Ronnie has just purchase a historic house site unseen. It was once owned by a glamorous film star, Venita Rost, who was allegedly murdered by her husband after the tragic death of their daughter. When Ronnie arrives, she finds a dilapidated dump that is absolutely haunted. But she has a background in flipping houses, and will not be deterred by some mold and some ghosts. As she starts to uncover more about the home’s cursed history, and the tragic ends that have been met there, Ronnie will have to fight for her life as well as the right to her home.

It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest hits shelves July 22nd!

“God, but she became a monster in the end, didn’t she? A living wraith, a raging poltergeist with a stained silk smock and bloodshot eyes. Always seething, never resting. Never relenting. Determined to burn down the whole world if that was what it took to punish the men who’d failed her so.”

Here’s what I loved:

This story is told from various view points jumping across time which very effectively takes you along the journey as Ronnie and yourself untangle the history and the truth of what happened there over the years. It’s fascinating reading from a ghost’s perspective and from the journal pages of Venita. There’s a mix of unreliable narrators and the chance to see different perspectives of the same circumstances which really immerses you into the story.

Ronnie is a lot of fun to spend time with as she confidently navigates her way through the renovation of the home while also finding herself become enchanted and perhaps too obsessed with Venita Rost, potentially falling victim like those that became before her. There’s some pretty freaky moments while Ronnie is learning about the ghosts in her home, and I loved the classic haunted house moments like a mirror falling to the floor, or seeing a figure out of the corner of your eye.

I also really enjoyed that Ronnie is quite a flawed individual who makes honest mistakes but continues to try as well as acknowledging her errors. She’s not the stereotypical ‘woman in a haunted house’ trope, but a hurt woman who can ask for help, admit to her mistakes, and create space for herself and her feelings. Which becomes a great contrast to Venita Rost who has succumbed to her rage and is only interested in the burning the world down with her.

Overall, It was Her House First is a really solid haunted house story that was a lot of fun to read. Pick up a copy for yourself on July 22nd. Or better yet; pre-order now! Big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Goodbye, Bartholomew Sloan. I’ll see you in hell.”