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Dummy
Afraid of driving alone at night, an elderly widow named Beverly Crisp keeps a life-sized mannequin she calls Talbot in the passenger seat of her car. Jenny Dressel, a young woman who works at the local gas station, is struggling to keep her desire to kill under control. When teenagers steal Talbot in a prank-gone-wrong, Talbot seeks his revenge, adding to a brutal series of murders in their small desert town. Coming together to search for Talbot, Beverly and Jenny realize they share an evil connection that threatens to destroy many lives.
172 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2023
9 people want to read
About the author
David-Matthew Barnes
110 books50 followersDavid-Matthew Barnes is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, three collections of poetry, seven short stories, and more than seventy stage plays that have been performed in three languages in twelve countries. He writes in multiple genres, primarily young adult, romance, thriller, and horror. Five of his stage plays have received off-off Broadway productions.
As a film producer, he has helped bring fifty films to the screen including many independent films, horror movies, and international films.
He has been selected for three Sundance Collab screenwriting workshops. He was named a finalist for the Sundance Institute YouTube New Voices Lab.
David-Matthew is the winner of the Hart Crane Memorial Poetry Award, the Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award for playwriting, the Slam Boston Award for Best Play, and two Elly Awards for playwriting from the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance.
To date, he has written eight produced screenplays. He is a graduate of the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA.
David-Matthew is a member of the Dramatists Guild, International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
He lives in Sacramento, California where he serves as the founding Artistic Director of Pioneer Players, a nonprofit theatre company producing uplifting shows including plays for young audiences and original works.
As a film producer, he has helped bring fifty films to the screen including many independent films, horror movies, and international films.
He has been selected for three Sundance Collab screenwriting workshops. He was named a finalist for the Sundance Institute YouTube New Voices Lab.
David-Matthew is the winner of the Hart Crane Memorial Poetry Award, the Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award for playwriting, the Slam Boston Award for Best Play, and two Elly Awards for playwriting from the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance.
To date, he has written eight produced screenplays. He is a graduate of the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA.
David-Matthew is a member of the Dramatists Guild, International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
He lives in Sacramento, California where he serves as the founding Artistic Director of Pioneer Players, a nonprofit theatre company producing uplifting shows including plays for young audiences and original works.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 18, 2023
This was a good read for spooky season. Considering how many of you I saw creeped out by dolls, here is a real life version of your nightmare: a mannequin. It is a quick read, but it’s sneaky. The author likes to slip little nuggets of gold in the middle of a paragraph like it’s nothing, like talking about murdering someone as a passing thought. If you are looking for a creeptastic read this Halloween, pick this one up.
Beverly is a widow who doesn’t like to drive at night, so she keeps a life sized mannequin named Talbot to keep her company. She bonds with a young woman named Jenny at the community theatre where they are putting on a play together. When Talbot is stolen by some pranksters, everything starts to go very, very wrong. As Jenny helps Beverly look for the mannequin, they start bonding over other… urges… that is not at all a good thing for their community.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
Beverly is a widow who doesn’t like to drive at night, so she keeps a life sized mannequin named Talbot to keep her company. She bonds with a young woman named Jenny at the community theatre where they are putting on a play together. When Talbot is stolen by some pranksters, everything starts to go very, very wrong. As Jenny helps Beverly look for the mannequin, they start bonding over other… urges… that is not at all a good thing for their community.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
October 20, 2023
This is an ideal read for the spooky season. It is only a short read at around 170 pages. I could definitely see this one as a film it would certainly have a few jump scares!
I think the idea of a life size mannequin would scare most people it certainly does me! The book was fast paced and we soon get to some gory action. I won’t say too much and give any spoilers.
There wasn’t a lot of background detail given with the book only being a short read. I would have liked to have learnt more about Talbot’s creation.
There were a few surprising twists and I liked the ending. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Love Book Tours and the publisher for having me on the tour and for my gifted ebook.
I think the idea of a life size mannequin would scare most people it certainly does me! The book was fast paced and we soon get to some gory action. I won’t say too much and give any spoilers.
There wasn’t a lot of background detail given with the book only being a short read. I would have liked to have learnt more about Talbot’s creation.
There were a few surprising twists and I liked the ending. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Love Book Tours and the publisher for having me on the tour and for my gifted ebook.
January 14, 2024
It was a cool premise but I never really fully got into it. It’s taken me months to finish and the book wasn’t long.
It was just ok for me, a bit of a slog.
The ending did pick up a bit and that was decent.
Overall, it’s not something I was very enthused over.
However, that being said, if this was ever made into a movie I’d totally watch it.
It was just ok for me, a bit of a slog.
The ending did pick up a bit and that was decent.
Overall, it’s not something I was very enthused over.
However, that being said, if this was ever made into a movie I’d totally watch it.
October 18, 2023
I was sent a copy via Love Book Tours to review. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #DavidMatthewBarnes #Dummy #HorrorReview #BookTour #HorrorFiction #LBTCrew #LoveBookTours #Ad #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted
Review
I love horror having enjoyed (and still do) Goosebumps, Fear Street and Point Horror when younger before going into more adult horror. I’ve also loved horror movies. While some find mannequin and ventriloquist dummies fear inducing (no judgment from me, I fear clowns), I generally enjoy stories featuring these. Dummy was no exception. Beverly Crisp is an elderly widow who is afraid to drive alone at night, so much so she keeps a life-sized mannequin she calls Talbot in the passenger seat of the car. In another part of town lives the young Jenny Dressel who is struggling to control the growing desire to kill. When a group of teenagers steal the mannequin called Talbot in a prank gone very wrong, Talbot the Mannequin seeks his revenge, adding to the growing number of murders in the small desert town. Drawn together by extreme circumstances and searching for the killed mannequin, Beverly and Jenny realise they share much more than the knowledge of what Talbot is and it might just be a connection that could destroy their small town.
Wow this one was a shorter read at around 170 pages but it does pack a punch. The writing was brilliant. It was easy to follow, flowed well and captured the visceral horror perfectly. It was bloody and violent at times but also had a few sweet moments between Beverly and Jenny which I enjoyed. The characters were also fantastic, I loved that we had an older main character in Beverly who was still getting things done (even if those things might be cleaning up crime scenes her mannequin leaves behind!).
It is difficult to go into a lot of detail without spoilers but I will say it all worked really well. I read it in one sitting and it’s perfect for a spooky read. The only thing I would have liked was a bit more background on what happened in the past. We get bits and pieces and do generally know how Talbot came to be but I would love to learn more about him and his creation and all that. But with the ending, what a curveball that was! I am hopeful we may see Talbot again or at least find out more about him in the future.. I hope we do anyway!
If you are looking for a shorter horror story that will remind you of childhood Goosebumps but most definitely all grown up this one is for you. It is bloody brilliant (pun intended) and I will certainly check out Barnes other works as well.
Review
I love horror having enjoyed (and still do) Goosebumps, Fear Street and Point Horror when younger before going into more adult horror. I’ve also loved horror movies. While some find mannequin and ventriloquist dummies fear inducing (no judgment from me, I fear clowns), I generally enjoy stories featuring these. Dummy was no exception. Beverly Crisp is an elderly widow who is afraid to drive alone at night, so much so she keeps a life-sized mannequin she calls Talbot in the passenger seat of the car. In another part of town lives the young Jenny Dressel who is struggling to control the growing desire to kill. When a group of teenagers steal the mannequin called Talbot in a prank gone very wrong, Talbot the Mannequin seeks his revenge, adding to the growing number of murders in the small desert town. Drawn together by extreme circumstances and searching for the killed mannequin, Beverly and Jenny realise they share much more than the knowledge of what Talbot is and it might just be a connection that could destroy their small town.
Wow this one was a shorter read at around 170 pages but it does pack a punch. The writing was brilliant. It was easy to follow, flowed well and captured the visceral horror perfectly. It was bloody and violent at times but also had a few sweet moments between Beverly and Jenny which I enjoyed. The characters were also fantastic, I loved that we had an older main character in Beverly who was still getting things done (even if those things might be cleaning up crime scenes her mannequin leaves behind!).
It is difficult to go into a lot of detail without spoilers but I will say it all worked really well. I read it in one sitting and it’s perfect for a spooky read. The only thing I would have liked was a bit more background on what happened in the past. We get bits and pieces and do generally know how Talbot came to be but I would love to learn more about him and his creation and all that. But with the ending, what a curveball that was! I am hopeful we may see Talbot again or at least find out more about him in the future.. I hope we do anyway!
If you are looking for a shorter horror story that will remind you of childhood Goosebumps but most definitely all grown up this one is for you. It is bloody brilliant (pun intended) and I will certainly check out Barnes other works as well.
October 25, 2023
Wow! I knew this was going to be graphic, but.... wow!
Beverly is a character. She seems like the lonely old lady down the road who is a little eccentric. She has a routine she follows every night. She also has a mannequin that she treats like a person. As it turns out, her mannequin- she calls Talbot, is not just a mannequin. Any time someone touches him, there is a consequence. Beverly is no saint, she has bodies hid throughout her backyard. Some of them are there because of Talbot, others are her own victims.
Beverly has joined a theater group to spite an old nemesis. While there she becomes friends with a girl named Jenny. Jenny has a secret, while Beverly and Jenny are handling the secret from being discovered some thrill-seeking teenagers decide to steal the mannequin from the strange old lady's car. Not a good plan.
Talbot is scary. When I read the title, I thought the Dummy would be small and scary, like the dummy in the Goosebumps books. He is not. He is the size of a full-grown man and thus even more dangerous. He is like a heat-seeking missile, once he has his sights set on someone he does not break.
I will not recommend this to most of my students, there are a couple who would enjoy the book. I will give the parents the option, my students are between 12-13., due to the content of the stories.
I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Beverly is a character. She seems like the lonely old lady down the road who is a little eccentric. She has a routine she follows every night. She also has a mannequin that she treats like a person. As it turns out, her mannequin- she calls Talbot, is not just a mannequin. Any time someone touches him, there is a consequence. Beverly is no saint, she has bodies hid throughout her backyard. Some of them are there because of Talbot, others are her own victims.
Beverly has joined a theater group to spite an old nemesis. While there she becomes friends with a girl named Jenny. Jenny has a secret, while Beverly and Jenny are handling the secret from being discovered some thrill-seeking teenagers decide to steal the mannequin from the strange old lady's car. Not a good plan.
Talbot is scary. When I read the title, I thought the Dummy would be small and scary, like the dummy in the Goosebumps books. He is not. He is the size of a full-grown man and thus even more dangerous. He is like a heat-seeking missile, once he has his sights set on someone he does not break.
I will not recommend this to most of my students, there are a couple who would enjoy the book. I will give the parents the option, my students are between 12-13., due to the content of the stories.
I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2023
Beverly Crisp is afraid of driving alone at night and so keeps a life-sized mannequin she calls Talbot in the passenger seat of her car. Jenny Dressel, a young woman who works at the local gas station, is struggling to keep her desire to kill under control. When teenagers steal Talbot in a prank-gone-wrong, Talbot seeks his revenge, adding to a brutal series of murders in their small desert town. Coming together to search for Talbot, Beverly and Jenny realize they share an evil connection that threatens to destroy many lives.
A shorter read at 170ish pages but perfect for halloween. I found the writing really easy to read and so could stay engrossed in the horror elements of the story. It had good pace to the chapters, the relationship development between a couple of the characters was interesting to read as were the scarier and more violent parts of the story. Not the scariest book I've read, probably due to the length of the book, but I definitely felt creeped out in parts.
Would recommend for anyone looking for a creepy short read over the spooky season.
A shorter read at 170ish pages but perfect for halloween. I found the writing really easy to read and so could stay engrossed in the horror elements of the story. It had good pace to the chapters, the relationship development between a couple of the characters was interesting to read as were the scarier and more violent parts of the story. Not the scariest book I've read, probably due to the length of the book, but I definitely felt creeped out in parts.
Would recommend for anyone looking for a creepy short read over the spooky season.
October 17, 2023
𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐲 - 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝-𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝟒 ★
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
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I thought this book was such a fun, spooky, perfect for October read! It was creepy, fast-paced and a quick read!
This novel is only 173 so was such an easy read and I felt like everything fit into place well considering it was a short(ish) story!
I know this book is very unrealistic but to me that is part of the fun of a spooky book! I absolutely loved the characters and some of their craziness (Beverly 🤣). This novel gave me older generation horror movie/ slasher vibes and I was here for it!
The pace of the book kept me hooked and the gore was just enough and didn’t cross the line of putting me off! I look forward to reading more by this author!
