Mazywood

by Tananarive Due

A gripping and thrilling supernatural horror and family saga about Mazelle Washington, a child star of 1920s Hollywood, and the legacy of her wishes generations later.

1926, Gracetown, Florida.

A young Mazelle sets out from her Florida home to find the Wishing Pool, and make her wish for a better life. A best friend forever, who will love her better than anyone else.

When Scout the Wonder Dog appears, it seems her wish has come true, and she is suddenly a star of the silver screen, her entire family lifted from poverty.

Johnny Washington, Mazelle's grandson, late in his screenwriting career, needs a break after a major project falls through. So he takes his wife and daughters out to Mazywood, the remote retreat he inherited from his grandmother.

But wishes are tricky things, and fame isn't always fortune. Hidden in the forest around Mazywood is a legacy of pain and sorrow, of a family turned against itself by legacies of racism.

As they uncover Mazelle's lost legacy, a terrifying creature stalks the woods, and Johnny and his family are thrust into a desperate fight for survival in the icy wilderness around Mazywood.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Literary Fiction

ebook

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

TANANARIVE DUE (tah-nah-nah-REEVE doo) is the award-winning author of The Wishing Pool & Other Stories and the upcoming The Reformatory ("A masterpiece"--Library Journal). She and her husband, Steven Barnes, co-wrote the Black Horror graphic novel The Keeper, illustrated by Marco Finnegan. Due and Barnes co-host a podcast, "Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!"

A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies. Her books include Ghost Summer: Stories, My Soul to Keep, and The Good House. She and her late mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, co-authored Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights. She and her husband live with their son, Jason.

Reviews

[Becky Spratford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading for review in a future issue of Booklist

Three Words That Describe This Book: brains and bite, racism, old hollywood

So many more words....

Perfectly paced, great world building, generation trauma, Old Hollywood (with real stuff), racism, awesome old fashioned monster horror with modern sensibilities, brains and bite, perfectly paced. dual time frames, perfect use of foreshadowing, natural storytelling, multi-pov.

This is a good old fashioned supernatural horror novel. It is long, there are two time frames, the world building and charcater are spectacular. Readers will be glued to their seats.

Mazelle (Mazy) Washington is one of the first negro stars in Hollywood. As a kid actor in a Little Rascals type production. She is from a show business family-- live shows around the South-- and as a kid, in Gracetown, FL, goes into the woods to make a wish at the wishing pool. She wants a friend and success. What she gets is Scout the Wonderdog. Scout leaves her at one point and her career flags after. Also she is too early to be taken seriously. But she does find a way to make films-- as a dumb maid in a series of Lazy Mazy films-- She builds a Negro Only ski resort in the CA mountains-- Bear Creek Lodge aka Mazywood.

The other timeline is Johnny, her grandson who is in the present day and is a film maker at a crossroads in his own career. He is known for his horror movies, but he is trying to get a more serious film made. He does well for himself. He never had a relationship with his grandmother because of a bad experience when he visited her as a child. Now, he brings his 2 teenaged sisters and wife to Bear Creek Lodge (he is the last living family member), but the creature he remembers encountering there-- the thing he thought he imagined-- has been alone for years, has grown, and is hunting his family.

This novel is a perfect horror novel and also a great look at racism in America but specifically Hollywood and how it affects even well off families. It is about generational trauma as well. And it is an edge of your seat exciting supernatural creature feature!!!

What makes it all work-- giving the reader time to understand and think about the serious parts, but also get excited about the monsters and danger-- is that Due does not switch time lines quickly. Rather readers spend large chunks of the story in Mazelle's story. Her world is built, we get to go on the set of Gone with the Wind, spend time on sets, at Hollywood parties, with Sammy Davis Jr at the lodge, etc.... You are fully vested and living in Mazelle's world and then something big happens and we are left on the cliff, dangling, sent to Johnny's story told by him and his wife and both girls. It is all third person omniscient so it flows well. We get invested into their family and its drama and details. Again fully vested and living in it. And then they chose to go to Bear Creek Lodge, in a snow storm, with no cell service.....

Again, it switches back to Mazelle's POV and time line just as the danger is cresting. Then we get vested again. And it repeats but again, only a few times.

This long time in each time frame not only helps the characters world Building, and pacing, but it also does the work of planting seeds of info, foreshadowing, leaving trails in the snow (word choice on purpose) to help inform the other time line.

I don't want to give anything away because there are so many discoveries and revelations and surprises here-- like a great movie. Some of these discoveries are of the horror type but others are the family story parts. Just know that when the story fades to black, readers will want to give the book a standing ovation worthy of an award winning film.

For fans of Hollywood set Horror in the vein of Coldheart Canyon by Barker and through provoking supernatural monsters like in The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones.

Also a great true readalike is Mallory O'Meara's Daughter of Daring. A perfect book to pair here. About the awful sexism of Hollywood and one woman who was ahead of her time and didn't get the respect or money she deserved because of it.

[Panda]

OMG! Finally! The cover! I cannot wait for this read!

Tananarive has been busy. It's been nearly 3 years since the publication of the awesome 5 star read, The Reformatory. September is still 6 months away, but it's coming! 🎞️📽🎞️

[Kimberly Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this one down. An intense blend of horror and emotional storytelling. This follows Johnny and his family as they return to his Aunt Mazelle’s secluded ski resort. Unbeknownst to him the land holds a dark secret that could destroy his family. An eerie tale reminiscent of The Shining and The Hellbound Heart. The unpredictability keeps the pacing steady and the anxiety high. I was stressed for them the ENTIRE time.

Layered beneath the horror is a thoughtful exploration of Black Hollywood, generational struggle, and mental health. The use of time jumps and flashbacks adds depth revealing trauma that shapes the family’s present.

[She’s Stranger Than Fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazywood is a tour de force. It is a combination of horror, social commentary, history, psychology, and family dynamics. The reader is immediately invested in Mazelle Washington, her quest for success, and the generational curses that plague her family. The novel explores racism, sexism, motherhood, family ties, hate, and love from the 1920s American South to present day California. Mazelle, traumatized, lonely, and ambitious, creates for herself a focus for her loyalty, caring, and affection and receives absolute love and devotion in return. Decades after her death, her grandson brings his family to her former home where they must come face to face with her secrets and survive. The brilliance of this novel is in its emotional deftness. The reader is immersed in fear, dread, and suspense while simultaneously overwhelmed with love, compassion, empathy, and pain. The characters are complex, thoughtful, and deeply flawed. Only the reader is shown the various motives and feelings behind pivotal events and important relationships, and that knowledge is sometimes excruciating. I bawled, y’all.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the takeaways from this book is that wishes try to trick you. If you are not as careful and precise as possible, there could be repercussions for generations.
Mazelle Washington comes from a family who made their living as traveling entertainers until the struggles of traveling as Black performers led them to quit. They are struggling until a wish brings Scout the Wonder Dog into Mazelle’s life. She is the only one Scout will obey is Mazelle and together they star in a series of films similar to The Little Rascals called “Lil’ Gumshoes.” Scout appears to be able to read Mazelle’s thoughts and they share emotions; Scout is angry or sad when Mazelle displays the same emotions.

Hollywood is not as glamorous on the inside as it is from outside. Days on the set are long, sometimes boring, and difficult. The overt racist tone of the scripts that Mazelle is given make her angry but the money pays for her family to have a much nicer life in California than they ever had back in Florida. She meets and becomes friends with celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr, and Diahann Carroll. As she ages out for childhood, roles become scarce. She becomes an extra on Gone With The Wind as a freed slave but leaves with a friendship with Hattie McDaniel. Her career fades out after a series of slapstick comedies in which she plays a maid called “Lazy Mazy.”
Her grandson, Jonny Washington, is a director best known for a series of slashers. In some ways, he is still battling the racism his grandmother faced in Hollywood. After his script for an erotic supernatural thriller is rejected, he and his wife, Tasha, decide to take their two daughters to his grandmother’s lodge, Bear Creek Lodge. Jonny’s memories of the place are terrible as he remembers his grandmother as an ill tempered, abusive woman. However, there is a ski run and his daughters, Imani and Sharise, are snowboarders. Tasha, Jonny’s wife and a professor of African American Studies, wants to use the trip to tell the girls that she is pregnant. Johnny is haunted by his last trip to the lodge during which he saw a mysterious creature in the snow. The terrible secrets his grandmother kept and their consequences for Johnny’s family will be revealed during this trip back to her lodge.

Due (The Wishing Pool and Other Stories) uses dark foreshadowing in the book through dreams, nightmares and characters having premonitions or hearing an inner voice tell them that something bad is to happen. One idea repeated in the text is that bad luck always follows good luck. The narrative shifts between character and between the present and Mazelle’s early life through her career. Wishes, even those made innocently and with good intentions, can turn into a terrible inheritance, causing ripples across generations. That inheritance includes the strength that Mazelle had to survive the racism of early Hollywood resonates in Johnny’s daughters. Mazywood is part of a recent trend of horror books which channel a deep, female rage. There both strength and terror in shared family knowledge and inheritance. Is every legacy worth fighting for?

While the book is terrifying as a folk horror book, much of the horror comes from the legacy of American anti-Black racism that Mazelle fought in it’s most ugly and open state but which her grandson and his family still fight. The terror that made Mazelle who she was come from decades of fighting both racism and sexism. The characters in the book are complex and will have readers developing similarly complex feelings, understanding terrible choices even as they know there will be dreadful consequences. As in The Reformatory, Due has again used American history as a framework for developing both a genuinely haunting novel as well as showing that the terrors of the past are not so far away. We have all inherited their legacy.
Recommended for fans of Andy Davidson’s The Hollow Kind as well as Due’s other works, especially The Wishing Pool and Other Stories.

[S.H. Mansouri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spanning one hundred years of history, Mazywood is so many things: a monster story, a historical family saga, and a contemporary isolation/survival horror tale, all wrapped up around you like a fur coat in winter. Told in six parts with alternating timelines and points of view (this is accomplished seamlessly), we begin with seven-year-old Mazelle Washington in Gracetown. Really, we begin with a wish made in a muddy pond in the woods, because ‘Mazelle Washington worshipped the woods.’

She wishes for a best friend, forever, and that wish will both bless and curse her and her family for generations to come. Because ‘wishes always try to trick you.’ Details and spoilers aside, what Mazelle gets is a dog named Scout, and they become like ‘two pack animals with a special bond.’ What Mazelle also gets is a Hollywood role in Li’l Gumshoes, playing a character she despises, a ridiculous caricature who, much like the wish she made as a child, will haunt her, her career as an actress, and her family for the next one hundred years. The weight of the Washington’s financial well-being is placed on her shoulders, essentially parentifying her, locking her into scammy contracts (where she can be traded back and forth between studios) and a role wrought with systemic racism and ritualistic humiliation prevalent of both the era and modern day Hollywood. Not to mention having to live with Aunt Ruby…

Flash forward to the present day, L.A.: Johnny Washington has had some success in Hollywood as a screenwriter, but his current project is stalling out due to some white executive bullshit, and Tasha, his wife, is pregnant. The problem with that is, Johnny and Tasha have two children already, Sharise and Imani, and they’re getting ‘older,’ looking forward to enjoying their lives post-parenthood (not that that ever ends, anyway). Long story short, the Washington family packs into a RAV4 rental and heads to Mount Shasta, where Johnny’s grandmother—Mazelle, of course—owned a place named Bear Creek Lodge… a place Johnny vowed never to return to.

Secrets can do a lot of damage, and Bear Creek Lodge is full of them. Johnny Washington is full of them, too. We find out that Uncle Ricky went into the woods and never came back. If only he’d spilled the beans earlier. Tasha, who looks a lot like Johnny’s grandmother, wants to write a book about Mazelle, Johnny would rather forget her, and Sharise and Imani just want to go snowboarding. The girls find a deer head and a freezer full of fifty-year-old meat, Johnny confronts his trauma and ‘the punishment room,’ Tasha has strange dreams and really likes that fur coat, and when the power goes out, something big and fast starts to move in the snow around their cabin, making its way inside. Now, as a Southern Californian who recently moved into a cabin in the middle of nowhere—near Mount Shasta, I might add—where the snow is a nightmare, this part of the story hit hard. But at least I didn’t find a strange Jeep parked outside, and a body part underneath it. Johnny gets knocked out, Tasha goes missing, and it’s up to Sharise and Imani to save the day.

We get another part showing the progression/regression of Mazelle’s career, the celebrities she meets, the slimy character of Jerry Lorenzo, and how she begins to dissociate from the horrible things happening to her, the husband who beats her, the children she didn’t want, the aging of her parents, and how: ‘more and more, Mazelle felt the urge to hurt someone.’ Eventually, she makes her way back to the ‘Wishing Pool’. And this time ‘it wasn’t a wish, but a negotiation.’ Once we get to chapter 30, the truth starts to unravel, and man, it’s bone-chilling! There’s a chapter, 36 I think, that will totally shred your heart, ruin you, and change your mind about Mazelle as she ages. ‘She understood how the temporary madness unleashed by the world receded under Death’s gaze.’ Note here* Don’t ever forget to tell the people you love that you love them. It could be your last words.

Can’t say much about the last five chapters but they’re awesome, and Due certainly lands the ending, a drive back home that’s both hopeful and terrifying. While all the characters are well-realized, I have to say, Johnny and Sharise pissed me off for most of the story—just stuck in neutral and frozen in thought, but not everyone can be a hero. Favorite characters: Mazelle, Imani (the real hero), and Uncle Ricky. Would love a story with Imani and Uncle Ricky. To sum it up: one of the best novels I’ve read in a while.

Thanks to NetGalley, Saga Press (you’re crushing it), and Tananarive Due for a wonderful story!

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I was thrilled to get an ARC for Mazywood after reading The ReformatoryThe Reformatory and it being my first 5 star read of the year. Mazywood brings readers, albeit temporarily, back to Gracetown Florida, this time starting in 1926 and bridging across decades as we follow both Mazelle Washington and her miraculous companion Scout the Wonder Dog as she navigates the rises and pitfalls of Hollywood. We also get to know Johnny, her grandson and his family. Johnny had a rocky relationship with his grandmother, and his family convinces him to finally bring them to Mazelle's resort in the Shasta Mountains, coined Mazywood. But why has Johnny kept his family away from the resort so long? Were the things he saw there as a child real, or just a figment of his imagination? Mazelle made a wish back in Gracetown as a child, but was it granted, or was she left with a generational curse?

Mazywood, similar to The Reformatory, once again blends historical fiction with the paranormal. This novel leans more towards the paranormal than The Reformatory did, but it still beautifully illustrates the difficult experiences of Black Americans in the past, this time focusing on Black Hollywood. There are a lot of real actors in this story and while I admit I did not know most of them, I was happy to learn more about them! Once again, I felt that the true horror came from the abhorrent racism in the book and the real monster was humanity, but I won't say more than that in the effort to avoid spoilers.

As always, Due is truly a master in her craft at breathing life into her characters. I loved watching Mazelle grow up and change as her life experiences shaped her. As someone who is neurodivergent, I also really connected with one of Johnny's daughters, Imani. However, my only reservation with how Imani was portrayed is that she is described as being "on the spectrum," which I assume to mean autistic, and more than once is described as having tantrums. While this is something most people probably wouldn't pick up on, an autistic meltdown is very different than a tantrum. To me, a tantrum carries a negative connotation, with many people associating it with something younger children do, often to manipulate or gain something they want. However, the correct term when it comes to autism is a meltdown, which is not voluntary and is a temporary loss of control of emotions and/or behavior. With that said, the rest of Imani's neurodivergence is well portrayed and I do appreciate the representation.

While I didn't connect with Mazywood with the same depth as I did The Reformatory, I still heavily enjoyed it and it is absolutely a book I will be recommending. It illustrates important parts of history that we shouldn't forget anytime soon, including the working conditions and portrayals of Black Americans in the early to mid 20th century.

This last part is a spoiler so look at your own risk. It's a big spoiler about Scout: I love Scout, and yes, I will absolve him of all his crimes because he is a good and loyal boy.

[Chelsea Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

Mazywood follows Mazelle Washington in 1926 who finds the Wishing Pool and makes a wish to have a best friend who will love her and be there for her forever. Scout the Wonder Dog appears and suddenly, her entire life changes. She becomes a star of the silver screen, her family is lifted from poverty and she has a best friend in her dog, Scout. In the present, Mazelle’s grandson Johnny is a screenwriter for Hollywood films and he needs a break after his big project falls through. Hollywood still won’t produce movies that show Black people in their full humanity so Johnny takes his wife and daughters to Mazywood. Mazywood is a remote retreat that his grandmother built but danger lurks in the forest around Mazywood alongside a dark history of racism and pain. Johnny and his family are thrust into a desperate fight for survival in the woods surrounding Mazywood and to survive they will need to uncover Mazelle’s lost legacy.

I had a great time reading this novel and it was really good to be back with Tananarive Due’s writing. I binged the majority of their books in 2024 so it was a real delight to experience their work again. This book is written well and I especially loved reading from Mazelle’s point of view as I love reading books about the Golden Age of Hollywood. This book is particularly interesting due to the complexities of race as Mazelle starts her acting career in a time where Black actors were forced into certain roles. Only certain Black actors were allowed to succeed and to achieve success they had to take on roles that denigrated the race and themselves. Mazelle is forced into Black minstrelsy as a child and any opportunities she has to become a big star are squandered by her managers as she is manipulated by the people that should be supporting her career. This book also shows the pressure of being a child star and how tough it is for a child to be the person keeping their family out of poverty.

Mazelle has a lot of anger due to what happened to her career and at times it is not easy to read from her point of view. I liked reading from Johnny’s point of view because he gave a different perspective of Hollywood. I did get a little bit bored with the present timeline because it felt a little dragged out and I do think this book is a bit too long. That said, this is really good and I enjoyed reading this. This has a lot to say on race, Hollywood and Black power. Mazelle takes back the power that was stolen from her through Scout and finds her own way of succeeding despite society being against her success. Since this involves elements of Black minstrelsy, I would recommend Darkology by Rhae Lynn Barnes alongside this for people who want a non-fiction book that involves Blackface and Black people’s role in Hollywood.

[Kimberly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Tananrive Due hits another home run with Mazywood. This horror story is heavy on famiy and generational trauma and told in dual timelines spanning from the 1930's into modern day. For fans of the author's prior short story collection, The Wishing Pool and Other Stories, this one will be familiar. Based on the short story Incident at Bear Creek Lodge, we first encounter main character Mazelle Washington as a child with big dreams. She makes a fateful wish at the wishing pool which is granted, but there's always a catch.

Mazelle's dreams of Hollywood fame and fortune come true when she stars in her own series with her faithful companion, Scout the wonder dog. But the fame doesn't last and the jobs dry up and then Scout disappears. Mazelle struggles as a young black woman in Hollywood, trying to separate herself from the character she played as a child, Lazy Mazy continues to haunt her throughout her life.

The second timeline revolves around Johnny Washington, the grandson of Mazelle, his wife Tasha, and daughters Sharise and Imani. Johnny is a writer in Hollywood and has had a successful horror franchise but his current script isn't getting anywhere. After a frustrating encounter with his studio, Johnny and Tasha pack up the girls for a weekend trip to his grandmother's old lodge, the Bear Creek Lodge. A weekend of snowboarding and togetherness should be the right backdrop for Johnny and Tasha to finally tell the girls that they are about to have a new sibling. After arriving at the lodge, things get out of control quickly and the terrifying beast Johnny remembers from his childhood stay just might be real.

The characters are the heart of this story. Mazelle especially was so complex and I found myself loving her and hating her in equal measures. The main horror in this story comes from Scout, who starts as a sweet, white dog who is totally bonded to Mazelle and becomes something much more sinister after Mazelle's second trip to the Wishing Pool. The underlying horror is clearly racism and that theme is present from beginning to end, masterfully woven into the narrative.

I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of this author, a fan of horror and creature features, and who is looking for something sinister to read this fall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breathtaking multigenerational horror novel that seamlessly blends ghost story, family saga, and a poignant meditation on the cost of ambition. At its heart lies the haunting idea that the past is never truly gone and that every wish, no matter how innocent, eventually demands a price.

The novel's structure is expertly crafted. Moving between past and present, the narrative gradually unveils generations of family secrets with remarkable precision. Each revelation deepens the emotional stakes, and by the time the full truth comes to light, the impact is both devastating and deeply satisfying. The horror resonates not only because of its supernatural elements, but because the characters have so much at risk.

The standout thread is Mazelle Washington's story. Her rise from a poor Black girl in the 1920s to a Hollywood star is captivating, and the notion that a single childhood wish could shape the destiny of an entire family gives the novel tremendous emotional and supernatural weight. Due beautifully illustrates how dreams, sacrifices, and buried secrets can echo across generations.

The atmosphere is exceptional. Mazywood itself feels alive with mystery and unease, and the sense of dread steadily intensifies throughout the novel. Whether exploring the glamour of Old Hollywood, long-hidden family histories, or the darkness lurking beyond the edges of the estate, Due creates a richly immersive world that lingers long after the final page.

The only reason this falls short of a full five-star read for me is that the pacing occasionally slows in the middle sections. Some portions of the family history, while beautifully written, feel slightly overextended and momentarily disrupt the narrative momentum. I also found myself wishing for more time with certain present-day characters whose storylines are somewhat overshadowed by the strength of Mazelle's narrative.

Even so, these are minor criticisms in an otherwise remarkable novel. The payoff is well worth the patience, and the final act brings together the book's themes and mysteries in a way that is both emotionally resonant and deeply satisfying.

Overall, Mazywood is atmospheric, intelligent, and profoundly moving. It is a horror novel that understands the most frightening things are often the legacies we inherit, making it an easy recommendation for readers who enjoy literary horror, family sagas, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.

[Megan Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books fit neatly into a genre.

Mazywood refuses.

This is the kind of story that beautifully blurs boundaries; braiding historical fiction, horror, family saga, and something deeply human into a novel that feels wholly original.

It’s haunting, heart-wrenching, and layered with the kind of emotional depth that settles into your bones.

What Tananarive Due does so masterfully and absolutely on once again is her ability to write characters that don’t simply live on the page… is they linger. They simmer. They wound you. They resonate long after you’ve finished reading. They feel painfully real. The kind of people you know, the kind of people you love, the kind of people you struggle to forgive, and the kind of people you can never fully forget.

At its core, Mazywood is about family. The beautiful, bruised, complicated kind. Generational closeness. Generational pain. The quiet sacrifices made in love. The impossible weight of protection, unconditional support, and what it means to carry people even when carrying them hurts. The relationships here are raw and complex.

And then there’s the world-building.

The old Hollywood thread adds such richness; glamour shadowed by performance, mythmaking, and the painful distance between who someone is and who the world believes them to be. Through Mazy and Mayzelle Washington, we’re allowed to explore both persona and personhood in a way that feels textured, tragic, and beautifully rendered.

The setting itself becomes a character, particularly the Mount Shasta imagery, which is so vivid and precise you can feel the chill of the caverns in your bones. Mount Shasta becomes more than backdrop, it becomes atmosphere, tension, and myth.

And as always, Tananarive Due never looks away from uncomfortable truths. She writes them plainly, powerfully, and with remarkable honesty, challenging the reader while trusting them enough to sit in that discomfort.

That’s what makes her work extraordinary.

She doesn’t simply tell stories.

She excavates truths.

And with Mazywood, she has absolutely done it again. Some books entertain you. Some unsettle you. Some break your heart a little. The rare ones do all three and stay with you. Mazywood is one of those books.



Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for the opportunity and the ARC.

[Annelise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazelle Washington's career was built on stereotypes. Though a talented actress who had made the transition from silent pictures to talkies as a child, much of her adulthood was spent playing 'Lazy Mazy', a comedic maid character. Mazelle constructs a ski lodge near Mount Shasta as a getaway from the Hollywood lifestyle. In the year 2026, Mazelle's grandson, Johnny, brings his wife and teenage daughters to the lodge. While the lack of internet and faulty electricity cause the family some discomfort, it's nothing compared to what lives in the woods around the cabin. Some of Mazelle's costars miss her dearly.

This was my first time reading Tananarive Due, and wow! 'Mazywood' is a long book, but not a detail is out of place or extraneous. It's a tapestry of complicated familial relationships, classic Hollywood studio deals and deceptions, and the horror of surviving in the wilderness when you’re up to your knees in snow. Due did her research for the Golden Age of Hollywood, and none of the cameos of actors or directors feel like fan service. Not only that, but the fictional studios and directors blend in well enough with the historic happenings. I’m always happy to see a Charlie Chaplin cameo, but the scene with Sammy Davis Jr. was probably my favorite.

‘Mazywood’s biggest strength is its characters. Each generation of the Washington family feels realistic and nuanced, even the members who we only meet post-mortem. Johnny’s immediate family gets a special mention, though–Imari and Sharise had a great sister dynamic, and I enjoyed how Imari was depicted as neurodivergent without being written as being annoying or having ‘magical autism powers’. As always, though, I relate to the apprehensive and overly-cautious eldest daughter, so a lot of things Sharise did had me saying ‘Oh, I’d do that, too’. And Scout! If we gave out awards to dogs in books, he’d deserve one. Mazelle is the star, though, and is equal parts sympathetic and intimidating as someone who causes so much horror yet desperately needs a break.

‘Mazywood’ is a dazzling book, and a stunning adventure from start to finish.

[Beth Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

After a career disappointment, Johnny and his wife Tasha take their two teenage daughters on a trip to stay at Johnny’s deceased grandmother’s old ski resort in the California mountains. Johnny had a conflicted relationship with his grandmother when she was alive, and his uncle Richard had disappeared long ago. When things go awry on their trip to the mountains, the family realizes that a Beast is living and hunting on the property.

The past strand of this novel shows Johnny’s grandmother Mazelle’s career in Hollywood. She got her start as a child with her extremely obedient dog Scout. A pawn in the studio system, her career has fits and starts, and I loved how real-life actors and actresses glided through these pages.

I was entranced by both the present and past timelines in this novel. While I would say this is technically a horror novel, there was a lot of tension, but the novel never got too scary for me. Both settings (the snowy ski lodge and Old Hollywood) were amazing. The pages turned quickly.

🩷 Loved the snowy mountain setting in the present timeline
🩷 Two riveting timelines - the present timeline being adventure/horror with a family going to the family matriarch’s old ski lodge and the past timeline showing the grandmother’s career in Old Hollywood
🩷 Really appreciated how real-life figures (Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Hattie McDaniel) from Old Hollywood were integrated into the novel
🩷 The younger daughter Imani has AHDH and is on the spectrum. She displays extraordinary talents in the present day timeline, so I appreciated how multi-dimensional the author made her characters.

⚠️ I wanted to know more of the inner workings of Mazelle, especially after she was 30 years old. Maybe a little more space to Mazelle?

As well-written as her previous books, Due’s newest will keep you on the edge of your seat and also gives homage to Old Hollywood!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster/Saga Press for an Advance Reader Copy. My review is completely my own.

It publishes September 22, 2026.

[Nikki Kossaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your horror layered with historical Hollywood, trauma and just enough magic to feel dangerous, Mazywood by Tananarive Due is going to mess you up in the best way.

This is not a quick read. It’s big, generational, and moves back and forth through time, but it never feels wasted. We start with young (Mazelle) Mazy making a wish at the Wishing Pool (world building) that should have been left alone, and from there everything just keeps unfolding.

Mazy’s story in old Hollywood is one of my favorite parts. She’s this talented Black girl trying to survive in spaces that were never meant for her but should have been, brushing up against names like Sammy Davis Jr., Lucille Ball, Hattie McDaniel, Lena Horne, and Groucho Marx, but still having to fight for every inch of respect. That anger and hurt never really leave. It grows into something else.

Then you get Mazywood, the mountain retreat she creates as a safe place during segregation. A place for her and her friends when hotels wouldn’t take them.

When we get to Johnny, her grandson, I was locked in. He’s a horror movie writer and director, which makes everything hit a little harder. He brings his family, Tasha, Imani, and Sharise, to stay at Mazywood after fixing it up, and from the second they get there you can feel it. Something is off. Something is waiting.

There’s generational trauma running through all of this, and you feel it in every timeline.

I got really attached to this family, which made the horror land even harder. There’s a moment in this book where my heart genuinely felt like it stopped. That’s the kind of tension Tananarive Due builds. She makes you fall in love through her words.

Also the horror references were so good. The mention of The Shining had me smiling, and when Candyman came up I had that full fan moment. It fits the story and never feels forced.

I flew through this even though it’s long because I needed to know how it ended. It’s emotional, tense, and haunting.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

You see the name Tananarive Due, and you know you're in for a remarkable reading experience. She is an extraordinary writer, a master at weaving atmosphere, history, family, memory, and the supernatural into stories that feel both intimate and haunting.

With MAZYWOOD, Due delivers another knockout. Following the success of THE REFORMATORY - a novel that earned every bit of the acclaim it received - she once again demonstrates why she is one of the most vital voices in horror today.

What I love most about Due's work is her understanding that the deepest horror often lies in what is hidden, inherited, and deliberately forgotten. MAZYWOOD uses horror as a lens to explore the historical and systemic impacts of racism in Hollywood and American society. Spanning multiple eras and drawing from the realities of the entertainment industry, the novel examines how Black artists have been exploited, overlooked, and forced to navigate systems designed to exclude them.

Some readers may hesitate when they see the horror label, but I hope that doesn't keep them from discovering this book. MAZYWOOD is far more than a horror novel. It is a story about legacy, grief, family, ambition, survival, and the ghosts - both literal and metaphorical - that follow us through generations.

Due creates such a rich and immersive world that I completely disappeared into it. At one point, I was so absorbed in the story that a friend had to tap me to get my attention, and it genuinely took me a moment to return to reality. That kind of immersion is rare - the feeling that you're no longer reading a story but living inside it.

MAZYWOOD is unsettling, powerful and beautifully crafted. Tananarive Due doesn't simply use horror to frighten; she uses it to uncover truths, give voice to history, and remind us that the past is never as distant as we would like to believe.

Another unforgettable work from a master storyteller.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tananarive Due has done it again! Her new novel Mazywood is absolutely fantastic!

My summary:

It all started with a wish in a wishing well.

An intricately woven tale of a grandmother’s life and legacy and her grandchildren’s discovery of what all that legacy entailed.

My overall thoughts:

Utterly unique and original. This story took me on an epic journey and I am so glad to have read it! Equal parts historical fiction, on the struggles of being a Black actress in Old Hollywood, and horror centering on a creature lurking near her isolated ski lodge in the woods. These two stories weave together to create a fascinating saga filled with Hollywood cameos, heart pounding action, and an unsettling look into racism during the golden age of film. Somehow two entirely different tones coexisted together and eventually merged to create one multifaceted read. It’s hard to describe to be honest but trust me it’s masterfully done.

If you appreciate historical horror this is an absolute MUST read.

My rating: 4.75 ⭐️
Release Date: September 22nd

What I loved:

- The glimpse into Old Hollywood! I’m not a film buff so I’m sure some of the name drops and accuracy went over my head, but I loved learning more about this time. This novel was filled with important Black actresses and actors and the struggles they faced. It felt like a window into a time I will never be able to fully grasp and yet I now have a deeper appreciation for.

- The characters! I found myself caring about each of them and even getting emotional at times. So layered and fleshed out and complex.

- The atmosphere! My word was the atmosphere in this novel absolutely stellar! If you can make me FEEL it too then you know it’s well done and boy did I feel it. The crunch of the snow, the swish of the snowboard . . . the dread. 👀

Thank you to Saga Press for the advanced copy. I was blown away by this absolutely fantastic novel! All thoughts and opinions are my own and this is my voluntary review.

[Ladiami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tananarive Due delivered another powerful and emotionally layered story with this one. I was immediately pulled into the atmosphere surrounding Mazywood and the way the novel blended family history, horror, grief, and generational trauma together. The flashbacks involving Johnny’s grandmother were some of my favorite parts because they added so much depth to the story while also giving a glimpse into Black excellence and history through references to icons like Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Hattie McDaniel, and others. Those moments made the story feel rich and grounded even when the horror elements became unsettling.

I also really appreciated the subtle nods to The Shining throughout the book. They never felt forced or overly obvious, but if you catch them, they add another layer to the reading experience. The isolated setting, the growing tension, and the emotional unraveling gave the story that same eerie feeling while still feeling completely original and uniquely Tananarive Due.

The writing itself was immersive and beautifully detailed, although I will admit there were sections that felt a little drawn out at times. Some parts moved slower than I expected, especially in the middle, but the emotional weight of the story kept me invested enough to continue pushing through.

What stayed with me most by the end was how conflicted I felt about the creature itself. I went into the story expecting clear lines between monster and victim, but by the final pages I found myself wrestling with sympathy, anger, sadness, and understanding all at once. Tananarive Due has a way of making horror feel deeply human, and that emotional complexity is what made this book stand out for me long after I finished reading it.

Thanks Netgalley and Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazywood by Tananarive Due introduces us to a young Mazelle Washington. Mazelle comes from a family of travelling entertainers no longer in the business and struggling to keep their heads above water.

After an ill-conceived wish, Mazelle finds Scout, a stray dog with uncanny abilities that can help launch her own career in Hollywood, but as she was warned, 'wishes always try to trick you'.

Set over two timelines, featuring three generations, Mazywood is an incredible novel with a multitude of themes. The story is a concoction of social history, folk horror, generational trauma, tragedy, and love.

Due created such an immersive world and compelling character in Mazelle Washington that I honestly struggled to put the book down. The trials and barriers she faced trying to make a career for herself in the golden era of Hollywood, where even African American Oscar winners were shunted to segregated tables at the far side of the room during the ceremony, were heartbreaking and anger-inducing.

Her loyal sidekick Scout also tugged at my heartstrings and grabbed my attention every moment he appeared on the page. He truly was the best boy and could do no wrong.

All the characters featured in Mazywood were layered as well as engaging. While Mazelle Washington was the star of the book, none of the other characters fell flat or came across as uninteresting.

While I did feel, to a certain extent, that the modern-day setting paled in comparison to Mazelle's timeline, I was still utterly invested in Johnny and his family's survival when the danger they faced at the cabin finally presented itself.

All in all, I loved this book and it's not often a novel makes me teary-eyed, but Mazywood did just that. I was also very satisfied with the conclusion.
Still early days, but I suspect this will be in my top ten reads of the year.

Highly recommended.

[The Speculative Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting and layered creature feature that begins with an ill-conceived wish that reshapes the course of one family from Old Hollywood to today. As a child, Mazelle “Mazy” Washington makes a seemingly benign yet careless wish that alters the trajectory of her life and those of her descendants in unexpected ways.

Due constructs a riveting and believable backstory for Mazelle, a one-time child star, juxtaposed against her film director grandson visiting her cabin many decades later.

With the two timelines playing out in parallel, flashbacks to Mazelle’s life gradually add pieces to the puzzle of what’s transpiring in the present day and recontextualize what came before in a really satisfying way. There’s a real depth to Mazelle and her Old Hollywood trappings, growing up in the industry as a Black performer, as she rubs shoulders with everyone from Cary Grant to Lena Horne. I found these Old Hollywood sections fantastic while the present-day storyline felt a little lacking by comparison. Some of the contemporary action sequences feel overwritten and could have been tighter, as well.

Even with some pacing issues in the present-day sections, this is a consistently compelling story. Due writes Mazelle with such depth and grace that her halo elevates the entire novel.

My thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Nailya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a massive review backlog, but I immediately propelled #Mazywood by #TananariveDue to the top of the pile as soon as I finished reading it. Black Old Hollywood meets Cabin in the Woods in this methodically researched intricate horror novel.

The story follows Mazelle, who came to film prominence as a child performer in the 1920s and established her own comedy franchise in the 1940s. Her 'Lazy Mazy' racially stereotypical character both made her famous in a Hollywood with very limited opportunities for Black actors, and made sure that she would never get any complex or interesting roles as the cultural climate was changing afterwards. In the modern day, we meet Johnny, her grandson, a Hollywood horror writer made famous by a slasher franchise for a White audience. He and his family visit Mazywood/Bear Creek Lodge, Mazelle's now abandoned small private skiing resort, and something that terrified Johnny as a teenager is now on the hunt for him and his family...

I really enjoyed the meticulous storytelling. I was completely absorbed by Mazelle's story in the historic chapters, and I followed contrasting survival in the woods Johnny chapters with interest. I kept thinking about this book whenever I wasn't reading it, and I devoured it hungrily when I was, quickly and without giving it space to breathe, like hot fresh pastries from a stellar bakery. Both sides of the story are quite a slow build, reminiscent of but pacier than The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. The stories come together beautifully to tell a tale of nuance and the importance of understanding the past in its complexity rather than creating idols of pioneers. Mazelle was done dirty by her environment but that does not make her a good person//a saint by default. That theme is reflected in the nature of the Mazywood monster.

I wasn't always sold on character development. We get pages upon pages of tracking in the woods, but Mazelle and Johhny's relationship, the core of the emotional narrative of reckoning, is speedtracked in mere paragraphs very close to the end of the book. However, this book is greater than the sum of its parts. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read "Mazywood" you'll be treated to two novels woven together. The first is a fascinating journey through old Hollywood, from the silent film era into the 1930s and 1940s. The second shifts into supernatural horror, following the descendants of the woman at the heart of the first story.

The old Hollywood storyline was the highlight for me. Like "All the Stars in the Heavens" by Adriana Trigiani, "Mazywood" pulls back the curtain on Hollywood's Golden Age. Due tells a story that shines a light on the experiences of Black American performers during that time, whose contributions were overlooked and whose treatment was glaringly unequal to that of their White counterparts. Her research is evident on every page, bringing the era vividly to life. I especially enjoyed the sections involving "Gone with the Wind" and was surprised to see in the acknowledgements that Due had not seen the movie. The honest portrayal of the limited opportunities and unequal treatment Black performers faced during that time made the novel feel richer and more meaningful and gave me much to think about while seamlessly moving the story forward.

The modern storyline is where the horror takes center stage. It is suspenseful, creepy, and very creative. While I appreciated the author's skill, it got a little too stressful for my taste. Readers who enjoy supernatural horror will likely connect with this portion of the novel more than I did.

Even with my personal preferences, both storylines kept me engaged, and I admired Due's ability to blend historical fiction with horror while exploring themes of family, legacy, and the lingering effects of the past.

One final thought: I think my next pet is going to be named Scout.

[LateNightDadReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tananarive Due's Mazywood, makes for a really solid read. Chilling, suspenseful, and horrifying in more ways than one, Due's dual timeline horror novel keeps the reader on their toes and wanting more the entire time.

The book switches viewpoints between Mazelle Washington, a young black actress growing up in the 20's, and Mazelle's grandson, Johnny, present day. Mazelle's story kept me hooked as Due explored what Hollywood was like for a black actress in Hollywood during the early to mid 20th century. While a child, Mazelle made a wish that surprisingly came true, but would have consequences for generations. Johnny's story is a strong tale of family, unity, and perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds.

Due had a tough task - following up The Reformatory, a book that really took off and is critically acclaimed and universally admired. I can feel the love and time Due put into the subject matter, especially the early Hollywood scenes. For me, Mazywood didn't have quite the emotional pull that The Reformatory had, but there were plenty of moments within that had me uneasy with mid-century America. That real life horror hit just as hard, if not harder, than the monster in the present day sections of the book.

If you've read and enjoyed Tananarive Due's work before, you will surely like this as well. If you're new to Due, I would strongly encourage you to read her. Her work is as beautiful as it is haunting.

Thank you to SagaPress, NetGalley, and Tananarive Due for providing the ARC!

[Kayla Kopke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for.

This book was so compulsively readable. I was obsessed from the very beginning, and then it became bone-chillingly scary.

The story starts with Mazy and Scout the Wonder Dog starring in an Our Gang-style rival show in the 1920s. Mazy finds Scout on the side of the road after wishing for a best friend, and they become inseperable. However, after Mazy’s acting contract ends, Scout mysteriously disappears.

In the present day, Mazy’s grandson Johnny brings his family to Mazywood, Mazy’s secluded cabin in Northern California. There, they are haunted by a terrifying fox-like creature that slithers beneath the snow. Johnny remembers seeing this thing as a child, but years of therapy convinced him he must have imagined it. Except it’s real — and it’s killing people.

As the story moves back and forth between past and present, we slowly learn more about Mazy’s Hollywood life as a young woman and the horrifying secrets tied to Scout’s disappearance and the end of Mazy’s life.

I was not expecting some of the turns this story took.

Whoaaaaaa. That was crazy. Scary. SO scary. What an amazing story. This NEEDS to be turned into a movie.

I was a big fan of Due's previous novel "The Reformatory", and this book is just as good. Buckle up for a wild ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Islay Hawthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best book I’ve read so far in 2026. Due is a masterful author, and this is the third book of hers that I’ve read. This book follows a dual timeline centered on Mazelle Washington in the past and her adventures and disappointments in Old Black Hollywood and her grandson, Johnny Washington’s family in the present.

This book made me cry multiple times, and for various reasons. It is one of the most beautifully moving allegories of generational trauma I’ve read, and it is so well-written. Due’s research is impeccable, as always, and her descriptions of Old Hollywood challenged my knowledge of the subject (it’s an interest of mine) but everything she mentioned that I wasn’t sure about stood up to scrutiny. As you may know from my previous reviews, I hate it when authors are lazy about doing their research. Due stands up to scrutiny, and mentions several books she read in her research on this book in her acknowledgements, which I appreciate in our time of sketchy sources.

This story did an excellent job of representing neurodivergence and feminine agency as well. I loved all of the characters and really understood their motivations. This story is such a beautiful contrast between the horror of an abusive family, both on the giving and receiving ends of abuse, as well as the intense beauty and strength that can come from a loving family. Absolute masterpiece of a novel, I can’t recommend it highly enough!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very beginning.

Johnny returns to his grandmother Mazelle’s ski resort, Bear Creek Lodge, after years of never going back. He brings his wife, Tasha, and their daughters, Sharise and Imani, thinking it’s just a family trip… but they quickly realize something is very wrong. What follows is a creepy, emotional, and unforgettable fight for survival.

I loved getting multiple POVs because it made me feel connected to everyone, and every time the story switched timelines, I just wanted to know more. The way the past and present came together was done so well, and every little piece of the puzzle had me completely invested.

The historical fiction was one of my favorite parts. The connection to Black Hollywood was so interesting, and you can tell how much care went into the research. It honestly had me Googling things after I finished because I wanted to learn more.

The atmosphere was EVERYTHING. Creepy, unsettling, emotional… it was the perfect balance of horror and family secrets without ever feeling over the top. I kept telling myself, “Okay, one more chapter,” and suddenly I was at the end.

If you love family secrets, dual timelines, atmospheric horror, and stories that stick with you long after you finish, I definitely recommend adding Mazywood to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This was brilliant. The Reformatory was great but I liked this even more. This book just blends a historical Hollywood story with a survive the night horror story masterfully. It may seem like an unexpected combination, but it’s seamless.

We have two timelines that we observe, cutting back and forth between them. We meet Mazelle, a young girl becoming an actress during the time of silent pictures. Then we have her grandson, a screenwriter who is visiting his grandmother’s lodge for the first time in years.

Mazelle makes a wish. That wish brings her Scout, a dog who loves her, but is a little uncanny. He’s obedient and talented and together they start to get roles in pictures. But Scout can be very protective of Mazelle. We follow Mazelle’s career, the ups and downs and we see her presence in some major Hollywood moments, significant films and interacting with stars. This was absolutely fascinating. The glamour of Hollywood and her talent and drive on one hand, but the seediness and the prejudice she faces on the other.

Then we have a grandson facing up to the trauma of his past, trying to do something nice for his family and being caused in an increasingly menacing situation. This was really quite unnerving. The location and weather being used brilliantly to create a sense of claustrophobia. The connections to the past being slowly uncovered.

This was so well written. I was totally invested in these characters, even where I felt conflicted by some of their actions.

I thought this book was really something special. Highly recommend.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazywood is phenomenal and Tananarive Due has once against mastered the art of introspective horror while paying homage to the genre. The story begins with the classics and the classic tale of what are you willing to risk for your wishes? We follow our protagonist down a path that stems from their desires, but what does this lead to? Due craftfully weaves deconstruction of social constructs and the way stereotypes define people’s actions. Absolutely loved every second of this terrifying adventure.
Your actions can haunt you louder than the ghosts will. That is the nature of this tale. What are you willing to risk fitting in with the crowd. I love books that rightfully throw shade at Hollywood and the whitewashing ways that have plagued the film industry. Think of the lens you see horror and how many of the horror classics are defined by whiteness or in defiance of whiteness. The characters come alive through turmoil and rich dialogue.
Spiral through the madness and fall in love with the eerie love of it all. Appreciate the eloquence of Due’s writing and how she creates long-lasting narratives. Absolutely a must read for those that love horror cinema and like to deconstruct the history behind it. Start thinking critically about the media you consume and where it comes from. And always be careful what you wish for. Thank you Tananarive Due, Saga Press, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Visit my blog for tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews at https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be cautious with your wishes. I narrowly missed giving this 5⭐️s. The time spent in the snow battling the beast was incredibly tedious. Those chapters made the book appear longer than its actual 521 pages. While the book is fascinating in some aspects, it also has some cringe-worthy moments. My personal dislike stems from my aversion to magical realism and laughable creature features that serve as distractions. Obviously, your tolerance may vary.

Despite these flaws, the book’s captivating aspect easily elevates this to a 4⭐️s. It’s a horror/suspense story with historical fiction intertwined, focusing on Hollywood and the treatment of Black actors. Mazelle Washington makes a wish at a wishing pool, simply stating she wanted, “a best friend forever” Her friend had warned her “that wishes always try to trick you “

And so with that the story of Mazelle Washington and her brush with Hollywood fame begins to take shape. Mrs. Due has a penchant for creating characters that are easily investable, and so readers will be drawn into Mazelle’s journey fairly quickly and easily.

And by the time we get to the grandson’s perspective, the book picks up momentum and builds suspense until the battle to escape and discover the beast in the snow drags the novel down and drains the emotional cachet that Due had so skillfully designed. In the final analysis my recommendation is one of yes, read it!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. I enjoyed reading The Reformatory earlier this year and was excited to see this author’s new release.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Tananarive Due has an impeccable ability of creating an eerie and disturbing vibes. I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of the book. She also has the amazing ability of creating very detailed and lush settings and it shined again in this book. Reading about Mazelle Washington’s life was probably my favorite part. I absolutely love Old Hollywood and this felt complex, raw, and unapologetic. She is definitely a complex and multi-layered woman. I did like reading about Johnny Washington and his family in the present day at Bear Creek Lodge. Those were the parts where I was itching to know how it was all going to connect. Just like with The Reformatory, the two problems that I had is the length and the placement of the dual timelines.

I would highly recommend this if you like Old Hollywood, historical fiction, some thriller/horror aspects, and if you enjoy Tananarive Due. I’m glad that I read this book. I’ll gladly read anything she comes up with because of her ability to blend historical fiction and horror so seamlessly.

[Tara Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I was so excited to read Mazywood! Tananarive Due proved herself as a must read author with The Reformatory and she only solidified that status with Mazywood.
The book starts out in the past with Mazelle Washington as a little girl. It then skips ahead to fifty years after her death and focuses on her grandson and his family and their trip to a mountain retreat where, unbeknownst to them, a monster lies in wait. The book goes back and forth in time to give more backstory to the monster and its origins. The monster parts were fascinating and intense. I could feel the terror of the characters as if I was right there with them. I also really enjoyed the sections with Mazelle. It was much slower than I would have liked, but I love how Due weaved her characters into real life events, making it seem like Mazelle really was in Gone With the Wind, she really was friends with Sammy Davis Jr. I found myself putting the book aside to google so many things. Tananarive Due is such a talented author and I can’t wait to read what she creates next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.