Now Read This: “Poe & I” by Matthew Mercier (2024)

Matthew Mercier’s “Poe & I” is a gripping urban/gothic fantasy that plunges readers into the eerie world of Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy.

Matthew Mercier’s Poe & I is a gripping urban/gothic fantasy that plunges readers into the eerie world of Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy.

Jonah Peabody lands his dream job—as caretaker and docent at Poe Cottage in the Bronx, a former residence of the master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. Not only does he get to work at Poe’s Cottage but his new job requires him to live in a makeshift basement apartment there.

As the story unravels, we find that Jonah is on a mission. There’s a reason why he wanted the position at Poe’s Cottage. Jonah Peabody isn’t merely a fan of Poe’s. He’s searching for his sister and believes this job may be the key to unlocking many mysteries tied to the Peabody family’s checkered past.

Someone is following him, who could be his doppelganger. Strange things start to happen at the cottage, including ghostly visitations. Jonah feels as if he’s being watched or threatened.

Mercier sketches a clear portrait of his main character, a man who can’t seem to get out of his own way. The characters in this book range from rough-around-the-edges to erudite to somewhere in between, with Mercier’s prose imprinting each character vividly on the reader’s mind.

As Mercier, a former real-life caretaker of the cottage, weaves his tale, readers are drawn into a labyrinth of macabre mystery.

Mercier’s prose is descriptive, engaging, and witty, with some tongue-in-cheek dark humor.

The main character waxes philosophical and poetic at some points.

The story develops slowly as Mercier invites the readers into the tortured past of the narrator, who, in time, comes across as unreliable. Mercier has a surprise waiting around every corner, throwing twisted turn after twisted turn. He invites us into the main character’s head–a fever dream of phantoms and memories of a dark and toxic childhood. 

Mercier sets up multiple mysteries, seamlessly switching back and forth between each thread, weaving a gripping and compelling horror tale.

The author crafted an original story, an urban/gothic fantasy that explodes into a macabre, twisted gothic wonderland populated with Poe imagery.

While I give Mercier points for delivering an original and entertaining story, I had mixed feelings about some of Mercier’s choices. Specifically, I questioned the purpose of some supporting characters and the motivations of others. I also thought the story felt unnecessarily drawn-out towards the end.

Nonetheless, I couldn’t stop reading until the end.

Ultimately, Poe & I is a fascinating blend of urban and gothic horror, filled with gritty imagery and compelling mysteries. Mercier’s ability to make a reader’s skin crawl while unraveling an intricate plot is commendable. The novel remains unique and entertaining despite questions about character motivations and a slightly drawn-out ending.

For fans of gothic mystery with an urban twist, Poe & I is a must-read.

Poe & I is available from Crystal Lake Publishing.