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Gothictown
A restaurateur lured by pandemic-era incentives moves her family to a seemingly idyllic town in Georgia.
The email message that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100 she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and some painful memories. Plus she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity.
After some phone calls and one hurried visit, Billie and her husband and daughter are officially part of the "Juliana Initiative." The town is everything promised, and between settling into her lavish home and starting a new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss misgivings.
Yet those misgivings grow. There’s something about Juliana, something off-kilter and menacing beneath its famous Southern hospitality. No matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and whether, they’ll ever leave.
The email message that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100 she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and some painful memories. Plus she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity.
After some phone calls and one hurried visit, Billie and her husband and daughter are officially part of the "Juliana Initiative." The town is everything promised, and between settling into her lavish home and starting a new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss misgivings.
Yet those misgivings grow. There’s something about Juliana, something off-kilter and menacing beneath its famous Southern hospitality. No matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and whether, they’ll ever leave.
362 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2025
154 people are currently reading
30.5k people want to read
About the author
Emily Carpenter
13books1,162followersEMILY CARPENTER BIO:
Emily Carpenter is the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling author of suspense novels, Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies (which received starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly), Every Single Secret, Until the Day I Die, all released by Lake Union. Her most recent release is REVIVING THE HAWTHORN SISTERS, which Publishers Weekly called a “refreshingly modern gothic tale� and Kirkus called “an exciting, gothic-tinged quest.� After graduating from Auburn with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, she moved to New York City. She’s worked as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She’s a member of Tall Poppy Writers, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family. You can visit Emily at emilycarpenterauthor.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@EmilyDCarpenter) and Instagram (@emily.d.c).
Emily Carpenter is the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling author of suspense novels, Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies (which received starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly), Every Single Secret, Until the Day I Die, all released by Lake Union. Her most recent release is REVIVING THE HAWTHORN SISTERS, which Publishers Weekly called a “refreshingly modern gothic tale� and Kirkus called “an exciting, gothic-tinged quest.� After graduating from Auburn with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, she moved to New York City. She’s worked as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She’s a member of Tall Poppy Writers, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family. You can visit Emily at emilycarpenterauthor.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@EmilyDCarpenter) and Instagram (@emily.d.c).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
June 9, 2024
Well, I mean, I wrote it....
September 17, 2024
If there's one thing I've learned from my recent horror reads, it's that you should never ever accept a suspiciously cheap house in a small town. It's obvious that the main character of Gothictown hasn't read the same books, however, because if she had she would have deleted that spam email so fast. And who moves to small town Georgia based on a spam email anyway?? Billie Hope (she was destined to live in the south with that name, amirite?) is the queen of questionable decisions, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
This novel is entertaining-ish. The main character isn't particularly likeable � she drives drunk and is a terrible pet owner and enjoys snogging men who aren't her husband � but she's more likeable than most of the other characters, I guess. The plot is all over the place and doesn't have a lot of depth to it, but there was enough action and suspense to keep me reading and curious about where things were headed. And Juliana is definitely a creepy place � the phrase “gentle Juliana� made me physically cringe every time I read it.
I'd love know how Juliana funded the “Initiative,� by the way. For a town that doesn't even have a proper restaurant and apparently , they sure do have a lot of money to be handing out $100 houses and business grants.
The ending has a completely different vibe than the rest of the book � this is a horror(ish) read with the ending of a cozy mystery. And it's very much an “everybody clapped� sort of situation. (I mean that literally. Everyone really does clap.) Apparently the bar for is very, very low. Like “I've lived here for approximately six minutes and know how to cook pancakes� low.
So, I dunno. Did I love it? Not exactly. But there's some supernatural bits and some thriller-y shenanigans and a murder or two, so it's � interesting. There are no “echoes of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery� (despite what the blurb says) and it's not fine literature, but if you're looking for a light but unsettling read, this one might be a decent choice. 3.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.
This novel is entertaining-ish. The main character isn't particularly likeable � she drives drunk and is a terrible pet owner and enjoys snogging men who aren't her husband � but she's more likeable than most of the other characters, I guess. The plot is all over the place and doesn't have a lot of depth to it, but there was enough action and suspense to keep me reading and curious about where things were headed. And Juliana is definitely a creepy place � the phrase “gentle Juliana� made me physically cringe every time I read it.
I'd love know how Juliana funded the “Initiative,� by the way. For a town that doesn't even have a proper restaurant and apparently , they sure do have a lot of money to be handing out $100 houses and business grants.
The ending has a completely different vibe than the rest of the book � this is a horror(ish) read with the ending of a cozy mystery. And it's very much an “everybody clapped� sort of situation. (I mean that literally. Everyone really does clap.) Apparently the bar for is very, very low. Like “I've lived here for approximately six minutes and know how to cook pancakes� low.
So, I dunno. Did I love it? Not exactly. But there's some supernatural bits and some thriller-y shenanigans and a murder or two, so it's � interesting. There are no “echoes of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery� (despite what the blurb says) and it's not fine literature, but if you're looking for a light but unsettling read, this one might be a decent choice. 3.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.
March 29, 2025
Readers of Southern gothic horror and mystery novels are in for a treat when they read
Gothictown
by Emily Carpenter. Near the beginning of the pandemic Billie Hope decided to close her successful restaurant in New York City. Post-pandemic, she gets an email that seems too good to be true. She and husband Peter can buy a home in Juliana, Georgia for one hundred dollars. On top of that, she can get a business grant to open a new restaurant in the riverside community in Bartow County.
With several phone calls and one quick visit, Billie, Peter, and their daughter Meredith move as part of the Juliana Initiative to revitalize the town. She opens a new restaurant, meets members of the community, and Peter works mainly remotely as a psychologist while Meredith makes a new friend. Things should be wonderful, but the misgivings start to grow along with the sleeplessness and nightmares.
Billie makes decisions with her gut. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. She wants to make her mother proud of her, but feels abandoned by her. Despite being surrounded by people, she’s somewhat lonely and makes some bad decisions. Peter tends to weigh pros and cons of any situation and makes fully-informed decisions. He’s normally a communicator, but has some secrets.
The book starts with a chilling prologue set in Juliana in 1864 and has some occasional flashbacks to times between then and now. These flashbacks let the readers know what is happening in the town before Billie and Peter do. However, that doesn’t deter from the suspense and horror of the situation that gradually builds.
As the situation became clear to this reader, I was cheering for Billie, Peter, and Meredith. Both adults make mistakes, making them both more realistic and more aggravating. Unfortunately, Billie’s broken relationship with her mother was discussed more than once in the book. I felt this subplot could have been omitted to make the story more cohesive. Despite this, the shocking and horrifying beginning stays with you and the tension builds throughout the book. The author did a great job of creating atmosphere and transporting readers to the community of Juliana.
The novel has a Southern Gothic feel with flawed, disturbing, and eccentric characters, alarming events, a somewhat isolated location, and a bit of the paranormal. There’s a focus on both its history and the current situation of the town. Is this truly an idyllic southern town or have Billie, Peter, and Meredith stepped into something dark and hidden? Various themes run through the novel including secrets, lack of communication, death, trust, family, belonging, and much more.
Overall, this is a dark, disturbing, compelling, and thought-provoking story, full of tension and with characters that came to life and were often unique. The author’s note and the discussion questions at the end are worth reading as well. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author. Readers who like dark southern gothic mysteries will likely enjoy this novel.
Kensington Publishing and Emily Carpenter provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 25, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
With several phone calls and one quick visit, Billie, Peter, and their daughter Meredith move as part of the Juliana Initiative to revitalize the town. She opens a new restaurant, meets members of the community, and Peter works mainly remotely as a psychologist while Meredith makes a new friend. Things should be wonderful, but the misgivings start to grow along with the sleeplessness and nightmares.
Billie makes decisions with her gut. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. She wants to make her mother proud of her, but feels abandoned by her. Despite being surrounded by people, she’s somewhat lonely and makes some bad decisions. Peter tends to weigh pros and cons of any situation and makes fully-informed decisions. He’s normally a communicator, but has some secrets.
The book starts with a chilling prologue set in Juliana in 1864 and has some occasional flashbacks to times between then and now. These flashbacks let the readers know what is happening in the town before Billie and Peter do. However, that doesn’t deter from the suspense and horror of the situation that gradually builds.
As the situation became clear to this reader, I was cheering for Billie, Peter, and Meredith. Both adults make mistakes, making them both more realistic and more aggravating. Unfortunately, Billie’s broken relationship with her mother was discussed more than once in the book. I felt this subplot could have been omitted to make the story more cohesive. Despite this, the shocking and horrifying beginning stays with you and the tension builds throughout the book. The author did a great job of creating atmosphere and transporting readers to the community of Juliana.
The novel has a Southern Gothic feel with flawed, disturbing, and eccentric characters, alarming events, a somewhat isolated location, and a bit of the paranormal. There’s a focus on both its history and the current situation of the town. Is this truly an idyllic southern town or have Billie, Peter, and Meredith stepped into something dark and hidden? Various themes run through the novel including secrets, lack of communication, death, trust, family, belonging, and much more.
Overall, this is a dark, disturbing, compelling, and thought-provoking story, full of tension and with characters that came to life and were often unique. The author’s note and the discussion questions at the end are worth reading as well. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author. Readers who like dark southern gothic mysteries will likely enjoy this novel.
Kensington Publishing and Emily Carpenter provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 25, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 20, 2025
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Emily Carpenter is an auto-buy author for me. At this point, I've read almost all of her books, but my favorites are EVERY SINGLE SECRET and THE WEIGHT OF LIES. Probably because they both have a distinctly gothic flavor and gothic is literally my favorite subgenre of mystery/thriller fiction. When I found out she was writing a new book called GOTHICTOWN, I was so excited. And I didn't find out through an announcement like a normal person, mind. I was going through her ŷ bio like a total stalker, asking myself, "What's Emily up to, these days?"
I have been tracking this book before it even had a cover.
When my begging and pleading for an ARC was rewarded, I started reading this book IMMEDIATELY. And I loved it so much because it was a laundry list of all my favorite tropes: folk horror, is the house haunted or are we actually going mad?, sinister founding families, dark legacies, hot bad guys, cursed towns, and murrrrdurrrr. I also really liked the heroine, Billie. The author struck a nice balance between showing her as a mom but also as a messy whole-ass person who sometimes messes up because she's only human.
Also the ending? *chef's kiss* satisfying (pun intended)
I would recommend this to readers who really enjoyed the two other Emily Carpenter books I've read, as well as Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier, Roanoke Girls and The Familiar Dark by Amy Engle, and Watch the Girls by Jennifer Wolfe. The creepy small town vibes were IMMACULATE and so was the flawed FMC. If this book is indicative of the direction of Carpenter's future projects, I want on this ride.
One reading note: the prologue does kind of give you a heavy hint about what's really going on, so if you're one of those readers who prefers NO SPOILERS of ANY KIND because you prefer to guess yourself, skip the prologue and read it as an epilogue instead. You'll be more surprised.
Thanks to the publisher/author for sending me a copy!
5 stars
March 30, 2025
4 stars! � Huge thanks to RBmedia | Recorded Books for the ALC via NetGalley! �
💀 WELCOME TO GOTHICTOWN 💀
Listen. The moment I saw Southern Gothic and haunting, atmospheric vibes, I knew I had to get my hands on this. And let me tell you�this did NOT disappoint.
Premise? Billie Hope, a former NYC restauranteur, moves her family to Juliana, Georgia, enticed by a too-good-to-be-true pandemic-era incentive: a $100 Victorian home and a grant to start fresh. But once they settle in, the town’s saccharine Southern charm starts to feel... off. Nightmares. Tension. An unsettling obsession from the town elders. And the creeping realization that Juliana doesn’t just welcome newcomers—it swallows them whole.
🔪 The Vibes:
✔️ Creepy small-town secrets
✔️ Cult-y energy lurking under that sweet hospitality
✔️ Family drama + an unraveling marriage
✔️ Slow-burn suspense that turns into a full-blown nightmare
🎧 The Narration:
Cassandra Campbell NAILED this one. Her voice carries that perfect mix of warmth and unease—exactly what you need for a slow-burn psychological horror like this. She brings Billie’s tension and paranoia to life, making every whispered secret and chilling moment hit even harder.
👀 The Good:
📖 The atmosphere? IMMACULATE. The town’s eerie warmth seeps into your bones before it chokes the life out of you.
😨 The slow-burn tension? Perfection. I was yelling at Billie through my earbuds like, "GIRL, GET OUT!"
🎭 The characters? Flawed. Messy. Real. Billie and Peter aren’t perfect, and that just makes their unraveling even more delicious.
🤨 The Meh:
� Some subplots (especially Billie’s mom drama) felt like they distracted from the juicy, spine-tingling horror.
� The ending? A bit rushed—I needed more time to soak in the chaos!
📢 Final Verdict: If you love cults, small-town horrors, and that slow, creeping dread that makes you question EVERYONE, this one’s for you. If you’re into unsettling mysteries, eerie atmospheres, and stories that get under your skin, YOU’LL EAT THIS UP.
⚠️ But fair warning: If you get an email offering you a dream house for cheap? DELETE IT. IMMEDIATELY.
🔮 Pub Date: March 25, 2025
💀 CWs: Infidelity, death, violence, murder
💀 WELCOME TO GOTHICTOWN 💀
Listen. The moment I saw Southern Gothic and haunting, atmospheric vibes, I knew I had to get my hands on this. And let me tell you�this did NOT disappoint.
Premise? Billie Hope, a former NYC restauranteur, moves her family to Juliana, Georgia, enticed by a too-good-to-be-true pandemic-era incentive: a $100 Victorian home and a grant to start fresh. But once they settle in, the town’s saccharine Southern charm starts to feel... off. Nightmares. Tension. An unsettling obsession from the town elders. And the creeping realization that Juliana doesn’t just welcome newcomers—it swallows them whole.
🔪 The Vibes:
✔️ Creepy small-town secrets
✔️ Cult-y energy lurking under that sweet hospitality
✔️ Family drama + an unraveling marriage
✔️ Slow-burn suspense that turns into a full-blown nightmare
🎧 The Narration:
Cassandra Campbell NAILED this one. Her voice carries that perfect mix of warmth and unease—exactly what you need for a slow-burn psychological horror like this. She brings Billie’s tension and paranoia to life, making every whispered secret and chilling moment hit even harder.
👀 The Good:
📖 The atmosphere? IMMACULATE. The town’s eerie warmth seeps into your bones before it chokes the life out of you.
😨 The slow-burn tension? Perfection. I was yelling at Billie through my earbuds like, "GIRL, GET OUT!"
🎭 The characters? Flawed. Messy. Real. Billie and Peter aren’t perfect, and that just makes their unraveling even more delicious.
🤨 The Meh:
� Some subplots (especially Billie’s mom drama) felt like they distracted from the juicy, spine-tingling horror.
� The ending? A bit rushed—I needed more time to soak in the chaos!
📢 Final Verdict: If you love cults, small-town horrors, and that slow, creeping dread that makes you question EVERYONE, this one’s for you. If you’re into unsettling mysteries, eerie atmospheres, and stories that get under your skin, YOU’LL EAT THIS UP.
⚠️ But fair warning: If you get an email offering you a dream house for cheap? DELETE IT. IMMEDIATELY.
🔮 Pub Date: March 25, 2025
💀 CWs: Infidelity, death, violence, murder
April 17, 2025
What can happen when power goes unchecked in a small town? Only a number of nightmares from the likes you wish you’d never known�
A long-time lover of Emily Carpenter’s thrillers, Gothictown was yet another example at her masterful skill. A Southern gothic thriller that oozed with a Shirley Jackson vibe, it started with quite the bang and didn’t let up from there. After all, the evocative prose was immersive, compelling, and riddled with foreboding. From the eccentric characters and intoxicating small town feel to a plot that became more and more claustrophobic with each and every page, I found myself racing through the chapters as I yearned to know all of the whos, whats, hows, and whys. You see, I wasn’t able to guess a thing before each timely reveal.
Fast-paced and addictive, I was not surprised in the least by the spellbinding allure of this unputdownable novel. Filled with twist after twist that took the plot in a direction I wasn’t expecting, it still felt wholly genuine as the events unraveled with utter precision. And as the explosive climax arrived on the scene, I found myself flying hoping against hope that the root-for-able protagonist and her adorable daughter would get through it unscathed. In fact, even the underlying paranormal subplot didn’t deflect my undying adoration. Fitting into the premise with perfection, it only added to the well-plotted storyline’s eerie, dark mood.
All said and done, it was clear from the very first twist that Ms. Carpenter had pulled off yet another home run. With unending palpable tension, a clever, strong heroine, and events that had me questioning everything and everyone, I fell for this book hook, line, and sinker in no time at all. So if you love long-buried secrets, cult-like behaviors, and an almost horror book vibe, you need to grab this one ASAP. After all, there was a bit of all of the above alongside a bingeable plot, some well-developed characters, and a creep factor dialed up to a ten. All I know is that I couldn’t put it down and read it in only a matter of hours. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
The email that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100, she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and the painful memories of shuttering her once thriving restaurant and start over with her husband and her daughter. Plus, she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity. It seems like a dream come true…or a devil’s bargain.
A few phone calls and one hurried visit later, and Billie, Peter, and six-year-old Meredith are officially part of the Juliana Initiative. The town is everything promised—two hours northwest of Atlanta but a world away from city living, a “gentle jewel� with weather as warm as its people. Between settling into their lavish home and starting her new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss any troubling signs�
But Billie’s sleep is marred by haunting dreams, and her marriage with Peter is growing increasingly strained. Meanwhile the town elders, all descended from Juliana’s founding families, exert a level of influence that feels less benevolent and more stifling day by day.
There’s something about “Gentle Juliana”—something off-kilter and menacing beneath that famous Southern hospitality. And no matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and if, they’ll ever leave.
Thank you to Emily Carpenter and Kensington Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 25, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, death of a spouse, gun and knife violence, murder
A long-time lover of Emily Carpenter’s thrillers, Gothictown was yet another example at her masterful skill. A Southern gothic thriller that oozed with a Shirley Jackson vibe, it started with quite the bang and didn’t let up from there. After all, the evocative prose was immersive, compelling, and riddled with foreboding. From the eccentric characters and intoxicating small town feel to a plot that became more and more claustrophobic with each and every page, I found myself racing through the chapters as I yearned to know all of the whos, whats, hows, and whys. You see, I wasn’t able to guess a thing before each timely reveal.
Fast-paced and addictive, I was not surprised in the least by the spellbinding allure of this unputdownable novel. Filled with twist after twist that took the plot in a direction I wasn’t expecting, it still felt wholly genuine as the events unraveled with utter precision. And as the explosive climax arrived on the scene, I found myself flying hoping against hope that the root-for-able protagonist and her adorable daughter would get through it unscathed. In fact, even the underlying paranormal subplot didn’t deflect my undying adoration. Fitting into the premise with perfection, it only added to the well-plotted storyline’s eerie, dark mood.
All said and done, it was clear from the very first twist that Ms. Carpenter had pulled off yet another home run. With unending palpable tension, a clever, strong heroine, and events that had me questioning everything and everyone, I fell for this book hook, line, and sinker in no time at all. So if you love long-buried secrets, cult-like behaviors, and an almost horror book vibe, you need to grab this one ASAP. After all, there was a bit of all of the above alongside a bingeable plot, some well-developed characters, and a creep factor dialed up to a ten. All I know is that I couldn’t put it down and read it in only a matter of hours. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
The email that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100, she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and the painful memories of shuttering her once thriving restaurant and start over with her husband and her daughter. Plus, she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity. It seems like a dream come true…or a devil’s bargain.
A few phone calls and one hurried visit later, and Billie, Peter, and six-year-old Meredith are officially part of the Juliana Initiative. The town is everything promised—two hours northwest of Atlanta but a world away from city living, a “gentle jewel� with weather as warm as its people. Between settling into their lavish home and starting her new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss any troubling signs�
But Billie’s sleep is marred by haunting dreams, and her marriage with Peter is growing increasingly strained. Meanwhile the town elders, all descended from Juliana’s founding families, exert a level of influence that feels less benevolent and more stifling day by day.
There’s something about “Gentle Juliana”—something off-kilter and menacing beneath that famous Southern hospitality. And no matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and if, they’ll ever leave.
Thank you to Emily Carpenter and Kensington Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 25, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, death of a spouse, gun and knife violence, murder
April 7, 2025
This was a fun, easy read. I enjoy an atmospheric thriller set in a small town with eerie vibes, and this definitely delivered on that front! It’s fast paced, intriguing, and definitely spooky.
That said, I found the main character incredibly frustrating—she kept making some of the dumbest decisions possible over and over again. But to be fair, she wasn’t the only one. Her husband avoided any real conversation or teamwork, opting instead to leave cryptic clues instead of, I don’t know, talking to his wife (as a therapist, no less—you’d think he’d understand the importance of clear communication, but I digress).
There’s also an element of infidelity that wasn’t satisfyingly handled for me. It was brushed aside as a response to stress and miscommunication, with blame constantly being shifted elsewhere. That made it hard to root for the characters, especially since neither parent seemed all that concerned about their young daughter’s safety.
As for the climax and conclusion� were there some overly convenient moments? Definitely. Overconfident villains giving their victims far too much freedom? Yep. A scene where an entire restaurant literally stood up and applauded? Also yes. But hey—it’s a popcorn thriller, and I feel like it did exactly what it said on the tin.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Anti-Immigration Rhetoric, Infidelity, Loss of Parents, Murder, Vomit, Mass Murder, Drunk Driving, Kidnapping, Gun Violence, Partner Loss
You can find me on...
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You can join our book club over on Patreon...
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC.
That said, I found the main character incredibly frustrating—she kept making some of the dumbest decisions possible over and over again. But to be fair, she wasn’t the only one. Her husband avoided any real conversation or teamwork, opting instead to leave cryptic clues instead of, I don’t know, talking to his wife (as a therapist, no less—you’d think he’d understand the importance of clear communication, but I digress).
There’s also an element of infidelity that wasn’t satisfyingly handled for me. It was brushed aside as a response to stress and miscommunication, with blame constantly being shifted elsewhere. That made it hard to root for the characters, especially since neither parent seemed all that concerned about their young daughter’s safety.
As for the climax and conclusion� were there some overly convenient moments? Definitely. Overconfident villains giving their victims far too much freedom? Yep. A scene where an entire restaurant literally stood up and applauded? Also yes. But hey—it’s a popcorn thriller, and I feel like it did exactly what it said on the tin.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Anti-Immigration Rhetoric, Infidelity, Loss of Parents, Murder, Vomit, Mass Murder, Drunk Driving, Kidnapping, Gun Violence, Partner Loss
You can find me on...
| |
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC.
March 16, 2025
Creepy, atmospheric, gothic, and compelling. Gothictown is not where I would want to live but Billie Hope is given an offer she can't refuse. She can be the owner of a Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia for the low cost of $100.00. Apparently, no one ever told her if it seems too good to be true it probably is. But it is just after the pandemic and life in NYC is cramped. What a great opportunity to have a big home and land for her daughter to enjoy. Plus, there is always a plus, there is a business grant!!!! She can open a new restaurant!!! Billie, her husband and daughter off and soon find themselves living in Georgia and being welcomed into the community.
What a community it is! Let's just say that this is not Mr. Roger's neighborhood! They begin to feel unsettled, uneasy, and well, who can sleep at night with talk of old wells and secretive townspeople. I enjoyed the something-isn't-quite-right feel of this book. This did read like a horror film, with the old southern town with deep secrets, creepy townspeople, and bless their hearts, controlling old men.
I enjoyed the tension, the dread, the atmosphere, and the creepy vibe in this book. I found myself wanting to tell Billie to beat it and get the heck out of dodge from the very beginning of the book. The unease in this book was off the charts and created a great vibe.
This was a 4-star read for me until the ending where I thought, "Seriously?" and "What the heck?". Let's just say I saw many ways for this book ending and the actual way it did end came out of left field and shocked me but thinking back perhaps the writing was on the wall with some dialogue sprinkled in here and there about certain things. Now that I have confused you by what didn't work for me with the ending, I will say that for the most part I enjoyed this book.
Gothic, creepy, and atmospheric!
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at 📖
What a community it is! Let's just say that this is not Mr. Roger's neighborhood! They begin to feel unsettled, uneasy, and well, who can sleep at night with talk of old wells and secretive townspeople. I enjoyed the something-isn't-quite-right feel of this book. This did read like a horror film, with the old southern town with deep secrets, creepy townspeople, and bless their hearts, controlling old men.
I enjoyed the tension, the dread, the atmosphere, and the creepy vibe in this book. I found myself wanting to tell Billie to beat it and get the heck out of dodge from the very beginning of the book. The unease in this book was off the charts and created a great vibe.
This was a 4-star read for me until the ending where I thought, "Seriously?" and "What the heck?". Let's just say I saw many ways for this book ending and the actual way it did end came out of left field and shocked me but thinking back perhaps the writing was on the wall with some dialogue sprinkled in here and there about certain things. Now that I have confused you by what didn't work for me with the ending, I will say that for the most part I enjoyed this book.
Gothic, creepy, and atmospheric!
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at 📖
March 25, 2025
I’ve been deceived by an ominous title and a disturbing book cover!
Nope, this is not a creepy gothic tale similar to Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery or Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects as the publisher suggests. What lies inside is no more than a dark cozy mystery.
Have you ever heard the saying, “If something is too good to be true, then it usually is?�
If you saw an advertisement for a town’s initiative that was offering $100 houses and $30,000 business grants just to move there wouldn’t you be suspicious?
Not Bille! Despite her mother recently falling prey to a cult (SMH), she takes the bait and moves from Manhattan to Julianna, Georgia with her husband Peter and young daughter Mere in search of post-pandemic freedom. She longs for a new start, country air, more space, and wants to re-open her award winning restaurant.
It turns out that Julianna Georgia is not the picture perfect town that was advertised. The townspeople are hiding dark secrets spanning generations and no one is safe. Is their house haunted? They are all having similar nightmares and Peter is not acting like himself.
Billie soon learns that when residents come to live in Julianna, they cannot leave�
I really enjoyed Carpenter’s Every Single Secret so I was excited to read her new Gothic thriller. Unfortunately, Billie is not a very sympathetic FMC. She is self-centered, a terrible wife, and she leaves her six year old daughter for days! It takes her way too long to realize that something isn’t right in Julianna, as she is too busy worrying about herself.
There is virtually no scare factor here and it mostly reads like a cozy mystery. The reader is told in detail what actually happened in Julianna at the beginning of the book so there is no element of surprise.
This book did not live up to its comparisons and left me disappointed.
Trigger Warning: cults
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 3/25/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington publishing for the ARC of Gothictown in exchange for an honest review,
Nope, this is not a creepy gothic tale similar to Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery or Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects as the publisher suggests. What lies inside is no more than a dark cozy mystery.
Have you ever heard the saying, “If something is too good to be true, then it usually is?�
If you saw an advertisement for a town’s initiative that was offering $100 houses and $30,000 business grants just to move there wouldn’t you be suspicious?
Not Bille! Despite her mother recently falling prey to a cult (SMH), she takes the bait and moves from Manhattan to Julianna, Georgia with her husband Peter and young daughter Mere in search of post-pandemic freedom. She longs for a new start, country air, more space, and wants to re-open her award winning restaurant.
It turns out that Julianna Georgia is not the picture perfect town that was advertised. The townspeople are hiding dark secrets spanning generations and no one is safe. Is their house haunted? They are all having similar nightmares and Peter is not acting like himself.
Billie soon learns that when residents come to live in Julianna, they cannot leave�
I really enjoyed Carpenter’s Every Single Secret so I was excited to read her new Gothic thriller. Unfortunately, Billie is not a very sympathetic FMC. She is self-centered, a terrible wife, and she leaves her six year old daughter for days! It takes her way too long to realize that something isn’t right in Julianna, as she is too busy worrying about herself.
There is virtually no scare factor here and it mostly reads like a cozy mystery. The reader is told in detail what actually happened in Julianna at the beginning of the book so there is no element of surprise.
This book did not live up to its comparisons and left me disappointed.
Trigger Warning: cults
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 3/25/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington publishing for the ARC of Gothictown in exchange for an honest review,
January 11, 2025
3. 5 rounded up for ŷ
Title/Author: Gothictown by Emily Carpenter
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: physical arc
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: debut
Affiliate Link:
Release Date: March 25th, 2025
General Genre: Southern Gothic Thriller, Small Town Suspense, Cults
Sub-Genre/Themes: Opening a restaurant, married couples, leaving the city for the country, small town, folk horror, southern gothic, weird cult, infidelity, murder mystery, fixer-upper, to good to be true
Writing Style: Complex characters, intricately plotted, modern gothic/folk
What You Need to Know: In an immersive Southern Gothic with echoes of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, a restauranteur lured by pandemic-era incentives moves her family to a seemingly idyllic small town in Georgia, only to discover a darkness lurking beneath the Southern hospitality and sun-dappled streets...
My Reading Experience: I love when fiction takes a married couple who think they can solve all their problems by moving from the city to buy a fixer-upper in the country. Especially a small town with a lot of secrets. This book takes place in the aftermath of COVID. The MC had to close her successful restaurant. She finds this small town in the South offering people a nice house for a dollar if they will just move in and contribute to their dying economy. Even more incentive if you open your own business.
So this sounds perfect for our MC who convinces her husband to pick up their lives (and young daughter) and move to the sticks. They get a farmhouse for a buck and a loan to open a new restaurant.
This was entertaining as hell, especially when the townsfolk started acting funny and the couple heard stories about the history of the town. Things get farfetched and I admit, I need to suspend disbelief but this didn't hinder my enjoyment, I went along for the ride. Fans who love creepy cults and buried secrets will have fun untangling this tale chapter by chapter. A blend of popcorn thriller tropes with a touch of horror.
Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans of slow burn, Southern Gothic, small rural town drama, and couples who try to escape their big city problems by moving to an idyllic community in the country. A cautionary tale for the old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Comps: Violet by Scott Thomas, The Invited by Jennifer McMahon, In the Grip of It by Jac Jemc, Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon, The Residents of Honeysuckle Cottage by Elizabeth Davidson
Title/Author: Gothictown by Emily Carpenter
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: physical arc
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: debut
Affiliate Link:
Release Date: March 25th, 2025
General Genre: Southern Gothic Thriller, Small Town Suspense, Cults
Sub-Genre/Themes: Opening a restaurant, married couples, leaving the city for the country, small town, folk horror, southern gothic, weird cult, infidelity, murder mystery, fixer-upper, to good to be true
Writing Style: Complex characters, intricately plotted, modern gothic/folk
What You Need to Know: In an immersive Southern Gothic with echoes of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, a restauranteur lured by pandemic-era incentives moves her family to a seemingly idyllic small town in Georgia, only to discover a darkness lurking beneath the Southern hospitality and sun-dappled streets...
My Reading Experience: I love when fiction takes a married couple who think they can solve all their problems by moving from the city to buy a fixer-upper in the country. Especially a small town with a lot of secrets. This book takes place in the aftermath of COVID. The MC had to close her successful restaurant. She finds this small town in the South offering people a nice house for a dollar if they will just move in and contribute to their dying economy. Even more incentive if you open your own business.
So this sounds perfect for our MC who convinces her husband to pick up their lives (and young daughter) and move to the sticks. They get a farmhouse for a buck and a loan to open a new restaurant.
This was entertaining as hell, especially when the townsfolk started acting funny and the couple heard stories about the history of the town. Things get farfetched and I admit, I need to suspend disbelief but this didn't hinder my enjoyment, I went along for the ride. Fans who love creepy cults and buried secrets will have fun untangling this tale chapter by chapter. A blend of popcorn thriller tropes with a touch of horror.
Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans of slow burn, Southern Gothic, small rural town drama, and couples who try to escape their big city problems by moving to an idyllic community in the country. A cautionary tale for the old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Comps: Violet by Scott Thomas, The Invited by Jennifer McMahon, In the Grip of It by Jac Jemc, Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon, The Residents of Honeysuckle Cottage by Elizabeth Davidson
August 31, 2024
ARC for review. To be published March 25, 2025.
Billie Hope needs some (don’t look at me, I didn’t name her!). Then she gets an email that makes her an incredible offer - for $100 she can purchase a Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia. I, would naturally assume they mean the former U.S.S.R., and, of course, they would, and that would be the end.
No, in this crazy world they mean the U.S. state of Georgia, and why you figure out in what world that could possibly happen, Billie is signing up. She had to shut down her NYC restaurant during the pandemic and she and her husband Peter are struggling to pay rent and provide for six year old Meredith. Billie decides this is exactly what they need to start over.
At first it’s great, they are only two hours outside Atlanta, she is ready to start the new restaurant and the weather is wonderful. But then Billie and Peter start to have bad dreams, they aren’t getting along and the influence e the town elders have over the town seems odd. Is there something wrong with Juliana?
Well, um, yes. This was all destined for sorrow, and only an idiot would have believed the hype. Two hours from Atlanta? Please, girl! The story was “meh.� Ending was OK. Whole thing was about a hundred pages too long. I would like to have breakfast at her restaurant, though.
Billie Hope needs some (don’t look at me, I didn’t name her!). Then she gets an email that makes her an incredible offer - for $100 she can purchase a Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia. I, would naturally assume they mean the former U.S.S.R., and, of course, they would, and that would be the end.
No, in this crazy world they mean the U.S. state of Georgia, and why you figure out in what world that could possibly happen, Billie is signing up. She had to shut down her NYC restaurant during the pandemic and she and her husband Peter are struggling to pay rent and provide for six year old Meredith. Billie decides this is exactly what they need to start over.
At first it’s great, they are only two hours outside Atlanta, she is ready to start the new restaurant and the weather is wonderful. But then Billie and Peter start to have bad dreams, they aren’t getting along and the influence e the town elders have over the town seems odd. Is there something wrong with Juliana?
Well, um, yes. This was all destined for sorrow, and only an idiot would have believed the hype. Two hours from Atlanta? Please, girl! The story was “meh.� Ending was OK. Whole thing was about a hundred pages too long. I would like to have breakfast at her restaurant, though.
March 22, 2025
GOTHICTOWN by Emily Carpenter
The narration by, Cassandra Campbell, was spot on. She is a favorite of mine and has won numerous awards for her audio reads.
When things seem too good to be true, they usually are
A southern gothic thriller filled with folk horror, set in the creepy small town of Juliana, Georgia. Post pandemic Billie receives, a too good to be true, incentive for purchasing a home in Juliana; along with her husband, Peter, and their daughter, Mere, they make the decision to move. Things quickly take a turn for the worst shortly thereafter when strange things occur in the home and with the townspeople. So, suspend your disbelief and escape into the strange town of Julianna with Billie Hope and her family. You’ll be glad you did.
This is my second read by the author and I enjoy her writing style along with her storytelling. I look forward to what this author will bring to us in the future
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook.
The narration by, Cassandra Campbell, was spot on. She is a favorite of mine and has won numerous awards for her audio reads.
When things seem too good to be true, they usually are
A southern gothic thriller filled with folk horror, set in the creepy small town of Juliana, Georgia. Post pandemic Billie receives, a too good to be true, incentive for purchasing a home in Juliana; along with her husband, Peter, and their daughter, Mere, they make the decision to move. Things quickly take a turn for the worst shortly thereafter when strange things occur in the home and with the townspeople. So, suspend your disbelief and escape into the strange town of Julianna with Billie Hope and her family. You’ll be glad you did.
This is my second read by the author and I enjoy her writing style along with her storytelling. I look forward to what this author will bring to us in the future
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook.
March 24, 2025
One of NetGalley's best features is the addition of audiobooks for review. I often have more time to listen to books than to read, so getting Gothictown by Emily Carpenter, narrated by the brilliant Cassandra Campbell (one of my favorite narrators), was like receiving an early Christmas present.
I've read several books by Emily Carpenter; my favorite ones are Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters. However, she has written several other good books. As for Gothictown, I found the story not to be as intriguing as the titles I've mentioned. It's a good book; I just found myself not completely enamored with the story.
There were several things I liked about the story: the beginning of the book, when we get to know more about the history of the town; Billie arriving with her husband and daughter in the town and their new future. However, I felt detached from the characters; I never really warmed up to any of them, and that made me feel that the story never really got under my skin. I did like the ending of the book; it felt very satisfying.
It's a good book, just not up there with the top Emily Carpenter books.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
I've read several books by Emily Carpenter; my favorite ones are Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters. However, she has written several other good books. As for Gothictown, I found the story not to be as intriguing as the titles I've mentioned. It's a good book; I just found myself not completely enamored with the story.
There were several things I liked about the story: the beginning of the book, when we get to know more about the history of the town; Billie arriving with her husband and daughter in the town and their new future. However, I felt detached from the characters; I never really warmed up to any of them, and that made me feel that the story never really got under my skin. I did like the ending of the book; it felt very satisfying.
It's a good book, just not up there with the top Emily Carpenter books.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
April 11, 2025
3,5 ✨✨�
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
December 3, 2024
The book was based on the premise, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Interestingly enough, it also brought to life how many people may buy into a delusion.
March 27, 2025
Overall: 2.5/5
Narration: 3.5/5
First, shoutout to Kensington for sending me a physical copy of this book and to NetGalley for the ALC as well! If you know me, I love an immersive read, and I’m so grateful I had the audiobook because it made the reading experience way better. And I can confidently say that if I hadn’t had the audiobook, I probably would’ve DNF’d this one.
I have definitely been a victim of book marketing shenanigans before, so I didn’t take the comparisons in the blurb too seriously. But I will say, the description did prepare me mentally for the absolutely ridiculous decisions this main character was going to make. Anybody willing to buy a house from a spam email and uproot their family because someone offered them a $100 home in a place they have zero connection to? Yeah, they are going to be making some wildly unreliable and questionable choices throughout the book. And that’s exactly what we get here.
I mean, I know her last name is Hope, but Billy, come on, girl. Anyone who reads horror and thriller books knew there was no positive outcome to the decision you made.
Now, my issue with this book is that while I enjoyed the narration (probably around a solid 3-4 stars), the book itself was just� extremely boring. This should not have been a full-length novel. It would’ve excelled as a novella. And I know there are people who will be drawn to the synopsis, the book cover, and the title, just like I was. But all the great elements it had—elements that could have made an amazing horror story or an engaging thriller—were stretched too thin. By the time you get to the conclusion, it just doesn’t feel worth it.
The strongest part of this book is the setup: Billy gets the email, thinks relocating her family is a good idea, and sees it as a chance for a fresh start after losing her restaurant during COVID and dealing with her mother seemingly joining a cult. I also liked the eerie atmosphere—the interactions with the townspeople, the house itself, the lore of the town. The author really nailed that.
But the book’s length worked against it. I’m not saying it’s super long, but it felt like the author stretched it out to fit multiple genres. At times, it dabbles in romance, then thriller, then horror, then a bit of paranormal. And because it plays in so many different spaces, none of them feel fully developed.
That being said, I do think this book could work well for people who don’t usually read horror but want to dip their toes in. This has one of the softest landings for a horror book. The ending wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t what I was hoping for. Cozy readers might actually enjoy it, which is funny considering the title Gothictown.
For me, though, this book spent way too much time on buildup, only to have those elements never really land. It relied heavily on Billy’s questionable choices to push the plot forward, and after a while, I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief anymore.
Also, Billy’s characterization was odd. It would’ve been way more interesting if she weren’t a mother or a wife. I think it would’ve made sense for her to relocate alone or with a best friend. The way she’s written, she’s making choices that don’t make sense for a partner or a mom—not in a “flawed character� way, but in a way that feels like the book completely forgot she had responsibilities.
Ultimately, I think this book would’ve benefited from being shorter. A tighter length would have forced the author to be more direct and commit to a specific genre. As it stands, there’s too much space in between the compelling moments, which makes it easy to lose interest. But I know there will be readers who love the atmospheric elements and the slow-burn pacing. If you’re going to read it, I highly recommend the audiobook—it made it much easier to get through!
Narration: 3.5/5
First, shoutout to Kensington for sending me a physical copy of this book and to NetGalley for the ALC as well! If you know me, I love an immersive read, and I’m so grateful I had the audiobook because it made the reading experience way better. And I can confidently say that if I hadn’t had the audiobook, I probably would’ve DNF’d this one.
I have definitely been a victim of book marketing shenanigans before, so I didn’t take the comparisons in the blurb too seriously. But I will say, the description did prepare me mentally for the absolutely ridiculous decisions this main character was going to make. Anybody willing to buy a house from a spam email and uproot their family because someone offered them a $100 home in a place they have zero connection to? Yeah, they are going to be making some wildly unreliable and questionable choices throughout the book. And that’s exactly what we get here.
I mean, I know her last name is Hope, but Billy, come on, girl. Anyone who reads horror and thriller books knew there was no positive outcome to the decision you made.
Now, my issue with this book is that while I enjoyed the narration (probably around a solid 3-4 stars), the book itself was just� extremely boring. This should not have been a full-length novel. It would’ve excelled as a novella. And I know there are people who will be drawn to the synopsis, the book cover, and the title, just like I was. But all the great elements it had—elements that could have made an amazing horror story or an engaging thriller—were stretched too thin. By the time you get to the conclusion, it just doesn’t feel worth it.
The strongest part of this book is the setup: Billy gets the email, thinks relocating her family is a good idea, and sees it as a chance for a fresh start after losing her restaurant during COVID and dealing with her mother seemingly joining a cult. I also liked the eerie atmosphere—the interactions with the townspeople, the house itself, the lore of the town. The author really nailed that.
But the book’s length worked against it. I’m not saying it’s super long, but it felt like the author stretched it out to fit multiple genres. At times, it dabbles in romance, then thriller, then horror, then a bit of paranormal. And because it plays in so many different spaces, none of them feel fully developed.
That being said, I do think this book could work well for people who don’t usually read horror but want to dip their toes in. This has one of the softest landings for a horror book. The ending wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t what I was hoping for. Cozy readers might actually enjoy it, which is funny considering the title Gothictown.
For me, though, this book spent way too much time on buildup, only to have those elements never really land. It relied heavily on Billy’s questionable choices to push the plot forward, and after a while, I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief anymore.
Also, Billy’s characterization was odd. It would’ve been way more interesting if she weren’t a mother or a wife. I think it would’ve made sense for her to relocate alone or with a best friend. The way she’s written, she’s making choices that don’t make sense for a partner or a mom—not in a “flawed character� way, but in a way that feels like the book completely forgot she had responsibilities.
Ultimately, I think this book would’ve benefited from being shorter. A tighter length would have forced the author to be more direct and commit to a specific genre. As it stands, there’s too much space in between the compelling moments, which makes it easy to lose interest. But I know there will be readers who love the atmospheric elements and the slow-burn pacing. If you’re going to read it, I highly recommend the audiobook—it made it much easier to get through!
March 9, 2025
A Southern Gothic story set in rural GA with plenty of tragic lore set against a present day town struggling to keep its secrets and preserve a fading way of life. I loved the characters, the history, and the foreboding that gave a rising sense of unease as the story progressed!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2025
With its haunting cover and intriguing description, "Gothictown" pulled me in from the first page. The author expertly delivers heart-pounding suspense and spine-tingling fear without ever needing to dip into the supernatural.
Imagine this: Billie Hope, tired of the concrete jungle of NYC, is given a jaw-dropping offer—a Victorian home in the charming town of Juliana, Georgia, for a mere $100.00, along with a business grant to kickstart her dream restaurant. It sounds like a fairy tale, right? But in a world flipped upside down by a pandemic, who could resist the allure of a fresh start away from the chaos? Billie, her husband Peter, and their daughter eagerly embark on their new adventure, ready to embrace everything this quaint small town offers.
From the moment I entered the story, I was captivated! The history of Julianna unfolds with generations of secrets and eerie whispers. But as the sun sets, the town reveals its true colors—far from the picture-perfect paradise. The family begins to experience unsettling nightmares, and Peter starts to change in disturbing ways, leaving Billie questioning their leap into the unknown.
This was my second read from this talented author, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to the author and RB Media/Recorded Books for providing an early audiobook copy through NetGalley. The narrator brought the story to life, adding an atmospheric touch that sometimes left me holding my breath.
#Gothictown #EmilyCarpenter #RBMedia #RecordedBooks #audiobookreview #netgalley #Georgia #ARC #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #bookish
Imagine this: Billie Hope, tired of the concrete jungle of NYC, is given a jaw-dropping offer—a Victorian home in the charming town of Juliana, Georgia, for a mere $100.00, along with a business grant to kickstart her dream restaurant. It sounds like a fairy tale, right? But in a world flipped upside down by a pandemic, who could resist the allure of a fresh start away from the chaos? Billie, her husband Peter, and their daughter eagerly embark on their new adventure, ready to embrace everything this quaint small town offers.
From the moment I entered the story, I was captivated! The history of Julianna unfolds with generations of secrets and eerie whispers. But as the sun sets, the town reveals its true colors—far from the picture-perfect paradise. The family begins to experience unsettling nightmares, and Peter starts to change in disturbing ways, leaving Billie questioning their leap into the unknown.
This was my second read from this talented author, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to the author and RB Media/Recorded Books for providing an early audiobook copy through NetGalley. The narrator brought the story to life, adding an atmospheric touch that sometimes left me holding my breath.
#Gothictown #EmilyCarpenter #RBMedia #RecordedBooks #audiobookreview #netgalley #Georgia #ARC #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #bookish
March 19, 2025
Times are hard for small businesses after the pandemic. So when Billie Hope receives an email to be a part of the Juliana Initiative—a small town’s plan to boost the economy—for a meager $100, she can’t pass it up. She gets a beautiful, old Victorian home and business grant to re-open her restaurant in the quaint town of Juliana, Georgia. When Billie arrives, everything seems perfect but nothing can stay that way forever.
Friends, what have books taught us about buying houses in small towns at an unreasonably low price? We know it’s going to end bad, ok!
In Gothictown, I grew impatient with Billie and her choices; often times it seemed to me that she deserved any consequences that came her way. Even though I didn’t always side with or enjoy our MC, I was still interested in the way that the story would play out which, I believe, speaks to the quality of the writing and the storytelling itself.
It’s no The Lottery like the publisher wants to compare it to but the tone is foreboding and things are clearly not right in this town and as it stands, I love small town stories and I love the whole “let’s buy this stupidly cheap house, what could go wrong!� trope and Gothictown delivered on both. Still, this didn’t satiate me the way that I had hoped. It was too� Neat? Too cleanly wrapped up in a bow? It’s one of those stories that is well worth the read if you’re looking for a lighter fare; a slight chills and thrills tale rather than terror.
I was worried that the narration by Cassandra Campbell wouldn’t be my cup of tea at first as the narrative voice seemed a little robotic but that faded away and I ended up really enjoying it. Thank you RBmedia for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available March 25 2025
Friends, what have books taught us about buying houses in small towns at an unreasonably low price? We know it’s going to end bad, ok!
In Gothictown, I grew impatient with Billie and her choices; often times it seemed to me that she deserved any consequences that came her way. Even though I didn’t always side with or enjoy our MC, I was still interested in the way that the story would play out which, I believe, speaks to the quality of the writing and the storytelling itself.
It’s no The Lottery like the publisher wants to compare it to but the tone is foreboding and things are clearly not right in this town and as it stands, I love small town stories and I love the whole “let’s buy this stupidly cheap house, what could go wrong!� trope and Gothictown delivered on both. Still, this didn’t satiate me the way that I had hoped. It was too� Neat? Too cleanly wrapped up in a bow? It’s one of those stories that is well worth the read if you’re looking for a lighter fare; a slight chills and thrills tale rather than terror.
I was worried that the narration by Cassandra Campbell wouldn’t be my cup of tea at first as the narrative voice seemed a little robotic but that faded away and I ended up really enjoying it. Thank you RBmedia for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available March 25 2025
April 2, 2025
Gothictown is an atmospheric Southern Gothic that is set post COVID and follows a married couple who move to a small town in the hopes of leaving behind their problems. You can see where this is going!
The town is not what they hope for and we soon see the picture perfect facade begin to crumble quite quickly.
This was creepy small town perfection with the perfect amount of marriage in trouble trope.
The sense of dread throughout was superb.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my review copy.
The town is not what they hope for and we soon see the picture perfect facade begin to crumble quite quickly.
This was creepy small town perfection with the perfect amount of marriage in trouble trope.
The sense of dread throughout was superb.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my review copy.
January 12, 2025
If you enjoy books that keep you guessing with all the twists, this book is definitely for you!! A southern town and ghosts…what more could you ask for!!
Billie owned a restaurant in NY and she and her family live in a small rental. An email hits her inbox that she can buy a big house for $100 and also get financial assistance to open a new restaurant!! So, the family moves to Juliana, GA looking for a new HOME.
This is a book about family, new chances, secrets and some ghosts too!! This one is available on March 25,2025 and you want to preorder for sure!!!
Billie owned a restaurant in NY and she and her family live in a small rental. An email hits her inbox that she can buy a big house for $100 and also get financial assistance to open a new restaurant!! So, the family moves to Juliana, GA looking for a new HOME.
This is a book about family, new chances, secrets and some ghosts too!! This one is available on March 25,2025 and you want to preorder for sure!!!
October 23, 2024
This was a fast paced book with twists and turns that is fast paced to keep you engaged! Billie gets an email after the pandemic to move her and her family down to a town in Georgia into a Victorian home for only $100! She moves with her husband and daughter and starts a new restaurant. Then it takes a turn and the events get a bit weird.. if your into gothic twisty books you’ll enjoy this. I love a fast paced book so it was a good read and the characters are likeable!
August 27, 2024
I want to read this book for the first time again. It is literally everything you want in a Southern Gothic Thriller. Such a satisfying read, Emily Carpenter is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
March 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the audio ARC
This is a 3.5/5
A fast paced interesting read, but not one to remember. I think there could have been more ambiance in here but at the same time, the writing style made for a very quick read. The thing is; the stakes never felt too high.
It could've been a bit creepier and, in my opinion, it would have been nice to save that epilogue for later instead and have that information told to us by the 80% mark or even later. Knowing from the very beginning just made me wonder when things would get incredibly sick and twisty, but it didn't really happen. There were deaths, ominous things, even creepy animal-related stuff, but it somehow felt very peaceful.
This is a 3.5/5
A fast paced interesting read, but not one to remember. I think there could have been more ambiance in here but at the same time, the writing style made for a very quick read. The thing is; the stakes never felt too high.
It could've been a bit creepier and, in my opinion, it would have been nice to save that epilogue for later instead and have that information told to us by the 80% mark or even later. Knowing from the very beginning just made me wonder when things would get incredibly sick and twisty, but it didn't really happen. There were deaths, ominous things, even creepy animal-related stuff, but it somehow felt very peaceful.
December 31, 2024
I started the book without any expectations, but what a delightful surprise it turned out to be!
The story follows a New York family that is offered a stunning house in a charming Southern town for just $100. At first, they are a bit skeptical, but they ultimately decide to take the plunge and move. Billie, the mother, even receives a grant to open her own restaurant, which seems to promise a slower, more fulfilling life in Juliana. The warm welcome they get from the locals makes it feel like they’ve found their new home, but as time goes on, it becomes clear that things aren't as perfect as they seem.
As the plot unfolds, the reality of Juliana begins to reveal itself. The town is controlled by three prominent families, known as the "old guards," who are the descendants of its founders. They harbor a significant and dark secret that casts a shadow over the community. Billie is full of energy and hope, while her husband Peter starts to spiral into paranoia, plagued by nightmares and insomnia. To make matters worse, their cat becomes increasingly wild, and their house is covered in a strange white dust that adds to the growing sense of unease.
This book fits well within the Southern Gothic genre, which often explores the sins of the past in the American South. It features eccentric characters, and decaying settings, and touches on themes of crime and violence.
The story does an excellent job of capturing the themes of belonging and family. Billie and Peter, despite being fundamentally good people, are deeply flawed and make questionable choices throughout the narrative. Their mistakes, along with the shame and regret that follow, leave them vulnerable to the sinister forces at play in Juliana.
The dark dealings of Juliana are run by these three elite families, while the average citizen remains blissfully unaware of the corruption surrounding them. The townspeople are so desperate to maintain their normal lives, untouched by darkness or trouble, that they fail to hold their leaders accountable. This blind acceptance allows the old guards to operate without scrutiny, ultimately leading to dire consequences for everyone involved.
The fact that Juliana lacks a bookstore speaks volumes about the town's rigidity and resistance to new ideas. In this place, education and open-mindedness seem irrelevant; only the rules set by the old guards matter.
Overall, this book is a brilliant read that draws you in and keeps you engaged. It explores the complexities of human nature and the dynamics of community, all while weaving a captivating tale that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page.
The story follows a New York family that is offered a stunning house in a charming Southern town for just $100. At first, they are a bit skeptical, but they ultimately decide to take the plunge and move. Billie, the mother, even receives a grant to open her own restaurant, which seems to promise a slower, more fulfilling life in Juliana. The warm welcome they get from the locals makes it feel like they’ve found their new home, but as time goes on, it becomes clear that things aren't as perfect as they seem.
As the plot unfolds, the reality of Juliana begins to reveal itself. The town is controlled by three prominent families, known as the "old guards," who are the descendants of its founders. They harbor a significant and dark secret that casts a shadow over the community. Billie is full of energy and hope, while her husband Peter starts to spiral into paranoia, plagued by nightmares and insomnia. To make matters worse, their cat becomes increasingly wild, and their house is covered in a strange white dust that adds to the growing sense of unease.
This book fits well within the Southern Gothic genre, which often explores the sins of the past in the American South. It features eccentric characters, and decaying settings, and touches on themes of crime and violence.
The story does an excellent job of capturing the themes of belonging and family. Billie and Peter, despite being fundamentally good people, are deeply flawed and make questionable choices throughout the narrative. Their mistakes, along with the shame and regret that follow, leave them vulnerable to the sinister forces at play in Juliana.
The dark dealings of Juliana are run by these three elite families, while the average citizen remains blissfully unaware of the corruption surrounding them. The townspeople are so desperate to maintain their normal lives, untouched by darkness or trouble, that they fail to hold their leaders accountable. This blind acceptance allows the old guards to operate without scrutiny, ultimately leading to dire consequences for everyone involved.
The fact that Juliana lacks a bookstore speaks volumes about the town's rigidity and resistance to new ideas. In this place, education and open-mindedness seem irrelevant; only the rules set by the old guards matter.
Overall, this book is a brilliant read that draws you in and keeps you engaged. It explores the complexities of human nature and the dynamics of community, all while weaving a captivating tale that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page.
February 21, 2025
This book was unfortunately a frustrating disappointment.
The good : The author created a very creepy and disturbing setting that made me want to keep reading so I could witness the moment when the characters realize just how awful the idyllic town actually is.
The less good : The first 60%ish of the book are incredibly long and boring. Yes, there is tension, but tension for so long just fizzles out if it doesn't deliver anything new. Then, something big happens, and I was so excited for the story to finally turn, but alas, from that point on, the main character makes the most ridiculous decisions every single chance she gets, to the point I completely stopped believing her as a person and her motivations made no sense. I had a really hard time finishing this book and wanted to DNF, but I pushed through hoping the ending would be satisfying and a big reveal, but it fell flat by its predictability and 'easiness'? I don't know how else to explain it.
I had high hopes for this story based on the summary and I will give the author another chance because the writing was atmospheric and had potential had the plot itself not disappointed me.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
The good : The author created a very creepy and disturbing setting that made me want to keep reading so I could witness the moment when the characters realize just how awful the idyllic town actually is.
The less good : The first 60%ish of the book are incredibly long and boring. Yes, there is tension, but tension for so long just fizzles out if it doesn't deliver anything new. Then, something big happens, and I was so excited for the story to finally turn, but alas, from that point on, the main character makes the most ridiculous decisions every single chance she gets, to the point I completely stopped believing her as a person and her motivations made no sense. I had a really hard time finishing this book and wanted to DNF, but I pushed through hoping the ending would be satisfying and a big reveal, but it fell flat by its predictability and 'easiness'? I don't know how else to explain it.
I had high hopes for this story based on the summary and I will give the author another chance because the writing was atmospheric and had potential had the plot itself not disappointed me.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 5, 2025
Thank you, Kensington publishing, and Emily Carpenter for the chance to read this book. And a physical one at that!!
One of the questions in the back of the book is, who would you cast as Billy, Jamie, and so on? Although I don't have an answer to this, I wasn't surprised by the question because the entire time I was reading, I thought maybe I had watched this movie before. It felt familiar. At parts, I thought it was slow and then realized it just felt like in real time; like I was Billy, going through life. I must certainly will hard pass on that tho haha
Great gothic feel and pleasant surprise, there was no gore. Another pleasant surprise, strong supporting character being a cat 😍 I love the description of food and loved that I could feel the weight of the mine. An all around fantastic read, I will be recommending!!!!
One of the questions in the back of the book is, who would you cast as Billy, Jamie, and so on? Although I don't have an answer to this, I wasn't surprised by the question because the entire time I was reading, I thought maybe I had watched this movie before. It felt familiar. At parts, I thought it was slow and then realized it just felt like in real time; like I was Billy, going through life. I must certainly will hard pass on that tho haha
Great gothic feel and pleasant surprise, there was no gore. Another pleasant surprise, strong supporting character being a cat 😍 I love the description of food and loved that I could feel the weight of the mine. An all around fantastic read, I will be recommending!!!!
September 8, 2024
Creepy, scary and delicious!!! What a wild ride!!! Emily Carpenter knows how to write a scary book and I loved every minute of it!!!
April 10, 2025
I love a good creepy read and Gothictown absolutely fits the bill! Imagine moving from a small apartment in the city to a large home in a rural area where the community welcomes you with open arms. Everything seems perfect � until it doesn’t.
Creepy things start happening for Billie, including her cat who starts acting strange , her husband who suddenly can’t sleep and is having bizarre nightmares, and what is with the people in the community?
This Southern Gothic kept me guessing what was going on as Billie unraveled the truth about the town of Juliana.
Creepy things start happening for Billie, including her cat who starts acting strange , her husband who suddenly can’t sleep and is having bizarre nightmares, and what is with the people in the community?
This Southern Gothic kept me guessing what was going on as Billie unraveled the truth about the town of Juliana.
April 6, 2025
3.75 stars
Creepy story about a creepy town with creepy people. Kept me engaged till the end despite not liking the MC very much.
Characters 7
Atmosphere 9
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 7
Execution/Pace 8
Execution/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 8
Narration 6
Creepy story about a creepy town with creepy people. Kept me engaged till the end despite not liking the MC very much.
Characters 7
Atmosphere 9
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 7
Execution/Pace 8
Execution/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 8
Narration 6
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