Trad Wife - by Saratoga Schaefer

Book Synopsis

A 'traditional wife' influencer allows a demonic creature to impregnate her in this unnerving horror novel, perfect for fans of Nightbitch and Mary, from the author of Serial Killer Support Group.

Every #tradwife needs a baby. She'll get one at any cost.

When Camille Deming isn't cooking, cleaning, or homesteading in her picture-perfect country farmhouse, she's posting about her tradwife lifestyle for her online followers. She takes inspiration from other tradwives on social media, aspiring to be like them, but Camille's missing a key component: a baby. And contrary to what she posts online, things with her husband Graham have been strained. Pressured by her eager followers, Camille fears that without a baby, her relationship will suffer and her social media will never grow out of its infancy.

When Camille discovers a mysterious, decrepit well in the wheatfield behind her house, she makes a wish for a baby. Afterwards, she has unsettling experiences that she convinces herself are angelic in nature, and when she's visited one night by a strange creature, her wish comes true.

Camille's pregnancy announcement gets more engagement than anything she's ever posted--so what if Graham's reaction is lukewarm? Camille's life is finally falling into place. Never mind that her pregnancy is developing freakishly rapidly and she's suddenly craving raw meat. Being a traditional wife is worth it.

Rosemary's Baby for the digital age, this disturbing horror novel is one you'll want to devour in just one bite.

Review Quotes

Praise for Trad Wife:
"A breathless commentary that layers psychological terror and the lies we tell ourselves with the rot that is social media, Trad Wife is a masterpiece that cements Schaefer as the new authority when it comes to horror."
--Maria Tureaud, author of This House Will Feed

"Sinking your teeth into Saratoga Schaefer's Trad Wife will satisfy every craving you have for raw, visceral horror hidden behind a picture-perfect facade. Timely, terrifying, and touched with humor, this book will chew you up and spit you out and you'll love every second of it."
--C.J. Dotson, author of The Cut

About the Author

Saratoga Schaefer (they/them) has a background in marketing, PR, film, and wellness. Their cunningly dark debut Serial Killer Support Group was a "Best Pick of the Month" by Barnes & Noble and Amazon and was named one of 2025's biggest thrillers by Goodreads. Originally from Brooklyn, Saratoga now lives upstate with several needy animals and a haunted clown table.