Horror Book of the Week: Cackle

 

This week’s Horror Book Recommendation is CACKLE. Written by Rachel Harrison, this book was published in October 2021 but still holds a spot in the bestsellers list for Occult Horror and Friendship Fiction. 

Cackle, that has been published by Berkley, has gotten positive reviews from reviewers and customers who bought this book. 

The book has been described as charming, funny and an utterly delight with just the right amount of creepiness. Some of them even find the protagonist and the story relatable to those who has suffered a breakup and find it difficult to make friends after thirty. 

Customers enjoyed the book too, although many believe the book to hardly be a part of the horror genre. The book is supposed to be a lovely companion to read on a crisp fall evening.

However, some readers found the protagonist to be immature and complaining about everything all the time. They also did not appreciate the way the author has show the protagonist handle the breakup. 

 

 Quick Review based on the sample

The author’s writing is crisp and witty that draws you in immediately. The protagonist, Annie is forlorn and since the story is told from her point of view, everything that she sees and feels is despondent. 

The character is no doubt relatable and a change of pace to see someone who doesn’t have it together all the time. The story can seem a little too pacy at first with the breakup being established but also Annie moving away in pretty much the same chapter. 

There are times when the author tries too hard to be witty but it is when she doesn’t try hard that the story flows seamlessly. The intent to produce a chuckle shouldn’t be that obvious, yet when you read the first few chapters, you can’t help but feel that the comedic scenes are forceful. 

However, the story has serious potential to captivate you and leaves you yearning to find out more and hope that Annie has a happy ending. 

The Plot (Taken from Amazon.com)

All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.  

 

Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?

The book is available on Kindle, Audible, Hardcover and Paperback. 

Get the Book