Hello, dear readers,

It’s TBR time! My March reading list is going to be very ARC-centric. I’m working on getting caught up while also reading ahead. I’m carrying over two remaining reads from February: The Sundowner’s Dance,  and Platform Decay.

I just attended the awesome AuthorCon VI Scares That Care event and picked up a few new books that completely reshaped my original TBR plans. I was lucky enough to snag an early release copy of Bodies of Work by Clay McLeod Chapman (which doesn’t release until April). After loving last month’s #MonsteroftheMonth pick, My Pet Werewolf by James Kaine, I also bought the prequel novella, Gunther, directly from him.

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Advance Reader Copies

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
Releases March 3, 2026 – St. Martin’s Press
A Cinderella retelling told through the eyes of the “evil stepmother.” I’m always a sucker for a retelling, and this one sounds especially compelling. The publisher kindly sent me an ARC.

Rideshare by James Kaine and Timothy King
Releases March 15, 2026 – Horror House Publishing
A collection of four interconnected stories tied together by their driver, Charlie. Charlie’s job is simple: pick people up. But he soon realizes this particular group of passengers may have literal demons.

Beautiful, Once by Mia Dalia
Releases March 20, 2026 – Crystal Lake Publishing
A controversially outspoken tech billionaire retreats from society and builds a secluded island utopia populated by a hand-selected community. But paradise grows dull. He begins broadcasting messages into the universe to showcase his “superior” model of living. When one message is answered, bloodthirsty, flesh-hungry violence descends upon the island.

Bodies of Work by Clay McLeod Chapman
Releases April 7, 2026 – Titan Books
A horror novella about a janitor no one seems to notice. His secret hobby? He’s a serial killer who collects the voices of overlooked women. Those voices whisper of revenge. The book is an homage to John Fowles’ The Collector (1963), which makes this pairing a must-read.

Sarafina by Philip Fracassi
Releases April 7, 2026 – CLASH Books
Three brothers go AWOL during some of the most brutal Civil War battles, only to encounter something far worse in the woods. Fracassi became one of my favorite authors in 2025. He blends horror elements into different genres, and that versatility excites me every time.

Shy Girl by Mia Ballard
Releases April 7, 2026 – Orbit Books
Gia is broke and desperate when she meets Nathan, a wealthy stranger who offers her a job. For eight hours a day, she must live as his dog—wearing a collar, drinking from a bowl, sleeping in a cage. After eight hours she can go home… but Nathan doesn’t always keep his promises. The premise alone hooked me.

Platform Decay by Martha Wells
Releases May 5, 2026 – Tor Books
Platform Decay is Murderbot book 8. This is one of the few series I’ve consistently kept up with. It’s cozy science fiction at its finest. In this installment, Murderbot leads a rescue mission that requires him to spend time with human children—which should be… interesting. I’ve only had one disappointing read in this series, so expectations are high.

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Library Book

Pet Sematary by Stephen King
First published November 14, 1983 I’ve read over half of Stephen King’s bibliography, but somehow I’ve never read Pet Sematary. I’ve seen both film adaptations (yes, even the dreaded Pet Sematary 2), but it’s time to fill this gap. I’m also preparing to read Monsters in the Archives by Caroline Becks, which analyzes King’s earlier works, including this one.

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Owned Books

Gunther by James Kaine
Published February 16, 2024 – Horror House Publishing
This month’s #MonsteroftheMonth pick. A prequel novella to My Pet Werewolf. I know who Gunther is in the main novel, but I’m excited to learn what drove him to his fate.

The Sundowner’s Dance by Todd Keisling
Published April 22, 2025 – Shortwave Publishing
A cosmic horror about a grieving widower who moves to a retirement community in the Poconos. Strange noises, obsessive neighbors, block parties he’d rather avoid, and warnings dismissed as dementia. The novel was a Bram Stoker Award finalist. I’ve read Keisling’s short fiction but never one of his novels.

The Collector by John Fowles
First published May 1, 1963
Frederick, a withdrawn and obsessive butterfly collector, abducts art student Miranda after coming into money, convinced she will eventually love him. I’m reading this before Bodies of Work to better understand the homage. I can’t even remember if I’ve read it before, so this may be a reread—or a first read disguised as one.