Our Lady Poison

Step into the dimly lit chamber of 17th-century France, where shadows dance with secrets and whispers of witchcraft linger in the air. Amid this eerie setting stands Catherine Monvoisin, a woman of intrigue and mystery, facing an uncommon fate.

Enveloped by darkness, her silhouette is illuminated solely by the flickering flames held by faceless figures passing judgment upon her. Yet, amidst the solemnity of her impending doom, Catherine’s enigmatic presence defies convention.

Join us as we unravel the enigma of Catherine Monvoisin, a woman whose life defies the norms of her time and whose story unveils the complexities of an era steeped in superstition and fear.

NZGeekChicJune 30, 2025June 29, 2025Leave a comment

Books, Experts, Paula Phillips

Behind The Door By Amy Price Book Review About The Cecil Hotel

In the shadowy corridors of downtown Los Angeles’ notorious Cecil Hotel lies a saga of intrigue, tragedy, and the haunting presence of the past.

Amy Price, the steadfast protagonist of Behind the Door, beckons readers into this labyrinth of mysteries, where she unveils the chilling truths lurking within the hotel’s walls.

At first glance, Behind the Door appears to be a mere account of Elisa Lam’s enigmatic demise, as showcased in the controversial Netflix documentary series, Crime: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel.

NZGeekChicJune 16, 2025June 29, 2025Leave a comment

Experts, Paula Phillips, Serial Killers & Murders

The Mysterious Unsolved Case Of The Sodder Children

There are many unsolved mysteries when it comes to families and individuals that none of us will ever find the answers to. So, here is one of those incredible unsolved mystery of a family from West Virginia in 1945.

The Book of Cold Cases

I recently read a book by Simone St. James called The Book of Cold Cases. It talked about an unsolved murder of two men and a website that the main character ran all about those cold cases, also known as unsolved murders.

We can all think of some cases relevant to the JonBenét Ramsey case. There’s also the Madeline McCann abduction, and a bit closer to home in New Zealand is the case of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope, who vanished on New Year’s Eve in 1998, never to be seen again.

NZGeekChicMarch 27, 2024March 24, 2024Leave a comment

Experts, Haunted, Medicality, Paula Phillips

What Is The Most Haunted Place in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a country on Earth that is sometimes missing on our world maps and is home to the Hobbits. But they are wonderful people with much history to offer. Lucky us, we have our own kiwi, Paula, to talk to us about NZ’s most haunted place!

What Is It About New Zealand?

Growing up in New Zealand, a small country, many things started happening civilisation-wise in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We have a different history than other countries around the world.

In saying that, though, we have a few exciting spots around New Zealand worth visiting, including the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, considered the most haunted place in New Zealand.

NZGeekChicFebruary 1, 20242 Comments

Books, Experts, Paula Phillips, Reviews

Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope by Brad Weismann Reviewed

Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the Horror Unmasked novel by Brad Weismann.

Official Summary Of Horror Unmasked

From the silent-film era to the blockbusters of today, Horror Unmasked is a fun-filled, highly illustrated dive into the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre.

The horror film’s pop-culture importance is undeniable, from its early influences to today’s most significant and exciting developments in the genre.

NZGeekChicJanuary 26, 2024January 25, 20241 Comment

Books, Experts, Paula Phillips, Reviews

A Classic Revamped As Dracula Daily Reviewed By Paula Phillips

Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the classic tale of Dracula but known as Dracula Daily.

Official Summary Of Dracula Daily

Dracula Daily: Reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula in Real Time With Commentary by the Internet

The wildly popular email newsletter that has been described as an “internet sensation” (The New York Times) and “the coolest book club on the internet” (Fast Company) is breathing new life into Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel.

Now, the internet phenomenon can be experienced in this deluxe hardcover book that includes hilarious commentary and artwork from Dracula Daily readers.

NZGeekChicJanuary 18, 2024January 17, 20241 Comment

Demons, Experts, Paranormal, Paula Phillips

The Real Story Behind Regan MacNeill From The Exorcist

We all know that actual events often inspire many movies and stories. What ‘true events’ and ‘real life events’ mean is left to the one telling the story. So, who inspired the most horrifying movie of all time, The Exorcist?

The Horror Is Sometimes Real In Movies

Lately, it has been on my mind just how many movies, TV shows, and other pop culture references are based on events that happened in reality. Especially when it comes to horror and mystery movies.

I have touched on films and the stories behind movies like Scream, Annabelle, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and even The Exorcist was based on a true story.

NZGeekChicNovember 1, 20231 Comment

Experts, Middle Ages, Paula Phillips, Serial Killers & Murders

Germany’s Medieval Boogeyman Known As Peter Niers

Throughout history, humankind has encountered many murderers and people thirsty for the blood of innocents. Worldwide known names come to mind, but what about those in the shadows of the big names?

The Names We Know Of The Medieval Period

When you think of the evillest murderers of medieval times, there are specific names that come to mind that took over their centuries. They inspired fear so great that they branded their time with their names.

But if you mention the name Peter Niers, nobody would know who you are talking about. But this person deserves a place on those charts because he left his mark, so who is he, and what did he do?

NZGeekChicOctober 26, 2023October 25, 20231 Comment

Experts, Paranormal, Paula Phillips

The Elusive Axeman of New Orleans And His Victims

New Orleans is a unique ground for the paranormal and mysteries. This figure might not be paranormal but inflicted much terror in their time. Here is the story of the never found Axeman of New Orleans.

The Rising Terror Of The Axeman

When we think of serial killers that got away, those who come to mind are often Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer. These people escaped justice in the dark of the night, committing murders and keeping their towns on the edge of their seats as they eluded police and inflicted pain while terrorising their neighbourhoods.

It started in May of 1918 in New Orleans before his reign of terror ended in October 1919. A lesser-known serial killer, later named The Axeman of New Orleans, was clever enough to get away with murder as he eluded the authorities to this day. He became one of New Orleans’ unsolved mysteries.

NZGeekChicJune 22, 2023Leave a comment

Experts, Paula Phillips, YouTube

La Quintrala, A Chilean Drop Dead Gorgeous Beauty Killer

People don’t often think about women as serial killers, even less in aristocratic times. However, knowing it is a man’s world, only now do we discover women did more than first thought. How many women do YOU think got away with murder?

Only Men Can Be Serial Killers

When the general public hears the word ‘serial killer’ or a crime has been committed, more often than not, their minds will automatically go to seeing the criminal as a male.

That is often because eighty-five percent of serial killers are male, and only fifteen percent are female. Also, women don’t seem to be in it for publicity. However, regardless of gender, one is always motivated by a reason to kill. Then again, when it comes to women, the kills are more personal compared to men.

NZGeekChicMay 10, 2023May 9, 20231 Comment

Experts, Indie Community, Interviews, Paula Phillips

Gothic Bite Magazine Interviews Their Writer, Paula Phillips

At Gothic Bite Magazine, we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patients now. This week, we welcome Paula Phillips.

Patient Name: Paula Phillips

Hi, my name is Paula Phillips. I live in New Zealand and have always had a passion for books and writing. I have been running a book blog since July 2010, when I decided to combine my passion for reading books and writing reviews and to share my knowledge of books with the world.

I have also been writing online for various publications since 2006-2007, after I finished my second bit of study, a Diploma in Freelance Journalism.

NZGeekChicApril 27, 2023April 26, 2023Leave a comment

Experts, Paranormal, Paula Phillips

A Reign Of Poison And Sociopathy

Lately, Paula has been on a kick reading about early obscure killers. After she wrote her piece about The Story Of The 19th Century Forgotten Cannibal, she decided to go back even earlier. She wants to spotlight those most people would have never heard about.

An Early Queen With A Taste For Men

This article takes us back to an ancient kingdom that is seen nowadays as part of Sri Lanka. This commentary introduces readers to Queen Anula of Anuradhapura.

She lived in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. This was a kingdom that ruled over Sri Lanka. Queen Anula has been recorded as the first female of the state in Asia.

NZGeekChicNovember 11, 2022November 10, 20221 Comment

Experts, Paula Phillips

The Rings Of Poison A History Of Murder

The history of jewellery is not always about embellishment or a sign of status in society but a weapon and these rings have a hellish history. Continue reading The Rings Of Poison A History Of Murder

NZGeekChicNovember 2, 2022November 2, 2022Leave a comment

Experts, Paula Phillips, YouTube

The Unknown Killer That Inspired Ghostface

Most of the iconic slasher killers of the horror movie genre are based on people that existed or still do. Often, the reality is more morbid than a slasher flick. Here’s one of their stories!

