The synopsis of this book piqued my attention: 3 college students on a road trip through Appalachia to document roadside memorials encounter somethingThe synopsis of this book piqued my attention: 3 college students on a road trip through Appalachia to document roadside memorials encounter something supernatural! Yes please! This was right up my alley. Then there are the 80's vibes which also provided a great nostalgic feel. I loved the atmosphere, the sense of something not being quite right, and the eerie vibe in this book.
I can see this being made into a movie! I enjoyed the imagery of them traveling along the county roads, the nightly camp outs, sitting around a campfire bonding and talking about what they saw that day. One thing that they could not help but see was the symbols that were at the memorials. None of them have seen the symbol before and they find it unsettling, creepy, and odd. As they continue their weeklong guest, they encounter interesting and often unwelcoming people, learn about the memorials, and begin to feel more and more unsettled.
I enjoy the vibe in this book. The stick figures that pop up gave me Blair Witch vibes. From the campsites to the memorials, to the odd interactions with others, the tension slowly mounts, and the eerie and creepy vibe emanates from the book.
I had no idea where this book was going, and I enjoyed the ride! I was fully invested in the plight of the characters. I enjoyed their relationships with each other and their banter. I also enjoyed the unsettling feeling in the book, and I had some suspicions about some characters.
Dark, unsettling, tense, and gripping.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a bloody good book! If you have not read a book by Glenn Rolfe, what are you waiting for? Seriously, what are you waiting for????? When the NightWhat a bloody good book! If you have not read a book by Glenn Rolfe, what are you waiting for? Seriously, what are you waiting for????? When the Night Falls is a sequel to Until Summer Comes Around and takes place ten years after the events in that book. This book worked brilliantly as a stand-alone book for me as I have not read Until Summer Comes Around. Rolfe provided enough backstory that I did not feel as if I were missing out on key material from the first book.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Who doesn’t enjoy being by the beach? The sound of the waves, the ocean air, the sun, and the vampires! Wait, what? Yes, vampires have come to Old Orchard Beach looking for Rocky Zukas. He was the final guy who survived the Beach Night Killer and the events in the first book. He did not come out unscathed, but he has endured and survived. He still thinks of November, a girl he had a relationship with in the first book in the series.
November keeps her distance, but she too, thinks of Rocky all the time. She keeps an eye on him, always watching...
Now the media and documentary makers want to hear/tell his story once again. He would rather have a beer and figure out his life now that he has quit his job in the fire department. I thought Rolfe did a great job showing Rocky as a man still coping with the traumatic events of the past, not wanting to talk about it, while at the same time not being able to escape it. He just wants to be left alone, but life and vampires are about to get in his way.
This book had a little bit of everything that I love in books. There is tension, mounting danger, love, atmosphere, nostalgia, and a sense of something being not quite right. The book oozes with unease, the lust for blood, the desire to survive, and the need for connection with others. Rolfe has created vampires that are not immortal, can go out anytime day or night, and walk amongst the townspeople and tourists undetected.
Who will be safe? Who will survive? You will have to read this to find out!
This book might not be your regular beach read, but you will want to take a bite out of this one! I loved the writing, the setting, the pacing, the nostalgic 90's references, the danger, and the bloody good scenes which may have some covering their eyes!
A supernatural mystery has two LAPD detectives traveling all over the city of angels looking for answers when members of the Hollywood elite begin dyiA supernatural mystery has two LAPD detectives traveling all over the city of angels looking for answers when members of the Hollywood elite begin dying in horrific ways. This book is in the horror category but is heavy on police procedural while detectives Mason Darby and Teri Grey are investigating a current case in addition to cold cases. What they learn is that not all that glitters is not gold. In a city where throwing the biggest, hottest most impressive party keeps you current and hot, may backfire and some will pay the ultimate price.
Some things that occur in this book can be labeled as horrific, but I don't feel this book was true horror. I enjoyed the investigative work and the banter. Both detectives have something to prove and go about trying to do so.
Although enjoyable, I wanted more scares, more creepiness, more horror, more danger, more tension. What I did enjoy was reading about the parts of L.A. that I know as I lived there for a long time. I also enjoyed the supernatural element to the book.
Others enjoyed this book more than I did so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
London Clarke's books contain supernatural elements, and this book was no exception. Ghostwriter Callie Rowe has just been asked to be the ghostwriterLondon Clarke's books contain supernatural elements, and this book was no exception. Ghostwriter Callie Rowe has just been asked to be the ghostwriter of the elusive, reclusive, and mysterious rock star, Riff Fall's memoir. Callie is no stranger to rock stars; her father was in a band, and she loves music. But when she gets to Riff's home to interview the man whose wife mysterious vanished years ago, she is met with a set of rules.
"Don’t go near the attic door. Don’t go outside after midnight. Don’t ever listen to them."
Strange, but doable, right? But why those rules? Rock stars are eccentric but what is going on? Who shouldn’t she listen to and why? Why has Riff never left his home? When things begin to go bump in the night, and more is revealed, she realizes that danger really is lurking, waiting, and watching.
This book is in the horror category but is more on the creepy side than the horror side, in my opinion. Things that happen are horrific but not gory. I enjoyed the sense of unease, tension, and the mounting danger in the book. Plus, this book oozes with atmosphere. It also has the isolated trapped feeling that I enjoy in books.
I first read London Clarke's work when I read The Neighbor and was excited to read this book as well. I found this book to be mysterious, dark, entertaining, and an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars
Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lydia is a forensic photographer with a traumatic past. While working on a current case involving the murders of a couple who were A bloody good book!
Lydia is a forensic photographer with a traumatic past. While working on a current case involving the murders of a couple who were camping, she meets Adam. She feels a connection with him and enjoys the time they spend together. This is new for her, it's new for Adam as well.
As more bodies are found, it is obvious that a serial killer is at work. Lydia is there to take the pictures and Adam will be there for Lydia when she needs him.
Coming in at 240 pages, Hiding Lies was an enjoyable, dark, and thrilling read. I was fully immersed in the plot, the hunt, the romance, and the characters. This proved to be a very fast read as I did not want to put the book down. I enjoyed getting into the head of the killer as well as in Lydia's head as well.
Take a stab out of this book if you dare! Fans of Dexter will enjoy this book.
*Just know that this book touches on some dark issues. I'll list them in the comment section under this review if you are interested in knowing what they are.
Gripping, dark, and hard to put down!
Thank you to Mad Axe Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's not Camp Crystal Lake it's Camp Castaway! A camp for adults where one can get away, turn off the outside world, work on oneself, and get in touchIt's not Camp Crystal Lake it's Camp Castaway! A camp for adults where one can get away, turn off the outside world, work on oneself, and get in touch with nature. That is the plan at least, but little do the campers know that danger awaits! Woohoo! I love 80's horror movies and this one had all the vibes. Heads Will Roll is shocking, gripping, entertaining, horrific and full of pulse pounding danger!!!!!! This book is oozing with atmosphere, dripping with blood, and hard to put down!!
Willow found herself cancelled after making a tweet. Everyone in Hollywood turned their back on her and her agent sent her off to Camp Castaway to get out of the public eye and off social media. The Camp has a no technology and no smartphone rules. Participants are anonymous and use fake names. It is meant to be a safe place for everyone looking to get away for a while.
All is rustic, soothing, and cozy, at camp. While hoping that she won’t be recognized, Willow is shocked to see her favorite actress is also at the camp! This isn't going to be so bad after all. NOT SO FAST WILLOW!!!! A story about Knock-Knock Nancy is told around the campfire (reminiscent of Friday the 13th, part 2 when campers tell a scary story) and serves to make campers uncomfortable. When a fellow camper goes missing, everyone is concerned and begins to be on edge!
This book is heavy on thrills, chills, tension, and atmosphere. Plus, that cover! I enjoyed the mixing of cancel culture, secretes, relationships, LGBTQ, and horror. This book had characters I questioned, one that I cheered for, and there were a few characters that had me changing my mind about them constantly.
I found this book to be both fun, riveting, atmospheric, a little OTT, and full of dread. All were so well done! Although, this is a horror book and there are some scary scenes, I didn't find it to be too gory or scary (although there were some scary scenes). There were also some scenes that reminded me of scenes from some horror films I have enjoyed. Which I found to be a nice touch!
There are some twists and turns and a few jaw dropping revels that I did not see coming at all!!! I love it when that happens. I loved the mounting dread, tension, sense of danger and pulse pounding scenes. I found myself wanting to yell at the characters to be careful, to not split up, to be aware, to not trust anyone.
I had a lot of fun reading this book. This book is for horror fans and a nod to slasher horror films.
Don't lose your head while reading this bloody good book!
Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you enjoy short horror stories, then this is the book for you! I found it to be entertaining, enjoyable, horrific, and well done! Glenn Rolfe came If you enjoy short horror stories, then this is the book for you! I found it to be entertaining, enjoyable, horrific, and well done! Glenn Rolfe came on my radar when I read It Came From The Lake and I was excited to get my hands (and eyes) on this short story collection. With short story collections, there will be ones that readers enjoy more than others. In this book, I can say that I enjoyed all of them; there are no stinkers. OUT OF RANGE and MOLLY were my favorites out of this collection.
If you have not read a book (or short story) by Glenn Rolfe before, what are you waiting for???
Well written, entertaining, creepy, and horrific!
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse Publications and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gripping, atmospheric, dark, and beautifully written. Can you feel the wind, the damp, the chill in the air? I could with Tim McGregor's wonderful andGripping, atmospheric, dark, and beautifully written. Can you feel the wind, the damp, the chill in the air? I could with Tim McGregor's wonderful and vivid descriptions of Eynhallow. Oh, how I felt for Agnes Tulloch. She has a hard life. Married to a harsh, temperamental, and abusive husband on a remote island with twenty inhabitants. The only joy she has in her life is her four children and her friendship with her neighbor Katie.
When a mysterious and wealthy man by the name of Frankenstein arrives on the island, the villager’s interest is piqued, and the gossip flows from their lips like the waves flowing on their shores. Her husband jumps at the chance to make some extra money by hiring Agnes out as a cook to the mystifying and peculiar scientist. Agnes has always stood out on the island due to her height and not being a native of the island. She forms a bond with the newcomer who is also looked at with judgmental eyes.
I was fully invested in this book from the very beginning. I loved how the author captured the time (1797) and the feel of life on the island. The harsh way of life, the small group of people, the roles they played, and the struggle to survive. I also enjoyed seeing Agnes with her children and enjoying conversation with her friend, Katie. It was nice to see her relax and enjoy herself during these tiny moments in time.
I enjoyed how the author captured the character's feelings and themes of love, obligation, longing, friendship, loss, companionship, and strength. I also enjoyed the trapped feeling that took place in many forms in this book. Being trapped in a marriage, trapped in obligation, trapped in societal expectations and norms of the time, trapped on a remote island, trapped in never-ending work, and trapped in harsh conditions.
I also appreciated how the plight of women living during that time (1797) was shown. They had little to no say in their lives, about their bodies, about their dreams. What they did have was expectations, obligations, hard work, and hard lives.
As the book progresses so does the slowly building sense of dread and tension which I love in books. I read this book slowly so I could savor it and the passages. This book was moving, maddening, horrific, beautiful, and simply wonderful. I don't think I have ever felt so much while reading a horror book which is a testament to the author's writing and characters.
This is the second book that I have read by McGregor. The first being Wasps in the Ice Cream. I look forward to reading more of his books in the future.
**Shout out to my goodreads friends Luvtoread and Constantine who put this wonderful book on my radar. Please read their fabulous reviews of Eynhallow. It was their reviews that won me over and motivated me to request this book on NetGalley!
Gripping, Atmospheric, horrific, beautifully written, and moving.
Thank you to RDS Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ever read a 'Choose your own Adventure' book as a child? Try Not to Die on Slashtag: An Interactive Adventure is a choose-your-adventure horror book for adults. This was a fun, well thought out, entertaining, and horrific try-not-to-die book! This is a prequel to the book Slashtag. You do not need to read that book to enjoy this one!
Jeremy had been invited to the backlot of a studio by a friend who had been an extra in shows for quite some time. He is excited after years of film school to be at an actual studio. Even better to be able to be a playtester for a reality television show where one must survive the frightening Propitius Hotel.
Choose carefully. I did not make the best choices while reading this book. I loved how you got to pick what to do and then read what happens. When you get to the end of that section you learn if you choose correctly and/or the consequences of not choosing correctly. The book jumps around in place as you choose. For instance, you may be at 15% in the book but then you make a choice, and you end up at 54% of the book, but then you got back, etc.
I had a lot of fun with the various scenarios. This was truly unique, fun, original, and well thought out. Obviously, this is not your typical horror book but don't worry, horrific things do happen! Plus, you have yourself to blame!
This is the most fun I have had reading a book in the horror genre.
Thank you to Vincere Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Say hello to the night Lost in the shadows Say hello to the night Lost in the loneliness - Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys), - Lou Gramm
This book wasnSay hello to the night Lost in the shadows Say hello to the night Lost in the loneliness - Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys), - Lou Gramm
This book wasn't kidding when it said it was "Coachella meets "The Vampire Diaries" but I also got "The Lost Boys" vibes as well. Seriously, I completely enjoyed sinking my teeth into this book. Rektok Ross wowed me with Summer Rental and I was excited to read Spring Harvest. I found it to be gripping, addictive, thrilling and hard to put down. In short, this book was bloody good!
Alix Summerlin and her friends are ready for a weekend of fun, partying, music, and fashion! It's a chance to hang out with friends, kick back, dance and leave their troubles behind. Sure, they had been warned by Kade, a handsome local to leave town, but they choose to ignore the warnings of the mysterious brooding local guy. Have they never watched a horror film????? When a local warns you to leave, get out of there, go, immediately, save yourself, do not pass go, do not look back, just get out!!!!! Oops! They didn't listen. How fitting for a group of vampires to prey on those attending the Garlic Groove Music Festival! How lucky for the vampires (not so lucky for the concert goers) that the garlic is sparse this year in Allium Valley.
This was a fun, addictive, and entertaining tale of survival. Who will survive? Who can be trusted? Oh baby, this was a fun one. I was a teenager when "The Lost Boys" came out and have probably watched that movie 30+ times and I was a fan of "The Vampire Diaries" so this book hit the sweet spot for me!
This book had just enough danger, tension, angst, and thrills for me. There is some gore, some blood (of course), and horrific moments to tantalize this vampire lover. There is a reveal which I saw coming but who cares, this book was fabulous!
I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the writing, the vivid descriptions, the pacing, and the plot! All were well done and kept me turning the pages in this bloody good page turner! This played out like a movie in my mind.
This is my second book by Rektok Ross and I'm a fan! I look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future!
Gripping, thrilling, fun, entertaining, and horrific!
*It is also fun to see what other vampire shows and/or movies that other reviewers bring up in their reviews.
Thank you to Ic13 Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Returning home is not always easy. The Nowhere Girls is the twist filled first book in the intriguing new series by Dana Perry. The plot drew me in riReturning home is not always easy. The Nowhere Girls is the twist filled first book in the intriguing new series by Dana Perry. The plot drew me in right away and did not let go. FBI agent Nikki Cassidy meets with the man who is imprisoned for kidnapping and murdering her sister fifteen years ago. They sit in silence until this year, when he requests to meet with her and informs her, that he did not kill her sister.
Then she learns that another young girl has been taken and days later her body has been found. Nikki is determined to catch the killer no matter what it takes. Questions swirl through her mind. If the man imprisoned for killing her sister didn't do it, then who is responsible. Is the current missing girls case related to her sister Caitlin's murder case?
Nikki is a great character. She is determined, intelligent, and driven. Her father was a police officer who passed away shortly after her sister's death. Nikki has lived with guilt over inviting her sister out the night she was taken, and this guilt has motivated her to not only become an agent but to bring her sister's killer to justice. This case is personal for Nikki, and she is not willing to stop even if it affects her personal life.
I found this book to be captivating, twist filled, secret filled, and hard to put down! I enjoyed the mounting tension and danger that kicked into high gear the later part of the book. I had both the book and the audiobook version of this book and thought the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing this book to life!
I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Thank you to Bookouture, Dreamscape Select | Bookouture, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Haunted by the past, five childhood friends will learn that actions have consequences. You can leave your past behind, but does it ever really leave yHaunted by the past, five childhood friends will learn that actions have consequences. You can leave your past behind, but does it ever really leave you? Dark Secrets and curses come into play in this horrifically dark and brilliant tale set in a small town.
Andrew Larimer is a married man with a pregnant wife. He has worries about the pregnancy and the upcoming birth but finds there are other things he should be worried about as well. When he receives a phone call from a childhood friend, he knows he must return to his hometown. To his father's home that his wife doesn't know he still owns. To meet with childhood friends, to face the past, to face each other and the secret they share.
I loved the atmosphere in this book. From the small-town feel, the cliff overlooking the ocean, the flooded basement, etc. It provides a something-isn't-quite-right vibe to the book. I also loved the eerie and creepy vibe that flows throughout the book. Then there is the tension, dread, and mounting sense of danger. Small Town Horror played out like a movie in my mind. Small towns, you either know everyone or are related to them. How do you keep such a BIG secret? How do you deal with guilt? How does it haunt you?
This book is told via two timelines. The current day and the past. Through both, readers get a glimpse into the past and what the group of friends are dealing with in the present. I found this to be a very nice touch. Secrets and lies play a HUGE part of this book.
This book touched on many things - friendship, marriage, secrets, guilt, fear, growing up, love, and consequences.
Well written with twists, turns and several reveals. It was slow to start but once this book got going, there was no stopping it.
Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Coming off the high of loving Good Girls Don’t Die, I had huge expectations for The House That Horror Built. Perhaps that wasn't fair to the book or mComing off the high of loving Good Girls Don’t Die, I had huge expectations for The House That Horror Built. Perhaps that wasn't fair to the book or myself, but I felt a little let down. The premise is intriguing, Javier Castillo, a reclusive horror film director hires Harry Adams, a woman to clean his home. The woman is a horror film fan and looks forward to working there. It is one thing to love horror films but to work amongst the props that terrified filmgoers is another. Especially when Javier warns her not to enter one of the upstairs bedrooms....
Christina Henry does capture the gothic and atmospheric vibe nicely. Having said that, this book, for me, was not creepy or spooky at all. It did not deliver the chills or thrills that I was expecting. I put this in my liked not loved category.
This was a creepy and bizarre novella about Iðunn, a woman who feels constantly tired. She seeks medical attention and is told to get more rest, to eaThis was a creepy and bizarre novella about Iðunn, a woman who feels constantly tired. She seeks medical attention and is told to get more rest, to eat better, to exercise, and she will be fine. The tests the doctors order show no health issues. She tries to follow the advice she is given but to no avail. Then one night she goes to sleep and wakes up with strange injuries and finds that she has walked 40,000 steps. That's sleepwalking overload!
This book is bizarre with a creepy vibe to it. There is an uneasiness and atmospheric vibe to this book as well. This is a fast unrelentingly odd book that is also quite enjoyable until the ending. Umm what? Seriously I'm lost. The book just ended and left me wanting more--- more of an explanation, more answers, more I don't even know what. The author leaves it up to the reader to surmise what happened at the end and I have a theory but don't know if I am right.
I've used the word bizarre a lot in this review but can't think of another word that is more fitting. I also think this word works well to describe the main character. She has her quirks and an interesting way of looking things.
This is hard to rate because it is creepy, enjoyable, different, and unsettling. The Night Guest left me wanting more. The author did succeed at setting the atmospheric stage for this novella. The author has an interesting way of writing and some of the chapters are mere paragraphs. I thought the author did a tremendous job with creating the mood and feel of The Night Guest.
TW: death of cats
Unsettling, atmospheric, and creepy.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Tor Nightfire and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own....more
This book was fantastic! I could not put it down! This is how you do it! I loved the creepy, horrific, sinister, humorousHoly Moly grab me a cannoli!
This book was fantastic! I could not put it down! This is how you do it! I loved the creepy, horrific, sinister, humorous, something-isn't-quite-right vibes in this book. I found it to be a utterly addictive, gripping, and spine-tingling page turner! I loved the atmosphere, the tension, the mounting sense of danger, and chilling location. I was intrigued by the strange behavior of the townspeople, their stares, and their warnings. The mounting dread and increasing sense of doom had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck while reading.
The Pace family always goes on a family vacation. It is one that Anna usually dreads. She doesn't quite fit in with the rest of her family, including her twin brother Benny. Her sister doesn't seem to want her around, her father reminds her who paid for the vacation while her mother frequently questions her life choices. Ah, so much fun being uncomfortable around one's family.
But things are about to go from being uncomfortable to much, much worse. Something isn't quite right at their remote Gothic villa in Monteperso, and it has nothing to do with their toxic family interactions. There are bumps in the night, a locked room that is not to be entered, and the unsettling feeling of being watched. Then Anna is told about the Villa's dark and brutal history....
The feeling of dread oozed from the pages, and I lapped it up! Plus, the humor, wit and sarcasm in the book worked so well and was placed perfectly throughout the book. This book comes in at under 300 pages but packs a wallop of a punch! There is something about haunted houses/locations that gets me every single time. We want to feel safe in our homes, where we choose to stay while on vacation/holiday, and there is something so unsettling when that feeling of safety is gone. Anna doesn't feel safe around her judgmental family. I felt for her and the toll the interactions with them took on her mentally. Then to see her not be safe due to where they were staying elevated my concern for her.
So clever, so well done, well written, and well thought out!
*Some takeaways 1. Always listen to the locals, always! 2. It doesn’t matter how much you paid for something; safety is priceless. Leave. 3. People treat you how you let them treat you. 4. Be nice to your family. 5. If you do not feel safe where you are staying – leave! 6. Don’t go into rooms you are told not to enter.
Big Bad is a fantastic short story that is part of the Creature Feature section on Amazon. In just 59 pages, it managed to sneak up on me, grab my attBig Bad is a fantastic short story that is part of the Creature Feature section on Amazon. In just 59 pages, it managed to sneak up on me, grab my attention and I had a bloody good time reading it.
A mudslide has the local wolves coming out and looking for food. The Strauss family finds itself in survival mode......
I found Big Bad to be entertaining, gripping, original and a great short read. I have not read Chandler Baker's work before and look forward to reading more that Baker has to offer. ...more
How about that cover? It just screams "danger" and "sinister" at the same time! Less than 200 pages, this book managed to contain a lot of danger, chiHow about that cover? It just screams "danger" and "sinister" at the same time! Less than 200 pages, this book managed to contain a lot of danger, chills, and horrific moments.
A sink hole has opened, and a cave system has been uncovered. Maybe there was a reason it was hidden! Maybe not all things should be explored! But man goes looking and finds there might be something looking for him!
This was a quick read that while entertaining, didn't wow or scare me. It does have some horrific scenes and has an eerie vibe to it. Being underwater in a cave system does create a feeling of claustrophobia and danger. I put this in the good not great pile.
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