Banshee Graveyard

by Dan Shrader

Foy and Grant, two brothers, are setting off on a road trip to visit family. Accompanying them is Cyndi, Foy’s pregnant fiancée. This journey marks a reunion of sorts, as Grant has been absent from Foy’s life for several years after returning from Vietnam. The plan is to mend the estrangement between Grant and his father. However, along the way, the trio decided to take a detour to a “haunted” graveyard near Towers Valley.
Something has been waiting...

Who will survive… or who will be buried next in...
The Banshee Graveyard!

Genres: Horror

125 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2024

About the author

Dan Shrader is a horror author hailing from Southern Indiana with a penchant for the macabre. He delves into the realms of Splatterpunk and Extreme, leaving no stone unturned in his twisted tales. His passion for writing ignited when he stumbled upon a treasure trove of VHS tapes at his grandparents. Within the confines of that box, he discovered a diverse collection of horror movie titles, including classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, C.H.U.D, Black Christmas, and Night of the Demons.

Since publishing in February of 2024, he has gained a following and received three horror award nominations for his novella “The Devil’s Rite” and debut collection “Those Who Live in Darkness.” Shrader is also known for his popular “Full Nasty” series and bestselling short story “Craven’s Freaks.”

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me some old school heebie jeebies. A really good horror story with some very nasty content. Characters were all fleshed out, in more ways than one, and there was a very well-developed backstory to the graveyard, with Shrader really giving us some vivid details to bring us right into the eerie atmosphere. For such a short runtime, Dan Shrader really plugged a lot into this, balancing it all very well. Now, on the logistical side, I kept thinking to myself, why were Foy and Grant endangering Cyndi (She’s pregnant!), when there was a family matter that was priority, all for a side trip? Just struck me as a bit odd that both those important plot points took a bit of a backseat, just to push the story along. The pacing also felt a bit quick and could have been slowed down, expanding on the story to smooth out a few areas, making it all come full circle. Well-written, scary, bloody, but not without some minor areas needing some additional attention, this was a wild ride by Dan Shrader.

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banshee Graveyard by Dan Shrader feels like one of those gritty, pulpy horror flicks you’d stumble across in the VHS bargain bin, and I mean that in the best way possible. The setup is simple but effective: two brothers, a fiancée, a long road trip with family drama bubbling under the surface… and then, because this is horror, a detour into a supposedly haunted graveyard where something very real and very deadly is waiting.

Shrader balances character-driven tension with eerie atmosphere. The sibling conflict and the Vietnam War undertones give the story more emotional heft than your average graveyard romp, which makes the horror hit harder when it arrives.

[Horror Bookworm Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
Banshee Graveyard by Dan Shrader
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/

Leading a congregation of chaos and darkness, Preacher Jeb has vowed to build a place of worship on sacred ground. Meanwhile, brothers Grant and Foy along with his fiancée Cyndi travel to meet the siblings’ father. On the way, they decide to stop at a local haunt in the middle of the countryside. This locale is known for its mysterious tales of danger, which is called the Banshee Graveyard. Little does the group know, visiting the old Banshee farm and graveyard is actually a “tourist trap” of horrors.

Banshee Graveyard by Dan Shrader is a creepy tale of unforgettable countryside terror. With deformed features and evil intentions, characters like The Tall Man, The Doc and The Preacher, are the monsters that nightmares are made of. These feral crazy harbingers of death offer up grizzly scenes of savage diabolical horrors that are guaranteed many screams of agony. Simply put, Banshee Graveyard is sacrificial horror at its best.

Dan Shrader is a master at creating the most uncomfortable and unsettling storylines. His eerie details and unnatural chaos is a form of twisted genius that is both beautiful and disgusting at the same time. Encounters with the worst possible scenarios result in the utmost of unsettling tensions. A realistic storyline, unexpected twists and an isolated setting is what makes this a Hills Have Eyes / Texas Chainsaw Massacre / Wrong Turn type of book.

Having become a devout follower of Shrader’s soul destroying sermons, one thing I have learned…there is no salvation. Sending shivers down the spine and causing deep terrifying sensations is his forte. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Come on out!” Forest screamed at the top of his lungs, revving up the chainsaw. “I’m bringin’ it all down! Straight back to hell!”


Cyndi, Foy and Grant are on a roadtrip to go see their father. Cyndi and Foy are engaged and have a baby on the way. Grant is a Vietnam war vet with PTSD. Foy and Grant are brothers. They grew apart over the years and recently reconnected since Grant came back from Vietnam. They’re going to visit their father after many lost years. Along the way they decide to stop at this supposed haunted graveyard.

Legend says Brandon Banshee murdered his wife, Myra, after catching her digging up corpses and having sex with them. Shortly after, he hung himself and they both continue to haunt the land, especially on a full moon.

When the three adults don’t make it to their destination, their father becomes worried and is out trying to track them down. Along the way he encounters a delusional preacher, a psychopathic doctor and the Tall Man. With the help of the local sheriff they aren’t backing down until they find Cyndi, Foy and Grant.

This book was NUTS! I really enjoyed the backstory before Brandon and Myra and the events leading up to everything that happened. Dan did a great job writing this story and the characters were really well developed. This was an eerie and chilling to the bone kind of read. It was really atmospheric and it truly felt like I was smack dab in the middle of this haunting tale.

Thank you to Dan Shrader for providing this ARC. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next! Banshee Graveyard will be available on Godless on April 22, 2024 and everywhere else on June 1st, 2024.

[Danielle Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Shrader is another sneaky favorite of mine who never fails to deliver. He may be newer to the scene, but don’t sleep on him, he’s rising to the top QUICK, and stories like this are why. 🔥

Spooky graveyard with a chilling past and a curious trio?! What could possibly go wrong?! 🤠🪦

This story was sketchy as hell. Creepy as can be with a writing style that’s unmatched. Banshee Graveyard is a terrifying tale that has both substance and gore making it the perfect read for basically everyone… If you dare. 🫣

[Asher Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this! Dan's writing is incredible. He makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the story. The detail in this was crazy good. Loaded with characters that are unforgettable. The ending was chefs kiss!! T

[The Yeti Reads and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant, since returning from Vietnam, has not fully been himself. He is estranged from his father and hasn't seen his brother Foy in years. To remedy this, Foy, Grant, and Foy's pregnant fiancee, Cyndi, set off on a road trip to hopefully fix the relationship between Grant and their father. Along the way, they decide to stop at a supposedly haunted graveyard. When the trio never makes it to their final destination, the brothers Father and Cyndis Father decide to go looking for them. Nothing can prepare them for what they find.

Another solid tale from Dan Shrader. Excellent backstory, great characters, and some nasty baddies. Being in or around Towers Valley sounds like a scary place to be. First with Soulless Lonesome, and now with the Banshee Graveyard. I look forward to what else happens there. This is definitely a title to check out and an author to keep an eye on. You won't be disappointed.

4 severed fingers out of 5

[Eve Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fucking brutal, I love a good chainsaw moment

[Chelsea McCrady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it honestly ever a good idea to camp in a graveyard that is said to be haunted and so close to Towers Valley? I loved this story it had some serious the hills have eyes vibes! It brings the action early on and is a nonstop ride of suspense! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a gore filled and nail biting read!

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! This was one extreme novel that had me cringing throughout most of the book. The action, danger and repercussions from exploring only caused the reader to become more invested in the story to see how it would end. I felt that this story would discourage me from wanting to explore a known haunted area.

[Sarah DeRosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been following Shrader’s work since his piece is Shocking Sojourns and he is one that I will buy anything he releases. Banshee Graveyard was no exception. His ability to establish a creepy and unsettling setting as well as distinct and disturbing character is one to applaud. This read was atmospherical, disgusting, and shocking.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two brothers on a trip make a stop along the way. They should have kept going . Something is waiting for them.It is not friendly.

[Melissa Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!!

[Dale Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, gruesome read but not much to get invested in. Characters are mainly fodder (even the bad guys), very light on back story, not particularly scary or creepy- just gruesome.

An OK read.