It Was Her House First

Ronnie doesn't know it yet, but her fate rests in the hands of the dead.

Silent film star Venita Rost's malevolent spirit lurks spider-like in her cliffside mansion, a once-beautiful home that's claimed countless unlucky souls. And she's not alone. Snared in her terrible web, Inspector Bartholomew Sloan--her eternal nemesis--watches her wreak havoc in helpless horror, shackled by his own guilt and Venita's unrelenting wrath.

Now the house has yet another new owner. This time it's Ronnie Mitchell, a grieving woman who buys the run-down place sight unseen. She arrives armed with an unexpected inheritance, a strong background in renovation, and a blissful ignorance regarding the house's blood-soaked history. But her arrival has stirred up more than just dust and decay. In the shadows, unseen eyes watch. Then, a man comes knocking. He brings wild stories and a thinly veiled jealousy, as well as a secret connection to the house that can only lead to violence.

Venita's fury awakens, and a deadly game unfolds.

Caught between a vengeful ghost and a ruthless living threat, Ronnie's skepticism crumbles. The line between living and dead isn't as sharp as it seems, and she realizes too late that in Venita's house, survival might be just an illusion.

BUY THE BOOK

Published Jul 22, 2025

352 pages

Average rating: 7.67

3 RATINGS

|

Community Reviews

allmimsyweretheborogoves
Oct 21, 2025
6/10 stars
This was a pretty typical haunted house story. It was well written but pretty predictable.
datewithathriller
Jul 19, 2025
8/10 stars
This one had all the ghostie vibes I love!!! šŸ‘» Loved the FMC Ronnie and the ghostly characters! If I owned a haunted house, this is how I’d want the ghosts to be! šŸ˜… Cherie Priest knows how to write a great ghost story! Definitely recommend checking this one out if ghosts or haunted houses are your thing, like me! šŸ‘ Thank you to partner Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted physical copy as well as NetGalley and Cherie Priest for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ā¤ļø

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.