Black Sheep

By: Rachel Harrison

Narrated by: Jeremy Carlisle Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times Best Horror Book of the Year

A cynical twentysomething must confront her unconventional family’s dark secrets in this fiery, irreverent horror novel from the author of Such Sharp Teeth and Cackle.

Nobody has a “normal” family, but Vesper Wright’s is truly...something else. Vesper left home at eighteen and never looked back—mostly because she was told that leaving the staunchly religious community she grew up in meant she couldn’t return. But then an envelope arrives on her doorstep.

Inside is an invitation to the wedding of Vesper’s beloved cousin Rosie. It’s to be hosted at the family farm. Have they made an exception to the rule? It wouldn’t be the first time Vesper’s been given special treatment. Is the invite a sweet gesture? An olive branch? A trap? Doesn’t matter. Something inside her insists she go to the wedding. Even if it means returning to the toxic environment she escaped. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror film star and forever ice queen.

When Vesper’s homecoming exhumes a terrifying secret, she’s forced to reckon with her family’s beliefs and her own crisis of faith in this deliciously sinister novel that explores the way family ties can bind us as we struggle to find our place in the world.

©2023 Rachel Harrison (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Jeremy Carlisle Parker narrates this dark, twisty novel about mysterious Vesper Wright, who, six years ago, escaped her strict religious community and her mother's iron fist.... Listeners will feel the icy disapproval in Vesper's mother's diatribes and the silky force of Vesper herself. Parker reveals secrets and twists in an even, rational tone that heightens the story's shock factor. Her narration feels like a warm breath on your neck in a dark room where you thought you were alone." (AudioFile)

“Anyone who read Such Sharp Teeth knows that Harrison can absolutely nail thorny family dynamics and blend them with visceral horror, but with Black Sheep, there’s something new going on, proving yet again that Harrison is one of the most versatile authors in the genre." —Paste Magazine

“Vesper's story ruminates on themes that include nature vs. nurture, the legacy of family trauma, and the repercussions of organized religion in its various forms...this subject matter elevates a horror novel to a study in philosophy, even as the bloodletting ramps up.” —Shelf Awareness

“Harrison finds new ways to press on the bruise of growing up as an outsider, delivering small-town religious horror with wit as sharp as a ritual dagger piercing through a bleeding core of familial trauma.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Can’t miss for horror fans

I love everything Rachel Harrison has written, it’s so fresh and spooky and relatable. This was no exception, I devoured it in a day, a truly original tale and the narration is on point.

Always good!

Love all Rachel Harrison’s books,!! Now I’ve read every one, need more! This one was excellent but I loved Such Sharp Teeth, then Cackle, then Return all so much then this one

Didn’t hate it

This isn’t the type of book I’d ever bother enjoying let alone reviewing but I gotta say, I didn’t hate it. I’d read another Rachel Harrison book and that’s saying a lot. It wasn’t total garbage like most horror novels that aren’t actually scary.

Another Great One

I absolutely love all of Rachel Harrison’s works, have read all and reread some. This was her style with a great story. I wish there was more to this story, I would read a sequel tomorrow! Loved it, can’t wait for more from her.

what happens if Sabrina grew up and ran away from home

and the family weren't witches, and were in a sit-com style cult run by a former scream queen?

nothing. Nothing would happen. That's this book.

Another great one from this author

If you’ve liked this author’s other books, you won’t be disappointed. The narrator is great as well.

Finally a book that stands out in a sea of horror

This is a great story -- very different from so many others lately that all sound the same with similar plot lines all blurring together. Definitely worth the credit and an enjoyable listen!

This is A GOOD BOOK!!!!

I really liked this book. Most definitely worth a credit! I liked all of it really there's not many critiques I could give. It's slightly predictable maybe? But who cares. It's fun. It's not straight up horror. More like cozy horror?

Very unusual storyline

Was surprised by the “religion “ being what you was. The writer made them seem normal until the end

Smart, funny, and dramatic

Dark with the just-right amount of humor. The story takes a somewhat far-out premise and makes it very believable. Awesome narration too!