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Since September
For Sheridan St. John, things just haven't been the same since September.
It's early autumn when wall-flower Sheridan and her best friend, Cyndi, move to the city to begin their lives as young adults. On their own for the first time - and away from the harsh criticisms of Sheridan's mom - the girls are enjoying their new independence. But after a wild night of partying, Sheridan's grip on reality starts to weaken. When a gruesome tragedy then strikes her family, she's convinced it's all an epic nightmare... one from which she must somehow awaken if she is to survive.
It's early autumn when wall-flower Sheridan and her best friend, Cyndi, move to the city to begin their lives as young adults. On their own for the first time - and away from the harsh criticisms of Sheridan's mom - the girls are enjoying their new independence. But after a wild night of partying, Sheridan's grip on reality starts to weaken. When a gruesome tragedy then strikes her family, she's convinced it's all an epic nightmare... one from which she must somehow awaken if she is to survive.
104 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2013
5 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 20, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella: the writing was sharp, the pacing fast, the characters and situations well drawn, and a satisfying ending! Idk why Im so surprised, but Shannon is a very good writer, indeed. Recommend.
Im going LIVE on YouTube w a friend this Wednesday night to review it!
Im going LIVE on YouTube w a friend this Wednesday night to review it!
June 9, 2019
Psychological horror is so much scarier than gore and monsters, and that is just what this novella is, a gripping, psychological nightmare. Short but holds no punches!
If you are looking for a quick but toe-curling read, then look no further than Noelle MacLeod’s, Since September. It’s well-written, suspenseful, and ultimately delivers a horrifying twist of an ending.
My only critism would be, is that it felt too short. Perhaps, the author will develop this story into a full-length novel one day. I know many readers would really enjoy it!
If you are looking for a quick but toe-curling read, then look no further than Noelle MacLeod’s, Since September. It’s well-written, suspenseful, and ultimately delivers a horrifying twist of an ending.
My only critism would be, is that it felt too short. Perhaps, the author will develop this story into a full-length novel one day. I know many readers would really enjoy it!
January 27, 2022
3.5 rounded up
This was a well written novella with fantastic imagery. It was scarier than I expected and wouldn't be surprised if it gave me nightmares! I've heard that's a great compliment to give an author though lol. The second half of the story takes a turn and almost feel like a different book, but then the last three chapters or so get back to the vibe of the first half.
A great, quick read! I would definitely read any books the author releases in the future!
This was a well written novella with fantastic imagery. It was scarier than I expected and wouldn't be surprised if it gave me nightmares! I've heard that's a great compliment to give an author though lol. The second half of the story takes a turn and almost feel like a different book, but then the last three chapters or so get back to the vibe of the first half.
A great, quick read! I would definitely read any books the author releases in the future!
October 22, 2019
Since September is a thrilling little psychological ride. Whether it lands in the horror zone is still on a fairly light degree although the imagery of some parts are done pretty well to give a good idea of the gruesome bits and the more creepy psychological bits. Structured as a novella, the story paces itself really well to never actually have any mundane down moments and it wraps together the false sense of security for its character Sheridan while also giving it some gripping moments which gives a lot of credit in the writing itself. Although the endgame is fairly obvious, Sheridan doesn’t know and having more knowledge in this case gives her character the space to develop a bit on why she is the way she is.
Essentially, the story is split into two parts: before and after the turning point event that changes the location pretty much. The second part is similar to the likes of movie Girl Interrupted, which is somewhat of a spoiler but is a compliment because of all those supporting characters in this space. Its important to have those supporting characters as they elevate the story a little more, giving it a bit of humor or the life it needs or the encouragement to move forward for Sheridan’s character. These supporting characters are all fairly shallow and that has to do with the novella territory which is a short length story so lacks the depth for growth.
This is a novella so to avoid any more spoilers, I’m going to wrap up. Overall, Since September is a fun read. Its a pageturner for sure. The story is character-driven and Sheridan is a good character to navigate. There still leaves some mystery to her at the end but the pieces presented in this story works together well enough. My only thing here is whether the readers figuring out the twist before the character revelation was deliberate or the fault of dropping a few too many clues beforehand. There is a very fine line in navigating the realm of psychological stories and while some scenes felt a bit repetitive in structure, decreasing its psychological horror elements, however there’s still a nice sense of thrills and the set-up at the beginning is done pretty well also.
Essentially, the story is split into two parts: before and after the turning point event that changes the location pretty much. The second part is similar to the likes of movie Girl Interrupted, which is somewhat of a spoiler but is a compliment because of all those supporting characters in this space. Its important to have those supporting characters as they elevate the story a little more, giving it a bit of humor or the life it needs or the encouragement to move forward for Sheridan’s character. These supporting characters are all fairly shallow and that has to do with the novella territory which is a short length story so lacks the depth for growth.
This is a novella so to avoid any more spoilers, I’m going to wrap up. Overall, Since September is a fun read. Its a pageturner for sure. The story is character-driven and Sheridan is a good character to navigate. There still leaves some mystery to her at the end but the pieces presented in this story works together well enough. My only thing here is whether the readers figuring out the twist before the character revelation was deliberate or the fault of dropping a few too many clues beforehand. There is a very fine line in navigating the realm of psychological stories and while some scenes felt a bit repetitive in structure, decreasing its psychological horror elements, however there’s still a nice sense of thrills and the set-up at the beginning is done pretty well also.
August 8, 2022
Ack! I wanted to like this so much, because I like the person who wrote it. Full-disclosure, I would be giving this two stars if I didn't know Shannon and think she's awesome. It's tough to be honest, when you have actually spoken to the indie author.
So...here's my thing...not a fan of the mentally ill person being the murderer and not knowing they did it. Does this happen in real life? Sure. Is it common? Not nearly as common as fictional stories would have you believe.
I always say "Don't treat mental illness like a haunted house." It pains to me to say this, but this is a story that treats mental illness like a haunted house.
Ooooh! Spooky! She's Cuuu-rrrazy and killed her mom!
Even with a mentally ill protagonist, this treats mental illness like something dangerous and horrifying. It's incredibly stigmatizing to the mentally ill.
You can have your mentally ill characters do bad things. But to have them do it BECAUSE of their mental illness? I'm not a fan of it.
Aside from how damaging this type of plot twist is, it's also just overdone. We've seen too many "Here's the twist! The main character is crazy and they did it!" It's just a bit of a stale trope at this point.
I'm fine with a mentally ill character getting angry and killing someone. Lucid people do that all the time. What I don't like is mentally ill people blacking out and committing murders and not having any agency. That's the part that really demonizes the mental illness imo
So why wouldn't it be one-star, even if I didn't think the author was a pretty cool person? Because the story includes a pretty accurate representation of an in-patient stay. I enjoyed that part.
Shannon, if you read this, sorry I didn't like your story. You're a talented writer, so I really hope you try again and write something a little more kind and respectful towards people with mental illness. I doubt you have any ill will towards people with mental illness. I think you just regurgitated a lot of very popular tropes that you've been exposed to, without really considering their implications.
So...here's my thing...not a fan of the mentally ill person being the murderer and not knowing they did it. Does this happen in real life? Sure. Is it common? Not nearly as common as fictional stories would have you believe.
I always say "Don't treat mental illness like a haunted house." It pains to me to say this, but this is a story that treats mental illness like a haunted house.
Ooooh! Spooky! She's Cuuu-rrrazy and killed her mom!
Even with a mentally ill protagonist, this treats mental illness like something dangerous and horrifying. It's incredibly stigmatizing to the mentally ill.
You can have your mentally ill characters do bad things. But to have them do it BECAUSE of their mental illness? I'm not a fan of it.
Aside from how damaging this type of plot twist is, it's also just overdone. We've seen too many "Here's the twist! The main character is crazy and they did it!" It's just a bit of a stale trope at this point.
I'm fine with a mentally ill character getting angry and killing someone. Lucid people do that all the time. What I don't like is mentally ill people blacking out and committing murders and not having any agency. That's the part that really demonizes the mental illness imo
So why wouldn't it be one-star, even if I didn't think the author was a pretty cool person? Because the story includes a pretty accurate representation of an in-patient stay. I enjoyed that part.
Shannon, if you read this, sorry I didn't like your story. You're a talented writer, so I really hope you try again and write something a little more kind and respectful towards people with mental illness. I doubt you have any ill will towards people with mental illness. I think you just regurgitated a lot of very popular tropes that you've been exposed to, without really considering their implications.
August 31, 2019
It blows my mind when authors are able to write novellas. The ability to simplify a story without compromising important parts of it is inspiring to me. Add in that Since September is a horror story, that, I think, becomes more difficult. I haven’t seen or read a horror recently, but this is definitely quality writing.
The plot was great. It drew me in immediately and kept me until the end. The pacing was perfect and nothing felt rushed or slowed.
I highly recommend checking Since September out. It’s a fantastic short, horror, novella that is so worth a read!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book R&R Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
The plot was great. It drew me in immediately and kept me until the end. The pacing was perfect and nothing felt rushed or slowed.
I highly recommend checking Since September out. It’s a fantastic short, horror, novella that is so worth a read!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book R&R Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
May 23, 2014
I was given this book by the author who happens to be a friend of mine. She asked for a truthful review so here I go.
It was a well-written, short, novel that had aspects of creepiness to it. The lead character is questioning her sanity and when her over-bearing mother is murdered, the awful voice that taunts her increases it's visits. She ends up in a mental institution and you slowly realize that she is more involve din her mother's death and Sheridan isn't as sane as she appeared.
A nice, quick, read and very well-done. I actually wished there were more to the story because it did have a "short story" feel to it.
It was a well-written, short, novel that had aspects of creepiness to it. The lead character is questioning her sanity and when her over-bearing mother is murdered, the awful voice that taunts her increases it's visits. She ends up in a mental institution and you slowly realize that she is more involve din her mother's death and Sheridan isn't as sane as she appeared.
A nice, quick, read and very well-done. I actually wished there were more to the story because it did have a "short story" feel to it.
July 17, 2013
Dark and disturbing, Since September is a short, sharp shock to the brain. Brilliantly written from the first person perspective, it takes a look in to the mind of a woman following the death of her mother. Voices and images come and go, the reader never quite sure what's real and what isn't. The story keeps you guessing until the very end. If you like Stephen King, you'll love Since September! Read during daylight hours. You have been warned!
March 10, 2023
This is a sharp read. It's suspenseful and well written with vibes of Joyce Carol Oates and a hint of Judith Rossner's Looking For Mr. Goodbar. Excellent if you are looking for a one-sitting page turner.
January 10, 2024
This is a difficult read.
Lots of things that could be considered triggers.
I was lucky to have wonderful parents, my husband and I tried to be the same way. I did know kids whose parents were much like Sheridans mother. For the most part they escaped. I'm glad.
Lots of things that could be considered triggers.
I was lucky to have wonderful parents, my husband and I tried to be the same way. I did know kids whose parents were much like Sheridans mother. For the most part they escaped. I'm glad.
March 18, 2021
Baffling, and Strange
I’m puzzled, I guess. ? I thought there’d be more about her ‘perfect friend’ being part of the hallucinations, and the voice was a blank.
I’m puzzled, I guess. ? I thought there’d be more about her ‘perfect friend’ being part of the hallucinations, and the voice was a blank.
December 31, 2025
I actually didn't finish this book. It was way different then I thought it was going to be and it just didn't grasp my attention
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews