What do you think?
Rate this book
I Believe in Mister Bones
The email’s subject line reads DO YOU BELIEVE IN MISTER BONES?
The recipient: Daniel Addams, one half of the Texas small press known as Fiendish Books, co-run with his wife Eileen.
Despite being closed for submissions, curiosity gets the best of him and he takes a look at the anonymous author’s bizarre manuscript—only to find himself obsessed with the titular Mister Bones, a mysterious entity rumored to steal your bones as you sleep, one by one, until he's replaced your entire skeleton with an unknown substance.
But is Mister Bones real, and has Daniel unintentionally summoned him?
Or, as Eileen suspects, has he finally cracked from stress and lost his mind?
From the writer of WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING and ABNORMAL STATISTICS comes Max Booth III’s I BELIEVE IN MISTER BONES, a harrowing exploration of indie horror publishing, internet curses, and the universal terror of the human skeleton.
The recipient: Daniel Addams, one half of the Texas small press known as Fiendish Books, co-run with his wife Eileen.
Despite being closed for submissions, curiosity gets the best of him and he takes a look at the anonymous author’s bizarre manuscript—only to find himself obsessed with the titular Mister Bones, a mysterious entity rumored to steal your bones as you sleep, one by one, until he's replaced your entire skeleton with an unknown substance.
But is Mister Bones real, and has Daniel unintentionally summoned him?
Or, as Eileen suspects, has he finally cracked from stress and lost his mind?
From the writer of WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING and ABNORMAL STATISTICS comes Max Booth III’s I BELIEVE IN MISTER BONES, a harrowing exploration of indie horror publishing, internet curses, and the universal terror of the human skeleton.
392 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2024
16 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 3, 2024
This was a satirical look at the world of small press publishing and it was one hell of an entertaining read, equal parts funny and absolutely terrifying, Booth doesn't get enough praise, his style is a perfect blend of humour, the bizarre and a whole lot of heart, I do believe in Max Booth!
October 12, 2024
This is a novel with equal parts laughs and horrors and gives a satirical look into the world of publishing while the titular creature gives you the creeps!
A married couple run a small horror publishing press from their small apartment. One day they receive an unsolicited novella length book about Mr. Bones. It's weird but Daniel, the husband, becomes fascinated with it for some reason.
I don't want to give anything away about how to summon this thing or what happens once you do but it's pretty horrific to think about.
After accidently summoning him, Daniel's life gets much worse and this is going to lead to an event a bit over halfway through which was unexpected and changes things. You have to read to find out but this was done so well.
This book takes a laugh out loud look into indie publishing and Daniel is a great character with his confusion and self depreciating thoughts. This kind of publishing doesn't make enough money for much outside of the basic necessities and following this couple through that journey was fantastic.
This humor mixed with the terrifying horror elements really work together and gives us a story where you'll be laughing one minute and scared the next.
I loved this one and I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book through Book Sirens. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A married couple run a small horror publishing press from their small apartment. One day they receive an unsolicited novella length book about Mr. Bones. It's weird but Daniel, the husband, becomes fascinated with it for some reason.
I don't want to give anything away about how to summon this thing or what happens once you do but it's pretty horrific to think about.
After accidently summoning him, Daniel's life gets much worse and this is going to lead to an event a bit over halfway through which was unexpected and changes things. You have to read to find out but this was done so well.
This book takes a laugh out loud look into indie publishing and Daniel is a great character with his confusion and self depreciating thoughts. This kind of publishing doesn't make enough money for much outside of the basic necessities and following this couple through that journey was fantastic.
This humor mixed with the terrifying horror elements really work together and gives us a story where you'll be laughing one minute and scared the next.
I loved this one and I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book through Book Sirens. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
December 10, 2024
Note: My toe was broken the day I started this book, which made this basically an immersive experience. I Believe in Mister Bones is brilliant. You watch as the protagonists, two normal people struggling with an indie publishing company and an upcoming festival, are drawn into a horror story once an unsolicited submission hits their inbox. The subsequent journey to madness is strange, hilarious at times, and absolutely heartbreaking. A story about the power of folklore, one that never goes where you expect. Go in blind with this one, trust me.
November 25, 2024
When I heard Max Booth had an extended panic attack while writing this book combined with the knowledge that this was an Apocalypse Party release, I knew I had to check it out. Booth channels the dread and mystery of internet legends & creepy pasta to cook up the entity known as Mister Bones, who can only be summoned after you break a bone.
Pretty early on, this book gave me a weird dream about accidentally breaking one of my bones and being paranoid about summoning the entity. This is impressive in itself because I’m a seasoned horror fan and this is a super rare occurrence.
It starts out somewhat unassuming with the publisher couple’s up and downs, but spirals into bone-breaking madness and paranoia. Plus, the shots which serve as subs at other publishers, editors, etc. was funny. Highly highly recommended.
Pretty early on, this book gave me a weird dream about accidentally breaking one of my bones and being paranoid about summoning the entity. This is impressive in itself because I’m a seasoned horror fan and this is a super rare occurrence.
It starts out somewhat unassuming with the publisher couple’s up and downs, but spirals into bone-breaking madness and paranoia. Plus, the shots which serve as subs at other publishers, editors, etc. was funny. Highly highly recommended.
October 9, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily(
Special note for the (most likely fictional) CSP Foundation: This book may contain in INFO HAZARD...just putting that out there...
-
In story "The Nameless City", H.P. Lovecraft said the following:
“That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die.”
As the digital landscape we take part in continues to mutate and change, I often am reminded of the above quote. Those of us "From the Internet", derelict wanderers from the days of dial-up. We understand that image files become corrupted, old websites get taken down, but everything put out there on the older web, malignant memes, questionable threads, still lurk, and can rear their head when least expected... I mean hey, it's 2024 and I still think back obscure ytmnd fads.
-
The descriptive "A Slow Burn" is often ascribed to certain types of Fiction. With I Believe in Mister Bones , Max Booth has not written a slow burn work of weird horror. Instead this is a book that creeps up on you. The atmosphere, perhaps even your own thought processes gain a sensation of becoming increasingly compressed. The Anxiety and Fear and Paranoia that amasses around the proprietors of Fiendish Books, collapses inward, like the jaws of a Great Skull slowly closing. Things get tense, things get weird, and then something snaps and the High Strangeness kicks into overdrive.
Some of you may be like myself, a creature that lurks in the general orbit of, but not directly connected to the realm of "Independent Horror Publishing". Because of this proximity I recognized in this book elements of dark and deliciously wicked self satire of that sphere. This isn't a book about the author, let's make that very clear. No, this glimpse into a dark alternate reality, like the mirror universe of Star Trek. Satire of the industry is delivered with love, and a clear passion. This book wouldn't exist otherwise right? This strange satirical lens goes much farther. The rotten corpse of the health care system? Mental Health under late stage capitalism? Toxic Podcasters? Indeed, all of these become pieces that make up I Believe in Mister Bones .
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out out to the excellent interior illustrations from Betty Rocksteady. Betty's drawings add an additional layer of macabre fun to already exceptional story. Likewise, Trevor Henderson's covert art draws the reader in immediately with an aura of "Enjoyable foreboding".
I Believe in Mister Bones, and after you read this book...so will YOU.
Special note for the (most likely fictional) CSP Foundation: This book may contain in INFO HAZARD...just putting that out there...
-
In story "The Nameless City", H.P. Lovecraft said the following:
“That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die.”
As the digital landscape we take part in continues to mutate and change, I often am reminded of the above quote. Those of us "From the Internet", derelict wanderers from the days of dial-up. We understand that image files become corrupted, old websites get taken down, but everything put out there on the older web, malignant memes, questionable threads, still lurk, and can rear their head when least expected... I mean hey, it's 2024 and I still think back obscure ytmnd fads.
-
The descriptive "A Slow Burn" is often ascribed to certain types of Fiction. With I Believe in Mister Bones , Max Booth has not written a slow burn work of weird horror. Instead this is a book that creeps up on you. The atmosphere, perhaps even your own thought processes gain a sensation of becoming increasingly compressed. The Anxiety and Fear and Paranoia that amasses around the proprietors of Fiendish Books, collapses inward, like the jaws of a Great Skull slowly closing. Things get tense, things get weird, and then something snaps and the High Strangeness kicks into overdrive.
Some of you may be like myself, a creature that lurks in the general orbit of, but not directly connected to the realm of "Independent Horror Publishing". Because of this proximity I recognized in this book elements of dark and deliciously wicked self satire of that sphere. This isn't a book about the author, let's make that very clear. No, this glimpse into a dark alternate reality, like the mirror universe of Star Trek. Satire of the industry is delivered with love, and a clear passion. This book wouldn't exist otherwise right? This strange satirical lens goes much farther. The rotten corpse of the health care system? Mental Health under late stage capitalism? Toxic Podcasters? Indeed, all of these become pieces that make up I Believe in Mister Bones .
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out out to the excellent interior illustrations from Betty Rocksteady. Betty's drawings add an additional layer of macabre fun to already exceptional story. Likewise, Trevor Henderson's covert art draws the reader in immediately with an aura of "Enjoyable foreboding".
I Believe in Mister Bones, and after you read this book...so will YOU.
June 2, 2025
Booth once again delivers with a tale of identity, artistic frustration, and BONES. Lots and lots of bones, baby! I had a helluva time reading this book. Like it was funny and depressing all at once, my favorite mix. Max Booth III is one of the most interesting and original horror writers working today.
October 6, 2024
Max Booth is one of those authors that doesn't get talked about enough. I have read and own everything he has put out. He is a fabulous writer and a pretty cool person to meet as well.
First off thanks to BookSirens for the opportunity to read this ahead of time. I saw Max Booth on the list and I couldn't click fast enough!!
Now for Mister Bones…..
"What was there to think besides wow, that sure is a big fucking skeleton?"
Man, did I enjoy this book! I think this is my favorite story so far!! I laughed out loud at parts. I cussed at someone in a couple parts. And the art work splashed inside the pages was a awesome touch to the story!! I loved everything about this book! Just grab a copy and curl up in the corner and start. You won't get up till you done. I finished it all in one sitting. Yes, it's that good.
Happy Reading and Splatter On…..
First off thanks to BookSirens for the opportunity to read this ahead of time. I saw Max Booth on the list and I couldn't click fast enough!!
Now for Mister Bones…..
"What was there to think besides wow, that sure is a big fucking skeleton?"
Man, did I enjoy this book! I think this is my favorite story so far!! I laughed out loud at parts. I cussed at someone in a couple parts. And the art work splashed inside the pages was a awesome touch to the story!! I loved everything about this book! Just grab a copy and curl up in the corner and start. You won't get up till you done. I finished it all in one sitting. Yes, it's that good.
Happy Reading and Splatter On…..
October 9, 2024
What a riot this was.
The last thing I want with a horror novel is something that was formatted to appeal to preexisting audience: ghost enthusiasts, vampire freaks, psycho killer fanatics. I Believe in Mister Bones couldn't be any further from formatted. This is a haunted metafictional comedy about spending too much time on the internet that provided me with one of my most intense reading moments in years. I even missed my subway exit.
If you're familiar with Max Booth, this is a mix of Old Comedian Max and New Unsettling Max and he keeps you guessing which foot you have to dance on. It's fun, fun, fun and then HOLY SH*T WHAT WAS THAT. It's one of these novels that would become a cult hit were it ever going to be made into a film.
More on Dead End Follies later this week.
The last thing I want with a horror novel is something that was formatted to appeal to preexisting audience: ghost enthusiasts, vampire freaks, psycho killer fanatics. I Believe in Mister Bones couldn't be any further from formatted. This is a haunted metafictional comedy about spending too much time on the internet that provided me with one of my most intense reading moments in years. I even missed my subway exit.
If you're familiar with Max Booth, this is a mix of Old Comedian Max and New Unsettling Max and he keeps you guessing which foot you have to dance on. It's fun, fun, fun and then HOLY SH*T WHAT WAS THAT. It's one of these novels that would become a cult hit were it ever going to be made into a film.
More on Dead End Follies later this week.
January 3, 2025
I have to admit, this one started rather rocky for me. The characters and story seemed a bit shallow, lacking substance. But as the novel progressed, so did the character development. I’m now a huge fan of Daniel.
What followed was a whole basket full of weirdness. And I loved it.
A new creature-of-fear has emerged, this one, once summoned, steals your bones at night and replaces them with….something.
A literary marvel it is not. This is modern story-telling complete with modern vocab, snark, and tech references.
I can always gauge a book by how many highlights I make, and if I’ll send a copy to my sister. Done and done.
The illustrations did nothing to enhance the book. Cartoonish and distracting from the characters in my imagination.
Can recommend.
What followed was a whole basket full of weirdness. And I loved it.
A new creature-of-fear has emerged, this one, once summoned, steals your bones at night and replaces them with….something.
A literary marvel it is not. This is modern story-telling complete with modern vocab, snark, and tech references.
I can always gauge a book by how many highlights I make, and if I’ll send a copy to my sister. Done and done.
The illustrations did nothing to enhance the book. Cartoonish and distracting from the characters in my imagination.
Can recommend.
October 4, 2024
Thank you, BookSiren, for the ARC, and thank you to the writer and publishers for all your hard work. This review is voluntary and happily left!
This was one of the most interesting books I've read this year so far. It definitely had a slow start at the beginning and got faster the further on you read into it. The one big thing that interests me about this book is the fact that it's circling around one big secret: Mister Bones. Who or what is he? There is just so much going for him, and it drives you crazy wanting to know more about him and hoping so much for the characters. Not only that, but once you do learn things, it's mind-blowing. Everything leads up to the end, and ahhh! Getting away from that, there are a lot of trigger warnings. A lot goes on throughout this book: Suicide, blood and gore, mild sex scenes, body horror, and other things. If that's up your alley, we'll come right in!
A side note and a bit of a small spoiler: The artwork i absolutely loved it! I wasn't expecting that at all, but it definitely adds to the ambiance and adds an extra, but that's needed, in my opinion. Even without it, this book is still startling scary and spooky. I just love how the artwork adds the extra spice.
What's to happen to our main characters as one seems to be completely obsessed with a being called Mister Bones? That's all he seems to think about and believes the monster is actually taking his bones away while he sleeps and replaces them. Is he right? Are his bones being taken and replaced in the middle of the night, or has he fallen off his rocker? Will his wife be able to help him, or will things only get far worse for the two of them? Read and find out, and will you be a believer of Mister Bones by the end of the book, too?
All i have to say is I've been rather lucky. It seems that when I'm not sure if I should continue a book I make myself continue till twenty-five percent, and by that time, I'm glad I've continued. This was a phenomenal book, and I'll definitely be putting it on my top five list.
This was one of the most interesting books I've read this year so far. It definitely had a slow start at the beginning and got faster the further on you read into it. The one big thing that interests me about this book is the fact that it's circling around one big secret: Mister Bones. Who or what is he? There is just so much going for him, and it drives you crazy wanting to know more about him and hoping so much for the characters. Not only that, but once you do learn things, it's mind-blowing. Everything leads up to the end, and ahhh! Getting away from that, there are a lot of trigger warnings. A lot goes on throughout this book: Suicide, blood and gore, mild sex scenes, body horror, and other things. If that's up your alley, we'll come right in!
A side note and a bit of a small spoiler: The artwork i absolutely loved it! I wasn't expecting that at all, but it definitely adds to the ambiance and adds an extra, but that's needed, in my opinion. Even without it, this book is still startling scary and spooky. I just love how the artwork adds the extra spice.
What's to happen to our main characters as one seems to be completely obsessed with a being called Mister Bones? That's all he seems to think about and believes the monster is actually taking his bones away while he sleeps and replaces them. Is he right? Are his bones being taken and replaced in the middle of the night, or has he fallen off his rocker? Will his wife be able to help him, or will things only get far worse for the two of them? Read and find out, and will you be a believer of Mister Bones by the end of the book, too?
All i have to say is I've been rather lucky. It seems that when I'm not sure if I should continue a book I make myself continue till twenty-five percent, and by that time, I'm glad I've continued. This was a phenomenal book, and I'll definitely be putting it on my top five list.
December 2, 2024
Review to come.
October 6, 2024
Daniel is a small indie horror book publisher who works with his wife. One day a submission crosses his inbox that ends up taking over his life.
This was great. It was so weird I loved it. I kinda hated Daniel by the middle though. Parts of this book were goofy and funny, I’m not sure if it’s meant to be funny but there were moments when I laughed out loud. Excellent story.
This was great. It was so weird I loved it. I kinda hated Daniel by the middle though. Parts of this book were goofy and funny, I’m not sure if it’s meant to be funny but there were moments when I laughed out loud. Excellent story.
April 15, 2025
A publisher receives a manuscript about a creature that steals your bones while you sleep. He accidentally conjures the creature and, yes, starts to lose bones! Propulsive—you want to keep turning pages—with a fun middle section like an old school message board, and a satisfying ending.
October 19, 2024
Daniel and his wife Eileen are small press publishers preparing to host a book festival when a weird email pops up in Daniel's inbox with the subject I Believe In Mister Bones. Since they are closed to submissions, he ignores it. Unfortunately, he is unable to stop thinking about it. He retrieves the email from his trash and soon becomes obsessed with it. Before long, he starts to believe in Mister Bones, a supernatural being that steals the bones of its victims and replaces them with an unknown substance.
This was such a fun read because it alternated between hilarious and creepy scenes. I loved the back-and-forth banter between Daniel and Eileen. I personally have anxiety over all things medical and I can relate to not having health insurance so one of my favorite parts of the book was their visit to the only doctor they could afford.
I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys a touch of satire with a splash of comedy mixed into horror.
My thanks to Book Sirens.
This was such a fun read because it alternated between hilarious and creepy scenes. I loved the back-and-forth banter between Daniel and Eileen. I personally have anxiety over all things medical and I can relate to not having health insurance so one of my favorite parts of the book was their visit to the only doctor they could afford.
I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys a touch of satire with a splash of comedy mixed into horror.
My thanks to Book Sirens.
January 12, 2025
I’m going to go on record as saying that I Believe in Mister Bones is my favorite horror novel of 2024. Why? The laughs, man! I needed the laughs!
The laughs, the feels, and the vibe… (No, I’m not trying to sound cool; I just am)… I Believe in Mister Bones has it all. In these pages, Max Booth III has created an original monster that still feels familiar, somehow. Exciting and new, yet cozy.
The plot centers around a married couple who run an indie horror press, Daniel and Eileen, whose lives spiral out of control when Daniel encounters a curse by reading a submission sent to their publishing inbox, pasted in the body of an email with no contact info included. Even I was thinking, Why is he bothering to read that? But there’s something so alluring about Mister Bones.
The email tells the story of a monster who steals your skeleton, bone by bone, while you sleep. Those are some pretty tasty creepypasta ingredients, huh? Instantly, Daniel becomes obsessed and desperate for answers. Who sent the email? What does it mean? Why can’t he stop thinking about it? And why does he feel so strange, like he’s coming down with something?
I’ve been in love with books and literature my entire life. So, naturally, I enjoyed the fact that the main characters are publishers. The text is chock-full of fun references to the indie horror community. Easter eggs to gobble up. But I think no matter who is sitting down to read I Believe in Mister Bones, they’re going to feel connected and involved. Max Booth III is just a good writer like that.
Warning. You might laugh at unexpected times, like when Daniel cracks a joke that no one acknowledges, so he just thinks to himself, What if I killed myself right now? An overreaction I can relate to, for sure. Even the username of the mysterious manuscript sender, Augustskeef, made me laugh. Augustskeef? Like, why does that sound so funny?
There is a scene in which Daniel and Eileen visit a crackpot doctor for the numbness and loss of taste Daniel has been experiencing since encountering the curse, and I don’t even know what to tell you about that scene. You just have to read it yourself. I’ve never laughed so hard over someone eating pie in my life.
I like that there is a POV shift in the novel. I like that there is diversity. I like that underneath all the madness, there is heart. Maybe I should be saying my favorite horror novel to come out in 2024 was The One That Everyone Talks About by Big F. Deal, but for me, it was I Believe in Mister Bones by Max Booth III.
The laughs, the feels, and the vibe… (No, I’m not trying to sound cool; I just am)… I Believe in Mister Bones has it all. In these pages, Max Booth III has created an original monster that still feels familiar, somehow. Exciting and new, yet cozy.
The plot centers around a married couple who run an indie horror press, Daniel and Eileen, whose lives spiral out of control when Daniel encounters a curse by reading a submission sent to their publishing inbox, pasted in the body of an email with no contact info included. Even I was thinking, Why is he bothering to read that? But there’s something so alluring about Mister Bones.
The email tells the story of a monster who steals your skeleton, bone by bone, while you sleep. Those are some pretty tasty creepypasta ingredients, huh? Instantly, Daniel becomes obsessed and desperate for answers. Who sent the email? What does it mean? Why can’t he stop thinking about it? And why does he feel so strange, like he’s coming down with something?
I’ve been in love with books and literature my entire life. So, naturally, I enjoyed the fact that the main characters are publishers. The text is chock-full of fun references to the indie horror community. Easter eggs to gobble up. But I think no matter who is sitting down to read I Believe in Mister Bones, they’re going to feel connected and involved. Max Booth III is just a good writer like that.
Warning. You might laugh at unexpected times, like when Daniel cracks a joke that no one acknowledges, so he just thinks to himself, What if I killed myself right now? An overreaction I can relate to, for sure. Even the username of the mysterious manuscript sender, Augustskeef, made me laugh. Augustskeef? Like, why does that sound so funny?
There is a scene in which Daniel and Eileen visit a crackpot doctor for the numbness and loss of taste Daniel has been experiencing since encountering the curse, and I don’t even know what to tell you about that scene. You just have to read it yourself. I’ve never laughed so hard over someone eating pie in my life.
I like that there is a POV shift in the novel. I like that there is diversity. I like that underneath all the madness, there is heart. Maybe I should be saying my favorite horror novel to come out in 2024 was The One That Everyone Talks About by Big F. Deal, but for me, it was I Believe in Mister Bones by Max Booth III.
October 26, 2024
*Disclaimer* I was provided a review copy from BookSirens, but that has no influence on my opinion and this review is voluntary.
I Believe in Mister Bones is a delightful tale of cursed object creepy pasta, tulpas, gruesome body horror, and an inside look into the world of independent publishing. I became a longtime Booth fan following the release of Abnormal Statistics, which I find to be a masterpiece in horror short story collections. Booth comes out swinging with Mister Bones and doesn’t hold back. Hilariously funny at times while also descending into complete madness at others. The tonal shifts could be jarring at times, but I found it gave the overall story a lot of depth and character. It’s difficult to make readers laugh and then immediately disgust them at turn of the page. Well done, Max!
