Review of Some Kind of Haunted—Cozy Horror?

The Gothic Library reviews Some Kind of Haunted by Hazel Beck, examining whether “cozy horror” constitutes a coherent subgenre. The novel follows twins Lexi and Logan who inherit a knitting shop in the small town of Midas, Iowa, only to discover the town harbors demons that feed on tourists during Halloween. The book incorporates cozy elements like a quirky setting, small businesses, and fiber arts, but abandons these aesthetics once the horror plot intensifies. The reviewer notes that warmth derives primarily from themes of self-acceptance, romance, and friendship rather than stereotypical cozy aesthetics. The novel reframes the Gothic trope of the Faustian bargain by emphasizing personal agency and choice. While Some Kind of Haunted deliberately engages with cozy horror conventions, the reviewer remains uncertain whether the subgenre can sustain both serious character deaths and horrifying imagery alongside genuinely cozy feelings.

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