There’s Something Here From Somewhere Else

by Jonathon T. Cross

When 10-year-old Lydia received a mysterious doll on her stoop, she never dreamed it would become the catalyst for a perilous adventure.

Although new to town, and shunned by the locals, she can’t dispel their whispers of an ancient creature dwelling beneath the still waters.

Some dismiss the creature’s existence, while others insist that the very fabric of their town, from its flora to its fauna, is under the influence of the Lurker.

Faced with tragedy, Lydia’s doll becomes a beacon of hope. But who gifted it, and can it protect her from the town’s oldest resident?

As Lydia grapples with the enigma of her doll and the dark forces that surround her, she forms an alliance with Jaxson, a cursed boy whose own destiny is entwined with the town's secrets.

Together, they embark on a journey to resist the otherworldly influence of the Lurker. Can Lydia and Jaxson defy the odds and unravel the mystery before succumbing to the sinister will of this ancient entity?

Genres: Horror

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2024

About the author

Jonathon T. Cross is a writer of dark and unsettling fiction, whose stories delve into the mysteries of the universe and the fragility of the human mind. With a degree in psychology, Cross brings a unique perspective to his explorations of fear, madness, and the unknown.

When not crafting nightmares, he can be found in the quiet solitude of the desert, wearing novelty pajama pants. Though his writing tends toward the serious, Cross is known for his playful sense of humor and ability to find light in the darkest corners.

He invites you on a journey into the pages of the unknown, where the boundaries of fantasy and reality blur and the mysteries of the cosmos await. But heed his warning: once you look too closely, you will never be the same!

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect combination for some…shall we say…preternatural (Terrible, cheap book plug!) occurrences here. Lydia, our lead, was a girl, new to this town, who is bullied, doesn’t really have any friends, and whose parents are quite mean to her. And then she found a doll. A very creepy doll that looks just like her, named Sophie. And she’s taken in by the swamp folk, too. And there’s a creature called the Lurker wandering around. Enough for ya? Like, what could really go wrong with all this, right? But there is a great deal of lore jammed in a short runtime, and the author masterfully paced it all to work together beautifully. The budding and evolving friendship between Jaxson and Lydia was spot on, showcasing both characters in great fashion. There are tons of creepy moments and scary spots to tickle the fancy of most horror fans. On the critique end, I thought there were some missed opportunities concerning Lydia’s parents and how it impacted her psyche. Especially with their abusive ways and her being whisked away by the locals, there needed be some additional emotional laying here for the girl. The same with the resident bully, Maggie. Just needed some more depth. But, otherwise, this was my first experience with Jonathon T Cross and I am now a fan. Topsider approved!

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot to like about this story. The main character is a child, and she sounds and behaves like a child, her perception of things is coherent with her being a child. The world Cross created is interesting and seems like it had the potential of being quite rich.

It's also a very quick read and that's where I think it fell short for me. I needed more time to get to know the characters and their world, but things moved too fast for that. The imagery we did get was pretty good but also needed to be a little more fleshed out.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this quick read from Cross. I found myself immediately drawn to Lydia and hoping for her to come out on top in this story. I feel like the story could have been longer and given more detail to some aspects of the plot, but overall it was entertaining.

[Happy Goat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review at Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/08/1...

Firstly, what a great title! I was excited to read this based on that alone before I cracked the cover.

The story is about a little girl who gets very attached to a doll that her parents feel strongly she shouldn't have. It's also about family history, lineage, magic, consequences, and good old-fashioned horror. It's a good, creepy read.

[J.W. Donley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review will be on HorrorTree.com soon.

[Alan Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tale of Madness, Swamp Magic, and an Otherworldly Monster

I was dumbstruck by the twist ending, unable to see it coming, but it makes complete sense.

The story centers around a young girl and a doll that is much more than a doll. It also centers around a swamp town in thrall to an otherworldly monster. The two arcs combine in an incredible story of evil and unreliable narrators. Enjoy.

[Catherine Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

there’s something here from somewhere else

Wow ! What a story! From down in the Bayou …. This book had me riveted from page one . The little girl Lydia was a special person and Jaxson her new found friend. All the magic that the Bayou holds ! I liked this book .

[Sera Loveluck-Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goosebumps for Adults

This is one of the weirdest books I've read as an adult.
It's original, fast paced and just so weird (in the best way) that I finished in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.
If you liked goosebumps books as a kid you'll enjoy this.

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathon Cross lets us embark on another suspenseful Lovecraftian adventure with There’s Something Here From Somewhere Else! After receiving a mysterious doll, ten year old Lydia already knows there’s something off about her new town. But whispers of a malevolent being lurking in the swampy waters surrounding the town lead her to search for answers, answers that may better be left alone. Cross captures the tension perfectly right from the get go, piling mystery on mystery from the doll, to the Lurker and its effects on the people and even environment of the town, to the mysterious boy Jaxson. I loved the suspense of it all and especially Cross’ knack for mixing in everything I love about Lovecraftian lore! If you love creatures, twists, and conspiracies mixed in with your horror and suspense, you’re definitely in for a treat with There’s Something Here!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric, creepy, and with such vivid detail it all comes to life. There's Something Here From Somewhere Else by Jonathan T Cross is a captivating book with a very sympathetic young protagonist Lydia, who's facing hardships both at home and by peers, so that the reader is instantly on her side and relating to her need for the mysterious doll and a better life. Throughout the story, we're treated to a haunted and haunting world, full of twists and turns, and the ending is perfect for a horror book.

I recommend There's Something Here From Somewhere Else to horror fans of all ages, and I'm looking forward to reading more by Cross.

[Stevie Hostetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy Good Read!!!

Before I was not a fan of creepy dolls. After two books about them they're starting to get to me. This was fun. This was also creepy. I loved that it was set in the south and the animals that accompanied it. I also enjoyed the characters.

This book is highly entertaining. It is filled with thrills. It is filled with spookiness. It is also filled with swamps.

I didn't find anything wrong with this book and enjoyed it all the way through. (Which lasted a day.)

Do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

An ominous and tension filled story.

A community shrouded in superstition and a creature of legend. How much do they know, who can be trusted, are they willing participants? Is any of this real?

A twisty story of paranoia, betrayal, and dark secrets. The ambiance this story had was wonderful. And I was constantly questioning who could be trusted.

[Kayleigh Dobbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read!

[Melissa Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Definitely reminded me of Goosebumps.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Lurks

Mysterious entity stalks the town searching for the children it desires. Creepy and full of suspense, the story will suck you in.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good horror story. Jonathon Cross has written an interesting story with a unique plot and some great characters. The end is very creepy.

[catscoffeesandchapters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a decent story and by the end, I enjoyed it. I liked the multiple twists, which kept me guessing until the end.

I did however feel like this could have been twice the length - it felt like some plot points were glossed over really quick in order to move things forward. Cos you know what? Sometimes I WANT a bit more focus on the 'gator attacks god damn it!

[John Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start this review by saying that this is one of the more original stories that I have read in quite some time. It's like a mix of voodoo and cosmic horror put together to create a haunting tale.

The main character in the story is Lydia, a little girl stuck with horrible parents who might or might not be on the run from some trouble. All she really has is her doll and a reluctant friend who believes that she and the doll are cursed.

There is also the Lurker, a mysterious swamp creature that you are really sure is real or just some urban legend designed to keep kids in line.

It's a twisted little tale with some graphic moments that will stick with you beyond the final page. It also has a truly fantastic ending.