Nostalgic. Foreboding. Determined. 

🇺🇸 Set in Declo, Idaho at a haunted farm and hike and in surrounding neighbourhoods. 
🎃 Set in October leading up to Halloween 
POV: We follow a teen at the haunted park with their sibling after friends backed out. We then follow three friends at a sleepover planning to go to the park after ‘the incident’. We also have the perspective of the unnamed, unknown killer stalking people at the haunted park. 
 
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🐺Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags🐕 
 
🫶 I love the writing style, it’s perfect for imaginations readers without so much detail other reader styles feel bogged down or bored. There’s a steady plot and some intense action scenes, but most of the book is character development leading up to the action. If you want fast paced action and escape scenes this could be harder to get through, although the perspective of the killer may be enough to keep you engaged. 
 
☺️ There are a surprising number of characters, families, and friend groups to keep straight but it worked. We get descriptions of them and their vibes on first encounter so they easily take shape and keep their own voices and uniqueness throughout. The teen friendships and behaviours felt very real and relatable. Like having different personalities and how friendships can subtly change over time without it always being about ‘drama’. 
 
👻 The worldbuilding is atmospheric and sensory. I could hear the screaming and undercurrent of fear mixed with fun and excitement. The different haunted house rooms, false bravado, festive food, and crowds jumped off the page and it was easily visualized. I kinda wish the Thicket was real (depending on who is in attendance…). 
 
😰 The suspense is fuelled by knowing there’s a killer stalking the Thicket by getting insight into their thought process and plotting, while also getting to know the characters (I found them likeable) and what might happen to them. The scares are from being there for all the slashing and escape attempts when thing get intense. 
 
🫨 The escape and intense fight-for-life scenes are chaotic and frantic, but well done. It flows and maintains that sensory feel without relying on convenient scenarios or tricking the reader. The final girl and reluctant hero tropes were a new take on a traditional role, while keeping the essence of why we love (and hate) them so much! 
 
🤞Overall this felt like a true crime inspired story. Like, this could happen. Love that open-ended twist too…hoping for a sequel. Warning - it is very open-ended. 

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Mood Reading Match Up:
-Teen slasher horror at a rural haunted amusement park
-Atmospheric Halloween vibes with ‘stay outta the woods’ energy 
-Character study / character driven coming of age narratives with splattering of serial killer perspective 
-Themes of friendship, courage, and retribution w/ final person, reluctant hero, death to the fornicators archetypes 
 
Content Heads-Up: Murder. Body horror (gore, dismemberment, injury). Kidnapping, confinement. Grief. Loss of a sibling. Sexual content (teen; making out, hooking up, kissing). 
 
Format: Kindle Unlimited