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Lantern : An Extreme Horror Short Story
Lantern is a “milder” extreme horror short story . . . But still not for the faint of heart . . . Or those with a weak stomach
Jen inherits her Grandmother’s home in a rural town in Maine after her father passes away. Now she is forced to return to the place responsible for her childhood trauma.
At night a man has watched her for years — cigarette lit and lantern in hand. For years he has only watched from afar, until someone else gets in the way, tipping the scales.
The man decides it is time to take what he believes is his.
Jen inherits her Grandmother’s home in a rural town in Maine after her father passes away. Now she is forced to return to the place responsible for her childhood trauma.
At night a man has watched her for years — cigarette lit and lantern in hand. For years he has only watched from afar, until someone else gets in the way, tipping the scales.
The man decides it is time to take what he believes is his.
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
5 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Gokey
10 books39 followersJ.M. Gokey is a self published fantasy and horror author. Her debut novel is The Chosen. When not writing, she is an avid reader, and always caffeinated. She lives in Ansonia, CT with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 9, 2024
The Watcher...
LANTERN: An Extreme Horror Short Story
by J.M. Gokey
No spoilers. 3 stars. This is a short (and I do mean short) story that could have been much better if it was a little longer...
A man watches young Jen every night through the french doors in her bedroom...
He carries a lantern, and he presses his face against the glass panes...
Watching...
Frightened, Jen gets into bed with her mother, who holds her close and tells her that it wasn't real...
It was only a nightmare...
The man with the lantern comes to Jen's french doors every night without fail. He stays about an hour, then leaves...
Watching...
The house sits deep in the Maine woods off a dirt road. Jen's family vacations on the property for a month every year. Dad inherited the house from Grandma...
Jen, now an adult, is on her way to the property with her boyfriend and her best friend to do some winterizing to the house...
But...
Something sinister lives in the house and it's surrounding woods now...
And it's watching and waiting for Jen...
This might have made a very spooky story if it wasn't so short that questions went unanswered and characters, including the main character, were not clearly developed. As it stands, it was too short to be effective.
LANTERN: An Extreme Horror Short Story
by J.M. Gokey
No spoilers. 3 stars. This is a short (and I do mean short) story that could have been much better if it was a little longer...
A man watches young Jen every night through the french doors in her bedroom...
He carries a lantern, and he presses his face against the glass panes...
Watching...
Frightened, Jen gets into bed with her mother, who holds her close and tells her that it wasn't real...
It was only a nightmare...
The man with the lantern comes to Jen's french doors every night without fail. He stays about an hour, then leaves...
Watching...
The house sits deep in the Maine woods off a dirt road. Jen's family vacations on the property for a month every year. Dad inherited the house from Grandma...
Jen, now an adult, is on her way to the property with her boyfriend and her best friend to do some winterizing to the house...
But...
Something sinister lives in the house and it's surrounding woods now...
And it's watching and waiting for Jen...
This might have made a very spooky story if it wasn't so short that questions went unanswered and characters, including the main character, were not clearly developed. As it stands, it was too short to be effective.
December 11, 2025
3.5 stars. This wasn’t bad for a quick read. Good atmosphere and the earlier parts of the story had me fully engaged. However, it was far too short to give the proper context needed to make anything matter much. There was also a fair amount of sex, which didn’t feel necessary at all. The latter part of the story lost me, as it sort of progressed from a promising, more spectral affair to a very standard and underwhelming backwoods situation. Again, nothing was done badly, but it needed to be much more developed to benefit all parts of this horror experience.
May 27, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
This one kind of missed the mark for me. At only 28 pages, Lantern spends most of its time setting the scene and building background. When the horror finally hits, it skips over most of the action and jumps straight to the aftermath. The concept, with a woman returning to a childhood home haunted by a watching figure, is solid, but the execution felt rushed and familiar.
I do read extreme horror from time to time and enjoy it, but this didn’t feel extreme to me at all. The marketing calls it “milder extreme horror,” which already feels like a contradiction, and what little gore or shock there is happens off-page.
Jen, the main character, was also hard to connect with. Her narration leaned too heavily into crude humor that didn’t land for me. Lines like “I got up to take a piss” or chugging beers and belching didn’t make her feel more relatable, just off-putting.
I did think it was neat that the setting was inspired by a real location from the author’s past, and the premise had promise. But if more time had been spent on the final act and the horror itself, I think this could have landed stronger.
This one kind of missed the mark for me. At only 28 pages, Lantern spends most of its time setting the scene and building background. When the horror finally hits, it skips over most of the action and jumps straight to the aftermath. The concept, with a woman returning to a childhood home haunted by a watching figure, is solid, but the execution felt rushed and familiar.
I do read extreme horror from time to time and enjoy it, but this didn’t feel extreme to me at all. The marketing calls it “milder extreme horror,” which already feels like a contradiction, and what little gore or shock there is happens off-page.
Jen, the main character, was also hard to connect with. Her narration leaned too heavily into crude humor that didn’t land for me. Lines like “I got up to take a piss” or chugging beers and belching didn’t make her feel more relatable, just off-putting.
I did think it was neat that the setting was inspired by a real location from the author’s past, and the premise had promise. But if more time had been spent on the final act and the horror itself, I think this could have landed stronger.
February 22, 2025
Wow!
I decided not to read the summary of this book so I went in blind and my goodness my heart is wanting to pound out of my chest. I usually don’t read horror but I have seen this book pop up and decided I should just give it a try! I will most definitely be reading the sequel!
I decided not to read the summary of this book so I went in blind and my goodness my heart is wanting to pound out of my chest. I usually don’t read horror but I have seen this book pop up and decided I should just give it a try! I will most definitely be reading the sequel!
January 9, 2026
Lantern follows Jen, a woman forced to return to a rural Maine town after inheriting her grandmother’s house, the very place tied to her childhood trauma. But Jen was never truly alone there. For years, a man has watched her from the darkness, always at night, cigarette glowing, lantern in hand. He never intervened. He only observed.
And that ending… phew. It lands hard and will absolutely stick with you, even if it feels more shocking than fully explored. Overall, Lantern is a solid, unsettling read, disturbing, memorable, but leaving you wishing there had been just a little more depth before the flame went out.
And that ending… phew. It lands hard and will absolutely stick with you, even if it feels more shocking than fully explored. Overall, Lantern is a solid, unsettling read, disturbing, memorable, but leaving you wishing there had been just a little more depth before the flame went out.
August 29, 2025
This was a really fun short story! It’s also a mild venture into extreme horror. The gore was done well. I’m a sucker for haunted house stories and while I enjoyed this it could have been better if it was longer to allow certain elements and characters to be more fleshed out and more components being added to the story but it was still a good horror short! There is a second book which I’ll be reading and curious to see how it ties in or if it’s a separate story on its own.
Lantern follows a young girl at her families vacation home. She’s never felt comfortable there and always had a sense that something is watching her. Years later she finds herself back at the house as she’s recently inherited it. Her past suspicions are about to be confirmed when she gets to the property.
Definitely pick this one up!
Lantern follows a young girl at her families vacation home. She’s never felt comfortable there and always had a sense that something is watching her. Years later she finds herself back at the house as she’s recently inherited it. Her past suspicions are about to be confirmed when she gets to the property.
Definitely pick this one up!
April 8, 2025
When I was younger, I stumbled across a little black book of urban legends in the library. I stowed away in a hidden corner and devoured stories that should have been too old for me, and haunted my nightmares for years to come. It also started my love for horror and am addiction to the thrill of feeling the need to hide under the covers and lock the doors. J.M. Gokey’s Enfield Horror Shorts channeled those feelings I had as a child. Dark, disturbing, and depraved- believe the warning of extreme horror, this is not for readers with a weak constitution. But if you love a story that makes you turn on all the lights and one you can repeat at campfires to terrify your friends- these short homages to the American Horror stories will keep your thoughts second guessing all night.
January 3, 2025
This was intense in a good way, the second the story started i thought oh, this is going to be a short but warped story, and i was very correct.
This was one I received in exchange for a honest review, and i also listened to this as an audiobook.
The narrator really lent something to this story, i felt more immersed, which in horror, what a ride.
I keep typing and deleting everything about this, it was short so i don't want to spoil but, the fucking lantern and lantern guy, that scene where Jen is outside and finds, well everything i cant tell you about, just about ruined me, my skin crawled. The sinister vibe just from listening to the description had me repulsed, but i sickly wanted more.
