What do you think?
Rate this book
Mother Dauber: A Folk Horror Novel
From the author of 'The Boatman' comes a frightening and gruesome tale of disease, memory, and family.
SOME MEMORIES ARE BURIED . . . OTHERS HATCH
Delilah Jones, a recent ornithology graduate, returns to Clear Fork at the request of her uncle to take care of her dementia-riddled mother. It should have been a somber, simple duty. But the woods surrounding the house echo voices from her past—voices long gone. The treeline has started to encroach on the cabin and the night doesn’t feel as empty as it used to.
THE SILENCE DOESN'T LAST
Mud-caked nests colonize the house. The droning swells and her mother is dying in front of her. The voices in the woods are getting more personal . . . and something is circling the cabin at night, sucking on the windows and watching her sleep.
Cornered by a siege of buzzing nightmares, Delilah must dissect the truth from her own head before the swarm seals her in.
THE HIVE IS AWAKE
SOME MEMORIES ARE BURIED . . . OTHERS HATCH
Delilah Jones, a recent ornithology graduate, returns to Clear Fork at the request of her uncle to take care of her dementia-riddled mother. It should have been a somber, simple duty. But the woods surrounding the house echo voices from her past—voices long gone. The treeline has started to encroach on the cabin and the night doesn’t feel as empty as it used to.
THE SILENCE DOESN'T LAST
Mud-caked nests colonize the house. The droning swells and her mother is dying in front of her. The voices in the woods are getting more personal . . . and something is circling the cabin at night, sucking on the windows and watching her sleep.
Cornered by a siege of buzzing nightmares, Delilah must dissect the truth from her own head before the swarm seals her in.
THE HIVE IS AWAKE
- GenresHorror
316 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2026
7 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a full on terrifying folk horror novel with just about every creepy thing you could want.
Delilah is back home taking care of her mother who has dementia. But her world will soon spin out of control when she begins experiencing horrific things, perhaps hallucinating, and quickly begins to doubt her own sanity. When she meets the sheriff, an ex boyfriend from high school, he tells her things about her past that she doesn't have any memories of.
Then there are the wasps. LOTS of wasps, mud daubers, which are under the control of something evil and something which feeds on the mind. Together, Delilah and the sheriff will experience some absolutely horrifying things trying to get to the truth. But that's just the beginning of something far more terrifying.
This book doesn't take long to get right into the gruesome heart of things with a fast paced narrative, secrets galore, and an incredibly frightening disgusting creature at the center. And it does feed into the author's previous book, The Boatman, but you don't need to read that one first as this isn't a direct sequel. I do highly recommend The Boatman though!
This one is a visceral nightmare that'll make you want to leave the lights on. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Delilah is back home taking care of her mother who has dementia. But her world will soon spin out of control when she begins experiencing horrific things, perhaps hallucinating, and quickly begins to doubt her own sanity. When she meets the sheriff, an ex boyfriend from high school, he tells her things about her past that she doesn't have any memories of.
Then there are the wasps. LOTS of wasps, mud daubers, which are under the control of something evil and something which feeds on the mind. Together, Delilah and the sheriff will experience some absolutely horrifying things trying to get to the truth. But that's just the beginning of something far more terrifying.
This book doesn't take long to get right into the gruesome heart of things with a fast paced narrative, secrets galore, and an incredibly frightening disgusting creature at the center. And it does feed into the author's previous book, The Boatman, but you don't need to read that one first as this isn't a direct sequel. I do highly recommend The Boatman though!
This one is a visceral nightmare that'll make you want to leave the lights on. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
February 17, 2026
Huge thanks to the author for the eARC. The final cover is sick!
This is a folk horror that meshes psychological second-guessing with one hell of a buggy creature feature. The writing reminded me of King, and the pace was fast and smooth. Short chapters that almost always ended with something exciting or a hook made this a quick read for me.
Delilah has returned home in order to care for her ailing mother, who is bedridden. The town is one she’d rather avoid, as people stare as if she’s the shiny ‘new thing,’ but things are even darker than they seem. Her barista seems to tolerate her, the grocery store clerk, Mr. Gengi, is the most warmth she can seem to find, and in the midst of things spiraling she finds herself reliant on an old crush, the sheriff. And as much stress as having a parent lose themselves and their personality as sundowning rolls around each day, her mother’s ire is the least of her worries as truly horrific things start to happen.
Are they hallucinations, or are they real? Or perhaps even worse, is this mysterious entity implanting them? While folk horror is something I do delve into, I wouldn’t say it’s my typical read. This somehow nailed both the more creepy dread of the likes of a folk film, as well as the pace and action of a creature feature. While I haven’t read IT, the hallucinations/visions really reminded me of Pennywise’s torment in the movies and Welcome to Derry. Heinous thoughts, creepy voices, and trauma-buried memories are brought to life, and even if Delilah can distinguish what’s real, it still won’t be over.
