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Accidents Never Happen
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Expected 12 Jan 27Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 13:14:46
5 copies available
U.S. only
Let me tell you a story about sisters.
Baltimore, 1985. Mad is still processing the night her father disappeared. Before, she and her sister Annabel lived alone above Goldie's, the family bar, where they spent their nights listening to Blondie, reading Edgar Allen Poe, and dreaming of unsure futures. Now that it’s clear he's never returning, Annabel has become reclusive, neighbors have started spreading damaging rumors about the family, and Mad is struggling to keep Goldie’s afloat. When a photo makes it look like there's a ghost in the upstairs window of the bar, the sisters decide to make up a haunting tale based on none other than Poe to put them back on the map. Because who can resist a good bar story, especially a haunted one?
But as news of their fabricated story spreads, Annabel suddenly goes missing. And she isn't the only person to disappear. A killer is prowling the streets, one who leaves a calling card every time a body is found: dead roses and bottle of sherry, the same gift the infamous Baltimore Poe Toaster leaves every year at the poet's grave.
Did their fake ghost story draw the attention of a murderer, and could their missing father somehow be involved? As Mad races the clock to find her sister, she’ll have to confront the haunting corners of the world she thought she knew, before it all goes up in flames.
Baltimore, 1985. Mad is still processing the night her father disappeared. Before, she and her sister Annabel lived alone above Goldie's, the family bar, where they spent their nights listening to Blondie, reading Edgar Allen Poe, and dreaming of unsure futures. Now that it’s clear he's never returning, Annabel has become reclusive, neighbors have started spreading damaging rumors about the family, and Mad is struggling to keep Goldie’s afloat. When a photo makes it look like there's a ghost in the upstairs window of the bar, the sisters decide to make up a haunting tale based on none other than Poe to put them back on the map. Because who can resist a good bar story, especially a haunted one?
But as news of their fabricated story spreads, Annabel suddenly goes missing. And she isn't the only person to disappear. A killer is prowling the streets, one who leaves a calling card every time a body is found: dead roses and bottle of sherry, the same gift the infamous Baltimore Poe Toaster leaves every year at the poet's grave.
Did their fake ghost story draw the attention of a murderer, and could their missing father somehow be involved? As Mad races the clock to find her sister, she’ll have to confront the haunting corners of the world she thought she knew, before it all goes up in flames.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 1, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Did Not Finish
August 5, 2026As much as I love Edgar Allan Poe, I wanted to love this so bad! But it just didn’t pull me in like it should’ve. I found the prose to be a tad boring with extraneous details that really made no sense to the overall plot.
I’m sad to DNF!
I’m sad to DNF!
August 22, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sisters, a serial killer, and the struggle to unwind an ongoing mystery. Zang wraps all of these together in an all-encompassing novel that captures a family's struggles and heartaches alongside the cultural and literary history of Baltimore. A great read for those who love lore, suspense, family secrets, and Poe.
Sisters, a serial killer, and the struggle to unwind an ongoing mystery. Zang wraps all of these together in an all-encompassing novel that captures a family's struggles and heartaches alongside the cultural and literary history of Baltimore. A great read for those who love lore, suspense, family secrets, and Poe.
October 1, 2026
Review to come…
July 31, 2026
I was lucky to be gifted an ARC for this book. I was intrigued by the description, but I felt like the characters fell flat and the plot was all over the place. I'm not sure what storyline the author was going for, but I ended the book a little confused. It was not my favorite.
August 14, 2026
Accidents Never Happen is a dark, atmospheric suspense novel that feels steeped in the gothic spirit of Poe and Shirley Jackson while still delivering something fresh, modern, and emotionally sharp. It’s a story about sisters, hauntings—real and imagined—and the way grief can warp a family until the truth becomes almost unrecognisable.
Mad is a wonderfully compelling narrator. Set against the backdrop of 1985 Baltimore, she’s juggling the disappearance of her father, the slow collapse of the family bar, and the growing isolation of her sister Annabel. Their world feels beautifully textured: Blondie on the stereo, Poe on the bookshelf, rumours swirling through the neighbourhood like smoke. When a photo suggests a ghost in the upstairs window, the sisters’ decision to invent a haunting is both desperate and strangely hopeful—a way to reclaim their story when everything else is slipping out of their control.
The novel’s shift from playful fabrication to genuine danger is handled with real finesse. As Annabel vanishes and bodies begin to appear, each marked with dead roses and sherry, the tension tightens in a way that feels both eerie and inevitable. The Poe Toaster connection adds a wonderfully macabre touch, grounding the mystery in Baltimore’s literary folklore while keeping the stakes intensely personal.
What stands out most is the emotional undercurrent: the loyalty between sisters, the ache of abandonment, and the unsettling question of whether their father’s disappearance is truly separate from the horrors unfolding now. Mad’s race to find Annabel becomes a journey through the shadows of her own past, and the final act burns with urgency.
Moody, propulsive, and rich with gothic flavour, Accidents Never Happen is perfect for readers who love literary suspense with heart, history, and a lingering sense of dread. It’s a haunting tale in every sense of the word.
With thanks to Penny Zang, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Mad is a wonderfully compelling narrator. Set against the backdrop of 1985 Baltimore, she’s juggling the disappearance of her father, the slow collapse of the family bar, and the growing isolation of her sister Annabel. Their world feels beautifully textured: Blondie on the stereo, Poe on the bookshelf, rumours swirling through the neighbourhood like smoke. When a photo suggests a ghost in the upstairs window, the sisters’ decision to invent a haunting is both desperate and strangely hopeful—a way to reclaim their story when everything else is slipping out of their control.
The novel’s shift from playful fabrication to genuine danger is handled with real finesse. As Annabel vanishes and bodies begin to appear, each marked with dead roses and sherry, the tension tightens in a way that feels both eerie and inevitable. The Poe Toaster connection adds a wonderfully macabre touch, grounding the mystery in Baltimore’s literary folklore while keeping the stakes intensely personal.
What stands out most is the emotional undercurrent: the loyalty between sisters, the ache of abandonment, and the unsettling question of whether their father’s disappearance is truly separate from the horrors unfolding now. Mad’s race to find Annabel becomes a journey through the shadows of her own past, and the final act burns with urgency.
Moody, propulsive, and rich with gothic flavour, Accidents Never Happen is perfect for readers who love literary suspense with heart, history, and a lingering sense of dread. It’s a haunting tale in every sense of the word.
With thanks to Penny Zang, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*ARC Review*
Thanks so much to Landmark for the free book.
A Story of Stories.
The book took me on a crazy ride. Is the father dead? Alive? A murderer? Bartenders going missing, dead, found, dead. Where is Annabel? I thought everyone was the murderer at some point while reading the book. Somehow even Piper, despite her being in jail. 🙃 And all throughout there are Poe references, lore, and quotes. I had a really good time reading this book.
There were things that I still had questions about at the end. The fiberglass, the construction in the basement, the experience with the eyes as children, and the explanation of the father’s disappearance. But even with those questions swirling in my brain, I really enjoyed the story and basically couldn’t put the book down.
As a child of the 80s, the nostalgia had me almost in tears in the best way. The story is centered around the dive bar scene in Baltimore. The descriptions of these bars were made me feel like I was belly up and ready to try my luck with the house drink. The bar stories helped anchor the grittiness of the setting and some of the tales sounded a little familiar. 😂
The relationship between the sisters was full of love, resentment, and willful ignorance. Mad and Annabel. A bit of an alternate universe’s Constance and Merricat. The nods were delightful. ☺️ The other characters we meet felt real and flushed out; considering the length of the book. I particularly loved Piper and her boldness and enthusiasm. She just jumped into everything with all the passion, I need some of that in my life. 😆
I recommend this to anyone who loves the 80s done right and who wants an icy, gothic, haunted thriller that will keep you guessing and turning the pages.
Thanks so much to Landmark for the free book.
A Story of Stories.
The book took me on a crazy ride. Is the father dead? Alive? A murderer? Bartenders going missing, dead, found, dead. Where is Annabel? I thought everyone was the murderer at some point while reading the book. Somehow even Piper, despite her being in jail. 🙃 And all throughout there are Poe references, lore, and quotes. I had a really good time reading this book.
There were things that I still had questions about at the end. The fiberglass, the construction in the basement, the experience with the eyes as children, and the explanation of the father’s disappearance. But even with those questions swirling in my brain, I really enjoyed the story and basically couldn’t put the book down.
