C.J. Dotson’s debut horror novel, The Cut, earned her a host of new fans following last year’s release, establishing her as a rising voice in the genre. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Dotson now lives in upstate New York, drawing inspiration quite literally from her surroundings (she writes in a cabin in the woods) as well as from her lifelong love of genre fiction, her interest in history and mythology, and the complexities of modern family life.
Now, she returns with These Familiar Walls, a novel that reworks the haunted house motif through themes of childhood trauma, memory, and parenting, examining how the past continually shapes the present.
Combining traditional haunted house tropes with contemporary family dynamics, These Familiar Walls follows Amber, who, after inheriting her childhood home, finds herself threatened by a violent figure from her past. As she attempts to rebuild her life, she discovers the house is haunted by more than memories, and is forced to confront long-buried secrets and truths rooted in her past.
To celebrate tomorrow’s release of her book, CinemaChords sat down with Dotson to discuss how These Familiar Walls marked her transition from science fiction to horror, and how she draws on early fears and the realities of raising children to explore family dynamics, discipline, and the ways those early experiences echo into adult life.
Secure Your Copy of These Familiar Walls via the Retailers Below:
