We Live Here Now by Sarah PinboroughMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you're craving a slow-burn gothic thriller drenched in atmosphere and psychological tension, We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough is a must for your summer reading list. With her signature eerie style, Pinborough delivers a dark, supernatural tale that lingers long after the final page, sinking deep beneath your skin.
The story unfolds inside a haunting house on the edge of Dartmoor, a setting steeped in secrets and creeping dread. Told through multiple points of view, each chapter peels back another layer of mystery, gradually building suspense. The pacing is intentionally slow, allowing the dread to grow in subtle, insidious ways. It’s not a book that rushes—it simmers, sharpens, and then strikes.
One of the most memorable perspectives comes from Freddie. Not because he's likable—in fact, he’s infuriating—but because his voice is so sharply drawn. You don’t root for him; you root against him. His chapters are brilliantly written, revealing just enough to twist the emotional tension tighter.
Emily and Freddie move to Dartmoor for a fresh start after Emily’s brush with death. But their new home feels anything but safe. The fire won’t stay lit. Shadows seem alive. And Freddie dismisses her fears. Emily starts questioning her sanity as strange occurrences multiply. Is the house haunted—or is something darker unfolding between them?
What elevates this novel is its lyrical, almost hypnotic prose and its deliciously gothic tone. Think Edgar Allan Poe meets modern domestic thriller—melancholy, madness, and secrets buried just beneath the floorboards. Supernatural elements drift in and out like mist, never quite solid, always unnerving.
This is more than just a haunted house story—it’s a portrait of a crumbling marriage, a psychological puzzle, and a chilling study in what happens when you can’t trust your mind, your partner, or your own home. Slow, unsettling, and brilliantly executed.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment