I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher Published by Tor Nightfire on March 24 2026
Genres: Adult, Horror
Pages: 288
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Insect horror and Gothic mystery combine in T. Kingfisher’s latest, a tense and disturbing horror story with the author’s trademark humor and quirky characters.
T. Kingfisher never disappoints, and in her latest she returns to the horror genre, although she manages to inject plenty of humor into the story as well. If you enjoyed What Moves the Dead, you’ll probably love Wolf Worm as well, especially if you’re a fan of body horror. Kingfisher tackles insect horror this time, and while I’m not a fan of bugs at all, I can’t deny the story accomplished what it set out to do: horrify readers with some truly disgusting scenes involving insects.
The story takes place in North Carolina in 1885. We meet Sonia Wilson, a thirty-year old woman who has just accepted a job as a scientific illustrator and is headed to the house of Dr. Halder, a reclusive but passionate scientist who is studying parasitic and necrophagic species of insects. Dr. Halder is curt and unfriendly, but Sonia forges ahead and begins to work on illustrations of botflies, bees and other insects. The room she’s staying in seems to have belonged to another woman, perhaps Dr. Halder’s previous illustrator, as Sonia finds old sketchbooks and paints strewn about. She attempts to learn more about this woman, but the house staff—housekeeper Mrs. Kent, her husband Jackson, and maid Sally—all seem tight-lipped and refuse to answer her questions.
Despite warnings of devils and “blood thieves” and to stay out of the woods, Sonia isn’t afraid to explore her new surroundings. But one day she’s surprised to see Dr. Halder skulking through the woods and decides to follow him. He disappears into an abandoned shed, and Sonia thinks she hears him talking to someone. What is going on? Why are Mrs. Kent’s chickens disappearing? And what does Halder’s work with parasitic insects have to do with it? Sonia is about to find out, in the most disturbing way possible.
Let’s get the body horror out of the way first. Wolf Worm has some truly disgusting scenes involving wolf worms, a dangerous parasite also called the botfly. Kingfisher doesn’t hold back with her descriptions of these burrowing insects who invade both living and dead flesh and lay their eggs inside the host. At first we see this happen with animals like squirrels, rabbits and raccoons, but later the author moves on to humans, and this is where the story takes a very disturbing turn. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up as I write this, and I guess I have the author to thank for giving me a new nightmare, something I’d never even considered before!
But the story isn’t all crawling horror, luckily. Kingfisher creates a tense but engaging mystery surrounding Halder’s insect studies, including an ill fated romance that ultimately captured my heart. We also learn more about the blood thieves and the mystery woman who used to stay in Sonia’s room. And of course, the characters are pure Kingfisher. Sonia is smart and inquisitive, and while she’s just as horrified about Halder’s experiments as the reader is, she bounces back and uses her talents of scientific observation to get through the horrors she finds herself in the middle of. I also loved Mrs. Kent and Jackson, who have an idea of what’s going on and eventually bring Sonia into their confidence. One of my favorite characters is a man named Saul, and unfortunately I can’t really talk about him due to spoilers.
I loved the time period as well. The deep South setting added a Gothic tone to the story, especially when Kingfisher describes Halder House, a decrepit structure that is falling apart despite Mrs. Kent’s attempts to keep things up, and the overgrown gardens teeming with insect life. Many of the unsettling scenes take place in the dark, with only candles or lanterns to light up the room. The bugs steal the show, though. Worms, flies, larva and other unsavory insect life are everywhere. Things fly into Sonia’s face and land on the back of her neck. Kingfisher has done her homework and brings it all to life with plenty of facts about insect life, especially when Dr. Halder is rambling on about his experiments. I also loved Sonia’s inner dialog about paints and what color combinations are best used to bring her subjects to life.
Wolf Worm takes an even more horrific turn when Sonia discovers the secret hiding inside the shed, but the way Kingfisher resolves her story was so surprising and satisfying. I love how the author can make your skin crawl in one chapter, and in the next write a convincing, feel-good love story. I don’t know how she does it, but I’m glad she does!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Great review!! I’m looking forward to this even though botflies gross me out T. Kingfisher gets me reading about all sorts of weird things!
Thank you! I was grossed out but there’s a lot of other elements to balance it.
We posted our reviews of Wolf Worm on the same day, what are the odds! I’m so glad you also enjoyed the story. T. Kingfisher can really do it all!
It was meant to be! LOL. I’m glad we both enjoyed this:-)
Woo, I’m glad you liked it too. I really enjoyed Sonia’s character, the little details of her work as an artist; it really helped ground the horror.
Yes, me too, I loved how authentic the artistic parts felt. I think Kingfisher wrote something in the acknowledgments about being an artist herself.
Great review! I can’t wait to read it!
I can’t wait to see what you think!
Great review! I love T. Kingfisher’s books… and I think body horror involving insects might be beyond my ability to tolerate! The other aspects of the book sound great, but I have a feeling that this is one of her books that I should skip.
This is definitely not for everyone!
Wonderful review and now I’m even more excited for this one. Kingfisher seems to do so many genres and all of them highly regarded and recommended. I got the “ick” just reading about your thoughts on these insects though
She really is versatile, I’m not sure there’s a genre out there she couldn’t handle.
You always write great reviews. I wish I liked horror since you find the good ones.
Thanks Anne!
Insect horror creeps me out. And it always makes my skin crawl. Eww.
Me too, I don’t know why I keep reading it, lol.
Ewww about the worms! I’m adding this to my TBR. Great review.
There was a lot of “eewwww” in this book, lol, but still so good.
The gothic sounding premise of this one – and mention of ‘blood thieves’ – instantly intrigued me. Im hoping I’ll cope okay with the bug based horror, as if I do I can definitely see myself loving this one. It shouldn’t be long until I find out either. Hopefully diving into it tonight (and am now highly curious about Saul and the she’s secrets).
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Every time I see another Kingfisher book I feel excited at the possibility of another great read but also melancholy knowing I’ll likely never get to read them all. This one sounds like it could contribute to nightmares, but I’m up for finding out. 🙂
This is one of her most nightmare inducing stories for sure!
I just finished this today and loved it! Ugh just in time for spring when the creepy crawlies start emerging again lol
LOL I know!
Oooh I think she is the only author who can write horror that I am able to read LOL
I totally get that! Her humor definitely makes it less horrific:-)
Woohoo. I can’t wait to pick this up – should be my next read once I complete The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru! It sounds amazing.
Lynn 😀
Great review! This makes me really excited to pick this one up. I agree that Kingfisher never disappoints, and I’m glad to see this one didn’t break that trend for you.
I’m excited and I’m scared to read this book!
Are you going to attend one of the stops on the upcoming Book Tour?
I don’t like bugs at all either, but that is why bug horror is so creepy and perfect for me! Love the cover and once again I’m saying that I HAVE GOT to read something by this author. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/02/28/arc-review-across-the-vanishing-sky-starlight-grove-1-by-catherine-cowles/