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Inside The Devil's Nest
Real estate agent Anthony Graham has his family on the run after witnessing a murder at the hands of the powerful Costello crime family.
They’re forced to hide at one of Anthony’s properties: a deserted campground with a sinister past.
No one is safe from the men that hunt them or the terrors that await them inside The Devil’s Nest.
They’re forced to hide at one of Anthony’s properties: a deserted campground with a sinister past.
No one is safe from the men that hunt them or the terrors that await them inside The Devil’s Nest.
270 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2023
126 people are currently reading
2,509 people want to read
About the author
John Durgin
24 books499 followersJohn Durgin is a proud active HWA member and lifelong horror fan. Growing up in New Hampshire, he discovered Stephen King much younger than most probably should have, reading IT before he reached high school—and knew from that moment on he wanted to write horror. He had his first story accepted in the summer of 2021 in the Beach Bodies anthology through DarkLit Press. His debut novel, The Cursed Among Us was released June 3, 2022, and went on to become an Amazon bestseller. Next up, his sophomore novel titled Inside The Devil’s Nest, released in January of 2023, followed by his debut collection, Sleeping In The Fire in June of 2023. In 2024 he is set to release two more novels, Kosa through DarkLit Press and Consumed by Evil through Crystal Lake Publishing.
Twitter- @jdurgin1084
Website- www.johndurginauthor.com
Instagram- @durginpencildrawings
TikTok- @johndurgin_author
Twitter- @jdurgin1084
Website- www.johndurginauthor.com
Instagram- @durginpencildrawings
TikTok- @johndurgin_author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
February 21, 2023
4.5 ⛧⛧⛧⛧
Inside The Devil's Nest had me hooked from the very gruesome beginning.
It's a fast-paced, eerie, atmospheric, terrifying tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the savage finale. Whether you are a horror fanatic or being introduced to the genre for the first time, you don't want to skip this book.
Inside The Devil's Nest had me hooked from the very gruesome beginning.
It's a fast-paced, eerie, atmospheric, terrifying tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the savage finale. Whether you are a horror fanatic or being introduced to the genre for the first time, you don't want to skip this book.
January 17, 2023
One of my favorite reads of 2022 and I can finally tell y'all about it! I was thrilled to get an ARC of this book from John Durgin. As soon as I read the prologue, I knew this one was going to be a hit! It opens with creepy, culty goodness leaving you with so many questions and dying to find out what happened during the cult's ritual. After the prologue we're introduced to our MC Anthony who is a successful real estate agent. He is caught in the middle of some fun mob boss crime action and forced to go on the run with his family to try and protect them from head mobster Vincent. He takes them to an old campground that he owns called The Bird's Nest. He intended to flip the property for profit, but no one wanted to buy a place that the locals call The Devil's Nest.
The characters in this novel were so well written. Anthony is mostly a good husband and father but has some huge anger issues brought up whenever he's stressed, running from the mob has definitely got him stressed. His wife Holly is a great wife and mother, her only issue (as stated multiple times by her husband) is sarcasm. As a Gen X sarcasm queen, I felt she was perfectly normal and lovely. His anger issues plus her constant sarcastic quips equals marital problems that only get worse as they are forced into extreme circumstances.
The couple have two kids, daughter Allie is an angsty teenager that is deeply troubled by the marital issues her parents are having. I loved Allie because she has inherited her mother's sarcastic nature beautifully. Son Spencer is such a sweet kid. He's also more mature and knowledgeable than his parents and sister give him credit for. Also joining us in the shenanigans are the caretaker of the property, Cole. He seems like a super solid dude. He's an army vet and seems to know a more about the property and it's past than he's letting on. He has a son living with him, Teagan, who is a hard-working, sweet-natured young man. But he also seems like he knows more than he's saying.
To add to the intense stress of the mob possibly showing up at any time to take everyone out, the family starts having visions. And there is a pond on the property that is apparently off limits. There are so many twists throughout this story, times when I was clutching my pearls (or, you know, the strings on my hoodie) or just staring at the page with my mouth open. It was such an entertaining combination of cult horror, haunting, and crime thriller that it was hard to tell what was going to scare you next. There were some truly intense moments throughout and it was wrapped up perfectly with a satisfying and climactic ending.
John Durgin has become an instant buy author for me, and this is just his second novel! I can't wait to see what he does next. Go add this to your TBR now, highly recommend!
The characters in this novel were so well written. Anthony is mostly a good husband and father but has some huge anger issues brought up whenever he's stressed, running from the mob has definitely got him stressed. His wife Holly is a great wife and mother, her only issue (as stated multiple times by her husband) is sarcasm. As a Gen X sarcasm queen, I felt she was perfectly normal and lovely. His anger issues plus her constant sarcastic quips equals marital problems that only get worse as they are forced into extreme circumstances.
The couple have two kids, daughter Allie is an angsty teenager that is deeply troubled by the marital issues her parents are having. I loved Allie because she has inherited her mother's sarcastic nature beautifully. Son Spencer is such a sweet kid. He's also more mature and knowledgeable than his parents and sister give him credit for. Also joining us in the shenanigans are the caretaker of the property, Cole. He seems like a super solid dude. He's an army vet and seems to know a more about the property and it's past than he's letting on. He has a son living with him, Teagan, who is a hard-working, sweet-natured young man. But he also seems like he knows more than he's saying.
To add to the intense stress of the mob possibly showing up at any time to take everyone out, the family starts having visions. And there is a pond on the property that is apparently off limits. There are so many twists throughout this story, times when I was clutching my pearls (or, you know, the strings on my hoodie) or just staring at the page with my mouth open. It was such an entertaining combination of cult horror, haunting, and crime thriller that it was hard to tell what was going to scare you next. There were some truly intense moments throughout and it was wrapped up perfectly with a satisfying and climactic ending.
John Durgin has become an instant buy author for me, and this is just his second novel! I can't wait to see what he does next. Go add this to your TBR now, highly recommend!
May 11, 2023
Creepy Wrapped With Tension!
Small backstory:
Anthony Graham a real estate agent that got involved with a crime family witnesses them murdering his friend Hank. Anthony escapes even though he knows they saw him and know that he witnessed the killing. Anthony gets his wife and kids then heads out of state to a remote location where he owns a cabin from one of his real estate properties.
Though unbeknownst to Anthony the cabin and property have some local legend of where a cult leader and followers died in the past. Escaping the crime family is really the least of his problems as what awaits for Anthony and his family at the remote property could very well be worst than what a crime family could do to him!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory so if you are intrigued than go check out this book!
Thoughts:
This was my second book by author, John Durgin and what an action packed haunting story it turned out to be! This book starts out with a bang and doesn't let up all the way through the story as Durgin keeps the "pedal to the metal" pushed down at full throttle with tons of action, suspense, and tension!
This book literally kept my insomnia fueled a few nights as I just had a hard time putting the book down! I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next and I kept telling myself one more chapter, but one chapter would turn into four chapters!
Looking forward to more books by this author in the future as his writing style is top notch with me! Giving this book five "Spooky Apparition" stars!
Small backstory:
Anthony Graham a real estate agent that got involved with a crime family witnesses them murdering his friend Hank. Anthony escapes even though he knows they saw him and know that he witnessed the killing. Anthony gets his wife and kids then heads out of state to a remote location where he owns a cabin from one of his real estate properties.
Though unbeknownst to Anthony the cabin and property have some local legend of where a cult leader and followers died in the past. Escaping the crime family is really the least of his problems as what awaits for Anthony and his family at the remote property could very well be worst than what a crime family could do to him!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory so if you are intrigued than go check out this book!
Thoughts:
This was my second book by author, John Durgin and what an action packed haunting story it turned out to be! This book starts out with a bang and doesn't let up all the way through the story as Durgin keeps the "pedal to the metal" pushed down at full throttle with tons of action, suspense, and tension!
This book literally kept my insomnia fueled a few nights as I just had a hard time putting the book down! I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next and I kept telling myself one more chapter, but one chapter would turn into four chapters!
Looking forward to more books by this author in the future as his writing style is top notch with me! Giving this book five "Spooky Apparition" stars!
June 29, 2024
Inside The Devil's Nest is about a family who's on the run and ends up in the clutches of a supernatural cult.
This is my first John Durgin novel. It started strong and carried forward with a nice, quick flow. The characters were flawed, and the violence was impactful. I enjoyed Durgin's writing and I'll be on the look out for more of his work.
I think my only issue is that I keep reading books about cults because I think I like them, but I'm realizing I don't. They're always the same: charismatic but evil leader, zealous followers, desperately needy gods. I'm kinda over it. But for anyone else that enjoys cult horror, this one is a must read.
This is my first John Durgin novel. It started strong and carried forward with a nice, quick flow. The characters were flawed, and the violence was impactful. I enjoyed Durgin's writing and I'll be on the look out for more of his work.
I think my only issue is that I keep reading books about cults because I think I like them, but I'm realizing I don't. They're always the same: charismatic but evil leader, zealous followers, desperately needy gods. I'm kinda over it. But for anyone else that enjoys cult horror, this one is a must read.
July 26, 2023
This is exactly what I needed right now. A fast paced horror with a family on the run from the mob. But that goes south fast as the place they're taking refuge at ends up being scarier than the mob themselves. The plot that made me like it is kinda spoilery, so I can't go into details. I'm glad it lived up to the expectations I had set. Yay for me!
January 8, 2023
REVIEW: Inside the Devil's Nest by John Durgin (5 Stars)
Every now and then a book comes along that doesn’t pull its punches. John Durgin’s, Inside The Devil’s Nest, is one of those rare treats. It’s a rip-roaring ride full of fury and fear and doesn’t stop to let you catch your breath. Part gritty mob drama, part supernatural horror, it’s as much Ozark as it is The Shining, yet something wholly its own. Durgin has outdone himself with this one.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC a few months ago, and I tore through it in just a few sittings. Durgin's debut novel, The Cursed Among Us, was my favorite read released in 2022, so I went into this one with high hopes; however, I didn't go into it with unfair expectations. There was room for growth in Cursed, so more than anything, I was excited to see if he was going to step his game up.
Boy, did he ever...
When I reviewed his first novel, I praised its brutal prologue and the Stranger Things-esque teenage protagonists. In this one, Durgin takes the aforementioned hint of darkness, lets a group of complex adult characters marinate it, and then spins an unapologetically horrific yarn. What results is a frenzied, more mature vision of terror that is every bit as entertaining as it is shocking.
Every now and then a book comes along that doesn’t pull its punches. John Durgin’s, Inside The Devil’s Nest, is one of those rare treats. It’s a rip-roaring ride full of fury and fear and doesn’t stop to let you catch your breath. Part gritty mob drama, part supernatural horror, it’s as much Ozark as it is The Shining, yet something wholly its own. Durgin has outdone himself with this one.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC a few months ago, and I tore through it in just a few sittings. Durgin's debut novel, The Cursed Among Us, was my favorite read released in 2022, so I went into this one with high hopes; however, I didn't go into it with unfair expectations. There was room for growth in Cursed, so more than anything, I was excited to see if he was going to step his game up.
Boy, did he ever...
When I reviewed his first novel, I praised its brutal prologue and the Stranger Things-esque teenage protagonists. In this one, Durgin takes the aforementioned hint of darkness, lets a group of complex adult characters marinate it, and then spins an unapologetically horrific yarn. What results is a frenzied, more mature vision of terror that is every bit as entertaining as it is shocking.
May 8, 2023
I purchased Inside the Devil's Nest by John Durgin when I first saw the publisher announce its release on Instagram. The cover caught my eye immediately and the description was promising. A New York City real estate agent runs into trouble with the mob and flees with his family to an old deserted campground in New England, where an even worse fate awaits.
The books starts with a little flash from the past, giving us a taste of what happened at the campground long ago. It then jumps to the present day where we are immediately thrown into the life of Anthony Graham, which is anything but ordinary. He leads a busy life as a high producing real estate agent and his busy life is about to take a terrible turn. This book was full throttle from the start and I don't feel the intensity ever let up. No slow burn here! The horror was creepy, dark, and at times quite gruesome.
This being my second Durgin novel, I can now fairly say that one thing I enjoy about his writing is how he portrays the kids in his stories. They're very bright, even if their parents don't realize it. The kids know what's going on. Durgin writes the kid characters in a way that remind me of my own childhood, they are so believable.
I also saw a lot of nods to Stephen King in this book. I won't give anything away. I'll just say if you're a King fan, you should read this!
My only tiny complaint is that some of the plot twists were slightly over-explained after they happened. It was explained in the narrative, and again in dialogue between the characters. This isn't a big enough complaint to take away from my enjoyment of the story at all! I give Inside the Devil's Nest 4 out of 5 stars and I'm looking forward to reading Durgin's upcoming books!
The books starts with a little flash from the past, giving us a taste of what happened at the campground long ago. It then jumps to the present day where we are immediately thrown into the life of Anthony Graham, which is anything but ordinary. He leads a busy life as a high producing real estate agent and his busy life is about to take a terrible turn. This book was full throttle from the start and I don't feel the intensity ever let up. No slow burn here! The horror was creepy, dark, and at times quite gruesome.
This being my second Durgin novel, I can now fairly say that one thing I enjoy about his writing is how he portrays the kids in his stories. They're very bright, even if their parents don't realize it. The kids know what's going on. Durgin writes the kid characters in a way that remind me of my own childhood, they are so believable.
I also saw a lot of nods to Stephen King in this book. I won't give anything away. I'll just say if you're a King fan, you should read this!
My only tiny complaint is that some of the plot twists were slightly over-explained after they happened. It was explained in the narrative, and again in dialogue between the characters. This isn't a big enough complaint to take away from my enjoyment of the story at all! I give Inside the Devil's Nest 4 out of 5 stars and I'm looking forward to reading Durgin's upcoming books!
January 15, 2023
Wow, that was one creepy ass story, which I didn’t want to end.
I love my extreme horror, but sometimes it’s good to read a book which just has the creep factor, and gives you the heebie jeebies.
Real Estate business owner Anthony, witnesses a murder by the local mob, and takes his family on the run. They travel to an old camping ground which is no longer in use, and which Anthony purchased for a cheap buck. The camping ground, is surrounded by superstition, and rumours from the locals who are now too frightened to visit, because of something evil which happened several years previously.
This book grabs your attention from the ‘get go’ and continues through until the explosive end.
This was a brilliantly creepy horror story, which kept my attention all the way through, and one which I highly recommend.
Thanks to the author John Durgin, who sent me this as an ARC, in return for an honest review. I’ll definitely be reading a lot more from him.
A well deserved
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!!
Release Date: January 27th 2023 via Amazon
I love my extreme horror, but sometimes it’s good to read a book which just has the creep factor, and gives you the heebie jeebies.
Real Estate business owner Anthony, witnesses a murder by the local mob, and takes his family on the run. They travel to an old camping ground which is no longer in use, and which Anthony purchased for a cheap buck. The camping ground, is surrounded by superstition, and rumours from the locals who are now too frightened to visit, because of something evil which happened several years previously.
This book grabs your attention from the ‘get go’ and continues through until the explosive end.
This was a brilliantly creepy horror story, which kept my attention all the way through, and one which I highly recommend.
Thanks to the author John Durgin, who sent me this as an ARC, in return for an honest review. I’ll definitely be reading a lot more from him.
A well deserved
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!!
Release Date: January 27th 2023 via Amazon
January 30, 2023
This appears to be added twice on GR. Please see review on other one, published January 17th 2023 ☺️
May 31, 2023
Inside The Devils Nest is another amazing book by John Durgin. I read The Cursed Among Us when it first came out and really enjoyed that but this was even better.
We follow Anthony a real estate agent who gets mixed up with a mob boss and sees something he shouldn't have. Anthony is now on the run with his wife and two kids with the mob in pursuit.
They decide to lay low at a small rural farm he has been trying to sell but is off the books. This farm has an interesting past and was used by a religious cult and its followers years prior before everyone suddenly disappeared. He cant sell the property due to the superstitions surrounding the place.
Anthony teams up with the caretaker of the farm a disabled veteran waiting to see if the mob will find out where they are laying low. The cult members however never left and strange and creepy incidents start to occur where Anthony realises he has put his family in more danger than the mob ever could have.
It all leads to a disturbing, disgusting and creepy showdown where we figure out the true intentions of the cult and what is in store for the family.
John's writing is beautiful the way he describes the locations, our familys interpersonal relationships with each other and the absolute dread which resonates throughout the book is top notch. This is atmospheric and that constant feeling of tension I had reading it along with the relentless violence and horror of the finale results in another amazing book. Traditional horror writing at it's best.
We follow Anthony a real estate agent who gets mixed up with a mob boss and sees something he shouldn't have. Anthony is now on the run with his wife and two kids with the mob in pursuit.
They decide to lay low at a small rural farm he has been trying to sell but is off the books. This farm has an interesting past and was used by a religious cult and its followers years prior before everyone suddenly disappeared. He cant sell the property due to the superstitions surrounding the place.
Anthony teams up with the caretaker of the farm a disabled veteran waiting to see if the mob will find out where they are laying low. The cult members however never left and strange and creepy incidents start to occur where Anthony realises he has put his family in more danger than the mob ever could have.
It all leads to a disturbing, disgusting and creepy showdown where we figure out the true intentions of the cult and what is in store for the family.
John's writing is beautiful the way he describes the locations, our familys interpersonal relationships with each other and the absolute dread which resonates throughout the book is top notch. This is atmospheric and that constant feeling of tension I had reading it along with the relentless violence and horror of the finale results in another amazing book. Traditional horror writing at it's best.
January 16, 2023
Last year, I had the pleasure of reading John’s debut novel, ‘The Cursed Among Us.’ It was a fast-paced, coming-of-age novel that was really enjoyable. It was a debut that many people enjoyed and got them super excited for his second novel. When John reached out to see if I’d want to review an early digital ARC of his next release, ‘Inside the Devil’s Nest,’ I said absolutely.
I went in completely blind, not knowing anything about it and I think that was richly rewarding.
What I liked: The story follows a family, forced to flee their home in the city when the father sees something he shouldn’t. He’s a real estate developer, and luckily for them, he had previously purchased a campground outside of the city. The locals say its cursed and he hasn’t been able to sell it, so it makes for a perfect hiding spot – at least on paper.
From here, Durgin weaves a mystery within a supernatural cult thriller, one that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. There’s a lot of pieces that need to be placed within the puzzle and John masterfully throws some down for us right away, while holding others back, allowing us to find them on our own.
Each character has a specific role within the story and I think that’s one of the strengths of this release. As well, Durgin’s writing, at least I found, was significantly more mature in this one. It reads more confidently, showing his growth and willingness to take risks while ensuring the story progresses and we get rewards based off of those risks.
The ending is great – cathartic, emotional and what you would expect from the set up.
What I didn’t like: I think some of the cult stuff at the beginning might have been stronger in the story if it had been teased out. We get everything shared at once in an information dump and the characters seem to just accept it as truth and not react with incredulity.
Why you should buy this: Durgin is quickly cementing himself as must-read and this book will make fans of his debut really happy. For new readers, this is a cult thriller that’ll have you stopping and starting repeatedly, the fear created on each page palpable throughout.
Really well done.
I went in completely blind, not knowing anything about it and I think that was richly rewarding.
What I liked: The story follows a family, forced to flee their home in the city when the father sees something he shouldn’t. He’s a real estate developer, and luckily for them, he had previously purchased a campground outside of the city. The locals say its cursed and he hasn’t been able to sell it, so it makes for a perfect hiding spot – at least on paper.
From here, Durgin weaves a mystery within a supernatural cult thriller, one that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. There’s a lot of pieces that need to be placed within the puzzle and John masterfully throws some down for us right away, while holding others back, allowing us to find them on our own.
Each character has a specific role within the story and I think that’s one of the strengths of this release. As well, Durgin’s writing, at least I found, was significantly more mature in this one. It reads more confidently, showing his growth and willingness to take risks while ensuring the story progresses and we get rewards based off of those risks.
The ending is great – cathartic, emotional and what you would expect from the set up.
What I didn’t like: I think some of the cult stuff at the beginning might have been stronger in the story if it had been teased out. We get everything shared at once in an information dump and the characters seem to just accept it as truth and not react with incredulity.
Why you should buy this: Durgin is quickly cementing himself as must-read and this book will make fans of his debut really happy. For new readers, this is a cult thriller that’ll have you stopping and starting repeatedly, the fear created on each page palpable throughout.
Really well done.
July 23, 2023
This was a genuinely fantastic story, which I cannot recommend highly enough to horror fans.
Inside The Devil's Nest was an absolute treat to read! I was glued to this book, from the first horrifying chapter to the breathtaking finale.
Brilliantly written, and I look forward to reading more of this talented author's work.
Inside The Devil's Nest was an absolute treat to read! I was glued to this book, from the first horrifying chapter to the breathtaking finale.
Brilliantly written, and I look forward to reading more of this talented author's work.
February 10, 2023
Finished this book last night and I absolutely loved it. It was so good, so creepy and fast paced. It started off with some action and just kept getting better and better. So many things happened that I wasn't expecting. Definitely check this one out 😉 you will love it and
January 28, 2023
Inside the Devil’s Nest follows Anthony, a real estate owner, and his family. What starts off as a mostly normal family changes dramatically when Anthony is witness to a murder involving the local mob. Now he must take his family and run. The only place he thinks they can seek refuge is at a campground he bought. He’s had no luck moving the property, so it’s currently off the market. The place is secluded, and the locals want nothing to do with it. It’s the perfect location to hide and figure out where they'll go from here. Only it isn’t. What the Graham family discovers will change their lives forever.
The characters were well done. Anthony was such an intense character. You could feel it throughout the whole book. His anger issues shine and all the turbulence in his marriage with Holly are front and center. The constant bickering, the toll it takes on the couple and more so how it affects the children. I sympathized with Holly as more of their relationship issues came to light. Her struggles were well captured. Cole and Teagan also bring so much to the story. I must admit that Cole was my favorite character. He’s tough as nails but also a big softie that is willing to do whatever to keep his son and the Graham family safe.
This was my first time reading Durgin’s work, and I have to say he has created one hell of a story. It started out tense and it only escalated from there. Before the middle of the book my nerves were shot. It is a nonstop roller coaster of emotions. Anger, sadness, dread, fear, shock. It is all crammed into these pages. Durgin drops us right into the action and you have no choice but to buckle up and watch the nightmare unfold. As pieces of the story start coming together, it feels like one gut punch after another with all the shocking twists. I raced through the pages with bated breath to see how this was going to end and was not disappointed. Fantastic nail biter! If you enjoy thrilling, fast-paced reads, get this book. It's definitely going in my top reads for the year.
The characters were well done. Anthony was such an intense character. You could feel it throughout the whole book. His anger issues shine and all the turbulence in his marriage with Holly are front and center. The constant bickering, the toll it takes on the couple and more so how it affects the children. I sympathized with Holly as more of their relationship issues came to light. Her struggles were well captured. Cole and Teagan also bring so much to the story. I must admit that Cole was my favorite character. He’s tough as nails but also a big softie that is willing to do whatever to keep his son and the Graham family safe.
This was my first time reading Durgin’s work, and I have to say he has created one hell of a story. It started out tense and it only escalated from there. Before the middle of the book my nerves were shot. It is a nonstop roller coaster of emotions. Anger, sadness, dread, fear, shock. It is all crammed into these pages. Durgin drops us right into the action and you have no choice but to buckle up and watch the nightmare unfold. As pieces of the story start coming together, it feels like one gut punch after another with all the shocking twists. I raced through the pages with bated breath to see how this was going to end and was not disappointed. Fantastic nail biter! If you enjoy thrilling, fast-paced reads, get this book. It's definitely going in my top reads for the year.
January 14, 2024
This book took me in from page 1.
A very strong beginning. At 50% it slowed down a bit to my feeling, but then picked up speed again until the very end.
What a read! Scary, creepy, unsettling.
I just wished I didn't read chapter 12; it haunts me.
The characters are likeable, though I was annoyed now and then with the parents not overcoming their issues.
Even in the mids of disaster not being able to reach out to each other. Poor children.
There were many twists and turns. Things I didn't see coming and gave nice surprises to new horrors to experience.
Happy ending? That depends for who, or what you see as a happy ending.
For me it is 5/5, when an author is able to draw me into his story and let me live there and see and feel all the horrors. And this story certainly did.
A very strong beginning. At 50% it slowed down a bit to my feeling, but then picked up speed again until the very end.
What a read! Scary, creepy, unsettling.
I just wished I didn't read chapter 12; it haunts me.
The characters are likeable, though I was annoyed now and then with the parents not overcoming their issues.
Even in the mids of disaster not being able to reach out to each other. Poor children.
There were many twists and turns. Things I didn't see coming and gave nice surprises to new horrors to experience.
Happy ending? That depends for who, or what you see as a happy ending.
For me it is 5/5, when an author is able to draw me into his story and let me live there and see and feel all the horrors. And this story certainly did.
February 13, 2024
I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!
June 7, 2023
I received an audiobook version from John in exchange for a review. This was my first time experiencing his work and I loved it.
That real estate agent is going to be haunting me for days to come. Cults? Woods? Scary body of water? No thanks!
Enjoy the thrills and chills when you read this, I know I did!
That real estate agent is going to be haunting me for days to come. Cults? Woods? Scary body of water? No thanks!
Enjoy the thrills and chills when you read this, I know I did!
February 9, 2023
Durgin delivers once again with an entertaining read that lulls you into a false sense of pulling punches until the finale. Family drama, a criminal organization, a cult, a possible eldritch horror, real estate's deals, all the horrors are there, what more could you want?
January 7, 2023
John Durgin has outdone himself! This book is a vicious and twisted story of a man who will do anything to save his marriage and children.
If you read his first novel, The Cursed Among Us, you know that John Durgin is a genius at setting up the scene. His attention to the details add a certain depth that draws you into his stories right away. He likes to jump right into the story, holding nothing back. This book is like watching a movie play through your mind. The character build up is fantastic. The inner dialogue of each character and their interactions with other people or their surroundings flows smoothly. The action in this book is savage and gory. And it just keeps on giving. The ending will blow you away!
Anthony is a real estate agent that witnesses a crime that puts himself and his family in danger. Fortunately, when they needed to flee their home, he has an old campground he purchased years ago. With his wife, Holly, and two kids; 16 year old Allie and 8 year old Spencer, they rush to the campground to hide in hopes of never being found. When they arrive, the caretaker, Cole, and his son Teagan, help them feel safe and help them settle in. As soon as they arrive, some of them begin to have visions. There is an evil being lurking nearby, waiting for the right moment to attack both families.
I zoomed through this story. I was on edge for most of the time, anxiously wanting to find out what happens to everyone. There are so many different feelings while reading this story. I was angry, scared, and sad. I highly recommend reading this one. It is for everyone who loves a good horror story. You can’t go wrong picking this one up. I can see you putting this one on your favorites list at the end of the year. You have got to put John Durgin on your list of go-to authors, he is that good.
If you read his first novel, The Cursed Among Us, you know that John Durgin is a genius at setting up the scene. His attention to the details add a certain depth that draws you into his stories right away. He likes to jump right into the story, holding nothing back. This book is like watching a movie play through your mind. The character build up is fantastic. The inner dialogue of each character and their interactions with other people or their surroundings flows smoothly. The action in this book is savage and gory. And it just keeps on giving. The ending will blow you away!
Anthony is a real estate agent that witnesses a crime that puts himself and his family in danger. Fortunately, when they needed to flee their home, he has an old campground he purchased years ago. With his wife, Holly, and two kids; 16 year old Allie and 8 year old Spencer, they rush to the campground to hide in hopes of never being found. When they arrive, the caretaker, Cole, and his son Teagan, help them feel safe and help them settle in. As soon as they arrive, some of them begin to have visions. There is an evil being lurking nearby, waiting for the right moment to attack both families.
I zoomed through this story. I was on edge for most of the time, anxiously wanting to find out what happens to everyone. There are so many different feelings while reading this story. I was angry, scared, and sad. I highly recommend reading this one. It is for everyone who loves a good horror story. You can’t go wrong picking this one up. I can see you putting this one on your favorites list at the end of the year. You have got to put John Durgin on your list of go-to authors, he is that good.
October 6, 2023
Early on, my brain connected the plot “suburban family gets tangled up with mob” directly to Ozark, and from there on in, I pictured the main character as Jason Bateman with anger issues.
Besides the setting of the eerie green pond and woods, I found the story itself, while slightly gory, lacked anything that would send chills down my spine. But to be fair, the ghost kids and algae Jim Jones were putting in the work.
The story played out like a movie, really ramps up and becomes action-packed and dynamic with the multiple POVS of all the characters.
I was clutching my pearls and rooting for Cole and Momma Bear until the very end!
Besides the setting of the eerie green pond and woods, I found the story itself, while slightly gory, lacked anything that would send chills down my spine. But to be fair, the ghost kids and algae Jim Jones were putting in the work.
The story played out like a movie, really ramps up and becomes action-packed and dynamic with the multiple POVS of all the characters.
I was clutching my pearls and rooting for Cole and Momma Bear until the very end!
January 7, 2023
I loved this book. The conflict begins on page one, and the rest of the novel is one crazy turn after the next, unrelenting until the final page. I always enjoy a story where two different types of threats come from separate angles that you know will collide into a massive, chaotic finale, and Inside the Devil’s Nest does this extremely well. This is the second book I’ve read from John Durgin, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both.
January 17, 2023
On the run from a family of brutal mobsters, the Graham family seeks refuge in an abandoned camp, only to find something all the more terrifying waiting at the bottom of a pond. This novel navigates between family drama, crime thriller, to eerie horror without missing a step. A fantastic read.
January 7, 2023
A fantastic sophomore effort by Mr. Durgin. If you thought The Cursed Among Us was a great read last year, this one will blow you away. If you think you know where this story is going, you will be completely wrong by the end. I don't wanna give any of the book away, but lets just say you'll really feel for 'some' of the family.
August 12, 2024
A "The Shining" wannabe with poor writing.
March 2, 2023
***This review might be mildly spoilery, but nothing too detailed or specific.
I seem to be the only person giving this one a lower rating. I thought it was alright, but there were several elements that just didn’t work for me. All the stuff with the mobsters felt so cliche. Those scenes took away from the horror of the rest of the book despite the extreme violence because of all the tough guy dialogue.
The writing was fine for the most part, but there were some awkward sentences here and there. Example: “Her skin was pale white, with green lines branching out under the skin.”
Also, there were a few scenes that were borrowed directly from The Shining. A lot of books and movies do this, but the problem is that a lot of books and movies do this.
What I DID like: the setting. Everything about the campground and especially the descriptions of the pond. Very atmospheric and unique. That stuff was what kept me reading! Fun and spooky visuals, creepy antagonists.
I seem to be the only person giving this one a lower rating. I thought it was alright, but there were several elements that just didn’t work for me. All the stuff with the mobsters felt so cliche. Those scenes took away from the horror of the rest of the book despite the extreme violence because of all the tough guy dialogue.
The writing was fine for the most part, but there were some awkward sentences here and there. Example: “Her skin was pale white, with green lines branching out under the skin.”
Also, there were a few scenes that were borrowed directly from The Shining. A lot of books and movies do this, but the problem is that a lot of books and movies do this.
What I DID like: the setting. Everything about the campground and especially the descriptions of the pond. Very atmospheric and unique. That stuff was what kept me reading! Fun and spooky visuals, creepy antagonists.
January 14, 2023
Inside The Devil’s Nest by John Durgin is a terrifying tale with so many layers. It will keep you guessing while you hold your breath, nervous to see what horrors will come next.
My goodness this one had horror flying in from all angles! The action and terror really started off with a bang, and it doesn’t let up. In just the first few chapters, I kept having to remind myself to breathe! There’s so much dread dripping off of every page and just when you think there may be a little hope, that hope sinks faster than a rock thrown into a pond.
The horrific atmosphere is so thick here. I usually cruise right through books when I’m loving the terror, but this one actually unsettled me so much, I had to keep putting it down!
Horror fans, you need this book!
Check out my full review here:
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/insid...
My goodness this one had horror flying in from all angles! The action and terror really started off with a bang, and it doesn’t let up. In just the first few chapters, I kept having to remind myself to breathe! There’s so much dread dripping off of every page and just when you think there may be a little hope, that hope sinks faster than a rock thrown into a pond.
The horrific atmosphere is so thick here. I usually cruise right through books when I’m loving the terror, but this one actually unsettled me so much, I had to keep putting it down!
Horror fans, you need this book!
Check out my full review here:
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/insid...
January 7, 2023
John Durgin's sophomore novel plays notes from King's The Shining, but adds a fresh harmony and dynamic new rhythms. Inside the Devil's Nest is a tale of family and loss, mob bosses and cult leaders, threaded throughout with genuine chills and near-unbearable tension.
February 19, 2023
just wow
This story was incredible!
I’m in awe at how well it was written, reading it mainly before bed, left me with insane dreams and thoughts. The whole story was just so captivating and really sucked me in.
Highly recommend!!
This story was incredible!
I’m in awe at how well it was written, reading it mainly before bed, left me with insane dreams and thoughts. The whole story was just so captivating and really sucked me in.
Highly recommend!!
January 10, 2023
Loved this! Review to come.
September 22, 2023
Review to come.
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