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We Already Dug the Grave
Sharp Objects with a dash of Practical Magic in this southern gothic thriller with cool girl edge from USA Today bestselling author Emma C. Wells following two estranged sisters who will do anything to protect each other – even murder. Again.
Milly can’t divine the future anymore, and maybe that’s a good thing. Lately, her life has been bleak enough, she doesn’t need the now-silent tea leaves to tell her. She’s alone and waitressing in a sleepy town while her estranged younger sister thrives miles away in a shiny new life with a shiny new marriage. Milly doesn’t blame Francis for wanting nothing to do with her. Not after what happened in that Tennessee meadow a decade before.
But when Francis shows up on Milly’s doorstep with a black eye and a plea for help escaping her well-connected, wealthy husband – Milly can’t say no. Especially when the tea leaves are finally crystal clear: if the sisters don’t kill Francis’s husband, he’ll eventually kill her.
But if they’re going to plot a murder, the sisters have no choice but to return to the one place, and two aunts, they’d left behind. A place where another body – and a multitude of secrets – were buried. Because this isn’t the first time the sisters have needed to dispose of a bad man. In fact, they might be pretty good at it.
Milly can’t divine the future anymore, and maybe that’s a good thing. Lately, her life has been bleak enough, she doesn’t need the now-silent tea leaves to tell her. She’s alone and waitressing in a sleepy town while her estranged younger sister thrives miles away in a shiny new life with a shiny new marriage. Milly doesn’t blame Francis for wanting nothing to do with her. Not after what happened in that Tennessee meadow a decade before.
But when Francis shows up on Milly’s doorstep with a black eye and a plea for help escaping her well-connected, wealthy husband – Milly can’t say no. Especially when the tea leaves are finally crystal clear: if the sisters don’t kill Francis’s husband, he’ll eventually kill her.
But if they’re going to plot a murder, the sisters have no choice but to return to the one place, and two aunts, they’d left behind. A place where another body – and a multitude of secrets – were buried. Because this isn’t the first time the sisters have needed to dispose of a bad man. In fact, they might be pretty good at it.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Emma C. Wells
2 books570 followersEmma C. Wells is the USA Today bestselling author of This Girl's A Killer and the forthcoming We Already Dug The Grave.
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September 14, 2026
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⭐⭐⭐
We Already Dug the Grave
Emma C. Wells
Publication Date: September 8th, 2026
Poisoned Pen Press
416 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction
This is described as a dark, witchy Southern Gothic thriller—and it is that. It mixes family drama with a witchy background.
The story is about Milly and Frances, two sisters who have lived away from each other for a long time because of a terrible incident in Tennessee. Milly has the ability to read the future, but she hasn't been able to lately, so she's just living a normal life as a waitress. Frances shows up at Milly's unannounced, looking pretty beaten up. It turns out Frances's husband is an abuser and he has the means to spend money looking for her, so she needs a place to hide.
All of a sudden, Milly is able to read tea leaves again, and they tell the sisters to kill Frances's husband or he will kill her. The sisters decide to go back to their childhood home to see their aunts, because the aunts know how to get rid of dangerous men.
If the plot sounds familiar, it is; Alice Hoffman did it with Practical Magic. The author and publisher do not shy away from acknowledging this. However, I felt this story was more of a psychological thriller. The atmospheric Southern setting and folk magic mixed well with the dark humour throughout.
I loved the sisters' bond and was confused as to why they hadn't spoken in so long—I couldn't imagine not speaking to my two siblings. I love a good vigilante story, especially when domestic violence is involved, and the family drama kept the pace going well... until it didn't.
The middle of the book started to drag because there was a lot of going down memory lane, and I was more interested in the present. The twists weren't that surprising, and I wish the author had used the magical realism elements more. I wanted to learn about how Milly reads tea leaves and had hoped it would have been used in the ending somehow.
Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining read, but no one can write like Alice Hoffman, so it didn't knock my socks off.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐
We Already Dug the Grave
Emma C. Wells
Publication Date: September 8th, 2026
Poisoned Pen Press
416 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction
This is described as a dark, witchy Southern Gothic thriller—and it is that. It mixes family drama with a witchy background.
The story is about Milly and Frances, two sisters who have lived away from each other for a long time because of a terrible incident in Tennessee. Milly has the ability to read the future, but she hasn't been able to lately, so she's just living a normal life as a waitress. Frances shows up at Milly's unannounced, looking pretty beaten up. It turns out Frances's husband is an abuser and he has the means to spend money looking for her, so she needs a place to hide.
All of a sudden, Milly is able to read tea leaves again, and they tell the sisters to kill Frances's husband or he will kill her. The sisters decide to go back to their childhood home to see their aunts, because the aunts know how to get rid of dangerous men.
If the plot sounds familiar, it is; Alice Hoffman did it with Practical Magic. The author and publisher do not shy away from acknowledging this. However, I felt this story was more of a psychological thriller. The atmospheric Southern setting and folk magic mixed well with the dark humour throughout.
I loved the sisters' bond and was confused as to why they hadn't spoken in so long—I couldn't imagine not speaking to my two siblings. I love a good vigilante story, especially when domestic violence is involved, and the family drama kept the pace going well... until it didn't.
The middle of the book started to drag because there was a lot of going down memory lane, and I was more interested in the present. The twists weren't that surprising, and I wish the author had used the magical realism elements more. I wanted to learn about how Milly reads tea leaves and had hoped it would have been used in the ending somehow.
Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining read, but no one can write like Alice Hoffman, so it didn't knock my socks off.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was dark, uncomfortable, emotional, and surprisingly addictive. I really enjoyed the overall story and the way it slowly peeled back the layers of these sisters’ lives. There’s so much buried between them, and I loved the feeling that every chapter was bringing another piece of their complicated past to the surface.
Milly is already living a pretty lonely and unhappy life when her sister suddenly comes back needing her help. Seeing these two reconnect after everything that happened between them was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Their relationship is complicated in the best way, they clearly love each other, but there’s also so much anger, guilt, and hurt standing between them.