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝟒 ★
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
AD-PR Product
I thought this book was such a fun, spooky, perfect for October read! It was creepy, fast-paced and a quick read!
This novel is only 173 so was such an easy read and I felt like everything fit into place well considering it was a short(ish) story!
I know this book is very unrealistic but to me that is part of the fun of a spooky book! I absolutely loved the characters and some of their craziness (Beverly 🤣). This novel gave me older generation horror movie/ slasher vibes and I was here for it!
The pace of the book kept me hooked and the gore was just enough and didn’t cross the line of putting me off! I look forward to reading more by this author!
October 16, 2023
I would imagine a weird life sized mannequin would creep most people out but I can’t exactly say anything as I had a clown hanging from my ceiling as a child & when lying in bed you can just see his legs reflected in the mirror, he creeps the F out of everyone but me (he's still there, legs swinging) so I wasn't overly creeped out by this but still really enjoyed it.
This felt like a very old school horror story/ghost story with just enough gore to live up to the horror label but not too much. A perfect horror storyline, creepy, weird & spooky with great well developed characters. The fast pace made this an easy quick read, I finished it in one sitting.
A perfect read for Halloween season.
This felt like a very old school horror story/ghost story with just enough gore to live up to the horror label but not too much. A perfect horror storyline, creepy, weird & spooky with great well developed characters. The fast pace made this an easy quick read, I finished it in one sitting.
A perfect read for Halloween season.
October 29, 2023
Spooky season and the height of all things scary and this book captures every single ounce of that! From the ultra creepy cover to the way the blurb leads you down a dark and murderous route, you find yourself completely hooked on this enticing looking book. Then, from the first few chapters, you are right in the mix of the book. It gives you those spine tingling feels that the Stine books gave you as a kid, but in an adult horror type of way.
I found the characters excellent, on the way they were brought to life. The story detail really added to everything as it brought the fear and darkness to life. I loved the premise of the story and how well it flowed. The pace and the entirety of the book honestly just made it so unique and interested!
I found the characters excellent, on the way they were brought to life. The story detail really added to everything as it brought the fear and darkness to life. I loved the premise of the story and how well it flowed. The pace and the entirety of the book honestly just made it so unique and interested!
October 20, 2023
This was the best book to read for this spooky season!
Having recently read a super scary horror book, that petrified me! This was a perfect quick and easy, somewhere in-between read.
It was creepy and definitely had that old school movie horror vibe with a fair bit of gore - but being a short read it didn't get too much inside your head as it was finished in one sitting.
I couldn't help keep thinking back to the Goosebumps movies I watched with the kids - anyone else remember Slappy the 'ahem' *whispers* dummy!?
Well think that, but with a superaized body and a supersized attitude!!
A brilliantly written, fast-paced read which had me hooked for every second..... I'm a little sad when it ended - but I think that was part of the joy of it, that it could be read in one go.
I loved the last book I read by this author (pitchout) - completely different genre, but again this was a great, easy read with an imaginative plot and well thought out characters. Loved it!
Having recently read a super scary horror book, that petrified me! This was a perfect quick and easy, somewhere in-between read.
It was creepy and definitely had that old school movie horror vibe with a fair bit of gore - but being a short read it didn't get too much inside your head as it was finished in one sitting.
I couldn't help keep thinking back to the Goosebumps movies I watched with the kids - anyone else remember Slappy the 'ahem' *whispers* dummy!?
Well think that, but with a superaized body and a supersized attitude!!
A brilliantly written, fast-paced read which had me hooked for every second..... I'm a little sad when it ended - but I think that was part of the joy of it, that it could be read in one go.
I loved the last book I read by this author (pitchout) - completely different genre, but again this was a great, easy read with an imaginative plot and well thought out characters. Loved it!
October 16, 2023
A quick, easy and creepy read that I read in one sitting.
It is well written with a traditional ghost story feel and well developed characters. The story follows Beverly who is in her 80s and lives in a small town with small town ideals and gossip, where everyone knows everyone elses business and everyone isn't very nice about it. But, at least Beverly has her companion to confide in, her trusty dummy friend Talbot. Who just so happens to be a life sized mannequin with some life sized anger issues who feels very protective over Beverly, so I think you can guess the turn this book takes.
