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Let Him In
" Let Him In is a feast of a novel." ― Darcy Coates, USA Today bestselling author "Daddy, there's a man in our room..." Alfie wakes one night to find his twin daughters at the foot of his bed, claiming there's a shadowy figure in their bedroom. When no such thing can be found, he assumes the girls had a nightmare. He isn't surprised that they're troubled. Grief has made its home at Hart nine months ago, the twins' mother Pippa died unexpectedly, leaving Alfie to raise them alone. And now, when the girls mention a new imaginary friend, it seems like a harmless coping mechanism. But the situation quickly develops into something more insidious. The girls set an extra place for him at the table. They whisper to him. They say he's going to take them away… Alfie calls upon Julia―Pippa's sister and a psychiatrist―to oust the malignant tenant from their lives. But as Alfie himself is haunted by visions and someone watches him at night, he begins to question the true character of the force that has poisoned his daughters' minds, with dark and violent consequences. Whatever this "friend" is, he doesn't want to leave. Alfie will have to confront his own shameful secrets, the dark past of Hart House, and even the bounds of reality―or risk taking part in an unspeakable tragedy. A horror debut perfect for readers of Catriona Ward's The Last House on Needless Street and The Spite House by Johnny Compton, this emotional, hair-raising story will grip you from the first page, and won't let you go.
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,950 reviews
July 5, 2022
I can honestly say I have never read anything like this before, but I loved it!
Black Mamba tells a dark tale of grief. A family torn apart when their mother dies. The father and his twin daughters grapple to continue living. But Black Mamba turns up, an imaginary friend with a dark side.
I read this book whilst trying to process my own grief and found it quite helpful. It was such a raw and dark portrayal of grief. The name of the loved one I lost also happened to be the name of one of the characters, which was strangely cathartic whilst making my heart ache. Even though I devoured this book, I still feel like I don’t fully understand it. I almost feel it needs further digesting, although I may never get the full answers. I actually like this aspect to it, it’s a very thought provoking read.
This is definitely a creepy book. It has a horror aspect to it that I absolutely loved although it may be a bit much for some people. My biggest issue with this book was that I couldn’t connect to any of the characters. I know that they are going through the darkest time of their life, so they aren’t meant to show their best side. It just made it hard for me to root for any of them. That being said, I absolutely loved the plot and didn’t want to put this book down. Black Mamba is the author’s debut novel and it has left me thoroughly excited to see what they do next. I think this is a book that will stay with me for a long time…even if it’s just because I can’t sleep!
I recommend this to any fans of Horror who are looking for something a little deeper. I want to thank Readers First, Atlantic Books and William Friend for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
Black Mamba tells a dark tale of grief. A family torn apart when their mother dies. The father and his twin daughters grapple to continue living. But Black Mamba turns up, an imaginary friend with a dark side.
I read this book whilst trying to process my own grief and found it quite helpful. It was such a raw and dark portrayal of grief. The name of the loved one I lost also happened to be the name of one of the characters, which was strangely cathartic whilst making my heart ache. Even though I devoured this book, I still feel like I don’t fully understand it. I almost feel it needs further digesting, although I may never get the full answers. I actually like this aspect to it, it’s a very thought provoking read.
This is definitely a creepy book. It has a horror aspect to it that I absolutely loved although it may be a bit much for some people. My biggest issue with this book was that I couldn’t connect to any of the characters. I know that they are going through the darkest time of their life, so they aren’t meant to show their best side. It just made it hard for me to root for any of them. That being said, I absolutely loved the plot and didn’t want to put this book down. Black Mamba is the author’s debut novel and it has left me thoroughly excited to see what they do next. I think this is a book that will stay with me for a long time…even if it’s just because I can’t sleep!
I recommend this to any fans of Horror who are looking for something a little deeper. I want to thank Readers First, Atlantic Books and William Friend for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
July 7, 2024
This eerie gothic tale, reminiscent of "The Haunting of Hill House" and "The Whisper Man," centers around twins and is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. Drawing inspiration from the iconic eerie twins, Louise and Lisa Burns, in "The Shining," this story promises countless screams, sleepless nights, and a heightened sense of fear at every creak and shadow that you mistake for a dangerous presence.
The main characters, Hart House and Black Mamba, dominate this horror-infused tale of grief and family drama. Their foreboding presence will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and give you enough goosebumps to leave you bundled up in two blankets, even in the heat of July.
Set within a haunting house that harbors dark secrets, where two deaths have occurred under mysterious circumstances (though they may appear natural, doubts still linger), we meet Alfie, a grieving father, and his twin girls, Sylvie and Cassia, who are left behind after their mother, Pippa, tragically succumbs to anaphylactic shock. Together, they reside in the same place, haunted by their immense grief.
Nine months ago, the twins began experiencing nightly visits from an unknown presence, claiming that there was a man in their bedroom and that they were scared. Despite Alfie's attempts to investigate, he never saw anyone. However, the girls persisted, seeking solace by sharing their father's bed. Eventually, the visits abruptly ceased, and Alfie didn't question the reason, believing that his daughters had learned to cope with their fears.
Now, the girls speak of an imaginary friend named Black Mamba, an elder man who can transform into any animal he desires. Black Mamba takes them on incredible journeys, from soaring through the city as a shapeshifting black bird to diving into the depths of the sea, where they encounter magnificent creatures.
The existence of Black Mamba raises concerns for Alfie, prompting him to seek guidance from Julia, Pippa's twin sister and a psychiatrist. Unbeknownst to Alfie, Julia and Pippa also had an imaginary friend similar to the one the girls describe. Julia fears that something sinister may threaten the entire family, connected to their own religious rituals and a dark past.
As Alfie begins to suffer from traumatic nightmares, unsettling visions, and an eerie sense of being watched, the situation escalates, leading to even deadlier and more dangerous consequences.
Overall, the book's chilling ending is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The lingering echoes of the twins' imaginary and unnerving giggles still haunt my mind. The gothic house setting, the gradual buildup of tension, and the disturbing atmosphere captivate you from the very beginning, making it impossible to put the book down until the thrilling conclusion. I highly recommend this as a must-read for Halloween or for anyone seeking a spine-tingling experience.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this thrilling book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The main characters, Hart House and Black Mamba, dominate this horror-infused tale of grief and family drama. Their foreboding presence will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and give you enough goosebumps to leave you bundled up in two blankets, even in the heat of July.
Set within a haunting house that harbors dark secrets, where two deaths have occurred under mysterious circumstances (though they may appear natural, doubts still linger), we meet Alfie, a grieving father, and his twin girls, Sylvie and Cassia, who are left behind after their mother, Pippa, tragically succumbs to anaphylactic shock. Together, they reside in the same place, haunted by their immense grief.
Nine months ago, the twins began experiencing nightly visits from an unknown presence, claiming that there was a man in their bedroom and that they were scared. Despite Alfie's attempts to investigate, he never saw anyone. However, the girls persisted, seeking solace by sharing their father's bed. Eventually, the visits abruptly ceased, and Alfie didn't question the reason, believing that his daughters had learned to cope with their fears.
Now, the girls speak of an imaginary friend named Black Mamba, an elder man who can transform into any animal he desires. Black Mamba takes them on incredible journeys, from soaring through the city as a shapeshifting black bird to diving into the depths of the sea, where they encounter magnificent creatures.
The existence of Black Mamba raises concerns for Alfie, prompting him to seek guidance from Julia, Pippa's twin sister and a psychiatrist. Unbeknownst to Alfie, Julia and Pippa also had an imaginary friend similar to the one the girls describe. Julia fears that something sinister may threaten the entire family, connected to their own religious rituals and a dark past.
As Alfie begins to suffer from traumatic nightmares, unsettling visions, and an eerie sense of being watched, the situation escalates, leading to even deadlier and more dangerous consequences.
Overall, the book's chilling ending is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The lingering echoes of the twins' imaginary and unnerving giggles still haunt my mind. The gothic house setting, the gradual buildup of tension, and the disturbing atmosphere captivate you from the very beginning, making it impossible to put the book down until the thrilling conclusion. I highly recommend this as a must-read for Halloween or for anyone seeking a spine-tingling experience.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this thrilling book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
October 3, 2023
Happy release day!
3.5 stars. Let Him In by William Friend was an unsettling, thought-provoking story reminiscent of The Shining & The Babadook, revolving around two eerie twins who’ve lost their mother. The writer blends supernatural elements with emotional turmoil and creates an innovative take on the haunted house trope, filled with atmosphere, gloom and tension.
We’re privy to two perspectives and psyches: Alfie, father of the twins and Julia, aunt to the twins. The twins exhibit erratic behaviour and claim that there is a man who lurks in their room.
I've hidden a little of the review because the less you know, the better, but it's not a spoiler.
Congrats to William Friend for a great debut and to the artist for the haunting cover art.
My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author William Friend for the opportunity to read this work (which will be published in October 2023) in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars. Let Him In by William Friend was an unsettling, thought-provoking story reminiscent of The Shining & The Babadook, revolving around two eerie twins who’ve lost their mother. The writer blends supernatural elements with emotional turmoil and creates an innovative take on the haunted house trope, filled with atmosphere, gloom and tension.
We’re privy to two perspectives and psyches: Alfie, father of the twins and Julia, aunt to the twins. The twins exhibit erratic behaviour and claim that there is a man who lurks in their room.
I've hidden a little of the review because the less you know, the better, but it's not a spoiler.
Congrats to William Friend for a great debut and to the artist for the haunting cover art.
My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author William Friend for the opportunity to read this work (which will be published in October 2023) in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2025
With a cover that immediately grabbed by attention, Let Him In impressed me with its exploration of some really complicated family dynamics.
In this story, we meet Dad, Alfie, and his twin daughters, Cassia and Sylvie. Nine months ago, the girls' Mum, and Alfie's long-time partner, Pippa, died suddenly and unexpectedly in their home.
Alfie, battling his own grief, is struggling to parent the girls alone. In spite of the challenges, Alfie feels like overall, they're doing okay. At least as well as could be expected.
Things take a turn though when the girls wake Alfie one night stating, 'Daddy, there's a man in our room...'
Cue eyebrow raise, jaw drop and shiver running up spine.
That starts the girls' new found obsession with their imaginary friend, Black Mamba, who they describe as a man who can shape-shift into any animal. He protects them and also takes them on fabulous adventures.
Alfie calls in Pippa's sister, the girls' Aunt Julia, for help with the Black Mamba situation. As a psychiatrist, he feels Julia is probably much more qualified to navigate this situation than he is.
The Reader gets both Alfie and Julia's perspectives as the drama with the girls' new friend escalates.
What they both assume is just a coping mechanism following Pippa's untimely death begins to feel like more, however, as a series of increasingly disturbing events occurs. This includes both Alfie and Julia having visions that could possibly be linked to the mysterious Black Mamba.
Will Julia and Alfie be able to exorcise this hostile presence from their lives? Their family has already been shattered by tragedy, but it seems this being, the hold he has over the girls, could end up causing even further irreparable harm.
I really enjoyed my time with this story. I did end up listening to the audiobook and appreciate that it included the use of dual narration. Having a different voice for both Alfie and Julia helped to bring the story to life.
I thought the family dynamics were fascinating, not just amongst our main characters, but the backstory of Pippa and Julia's family as well.
This is a debut novel for William Friend and I feel like it's definitely impressive in that regard. The story has a ominous, haunting feel throughout that succeeded in getting under my skin.
There were a couple places towards the end where I got a little lost, but that could totally just be my own issue. Wandering mind and all that. Besides those couple of spots though, overall, I was extremely invested in this.
One of my favorite Horror tropes is the creepy kid trope. Friend definitely nailed that. Bonus points for them being twins and for the super-disturbing imaginary friend.
I'm not going to say anything else about this one, because I feel it's best served if you go in knowing just the basics. Settle in and go along for the ride. This is the perfect read to kick off your October Spooky Season TBR.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm looking forward to more from William Friend!
In this story, we meet Dad, Alfie, and his twin daughters, Cassia and Sylvie. Nine months ago, the girls' Mum, and Alfie's long-time partner, Pippa, died suddenly and unexpectedly in their home.
Alfie, battling his own grief, is struggling to parent the girls alone. In spite of the challenges, Alfie feels like overall, they're doing okay. At least as well as could be expected.
Things take a turn though when the girls wake Alfie one night stating, 'Daddy, there's a man in our room...'
Cue eyebrow raise, jaw drop and shiver running up spine.
That starts the girls' new found obsession with their imaginary friend, Black Mamba, who they describe as a man who can shape-shift into any animal. He protects them and also takes them on fabulous adventures.
Alfie calls in Pippa's sister, the girls' Aunt Julia, for help with the Black Mamba situation. As a psychiatrist, he feels Julia is probably much more qualified to navigate this situation than he is.
The Reader gets both Alfie and Julia's perspectives as the drama with the girls' new friend escalates.
What they both assume is just a coping mechanism following Pippa's untimely death begins to feel like more, however, as a series of increasingly disturbing events occurs. This includes both Alfie and Julia having visions that could possibly be linked to the mysterious Black Mamba.
Will Julia and Alfie be able to exorcise this hostile presence from their lives? Their family has already been shattered by tragedy, but it seems this being, the hold he has over the girls, could end up causing even further irreparable harm.
I really enjoyed my time with this story. I did end up listening to the audiobook and appreciate that it included the use of dual narration. Having a different voice for both Alfie and Julia helped to bring the story to life.
I thought the family dynamics were fascinating, not just amongst our main characters, but the backstory of Pippa and Julia's family as well.
This is a debut novel for William Friend and I feel like it's definitely impressive in that regard. The story has a ominous, haunting feel throughout that succeeded in getting under my skin.
There were a couple places towards the end where I got a little lost, but that could totally just be my own issue. Wandering mind and all that. Besides those couple of spots though, overall, I was extremely invested in this.
One of my favorite Horror tropes is the creepy kid trope. Friend definitely nailed that. Bonus points for them being twins and for the super-disturbing imaginary friend.
I'm not going to say anything else about this one, because I feel it's best served if you go in knowing just the basics. Settle in and go along for the ride. This is the perfect read to kick off your October Spooky Season TBR.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm looking forward to more from William Friend!
August 7, 2023
3.5* 😳 A chilling Gothic thriller that could really amp up the atmospheric suspense feel at Halloween, so save it for the chilling season. Looking back at some of the creepiest books I have read they are geared around twins. This one is no exception between their telepathy, giggles and their incredible visions of a dark presence tangled with their grief.
Alfie recently lost his wife, Pippa, and raising twin daughters, Sylvie and Cassia. His daughters are found standing at the foot of his bed in the middle of the night reporting a man is in their room. When the evidence is not there, he discounts it as psychological and missing their mom. He begins to have nightmares also and is afraid his dark secrets are haunting him. When he ask Pippa's twin sister Julia, a psychiatrist to come and observe the girls speaking to an imaginary friend, setting the table for him and speaking of what he is going to do them he needs some clarity of a dangerous presence.
Black Mamba the imaginary friend, is able to transform into animals and fly to mystical lands which ties to the Hart House's sinister past and has reared its horrors on Julia and Pippa when they also had an imaginary friend.
A lot is evolving in the book with a creepy, atmospheric tale, I lost my thoughts a few times maybe reading too much into it or misunderstanding the premise of it but it delivered.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Alfie recently lost his wife, Pippa, and raising twin daughters, Sylvie and Cassia. His daughters are found standing at the foot of his bed in the middle of the night reporting a man is in their room. When the evidence is not there, he discounts it as psychological and missing their mom. He begins to have nightmares also and is afraid his dark secrets are haunting him. When he ask Pippa's twin sister Julia, a psychiatrist to come and observe the girls speaking to an imaginary friend, setting the table for him and speaking of what he is going to do them he needs some clarity of a dangerous presence.
Black Mamba the imaginary friend, is able to transform into animals and fly to mystical lands which ties to the Hart House's sinister past and has reared its horrors on Julia and Pippa when they also had an imaginary friend.
A lot is evolving in the book with a creepy, atmospheric tale, I lost my thoughts a few times maybe reading too much into it or misunderstanding the premise of it but it delivered.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 1, 2023
A grieving father left alone to raise his 6 year old twins is struggling to cope. Then one night he finds the girls standing at the foot of his bed:
"Daddy, there is a man in our room...."
Of course, upon looking, he finds no man anywhere in the house. Yet the girls are convinced they saw him, that they aren't lying, that he's real.
Dad thinks they're just suffering night terrors due to losing their mother. Yet, after several months the girls suddenly stop waking in the night. He thinks this is good until he realizes the girls have embraced their night time guest. Referring to him as their friend named, The Black Mamba, who can shape shift and take them on wild adventures in the night.
Enlisting the help of his sister-in-law, a psychotherapist, they make a plan to figure out what is actually haunting the girls.
Absolutely chilling and beautifully written, it was a pleasure to read this haunting story. It's a quiet story filled with grief and boundless love. The twins were so perfectly drawn and creepy that I had goosebumps from time to time. The ending wasn't quite what I was expecting but I was not disappointed either. Overall this was a complete success for me. If this is William Friends debut then I see a very bright writing career ahead of him and I'll be first in line for his next book. 4 stars!
"Daddy, there is a man in our room...."
Of course, upon looking, he finds no man anywhere in the house. Yet the girls are convinced they saw him, that they aren't lying, that he's real.
Dad thinks they're just suffering night terrors due to losing their mother. Yet, after several months the girls suddenly stop waking in the night. He thinks this is good until he realizes the girls have embraced their night time guest. Referring to him as their friend named, The Black Mamba, who can shape shift and take them on wild adventures in the night.
Enlisting the help of his sister-in-law, a psychotherapist, they make a plan to figure out what is actually haunting the girls.
Absolutely chilling and beautifully written, it was a pleasure to read this haunting story. It's a quiet story filled with grief and boundless love. The twins were so perfectly drawn and creepy that I had goosebumps from time to time. The ending wasn't quite what I was expecting but I was not disappointed either. Overall this was a complete success for me. If this is William Friends debut then I see a very bright writing career ahead of him and I'll be first in line for his next book. 4 stars!
August 1, 2023
If The Babadook and Alex North's The Whisper Man had a love child, it would be William Friend's debut novel, LET HIM IN. This book has been getting a lot of buzz since its 2022 release via Atlantic Books in the UK, but we are getting this book on the stateside via Poisoned Press this October! The story dives into a family grief-stricken after wife and mother, Pippa, died unexpectedly, leaving her husband Alfie to raise their twin daughters alone. He does rely on Pippa's sister, Julia, and their not-so-amazing grandmother (Pippa's mother), but Alfie is trying to navigate being a single parent for two girls. The story begins to raise eyebrows when Alfie's daughters invent an imaginary friend that quickly becomes a big presence in the family's lives. They communicate with him, he watches them while they try to sleep, and they claim that this friend will take them away. Alfie starts noticing that this imaginary friend of theirs is beginning to take a sinister turn, and must resolve whatever is going on in their home immediately.
This book is so fast and fun! What a killer debut novel. It preys upon grief and tragedy, but the story is very psychological at its heart. I'm loving these speculative stories lately where readers will have to interpret things on their own, which will cause for very conflicting opinions. I read this book in one-sitting because I couldn't put it down. This book will be PERFECT for Halloween as it's bingeable, sinister, and fast-paced. LET HIM IN has the perfect ingredients for a great horror novel. I look forward to reading what William Friend has up his sleeves for readers next.
This book is so fast and fun! What a killer debut novel. It preys upon grief and tragedy, but the story is very psychological at its heart. I'm loving these speculative stories lately where readers will have to interpret things on their own, which will cause for very conflicting opinions. I read this book in one-sitting because I couldn't put it down. This book will be PERFECT for Halloween as it's bingeable, sinister, and fast-paced. LET HIM IN has the perfect ingredients for a great horror novel. I look forward to reading what William Friend has up his sleeves for readers next.
January 1, 2024
Idk if I'm js stupid but this made absolutely no sense whatsoever 😃 (maybe its bec I was taking breaks while reading this and so I kinda forgot the plot?)
August 3, 2023
I would like to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Alfie has lost his wife and raising two twin daughters on his own. As time passes, his daughters start talking about an imaginary friend. They say they can see him and hear him. When Alfie becomes frightened, he calls on his sister in law, Julia for help. As she is a psychotherapist, she begins to counsel the girls. Who is this imaginary friend and what do they want? The atmosphere is creepy as all get out! I felt the story of the girl's visions were frightening. There were times where the book was repetitive and slow moving. However, Friend's writing is superb for his first novel and he's a talented writer. I will say I think he has a bright future ahead.
-Publication date Oct. 3rd 2023
Alfie has lost his wife and raising two twin daughters on his own. As time passes, his daughters start talking about an imaginary friend. They say they can see him and hear him. When Alfie becomes frightened, he calls on his sister in law, Julia for help. As she is a psychotherapist, she begins to counsel the girls. Who is this imaginary friend and what do they want? The atmosphere is creepy as all get out! I felt the story of the girl's visions were frightening. There were times where the book was repetitive and slow moving. However, Friend's writing is superb for his first novel and he's a talented writer. I will say I think he has a bright future ahead.
-Publication date Oct. 3rd 2023
April 3, 2023
I’m a sucker for a great cover and this one is unbelievable.
Never in my life would I have anticipated the fear that consumed me while reading . Let Him In, is an explosive debut. After concluding I pray I don’t have to wait too long for another book by this author.
My jaw may permanently live on the floor after this one.
There is something about children in thrillers that instantly creep me out . Now throw in the fact that they are twins with an imaginary friend? Yes, it’s the creepy kid trifecta .
This is a book you never want to spoil for the next reader so I’m just going to drop a little teaser below.
Teaser:
"Daddy, there's a man in our room..."
Alfie wakes one night to find his twin daughters at the foot of his bed, claiming there's a shadowy figure in their bedroom. When no such thing can be found, he assumes the girls had a nightmare.
He isn't surprised that they're troubled. Grief has made its home at Hart House: nine months ago, the twins' mother Pippa died unexpectedly, leaving Alfie to raise them alone. And now, when the girls mention a new imaginary friend, it seems like a harmless coping mechanism. But the situation quickly develops into something more insidious. The girls set an extra place for him at the table. They whisper to him. They say he's going to take them away…
Alfie calls upon Julia―Pippa's sister and a psychiatrist―to oust the malignant tenant from their lives. But as Alfie himself is haunted by visions and someone watches him at night, he begins to question the true character of the force that has poisoned his daughters' minds, with dark and violent consequences.
Whatever this "friend" is, he doesn't want to leave. Alfie will have to confront his own shameful secrets, the dark past of Hart House, and even the bounds of reality―or risk taking part in an unspeakable tragedy.
Never in my life would I have anticipated the fear that consumed me while reading . Let Him In, is an explosive debut. After concluding I pray I don’t have to wait too long for another book by this author.
My jaw may permanently live on the floor after this one.
There is something about children in thrillers that instantly creep me out . Now throw in the fact that they are twins with an imaginary friend? Yes, it’s the creepy kid trifecta .
This is a book you never want to spoil for the next reader so I’m just going to drop a little teaser below.
Teaser:
"Daddy, there's a man in our room..."
Alfie wakes one night to find his twin daughters at the foot of his bed, claiming there's a shadowy figure in their bedroom. When no such thing can be found, he assumes the girls had a nightmare.
He isn't surprised that they're troubled. Grief has made its home at Hart House: nine months ago, the twins' mother Pippa died unexpectedly, leaving Alfie to raise them alone. And now, when the girls mention a new imaginary friend, it seems like a harmless coping mechanism. But the situation quickly develops into something more insidious. The girls set an extra place for him at the table. They whisper to him. They say he's going to take them away…
Alfie calls upon Julia―Pippa's sister and a psychiatrist―to oust the malignant tenant from their lives. But as Alfie himself is haunted by visions and someone watches him at night, he begins to question the true character of the force that has poisoned his daughters' minds, with dark and violent consequences.
Whatever this "friend" is, he doesn't want to leave. Alfie will have to confront his own shameful secrets, the dark past of Hart House, and even the bounds of reality―or risk taking part in an unspeakable tragedy.
May 15, 2023
Alfie tries to find his footing together with his young twins Cassia and Sylvie, after the passing of his wife. They live in Hart House, a gothic house near Peter's Park where pretty soon, things go wrong as the twins invent a imaginary friend - Black Mamba. He is a protective figure who can transform into a snake, a hugging bear, a bird or even a fish. Alfie reaches out to his wife's twin Julia who is a psychologist to help him with the girls, as their relationship struggles under the ever growing influence of Black Mamba.
The ensuing story is one that is chilling and eerie and so creepy and disturbing, I had to stop reading at times, especially right before bedtime. It features all the ingredients for a disturbing read: a set of headstrong twins, an imaginary friend (or foe?), a cult-like family history, bizarre dreams, all set in a big old house with too many rooms and a chilling history. The build-up is slow and unsettling, don't expect gory horror, but rather subtle psycho games between family members that will leave you wondering what is reality and what isn't; and at the end if there is any form of paranormal occurrences at all.
I can recommend it for readers who enjoyed Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby, as it has the same chilling vibe, slow build up and strange characters. A truly remarkable debut and an author that needs to be watched.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The ensuing story is one that is chilling and eerie and so creepy and disturbing, I had to stop reading at times, especially right before bedtime. It features all the ingredients for a disturbing read: a set of headstrong twins, an imaginary friend (or foe?), a cult-like family history, bizarre dreams, all set in a big old house with too many rooms and a chilling history. The build-up is slow and unsettling, don't expect gory horror, but rather subtle psycho games between family members that will leave you wondering what is reality and what isn't; and at the end if there is any form of paranormal occurrences at all.
I can recommend it for readers who enjoyed Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby, as it has the same chilling vibe, slow build up and strange characters. A truly remarkable debut and an author that needs to be watched.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2023
Happy release day~
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for a copy of this psychological horror to review. Let Him In will be out October 3rd.
The premise is great - twin girls with recurring stories of a shape at the end of their bed. Sometimes a man, sometimes a snake, sometimes...Other things. Eerie, right? But rather than a thrilling, scary story with lots of action, this is a combination of quiet horror and an examination of grief, with an ambiguous ending that didn't satisfy me and honestly kind of squicked.
I noticed a blurb mentioning this is meant to be literary horror, which tempered my expectations of jump scares, etc. slightly - but it's still a very slow drag of a book. I've read classic horror and enjoyed it, so complex wordiness is not the issue here, it's repetition and boring language used. Characters drink a lot of tea and wine. And if the idea of a maybe-possessed widower getting with his dead wife's twin unsettles you, I wouldn't recommend.
This wasn't really the kind of horror the summary made me think it was, with clear-cut resolutions, but if you like the kind of creepy, ambiguous ending that makes you doubt everything that happened, this is for you.
TWs: harm to children, miscarriage, parental death, oppressive cultish religious upbringing.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for a copy of this psychological horror to review. Let Him In will be out October 3rd.
The premise is great - twin girls with recurring stories of a shape at the end of their bed. Sometimes a man, sometimes a snake, sometimes...Other things. Eerie, right? But rather than a thrilling, scary story with lots of action, this is a combination of quiet horror and an examination of grief, with an ambiguous ending that didn't satisfy me and honestly kind of squicked.
I noticed a blurb mentioning this is meant to be literary horror, which tempered my expectations of jump scares, etc. slightly - but it's still a very slow drag of a book. I've read classic horror and enjoyed it, so complex wordiness is not the issue here, it's repetition and boring language used. Characters drink a lot of tea and wine. And if the idea of a maybe-possessed widower getting with his dead wife's twin unsettles you, I wouldn't recommend.
This wasn't really the kind of horror the summary made me think it was, with clear-cut resolutions, but if you like the kind of creepy, ambiguous ending that makes you doubt everything that happened, this is for you.
TWs: harm to children, miscarriage, parental death, oppressive cultish religious upbringing.
July 21, 2023
Let Him In
by William Friend
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publish Date October 3, 2023
This book had me engaged from the beginning, If you are in the mood for a creepy book, I hope you will give this one a chance.
Alfie is a widower trying to raise his twin daughters amid the loss and grief that his wife Pippa has left behind.
They are each struggling to cope with the loss when the girls come to him one night claiming, that there is a man in their room. When Alfie doesn't find anything he they are assumes they are having nightmares. But when the girls begin obsessing about an imaginary friend named Black Mambo he enlists the help of Julia his deceased wife's twin who is also a psychiatrist. Are they acting out for attention? Or is something more sinister going on in Hart House?
I loved the unsettling bond between the sister's and that I wasn't spoon fed the answers. The ending gave me the chills and left me wanting more.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
by William Friend
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publish Date October 3, 2023
This book had me engaged from the beginning, If you are in the mood for a creepy book, I hope you will give this one a chance.
Alfie is a widower trying to raise his twin daughters amid the loss and grief that his wife Pippa has left behind.
They are each struggling to cope with the loss when the girls come to him one night claiming, that there is a man in their room. When Alfie doesn't find anything he they are assumes they are having nightmares. But when the girls begin obsessing about an imaginary friend named Black Mambo he enlists the help of Julia his deceased wife's twin who is also a psychiatrist. Are they acting out for attention? Or is something more sinister going on in Hart House?
I loved the unsettling bond between the sister's and that I wasn't spoon fed the answers. The ending gave me the chills and left me wanting more.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2023
Dear Cassie:
Okay, so this wasn’t actually a recommendation from Cassie like The Grip of It was, but when I put it on my Currently Reading I noticed that she had read it to and we apparently dig the same type of spooky reads.
The story here is about . . . .
And if that’s not terrifying enough, they have an imaginary friend . . . .
Oh this was gooooooood. You spend a lot of time in your own head wondering if what’s being told is real or is itMemorex just some sort of psychological mindf*ck.
Recommended!
If you haven’t yet tried Hoopla – maybe give it a whirl. I was about 100 weeks on the waiting list at the library for this one, but got instant gratification (FOR FREE!) by using this app.
Okay, so this wasn’t actually a recommendation from Cassie like The Grip of It was, but when I put it on my Currently Reading I noticed that she had read it to and we apparently dig the same type of spooky reads.
The story here is about . . . .
And if that’s not terrifying enough, they have an imaginary friend . . . .
Oh this was gooooooood. You spend a lot of time in your own head wondering if what’s being told is real or is it
Recommended!
If you haven’t yet tried Hoopla – maybe give it a whirl. I was about 100 weeks on the waiting list at the library for this one, but got instant gratification (FOR FREE!) by using this app.
October 7, 2023
I never really knew where the story was going or how it was going to end. Spooky and family drama that doesn't always work bur when it does its very intruiging and interesting.
October 23, 2023
I just have to get off my chest, first off, that Black Mamba is the nickname of Kobe Bryant (being an American of a certain age, it’s always the first thing I’ll think of when I hear that name) so it was a little hard to imagine something creepy and paranormal here. But that’s probably just me!
This book was like a collection of red herrings and threads that weren’t tied to anything. The creepy, culty religion ended up just feeling like any run-of-the-mill Christian varietal but with a few extras thrown in (not liking to keep photographs being about as weird as they got). Two mysterious deaths (the how! The why! The where!) had mysteries that were never revealed or explained. The strange demonic house that has a hold on its residents really only had like two major weird things that happened in it, which isn’t so crazy for an old house located in a heavily populated city. Certainly not enough for a social worker to have asked a child if they knew why the house her parents bought had been so cheap. And what the fuck was up with the antique rattle the father had?? What an absolutely dumb personality trait as a means of tying characters together. Flashbacks and dream sequences and additional characters added a moment of curiosity but ultimately didn’t mean anything to the main plot.
That main plot, by the way, involved two of the most unlikable characters I’ve read in a while. Alfie - grieving widower and father of twin girls - has no idea how to parent children he’s known for seven years, never seems remorseful or suffers consequences for physically abusing his one daughter, and describes himself as “embarrassed” when his other daughter wants to hold his hand. He’s a clown, and seems to just be looking to slot in someone to the position of wife and mother as quickly as possible solely to make his life easier (good thing his wife had an identical twin sister! 🙄). His only conviction seems to be one against organized religion and spirituality, but even that feels like such a weak character trait, since he does nothing but rarely and meekly say he doesn’t want his mother-in-law mentioning her beliefs to his girls.
And then we have Julia - sister-in-law of Alfie - who is a rude, combative, judgmental, sneering psychologist. She doesn’t seem to like anyone she interacts with, particularly her nieces for whom she is providing an unethical amount of treatment. At one point, she refers to the “babyish voices” they use as being akin to women affecting higher-pitched voices around men to seem helpless. They are seven years old! Seven-year-olds typically have higher pitched voices than adult women!
The ending is so extremely unsatisfying because everything is neatly tied up for these two buffoons. Free house, annoying mom is conveniently dead and out of the way, twins are - apropos of nothing - well-adjusted again. Plus, that pesky miscarriage that Pippa and Alfie suffered (one of those other plot points that mattered but ultimately actually didn’t matter at all), along with Julia’s jealousy of her sister’s motherhood, is made up for by Julia getting immediately pregnant once she and Alfie embark on an extremely inappropriate romantic relationship. Thankfully anyone who would frown upon their union is dead. Happily ever after! Unless that final ~*~spooky ooky moment~*~ has anything to do with it! Oh wait, just kidding. That final moment wasn’t spooky at all, and was left so vague and ambiguous that it can easily be read as absolutely nothing.
The cover art is great and I absolutely wanted to read what seemed like a creepy ghost story, but instead I got the weirdest romantic drama starring two real trash people.
This book was like a collection of red herrings and threads that weren’t tied to anything. The creepy, culty religion ended up just feeling like any run-of-the-mill Christian varietal but with a few extras thrown in (not liking to keep photographs being about as weird as they got). Two mysterious deaths (the how! The why! The where!) had mysteries that were never revealed or explained. The strange demonic house that has a hold on its residents really only had like two major weird things that happened in it, which isn’t so crazy for an old house located in a heavily populated city. Certainly not enough for a social worker to have asked a child if they knew why the house her parents bought had been so cheap. And what the fuck was up with the antique rattle the father had?? What an absolutely dumb personality trait as a means of tying characters together. Flashbacks and dream sequences and additional characters added a moment of curiosity but ultimately didn’t mean anything to the main plot.
That main plot, by the way, involved two of the most unlikable characters I’ve read in a while. Alfie - grieving widower and father of twin girls - has no idea how to parent children he’s known for seven years, never seems remorseful or suffers consequences for physically abusing his one daughter, and describes himself as “embarrassed” when his other daughter wants to hold his hand. He’s a clown, and seems to just be looking to slot in someone to the position of wife and mother as quickly as possible solely to make his life easier (good thing his wife had an identical twin sister! 🙄). His only conviction seems to be one against organized religion and spirituality, but even that feels like such a weak character trait, since he does nothing but rarely and meekly say he doesn’t want his mother-in-law mentioning her beliefs to his girls.
And then we have Julia - sister-in-law of Alfie - who is a rude, combative, judgmental, sneering psychologist. She doesn’t seem to like anyone she interacts with, particularly her nieces for whom she is providing an unethical amount of treatment. At one point, she refers to the “babyish voices” they use as being akin to women affecting higher-pitched voices around men to seem helpless. They are seven years old! Seven-year-olds typically have higher pitched voices than adult women!
The ending is so extremely unsatisfying because everything is neatly tied up for these two buffoons. Free house, annoying mom is conveniently dead and out of the way, twins are - apropos of nothing - well-adjusted again. Plus, that pesky miscarriage that Pippa and Alfie suffered (one of those other plot points that mattered but ultimately actually didn’t matter at all), along with Julia’s jealousy of her sister’s motherhood, is made up for by Julia getting immediately pregnant once she and Alfie embark on an extremely inappropriate romantic relationship. Thankfully anyone who would frown upon their union is dead. Happily ever after! Unless that final ~*~spooky ooky moment~*~ has anything to do with it! Oh wait, just kidding. That final moment wasn’t spooky at all, and was left so vague and ambiguous that it can easily be read as absolutely nothing.
The cover art is great and I absolutely wanted to read what seemed like a creepy ghost story, but instead I got the weirdest romantic drama starring two real trash people.
August 7, 2023
2.5⭐️
This was a creative and creepy way to show how grief affects us all differently. The writing was a bit repetitive and slow at times but pushing through I found the ending to be quite satisfying! I loved the twins they made me feel so uneasy, black mamba was written perfect in my opinion and Alfies development throughout the book was great! Although I do understand why the religious aspects were there, I did find it quite dragging, however I am still obsessed with the cover!
•eARC provided by NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
This was a creative and creepy way to show how grief affects us all differently. The writing was a bit repetitive and slow at times but pushing through I found the ending to be quite satisfying! I loved the twins they made me feel so uneasy, black mamba was written perfect in my opinion and Alfies development throughout the book was great! Although I do understand why the religious aspects were there, I did find it quite dragging, however I am still obsessed with the cover!
•eARC provided by NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2023
Featuring two of the creepiest tropes in horror -- twins and imaginary friends -- William Friend's chilling debut Let Him In is
the
scary book to add to your October reading list.
After the tragic death of their mother Pippa months earlier, Alfie is raising his seven-year-old twin daughters alone. One night the girls wake him up claiming that there's a man in their room -- an imaginary friend they call Black Mamba. Certain that Black Mamba is his daughters' way of dealing with their grief, Alfie enlists Pippa's twin sister Julia, who is a psychotherapist, to help them work through their feelings. But Black Mamba doesn't seem to be going away...
I was sucked in immediately by the book's opening line ("This morning, I heard the name Black Mamba for the first time..."), and from that moment, I didn't want to put this down. Although it's slower-paced in spots, delving into the backstories of the characters, I found it tense and suspenseful, infused with Gothic atmosphere and a bleak sense of foreboding. The bond between the twins is suitably creepy, and the setting is claustrophobic and eerie. There are a several scenes that made me uneasy (and one that literally gave me chills), but mostly the horror of Let Him In is deeply psychological in nature, as Friend delves into the complex manifestations of grief. This is a raw, stark portrait of trauma, guilt, and the grieving process seen through a horror-infused lens, and it's just as thought-provoking as it is frightening.
This is a book that doesn't give up its secrets too soon -- and sometimes not at all -- leaving room for a lot of interpretation on the part of the reader. Horror, to me, is always more effective when there's a murky aspect to it, and that's the case here. I found the ending enormously satisfying for this reason, although there are a couple of aspects of the plot I wish would've been further explored.
Let Him In is unnerving on several levels, using horror elements to tell a poignant story about a grieving family. If you're looking for a horror novel with some emotional depth to it, I would definitely recommend this one. Be sure to read it in the dark for maximum effect! Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.
After the tragic death of their mother Pippa months earlier, Alfie is raising his seven-year-old twin daughters alone. One night the girls wake him up claiming that there's a man in their room -- an imaginary friend they call Black Mamba. Certain that Black Mamba is his daughters' way of dealing with their grief, Alfie enlists Pippa's twin sister Julia, who is a psychotherapist, to help them work through their feelings. But Black Mamba doesn't seem to be going away...
I was sucked in immediately by the book's opening line ("This morning, I heard the name Black Mamba for the first time..."), and from that moment, I didn't want to put this down. Although it's slower-paced in spots, delving into the backstories of the characters, I found it tense and suspenseful, infused with Gothic atmosphere and a bleak sense of foreboding. The bond between the twins is suitably creepy, and the setting is claustrophobic and eerie. There are a several scenes that made me uneasy (and one that literally gave me chills), but mostly the horror of Let Him In is deeply psychological in nature, as Friend delves into the complex manifestations of grief. This is a raw, stark portrait of trauma, guilt, and the grieving process seen through a horror-infused lens, and it's just as thought-provoking as it is frightening.
This is a book that doesn't give up its secrets too soon -- and sometimes not at all -- leaving room for a lot of interpretation on the part of the reader. Horror, to me, is always more effective when there's a murky aspect to it, and that's the case here. I found the ending enormously satisfying for this reason, although there are a couple of aspects of the plot I wish would've been further explored.
Let Him In is unnerving on several levels, using horror elements to tell a poignant story about a grieving family. If you're looking for a horror novel with some emotional depth to it, I would definitely recommend this one. Be sure to read it in the dark for maximum effect! Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.
September 12, 2023
Let Him In was available as a read now title. And because of the novel's description, I jumped at the chance to read it. Needless to say I was disappointed.
I expected an adrenaline-filled horror novel that would be unputdownable. Instead, it turned out to be pretty boring for me. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. And naming the paranormal villain Black Mamba was a little off-putting. Maybe there was some symbolism to naming the villain after a poisonous snake. But I just couldn't appreciate that.
I felt that there needed to be some back story about the house. It seemed as though the paranormal activity just popped in out of nowhere. Surely there had to have been some history. But it wasn't made clear at the beginning.
With a lackluster storyline, I gave up reading at 34% Perhaps I'll attempt reading it again so see if my assessment changes. But for now, it's an unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
I expected an adrenaline-filled horror novel that would be unputdownable. Instead, it turned out to be pretty boring for me. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. And naming the paranormal villain Black Mamba was a little off-putting. Maybe there was some symbolism to naming the villain after a poisonous snake. But I just couldn't appreciate that.
I felt that there needed to be some back story about the house. It seemed as though the paranormal activity just popped in out of nowhere. Surely there had to have been some history. But it wasn't made clear at the beginning.
With a lackluster storyline, I gave up reading at 34% Perhaps I'll attempt reading it again so see if my assessment changes. But for now, it's an unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 14, 2023
I concluded my Halloween reading with Let Him In, which unfortunately ranked my least favorite among the spooky and thrilling reads I delved into. Maybe it was timing because I read chilling tales before this, and Let Him In struggled to measure up.
William Friend uses the vulnerable child trope, exploring either severe behavioral issues or potentially supernatural forces at play. However, the narrative falls short of evoking that deeply unsettling feeling associated with children in horror. While this might appeal to readers seeking a slightly eerie touch in their horror, as a devoted fan of dark and creepy tales, I found the children's portrayal of their spooky friend, Black Mamba, to be more whiny than genuinely unsettling, making it challenging to buy into the ambiguity of his reality fully.
On a positive note, William Friend does a good job setting the stage with the family house and its ominous past, successfully instilling a sense of creepiness and suspense surrounding the family dynamics in the house. Despite this, the payoff in the end didn't deliver the desired eerie and unsettling impact. The resolution wrapped up too conveniently, leaving specific questions I had answered but lacking the satisfying payoff I sought.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
William Friend uses the vulnerable child trope, exploring either severe behavioral issues or potentially supernatural forces at play. However, the narrative falls short of evoking that deeply unsettling feeling associated with children in horror. While this might appeal to readers seeking a slightly eerie touch in their horror, as a devoted fan of dark and creepy tales, I found the children's portrayal of their spooky friend, Black Mamba, to be more whiny than genuinely unsettling, making it challenging to buy into the ambiguity of his reality fully.
On a positive note, William Friend does a good job setting the stage with the family house and its ominous past, successfully instilling a sense of creepiness and suspense surrounding the family dynamics in the house. Despite this, the payoff in the end didn't deliver the desired eerie and unsettling impact. The resolution wrapped up too conveniently, leaving specific questions I had answered but lacking the satisfying payoff I sought.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
September 18, 2024
I….. don’t know how to rate this one.
On one hand it had some… supernatural.. elements to it.. on the other hand it was very big on psychology. Which is all well and good but it was quite confusing. Maybe I’m not smart enough lol.
Dont get me wrong, Psychology is fascinating. In this context it was… trying too hard? Trying to be confusing?
I was expecting The Babadook type book and I got the haunting of hill house with zero explanation. The ending slightly wrapped up everything but it still makes no sense. I enjoyed this, but I don’t understand what the authors goal was? The “ah-ha!” Moments were just “uhhh okay..?” Moments.
Maybe I’ll read some other reviews and update with a rating. If you are smart then read this and tell me what the freak it means 😂😂
On one hand it had some… supernatural.. elements to it.. on the other hand it was very big on psychology. Which is all well and good but it was quite confusing. Maybe I’m not smart enough lol.
Dont get me wrong, Psychology is fascinating. In this context it was… trying too hard? Trying to be confusing?
I was expecting The Babadook type book and I got the haunting of hill house with zero explanation. The ending slightly wrapped up everything but it still makes no sense. I enjoyed this, but I don’t understand what the authors goal was? The “ah-ha!” Moments were just “uhhh okay..?” Moments.
Maybe I’ll read some other reviews and update with a rating. If you are smart then read this and tell me what the freak it means 😂😂
April 15, 2023
Alfie is recently widowed with two twin daughters. What makes that trauma worse is the twins are now seeing someone in their room called Black Mamba. Alfie enlists his sister in law who is a psychologist and also a was a twin to his late wife to figure out what is going on with his girls. Is it psychological or is it supernatural?
This had an interesting premise but don't think it was executed in a way that made sense for me. Supernatural, psychological or religion? I'm not sure which way to go or where the author wanted us to determine the final outcome. I still don't know what was the resolution of the plot....super confused. Maybe that was the intention or maybe I just missed what was intended. This is a hard one to review as I felt it had a solid story but I was lost on the ending.
I liked the creepy factor of Black Mamba and the twins were written perfectly. There was also a tad of history thrown in that totally had my attention but felt it was too quickly thrown in and not further flushed out. Would have liked to see more of that. This was a short book so maybe if it was longer the history of both Hart House and the family would have worked better and had me more immersed
Overall my rating was 2.5 because I may have missed what the author was trying to convey but jumped to 3 because the twins were written perfectly and had potential
Thanks to Netalley, author and publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This had an interesting premise but don't think it was executed in a way that made sense for me. Supernatural, psychological or religion? I'm not sure which way to go or where the author wanted us to determine the final outcome. I still don't know what was the resolution of the plot....super confused. Maybe that was the intention or maybe I just missed what was intended. This is a hard one to review as I felt it had a solid story but I was lost on the ending.
I liked the creepy factor of Black Mamba and the twins were written perfectly. There was also a tad of history thrown in that totally had my attention but felt it was too quickly thrown in and not further flushed out. Would have liked to see more of that. This was a short book so maybe if it was longer the history of both Hart House and the family would have worked better and had me more immersed
Overall my rating was 2.5 because I may have missed what the author was trying to convey but jumped to 3 because the twins were written perfectly and had potential
Thanks to Netalley, author and publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2023
"Oh God," I moan, leaning forward onto the steering wheel. "Oh God, oh, God."
It's happening again.
If you have kids, you've probably had to deal with cries of "There's a monster under my bed," or "There's something in my closet." These complaints are usually easily dispatched with a quick room check, and perhaps a squirt of Monster-Away spray. (Available at kitchen taps worldwide.) But, having your child enter your bedroom only to confess, “Daddy, there’s a man in our room...”, is a heart-stopping, blood-curdling statement that no parent wants to hear.
Friend's book starts strong with a tale of twin girls (yeah - my mind always jumps to the Overlook Hotel), and their imaginary friend, but loses steam by becoming too convoluted. This novel could easily be edited down to a very taut short story. The other problem I had with the book was that I didn't really didn't care about ANY of the characters, or what was happening to them. As far as chilling books to read this spooky season, I'd put this one near the bottom of the list.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
It's happening again.
If you have kids, you've probably had to deal with cries of "There's a monster under my bed," or "There's something in my closet." These complaints are usually easily dispatched with a quick room check, and perhaps a squirt of Monster-Away spray. (Available at kitchen taps worldwide.) But, having your child enter your bedroom only to confess, “Daddy, there’s a man in our room...”, is a heart-stopping, blood-curdling statement that no parent wants to hear.
Friend's book starts strong with a tale of twin girls (yeah - my mind always jumps to the Overlook Hotel), and their imaginary friend, but loses steam by becoming too convoluted. This novel could easily be edited down to a very taut short story. The other problem I had with the book was that I didn't really didn't care about ANY of the characters, or what was happening to them. As far as chilling books to read this spooky season, I'd put this one near the bottom of the list.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
May 9, 2023
I was going to wait to review this. Maybe let my brain marinate a lil and see if I felt differently in the morning.
Well, that’s not happening. I need to get this out now. W T F was that?! Here’s the thing, I don’t even know if that’s a bad WTF. It could be good 🤷🏻♀️ I’m so shook right now.
Beginning gives off Paranormal Activity 3 vibes. Middle gives Single White Female vibes. End gives Sapranos series finale vibes. Take that as you will.
Did this read make me feel uneasy, dare say scared, at times? Sure. In my defense I mostly read this at night in total darkness (bc I’m punk like that).
I have so many questions, SO MANY; what’s the rattle, what is stinging people in the UK like that, where da fuq did mum come from, where’s the key, why was he naked, who saw him first, why she so jelly???
I’ll leave you with this, it’s a good book that reads well and toys, meticulously, with tension. Personally, I think the swing for the SURPRISE ending was a miss. Give it a go tho fo sho.
Well, that’s not happening. I need to get this out now. W T F was that?! Here’s the thing, I don’t even know if that’s a bad WTF. It could be good 🤷🏻♀️ I’m so shook right now.
Beginning gives off Paranormal Activity 3 vibes. Middle gives Single White Female vibes. End gives Sapranos series finale vibes. Take that as you will.
Did this read make me feel uneasy, dare say scared, at times? Sure. In my defense I mostly read this at night in total darkness (bc I’m punk like that).
I have so many questions, SO MANY; what’s the rattle, what is stinging people in the UK like that, where da fuq did mum come from, where’s the key, why was he naked, who saw him first, why she so jelly???
I’ll leave you with this, it’s a good book that reads well and toys, meticulously, with tension. Personally, I think the swing for the SURPRISE ending was a miss. Give it a go tho fo sho.
August 19, 2023
'Let Him In' is very reminiscent of the horror movie, Darkness for me. We meet Alfie and his twin girls after the devastating lose of their wife/mother. As more and more strange things start happening, Alfie reaches out to their Aunt and family psychiatrist, Julia. As we follow this family, we explore if the darkness is coming from their lose, the house, or the people closest to them.
August 5, 2023
Grief and shadows collide in 'Let Him In,' a haunting tale that will make you question what's lurking beyond the darkness...……
Book Information
Let Him In, written by William Friend, is a 240-page horror novel with an expected publication date of October 3, 2023. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
Amid a summer night, Alfie awakens to his twin daughters' claims of a lurking shadow in their room. Blaming it on a nightmare due to their mother Pippa's passing nine months earlier, he initially dismisses their distress. The twins create an imaginary companion, seemingly a harmless reaction to grief, but it takes a darker turn as they set places for him, whisper ominously, and hint at being taken away.
Growing concerned, Alfie turns to Julia, Pippa's psychiatrist sister. Yet, as he grapples with haunting visions and an eerie sensation of surveillance, Alfie starts questioning the true nature of this presence. Delving into his own secrets and the ominous history of Hart House becomes imperative for Alfie to avert an impending tragedy that defies comprehension.
My Thoughts
This is an impressive debut novel with an equally remarkable cover. Perhaps we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it is one of the things that drew me in. "Let Him In," is a quick and atmospheric read that delves into the realm of creepy and suspenseful horror, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Twins, secrets, and a malevolent 'friend' weave a web of suspense that will keep you guessing.
The book unfolds through the dual perspectives of a grieving husband and Julia, the twin sister of his deceased wife. Friend masterfully crafts the unsettling presence of an "imaginary friend" that haunts the story. This is well written such that readers will wonder alongside Alfie, the father, whether it is imaginary or perhaps something more. The portrayal of the twins is also particularly well-executed.
While the story effectively builds suspense and immerses the reader in its eerie atmosphere, it does suffer from occasional repetitiveness and generally slower pacing. Numerous concepts are introduced, hinting at deeper meanings, only to be left unresolved, leaving readers questioning their significance.
As the story progresses, the anticipation grows, but the ending falls short of expectations. The lack of clarity in the conclusion left me disappointed, wondering if it was a deliberate creative choice or a result of me just not fully grasping its intent. Despite the intense buildup and investment in the characters, the payoff doesn't align with what I anticipated.
Recommendation
"Let Him In" is undoubtedly a solid story that showcases Friend's talent for crafting a chilling narrative. However, the unresolved concepts and ambiguous ending may leave readers grappling with a sense of incompleteness. Still a good book and recommended.
Rating
3 Imaginary Stars (or are they real….)
Book Information
Let Him In, written by William Friend, is a 240-page horror novel with an expected publication date of October 3, 2023. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
Amid a summer night, Alfie awakens to his twin daughters' claims of a lurking shadow in their room. Blaming it on a nightmare due to their mother Pippa's passing nine months earlier, he initially dismisses their distress. The twins create an imaginary companion, seemingly a harmless reaction to grief, but it takes a darker turn as they set places for him, whisper ominously, and hint at being taken away.
Growing concerned, Alfie turns to Julia, Pippa's psychiatrist sister. Yet, as he grapples with haunting visions and an eerie sensation of surveillance, Alfie starts questioning the true nature of this presence. Delving into his own secrets and the ominous history of Hart House becomes imperative for Alfie to avert an impending tragedy that defies comprehension.
My Thoughts
This is an impressive debut novel with an equally remarkable cover. Perhaps we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it is one of the things that drew me in. "Let Him In," is a quick and atmospheric read that delves into the realm of creepy and suspenseful horror, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Twins, secrets, and a malevolent 'friend' weave a web of suspense that will keep you guessing.
The book unfolds through the dual perspectives of a grieving husband and Julia, the twin sister of his deceased wife. Friend masterfully crafts the unsettling presence of an "imaginary friend" that haunts the story. This is well written such that readers will wonder alongside Alfie, the father, whether it is imaginary or perhaps something more. The portrayal of the twins is also particularly well-executed.
While the story effectively builds suspense and immerses the reader in its eerie atmosphere, it does suffer from occasional repetitiveness and generally slower pacing. Numerous concepts are introduced, hinting at deeper meanings, only to be left unresolved, leaving readers questioning their significance.
As the story progresses, the anticipation grows, but the ending falls short of expectations. The lack of clarity in the conclusion left me disappointed, wondering if it was a deliberate creative choice or a result of me just not fully grasping its intent. Despite the intense buildup and investment in the characters, the payoff doesn't align with what I anticipated.
Recommendation
"Let Him In" is undoubtedly a solid story that showcases Friend's talent for crafting a chilling narrative. However, the unresolved concepts and ambiguous ending may leave readers grappling with a sense of incompleteness. Still a good book and recommended.
Rating
3 Imaginary Stars (or are they real….)
May 17, 2023
I adore the way this book was written. Mr. Friend has a way of writing this gorgeous prose that brings feelings and dialogue to life. I have not previously found this style of writing in what I would consider to be the thriller/suspense/horror genre. The author doesn’t just hand you the answer to a question and instead makes you think and re-examine information given to come to your own conclusion. The creepy vibe of this book was consistent throughout (easy to do when you’ve got creepy kids involved!). I highly recommend this book and will absolutely be searching out more books from William Friend.
November 29, 2023
I usually really enjoy the pairing of grief & the supernatural in my horror novels but this particular one just didn't work for me. I found both of our main characters incredibly annoying and hard to like or care about. The story itself wasn't anything really exciting or new but it had good bones & the potential for some great scares and atmosphere. Unfortunately, without a character I liked, I just couldn't stay invested in the story and found myself really not wanting to even pick this up. It took me 2 weeks to finish this, when a book this length would normally have taken me 2 days.
Even though this didn't work for me, thanks so much to Netgalley & publishers for the alc!
Even though this didn't work for me, thanks so much to Netgalley & publishers for the alc!
October 4, 2023
I am happy to announce that this book is genuinely scary! I was reading this at night so I even had to turn on a light lol! I enjoyed this even more than I was expecting to. This book feels familiar but that’s part of why I loved it, because I happen to love the imaginary friend (that’s actually a spirit or entity) trope. It reminded me of The Boogeyman or Don’t Look Under the Bed. Sure, everything in here has been done before a lot in horror, but it’s a trope that works and has proven time and time again to be scary. In the first couple chapters, you learn that two twin girls have an “imaginary” friend they call Black Mamba that their dad and aunt can’t see because “he doesn’t want them to”. Julia, the girls’ aunt, happens to be a psychiatrist, so their father seeks her professional advice when this Black Mamba stuff continues.
The setting is perfect, in a falling down house called Hart House with peeling walls and a winding staircase. It’s just the type of house you’d picture a horror movie would take place in. Whatever is happening, you sense that it is tied to the house, because Julia’s now dead sister also claimed to see a man in her room in that house when she was a child. But surely, it isn’t the same man, right?
Reading this felt like the nostalgia of watching scary movies with your friends in a crowded theatre with that feeling of camaraderie that comes from watching a horror movie, where you’re the fun kind of scared in a controlled, safe environment. The story, the setup, the familiarity of it all felt nostalgic to horror movies I’ve seen before. It’s perfectly paced and never lags. This book also has you questioning what’s real and what isn’t. You keep going back and forth and changing your mind. It keeps you on your toes and is so unpredictable in that sense! This was almost 5 stars but I took away 1 because I felt like the ending was a bit anticlimactic. But, this was written so well and was so gripping that I will most definitely be reading whatever this author writes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
The setting is perfect, in a falling down house called Hart House with peeling walls and a winding staircase. It’s just the type of house you’d picture a horror movie would take place in. Whatever is happening, you sense that it is tied to the house, because Julia’s now dead sister also claimed to see a man in her room in that house when she was a child. But surely, it isn’t the same man, right?
Reading this felt like the nostalgia of watching scary movies with your friends in a crowded theatre with that feeling of camaraderie that comes from watching a horror movie, where you’re the fun kind of scared in a controlled, safe environment. The story, the setup, the familiarity of it all felt nostalgic to horror movies I’ve seen before. It’s perfectly paced and never lags. This book also has you questioning what’s real and what isn’t. You keep going back and forth and changing your mind. It keeps you on your toes and is so unpredictable in that sense! This was almost 5 stars but I took away 1 because I felt like the ending was a bit anticlimactic. But, this was written so well and was so gripping that I will most definitely be reading whatever this author writes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
June 13, 2022
You know those books that tick so many of your favourite trope boxes? Well, this one did that for me. I went into it expecting a creepy story about twins, grief, and a sinister imaginary friend but ended up getting so much more than that!
I feel like we see the unsettling twins and imaginary friend trope a lot in horror, however, it can still creep me out when it's done right, and it was in this one! There were a number of moments in this that put me on edge and genuinely gave me a little spook. I also really like grief as a topic in horror, I feel like it adds an element of unreliability to the characters, which is another thing I enjoyed in this.
However, not only were these parts of the story excellent, we quickly come to realise that there is a second storyline based around the mother's family. We are given glimpses into their mother and aunt's childhood and we start to see a pattern emerging. This second storyline is where we got some more of my favourite horror tropes pop up so I was really excited to see how the stories were going to come together. It's safe to say, this did not disappoint!
I will say the pacing felt a little off in places. I couldn't always quite work out the timeline of events. I don't think this necessarily had a huge negative impact on the plot in any way, it just gave me that feeling of being lost a few times. Also to note, the ending (which I absolutely adored) is one that's ambiguous, and I know this is something a lot of readers don't enjoy, so it's worth pointing out!
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Black Mamba. I feel like horror is one of the most subjective genres so it always feels that little more rewarding when you love it. I had such a fun time reading this fast-paced novel, and I will definitely be checking out future releases from William Friend - a solid & unnerving debut!
Ad-pr product from Atlantic Books. Out now!
I feel like we see the unsettling twins and imaginary friend trope a lot in horror, however, it can still creep me out when it's done right, and it was in this one! There were a number of moments in this that put me on edge and genuinely gave me a little spook. I also really like grief as a topic in horror, I feel like it adds an element of unreliability to the characters, which is another thing I enjoyed in this.
However, not only were these parts of the story excellent, we quickly come to realise that there is a second storyline based around the mother's family. We are given glimpses into their mother and aunt's childhood and we start to see a pattern emerging. This second storyline is where we got some more of my favourite horror tropes pop up so I was really excited to see how the stories were going to come together. It's safe to say, this did not disappoint!
I will say the pacing felt a little off in places. I couldn't always quite work out the timeline of events. I don't think this necessarily had a huge negative impact on the plot in any way, it just gave me that feeling of being lost a few times. Also to note, the ending (which I absolutely adored) is one that's ambiguous, and I know this is something a lot of readers don't enjoy, so it's worth pointing out!
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Black Mamba. I feel like horror is one of the most subjective genres so it always feels that little more rewarding when you love it. I had such a fun time reading this fast-paced novel, and I will definitely be checking out future releases from William Friend - a solid & unnerving debut!
Ad-pr product from Atlantic Books. Out now!
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