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The Photo
A deadly game. A haunted past. A fight for survival.
Dani’s life was shattered the night her parents were brutally murdered by the infamous Lakeland 80 serial killer. For years, she’s tried to bury the trauma, but a single photo keeps the memories—and the fear—alive.
When a dangerous game on Halloween night goes horribly wrong, Dani unwittingly unleashes Willy Shaw, the vengeful spirit of the very man responsible for her nightmares. Now, he’s not just a lingering memory—he’s back, tormenting her and threatening everyone she loves, dragging her deeper into a twisted game of survival. As her friends fall victim to his sinister plans, Dani is forced to confront the darkness that’s been chasing her all her life.
Desperate to protect those she loves, Dani embarks on a harrowing journey to stop Willy before it’s too late. But with every step closer to the truth, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. Now, Dani must face not only the killer who destroyed her life but also horrifying secrets kept hidden for too long.
Can Dani end the nightmare before Willy claims everything—and everyone—she holds dear?
Set against a backdrop of suspense and supernatural horror, The Photo delivers relentless thrills and a chilling mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of paranormal thrillers, supernatural suspense, and gripping horror fiction.
Dani’s life was shattered the night her parents were brutally murdered by the infamous Lakeland 80 serial killer. For years, she’s tried to bury the trauma, but a single photo keeps the memories—and the fear—alive.
When a dangerous game on Halloween night goes horribly wrong, Dani unwittingly unleashes Willy Shaw, the vengeful spirit of the very man responsible for her nightmares. Now, he’s not just a lingering memory—he’s back, tormenting her and threatening everyone she loves, dragging her deeper into a twisted game of survival. As her friends fall victim to his sinister plans, Dani is forced to confront the darkness that’s been chasing her all her life.
Desperate to protect those she loves, Dani embarks on a harrowing journey to stop Willy before it’s too late. But with every step closer to the truth, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. Now, Dani must face not only the killer who destroyed her life but also horrifying secrets kept hidden for too long.
Can Dani end the nightmare before Willy claims everything—and everyone—she holds dear?
Set against a backdrop of suspense and supernatural horror, The Photo delivers relentless thrills and a chilling mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of paranormal thrillers, supernatural suspense, and gripping horror fiction.
- GenresThriller
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2024
29 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Russo
3 books20 followersAmanda is a horror/YA writer who occasionally writes a little romance. She is a movie enthusiast, a traveler, and can be found in her backyard either reading or writing.
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Undergo-Amanda...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Undergo-Amanda...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 8, 2024
The Photo by Amanda Russo
👻👻👻👻👻
Excellent book for the scary season! I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical but it was spooktacular!! I loved the suspense & the thrill of what may happen next! Better than Scream! Okay wait, I love that movie but pretty damn close!! I enjoyed the scares & the WTH moments! Highly recommend this October, spooky, paranormal, horror vibing book! Y’all gotta check this one out!!
👻👻👻👻👻
Excellent book for the scary season! I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical but it was spooktacular!! I loved the suspense & the thrill of what may happen next! Better than Scream! Okay wait, I love that movie but pretty damn close!! I enjoyed the scares & the WTH moments! Highly recommend this October, spooky, paranormal, horror vibing book! Y’all gotta check this one out!!
October 2, 2024
I was graciously given an ARC for The Photo for my honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This very much reads as a YA supernatural thriller and at times came off as a bit too juvenile for me, but overall I really enjoyed the premise of the book and did feel compelled to keep reading to know how everything was going to play out. I read it in just over 24 hours.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This very much reads as a YA supernatural thriller and at times came off as a bit too juvenile for me, but overall I really enjoyed the premise of the book and did feel compelled to keep reading to know how everything was going to play out. I read it in just over 24 hours.
October 6, 2024
Amanda Russo has crafted a brilliantly suspenseful paranormal plot in her latest YA book, The Photo!
The story introduces us to lovely Dani, a high school student who finds herself ensnared in a disturbing game of hide-and-seek with her best friends on Halloween night in the spooky town of Salem, MA. The murderous spirit of Willy Shaw is released to bring to life the girls' nightmares. Willy's spirit is out for blood and seeking revenge against Dani's loved ones, picking them off one by one. Dani must face the horrors of her past to save everyone in her future before Willy continues his killing streak! Russo carefully builds tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected reveals and chilling encounters.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each contributing unique strengths and vulnerabilities to the narrative( like Dani following through with the creepy Halloween game). The dynamics between Dani and her best friends, Lindsey and Bryana, add depth to the plot, elevating the emotional stakes as they navigate their chilling discoveries.
The beginning unfolds slowly (including quite a few chapters of mundane day to day)as the characters' backgrounds are established, laying the groundwork for the plot; however, once the scary scenes commence, they escalate quickly and become increasingly unsettling. Despite encountering a number of editing errors and awkward phrasing, the story is easy to follow. At times, though, I felt that some of the dialogue stretched moments longer than necessary and seemed a bit middle grade-ish.
The Photo is a compelling addition to the YA paranormal genre, showcasing Amanda Russo's storytelling talent. It’s a great blend of friendship, fear, and the supernatural. Fans of suspenseful thrillers will find plenty to enjoy in this haunting tale, which has even encouraged me to explore the young adult genre further! I found it difficult to write this review without any spoilers! Many thanks to Amanda Russo for the ARC
The story introduces us to lovely Dani, a high school student who finds herself ensnared in a disturbing game of hide-and-seek with her best friends on Halloween night in the spooky town of Salem, MA. The murderous spirit of Willy Shaw is released to bring to life the girls' nightmares. Willy's spirit is out for blood and seeking revenge against Dani's loved ones, picking them off one by one. Dani must face the horrors of her past to save everyone in her future before Willy continues his killing streak! Russo carefully builds tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected reveals and chilling encounters.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each contributing unique strengths and vulnerabilities to the narrative( like Dani following through with the creepy Halloween game). The dynamics between Dani and her best friends, Lindsey and Bryana, add depth to the plot, elevating the emotional stakes as they navigate their chilling discoveries.
The beginning unfolds slowly (including quite a few chapters of mundane day to day)as the characters' backgrounds are established, laying the groundwork for the plot; however, once the scary scenes commence, they escalate quickly and become increasingly unsettling. Despite encountering a number of editing errors and awkward phrasing, the story is easy to follow. At times, though, I felt that some of the dialogue stretched moments longer than necessary and seemed a bit middle grade-ish.
The Photo is a compelling addition to the YA paranormal genre, showcasing Amanda Russo's storytelling talent. It’s a great blend of friendship, fear, and the supernatural. Fans of suspenseful thrillers will find plenty to enjoy in this haunting tale, which has even encouraged me to explore the young adult genre further! I found it difficult to write this review without any spoilers! Many thanks to Amanda Russo for the ARC
October 3, 2024
I am a HUGE fan of serial killer novels. This one had my favorite twist…..but I will not tell. You will have to read the book. Let’s just say, people always mess with supernatural stuff that should never be messed with. Dani already has had a traumatic childhood. So being a teenager having lost her parents would only add to that teenage angst. Then one of her friends wants to conduct one of those Halloween games and all holy hauntings begin to happen. As a firm believer in the supernatural and occult, I know that messing with any ‘game’ would make me run the other direction. The author wrote this story in a way that once again proves; we should not mess with the spirit world. Then I chose to read this book at night. Well let’s just say that there were some scenes that made my skin crawl. One scene in particular freaked me out. I hate being watched…and that was the scene I dozed off to….then I awoke with a start and realized my spouse had come home from work…whew! I do not know who was scared more! So if you want to read a book with some scare…then read this book.
October 5, 2024
Thank you to Amanda Russo for an ARC of this book.
I feel really bad rating this book poorly, so I rounded up a star because I like the idea of it. But I’m going to be honest:
I did not like this book. The plot sounded so good, and I was super excited when I got my ARC email. I dove right into it thinking it’s the perfect spooky season book. I was almost immediately disappointed.
The dialogue was bad. The characters sometimes talk like people, but mostly they talk like the idea of people. It comes off robotic. They also don’t act like people. They get over things like death way too quickly and they just casually accept everything that happens to them. I don’t want to spoil anything but let’s just say no real person would do the majority of the things the characters in this book do.
Speaking of the characters, the only not incredibly annoying character is only in like 1/8 of the book. The rest of them are selfish while complaining about how selfish everyone else is. I get that they’re teens but come on.
I feel really bad rating this book poorly, so I rounded up a star because I like the idea of it. But I’m going to be honest:
I did not like this book. The plot sounded so good, and I was super excited when I got my ARC email. I dove right into it thinking it’s the perfect spooky season book. I was almost immediately disappointed.
The dialogue was bad. The characters sometimes talk like people, but mostly they talk like the idea of people. It comes off robotic. They also don’t act like people. They get over things like death way too quickly and they just casually accept everything that happens to them. I don’t want to spoil anything but let’s just say no real person would do the majority of the things the characters in this book do.
Speaking of the characters, the only not incredibly annoying character is only in like 1/8 of the book. The rest of them are selfish while complaining about how selfish everyone else is. I get that they’re teens but come on.
October 5, 2024
I received an ARC of The Photo with an agreement that I would provide a review after reading the book. That said, all opinions below are my own.
I really enjoyed The Photo. It was a fun, spooky, seasonal read set in Salem - perfect for Halloween. There are some things you shouldn’t mess with, and the spirit world is definitely one of them. To me, the characters were well developed and not just caricatures of stereotypical teenagers and the story was interesting and full of twists. Not overly graphic or gross, but definitely suspenseful at times.
There were some typos and mistakes, but hopefully those will be corrected when the book is released.
I really enjoyed The Photo. It was a fun, spooky, seasonal read set in Salem - perfect for Halloween. There are some things you shouldn’t mess with, and the spirit world is definitely one of them. To me, the characters were well developed and not just caricatures of stereotypical teenagers and the story was interesting and full of twists. Not overly graphic or gross, but definitely suspenseful at times.
There were some typos and mistakes, but hopefully those will be corrected when the book is released.
October 4, 2024
Thank you Amanda Russo for providing me an ARC copy of this book.
I’m not going to lie - I DNFed this book about 100 pages in. I normally wouldn’t review a book I didn’t finish, but since I was provided an ARC copy of this book I would like to explain my reasons for not finishing.
The premise of this book sounded very interesting and perfect for spooky season, however I could not get past the writing and grammatical errors and actually enjoy the story.
It seemed as if the copy I was provided was just the rough draft and not the edited copy. The formatting is bizarre and there are so many examples of run on sentences and incorrect punctuation. (I’m guilty of run on sentences myself, but I am not an author and do not have a copy editor to fix my posts) There are also times where a blatantly incorrect word is used and you have to decipher what word the author meant to use instead.
The characters sound like 10 year olds but are supposed to be seniors in high school, and the dialogue does not at all sound like actual human speech. I couldn’t help not immerse myself in the story when I could not picture any 17 year old speaking the way the main character (or any character) does.
I couldn’t help but think of the wattpad fanfics I read as a young teenager while reading this book, the quality of the writing is about the same.
I do not wish to put this author down or discourage anyone from reading this book if they choose, but this book was definitely not for me.
I’m not going to lie - I DNFed this book about 100 pages in. I normally wouldn’t review a book I didn’t finish, but since I was provided an ARC copy of this book I would like to explain my reasons for not finishing.
The premise of this book sounded very interesting and perfect for spooky season, however I could not get past the writing and grammatical errors and actually enjoy the story.
It seemed as if the copy I was provided was just the rough draft and not the edited copy. The formatting is bizarre and there are so many examples of run on sentences and incorrect punctuation. (I’m guilty of run on sentences myself, but I am not an author and do not have a copy editor to fix my posts) There are also times where a blatantly incorrect word is used and you have to decipher what word the author meant to use instead.
The characters sound like 10 year olds but are supposed to be seniors in high school, and the dialogue does not at all sound like actual human speech. I couldn’t help not immerse myself in the story when I could not picture any 17 year old speaking the way the main character (or any character) does.
I couldn’t help but think of the wattpad fanfics I read as a young teenager while reading this book, the quality of the writing is about the same.
I do not wish to put this author down or discourage anyone from reading this book if they choose, but this book was definitely not for me.
October 6, 2024
Thank you to Amanda Russo for providing me with an ARC copy of The Photo.
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I mean a serial killer that's haunting someone because of a photo? Sign. Me. Up.
While yes, the story itself was good and she got me with a plot twist, overall I was disappointed.
One problem was the editing. I'm not sure if the ARC copies hadn't been edited properly or what happened with them but the constant spelling mistakes and wonky sentence structure made it difficult to read at times.
The other problem was the writing itself. I know it's a YA novel but there were times where it felt like I was reading the ramblings of a teenage girl. Some parts were fine but it sometimes got so bad you found yourself being pulled out of the story and that's never fun.
All of that said, I do think I would read more of her work in the future. I think she has great potential as a writer and I'm curious to see what other story ideas she comes up with.
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I mean a serial killer that's haunting someone because of a photo? Sign. Me. Up.
While yes, the story itself was good and she got me with a plot twist, overall I was disappointed.
One problem was the editing. I'm not sure if the ARC copies hadn't been edited properly or what happened with them but the constant spelling mistakes and wonky sentence structure made it difficult to read at times.
The other problem was the writing itself. I know it's a YA novel but there were times where it felt like I was reading the ramblings of a teenage girl. Some parts were fine but it sometimes got so bad you found yourself being pulled out of the story and that's never fun.
All of that said, I do think I would read more of her work in the future. I think she has great potential as a writer and I'm curious to see what other story ideas she comes up with.
October 9, 2024
Dani has a tragic past, one she tries to hide but struggles to move on from. One Halloween night, to spice up the annual celebration, Dani and her friends play a game. But the consequences are immediate and life becomes a living nightmare. How does Dani’s past connect? Will they be able to stop the horror?
If you like Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, or Natasha Preston then you gotta check out Amanda Russo!
For the spooky season vibes you might be looking for, this book is set in Salem Massachusetts and around Halloween time to start.
The characters are primarily high schoolers and it’s told from the main character, Dani’s, point of view. You have some time hops, and while they aren’t labeled based on the version I read, they provide important plot points and further that line of reality, dream, supernatural, or memories.
Russo captured the fear, confusion, and drama of teenage life and thinking so well in their actions and reactions. I felt like I was reading the actual words and thoughts of a high school girl, but in a well written way, not in the way you might feel reading the average teenagers writing.
I got sucked into the story quick, and you’ll find it has suspense, a little sweet romance, and plenty of times you’ll feel on edge by bumps, sounds, or shadows. You’ll be rooting for Dani and her friends and surprised as the story unfolds. I had a couple moments I just did not see coming and they felt like a gut punch.
I was lucky enough to be selected to be an ARC reader for it and man I definitely have a new YA Thriller author I love! The Photo comes out October 8, 2024 and I definitely recommend this book! 5 stars from me!
If you like Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, or Natasha Preston then you gotta check out Amanda Russo!
For the spooky season vibes you might be looking for, this book is set in Salem Massachusetts and around Halloween time to start.
The characters are primarily high schoolers and it’s told from the main character, Dani’s, point of view. You have some time hops, and while they aren’t labeled based on the version I read, they provide important plot points and further that line of reality, dream, supernatural, or memories.
Russo captured the fear, confusion, and drama of teenage life and thinking so well in their actions and reactions. I felt like I was reading the actual words and thoughts of a high school girl, but in a well written way, not in the way you might feel reading the average teenagers writing.
I got sucked into the story quick, and you’ll find it has suspense, a little sweet romance, and plenty of times you’ll feel on edge by bumps, sounds, or shadows. You’ll be rooting for Dani and her friends and surprised as the story unfolds. I had a couple moments I just did not see coming and they felt like a gut punch.
I was lucky enough to be selected to be an ARC reader for it and man I definitely have a new YA Thriller author I love! The Photo comes out October 8, 2024 and I definitely recommend this book! 5 stars from me!
October 5, 2024
Thrilled to have received this book from the “Scared of the dark” Amanda Russo review team!
2.5 rounded up.
“The Photo” follows Dani, an orphaned teenager as she navigates life in Salem, Massachusetts during Halloween time. The story starts out introducing Dani’s relatable high school life and her friends. Dani also works at her aunt’s very popular metaphysical/ magic shop. Dani and her friends spend the Halloween day at school looking forward to a haunted house they’re planning to attend that evening. After the haunted house Dani and 2 of her girlfriends, Bryana and Lindsey head back to Lindsey’s for a sleepover. Bryana convinces her friends to play a “game” despite Dani’s pleas not to. After the game, spooky things begin to happen. As the story progresses Dani and her friends struggle to fix what they’ve started and end the game.
This book jumps right into the excitement, no need to wait for a build up! The horror aspects once the book settles in are *chef’s kiss*.
That being said, the sentence structure in spots is a little wonky, and there are several spelling/grammatical errors. Another round of edits is needed for sure.
All in all, the story itself was pretty good! There was a twist I didn’t see coming at all. I think this author has great potential as a young adult horror writer.
2.5 rounded up.
“The Photo” follows Dani, an orphaned teenager as she navigates life in Salem, Massachusetts during Halloween time. The story starts out introducing Dani’s relatable high school life and her friends. Dani also works at her aunt’s very popular metaphysical/ magic shop. Dani and her friends spend the Halloween day at school looking forward to a haunted house they’re planning to attend that evening. After the haunted house Dani and 2 of her girlfriends, Bryana and Lindsey head back to Lindsey’s for a sleepover. Bryana convinces her friends to play a “game” despite Dani’s pleas not to. After the game, spooky things begin to happen. As the story progresses Dani and her friends struggle to fix what they’ve started and end the game.
This book jumps right into the excitement, no need to wait for a build up! The horror aspects once the book settles in are *chef’s kiss*.
That being said, the sentence structure in spots is a little wonky, and there are several spelling/grammatical errors. Another round of edits is needed for sure.
All in all, the story itself was pretty good! There was a twist I didn’t see coming at all. I think this author has great potential as a young adult horror writer.
February 17, 2025
1.5/5
Buen libro para pasar el rato porque es corto pero poco más
Buen libro para pasar el rato porque es corto pero poco más
October 4, 2024
Enjoyable yet difficult to read
Using Hitori Kakurenbo, a famous Japanese/Korean game involving necromancy, as its primary story device, Russo weaves an enjoyable, breezy tale of three teenaged friends who get mixed up in a game of “Hide and Seek Alone” that quickly goes sideways. Mess up the game rules…things go wrong. Awaken spirits…people die.
Russo’s The Photo is a decent story; a fun and easy read. The story moves along briskly. Sometimes too fast with certain storylines being wrapped up quickly (the book’s climax, for example) and without explanation. It is clearly oriented to the YA fandom but at times it felt more so “upper middle grade” than YA. Meaning that the swearing is held to minimum and, with the exception of an instance or two, the violence isn’t overly graphic. Mixing moments of humor and horror with teen banter, the tone of the book evokes Fox’s Scream Queens or CW fare like Charmed. Despite having recently found her passion for writing, Russo appears to have a knack for storytelling. Her craftsmanship is still a bit rough and unpolished and some storylines could use a bit more “fleshing out”. For example, I found myself trying to find symbolism or “connective tissue” in things that were repeatedly referenced (i.e. the over usage of characters startling each other or Dani’s need for the TV to be on). Alas, these appeared to be “throw away” themes or used only for atmosphere. Equally, while “the photo” is touched on throughout the book, it isn’t quite its own developed character or key story element as the book title would lead one to believe. All is OK seeing as Ms. Russo is a novice author. As she continues to publish she’ll find her voice. A voice that is clearly inspired, perhaps even modeled after, the likes of such authors as Natasha Preston or Karen McManus.
This said, the MAJOR flaw in this book, the one that makes it almost unreadable, is the complete lack of copyediting. The story is told in passive voice. Between this, poor to little use of proper punctuation, incorrect shifts from present to past tense, odd or misused word choices (“crotch down” instead of “crouch down” p. 287), and misspellings (“Ewe” instead of “Eww” and the misspelling of the best friend, Linsey instead of Lindsey on page 107), there were points where I almost had to put the book down. Yet, the pacing is worth sticking with it. An attempt at copyediting would have gone a long way in making a “snappier” and cleaner read. Russo has promising talent and storytelling skills but would benefit greatly by a touch of developmental editing and a complete copyedit.
Using Hitori Kakurenbo, a famous Japanese/Korean game involving necromancy, as its primary story device, Russo weaves an enjoyable, breezy tale of three teenaged friends who get mixed up in a game of “Hide and Seek Alone” that quickly goes sideways. Mess up the game rules…things go wrong. Awaken spirits…people die.
Russo’s The Photo is a decent story; a fun and easy read. The story moves along briskly. Sometimes too fast with certain storylines being wrapped up quickly (the book’s climax, for example) and without explanation. It is clearly oriented to the YA fandom but at times it felt more so “upper middle grade” than YA. Meaning that the swearing is held to minimum and, with the exception of an instance or two, the violence isn’t overly graphic. Mixing moments of humor and horror with teen banter, the tone of the book evokes Fox’s Scream Queens or CW fare like Charmed. Despite having recently found her passion for writing, Russo appears to have a knack for storytelling. Her craftsmanship is still a bit rough and unpolished and some storylines could use a bit more “fleshing out”. For example, I found myself trying to find symbolism or “connective tissue” in things that were repeatedly referenced (i.e. the over usage of characters startling each other or Dani’s need for the TV to be on). Alas, these appeared to be “throw away” themes or used only for atmosphere. Equally, while “the photo” is touched on throughout the book, it isn’t quite its own developed character or key story element as the book title would lead one to believe. All is OK seeing as Ms. Russo is a novice author. As she continues to publish she’ll find her voice. A voice that is clearly inspired, perhaps even modeled after, the likes of such authors as Natasha Preston or Karen McManus.
This said, the MAJOR flaw in this book, the one that makes it almost unreadable, is the complete lack of copyediting. The story is told in passive voice. Between this, poor to little use of proper punctuation, incorrect shifts from present to past tense, odd or misused word choices (“crotch down” instead of “crouch down” p. 287), and misspellings (“Ewe” instead of “Eww” and the misspelling of the best friend, Linsey instead of Lindsey on page 107), there were points where I almost had to put the book down. Yet, the pacing is worth sticking with it. An attempt at copyediting would have gone a long way in making a “snappier” and cleaner read. Russo has promising talent and storytelling skills but would benefit greatly by a touch of developmental editing and a complete copyedit.
October 4, 2024
Firstly, I want to thank Amanda Russo for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader. I did enjoy reading it, though I’m inclined to give my full honest review.
The plot and storyline are great. It was a clearly thought out storyline where all the pieces fit together perfectly. I enjoyed the character dynamics, the background of the protagonist, and the way situations were portrayed. The ending had a nice twist that you would want in a thriller. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a fun thriller type book with a bit of gore.
Now. My biggest complaint is the writing. I realize this is more in the YA genre, but at times I felt like I was reading a 14 year old girls diary. There are quite a few things that I don’t feel were necessary in the book, and even when it comes to world and character building - some things just felt more like fluff than needed information. At the same time, there’s so much detail that at times, you get lost in translation and have to reread a paragraph or two to figure out exactly what’s going on. Some instances were very rushed. While others just didn’t make sense at all.
I would also argue that this book is not of the horror genre. While I realize the story is pertaining serial killers (& other “scary” aspects I can’t quite speak of without spoilers), it gives off more of a thriller vibe with some blood and gore every now and then. That could also be dependent on the reader. My horror books tend to be a little more intense than others.
Like I mentioned before, I would recommend to others. But I would advise them to not go in expecting literary genius. It’s a fun, quick, gripping story, that makes a good addition to your spooky season reads.
As for if I’d read more by this author, yes. I’m curious to see how much she grows from this book as a writer. Her ideas are there. They just need to be executed a little cleaner, grammatically.
The plot and storyline are great. It was a clearly thought out storyline where all the pieces fit together perfectly. I enjoyed the character dynamics, the background of the protagonist, and the way situations were portrayed. The ending had a nice twist that you would want in a thriller. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a fun thriller type book with a bit of gore.
Now. My biggest complaint is the writing. I realize this is more in the YA genre, but at times I felt like I was reading a 14 year old girls diary. There are quite a few things that I don’t feel were necessary in the book, and even when it comes to world and character building - some things just felt more like fluff than needed information. At the same time, there’s so much detail that at times, you get lost in translation and have to reread a paragraph or two to figure out exactly what’s going on. Some instances were very rushed. While others just didn’t make sense at all.
I would also argue that this book is not of the horror genre. While I realize the story is pertaining serial killers (& other “scary” aspects I can’t quite speak of without spoilers), it gives off more of a thriller vibe with some blood and gore every now and then. That could also be dependent on the reader. My horror books tend to be a little more intense than others.
Like I mentioned before, I would recommend to others. But I would advise them to not go in expecting literary genius. It’s a fun, quick, gripping story, that makes a good addition to your spooky season reads.
As for if I’d read more by this author, yes. I’m curious to see how much she grows from this book as a writer. Her ideas are there. They just need to be executed a little cleaner, grammatically.
October 3, 2024
Thank you to Amanda Russo for an Arc copy of her book. I think the idea of The Photo is great and definitely had potential.
I’m not sure if I received an unedited version but the writing was full of weird sentences and grammatical errors. The dialogue could honestly use some work, no one talks like that in real life. I wish a few of the “scarier” scenes had more description or inner monologue, at times it felt rushed and in the next scene the characters had completely moved on. Normally these are things I don’t care to mention in reviews but this one was full of them.
As far as the characters and the plot, I didn’t feel connected to any of them, Lindsey was an awful friend, Bryanna deserved better and Dani was incredibly obnoxious. I think Ian and Derek were more palatable than the main characters. It is a YA horror book so that also threw me off a bit. I did get through the book pretty fast, it’s an easy read and I think the age group it’s actually made for will definitely enjoy it. I just was not for me.
I’m not sure if I received an unedited version but the writing was full of weird sentences and grammatical errors. The dialogue could honestly use some work, no one talks like that in real life. I wish a few of the “scarier” scenes had more description or inner monologue, at times it felt rushed and in the next scene the characters had completely moved on. Normally these are things I don’t care to mention in reviews but this one was full of them.
As far as the characters and the plot, I didn’t feel connected to any of them, Lindsey was an awful friend, Bryanna deserved better and Dani was incredibly obnoxious. I think Ian and Derek were more palatable than the main characters. It is a YA horror book so that also threw me off a bit. I did get through the book pretty fast, it’s an easy read and I think the age group it’s actually made for will definitely enjoy it. I just was not for me.
October 6, 2024
A strong 4.5 but rounding it up to a 5 stars because I couldn't read this at night without giving me the creeps. It was an easy read that flowed well with short chapters that kept me engaged. It is told in first person with only one point of view, Dani's. The main female character. The characters were well developed, and I liked them. It takes place in Salem, Massachusetts on and around Halloween. I loved the Halloween in Salem vibes it gave me. I really liked the plotline, and it gave me enough gore and blood to add to the creepiness that I won't be buying any stuffed animals anytime soon. Definitely recommend reading this during the Halloween season.
I want to thank Amanda Russo for giving me this ARC to read. I really enjoyed it.
@AmandaRussoWrites
I want to thank Amanda Russo for giving me this ARC to read. I really enjoyed it.
@AmandaRussoWrites
October 5, 2024
“The Photo” by Amanda Russo arrived just in time for spooky season! We have a mix of a little bit of scary and supernatural elements that take you for a spin of the unexpected. It is considered a young adult novel so it is mildly tame compared to the types of thrillers and horror novels I typically read but I did still enjoy the plot of this book.
There are a lot of really interesting aspects to this story in regard to a young girl living in a town with such rich history of magic and the metaphysical realm. The main character, Dani and her friends decide to dabble in a game on Halloween night that not only ends badly but it opens up their world to some very serious repercussions.
There are a lot of really interesting aspects to this story in regard to a young girl living in a town with such rich history of magic and the metaphysical realm. The main character, Dani and her friends decide to dabble in a game on Halloween night that not only ends badly but it opens up their world to some very serious repercussions.
October 6, 2024
I was given this book by the author as an ARC for an honest review. It was an exceptional book that was scary, appropriate for the Halloween season and well written. It was easy to read and kept me reading it in one session. I found the characters were strong and solid and Dani, whose voice tells the story, was definitely someone you found yourself cheering for to survive. Good for people who like the supernatural and a serial killer in their stories. Thanks to the author for sharing her story with me.
October 8, 2024
The perfect book to get you in the spooky season mood! The suspense and thrill in here was written in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat through parts of this book! It had lots of WTH moments mixed with the banter of such lovable characters. I was immediately drawn in by the witchy vibes of Salem, Massachusetts! I was nervous since it is based around a group of teens, but it was such a well written book I couldn’t help but find myself completely invested in this suspenseful story!
October 4, 2024
Thank you to the author Amanda Russo for the advanced copy, and a chance to be part if your ARC team! This book had so many things I loved: horror, a serial killer, family secrets, the supernatural, and the angst and drama of a YA novel. Amanda took these elements and gave us the story of Dani. Dani is a high school senior living in Salem, MA with her aunt who runs a spiritual shop. Dani loves her two best friends, and their annual Halloween traditions. When a game of the supernatural seems to go wrong, Dani must face the demons of her past, and try to protect those she loves.
October 2, 2024
Thank you to Amanda and team for the advanced copy of this book! I received it this morning and was finished by the evening.
The book keeps you on edge from chapter to chapter trying to figure out what the next move is, how will Lindsey, Dani and bryana fix the predicament they have gotten themselves into.
The characters all flow seamlessly together and give you the right amount of history to help you understand.
Do yourself a favor and get your hands on this book and take a ride into some spooky reads for the month of October!
The book keeps you on edge from chapter to chapter trying to figure out what the next move is, how will Lindsey, Dani and bryana fix the predicament they have gotten themselves into.
The characters all flow seamlessly together and give you the right amount of history to help you understand.
Do yourself a favor and get your hands on this book and take a ride into some spooky reads for the month of October!
October 8, 2024
Thank you Amanda for the opportunity to read an arc of this book. I had high hopes, it seemed like the perfect YA spooky read for October, but the formatting for me was weird and it was full of grammatical errors which made it extremely hard to keep reading.
The story itself had great potential, but the characters did not seem like they were seniors in high school and it was hard to connect to any of them. There was a little plot twist that did surprise me and one scene that I was on the edge of my seat for, but I didn’t really get the spook I was hoping for.
The story itself had great potential, but the characters did not seem like they were seniors in high school and it was hard to connect to any of them. There was a little plot twist that did surprise me and one scene that I was on the edge of my seat for, but I didn’t really get the spook I was hoping for.
October 25, 2024
Spooky season has officially arrived, and it is in the form of an Amanda Russo thriller. I was so excited to receive an ARC copy of The Photo. I read her previous release, Undergo, and couldn't wait to dive into this haunting read.
The book follows our FMC, a high school senior living with her famous fortune telling/spirit guide aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. A Halloween practical joke turns into a haunting nightmare for her and her friends.
I can tell you this book had chills running up and down my spine and I couldn't read it fast enough. It was scary, it was thrilling and full of twists and turns.
If you're looking for a good haunting Halloween read to get you into the spooky spirit, I definitely recommend The Photo. I'm scared to sleep tonight and I don't think I'll ever look at my daughters teddy bears the same ever again.
There were a few grammatical errors, however I was easily able to get past them without being taken out of the story and mood.
The book follows our FMC, a high school senior living with her famous fortune telling/spirit guide aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. A Halloween practical joke turns into a haunting nightmare for her and her friends.
I can tell you this book had chills running up and down my spine and I couldn't read it fast enough. It was scary, it was thrilling and full of twists and turns.
If you're looking for a good haunting Halloween read to get you into the spooky spirit, I definitely recommend The Photo. I'm scared to sleep tonight and I don't think I'll ever look at my daughters teddy bears the same ever again.
There were a few grammatical errors, however I was easily able to get past them without being taken out of the story and mood.
March 7, 2025
Thank you to Amanda Russo and Hollow Lake Industries for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.25/5 stars - This book was extremely YA. The concept of this was great - I love everything spooky. This had serial killers, Salem setting during Halloween, and ghosts/spirits! It did keep me engaged the whole time.
I felt that there were times where the plot felt underdeveloped, and you didn’t really get to know the characters deeply. The true confrontation in the book is missing a lot of action and is over quite quickly. It also took a little too long to find out what the photo was.
3.25/5 stars - This book was extremely YA. The concept of this was great - I love everything spooky. This had serial killers, Salem setting during Halloween, and ghosts/spirits! It did keep me engaged the whole time.
I felt that there were times where the plot felt underdeveloped, and you didn’t really get to know the characters deeply. The true confrontation in the book is missing a lot of action and is over quite quickly. It also took a little too long to find out what the photo was.
October 8, 2024
When i saw the option to request this book on my Bookstagram account, to be an ARC reader, I jumped at the chance to sneak it in my lineup for October. I didn't know that this author writes YA novels. That being said, I didn't think I was going to be able to get into it since its focused on a group of teenagers. That being said this book sucked me in the first couple of chapters, it gives off a horror, psych thriller atmospheric, witchy vibe. I highly recommend this book; I will definitely be looking up the rest of her books. Amanda Russo is a master of her craft; I will definitely be recommending these to my niece as well as I think they are right up her alley.
The Photo follows a teenage girl named Dani, orphaned after her parents were brutally murdered by the infamous serial killer who calls himself the Lakeland 80. Dani goes to live with her aunt Ivy and is raised and her life changed, so she can have a chance to be a kid and grow up without her back. Dani has two best friends named Lindsey and Bryana, one day they decide to go against Aunt Ivy's wishes and play a game that they were told not to play.
Things start happening after the game is played, the action starts to come into effect and just know that once that happens this is where the book sucks you in and keeps you locked into the action. If you are looking for a fast page book, then this is the book for you. If you need another reason to read this book, I'll give you two. This book takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, Aunt Ivy runs a spiritual shop that thrives due to visiting spooky seasons.
Today is release day and you need to read this book on your TBR list, spooky season, and or it would make a great gift for a reader in your life.
The Photo follows a teenage girl named Dani, orphaned after her parents were brutally murdered by the infamous serial killer who calls himself the Lakeland 80. Dani goes to live with her aunt Ivy and is raised and her life changed, so she can have a chance to be a kid and grow up without her back. Dani has two best friends named Lindsey and Bryana, one day they decide to go against Aunt Ivy's wishes and play a game that they were told not to play.
Things start happening after the game is played, the action starts to come into effect and just know that once that happens this is where the book sucks you in and keeps you locked into the action. If you are looking for a fast page book, then this is the book for you. If you need another reason to read this book, I'll give you two. This book takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, Aunt Ivy runs a spiritual shop that thrives due to visiting spooky seasons.
Today is release day and you need to read this book on your TBR list, spooky season, and or it would make a great gift for a reader in your life.
October 6, 2024
Thank you to Amanda Russo for this ARC.
When a deadly game of hide-and-seek goes wrong, three teenagers must confront the spirit they awakened before it's too late.
The premise of this book is incredible. Pulling from the urban legend of Hitori Kakurenbo (think hide and seek with a spirit), three teenagers realize that it's more than just a game. Plus, Dani, our FMC, is hiding a big secret of her own: her parents were the last victims of an infamous serial k*ller. Has he come back from the dead to get his revenge on Dani?
Unfortunately, the book's first half was much better than the last. The suspense and psychological horror were written perfectly, but then the dialogue (very choppy) and lack of editing (crotch down vs. crouch down, misspellings of character names, etc.) ruined the experience for me.
I also found several flaws in this book, including the fact that Russo left several plot points and themes unanswered. The photo (the book's namesake) was referenced a few times but did not play a big role, which I think was a missed opportunity.
However, Amanda Russo is a very new author in this space, and I loved the premise of this novel. If you can get over some of the copyediting mishaps and the choppy dialogue, you will certainly enjoy this suspenseful horror novel.
When a deadly game of hide-and-seek goes wrong, three teenagers must confront the spirit they awakened before it's too late.
The premise of this book is incredible. Pulling from the urban legend of Hitori Kakurenbo (think hide and seek with a spirit), three teenagers realize that it's more than just a game. Plus, Dani, our FMC, is hiding a big secret of her own: her parents were the last victims of an infamous serial k*ller. Has he come back from the dead to get his revenge on Dani?
Unfortunately, the book's first half was much better than the last. The suspense and psychological horror were written perfectly, but then the dialogue (very choppy) and lack of editing (crotch down vs. crouch down, misspellings of character names, etc.) ruined the experience for me.
I also found several flaws in this book, including the fact that Russo left several plot points and themes unanswered. The photo (the book's namesake) was referenced a few times but did not play a big role, which I think was a missed opportunity.
However, Amanda Russo is a very new author in this space, and I loved the premise of this novel. If you can get over some of the copyediting mishaps and the choppy dialogue, you will certainly enjoy this suspenseful horror novel.
October 8, 2024
In *The Photo*, Amanda Russo delivers a spine-chilling narrative that perfectly captures the eerie ambiance of Salem, Massachusetts as the backdrop. This novel follows a group of high school friends who decide to engage in a game of one man hide and seek, an innocent choice that quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal. After they play, secrets emerge, particularly that of one friend who harbors a family legacy intertwined with the supernatural.
Russo’s writing has noticeably evolved since her debut novel. The pacing is tight, with expertly crafted suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters each bringing their own unique dynamics to the group, which adds depth to the story. The interplay between their friendships and the mounting tension amplifies the stakes as the spirit begins to hunt them down.
*The Photo* is a compelling read that brings Halloween to life year round, With its blend of supernatural horror and emotional depth, Amanda Russo has crafted a story that will resonate with fans of the genre. If you're looking for a chilling tale that explores friendship, secrets, and the consequences of games played in the dark, this book is a great choice.
Russo’s writing has noticeably evolved since her debut novel. The pacing is tight, with expertly crafted suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters each bringing their own unique dynamics to the group, which adds depth to the story. The interplay between their friendships and the mounting tension amplifies the stakes as the spirit begins to hunt them down.
*The Photo* is a compelling read that brings Halloween to life year round, With its blend of supernatural horror and emotional depth, Amanda Russo has crafted a story that will resonate with fans of the genre. If you're looking for a chilling tale that explores friendship, secrets, and the consequences of games played in the dark, this book is a great choice.
October 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. It gave great spooky vibes.
Dani is a high school student, living with her aunt after the death of her parents. While she tells people that they died in accident, they were actually murdered. Dani plays the Hide and Seek Alone game with 2 of her friends thinking it was just a stupid game and nothing would happen. But when the ghost of the murderer of Dani's parents, who is also a serial killer, is brought into the realm of reality through the game, they realize they are in some serious danger. He wants Dani to pay for what happened. When Dani starts to dig deeper, she finds the connection between the murderer and why it happened. The way the story plays out and links the murderer to her parents had my jaw on the floor. I got chills through this story some times because I kept trying to picture myself in Dani's shoes. She was so brave and faced things head on when I would probably run screaming!
This was fast paced and had me captivated. I couldn't put it down. The only reason I gave this 4 stars and not 5 was because I did feel like some parts of the story could have been a little more developed.
I loved the supernatural aspect in this story. I definitely recommend giving this story a read, especially in spooky season.
Dani is a high school student, living with her aunt after the death of her parents. While she tells people that they died in accident, they were actually murdered. Dani plays the Hide and Seek Alone game with 2 of her friends thinking it was just a stupid game and nothing would happen. But when the ghost of the murderer of Dani's parents, who is also a serial killer, is brought into the realm of reality through the game, they realize they are in some serious danger. He wants Dani to pay for what happened. When Dani starts to dig deeper, she finds the connection between the murderer and why it happened. The way the story plays out and links the murderer to her parents had my jaw on the floor. I got chills through this story some times because I kept trying to picture myself in Dani's shoes. She was so brave and faced things head on when I would probably run screaming!
This was fast paced and had me captivated. I couldn't put it down. The only reason I gave this 4 stars and not 5 was because I did feel like some parts of the story could have been a little more developed.
I loved the supernatural aspect in this story. I definitely recommend giving this story a read, especially in spooky season.
October 4, 2024
This book takes you on an scary adventure with a set of friends, Dani, Lindsey and Bryanna, who come to realize that hiding from and trying to avoid your past, will more than likely always come back and hurt you; in some cases, literally. Dani’s aunt Ivy ties in the “supernatural” component, with her psychic/medium abilities. Also, living in Salem, and all of its back stories, add an extra piece of spooky.
As a teacher, I thought this was a good book for younger readers who are looking for a scary story. It gave me “Nightmare on Elm Street” vibes for the YA readers. It will have you gripping your seats, for what will happen next, as well as having a good twist of events when the details come into view to tie things together.
My complaint would follow a couple other readers, in that, while some parts seems well thought out and described with great detail, others seemed rushed and lacked explanation.
Thank you to Amanda Russo and her team for selecting me to read and review “The Photo” ARC. Though, I may not look at teddy bears the same after this one, I enjoyed the experience! Hope you’re not afraid of the dark!
As a teacher, I thought this was a good book for younger readers who are looking for a scary story. It gave me “Nightmare on Elm Street” vibes for the YA readers. It will have you gripping your seats, for what will happen next, as well as having a good twist of events when the details come into view to tie things together.
My complaint would follow a couple other readers, in that, while some parts seems well thought out and described with great detail, others seemed rushed and lacked explanation.
Thank you to Amanda Russo and her team for selecting me to read and review “The Photo” ARC. Though, I may not look at teddy bears the same after this one, I enjoyed the experience! Hope you’re not afraid of the dark!
October 9, 2024
This is a thrilling dark and twisted Halloween story. I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning to the very end. It was a storyline that had you so gripped with detail, scary twists and turns and jaw dropping haunted events that you don't see coming that you have to keep turning the pages to see what happens.
This is told in first person Dani's story. She has quite the past and it comes out in this story. In the most haunting way. This author has a very unique way of telling this story and it will leave you feeling like you didn't get enough.
This story takes place in Salem on and around Halloween. The setting of this storyline really helps with the scary vibes of the story.
Dani and her friends decide to engage in a game of one man hide and seek. But this game goes terribly wrong and will forever change their lives. You are taken on a chilling ride with the friends trying to figure out how to beat "Willy". Dealing with Dani's past and overcoming it to put "Willy" to rest.
Not a book I would read at night especially in the dark. But a great book to read.
This is told in first person Dani's story. She has quite the past and it comes out in this story. In the most haunting way. This author has a very unique way of telling this story and it will leave you feeling like you didn't get enough.
This story takes place in Salem on and around Halloween. The setting of this storyline really helps with the scary vibes of the story.
Dani and her friends decide to engage in a game of one man hide and seek. But this game goes terribly wrong and will forever change their lives. You are taken on a chilling ride with the friends trying to figure out how to beat "Willy". Dealing with Dani's past and overcoming it to put "Willy" to rest.
Not a book I would read at night especially in the dark. But a great book to read.
October 4, 2024
Though I was pointed directly to the person responsible I somehow kept thinking it would be someone else playing a sick game/joke but that was not the case at all. Good plot twist moment when certain information came to light making everything make even more sense than it already did.
This does fall under the YA category which honestly suited the story because some of the choices made by the 3 best friends were necessary for the story line.
I get what some readers are referring to with the ARC read but let’s all remember it is an ARC read - it’s not always going to a perfect copy.
I also agree the girls were just a little to non chalant about certain moments that require you to snap the eff out of it or bare minimum care just a tad bit more about is going on
This book is a reminder as to why I avoided certain games in my youth that were meant to be spooky/scary. There are just some things you really shouldn’t mess with.
This does fall under the YA category which honestly suited the story because some of the choices made by the 3 best friends were necessary for the story line.
I get what some readers are referring to with the ARC read but let’s all remember it is an ARC read - it’s not always going to a perfect copy.
I also agree the girls were just a little to non chalant about certain moments that require you to snap the eff out of it or bare minimum care just a tad bit more about is going on
This book is a reminder as to why I avoided certain games in my youth that were meant to be spooky/scary. There are just some things you really shouldn’t mess with.
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