Tag: horror book review

The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A woman must confront the evil that rocked her childhood and still haunts her street in author Christina Henry’s “The Place Where They Buried Your Heart.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

A woman must confront the evil that has been terrorizing her street since she was a child in this gripping haunted house novel from the national bestselling author of The House That Horror Built and Good Girls Don’t Die.

On an otherwise ordinary street in Chicago, there is a house. An abandoned house where, once upon a time, terrible things happened. The children who live on this block are told by their parents to stay away from that house. But of course, children don’t listen. Children think it’s fun to be scared, to dare each other to go inside.

Jessie Campanelli did what many older sisters do and dared her little brother Paul. But unlike all the other kids who went inside that abandoned house, Paul didn’t return. His two friends, Jake and Richie, said that the house ate Paul. Of course adults didn’t believe that. Adults never believe what kids say. They thought someone kidnapped Paul, or otherwise hurt him. They thought Paul had disappeared in a way that was ordinary, explainable.

The disappearance of her little brother broke Jessie’s family apart in ways that would never be repaired. Jessie grew up, had a child of her own, kept living on the same street where the house that ate her brother sat, crouched and waiting. And darkness seemed to spread out from that house, a darkness that was alive—alive and hungry.

Grafton Mini Pen

The Review

One of the most chilling and engaging horror reads of 2025, author Christina Henry crafted a narrative that felt both horrifying and thrilling. The cosmic horror tone the story took on as the threat the house represented grew ever stronger, and the haunting imagery of the story itself, especially the grizzly deaths the house brought to life on the page, made it so enthralling and easy to get lost in.

The heart of this narrative lay in its dynamic character development. Much in the vein of Stephen King’s It, Stranger Things, and even a bit of The Haunting of Hill House, the iconic setting of the haunted house and the rich way the city of Chicago, especially this neighborhood, comes to life on the page blended that unsettling atmosphere with otherworldly vibes. Yet it was the relatability of the characters, especially the protagonist, Jessie, from her angsty teen years, that carried those horrific days through to the headstrong and resilient young woman who became a single mother and the only hope against an unstoppable evil. 

The Verdict

Haunting, thrilling, and entertaining, author Christina Henry’s “The Place Where They Buried Your Heart” is a must-read horror novel of 2025. One of the best reads of the year, this story oozes with dread and creates such powerful imagery that the scenes of this book will stay with readers much in the same way Pennywise has for many horror fans around the world, and leaves readers on the edge of their seats the entire novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Christina Henry is a horror and dark fantasy author whose works include GOOD GIRLS DON’T DIE, HORSEMAN, NEAR THE BONE, THE GHOST TREE, LOOKING GLASS, THE GIRL IN RED, THE MERMAID, LOST BOY, RED QUEEN, ALICE, and the seven book urban fantasy BLACK WINGS series.

Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.

She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

You can visit her on the web at

www.christinahenry.net

Facebook: authorChristinaHenry

Twitter: @C_Henry_Author

Instagram: authorChristinaHenry

Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-place-where-they-buried-your-heart-christina-henry/1146937727?ean=9780593953952

https://amzn.to/3XAI2Y5

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young girl begins questioning the motives of the woman who secretly visits her in author Josh Malerman’s “Incidents Around the House.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?”

When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the question over and over, Bela understands that unless she says yes, her family will soon pay.

Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe, but other incidents show cracks in her parents’ marriage. The safety Bela relies on is about to unravel.

But Other Mommy needs an answer.

Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror about a family as haunted as their home.

Grafton Mini Pen

The Review

I know this book was released last year, but it has been one of my most anticipated reads in recent years, and I couldn’t think of a better time to review it than now, on Halloween. This was definitely one of the scariest reads that I’ve had the pleasure of reading in years. Not since the first time I read Stephen King’s It have I felt such chills, and what made this book stand out was the perspective from which the story was told —through the eyes of a young child. The protagonist, Bela, is innocent and clearly struggling through a great deal in this story. Readers will instantly connect to her unique viewpoint and desperation to keep her family together and safe, while experiencing the confusion and pain that this situation rightfully causes.

Yet Other Mommy steals the show as one of literature’s newest yet most haunting horror creatures. Not a typical ghost story, this haunted house meets paranormal horror story brings to life a being whose name not only instills dread from the outset, but whose appearance constantly shifts, and for which each subsequent appearance becomes increasingly unsettling. By the time the parents of Bela begin to take notice of Other Mommy, things have taken quite a dark turn. The imagery and atmosphere she conveys in this story send chills down the reader’s spine. The tension builds quickly as the ghost of this story soon becomes a hungry monster, and every tactic the parents try to protect their child leads to more dire consequences.

The Verdict

An emotionally compelling and gripping horror thriller, author Josh Malerman’s “Incidents Around the House” is a must-read for this Halloween. The twists and turns this story takes, the time the author takes to balance the scares out with deep human connection and shocking revelations between the two parents, and the hopeful yet frightful journey Bela takes as Other Mommy’s true purpose comes to life, will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Josh Malerman is a New York Times best selling author and one of two singer/songwriters for the rock band The High Strung, whose song “The Luck You Got” can be heard as the theme song to the Showtime show “Shameless”. His book Bird Box was made into a Netflix film of the same name, starring Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich. He has been nominated for 10 Bram Stoker Awards and has written 40 books, many of those (14) prior to the publication of Bird Box, his debut. Incidents Around the House is his 13th published book. He lives in Michigan with his fiancee, the artist/musician Allison Laakko and their many brilliant pets.

Home

https://amzn.to/3LfxISy

http://barnesandnoble.com/w/incidents-around-the-house-josh-malerman/1144178178?ean=9780593723128

The Pinewood Prowler by Audrey Zeigon Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A woman desperately searches for the identity of a local serial killer as her town is plunged into chaos in author Audrey Zeigon’s “The Pinewood Prowler.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

The small town of Pinewood is drowning in fear. Fourteen dead. No suspects. A killer who strikes without leaving a trace.

Nicole Kieth refuses to sit by while her community is torn apart. Determined to unmask the monster hiding in plain sight, she begins to hunt the hunter. But the killer is always one step ahead—calculating, patient, and watching her every move.

As the body count rises, Nicole faces a chilling question: Can she expose the murderer before she becomes the next name on his list?

The Review

A compelling new voice in the horror sphere, author Audrey Zeigon delivers an incredible, fast-paced yet layered and chilling reading experience. The exploration of how a small town and its citizens can be affected by the unknown killer stalking their streets was artfully crafted here, as readers got a personal look at the tension and mistrust the protagonist began to develop toward everyone around her as she sought the killer’s identity. The imagery in the author’s writing was powerful and allowed readers to feel the terror and emotions that ran through the minds of the victims as the killer struck.

The driving force behind this novel was the character development of both the protagonist and the killer. The alternating chapters depicting the protagonist’s investigation and the killer’s final moments with the victims highlighted the drive of both characters so perfectly. The haunting reality of the killer and their motivations remained a mystery for much of the book, lending their actions an almost legendary, mythical quality and making them a local legend in the process.

Grafton Mini Pen

The Verdict

Thrilling, entertaining, and haunting, author Audrey Zeigon’s “The Pinewood Prowler” is a 2025 instant horror classic, perfect for the fall and spooky season readers find themselves in. The Pinewood Prowler is an instigating and scary new force to be reckoned with in the serial killer genre, and the twists and turns the investigation takes for the protagonist, along with the horrifying final chapters, will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Audrey Zeigon was born in 2010 in New York City. From an early age, she developed a strong passion for reading and horror. These interests inspired her to write her debut novel, The Pinewood Prowler. Audrey has enjoyed immersing herself in this story and looks forward to sharing it with her readers. 

https://www.instagram.com/thepinewoodprowler/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pinewood-prowler-audrey-zeigon/1148360213?ean=9798218750558

https://amzn.to/48TPYdJ

Subscribe

Enter your email below to receive updates.

Tick Town by Christopher A. Micklos Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A small town becomes infested with mutant ticks in author Christopher A. Micklos’s “Tick Town.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Welcome to Tick Town


Tomahawk Hollow has a huge problem. Slaughtered livestock. Disappearing townsfolk. And something in the woods hungry for blood. When a young reporter and her boss investigate, they discover a band of giant mutant ticks have made the rural Wisconsin tourist town their feeding ground.

Now, with the annual Harvest Moon Jubilee about to begin, Emmaline and Jackson must race to find the queen tick and her nest before a massive clutch of monster eggs hatch…and thousands more terrifying ticks are unleashed into the world!

Bursting with cinematic action, horror, fun, and suspense, TICK TOWN is an old-school, pulse-pounding pulp horror adventure. If you like classic creature feature horror fiction like JAWS and NIGHT OF THE CRABS or b-movie monster mayhem like THEM! and STARSHIP TROOPERS, you’ll love TICK TOWN!

The Review

I loved this pulp horror novel. The instant I was hooked on this narrative, I was transported back to my youth, when my family and I watched the pulp horror meets creature feature Eight Legged Freaks, with giant spiders taking out a small town. The author perfectly captures this same theme, tapping into the everyday fears people associate with insects and the inescapable feeling of trying to outrun threats far bigger than ourselves. The vivid imagery and the fast pacing of the narrative instantly transport the reader into the action, getting lost in the growing threat these creatures pose and the dangers they pose. 

To me, the true heart of this book was in the fantastic attention to detail the author put into making classic horror tropes work, making them feel both classic yet fresh in this narrative. From the small town setting of Tomahawk Hollow, to the teens hanging out in the woods they know they shouldn’t be in, to the abandoned building no one goes near but these kids do, and so much more, this novel oozes the iconic horror tropes that have made people such fans of the genre. The characters felt familiar, from the out-of-town visitors who seemed up to no good, the citizens put into the role of heroes, and even the laughable and reviled characters you either love or love to hate.

The Verdict

Haunting, thrilling, and entertaining, author Christopher Micklos’s “Tick Town” is a must-read pulp horror classic in the making, and one horror novel readers will want to watch out for this summer. The twists and turns in the narrative and the mixture of fun and horror readers get when delving further and further into the narrative will stay with them long after the story ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or pick up your copy on June 24th, 2025. 

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Christopher Micklos is a life-long horror junkie, an award-winning filmmaker, and a frequently published writer of horror-themed fiction and non-fiction. A member of the Horror Writers Association and the Wisconsin Writers Association, Christopher recently received the Wisconsin Backbone of Horror Award for “crafting amazing horror experiences” and “supporting Wisconsin horror.” His two feature films, THE NURSERY and THE HEADMISTRESS, are widely available streaming and on DVD; and his writing has appeared locally in numerous national outlets, including Rue Morgue Magazine, Sci-Fi Lampoon Magazine, and many others. . Christopher lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, daughter, two frisky ferrets, and their monstrous mini-labradoodle Ygor.

https://christophermicklos.com/

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in America by Louis K. Lowy Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

SPECIAL NOTE:

This is a bit of an unusual aside to make in my reviews, but I felt compelled to add this as this review has become somewhat of an emotional and surprising one. I have worked with this incredible author several times over the last few years and was contacted a few months ago by him to review his latest book. Unfortunately, I did not know that when he did so, it would be the last time I heard from him. 

It has come to my attention in the past week that author Louis K. Lowy has passed away at the age of 71. I had no idea that he had been battling an illness for some time and unfortunately has passed before I could share this review with him. He was a truly kind and encouraging author in this community, who I was not only thrilled to be able to work with as a reviewer and admirer of his work but who also supported my own ventures into the world of writing and was one of the few people I could consider a friend in this field. 

I wish I’d had the chance to get to know him more, but I am honored for the times we were able to speak and work together. So this review is in memory and honor of Louis K. Lowy, a beloved author who will truly be missed.

The bizarre and bloody tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde continues long after the conclusion of the classic Victorian tale by Robert Louis Stevenson as the captive doctor and mad killer soon make their way to a still growing America in author Louis K. Lowy’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in America”.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

It can now be revealed that the evil and violent Mr Edward Hyde – alter ego of London’s physician Doctor Henry Jekyll – did not die at the conclusion of the classic, Victorian-era case documented by Robert Louis Stevenson. Instead, this malignant criminal not only continued to plague Britons, but soon after set his ambitions for mayhem for other nations; and so headed for the United States.Follow this story, from bustling New York City to the balmy realms of Florida, where the goodly Jekyll feels the curse of his other personae more than ever before. Witness the tale of Hyde’s influence and monstrous acts increasing and Jekyll soon realising that if he cannot find a way to resolve his bizarre duality he will be forever lost, and the suffering and bloodshed he will have been responsible for having loosed on the new, bright world of America will be a horror unparalleled. For Hyde is a man who can never be caught by authorities as he hides within the form of his maker, and holds that maker’s life to ransom.

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

The Review

This was such an incredible follow-up to an iconic gothic horror classic. The settings of this novel were the first things that really captured my attention, as the story began in a classic Victorian-era London setting and kept the atmosphere of the classic, and then slowly over time shifted to a more early twentieth-century vibe when exploring the world of America and early moving picture studios, making it feel like a few noir elements were mixed into the story. The visceral nature of Hyde’s crimes and attitude was just as powerful as they ever were, and the way the story explores the criminal investigation that arises from those crimes kept me invested in the story.

Yet the heart of the narrative, as it was in the original, was the duality of Jekyll and Hyde. The desperation each feels in their mission to be rid of the other and the twist on their new connection that the author explores in this book was great to see as a new chapter of the mythos of Hyde came to life. The continuation of the experiments so Jekyll may be rid of Hyde for good leads to some unexpected outcomes, and the inclusion of a love interest that bridges the gap between the gothic nature of this original story and the updated noir storytelling was powerful and engaging to read, making the whole book feel quite cinematic in its delivery. 

The Verdict

Entertaining, chilling, and mind-bending, author Louis K. Lowy’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in America” is a fantastic gothic horror meets noir thriller novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the explosive finale will leave fans delighted as the story of this iconic horror literary figure gets a fresh breath of air that feels much needed. The author’s passion for this book and the atmospheric way in which it is written made this one book I didn’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Louis K. Lowy’s stories and writings have appeared in numerous public­ations including Coral Living Magazine, New Plains Review, The Florida Book Review, Ethereal Tales, Bête Noire Magazine, Pushing Out the Boat, The Chaffey Review, and The MacGuffin Magazine. He is a recipient of the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship. His humor poem “Poetry Workshop” was the second place winner of the 2009 Winning Writers Wergle Flomp Contest. 

http://www.louisklowy.com/

http://tinyurl.com/Louis-on-Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/louis_k_lowy/

Hell Fighters: 21st Century Lovecraft by Bill Richardson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A chance at finding some semblance of security and newfound purpose in his life takes a dark turn when Dr. Max Heller must lead a ragtag group of people against malevolent entities in author Bill Richardson’s “Hell Fighters: 21st Century Lovecraft”. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

21st CENTURY LOVECRAFT

A terrifying evil wants to enter our world, and Dr. Max Heller and the Hell Fighters are the only ones who can stop it. Heller is a man of science but when he stumbles upon something that defies all logic, he must put aside his old ways of thinking and plunge into the unknown.

In the tradition of HP Lovecraft comes a tale of cosmic horror that will have you on the edge of your seat. There are things in the universe beyond our understanding, malevolent entities of immense power. Can Heller and a ragtag group of townspeople prevail against such beings? Find out in this gripping tale filled with horrors more frightening than any nightmare.

The Review

This book hits readers immediately with a punch! The author brilliantly alternates the pacing according to the atmosphere of each chapter, slowly introducing readers to the protagonist before unleashing all hell on him and forcing him into a shocking fight for his life. Honestly, some of the most compelling reads and even films/shows that have drawn me in over the years tend to be cosmic horror. From classic H.P. Lovecraft to Stephen King’s The Mist and even more modern tales like Stranger Things, the combination of exploring what lies just beyond our universe and the fight for hope and life in the face of overwhelming horror is so highly creative and vastly open for new stories, and this author has found the perfect take on this iconic storytelling device.

What really stood out to me was how much humanity the author was able to infuse into this cosmic horror adventure through such strong character development. A truly great horror story infuses the narrative with emotional storytelling through personal character growth, and the author did this brilliantly, especially with protagonist Max Heller and supporting characters like Lydia and the Hell Fighter Club. These personal and emotionally-driven character interactions not only opened up the mental and emotional journey they were on but also did a great job of bringing thought-provoking concepts and scientific theories such as other dimensions/universes into the conversation while delivering a chilling and haunting atmosphere. 

The Verdict

A chilling, horrifying, and entertaining Lovecraftian-style horror thriller, author Bill Richardson’s “Hell Fighters: 21st Century Lovecraft” is a must-read horror story this fall season, and one of 2021’s best horror reads overall. Brilliant character development, shocking twists, and turns as the mythos of this haunting world is developed, and an open-ended finale that both closes a chapter in the character’s lives and leaves open the possibilities for more, this is a novel readers do not want to miss. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Most people want you to be just one thing, but unfortunately I’m not. I work in many genres, many media and many voices. I’m an award-winning filmmaker, an artist, playwright, poet and author. I do humor, horror, poetry, history and more. I create work that is serious, uplifting and explores important questions and I do things that are just pure entertainment. Some of the things I’ve done have been deep and thoughtful, and some just plain silly and fun. If there is a unifying thread, it is that I am a storyteller. And one of the main functions of stories is to aid us in making sense of the world. Stories help us deal with things we are frightened of – whether that’s a creature in the night or death. Stories also help us deal with the cares of life by understanding them or just being distracted from them. Our lives are varied and complex. At times we are happy or sad, challenged or victorious, high or low. So it is not surprising that the things we create should reflect that complexity and diversity. That’s how it is with me. Now if you want information on some of my specific accomplishments then just keep on a readin’.

As a filmmaker I’ve produced feature films, documentaries, commercials and TV series. I’ve appeared on numerous national TV shows including CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning, American Pickers, Nat Geo’s Diggers, Discovery Networks’ Blood Feuds and America: Fact or Fiction and the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum. My films have been used as teaching tools at such prestigious universities as UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and Marquette, and are part of the U.S. Library of Congress holdings. I’ve been quoted in the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, London Times and hundreds of other newspapers. I’ve published fiction and non-fiction through Random House and other companies. I’ve been a featured speaker nationally and internationally. My work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and I’ve done covers for books, magazines, movies and graphic novels. I’ve even appeared onscreen in four internationally distributed feature films.

https://bilrichardson.com/

https://twitter.com/BillRichardso10