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Silence in the Basement
Hank's planned one-night stay at a weathered motel turns sideways when he is attacked by its cannibalistic owner. Having awakened in a cold, damp basement, he expects that he and another victim, Sara, will soon be killed. But to their surprise, their captor has other plans. He lets them live, attempting to manipulate them into accepting a life with him
253 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2024
123 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Alex Mura
2 books94 followersAlex Mura is the pen name of Alexander Valerievich Yakovlev. Alex was born in Izhevsk, Russia in 1996. At age seven, he moved to England with his mother. His passion for writing began whilst attending secondary school in Portsmouth, where one of his short stories went on to be published by Hodgson Press as part of a school anthology. At sixteen, Alex became Wattpad's youngest Ambassador, where he volunteered for four years. After finishing college, he went onto pursue a career in sales in the finance and IT sectors. Having left his last corporate job in 2023, his debut novel, Silence In The Basement, is coming to bookstores near you this summer - A novel highlighting loneliness, free will and companionship.
@alexmuraauthor on Instagram
@alexmuraauthor on Instagram
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
September 26, 2024
⭐️ 2.5 stars ⭐️
This started out pretty promising, even if it was a little predictable. After the halfway mark it just got way too cliché and bloodbloodblood and with the weird religious aspect mixed in it was all too much.
The characters were well-built, Hank was likeable and makes you wanna root for him. Until the very end. Literally. The ending was what took my rating from a pretty solid three, to a meh two and a half.
[Not me googling WTF a chipolata is and then immediately regretting the fucking imagery it left in my brain. ]
This was a bit too gory and splatter for me.
Torture porn is not my brand of horror, and had I known the level of goriness, I don’t think I would’ve gone into this particular read.
What I find interesting when reading thrillers is finding out the motive. The why the kidnapper/killer/villain decide to do what they do. Not only was this particular villains endgame pretty apparent from the get-go, it was just wacky and unrealistic.
The stars I did give are all for Hank, ‘cause he was just a sweetheart trucker waiting for the day he could be with his wife and daughter again. The rest was equal parts not meant for me and just badly constructed.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
“I can do whatever I please, Hank,” he hisses, stepping closer and towering over me.
“This is my world. You’re just living in it.”
This started out pretty promising, even if it was a little predictable. After the halfway mark it just got way too cliché and bloodbloodblood and with the weird religious aspect mixed in it was all too much.
The characters were well-built, Hank was likeable and makes you wanna root for him. Until the very end. Literally. The ending was what took my rating from a pretty solid three, to a meh two and a half.
«Amidst the pool of red, my nail-less ring finger and pinkie lay like two discarded chipolatas.»
[Not me googling WTF a chipolata is and then immediately regretting the fucking imagery it left in my brain. ]
This was a bit too gory and splatter for me.
Torture porn is not my brand of horror, and had I known the level of goriness, I don’t think I would’ve gone into this particular read.
«This is more than simple captivity for him; it’s his twisted version of a perfect world.»
What I find interesting when reading thrillers is finding out the motive. The why the kidnapper/killer/villain decide to do what they do. Not only was this particular villains endgame pretty apparent from the get-go, it was just wacky and unrealistic.
The stars I did give are all for Hank, ‘cause he was just a sweetheart trucker waiting for the day he could be with his wife and daughter again. The rest was equal parts not meant for me and just badly constructed.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
July 13, 2024
This book had so much going for it in the beginning. It felt like it could be a real standout, even if it was a bit predictable at times. The initial setup with the cannibalistic themes, kidnapping, single setting, and the psychopath had me intrigued. I was expecting a higher rating based on the premise, but my feelings changed as the story unfolded. It veered into cliché territory and got a bit too fixated on nothing but blood; lots of blood.
It just felt like too much and not enough at the same time. The characters, especially Hank, were really well-developed and made you want to root for them, but boy was I wrong. That ending totally soured the whole experience for me. It went from a solid high rating to just feeling like a complete letdown.
One of the most jarring aspects was how Hank's character changed so abruptly. His sudden violent thoughts and actions didn’t align with how he was initially portrayed. This inconsistency made it hard to stay engaged with his character and undermined the story's credibility.
Also, I don't think bringing religion into why Malcolm (Mal) does what he does was appropriate; it just felt very wrong to me. The book does delve into some pretty gruesome details, so if you're a bit squeamish, just a heads up.
The ending left me more disgusted than anything else in the book, and that’s saying something. Hank treating Sara like his daughter and then suddenly having a sexual moment with her was just bizarre. The 36-year age gap only made it more unsettling. It completely threw off the dynamic they had going on. It felt like the author added it in for shock value rather than contributing meaningfully to the story. The relationship was fine as it was before that scene, and the sex should’ve never happened. Plus, Sara’s complaints about how embarrassing it is to still be a virgin at 18 were just absurd. Girl, you okay? Pretty sure you had bigger problems to worry about.
Despite these issues, there were some strong points. The villain was well-crafted, and the descriptions of gore were effective and added to the horror element. The quick pace of the story kept it engaging, even when the plot started to falter.
In conclusion, while the book had some strong points, the jarring and out-of-place scenes, along with character inconsistencies, made it difficult for me to fully enjoy. It's a mixed bag—there's potential, but it's overshadowed by some significant flaws.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It just felt like too much and not enough at the same time. The characters, especially Hank, were really well-developed and made you want to root for them, but boy was I wrong. That ending totally soured the whole experience for me. It went from a solid high rating to just feeling like a complete letdown.
One of the most jarring aspects was how Hank's character changed so abruptly. His sudden violent thoughts and actions didn’t align with how he was initially portrayed. This inconsistency made it hard to stay engaged with his character and undermined the story's credibility.
Also, I don't think bringing religion into why Malcolm (Mal) does what he does was appropriate; it just felt very wrong to me. The book does delve into some pretty gruesome details, so if you're a bit squeamish, just a heads up.
The ending left me more disgusted than anything else in the book, and that’s saying something. Hank treating Sara like his daughter and then suddenly having a sexual moment with her was just bizarre. The 36-year age gap only made it more unsettling. It completely threw off the dynamic they had going on. It felt like the author added it in for shock value rather than contributing meaningfully to the story. The relationship was fine as it was before that scene, and the sex should’ve never happened. Plus, Sara’s complaints about how embarrassing it is to still be a virgin at 18 were just absurd. Girl, you okay? Pretty sure you had bigger problems to worry about.
Despite these issues, there were some strong points. The villain was well-crafted, and the descriptions of gore were effective and added to the horror element. The quick pace of the story kept it engaging, even when the plot started to falter.
In conclusion, while the book had some strong points, the jarring and out-of-place scenes, along with character inconsistencies, made it difficult for me to fully enjoy. It's a mixed bag—there's potential, but it's overshadowed by some significant flaws.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
I couldn't quite put my finger on it but for some unknown reason, I did not enjoy this book. And the weird part is, I did like the first few chapters, I mean, Hank is a very likeable character.
