We chat with author Ally Malinenko about Broken Dolls, which is a terrifying middle grade novel about a girl learning to grieve her grandfather and the creepy antique dolls in his house that seem to come alive, perfect for fans of The Doll in the Garden.
Hi, Ally! Welcome back! It’s been about four years since we last spoke for the release of Ghost Girl. How have you been and what have you been up to?
I’ve been great, thank you for asking. Since we last talked I released a second middle grade horror book called This Appearing House, as well as an adult novel called The Other March Sisters which is retelling of Little Women.
Your latest novel, Broken Dolls, is out September 30th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Creepy, haunted, grief-filled, sisters and DOLLS
What can readers expect?
Ever since Kaye’s grandfather died, she’s been obsessed with counting the steps to her bedroom, the dolls on her sister’s bed, even the threads on her favorite blanket. It’s arithmomania, and with the selective mutism that sometimes prevents her from speaking, she literally can’t find the words to talk about how she feels now that Grampa is gone. When they take the summer to clean out and renovate his old house, Kaye finds herself counting the days.
That is, until her younger sister, Holly, starts finding dolls. She finds them buried in the backyard, stuffed in the walls, crammed into the closets. From the first one, Kaye knows they aren’t like normal dolls. They smile at her like they know something, and sometimes their eyes open and close on their own. Kaye hears her sister talking to them constantly—and she swears she’s heard the dolls whispering back.
Everyone assumes that Holly’s just a kid with a good imagination. Kaye doesn’t think it’s a game, because she knows that Holly—and the dolls—are going to make her play with them. Forever.
Where did the inspiration for Broken Dolls come from?
A few years after my father passed away I wanted to explore themes of grief and I’ve always had a fondness for creepy toys. The two just seemed to fit together!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I think, as someone who has two sisters of her own, writing Holly and Kaye’s relationship was one of my favorite parts. I liked playing with the love and tension between the sisters as they naviagate their own feelings of grief. I loved that it was the fear of losing Holly that changes everything for Kaye.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Yes, the biggest challenge that I faced while working on this story was the unexpected death of my mother. Writing about grief when I felt I was ready to talk about it is a much different experience than writing about grief that just happened. But I know that my mother was my biggest champion and she wouldn’t have wanted me to get discouraged or give up. In many ways, I wrote it for her.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on a story about two boy scouts who find themselves in a woods full of monsters. This one is really about the effects of anxiety. And I just sent a book about witches out to editors. Excited to see where this one lands!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I’ve been reading a lot of Stephen King that I missed over the years – currently enjoying Needful Things. As for books that I’m looking forward to – there are so many! I really can’t wait to read Spark by Chris Baron, The Haunting of Bellington Cottage by Laura Parnum, Ride or Die by Delilah Dawson, Grin by D.W. Gillespie, Welcome to the Ghost Show by J.W. Ocker, and Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave by Ally Russell.
