Sundial

Rob lives in the suburbs with her husband Irving and two daughters, Callie and Annie. When she notices disturbing behavior from Callie, Rob takes her daughter to her childhood home - a research compound called Sundial in the Mojave Desert. At Sundial, Rob must confront memories of her past and her relationship with her twin sister Jack. The remote desert facility holds secrets about scientific experiments, family legacy, and events that shaped Rob into who she is today. The truth about what happened at Sundial emerges through dual timelines - Rob's present-day return with Callie and her own childhood experiences at the compound. Both mother and daughter face challenges that test their bond and force them to question everything they believe about their family. The novel explores themes of generational trauma, the nature of reality versus memory, and the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. Through its blend of psychological suspense and horror elements, Sundial examines how the past shapes identity and whether patterns of behavior can truly be broken.

Readers describe Sundial as a dark psychological horror story that builds slowly with multiple twists. Many note they couldn't predict the ending. Readers appreciated: - Complex mother-daughter relationship dynamics - Desert setting and atmosphere - Unreliable narration that keeps readers guessing - Integration of cult elements and family trauma Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Multiple timelines can be confusing to follow - Some found it too disturbing/violent - Several readers expected more supernatural elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.9/5 (1,900+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "The last 100 pages had me holding my breath" - Goodreads reviewer "Too many flashbacks slowed the momentum" - Amazon reviewer "Not for the faint of heart but worth pushing through" - StoryGraph reviewer

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🌟 Catriona Ward wrote Sundial while living in the Mojave Desert, drawing direct inspiration from the stark, isolated landscape that features prominently in the novel. 🏆 The author's previous novel, The Last House on Needless Street, won the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel and was a USA Today bestseller. 🌵 The book's setting, particularly the mysterious sundial installation, was partly inspired by real-life desert art installations like those found at the Center for Land Use Interpretation in the Mojave Desert. 🧬 The novel explores themes of generational trauma and genetic inheritance, reflecting Ward's interest in how family histories shape present behaviors and relationships. 🐕 Working dogs and their training play a significant role in the story, and Ward conducted extensive research into breeding programs and animal behavior to ensure accuracy in these portions of the narrative.