I personally enjoyed Mister Bones, and if you have read any of Booth’s previous works, then you will likely enjoy this one too. As an aspiring writer myself, I found a lot of insight into how a small independent publisher functions and how difficult they have it. I would also recommend going back and listening to some of Max’s old interviews on their previous works. Many of their conversations made their way into Mister Bones and I enjoyed getting an almost “behind the scenes experience”.
I Believe in Mister Bones is a delightful tale of cursed object creepy pasta, tulpas, gruesome body horror, and an inside look into the world of independent publishing. I became a longtime Booth fan following the release of Abnormal Statistics, which I find to be a masterpiece in horror short story collections. Booth comes out swinging with Mister Bones and doesn’t hold back. Hilariously funny at times while also descending into complete madness at others. The tonal shifts could be jarring at times, but I found it gave the overall story a lot of depth and character. It’s difficult to make readers laugh and then immediately disgust them at turn of the page. Well done, Max!
I personally enjoyed Mister Bones, and if you have read any of Booth’s previous works, then you will likely enjoy this one too. As an aspiring writer myself, I found a lot of insight into how a small independent publisher functions and how difficult they have it. I would also recommend going back and listening to some of Max’s old interviews on their previous works. Many of their conversations made their way into Mister Bones and I enjoyed getting an almost “behind the scenes experience”.
October 14, 2024
4.75 stars
A little bit Slenderman and a whole DSM-V of Morgellons, I Believe in Mister Bones is an illustrated, mixed media-supported, love letter to creepypasta and 2010s online forum culture. Daniel and Eileen run a small indie horror press. Stressed, overwhelmed, and overworked to the verge of a nervous breakdown, Daniel has no business opening random unsolicited email submissions. But he does. And in doing so, he'll be forced to answer: does he believe in Mister Bones?
The only thing keeping this from being a true 5-stars for me is how Inside the Actors Studio the publishing business sections got. It was like picking up an office romance and having to slog through three chapters of powerpoint presentations before any flirting got underway. I know bookish books are incredibly popular, so it'll scratch someone's itch, but those sections didn't hold my interest.
I received this ARC for free on BookSirens.
A little bit Slenderman and a whole DSM-V of Morgellons, I Believe in Mister Bones is an illustrated, mixed media-supported, love letter to creepypasta and 2010s online forum culture. Daniel and Eileen run a small indie horror press. Stressed, overwhelmed, and overworked to the verge of a nervous breakdown, Daniel has no business opening random unsolicited email submissions. But he does. And in doing so, he'll be forced to answer: does he believe in Mister Bones?
The only thing keeping this from being a true 5-stars for me is how Inside the Actors Studio the publishing business sections got. It was like picking up an office romance and having to slog through three chapters of powerpoint presentations before any flirting got underway. I know bookish books are incredibly popular, so it'll scratch someone's itch, but those sections didn't hold my interest.
I received this ARC for free on BookSirens.
October 27, 2024
Another wild ride from Max Booth III. At this point I've read at least 75% of their catalog and I've never been disappointed.
I appreciated the non-traditional aspects of this narrative, articles and chats and messages integrated into the story.
The multiple perspectives were interesting as well. I quite disliked the wife in the first part of the book and how dismissive she was, but felt there was some redemption in the tail end of the book.
Overall, this is a little bit creepy and fun and sad, all squished together.
I quite enjoyed the chain letter gone wrong tone of the book and how it plays on the what ifs in life.
I appreciated the non-traditional aspects of this narrative, articles and chats and messages integrated into the story.
The multiple perspectives were interesting as well. I quite disliked the wife in the first part of the book and how dismissive she was, but felt there was some redemption in the tail end of the book.
Overall, this is a little bit creepy and fun and sad, all squished together.
I quite enjoyed the chain letter gone wrong tone of the book and how it plays on the what ifs in life.
November 16, 2024
I believe in Mr. Bones, and he is absolutely terrifying. I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud like this did. I don't mean a dry chuckle here and there, but rather bursts of giggles. This is a great blend of humor and horror that will stay with you after you've finished reading it. I don't want to say much else, since this book is worth going into knowing as little as possible. The illustrations were campy and fun, but they distracted me from the story. I wasn't familiar with Max Booth's other work, but I'll definitely be looking into it. Thanks to BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2024
I Believe in Mister Bones
Max Booth lll
5/5
Yes, yes, YES!
I'll be recommending this book to anyone who'll listen.
What an absolute thrill this book was ... In EVERY way. I had a blast!!
This book is like a rickety ride at a local county fair ... It starts off slowly, and just when you're thinking "Is this it?", it gets faster and faster until you're afraid the whole thing's gonna fall apart, sending you flying, arms and legs akimbo, into some unimaginable hell.
It's scary. It's hilarious. It's satirical. It's Max Booth lll at his finest.
Don't sleep on this one, y'all.
Max Booth lll
5/5
Yes, yes, YES!
I'll be recommending this book to anyone who'll listen.
What an absolute thrill this book was ... In EVERY way. I had a blast!!
This book is like a rickety ride at a local county fair ... It starts off slowly, and just when you're thinking "Is this it?", it gets faster and faster until you're afraid the whole thing's gonna fall apart, sending you flying, arms and legs akimbo, into some unimaginable hell.
It's scary. It's hilarious. It's satirical. It's Max Booth lll at his finest.
Don't sleep on this one, y'all.
December 17, 2024
This was little bit different than other Max Booth books I've read. He was the main character so it was funny to read about him. Actually the book had a lot of funny parts. It was also about mental illness I think because I've been around it so much I can tell. It was a great book and I liked it but not as much as some of his other books. Thanks to Max Booth and Booksirens for letting me read this and letting me review it.
December 27, 2024
J'ai bien aimé la fin et l'explication de l'existence de Mister Bones 🦴
En vrai ça vaudrait plus 2,5. Le style d'écriture est parfois franchement cringe (la scène chez le docteur est quasi impossible à lire à cause de ça) et ça manque de tension et de moments horrifiques forts.
En vrai ça vaudrait plus 2,5. Le style d'écriture est parfois franchement cringe (la scène chez le docteur est quasi impossible à lire à cause de ça) et ça manque de tension et de moments horrifiques forts.
March 11, 2025
Really good!
March 17, 2025
God damn this was fun. Horror comedy is apparently my thing.
March 18, 2025
Listen, I'm not sure I should even be talking about this book. Anyone who reads it will be at risk of their bones disappearing. Be warned, Mister Bones is real. By the time you finish reading the book, it'll be too late.
So you're going to proceed despite being advised not to? Ok, well I don't say I didn't warn you.
Here's the thing about this book: it's surprisingly funny, it's a fun creepy read, and it will cause you to lose your bones.
I don't know what else to tell you except that you should read at your own risk.
No but seriously, this book was a really good time. I particularly enjoyed the behind the scenes look at running a small publishing company and the overall weirdness of the story. I Believe in Mister Bones gave me strange dreams. It had me staring at the book yelling "WHAT??!" after something changed in the story (being really vague on purpose). I was pleasantly surprised when the story didn't go in the direction that I expected it to.
Kind of glad I read this except now I have to worry that my bones will disappear.
So you're going to proceed despite being advised not to? Ok, well I don't say I didn't warn you.
Here's the thing about this book: it's surprisingly funny, it's a fun creepy read, and it will cause you to lose your bones.
I don't know what else to tell you except that you should read at your own risk.
No but seriously, this book was a really good time. I particularly enjoyed the behind the scenes look at running a small publishing company and the overall weirdness of the story. I Believe in Mister Bones gave me strange dreams. It had me staring at the book yelling "WHAT??!" after something changed in the story (being really vague on purpose). I was pleasantly surprised when the story didn't go in the direction that I expected it to.
Kind of glad I read this except now I have to worry that my bones will disappear.
December 18, 2024
I will admit, I was rabid to get my hands on an ARC of I Believe in Mister Bones ever since Max Booth III shared a glimpse of the title a year or so ago. Something about it made me NEED to read it – on top of just general enjoyment of Booth’s work. So its a little embarrassing that it took me this long to finally get around to reading it – thanks burn out. Still, I’m so glad I did because it was excellent and not at all what I expected.
Content Warnings:
bones and false-bones, self-harm, suicide and suicidal ideation, cheating, assault, death of a loved one, depression, mental health discussion and crisis.
When I say authors like Max Booth III are doing really interesting things in horror, this book is a great example of it. They bend and wield tropes in interesting ways. Are they completely unique and has this never been done before -probably not, but it certainly isn’t done enough. When we’re inundated with movies and books in horror that are a regurgitation of the same monsters and same plot with very little wiggle, I believe its important to celebrate when we do come across something different.
Playing with Tropes
I Believe in Mister Bones is different. Sure its a creepypasta, cursed media trope evolved from a haunting/possession trope. However, it subverts those ideas in subtle ways. For example, the story’s protagonist, Daniel isn’t in a liminal state. Most hauntings and possessions, even creepypasta ones, require a state of transition whether its a teens going through puberty or a family moving, or the death of a loved one, or all of the above. Something in their lives is in transition but not Daniel. Daniel has been doing what he does for years – married to his wife, running a small publishing company, going to the same events, talking to the same people, day in and day out – its the whole first act of the book. Sure he’s stressed but its the stress of living, not of transition. Its the stress of “living the dream” owning his own small press, married to the love of his life who’s weird matches his own, and being in Texas/USA/online in the 21st century with all the systems, culture, and problems that entails.
Sure, it doesn’t sound like much but when it comes to horror beats and tropes, its certainly something worth note.
Nonbinary Rep!
Booth also includes nonbinary characters and gives a number of nods to the trans experience and how its often used as a metaphor in horror (intentionally or not). Again, this isn’t new, especially in horror, but is worth acknowledging and appreciating when we see it. A a nonbinary reader, I love finding books with characters like me especially from nonbinary authors like Booth.
On top of that, the character Xiomara is such a complicated and awesome character. Booth doesn’t try and make them perfect and a shining example of nonbinary personhood. They have major flaws and issues along with being a badass, super helpful, and at times heroic character on top of that. I was thrilled to see their part in the story play out and it was *chef’s kiss*.
Horror Community and Dark Humor
Then there is the tongue-in-cheek, dark AF, very pointed humor. Booth’s character Daniel is a fun self-insert that allows them to share thoughts about the horror writing and publishing world. Everything from how events can be exhausting for vendors (been there, done that, and laughed my ass off during some of the dialogue in the book around it) to how there are some in the horror book world that are sleazy to down right predatory (and yes, I had a good hard laugh at Eileen’s Stephen King impersonation and believe the book is worth the read if just for that). A lot of it is thoughts I’ve had about the community before – a community I love, don’t get me wrong, but, just like a family, there are a few handfuls of people that we could really do without along with a mindset that feeds off the drama surrounding them.
This knock at the industry culminates in a fantastic chapter showing how the community responds online to a character’s death. It was so realistic, so dark, and so fucking funny. I re-read it twice and then called my partner to read it to him. We shared a good laugh that was a mix of our own messed up humor and that vibe of we laugh so we don’t cry. Perfection.
New Fav Final Girl
Now I NEED to talk about Eileen.
Normally I HATE when horror media gives a final girl nothing to do or any character depth until Act 3. You see this in Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985) when Lisa goes from preppy, rich, girl next door to bad ass saving her possessed boyfriend in the name of true love (which feels like it was slapped on to try and fail to make the movie less gay…I could go in depth on this but perhaps this review isn’t the time or place). Up until that third act, Lisa was a negligible side character that only really gave the main character, Jesse, a chance to have some dialogue and sweat a little.
