A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher -- Starting June 26th 2023

[Jenn]

A haunting Southern Gothic from an award-winning master of suspense, A House With Good Bones explores the dark, twisted roots lurking just beneath the veneer of a perfect home and family.

"Mom seems off."

Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

[Cinthia]

I'd like to join for this one.... I just got it in audio from the library... I'll start it close to the reading date...

[Sibil]

You are welcome to it!

[Sibil]

day 1-2
(view spoiler)[I like that the story is divided by days, and I love the description of flowers and plants at the beginning of each day.
And I like also the narrator's voice, she sounds like a great human being, and I am sorry for what is happening to her mother. It is creepy, and she seems like an adorable woman, too.
And her grand-grandfather is scary!! Also, Gran Mae seems like a not-so-decent being. At all.
I wasn't expecting this to be set in the present, I am used to her fantasy books, but I am not complaining, it was just unexpected!
(hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

I'll be a little bit late for this. I have to finish one other book before I start reading this one.

[Sibil]

No problem!!

[Cinthia]

finished. I gotta do updates. maybe tomorrow.

[Sibil]

days 3-5
(view spoiler)[I am really enjoying the inner voice of our MC, and her asides are so funny!
Also, things started to get creepy! But I am glad that the mom is not really alone, the neighbor sounds like an interesting woman, for sure! But also kind! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

days 6-9
(view spoiler)[Well, it was interesting to discover something more of the past, but Gran Mae is scary as hell. And so vicious. Sure, she didn't have the best childhood either, and I am sorry for that, but she was a despicable human being.
On another note, I am glad that we get to meet the old grumpy neighbor, Phil's grandad. He is not a nice or welcoming character, but Sam mentioned him often enough and it was nice to finally meet him. (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

17.0% End of day 2. What the h3ck is going on with her mom? (view spoiler)[ Is she sick? Where are the bugs at? I don't know if I like Sam's job. I like her mom. And what is the deal with the vultures? (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

34.0% That's a little too creepy. (view spoiler)[ I like ladybugs but I cannot imagine being ok with many of them. Who is making those bugs come into her room? (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

43.0% As much as I love roses (view spoiler)[ imagine being wrapped in all those petals! I'm glad she had Phil there even if she blamed him first. Sleep paralysis doesn't sound pleasant at all, imagine!? Being asleep and awake and paralyzed? Idk how it works. (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

60.0% (view spoiler)[ So now we now that the house is haunted. And that her grand Mae is the one haunting it. Gail sounds like a good person, I hope she is giving Sam good advice. I feel so bad for Sam's mom, maybe she is NOT going crazy after all. (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

80.0% Well that dinner sure was creepy!!! (view spoiler)[ I guess it wasn't all in Edi's mind, grand Mae was haunting the house. She was racist and the one that hurt Maria. And she was so mean to Sam, calling little piggy. I'm glad she's gone. (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

Finished... (view spoiler)[ Well that was an interesting plot twist!! I guess grand Mae was trying to keep them safe and not so crazy after all. There are underground children. I'm glad Sam was able to push them back with the roses. They sound so scary meowing. And nothing Gail!! I'm glad Edi and Sam are finally leaving that house. (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

Sibil wrote: "days 3-5
I am really enjoying the inner voice of our MC, and her asides are so funny!
Also, things started to get creepy! But I am glad that the mom is not really alone, the neighbor sounds like an..."

I loved the comments too... witty. (view spoiler)[ I'm glad she went to be with her mom.. not only cuz she had already sublet her apartment ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Cinthia]

Sibil wrote: "days 6-9
Well, it was interesting to discover something more of the past, but Gran Mae is scary as hell. And so vicious. Sure, she didn't have the best childhood either, and I am sorry for that, bu..."

I personally liked Phil... his grandpa? (view spoiler)[ kinda rude and didn't make sense at first... (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Cinthia wrote: "17.0% End of day 2. What the h3ck is going on with her mom? [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I think Sam's job is fascinating, but I won't do it. It is just not really my thing, and that is the kind of job you'll do if you are passionate about it, and only if you are passionate about it (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Cinthia wrote: "80.0% Well that dinner sure was creepy!!! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Gran Mae was not a decent human being, at all! And even in the ever after she did not become better (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

I'll be starting today :)

[Aneta]

Day 1-2
(view spoiler)[Something is definitely happening. It looks like her mom is scared of something and she doesn't want to leave Sam home alone.
Not sure what is going on yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Day 3-5
(view spoiler)[It's getting creepy. I thought it's going to be about bugs but it looks like it's all about the roses. I kind of feel like that information about vultures escorting the dead to the afterlife is important. Is that why they are waiting before her mom's house? (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Day 6-8
(view spoiler)[She found teeth! Her grandma obsession with teeth is highly disturbing and I want to know what she was doing with them! (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Sibil wrote: "days 6-9"

(view spoiler)[I'm glad we got to meet Phil's grandpa. That was kind of fun. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Finished
(view spoiler)[The last part kind of lost me little bit. Not so much underground children but "sinkhole" part - I don't really understand where they were.

But other than that I really enjoyed this book. (hide spoiler)]