Marigold moves from California to the Midwestern city of Cedarville after a drug charge and a period in rehab. Her mother, a podcaster, settles the blended family in a renovated house provided by a suspicious philanthropic foundation. Within the home, Marigold experiences rotting smells, vanishing items, and shadows that seem to follow her through the hallways. As she struggles with her anxiety disorder and the distrust of her parents, she realizes the house is haunted by something tangible linked to the neighborhood’s forced displacement and aggressive gentrification.
Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers centered on social issues will find this a blunt examination of how systemic racism and corporate greed manifest as urban horror. It is written for those interested in the intersections of mental health, addiction recovery, and local history. The audience walks away with a perspective on how historical redlining and property development can physically and emotionally trap vulnerable communities, alongside a realization that human negligence is often more frightening than supernatural entities.
Escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2021
- Language
- EN