The premise is interesting and I was really looking forward to how the author could twist this narrative into something incredibly disturbing and gross but I gradually lose interest. Also, I can't accept the fact that the author tainted the innocent relationship of Hank and Sara which I am not going to divulge in this review. I'm sure some of you will agree with me on this part.
Well, other readers will totally dig this. Especially the detailed explanation of the human body, I guess. But, for me, I'll try not to think about the bad parts.
Thanks Netgalley and Hanabi Press for the ARC!
The premise is interesting and I was really looking forward to how the author could twist this narrative into something incredibly disturbing and gross but I gradually lose interest. Also, I can't accept the fact that the author tainted the innocent relationship of Hank and Sara which I am not going to divulge in this review. I'm sure some of you will agree with me on this part.
Well, other readers will totally dig this. Especially the detailed explanation of the human body, I guess. But, for me, I'll try not to think about the bad parts.
Thanks Netgalley and Hanabi Press for the ARC!
September 22, 2024
SILENCE IN THE BASEMENT [2024] By Alex Mura
My Review 3.0 Stars
This is the first novel by author Alex Mura, and I read it as the group read selection for the month of September (Horror Group HGW). I would like to thank the book club for their continued enthusiasm in exposing its members to new authors and their works.
First, I would like to share that I did not read any customer reviews, to include Amazon or Goodreads prior to reading Mr. Mura’s inaugural extreme horror novel. It is understanding that there has not been widespread exposure on Amazon with a mere 87 ratings, but it is gratifying to see an average 4.1 Rating. Now it has been my ongoing observation (not that I look with any frequency), but any book’s ratings are typically higher on Amazon. I have speculated lower sample as the reason for this finding. Goodreads with over twice the ratings (193) and the debut novel is averaging 3.97. In short that is one positive finding I wanted to share in my review. Whenever I see that I am an outlier, it is only fair to the reader of my review to know that up front.
I know why I rated the work 3.0 Stars. It has to do with the characterization of the protagonist Hank, our long-haul trucker. Hank has been informed by a police officer that there have been unexplained missing persons in the area he is travelling. Hank has characterized himself as a loner. It gave me pause when Hank was so spontaneous with a total stranger, namely the motel owner Mal. I thought it was more atypical when Hank spread the news about the missing persons in the area and his talk with the highway patrol prior to rolling into the motel. It was odder still when Mal informed Hank that he was a detective, that the young highway patrolman was “one of ours” and then hastened to tell Hank not to share any of the information. A loner trucker who was prone to going it alone would seem unlikely to spontaneously start talking a mile a minute to a stranger and even less likely in my opinion to mention his run in with the highway patrol about missing persons along the stretch of road that Hank currently inhabits.
Then, how probable is an assigned “Detective” residing in a rundown motel being paid to do what exactly? Hank swallowed this hook line and sinker. This was the first time I landed a strike against Hank for obvious naivete, and that is being kind.
Second, Hank hears suspicious noises in his motel room. The assorted noises, including what sounded like a woman’s voice once, continue and it really spooks him. Hank thinks about the missing persons. He questions whether there is a basement beneath the motel. He is in “full panic-mode” and feels “heart palpitations kicking in” He talks frantically to Mal inside the alleged detective’s room in the motel. Mal does not take Hank seriously, and if the sounds had not resumed maybe Hank would have made it out of there. It is evident at this point, and I am drawing some inferences from Hank’s reservations about fighting to solve problems, that a series of occurrences have led to Hank being forcibly kidnapped and held with the current captive.
Third, Mal is in the process of moving Hank, and he sedates with a needle. Hank has only a hazy understanding of what is happening. Despite being drugged which affected his ability to act and to move, his mental faculties were dulled. Hank thinks that was the perfect time for a show of force. In my mind this pushed naive to the side and lower than average IQ to the front. The results were torture and pain.
My other reservations revolved around Mal. He could act perfectly normal when it was necessary or advantageous. He was dangerous, a murderer, prone to rage reactions, and other bizarre behavior. Reportedly he abducted some victims strictly for the purpose of procuring meat. But although he is a cannibal and makes sure his two captives eat cooked human meat, he gets riled and bites raw chunks out of his captives, and alternatively spends a few hundred to make their captivity more comfortable. Mal is also into torture. Then we learn he is also into saving the earth by suicide, killing yourself before you can die of natural causes and pollute the planet, becoming a cannibal, abortion, and only engaging in sexual acts which do not end in procreation. Then later we learn about the religion and spirituality of cannibalism. It is like Mal is a sociopathic killer who does not know what he wants to be or who he wants to be. There is the sequence wherein he gives his captives something to drink (blood?) that causes hallucinations and a religious cleansing? Then later Mal decides that what he has always wanted to do was to see and touch a beating heart. He coerces Hank to help him realize his latest fantasy.
There are a couple of lewd expressions used which are jarring enough to break your concentration like “My butt clenches in terror…” and “Her hand brushes over my junk…”
Another negative for me was the sexual attraction Hank had for the teenager who was a virgin. And then it was completely out of character for Hank to take a bite out of the living heart of Mal.
Finally, the writing is actually well done. The character of Hank is richly developed (but for his stepping out of character moments). The blood, gore, cannibalism and the “to eat” or “not to eat” over the spoiling human meat was out of this world effective. I almost puked. There is a lot to like. I felt that the new author wanted to write a composite psycho Mal who did “everything” the author could think of, but because of the “just too much” he did not present a solid recognizable believable human monster.
It may be all of the above minor complaints that gave me a problem. But for whatever reason I never felt like I was in the story or immersed in the turmoil. I felt like I was reading the newspaper. I only say that because maybe if I had felt any degree of immediacy and interest, I would not have been such a critic. In any case, I do believe that I am an outlier based upon the consensus, and Mr. Mura does write well and can really write the extreme horror elements to perfection. A future in horror is highly likely.
My Review 3.0 Stars
This is the first novel by author Alex Mura, and I read it as the group read selection for the month of September (Horror Group HGW). I would like to thank the book club for their continued enthusiasm in exposing its members to new authors and their works.
First, I would like to share that I did not read any customer reviews, to include Amazon or Goodreads prior to reading Mr. Mura’s inaugural extreme horror novel. It is understanding that there has not been widespread exposure on Amazon with a mere 87 ratings, but it is gratifying to see an average 4.1 Rating. Now it has been my ongoing observation (not that I look with any frequency), but any book’s ratings are typically higher on Amazon. I have speculated lower sample as the reason for this finding. Goodreads with over twice the ratings (193) and the debut novel is averaging 3.97. In short that is one positive finding I wanted to share in my review. Whenever I see that I am an outlier, it is only fair to the reader of my review to know that up front.
I know why I rated the work 3.0 Stars. It has to do with the characterization of the protagonist Hank, our long-haul trucker. Hank has been informed by a police officer that there have been unexplained missing persons in the area he is travelling. Hank has characterized himself as a loner. It gave me pause when Hank was so spontaneous with a total stranger, namely the motel owner Mal. I thought it was more atypical when Hank spread the news about the missing persons in the area and his talk with the highway patrol prior to rolling into the motel. It was odder still when Mal informed Hank that he was a detective, that the young highway patrolman was “one of ours” and then hastened to tell Hank not to share any of the information. A loner trucker who was prone to going it alone would seem unlikely to spontaneously start talking a mile a minute to a stranger and even less likely in my opinion to mention his run in with the highway patrol about missing persons along the stretch of road that Hank currently inhabits.
Then, how probable is an assigned “Detective” residing in a rundown motel being paid to do what exactly? Hank swallowed this hook line and sinker. This was the first time I landed a strike against Hank for obvious naivete, and that is being kind.
Second, Hank hears suspicious noises in his motel room. The assorted noises, including what sounded like a woman’s voice once, continue and it really spooks him. Hank thinks about the missing persons. He questions whether there is a basement beneath the motel. He is in “full panic-mode” and feels “heart palpitations kicking in” He talks frantically to Mal inside the alleged detective’s room in the motel. Mal does not take Hank seriously, and if the sounds had not resumed maybe Hank would have made it out of there. It is evident at this point, and I am drawing some inferences from Hank’s reservations about fighting to solve problems, that a series of occurrences have led to Hank being forcibly kidnapped and held with the current captive.
Third, Mal is in the process of moving Hank, and he sedates with a needle. Hank has only a hazy understanding of what is happening. Despite being drugged which affected his ability to act and to move, his mental faculties were dulled. Hank thinks that was the perfect time for a show of force. In my mind this pushed naive to the side and lower than average IQ to the front. The results were torture and pain.
My other reservations revolved around Mal. He could act perfectly normal when it was necessary or advantageous. He was dangerous, a murderer, prone to rage reactions, and other bizarre behavior. Reportedly he abducted some victims strictly for the purpose of procuring meat. But although he is a cannibal and makes sure his two captives eat cooked human meat, he gets riled and bites raw chunks out of his captives, and alternatively spends a few hundred to make their captivity more comfortable. Mal is also into torture. Then we learn he is also into saving the earth by suicide, killing yourself before you can die of natural causes and pollute the planet, becoming a cannibal, abortion, and only engaging in sexual acts which do not end in procreation. Then later we learn about the religion and spirituality of cannibalism. It is like Mal is a sociopathic killer who does not know what he wants to be or who he wants to be. There is the sequence wherein he gives his captives something to drink (blood?) that causes hallucinations and a religious cleansing? Then later Mal decides that what he has always wanted to do was to see and touch a beating heart. He coerces Hank to help him realize his latest fantasy.
There are a couple of lewd expressions used which are jarring enough to break your concentration like “My butt clenches in terror…” and “Her hand brushes over my junk…”
Another negative for me was the sexual attraction Hank had for the teenager who was a virgin. And then it was completely out of character for Hank to take a bite out of the living heart of Mal.
Finally, the writing is actually well done. The character of Hank is richly developed (but for his stepping out of character moments). The blood, gore, cannibalism and the “to eat” or “not to eat” over the spoiling human meat was out of this world effective. I almost puked. There is a lot to like. I felt that the new author wanted to write a composite psycho Mal who did “everything” the author could think of, but because of the “just too much” he did not present a solid recognizable believable human monster.
It may be all of the above minor complaints that gave me a problem. But for whatever reason I never felt like I was in the story or immersed in the turmoil. I felt like I was reading the newspaper. I only say that because maybe if I had felt any degree of immediacy and interest, I would not have been such a critic. In any case, I do believe that I am an outlier based upon the consensus, and Mr. Mura does write well and can really write the extreme horror elements to perfection. A future in horror is highly likely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2024
Original!
Silence In The Basement is a good psychological horror story.
At the start of this story, I thought I was reading a typical horror story with a psychopath as the villain. But I was wrong.
The main character is a deranged killer who likes to play with his victims, for delusional reasons.
The descriptions were so realistic and brutal that I cringed while reading it.
I recommend it, if you are looking for a unique horror story.
Silence In The Basement is a good psychological horror story.
At the start of this story, I thought I was reading a typical horror story with a psychopath as the villain. But I was wrong.
The main character is a deranged killer who likes to play with his victims, for delusional reasons.
The descriptions were so realistic and brutal that I cringed while reading it.
I recommend it, if you are looking for a unique horror story.
June 14, 2024
This is a fantastic frightening horror story which starts out with a familiar trope but takes a twisted turn by the time you're done reading.
A long haul truck driver decides to stay at a motel late one night. He gets knocked out and wakes up to find himself tied to a chair in a basement. There's another person down there chained to the wall. A young woman who claims to have been there a month already.
Their kidnapper is a cannibal with some psychopathic tendencies. But he doesn't want to kill these two nor eat them. He wants them to join him and be a "family".
That's all I'll say about the books narrative but it becomes a game of psychological cat and mouse if they ever have a chance of escaping.
It's good and gory in some places and I like the first person narrative because it made me feel closer to the characters. One thing that stands out is that, except for the opening scenes, the entirety of this book takes place in the basement. This really helps create a hopeless claustrophobic feel and feeds the already tightly wound tension. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A long haul truck driver decides to stay at a motel late one night. He gets knocked out and wakes up to find himself tied to a chair in a basement. There's another person down there chained to the wall. A young woman who claims to have been there a month already.
Their kidnapper is a cannibal with some psychopathic tendencies. But he doesn't want to kill these two nor eat them. He wants them to join him and be a "family".
That's all I'll say about the books narrative but it becomes a game of psychological cat and mouse if they ever have a chance of escaping.
It's good and gory in some places and I like the first person narrative because it made me feel closer to the characters. One thing that stands out is that, except for the opening scenes, the entirety of this book takes place in the basement. This really helps create a hopeless claustrophobic feel and feeds the already tightly wound tension. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
June 26, 2024
Thank you to #NetGalley and #HanabiPress for sending this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Hank has always been a loner, with no family to go home to after a hard day’s work. He always prefers solitude, but the one time he decided to let himself a little loose and have a conversation with a seemingly jovial next-door neighbor of the motel he was staying at ended up being a nightmare.
A quick read that took me less than a day to finish, this book, on all counts, is maddeningly terrifying. I had not read a novel about cannibalism before, and if I were asked if I would consider reading one, I would have said no. I can handle horror any day, but splatterpunk is something I could never stomach—utter revulsion would have manifested.
So why this book? My search for a non-disappointing horror book led me to pick this one up—diving blindly into it—unknowingly plummeting myself into a metaphorical abyss. “Silence in the Basement” exposed my vulnerability in all aspects of morality and ethics. Setting aside my abhorrence and squeamishness, I braced myself to finish the book by sheer force of will. I knew I had to find out how it ends—waiting for a satisfying comeuppance to show its hand. I love how it ended, though an epilogue would have been greatly appreciated.
Frighteningly gruesome yet one that reveals the sickening truth about how a sector of people justifies their actions as an act of devotion to either life or religion. As revolting as it is, it allows its readers to reflect on the nature of humanity and existence. It could also make a reader set aside their judgment and look into the motivations of a serial killer whose mission is to purge the world of sinners. “Silence in the Basement” is not for everyone. It is for brave souls who have the stomach for extreme horror. But it can also break the fear against this particular genre if only to dissect the psychology of human behavior.
Hank has always been a loner, with no family to go home to after a hard day’s work. He always prefers solitude, but the one time he decided to let himself a little loose and have a conversation with a seemingly jovial next-door neighbor of the motel he was staying at ended up being a nightmare.
A quick read that took me less than a day to finish, this book, on all counts, is maddeningly terrifying. I had not read a novel about cannibalism before, and if I were asked if I would consider reading one, I would have said no. I can handle horror any day, but splatterpunk is something I could never stomach—utter revulsion would have manifested.
So why this book? My search for a non-disappointing horror book led me to pick this one up—diving blindly into it—unknowingly plummeting myself into a metaphorical abyss. “Silence in the Basement” exposed my vulnerability in all aspects of morality and ethics. Setting aside my abhorrence and squeamishness, I braced myself to finish the book by sheer force of will. I knew I had to find out how it ends—waiting for a satisfying comeuppance to show its hand. I love how it ended, though an epilogue would have been greatly appreciated.
Frighteningly gruesome yet one that reveals the sickening truth about how a sector of people justifies their actions as an act of devotion to either life or religion. As revolting as it is, it allows its readers to reflect on the nature of humanity and existence. It could also make a reader set aside their judgment and look into the motivations of a serial killer whose mission is to purge the world of sinners. “Silence in the Basement” is not for everyone. It is for brave souls who have the stomach for extreme horror. But it can also break the fear against this particular genre if only to dissect the psychology of human behavior.
September 11, 2024
This is the e September 2024 group read for the HGW group. If I'd only seen the blurb I probably wouldn't pick it up but that's why I sign up for groups with group reads - to read books I'd otherwise skip.
This book is a decent story of a pair of people trapped in a basement and forced to endure mostly psychological torments from their captor. Comparisons to the Saw franchise are inevitable, and the author works hard to tread new ground and forge his own story. The focus on this story is the transformation of the captives - from scared little girl and depressed lonercowboy truckdriver to broken down people only kept alive by the hope of a chance to escape.
Hank the truckdriver is barely literate, late middle age, hails from Texas, is consumed with grief for his dead daughter and wife and provides the narrative voice of the story. Despite his background, he measures using the metric system and refers to a portable stove as a "hob" - I found these English-isms (England the island, not the language) jolted me out of the setting. He is a reliable narrator to the extent of his observations, though his internal monologue doesn't sound very twangy to me.
Sara, Hank's co-captive, is a formerly-perky 18yo young woman from the east coast. When we first meet her, she's already been broken down by Mal (as in Malice, get it?) their tormentor, who is motivated by psychopathology and religious zeal.
Hank, despite not being the sharpest tool in the shed, provides a very cerebral narration - lots of thinking about what this particular new level of horror he's experiencing means in the greater scheme of his life and his immediate goals of getting himself and Sara free. This narration left a lot of world-building on the table - only occasionally are his senses informing his internal dialogue. This caused some of the crux moments to fall a bit flat; less focus on the 'what he thinks about' is happening and more focus on the 'what it sounds/feels/smells/tastes' like would have added a lot to the atmosphere.
The arc of the characters advanced in fits and starts, and included a complication between Hank and Sara that made no sense to me. . I didn't see the ending turning out the way it did until just a few pages before the final conflict between Hal and the captives, and it was as satisfying as any other part of the story.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it's both not my optimum setup (I'm just not a fan of the captor/captive trope) and I found the characters a bit flat and wooden. Other readers who lean more into thriller vs my preference for horror/splatterpunk would no doubt get more out of this than I did.
Bechdel test? NO
Mako Mori test? NO
Vito Russo test? NO
Latif test? NO
Reading Level: easy adult
Romance: no
Smut: vaguely referenced
Violence: yes, and gory
TW: torture, drugging, poisoning, imprisonment, cannibalism
Kindle only? YES
Pre 2023? (IYKYK) NO
This book is a decent story of a pair of people trapped in a basement and forced to endure mostly psychological torments from their captor. Comparisons to the Saw franchise are inevitable, and the author works hard to tread new ground and forge his own story. The focus on this story is the transformation of the captives - from scared little girl and depressed loner
Hank the truckdriver is barely literate, late middle age, hails from Texas, is consumed with grief for his dead daughter and wife and provides the narrative voice of the story. Despite his background, he measures using the metric system and refers to a portable stove as a "hob" - I found these English-isms (England the island, not the language) jolted me out of the setting. He is a reliable narrator to the extent of his observations, though his internal monologue doesn't sound very twangy to me.
Sara, Hank's co-captive, is a formerly-perky 18yo young woman from the east coast. When we first meet her, she's already been broken down by Mal (as in Malice, get it?) their tormentor, who is motivated by psychopathology and religious zeal.
Hank, despite not being the sharpest tool in the shed, provides a very cerebral narration - lots of thinking about what this particular new level of horror he's experiencing means in the greater scheme of his life and his immediate goals of getting himself and Sara free. This narration left a lot of world-building on the table - only occasionally are his senses informing his internal dialogue. This caused some of the crux moments to fall a bit flat; less focus on the 'what he thinks about' is happening and more focus on the 'what it sounds/feels/smells/tastes' like would have added a lot to the atmosphere.
The arc of the characters advanced in fits and starts, and included a complication between Hank and Sara that made no sense to me. . I didn't see the ending turning out the way it did until just a few pages before the final conflict between Hal and the captives, and it was as satisfying as any other part of the story.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it's both not my optimum setup (I'm just not a fan of the captor/captive trope) and I found the characters a bit flat and wooden. Other readers who lean more into thriller vs my preference for horror/splatterpunk would no doubt get more out of this than I did.
Bechdel test? NO
Mako Mori test? NO
Vito Russo test? NO
Latif test? NO
Reading Level: easy adult
Romance: no
Smut: vaguely referenced
Violence: yes, and gory
TW: torture, drugging, poisoning, imprisonment, cannibalism
Kindle only? YES
Pre 2023? (IYKYK) NO
June 22, 2024
I received this book as an arc for an honest review.
Hank, a lonely truck driver stops at a hotel one night to get some rest where he in turn meets a man who he presumes could be a future friend…. that is until he wakes up tied to a chair in the basement. This isn’t your typical kidnap and murder story as his captor wants to create a “family”. This book was overall well written and had good characterization ,truly an enjoyable read. Highly recommended to those who enjoy the darker side of books
Hank, a lonely truck driver stops at a hotel one night to get some rest where he in turn meets a man who he presumes could be a future friend…. that is until he wakes up tied to a chair in the basement. This isn’t your typical kidnap and murder story as his captor wants to create a “family”. This book was overall well written and had good characterization ,truly an enjoyable read. Highly recommended to those who enjoy the darker side of books
September 4, 2024
"Absolutely brilliant, on so many levels!'
A tale of abduction, torture, killing and so much, much...much more!
'Silence In The Basement' proved to be a clever, deeply thought-out, very believable, psychological horror story that started out on a solid, 'setting the scene' footing, which then later turned into a brutal gore-fest, just dripping in bloodied body parts, which involved one seriously deranged, deadly psychopath and two of his very 'unfortunate' victims...or could they also be said to be 'fortunate'?
Expect to be fed a little bit of everything in this story that journeys into a world of absolute insanity as, by the end, that is exactly what the reader is served.
Honestly cannot believe that this was the author's debut novel as everything about it was so good - and cannot wait to read more coming directly from the mind of this horror writer's dreams and imagination in future.
Keep on writing down those visions, Alex - you definitely have some serious talent, my boy!
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.7 radiant stars of deathly genius.
A tale of abduction, torture, killing and so much, much...much more!
'Silence In The Basement' proved to be a clever, deeply thought-out, very believable, psychological horror story that started out on a solid, 'setting the scene' footing, which then later turned into a brutal gore-fest, just dripping in bloodied body parts, which involved one seriously deranged, deadly psychopath and two of his very 'unfortunate' victims...or could they also be said to be 'fortunate'?
Expect to be fed a little bit of everything in this story that journeys into a world of absolute insanity as, by the end, that is exactly what the reader is served.
Honestly cannot believe that this was the author's debut novel as everything about it was so good - and cannot wait to read more coming directly from the mind of this horror writer's dreams and imagination in future.
Keep on writing down those visions, Alex - you definitely have some serious talent, my boy!
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.7 radiant stars of deathly genius.
August 8, 2024
This book was sooooo chilling.
When Hank stops for the night while driving his truck, he isn't expecting to be attacked and kidnapped by the owner. He assumes the cannibal is going to kill him but actually, he wants Hank and Sarah, another captive, to play happy families with him instead...
UGHHH Motels are the worst and this book gave me nightmares!! It has a lot of cultish type stoyrlines weaved in and it was bone chilling.
I don't want to give anything away the motel owner literally keeps them in the basement and tries to manipulate them into doing what he wants. It was a really gripping read and the ending OMG!!!!!
I actually want the audio (if there is one) because this would be so good as an audio!
Brilliant book! Scary AF
4 stars
When Hank stops for the night while driving his truck, he isn't expecting to be attacked and kidnapped by the owner. He assumes the cannibal is going to kill him but actually, he wants Hank and Sarah, another captive, to play happy families with him instead...
UGHHH Motels are the worst and this book gave me nightmares!! It has a lot of cultish type stoyrlines weaved in and it was bone chilling.
I don't want to give anything away the motel owner literally keeps them in the basement and tries to manipulate them into doing what he wants. It was a really gripping read and the ending OMG!!!!!
I actually want the audio (if there is one) because this would be so good as an audio!
Brilliant book! Scary AF
4 stars
September 3, 2024
The author masterfully heightens the reader's horror not through excessive gore, but by building anticipation of what's to come. While there are moments of gore, they are handled with skill and serve the story's realism, offering a more engaging experience than splatterpunk works that rely solely on shock value.
November 9, 2024
I’ve always been drawn to the night. It’s like a therapist you don’t have to pay
Arc Review - Spoiler Free
Hank is a long-distance truck driver along the lonely roads in America, and none are more lonely than Route 50. He gets stopped by a cop who lets him know to be on his guard as there have been multiple disappearances along this route. Hank is tired after driving for too long (over fifteen hours) so the little motel sounds like heaven. Now Hank usually isn’t one for talking to strangers, he prefers his own company, but he is feeling friendly after meeting the charismatic Mal. An interaction that kickstarts a string of events Hank would have been better to avoid. Hank wakes trapped in a basement, with Sara as his only company. On the bright side there are two ways out of this place, however both will take sacrifices which Hank is not prepared, physically or mentally to endure, but the survival instinct of nature is a powerful force to be reckoned with.
This is written in the first person, and I feel that being encased in that viewpoint really adds to the tense environment as you as a reader can feel exactly how Hank is feeling and experience his internal trajectory and the ramifications of his current predicament on his psyche.
The writing in the beginning quarter seems to struggle to find its flow, it’s a bit choppy but it is a debut novel so that is to be expected and I am more lenient with debuts. The writing really finds its stride in the last two thirds, I was transported into that basement alongside the characters and at points actually felt myself recoiling from the page because of the events which were occurring on them. If you are at all squeamish then you might struggle a bit with this one.
I really enjoyed reading this one. The intimate setting, there are only three characters and you are only in the viewpoint of one of them, has all of the senses heightened. You are enclosed along with the characters in this one room and you can feel the moral erosion of societal norms breaking down. I feel that it could have gone deeper into certain aspects and be more meaty with insights into the backstory and what is going on in the world just beyond the door which just keeps on trucking. The descriptive writing of the horror aspect is very well done, so well done that I forgot that this is this authors first novel.
Arc Review - Spoiler Free
Hank is a long-distance truck driver along the lonely roads in America, and none are more lonely than Route 50. He gets stopped by a cop who lets him know to be on his guard as there have been multiple disappearances along this route. Hank is tired after driving for too long (over fifteen hours) so the little motel sounds like heaven. Now Hank usually isn’t one for talking to strangers, he prefers his own company, but he is feeling friendly after meeting the charismatic Mal. An interaction that kickstarts a string of events Hank would have been better to avoid. Hank wakes trapped in a basement, with Sara as his only company. On the bright side there are two ways out of this place, however both will take sacrifices which Hank is not prepared, physically or mentally to endure, but the survival instinct of nature is a powerful force to be reckoned with.
This is written in the first person, and I feel that being encased in that viewpoint really adds to the tense environment as you as a reader can feel exactly how Hank is feeling and experience his internal trajectory and the ramifications of his current predicament on his psyche.
The writing in the beginning quarter seems to struggle to find its flow, it’s a bit choppy but it is a debut novel so that is to be expected and I am more lenient with debuts. The writing really finds its stride in the last two thirds, I was transported into that basement alongside the characters and at points actually felt myself recoiling from the page because of the events which were occurring on them. If you are at all squeamish then you might struggle a bit with this one.
I really enjoyed reading this one. The intimate setting, there are only three characters and you are only in the viewpoint of one of them, has all of the senses heightened. You are enclosed along with the characters in this one room and you can feel the moral erosion of societal norms breaking down. I feel that it could have gone deeper into certain aspects and be more meaty with insights into the backstory and what is going on in the world just beyond the door which just keeps on trucking. The descriptive writing of the horror aspect is very well done, so well done that I forgot that this is this authors first novel.
July 8, 2024
“Silence In The Basement” by Alex Mura is a gripping and gory 5-star read! The main character, Hank Griffin, is a solitary truck driver who gets stopped by the cops and warned about missing people along Route 50. Hank decides to rest for the night at a hotel down the road, which turns out to be a terrible decision for him.
This story is well-written with some extremely gruesome parts. Told from Hank’s perspective, you really get into his head and understand his feelings about the other two characters in the story. You get to know Hank well along the way, and we see how far he will go for his freedom. There are a couple of scenes that are extreme, so this is not for the faint of heart. I would love to see a part two to find out what happens next with these characters.
Thanks to Hanabi Press, Alex Mura, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
This story is well-written with some extremely gruesome parts. Told from Hank’s perspective, you really get into his head and understand his feelings about the other two characters in the story. You get to know Hank well along the way, and we see how far he will go for his freedom. There are a couple of scenes that are extreme, so this is not for the faint of heart. I would love to see a part two to find out what happens next with these characters.
Thanks to Hanabi Press, Alex Mura, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
September 1, 2024
The writing style took me a while to get into. So that was a bit frustrating. But this book, man, it's on a whole other level of horror. It delves into cannibalism and people that you never want to run into. Prepare yourself, this book cuts no corners on the gruesomeness of its subjects.
June 25, 2024
2.5
I typically enjoy stories with cannibalistic themes, as hannibal is my favorite tv show, also the premise of this book featuring kidnapping, a single setting, and an enclosed space with a psychopath, had all the markings of a story I would love. Initially, I thought it would receive a much higher rating than I'm giving it now. However, I just couldn't look past the chapter in which a 54yo man has sex with a 18yo girl who he previously described as reminding him of his daughter.. It was in such poor taste and felt thrown in completely out of nowhere with nothing alluding to it before, especially considering they had just cut and eaten a human while fighting for their lives in the previous chapter, and suddenly they're horny, like give me a break.. Additionally, a comment about being 18 and embarrassed to still be a virgin kinda rubbed me the wrong way. The ending was abrupt and somewhat predictable, but the beginning of the story successfully built a scene of dread, and some descriptions of gore were particularly effective. However, as the story progressed, it became increasingly annoying to hear the main character's thoughts about wanting to kill and attack the antagonist every two sentences, especially after initially being introduces as non violent, which didn't really align with his character. Despite these issues, the villain was well crafted and portrayed in parts, which I appreciate as I absolutely enjoy reading about deranged characters. That aspect was a highlight for me for sure. It also read super fast and writing was easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I typically enjoy stories with cannibalistic themes, as hannibal is my favorite tv show, also the premise of this book featuring kidnapping, a single setting, and an enclosed space with a psychopath, had all the markings of a story I would love. Initially, I thought it would receive a much higher rating than I'm giving it now. However, I just couldn't look past the chapter in which a 54yo man has sex with a 18yo girl who he previously described as reminding him of his daughter.. It was in such poor taste and felt thrown in completely out of nowhere with nothing alluding to it before, especially considering they had just cut and eaten a human while fighting for their lives in the previous chapter, and suddenly they're horny, like give me a break.. Additionally, a comment about being 18 and embarrassed to still be a virgin kinda rubbed me the wrong way. The ending was abrupt and somewhat predictable, but the beginning of the story successfully built a scene of dread, and some descriptions of gore were particularly effective. However, as the story progressed, it became increasingly annoying to hear the main character's thoughts about wanting to kill and attack the antagonist every two sentences, especially after initially being introduces as non violent, which didn't really align with his character. Despite these issues, the villain was well crafted and portrayed in parts, which I appreciate as I absolutely enjoy reading about deranged characters. That aspect was a highlight for me for sure. It also read super fast and writing was easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up
The story was going so good, and they ruined the ending the way they did. Moving Mal to the freezer, ok, I got that. Why the tortue? Why did he have to bite into his heart?! He could've just locked him in there. Why did they take away from his character? I feel the story should have ended with him back on the road riding in Midnight, but that's just my opinion.
The story was going so good, and they ruined the ending the way they did. Moving Mal to the freezer, ok, I got that. Why the tortue? Why did he have to bite into his heart?! He could've just locked him in there. Why did they take away from his character? I feel the story should have ended with him back on the road riding in Midnight, but that's just my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2024
This was a claustrophobic, brutal, and gory story. The main character, Hank, is likeable, but like anyone, he has his flaws. In fact, his flaws lead him into the situation he ends up in but also help him to cope. I feel that this made him more realistic and well-rounded. At first, I found the ending slightly jarring as I was expecting more from Hank's character. However, the more I have sat with it, the more I feel that this was him overcoming his own perceived weakness and reluctance to fight back like at the start of the book. Hank does the unthinkable to prove to himself he can (at least that's my take on it!).
The perpetrator is a complex character who is not just inherently evil, and I liked this aspect of the characters development. It would have been fun to get his perspective.
Because the book is mostly set in one room, it feels very tense, and as the reader, you are holding your breath, waiting for the next horrifying thing to happen. The author does not hold back on the violence. Due to the perpetrator's motivation being skewed, it is even more frightening as it is like walking in eggshells waiting for something bad to happen.
I thought this was a nicely paced book, and it held my attention fully despite the setting being so limited. I will definitely look out for more books by this author!
With thanks to Netgalley and the author for providing a copy of this book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
The perpetrator is a complex character who is not just inherently evil, and I liked this aspect of the characters development. It would have been fun to get his perspective.
Because the book is mostly set in one room, it feels very tense, and as the reader, you are holding your breath, waiting for the next horrifying thing to happen. The author does not hold back on the violence. Due to the perpetrator's motivation being skewed, it is even more frightening as it is like walking in eggshells waiting for something bad to happen.
I thought this was a nicely paced book, and it held my attention fully despite the setting being so limited. I will definitely look out for more books by this author!
With thanks to Netgalley and the author for providing a copy of this book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
March 2, 2025
First of all I loved the setting in one place which I think shows the talent of the author in keeping the attention high at all times.
Secondly, this is a story that delves into psychology and explores the complexity of the human mind when in extreme circumstances and the power of the survival instinct. But this can sometimes result in unexpected shifts in who we are, or better who we believe we are.
