Grave Matter

By: Karina Halle

Narrated by: Rachel Leblang

Horror romance meets science fiction in this dark and delicious gothic psychological thriller by New York Times bestseller Karina Halle, perfect for fans of Gothikana, Ninth House, and Mexican Gothic.

Grad Student Sydney Denik is getting a second chance. When a dream opportunity presents itself with a prestigious foundation doing promising Alzheimer's research, Sydney leaves the shambles of her old life to join a dozen other students at an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island.

But the Madrona Foundation harbors more than brilliant minds. Everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret—including the resident psychologist she's falling in love with. A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity. And if Sydney isn't going mad, then the horrors in the surrounding forest are real, and the Madrona Foundation may be the biggest monster of all.

Contains mature themes.

©2024 Karina Halle (P)2024 Tantor Media

Degradation… and mystery?

This book was a bit all over the place. I really enjoyed that the fox had ADHD and went into detail about the struggles. The story starts off fast and confusing. I believe it was trying to be creepy but I just didn’t get that feeling I was more intrigued then spooked.
The story jumps right into a romantic relationship where the spicy scenes have so many degrading lines I was grossed out. If you don’t have a full on degradation kink then this might not be for you. After that the story dives more into the mystery on the island. The pacing was all over the place with the story climax in the last 20 mins.
The narrators male voice was also not the best so it was hard to get into. Overall it wasn’t for me. I think it could have been better with duet narration though.

Goosebump Books

Felt like I read an adult Goosebump book. Creepy imagery, Not too scary. A great quick simple read.

Fungi Tripping

A driven scientist who has nothing left in life to lose. A beautiful mysterious psychologist/professor stalking the FMC. Remote island with creepy things in the woods. Mind tricks and deception. An inventive twist you won’t see coming. Is it the pursuit of scientific curiosity and innovation or is it something much darker for fame and recognition?

5-star read

This book kept me guessing till the end. I absolutely loved the mystery of trying to figure out if the main character was losing her mind or was unraveling a dangerous truth about the foundation.

It was great

I enjoyed how the author took her time with the book, adding odd details here and there through the book alone with the creepy moments. She did a great job tying it all up in the end. I also love the way the narrator spoke. She had a great voice, clean, clear and I also love how she pronounced the main mushrooms name.