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I Think I'm Alone Now
Every neighborhood has a Mr. Frank. You never want your ball to landin his yard. You never want to be on his radar.Feral Gen Xer, Dorrie, is a latchkey kid with no one to watch after her.Lately, her neighbor, Mr. Frank, is watching her a little too close forcomfort and she’s not sure why. Dorrie’s life and body suddenly seemto be in turmoil, her relationship with her mother is strained, and shehasn’t been feeling like herself lately. Being watched by that creeper,Mr. Frank, is the last thing she needs and every time she turns around. . . there he is. When she’s finally brought face to face with him, shediscovers the reason for his obsession.
136 pages, Paperback
Published May 10, 2024
3 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Ali Seay
24 books88 followersALI SEAY lives in Baltimore with her family and the ghost of a geriatric wiener dog who once ruled the house. She’s the author of Go Down Hard, The Death Doula, and To Offer Her Pleasure, among others. Her work can be found in numerous horror and crime anthologies. When not writing, she hunts vintage goods, riffles through used bookstores, and is always down for a road trip. Visit her at aliseay.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 16, 2025
i love the direction this haunting little tale took
February 23, 2024
*Huge thank you to Ali for sending me a digital ARC of this one!*
Man, I’m ashamed to say this is my first real read of Ali’s. I say first ‘real’ read, because up until now, the only thing it turns out that I’ve read of hers was her short story that appeared in the ‘Found’ anthology, and I vividly remember that one. Andrew Cull had asked if I could help read submissions for that one and recommend my top twenty of the eighty stories he sent my way, and Ali’s was easily in the top five.
But it wasn’t until she sent this one to me and I looked through her bibliography on Goodreads that I discovered that I’d not read a stand alone release of hers – but having now read this one, I’ll absolutely be making up for that.
I wasn’t sure what I’d be getting into with this one. Going in, I knew very little. Set in the 80’s – check. Teen girl – check. Creepy/odd neighbor – check. The story involving a possession element – check. And that was it. So, jumping in, I was pretty wide open for what I’d experience and boy, did this one deliver a wallop.
What I liked: The story follows teen girl, Doris – DORIE! Sheesh! – who lives with her mom. About a year ago, while home alone, some men broke into their home and she hid in the closet, only to be found. Fortunately, things didn’t progress beyond being tormented, but that hasn’t prevented trauma from taking hold. On top of that, her mom’s most recent guy friend has taken off and her older brother – whom she loves to the moon and back – has decided to move out, leaving her feeling alone and forgotten about.
She’s got a solid friend group and life is going tentatively ok. Like, lukewarm ok. Then one day, she notices her neighbor – Mr. Frank – watching her. They’ve always been afraid of him, no kid willing to even go and retrieve their errantly kicked ball in his yard.
From here, Seay unravels a phenomenally paced possession story. We get Mr. Frank’s back story, subtle (at first) changes in Dorie, before the thing that’s taken hold fully controls her and horrible things happen. Trigger warning for sure about animal harm and death for those who need it. We get some well played moments of revenge, some truly uncomfortable moments between friends and finally, Mr. Frank reveals who he really is and Seay ramps up the demonic presence within Dorie.
I think, now that I’ve let this sit for a day since finishing, that the true strength within this book is Seay’s slow-rustling of the demonic within Doris. It was intrinsic subtle at first. Barely perceptible that the reader could even contribute to trauma response or even a hormonal attribute based on her age and situation in life. But, as things progress, and we see the inner battle take place while the outer battle rages, Seay masterfully controls the double-sided narrative and gives us an epic novel’s worth of storytelling within a novella length page count.
Now, I will add, the majority of this takes place in the 80’s, but we also get some glimpses of Doris in the future, working with kids in Church groups. This played really well, especially when she recognizes the telltale signs of possession in one of the little ones she’s crafting with.
What I didn’t like: So, I did mention we get a quick snippet of revenge within, and while the scene itself was really fun and well executed, I think on a whole, it almost felt a bit too convenient. Part of this is due to the novella length (and any of us who’ve written novellas will know this happens from time to time), but I was hoping it would’ve set up a bit more of a revenge angle or subplot, but ultimately it didn’t, leaving that moment to linger and not be utilized emotionally like it could’ve been.
Why you should buy this: This novella was fantastic. From start to finish, I was gripped and racing through to see who Mr. Frank was, what Doris was dealing with and how the two of them were going to interact. Seay sets this up with a heavy air of ‘inappropriate’ and deftly sneaks away from that to deliver one of the most engaging possession stories I’ve ever read. From the time period this was set in, to the main character, to the antagonist and the climatic ending, this was perfectly played and just a truly phenomenal experience.
Man, I’m ashamed to say this is my first real read of Ali’s. I say first ‘real’ read, because up until now, the only thing it turns out that I’ve read of hers was her short story that appeared in the ‘Found’ anthology, and I vividly remember that one. Andrew Cull had asked if I could help read submissions for that one and recommend my top twenty of the eighty stories he sent my way, and Ali’s was easily in the top five.
But it wasn’t until she sent this one to me and I looked through her bibliography on Goodreads that I discovered that I’d not read a stand alone release of hers – but having now read this one, I’ll absolutely be making up for that.
I wasn’t sure what I’d be getting into with this one. Going in, I knew very little. Set in the 80’s – check. Teen girl – check. Creepy/odd neighbor – check. The story involving a possession element – check. And that was it. So, jumping in, I was pretty wide open for what I’d experience and boy, did this one deliver a wallop.
What I liked: The story follows teen girl, Doris – DORIE! Sheesh! – who lives with her mom. About a year ago, while home alone, some men broke into their home and she hid in the closet, only to be found. Fortunately, things didn’t progress beyond being tormented, but that hasn’t prevented trauma from taking hold. On top of that, her mom’s most recent guy friend has taken off and her older brother – whom she loves to the moon and back – has decided to move out, leaving her feeling alone and forgotten about.
She’s got a solid friend group and life is going tentatively ok. Like, lukewarm ok. Then one day, she notices her neighbor – Mr. Frank – watching her. They’ve always been afraid of him, no kid willing to even go and retrieve their errantly kicked ball in his yard.
From here, Seay unravels a phenomenally paced possession story. We get Mr. Frank’s back story, subtle (at first) changes in Dorie, before the thing that’s taken hold fully controls her and horrible things happen. Trigger warning for sure about animal harm and death for those who need it. We get some well played moments of revenge, some truly uncomfortable moments between friends and finally, Mr. Frank reveals who he really is and Seay ramps up the demonic presence within Dorie.
I think, now that I’ve let this sit for a day since finishing, that the true strength within this book is Seay’s slow-rustling of the demonic within Doris. It was intrinsic subtle at first. Barely perceptible that the reader could even contribute to trauma response or even a hormonal attribute based on her age and situation in life. But, as things progress, and we see the inner battle take place while the outer battle rages, Seay masterfully controls the double-sided narrative and gives us an epic novel’s worth of storytelling within a novella length page count.
Now, I will add, the majority of this takes place in the 80’s, but we also get some glimpses of Doris in the future, working with kids in Church groups. This played really well, especially when she recognizes the telltale signs of possession in one of the little ones she’s crafting with.
What I didn’t like: So, I did mention we get a quick snippet of revenge within, and while the scene itself was really fun and well executed, I think on a whole, it almost felt a bit too convenient. Part of this is due to the novella length (and any of us who’ve written novellas will know this happens from time to time), but I was hoping it would’ve set up a bit more of a revenge angle or subplot, but ultimately it didn’t, leaving that moment to linger and not be utilized emotionally like it could’ve been.
Why you should buy this: This novella was fantastic. From start to finish, I was gripped and racing through to see who Mr. Frank was, what Doris was dealing with and how the two of them were going to interact. Seay sets this up with a heavy air of ‘inappropriate’ and deftly sneaks away from that to deliver one of the most engaging possession stories I’ve ever read. From the time period this was set in, to the main character, to the antagonist and the climatic ending, this was perfectly played and just a truly phenomenal experience.
May 25, 2024
Dorrie is a traumatized and troubled teen. She has done some violent and cruel things and felt no remorse for her actions. Her neighbor Mr. Frank, who all the neighborhood children are afraid of and suspect the worst about, has been watching her a lot. Dorrie assumes the worst as well, especially when he abducts her. However, when he reveals that he figured out she is possessed with a hitchhiker (how demons are referred in this novella), she learns that the rumors about him are false, and that he intends to help free her from the hitchhiker.
The novella switches a few times from 1985 from when Dorrie is 14, to 2019 when she is in her late forties. In the present day narrative she joins churches and watches the children with troubled backgrounds, as they're most at risk of becoming possesed, and does her best to help them.
This has become one of my favorite horror books about possession along with Come Closer by Sara Gran, Girl That You Fear by Azzurra Nox, My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix, and Goddess of Filth by V. Castro. Ali Seay is also now another of my favorite writers and I'll always be excited to read anything she writes. I'm super grateful to Grindhouse Press for publishing this and her novella Hysteria. 🖤
The novella switches a few times from 1985 from when Dorrie is 14, to 2019 when she is in her late forties. In the present day narrative she joins churches and watches the children with troubled backgrounds, as they're most at risk of becoming possesed, and does her best to help them.
This has become one of my favorite horror books about possession along with Come Closer by Sara Gran, Girl That You Fear by Azzurra Nox, My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix, and Goddess of Filth by V. Castro. Ali Seay is also now another of my favorite writers and I'll always be excited to read anything she writes. I'm super grateful to Grindhouse Press for publishing this and her novella Hysteria. 🖤
September 20, 2024
‘Devilishly good!’
A great little dark story which involves three teenage girls and Mr Frank, their estranged middle-aged neighbour, were everything is just not as it seems. Although the action concentrates
on troubled Dorie, one of the girls, this journey is mostly pure horror and not remotely for the benefit of an audience of YA’s.
I would have given it 5 stars but after a good, solid start followed by a simply quite brilliant middle section, the final part felt a bit rushed, under-developed and obvious, which left me a little disappointed. Considering the time span given for this final phase, greater expansion and a more detailed narration of further events would have been just perfect.
Very enjoyable, and because of the hidden, heavily disguised horror element contained within it, the overall effect left me feeling that I had been offered, and exposed to, something just a little bit different.
Remember the name - Ali Seay - a highly talented writer of cleverly done, different horror that never fails to deliver. Check her out, believe me, you’ll not be disappointed!
Rating: 4.2 Dark stars of demonic possession.
A great little dark story which involves three teenage girls and Mr Frank, their estranged middle-aged neighbour, were everything is just not as it seems. Although the action concentrates
on troubled Dorie, one of the girls, this journey is mostly pure horror and not remotely for the benefit of an audience of YA’s.
I would have given it 5 stars but after a good, solid start followed by a simply quite brilliant middle section, the final part felt a bit rushed, under-developed and obvious, which left me a little disappointed. Considering the time span given for this final phase, greater expansion and a more detailed narration of further events would have been just perfect.
Very enjoyable, and because of the hidden, heavily disguised horror element contained within it, the overall effect left me feeling that I had been offered, and exposed to, something just a little bit different.
Remember the name - Ali Seay - a highly talented writer of cleverly done, different horror that never fails to deliver. Check her out, believe me, you’ll not be disappointed!
Rating: 4.2 Dark stars of demonic possession.
Read
May 31, 2024You may presume you'll know the story that unfolds in I THINK I'M ALONE NOW, but you'll be wrong as hell. I read this novella in a single sitting: Ali Seay has written a thoroughly enjoyable, vivid, violent, deliciously dark chunk o' horror set in the 80's that's, like, totally rad.
To say anything else is to spoil and it's really best to go in totally blind- but I will say that this book DOES contain some animal cruelty so be aware of that.
To say anything else is to spoil and it's really best to go in totally blind- but I will say that this book DOES contain some animal cruelty so be aware of that.
April 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! It's been on my TBR for about a year and the timing was never right to read it. But it was absolutely perfect for the nostalgic vibes I was looking for. I mean...this amazing cover told me it would be...but the story inside delivered as well.
I like to go onto books knowing nothing...or as little as possible. So I only knew this had a great cover, was horror, and it was a novella. Based on the cover...I assumed it would be nostalgic (it was) and that it would have a school setting (it does in part). And this ended up delivering a fun, not too gruesome, horror story about a teenage girl in the 80s.
As much as I enjoyed it...it's not a new favorite for me. The writing style was not my favorite...it felt a little shallow to me in the sense that I didn't feel an emotional connection to the main character Dorrie. I REALLY wanted to...but it just never got me there. I cared ABOUT her...just didn't feel like I WAS her...didn't feel what she was feeling.
I would read this again and I would recommend it. It also takes place around Halloween...so it could be a good holiday read in October. It just falls a little short to be considered a new favorite for me.
I like to go onto books knowing nothing...or as little as possible. So I only knew this had a great cover, was horror, and it was a novella. Based on the cover...I assumed it would be nostalgic (it was) and that it would have a school setting (it does in part). And this ended up delivering a fun, not too gruesome, horror story about a teenage girl in the 80s.
As much as I enjoyed it...it's not a new favorite for me. The writing style was not my favorite...it felt a little shallow to me in the sense that I didn't feel an emotional connection to the main character Dorrie. I REALLY wanted to...but it just never got me there. I cared ABOUT her...just didn't feel like I WAS her...didn't feel what she was feeling.
I would read this again and I would recommend it. It also takes place around Halloween...so it could be a good holiday read in October. It just falls a little short to be considered a new favorite for me.
October 21, 2024
✨ 4.5
“The scar inside me kept me alert. The worry kept me moving. The fear kept me alive.”
First of all, can we talk about fun this retro cover is?! 😍
I was sold on this book by the cover alone, but damn it was wonderfully macabre.
It’s relatively short, clocking in at 122 pages, but it’s jam-packed with blood, teenage angst and twisted emotions.
I don’t want to give too much away as this story is best explored with a cosy blanket and hot drink; all I will say is that maybe that creepy neighbour living at the end of the road has more going on than you might think!
“The scar inside me kept me alert. The worry kept me moving. The fear kept me alive.”
First of all, can we talk about fun this retro cover is?! 😍
I was sold on this book by the cover alone, but damn it was wonderfully macabre.
It’s relatively short, clocking in at 122 pages, but it’s jam-packed with blood, teenage angst and twisted emotions.
I don’t want to give too much away as this story is best explored with a cosy blanket and hot drink; all I will say is that maybe that creepy neighbour living at the end of the road has more going on than you might think!
February 9, 2024
(Rounded up from 4 1/2)
This book had a lot of really hard sells for me. I'm not a fan of exorcism horror, or 80's horror, and I generally am pretty tough on things that have detailed depictions of animal violence/death (big trigger warning for that one if anyone needs it.) I picked this up solely because it was written by Ali Seay and she's one of my favorite voices in horror currently.
And she didn't disappoint.
Seay is a fantastic writer. There were elements in this that I get very, very tired of seeing that I think were presented in clever ways. The exorcism lore in particular I thought was approached from such a unique angle that it was refreshing. I also love that the 80s setting was relevant for the timeline, but not front and center and very in your face about it. Honestly, the story felt really timeless and not like it was trying to coast off of nostalgia. (I could mention a certain other, very popular, 80's nostalgia exorcism book here for comparison... but I won't. Let's just leave it at I liked this approach much better.)
I do think this is my least favorite of Seay's work, but I think this is also the first time she's covered topics that I don't seek out in my horror fiction. Her streak of impressing me continues, and I look forward to whatever she does next.
This book had a lot of really hard sells for me. I'm not a fan of exorcism horror, or 80's horror, and I generally am pretty tough on things that have detailed depictions of animal violence/death (big trigger warning for that one if anyone needs it.) I picked this up solely because it was written by Ali Seay and she's one of my favorite voices in horror currently.
And she didn't disappoint.
Seay is a fantastic writer. There were elements in this that I get very, very tired of seeing that I think were presented in clever ways. The exorcism lore in particular I thought was approached from such a unique angle that it was refreshing. I also love that the 80s setting was relevant for the timeline, but not front and center and very in your face about it. Honestly, the story felt really timeless and not like it was trying to coast off of nostalgia. (I could mention a certain other, very popular, 80's nostalgia exorcism book here for comparison... but I won't. Let's just leave it at I liked this approach much better.)
I do think this is my least favorite of Seay's work, but I think this is also the first time she's covered topics that I don't seek out in my horror fiction. Her streak of impressing me continues, and I look forward to whatever she does next.
August 1, 2024
I went into this not reading any of the authors other work, just off the recommendation of a friend because I REALLY liked the concept and how they explained it to me, and i wanted something short to get me out of my reading slump. I feel like for ME it needed ***more*** because it didn't really do anything?
Her being possessed would've just been more shocking or compelling if we actually experienced her becoming possessed, because by the lore in this universe at least, she's been possessed at least for a few months. Also how the demon isn't referenced as it's own entity until later in the book, so like, when she kills Karen or the home invader earlier on, its **her** doing it, not the demon, so when suddenly it's the demons speaking and not her, even though after being captured she's still saying "I said" "I did" it's just like okay so did the demon even actually do anything evil or is that just an excuse for her own evil actions, because in the time jump she's like "I'm carrying on his mission and protecting my scar" but like, you said YOU killed Karen. The kitten death also didn't make sense to me but I didn't think it was some trope I was just like, "Oh? It's dead now? Okay..."
If she had explained that when she killed Karen or cut up the clothes or killed the man from her past that someone else took control and she was just watching herself do it, or fighting to get control back, maybe it would make more sense, because really it just seemed like she wanted to do all of those things. She didn't feel remorse after, even after realizing she was possessed she wasn't like "I was shoved somewhere deep down, and when I came back, Karen was dead." idk.
The back to back dream sequences also pissed me off because we're going from these obviously unrealistic sequences to her just going and chopping a guys dick off and that's real??? I mean go off girlboss but like...it just felt a little all over the place for ME.
There were no stakes or any like...actual motivation or emotional ties to these characters. I wish there was more context to this trauma that we're briefly told about like 50 pages in and if we had more of that, and the experience of her being possessed, the time jump ending would've been more meaningful and rewarding because I DO think it's a cool concept, it just left me wanting a lot and feeling like I wasted my time instead of going on this journey with her.
That all being said I AM looking forward to reading The Death Doula.
Her being possessed would've just been more shocking or compelling if we actually experienced her becoming possessed, because by the lore in this universe at least, she's been possessed at least for a few months. Also how the demon isn't referenced as it's own entity until later in the book, so like, when she kills Karen or the home invader earlier on, its **her** doing it, not the demon, so when suddenly it's the demons speaking and not her, even though after being captured she's still saying "I said" "I did" it's just like okay so did the demon even actually do anything evil or is that just an excuse for her own evil actions, because in the time jump she's like "I'm carrying on his mission and protecting my scar" but like, you said YOU killed Karen. The kitten death also didn't make sense to me but I didn't think it was some trope I was just like, "Oh? It's dead now? Okay..."
If she had explained that when she killed Karen or cut up the clothes or killed the man from her past that someone else took control and she was just watching herself do it, or fighting to get control back, maybe it would make more sense, because really it just seemed like she wanted to do all of those things. She didn't feel remorse after, even after realizing she was possessed she wasn't like "I was shoved somewhere deep down, and when I came back, Karen was dead." idk.
The back to back dream sequences also pissed me off because we're going from these obviously unrealistic sequences to her just going and chopping a guys dick off and that's real??? I mean go off girlboss but like...it just felt a little all over the place for ME.
There were no stakes or any like...actual motivation or emotional ties to these characters. I wish there was more context to this trauma that we're briefly told about like 50 pages in and if we had more of that, and the experience of her being possessed, the time jump ending would've been more meaningful and rewarding because I DO think it's a cool concept, it just left me wanting a lot and feeling like I wasted my time instead of going on this journey with her.
That all being said I AM looking forward to reading The Death Doula.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2024
First, a PSA. Besides this review, which will absolutely be spoiler free, go into Ali Seay’s I Think I’m Alone Now blind. I assure you, it’s the only way to do it. Okay, I’ll allow you to read the synopsis on the back. Shoutout to whoever wrote it up; they need to work in the trailer department of any and all movie studios because it gives nothing away.
I was sold on I Think I’m Alone Now almost immediately after it was announced. Having enjoyed Seay’s Hysteria: Lolly & Lady Vanity , this was already going to be on my radar, but add to it both it’s a coming-of-age novella (yes!) set in the ‘80s (YES!), I was all in.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
I was sold on I Think I’m Alone Now almost immediately after it was announced. Having enjoyed Seay’s Hysteria: Lolly & Lady Vanity , this was already going to be on my radar, but add to it both it’s a coming-of-age novella (yes!) set in the ‘80s (YES!), I was all in.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
February 15, 2024
in 1985, 14 year old latchkey kid dorrie, who is deeply traumatized but refusing to acknowledge as much after having gone through a horrific home invasion, begins doing extremely fucked up shit impulsively, giving in to urges to hurt her friends and strangers both physically and emotionally, and, most concerningly - to her - she seems to have caught the attention of the creepy widower who lives across the street. this was great! fucked up and violent but not over the top. so much of the violence was done without thought or fanfare which was kind of jarring in the best way. teenage girls are horrifying to begin with so when i read books like this i'm always just like "yeah." def recommend, 5/5.
*there is some upsetting animal content in this, be safe if you're sensitive to that.
*there is some upsetting animal content in this, be safe if you're sensitive to that.
January 27, 2025
I Think I’m Alone Now by Ali Seay was a roller coaster of memories! I love all the 80’s nostalgia I experienced when reading the story of Dorrie, a latchkey kid, who spent too much time alone because her single mother was always working. I can relate, because my brother and I were latchkey kids too!
Anyway, Dorrie has a neighbor that always seems to be watching her, making her uncomfortable…Dorrie also has become a little violent and angry. Her relationships with her friends become strained, and she winds up spending more time alone. In time, Dorrie finds out why Mr. Frank has taken such an interest in her…and it could be life or death!
I Think I’m Alone Now was a fun one, especially for a Gen X, 80’s loving, horror reader!!
Anyway, Dorrie has a neighbor that always seems to be watching her, making her uncomfortable…Dorrie also has become a little violent and angry. Her relationships with her friends become strained, and she winds up spending more time alone. In time, Dorrie finds out why Mr. Frank has taken such an interest in her…and it could be life or death!
I Think I’m Alone Now was a fun one, especially for a Gen X, 80’s loving, horror reader!!
May 3, 2024
Thank you so much to Ali Seay for providing me with an e-ARC of I Think I’m Alone Now!
There is some animal harm in this novella! Make sure to check other trigger warnings to if necessary.
80s vibes? Check.
Possession Horror? Check.
This is what I call a perfect ✨Becca✨ read.
After seeing this cover & title & knowing that I’ve loved previous Ali Seays’ books, I knew I needed to ask her for an e-ARC of this one & I am so thankful she gave me one! I loved loved loved I Think I’m Alone Now.
This takes a bit of a twist on possession — in regard to WHY someone could fall victim of possession. I loved the concept so much. I loved watching the possession take over, with symptoms slowly showing up. Also, what’s up with Mr. Frank? Is he some kind of creeper?! 👀 That’s for you to find out when you read this one.
This is a definite recommend to anyone who likes possession horror.
There is some animal harm in this novella! Make sure to check other trigger warnings to if necessary.
80s vibes? Check.
Possession Horror? Check.
This is what I call a perfect ✨Becca✨ read.
After seeing this cover & title & knowing that I’ve loved previous Ali Seays’ books, I knew I needed to ask her for an e-ARC of this one & I am so thankful she gave me one! I loved loved loved I Think I’m Alone Now.
This takes a bit of a twist on possession — in regard to WHY someone could fall victim of possession. I loved the concept so much. I loved watching the possession take over, with symptoms slowly showing up. Also, what’s up with Mr. Frank? Is he some kind of creeper?! 👀 That’s for you to find out when you read this one.
This is a definite recommend to anyone who likes possession horror.
March 13, 2025
”I hurried to do as she asked, but at the last moment, I glanced across the street. Mr. Frank was watching me from his front window.”
This was so good! I went into this thinking it was going to be some weird, obsessed, creepy neighbor storyline but I didn’t see it going the way it did! It was pretty creepy, anything with demons evil is pretty scary. And it actually kinda sad too, I felt so bad for Dorrie, and I really liked how it ended to see where she was later on in the future. This was a very eerie, keeps you at the edge of your seat type of story!
TW: brief mentions of child SA, animal cruelty
This was so good! I went into this thinking it was going to be some weird, obsessed, creepy neighbor storyline but I didn’t see it going the way it did! It was pretty creepy, anything with demons evil is pretty scary. And it actually kinda sad too, I felt so bad for Dorrie, and I really liked how it ended to see where she was later on in the future. This was a very eerie, keeps you at the edge of your seat type of story!
TW: brief mentions of child SA, animal cruelty
April 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Latchkey teen Dorrie has always found neighbour Mr Frank pretty weird but recently he has taken more than just a passing interest in her. What a creep, right? But why exactly is he so keen on keeping an eye on her...?
This was a quick read. Both fun and dark. I really liked the depictions of the teenage girls - very accurate. The 80's setting was well done and didn't feel forced. The story goes in a direction I wasn't expecting. I did think it got a bit drawn out partway through but overall it was still an entertaining read.
Thank you to the author for sending me a ARC.
Latchkey teen Dorrie has always found neighbour Mr Frank pretty weird but recently he has taken more than just a passing interest in her. What a creep, right? But why exactly is he so keen on keeping an eye on her...?
This was a quick read. Both fun and dark. I really liked the depictions of the teenage girls - very accurate. The 80's setting was well done and didn't feel forced. The story goes in a direction I wasn't expecting. I did think it got a bit drawn out partway through but overall it was still an entertaining read.
Thank you to the author for sending me a ARC.
May 14, 2024
First, a PSA. Besides this review, which will absolutely be spoiler free, go into Ali Seay’s I Think I’m Alone Now blind. I assure you, it’s the only way to do it. Okay, I’ll allow you to read the synopsis on the back. Shoutout to whoever wrote it up; they need to work in the trailer department of any and all movie studios because it gives nothing away.
I was sold on I Think I’m Alone Now almost immediately after it was announced. Having enjoyed Seay’s Hysteria: Lolly & Lady Vanity , this was already going to be on my radar, but add to it both it’s a coming-of-age novella (yes!) set in the ‘80s (YES!), I was all in.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
I was sold on I Think I’m Alone Now almost immediately after it was announced. Having enjoyed Seay’s Hysteria: Lolly & Lady Vanity , this was already going to be on my radar, but add to it both it’s a coming-of-age novella (yes!) set in the ‘80s (YES!), I was all in.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
June 24, 2025
Within in the first couple of pages, I tingled that this was Goosebump-esque, but then it wasn't. So not. It was darker.
There is a brevity to Seay's writing that makes it fast and easy to read, but it left me wanting more. I wanted more rounding out of the characters and more psychological delving into Dorrie. Give me the emotional weight she's carrying. However, the brevity amplifies the impact of certain moments. I would read a scene and stop, not because I didn't understand, but because my brain said, go back, something was incongruous to what we were expecting. I loved that.
There were other moments that contrast between the writing style and the events stood out. The prose leans toward young adult, but what is happening, what Seay is describing is anything but. This creates an interesting effect. like adult horror viewed through a child-like lens.
This book intrigued me. It wasn't perfect, but it did something interesting. It made me uncomfortable, and curious. I may have to check out her Hysteria book next.
There is a brevity to Seay's writing that makes it fast and easy to read, but it left me wanting more. I wanted more rounding out of the characters and more psychological delving into Dorrie. Give me the emotional weight she's carrying. However, the brevity amplifies the impact of certain moments. I would read a scene and stop, not because I didn't understand, but because my brain said, go back, something was incongruous to what we were expecting. I loved that.
There were other moments that contrast between the writing style and the events stood out. The prose leans toward young adult, but what is happening, what Seay is describing is anything but. This creates an interesting effect. like adult horror viewed through a child-like lens.
This book intrigued me. It wasn't perfect, but it did something interesting. It made me uncomfortable, and curious. I may have to check out her Hysteria book next.
February 7, 2024
I was lucky enough to get to read this early and I am extremely happy that I did. This book is another fantastic read from Ali Seay and she knocked it out of the park. This book combines elements of teenage life, demonic possession and overall dread. You will fall in love with the characters here and not be able to put it down until you finish. Excellent read from an excellent author cannot recommend enough!
February 16, 2024
Notes from a Decaying Millennial:
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book, from the author herself.
THIS IS NOT A PAID REVIEW
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It's 10pm, do you know where your children are?
It's 10pm, do you know who your therapist is?
It's 10pm, is your neighborhood watching YOU?
Whether you intend to or not, you will enter into I Think I'm Alone Now with expectations, assumptions. However, as is often the case, Ali Seay takes those assumptions and turns them on their head. Are sleazy neighbors on the prowl? Is the struggle to process fresh trauma, in the void of Reagan's neglectful America, too much for the teenage Psyche?
In her books, Ali Seay has this annoying habit, which shows itself in I Think I'm Alone Now . She delivers an attention grabbing story, with characters that seem right at home with your own relatives in that one polaroid photo, from the 1986 family reunion in the Dells. By the end of the story, we the reader are left begging for more.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book, from the author herself.
THIS IS NOT A PAID REVIEW
-
It's 10pm, do you know where your children are?
It's 10pm, do you know who your therapist is?
It's 10pm, is your neighborhood watching YOU?
Whether you intend to or not, you will enter into I Think I'm Alone Now with expectations, assumptions. However, as is often the case, Ali Seay takes those assumptions and turns them on their head. Are sleazy neighbors on the prowl? Is the struggle to process fresh trauma, in the void of Reagan's neglectful America, too much for the teenage Psyche?
In her books, Ali Seay has this annoying habit, which shows itself in I Think I'm Alone Now . She delivers an attention grabbing story, with characters that seem right at home with your own relatives in that one polaroid photo, from the 1986 family reunion in the Dells. By the end of the story, we the reader are left begging for more.
August 17, 2024
I enjoyed this book, especially because it took a different direction than I initially expected. The pace is a bit slow at the beginning, but once you hit the halfway point, things really start to pick up.
August 18, 2024
This might be my favorite horror book about possession. Seay always writes compelling and real characters and Dorrie is no exception.
I really enjoyed the split timelines and the first person narration. Also, huge shoutout to Grindhouse Press for the phenomenal cover design.
I really enjoyed the split timelines and the first person narration. Also, huge shoutout to Grindhouse Press for the phenomenal cover design.
September 22, 2025
3.5
its not necessarily my thing and I would've liked a bit more build up between Dorrie's regular life and her possession but it was still pretty well written!
also I will pay authors my life savings to quit killing kittens in their books
its not necessarily my thing and I would've liked a bit more build up between Dorrie's regular life and her possession but it was still pretty well written!
also I will pay authors my life savings to quit killing kittens in their books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
I Think I'm Alone Now first reads as a coming of age with a creepy neighbor story. It is that and so much more. Very fast paced and I never saw the twist coming. Highly recommend this book.
July 22, 2024
Had to DNF because of the kitten. Not only did it make me want to puke in the worst way, it was cheap horror and a cliche convention.
March 29, 2025
Possession and demons in suburban Maryland...
April 28, 2025
Read it all in one sitting. That is both a report on actions taken and instructions for you.
May 1, 2025
Don''t let the cover deceive you, it's pretty dark with content warnings for animal death, self-harm, and more. I loved the short chapters that kept me engaged and turning them quickly.
July 14, 2025
Creepy and enjoyable. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer.
May 15, 2024
Ali is always an instant buy for me and this one did not dissapoint! From the crumbs at the beginning I thought the story was going one way, but I was surprised with the way it actually went. I love me a posession horror, fo sho.
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