It is also full of gore and brutal scenes and doesn't leave anything to the imagination until the very last page!
I found some parts a bit disconnected and others a bit confusing, but it didn't make it less enjoyable for me! I also found some of Mal’s theories compelling… Certainly as a vegan and nature conservationist I do share some of those concerns (you'll know when you read it).
If you love unhinged characters and a gripping thriller/horror that will make you look into your soul, then you might want to give this one a go!
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion
Secondly, this is a story that delves into psychology and explores the complexity of the human mind when in extreme circumstances and the power of the survival instinct. But this can sometimes result in unexpected shifts in who we are, or better who we believe we are.
It is also full of gore and brutal scenes and doesn't leave anything to the imagination until the very last page!
I found some parts a bit disconnected and others a bit confusing, but it didn't make it less enjoyable for me! I also found some of Mal’s theories compelling… Certainly as a vegan and nature conservationist I do share some of those concerns (you'll know when you read it).
If you love unhinged characters and a gripping thriller/horror that will make you look into your soul, then you might want to give this one a go!
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion
July 1, 2024
Alex Mura has delivered a gripping horror filled debut book. As a young writer, he has a staggering grip on what his intended audience would want to read. His writing makes for a quick and easy read, so you can stay up all night to finish it.
His protagonist, Mal, is a charming guy, but deep down you may not forget him quickly due to his spiritual ritualistic ideology. Normal people cannot begin to comprehend his atrocities. Sara and Hank are unfortunate victims of his sick mind and to stay in Mal’s good graces they must play along with his vile game. But, is it really a game? Mal is cunning and manipulates his two victims to engage in unimaginable crimes. Mura’s book is not for the faint of heart, but if you like a really good, morbid novel that will give you the heebie-jeebies, this is the book for you.
I’m hoping there will be a 2nd book as we are left with some unanswered questions. What happened to Hank and Sara. What the heck happened to Hanks wife and Olive, his daughter‽ Is Hank really as demented as Mal? Alex, I want answers.
His protagonist, Mal, is a charming guy, but deep down you may not forget him quickly due to his spiritual ritualistic ideology. Normal people cannot begin to comprehend his atrocities. Sara and Hank are unfortunate victims of his sick mind and to stay in Mal’s good graces they must play along with his vile game. But, is it really a game? Mal is cunning and manipulates his two victims to engage in unimaginable crimes. Mura’s book is not for the faint of heart, but if you like a really good, morbid novel that will give you the heebie-jeebies, this is the book for you.
I’m hoping there will be a 2nd book as we are left with some unanswered questions. What happened to Hank and Sara. What the heck happened to Hanks wife and Olive, his daughter‽ Is Hank really as demented as Mal? Alex, I want answers.
July 23, 2024
ARC Review
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. I find myself still thinking about this book days after finishing it. I thought the characters were well-developed and likeable. The story was fast-paced and had me hooked from the beginning.
I only wish that there was more to the ending. I want to know what happened to Hank and Sara at the end. It just felt like the story ended abruptly. Hopefully Alex will write a part 2 to their story.
There are some gruesome parts, so if gore and cannibalism isn’t your thing, this probably is not the book for you. I can’t wait to see what Alex writes next.
Here’s a little excerpt that really stuck with me:
“Some might say being free to chase those shadows is what life’s all about.”
Mal tilts his head, considering my words. “Freedom’s overrated, Hank,” he says carefully. “Here, there are no uncertainties, no disappointments. I’ll provide everything you need.”
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. I find myself still thinking about this book days after finishing it. I thought the characters were well-developed and likeable. The story was fast-paced and had me hooked from the beginning.
I only wish that there was more to the ending. I want to know what happened to Hank and Sara at the end. It just felt like the story ended abruptly. Hopefully Alex will write a part 2 to their story.
There are some gruesome parts, so if gore and cannibalism isn’t your thing, this probably is not the book for you. I can’t wait to see what Alex writes next.
Here’s a little excerpt that really stuck with me:
“Some might say being free to chase those shadows is what life’s all about.”
Mal tilts his head, considering my words. “Freedom’s overrated, Hank,” he says carefully. “Here, there are no uncertainties, no disappointments. I’ll provide everything you need.”
June 14, 2024
If you love a page turning thriller that will make you love the MC all while trying not to vomit, this is the book for you! I was given the chance to read this ARC and whoa! Let me tell you I will not be able to get this story out of my mind for a lonnnng time! Alex Mura is a very talented writer! It felt like I was watching a movie play out in my mind while reading this! Well done!
July 17, 2024
This book was so not what I expected! The ending had me wanting to throw my kindle across the room, and not gonna lie - days later I'm still thinking about it.
As a debut author, Alex Mura's understanding of the human mind and what drives people (yes, even the horrible ones) is really well thought-out and gripping. The blood and gore had me cringing in all the best ways, but I will say the relationship progression (iykyk) was a bit out of the blue - though it does add to the shock/horror factor.
Despite the fact that there weren't really relatable characters for me personally, which is sort of my go-to, I loved this story - is that weird to say of a horror?
All in all, I'd recommend a read so you can make up your own mind about it (and message me angrily about the ending so we can freak out together).
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
As a debut author, Alex Mura's understanding of the human mind and what drives people (yes, even the horrible ones) is really well thought-out and gripping. The blood and gore had me cringing in all the best ways, but I will say the relationship progression (iykyk) was a bit out of the blue - though it does add to the shock/horror factor.
Despite the fact that there weren't really relatable characters for me personally, which is sort of my go-to, I loved this story - is that weird to say of a horror?
All in all, I'd recommend a read so you can make up your own mind about it (and message me angrily about the ending so we can freak out together).
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
August 10, 2024
*ARC Review*
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found the premise of this book quite intriguing and thought it was a fast-paced read, but overall it fell flat. The story and characters lacked depth and there were a lot of inconsistencies throughout the book which let it down. The sex scene near the end was completely unnecessary and tainted the story for me.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found the premise of this book quite intriguing and thought it was a fast-paced read, but overall it fell flat. The story and characters lacked depth and there were a lot of inconsistencies throughout the book which let it down. The sex scene near the end was completely unnecessary and tainted the story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2024
I was honoured to receive this as my first ever ARC quite some time ago, and after a busy few weeks, finally had the time to sit and devote myself to Mura's debut work.
It was sold to me as a thriller, which it definitely didn't fall shy of being. The plotline really spoke to me similarly to Girl In The Basement; this kind of claustrophobic, one-setting book really does not appeal to me as a reader, for it tends to feel stressful for me. I think when you limit yourself to one or two settings at a time, the reader falls reliant on lots happening to keep that space entertaining, and at times, I felt that the story staggered along and took wild and weird turns. While definitely thrilling in a sense, I just didn't feel that the content nor the direction of the story spoke to me as a reader; it wouldn't be something I selected off a shelf in the store, although I didn't completely bore myself with the read.