The pacing was fantastic in the book and the twists were good too. There was just the right amount of gore in it too. It reminded me of the feel that a good old fashioned slasher movie gives you and who doesn't like that in spooky season.
It is well written with a traditional ghost story feel and well developed characters. The story follows Beverly who is in her 80s and lives in a small town with small town ideals and gossip, where everyone knows everyone elses business and everyone isn't very nice about it. But, at least Beverly has her companion to confide in, her trusty dummy friend Talbot. Who just so happens to be a life sized mannequin with some life sized anger issues who feels very protective over Beverly, so I think you can guess the turn this book takes.
The pacing was fantastic in the book and the twists were good too. There was just the right amount of gore in it too. It reminded me of the feel that a good old fashioned slasher movie gives you and who doesn't like that in spooky season.
October 17, 2023
Beverly (An elderly woman) takes Talbot (her mannequin companion) places with her to keep her safe. Beverly makes friends with 19 year old Jenny, whom she met at auditions for the local theatre. The two have way more in common than meets the eye, and maybe there is a reason for their new found friendship.
As bodies start to pile up, who is to blame? But is the friendship between Talbot and Beverly more sinister as it seems? Or is Beverly's friendship with Jenny more sinister?
I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down!
As bodies start to pile up, who is to blame? But is the friendship between Talbot and Beverly more sinister as it seems? Or is Beverly's friendship with Jenny more sinister?
I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down!
October 19, 2023
Spooky season is upon us and today I’m bringing you the perfect horror read for Halloween. This is a short but really creepy and compelling tale. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. (Choosing my words carefully and deliberately there) Not my usual genre and very definitely unsettling by design, this is the book you need for fright night. Sharp, witty writing. An unusual plot and sufficient twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat … but also checking that all the doors and windows are firmly locked
October 23, 2023
I straight up hate dolls, of any variety (well except Barbies) and this book scared the crap out of me. I HATEEEEE dummies, they honestly only serve society by being creepy and this book fit the bill.
The story was a fast pace and truly terrifying read, with horrifying characters and so many twists and turns that it made my head spin. I loved reading the characters descent into madness, all I needed was some popcorn.
Overall this book was indeed a must read for spooky season and I love there is another reason to hate dummies and dolls.
The story was a fast pace and truly terrifying read, with horrifying characters and so many twists and turns that it made my head spin. I loved reading the characters descent into madness, all I needed was some popcorn.
Overall this book was indeed a must read for spooky season and I love there is another reason to hate dummies and dolls.
October 18, 2023
For all those adult Goosebumps lovers - this one is 100% for you! This is a shorter book with only 172 pages. It was fast-paced with multiple POV, which worked really well, allowing you to understand both characters and their backstories better. This is not my usual type of read but I enjoyed it. However, I was left with a few unanswered questions with the story but this makes me think that there could possibly be a sequel pending!
October 28, 2023
Dummy is the perfect read for spooky season! This is a short book and would make a great movie. I think the idea of a life size mannequin would be scary. I love horror movies and books with dolls but I still get creeped out. There were some twists and the ending was good. This book gave me Goosebump and Five nights at Freddy's vibes. I would definitely recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
January 21, 2026
3.5 star rating
Beverley is always perfectly safe just as long as she has her companion Talbot with her. Trouble is Talbot is a dummy and a rather strange one at that! This is a short but not so sweet book. Quirky & violent but quite different from most other novels. An odd array of characters and some contrived situations. I liked it enough to read something else by this, new to me, author. I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beverley is always perfectly safe just as long as she has her companion Talbot with her. Trouble is Talbot is a dummy and a rather strange one at that! This is a short but not so sweet book. Quirky & violent but quite different from most other novels. An odd array of characters and some contrived situations. I liked it enough to read something else by this, new to me, author. I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2023
My honest review;
This is a short spooky read, all good for halloween season.. good for one of those days where you just sit by a locked window, watch the rain with your favourite hot beverage and some munch and just sit and be spooked..
It is a slow build up to begin with but does get into it..
I dont know who to be more worried about Talbot or Beverly 🤭😅 but they are a good 'couple'..
This is a short spooky read, all good for halloween season.. good for one of those days where you just sit by a locked window, watch the rain with your favourite hot beverage and some munch and just sit and be spooked..
It is a slow build up to begin with but does get into it..
I dont know who to be more worried about Talbot or Beverly 🤭😅 but they are a good 'couple'..
October 21, 2023
Eeek. This book was amazing. I loved everything about this book. It was spooky and gorey and the story was so good. I loved the characters and how the story was told from different perspectives and really got a feel for them this way. All I know is this book was amazing. I highly recommend this book if you like gore and murder and crazy !!! The ending blew me away too. I wasn’t expecting that ….
October 14, 2023
This shit proper spooked me. It's rare I get spooked by books, but this one got me. Granted dummies are fucking terrifying to begin with, but jesus.
It took me a bit to get into, but once I did... Nightmare-inducing shit.
It took me a bit to get into, but once I did... Nightmare-inducing shit.
October 15, 2023
This book reminded me of those books of early middle school. It was a quick read, had some gory parts and the story of how the mannequin came to be was well written. I was not terribly scared while reading this book. It was more nostalgic for me as a reader.
October 21, 2023
This book was just right for the spooky season! I like all books creepy and weird and this one does not disappoint. Who doesn't like a killer grandma with a mannequin dummy thats her best friend? If you like horror books then this one is for you! Highly recommend!
October 23, 2023
This was a nice story. It has some gory moments and is creative. It's well written and moves at a quick pace. I would recommend it! Special Thank You to David Matthews Barnes, BooksGoSocial an NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 10, 2025DNF- I didn't make it very far into this book, so I can obviously not rate this one. But I was put off by the way every single female character was written. This might change through out the book- but it was too much for me to keep going.
October 23, 2023
Well… this book was right up my street! Twisted, gobsmacking and gory! It was like an adult Goosebumps book, I loved it! One of those books where you think things surely can’t get any worse… then they do. It was definitely action packed with lots of brutality and death! The ending was definitely not how I was expecting it to end… I’ll be patiently waiting on news of a sequel!
I did devour this book in less than 24hrs, that’s how good it is!
If you like gruesome, far-fetched and imaginative horror stories then go and buy this book ASAP! The perfect addition to spooky season! 🎃
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I did devour this book in less than 24hrs, that’s how good it is!
If you like gruesome, far-fetched and imaginative horror stories then go and buy this book ASAP! The perfect addition to spooky season! 🎃
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 30, 2023
#NetGalley #ARCRead
Well written interesting book, telling the tale of a woman and her protective best friend. The chapters are a good length and the book as some suspense and character background and depth.
Well written interesting book, telling the tale of a woman and her protective best friend. The chapters are a good length and the book as some suspense and character background and depth.
October 24, 2023
Beverly Crisp's anxiety of driving alone motivates her to retain a life-sized mannequin, Talbot, as a disturbing companion in a weird desert town. Meanwhile, Jenny Dressel, who works at the neighborhood gas station, conflicts with her homicidal impulses. When youths kidnap Talbot as a joke, horrible killings occur, revealing an uncanny link between Beverly and Jenny.
This brief Halloween read is an intriguing, spine-chilling experience with a conventional ghost story flavour and just the appropriate amount of gore.
I really enjoyed this book and it's a perfect fit for the spooky month!
This brief Halloween read is an intriguing, spine-chilling experience with a conventional ghost story flavour and just the appropriate amount of gore.
I really enjoyed this book and it's a perfect fit for the spooky month!
August 20, 2025
Dummy is exactly the kind of weird, fun horror I didn’t know I needed. Beverly Crisp drives around with a life-sized mannequin named Talbot in her car because, well… it helps her not freak out at night. Things get completely out of hand when a group of teens steals Talbot and a young woman with a seriously twisted streak shows up, and suddenly the town is in chaos.
The story is wild, darkly funny, and full of eccentric characters you can’t help but be entertained by. Sure, some moments are a bit over-the-top, and the plot occasionally stretches believability, but honestly? That’s part of the charm. If you want something creepy, quirky, and totally unpredictable, Dummy is a blast.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to review.
The story is wild, darkly funny, and full of eccentric characters you can’t help but be entertained by. Sure, some moments are a bit over-the-top, and the plot occasionally stretches believability, but honestly? That’s part of the charm. If you want something creepy, quirky, and totally unpredictable, Dummy is a blast.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to review.
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