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The Vein
It’s 1989 and failed detective, Syl Dixon, has returned to her childhood home in Pate, Idaho, to sell the old place she grew up in, back before her Gran mysteriously disappeared. But when the shriveled corpse of a local man is discovered inside the old silver mine the town was built around, Syl is unexpectedly asked to help investigate. She's reluctant, but something about the town has unnerved her from the start, and she can't help but feel that her Gran's disappearance is connected somehow. Once on the case, she soon learns that the mystery behind the man's death goes deeper than the old mine where his corpse was found, and involves an evil that has plagued the town for nearly a century.
370 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2023
About the author
Steph Nelson
6 books156 followersA lifelong PNW girl, Steph currently lives in Boise, Idaho.
She writes thrillers and horror suspense novels.
She also has short stories in Dark Matter Presents: Human Monsters, and Mother: Tales of Love and Terror. Both were finalists for a Bram Stoker Award.
Steph is a voracious reader of thriller, horror, and romance books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
She writes thrillers and horror suspense novels.
She also has short stories in Dark Matter Presents: Human Monsters, and Mother: Tales of Love and Terror. Both were finalists for a Bram Stoker Award.
Steph is a voracious reader of thriller, horror, and romance books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 15, 2024
This book tried to be too many genres and didn’t do any of them well. It was a horror novel without the scares. It was a crime novel without any of the investigation or procedural intrigue. It was a generational trauma fiction piece without the characters to connect with. I was so bored by this book and hope I never have to think about it again.
July 10, 2023
Wow, where do I even start with this review? The Vein is an absolute breath of fresh air. Take the best parts of scary, atmospheric horror, a jaw-dropping mystery, and a twisty thriller, and you have this book. I recommend you avoid reading too much about the plot other than the blurb; the plot takes some unexpected turns, and you definitely don't want spoilers.
Normally I do a pros and cons list when I intend to write a vague review, but there aren't any cons, so instead you'll just get me telling you all the awesome things about this book 😊:
• The writing is excellent - Steph Nelson uses the perfect amount of description to create atmosphere but not feel overwritten. (I can't believe this is her debut novel).
• There are a multitude of POVs and a few timelines, but they aren't difficult to keep straight because each character has a really unique voice. The way it's approached reminds me a bit of Stephen King's IT, especially because of the small-town nature of the plot.
• It jumps right into the action and is impossible to put down, and the chapters are short.
• This plot and its horrors are unique and and chilling. It is an original and unpredictable story, and one that had me so invested I gasped out loud a few times!
After reading this and her short story in Human Monsters, It's safe to say that Steph Nelson is a new favorite author. I cannot wait to read more from her.
Thank you so much to the author and Dark Matter for providing an ARC of The Vein in exchange for an honest review!
Normally I do a pros and cons list when I intend to write a vague review, but there aren't any cons, so instead you'll just get me telling you all the awesome things about this book 😊:
• The writing is excellent - Steph Nelson uses the perfect amount of description to create atmosphere but not feel overwritten. (I can't believe this is her debut novel).
• There are a multitude of POVs and a few timelines, but they aren't difficult to keep straight because each character has a really unique voice. The way it's approached reminds me a bit of Stephen King's IT, especially because of the small-town nature of the plot.
• It jumps right into the action and is impossible to put down, and the chapters are short.
• This plot and its horrors are unique and and chilling. It is an original and unpredictable story, and one that had me so invested I gasped out loud a few times!
After reading this and her short story in Human Monsters, It's safe to say that Steph Nelson is a new favorite author. I cannot wait to read more from her.
Thank you so much to the author and Dark Matter for providing an ARC of The Vein in exchange for an honest review!
July 4, 2023
THE VEIN is a careful blend of crime, thriller, horror—both psychological and physical—with gritty yet sympathetic characters with more than stained hands. It is cruel, at times gruesome, and not for the faint of heart. Steph Nelson has offered us a narrative that is viciously addictive with complex familial dynamics, where the allure of danger beckons all towards its dark web.
A big thank you to the author for an ARC!
A big thank you to the author for an ARC!
January 23, 2024
Leaving it as a 3 star because I'm divided. It kept me interested, the plot was good. Once start connecting stuff and figuring stuff out than BAM its done. I felt the ending was way too rushed, alot left unsaid.
June 29, 2023
“People disappeared all the time around Pate. There were ghost stories and theories about why. Of course, these were all made up by bullies and babysitters, but everything felt true in the dark.”
📚
The Vein is a riveting small-town generational mystery surrounding an Idaho-based silver mining community. The plot unfolds through myriad perspectives and multiple timelines: Pate, Idaho, in 1989, 1979, and 1962; and Spokane, Washington, in 1901.
The storyline’s present-day 1989 timeline opens with former detective Sylvia (“Syl”) Dixon as she returns to her childhood hometown of Pate to sell her grandmother’s house — formerly her childhood home, empty since her grandmother’s unsolved disappearance years earlier. Already uncomfortable, Syl reluctantly agrees when she’s asked to assist in the investigation of a desiccated body found in the town’s local mine.
What follows is a layered, atmospheric, creepy, disturbing, and page-turning tale of lies, secrets, horror, and loss surrounding nearly a century of mysterious disappearances, oddities, and unanswered questions. Why are photos displayed outside many Pate homes? Why does law enforcement appear to know more than they’re sharing with Syl? Is there any truth to the legend of a lost mine? And does any of this have to do with the disappearance of Syl’s grandmother?
This book is a fantastic ride from beginning to end. Through smooth and propulsive prose, the author masterfully interweaves multiple timelines, storylines, characters, locations, and viewpoints to form a cohesive and engrossing narrative firmly rooted in lore and legend underscored by history and mystery. Characters are well rounded, flawed, at times brutal and evil, and utterly human. The reader is hooked from the first paragraph right through to the final line, rapidly turning pages in search of truth and answers, rewarded with a wonderfully unique and inventive premise, one absolutely stellar character arc, and a searing final scene. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite reads of 2023, and a story that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
This review is deliberately vague and sparsely detailed, as to share too much (or really any) detail would risk running into spoiler territory and preventing readers from enjoying the journey. All I can say is that this is a spectacular horror debut, everyone should read this book, and I can’t wait to see what Steph Nelson writes next!
Thank you to Sadie Hartmann and Dark Matter INK for allowing me to read and review a digital ARC of this forthcoming release.
📚
The Vein is a riveting small-town generational mystery surrounding an Idaho-based silver mining community. The plot unfolds through myriad perspectives and multiple timelines: Pate, Idaho, in 1989, 1979, and 1962; and Spokane, Washington, in 1901.
The storyline’s present-day 1989 timeline opens with former detective Sylvia (“Syl”) Dixon as she returns to her childhood hometown of Pate to sell her grandmother’s house — formerly her childhood home, empty since her grandmother’s unsolved disappearance years earlier. Already uncomfortable, Syl reluctantly agrees when she’s asked to assist in the investigation of a desiccated body found in the town’s local mine.
What follows is a layered, atmospheric, creepy, disturbing, and page-turning tale of lies, secrets, horror, and loss surrounding nearly a century of mysterious disappearances, oddities, and unanswered questions. Why are photos displayed outside many Pate homes? Why does law enforcement appear to know more than they’re sharing with Syl? Is there any truth to the legend of a lost mine? And does any of this have to do with the disappearance of Syl’s grandmother?
This book is a fantastic ride from beginning to end. Through smooth and propulsive prose, the author masterfully interweaves multiple timelines, storylines, characters, locations, and viewpoints to form a cohesive and engrossing narrative firmly rooted in lore and legend underscored by history and mystery. Characters are well rounded, flawed, at times brutal and evil, and utterly human. The reader is hooked from the first paragraph right through to the final line, rapidly turning pages in search of truth and answers, rewarded with a wonderfully unique and inventive premise, one absolutely stellar character arc, and a searing final scene. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite reads of 2023, and a story that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
This review is deliberately vague and sparsely detailed, as to share too much (or really any) detail would risk running into spoiler territory and preventing readers from enjoying the journey. All I can say is that this is a spectacular horror debut, everyone should read this book, and I can’t wait to see what Steph Nelson writes next!
Thank you to Sadie Hartmann and Dark Matter INK for allowing me to read and review a digital ARC of this forthcoming release.
Read
August 9, 2023Having previously read (and loved) Steph Nelson’s short story in the Human Monsters anthology, I was excited to read her debut novel, assured I would be in for a quality read. And that is exactly what I got.
The Vein spins a complex story web that spans several timelines, a story told through multiple points of view, all of whom have a distinctive, strong voice.
I wish to steer clear of discussing the plot as it would be far too easy to give away clues. Instead, I urge you to read it for yourself and discover the mystery that surrounds the silver mine at Idaho. I will say this: Expect the unexpected.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC copy of this novel.
The Vein spins a complex story web that spans several timelines, a story told through multiple points of view, all of whom have a distinctive, strong voice.
I wish to steer clear of discussing the plot as it would be far too easy to give away clues. Instead, I urge you to read it for yourself and discover the mystery that surrounds the silver mine at Idaho. I will say this: Expect the unexpected.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC copy of this novel.
October 17, 2023
decided on 3 stars bc while the book didn’t have me feeling bored throughout I was and still am very confused ❓
November 13, 2023
Review originally on
JamReads
The Vein is an excellently written suspense horror novel, the debut from Steph Nelson, published by Dark Matter INK. The Vein blends police procedure with a complex story woven using multiple timelines, evolving at the half mark to a supernatural horror novel that remembers the early Stephen King.
It's 1989, and detective Syl Dixon has returned to her hometown of Pate, Idaho with the intention of selling the place where she grew up, before her Grandma disappeared. However, when a mummified corpse is found in the old silver mine, she's called by the authorities to help investigate; even if she's finding herself as a failed detective, the possibility of shining light over the mystery is stronger than her feelings.
What starts simply as the investigation over a corpse that clearly couldn't look like that soon became a big dive into the old silver mining, which was the blood that propelled this town to exist; people have been disappearing in Pate for years, linking Syl's Grandma disappearance with the corpse that appeared. Slowly, supernatural elements are introduced, enhancing the horror atmosphere in a really smart way; Nelson's writing is precise, using the exact amount of words needed to create a memorable experience.
Using several POV allows the author to introduce complexity at the same time horror slowly takes over the story; the plot is quite unpredictable, and that's partly why I'm trying to avoid spoilers over it. Pacing hits a sweet spot, beginning with a slow pace that gradually quickens, with more tense scenes as we advance in the story.
The Vein is an excellent horror thriller, difficult to believe it is the debut of Steph Nelson; it blends the atmosphere of Salem's Lot with the characters and multiple timelines of IT. Definitely one of the glad surprises of this year.
The Vein is an excellently written suspense horror novel, the debut from Steph Nelson, published by Dark Matter INK. The Vein blends police procedure with a complex story woven using multiple timelines, evolving at the half mark to a supernatural horror novel that remembers the early Stephen King.
It's 1989, and detective Syl Dixon has returned to her hometown of Pate, Idaho with the intention of selling the place where she grew up, before her Grandma disappeared. However, when a mummified corpse is found in the old silver mine, she's called by the authorities to help investigate; even if she's finding herself as a failed detective, the possibility of shining light over the mystery is stronger than her feelings.
What starts simply as the investigation over a corpse that clearly couldn't look like that soon became a big dive into the old silver mining, which was the blood that propelled this town to exist; people have been disappearing in Pate for years, linking Syl's Grandma disappearance with the corpse that appeared. Slowly, supernatural elements are introduced, enhancing the horror atmosphere in a really smart way; Nelson's writing is precise, using the exact amount of words needed to create a memorable experience.
Using several POV allows the author to introduce complexity at the same time horror slowly takes over the story; the plot is quite unpredictable, and that's partly why I'm trying to avoid spoilers over it. Pacing hits a sweet spot, beginning with a slow pace that gradually quickens, with more tense scenes as we advance in the story.
The Vein is an excellent horror thriller, difficult to believe it is the debut of Steph Nelson; it blends the atmosphere of Salem's Lot with the characters and multiple timelines of IT. Definitely one of the glad surprises of this year.
January 4, 2024
This is a story of several timelines that braid together into one hell of a story. I went into reading this blind, I knew it was horror but from the name my brain thought it might be a vampire book. I could not have been more wrong.
The Vein takes place in Pate Idaho, an old mining town. Many people have gone missing over the years. People in town all keep pictures of loved ones outside their homes in frames, but why? Why not keep them indoors?
The main character Syl returns to town, a former detective that has come back to eventually sell her Gran's house. She goes out to investigate with the local police force to see a body that has been found in one of the old mines. The body is shriveled up like an old mummy. The strange thing about it is the person had only been missing for 24 hours. This sets off a wild and weird set of events that draw you into this story.
This book is a page turner, I flew through it in two days. As you wind between timelines you get more into the history of the town, the families that are entrenched in its history, and what exactly is happening in the mines or mine...
Dark, disturbing, unique in its premise, a truly sublime horror.
There are some parts that feature sexual abuse, so please read your content warnings!
The Vein takes place in Pate Idaho, an old mining town. Many people have gone missing over the years. People in town all keep pictures of loved ones outside their homes in frames, but why? Why not keep them indoors?
The main character Syl returns to town, a former detective that has come back to eventually sell her Gran's house. She goes out to investigate with the local police force to see a body that has been found in one of the old mines. The body is shriveled up like an old mummy. The strange thing about it is the person had only been missing for 24 hours. This sets off a wild and weird set of events that draw you into this story.
This book is a page turner, I flew through it in two days. As you wind between timelines you get more into the history of the town, the families that are entrenched in its history, and what exactly is happening in the mines or mine...
Dark, disturbing, unique in its premise, a truly sublime horror.
There are some parts that feature sexual abuse, so please read your content warnings!
June 6, 2023
Rich with atmospheric dread, THE VEIN’s mysteries run deep, burning from the first page to the last. Nelson fully inhabits her complex characters, deftly weaving their stories together across generations to create a glorious tapestry of secrets and lies.
THE VEIN carries the reader through decades of small town history, as experienced by the strong female protagonists who call Pate home. I love multi-perspective narratives, and Nelson vividly realizes each of her characters with a unique voice, developing them into flawed and complicated individuals who have hoped and loved, and suffered abuse and loss. The mystery pulls you in, begging to be solved, and the suspense holds you there while the horror grows. I flew through this novel in search of answers, and Nelson delivered with every shocking twist. What a stunning debut. (If my review seems lacking in detail, it’s because I don’t want to give a single delicious secret away. Just read it!)
THE VEIN carries the reader through decades of small town history, as experienced by the strong female protagonists who call Pate home. I love multi-perspective narratives, and Nelson vividly realizes each of her characters with a unique voice, developing them into flawed and complicated individuals who have hoped and loved, and suffered abuse and loss. The mystery pulls you in, begging to be solved, and the suspense holds you there while the horror grows. I flew through this novel in search of answers, and Nelson delivered with every shocking twist. What a stunning debut. (If my review seems lacking in detail, it’s because I don’t want to give a single delicious secret away. Just read it!)
August 23, 2023
I had to sit on this one for a moment. The Vein is unlike any other horror novel I have ever read. It is truly only comparable to the King himself. It’s freaky, atmospheric and full of rich history. The characters are fleshed out, all have a back story and the familial lines run strong. It is written with such care and blends crime, horror and splatter with ease.
Taking place in a small Idaho mining town and through several perspectives and timelines (1901, 1692, 1979 and present in the novel 1989) We follow a generational story when Sylvia “Syl” Dixon is our heroin. Syl has her own personal issues but comes back home to take care of her grandmothers belongings after she passes. What she finds are secrets, lies and a whole bunch of weird and creepy stuff.
Like I said earlier the writing is top notch. You feel the dread from the beginning and it keeps going to the very end. You can feel it in your veins (see what I did there) There are some real graphic scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart. I was flipping through this one because I just had to know what was going on and what was going to happen. I am in utter shock that this is a debut. I cannot wait for more from Steph Nelson. Thank you to @stephnelsonauthor and @dark_matter_magazine for my copy!
Taking place in a small Idaho mining town and through several perspectives and timelines (1901, 1692, 1979 and present in the novel 1989) We follow a generational story when Sylvia “Syl” Dixon is our heroin. Syl has her own personal issues but comes back home to take care of her grandmothers belongings after she passes. What she finds are secrets, lies and a whole bunch of weird and creepy stuff.
Like I said earlier the writing is top notch. You feel the dread from the beginning and it keeps going to the very end. You can feel it in your veins (see what I did there) There are some real graphic scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart. I was flipping through this one because I just had to know what was going on and what was going to happen. I am in utter shock that this is a debut. I cannot wait for more from Steph Nelson. Thank you to @stephnelsonauthor and @dark_matter_magazine for my copy!
July 11, 2023
I'd bump this excellent book up to a 4.5 stars if possible. The Vein is a slow creeper revealing greater depth the farther you enter into it. (Trying real hard not to use a mine metaphor). It is a multi-generational story about a small Idaho town where disappearances into the surrounding woods occur at such great regularity it seems odd at first that anyone would want to live there, but there is a dark entity in the nearby mines that keep people tethered to the place. It is also a story about the power that family and love have on our decision-making processes, for good or evil. How far would you go to have more time with the people you lost? Nelson plays with this longing adeptly and creates a tension between doing what is known to be right and being emotionally manipulated to undermine those actions and intentions. On top of that add an evil cosmic entity with a long history of feeding off of the citizens of the town, an interesting mystery with procedural elements, and the horrors that other people (including family) inflict, and you have an excellent read.
My only qualm, which was slight, was that it jumped around in time a bit too much in the early part of the book that was sometimes hard to follow. It wasn't clear in the early pages the connections that were made to the different timelines. However, Nelson brings them altogether as the novel progresses.
Readers should also be aware that there are scenes of sexual abuse that some readers may find difficult.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who love small town horror, creepy atmospheric writing, dark family histories, and cosmic horror.
My only qualm, which was slight, was that it jumped around in time a bit too much in the early part of the book that was sometimes hard to follow. It wasn't clear in the early pages the connections that were made to the different timelines. However, Nelson brings them altogether as the novel progresses.
Readers should also be aware that there are scenes of sexual abuse that some readers may find difficult.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who love small town horror, creepy atmospheric writing, dark family histories, and cosmic horror.
August 23, 2023
What I'm about to say won't make much sense, especially as this is MY review for The Vein. But I recommend reading the synopsis and NOTHING ELSE. Don't read too much into reviews when they talk about what happens in this book, GO IN BLIND!!
I could tell you about each characters as this tale is told from multiple points of view. I could tell you about how it spans many years. I could also tell you how this is very atmospheric, a horror story but also a good mystery. I could talk to you about the 'small town' mentality this book seems to have gotten down pat! But guess what, I won't tell you more than what I've just wrote.
It takes a lot for a book to surprise me and when I first started this I honestly thought, 'Yeah, this is going to be a barely 3 star read'. But I was so wrong and I'm so glad for that. I believe this is Steph Nelson's debut as I couldn't find any other books by her (Believe me I looked, as I enjoyed this and wanted to read something else by her!) and it is really good. A good friend of mine who worked in a book store (He's now passed) told me the horror genre is dead. I read horror for many years and tended to agree with him. But this, this reminds me of the 'good' Stephen King/Richard Laymons of the late 80/90s. It has that feel and it has nothing to do with the time the book is set in. It's just a well written, creepy story.
A solid 4 stars, honestly it's closer to 4.5! I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more by Steph Nelson, she is definitely someone to look out for if you enjoy horror/mysteries!!
I received this book from BookSiren in exchange of an honest review.
I could tell you about each characters as this tale is told from multiple points of view. I could tell you about how it spans many years. I could also tell you how this is very atmospheric, a horror story but also a good mystery. I could talk to you about the 'small town' mentality this book seems to have gotten down pat! But guess what, I won't tell you more than what I've just wrote.
It takes a lot for a book to surprise me and when I first started this I honestly thought, 'Yeah, this is going to be a barely 3 star read'. But I was so wrong and I'm so glad for that. I believe this is Steph Nelson's debut as I couldn't find any other books by her (Believe me I looked, as I enjoyed this and wanted to read something else by her!) and it is really good. A good friend of mine who worked in a book store (He's now passed) told me the horror genre is dead. I read horror for many years and tended to agree with him. But this, this reminds me of the 'good' Stephen King/Richard Laymons of the late 80/90s. It has that feel and it has nothing to do with the time the book is set in. It's just a well written, creepy story.
A solid 4 stars, honestly it's closer to 4.5! I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more by Steph Nelson, she is definitely someone to look out for if you enjoy horror/mysteries!!
I received this book from BookSiren in exchange of an honest review.
July 16, 2023
What a stunning read this was. I've been unable to read for ages and tore through this in two days. This is a tight story that interweaves so many timelines and plotlines that it's enough to make your head spin.
I had a tiny bit of trouble following the many characters and time jumps at the start, but Nelson does a great job of signposting where we are on her timeline. And while all of the time periods and characters clearly intersect in some way, she takes care to not reveal necessary information in ways that are sensible and formative. Unreliable characters (are any reliable?) do so out of well-thought reasoning.
At its roots, this is a story of loss and longing and how people deal with those who are gone too soon. It's about the small towns we forget about that have to hold onto the past even as that past has left them far behind. It spoke to me deeply. This story is going to sit with me for a long while.
If you are looking for a book that is unsettling on every page, that moves with a quickness (with chapters around 5-7 pages usually, it feels like Civ V where I tell myself "just one more chapter" and then it's 50 pages later), and has incredible characters and character development, this is a must read.
Note: I was given a copy in exchange for a review (and a worn name tag) it's my honest opinion.
I had a tiny bit of trouble following the many characters and time jumps at the start, but Nelson does a great job of signposting where we are on her timeline. And while all of the time periods and characters clearly intersect in some way, she takes care to not reveal necessary information in ways that are sensible and formative. Unreliable characters (are any reliable?) do so out of well-thought reasoning.
At its roots, this is a story of loss and longing and how people deal with those who are gone too soon. It's about the small towns we forget about that have to hold onto the past even as that past has left them far behind. It spoke to me deeply. This story is going to sit with me for a long while.
If you are looking for a book that is unsettling on every page, that moves with a quickness (with chapters around 5-7 pages usually, it feels like Civ V where I tell myself "just one more chapter" and then it's 50 pages later), and has incredible characters and character development, this is a must read.
Note: I was given a copy in exchange for a review (and a worn name tag) it's my honest opinion.
December 10, 2023
3.75 rounded up. I found this book’s organization to be a bit confusing and a bit chaotic. Overall I really enjoyed it. A fast paced, psychological horror/thriller with spooky twists, and unique plot.
June 23, 2023
The silver mines of Pate, ID have long brought people looking to make their fortune, but it has also led to many disappearances. Lots of trauma and violence in multiple timelines come together to explore what is going on in this mountain town.
I really liked the short chapters, which helped as I was being constantly interrupted (thanks children) while reading on vacation. I did have a little problem differentiating some of the female characters (again, thanks to my interrupting children), I had to check a few times to see which timeline I was in.
Thanks to Dark Matter Ink for the eARC.
I really liked the short chapters, which helped as I was being constantly interrupted (thanks children) while reading on vacation. I did have a little problem differentiating some of the female characters (again, thanks to my interrupting children), I had to check a few times to see which timeline I was in.
Thanks to Dark Matter Ink for the eARC.
October 17, 2023
I was between a 3 & 4 star rating. I didn’t grasp the overall timeline right away, and felt confused. But the concept of the book kept me hooked
October 17, 2023
I don’t know how to feel about it right now so went with the middle number. Going back & forth. I liked some of it but didn’t like most of it & i’m confused.
November 2, 2023
This was a fun book!
This was a book-tok recommendation as a fast paced page turner, but I wouldn’t agree with that. The short chapters made it easy to pick up and quickly read in small chunks, but it didn’t hook me in a way that made me need to keep reading. The chapters jump around between a few different story lines in history, and the author did a fantastic job differentiating them to the point that I’d skip right past each chapter’s title and still know what timeline I was in. Still, the timeline jumps were sometimes jarring, and really gave me some trouble getting invested in the book. My main frustration with the story is that the characters spend so much of the book telling you they have important information, and then withholding it. At least at the conclusion we do get all the details, and I feel a good amount of closure from it. Even if that conclusion holds your hand like a Scooby Doo mystery. It just never seemed to strike a good balance for me.
While this book is a detective mystery I would categorize this book as a supernatural and suspense story first, so if you’re looking for a run of the mill detective book or thriller look elsewhere.
At the end of the day this was a fun, well written book with a really unique plot, but not for me.
This was a book-tok recommendation as a fast paced page turner, but I wouldn’t agree with that. The short chapters made it easy to pick up and quickly read in small chunks, but it didn’t hook me in a way that made me need to keep reading. The chapters jump around between a few different story lines in history, and the author did a fantastic job differentiating them to the point that I’d skip right past each chapter’s title and still know what timeline I was in. Still, the timeline jumps were sometimes jarring, and really gave me some trouble getting invested in the book. My main frustration with the story is that the characters spend so much of the book telling you they have important information, and then withholding it. At least at the conclusion we do get all the details, and I feel a good amount of closure from it. Even if that conclusion holds your hand like a Scooby Doo mystery. It just never seemed to strike a good balance for me.
While this book is a detective mystery I would categorize this book as a supernatural and suspense story first, so if you’re looking for a run of the mill detective book or thriller look elsewhere.
At the end of the day this was a fun, well written book with a really unique plot, but not for me.
September 30, 2023
Creepy shit. The deep woods. A crazy haunted mine. Disappearing townspeople. I found the connections and jumps back and forth through time a bit hard to follow sometimes but it just added to the creepy insanity. I’d read another by Steph Nelson for sure.
June 1, 2023
THE VEIN is a horror thriller full of heart, set in a small mining town in Washington, and peopled with characters so real that you live every moment of it. Expect uncanny families across generations, unexplained disappearances, and a creepy local landmark; in this case, a silver mine. But the book delivers on its twists, and nothing is certain, as it keeps you guessing until the very end. The literary voice, exploration of local lore, and the deep look into small town life, carry echoes of CJ Cooke's work. It also reminded me of Francine Toon's PINE. I'll definitely be looking out for Stephanie's next book!
March 25, 2024
One of my favorite spooky stories I’ve read in awhile. It leaves SOME to be desired but overall it’s incredibly entertaining and my favorite book I’ve read in 2024. Definitely worth the read and it’s not so scary that people who don’t read scary novels won’t get spooked out of their wits.
August 18, 2023
The mining town of Pate, Idaho is the kind of place that people leave - some voluntarily and some not. In Pate, people disappear all the time but sometimes they also come back.
At six-years-old, Syl Dixon left Pate behind after the disappearance of her Gran, Lou Dixon. Now she's back hoping to find a fresh start after losing her career, her marriage and custody of her child. But when a shriveled corpse is found near an abandoned mine, the local sheriff, Roger Mock is determined to have Syl use her big city detective skills to help solve the case. As Syl learns more about other disappearances in Pate, she becomes increasingly certain that all of the disappearances are somehow linked to her Gran's case.
THE VEIN is the type of book that gets under your skin. Set in three different decades, the reader learns about the mysteries of Pate primarily through the voices of Esme in 1989, Lou in 1962, and Lily in 1905. Each of them contributes a different perspective on the mysteries surrounding the disappearances in Pate. It's through Syl that their stories merge into one frightening truth about why the people in Pate keep going missing.
There's a lot going on in THE VEIN. Steph Nelson is a particularly strong writer, with the ability to build tension and create an atmosphere of dread. The female characters each have their own unique voices that play off one another as each experiences Pate differently. The story pulls you in from the first page, although I couldn't really see where the story was going. Fortunately, in THE VEIN it's the journey that makes the book so good.
I received a free advance review copy from #BookSirens. I am leaving a voluntary review.
At six-years-old, Syl Dixon left Pate behind after the disappearance of her Gran, Lou Dixon. Now she's back hoping to find a fresh start after losing her career, her marriage and custody of her child. But when a shriveled corpse is found near an abandoned mine, the local sheriff, Roger Mock is determined to have Syl use her big city detective skills to help solve the case. As Syl learns more about other disappearances in Pate, she becomes increasingly certain that all of the disappearances are somehow linked to her Gran's case.
THE VEIN is the type of book that gets under your skin. Set in three different decades, the reader learns about the mysteries of Pate primarily through the voices of Esme in 1989, Lou in 1962, and Lily in 1905. Each of them contributes a different perspective on the mysteries surrounding the disappearances in Pate. It's through Syl that their stories merge into one frightening truth about why the people in Pate keep going missing.
There's a lot going on in THE VEIN. Steph Nelson is a particularly strong writer, with the ability to build tension and create an atmosphere of dread. The female characters each have their own unique voices that play off one another as each experiences Pate differently. The story pulls you in from the first page, although I couldn't really see where the story was going. Fortunately, in THE VEIN it's the journey that makes the book so good.
I received a free advance review copy from #BookSirens. I am leaving a voluntary review.
December 10, 2023
This review is spoiler-free, FYI. THE VEIN takes place in the Pacific Northwest, in Idaho, to be exact. After reading this, my first impression is that THE VEIN will do for Idaho what Stephen King did for Maine – make it creepy and beautiful as hell at the same time.
The story unfolds in competing time frames so there are jumps back in time primarily between 1900 and 1989. The narrative does an excellent job of keeping the story grounded and accessible even with the time jumps. I found it easy to follow.
If you like your stories with real-world accuracy, or as best as can be achieved within the confines of fiction, I think this does a great job of introducing the reader to the flavor of a mining community on the rise in the early 1900s and to the landscape of that same community on the decline almost a century later. This isn’t a manual on mining, but it is a very present character throughout the story.
The use of the terrain to factor in as the ‘evil’ is so well done. Nature can be scary and THE VEIN doesn’t let you forget it. What comes out of the mining hills is not to be toyed with. This book also does a lovely job of building atmosphere. Yes, there is a ‘big bad’ within the pages, but it really plays to feelings of community and family and how they can betray you and/or your safety and how that pain can stay buried inside you.
If you like a psychological mystery with a monstrous outcome, you should enjoy this. So many twists and turns that make it a page-turner and keep you invested until the very end.
The story unfolds in competing time frames so there are jumps back in time primarily between 1900 and 1989. The narrative does an excellent job of keeping the story grounded and accessible even with the time jumps. I found it easy to follow.
If you like your stories with real-world accuracy, or as best as can be achieved within the confines of fiction, I think this does a great job of introducing the reader to the flavor of a mining community on the rise in the early 1900s and to the landscape of that same community on the decline almost a century later. This isn’t a manual on mining, but it is a very present character throughout the story.
The use of the terrain to factor in as the ‘evil’ is so well done. Nature can be scary and THE VEIN doesn’t let you forget it. What comes out of the mining hills is not to be toyed with. This book also does a lovely job of building atmosphere. Yes, there is a ‘big bad’ within the pages, but it really plays to feelings of community and family and how they can betray you and/or your safety and how that pain can stay buried inside you.
If you like a psychological mystery with a monstrous outcome, you should enjoy this. So many twists and turns that make it a page-turner and keep you invested until the very end.
August 27, 2023
When I requested this book, I thought it was going to be a serial killer mystery/thriller. I couldn't have been further from the truth.
Pate is a small mining town with a complicated past. Since the early 1900s, people have been disappearing. Syl, a failed detective with insomnia, is brought back to this town to resolve her grandmother's estate. Wanting nothing to do with law enforcement, she is begrudgingly brought into a puzzling murder case... one where nothing makes sense and she wonders if this has case is connected to the disappearances.
This novel is a steady read from different POV's, past and present, that slowly weave together to divulge the truth. It will have you wondering if something moved in the shadows of your own home... but unable to let go until you find out the truth. The ending is bittersweet and I couldn't help but shed a few tears in solidarity with Syl (and for the heroine).
If you seek a thriller that plays with the unknown, this is definitely for you! I can't wait to see what the prequel holds (the prequel is said to have spoilers for this novel).
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
Pate is a small mining town with a complicated past. Since the early 1900s, people have been disappearing. Syl, a failed detective with insomnia, is brought back to this town to resolve her grandmother's estate. Wanting nothing to do with law enforcement, she is begrudgingly brought into a puzzling murder case... one where nothing makes sense and she wonders if this has case is connected to the disappearances.
This novel is a steady read from different POV's, past and present, that slowly weave together to divulge the truth. It will have you wondering if something moved in the shadows of your own home... but unable to let go until you find out the truth. The ending is bittersweet and I couldn't help but shed a few tears in solidarity with Syl (and for the heroine).
If you seek a thriller that plays with the unknown, this is definitely for you! I can't wait to see what the prequel holds (the prequel is said to have spoilers for this novel).
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
October 31, 2023
This book has you hooked right from the beginning. The story jumps back & forth in time, from at the turn of the 20th century and basically heading towards 1989. I love this particular tidbit of the story, and it basically explains how the story came to be in the present 1989, from the past, 1901.
The book starts off with a powerful prologue, then jumps right into an investigation for a murdered individual. It all blends well together with the timelines, because you feel you’re discovering the clues as the detectives are. There have been other murders and disappearances, plus reappearances and all connected to a silver mining mountain and its past.
It’s a gripping story, and very well written without having any confusion as to what’s happening at the moment. You’ll be turning pages wanting to know what comes next. Highly recommended if you want a murder mystery story with a supernatural twist.
Subjects of sexual and child abuse, misogyny, child murder, trauma, grief. Check trigger warnings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book starts off with a powerful prologue, then jumps right into an investigation for a murdered individual. It all blends well together with the timelines, because you feel you’re discovering the clues as the detectives are. There have been other murders and disappearances, plus reappearances and all connected to a silver mining mountain and its past.
It’s a gripping story, and very well written without having any confusion as to what’s happening at the moment. You’ll be turning pages wanting to know what comes next. Highly recommended if you want a murder mystery story with a supernatural twist.
Subjects of sexual and child abuse, misogyny, child murder, trauma, grief. Check trigger warnings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 18, 2024
Book Review: The Vein by Steph Nelson ⭐⭐⭐
Steph Nelson’s novel, "The Vein," is a rollercoaster of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat! At first, the multiple timelines and characters may leave you feeling a bit puzzled, but hang in there because the payoff is worth it.
As the story progresses and the timelines intertwine, the suspense escalates to exhilarating levels. The mysterious deaths and the emergence of paranormal entities add a thrilling layer to the narrative that will have you hooked.
However, as the book reaches its conclusion, there are some loose ends that leave you craving more answers. The entity in the mine remains shrouded in mystery, and the sudden ending may leave you wondering if there's a sequel in the works.
