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The Vein
An abandoned mine. A mummified corpse. A simmering evil.When a shriveled body turns up in an old silver mine, failed detective Syl Dixon gets pulled into the investigation. But the strange case is even more sinister than she imagined. And the dying town of Pate, Idaho is full of secrets that don't want to be uncovered. People go missing all the time. Strange howls echo from the woods. Eerie portraits hang like shrines outside homes. But nobody-including the local sheriff-seems to care. The deeper Syl digs, the more she realizes she's facing a malicious darkness that has plagued Pate for over a century. Can Syl rid the town of this evil before it swallows everything in its path, including her?
Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2023
60 people are currently reading
4023 people want to read
About the author
Steph Nelson
16 books467 followersA lifelong PNW girl, Steph currently lives in Boise, Idaho.
Her books have been reviewed in the New York Times and Library Journal.
She loves long walks by the Boise River, thrifting for vintage clothing, yoga, traveling just about anywhere, and devouring books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
Her books have been reviewed in the New York Times and Library Journal.
She loves long walks by the Boise River, thrifting for vintage clothing, yoga, traveling just about anywhere, and devouring books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 15, 2024
This book tried to be too many genres and didn’t do any of them well. It was a horror novel without the scares. It was a crime novel without any of the investigation or procedural intrigue. It was a generational trauma fiction piece without the characters to connect with. I was so bored by this book and hope I never have to think about it again.
July 4, 2023
THE VEIN is a careful blend of crime, thriller, horror—both psychological and physical—with gritty yet sympathetic characters with more than stained hands. It is cruel, at times gruesome, and not for the faint of heart. Steph Nelson has offered us a narrative that is viciously addictive with complex familial dynamics, where the allure of danger beckons all towards its dark web.
A big thank you to the author for an ARC!
A big thank you to the author for an ARC!
July 10, 2023
Wow, where do I even start with this review? The Vein is an absolute breath of fresh air. Take the best parts of scary, atmospheric horror, a jaw-dropping mystery, and a twisty thriller, and you have this book. I recommend you avoid reading too much about the plot other than the blurb; the plot takes some unexpected turns, and you definitely don't want spoilers.
Normally I do a pros and cons list when I intend to write a vague review, but there aren't any cons, so instead you'll just get me telling you all the awesome things about this book 😊:
• The writing is excellent - Steph Nelson uses the perfect amount of description to create atmosphere but not feel overwritten. (I can't believe this is her debut novel).
• There are a multitude of POVs and a few timelines, but they aren't difficult to keep straight because each character has a really unique voice. The way it's approached reminds me a bit of Stephen King's IT, especially because of the small-town nature of the plot.
• It jumps right into the action and is impossible to put down, and the chapters are short.
• This plot and its horrors are unique and and chilling. It is an original and unpredictable story, and one that had me so invested I gasped out loud a few times!
After reading this and her short story in Human Monsters, It's safe to say that Steph Nelson is a new favorite author. I cannot wait to read more from her.
Thank you so much to the author and Dark Matter for providing an ARC of The Vein in exchange for an honest review!
Normally I do a pros and cons list when I intend to write a vague review, but there aren't any cons, so instead you'll just get me telling you all the awesome things about this book 😊:
• The writing is excellent - Steph Nelson uses the perfect amount of description to create atmosphere but not feel overwritten. (I can't believe this is her debut novel).
• There are a multitude of POVs and a few timelines, but they aren't difficult to keep straight because each character has a really unique voice. The way it's approached reminds me a bit of Stephen King's IT, especially because of the small-town nature of the plot.
• It jumps right into the action and is impossible to put down, and the chapters are short.
• This plot and its horrors are unique and and chilling. It is an original and unpredictable story, and one that had me so invested I gasped out loud a few times!
After reading this and her short story in Human Monsters, It's safe to say that Steph Nelson is a new favorite author. I cannot wait to read more from her.
Thank you so much to the author and Dark Matter for providing an ARC of The Vein in exchange for an honest review!
January 23, 2024
Leaving it as a 3 star because I'm divided. It kept me interested, the plot was good. Once start connecting stuff and figuring stuff out than BAM its done. I felt the ending was way too rushed, alot left unsaid.
June 29, 2023
“People disappeared all the time around Pate. There were ghost stories and theories about why. Of course, these were all made up by bullies and babysitters, but everything felt true in the dark.”
📚
The Vein is a riveting small-town generational mystery surrounding an Idaho-based silver mining community. The plot unfolds through myriad perspectives and multiple timelines: Pate, Idaho, in 1989, 1979, and 1962; and Spokane, Washington, in 1901.
The storyline’s present-day 1989 timeline opens with former detective Sylvia (“Syl”) Dixon as she returns to her childhood hometown of Pate to sell her grandmother’s house — formerly her childhood home, empty since her grandmother’s unsolved disappearance years earlier. Already uncomfortable, Syl reluctantly agrees when she’s asked to assist in the investigation of a desiccated body found in the town’s local mine.
