Ahoy there me mateys! I received an eArc of this fantasy novel through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings . . .
Title: a house with good bones
Author: T. Kingfisher
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Publication Date: TODAY!!! (hardcover/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1250829795
Source: NetGalley
This novel is supposed to be a gothic horror. While it does contain a haunted house, I found it to be more fantasy in feel. It does contain Kingfisher’s humor elements though. This was a good read but was not one of me favorites. I loved the main character Sam, the vultures, and the bug references. I did think the house itself felt quite creepy. The major problem for me was that Sam took forever to figure things out and that both her mother or the neighbor should have tried to explain sooner. I also didn’t particularly care for the reason of the haunting or how that is handled. Personal taste, I think. I did like the resolution of the situation overall though and how Sam’s family moves forward. No regrets reading this, as I will read anything the author writes. Arrrr!
Goodreads has this to say about the novel:
“Mom seems off.”
Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.
She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam’s excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.
But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.
To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.
To visit the author’s website go to:
T. Kingfisher – Author
To buy the novel please visit:
a house with good bones – Book
To add to Goodreads go to:
Yer Ports for Plunder List
Previous Log Entries for This Author
minor mage (Captain’s Log – Fantasy)
the hollow places (On the Horizon – Fantasy Horror eARC)
castle hangnail (Captain’s Log – YA Fantasy)
a wizard’s guide to defensive baking (Captain’s Log – Fantasy)
the twisted ones (Captain’s Log – Fantasy Horror)
harriet the invincible (Captain’s Log – YA Fantasy)
nettle & bone (On the Horizon – Fantasy eArc)
what moves the dead (On the Horizon – Sci-Fi eArc)
Captain's Quarters 
I haven’t read any of Kingfisher’s horror, but I believe there is a lot of humour in this one – so I may be brave and give it a try:)). Thank you for a lovely review, Cap.
LikeLike
Yes, I will also read anything she writes! I wish more gothic horror was this entertaining to read.
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked it! I’ll read anything Kingfisher/Vernon writes too, except her horror. (I’ve read enough of her short stories to know her horror is too much for me.)
LikeLike