As a child of the 80s, the nostalgia had me almost in tears in the best way. The story is centered around the dive bar scene in Baltimore. The descriptions of these bars were made me feel like I was belly up and ready to try my luck with the house drink. The bar stories helped anchor the grittiness of the setting and some of the tales sounded a little familiar. 😂
The relationship between the sisters was full of love, resentment, and willful ignorance. Mad and Annabel. A bit of an alternate universe’s Constance and Merricat. The nods were delightful. ☺️ The other characters we meet felt real and flushed out; considering the length of the book. I particularly loved Piper and her boldness and enthusiasm. She just jumped into everything with all the passion, I need some of that in my life. 😆
I recommend this to anyone who loves the 80s done right and who wants an icy, gothic, haunted thriller that will keep you guessing and turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked this one! 1980s Baltimore, Edgar Allan Poe, a possibly haunted dive bar, missing people, family secrets, and a serial killer...there was a lot here that worked for me.
I especially loved the setting. I grew up in the 80s and lived in Maryland, so there was definitely some nostalgia for me while reading this. I loved all the Poe references and Baltimore history mixed into the story too. It gave everything this creepy, gothic feeling that was perfect for the mystery.
I also really liked the relationship between Mad and Annabel. Their sister relationship is complicated and messy, but you can still feel how much they love each other. There were times I was just as invested in figuring out their family and what happened with their father as I was in the actual murders.
It did take me a little while to get fully into the mystery, and there were a few slower spots, but I never lost interest. I wanted to know what happened to Annabel and how everything happening around Goldie's connected.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The 80s nostalgia and Maryland setting made it even better for me personally, and I loved the Poe lore, creepy atmosphere, family secrets, and mystery. Definitely one I would recommend!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I especially loved the setting. I grew up in the 80s and lived in Maryland, so there was definitely some nostalgia for me while reading this. I loved all the Poe references and Baltimore history mixed into the story too. It gave everything this creepy, gothic feeling that was perfect for the mystery.
I also really liked the relationship between Mad and Annabel. Their sister relationship is complicated and messy, but you can still feel how much they love each other. There were times I was just as invested in figuring out their family and what happened with their father as I was in the actual murders.
It did take me a little while to get fully into the mystery, and there were a few slower spots, but I never lost interest. I wanted to know what happened to Annabel and how everything happening around Goldie's connected.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The 80s nostalgia and Maryland setting made it even better for me personally, and I loved the Poe lore, creepy atmosphere, family secrets, and mystery. Definitely one I would recommend!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I was intrigued with the premise of this book mostly because of the presence of the Poe Toaster- an almost mythological figure if you’re a young goth teenager when you learn about them. I was very much that teenager, and clearly now very much that adult.
Unfortunately, I did really feel like this book was holding far too many threads and they all ended up getting rather tangled in the end. You had the mystery angle, the supernatural angle, the literary angle, and it just felt by the end of it that there were too many angles and not quite enough substance.
I did enjoy the characters, but I also felt like we didn’t really learn quite enough about them in the end. I liked Mad and her development, but I struggled with most of the others, and I just didn’t think that we learnt enough about their personalities. The twists were interesting, although, to me, somewhat predictable- I just found myself entertained, but wishing the story could have been tightened just a bit more.
I was intrigued with the premise of this book mostly because of the presence of the Poe Toaster- an almost mythological figure if you’re a young goth teenager when you learn about them. I was very much that teenager, and clearly now very much that adult.
Unfortunately, I did really feel like this book was holding far too many threads and they all ended up getting rather tangled in the end. You had the mystery angle, the supernatural angle, the literary angle, and it just felt by the end of it that there were too many angles and not quite enough substance.
I did enjoy the characters, but I also felt like we didn’t really learn quite enough about them in the end. I liked Mad and her development, but I struggled with most of the others, and I just didn’t think that we learnt enough about their personalities. The twists were interesting, although, to me, somewhat predictable- I just found myself entertained, but wishing the story could have been tightened just a bit more.
Review of advance copy
Accidents Never Happen by Penny Zang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s 1985 and Annabel and Maddie run their family bar, Goldie’s, in Baltimore themselves since their father disappeared last year. Rumors about their bar run around the city, and Annabel has become a recluse, until she goes missing.
A story about dive bars in Baltimore in 1985? How could you not want to read that! I loved the atmosphere and reading about the different bars and their ghost stories. Of course since it’s Baltimore, there’s a heavy Poe theme behind it, which added a dark and gothic feel. There were some moments that the plot slowed for me but it would pick up again. I liked how it showed the close knit community of bartenders in the city and how unique their characters were.
“But weren’t we all living with a death sentence anyways? Wasn’t that what life was?”
Read if you like:
-Baltimore or inner-city stories
-Edgar Allen Poe
-Books about sisters
-Dive bar settings
Accidents Never Happen comes out 1/12.
It’s 1985 and Annabel and Maddie run their family bar, Goldie’s, in Baltimore themselves since their father disappeared last year. Rumors about their bar run around the city, and Annabel has become a recluse, until she goes missing.
A story about dive bars in Baltimore in 1985? How could you not want to read that! I loved the atmosphere and reading about the different bars and their ghost stories. Of course since it’s Baltimore, there’s a heavy Poe theme behind it, which added a dark and gothic feel. There were some moments that the plot slowed for me but it would pick up again. I liked how it showed the close knit community of bartenders in the city and how unique their characters were.
“But weren’t we all living with a death sentence anyways? Wasn’t that what life was?”
Read if you like:
-Baltimore or inner-city stories
-Edgar Allen Poe
-Books about sisters
-Dive bar settings
Accidents Never Happen comes out 1/12.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who has delved into Zang's past work, I wasn't sure what to expect with "Accidents Never Happen." This novel is a departure from her past work, a murder mystery in a haunted town leaving you with more questions than answers.
I connected with this novel a lot because I, too, have a sister and particularly enjoyed reading about Mad and Annabel's relationship. The murder mystery was secondary to me, but that was also because it took forever to get to the point so I wasn't focusing on it.
One thing to note is that it does take quite a while to build up to the action in this plot, which is why I suspect a couple people DNF'ed. I was on a similar boat but decided to push through, and the last 25% of the book was more enjoyable.
Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy!
I connected with this novel a lot because I, too, have a sister and particularly enjoyed reading about Mad and Annabel's relationship. The murder mystery was secondary to me, but that was also because it took forever to get to the point so I wasn't focusing on it.
One thing to note is that it does take quite a while to build up to the action in this plot, which is why I suspect a couple people DNF'ed. I was on a similar boat but decided to push through, and the last 25% of the book was more enjoyable.
Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay yall, I loved this.
A fake ghost story, a real kidnapping and murder, what a book.
Mad is struggling, well her family really, her dad has dissappeared, her sister is getting more and more odd and drawn and the bar her family owns is spiraling, she's trying to keep it together but it's hard.
To kind of drum up a little excitment and maybe some business the sisters invent a rumor that there is a ghost, a little bit of a haunting.
Then Annabel dissappears and Mad is left alone and worried. Then the murders start up, is everything connected or is this just a run of the worst luck possible happening to one family?
I was absolutely suspecting everyone of being the killer, even people who had disappeared, because who knows what really happened..
Really enjoyed it.
A fake ghost story, a real kidnapping and murder, what a book.
Mad is struggling, well her family really, her dad has dissappeared, her sister is getting more and more odd and drawn and the bar her family owns is spiraling, she's trying to keep it together but it's hard.
To kind of drum up a little excitment and maybe some business the sisters invent a rumor that there is a ghost, a little bit of a haunting.
Then Annabel dissappears and Mad is left alone and worried. Then the murders start up, is everything connected or is this just a run of the worst luck possible happening to one family?
I was absolutely suspecting everyone of being the killer, even people who had disappeared, because who knows what really happened..
Really enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC.
Accidents Never Happen is Penny Zang's newest book. I enjoyed reading her previous novel, Doll Parts, so I knew I would devour this too.
The story is about sisterhood, family loyalty, a mysterious disappearance, Edgar Allen Poe, good ghost stories, a serial killer targeting bartenders, a lot of Blondie, and much more.
Zang crafts a tale that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
I adored the 80s nostalgia woven through its pages and loved the development of Madeline and Piper.
Grab this suspenseful novel with gothic undertones when it releases on January 12, 2027!
Accidents Never Happen is Penny Zang's newest book. I enjoyed reading her previous novel, Doll Parts, so I knew I would devour this too.
The story is about sisterhood, family loyalty, a mysterious disappearance, Edgar Allen Poe, good ghost stories, a serial killer targeting bartenders, a lot of Blondie, and much more.
Zang crafts a tale that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
I adored the 80s nostalgia woven through its pages and loved the development of Madeline and Piper.
