Author Jason Rekulak returns with his latest novel, Look What the Cat Dragged In, following the success of his previous works, Hidden Pictures and The Last One at the Wedding. This new supernatural thriller explores the chaos that can emerge from the arrival of an innocent-looking cat.
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The story centers on Penny Padgett, a twenty-seven-year-old cartoonist from Philadelphia who agrees to pet-sit Godfrey, an unusual cat that becomes her constant companion. Soon, Penny's nightmares intensify, insects invade her basement, and her once-innocent illustrations take on dark and surreal qualities. As her health declines, she suspects that Godfrey may be hiding something sinister and that a malevolent force may be following him home.
Rekulak skillfully blends prose and artwork, enhancing the novel's creeping horror with visual elements that add depth to the story. This interplay between text and imagery creates a uniquely unsettling aesthetic, showcasing how effectively horror can manifest when combined with illustrations.
To mark the release of the novel, CinemaChords interviewed Rekulak about Penny's semi-autobiographical comics that take a dark twist, foreshadowing the looming threats. They also discussed the cinematic inspirations behind the book, including classic films like Gremlins and Ghostbusters, as well as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Rekulak emphasized how original artwork enriches horror storytelling in ways that words alone cannot.