Is This Southern Gothic a Gem?📚⭐
This was a highly anticipated read of mine but I gave it ⭐⭐⭐.5 🤐
We follow Sam Montgomery an archaeoentomologist and our protagonist, as she finds herself staying at her family home with her mother after her dig site job ends abruptly. After a long drive to her hometown, she’s relieved to finally be done with driving and perhaps even get in a a nap. However, Samantha soon begins to notice strange changes not only in the house but also in her mother’s behavior. Could this be what her brother meant when he expressed concern over the phone about their mother? The character, charm, and color from the house have vanished, and her mother’s behavior is so worrying that Sam is contemplating taking her to the doctor. Is it delayed grief for her mother, Sam’s grandmother? Is it dementia? Or is she being stalked or threatened? Sam is determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s condition and even starts to think about what it would take to get her the care she needs. She talks to her mother’s handy man, her mother’s neighbor, and her late grandmother’s rival to try and seek answers. But then, she experiences inexplicable events that even her college degree can’t help her comprehend. Is that a hand in the background of that photo? Why doesn’t the backyard have ANY bugs? OMG is that a jar of teeth? It becomes clear that she should move her focus to digging up the truth behind what’s going on with the house. She soon discovers maybe some things should stay buried when the questions of whats going on with her mother, the house, and her ancestors is answered….
Sam's witty sarcastic voice and fourth wall breaking humor is a great part of the book. There was lots of great visuals (hello ladybugs, family dinner, and the CHILDREN!!). It was a fun quick read for me.
So why the 3.5?
The book was incredibly slow for the first 75%. Most of the story is Sam on the couch drinking wine, forgetting the wifi doesn't work somehow, and watching tv. While some of the imagery was great the central mystery of the strange house and mom's behavior was very delayed. For a haunted house novel I expect a lot more of a gripping atmosphere which I definitely did not get. I was left wanting so much more from the side characters, like the nosey neighbor, his grandson the handyman, and the grandmother’s nemesis. Especially the grandmother nemesis. She would have been one of my favorite characters but she fell flat. The explanation for the haunting felt bare bones, and while the final escape section was genuinely creepy with incredible visuals, the overall pacing issues held it back from being a 5-star read. The reason for the scary things happening in the house wasnt the true ending which is good because it was entirely too predictable.
I sped through it because I had to know what happened and T. Kingfishers writing style makes reading very easy and enjoyable. Ultimately though it's not a book I will think about for a long time afterwards. It's a fun, creepy read and I enjoyed the ride, but it just left me wanting more detail and action earlier on.
📚Q: Did you read this one? What did you think? Was my rating too harsh?
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T. Kingfisher’s book, A House With Good Bones, masterfully weaves Southern hospitality with an unsettling haunting to create a unique Southern Gothic experience. The story’s foundation lies in the exploration of family legacy, the mystery shrouding a decaying home, and the eerie supernatural elements that blur the lines between grief, dementia, and dark forces. One of the striking features of this novel is the narrator, Sam Montgomery, an archaeoentomologist whose expertise with insects and academic background adds an intriguing scientific perspective to the chilling events she encounters. The barren backyard without any bugs, in particular, symbolizes the unnatural influence over the home, highlighting the unnaturalness creeping into ordinary life. The house itself functions almost as a character, reflecting the tension and secrets within the family. The disappearance of the home’s charm and warmth parallels the unsettling change in Sam’s mother, raising questions about inheritance — not only of physical belonging but also of trauma and unresolved past conflicts. This theme resonates deeply in Southern Gothic literature, where ancestral curses and family histories often grip the present. The novel also introduces vivid side characters who enrich the narrative tapestry, such as the nosy neighbor, his handyman grandson, and the grandmother’s enigmatic rival. Although the review points out a desire for more development in these roles, they collectively add layers to the story’s social dynamics and heighten the mystery’s complexity. The presence of macabre objects, like a jar of teeth, and supernatural hints, such as a ghostly hand in the photograph, contribute to the eerie atmosphere. While the pacing and suspense build slowly, Kingfisher's witty, sarcastic voice and fourth-wall-breaking humor infuse levity that balances the horror elements, rendering the story engaging and accessible. For readers who appreciate atmospheric haunted house stories, this novel offers a blend of Southern charm and creeping dread, with moments that captivate and disturb. It also explores profound themes such as the impact of caregiving for aging parents, the fear of mental decline, and confronting family secrets that are better left buried. In summary, A House With Good Bones is a compelling read for those drawn to Southern Gothic fiction with psychological depth and supernatural suspense. Despite some pacing concerns, it remains a notable addition to the genre, inviting readers to unravel the dark legacy of a family and their home, where hospitality masks haunting truths.
I loveee this cover sm!