2.2 Children: A Southern Gothic Horror

Some miracles should stay buried. Two months before her due date, Laurel Fontenot is told there will be no happy ending. Then Mercy is born, and the room changes. The nurses weep. Harlan falls to his knees. The machines begin to sing. By morning, the town is calling Mercy a miracle. And Laurel is told to be grateful. But the nursery is too quiet when Laurel is alone. Bottles empty without being touched. The baby monitor whispers after midnight. Willa draws Mercy with too many hands. Thomas repeats things no one taught him. Soon, every soft voice in Briar Parish is asking the same question: What kind of mother refuses a miracle? To save her family, Laurel must learn what Mercy brought home with her. Before it takes her two living children too. Readers search for: Southern Gothic horror, Louisiana Gothic, domestic horror, social horror, motherhood horror, feminist horror, grief horror, folk horror, religious horror, small town horror, creepy baby horror, possession horror, literary horror, family secrets, atmospheric horror, horror with strong female characters.