What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns is a chilling novel set against the haunting backdrop of a dilapidated family home, this suspenseful tale unravels through multiple perspectives and timelines—a technique that can easily misfire yet is thrillingly executed here. With its fantastic narrative, chilling characters, and atmospheric tension, What Remains of Teague House captivated me from the very first page.
All families are complicated. But not all families have bodies buried in their backyard. One put there just that week…
When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly passes, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlins want to believe the discovery points to a crime long past. But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week―and its inhabitant a local woman they all knew.
Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide somehow involved in her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? And why is the Rawlins aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister’s funeral? Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Maddie sets out to unmask a killer. One she may have been hunting all her life.
As the three siblings—Elena, Michael, and Tara—navigate through layers of deception and betrayal embedded in their lineage, each character brings a unique perspective that enriches the overall story of What Remains of Teague House. Unlike some other novels attempting dual timelines and multiple points of view, Stacy Johns’ skillful weaving of these elements added depth to the story rather than confusion.
What Remains of Teague House is set against two distinct timelines which truly enhances the suspenseful atmosphere. I was drawn into both timelines simultaneously as each chapter peeled back another layer of mystery surrounding Teague House’s ominous history. The transitions between timelines are seamless; never once did it disrupt or disorient but rather illuminated connections hidden within familial bonds.
The characters that live within the pages of What Remains of Teague House are something special. Johns truly excels at the rendering of emotional authenticity, resonating deeply throughout the story. Additionally, the setting of the Teague House plays nearly as significant role as any character within this tale–an old house filled with echoes of the past. Johns paints a vivid picture immersing me fully in the walls of Teague House–almost transporting me to a location filled with chilling secrets.
Suspense builds steadily throughout the novel with unexpected twists I did not see coming. While the ending was not exactly as I would’ve hoped–seemingly a bit rushed and random, missing something overall–it did not ruin the novel. This novel read super easily and was fast paced, quickly turning each page with suspenseful enthusiasm.
Stacy Johns wonderfully melds elements of a psychological thriller with family secrets in What Remains of Teague House. While the ending wasn’t exactly as I would’ve hope it doesn’t take away from the overall reading experience. Johns have crafted a thrilling debut novel that left me eagerly awaiting their next novel.
What Remains of Teague House hits bookstores everywhere on April 8, 2025 from Poisoned Pen Press.