I was a little worried this would be the case with Eileen but Booth went a lot deeper. Not only does it feel like a nod to the NoES film (something that happens a lot in the book in general) but it allows the story to broaden its scope, feel strangely more realistic even as the third act gets very bizarre, and gives the human characters teeth and claws that are missing in so much of the story’s other, depressed, nose gazing characters (yes, including Daniel who I liked for the most part).
On top of that, Eileen is shown throughout the book (albeit through a Daniel filter) to be a bad ass. She handles her very stressful life as best she can. Does she break down? Yes, of course, as would anyone who was dealing with the shit she’s trying to juggle. In the end, I think she’s awesome and I am thrilled to add her to my fav final girls list.
I could go on but it culminates to the same shit I’ve been saying. I Believe in Mister Bones by Max Booth III is a fantastic read. It won’t be for everyone. I can already hear the bad reviews complaining about everything from foul language to the abrupt shifts in plot now. To them I say, there are already hundreds of books out there for you and your very bland taste. Go forth and enjoy them and leave the weird, odd, wonderfully fucked up books to us.
Thanks Max for writing, publishing, and selling horror for us weirdos.
Content Warnings:
bones and false-bones, self-harm, suicide and suicidal ideation, cheating, assault, death of a loved one, depression, mental health discussion and crisis.
When I say authors like Max Booth III are doing really interesting things in horror, this book is a great example of it. They bend and wield tropes in interesting ways. Are they completely unique and has this never been done before -probably not, but it certainly isn’t done enough. When we’re inundated with movies and books in horror that are a regurgitation of the same monsters and same plot with very little wiggle, I believe its important to celebrate when we do come across something different.
Playing with Tropes
I Believe in Mister Bones is different. Sure its a creepypasta, cursed media trope evolved from a haunting/possession trope. However, it subverts those ideas in subtle ways. For example, the story’s protagonist, Daniel isn’t in a liminal state. Most hauntings and possessions, even creepypasta ones, require a state of transition whether its a teens going through puberty or a family moving, or the death of a loved one, or all of the above. Something in their lives is in transition but not Daniel. Daniel has been doing what he does for years – married to his wife, running a small publishing company, going to the same events, talking to the same people, day in and day out – its the whole first act of the book. Sure he’s stressed but its the stress of living, not of transition. Its the stress of “living the dream” owning his own small press, married to the love of his life who’s weird matches his own, and being in Texas/USA/online in the 21st century with all the systems, culture, and problems that entails.
Sure, it doesn’t sound like much but when it comes to horror beats and tropes, its certainly something worth note.
Nonbinary Rep!
Booth also includes nonbinary characters and gives a number of nods to the trans experience and how its often used as a metaphor in horror (intentionally or not). Again, this isn’t new, especially in horror, but is worth acknowledging and appreciating when we see it. A a nonbinary reader, I love finding books with characters like me especially from nonbinary authors like Booth.
On top of that, the character Xiomara is such a complicated and awesome character. Booth doesn’t try and make them perfect and a shining example of nonbinary personhood. They have major flaws and issues along with being a badass, super helpful, and at times heroic character on top of that. I was thrilled to see their part in the story play out and it was *chef’s kiss*.
Horror Community and Dark Humor
Then there is the tongue-in-cheek, dark AF, very pointed humor. Booth’s character Daniel is a fun self-insert that allows them to share thoughts about the horror writing and publishing world. Everything from how events can be exhausting for vendors (been there, done that, and laughed my ass off during some of the dialogue in the book around it) to how there are some in the horror book world that are sleazy to down right predatory (and yes, I had a good hard laugh at Eileen’s Stephen King impersonation and believe the book is worth the read if just for that). A lot of it is thoughts I’ve had about the community before – a community I love, don’t get me wrong, but, just like a family, there are a few handfuls of people that we could really do without along with a mindset that feeds off the drama surrounding them.
This knock at the industry culminates in a fantastic chapter showing how the community responds online to a character’s death. It was so realistic, so dark, and so fucking funny. I re-read it twice and then called my partner to read it to him. We shared a good laugh that was a mix of our own messed up humor and that vibe of we laugh so we don’t cry. Perfection.
New Fav Final Girl
Now I NEED to talk about Eileen.
Normally I HATE when horror media gives a final girl nothing to do or any character depth until Act 3. You see this in Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985) when Lisa goes from preppy, rich, girl next door to bad ass saving her possessed boyfriend in the name of true love (which feels like it was slapped on to try and fail to make the movie less gay…I could go in depth on this but perhaps this review isn’t the time or place). Up until that third act, Lisa was a negligible side character that only really gave the main character, Jesse, a chance to have some dialogue and sweat a little.
I was a little worried this would be the case with Eileen but Booth went a lot deeper. Not only does it feel like a nod to the NoES film (something that happens a lot in the book in general) but it allows the story to broaden its scope, feel strangely more realistic even as the third act gets very bizarre, and gives the human characters teeth and claws that are missing in so much of the story’s other, depressed, nose gazing characters (yes, including Daniel who I liked for the most part).
On top of that, Eileen is shown throughout the book (albeit through a Daniel filter) to be a bad ass. She handles her very stressful life as best she can. Does she break down? Yes, of course, as would anyone who was dealing with the shit she’s trying to juggle. In the end, I think she’s awesome and I am thrilled to add her to my fav final girls list.
I could go on but it culminates to the same shit I’ve been saying. I Believe in Mister Bones by Max Booth III is a fantastic read. It won’t be for everyone. I can already hear the bad reviews complaining about everything from foul language to the abrupt shifts in plot now. To them I say, there are already hundreds of books out there for you and your very bland taste. Go forth and enjoy them and leave the weird, odd, wonderfully fucked up books to us.
Thanks Max for writing, publishing, and selling horror for us weirdos.
March 26, 2025
The author did so many things right from recreating blog posts, creating believable characters, some social commentary and by telling a tale that felt realistic most of the time, which is hard to do given the supernatural nature of Mister bones. Nevertheless I think the book should have been a bit shorter and I found myself dissatisfied with the ending, but tastes vary of course. Personally the first 100 Pages are amazing, but it took too much time in the following pages to progress the story on forward. Or I am a bit impatient.
Side note:
Side note:
November 19, 2024
3.5* Not bad, but not as great as I hoped given the premise/MB III's other stuff and the high quality of Apocalypse Party stuff. The first half really dragged quite a bit unfortunately. The events between the two halves (the book calls this part an "intermission") really took me by surprise. The second half was a little more intense and I read it pretty quickly. Definitely not a bad read if you're looking for a horror/comedy, but don't set expectations too high.
October 15, 2024
On the surface of it, I BELIEVE IN MISTER BONES is a terrifying horror novel about a horrifying supernatural entity haunting an indie horror publisher. If that is what you're looking for, you will not be disappointed (I mean, just look at that Trevor Henderson cover. Amazing!). There is one scene where the horror of what was happening just crept up on me and held me in place, wide-eyed and unable to look away. Even when it became clear what was about to happen, even when I realised Booth wasn't going to spare us the details, I could not stop reading. And I was reading late at night. In the dark. For me, few scenes in horror novels can evoke a visceral reaction quite like that scene. The gruesome scenes don't end there, with numerous dream-like sequences describing Mister Bones doing what Mister Bones does best; stealing skeletons one bone at a time. As an antagonist, lurking on the periphery of the story and tormenting publisher Daniel, it is very effective. However, even more impressive is the premise surrounding how Mister Bones comes to Daniel's attention. Very original and extremely well done.
No doubt Booth draws on some personal experience as they run their own publishing company along with their wife and have created the annual Ghoulish Book Festival in San Antonio, and they have said as much. So the main characters are bursting with humanity and unique personalities which only adds to the effective immersion of the reader in the story. The narrator switches part way through the book and Booth does an excellent job of giving both narrators their own voices, Daniel full of smartass comments and seemingly clueless about so much, Eileen at the end of her rope and scrapping for a fight, both melancholic in their own ways and for their own reasons. Despair and depression are major themes in the story, and I would caution readers who are especially sensitive to fiction featuring suicide to tread lightly. There is one graphic scene of suicide depicted in detail that was a little rough to read, but was understandable, given the character's state of mind and their ordeal. The scene is not sprung on the reader and it would be easy to skip forward to the end of the chapter.
So, yes, it is a gnarly horror novel with a gnarly cover and gnarly, terrifying story befitting the description. But, for me, the real triumph is in the depiction of the characters and the horror of their existence. Tormented by forces outside of their control, but also dealing with all the hardship and desperation that comes with trying to follow their dreams and running their own business in an economy that feels systematically opposed to anyone striving to create. A section featuring a quest for affordable healthcare is equal parts infuriating and comic, the horror of a citizen being unable to receive treatment offset by Booth's knack for quirky characters and comedic dialogue. The idea of summoning a supernatural entity has been done before, but never quite like this. And never with such a unique creature and mostly original origin story. The inner workings of indie publishing offered backstory for the main characters and helped convey to the reader exactly how demanding the lifestyle was and the demands it made on the main characters's mental state, but the scenes featuring Mister Bones and the scenes featuring the narrator preparing to face the entity, and the final confrontation, were the most propulsive of the novel.
A study in the demise of one character's state of mind, and the determination of another to redeem them and prove they weren't completely crazy, with a terrifying monster and some truly unforgettable scenes, I BELIEVE IN MISTER BONES had a lasting effect on this reader and only added to the fear of breaking bones and the worry that I might end up thinking the wrong thought at the wrong time and inviting something truly horrifying into my life. "Effective" and "terrifying" are too-tame adjectives to fully describe the awesomeness of this story.
No doubt Booth draws on some personal experience as they run their own publishing company along with their wife and have created the annual Ghoulish Book Festival in San Antonio, and they have said as much. So the main characters are bursting with humanity and unique personalities which only adds to the effective immersion of the reader in the story. The narrator switches part way through the book and Booth does an excellent job of giving both narrators their own voices, Daniel full of smartass comments and seemingly clueless about so much, Eileen at the end of her rope and scrapping for a fight, both melancholic in their own ways and for their own reasons. Despair and depression are major themes in the story, and I would caution readers who are especially sensitive to fiction featuring suicide to tread lightly. There is one graphic scene of suicide depicted in detail that was a little rough to read, but was understandable, given the character's state of mind and their ordeal. The scene is not sprung on the reader and it would be easy to skip forward to the end of the chapter.
So, yes, it is a gnarly horror novel with a gnarly cover and gnarly, terrifying story befitting the description. But, for me, the real triumph is in the depiction of the characters and the horror of their existence. Tormented by forces outside of their control, but also dealing with all the hardship and desperation that comes with trying to follow their dreams and running their own business in an economy that feels systematically opposed to anyone striving to create. A section featuring a quest for affordable healthcare is equal parts infuriating and comic, the horror of a citizen being unable to receive treatment offset by Booth's knack for quirky characters and comedic dialogue. The idea of summoning a supernatural entity has been done before, but never quite like this. And never with such a unique creature and mostly original origin story. The inner workings of indie publishing offered backstory for the main characters and helped convey to the reader exactly how demanding the lifestyle was and the demands it made on the main characters's mental state, but the scenes featuring Mister Bones and the scenes featuring the narrator preparing to face the entity, and the final confrontation, were the most propulsive of the novel.
A study in the demise of one character's state of mind, and the determination of another to redeem them and prove they weren't completely crazy, with a terrifying monster and some truly unforgettable scenes, I BELIEVE IN MISTER BONES had a lasting effect on this reader and only added to the fear of breaking bones and the worry that I might end up thinking the wrong thought at the wrong time and inviting something truly horrifying into my life. "Effective" and "terrifying" are too-tame adjectives to fully describe the awesomeness of this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews