The Closet: The Trials of Billy Wagner

by Ethan Falls

In this mystery-suspense thriller, eight-year-old Billy Wagner confronts his fears. Fear of monsters consumes him, but the darkness leaves him little solace. Imaginary monsters peer at him from behind every door. The spirit of his father always feels so close to him, but he does not feel immune to danger. His mother suspects but can't be sure that her trust may have been wrongfully placed. One woman, conflicted, loses her battle with the demons that lurk in all her days. With strong will and determination, the convictions of someone who comes to his aid saves him from what could have been a lifetime of consternation.

130 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked out the Amazon sample and was immediately pulled into the mystery and tension of this story. Eight year old Billy Wagner’s fears feel so real the kind of childhood terrors that make you glance twice at every dark corner. There’s a haunting atmosphere throughout, with a mix of psychological suspense and emotional depth that makes you wonder what’s real and what’s imagined.

Billy’s connection to his father’s spirit adds a touching yet eerie layer, and his mother’s uncertainty makes the whole situation even more unsettling. The story also explores how fear and guilt can shape lives in quiet but powerful ways. Even from the sample, you can tell this book dives deep into the human mind and the monsters we create there. Definitely one I’d like to keep reading.

[Zephyra Hargreave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, unsettling, and emotional read. Billy’s struggle with fear and the blurred line between monsters real and imagined kept me hooked. The suspense builds steadily, and the mix of family secrets, trauma, and survival made it both heartbreaking and hopeful. Short but powerful.