Overall, "The Vein" is a quick and suspenseful read that will keep you entertained. While it may lack some depth in its explanation of certain elements, the gripping storyline and exciting twists make it a worthwhile journey for any fan of mystery and suspense novels. So grab a copy, buckle up, and enjoy the thrilling ride that "The Vein" has to offer!
Steph Nelson’s novel, "The Vein," is a rollercoaster of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat! At first, the multiple timelines and characters may leave you feeling a bit puzzled, but hang in there because the payoff is worth it.
As the story progresses and the timelines intertwine, the suspense escalates to exhilarating levels. The mysterious deaths and the emergence of paranormal entities add a thrilling layer to the narrative that will have you hooked.
However, as the book reaches its conclusion, there are some loose ends that leave you craving more answers. The entity in the mine remains shrouded in mystery, and the sudden ending may leave you wondering if there's a sequel in the works.
Overall, "The Vein" is a quick and suspenseful read that will keep you entertained. While it may lack some depth in its explanation of certain elements, the gripping storyline and exciting twists make it a worthwhile journey for any fan of mystery and suspense novels. So grab a copy, buckle up, and enjoy the thrilling ride that "The Vein" has to offer!
August 10, 2023
I love stories with nonlinear structure and Nelson weaves the different threads of the story masterfully. Each time period and character is distinct, engrossing, and advances the overall plot even as the individual stories draw you into the characters’ lives.
Superficially, this is an exciting horror thriller about old mines and the things that crawl out of them. It has the big canvas scope of an early Koontz or heyday Crichton, and it’s spooky and absorbing, keeping you hooked to uncover the mystery.
The characters add an extra layer of enjoyment to this novel. The mostly female cast each face challenges, including darkness that not only comes from the mines but also from their loved ones and themselves. The details of the hardships varies slightly from the 1900s, to the 1960s and then the 1980s, and I liked how Nelson framed the characters within the time period while always keeping them realistic, grounded, humans.
The Vein is a creepy horror mystery with well developed characters that I highly recommend.
Superficially, this is an exciting horror thriller about old mines and the things that crawl out of them. It has the big canvas scope of an early Koontz or heyday Crichton, and it’s spooky and absorbing, keeping you hooked to uncover the mystery.
The characters add an extra layer of enjoyment to this novel. The mostly female cast each face challenges, including darkness that not only comes from the mines but also from their loved ones and themselves. The details of the hardships varies slightly from the 1900s, to the 1960s and then the 1980s, and I liked how Nelson framed the characters within the time period while always keeping them realistic, grounded, humans.
The Vein is a creepy horror mystery with well developed characters that I highly recommend.
February 23, 2024
Steph Nelson, where have you been hiding?
As the front blurb suggests, The Vein’s intricate web of stories and characters is reminiscent of King’s Salem’s Lot. The dreadful atmosphere and sense of foreboding along with the multi time line reminded much of my love for Jennifer McMahon’s The Winter People.
Nelson’s pacing is absolute perfection, bar none.
I do not care for police procedural stories. With that being said, I wouldn’t even classify this as one. Syl is so dysfunctional and the local sheriff has his own slew of issues. I genuinely had no idea where this story would end up and was turning the pages with such ferocity, I thought the pages might start a fire.
Not only were the stories terrorizing and grim in their own ways, they were heartbreaking and tragic. This one packed a punch and dealt with supernatural forces but also real life horrors that I found myself struggling to determine whether a character really was evil.
I cannot wait to read what this author has for us next
As the front blurb suggests, The Vein’s intricate web of stories and characters is reminiscent of King’s Salem’s Lot. The dreadful atmosphere and sense of foreboding along with the multi time line reminded much of my love for Jennifer McMahon’s The Winter People.
Nelson’s pacing is absolute perfection, bar none.
I do not care for police procedural stories. With that being said, I wouldn’t even classify this as one. Syl is so dysfunctional and the local sheriff has his own slew of issues. I genuinely had no idea where this story would end up and was turning the pages with such ferocity, I thought the pages might start a fire.
Not only were the stories terrorizing and grim in their own ways, they were heartbreaking and tragic. This one packed a punch and dealt with supernatural forces but also real life horrors that I found myself struggling to determine whether a character really was evil.
I cannot wait to read what this author has for us next
February 22, 2024
As a writer myself, I have so much respect for what Steph Nelson was able to pull off with this novel. It's a sprawling dramatic horror story that plays out in multiple timelines and from multiple points of view, with shifts happening in such quick bursts that it creates this puzzle box in which every detail counts. Nelson builds a wonderful sense of unease and intrigue, building to horror reveals that are just... weird.
Really, really weird.
It's best to go in blind (I didn't know much about the plot before diving in), but I'll say that religious and generational trauma play a major role in this story and make for some fascinating dynamics. The writing is brisk, the character voices are distinct, and the dialogue is pitch-perfect.
This is a very dense but rewarding read that reminded me of reading Stephen King's work.
Really, really weird.
It's best to go in blind (I didn't know much about the plot before diving in), but I'll say that religious and generational trauma play a major role in this story and make for some fascinating dynamics. The writing is brisk, the character voices are distinct, and the dialogue is pitch-perfect.
This is a very dense but rewarding read that reminded me of reading Stephen King's work.
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