The novel also features wasps, and lots of them. I’ve noticed an uptick in bee related plots recently, and while I have yet to read more of them, I certainly get it. Why do they have an armored carapace, why can they sting, and why do wasps possess the ability to do so over and over? While I’m not outright afraid it insects, I’m still not a fan! These mud daubers were something new to me entirely, the tube-like mud nests for their young, and how the creature expands on this and makes use of them, was gross and creepy. This loosely reminded me of notes of Cicada by Tanya Pell, with its winged horrors, and how both insects utilize a kind of ‘becoming.’ The entity, which you’ll have to read on your own to find out more about, had me picturing a mesh of a demogorgon and the aliens from A Quiet Place…real creepy stuff.
Overall, the ending nailed it for me. Creepy, fast, and refreshingly different. The connection to the author’s other work was so cool too, I love when people do that, and it made me want to hurry up and get to The Boatman too.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-mother...
This is a folk horror that meshes psychological second-guessing with one hell of a buggy creature feature. The writing reminded me of King, and the pace was fast and smooth. Short chapters that almost always ended with something exciting or a hook made this a quick read for me.
Delilah has returned home in order to care for her ailing mother, who is bedridden. The town is one she’d rather avoid, as people stare as if she’s the shiny ‘new thing,’ but things are even darker than they seem. Her barista seems to tolerate her, the grocery store clerk, Mr. Gengi, is the most warmth she can seem to find, and in the midst of things spiraling she finds herself reliant on an old crush, the sheriff. And as much stress as having a parent lose themselves and their personality as sundowning rolls around each day, her mother’s ire is the least of her worries as truly horrific things start to happen.
Are they hallucinations, or are they real? Or perhaps even worse, is this mysterious entity implanting them? While folk horror is something I do delve into, I wouldn’t say it’s my typical read. This somehow nailed both the more creepy dread of the likes of a folk film, as well as the pace and action of a creature feature. While I haven’t read IT, the hallucinations/visions really reminded me of Pennywise’s torment in the movies and Welcome to Derry. Heinous thoughts, creepy voices, and trauma-buried memories are brought to life, and even if Delilah can distinguish what’s real, it still won’t be over.
The novel also features wasps, and lots of them. I’ve noticed an uptick in bee related plots recently, and while I have yet to read more of them, I certainly get it. Why do they have an armored carapace, why can they sting, and why do wasps possess the ability to do so over and over? While I’m not outright afraid it insects, I’m still not a fan! These mud daubers were something new to me entirely, the tube-like mud nests for their young, and how the creature expands on this and makes use of them, was gross and creepy. This loosely reminded me of notes of Cicada by Tanya Pell, with its winged horrors, and how both insects utilize a kind of ‘becoming.’ The entity, which you’ll have to read on your own to find out more about, had me picturing a mesh of a demogorgon and the aliens from A Quiet Place…real creepy stuff.
Overall, the ending nailed it for me. Creepy, fast, and refreshingly different. The connection to the author’s other work was so cool too, I love when people do that, and it made me want to hurry up and get to The Boatman too.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-mother...
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was incredibly good and as emotional as it was horrifying. There are so many layers to this story, it's more than just another cryptid tale. Once I started reading I found myself not wanting to stop. It's written beautifully and in a way that makes you feel and see everything.... which if I am being honest, kept me awake at night!
January 11, 2026
Omg! This book, it had me hooked from the beginning. The mix of horror/eeriness in the beginning with the grief and hateful episodes of a declining mother had chills running down my spine while tears were pricking my eyes. The emotional range this writing gave was amazing and when the use of an old child’s song came into play, it literally gave me a vestal reaction and I was like “eww I hate that”. I could picture every place in the book, which I love when that happens,and it took me back to running around my grandparents house, even having Pepsi as the drink of choice felt like home, minus the horrifying monster. 10/10 I definitely recommend this book!
January 20, 2026
THIS is how you write horror! This book is so so good. I need to see this made into a movie! The descriptions and the way certain scenes were told and depicted, made me have to pause and take a moment to breathe before getting right back in. I was making a mini movie in my head the entire time.
I am 100% adding this author to my list of “always a must have”. I am a horror obsessed girlie and have been looking for a book to give me a good scare and a 5 star review, and this book wins. I will always keep this book in my top list of recommendations. I am bowing down to this book, it is hands down one of my favorite reads EVER!
I am 100% adding this author to my list of “always a must have”. I am a horror obsessed girlie and have been looking for a book to give me a good scare and a 5 star review, and this book wins. I will always keep this book in my top list of recommendations. I am bowing down to this book, it is hands down one of my favorite reads EVER!
February 17, 2026
You start by venturing into the unknown and follow Delilah to whatever lays in wait. It's a slow-burn but there's oddities handed at points where you're not sure what's going on. Is Delilah crazy, is someone messing with her, is her mum up to something, are there ghosts, ghouls or what exactly???? It isn't clear and so, you have to be patient.
