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Schrader's Chord
How to Sell a Haunted House meets High Fidelity in this music store set horror about an A&R man who inherits a set of cursed records from his late father. Perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix and Paul Tremblay.
After his estranged father's mysterious death, Charlie Remick returns to Seattle to help with the funeral. There, he discovers his father left him two parting the keys to the family record store and a strange black case containing four ancient records that, according to legend, can open a gate to the land of the dead.
When Charlie, his sister, and their two friends play the records, they unwittingly open a floodgate of unspeakable horror. As the darkness descends, they are stalked by a relentless, malevolent force and see the dead everywhere they turn.
With time running out, the only person who can help them is Charlie's resurrected father, who knows firsthand the awesome power the records have unleashed. But can they close the gate and silence Schrader's Chord before it's too late?
After his estranged father's mysterious death, Charlie Remick returns to Seattle to help with the funeral. There, he discovers his father left him two parting the keys to the family record store and a strange black case containing four ancient records that, according to legend, can open a gate to the land of the dead.
When Charlie, his sister, and their two friends play the records, they unwittingly open a floodgate of unspeakable horror. As the darkness descends, they are stalked by a relentless, malevolent force and see the dead everywhere they turn.
With time running out, the only person who can help them is Charlie's resurrected father, who knows firsthand the awesome power the records have unleashed. But can they close the gate and silence Schrader's Chord before it's too late?
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2023
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9786 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 575 reviews
September 15, 2023
Paranormal horror is my absolute favorite and after reading the synopsis I just knew this one would be a winner.
Schrader’s Chord is centered around Charlie Remick. Charlie is traveling back to his hometown of Seattle after learning of his father’s passing. After he arrives, he discovers that he has inherited four vinyl records that according to legend, when the records are played the gates of hell open. Curiosity gets the best of Charlie, his twin sister, and their two friends and after playing the records they are immediately swarmed by a malevolent force and are given the power to see the dead. But time is running out. If Charlie wants to save his own life, as well as his sister’s and friends' lives, he must find a way to close the gate before it’s too late.
Mix equal parts rock n’ roll and paranormal horror and you will get Schrader’s Chord. Page after page I could not put this one down. This addictive and compulsive read had me sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails in anticipation of what would come next. I loved all of the characters in this book and all of the music references. Not only is this a fantastic horror story but it’s also a story of familial bonds and explores the complex father and son relationship. It's hard to believe that this is Leed’s debut novel! He truly writes like a seasoned horror novelist and I am already anticipating whatever he writes next.
I alternated between reading this one and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is read by George Newborn (who previously narrated We Begin At The End by Chris Whitaker and Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy) and as always, he did an incredible job. If you do decide to give Schrader’s Chord a try, I highly recommend this format.
Schraders Chord by Scott Leeds will be available on September 3. A massive thanks to Tor Nightfire, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted copies!!
Schrader’s Chord is centered around Charlie Remick. Charlie is traveling back to his hometown of Seattle after learning of his father’s passing. After he arrives, he discovers that he has inherited four vinyl records that according to legend, when the records are played the gates of hell open. Curiosity gets the best of Charlie, his twin sister, and their two friends and after playing the records they are immediately swarmed by a malevolent force and are given the power to see the dead. But time is running out. If Charlie wants to save his own life, as well as his sister’s and friends' lives, he must find a way to close the gate before it’s too late.
Mix equal parts rock n’ roll and paranormal horror and you will get Schrader’s Chord. Page after page I could not put this one down. This addictive and compulsive read had me sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails in anticipation of what would come next. I loved all of the characters in this book and all of the music references. Not only is this a fantastic horror story but it’s also a story of familial bonds and explores the complex father and son relationship. It's hard to believe that this is Leed’s debut novel! He truly writes like a seasoned horror novelist and I am already anticipating whatever he writes next.
I alternated between reading this one and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is read by George Newborn (who previously narrated We Begin At The End by Chris Whitaker and Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy) and as always, he did an incredible job. If you do decide to give Schrader’s Chord a try, I highly recommend this format.
Schraders Chord by Scott Leeds will be available on September 3. A massive thanks to Tor Nightfire, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted copies!!
October 1, 2023
The first scene of Schrader's Chord instantly captured my interest, as it was so creepy and mysterious that I had to keep reading and learn more. I was strongly interested in the story for the first half of the book, but as I progressed past the first half of the book my interest quickly waned.
For me, the tone of the book began with a true creepy-horror vibe, but then half way through switched to a somewhat comical episode of a Scooby Doo adventure in which the crew strategizes way too long on planning how they're going to return the deadly recorders to Schrader's grave and rid themselves and the world of evil. In the first half, I was genuinely surprised and loved the scene where the crew doesn't realize they've just spoken to the dead after they go drinking at the local bar. That was fantastic. Then the scene where Charlie meets the attorney at the diner for breakfast. That scene was pretty good too, showing the reader that yep, Charlie and his friends for sure got cursed. But then I expected more and did not receive it in the second half of the book
I realize you must suspend your disbelief while reading but I found it the fact that Raymond and Dale's ghosts were still hanging around somewhat annoying.
Ellie's not feeling well? Oh, Dale's ghost kindly goes to fetch her a glass of water from the kitchen. Ana said something worrisome? Don't worry, Raymond's ghost is there (still) to console her, "It's okay, kiddo. Hang in there, kiddo." I felt that the lingering ghosts cracking jokes and helping to plot the main plan with the group was distracting and somewhat corny, and that's fine but I was expecting a true "darker" horror story while reading Schrader's Chord.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read an early copy of Schrader's Chord.
I realize I'm in the minority with my review, but it's my honest review. Thank you for reading.
For me, the tone of the book began with a true creepy-horror vibe, but then half way through switched to a somewhat comical episode of a Scooby Doo adventure in which the crew strategizes way too long on planning how they're going to return the deadly recorders to Schrader's grave and rid themselves and the world of evil. In the first half, I was genuinely surprised and loved the scene where the crew doesn't realize they've just spoken to the dead after they go drinking at the local bar. That was fantastic. Then the scene where Charlie meets the attorney at the diner for breakfast. That scene was pretty good too, showing the reader that yep, Charlie and his friends for sure got cursed. But then I expected more and did not receive it in the second half of the book
I realize you must suspend your disbelief while reading but I found it the fact that Raymond and Dale's ghosts were still hanging around somewhat annoying.
Ellie's not feeling well? Oh, Dale's ghost kindly goes to fetch her a glass of water from the kitchen. Ana said something worrisome? Don't worry, Raymond's ghost is there (still) to console her, "It's okay, kiddo. Hang in there, kiddo." I felt that the lingering ghosts cracking jokes and helping to plot the main plan with the group was distracting and somewhat corny, and that's fine but I was expecting a true "darker" horror story while reading Schrader's Chord.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read an early copy of Schrader's Chord.
I realize I'm in the minority with my review, but it's my honest review. Thank you for reading.
September 30, 2025
When this book came out I got it right away as I thought it would be a great one. It reminded me of Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill which I really liked. Yet low and behold it took a mere two years to get to it. Wow!!
It is quite a cool little story. There is a prologue which I just love and now my favourite parts of books but prior to the prologue there is an untitled couple of pages with a businessman buying certain merchandise. Said businessman is father to our main character Charlie Remick whose dad is Raymond. Raymond owns a record store (The Cuckoo's Nest) and is all about music. Growing up he told Charlie and his sister Ellie repeatedly about a myth of Schrader's Chord which was a story that started in about the year 1200. Ivan Schrader was quite the musician himself and was bent on the idea that a certain musical chord could open the gateway to the dead. He wanted to do this to see his wife who passed before he did.
The story behind Charlie is cool too as he is a gifted musician, way more than his father was and he has a magic ear for music and is able to distinguish notes, chords and a lot more. His father sees a great opportunity for Charlie music wise but is a little too pushy for Charlie. Things fall apart between the two and Charlie loses his interest in playing music but is still involved with music as he signs successful band after successful band for his record company.
Charlie grew up in Seattle where dad has his store. He now resides in New York and gets word his father died so after years of ignoring everyone in his family he goes back for the funeral but he is intent in getting in and getting the heck out quickly. When Charlie goes back he learns that dad committed suicide which no one can believe. They also learn that prior to his death Dad went all around the world and appeared to be chasing the four individual records that compromise Schrader's chord.
When the will is read out Charlie's sisters get the house and he gets the record store which he in no way wants. He also gets a case containing the four albums of Schrader's Chord with a note from dad saying "they are real".
So Charlie's sister Ellie tells Charlie that the store is more than a store. It employs Dale and Ana who have a vested interest in it staying open. Charlie is familiar with Dale and really respects him. Ana is a gorgeous latino which Charlie falls for right out of the gate. So these four characters are aware of the legend of Schrader's Chord and Ana wants to play the albums to see what happens. They eventually do and what happens is not good at all. The four and only the four are somehow affected by it and can now see the dead and clearly that is not a good thing. They even see Raymond who had killed himself and Raymond explains to them that what they did was so wrong and evil has been unleashed in the form of Schrader himself. Raymond and the four can interact and the four can interact with the dead period!
Funny but this story deals a lot with relationships, especially family ones and it is really cool to see it all play out. Charlie despises his dad for letting his mom die alone while dad was at a Sonics game. This really did in the relationship more than the music part I already mentioned but were things really as Charlie interpreted? If you don't talk about things how can you ever find the truth or the other side of the story at least?
So by playing the albums the four are doomed to die. Each record represents a way of death forthcoming from Schrader like naturally, accidental, suicide and murder. As things begin to unfold with regard to this they come up with a plan to hopefully avoid their impending deaths and that is to get the records back to Schrader's grave.
As they set out to do this the book gets really creepy with Schrader interacting with them all and in quite the horror filled ways. Yet when Schrader finds out what they are up to is that a good thing or a bad thing in his eyes?
I cannot really reveal much more without spoiling things but it is one cool and fun ride and at times pretty damn creepy too. What I did not like was the authors reference to music itself. Like everyone hates the Eagles? Really, I am a metal head but have Hotel California on my metal playlist as a change of pace. Every time it comes up I play it twice. I have their best of and it is hit after hit. And then there are all kinds of musical references to songs and bands I don't know at all and appear to not want to know about either. It kind of frustrated me. The author is very opinionated in this way. Funny but one thing we both agreed on was the Kars4Kids jingle where the kids are playing a song in an effort to drum up support for their charity. I thought I was abnormal in that I hate it and always change the channel each time it comes on so as to avoid it. Well Leeds (the author) goes on two separate tirades re the commercial and chapters apart too. He clearly has a bad thing for the commercial like me, lol. I read each tirade to my wife in an effort to show I was not alone. Clearly the charity is so worthwhile but this book was written in 2021 and they are sticking with that ridiculous commercial in 25, lol. So at times the author is a bit preachy.
This is quite the story though and very intriguing. The ending did not sit well with me. I could not reconcile Schrader's fate with Charlie's eventual fate. It did not jive with me at all but I can't get into that aspect at all though the final outcome is satisfactory in its own way.
A different and fun ride with some very scary parts too. Quite a few scares. An easy four stars!!
It is quite a cool little story. There is a prologue which I just love and now my favourite parts of books but prior to the prologue there is an untitled couple of pages with a businessman buying certain merchandise. Said businessman is father to our main character Charlie Remick whose dad is Raymond. Raymond owns a record store (The Cuckoo's Nest) and is all about music. Growing up he told Charlie and his sister Ellie repeatedly about a myth of Schrader's Chord which was a story that started in about the year 1200. Ivan Schrader was quite the musician himself and was bent on the idea that a certain musical chord could open the gateway to the dead. He wanted to do this to see his wife who passed before he did.
The story behind Charlie is cool too as he is a gifted musician, way more than his father was and he has a magic ear for music and is able to distinguish notes, chords and a lot more. His father sees a great opportunity for Charlie music wise but is a little too pushy for Charlie. Things fall apart between the two and Charlie loses his interest in playing music but is still involved with music as he signs successful band after successful band for his record company.
Charlie grew up in Seattle where dad has his store. He now resides in New York and gets word his father died so after years of ignoring everyone in his family he goes back for the funeral but he is intent in getting in and getting the heck out quickly. When Charlie goes back he learns that dad committed suicide which no one can believe. They also learn that prior to his death Dad went all around the world and appeared to be chasing the four individual records that compromise Schrader's chord.
When the will is read out Charlie's sisters get the house and he gets the record store which he in no way wants. He also gets a case containing the four albums of Schrader's Chord with a note from dad saying "they are real".
So Charlie's sister Ellie tells Charlie that the store is more than a store. It employs Dale and Ana who have a vested interest in it staying open. Charlie is familiar with Dale and really respects him. Ana is a gorgeous latino which Charlie falls for right out of the gate. So these four characters are aware of the legend of Schrader's Chord and Ana wants to play the albums to see what happens. They eventually do and what happens is not good at all. The four and only the four are somehow affected by it and can now see the dead and clearly that is not a good thing. They even see Raymond who had killed himself and Raymond explains to them that what they did was so wrong and evil has been unleashed in the form of Schrader himself. Raymond and the four can interact and the four can interact with the dead period!
Funny but this story deals a lot with relationships, especially family ones and it is really cool to see it all play out. Charlie despises his dad for letting his mom die alone while dad was at a Sonics game. This really did in the relationship more than the music part I already mentioned but were things really as Charlie interpreted? If you don't talk about things how can you ever find the truth or the other side of the story at least?
So by playing the albums the four are doomed to die. Each record represents a way of death forthcoming from Schrader like naturally, accidental, suicide and murder. As things begin to unfold with regard to this they come up with a plan to hopefully avoid their impending deaths and that is to get the records back to Schrader's grave.
As they set out to do this the book gets really creepy with Schrader interacting with them all and in quite the horror filled ways. Yet when Schrader finds out what they are up to is that a good thing or a bad thing in his eyes?
I cannot really reveal much more without spoiling things but it is one cool and fun ride and at times pretty damn creepy too. What I did not like was the authors reference to music itself. Like everyone hates the Eagles? Really, I am a metal head but have Hotel California on my metal playlist as a change of pace. Every time it comes up I play it twice. I have their best of and it is hit after hit. And then there are all kinds of musical references to songs and bands I don't know at all and appear to not want to know about either. It kind of frustrated me. The author is very opinionated in this way. Funny but one thing we both agreed on was the Kars4Kids jingle where the kids are playing a song in an effort to drum up support for their charity. I thought I was abnormal in that I hate it and always change the channel each time it comes on so as to avoid it. Well Leeds (the author) goes on two separate tirades re the commercial and chapters apart too. He clearly has a bad thing for the commercial like me, lol. I read each tirade to my wife in an effort to show I was not alone. Clearly the charity is so worthwhile but this book was written in 2021 and they are sticking with that ridiculous commercial in 25, lol. So at times the author is a bit preachy.
This is quite the story though and very intriguing. The ending did not sit well with me. I could not reconcile Schrader's fate with Charlie's eventual fate. It did not jive with me at all but I can't get into that aspect at all though the final outcome is satisfactory in its own way.
A different and fun ride with some very scary parts too. Quite a few scares. An easy four stars!!
June 2, 2024
Take the first two sentences of this book's synopsis...
“After his estranged father’s mysterious death, Charlie Remick returns to Seattle to help with the funeral. There, he discovers his father left him two parting the keys to the family record store and a strange black case containing four antique records that, according to legend, can open a gate to the land of the dead. “
...and stretch it over 150 pages. See how thin it gets?
Unfortunately, the introductory part to Schrader's Chord was waaay waaaay too long, and I'm using the word “unfortunately” because had that been a little shorter and had the characters a little more appeal, this story could have reached Joe Hill-level compulsively readability, but it takes its time to get there.
Also I'd say this is YA or NA horror, even though it's tagged Adult.
What I did like were the depictions of the dead people appearing here and there, because they weren't the Zombie kind of “returned from the dead” but rather ghosts, but ghosts who reminded me of Pascow from King's Pet Sematary, one of my all time favorite characters, like mostly friendly but not always.
When a certain point in the story is reached, it is really hard to put down and the author can rock a good ending, so this was in the end a worthwhile read. Considering it's a debut, I think I wouldn't be averse to reading more by the author.
“After his estranged father’s mysterious death, Charlie Remick returns to Seattle to help with the funeral. There, he discovers his father left him two parting the keys to the family record store and a strange black case containing four antique records that, according to legend, can open a gate to the land of the dead. “
...and stretch it over 150 pages. See how thin it gets?
Unfortunately, the introductory part to Schrader's Chord was waaay waaaay too long, and I'm using the word “unfortunately” because had that been a little shorter and had the characters a little more appeal, this story could have reached Joe Hill-level compulsively readability, but it takes its time to get there.
Also I'd say this is YA or NA horror, even though it's tagged Adult.
What I did like were the depictions of the dead people appearing here and there, because they weren't the Zombie kind of “returned from the dead” but rather ghosts, but ghosts who reminded me of Pascow from King's Pet Sematary, one of my all time favorite characters, like mostly friendly but not always.
When a certain point in the story is reached, it is really hard to put down and the author can rock a good ending, so this was in the end a worthwhile read. Considering it's a debut, I think I wouldn't be averse to reading more by the author.
October 10, 2024
Schrader’s Chord by Scott Leeds is a debut novel and I was impressed with the plot, the characters, and the details about Seattle.
I live in the Seattle area and love reading books that are set in my hood. I think Leeds must live here or he use too. The locations are accurate along with the total vibe and atmosphere of the city and surrounding areas.
Schrader’s Chord starts off with Charlie Remick, our main character getting terrible news. He finds out that his estranged father has passed away.
For the love of his sisters, he makes the trek back home for the funeral.
When he gets to Seattle, Charlie finds out that his dad left him the record store, Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s been in the family for decades and he’s not sure what he’s going to do with the store and the employees.
Along with the store, his dad leaves him four vinyl records stored in a black case.
After someone tries to steal the records, Charlie, his twin sister Ellie, and two employees from Cuckoo’s Nest decide to play them. The records end up being about a urban legend along with opening up a gate to the dead.
Will they be able to stop a deadly opponent, close the gate, and finally give peace to the dead?!
I think what I loved the most in the book are the descriptions of the dead.
They appear throughout the book and are fundamental to the plot and ending.
Besides loving the paranormal horror in this, I enjoyed the music industry and pop culture references that’s portrayed in the book. The ending is pretty damn good, and I like how everything gets tied up.
Overall, I would pick up another book by Scott Leeds and I’m looking forward to reading more books by him!
I live in the Seattle area and love reading books that are set in my hood. I think Leeds must live here or he use too. The locations are accurate along with the total vibe and atmosphere of the city and surrounding areas.
Schrader’s Chord starts off with Charlie Remick, our main character getting terrible news. He finds out that his estranged father has passed away.
For the love of his sisters, he makes the trek back home for the funeral.
When he gets to Seattle, Charlie finds out that his dad left him the record store, Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s been in the family for decades and he’s not sure what he’s going to do with the store and the employees.
Along with the store, his dad leaves him four vinyl records stored in a black case.
After someone tries to steal the records, Charlie, his twin sister Ellie, and two employees from Cuckoo’s Nest decide to play them. The records end up being about a urban legend along with opening up a gate to the dead.
Will they be able to stop a deadly opponent, close the gate, and finally give peace to the dead?!
I think what I loved the most in the book are the descriptions of the dead.
They appear throughout the book and are fundamental to the plot and ending.
Besides loving the paranormal horror in this, I enjoyed the music industry and pop culture references that’s portrayed in the book. The ending is pretty damn good, and I like how everything gets tied up.
Overall, I would pick up another book by Scott Leeds and I’m looking forward to reading more books by him!
September 25, 2023
I love "cursed object" stories and this definitely ranked up there as one of the better examples of the theme I've read! I really enjoyed this. RTC!
October 14, 2025
A Creepy, Sometimes Emotional, Sometimes Melancholic, Sometimes Humorous, and Uniquely Musical Horror Journey.
I have to start by saying that I truly enjoyed this book. From the first three chapters, I was hooked, attached to both the characters and the unfolding story. There’s a lot of unexpected depth to the relationships in this book, especially as it explores themes of family, trauma, and the complexities that come with unresolved issues. Grief lingers on the edges of every interaction, and the novel doesn’t shy away from showing how these emotional scars shape its characters. The loss and unspoken pain that permeates through certain relationships made this much more than just a horror story—it felt profoundly raw and personal.
As for the horror elements, things really start to pick up about a third of the way through. The eerie atmosphere builds, slowly at first, before launching into grotesque descriptions and deeply unsettling characters that sent chills down my spine. Leeds’s ability to create characters that are both terrifying and intriguing is remarkable. As much as I wanted these unsettling figures to disappear, there was always a part of me that wanted to learn more about them and the twisted realities they brought with them. It’s awesome to find villains that make you want to look away and lean in at the same time.
The first part of the book is truly fun—a blend of suspense and getting to know the cast—but by the second third, it takes on a much darker and more intense tone. I did feel that the last third dragged a little, losing some of the tight pacing that had me on the edge of my seat earlier on. Yet, even when the story slowed, it was hard not to appreciate the way Leeds masterfully weaved the theme of music throughout. It wasn’t just a backdrop but an essential part of the story’s DNA. Every musical reference felt purposeful, and the cursed records were used in ways that resonated with the overarching themes of memory, loss, and the echoes of things long gone.
I MUST BE HONEST : I almost didn’t read this book, because I was worried it would fall into the category of a music-centric story that feel overly pretentious. There were a couple of moments where I felt the musical references were a little too niche or specific, as though Leeds was just a bit too excited to drop them in (who wouldn't be, given the opportunity?!?) I only mention this because I can imagine some readers might not connect with those parts and feel a bit lost. However, for me, these moments were wrapped in a sense of nostalgia, bringing me back to the days of digging through record stores, savoring the thrill of discovering new music with friends. It didn’t feel gratuitous—it felt like a love letter to those who appreciate the power of music to haunt and heal in equal measure.
That being said, there were a few classic horror tropes and character decisions that left me shaking my head in frustration, or giving a playful eye roll. (It’s the kind of thing where you want to yell at the characters—answer your phone when someone calls you three times, don’t mess with the cursed objects after witnessing something terrifying, and, for goodness' sake, believe the paranormal events unfolding before your eyes, you twit!) At times, the denial of what was happening stretched believability, especially when the characters had already seen things far worse than what they were trying to explain away. Classic horror character frustrations, but nothing that caused me to be disinterested.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there were a few aspects that kept it from reaching five stars for me. Some of the character writing felt a bit shallow—there were a few key characters I found myself attached to, yet I didn’t know as much about them as I wanted to, which left me wishing for more depth. The romance subplot also felt slightly forced, coming across more like something you’d expect in a young adult novel rather than a mature adult horror (however, it did bring a sense of innocence to one of the characters that I believe they deserved to experience.) A few of the high tension parts left me confused, as well as some of the abilities of the paranormal characters... I was left with questions, to put it simply. Lastly, the book had a surprising amount of light-heartedness that, while enjoyable, wasn’t what I expected from a story advertised as heavy horror. Don’t get me wrong—the horror moments were terrifying, but overall, the tone was lighter and, at times, warm, which caught me off guard. It wasn’t necessarily a negative, but it was a shift from what I had anticipated, and some horror buffs may consider this lagging due to the heavy focus on relationship building.
In light of these thoughts, I found Schrader’s Chord to be a fantastic read. For me, this book had just the right balance of eerie tension, emotional depth, and downright creepy horror. For a debut novel, it’s very well-crafted, with a unique spin on the classic cursed object tale. It’s also long for a debut, but well worth the ride, and I found it refreshingly original. I’m genuinely excited to see what Scott Leeds comes up with as he grows as a writer—I’ll be purchasing and reading whatever he writes next, without hesitation.
Lastly, Mr. Leeds, if you're reading this, I have a bone to pick with you about a certain limping character. How dare you make me unexpectedly tear up over a loyal companion while I was busy making sure my feet weren’t hanging off the edge of the couch out of fear! I was prepared for scares, but not for that sweet, emotional gut punch. 😭
I have to start by saying that I truly enjoyed this book. From the first three chapters, I was hooked, attached to both the characters and the unfolding story. There’s a lot of unexpected depth to the relationships in this book, especially as it explores themes of family, trauma, and the complexities that come with unresolved issues. Grief lingers on the edges of every interaction, and the novel doesn’t shy away from showing how these emotional scars shape its characters. The loss and unspoken pain that permeates through certain relationships made this much more than just a horror story—it felt profoundly raw and personal.
As for the horror elements, things really start to pick up about a third of the way through. The eerie atmosphere builds, slowly at first, before launching into grotesque descriptions and deeply unsettling characters that sent chills down my spine. Leeds’s ability to create characters that are both terrifying and intriguing is remarkable. As much as I wanted these unsettling figures to disappear, there was always a part of me that wanted to learn more about them and the twisted realities they brought with them. It’s awesome to find villains that make you want to look away and lean in at the same time.
The first part of the book is truly fun—a blend of suspense and getting to know the cast—but by the second third, it takes on a much darker and more intense tone. I did feel that the last third dragged a little, losing some of the tight pacing that had me on the edge of my seat earlier on. Yet, even when the story slowed, it was hard not to appreciate the way Leeds masterfully weaved the theme of music throughout. It wasn’t just a backdrop but an essential part of the story’s DNA. Every musical reference felt purposeful, and the cursed records were used in ways that resonated with the overarching themes of memory, loss, and the echoes of things long gone.
I MUST BE HONEST : I almost didn’t read this book, because I was worried it would fall into the category of a music-centric story that feel overly pretentious. There were a couple of moments where I felt the musical references were a little too niche or specific, as though Leeds was just a bit too excited to drop them in (who wouldn't be, given the opportunity?!?) I only mention this because I can imagine some readers might not connect with those parts and feel a bit lost. However, for me, these moments were wrapped in a sense of nostalgia, bringing me back to the days of digging through record stores, savoring the thrill of discovering new music with friends. It didn’t feel gratuitous—it felt like a love letter to those who appreciate the power of music to haunt and heal in equal measure.
That being said, there were a few classic horror tropes and character decisions that left me shaking my head in frustration, or giving a playful eye roll. (It’s the kind of thing where you want to yell at the characters—answer your phone when someone calls you three times, don’t mess with the cursed objects after witnessing something terrifying, and, for goodness' sake, believe the paranormal events unfolding before your eyes, you twit!) At times, the denial of what was happening stretched believability, especially when the characters had already seen things far worse than what they were trying to explain away. Classic horror character frustrations, but nothing that caused me to be disinterested.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there were a few aspects that kept it from reaching five stars for me. Some of the character writing felt a bit shallow—there were a few key characters I found myself attached to, yet I didn’t know as much about them as I wanted to, which left me wishing for more depth. The romance subplot also felt slightly forced, coming across more like something you’d expect in a young adult novel rather than a mature adult horror (however, it did bring a sense of innocence to one of the characters that I believe they deserved to experience.) A few of the high tension parts left me confused, as well as some of the abilities of the paranormal characters... I was left with questions, to put it simply. Lastly, the book had a surprising amount of light-heartedness that, while enjoyable, wasn’t what I expected from a story advertised as heavy horror. Don’t get me wrong—the horror moments were terrifying, but overall, the tone was lighter and, at times, warm, which caught me off guard. It wasn’t necessarily a negative, but it was a shift from what I had anticipated, and some horror buffs may consider this lagging due to the heavy focus on relationship building.
In light of these thoughts, I found Schrader’s Chord to be a fantastic read. For me, this book had just the right balance of eerie tension, emotional depth, and downright creepy horror. For a debut novel, it’s very well-crafted, with a unique spin on the classic cursed object tale. It’s also long for a debut, but well worth the ride, and I found it refreshingly original. I’m genuinely excited to see what Scott Leeds comes up with as he grows as a writer—I’ll be purchasing and reading whatever he writes next, without hesitation.
Lastly, Mr. Leeds, if you're reading this, I have a bone to pick with you about a certain limping character. How dare you make me unexpectedly tear up over a loyal companion while I was busy making sure my feet weren’t hanging off the edge of the couch out of fear! I was prepared for scares, but not for that sweet, emotional gut punch. 😭
August 8, 2024
Hot damn; I loved this!
September 18, 2023
What an interesting premise destroyed by choppy pacing, poor character development, and unnecessary descriptions and detours into details of people that are wholly unnecessary to the story :(
But don’t go by what I say - it could just be me. There are some great reviews for this book so maybe I just don’t have the ear for this kind of writing :D (I know it’s a stretch but couldn’t help it)
I had quite a few issues with this book.
- Several characters introduced and developed without a clear point for their existence (Jennifer Graham, Susan, Harold and George)
- Shallow characters- I couldn’t bring myself to care for any of them, except maybe poor Dale and the surprising Louis. And I honestly couldn’t comprehend Raymond’s personality- is he a good guy? Bad guy? Good dad? Bad dad? Good husband? Bad husband? Who knows! Same goes for Susan and Ellie and even Charlie.
- The set up was too long and quite boring
- The dialogue seemed stunted and artificial
- The non-existent chemistry between Charlie and Ana made me want to scream out loud- there was no need for this lifeless, romantic pair up.
- The timelines of the various deaths were quite disconnected.
- I also couldn’t understand when Louis listened to the chords? Did Raymond play the chords for him as well? Who were the other two involved?
- The mystery of how Charlie was not killed by the driverless vehicle was never solved. (Or maybe it was and I missed it- I was skipping pages at this point.)
Bottom line: good premise, writing shows some promise but overall a let down.
But don’t go by what I say - it could just be me. There are some great reviews for this book so maybe I just don’t have the ear for this kind of writing :D (I know it’s a stretch but couldn’t help it)
I had quite a few issues with this book.
- Several characters introduced and developed without a clear point for their existence (Jennifer Graham, Susan, Harold and George)
- Shallow characters- I couldn’t bring myself to care for any of them, except maybe poor Dale and the surprising Louis. And I honestly couldn’t comprehend Raymond’s personality- is he a good guy? Bad guy? Good dad? Bad dad? Good husband? Bad husband? Who knows! Same goes for Susan and Ellie and even Charlie.
- The set up was too long and quite boring
- The dialogue seemed stunted and artificial
- The non-existent chemistry between Charlie and Ana made me want to scream out loud- there was no need for this lifeless, romantic pair up.
- The timelines of the various deaths were quite disconnected.
- I also couldn’t understand when Louis listened to the chords? Did Raymond play the chords for him as well? Who were the other two involved?
- The mystery of how Charlie was not killed by the driverless vehicle was never solved. (Or maybe it was and I missed it- I was skipping pages at this point.)
Bottom line: good premise, writing shows some promise but overall a let down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
Schrader’s Chord is one of the most original Horror novels I have ever read! If this were ever adapted to film, I have no doubt that the villain in this story will become a new household name and have people dressing up as Schrader every year for Halloween. Yes, I feel that he’s earned a seat next to the likeness of Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers. He’s that terrifying! 😱
I can’t believe this is a debut novel! This is one of those books you hug when it’s over because you’re sad that you have to say goodbye to the characters 😭 It’s the heartfelt character investment that made the plot that much more enthralling, they felt like real people! The plot is awesome and music/horror lovers will love the idea of four cursed vinyl records that when played simultaneously opens a gateway into the land of the dead! How cool is that?! But what makes it even scarier is the gatekeeper himself - Schrader! & If you played these records, not only will you start to see the dead when no one else can, but you’re also sentenced to quiet a gruesome death!
Have I sold you on this yet? Because if you love music and Horror, you absolutely need to read this as it seamlessly blends both in a unique and compelling narrative that makes this novel unputdownable! There’s plenty of mystery and suspense with a side of romance and gore. What’s not to love?! I can’t wait to see what Leeds has in store for us next. Encore!! Encore!!!
I can’t believe this is a debut novel! This is one of those books you hug when it’s over because you’re sad that you have to say goodbye to the characters 😭 It’s the heartfelt character investment that made the plot that much more enthralling, they felt like real people! The plot is awesome and music/horror lovers will love the idea of four cursed vinyl records that when played simultaneously opens a gateway into the land of the dead! How cool is that?! But what makes it even scarier is the gatekeeper himself - Schrader! & If you played these records, not only will you start to see the dead when no one else can, but you’re also sentenced to quiet a gruesome death!
Have I sold you on this yet? Because if you love music and Horror, you absolutely need to read this as it seamlessly blends both in a unique and compelling narrative that makes this novel unputdownable! There’s plenty of mystery and suspense with a side of romance and gore. What’s not to love?! I can’t wait to see what Leeds has in store for us next. Encore!! Encore!!!
September 3, 2023
Exactly how far would you go for love?🫶👀
I liked every single character in this work, Schrader's Chord is a truly original horror tale. I always appreciate a good story on family ties that isn't afraid to delve deeper into the primary protagonist's background, sentiments, and thought process, as well as present the reader with a lot of information on the characters, which were, by the way, fully fleshed out.
A story about the raw, terrible, and terrifying process of grief with realistic and very compelling characters. While we're on the topic of "realistic," each character may be affected by the events of death in a completely different way, just as in real life, because everyone grieves differently, and the author masterfully manages to transmit sentiments on paper. I particularly like the protagonist's development in this story; it was excellent!
Overall, Scott Leeds' novel Schrader's Chord was a gripping and interesting pageturner that kept me on the edge of my seat, fists clinched, fearing what would happen next. This spine-chilling, white-knuckle-causing horror book hits the spot! I'm quite interested to see what this author comes up with next!
4.5/5 💫
I liked every single character in this work, Schrader's Chord is a truly original horror tale. I always appreciate a good story on family ties that isn't afraid to delve deeper into the primary protagonist's background, sentiments, and thought process, as well as present the reader with a lot of information on the characters, which were, by the way, fully fleshed out.
A story about the raw, terrible, and terrifying process of grief with realistic and very compelling characters. While we're on the topic of "realistic," each character may be affected by the events of death in a completely different way, just as in real life, because everyone grieves differently, and the author masterfully manages to transmit sentiments on paper. I particularly like the protagonist's development in this story; it was excellent!
Overall, Scott Leeds' novel Schrader's Chord was a gripping and interesting pageturner that kept me on the edge of my seat, fists clinched, fearing what would happen next. This spine-chilling, white-knuckle-causing horror book hits the spot! I'm quite interested to see what this author comes up with next!
4.5/5 💫
January 11, 2024
A Good Horror Story!
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
I really enjoyed SCHRADER’S CHORD by Scott Leeds. In my opinion, this is a good horror novel.
I started this book knowing as little as possible, after a friend's recommendation. I prefer it like this. Because after just one chapter, I know if I'm going to like the story or not. In this case, I was intrigued at the beginning. I dove into the story and I didn't want to come back to the surface (my daily life).
In my opinion, Scott Leeds is a good storyteller and writer. I liked the plot, the development of the characters, and the fact that Music is the background to this sinister story. There is tension at all times, I never knew what was going to happen to the characters. In my mind eyes I could hear the creepy music accompanying each chapter. I had a very good time, with this book.
People died in this story but there's nothing too gory or disgusting. If you like horror, you will like this original horror story. I highly recommend it!
I won't say too much. I don't want to spoil it.
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
I really enjoyed SCHRADER’S CHORD by Scott Leeds. In my opinion, this is a good horror novel.
I started this book knowing as little as possible, after a friend's recommendation. I prefer it like this. Because after just one chapter, I know if I'm going to like the story or not. In this case, I was intrigued at the beginning. I dove into the story and I didn't want to come back to the surface (my daily life).
In my opinion, Scott Leeds is a good storyteller and writer. I liked the plot, the development of the characters, and the fact that Music is the background to this sinister story. There is tension at all times, I never knew what was going to happen to the characters. In my mind eyes I could hear the creepy music accompanying each chapter. I had a very good time, with this book.
People died in this story but there's nothing too gory or disgusting. If you like horror, you will like this original horror story. I highly recommend it!
I won't say too much. I don't want to spoil it.
October 9, 2024
" You knew perfectly well that Schrader’s abominations were real, and yet you couldn’t resist pulling them out of the shadows and into the light. You couldn’t resist the foolish glory in finding what wasn’t meant to be found."
A strange black case. Four ancient records. A gate to the land of the dead. Can they close the gate and silence Scrader's Chord before it's too late? 🎶⭕
As the legend goes, once upon a time there was a composer named Ivan Schrader whose grief for his dead wife was so strong that he devised a set of four notes which would open a gate to the afterlife, allowing him to see and speak to her again. Could the records in the musty old box actually be Shrader's Chord?
🖤 The originality of the plot. I can't think of another book or have not read anything like this.
Such a great concept - cursed vinyl records; music as a catalyst for evil. Having to play the four records together to create the 'chord' was cool.
The music/pop-culture references (some I'm familiar with and others I have to search and listen to Spotify as it makes for a great accompaniment to the story) the book is one long playlist and that's something I dig. If you are a lover of horror and music-centric plots, you have got to give this one a shot.
Sixth sense and Final Destination vibes 👌
I thought having Schrader basically stalk them kept the tension up. It had a kind of Final Destination vibe where they're trying to outrun their predetermined fate which could show up at any time in different forms.
Added bonus: mythology / folklore
5✨
E-📖
A strange black case. Four ancient records. A gate to the land of the dead. Can they close the gate and silence Scrader's Chord before it's too late? 🎶⭕
As the legend goes, once upon a time there was a composer named Ivan Schrader whose grief for his dead wife was so strong that he devised a set of four notes which would open a gate to the afterlife, allowing him to see and speak to her again. Could the records in the musty old box actually be Shrader's Chord?
🖤 The originality of the plot. I can't think of another book or have not read anything like this.
Such a great concept - cursed vinyl records; music as a catalyst for evil. Having to play the four records together to create the 'chord' was cool.
The music/pop-culture references (some I'm familiar with and others I have to search and listen to Spotify as it makes for a great accompaniment to the story) the book is one long playlist and that's something I dig. If you are a lover of horror and music-centric plots, you have got to give this one a shot.
Sixth sense and Final Destination vibes 👌
I thought having Schrader basically stalk them kept the tension up. It had a kind of Final Destination vibe where they're trying to outrun their predetermined fate which could show up at any time in different forms.
Added bonus: mythology / folklore
5✨
E-📖
June 19, 2023
"Raymond Remick opened his eyes. Like the man with the bloody teeth, his eyes were clouded over with the milky fog of death. His lips, ballooning with stagnant blood, curled into a clownish grin. He pried them apart, the dry saliva smacking like glue, and waved a cheerful hand. Hey, Kiddo!"
Lords of Salem meets The Sixth Sense.
This was spooky.
RTC
Lords of Salem meets The Sixth Sense.
This was spooky.
RTC
December 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this one! Story revolves around a family in the music industry and 4 occult records that unlock a gateway to hell. Schrader is creepy as hell, Charlie and Ana are great leading characters, and story is well paced with an intense ending.
October 8, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ (Rounded up for Goodreads)
Such a unique and clever premise for a horror book. I’ve never read anything quite like it and love the action and suspense in the last quarter of the novel. The first quarter is compelling and the pacing moves along swiftly. However there’s a stretch in the middle that reads slow and meanders a bit. It takes reading over a third of the book before how to play the records in unison is explained.
Such a unique and clever premise for a horror book. I’ve never read anything quite like it and love the action and suspense in the last quarter of the novel. The first quarter is compelling and the pacing moves along swiftly. However there’s a stretch in the middle that reads slow and meanders a bit. It takes reading over a third of the book before how to play the records in unison is explained.
October 21, 2023
I don't know how Schrader's Chord is a debut, but Scott Leeds has clearly knocked it out of the park with this creepy and horrifically great novel! It grossed me out, creeped me out, and left me in tears which is really saying something to get all these feelings in one book, especially horror at that. I was motivated to pick this up after seeing it everywhere on Bookstagram, and I am especially glad I decided to read it in October since it really is the perfect spooky read for the season. There is a wonderful focus on family in the story, and it has a lot of substance on top of being just an incredibly well-written and atmospheric book.
I would love to think that Leeds had a say in the audiobook narrator, and he ended up picking George Newbern because he truly was the man for the job. I have listened to him narrate quite a few books and I always love him, and that was also the case here. He brought the story to life flawlessly and even at a 2x speed (all I could go up to on the app I was listening on) his cadence was perfect instead of being painfully slow as that speed is with some narrators. I didn't find Schrader's Chord to be overly scary either, and I would have been fine listening to this at night, although I didn't really want to when I was eating. 😅 I can't wait to see where Leeds will go with his next novel, and he is already added to my auto-buy list thanks to this debut!
I would love to think that Leeds had a say in the audiobook narrator, and he ended up picking George Newbern because he truly was the man for the job. I have listened to him narrate quite a few books and I always love him, and that was also the case here. He brought the story to life flawlessly and even at a 2x speed (all I could go up to on the app I was listening on) his cadence was perfect instead of being painfully slow as that speed is with some narrators. I didn't find Schrader's Chord to be overly scary either, and I would have been fine listening to this at night, although I didn't really want to when I was eating. 😅 I can't wait to see where Leeds will go with his next novel, and he is already added to my auto-buy list thanks to this debut!
September 3, 2023
This is a debut that has me practically spinning (like a record you could say 👀) for this authors next book! Some of my favourite books have the cursed item trope (Heart Shaped Box anyone??) so I was eager to delve into this plus I have a soft spot for a character who is musically inclined, fellow music lovers will appreciate the music references throughout. This was a perfect blend of character development and nail biting plot that had me unable to put it down, Scott writes with such fluidity that the 400 pages plus fly by, the dialogue was authentic and incredibly witty, I found myself laughing out loud in parts, I can't praise this book enough! a symphony of terrifying supernatural horror paired with relatable evocative themes of life, death and love that will much like music, speak to your soul(if you have one), propulsive, edge of your seat reading from an author destined to become a house hold name, this is another one of my favourite books I've read this year!
September 7, 2023
This debut novel was such a fun horror story that’s perfect for spooky season! I thought the characters were all well developed and the author did a great job showcasing how grief impacted them all in different ways. It does start off a bit slow but once it grabbed my attention I was captivated for the remainder of the book. Things get very intense for the second half with lots of tension, scary situations and plenty of action.
It did feel a bit too long and had some pacing issues, there were a lot of similes and descriptions that could have been trimmed back and a character (Susan, the sister) who gets a lot of page time early even though she isn’t really a part of the main story. I also had one part of the plot that didn’t fully add up to me regarding how and why the records were given to Charlie, and while it was addressed in the book the explanation didn’t really make sense to me.
All that being said, I still really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!
It did feel a bit too long and had some pacing issues, there were a lot of similes and descriptions that could have been trimmed back and a character (Susan, the sister) who gets a lot of page time early even though she isn’t really a part of the main story. I also had one part of the plot that didn’t fully add up to me regarding how and why the records were given to Charlie, and while it was addressed in the book the explanation didn’t really make sense to me.
All that being said, I still really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!
August 20, 2024
A throughly enjoyable mix of family drama, music, humour and horror.
October 25, 2023
It took me a bit to decide on a rating I can live with and I comfortable with a 3 star rating.
There is so much I enjoyed about this book. The characters are people you want to know cause they’re so cool, the discussions about collecting music will appeal to music lovers, and this books gets an A+ for the unique premise. Overall I found the first half to be so engaging and well paced, but it kind of lost me in the second half.
It started off really creepy and unsettling but I just don’t find that tone was carried throughout the story. A lot of people really did love this book and I implore readers to check it out if you enjoy paranormal stories about cursed objects with a heartwarming subplot focusing on familial relationships.
There is so much I enjoyed about this book. The characters are people you want to know cause they’re so cool, the discussions about collecting music will appeal to music lovers, and this books gets an A+ for the unique premise. Overall I found the first half to be so engaging and well paced, but it kind of lost me in the second half.
It started off really creepy and unsettling but I just don’t find that tone was carried throughout the story. A lot of people really did love this book and I implore readers to check it out if you enjoy paranormal stories about cursed objects with a heartwarming subplot focusing on familial relationships.
October 24, 2023
Charlie returns home for his father’s funeral. They haven’t spoken since Charlie’s mother’s death, but his dad leaves him his beloved record store in his will. He also leaves him a strange black case with four old records and a strange note - “I told you they were real.” Charlie knows that these are the fabled records made by Ivan Schrader that are said to open a doorway to the land of the dead. Not believing they are real, Charlie plays the records with his sister and the two employees of the record store. But it turns out the records are real, and they have opened a gate for the dead, and now they are being haunted by Schrader himself who wants them dead. Will they be able to find a way to stop Schrader and close the doorway again?
This was a very disappointing horror story. The pacing is not good, and drags throughout much of the book. The characters are flat and all sound the same. The supernatural happenings break their own rules. There is too much description of unnecessary things, while not enough detail of major things or conflicting detail of major things. The “scary” stuff was all jump scares or excessive gore, not actually scary. And by the end I just didn’t care anymore.
This was a very disappointing horror story. The pacing is not good, and drags throughout much of the book. The characters are flat and all sound the same. The supernatural happenings break their own rules. There is too much description of unnecessary things, while not enough detail of major things or conflicting detail of major things. The “scary” stuff was all jump scares or excessive gore, not actually scary. And by the end I just didn’t care anymore.
January 9, 2024
"I told you they were real..."
Curses, corpses, ghosts and rock 'n' roll!?!? All of these elements surround the Remick family as they gather to lay their father to rest... only some things just won't stay buried!! Absolutely LOVED this debut from Leeds, cannot wait to see what else he has in store for the horror genre 🖤
Curses, corpses, ghosts and rock 'n' roll!?!? All of these elements surround the Remick family as they gather to lay their father to rest... only some things just won't stay buried!! Absolutely LOVED this debut from Leeds, cannot wait to see what else he has in store for the horror genre 🖤
September 9, 2025
Torn between 4 and 5 ⭐️ going with 4 for now.
This book is a (spooky) trip to the Pacific Northwest. It made me nostalgic for past travels and made me feel like I was back at Easy Street Records in West Seattle: record shopping and enjoying some coffee and eggs-with Secret Aardvark sauce of course! It gave me a lot of familiar warm fuzzies and made me so happy. I loved all the musical references and the music obsessed characters too. The story is spooky, creative, and so unique. It’s very well thought out down to the smallest detail. It’s creepy and interesting. The dialogue felt like conversations I’ve had myself. The plot progression had a couple slow moments but overall it moved well and I love where it ended up. This ticked so many boxes for me. Been to, live in, or want to visit the PNW? Love music or collect records? Love a unique spooky story? If you said yes to any or all of these this is a must read! I built up high hopes for this and it did not disappoint!
One of my favorite lines from this for a sense of the dialogues and vibes I mentioned:
“‘I know what chord progressions are, Charlie,’ she said ‘Do you know how many times I’ve had to listen to some prog-rock know it all with a shitty Ibanez strapped to their back wax poetic about chord progressions while they shopped for Yes records?’”
This book is a (spooky) trip to the Pacific Northwest. It made me nostalgic for past travels and made me feel like I was back at Easy Street Records in West Seattle: record shopping and enjoying some coffee and eggs-with Secret Aardvark sauce of course! It gave me a lot of familiar warm fuzzies and made me so happy. I loved all the musical references and the music obsessed characters too. The story is spooky, creative, and so unique. It’s very well thought out down to the smallest detail. It’s creepy and interesting. The dialogue felt like conversations I’ve had myself. The plot progression had a couple slow moments but overall it moved well and I love where it ended up. This ticked so many boxes for me. Been to, live in, or want to visit the PNW? Love music or collect records? Love a unique spooky story? If you said yes to any or all of these this is a must read! I built up high hopes for this and it did not disappoint!
One of my favorite lines from this for a sense of the dialogues and vibes I mentioned:
“‘I know what chord progressions are, Charlie,’ she said ‘Do you know how many times I’ve had to listen to some prog-rock know it all with a shitty Ibanez strapped to their back wax poetic about chord progressions while they shopped for Yes records?’”
June 30, 2024
What a sweet and endearing horror novel. Is that weird to admit? I mean, it hit close to home on some of the family drama. I really felt for the characters and their changes along the way. Yeah, I was hoping for more of an Evil Dead heart pounding feel, but this really worked out just fine. I’m still really shocked this is a debut novel?! How?! Also, I can easily see this author writing screenplays.
October 7, 2023
My favorite book of 2023. It will be tough to beat. Excellent narration, vivid characters, and one helluva ride. Haven’t enjoyed a book this much since Joe Hill’s NOS4A2. And yes it even had me tearing up at one point. Scott Leeds, if you’re reading this I will follow you anywhere!
April 27, 2024
**4.5⭐**
Ooooh this was good! I adore cursed object stories like this, and was really excited when I found out about it. It has some good creepy scenes, and I enjoyed it a lot. I listened to the audiobook, and it was a little convoluted at times (particularly the beginning and the end), but I think I would have sorted it out sooner if I would have read a hard copy. I wanted more info on some things, and less info on others (it does get a little slow at some points, and some things don't fully make sense). Anyway, it's good & I recommend it!
Ooooh this was good! I adore cursed object stories like this, and was really excited when I found out about it. It has some good creepy scenes, and I enjoyed it a lot. I listened to the audiobook, and it was a little convoluted at times (particularly the beginning and the end), but I think I would have sorted it out sooner if I would have read a hard copy. I wanted more info on some things, and less info on others (it does get a little slow at some points, and some things don't fully make sense). Anyway, it's good & I recommend it!
August 31, 2023
☠︎︎♬ 𝖘𝖈𝖍𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗’𝖘 𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖗𝖉 - 🅑🅞🅞🅚 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦 ♬☠︎︎
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 9/5/23
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: paranormal horror
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★/5
🎸 let it be known from the get go that horror books are totally outside of my comfort zone, but the whole premise of 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐝 by Scott Leeds was TOO promising to pass up. think vintage music vibes meet a Jumanji-type scenario in which a guy inherits cursed vinyls from his estranged father, which apparently let the dead cross over to the living realm. the catch? whoever listens to the records when they’re played dies at the hands of the ghost who composed the music, and now the four listeners have to find a way out before it’s too late.
☠️ what really threw me with this book was the pacing. it was all. over. the. place. The first 250 pages are spent getting to know the characters with some very lite horror to entice, then BOOM everything takes off at a race. characters introduced in the beginning (with pretty significant page time and development) don’t come back. the action picks up, but with a lot of really jolting downtime in between.
🎵 a lot of the plot points didn’t line up. like deaths happen (no spoilers there, it’s a horror book), and the survivors are way too ready to move forward, like yeah well, we’re still going to break the curse, what can you do. the world building, like how the ghosts interact with the world of the living, doesn’t make any sense. one of my pet peeves is when any story counts on a reader to let plot holes go on account of it being “paranormal.”
☾ anyway, I DID finish this 400+ pager, and it did take my mind off of yucky life stuff for a while, so that counts for something ✌🏻
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𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 9/5/23
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: paranormal horror
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★/5
🎸 let it be known from the get go that horror books are totally outside of my comfort zone, but the whole premise of 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐝 by Scott Leeds was TOO promising to pass up. think vintage music vibes meet a Jumanji-type scenario in which a guy inherits cursed vinyls from his estranged father, which apparently let the dead cross over to the living realm. the catch? whoever listens to the records when they’re played dies at the hands of the ghost who composed the music, and now the four listeners have to find a way out before it’s too late.
☠️ what really threw me with this book was the pacing. it was all. over. the. place. The first 250 pages are spent getting to know the characters with some very lite horror to entice, then BOOM everything takes off at a race. characters introduced in the beginning (with pretty significant page time and development) don’t come back. the action picks up, but with a lot of really jolting downtime in between.
🎵 a lot of the plot points didn’t line up. like deaths happen (no spoilers there, it’s a horror book), and the survivors are way too ready to move forward, like yeah well, we’re still going to break the curse, what can you do. the world building, like how the ghosts interact with the world of the living, doesn’t make any sense. one of my pet peeves is when any story counts on a reader to let plot holes go on account of it being “paranormal.”
☾ anyway, I DID finish this 400+ pager, and it did take my mind off of yucky life stuff for a while, so that counts for something ✌🏻
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August 26, 2023
Every horror writer needs to do a rock 'n roll novel at some point, right? Consider this an addition to the sub genre from Scott Leeds. Schrader's Chord kicks off with an interesting mix of stomping on the gas while also lingering on the main characters. Time spent with the Remick family and Ana Cortez at the record story demands the reader slow their pace, but ultimately proves an effective payoff later on. The notion of cursed media (journals, video, or records in this case) is an intriguing one, while hardly breaking the mold. Where Leeds succeeds is the way he takes things that have been done before and ups the creepiness factor to eleven. The scene where the main characters play the records (no spoilers, it's on the back cover) had the hair standing up on the back of my arms. From there, the imagery is expertly done and separates Schrader's Chord from thematically similar material.
As strong as the characters are, and I'm sticking with four stars because they are unequivocally the heart of the novel, the villain and his motivations are weak, or at least they come off that way in comparison to the meticulous development of the protagonists. As a result, the final act of the book didn't quite hold up to the lofty expectations the first two acts created.
For its minimal issues, Schrader's Chord is a terrific novel that is truly scary and filled with moments that will burrow under your skin and live in your nightmares.
As strong as the characters are, and I'm sticking with four stars because they are unequivocally the heart of the novel, the villain and his motivations are weak, or at least they come off that way in comparison to the meticulous development of the protagonists. As a result, the final act of the book didn't quite hold up to the lofty expectations the first two acts created.
For its minimal issues, Schrader's Chord is a terrific novel that is truly scary and filled with moments that will burrow under your skin and live in your nightmares.
October 30, 2023
A spooky debut by Scott Leeds. For me this certainly lived up to the hype. I found this to be unique as this featured mystery, suspense, romance and obviously horror. Going in, I was super excited for this as I kept on reading the synopsis over and over again. Wow this was worth the wait!
Charlie returns to Seattle after his estranged father passes away. His father left him a strange black case containing ancient records that according to legend can open a gate to the land of the dead. Ultimately, the floodgates opened. Rock n Roll horror or heartfelt horror. I really love the music theme in here. Along with the family theme and old broken bonds. That is something most readers will pick up on and adore about this story.
An amazing debut, this will play in my head over and over again like a favorite song. I especially love the creepiness that this has to offer as well. Safe to say that I will be looking forward to reading more from Scott Leeds. Underrated part of this was how the character development was done so well. My mind is blown right now, I’ll be talking about this for days now. What a story!
4.5 stars for me.
Likes: Music theme, rock n roll horror, great characters, really spooky, breathtaking read.
Charlie returns to Seattle after his estranged father passes away. His father left him a strange black case containing ancient records that according to legend can open a gate to the land of the dead. Ultimately, the floodgates opened. Rock n Roll horror or heartfelt horror. I really love the music theme in here. Along with the family theme and old broken bonds. That is something most readers will pick up on and adore about this story.
An amazing debut, this will play in my head over and over again like a favorite song. I especially love the creepiness that this has to offer as well. Safe to say that I will be looking forward to reading more from Scott Leeds. Underrated part of this was how the character development was done so well. My mind is blown right now, I’ll be talking about this for days now. What a story!
4.5 stars for me.
Likes: Music theme, rock n roll horror, great characters, really spooky, breathtaking read.
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