ARC Review: Behind the Door: The Dark Truth and Untold Stories of the Cecil Hotel

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Behind the Door: The Dark Truth and Untold Stories of the Cecil Hotel by Amy Price

I have been fascinated by the Cecil Hotel for a while, from the rumors surrounding Richard Ramirez’s stay there, to the Austrian serial killer posing as a journalist, to the Elisa Lam case. Ms. Price actually worked at the Cecil, and not only worked there, but ran it. She has all the stories from her time there, and she’s willing and able to share them.

This was a really interesting book. Touching on some of the more famous aspects of the Cecil’s history, this book also delves into and really humanizes many of the lesser known tenants that lived there, many of whom had their own secret stories. Price also gives us insight into her life, and how the Cecil impacted her and became such a huge part of her life.

If you too are interested in the Cecil Hotel, I would recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Quiet Room

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

The Quiet Room by Terry Miles

How to even describe this book? Well, it’s about a game called Rabbits, a game that is only whispered about, where you might find a clue on the back of a bathroom stall or on a record that doesn’t exist. 

Emily almost won the latest Rabbits, but in the dimensional stream she finds herself in, Rabbits does not exist. Yet for Rowan it does exist, even though he has never heard of it before.

This book is confusing and mixed up in the best way, full of sudden surprises and eerie moments, where you get whiplash along with the complex and fascinating characters. It does help, I think, if you read the first book in the series, but this entry provides enough background information to help you out-and Miles seems to be setting up for another sequel, which would be fantastic. (Also, if you haven’t, listen to the podcast!)

ARC Review: Secrets Never Die

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph

A group of friends go to the Dark Place every Halloween, a physical space where they can spill their secrets and no one else can hear, where they can leave feeling lighter and less burdened. But someone knows their secrets now, and are using them against them.

This was by no means a bad book. There was a lot of suspense and some genuinely scary moments. But the story also felt a little convoluted, and like there was too much going on. The ending chapter packed a punch though. I liked this book, it just wasn’t my favorite of the genre. 

ARC Review: The Stranger Upstairs

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa Matlin 

Sarah Slade swears she isn’t afraid of living in a house where a murder occurred. In fact, she posts cheerful blog entries about how well the renovations are going and how happy she is. In reality, her marriage is falling apart, she can’t write her second self-help book, her therapy clients seem to see right through her, and the house seems to be actively fighting being fixed up.

As time passes, Sarah becomes more and more convinced that not only is there something wrong with the house, but with the neighbors too. There’s a past to the house that just may be able to top her own horrible past, and Sarah fears there’s a reckoning coming. 

This is a creepy book from the start. Just knowing the murder that has taken place in the house automatically sets this up for scary times. As we learn more about the house, and Sarah’s past, things get even eerier, especially as both Sarah and the house seem to deteriorate simultaneously. This is a good book to pick up for spooky season. 

ARC Review: Black Sheep

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

How do I describe this book, especially without giving too much away? 

Well, Vesper is estranged from her family, but decides to return to their religious compound to celebrate a wedding she is invited to. After that, I really can’t say anymore without spoiling the first surprise, which had me gasping out loud in total shock while also laughing at just how brilliant Harrison truly is. And that’s just the first surprise. Where this book takes you, I will not say anymore, just that it is a great read for spooky season. 

ARC Review: Murder and Mamon

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala 

Ninang April, Ninang May, and Ninang June are opening a laundromat, rival to a previously existing laundromat already in town. On top of this, the Calendar Crew, as they are known, have also been gossiping, spreading truths that broke up a marriage. When Ninang April’s niece, who is visiting, is murdered, Lila, her family, friends, and boyfriend must figure out the connections and if there are more threats on the horizon.

I love this cozy mystery series so much. The characters are just wonderful, the setting is fantastic, and the culture is so well explored. The relationships are so great as well, and the food and drink are so well described they make me desperately hungry and thirsty. I not only highly recommend this book, but this series. 

ARC Review: Your Lonely Nights Are Over

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass

Dearie and Cole are ride or die besties, always there for each other no matter what. It’s the rest of the school that can’t stand them. So when a notorious serial killer seems to re-emerge, targeting the Queer Club, it’s Dearie and Cole who get blamed. 

If they’re going to convince everyone of their innocence, Dearie and Cole are going to need to unmask Mr. Sandman, and fast. But they have to make sure they stay alive long enough to do so. 

This is one scary book, perfect for Fall and/or Spooky Season reading. I was honestly and seriously freaked out while reading this, in a good way. It’s like a horror movie in book form. 

This book also has a lot of complexity to it, tackling subjects like racism, class bias, homophobia, and gender prejudice. The characters and relationships were really compelling and made me care deeply, which is especially potent in a slasher setting when anyone could be fair game. 

Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for a well-written scare with a shocking killer reveal. I definitely recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The September House

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

The September House by Carissa Orlando

It was Margaret and Hal’s dream house, until that first September. Every September, blood pours down the walls, ghosts appear, and screaming starts up every night. Margaret can take it. Hal cannot.

Hal hasn’t been seen since the night he left, and their daughter Katherine (who doesn’t know about what’s happened) is worried enough about him to fly in. With a new September starting, Margaret can only hope for the best.

This book is absolutely made by the fabulously matter of fact narration of Margaret. The things that are happening are so scary, but Margaret just treats them as part of life. And things do get absolutely terrifying. Orlando has a real talent for eliciting feelings of horror in readers, and is a great writer. I would definitely recommend this book.

ARC Review: Scenes of the Crime

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not impact my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Scenes of the Crime by Jilly Gagnon

Vanessa disappeared on a girls’ trip years ago. Emily has wanted to write that story for the big screen for years. Finally seizing on her chance, Emily gets the remaining women together back at the original location to finally figure out the truth about that long ago night-or at least she hopes so. 

This is a meditation on female friendship wrapped up in a suspenseful psychological thriller. Gagnon expertly explores what it truly means to be both a woman and a friend, and what happens if delusions around a supposed friendship do not hold true. The effects of a false friendship can cause harm long after the person is gone.

By including scenes from Emily’s script, Gagnon also plays with the idea of the unreliable female narrator, and what “based on a true story” really means. Readers get fictionalized versions of moments of the story, including things Emily wasn’t present for. 

This is a clever book that I would recommend.