What do you think?
Rate this book
Pumpkin Man
For adults. This is a silly little book for Halloweenie times. It’s kitschy, fun and weird humor. Of course, there is gore and violence. For me, it is a satire of our favorite Halloween slasher movies where the villain is a crazy, stalking, relentless, weirdo-killer, dangerous, a little silly and strange. And just won’t die!
- GenresHorror
163 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2023
12 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 10, 2024
SO MUCH SCARY FUN!
The story takes place on Halloween in a town that is overly enthusiastic about the Halloween season. Tourists from everywhere come to this town to experience all the Halloween festivities but what the town is most famous for are the very creepy and frightening stories about the serial killer "Pumpkin 🎃 Man". Whether they are true or just fiction, you my dear friends will just have to find out for yourself and hope beyond hope that if they are true that you better be on guard this year if you dare go out on Halloween Night!
This book was just the best type of horror reading for the Halloween season. It had a little bit of everything that horror lovers look for in a spooky book. Clever writing and storytelling with a lot of dark humor but the horror was all there as well with plenty of graphic nasties along the way. All the characters were nicely flawed and deliciously fun so this would definitely make a great Halloween movie as well. It was creepy sick, and filled with bloody gore yet it was still written in the spirit of Halloween. I had such a good time reading this book and I look forward to more being written about the "Pumpkin 🎃 Man" in the future. The book was the perfect length, not too long or not too short but oh, just so right.
I highly recommend this book if one is looking for the perfect Halloween read!
I want to thank the publisher "ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op" for the opportunity to read this little horror gem and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating if 4 🎃🎃🎃🎃 DELICIOUSLY HORRIFIC 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
The story takes place on Halloween in a town that is overly enthusiastic about the Halloween season. Tourists from everywhere come to this town to experience all the Halloween festivities but what the town is most famous for are the very creepy and frightening stories about the serial killer "Pumpkin 🎃 Man". Whether they are true or just fiction, you my dear friends will just have to find out for yourself and hope beyond hope that if they are true that you better be on guard this year if you dare go out on Halloween Night!
This book was just the best type of horror reading for the Halloween season. It had a little bit of everything that horror lovers look for in a spooky book. Clever writing and storytelling with a lot of dark humor but the horror was all there as well with plenty of graphic nasties along the way. All the characters were nicely flawed and deliciously fun so this would definitely make a great Halloween movie as well. It was creepy sick, and filled with bloody gore yet it was still written in the spirit of Halloween. I had such a good time reading this book and I look forward to more being written about the "Pumpkin 🎃 Man" in the future. The book was the perfect length, not too long or not too short but oh, just so right.
I highly recommend this book if one is looking for the perfect Halloween read!
I want to thank the publisher "ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op" for the opportunity to read this little horror gem and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating if 4 🎃🎃🎃🎃 DELICIOUSLY HORRIFIC 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
October 9, 2023
This book was a pretty good time. It felt like an 80s horror movie from the mysterious, supernatural villain to each of the "normal" people in the story and how they acted. I'm hoping future books will get into the background of the Pumpkin Man.
The main reason I'm not giving 5 stars is due to a handful of minor grammar issues, typos, and using the wrong word in some instances (ex: sequenced instead of sequins, escalator instead of accelerator). These things pop me out of the story for a minute while I figure out what was intended.
I received a copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main reason I'm not giving 5 stars is due to a handful of minor grammar issues, typos, and using the wrong word in some instances (ex: sequenced instead of sequins, escalator instead of accelerator). These things pop me out of the story for a minute while I figure out what was intended.
I received a copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 27, 2025
A fun slasher that feels like watching an 80’s movie. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and the style keeps it light and fast. The humor lands, the gore delivers, and the small-town Halloween setting is perfectly atmospheric.
September 26, 2023
The premise and the actual nature of the Pumpkin Man I considered very creative and enticing. Ditto the conclusion, which has me wishing for an extension to learn "why" and "how" this particular situation came to be. The Horror is close to implacable in this story, and be advised, there's human Horror too, not just Monstrous. I'd like to see this in novel-length, filling in backstory and extending into the near future. I'd also like to see protagonist Jane again: will she battle more monsters?
Despite my praise, I gave it 3 stars because of the lack of proofreading, sometimes misplacing character names, etc.
Caution: gore (heavy), violence (heavy), Horror involving children and adolescents, fatalities (multiple), obscenity, T-PTSD.
Despite my praise, I gave it 3 stars because of the lack of proofreading, sometimes misplacing character names, etc.
Caution: gore (heavy), violence (heavy), Horror involving children and adolescents, fatalities (multiple), obscenity, T-PTSD.
October 19, 2023
What a fun Halloween read!
I love this author's writing style. You get creepy, gory horror but in a light hearted way. The Pumpkin Man was an endearing character even though he's the villain. I kept being torn between hating him and giggling at his silliness. I can't wait for more Pumpkin Man books!
I love this author's writing style. You get creepy, gory horror but in a light hearted way. The Pumpkin Man was an endearing character even though he's the villain. I kept being torn between hating him and giggling at his silliness. I can't wait for more Pumpkin Man books!
September 23, 2023
This is a perfect fun good ol' fashioned supernatural slasher perfect for Halloween but, really, anytime is fine!
Written almost like a movie script, it's easy to see this playing in your head as you're reading. Lots of blood, lots of dark humor, and no useless filler fluff makes this a delightfully demented reading experience.
The Pumpkin Man is about what you would think and, on Halloween in this small town, he comes back to murder, maim, and dissect the citizens.
Part Halloween, part Scream, but with an even more gory, over the top vibe, I highly recommend this book! It's just some great slashery fun times.
I received an ARC of this book with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Written almost like a movie script, it's easy to see this playing in your head as you're reading. Lots of blood, lots of dark humor, and no useless filler fluff makes this a delightfully demented reading experience.
The Pumpkin Man is about what you would think and, on Halloween in this small town, he comes back to murder, maim, and dissect the citizens.
Part Halloween, part Scream, but with an even more gory, over the top vibe, I highly recommend this book! It's just some great slashery fun times.
I received an ARC of this book with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
September 20, 2023
I had lots of fun reading this and I did it in basically two sittings, including late into the night. I love the descriptions of the Pumpkin Man's guts-err- his insides, and so much orange! This is a true Halloween book, and its timing for release just before Halloween is marvelous. You will certainly detect a feeling of being in Haddonfield, and that's very welcome, and there's plenty of gore and death to go around. It's a well-paced quick read that will evoke the spirit of death, fear, and Halloween, with lots of characters to follow. Bravo!
January 24, 2024
I want to thanks BookSirens for the arc. First, I love the cover art for the book. This would make a great graphic novel in my opinion. The story starts with the introduction of our lead villain. He is the evil,murderous, supernatural killer named Pumpkin man. It's 1975 in Birchhollow. He goes out on murderous rampages every Halloween and laughs about it. Only thing, this Halloween will be different cause some of the townsfolk will be fighting back. This little tale reminds alittle bit like "Dark Harvest ", and is an excellent choice for a October read. The story starts out with a babysitter named Jane who this Halloween will be responsible for keeping her neighbors kid Billy safe from all harm. It won't be easy with the pumpkin man on the loose, but she will have some help from others in the small town. We are then introduced to a two police officers. Valerie and the rookie Harris will be protrolling Birchhollow this Halloween night. This night is going to be something that rookie Harris won't forget. Valerie, however has gone against the pumpkin man and it was a miracle that she survived that last encounter. She now wants to stop this thing, so it can't do any more harm to her townsfolk. Her only problem is that nobody believes her about the pumpkin man. The story continues with a boy named Tony, that is ready and waiting for the pumpkin man. His trusty chainsaw will be his weapon of choice. Sadly though some other people won't be so lucky tonight. The story ends with a action filled ending, that will make you wanting more. Officer Valerie and Harris make a stand against the pumpkin man. Will they be successful? We are finally introduced to a mysterious women named Betty, who I think helps the pumpkin man escape. Bring on the sequel. This is a great little Halloween story that's right at home for an October read. Beware of the Pumpkin 🎃 man...
September 29, 2024
A uniquely fun take on the slasher trope!
This novella is set on Halloween in a small town with a dark past and a potential supernatural serial killer on the loose. It has strong 80's horror vibes- making it the perfect choice for spooky season.
The characters are a lot of fun and the setting was perfectly spooky. The town has a whole "Jaws" thing going with the monster obsessed officer and the Mayor that refuses to do anything for fear of losing tourist revenue. The kill scenes are gory fun and entertaining, the story is easy to get sucked into and the book is difficult to put down.
I did have a few issues with this book. There were a few character descriptions that rubbed me the wrong way, and this book has quite a few grammar issues as well as several instances where the author used the the wrong word all together. (Escalator instead of accelerator- wondering if they use voice dictation when writing)
Those things aside, I had a lot of fun reading this book- my third by this author and look forward to reading more. I loved The Pumpkin Man as the antagonist and enjoyed that he "bleeds" pumpkin guts and seeds. This book is creepy and gross and I cannot wait to get to read his origin story- I have so many questions.
This novella is set on Halloween in a small town with a dark past and a potential supernatural serial killer on the loose. It has strong 80's horror vibes- making it the perfect choice for spooky season.
The characters are a lot of fun and the setting was perfectly spooky. The town has a whole "Jaws" thing going with the monster obsessed officer and the Mayor that refuses to do anything for fear of losing tourist revenue. The kill scenes are gory fun and entertaining, the story is easy to get sucked into and the book is difficult to put down.
I did have a few issues with this book. There were a few character descriptions that rubbed me the wrong way, and this book has quite a few grammar issues as well as several instances where the author used the the wrong word all together. (Escalator instead of accelerator- wondering if they use voice dictation when writing)
Those things aside, I had a lot of fun reading this book- my third by this author and look forward to reading more. I loved The Pumpkin Man as the antagonist and enjoyed that he "bleeds" pumpkin guts and seeds. This book is creepy and gross and I cannot wait to get to read his origin story- I have so many questions.
November 23, 2023
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advanced copy.
3,75 stars.
A fun and spooky story that happens at Halloween in Birch Hollow, a town whose Halloween day is both an attraction and a massacre. This year, Birch Hollow inhabitants feel safe, as the previous year the Pumpkin Man, the terrifying serial killer responsible for the yearly killings, has been arrested... or that's what many people think.
It's short and well worth the read and you can tell this is supposed to be within an universe of these stories. The Pumpkin Man is interesting in concept and personality and very much a killer. but like. from a slasher with some goofiness as he murders people?
The language is simple and to the point - I personally prefer a bit more flowery - with descriptions that could be a bit more varied but hey. They can be bloody!
3,75 stars.
A fun and spooky story that happens at Halloween in Birch Hollow, a town whose Halloween day is both an attraction and a massacre. This year, Birch Hollow inhabitants feel safe, as the previous year the Pumpkin Man, the terrifying serial killer responsible for the yearly killings, has been arrested... or that's what many people think.
It's short and well worth the read and you can tell this is supposed to be within an universe of these stories. The Pumpkin Man is interesting in concept and personality and very much a killer. but like. from a slasher with some goofiness as he murders people?
The language is simple and to the point - I personally prefer a bit more flowery - with descriptions that could be a bit more varied but hey. They can be bloody!
November 28, 2025
Just like Pumpkin Man: Origin, this one was such a fun time! These books aren’t meant to be taken too seriously, so the cheesiness is top notch (in a good way). My main issue with this one was the lack of editing. Normally, I don’t remove stars due to editing with an indie book because I know of the financial constraints, but in this case it was super distracting and obvious. Note to the author: please review chapter 30. So many sentences just don’t make sense, more so than in other chapters. Readers, don’t let this deter you! Pumpkin Man: Origin was a big step up and had much less of these issues. Pumpkin Man is such an exciting character to read about and this book has the bones of a great story. Overall I enjoyed reading this one and will definitely read Moonz’s other titles!
November 2, 2023
You know how they says some authors agonize over finding the perfect word or phrase to describe something? This isn't written by that kind of author, unless that perfect word is either "globs" or "glop". Or, maybe the perfect phrase is one of the many different variations on " blood is red", "pumpkins are orange and have globs of stringy glop", or " the voice/laugh of The Pumpkin Man is silly and high". And the author needs to remember, to, two, and too are different words with different meanings, they are not interchangeable.
The premise and the villain are fairly original. There is some dark humor, but the story is a lot more violent and gory than I expected. I am not sure of the total body count but when you start by driving through a soccer field during a youth league game you know it is going to end up high.
So, I think the perfect phrase for me is "use Alpha and Beta readers to help your story."
The premise and the villain are fairly original. There is some dark humor, but the story is a lot more violent and gory than I expected. I am not sure of the total body count but when you start by driving through a soccer field during a youth league game you know it is going to end up high.
So, I think the perfect phrase for me is "use Alpha and Beta readers to help your story."
October 3, 2024
This was such a fun, silly, and campy slasher set in the mid-70’s. Birch Hollow is a town that really gets into the Halloween spirit so the vibes were all there. It was also very autumnal and atmospheric.
The author does really well with dark humor. Parts of this were hilarious even during the slashing. I won’t give away why, but the mayor really made me laugh out loud. Parts of it reminded me of Goosebumps but a more grown-up, messed up version of it.
This was just a really fun read. No one was safe from The Pumpkin Man.
The author does really well with dark humor. Parts of this were hilarious even during the slashing. I won’t give away why, but the mayor really made me laugh out loud. Parts of it reminded me of Goosebumps but a more grown-up, messed up version of it.
This was just a really fun read. No one was safe from The Pumpkin Man.
November 1, 2024
Not a bad quick read on Halloween. Really does read like an 80's slasher movie - in this case, "The Pumpkin Man" goes around indiscriminately killing people. Not much more than that. Has some suspense in it and violence and gore. Editing was pretty bad with several misspelled words, grammar errors and occasionally the wrong name was used at the wrong time. If you are looking for great literature, this ain't it but if you are looking for a quick horror read like I was when delayed in airport, it's not bad.
October 5, 2025
1975- Halloween Birch Hollow. The Pumpkin Man watches whilst Officer Valerie Strauss waits at the house of one of The Pumpkin Man’s most heinous crimes remains vacant. A man in a pumpkin mask terrorises the community… could it be?
I really enjoyed the way the Pumpkin Man was portrayed. I could visualise his cartoon form in my mind.
The world building was perfectly autumnal and cosy. I quite liked that the narrator of this one was young. I liked their perspective on the world and their clear excitement. A great lil spooky read.
I really enjoyed the way the Pumpkin Man was portrayed. I could visualise his cartoon form in my mind.
The world building was perfectly autumnal and cosy. I quite liked that the narrator of this one was young. I liked their perspective on the world and their clear excitement. A great lil spooky read.
October 11, 2023
This was the first Penny Moonz book I have read and I look forward to reading more. This book had me from beginning to end!! I had a lot of fun reading this book. If you want a good read for spooky season then this is your book!! This book definitely has gore but it also has dark humor. I highly recommended this read.
Thank you NetGalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
September 8, 2024
It's Halloween night and Pumpkin Man is on the run. He's especially after Jane, a young woman living on her own for the first time, but he gets revenge on anyone who interferes with him.
This is a slapstick, campy, slasher with mostly pumpkin guts gore. It's a fun, horror story. Think Goosebumps but for adults. I've read one other book by the author and had a lot of fun with that one and found this one just as humorous and gross-out fun. I'll be reading more of these books.
This is a slapstick, campy, slasher with mostly pumpkin guts gore. It's a fun, horror story. Think Goosebumps but for adults. I've read one other book by the author and had a lot of fun with that one and found this one just as humorous and gross-out fun. I'll be reading more of these books.
September 16, 2025
A perfect book just in time for Halloween. Penny brings us to a small town with the urban legend of Pumkin Man. Or is it just a legend? Jane has to baby sit Billy this night and it will be a horror filled time. This story is full of dark humor, satire for the slasher's of the 80's, and just a whole lot of fun. I could've kept reading. It had just the right amount of blood and gore and that scary tension that you'd expect. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
September 17, 2025
Pumpkin Man: Jane from Penny Moonz’s Creepslandia series is an awesome indie slasher novel. This book has pretty legit character building, really solid suspense, and enough gore to make you double-check the expiration date on that canned pumpkin in the back of your pantry. The Pumpkin Man himself, is a certified menace. Overall, this one was a blast, fast-paced and bloody, just how I like em. I’ll be diving into more Creepslandia when I can, excited to see what else Penny has in store for us.
October 30, 2025
This story has a nice spooky vibe, with a villainous supernatural entity staking a town. It also gave a vintage feel, and seemed quite silly at times-which is what the author was going for.
That being said, it wasn’t really anything new, and it did have some grammatical errors throughout. But I would still recommend this for a quick, and somewhat gory, fun horror read during the Halloween season and beyond.
Thanks to the author for my e-book. My opinion is my own.
That being said, it wasn’t really anything new, and it did have some grammatical errors throughout. But I would still recommend this for a quick, and somewhat gory, fun horror read during the Halloween season and beyond.
Thanks to the author for my e-book. My opinion is my own.
December 22, 2023
Pumpkin Man: Jane is part of the Creeperslandia series of books and is a fun slasher-movie-style story with a great twisty ending I was not expecting.
3.5 stars
I have a YouTube channel, 'BookandBuJo'. Check it out - BookAndBuJo - YouTube
BookAndBuJo - YouTube
3.5 stars
I have a YouTube channel, 'BookandBuJo'. Check it out - BookAndBuJo - YouTube
BookAndBuJo - YouTube
September 7, 2025
📚Arc Review📚
This was the perfect book to get me into the halloween spirit. It gave me halloween/micheal myers vibe, but in and even more halloween way. I really enjoyed how the story followed different characters at different points. Book was very well done. I found pumpkinhead man to be the perfect halloween bad guy. Im definitely in the halloween mood now. Gonna be on the look out this year
This was the perfect book to get me into the halloween spirit. It gave me halloween/micheal myers vibe, but in and even more halloween way. I really enjoyed how the story followed different characters at different points. Book was very well done. I found pumpkinhead man to be the perfect halloween bad guy. Im definitely in the halloween mood now. Gonna be on the look out this year
October 23, 2025
Looking for a Halloween Horror read? Pick this one up. It’s written in a movie like way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s fun and gory but not in a super over the top way. It’s perfect for those looking for a last minute read for spooky season. It’s a fast paced adventure clocking in at 202 pages.
September 15, 2024
I read book 2 first and was completely hooked so went and dived right into book 1 when I saw it!
Absolutely loved it! This is my exact kind of horror! Soooooo good!!!!!!
A true must read for all Halloween lovers!!!!
Absolutely loved it! This is my exact kind of horror! Soooooo good!!!!!!
A true must read for all Halloween lovers!!!!
October 8, 2024
It’s Halloween time and the Pumpkin Man is coming!
This was a fun book! I enjoyed it a lot and the end kill made me laugh, so satisfying! It was a great horror.
There were a few typos and formatting issues which kinda took me out of it a bit.
This was a fun book! I enjoyed it a lot and the end kill made me laugh, so satisfying! It was a great horror.
There were a few typos and formatting issues which kinda took me out of it a bit.
October 16, 2023
The description of this book as "A silly little book for Halloween," is perfect. It's a fun little read with fun violence!
October 25, 2023
Gory fun for Halloween!
If you like the Netflix series Slasher, you will eat this one up. Gory amalgam of several horror tropes, battling the horror of Halloween in a small town ;)
If you like the Netflix series Slasher, you will eat this one up. Gory amalgam of several horror tropes, battling the horror of Halloween in a small town ;)
October 22, 2025
Mehh
It was alright but it just wasn’t for me. I felt like I couldn’t really connect with the story to stay fully invested in it but I liked the idea of it
It was alright but it just wasn’t for me. I felt like I couldn’t really connect with the story to stay fully invested in it but I liked the idea of it
October 22, 2025
Great little supernatural slasher.
October 28, 2025
A great short read, perfect for Halloween! If you enjoy slasher movies, you are sure to enjoy this book. Fast-paced with just the right amount of gore, get ready for a wild ride!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews