The Macabre

I don’t typically gravitate towards fantasy with a strong horror component as a genre, but I really enjoyed the last book by Kosoko Jackson that I read (a queer romance), so I had to request The Macabre (publication day September 9, 2025) from NetGalley. He’s published at least half a dozen books already, so there is more if you like his writing.

I’m glad that I did request it–the premise was intriguing and I was thoroughly hooked. Essentially, Lewis, a twentysomething painter, is recruited by a shadowy supernatural agency because he is a descendant of a painter who painted several dangerous paintings that are killing people. Lewis, as a blood descendant, is the only one who can neutralize the paintings.

I love reading about art, and the idea of an artist being able to imbue their art with dangerous malevolence was fascinating. I liked both Lewis and his minder Noah as characters, and the idea of a magical agency that most non-magical humans are unaware of was done well.

The quest to find all ten paintings kept the plot moving and Lewis was a brave protagonist. I loved that some of the characters found redemption and that he found out more about his mother.. All in all, a great, weight-neutral read!