It's a small town setting and these are always good for weird goings on. Delilah's mum is sick but even that doesn't make sense and you feel sorry for Delilah who's juggling this new situation - all with Tinker by her side. He's her constant and trusty companion; and shows her that she's not the only one picking up on things seeming a bit wrong. Trying not to give too much away but it's quirky and piques your interest if you like horror and know these things can go in a variety of ways.
Clay is a good addition and motives seems innocent enough as does Gengi. They are key in supporting Delilah but she's ultimately the one that needs to make sense of everything and survive it all. The fact they don't seem to have the answers to help her means it comes to a battle of memory and a quest to unravel the past quickly before time runs out. The fact that something has blocked Delilahs memory means it's not straightforward and there no obvious fix. You have to feel sorry for Delilah. She came to do good and ended up battling for her life. The story picks up momentum and it becomes a rough ride for Delilah. I did wonder how she managed to escape scrutiny but the bit at the end shows that there's something bigger going on and I guess there's a link to The Boatman and whatever comes next....
It's a small town setting and these are always good for weird goings on. Delilah's mum is sick but even that doesn't make sense and you feel sorry for Delilah who's juggling this new situation - all with Tinker by her side. He's her constant and trusty companion; and shows her that she's not the only one picking up on things seeming a bit wrong. Trying not to give too much away but it's quirky and piques your interest if you like horror and know these things can go in a variety of ways.
Clay is a good addition and motives seems innocent enough as does Gengi. They are key in supporting Delilah but she's ultimately the one that needs to make sense of everything and survive it all. The fact they don't seem to have the answers to help her means it comes to a battle of memory and a quest to unravel the past quickly before time runs out. The fact that something has blocked Delilahs memory means it's not straightforward and there no obvious fix. You have to feel sorry for Delilah. She came to do good and ended up battling for her life. The story picks up momentum and it becomes a rough ride for Delilah. I did wonder how she managed to escape scrutiny but the bit at the end shows that there's something bigger going on and I guess there's a link to The Boatman and whatever comes next....
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a lover of The Boatman, Bengston's debut novel, reading this was a no-brainer.
Even so I was absolutely blown away!
Crafting a cryptid tale set in the Ozarks, Mother Dauber creates a monster of unique proportions, blending psychological fear with physical intimidation, plus some extra bug-phobia for good measure.
Before reading this I was unfamiliar with Mud Daubers, but once I learned about them and their creepy tubes, I never wanted to see it again. A human sized one was more than enough to set me squirming in my seat.
Full praise for the character writing; Delilah, the MC, feels like a real character in a heart breaking situation. She reacts as somebody actually would. See a monster? Google/Reddit immediately. Monster is at the house? Protects the dog. It's the little things that make the big things work. That said, one particular death left me unhappy, and I'll be having a word about that!
Stick around for the epilogue; If you like cryptids, you'll love what's been made here.
Even so I was absolutely blown away!
Crafting a cryptid tale set in the Ozarks, Mother Dauber creates a monster of unique proportions, blending psychological fear with physical intimidation, plus some extra bug-phobia for good measure.
Before reading this I was unfamiliar with Mud Daubers, but once I learned about them and their creepy tubes, I never wanted to see it again. A human sized one was more than enough to set me squirming in my seat.
Full praise for the character writing; Delilah, the MC, feels like a real character in a heart breaking situation. She reacts as somebody actually would. See a monster? Google/Reddit immediately. Monster is at the house? Protects the dog. It's the little things that make the big things work. That said, one particular death left me unhappy, and I'll be having a word about that!
Stick around for the epilogue; If you like cryptids, you'll love what's been made here.
January 26, 2026
My first ever advanced reader copy, and it couldn’t have been a better pick. Mother Dauber is a fantastic follow-up to a strong debut and firmly cements K. Bengston as an author I’ll be buying automatically going forward.
This book was genuinely hard for me to read in places, and I mean that as a compliment. My fear of swarming insects made certain scenes deeply uncomfortable, which only reinforced how effective the horror is here. Horror should make you uneasy, and this absolutely succeeds.
The story reads like a folkloric horror film brought to life: atmospheric, tense, and relentlessly engaging. I was on edge the entire time, pulled along by creeping dread and an ever-present sense that something terrible was just around the corner.
If you love T. Kingfisher’s work or gravitate toward folkloric, myth-tinged horror that prioritizes mood and discomfort, this one is an easy recommendation. Bengston is clearly an author to watch.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I say this was a crazy ride, I really mean this was a crazy ride. The concept of a monster chasing you, harassing you and climbing into your mind is absolutely terrifying. A monster that can read your thoughts and use them against you? No thank you. I also enjoyed all the character development, world building and plot creation that went into this story. It is full of people you will fall in love with and action upon action. An absolute star from start to finish.
Thank you so so much to the author for shaing this with me and letting me help just a little 🖤
Thank you so so much to the author for shaing this with me and letting me help just a little 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Horror is not my usual thing, but this book made sure I finished it. The writing makes it feel less like reading and more like watching it on a screen. Every scene feels deliberate, tightening the noose just a little more. The dread never releases you...it lingers, festers. Returning home to care for a sick mother becomes something far more disturbing, layering trauma upon trauma until escape feels impossible. Bengston didn’t just convince me to read more of his work, he convinced me to read more horror.
Im thankful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.
Im thankful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.
February 9, 2026
Some books whisper.
This one crawls into your throat and suffocates you with dirt.K. Bengston’s Mother Dauber isn’t just a thriller it’s a slow, skin peeling descent into obsession, grief, and the kind of violence that feels personal.From page one, the atmosphere is thick and claustrophobic. Every scene feels damp, shadowed, and wrong like something is watching you from the treeline.
And when the violence hits?
It hits like a shovel to the skull.
Bengston doesn’t rely on cheap shocks.
The horror comes from tension… dread… the unbearable crawl of knowing something terrible is coming and being powerless to stop it.The characters feel raw and flawed the kind of people who make bad decisions because they’re desperate, grieving, or terrified. Nobody is safe. Nobody is clean.And the antagonist energy?Absolutely feral.
There’s this primal, animalistic undercurrent throughout the story like nature itself is conspiring against you. The title becomes more and more symbolic and unsettling the deeper you go.By the last act I wasn’t “reading.”
I was white knuckling the book.
Heart racing.
Jaw clenched.
Breath shallow.
And that ending?
Cold. Brutal. Unforgiving.
Exactly how a thriller should be.
If you like:
✔️ dark rural settings
✔️ psychological dread
✔️ gritty survival vibes
✔️ morally gray characters
✔️ stories that leave dirt under your nails
Read. This. Book.
This one crawls into your throat and suffocates you with dirt.K. Bengston’s Mother Dauber isn’t just a thriller it’s a slow, skin peeling descent into obsession, grief, and the kind of violence that feels personal.From page one, the atmosphere is thick and claustrophobic. Every scene feels damp, shadowed, and wrong like something is watching you from the treeline.
And when the violence hits?
It hits like a shovel to the skull.
Bengston doesn’t rely on cheap shocks.
The horror comes from tension… dread… the unbearable crawl of knowing something terrible is coming and being powerless to stop it.The characters feel raw and flawed the kind of people who make bad decisions because they’re desperate, grieving, or terrified. Nobody is safe. Nobody is clean.And the antagonist energy?Absolutely feral.
There’s this primal, animalistic undercurrent throughout the story like nature itself is conspiring against you. The title becomes more and more symbolic and unsettling the deeper you go.By the last act I wasn’t “reading.”
I was white knuckling the book.
Heart racing.
Jaw clenched.
Breath shallow.
And that ending?
Cold. Brutal. Unforgiving.
Exactly how a thriller should be.
If you like:
✔️ dark rural settings
✔️ psychological dread
✔️ gritty survival vibes
✔️ morally gray characters
✔️ stories that leave dirt under your nails
Read. This. Book.
February 17, 2026
This one was like walking into the forest by a pull from something unknown. Each slow step getting you closer and closer to it. Something so foreign yet somehow familiar. He doesn’t miss with his writing. Each word, each paragraph, each chapter pulls you closer to the heartbeat of the story. So easily and so much so that you’ll not look up from reading and realize you’ve not moved the entire time until you’re at the end. I want to share all the things but my lips are sealed because you HAVE to experience this for yourself!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again another great creepy book by K. Bengston. This one is cryptid based. Delilah (Del) moves home to help her mother, since all her nurses keep quitting. She has no idea what she is in for. Highly recommend if you like creepy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got a chance to arc read this book and let's say it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. K.Bengston has done it once again. this folklorish horror book has me captured instantly. it made my skin crawl in the best way i cant wait to get a physical copy!!!!! You sir have outdone urself
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book scared the holy heck out of me! I normally don't gravitate towards Horror however, after getting a Beta Copy to read and review I read it and let me tell you, I will never look at wasps or farms the same again! it was so well written! Every interaction and paragraph of dialogue drove the story forward in a beautiful way. There were some twists that I absolutely didn't see coming that made me literally gasp and say out loud "WTF!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!"
it was so well written that it had my heart racing the whole time!
do not sleep on this amazing book!
it was so well written that it had my heart racing the whole time!
do not sleep on this amazing book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a real page-turner of a book, a solid horror story written with great skill and confidence. Very much reminiscent of T. Kingfisher and Laurel Hightower in writing style, though with a far more acerbic sense of humor, "Mother Dauber" takes the familiar horror trope of creature(s) terrorizing people in the woods and spins it into a horrifying tale of family drama told by a wholly unreliable narrator!
Delilah (or Del), the main character of the story, felt totally real and authentic, despite her being a total mess, occasionally to the point of absurdity: I really felt for her, sharing her confusion and lack of self-knowledge, even if sometimes she came across as a disoriented teenager rather than a young woman with full awareness of her responsibilities (especially towards her mother, whom she's agreed to be paid to take care of on account of her dementia). Perhaps this is intentional, however, since the whole book revolves around a mysterious trauma she unknowingly harbors; perhaps she never really grew up. No wonder, then, that her social skills are so rudimentary that every time she tried to connect with people I cringed and felt very uncomfortable.
That said, this is not a character-driven story: it's a multi-layered creature feature, figuring monsters and swarming insects (mud daubers), with many creepy scenes in the book's first half - that is, until the moment one starts acquiring a better grasp of what's happening to the poor woman and the local town sheriff, an old boyfriend of Del, who tries to stand by her and her mother. The creature feature themes blend slowly with folkloric elements in the second half of the book, though for me this proved to be an uneasy marriage, not always working, mostly due to a persistent lack of background information, as people who had the required knowledge kept withholding it with a bit more fervor than the situation apparently demanded.
In fact, this secrecy goes on for some time, perhaps even much longer than it needs to, the tension raising and abruptly falling the closer Del gets to the resolution of the mystery. This back and forth annoyed me a bit, the later parts with the sheriff especially, they allowed for too much repetition, the story dragging a bit after the book's midpoint. So I'm not saying that the book is flawless; what I am saying is that the premise is intriguing, the reading experience mostly immersive and appealing, and there are plenty of disturbing scenes any horror fan will appreciate and enjoy!
I heartily recommend the book to fans of rural horror and creepy mysteries, grounded in family conflict and childhood trauma. And if you've read "The Boatman," the author's debut novel, the epilogue has a nice reveal you'll definitely appreciate - plus a nod to a third book in the works, one I'm certainly looking forward to with great anticipation!
Delilah (or Del), the main character of the story, felt totally real and authentic, despite her being a total mess, occasionally to the point of absurdity: I really felt for her, sharing her confusion and lack of self-knowledge, even if sometimes she came across as a disoriented teenager rather than a young woman with full awareness of her responsibilities (especially towards her mother, whom she's agreed to be paid to take care of on account of her dementia). Perhaps this is intentional, however, since the whole book revolves around a mysterious trauma she unknowingly harbors; perhaps she never really grew up. No wonder, then, that her social skills are so rudimentary that every time she tried to connect with people I cringed and felt very uncomfortable.
That said, this is not a character-driven story: it's a multi-layered creature feature, figuring monsters and swarming insects (mud daubers), with many creepy scenes in the book's first half - that is, until the moment one starts acquiring a better grasp of what's happening to the poor woman and the local town sheriff, an old boyfriend of Del, who tries to stand by her and her mother. The creature feature themes blend slowly with folkloric elements in the second half of the book, though for me this proved to be an uneasy marriage, not always working, mostly due to a persistent lack of background information, as people who had the required knowledge kept withholding it with a bit more fervor than the situation apparently demanded.
In fact, this secrecy goes on for some time, perhaps even much longer than it needs to, the tension raising and abruptly falling the closer Del gets to the resolution of the mystery. This back and forth annoyed me a bit, the later parts with the sheriff especially, they allowed for too much repetition, the story dragging a bit after the book's midpoint. So I'm not saying that the book is flawless; what I am saying is that the premise is intriguing, the reading experience mostly immersive and appealing, and there are plenty of disturbing scenes any horror fan will appreciate and enjoy!
I heartily recommend the book to fans of rural horror and creepy mysteries, grounded in family conflict and childhood trauma. And if you've read "The Boatman," the author's debut novel, the epilogue has a nice reveal you'll definitely appreciate - plus a nod to a third book in the works, one I'm certainly looking forward to with great anticipation!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shoutout to K. Bengston, for providing me with a digital ARC. All views and opinions are my own.
you can find the extended review of this ARC, over on my substack.
-
Mother Dauber is a chilling reminder of just how fragile our inner narrative is, how susceptible to the words and influence of others. That response “If that’s the story you want to tell yourself”, holds in even greater tone of warning when we understand that our sense of self, our narrative, could itself be built on lies and half truths. Trauma and loss force people to make choices where there is no happy ending in sight. There is no guarantee that the choices we make, will not have longer lasting, horrific effect on those around us. For those whom made these choices.
This is a book that will have your hackles raised from start. Things will not feel right. The cold wash of dread and anxiety, will only usher in a promise of grief pangs, and the demand to wrestle with something that promises to shred the inner narrative. To tear reality asunder.
Mother Dauber is K. Bengston’s second novel, following last years The Boatman. When an author releases their second book, there’s always some apprehension. That fear that this book will be a stumbling block, that Wyrde force, channeled into prose in their initial release, will have dissipated, or have been diluted, diverted to writing something purely as a cash grab, or to attempt to ride the coat tails of whatever the “Horror Fiction Flavor of the moment” is. With Bengston, it’s the exact opposite. The Boatman gave readers the initial glimpse into the the things swirling around in the imagination of the author. With Mother Dauber, that small crack has shortly become a yawning void. Like spawn from Mud Dauber’s nest, what’s swirling in Bengston’s mind has begun to erupt forth. He’s not going anywhere, and we as readers should buckle up, because there is clearly much more in store from this author. Treat yourself, to a fresh voice in Midwest Horror, snag a copy of The Boatman and pre-order Mother Dauber.
you can find the extended review of this ARC, over on my substack.
-
Mother Dauber is a chilling reminder of just how fragile our inner narrative is, how susceptible to the words and influence of others. That response “If that’s the story you want to tell yourself”, holds in even greater tone of warning when we understand that our sense of self, our narrative, could itself be built on lies and half truths. Trauma and loss force people to make choices where there is no happy ending in sight. There is no guarantee that the choices we make, will not have longer lasting, horrific effect on those around us. For those whom made these choices.
This is a book that will have your hackles raised from start. Things will not feel right. The cold wash of dread and anxiety, will only usher in a promise of grief pangs, and the demand to wrestle with something that promises to shred the inner narrative. To tear reality asunder.
Mother Dauber is K. Bengston’s second novel, following last years The Boatman. When an author releases their second book, there’s always some apprehension. That fear that this book will be a stumbling block, that Wyrde force, channeled into prose in their initial release, will have dissipated, or have been diluted, diverted to writing something purely as a cash grab, or to attempt to ride the coat tails of whatever the “Horror Fiction Flavor of the moment” is. With Bengston, it’s the exact opposite. The Boatman gave readers the initial glimpse into the the things swirling around in the imagination of the author. With Mother Dauber, that small crack has shortly become a yawning void. Like spawn from Mud Dauber’s nest, what’s swirling in Bengston’s mind has begun to erupt forth. He’s not going anywhere, and we as readers should buckle up, because there is clearly much more in store from this author. Treat yourself, to a fresh voice in Midwest Horror, snag a copy of The Boatman and pre-order Mother Dauber.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Holy. Hell. And I mean “hell” figuratively and literally… This is by far one of THE BEST horror books I have EVER read. This was brutal, it was full of gore and disgust, yet at the same time it was equally packed with grief, anger, and pain. So, so much pain. Right from the start, this book dug its claws in me and I felt every emotion written on paper as if they were my own.
K. Bengston’s debut, The Boatman, is great - but Mother Dauber?? Mother Dauber is on a whole other LEAGUE. This was the first book I read in 2026 and quite frankly, I truly don’t know if I could read a better book. After I read The Boatman, K. Bengston became an “auto read” author for me, but after reading Mother Dauber, he became an “immediate buy, immediate read” author.
I truly don’t know what else to say other than this book is outstandingly PHENOMENAL. This will be my #1 recommendation to anyone wanting a horror book to read, I could not put it down once I started it.
So for anyone wanting a horror book to genuinely give you chills (and I read horror for fun so it takes quite a bit to actually creep me out), constant high tension, grief & pain seeping out through the cracks, and a story that makes you question what’s real and what’s not, Mother Dauber is for you.
K. Bengston’s debut, The Boatman, is great - but Mother Dauber?? Mother Dauber is on a whole other LEAGUE. This was the first book I read in 2026 and quite frankly, I truly don’t know if I could read a better book. After I read The Boatman, K. Bengston became an “auto read” author for me, but after reading Mother Dauber, he became an “immediate buy, immediate read” author.
I truly don’t know what else to say other than this book is outstandingly PHENOMENAL. This will be my #1 recommendation to anyone wanting a horror book to read, I could not put it down once I started it.
So for anyone wanting a horror book to genuinely give you chills (and I read horror for fun so it takes quite a bit to actually creep me out), constant high tension, grief & pain seeping out through the cracks, and a story that makes you question what’s real and what’s not, Mother Dauber is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this new novel by this author. From the opening scene until the gasp out loud ending; I was enthralled by this book. The horror begins right from the beginning. I am never going to be able to see any sort of mud structure and not feel as if there are wasps moving in. I read this novel and got that feeling (like when someone mentions lice and you begin to itch) that I will never think of bugs the same. I might even try to co-exist with bugs. I do not care for many; spiders and butterflies the ones I am ok with. Now I think all bugs will deserve more respect. I know this was fiction but sometimes there is a little bit of truth in fiction. The folk horror about the encroachment of nature upon humans was enough to make humans think twice about the continued abuse of Mother Nature. Delilah also spoke about the heartbreak of dementia and the loss of identity. There was also the idea that ways of dealing with childhood trauma can have drastic consequences. Especially if the suppressed memories come back upon new trauma. This book, like the other books by this author, is worth the read and will live a long time in your head.
February 19, 2026
When Del returns to her small hometown to care for her mother who is slowly succumbing to dementia, she finds that they are not the only ones residing in the woods of the Ozarks. A mysterious cryptid that feeds on memory lurks in the woods, and it's been waiting for Del to come home for a looooong time.
My god this book was great! I got to read The Boatman last year and it was a strong debut novel. But Mother Dauber has blown me away. The pacing is fantastic, with quick chapters that leave you on the edge of your seat. Del was such a fun character because she felt so human. She was terrible in most emergency situations, leaving me going "DEEEEEEEL NO, what are you doing?!" so many times. When she found out ther was a monster, she ran to google and reddit and that just made me giggle so much. And the monster...ugh...so gross and so cool an excellent cryptid creation. This is a book I long to see made into a movie. Someone get Guillermo del Toro on the phone.
If you are looking for a gross, eerie, skincrawling horror about grief and trauma and the things people will do to forget them, I think this will be a good book for you!
My god this book was great! I got to read The Boatman last year and it was a strong debut novel. But Mother Dauber has blown me away. The pacing is fantastic, with quick chapters that leave you on the edge of your seat. Del was such a fun character because she felt so human. She was terrible in most emergency situations, leaving me going "DEEEEEEEL NO, what are you doing?!" so many times. When she found out ther was a monster, she ran to google and reddit and that just made me giggle so much. And the monster...ugh...so gross and so cool an excellent cryptid creation. This is a book I long to see made into a movie. Someone get Guillermo del Toro on the phone.
If you are looking for a gross, eerie, skincrawling horror about grief and trauma and the things people will do to forget them, I think this will be a good book for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mother Dauber by K. Bengston.
Bloody hell.
This is superb.
A totally different proposition to The Boatman this really reads like a modern but still early Stephen King.
There are unavoidable comparisons with the Blair Witch series & they work really well. Or maybe that's my lack of extended American folk horror/Cryptid references.
What makes this work so well is that the whole story is an unrelenting close-up. It's very, very focused on detail, in the characters, the world, & the story which is where the horror happens. It makes the whole thing very personal & horribly intimate & it never lets up or lets you breathe.
Another absolutely brilliant book from Bengston.
Heartily recommended, but look up mud daubers first, it'll help you understand the story!
MOTHER DAUBER IS OUT 17th FEBRUARY.
Bloody hell.
This is superb.
A totally different proposition to The Boatman this really reads like a modern but still early Stephen King.
There are unavoidable comparisons with the Blair Witch series & they work really well. Or maybe that's my lack of extended American folk horror/Cryptid references.
What makes this work so well is that the whole story is an unrelenting close-up. It's very, very focused on detail, in the characters, the world, & the story which is where the horror happens. It makes the whole thing very personal & horribly intimate & it never lets up or lets you breathe.
Another absolutely brilliant book from Bengston.
Heartily recommended, but look up mud daubers first, it'll help you understand the story!
MOTHER DAUBER IS OUT 17th FEBRUARY.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to get the ARC of this book and I really enjoyed it. I’m not describing the story as I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
I was hooked on this story from the first page and couldn’t wait to find out all the mystery and the eventual outcome. Delilah is an excellent FMC and easily has us cheering her on right up to the end. In fact, all of the characters are very well-written, helping the story spring to life from the pages. Tinker is definitely my favourite though. (Seriously, go read it, he’s worth it alone! ❤️)
An intriguing plot with twists aplenty to keep you guessing, everything impeccably timed, what’s not to love? This was an easy five star read for me, I loved it. I’ve already bought the author’s previous book and will (im)patiently wait to discover the story that’s alluded to in the epilogue too.
I was hooked on this story from the first page and couldn’t wait to find out all the mystery and the eventual outcome. Delilah is an excellent FMC and easily has us cheering her on right up to the end. In fact, all of the characters are very well-written, helping the story spring to life from the pages. Tinker is definitely my favourite though. (Seriously, go read it, he’s worth it alone! ❤️)
An intriguing plot with twists aplenty to keep you guessing, everything impeccably timed, what’s not to love? This was an easy five star read for me, I loved it. I’ve already bought the author’s previous book and will (im)patiently wait to discover the story that’s alluded to in the epilogue too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mother Dauber is an independently published horror novel by K. Bengston that truly delivers a visceral, unsettling experience.
Delilah Jones has returned to her home town to care for her ailing mother. There is something terrifying buzzing underneath the town’s surface, leaving our main character wondering if she’s losing it. Aided by her sheriff ex-boyfriend, Delilah uncovers the absolute nightmare of the truth in the most deliciously, horrific way.
Bengston wastes no time–by the first chapter we already know it’s going to be a wild ride.
That said, there are moments where the pacing could benefit from a bit more development, but a small thing in the overall experience. It isn’t an issue of underserving, for sure.
K. Bengston clearly loves the genre, and that passion shows in every creepy, crackling sentence. Definitely worth a read.
