Horrid - Katrina Leno

Following her father's death, Jane North-Robinson and her mom move from sunny California to the dreary, dilapidated old house in Maine where her mother grew up. All they want is a fresh start, but behind North Manor's doors lurks a history that leaves them feeling more alone...and more tormented.

As the cold New England autumn arrives, and Jane settles in to her new home, she finds solace in old books and memories of her dad. She steadily begins making new friends, but also faces bullying from the resident "bad seed," struggling to tamp down her own worst nature in response. Jane's mom also seems to be spiraling with the return of her childhood home, but she won't reveal why. Then Jane discovers that the "storage room" her mom has kept locked isn't for storage at all--it's a little girl's bedroom, left untouched for years and not quite as empty of inhabitants as it appears....

Is it grief? Mental illness? Or something more...horrid.

Genre: Horror/Paranormal Fiction

Rating: 4/5

Favourite Quotes:

“Hours later, days later, years later, she opened her eyes.”

“Those memories—those visceral, sudden memories—appeared without any warning, like a slap to the face.”

“The combined smell of coffee and used books felt like the intersection of all things good and necessary.”

“She imagined the words dissolving off the paper and sinking into her bloodstream.”

Review:

I’m a sucker for a good creepy house story and the author captured the atmosphere of this house perfectly. The writing was engaging and descriptive which drew you into the story. The way both Jane and her mother gradually unravel the longer they’re in the house keeps you turning the pages and I loved the slow burn way the past weaves into the present. While this book does explore grief, loss and anger, I feel like it could have delved deeper into Jane’s grief beyond the external actions. I also felt the ending was a little rushed and anticlimactic. In saying that though, this book kept me up late, eager to finish it.