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Mack: A horror novel
When he was a child, Mack was separated from his brother. Years have passed, but the hole left by the disappearance has only grown. He'll do anything to get his brother back. Mack inadvertently reads an ancient passage that opens his eyes to an unexpected demons, angels, and jinn in our world, and the battle between Heaven and Hell rages on.
Mack is forced into the battle as he tries to carry on his normal life at his best friend's destination wedding. While the darkness hunts him, one thing becomes Now is his only chance to find out what happened to his brother.
Mack is forced into the battle as he tries to carry on his normal life at his best friend's destination wedding. While the darkness hunts him, one thing becomes Now is his only chance to find out what happened to his brother.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2024
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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May 17, 2025Thank you to T.B. Secrest for my copy of their book.
This was a unique story from a promising new author.
Mack must to go to hell to save his brother and in doing discovers a whole new world in the supernatural filled with angels, demons, and genies.
While I found the balance to be off were some parts felt rushed and other parts were over bloated and that the representation aspects could been improved upon. As a new book from a new author I find these are just the areas at the author can and will improve on, through their journey of becoming an amazing author.
I found the lore of the story to be on the most interesting parts and what was presented as good and evil throughout this book. The main character, Mack is certainly flawed making him well rounded as he demonstrates his better and worst qualities as he goes on his adventure through numerous of the new supernatural elements.
I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.
This was a unique story from a promising new author.
Mack must to go to hell to save his brother and in doing discovers a whole new world in the supernatural filled with angels, demons, and genies.
While I found the balance to be off were some parts felt rushed and other parts were over bloated and that the representation aspects could been improved upon. As a new book from a new author I find these are just the areas at the author can and will improve on, through their journey of becoming an amazing author.
I found the lore of the story to be on the most interesting parts and what was presented as good and evil throughout this book. The main character, Mack is certainly flawed making him well rounded as he demonstrates his better and worst qualities as he goes on his adventure through numerous of the new supernatural elements.
I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.
February 26, 2025
“Mack” by T. B. Secrest is a thrilling, very spicy, and intense ride through the dark and twisted realms between heaven and hell. The novel blends spicy, gory horror with a deep dive into the spirit world, making for an unpredictable and gripping narrative. What really stands out is the narrator—his accent and delivery elevate the entire experience, drawing me in with every word. The story is both chilling and compelling, with a relentless pace that kept me on edge. For horror fans who enjoy intensity and vivid, nightmarish imagery with spice, Mack delivers an unforgettable experience.
June 29, 2024
What a wild ride this book was. There is not usually spicy scenes mixed in with horror but this book had these scenes; both normal and horrific. The descriptions of the various places in Hell would make me want to avoid this place like the plague. This book also included some mythological beings as well as horrendous monsters from Hell. As with some deities, there was much trickery and betrayal perpetrated by several of the characters. All Mack wanted was to find his brother. He had to use several skills as well as trust others to help him. And because Mack was dealing with denizens from hell, he did not always get a fair shake. The book ended on a cliffhanger so I am hoping there will be another book coming. I really liked the characters in the book and would like to see what happens to them. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 23, 2025
I normally don’t read horror and romanticy novels but this novel had a plot that was entertaining and unique!! It was an adventure and I enjoyed the ending with some fun plot twists and a good set up for a second novel 👀
April 14, 2025
Audiobook Review
Book Title: Mack
Author: T. B. Secrest
Narrator: Amos P Dunn
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Audio Rating: 3.5 Stars
I was able to finish Mack by T. B. Secrest early last week, but I needed to sit on it for a little while. There were some deep themes and elements that honestly made me reflective, and I wanted to do just that: reflect for a little bit after the book was over.
Mack is about a character named…well, named Mack, as he learns that there is a whole spiritual world just on the other side of people’s vision. When Mack inadvertently reads an ancient passage, his eyes are opened to a reality that is filled with angels, demons, and other mystical supernatural beings that wage war on each other. While on a trip to his best friend's destination wedding, the battle for his soul will come to a head as he has a decision to make: find his long-lost brother or have the life anyone would be jealous of.
The setting and the story were spectacular. We get to travel all over Europe in this story, and the descriptions of some of the landscapes were truly great. Secrest has a twisted mind, and I mean that in the best possible way. This is the second book I’ve read from him, and let me just say that I will continue to read anything he puts out. He has excellent prose that changes to fit the plot of each book.
I do need to give some warning to anyone who wants to read this book. Although I highly recommend it, this book is really spicy. This is not your typical “scary” story about demons, but it full dives you deep into the underbelly of the supernatural world, and that world is filled with any type of spice you can think of, and Secrest does not shy away from any of it.
Really, the only negative I have about the book is more of a personal reason, and that is that I was just not able to get into the narrator. He did really well, and made each character shine and stand out, but it didn’t draw me in. At times I would lose focus and would have to force myself back into the story. Again, this was a personal thing, and I could see people really loving this narrator.
I want to thank T. B. Secrest for the audio code to this book in exchange for an honest review. I really liked the story and I really can’t wait till the next one comes out.
Book Title: Mack
Author: T. B. Secrest
Narrator: Amos P Dunn
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Audio Rating: 3.5 Stars
I was able to finish Mack by T. B. Secrest early last week, but I needed to sit on it for a little while. There were some deep themes and elements that honestly made me reflective, and I wanted to do just that: reflect for a little bit after the book was over.
Mack is about a character named…well, named Mack, as he learns that there is a whole spiritual world just on the other side of people’s vision. When Mack inadvertently reads an ancient passage, his eyes are opened to a reality that is filled with angels, demons, and other mystical supernatural beings that wage war on each other. While on a trip to his best friend's destination wedding, the battle for his soul will come to a head as he has a decision to make: find his long-lost brother or have the life anyone would be jealous of.
The setting and the story were spectacular. We get to travel all over Europe in this story, and the descriptions of some of the landscapes were truly great. Secrest has a twisted mind, and I mean that in the best possible way. This is the second book I’ve read from him, and let me just say that I will continue to read anything he puts out. He has excellent prose that changes to fit the plot of each book.
I do need to give some warning to anyone who wants to read this book. Although I highly recommend it, this book is really spicy. This is not your typical “scary” story about demons, but it full dives you deep into the underbelly of the supernatural world, and that world is filled with any type of spice you can think of, and Secrest does not shy away from any of it.
Really, the only negative I have about the book is more of a personal reason, and that is that I was just not able to get into the narrator. He did really well, and made each character shine and stand out, but it didn’t draw me in. At times I would lose focus and would have to force myself back into the story. Again, this was a personal thing, and I could see people really loving this narrator.
I want to thank T. B. Secrest for the audio code to this book in exchange for an honest review. I really liked the story and I really can’t wait till the next one comes out.
February 22, 2025
Mack is getting ready to head to Turkey for his best friends wedding. Before going, he translates some ancient text that changes the way he sees the world. Literally. Following a plane trip filled with hallucinations that he isn’t sure are from drugs, psychosis, or the supernatural, Mack arrives in Turkey and things really get crazy.
This book deals with myth and folklore as well as some great twists on world religions. There are also a few scenes of pretty detailed spicy intimacy. Not to mention demonic and hellish horror. I kept getting vibes of ‘Lost Gods’ by Brom, ‘The Necromancer’s House’ by Christopher Buehlman combined with depictions of horror and violence more akin to Clive Barker. Really high praise in my opinion! Gory and violent with dark and malevolent adversaries and a cast if good guys that feel like their right out if a college eurotrip comedy.
This is TB’s debut novel and it was published last summer. He was kind enough to give me a free audio version in exchange for a review. The audiobook book was great! It has an Irish narrator and that kept me really engaged. Apparently my mind really focuses better on accents I don’t hear as often. Most of the audiobooks I’ve listened to seem to be narrated by American or English narrators.
This book deals with myth and folklore as well as some great twists on world religions. There are also a few scenes of pretty detailed spicy intimacy. Not to mention demonic and hellish horror. I kept getting vibes of ‘Lost Gods’ by Brom, ‘The Necromancer’s House’ by Christopher Buehlman combined with depictions of horror and violence more akin to Clive Barker. Really high praise in my opinion! Gory and violent with dark and malevolent adversaries and a cast if good guys that feel like their right out if a college eurotrip comedy.
This is TB’s debut novel and it was published last summer. He was kind enough to give me a free audio version in exchange for a review. The audiobook book was great! It has an Irish narrator and that kept me really engaged. Apparently my mind really focuses better on accents I don’t hear as often. Most of the audiobooks I’ve listened to seem to be narrated by American or English narrators.
September 24, 2025
Sadly, this one just wasn't for me. I thought the concept was interesting but it was a bit chaotic. The POV bounced around a lot, some of them a bit sudden and hard to follow. Also, there were A LOT of very descriptive sex scenes that mostly didn't seem necessary to the plot. As I said to a friend when telling her about this book, it's like it was written by a teenage boy that watches too much porn. I'm fine with a little sex/romance in my horror books, but I didn't think this book was cohesive enough to make up for the excessive amount. Another thing I thought was weird was the missing brother. He's barely mentioned until chapter 22, when finding him becomes the most important thing ever. So important he's willing to go to actual Hell to find out what happened to him. Why was he barely mentioned before that if it was such a big deal? I listened to the audiobook and thought overall the narrator was pretty good. I did notice several times where there were phrases or sentences, as if the narrator tried them in different ways and they never got taken out in editing.
June 23, 2024
I love a story that has good shock value and some parts in Mack absolutely delivered this for me. There are a few parts that are not for the faint of heart! I do wish there was more background and depth to the characters in the beginning. I wanted to be immersed in what Mack was experiencing by way of more descriptive feelings or emotions. I really enjoyed the bits of humor and found myself chuckling out-loud a few times. Took me a few chapters to get used to the author’s writing style but I’ve never let that be a cause to DNF and I’m really glad I didn’t. This dark adventure/thriller really surprised me as I have never read a book with this concept. Was it thrilling? Yes! Did it contain morally divergent content? Absolutely! I really enjoyed this book as a whole while keeping an open mind. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 24, 2025
Mack by T.B. Secrest
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an interesting and very bizarre horror story! This book is a very spicy one and has a range of excitement all the way from heaven down to the depths of hell.
Mack has been wanting to find his brother for years and he finally has the opportunity to get some answers about him when he travels to Turkey for a wedding. Once Mack gets on the airplane, he experiences all kinds of intense situations and strange hallucinations seem to begin!
It’s a very unique and different story with very descriptive imagery and lots of deception and trickery!
T.B. Secrest did a very good job with the writing of this book!
Thank you to T.B. Secrest for an audio version of this intense story! The narrator did a great job also!
*It’s out now, so check it out!*
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an interesting and very bizarre horror story! This book is a very spicy one and has a range of excitement all the way from heaven down to the depths of hell.
Mack has been wanting to find his brother for years and he finally has the opportunity to get some answers about him when he travels to Turkey for a wedding. Once Mack gets on the airplane, he experiences all kinds of intense situations and strange hallucinations seem to begin!
It’s a very unique and different story with very descriptive imagery and lots of deception and trickery!
T.B. Secrest did a very good job with the writing of this book!
Thank you to T.B. Secrest for an audio version of this intense story! The narrator did a great job also!
*It’s out now, so check it out!*
March 19, 2025
Listened to the audio and the Irish accent added that extra character to the story.
The book is quite “spicy” and this isn’t my thing however I appreciate with the premise of demons and lust etc. it makes sense and builds the atmosphere required.
There was some humour and I don’t know if that’s part of the actual story or just the way the narrator portrayed the story but it worked.
Overall it was an entertaining and although has the premise of angels vs demons which has been done before the author manages to make it a unique story.
The book is quite “spicy” and this isn’t my thing however I appreciate with the premise of demons and lust etc. it makes sense and builds the atmosphere required.
There was some humour and I don’t know if that’s part of the actual story or just the way the narrator portrayed the story but it worked.
Overall it was an entertaining and although has the premise of angels vs demons which has been done before the author manages to make it a unique story.
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March 25, 2025This is not my regular genre but was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The story was classified horror and it is, but my thing is reading a mystery and seeing if I can guess the ending. If I don't guess the ending it is a home run. This book had a surprising ending- Homerun... The characters were realistic and you find yourself connected to them. This story would make a great series. Since it ends with Amilia, next book should pick up there and then tell her adventure. Only comment is the quantity of explicit sex scenes didn't really add anything to the story.
June 16, 2024
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. The character of Mack came across as intelligent who tried to figure out why things were happening instead of just letting them happen and hope for the best. The descriptions of the demons, angels, other beings, were clear and interesting and very scary at times. I'm glad I'm not having Mack's visions!
I really enjoyed this book. The character of Mack came across as intelligent who tried to figure out why things were happening instead of just letting them happen and hope for the best. The descriptions of the demons, angels, other beings, were clear and interesting and very scary at times. I'm glad I'm not having Mack's visions!
September 12, 2024
Overall this is a good book. I really like the funny sayings and references to sex.
I thought the randomness and storyline built up to a good outline overall and a wide range of emotions in a way that makes you turn your head to the side and think …
Everyone should read this book cover to cover and it will lead you wanting a book series.
I thought the randomness and storyline built up to a good outline overall and a wide range of emotions in a way that makes you turn your head to the side and think …
Everyone should read this book cover to cover and it will lead you wanting a book series.
July 4, 2024
The book started a bit slow for me but ended with a bang!!! Working through the issues the main character had, i was pleasantly interested in the different takes on religion, demons, angels and jinn.
Looking forward to other books from this author .
Looking forward to other books from this author .
March 8, 2025
Excellent descriptive writing in this fun and hellacious trip Mack takes to his best friend’s wedding. Demons, spice, and everything nice. I look forward to seeing how this one does in the BOH indie book brawl this year!
June 13, 2024
Mack will open your eyes to world like you’ve never seen. A word both terrifying and alluring. A truly thrilling adventure!
June 27, 2024
Surprisingly good!!
Mack was creepy and a solid story-line throughout.
Definitely would read the sequel if and when it happens.
Mack was creepy and a solid story-line throughout.
Definitely would read the sequel if and when it happens.
June 13, 2024
I am so glad, I read this book. Well developed characters and back story. I had a hard time putting this book down. Great job!!
January 17, 2026
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author, in return, I am writing an honest review!
Mack by T.B. Secrest is an absolute masterpiece of horror. From start to finish, the level of research that went into this book is astounding, adding a terrifying sense of realism that makes the story even more chilling. An added bonus? It’s his debut novel! Starting off this well at the very beginning tells me the is author is going to have a long, successful writing career ahead of him and I can’t WAIT! As a matter of fact, I’ve already started reading his second novel, Augury.
The descriptions are so vivid and visceral that at times they made me sick to my stomach- but in the best possible way. Secrist doesn’t shy away from brutality, and every gruesome detail serves to immerse the reader deeper into the nightmarish world they’ve created. This is not just a horror novel; it’s an experience; one that stuck with me and nestled its way into my core. If you love horror that pulls no punches and leaves a lasting impact, Mack is a must-read for any gruesome horror fan.
Mack by T.B. Secrest is an absolute masterpiece of horror. From start to finish, the level of research that went into this book is astounding, adding a terrifying sense of realism that makes the story even more chilling. An added bonus? It’s his debut novel! Starting off this well at the very beginning tells me the is author is going to have a long, successful writing career ahead of him and I can’t WAIT! As a matter of fact, I’ve already started reading his second novel, Augury.
The descriptions are so vivid and visceral that at times they made me sick to my stomach- but in the best possible way. Secrist doesn’t shy away from brutality, and every gruesome detail serves to immerse the reader deeper into the nightmarish world they’ve created. This is not just a horror novel; it’s an experience; one that stuck with me and nestled its way into my core. If you love horror that pulls no punches and leaves a lasting impact, Mack is a must-read for any gruesome horror fan.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews