"This Is Where We Talk Things Out" by Caitlin Marceau is a tense and disturbing novella that will keep you on edge from start to finish.
The book follows Miller, who has a strained relationship with her mother, Sylvie. Despite years of cutting Sylvie out of her life, Miller decides to give her one last chance by accepting Sylvie’s invitation to a cabin for the weekend before Miller's upcoming wedding.
Things get tense.
And then they get worse.
The novella perfectly captures the complicated dynamic between a child and their difficult parent, and. Marceau doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of this fraught bond.
While the story's ending may be somewhat predictable for seasoned horror fans, it doesn't take away from the overall impact.
Marceau builds suspense and horror masterfully with smart and authentic dialogue, and a present-tense format that creates a persistent sense of unease and claustrophobia throughout.
Sylvie's character is particularly well-crafted. I found myself hating her from the beginning, yet still questioning whether she was fully aware of her actions or potentially suffering from something like Alzheimer's.
This added layer of ambiguity only heightens the sense of dread.
If you're a fan of "Hammer House of Horrors" or "Inside No. 9," you'll find plenty to enjoy here.
Marceau has crafted a truly horrific story that gets under your skin and stays with you long after you've finished reading.
This is why I love novellas so much. Short, sweet, and savage, with a sting in the tail.
Most of my books are novella length (Hint...).