This was the first book by Rachel Harrison that I’ve read, and it certainly won’t be my last. This was a refreshingly creative and entertaining horror novel that had me hooked from start to finish. With its unconventional take on religion and family, this dark and twisted tale dives deep into the depths of faith and family secrets.

The story follows Vesper Wright, a cynical twenty-something who left her religious community at eighteen and never looked back. Sure, she thinks of them from time to time, but Vesper refused to buy into their extreme religious beliefs that were basically cultish, and once someone leaves the community, they are out forever. But when she receives an invitation to her cousin’s wedding, hosted at the family farm, Vesper’s curiosity gets the better of her. She figures since she received the invite, that must mean they’ve made an exception to her ban. She’s not exactly thrilled about it, but she feels a pull to attend the wedding and confront her past.

Vesper is warmly greeted by everyone except her mother, who’s always treated Vesper like she’s a bit of an outcast. Everyone else seems excited to see her, but soon, it becomes evident that something is terribly amiss, and maybe Vesper made a mistake coming back.

One thing that I loved about this book was its unique exploration of religion and the way it can shape and define families. We read a lot about how damaging extreme “Christian” lifestyles can be, and Harrison takes it a step further and demonstrates how damaging any religion can be if it is taken too far. Harrison illustrates this by delving into the complex dynamics between Vesper and her family and their fundamental religious lifestyle on “the farm”. As Vesper uncovers the dark secrets and beliefs of her family and her role in it, she is forced to confront her own crisis of faith, leading to a pretty intense and somewhat shocking final showdown. Harrison beautifully captures the eerie setting, enhancing the overall unsettling and ominous ambiance of the story, juxtaposing it with brief moments of comedy thanks to Vesper’s sardonic outlook.

One of the highlights of this novel is the author’s ability to balance the horror elements with humor and wit. As far as horror goes, it’s not overly graphic or gory (which I appreciated). Harrison relies more on psychological terror and suspense, with only a few bloody scenes. The writing style is witty and sarcastic, injecting moments of levity into the otherwise dark and sinister tale. The banter between Vesper and her friends, as well as her observations of her family, adds a layer of realism and relatability to the characters.

Speaking of characters, they are all great! I loved Vesper and everything she stood for. As a fellow black sheep, I was with her 100%. I also loved to hate her mother, Constance, a former horror film star, who added an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Her icy demeanor and mysterious past make her a captivating and enigmatic character.

As far as pacing goes, I thought it was spot-on. The suspense continually builds, and the climactic ending is both satisfying and chilling. I loved that it tied up loose ends while leaving room for interpretation as to Vesper’s future.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in two short sittings. I think my total reading time was just over 4 hours. I tore through it thanks to Rachel Harrison’s clever writing and intriguing characters. In my opinion, this is a must-read for any horror or paranormal fan. So grab a copy, cozy up with a blanket, and prepare to be captivated by this wickedly entertaining tale.