Today is an exciting day, especially if you are a Chris Panatier fan! (And even if you have no idea who Chris is, I think I can convince you to read his new book;-)) I’m beyond thrilled to be revealing the cover of Chris’ upcoming horror book, The Redemption of Morgan Bright, releasing in Spring 2024 from Angry Robot. Ever since I was blown away by The Phlebotomist, Chris has become an auto buy/auto read author of mine, and wow, this book sounds fantastic! First, here is the story blurb:
What would guilt make you do?
Hadleigh Keene died on the road leading away from Hollyhock Asylum. The reasons are unknown. Her sister Morgan blames herself. A year later with the case still unsolved, Morgan creates a false identity, that of a troubled housewife named Charlotte Turner, and goes inside.
Morgan quickly discovers that Hollyhock is… not right. She is shaken by the hospital’s peculiar routines and is soon beset by strange episodes. All the while, the persona of Charlotte takes on a life of its own, becoming stronger with each passing day. As her identity begins unraveling, Morgan finds herself tracing Hadleigh’s footsteps and peering into the places they lead.
The terrifying reality of The Redemption of Morgan Bright unfolds over the course of chapters told from the points of view of both Charlotte and Morgan, police interviews, and text messages.
And now for the cover:
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Cover design by Sarah O’Flaherty
Here’s what Chris has to say about it:
“I wanted to send a clear message with this cover. You’re venturing into a dark place. Those hollyhocks may be beautiful, but they’re perennials—they always come back. Angry Robot knocked this one out of the park.”
And here’s what writers are saying about The Redemption of Morgan Bright:
“This book kept me up at night, turning pages and seeing shadows out of the corner of my eye. Panatier delivers on a layered horror story that keeps you jumping at every unexpected turn.”
— Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam, author of Grim Root and Glorious Fiends
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“Panatier spins us a tale straight from an alternative America that will haunt your days and nights. This is The Handmaid’s Tale meets Midsommer, an immersive reading experience that will take you deep into the caverns of your own mind to inspect the wriggling, creeping things that lurk in the shadows. How would you transform, in the search for personal peace? And just how far would you travel into darkness to uncover a dark and insidious truth?
— Caroline Hardaker, author of Mothtown and Composite Creatures
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“The disturbingly irresistible pull of The Redemption of Morgan Bright grows out of its many deceptions. Like a Matryoshka doll, Chris Panatier artfully peels off the layers of his character’s mind. A beautifully crafted book.”
— Gabriela Houston, author of The Bone Roots and The Second Bell
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“Lack of bodily autonomy, memory gaps, and ghosts are just some of the psychological horrors inside Hollyhock Asylum…every time I thought I’d figured out its secrets, another curveball came along.”
— Reese Hogan, author of Shrouded Loyalties
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“The Redemption of Morgan Bright split me in two. Now there is the me before reading this book, and the me after reading it. A terrifying dive into the evil humans can inflict on each other, both while alive and from beyond the grave.”
— Jessica Hagemann Bross, author of Headcheese
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“The Redemption of Morgan Bright is one of the best depictions I’ve read of civil commitment, where the most challenging battle is not against the institution, staff, and other patients, but against yourself. If you’ve ever spent time on the inside or know someone who has, you’ll recognize Hollyhock is as real as it gets. And it is terrifying.”
— Michael Carter, author of Boneyard Tales
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“A creepy, beautifully written blend of horror and mystery, unraveling like a documentary into some very messed up supernatural and all-too-human nightmares. You will be easily drawn into the quiet hell of Hollyhock Hall, but I can’t promise you’ll make it out again.”
— Dan Hanks, author of Swashbucklers
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“A twisted chrysalis of a novel. A book to dissolve the spine and rearrange the guts. Read it and be altered, emerging with the kind of wings that soar best in the dark.”
—Daniel Cohen, bestselling author of The Coldmaker Saga
About the author:
CHRIS PANATIER is the author of Stringers and The Phlebotomist. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, daughter, and a fluctuating herd of animals resembling dogs (one is almost certainly a goat). He writes short stories and novels, “plays” the drums, and draws album covers for metal bands.
The Phlebotomist was a huge hit for me, so I will certainly grab this one as soon as it becomes available…
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…DECEMBER PARK, by Ronald Malfi
I wish more people would read The Phlebotomist, so far it’s my favorite of his books:-)
I love this cover and it sounds so good. Never read from this author before so his might be my first!
I hope you request an ARC too! And put the Phlebotomist on your list, you won’t regret it:-)
Oooh… sounds amazing, and that’s a gorgeous cover! I’ve had The Phlebotomist on my to-read list ever since reading your review. 🙂 Really need to get to it! Any book with someone willingly entering an asylum sounds creepy and awful (in the best way) right from the start.
It sounds both creepy and emotional, I can’t wait:-)
I’m in for more horror and the synopsis sounds creepy good. The cover is great. The dark petals make it feel ominous.
Laura Thomas recently posted…Nothing Good Happens After Midnight by Lori Handeland ~ Guest Post And Giveaway
I know, I love the dark flowers:-)
It’s a beautiful cover and I love the black background of it with the little cracks. It sounds like a thrilling read and I love that it’s Charlotte and Morgan, police interviews, and text messages. I’d love to read it!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Six in Six – 2023 Edition
Sign up for the ARC! Then we can compare notes:-)
This does not sound like a book for me, haha, but I hope you enjoy it! And the cover is lovely despite the ominous synopsis.
Celeste | A Literary Escape recently posted…July 2023 TBR List
I do love the cover, and I’m curious to see how it goes with the story:-)
Sounds interesting, but not sure about it…lol. Hope you enjoy it!
Stormi recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday ~ Steve L. McEvil and the Second Wind
Ha ha I’ll let you know!
Ooh, this does sound great, and what a gorgeous cover! I’ll definitely have to check thi s one out–and finally get around to checking out The Phlebotomist as well!
Jordan @ Forever Lost in Literature recently posted…Month in Review: June 2023
The Phlebotomist is SO good, I hope you read it as well:-)
Thanks so much, Tammy!
Thank you again, Caroline! So glad I could help out:-)
Now that is a gorgeous cover! The book sounds great too.
I agree, the cover is so pretty!
Too bad I am not into horror because that cover is gorgeous
It almost doesn’t look like horror!
The cover is gorgeous – I love hollyhocks anyway… But I shan’t be reading this one as I’m too much of a wuss to read a really good horror story… I hope you enjoy it, Tammy:).
I am excitement! I love this author and that cover and description are absolutely brilliant. I can’t wait.
Lynn 😀