Atmospheric and suspenseful! Perfect for fall.
Tara Goedjen writes atmospheric thrillers and gothic suspense novels. Her forthcoming adult thriller, PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY, is coming out Fall 2026 with Emily Bestler Books/Atria.
Growing up, Tara was inspired by Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and RL Stine. Her short fiction has appeared in AGNI, BOMB, New England Review, TEXT, and Fairy Tale Review, among other places. She also holds an MFA and a PhD in Creative Arts.
When I first read the premise I was hooked. A creepy hotel in the Austrian Alps, an old mystery, and long-buried secrets. I’ve never read anything by the author before but this won’t be the last book of hers I pick up. She delivered on so many levels and I’m excited to have discovered her work.
The protagonist, Mia, isn’t all that likable (which I prefer) but she kept me turning the pages with her outlandish choices in the name of finding the truth. The book is voicey, setting a tone that pulled me in slowly. I always enjoy a dual timeline, and this one worked particularly well by revealing a notebook from the past, shedding light on the crime at the heart of this story. This type of structure works well to hold my attention and keep me turning the pages. The mystery surrounding Tristan’s death was intriguing, and the twist—even though it wasn’t completely shocking—felt satisfying overall. I much prefer when reveals are logical rather than ridiculous. My favorite thing about the book is the atmospheric setting and the vibes. The descriptions were so vivid, I could really picture the castle and the surrounding landscape giving it an isolated feel. Perfect to pick up and read during the fall.
Synopsis:
When they were teenagers, Mia’s beloved cousin was murdered during their stay at an infamous castle in the Austrian Alps. As the only witness, Mia’s testimony put the killer behind bars, but it tore her life apart: the media accused her aunt, a controversial true crime author, of being involved. Now, a decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction, and a popular true crime podcast starts covering the case, determined to exonerate him, and resurfacing lies about Mia’s family in the process.
Desperate to protect her aunt—and what she knows to be the truth—Mia returns to Austria. The castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, and Mia gets a job as a nanny for the new owner, hiding in plain sight as she investigates, needing to set the story straight once and for all. But after someone mysteriously disappears on the property and sinister new evidence emerges regarding her cousin’s death, she realizes she might have accused the wrong man…and put her own life in danger.
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