The main character sometimes fell flat for me. At first, he hit home with being a trucker, just like my Dad, but then I felt that at times, Mal was the most interesting person coming to the table. Again, when the story remains locked in one place for a long time, I want to feel attached to the characters in danger or being held in that space, and I didn't really feel connected to the MC or the other victim in the basement.
Generally, I think this is a pretty solid debut; I can see this being a hit for people with a specific and more concentrated interest in this genre of story, but it didn't stand out to me as a book I'd lean for on my own. That being said, I admire Mura for the triumph of debuting their work, and just because I didn't rock with it, that doesn't mean this won't be a hit for someone out there. I'd like to thank Mura for the opportunity to read this book before its official publishing date, and I can only apologise for the tragically long time it took for me to review it.
It was sold to me as a thriller, which it definitely didn't fall shy of being. The plotline really spoke to me similarly to Girl In The Basement; this kind of claustrophobic, one-setting book really does not appeal to me as a reader, for it tends to feel stressful for me. I think when you limit yourself to one or two settings at a time, the reader falls reliant on lots happening to keep that space entertaining, and at times, I felt that the story staggered along and took wild and weird turns. While definitely thrilling in a sense, I just didn't feel that the content nor the direction of the story spoke to me as a reader; it wouldn't be something I selected off a shelf in the store, although I didn't completely bore myself with the read.
The main character sometimes fell flat for me. At first, he hit home with being a trucker, just like my Dad, but then I felt that at times, Mal was the most interesting person coming to the table. Again, when the story remains locked in one place for a long time, I want to feel attached to the characters in danger or being held in that space, and I didn't really feel connected to the MC or the other victim in the basement.
Generally, I think this is a pretty solid debut; I can see this being a hit for people with a specific and more concentrated interest in this genre of story, but it didn't stand out to me as a book I'd lean for on my own. That being said, I admire Mura for the triumph of debuting their work, and just because I didn't rock with it, that doesn't mean this won't be a hit for someone out there. I'd like to thank Mura for the opportunity to read this book before its official publishing date, and I can only apologise for the tragically long time it took for me to review it.
June 21, 2024
First a big thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC! Just finished reading it and this is my honest opinion.
This is not for the queasy stomachs out there! This debut novel was a well written, gripping, page turner. It’s not often I read a book and find myself thinking about it throughout the day.
While the premise of kidnapped and kept locked in a basement is overdone, this one had a uniqueness about it that made it stand out.
The kidnapper is one disturbing, sadistic dude! As creepy as this sounds, I enjoyed hearing his reasoning for doing his gruesome deeds. He really thought he was doing the right thing.
I was a bit confused with some of the interactions with Hank and Sara, especially at the end.
Not to say it could have used more fluff, but I think a bit more build up and suspense before the kidnapping happened would have been good.
Overall, great read!
This is not for the queasy stomachs out there! This debut novel was a well written, gripping, page turner. It’s not often I read a book and find myself thinking about it throughout the day.
While the premise of kidnapped and kept locked in a basement is overdone, this one had a uniqueness about it that made it stand out.
The kidnapper is one disturbing, sadistic dude! As creepy as this sounds, I enjoyed hearing his reasoning for doing his gruesome deeds. He really thought he was doing the right thing.
I was a bit confused with some of the interactions with Hank and Sara, especially at the end.
Not to say it could have used more fluff, but I think a bit more build up and suspense before the kidnapping happened would have been good.
Overall, great read!
June 23, 2024
4.5 ⭐
Now what in the world was that 🙃 I don't know if I should be worried that I liked it or excited that I found a great book to read 😂
While most of the stuff that happened was very predictable, I really enjoyed how fast paced this book was and how well written it was.
Some parts made my stomach queasy so would definitely say, don't read it if you don't like strong stuff 🫡
I was a little let down by the ending cause:
1. It was unfortunately predictable what was gonna happen
and
2. I still have questions about what happens after the ending 😩
But I would definitely recommend the book to people who like their horror with a hint of cannibalism and crazy mixed in 😌
(I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily 🥰)
Now what in the world was that 🙃 I don't know if I should be worried that I liked it or excited that I found a great book to read 😂
While most of the stuff that happened was very predictable, I really enjoyed how fast paced this book was and how well written it was.
Some parts made my stomach queasy so would definitely say, don't read it if you don't like strong stuff 🫡
I was a little let down by the ending cause:
1. It was unfortunately predictable what was gonna happen
and
2. I still have questions about what happens after the ending 😩
But I would definitely recommend the book to people who like their horror with a hint of cannibalism and crazy mixed in 😌
(I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily 🥰)
July 5, 2025
I was on edge this entire story. This is my first book by the author and I was very unsettled. The main characters Hank and Sara, and of course the bad guy, Malcolm or Mal were well written and complex. I was rooting for Hank and Sara until the very end. I would love to see a prequel story or maybe this story from Sara’s or Mal’s point of view. I think the story is very unsettling and creepy. I am very grateful to have been gifted a copy of the book. I am looking forward to reading other works by the author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
Genre/Tropes ✨ Horror, thriller, body horror, religious themes, dark themes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
Genre/Tropes ✨ Horror, thriller, body horror, religious themes, dark themes
July 1, 2024
This kept my attention from start to finish. It is a dark, grisly story, not for the squeamish. Hank is a likeable truck driver who is all alone these days, and is caught in a torturous situation as prisoner im a bunker under a hotel. Mal keeps Hank and Sara chained for his bizarre "family" time but doesnt hesitate to inflict severe punishment. And then there is the other room where people go and never return...
I read it in large batches sacrificing sleep to finish. Suspense, terror, and a lot of blood... I was captivated. It got a little rushed at the end and a sex scene felt a little out of character for the two. But I dug this and will recommend!
I read it in large batches sacrificing sleep to finish. Suspense, terror, and a lot of blood... I was captivated. It got a little rushed at the end and a sex scene felt a little out of character for the two. But I dug this and will recommend!
July 4, 2024
Hank a widower is a truck driver who delivers clothes from state to state. He meets a guy called Mal one night at a motel and they become fast friends. But when Mal isn't who he seems is Hank in danger? Hank makes a a friend called Sara who is in the same situation as him and they decide to protect one another.
Mal's sick fantasy is becoming more real as the time goes by. What will happen to Hank and Sara? Will they get out of the trouble they are in? Or are the doomed for eternity?
What a gripping story. I loved it and couldn't stop reading! Absolutely fantastic.
Mal's sick fantasy is becoming more real as the time goes by. What will happen to Hank and Sara? Will they get out of the trouble they are in? Or are the doomed for eternity?
What a gripping story. I loved it and couldn't stop reading! Absolutely fantastic.
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