Torch: A Horror Short

by J.M. Gokey

The highly anticipated sequel to “Lantern” — Book 2 in the Enfield Horror Series



Meet Beauregard Baker — Beau for short

It’s always been Beau and Billy, brothers bonded for life

Billy has sinned

Billy has wronged his brother

Billy deserves what’s coming for him

His higher power has called him to action, and Beau is more than willing to oblige


While it is highly recommended to read “Lantern” first — Torch can also be read as a standalone



Torch contains subject matter that some readers may find disturbing

53 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2025

About the author

J.M. Gokey is a self published fantasy and horror author. Her debut novel is The Chosen. When not writing, she is an avid reader, and always caffeinated. She lives in Ansonia, CT with her husband and son.

Reviews

[Becks! · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐'s

[Bambi Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau lives with his mom and his brother Billy.

Billy has some peculiar hobbies that Beau has to continuously fix in addition to completing assignments his Master gives him.

Beau has always kept to himself until he meets Mary.

Beau was finally happy until Billy went and ruined it.

Staying loyal to his Master, Beau completes his missions, leaving us with a bittersweet ending.

This was my first experience with J.M. Gokey, and I'll definitely be back for more!

[Alenna Burleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story we follow Beau and his brother Billy. Billy is always messing with a girl he shouldn’t be and Beau has to clean up the mess from it. When Beau finds himself a girl he really loves he has to find a way to protect her from Billy.

This was such a good read oh my gosh I Know that Beau was not a good person either but my god was a rooting for him the whole time. I loved all the characters and I definitely enjoyed this mini series.

[Laynara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!

This book left me in a state of shock the entire time and I was so happy Beau was escaping his family but then that end!!!!

[Craig King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Lantern last year and loved it!!!! I actually reached out to JM on Facebook to ask about a sequel. She came back with this gem.

Highly recommend it!!!

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torch is a totally creepy story revolving around the Baker family, Beauregard "Beau", Billy, and Mum. Beau is just trying to stay alive while serving his Master. But, his younger brother, Billy, has some strange habits that Beau has to clean up after.

Even though Beau is involved in some truly horrible events, I found myself feeling sorry for him. But, I also wanted to shake him for not getting out of a horrific situation. This story will definitely stick with me and probably haunt my sleep! Well-written, with engaging characters, it was a quick and terrifying story.

The narrator did a good job, but it took a bit to really get into her voice. Also, there was very little break between chapters on the audiobook, so you had to really pay attention if you wanted to stop listening at a chapter ending. All in all, I would definitely read more by this author.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought Lantern was already so good, Torch arrives and surpasses all my expectations. This can be read as a standalone and is loosely connected to Lantern, but the most puzzling and intriguing part of both books is the evil that lurks in Enfield.

What is this brooding evil that makes people so...uninhibited and demonic and just overall acting inhuman? In Torch, a little bit more unravels the history of the well and what resides in it, as well as the kinds of people who are reeled in by it, making them submissive to its power.

Also, if you read through to the very end, there will be a surprise waiting for you. I, for one, am already a huge fan of the lore and cannot wait for more.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torch by J.M. Gokey
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a fantastic short horror novella! Poor Beau has a crazy messed up family life! His brother Billy is not a good person. Beau tries to live his life, but feels a higher power has called to him from the inside of a well. He wants to appease this higher power, and give it what it wants. He thinks these offerings will assist with the sins his brother Billy has committed.
This is a well written story and it’s very enjoyable! There’s enough grossness, and darkness to hold every reader!

Thank you to J.M Gokey for an audio of this awesome book!
This is the 2nd book in the Enfield Horror Series.
Book 1 is Lantern, another 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟!

*Both are out now and are excellent novellas! *

[Kevin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torch

J.M. Gokey has done it again. Another fantastic book with suspense and the right touch of gore. We all have someone in our family who might be a bit..off. But, we try to except them as they are. But in this story, our main character is pushed beyond his own sanity, to the point, where he just can't take it anymore. We will do anything to protect those we love, but when your mind and soul shatter, sometimes we will do things we don't even understand. Highly recommended read!!!

[Tammy Riner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this immediately after putting down Lantern. Lantern was a quick and gruesome read that had a scene or two that got a decent visceral reaction from me due to the extreme nature of it. I thought this one would be similar and follow sort of the same path as its predecessor, but I was wrong.

This one is far more fleshed out, with unexpected emotion and a character I felt such conflicting feelings for. Torch makes me excited to read more JM Gokey.

[Mabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.M.’s sequel to Lantern was extremely creepy.

The entire family has serious issues, including Beau. You learn more about Billy’s monstrous acts and discover his mother turns a blind eye to her son’s abominable actions.

Beau hears his master’s voice that tells him to perform horrendous acts, in which he complies.

A love interest causes Beau to make some changes in his life.

If you love horror and gore, this book is for you.

[Sareya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Great Sequel!

Getting to see the background of Bill and being introduced to Beau was so awesome. This had all the darkness and gross parts you want in a short horror story, while also having sweet tender moments of heartfelt love and emotional connection, which I was not expecting! Fitting ending loads of fun to read!

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know when a story makes you feel dirty because you feel bad about the people in the book that are awful people and deserve whatever happened to them, but your empathic side still feels some kind of emotions for them?

That’s how this story made me feel, dirty, disgusted and emotional at the same time. This is a horror short story that feels very complete. I understand this is the second book in a series, but I managed to follow the plot easily without any confusion.

Gokey perfectly balances the horrific lives of Billy, Beau and their mum, giving the reader an insight into their upbringing, through Beau, delving deeper into his parallel life and mental illness. In his precarious mental state, he still tries to create a life for himself with his girlfriend, but happiness was never in his future.

Whilst I felt pity for this highly dysfunctional family, I don’t feel sorry for what happened to them. The descriptions of Billy were so vivid, I felt disgusted just by listening to the audiobook. But, this made me enjoy the short story even more and I’ll be sure to listen to book 1.

Thanks to the author for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.

[Cassandra **The Bibliophagist** · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a great sequel! Book 1 was just not enough for me. I wanted more, more about the characters, backstory, etc. This was exactly what I was looking for in a good horror short story. I loved getting to know more about the characters and the story. I finished listening in roughly an hour. Good short read for those looking for a quick story.

[Bigbookgeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow up to Lantern was so wild! It shows us what happened after the first book, questions get answered, sure, but the old saying “careful what you wish for” definitely applies! Lots of fun and mayhem!

[Katie E Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this one is a good but hard read. So much so fast. Told from the killers brother pov AAWMAZING! Short and sweet tragic love story couldn't put it down! And that ending ugh chefs kiss 💋

[Oscar Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the first one in this series, this is a very quick, fun read. And lke Lantern, it's an extreme horror but very much on the mild end. Highly recommend!

[Cathye Aka OrionReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Another great horror read by J.M. Gokey. She builds tension at just the right speed. I enjoyed it so much.