My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon

I have been a fan of Jennifer McMahon’s books ever since I read The Invited several years ago, and her latest novel, My Darling Girl (2023), might be her best one yet! This unsettling story is set during the Christmas season in Vermont, when Alison reluctantly agrees to let her dying mother, Mavis, come stay with Alison and her family during her last days. Alison is still dealing with the trauma of her childhood due to her mother’s alcoholism and abuse, but as Mavis settles in and strange, otherworldly occurrences begin happening, Alison begins to suspect that there is a truly demonic reason behind her mother’s cruelty. If movies like The Exorcist terrify you, I would suggest reading this one during the day; I’m glad I did!