“Laws of Depravity” by Eriq La Salle was an incredible read, especially if you love serial killer crime novels. It’s the first book I’ve ever read by “Laws of Depravity” by Eriq La Salle was an incredible read, especially if you love serial killer crime novels. It’s the first book I’ve ever read by La Salle, and wow, what a powerhouse of a read! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
Before I dive into my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Religion-inspired kills - Sexual assault - Sexual misconduct
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, I loved the fast-paced nature of this novel. It’s 400 pages, and it just flies by as it feels like you’re watching an episode of a TV crime thriller show set in my beautiful city of New York.
Once you eventually meet The Martyr Maker right from the start, he will blow your mind. My goodness, he’ll go down as one of the craziest villains I’ve ever read in a novel. I enjoyed all the scenes he was in, as well as the insane opening, which set the tone for the rest of the story.
Besides The Martyr Maker, I also connected with the characters of Detectives Cavanaugh and Freeman. The whole detective cat-and-mouse style of writing, as they pursued this serial killer, made for a fantastic reading experience. From the graphic violence to character development, I was drawn in by the novel's psychological aspects, particularly its religious undertones, and why these murders were even happening.
The climactic race to the end was a fun one, especially with all the wild plot twists. I have to give credit to La Salle for writing such great suspense all the way to that ending. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything, but wow, that was such a fun ride.
I give “Laws of Depravity” by Eriq La Salle a perfect 5/5 for being one of the best thrillers I’ve read in years. The murders, characters, events, and plot twists were next level, and best of all? I had no idea this was a part of a series that continues on, as it was a novel given to me by a friend. Overall, this was an excellent murder mystery with a good vs. evil theme and a religious-fueled serial killer twist. La Salle’s writing style was superb, and even though it’s more of a murder mystery, it does flirt with horror in several scenes. It gave me major Se7en vibes as it’s a perfect book to devour over a weekend. I’m excited to continue reading the rest of this book series....more
“All Men Must Die: A Short Story of Found Footage Horror” by Duncan Ralston is a concise 30-page short story that is perfect for fellow metalhead horr“All Men Must Die: A Short Story of Found Footage Horror” by Duncan Ralston is a concise 30-page short story that is perfect for fellow metalhead horror readers like myself. It’s short, sweet, and straight to the point.
There were no trigger warnings I found while reading, and if you love found footage horror movies as much as I do, this is a great story that is along those lines. This feels like an episode of the V/H/S horror anthology series. As a huge metalhead, the almighty SLAYER is my all-time favorite band, and it made me smile seeing Kerry King referenced in this book. As a matter of fact, there are several metal bands and festival references which was fun to see.
There is a nice buildup towards a fantastic plot twist, which was the highlight of the story. I wasn’t sure where things were going to go, but when it did towards the end, it was magnificent. I’ve always loved reading Duncan Ralson, ever since I first read “WOOM” back in 2022. His writing style rocks, but my only complaint here is that I wish this had a bit more horror.
Don’t get me wrong, this did the job for me as a horror reader, and there is only so much you can do in just 30 pages. That’s my only critique; I was hoping for a little more in the horror department. This was very good, but not extraordinary.
I give “All Men Must Die: A Short Story of Found Footage Horror” by Duncan Ralston a 4/5 for being a thrilling read that will check most of the boxes for metalhead horror book lovers. The found footage style of writing was excellent, and Ralston once again proved why he’s one of my favorite horror authors. I wish it were just a bit creepier or more splatterpunk to a degree, but aside from that, I highly recommend it. Read this while listening to Slayer for proper reading ambience \m/...more
“Down into the Sea” by Dan Franklin is an intriguing book for those seeking a “A Little Mermaid” with a horror twist. The book cover drew me in, and I“Down into the Sea” by Dan Franklin is an intriguing book for those seeking a “A Little Mermaid” with a horror twist. The book cover drew me in, and I was excited to see where this story would take me. It was a decent read, but it left me wanting more.
Before I dive into my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading...
- Domestic abuse - Violence against dogs - Homophobic slurs - Bullying - School shootings
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this is the first time I’ve ever read Franklin, as he has a solid writing style and told a pretty interesting story. I’ve never read mermaid horror before, so this unique concept intrigued me. I enjoyed the main characters, Eric and R’hial, but this book needed more of what initially hooked me. I wanted more mermaid horror, and it ultimately fell a bit flat for me in that area.
All the gory, bloody, violent scenes with R’hial were fantastic. Franklin did a great job with these few scenes. The only issue I had was that “Down into the Sea” becomes too slow-paced due to the heavy dialogue interspersed with the horror. Several times while reading, I felt that the story dragged on.
If this book had been trimmed down a bit to make it tighter without the excess dialogue, it would have been a better horror read. Aside from that, I did enjoy the ending, especially the climactic part, which had a great buildup. Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but it was one of several reasons I loved R’hial’s scenes.
I give “Down into the Sea” by Dan Franklin a 3/5 for being an okay read with a good story and characters, but it needed a bigger injection of horror. I wanted more crazy horror scenes with R’hial and less dialogue. I enjoyed it as it wasn’t terrible, but nothing extraordinary. If you love sea or mermaid horror, this is worth the read, especially if you want more story than horror. Either way, I plan to read more of Franklin’s work since he has a new fan in me....more
“Ushers” by Joe Hill is one of those kinds of horror short stories that will hit you at the end with such a stunning plot twist, you’ll make a face, a“Ushers” by Joe Hill is one of those kinds of horror short stories that will hit you at the end with such a stunning plot twist, you’ll make a face, and be blown away. At just 29 pages, this sharp horror mystery delivers a chilling punch in 30 minutes or less, perfect for a bedtime read.
Before I dive into my book review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Drugs - Drug addiction - School shootings - Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this book hits you with a horror mystery right off the bat. Hill did a masterful job with character building, as I was initially confused about what was going on involving Martin Lorensen. Don’t worry, I’d never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but this book blew my mind once you follow the story, and the big, creepy reveal hits.
It was pretty awesome towards the end, and I loved how Hill wrote this in the format of police interviews to set the tone for one hell of a short rollercoaster ride. Brilliantly executed in a way I’ve come to love about Hill’s writing style. It all made sense once everything unraveled.
I give “Ushers” by Joe Hill a 5/5 for being excellent and checking all the boxes I look for in a horror book. It leaves a lasting impression, making you eye others warily long after you finish....more
“I HOPE YOU HAVE NIGHTMARES ABOUT ME” by Amanda Ruzsa is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and wow, what a wild, powerhouse of a read! I l“I HOPE YOU HAVE NIGHTMARES ABOUT ME” by Amanda Ruzsa is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and wow, what a wild, powerhouse of a read! I loved how quickly I devoured this book, since I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it.
Before I begin my review, there are a ton of trigger warnings for this book. They are…
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, I started this book on Friday the 13th, the only Friday the 13th in 2025, and was blown away. I loved Ruzsa’s writing style and was amazed that she was able to pack a book barely 100 pages long with such intensity.
Right from the start, you’re thrown into the initial story, which is very graphic domestic abuse, and then the story spirals into jaw-dropping chaos. I was hooked from the start, and then, a drop-the-mic plot twist hit me hard at the 30% mark. I was shocked, but then what transpired next was something I would have never expected.
Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but let’s just say that if you love female revenge horror, you'll love this book. It’s a genuine page-turner, with some brilliantly written gory horror. I made many weird faces while reading.
Besides all the sheer gore in this book, I enjoyed a little Stephen King reference, which made me smile big. Speaking of King, I also loved how Ruzsa wrote this in a similar style to CARRIE, with blogged news excerpts which added another layer of immersion to the story.
As for the ending, I was hoping for more, but it made sense in the grand scheme of things. It wasn’t terrible, but I craved a gorier showdown to match the peak of the main story. I enjoyed it, and it was close to perfection, but either way, I’m excited to read more of Ruzsa’s work.
I give “I HOPE YOU HAVE NIGHTMARES ABOUT ME” by Amanda Ruzsa a 4/5 for being a fantastic book that is short, sweet, and straight to the point. I’m a huge fan of female rage/revenge horror books, and this is up there with the best of them. I will never forget this book, especially with those incredible female revenge killings.
“The Lake” by Tananarive Due is a brief short story that will ensure you will never look at a lake the same way again. I’ve been a massive fan of Due’“The Lake” by Tananarive Due is a brief short story that will ensure you will never look at a lake the same way again. I’ve been a massive fan of Due’s work ever since I read her masterpiece novel “The Good House.” She’s a phenomenal horror author, and I recently got a book haul of most of her books, which included this short story.
Her writing style is fantastic, and in just 20 pages, she wrote a memorable piece with some freaky body horror. I made a few weird faces while reading those parts. No spoilers here, but let’s just say it’ll make you look at specific body parts twice to make sure you’re good.
You can read this book in no time at all, and for the most part, I loved it. Due’s brilliant writing, especially during reality and dream sequences, was fantastic. I just wish there was a bit more horror with another killer plot twist, especially with how this book ended, to give me a perfect reading experience. This was solid, but just needed something else to seal the deal. Either way, this was a memorable read that further solidifies my love and appreciation for her work.
I give “The Lake” by Tananarive Due a 4/5 for being a short, sweet, and straight-to-the-point horror story. If you love horror that revolves around a lake and what could go wrong when you swim in it, give this book a whirl. It’s creepy, and at least for me, I will never swim in a lake ever again....more
“Never Flinch” by Stephen King has been one of the most anticipated horror books of 2025, and rightfully so. In what began with the incredible Mr. Mer“Never Flinch” by Stephen King has been one of the most anticipated horror books of 2025, and rightfully so. In what began with the incredible Mr. Mercedes trilogy, it ultimately became the catalyst for one of King’s most beloved characters, Holly Gibney. I couldn’t wait to dive into this novel, and as always with King, he didn’t disappoint.
For everyone planning to read this novel, please note that there are six books to read beforehand. Here is the exact order for each book featuring Holly Gibney...
- Mr. Mercedes - Finders Keepers - End of Watch - The Outsider - If It Bleeds - Holly - Never Flinch
Before I begin my review, there are numerous trigger warnings I found while reading. They are…
- Drug addiction - Sex offenders - AA - COVID - Vaccinations - Masking - Religion - Child sex offenders - Cancer - Sexual abuse - Violence and death against animals (birds, squirrels, and small animals) - Drugs - Child pornography - Anthrax - Abortion - Suicide - Rape - Homophobic slurs - Holocaust - 9/11 - Religion
If any of these trigger you while reading, please do not read this novel. Moving along, it was great to see what Holly has been up to after the events of “Holly.” Now that she’s much older, you get to see how she’s matured since then. Her journey from the original trilogy to where she is now has always been fascinating for me.
As I continued reading, I enjoyed all the subtle references to the previous books about Holly, particularly in how complex her character is and how she continues to search for herself in the world. She continues to be a brilliant underdog in the grand scheme of things, and watching her try to figure out what is going on during this story was a lot of fun.
Speaking of references, King throws a few, especially a big one to one of his most famous novels. No spoilers here, but it made me smile from ear to ear when you catch it.
As much as Holly was the star of this novel, the main antagonist, Trig, was an insane one. I’m talking beyond evil, psychotic, and demented. Combine that with reading Holly’s thought process, her little quirks, and how she discovered things as they unfolded, and it was one hell of a reading experience.
King once again does King things in adding another layer to this story by introducing another antagonist, but I won’t ruin anything for you. Let’s just say, you have several stories going on at the same time, with Holly trying to make sense of it all. Even though I wouldn’t say this was a straight-up terrifying read as you would want from King, it’s more along the lines of a brilliant crime mystery novel told by a master storyteller.
The characters, atmospheric writing, and the climactic race to the end had “Never Flinch” being a genuine page-turner for me. My favorite part is how King eventually weaves all these little stories into the main story, and you’re hooked beyond belief. Keep in mind, this is a slow-burn novel, but make no mistake about it, it’s worth the read because the suspense is built up over time, eventually getting to pure madness.
This is hard to achieve as an author, but needless to say, King delivered and then some. It all led to an ending that was so wild, I read it twice. The tension, visuals, and final moments were fantastic. I also loved how King went over the aftermath in the final chapter, and well, let’s just say, what Uncle Stevie usually loves to do with his endings… he does here.
As for Holly, for those curious as to why so many of us Constant Readers simply love this character, it’s pretty simple. She’s as real as they come and is so relatable. We all have a little Holly in us, whether you feel awkward during random life moments, blurt out things you didn’t think carefully enough to say, or just see and hear things that stand out to you but to no one else, it just makes you stand out uniquely in a sea of conformity. At least to me, it's loud and clear as to what Holly represents and is all about.
Be real. Be weird. Don’t take life so seriously. Most of all, don’t ever change who you are. It might take you longer than most to figure things out and navigate in life, but you’ll get there. If Holly can do it, anyone can. I completely see why King himself has said numerous times in interviews that he’s always wondering what Holly would do, how she would figure life out, and so on. If you’ve read all seven books she’s in, she’s impactful, influential, and above all else, unforgettable.
I give “Never Flinch” by Stephen King a 5/5 for being such an extraordinary reading experience. It’s a novel to deeply appreciate if you have read and enjoyed every book Holly has been in, as it’s the best one yet. The evolution of Holly from the start to now has been delightful to be a part of. She’s one of my all-time favorite characters that King has ever written, and that’s saying something.
Will we get more Holly Gibney in the future? I sure hope so. Only time will tell, but for now, I’ll leave this review as Holly would because after that mind-blowing, drop-the-mic ending, it’s simply perfect.
“Blank Space” by John Durgin is a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while, since the cover immediately grabbed my attention. I’m so glad I finally “Blank Space” by John Durgin is a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while, since the cover immediately grabbed my attention. I’m so glad I finally got around to it because it’s such a powerhouse of a read. If you enjoy haunted house books involving ghosts and children, this horror book is for you.
Before I begin my review, I found the following trigger warnings while reading…
- Violence against small animals - Violence against children - Foster homes - Drinking and driving - Child abuse
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this is the third book I’ve read by Durgin, and he’s one hell of an author. I love his writing style, which brings a modern twist to horror topics we’ve seen done before, but in a more refreshing way.
Right from the start, the introduction to this book completely blew me away. I always approach a horror book with a clear mind, knowing nothing of what to expect from the descriptions, to immerse myself in it. The way everything started in this book had me hooked beyond belief. The sheer violence, gore, and madness set the tone for the rest of the book. I loved the fantastic story, on top of all the horror, which centered on foster kids and what happens when you bring one into your home, only to find that you get something straight out of a demonic horror movie.
I never read a story like this that tapped into horror, emotional loss, family, children, and more. I also loved the levity of some of the most hilarious dad jokes I’ve ever heard. These corny dad jokes, sprinkled amidst the gore, added surprising levity. There was one joke that had me laughing out loud for about two minutes straight.
There was also a moment that sent a chill down my spine early on in the book. Don’t worry. I’d never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but yeah, Durgin got me good there, and it creeped me out. That was creepy as hell.
“Blank Space” was a genuine page-turner, and if it weren’t for starting this in the middle of my work week, I would have finished this in a single read. It’s the perfect day off or weekend horror read, clocking in at just 114 pages. It’s a brilliantly written ghost story, and one of the most original ones I’ve ever read. The characters are memorable, and I was utterly engaged in the story until the very end.
Speaking of which, my goodness, that ending was awesome. I loved how all the built-up suspense and tension delivered one hell of a conclusion. The sheer terror was tremendous, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I wasn’t sure how it would end. Durgin delivered and then some, where everything came together nicely, and I finished this book with a big smile on my face. I got my horror fix in a book I’ll remember for many years to come.
I give “Blank Space” by John Durgin a 5/5 for being one of the most unique horror stories I’ve ever read. The story was top-notch, the malignant specter that haunted these pages left its mark, and I’d consider this a must-read for horror readers. Especially those of you who want to enjoy a captivating story about the whole foster kids process taken to nightmarish levels you never thought possible....more
“Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories” by Nick Roberts is a fantastic collection of horror short stories. I’ve been a massive fan of his work ever sinc“Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories” by Nick Roberts is a fantastic collection of horror short stories. I’ve been a massive fan of his work ever since I first read “The Exorcist’s House,” which is a 5/5 horror novel masterpiece for me. Anything he writes, I’ve always enjoyed, and this was no exception.
Before I dive into my review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Drugs - Drug addiction - Violence against animals - Death of animals - Suicide - Drug overdose - Drinking and driving
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this short story collection. Moving along, I love the intro by Felix Blackwell, which sets the tone and reminds everyone why we all love reading horror. Immediately after Blackwell’s introduction, that first story, “Nocturnal by Nature,” was phenomenal. My goodness, that’s how you start a collection like this!
Speaking of which, here’s a list of the short stories that stood out the most to me and completely blew me away…
- Nocturnal by Nature - The Copper Thieves - Devil in the Snow - Slinky - Ode to October - The Panda
There’s a bit of something for everyone in “Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories,” which makes for some thrilling, diverse horror. Several short stories had an excellent amount of horror, especially if you also enjoy visceral gore and creepy moments. Reading this reminded me of when I was a kid watching the “Tales From the Crypt” TV show or the legendary “CREEPSHOW” movies.
I felt that these stories could very well be episodes for either one, and even though a few didn’t hit as much as I would have liked, I enjoyed reading this in stride. If I had to pick my favorite short story, it would easily be “Devil in the Snow.”
This was incredible and hit home for me, as my younger brother is a member of the United States Marine Corps. It was a beautiful story with an astonishingly horrific twist that was truly wild. I was also shocked at the ending because I didn’t see that coming at all. Simply phenomenal, and to think, the others I listed above were also terrific.
I give “Nocturnal by Nature & Other Stories” by Nick Roberts a 4/5, as it is a superb short story horror collection that hits the mark on the majority of its stories. Some entries didn’t click with me, but that’s okay, as most did. Great characters, solid plot twists, and, above all else, some creepy horror that will make you create weird faces while reading. I guarantee you’ll freak out a bit when reading “Ode to October.” It’s so short, sweet, and to the point that you will remember it once Halloween is here for us all. Don’t say I didn’t warn you....more
“The Owl Witch” by Claudine Marcin is the second book I’ve read by her, a few years after I loved “The House on Woody Creek Lane,” which was a 4-Star “The Owl Witch” by Claudine Marcin is the second book I’ve read by her, a few years after I loved “The House on Woody Creek Lane,” which was a 4-Star read for me back in 2023. I’m a huge fan of her writing style, and I couldn’t wait to jump into her latest horror novel of 2025. This book didn’t disappoint, and delivered nicely for the most part.
Before I begin my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Car accidents (fatal) - Domestic abuse - Alcoholism
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, this is a solid read for those who love a good creature feature in a folk horror setting, taking place in a small town. This was brilliantly written with several stories happening at once involving different characters that eventually all intertwined.
This tends to be very hard for authors to pull off, but Marcin executed it perfectly, with nothing confusing or annoying. I also loved the immersive formatting, which used unique fonts for chapters, text messages, and more. It’s all about these little things that make a book shine in the grand scheme of things.
Everything revolves around this Owl Witch that had some vicious, memorable kills while reading. I’d never spoil anything for anyone, but some of these kills were excellent. I’ve always loved slasher novels, and the Owl Witch had several exceptional kills that would make Stephen Graham Jones smile.
There are a lot of characters in “The Owl Witch,” and I loved all their unique character development. They were all distinct, memorable, and left their mark on the story. My favorites were easily Luann, Leslie, Mia, and the legendary LB (Little Bear). I would also throw in the Owl Witch since this creature’s impact and carnage throughout the story were insane.
Speaking of her, the final 30% of this novel was incredible! The bloodbath continued as I enjoyed the backstory of who and what the Owl Witch is. I loved the climactic race to the end, especially with all the action, suspense, and bloodshed. The only thing that kept it from being a perfect 5/5 was that some chapters dragged on while reading. There were instances where there was more dialogue than needed, often consisting of conversations with little happening. I wish there were another horror scene or two with the Owl Witch instead.
Aside from that, this novel still rocked with a drop-the-mic ending. I still have my jaw on the floor after what transpired, and yeah, I’m going to continue keeping an eye on Marcin’s work since she’s one hell of an author.
I give “The Owl Witch” by Claudine Marcin a 4/5 for being a fantastic folk horror novel filled with superb characters, a uniquely written creature with killer tendencies, and an overall story that I’ll remember for many years to come. It’s such an in-depth read with fictional folk horror that felt so real, I'll never be able to look at an owl again without hearing a particular sound that sends a chill down my spine.
“Letter Slot” by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5) is the fifth and final book in this unbelievable Amazon-exclusive horror collection. Every book“Letter Slot” by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5) is the fifth and final book in this unbelievable Amazon-exclusive horror collection. Every book in this collection has been a 5-Star read for me, and this final entry was perfection. This is the first book I’ve ever read by Owen King, and just like his legendary father, he’s an exceptional author.
If you’re interested in this collection, here’s a list of every book and author…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
I found many trigger warnings while reading this book. They were…
- Alcoholism - School shootings - Homophobia - Domestic abuse (physical) - Politics - Brain tumors - Car accidents - Animal death (dog) - Cancer - Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this was such a quick, emotional read. I loved the main characters in Blake and his mother, as you connect with them and what they’re going through in life.
I knew it was only a matter of time before the horror hit, as it started to brew at around the 50% mark. My goodness, what a wild ride! Let me tell you, I will never look at a letter slot the same way ever again. This book’s story was so gripping and addictive, I couldn’t stop reading since it’s a genuine page-turner.
The story and ending are unforgettable. I loved the insane plot twist at the end, which wrapped up a magnificent ending. I never saw that coming and finished reading with my jaw on the floor. It’s a thought-provoking ending that will make you question what you would do in such a situation. It was pretty powerful and will leave you shook.
I give “Letter Slot” by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5) a perfect 5/5 and a spectacular read from beginning to end. King delivered in just 46 pages to make his mark in this collection. Speaking of which, “The Shivers Collection” is worth reading. Every book in it was a 5-Star for me, and I would consider it a must-read for all my fellow horror book lovers. You can’t go wrong with books written by these phenomenal and established horror authors, so check it out as soon as you can or add this to your TBR so when spooky season comes, you’ll also be shivering....more
“Night and Day in Misery” by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) is the fourth book in an incredible Amazon-exclusive horror collection. So far,“Night and Day in Misery” by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) is the fourth book in an incredible Amazon-exclusive horror collection. So far, every book I’ve read in this collection has been a 5/5, and the streak has continued with this one. I’ve been a huge fan of Ward for years, ever since I read “The Last House on Needless Street” in 2021. She’s a fantastic author and added a unique touch to this collection.
With one more book to complete, this entire collection could very well be 5/5 perfection. If you’re curious and want to check it out, here’s a list of every book and author…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
I found many trigger warnings while reading. They were…
- Alcoholism - Relapse - Domestic abuse (physical, but nothing graphic) - Car accidents - Drinking and driving - Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this was such a shocking, crazy, emotional read. You’re gripped into the story just a few pages in, as this was a quick page-turner. I couldn’t believe what Ward achieved in just 35 pages. It was psychological on many levels and checked all the boxes I look for in a horror book.
You genuinely feel for everything the main protagonist Stella is going through. With how brilliantly Ward wrote this, this was easily one of the best horror short stories I’ve ever read. Wow, what a powerhouse of a read with an ending that will make you cherish all the little things in life, especially those closest to you. I loved the plot twists and stunning reveal towards the end, leaving me speechless.
I give “Night and Day in Misery” by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) a 5/5 because it is a memorable read I will remember for many years. I was blown away at how impactful this horror book was, with a twist only Ward can deliver after mastering this through her incredible books. This was awesome in every possible way, and it might just be my favorite book in this entire collection.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done spending a night and day in misery, and want to check my letter slot for any new mail....more
“The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) is the third book of one hell of an Amazon-exclusive horror collection. I’m now three books “The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) is the third book of one hell of an Amazon-exclusive horror collection. I’m now three books into this book series, and it’s been incredible so far. I’ve read everything Hendrix has written, and was delighted to see he was a part of this.
If you want to check out this entire series, here’s a list of every book and author…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
I found a few trigger warnings while reading. They were…
- Death of dogs (nothing graphic) - Pandemic - Breast lumps - Drinking and driving
If any of these trigger you, please don’t read this book. Moving along, this was such a quick, creepy read. I loved the atmosphere building of Jeckle Island and all those summer vibes and activities. Even the characters were great, with the main protagonist Rachel leading the way. I don’t have any kids, but you genuinely feel the situations and events she endures regarding her family, especially the children.
Once the horror hit around the 50% mark, what a rush! These “blanks” were so horrific that I was shocked at the sheer terror of these bizarre things. It all felt so weird, uncomfortable, and spine-chilling. The plot twist that happens towards the end was crazy, and made me realize how frightening that must have been for Rachel.
That ending was surreal, and it’ll make me think twice about future island vacations. I enjoyed the incredible suspense and tension-filled race to the end. Once again, Hendrix hit me with a drop-the-mic ending, making me appreciate his books even more. I’ve never read a book of his that wasn’t a 4- or 5-Star read. This short story continues the streak.
I give “The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) a 5/5 for being another fantastic entry in this collection that will freak you out once you see what is ultimately going down. It feels like an episode from The Twilight Zone with Hendrix’s signature horror style from beginning to end. If you’ve ever read any of his content, you will undoubtedly love this book.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done with my trip to Jeckle Island and want to bring an iced coffee to spend a night and day in misery....more
“The Indigo Room” by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) is the second book of this fantastic Amazon-exclusive collection. I loved “Jackk“The Indigo Room” by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) is the second book of this fantastic Amazon-exclusive collection. I loved “Jackknife” by Joe Hill, and couldn’t wait to dive into this second book since I’m a huge fan of SGJ. As expected, his storytelling delivered, and let’s just say that I’m glad I don’t work in an office.
So far, “The Shivers Collection” has been great. If you’re interested in checking out this series, here’s a list of the entire collection…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
There was only one trigger warning I found while reading, which was…
- Office shootings
If this triggers you, please don’t read this book. Moving along, if you’re new to SGJ, expect his signature slow-burn style of writing. It always takes time to reach those initial horror moments in his work, but if you enjoy tension, it's worth it. In just 36 pages, you’ll lose your mind with an awesome, jaw-dropping twist at around the 60% mark.
This is a unique and creepy take on “office horror” that’s done brilliantly. The story here is right to the point, and once the horror hits, you’ll start making weird faces while reading. I enjoyed that epic plot twist, and again, it’s worth the wait for the drop-the-mic moments.
I’d never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but this had some grisly horror that I genuinely enjoyed. I’ve been reading SGJ for years now, and his books consistently earn 4 or 5 stars from me. If you also enjoy his work, this one won’t disappoint. Whether you’re an SGJ fan or new to his work, go along for the slow ride—it won’t disappoint.
The ending to “The Indigo Room” was insane and left me shocked. I didn’t expect that coming, and in typical SGJ fashion, it left me wanting more. I loved what he wrote in such a quick read that you can finish in less than an hour.
I give “The Indigo Room” by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) a 5/5. It’s office horror taken to a whole new level in a way that only SGJ can. After working 15 years in retail and over a decade in sports media, I'll think about this book every time I’m in a Zoom meeting.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done hanging out in an indigo room, and I’m excited to see what kind of party the blanks are about to throw in my honor....more
“Jackknife” by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) is the first book in this exclusive Amazon Original Series of horror short stories. I’m so glad th“Jackknife” by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) is the first book in this exclusive Amazon Original Series of horror short stories. I’m so glad they started this off with Hill because this is one hell of a way to start a collection.
In case you’re interested in “The Shivers Collection” and which authors are a part of it, here’s the entire collection…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2) The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4) Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
I love every author in this collection, and I can’t wait to complete it. Before I begin my review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Grooming teenagers (nothing graphic) - Drugs - Dead animals (very graphic involving a cat) - Politics - #MeToo movement - Sexual abuse of minors - Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, I have to give credit to Hill, since I’ve never read a “tree horror” book as scary as this. I love his writing style, as it was great and over the top. It’s barely 46 pages, and my goodness, what a powerhouse of a freaky read.
The main character, Dennis, was someone I loathed. Hill’s character development of Dennis was surreal. I hated him, and was hooked on what kind of karma was coming his way. I would never ruin a book for anyone, so no spoilers here, but this was fantastic from start to finish.
As always with Hill’s work, I enjoyed his references in this book. As a coffee lover, it was great to see Dunkin’ mentioned, and of course, The Lord of the Rings thanks to Ents. I love LOTR, but the tree horror found here was so wild, I made many weird faces while reading.
The backstory and insight in “Jackknife,” with its uniquely written tree horror, were compelling and felt like they could have easily been part of The Conjuring universe. This was a genuine page-turner that I couldn’t put down from the sheer horror of it all.
When it comes to the ending, this was on the level of Stephen King because I didn’t see that coming at all. I finished this book with a huge smile on my face, thanks to a beyond satisfying ending that has a “drop-the-mic” moment and proves why Hill is such a phenomenal author. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Get it? Tree? Tree horror? Okay, I’ll see myself out now.
I give “Jackknife” by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1) a 5/5 for being one hell of a fun ride with a refreshing take on tree horror. Seriously, you’ll probably never want to look at a barren tree the same ever again after reading this short story. I’m so excited to dive into the rest of this collection.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, since I already found a jackknife, it’s time to go hang out in an indigo room....more
“The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones is a novel I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into, as I love his writing style. I’ve read most of h“The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones is a novel I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into, as I love his writing style. I’ve read most of his staple horror novels, and he always delivers. There is a reason why SGJ is considered the “King of Slashers” in horror books.
Before I begin my review, I found many trigger warnings while reading. They are…
- Graphic violence and death against animals (birds, dogs, beavers, rabbits, etc.) - Skinning animals (beavers) - Suicide - Self-harm - Violence against kids
Please do not read this horror novel if any of these trigger you. Moving along, I’ve always been a big fan of SGJ’s writing, but if you’ve never read anything he wrote, you will see a pattern of slow-burning kind of writing. Like Stephen King, his slow-burn, wordy style can drag, but delivers with terrifying, gory payoffs that make the journey worthwhile. Even if you’re new to Jones’s slow-burn style, the unique vampire horror and emotional depth make this a must-read novel.
If you don’t mind this, you’ll love his work. If you hate this, trust me when I say it’s worth it due to the sheer terror, gore, and frights that await when you finally get to the good stuff. In this novel, SGJ brilliantly wrote this. This was one hell of a read, from the alternate writing between the past and present to church confessions, diary, and journal entries. It’s hard to achieve this as an author with several different narrators, but SGJ did a great job executing it well.
Certain real-life Native American events are tied into this novel by SGJ, and that in itself is truly horrific. Many readers had to DNF this because it can get graphic and intense. Nothing triggers or offends me as a horror reader, but I can see why readers stopped reading. It gets shockingly intense when those horror moments eventually hit.
The Native American horror in this novel is genuinely on a whole other level. It’s viscerally written and raw. It’s one of the best vampire novels I’ve ever read. The transformation into vampirism was so creepy, original, and disturbing. You have yet to read vampire horror like this.
Besides all the insane kills, the atmospheric writing, as was the story, was excellent. Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but all the justice-filled, brutal revenge kills against evil people were a magnificent reading experience.
This horror novel is primarily a historical fiction story, and if that’s the subgenre of horror you enjoy reading, you’ll love this. However, I’m not into historical fiction, so it was sometimes confusing. Though historical fiction isn’t my preference, the raw depiction of Native American history adds a haunting layer that elevates the horror.
The same goes for the numerous and confusing names of characters, animals, and Native American tribes. The frequent shifts between Blackfeet tribal names and historical events like the Marias Massacre can feel dense for readers unfamiliar with the context. Due to this, the overall story felt a bit wordy at times, with several parts that dragged on for me. Aside from that, this was a solid read.
I give “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones a 4/5 for being one of the best vampire novels I’ve ever read. The kills were masterful, the story powerful, and the ending wrapped everything up nicely. I wish this novel were a bit shorter. This was never boring, just the usual SGJ writing style I’m used to. Almost every SGJ book I’ve read has always been a 4- or 5-Star read as he’s one of my all-time favorite horror authors. I don’t mind his writing style, but it could have been a perfect horror read if this novel had been trimmed down about 75-100 pages to keep it tighter. Everything else? Vampire horror awesomeness!...more
“Stale Tales” by Amador Amado is a solid horror short story collection with something for every horror fan. It’s my first time reading this author, an“Stale Tales” by Amador Amado is a solid horror short story collection with something for every horror fan. It’s my first time reading this author, and I was hooked by the variety—serial killers, demons, clowns, you name it. The gore and horror are top-notch, and I also loved the Latin phrases in dialogue that hit home as a half-Puerto Rican, half-Cuban New Yorker.
Before diving deeper, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Drugs - Rape - Violence against animals - Missing children - Child trafficking - Bullying - Death of an unborn baby - Religion
If any of these trigger you, please don’t read this short story collection. Moving along, out of the 19 short stories, my top favorites were…
Camp-Down Trick or Retreat Chuckles Baiting Site Demonic Fertility Upon Evil Soil The Cenotaph The Kilt
These all had everything I look for in a horror short story and more. I loved the insanely good opening “Camp-Down,” which genuinely freaked me out. It probably has to do with going camping for the first time later this year, but that was great. I’ve never been camping before, so thanks to this short story, it will be even creepier once I spend my first few nights outdoors.
The formatting of this collection was interesting and a bit of a turn-off for me. Every story was unique, but the writing style of ending every story with an explained plot twist wasn’t something I’m used to. It would have been better if these had been written like a regular horror story. I don’t mind this format for a few stories here and there, but this formatting and style were for every story and became repetitive. Some stories were also a bit heavy with too much dialogue.
If I had to pick my favorite short story from this collection, it would easily be “Baiting Site.” That was one hell of a story and plot twist I will never forget! It will make you think twice about going on blind dates. I promise you that.
I give “Stale Tales” a 3/5 for its diverse, memorable horror tales. The gore, twists, and variety are fantastic, but the repetitive style—every story ending with an explained plot twist—didn’t work out for me. Some tales also dragged on with excessive dialogue that slowed the pace. Still, the highs far outweigh the lows, and I’d recommend it to horror fans looking for a wild, varied, fun ride. I’m excited to follow Amado’s writing career, as this was a solid start to his content....more
“Men, Women, and Chainsaws: A Tor.com Original” by Stephen Graham Jones is an interesting short story about a creepy car, revenge, and of course, chai“Men, Women, and Chainsaws: A Tor.com Original” by Stephen Graham Jones is an interesting short story about a creepy car, revenge, and of course, chainsaws. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin anything for you but this is an insanely quick short story that does a solid job at blurring reality with scary paranormal events but in a good way.
The thing for me is, I’m just not into cars at all. That’s probably why there was a bit of a disconnect with me in that aspect but there were some good horror elements and relatability to this as I kept reading. No doubt, if I loved cars, this would have been given a higher rating in my book.
I give “Men, Women, and Chainsaws: A Tor.com Original” a 3/5 as Jones is definitely an amazing writer but I just couldn’t connect with a horror novel that strictly revolves around a car. I’m not into horror novels about cars in general so that’s more about me than this short story. It’s short, sweet, and straight to the point. If you love horror, cars, and revenge due to a broken heart, this is definitely worth reading.
Merged review:
“Men, Women, and Chainsaws: A Tor.com Original” by Stephen Graham Jones is an interesting short story about a creepy car, revenge, and of course, chainsaws. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin anything for you but this is an insanely quick short story that does a solid job at blurring reality with scary paranormal events but in a good way.
The thing for me is, I’m just not into cars at all. That’s probably why there was a bit of a disconnect with me in that aspect but there were some good horror elements and relatability to this as I kept reading. No doubt, if I loved cars, this would have been given a higher rating in my book.
I give “Men, Women, and Chainsaws: A Tor.com Original” a 3/5 as Jones is definitely an amazing writer but I just couldn’t connect with a horror novel that strictly revolves around a car. I’m not into horror novels about cars in general so that’s more about me than this short story. It’s short, sweet, and straight to the point. If you love horror, cars, and revenge due to a broken heart, this is definitely worth reading....more
“The Exorcist's House: Genesis” by Nick Roberts is one of the best horror novels I have read in 2024. It was such a magnificent read that I could not “The Exorcist's House: Genesis” by Nick Roberts is one of the best horror novels I have read in 2024. It was such a magnificent read that I could not put it down and finished it in a single day because it completely blew my mind! I knew I’d likely love the sequel to “The Exorcist’s House” since it was a perfect 5-star read for me back in March 2023, but this surpassed even my wildest expectations.
Before I begin my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Violence against kids (but they’re demonic) - Violence against dogs (they’re demonic, too) - Suicide - Violent dog attacks - Kidnapping
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. I have read several novels by Roberts over the years, and he continues to impress me with his unique and refreshing take on horror, especially the evil kind. My goodness, he did not hold back at all in this sequel.
Presented in a dual timeline of the past and present, it helped fill in much of what I was curious about with the origins of the exorcist’s house. It was fantastic to get that backstory since everything finally came together. As always with Roberts, he throws in a lot of excellent horror references, which always brings a smile to my face. Everything from Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock, The Amityville Horror, Ed and Lorraine Warren, Rosemary’s Baby, and even The Omen.
Roberts has a knack for making memorable characters that you will always remember. It was nice to finally learn more about Merle Blatty and why he’s such a pivotal character. I was so glad to reconnect with the Hill family again after the original novel's wild events. Daniel, Nora, Alice, and, of course, Buck… BEST. DOG. EVER. <3
For those of you who have read “The Exorcist’s House” and remember the insane demonic horror, you have no idea what awaits you in this sequel. I could not believe what I was even reading most of the time. The demonic horror here is kicked up to levels I didn’t even think were possible. I was astounded by how Roberts took things to another level and pushed the envelope, and that was just 10 pages in. Numerous times, I said “WOW!” out loud. My horror heart was gleaming the entire time I was reading.
During several horror scenes, I made many weird faces, and I immediately knew this would be one hell of a rollercoaster ride. This is the kind of horror I love reading that doesn’t have any fluff, nonsense, endless dialogue, or any of that.
I started this book during my lunch break on Thursday and couldn’t wait to finish work at around 7 PM to continue reading. From what I initially read while eating lunch, I couldn’t stop laughing at what Adam, Daniel’s brother, was about to get into involving the exorcist’s house. I was shaking my head, knowing the hell this fool was about to unleash and how much fun this would be. I stopped reading there since I had to go back to work, but I knew it would be great.
I couldn’t stop reading this for anything once I got back into it, and ironically, I finished it deep into the night, heading into Friday the 13th. What perfect timing, eh? I was hooked, especially with all the gore, bloodshed, and chaos.
Besides all that creepy jaw-on-the-floor demonic horror, the story is excellent. You truly feel for all the characters, especially the children. The demonic possessions here sent chills down my spine. They were so evil and atmospheric that I could literally smell the sulfur in some of these demonic encounters due to how immersive it was.
All the suspense, tension, and dread made this a powerhouse of a read. I was completely and utterly blown away, and I will recommend both these books to any horror reader who wants some of the best demonic horror I’ve ever read. I rarely read an entire novel in a single day, and “The Exorcist's House: Genesis” was beyond worth it.
I loved all the plot twists, big reveals, and insane ending. Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for you but yeah, that was such an emotionally intense and terrifying ending. I felt that in my bones since the final 20% of this novel was epic, especially what led to quite the showdown.
I give “The Exorcist's House: Genesis” by Nick Roberts a perfect 5/5. This is a demonic horror masterpiece and will be a novel I will never forget. I am still shocked at how extraordinary this was, and I wish the legendary Shirley Jackson (RIP) were still alive to have read this. This particular horror subgenre is tough to get right, and I bet if she could see the foundation and platinum standard she set for haunted house stories with “The Haunting of Hill House” taken to even scarier and more evil heights, she would smile.
Thank you to Nick Roberts and Crystal Lake Publishing for this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review!
“Full Brutal” by Kristopher Triana is a good splatterpunk book if you’re looking for one with an insane female protagonist who will twist your thought“Full Brutal” by Kristopher Triana is a good splatterpunk book if you’re looking for one with an insane female protagonist who will twist your thoughts of reality and madness. I enjoyed this wild ride despite the few flaws I found while reading.
Before I begin my review, there are a ton of trigger warnings here. They are:
- Pedophilia - Underage sex - Cannibalism - Animal violence and torture - Rape - Suicide - Homophobic slurs - School shootings - Drugs - Date rape drugs - Abortion - Violence against women - Violence against fetuses - Violence against children - Necrophilia
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, I loved the references Triana dropped here from Hot Topic, The Misfits, Cujo, and the metal band Ghost. Seeing him mention one of my favorite bands since I'm a metalhead was awesome.
I enjoyed the high school setting of everything and, of course, the incredible protagonist in Kim. My goodness, she is insane, psychotic, sinister, and so much more. Her character development was fun to read, especially seeing her descent to madness blurring the lines of reality and some truly disturbing moments.
The horror here is excellent. I enjoyed how Triana dialed up all the gore, violence, bloodshed, and serial killer-inspired moments. That was all great, and combining that with Kim's over-the-top shenanigans made this a good splatterpunk read. She also had some hilarious dark humor lines that made me laugh out loud, especially with some of the one-liners once all the deranged sexual scenes happened.
Now, for the few flaws I found, some parts dragged on for me a lot. The momentum started to fizzle out around the 50% mark. “Full Brutal” became way too story-intensive and not enough crazier splatterpunk. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled with the many splatterpunk books I’ve read before this and expected things to get crazier and more intense as you read, but that didn’t happen here for me. It finally started to pick up from the 70% mark on, especially the final 10% straight to the end.
I also found it hard to believe that a 16-year-old female teenager would use the phrase “inside my sex” or “my sex” in thoughts and conversations referring to her lady parts. That distracted me since it’s mentioned everywhere. I remember during my high school and college days, I had never heard a woman call her “situation” that, you know?
Another thing I didn’t like was the addition of stories of real-life murderers, serial killers, etc., which felt unnecessary. It messed up the overall pacing of the story and extreme horror parts, so I’m not sure why it even needed to be thrown into a book like this. It felt like fluff. Omitting all that would have made for a better read.
Aside from that, I did enjoy the gory slasher scenes, which balanced things out. The ending was excellent, and yeah, it was more of Kim’s madness, which was beyond words great to read. I got major “Carrie” by Stephen King vibes at the end, but taken to even more extreme levels. Don’t worry, I’d never spoil anything for you, but wow, what a demented way to end this book!
I give “Full Brutal” by Kristopher Triana a 4/5 for being another solid splatterpunk book that made me make faces while reading. Yeah, the horror here is extreme, the sexual horror parts are crazy, and overall, it checks almost all the boxes I look for in a splatterpunk book. The pacing was a bit slow and dragged at times, and the whole Kim referring to her “sex” was distracting, but this was still one hell of a ride....more