What a Nightmare Book Review and Summary

Author: Rebekah Faubion
Page Count: Unknown
Publication Date: Expected publication 2026-10-13 APL

A book that promises to unleash a maelstrom of unbridled fury and unapologetic revenge, What a Nightmare by Rebekah Faubion, seems poised to shake the very foundations of small-town America. Haven Powers, the protagonist, has spent years perfecting the art of invisibility, only to have her tightly locked box of emotions cracked open by a predatory boss. And then, the unthinkable happens - she dreams of his demise, only to wake up and find it a gruesome reality.

One can’t help but wonder if this is Faubion’s clever subversion of the ‘damsel in distress’ trope, where the female protagonist, instead of being a helpless victim, is the harbinger of death and destruction. But, I digress - the real question is, can Faubion sustain this level of tension and suspense throughout the book, or will it devolve into a clichéd revenge fantasy? The synopsis, unfortunately, doesn’t offer much insight into the author’s intentions, leaving me to ponder the possibilities like a literary detective trying to piece together a fragmented puzzle.

And yet, the echoes of Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle are unmistakable - the stifling atmosphere of a small town, the oppressive weight of family expectations, and the simmering resentment of a protagonist on the brink of explosion. But, whereas Jackson’s Merricat Blackwood is a study in subtlety and restraint, Haven Powers seems to be a force of nature, unapologetic and unbridled in her fury. It’s a bold move, and one that could either pay off spectacularly or crash and burn in a blaze of melodrama.

But what’s truly fascinating is the way Faubion seems to be probing the fault lines of patriarchal societies, where women are expected to conform to certain norms and expectations. Haven’s rebellion against these constraints is a powerful metaphor for the rage and frustration that simmers just beneath the surface of many women’s lives. It’s a theme that’s been explored by authors like Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins, but Faubion’s unique voice and perspective could bring a fresh spin to this tired trope.

Or, could she? I’m not entirely convinced that Faubion has the chops to pull off this level of complexity and nuance. The synopsis is frustratingly vague, and the writing style, while engaging, doesn’t quite have the same level of sophistication as some of her contemporaries. And yet, I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt - after all, some of the most iconic authors of our time have been known to produce mediocre debuts, only to blossom into literary giants later on.

The real test, of course, will be in the execution. Can Faubion balance the delicate tightrope between suspense and melodrama, between social commentary and exploitation? Only time will tell. For now, I’ll reserve my judgment, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on this one.

I have a squash game with my lawyer this afternoon, and I’m already running late. #NewRelease #BookLovers #SmallTownHorror