A masked man. A mysterious key. A man that walks like a spider.
How does it all fit together?
PRAISE FOR THE RED RIVER UNIVERSE
"Delightfully disturbing" ~ Leslie O'Brien.
"Macdonald expertly weaves a tale of horror that draws parallels to the masterful works of Stephen King, particularly his Castle Rock stories like "Needful Things." ~ S. J. Main
"Stays with the reader long after and not for the faint hearted." H. Taylor.
"Be warned, it is not for the faint hearted and you may want to sleep with the lights on while reader - and weeks thereafter as the story stays with you!" Katie May.
A G Macdonald writes his novels because he couldn't imagine a world where he didn't. His dark books explore corners of the world where others may not tread, with surreal imagery and cryptic literary puzzles just waiting for readers to piece together.
A.G. Macdonald's "I Hate You for Leaving Me with This" is a captivating debut in the horror genre, beginning off the Audrey Miller Saga with a mix of mystery and psychological terror. The author skillfully creates an atmosphere of pervasive dread without resorting to obvious gore, instead employing subtle strategies to keep readers on edge. Macdonald's distinct style shines through in this novel which foreshadows a broader series. The narrative's strength is its capacity to unsettle and push the intellect, which will appeal to fans of complex, thought-provoking horror. This novel is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy an evocative narrative that lasts long after the final page. It lays a solid framework for what looks to be an entertaining series, leaving fans both satisfied and eager for more. It’s a unique and unnerving contribution to the psychological horror genre. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
This is the first book of the Audrey Miller saga. It is essentially a psychological horror yarn, and there are plenty of creepy parts reminiscent of Stephen King at his best, particularly his tales that take place in and around the fictional town of Castle Rock.
The reader gets two points of view as part of the narrative, that of the aforementioned Audrey and Vernon. A masked man has appeared and is wreaking havoc. What he wants is a mystery at first, but the answers come soon enough, and they’re more terrifying than even the most creative of readers could have imagined.
Without revealing too much, let’s just say that this enigmatic stranger represents and is an agent of a darkness that threatens far too many of us. He is the archetype of the purest evil, something that most of us pray fervently does not exist but are certain that does, especially on moonless nights when the imagination is given full sway.
Wow. I feel like this should be categorized in a horror section. It was incredibly eye-opening and from the perspective of the consumer, I have to admit that I’ve left medspas when I found/figured out that there wasn’t a qualified doctor on staff—she’d only been there for the grand opening and the first few weeks—even though her name was still on everything. Then there were the times I was getting a hard enough sell by staff that it made me uncomfortable enough to leave. But I’m shocked at the amount of bullying going on by consumers. Admittedly, I don’t know why I’m as shocked as I am, but there you go. Whether you’re wanting to try an aesthetic treatment or you’re in the biz, this is a great book to read if you want to be informed of potential pitfalls (that’s putting it mildly) before you do.
"I Hate You for Leaving Me with This" is the first book in The Audrey Miller Saga by A.G. Macdonald. It is a gripping terror novel set in the seemingly tranquil town of Red River, Australia. The story starts when Lisa Murray, a 22-year-old netball coach, mysteriously vanishes overnight. Her disappearance marks the beginning of a series of strange and unsettling occurrences that shatter the peace of the small community. Macdonald masterfully builds suspense, weaving a tale that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and the atmospheric setting of Red River adds an eerie backdrop to the unfolding mystery. The novel is a chilling exploration of the horrors that make it a must-read for those who enjoy a well-crafted terror novel.
Horror and mystery in a small Australian town are of big importance in this book. The disappearance of a young woman unravels a series of chilling events. Macdonald did an amazing job at creating a vivid atmosphere. The author captures the essence of Red River. I appreciate the richly developed characters, especially Audrey. Their inner worlds are mesmerizing and captured very well by the author. The writing is made out of lyrical prose and a haunting narrative. I definitely went through a range of emotions including dread, fear and empathy. Isolation, identity, and the clash between personal expression and societal expectations are some of the things you can expect when reading this book. If you like suspense, this is the right book for you.
In this thrilling psychological horror book, anything and everything can happen. Audrey is a regular teenager with regular teenager stuff to deal with like small or silly arguments with her mom. Things took a turn when her father died and Audrey finds a script her father had been working on as he was a writer. She soon became immersed in his writing and strange things begin to happen. Her mother inexplicably became more and more abusive towards her. This book really had me at the edge of my seat every time I flipped a new page. I think that any readers who love horror or psychological thrillers will enjoy this book. It will leave them wanting more as it is very well written to catch the readers.
This is the first psychological horror book in a highly promising saga. From the very beginning, this installment is packed with suspense and keeps the reader hooked. What impressed me the most was the author's ability to evoke chills. The tense atmosphere and constant sense of danger make it a really skin-deep read.
Furthermore, the author's narrative when describing characters and settings is masterful. Each character is meticulously developed, and the settings are so well described that one can almost see and feel every detail.
In short, this first installment of the saga is a gem for lovers of psychological horror. It is an essential read that leaves you wanting more and eager for the next installment.
A page-turning novel Readers who are into psychological horror books must read this creepy story called “I Hate You For Leaving Me with This”. It’s the first book in A.G. Macdonald’s series. When I started reading, I thought that it would be like most horror stories but I was mistaken. It’s terrible the mystery and terror that unfold throughout the pages. I mean, not only characters but also readers experience unexpected supernatural and tense events. That’s thanks for the thorough and accurate description of the dark places, sounds and characters’ feelings and thoughts. I felt their fear all the time! It’s a thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Now, I’m waiting anxiously for the next part. I highly recommend it to horror lovers.
MacDonald comes back with another mystery thriller, that dives on terror once in a while. This novel has been written parallel with the Rural Nightmare trilogy, so I recommend reading those first to fully grasp the essence of the books. Or not, it's possible to read them in any order and then complete the puzzle inside your head, like in The Witcher books.
Overall, it was a delightful read. On this occasion, the author explores the life of Audrey Miller, mentioned before but never introduced. A book that brings light to past events, definitely recommended for fans of this series. MacDonald continues to write compellingly and intriguingly, creating absorption in the reader.
This book is a true representation of a great psychological horror tale, making the reader frightened to the core as every chapter evolves. The author creates an outstanding scenery that makes you look up your shoulder once or twice while reading it. With a very descriptive atmosphere and shady characters, this narrative makes the reader still think of it after putting the book down, and that is not an easy task. MacDonald's skills are undeniable, and I am so glad I came across this book! I am more than pleased with the ending, it left me wanting more and searching for another possibility in my mind. I can't wait to see what else will happen. Great book!
When I came across this book, I did not think it was going to be so interesting. This first installment promises a great Audrey Miller Saga ahead. Macdonald’s narrative is a gift for us so that we can read talented writers. This book in particular is at times beautiful, at times fun, at times gorgeously weird and baroque, and always as horrific as the genre itself. Horror teaches us about ourselves in all our thrilling extremes and our psychology. Each page here takes readers deeper into a world where truth is deadly. I Hate You for Leaving Me with This challenges perceptions and ignites the imagination with its stunning narrative and dynamics. Way too good!
This is a horror novel that manages to immerse the reader in an atmosphere of mystery and suspense from the first page, or rather from its cover, which illustrates a gloomy and disturbing image but that has caught my attention and invited me to start reading. With a captivating narrative and interesting characters, Macdonald presents us with an intense and raw story. The plot revolves around three main elements: a masked man, a mysterious key and a man who walks like a spider. At first, these components seemed completely disconnected to me, but they soon intertwine perfectly throughout the novel. I liked it a lot and I recommend it.
When I started reading I Hate You for Leaving Me with This, I did not fully realize that this was a horror novel. As a sensitive reader, it was a bit too much for me! However, if you’re a fan of horror and psychological thrillers, then this might be right up your alley. The book is certainly gripping and tense, with plenty of shock moments and suspense. The chilling storyline comes to a fittingly disturbing ending, although the fact that this is only book one in the series hints that there might be more to the end than we know. I am giving this book four out of five stars.
Well, That explains a lot ! Anyone who has read the first two installments of A. G. Macdonald's "A Rural Nightmare" trilogy would know of the character Audrey Miller. This tome explains some of the haunting questions you have about Audrey and shows much of the Rural nightmare narrative in a different and more explanatory light.
If you enjoyed the first two installments of the Rural Nightmare series, then I definitely recommend you read this book.