Del Sandeen’s This Cursed House delivers a haunting and thought-provoking blend of Southern Gothic horror and family drama. Set in 1962, the novel follows Jemma Barker, a Black woman living in Chicago who finds herself at a crossroads after losing her job and breaking up with her abusive boyfriend. Desperate for a fresh start, she accepts a suspiciously perfect job offer at a Louisiana plantation without much hesitation—setting in motion a chilling mystery of ghosts, curses, and buried family secrets.

The premise alone is captivating, but what makes This Cursed House truly stand out is its nuanced exploration of race, class, and colorism. The family that hires Jemma is of mixed Black and white ancestry, with their fair skin granting them a certain privilege even within the rigid social hierarchy of the Jim Crow South. This unique dynamic adds a layer of complexity to the story’s broader discussion of racism and generational trauma, making the supernatural elements feel deeply intertwined with the characters’ lived experiences.

Sandeen’s prose is sparse and atmospheric, drawing readers into the oppressive heat and decay of the plantation. The slow-burn pacing builds tension masterfully, revealing the house’s dark history piece by piece. Jemma is a compelling protagonist, as a resilient, empathetic woman grappling with her own sense of self-worth as she navigates the increasingly eerie household.

While much of the plot is gripping, the novel’s message of forgiveness fell flat for me. The truth is, not everyone deserves forgiveness. Sometimes, justice requires that terrible people face the consequences of their actions, and the narrative’s emphasis on forgiving everyone feels at odds with the weight of the suffering endured by the characters. However, the ending manages to strike a balance between closure and ambiguity, avoiding the trap of wrapping everything up too neatly.

Overall, This Cursed House is a rich, atmospheric novel that blends supernatural horror with incisive social commentary. Despite my reservations about its thematic resolution, the journey Sandeen crafts is both unsettling and deeply human.