the increasingly uncomfortable realization that maybe the cat knows more than everyone else in the room. Which, to be fair, is probably true of most cats.

Fans of 𝑯𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 are going to feel right at home here. The illustrations aren't just a gimmick. They become part of the storytelling itself, creating that same immersive experience that made Rekulak's earlier novel so memorable. What surprised me, though, is how patient this book is. The real creep factor doesn't arrive immediately. Instead, the author spends time building Penny's world, letting the unease gather quietly in the corners until suddenly you're looking around wondering when exactly things went from strange to deeply, profoundly wrong. I kept waiting for the moment the horror would fully sink its claws in, and when it finally did, it felt like the floor dropping out beneath me.

What I wasn't expecting was how much this felt like a love letter to both cats and the early seasons of 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍. Not the mythology-heavy years, but the monster-of-the-week episodes where Sam and Dean would roll into a town, discover something ancient and awful lurking beneath the surface, and realize they were already in way over their heads. This book captures that exact energy. Equal parts horror, mystery, and supernatural adventure, it delivers scares without losing its sense of fun. And Godfrey? Godfrey may have just secured a spot among my favorite fictional cats (besides Popcorn). Which is either the highest compliment I can give this book or evidence that I have learned absolutely nothing from reading it. Either way, I regret nothing. So many thanks to Flatiron Books, whom I pestered relentlessly for this early read. This book will publish October 13, 2026.

[Abbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason Rekulak has officially won me over with this one. Look What the Cat Dragged In is an absolutely wild, creepy, funny, and gloriously unhinged ride.
Penny is an illustrator grieving the disappearance of her beloved cat, Popcorn, when she unexpectedly agrees to temporarily care for the mysterious Godfrey. What begins as a seemingly straightforward favor quickly becomes something much stranger. Penny's creativity returns, unsettling things begin happening around her, and the line between coincidence, paranoia, and something genuinely sinister becomes increasingly difficult to see.
I had SO much fun watching the mystery build. Rekulak layers in occult history, disturbing artwork, strange coincidences, body horror, dark humor, and escalating WTF moments while still keeping Penny—and her relationship with her cats—at the emotional center of the story. There were several points where I genuinely had no idea where this was going, and the eventual payoff was wonderfully bonkers.
I listened to the audiobook and initially worried I'd be missing out because the physical edition contains illustrations. Instead, the audio production became one of my favorite parts of the experience. The podcast elements, music, sound production, and especially the narrator's performance during the darker supernatural scenes added an entirely different kind of horror. There were moments that were genuinely terrifying through headphones.
I did find one late section of backstory frustratingly timed because I was completely invested in the action and desperate to get back to it, but that's a small complaint in an otherwise ridiculously entertaining experience.
Ultimately, this was five stars of creepy cat chaos, occult horror, body horror, mystery, and sheer spectacle. It gets increasingly outrageous and somehow makes the whole thing work.
And yes, the cats are magnificent. 🐈🐈‍⬛
5 stars. What a fun and unhinged spectacle.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this advanced copy - all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Wow! I legitimately just listened to this audiobook in a single day from literally morning till night because I could NOT PUT IT DOWN! I listened to it while cleaning my house, running errands, cooking supper, and then honestly just laying on the couch enraptured by this scary supernatural horror thriller - instant 5 stars from me and going in my top books of 2026! Stephanie Németh-Parker did a phenomenal job narrating all of the characters, including our two feline companions, Popcorn and Godfrey, and I knew I was going to be hooked from the first chapter.

I don’t want to give too much away but our main character, Penny, is a graphic artist who writes and draws comics about her and her cat, Popcorn. One day, Popcorn strangely goes missing, but Penny won’t give up hope of finding her because she is good with animals and she just knows she’s out there somewhere. In the midst of everything, Penny is given the opportunity to petsit another cat named Godfrey, who starts out being very catlike and affectionate but things get really weird and really creepy very quickly…

My heart was racing at times and there were even some moments where I was getting scared and had to take a quick breather just to reassure myself everything was good and it’s just a story, but that’s how I know it had me hooked and wanting more! I might have even been eyeing my own cats a little more cautiously after finishing this book so be prepared to start questioning your reality a bit!

If you enjoy fast paced thrillers with supernatural horror, slow burn dread, malevolent forces, and scary/weird occurrences that will have you questioning what’s really going on but you’re also a little afraid to find out, then please PLEASE read Look What The Cat Dragged In!

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was weird. Mostly in a good way. But some of it felt WAY over the top, and while it worked as a whole, I'm not sure I could recommend this one to everyone... There were some oddly graphic bits (violence, sex, aggressive speech, gore) - not so many that it was overwhelming but definitely enough that not everyone is going to like reading it. It feels like cats are playing a major role in a lot of new novels lately, and while I enjoy the trend (I am definitely a cat person), I'm not altogether sure what the source of this trend is or whether it is just the books I seem to be picking up. It does seem like the cats tend to play one of two roles in all of these books, namely wise albeit mysterious source of wisdom or darkness, or sometimes both), and that does tend to make the books start to run together for me. There's no threat of this one being confused for any other though, as the multiple directions of this story definitely mark it as unique, even if several of those directions are not altogether new.

I love the way Rekulak's mind wanders over and around so many topics in each of his books - it means there's always a surprise (or three) I don't see coming, and that's usually one of my favorite elements of his writing. This time I found several of the surprises puzzling rather than engaging, and that made it a different feeling read than his other novels (both of which I enjoyed, albeit for very different reasons and despite their very different tones). I think he's an author who is willing to take chances with his writing, letting his characters and plot lines go where they will - and I respect that and (generally) really enjoy the journey. This one wandered back on itself a bit to my taste, and some of the side roads were decidedly not ones I loved, but it was a weirdly entertaining ride as a whole.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher and the Libro.fm advance librarian review program for my obligation-free review copies.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find no greater joy in reading than to discover a new writer whose first book you open becomes one of your favorites. Hidden Pictures was that book for me. I immediately decided that I wanted to read anything Jason Rekulak writes from that point forward. Because I also rated The Last One at the Wedding as five stars, my expectations for Look What the Cat Dragged In were very high, with one caveat - the potential for an evil cat being the focus of the story was a little less exciting for me than the premises of the two above-mentioned books. After all, while I liked watching Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye, it was not quite up there with The Shining, Carrie or It.

I needn’t have worried. Look What the Cat Dragged In is a fun ride from beginning to end. The book introduces us to Penny Padgett, a cartoonist, and her beloved cat Popcorn. Early on, Popcorn goes missing in a blizzard and Penny is devastated. Penny’s boyfriend Dean talks her into going to a swanky party where the hostess asks Penny to temporarily watch Godfrey, her cat. Suffice it to say that Godfrey does not behave as appropriately as Popcorn.

Godfrey’s actions go from bad to worse (think pungent odors, bug infestations and stray kills). Penny finds that Dean doesn’t believe her stories about what is happening each day. Before too much longer, Penny’s own personality starts to change and she, as well as her friends, find themselves increasingly in danger!

The audiobook was narrated by Stepanie Nemeth-Parker. She played a huge role in my overall enjoyment of this book with her great performance giving individual characters (including cats) their own unique voices! I listened at a 1.25 speed.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to listen to Look What the Cat Dragged In, a book I highly recommend. The above opinions are my own.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Narration 5⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️

I was left reeling when I finished this and literally said to myself, “WTF did I just read?” Needless to say, I was taken by surprise in a pretty big way. I read the audiobook, and to be quite honest, had I read the eARC, I’m not sure I would have finished it. It went into territory that just wasn’t for me. I enjoy twisted and atypical plots, but this one went to a place that just didn’t sit well with me.

However, the narration by Stephanie Nemeth Parker was incredible!! I’m a big fan of hers to begin with, but she completely leveled up with this one. The voices she created for the various characters, particularly the male ones, were out of this world. If I were rating it based on her performance alone, it would have been an easy 5🌟. Her vocals, combined with the sound engineering from Macmillan, were a standout, as always.

I am so happy that I waited for the audiobook and that Macmillan provided it for me via NetGalley ahead of publication.

The book is definitely what one would expect from Rekulak, combining his prose with illustrations to support the story. Since I was reading an early ALC, I didn’t have access to the illustrations, but I don’t think they would have changed my opinion either way. I was able to see them elsewhere after I finished, and honestly, I think experiencing the story through audio worked better for me.

This book definitely left me unsettled and side-eyeing my cat, which is probably saying something. 😂 I think a lot of readers are going to absolutely love what Rekulak does here, and I did enjoy the experience overall, even if some of the subject matter wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to spoil anything, which is why I’m not going into detail, but let’s just say this one took me places I absolutely did not see coming. And now I’m looking at my cat a little differently.