3.5 / 3.75
Delilah Jones has returned to her home town to care for her ailing mother. There is something terrifying buzzing underneath the town’s surface, leaving our main character wondering if she’s losing it. Aided by her sheriff ex-boyfriend, Delilah uncovers the absolute nightmare of the truth in the most deliciously, horrific way.
Bengston wastes no time–by the first chapter we already know it’s going to be a wild ride.
That said, there are moments where the pacing could benefit from a bit more development, but a small thing in the overall experience. It isn’t an issue of underserving, for sure.
K. Bengston clearly loves the genre, and that passion shows in every creepy, crackling sentence. Definitely worth a read.
3.5 / 3.75
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had SUCH a good time reading this book, what a good first ark read. The female main character made choices that had me legitimately irritated (my expression lines worked overtime), but in the best way. I was fully invested and absolutely had opinions.
This was one of those reads I genuinely looked forward to picking up before bed. Folk/cryptid horror are my kryptonite, and Mother Dauber delivered 🤌🏻🤌🏻. The descriptive writing is unsettling, and still entertaining.
As an indie bookstore owner opening in March, I already know this is a title I cannot wait to have on our shelves. If you love eerie atmosphere, flawed characters, and folk horror that crawls under your skin, don’t miss this one.
This was one of those reads I genuinely looked forward to picking up before bed. Folk/cryptid horror are my kryptonite, and Mother Dauber delivered 🤌🏻🤌🏻. The descriptive writing is unsettling, and still entertaining.
As an indie bookstore owner opening in March, I already know this is a title I cannot wait to have on our shelves. If you love eerie atmosphere, flawed characters, and folk horror that crawls under your skin, don’t miss this one.
February 20, 2026
After this and The Boatman, I am a certified Kaleb Bengston fan. Mother Dauber is a terrifically unsettling, creepy and wince-inducing slice of body and nature horror. Insect-phobes be warned - this is pure nightmare fuel for you guys.
At its heart though, Mother Dauber is about family and the sacrifices we are willing to make for those closest to us. It's about the secrets held in people's hearts and the lengths that someone might go to keep someone else safe. It just delivers this in a pulsating, glistening thorax of many-legged horror with passages that made me flinch from my Kindle. Not only that but we have a nice shared universe building. Well, not nice exactly, it's a shared universe of genuine horrors, but I'm excited to journey further into it.
At its heart though, Mother Dauber is about family and the sacrifices we are willing to make for those closest to us. It's about the secrets held in people's hearts and the lengths that someone might go to keep someone else safe. It just delivers this in a pulsating, glistening thorax of many-legged horror with passages that made me flinch from my Kindle. Not only that but we have a nice shared universe building. Well, not nice exactly, it's a shared universe of genuine horrors, but I'm excited to journey further into it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Delia returns home to look after her mother at the request from her uncle Glenn and soon starts hearing voices and seeing strange things, her mum is saying things she doesn’t understand and the mud daubers (wasps) are building mud nests, a terrifying solid horror tale part folk part creature feature, a very enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first Bengston book and definitely won’t be my last!
Loved this eerie horror with some psychological thriller added in.
Had me hooked and wanting more after each chapter ended.
Definite recommendation from me!
Loved this eerie horror with some psychological thriller added in.
Had me hooked and wanting more after each chapter ended.
Definite recommendation from me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mother Dauber was a wild ride. I’ve had Bengston’s first book on my shelf for a few months but hadn’t gotten around to it. When I saw he had ARC opportunities open for a second book that had to do with bugs, curiosity got the best of me and I signed up. I’m so glad I did!
It’s folk horror done right with well-developed characters, immersive descriptions of scenery, realistic dialogue… but most importantly skin-crawling terror as the events of the story unfold.
The finale especially is where Bengston nails it. I was so anxious I wanted to throw my phone across the room! In a good way :)
Needless to say, I’ve gotta get his other book read pronto. I have to know more!
Can’t wait to read more from K. Bengston.
It’s folk horror done right with well-developed characters, immersive descriptions of scenery, realistic dialogue… but most importantly skin-crawling terror as the events of the story unfold.
The finale especially is where Bengston nails it. I was so anxious I wanted to throw my phone across the room! In a good way :)
Needless to say, I’ve gotta get his other book read pronto. I have to know more!
Can’t wait to read more from K. Bengston.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m still processing it… I mean, wow! What starts as what might be just another “visiting my ailing mother” kind of story soon turns into a tale of pain, trauma, grief and, above all, survival! Although the start was a bit slow, the entire novel was filled with dread and a sense of “shit is going to hit the fan” anytime soon (which eventually does) from page one. The characters are very human and well fleshed out, and the pace of the novel is great; I can’t believe this is K. Bengston’s second novel. I haven’t read The Boatman, his debut, but after this wild ride, I’ll definitely pick it up very soon!
I received an ARC from the author and this review reflects my own personal opinion.
I received an ARC from the author and this review reflects my own personal opinion.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews