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Stitchface
Stitchface, Stitchface, comin’ to get’cha!
Stitchface, Stitchface, comin’ t’kill yah!
Mind your manners,
Mind your elders,
Say your prayers and leave on a light
‘Lest Mr. Stitchface come-a-callin’ on Halloween night!
For thirty years, Jenny Carpenter has lived in fear of “Mr. Stitchface”, the local bogeyman who attacked her on Halloween night when she was just a teenager.
She’s so traumatised by these memories that she refuses to celebrate the season, much less let her own daughter, Dottie, go trick-or-treating.
However, just as Jenny is prepared to relent, her worst nightmare threatens to come to life when Mr. Stitchface grabs his trusty pickaxe and comes calling once more…
Stitchface, Stitchface, comin’ t’kill yah!
Mind your manners,
Mind your elders,
Say your prayers and leave on a light
‘Lest Mr. Stitchface come-a-callin’ on Halloween night!
For thirty years, Jenny Carpenter has lived in fear of “Mr. Stitchface”, the local bogeyman who attacked her on Halloween night when she was just a teenager.
She’s so traumatised by these memories that she refuses to celebrate the season, much less let her own daughter, Dottie, go trick-or-treating.
However, just as Jenny is prepared to relent, her worst nightmare threatens to come to life when Mr. Stitchface grabs his trusty pickaxe and comes calling once more…
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Knott
21 books63 followersPhD graduate Dr. Stuart Knott published several short horror stories, novellas, and novels ranging from traditional slashers to surreal terrors.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 25, 2023
Jenny hates Halloween and the reason for it lies in the past. What happened to her? Why doesn't she want her daughter Dottie to go trick or treating? The book started strong with the legend of Mr Stitch but soon the main characters became a bit unsympathetic and the whole story reminded me a bit too much on Michael Myers. Who is Mr Stitch? A bit long winded the whole tale should have been shortened. Some great horror effects though. It was okay, overall.
March 4, 2023
I'm not good at writing reviews for books that I sincerely love without sounding like a raving fangirl. I'm going to attempt to be more professional and downplay my awe for Stitchface and Dr. Stuart Knott in the following paragraphs. Wish me luck!
I was introduced to the works of indie author, Dr. Stuart Knott, from a post of a mutual friend on Instagram. On Dr. Knott's feed, I happened upon a reel of him reading from one of his books, Cat's Eye. I was intrigued by what I heard. It was good! So I went and picked up the book and a few others. But you know how the life of a bookworm goes: so many books, so little time. They sat on the backburner while I read through ARCs, buddy reads, books checked out from the library that had to go back in a few days ...
Today he announced that his latest release, Stitchface, was out TODAY. I ran right over (Sorry, DrK - I know I promised I wouldn't run, but I couldn't help myself) to Amazon to get a copy. Guys - it's free on Kindle Unlimited!! Or if you are inclined to spend a very well spent dollar, it's only 99 cents (U.S.).
Channelling my inner zen. I started to fangirl there. Ok. I'm back.
The story starts a bit tame. We get to know the main character, Jenny Carpenter, and her horrific past. She is a Final Girl. She's been through some trauma and has been spending her entire adult life trying to get over it. Meanwhile, her husband is trying to convince her to let their adorable little girl go trick-or-treating (did I mention, this all takes place at Halloween?). And to amp up the panic vibes, Jenny gets a disturbing call ...
The scene is set! And suddenly all the gore bursts from the pages! Fans of gory horror - this is for you! Fans of throwback slasher novels - this is for you! Fans of good writing - this is for you! The dialogue is great, the character building is spot on, the suspense built until I thought I couldn't stand it anymore. Sorry, I've slipped into fangirl mode once again but I can't help myself. This book!!!
I read this all in a morning. It's a great novella. I give it all the throwback slasher stars possible! 5 out of 5.
I was introduced to the works of indie author, Dr. Stuart Knott, from a post of a mutual friend on Instagram. On Dr. Knott's feed, I happened upon a reel of him reading from one of his books, Cat's Eye. I was intrigued by what I heard. It was good! So I went and picked up the book and a few others. But you know how the life of a bookworm goes: so many books, so little time. They sat on the backburner while I read through ARCs, buddy reads, books checked out from the library that had to go back in a few days ...
Today he announced that his latest release, Stitchface, was out TODAY. I ran right over (Sorry, DrK - I know I promised I wouldn't run, but I couldn't help myself) to Amazon to get a copy. Guys - it's free on Kindle Unlimited!! Or if you are inclined to spend a very well spent dollar, it's only 99 cents (U.S.).
Channelling my inner zen. I started to fangirl there. Ok. I'm back.
The story starts a bit tame. We get to know the main character, Jenny Carpenter, and her horrific past. She is a Final Girl. She's been through some trauma and has been spending her entire adult life trying to get over it. Meanwhile, her husband is trying to convince her to let their adorable little girl go trick-or-treating (did I mention, this all takes place at Halloween?). And to amp up the panic vibes, Jenny gets a disturbing call ...
The scene is set! And suddenly all the gore bursts from the pages! Fans of gory horror - this is for you! Fans of throwback slasher novels - this is for you! Fans of good writing - this is for you! The dialogue is great, the character building is spot on, the suspense built until I thought I couldn't stand it anymore. Sorry, I've slipped into fangirl mode once again but I can't help myself. This book!!!
I read this all in a morning. It's a great novella. I give it all the throwback slasher stars possible! 5 out of 5.
April 15, 2023
Stitchface is a thrilling horror novel by Stuart Knott that follows Jenny Carpenter, a survivor of a brutal attack by a pickaxe killer named Mr Stitchface. The story is fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. The characters are realistic and relatable, and the writing is engaging and descriptive. Sadly I felt this novella was let down a little by its ending which neither made sense nor resonated with me. You'll love this book if you’re a fan of classic slasher movies or 80s horror nostalgia.
This would be a perfect read for Halloween or whenever you want to get spooked.
This would be a perfect read for Halloween or whenever you want to get spooked.
March 16, 2023
A short but action packed horror which is both creepy and entertaining. While I didn't completely understand the ending, I enjoyed the build up and the suspense. A perfect short read for fans of the horror genre.
November 1, 2023
His misshapen head was bald save for a messy, pepper-grey stubble around his chin and crown. A slug-like tongue lapped at his cleft palate from behind gappy, rotting teeth..
The horrific events of Stitchface will forever be etched in my memory, but Stuart Knott's novella was much more than your typical slasher. There was a lot of heart and depth, not only in its everyday complexities, but in Knott's characters themselves. Like the best stories, they were the lifeblood of the story, the driving force behind the menace and gore.
The character development surprised me the most. I was expecting dull or flat characters, but Stitchface serving as my introduction to the author, I didn't know what to expect. Needless to say, he surpassed most of my expectations.
Jenny glared at him and bit back a tirade of responses to his patronising tone. She had to keep reminding herself that he didn’t know any better; to him, it was just a scary story, a nursery rhyme used to scare kids into behaving when they were all hyped up on sugar after trick-or-treating. Through gritted teeth, she replied with a lie…
The protagonist, Jenny Carpenter, was my favorite character and, as you might expect, she was developed the most. And one of the most effective methods of developing her frail yet formidable character was juxtaposing her hellacious past with the present. Knott, in fact, took it steps beyond surface level, as he painstakingly explored her brokenness and her psyche.
Knott imbued his supporting cast with life unique to them, and I thoroughly appreciated the effort he put into them.
The pacing was just right. It made no difference to me that the intensity level didn't begin to ramp up until the halfway point, because the author kept me engaged the whole time. There was always something engaging, mysterious, and horrific, but more than anything, I had a blast just getting to know Jenny, Dottie, and the others.
The final culmination was extremely intense and brutal. The dread and suspense practically oozed from the pages. I never knew what to expect. However, without spoiling the twist, I'm not entirely sure that it worked for me. It was shocking and left me baffled, and I know the ambiguity was intentional, but I want more details. I need to know more.
Other than that, I don't really have any other constructive criticisms, and for a novella that packed more gut-punches than I would've thought possible, that's incredibly impressive. But if I was nit picking, one area that I would've liked to see developed more was the town itself. It wouldn't require much-- just a couple details to make it stand out.
If my review piques your interest, Dr. Stuart Knott just released the physical edition, wherein he cleaned up the minimal typos and grammatical errors. Just $4.99.
https://www.amazon.com/Stitchface-Dr-...
March 5, 2023
3.5 stars! I didn’t particularly like any of the characters in this and I did feel that the characterisation could be stronger but the twist at the end was pretty good! I don’t read many slashers but I enjoyed this, even if it was somewhat cliched!
October 31, 2025
I read this book a couple of years ago but forgot to do a review on it so decided this Halloween season, I’d do a reread. Super glad I did!
This definitely had an 80’s slasher vibe to it, giving you all the nostalgic feels. It was a well-paced read that started out tame and the suspense and tension only grows the further you read.
Jenny Carpenter is a final girl. Sorry but I don’t know what else to call her. The only survivor in a brutal attack that left so many dead. Now, Halloween isn’t a time for fun and trick or treating, but a time for panic and fear for Jenny.
The character building was phenomenally done and there were so many twists and turns in this short read that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
I definitely think this is a perfect Halloween season read, and one that will give you a feeling of unease and dread.
This definitely had an 80’s slasher vibe to it, giving you all the nostalgic feels. It was a well-paced read that started out tame and the suspense and tension only grows the further you read.
Jenny Carpenter is a final girl. Sorry but I don’t know what else to call her. The only survivor in a brutal attack that left so many dead. Now, Halloween isn’t a time for fun and trick or treating, but a time for panic and fear for Jenny.
The character building was phenomenally done and there were so many twists and turns in this short read that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
I definitely think this is a perfect Halloween season read, and one that will give you a feeling of unease and dread.
March 8, 2023
Enjoyable short horror read. Very easy to fall into and an ending which keeps you gripped to the pages.
May 24, 2023
This is the second book I read from Dr. Stuart Knott and he has become one of my favourite authors!
This is a beautiful slasher packed with blood and action, but also with characters that are relatable and credible! It is amazing how much it's in so few pages! The story is great and it flows so effortlessly that I couldn't put it down.
Dr. Stuart Knott has a way with words, able to make you feel the panic and anxiety of the character, Jenny in this case, so strongly that it's like I was in the book! I also liked how the scenes between the present and the past were written and how at the beginning we were left wondering if Stitchface was just a legend or if it was real, until shit hit the fan really hard!
This is a short and brutal read with a great twist at the end!
This is a beautiful slasher packed with blood and action, but also with characters that are relatable and credible! It is amazing how much it's in so few pages! The story is great and it flows so effortlessly that I couldn't put it down.
Dr. Stuart Knott has a way with words, able to make you feel the panic and anxiety of the character, Jenny in this case, so strongly that it's like I was in the book! I also liked how the scenes between the present and the past were written and how at the beginning we were left wondering if Stitchface was just a legend or if it was real, until shit hit the fan really hard!
This is a short and brutal read with a great twist at the end!
March 15, 2024
Having dabbled in Stuart’s work before, I knew it was going to be heartfelt and human, with some quirky language and dialect to give you a sense of genuineness. The pacing hugely reminds me of a classic 1980’s slasher, (and some cheeky name attributes to the legends of that scene), while following main character Jennifer, haunted by the local folklore that left more scars than one on her.
There is a shrouded mystery around Stitchface, whether he really existed, was just a madman all along, or something more paranormal, and the end gives you that same tone as well.
The brutally in this is harder than a coffin nail dipped in cement, and it’s a good thing it doesn’t shy away, only making you feel more on edge for if/when the monster shows up.
Great novella, easy to follow, and a tribute to some horror classics too.
Highly recommended for lovers of the slasher genre.
March 16, 2023
After her family and friends were brutally slaughtered by Clifford Castle, Jenny's been living in constant fear. After 30 years Jenny has tried to rebuild her life, but she is plaqued by nightmares. On Halloween night once more Jenny must fight for her life!
This novella was definitely a reminiscent to the film Halloween, Which I liked and thought was well done. Parts of the novella were written in 2nd person. I've never read a book in 2nd person, and I found it really interesting.
I did see the ending coming, but this was still a really good read.
This novella was definitely a reminiscent to the film Halloween, Which I liked and thought was well done. Parts of the novella were written in 2nd person. I've never read a book in 2nd person, and I found it really interesting.
I did see the ending coming, but this was still a really good read.
August 29, 2023
I couldn’t really get into this one. It wasn’t bad or anything, it just wasn’t my vibe.
June 15, 2023
If any horror pays homage to trauma, last girl vibes mixed with Micheal Myers serial killer. It's this book, with a heart-breakingly real representation of trauma and post-traumatic stress. This psychological horror revisits the reason why Halloween terrifies people, as 30 years from the day Jenny lost everything including her innocence, serial killer Clifford Castle returns. This book had my full attention and in all honesty had me reading with the light on because the atmosphere and nerve-wracking terror she feels you feel it too. Especially as we step into the well-set-up flashbacks that the good Dr puts into this story. Making your hairs stand is that creepy rhyme that seems to work its way into your brain to make you unsettled. Almost like when you hear the theme for Friday the 13th, you know something bad is coming. But he keeps drawing you in a little bit each time, then pulling back to give you a false sense of security. So when shit really hits the fan, you end up with your gob on the floor and he lobs shocking reveals and moments you don't see coming. Although to be fair one of those reveals made me feel some justification, because honestly, I thought Jenny could do better than Wes. The pace after Castle enters the frame just speeds up, amping up the gore, tension, and horror detail. This makes you consider the effects of living through a near-death experience as well as always living in fear. Unlike Jamie Lee Curtis who carries an empowering badass approach, I think I would be more like Jenny. Trying desperately to make it through each moment, dealing with the physical and emotional trauma caused by the event. Which she has to face head on in order to protect her daughter, Dottie. Showing the sheer power of mixing adrenaline with parental love, as she puts herself in the crossfire of her worst living nightmare in order to protect Dottie. The ending did throw me off a bit, but her reaction proves you can never truly predict how certain events damage a person. Which in itself is a haunting and terrifying reality people live with when fighting their own demons. Deeply disturbing and an interesting take on the small-town urban tale-style story, of what really hides behind the mask.
March 9, 2023
The Legend Lives
Thirty years ago, Jenny survived a murderous rampage by a crazy 18 year old. Jenny grew to be a broken soul with a family and the killer became a local legend known as Mr. Stitchface. Now, Stitchface is back and looking to finish off Jenny and her family. Stitchface is a novel in two parts. The first half shows how Jenny is still dealing with her 30 year old trauma. The second half is a fast paced rollercoaster ride as Jenny tries to protect her daughter from the returning killer. Fans of slasher movies will enjoy this one.
Thirty years ago, Jenny survived a murderous rampage by a crazy 18 year old. Jenny grew to be a broken soul with a family and the killer became a local legend known as Mr. Stitchface. Now, Stitchface is back and looking to finish off Jenny and her family. Stitchface is a novel in two parts. The first half shows how Jenny is still dealing with her 30 year old trauma. The second half is a fast paced rollercoaster ride as Jenny tries to protect her daughter from the returning killer. Fans of slasher movies will enjoy this one.
Read
August 30, 2023Channeling his obvious love for the horror genre, Dr. Stuart Knott creates a psychopathic murderer in his novella Stitchface.
Jenny doesn’t celebrate Halloween, not after her childhood encounter with the grisly boogeyman, Stitchface. She doesn’t allow her small daughter to celebrate it, either. Nor does she tell her child of the sing-songy Stitchface rhyme that threads through her waking thoughts and harries her nightmares. However, the little girl learns of trick-or-treats and the rhyme at school. She surprises her mam with a drawing of the fiend, and Jenny’s husband stiff-arms her into taking the child out for tricks and treats, dressed - no less - in a look-alike scarecrow outfit, one fateful Halloween. (By the way, I hated the husband for Jenny. Miserable so-and-so…) The dream or remembered sequences are told with a visceral immediacy. And the conclusion felt as blood-drenched as any ‘80’s horror film.
Speaking of which, this Stitchface reminded me quite a lot of Halloween. I believe that was by design. (I believe the lead character’s last name is even Carpenter!) However, Dr. Knott takes the ending and turns it on its ear (which reminded me of a different horror film, but I’ll not name it because - SPOILERS!) However, Stitchface populates the lead character with all of the PTSD, Survivor’s Guilt, and the like that you’d expect from a Final Girl, and the ending is straight from a psychology book.
Jenny doesn’t celebrate Halloween, not after her childhood encounter with the grisly boogeyman, Stitchface. She doesn’t allow her small daughter to celebrate it, either. Nor does she tell her child of the sing-songy Stitchface rhyme that threads through her waking thoughts and harries her nightmares. However, the little girl learns of trick-or-treats and the rhyme at school. She surprises her mam with a drawing of the fiend, and Jenny’s husband stiff-arms her into taking the child out for tricks and treats, dressed - no less - in a look-alike scarecrow outfit, one fateful Halloween. (By the way, I hated the husband for Jenny. Miserable so-and-so…) The dream or remembered sequences are told with a visceral immediacy. And the conclusion felt as blood-drenched as any ‘80’s horror film.
Speaking of which, this Stitchface reminded me quite a lot of Halloween. I believe that was by design. (I believe the lead character’s last name is even Carpenter!) However, Dr. Knott takes the ending and turns it on its ear (which reminded me of a different horror film, but I’ll not name it because - SPOILERS!) However, Stitchface populates the lead character with all of the PTSD, Survivor’s Guilt, and the like that you’d expect from a Final Girl, and the ending is straight from a psychology book.
March 22, 2024
Absolutely loved it!!
April 18, 2023
Intense Psychological Horror and Gore!
Stitchface, by Dr. Stuart Knott, had me intrigued from the very start of the story. What exactly is going on with Jenny Carpenter? The author weaves an intricate tale of gruesome horror, mental instability, occasional flashbacks, and shifting POVs that threw me off kilter. What really happened to Jenny thirty years ago?
A horrific attack, which she narrowly survived, has haunted Jenny Carpenter for the past thirty years of her life. Stitchface is never far from her thoughts, especially during the Halloween season. Now, with a husband and a little girl of her own - fear, dread, and hallucinations plague her with increasing intensity. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Jenny refuses to allow Dottie to participate in the childhood fun of trick-or-treat. Her husband, Wes, stirs the pot either from spite or ignorance.....
A trail of breadcrumbs, a main character of questionable stability, and shifty interactions with other characters had me imagining different scenarios of where the story was leading. The last half of the book is a relentless adrenaline rush for survival. The past collides with the present in a gory showdown. Can Jenny Carpenter survive? I'm still panting!
Two thumbs up and five bloody stars for this 80's style slasher story that had me on the of my seat and flying through the pages!
Stitchface, by Dr. Stuart Knott, had me intrigued from the very start of the story. What exactly is going on with Jenny Carpenter? The author weaves an intricate tale of gruesome horror, mental instability, occasional flashbacks, and shifting POVs that threw me off kilter. What really happened to Jenny thirty years ago?
A horrific attack, which she narrowly survived, has haunted Jenny Carpenter for the past thirty years of her life. Stitchface is never far from her thoughts, especially during the Halloween season. Now, with a husband and a little girl of her own - fear, dread, and hallucinations plague her with increasing intensity. Desperate to keep her daughter safe, Jenny refuses to allow Dottie to participate in the childhood fun of trick-or-treat. Her husband, Wes, stirs the pot either from spite or ignorance.....
A trail of breadcrumbs, a main character of questionable stability, and shifty interactions with other characters had me imagining different scenarios of where the story was leading. The last half of the book is a relentless adrenaline rush for survival. The past collides with the present in a gory showdown. Can Jenny Carpenter survive? I'm still panting!
Two thumbs up and five bloody stars for this 80's style slasher story that had me on the of my seat and flying through the pages!
January 29, 2024
This could have been such a great slasher tale if Knott hadn't replied so heavily on Halloween as an influence and not-so-subtle nods in his characters. The barebones of an original homage are there, but are sadly fleshed out with what reads like fan-fiction.
November 16, 2023
"Stitchface, Stitchface, comin’ to get’cha! Stitchface, Stitchface, comin’ t’kill yah!
Mind your manners, Mind your elders, Say your prayers and leave on a light.
‘Lest Mr. Stitchface come-a-callin’ on Halloween night!" (from the book)
That's the nursery rhyme about a hideous monster that comes on Halloween night. Most people think it's an urban legend designed to scare kids. Jennifer Carpenter knows just how true it is.
This was a quick little read. It felt very "Halloween" to me with the premise of a crazed killer coming back to torment the one who got away. The story was fresh enough to be it's own though. I liked the ending. Classic horror twist.
Mind your manners, Mind your elders, Say your prayers and leave on a light.
‘Lest Mr. Stitchface come-a-callin’ on Halloween night!" (from the book)
That's the nursery rhyme about a hideous monster that comes on Halloween night. Most people think it's an urban legend designed to scare kids. Jennifer Carpenter knows just how true it is.
This was a quick little read. It felt very "Halloween" to me with the premise of a crazed killer coming back to torment the one who got away. The story was fresh enough to be it's own though. I liked the ending. Classic horror twist.
November 6, 2024
It's my book so it's naturally a five-star read from me, but I actually really enjoyed putting this one together. It was a lot of fun crafting a new slasher villain and paying homage to slasher films of the past, while also exploring themes of trauma and survivor's guilt. I especially enjoyed writing the sections in the second-person as this isn't a perspective you see often and I think it added to the nightmarish nature of Jenny's memories.
March 5, 2023
Gave me goosebumps!! Once I started reading it, I did not want to put it down.
Jenni knows way too much about Stitchface. Through flashbacks it uncovers what happened between Stitchface and Jenni. I also enjoyed the Halloween feel, and nod to Donald Pleasance. There is plenty of violence, gore, sex, death.
Jenni knows way too much about Stitchface. Through flashbacks it uncovers what happened between Stitchface and Jenni. I also enjoyed the Halloween feel, and nod to Donald Pleasance. There is plenty of violence, gore, sex, death.
September 10, 2023
Mr. Stitchface returns for Jenny (the one 🔪🩸that got away), but does he stand a chance against a traumatized mother desperate to protect her child while facing her own demons? Unique POV flashbacks and suspenseful, vivid storytelling. The second half is wild -- buckle up! The perfect novella for anyone who loves the creepiness of Halloween night and masked slasher stories!
August 17, 2023
While there are similarities to Carpenter's Halloween, the author shines when he hones in on the dynamics between husband and wife. A quick read that will help kickstart your spooky season.
March 5, 2023
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲. I started this newly released novella tonight and finished it within a couple of hours.
Jenny has lived in fear for 30 years of the man who attacked her on Halloween night. Mr. Stitchface. The community even has a creepy little nursery rhyme for him. She refuses to let her daughter, Dottie, go trick-or-treating and feels dread when Fall approaches. And just when she starts to let her guard down, Mr. Stitchface comes calling again.
Knott has such a way of pulling you into his stories from the get go. He gives you just a taste of the creepy, sexy, and witty. His character development is fantastic from the start. All of them were very relatable and interesting. I also love the way he captures the childlike whimsy and playfulness of the children he writes. Knott knows how to convey emotions and feelings that elicit them from the reader as well. In the span of a few pages things went from feeling anxious to a tad bit 🌶️ 🥵spicy and then to full on 🩸🤢 nose scrunchingly gross.
The first few chapters are setting up the scene and tone of the story. And everything just ramps up from there.
One thing I really thought was unique was there are parts of the story written in kind of flashback/nightmare/different pov’s that are written in 2nd person narrative which is rarely seen done and I loved it. It really lets the reader “see” through the character’s eyes. Or feel from their perspective. It was really well done. And like most of Knott’s stories, he makes little references here and there to connect his other stories to one another.
The last couple of chapters really had me on the edge of my seat. A lot of adrenaline. I kept feeling I was in or watching a horror movie, that’s how well Knott writes. Perfectly descriptive that isn’t wordy or over the top but paints a clear, vivid picture. The ending 😱 … that’s all I can say about that.
This was hands down a 5/5 for me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jenny has lived in fear for 30 years of the man who attacked her on Halloween night. Mr. Stitchface. The community even has a creepy little nursery rhyme for him. She refuses to let her daughter, Dottie, go trick-or-treating and feels dread when Fall approaches. And just when she starts to let her guard down, Mr. Stitchface comes calling again.
Knott has such a way of pulling you into his stories from the get go. He gives you just a taste of the creepy, sexy, and witty. His character development is fantastic from the start. All of them were very relatable and interesting. I also love the way he captures the childlike whimsy and playfulness of the children he writes. Knott knows how to convey emotions and feelings that elicit them from the reader as well. In the span of a few pages things went from feeling anxious to a tad bit 🌶️ 🥵spicy and then to full on 🩸🤢 nose scrunchingly gross.
The first few chapters are setting up the scene and tone of the story. And everything just ramps up from there.
One thing I really thought was unique was there are parts of the story written in kind of flashback/nightmare/different pov’s that are written in 2nd person narrative which is rarely seen done and I loved it. It really lets the reader “see” through the character’s eyes. Or feel from their perspective. It was really well done. And like most of Knott’s stories, he makes little references here and there to connect his other stories to one another.
The last couple of chapters really had me on the edge of my seat. A lot of adrenaline. I kept feeling I was in or watching a horror movie, that’s how well Knott writes. Perfectly descriptive that isn’t wordy or over the top but paints a clear, vivid picture. The ending 😱 … that’s all I can say about that.
This was hands down a 5/5 for me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 5, 2023
This novella packed a punch. It had a genuine slasher vibe to it. Jenny has been living with the trauma of Halloween night 30 years prior when she lost loved ones and almost lost her own life. Now she has a daughter of her own. Her husband, Wes, convinces her their daughter should be able to trick or treat as any little should. Will she give in finally? After all, Clifford aka Stitchface is just a man. A man who's been locked up in a high security mental institution with no chance of rejoining the mainstream.
I found the Stitchface rhyme fun and could see kids jumping rope to it. I asked my nine year old if they still sang songs and jumped rope and he said no...maybe it isn't his thing? I don't want to believe that. Please someone lmk if kids somewhere still do this 😶 But anyway, this is a fun one and one I was glad to read. If you love Halloween and slashers I think you should give this a try!
I found the Stitchface rhyme fun and could see kids jumping rope to it. I asked my nine year old if they still sang songs and jumped rope and he said no...maybe it isn't his thing? I don't want to believe that. Please someone lmk if kids somewhere still do this 😶 But anyway, this is a fun one and one I was glad to read. If you love Halloween and slashers I think you should give this a try!
June 17, 2023
Imagine: a 80's movie inspired suburbia with children singing Halloween songs that give you goosebumps, and the tone is set.
Jenny experienced a trauma she carries with her since her childhood. It haunts her and the author describes it with great depth. As the terror from her past returns, we buckle up our seatbelts and get ready for a bloody ride.
I didn't grasp the ending like I maybe should have, but I don't read horror that often. If you are a fan of 80s slasher movies and gore, this is the pick for you!
Jenny experienced a trauma she carries with her since her childhood. It haunts her and the author describes it with great depth. As the terror from her past returns, we buckle up our seatbelts and get ready for a bloody ride.
I didn't grasp the ending like I maybe should have, but I don't read horror that often. If you are a fan of 80s slasher movies and gore, this is the pick for you!
April 3, 2023
more 2.5 for me just could not get into this one for some reason
will-not-read
July 18, 2023thinks people shouldn't read horror if they have triggers
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