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The Woman of the House
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26A terrifying, twisty, and impossible-to-put-down supernatural thriller that reminds us that houses are never just houses—and secrets never stay buried.
Rose Crawley isn’t the perfect wife—or the perfect woman—that her husband thinks she is. And she isn’t about to let him find that out, ever. She’s finally gotten everything she’s ever a house by the lake, an adoring husband, and a fresh start from the past she’s long tried to outrun.
But the house she now calls home seems to have other plans. She wakes with bloody scratches lining her arms. She sees reflections in mirrors, only to find she’s standing alone. She hears the floors creak under invisible footsteps. And when Rose lies awake in the dark, the air feels heavy, like the house is pressing in on her, waiting for her to crack.
When Rose learns that the previous occupant, a wife and mother named Angela, vanished under suspicious circumstances, she becomes obsessed with uncovering what happened. Drawn deeper into the disappearance by her peculiar and prying neighbor, Rose digs into Angela’s past. But the more she discovers, and as the house's strange occurrences escalate, Rose finds herself questioning not just what happened to Angela, but whether she’ll share the same fate.
Rose Crawley isn’t the perfect wife—or the perfect woman—that her husband thinks she is. And she isn’t about to let him find that out, ever. She’s finally gotten everything she’s ever a house by the lake, an adoring husband, and a fresh start from the past she’s long tried to outrun.
But the house she now calls home seems to have other plans. She wakes with bloody scratches lining her arms. She sees reflections in mirrors, only to find she’s standing alone. She hears the floors creak under invisible footsteps. And when Rose lies awake in the dark, the air feels heavy, like the house is pressing in on her, waiting for her to crack.
When Rose learns that the previous occupant, a wife and mother named Angela, vanished under suspicious circumstances, she becomes obsessed with uncovering what happened. Drawn deeper into the disappearance by her peculiar and prying neighbor, Rose digs into Angela’s past. But the more she discovers, and as the house's strange occurrences escalate, Rose finds herself questioning not just what happened to Angela, but whether she’ll share the same fate.
- GenresMystery
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 1, 2026
Overall this was a quick, pretty fun read that I enjoyed. I love a haunted house story and the FMC is very interesting. At first this story felt like it had everything: a very flawed main character, a marriage built completely on lies, slightly evil in-laws, a weird small town, a disappearance mystery, genuinely creepy moments. I think a lot of these could have been interesting plot points but unfortunately things weren’t very well fleshed out, and therefore didn’t end up adding much to the story. Parts of this book felt really repetitive only for the ending to be really rushed, and it just left me asking “But why?”. There were a lot of things that happen that end up having no consequence or never coming up again, like the glass rattle getting broken and Rose basically drugging Brian. The epilogue reveals that the deaths of the previous owners weren’t accidental but we learn literally nothing about it. It is implied that the new owners are also having weird experiences in the house.
Rose and Brian’s relationship could have added so much to the story, but Brian ends up being absent for the vast majority of the book. Was he cheating on her? Was he genuinely just at work the whole time? There are several times when he is acting suspicious and it’s implied that he’s also having weird experiences in the house, but we never learn anything about that. Rose made herself into the exact person she thought Brian wanted, but at the end Brian says that he was only doing things that he thought SHE wanted. But he was pressuring her into having a baby? And what was the deal with Frances? For the majority of the book I was convinced that she was not actually real only for her truth to be revealed in the last two pages.
I do think this book has a lot of promise even if many of the plot points fell flat. I especially loved how flawed Rose was, and following her decent into madness. I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books from this author!
Rose and Brian’s relationship could have added so much to the story, but Brian ends up being absent for the vast majority of the book. Was he cheating on her? Was he genuinely just at work the whole time? There are several times when he is acting suspicious and it’s implied that he’s also having weird experiences in the house, but we never learn anything about that. Rose made herself into the exact person she thought Brian wanted, but at the end Brian says that he was only doing things that he thought SHE wanted. But he was pressuring her into having a baby? And what was the deal with Frances? For the majority of the book I was convinced that she was not actually real only for her truth to be revealed in the last two pages.
I do think this book has a lot of promise even if many of the plot points fell flat. I especially loved how flawed Rose was, and following her decent into madness. I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
The Woman of the House follows a woman with a hidden past who moves into a home with her husband, only to become increasingly drawn into the property’s unsettling and suspicious history. As she begins investigating what happened there, the line between reality, memory, and imagination starts to blur.
This book is definitely creepier when read at night, with an overall eerie atmosphere that keeps you engaged. However, some aspects didn’t fully work for me. Daniel, the husband, felt quite boring and underdeveloped, which made certain relationship dynamics less compelling than they could have been.
There were also moments that felt implausible, even allowing for potential paranormal explanations, and these elements were never really clarified later in the story. The inclusion of flashbacks was another challenge—at times they weren’t clearly distinguished from present-day narration, which made the timeline confusing until I adjusted to the pattern. Once I understood what was happening, it became easier to follow, but it may be disorienting for other readers.
I did enjoy much of the book and initially didn’t understand some of the more negative reviews. The suspense and mystery kept me turning pages. However, the ending left me with a “what just happened?” reaction, not in a satisfying or thought-provoking way, but more in a sense of unresolved threads and missing explanations. It felt like the first 80% of the book was carefully developed, while the final portion felt rushed and underexplained—particularly regarding key details like unexplained scratches and Rose seeing what appeared to be blood on her face.
Overall, this was an atmospheric and engaging read with strong creepy moments, but it ultimately fell short in clarity and resolution.
This book is definitely creepier when read at night, with an overall eerie atmosphere that keeps you engaged. However, some aspects didn’t fully work for me. Daniel, the husband, felt quite boring and underdeveloped, which made certain relationship dynamics less compelling than they could have been.
There were also moments that felt implausible, even allowing for potential paranormal explanations, and these elements were never really clarified later in the story. The inclusion of flashbacks was another challenge—at times they weren’t clearly distinguished from present-day narration, which made the timeline confusing until I adjusted to the pattern. Once I understood what was happening, it became easier to follow, but it may be disorienting for other readers.
I did enjoy much of the book and initially didn’t understand some of the more negative reviews. The suspense and mystery kept me turning pages. However, the ending left me with a “what just happened?” reaction, not in a satisfying or thought-provoking way, but more in a sense of unresolved threads and missing explanations. It felt like the first 80% of the book was carefully developed, while the final portion felt rushed and underexplained—particularly regarding key details like unexplained scratches and Rose seeing what appeared to be blood on her face.
Overall, this was an atmospheric and engaging read with strong creepy moments, but it ultimately fell short in clarity and resolution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you netgalley for the arc! Trigger warnings for emotional/verbal child abuse, cancer and negatively stereotyped mental illness depictions.
Such an unsettling atmosphere in this book that I found myself completely pulled into Rose’s world of uncertainty. The blend of grief, loneliness, and paranoia worked incredibly well, and I loved how the house itself felt so quiet and isolating without relying on over-the-top haunted house tropes. I especially enjoyed how the story constantly kept me questioning what was real, what was memory, and what Rose might be imagining.
The dynamic with Frances was one of my favorite parts because it added such an eerie layer to the story, and I genuinely did not know where things were headed for a large portion of the book. The psychological tension kept building in a way that made this hard to put down.
My only real criticism is that I sometimes wanted clearer transitions between memories and present-day events, because there were moments where I had to stop and reorient myself in the timeline. Still, I thought the confusion also added to the unsettling feeling of being inside Rose’s mind, so it didn’t take away too much from the experience overall.
A creepy, emotionally tense psychological horror story that I ended up enjoying a lot. Definitely a 4-star read for me.
Such an unsettling atmosphere in this book that I found myself completely pulled into Rose’s world of uncertainty. The blend of grief, loneliness, and paranoia worked incredibly well, and I loved how the house itself felt so quiet and isolating without relying on over-the-top haunted house tropes. I especially enjoyed how the story constantly kept me questioning what was real, what was memory, and what Rose might be imagining.
The dynamic with Frances was one of my favorite parts because it added such an eerie layer to the story, and I genuinely did not know where things were headed for a large portion of the book. The psychological tension kept building in a way that made this hard to put down.
My only real criticism is that I sometimes wanted clearer transitions between memories and present-day events, because there were moments where I had to stop and reorient myself in the timeline. Still, I thought the confusion also added to the unsettling feeling of being inside Rose’s mind, so it didn’t take away too much from the experience overall.
A creepy, emotionally tense psychological horror story that I ended up enjoying a lot. Definitely a 4-star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Woman of the House was a solid 4-star spooky suspense novel.
The main character, Rose, was EXTREMELY flawed- and I loved the way Kate Mooney developed the character as the book progressed. She was someone I thoroughly enjoyed being irked by (if that makes sense??). Her submissive behavior with her husband juxtaposed with how she was the one to strategically set up their whole relationship was very unsettling, and really enhanced the creepy vibe of the book. Mooney also managed to really bring to life the idea of a small town, that while picturesque, definitely had eerie undertones. I think each of the peripheral characters really added to the creepy setting.
About half way through, I was CONVINCED I knew exactly how things were going to play out, and I was very pleased to be wrong! This one kept me guessing and hesitant to put it down at any point. While I did like the ending, I felt like the whole thing wrapped up a little too suddenly, which is why I am only giving 4 stars. There was so much leading up to the end, and I felt it wasn’t as well-developed as the rest of the book… I would’ve liked MORE about what happened, and the implications.
The main character, Rose, was EXTREMELY flawed- and I loved the way Kate Mooney developed the character as the book progressed. She was someone I thoroughly enjoyed being irked by (if that makes sense??). Her submissive behavior with her husband juxtaposed with how she was the one to strategically set up their whole relationship was very unsettling, and really enhanced the creepy vibe of the book. Mooney also managed to really bring to life the idea of a small town, that while picturesque, definitely had eerie undertones. I think each of the peripheral characters really added to the creepy setting.
About half way through, I was CONVINCED I knew exactly how things were going to play out, and I was very pleased to be wrong! This one kept me guessing and hesitant to put it down at any point. While I did like the ending, I felt like the whole thing wrapped up a little too suddenly, which is why I am only giving 4 stars. There was so much leading up to the end, and I felt it wasn’t as well-developed as the rest of the book… I would’ve liked MORE about what happened, and the implications.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Women of the House was such a strong, layered read, I ended up really loving it.
This book leans more into character driven storytelling than fast paced thriller energy, and honestly, that’s what made it stand out. The dynamics between the women were messy, complex, and so real. You’re watching relationships unfold, secrets simmer, and tension build in a way that feels quiet at first… and then suddenly it’s not.
The writing pulled me in, it had that slightly haunting, emotional tone that makes you sit with the characters instead of just rushing through the plot. It’s not a “twist every five seconds” kind of book, but when things land, they hit.
I will say, if you’re going in expecting a super fast, high-action thriller, this might feel a little slower, but if you like depth, atmosphere, and complicated women making complicated choices, it really delivers.
A thoughtful, moody read with strong character work and just enough tension to keep you hooked.
It’s giving quiet secrets, layered relationships, and that slow-burn unraveling I can’t resist
This book leans more into character driven storytelling than fast paced thriller energy, and honestly, that’s what made it stand out. The dynamics between the women were messy, complex, and so real. You’re watching relationships unfold, secrets simmer, and tension build in a way that feels quiet at first… and then suddenly it’s not.
The writing pulled me in, it had that slightly haunting, emotional tone that makes you sit with the characters instead of just rushing through the plot. It’s not a “twist every five seconds” kind of book, but when things land, they hit.
I will say, if you’re going in expecting a super fast, high-action thriller, this might feel a little slower, but if you like depth, atmosphere, and complicated women making complicated choices, it really delivers.
A thoughtful, moody read with strong character work and just enough tension to keep you hooked.
It’s giving quiet secrets, layered relationships, and that slow-burn unraveling I can’t resist
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly, The Woman of the House by Kate Mooney caught me off guard. I went in expecting a slow, quiet story, and at first I was like… okay, where is this going? It takes a minute to warm up, not gonna lie.
But then it clicked. You know what? I started caring way more than I expected. The main character got under my skin in that messy, real way where you don’t always like her, but you get her.
I couldn’t put this down because I needed to see how everything would fall apart or come together. It’s not action packed, but there’s this low level tension that just hangs there and builds. It feels personal, almost uncomfortably so at times.
That said, the pacing? Yeah, it drags. There were a few moments where I caught myself skimming and thinking, okay, we can move this along now. Some scenes linger longer than they need to.
But the feeling it left me with stuck. Kind of unsettled, kind of thoughtful.
If you’re into character driven stories that make you feel something a little complicated, it’s worth it. Just be ready to be patient at the start.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!
But then it clicked. You know what? I started caring way more than I expected. The main character got under my skin in that messy, real way where you don’t always like her, but you get her.
I couldn’t put this down because I needed to see how everything would fall apart or come together. It’s not action packed, but there’s this low level tension that just hangs there and builds. It feels personal, almost uncomfortably so at times.
That said, the pacing? Yeah, it drags. There were a few moments where I caught myself skimming and thinking, okay, we can move this along now. Some scenes linger longer than they need to.
But the feeling it left me with stuck. Kind of unsettled, kind of thoughtful.
If you’re into character driven stories that make you feel something a little complicated, it’s worth it. Just be ready to be patient at the start.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Woman of the House had so much potential for being a 5-star worthy read, but there were too many unresolved and unexplained plot points that made the story feel incomplete. I'm really not sure about anything I read. The ending was left open for interpretation or insinuation. No solid answers were provided to any of the occurrences, which only increased my confusion. I have so many questions! I did enjoy the premise of this book though. The creep factor was on point, and I loved the supernatural aspect. The pacing was a little too slow for my taste, but the storyline held my interest enough for me to keep turning the pages in suspense. Rose was portrayed well in all of her dysfunction. The unreliability of her character was intriguing and had me questioning everything. I just wish I could say that I knew the answers. This was a mediocre read that left a lot on the table. I didn't love it nor did I hate it.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for the arc
I thought Woman of the House was an okay read with an interesting idea at the start. The story had some tense and suspenseful moments that kept me curious about what would happen next. I liked the overall mood, and there were parts that felt creepy and engaging.
However, the pacing felt slow in places, and it sometimes took too long for things to happen. I also didn’t really connect with the characters, which made it harder for me to stay fully interested. Some parts of the story felt a bit repetitive, and I was hoping for a stronger or more exciting ending.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but it didn’t stand out to me. It had some good moments, but I don’t think it will stay with me for long.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for the arc
I thought Woman of the House was an okay read with an interesting idea at the start. The story had some tense and suspenseful moments that kept me curious about what would happen next. I liked the overall mood, and there were parts that felt creepy and engaging.
However, the pacing felt slow in places, and it sometimes took too long for things to happen. I also didn’t really connect with the characters, which made it harder for me to stay fully interested. Some parts of the story felt a bit repetitive, and I was hoping for a stronger or more exciting ending.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but it didn’t stand out to me. It had some good moments, but I don’t think it will stay with me for long.
April 27, 2026
Started strong but ending fell a little flat. The main character is very interesting. Not really an unreliable narrator but definitely not picking up what she needed to see. Interesting plot. Had me feeling a little mad myself at some points. I think it’s a pretty strong debut. This will be released in October of 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full RTC!
May 7, 2026
Rose, recently married, moves states and into a new house with her husband. Little does she know that she can't run away from her past...but neither can the house they just moved into. Is the house haunted or is she haunted? The first half of this book packs a punch! Mooney does a great job narrating, setting the scene and fully developing Rose as the main character. The pacing in the first half of the book is great and feels like you're watching a film. The second half unfortunately falls flat. I guessed the ending when I was 77% in, so that is good as I tend to guess things easily. I did not like the ending. It was a mediocre reveal and there was no closure keeping the book almost open ended like a B rated horror film. I wish there were dates on the chapters so you can see how things were changing. Overall, it was a good read and I did enjoy most of the book. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!
May 9, 2026
This was an ARC book and I Absolutely loved it. Held my interest through the whole book.
Definitely recommend it for anyone who wants a suspense/ psychological thriller
Definitely recommend it for anyone who wants a suspense/ psychological thriller
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews