Grim Root is a dark, humorous gothic horror novel, written by Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam, and published by Dark Matter INK. A story that takes the premise of The Bachelor but gives it a darker twist to it, bringing our characters to a haunted manor where not only their secrets will be revealed, as the dynamics between them will change.

Linda, Sabrina, Marion and Charity are the last four contestants of a reality TV show, and together with the producers, staff and the groom they are taken to a haunter manor, in order to see who will be the one that will marry him; a premise that soon shows how the contest is organized and how narratives are weaven behind-the-scenes, trying to grow the audience and putting each contestant in one role.

And characters is precisely the aspect that shines in this book. While most of the story is told using the POV of two of the contestants, Linda and Sabrina, all the cast is fully fleshed, complex characters with their own lives and conflicts, and who are being pushed by the direction of the show to participate; but not only that, but we can soon see how between them there are tensions and some bonds are also developed as a result of the stress they live in. Probably Tristan, the masculine contestant, the bachelor in this story, might be the one I felt a bit of charicature, but can be only because of how all is told.

While we have a classic horror setting, the way those elements are introduced are quite original, even if they might be a bit predictable at points; and it's refreshing to see how we have an additional layer of horror that comes from the pressure of the own show. Humour is an integral part of the plot, and together with a romantic subplot, they make it enjoyable to read.

Despite it has some flaws, I totally enjoyed reading Grim Root, as I loved the premised; if you are looking for some humourous horror, it is a great shot. Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam has written a great debut novel, and I can't wait to see what more she has ready.