Review: You Better Watch Out by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth

Author: James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 2024

 Forty-eight hours until Christmas, Jessica Kane wakes up with blurred vision, ears ringing, and in excruciating pain. A gash in her head and blood running down her face, the last thing she remembers is going for a run and something or someone hitting her in the head. It doesn't take her long to realize she is trapped in an unknown, deserted town with five other strangers who share similar stories of being attacked and stranded there. Unsure why and how they got there, she knows one thing for certain, she has to find a way out. That becomes nearly impossible when someone is meticulously orchestrating their deaths, one by one, and the only thing Jessica can do is watch the life leave their eyes. The fenced-in town is the killer’s very own playground and there's nowhere left to hide... she better watch out because she could be next

I really liked, Awakened, the first book in the Awakened trilogy, So I was excited to pick this one up. The premise was great.  A woman wakes up in a weird replica of an old town with several other strangers.  Soon it's apparent that someone in the town is picking them off one by one.  As I said, I had high hopes for this one, but it just didn't live up to my expectations..

There was definitely suspense.  There was also a good amount of gore and gruesome deaths.  What I felt was lacking was not getting to know the characters very well.  I didn't know enough to really care whether they got picked off or not.  The reveal came out of nowhere and didn't really make sense to me; at least to the logistics of it.   I disliked the ending.  It was a real let down.  The epilogue maybe sets it up for a sequel?  Overall, it's OK, but it could have been better.

Review: The Haunting of Payne's Hollow by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 2025

 When Samantha Payne’s grandfather dies, she figures she won’t even get a mention in the will. After all, she hasn’t seen him in fourteen years, not since her father took his own life after being accused of murdering a child at their lakefront cottage. Her grandfather always insisted her father was innocent, despite Sam having caught him burying the child’s body, his clothing streaked with blood.

But when she does attend the reading of the will at the behest of her aunt, she discovers that her grandfather left her the very valuable lakefront property where the family cottage sits. There’s one catch: Sam needs to stay in the cottage for a month. To finally face the fact she was wrong and her father was innocent, in her grandfather's words.

Traveling to Paynes Hollow, Sam is faced with the realities of her childhood and the secrets kept hidden in the shadows of her memories. When her aunt goes missing a couple days into their stay, Sam begins to question everything again. Plagued by nightmares and paranoia, she begins hearing sounds in the forest and seeing shapes crawling from the water as the rippling waves of the lake promise something unspeakably dark lurking just below their surface.

In The Haunting of Payne's Hollow, Sam's grandfather has died and left his property to her.  The catch is that she has to live there for a month without leaving the property.  She soon becomes entangled in solving what really happened with her father years before.  Her aunt disappears and she begins to have nightmares and questioning everything she is seeing.  

 This book was just what I needed for the spooky season.  The atmosphere was dark and sinister. There were a lot of creepy scenes  I loved the story of the hollow and the mystery that surrounded it. It also touched a bit on the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the headless horseman. The characters were interesting and I was rooting for Sam.  There was a big twist in the end that I didn't see coming.  I also love that as the reader I didn't know who to trust.  I highly recommend this one.

Review: How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates

Author: Darcy Coates
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: August 2025

It was supposed to be the party of the century: miles of idyllic white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage...and a dark legend nobody dreamed might be all too true.

When an online influencer and several hundred of his most loyal fans land on Prosperity Island, the plan is simple: five days of elaborate games, drinking, and suntanned fun.

A week in paradise should have been a welcome respite. The only survivor of an infamous cult, Ruth wants nothing more than to keep her head down and not draw attention. She's spent decades outrunning her blood-soaked childhood, and her identity is a closely held secret.

But then the true history of the island is revealed…along with its sinister connection to Ruth's past. As guests go missing and games turn deadly, Ruth and the rest of the attendees are forced to question whether they've really been invited to paradise...or whether something much darker―and far bloodier―is waiting for them just beyond the bonfire's light.

In How Bad Things Can Get, a prominent influencer and a large amount of his fans arrive on a remote island to participate in a week of games and challenges for the chance to win a big money prize.  The island has a dark past and one of the survivors of a cult that lived on the island is among the group.  It's all fun and games until things begin to go horribly wrong. 

Overall, I did enjoy this book.  The multiple perspectives were nice because they added a little bit of depth to the characters. Although, overall, there were too many characters to remember them all and pick one to care about.  No one is safe here and not caring about any of the characters made me indifferent when one of them died or disappeared.   The flashbacks to Ruth's time as a child on the island did help give some perspective to her character and into the cult.

The level of gore is definitely high, so if that makes you squeamish, best skip this book.  The author did not hold back. I personally enjoyed that aspect of the book. Go big or go home, right? Once people started disappearing, I was expecting the reveal to go in one direction, so I was surprised at the directions it took.  If you are looking for a good and gory horror story, I would recommend this one. 

Review: Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston

Author: Duncan Ralston
Publisher: Shadow Work Publishing
Publication Date: September 2023

Six strangers arrive at the home of preeminent puzzle master Alexei Vasiliev for the reading of his will. Among them are the deceased's widow, who'd already begun divorce proceedings, a virologist troubled by actions in his past, and a convicted murderer on day release. The potential beneficiaries will split Vasiliev's $150M fortune if they participate in his last great work.

The choice is leave the house with nothing or continue in the hope of solving the six interconnecting escape rooms within this house.

Once there, the participants soon discover Puzzle House is far deadlier than it appears, and that making their way through the rooms may be a matter of life and death. Someone is watching their every move, toying with them, turning them against each other. With their lives on the line, they are forced to wonder, is it all just a deadly game created by a gleeful sadist, or something far more sinister?

 Puzzle House was a random pick on Hoopla.  The synopsis was right up my alley.  6 people go into the ultimate escape house and not all of them will make it out alive.  I did enjoy this book overall.  The puzzles were interesting and the tension and suspense kept me on my toes. The characters were interesting and I felt invested in what happened to them.   I liked that no one was safe and it was hard to figure out who would make it out of the house.

This book definitely went in a direction I was not expecting.  While I wasn't totally unhappy with that direction, I was very unhappy with the ending. You all know I am not a fan of ambiguous endings.  I was not satisfied.  It felt like the author didn't know how to find any resolution, so the book just ends. Maybe there will be a sequel?  I would recommend, just pretend there is a second book coming that will wrap things up.    

Review: How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

Author: Mallory Arnold
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: July 2025

Seven authors enter the manor

Can they survive the story within?

When legendary horror author Mortimer Queen passes, a group of writers find themselves invited to his last will and testament reading expecting a piece of his massive fortune. Each have their own unique connection to the literary icon, some known, some soon to be discovered, and they've been waiting for their chance to step into the author's shoes for some time.

Instead, they arrive at his grand manor and are invited to play a game. The rules are simple, solve the riddle and progress to the next room. If they don't, the manor will take one of them for itself.

You see, the Queen estate was built on the bones of Mortimer's family, and like any true horror story, the house is still very, very hungry. 

How to Survive a Horror Story is a gruesome and supernatural take on the escape room/house genre.  Seven authors are invited to the house of a famous horror author for the reading of his will.  What they get instead is a fight to survive the next few hours and hopefully escape from the house.  The book has multiple points of view and that really worked in its favor.  

I really enjoyed this one.  What I loved the most was that you never knew who was telling the truth.  Also the fact that no one was safe and you never knew who was going to be next.  The twist in the ending was interesting and satisfying. I will say I was rooting for one character, but won't tell you which one.  The atmosphere in the house was creepy and dark.  I could see this being a great horror movie.  I won't spoil anything more. I do definitely recommend it.

Throwback Thursday: 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

Author: Stephen King

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication Date:  October 1975

Thousands of miles away from the small township of 'Salem's Lot, two terrified people, a man and a boy, still share the secrets of those clapboard houses and tree-lined streets. They must return to 'Salem's Lot for a final confrontation with the unspeakable evil that lives on in the town.

On Halloween, I recently watched the movie version of Salem's Lot.  It's always been a favorite of mine.  It's cheesy and creepy at the same time.  It got me thinking about the novel.  I read this book over 40 years ago when I was in middle school.  I remember it being one of the scariest books I had read at the time.  For nostalgia sake, I thought I would read it as an adult.  

It's no secret, I have not been a fan of Stephen King's books in the last 10 or so years.  Salem's Lot is a  the King that I used to know and love reading.  The atmosphere in the town is ominous and creepy.  The characters are interesting and are typical of life in small town Maine.  It was written in 1975 so some of the 1975 societal norms found here would be frowned on today. But overall, it didn't feel outdated.  Re-reading this as an adult, I wasn't really scared, but I can see why I would have been reading it when I was 10.  There are 2 scenes that I remember being so creepy and they are still creepy.  Particularly the bus scene and the scene where the little Glick boy scratches at the window. If you have seen the movie, you know which one I am talking about. It's just as creepy in the book. If you are in the mood for some horror and nostalgia, I would recommend picking this one up.

Review: Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

Author: Paul Tremblay
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication: June 2024

In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick.

The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot.

The man who played “The Thin Kid” is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he’s going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions — demons of the past be damned.

But at what cost? 

I had to sit on this one for a while.  Horror Movie is told from the perspective of the guy who played the "thin kid"  in an indy horror movie shot in years before. A remake of the film is in progress and he recalls what happened on the set of the original.  He is a consultant on the remake and as he recounts his story, things become more and more bizarre.

I definitely thought this was a creepy book.  There were also some gory parts that I usually like in my horror.  So, I did overall enjoy the book.  The ending was a great twisty ending. My main issue with it was, I'm not sure I fully understand what was going on.  I don't feel like the "lore" was fully explained. That left me wanting more from the story.  Overall,  would recommend this one.  It was creepy enough to keep me interested in seeing how it would end.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt from Urbex Predator by Jens Boele

 

Author: Jens Boele
Publisher: Amazon KDP
Publication Date: February 4, 2024
Pages: 394
Genre: Horror/Thriller
 
A relic from the Cold War, the old barracks beckon photographers, influencers, and adventurers, shrouded in secrets and peril. Nela and Tess dare the eerie ruins for their photography thesis, while Zander, Yelka, Vivien, and Damon embark on a simultaneous shoot. Amid the abandoned shadows, Yelka's group runs into Steven and his ruthless gang, initially outsmarting them. Yet, Nela and Tess fall victim to a nightfall ambush, escaping but torn apart.
 
As adrenaline courses through the gang, they stalk Yelka and her friends, unleashing a relentless manhunt. Vivien becomes their captive, setting off a chain reaction. Tess encounters Damon and Yelka, while Nela, guided by Ben, the barracks' security manager, races to find Tess. Yelka strives to rescue Vivien, trapped in an abandoned outdoor pool.
 
On his lone pursuit, Zander witnesses the gang's brutality, delving into a darker realm within himself, spurred by the horrifying thrill of Steven's actions. The scene propels Yelka, Damon, and Tess into a frenzy, unleashing chaos to liberate Vivien. Nela and Ben, attempting to overpower the gang, witnesi Yelka and Vivien's escape as the gang closes in.
 
With the arrival of Steven's older brother, Henry, the stakes are set; the old military hospital transforms into a battleground. No one is to leave alive, and a matter of life and death ensues. In the ruthless clash, Nela and Yelka emerge as the lone defenders, while Zander pursues a mission for his own catharsis. In Henry's basement, dubbed his Hades, the teams converge for a pulse-pounding final duel, where survival is the ultimate prize.
 
You can pick up your copy at Amazon.
 
My thoughts:

  If you are into explicit and violent horror, then this one is for you. The story takes place in the ruins of a cold war era barracks.  Two separate groups of urban explorers are are there to take photos of the ruins.  A third group is there with nefarious plans. 

 I'll start by saying that this book is really not the type of book that I like to read.  I do like horror, however this one went a little too far in the violence and horror for my taste.  I think that there is an audience for this book, I'm just not it.  There are very explicit sexually violent scenes here, so definitely keep that in mind before picking this up.  I was not prepared for it.  This is translated from German, so I do wonder if there was something lost in translation.  Not sure.  Anyway, like I said, I think some will like this book, so give it a try.

Book Excerpt:
“We better find a way out quickly. The editorial’s deadline is getting close, we can’t afford any further delay.”
 
Damon’s words lay upon the group like a heavy burden. He was good at making his personal problems everybody’s business. When he felt spoiled, he meant business. And Damon wasn’t done yet.
 
“Moreover, we have no Wi-Fi here. Zero, nada, not a bit.” 
 
He let the words sink in, then added, “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t post anything out here.” He put his phone away and joined Zander. 
 
“Here’s how it’s going down: While the girls are taking photos, you’re looking for an exit that will get us out of here A–S–A–P. Get it?”
“We’ll take the pictures, don’t worry about it” Yelka hooked in from behind. “And tonight, from our hotel, we’ll be able to watch your follower numbers skyrocket in no time.”
“I assume so,” Damon replied curtly. “The sore point in the planning is the way back. But Zander will take care of that. And I know for sure he’ll find a really fast way out for us.” Appreciatively, he patted his shoulders.
“Damon, when do you think we will break the 30,000 mark? I really want that to happen by this weekend.”
“Yes, starlet, we can definitely do that. Your pretty sister will do a fantastic job and Zander will get us back to the hotel in no time.”
 
Zander wasn’t concerned about Damon’s problems at all. If it were up to him, Vivian should just do blunt erotic shots on the beach or in a studio. Or better, shoot soft porn. That was what it was all about, after all. Maybe he would watch that too. Vivian naked in the sand. Hmm … Anyway, none of this had anything to do with the fascination of abandoned places. And this barracks had so much of it to offer.
 
“If we continue along this path through the forest, we will soon reach the residential block. From there, another path leads to the recreational facilities. There is a pool, a sports field and a theater, but it could also be used as a cinema. In parallel …”
“Sis, shouldn’t we take a picture of me in this outdoor pool?” Lasciviously, Vivian played with the strap of her top.
“Absolutely” laughed Yelka.
 
Why wasn’t she actually on his side? After all, he had planned the whole trip just for Yelka. Zander wanted everything to be perfect today. Yet, that wouldn’t work with Vivian and Damon. Honestly speaking, they shouldn’t have joined in the first place. When the forest suddenly opened up to reveal a settlement, Zander’s heart began to pound faster.
Weathered multi-story apartment blocks rose into the sky, overgrown with birch and fir trees. Moss clung to the entrance areas; ivy sought its way upwards. The scenery looked like a modern Sleeping Beauty castle, sprung from the premonition of a sinister dystopia. 
For a moment, the group stopped and let themselves be captivated by the magic of the place. Speechless, their eyes wandered up the multi-story buildings, lingering on the dark building openings and absorbing the surreal atmosphere.
 
“This is incredible,” Yelka was the first to return to her words. She put an arm around Zander and hugged him. “Just incredible.”
Zander felt overwhelmed. His excitement was looking for a channel. “Considering that the residents lived here for 40 years, and nature has taken over for 30 years, then … well …” He didn’t know how to finish the sentence. Zander was overwhelmed, both by the place and by Yelka’s closeness.
 
“Darling sister, you can start thinking about whether you want to be photographed on the steps or the old climbing frame” Yelka indicated as she dug her camera out of the small backpack.
“The steps are great!” exclaimed Vivian, settling down on the moss-covered steps.
“Perfect,” Damon joined in again as well. “That looks excellent, starlet! Lie back, let your hair fall to the right.”
 
Zander walked thoughtlessly over the moss that covered the former street. Here, families must have once walked home, children played on the sidewalk, and vehicles drove north to the barracks. With a kick, he plucked the green from the ground and looked at the dark asphalt. This was how the place had been left nearly three decades ago. 
 
He squatted down and let his fingers slide over the old pavement. A shiver came over him. At that moment, he felt the same fascination for these places as Yelka. Stealthily, he glanced over at his secret love as she took photos of her hot sister. 
Vivian had leaned back dramatically, her chest up, her hair hanging down behind her. Her belly was exposed, her breasts pressed against the top. She stretched her long legs, like she was riding a bicycle.
Zander’s gaze drifted off to Yelka, who held her camera with both hands. She was shifting positions from time to time. Although she was wearing cargo pants, boots and gloves, she didn’t look one bit less sexy than her younger sibling. 
He averted his eyes and let them roam over the facade of the apartment block again, only to look back over at the sisters. 
 
“So, now …” Damon was about to intervene in the shooting when heavy dog barking made their blood run cold.
 
Yelka stopped her shots, Vivian lost body tension and Damon turned his head. 
The big, short-haired yapper hung on the leash of a young guy in his early 20s. His tattooed arms were pumped up, stretching a red shirt. His chest jutted out as he stood wide-legged, holding the dog. A sharply cut face framed his full lips. He wore a gold necklace, his hair was shaved short. Behind him, four boys and a girl had set up. Two of them held metal pipes in their hands, brandishing them menacingly.
 
“Good day to you all!” The words didn’t sound like a greeting, but more like a threat. “This is private property. No trespassing!” As if to underline his words, the dog growled insistently. The group slowly approached. Those two men carrying the batons grinned menacingly. “The whole compound is surrounded by a concrete wall.”
Yelka was the first to speak up, “Hey, we’re just taking pictures, we’re not destroying or stealing anything.”
“So what?” told Ryder Yelka. “Fuck it, you guys are still illegal. There are signs on the outside walls and gates that state that this place is off limits.”
“Yeah, but you’re still coming here,” the dark-haired boy with the scratched forearm shouted.
“Even though it’s forbidden.”
 
The group had surrounded the four, leaving no way out. Gazoo barked at Vivian, tugging at Ryder’s leash. 
 
“What you are doing here is forbidden, you know that.”
“Okay, we made a mistake,” Yelka tried to concede. “How about we pack up and get out of here?” Seeking help, she looked over at Zander, but he was transfixed.
“Yeah, you just thought so.” A grim smile played around Ryder’s face. “I want to see everyone’s IDs!”
“IDs out!” repeated Jesse, roaring.
Yelka looked at Zander first, then at Damon. “Please, let us just go our merry way and everything will be cool,” she offered the boys.
 
Damon had regained his composure and was surveying the situation. Yelka and Zander getting married would be more likely than these guys being security guards. There was danger in the air. They were in the middle of nowhere and were being threatened by a gang of rednecks, carrying a loose dog. 
 
Dave lifted the steel pipe and touched Yelka’s chin. “Ain’t nothing cool here,” Ryder told them. “Either you show us your IDs or else.”
As if to make an example, Dave hit the ground with his club.
Yelka flinched. Gazoo jumped up at her, held back only by Ryder’s leash. “Chop, chop, IDs out!”  Ryder roared indignantly.
 
“I think we need to make a cut here!” With a brisk step, Damon put himself between Yelka and Ryder. “To me, it seems like a misunderstanding.”
 
For a moment, there was silence. Gazoo stopped barking, Dave’s steel pipe hovered in the air, and Ryder waited to see what Damon would say.
 
“My name is Duke. Damon Duke, of Duke Executives.” He spread his arms and stood between Ryder and Yelka. 
“We rented this location today to hold a photo shoot.” 
He pointed to Vivian, who was still sitting on the steps. “This is Vivian Donahue, one of our most important models, known as Violet-D.”
 
Damon waited a moment, watching the gang as they stared over at Vivian. He could see the aggression draining from the young men’s faces. Desire appeared in their eyes.
 
“We are taking pictures for the centerfold today. Vivian’s work needs a relaxed atmosphere. So, I’d be grateful if we could do the shoot without any further disruptions. Later, I’m sure she’ll have time for a short meet and greet with autographs. If you have any further questions, please contact Councilor Wilbanks. Please carry on, we don’t have any time to lose. Hush, hush!”
 
A stunned silence hung over the scene. The gang hadn’t quite taken their eyes off Vivian when it dawned on them that they had just been set up. Yelka and Vivian were already preparing to resume the photo shoot when Ryder suddenly straightened up again. “Are you kidding me? I want to see your fucking IDs–no photos until I say so!”
 
“Good,” Damon turned abruptly and held out his ID to Ryder, “that’s me, Damon Duke.” He gave him a moment to compare ID photo and face, then pulled out his cell phone. “And now I’d like to know what company you’re with.” 
Damon held the phone to his ear and waited for Ryder’s answer. But he remained silent. 
“Mr. Wilbanks, this is Damon Duke speaking. I apologize for the interruption. Contrary to our agreements, we were evicted from the place by security.” His and Ryder’s eyes met. “They didn’t hire any security at all? Then I assume this is a misunderstanding.” 
 
Dave looked at Ryder, waiting for any reaction. But he just stared at Damon indecisively.
 
“No, I don’t think we need police here. Thank you very much, and again, I’m sorry to bother you.” 
Damon dropped the phone into his purse, then pulled out a slew of business cards. “Here you go.” 
First, he handed Ryder his card, then to the rest of the gang. “We’re still looking for security employees. If any of you want to make money, you’re more than welcome to contact me.” 
Dazzled, the gang looked at each other. “Have a nice day! Now, starlets, we’ll move on to the next location.”
 
Ryder looked grimly after the Urbexers as they walked on. Soon they would find out what kind of a nice day they were going to have.
 
About the Author

Jens Boele, a veteran media designer in the entertainment industry, brings over two decades of cinematic expertise to his writing. Born in Germany in 1975, Jens embarked on his writing odyssey in his youth, culminating in the publication of his debut book, "Sunshine," in 2015. This was followed by "Hurensohn," and his latest spine-tingling creation, "Urbex Predator."
 
Jens is a genre-bending author, specializing in horror and crime thrillers. His narratives often blur genre lines, weaving intricate tales that plunge readers into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Jens's storytelling brilliance lies in his fascination with the criminal mind; his villains are always profoundly human, offering readers a chilling examination of the psychological aspects of the criminally insane.
 
Jens sets himself apart by seamlessly integrating classic horror with the gritty authenticity of the present day. This innovative fusion imbues his narratives with a dynamic quality, seamlessly blending archaic thrills with contemporary intrigue, resulting in an immersive reading experience that resonates with both vintage enthusiasts and present-day readers alike.

Jens Boele's latest endeavor takes his work across borders, as "Urbex Predator" becomes his first book to be translated into English. A globetrotter with deep connections to the United States, Jens's passion for exploration and his international perspective, nurtured by family and friends in the US, shine through in his writing, offering readers a captivating blend of horror and cultural diversity.
 
Visit Jens’ website at https://jensboele.com/. 
 

Review: Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry

Author: Christina Henry
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: November 2023

Celia wakes up in a house that’s supposed to be hers. There’s a little girl who claims to be her daughter and a man who claims to be her husband, but Celia knows this family—and this life—is not hers…
Allie is supposed to be on a fun weekend trip—but then her friend’s boyfriend unexpectedly invites the group to a remote cabin in the woods. No one else believes Allie, but she is sure that something about this trip is very, very wrong…

Maggie just wants to be home with her daughter, but she’s in a dangerous situation and she doesn’t know who put her there or why. She’ll have to fight with everything she has to survive…

Three women. Three stories. Only one way out. This captivating novel will keep readers guessing until the very end.

This is going to be brief.  I wish I could say I liked this one, but I just didn't.  The story is through three different women's stories.  They all find themselves in scenarios where they know something is wrong and must do what they can to survive.  Once you are in the the second woman's story, you can pretty much guess what is going on.  The story had great potential and I did want to see where it was going.  By the third part, I was tired. I get how some women feel, but I'm tired of reading books where I am constantly hit over the head that all men are misogynistic pigs.  The ending was so bad.  I've seen this in a movie already. The reveal felt very Scooby Doo villain.  And then it just ends.  I don't recommend this one.

Review: The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates

Author: Darcy Coates
Publisher: Black Owl Books
Publication Date:  March 2018

 Remy is a tour guide for Carrow House, a notoriously haunted building. When she's asked to host seven guests for a week-long stay to research Carrow's phenomena, she hopes to finally experience some of the sightings that made the house famous.

At first, it's everything they hoped for. Then a storm moves in, cutting off their contact with the outside world, and things quickly become twisted. Doors open on their own. Seances go disastrously wrong. Red liquid seeps from behind the wallpaper. Their spirit medium wanders through the house during the night, seemingly in a trance.

Then one of the guests dies under strange circumstances, and Remy is forced to consider the possibility that the ghost of the house's original owner, a twisted serial killer, still walks the halls.

But by then it's too late to escape.

I found The Carrow Haunt a fairly enjoyable ghost story.  Remy gives regular tour guides for Carrow House.  She is approached by a researcher to host 7 people at the house for a week.  She is excited to hopefully see some ghosts.  She gets more than she bargained for.

As I said, I did ultimately enjoy this one.  It had a creepy atmosphere.  I enjoyed all of the characters, especially Remy.  There were some tense moments.  My only issue with it was the reveal of what was really going on.  It kind of felt like it was a cop-out.  That's really all I can say about without giving it away.  Despite that, I would recommend it.  It's a fun ghost story that will keep you entertained.

Review: The Watchers by A.M. Shine

Author: A.M. Shine
Publisher: Head of Zeus 
Publication Date: October 2021

This forest isn't charted on any map. Every car breaks down at its treeline. Mina's is no different. Left stranded, she is forced into the dark woodland only to find a woman shouting, urging Mina to run to a concrete bunker. As the door slams behind her, the building is besieged by screams.

Mina finds herself in a room with a wall of glass, and an electric light that activates at nightfall, when the Watchers come above ground. These creatures emerge to observe their captive humans—and terrible things happen to anyone who doesn't reach the bunker in time.

Afraid and trapped among strangers, Mina is desperate for answers. Who are the Watchers? Why are these creatures keeping them imprisoned? And, most importantly, how can she escape?

The only reason I read this book is the upcoming Netflix movie version.  The story takes place in a mysterious forest. Mina's car breaks down and instead of walking down the road to find help, she heads into the woods.  She stumbles on a structure with 3 other people trapped in it.  I was really looking forward to reading this one. The premise sounded creepy and had the potential to be a great horror story.  Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations

There were definitely times that the story was creepy. It did make me not want to walk through the woods at night ever.  The river scene was well done and there was also a few bloody horror scenes.  But the rest of the book was just boring.  I didn't care for any of the characters. I didn't like all of the perspectives. It might have worked better through just Mina's recounting.  And there were plot holes that I just couldn't ignore. Unfortunately, if I was to list them it would spoil somethings in the book. The ending was very unsatisfying and I have so many questions.  If the movie is anything like the book, I think I'll skip it.

 

Review: This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer

Author: Jenny Kiefer
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publication Date: January 2024

 Four ambitious climbers hike into the Kentucky wilderness. Seven months later, three mangled bodies are discovered. Were their deaths simple accidents or the result of something more sinister?

This nail-biting, bone-chilling survival horror novel is inspired by the infamous Dyatlov Pass incident, and is perfect for fans of Alma Katsu and Showtime's Yellowjackets.

This is going to be Dylan's big break. Her friend Clay, a geology student, has discovered an untouched cliff face in the Kentucky wilderness, and she is going to be the first person to climb it. Together with Clay, his research assistant Sylvia, and Dylan's boyfriend Luke, she is going to document her achievement on Instagram and finally cement her place as the next rising star in rock climbing. 

Seven months later, three bodies are discovered in the trees just off the highway. All are in various states of decay: one body a stark, white skeleton; the second emptied of its organs; and the third a mutilated corpse with the tongue, eyes, ears, and fingers removed.

But Dylan is still missing. Followers of her Instagram account report seeing disturbing livestreams, and some even claim to have caught glimpses of her vanishing into the thick woods, but no trace of her—dead or alive—has been discovered. 

Were the climbers murdered? Did they succumb to cannibalism? Or are their impossible bodies the work of an even more sinister force? Is Dylan still alive, and does she hold the answers? 

This page-turning debut will have you racing towards the inevitable conclusion.

The synopsis says nail biting and chilling.  I have to disagree.  I wasn't a fan of this one.  The book opens with the discovery of three of the bodies of some missing climbers.  The fourth one is nowhere to be found.  So right off the bat, you know the fate of at least three of the climbers.  It's not hard to guess what happened to the fourth.   This is the story of what happened.  

This one was all over the place for me.  I did like the body horror parts of it, but that was about it.  I didn't like one single character except maybe the dog.  I didn't feel like I really cared what happened to any of them.    The ending was very unsatisfying because there are no real answers as to what was really going on.   If you have read The Ruins or watched The Descent, you have read this book. I don't really recommend this one.

Review: Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

Author: Darcy Coates

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: July 2023

When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she's hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm. She couldn't be more wrong.

Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide who she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her tomb.

I was really pumped to read Dead of Winter. I had really high hopes that I would love it.  I love "stranded in a cabin with strangers" mysteries.  Unfortunately, this one did not live up to my expectations. It was OK... but not great. I called the ending very early on because the "twist" was glaringly obvious.  The story is told only through the eyes of  Christa.  I think this was a mistake.  The suspense would have been better had we had more than one point of view.  I also found Christa a bit tiring to spend time with because she made really bad decisions sometimes.   The one thing I did really like was the level of gore and the cold creepy atmosphere.  I haven't had a good horror novel with good gore in a while.  It's not a bad book, it's just not what I was hoping for.  I think fans of this author will really enjoy this one.

Review: Mister Magic by Kiersten White

Author: Kiersten White

Publisher: Del Ray

Publication Date: August 2023

Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.

But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.

Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.

After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?

I think I may have to admit defeat when it comes to this author. Out of the three books I have picked up, this is the second one that I ended up finishing, but I really didn't enjoy it. So,  guess third time was not the charm.  Mister Magic has a promising premise.  I was hoping for a creepy book, instead, I was kind of bored.

The book involves five adults who were once a part of a children's show that no one has footage of, but everyone vaguely remembers.  Now they are back in the house where it was filmed and something in the house wants them to remember Mister Magic.  I probably should have DNF'd this one.  But I pushed through to the end.  I didn't care for the reveal of what was really going on.  After listening to the author's note at the end, I understands what she was trying to do, but it just didn't really work.  Maybe because she tried to mix the supernatural with cult like religion?  I didn't like any of the characters.  I found no one to root for.  Again, it just didn't work for me.  After my disappointment in this one and in Hide last year, I think I'll skip the next one.

Review: Only If You Dare by Josh Allen

Author: Josh Allen
Publisher:  Tantor Media
Publication Date: October 2022

Thirteen chilling short stories to keep you up at night--but only if you dare. You never know what's out to get you. Though you might think you're safe from monsters and menaces, everyday objects can turn against you, too. A mysterious microwave. A threatening board game. A snowman that refuses to melt. Even your own heartbeat has its secrets. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. When you stop to listen, each beat sounds more menacing than the last. Master storyteller Josh Allen brings thirteen nightmare scenarios to life in this must-listen collection that's perfect for budding horror junkies. In his wondrous world, danger waits behind every doorway . . . even in the most ordinary places. Listeners will sleep with one eye open!

Only if You dare is a collection of 13 short stories that are perfect for the middle school reader. I really enjoyed listening to this one.  I would have absolutely devoured this collection when I was in middle school.  Every story was just creepy and disturbing enough some someone who is just starting to get into horror.  I was really impressed with the balance of the stories being just a little step above Goosebumps, but not so over the top that they would scare a young reader who is trying out horror.

 

 My favorites ones were "The Substitute", "Scrabbled", and "My Right Hand, Right There".  There is something in here for every reader.  Most of them have modern issues that kids might have fears about.  I highly recommend this one.  It would be a wonderful addition to any classroom library.

Review: Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell

Author: Felix Blackwell
Publisher: Tanto Audio ( audio version)
Publication Date: June 2017

 A romantic cabin getaway doesn’t go exactly as planned. High up on the windswept cliffs of Pale Peak, Faye and Felix celebrate their new engagement. But soon, a chorus of ghastly noises erupts from the nearby the screams of animals, the cries of children, and the mad babble of a hundred mournful voices. A dark figure looms near the windows in the dead of night, whispering to Faye. As the weather turns deadly, Felix discovers that his terrified fiancée isn’t just mumbling in her sleep – she’s whispering back. Originally a contest-winning story on reddit.com’s horror community NoSleep , Stolen Tongues has received widespread acclaim and has been optioned for film.

Stolen Tongues is a good old-fashioned horror story that involves a couple who set of for a romantic getaway and end up getting something they never bargained for.  Felix and Faye are ready for a sweet getaway, but every night, they begin to hear voices outside.  A storm threatens to make matters worse and there is a dark figure that seems to be haunting the house.

I really enjoyed this one.  It's been a while that I have read a good horror story.  The atmosphere was so creepy and anxiety inducing.  I could feel my heart racing as Felix investigated the sounds and voices he was hearing.  There are also some great gruesome scenes that jack up the creep factor.  I will definitely not be renting a cabin in the woods any time soon.  I loved the ending.  This is really a book that you are better off not knowing much and just going in blind.  I highly recommend it.  I'll have to seek out other stories by this author.  
 

Review: The Spite House by Johnny Compton

Author: Johnny Compton
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Publication Date: February 2023

Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money–it’s not easy to find safe work when you can’t provide references, you can’t stay in one place for long, and you’re paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you.

When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them.

The job calls to Eric, not just because there’s a huge payout if they can make it through, but because he wants to explore the secrets of the spite house. If it is indeed haunted, maybe it’ll help him understand the uncanny power that clings to his family, driving them from town to town, making them afraid to stop running. A terrifying Gothic thriller about grief and death and the depths of a father’s love, Johnny Compton’s The Spite House is a stunning debut by a horror master in the making.

I'm always a sucker for a god haunted house story.  In The Spite House. Eric is on the run with his twoa daughters.  When he applies for and is given job to live in a haunted house to document any paranormal activity, he jumps at the chance.  He ends up getting more than he bargained for.

I thought this was OK, but not what I was hoping for. The house was creepy and there were some great ghost scenes. The "gothic" setting was well written.  But the book suffered from way too many points of view.  They did ultimately all come together toward the end  book, but it was tedious to keep switching between people. I found myself getting bored at times.  I also am not sure I understood some of what was going on, but that could have been me zoning out at times due to boredom.  Without giving spoilers, I don't know that I fully understand what happened to the younger daughter or why it happened.  I didn't love the ending. It just didn't make sense to me.  I'll jsut chalk it up to not being for me.