What follows is a layered, atmospheric, creepy, disturbing, and page-turning tale of lies, secrets, horror, and loss surrounding nearly a century of mysterious disappearances, oddities, and unanswered questions. Why are photos displayed outside many Pate homes? Why does law enforcement appear to know more than they’re sharing with Syl? Is there any truth to the legend of a lost mine? And does any of this have to do with the disappearance of Syl’s grandmother?
This book is a fantastic ride from beginning to end. Through smooth and propulsive prose, the author masterfully interweaves multiple timelines, storylines, characters, locations, and viewpoints to form a cohesive and engrossing narrative firmly rooted in lore and legend underscored by history and mystery. Characters are well rounded, flawed, at times brutal and evil, and utterly human. The reader is hooked from the first paragraph right through to the final line, rapidly turning pages in search of truth and answers, rewarded with a wonderfully unique and inventive premise, one absolutely stellar character arc, and a searing final scene. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite reads of 2023, and a story that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
This review is deliberately vague and sparsely detailed, as to share too much (or really any) detail would risk running into spoiler territory and preventing readers from enjoying the journey. All I can say is that this is a spectacular horror debut, everyone should read this book, and I can’t wait to see what Steph Nelson writes next!
Thank you to Sadie Hartmann and Dark Matter INK for allowing me to read and review a digital ARC of this forthcoming release.
📚
The Vein is a riveting small-town generational mystery surrounding an Idaho-based silver mining community. The plot unfolds through myriad perspectives and multiple timelines: Pate, Idaho, in 1989, 1979, and 1962; and Spokane, Washington, in 1901.
The storyline’s present-day 1989 timeline opens with former detective Sylvia (“Syl”) Dixon as she returns to her childhood hometown of Pate to sell her grandmother’s house — formerly her childhood home, empty since her grandmother’s unsolved disappearance years earlier. Already uncomfortable, Syl reluctantly agrees when she’s asked to assist in the investigation of a desiccated body found in the town’s local mine.
What follows is a layered, atmospheric, creepy, disturbing, and page-turning tale of lies, secrets, horror, and loss surrounding nearly a century of mysterious disappearances, oddities, and unanswered questions. Why are photos displayed outside many Pate homes? Why does law enforcement appear to know more than they’re sharing with Syl? Is there any truth to the legend of a lost mine? And does any of this have to do with the disappearance of Syl’s grandmother?
This book is a fantastic ride from beginning to end. Through smooth and propulsive prose, the author masterfully interweaves multiple timelines, storylines, characters, locations, and viewpoints to form a cohesive and engrossing narrative firmly rooted in lore and legend underscored by history and mystery. Characters are well rounded, flawed, at times brutal and evil, and utterly human. The reader is hooked from the first paragraph right through to the final line, rapidly turning pages in search of truth and answers, rewarded with a wonderfully unique and inventive premise, one absolutely stellar character arc, and a searing final scene. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite reads of 2023, and a story that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
This review is deliberately vague and sparsely detailed, as to share too much (or really any) detail would risk running into spoiler territory and preventing readers from enjoying the journey. All I can say is that this is a spectacular horror debut, everyone should read this book, and I can’t wait to see what Steph Nelson writes next!
Thank you to Sadie Hartmann and Dark Matter INK for allowing me to read and review a digital ARC of this forthcoming release.
October 17, 2023
decided on 3 stars bc while the book didn’t have me feeling bored throughout I was and still am very confused ❓
November 13, 2023
Review originally on
JamReads
The Vein is an excellently written suspense horror novel, the debut from Steph Nelson, published by Dark Matter INK. The Vein blends police procedure with a complex story woven using multiple timelines, evolving at the half mark to a supernatural horror novel that remembers the early Stephen King.
It's 1989, and detective Syl Dixon has returned to her hometown of Pate, Idaho with the intention of selling the place where she grew up, before her Grandma disappeared. However, when a mummified corpse is found in the old silver mine, she's called by the authorities to help investigate; even if she's finding herself as a failed detective, the possibility of shining light over the mystery is stronger than her feelings.
What starts simply as the investigation over a corpse that clearly couldn't look like that soon became a big dive into the old silver mining, which was the blood that propelled this town to exist; people have been disappearing in Pate for years, linking Syl's Grandma disappearance with the corpse that appeared. Slowly, supernatural elements are introduced, enhancing the horror atmosphere in a really smart way; Nelson's writing is precise, using the exact amount of words needed to create a memorable experience.
Using several POV allows the author to introduce complexity at the same time horror slowly takes over the story; the plot is quite unpredictable, and that's partly why I'm trying to avoid spoilers over it. Pacing hits a sweet spot, beginning with a slow pace that gradually quickens, with more tense scenes as we advance in the story.
The Vein is an excellent horror thriller, difficult to believe it is the debut of Steph Nelson; it blends the atmosphere of Salem's Lot with the characters and multiple timelines of IT. Definitely one of the glad surprises of this year.
The Vein is an excellently written suspense horror novel, the debut from Steph Nelson, published by Dark Matter INK. The Vein blends police procedure with a complex story woven using multiple timelines, evolving at the half mark to a supernatural horror novel that remembers the early Stephen King.
It's 1989, and detective Syl Dixon has returned to her hometown of Pate, Idaho with the intention of selling the place where she grew up, before her Grandma disappeared. However, when a mummified corpse is found in the old silver mine, she's called by the authorities to help investigate; even if she's finding herself as a failed detective, the possibility of shining light over the mystery is stronger than her feelings.
What starts simply as the investigation over a corpse that clearly couldn't look like that soon became a big dive into the old silver mining, which was the blood that propelled this town to exist; people have been disappearing in Pate for years, linking Syl's Grandma disappearance with the corpse that appeared. Slowly, supernatural elements are introduced, enhancing the horror atmosphere in a really smart way; Nelson's writing is precise, using the exact amount of words needed to create a memorable experience.
Using several POV allows the author to introduce complexity at the same time horror slowly takes over the story; the plot is quite unpredictable, and that's partly why I'm trying to avoid spoilers over it. Pacing hits a sweet spot, beginning with a slow pace that gradually quickens, with more tense scenes as we advance in the story.
The Vein is an excellent horror thriller, difficult to believe it is the debut of Steph Nelson; it blends the atmosphere of Salem's Lot with the characters and multiple timelines of IT. Definitely one of the glad surprises of this year.
January 4, 2024
This is a story of several timelines that braid together into one hell of a story. I went into reading this blind, I knew it was horror but from the name my brain thought it might be a vampire book. I could not have been more wrong.
The Vein takes place in Pate Idaho, an old mining town. Many people have gone missing over the years. People in town all keep pictures of loved ones outside their homes in frames, but why? Why not keep them indoors?
The main character Syl returns to town, a former detective that has come back to eventually sell her Gran's house. She goes out to investigate with the local police force to see a body that has been found in one of the old mines. The body is shriveled up like an old mummy. The strange thing about it is the person had only been missing for 24 hours. This sets off a wild and weird set of events that draw you into this story.
This book is a page turner, I flew through it in two days. As you wind between timelines you get more into the history of the town, the families that are entrenched in its history, and what exactly is happening in the mines or mine...
Dark, disturbing, unique in its premise, a truly sublime horror.
There are some parts that feature sexual abuse, so please read your content warnings!
The Vein takes place in Pate Idaho, an old mining town. Many people have gone missing over the years. People in town all keep pictures of loved ones outside their homes in frames, but why? Why not keep them indoors?
The main character Syl returns to town, a former detective that has come back to eventually sell her Gran's house. She goes out to investigate with the local police force to see a body that has been found in one of the old mines. The body is shriveled up like an old mummy. The strange thing about it is the person had only been missing for 24 hours. This sets off a wild and weird set of events that draw you into this story.
This book is a page turner, I flew through it in two days. As you wind between timelines you get more into the history of the town, the families that are entrenched in its history, and what exactly is happening in the mines or mine...
Dark, disturbing, unique in its premise, a truly sublime horror.
There are some parts that feature sexual abuse, so please read your content warnings!
December 10, 2024
Rating:4.5 stars⭐️✨
Recommend:Yes!
Genre:Thriller/horror
*spoiler free*
Syl returns to her childhood home she grew up in back before her gran mysteriously disappeared.A corpse was found inside the old silver mine the town was built around and Syl is asked to help investigate. Honestly the first chunk of the book I was a bit lost but still following and once we hit the 60% mark it started coming together more and I was on the edge of my seat. The ending of the book was emotional and thrilling and everything I needed. Steph has not given me a bad book yet. Her takes on religion in this book and beautiful!
“You tell me. If perfect love casts out fear—that’s in the Bible—and if God is love, why do Christians live in fear?”
Recommend:Yes!
Genre:Thriller/horror
*spoiler free*
Syl returns to her childhood home she grew up in back before her gran mysteriously disappeared.A corpse was found inside the old silver mine the town was built around and Syl is asked to help investigate. Honestly the first chunk of the book I was a bit lost but still following and once we hit the 60% mark it started coming together more and I was on the edge of my seat. The ending of the book was emotional and thrilling and everything I needed. Steph has not given me a bad book yet. Her takes on religion in this book and beautiful!
“You tell me. If perfect love casts out fear—that’s in the Bible—and if God is love, why do Christians live in fear?”
June 6, 2023
Rich with atmospheric dread, THE VEIN’s mysteries run deep, burning from the first page to the last. Nelson fully inhabits her complex characters, deftly weaving their stories together across generations to create a glorious tapestry of secrets and lies.
THE VEIN carries the reader through decades of small town history, as experienced by the strong female protagonists who call Pate home. I love multi-perspective narratives, and Nelson vividly realizes each of her characters with a unique voice, developing them into flawed and complicated individuals who have hoped and loved, and suffered abuse and loss. The mystery pulls you in, begging to be solved, and the suspense holds you there while the horror grows. I flew through this novel in search of answers, and Nelson delivered with every shocking twist. What a stunning debut. (If my review seems lacking in detail, it’s because I don’t want to give a single delicious secret away. Just read it!)
THE VEIN carries the reader through decades of small town history, as experienced by the strong female protagonists who call Pate home. I love multi-perspective narratives, and Nelson vividly realizes each of her characters with a unique voice, developing them into flawed and complicated individuals who have hoped and loved, and suffered abuse and loss. The mystery pulls you in, begging to be solved, and the suspense holds you there while the horror grows. I flew through this novel in search of answers, and Nelson delivered with every shocking twist. What a stunning debut. (If my review seems lacking in detail, it’s because I don’t want to give a single delicious secret away. Just read it!)
Read
August 9, 2023Having previously read (and loved) Steph Nelson’s short story in the Human Monsters anthology, I was excited to read her debut novel, assured I would be in for a quality read. And that is exactly what I got.
The Vein spins a complex story web that spans several timelines, a story told through multiple points of view, all of whom have a distinctive, strong voice.
I wish to steer clear of discussing the plot as it would be far too easy to give away clues. Instead, I urge you to read it for yourself and discover the mystery that surrounds the silver mine at Idaho. I will say this: Expect the unexpected.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC copy of this novel.
The Vein spins a complex story web that spans several timelines, a story told through multiple points of view, all of whom have a distinctive, strong voice.
I wish to steer clear of discussing the plot as it would be far too easy to give away clues. Instead, I urge you to read it for yourself and discover the mystery that surrounds the silver mine at Idaho. I will say this: Expect the unexpected.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC copy of this novel.
August 23, 2023
I had to sit on this one for a moment. The Vein is unlike any other horror novel I have ever read. It is truly only comparable to the King himself. It’s freaky, atmospheric and full of rich history. The characters are fleshed out, all have a back story and the familial lines run strong. It is written with such care and blends crime, horror and splatter with ease.
Taking place in a small Idaho mining town and through several perspectives and timelines (1901, 1692, 1979 and present in the novel 1989) We follow a generational story when Sylvia “Syl” Dixon is our heroin. Syl has her own personal issues but comes back home to take care of her grandmothers belongings after she passes. What she finds are secrets, lies and a whole bunch of weird and creepy stuff.
Like I said earlier the writing is top notch. You feel the dread from the beginning and it keeps going to the very end. You can feel it in your veins (see what I did there) There are some real graphic scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart. I was flipping through this one because I just had to know what was going on and what was going to happen. I am in utter shock that this is a debut. I cannot wait for more from Steph Nelson. Thank you to @stephnelsonauthor and @dark_matter_magazine for my copy!
Taking place in a small Idaho mining town and through several perspectives and timelines (1901, 1692, 1979 and present in the novel 1989) We follow a generational story when Sylvia “Syl” Dixon is our heroin. Syl has her own personal issues but comes back home to take care of her grandmothers belongings after she passes. What she finds are secrets, lies and a whole bunch of weird and creepy stuff.
Like I said earlier the writing is top notch. You feel the dread from the beginning and it keeps going to the very end. You can feel it in your veins (see what I did there) There are some real graphic scenes that aren’t for the faint of heart. I was flipping through this one because I just had to know what was going on and what was going to happen. I am in utter shock that this is a debut. I cannot wait for more from Steph Nelson. Thank you to @stephnelsonauthor and @dark_matter_magazine for my copy!
June 1, 2025
This book was soooo twisty. Had me thinking the entire time and loved it. Mystery/creepy the whole time and overall super creative plot.
October 17, 2023
I don’t know how to feel about it right now so went with the middle number. Going back & forth. I liked some of it but didn’t like most of it & i’m confused.
February 28, 2024
I really need to stop listening to BookTok.
July 11, 2023
I'd bump this excellent book up to a 4.5 stars if possible. The Vein is a slow creeper revealing greater depth the farther you enter into it. (Trying real hard not to use a mine metaphor). It is a multi-generational story about a small Idaho town where disappearances into the surrounding woods occur at such great regularity it seems odd at first that anyone would want to live there, but there is a dark entity in the nearby mines that keep people tethered to the place. It is also a story about the power that family and love have on our decision-making processes, for good or evil. How far would you go to have more time with the people you lost? Nelson plays with this longing adeptly and creates a tension between doing what is known to be right and being emotionally manipulated to undermine those actions and intentions. On top of that add an evil cosmic entity with a long history of feeding off of the citizens of the town, an interesting mystery with procedural elements, and the horrors that other people (including family) inflict, and you have an excellent read.
My only qualm, which was slight, was that it jumped around in time a bit too much in the early part of the book that was sometimes hard to follow. It wasn't clear in the early pages the connections that were made to the different timelines. However, Nelson brings them altogether as the novel progresses.
Readers should also be aware that there are scenes of sexual abuse that some readers may find difficult.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who love small town horror, creepy atmospheric writing, dark family histories, and cosmic horror.
My only qualm, which was slight, was that it jumped around in time a bit too much in the early part of the book that was sometimes hard to follow. It wasn't clear in the early pages the connections that were made to the different timelines. However, Nelson brings them altogether as the novel progresses.
Readers should also be aware that there are scenes of sexual abuse that some readers may find difficult.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who love small town horror, creepy atmospheric writing, dark family histories, and cosmic horror.
August 23, 2023
What I'm about to say won't make much sense, especially as this is MY review for The Vein. But I recommend reading the synopsis and NOTHING ELSE. Don't read too much into reviews when they talk about what happens in this book, GO IN BLIND!!
I could tell you about each characters as this tale is told from multiple points of view. I could tell you about how it spans many years. I could also tell you how this is very atmospheric, a horror story but also a good mystery. I could talk to you about the 'small town' mentality this book seems to have gotten down pat! But guess what, I won't tell you more than what I've just wrote.
It takes a lot for a book to surprise me and when I first started this I honestly thought, 'Yeah, this is going to be a barely 3 star read'. But I was so wrong and I'm so glad for that. I believe this is Steph Nelson's debut as I couldn't find any other books by her (Believe me I looked, as I enjoyed this and wanted to read something else by her!) and it is really good. A good friend of mine who worked in a book store (He's now passed) told me the horror genre is dead. I read horror for many years and tended to agree with him. But this, this reminds me of the 'good' Stephen King/Richard Laymons of the late 80/90s. It has that feel and it has nothing to do with the time the book is set in. It's just a well written, creepy story.
A solid 4 stars, honestly it's closer to 4.5! I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more by Steph Nelson, she is definitely someone to look out for if you enjoy horror/mysteries!!
I received this book from BookSiren in exchange of an honest review.
I could tell you about each characters as this tale is told from multiple points of view. I could tell you about how it spans many years. I could also tell you how this is very atmospheric, a horror story but also a good mystery. I could talk to you about the 'small town' mentality this book seems to have gotten down pat! But guess what, I won't tell you more than what I've just wrote.
It takes a lot for a book to surprise me and when I first started this I honestly thought, 'Yeah, this is going to be a barely 3 star read'. But I was so wrong and I'm so glad for that. I believe this is Steph Nelson's debut as I couldn't find any other books by her (Believe me I looked, as I enjoyed this and wanted to read something else by her!) and it is really good. A good friend of mine who worked in a book store (He's now passed) told me the horror genre is dead. I read horror for many years and tended to agree with him. But this, this reminds me of the 'good' Stephen King/Richard Laymons of the late 80/90s. It has that feel and it has nothing to do with the time the book is set in. It's just a well written, creepy story.
A solid 4 stars, honestly it's closer to 4.5! I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more by Steph Nelson, she is definitely someone to look out for if you enjoy horror/mysteries!!
I received this book from BookSiren in exchange of an honest review.
July 16, 2023
What a stunning read this was. I've been unable to read for ages and tore through this in two days. This is a tight story that interweaves so many timelines and plotlines that it's enough to make your head spin.
I had a tiny bit of trouble following the many characters and time jumps at the start, but Nelson does a great job of signposting where we are on her timeline. And while all of the time periods and characters clearly intersect in some way, she takes care to not reveal necessary information in ways that are sensible and formative. Unreliable characters (are any reliable?) do so out of well-thought reasoning.
At its roots, this is a story of loss and longing and how people deal with those who are gone too soon. It's about the small towns we forget about that have to hold onto the past even as that past has left them far behind. It spoke to me deeply. This story is going to sit with me for a long while.
If you are looking for a book that is unsettling on every page, that moves with a quickness (with chapters around 5-7 pages usually, it feels like Civ V where I tell myself "just one more chapter" and then it's 50 pages later), and has incredible characters and character development, this is a must read.
Note: I was given a copy in exchange for a review (and a worn name tag) it's my honest opinion.
I had a tiny bit of trouble following the many characters and time jumps at the start, but Nelson does a great job of signposting where we are on her timeline. And while all of the time periods and characters clearly intersect in some way, she takes care to not reveal necessary information in ways that are sensible and formative. Unreliable characters (are any reliable?) do so out of well-thought reasoning.
At its roots, this is a story of loss and longing and how people deal with those who are gone too soon. It's about the small towns we forget about that have to hold onto the past even as that past has left them far behind. It spoke to me deeply. This story is going to sit with me for a long while.
If you are looking for a book that is unsettling on every page, that moves with a quickness (with chapters around 5-7 pages usually, it feels like Civ V where I tell myself "just one more chapter" and then it's 50 pages later), and has incredible characters and character development, this is a must read.
Note: I was given a copy in exchange for a review (and a worn name tag) it's my honest opinion.
December 10, 2023
3.75 rounded up. I found this book’s organization to be a bit confusing and a bit chaotic. Overall I really enjoyed it. A fast paced, psychological horror/thriller with spooky twists, and unique plot.
June 23, 2023
The silver mines of Pate, ID have long brought people looking to make their fortune, but it has also led to many disappearances. Lots of trauma and violence in multiple timelines come together to explore what is going on in this mountain town.
I really liked the short chapters, which helped as I was being constantly interrupted (thanks children) while reading on vacation. I did have a little problem differentiating some of the female characters (again, thanks to my interrupting children), I had to check a few times to see which timeline I was in.
Thanks to Dark Matter Ink for the eARC.
I really liked the short chapters, which helped as I was being constantly interrupted (thanks children) while reading on vacation. I did have a little problem differentiating some of the female characters (again, thanks to my interrupting children), I had to check a few times to see which timeline I was in.
Thanks to Dark Matter Ink for the eARC.
October 17, 2023
I was between a 3 & 4 star rating. I didn’t grasp the overall timeline right away, and felt confused. But the concept of the book kept me hooked
November 2, 2023
This was a fun book!
This was a book-tok recommendation as a fast paced page turner, but I wouldn’t agree with that. The short chapters made it easy to pick up and quickly read in small chunks, but it didn’t hook me in a way that made me need to keep reading. The chapters jump around between a few different story lines in history, and the author did a fantastic job differentiating them to the point that I’d skip right past each chapter’s title and still know what timeline I was in. Still, the timeline jumps were sometimes jarring, and really gave me some trouble getting invested in the book. My main frustration with the story is that the characters spend so much of the book telling you they have important information, and then withholding it. At least at the conclusion we do get all the details, and I feel a good amount of closure from it. Even if that conclusion holds your hand like a Scooby Doo mystery. It just never seemed to strike a good balance for me.
While this book is a detective mystery I would categorize this book as a supernatural and suspense story first, so if you’re looking for a run of the mill detective book or thriller look elsewhere.
At the end of the day this was a fun, well written book with a really unique plot, but not for me.
This was a book-tok recommendation as a fast paced page turner, but I wouldn’t agree with that. The short chapters made it easy to pick up and quickly read in small chunks, but it didn’t hook me in a way that made me need to keep reading. The chapters jump around between a few different story lines in history, and the author did a fantastic job differentiating them to the point that I’d skip right past each chapter’s title and still know what timeline I was in. Still, the timeline jumps were sometimes jarring, and really gave me some trouble getting invested in the book. My main frustration with the story is that the characters spend so much of the book telling you they have important information, and then withholding it. At least at the conclusion we do get all the details, and I feel a good amount of closure from it. Even if that conclusion holds your hand like a Scooby Doo mystery. It just never seemed to strike a good balance for me.
While this book is a detective mystery I would categorize this book as a supernatural and suspense story first, so if you’re looking for a run of the mill detective book or thriller look elsewhere.
At the end of the day this was a fun, well written book with a really unique plot, but not for me.
February 11, 2025
This book started off strong then just kind of fell off the rails.
October 27, 2024
DNF
Kindle
2⭐️
Kindle
2⭐️
September 30, 2023
Creepy shit. The deep woods. A crazy haunted mine. Disappearing townspeople. I found the connections and jumps back and forth through time a bit hard to follow sometimes but it just added to the creepy insanity. I’d read another by Steph Nelson for sure.
June 1, 2023
THE VEIN is a horror thriller full of heart, set in a small mining town in Washington, and peopled with characters so real that you live every moment of it. Expect uncanny families across generations, unexplained disappearances, and a creepy local landmark; in this case, a silver mine. But the book delivers on its twists, and nothing is certain, as it keeps you guessing until the very end. The literary voice, exploration of local lore, and the deep look into small town life, carry echoes of CJ Cooke's work. It also reminded me of Francine Toon's PINE. I'll definitely be looking out for Stephanie's next book!
March 25, 2024
One of my favorite spooky stories I’ve read in awhile. It leaves SOME to be desired but overall it’s incredibly entertaining and my favorite book I’ve read in 2024. Definitely worth the read and it’s not so scary that people who don’t read scary novels won’t get spooked out of their wits.
May 28, 2025
Something is coming.
I follow a lot of thriller and horror 'influencers' on Instagram, where despite having a lot of overlap with many of their own recommendations (usually because of these same recommendations), I often worry that they won't agree as much with my own "discoveries" (ie the books on my list that I've never seen anywhere else before)! However, I'm willing to bet a full hangover special (read: extra bacon AND sausage!) with a LARGE orange juice on a Sunday morning at Denny's that this crowd would - and hopefully will - enjoy Steph Nelson's "The Vein". This haunting tale that takes place from 1901 in Spokane, Washington to 1989 in the small mining town of Pate, Idaho was absolutely spell-binding and had me reading well into the night in anticipation of the next spooky reveal!
People disappear a lot around here... not a few people. It’s a lot of people.
Now there's a lot of good input from various authors at the beginning of this book, so allow me to, um, "borrow" rather copiously from these initial comments. From Noelle W. Ihli (whose on-line bio says she likes murder and horses although apparently not at the same time): "The Vein is a hair-raising joyride of a horror novel that’s somehow both terrifying and tender. Dawn Winton is the protagonist I’ve been waiting for, the desolate mining-town setting is creepy as hell, and Steph’s writing absolutely crackles. I loved this book." Well, to borrow yet even more: I couldn't have said it better myself! And that's noting that Dawn isn't always just 'regular' Dawn throughout e.g. "…that was what Scary Dawn would do. What would Jesus Dawn do?"
It’s inside me… the poison in my blood. The arsenic of violence driven to destroy all that is good.
From Angela Sylvaine, author of the delightful creep-fest "Frost Bite": "In this dark and disturbing debut from Steph Nelson generational grief and trauma permeate this town, where residents end up missing or dead, everyone has a secret, and old photos haunt many a front door. In The Vein, Nelson expertly intertwines multiple timelines to weave a story that is equal parts mystery, cosmic horror, and folk horror, and one hundred percent steeped in dread." Again, I can only agree with these sentiments (and also, again, insist you add "Frost Bite" to your TBR pile!). Just know that once you're in the forest and hear the howling, it's already too late! Seeing mummies (f)laying about ain't all that good of a sign none neither...
There’s something inside the mine. Whatever it is, it calls out to people.
Obviously, Nelson delivers a hard-hitting tale that jumps at somewhat set intervals across time - a fact which is ultimately explained as things come race towards an incredibly poignant conclusion. I think what I loved the most though was that all of her characters are flawed in some way, even those that seem as innocent as babes (or are, in some cases, practically still babies), and all carry a ton of guilt in their bellies no matter how directly involved they seem to be. This includes anyone who rises up at any given moment to help save this town from not only itself but the terror that mining has brought to them. They are all connected in someway and usually (in)directly via someone linked to the initial "uprising", if I can use that as a descriptive in this case.
She sensed something here. It was like the forest did have eyes.
It reminds me in many ways of another "mining disaster-adjacent" book I read recently that I also really enjoyed, namely, Linda H. Codega's "Motheater". OK, this time we weren't exactly involved with witches per se - though Esma's "powers" could arguably be considered somewhat magical in nature ("Wait until you meet her. She’s a few flowers shy of a bouquet…"). And the mountain doesn't come alive to kill everyone for what's been done to it over the years. Or does it? That's also a deliciouss part of "Vein", is that we confront what can only be called "the demon" but we never really know its true identity. Its nature, yes, but where did it come from? It certainly makes sense though if you have any familiarity with mining (I say this being able to see the abandoned mining towers of this region in the near distance). There's a power in pulling something valuable from the earth… and often a very, very high price to pay for doing so.
She’d die by dynamite today. Or maybe tomorrow. But certainly, she’d die by dynamite.
Overall, the execution is nigh flawless and the pacing is able to keep things moving at much more than a brisk tempo. And if you can't already tell from the snippets I've snippeted, um, I mean, quoted here, Nelson's phrasing and formulations are extremely powerful and eloquent. And though I insist it's not a negative, I will say that once we stop bouncing around in time, that it almost hits like a bit of a shock as the pattern established from the beginning gets 'interupted' as such.
If perfect love casts out fear and if God is love, why do Christians live in fear?
But it doesn't interupt what we're trying to learn from those that remain, particularly as the ultimate fates of those that occupy the earlier time-frames have by then been determined. And besides, if you're like me and your guesses were totally off the mark (no time-travelling werewolves, sorry), then it won't make a bit of difference. Though I will stress that if you are worried about given triggers, do know that there are indeed a few that can both shock and even horrify the more sensitive reader, so follow the author's advice and brace yourselves. Otherwise, for a story that takes place in goodness-knows-where Idaho (ain't it all just 'taters there?), this was an absolute blast!
I follow a lot of thriller and horror 'influencers' on Instagram, where despite having a lot of overlap with many of their own recommendations (usually because of these same recommendations), I often worry that they won't agree as much with my own "discoveries" (ie the books on my list that I've never seen anywhere else before)! However, I'm willing to bet a full hangover special (read: extra bacon AND sausage!) with a LARGE orange juice on a Sunday morning at Denny's that this crowd would - and hopefully will - enjoy Steph Nelson's "The Vein". This haunting tale that takes place from 1901 in Spokane, Washington to 1989 in the small mining town of Pate, Idaho was absolutely spell-binding and had me reading well into the night in anticipation of the next spooky reveal!
People disappear a lot around here... not a few people. It’s a lot of people.
Now there's a lot of good input from various authors at the beginning of this book, so allow me to, um, "borrow" rather copiously from these initial comments. From Noelle W. Ihli (whose on-line bio says she likes murder and horses although apparently not at the same time): "The Vein is a hair-raising joyride of a horror novel that’s somehow both terrifying and tender. Dawn Winton is the protagonist I’ve been waiting for, the desolate mining-town setting is creepy as hell, and Steph’s writing absolutely crackles. I loved this book." Well, to borrow yet even more: I couldn't have said it better myself! And that's noting that Dawn isn't always just 'regular' Dawn throughout e.g. "…that was what Scary Dawn would do. What would Jesus Dawn do?"
It’s inside me… the poison in my blood. The arsenic of violence driven to destroy all that is good.
From Angela Sylvaine, author of the delightful creep-fest "Frost Bite": "In this dark and disturbing debut from Steph Nelson generational grief and trauma permeate this town, where residents end up missing or dead, everyone has a secret, and old photos haunt many a front door. In The Vein, Nelson expertly intertwines multiple timelines to weave a story that is equal parts mystery, cosmic horror, and folk horror, and one hundred percent steeped in dread." Again, I can only agree with these sentiments (and also, again, insist you add "Frost Bite" to your TBR pile!). Just know that once you're in the forest and hear the howling, it's already too late! Seeing mummies (f)laying about ain't all that good of a sign none neither...
There’s something inside the mine. Whatever it is, it calls out to people.
Obviously, Nelson delivers a hard-hitting tale that jumps at somewhat set intervals across time - a fact which is ultimately explained as things come race towards an incredibly poignant conclusion. I think what I loved the most though was that all of her characters are flawed in some way, even those that seem as innocent as babes (or are, in some cases, practically still babies), and all carry a ton of guilt in their bellies no matter how directly involved they seem to be. This includes anyone who rises up at any given moment to help save this town from not only itself but the terror that mining has brought to them. They are all connected in someway and usually (in)directly via someone linked to the initial "uprising", if I can use that as a descriptive in this case.
She sensed something here. It was like the forest did have eyes.
It reminds me in many ways of another "mining disaster-adjacent" book I read recently that I also really enjoyed, namely, Linda H. Codega's "Motheater". OK, this time we weren't exactly involved with witches per se - though Esma's "powers" could arguably be considered somewhat magical in nature ("Wait until you meet her. She’s a few flowers shy of a bouquet…"). And the mountain doesn't come alive to kill everyone for what's been done to it over the years. Or does it? That's also a deliciouss part of "Vein", is that we confront what can only be called "the demon" but we never really know its true identity. Its nature, yes, but where did it come from? It certainly makes sense though if you have any familiarity with mining (I say this being able to see the abandoned mining towers of this region in the near distance). There's a power in pulling something valuable from the earth… and often a very, very high price to pay for doing so.
She’d die by dynamite today. Or maybe tomorrow. But certainly, she’d die by dynamite.
Overall, the execution is nigh flawless and the pacing is able to keep things moving at much more than a brisk tempo. And if you can't already tell from the snippets I've snippeted, um, I mean, quoted here, Nelson's phrasing and formulations are extremely powerful and eloquent. And though I insist it's not a negative, I will say that once we stop bouncing around in time, that it almost hits like a bit of a shock as the pattern established from the beginning gets 'interupted' as such.
If perfect love casts out fear and if God is love, why do Christians live in fear?
But it doesn't interupt what we're trying to learn from those that remain, particularly as the ultimate fates of those that occupy the earlier time-frames have by then been determined. And besides, if you're like me and your guesses were totally off the mark (no time-travelling werewolves, sorry), then it won't make a bit of difference. Though I will stress that if you are worried about given triggers, do know that there are indeed a few that can both shock and even horrify the more sensitive reader, so follow the author's advice and brace yourselves. Otherwise, for a story that takes place in goodness-knows-where Idaho (ain't it all just 'taters there?), this was an absolute blast!
February 14, 2024
I saw a lot of people raving about this on booktok so I was excited to read it. I was disappointed. It jumped around to 4 different timelines, which was only mildly frustrating before I got used to it. The story itself was even more frustrating to me. It left a lot of unanswered questions, had an abrupt, disappointing ending, and I think I was supposed to be empathetic to a woman who abandoned her child in favor of her job and because she felt inadequate …. Like what?! Just wasn’t for me. At all. I still don’t know what the actual cause of the actual “monster” type thing was. Sadly, I don’t even care.
August 23, 2023
This is a really well written ghost story. The story is a different type of ghost story, not about spirits of the dead, but more about ghosts of our past actions. It poses the question are we all capable of evil and how our circumstances can affect our actions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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