Forgotten Sisters

Name: Forgotten Sisters
Price: 16.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781662513916

✍️ Cynthia Pelayo

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$16.99

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gothic novel about sisters haunted by their Chicago River home and a mysterious podcast listener.

The narrative focuses on the deteriorating mental state of Anna and Jennie as they remain trapped in their family home. Pelayo uses the setting of the Chicago River to explore themes of isolation and the weight of history. The plot progresses through Anna’s external connection via her podcast, which contrasts sharply with the internal horror of Jennie’s experience. The arrival of law enforcement introduces a thriller element to the supernatural premise, suggesting that the missing bodies are not merely accidents but part of a larger, darker pattern tied to the sisters' past.

Key Themes

familial bonds urban isolation supernatural haunting

Literary Context

The story is set in Chicago, drawing on the city's tragic history and its river as a central character. It engages with traditions of gothic fiction where historic homes hold dark secrets. The narrative reflects contemporary anxieties about loneliness and digital connection through Anna’s podcast work.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier · Stephen King · Tana French

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Thomas & Mercer 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781662513916

📝 Description: Forgotten Sisters

Cynthia Pelayo presents a gothic tale centered on sisters Anna and Jennie, who reside in a historic bungalow along the Chicago River. Their existence is bound to the property by a disquieting past that prevents them from leaving, regardless of the supernatural disturbances within. The house emits maddening creaks and disembodied voices that rattle its old walls, creating an atmosphere of isolation. Anna copes with her loneliness by hosting a podcast that recounts ghostly tales from Chicago's tragic history. Her work draws the attention of an ardent male listener, offering her a glimpse into life beyond the riverbank. As this relationship develops, Jennie’s anxiety intensifies due to a series of inexplicable drownings and missing persons in the area. The narrative tension rises when two detectives come calling, linking the sisters to the rising death toll. This novel suits readers who enjoy atmospheric supernatural fiction rooted in specific urban settings. It appeals to those interested in stories about familial bonds strained by shared trauma and mystery. Readers seeking fast-paced action or light-hearted romance may find the slow-burn psychological dread less engaging. The story relies on the eerie ambiance of the riverfront rather than explicit violence.

💎 Our verdict on Forgotten Sisters

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Pelayo crafts a compelling gothic tale where the Chicago River acts as both setting and antagonist, trapping sisters Anna and Jennie in a cycle of supernatural disturbance. The contrast between Anna’s podcast connections and Jennie’s intensifying anxiety creates a potent narrative tension, especially when law enforcement links them to local drownings. The book excels in building isolation and psychological dread without relying on gore. It suits readers who prefer atmospheric depth over rapid plot progression. While the slow burn may not appeal to those seeking light-hearted romance or immediate thrills, it offers a rich exploration of trauma and history. The arrival of detectives adds a thriller element that grounds the supernatural premise in a darker, more tangible pattern.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking atmospheric supernatural fiction rooted in specific urban settings will find this novel deeply engaging. It appeals to those interested in stories about familial bonds strained by shared trauma and mystery, offering a slow-burn psychological dread rather than fast-paced action. The narrative’s strength lies in its eerie ambiance of the riverfront, which serves as a character in itself. Those who enjoy exploring the weight of history and the deterioration of mental states under pressure will appreciate the nuanced tension between Anna’s external podcast life and Jennie’s internal horror. It is ideal for fans of dark fantasy and gothic tales that prioritize mood and isolation over explicit violence.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Pelayo crafts a compelling gothic tale where the Chicago River acts as both setting and antagonist, trapping sisters Anna and Jennie in a cycle of supernatural disturbance. The contrast between Anna’s podcast connections and Jennie’s intensifying anxiety creates a potent narrative tension, especially when law enforcement links them to local drownings. The book excels in building isolation and psychological dread without relying on gore. It suits readers who prefer atmospheric depth over rapid plot progression. While the slow burn may not appeal to those seeking light-hearted romance or immediate thrills, it offers a rich exploration of trauma and history. The arrival of detectives adds a thriller element that grounds the supernatural premise in a darker, more tangible pattern.