Strange Houses by Uketsu
It starts with the floorplan of a seemingly normal house and an odd sealed space between rooms. An author and an architect consider what purpose their might be for that space and the house's other unusual features, quickly developing dark theories about the family that lived there. This short book is a quick, intriguing read that reminded me of online posts where someone sees something, decides it's "off" and immediately leaps to wild conclusions. I've never read anything quite like it and I'm definitely eager to check out the author's previous book, not to mention their Youtube page.
Deep Waters by NW Bulfin
In a near future plauged by pandemics and flooding, Eoin Ryan acccepts a job teaching history at an isolated island commune. Contact with the outside world is severely limited and the members are seeking a more natural lifestyle. As much as I love folk horror, this one fell flat, despire the prehistoric stone structures and indecipherable writings. I never did figure out why the commune supposedly wanted or needed a history teacher. Their real purpose behind bringing him to the island becomes clear, but the job offer itself never made sense to me. The plot moves very, very slowly and once the author reveals what's really going on, it didn't feel worth the wait.
Disclosure -- The publishers have provided me with advance review copies.
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