Cherie Priest’s latest offering, “It Was Her House First,” stands as a masterfully crafted gothic horror that weaves together themes of guilt, vengeance, and the weight of history. Set against the backdrop of a decaying mansion perched on a Seattle ridge, this haunting tale proves that some houses hold more than just memories—they harbor the restless dead, each with their own unfinished business.
The novel follows Ronnie Mitchell, a grieving woman seeking solace through renovation, who purchases the notorious Rost mansion sight unseen. Armed with her late brother’s tools and a substantial inheritance, Ronnie believes she can restore both the house and herself. However, she soon discovers that the mansion’s previous inhabitants—silent film star Venita Rost, Detective Bartholomew Sloan, and young Priscilla Amundson—have never truly left.
The Architecture of Character
Priest demonstrates remarkable skill in constructing her characters across multiple time periods. Ronnie Mitchell emerges as a compelling protagonist whose practical approach to renovation mirrors her attempt to rebuild her own shattered life. Her background in construction work, learned alongside her deceased brother Ben, provides both credibility and poignancy to her character arc. Ronnie’s skepticism gradually erodes as supernatural events escalate, creating a believable transformation from doubter to believer.
The historical characters prove equally compelling. Venita Rost, the “Platinum Pussycat” of silent cinema, transcends the typical vengeful spirit archetype. Through her diary entries and manifestations, she emerges as a complex figure driven by maternal grief and righteous fury. Her relationship with her daughter Priscilla adds layers of tragedy that resonate throughout the narrative.
Bartholomew Sloan serves as both antagonist and victim, a detective whose past sins have trapped him in an eternal purgatory of guilt. Priest’s portrayal of Sloan reveals the dangerous consequences of making deals with darkness, while his helplessness in death provides a fascinating contrast to his former power in life.
Narrative Structure and Pacing
The novel’s structure alternates between present-day chapters focused on Ronnie and historical sections narrated by Sloan and Venita. This technique allows Priest to slowly unveil the truth behind the tragic events of the 1930s while building contemporary tension. The pacing proves particularly effective during the climactic sequences, where past and present collide with devastating results.
However, some readers may find the shifting perspectives occasionally disorienting, particularly when transitioning between time periods. The historical sections, while beautifully written, sometimes feel disconnected from Ronnie’s immediate struggles with the house’s restoration.
Atmospheric Excellence
Where Priest truly excels is in her atmospheric writing. The Rost mansion becomes a character unto itself—creaking, groaning, and bleeding history from every rotted board and broken window. Her descriptions of the house’s decay mirror the spiritual corruption that festers within its walls:
“The place had been built by someone with means, any fool could see it. Every detail whispered money: the fish scale siding that offset the round windows in the attic; the enormous entrance—a huge carved door with dentil molding and a tarnished thumbscrew dead bolt.”
This attention to architectural detail serves the story well, grounding the supernatural elements in tangible reality. Priest’s background research into renovation and restoration work clearly informs her writing, lending authenticity to Ronnie’s professional assessments of the house’s condition.
Themes and Symbolism
The novel operates on multiple thematic levels. At its surface, it’s a traditional haunted house story, but beneath lies a meditation on guilt, forgiveness, and the price of power. Sloan’s supernatural imprisonment serves as punishment for his moral failures, while Venita’s rage stems from a mother’s grief and society’s failure to protect her family.
The theme of renovation extends beyond the physical house to encompass emotional and spiritual restoration. Ronnie’s attempt to rebuild the mansion parallels her journey toward healing from her own losses. The house’s resistance to her efforts reflects the difficulty of confronting and overcoming trauma.
Contemporary Relevance
Priest skillfully weaves contemporary issues into her historical narrative. The novel touches on themes of domestic violence, the exploitation of women in early Hollywood, and the corruption of justice systems. Coty Deaver, the manipulative descendant seeking to exploit both Ronnie and the house’s dark history, represents how past sins continue to echo through generations.
The character of Venita Rost, a silent film star who retained agency and power in an industry known for exploiting women, feels particularly relevant to modern discussions about Hollywood’s treatment of female performers.
Minor Criticisms
While largely successful, the novel does have some weaknesses. The revelation of the true circumstances surrounding Priscilla’s death comes somewhat abruptly, and readers might benefit from more gradual foreshadowing. Additionally, some secondary characters, particularly Ronnie’s friend Kate, occasionally feel underdeveloped despite their important roles in the narrative.
The ending, while satisfying on an emotional level, leaves some questions about the house’s ultimate fate unresolved. Some readers may find this ambiguity frustrating, though others will appreciate the open-ended conclusion that allows for personal interpretation.
Place in Priest’s Body of Work
“It Was Her House First” represents a natural evolution in Priest’s career. Long known for her steampunk Boneshaker series and urban fantasy works, this novel showcases her ability to craft compelling horror that relies more on psychological tension than action sequences. The book shares DNA with her earlier supernatural works while demonstrating growth in character development and atmospheric writing.
Readers familiar with Priest’s previous novels will recognize her talent for blending historical detail with supernatural elements, a skill that serves this gothic horror particularly well.
Similar Reads and Recommendations
Fans of “It Was Her House First” should explore:
- “The Silent Companions” by Laura Purcell – Another gothic horror featuring historical elements and vengeful spirits
- “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – A atmospheric haunted house story with strong female protagonists
- “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson – The classic that established many conventions Priest both honors and subverts
- “House of Hollow” by Krystal Sutherland – Modern gothic horror with family secrets and supernatural elements
- “The Death of Jane Lawrence” by Caitlin Starling – Victorian gothic horror with psychological depth
Final Verdict
“It Was Her House First” stands as a worthy addition to the gothic horror tradition, offering both scares and substance. Priest’s masterful atmosphere, complex characters, and thoughtful exploration of guilt and redemption create a reading experience that lingers long after the final page. While not without minor flaws, the novel succeeds in what it sets out to accomplish: creating a haunted house story that haunts its readers.
The book works best for readers who appreciate slow-burn horror that prioritizes character development and atmosphere over gore or jump scares. Those seeking a deeper exploration of how past tragedies continue to influence the present will find much to appreciate in Priest’s latest work.
- Recommended for: Fans of gothic horror, haunted house stories, and readers who enjoy historical elements woven into contemporary narratives. Perfect for autumn reading when the veil between worlds feels thinnest.
Cherie Priest continues to establish herself as a versatile voice in speculative fiction, proving that the best horror stories emerge not from monsters, but from the very human capacity for both evil and redemption.