Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng: A Darkly Funny, Gory, and Ghostly Horror Novel (Original)

Kylie Baker, a writer known for blending dark humor with supernatural elements, presents a novel centered on Cora Zeng. Cora works as a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown, washing away the evidence of brutal murders and suicides. Her professional detachment stems from personal trauma, specifically witnessing her sister Delilah being pushed in front of a train by a murderer who shouted the slur bat eater. This event leaves Cora grappling with severe germaphobia and an inability to distinguish reality from hallucination. The narrative follows Cora as she ignores her aunt’s advice to prepare for the Hungry Ghost Festival, a time when the gates of hell are said to open. Instead, she focuses on cleaning up recent crime scenes, only to notice a disturbing pattern: all the victims are East Asian women, and bat carcasses appear at each location. The story explores the intersection of personal grief, racial violence experienced during the pandemic, and the supernatural threat of hungry ghosts. This book suits readers who enjoy gory horror mixed with dark comedy and cultural folklore. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional jump scares or stories without heavy psychological themes. Baker uses specific cultural traditions to ground the supernatural elements in real-world anxiety. The plot moves through Cora’s cleaning jobs, revealing how ignoring trauma invites both literal and metaphorical monsters into her life.