**Exclusive Excerpt: Johanna Van Veen’s New Horror Novel ‘Blood on Her Tongue’**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Johanna-Van-Veen-blood-on-her-tongue-031925-2-5b06cd6b780945f495cbf7b19fbe7a96.jpg)
Renowned horror writer Johanna Van Veen’s latest gripping novel, ‘Blood on Her Tongue’, is set to hit the shelves later this month, courtesy of Poisoned Pen Press. The chilling story, set in the 1880s in the Netherlands, delves into the sinister tale of twin sisters Lucy and Sarah. As Sarah’s health takes a dark turn, her obsession with a mysterious corpse unearthed on her husband’s estate leads her down a path of temporary insanity. Amid Sarah’s increasingly strange and menacing behaviour, Lucy must unravel the dark secrets lurking behind her sister’s startling transformation.

Van Veen, acclaimed for her previous work ‘My Darling Dreadful Thing’, is back with a haunting narrative that has been likened to the terror of Bram Stoker’s iconic ‘Dracula’ by Publisher’s Weekly. The author’s ability to weave a spine-tingling tale of mystery and horror is evident once again in ‘Blood on Her Tongue’, promising readers a gripping and immersive literary experience.

The narrative takes a gripping turn as Sarah’s condition worsens, prompting a desperate plea from a loved one. The tension builds as Lucy, torn between fear and determination, navigates the harrowing reality of her sister’s inexplicable descent into darkness. With an air of impending dread and an undercurrent of unspoken dread, the story unfolds into a narrative that is as compelling as it is unsettling.
In an exclusive excerpt shared with PEOPLE, the tension in the story reaches a palpable peak as Sarah’s illness takes a turn for the worse. Hauntingly portrayed through Van Veen’s masterful storytelling, the excerpt offers a glimpse into the intricate web of fear and uncertainty that grips the characters.
As the plot thickens, the intricate details and vivid descriptions serve to immerse readers in a world tinged with darkness and despair. Van Veen’s evocative prose and nuanced character development create a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling, leaving readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page.
The narrative explores themes of sisterhood, sacrifice, and the unfathomable depths of human nature, resonating with readers on a profound and emotional level. Van Veen’s deft exploration of the intricacies of familial bonds and the limits of devotion adds a layer of depth to the story, elevating it beyond a mere horror tale into a profound exploration of the human psyche.
With ‘Blood on Her Tongue’, Johanna Van Veen cements her status as a master storyteller in the realm of horror fiction. The novel promises to captivate and chill readers in equal measure, offering a haunting glimpse into a world where darkness lurks just beneath the surface. As the release date approaches, anticipation mounts for what promises to be a truly unforgettable literary experience.
