Do What Godmother Says by L.S. Stratton is a dual-timeline Black gothic thriller that moves between a present-day writer and a Harlem Renaissance artist, tied together by a painting with a deadly secret. It’s tense, eerie, and layered in a way that feels culturally rich instead of generic. And yes, it kept me turning pages… even when the main character had me wanting to reach through the book and shake her.

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The story follows Shanice Pierce, a present-day writer whose life starts spiraling while she’s dealing with grief, stress, and the kind of mental exhaustion that makes everything feel heavier than it should. When a mysterious painting comes back into her life, it opens the door to a whole history she wasn’t prepared for. At the same time, the book flips you back into the Harlem Renaissance timeline, where we meet Estelle Johnson, an aspiring painter who gets pulled into the orbit of a wealthy patron who insists on being called “Godmother.”

What made this book hit for me was the atmosphere and the cultural alignment. This wasn’t just a thriller with Black characters dropped in. It had voice, texture, and a real sense of place. The Harlem Renaissance chapters were my favorite part, and every time the story jumped back, I was locked in. Those sections had that mix of beauty and danger that makes a book feel cinematic, especially with the way “Godmother” positions herself as a protector and benefactor while everything underneath her feels off.

I also loved that the book didn’t treat mental health like a quick plot device. Shanice’s stress, overwhelm, and family dynamics felt human, not just “thriller stuff happening.” The tension wasn’t only coming from the mystery, it was coming from her life already being heavy, which made everything feel sharper.

My only real annoyance was some repetition and the fact that Shanice stressed me out. There were moments where the same thoughts kept circling and I found myself like okay girl we get it. And she made choices that had me whispering “why would you do that???” more than once. But honestly, that’s also how I know the thriller was working. If the main character has your blood pressure up, the tension is doing its job.

Another critique is that I wanted the damage to feel more concrete. The concept of Godmother is so strong that I wanted one or two more moments that showed exactly how deep her reach goes, not just hints and vague references. That would’ve made the threat feel even bigger and the impact hit harder.

🔥 Lit Meter: 4.9/5 Lighters

Readability When High: Easy to follow and the timeline switching doesn’t get confusing. The pacing is steady and it keeps you locked in.

Mind-Blown Factor: Not constant shock twists, but the suspense builds in a way that keeps you reading because something feels wrong the whole time.

Vibe Check: Black gothic thriller energy with Harlem Renaissance beauty, art, power, and control layered underneath it all. Creepy, cinematic, and culturally rich.

Smokability: Something that keeps you calm but alert. Not too heavy, because you’ll start side-eyeing every character like it’s personal.

Would I Reread While Baked? Yes. Especially for the Harlem Renaissance chapters. That timeline was elite.

If you’re in the mood for a thriller that feels eerie, layered, and culturally aligned, Do What Godmother Says is worth the ride! You can pick it up here!