Debut Novel Out 9/17
DEAREST
by JACquie walters
A new mom in need of help opens her door to her long-estranged mother—only to realize she's invited something much darker into her home—in this debut novel perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix, Rachel Harrison, and Ashley Audrain.
"A fast-paced and frightening debut that explores the nightmares of new motherhood, with plenty of twists and visceral scares."
- Rachel Harrison, national bestselling author of Black Sheep
“A corrosive cocktail of domestic dread and parental paranoia, DEAREST will turn your stomach and scare you senseless."
- Daniel Kraus, NYT Bestselling author of whalefall
“Jacquie Walters’ Dearest is a raw and challenging rumination on motherhood and inherited trauma. Compassionate and compelling, Walters is a talent to watch."
- Sarah langan, author of good neighbors and three-time bram stoker award winner
"Dearest is a truly terrifying exploration of maternal instinct, mental health, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. jacquie walters is a horror writer to watch."
- robyn harding, international bestselling author of The drowning woman
"…one of the most exquisitely terrifying books I’ve ever read. exceptionally written, this stunning thriller/horror explores the darkest parts of motherhood—whether we are good enough, capable enough to ensure our children survive and thrive. with mind-blowing twists, supernatural sensations, and a raw, unflinching exploration of post partum, dearest altered my psyche and skewered my soul."
- Samantha m. bailey, USA today, amazon charts, and #1 international bestselling author of a friend in the dark
"Shockingly original and genuinely disturbing, this brilliant horror novel will hit way too close to home for millions of women. "
- kirsten miller, author of the change and lula dean’s little library of banned books
"An unflinching, cinematic thrill ride that examines the darkest fears inherent to motherhood…then lights them on fire. This perfectly plotted debut delivers again and again with a tense, claustrophobic start and genuinely terrifying final act."
- Anne heltzel, author of just like mother
Be careful who you let into your house… and your head.
Flora is a new mom enamored of her baby girl, Iris, even if she arrived a few weeks early. With her husband still deployed, Flora navigates the newborn stage alone. But as the sleepless nights pass in the loneliness of their half-empty home, the edges of her reality begin to blur.
Just as Flora becomes convinced she is losing her mind, a surprising guest shows up to help: Flora’s own mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken in years. Can they mend their fraught relationship? Or is there more Flora’s mother isn’t telling her about the events that led to their estrangement?
As stranger and scarier events unfold, Flora begins to suspect the house is not as empty as she once thought. She must decide: is her hold on reality slipping dangerously away? Or is she, in fact, the only thing standing between a terrifying visitor and her baby?
About jacquie
Jacquie Walters is an Emmy-nominated writer who has sold five pilots in the last three years. She has placed projects at Paramount Plus, iTV, ABC Network, CJ Entertainment (PARASITE), and others. In all, she has written and produced over 100 episodes of television. Jacquie graduated from the Novel Writing Program at Stanford University and is passionate about layered mysteries, psychological anomalies, and characters with everything to hide. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and beloved Golden Retriever.
