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Recommend this book:
The Accelerates
Forty Days to Dust
Tak Salmastyan
2026 Finalist
308 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Mary Clarke for Readers' Favorite
The Accelerates: Forty Days to Dust by Tak Salmastyan is a well-written dystopian novel about a world ravaged by a dangerous virus outbreak. It follows Ethan, a 15-year-old boy whose brother Leo is infected with the virus. Ethan, who is emotionally shaken, promises to save Leo, no matter the cost. Ethan, along with Clara and Mia, who later join the team, fight for their survival as the Accelerates—a group of children infected by the virus with higher abilities—attack people and pose a threat to life. As Leo's health keeps deteriorating, Ethan and a group of survivors embark on a journey to a sanctuary at GeneCorp’s Redwood Valley facility, a place believed to have a cure for the virus. Aida and Jacobson join the group as they journey to find a cure, save lives, and bring stability.
The Accelerates is an incredibly fast-paced action novel that caught my attention from the start. Tak Salmastyan did a great job of bringing the emotions and different personal struggles of the characters to life. I related to Ethan's feelings of frustration, hope, and struggle for survival. The idea of the Accelerates—children transformed by science into monster-like beings despite their innocent nature—is terrifying and deep. I couldn't imagine what Ethan and Clara felt on seeing Leo and Ava transform into something scary. The novel stands out in many areas; the character development is top-notch, the storyline is thought-provoking, the pacing flows seamlessly, and the writing style is detailed. It covers themes of family bonds, the dangers of unchecked science, and finding light in the darkest places. This book inspires me to always hold onto love and resilience, no matter how hopeless things may seem. I recommend it to readers who enjoy dystopian novels and stories about family and survival.
The Accelerates: Forty Days to Dust by Tak Salmastyan is a well-written dystopian novel about a world ravaged by a dangerous virus outbreak. It follows Ethan, a 15-year-old boy whose brother Leo is infected with the virus. Ethan, who is emotionally shaken, promises to save Leo, no matter the cost. Ethan, along with Clara and Mia, who later join the team, fight for their survival as the Accelerates—a group of children infected by the virus with higher abilities—attack people and pose a threat to life. As Leo's health keeps deteriorating, Ethan and a group of survivors embark on a journey to a sanctuary at GeneCorp’s Redwood Valley facility, a place believed to have a cure for the virus. Aida and Jacobson join the group as they journey to find a cure, save lives, and bring stability.
The Accelerates is an incredibly fast-paced action novel that caught my attention from the start. Tak Salmastyan did a great job of bringing the emotions and different personal struggles of the characters to life. I related to Ethan's feelings of frustration, hope, and struggle for survival. The idea of the Accelerates—children transformed by science into monster-like beings despite their innocent nature—is terrifying and deep. I couldn't imagine what Ethan and Clara felt on seeing Leo and Ava transform into something scary. The novel stands out in many areas; the character development is top-notch, the storyline is thought-provoking, the pacing flows seamlessly, and the writing style is detailed. It covers themes of family bonds, the dangers of unchecked science, and finding light in the darkest places. This book inspires me to always hold onto love and resilience, no matter how hopeless things may seem. I recommend it to readers who enjoy dystopian novels and stories about family and survival.
Recommend this book:
The Violin
Odella Howe
2026 Finalist
284 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro for Readers' Favorite
The Violin begins with a visit to the home of the reclusive and elderly Elise Knight. When Lucy arrives to check on Elise, she strikes up a conversation with a fellow Chapel Grove resident and hears a tale unlike any she’s heard before. In 1871, Elise Knight is mourning the unexpected loss of her fiancé, William. Since William’s passing, Elise has been mired in grief and is isolated from the outside world. Her cloud of suffering begins to lift the day her father brings her a violin to play, the music serving as a balm for her wounded soul. Despite the immediate lift of the violin, Elise longs for William and would do anything to see him again. When the mysterious showman/entrepreneur Cassius McCalmont offers this intriguing possibility, Elise is eager to oblige his demand without considering any consequences.
The Violin by Odella Howe is a spellbinding horror novel full of passion, mystery, and drama. The anguish that steals Elise’s days and nights is palpable, and her inability to overcome her loss is understandable, which makes her decisions appear easy to reconcile. Elise’s difficulty in letting go of William and her willingness to ponder unspeakable actions evoke thoughts of the protagonist in Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, and how the loss of a loved one can rob a human being of their rationality. Howe’s gift for narrative is in drawing the dread out slowly and building the terror until it reaches its frightening peak. This book is a smashing success that will keep readers hooked until its magnificent conclusion and up for more than a few nights afterward.
The Violin begins with a visit to the home of the reclusive and elderly Elise Knight. When Lucy arrives to check on Elise, she strikes up a conversation with a fellow Chapel Grove resident and hears a tale unlike any she’s heard before. In 1871, Elise Knight is mourning the unexpected loss of her fiancé, William. Since William’s passing, Elise has been mired in grief and is isolated from the outside world. Her cloud of suffering begins to lift the day her father brings her a violin to play, the music serving as a balm for her wounded soul. Despite the immediate lift of the violin, Elise longs for William and would do anything to see him again. When the mysterious showman/entrepreneur Cassius McCalmont offers this intriguing possibility, Elise is eager to oblige his demand without considering any consequences.
The Violin by Odella Howe is a spellbinding horror novel full of passion, mystery, and drama. The anguish that steals Elise’s days and nights is palpable, and her inability to overcome her loss is understandable, which makes her decisions appear easy to reconcile. Elise’s difficulty in letting go of William and her willingness to ponder unspeakable actions evoke thoughts of the protagonist in Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, and how the loss of a loved one can rob a human being of their rationality. Howe’s gift for narrative is in drawing the dread out slowly and building the terror until it reaches its frightening peak. This book is a smashing success that will keep readers hooked until its magnificent conclusion and up for more than a few nights afterward.
Recommend this book:
Smiling Faceless Woman
Thomas J. Gebhardt III
2026 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Antoinette Wessels for Readers' Favorite
In Smiling Faceless Woman by Thomas J Gebhardt III, Alex is your typical overachieving college student. He takes as many credits as he can every semester, has no time for girls, and is an emo. Everything is going according to his master plan to finish college strong, study abroad, and find a job in the federal services. That was until a visit to his birth country, Mexico. Now he has sleepless nights with an unseen force pushing him down at night, to the point of not being able to breathe. That’s when he gets help from a paranormal investigation team to get rid of this entity. When everything is over, Deidre, one of the leaders of the team, asks for his help after she is hurt, due to his special ability to feel things. This sets him off on an adventure of chasing ghosts and demons. Not what he planned for his future.
Smiling Faceless Woman by Thomas J Gebhardt III is a must-read for all lovers of paranormal thrillers and definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a thriller that lives up to its name and keeps you on your toes for the whole book with detailed descriptions. The author brought this book alive. Some love scenes break the tension, not just for Alex but for the reader as well. Readers should note that there are sex scenes and very descriptive scary scenes. It’s not for readers who scare easily. You will appreciate the amount of research the author did. He spoke with real ghosthunters and a priest when writing this story, and went to a haunted location to get a feel of the situation. I hope that this is not the last I read about Alex and his gang.
In Smiling Faceless Woman by Thomas J Gebhardt III, Alex is your typical overachieving college student. He takes as many credits as he can every semester, has no time for girls, and is an emo. Everything is going according to his master plan to finish college strong, study abroad, and find a job in the federal services. That was until a visit to his birth country, Mexico. Now he has sleepless nights with an unseen force pushing him down at night, to the point of not being able to breathe. That’s when he gets help from a paranormal investigation team to get rid of this entity. When everything is over, Deidre, one of the leaders of the team, asks for his help after she is hurt, due to his special ability to feel things. This sets him off on an adventure of chasing ghosts and demons. Not what he planned for his future.
Smiling Faceless Woman by Thomas J Gebhardt III is a must-read for all lovers of paranormal thrillers and definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a thriller that lives up to its name and keeps you on your toes for the whole book with detailed descriptions. The author brought this book alive. Some love scenes break the tension, not just for Alex but for the reader as well. Readers should note that there are sex scenes and very descriptive scary scenes. It’s not for readers who scare easily. You will appreciate the amount of research the author did. He spoke with real ghosthunters and a priest when writing this story, and went to a haunted location to get a feel of the situation. I hope that this is not the last I read about Alex and his gang.
Recommend this book:
Unquiet Forest
Juliet Rose
2026 Bronze Medal
247 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
In Unquiet Forest by Juliet Rose, an elderly woman named Margaret Blankenship intentionally set a building ablaze but was saved by firefighters. Margaret insisted they allow the structure to burn down, claiming it held evil forces. A group of eight children aged thirteen to fifteen was sent to Wilderness Reset. This program collaborates with the court system and law enforcement to take children on wilderness adventures to help them rediscover themselves and steer them away from detrimental paths. While hiking, the children were pursued by a bear and became lost. They stumbled upon an abandoned building that had been constructed far from civilization for a specific reason. A sudden downpour, accompanied by hail, compelled the children to seek refuge in the building. If they stayed in the building for too long, they would be unable to leave. Inside, the children needed to remain resilient and rely on one another if they hoped to escape and return home.
Unquiet Forest by Juliet Rose is an exceptional horror novel. The plot was fast-moving, with thrilling action that began on the very first page and continued without pause until the conclusion. The writing style was engaging and vivid. I felt immersed in the experiences of the children in the building. I went through every terrifying moment alongside them. The characters were believable and easy to connect with. Each character had a unique background that played a crucial role in the story. I continuously hoped the children would escape from the building unharmed, but as events unfolded, I began to lose that hope, given everything they endured. The plot was skillfully crafted and executed. The ending took me by surprise, leaving me stunned by the conclusion. This horror story will linger in my mind for a long time.
In Unquiet Forest by Juliet Rose, an elderly woman named Margaret Blankenship intentionally set a building ablaze but was saved by firefighters. Margaret insisted they allow the structure to burn down, claiming it held evil forces. A group of eight children aged thirteen to fifteen was sent to Wilderness Reset. This program collaborates with the court system and law enforcement to take children on wilderness adventures to help them rediscover themselves and steer them away from detrimental paths. While hiking, the children were pursued by a bear and became lost. They stumbled upon an abandoned building that had been constructed far from civilization for a specific reason. A sudden downpour, accompanied by hail, compelled the children to seek refuge in the building. If they stayed in the building for too long, they would be unable to leave. Inside, the children needed to remain resilient and rely on one another if they hoped to escape and return home.
Unquiet Forest by Juliet Rose is an exceptional horror novel. The plot was fast-moving, with thrilling action that began on the very first page and continued without pause until the conclusion. The writing style was engaging and vivid. I felt immersed in the experiences of the children in the building. I went through every terrifying moment alongside them. The characters were believable and easy to connect with. Each character had a unique background that played a crucial role in the story. I continuously hoped the children would escape from the building unharmed, but as events unfolded, I began to lose that hope, given everything they endured. The plot was skillfully crafted and executed. The ending took me by surprise, leaving me stunned by the conclusion. This horror story will linger in my mind for a long time.
Recommend this book:
When Your Shadow Knocks
The Dark Cyprus Novels
Nick Dream
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
When Your Shadow Knocks by Nick Dream follows Adonis, the singer of fading rock band Father’s Heresy, after the group is stranded near Kalotihos, a mountain village in Cyprus where Adonis spent his childhood. A mysterious force requires the band to complete a musical frequency connected to an old ritual beneath the village. As the Twelve Nights of Christmas reach Theofania, Adonis learns that Kalotihos is threatened by Kalikantzaroi, shadow creatures bound to the mountain. If Adonis and the other protagonists fail to stop Kalikantzaroi’ plan before the scheduled concert, the entire world could be in danger and the shadows freed beyond the boundaries of the village! The author also includes gorgeous and original illustrations.
Nick Dream’s When Your Shadow Knocks is an excellent Cypriot folk horror story and has a real feel of characters under supernatural pressure. Andreas is convincing as Christos’s older brother, which comes through when he watches Christos count as fear starts taking over. The author is just as good at turning familiar spaces into places that feel wrong. Peter’s upstairs room becomes unnerving as he prepares wax earplugs for the knocking beneath his abandoned flower shop, with the gramophone and winter silence tightening the surrounding mood. Further on, that unease moves into the mountain as Adonis crosses the snowbound Path of Sin, where the narrowing route and cold air give the scene a physical edge. The twists arrive at smart intervals, recasting earlier details. Readers drawn to supernatural creature fiction should pick up When Your Shadow Knocks. Very highly recommended.
When Your Shadow Knocks by Nick Dream follows Adonis, the singer of fading rock band Father’s Heresy, after the group is stranded near Kalotihos, a mountain village in Cyprus where Adonis spent his childhood. A mysterious force requires the band to complete a musical frequency connected to an old ritual beneath the village. As the Twelve Nights of Christmas reach Theofania, Adonis learns that Kalotihos is threatened by Kalikantzaroi, shadow creatures bound to the mountain. If Adonis and the other protagonists fail to stop Kalikantzaroi’ plan before the scheduled concert, the entire world could be in danger and the shadows freed beyond the boundaries of the village! The author also includes gorgeous and original illustrations.
Nick Dream’s When Your Shadow Knocks is an excellent Cypriot folk horror story and has a real feel of characters under supernatural pressure. Andreas is convincing as Christos’s older brother, which comes through when he watches Christos count as fear starts taking over. The author is just as good at turning familiar spaces into places that feel wrong. Peter’s upstairs room becomes unnerving as he prepares wax earplugs for the knocking beneath his abandoned flower shop, with the gramophone and winter silence tightening the surrounding mood. Further on, that unease moves into the mountain as Adonis crosses the snowbound Path of Sin, where the narrowing route and cold air give the scene a physical edge. The twists arrive at smart intervals, recasting earlier details. Readers drawn to supernatural creature fiction should pick up When Your Shadow Knocks. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Monster Hunting in Newtonville
Viktor Csák
2026 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Monster Hunting in Newtonville by Viktor Csák follows John Debenham, who lives inside a fortified Boston where a strict boundary, the Red Line, separates the surviving colony from the ruined city. He stays afloat by secretly escorting people and cargo past the Red Line, into the post-outbreak streets that created feral human predators. When Icelandic smugglers offer scarce medicine for a sick child in exchange for a private expedition, John accepts a deal tying him to Anton Morozov, a wealthy foreigner intent on filming a kill inside the forbidden zone. Joined by Anton’s sons and John’s associates, the group enters Newtonville under tight time limits and constant surveillance. As colony authorities interfere and feral activity escalates, John knows that failure has consequences far beyond the hunt itself.
Ok, now that was a fun read! Monster Hunting in Newtonville by Viktor Csák is a rare kind of speculative fiction novel in that it mixes together the dystopian undead with a top-flipping trophy hunt angle, and the result is a gamed system within an already rigged, authoritarian colony. This is survival managed through deception and sanctioned by leadership, and it is absolutely brilliant. It's all fun and games until the fail-safes fail, and those ferals chained in a suburban garage aren't such an easy target anymore. Csák gives this world a textured feel, and the most heartbreaking and inspiring is Olivia’s refusal to accept colony rules that deny her child medicine. John is the flawed protagonist we all look for in a novel, and when paired with a rigid system, a compromise to wrong a right, a chase that ratchets up a gloriously high body count, and a relentless pace, you have a book worth reading.
Monster Hunting in Newtonville by Viktor Csák follows John Debenham, who lives inside a fortified Boston where a strict boundary, the Red Line, separates the surviving colony from the ruined city. He stays afloat by secretly escorting people and cargo past the Red Line, into the post-outbreak streets that created feral human predators. When Icelandic smugglers offer scarce medicine for a sick child in exchange for a private expedition, John accepts a deal tying him to Anton Morozov, a wealthy foreigner intent on filming a kill inside the forbidden zone. Joined by Anton’s sons and John’s associates, the group enters Newtonville under tight time limits and constant surveillance. As colony authorities interfere and feral activity escalates, John knows that failure has consequences far beyond the hunt itself.
Ok, now that was a fun read! Monster Hunting in Newtonville by Viktor Csák is a rare kind of speculative fiction novel in that it mixes together the dystopian undead with a top-flipping trophy hunt angle, and the result is a gamed system within an already rigged, authoritarian colony. This is survival managed through deception and sanctioned by leadership, and it is absolutely brilliant. It's all fun and games until the fail-safes fail, and those ferals chained in a suburban garage aren't such an easy target anymore. Csák gives this world a textured feel, and the most heartbreaking and inspiring is Olivia’s refusal to accept colony rules that deny her child medicine. John is the flawed protagonist we all look for in a novel, and when paired with a rigid system, a compromise to wrong a right, a chase that ratchets up a gloriously high body count, and a relentless pace, you have a book worth reading.
Recommend this book:
Christina
Chronicles of the Dark Star Child
Wesley Farris
2025 Finalist
386 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Christina: Chronicles of the Dark Star Child by Wesley Farris is a paranormal novel set against the backdrop of a looming darkness that threatens to engulf the world. A sinister force, born in Nazi Germany, seeks immortality and is now poised to unleash its power. However, hope lies in Christina, a child with the miraculous ability to generate life. She is protected by a man who navigates death through his dreams and another child who can enter minds. Together, they must battle the darkness that seeks to destroy her. Farris has crafted a story that is both haunting and captivating with a lot of interesting twists, taking the typical paranormal concept of a historic, looming darkness into new, original realms by introducing life, death, and dreams to the mix.
I loved the psychological aspects of the tale and I thought these were extremely well-realized and personalized to each character and their own special powers. Wesley Farris’s ability to evoke suspense and tension is clear in the confident pace of the narrative. There’s a keen sense of when to add a more atmospheric description and slow the pace down into a tense, moody scene, and then amp up the sharp description of the action to speed us into the next twist. Farris’s exploration of light versus darkness is both symbolic and thrilling, offering a profound commentary on people and what it means to face the darkest aspects of ourselves. Overall, I would certainly recommend Christina: Chronicles of the Dark Star Child to paranormal fantasy readers everywhere for its interesting, intellectual approach to storytelling and brilliantly paced plot.
Christina: Chronicles of the Dark Star Child by Wesley Farris is a paranormal novel set against the backdrop of a looming darkness that threatens to engulf the world. A sinister force, born in Nazi Germany, seeks immortality and is now poised to unleash its power. However, hope lies in Christina, a child with the miraculous ability to generate life. She is protected by a man who navigates death through his dreams and another child who can enter minds. Together, they must battle the darkness that seeks to destroy her. Farris has crafted a story that is both haunting and captivating with a lot of interesting twists, taking the typical paranormal concept of a historic, looming darkness into new, original realms by introducing life, death, and dreams to the mix.
I loved the psychological aspects of the tale and I thought these were extremely well-realized and personalized to each character and their own special powers. Wesley Farris’s ability to evoke suspense and tension is clear in the confident pace of the narrative. There’s a keen sense of when to add a more atmospheric description and slow the pace down into a tense, moody scene, and then amp up the sharp description of the action to speed us into the next twist. Farris’s exploration of light versus darkness is both symbolic and thrilling, offering a profound commentary on people and what it means to face the darkest aspects of ourselves. Overall, I would certainly recommend Christina: Chronicles of the Dark Star Child to paranormal fantasy readers everywhere for its interesting, intellectual approach to storytelling and brilliantly paced plot.
Recommend this book:
The Furious Others
Ashley Baker
2025 Honorable Mention
348 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Furious Others by Dr. Ashley Baker is a groundbreaking horror novel that boldly reimagines the true crime genre by shifting focus from the perpetrator to the victims of serial killer Jason LeDown. Rather than dwelling on the killer's dark motivations, the novel gives voice to ten unique women whose lives were cut tragically short, celebrating their dreams, passions, and the full spectrum of their humanity. Through detailed portraits of each victim, Baker creates a powerful narrative that challenges traditional horror conventions and refuses to let these women be reduced to mere statistics. The novel weaves together their stories with profound respect and sensitivity, creating a haunting tapestry that addresses larger truths about society's treatment of violence against women and the importance of remembering victims as full, complex human beings with rich inner lives and unrealized potential.
Author Dr. Ashley Baker brings her background in clinical psychology to bear in this innovative and deeply moving approach to horror fiction. I was particularly struck by her decision to center the victims' stories, creating a narrative that feels both revolutionary and necessary in today's literary landscape. Her evocative prose achieves a delicate balance between horror and empathy, making each character's story resonate with authentic emotion while never shying away from the darker aspects. What touched me most deeply was her ability to transform what could have been a typical true crime narrative into a powerful meditation on loss, memory, and the enduring impact of violence on communities, making audiences reflect deeply on how we remember and honor those whose lives are taken too soon. This poignancy is achieved naturally without taking us out of the plot, and Baker's rejection of the typical focus on the killer's psychology creates space for a more meaningful exploration of humanity in the face of darkness. Overall, The Furious Others is an essential and recommended read that will change how you think about the horror genre and its potential for meaningful social commentary.
The Furious Others by Dr. Ashley Baker is a groundbreaking horror novel that boldly reimagines the true crime genre by shifting focus from the perpetrator to the victims of serial killer Jason LeDown. Rather than dwelling on the killer's dark motivations, the novel gives voice to ten unique women whose lives were cut tragically short, celebrating their dreams, passions, and the full spectrum of their humanity. Through detailed portraits of each victim, Baker creates a powerful narrative that challenges traditional horror conventions and refuses to let these women be reduced to mere statistics. The novel weaves together their stories with profound respect and sensitivity, creating a haunting tapestry that addresses larger truths about society's treatment of violence against women and the importance of remembering victims as full, complex human beings with rich inner lives and unrealized potential.
Author Dr. Ashley Baker brings her background in clinical psychology to bear in this innovative and deeply moving approach to horror fiction. I was particularly struck by her decision to center the victims' stories, creating a narrative that feels both revolutionary and necessary in today's literary landscape. Her evocative prose achieves a delicate balance between horror and empathy, making each character's story resonate with authentic emotion while never shying away from the darker aspects. What touched me most deeply was her ability to transform what could have been a typical true crime narrative into a powerful meditation on loss, memory, and the enduring impact of violence on communities, making audiences reflect deeply on how we remember and honor those whose lives are taken too soon. This poignancy is achieved naturally without taking us out of the plot, and Baker's rejection of the typical focus on the killer's psychology creates space for a more meaningful exploration of humanity in the face of darkness. Overall, The Furious Others is an essential and recommended read that will change how you think about the horror genre and its potential for meaningful social commentary.
Recommend this book:
Skinwalkers
Book 2 of the VOLK Series
D. Werkmeister
2025 Bronze Medal
261 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Skinwalkers is the second book in the VOLK supernatural thriller series by D. Werkmeister. After a state trooper and a woman are brutally massacred on the highway in Arizona, state police detectives John Lightfoot and Ed Stackhouse delve into the investigation. They soon realize it's the handiwork of the Pima Predator. But the killings are unlike anything they've ever seen before. Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Terri Watson, Detective Marc Peterson, and Agent Sarah Holmes from Philadelphia arrive in Phoenix to aid the local detectives. They receive further help from informant, friend, and werewolf, Alex Stepanova. As the skinwalker continues his killing spree, Terri and her team forge special blades to combat the supernatural threat. But they inadvertently put their own loved ones in danger. Now, Terri must look within to face off against this monster.
Laced with mystery, thrills, and action, Skinwalkers hooks you in from the first page and keeps you on the edge until the last. The plot is action-packed and moves at a blistering pace. Author D. Werkmeister infuses a healthy dose of suspense, sleuth mystery, and lore into the narrative, resulting in a delicious supernatural yarn that lovers of the genre will devour with relish. Each character has an important role to play in the story. I found myself particularly invested in Alex and Terri's relationship dynamic. I also found the lore about the skinwalkers very intriguing, and Terri's exploits toward the end had me cheering from my seat. All in all, it's a gripping supernatural thriller that readers will have a blast with. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend it highly enough.
Skinwalkers is the second book in the VOLK supernatural thriller series by D. Werkmeister. After a state trooper and a woman are brutally massacred on the highway in Arizona, state police detectives John Lightfoot and Ed Stackhouse delve into the investigation. They soon realize it's the handiwork of the Pima Predator. But the killings are unlike anything they've ever seen before. Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Terri Watson, Detective Marc Peterson, and Agent Sarah Holmes from Philadelphia arrive in Phoenix to aid the local detectives. They receive further help from informant, friend, and werewolf, Alex Stepanova. As the skinwalker continues his killing spree, Terri and her team forge special blades to combat the supernatural threat. But they inadvertently put their own loved ones in danger. Now, Terri must look within to face off against this monster.
Laced with mystery, thrills, and action, Skinwalkers hooks you in from the first page and keeps you on the edge until the last. The plot is action-packed and moves at a blistering pace. Author D. Werkmeister infuses a healthy dose of suspense, sleuth mystery, and lore into the narrative, resulting in a delicious supernatural yarn that lovers of the genre will devour with relish. Each character has an important role to play in the story. I found myself particularly invested in Alex and Terri's relationship dynamic. I also found the lore about the skinwalkers very intriguing, and Terri's exploits toward the end had me cheering from my seat. All in all, it's a gripping supernatural thriller that readers will have a blast with. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend it highly enough.
Recommend this book:
Where Dark Things Grow
Andrew K. Clark
2025 Silver Medal
308 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Where Dark Things Grow by Andrew K. Clark is a slow-burn horror novel that gradually becomes a riveting and eerie tale of revenge, folklore, and survival. The story starts at a measured pace, immersing readers in the bleak, oppressive atmosphere of the 1930s Southern Appalachian Mountains. The story follows fifteen-year-old Leo, whose life is unraveling. With his father mysteriously missing and his mother slipping deeper into madness while trying to care for him, his sick sister Goldfish, and two good-for-nothing brothers, Leo’s world is spiraling out of control.
As the narrative progresses, the plot heightens by introducing an enchanted wulver—a creature from ancient folklore—that Leo discovers and naively believes he can control to exact vengeance on those who’ve wronged him. But what starts as an empowering quest for justice quickly turns dark as Leo realizes the horrifying consequences of unleashing the wulver. This is where the story kicks into high gear, and the stakes become terrifyingly real. Andrew K. Clark does an exceptional job of weaving elements of horror, folklore, and magical realism into a dark coming-of-age story that examines themes of loss, power, and redemption. While the beginning may take some time to pull you in, it’s worth sticking with it because the slow build pays off in a haunting and gripping journey that will keep you hooked until the end. Clark has a unique writing style that readers will appreciate. Where Dark Things Grow is worth reading if you’re a fan of atmospheric horror rich in folklore and moral complexity.
Where Dark Things Grow by Andrew K. Clark is a slow-burn horror novel that gradually becomes a riveting and eerie tale of revenge, folklore, and survival. The story starts at a measured pace, immersing readers in the bleak, oppressive atmosphere of the 1930s Southern Appalachian Mountains. The story follows fifteen-year-old Leo, whose life is unraveling. With his father mysteriously missing and his mother slipping deeper into madness while trying to care for him, his sick sister Goldfish, and two good-for-nothing brothers, Leo’s world is spiraling out of control.
As the narrative progresses, the plot heightens by introducing an enchanted wulver—a creature from ancient folklore—that Leo discovers and naively believes he can control to exact vengeance on those who’ve wronged him. But what starts as an empowering quest for justice quickly turns dark as Leo realizes the horrifying consequences of unleashing the wulver. This is where the story kicks into high gear, and the stakes become terrifyingly real. Andrew K. Clark does an exceptional job of weaving elements of horror, folklore, and magical realism into a dark coming-of-age story that examines themes of loss, power, and redemption. While the beginning may take some time to pull you in, it’s worth sticking with it because the slow build pays off in a haunting and gripping journey that will keep you hooked until the end. Clark has a unique writing style that readers will appreciate. Where Dark Things Grow is worth reading if you’re a fan of atmospheric horror rich in folklore and moral complexity.
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