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Where He Can't Find You
From USA Today bestselling horror/thriller author Darcy Coates comes the chilling legend of a monster no one can escape.
DON'T WALK ALONE, OR THE STITCHER WILL FIND YOU.
Abby Ward lives in a town haunted by disappearances. People vanish, and when they're found, their bodies have been dismembered and sewn back together in unnatural ways. But is it the work of a human killer…or something far darker?
DON'T STAY OUT LATE, OR THE STITCHER WILL TAKE YOU.
She and her younger sister live by a strict set of rules designed to keep them safe―which is why it's such a shock when Hope is taken. Desperate to get her back, Abby tells the police everything she knows, but they claim their hands are tied.
DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES, OR THE STITCHER WILL REMAKE YOU.
With every hour precious, Abby and her friends are caught in a desperate game of cat and mouse. They have to get Hope back. Quickly. Before too much of her is cut away. And before everything they care about is swallowed up by the darkness waiting in the tunnels beneath the home they thought they knew.
DON'T WALK ALONE, OR THE STITCHER WILL FIND YOU.
Abby Ward lives in a town haunted by disappearances. People vanish, and when they're found, their bodies have been dismembered and sewn back together in unnatural ways. But is it the work of a human killer…or something far darker?
DON'T STAY OUT LATE, OR THE STITCHER WILL TAKE YOU.
She and her younger sister live by a strict set of rules designed to keep them safe―which is why it's such a shock when Hope is taken. Desperate to get her back, Abby tells the police everything she knows, but they claim their hands are tied.
DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES, OR THE STITCHER WILL REMAKE YOU.
With every hour precious, Abby and her friends are caught in a desperate game of cat and mouse. They have to get Hope back. Quickly. Before too much of her is cut away. And before everything they care about is swallowed up by the darkness waiting in the tunnels beneath the home they thought they knew.
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First published November 7, 2023
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About the author
Darcy Coates
72 books13.8k followersDarcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.
She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates
She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,396 reviews
November 10, 2023
My thanks to Sourcebooks fire, Darcy Coates and Netgalley.
This may have been listed as YA, but that was wrong. The only thing young about this story is the characters.
If I'd read this in my YA years, then it would have been my first freezer book!
So, I ended up enjoying the shit outta this story.
It was flawed as eff! It was overly long, and still I would have read more.
The Sticher and the town would have left me either running for the hills, or trying to figure stuff out.
I'm truth? I was a bit skeeved out by the town and the BIG bad.
Also, I loved this damned story near as much as I hated it!
Would I read this damn book again? No.
It's Darcy. It's good. Not great, but good.
This may have been listed as YA, but that was wrong. The only thing young about this story is the characters.
If I'd read this in my YA years, then it would have been my first freezer book!
So, I ended up enjoying the shit outta this story.
It was flawed as eff! It was overly long, and still I would have read more.
The Sticher and the town would have left me either running for the hills, or trying to figure stuff out.
I'm truth? I was a bit skeeved out by the town and the BIG bad.
Also, I loved this damned story near as much as I hated it!
Would I read this damn book again? No.
It's Darcy. It's good. Not great, but good.
November 7, 2023
Stranger Things vibes, good if you like spooky books.
Creepy creepy creepy! This book is the perfect read for the Halloween/spooky season.
The Stitcher has been terrifying the town of Doubtful for years. He is a serial killer who kidnaps people, dismembers them, and sews them back together in strange ways with red thread. Abby wants nothing more than to save enough money to get her sister Hope out of Doubtful, but no one seems to ever leave the area. They take precautions against The Stitcher, but no one seems to be able to stop him.
This book had me turning pages quickly to see what would happen. Although it is labeled as a YA read, I think it has widespread appeal, especially for those who like Stranger Things, because it has a very similar feel--kids fighting against a supernatural force trying to save each other.
I'm usually a person who steers clear of books with supernatural explanations for things, but in this horror novel it works well and didn't annoy me too much. If you're looking for a creepy book, this is definitely one for you.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Creepy creepy creepy! This book is the perfect read for the Halloween/spooky season.
The Stitcher has been terrifying the town of Doubtful for years. He is a serial killer who kidnaps people, dismembers them, and sews them back together in strange ways with red thread. Abby wants nothing more than to save enough money to get her sister Hope out of Doubtful, but no one seems to ever leave the area. They take precautions against The Stitcher, but no one seems to be able to stop him.
This book had me turning pages quickly to see what would happen. Although it is labeled as a YA read, I think it has widespread appeal, especially for those who like Stranger Things, because it has a very similar feel--kids fighting against a supernatural force trying to save each other.
I'm usually a person who steers clear of books with supernatural explanations for things, but in this horror novel it works well and didn't annoy me too much. If you're looking for a creepy book, this is definitely one for you.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 30, 2025
Before writing my review, I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Coates, and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for gifting me the ARC of this book! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read WHERE HE CAN’T FIND YOU before publication in November.
When I saw this book by Darcy Coates available on NetGalley, I requested it immediately. And I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I found out my request had been approved! I started reading at that very moment, and realized early on this was going to be an unforgettable read. And it was!!
The book started off with a bang and did not let up for even a second! The suspense and tension created through Darcy Coates’s narrative and dialogue were off the charts. I found myself holding my breath during the most intense parts, my heart racing, not knowing what was going to happen next—realizing I probably wasn’t ready for whatever horror would soon jump off of the pages. The book read like a ghost story, one that would forever haunt your dreams. It was difficult to put it down for even a few minutes. Had life not gotten in the way, I definitely would have finished the novel in one sitting.
I loved the friendships among our protagonists, whom you forget are only teenagers. Each one of them is so well-developed and incredibly likable, with very distinct personalities. Their loyalty to one another only makes you like them more. As you near the end of the book, you find yourself rooting for them, fiercely protective of them, and completely invested in what happens to them, good or bad.
The novel had a brilliantly written villain! Even the name —the Stitcher—creates horrific and terrifying images! Creepy—oh so very creepy—and horrifying. Definitely memorable, haunting, and the stuff of nightmares. I found this book hard to read at night — in the darkness, every noise in my house made me jump. And that ending — could not have asked for a better one! Actually gave me goosebumps. I hated for the book to end—I enjoyed it that much! (And what a fantastically chilling movie this would make.)
For fans of ghost stories, horror-filled novels, and night owls everywhere, please read this one from Darcy Coates! All you have to lose is a bit (maybe more than a bit) of sleep. :)
When I saw this book by Darcy Coates available on NetGalley, I requested it immediately. And I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I found out my request had been approved! I started reading at that very moment, and realized early on this was going to be an unforgettable read. And it was!!
The book started off with a bang and did not let up for even a second! The suspense and tension created through Darcy Coates’s narrative and dialogue were off the charts. I found myself holding my breath during the most intense parts, my heart racing, not knowing what was going to happen next—realizing I probably wasn’t ready for whatever horror would soon jump off of the pages. The book read like a ghost story, one that would forever haunt your dreams. It was difficult to put it down for even a few minutes. Had life not gotten in the way, I definitely would have finished the novel in one sitting.
I loved the friendships among our protagonists, whom you forget are only teenagers. Each one of them is so well-developed and incredibly likable, with very distinct personalities. Their loyalty to one another only makes you like them more. As you near the end of the book, you find yourself rooting for them, fiercely protective of them, and completely invested in what happens to them, good or bad.
The novel had a brilliantly written villain! Even the name —the Stitcher—creates horrific and terrifying images! Creepy—oh so very creepy—and horrifying. Definitely memorable, haunting, and the stuff of nightmares. I found this book hard to read at night — in the darkness, every noise in my house made me jump. And that ending — could not have asked for a better one! Actually gave me goosebumps. I hated for the book to end—I enjoyed it that much! (And what a fantastically chilling movie this would make.)
For fans of ghost stories, horror-filled novels, and night owls everywhere, please read this one from Darcy Coates! All you have to lose is a bit (maybe more than a bit) of sleep. :)
November 7, 2023
Beware the Stitcher Man!
That is what they have been told for their entire lives. People tend to vanish in Abby Ward's town. If they are found it is in pieces, taken apart and sewn back together. There are rules to follow to keep safe: don't walk alone, don't stay out late, etc.
When Hope, Abby's younger sister, is taken it is shocking, frightening, and disturbing. Will Abby and her friends be able to find her in time? Do they even have a hope of getting her back alive? There is a sense of danger and urgency as Abby attempts to find Hope.
I'm a little bit of an outlier on this book. I usually love books by Darcy Coates and while this book was creepy, it was missing that little bit of something that would have made this more enjoyable for me. This is a YA read and is creepy and has a strong supernatural element to it.
I am a fan of many of her books, and I am used to the chills, thrills, and horror in them. This one is horrific and creepy but for me it was not scary as I would have liked. This comes down to it's me and not the book.
Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well. I do look forward to reading more of Coates books in the future.
Creepy, sinister, and well written.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
That is what they have been told for their entire lives. People tend to vanish in Abby Ward's town. If they are found it is in pieces, taken apart and sewn back together. There are rules to follow to keep safe: don't walk alone, don't stay out late, etc.
When Hope, Abby's younger sister, is taken it is shocking, frightening, and disturbing. Will Abby and her friends be able to find her in time? Do they even have a hope of getting her back alive? There is a sense of danger and urgency as Abby attempts to find Hope.
I'm a little bit of an outlier on this book. I usually love books by Darcy Coates and while this book was creepy, it was missing that little bit of something that would have made this more enjoyable for me. This is a YA read and is creepy and has a strong supernatural element to it.
I am a fan of many of her books, and I am used to the chills, thrills, and horror in them. This one is horrific and creepy but for me it was not scary as I would have liked. This comes down to it's me and not the book.
Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well. I do look forward to reading more of Coates books in the future.
Creepy, sinister, and well written.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
January 16, 2025
I cannot give this book enough praise! I knew nothing going into this book before reading it (like with all the books I read) and I seriously not expecting to like it as much as I did!
There’s so many great types of horror in this book and it’s genuinely scary. I can’t remember the last book that freaked me out when I read it. I was shocked it find out this was a YA book because of how creepy it can get.
There’s so many great types of horror in this book and it’s genuinely scary. I can’t remember the last book that freaked me out when I read it. I was shocked it find out this was a YA book because of how creepy it can get.
July 29, 2023
It's labeled as YA, I'm 37 and am still unsettled. The imagery. 🤌🤌🤌
Coats continues to be a new fav author of mine. This did run a *little* long, but also... not in a way that made me mad, I just needed the conclusion a little faster because at one point you feel TRAPPED. My skin crawled.
Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Fire for a physical ARC! <3
Coats continues to be a new fav author of mine. This did run a *little* long, but also... not in a way that made me mad, I just needed the conclusion a little faster because at one point you feel TRAPPED. My skin crawled.
Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Fire for a physical ARC! <3
November 7, 2023
Happy Publication Day! This was a good one! 5 stars!
The words “somewhere he won’t find you” are slashed in dark red paint on the the side of the general store in town. The omen has been there for decades. There are no cars. Lights flicker. Cell phones fail. And there are especially no people around outside after dusk. No one will speak a word of The Stitcher.
Although people have been disappearing for what feels like eternity, no one will acknowledge The Stitcher’s wrath. They follow the rules and they avoid the dark at all costs. Not only does The Stitcher take people- they dismantle the bodies and put them back together in unseemly ways with red thread.
Abby’s sister, Hope, is taken from right underneath her. Abby and her friends are determined to cut through the lies, hidden secrets, and theories that surround The Stitcher to find Hope before it is too late.
Darcy Coates constructed an epic tale with this one. This book is so dark, terrifying, and made me jump at the slightest unexpected noise. I honestly don’t know how she got away with calling this YA.
I haven’t read Coates before, as I found her pretty intimidating. So many books she has! How would I ever pick?! I am so glad I started with this one. She has such an atmospheric and petrifying style, that I will now reach to pick up her books off the shelves. Also- who else related this to Stephen King’s It? Just like Pennywise, The Stitcher will continue to haunt me.
A great thank you goes out to Darcy Coates, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The words “somewhere he won’t find you” are slashed in dark red paint on the the side of the general store in town. The omen has been there for decades. There are no cars. Lights flicker. Cell phones fail. And there are especially no people around outside after dusk. No one will speak a word of The Stitcher.
Although people have been disappearing for what feels like eternity, no one will acknowledge The Stitcher’s wrath. They follow the rules and they avoid the dark at all costs. Not only does The Stitcher take people- they dismantle the bodies and put them back together in unseemly ways with red thread.
Abby’s sister, Hope, is taken from right underneath her. Abby and her friends are determined to cut through the lies, hidden secrets, and theories that surround The Stitcher to find Hope before it is too late.
Darcy Coates constructed an epic tale with this one. This book is so dark, terrifying, and made me jump at the slightest unexpected noise. I honestly don’t know how she got away with calling this YA.
I haven’t read Coates before, as I found her pretty intimidating. So many books she has! How would I ever pick?! I am so glad I started with this one. She has such an atmospheric and petrifying style, that I will now reach to pick up her books off the shelves. Also- who else related this to Stephen King’s It? Just like Pennywise, The Stitcher will continue to haunt me.
A great thank you goes out to Darcy Coates, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
I didn't know this was YA when I picked it up but it became obvious very quickly, YA can be hit and miss for me but this was a hit for sure. The reader is plummeted straight into the plot/backstory of the Stitcher Man and it was so fascinating. For a YA there was a really good amount of body horror.
I loved that everyone had differences of opinions about who or what the Sticher Man is, if there was a town out there where this kind of thing was really happening I feel like this is exactly how people would act. There is a real sense of isolation in this book which made everything creepy. The reader questions whether it's man or beast, reality or paranormal and I think either outcome would have been just as satisfying.
The characters were pretty good, they weren't fully flushed out and a little generic but they were done well enough so you could tell each person apart. I would have loved this book to be longer, so the friendships were more built up. The friendship group gave me Stranger Things vibes, or even the Losers Club from Stephen King's IT, but it just needed to be explored a little more.
The balance of action, suspense and atmosphere was perfection. I was close to a five-star rating for this one, I just needed more exploration and more relationship building it needed to be a least another 100-200 pages longer for me. I always prefer longer horror reads. I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
I loved that everyone had differences of opinions about who or what the Sticher Man is, if there was a town out there where this kind of thing was really happening I feel like this is exactly how people would act. There is a real sense of isolation in this book which made everything creepy. The reader questions whether it's man or beast, reality or paranormal and I think either outcome would have been just as satisfying.
The characters were pretty good, they weren't fully flushed out and a little generic but they were done well enough so you could tell each person apart. I would have loved this book to be longer, so the friendships were more built up. The friendship group gave me Stranger Things vibes, or even the Losers Club from Stephen King's IT, but it just needed to be explored a little more.
The balance of action, suspense and atmosphere was perfection. I was close to a five-star rating for this one, I just needed more exploration and more relationship building it needed to be a least another 100-200 pages longer for me. I always prefer longer horror reads. I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 13, 2023
I will start this review by admitting that Darcy Coates is one of my favorite authors. I’m happily biased and I don’t see that ever changing! That said, I’m not huge into YA but when I saw an opportunity to read her newest book I jumped on it. This is a wonderfully character driven story. You wind up falling for all the kids as they battle their own fears and demons. The sister relationship is wholesome and honest and the friendships feel incredibly real. I will admit that this story dragged for me in the beginning. I stuck with it and it was well worth it in the heart-pounding end. The creature is something straight out of a nightmare!! I highly recommend this book. Especially if you’re into YA and like horror. You won’t be disappointed!
July 21, 2024
How does this novel have such a high rating? It's just a PG-13 version of IT...I even finished hoping the author wouldn't ride it til the wheels fell off, but yeah...this is IT...
July 5, 2024
Just me here again obsessing over Darcy's newest release. If you're hesitant to pick this up because you're not much of a YA reader I definitely encourage you to still give it a shot - this was so much more gory, descriptive and morbid than I thought YA could be and I'm so obsessed.
There's not many if any authors who can get me to binge almost 400 pages in less than 24 hours but I can't really say I'm surprised if anyone could do it she can. All hail queen Darcy!
There's not many if any authors who can get me to binge almost 400 pages in less than 24 hours but I can't really say I'm surprised if anyone could do it she can. All hail queen Darcy!
July 14, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. This book could have been such a gem for me, but I felt this was way too long with way too much back story. I didn't like the slow pace and felt it could have been "nerve-racking" with a shorter story. I know many people will like this but not for me.
November 6, 2023
I love Darcy Coates, definitely one of my favourite authors, Where He Cant Find You was good but not great, like some of her other books that I have read.
WHAT I LIKED:
~Darcy's writing style in very good.
~The body horror in this was insane, very dark and I had a good time with it. I was actually surprised at how much there was for a YA book. as a 35 year old, this was very unsettling to read.
~ The idea if the Stitcher was really interesting & unique.
~the friendships in this story, I enjoyed the strong bond this group of friends had. Connor was my favourite.
WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:
~Way too long, IMO this did not need to be 400+ pages.
~The twist & ending left me with a lot more questions than answers. How does the killer have these "powers", the entire thing with the animals and technology failing didn't make sense to me, also WTF was the deal with Abbys mother throughout the book and the ending, seemed out of the blue and didn't really connect to anything in the story. I need answers to WHY these things were happening, and it just felt like these ideas were there but no actual depth or thought was put into it beyond "this is happening because its happening".
~Some parts kind of felt unnecessary, and could have easily been replaced with more background/history on the Stitcher.
~Ultimately disappointed with Charles Vickers character, I feel there was a lot of potential for him to be a great character but 3/4 of way and onwards what happens to him and his role almost felt like an afterthought.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ENJOY: serial killers, body horror, friendships, small creepy towns, creature features, the supernatural, YA horror, mystery.
Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sharing a digital copy for me to read and review, as always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
WHAT I LIKED:
~Darcy's writing style in very good.
~The body horror in this was insane, very dark and I had a good time with it. I was actually surprised at how much there was for a YA book. as a 35 year old, this was very unsettling to read.
~ The idea if the Stitcher was really interesting & unique.
~the friendships in this story, I enjoyed the strong bond this group of friends had. Connor was my favourite.
WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:
~Way too long, IMO this did not need to be 400+ pages.
~The twist & ending left me with a lot more questions than answers. How does the killer have these "powers", the entire thing with the animals and technology failing didn't make sense to me, also WTF was the deal with Abbys mother throughout the book and the ending, seemed out of the blue and didn't really connect to anything in the story. I need answers to WHY these things were happening, and it just felt like these ideas were there but no actual depth or thought was put into it beyond "this is happening because its happening".
~Some parts kind of felt unnecessary, and could have easily been replaced with more background/history on the Stitcher.
~Ultimately disappointed with Charles Vickers character, I feel there was a lot of potential for him to be a great character but 3/4 of way and onwards what happens to him and his role almost felt like an afterthought.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ENJOY: serial killers, body horror, friendships, small creepy towns, creature features, the supernatural, YA horror, mystery.
Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sharing a digital copy for me to read and review, as always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
December 6, 2024
The writing of this author was amazing. I’m having a hard time reading supernatural thrillers. Because I don’t believe in them, and so I hate reading about them. But I’m slowly changing my mind and this book helped me. The book slowly transformed my mind into thinking it was a man… to a monster and with the way the details of the town were- it felt like the hills have eyes movie meets stranger things. A mining town drew me in. Mines scare me. Claustrophobia. It’s one of my worst fears. Descending into something that would get me trapped. This has a minefield full of twists and turns. Lots of buried secrets, survivors, a town slowly dissolving everyone’s mental health. I give it 5 stars. ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
3⭐️
“Sometimes the worst things that happen to you come from the smallest decision.”
This entire book was:
✨Weird AF.
✨Creepy AF.
✨Intriguing AF.
And
✨Contained some of the MOST annoying characters ever written. 🤭🤭🤭.
If YA Horror is your favorite genre and/or Stranger Things is your show then this book is MOST DEFINITELY for you!!!
“You never know how you’ll act under pressure until you’re forced to find out.”
~~~~~~~
Ooohmgee!!! BB, Kaylie, what have our buddy reads come to!!! 😂😂😂.
“Sometimes the worst things that happen to you come from the smallest decision.”
This entire book was:
✨Weird AF.
✨Creepy AF.
✨Intriguing AF.
And
✨Contained some of the MOST annoying characters ever written. 🤭🤭🤭.
If YA Horror is your favorite genre and/or Stranger Things is your show then this book is MOST DEFINITELY for you!!!
“You never know how you’ll act under pressure until you’re forced to find out.”
~~~~~~~
Ooohmgee!!! BB, Kaylie, what have our buddy reads come to!!! 😂😂😂.
June 24, 2025
This book was so creepy and ominous! There were a couple parts where it gave me goosebumps while reading, I was terrified! I like the added pictures in it too, adds to the creepiness.
-📖
-📖
January 23, 2024
I need to stop accidentally reading YA books. This wasn't bad necessarily, I just feel the plot as well as the characters lacked a certain depth and complexity, and the way it would end was overly obvious.
September 19, 2023
5⭐️
This is my third book by Darcy Coates and I just want to read so much more from this author. The best part is each book I have read has been a different style of horror and they're fantastic.
This is a young adult horror, but don't let that age genre fool you it is just as terrifying and unsettling as the others. We are trying to figure out in murders happening in this small town is the work of one serial killer or a super natural being. We follow this story they a group of teenagers as they unravel the mystery.
This book reminds me of so many other horror stories I have enjoyed or been scarred by, It has elements of Jeepers Creepers With the assembling of body parts, Stranger Things, and IT vibes with the rag tag group of teens. I love it.
I would recommend this book to any fans of stranger things and speculative horror.
Then you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks fire for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites close or on publication.
This is my third book by Darcy Coates and I just want to read so much more from this author. The best part is each book I have read has been a different style of horror and they're fantastic.
This is a young adult horror, but don't let that age genre fool you it is just as terrifying and unsettling as the others. We are trying to figure out in murders happening in this small town is the work of one serial killer or a super natural being. We follow this story they a group of teenagers as they unravel the mystery.
This book reminds me of so many other horror stories I have enjoyed or been scarred by, It has elements of Jeepers Creepers With the assembling of body parts, Stranger Things, and IT vibes with the rag tag group of teens. I love it.
I would recommend this book to any fans of stranger things and speculative horror.
Then you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks fire for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites close or on publication.
January 3, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner for me. The town was strange and everyone feared The Stitcher. It took the Jackrabbits and all of their rules to somewhat change how things were done in the town. Glad I started the year off with this one.
July 8, 2023
Breathtakingly Suspenseful, immensely terrifying: who says YA Horror can't be every bit as heart-rendingly Horrifying as so-called grown-up Horror? Prolific Australian author Darcy Coates maximally delivers in this lengthy novel of literally nonstop tension fraught with overwhelming, implacable danger..
Doubtful, Illinois, is a town that seems to attract, not to repel, people, and once living there, they can't seem to leave. Yet its population is balanced by the vanishings: unaccountable disappearances without any recognizable pattern. Some will eventually be found; others never will. And now a small group of adolescent friends have reached their limit of cowering to fear: they're going to take back the night....or die trying.
WHERE HE CAN'T FIND YOU is my Summerween read #2, read at night (and also Thriller).
Doubtful, Illinois, is a town that seems to attract, not to repel, people, and once living there, they can't seem to leave. Yet its population is balanced by the vanishings: unaccountable disappearances without any recognizable pattern. Some will eventually be found; others never will. And now a small group of adolescent friends have reached their limit of cowering to fear: they're going to take back the night....or die trying.
WHERE HE CAN'T FIND YOU is my Summerween read #2, read at night (and also Thriller).
July 7, 2025
Honestly?? For this being a YA horror novel I thought it was great! A little spooky at times, a little creepy at others, and even a mystery aspect wrapped up in there somewhere.
Thankfully, going into this story I was prepared for a YA so I think that's what helped me, OR I just love everything Darcy Coates writes 😂 I am not sure, probably the later.
The mystery that was taking everyone was such a fun visualization. I couldn't help but see a certain folklore... image. I am trying not to give anything away and spoil the book.. 😂
I think someone who is just starting to get into horror this would be a great book to start!
Thankfully, going into this story I was prepared for a YA so I think that's what helped me, OR I just love everything Darcy Coates writes 😂 I am not sure, probably the later.
The mystery that was taking everyone was such a fun visualization. I couldn't help but see a certain folklore... image. I am trying not to give anything away and spoil the book.. 😂
I think someone who is just starting to get into horror this would be a great book to start!
November 8, 2023
yay! thanks to goodreads & sourcebooks for this giveaway win!
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this was fun!
there was this late 90's film called the faculty starring elijah wood and josh hartnett. it takes place in a school where kids are having to fight off their classmates and teachers because they've been infested with pod people.
don't ask me why, but this book gave me those vibes though the plot was fundamentally different. it was like, campy and cheesy teen horror flick kind of stuff. felt like there was an eu de vampire diaries, too.
so, what is it?
a town is dying, taken over by the legacy of a serial killer? creature? (no one knows, which makes it scarier!) that takes people. people are found months, sometimes years later, dissected and sewn back together with red thread.
all of our main characters have been impacted by the stitcher - abby's dad was taken, her friend rhys' parents have been missing a while. when abby's sister gets taken, she and her friends decide that they're going to hunt down the stitcher once and for all until her sister's body is returned, too. and it all starts by confronting the man they know is responsible that the police refuse to arrest.
honestly, this was the best darcy book that i've read so far. i don't really know why shudder isn't scooping these up for some really great adaptations full of cheese, but i loved the serial killer angle, i loved the visuals that i was getting of the stitcher's murder scenes.
this was very fun!
--
this was fun!
there was this late 90's film called the faculty starring elijah wood and josh hartnett. it takes place in a school where kids are having to fight off their classmates and teachers because they've been infested with pod people.
don't ask me why, but this book gave me those vibes though the plot was fundamentally different. it was like, campy and cheesy teen horror flick kind of stuff. felt like there was an eu de vampire diaries, too.
so, what is it?
a town is dying, taken over by the legacy of a serial killer? creature? (no one knows, which makes it scarier!) that takes people. people are found months, sometimes years later, dissected and sewn back together with red thread.
all of our main characters have been impacted by the stitcher - abby's dad was taken, her friend rhys' parents have been missing a while. when abby's sister gets taken, she and her friends decide that they're going to hunt down the stitcher once and for all until her sister's body is returned, too. and it all starts by confronting the man they know is responsible that the police refuse to arrest.
honestly, this was the best darcy book that i've read so far. i don't really know why shudder isn't scooping these up for some really great adaptations full of cheese, but i loved the serial killer angle, i loved the visuals that i was getting of the stitcher's murder scenes.
this was very fun!
July 15, 2023
Despite its length, it took me mere hours to read this book. While I've enjoyed Darcy Coates' work for some time, this is the first novel of hers that I just couldn't put down, and much of that is due to the way the plot combines some of horror's most basic tropes - teenagers and monsters are a longstanding combination - with mere glimpses of Doubtful, Illinois' haunted past. Where most of Coates' other books would have focused more on that haunted past and relied on descriptions of decayed homes and grim discoveries, this novel keeps the focus on the tension primary protagonist Abby feels as she tries to solve the mystery of her sister Hope's abduction.
If Hope's name is a bit too on the nose, that's easily forgiven when we consider that it was the grief of losing a family member that started the entire mess in the old mining town, and loss of family is a theme that manages to weave throughout the tale without being too glaring. Some of Coates' trademark scenes, such as the trophy cave where the Stitcher keeps his mementos or the home of Abby's friend Jessica, are still along for the ride, and it's interesting to see them used as window dressing rather than the driving force of the plot. Coates also manages to avoid a lot of the cringier aspects of YA fiction that authors who more frequently write for adults (or at least new adult) fall into; Jen comes the closet to that particular issue.
Overall, this is a solid piece of YA horror, drawing from slasher films, ghost stories, and monster tales. If any of those things appeal to you, definitely check this out.
(And thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for access to this title!)
If Hope's name is a bit too on the nose, that's easily forgiven when we consider that it was the grief of losing a family member that started the entire mess in the old mining town, and loss of family is a theme that manages to weave throughout the tale without being too glaring. Some of Coates' trademark scenes, such as the trophy cave where the Stitcher keeps his mementos or the home of Abby's friend Jessica, are still along for the ride, and it's interesting to see them used as window dressing rather than the driving force of the plot. Coates also manages to avoid a lot of the cringier aspects of YA fiction that authors who more frequently write for adults (or at least new adult) fall into; Jen comes the closet to that particular issue.
Overall, this is a solid piece of YA horror, drawing from slasher films, ghost stories, and monster tales. If any of those things appeal to you, definitely check this out.
(And thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for access to this title!)
August 2, 2023
"The Stitcher is some monster. And if that’s true… I don’t think that’s a world I know how to live in."
Everyone who knows that I love everything horror has told me that I needed to read any book by Darcy because they scream my name from the dark depths of hell. If you're screaming my name... I'm all in.
This being my first ever experience with this author's books, I jumped in with the highest of expectations. Her books sounded like something that would be right up my dark alley but I wasn't that impressed with her YA debut. It won't stop me from trying her adult reads. Maybe they'll make me jump out of my seat in terror.
This was an okay read. It contained bits and pieces of different horror movies and it was fun to piece together what she borrowed from where. The story itself didn't really hold my attention and it felt as if it took me forever to read. I was expecting more from her since everyone seems to love her books. Just not sure if her YA suits me since I've been reading the craziest things.
Everyone who knows that I love everything horror has told me that I needed to read any book by Darcy because they scream my name from the dark depths of hell. If you're screaming my name... I'm all in.
This being my first ever experience with this author's books, I jumped in with the highest of expectations. Her books sounded like something that would be right up my dark alley but I wasn't that impressed with her YA debut. It won't stop me from trying her adult reads. Maybe they'll make me jump out of my seat in terror.
This was an okay read. It contained bits and pieces of different horror movies and it was fun to piece together what she borrowed from where. The story itself didn't really hold my attention and it felt as if it took me forever to read. I was expecting more from her since everyone seems to love her books. Just not sure if her YA suits me since I've been reading the craziest things.
November 11, 2024
“Doubtful, Illinois isn’t a safe place. People… go missing here, sometimes. People… die. “ In Abby’s small town people are being taken by "The Stitcher". A mysterious killer who stitches his victims using red thread. With that… “Hide Where He Can’t Find You” becomes the theme of the story.
In my opinion this is easily Darcy Coates best story! Just an emotional rollercoaster all throughout. So intriguing, mysterious, and suspenseful as well! The characters were very well done. The dynamic of a creepy tale and setting was chilling and alluring to read. Can’t say enough about the story, as this was up my alley and props to Darcy Coates for being a brilliant writer!
Likes: Chilling tale, Mysterious, great characters, love the graphics in the novel, this almost read like a comic, and I love how well written this was.
In my opinion this is easily Darcy Coates best story! Just an emotional rollercoaster all throughout. So intriguing, mysterious, and suspenseful as well! The characters were very well done. The dynamic of a creepy tale and setting was chilling and alluring to read. Can’t say enough about the story, as this was up my alley and props to Darcy Coates for being a brilliant writer!
Likes: Chilling tale, Mysterious, great characters, love the graphics in the novel, this almost read like a comic, and I love how well written this was.
November 9, 2024
BOOM SHAKA LAKA LETS GOO THIS WAS SO GOOD
January 3, 2025
This book was TERRIFYING! I was never sure what horrible thing would happen next; one minute I was sure the killer was human, the next I was convinced it was supernatural. The plot had me spinning with guesses, and I never could’ve imagined the truth.
Red string marks the spots where you’ll find the bodies…
The town of Doubtful has lived in fear for the residents’ lifetimes, never knowing who will be taken next. The streets are full of broken down cars, missing posters, and deserted stores. It’s always a question of did someone leave of their own free will? Often the disappeared return, grotesquely mutilated and disfigured. A group of teens are determined to watch, gather info, and try to keep themselves safe; it all works until the night it doesn’t…
The Stitcher is one of the worst fictional monsters I’ve ever read about. The red string is bizarre and eerie, the things it does to the people it takes… yikes!!!
I really wanted this to be a 5 ⭐️ read, but there were a few threads left unfollowed (lol) that could’ve been clarified by the end and weren’t.
Grab this one asap cause it’ll give you nightmares if that’s what you’re looking for!
Red string marks the spots where you’ll find the bodies…
The town of Doubtful has lived in fear for the residents’ lifetimes, never knowing who will be taken next. The streets are full of broken down cars, missing posters, and deserted stores. It’s always a question of did someone leave of their own free will? Often the disappeared return, grotesquely mutilated and disfigured. A group of teens are determined to watch, gather info, and try to keep themselves safe; it all works until the night it doesn’t…
The Stitcher is one of the worst fictional monsters I’ve ever read about. The red string is bizarre and eerie, the things it does to the people it takes… yikes!!!
I really wanted this to be a 5 ⭐️ read, but there were a few threads left unfollowed (lol) that could’ve been clarified by the end and weren’t.
Grab this one asap cause it’ll give you nightmares if that’s what you’re looking for!
January 23, 2024
Darcy is one of my all time favourite authors and this was her first YA book? I absolutley loved it, it gave me strong IT vibes which is also a favourite book of mine, great believable characters(as always) and a solid plot, nothing groundbreaking or new but an enjoyable read!
October 22, 2024
This was a great creepy YA thriller! The book has illustrations in it as well, which really adds to the eerie ambiance of the story. The story kind of had an IT feel to it for me, small town, group of friends, strange killings. It's definitely worth a read!
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