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The Threshing Floor
She’ll do anything to save her child. Even join a cult.
When single mom Dalice learns her toddler, Cash, needs a heart transplant, she gets desperate. There are no guarantees he’ll receive a donor heart in time. And even if he does, she can’t afford the expensive procedure.
Then Dalice meets Shane. He’s part of a mysterious group whose leader claims to be able to heal any disease or injury. Dalice is skeptical at first, and the ritual she witnesses makes her uneasy. But when a broken arm gets healed before her eyes, she can’t deny the truth, and she wants the same miracle for Cash.
As her son’s life hangs in the balance, Dalice must decide how far she’s willing to go to save him. Because the miracles in the secret group come at a steep price. A price that might be too high for even the most devoted mother.
When single mom Dalice learns her toddler, Cash, needs a heart transplant, she gets desperate. There are no guarantees he’ll receive a donor heart in time. And even if he does, she can’t afford the expensive procedure.
Then Dalice meets Shane. He’s part of a mysterious group whose leader claims to be able to heal any disease or injury. Dalice is skeptical at first, and the ritual she witnesses makes her uneasy. But when a broken arm gets healed before her eyes, she can’t deny the truth, and she wants the same miracle for Cash.
As her son’s life hangs in the balance, Dalice must decide how far she’s willing to go to save him. Because the miracles in the secret group come at a steep price. A price that might be too high for even the most devoted mother.
292 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2024
5 people are currently reading
2277 people want to read
About the author
Steph Nelson
17 books552 followersA lifelong PNW girl, Steph currently lives in Boise, Idaho.
Her books have been reviewed in the New York Times and Library Journal.
She loves long walks by the Boise River, thrifting for vintage clothing, yoga, traveling just about anywhere, and devouring books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
Her books have been reviewed in the New York Times and Library Journal.
She loves long walks by the Boise River, thrifting for vintage clothing, yoga, traveling just about anywhere, and devouring books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 14, 2024
My complete review of The Threshing Floor is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Miracles come at a price in The Threshing Floor, Steph Nelson’s new novel that is equal parts occultist horror and psychological thriller. The lead protagonist, Dalice, is a single mother working multiple jobs to care for her toddler son, Cash, who is in desperate need of a heart transplant. Broke and broken, Dalice finds new hope when a handsome stranger, Shane, enters her life, opening the possibility of companionship and, potentially, a miraculous cure.
The miracle-worker in question is Shane’s younger sister, Reva, an enigmatic cult leader whose healing hands sparkle like the dust of gold. Despite her altruistic veneer, there is a deeply sinister side to Reva, who prays for healing as she preys on her unsuspecting victims.
Steph Nelson grabbed me from the opening prologue of The Threshing Floor, which finds Dalice running in the shadows of darkness, stumbling upon what may be a torture chamber or perhaps a path toward digging her own grave. The tension builds as we learn more about the mysterious gold dust woman and her true intentions. Will Dalice remain in the cult as the price of miracles becomes too high, or will she pick up the pieces and go home?
The Threshing Floor switches perspectives while also alternating between the present timeline and the backstory of Shane and Reva’s childhoods in the early 1990s, revealing striking parallels between Reva’s traumatic childhood and the psychological abuse she inflicts on others.
The horror elements are a slow build throughout The Threshing Floor. I especially enjoyed Steph Nelson’s approach to the supernatural, which is presented in a mostly positive light while showing that the real evil may come from within. As in her previous survival horror, Sawtooth, the psychological aspects of The Threshing Floor are particularly well done.
Steph Nelson also shines with her character development, especially while showing the sacrifices that Dalice is willing to make to save her son. The romance between Dalice and Shane is presented with realistic nuance, lending amorous overtones to balance the horror. However, Reva’s interference might ultimately shatter Dalice’s illusions of love.
From its opening prologue to its unnerving final page, The Threshing Floor is an unputdownable thriller, establishing Steph Nelson as one of my favorite new voices in horror. Fans of occultist and psychological horror will find much to love here.
Miracles come at a price in The Threshing Floor, Steph Nelson’s new novel that is equal parts occultist horror and psychological thriller. The lead protagonist, Dalice, is a single mother working multiple jobs to care for her toddler son, Cash, who is in desperate need of a heart transplant. Broke and broken, Dalice finds new hope when a handsome stranger, Shane, enters her life, opening the possibility of companionship and, potentially, a miraculous cure.
The miracle-worker in question is Shane’s younger sister, Reva, an enigmatic cult leader whose healing hands sparkle like the dust of gold. Despite her altruistic veneer, there is a deeply sinister side to Reva, who prays for healing as she preys on her unsuspecting victims.
Steph Nelson grabbed me from the opening prologue of The Threshing Floor, which finds Dalice running in the shadows of darkness, stumbling upon what may be a torture chamber or perhaps a path toward digging her own grave. The tension builds as we learn more about the mysterious gold dust woman and her true intentions. Will Dalice remain in the cult as the price of miracles becomes too high, or will she pick up the pieces and go home?
The Threshing Floor switches perspectives while also alternating between the present timeline and the backstory of Shane and Reva’s childhoods in the early 1990s, revealing striking parallels between Reva’s traumatic childhood and the psychological abuse she inflicts on others.
The horror elements are a slow build throughout The Threshing Floor. I especially enjoyed Steph Nelson’s approach to the supernatural, which is presented in a mostly positive light while showing that the real evil may come from within. As in her previous survival horror, Sawtooth, the psychological aspects of The Threshing Floor are particularly well done.
Steph Nelson also shines with her character development, especially while showing the sacrifices that Dalice is willing to make to save her son. The romance between Dalice and Shane is presented with realistic nuance, lending amorous overtones to balance the horror. However, Reva’s interference might ultimately shatter Dalice’s illusions of love.
From its opening prologue to its unnerving final page, The Threshing Floor is an unputdownable thriller, establishing Steph Nelson as one of my favorite new voices in horror. Fans of occultist and psychological horror will find much to love here.
November 28, 2024
This had some original horror, which was fun and exciting. It was very intense to learn the desperation of why people join cults. Even though this was more of a supernatural healing, just cults in general and how they get in your head. I didn’t feel a huge connection between the characters. Shane and Dalice- I didn’t feel it. As a mother, I connected more with the bond between child and mom. And the lengths we will go to for our kids. The ending was shocking. 😳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2024
The Threshing Floor is a chilling and emotional ride that dives deep into the lengths a mother will go to save her child. I’m always drawn to stories about cults, and this one delivered with its dual timeline that slowly unravels how the cult came to be. The backstory adds so much depth, especially seeing how desperation and manipulation can twist even the best intentions.
Dalice was such a compelling character. Her strength and determination to save her son, no matter the cost, were so inspiring. After reading the author’s note, I was even more moved. Steph Nelson shares her own experience of losing a child with a congenital heart defect, and it’s clear she poured her heart into this story. It made the book feel even more personal and powerful.
The cult aspect? Absolutely nailed it. Nelson shows how easily people in desperate situations can be drawn into something dangerous, and the group’s rituals gave me chills.
I also loved how easy Nelson’s writing is to sink into—it feels like you’re just in your own head, experiencing the story firsthand. I’ve read The Final Scene by her too and really enjoyed that one, so I knew I was in for a treat.
If I had one tiny complaint, it’s that the pacing could’ve been a little faster in places. But honestly, that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the book overall. If you love horror with psychological twists and emotional depth, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Dalice was such a compelling character. Her strength and determination to save her son, no matter the cost, were so inspiring. After reading the author’s note, I was even more moved. Steph Nelson shares her own experience of losing a child with a congenital heart defect, and it’s clear she poured her heart into this story. It made the book feel even more personal and powerful.
The cult aspect? Absolutely nailed it. Nelson shows how easily people in desperate situations can be drawn into something dangerous, and the group’s rituals gave me chills.
I also loved how easy Nelson’s writing is to sink into—it feels like you’re just in your own head, experiencing the story firsthand. I’ve read The Final Scene by her too and really enjoyed that one, so I knew I was in for a treat.
If I had one tiny complaint, it’s that the pacing could’ve been a little faster in places. But honestly, that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the book overall. If you love horror with psychological twists and emotional depth, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 12, 2024
"Chains jangle. I freeze, breath hitching in my throat. Someone’s down here? Chained up? What the actual fuck? “Help me.” The voice is a breathy whisper. I strain to see, but the strobe effect is aggravating my head, making it hurt worse than it already did. I have to help, but terror tightens around me like a straitjacket. I don’t want to go any further."
⚠️triggers⚠️
body shaming, sexual situations, references to infertility, child loss, eating disorders, persons with disabilities and sicknesses being cured, a non-explicit, brief reference to the sexual abuse of a child, and non-explicit references to suicide. A rabid dog is euthanized off-page, and a wild animal dies.
A dark and gripping psychological occult thriller with elements of grief and body horror. It is one mother's journey, sacrifices and the lengths she is willing to go to save her son whose life is hanging on the balance.
Life is tough but Dalice is tougher.
Her decisions due to her dire situation will leave her in high-stakes dilemma with no easy way out. In the end, she will have to choose: control or sacrifice.
You can feel the despair, trauma, dread and tension oozing from the pages as the story progresses.
Layered story and dual timeline which alternates from past to present and we get to learn more about the cult's history, the healer Reva and her journey on how she discovered her powers and how she became her twisted self.
Although not as super gory as I expected but still an enjoyable read and I liked the ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours 🖤
⚠️triggers⚠️
body shaming, sexual situations, references to infertility, child loss, eating disorders, persons with disabilities and sicknesses being cured, a non-explicit, brief reference to the sexual abuse of a child, and non-explicit references to suicide. A rabid dog is euthanized off-page, and a wild animal dies.
A dark and gripping psychological occult thriller with elements of grief and body horror. It is one mother's journey, sacrifices and the lengths she is willing to go to save her son whose life is hanging on the balance.
Life is tough but Dalice is tougher.
Her decisions due to her dire situation will leave her in high-stakes dilemma with no easy way out. In the end, she will have to choose: control or sacrifice.
You can feel the despair, trauma, dread and tension oozing from the pages as the story progresses.
Layered story and dual timeline which alternates from past to present and we get to learn more about the cult's history, the healer Reva and her journey on how she discovered her powers and how she became her twisted self.
Although not as super gory as I expected but still an enjoyable read and I liked the ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours 🖤
November 9, 2024
Above all, this book was about the lengths a mother would go through for her child. While reading I was rooting for Dalice and just wanted her to get catch a break and be happy. Her journey was inspiring while being a complete nail biter.
The different POVs were perfect in adding more context, moving the plot forward, and kept the story interesting. While you have chapters written from the POV of Dalice and Shane, there are also flashbacks throughout that reveal the story of Reva and Shane's upbringing. It was incredibly well done with the timing of when the flashbacks came up and the natural progression of the story telling.
I finished this book pretty quickly because I was so invested in uncovering the mystery behind what was going on with the group led by Reva, what happened to Reva and Shane's mother, and seeing a resolution for Dalice and her son Chase. I went through a range of emotions and reactions while reading ranging from: questioning, hope, sadness, suspicion, and more.
While I had an idea of what would happen in the end, I was still shocked by the way it was executed by the Author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The different POVs were perfect in adding more context, moving the plot forward, and kept the story interesting. While you have chapters written from the POV of Dalice and Shane, there are also flashbacks throughout that reveal the story of Reva and Shane's upbringing. It was incredibly well done with the timing of when the flashbacks came up and the natural progression of the story telling.
I finished this book pretty quickly because I was so invested in uncovering the mystery behind what was going on with the group led by Reva, what happened to Reva and Shane's mother, and seeing a resolution for Dalice and her son Chase. I went through a range of emotions and reactions while reading ranging from: questioning, hope, sadness, suspicion, and more.
While I had an idea of what would happen in the end, I was still shocked by the way it was executed by the Author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 14, 2024
*** 3.5 stars ***
November 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Dalice is a mother who just wants her son, Cash, to receive a life saving heart transplant. She would do anything to help her son, including joining a cult. The story is nail biting and fast paced.
September 7, 2024
This gripping, chilling, and utterly addictive book is a must-read for thriller fans. The Threshing Floor is both horrifying and hopeful. I loved it.
November 12, 2024
I am beyond grateful to have received an arc of this amazing book ! If I could give this a 6 star I would. I genuinely didn’t think she would be able to top the final scene but she definitely did. This book follows a mother who would do anything to cure her son’s heart condition, even joining a cult.. I am a sucker for a book about a cult and this was done so well! Highly suggest giving this a read <333
November 17, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
The Threshing Floor is an excellent thriller horror novel written by Steph Nelson, and published by Dark Matter INK. A smart plot which focuses on two aspects, part of occultism horror and a bit of psychological thriller, with a mother who is desperate to find a cure for a son whose time is running out joins a cult that can perform miracles, but with a price that might be too high.
Dalice, a single mother, is working multiple jobs to care for her son, Cash, who needs a heart transplant. Even if the donor is found, she cannot afford the procedure; totally broken by the situation, Dalice finds hope when Shane, a nice stranger, enters in her life, bringing her not only the possibility of a companion, but even a supernatural cure.
Because Shane acts as the recruiter for the cult lead by her enigmatic sister, Reva, whose hands can perform healing miracles; but once we are inside the apparently benevolent cult, we discover there's a more sinister side related to the "altruistic" miracles of Reva. But when there's no more hope, how far can a mother go for her son?
Nelson chooses to tell the story through the eyes of Dalice and Shane, alternating those present moments with a look into Reva's past, slowly building the horror elements from those flashbacks. Dalice needs a miracle for her son, and she will go to any point if that means Cash is healed; however, Shane, wants to get out of the cult, something we understand when the nature of the miracles is revealed. He understands Dalice's situation, but after years together with Reva, the price is simply too high.
Through Reva's flashbacks, Nelson makes us understand how she evolved from being a miraculous girl, and how the pain of being used has influenced her, eventually being part of why the cult started.
After a prologue that leaves the reader with many questions, Nelson slowly builds the situation and the characters, weaving the atmosphere that makes this an excellent horror read. In a similar style to The Vein, the reader becomes engaged during the building process, making him unable to stop reading until we reach the conclusion.
From the initial page to the ending, The Threshing Floor is an excellent horror novel, a piece that will be loved if you like greatly developed characters and cult based horror. Steph Nelson is a talented author, and The Threshing Floor only reaffirms that.
The Threshing Floor is an excellent thriller horror novel written by Steph Nelson, and published by Dark Matter INK. A smart plot which focuses on two aspects, part of occultism horror and a bit of psychological thriller, with a mother who is desperate to find a cure for a son whose time is running out joins a cult that can perform miracles, but with a price that might be too high.
Dalice, a single mother, is working multiple jobs to care for her son, Cash, who needs a heart transplant. Even if the donor is found, she cannot afford the procedure; totally broken by the situation, Dalice finds hope when Shane, a nice stranger, enters in her life, bringing her not only the possibility of a companion, but even a supernatural cure.
Because Shane acts as the recruiter for the cult lead by her enigmatic sister, Reva, whose hands can perform healing miracles; but once we are inside the apparently benevolent cult, we discover there's a more sinister side related to the "altruistic" miracles of Reva. But when there's no more hope, how far can a mother go for her son?
Nelson chooses to tell the story through the eyes of Dalice and Shane, alternating those present moments with a look into Reva's past, slowly building the horror elements from those flashbacks. Dalice needs a miracle for her son, and she will go to any point if that means Cash is healed; however, Shane, wants to get out of the cult, something we understand when the nature of the miracles is revealed. He understands Dalice's situation, but after years together with Reva, the price is simply too high.
Through Reva's flashbacks, Nelson makes us understand how she evolved from being a miraculous girl, and how the pain of being used has influenced her, eventually being part of why the cult started.
After a prologue that leaves the reader with many questions, Nelson slowly builds the situation and the characters, weaving the atmosphere that makes this an excellent horror read. In a similar style to The Vein, the reader becomes engaged during the building process, making him unable to stop reading until we reach the conclusion.
From the initial page to the ending, The Threshing Floor is an excellent horror novel, a piece that will be loved if you like greatly developed characters and cult based horror. Steph Nelson is a talented author, and The Threshing Floor only reaffirms that.
August 21, 2024
3.5 rounded up - Shoutout to booksirens for the ARC.
If you liked Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison for all of the girly pop campy horror vibes then this book might be up your alley. A drama filled, romantic, chaotic cult book. Fun, easy to read, engaging. I’m not one who enjoys religious aspects in books, but beyond that this book was a good time!
Further thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNvnJ754/
If you liked Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison for all of the girly pop campy horror vibes then this book might be up your alley. A drama filled, romantic, chaotic cult book. Fun, easy to read, engaging. I’m not one who enjoys religious aspects in books, but beyond that this book was a good time!
Further thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNvnJ754/
November 28, 2024
Okay while I enjoyed this one I liked her previous book more but I feel this one was little more special.
Cash has a heart defect and needs a transplant. His mom, Dalice, a single mom juggling it all on her own is barely making ends meet. Then she meets Shane, whose sister just happens to have hands that turn to gold - she’s the leader of a cult because of her healing powers. But Dalice gets in over her head when she’d do anything to help her baby live. Some miracles aren’t worth the price.
The author’s experience with a baby with a heart defect hurts my heart. I can remember when my own baby was five days old and we were sitting in the waiting room at a heart dr appt and the man next to us said he lost his baby at 5 days old. I was petrified going into that appointment. When I was pregnant they found some anomalies during an ultrasound which they had to monitor. They said my daughter had 2 holes in her heart and over the next few years those holes continued to grown in size.
When they finally did surgery - when she was in 4th grade - they should have done this sooner. They discovered she didn’t have only 2 holes but 11 holes. The surgeon told us it was a “Swiss cheese” heart. While she will have to have checkups for the rest of her life, she’s now 19 and thriving. While I can’t relate completely - I do get it - in some small way.
I also loved how this story included the ice storm of 96! I was around 10-11 and can still remember the ice built up on everything. It was insane!
This was a book I could, in some weird bizarre way, relate to. I enjoyed the cult aspect and all the antics that came with it. The beginning and ending thrilling to read.
Can’t wait to see what this author crafts up next.
Cash has a heart defect and needs a transplant. His mom, Dalice, a single mom juggling it all on her own is barely making ends meet. Then she meets Shane, whose sister just happens to have hands that turn to gold - she’s the leader of a cult because of her healing powers. But Dalice gets in over her head when she’d do anything to help her baby live. Some miracles aren’t worth the price.
The author’s experience with a baby with a heart defect hurts my heart. I can remember when my own baby was five days old and we were sitting in the waiting room at a heart dr appt and the man next to us said he lost his baby at 5 days old. I was petrified going into that appointment. When I was pregnant they found some anomalies during an ultrasound which they had to monitor. They said my daughter had 2 holes in her heart and over the next few years those holes continued to grown in size.
When they finally did surgery - when she was in 4th grade - they should have done this sooner. They discovered she didn’t have only 2 holes but 11 holes. The surgeon told us it was a “Swiss cheese” heart. While she will have to have checkups for the rest of her life, she’s now 19 and thriving. While I can’t relate completely - I do get it - in some small way.
I also loved how this story included the ice storm of 96! I was around 10-11 and can still remember the ice built up on everything. It was insane!
This was a book I could, in some weird bizarre way, relate to. I enjoyed the cult aspect and all the antics that came with it. The beginning and ending thrilling to read.
Can’t wait to see what this author crafts up next.
April 1, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up to 5!
After reading The Final Scene by this author right around this time last year and absolutely loving it, I knew I had to get my hands on this authors next work ASAP. While The Threshing Floor was SO incredibly different from The Final Scene, both stories were fueled by a fast-paced thriller plot with horrifying elements at every turn.
I honestly ended this book in tears after reading the authors note and truly thinking about the massive impact CHD has not only on the child themselves, but also the parents who would do anything for them to be healthy. Working in a field where I work with CHD families relatively often, this book gave me a fresh perspective and only added to the mountains of respect and pride I have to work with this population.
SO long story short - highly recommend this one if you enjoy culty thrillers with some dark twists that we’ve come to know and love from Steph Nelson. Can’t WAIT to get her next book when it comes out in a few months!
After reading The Final Scene by this author right around this time last year and absolutely loving it, I knew I had to get my hands on this authors next work ASAP. While The Threshing Floor was SO incredibly different from The Final Scene, both stories were fueled by a fast-paced thriller plot with horrifying elements at every turn.
I honestly ended this book in tears after reading the authors note and truly thinking about the massive impact CHD has not only on the child themselves, but also the parents who would do anything for them to be healthy. Working in a field where I work with CHD families relatively often, this book gave me a fresh perspective and only added to the mountains of respect and pride I have to work with this population.
SO long story short - highly recommend this one if you enjoy culty thrillers with some dark twists that we’ve come to know and love from Steph Nelson. Can’t WAIT to get her next book when it comes out in a few months!
November 27, 2024
An intense page-turner that hits the ground running. I flew through this book at lightning speed. How far will a mother go to save her child? Dalice's son Cash was born with a heart defect. When she falls in with a cult that seems to have the power to heal him it seems to good to be true.
However, that healing comes with a price, because let's be honest, everything comes with a price.
An immersive, intense, and emotional rollercoaster of a book. Would highly recommend it!
However, that healing comes with a price, because let's be honest, everything comes with a price.
An immersive, intense, and emotional rollercoaster of a book. Would highly recommend it!
April 23, 2025
3.25 stars
August 29, 2024
“You think they wouldn’t find out that you’re hiding little corners of darkness?”
📚
Single mom Dalice Carter has had a rough life. Her mother is deceased, her relationship with her sister is strained, and her two-year-old son, Cash, has a life-threatening congenital heart defect that will require a transplant. Forced to drop out of college due to her pregnancy, she works two jobs, struggling to keep the lights on, relying on her sister for childcare, blaming herself for Cash’s issues, and drowning in student loans, credit card debt, and medical bills. She’s exhausted and overwhelmed, so when she meets an attractive man who’s part of a group whose leader supposedly possesses the ability to heal, she ignores obvious red flags and concerning oddities, determined to do anything she can to save Cash, even if it means joining a cult. But is the price too high?
Threaded with malice and mystery, The Threshing Floor moves back and forth in time as it shifts between characters, gradually unveiling the sinister backstory underscoring the plotline. Its unique premise is rife with uncomfortable culty/religious vibes, ominous undertones, true horrors, and occasional humor, which is hugely refreshing amid the heavy subject matter. It’s a fraught and layered tale of lies, secrets, manipulation, and cruelty; shame, loneliness, longing, and desperation; addiction, illness, mortality, and murder; love, lust, obsession, and temptation; abuse, imprisonment, exploitation, and blackmail; and miracles, power, faith, and freedom.
Topped off with a fascinating title source, delightful crossover with The Vein, heart-pounding climax, exclamation point of an ending, must-read Author’s Note, and an absolutely gorgeous cover, The Threshing Floor is a truly distinctive story sure to satisfy both horror and suspense/thriller enthusiasts.
Thank you to BookSirens and Dark Matter INK for providing an eARC of this forthcoming title — currently slated for release on November 11th — for review consideration.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
📚
Single mom Dalice Carter has had a rough life. Her mother is deceased, her relationship with her sister is strained, and her two-year-old son, Cash, has a life-threatening congenital heart defect that will require a transplant. Forced to drop out of college due to her pregnancy, she works two jobs, struggling to keep the lights on, relying on her sister for childcare, blaming herself for Cash’s issues, and drowning in student loans, credit card debt, and medical bills. She’s exhausted and overwhelmed, so when she meets an attractive man who’s part of a group whose leader supposedly possesses the ability to heal, she ignores obvious red flags and concerning oddities, determined to do anything she can to save Cash, even if it means joining a cult. But is the price too high?
Threaded with malice and mystery, The Threshing Floor moves back and forth in time as it shifts between characters, gradually unveiling the sinister backstory underscoring the plotline. Its unique premise is rife with uncomfortable culty/religious vibes, ominous undertones, true horrors, and occasional humor, which is hugely refreshing amid the heavy subject matter. It’s a fraught and layered tale of lies, secrets, manipulation, and cruelty; shame, loneliness, longing, and desperation; addiction, illness, mortality, and murder; love, lust, obsession, and temptation; abuse, imprisonment, exploitation, and blackmail; and miracles, power, faith, and freedom.
Topped off with a fascinating title source, delightful crossover with The Vein, heart-pounding climax, exclamation point of an ending, must-read Author’s Note, and an absolutely gorgeous cover, The Threshing Floor is a truly distinctive story sure to satisfy both horror and suspense/thriller enthusiasts.
Thank you to BookSirens and Dark Matter INK for providing an eARC of this forthcoming title — currently slated for release on November 11th — for review consideration.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2024
BOMB! of an intro!, everything i'd love to see in a thriller,
Perfect amount of mystery and angst, instantly hyped me up for the rest of the book.
And the rest did not disappoint, the plot is great!! It is a little cliché in parts but the meat of the story is unique and well done and immensely interesting. The POV'S are well paced and so well split that each one left me wanting more and more
The Characters were okay, IMO we could have had a little bit more from them, each and everyone of them were so interesting and i felt there was so much more to be done with them,
I loved the alternating timeline and thought it was done beautifully and smoothly,
Especially by the end.. my heart was RACING! I read so fast my eyes got tired.
The horror aspect is slow but when it gets here.. boy IT IS HERE loud and clear and oh so thrilling
The psychology.. ah my favourite part, having the alternate timeline is like a 7course banquet for my mind, it so wonderfully let me analyse the character's childhood and their trauma, abuse and the resulting character in the present timeline.
The psychological element is especially well written, mixed with the thrill,horror and the occult surrounding; it was awesome!
The ending for me was a little too cliché and predicted but that did not take away from my enjoyment at all
Perfect amount of mystery and angst, instantly hyped me up for the rest of the book.
And the rest did not disappoint, the plot is great!! It is a little cliché in parts but the meat of the story is unique and well done and immensely interesting. The POV'S are well paced and so well split that each one left me wanting more and more
The Characters were okay, IMO we could have had a little bit more from them, each and everyone of them were so interesting and i felt there was so much more to be done with them,
I loved the alternating timeline and thought it was done beautifully and smoothly,
Especially by the end.. my heart was RACING! I read so fast my eyes got tired.
The horror aspect is slow but when it gets here.. boy IT IS HERE loud and clear and oh so thrilling
The psychology.. ah my favourite part, having the alternate timeline is like a 7course banquet for my mind, it so wonderfully let me analyse the character's childhood and their trauma, abuse and the resulting character in the present timeline.
The psychological element is especially well written, mixed with the thrill,horror and the occult surrounding; it was awesome!
The ending for me was a little too cliché and predicted but that did not take away from my enjoyment at all
November 5, 2024
This went a bit longer than it had to, and the supernatural elements were neither original nor apparent; actually, the book is a slow burn as far as the horror and the supernatural aspects are concerned. However, it is principally a cult horror book, so, when the supernatural element is lacking (or taking its time to really appear), characterization is the reasonable backup an author might employ to bring such a book to the finish line. And indeed, Steph Nelson knows how to do characters sound interesting, relatable, intriguing, their interactions engrossing, the dialogue natural and realistic - exactly what I was after if I were to finish the book. And finish it I did.
Supernatural cult horror is not easy to pull off without the author usually helping themselves to some obscure, inexplicit type of cosmic horror in the background; fortunately, this was not the case here. There are no ambiguities left, and the ending will resonate with a lot of people. Check triggers as well, if you're sensitive to that kind of thing; there are plenty of uncomfortable situations portrayed or mentioned throughout the book.
Supernatural cult horror is not easy to pull off without the author usually helping themselves to some obscure, inexplicit type of cosmic horror in the background; fortunately, this was not the case here. There are no ambiguities left, and the ending will resonate with a lot of people. Check triggers as well, if you're sensitive to that kind of thing; there are plenty of uncomfortable situations portrayed or mentioned throughout the book.
November 18, 2024
The Threshing Floor is the latest twisty, fast-paced, heart-pounding novel from Steph Nelson. This is one of those books that hooks you from the beginning and is nearly impossible to put down. It's a thriller with some pretty intense horror elements, which is one of my personal favorite genres, and the characters are so real and dynamic. I was truly sad when I was finished with this book because it immersed me so much in its world, I missed it when it was over.
I recommend it to everyone, thriller and horror readers alike. It's culty. It's got mystery and suspense. There's a romance element, but it doesn't overshadow the narrative. All together, it's the absolute perfection we can always expect from Steph Nelson.
I recommend it to everyone, thriller and horror readers alike. It's culty. It's got mystery and suspense. There's a romance element, but it doesn't overshadow the narrative. All together, it's the absolute perfection we can always expect from Steph Nelson.
November 9, 2024
Rating: 5+ stars! I loved this book.
This is the second book I’ve read by the author and I was lucky enough to get the ARC through NetGalley. As any true-crime girlie would say, I love to read anything about cults — fictional or not. It was so interesting reading and understanding how someone can get so blinded by the idea of a “faith healer”, especially when one’s son has a heart problem.
I throughly enjoyed how relatable and interesting the characters were and I feel like Nelson knocked the cult aspect out of the park. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
I will say to check trigger warnings beforehand but otherwise I highly recommend this book to any fellow true-crime girlies or people that enjoy thrillers!
This is the second book I’ve read by the author and I was lucky enough to get the ARC through NetGalley. As any true-crime girlie would say, I love to read anything about cults — fictional or not. It was so interesting reading and understanding how someone can get so blinded by the idea of a “faith healer”, especially when one’s son has a heart problem.
I throughly enjoyed how relatable and interesting the characters were and I feel like Nelson knocked the cult aspect out of the park. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
I will say to check trigger warnings beforehand but otherwise I highly recommend this book to any fellow true-crime girlies or people that enjoy thrillers!
December 18, 2024
Yet again, something totally different than anything I ever read. Steph Nelson is quickly becoming a favorite author for me! This story does require you to suspend belief, but also falls in line with my favorite genre: cults. This dual timeline, dual POV bounces between current day and the past, tying together the storyline effortlessly. While I didn’t feel a build up of suspense or “thrill”, I did appreciate the story, pacing, length, and audio narrators.
Side note: as a mom of a heart baby, I see you, and I grieve for you. Mine is now 18 and giving me grey hairs daily.
Side note: as a mom of a heart baby, I see you, and I grieve for you. Mine is now 18 and giving me grey hairs daily.
Read
August 31, 2024First of all I must give a shout out to the wonderful cover. What a gem!
Now for the novel...I loved it! It grabbed my interest from the outset and kept me gripped right to the very end. A supernatural cult horror with a powerful moral dilemma - What would you be willing to do to save your child's life? Yes there's horror here, but there's a lot of heart, too.
N.B. Please read the Author's Note at the end when you get your copy! I'll say no more because I don't want to spoil it.
Now for the novel...I loved it! It grabbed my interest from the outset and kept me gripped right to the very end. A supernatural cult horror with a powerful moral dilemma - What would you be willing to do to save your child's life? Yes there's horror here, but there's a lot of heart, too.
N.B. Please read the Author's Note at the end when you get your copy! I'll say no more because I don't want to spoil it.
October 26, 2024
She'll do anything to save her child. Even join a cult …
This book far exceeded my expectations. I binge read it in 2 days because it was so engrossing. If you like culty, disturbing mystery with some messed up family dynamics, give this a read. The Threshing Floor publishes November 11th from Dark Matter Ink. Thank you so much Book Sirens for the ARC!
This book far exceeded my expectations. I binge read it in 2 days because it was so engrossing. If you like culty, disturbing mystery with some messed up family dynamics, give this a read. The Threshing Floor publishes November 11th from Dark Matter Ink. Thank you so much Book Sirens for the ARC!
December 17, 2024
Literally kept my pulse racing the entire time. This hooked me right away and didn’t let go til the last page.
March 23, 2025
3.5 stars. Really good but fairly predictable ending.
July 25, 2025
this was so weird lol maybe i’m just not the right audience for it. not bad, just had me like 🤨 most of the time.
November 25, 2024
4.5*
I was a wee bit afraid when I started The Threshing Floor, because mostly I was worried that the "baby needing a heart transplant" part would be too hard to read. But it did not turn out to be! Sure, you had the Feelings™ because of it, but it was not too overwhelming that I could not enjoy the story. And what a ride it was! Now, first let me tell you my one qualm about the story: The premise that Dalice has to pay the hospital bills is just not accurate. I mean, it probably will be come January (thanks, half of America), but right now, any child with a medical condition, especially in progressive Washington, would be covered under Medical Assistance, regardless of the parent's income (and Dalice definitely doesn't make enough for it to matter). So I had to get over that, but once I did, and just pretended the story was set in 2025, I was fine. (Also, I hate it here.)
Anyway, Dalice is doing everything she can for her son, who was born with a very serious heart condition. She meets Shane, who not only provides the potential for a little romance, he provides a potential way to fix Cash's heart. But Shane doesn't want Dalice involved in his sister's shenanigans, and soon we see why. Reva, Shane's sister, has a literal cult following for her ability to cure people's medical conditions. But nothing is free, is it?
I enjoyed Dalice struggling with these brutal decisions, I enjoyed Shane struggling with his own decisions surrounding both Dalice, who he cares for, and Reva, who he has loyalty toward, and I enjoyed learning more about how Reva (and by extension, the group) morphed into what they did. I also enjoyed all the relationships, and how the characters had to work through them all, even the more minor relationships that were featured. Plus, because the outcome involved a lot of people's lives (including an innocent child's), I obviously was invested in the story and could not put it down.
Bottom Line: It was high stakes and high adventure, and I loved the story and the characters.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
CW at start: "This novel includes body shaming, sexual situations, references to infertility, child loss, eating disorders, persons with disabilities and sicknesses being cured, a non-explicit, brief reference to the sexual abuse of a child, and non-explicit references to suicide. A rabid dog is euthanatized off-page, and a wild animal dies. Reader discretion is advised."
I was a wee bit afraid when I started The Threshing Floor, because mostly I was worried that the "baby needing a heart transplant" part would be too hard to read. But it did not turn out to be! Sure, you had the Feelings™ because of it, but it was not too overwhelming that I could not enjoy the story. And what a ride it was! Now, first let me tell you my one qualm about the story: The premise that Dalice has to pay the hospital bills is just not accurate. I mean, it probably will be come January (thanks, half of America), but right now, any child with a medical condition, especially in progressive Washington, would be covered under Medical Assistance, regardless of the parent's income (and Dalice definitely doesn't make enough for it to matter). So I had to get over that, but once I did, and just pretended the story was set in 2025, I was fine. (Also, I hate it here.)
Anyway, Dalice is doing everything she can for her son, who was born with a very serious heart condition. She meets Shane, who not only provides the potential for a little romance, he provides a potential way to fix Cash's heart. But Shane doesn't want Dalice involved in his sister's shenanigans, and soon we see why. Reva, Shane's sister, has a literal cult following for her ability to cure people's medical conditions. But nothing is free, is it?
I enjoyed Dalice struggling with these brutal decisions, I enjoyed Shane struggling with his own decisions surrounding both Dalice, who he cares for, and Reva, who he has loyalty toward, and I enjoyed learning more about how Reva (and by extension, the group) morphed into what they did. I also enjoyed all the relationships, and how the characters had to work through them all, even the more minor relationships that were featured. Plus, because the outcome involved a lot of people's lives (including an innocent child's), I obviously was invested in the story and could not put it down.
Bottom Line: It was high stakes and high adventure, and I loved the story and the characters.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
October 3, 2024
The idea was good but the execution lacking.
Cults and supervillians ... and insta-love, and a horrifically selfish ditz of a lead character ... and a lot of fatphobia and lookism.
I really had a hard time with the characters and their relationships. The lead goes through hell but sounds like a teenaged character from Clueless. She has a son with severe illnesses but he's just a plot point ... everything is about helping her get out of dealing with him so she can screw the cute new guy she met at the bar. Note that we read from her perspective most of the time, and there's no awareness of this at all. Instead, we have some sad stories about childhood abuse and men screwing her over. But as a reader presented over and over with her son disappearing conveniently from the narrative, only brought in to show how he's a barrier in her romantic life and a strain on her relationship with her sister ... this more than anything gave me ick.
The supervilliany: basically, vampirism with gold dust. They don't sparkle like diamonds in the sun with this one! I'm teasing a little, but this was actually the highlight of the story. Yet, it was disturbing at a meta-level. The superpower works by healing and taking life in return. I liked that it made people high, like a drug, and the bad effects on the ... handsy caster ... could be eliminated by making the recipient feel bad. I mean, it doesn't quite make sense, but it's a gruesome exchange and a nice twist away from vampire lore. But ... the "healing" element deserves a hard look. Slightly overweight characters are "healed" into thin, ripped bodies. Huh? Seriously, what? Everything else has to do with illness and injury, like broken legs and cuts and heart conditions ... so this is just straight up fatphobia and lookism. The lead is also bi/pan and treats it matter-of-factly, even with defiance in one scene ... but it just goes to show that you can be woke about some things and not others.
What would the "Threshing Floor" say about this one, I wonder?
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Dark Matter INK for the advance copy.
Cults and supervillians ... and insta-love, and a horrifically selfish ditz of a lead character ... and a lot of fatphobia and lookism.
I really had a hard time with the characters and their relationships. The lead goes through hell but sounds like a teenaged character from Clueless. She has a son with severe illnesses but he's just a plot point ... everything is about helping her get out of dealing with him so she can screw the cute new guy she met at the bar. Note that we read from her perspective most of the time, and there's no awareness of this at all. Instead, we have some sad stories about childhood abuse and men screwing her over. But as a reader presented over and over with her son disappearing conveniently from the narrative, only brought in to show how he's a barrier in her romantic life and a strain on her relationship with her sister ... this more than anything gave me ick.
The supervilliany: basically, vampirism with gold dust. They don't sparkle like diamonds in the sun with this one! I'm teasing a little, but this was actually the highlight of the story. Yet, it was disturbing at a meta-level. The superpower works by healing and taking life in return. I liked that it made people high, like a drug, and the bad effects on the ... handsy caster ... could be eliminated by making the recipient feel bad. I mean, it doesn't quite make sense, but it's a gruesome exchange and a nice twist away from vampire lore. But ... the "healing" element deserves a hard look. Slightly overweight characters are "healed" into thin, ripped bodies. Huh? Seriously, what? Everything else has to do with illness and injury, like broken legs and cuts and heart conditions ... so this is just straight up fatphobia and lookism. The lead is also bi/pan and treats it matter-of-factly, even with defiance in one scene ... but it just goes to show that you can be woke about some things and not others.
What would the "Threshing Floor" say about this one, I wonder?
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Dark Matter INK for the advance copy.
October 29, 2024
This story had me completely hooked from the moment that I opened it. Steph Nelson knows how to write a great story, that’s for sure. This was also my first read by her as well and it most definitely won’t be my last!
The Threshing Floor follows a young single mom, Dalice, and her nearly two year old son, Cash, who has a heart condition and the only way to save him is with a heart transplant. Dalice is living paycheck to paycheck and scrambling to save money for her son working at a local restaurant. She also cleans houses on the side.
One day when Dalice is working at the restaurant she runs into an old high school classmate and they reconnect. There’s also a handsome man who she finds herself infatuated with and they begin to develop a relationship.
However, once Dalice is invited to a family party of sorts this is where things take a drastic turn and change of pace. Dalice begins to uncover secrets about this group of people she’s newly acquainted herself with and when she learns that her son can be saved without a transplant, she is on the move to make sure she’s the next person chosen that volunteers for this special healing gift from her newfound beau’s sister.
I don’t want to go too much further into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything for future readers but this story was everything that I never knew I needed. It was easy to love Dalice’s character; a single mom that works hard for her son. I felt an enormous amount of empathy towards her and her son. I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. The writing was absolutely amazing. You know it’s good when you see a movie unfolding in your head as you’re reading.
I can’t recommend this book high enough. If you enjoy Psychological Thrillers and books involving Cults then you absolutely need to read this one!
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC. The Threshing Floor releases on November 11th, 2024.
The Threshing Floor follows a young single mom, Dalice, and her nearly two year old son, Cash, who has a heart condition and the only way to save him is with a heart transplant. Dalice is living paycheck to paycheck and scrambling to save money for her son working at a local restaurant. She also cleans houses on the side.
One day when Dalice is working at the restaurant she runs into an old high school classmate and they reconnect. There’s also a handsome man who she finds herself infatuated with and they begin to develop a relationship.
However, once Dalice is invited to a family party of sorts this is where things take a drastic turn and change of pace. Dalice begins to uncover secrets about this group of people she’s newly acquainted herself with and when she learns that her son can be saved without a transplant, she is on the move to make sure she’s the next person chosen that volunteers for this special healing gift from her newfound beau’s sister.
I don’t want to go too much further into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything for future readers but this story was everything that I never knew I needed. It was easy to love Dalice’s character; a single mom that works hard for her son. I felt an enormous amount of empathy towards her and her son. I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. The writing was absolutely amazing. You know it’s good when you see a movie unfolding in your head as you’re reading.
I can’t recommend this book high enough. If you enjoy Psychological Thrillers and books involving Cults then you absolutely need to read this one!
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC. The Threshing Floor releases on November 11th, 2024.
November 27, 2024
A huge, huge thank you to Book Siren and the publisher for the eARC!
Y’all already know I love Steph Nelson’s books. From her slow burn horror novel, The Vein, to the very propulsive thriller, The Final Scene, Nelson has written some very captivating stories with complex, flawed, and interesting characters. Her latest, The Threshing Floor, feels like the perfect combination of her previous works, infusing elements of unexpected, twisty thrillers with the horrors of manipulation. Single mom Dalice works to make ends meet and care for her son, Cash, who has a very serious heart condition. The news of his worsening condition comes right when Dalice meets someone new, a man named Shane. It soon becomes apparent that Shane is tied to a religious group, one that holds the promises of healing for Cash. Of course, all that glitters is not gold, and nothing is as it seems.
When I say this book was hard to put down, I mean that very very literally. Nelson’s character work through Dalice, Cash, and Shane instills immediate investment through various POVs and timelines. It’s no secret that this is a cult novel, but I found that The Threshing Floor takes an unexpected turn outside of the other tropes of this sub-genre. This works incredibly well in creating space for the unexpected and possibly even other-worldly.
Beyond this, The Threshing Floor is written with a lot of heart from Nelson’s own experiences as detailed in her author’s note. There is a level of care that is instituted within all of the conflicts presented that gives this story a very human element.
I really can’t recommend this novel enough as it combines everything I love about thrillers with a horrific twist in addition to a very raw, human component. Steph Nelson knows how to write stories that tug on your heartstrings and demand your attention. In other words, I can’t recommend her books, The Threshing Floor to be specific, enough!
Y’all already know I love Steph Nelson’s books. From her slow burn horror novel, The Vein, to the very propulsive thriller, The Final Scene, Nelson has written some very captivating stories with complex, flawed, and interesting characters. Her latest, The Threshing Floor, feels like the perfect combination of her previous works, infusing elements of unexpected, twisty thrillers with the horrors of manipulation. Single mom Dalice works to make ends meet and care for her son, Cash, who has a very serious heart condition. The news of his worsening condition comes right when Dalice meets someone new, a man named Shane. It soon becomes apparent that Shane is tied to a religious group, one that holds the promises of healing for Cash. Of course, all that glitters is not gold, and nothing is as it seems.
When I say this book was hard to put down, I mean that very very literally. Nelson’s character work through Dalice, Cash, and Shane instills immediate investment through various POVs and timelines. It’s no secret that this is a cult novel, but I found that The Threshing Floor takes an unexpected turn outside of the other tropes of this sub-genre. This works incredibly well in creating space for the unexpected and possibly even other-worldly.
Beyond this, The Threshing Floor is written with a lot of heart from Nelson’s own experiences as detailed in her author’s note. There is a level of care that is instituted within all of the conflicts presented that gives this story a very human element.
I really can’t recommend this novel enough as it combines everything I love about thrillers with a horrific twist in addition to a very raw, human component. Steph Nelson knows how to write stories that tug on your heartstrings and demand your attention. In other words, I can’t recommend her books, The Threshing Floor to be specific, enough!
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