🩸 Horror Fiction

My Darling Dreadful Thing: A Novel

✍️ Johanna Van Veen
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$9.99
Temporarily out of stock

Currently unavailable

This book is sold out right now. Leave your email — we'll let you know if it comes back, and you'll get 10% off any book today.

In stock now — readers of this book also loved:

My Darling Dreadful Thing
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Johanna Van Veen
My Darling Dreadful Thing
$17.99
86
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Johanna Van Veen
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
$17.99
81
The Parasite and Other Tales of Terror
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Parasite and Other Tales of Terror
$14.99
86
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
M R James
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
$14.99
86
Vathek
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
William Beckford
Vathek
$14.99
86
The House on the Borderland
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
William Hope Hodgson
The House on the Borderland
$14.99
86
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A psychological horror novel focusing on atmospheric dread and gothic tension.

Johanna Van Veen writes a story that emphasizes traditional horror elements through subtle means. The text focuses on the slow accumulation of dread rather than explicit content. Readers will find a narrative built on implication and mood. This approach creates a sense of lingering fear that persists after reading. The author avoids cheap shocks to deliver a more sophisticated type of terror. The work relies heavily on atmosphere to propel the plot forward. It is designed for those who want emotional resonance over action. The novel provides a shadowy world for fans of gothic fiction. It offers a stark experience for specific horror enthusiasts.

Key Themes
psychological tension gothic fiction atmospheric dread
Literary Context

Published by Poisoned Pen Press in 2024, this paperback sits within the tradition of gothic and supernatural fiction. It appeals to American readers who enjoy traditional horror elements that prioritize mood over gore. The work reflects a literary preference for lingering fear and emotional resonance.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier · Henry James
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Poisoned Pen Press 📅 2024 📖 384 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781464227677

📝 Description: My Darling Dreadful Thing: A Novel

Johanna Van Veen presents a novel that prioritizes atmospheric dread over visceral shock. This work appeals to readers who prefer psychological tension and gothic traditions. The narrative avoids explicit gore, choosing instead to unsettle through mood and implication. It offers a slow burn of fear that lingers long after the final page. The prose relies on sophisticated fear rather than cheap jumpscares. Van Veen constructs a shadowy world where ambiance drives the story forward. This approach creates emotional resonance for those who value eerie settings over fast-paced action. The book is a carefully crafted piece designed to stay in the mind of the reader. This novel suits fans of traditional horror elements and gothic fiction. It may not satisfy readers seeking immediate thrills or graphic violence. The story invites you into a realm where lingering fear replaces adrenaline. Van Veen’s style ensures the dread remains with you. The book stands as a solid entry point for those who appreciate mood over spectacle.

💎 Our verdict on My Darling Dreadful Thing: A Novel

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Johanna Van Veen delivers a masterclass in atmospheric dread, crafting a narrative that unsettles through mood and implication rather than explicit gore. The prose prioritizes sophisticated fear, avoiding cheap jumpscares to deliver a more refined terror. This approach creates emotional resonance for those who value gothic fiction and psychological tension over spectacle. The story invites readers into a shadowy realm where lingering fear replaces immediate thrills. While it may not satisfy those seeking graphic violence or fast-paced action, it offers a stark, enduring experience for dedicated horror enthusiasts. Van Veen’s style ensures the dread remains with the reader, making this a carefully crafted piece that lingers in the mind long after reading concludes.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking emotional resonance over fast-paced action will find this novel deeply rewarding. It offers a sophisticated type of terror that relies on implication and mood rather than explicit content. The slow accumulation of dread creates a lingering fear that persists long after the final page. Those who value eerie settings and gothic traditions will appreciate the careful construction of a shadowy world where ambiance drives the narrative forward. This book is designed for enthusiasts who want to experience stark, atmospheric horror without cheap shocks or graphic violence. It provides a solid entry point for fans of psychological tension who desire a story that stays in the mind rather than relying on adrenaline.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Johanna Van Veen delivers a masterclass in atmospheric dread, crafting a narrative that unsettles through mood and implication rather than explicit gore. The prose prioritizes sophisticated fear, avoiding cheap jumpscares to deliver a more refined terror. This approach creates emotional resonance for those who value gothic fiction and psychological tension over spectacle. The story invites readers into a shadowy realm where lingering fear replaces immediate thrills. While it may not satisfy those seeking graphic violence or fast-paced action, it offers a stark, enduring experience for dedicated horror enthusiasts. Van Veen’s style ensures the dread remains with the reader, making this a carefully crafted piece that lingers in the mind long after reading concludes.

✍️ More books by this author Johanna Van Veen

Bone of My Bone
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Johanna Van Veen
Bone of My Bone
$49.99
78
Read →
Bone of My Bone (Standard Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Johanna Van Veen
Bone of My Bone (Standard Edition)
$19.99
81
Read →
Bone of My Bone (Deluxe Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Johanna Van Veen
Bone of My Bone (Deluxe Edition)
$19.99
81
Read →
Bone of My Bone
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Johanna Van Veen
Bone of My Bone
$32.99
81
Read →
Bone of My Bone
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Johanna Van Veen
Bone of My Bone
$45.95
86
Read →
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Johanna Van Veen
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
$17.99
81
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Poisoned Pen Press

The Secret Attic
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Chelsea Conradt
The Secret Attic
$17.99
78
Read →
Let Him in
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
William Friend
Let Him in
$26.99
81
Read →
Vathek
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
William Beckford
Vathek
$14.99
86
Read →
The Phantom of the Opera
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Gaston LeRoux
The Phantom of the Opera
$14.99
78
Read →
The House on the Borderland
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
William Hope Hodgson
The House on the Borderland
$14.99
86
Read →
The Beetle
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Richard Marsh
The Beetle
$14.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
My Darling Dreadful Thing
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Johanna Van Veen
My Darling Dreadful Thing
$17.99
86
Read →
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Johanna Van Veen
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
$17.99
81
Read →
The Parasite and Other Tales of Terror
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Parasite and Other Tales of Terror
$14.99
86
Read →
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
M R James
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
$14.99
86
Read →
Vathek
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
William Beckford
Vathek
$14.99
86
Read →
The House on the Borderland
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
William Hope Hodgson
The House on the Borderland
$14.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist