Leanne Olson

by Del Sandeen

Published October 8, 2024 by Berkley

This Cursed House is a Southern gothic horror novel set in 1960s New Orleans, about a young Black woman who goes to work for a strange family. She thinks she’s been hired as a tutor, but the family has a darker reason for wanting her there — tied to her ability to see ghosts.

The Cursed House is engaging and reveals its secrets deliberately.  This is a strong social horror that leans in to the horror of racism and prejudice, and also emphasizes the strength of forgiveness, community, and freedom.  Jemma is a great protagonist, smart and empathetic, who kept me rooting for her.

Readers of character-driven, atmospheric social horror will love this book. If you enjoyed When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen or The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, check out Del Sandeen’s confident debut.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for my review copy of this book.