An Evil Premise

De: T. Marie Vandelly

Narrado por: Sarah Mollo-Christensen

From T. Marie Vandelly, author of the acclaimed horror novel Theme Music, An Evil Premise is a mind-bending, thrilling metanovel about possession, insanity, and the lengths a writer will go to find inspiration.

When a bizarre accident leaves her sister, bestselling author Deidre Baldwin, in a coma and suffering from a grotesque skin malady, Jewel rushes to her bedside. Though the sisters are not close, she is determined to do what she can for Deidre. Staying at her sister’s apartment, Jewel stumbles upon an unfinished manuscript, the one that Deidre was rushing to complete for her publisher. When Deidre’s literary agent calls in a panic, Jewel—a self-published writer herself, desperate for a break—suggests she can finish it by the deadline.

But the story is unsettling. It begins with a writer looking for inspiration, who finds an unclaimed manuscript. But said manuscript is just a series of protagonists who feel compelled to act out their heinous contributions to the grisly plot.

Jewel is determined not to be scared off, but the novel hits a little close to home. She tries to tell herself she’s being paranoid, but swears she can hear someone typing when she’s not at the desk, and somehow the word count of the novel keeps going up. Her skin begins to itch.

Terrified of losing her sanity, but equally terrified of losing her one shot at success, Jewel tries to find a story somewhere in the carnage, even as her rash becomes worse and she starts to have not-so-neighborly thoughts about her neighbors. Is this what happened to Deidre? Did the manuscript drive her mad? Infect her somehow? Jewel finds herself hoping her sister never wakes up. And fearing what will happen if Deidre does …

©2025 T. Marie Vandelly (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Delusional at it’s best

I was excited about this book, I enjoyed “Theme Music” so much from the author. Good blending of what’s real and what’s not, what’s written in the novel and what’s real, or should I say – the “muse”. Two sisters, both writers, one successful, one unsuccessful. Deidre is a successful, self-indulged writer who is hit by a car and is in a current, with one heck of a “rash”. Her sister Jewel comes to her side to find out what happens. Dee’s agent, Emily, eventually calls to speak to Dee and ends up speaking to Jewel, which explains what happened to Dee. Jewel agrees to finish this new genre novel, “Unspeakable Demons” and so it begins, delusions and all. Words count goes up without Jewel adding to the story (or does she), eerie things begin to happen in Dee’s apartment, and whilst visiting Dee in hospital. A lot going on in this book all at once. So many characters at times, and towards the end it was a bit chaotic… YJR RMF…

not for the faint of stomach

The moment I saw another book by T. Marie Vandelly come out, I was all in!!
I truly enjoy this authors writing.
This story is not for the faint of stomach.
I had to pause quiet a bit while reading from the jagged breathing, from the reading about the pulsating rash and dripping liquid coming from the main character and her sisters face and neck.
I powered through cause I know this author tells an amazing story!!
The grimoir and the Supernatural aspect and the twist at the end had me hooked!! Great book 5 stars!!!