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What Waits in the Shadows
Netgalley ARC
★★★★★ "Wow! What a wild ride! From start to finish, this story had me hooked."
★★★★★ "Downright jaw-dropping, and I loved every bit of it!"
★★★★★ "This was a great concept in the horror genre."
★★★★★ "It has the spooks and the shivers and the things that go bump in the night with an enduring creeping dread that is palpable."
_______
How long can horrifying secrets stay buried?
Twenty years after watching her father’s violent murder, Lisa Kallman is on the verge of a dream life. Her father’s killer is in prison, she has a job helping children who’ve suffered like her and she’s about to be married.
But Lisa can’t escape a sense of dread that tells her danger lurks in the shadows. When she hears strange voices and people around her are brutally killed, she wonders if she can trust her memories.
Is Lisa going mad, or is something evil and inhuman stalking her?
★★★★★ "Wow! What a wild ride! From start to finish, this story had me hooked."
★★★★★ "Downright jaw-dropping, and I loved every bit of it!"
★★★★★ "This was a great concept in the horror genre."
★★★★★ "It has the spooks and the shivers and the things that go bump in the night with an enduring creeping dread that is palpable."
_______
How long can horrifying secrets stay buried?
Twenty years after watching her father’s violent murder, Lisa Kallman is on the verge of a dream life. Her father’s killer is in prison, she has a job helping children who’ve suffered like her and she’s about to be married.
But Lisa can’t escape a sense of dread that tells her danger lurks in the shadows. When she hears strange voices and people around her are brutally killed, she wonders if she can trust her memories.
Is Lisa going mad, or is something evil and inhuman stalking her?
- GenresHorror
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2024
16 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 4, 2024
What if there really IS a monster in the closet! At a very young age Lisa knew that there was a monster in her closet. It spoke her. Unfortunately, her parents never believed her and, to appease her one night her daddy opened the closet door. Nothing was ever 0kay again.
Now, about 20 years later, Lisa is starting to believe in a happy life after that night in her bedroom. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and they’ve just moved in to a wonderful house…..surely this isn’t too good to be true.
What Waits In The Shadows is a creepy tale of childhood monsters, the fear of shadows, angels and demons, guilt and innocence. A decrepit abandoned house plays a large antagonist role as a place that holds much more than someone else’s memories and dust. The shadows there hide so much more than old footprints. A person could get lost in this huge, old mousetrap.
Some of the characters offer delicious little twists and they are fulling rounded….neither all bad or all good. I enjoyed this wild ride very much.
Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review #WhatWaitsInTheShadows.
Now, about 20 years later, Lisa is starting to believe in a happy life after that night in her bedroom. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and they’ve just moved in to a wonderful house…..surely this isn’t too good to be true.
What Waits In The Shadows is a creepy tale of childhood monsters, the fear of shadows, angels and demons, guilt and innocence. A decrepit abandoned house plays a large antagonist role as a place that holds much more than someone else’s memories and dust. The shadows there hide so much more than old footprints. A person could get lost in this huge, old mousetrap.
Some of the characters offer delicious little twists and they are fulling rounded….neither all bad or all good. I enjoyed this wild ride very much.
Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review #WhatWaitsInTheShadows.
January 17, 2024
slimy green is so last season, even for shadow monsters
nothing stood out to me in this book, the monster is weirdly childish, the characters are either awful or disregarded (meaning the MC and her mom) and then there's the whole holistic spiritual thing??? angels and demons are so underwhelming in the horror genre
+ forgot to mention in my review the first time : the mom is Hispanic, her name is margarita, she has tan skin, no seriously guys she IS Latina her name is MARGARITA did you forget she has TAN SKIN (heavy insistence all in 1 page about her ethnicity, and I just can't stand it when authors pick the name margarita for their Hispanic characters it feels sooo cliché)
[arc review, honest opinion]
nothing stood out to me in this book, the monster is weirdly childish, the characters are either awful or disregarded (meaning the MC and her mom) and then there's the whole holistic spiritual thing??? angels and demons are so underwhelming in the horror genre
+ forgot to mention in my review the first time : the mom is Hispanic, her name is margarita, she has tan skin, no seriously guys she IS Latina her name is MARGARITA did you forget she has TAN SKIN (heavy insistence all in 1 page about her ethnicity, and I just can't stand it when authors pick the name margarita for their Hispanic characters it feels sooo cliché)
[arc review, honest opinion]
December 27, 2024
This is a well written story that I was engrossed in from start to finish! The pacing is perfect and the characters are entertaining. This is a gem that I would highly recommend! Special Thank You to Will Forbis, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2024
I really enjoyed Wil Forbis's debut novel! He takes a familiar concept and turns it completely on its head. The subplot was much stronger than I've seen in works by seasoned pros, and there was no point in the story that left me bored.
Most of the character arcs were pretty satisfying. It's hard to characterise a subgenre for this one, but I think if you like haunted houses, curses, crime thrillers and a smattering of the cosmic in your horror, then I recommend giving this one a chance. I look forward to checking out Wil's future work!
Most of the character arcs were pretty satisfying. It's hard to characterise a subgenre for this one, but I think if you like haunted houses, curses, crime thrillers and a smattering of the cosmic in your horror, then I recommend giving this one a chance. I look forward to checking out Wil's future work!
January 15, 2024
Wow, I absolutely loved this book! I’ve been looking for another horror book to read and this did not disappoint! There were no loose ends. Everything “made sense”, so to speak. This book brought monsters from the closet to life and I am here for it!
January 16, 2024
This book was really good! It pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. I wanted to know what was happening and going on. I’m definitely going to keep my eye out for anything else this author writes. 4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
January 21, 2024
I have very mixed feelings on What Waits in the Shadows. On one hand, the summary really played this book up and got me excited to read it. On the other hand, the execution of it didn't quite live up to the hype I built.
I loved Lisa as a character, though I felt like she could be a bit of a pushover at times then suddenly do a complete 180. I had a lot of respect for her digging herself out of all the horrible things that happened to her and going into a field that would allow her to help others like her. It was really poetic in a way, especially in the end. The rest of the characters, in contrast, felt underdeveloped. Her fiancé felt like an accessory at best who quickly fell into the scumbag mold, her psychiatrist was self-serving and selfishly motivated, and her supposed best friend was barely relevant to Lisa's life. I wish that the supporting characters, especially Lisa's mom, would've been more prevalent to the story.
There seemed to be a lot of disdain towards attorneys, especially public defenders, in this. Having worked for attorneys since I was old enough to work, I've heard all the jokes and put downs about how useless they are. However, that doesn't make it any less frustrating when I see it in books. Sure, there are bad attorneys, but not all of them are, and everyone seems to conveniently forget that when portraying them in books.
The inclusion of angels and demons threw me off a bit. It kind of came from nowhere and didn't quite tie in as much as I think it could have with a little more lead in throughout the book. The way that Wil chose to write this angle was rather unique, so I think it could've been something really cool if it had been more present in the story overall. Give the reader a better sense of something "other" going on; parts of this dragged a bit as it seemed like anything spooky took a long time to happen after the initial burst at the beginning.
What Waits in the Shadows wasn't a bad book! I think it could've used a little more in the way of execution, but it's the author's first, and Wil had such an interesting concept with this. I'm definitely intrigued by what else he'll craft, and I can't wait to see how he grows as an author with each new work!
I loved Lisa as a character, though I felt like she could be a bit of a pushover at times then suddenly do a complete 180. I had a lot of respect for her digging herself out of all the horrible things that happened to her and going into a field that would allow her to help others like her. It was really poetic in a way, especially in the end. The rest of the characters, in contrast, felt underdeveloped. Her fiancé felt like an accessory at best who quickly fell into the scumbag mold, her psychiatrist was self-serving and selfishly motivated, and her supposed best friend was barely relevant to Lisa's life. I wish that the supporting characters, especially Lisa's mom, would've been more prevalent to the story.
There seemed to be a lot of disdain towards attorneys, especially public defenders, in this. Having worked for attorneys since I was old enough to work, I've heard all the jokes and put downs about how useless they are. However, that doesn't make it any less frustrating when I see it in books. Sure, there are bad attorneys, but not all of them are, and everyone seems to conveniently forget that when portraying them in books.
The inclusion of angels and demons threw me off a bit. It kind of came from nowhere and didn't quite tie in as much as I think it could have with a little more lead in throughout the book. The way that Wil chose to write this angle was rather unique, so I think it could've been something really cool if it had been more present in the story overall. Give the reader a better sense of something "other" going on; parts of this dragged a bit as it seemed like anything spooky took a long time to happen after the initial burst at the beginning.
What Waits in the Shadows wasn't a bad book! I think it could've used a little more in the way of execution, but it's the author's first, and Wil had such an interesting concept with this. I'm definitely intrigued by what else he'll craft, and I can't wait to see how he grows as an author with each new work!
January 23, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Wil Forbis for an ARC of "What Waits in the Shadows."
I found this novel to be an interesting take on a familiar concept. I appreciated the short chapters and quick pace of the novel.
It read like a horror movie and had plenty of action and a solid setting. I could imagine it playing out in my head.
There was some gore, especially at the start and end, but not too much.
I was glad to see Forbis added to Goodreads so I could leave a review. I'm interested in the upcoming novel as well.
I found this novel to be an interesting take on a familiar concept. I appreciated the short chapters and quick pace of the novel.
It read like a horror movie and had plenty of action and a solid setting. I could imagine it playing out in my head.
There was some gore, especially at the start and end, but not too much.
I was glad to see Forbis added to Goodreads so I could leave a review. I'm interested in the upcoming novel as well.
March 4, 2024
Read under the covers with a flashlight - and don't come out till morning!
Tense, gripping action with a powerful conclusion from a rising star in the world of suspense-driven horror. What Waits in the Shadows ticks a lot of the boxes I look for in a good, clean, horror fix. Characters that don't feel like we've seen them in every movie ever. Writing that doesn't read like a ChatGPT copy-paste. Set pieces dripping with movielike imagery, which I'd describe as darkly vivid, if that makes any sense - evoking the glory days of hall of fame directors like Wes Craven and John Carpenter. Psychological horror a few dismemberments short of going full splatter without shying away from a healthy, sticky dollop of gore or slime or other offensive substances when called for.
The plot and cast of characters didn't strike me as formulaic, but I /was/ pleased to find my personal favorite horror trope featured, in which innocence and heroism tend to be rewarded while naughtiness tends to be punished in gross, creative and final ways. Pretty much the opposite of real life. But I digress.
Unexpected twists drive to a third act reveal that really got me thinking. Horror is often impersonal - ravening monster butchers a bunch of people until one lucks out and kills it, or dies trying - but Forbis found a way to make it personal: an original take on the concept and motivation of an entity personally seeking to torment the protagonist into the grave...and beyond.
If classic horror from the 80s and 90s gets your brain to make the chemical, you'll feel at right at home in this book. If home was a drafty, creaky house that never let you rest or leave until the time was right to drag you down into oblivion.
Tense, gripping action with a powerful conclusion from a rising star in the world of suspense-driven horror. What Waits in the Shadows ticks a lot of the boxes I look for in a good, clean, horror fix. Characters that don't feel like we've seen them in every movie ever. Writing that doesn't read like a ChatGPT copy-paste. Set pieces dripping with movielike imagery, which I'd describe as darkly vivid, if that makes any sense - evoking the glory days of hall of fame directors like Wes Craven and John Carpenter. Psychological horror a few dismemberments short of going full splatter without shying away from a healthy, sticky dollop of gore or slime or other offensive substances when called for.
The plot and cast of characters didn't strike me as formulaic, but I /was/ pleased to find my personal favorite horror trope featured, in which innocence and heroism tend to be rewarded while naughtiness tends to be punished in gross, creative and final ways. Pretty much the opposite of real life. But I digress.
Unexpected twists drive to a third act reveal that really got me thinking. Horror is often impersonal - ravening monster butchers a bunch of people until one lucks out and kills it, or dies trying - but Forbis found a way to make it personal: an original take on the concept and motivation of an entity personally seeking to torment the protagonist into the grave...and beyond.
If classic horror from the 80s and 90s gets your brain to make the chemical, you'll feel at right at home in this book. If home was a drafty, creaky house that never let you rest or leave until the time was right to drag you down into oblivion.
January 18, 2024
After an unimaginable tragedy occurs when Lisa is a small child, she is forever changed. With the help of a psychiatrist and a police officer she is able to grow up without further harm. As an adult she struggles with relationships both intimate and casual. She and her fiancé buy a house and things feel like they are coming together for Lisa. Things start to go bad when Lisa’s father’s killer goes up for parole. Lisa starts seeing things and she is sure she is going crazy. Soon she realizes there is something after her. Things begin to get worse. What the reader thinks s a guardian angel turns out to be something a whole lot different.
This book created many emotions. I was scared for Lisa as a child who had to witness such atrocities. I felt sorry for Lisa when she thought she was going crazy by the things she witnessed that seemed impossible. I was shocked when I found out what was following Lisa. This book was a really great horror book.
This book created many emotions. I was scared for Lisa as a child who had to witness such atrocities. I felt sorry for Lisa when she thought she was going crazy by the things she witnessed that seemed impossible. I was shocked when I found out what was following Lisa. This book was a really great horror book.
February 9, 2024
What Waits In The shadows by Wil Forbis.
How long can horrifying secrets stay buried? Twenty years after watching her father's brutal murder, Lisa Kallman is on the verge of a dream life. Her father's killer is in prison, she has a job helping children who've suffered like her and she's about to be married.
But Lisa can't escape the foreboding dread that tells her danger is around the corner. And when she begins hearing strange voices and people around her vanish, she wonders if her own memories can be trusted.
Is Lisa going mad, or is something evil and inhuman stalking her?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover. What a start to the book. I felt it did slow a bit after that. How they were. The way monster mansion was portrayed in the book it did sound scary and eerie. It then started to pick up. I loved how the monster how was portrayed. The mansion House too. For a debut book this was very cleverly written. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.
How long can horrifying secrets stay buried? Twenty years after watching her father's brutal murder, Lisa Kallman is on the verge of a dream life. Her father's killer is in prison, she has a job helping children who've suffered like her and she's about to be married.
But Lisa can't escape the foreboding dread that tells her danger is around the corner. And when she begins hearing strange voices and people around her vanish, she wonders if her own memories can be trusted.
Is Lisa going mad, or is something evil and inhuman stalking her?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover. What a start to the book. I felt it did slow a bit after that. How they were. The way monster mansion was portrayed in the book it did sound scary and eerie. It then started to pick up. I loved how the monster how was portrayed. The mansion House too. For a debut book this was very cleverly written. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.
February 11, 2024
"What Waits in the Shadows" is a seriously spine-tingling read! Lisa's life seems perfect, but her past comes back to haunt her in the most terrifying ways. Think creepy voices, people disappearing, and a sense of dread that'll keep you guessing. And let's not even get started on that abandoned house - it's like the stuff of nightmares! You'll feel like you're right there with Lisa, trying to uncover the secrets and escape the monsters.
The characters are complex and layered, with surprises around every corner. It's not just a straightforward horror story - it's a psychological thrill ride that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you're looking for a book that'll keep you up all night (in a good way), this is it! Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on... or maybe with a nightlight... or a flashlight... okay, you get it! 😂
The characters are complex and layered, with surprises around every corner. It's not just a straightforward horror story - it's a psychological thrill ride that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you're looking for a book that'll keep you up all night (in a good way), this is it! Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on... or maybe with a nightlight... or a flashlight... okay, you get it! 😂
January 19, 2024
Loved this book!!
July 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I was able to read it at work with my free time, and I actually had moments where I jumped. This book kept my attention and kept me wanting more.
January 16, 2024
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Twenty years ago, Lisa Kallman witnessed her father's brutal murder. Now, she's successful, and on the verge of having her dream life. She's got the job, the wonderful partner, and they've just purchased their new home together. However, when she starts hearing strange voices, and people have seemingly disappeared without a trace, she begins to wonder whether there's something more to that night twenty years ago than what she remembers, or maybe, she's losing her mind...
I was keen to read this one. The cover caught my eye on Netgalley and horror is my jam, as those who follow my reviews know by now. I will admit though, this one did fall a little flat for me. It did go in a totally different direction than what I was expecting, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, I feel like the general idea of the plot was great and not something I would have picked. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, I feel like the narration itself seemed to be a little bit clumsy at times, though it did drag me into the story.
The story started out strong and I loved the opening. The scared 7-year-old girl in the new house, while possibly cliche, worked incredibly well for the story. I did find that the pacing dropped for a while there, and it felt a little hard to get the momentum back up, but once it did, I had to know what happened next. I definitely stayed up past my bedtime in order to finish this one, and after having my tablet go flying off my bedside table twice, I stayed up even later because I was over tired, had this horror story rolling around my head, and was worried that something in my closet was going to eat me. So, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Forbis is definitely able to set the scene and inject a fantastic dose of creepiness and atmosphere into his story. I don't get kept up by books or movies, so the fact that I ended up staying awake until after 130am because it had given me a healthy dose of the creeps, speaks volumes in my opinion.
The characters were interesting, I did enjoy the character of Lisa, and I loved getting to see how she became her own saviour. I could tell from the get-go that she wasn't a push over, but I could also see that she was quite introverted and subdued, happy to let her partner, David, take the lead. I will admit, I had a moment of struggle when a certain plot driver was dropped, having recognised parts of my former relationship in the interactions between Lisa and David, when a certain thing happened, it rang a little too close to home and caught me a bit off guard. I did push through though as I knew it was a plot driver, and I'm glad that I did. I couldn't hold any sympathy for two of the characters after that point, however. I greatly sympathised with Lisa, and I'm not sure whether it was because I had experienced a similar relationship to hers, or whether it was just her character. I feel like it was probably a little bit of both. The character of her mother was a very interesting one, and I'm sad that she didn't get much page time. I feel like she was an untapped well that could have definitely been explored a bit more, giving us more of a dimension to the story. I was interested in seeing what would happen after Lisa's visit and whether it would impact her mother's condition or not, however, that wasn't explored any further, and I feel like it was a lost opportunity. I was expecting the reunion between Lisa and one of the other characters to pack more of a punch, but that fell a little bit flat as well. It was sort of sped through, almost like a "Oh wow, you." NEXT! There was a lot of avenues that could have done with a deeper dive, and I feel like they would have only added more dimension to the story, but then, maybe it would have dragged it out too long.
All in all, this was a decent read, with good, solid creep factor and a unique story that you slowly uncover as it progresses. I feel like some things could have been given a bit more exploration and time, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I did like the insinuation surrounding another character that we meet, it was one of "did he mean it that way" moments for me, and I did enjoy it. This was a story that promised to give me the creeps, and it did. Not the best thing I've ever read, but I've certainly read far, far worse. Keen to check out more from this author for sure.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Twenty years ago, Lisa Kallman witnessed her father's brutal murder. Now, she's successful, and on the verge of having her dream life. She's got the job, the wonderful partner, and they've just purchased their new home together. However, when she starts hearing strange voices, and people have seemingly disappeared without a trace, she begins to wonder whether there's something more to that night twenty years ago than what she remembers, or maybe, she's losing her mind...
I was keen to read this one. The cover caught my eye on Netgalley and horror is my jam, as those who follow my reviews know by now. I will admit though, this one did fall a little flat for me. It did go in a totally different direction than what I was expecting, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, I feel like the general idea of the plot was great and not something I would have picked. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, I feel like the narration itself seemed to be a little bit clumsy at times, though it did drag me into the story.
The story started out strong and I loved the opening. The scared 7-year-old girl in the new house, while possibly cliche, worked incredibly well for the story. I did find that the pacing dropped for a while there, and it felt a little hard to get the momentum back up, but once it did, I had to know what happened next. I definitely stayed up past my bedtime in order to finish this one, and after having my tablet go flying off my bedside table twice, I stayed up even later because I was over tired, had this horror story rolling around my head, and was worried that something in my closet was going to eat me. So, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Forbis is definitely able to set the scene and inject a fantastic dose of creepiness and atmosphere into his story. I don't get kept up by books or movies, so the fact that I ended up staying awake until after 130am because it had given me a healthy dose of the creeps, speaks volumes in my opinion.
The characters were interesting, I did enjoy the character of Lisa, and I loved getting to see how she became her own saviour. I could tell from the get-go that she wasn't a push over, but I could also see that she was quite introverted and subdued, happy to let her partner, David, take the lead. I will admit, I had a moment of struggle when a certain plot driver was dropped, having recognised parts of my former relationship in the interactions between Lisa and David, when a certain thing happened, it rang a little too close to home and caught me a bit off guard. I did push through though as I knew it was a plot driver, and I'm glad that I did. I couldn't hold any sympathy for two of the characters after that point, however. I greatly sympathised with Lisa, and I'm not sure whether it was because I had experienced a similar relationship to hers, or whether it was just her character. I feel like it was probably a little bit of both. The character of her mother was a very interesting one, and I'm sad that she didn't get much page time. I feel like she was an untapped well that could have definitely been explored a bit more, giving us more of a dimension to the story. I was interested in seeing what would happen after Lisa's visit and whether it would impact her mother's condition or not, however, that wasn't explored any further, and I feel like it was a lost opportunity. I was expecting the reunion between Lisa and one of the other characters to pack more of a punch, but that fell a little bit flat as well. It was sort of sped through, almost like a "Oh wow, you." NEXT! There was a lot of avenues that could have done with a deeper dive, and I feel like they would have only added more dimension to the story, but then, maybe it would have dragged it out too long.
All in all, this was a decent read, with good, solid creep factor and a unique story that you slowly uncover as it progresses. I feel like some things could have been given a bit more exploration and time, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I did like the insinuation surrounding another character that we meet, it was one of "did he mean it that way" moments for me, and I did enjoy it. This was a story that promised to give me the creeps, and it did. Not the best thing I've ever read, but I've certainly read far, far worse. Keen to check out more from this author for sure.
March 25, 2024
When Lisa was a girl her parents moved into a bigger home and every night she heard noises in her closet until the night her dad came and was ssoon drug into the closet is Lisa and her mom watched his head roll out. It is 20 years later and Lisa has her own new home a new fiancé in the tall good-looking David and with years of therapy behind her she is ready to look forward to the future. The only problem is the murderer of her father has a parole hearing coming up and since her mom has been in a mental hospital since the night it happened Lisa feels compelled to go. Despite her new fiancé David’s protest. Lisa doesn’t remember anything from that night so as far as she knows the man in prison is the murderer but while passing up what the neighbors called the murder mansion in her neighborhood she hears a voice that jars her memory but she doesn’t know from where. This begins all the strange events that start happening in Lisa’s life it doesn’t help that in that house she found a dead girl who just so happened to be at her housewarming party but that wasn’t the only time she’s been in Lisa’s house. It seems David isn’t the gregarious lawyer fiancé Lisa believed him to be but trust me when I say he gets what’s coming to him but does he deserve it? Soon Lisa is questioning the reality of things in her life but more importantly she will soon see aside to David that she never expected. This was a great horror story I love a great horror story with real monsters in it and that’s this book Lisa is someone you can route four in route for her you will especially once you realize what she is up against. I love the book and if you love horror stories with the real monsters/demons you will definitely love this book. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
April 1, 2024
There's not much to say about a well written, fast paced horror novel that starts with a monster in a closet of a young girl's room resulting in the horrific death of her father while her and her mother watch as this monster throws the father's head across the room.
Yeah, that's all in the first chapter! But it's twenty years later for Lisa and this one event has shaped her entire life. Her mother has been in a psychiatric hospital since that fateful night, Lisa grew up in foster homes, and now she's a trauma councilor for children.
But this monster isn't quite finished with Lisa. She's about to experience terrors she hasn't had since childhood and, along the way, we'll discover over time what this creature wants of her and what the significance of it's presence is.
We'll also meet other characters and their role in the narrative. Lisa's psychologist, a man in prison for the murder of Lisa's father, and Lisa's husband who is outwardly loving but harbors something dark.
This is a book about a monster. But it also deals with grief, trauma, infidelity, and the origins of evil.
It's an easy to read novel with a tightly written narrative and interesting characters. I highly recommend it.
Yeah, that's all in the first chapter! But it's twenty years later for Lisa and this one event has shaped her entire life. Her mother has been in a psychiatric hospital since that fateful night, Lisa grew up in foster homes, and now she's a trauma councilor for children.
But this monster isn't quite finished with Lisa. She's about to experience terrors she hasn't had since childhood and, along the way, we'll discover over time what this creature wants of her and what the significance of it's presence is.
We'll also meet other characters and their role in the narrative. Lisa's psychologist, a man in prison for the murder of Lisa's father, and Lisa's husband who is outwardly loving but harbors something dark.
This is a book about a monster. But it also deals with grief, trauma, infidelity, and the origins of evil.
It's an easy to read novel with a tightly written narrative and interesting characters. I highly recommend it.
February 29, 2024
It has been 20 years since Lisa Kallman saw her father murdered in front of her and her mother. People say monsters don't exist, but Lisa will tell you otherwise. Even though her father's killer is in prison, something still haunts her. Even though she helps kids who have suffered from trauma, she has a great fiance, and life is looking great. Something from her past is rearing its ugly head again.
It was a solid debut from Wil Forbis, and I feel he is only going to get better from here. The story definitely went in a direction I did not expect, which I loved. Dark, twisted, and fast-paced. This is a debut definitely worth checking out. I look forward to what Wil has in store for us in the future. Check it out!
4 severed fingers out of 5
It was a solid debut from Wil Forbis, and I feel he is only going to get better from here. The story definitely went in a direction I did not expect, which I loved. Dark, twisted, and fast-paced. This is a debut definitely worth checking out. I look forward to what Wil has in store for us in the future. Check it out!
4 severed fingers out of 5
January 15, 2024
This is, presumably, the author's first book, so I'll try to be lenient and not judge it harshly. That said, I did expect more from it, and the synopsis did give the impression of something more original and unusual going on than what's found in the book. Nevertheless, the basic premise (Lisa as a child witnesses a monster killing her dad, which makes her mother spend the rest of her life in a psychiatric facility; Lisa as an adult returns home and faces the truth of what's happened) was intriguing and I admit I enjoyed reading the book. The ending needed much better handling but it kept my curiosity levels high throughout. This is why I give this 3.5 stars rounded to 4, and will keep an eye for the author's future work.
January 16, 2024
A dark entity returns to claim its child twenty years later.
Lisa Kallman survives a nightmare when she witnesses an evil entity kill her father as a child. As a young woman, she expects to be free of this monster as she prepares for a happier life. Lisa accepts her boyfriends marriage proposal as they move in together. Things begin to change, making Lisa question if she is really free of the dark entity that continues to haunt her.
Darkness and possession make this a haunting read for fans of horror. Lisa survives a childhood trauma in hopes of a happier life free of the monster that haunted her. I enjoyed this book as it makes readers wonder if she is truly free.
Lisa Kallman survives a nightmare when she witnesses an evil entity kill her father as a child. As a young woman, she expects to be free of this monster as she prepares for a happier life. Lisa accepts her boyfriends marriage proposal as they move in together. Things begin to change, making Lisa question if she is really free of the dark entity that continues to haunt her.
Darkness and possession make this a haunting read for fans of horror. Lisa survives a childhood trauma in hopes of a happier life free of the monster that haunted her. I enjoyed this book as it makes readers wonder if she is truly free.
March 16, 2024
A fast-paced boogeyman tale, with relatable characters, that kept me guessing the whole way through!
March 13, 2024
This was a creative, shiver-inducing read that was truly something else I’ve never seen in the horror genre yet.
It was my first read by this author, and for it being his first novel, I think he did a phenomenal job.
What Waits in the Shadows only amplified my fear of the dark, and as a 32 year old adult, I’m not afraid to admit I am still afraid of the dark (and now the shadows lurking in the dark). Wil Forbis truly knew how to make you question your own sanity. Did she really see that? Was it all in her head? Is reality breaking apart?
The imagery he produces with his writing is sometimes quite grotesque, which I love, and will leave your stomach churning, and leave you feeling queasy.
Our MC, Lisa, has quite the character development, going from a timid, scared woman to a badass by the end of the book where you’re rooting for her and cheering her on. I loved seeing her develop into her own being.
I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from this author.
It was my first read by this author, and for it being his first novel, I think he did a phenomenal job.
What Waits in the Shadows only amplified my fear of the dark, and as a 32 year old adult, I’m not afraid to admit I am still afraid of the dark (and now the shadows lurking in the dark). Wil Forbis truly knew how to make you question your own sanity. Did she really see that? Was it all in her head? Is reality breaking apart?
The imagery he produces with his writing is sometimes quite grotesque, which I love, and will leave your stomach churning, and leave you feeling queasy.
Our MC, Lisa, has quite the character development, going from a timid, scared woman to a badass by the end of the book where you’re rooting for her and cheering her on. I loved seeing her develop into her own being.
I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from this author.
February 23, 2024
When you were a child did you ever think there was a monster in the closet? If so, did you hear him talking to you? Lisa did. When her dad went to show her there was nothing in her closet, a monster comes out and tears her father’s head off. It traumatized Lisa and her mother. It left her mother unable to care for Lisa or herself. Lisa ends up living in foster homes and having therapy. Her therapist writes a book on what happened to Lisa. Now that Lisa is grown up and engaged, she will have her happy ever after life. Her career is going strong and she has friends. Unfortunately, she has started to hear a voice in her head. She wonders if she is going crazy. She has seen something in a burnt house through a window which scares her. She needs to talk to her therapist. Will she get to?
The unhorsed writes a suspenseful horror story. After all, she experienced twenty years ago, it is amazing that Lisa is doing so well. Too bad it is now encroaching in her life now. What I liked about this novel was how Lisa didn’t give up her life. Even when she told the monster to kill her, she changed her mind. This is a creepy tale of childhood fears. There is a chilling aspect of life and death, love and hate plus more. If you like horror, this is a novel not to be missed. It is creepy beyond words.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The unhorsed writes a suspenseful horror story. After all, she experienced twenty years ago, it is amazing that Lisa is doing so well. Too bad it is now encroaching in her life now. What I liked about this novel was how Lisa didn’t give up her life. Even when she told the monster to kill her, she changed her mind. This is a creepy tale of childhood fears. There is a chilling aspect of life and death, love and hate plus more. If you like horror, this is a novel not to be missed. It is creepy beyond words.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
March 18, 2024
Bibliophilia Templum Review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/03/18/what-waits-in-the-shadows/
What Waits in the Shadows by Wil Forbis is a suspenseful and driving story with tension you feel in every part of your body. The story, the characterization, the writing itself—I love everything about this book.
Wil Forbis’s writing style is exquisite. The attention to detail without overwriting is magnificent. The powerful wording and the way things happen and unfold in the story speak not only to skill but true writing talent. This is a sensory reading experience you see, feel, and even smell. And the underlying symbolism and subtext are impactful and chilling themselves.
The characters are vivid, provocative, and very engaging. They will have you cringing, laughing out loud, scowling, and smirking knowingly. Extra kudos for a very human but strong female protagonist.
I cannot say enough good things about this incredible novel. It has elements of psychological horror, supernatural horror, and suspense—so much suspense and tension. What Waits in the Shadows is a shelf-worthy, 5-star, highly recommended chilling horror read that will have you side-eying dark shadows for days to come.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/03/18/what-waits-in-the-shadows/
What Waits in the Shadows by Wil Forbis is a suspenseful and driving story with tension you feel in every part of your body. The story, the characterization, the writing itself—I love everything about this book.
Wil Forbis’s writing style is exquisite. The attention to detail without overwriting is magnificent. The powerful wording and the way things happen and unfold in the story speak not only to skill but true writing talent. This is a sensory reading experience you see, feel, and even smell. And the underlying symbolism and subtext are impactful and chilling themselves.
The characters are vivid, provocative, and very engaging. They will have you cringing, laughing out loud, scowling, and smirking knowingly. Extra kudos for a very human but strong female protagonist.
I cannot say enough good things about this incredible novel. It has elements of psychological horror, supernatural horror, and suspense—so much suspense and tension. What Waits in the Shadows is a shelf-worthy, 5-star, highly recommended chilling horror read that will have you side-eying dark shadows for days to come.
July 2, 2024
Monster in the closet? Perhaps there are more to the sound coming from within!
I started this book at roughly 8PM and finished it just minutes ago around 2:03AM! This book truly garnered my attention from the first few sentences of the prologue! It starts out with a classic, there is a monster in my closet, straight to heads rolling (literally).
We then jump to 20 years later where we learn maybe our monster wasn’t so monstrous but more human…or is it? I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The writing style made reading so easy, flowing from chapter to chapter!
I also enjoy how this is a “three part” book that shows how the connections are made. Lisa is TOUGH, she’s been through and seen some shit. She lost her father, her mom went nuts, so she was in foster care and orphanages growing up.
We meet David (douche canoe) the bf turn fiancée, and how he comes into play during the book. The only thing that through me of was ***spoiler alert ahead*** that cheating scene! The heck? But I mean he does receive an overdose of monstrous karma…
But every single aspect of this story proves to serve a purpose and we are shown what that purpose is no matter how big or small. When it all comes together, it’s explosive!
Truly if you have an opportunity to read this book…READ IT! Especially if you’re a horror/thriller lover!
I started this book at roughly 8PM and finished it just minutes ago around 2:03AM! This book truly garnered my attention from the first few sentences of the prologue! It starts out with a classic, there is a monster in my closet, straight to heads rolling (literally).
We then jump to 20 years later where we learn maybe our monster wasn’t so monstrous but more human…or is it? I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The writing style made reading so easy, flowing from chapter to chapter!
I also enjoy how this is a “three part” book that shows how the connections are made. Lisa is TOUGH, she’s been through and seen some shit. She lost her father, her mom went nuts, so she was in foster care and orphanages growing up.
We meet David (douche canoe) the bf turn fiancée, and how he comes into play during the book. The only thing that through me of was ***spoiler alert ahead*** that cheating scene! The heck? But I mean he does receive an overdose of monstrous karma…
But every single aspect of this story proves to serve a purpose and we are shown what that purpose is no matter how big or small. When it all comes together, it’s explosive!
Truly if you have an opportunity to read this book…READ IT! Especially if you’re a horror/thriller lover!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2025
Nice debut novel by Forbis. I don’t think I’ve read any of his shorter work but this was a solid introduction. The storyline is kind of common (literal boogeyman in your closet) but the book heads unexpectedly cosmic towards the end which gave it some fresh paint. It then goes in a semi-religious direction which wasn’t my favorite but could definitely vibe with other readers.
Lisa is a solid character. Traumatized by the horrific death of her father when she was a child, she is now in a seemingly blissful relationship with David. After moving house a seemingly trivial event sets of a deadly chain.
I did find thst some of the side characters tended to fall into cliches. At times many of them just seemed to waver between personas and it was a struggle to identify true motivations. In some sense this was a literary device but other times it seemed like the book couldn’t settle on their personalities.
I’d definitely be open to reading more Forbis in the future. I started getting hooked with the mirror scene and sentient house and definitely would enjoy more horror in this domain. If you like a classic boogeyman book with some cosmic depth then I’d give this one a go.
Lisa is a solid character. Traumatized by the horrific death of her father when she was a child, she is now in a seemingly blissful relationship with David. After moving house a seemingly trivial event sets of a deadly chain.
I did find thst some of the side characters tended to fall into cliches. At times many of them just seemed to waver between personas and it was a struggle to identify true motivations. In some sense this was a literary device but other times it seemed like the book couldn’t settle on their personalities.
I’d definitely be open to reading more Forbis in the future. I started getting hooked with the mirror scene and sentient house and definitely would enjoy more horror in this domain. If you like a classic boogeyman book with some cosmic depth then I’d give this one a go.
March 16, 2024
Quick run down:
Our MC had an absolute horrible childhood trauma happen, now 20 years later, she’s a well accomplished child psychologist, and her past trauma is coming back to haunt her. I can’t give much more (about the story) without ruining it.
My thoughts:
At first this story felt more like a heavy thriller/light horror, but as it progressed it most certainly picked up that horror element I was hoping for. This book definitely plays on the classic fear of the dark/closet/boogeyman trope. Wil does a great job of character building, as well as building up that tension, unease and dramatic aspect.
There were a couple of parts and people I wish he would have explored a bit deeper but overall this is not only a really good and fast book, it’s also a strong contender for the brawl.
Thanks so much Wil and good luck in the upcoming brawl 🥊
Our MC had an absolute horrible childhood trauma happen, now 20 years later, she’s a well accomplished child psychologist, and her past trauma is coming back to haunt her. I can’t give much more (about the story) without ruining it.
My thoughts:
At first this story felt more like a heavy thriller/light horror, but as it progressed it most certainly picked up that horror element I was hoping for. This book definitely plays on the classic fear of the dark/closet/boogeyman trope. Wil does a great job of character building, as well as building up that tension, unease and dramatic aspect.
There were a couple of parts and people I wish he would have explored a bit deeper but overall this is not only a really good and fast book, it’s also a strong contender for the brawl.
Thanks so much Wil and good luck in the upcoming brawl 🥊
February 20, 2025
What Waits in the Shadows by Wil Forbis
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a great and exciting, creepy horror story!
When Lisa was just a child, she watched her father get brutally murdered from a “monster” in her closet. 20 years later, she fears the man who did it might get out of jail. However, strange things start happening around Lisa and she begins to wonder if she was wrong about her father’s killer.
The author is very descriptive and creative, which made me visualize all kinds of scary and crazy things!!
I did think the middle of the story got a little confusing and extra strange with why things were happening to Lisa. But the ending sucked me back in to the full mystery of the story! This is a fun and frightening story!
Thank you to Wil Forbis for an arc of this creepy book!
*It’s out now and is a great read!*
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a great and exciting, creepy horror story!
When Lisa was just a child, she watched her father get brutally murdered from a “monster” in her closet. 20 years later, she fears the man who did it might get out of jail. However, strange things start happening around Lisa and she begins to wonder if she was wrong about her father’s killer.
The author is very descriptive and creative, which made me visualize all kinds of scary and crazy things!!
I did think the middle of the story got a little confusing and extra strange with why things were happening to Lisa. But the ending sucked me back in to the full mystery of the story! This is a fun and frightening story!
Thank you to Wil Forbis for an arc of this creepy book!
*It’s out now and is a great read!*
February 21, 2024
I absolutely adore horror stories, especially those that revolve around a 'haunted house'. It's no surprise that Shirley Jackson is one of my favourite authors. However, I was disappointed to find that the story fell short of my expectations.
I was excited to read this book, especially after reading the promising preface.
Alas, the author relied too heavily on adjectives, and made comments that are not appropriate in today's society, such as referring to a nurse's race (‘black nurse’), as with the ‘Asian Doctor’ or ‘friends with tattoos.’ I found this weird.
And why all that swearing in a novel; it may well be my age, but I just don’t like it.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story remains very flat, and there is too much telling, instead of showing.
May 22, 2024
As a little girl, Lisa was a witness to her dad’s brutal murder. Twenty years later she is on the verge of having everything she’s ever wanted: a job she enjoys, a loving husband, and hopefully a family of her own.
Lisa lives with this inescapable dread. Almost as if there is danger around every corner. She starts to hear strange voices and the people around her start to disappear. Can she trust her own memories? Is she losing her mind or is something evil coming back to haunt her?
If there’s one thing you need to know about me it’s that I LOVE A CREATURE FEATURE and this book was a hit. 👹 I was hooked from the very first chapter.
I loved the imagery Forbis used. When describing the eerie burnt down mansion on the block I felt like I could see myself walking up the rickety staircase, getting lost in the rooms, and finding horrifying scenes in the attic. While the monster was scary (and gave me the willies multiple times), the house really bumped it up a notch. 🏚️
I also loved that most of the side characters offered a little twist to the story. It gave great angles that I wasn’t expecting. 🌀
I would suggest this to anyone looking for a twisty horror book with slimy monsters.
Lisa lives with this inescapable dread. Almost as if there is danger around every corner. She starts to hear strange voices and the people around her start to disappear. Can she trust her own memories? Is she losing her mind or is something evil coming back to haunt her?
If there’s one thing you need to know about me it’s that I LOVE A CREATURE FEATURE and this book was a hit. 👹 I was hooked from the very first chapter.
I loved the imagery Forbis used. When describing the eerie burnt down mansion on the block I felt like I could see myself walking up the rickety staircase, getting lost in the rooms, and finding horrifying scenes in the attic. While the monster was scary (and gave me the willies multiple times), the house really bumped it up a notch. 🏚️
I also loved that most of the side characters offered a little twist to the story. It gave great angles that I wasn’t expecting. 🌀
I would suggest this to anyone looking for a twisty horror book with slimy monsters.
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