The Hostage: A Halloween Psychological Thriller

by Samyra Alexander

Some stories get under your skin… and stay there.

Brandy and Zane are out of options. With Halloween approaching and no place to call home, they take over the house of Brandy’s agoraphobic client — a woman too fearful to leave and too isolated to resist. It’s only temporary, they tell themselves. Just long enough to save up and start fresh — for themselves and their children.

To pass the time, the woman begins reading them pages from a novel she’s been writing — unsettling, violent, and impossible to forget. Brandy tries not to think too hard about it.

But some stories linger longer than expected.

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Halloween, Audiobook, Suspense

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2024

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely should’ve read the reviews for this because wtf did I just read?! I’m not even sure what to classify this as but it was not a psychological thriller.

Best friends Zane and Brandy have been put out by her aunt and are forced to use extreme measures to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads. They decide that the will take a woman hostage in her own home for a few months while they stacked their money so that they could later buy a home to raise their children. Little did they know, they stumbled into the wrong home and got themselves into a deadly situation.

There was so many things terribly wrong with this story and it was all over the place. My brain felt like a ball bouncing through a pin ball machine. From the characters having mental illness to the things they did for money, everything lacked cohesion. Nothing in the story made sense and I really didn’t know what the authors intention with this one.

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, for this story to be a thriller, why did I laugh for more than half the story? All of these characters were bat ish crazy, you hear me!!

Zane, why did you continue your friendship with Brandy when you knew she outta her damn mind? You get kicked out of everywhere you attempt to go, and then she comes up with these outlandish ideas to get you further caught up? Seriously sir? 👀 When she brought up that idea to you, you should have left her where she was standing. 😤

Brandy, you know you have some serious mental issues, but you refuse to take your medication because it makes you dizzy. Girl, what??? 😂 Then coming up with the idea to take a hostage in their home, cause you homeless? You couldn't have thought this thing through, right? 🤯

Carlotta was a strange one. However, she seemed oddly calm about the situation that she was facing. Then the story she read to Brandy came out of nowhere. Why is she telling her this? It became clear rather quickly, and that revelation did shock the hell outta me! What???? That ending was crazy, as I was not expecting that at all! Didn't get the scary that I was anticipating, but it was rather entertaining.

[April · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Insane in the best way!

This story was insane in the best way possible! I had no idea where it was heading and Samyra definitely took me on a wild ride. I’m not sure how you dislike and feel sorry for characters at the same time, but that is exactly how I felt about Brandy and Zane. Ms. Carlotta was a force to be reckoned with & she definitely added a layer to the story that I was not expecting.

The narration in the audiobook was great, J.R. Mason’s performance is always something to look forward to..

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

After being kicked out of her aunt’s house for breaking curfew, Brandy and her best friend, Zane, find themselves unhoused and forced to spend the money they have been saving for their own house on a motel. When Brandy messes up again and gets them kicked out of the motel she comes up with the perfect plan that will save them money and give them a place to stay…but it involves a hostage.

Alexander has penned a wild story filled with flawed characters that makes for a chaotic, twisted tale with mind-blowing scenarios and suspense. The decision making of the main characters will leave readers feeling like they are watching two vehicles on the verge of impact. The story moves at a fast pace and there is constant action throughout. Unpredictable characters will leave readers guessing how the story will end up until the jaw-dropping conclusion.

A fun read for fans of unhinged characters and psychological horror.

[Tanira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Longest 145 pages I’ve ever read.

[Plus Size Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story kicks off with the introduction of the world's dumbest criminals Brandy and her BFF Zane.

Brandy is messy af. She has a diagnosed mental disorder but does not keep up with her meds. She makes poor choices, is super defensive, does not use critical thinking, and is simply ridiculous. I can't with her. She's 4'9 with Triple D's looking like a walking flotation device. She has NO morals or fear of authority.

Zane is her male BFF. Brandy doesn't mess with woman because they are all jealous of her. Now, those who follow me may remember the ice cream video I did talking about how I wanna see an MMC with vitiligo. Whelp I finally found one and sadly he is NOT what I envisioned!!! Zane is a short king who is a bit too comfortable waving around a gun. Watching him and Brandy come up with and enact their plans is like watching Dumb & Dumber. Honestly, I think Lloyd & Harry had better heads on their shoulders and at least they had good hearts. Brandy & Zane are scandalous. SMH

Finding themselves homeless, our MCs decide that home invasion is the BEST route for long term housing.

Ya'll now these two goombas are dealing with a hostage/roommate who is obsessed with the Civil War Era and has tales of an Anti-American Militia. Like What?!?!

I feel like the ending was both predictable yet unexpected. How it can be both, I have no idea. But I was not shocked by the "big" twist yet after said reveal things did NOT go how I thought. And the ending was unexpected.

I liked it and would definitely recommend.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 4 out of 5]

🤯🤯

The Hostage was an enjoyable read, perfect for the spooky and fall season. The beginning didn’t prepare me for what was going to happen. I felt like Brandy and Zane were the worst criminals, so much so that it became entertaining. 😂 Like how do you pick the craziest one to take hostage. They got beat at their own game and I was impressed. I thought the idea that Carlotta was an author and was basically telling a story, within the story was a good touch. However, I wanted more insight on Brandy’s mental health because it played a huge role in her behavior but it wasn’t very fleshed out. There was a good amount of plot twists in this book, I was too stunned. Whew 🤯I will definitely be checking out more of this author.

[Dani Adell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️: It started off pretty strong but the ending did not do it for me. Also the plot twist was predictable.

[Reading_Utopia! · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read:

4.25⭐️

Introducing the two most unpredictable and chaotic friends you’ll ever meet—Brandy and Zane! "The Hostage: A Halloween Psychological Thriller, follows their insane adventure after getting evicted. Desperate to escape the streets, they hatch a bold plan to break into the home of an agoraphobic woman for shelter. What begins as a rough night quickly spirals into chaos that’s just getting started! If you're on the hunt for a heart-pounding, dark, and spooky read this Halloween, you absolutely can't miss Samyra Alexander’s The Hostage. And don’t forget, the audiobook is narrated by the amazing J. R. Mason, who brings every thrilling moment to life!

1st read:

A Great End to Halloween!

I saw this book on TikTok, as a result of my obsession with beautiful covers, I had to read this psychological thriller! The Hostage follows Brandy and Zane, two people I wanted to strangle although I couldn’t stop reading their story. As this unimaginable drama unfolded I was hooked, left flabbergasted, and extremely satisfied.

[Alyssa Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is by far one of the worst I’ve read in a very long time. In addition to the copious amount of grammatical errors, the writing technique likens itself to one utilized by someone who is taking a prerequisite class just to place into an intro to creative writing class. There is a ridiculous amount of overexplaining & the plot has entirely too many gaps. It appears that the author heavily leaned on the plot twist ending, which is the highlight of the entire book, though even that is lackluster and disappointing. I was looking for a Halloween thriller that would be tantalizing during spooky season, but I find myself now haunted by the fact that this book exists in the world and people are raving about it.

[Nikki B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute and funny thriller. Very entertaining to say the least. Definitely wanted to strangle Brandy and Zane because honey they got on my nerves. They were bat s… crazy lol. The plot twist was good also. A great read if you want a quick thriller to read.

[Fatima Munroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

THESE. PEOPLE. WERE. ALL. CRAZY.

When Samyra writes a psychological thriller, READ IT. Because I guarantee it won’t be like anything you’ve read previously. Let’s get into this review.

Zane and Brandy had issues. I’ll leave it at that. But when she came up with the bright idea to strong arm their way into the home of someone they: a. didn’t know and b. underestimated, is when the story went left. Mind you: it wasn’t a bad left, more like the road that went straight through the middle of Crazy Town.

Enter Carlotta (definitely the mayor of Crazy Town), who lived in a house full of rodents that she also had an understanding with. Apparently Carlotta is also the author of fictional facts, and the tale she spun on Brandy and Zane was so outrageous that…you know what. Read the book. That’s all I’m gonna say.


This was a good read. Great job Samyra!

[Rosetta Delancy · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

*ARC Audiobook review* i enjoyed the narration and immersion audio. I was left speechless with the turn of events. Everyone has secrets and some are more sinister and mind boggling. When people don’t take accountability for themselves (health & actions) resulting in other people suffer for you, even the ones who are not directly present. Do you follow your friends to the end of the earth? The ending has me looking sideways at the audacity and the “good deeds” that happens every year. 🥴

*Just remember your parents are your first teachers *

[ReadMyMind.withAndrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my very first spooky read ever! I came in blind, not knowing what to expect, but this story did not disappoint. Honestly, the biggest disappointment was Brandy. I had enough of her behavior as she was problematic along with her side kick Zane. If it wasn't one thing, it was another with them. This is a story that I couldn't predict what would happen next. This book had shock value. You never know what might happen next. Oh, and the plot twist! Wow! Unbelievable!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I don’t even have words to describe this book, and if listening to the audiobook, get ready, it’s a crazy ride! The story definitely has so many twists and turns, all of which are unexpected. Better yet, you’ll understand better once you read the book. 😊

[Sam DeCarlo · Rating 1 out of 5]

What did I just read

[Sophie Frisch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero stars. I have nothing nice to say. This was awful.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5 Stars

This book was wild in a way I honestly did not expect. The premise pulled me in immediately, spooky season vibes, psychological tension, questionable decisions all around, and I stayed locked in because I genuinely wanted to see how it would all shake out.

Let me say this upfront, the audiobook narration was the real star here. The narrator did an amazing job bringing the atmosphere to life, and the sound effects were such a nice touch. They added tension, unease, and just enough creepiness to keep me engaged even when the story itself started feeling a little chaotic. Without that performance, I don’t think I would have stayed as invested as I did.

Story wise, it was entertaining but uneven. The concept had potential, but some of the character choices had me side eyeing hard, and parts of the plot felt a bit all over the place. I wasn’t always convinced by the logic, and there were moments where I wanted more depth or clearer direction instead of shock for shock’s sake. That said, I was never bored, which counts for something.

This didn’t fully deliver the psychological thriller experience I was expecting, but it did keep me curious and entertained. The narrator and sound design absolutely carried this one for me and made the listening experience far more enjoyable than the story alone might have been.

Overall, a solid 3.5 stars. Messy, unsettling, oddly entertaining, and worth the listen if you enjoy thrillers that lean a little unhinged and benefit from strong audio production.

[K.L. F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining chaos with a disturbing story tucked inside

Brandy and Zane had entirely too much confidence for two people making these decisions. Their solution to needing somewhere to live is to take over someone else’s home, and somehow they think they have this figured out. Meanwhile, I’m reading like, how exactly do y’all see this working?

What I enjoyed most was the story within the story. Carlotta reading her manuscript adds another layer to what’s happening in the house, especially when you start questioning who actually has control. She’s a much more interesting character than Brandy and Zane initially give her credit for.

The dark humor was a big part of my enjoyment. The thriller elements became more prominent toward the end, but the characters’ behavior gave me plenty to react to along the way. I also appreciated that Brandy and Carlotta had mental health conditions without their diagnoses being the only things we learned about them.

An entertaining, uncomfortable read with some truly questionable decisions. And those rats? Absolutely not.

[Marcie · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

There was not a single character I could latch on to in this book. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Not one person to root for- at this point, everybody can die terrible deaths (jk) 🤣 I feel like I was given dessert before dinner- there is a whole lot of drama that leaves your “mouth hanging wide open” weaved all through this book and it definitely held my attention, I just needed more meat and potatoes (context) to make it work in my head.

At some point, I have to ask the author where she is pulling these characters from. This could have been an x files episode 🤣

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

What I enjoyed the most about this book was how quickly I despised the two main characters 😂 I enjoyed the way that the storyline flowed and how the plot kept me entertained wanting to know if they would ever change. There are some twists and turns in this book that adds suspense to it and keep you guessing until the very end. I found myself constantly hoping that the characters would have a wake up call before it was too late. I highly suggest reading this book if you are someone who enjoys psychological thrillers or books that will cause you to question the actions of others. I also enjoyed how this book brought awareness to bipolar disorders and some manic episodes that people struggle with. It was my first time reading a book by this author and it certainly will not be the last!

[Gabby Penn Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those people were crazy!

I enjoyed this. I just wanted a little more with the “hostage” situation. A little more creepiness to match the cover.
All the people in this book were crazy, so that kept me wondering and guessing what was next!

[KELLY MONIQUE KIRKLAND · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandy and Zane don’t know the meaning of best friend. I guess Brandy don’t have any short or long term goals for herself because she too busy trying to make sure Zane live his dream. The question is will they make it to live that dream. I really enjoyed reading this novel.

[BriAnn Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different for me

I believe this was my first thriller a trip I went . Definitely different and weird in a way but good . Alil confused in the beginning but come together quick 🤦🏽‍♀️ Zane and brandy needed the ass beat but I was hoping the learned they lesson and turned they life around 😂 but Everybody in this story was bonkers 😂

[CourtneyRenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you thought you was safe. This book was so wild. I didn't anticipate anything that happened at all. Stop messing with people is the lesson because you never know what or who you are dealing with!

[Elonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! I was so angry with everyone! At first I was annoyed with Carlotta’s novel, I was thinking where is this story going and why is she telling it. Then it all made sense! Everyone should have been treated like Brandy and Zane! 😂

[Kenna McNair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would give it a 3.75. Easy fast read

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

With a twist here and another twist there. Story inside story. It all ties together perfectly for an entertaining read

[Bryanna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

kept me on the edge of my seat

I couldn’t guess how this story would end. I love a plot twist. The ending was bittersweet for me but I still loved it.

[Shekie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg

Omg I love this book. I felt like I was actually watching this book ass movie. I never read anything like this before. Definitely worth the read!!