If I'm Told "Don't Go Into the Woods" You Can Bet I'm Listening!

 

TITLE: I'll Make a Spectacle of You

AUTHOR: Beatrice Winifred Iker

PUBLISHER: Run For It

PUBLISHING DATE: November 18, 2025

PAGES: 400   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Zora Robinson is an ambitious grad student at her dream program, the Appalachian Studies at Bricksbury university. When her thesis advisor suggests she research the local folklore about a beast roaming the woods surrounding campus, Zora finds a local population uneager to talk to an outsider. 

As she delves into the history of the beast, she uncovers a rumored secret society called the Keepers that has tenuous ties to the beast…and Bricksbury itself. Zora soon finds herself plagued by visions, and her grip on reality starts to slip as she struggles to uncover what is real and what is folklore. But when a student goes missing, Zora starts to wonder if the Keepers ever really disbanded. 

There’s something in the woods and it has its eyes on Zora.

MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit this book was slow going for a while.  In fact, it took me over three weeks to complete.  For some reason, it was one I would put down and not be pressed to pick back up.  However, I persevered and in the end was delighted with the journey, even if it was a slow one.

Zora has recently been accepted to Bricksbury University to complete her graduate studies.  She studies in the area of Appalachian folklore and its roots in the southern Black culture.  Zora's sister, whom she has been estranged from for many years due to something which happened when they were teens, teaches religious studies at the University.  Both of their passions collide when they find themselves attending the same conjuring-related activitis and shops.  It seems Bricksbury is protected by some entity that resides in the woods and just perhaps this entity has been demanding sacrifices in order to protect the University from outside dangers throughout the years. 

I really liked Zora and enjoyed seeing the dynamics play out with her sister Jazzmine.  The book is pretty much set in present times with interesting articles and diary entries thrown in between some chapters which illustrate the history of the HBCU's and the factitious Bricksbury University.  I found the folklore aspects really interesting and thought the author did a wonderful job of making the reader question Zora's reliability regarding what she was experiencing as it related to reality.  

I have to make a special comment about Zora's Rottweiler, Henry Louis.  Zora creates a mojo bag to mask his presence and permits him to live unseen by others on campus, where he is not permitted.  Henry Louis is a huge comfort to Zora throughout the book, and I am pleased to say, he is not harmed in any way (and yes, I did research this before starting the book).   

So, I guess my only real issue with I'll Make a Spectacle of You is the overall pacing.  Besides that, I found it an intriguing folkloric horror high on atmosphere and deep rooted in historical practices.  I'm so glad to have picked this up and will look for more from the author in the future.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS