Recently, I’ve been reading several books outside Romance. I wrote more about my experience with that here. Everything started with Sycamore House by Asa Swift – released today, August 15th 2025!

It was my first attempt at a horror story and, to this day, I do not regret it. I went into this book not knowing where it would lead me. I discovered a complex narration, mixing past with present, an observer telling the house’s story in accordance with what he herd or was told and also a building with personality! But let me tell you more about the book.

Sycamore House by Asa Swift is a haunting descent into the shadows of domestic life, where the line between sanctuary and nightmare blurs with every turn of the page. Set in the eerie quiet of a Southern town called Corydon, the novel follows Jay and Liz Haley, a couple seeking a fresh start in a sprawling, historic mansion. But what begins as a dream home quickly reveals itself as a living entity, one with secrets buried deep in its foundations.

Asa Swift’s storytelling is razor-sharp, weaving psychological tension with supernatural dread. The house itself becomes a character: its antique mirrors seem to reflect more than reality, its hallways stretch longer than they should, and its silence is never truly empty. As Jay, Liz, and their three children unravel the mystery behind Sycamore House’s tragic past, they find themselves confronting not only the ghosts of former residents, but also the spirit of the house itself.

What sets Sycamore House apart is its atmosphere. The author doesn’t rely on cheap scares. Instead, he builds a slow-burning unease that seeps into the reader’s bones. The pacing is deliberate, the imagery vivid, and the emotional stakes high. Besides the chills of strange encounters, the story centers around family and the importance of being open. The Haleys discuss as a family most of the happenings, and the ones they do not discuss, leave a mark.

For fans of Shirley Jackson, T. Kingfisher, or Simone St. James, Sycamore House is a must-read. It’s the kind of horror that lingers, echoing in your thoughts long after you’ve closed the book.