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Something Dead
Seven guests volunteer to spend a weekend tucked away at a secluded mansion in the Canadian Rockies as part of a psychological study. Sophia is excited to have her best friend, Eve, join in as her plus one.
The study observes the effects of stress and fear on cognition in a controlled environment. Not only do the participants get to spend a weekend at a beautiful mansion surrounded by lush forest, but there's also the promise of an enticing cash prize. All that participants must do is ignore the increasingly eerie atmosphere as they explore the turn-of-the-century manor and complete their given tasks
Unbeknownst to the participants, the mansion has a dark history. Death has been a constant resident of Mortoak Estates. It’s a tragic history that participants are now entwined in, whether they like it or not.
Sophia immediately feels that something is wrong... or is it? The creepy messages and feeling of being watched could be part of the whole experiment.
Instead of a weekend filled with luxury and exploration, it becomes clear that the only objective will be to survive. Sophia is forced to take charge and overcome her fears if she wants to get out alive.
The study observes the effects of stress and fear on cognition in a controlled environment. Not only do the participants get to spend a weekend at a beautiful mansion surrounded by lush forest, but there's also the promise of an enticing cash prize. All that participants must do is ignore the increasingly eerie atmosphere as they explore the turn-of-the-century manor and complete their given tasks
Unbeknownst to the participants, the mansion has a dark history. Death has been a constant resident of Mortoak Estates. It’s a tragic history that participants are now entwined in, whether they like it or not.
Sophia immediately feels that something is wrong... or is it? The creepy messages and feeling of being watched could be part of the whole experiment.
Instead of a weekend filled with luxury and exploration, it becomes clear that the only objective will be to survive. Sophia is forced to take charge and overcome her fears if she wants to get out alive.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2024
404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 10, 2024
It’s all about the vibes in this one for me. It was shadows creeping and floorboards creaking and old evils lurking & just biding their time. Truly atmospheric.
.
Some scenes truly creeped me out.
And there was a bleak ending.
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Many of the vibes I got from Something Dead resonated within & reminded me of Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie. I read that one last year and it’s also about a haunted house where everything isn’t how it seems to be. At first glance.
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It was a fast paced story & I couldn’t put the book down. Even if I had a hard time reading it a night. I always have had a thing about shadows.
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But the story had its weaknesses too. It was a bit flimsy & you don’t really get to know why the evil was there to begin with & what it wanted, except devour, I guess. Some backstory but not really any answers. & I wonder what the prologue actually meant. It seemed the guy in the prologue had been to the estate on similar terms as our protagonists. So had it happened before? And so what does that mean for the future?
…
I wanted answers but oh well I got the creepiness at least. And the dreadfulness. The bleakness.
.
.
Endnote:
I’ll probably dream about dark corners and smiling shadowy men tonight…🤷♀️and loosing my teeth. Two things that easily scares me for real. Teeth loss and creeping shadows…
.
Some scenes truly creeped me out.
And there was a bleak ending.
-
Many of the vibes I got from Something Dead resonated within & reminded me of Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie. I read that one last year and it’s also about a haunted house where everything isn’t how it seems to be. At first glance.
-
It was a fast paced story & I couldn’t put the book down. Even if I had a hard time reading it a night. I always have had a thing about shadows.
-
But the story had its weaknesses too. It was a bit flimsy & you don’t really get to know why the evil was there to begin with & what it wanted, except devour, I guess. Some backstory but not really any answers. & I wonder what the prologue actually meant. It seemed the guy in the prologue had been to the estate on similar terms as our protagonists. So had it happened before? And so what does that mean for the future?
…
I wanted answers but oh well I got the creepiness at least. And the dreadfulness. The bleakness.
.
.
Endnote:
I’ll probably dream about dark corners and smiling shadowy men tonight…🤷♀️and loosing my teeth. Two things that easily scares me for real. Teeth loss and creeping shadows…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2024
The book follows two friends who are chosen to participate win a survey for money. All they have to do is travel to a remote, gothic mansion and participate in a scavenger hunt to earn money. Seems easy enough right? Well the catch is that there is deadly secrets lurking within the walls. It doesn’t take long for participants to go missing.
This book is creepy. There were several scenes that gave me goosebumps especially when a dark smiling figure glares at our main character in the dark. It’s also very fast-paced. Only 220 pages.
So go give this author some love and support ♥️
This book is creepy. There were several scenes that gave me goosebumps especially when a dark smiling figure glares at our main character in the dark. It’s also very fast-paced. Only 220 pages.
So go give this author some love and support ♥️
August 21, 2024
This book has got to be a perfect example of a spooky ghost story. I loved reading every word of it and it was such a fun and terrifying read! The imagery is impeccable and would make me a little scared to go to sleep. 7 unsuspecting participants are forced to face unrelenting nightmares on this weekend trip to be part of a psychological study. But the study is literally the least of their concerns. What they go through is absolutely horrific. Makes you realize that not everything is what it seems. I highly recommend this book for those who are beginner horror readers who want a terrifying ghost story.
April 2, 2024
Very spooky, but fun read. In the vein of Shirley Jackson and Agatha Christie, it's an updated and accessible haunted house story that leaves you wondering who - and what - next?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2024
**I am friends with the author, so I am biased**
That being said, this is a fun author debut with spooky, atmospheric description that left me at the edge of my seat. An easy, enjoyable read!
That being said, this is a fun author debut with spooky, atmospheric description that left me at the edge of my seat. An easy, enjoyable read!
September 29, 2024
A chilling page turner I couldn’t put down.
March 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely loved this little horror gem!
Something Dead by Andrea McKenzie had all the perfect ingredients for a horror delight: creepy house, dark shadows, weird noises, friends getting picked off one by one, ghouls, and even a few scattered body parts (because why not?!). Love, love, LOVED it! 🩸🏚️
Reading this felt like stepping into a ’90s horror movie in the best way possible. Fast-paced, eerie, and downright chilling. 😨
If you’re a fan of nostalgic slasher vibes with a supernatural twist, this is a must-read! Pure creepy delight from start to finish. 😱
#SomethingDead #AndreaMcKenzie #HorrorReads #Bookstagram #FiveStarFright
September 25, 2024
Spooky and creepy, but not a good book. It had no depth, no real story. Just a list of common horror tropes and some disturbing moments but no character, no development, nothing. Thoroughly disappointed.
I didn’t get to know any of the characters and therefore felt nothing when they died. The house is haunted, but why? No real history or sadness or anything. It seemed lazy and not thought through enough. Maybe it’s a personal preference, but I need the horror to have meaning. Is it someone’s guilt manifesting? Is it revenge? Is it a metaphor to mental illness? This had nothing. The set up reminded me of “and then there was none” but that had an explanation to the mystery. This book has none of that either. Why were only twenty something kids invited? Why were the boys killed off first? Why were they killed in that manner? No reason. Just to make you feel spooked.
So many other good books out there if you want to get spooked.
I didn’t get to know any of the characters and therefore felt nothing when they died. The house is haunted, but why? No real history or sadness or anything. It seemed lazy and not thought through enough. Maybe it’s a personal preference, but I need the horror to have meaning. Is it someone’s guilt manifesting? Is it revenge? Is it a metaphor to mental illness? This had nothing. The set up reminded me of “and then there was none” but that had an explanation to the mystery. This book has none of that either. Why were only twenty something kids invited? Why were the boys killed off first? Why were they killed in that manner? No reason. Just to make you feel spooked.
So many other good books out there if you want to get spooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2025
This book is fast-paced and thrilling from the start. I definitely recommend reading this in the day time in the bright sunlight. I was left wanting to know more and truly hope the author writes another book. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a chilling thriller!
August 8, 2024
Fast paced and so creepyyyyyyyy
November 14, 2024
Could not have been less interested in a book. Very basic plot where none of the questions are answered and you don’t actually get to see any of the kills. Anti-climactic AF.
January 28, 2025
A gruesomely fabulous horror novella perfect for spooky season! 🕷️🦇🖤🪓
This was gruesome, terrifying and completely creepy! I LOVED It
Everything you need a haunted house horror, at times this book had me squirming!
I finished this book a couple of nights ago and I'm still thinking of it now, and to me that’s a great read.
This was Fast paced and engaging I absolutely tore through it
Oh and it’s definitely one to read with the lights ON
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2024
https://www.instagram.com/thespookybo...
This was gruesome, terrifying and completely creepy! I LOVED It
Everything you need a haunted house horror, at times this book had me squirming!
I finished this book a couple of nights ago and I'm still thinking of it now, and to me that’s a great read.
This was Fast paced and engaging I absolutely tore through it
Oh and it’s definitely one to read with the lights ON
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2024
https://www.instagram.com/thespookybo...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews