Not my favourite of Christina Henry but still gripping enough.
Harry takes a job as a cleaner in the sprawling gothic mansion owned by Javier CastilloNot my favourite of Christina Henry but still gripping enough.
Harry takes a job as a cleaner in the sprawling gothic mansion owned by Javier Castillo. Since losing her previous job she needs all the help she can get for herself and teenage son.
His home is filled with memorabilia and props from his days making horror movies. Harry ensures it is all dusted and kept to his high standards.
When one of the costumes appears to move, Harry tries to brush it off as stress causing her imagination to run wild. But after an actress falls to her death in the house she can’t help but wonder if there are more sinister forces at work.
I was grabbed by the story and quick to flip the pages. Harry was a bit hard to swallow at times but overall an interesting read with a good reveal. (view spoiler)[ Javier killed his own son and wife but kept her in his attic attached to a saline drip as if he genuinely thought she was still alive. Pretty twisted. (hide spoiler)]...more
Thomas and Andrew are best friends, x has always been in love with Thomas. When they return to theirThoroughly enjoyed this dark botanical YA horror.
Thomas and Andrew are best friends, x has always been in love with Thomas. When they return to their boarding school after the summer though things feel different.
Thomas is keeping secrets and coming back from the forest exhausted and covered in dirt. When Andrew follows him one day he discovers something terrible going on in the forest.
I loved the asexual rep, loved all the monsters and the twist at the end (view spoiler)[ his sister was killed last year and he hasn’t accepted it. (hide spoiler)]
Will definitely be picking up this authors next book when it comes out....more
My third Mona Awad so I am always prepared for weird.
And this was so weird but in the best way! Belle returns to California after her mother’s sudden My third Mona Awad so I am always prepared for weird.
And this was so weird but in the best way! Belle returns to California after her mother’s sudden death, having to face her childhood demons at the same time.
Her mother was always obsessed with beauty, skin in particular with all of her creams and lotions. Belle is the same, watching skincare videos and spending hours on her face.
When she is invited to a spa treatment she can’t get there fast enough. So what if they say you must give something up? Anything to achieve her perfect self right?
As things get more and more creepy and Bel starts to lose more of herself, the unease and creep factor builds up.
I enjoyed the “culty” aspect and the focus on how fucked up the beauty industry is and how people can fall into these kind of traps when they aren’t happy with the way they look.
A really interesting take told in a gripping way. ...more
Laure has always wanted to be a ballerina. It is all she has ever known, she even ran away from home to join the Paris ballet schooWhat a great debut!
Laure has always wanted to be a ballerina. It is all she has ever known, she even ran away from home to join the Paris ballet school.
But however hard she tries, she never seems to receive the respect and appreciation so freely given to the other girls.
When she receives an interesting invitation from another ballerina to the Paris catacombs - what she experiences there will change her life forever.
Full of darkness, I was gripped by this story. I felt Laure’s anger and rage against the injustice she suffered. Her best friend who turned against her the minute the tables turned.
This was some black mirror shit and I am here for it!
3 women, three individual stories - all somehow connected.
Celia doesn’t feel like her life is heThis was some black mirror shit and I am here for it!
3 women, three individual stories - all somehow connected.
Celia doesn’t feel like her life is her own. Her husband and daughter don’t feel like hers, people tell her things she likes but they don’t feel true. Whenever she gets a flash of something relating to her true self she gets a searing pain in her head. Someone has done something to her, but how, and why?
Allie is off on a weekend away with her two best friends, but it goes sideways when they both want to bring their boyfriends. Especially Brad, the creepy misogynistic asshole. When their log cabin is attacked, she and her friends must get to the bottom of what is happening.
Maggie wakes up in a strange place with no idea how she got there. With 12 other women they are forced to compete in an obstacle course- Hunger Games/Maze Runner style.
Who is doing this and why? The ending came a bit upbruptly, but I thoroughly enjoyed this wild ride....more
I have loved Holly Gibney’s character ever since the Mr Mercedes trilogy. I am so glad that SK loved her just as much to give Holly her own book.
I’veI have loved Holly Gibney’s character ever since the Mr Mercedes trilogy. I am so glad that SK loved her just as much to give Holly her own book.
I’ve seen a few comments complaining about the Covid element in this book. I think it’s really important to talk about topics relevant to the time the book is set. This has always been the case in Mr Mercedes too. Stephen King writes about the unemployment crisis in America, he has never shied away from the hard topics.
When people read this book in later years it will provide information about the years covid was rife. I also believe it strongly fits Holly’s personality - she was always quite extreme when it came to germs etc.
When a young woman’s bike is found but with her nowhere to be seen, her mother asks Holly to investigate. What she unravels is terrifying and dangerous.
Another thrill ride from Stephen King, I throughly enjoyed it.
Laura Purcell knocks it out of the park again! I think this may be my second favourite of hers after The Silent Companions.
Jenny is the head of the fLaura Purcell knocks it out of the park again! I think this may be my second favourite of hers after The Silent Companions.
Jenny is the head of the family, since their mother’s death and brothers abandonment. She receives some good luck when the theatre her brother worked at offers her a job as a dresser. The catch? She must spy on the lead actress as something seems off with her.
When Lilith receives a watch that once belonged to an incredible actor who dies on stage she begins to change. Her reviews go through the roof, but behind the scenes she suffers nose bleeds and worse.
A story of obsession, ambition, jealousy, with some supernatural thrown in. I loved it....more
I was however expecting weird when I went in, after reading ‘All’s Well’ by this same author.
At a prestigious writing collegeThis was fucking weird.
I was however expecting weird when I went in, after reading ‘All’s Well’ by this same author.
At a prestigious writing college, with only 5 girls on the course, Samantha feels left out.
The 4 other girls are a close as can be, constantly touching each other, always together and going so far as to refer to each other as ‘Bunny’ instead of their real names.
When Samantha receives an invitation to one of their parties, she thinks it must be a trick. But what if it isn’t? What if she is finally being included in their elite group?
I loved the mix of supernatural and mental hallucinations. You’re never quite sure what is real and what is imagined.
The behaviour of the girls was reminiscent of Mean Girls and the like. Very relatable. I liked the main character and understood her conflicting emotions between being herself and being part of something.
The reveals were interesting (view spoiler)[ her best friend had been a figment of her imagination the whole time. But the parts about using rabbits and turning them into boys was pretty out there. (hide spoiler)]
Overall pretty gripping and I will be picking up her next book....more
“She was a Crowder. She’d finally gotten a taste of the thing that lived under the bed, and she wouldn’t rest until she’d gotten her full.”
This was “She was a Crowder. She’d finally gotten a taste of the thing that lived under the bed, and she wouldn’t rest until she’d gotten her full.”
This was pretty out there! But sometimes that is just what you want in a horror.
Vera Crowder hasn’t been back to her family home in 12 years. When she receives a call from her dying mother to return and put the house in order she feels like she can’t refuse.
But the house she grew up in is full of secrets, and it remembers Vera well.
Full of suspense and strange happenings. A good undercurrent of uncertainty and fear, this was a solid scary story of both the human and supernatural kind.
So this is set up as a memoir, written by Art Barbara (not his real name) about his experiences as a t2.5 ⭐️
Too much weird, not enough clarification.
So this is set up as a memoir, written by Art Barbara (not his real name) about his experiences as a teen and then into his later adult life. The book is being read by his old friend Mercy Brown (also not her real name) so had loads of notes and opinions on each chapter.
There is an undercurrent of unease throughout the book which I liked, but by the end it just wasn’t clear enough for me.
(view spoiler)[ they give the idea that Mercy was a vampire and that she caused Art to become one too. But this is never specifically verified and the whole thing may have just been in his head. And then at the end he just dies. Bizarre. (hide spoiler)]
Not for me sadly, there were parts I liked but overall not my cup of tea. ...more
Really interesting premise let down by the ending. Edith and Ezra lostWill review each story as I go -
The Host by Kiran Millwood Hargrave ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5
Really interesting premise let down by the ending. Edith and Ezra lost their 7 year old daughter to illness. Edith gets in contact with a woman who can converse with the dead. They plan to find a vessel or host for their daughter Eleanor to inhabit. They choose a poor young girl - Mary, take her away from her brother, but it doesn’t go smoothly. I was thoroughly invested, but the ending felt rushed and I wasn’t really sure what happened. (view spoiler)[ there was a fire, and then Ezra becomes evil? (hide spoiler)] Or something. I dunno, just didn’t hit for me unfortunately.
Inferno by Laura Shepherd-Robinson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now this was right up my street! A man visits an island in Italy to see an old friend. But when he arrives his friend is nowhere to be seen, only the old man who looks after the land and the mysterious and beautiful mistress. At first he loves the seclusion and the food. But soon he grows suspicious - why would his friend leave him for so long and what is that horrible painting of people suffering, hanging on the wall? I do love a good old fashioned punishment story, with the creep factor thrown in.
The Old Play by Andrew Michael Hurley ⭐️⭐️
I didn’t really feel like this accomplished much. A man performs in The Old Play every Christmas time, even though he drinks to forget the horrors of the war. But this year something seems different, the actors are more in character than ever and the committee have created a surprise ending, wanting to see his reaction. I could have done with more, like why did this happen, does it always happen after a time?
A Double Thread by Imogen Hermes Gowar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ooh this was a good one! A woman is forced to leave London and move to Penzance to avoid the scandal of the criminal trial her husband is currently on. She receives a local girl as her ladies maid, Nora Landry. Nora is quiet and assuming, but skilled and works extremely hard. Her mistress however is rude, ungrateful and just generally a shitty person. But ultimately what happens to Nora will come back to bite her. Treat others as you’d wish to be treated kids.
The Salt Miracles by Natasha Pulley - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A good job at creating unease and even fear, but I could have done with better explanation. A priest visits an island in the middle of the ocean where 2 pilgrims have gone missing. When he meets the 3 remaining pilgrims, he soon learns there is more to this island than meets the eye. Like I said great premise but (view spoiler)[ I’d love to know where the creature came from. What started this miracles and then turning to salt thing? (hide spoiler)]
Banished by Elizabeth Macneal - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Based on a true story. A rich and powerful man is haunted by the ghost of his wife. But why is she suddenly causing a stir now when she died 15 years ago? A woman is invited to banish the ghost - but as she gets to hear Lady Grange’s side of the story, she realises the Lord has lied to her. He isn’t as innocent as he claims. How can she bring the truth to light and make him atone for his sins?
The Gargoyle by Bridget Collins - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I enjoyed this one, though it seemed to finish quite abruptly. Ash is an author, but her publisher doesn’t seem to think her most recent work is up to scratch. So he sends her for some time away in Lye, a break to reset her mind. But while there she feels unsettled and on edge. What is that scrabbling noise? She loses time and is no closer to amending her book. Why is her attention constantly drawn to the church? It was an interesting premise but like I said as soon as we see the gargoyle the book just ends.
The Master of the House by Stuart Turton - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Loved this one! Such an interesting concept. A man who ignores the wellbeing of his son awakes on Christmas Eve to find “the master of the house” has lured his son away from him forever. Unless he can follow him, find his son and bring him home. I throughly enjoyed the idea that bad parents can lose their children due to neglect. And when he meets a woman who has lived in this other world he finds another purpose.
Ada Lark by Jess Kidd ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Started off interesting but quickly peetered off into nothing. The ending wasn’t particularly clear or satisfying. Ada works for Madam Bellrose a medium who claims she can converse with the dead, when it fact it is all a trick and Ada is the main secret. When they visit Lady Bentham whose daughter passed away aged 8, Ada feels a real connection and that she deserves more than their trickery. She forms a bond with both the ghost girl and also her mother. I just didn’t fully understand it all. The fog, the ghost, Ada. Just all a bit vague.
Jenkin by Catriona Ward ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Another great premise! Maggie has always seen Jenkin, a strange creature that only she can see whenever she lies. After her mother’s death, she feels responsible for her younger sister Vera. As outside forces try to come between her and her sister, Maggie realises what her sister is truly capable of and wants to protect her in any way. But at what cost?
Widows Walk by Susan Stokes-Chapman ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Honoria lives alone, creating beautiful fans for her shop to sell to her rich patrons. The gossips say her philandering husband ran off with another woman leaving her to fend for herself. When she is commissioned for her most exquisite fan yet, she puts all her time into it, and gets all the best materials. Is it just sleep deprivation or are those noises she hears when she walks through the widows graveyard at night real? I loved the final reveal (view spoiler)[ that she murdered her cheating husband and was using his bones and skin to create the fan for the woman he cheated with. Before she then dies too, to be buried in the widows walk. (hide spoiler)] A perfectly spooky read.
Carol of the Bells and Chains - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I am a big Laura Purcell fan, and this story did not disappoint. A governess looking after four spoiled, badly behaved children seeks to frighten them into submission by telling the story of Krampus, a monster who takes naughty children away. My only gripe is that I would have liked more. This short story felt shorter than all the others. I would have liked more reveals about the governess’ past. But overall, another hit. ...more
Loved this one! Started as a quiet tale about a young boy who is offered a job byReviewing each story as I go.
Mr Harrigan’s Phone 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved this one! Started as a quiet tale about a young boy who is offered a job by his neighbour Mr Harrigan. Craig reads to him, waters his plants and generally keeps him company. Mr Harrigan is wealthy, and knew a lot about the stock market in his time, but now retired, the world is moving on without him. When Craig wins some money on a scratch card he treats Mr Harrigan to a smart phone and he soon cannot live without it. When Mr Harrigan passes away, he is buried with his smart phone and one day when Craig misses him he calls the phone to hear his voicemail - but what he hears on the other line is something very unexpected. I won’t give away any more than that, but I loved the ambiguity and moral questions in this tale and it was a great start to the book!
Life of Chuck 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great start and concept, but sadly didn’t live up to it by the end. Told in three parts in reverse order. A man’s face appears on a billboard just as the apocalypse arrives. Working backwards we learn who Chuck is and more about his childhood. But ultimately I was left disappointed. (view spoiler)[ we never find out why his name and picture was on the billboards. He saw his own death as a child by I didn’t understand how it connected. (hide spoiler)]
If it Bleeds 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved being back with Holly Gibney! I love her character. This novella is a sequel to The Outsider, when Holly starts to spot similarities between news readers from different time periods she becomes suspicious. Surely there can’t be another creature like the one she previously faced? Fast paced and gripping, I was on the edge of my seat by the end and really enjoyed this one.
Rat 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This could have been too weird, but I found it was just the right level for me. A writer known only for his short stories is determined to write a novel. Despite the drastic end to his last attempt, he is determined to try again. He goes to his fathers old cabin in the woods for some solitude to get some serious writing done. But when he falls ill he starts to hallucinate (or does he). A rat appears offering him his life’s dream - but at a price. I liked that we aren’t really sure what is or isn’t real. Whether the rat was the cause or whether he finished the book himself and the other events are sheer bad timing. Very interesting idea....more
I loved the Bill Hodges trilogy, when I saw there would be another book with Holly Gibney in it I was excited. It had a really strong start. A c3.5 ⭐️
I loved the Bill Hodges trilogy, when I saw there would be another book with Holly Gibney in it I was excited. It had a really strong start. A child is found mutilated and killed - DNA everywhere indicates it is the local baseball teams coach. The police arrest him immediately in the middle of a game in front of the whole town.
But then it comes to light that the suspect was out of the city during the attack. At a convention with 3 other witnesses. So begs the question, how can a man be in two places at once?
I loved this premise and was excited to see what King did with it. I expected supernatural, as I said I’ve read the Bill Hodges trilogy so it wasn’t the supernatural that left me slightly underwhelmed.
It was the lack of explanation. In the previous trilogy we get dense description of how Brady did what he did. But here it’s just kind of thrown at you right at the end and it’s just like - deal with it.
I still enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong but the ending felt rushed and a bit undeveloped.
I will pick up the If It Bleeds short stories soon though. ...more
This was a pleasant surprise. I spotted it on the library shelf and thought it looked good but kept my expectations low.
A family return to their homeThis was a pleasant surprise. I spotted it on the library shelf and thought it looked good but kept my expectations low.
A family return to their home after the death of their father to go through the will and sort out paperwork. However, not long after arrival Rob’s five year old son Timmy goes missing, and then two others.
I love a good haunted house story, and this one was really interesting with history woven in. Witching rooms, family secrets and gripping writing.
“Payback is a bitch, he thought, and I am that bitch.”
Really enjoyed this trilogy and loved this final instalment.
Bill and Holly find themselves d “Payback is a bitch, he thought, and I am that bitch.”
Really enjoyed this trilogy and loved this final instalment.
Bill and Holly find themselves drawn into another mystery when two women supposedly commit suicide. One of whom was a victim of the Mercedes killer - permanently disabled.
As more and more links between Brady’s victims start to appear, Bill worries that there may be more to the suicides than meets the eye.
And when we find out what is causing these deaths - it is both shocking and twisted. (view spoiler)[ Brady Hartsfield, despite being a vegetable - has found a way to jump into peoples minds and hypnotise them. Using the body of a doctor he manages to create mass suicides through the provision of Zappits. (Game Boys). (hide spoiler)]
Such a terrifying concept, I was gripped and so pleased that (view spoiler)[ Brady gets his just deserts by getting mowed down by Jerome in a snowmobile (hide spoiler)]...more
Not really my cup of tea. It took a long time to get going, and Louise’s brother Mark pissed me off so much I almost gave up.
When it finally got intoNot really my cup of tea. It took a long time to get going, and Louise’s brother Mark pissed me off so much I almost gave up.
When it finally got into it I was a bit more invested - but still not massively (view spoiler)[ creepy dolls/puppets aren’t really my thing. But I did find the reveal where it was their mother’s dead brother possessing the puppet to be an interesting take. (hide spoiler)]
I finished it, which is something to be said. But I think I might be done with this authors books....more
A high octane thriller. Though I did have a rough inkling about the reasoning as it was very similar to another book I’ve read.
7 strangers ent3.5 ⭐️
A high octane thriller. Though I did have a rough inkling about the reasoning as it was very similar to another book I’ve read.
7 strangers enter a competition to win £50,000. They simply have to play as extreme version of hide and seek - stay hidden for 7 days without being caught.
But as the days go by and more competitors disappear, they start to wonder if there is something much more sinister to this competition than meets the eye.
It’s a short read, and although exciting I would have loved to know more about (view spoiler)[ how the founders discovered this monster and about how awakening it would give their families protection as long as they feed it blood relatives. (hide spoiler)]
I definitely think more depth would have been good, but I still enjoyed it all the same. ...more
I didn’t love this one nearly as much as The Last House on Needless Street - but then I thought3.5 ⭐️
“How are you feeling? Are you a bad dog too?”
I didn’t love this one nearly as much as The Last House on Needless Street - but then I thought that book was fucking fantastic. So the bar was probably a bit high ...more
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