**Sundial** by Catriona Ward (2022) is a psychological horror novel that delves into family trauma, paranoia, and the darkness lurking beneath the surface of an ordinary life. ### **Synopsis:** Rob is a seemingly normal suburban mother living with her husband, Irving, and their two daughters. However, her marriage is toxic, and she senses something deeply wrong with her eldest daughter, Callie, who collects bones and whispers to imaginary friends. Fearing for her family's safety, Rob takes Callie to *Sundial*, the isolated desert ranch where she grew up—a place filled with dark memories and buried secrets. As Rob tries to confront her past and protect Callie, disturbing truths emerge. The narrative shifts between past and present, unraveling a horrifying history of scientific experiments, psychological manipulation, and twisted family dynamics. Callie, in turn, begins to suspect that her mother might not be who she seems. With its eerie atmosphere, unreliable narrators, and chilling revelations, *Sundial* is a haunting story about inherited trauma, survival, and the terrifying bonds of motherhood.
