A short book worthy of long praise. Finding a place (safe to some or strong to another), loss, and a great balance of Irish mythology and cryptic disaster (which was a good move because the character matters more). Told by the protagonist, the past and present overlap. The ending was great, as was the journey. Fighting to belong, while fighting loss.

The 5th installment of the Children‘s Home series crafts the most creepy find (aka, a creepy doll) to put in motion the narrative. Sigurdardóttir keeps the reader mesmerized with twists, turns, and loose threads that lead to a tight knot, which ensnares who and why. The line between reality is crossed by the presence of the cursed doll. Another great book!

The 4th installment of Sigurdardóttirs‘ Children‘s Home series confronts domestic abuse, non-consensual filming of sexual acts, and humiliation from the impact. A man found hanged with a nail imbedded in his torso in an Icelandic lava field starts the case. The ending is sad and satisfying, and the resolution is one of “If you had been there/If you had seen it/I betcha you would have done the same”. A great read within a great series.

A work of modern gothic. Harwood keeps readers engaged with a tale spawning from the narrators‘ experience; the additions of intertwining ‘lost‘ stories written prophetically years before. It has all elements that keep readers guessing, doubting, and enchanted. Supernatural or madness? Research or recluse? Cannot say more good things-just reading it is an experience!

The third installment of Sigurdardóttirs‘ children‘s home series will resonate with social media generation, and victims of bullying. In this installment, the crimes are intertwined. The murder of bullies; how their viciousness to victims created a ripple effect. The scheme is sorrowful, meticulous and nauseating. Hits home thematically. Personal note: Please be kind to others. This is fiction, but kindness is real.

The second installment of the Children‘s Home series does not disappoint. Like the first, Sigurdardóttir goes all in on story, macabre death and twisted pasts fracturing lives. Det. Huldar and psychologist Freyja don‘t take away from the story, which I liked. The book is a thriller and true page turner.

Incredible in the same way a fast paced and scandalous procedural is. The stories Sigurdardóttir writes are always a treat. This debut in a newer series is typical of the Nordic/Baltic crime genre. Yet for all the darkness and gore, her inventiveness in how the crime is uncovered applies real world tech and her knowledge to her creative narrative. Devouring the series!

Ok. Just a no for me. I really couldn‘t finish it so I just looked up the ending. I guess if I listened to the podcast I would understand it, but reading was dense as the writing was more “this not that but also this but also not this” type of storytelling. And not a lot of story, to be telling the truth.

Disorienting and a house occupied by either mold or malevolence. A couple moves in. A neighbor is hostile. And both experience a house inflicting illness. Everyone has a story of the scandal and story - but the ‘why‘ is of no importance. Told from his/hers rapid short chapters, the reader is, literally, in the grip of the home, people, and delirium. How do you leave unscathed? Is it an infection passed on? A thrilling read!

An interesting take on pending apocalyptic genre. The narrative is told as interviews and how small children survivors turn from media miracles to targets of hate or conspiracy. Interesting as no child themselves speak to the story. Gripping read, as you get into it. Can be predictable at times, given the current realities of events unfold in the story.

I love Adler-Olsen. His Department Q series and other stand alone novel, The Washington Decree are fantastic. I couldn‘t get into this one. It is a very interesting concept: WWII and 2 British soldiers having to fake insanity to survive a mental ward behind enemy lines. Those aren‘t spoilers. The meandering pace and narrative is hard to follow. Maybe I‘ll return to it. But right now it is meh.

Gentrification, corporations, decay and death. Oh, and fungi. Always that. In this book, the author uses urbanization and ‘synergy‘ speak to craft a narrative where POV of characters in all strata are tied to the same sinkhole:Toronto. The building up and being devoured down in the guise of buildings shows people don‘t matter, but the bottom line does. Well, until the bottom begins to become sentient. Great and creative!

The opening chapter sets the frame of why each character investigating or involved knows grisly crimes are not entirely man-made. Acknowledgement from humans of their local elder god, active participation of ‘magic‘, cult as normal. The final act is ok. I would say transparency took a lot from the direction, and suspense was last minute. So-so, but a good read if there is time.

Cutter and Sullivan have a new twist on how screwed up self-help DIY videos can be! With a hypnotic manly-man swaying the husband far over-it is not just the fright of a ‘turned‘ loved one. In true style, Cutter uses the land and the things which squirm out to set the scene. Sullivan creates the character, the type who fall for what man/family is. More world building (no Home Depot pun intended!)

After reading some of Rossons‘s current work, I found that The Mercy of the Tide was atmospheric, impactful, and beautifully haunting. Imagine how sorrow and loss becomes a vortex of grief. And yet, the sudden tragedy is just a warning for a larger catastrophe. There is a string of connection with characters, though all are individuals. A short, but terrific, read.

Power and control. These elements are explored in multiple ways from various angles in Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Teen pregnancy, 1970s lingo, witches and zealots. Forces pressuring until-pop!-love and loss and anger and independence create, within our heroines, a powerful control: the knowledge that they are in control. Hendrix hits it out of the park again!

In order to really understand the lore in this book, you need to have read Fever House (the ‘prequel‘ from Rosson). While Fever House is chaos, The Devil by Name is chaos with purpose. This is a good read, but hard to get into if you don‘t know the background. So-so rating for that.

This story is one of suffering. The suffering of parents, those of the victim and those of the victimizer; the cruelty of voyeurs latching onto conspiracy theories. The story is told by each character (one exception) in a linear fashion. Not a crowd of characters, enough to see the justifications to protect or avenge.

Reddit is one place that spawns compelling authors. Kilewers‘ debut novel is no exception. The dimensions of one‘s own mind and fear of being ‘erased‘. The obsession we have with old homes/places. Impossible space like House of Leaves. And brilliant composition. Glad I picked this book up-I couldn‘t put it down!

Wannabe Hunter S. Thompson, strung out on a lack of attention, laughs during an exorcism. The story unfolds in found form notes from the brother; documents the unraveling of Jack Sparks. The fictionalization fixated on his ego, before the ego fixates on him. Arnopp gives the non-believer trope a new kick. Stubborn to the end…but who is really cashing in? Loved the book.

From the start, The Queen hooked me in. Cutter defused, yet sticks, to the horror genre. From Little Heaven to The Deep (both reviewed!). Elements of Carrie/Insects/Heroine Worship/Friendship…the narrative is thrilling. Also, Tony Soprono makes an appearance. Plus, Cutter has included some world building threads…gabbagool.

While reading, it took me a while to grasp the story through the number of characters; some writing seems to leave the reader wondering if they missed the first book (this is a standalone, though could be a series). That said, it raises the stakes and grips the reader with the final act. Walks the line between a formulaic read and frightening resolution.

Fast paced and focused. The protagonist is a fierce mother, and far from a “final girl”. I appreciated how the focus is on the situations faced by many-eviction, employment, etc.-actual horrors. I wish more was said about the setting/background, but it‘s intentional. It‘s a great story and quick-but great-read.

The looming family secret in the eerie mansion, a snow storm, and exits wasted at every turn. Nordic noir meets a group with various motivations stuck in the forlorn mansion. Though the protagonist has facial blindness, Sten plays down her handicap with a flourishing story. It makes for a great page turner.

Really terrifying. In a way that combines the most unknown-what is the darkest part of the sea, how far will we go to find what is needed most (for the motivations of characters and consequences beyond what they control). A full circle plot that made my heart pound and drop as the story continued. Another Cutter Classic!

Cutter has a gift for stories set in desolation, combined with conjured horrors. The elements of the plot may seem disconnected (3 mercenaries, one cult, many monsters). It has shades of the film ‘No Country for Old Men‘; with unease and anticipation. Characters are great. There is backstory. And illustrations that pop up, but do not distract the reader. Overall, slow burn but worth the inferno!

I‘m not going to lie. I physically could not finish this, because the story is buried by exposition I feel is needlessly added by Chizmar. A cool concept of roadside memorials for those who got in a car wreck are so personal. It would be phenomenal to have a narrative there, in the setting of the Appalachia. Instead, the reader is distracted (frustrated) by the POV first person annoying narrator. There was potential in plot. Style? Not my jam.

I read this a while ago. It left me feeling that the author tackled a twisted theme using expert storytelling. Building up characters, a family history, and the readers abject horror with a mounting unease. Excellent book. Dissecting a family and generations of trauma that impacted each woman, all inflicted by one man.

This book reminded me of No Country for Old Men, The Wild Bunch, and True Grit. With Anne, a bank robber and cult survivor stalked by a horror with a shifting face. There are epic shoot-outs, and general unease. This is a genre game changer. A must read.

Birds are symbols of freedom. Yet Arron is trapped by grief. And stalked by his mind, this creepy kid, and the fact that he came back to a cursed house. The Bird Eater is intense. The history of the haunting is told in memories. There are elements that provide clues that a generational haunting manifests in people. The story is twisted, poetic, and original. Ahlborn is a top writer in the horror genre.

Wow. A thriller that combines genres: crime, thriller, psychological intrigue, and the supernatural. I found the story engrossing. The self doubt of the character, the doubt you feel about others…there is no doubt that Solvinic is a talent.

Hallett stands out as a star in storytelling. In The Examiner, the story unfolds as a collection of Doodle messages, WhatsApp, etc. the story involves a group project (horror unto itself), and a clash of artists…or a chaotic scheme of mixed-up-meddling madness (with mystery). Hallett must be read to be appreciated. Awarded with distinction.

What makes family? Blood, bond, or disturbance in generational trauma? This story by the fantastic Ania Ahlborn contains elements of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, southern gothic, and distorted minds. But it‘s not a gore-fest. Michael internally struggles against his ‘family‘; his ‘brother‘ Reb focuses on twisted vengeance. I thought this was an excellent book. It asks: how much blood it takes to break a ‘family‘? A person? A mind?

Four brothers, 3 of whom are conjoined at the head. The 4th, our narrator, is Thomas: the apathetic son in gentry of a deep southern town of Kingdom Come. With the bayou granny witches, the debauchery of Thomas and the town, and more than one family secret. Truly creative, within the genre of the southern gothic tradition. I enjoyed it. It‘s quick and strangely human. The normal is abnormal. Cast of characters well developed, and coherent plot.

Ghosts of gulag prisoners. The cruel Siberian winter. Drawn to this unknown: an American reality television director and British cameraman. As the story progresses, locals are introduced only to be reduced. The gulag ghosts are set dressing; forces of old worship provide actions. Not sure how faithful the story is to the folklore tradition (a minus). The characters are secondary. Not what I expected, but a good story. Intense, and a quick read.

Hallett has cornerened the market in the non traditional expository narrative. In the Twyford Code, the reader becomes interested (and in my experience, rather found) of the protagonist, as he muddles his way through an ‘investigation‘ as we read transcripts from recordings made. A full cast of characters…or, maybe…a very clever puzzle for the reader? Brilliant and beautiful.

Dr. No bty Percival Everett is like The Phantom Tollbooth for adults. By that, I mean the way words and assignments of meaning are devices in plot, character, and narrative development. At first I thought this book was too smart for me, but, as it turned out, maybe I gave something of a try for nothing. And nothing, as it seems, is quite more important than the excellence of Everett‘s storytelling.

Takes a slow start until building momentum in this Texas blood burn. Isolated but crowded, the vampiric trope is just a small part, a compulsive killer now killing as compelled. A woman and son who are trapped in his mind as prey or pardoned. A Texas Ranger and an older evil. Davidson is a talent, and this book is a masterpiece of the southern gothic tradition.

Wow. This is a truly gifted writer, some heavy topics, and unique style. Dealing with race, gender, spiritual and other abuse - it is effortless in its disjointed prose. A family, a house that anchors trauma. The neighborhood, the forces of external traumas. A family and a weaving of personas. Beautiful only in a way storytellers can make ugly into captivating.Trigger warnings for abuse in novel.

Huge fan of Pargins‘ work and ability to dive into the zeitgeist (John, Daveand Amy series as monsters in mainstream; Zoey Ashe as money in clueless chaos). In this book, he attempts to illustrate the what the hell is going on(line), but to the point of boredom from the reader. I did like the way he warps up the story. I like and get his style (loved Cracked.com!). I think it‘s good, worth a read. Some cringe, but we‘re generation cringe.

Calling up bravery is thematic in Smothermoss. There a murderer on the loose, half sisters at polar opposites, and the 1980s. All in the Appalachia, a wild place with the old magic of the mountain. In the book, bravery is in Angie (untamable; lives Red Dawn) and Shelia (coming to terms with her sexuality). Well written, character driven (even nature is a character), magic manifestations. In Smothermoss, bravery is self reflection and action.

A lush And deeply idiosyncratic book, State of Paradise is a post-Florida pandemic world, but feels so intimate that you can be in this quirky and mournful book. A ghost(writer), pet ghosts, cats, VR meditations (portals?), and family. The observational diary prose is what sold me; I was already hooked on what bizarre Florida story this would be…but bizarre is a beautiful way. A must read!

The Crow Girl both mesmerized and disturbed me. Trigger warnings for almost all content. We are used to the darkness of most Scandinavian novels. The Crow Girl makes not attempt to drown out true monsters. It artfully illustrates broken memories, fragments of self shattered by trauma. I could not put it down. The authors (two under one name) wrote of horrors and the horrid. I recommend this book, but with caution and care.

Michael McDowell is on my list of must read southern gothic authors! The Elementals sets a scene of three homes with two families…but the third can be understood as the histories of tragic imprints. Between the isolated Alabama gulf coast and the more populated area of Alabama, we see our characters cross over in tradition and transition. We are drawn in by the cast and place. Like S. King, the slow simmer to bigger danger of narrative entered.

I bought this book years ago to read at the airport. Sadly, I lost the copy, and the hope is ever find such a unique book ever again. Yet, with luck, I got to reread it! Cantero is a genius. Characters encounter the traditional haunted house inherited. Including visions and those who locate the original instances. Codexes and Help (a good doggo). An epistolary novel to reread for details. Unfolds like the secrets of what is beyond.

Love Chuck Wendig! The journey in this book is of a family, a demonic presence, multiple timelines, and sentient sculptures. Wendig has taken a genre-horror or suspense, whatever you like-subtracting mistrust and adding the element of cohesion in the face of chaos. The reader recognizes the references without feeling bombarded, and the storytelling gives the birds eye (🦉👁️❓) view of the motivations of each character. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It‘s not for everyone. The choice of storytelling. The character voice or the non-linear as linear. It‘s the issues faced by teens, but the distractions in this book as asides made it hard for me to understand…anything. Some may like it. I just didn‘t vibe with it. Gave up 3/4 way through.

Reddit is a great place to read some original stuff…and where Jack Townsend started off with his stories about a gas station, demons in the the lovecraftian tradition, Jerry, and what you would expect from the 24/7 service station in the middle of nowhere. I would say it‘s like Jason Parkinson‘s John, Dave, and Amy books meets an off brand Chevron insomniac clerk. And Jerry. Read about it: https://tinyurl.com/yaeu6ev4

Rarely do I grab a book to read over and over. The exception is the fantastical-witty-inventive-disquieting #TheLibraryatMountChar. It‘s not quite horror, more surreal. Characters, motivations, and little details further plot and enjoyment. 100% recommend. Absolute treasure of a novel. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 to read.