Queer Book Club - Her Wicked Roots by Tanya Pell

Join us for a haunting and beautifully written queer gothic novel that blends mystery, romance, and botanical horror into an unforgettable reading experience.

When Cordelia Beecher escapes the charity school where she was raised in search of her missing brother, she follows a trail of clues to the quiet town of Farrow. But no one seems to know who he is—or what happened to him. Desperate for answers, Cordelia finds refuge at Edenfield, a sprawling estate owned by the enigmatic Lady Evangeline, a renowned botanist known for sheltering young women in need.

As Cordelia settles into life at the estate and grows closer to Evangeline’s daughter Briar, she begins to uncover unsettling secrets hidden among the gardens and glasshouses. When evidence emerges that her brother may have once lived at Edenfield, Cordelia becomes determined to discover the truth, even if it means confronting the darkness growing beneath the estate’s beautiful surface.

Inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic tale Rappaccini’s Daughter, Her Wicked Roots is an atmospheric sapphic gothic filled with poisonous blooms, family secrets, obsession, and questions about the fine line between protection and control. Fans of Mexican Gothic, Midsommar, and eerie slow-burn horror will find plenty to love.

“Darkly enchanting, HER WICKED ROOTS is haunting, propulsive and as hypnotic as the poisonous blooms at the novel’s heart. Truly a bewitching sapphic delight.” – Francesca May, author of Wild and Wicked Things and This Vicious Hunger

Why you should join us

This is more than a book club—it’s a space to connect, reflect, and celebrate queer stories together. Whether you’ve finished the book, just started, or simply want to be part of the conversation, you are welcome. We center community over completion and conversation over perfection. Expect thoughtful discussion, lots of laughs, and a welcoming group that shows up for each other.

All are welcome. No need to be queer to attend—just come ready to listen, share, and be part of something meaningful.