A review by lit_vibrations
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

A slow-burn that was worth every minute‼️ I don’t typically do gothic fiction just because the last few I’ve read left me like WTF and not in a good way . .  (cough,cough) House of Cotton. But this book was nothing short of amazing to me. It’s a slow-paced horror where the suspense continues to build with each chapter. 

Now was this book scary not at all but the Dechon’s oh they were horror-ible people with a past darker than their skin tone. The self-hate ran so deep they’d do anything in their power to “keep it in the family.” Do with that what you will . . . 

Torn between the terrors (ghosts) in Chicago and a little curiosity Jemma accepts the offer to work for the Dechon family. But her new role would become both a gift and a curse. I kept thinking girl you should’ve stayed at home. 

This book was so crazy yet so good. The Dechon’s were a little odd like the Addams family but with meaner spirts. They were a special kind of people is all I can say. 

What really got me were the secrets and boy they had a lot of them. But also Jemma’s ability to see and communicate with spirits, breaking the family curse, the housemaid . . . the lady in the woods . . . the trapped souls . . . the baby corpse. . . confinement to the house . . . and being a descendant of murderers just plot twist after plot twist.

Overall, the book was great the author explored some heavy themes in this one. If slow-burn southern gothic horror is your thing you’ll enjoy this book.