The story does a great job showing how the past can follow you, even when you’ve spent years trying to leave it behind. Going back to the place they once escaped brought up so many old wounds and secrets, and I really liked how that history shaped the decisions they were making in the present.
And then there’s Milly’s ability to read tea leaves. I thought that was such a unique addition to the story, especially because she can no longer see what’s coming. When that ability suddenly returns with a warning, it gives the whole story an eerie feeling of something bad is coming, and there may be no way to stop it.
My biggest issue was that I figured out a lot of the plot before the characters got there. I had several things predicted pretty early, including some of the reveals, so I didn't get quite the shock factor I was hoping for. There were definitely moments where I wanted to yell, “Come on, I already know!”
That said, guessing things didn't ruin the book for me. I was still completely invested in seeing how everything played out. The emotional weight of the story kept me turning the pages, and I really wanted to see what would happen to these sisters after everything they had already been through.
What I think worked best for me was how heavy the story felt without being purely about the twists. It's really about sisterhood, complicated family ties, guilt, forgiveness, and the lengths people will go to when someone they love is in danger. These aren't perfect characters, and they don't always make the right choices, but I actually liked that about them.
There’s a sadness hanging over the entire story that I really connected with. Even when things were tense or disturbing, there was always that emotional thread underneath it all. You can feel how much these women have lost and how desperately they're trying to find a way forward.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I wish the twists had surprised me more because I was able to piece together quite a bit before it was revealed, but the characters, dark atmosphere, family secrets, and emotional storyline made up for it.
Definitely a dark and heavy 4-star read for me.
Milly is already living a pretty lonely and unhappy life when her sister suddenly comes back needing her help. Seeing these two reconnect after everything that happened between them was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Their relationship is complicated in the best way, they clearly love each other, but there’s also so much anger, guilt, and hurt standing between them.
The story does a great job showing how the past can follow you, even when you’ve spent years trying to leave it behind. Going back to the place they once escaped brought up so many old wounds and secrets, and I really liked how that history shaped the decisions they were making in the present.
And then there’s Milly’s ability to read tea leaves. I thought that was such a unique addition to the story, especially because she can no longer see what’s coming. When that ability suddenly returns with a warning, it gives the whole story an eerie feeling of something bad is coming, and there may be no way to stop it.
My biggest issue was that I figured out a lot of the plot before the characters got there. I had several things predicted pretty early, including some of the reveals, so I didn't get quite the shock factor I was hoping for. There were definitely moments where I wanted to yell, “Come on, I already know!”
That said, guessing things didn't ruin the book for me. I was still completely invested in seeing how everything played out. The emotional weight of the story kept me turning the pages, and I really wanted to see what would happen to these sisters after everything they had already been through.
What I think worked best for me was how heavy the story felt without being purely about the twists. It's really about sisterhood, complicated family ties, guilt, forgiveness, and the lengths people will go to when someone they love is in danger. These aren't perfect characters, and they don't always make the right choices, but I actually liked that about them.
There’s a sadness hanging over the entire story that I really connected with. Even when things were tense or disturbing, there was always that emotional thread underneath it all. You can feel how much these women have lost and how desperately they're trying to find a way forward.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I wish the twists had surprised me more because I was able to piece together quite a bit before it was revealed, but the characters, dark atmosphere, family secrets, and emotional storyline made up for it.
Definitely a dark and heavy 4-star read for me.
on-pause
March 14, 2026Sharp Objects meets Practical Magic? 👀🔥
Please. I hope you pull this off Emma C Wells 🙏🏼
Digital arc provided via NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All thoughts are my own
Expected Pub Date - 09/08/26
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Please. I hope you pull this off Emma C Wells 🙏🏼
Digital arc provided via NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All thoughts are my own
Expected Pub Date - 09/08/26
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A haunting Southern Gothic story of two sisters and their secrets, We Already Dug the Grave was not only an ode to family, but a deep dive into loyalty, trauma, and fate as well. Taking a very Practical Magic-esque tale and giving it an even darker and twistier feel, I instantly loved this small coven of morally gray witches and their deeply dysfunctional yet root-for-able dynamic. You see, it turned a supernatural family saga into an eerie murder mystery as the tough-as-nails female main characters delivered their fist-pumping form of rough justice. Don’t get me wrong, it might be best for newbies to the genre as I saw through almost every twist and turn. In spite of that, though, I had a blast riding shotgun next to the sisters and their eccentric aunts. Atmospheric and emotionally charged, it was no surprise at all that I finished this four-hundred-page book in one obsessed night of reading.
I do have to say, however, that despite the page-turning pace, vividly evocative setting, and messy cast of characters, it was the Alice Hoffman-meets-Sharp Objects vibe that made me an instant fan. Slightly whimsical and cozy but with an underlying sinister edge, the psychological ambiguity was alive and well in this much darker follow-up to Wells’ debut. With some serious subjects as the base of the plot and quite a bit of violence in the second half, this one definitely hit the far end of the thriller spectrum. That being said, the well-layered characters softened the edges and made it all darkly satisfying. So if you love small Southern towns, a couple of quirky, no-nonsense aunts, and secrets that should’ve stayed buried, give this book a try. Take a few dangerous truths, a dash of female rage, some dark magic, and…well, you’ve got quite the murder-filled tale. Rating of 4.5 stars.
P.S. Please oh please, Ms. Wells, can we have a prequel or sequel with the aunts at the center of the action? They were some truly standout characters that I utterly loved and I’d love to know more about their story!
Read it you’re a fan of:
- Supernatural elements
- Dual timelines
- Small-town settings
- A Practical Magic-like feel
- Eccentric characters
- Dark magic
- Dysfunctional families
- Family secrets
- Morally gray women
- Sinister vibes
- Southern Gothic stories
- Vigilante-ish justice
- A somewhat open ending
Thank you Emma C. Wells and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 8, 2026
Content warning: adult/minor relationship, domestic abuse, physical and emotional abuse, murder, alcohol use, death, dementia, violence, gun violence, gaslighting, mention of: grooming, animal cruelty, death of a parent
I do have to say, however, that despite the page-turning pace, vividly evocative setting, and messy cast of characters, it was the Alice Hoffman-meets-Sharp Objects vibe that made me an instant fan. Slightly whimsical and cozy but with an underlying sinister edge, the psychological ambiguity was alive and well in this much darker follow-up to Wells’ debut. With some serious subjects as the base of the plot and quite a bit of violence in the second half, this one definitely hit the far end of the thriller spectrum. That being said, the well-layered characters softened the edges and made it all darkly satisfying. So if you love small Southern towns, a couple of quirky, no-nonsense aunts, and secrets that should’ve stayed buried, give this book a try. Take a few dangerous truths, a dash of female rage, some dark magic, and…well, you’ve got quite the murder-filled tale. Rating of 4.5 stars.
P.S. Please oh please, Ms. Wells, can we have a prequel or sequel with the aunts at the center of the action? They were some truly standout characters that I utterly loved and I’d love to know more about their story!
Read it you’re a fan of:
- Supernatural elements
- Dual timelines
- Small-town settings
- A Practical Magic-like feel
- Eccentric characters
- Dark magic
- Dysfunctional families
- Family secrets
- Morally gray women
- Sinister vibes
- Southern Gothic stories
- Vigilante-ish justice
- A somewhat open ending
Thank you Emma C. Wells and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 8, 2026
Content warning: adult/minor relationship, domestic abuse, physical and emotional abuse, murder, alcohol use, death, dementia, violence, gun violence, gaslighting, mention of: grooming, animal cruelty, death of a parent
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's not super fun reading a mystery novel with an incredibly stupid MC.
The premise sounded interesting. However, the execution left much to be desired.
Here is the gist of it:
The Good
The story itself was fun and original. I loved how basically every important character in this book is a woman and they have a beautiful bond with each other. They have each other’s backs through everything. A lovely portrayal of sisterhood by Emma C. Wells.
The Bad
However, the rest of the book is a big disappointment. The writing itself really bothered me. The dialogues read like one of those popular teen series from 2010s we used to love and now cringe at. The MC’s sister was referred to as “baby bird” a total of twenty times in the whole book and it started to get really annoying. Especially since I, for the life of me, could not figure out why she was called that. And the way things are described in the book give you pause, even simple hugs. There are moments in the book that if you were to imagine actually happening in real life (which is what most readers do) it becomes extremely comical. I really did expect much more from a bestselling author.
The Ugly
While I liked the mystery itself, I hated the conclusion of the book. I like my thriller mysteries to have a concrete, real conclusion. It’s very frustrating when the author builds up the whole thing and now, you’re in it and you’re like “omg what a twist” … and then nothing happens nor gets resolved? Yeah, not cool!
Which brings me to the worst part of this entire book: the main character. I like reading about unlikable, flawed, or even not so bright characters that are not easy to like. I am not looking for the perfect heroine. But having an extremely stupid MC in a mystery thriller book is a new form of torture. Usually when the MC is this dense, it’s because the story is not strong enough and they had to make the MC dumb just to get the book going. However, that’s not the case with We Already Dug the Grave. The story is good, and the mystery keeps you on your toes. The characters, situations, and their relationships are complicated enough to deliver a good mystery. It also warrants the MC acting the way that she does. But she is supposed to be the salutatorian in her school, therefore, I don’t believe she could realistically be as stupid as she was. When everything was right in front of her face, she still refused to understand.
Overall
So, while I liked the story itself, I feel like lots of things did not need to happen if the MC just used her brain for a second in this book. And I, personally, do not enjoy yelling at characters in my books to just please acquire a brain with cells.
This would’ve been a better book with a more… intentional writing, far better dialogues, an MC that made sense and didn’t make you want to break your e-reader, and a satisfying (not necessarily good, but SATISFYING) ending.
It's not super fun reading a mystery novel with an incredibly stupid MC.
The premise sounded interesting. However, the execution left much to be desired.
Here is the gist of it:
The Good
The story itself was fun and original. I loved how basically every important character in this book is a woman and they have a beautiful bond with each other. They have each other’s backs through everything. A lovely portrayal of sisterhood by Emma C. Wells.
The Bad
However, the rest of the book is a big disappointment. The writing itself really bothered me. The dialogues read like one of those popular teen series from 2010s we used to love and now cringe at. The MC’s sister was referred to as “baby bird” a total of twenty times in the whole book and it started to get really annoying. Especially since I, for the life of me, could not figure out why she was called that. And the way things are described in the book give you pause, even simple hugs. There are moments in the book that if you were to imagine actually happening in real life (which is what most readers do) it becomes extremely comical. I really did expect much more from a bestselling author.
The Ugly
While I liked the mystery itself, I hated the conclusion of the book. I like my thriller mysteries to have a concrete, real conclusion. It’s very frustrating when the author builds up the whole thing and now, you’re in it and you’re like “omg what a twist” … and then nothing happens nor gets resolved? Yeah, not cool!
Which brings me to the worst part of this entire book: the main character. I like reading about unlikable, flawed, or even not so bright characters that are not easy to like. I am not looking for the perfect heroine. But having an extremely stupid MC in a mystery thriller book is a new form of torture. Usually when the MC is this dense, it’s because the story is not strong enough and they had to make the MC dumb just to get the book going. However, that’s not the case with We Already Dug the Grave. The story is good, and the mystery keeps you on your toes. The characters, situations, and their relationships are complicated enough to deliver a good mystery. It also warrants the MC acting the way that she does. But she is supposed to be the salutatorian in her school, therefore, I don’t believe she could realistically be as stupid as she was. When everything was right in front of her face, she still refused to understand.
Overall
So, while I liked the story itself, I feel like lots of things did not need to happen if the MC just used her brain for a second in this book. And I, personally, do not enjoy yelling at characters in my books to just please acquire a brain with cells.
This would’ve been a better book with a more… intentional writing, far better dialogues, an MC that made sense and didn’t make you want to break your e-reader, and a satisfying (not necessarily good, but SATISFYING) ending.
September 7, 2026
Man, this book was DARK. This was the perfect example of how southern gothic should be written. It was so bleak and my heart couldn’t help but shatter over and over again. There are so many layers and so much depth to the story. I absolutely LOVED the supernatural aspect of the book and that is honestly what drew me in the most. The twists and turns gave me whiplash and I just felt so bad for poor Milly. The author also did an EXCEPTIONAL job on the topic of generational trauma. Another thing I loved about this book was that it gave me total Practical Magic vibes! I would seriously do anything to get some sort or prequel about the aunties! I think that would be such an interesting story!
Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for my arc of We Already Dug the Grave!
Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for my arc of We Already Dug the Grave!
September 28, 2026
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4⭐️
This mystery/Thriller kept me guessing. Told in a dual timeline of Then and Now, the story focuses on sisters Milly and Frances.
The girls were sent to live with their eccentric Aunts when their mom killed their abusive father and was sent to prison. Milly shares a gift with her Aunts and can read into the future with tea leaves.
Tragedy strikes again separating the sisters as they live different lives in different cities. They come together once more as Frances tries to flee her abusive rich husband.
There are unsolved murders and family mysteries to round out the story, which I really enjoyed. I did guess the twist pretty early. I liked the little surprises in the final chapters that wrapped things up nicely!
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for my honest review
This mystery/Thriller kept me guessing. Told in a dual timeline of Then and Now, the story focuses on sisters Milly and Frances.
The girls were sent to live with their eccentric Aunts when their mom killed their abusive father and was sent to prison. Milly shares a gift with her Aunts and can read into the future with tea leaves.
Tragedy strikes again separating the sisters as they live different lives in different cities. They come together once more as Frances tries to flee her abusive rich husband.
There are unsolved murders and family mysteries to round out the story, which I really enjoyed. I did guess the twist pretty early. I liked the little surprises in the final chapters that wrapped things up nicely!
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for my honest review
March 28, 2026
This unfortunately did not work for me.
The premise immediately calls to mind comparisons to Practical Magic, and while that can be a compelling foundation, this felt more derivative than inspired. The core elements, being two sisters, a troubled past, and a supernatural thread tied to love and violence, never quite developed into something distinct or cohesive.
My biggest issue was with the characterization, particularly the main character. Early on, she is presented as capable and resilient, but as the story progresses, her decision-making becomes inconsistent and, at times, difficult to follow. This shift made it challenging to stay invested in her perspective.
The dynamic with her sister also raised concerns. Certain character choices and reactions felt underdeveloped or unrealistic, which made key plot points feel predictable rather than impactful.
As the story continued, the narrative became increasingly disjointed. There were multiple moments where transitions felt abrupt or unclear, and I found myself rereading passages to determine whether I had missed something. Unfortunately, this seemed to stem more from structural issues than intentional ambiguity.
The resolution left several important questions unanswered, particularly regarding character motivations and consequences. This lack of clarity made the ending feel incomplete.
There are underlying themes of grief, trauma, and sisterhood that had potential, but they were overshadowed by uneven pacing and inconsistencies in both plot and character development.
Overall, this was a promising concept that ultimately fell short in execution.
The premise immediately calls to mind comparisons to Practical Magic, and while that can be a compelling foundation, this felt more derivative than inspired. The core elements, being two sisters, a troubled past, and a supernatural thread tied to love and violence, never quite developed into something distinct or cohesive.
My biggest issue was with the characterization, particularly the main character. Early on, she is presented as capable and resilient, but as the story progresses, her decision-making becomes inconsistent and, at times, difficult to follow. This shift made it challenging to stay invested in her perspective.
The dynamic with her sister also raised concerns. Certain character choices and reactions felt underdeveloped or unrealistic, which made key plot points feel predictable rather than impactful.
As the story continued, the narrative became increasingly disjointed. There were multiple moments where transitions felt abrupt or unclear, and I found myself rereading passages to determine whether I had missed something. Unfortunately, this seemed to stem more from structural issues than intentional ambiguity.
The resolution left several important questions unanswered, particularly regarding character motivations and consequences. This lack of clarity made the ending feel incomplete.
There are underlying themes of grief, trauma, and sisterhood that had potential, but they were overshadowed by uneven pacing and inconsistencies in both plot and character development.
Overall, this was a promising concept that ultimately fell short in execution.
September 21, 2026
Ah okay so this wasn’t my favorite book. It felt like as I was reading…it was just dragging on and on and I was so bored. Not how I enjoy my books to me. I did like the characters though! Millie was morally grey – which isn’t always something you see in a FMC. She was smart and brave and loyal, but she wasn’t perfect. I was a little annoyed that she missed all the red flags her sister exhibited. For as much as I like Millie, I disliked Francis. Just ugh. In addition, the story was just blah. There just weren’t enough “good” things going on for me to enjoy this one.
September 15, 2026
A little less practical magic, a little more predictable.
After absolutely loving This Girl’s a Killer, I wasn’t about to pass up the chance to read Emma C. Wells’s sophomore novel. Unfortunately, while We Already Dug the Grave has many of the ingredients I enjoy - Southern gothic atmosphere, dark secrets, a cast of multi-layered women, and a healthy dose of vigilante justice - it never quite came together for me the way I hoped.
The story follows estranged sisters Milly and Francis, whose lives collide again when Francis desperately needs her sister’s help. To protect Francis, the sisters return to the place they’ve spent years trying to escape - and to the secrets, and bodies, buried there.
Wells creates a wonderfully atmospheric Southern gothic world, filled with dark undercurrents, family secrets, and sisterhood. In fact, one of the strongest elements of the novel is the way it celebrates the bonds between women - not just between Milly and Francis, but throughout the entire cast of female characters (does anyone else want a prequel featuring only the fabulous aunts?!). The themes of loyalty, survival, and taking justice into your own hands give the story a compelling edge.
Unfortunately, I never quite bought the central relationship between the sisters. Given the depth of their bond, their years-long estrangement felt difficult to reconcile, and that emotional disconnect made it harder for me to fully invest in their journey. The pacing also surprised me: despite a premise involving murder, secrets, and even supernatural elements, the story moves more slowly than expected, and the twists were easier to anticipate than I would have liked. In fact, the big reveals were so obvious that I’m starting to wonder if I should give divination a try!
Milly was also a difficult character for me to connect with. Her heart is in the right place, and her devotion to her sister is admirable, but her decisions left me questioning her judgment. Given that she missed what was right in front of her, I have my doubts about whether she is even half as smart as she claims to be, and her divination skills obviously need work.
Perhaps my biggest disappointment was the missing spark that made This Girl’s a Killer such a standout for me. That book’s dark humor and wicked energy were a huge part of its appeal, while We Already Dug the Grave takes itself much more seriously. Although the novel occasionally - and very unapologetically - reaches for Practical Magic vibes, it never quite captures that same balance of darkness, charm, and irreverence.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
„We Already Dug the Grave“ was published on September 8, 2026, and is available now.
After absolutely loving This Girl’s a Killer, I wasn’t about to pass up the chance to read Emma C. Wells’s sophomore novel. Unfortunately, while We Already Dug the Grave has many of the ingredients I enjoy - Southern gothic atmosphere, dark secrets, a cast of multi-layered women, and a healthy dose of vigilante justice - it never quite came together for me the way I hoped.
The story follows estranged sisters Milly and Francis, whose lives collide again when Francis desperately needs her sister’s help. To protect Francis, the sisters return to the place they’ve spent years trying to escape - and to the secrets, and bodies, buried there.
Wells creates a wonderfully atmospheric Southern gothic world, filled with dark undercurrents, family secrets, and sisterhood. In fact, one of the strongest elements of the novel is the way it celebrates the bonds between women - not just between Milly and Francis, but throughout the entire cast of female characters (does anyone else want a prequel featuring only the fabulous aunts?!). The themes of loyalty, survival, and taking justice into your own hands give the story a compelling edge.
Unfortunately, I never quite bought the central relationship between the sisters. Given the depth of their bond, their years-long estrangement felt difficult to reconcile, and that emotional disconnect made it harder for me to fully invest in their journey. The pacing also surprised me: despite a premise involving murder, secrets, and even supernatural elements, the story moves more slowly than expected, and the twists were easier to anticipate than I would have liked. In fact, the big reveals were so obvious that I’m starting to wonder if I should give divination a try!
Milly was also a difficult character for me to connect with. Her heart is in the right place, and her devotion to her sister is admirable, but her decisions left me questioning her judgment. Given that she missed what was right in front of her, I have my doubts about whether she is even half as smart as she claims to be, and her divination skills obviously need work.
Perhaps my biggest disappointment was the missing spark that made This Girl’s a Killer such a standout for me. That book’s dark humor and wicked energy were a huge part of its appeal, while We Already Dug the Grave takes itself much more seriously. Although the novel occasionally - and very unapologetically - reaches for Practical Magic vibes, it never quite captures that same balance of darkness, charm, and irreverence.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
„We Already Dug the Grave“ was published on September 8, 2026, and is available now.
August 3, 2026
We Already Dug the Grave, a paranormal mystery/thriller
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, the author, and Netgalley for a copy!
My immediate thoughts as I started reading this book were that it gives major Practical Magic vibes, which I absolutely loved. The two sisters, one who has the sight, the two aunts in their weird house that sell potions etc. This follows a dual timeline, with current day FMC Milly, who ran away from Puddle Creek, where her Aunts and sister Frances stayed. With each chapter that goes back and forth in time, the slow reveal of why Milly ran away is uncovered.
Milly, always an outcast, "Witchy Milly" had found a friend in Casey, who never judged her like the other kids. Milly performs tea leaf readings alongside her Aunt's, and makes sure to always follow the rules Focus, Consent, and watch out for "the curse". Ever since she left Puddle Creek, the Sight has seemingly closed it's doors to her, always giving her the same message. Unexpectedly one night, Frances shows up at her door in need of help, again. They make a plan, and go back to where it all started.
I loved the dual timeline, and the slow reveal of why Milly truly ran away. The story is rather tragic overall, so many things have gone wrong for Milly in her life, and even now Frances needs Milly's help to get rid of yet another man. Frances's husband Burt is clearly unhinged, but gets away with everything due to his money and family name. As small pieces of a puzzle Milly didn't know she hadn't solved, keep showing up, Burt becomes even more of a monster in her eyes.
The ending, oh the ending!! I loved the twist at the end, and how Milly will have to spend her life protecting her sister. Milly has such a shocking revelation, and puts all the pieces together from a lifetime of events.
You won't be able to put this one down!
Some fav quotes:
"Desperation for secrets to stay buried. To rot like bones, decaying until there was nothing left of them. Too bad secrets didn’t work that way."
"And so they explained. Balance is delicate. Those gifted with the Sight are one step ahead of fate, and fate liked to even the score. Which meant there’s a price to pay."
"Wasn’t like our childhood was typical. We were connected by more than blood. We were connected by secrets."
"Maybe the bone-laden posts should’ve given me the creeps, but it’s funny what can feel like home given enough time."
"Something was happening. I wasn’t crazy. I wasn’t imagining it."
"Frances needed me. We needed each other. And there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep us safe."
"Standing in that meadow, covered in blood, was the first time I truly understood power. Euphoric power."
"He was dead the moment he touched your sister."
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, the author, and Netgalley for a copy!
My immediate thoughts as I started reading this book were that it gives major Practical Magic vibes, which I absolutely loved. The two sisters, one who has the sight, the two aunts in their weird house that sell potions etc. This follows a dual timeline, with current day FMC Milly, who ran away from Puddle Creek, where her Aunts and sister Frances stayed. With each chapter that goes back and forth in time, the slow reveal of why Milly ran away is uncovered.
Milly, always an outcast, "Witchy Milly" had found a friend in Casey, who never judged her like the other kids. Milly performs tea leaf readings alongside her Aunt's, and makes sure to always follow the rules Focus, Consent, and watch out for "the curse". Ever since she left Puddle Creek, the Sight has seemingly closed it's doors to her, always giving her the same message. Unexpectedly one night, Frances shows up at her door in need of help, again. They make a plan, and go back to where it all started.
I loved the dual timeline, and the slow reveal of why Milly truly ran away. The story is rather tragic overall, so many things have gone wrong for Milly in her life, and even now Frances needs Milly's help to get rid of yet another man. Frances's husband Burt is clearly unhinged, but gets away with everything due to his money and family name. As small pieces of a puzzle Milly didn't know she hadn't solved, keep showing up, Burt becomes even more of a monster in her eyes.
The ending, oh the ending!! I loved the twist at the end, and how Milly will have to spend her life protecting her sister. Milly has such a shocking revelation, and puts all the pieces together from a lifetime of events.
You won't be able to put this one down!
Some fav quotes:
"Desperation for secrets to stay buried. To rot like bones, decaying until there was nothing left of them. Too bad secrets didn’t work that way."
"And so they explained. Balance is delicate. Those gifted with the Sight are one step ahead of fate, and fate liked to even the score. Which meant there’s a price to pay."
"Wasn’t like our childhood was typical. We were connected by more than blood. We were connected by secrets."
"Maybe the bone-laden posts should’ve given me the creeps, but it’s funny what can feel like home given enough time."
"Something was happening. I wasn’t crazy. I wasn’t imagining it."
"Frances needed me. We needed each other. And there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep us safe."
"Standing in that meadow, covered in blood, was the first time I truly understood power. Euphoric power."
"He was dead the moment he touched your sister."
September 21, 2026
a dark heartfelt family drama
with a touch of witchcraft: a little
predictable but highly engaging,
full of sisterhood, and features
well-built characters. ♡
with a touch of witchcraft: a little
predictable but highly engaging,
full of sisterhood, and features
well-built characters. ♡
September 8, 2026
we already dug the grave by @emma.c.wells.books
📖 book review • OUT TODAY!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
thank you @poisonedpenpress for my ARC!
the perfect spooky season read because it had a sense of eeriness the entire time I was reading 👀
milly would do anything to protect her estranged sister. so when the tea leaves say to protect her from her abusive husband, she does. but in order to protect her, they have to return to their hometown, where there mama is in prison and where they buried a body.
I had a fun time reading this. a southern gothic thriller with some magic vibes = perfect September read 🖤
read this one!! can’t wait to meet emma & other thriller authors this weekend!
📖 book review • OUT TODAY!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
thank you @poisonedpenpress for my ARC!
the perfect spooky season read because it had a sense of eeriness the entire time I was reading 👀
milly would do anything to protect her estranged sister. so when the tea leaves say to protect her from her abusive husband, she does. but in order to protect her, they have to return to their hometown, where there mama is in prison and where they buried a body.
I had a fun time reading this. a southern gothic thriller with some magic vibes = perfect September read 🖤
read this one!! can’t wait to meet emma & other thriller authors this weekend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This supernatural gothic thriller was about family loyalty, secrets and sisterhood! It comes with dark magic, mystery and drama. It has a dual timeline, unusual characters and is set in Tennessee. It’s definitely more of a slow paced read, where the main characters are strongly developed.
Some of the twists in this book I saw coming, while others I didn’t see coming at all. This gave me the movie, Practical Magic vibes! Overall, I give this a 3.5 (bumping it up to 4) stars out of 5! It is very well written and came with a clear thesis.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Emma C. Wells and Poisoned Pen Press publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and rating. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book releases on September 8, 2026!
Some of the twists in this book I saw coming, while others I didn’t see coming at all. This gave me the movie, Practical Magic vibes! Overall, I give this a 3.5 (bumping it up to 4) stars out of 5! It is very well written and came with a clear thesis.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Emma C. Wells and Poisoned Pen Press publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and rating. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book releases on September 8, 2026!
September 22, 2026
A messy family story with secrets and disfunction at the core! I enjoyed how the chapters are broken up between the past and the present, providing background into the main characters. I loved the vibe and am in need of book 2!
September 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced digital copy of this book! If you liked this one, I recommend reading Served Him Right by Lisa Unger, Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, or Whispers of Dead Girls by Marlee Bush.
From the prologue straight into chapter 1 until the end, the story was so descriptive and atmospheric! I could feel everything the characters were describing (and wanted blueberry pancakes real bad since the first few pages). Two sisters going to stay with their aunts with the oldest sister and her “knowing” gave real Practical Magic vibes, but I’m not mad about it. I loved seeing this generation of women in the family all being intertwined with their history and abilities.
The part of the story that kept me flipping pages so quickly was wondering what happened to Casey. By the end I was ready to cry frustrated tears for the big sister! Honestly, Milly deserved better. He had to go back and reread the ending to wrap my head around it. I hate that Milly lost so much and was still not fully understood because of how Casey was found. This one has me running to look into tasseography!
From the prologue straight into chapter 1 until the end, the story was so descriptive and atmospheric! I could feel everything the characters were describing (and wanted blueberry pancakes real bad since the first few pages). Two sisters going to stay with their aunts with the oldest sister and her “knowing” gave real Practical Magic vibes, but I’m not mad about it. I loved seeing this generation of women in the family all being intertwined with their history and abilities.
The part of the story that kept me flipping pages so quickly was wondering what happened to Casey. By the end I was ready to cry frustrated tears for the big sister! Honestly, Milly deserved better. He had to go back and reread the ending to wrap my head around it. I hate that Milly lost so much and was still not fully understood because of how Casey was found. This one has me running to look into tasseography!
Did Not Finish
September 20, 2026I regret to say I DNFed this at about 50%.......... I am bummed honestly
My biggest struggle here was finding something to keep me hooked - I genuinely found myself getting distracted in between every chapter because I couldn't get invested. Even though the story had promise and I was interested in the characters.
Milly and Frances are sisters. This entire story revolves around them and their sisterly relationship, for better or worse. They did something bad as teens, and now a decade later are facing some ramifications of that, and potentially facing new dangers as well. Add in the fact that Milly is reading tea leaves to try to answer all of her mysteries, and this book has a lot going for it.
This is told in dual timelines, which switch with pretty much every chapter, and the chapters are short so we really aren't spending long in either timeline at a time. I think this was my disconnect, I couldn't get attached to the story because we switched too often.
By the halfway point, I just realized I had been forcing myself to keep going and I didn't want to do that anymore.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy of this book.
My biggest struggle here was finding something to keep me hooked - I genuinely found myself getting distracted in between every chapter because I couldn't get invested. Even though the story had promise and I was interested in the characters.
Milly and Frances are sisters. This entire story revolves around them and their sisterly relationship, for better or worse. They did something bad as teens, and now a decade later are facing some ramifications of that, and potentially facing new dangers as well. Add in the fact that Milly is reading tea leaves to try to answer all of her mysteries, and this book has a lot going for it.
This is told in dual timelines, which switch with pretty much every chapter, and the chapters are short so we really aren't spending long in either timeline at a time. I think this was my disconnect, I couldn't get attached to the story because we switched too often.
By the halfway point, I just realized I had been forcing myself to keep going and I didn't want to do that anymore.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy of this book.
July 20, 2026
Wow. We Already Dug the Grave was such a riveting read. I finished it in just two sittings because I couldn’t put it down! The plot twists (yes, multiple!), the complicated family dynamics, the sisterhood, the sheer evilness of certain characters… and poor Casey. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story surprised me.
This mystery/thriller kept me guessing from beginning to end, but it was also incredibly emotional. Watching Milly’s story unfold and getting to know her so deeply made the story hit even harder. Emma C. Wells has a way of creating characters you genuinely care about while weaving together a suspenseful, twist-filled plot. ALSO, Francis’ POV at the end….
If you love thrillers that keep you on your toes while still delivering an emotional punch, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Emma C. Wells and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
This mystery/thriller kept me guessing from beginning to end, but it was also incredibly emotional. Watching Milly’s story unfold and getting to know her so deeply made the story hit even harder. Emma C. Wells has a way of creating characters you genuinely care about while weaving together a suspenseful, twist-filled plot. ALSO, Francis’ POV at the end….
If you love thrillers that keep you on your toes while still delivering an emotional punch, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Emma C. Wells and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
September 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book. I had not heard of Emma C. Wells prior to this book, but really enjoyed her descriptive writing, the pacing, and character development in this story.
The story begins with two estranged sisters, Milly and Frances, who have not spoken since their other sister went missing years ago and are now being reunited when Frances shows up pleading for help from her abusive husband. They have to figure out how to escape her powerful husband without Frances being killed. The family bonds and witch elements provided an interesting aspect to the plot that added to the overall enjoyment of the book. There are so many twists that make this story entertaining and unique to keep you engaged in the story from beginning to end.
I will be looking for other books from Emma C. Wells hoping they are as good as this one was.
The story begins with two estranged sisters, Milly and Frances, who have not spoken since their other sister went missing years ago and are now being reunited when Frances shows up pleading for help from her abusive husband. They have to figure out how to escape her powerful husband without Frances being killed. The family bonds and witch elements provided an interesting aspect to the plot that added to the overall enjoyment of the book. There are so many twists that make this story entertaining and unique to keep you engaged in the story from beginning to end.
I will be looking for other books from Emma C. Wells hoping they are as good as this one was.
September 26, 2026
When I read that this was a southern gothic with a touch of practical magic I was really intrigued.
This story encompasses sisterhood and how far you'd go for family. This is told in past a present which I think built the story up nicely. I found the characters intriguing. The magic of reading tea leaves was nice!
The reason I rated it 3 stars is I found it really predictable. I wish Milly would have questioned harder instead of taking everything said to her at face value. To me it was pretty obvious. Otherwise I did like the story telling.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ebook.
This story encompasses sisterhood and how far you'd go for family. This is told in past a present which I think built the story up nicely. I found the characters intriguing. The magic of reading tea leaves was nice!
The reason I rated it 3 stars is I found it really predictable. I wish Milly would have questioned harder instead of taking everything said to her at face value. To me it was pretty obvious. Otherwise I did like the story telling.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ebook.
August 4, 2026
The first sentence says, “we had pancakes for breakfast the day mama killed daddy.” After that you know you’ve got to keep going. The first chapter held on tight and urged me to read on. I was captured. The author’s character development worked really well and the writing kept pace.
I thought it was a great book and yes, I recommend it!
Two estranged sisters with a history of murder must return to Tennessee to kill again when one sister's abusive husband threatens her life. Milly’s intuition (sight) always proved her right. But there’s something unique about a particular reading of the tea leaves that has Milly worried.
I thought it was a great book and yes, I recommend it!
Two estranged sisters with a history of murder must return to Tennessee to kill again when one sister's abusive husband threatens her life. Milly’s intuition (sight) always proved her right. But there’s something unique about a particular reading of the tea leaves that has Milly worried.
September 16, 2026
#l⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 3.5 Stars
We Already Dug the Grave was an entertaining southern gothic thriller with a touch of Magic. I really enjoyed the story of estranged sisters Milly and Francis and the complicated bond between them. The secrets from their past, the dark atmosphere, and the mystery surrounding what happened years ago kept me interested.
I liked the sisterly relationship and how far they were willing to go to protect each other. There were plenty of twists and secrets along the way, and the story had that creepy, slightly witchy feel that I enjoy.
That being said, I did find some parts a little predictable, especially the ending.
Overall, this was a fun, atmospheric thriller with a great sister dynamic, but the predictable ending kept it from being a higher rating for me.
We Already Dug the Grave was an entertaining southern gothic thriller with a touch of Magic. I really enjoyed the story of estranged sisters Milly and Francis and the complicated bond between them. The secrets from their past, the dark atmosphere, and the mystery surrounding what happened years ago kept me interested.
I liked the sisterly relationship and how far they were willing to go to protect each other. There were plenty of twists and secrets along the way, and the story had that creepy, slightly witchy feel that I enjoy.
That being said, I did find some parts a little predictable, especially the ending.
Overall, this was a fun, atmospheric thriller with a great sister dynamic, but the predictable ending kept it from being a higher rating for me.
Read
September 6, 2026A compelling, character-driven narrative that bites before it shines.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The setting:
Sisters. "Milly can’t divine the future anymore, and maybe that’s a good thing. Lately, her life has been bleak enough, she doesn’t need the now-silent tea leaves to tell her. She’s alone and waitressing in a sleepy town while her estranged younger sister thrives miles away in a shiny new life with a shiny new marriage." Their family is shunned as their mother has murdered their father. The relatives that they are sent to live with are scorned as witches [sort of]. Ten years later, Milly thinks her sister, Frances, has sent her their secret signal and they are reunited. Frances may have what appears to be a new, lovely life, but she has a black eye and bruises. What?!
A dual timeline [which I like]--then and now. Then is more of a coming of age. Now has the sisters living separate, unequal lives. Eccentric aunts, a plus. Small-town living. Wealth and political connections. Family. Mystery and clues--?
Sometimes rambling, sometimes yuck. A big plot twist [which I felt was coming] nearly three-quarters in did not redeeem. And the ending--OY.
2.5, but rounding up as an easy, fast read. BUT, NOT. RECOMMENDING.
The setting:
Sisters. "Milly can’t divine the future anymore, and maybe that’s a good thing. Lately, her life has been bleak enough, she doesn’t need the now-silent tea leaves to tell her. She’s alone and waitressing in a sleepy town while her estranged younger sister thrives miles away in a shiny new life with a shiny new marriage." Their family is shunned as their mother has murdered their father. The relatives that they are sent to live with are scorned as witches [sort of]. Ten years later, Milly thinks her sister, Frances, has sent her their secret signal and they are reunited. Frances may have what appears to be a new, lovely life, but she has a black eye and bruises. What?!
A dual timeline [which I like]--then and now. Then is more of a coming of age. Now has the sisters living separate, unequal lives. Eccentric aunts, a plus. Small-town living. Wealth and political connections. Family. Mystery and clues--?
Sometimes rambling, sometimes yuck. A big plot twist [which I felt was coming] nearly three-quarters in did not redeeem. And the ending--OY.
2.5, but rounding up as an easy, fast read. BUT, NOT. RECOMMENDING.
March 8, 2026
I loved This Girls a Killer and when I saw that this book was being compared to Practical Magic I jumped at the opportunity for an ARC. While I loved the witchy vibes, the eccentric aunts, and the plot of the story the twist fell flat for me. I found it to be predictable and to be honest, it’s not my favorite type of twist. Despite that, this was still a fun, quick, enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
September 21, 2026
Dark, atmospheric, and a bit witchy too? Count me in! This book has so much of what I love, but with a completely fresh twist on all of it. And you can always count on Emma C Wells for badass women who will stop at nothing to take down bad men—quickly becoming my favorite sub-genre. Can’t wait for her next one!!
July 19, 2026
3.5⭐️ I throughly enjoyed the story but I did feel like there was a lot of missed opportunities to give more of a shock factor when the reveals were shared.
July 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted ARC!
3.5 stars rounded up. I really enjoyed this one and flew through the first half. The Southern Gothic atmosphere, family secrets, and touch of the supernatural pulled me in right away.
More than anything, this felt like a story about sisters and the lengths they’ll go to for the people they love. Milly and Francis had such a complicated relationship, and I found myself just as invested in their family dynamics as I was in the mystery. I also loved the tea leaf readings and how they added to the eerie atmosphere without taking over the story.
It did slow down a little around the middle, and I figured out most of the big reveals pretty early on, so the ending felt a little lackluster. I was hoping for a few more surprises by the time everything came together.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an atmospheric setting, strong family dynamics, and just the right amount of supernatural elements. If you enjoy Southern Gothic thrillers that focus just as much on family as they do the mystery, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.
3.5 stars rounded up. I really enjoyed this one and flew through the first half. The Southern Gothic atmosphere, family secrets, and touch of the supernatural pulled me in right away.
More than anything, this felt like a story about sisters and the lengths they’ll go to for the people they love. Milly and Francis had such a complicated relationship, and I found myself just as invested in their family dynamics as I was in the mystery. I also loved the tea leaf readings and how they added to the eerie atmosphere without taking over the story.
It did slow down a little around the middle, and I figured out most of the big reveals pretty early on, so the ending felt a little lackluster. I was hoping for a few more surprises by the time everything came together.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an atmospheric setting, strong family dynamics, and just the right amount of supernatural elements. If you enjoy Southern Gothic thrillers that focus just as much on family as they do the mystery, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was offered as an advance copy with an excerpt of the prologue and first chapter available and I picked it up based on the strength of that beginning. It had both humor and an interesting setup. The full book then went down a road of increasingly unlikely events and bad decisions, which I think is par for the course for all thrillers.
Where this book diverges from the usual thriller is in its setting and supernatural elements. The women in this family (mostly) have the sight, which comes with Rules and a Curse. I think both these elements could have been explained better, but they did lend something special to the story. The other unique things I enjoyed were the multigenerational cast of characters and the moody southern setting. It’s a nice change of pace from rich people on the beach, or a boat, or in a neighborhood you just know has a litigious HOA.
Milly is a frustrating protagonist and her sister is an odd duck. I liked the rest of the cast a lot better than the two sisters, despite all of them being very tropey. The humor evident in the preview didn’t stick around for the rest of the book. It also dithered a bit in the middle, I would have preferred a tighter story. There are time jumps, with most chapters alternating between Now and Then, which became annoying.
Overall, I think this would be a good read for a thriller lover looking for something atmospheric and different from the genre.
This book was offered as an advance copy with an excerpt of the prologue and first chapter available and I picked it up based on the strength of that beginning. It had both humor and an interesting setup. The full book then went down a road of increasingly unlikely events and bad decisions, which I think is par for the course for all thrillers.
Where this book diverges from the usual thriller is in its setting and supernatural elements. The women in this family (mostly) have the sight, which comes with Rules and a Curse. I think both these elements could have been explained better, but they did lend something special to the story. The other unique things I enjoyed were the multigenerational cast of characters and the moody southern setting. It’s a nice change of pace from rich people on the beach, or a boat, or in a neighborhood you just know has a litigious HOA.
Milly is a frustrating protagonist and her sister is an odd duck. I liked the rest of the cast a lot better than the two sisters, despite all of them being very tropey. The humor evident in the preview didn’t stick around for the rest of the book. It also dithered a bit in the middle, I would have preferred a tighter story. There are time jumps, with most chapters alternating between Now and Then, which became annoying.
Overall, I think this would be a good read for a thriller lover looking for something atmospheric and different from the genre.
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