An Affinity for Formaldehyde

Chloe Spencer’s An Affinity for Formaldehyde follows Lou, a queer woman who returns to her hometown to prevent her grandmother from marrying Lou’s childhood best friend. The narrative addresses the unresolved grief surrounding the death of the best friend’s sister, a topic that has kept Lou and her friend at odds for years. Upon arrival, Lou encounters her grandmother’s intense obsession with taxidermy, which serves as the central source of tension in this gothic tale. The plot shifts from familial reconciliation to survival horror when Lou attempts to depart. Her grandmother reveals a sinister plan that traps Lou, ensuring she will not leave anytime soon. Spencer structures the story around these claustrophobic dynamics, drawing on supernatural fiction traditions where domestic spaces become sites of terror. The book suits readers who enjoy queer protagonists in high-stakes psychological thrillers and those interested in stories about inherited trauma and bodily autonomy. This novel does not appeal to those seeking lighthearted romance or traditional horror tropes without emotional depth. Spencer qualifies as a writer who blends personal history with genre fiction, using the setting of a small town to amplify the isolation of the characters. The narrative relies on the specific relationship between Lou and her grandmother, rather than external monsters, to drive the fear. Readers looking for a story that examines the weight of family expectations through a supernatural lens will find this work relevant. The ending leaves Lou trapped, emphasizing the inescapable nature of the grandmother’s control.