I would really like more, of this story maybe or something else like it, it was truly a horror.
This was one I received in exchange for a honest review, and i also listened to this as an audiobook.
The narrator really lent something to this story, i felt more immersed, which in horror, what a ride.
I keep typing and deleting everything about this, it was short so i don't want to spoil but, the fucking lantern and lantern guy, that scene where Jen is outside and finds, well everything i cant tell you about, just about ruined me, my skin crawled. The sinister vibe just from listening to the description had me repulsed, but i sickly wanted more.
I would really like more, of this story maybe or something else like it, it was truly a horror.
September 29, 2024
Jens grandma passed away when she was younger and her family used it as their vacation house. Jen never liked going there because she always felt watched by a man with a lantern. Her parents never believed her.
Years go by and Jen is going back to the house after her father passed and she inherited it. Old memories start to flood her mind as she's going there with her friend and boyfriend. It doesn't take long for her to see the man with the lantern
This was a very quick read! The man with the lantern was described really nasty! And the gore that was in here was fantastic! I wanted a little bit more because once we meet him, you want to know more! This was the authors first time dipping into extreme and she did it well! I'm excited to see where this goes
Years go by and Jen is going back to the house after her father passed and she inherited it. Old memories start to flood her mind as she's going there with her friend and boyfriend. It doesn't take long for her to see the man with the lantern
This was a very quick read! The man with the lantern was described really nasty! And the gore that was in here was fantastic! I wanted a little bit more because once we meet him, you want to know more! This was the authors first time dipping into extreme and she did it well! I'm excited to see where this goes
May 11, 2025
The perfect short story with enough background and a perfect twisted ending!
I read the sequel to this short story and because I loved it, I needed to go back and read the first! I found it to be perfectly balanced, both in terms of depth and horror elements.
It was creepy, it was gory and worth it just for that ending! Although when a chuckle escaped my lips, I did wonder what was wrong with me!
If you're curious about extreme horror but feel you're not ready, this is on the milder side and a great story too!
I read the sequel to this short story and because I loved it, I needed to go back and read the first! I found it to be perfectly balanced, both in terms of depth and horror elements.
It was creepy, it was gory and worth it just for that ending! Although when a chuckle escaped my lips, I did wonder what was wrong with me!
If you're curious about extreme horror but feel you're not ready, this is on the milder side and a great story too!
May 22, 2025
The horror story is there.
The only thing I have to say here is that I wish it was about 40 pages longer 😂 it has the bones for a really solid horror story but it moves so quick that it’s hard to follow the lore as well as I would’ve liked. Good for a short story and a first take on horror though!
The only thing I have to say here is that I wish it was about 40 pages longer 😂 it has the bones for a really solid horror story but it moves so quick that it’s hard to follow the lore as well as I would’ve liked. Good for a short story and a first take on horror though!
September 27, 2025
I thought this was a short and fun read to get through ! This book had me intrigued from the start and it was creepy. the story was well thought out and worth the listen. it was written well and I will definitely be starting the next book soon. I had a great time reading this. this was an intense read.
February 22, 2025
read it!
A must read for fans of extreme horror and gore. I loved it. I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel.
A must read for fans of extreme horror and gore. I loved it. I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel.
June 16, 2025
Jen as a child used to be terrified in her home due to a man who presses his face against her bedroom window carrying a lantern. As an adult she visits her family home yearly. With someone else this time they go visit where the lantern man is back.
This had potential. Lack of character development lead to me not really caring what happened and where. I didn’t care for the characters and I haven’t been left itching to reach for the next story. This is incredibly short so easy to breeze through if you fancy an emotionless sort of easy read. Plot holes where I was just baffled alongside. I’m glad it was a short read but if it had been bulked out more this could have been so much better!
Pros:
💀 Fair storyline
💀 Super quick read
Cons:
💀 Character development lacked
💀 Plot holes
💀 Not interested in sequel
This had potential. Lack of character development lead to me not really caring what happened and where. I didn’t care for the characters and I haven’t been left itching to reach for the next story. This is incredibly short so easy to breeze through if you fancy an emotionless sort of easy read. Plot holes where I was just baffled alongside. I’m glad it was a short read but if it had been bulked out more this could have been so much better!
Pros:
💀 Fair storyline
💀 Super quick read
Cons:
💀 Character development lacked
💀 Plot holes
💀 Not interested in sequel
December 13, 2024
Lantern by J.M. Gokey
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a super fun and creepy short horror story!!
Jen inherites her grandmother house after her father passes away. The memories Jen has from being there as a child aren’t great ones. She always felt that someone with a cigarette and lantern was watching her. Coming back now, as an adult, she still has her concerns.
The story is well written and grabbed me quickly! There’s several surprises and twists I didn’t see coming!
I definitely wanted more of this intense story and I can’t wait for book 2!!
Thank you to J.M. Gokey for an audio copy of this excellent and scary story! The narrator did a great job too!
*A must read for a very short horror story!*
**Book 2- Torch, comes out December 28th!!**
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a super fun and creepy short horror story!!
Jen inherites her grandmother house after her father passes away. The memories Jen has from being there as a child aren’t great ones. She always felt that someone with a cigarette and lantern was watching her. Coming back now, as an adult, she still has her concerns.
The story is well written and grabbed me quickly! There’s several surprises and twists I didn’t see coming!
I definitely wanted more of this intense story and I can’t wait for book 2!!
Thank you to J.M. Gokey for an audio copy of this excellent and scary story! The narrator did a great job too!
*A must read for a very short horror story!*
**Book 2- Torch, comes out December 28th!!**
May 15, 2025
Quick and enjoyable!
I found J.M. Gokey on TikTok and decided to check out Lantern (Torch is next).
I enjoyed Lantern the whole time I was reading it. It was a very quick read, but that didn't take away from the plot. I think it would be an excellent choice for someone wanting to dip their toes into the horror genre! It is also something anyone who enjoys horror could pick up and finish while waiting in a pickup line (or in a waiting room 🤷🏼♀️ just an idea).
I think Lantern has the perfect amount of gore and mystery in its pages to grab the attention of its readers. I know it grabbed mine. 😂
I will be immediately diving into Torch because I need to find out what happens next!
I found J.M. Gokey on TikTok and decided to check out Lantern (Torch is next).
I enjoyed Lantern the whole time I was reading it. It was a very quick read, but that didn't take away from the plot. I think it would be an excellent choice for someone wanting to dip their toes into the horror genre! It is also something anyone who enjoys horror could pick up and finish while waiting in a pickup line (or in a waiting room 🤷🏼♀️ just an idea).
I think Lantern has the perfect amount of gore and mystery in its pages to grab the attention of its readers. I know it grabbed mine. 😂
I will be immediately diving into Torch because I need to find out what happens next!
April 28, 2025
I listened to this on Audible and it was super short, around 30 minutes. While short, it was really good! The author captured the scene perfectly, but I wish the book was longer. I will be moving to the second book, Torch now because this was just not enough. I grew up watching and reading Horror and this was like a taste, a summary of a much larger story.
I think the author has the chance to make this into something really great by expanding a little bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this quick Horror short story and will be looking forward to reading more work by this author!
I think the author has the chance to make this into something really great by expanding a little bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this quick Horror short story and will be looking forward to reading more work by this author!
May 12, 2025
Lantern is a fast paced horror story about what happens when a woman returns to the cabin that haunted her days as a child. The result is finding out her nightmares are far more real than she could’ve ever expected.
Horror isn’t my genre of choice most of the time, but I nabbed this title and had to read it! This is a very well written and detailed horror short. It’s certainly something that fuels the deepest fears and darkest nightmares of humanity, and definitely worth the read.
Horror isn’t my genre of choice most of the time, but I nabbed this title and had to read it! This is a very well written and detailed horror short. It’s certainly something that fuels the deepest fears and darkest nightmares of humanity, and definitely worth the read.
September 28, 2025
Jen inherited her grandmothers home in Maine, But that also came with all of her childhood fears and trauma. Going back for a weekend getaway with her man and her best friend, she’s forced to face exactly what she had been terrified of ever since she was little.
This was such a good story! It felt so haunting and genuinly so scary, The characters were done super well and even though it was a short story it definitely was a well rounded experience!
This was such a good story! It felt so haunting and genuinly so scary, The characters were done super well and even though it was a short story it definitely was a well rounded experience!
February 20, 2025
Fast Punch!
A chilling and well-crafted short horror story. While horror isn’t my usual go-to, I can appreciate the tension and atmosphere the author builds in such a short space. The writing is strong, and it’s clear the author has a passion for the genre. If you enjoy eerie, suspenseful tales, this one is worth checking out!
A chilling and well-crafted short horror story. While horror isn’t my usual go-to, I can appreciate the tension and atmosphere the author builds in such a short space. The writing is strong, and it’s clear the author has a passion for the genre. If you enjoy eerie, suspenseful tales, this one is worth checking out!
May 10, 2025
Lantern
This story kinda hits home with me. My Grandma had a house that was so creepy, that I didn't want to visit. It wasn't haunted, but it sure gave you the willies.
This story grabs you right away from page 1. It's a short read, but it sure packs a lot into it. Highly recommended. I can hardly wait for the next book!!!
This story kinda hits home with me. My Grandma had a house that was so creepy, that I didn't want to visit. It wasn't haunted, but it sure gave you the willies.
This story grabs you right away from page 1. It's a short read, but it sure packs a lot into it. Highly recommended. I can hardly wait for the next book!!!
May 15, 2025
This author has a really great ability to set a scene. This read much like a pivotal point in a horror movie, or a longer short story. Layers of character development and additional build would invest the reader in the outcome a little more. However, this author is one to watch as she understands the importance of keeping a steady pace and vivid imagery!
August 29, 2025
This short story, first in the Enfield Horror series, hits hard and fast. A woman inherits the family cabin where she spent her summers, but is haunted by memories of a sinister man watching her through her bedroom door. She goes to the home with friends to prepare it for sale, are those remembered horrors real or just her imagination?
October 11, 2025
I felt like by the time we get to the horror, the book is over. Super solid start, I think just just needs a little more substance. Don't get me wrong I love my short reads. This story just seems a little imbalanced on setup vs the juicy details. Still really liked it overall.
#31daysofhorrorshorts - EXTREME EDITION
#31daysofhorrorshorts - EXTREME EDITION
April 8, 2024
This book is a very quick horror story. It is a really good palette cleanser as it is a very quick read! It is short but to the point and still gives a good amount of details! I can’t wait to read more by this author and I am so glad she picked me as one of her ARC readers for this book!
April 16, 2024
This was such a good and short read! It definitely had me intrigued and wanting to know what happens and who it is! I would love more of the story. Overall I rated this book a 4 star. It was really such a good short story horror read. I absolutely loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2025
The story line was good ended on a cliff hanger. Can't wait to read the next book. I "read" this book as an audio. I unfortunately didn't like the narrator, she didn't show any emotion and was very monotone. You must pick this up and read this book.
January 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this
Honestly I ended up so engulfed that when it ended I was sad haha. This was so good. Just enough gore, just enough thrill. 10/10. Loved! Only thing that I can say I didn’t like was that it ended so quick haha.
Honestly I ended up so engulfed that when it ended I was sad haha. This was so good. Just enough gore, just enough thrill. 10/10. Loved! Only thing that I can say I didn’t like was that it ended so quick haha.
April 16, 2025
I liked the author's note at the beginning, I think that made the story seem neat.
I liked the creepiness that I felt while reading.
I liked the way it ended. It made me want to know what would happen to Jen. It made you ready for the second book in the Enfield Horror series, Torch.
I liked the creepiness that I felt while reading.
I liked the way it ended. It made me want to know what would happen to Jen. It made you ready for the second book in the Enfield Horror series, Torch.
June 12, 2025
J.M. Gokey wrote a very short horror story that quickly draws your attention.
I’m not a huge horror fan and can’t remember the last time that I read one. This was the perfect book to lean into for reading horror again. The lantern plays a large role in the book so staying far away from it is key.
Always Trust your Gut!
Now it’s time to read the sequel- Torch
I’m not a huge horror fan and can’t remember the last time that I read one. This was the perfect book to lean into for reading horror again. The lantern plays a large role in the book so staying far away from it is key.
Always Trust your Gut!
Now it’s time to read the sequel- Torch
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews