CACKLE by Rachel Harrison

Cackle by Rachel Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had this book on my TBR pile for a while, so it was definitely time to check it out.

After Annie's longtime boyfriend breaks up with her, she leaves New York City and moves to a small town to teach in a nearby high school. Her apartment is lovely, the people are nice, and she even makes an interesting new friend...

Cozy. Witchy. Charming. Wonderful.

I really enjoyed this super fun book!

Annie is such a great character. A people pleaser at heart, someone who doesn't want to cause any friction, puts up with a lot from others, and struggles with the burden of a broken heart... which leads to many tears and yearning for someone who clearly doesn't deserve her attention.

Yeah, I disliked Sam quite a bit. He's one of those guys who wants the comfort of knowing his girlfriend is willing to go along with everything he wants, and then pulls the plug because he's bored. An insufferable little man.

Forget about him, let's get back to how awesome the story is. Sophie is another fantastic character because she's an independent, powerful woman trying to live her life, and some people just can't handle that. And what about Ralph? Absolutely adorable.

Also, I love how Annie evolved. Sometimes, the thing we need the most has always been there.


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HERE LIES A VENGEFUL BITCH by Codie Crowley

Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With such a great title, and a brilliant cover with a very cool stepback, I couldn't wait to get stuck into this book.

When Annie Lane wakes up submerged in the river, she's dead-set on figuring out how she got there and why. But ends up finding out a hell of a lot more than she expected...

I was hooked instantly! The more I read, the deeper I got into the narrative and couldn't wait to find out more.

Annie's story is dark and, unfortunately, too familiar: a teenage girl murdered and dumped in the water. But what I love the most about her tale is how the storyline barrels past every expectation and throws the reader into a revenge plot that also introduces some really cool spectral situations.

The mystery at the heart of everything is what happened to Annie. Who killed her? Why? And where is her best friend? A true-crime situation about the victim trying to solve her own murder. But it's also packed with a hell of a LOT more. I like the subtle nature of the worldbuilding because the details are explained in casual conversation, or when things happen. In some cases, the reader can easily figure things out. The character connections, friendships, and complications also provide a few twists and turns along the way.

But most of all, I think Annie is a great character. She's flawed, makes mistakes, doesn't care what people think, follows her own path. You know? All the things society doesn't want girls and women to pursue. Watching her story unfold is very entertaining, and tense.

Loved it.


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HEMLOCK ISLAND by Kelley Armstrong

Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kelley Armstrong writes great books, so I was excited about getting stuck into this one.

After her divorce, Laney Kilpatrick has to rent out the house on Hemlock Island because it's too expensive to run on her own. But when renters tell her about some strange tokens in their rooms and blood found inside the house, she decides to check it out with her niece. A quick trip turns into something a lot more serious when other people from her past arrive on the island...

I really enjoyed this!

At it's core, this is a horror story set on a private island. But it's also about the people who get stuck on the island.

Not only do they have to deal with the mystery of what's going on around them, but there's also the relationship problems between Laney and Kit. The friendship troubles between Laney and Jayla. The uncomfortable connection Laney barely has with Sadie. Laney trying to be a worthy guardian. And the secret they all share that threatens to destroy everything.

Yeah, there's a lot packed into this book and I enjoyed the way everything is revealed. The creepy vibes were great and kept me turning the page. Not to mention that Hemlock Island really leaps off the page as well.


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THE NOTHING MAN by Catherine Ryan Howard

The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While going through my Kindle books I stumbled on this one and decided to check it out. Except, I couldn't stop reading.

Eve Black was twelve when her family was killed by a serial attacker/killer named the Nothing Man. Now an adult, she publishes a book about her experience. Jim Doyle is a security guard who stumbles across Eve's true-crime memoir. The more he reads, the more Jim realises he has to find her. Before she finds him...

Great story, and I really like the format!

This is a book inside a book, told in two perspectives: Jim Doyle's POV, as an old man, reading the memoir from the survivor of one of his crimes, and Eve's actual memoir. It's like we're reading Eve's book along with the killer, while also getting insight into his miserable life.

I disliked Jim as soon as he hit the page. There's something really off-putting about him. He's a despicable piece of shit. His presence made my skin crawl, and when the story begins to unravel, I hated him even more. His obsession with the book is another thing that made me sick because he actually enjoys the trip down Memory Lane littered with his atrocious crimes.

This is a fictional true-crime story that's very well written. It's creepy and dread hangs over the narrative all the way through, during both perspectives. And there are a few killer twists.

It also reminds us that the victims are the ones we should remember, not the serial killers who are always useless, nothing men.


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WE LIVE HERE NOW by Sarah Pinborough

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love reading Sarah Pinborough's books because she writes very addictive thriller/horror stories.

After a terrible accident and months in hospital, Emily arrives at her new house in the country with her husband, Freddie. Larkin Lodge is a lovely house in the middle of nowhere, but as soon as she gets there, Emily gets a bad feeling about the place...

O.M.F.G. Yikes! 😳

I was hooked from the beginning and got lost in the unstable lives of the married couple who move to the country after a tragic accident.

Although I was initially fascinated with the isolated house, it was the introduction of Emily and Freddie that totally grabbed me. Their marriage outwardly appears to be a happy one, and now that Emily is out of hospital, they can get back on track. But reading their individual inner thoughts reveals the complete opposite.

This couple has a lot of problems, resentments, and secrets. Not to mention how awful and selfish they are, or that so many of their decisions and actions are questionable. Honestly, it feels like they're constantly competing with each other. And lying.

Still, no matter how awful Emily and Freddie are to each other and everyone else, I really enjoyed figuring out the mystery as Emily investigates the history of Larkin Lodge.

The ending is perfect. For so many reasons.

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CLAIRE DEWITT AND THE CITY OF THE DEAD by Sara Gran

Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sara Gran is the author of Come Closer, a novella that I read years ago but still often think about because I loved it so much. I also really enjoyed The Book of the Most Precious Substance, so I decided to start reading her Claire DeWitt series.

Claire DeWitt is a PI. When she's hired by a man to find his missing uncle in New Orleans because of her reputation, she travels to the ravaged city to find out what happened...

Grim. Disturbing. Sad. Entertaining.

Claire DeWitt isn't your average private investigator. Her methods aren't conventional, and she uses the book, Détection by Jacques Silette, as her guide for conducting her business. She's been obsessed with it since her teens and it helps her through every case she tackles.

It's also a reminder of the mentor she lost. I enjoyed reading about her memories of Constance, and the two friends that put her on the investigation path during her teens.

Claire is snarky, pushy, odd, funny, and seems to possess an otherworldly connection during her investigations. It's how she's able to find clues that others miss. She also has plenty of secrets and vices. The use of dreams to work through the puzzles is another very cool addition to her technique.

The investigation she tackles during post-Katrina New Orleans begins as something simple, but when the devastating truth is revealed, it's all quite sad.

I think this is a great start to an intriguing series featuring an unlikable female character that I like quite a bit!


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THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for AGES! So, it's about time I got stuck into it.

Millie desperately needs a place to stay, as well as a job. So when she lands a housemaid position with the Winchesters, she can't believe her luck. It's a beautiful house, she doesn't mind the work, but Nina is a little erratic, and Andrew is too tempting. Then there's the attic room...

Wow. What a fantastic thriller! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop reading. Was totally captivated all the way through and enjoyed the many twists and turns. Yikes.

Not only is this a great story that kept me reading because I got swept up in the sense of dread and suspicion, but the writing style is so smooth. Plus I loved the characters.

I really liked Millie, and was actually surprised when we got a glimpse of Nina's POV. The two POVs bring everything together, and reveal the bleak mystery at the core of the story.

I've heard the hype, and I have to totally agree. I loved everything about this book! It's just so addictive, and just a great story.

Now I need to get my hands on the next two...


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ROGUE PROTOCOL by Martha Wells

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's time to get back into reading, and I thought I'd start with the next Murderbot novella.

Our favourite Murderbot is back for another adventure, one that it hopes will answer some of the outstanding questions about what the GrayCris Corporation has been doing...

Another awesome addition to what's quickly becoming one of my favourite series!

Murderbot might not technically be a full-on SecUnit anymore, but continues to board ships in order to reach a precise destination. Sometimes it befriends the onboard AI system, other times it's all about sharing files, but Murderbot sure knows how to get around. And this time, it meets a friendly robot who happens to be loved/appreciated by its humans.

I really liked Miki! It was another cool character to add to the many Murderbot keeps crossing paths with. It's fascinating to meet the different types of robots that inhabit this world.

Also, the thing that cracks me up about Murderbot is how hard it tries to hide from people and surveillance cameras, but somehow always ends up getting caught up with a crew. And then ends up having to protect these humans. 😅

Everything seems to slow down in this one, until the fast-paced action swept me away. I had a blast with this one.


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Happy 1st Anniversary to Melancholy Delusions!

🎉 🥳 🎉

I can't believe that my debut short story collection was released a year ago.

I'm very proud of every single story included in this volume, and will always be grateful to Cemetery Gates Media for giving my collection a great home.

And for putting together a lovely book.

MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS is a dark gathering of 17 melancholy horror tales where mothers, lovers, friends and monsters intersect with disastrous and tragic consequences.

 The cover is stunning and was made by Luke Spooner/Carrion House.

Here's the TOC:

1. ALL MY PRETTIES

2. LOST IN TIME

3. GOLDSMITH’S ODDITY 

4. CLARA’S PHONE

5. SOMEWHERE TO BELONG

6. OTHER SIDE OF ME 

7. THE GIRLS DEVOURED BY THE WOODS 

8. SHORELINE

9. THE MAN IN THE RED SUIT 

10. OF YOU, THE END 

11. A PORTRAIT OF DEATH 

12. FADE INTO NIGHTMARE 

13. LADY OF THE HOUSE 

14. SLIPPING INTO 

15. ALLURE

16. STALKING THE SHADOWS 

17. FINDING SURVIVAL 

Paperback & Kindle versions are available right now! You can also pick up a copy from Bookshop.org or add it to Goodreads.

If you've read my collection, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a fave? 😊

Thanks for reading!

Busy January!

Hey, remember me? 😃

It's been a while since I posted because I've been caught in an endless loop of editing all month. And now, the first month of 2026 is almost over. Yikes.

So, how are ya? How are we all surviving during the weirdest timeline ever? It's too much, isn't it? That's why it's important to find your people, your happiness, and take care of yourself as much as you can.

As the title says: I've been super busy editing during January. Yep. I started the year with some pretty intense novel editing. During the first week, I read the manuscript from beginning to end and made all the appropriate edits/changes/additions. But when I was done, the story didn't feel finished.

So... I decided to do another round. I went back to the beginning and got stuck into it again. Except, this time I ended up re-writing and re-checking every chapter after I was done. It was a slow and time-consuming process that took two full weeks. 😳

Man, it was a lot of (very hard) work and the editing is the only thing I had time for. It consumed my brain. I kept thinking about it, took heaps of notes, wrote some additions from scratch, made changes every step of the way, and kept rechecking myself. It was TOTALLY exhausting, but I'm really happy with the results.

Everything I did for the story made it better, stronger, creepier, and a book I'm proud of. It's done and I even sent it back before the deadline. Yay. 🥳

I'll keep you posted on what comes next. But for now, after three weeks of working non-stop, I need a serious mental break. I mean, I haven't read anything in AGES. I haven't written anything new since last year. Haven't had the chance to dream about new story ideas. Nothing.

Well, not exactly nothing.

The ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS update landed mid-month and my husband and I have been having a BLAST!! Everything about this update has enhanced a game that we already adore. There are so many new tasks to complete, plenty of new items to purchase, things to make for Kapp'n, and the island now has tourists visiting daily. We love designing rooms in the hotel, and it's even encouraged us to start going to Paradise Island again! It's an amazing addition to ACNH and we're absolutely LOVING it.

And I haven't even entered Luna's Slumber Island yet, where you can design up to three new islands! Can't wait!!

The combination of ACNH and my husband's unbelievable support got me through the last few weeks. He even helped me sort through some story details, listened to my plans, and was just there when I needed him. He's the best! 😍

Another thing we did a few weeks ago is watch S1 & S2 of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE and OMFG!! We absolutely LOVED IT!!! What an amazing adaptation of Anne Rice's first book in the Vampire Chronicles series. The way the show is loyal to the source material, while enhancing it, blew me away. Everything about the show is exquisite and I can't wait to watch THE VAMPIRE LESTAT because Sam Reid is a perfect Lestat.

Well, that's all for today. Just wanted to post an update because I've been MIA for a while.

Have a fantastic weekend!!

THE MAD HOUSE by Kelly O'Rourke

The Mad House by Kelly O'Rourke
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

After reading the ridiculous crap that was the first book in this pathetic excuse for a Halloween YA trilogy, I actually enjoyed the second one, so I started this year's reading with the third/last novel.

Okay, in this installment we meet Eddie, a wannabe director who 'hires' a team of teenagers to film a documentary (sounds legit) by spending a night in the abandoned Smith Grove Mental Hospital (great idea), which includes Christine, the girl he has a crush on (of course).

With such an amazing hook, what could go wrong? The answer: a LOT!

Wish I was talking about the Michael Myers teenage massacre, but I'm not. I'm referring to the shitfest that is a book full of one-dimensional characters you just don't care about. So when Michael starts to slaughter them, it's actually a relief. I mean, let's be honest, Maggie had to go. That silly bitch hated another girl just because she's pretty and the boy she likes is into the hot girl. Shocking that a teenage boy is into a pretty girl. But Maggie does some pretty douchy things to Christine. Sexist things she doesn't deserve.

Pick-me girls are the worst.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic.

There are some pretty cool ingredients—abandoned mental institution, ghost hunting, an unfamiliar version of Haddonfield—that should've made a delicious horror cocktail. Instead, we get a shit sandwich that totally sucked.

For me, this book was as bad as the first one. No, scrap that. This was fucking worse!

There's a lot WRONG with this story, but by far the worst thing about EVERY SINGLE BOOK IN THIS TRILOGY is Michael Myers. If I have to read that he wears a PLASTIC MASK that you can see his scarred face and patchy hair through one more freaking time, I'm going to SCREAM!

Luckily, the torture ends here. I am done. D-O-N-E. Thank fuck.

On a final note, for the love of the Halloween franchise and everything that is canon about Michael Myers, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS CRAP. Seriously, these books are sold for ludicrous amounts of money and I implore you to keep that cash in your bank account.

These books are NOT worth it.

I suffered so you don't have to.

Bye for now.


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Some Kind of Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

☺️🎉

Let's hope that 2026 is the year the world gets back on track.

Fingers crossed. 

Personally, I don't make New Year resolutions, but I like adding a goals list to my blog every January because that's much easier to accomplish.

Here are my 2026 Goals:

• Continue to go for long daily walks

• Get into the habit of doing at least one/two weekly yoga workouts

• Continue to declutter

• Write between 100-200k words

• Read 52 books

• Write at least one novel

• Write at least one novella

• Write more short stories

• Continue posting on my blog (right here!)

• Keep playing Animal Crossing daily and enjoy the upcoming updates

• Play more of my cozy, cute, and horror Switch games 

Well, that's it. Are you making a list?