Beneath the Poet’s House by Christa Carmen is a gripping Gothic thriller that deepens the complexities of obsession and love. The story follows Saoirse White, a cozy mystery novelist who moves to Providence. Rhode Island after the shocking, sudden death of her husband. As she tries to escape the painful memories from New Jersey. She finds herself entangled in a world dominated by a man unhealthily obsessed with the works of Edgar Allan Poe. His fascination with the literary horror scribe becomes a deep, dark crimson billboard, a red flag that she can’t ignore.
This novel is a powerful reminder of how dangerous an unhealthy obsession can be. The man in the story is not just a lover but a symbol of how something so dark can take over and warp relationships. The story takes us on a chilling journey through the maze of emotions Saoirse experiences, and the atmosphere of Beneath the Poet’s House mirrors the complex, eerie tension of a gothic tale. You’ll quickly realize that sometimes, what seems like a sanctuary might be hiding something much more sinister.
The Strange and Haunting Connection In Beneath the Poet’s House
In Beneath the Poet’s House, the story follows Saoirse, who moves into a rental home that holds a historic connection to the famous nineteenth-century poet, Sarah Helen Whitman. This house brings more than just old walls; it’s tied to Whitman’s real-life engagement with Poe. A relationship that was short-lived, much like the passionate affair that once flamed out. As Saoirse settles in, the home seems to stir up complications in her life, from eerie séances to unsettling home invasions and even a diabetic cat.
Of course, the usual New England nonsense ensues—blowhard literature f*ckbois, absurd occurrences, and quirky characters create a vivid, sometimes chaotic narrative that leaves you wondering whether this haunted house holds more than just secrets. In all, the novel blends intrigue, mystery, and a touch of humor—like the ironic nevermore of Poe’s legacy, it keeps you hooked.
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A Dark and Eerie Tale
Beneath the Poet’s House is a weird and odd book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the start, you can feel the eerie tone and pacing, which might seem a bit off, but it works to build an atmosphere that’s unsettling. Carmen does a brilliant job of setting up a story where something always feels like it’s lurking, just out of sight. While at times the story felt like it was dragging with its slow-burn nature, the feeling of not being able to quite see the whole picture kept me hooked, and it only served to heighten the unnerving elements of the narrative.
What truly stands out is Carmen’s ability to create vivid and haunting imagery that transforms the seemingly normal into something far creepier. For example, branches become clawed, reaching fingers, and cemetery headstones emerge from thick, rolling fog like molars. The imagery surrounding Saoirse is particularly unsettling, with fat, black flies following her everywhere. These flies represent the hold her abusive late husband still has on her, showing up in places where they shouldn’t, like crawling on her neck or flitting across her sweaty hairline. At certain points, the character feels like she’s coming apart, describing her emotions as if she were unraveling, like thread being severed by teeth.
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Gothic Campus Mystery
Beneath the Poet’s House by Christa Carmen draws readers in with its gory, gothic visuals, immediately setting a striking tone. The book has a distinct Ivy League campus novel vibe, with its scenes unfolding near Brown, where Saoirse revisits her old stomping grounds. The grand, historic library at Providence Athenaeum becomes a key backdrop, with its stacks brimming with mystery. Strolls to cozy coffee houses and sprawling gardens, all swathed in the warm, golden palette of early fall, bring a rich sensory experience. The way Carmen creates a strong sense of place and characters is truly an ace at setting a scene.
Yet, despite this atmospheric charm, the day-to-day basis of the characters’ experiencing feels disconnected. While the grounds, houses, and gardens add life to the narrative, something about the speaking and actions of the characters left me feeling lost. It’s a fascinating premise with general appeal, but I couldn’t help but feel that the story’s strongest moments were in its visuals rather than its heart.
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Exploring Unconventional Characters
The story introduces Saoirse, a protagonist navigating new relationships in Providence while trying to fit in with her quirky friends and an English professor fling, Emmit Powell. Though the narrative promises a vibrant world, the tone and pacing create moments where the characters feel less grounded. Each individual can be summarized by archetypes like the Broken Woman, the Bubbly BFF, or the Wise Hard-Ass, which sometimes makes their dialogue seem unrealistic and jarred. As much as I wanted to connect, the way they speak felt too fictional, as though crafted more for dramatic effect than authenticity.
Perhaps it’s a purposeful stylistic choice to highlight connections to literary figures like Edgar Allan Poe or Sarah Helen Whitman, which are integral to the plot. However, even the most emo literature snob I’ve met wouldn’t talk the way Saoirse and Emmit do. It’s an ambitious attempt to blend old and new, but the execution didn’t entirely work for me. Still, the effort to incorporate tortured genius, gay sidekick, and other distinct roles adds a unique flavor to the book’s style.
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Disjointed Journey
The story of Beneath the Poet’s House begins with a promising and menacing opening scene at the funeral of Saoirse’s late husband, setting the stage for what could have been a gripping thriller. However, the plot quickly meanders in directions that feel disconnected, leaving none of the initial tension intact. Is this book about a haunting, a stalker from Saoirse’s past, or a nefarious group of cell phone-hating transcendentalists? The author seems unable to decide, as she skates around committing to any clear direction, and the issues are exacerbated by a painfully slow start.
By the last third, things take a wild turn, seemingly out of nowhere. The main character is thrust into a bizarre situation, leading readers to wonder if she might wake up and reveal everything as a stress-induced dream. The signs of Saoirse falling under the influence of yet another toxic man are subtle but don’t quite hint at the chaos that eventually finds herself trapped within. While the book’s unpredictability could be seen as a strength, it often feels more confusing than intriguing, imho.
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Haunting Tale with Gothic Roots
I desperately wish that Christa Carmen had crafted the entire book with the same creepy and intense energy as the final chapters. Those gripping scenes had the eerie ghost of what this story could’ve been, bursting with untapped potential. Alas, while parts of the narrative drifted, the superb gothic imagery and the clever inclusion of Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy were more than enough to keep me reading. The richly atmospheric setting felt like an ode to Poe’s dark, poetic style, pulling me in even when the story gets away from itself.
Fortunately, this ARC, which I received from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review, still offered moments of brilliance. Carmen’s attention to detail in crafting the gothic legacy made the experience worth the journey. Whether it’s the vivid imagery or the deeply unsettling twists, this book delivers for those who appreciate modern horror with classic influences. Thank you to the publishers for the chance to explore this unique work!
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