"The worms crawl in. The worms crawl out."

TITLE: Wolf Worm

AUTHOR: T. Kingfisher

PUBLISHER: Tor Nightfire

PUBLISHING DATE: March 24, 2026

PAGES: 277   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: The year is 1899 and Sonia Wilson is a scientific illustrator without work, prospects, or hope. When the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina manor house and put her talents to use. But soon enough she finds that there are darker things at work than the Carolina woods. What happened to her predecessor, Halder’s wife? Why are animals acting so strangely, and what is behind the peculiar local whispers about “blood thieves?” 

With the aid of the housekeeper and a local healer, Sonia discovers that Halder’s entomological studies have taken him down a dark road full of parasitic maggots that burrow into human flesh, and that his monstrous experiments may grow to encompass his newest illustrator as well.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to pick up this book but I'm glad I did.  And little did I know that while I initially came for the horror, I ended up loving some of the characters more than I ever expected. 

Sonia used to be an illustrator for her father, a known naturalist.  However, after his death, she ends up teaching at a girl's school for lack of a job in her desired profession.  Sonia finally gets a job illustrating for Dr. Halder, a reclusive entomologist, which involves living on his reclusive estate in North Caroline.  Sonia is new to the insect world but eventually starts catching on and producing artistry to Halder's liking.  But soon she learns Halder has a mysterious shed out back and Sonia believes she may have heard him talking to someone one night. There is also Halder's obsession with bot flys and screw worms which more than gives Sonia the creeps, especially when she observes some of the wildlife acting very odd.  And if that wasn't enough, what really happened to Halder's wife, his prior illustrator and did he really kill her lover?  

It was a joy reading from Sonia's perspective.  Not only is she bright and a bit too curious, but she also has a wit about her which brings some humor to an otherwise dark book.  I enjoyed Halder's housekeeper Rose and her husband Jackson and appreciated some of the historical elements and deep South customs their interracial marriage, an extreme taboo during the time of the book, Kingfisher included.  

Now don't get me wrong.  This book is disgusting in places and took a turn at the end I never anticipated but truly loved.  This is my third book from this author and now I find myself wanting to go back and devour everything else she has ever written.  If you love horror and don't mind bugs, then please consider picking this one up!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS