Thank you Libro.fm / Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC and Atria Books, #partner for the advanced copy of The Caretaker in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books/12:01 Books / Simon & Schuster Audio
Published: April 21, 2026
Summary:
Follow the Rites…
Nothing less than the survival of humanity is at stake.
From Marcus Kliewer, a new “titan of the macabre and unsettling” (Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author), comes a supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist, only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY:
Caretaker urgently needed. Three days of work. Competitive pay. Serious applicants ONLY.
Macy Mullins can’t say why the job posting grabbed her attention—it had the pull of a fisherman’s lure, barbed hook and all—vaguely ominous. But after an endless string of failed job interviews, she’s not exactly in the position to be picky. She has rent to pay, groceries to buy, and a younger sister to provide for.
Besides, it’s only three days’ work…
Three days, cooped up in a stranger’s house, surrounded by Oregon Coast wilderness.
What starts as a peculiar side gig soon becomes a waking nightmare. An incomprehensible evil may dwell on this property—and Macy Mullins might just be the only thing standing between it, and the rest of humanity.
Follow the Rites…
Follow the Rites…
Follow the Rites…
..— / ….. / —..
My thoughts:
I loved Marcus Kliewer’s debut book, We Used to Live Here, so I was so excited to get my hands on his sophomore book, The Caretaker and let me just say it does not disappoint! It is chilling, dark and deliciously unhinged in the very best way and I think I loved it even more. He is now a must-read author for sure!!
This book scared me like no other…it is psychological horror at its best!! As someone who tends to focus on the little details too much sometimes, this was right up my alley but also so creepy!! The isolated setting just adds to the tension and claustrophobic feeling of the book. My suggestion — go into this as blind as possible!
Audio thoughts:
I listened to this one and the narrators were amazing!! Both Corey Brill and Jeremy Carlisle Parker added just the right tension and emotion to make the fear palpable and the creepiness real.
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