This Cursed House

Sandeen’s haunting if somewhat uneven gothic debut transports readers to 1960s New Orleans. Jemma Barker, a young Black woman, flees her previous life following her adoptive parents’ deaths and a violent clash with her boyfriend, but she can’t outrun the literal ghosts that linger in the corners of her vision. She takes a job offer as a tutor for the mysterious Duchon family, who live outside NOLA city limits. When Jemma arrives, however, there is no tutoring job, and the family pays her instead to stay in the house with them as a kind of companion. The Duchons’ oddness is immense, with out-of-date clothing, deep reclusiveness, and a vocal pride for their own Blackness and African roots—despite the whole family being very white-presenting. As Jemma grows uncomfortable with hearing hushed conversations about her behind closed doors, the reality of the situation comes to light: the Duchons are cursed, and they believe their last hope to break the spell is Jemma herself. After a slightly overstuffed beginning, this atmospheric tale finds its footing and brings a fresh perspective to the gothic horror genre. The author’s exploration of bloodlines, family, and race is complex and nuanced, and her heroine is easy to root for as she confronts ghosts both literal and metaphorical. Sandeen offers much to chew on. (Oct.)