Trad Wife
A modern social horror perfect for fans of ROSEMARY'S BABY
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
'Absolutely unputdownable' The Mirror
'A Rosemary's Baby for our modern social media mindset' Clay McLeod Chapman
'Cements Schaefer as the new authority when it comes to horror' Maria Tureaud
'Timely, terrifying, and touched with humour, this book will chew you up and spit you out' C.J. Dotson
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Every trad wife needs a baby. Camille will get one - no matter the cost.
Camille lives to embody the perfect traditional wife—cooking, cleaning, homesteading, and documenting it all for her followers. But without a baby, her image—and her following—feels incomplete. As Camille's husband begins to withdraw and his attention in her waning, Camille’s desperation deepens.
When Camille discovers a crumbling well hidden in the wheat field behind her new house, she is drawn to it, despite its proximity to an intimidating local forest. Unsure of what else to do, she makes a wish.
Soon, she’s haunted by vivid dreams she believes are divine. Then something visits her—something not quite angelic. Her belly swells unnaturally fast. Her cravings turn raw. And yet, her announcement goes viral.
But as Camille’s influence grows, so does the horror inside her. The life she always wanted is finally within reach… if it doesn’t consume her first.
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Readers love Trad Wife:
'An incredibly timely horror story!'
'Unsettling and sharply clever'
'A dark and fascinating look into society and standards for women'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Schaefer (Serial Killer Support Group) offers a gleefully gruesome take on the life of an influencer in this fun if predictable horror outing. Camille Deming is an aspiring social media star working to join the ranks of other hugely popular names in the trad wife sphere. Her repeated attempts to get pregnant, which would surely boost her following, have been met with disappointment—until she makes a wish into a mysterious well at the edge of her property. Soon thereafter, she has a dream visitation from a biblically accurate angel and finds herself finally pregnant. When the baby is born, however, there are some undeniable signs that she is not quite human. With Camille's husband largely absent and disengaged, she struggles to balance the life she performs online with her child's needs, especially after the infant's appetite proves bizarre and carnivorous. It's satisfying to watch as Camille's visceral love for her demonic daughter guides her to asserting herself and rejecting the oppressive traps she didn't realize she was snared in. The "be careful what you wish for" conceit feels familiar, and Schaefer doesn't go as deep as she could into unpacking the trad wife phenomenon. Still, this strikes a good balance of gore and tenderness, and is helmed by a heroine who's easy to root for.
