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Ghost Mother: A Novel

Kelly Dwyer

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Ghost Mother is a mesmerizing psychological ghost story that blurs the thin line between reality and delusion.

“Ghost Mother has so many pleasures: a gorgeous old wreck of a house, a charmingly flawed and sympathetic heroine, supernatural goings-on so real they feel historical, an incredible sex scene, no spoilers, and an enthralling story. It's the perfect summer book.” —Kate Christensen, PEN/Faulkner award-winning author of The Great Man and Welcome Home, Stranger

Lilly Bly desperately wants to have a baby. She is struggling with infertility and bad spending habits when her husband, Jack, gets a new job that moves them from Chicago to a small town in Wisconsin.

Impractical Lilly falls in love with a decrepit mansion well out of their price range—she is convinced that she will finally get pregnant and have a baby in this house—and Jack reluctantly agrees to buy the wreck. But when Lilly learns that her dream house was the site of a gruesome triple homicide/suicide in the 1950s, she begins to experience strange occurrences that soon lead her to believe the house is haunted.

Are her ghostly encounters real, or is this a cascading mental breakdown? As Lilly learns more about the deaths and her visions become increasingly vivid, her relationship with Jack deteriorates, leading to a dramatic and irreversible climax.

Perfect for fans of classic, gothic horror fiction, like Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw and Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, as well as contemporary suspense and horror fiction by everyone from Stephen King to Ruth Ware.

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Posts about this title from ash.reads.horror

ash.reads.horror\ \ ash\ \ • Feb 22

👻 some haunting tales to fill your tbr 👻 \ \ These tales will haunt you with haunted houses and ghos

👻 some haunting tales to fill your tbr 👻

These tales will haunt you with haunted houses and ghosts a plenty.

#horrorbooks horrorbooksta #horror

18 books

ash.reads.horror\ \ ash\ \ • Nov 14 2025

\ \ It's time for another author interview! Last week we talked with author Julia Jackson about her debut novel Powder & Poison. If you haven't read that interview you definitely should! Along with my interview with Stephanie Rose.\ \ This week help me in welcoming author Kelly Dwyer! Kelly Dwyer is the author of Ghost Mother, a chilling psychological/ghost horror.\ \ \ \ The book follows Lilly Bly and her husband as they take on a fixer-upper of a house way out of their price range. After purchasing the house, Lilly discovers the house has a dark history. Strange occurrences begin happening. Lilly begins to wonder if they are real or if they are all in her head.\ \ 1. Use this first question as an introduction. Tell us a little about yourself and your book.\ \

My name is Kelly Dwyer, and I am the author of GHOST MOTHER, a psychological ghost story. I'm a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and I currently divide my time between Los Angeles, where I grew up, and Wisconsin. I am married with a young adult daughter and a really cute pug named Roman.\ \ 2. You released Ghost Mother a year ago. It was such a powerful read. What inspired you to write it?\ \ Thank you so much, Ash. :) The day my husband and I were about to close on our first house, we found out there had been a murder in it. This was in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where the Ringling Brothers were from. Their first cousins were the Gollmar Brothers, who also owned a circus. Our house (a modest Craftsman, not a run-down mansion) had been built by one of the Gollmar Brothers, and when he died, his widow lived there by herself, and used to feed transients during the Depression. One night, during a robbery gone wrong, one of these men murdered her. My husband and I had a decision to make--knowing this, should we still buy the house? We decided that since it happened so long ago (in the 1930s), and since the woman who had lived in the house seemed really nice, we would go ahead, and indeed, we never felt any sort of haunting in the eight years we lived there. But it made me think--What if there had been the kind of tragic murder there that would make someone not want to buy a house? What if someone who bought the house did feel a haunting? What kind of person would that be? It was when I reread Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" and I started imagining the ambiguity of--is the house haunted or is the protagonist losing touch with reality?--that the novel really came together for me.\ \ 3. I absolutely love the "couple moves to a new house that needs repairs in hopes it'll save their marriage' trope that is featured in Ghost Mother. What are some of your favorite horror tropes? Any favorite books that feature these tropes?\ \ Yes, it's so fun to write--and read--books that dig into tropes or put a new spin on them! When I was writing GHOST MOTHER, I read a lot of haunted house books; I think my favorites, besides James', are The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, Rebecca by Daphne du Maruier, and The Shining by Stephen King. (See The Most Classic Haunted House books by Kelly Dwyer for an article I wrote on the subject.) I was also inspired by films like "Rosemary's Baby" and the TV show "The Haunting of Hill House." I think the thing that interested me the most about that trope was the question, "What is haunting you?" Two people--as you say, in this case, a couple--could move into a house, and one person will feel haunted, while the other doesn't sense anything. Is that because one person is more open to the supernatural? Is that because ghosts seek certain people out? Or is it because someone is so haunted by their past--their losses, their traumas--that they are prone to sense a haunting where maybe there isn't one? I don't know, but I love the question, and as a writer, I love the ambiguity involved\ \ 4. What was the most difficult part of writing Ghost Mother?\ \ The most difficult part of writing GHOST MOTHER was getting the backstory of the 1950s tragedy in the house right. It had to be compelling. I knew I wanted a nod to the circus, which had been a part of our former house's history. But it also had to be thematically resonant. I wrote three completely different backstories before my agent said, "Yep, this is it." Now, looking back, it seems so obvious, but wow, it took me a while!\ \ 5. Were there any scenes or characters that were harder to write than others? Any that were easier?\ \ Getting Jack and Lilly's relationship to feel real and be complicated was a challenge for me. Bobby Shawcross was the easiest character to write! I don't know where he came from, but everything about him--his speech, his voice, his appearance--just landed in my head fully formed.\ \ 6. Were there any scenes that you had to edit out of Ghost Mother that you wish you had left in?\ \ I love this question, because the short answer is, No! I sold GHOST MOTHER at a 100 pages longer than it is now. My editor asked me to make it tighter. She didn't tell me what to cut, or suggest a word count, but I knew I wanted it to be shorter than 350 pages. (I think it came in at 336 by the end.) To cut those hundred pages, I cut any repetitious scenes, started the story moving quicker, and cut out any unnecessary backstory. At the time, I thought maybe those scenes from the past were important so that the reader could understand and sympathize with Lilly, but after I cut them, I realized that I need to write them to understand and sympathize with Lilly, but the reader didn't need to read them. My new mantra is, When in doubt, cut!\ \ 7. Do you have any other projects in the works?\ \ Yes indeed! I am working on a new novel inspired by fairy tales, Hollywood, and a mansion with a bg, dark secret. It's a lot of fun!\ \ 8. 2025 has been a great year for horror. What have been your top three reads that you've read so far?\ \ Oh, boy. So many--and I'm so behind! I'm reading The Buffalo Hunter now, and it's taking me a while, because I read and reread Stephen Graham Jones' sentences again and again. He's amazing. I also really enjoyed and admired Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, The Lamb by Lucy Rose, and--one that was written a few years ago, in 1872, but I just read for the first time-- Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Give me a gothic lesbian vampire story set in an isolated castle and I'm in!\ \ 9. Do you have any special routines that help you get ready to write?\ \ I like to set candles, set an intention. Like Proust and Edith Wharton, I write in bed.\ \ 10. If Ghost Mother was ever adapted into a film, do you have a dream cast?\ \ GHOST MOTHER is in pre-pre-pre-pre... production, meaning, my film agent introduced me to a director I really like, and she's interested in writing the screenplay and making the film. I would love to see this novel on the screen, and I feel like there are so many women actors about Lilly's age (37 or thereabouts) who would be amazing in the role: Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman (think of her in The Black Swan), Anna Taylor-Joy... maybe Florence Pugh wouldn't be too young by the time it was cast. :) I always pictured Jack as looking like Theo James. Anybody free?\ \ 11. Bonus question from Kelly: I'd like to ask you and your readers a question now, if you don't mind. Do you like horror books about horror movies? If so, what do you like about them? If not, what do you dislike? Do you have any favorites/ any recommendations? \ \ Thanks for the question, Kelly! I am a huge fan of Hollywood horror! There are several books I just love such as Night Film, Curse of The Reaper, Burn The Negative, Silver Nitrate, and more. I'll drop a few links to posts on my instagram where I showcase some more horror set on movie screens/ hollywood.\ \ Film/Hollywood Horror\ \ Hollywood Horror\ \ Special thanks again to Kelly for taking the time to talk with me! Be sure to pick up a copy of Ghost Mother if you haven't already read it. It was one of my favorites last year!\ \ You can follow Kelly on Instagram or on her website.](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/item/7nf3tTvIGO7Y4eK8lvTb/)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: KELLY DWYER

14 books

ash.reads.horror\ \ ash\ \ • Nov 7 2025

\ \ Welcome back for another Author Interview! Last week we talked with author Stephanie Rose about her books, bookstore, and her publication press. Today we'll be talking to author Julia Jackson.\ \ \ \ Julia recently debuted her novel Powder & Poison in October. The novel follows Marie Antoinette in her first few weeks at Versailles. I was able to read an advanced copy of this book and even got the chance to blurb it! I absolutely enjoyed Powder & Poison. Julia also has a short story in the As Told Under The Moon Short Horror Story Anthology.\ \ 1. Use this question as an introduction. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your book.\ \

Hi! I'm Julia, a GOOD FOR HER horror writer who watches an unhealthy amount of ghost hunting shows and scary movies. My stories strip away the masks women wear, revealing emotional depth and damage. Some of my faves? CJ Leede, Monika Kim, Lucy Rose, Rachel Harrison & Cassandra Khaw\ \ I have some short stories in the world, was included in the Horror Writers Association's latest poetry collection, and my first book baby was born on October 16! It is called Powder & Poison and is a psychological horror following the first few weeks of Marie Antoinette's arrival at Versailles. Much like the books I love to consume, my story magnifies the atrocities against women throughout our history, leaning into Good For Her horror.\ \ 2. You released your debut novel Powder & Poison last month. Care to tell us a little about your book?\ \ My debut is finally out, and I still can't believe it! I thought I would share a bit about Powder & Poison with the dedication... \ \ To Marie, who was only 14 years old when she arrived at Versailles, forced into marrying a stranger on the same day. Tortured into perfection, she was left vulnerable and alone, like so many other girls throughout history. This book is for women like her, those who died and those who survived—we are still angry and still fighting.\ \ 3. What inspired you to write it?\ \ I have always been obsessed with history, and as I was dreaming up new story ideas I started thinking about Marie. I knew so much already about what she went through as a CHILD before she was handed over to another country, and thought THIS IS TRUE HORROR - controlling a little girl's mind and physical features to contort to expectations. I wanted to build on that horror, and suddenly, Marie was on the page.\ \ 4. I know you're currently working on another novel. Any hints on what to expect from it? Will it have a historical setting as well or a more modern day setting? When do you plan to drop the title name?\ \ I am! It is a romantic horror novella that I have been calling Project Heart. It is actually set in our contemporary world (I know, I can't believe I've ventured from historical either!)! For fans of CJ Leede and Rachel Harrison, Project Heart is a raw glimpse into the mind of a woman who turns the wounds inflicted by men into satiating her own needs by any means necessary.\ \ The title will be announced later this month! Eeee!\ \ 5. You did a fantastic job capturing Versailles! Have you ever been or do you plan to visit one day?\ \ Thank you! I have been to Versailles, and it truly is unlike anywhere else in the world. Aaaand it lends itself perfectly to a horror story full of ghosts and murder. Though I had been there, I knew there was so much more to study about the people, the rules, and the world of that time. So, I fell down a rabbit hole... a very long 6 month rabbit hole of research before I wrote a single word of Powder & Poison. I wanted the time period to be natural in the story and the only way to do that was to truly understand Versailles and the historical figures of that time.\ \ 6. Do you have a writing process? Any tips for aspiring writers?\ \ I actually created something called Channeling Story, which is a process of getting to flow state through mindfulness practices and brain science. I teach online classes and at writing retreats, and it is the best feeling in the world when writers are able to tap into their story in new ways and have huge story breakthroughs. Tips for writers: Writing is hard, you're not alone - build your community and don't lose the love of the craft that got you started in the first place.\ \ 7. What is your favorite scene in Powder & Poison?\ \ Ash...how dare you?! How does one pick a favorite child?! I will admit though, that writing the scene in the sewer below Versailles was so disgusting and vile and visceral - and I loved every minute of it.\ \ 8. What are some of your favorite horror books? Movies?\ \ Give me all the feminine rage, cannibalism, and psychological unravelling! Some of my fave books are Maeve Fly by CJ Leede, The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim, and The Lamb by Lucy Rose! I am obsessed with all ghost movies (The Others still haunts me), LOVED Pearl (Mia Goth is incredible), and I will forever be a Scream girlie.\ \ 9. Were there any songs or playlists that helped you write Powder & Poison?\ \ All sorts of Femme Fatale playlists, but one that really helped me get into my Versailles was Sun in my Mouth by Bjork. It is creepy and haunting, yet beautiful. So I listened to a lot of Bjork throughout the day to get into the right mindset, and then as I wrote I listened to the Newton Brothers.\ \ 10. Did you hit any writing blocks when writing Powder & Poison? If so, what helped you move past them?\ \ Ouuu the biggest was my confidence in writing the romance... so I got help from my community! Kristin Dwyer helped me to let go and lean into the romance, and my CP Amanda Havill Adgate obsessed over the romance thread throughout the story with me until we got it right.\ \ Please feel free to add anything else you want to say! And if you can please send over a good picture to use in the blog post! Thank you so much for your time.\ \ Our Giveaway is still open! (I've Linked for ease of access)\ \ Amanda Havill Adgate, Jess Ferguson, and I really wanted to give a platform for female identifying horror writers (because we need to hear more female voices!) so started a press called Grave Belles (@gravebelles on IG)! We will be opening submissions for A WOMAN TRAPPED anthology soon! We are looking for short stories (3-5k words) that show a woman trapped... trapped in a bad romance, trapped in a parallel universe, trapped in a buried coffin... anything that is dark and dripping with character complexity.\ \ Ash, thank you for being such a big part of this community and for supporting authors. I am so grateful! \ \ Thank you so much Julia for all your wonderful answers and advice! I appreciate you for talking with me!\ \ Please be sure to pick up a copy of Powder & Poison! It's a haunting historical fiction that's guaranteed to mess with your mind!\ \ Join us next week as I talk with author Kelly Dwyer about her book Ghost Mother!](https://ashreadshorror.binderybooks.com/item/nwXx5NREOMhfAx29QIj2/)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Julia Jackson

6 books

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