Grab this suspenseful novel with gothic undertones when it releases on January 12, 2027!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had such a creepy, atmospheric feel that pulled me in. I really enjoyed the 1985 Baltimore setting, the gothic atmosphere, and all the Edgar Allan Poe connections. The relationship between Mad and Annabel was one of my favorite parts because their complicated sister bond felt emotional and believable. The mystery took a little time to fully come together, but once everything started unfolding, I was definitely curious about what was really happening and how all the pieces connected. I also loved the eerie feeling surrounding the bar, the ghost story, and the disappearances. A dark, atmospheric mystery with family secrets, sister drama, murder, and plenty of gothic vibes.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.75 ⭐
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Penny Zang for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of Accidents Never Happen.
While I really liked the premise—combining haunted dive bars, a serial killer, and Edgar Allan Poe vibes—I did find the pacing a bit slow and uneven at times. I also figured out whodunit early on, but there were a few plot twists that surprised me! I did enjoy two of the characters, particularly Mad and Piper. Even though Piper is a minor character, she really stood out to me. She is funny, has a bold personality, and brings a lot of energy to the book. If you're looking for a thriller read with a Poe-inspired tale, then this book is for you!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Penny Zang for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of Accidents Never Happen.
While I really liked the premise—combining haunted dive bars, a serial killer, and Edgar Allan Poe vibes—I did find the pacing a bit slow and uneven at times. I also figured out whodunit early on, but there were a few plot twists that surprised me! I did enjoy two of the characters, particularly Mad and Piper. Even though Piper is a minor character, she really stood out to me. She is funny, has a bold personality, and brings a lot of energy to the book. If you're looking for a thriller read with a Poe-inspired tale, then this book is for you!
September 30, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I've been so excited for Penny Zang's new title, and Accidents Never Happen does not disappoint.
Set in 1980s Baltimore, twenty-something bartender Mad juggles being her family's caretaker and keeping their business open. When her younger sister Annabel goes missing on a dark and stormy night, Mad finds herself in a race to solve a string of local disappearances that sit too close to home.
The book is a love note to Poe in both name and tradition. No spoilers — just a command to go and read.
I've been so excited for Penny Zang's new title, and Accidents Never Happen does not disappoint.
Set in 1980s Baltimore, twenty-something bartender Mad juggles being her family's caretaker and keeping their business open. When her younger sister Annabel goes missing on a dark and stormy night, Mad finds herself in a race to solve a string of local disappearances that sit too close to home.
The book is a love note to Poe in both name and tradition. No spoilers — just a command to go and read.
Read
July 25, 2026DNF
Setting: Maryland
Rep: n/a
After devouring and adoring Zang's first novel, I leapt at the chance to read an ARC of her second but unfortunately I'm putting it down at 21%. It hasn't hooked me in and I'm finding myself drifting as I read, and I don't find the characters interesting which is such a shame when the liveliness of the characters was what I loved in Zang's first book. This just isn't working for me.
Setting: Maryland
Rep: n/a
After devouring and adoring Zang's first novel, I leapt at the chance to read an ARC of her second but unfortunately I'm putting it down at 21%. It hasn't hooked me in and I'm finding myself drifting as I read, and I don't find the characters interesting which is such a shame when the liveliness of the characters was what I loved in Zang's first book. This just isn't working for me.
July 26, 2026
Unfortunate because I enjoyed Doll Parts. This was predictable and unoriginal. The story was all over the place and couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. (Was the bar attracting new patrons bc it was possibly haunted or bc of its ties to Poe?? Is the focus on the missing dad or the now missing sister??)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story lured me in with Poe lore, but Zang's adept excavation of a crumbling family and the two sisters at its core kept me turning pages. The mystery had me guessing till the very end, and it's a book I'll continue to think about long after I've put it back on the shelf. If you were a fan of Zang's debut novel, then you'll love this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really creepy and fun, and I liked the Poe stuff a lot. Kept me guessing and I flew through it. Different from author's first book t hough. Not in a bad way just different. I might even like this one more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Five stars for Penny Zang’s second book Accidents Never Happen! If you’re into mystery, sister bonds, spooky Edgar Allan Poe lore set in the 1980s, this book is for you!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
3.5 interesting but the style got a bit tiring after awhile
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really interesting, especially all the Baltimore and Poe stuff. Not what I expected at first (more horror?) but a really fun read. The parts about storytelling were my favorite sections.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews