In this episode of Quills & Chills, I'm joined by bestselling author Cherie Priest to discuss her novel, It Was Her House First, completely spoiler-free.

Cherie shares how a notoriously haunted house in West Seattle inspired the story and why she wanted to put a fresh spin on the classic haunted house novel, where ghosts can be terrifying without necessarily being evil. We talk about Ronnie, a DIY enthusiast navigating anxiety, depression, and grief after inheriting a dilapidated house following her brother's death. We also explore the novel's multiple points of view, from the living to the dead, including silent film star Venita Rost and the deeply regretful Bartholomew Sloan.

Along the way, Cherie opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, the role grief and guilt play throughout the novel, her love of restoring old homes, and how the book evolved from its original title, The Hollow Face, into It Was Her House First.

Find Cherie Priest online:

cheriepriest.com
Bluesky: @cheriepriest.com

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