The Beginning Of An Iconic Face

Everyone knows the famous 90s Scream movie franchise, its iconic serial killer, and its name, Ghostface. People could know him from his original franchise with “Do you like scary movies?” or the horror movie parody franchise, Scary Movie.

People might not realize, and I didn’t know until recently, that the original Ghostface killer in the Scream franchise was inspired by a real-life serial killer named Danny Rolling.

NZGeekChicJune 30, 2022January 17, 20252 Comments

Experts, Paranormal, Paula Phillips

How To Survive An Iconic Slasher Killer Like Jigsaw

Gothic Bite Magazine is officially relaunched this week! To kickstart our new beginning, we decided to do a week on how to survive an iconic slasher killer.

Putting the Pieces Together to Outwit Jigsaw

WARNING: Torture Porn

Like most horror franchises, the movies are countless, and each one comes up with a new plot and leaves viewers thinking. Now how would I outwit Jigsaw and survive the movie?

The Saw franchise has released nine movies, and unfortunately, we all know Hollywood isn’t the greatest for titling their movies. So we have Saw, Saw II, etc. But the numbers are in roman numerals just to give it a slight edge.

NZGeekChicMay 11, 2022January 17, 20251 Comment

Step into the dimly lit chamber of 17th-century France, where shadows dance with secrets and whispers of witchcraft linger in the air. Amid this eerie setting stands Catherine Monvoisin, a woman of intrigue and mystery, facing an uncommon fate.

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In the shadowy corridors of downtown Los Angeles’ notorious Cecil Hotel lies a saga of intrigue, tragedy, and the haunting presence of the past.

Share this:

There are many unsolved mysteries when it comes to families and individuals that none of us will ever find the answers to. So, here is one of those incredible unsolved mystery of a family from West Virginia in 1945.

The Book of Cold Cases

Share this:

New Zealand is a country on Earth that is sometimes missing on our world maps and is home to the Hobbits. But they are wonderful people with much history to offer. Lucky us, we have our own kiwi, Paula, to talk to us about NZ’s most haunted place!

What Is It About New Zealand?

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Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the Horror Unmasked novel by Brad Weismann.

Official Summary Of Horror Unmasked

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Gothic Bite Magazine is home to the Phantom Paragrapher book reviewer also known as Paula Phillips from New Zealand and here is her Gothic review of the classic tale of Dracula but known as Dracula Daily.

Official Summary Of Dracula Daily

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We all know that actual events often inspire many movies and stories. What ‘true events’ and ‘real life events’ mean is left to the one telling the story. So, who inspired the most horrifying movie of all time, The Exorcist?

The Horror Is Sometimes Real In Movies

Share this:

Throughout history, humankind has encountered many murderers and people thirsty for the blood of innocents. Worldwide known names come to mind, but what about those in the shadows of the big names?

The Names We Know Of The Medieval Period

Share this:

New Orleans is a unique ground for the paranormal and mysteries. This figure might not be paranormal but inflicted much terror in their time. Here is the story of the never found Axeman of New Orleans.

The Rising Terror Of The Axeman

Share this:

People don’t often think about women as serial killers, even less in aristocratic times. However, knowing it is a man’s world, only now do we discover women did more than first thought. How many women do YOU think got away with murder?

Only Men Can Be Serial Killers

Share this:

At Gothic Bite Magazine, we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patients now. This week, we welcome Paula Phillips.

Patient Name: Paula Phillips

Share this:

Lately, Paula has been on a kick reading about early obscure killers. After she wrote her piece about The Story Of The 19th Century Forgotten Cannibal, she decided to go back even earlier. She wants to spotlight those most people would have never heard about.

An Early Queen With A Taste For Men

Share this:

Most of the iconic slasher killers of the horror movie genre are based on people that existed or still do. Often, the reality is more morbid than a slasher flick. Here’s one of their stories!

The Beginning Of An Iconic Face

Share this:

Gothic Bite Magazine is officially relaunched this week! To kickstart our new beginning, we decided to do a week on how to survive an iconic slasher killer.

Putting the Pieces Together to Outwit Jigsaw

WARNING: Torture Porn

Share this: