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The Taste of Tiny Bones
HE is the reason she fears every shadow.
HE is the reason she hides beneath her covers at night.
HE is Joey Loam. HE is the Tat o’ Rag Man. HE is what hides in every child’s closet, the monster under every bed.
All Evie "Creepy" Morenson has to do is believe HE exists...
Her blog post ignites renewed interest in the Boogeyman, unleashing his unimaginable evil in terrifying new ways. And as children start dying, Detective Ezra Dean zeroes in on Evie.
In a deadly race against time, can Evie convince Ezra the Boogeyman is real while also finding a way to stop him before he goes viral?
HE is the reason she hides beneath her covers at night.
HE is Joey Loam. HE is the Tat o’ Rag Man. HE is what hides in every child’s closet, the monster under every bed.
All Evie "Creepy" Morenson has to do is believe HE exists...
Her blog post ignites renewed interest in the Boogeyman, unleashing his unimaginable evil in terrifying new ways. And as children start dying, Detective Ezra Dean zeroes in on Evie.
In a deadly race against time, can Evie convince Ezra the Boogeyman is real while also finding a way to stop him before he goes viral?
- GenresHorror
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 5, 2024
Alfie Turner is the first but he will not be the last that the Tat O' Rag Man visits in the dark of night. An insidious presence made of fear and belief that devours its victims as they shriek in terror has come to life.
"What do you want?" he whispered. "To eat you," came the reply.
It spreads like a virus. To see it is to believe in it and to become its target. It's up to one woman, who has lived in fear most of her life to find the strength to stop it. I loved Evie "Creepy" Morenson and her love for books and the written word in general. She reminded me a bit of Stephen King's Holly in her mannerisms and her hyper focused ability to work on a problem.
If you were ever afraid of the dark as a child, if you ever had an unkind babysitter who told you the boogeyman would get you, or a sibling who teased you that something was in the closet, be prepared for those forgotten childhood fears to come roaring back.
The author succeeds in turning the unbelievable into the possible.
My thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing.
"What do you want?" he whispered. "To eat you," came the reply.
It spreads like a virus. To see it is to believe in it and to become its target. It's up to one woman, who has lived in fear most of her life to find the strength to stop it. I loved Evie "Creepy" Morenson and her love for books and the written word in general. She reminded me a bit of Stephen King's Holly in her mannerisms and her hyper focused ability to work on a problem.
If you were ever afraid of the dark as a child, if you ever had an unkind babysitter who told you the boogeyman would get you, or a sibling who teased you that something was in the closet, be prepared for those forgotten childhood fears to come roaring back.
The author succeeds in turning the unbelievable into the possible.
My thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing.
July 28, 2024
This one took me a few days to read as I typically read my eARCs at night in bed and I was getting uncomfortable in the dark reading it 😅😅 I don’t fuck with the boogeyman.
As someone who spends hours on Creepypasta, I really liked how it intertwined with this story. The whole bringing a monster to life with words (there was a Supernatural episode like that too, I definitely remember that one) is so interesting. Such a neat concept to explore but also so terrifying.
The Tat o’ Rag Man was pretty scary to envision in my head. I literally found myself jumping at the smallest sounds while reading this. Definitely a well done story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
As someone who spends hours on Creepypasta, I really liked how it intertwined with this story. The whole bringing a monster to life with words (there was a Supernatural episode like that too, I definitely remember that one) is so interesting. Such a neat concept to explore but also so terrifying.
The Tat o’ Rag Man was pretty scary to envision in my head. I literally found myself jumping at the smallest sounds while reading this. Definitely a well done story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
July 7, 2024
In this wickedly gruesome novel, a real life bogyman feasts on the flesh of children and adults alike as it seeks to spread and grow stronger... and hungrier!
This is a fantastic book which takes our real life childhood fears and turns them into reality in a very viscious manner.
"Creepy" is the nickname given to our protagonist and she wears it proudly. She's a different kind of girl and always has been. When her presence is requested at the local police station, she's interviewed about her possible connection to a murder. She studies legend and lore of monsters and it's an obsession with her.
She gets shown footage of something impossible. A young boy is literally eaten in his bed by something that shouldn't exist. She wrote a Reddit post about this creature as part of her research and the police think she might know something they don't.
What has been unleashed through belief is a terrifying, relentless, and savage version of the fabled bogyman. And then bodies start piling up.
This book really packs a punch and, even as an adult, will make you want to get rid of your closets and sleep with a light on. I love how Creepy gives the history of certain creatures of legend and how this particular one is an anomaly.
Belief in it puts people on the menu and the more people who believe and spread the stories of these deaths, the stronger it gets.
With the help of a detective, a taxi driver, and using her knowledge to try and stop it, this novel moves full speed ahead into horrifying bloody territory and leaves you breathless until the end.
This one's a banger and I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
This is a fantastic book which takes our real life childhood fears and turns them into reality in a very viscious manner.
"Creepy" is the nickname given to our protagonist and she wears it proudly. She's a different kind of girl and always has been. When her presence is requested at the local police station, she's interviewed about her possible connection to a murder. She studies legend and lore of monsters and it's an obsession with her.
She gets shown footage of something impossible. A young boy is literally eaten in his bed by something that shouldn't exist. She wrote a Reddit post about this creature as part of her research and the police think she might know something they don't.
What has been unleashed through belief is a terrifying, relentless, and savage version of the fabled bogyman. And then bodies start piling up.
This book really packs a punch and, even as an adult, will make you want to get rid of your closets and sleep with a light on. I love how Creepy gives the history of certain creatures of legend and how this particular one is an anomaly.
Belief in it puts people on the menu and the more people who believe and spread the stories of these deaths, the stronger it gets.
With the help of a detective, a taxi driver, and using her knowledge to try and stop it, this novel moves full speed ahead into horrifying bloody territory and leaves you breathless until the end.
This one's a banger and I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
July 19, 2024
Are you afraid of the dark? Afraid of what lurks in the shadows? Are you afraid of… the bogeyman? After reading The Taste of Tiny Bones, you will be. This book is genuinely terrifying. We’re talking turn on a nightlight and sprint to the bed, hide under the covers terrifying. I have never been more grateful to fall asleep with the tv on!
Thank you to Horrorsmith Publishing for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, this review was left voluntarily.
Thank you to Horrorsmith Publishing for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, this review was left voluntarily.
July 13, 2024
Wow this one dives deep into childhood fears and makes those childhood monsters under the bed and in the closet feel alive all over again! You'd better not be still afraid of the dark... 'The Taste of Tiny Bones' pulls no punches - it will shake up your reality and chill you to the bone! Thankfully, the book deals with only one kind of childhood monster: the Bogeyman. But that's clearly enough. Not since Stephen King's short story of the same title have I felt such anxiety, making sure all doors are locked and no shadows are moving on their own...! There's little doubt the book's target audience is adults (in fact, one of the worst mistakes made in the book is parents or relatives mentioning the Bogeyman to children!), but the concept of belief in childhood monsters plays such a large role in the story, it's necessary to have retained some sense of your childhood fears. Add to this the crucial idea of creepypasta stories as the medium through which fear becomes viral and solidifies into reality, and you 've got a wonderful horror book on how horror icons themselves are created.
On a sidenote, I was deeply impressed by the fact that, although this is branded as a debut novel, there's little doubt the author is experienced with his craft and knows precisely which buttons to push in order to capture his readers' attention: The monster feels absolutely real, the situations are well thought out, the prose is clean and easy to understand, the gore kept at a minimum, no profanity is used, and -fortunately- there's no romance. The book does not allow you to forget this is horror! That said, the dialogue felt a bit formulaic, hindering somewhat the relatability of the characters and slowing down the pace too much towards the end. The ending itself is really good though, and if it does hint at a sequel, as it apparently does, I for one can't wait!
On a sidenote, I was deeply impressed by the fact that, although this is branded as a debut novel, there's little doubt the author is experienced with his craft and knows precisely which buttons to push in order to capture his readers' attention: The monster feels absolutely real, the situations are well thought out, the prose is clean and easy to understand, the gore kept at a minimum, no profanity is used, and -fortunately- there's no romance. The book does not allow you to forget this is horror! That said, the dialogue felt a bit formulaic, hindering somewhat the relatability of the characters and slowing down the pace too much towards the end. The ending itself is really good though, and if it does hint at a sequel, as it apparently does, I for one can't wait!
July 9, 2024
I was one of the kids who ran to a leap jump into bed because I didn’t want whatever was underneath to grab me. I was also one of those kids who had my feet tucked tightly under the sheets, no matter the temperature because I didn’t want anything to grab them while sleeping.
Author Vincent Heselwood created a story of that fear of what’s in the closet, in the dark, or under the bed. Is it the Boogeyman? He brought it to life in “The Taste of Tiny Bones.” I loved the main character, Evie/Creepy, and her confidence throughout the story. The suspense component of “The Taste of Tiny Bones” starts building immediately. That is, from the first chapter on, I got chills. It was a fairly fast-paced story, and I enjoyed it.
Thank you, Horrorsmith Publishing, for the gifted review copy of “The Taste of Tiny Bones by Vincent Heselwood. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Author Vincent Heselwood created a story of that fear of what’s in the closet, in the dark, or under the bed. Is it the Boogeyman? He brought it to life in “The Taste of Tiny Bones.” I loved the main character, Evie/Creepy, and her confidence throughout the story. The suspense component of “The Taste of Tiny Bones” starts building immediately. That is, from the first chapter on, I got chills. It was a fairly fast-paced story, and I enjoyed it.
Thank you, Horrorsmith Publishing, for the gifted review copy of “The Taste of Tiny Bones by Vincent Heselwood. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 2, 2024
I have not had a book genuinely scare me since I read “The Exorcist’s House” by Nick Roberts! I was fully encompassed by the book after chapter 1! I could truly see this story as an Umbrella Entertainment creature feature similar to “Babadook” but way more terrifying!! The dread this book filled me with is unmatched, it had me eyeballing the shadows in my daughter’s room as I put her down for bed tonight! I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to put on a brave face when she gets older and inevitably tells me there is a monster in her room thanks to Vincent Heselwood.
July 2, 2024
Gives new meaning to are you afraid of the dark, Heselwood pulls you in with a gripping tale of Childhood fears and the Boogyman. Showing us that things are maybe not exactly what they seem. This book reminded me a bit of a Supernatural episode where creepy legends are brought to life and how to defeat them. It’s amazingly well written and a good quick read perfect for those who claim they are not scared of the boogeyman!
July 8, 2024
How would you feel if your childhood fears became real? That's what this book examines as the Tat O'Rag man becomes a living, breathing boogeyman. He lives in your closet at night and feasts on your body in the dark of night.
The author does a great job building suspense here as our characters race against time and daylight to stop the boogeyman from eating his next victim. This was a cool way to mix folklore with modern technology and how folklore can be spread online in the form of creepypasta. I also really liked our main character and found her easy to root for. This novel had my heart racing and the pages flying. Highly recommend!
My thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing and author Vincent Heselwood for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
The author does a great job building suspense here as our characters race against time and daylight to stop the boogeyman from eating his next victim. This was a cool way to mix folklore with modern technology and how folklore can be spread online in the form of creepypasta. I also really liked our main character and found her easy to root for. This novel had my heart racing and the pages flying. Highly recommend!
My thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing and author Vincent Heselwood for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
July 9, 2024
The Taste of Tiny Bones
By Vincent Heselwood
Genre urban legend horror
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the tale centring around Evie "Creepy" Morenson, who accidentally unleashes a terrifying entity through a blog post, reawakening the boogeyman and turning him into a vicious monster. Teaming up with Detective Ezra, they both try to stop the boogeyman before more children die, and nightmares spread.
My Review ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Before reading this book, I've always thought the boogey man was a myth, an urban legend, a folklore, set up by parents to scare little kids into doing things they don't want to do like go to bed or brush their teeth or do their homework, but in Taste of Tiny Bones, that myth was brought to life, making me terrified making sure i never show my feet out of my blanket for fear someone or something will grab me and drag me away.
I loved how this story starts! Without any word of a warning, it was fast-paced, introducing us to the horror straight away, continuously building suspense, causing uncomfortable tension, and keeping me on the edge.
I found the story to be quite relatable, incorporating things like blog posts and viral media, making this story contemporary, bringing the idea of the boogeyman to life, living among us, and in our world.
Props to Vincent! You can certainly tell that Vincent did his research before he wrote the book, and if he didn't damn, he sure can spin a yarn, making the story and the scares so damn believable.
The BEST PART OF THE BOOK? Evie and Ezra's partnership, of course. It goes without saying that Evies' knowledge of urban legends paired with Ezras skills as a detective, mixed with elements of the supernatural, not only will you get a believable and grounded horror story, but you can relate to it as well.
With a fast-paced plot, well thought out characters, and an eerie atmosphere, this book is bound to make anyone quickly check in their closet or under the bed for the boogeyman before going to bed, and leaving the night light on. 😨💀
Thank you, Vincent, for this ARC. You really scared the living beejesus out of me. I'm looking forward to many more scares to come! 👻☠️💀♥️⭐️
By Vincent Heselwood
Genre urban legend horror
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the tale centring around Evie "Creepy" Morenson, who accidentally unleashes a terrifying entity through a blog post, reawakening the boogeyman and turning him into a vicious monster. Teaming up with Detective Ezra, they both try to stop the boogeyman before more children die, and nightmares spread.
My Review ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Before reading this book, I've always thought the boogey man was a myth, an urban legend, a folklore, set up by parents to scare little kids into doing things they don't want to do like go to bed or brush their teeth or do their homework, but in Taste of Tiny Bones, that myth was brought to life, making me terrified making sure i never show my feet out of my blanket for fear someone or something will grab me and drag me away.
I loved how this story starts! Without any word of a warning, it was fast-paced, introducing us to the horror straight away, continuously building suspense, causing uncomfortable tension, and keeping me on the edge.
I found the story to be quite relatable, incorporating things like blog posts and viral media, making this story contemporary, bringing the idea of the boogeyman to life, living among us, and in our world.
Props to Vincent! You can certainly tell that Vincent did his research before he wrote the book, and if he didn't damn, he sure can spin a yarn, making the story and the scares so damn believable.
The BEST PART OF THE BOOK? Evie and Ezra's partnership, of course. It goes without saying that Evies' knowledge of urban legends paired with Ezras skills as a detective, mixed with elements of the supernatural, not only will you get a believable and grounded horror story, but you can relate to it as well.
With a fast-paced plot, well thought out characters, and an eerie atmosphere, this book is bound to make anyone quickly check in their closet or under the bed for the boogeyman before going to bed, and leaving the night light on. 😨💀
Thank you, Vincent, for this ARC. You really scared the living beejesus out of me. I'm looking forward to many more scares to come! 👻☠️💀♥️⭐️
July 6, 2024
Do you believe in the boogeyman? Or any kind of nighttime creature. Come on, bet you have at some point!
This book is a horror lovers dream. Evie gets pulled into a nightmarish world of a terrifying creature who has killed a child. And this thing is not ready to stop at one. While the body count rises, Evie wants to stop this. Evie wants to kill a monster.
Okay so she was deffo my favourite character! I loved her babbles about folklore, variations of the same character, how it grows like a virus, how we get used to certain creatues throughout the world of Horror (vampire, werewolves) but how new ones can invite new fears etc... This was fascinating and explores a topic I love so much. I reckon I'd be good friends with Evie. But do I really want to get mixed into this world? No thanks! It's terrifying, eerie and very brutal.
This will have you not wanting to wake up in the middle of the night... Just in case you feel the presence of something rather unusual. Just in case YOU become the late night snack! I dare you to read it in bed!
This book has the right amount of back story, character development, spook and action! It'll deffo have you turning pages in terror and interest wondering what will happen next. I powered through this one and I'm glad I did. It was great. I just hope I can forget it by bedtime!!
This book is a horror lovers dream. Evie gets pulled into a nightmarish world of a terrifying creature who has killed a child. And this thing is not ready to stop at one. While the body count rises, Evie wants to stop this. Evie wants to kill a monster.
Okay so she was deffo my favourite character! I loved her babbles about folklore, variations of the same character, how it grows like a virus, how we get used to certain creatues throughout the world of Horror (vampire, werewolves) but how new ones can invite new fears etc... This was fascinating and explores a topic I love so much. I reckon I'd be good friends with Evie. But do I really want to get mixed into this world? No thanks! It's terrifying, eerie and very brutal.
This will have you not wanting to wake up in the middle of the night... Just in case you feel the presence of something rather unusual. Just in case YOU become the late night snack! I dare you to read it in bed!
This book has the right amount of back story, character development, spook and action! It'll deffo have you turning pages in terror and interest wondering what will happen next. I powered through this one and I'm glad I did. It was great. I just hope I can forget it by bedtime!!
July 7, 2024
The Taste of Tiny Bones
By Vincent Heselwood
Are you ready to relive your childhood fears?
You will, as Heselwood’s boogeyman brings your boogeyman back to life.
I found myself reminiscing about my own nighttime ritual of sleeping in a kingsize pillow case to protect my feet from slipping out of the covers.
A modern tale of how an internet story blog takes on a life of its own and can spread faster then you can control it and the effect it will have on the readers.
Truth is definitely stranger than fiction as this story becomes more real than you can imagine. can it be stopped before more lives are lost?
A gripping story that will keep you terrified.
I fully enjoyed this story, did not see how it would end.
By Vincent Heselwood
Are you ready to relive your childhood fears?
You will, as Heselwood’s boogeyman brings your boogeyman back to life.
I found myself reminiscing about my own nighttime ritual of sleeping in a kingsize pillow case to protect my feet from slipping out of the covers.
A modern tale of how an internet story blog takes on a life of its own and can spread faster then you can control it and the effect it will have on the readers.
Truth is definitely stranger than fiction as this story becomes more real than you can imagine. can it be stopped before more lives are lost?
A gripping story that will keep you terrified.
I fully enjoyed this story, did not see how it would end.
July 15, 2024
3.5 Stars ~
Do you believe in the boogeyman? Because if you do, you just might be next on his list.
Creepy finds herself being interrogated by police after uploading a post about the boogeyman online. Two children are dead and they think Creepy has the answers.
This was a fun read, but I kept wanting to be scared and on the edge of my seat, but it just fell flat in that aspect for me. I really enjoyed the folklore elements in this one.!
Thank you Horrorsmith Publishing for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Do you believe in the boogeyman? Because if you do, you just might be next on his list.
Creepy finds herself being interrogated by police after uploading a post about the boogeyman online. Two children are dead and they think Creepy has the answers.
This was a fun read, but I kept wanting to be scared and on the edge of my seat, but it just fell flat in that aspect for me. I really enjoyed the folklore elements in this one.!
Thank you Horrorsmith Publishing for this ARC in return for an honest review.
July 5, 2024
The way the author painted a vivid picture of the monster lurking in the shadows kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning each page to uncover its secrets. The suspense was noticeable, and I found myself transported back to a time when the unknown was both thrilling and terrifying. The evolution of the monster was both fascinating and chilling, adding an extra layer of complexity to the story. Overall, this book was a masterful blend of nostalgia and horror, and I couldn't put it down. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good scare. Everybody has their own version of The Boogeyman
July 27, 2024
Oh. My. God.
Horrorsmith Publishing going 2 for 2 so far.
If you were a kid who was scared of the dark, like me, or an adult who still is, like me, than this book is it.
Right from the jump this was spooky! The build up was so quick, my heart was racing while I was reading this.
I think all too often stories about the bogeyman or creatures of our childhood terrors lean too much into the realm of corny and don't really capture the fear that we felt in our little bones. But this, this captured it.
The story is good, short and sweet, not over staying it's welcome but still lingering in your mind. The characters are simple but not two dimensional, they have personalities and are rather likeable.
The bogeyman is the bogeyman and he is as horrifying as ever.
This story again reminds me of the scary movies, the TV movies or canadian productions, that I would watch as a kid. It feels very nostalgic horror.
5/5 Spookies 👻
Horrorsmith Publishing going 2 for 2 so far.
If you were a kid who was scared of the dark, like me, or an adult who still is, like me, than this book is it.
Right from the jump this was spooky! The build up was so quick, my heart was racing while I was reading this.
I think all too often stories about the bogeyman or creatures of our childhood terrors lean too much into the realm of corny and don't really capture the fear that we felt in our little bones. But this, this captured it.
The story is good, short and sweet, not over staying it's welcome but still lingering in your mind. The characters are simple but not two dimensional, they have personalities and are rather likeable.
The bogeyman is the bogeyman and he is as horrifying as ever.
This story again reminds me of the scary movies, the TV movies or canadian productions, that I would watch as a kid. It feels very nostalgic horror.
5/5 Spookies 👻
February 25, 2025
This was one of the most terrifying books I've ever read, so well written that it trully made me peak at the shadows in my bedroom and check for anything that might be lurking in the dark. I was always comfortable with the darkness surrounding me, but after this book, I might rethink that. Very grim scenes and images that will get stuck to you.
July 3, 2024
It’s been a while since a book has genuinely given me goosebumps of fear, but chapter one of this managed it.
The story was intriguing, scary and addicting. I had to know what happened!
The writing is excellent, the authors descriptions adding to the ambiance of the story.
If you’re looking for a good, creepy story to convince you that nightmares are real, this one is for you!
An ARC was provided to me by Horrorsmith Publishing, all opinions are my own.
The story was intriguing, scary and addicting. I had to know what happened!
The writing is excellent, the authors descriptions adding to the ambiance of the story.
If you’re looking for a good, creepy story to convince you that nightmares are real, this one is for you!
An ARC was provided to me by Horrorsmith Publishing, all opinions are my own.
August 18, 2024
This book had it all for me! It had a really cool plot, gore, incredibly spooky moments, folklore theory, and a basis in one of the biggest childhood fears. It was fast paced, had a really great cast of characters, and has been living in my head rent free for weeks. Thanks to The Taste of Tiny Bones I now have a new love for Bogeyman horror and need it all! If you’re looking for a fantastic book to add to your spooky season TBR, then look no further!!
September 6, 2025
I have never been one to fear the Boogeyman. This book may have changed that.
September 28, 2024
Wow!
From the start of chapter one to the last page, this story had me in a chokehold. I read it in one sitting!
It's dark...and despite being a fiction tale, it gave me actual chills.
The writing is fantastic! The characters are excellently developed, the interaction between our main lead and those around her really give depth.
This is just everything you want in a modern horror book - it's shocking and violent but has such humanity at the same time. The way the author weaves lore and history into the back story is magic. It's believable and that's what makes a horror story GOOD!
There is a monster under all our beds!
From the start of chapter one to the last page, this story had me in a chokehold. I read it in one sitting!
It's dark...and despite being a fiction tale, it gave me actual chills.
The writing is fantastic! The characters are excellently developed, the interaction between our main lead and those around her really give depth.
This is just everything you want in a modern horror book - it's shocking and violent but has such humanity at the same time. The way the author weaves lore and history into the back story is magic. It's believable and that's what makes a horror story GOOD!
There is a monster under all our beds!
July 23, 2024
Thank you to the author and the publisher or publishers for all your hard work! I'm leaving this review voluntarily and happily! Take a look!
I rather enjoyed this book. It was very different from any horror book I've read and honestly hope to read more from this author. You'd think I'd have read more books involving the boogie man, but in reality, I haven't. So this was a delight. Was it scary? Not for me but the build-up, characters, and just the development of the creature was so enjoyable that I couldn't put the book down. The creature itself, I wish we could have had more of it, but this book was more atmospheric at best than the jumpscares. I do wonder how the book ended if there were more in the future.
Creepy, who has been afraid of monsters and the dark her whole life, is going to have to face her greatest fears. What if in the dark there was a boogie man? What if it was so real that all it takes is a little belief, and that makes you a target? What had to be done to stop such a thing? Can it be stopped? Creepy and others will have to face this monster, and if you want to know, read to find out!
Everyone has heard of Creepypasta in some shape or form. This book brings it up and certainly has me interested in it again. Of course, cautious because of its contents, yet the book, the lore, and just everything in-between. I love it all. I'm a huge fan of things like this, and if you are too, this book is definitely a must-read!
I rather enjoyed this book. It was very different from any horror book I've read and honestly hope to read more from this author. You'd think I'd have read more books involving the boogie man, but in reality, I haven't. So this was a delight. Was it scary? Not for me but the build-up, characters, and just the development of the creature was so enjoyable that I couldn't put the book down. The creature itself, I wish we could have had more of it, but this book was more atmospheric at best than the jumpscares. I do wonder how the book ended if there were more in the future.
Creepy, who has been afraid of monsters and the dark her whole life, is going to have to face her greatest fears. What if in the dark there was a boogie man? What if it was so real that all it takes is a little belief, and that makes you a target? What had to be done to stop such a thing? Can it be stopped? Creepy and others will have to face this monster, and if you want to know, read to find out!
Everyone has heard of Creepypasta in some shape or form. This book brings it up and certainly has me interested in it again. Of course, cautious because of its contents, yet the book, the lore, and just everything in-between. I love it all. I'm a huge fan of things like this, and if you are too, this book is definitely a must-read!
July 7, 2024
What was YOUR bogeyman story when you were a child? Come on, you KNOW you had one- we ALL did. But what if sharing details of that story amplified it, made it real, gave it claws? The Taste of Tiny Bones explores just that, with a truly enjoyable play on creepypasta and how lore grows. Whether this is a book you simply enjoy reading or one that crawls under your skin and keeps you up at night, I can guarantee one thing: you won't look at that dark space in the back of your closet quite the same way. (It's still looking back at you the same way it always has, though.)
Basically... if you're not following Horrorsmith Publishing or supporting authors like Vincent Heselwood yet, you're absolutely missing out. I'll forgive you, but the Tat o' Rag Man may not...
Basically... if you're not following Horrorsmith Publishing or supporting authors like Vincent Heselwood yet, you're absolutely missing out. I'll forgive you, but the Tat o' Rag Man may not...
Did Not Finish
July 5, 2024DNF @ 25%
Nothing particularly wrong with this but I didn't click with the writing style.
Nothing particularly wrong with this but I didn't click with the writing style.
July 13, 2024
Were you afraid of the dark as a child? Convinced that if you put so much as a toe outside your blanket, the monster under your bed would snap you up? Secure in the knowledge that your nightlight would keep the thing in the closet from getting to you? If your parents ever threatened you with The Bogeyman, put this book down and continue to live your life with the knowledge that The Bogyeman isn't real and can't harm you....you're safer that way.
I grew up on creepypasta, and Vincent's "The Taste of Tiny Bones" is a great callback to the old stories I used to read and the process of how creepypasta are created. He takes the idea of The Bogeyman and goes a step further, turning him into a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. So long as you are convinced that The Bogeyman isn't real, you're safe; but as soon as you start to believe, all bets are off.
His monster was genuinely creepy and made me so uneasy! It's something that he made so plausible that I had no choice but to sit up and take notice. I loved the progression from this horribly scary monstrosity to something that could be controlled and contained in a way that was absolutely brilliant! I wasn't sold on Evie for the first bit of the book, but she really grew on me by the end, and I was so happy to see her growth throughout the book.
Where I think the book suffered a little was with all the dialogue. Something would happen with The Bogeyman that really built the tension, and then there would be a lot of dialogue and exposition that took away some of the atmosphere. While it helped to further the plot, I felt like it broke up the horror a bit too much in places.
Thank you to Horrorsmith for letting me read this early, and I look forward to more stories by this author!
I grew up on creepypasta, and Vincent's "The Taste of Tiny Bones" is a great callback to the old stories I used to read and the process of how creepypasta are created. He takes the idea of The Bogeyman and goes a step further, turning him into a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy. So long as you are convinced that The Bogeyman isn't real, you're safe; but as soon as you start to believe, all bets are off.
His monster was genuinely creepy and made me so uneasy! It's something that he made so plausible that I had no choice but to sit up and take notice. I loved the progression from this horribly scary monstrosity to something that could be controlled and contained in a way that was absolutely brilliant! I wasn't sold on Evie for the first bit of the book, but she really grew on me by the end, and I was so happy to see her growth throughout the book.
Where I think the book suffered a little was with all the dialogue. Something would happen with The Bogeyman that really built the tension, and then there would be a lot of dialogue and exposition that took away some of the atmosphere. While it helped to further the plot, I felt like it broke up the horror a bit too much in places.
Thank you to Horrorsmith for letting me read this early, and I look forward to more stories by this author!
September 15, 2024
I LOVED this book! Overall this book was fast paced, and one I could not put down. I absolutely loved how the cultural significance of oral and written folklore mixed in with modern day technology of viral videos and creepypasta intertwined. Mr. Heselwood explained how cultures and variations of story's overlapped and were passed down, and then demonstrated how these traditions still exist and are done today, except how we do this has evolved with new technology. This demonstration was clearly and simply explained while not being" boring" filler, but plot to the overall action.
Pro's
• Fast paced and quick to the action
• Split viewpoints that added layers to the story
• Chapter Names-seriously more people should do this. These added chapter names added intrigue and suspense
• Female protagonist that was smart," weird", and not afraid to break to female hero stereotype. Book girlies rejoice!
Cons
I don't have many to be honest.
Only thing that due to the fast paced nature of this book was the names. I sometimes got hung up when Creepy was referred to as her name Evie, and distinguishing between Malcom and Maddox. This is probably a personal problem because of how fast I consumed this book.
* Spoiler*
I got the very strong sense there will be more books to this series. At first I was disheartened by not knowing more about the woman who left the handwritten journals. But after the last line of the book I have several takeaways.
• Creepy is to be a successor of some type
• Of all the books the mysterious woman had, I feel she deliberately left the notebook of the Bogeyman because he is the most widespread
◦ The notebook at the end will be the topic of the possible next book and perhaps there will be a note from our mysterious lady.
Pro's
• Fast paced and quick to the action
• Split viewpoints that added layers to the story
• Chapter Names-seriously more people should do this. These added chapter names added intrigue and suspense
• Female protagonist that was smart," weird", and not afraid to break to female hero stereotype. Book girlies rejoice!
Cons
I don't have many to be honest.
Only thing that due to the fast paced nature of this book was the names. I sometimes got hung up when Creepy was referred to as her name Evie, and distinguishing between Malcom and Maddox. This is probably a personal problem because of how fast I consumed this book.
* Spoiler*
I got the very strong sense there will be more books to this series. At first I was disheartened by not knowing more about the woman who left the handwritten journals. But after the last line of the book I have several takeaways.
• Creepy is to be a successor of some type
• Of all the books the mysterious woman had, I feel she deliberately left the notebook of the Bogeyman because he is the most widespread
◦ The notebook at the end will be the topic of the possible next book and perhaps there will be a note from our mysterious lady.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
So this book brought back A LOT of nostalgia...flashbacks... PTSD?! 🤣
I found myself reminiscing my crazed childhood days with a fellow arc reader within the first 50 pages of this book. It awakened so many memories and fears that I had locked away in my bedroom closet YEARS AGO and threw away that damned key. 👀
Would I no longer be considered a "big girl" if I admitted to the fact that I buried my toes under my blanket my first night reading this? That I side eyed my closet just a little too long?
I, indeed, loved that this book conjured up the creepies and let loose shivers down my spine. It brought to life my Boogeyman...in all his mystique and gnarly limbed glory 🫣
This book would do well as a movie script. It had all the key ingredients and characters that made it into a well rounded story. There was the knowledgeable, professor-like strange looking final girl who didn't go silently into the night, a good looking cop that follows her into the abyss, a grieving dad, battling unseen forces and a taxi cab driver that served as a bit of comic relief but also the word of reason. The prize definitely goes to our resident boogie man though, the Tat o' Rag man.
He was truly creepy AF.
I loved how the monster evolved here. A lot of detail went into his origination and in how he operated. I won't say more than that because learning these things by reading the book is half the adventure 😍
I highly recommend this to anyone with half an inclination to dredge up their childhood fears... because I promise you, it will.
I found myself reminiscing my crazed childhood days with a fellow arc reader within the first 50 pages of this book. It awakened so many memories and fears that I had locked away in my bedroom closet YEARS AGO and threw away that damned key. 👀
Would I no longer be considered a "big girl" if I admitted to the fact that I buried my toes under my blanket my first night reading this? That I side eyed my closet just a little too long?
I, indeed, loved that this book conjured up the creepies and let loose shivers down my spine. It brought to life my Boogeyman...in all his mystique and gnarly limbed glory 🫣
This book would do well as a movie script. It had all the key ingredients and characters that made it into a well rounded story. There was the knowledgeable, professor-like strange looking final girl who didn't go silently into the night, a good looking cop that follows her into the abyss, a grieving dad, battling unseen forces and a taxi cab driver that served as a bit of comic relief but also the word of reason. The prize definitely goes to our resident boogie man though, the Tat o' Rag man.
He was truly creepy AF.
I loved how the monster evolved here. A lot of detail went into his origination and in how he operated. I won't say more than that because learning these things by reading the book is half the adventure 😍
I highly recommend this to anyone with half an inclination to dredge up their childhood fears... because I promise you, it will.
July 9, 2024
This is a fantastic story of the boogeyman and its many variations and the reason it resonates with pretty much everyone at some point in time.
I myself relate to Creepy and also Alfie. As a child, I was one afraid of the dark, of creatures hiding in the night keeping my blankets up to my neck sweating only to end up growing into one who loves the dark, loves the darkness and loves all things that go bump in the night.
This book is very well written, the plot perfectly paced and story incredibly original. The description of the characters and their backstories allows the development of feelings and gives the ability to relate to them. Even the monster evolves growing smarter, gaining power and manipulating the characters. This unlikely trio, a detective, an eccentric professor/blogger and a cab driver wind up together working to try and figure out how to destroy this sinister, deceptive, eternally hungry monster before there’s another victim. It is all captivating and spine chilling. The taste of tiny bones grabs your attention from the very start and instills an unease that develops into, a true distraught discomfort that you begin to question the crack in your closet door. I am one who truly enjoys the feeling of “pleasing terror.” This book brought me out of my romance reads, and I am happy it did.
I myself relate to Creepy and also Alfie. As a child, I was one afraid of the dark, of creatures hiding in the night keeping my blankets up to my neck sweating only to end up growing into one who loves the dark, loves the darkness and loves all things that go bump in the night.
This book is very well written, the plot perfectly paced and story incredibly original. The description of the characters and their backstories allows the development of feelings and gives the ability to relate to them. Even the monster evolves growing smarter, gaining power and manipulating the characters. This unlikely trio, a detective, an eccentric professor/blogger and a cab driver wind up together working to try and figure out how to destroy this sinister, deceptive, eternally hungry monster before there’s another victim. It is all captivating and spine chilling. The taste of tiny bones grabs your attention from the very start and instills an unease that develops into, a true distraught discomfort that you begin to question the crack in your closet door. I am one who truly enjoys the feeling of “pleasing terror.” This book brought me out of my romance reads, and I am happy it did.
July 16, 2024
Evie “Creepy” Mortensen is a bit unusual. She is interested in literature and folklore, particularly the darker side of things. She is a self-proclaimed: “expert in scary stories and, more specifically, how those stories are formed and come to be made.” She's been just going along, working on PhD, at least until she is brought into police headquarters to be questioned. Apparently, a little boy's murder was caught on video; the culprit being the Tat O' Rag Man, or the Bogeyman, or any of the other many names that he has been given by various cultures around the world. And who has written many scholarly papers on him? Creepy. And she believes she is the one who can stop him.
“They say truth is stranger than fiction. What they don’t say is just how close one is to the other.”
Let's face it - is there any kid who doesn't believe in the bogeyman in one form or another? Something lurking in the dark...waiting... I loved Creepy and thought she was a terrific character. I also appreciate that the author gave the other characters enough skepticism to make them believable, but they didn't get hung up on keeping those beliefs. Something bad was going on, and they didn't question it. It's always so annoying to me when EVERYONE sees the big bad monster, but the adults are like what monster? This was so captivating! What a terrific tale.
4.5 stars
“They say truth is stranger than fiction. What they don’t say is just how close one is to the other.”
Let's face it - is there any kid who doesn't believe in the bogeyman in one form or another? Something lurking in the dark...waiting... I loved Creepy and thought she was a terrific character. I also appreciate that the author gave the other characters enough skepticism to make them believable, but they didn't get hung up on keeping those beliefs. Something bad was going on, and they didn't question it. It's always so annoying to me when EVERYONE sees the big bad monster, but the adults are like what monster? This was so captivating! What a terrific tale.
4.5 stars
July 9, 2024
Were you the kind of kid who stayed up past your bedtime to read scary stories under the blanket by flashlight? Were you the kind of kid who then psyched yourself out about every noise you heard at night and made sure not to hang your feet off the edge of the bed, but the thrill of that nighttime terror was something you secretly craved? Then stop right here and add this book to your TBR. The Taste of Tiny Bones is a fast-paced story perfect for anyone who enjoys a good campfire story, creepypasta, Supernatural, and really any sort of creature lore.
After two people end up gruesomely consumed, Creepy, our subject-matter-expert FMC, is enlisted to help solve the case of what creature could possibly be responsible. It doesn't take long for her to figure out that the monster almost every child has feared at one time or another--the bogeyman--has come to life, feeding first on belief and fear, and then on flesh. The cast of characters was an excellent mix of capable, naive, lovable, relatable, and detestable, and the monster/myth lore was absolutely superb! I'll be side-eyeing the deep shadows in the closet and under the bed for many nights to come.
Thank you to HorrorSmith Publishing for an ARC to review!
After two people end up gruesomely consumed, Creepy, our subject-matter-expert FMC, is enlisted to help solve the case of what creature could possibly be responsible. It doesn't take long for her to figure out that the monster almost every child has feared at one time or another--the bogeyman--has come to life, feeding first on belief and fear, and then on flesh. The cast of characters was an excellent mix of capable, naive, lovable, relatable, and detestable, and the monster/myth lore was absolutely superb! I'll be side-eyeing the deep shadows in the closet and under the bed for many nights to come.
Thank you to HorrorSmith Publishing for an ARC to review!
July 5, 2024
It's been a while since a book kept me awake at night. But this really did and now I have the dark circles to prove it! The author draws you in so effectively from the start - I was immediately transported into little Alfie Turner's bedroom, and I could see him all alone, absolutely terrified as the awful Tat O'Rag man appears.
One of my favourite things about this novel is how well drawn the characters are - all of them have depth, quirks, unique ways of speaking and mannerisms that make them memorable, believable and you quickly empathise with some and start to dislike others (the hallmark of a good novel for me is when I really dislike some characters!).
I will admit that I sometimes flicked a few pages ahead to see what would happen (awful habit I know but I had to counteract my feelings of dread somehow) but that also just tells you just how good this story is - it really is one that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I've never really been that scared by Bogeyman stories...but trust me now I am!
One of my favourite things about this novel is how well drawn the characters are - all of them have depth, quirks, unique ways of speaking and mannerisms that make them memorable, believable and you quickly empathise with some and start to dislike others (the hallmark of a good novel for me is when I really dislike some characters!).
I will admit that I sometimes flicked a few pages ahead to see what would happen (awful habit I know but I had to counteract my feelings of dread somehow) but that also just tells you just how good this story is - it really is one that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I've never really been that scared by Bogeyman stories...but trust me now I am!
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