Blood on the Cottage Floor

by Elle G. Keating

THEIR FAMILY SECRETS ARE DRENCHED IN BLOOD

The annual cottage getaway to Elm Ridge Falls should have been bliss for Amelia and her sisters. Instead, a looming threat stalks the secluded forest. Trapping them in the confines of the once tranquil vacation home.
The Barlow sisters return to the cottage with one thing in mind, escape. Escape from a secret affair, a retaliatory coworker, and an abusive partner. They were going to bask in the warmth of the summer sun, cruise along the lake, and unwind by the nightly campfires. Though, the skeletons in their closet would soon catch up to them. Unable to outrun the destructive men in their lives, a sighting of a uniquely masked individual, lurking in the shadows, taunts each of them with his mysterious presence.
When one of their family members go missing, Amelia is left to fight for her sister’s survival. One-by-one they start to fall victim to the remote wilderness. Snatched up like prey by a cunning killer. Angry and alone, Amelia seeks out her abducted family, hellbent on vengeance. The concealed killer leads her in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Uncovering secrets that were never meant to see the light of day.

Genres: Horror

348 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 31, 2026

About the author

Elle G Keating is a horror author from Ontario, Canada. She is a devoted mother, who enjoys spending time with her son when she's not writing.
Her Passion for the horror genre was ignited at a young age, beginning a relentless quest to explore the darkest corners of her imagination. With a pen in hand and a head full of frightful inspiration, Elle has crafted a collection of spine-tingling short stories, hoping to transform each one into full-length novels. She composes tales that captivate and terrify, inviting readers to embrace the thrill of the unknown.

Reviews

[Shannon pumpkinqueen73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intense twisted thriller, slasher that I couldn’t put down!
This story played out like a movie in my head as I read it. I had some suspicions but it was more than I could have imagined.
I don’t want to say too much to spoil the story, so if you enjoy thriller slasher vibes that keep you guessing, I highly recommend.
Be warned there’s much visceral carnage.

Thank you so much Elle for the early copy, I look forward to seeing what comes next

[VibekeN · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Barlow family are ready for their annual cottage getaway in secluded Elm Ridge Falls. Anthony, the patriarch, is a wealthy businessman, and the cottage is as luxurious as it gets. Cheryl, the mother, and their three adult daughters are all coming along. Maggie, the oldest, is eight months pregnant. Chloe, the youngest is trying to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. Amelia, the middle child, is all business and daddy’s good girl.

The family vacation is short lived. In town, they come across missing posters of girls from the area. Strange noises start echoing through the surrounding woods. Are they being watched? Is it a bear? A man? Something is lurking out there, and one of the sisters starts receiving threatening text messages. Soon, old secrets and ugly truths claw their way to the surface.

This story was fast-paced from the start. I was hooked right away. Then it settles into more of a murder mystery atmosphere, where you’re trying to piece together who did what. I enjoyed the story underneath the horror: sisterhood, family dysfunction, buried trauma, and how the past can catch up with you no matter how hard you try to break away from it.

Keating writes women with claws. Not perfect women. Real women. Women capable of surviving terrible things and becoming terrible things in return.
I love horror that lets women go feral.

This was my first Keating read, but it will not be my last. She writes women in a way that I love to read. Thank you so much for sendiing me an ARC.

Blood on the Cottage Floor drops on July 31.
I recommend you make this your holiday read for 2026.

-Vibeke 🖤

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride! I originally had a thought of who was doing what but then talked myself out of it with every twist and turn. I love trying to figure out who the bad guys are so I really enjoyed this. I also loved the overall trope of this book and reading the author's interests at the end make the whole vibe of the story and Amelia make total sense. I also really liked that the perspective shifted between the sisters a bit, while still feeling like it was mainly Amelia's story. I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Elle Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has some twisted ideas but I like her vision

[Haunting Ink Veil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love slasher horror, this one having feminine rage and fighting against the patriarchy was chef’s kiss. This story was fast paced, and I could not stop reading. Immediately from the beginning you see the dynamics of this family and the disfunction before the horror even starts. I was incredibly suspicious of everyone from the start but how everything tied together went so much more layered and deeper than I would have expected. The gore and brutality was everything I want in a slasher. I feel in love with the characters and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Chelsie McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, gory, twisted read. I ate this book up. I love slasher who done it books and this one checked all the boxes for me. I did kind of predict who done it but it was so much deeper than I originally thought. Can’t wait to read the second one!

[Holly Hinkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really reminded me of the 80’s horror flicks. It got my heart pumping and my blood rushing and was exciting all the way through. The women main characters in this book were amazing and kickass.

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.