Death Sketch

by Tobias Youngblood, Oliver Shade

Starving artist Paul Desmontes receives a life-changing offer. But at what cost?

When Paul Desmontes receives an invitation to join the Elite Illustration Society, his financial woes finally seem at an end. He can look past the firm’s pastiche, commercial style, If it means food in his belly and heat in the harsh Northeast winter.

But when his assignment appears to change on the page, he may soon regret his decision. Because either he's losing his mind ... or he’s about to discover something far worse than poverty.

Death Sketch is book #1 in the Nightmares Series, a collection of short, standalone horror novellas.

Genres: Horror

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2023

About the author

Tobias Youngblood lives in Coastal Virginia, where he grew up inspired by the likes of Stephen King, J.R.R Tolkien, Michael Crichton, and Clive Barker, to name a few.

He loves the Alien movies, the Thing, and dark mashups of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. His own work tends to blends these elements.



Tobias completed the Projectionists urban fantasy trilogy in 2025. He is now hard at work on a Nightmares series of short horror with co-author Oliver Shade, with six releases planned for 2026. Several sci-fi works loom on the horizon as well.

Reviews

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup, are you in the mood for a quick, genuinely unsettling read? Read ‘Death Sketch’. The writing is so catchy that you’re lured in right away, and you immediately connect with Paul. He’s struggling, drowning in bills, and just having a rough time—who hasn’t been there? You’re rooting for him from the jump.

So when Paul hits rock bottom, he gets this wild job offer from a shady-sounding company called the Elite Illustration Society (EIS). The contract sounds like a dream: a huge advance for six months of work, with just two catches. First, he has to sketch the "Wolfman". Second, he has to wear the complimentary Society pin everywhere at all times. It sounds too perfect, and of course, that’s when things start getting seriously weird.

Personally I loved the details and commentary on Paul’s life and his subtle descent into madness. As he starts sketching, his reality begins to warp, and the details of his life shift just enough to make him (and the reader) question reality.

Things get really freaky when he meets Serafina, who approached him because of the EIS pin he wore. She has a terrifying connection to the EIS through her late brother, who also just happened to be sketching the "Wolfman" before he died. Massive red flag, but Paul ignores it.

The mystery ramps up perfectly as his sketches start acting strangely, leading Paul to the chilling realization of the true price of success with the EIS.

For a novelette, this story totally delivers. It’s a fast, creepy, and eerie experience that definitely gave me the chills. While a few elements felt unexplained (I assume they connect to the author’s other works), it doesn't hurt the overall spooky vibe. If you need to scratch that horror itch in the late night, I highly recommend this.

Many, many thanks to Tobias Youngblood & Oliver Shade, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.

[Andrews WizardlyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve read a book this quickly in a long time. Granted it’s super short. However, I got the book unwrapped it and immediately sat down to read it next thing I know I’m done. I LOVED IT! It reminded me of a more adult goosebumps. It’s got psychological horror, monster horror, existential horror all packed into a bite size novella. My only complaint is I have to wait for more

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Desmontes is a starving artist who receives a life-changing offer to join the Elite Illustration Society. Although his financial woes finally seem at an end, he starts to wonder if he's losing his mind. His sketch is coming to life...but in a horrific manner.

This was a fast-paced horror novella that had an interesting concept but was so short that it lacked descriptions about the world or the horrifying nature of what was happening. I likely would have enjoyed reading another 100 pages of this if the characters and the environment were described, in addition to the horror scenes being expanded to draw out visceral feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, fun, and spooky read. For the length of this book, you can’t beat the story it tells. I’m not sure if they plan on releasing more of this series as this was published in 2023…I hope the project wasn’t abandoned or shelved. If there are more to come I’ll definitely be buying and reading those as well!

[The Noire Anthology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Sketch launches the Nightmares series with a horror novelette about a starving artist whose dream commission turns his work into a literal monster. Paul Desmontes joins the Elite Illustration Society, a prestigious but secretive organization that offers him a life changing contract in exchange for drawing a “Wolfman.” At first, the job seems like a breakthrough. Then the sketch begins to change on its own, events in Paul’s home suggest something has come off the page, and a woman named Serafina appears with a disturbing connection between the Society and her dead brother’s work.​

As a series opener, the story moves quickly while still building a credible sense of dread. The horror centers on the double edged nature of artistic ambition. Paul’s desperation to succeed makes him ignore obvious red flags, and the Elite Illustration Society functions as a predatory institution that treats creative talent as a resource to be exploited at any cost. The werewolf commission taps into classic monster imagery, but the real terror lies in the realization that a single unethical choice can invite in something that will not be controlled. The novelette format keeps the plot tight and the atmosphere sharp, and it sets up a world in which seemingly ordinary creative jobs can have occult strings attached.

[Breana Sprinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Sketch!

Title speaks entirely for itself,
Don't you think?

Deep gratitude for getting the chance to ARC read Death Sketch ahead of time to Tobias Youngblood & Oliver Shade.

This short,standalone horror novel depicts an illustrator named Paul. Key is constantly overlooked and cheated by a previous business partner who also threw his recent work under the metaphorical bus.

Emotionally I became sympathetic.

Throw out the tough situation it appeared his chance came for respect I notice when he is approached by a well known society within his illustration community.

It appeared his chance came for respect and noticed all the red flags were there.
When life is rough do you think people actually pay attention to those red flags? Sometimes not. Or not until it's too late.

With monstrous consequences staring him in the face after the decision had been made, he can't turn back.

It filled me with a dread for a compelling reliable character, shocking situations, and a surging suspense.

[Jessica Mather · Rating 4 out of 5]

When art morphs into reality in this chilling tale of an artist and his Death Sketch.
Paul, a struggling artist receives a life-changing offer from the elusive Elite Illustration Society. The only real rule? Never take off the pin.
This short story was well constructed, fast paced, and really fun to read. It was almost like an adult Goosebumps. When the main character starts to question himself, you almost start questioning yourself.

I wish more had been done with Johnnie as a villain. He seemed really obsolete, unless he plays more a role in the companion book about Murcin. And I found the vampire clock a really weird insert that didn't add much to the story.

This is a great little short story that fans of Goosebumps and a short horror will enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death Sketch is a short story built around a novel and unique idea, and I appreciated how original the premise felt. That said, I came away wishing a few of the lingering questions had been answered. For instance, I wasn’t clear on the purpose of the organization behind the events—why they existed or what their true goals were. I realize short stories don’t always have room to fill in all the details, and for some readers that open-ended, Twilight Zone–style ambiguity may be exactly the appeal.

The writing itself is solid, and it’s a very quick read, so if you enjoy atmospheric stories that leave you thinking more than they explain, this might be worth picking up. For me, though, the unanswered questions held me back a bit. I’d give it about three stars.

[Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had a vaguely interesting concept, but the execution was just meh. It feels a bit like it's trying to rip off The Tell-Tale Heart or The Raven, but with a "twist". This book likes to describe the most random things, like cars or random objects, but it never describes the setting. I just found the characters shallow and uninteresting, and the story itself was so short it couldn't build any suspense. Weirdly, I feel like that could actually translate to a comic much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never be too quick to make a decision and at the same time, be careful of what you wish for. Overall, it was a fun short story that went along in a good pace. The mood and characters were developed enough to get a good understanding of them, while not overdoing it for a quick read. If there was one thing I would have changed, I kind of wish the ending was a little less abrupt. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Sketch by Tobias Youngblood, Oliver Shade.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover. It's why I requested it on netgalley. I got into this book straight away. I loved the writing style and the story. I read this book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I did like Paul's character. This is a new author for me. I will definitely be keeping an eye open for new books. I definitely recommend this book.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong start to this series, it had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed the feel of this. The characters had that overall feel that I was expecting and enjoyed the horror element of this. Tobias Youngblood has a strong writing style and hope there is more in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cat B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect little creepy this was. Death Sketch would be the ideal tale for an anthology series like Creepshow. A good amount of tension contained in a quick dark read. Whipped through it like a hot knife through butter. I was very satisfied with the time given to read this one.
I received a copy of this book via Story Origins and I am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Emziethebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the opportunity to read this from netgallery and I am surprised by the length of this book, I honestly would of loved it if it was a tad bit longer as I was really enjoying this book so much.
The books plot was really good and the characters were good throughout the book as well.
I only wish it was a tad longer.

[Livia Musolino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and fast paced horror story
I liked the premise and I hope there will be more stories about the Elite Illustration Society

Thanks to the author and the publisher to give me the opportunity to read this book through NetGalley

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC COPY...Short, sweet and tight packed into one package. What a good short story should especially one of the horror genre. I had feeling of what was going to unfold and the best I can hint at what happens is...I do love a good art goes nightmare narrative even if it will scare me half to death.

[Alyssa Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Short, fun, spooky read. It was almost too short? I wish the dynamic between Paul and Johnny was a hair more fleshed out.

That being said I'd recommend it

[Petra]

Short and interesting read

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay. It gave me Goosebump vibes. Wasn't so scary, more eerie.

[Megan Mclellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun Stephen king esque novel with a dope twist on a paranormal werewolf trope meets elite society! Super fun read!!

[Bill Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been on a bit of a werewolf story kick lately, so I thought I would check out Death Sketch by Tobias Youngblood and Oliver Shade, which is the first in their Nightmares series. I assume the rest of the story will play out in the rest of the series. It proved to be an interesting and unique take on the traditional werewolf trope with an interesting story that builds throughout.

The story surrounds a starving artist named Paul Desmontes, who joined the Elite Illustration Society, a prestigious organization to help further his career, to do a little more art and maybe a little less starving. His first assignment is to draw a werewolf, but things get a little strange for Paul when his drawing changes on its own, and perhaps even literally leaps off the page to cause destruction in his home.

The story is unique and moves along at a steady pace, creating tension along the way, with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. It also includes a decent description of various werewolves and mentions some of the different representations through history. It also accurately depicts some of the aspects of creating art well. As a former artist myself, it brought back memories of sitting with a sketchbook, conjuring up images from my mind and using other images for inspiration.

Additionally, the characters add tension to the plot along the way. Serafina, an old woman Paul meets at the grocery store, for example, comes off as creepy soothsayer for things to come when she tells Paul about how her brother fell to madness after joining the Elite Illustration Society. Johnny Briggs comes off as a jealous rival who was refused entry into the elite organization. And Clive Murkin, the society’s representative, appears to be hiding essential information from Paul along the way. And Clive’s insistence on Paul wearing the organization’s pin, which is constantly jabbing into him, creates still another tension throughout the story.

At only 56 pages, this is a quick and easy read, but is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg for this story as it ends in a cliffhanger. At the time of this writing, it is also priced nicely as only $2.99 for Amazon Kindle or $5.00 for the paperback. I am hoping Youngblood and Shade release more books in this Nightmare series to see where this fascinating werewolf tale is headed next.