Her Wicked Roots
In this queer retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne classic gothic story, Rappaccini's Daughter, a young woman is lured to a lush estate owned by a botanist who might be hiding dark secrets.

Cordelia Beecher is on the run. In search of her missing brother Edward, she has fled the oppressive charity school she was raised in, desperate to find the only family she knows. Using clues from his past letters, she sets off for the sleepy town of Farrow but everyone there claims to have never heard of Edward-not even the man he was supposedly working for as an apprentice.

With nowhere to go, Cordi turns to Lady Evangeline, a local botanist who owns the magnificent Edenfield estate. The benevolent lady of the manor has made it her mission to take young, often traumatized, women into her employ and protect them from man's world of wicked desires and deceits. Hired as a maid and companion to her enigmatic daughters, Prim and Briar, Cordi quickly settles into Edenfield. Even as her relationship with Briar blossoms, Cordi can't help but suspect that there are secrets in the estate...and when she stumbles across evidence that Edward was once there, she's determined to find answers.

Atmospheric, eerie, and thoroughly original, Her Wicked Roots will establish Tanya Pell as a “wickedly creepy” (Josh Winning, author of Heads Will Roll) and vital voice in horror.
1146889211
Her Wicked Roots
In this queer retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne classic gothic story, Rappaccini's Daughter, a young woman is lured to a lush estate owned by a botanist who might be hiding dark secrets.

Cordelia Beecher is on the run. In search of her missing brother Edward, she has fled the oppressive charity school she was raised in, desperate to find the only family she knows. Using clues from his past letters, she sets off for the sleepy town of Farrow but everyone there claims to have never heard of Edward-not even the man he was supposedly working for as an apprentice.

With nowhere to go, Cordi turns to Lady Evangeline, a local botanist who owns the magnificent Edenfield estate. The benevolent lady of the manor has made it her mission to take young, often traumatized, women into her employ and protect them from man's world of wicked desires and deceits. Hired as a maid and companion to her enigmatic daughters, Prim and Briar, Cordi quickly settles into Edenfield. Even as her relationship with Briar blossoms, Cordi can't help but suspect that there are secrets in the estate...and when she stumbles across evidence that Edward was once there, she's determined to find answers.

Atmospheric, eerie, and thoroughly original, Her Wicked Roots will establish Tanya Pell as a “wickedly creepy” (Josh Winning, author of Heads Will Roll) and vital voice in horror.
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Her Wicked Roots

Her Wicked Roots

by Tanya Pell

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham

Unabridged

Her Wicked Roots

Her Wicked Roots

by Tanya Pell

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham

Unabridged

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Overview

In this queer retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne classic gothic story, Rappaccini's Daughter, a young woman is lured to a lush estate owned by a botanist who might be hiding dark secrets.

Cordelia Beecher is on the run. In search of her missing brother Edward, she has fled the oppressive charity school she was raised in, desperate to find the only family she knows. Using clues from his past letters, she sets off for the sleepy town of Farrow but everyone there claims to have never heard of Edward-not even the man he was supposedly working for as an apprentice.

With nowhere to go, Cordi turns to Lady Evangeline, a local botanist who owns the magnificent Edenfield estate. The benevolent lady of the manor has made it her mission to take young, often traumatized, women into her employ and protect them from man's world of wicked desires and deceits. Hired as a maid and companion to her enigmatic daughters, Prim and Briar, Cordi quickly settles into Edenfield. Even as her relationship with Briar blossoms, Cordi can't help but suspect that there are secrets in the estate...and when she stumbles across evidence that Edward was once there, she's determined to find answers.

Atmospheric, eerie, and thoroughly original, Her Wicked Roots will establish Tanya Pell as a “wickedly creepy” (Josh Winning, author of Heads Will Roll) and vital voice in horror.

Editorial Reviews

Johanna Van Veen

"Her Wicked Roots is a true treat, sure to delight and thrill in equal measure; a must-read for fans of queer gothic novels."

Publisher's Weekly

Eerie... It’s easy to sink into the spooky atmosphere, and an impressive final twist will catch even the most genre-savvy unaware. For readers seeking fun queer gothic horror, this delivers

Booklist

Perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic (2022) or Kit Mayquist's Tripping Arcadia (2022), the book features a Gone Girl-esque twist that will plant this story’s wicked roots deep into readers' souls.

Cynthia Pelayo

"Tanya Pell’s Her Wicked Roots is a winding, creeping ivy, a nighttime garden bursting and blossoming with rich texture and dark, sinister bouquets. Beautiful flowers can, however, be deadly. A richly Gothic and lush retelling."

Josh Winning

This gorgeous, haunting story coiled tight around my heart and refused to let go. An intoxicating tale of secrets, desire, hurt and bravery, rooted in the fear of losing the ones we love. Tanya Pell is such an exciting voice in horror, and this gothic mystery is truly unforgettable.”

Christopher Golden

Her Wicked Roots is a stellar, genre-bending debut from Tanya Pell. It’s a full-fledged Gothic, creepy as hell and full of yearning, soaked in dread and mystery. I can’t want to see what Pell does next!

Clay McLeod Chapman

"Tanya Pell is a horror horticulturist who has cultivated a manic botanic gothic that grafts Silvia Moreno-Garcia to Daphne du Maurier, and what sprouts out is absolutely beautiful. Her Wicked Roots reaches in and rummages through the reader's subconscious until there's no weeding it out."

Francesca May

Darkly enchanting, Her Wicked Roots is haunting, propulsive and as hypnotic as the poisonous blooms at the novel’s heart. Truly a bewitching sapphic delight.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940194603695
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: 10/07/2025
Edition description: Unabridged
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