Book of The Month discussion

A spine-tingling psychological thriller about a woman who, after taking in her dying, alcoholic mother, begins to suspect demonic possession is haunting her family.

Alison has never been a fan of Christmas. But with it right around the corner and her husband busily decorating their cozy Vermont home, she has no choice but to face it. Then she gets the call.

Mavis, Alison’s estranged mother, has been diagnosed with cancer and has only weeks to live. She wants to spend her remaining days with her daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters. But Alison grew up with her mother’s alcoholism and violent abuse and is reluctant to unearth these traumatic memories. Still, she eventually agrees to take in Mavis, hoping that she and her mother could finally heal and have the relationship she’s always dreamed of.

But when mysterious and otherworldly things start happening upon Mavis’s arrival, Alison begins to suspect her mother is not quite who she seems. And as the holiday festivities turn into a nightmare, she must confront just how far she is willing to go to protect her family.

9 chapters / 82 pages

(view spoiler)[ wow, her mom (Mavis) sounds very ominous. I can't help but wonder if Izzy will be the bigger problem here (or the savior?)
I hope the mom doesn't mess up Olivia or Izzy

I like Alison but I agree with her brother. as tough as it was, I think she should have told her mother no. She's definitely sugar coating a childhood that sounds truly awful and full of abuse

I wonder what happened to her dad. AND the best friend died? that's a lot of death around one woman

and what's up with this rock? (hide spoiler)]

18 Chapters / 150 pages

it's (view spoiler)[ hard to believe her mom has just been there a few days. what a horrible night they had

I'd hate that Olivia is spending so much time alone with the mom and keeping secrets. I don't understand why Alison is giving her mom so much unsupervised time with her kids

when she threatens them. . .she has no idea what she's telling her youngest. Is her mom the reason she keeps having rat nightmares?

is the stone possessing them? filled with a demon?

since so many people die around Mavis, I'm a little worried for Penny now (hide spoiler)]

29 chapters / page 229

(view spoiler)[ wow, I think she was a bit late on setting the ground rules. the second she threatened the kids, she would have been out

It's crazy she keeps having these conversations with her that are scary. and I agree with the brother, there is no way I'd let her have unsupervised conversations with my kids - especially one that is 6. She could easily still be doing the same abuse she did to her as a little girl. . .

I wonder how this all ends. Will she get Alison because she'll threaten her youngest and Alison will let her take her over instead? or will she just take over the little girl?

I think Izzy knows something. she's recording for a reason, I wonder what it will be (hide spoiler)]

and I'm done

(view spoiler)[ that was twisted. it was a little quick at the end but just brutal that she succeed and got the oldest daughter. ugh (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Just finished! 4/5 for me! I agree that the ending felt a little rushed!"

Yes a little rush but shocking (view spoiler)[ and it made me so so sad. I didn't want that conclusion for the daughter (hide spoiler)]