Life is funny when it comes to books. When I first sheard about Goodnight Monsters: A Novel by Suzanne Junered, I thought the title sounded like it could be a children’s book. Maybe something about little monsters getting tucked into bed at night, or perhaps a throwback to those old monster movies. And then I looked closer!
Let me tell you, this is definitely not a children’s book. The cover caught my attention with its pretty flowers and those bold red letters spelling out Goodnight Monsters. I thought it might be an interesting addition to our Interactive Halloween Gift Guide and our 10 Minute Reading Challenge.
Then after reading about the book there was parts that captured my attend and other parts that I thought David might enjoy reading. Because this book is Psychological horror which isn’t my choice when I’m looking for something to read. In fact, horror tends to send me in the opposite direction!
Still, there was something about the description that made me curious. The main character is a Southern suburban housewife, and I can relate to that. She and her husband have dreamed of becoming parents. I can understand that. Then the part of the story that caught my attention the most was how it begins with a familiar hope: building a family and imagining what the future might hold. But this story takes a very different turn from the happy family story you might expect. Hold on, Buttercup because not only is this ride going to getbumpy its going to get scary.
Before I share mine and David thoughts with you I wanted to let you know Goodnight Monsters: A Novel is a 2026 psychological horror novel by Suzanne Junered. It is described as a book for readers who enjoy Ariana Harwicz’s Die, My Love and Ashley Audrain’s The Push which are books I hadn’t heard of. Have you?
The story follows Lia, a Southern suburban housewife who has long dreamed of becoming a mother with her husband, Evan. When she discovers she is pregnant, however, she begins questioning whether she wants the child and keeps the pregnancy a secret.
At the same time, Lia deliberately moves closer to death by blackmailing her way into a job at a forensic anthropology center known as the Body Farm. Now, I can appreciate the fascinating work that takes place in forensic anthropology. Where learning about how human remains are studied can be interesting.
But a workplace called the Body Farm? I’m not so sure I could handle that! I can already tell you that I would have a hard time sleeping at night. In fact I most likely wouldn’t sleep again as for David a place called the Body Farm wouldn’t bother him but Charlie is like me and would stay far far far away from it.
As Lia’s fascination with death deepens, she begins imagining murder. Then a body donated to the center turns out to be someone she has fantasized about killing. As the line between her thoughts and reality begins to blur and people around her die, Lia finds herself questioning the people she loves—and even her own mind.
This is a psychological horror story that explores the darker corners of the human mind, motherhood, fear, and the difference between imagining something and facing its consequences. Its a perfect read for Halloween night but could also be read year round it might find it’s way into our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List. I just need to ask Santa when were loading the Sleigh what he thinks of the book and why.
I requested Goodnight Monsters because I thought David might enjoy it, and I wanted to find something a little different for our interactive Halloween gift guide. I wasn’t necessarily expecting to become so caught up in the story myself but that is what happens when David struggles with reading. I know you want to know if I slept since I helped David read the book and I did. Thank the Lord.
Even though psychological horror isn’t normally my cup of tea, this book kept pulling me back in. There were times when I needed to help David with the reading, and by the time I finished, I wanted to crawl under the covers and hide! But I did it one page at a time.
That’s what makes this book such an interesting reading experience for me. I was drawn in by the cover, the title, and the description of a Southern housewife who wants to become a mother. What I found was a much darker story than I had anticipated and that is what makes a book a good read. .
There is some humor in the book, and the story has elements of fantasy, but the psychological horror is never far away. The tension comes from watching Lia’s thoughts and fantasies become increasingly difficult to separate from what is happening around her. And that title! Goodnight Monsters sounds so innocent when you first hear it. After learning what the story is really about, though, you might look at the title a little differently.
David absolutely loved this book, which makes it a good reminder that everyone in a family can have different tastes in reading. What makes one person want to hide under the covers can be exactly what another reader is looking for! Which is why we host our 10 Minute Reading Challenge and yes, David did earn a ticket.
I wouldn’t recommend this one to someone searching for a lighthearted Halloween read or a story to share with the children. It is a psychological horror novel for adult readers who enjoy unsettling stories and characters whose inner lives are every bit as complicated as the events unfolding around them. For readers who enjoy that kind of suspense, Goodnight Monsters could be an intriguing Halloween-season choice.
About the Author: Suzanne Junered is the author of Goodnight Monsters (2026) and the forthcoming House of Mannequins (2027). She also hosts the podcast No Secrets No Shame.
A Tennessee native who now lives outside Boulder, Colorado, Suzanne writes about the darker corners of the human psyche and creates characters who reflect the voices of nontraditional Southern women. Although she says she leads with love in her daily life, her fiction explores much more unsettling territory.
Goodnight Monsters: A Novel by Suzanne Junered on Amazon– If psychological horror, complicated characters, and stories that keep you turning the pages are your kind of reading, this may be one to add to your list. I went into Goodnight Monsters thinking I was picking out a book David might enjoy and a possible addition to our interactive Halloween gift guide.
I came away with a story that surprised me, kept me turning pages, and reminded me that a pretty cover and an innocent-sounding title can hide a very dark tale. Would I want to work at the Body Farm? Absolutely not! I think I would be checking every lock in the house before bedtime.
But that’s part of the fun of reading outside your comfort zone. Sometimes you find a book that isn’t what you would ordinarily choose, and sometimes you discover why someone else loves that particular kind of story. David a loved Goodnight Monsters, and I can see why readers who enjoy psychological horror would be drawn to it. Just remember: despite the bedtime-story-sounding title, this is one for adults, not little ones.
Have you read Goodnight Monsters by Suzanne Junered? Do you enjoy psychological horror, or would you be hiding under the covers with me? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Disclosure: I purchased this book for consideration and inclusion in our interactive Halloween gift guide. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link, which means Greatful Moments may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
About the book: For fans of Ariana Harwicz’s Die, My Love and Ashley Audrain’s The Push, a psychological horror novel that follows a woman obsessed with death who must decide if she’s fit to bring new life into this world—especially after someone she’s fantasized about killing turns up dead.
Southern suburban housewife Lia and her husband Evan have long dreamed of becoming parents—but when a pregnancy test shows positive, Lia questions whether she wants the child and keeps her pregnancy a secret.
As she’s holding new life inside, she intentionally surrounds herself with death by blackmailing her way into a job at a forensic anthropology center endearingly called The Body Farm. At The Farm, monsters emerge from within Lia—the desire to kill—and she begins daydreaming about murder. Because fantasizing never hurt anyone. Or so she thinks.
Then a body donation to The Farm turns out to be someone she’s imagined killing, and reality and fantasy begin to blur. As people around her begin to die, Lia loses trust in her loved ones and herself . . . and ultimately must put her monsters to bed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
