Frankenstein, Book 2: City of Night – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second book in Koontz’s modern day Frankenstein tale brings us back to Victor Frankenstein (now Helios) who has been able to defy death for centuries while producing what he calls the New World, a species of near perfect beings that will eventually take over the world. There are several stories happening in this entry, including the two detectives who return to continue their work with the original Frankenstein monster, Deucalion, to try and take Victor down. There’s also Victor’s house and the beings there who he is trying to perfect, Randal Six, the being who escaped and is trying to discover how he (as an autistic creature) can be happy, the members of the New World who have already been integrated into society (including as police officers), and the monster himself trying to find a way to end his former master’s plan. The story drags a little in the middle, but we get the first encounter between Victor and his original creation followed by a strong finale that will lead into the next book in the series. There are five books total, so we have a long way to go. But I’m stoked to see where it goes next.

Twice Kissed – Lisa Jackson
⭐⭐⭐💫
A woman senses her identical twin is in trouble, and it turns out she is in deeper than anyone realized, in this thriller about a missing woman (Mary Theresa), her ex husband (Thane), and the twin (Maggie) who was also involved with the same man. The story is slow moving, and other than reiterating how horrible a person Mary Theresa was as everyone tries to find her, the subplot surrounding Thane and Maggie getting back together is painfully obvious. They travel all around looking for clues to Mary Theresa’s disappearance, and one cool aspect that was barely touched upon was the “twin connection” in which MT mentally contacting Maggie for help. The big twistcame after the story was drawn out (far too long). I did like how it all went down when Mary Theresa was found and the story behind her disappearance was revealed. The ending (who lived and who didn’t) wasn’t too surprising, but that was the best part of the book by far. I’ve read several of Jackson’s books now, but this one is probably my least favorite.

Glimpse – Jonathan Maberry
⭐⭐⭐⭐
If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought this book was written by David Lynch. It gave me so many Lost Highway vibes, especially the “Interludes” and any scene with Doctor Nine. The main protagonist, Rain (shortened from Lorraine) is a recovering addict who lost an entire day of her life. She’s also sensing intruders in her house (especially her shower) and dreaming of a place that others appear to also dream of. When she receives a pair of cracked glasses, she sees images of a child running away, among other things. She soon believes him to be her own child that she gave up for adoption when she was sixteen. From beginning to end, this book is tense, and you never feel like anyone is safe. It also feels like a constant dream that is happening, as the atmosphere is surreal in just about every scene. It was a little muddled near the end, as I wasn’t exactly sure if what was happening was real or not, but that was also this book’s charm. I did feel the ending was sort of a cop out, but I’m not sure it could have ended any other way.

The Darkness That Came Before – Jessica Huntley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫The final entry into Huntley’s Darkness series centers around a 40-year-old body found in the infamous Cherry Hollow ravine which stirs up trouble around town once more. The Creature (aka The Darkness) seems to follow around those with deep, dark secrets, and in many cases it forces them into drastic actions. Many of the town’s secrets had already been revealed, but we also get some new doozies that were not expected, including what happened all those years ago to start this whole era of death in Cherry Hollow. Old characters return, and I loved how so many were connected to people from 1980 when this other death happened. Jordan and Brooke, the only remaining characters from the original group in the first book, are here but take a backseat to Brooke’s mom, the sheriff, the journalist, and young Alex, who we discovered at the end of the second book has some major secrets he’s been keeping. So many aspects of the series tied together brilliantly, and the story ended in a way that a series should end – by answering all the lingering questions and giving the reader one final surprise in the epilogue. Possibly my favorite book in the series.

Oops, I Killed My Boyfriend- Alana K. Drex & Billy Ray Middleton Jr.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I absolutely love this title, even if it sort of gives away the main plot of the novel. We have Lacey, an aspiring writer who is in love with rock star Eddie. But things aren’t as stable as they’d like them to be and pretty soon…you guessed it! Lacey accidentally kills Eddie while in a cocaine-addled stupor. Add in dirty cop Ryle with his evil secrets, a raging band mate, a weirdly obsessive romance author, and a returning Eddie (in ghost form that only Lacey can see), and you’ve got quite the wild ride playing out. The plot is a bit ambiguous, with the biggest mystery here being what is going to happen to Lacey after Eddie’s death, as the cop and the romance author seem to be obsessed with her and her situation (killing her boyfriend and now being single), and both have their own selfish motives. The key to this story that keeps the reader going is the fact that you don’t know what is going to happen next. I will say that the twist near the end caught me off guard (I won’t give it away), and then an even more unexpected surprise happened at the very end. This book mixed elements of a thriller, suspense, and even a bit of spicy horror. It’s certainly a unique plot that we don’t see every day, which was quite refreshing.

Europea Halls 2 – Alan Shivers
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The follow up to the campus slasher tale takes the survivors of the massacre on a vacation to Budapest where they meet a score of new people before running into another killer who is after them. In typical slasher fashion, new characters are introduced only to be unceremoniously murdered by the unknown killer. Of course the majority of the first half felt more like a romantic drama about couples on vacation, as it was really more about relationships than anything else. This book also takes a first person POV with a different character for each chapter (which seems to be a popular way to write nowadays), although I think limiting the viewpoint can hinder what else is going on in the background. When the killer finally strikes, brutality ensues, and nobody is safe. I didn’t quite understand the motive of the killer, but that’s because the series isn’t over. And those who did make it seemed to be superhuman given the wounds they received. But that’s also typical for a slasher. I do want to see how this series ends so I will definitely read the third part.

Tethers of the Present – Gareth Ian Davies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second book in the Of Imprint and Erasure trilogy takes us right back to main characters “D” and Jess who now have more control on their abilities to erase what they call Imprints (lingering memories of the past hanging around causing problems). In this second entry, D and Jess are now in Chicago building their lives together while still trying to erase Imprints where they can. And hopefully not attract the wrong people again. We also get their mentor, Rosalind back, but her backstory also becomes an important subplot, as her estranged son, Daniel, has found himself in a precarious situation with some questionable people. We are also introduced to the Henry Lyons Foundation (HLF), a group that tries to recruit D and Jess (as well as Rosalind) to go even further with their abilities. This is where the book got a little confusing for me, as I wasn’t entirely understanding what Jamal of the HLF was teaching them, nor did I quite understand the end goal of what they were doing. By the end, though, we see what the sinister antagonists are up to, and a thrilling scene takes us to the end but with enough questions to keep interest alive for the final book in the trilogy. I am looking forward to seeing where this story ultimately goes.

With a Vengeance – Riley Sager
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
With Murder on the Orient Express vibes, this latest thriller from Sager takes us back in time to the 1940s aboard an express locomotive where a vengeful woman (Anna) has gathered six people she feels are responsible for the destruction of her entire family. The backstory is tragic and gives you every reason to want Anna to succeed in her mission. But then the evil folks start dying off, and it’s a mystery as to the killer’s identity. The intensity was high from the start, and the characters are well developed. You find out a lot about each one and why they hurt Anna’s family in the way they did. Her partner, Sheamus, was another character I enjoyed, as he clearly had some secrets of his own that he’d been keeping from Anna. I loved how they were all trapped on this train with no way to escape. That seems to be my favorite kind of murder mystery. The big twist happened earlier than I expected, meaning more were to come. And they came in droves. There were a couple surprises that I’d figured out early on, but thankfully I was wrong about one major foreshadowing event that didn’t come to pass. The intensity was fierce from the start, and honestly I’m not sure why this book has received such a negative response from readers (although most appear to be from Net Galley ARC readers, which has become commonplace). True Sager fans will enjoy it.

The Broken Girls – Simone St. James
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve become drawn to books that travel back in time to tell a story that in turn brings relevance to the plot in the present day. I wasn’t sure where this was going initially, but the main idea of an old, infamous boarding school that closed down decades earlier being reopened for unknown reasons had me intrigued. The main character (Fiona) is a journalist who decides to take on the story because her own sister was found murdered in that exact location years earlier, and there was ongoing speculation as to whether or not the man convicted of her murder was guilty. Add in this author’s propensity for supernatural elements, and the reader is captivated to keep going. Also, when the body of a former student is found on the grounds while the new owners are renovating, the journalist can’t help but try and dig up everything that still exists about the school’s history in order to find out what happened to this girl. This book was not filled with much action but rather relied on discoveries to keep the intrigue rolling. The mystery did play out, although I did correctly suspect a certain character’s involvement (no spoilers). The paranormal aspect takes a backseat in this one, although it does come to the front near the end when everything ties up (and the little action we do get). If you enjoy this author’s books, you should check it out. 

Behind the Horror – Dr. Lee Mellor
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a cool trip to the origins of some of the most popular classic horror films. The author covers films such as Jaws, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, and The Exorcist by giving a quick synopsis followed by a detailed history of the real life occurrences that inspired the films. Some of the synopses were a little off (as if the author may not have actually seen the film). I did find some of the stories and inspirations to some of these movies to be fascinating. The inspiration for A Nightmare on Elm Street was creepy and one I hadn’t heard about. The Ed Gein story and its connection to several horror movies was one I’d heard about many times over the years. But I also found the non-Gien history of The Silence of the Lambs to be fascinating. I believe I’d heard about the  Ted Bundy connections, but hearing of the connection the author had to a real life serial killer was fascinating. For those of you who love true crime and historical horror, give this one a read. 

Medicate Me – Emily Hodson (Indie Book of the Quarter)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A dystopian tale surrounding a group of young people navigating life while struggling to stay medicated during a pandemic. Each chapter is the POV of a different character. Of course, I am immediately drawn to the character of Eric, an introvert who loves dogs and is awkward around women. For some reason that character just speaks to me. The other featured characters (Garrett, A.J., Franelli, and Shayla) all have less than endearing qualities but are on the same journey of survival at any cost. The backstories and current living situations of the main five characters goes on for almost half of the book, so it was hard to figure out exactly where this story was going. We see the panic of the citizens as the pandemic takes its toll and wonder if some of what they experience is a mere hallucination. Those scenes frighteningly mirror what might really happen should a pandemic of those proportions break out. The twist as to what actually started the whole thing caught me off guard. But it did lead to an intense ending that should lead to the sequel, teased at the very end.

Don’t Lie – Sarah Jules
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five young people vacation at a remote cabin, but all is not what it seems, as four of them are planning some nefarious plot to hurt the unsuspecting fifth one in some way. Each chapter is a first person POV of one of the five characters, and from the start I had trouble liking any of them. I’m not entirely sure what the ultimate plan was, or why the four were ganging up on the fifth one, as it never really came out due to the twists later in the story. There’s a lot of sexual tension amongst the entire group, with one of the guys currently dating the targeted girl while being the ex of the other girl there. The dialogue will make you want to punch some of these folks, but it will also keep you intrigued as to what is going to happen next. By the midway point, you will discover that there are a number of elements at play with some double crossing about to come out. The twists were interesting, although one element introduced later in the story was heavily premeditated, so there wasn’t as much of a shock value. However, the final twist along with the ending was certainly unexpected. 

Echoes of the Forgotten – Michael Munn
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
A young man (Will) with suicidal ideations plans to end his life after giving his friends a night of positive memories at a nearby fair. But he wakes up in a field with blood all over him, his friends missing, and a sixty-hour memory lapse that he struggles to fight through. Also, he was told that no fair happened where he said they had all gone. Eleven months later, he’s still trying to figure out what happened that night, especially since everyone believes he killed his friends. His terrifying nightmares about “The Crooked Man” and the mysterious letters he receives add to the creepy factor that this novel is swimming in. His only friend now is Beth, one of his roommates in college who tries to help but seems unsure of how. The creep factor here is high, as the author does an amazing job with the slow burn of discovering just what happened to Will and his friends when they disappeared. Other strange people pop up (Peter Lincoln in particular) who only make the situation more intriguing as they add new layers to the storyline. The turning point of Will finally meeting the Crooked Man again was frightening and tense, and it brought the lingering questions of Will’s lost memories to a head. This is a well written piece of psychological horror.    

The Storm Within – Gill D. Anderson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Starting off with a bang (aka, a brutal murder), this chilling tale of people on a cruise ship with a murderer in their midst gave me Death on the Nile vibes. A number of characters (mostly couples) are introduced, and the large number of subplots merged together well, giving the reader a large crop of suspects to the murder that opened the novel. The diverse group of characters were intriguing, although some of the dialogue had a little too much “telling” instead of “showing.” Also, the killer’s reveal wasn’t what I expected, but I certainly didn’t see it coming. The epilogue probably should have been several chapters (epilogues are only supposed to be a few pages), although it does tie up the loose ends regarding the other primary characters. Overall, a very good thriller that keeps you guessing.

Hallowin – E.V. Sauvage
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I will start off by saying this novella was NOT what I expected it to be. While in a drunken stupor three women try to summon a succubus. The next morning, one of them realizes they had succeeded. But instead of being an evil demon trying to steal souls., it turned out to be a horny (literally, and metaphorically) thing that seduces the woman who brought it about. I enjoyed the short, succinct chapters that kept the story rolling right along, and the novella was well written with fun characters. But this was anything BUT a Halloween horror story. However, for you romance/smut lovers, this might be an ideal read for this season.

The Laughing Dead – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The latest entry in the Steinbeck and Reid series is a chilling read about a cold case more than three decades old that has been resurrected due to a new victim who suffered the same manner of death as those from all that time ago. Three girls died mysteriously, all having a bizarre grin on their faces (think of the original Batman movie with Michael Keaton). When the detectives determine it was some sort of deadly poison, they have to piece together what little they have from the cold case while trying to tie everything to the new victim. But Van Reed’s past may be catching up to her, as all these murders may be connected to her past on the commune. Lourey again shines with these characters (although Steinbeck was mostly in the background this time around). Reid, however, comes to terms with her past, and the psychological toll it has taken on her is well written. The mystery surrounding her family is finally fully revealed, as we get a more up-close look at the happenings all those years ago and how they come back into play today. The ending could very well signal the end of the series (every question is wrapped up), but I am guessing we will see more from this detective duo in the future.

Don’t Fear the Reaper – Stephen Graham Jones
⭐⭐⭐💫
The sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw picks up four years later with lead character Jade/Jennifer being released from prison for the murders and returning to the town of Proofrock. As she returns, though, a serial killer escapes a prison transfer during a blizzard and begins stalking citizens of the town. It is winter and the snow is causing havoc, which is a great setting for a slasher story. I admit that I got lost at times with this one as the author seemed to jump around with his thought process. The multiple POVs also had me confused. I did love the slasher movie conversations with Jade and Letha, and the killings were creative and gruesome. More than anything this book was an homage to slasher movies. But there were far too many characters, and the twists were confusing to follow. Overall it’s a good read if you’re a slasher fan, but you have to pay close attention to every detail as it’s easy to get lost in this story.

Don’t Open the Door – Allison Brennan
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
My first time reading Allison Brennan is this thrilling murder-mystery that started strong from the very first chapter. You get a good feel for the characters, especially Regan, the former Marshall who lost her son after a sniper got him by mistake. The book follows the fallout of the boy’s murder, connecting it to a previous bank robbery, a law firm, and several other corporate entities. If there was one thing that brought the rating down (just slightly) it was trying to put together the motive and understanding the ‘why’ of it all. You become pretty sure early on who is and who is not a good person, but all the parties involved muddied the waters a bit for me. But overall, this was a thrilling ride with the protagonists being easy to root for. The last several chapters were intense with a showdown that gave me chills. Fun and thrilling overall, and I’m certainly interested in reading more from the author.

Powder & Poison – Julia Jackson
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
A gripping debut novel, this macabre tale of Marie Antoinette’s arrival at the palace of Versailles tells a tale of pure horror behind locked doors and within the royalty of France. As a teenager arranged to marry the future King Louis XVI, Marie finds herself in the middle of a bloody killing spree, as the people closest to her begin dying off in grim fashion, all the while the rest of the palace goes on as if nothing is wrong. Meanwhile, Marie’s only friends during this time are the ghosts of those who were murdered within the walls of Versailles. You want to feel for Marie as she struggles to fit in with royalty while also hoping to discover who in the palace is murdering its residents. The character of Marie Antoinette is very well written, as you see a timid child turn into a fierce warrior battling for justice for her friends who have been killed. With elements of psychological, gothic, and paranormal horror, this intense tale has all the elements of a thrilling horror tale. I must say I was not expecting the twist near the end when the truth is revealed. Well played.

My Bad Self – Jessica Huntley
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The story of a woman (Josslyn) and her struggle to deal with her psychotic personality named Alicia. This prequel visits the origins of Josslyn’s discovery that her “twin” may be a murderer and their dealings with an abusive boyfriend. The twin had been known to take over the body, causing blackouts of said timeframe. This psychological thriller is a very quick read, especially given how well written the scenes are with Josslyn battling Alicia in her head. The confrontation with the boyfriend was also intense, and you don’t know what is going to happen until it does. I certainly want to get to the sequels in this series, as the first novel is an all time indie favorite.

Damned Curious – Lisa Matthews
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In what can best be described as a “Cozy Mystery – After Hours Version,” the sequel to Death By Curiosity brings back snoopy wannabe detective Armitage Black who finds herself in the middle of another serious murder investigation. Although there are a lot of jokes and humor, the murders in this book are gruesome, turning the traditional cozy mystery story into something a little darker. There is also this “enemies to lovers” subplot continuing with Armitage and Hadaway (the detective) which seemed a little out of place given the situation they were all in. But given how the first book ended between the two, it wasn’t unexpected. The book dragged some in the middle, with the flirty subplot taking center stage and the murder all but forgotten for a little while. Armitage (who has massive ADHD) is a complex character who overtinks everything which is both an advantage as well as a detriment. We get to know literally everything she thinks which does drag the story at times. But her feistiness keeps her a compelling character who will find out what she needs to know no matter what. Some of the chapters could have been either cut down or separated (there was a lot of repetitiveness), and in fact, this could have been two books. I did guess the main culprit but not the motive or others involved in the murders. 

Autumn Tales III: Return
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This creepy collection begins with the longest entry, “Arrow Hill Savings and Trust” by Adam Cagley. I must say, this was the first story I’ve ever read involving killer cows. It started a little slow but really picked up when the gang entered the deserted town. An intense tale of Old West Horror. Other favorites include “She Was My One” by Brian Lynch, which told of a blood oath between best friends (although I did not like the ending). “Inner Reflection” by S.L. Dooley tells of a woman trying to fit in with a new family after the first matriarch died…but seemingly won’t leave the house. “Family is Forever” by Desiree Horton is a devilishly creative tale of a woman who will never let her family members go, even after they are dead. “The Inn at Red Maple Island” by Brian Parsons was a classic, bloody whodunit mystery with all the proper pieces–a dead body, multiple suspects, and a dark, stormy night. My favorite of the collection was “Less Lonely” by Lanie Mores. The demented tale told of a troubled writer (isn’t that all of us in some way?) whose romance stories turn to horror while struggling with life imitating art imitating life. This was a wild ride with an ending I wasn’t expecting.
Some of the stories were a little verbose but for the most part, this is a strong collection of horror and a good read for the spooky season.

Long Time Gone – Charlie Donlea
⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️
One of Donlea’s best novels (even if he does get overdramatic at times), this dark, suspenseful mystery tells the chilling story of a baby who went missing 30 years ago only to pop up when the now grown woman takes a genealogy test that links her to the missing baby. And it also puts her in the middle of a community run by a strong, influential family who runs everything in the town. The story surrounding the disappearance, as well as the other sinister happenings from that time, is so well told. The characters are well developed, especially main protagonist Sloan Hastings, who discovers where she came from after thirty years. The short, succinct chapters, especially near the end, heightened the suspense as the truth began to unravel. What happened to Sloan’s birth parents who disappeared at the same time she did? How is it she was put up for adoption, and who coordinated the whole thing? Why was the sheriff murdered right after the family disappeared? This mystery kept me guessing from beginning to end and didn’t contain any lulls in the middle (as some mysteries tend to do). Highly recommended read for anyone looking for a good suspenseful tale.

Dungeon Crawler Carl
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Who could’ve thought that an apocalyptic, dark, sci-fi comedy would be so entertaining? When main protagonist Carl and his cat Princess Donut survive the world being crushed by an alien group, they are placed in a modernized version of The Running Man, only in another world. They must survive different “levels” in which they have to battle and kill different beings in order to survive and receive supplies by which to live. Carl’s dry humor and his perfectly timed “God dammit, Donut!” catchphrase practically had me in tears. The “New Achievement” robot was also hysterical in its constant back handed compliments and hilarious insults. I did get confused from time to time with the levels and what Carl and Donut had to do to survive and move on. But for the most part, the dark humor moved this book along nicely and set up the rest of the series. Although I wonder how much different each book is going to need to be in to keep the story fresh. But I’m sure looking forward to finding out!

Absolute Fear – Lisa Jackson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My latest trek into the Bentz/Montoya series centers around a woman (Eve) left for dead one night who survives a gunshot wound and fingers her own boyfriend in the attack. But after his release, more chaos ensues, and the reader is lead to believe the boyfriend is not responsible for the attack, even if he is the prime suspect. We get multiple points of view, including that of the killer who is stalking Eve and waiting for the right moment to strike. I could have done without the romantic element (is Eve really going to forgive the guy THAT quickly?), but the intensity of the killer and all the clues peppered in make this a captivating story. Toward the end, though, the story became convoluted with all the twists, turns, and new characters and backstories introduced. I had to go back a couple times just to understand who some of these characters were and how they connected to the main plot. The final twist was unexpected, but the reveal of the killer was anticlimactic, even if the final scenes were exciting and well told. Being a long-running series, this one does end with a chilling final scene that will get the reader wanting to continue to the next installment. 

Meddling Kids
⭐⭐⭐💫
Written as an obvious homage to Scooby Doo, this adult mystery centers around a group of former teen sleuths who used to solve mysteries with their dog only to grow up and have lives that were not so inspiring. The leader of the group has died, and the other three come to terms that the last mystery they solved may not have been as cut and dry as it seemed. So, they regroup and head back to solve one more mystery, but they are no longer playing kids games. The characters are well drawn out, each one with a unique personality that differentiates from the rest. At about the midpoint, though, the story became a little confusing and complicated. The real-world monsters were a good touch, although the story really became disjointed at this point. I’d figured out who the “old man in a mask” would end up being, although I didn’t know why until it was revealed. By that point, I was starting to tune the story out which I don’t like to do after getting so into the first half. Of course, Tim the dog kept me interested, even if the plot appeared to run off the rails during the final chapters. 

The Skull Keeper – Mariette Whitcomb
⭐⭐⭐⭐
With a title like The Skull Keeper, a horror fan’s interest is going to be instantly piqued. The unknown serial killer of this story began a decade and a half earlier, with flashbacks to some of the killer’s early murders on graphic display, which were frightening and truly put us into the mind of a horrific serial killer. As we moved to the present time, the point of view switched back and forth between the book’s two primary characters, Alyssa and Morgan. I hesitate to call them protagonists, since neither are all that likable, even if they are trying to solve a murder from fifteen years ago. I did like being given a look into each character’s mindset, although it made me question if they were as close as they claimed. Both kept big secrets from the other and were extremely suspicious of each other as well. Although an intriguing plot, the transitions were awkward at times, with some chapters ending abruptly, as if a character was in mid-thought. I did enjoy the short, succinct chapters as it kept the story moving without adding too much extraneous narration. As the finale approached, I was still unsure as to the big twist (I like the “big reveal” not being obvious). I was certainly not expecting that ending, as everyone was basically suspected of being TSK, and the reveal did not disappoint.

Price Manor: The House That Bleeds – Jamie Stewart
⭐⭐⭐💫
A gothic horror tale set in the late 1800s Russia, this novella tells of a house that has suddenly appeared out of nowhere one night. But it is no ordinary house. This house is haunted in a way such as the ghosts of the past aren’t the greatest danger. I enjoyed the story of the house actually being alive and manipulating the people who were brave enough to venture inside. The action was intense, and the blood coming from the house (thus, the title) brought a darkness to the story that lasted until the end. I did get confused at times with some of the characters and how they fit into the overall story, and some characters seemed awfully similar. Alex, the main protagonist at the beginning, took a back seat near the middle of the book as he faced his past with a mind for revenge. The race to escape the house was intense, as was the monster (the house itself) that wouldn’t let them leave. I’m not the biggest fan of gothic horror, but there was enough intensity here to keep me going until the end. 

Beautifully Bloody, Volume 1
⭐⭐⭐💫
This multi-author anthology started off with the fun and twisted “Skeptic” by Ashley Greathouse, about a popular social media figure who looks to disprove haunted rumors and legends, her boyfriend with an agenda of his own, and a crossroads demon who decides to get in the middle. By far my favorite of the anthology. “Do You Want to Play” by Bethanie Loren and “Slaughter Manor” by Cristina Lollabrigida were… yikes! Erotic splatterpunk isn’t really my thing, but it did get my attention. “What the Fork” by G.R. Lorewever was another favorite as it took a new spin on zombies and revenge. “Mind F*ck” by Jamie Spicer was more splatterpunk but with a compelling story and a twist ending. “The Darkside of Midnight” by Johnna Dee takes the reader on a dark, psychological journey reminiscent of Misery only with a less satisfying ending. “It’s Too Late” by Josh Cuny was dark and intriguing but should have been written in third person, given how it ended. Overall, this collection is more for the extreme horror fans, but there still were some great stories within the pages.

Fallout – Hayley Anderton & Laura Swift
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Apocalypse series continues as survivors attempt to move forward in a world now overrun by zombies. This second book of the series centers on two groups; one still trapped in the school and the other hiding out at a farm. Both groups are gathering up the courage to venture out and see what they’re dealing with, knowing they can’t hide out forever. This entry to the series gives major Walking Dead vibes, as the main focus is the groups of survivors and how they’re learning to deal with an apocalyptic situation. The rotters (or “Zeds” depending on the group) make sporadic appearances, but this book is more about character development along with new character introductions that will lead to the later entries in the series. There’s some clear foreshadowing when a stranger shows up in each group, and the authors do well to plant the seeds of doubt as to their true intentions (with the epilogue revealing one of them). There are currently seven books in this series, and the authors have done a good job keeping interest high through the first two.

The Unseen and Uninvited – Sara Kate
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Creepy, abbreviated, and to the point, this short story by Sara Kate is great for when you want a bite-sized scare at night in the dark. We have all had those moments when we are alone at home and suddenly have that fear that someone is in the house. You find a cabinet open, or the TV is on and you don’t remember doing these things. You begin second guessing yourself or wonder if you are doing things unconsciously, which can cause even more problems. What I love most about this story is that the reader has no idea what is happening to Emily (the main character) other than her sister recently died in a skiing accident, and now she is experiencing these bizarre happenings. I would’ve liked to have seen more action in the climax scene (maybe the couple discovering what was happening themselves), but being a shorter work means it doesn’t draw out too far. Definitely a good read if you’re looking for something short and ominous.

Incidents Around the House – Josh Malerman
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It’s hard to find books written in a non-traditional format, but this one found a new way to tell a creepy-as-hell tale. Told from the vantage point of a young child (Bela), this little girl has a special “friend” she calls Other Mommy who visits her from her closet every night. But Other Mommy always asks if the little girl will let her into her heart. The first time that line was uttered, my skin crawled. The author does a fantastic job of telling this story through the eyes of this innocent child, who is also seeing the marital issues with her parents unfolding. And when Other Mommy’s intentions become more sinister and others start seeing her grotesque appearance, the whole family is put into turmoil. The scare factor is at its zenith when the family just doesn’t know when the entity is going to pop up next. The build-up is told magnificently, as Bela knows Other Mommy is dangerous but can do little to stop her other than giving in to her demands. Oh, and running away does nothing to stop Other Mommy from finding Bela. The child’s description of her “friend” is quite horrifying, and gave me flashbacks to Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream.” Don’t let the negative trolls on Goodreads keep you from reading this one. If you love horror with a new twist, check out this novel.

The Shivers (5 Short Stories)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Letter Slot” by Owen King – I had a lot of trouble getting into this one, although the premise was fun. It did pull me in by the middle, and the twist at the end was a surprise. Not perfect, but good for a short read. 

“The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix – A terrifying little tale of a summer resort town that is perfect in almost every way. Just don’t look at the beings known as the Blanks, or you won’t live to see another day. This was the one story of the series that I thought could have been longer and made into at least a novella.

“The Indigo Room” by Stephen Graham Jones – A woman sees bizarre happenings in a conference room, basically people missing body parts. I couldn’t tell where this was going, as the sequence of events didn’t make a lot of sense. By the end, it was clear about why the woman had the visions, but it was pretty anti-climactic. Probably my least favorite of this shift. 

“Jackknife” by Joe Hill – My favorite of the collection, this gruesome story surrounds a college professor who finds a tree in the woods with an old jackknife that he decides to take (despite carvings saying to leave it).. But this move releases the tree to continue committing murders it started years ago. A classic “monster in the woods” tale that will give you chills until the shocking ending.

“Night and Day in Misery” by Catriona Ward – More of a dark drama, a woman with suicidal ideations is mourning the anniversary of her son’s passing after her husband killed them both in a drunken accident. Before she can complete her plan, the woman is shown exactly what happened on that fateful day. Creepy and sad, this story will pull at your heartstrings with its themes of love and loss.

The Whispering Dead – Carcy Coates
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
With a compelling storyline, this paranormal thriller centers on Kiera, a woman suffering from amnesia who begins the novel being pursued by a group of unknown men. They eventually move on, and she ends up in this small town, staying in a cottage of a local minister, but her new home is butted right up to the local cemetery. Soon Kiera starts seeing the ghosts of the people buried there and is drawn specifically to figure out the mystery surrounding the murder of one former resident in particular. I loved the pace of this novel and how the author built up the characters, especially Kiera who struggles to remember who she is and where she came from. Her visions are chilling, and I could picture each scene as if it were happening in front of me. There were quite a few unanswered questions by the end, specifically Kiera’s identity and the men who were pursuing her at the beginning of the book who never showed up again. But this book was just the beginning of Kiera and her story. I think I finally found a Darcy Coates series I can dive headfirst into. I have added the other four books in the series to my TBR.

FEAR STREET: Party Games – R.L. Stine
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Between his Goosebumps and Fear Street stories, R.L. Stine can weave a frightening tale for people of all ages. Unfortunately, this story falls short of being a truly scary Fear Street entry. The setting is once again Shadyside, as a group of teens embark on a trip to an island for a party. The whole thing gave me April Fools Day vibes, as people started dying mysteriously while playing a game created by Brennan Fear. There are a number of twists and turns throughout the story, the characters (most of them anyway) were well drawn out. Although Eric (no relation) was beyond annoying, and not in a good way. Also, the plot was intriguing until a disappointing twist led to a rather uninspiring ending. In what was more Goosebumps (or YA thriller) than Fear Street, I was disconcerted by the time I reached the ending. This won’t keep me from reading other FS books (I have a few others on my TBR), but I wouldn’t recommend it too highly.

The Invisible Man – HG Wells
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In my ongoing effort to pull out a classic tale every quarter or so, I decided on this thrilling 1897 tale by the immortal H.G. Wells. Clearly written during a time long ago, it really wasn’t as hard to follow as some books from that time period. The language, while clearly dated, still moved the story along nicely, as we are immediately introduced to Griffin, who arrives in town bandaged up from head to foot. Of course we already know why, but I liked how Wells dove right into the main character’s plight instead of droning on for hundreds of pages leading up to it. We do get his backstory eventually, but I never quite understood why he was being hunted once the town discovered what he was. It was also a challenge to determine if he was supposed to be the protagonist or the antagonist, although that may have been what Wells was after the whole time. Once Griffin’s last friend turned on him, the story took an action packed turn which ultimately led to his demise. As far as books from the turn of the 20th century goes, this is one of the better ones I have read.

How to Commit the Perfect Murder in Ten Easy Steps – Jessica Huntley
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
A thrill ride of a story, this book centers on a number of people, but most importantly Ashleigh and Bryan, two people with pasts. Now we know early on how awful of a person Bryan was, as an unknown character had been documenting his bullying behavior fourteen years earlier in a diary. And he did some awful things to this person which makes them decide early on that they are going to kill Bryan at some point in their life. Fast forward to present day, and Bryan is no longer the bully but still is running from his past, as others appear out to get him, including a former running buddy who was also the brother of a former girlfriend. I love how the author peppered in each of the ten steps throughout the book to keep you on track that someone has been long-term planning to commit a murder. She also gives away just enough information to keep the reader from being able to put the book down, as you just have to keep going while you try to put the puzzle together. I did sort of foresee the big twist, but given the first person narration, I had no idea that we would see a complete 180 shift in personality. But then the final twist before the epilogue threw me for a loop and answered so many questions. Highly recommend if you love a good thrilling mystery where all is not what it seems.

Cursed Fate – Kassidy VanGundy
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A wild first chapter drives this dark fantasy tale of a young man (Vincent) who learns his life is not exactly what he thinks. Discovering he has magical abilities and has basically been lied to most of his life, Vincent is taken on a quest by Hery and Lalaina to find the father he was told was dead. We see fantastic world and character building throughout, and it’s different to see a fantasy story take place in this world with current resources (magical beings with social media was a neat touch). We really see Vincent grow throughout the novel, as he learns how to use his powers and his ability to ward off predators who don’t wish for him to reach his destination. I especially like how he can dry books that have gotten wet (I’d love to have that ability). I do think some excessive exposition could have been tightened up or even eliminated without hurting the overall story (perhaps a little too much telling over showing). That did lead to a few lulls in the middle. But as the conclusion materialized, the action picked up, leading to a powerful and emotional ending. 

Never Flinch – Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The latest tale in the Holly Gibney universe is a thrilling ride through multiple plots and points of view. The main premise involves a wrongly accused man who was sent to prison where he was subsequently murdered. And when it comes out that the man was innocent, someone decides to get revenge in his name by plotting to kill 13 people–12 innocent and one guilty. The connecting story centers on a popular anti-abortion activist who is being stalked by a hyper-religious zealot hell-bent on killing her and ending her crusade. Holly finds herself stuck in the middle of both of these cases, and King does a fantastic job building the tension as both worlds are set to collide. And of course the Robinson siblings (Jerome and Barbara) are prominently featured as well as other familiar characters from this universe. King brings the new characters to life and is clever not to give away the identity of the killer or his connection to the wrongly accused man who was murdered in prison until it was necessary. The book was a shift from most of King’s usual works, with absolutely no supernatural involvement (although the very last paragraph may have slipped in a little of the paranormal world). More of a dark thriller, the book does deliver, although not on the same level (for me anyway) as Holly.

Going Home in  the Dark – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The brand new release from Koontz surrounds four old friends (Rebecca, Bobby, Spencer, and Ernie) who called themselves the Four Amigos. All childhood friends, three of them left their hometown of Maple Grove and were able to live out their dreams. The one who stayed home (Ernie) was not as lucky. When the others get wind of Ernie falling into a coma, they return home, where their memories begin to resurface. These memories involve some truly unbelievable occurrences that couldn’t possibly have happened. The book gave me vibes of Stephen King’s IT with the scenario of old friends becoming successful before returning home to remember a horror they experienced as children. The supernatural element, when revealed, seemed a little hokey, but it kept my interest. I loved the ensemble cast of “amigos” and how they stuck together during this dangerous situation they found themselves in. Overall this was what I have come to expect from Koontz–good characters and storytelling even if it’s not the most memorable book I’ve ever read.

How to Make a Horror Movie & Survive – Craig DiLouie
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve had this one laying in wait for a while and finally got around to it this month. I was intrigued by the premise of a cursed movie camera killing the subjects it’s shooting, but with a catch–only those cared about by the director die. The characters were not the most likable, with main character Max going from “possibly likable” to “I hope he dies soon.” Max is a horror film director being forced to continue a financially successful slasher series when he really wants to do something else. When he discovers the camera that shot multiple accidental deaths from a film years earlier, he becomes intrigued. He soon realizes that the camera is responsible for the deaths, and he goes from suffering film director to psychotic sociopath who wants to make (and release) a movie in which the actors all die for real. The other characters (mostly actors) are pretty boring, although the “Final Girl” (Sally) was clever in her maneuverings so that she survived. This book also had a good share of dark humor, with all the victims of the camera still being around as ghosts who basically don’t care that they have died. Not my favorite read of the year, but I’d give this author another try.

Sweet Little Lies – Karin Nordin
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
My latest murder/mystery thriller read has all the elements of a suspenseful masterpiece. After the murder of her sister by her boyfriend 15 years ago, Lexie suddenly feels that he may be innocent. What follows is a bizarre story filled with shocking twists and turns that you will not see coming. The opening prologue was masterfully written as to set the stage for a chilling tale to come. The reader gets a good look into the soul of Lexie and the torment she’s endured all these years since the murder. But there is an unknown element involving what she did on that same night that doesn’t come out until later and was totally unexpected. I love all the twists and turns, and you never know who you can trust up until the end. Even Lexie doesn’t appear to be completely innocent, but her secret pales in comparison to the big reveal at the end. I have now enjoyed two of Ms. Nordin’s novels, and I plan on reading the others as well, especially if they are as good as this one.

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl – Paige McKenzie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A young adult ghost story mixed with a sprinkle of possession is the best way to describe this quaint little paranormal tale. A teenager (Lexie) and her mom (Kat) move into a new home, and the teen becomes convinced that it’s haunted. Everything from wanting to play games to drowning in the bathtub, the spirit is causing all kinds of problems for Lexie. Add in the possibility that Lexie has some sort of special ability that can help ghosts cross over and a new teenage friend who believes everything she is saying, and you have a nice, easy to follow ghost tale. The characters are well drawn out, with the addition of a “mentor” who is watching over Lexie hoping she will figure out her powers in order to save her own family and friends from a demon wanting to…well I’m not exactly sure what the demon wants to do other than kill people. It wasn’t really clear beyond that. If you are a beginner in reading paranormal stories and don’t want anything too dark and gory, this would be a good one to start with. There are two other books in the Sunshine series which I’m guessing focuses on the main character’s development. 

Imprints of the Past – Gareth Ian Davies
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The first book in the Of Imprint & Erasure series is my very first read from author Gareth Ian Davies. This fun, paranormal venture pits an ex-convict (Dex, or “D”) trying to get on with his life after spending more than a decade in prison. Unbeknownst to him, he’s about to take on a brand new (and bizarre) mission: erasing memories trapped in buildings. I love this premise, as D and his partner Rosalind aren’t ghost hunters or exorcists, but they instead battle vivid memories that cause hauntings in these buildings. As someone who has no idea what has been happening around him, D must learn on the fly as to how to deal with these memories. The book is filled with suspenseful scenes throughout, as the group encounter some extremely bizarre memories, many (but not all) involving violent deaths. The characters were well laid out, and I especially loved how mysterious Rosalind was, and how we learn more about her with every scene. The twist near the end of the book was a perfect way to set up for the next entry to the series.
Originally a full five-stars, the review drops half a star because the author made the d-bag in the restaurant a Cubs fan. 😂

The Dragon’s Flute – Rylo Kinn
⭐⭐⭐💫
In the mystical land of Drakonia, a crystal sphere known as the Darkstar (and its disciples) threaten world peace, and it is up to the forces of good to stop them. This near 600-page beast goes all-in on the fantasy genre, with elements of mythic creatures, good versus evil, swords and sorcerers, and characters with strange names that you’d expect to find in a fantasy novel. In fact, there are so many characters with similar names, I was confused as to who’s who for a little while. But the story also involved three headed dragons, unicorns, elves, and many other mythical elements which made for a fascinating world. The author also used sidebars throughout the book to explain either a character’s backstory or the definition of something or someplace being utilized. The book is extremely deep, and you will need to pay very close attention in order to follow everything that is happening. The fantasy worldbuilding is impressive, and each of the characters have their own stories. I would suggest taking your time when you read this simply because of the vast amount of information you need to digest. The book is the first in The Drakonia Series with more entries to come.

Hall of Hauntings – N.S. Ford
⭐⭐⭐💫
A quick read, this collection of short ghost stories is perfect for when you need some bite-sized scares. The title story is a spooky tale about a contest to stay in a haunted house long enough to win a prize. This one could have been much longer (like, novella length), and ended a little abruptly, even for a short story. “The Midnight Baker” is a fun campground story about a haunted bakery from years past. “The Glowing Beauty” is a simple haunted house tale of a deceased woman whose specter glows as she plays her piano. “Oil and Sand” tells the creepy tale of a mummy haunting an old oil painting. “The Last Librarian” is one of my favorites and chronicles a librarian’s last moments trapped inside the library while zombies try to break in. “A Haunting Melody” takes a woman’s love for music and turns it upside down when a haunted piano tells a tragic story that hadn’t yet come to an end.
Overall, each story was quick and easy to read. Each probably could have been a little more drawn out, and the endings less abrupt. But they are still easy reads that will give you chills.

The Reaping – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The second full length novel in the Steinbeck and Reed dark thriller series takes the detectives to an enigmatic town in Minnesota where multiple unsolved murders from 25 years ago are linked to a brand-new homicide, as all have happened in similar fashion. The town is very tight knit, so right off the bat you know something malevolent is happening, involving multiple people. The Steinbeck and Reed characters are more drawn out in this novel, with Reed’s dark secrets taking a backseat to Steinbeck’s own past. The townsfolk all give off a sinister vibe (even the children), so it’s challenging to try and figure out exactly who is committing the murders and why. We really get to see a more personal side to Steinbeck, with information that will certainly carry on to the next book in the series (due out later this year!). My favorite aspect of the whole thing was the fact that until it’s revealed, we don’t know the identity of the antagonist. Is it the whole town? One or multiple members? I loved how it all came together at the end, and how the epilogue revealed a crazy past connection between the two detectives that only one has now figured out. I am extremely excited for the next book in the series!

Gallows Hill – Darcy Coates
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When a woman inherits her family home after the death of her parents, she soon  discovers the secrets that were being kept surrounding the history of the land. Spooky things begin happening, a woman named Witchery “cleanses” the place, and soon the  new owner discovers that the dead wander the land. This is my fourth read from Darcy Coates, and although I have enjoyed her shorter works, I haven’t yet found that one novel that would stick with me. The first half of the book dragged, although the character development was strong, and the descriptions of the happenings were dynamic. Once the full truth came out about the curse at Gallows Hill, the story really picked up, as those trapped on the land needed to find a way to survive while simultaneously hoping to end the curse. It may have taken a majority of the book, but once it reached the climax and turning point, I was fully invested on how it would end. I particularly enjoyed how visual the author was is bringing the setting to life. I may still be looking for a Coates novel to call my favorite, but this one tops the list to this point.

An Inquiry Into Love and Death – Simone St. James
⭐⭐⭐
I’ve been a fan of several Simone St. James novels, but this one just doesn’t hit the mark for me. I had a hard time staying focused on this book, as it plodded along at an extremely slow pace. The premise is intriguing, though – a woman in 1920s England inherits a house from an uncle she hadn’t seen in years. He also happened to be a ghost hunter who died after a fall from a cliff. There is a tale going around about a ghost from the 18th century who haunts the area (Walking John), and the man’s death, while ruled a suicide, is quickly investigated as a homicide. The characters are pretty stale, and the romantic element took away from the main plot, as it didn’t add much to the overall story. There were some creepy moments with Walking John (or someone pretending to be a ghost) that kept me intrigued. Overall, it’s not one I’d recommend, although I’m still going to read more from the author.

Don’t Tell a Soul – Jessica Huntley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A dark drama that would quickly turn vicious, this story follows two women leading parallel lives twenty years apart. Both experienced violence at home at the hands of their fathers, and when 17-year-old Elle runs away from her abuse, she meets Vera, who still resides at her childhood home, minus her parents and her brother who disappeared twenty years earlier. It doesn’t take long to realize something bad happened at the house, and the three aren’t where Vera claims they are. The book is filled with twists and turns throughout (including twists within the twists). The plot thickens when Elle’s father comes looking for her, and we see exactly what happened twenty years earlier and what happened to Vera’s family (I did correctly predict the family situation early on, but I didn’t know just how bizarre it would get.). I enjoyed the intricately placed flashback scenes that helped to develop Vera as a character. There was a bit of a lull during the early present-day scenes, but I could tell it was all leading to a big finale. I wasn’t as sold on the final turning point for Elle, as it didn’t entirely make sense. But it did make more sense after reading the epilogue. 

Stripper Noir – Armand Rosamilla and Erin Louis
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
This one has been on my TBR for a while, and I’m glad to have finally gotten to it. If you’ve ever enjoyed film noir or crime thrillers, this one’s for you. The premise: exotic dancers in the Las Vegas area are turning up dead at the hands of what appears to be a serial killer. Unlike murder mysteries, we aren’t guessing who the killer is, as it is revealed very early on. Instead, we are reading along to find out when or if this killer is going to mess up and be caught by the somewhat inept detectives on the case. One of the main characters (Frank) is a former cop who left the force under some not-so-great circumstances but has been thrust back into the investigation into the murders, as he is a regular at the club that’s been targeted by the killer. The book provides a compelling look at the strip club scene and its often ruthless approach to business and treatment of the workers. With corrupt cops, gangsters, and lowlife club managers, this book doesn’t shy away from the seedy underbelly of society. The book did leave a couple loose ends open, but being more of a crime/noir story, that’s somewhat par for the course.

Bleed – Emerald O’Brien
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This serial killer whodunit follows the trail of a brutal murder by a man only known as The Skull. Information about the victim trickles in throughout, mostly through the story’s main characters, Fox and Jack. These two cousins are dealing with some family issues, and for a little while I forgot I was reading a horror story. Fox and Jack are well developed, and with the number of minor characters introduced, you could sense a bloodbath was on the horizon. The foreshadowing and psychological elements add nicely to the overall plot, as you wondered which time the person stalking around in the skull mask wasn’t going to be a member of the group. There was some extraneous dialogue at times, and the last chapter before the epilogue didn’t need to be so long. The epilogue itself could have worked as the prologue for the sequel, but the author clearly wanted her readers to know that this story wasn’t finished. 

Her Heart in Chains – Destiny Eve
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A story told mostly in flashbacks, this romantic thriller centers on Janelle, a recent divorcee suffering from PTSD due to a tragic incident while she was in high school. Her story surrounded a group of friends, none of whom had too many redeeming qualities, and the class outcast (Ian) who was targeted for a prank by the group as he appeared to be staking Janelle. We immediately know that something brutal happened, as the talk of “so much blood” and “I killed him” were teased in the opening chapter. The teases give the reader a high level of anticipation as to what actually happened on that fateful day and who was killed. Leading up to the reveal, we see Janelle begin to fall for Ian while still holding onto her current boyfriend. It becomes extremely messy when the friends turn on Janelle by trying to out her relationship with Ian. The story is riveting leading up to the incident which left multiple characters dead in an unexpected twist. I thought the search for Janelle at the two-thirds mark of the book wasn’t as realistic as it could have been (the obvious suspect should have been immediately targeted by the detective). Also, some of the dialogue contained unnecessary overexplaining. But the finale was a nail biter and kept me interested until all was revealed.

The Captor: Name Them – D.J. McDowell
⭐⭐⭐
This book is the debut novel from author D.J. McDowell, and the premise is compelling. A woman (Jasmine) is kidnapped by an unknown assailant and held against her will. She must identify her kidnapper or be subjected to torturous methods. This has the potential to be a strong psychological thriller, but it needs a massive edit. The majority of the book suffers from telling over showing, and overall it could probably be cut down by at least a hundred pages to tighten up the pleonasm throughout. I think if it’s thoroughly edited, it could be a gripping story. There were also too many “guesses” as to the identity of the Captor, and while that comes into play later on, it would have been as captivating to trim the number down and simply review several of them. I will say that was a strong method of giving Jasmine a backstory as the reader is given a good chunk of her background while she’s captured. And some of the torture methods were creative (the mouse one made me cringe). The twist at the end was unexpected, which is always good, but I think the road to get there could be cleaned up, with perhaps a few Easter eggs tossed in to better explain the turning point.

Those Empty Eyes – Charlie Donlea
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve discovered that any book who’s one-star reviews mostly begin with “I got this from NetGalley …” then it’s likely going to be an incredible read. Donlea strikes gold with what is now my favorite read of his with this dark chilling tale that begins with the brutal murder of the Quinlan family with the one survivor, a teenage girl named Alex, being accused of the murders. And in typical lynch mob mentality fashion, the public tries to destroy this girl’s life even after her innocence is proven. Eventually she has to change her look and her name to disappear from the spotlight, and she becomes a legal investigator. Eventually, a new case connects with her family’s murder, and she is thrust back to that day. The story is well told and brilliantly connects the subplots back to the original story of the Quinlan family massacre. The twists were clever, although I was a little suspicious as to certain connections, given the brief looks at a past happening at a camp when unnamed characters were abused by a counselor. The author touches on a number of sensitive topics and doesn’t hold back on the real horrors facing the world. The ending was left somewhat open, although the reader can assume what was about to happen after the novel’s conclusion. (Donlea redeemed himself to me after the awful ending to Don’t Believe It – LOL)

What the Night Knows – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Since I really dove into his books last year, I have been looking for a Koontz novel that stands out from the rest. I finally found it. What the Night Knows tells the sinister, chilling tale of a cop who, as a teenager, lost his entire family to a serial killer that he was able to kill in the process. Fast forward a couple decades, and another series of killings begin that appear to mimic the murders from a killer who is dead. Plus, each series of killings happens at the hands of different killers. The psychological horror that flows throughout this novel is unlike any other Koontz novel I have read so far. The cop is constantly haunted by what happened to him as a kid as he tries to keep his new family safe from what appears to be a trend that is leading the murders straight to them. I loved the build-up throughout, and when everything finally came to a head, the ensuing chapters made the book impossible to put down. Although some of the paranormal aspects were a little challenging, this book overall met every criteria for a strong, dark psychological horror novel.

Lock the Doors – Vincent Ralph

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

My first read from this author will not be my last. The story surrounds a nervous teenager whose family moves into a new house, but his new bedroom is riddled with clues showing something bad happened there. From messages on the wall (hidden under the wallpaper) to holes on the outside of the door where a padlock would fit to markings inside the closet, the teen suspects the family who previously lived there-and now live just down the street. He befriends a girl his age from the family and begins to realize there are secrets within the family that they don’t want to get out. I love the short, succinct chapters that move the story along nicely. The characters are built nicely, with the teen’s family (with his mom, stepdad, and stepsister) along with the suspicious family giving away just enough to make you want to learn more. Of course there is a bizarre twist that I didn’t completely figure out (although I was suspicious), and a couple happenings that didn’t get resolved (why did Amy try to take that kid?), but overall this book was a suspenseful and quick, easy read. I’ve already put more books from this author on my wish list.

The Call of Cthulhu – H.P. Lovecraft
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Considered Lovecraft’s greatest work, I finally dove into this tale of a monstrous being living in the sea. This story is written more as a journal entry with little to no dialogue attached. I was not surprised, as my last attempt at a Lovecraft tale was similar. Also, his long sentences and paragraphs did make it difficult to get through at times, but the story itself is still remarkable. The reader can certainly picture the cthulhu, given it’s detailed description, and you will get chills thinking of this beast out there somewhere causing all kinds of chaos. The horror is never actually seen in the story, but reflected upon by the narrator who believes the creature is being protected by a cult that will kill to protect it. I probably would have enjoyed it more had I been around during Lovecraft’s time when his style was a little more of the norm in literature. If you do want to take a gander with Lovecraft, this is probably your best option. 

The Magic Man – LaShane Arnett (Indie Book of the Quarter)
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
LaShane Arnett’s follow up to The Pain Eater is arguably superior to the first book in the Sadie Reed series. In this second, much darker installment, we are introduced to an evil child who is known in the magical world as a trickster (Supernatural fans will know what that means). We see his development over the years as he learns who and what he is and how easy it becomes to kill. I wasn’t a huge fan of the animal abuse (although the scenes weren’t graphic), but seeing the evolution of this evil entity was fascinating and so well written. Cut to present time with Sadie and her husband as they try to work with her powers as a pain eater. But she is aware this magic man is coming (he killed her mother after all), and Sadie knows she is going to eventually have to face this monster. This book centered on not only Sadie’s growth but her relationship with her husband and how the people around her support her finding the Magic Man before he gets to her. The story moves along at a good, steady pace, and the character growth from the first book is evident. As was the case in the first book, this one ends with a cliffhanger, so we know there will be at least one more book to the series. For anyone interested in dark paranormal tales, check out the Sadie Reed series! 

The Tickle Monster – David Washburn
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
One of the most common fears we had as children was that a monster was under our beds just waiting for us to fall asleep so it could grab us. This story takes readers back to those terrifying moments. Set in colonial times, this novella was a creepy, slow burn read as we start out with two boys playing in the woods…but only one comes out. At least at first. Fast forward to the boy now having his own family but living in the very same house next to the woods where he and his friend encountered something unexplainable. He pleads with his own children (especially his son) to never go into the woods, but of course he is forced to break his father’s rule. What follows is a terrifying ordeal in which something has latched on and is tormenting the boy at night while he’s in bed. Washburn does a fantastic job building up the suspense and connecting the shocking ending to the happenings from when the father had a similar experience in the woods.  

The Cult of Choice – Jamie Stewart
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Irish folklore zombies and cults? Color me intrigued! So, apparently there is this cemetery within a small Irish town that contains ancient coffins that are swept away by the river one day. As unfortunate as that was, the citizens couldn’t have imagined that the bodies would escape their final resting places and begin terrorizing the locals. The brutality was fun and easy to picture, and the characters were well developed. There was a bit of a lull around the midpoint, and the scenes with the reincarnated bodies talking to each other briefly took me out of the whole “zombie mentality.” But overall, the story flowed well, and the final battle with Lucille and her minions versus Sade, Charlie, and Nadine was exciting to read. This novel had a bit of fantasy, historical horror, and zombie mayhem all rolled into one, and the scenes with the zombies trying to get into the pub gave me a Shaun of the Dead vibe. Oh, and there was a dog named Winston who played a major role helping in the defeat of the zombies. I wanted to make sure he got a mention.

The Cotton Candy Massacre – Charles Robertson
⭐⭐⭐
I’ve been seeing this book (and its sequels) all over my timeline for the past couple years, so I finally decided to give it a try. I really wanted to like it. The concept is fun, and what horror fan doesn’t love a terrifying tale of clowns? The first chapter gives us a glimpse of the demented Bonko, as he is ground up in a cotton candy machine by another carny. The machine would then set off a string of events when the carnival is reopened years later, as eating the cotton candy from that machine turns people into a demented, blood-thirsty clowns. So, the story is quite compelling. While I am not a big fan of splatterpunk/extreme horror, I can enjoy a good, bloody scene. But some of the gratuitous gore seemed forced. It was also hard to feel anything for these characters who had few redeeming qualities. It’s like I was waiting a long time just for them to die (it really dragged in the second half). Speaking of characters, it was a challenge deciphering one from another (at least until a slew of them were slaughtered). Leigh was probably my favorite and clearly the strongest of the cast. I did enjoy the banana song, as that’s one that can easily get stuck in your head. Fans of extreme horror will love this one even if it wasn’t my cup of tea.

The Quarry Girls – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another home run for Lourey with this dark mystery surrounding a group of teenage girls in the late 1970s and a community that has its own dark secrets. When several girls go missing, others within that circle fear the worst. But many of them already have an idea of who might be to blame after witnessing something they shouldn’t have seen. One of my favorite aspects of the small town in which the book is set is the underground tunnels that seemingly lead to any house in the town. It’s down in those tunnels where the girls witness something that was supposed to be a secret. I again love how Lourey has created these easy-to-follow characters, each with their own unique personalities and flaws. She adds in some easy to hate locals but also keeps you guessing as to who the real bad guys are. Many of the twists and turns made me wonder if the mounting crimes would ever be solved. Or if they would all be covered up by a town that seems to have a habit of not investigating when something goes horribly wrong. The book is easy to read and one you will not be able to put down. Lourey peppers in just enough information without giving everything away too early. The twists pop out throughout the book and will have you questioning what is going to happen next. This book now rivals Bloodline as my favorite from Lourey.

The Perfect Marriage – Jeneva Rose
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’d been hearing great things about this novel, and Rose has become one of my new favorite authors, so I wanted to give this a try. The four stars are for the storyline and how compelling the characters were. We have cheating husband (and author) Adam Morgan whose mistress is brutally murdered in the lake house he shares with his wife Sarah (a highly regarded attorney). Instead of throwing him to the wolves, Sarah decides to act as her husband’s attorney. The breadcrumbs of evidence start to paint a picture of many possible suspects in the murder, which is always a great way to formulate a thriller. This book was far on its way to a five-star review…until the ending. Yikes. I get that the author wanted to shock her readers, and Adam is a dirtbag, but come on. There were way too many unanswered questions, especially as it relates to Kelly’s husband, Scott and whether or not he was abusive as Kelly claimed to Adam. Plus, he simply disappears after telling Adam he’s going to help him. There’s also the first person POV of both Adam and Sarah. This method is fine, but when your first person POV reveals something at the end that goes against everything else that the character has thought up until that point, it just feels like a cop out. BUT…a sequel is coming out this month, and I am compelled to read it as the synopsis feels like we may get some of the answers missed in this book.

Shiver – Lisa Jackson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book three of the Bentz/Montoya thriller series surrounds a series of double homicides in which the killer murders both a male and a female and stages the murder scene to look like a murder/suicide. Each of the sets of murders includes a high-profile target, and the authorities seem to be clueless as to the who and the why of it all. It is interesting how this series is marketed as the “Bentz/Montoya” series, but they always seem to be the secondary characters in the novels, which I see as a good thing. With that method, we get the backstory of the other characters who are central to each novel’s plot. If there was one issue I had with this novel it’s that it was unnecessarily long. It was certainly a compelling tale, but it could have been told in 400 as opposed to nearly 600 pages. But maybe that’s just me. But also knowing the author delves in romance, adding that factor could have been trimmed somewhat as well. There are only so many pages I can read in which two sisters fawn over one of the detectives. But again…that’s just me. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed reading this series, and it is one I will continue with, as there have been nine books so far!

Unbury Carol – Josh Malerman
⭐⭐⭐
Although I have invested in a couple more Malerman books, I’m hoping to have better luck than I did this one. Although it had an intriguing plot, this book missed for me. It’s set the old west when horseback was the primary means of transportation. Enter the subject of the novel, Carol, who has this condition where she falls into comas for several days at a time, and each time she appears to be dead. When one of the few people who know her secret dies, her diabolical husband plans to bury her alive the next time the incident occurs since he’s the only one (or so he thinks) who knows about this condition. The suspense of what’s going to happen to Carol once this plan is put in place is the best part, especially when it’s discovered that an outlaw from Carol’s past (James Moxie) also knows of her condition, and word gets to him that she died. Only he knows better and sets out to save her. He must stave off an evil pyromaniac hired to stop him from getting back to save Carol. Timing, though, doesn’t make sense. The letter to Moxie informing him of Carol’s death gets to him awfully quickly, especially seeing as the husband does everything in his power to get her in the ground within a couple days. How fast did mail travel back then? My biggest issue was that the ending was a cop out. The reader would never figure it out because imperative information wasn’t introduced until the climax hit. Also, given the build-up and time spent with Moxie, his ultimate involvement in the rescue of Carol was nonexistent. It can be compared to the controversial Raiders of the Lost Ark theory that questions just how much involvement Indiana Jones had in the outcome of the film. Anyway, the ending was satisfying, even if the build-up was somewhat disappointing. 

March of Crimes  – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐💫
My second Lourey book of the month was actually one in which I won a free copy in exchange for posting a funny video. And this book was indeed laugh-out-loud in many instances. I haven’t read any her other “Murder By Month” mysteries which may have helped me to understand the characters a little more, but with that said, this was still a fun read, even if it’s not what I’m used to from the author. I did wonder what the main plot was supposed to be at times, as she would get off topic quite a bit in the middle before turning back to the murder that was to be the central focus. I did enjoy the twists, and the big reveal near the end made sense (I didn’t see this one coming). I’m not sure if I will dive into more of these “Murder By Month” tales, but with my affinity for this author, never say never. 

Family Murder Night – B.E. Fournier
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mix a little Clue with a touch of Murder on the Orient Express, and you get B.E. Fournier’s Family Murder Night. A vengeful mother has been emotionally (and in some cases physically) torturing her three children for years. Even now as grown ups, they can’t escape her wrath and awful behavior. She guilts them into coming to her traditional murder-themed party, as it will likely be her last since she claims to be dying. But when the lights go out and a gunshot kills the mom, everyone becomes a suspect. The multiple points of view of the three children do a fantastic job of showing the reader just how each one feels about their parent as well as their guilt over the death of their father, which also wasn’t an accident. I liked how that was teased for a bit before the reveal of exactly how he died. I loved the not-so-subtle Clue references (characters named Scarlett and Mrs. White; mention of a ballroom, a billiard room, a kitchen, and a library in the same paragraph; ropes, lead pipes, and candlesticks, etc.), as the mystery surrounding the mom’s murder implicated everyone there at the time. The story is well written, especially for the first half, but it does slow down in the second half. I think some of the thoughts were repeated and over-explained at times, and it could have been edited down as the author worked toward the big reveal. It wasn’t much of a surprise as to the killer’s identity, but some twists and turns were still surprising (I won’t spoil them here). Overall this book is a fun whodunit for anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery.

The Woman I Want Dead – Sara Kate

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The sequel to The Woman I Befriended gave off a different aura than the original, as former journalist turned private investigator Ellie is no longer snooping around trying to determine if her neighbor is a serial killer. Now she is snooping around trying to find the serial killer who has now targeted her because she thwarted her plans and forced her to go on the run. The majority of the book centers on the cat-and-mouse game between the killer (Tiffany) and Ellie who refuses to tell the police that she has been receiving threatening text messages. This is the kind of behavior we’ve come to expect from Ellie, which is one thing I enjoyed about this book. When you can write a sequel and keep your characters’ personalities and quirks, you have a well-written story. Add in Ellie’s husband as a target of the killer, and the intensity level rises that much more. Unlike the first book in the series, this sequel is more psychological in nature as opposed to being a straight up whodunit mystery. We know the killer’s identity, so there is likely not going to be a major twist or reveal this time around. I did hope to see more action, as we mostly get Ellie trying to catch Tiffany while Tiffany easily evades her (and is almost toying with her). The ending was exciting, although the book does end a little abruptly. Not to give any spoilers, but it is left open for a third part, should the author want to return one more time.

The Scarecrow Man – Miguel Goncalves
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A short story you can read in less than a half hour, this compressed tale of a man who sculpts and draws scarecrows has just enough of a creep factor, especially when you get to the end and say…”WHOA!” The main character is not given a name, which only adds to the intrigue of this man and why he does what he does. My only issues with this story was that it could have been longer (not entirely a bad thing-it’s good when a reader wants more) and the couple awkward transitions from one scene to the next. Otherwise, this is a fun read with a fantastic ending.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls – Grady Hendrix
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Hendrix knocks it out of the park with his latest tale about a group of pregnant teenagers in 1970 sent away to a halfway house in order to hide their family’s “embarrassment.” The first several chapters deal only with the happenings within the house. But eventually, a group of the girls meet a librarian who just happens to be a witch with a witchy book. They soon learn how fun it is to get revenge as they begin studying the spells and consulting with the librarian witch on how to make them work. The primary character is “Fern” (not her real name as they are not supposed to tell their real identity). The others each have their own stories, with one in particular being a truly sad and enraging one (think TV evangelist being improper). The story is a harsh reminder of how young girls were often treated in the worst possible way if they became pregnant at a very young age. I love how the story doesn’t shy away from the awful conditions and horrific ways these girls were treated, as it made the payback so much more enjoyable. I would have liked a little more of the witchcraft in the scenes, but ultimately the ending was gratifying.

Don’t Believe It – Charlie Donlea
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
From start to (almost) finish, this thrilling murder mystery kept taking one turn after another to the point where you couldn’t tell what was going to finally come out as the truth. A woman (Grace) who had spent a decade in a foreign prison for murder has reached out to a TV producer (Sidney) known for being able to expose wrongful convictions. But when Sidney begins uncovering far more than what she initially took on, a whole string of other problems emerge. The book is truly a page turner, and it was working toward a five-star rating. And then the twist was not what I expected (which is a good thing). But the ending was bad. I mean, very bad. I read the last chapter and thought “there has to be a sequel. No way it ends like this.” But alas, this is a standalone novel, and its ending leaves several plot holes, unanswered questions, and downright disdain for what could have been a magnificent conclusion to what was, up to that point, my favorite Donlea book so far. Oh well, better luck with his next one.

The Perfect Son – Freida McFadden
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
My second Freida McFadden novel in as many months was much like the last one. The story is fun and intriguing, as it starts out with a woman confessing to murdering a man, but we don’t get his name. Moving forward, we learn of a sociopathic teenager named Liam, who has had more than his fair share of creepy and disturbing moments throughout his young life. I wasn’t a fan of the repeated mentions of animal torture, but it did add a level of creepy. I did figure out the twist several chapters before it happened, but it was still well told, and some of the other revelations caught me off guard. There were some unanswered questions that made me question the ending’s validity, but they weren’t too big as to make the entire story any less credible. Recommended for fans of McFadden’s other works.

Frankenstein: Prodigal  Son – Dean Koontz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I’ve been taking in Koontz books at a rapid pace over the past couple years, and while there have been some decent stories, none have really stuck out to me until now. After reading the first of his Frankenstein series, I want to dive further into these books. I was drawn in from the start, with the history of the creature being brought to modern times and how Victor, still alive and creating new creatures, has cheated death on his own. Add to it a couple serial killers being chased by detectives, and the original creature realizing his creator is still alive, and we have a formula that makes a novel stand out. So, Victor is still creating monsters out of body parts, and has managed to integrate many into the world without suspicion. But now one has gone rogue while another body part killer runs amok, so it’s up to the original monster and a detective to stop the killings and hopefully stop Victor as well. The story is compelling from start to finish, and the characters have been brilliantly modernized, with Victor and his creatures trying to learn the ways of the new world in order to eventually take over. Koontz has a hit with this book, and it’s not a wonder he continued the series with so many later entries.

Catch Her In a Lie – Jess Lourey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The Steinbeck and Reed prequel has the detectives tracking the widow of the last victim of the Sweet Tea Killer. I won’t spoil it for you, but one of the detectives already knows who the killer is. Anyway, the cat and mouse game being played in this one was written to near perfection. I enjoy these two characters, even though this was a much shorter story than the other two in the series. I have yet to read the second novel, but I should be getting to that one here within the next couple months. Fans of a good thriller or mystery series should check these out.

The Last Conversation – Paul Tremblay
⭐️⭐️💫
I’m not sure the last time I read a second person POV story. that made this one a little more interesting but overall, I just could not get into this at all. It was a short read, but it was plodding along and at times I had to keep going back and re-reading parts because I scanned over pages when I got bored. I know the MC is trying to remember his life, and his partner is there supposedly trying to help. After reading Tremblay’s Horror Story, I wanted to get more of his work. Although this one wasn’t so awful that I wouldn’t read the guy again. But it didn’t follow up his last one well at all.

Evening of the Mutated Undead – E Reyes
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
If you’re looking for a good, classic B-Horror /Sci-Fi monster tale, then look no further! This Novela has aliens, monsters, zombies, and grotesque mutations all rolled into one story. The plot is pretty simple-aliens start a sort of chemical warfare that turns humans into mutated zombies with eyeballs growing out of every body part. Which of course means in order to fight these undead mutants, squishing the eyeballs has to be the most common defense. The dialogue is kind of goofy, and it was a bit of a challenge, telling the characters apart. And of course the kill scenes are graphic. This is a pretty quick easy read if you’re looking for a fun monster tale.

The Namaste Slasher – Alan Shivers
⭐⭐⭐⭐
While on a ZOOM meditation call, a woman is seen on camera being decapitated. Thus begins this cheeky slasher (with a hint of humor) about a serial killer in a Buddha mask who violently murders anyone who enters the area. Sound familiar? Well, his name is Ivan Horvat (not Jason Voorhees), and his method of murder harkens back to the 80s slasher style, with body parts flying off left and right. The masked killer also appears to be indestructible, as no amount of counter stabbing seems to phase him. Oh, and did I mention the place is somewhat secluded? Again, the perfect aura for an 80s style slasher. As far as the characters go, I couldn’t really get too connected to any of them, as there were so many running around and they all seemed similar. One thing I’m not big on is killing off a first person narrator. I know it’s not against any of the unspoken rules (I’ve seen big time trad authors do it), but it’s just not my thing. And although I have never been in the situation before, I doubt I’d be worried about flirting and hookups when a slasher is on the loose and just killed a bunch of people right in front of me. Not to give anything away, but we all remember Rule #1 to surviving a horror flick.
Anyway, the book is good for fans of the old school slasher genre, as it meshes so many of the tropes together and doesn’t hold back with the kill scenes. And of course, the door is left open for a sequel.

Twelve Months of Horror – curated by Mallory Cywinski and Karly Latham
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Part of the PICK YOUR POISON series, this collection of titillating terror is perfect for all types of horror fans. Here were my favorites:
“Body on the Beach” by Karly Latham was chilling in its description of the carnage a group of sailors encountered. My only problem was I wanted more. (Hopefully Karly reads this and continues with this story).
If you weren’t already scared of spiders, you might be after reading the creepy “Webs” by Cassandra Daucus.
“Up Snake Road” by Jessica Gleason provided a creepy slow burn vibe as a couple who rented a cabin find another couple already there. That one ended somewhat abruptly, as I would’ve loved for the author to have expanded on the big reveal.
“Swap Meet” by A.D. Jones was a shockingly gruesome tale of why you don’t let strangers into your home.
“Desert People” by Evan Purcell had a terrifying twist that I was not expecting.
“Summoning the Hag” by Jason A. Jones was a perfectly horrifying Halloween tale about who not to bully.
“Merry” by Mallory Cywinski brilliantly shows why you’re never too old to believe in the spirit of Christmas. It could save your life.

The Broken Heart – NJ Gallegos
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shocking and downright tragic in a way, this bloody thriller follows a woman with a severe heart condition battling demons both internally and externally in the form of a horrible husband and a psychotic son. When she receives a heart transplant, it has apparently come from a serial killer that had never been caught. Soon she is dreaming of the killer’s escapades and doesn’t know why she’s experiencing it. That’s quite an intriguing storyline. But unfortunately, we don’t get a lot of backstory on the killer whose heart she now has. The guy apparently died in a car accident without even being identified as this killer. It would have been more interesting to know more about his background, but we never really get that. Instead, we get this deranged woman whose only goal now is to protect her infant daughter (who is pretty much the only likable character in the book). The story is very well written, and it was easy to follow. I just wish there wasn’t such a gaping hole as it related to the identity of the killer who unwittingly donated his heart.

Salem’s Lot – Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
One of, if not the greatest vampire novels ever written, this 1975 masterpiece was only King’s second novel. From start to finish, the creep factor remains high, as the small town of Jerusalem’s Lot is infiltrated by an ancient vampire and his minion. Even fifty years later, this book holds up as a classic in horror literature. It has been adapted for film now three times, with the 2024 Max feature being one of my favorite 2024 horror movies.

I had chills when I read one of my all-time favorite SK lines: “And in the awful heavy silence of the house, as he sat impotently on his bed with his face in his hands, he heard the high, sweet, evil laugh of a child—and then the sucking sounds.”

Home is Where the Bodies Are- Jeneva Rose
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeneva Rose’s latest thriller is a chilling tale about three estranged siblings forced to come together after their mom dies. But while going through the attic, they uncover something more sinister than they could have imagined, and it makes them wonder about whether or not they even knew their parents. The dad disappeared a while back, so there was always this sense of dread about when he was going to pop up and what the siblings would do about it. I love how the author switched up the POV every chapter and frequently jumped back in time to the mom and everything she was going through. The siblings are not all that likable at first (which I believe was done intentionally), but I was still absorbed in the story and couldn’t put it down. The author really builds the tension from beginning to end as to whether or not the secret will come out, and if there are more secrets to uncover. Also, you wonder if anyone else knows of the secrets behind the parents of these siblings. I was not expecting the ending twist that we got (although I did question the possibility of the scenario playing out), and the climax was extremely well written and provided answers to every conflict. Highly recommended!

Hot Blooded – Lisa Jackson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tale of a psycho stalker going after a radio personality who apparently has a past she would like to forget. The prologue starts off strong and draws the reader in, but unfortunately it drags a little after that until the stalker/killer begins to zero in on Sam (the main character/radio personality). From there, we get a better insight as to her past and what has led to the threats she is receiving. Each character appears to be hiding some big secret, and slowly but surely it all comes out. The second half of the book really takes off. We get to know a number of characters, each of whom could be involved with the threats against Sam. The author does a great job writing several chilling scenes leading up to the big reveal, which was unexpected. This novel is the first in a long series surrounding the detectives, and this one pulled me in enough to read more.

Do Not Disturb – Frieda McFadden
⭐⭐⭐1/2
If you read this book and kept perceiving similarities to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, then you’re not alone. The premise is different but with similar themes. A woman (Quinn) is running away and doesn’t want to be caught (although in the book, it’s about murder). She winds up at an old, practically abandoned hotel with a nearby house where someone looks on from a window. There is even a scene that was almost verbatim from the Norman Bates/Marion Crane parlor scene from the movie. And finally, we have two completely separate plots happening in this book. The story of the runaway and her problems is followed by one of the motel owners and the situation they have been dealing with for years. Each story is compelling in its own right, but I wasn’t sure how the various conflicts would be resolved, since they were in no way connected. Eventually, the author did come back around to the first plot, but the twist seemed like a major cop-out. When you’re going from chapter to chapter with a first person POV, and then you reveal one of the main characters has suddenly gone from protagonist to antagonist, you lose credibility when the “protagonist” chapters of the character are of a completely opposite internal mindset than what is revealed as the truth. I love a good mystery when I can’t figure out what’s happening, but this one kept me guessing for all the wrong reasons.

A Whole in the World: White Harbor Book 3 – Carlos Rivera
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The overall storyline of White Harbor and its malevolent past is what pulled me into this series. The final chapter to the trilogy is by far the longest, not to mention the most gruesome and violent. Picking up right after the town blackout, many citizens are going about their business as if nothing was wrong, while others prepare for more chaos from “Blight Harbor,” the evil world connected to the town. The series brings back characters from the previous books, although you don’t want to get too connected to anyone (let’s face it… NO ONE is safe!). Peter Lange appeared to be the main protagonist coming into book three. However in the finale, we have more of an “ensemble cast” with others getting more in-depth scenes. Plus, Peter has seemingly become content with his mother’s atrocities, and is not the likable guy he once was. Martha Lange (and her minion Freddie Parham) are two of the most vile villains I’ve ever seen, and their evil sides show more than in either of the first two novels.
Overall, the plot is fantastic, and the author is a talented storyteller. There is so much going on, though, which makes it hard to follow at times. From my perspective, I would have preferred either a heavy edit of the material, or cutting it into two separate books. Many times, the descriptions and lengthy monologues were unnecessarily prolix. Honestly, this could have been a five or even six book series. But as it is, it tells a terrifying story. If you want to become entrenched in a trilogy of books featuring horrifying monsters and cataclysmic happenings, give it a try!

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 – 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒕
𝐼𝒩𝒟𝐼𝐸 𝐵𝒪𝒪𝒦 𝒪𝐹 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒬𝒰𝒜𝑅𝒯𝐸𝑅
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A fun collection of short stories centering around cursed yard sale items, many of which took me back to my childhood! Items such as lamps, stuffed ferrets, clocks, video games, vacuum cleaners, hairbrushes, antique mirrors, and turntables were more than their buyers had bargained for. One of my favorites, “Watered Down” by AudraKate Gonzalez, tells the story of a wife trying to work things out with her cheating husband, but the sudden addition of a vintage waterbed soon brings terrifying warnings. I also enjoyed “The Billiken” by Dan Rafter, a tale of a shady truckstop dentist who receives some painful good luck after being gifted a doll. Then there was  “Estelle” by Brad Wilkins. It was a nice nostalgic trip back to the VHS days, but a cursed tape is not something I’d have wanted to deal with. “The Screams Were Coming From the Fanny Pack” by Joey Powell wins the award for Favorite Title. It’s also one of the more creatively gruesome tales and will have me never looking at fanny packs the same again. “A Steady Constant” by A.D. Jones will keep me shaving with an electric razor for the foreseeable future. And “Any Way You Slice It” by S.C. Fisher was deliciously twisted.

Overall a strong collection of creepy tales, although I did notice that several stories ended abruptly and could’ve been better with more drawn-out conclusions.

Lies Come True – Emerald O’Brien
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first book in the Avery Hart trilogy introduces the reader to a woman still reeling from an attack by an unknown assailant in a mask when she was a teenager. Now, the person in the mask who was after her appears to have returned and is on a killing rampage. The characters are well developed, and I enjoyed the short, succinct chapters, although some of the dialogue could have been expanded. There is a mystery surrounding the killer’s identity until they discover a primary suspect, even though this person actually being the killer is not confirmed. I liked the characters of Avery and Charla and expect to get more of them throughout the rest of the series. There were several twists near the end that were unexpected. I was not a big fan of the ending, though, as it was anticlimactic and abrupt. I understand there needs to be a lead-in to the next book, but this one just sort of ended out of the blue. Plus, the main character was somewhat forgotten during the final twist at the end. I am intrigued and interested in continuing the series since the conflict in this first story was not resolved, and the twists bring up new questions and possible conflicts.

The Darkness that Binds Us – Jessica Huntley
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
In the second book of Huntley’s Darkness trilogy, we are taken back to Cherry Hollow and what remains of the secrets from decades past. I was rather shocked to find out a main character who survived the first book had died prior to the events of this book. She suffered the same fate as the others who ventured to Beaker Ravine, and her death becomes one of the central plot points of the book. We also get a new family–Beth, Linda, and Alex, who have moved into a familiar house. The pacing is steady, and the author implements the point of view in which each chapter is in the first person of a different character. She has done a great job developing the different personalities with both the returning characters and the new ones. We don’t see as much of the “darkness” from the first book early on, but there’s no doubt it’s looming around these characters. This book was a slow burn as I continued to wonder where it was ultimately headed. With the first chapter already foreshadowing a fiery ending, I was still not expecting what was finally revealed at the end. Although the next book in the series is a prequel, I can see more sequels coming, as the ending left the door wide open.

The Stag and the Mother Moon – D.O. Scissom
⭐⭐⭐1/2
The first publication from author D.O. Scissom is a short dark fantasy tale surrounding two siblings who find themselves in the middle of a religious cult set on sacrificing people in order to appease two beings. The book was a quick read but at times was confusing, as I was not sure why the sacrifices were needed. The backstory of the family lineage was interesting, and the chaos at the end was shocking. I wasn’t a huge fan of how it ended, although it may just be the first story of many in this universe, as questions were left unanswered. I look forward to what this author has in store moving forward.

Bloodline – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In what is arguably my favorite read of the year, Jess Lourey hits a home run with this tale of a 1960s mother-to-be forced to move to her fiance’s hometown after a mugging. But all is not what it seems in this small town, with unsolved child abduction cases, missing person’s cases, and townspeople who are a little too informed of everyone’s business. The creep factor is at its highest, and Lourey brilliantly captures the 1960s feel of how women (especially pregnant women) were treated at the time. This was a read that I couldn’t put down, because of the heart-pounding intensity and just having to know what was going to happen next. The characters were extremely well developed, and you will become emotionally attached to each one (whether positively or negatively). When you don’t know which characters you can trust, it’s a good sign that the ending will be satisfying. And this novel had one of the best twist endings I have read in a long time. When a town and its people seem too good to be true, then they usually are.

NOS4A2 – Joe Hill
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve been anticipating this one for a while, and it (for the most part) did not disappoint. The title suggests a vampire tale, and while the references are there (including kids baring some sharpened teeth), this frightening story is more about how a creepy dude is kept alive by his Rolls Royce Wraith. The man has been snatching kids for Christmasland, a place in another world where kids supposedly celebrate Christmas every day. But all is not fun and games for main character Vic, who is able to create fantasies of her own in the form of a covered bridge that takes her wherever she needs to go. This near 700-page novel was a thriller from the start, with Manx (the antagonist) showing all the qualities of a literary vampire, and the smooth personality that intrigues both adults and children alike. I have only read a few tales by Hill, but this one is currently at the top of my list. If you have the time to invest in a beast of a book, be sure to check this one out.

Memorials – Richard Chizmar
⭐⭐⭐
Author of one of my favorite reads this year (Chasing the Boogeyman), this follow up novel was a slow burn that inched toward a creepy finale, even if the inching seemed to go on forever. Three college students travel around to visit roadside memorials of people killed in car crashes. Their visits are not meant with good cheer from locals who in turn threaten them at times. There also appears to be a satanic symbol popping up everywhere they go (along with people in the shadows), giving them the idea that they are being followed. The terrifying, shared nightmares were a slick twist as we really began to wonder what was going on at these roadside memorials. The last quarter of the book was thrilling, but the finale seemed lazy, with a wild twist that took away the power from the main characters on whom we invested this entire story. The overall plot was intriguing, and the storytelling leading up to the “big reveal” kept me interested, but the ending was a disappointment.

The Book of Cold Cases – Simone St. James
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Have you ever asked yourself, “is it a good idea to befriend an accused killer who was acquitted, but the cases were never solved?” That is what we have when Shea, a medical assistant by day and crime blogger by night, runs into a woman who was exonerated of a double homicide forty years earlier. Learning the intriguing backstory helps keep the story moving along, although some of the flashback scenes dragged for me. The killer’s revelation happened way too soon in my opinion, which took a lot of wind out of the sail when it comes to trying to piece together a mystery. But it did make sense as the novel progressed, and the rest of the backstory came out. I enjoyed most of the characters, with main character Shea being an intriguing investigator. The paranormal aspect was a nice touch, giving the exonerated woman a reason for staying in the town for forty years with everyone thinking she was a killer. Although not her best, it’s a good read for fans of SSJ as well as mystery/thrillers

Cold Fire – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐1/2
Fascinating plot, as a man has the ability to know when a tragic death is about to happen. But he’s only able to know specific people he is supposed to save and does not know why he has this ability. He also wants to keep a low profile, but a journalist tracks him down after connecting him to numerous heroic deeds and tries to discover his backstory. Although a cool storyline, the book dragged after a few of the man’s life saving events, with he and the journalist trying to figure out his past together, as he has become somewhat unsure of his past. At times the story was hard to follow, but it did pick up toward the end when the big reveal came down. Although a good story, this was not one of my favorites by Koontz. I found myself just wanting it to end.

Who’s Killing All My Old Girlfriends – Jon Spoelstra
⭐⭐⭐
The first in the “Old Guys Murder Mystery” series, this book tells of an elderly journalist who is writing a blog about his ex-girlfriends. But after he visits each one, they are murdered. While he is a person of interest after the first one, things get hairy for the guy when the others are murdered, and he has to go into business for himself to solve each one. This book has equal parts good, bad, and ugly. THE GOOD – most of the funny anecdotes at the beginning of each chapter were good for a laugh. The plot itself is intriguing and makes you want to keep going to ultimately uncover the mystery. And there’s a dog (named Beach). That always makes a book better. THE BAD – too many over-the-top grumpy old guy stereotypes the main character espouses. Plus, there’s a lot of telling instead of showing. THE UGLY – the subtle and blatant political commentary (overstating his hatred of political correctness, how he regularly watches FOX “News,” and acting like “defund the police” was a real thing). The naivety and hot button political rants aside, the story was still fun to follow, as there was no one true suspect who would have followed the man to all of his ex-girlfriends’ cities and then kill them. Each murder had different suspects and motives. The big reveal, however, was meh at best. But it was an easy read if nothing else.

Ushers – Joe Hill
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
In this quick, bizarre short story, we are introduced to a normal man with an abnormal ability–he can see when death is about to arrive for someone. It reminded me of Stephen King’s Insomnia (I wonder if the author read that one…) although they aren’t one  in the same. In this case, the main character has averted two major catastrophes and has become a person of interest because of his close connection to the two. It is a well told story that probably could have been expanded to a longer tale if the author wanted to take the time to work a backstory to the main character and then take us through the happenings of the mass casualty incidents. But as it is, this story is a perfect read when you need a chilling tale to take in all-in-one sitting.

Christmas Night of the Scurry Furry – E Reyes
⭐⭐⭐1/2
In what could be called “A Critters Christmas Special,” author E Reyes delivers a holiday horror feast involving little furry monsters that were supposed to be the most popular toy of the holiday season. Instead, these things all come to life while inside a department store and terrorize both customers and employees alike. These vicious little monsters are relentless, and their constant “Hungry!” cries only make them more terrifying. The author does a good job describing the carnage, as you can really picture what is going on in the store. Some of the dialogue seemed a little out of place, but if you want a quick holiday horror tale filled with blood and monsters, give it a try.

Red Christmas – Alice B. Sullivan
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
When the zombie apocalypse hits on Christmas, the undead become a constant reminder of the holiday season to those unlucky enough to have survived. In this short but brutal tale of blood and monsters, the main character (Preston) wanders around an old mall filled with the undead (brilliantly dubbed “carolers”) trying to do some holiday shopping as a tribute to his mother who was killed the year prior. The story is a strong psychological horror story, as Preston tries to survive while living with the guilt of his mom’s death. It’s a tragic tale and one you will easily get through in one sitting.

Your Move – Danielle Maya
⭐⭐⭐⭐The first novella of Stephanie James Publishing’s “Choose Your Own Adventures” series has a fascinating plot, with a child playing chess with the ghost of her recently deceased grandfather. But when friends and teachers from school go missing each time she loses a piece on the board, the real horror begins. This story is a lot of fun to follow along with, although some of the paragraphs were way too long and drawn out for my taste. They might have been better broken up or edited down. Also, the main character tells the story in first person, but as a seven-year-old child, she seems to speak and act like someone much older. I did enjoy the unyielding terror of the entity and how it forced this child to continue playing unless she wanted everyone to die. The finale was fun and unexpected and gives the reader room to interpret what happens next.

Next Move – Mike Minicky
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
From Stephanie James Publishing’s “Choose Your Own Adventures” series, the follow up to Your Move brings back chess mastermind Cynthia, now a grown up with a husband and son, who returns to her old home after the sudden death of her father.  Although written by a different author, the sequel keeps the personality of Cynthia and doesn’t miss a beat by fast forwarding so many years. Once again, she’s playing chess with a paranormal entity and must win or risk losing everyone in her life. But now we discover the backstory of who she’s been playing with and why. Mr. Wilburn was a wonderful antagonist, and Bobbie was well drawn out (although I didn’t care too much for his friends). If you read the first book in the series, be sure to follow up with this next chapter.

The Suicide House – Charlie Donlea
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Donlea’s follow-up to Some Choose Darkness bring back main characters Lane and Rory to investigate happenings at a boarding school in which murders and suicides have become the norm. After two students are brutally murdered, a college professor is suspected as the killer. But he supposedly throws himself in front of a train before he could be captured. Then, three more students who survived the murders do the exact same thing, prompting the investigation. This was a well written mystery, and it will have you guessing right away as to what is really happening at the school and why people keep dying. There were a couple of loose ends that weren’t tied up, but for the most part, this was another solid story from Donlea. He has become one of my go-to authors when I want to read a good, dark thriller.

Goldeneye: Where Bond was Born – Matthew Parker
⭐⭐⭐1/2
As a die-hard James Bond fan, I dove into this one anxious to learn about some of the history surrounding the character’s creator, Ian Fleming. From the author’s days at his estate (Goldeneye) in Jamaica, you learn where some of Bond’s personality came from as well as where Fleming derived a number of scenes for his early books. Fleming does have some Bond in him, as far as his love of women, cigarettes, and alcohol, which is heavily reported. What we don’t get is a true backstory on why Fleming created Bond in the first place. The book does mention most, if not all, of his Bond novels and short stories, most of which were eventually turned into movies. It connects some of the stories with the reality around him (the infancy of the Cold War, for example), but I was hoping for more about Flaming and Bond, as well as his thoughts on the films themselves (those he was alive for anyway). I’d recommend this book to history buffs out there and also fans of early 007 books, but don’t expect this to be heavy on the Bond material.

The Cosmos in Her Hand – Jennifer Cyphers
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My initial reaction is that this is one LONG book. In fact, it probably could have been broken up and released as a series, as it gives off major Walking Dead vibes (only without the zombies). The story is compelling, though–an apocalyptic event hits the world without any rhyme or reason as to why. People just start…dying. The survivors have no idea why they were spared and spend years trying to figure out the mystery of the cause of the mass deaths while doing everything they can to survive. When a traveler appears after seventeen years of the post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors finally feel as if they may have answers. For me, this was the point in which the novel truly picked up steam.
As the story moved along, I noticed some verbosity could have been limited, as many of the scenes seemed to drag and were not entirely necessary for a stand alone novel. It really did have the feel of an episodic series, as you get an entire backstory on almost every primary character (Lev and Kali’s relationship could be a book of its own). But the book did not hold back on what the world might look like decades into a dystopian society, with war and violence being the primary weapons for survival. If you have the time to invest, this story overall is captivating and at times downright shocking.

Along About Midnight – Dorian Sinnott
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When a group of teenagers decide to tempt a local curse, evil ensues, and the kids are left to fight for their lives. This Halloween thriller is equal parts horror and young adult drama, with cursed teen Peter struggling with the loss of his mother, an overprotective father, and a sinister legend in which he has become the primary target. The plot is strong, as are the main characters. Sinnott does veer off to a sub-plot involving fatal masks (Halloween III ring a bell, anyone?) that we don’t get much closure on, but everything else that happens comes full circle by the end, and we do find out what happens when you make a deal with the devil. The main characters are well developed and unique, although there is some verbosity that could have been edited a little more. Given its theme and time of year in which it’s set, this book is a recommended read around the spooky season.   

Majestic Corpse – Amanda Jaeger
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The final chapter of the Emily Ellis Thriller series takes us back into the heart of an artistic cult in which the lead (Mills) has found herself brainwashed and a willing participant after her kidnapping at the end of the initial book in the series. Oddly enough, though, Mills is not the true lead in this novel, as the whole book revolves around her friends trying to rescue her from this bizarre cult in which people are being put into an incinerator and used as art materials (YIKES!) all for the acceptance of some higher power. In reality, the love interest (Stark) seems to get top billing, as he has infiltrated the cult and is trying to find Mills and break her out. This final book in this trilogy is far different from the original serial killer story, as the original killer is long gone by this point and a new antagonist (the Dignitary) has taken center stage. But it does give the reader a satisfying conclusion to Mills and her survival of not only her initial captor who put her in this mess, but the Dignitary as well. My favorite of the trilogy remains the original (Paint By Murders), but this entire series is worth a read if you love a well told thriller. 

Grizzly: A Charity Anthology
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In the “Bear vs. Man” era, I dove into these stories of abuse and survival not entirely sure what to expect. Each author being an SA survivor made the collection much more powerful. With a certain “element” of men too dense to grasp why women choose the bear, these stories might help them understand why this argument developed in the first place. My favorite story was “Teddy” by Kassidy Van Gundy, which told of a childhood teddy bear that we all wish we could have had at some point in our lives. Some other favorites included: “Valley of the Black Bear” by Elizabeth Lynn Blackson – a nonfiction narrative that is blunt and to the point. “The Dead Man” by Bethany Russo makes you wonder how real our nightmares truly are. “Blood in the Snow” by S.R. Fischer and “Jane” by Amber Hathaway are brutal tales of revenge from beyond the grave. And then there’s “Stuffed” by T.M. Lunn which can be described as Build-A-Bear gone horribly wrong.

FunQuiz – Aiden Messer
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
A Tale of Internet Road Rage to the Extreme.
Aiden Messer’s FunQuiz subtly (and brutally) pokes fun at internet trolls and keyboard warriors with this gruesome tale of one psychotic man’s demand for complete power and respect over the people on an app known as FunQuiz. When the threats of violence begin to seem too real, another user attempts to find out the truth, but instead gets much more than he bargained for. In the internet world where we often worry about just how easy it might be for those wishing us harm to find us, this novella hits every nerve and produces an extreme nightmare scenario that makes you wonder just how far someone might go to silence those who hide behind their keyboards to slew insults and disparaging comments. Maybe the next time you feel like fighting with an anonymous troll online, you’ll think of this story…and simply let it go.

You Like It Darker – Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Some of King’s best work is with his shorter tales. This new collection runs the gamut of emotions, from terror, to anger, to excitement, to nostalgia, and even a little sadness. Included is a longer novella, “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” in which a normal man has a random dream about the location of a dead body, and when he finds and reports it, he becomes a target of authorities.  A returning character faces a new horror 40 years later in “Rattlesnakes,” dubbed as the sequel to Cujo (although there are no rabid dogs). Speaking of dogs, “Laurie” introduces a much nicer pooch that has a much better fate (Spoiler, sorry). “The Dreamers” was so creepy that I had to read it all in one sitting. And the slow burn twist of “The Fifth Step” had me roaring by the end. Of course there were some that weren’t as strong, but overall, this collection shows that King hasn’t lost a step and his brilliant mind can still deliver terrifying tales.

Middle of the Night – Riley Sager
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A child (Billy) goes missing out of a tent. Another boy (Ethan), sleeping in the same tent at the time, saw nothing. This is the premise of Sager’s new frightening tale. Sager has become one of my new favorite authors, and this novel is a prime example of why. From the first page on, the frightening story of Billy’s disappearance doesn’t leave the reader’s mind. I’ve always thought that some of the most terrifying stories are ones where there was no conclusion. Where the case was never solved. As creepy things begin happening to Ethan after he returns to the town where Billy disappeared, we are led to believe that the ghost of Billy is haunting Ethan, trying to get him to remember what happened that night. I knew there was a twist coming, but I was not expecting the truth when it came out. Riley Sager is at his best with this novel and has become one who I will continue to follow each time he releases a new book.

The Bad Place – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Going back several decades, this Koontz thriller mixed mystery and humor with the dark and supernatural. The concept is intriguing…a man wakes up and remembers only his name. He has thousands of dollars in cash but no memory of where it came from. Enter a married detective couple who take on his case in the hopes of answering the questions of his past. What follows is the most bizarre and dark story I’ve read from Koontz so far. The antagonist is brutal and unemotional (among other things), and the supernatural element introduced midway through the book was a little bizarre and hard to follow at first. As the story progressed, however, the puzzle pieces began to fit together. The antagonist appeared to be unstoppable, and given his unsettling history, we get to a point where we question if he will indeed be taken down. The twists near the end are clever, and the climax was not what I had expected, but it did make sense. If you are a fan of Koontz, this one is still worth checking out.

The Locked Door – Freida McFadden
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My first attempt at a Freida McFadden book revolves around a surgeon (Nora Davis) with a shady family history that she is trying to hide – her father is a notorious serial killer who murdered women and cut off their hands. While he is serving life in prison, murders using the same M.O. begin, and all are closely tied to Nora. The novel is intense with a strong plot, although I was not much of a fan of Nora. True, she is struggling to keep this big secret, but her personality leaves something to be desired. And the fact that she can’t put the easy puzzle pieces together (that she is a target) regarding the new murders was somewhat annoying. The story did pick up steam near the end, and the twist was not what I’d expected. Decent ending with a clear opening for another story.

I Was a Teenage Slasher – Stephen Graham Jones
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My second Stephen Graham Jones book is one I’ve been anxious to read for several months now. The story is told in the first person POV by a man who claims to have been a slasher when he was seventeen years old. He’s rather low-key and apathetic in his retelling of what happened when he went out and killed several people who had wronged him (due to the slasher disease he had contracted). Some of the stories were quite graphic and provocative, but there were several blocks of time when the storytelling became lukewarm at best. I wasn’t sure if the story of the dead boy rising from his grave was actually what happened or a hallucination (it seemed like he implied both), but his talk of how “slashers” have their own set of rules that they can’t stop even if they wanted to was intriguing. It was somewhat of a nostalgia piece at times, hearing about how certain slasher victims go and do things they wouldn’t normally do because it’s their time to be killed by the slasher. Overall, a fun story told in a unique way from the killer’s perspective.

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward – H.P. Lovecraft
⭐⭐⭐
My first attempt (in a long time) to take in a Lovecraft story is his only published novel, released after his death, no less. It was a struggle to get through the vernacular of the time, and the first half of the book was slow and plodding. Basically this guy (Charles Dexter Ward) finds information on a distant ancestor from the 18th century who committed numerous atrocities. He goes mad attempting to bring the man back to life, and his parents and doctors are trying to discover what he has been up to after learning of the ancestor. The plot is strong, even if the language is a challenge and the paragraphs are extremely long. And it took until well into the story to really understand what Ward was trying to accomplish. The climax was thrilling, and it was fascinating to read about how this man descended into madness. Overall decent, but Lovecraft is probably best in smaller doses.

The Darkness Within Ourselves – Jessica Huntley
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
My latest read from Jessica Huntley is a chilling tale involving a group of people who have kept a childhood secret for years, but have been paying the price ever since the incident happened. Each has some sort of dark entity attached to them, which has ruined their respective lives ever since the fatal incident when they were children. The story is intense, showing the horrors each have lived through and how one discovery changes the course of their lives. This tale was sad, but as the story moved along, I could tell there was a twist or two that had yet to be revealed. Not to give it away, but the shocking turn of events left me stunned. Once I got to the last few chapters, I couldn’t stop reading. Some of the dialogue and narration was drawn out a little too much, but the story was solid, and the characters were believable, with unique and captivating personalities. More books remain in this series, and I am excited to read each one.

Shsskish – Alana K. Drex
⭐⭐⭐1/2
In what could be called Children (and Adults) of the Corn (but bugs replace the corn), this short and twisted tale follows an unfortunate couple who finds trouble in an old town still living hundreds of years in the past. That alone should tell you nothing good is going to come of their misfortune. It’s a cool plot although I question the emotional reactions of the characters when the bad stuff is happening. Oh, and being from central Illinois, I HATE cicadas. So that added an extra element of creepiness for me. Not to give spoilers, but this book is not for fans of happy endings. But it did open with a Def Leppard quote. You can’t go wrong there.

The September House – Carissa Orlando
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
How calm would you be if ghosts talked to you and bit you, and if blood ran down the walls of your house one month a year? This unique take on the haunted house tale was quite the intriguing story right from the start. I did have trouble liking the main character (Margaret), and her missing husband (Hal) was nothing to get excited about either. Then you enter their daughter (Katherine), and you really wonder if anyone in this book is worth rooting for. But when you get to the climax of the story and all hell breaks loose, the reader finally sees the true evil of the house and understands exactly why Margaret was forced to stay. Overall, while I wasn’t a fan of the characters, they were well written and believable. The ghosts were interesting, especially Fredrika who was the only one Margaret would regularly interact with. And the house, with its history and roaming entities, would rival any other famous (fictional) haunted house. Oh, and the ending was superb!

Salem’s Cipher – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐
My latest read from Jess Lourey was a little hard to follow early on. The first chapter was intense, but then it took some time to figure out exactly what was going on. But once the plot was revealed, the story took off, and the antagonists showed themselves to be some of the most vile characters I have ever read. I was anxiously awaiting the fictitious (but oddly familiar sounding) Hermitage Foundation and its leaders to be exposed and disposed of. One of the issues I did have as the story moved along was the technical aspect which went way over my head. The main character (Salem) is trying to decipher clues to find her and her best friend’s kidnapped mothers, and my brain was often scrambled trying to figure out what was happening from one chapter to the next. It did pick up as it moved through the second half with some intense scenes between the main characters (Salem and Bel) and the hitmen. The finale was predictable, though, even if it was satisfying.

The Girl Who Was Taken – Charlie Donlea
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Welcome to the Capture Club – a group of creepy youngsters obsessed with missing persons cases and abductees. Things take a turn for the worse when a girl with close ties to the group is really abducted, another disappears without a trace, and a third ends up dead. Donlea seemed a little too interested in teenage nudity here, but the creepiness aside, it took me a while to really understand what was going on other than two teens had been abducted but one escapes her captor(s). The mystery surrounding the trio was fun to see play out, as more information would trickle in about each one and why they were possibly targeted. Eventually the author gets to the twists and turns (and teases), and every question is answered. The ending was unexpected but in a good way, and it was fun trying to figure out the mysteries of all involved. If you’ve read other books by Donlea, this one is worth checking out.

Stars Like Gasoline – Jessika Grewe Glover
⭐⭐⭐⭐
How can you not like a book that uses the word discombobulated? Anyway, my first read from Jessika Grewe Glover is equal parts paranormal, romance, and thriller (with romance probably getting the most attention). Told mostly in the first-person narration of the main character, Celia, the story revolves around this art curator who has moved into the haunted house of her brother’s deceased fiancé. But we really don’t get much in the way of the hauntings as the book progresses, and instead the plot shifts to Celia’s new relationship with Adrian and her fending off a stalker who has enough money to make her life difficult as long as he would like. There is an intriguing backstory involving several of the secondary characters that connects to Celia which was well thought out. Overall well written, although I was hoping for more scenes with the ghosts.

Nightmares from a Desk – Willie Heredia
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Diving into this collection of short horror tales, I would encounter one of my favorites of the collection, “The Crossing Guard.” This was a twisted tale about a kid named Eric (great name for a character, by the way) who feels there is something off about the school crossing guard (SPOILER ALERT – there is). Throughout the remainder of the stories, we get a warning on what not to do when a suitcase-sized object falls from the sky and how to survive a haunted carnival. You may end up with a fear of not only bees, but you’ll think twice before going antiquing ever again. And there’s always a catch when a cursed fountain pen gives you all of life’s answers. My favorite story was “Dreams In Between,” a chilling tale of how dream stalkers don’t need a glove of knives to be dangerous. Overall, this collection was a fun read and recommended if you want to take in some quick scares.

The Pain Eater – LaShane Arnett
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Strange powers abound in this thrilling tale of a woman (Celia) trying to come to terms with her unique abilities. This book falls more into the category of a romantic thriller, as the budding relationship between the narrator and her best friend seems to take over the plot from time to time. As we dive deeper into the story, the girl’s powers intensify, and she begins trying to comprehend bad things that may be about to happen. I was a little confused at times as to the exact nature of her powers, but we eventually learn about her father and others with similar abilities. The action sequences near the end were my favorite, as the paranormal element came head on, and the reader learns more about Celia’s father and the tragic situation involving her mother. The book is well written, and the characters are all pretty likable. This appears to be the first in a series, or at least it left the door open for a sequel.

Europea Halls – Alan Shivers
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Add this one to the list of books that hooked me in by its cover. Once I read the synopsis, I was sold. A throwback to 80s/90s slasher, this bloody whodunit features a group of teens being stalked by an unknown killer looking to pick off each member of the group one at a time (along with anyone who gets in the way). The chapters are each first-person accounts from different girls in the group. And while I often felt that it was better not to kill off a first-person narrator, I’ve read several more recently published stories in which the narrator dies. So that part didn’t sway my opinion. The real mystery was of course, who’s the killer? This question kept me glued to the pages for the entire story, as the author does a great job of not giving away their identity. I did guess correctly about halfway through, although the motive wasn’t cut and dry. And, in true slasher form, the ending left a big opening for the sequel. Overall, a great read for the spooky season, especially if you love the 80s/90s slasher formula.

The House Across the Lake – Riley Sager
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
4.5 stars. My final Sager book before diving into his latest thriller, The House Across the Lake centers on an alcoholic voyeuristic actress trying to sober up (but having all kinds of trouble) who meets a former model who lives across the lake. The book starts out with a bang, as we already know that the model is about to go missing, and the actress believes the woman’s husband is responsible. She’d already suffered one tragedy on that lake and hopes to avoid another. I enjoyed the beginning and how we dove right into the mindset of the actress when her friend disappears. The pace does slow considerably as Sager goes back in time and tells the story that led to the point of her holding the husband hostage while trying to force him to admit what he’s done. Although not as action-packed, the slow burn until the model disappears is compelling and chilling. The addition of the ex-cop and detective brings more excitement to the plot, and the twist midway through the novel will put you in a completely new mindset.

Devil in the White City – Erik Larson
⭐⭐⭐1/2
3.5 stars. I have been fascinated with the H.H. Holmes story ever since watching the Netflix documentary back in 2020. So this one intrigued me. It wasn’t, however, a book that solely focused on Holmes and his rampage through Chicago at the end of the nineteenth century. The majority of the book focused on the World’s Fair and the challenges faced from the day Chicago was selected as the city where the fair would be located. From issues on location to scheduling issues with getting the fair ready, the book spent more time on the fair’s issues than anything else. The Holmes piece was basically a second story that just so happened to be taking place during the same time period. We do see the “Murder Castle” and hear of the horrors within, but we also get to see beyond the murderer and to the scammer and bigamist who played everyone in his life for his own gain. I wanted to read more into the Holmes story, but if you’re into history, you’ll enjoy both focuses on this book. 

Some Choose Darkness – Charlie Donlea
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
4.5 stars. My second read from Donlea is another thrilling mystery about evils from the past. After forty years in prison, a serial killer known as “The Thief” is being released. For the first half of the book, we are trying to figure out the identity of this man, as the author goes back and forth between the past (prior to his arrest) and the present when he’s about to become a free man. There are so many elements you need to pay attention to as it relates to the characters, but if there was one drawback it was how wordy the author would get all throughout. It seemed like he was explaining the same thing multiple times in order to drive a point across. The final denouement was compelling, though, and it did a wonderful job leading toward the second book in this series. 

One of Us is Dead – Jeneva Rose
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
4.5 stars. This is my first read from Jeneva Rose, and it was certainly an interesting one. It’s sort of a Mean Girls Go Horror, as a group of uptight, entitled women (and their equally entitled husbands) are constantly at each other’s throats until one of them ends up dead. The reader knows from the very beginning that a murder has occurred but not who died and not who became a killer. The mystery is well kept throughout the novel, with little teases thrown in here and there and motives galore as to how each character has someone who wants them dead. I did figure out who had died about halfway through, but I wasn’t sure who the killer was or the ultimate reasoning behind it. The author did a wonderful job stringing the reader along until the final twist and end reveal.

The Listener – Ana Montgomery
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This new thriller pulls no punches in its hard-nosed tale of a serial killer stalking the streets of Los Angeles. Of course there is no mystery as to the identity of the killer, as it is revealed right away that the main character (Heather) is canvassing the streets looking for “bad” people to kill in order to make the world a better place. But her lust for killing overwhelms her, and readers get a front row seat to just how sinister she becomes. Without any real protagonist to root for, we’re left with watching this woman’s hidden pastime unravel in front of us. A few bits of constructive criticism: there were moments in which some of the more crucial scenes could have been expanded (examples of show don’t tell) as they sort of just happened without much build-up. When important scenes are rushed, it can lessen the impact. Also, the book is told in first person but randomly changes into third person a couple times. Beyond that, the plot will keep you reading until the final page, and I can say that I was not expecting that ending!

Elimination: Experiment A, Book 1 – Nikki Haase
⭐⭐⭐1/2
3.5 stars. The first book in the prequel series to Experiment X is a well-written dystopian tale of a government gone mad trying to create human weapons of war by torturing the elemental subjects to see how far they can go and how much they can take. The story is told through the first person narrator, Jack (from the Experiment X series). A number of other characters are present, including Dr. Thaddeus, who runs the program. This series is a powerful look at the savage treatment of innocent people by an evil, powerful entity, and the constant torture scenes were hard to take in. There were only so many “are you okay?” lines you can read after the brutal tortures before the characters all finally die. I often wondered why someone didn’t ask “if you kill all of the weapons off, who’s left to fight?” Don’t expect a happy ending with this one, but with another book in the series, I’m hopeful to see what leads to their ultimate escape.

My Friend Nick – Joseph Hood
⭐⭐⭐⭐
What starts out as a family’s move to a new town turns into a story out of your worst nightmare. For a good majority of this novel, the reader is presented with more of a well-written drama than a horror story. Debbie and Emily have to figure out how to exist in this new life, but demons from the past are knocking on the door. We are not introduced to Nick until well into the second act. But once he appears, you can immediately tell something is off. Soon, we see the pure evil within this child (it reminded me of the movie The Good Son) and the intensity grows as we wonder what horrific thing he is going to do next. But again, the reader sees more of the mother and daughter and their struggles than anything else. By the final act, we do see what the boy is capable of, but unfortunately the ending felt a little rushed, and we’re left not really knowing what has happened to several of the characters.

Horror Movie – Paul Tremblay
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
My first full length novel read from Tremblay is this mega-popular story that hooked me simply by its gorgeous cover. The synopsis sounded good too, don’t get me wrong. Diving into this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and it took a few chapters to get into the flow of how the story was being told. As it moves along, the reader gets to see how the original filming of Horror Movie played out, the actual script of scenes the group filmed in 1993, and the present-day situation where the movie is in the process of a remake. The book is brilliantly laid out as the main character (and lone survivor from the original film) jumps around from past to present. Plus, getting to read the actual script of the movie the characters were trying to make was a nice touch. The crazy twists near the end were certainly unexpected! Highly recommended!

The Midnight Feast – Lucy Foley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This brand-new novel from Foley is another whodunit filled with evil people, secrets and lies, motives to kill, bizarre happenings in a glamorous setting, and dead bodies. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Foley pieced together the present (The Day After the Solstice when they find the first body and the new Monor burned to the ground), the recent past (The Day Before the Solstice and the Solstice in which everyone’s secrets are slowly revealed), and the not-so-recent past (Summer Journal which chronicles the events of fifteen years ago that led up to today). Readers are introduced to a variety of characters, most of whom have a sketchy past they do not want revealed. So many crazy things are happening in this novel that every time I thought I had it figured out, a new twist was thrown into the mix. This novel has vaulted to the top of favorites by Foley, and if you’ve enjoyed anything she has written, you most certainly should check this one out.

Slaughterhouse Five – Kurt Vonnegut
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My quarterly classic read took me back to before I was born and this popular and controversial tale by Kurt Vonnegut. I was a little confused when I started this one but quickly caught up to the plot in which the main character (Billy Pilgrim) has been captured by the German army during World War II. His psychological trauma has him traveling through time, both to the past and to his future. But he seems to always return to the war. For being more than five decades old, this book was fairly easy to follow, and the reader truly feels the struggles of Billy, especially during the time when he is a prisoner. Vonnegut exposes the horrors of war (which is one reason certain groups have often tried to ban it) and holds nothing back in his descriptions. 

Hollow – Mike Salt
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
If there’s one thing that’s for certain when reading a Mike Salt book, it’s that you should never get attached to a character. Oh, and that there are going to be some terrifying creatures. From the spiders to the scene with the teeth, Hollow might just be the author’s most disturbing piece of work yet. It starts pretty quickly with a group heading into the Linkville tunnels to look for their missing friends. And if you know anything from the author’s other books regarding Linkville, nothing good will come from going inside. Then the real fun begins with the group getting lost and separated, finding others also trapped down there, and discovering monsters one could only conjure up in a nightmare. I was a little confused in the middle when the scenes jumped back and forth between groups as it was hard to understand exactly what was going on, but by the end everything was explained.

Code of Reanimation- Lanie Mores
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Lanie Mores returns with another fascinating tale in her Father of Contention series. This time, the focus is on the sister-in-law of the evil Renner Scholtz and her battle against what’s real and what is imaginary. The plot is compelling, beginning with the main character waking up in an empty hospital with no sign of what has happened when she was unconscious. The characters are well written (Renner and Milena are exactly how I remember them from the original novel). The twist midway through the novel was unexpected, and the story’s focus took quite the turn as more characters were introduced, and others took on new personalities. The antagonists were about as evil as one could imagine, and frankly some of them got off easy. Even though I wasn’t the biggest fan of how it ended, this book is my favorite in the series.

Death By Curiosity – Lisa Matthews
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When your book has a dog, you’ve already intrigued me. Anyway, I went into this fun little mystery not really knowing what to expect. What I got was a little humor, a little murder, and a main character who was almost too nosy for her own good. So, a series of murders have occurred, and the authorities think they got their killer. But soon enough, we discover the involvement of a more sinister character who is believed to be behind the deaths (and claims she is a witch). I enjoyed the storyline and how the main character (Armitage) wouldn’t give up trying to get answers about the witch and the recent murders connected to her. At times the narration was a little too wordy and drawn out (with some extensive chapters), but for the most part, the story was easy to follow, the characters were fun, and the ending was satisfying.

Lock Every Door – Riley Sager
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you are looking for a slow burn thriller, check out this Riley Sager gem! A posh NYC hotel is the setting for a series of missing people, all of whom were “Apartment Sitters.” Which is basically someone being paid to live in a beautiful apartment until the new owners take over. But there’s a catch…no visitors, no posting on social media about the people there, no interacting with the actual tenants, and you must have no next of kin. When the newest apartment sitter begins discovering the secrets of this high-rise, a horror beyond your wildest imagination surfaces. This book is entertaining from start to finish. I have now read half a dozen Sager books, and this may be my new favorite.

Bag of Bones – Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐1/2
I got this book a good 25 years ago, started it, and didn’t get all that far. So, now I’m trying again. I think I know why I stopped initially, as the first 100 pages or so are extremely slow and plodding. All we see are Mike Noonan’s failure to write any more books after his wife suddenly died. The novel does pick up when the characters of Mattie and Kyra are introduced, as well as the evil Max Devore and the spirits that are haunting Noonan’s summer home of Sara Laughs. There is an even darker element at play in this house, as Noonan finds out, and the story eventually builds to an exciting finale. Not King’s best, but if you can get through the first twenty percent of the book, you should enjoy the rest.

Tick Tock – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 
With my fourth consecutive month reading Koontz, I stumbled upon this bizarre tale of a demon hell bent on killing a young Vietnamese man (Tommy) who seemed to have forgotten his roots. Enter a young American woman (Del) with a unique sense of humor and a mysterious past and we’ve got a truly entertaining story. So many aspects of this book kept me interested, including the demon seemingly being unstoppable and the mystery of where it came from. Also, Del’s ability to wiggle out of any situation just kept getting more and more bizarre with each chapter. If you are looking for a thrilling story with a healthy dose of humor, check this one out.

Chaos – Cydney Daemon
⭐⭐⭐1/2
This novel is aptly titled, as the characters that the author has created are battling a dystopian world of chaos in every direction. It did take me a while to figure out what was going on, and some of the chapters probably could have been edited down. There were quite a few characters, and I had trouble distinguishing between them at first, but eventually I figured most of them out. I did grow to like Elsey and Henry the most, perhaps because they had special “powers” that they are not supposed to use or even talk about. And Elsey is quite the badass protagonist you wouldn’t want to mess with. As the story progresses, we see the main protagonists grow as they continue to take the fight to the evil entities that surround their town while also hoping to discover who killed their friends. I was a little surprised that the book just sort of ends, which makes me think there’s more coming.

The Woman I Befriended – Sara Kate
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Let me start by saying that paranoia is a bitch! One of my favorite movies growing up was The ‘Burbs with Tom Hanks. A community becomes paranoid about the new neighbors and think they may be serial killers. So they spend the movie trying to find proof. That premise is similar to what we get with this entertaining novel by Sara Kate. The main first person protagonist (Ellie) thinks her new neighbor (Chloe) may be a serial killer, so she befriends her to see if she can find proof. The next thing you know, Ellie has gathered information on a number of missing persons in the area and is emphatically trying to connect them to Chloe. This book is fun and blends elements of dark horror with murder mysteries and even some humor along the way. I’m excited to read the second book in the series.

The Dark Corner, Volume 1 – Anthology
⭐⭐⭐⭐
You can find this collection for FREE at thedarkcorner.blog. Along with my own submission (“Prisoner ZERO”), there are several other short pieces worth diving into. Among them is “A Treacherous Vow” by Jasmine De La Paz, which is written in the form of a letter by Dracula’s first wife Mina to her dead husband. “The Vengeance of the Shrew” by Katharine Hanifen is a chilling tale of brutal revenge. “Pica” by Dan Eady tells a cringe-worthy story about a diet of nothing but ‘roughage.’ And “The Final Cut” by Alex Hunter is a dark, malevolent little piece about a depressed man’s fatal need to silence the whispers in his apartment.

The Trap – Catherine Ryan Howard
⭐⭐⭐
My second read from this author was not as strong as the first (56 Days). The premise is intriguing – women have been going missing without a trace, and the sister of one of the missing will go to any lengths to find her. The confusion of trying to figure out the numerous characters and how they fit in took a while to get straight. It did get better, and the first person chapters with the antagonist were a cool way to introduce him. Unfortunately that’s where the positives ended, as the final act was anticlimactic, and there really wasn’t even an ending. And how the author did choose to end it was extremely disappointing. Not one I’d highly recommend.

Murder Road – Simone St. James
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
My second read by Simone St. James was as thrilling as the first one (The Sun Down Motel). A couple on their honeymoon get lost at night and end up on a dark, spooky road. They find a young girl just sitting on the side of the road, but when they take her in, they discover she has been stabbed multiple times. From there, the couple learns more than they bargained for as it relates to this ominous road and the people who live nearby. While chilling from the start, the novel does drag in places, and the stereotypical “bad cop” routine given off by all of the state cops started getting tiresome after a while. But with a surprise twist at the end, the novel leaves no stone unturned as the stories behind the mysterious happenings are eventually revealed.

The Taken Ones – Jess Lourey
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
NOTE TO POTENTIAL AUTHORS: You can always rope me in with a book that starts off with dogs. Just sayin’. So, my second read from Jess Lourey hooked me in even without the dogs. A woman buried alive brings to life a cold case decades old involving two girls who’d gone missing more than 40 years ago. This plot is chilling in so many ways, and I love the characters, especially Van, the first person narrator. This story has all the ingredients of a dark mystery/thriller, and the twists are fun to piece together until the ultimate conclusion. I always love it when a book grows my interest from the first page all the way until the end. I’ve already added the next book in this series to my TBR.

Odd Thomas – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My next trek into the DK world is the first book of the popular Odd Thomas series. I was drawn in right from the start with the first “case” Odd Thomas was on when we discover he can see spirits, but they can’t verbally speak to him. The main character is brilliantly fleshed out, with his odd (no pun intended) mannerisms to go along with his genuinely good heart as someone who is always trying to do the right thing and help the authorities solve cases, even before they happen. The story did drag a little but, as some of the extraneous prose was probably unnecessary, but it did give the reader a true look into the soul of the man. I was fascinated by the ending, as the twist was not something I saw coming. I will have to keep going with this series.

HorrorScope: A Zodiac Anthology, Volume 4
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The fourth edition to the HorrorScope collection continues the shock and awe from the previous anthologies. Once again we have 36 short stories and poems with zodiac sign connections. Of course some kept my attention better than others. Some of the ones that stood out to me this time were “A House with Two Front Doors” by Jenna Dietzer, a chilling tale into an alternative universe. Also “Sins of the Flesh” by Emma Jamieson made me question ever getting another tattoo. Then there was “Immaculate” by Harriet Everend, which went from zero to horrifyingly brutal in a matter of seconds. Other favorites included “Til Death” by Jena Glover, “Hole of Darkness” by Alyssa Stadnyk, “Immortal Virgo” by Allison Hillier, and “Control” by Anthony Taylor.

My Dark Self – Jessica Huntley
⭐⭐⭐⭐-½ 
“Dogs are one of those wonderful things that make the world a better place.” Okay, how can you not love a book with that line? This is my second (novel) read from the author, and this may have just vaulted to my favorite indie author read of the year so far (and I’ve had a LOT of good indie reads). When her imaginary friend Alicia becomes a little more than just a voice in her head, Josslyn’s world is turned upside down. Alicia has already made her do some awful things over the years, but it’s all about to come to a head when she discovers something that nobody ever wants to discover as an adult. With the perfect amount of shock and awe, and an unexpected twist at the end, this novel takes the reader to a dark place that could only be conjured up in the mind of a horror author.

Phantoms – Dean Koontz
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That’s more like it. After DNFing a Koontz book last month, I flew through this gem in a matter of days. I loved the movie, but the book surpassed it with chilling scenes and exciting characters. There were a number of differences between the two, with far more characters in the book. There were gruesome scenes, and no character was safe, even the main ones! The plot is phenomenal all around and makes you really think about what could have happened to all of those civilizations that disappeared all at once. Perhaps The Ancient Enemy is hiding deep in the darkest parts of the world…

Dracula – Bram Stoker
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Honestly, I had never read this novel until now. Not even back in school (granted I went to a Catholic school – they probably wanted it banned). The story is certainly dated in its language, and it does drag out a bit. Of course it was written in 1897, and most of those classics that are still talked about today are of the longer, more drawn out variety. I also never realized just how little Count Dracula appeared in the novel. It was more about the mystique surrounding him than it was showing the reader who and what he was. Compared to some of the more “sparkly” vampire tales of modern times, this is a gem. If you want to read an old school classic tale of blood sucking monsters, give it a read. 

The Colorado Kid – Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐-½
King’s crime stories have been pretty strong so far. This story is the last one for me to read, and unfortunately it is my least favorite. It is a story within a story, in which a couple very seasoned journalists are telling a young up and coming journalist the story of a case that was never solved – The Colorado Kid. He was a body that turned up on a beach 25 years earlier in a bizarre manner. I was intrigued to figure out the ultimate conclusion, but low and behold, King decided to keep it a mystery. I did like the characters, but at least give us something to contemplate when the story ends. As it was, I could come up with no theory to explain if the guy was murdered or if he just choked to death.

Raven’s Creek – David Jack Fletcher
⭐⭐⭐⭐
What appears to be a simple motel is in reality the sight of monsters, mutants, and psychopathic scientists. I read the first chapter of this novel with my mouth agape. When you can do that to your reader, it’s possible that you’ve got a strong story.  Basically, a couple is looking for the woman who agreed to be a surrogate for their baby, as she has run away for an unknown reason. Gruesome from start to finish, this book did not curtail the violence, shock, and gore. Some of the carnage was a little over the top, but horror fans will want to know how this bloodbath turns out. The twist at the end was certainly a surprise, although I was hoping for a different conclusion. Perhaps there is a sequel in the works that will give the story a true conclusion. Well-written and highly recommended for die-hard horror fanatics.

Hello Dove – Gillian Dowel
⭐⭐⭐⭐-½ 
What happens when a young adult, who has been raised in a strict and uber-religious family, is awakened to realities she’s never experienced? Violence, intimacy, death, and dark secrets are only a few of the lessons Genevieve learns, and author Gillian Dowell does an incredible job of telling the story through her main character’s inexperienced eyes. This book has drama, action, and shocking twists you won’t expect. If there was one thing I wasn’t thrilled with it was the length of some of the chapters. (Genevieve does a lot of thinking and overthinking.) Those could have been either edited down or possibly made into separate chapters. But overall, Hello Dove is a compelling story with strong characters, an intense plot, and a conclusion you won’t forget.

Paperbacks From Hell – Grady Hendrix.
Unfortunately I did not have a chance to finish this one but will continue reading it and will come back with a review at a later date.

The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have been intrigued to keep reading Lucy Foley after The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. This one didn’t immediately invoke the same feelings as the others. Through the first hundred pages or so, I found myself struggling to stay interested. It began well enough with the early reveal of a dead body found during this gathering of eclectic people ready to do some hunting, but there were so many characters, it took a while to differentiate everyone. I’ve also come accustomed to the author’s method of using a different character’s point of view every chapter, which she does with this novel. But at times the characters fell flat, having dull personalities that didn’t make me want to root for them at all. It would pick up right before the halfway point as secrets are revealed about the guests and motives begin to form. I finally began playing super sleuth trying to discover the murderer and the motive…but also the one who was murdered as that was kept secret until near the end. It was a slow start, but is strong ending.

CREATURE FEATURE – short pieces by Joe Hill, Grady Hendrix, Paul Tremblay, Josh Malerman, Jason Mott, and Chandler Baker
⭐⭐⭐⭐-¼
Here we have six short monster stories by a collection of amazing horror writers. Some of these were extremely quick reads (like, less than thirty pages) while others were a little longer. My favorite of the group was “Big Bad” by Chandler Baker (who I have never read before). The story involves monsters of some kind, and its ambiguity as to what the family involved keeps experiencing will keep you guessing. The surprise ending was extremely well written. I also loved “Best of Luck” by Jason Mott (another who I hadn’t read until now) which told a fascinating story of a man having the worst luck who wants to kill his friend who having nothing but great luck. The other stories were decent as well; Hill’s “The Pram” was creepy, and Malerman’s “It Waits in the Woods” started slowly but had a strong ending. I was hoping for more from Hendrix’s “Ankle Snatcher,” and Tremblay’s “In Bloom” was one that, while not terrible, I couldn’t really get into. The collection is certainly worth checking out.

Paper Machete – Amanda Jaeger
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second book of the Emily Ellis trilogy picks up immediately after the shocking end of Paint By Murders. For the first third of the book, it’s a back and forth between the main character (Mills) and her captor (the Volga County serial killer). I was hoping it wouldn’t end up in a Stockholm Syndrome situation, but also, I wasn’t sure where the plot was going. The murder mystery element is no longer present, which I missed, but there is a new, mysterious element as to what The Circle is truly about, and will anyone come looking for Mills. Finally, her friends do begin their search for her, and the story takes off. Being a trilogy, the end happens with several unanswered questions and makes the reader want to keep going.

Wounded – Greta T. Bates
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This short work tells the compelling story of a teenager who faced off with an abusive mother until the mother was sent away to an institution. The plot centers around the teen attempting to rid herself not only of her mother’s hold over her, but also of all the women throughout the history of her family who still haunt her in her daily life. The pace was a little slow at times, but the reader can’t help but feel for the teen trying so hard to escape the horrors she has grown up with. There are only a few characters throughout the book (which made it easier to follow). And the twist at the end during the final encounter with “Mother” was shocking, giving the book a strong conclusion.

Pretty Guilty – K.L. Cottrell
⭐⭐⭐⭐-½
My third read by this author has been my favorite so far. Although a novella, the story starts off strong with a thrilling first chapter (ghosts!) and quickly dives right into the main plot. A woman is being tortured (figuratively) by the spirit of a man she once dated but who was tragically killed when he was hit by a car. The relationship wasn’t all that great, as we discover the longer the story progresses. We get perfectly placed tidbits regarding what happened the night the man was killed which builds to a solid conclusion. A strong piece of writing and a quick, easy read who those who enjoy some ghosts in your romance (and vice versa).

The Silent Corner – Dean Koontz
NA – DNF
For the first time in several years, I did not finish a book. I enjoy Koontz’s work, but I just couldn’t get into this one. The plot sounded intriguing, but it was hard to follow, and I found myself trailing off whenever I was reading. So, I just had no interest in finishing. 

SACKHEAD: The Definitive Retrospective on Friday the 13th Part 2 – R.G. Henning
⭐⭐⭐⭐-½
Nostalgia played a big role in why I was excited to read this book. Friday the 13th Part 2 is my favorite film in the series, and getting to read a book specific to it was exciting. Of course being an ultimate F13 fan, I also read Crystal Lake Memories, which was phenomenal and highly recommended! Even if SACKHEAD wasn’t as good, it was still a cool read. There were character profiles with added information about the actors, and just some general details about the filming and how the movie has held up forty years later (it is a true fan favorite). I wasn’t aware that there were FOUR different actors that filmed scenes as Jason! We get more behind the scenes information on why original Final Girl Alice only had a cameo, and why Part 2 Final Girl Ginny didn’t return for Part 3. We also got probably the closest answer we’ll ever get to the biggest mystery of this film: what happened to Paul? I won’t spoil it, but it was good to get more of an explanation as to what they were thinking with the ending. Highly recommended for any F13 or 80s slasher fan.

The Last Time I Lied – Riley Sager
⭐⭐⭐⭐-½
Some of the best thrillers happen at camp! My latest Sager read took me to Camp Nightengale, where main character Emma returns after 15 years when all her cabin mates vanished mysteriously without a trace. Her return has more to do with finding the truth than anything, and the closer she gets, the more it becomes obvious that someone wants to stop her. I did find this one a little slow at times, as I kept waiting for some big reveal. We do eventually get answers, and the twist at the end was phenomenal. I have three more Sager books to read this year, as he has quickly become one of my favorites.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter – Seth Gramme-Smith
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve wanted to read the story of Honest Abe’s vampire battles since first realizing it existed. Of course I had no idea until the movie was released in 2012. Fast forward more than a decade, and I finally checked this one off the list. But if you read the book after seeing the movie, you’ll discover that almost everything in the novel differs from the film adaptation. I was excited that Abe fought vampires with Jack Armstrong, and his first love Ann was actually (like his mom) killed by a vampire! Basically the stories were quite different, with no real “head” vampire being targeted. It was still an entertaining read, but don’t go in thinking you are reading the adaptation of the film or you’ll be disappointed.

Blackout: White Harbor Book 2 – Carlos Rivera
⭐⭐⭐⭐-½
It’s not always easy for a sequel to outshine the original, but Carlos Rivera has succeeded with the second book in his White Harbor series. From start to finish, Blackout was thrilling, shocking, and extremely entertaining, even if it was a little on the longer side (it could have actually been two books). It took me a few chapters to remember everything from the first book, but once I was up to speed, it was a pretty smooth read. The characters are well drawn out, and the antagonists are the epitome of pure evil. Nothing is off limits to Mother, who looks for revenge by turning White Harbor into the horrific Blight Harbor. The Blue Moon truly brought out the horror of this town, as when the lights go out, everything is fair game. The brutality leveled upon some of the characters was shocking, but it also made you hate Mother even more and root for the survivors. I enjoyed the back and forth in time, especially showing what happened at the Vanek house all those years ago. Knowing there’s more to come made the ending near perfect, as the author leaves his readers wanting more.

She Wants to Play – Anthony Taylor
⭐⭐⭐-½
With a creative and sinister plot, this creepy tale gave off a bit of an I Know What You Did Last Summer revenge vibe. The opening chapter was a great lead-in to the main story.

Many of the death scenes were unique, especially with Selena’s friends. As an 80s slasher fanatic, I do enjoy when characters are introduced and almost immediately killed off. However, the book was very wordy, with too much explanation where it wasn’t needed. That often slowed the momentum down for a book that had some ideal horror villains and great twists. As the first in a series, the book ends with a cliffhanger that leads to the very cool titled sequel She Wants to Play Again.

Jack Forest, Soul Collector – E Reyes
⭐⭐⭐⭐️-½ 
A quick, easy read, this novelette gives me thoughts of a more sinister and brutal version of my novel PUMMELED. A man died, and went to hell, but has returned to battle some of the sickest elements of society.

If there was anything wrong with this story is that it wasn’t long enough. There is so much more to tell regarding this character but I’m happy to read that he will return in future books. If you love revenge tales, this is an easy fix to satisfy that craving. 

Come Closer – Sara Gran
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Late addition to this month’s reading list (thanks, Audible Free Trial), this longtime TBR is my first read by Sara Gran. The novel takes you on a sinister ride through the mind of a haunted soul trapped in her own body after it was taken over by a demon. The unraveling of her life is chronicled through the erratic and violent actions the demon takes while in control. The book has a compelling plot,, and each chilling drop further into madness was exciting to read. I kept waiting for the woman to fight back, though and give us something of a happy ending, but no such luck. Also, the ending was a little too predictable. Still quite terrifying and well written.

JANUARY REVIEWS

Becoming the Boogeyman – Richard Chizmar
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A sequel doesn’t usually outshine the original, but Richard Chizmar has accomplished that feat with Becoming the Boogeyman. A thrill ride from beginning to end, the sequel to Chasing the Boogeyman is brilliantly written. The author stars as the main protagonist, but he exists in a slightly alternate reality where serial killers have spawned these Boogeyman books. Although the original killer is locked up, a new string of killings have begun, with Chizmar being the focal point of the attacks. The tension was high throughout, and the ending was brilliant. Chizmar is becoming a new favorite of mine, and I’m excited to see where he goes with this series.

The Shining – Stephen King
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This rating is a given since it’s a re-read. But it’s been a while and this year I’m diving into a classic novel each quarter. This particular classic is still as terrifying as I remember. (And because it’s a reread I won’t include it in my annual rankings.) Easily one of the top three all time SK novels, The Shining still gives me chills all these years later.

Heart Shaped Box – Joe Hill
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My first read by Joe Hill, I can see the similarities with his father. But Hill brings his own unique style to his writing as is evident in Heart Shaped Box. The story here is compelling- a depressed, aging musician loves owning bizarre (sometimes sickening) items, and when someone advertises a ghost for sale, the musician can’t help himself but to jump at the opportunity. Suffice to say, things don’t go well when you buy a ghost. Using many of the familiar characteristics of a common ghost story, Hill does a good job keeping the suspense high from the moment we first encounter the man in the suit. There were a few cringe scenes for me, but overall I was pleased with how the book ultimately concluded.

Devils That Prey – David Washburn
⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
First and foremost, I love the plot. This scenario is something that could really happen (and probably has in some manner). The antagonists were pure evil and vicious, and at one point, I sensed there would be no survivors.

The book could use some more editing, as it was a little too wordy in spots, especially during the fights. The author used a number of passive sentences and had some issues with the “show don’t tell” mantra. But despite this, I was still intrigued at how this gruesome tale was going to end (and I really wanted to see  the rednecks get brutalized). My guess is that there is a sequel in the works, as the unresolved ending leaves the door wide open for more hillbilly carnage.

Amethyst – Brooklyn Dean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If Stephen King wrote a diary of Annie Wilkes (Misery), it would sound similar to what we get in  Amethyst. Bexley is on a dark path, and the reader experiences her journey through her own thoughts and actions regarding Reed, the musician over whom she suddenly becomes obsessed. We see the inner workings of this deeply haunted graphic artist and writer and her extremely frightening obsession with a man she has never met in person but feels is connected to her. This book is easy to read – the prose is extremely articulate, and the author is meticulous in detailing everything Bexley has noticed about Reed. It did seem to drag in some chapters, but about 70 percent of the way through, sinister happenings begin, as this woman’s mental state begins to deteriorate beyond repair until it reaches a shocking end. Fans of psychological thrillers will not be disappointed.

DECEMBER REVIEWS

Home Before Dark – Riley Sager
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
I am thrilled to have discovered Sager’s work, and this book is another reason. Told as a book within a book, the author goes back and forth from present time to a book written by the main character’s father. This novel felt like a modernized version of The Amityville Horror, with the family moving out of their supposedly haunted house only for a book to be written about it. Of course it’s all fiction in this case, and when the main character goes back to sell the house (which she didn’t even know her father still owned until his death), she begins to wonder if the tales in his book were actually real and not lies, as she has believed her whole life. 

HorrorStor – Grady Hendrix
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
The final work of fiction that I hadn’t read from Hendrix wasn’t his best. It also wasn’t his worst either. The way this was written, with the Orsk store being promoted as a real place, was brilliant. I enjoyed how they discover this evil portal to a past penitentiary that takes over the store, and the characters stuck have to struggle to find their way out. The characters weren’t the most likable, but you will want to read until the end to see who escapes. I was intrigued by the cliffhanger ending. I don’t know if this means there will be a follow-up novel, or if it’s just one of those things where you will have to imagine how the story ultimately ends. Overall, if you’re a Hendrix fan, it’s worth a read.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Dorian Sinnott
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For the first book in the new indie author horror book club (Thor Thoughts), I was taken in by the holiday theme of this chilling novel, which was written more as a series of short stories that were all interconnected. Bringing in classic Christmas characters (Santa, Jack Frost, Krampus, and Elf on a Shelf for example) and giving them sinister plotlines can be a dangerous strategy, but the author pulls it off brilliantly with a well written story and characters you want to follow. It got to be a little confusing at times as the stories began to blend together, and I’m usually not a fan of young children being killed, but overall this book was a thrilling and well written holiday tale!

Immersion – Dzintra Sullivan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first book in the Apala Clan series, we learn that a human can find love in a dragon. Pretty original, right! I love the name of the main character, Payton Hunter (for personal reasons), and her personality was fierce! When she is saved by the dragons, a secret connection is discovered between them that is not well received by either side. Add in that Payton is working for an evil monster in human form (or is he?), and the conflicts begin to pile up. The story is a strong one and the characters are fun. I enjoyed the dragon clan and their no nonsense approach to everything. There are also Phoenix and wolves, so fans of these creatures will not be disappointed.

When Words Waver – Sana Khatri
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
The final recommendation from my “12 Book Suggestions From 12 Friends” list can be considered Hallmark After Hours! For those who love a little spice in their reading, this one’s for you. The main characters are Myles, a contractor hired to work on the home occupied by Corrina, who is voluntarily mute due to a traumatic event from her childhood. They connect, but her grandfather (who owns the home) is not okay with the two of them being together. That appears to be the central conflict in the story but does not keep them apart. The story is well written, and those who love romance stories will enjoy the playful banter (among other things) between the main characters.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐧 – 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐳𝐦𝐚𝐫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After reading the Gwendy series that Chizmar co-authored with Stephen King, I had to dive into his other solo work, more specifically the Boogeyman series. The novel did start off slow, with a bit of a historical teaching session to start us off, but when it took off, it was a page turner that I couldn’t put down. This novel is a little different than your normal serial killer story. The main character is the author himself, telling the story of “The Boogeyman,” a killer who terrorized his hometown years ago. He does incorporate some real life happenings but also assures the readers in the Author’s Notes that the serial killer did not actually exist. But it still reads like a true crime retelling, filled with suspenseful moments that had me trying to figure out the killer’s identity. I am excited to get to the sequel which I plan to read in January.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 – 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
My first read by Simone St. James has been in my TBR for a year, and I’m glad I finally got around to it. This chilling tale of ghosts and murder at a run down motel was brilliantly told through two timelines with mysteries being investigated in both. Once it all comes together, and the timelines connect, the reader gets a satisfying, if not predictable ending. But I will say the last couple chapters did give me chills. Overall it’s a good read that I would recommend to fans of ghost stories and dark mysteries. 

𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 – 𝐊.𝐋. 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My “12 Book Ideas From 12 Friends” selection is the second book in the Light Trilogy from K.L. Cottell. This book could have been separated into two books of completely different genres, as there are two main plots in this novel. There’s the romance story of Gabe and Marienne (who act like a couple of lovestruck teenagers most of the book), and there’s the dark fantasy/sci-fi story of the Light against the Hellions. As a horror/action guy, I was drawn to the intense battle scenes that were extremely well written. I’m not as much into the love story, but that’s not to say it wasn’t also well written and meaningful to the overall story. The author has created a powerful world with intriguing characters and it will be fun to see how this trilogy comes to a head.

𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟑 – 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
The final chapter of the Hope Quest trilogy brings the reader back to the mysterious characters from the previous stories. Title character Hope is discovering who she really is while her two brothers fight tooth and nail to keep her safe from The Order, who want to make her their weapon. This final entry was a much shorter read, but it does give the story a conclusion that’s been building throughout the trilogy. If you haven’t read the Hope Quest trilogy and you are a fan of dark YA fantasy, check the series out. 

𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥 – 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Mike Salt gives us a taste of what we all have asked ourselves at one point or another: what would we do to see a loved one once more after they passed away? This chilling story surrounds Rob, who lost his son years ago in a tragic accident, but who is given the unbelievable instructions on how to get him back- sacrifice another person’s soul to hell. But as with every contract, you need to read the fine print. The characters are fun, the story is solid, and you want to know how it turns out. The only flaws I found with this story were a few typos scattered around, but the story itself was brilliantly told.

I’ve now read three of Salt’s books in the Linkville horror series and anxiously await reading the next one (Hollow).