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The Evils We Keep: A chilling psychological horror
Silence can be the most terrifying scream
Twenty-two-year-old Sally Lovett is struggling to move on from the nightmares that persist following the death of her father three years ago in what the police described as a tragic accident. But what really happened that day?
Things change when Sally meets a handsome man named Jason during a night out in her sleepy, seaside town. A relationship begins – which she chronicles in her diary. But she soon discovers that something’s not quite right about Jason. Or his house she moves into. Or the woods that surround it…
Meanwhile, two hours north in London, Laura Roberts wakes up one day feeling inexplicably strange, as if everything has changed, although nothing has. Not her job, her boss, or the flat she shares with her boyfriend, except suddenly, the name Sally appears wherever she goes, a name that seems to hold a grim secret.
As strange and disturbing things begin happening to both Sally and Laura, they realise something terrifying awaits them… something that binds them together and to that fateful day three years ago in a way they could never have imagined, and that they may never escape.
Twenty-two-year-old Sally Lovett is struggling to move on from the nightmares that persist following the death of her father three years ago in what the police described as a tragic accident. But what really happened that day?
Things change when Sally meets a handsome man named Jason during a night out in her sleepy, seaside town. A relationship begins – which she chronicles in her diary. But she soon discovers that something’s not quite right about Jason. Or his house she moves into. Or the woods that surround it…
Meanwhile, two hours north in London, Laura Roberts wakes up one day feeling inexplicably strange, as if everything has changed, although nothing has. Not her job, her boss, or the flat she shares with her boyfriend, except suddenly, the name Sally appears wherever she goes, a name that seems to hold a grim secret.
As strange and disturbing things begin happening to both Sally and Laura, they realise something terrifying awaits them… something that binds them together and to that fateful day three years ago in a way they could never have imagined, and that they may never escape.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2025
About the author
Roland Blake
3 books2 followersRoland Blake is a writer in the Horror and Suspense genre. For as long as memory permits, Roland has immersed himself in the strange and supernatural worlds of dark film and fiction. Perhaps too long. Growing up, he read everything from The Brothers Grimm to Stephen King or could often be found shut away watching re-runs of Hammer House of Horror and The Twilight Zone. Not a lot has changed. Now Roland writes his own macabre tales – atmospheric stories that often blend disturbing, psychological horror with strong and intriguing characters.
A native of London, Roland has spent his life searching for spiritual nirvana amidst an often fraught and chaotic world. He is still searching. He now lives in the Shires in the South-East of England with his family where he enjoys listening to the Owls hoot at night.
A native of London, Roland has spent his life searching for spiritual nirvana amidst an often fraught and chaotic world. He is still searching. He now lives in the Shires in the South-East of England with his family where he enjoys listening to the Owls hoot at night.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 5, 2025
Wow, what a read. This novel was a haunting blend of psychological and supernatural horror that utilized unreliable narrators and multiple POVs to keep the reader guessing throughout the story. Things really start to pick up about a quarter of the way through, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself having trouble putting it down! Overall, it was a superbly written and captivating tale of good vs. evil and possession (both in the sense of demonic possession and domestic violence).
In addition to unreliable narrators and multiple POVs, anybody that wants to check off “uses diary entries” or “multiple timelines” from their new 2025 reading challenges need to give this one a look when it releases this week!
Synopsis:
“When twenty-two-year-old Sally Lovett meets a handsome man named Jason during a night out in her sleepy seaside town, it’s love at first sight. Not only is he exotic-looking, gorgeous, and totally infatuated with her, but their blossoming relationship—which she chronicles in her diary—is a welcome distraction from the nightmares that persist following the tragic accident that killed her father. But something’s not quite right about Jason. Or his house she moves into. Or the woods that surround it. And she soon discovers there’s a lot more to Jason that she doesn’t know…
Two hours north in London, Laura Roberts wakes up one day feeling inexplicably strange, as if everything has changed, although nothing has. Not her job, her boss, or her mild irritation at her boyfriend following her miscarriage. Except suddenly, the name Sally keeps popping up everywhere, from graffiti to the whispers of a homeless man she passes on the street.
As strange and disturbing things begin happening to both Sally and Laura, they realise something terrifying awaits them…something that binds them together in a way they could never have imagined, and that they may never escape.”
In addition to unreliable narrators and multiple POVs, anybody that wants to check off “uses diary entries” or “multiple timelines” from their new 2025 reading challenges need to give this one a look when it releases this week!
Synopsis:
“When twenty-two-year-old Sally Lovett meets a handsome man named Jason during a night out in her sleepy seaside town, it’s love at first sight. Not only is he exotic-looking, gorgeous, and totally infatuated with her, but their blossoming relationship—which she chronicles in her diary—is a welcome distraction from the nightmares that persist following the tragic accident that killed her father. But something’s not quite right about Jason. Or his house she moves into. Or the woods that surround it. And she soon discovers there’s a lot more to Jason that she doesn’t know…
Two hours north in London, Laura Roberts wakes up one day feeling inexplicably strange, as if everything has changed, although nothing has. Not her job, her boss, or her mild irritation at her boyfriend following her miscarriage. Except suddenly, the name Sally keeps popping up everywhere, from graffiti to the whispers of a homeless man she passes on the street.
As strange and disturbing things begin happening to both Sally and Laura, they realise something terrifying awaits them…something that binds them together in a way they could never have imagined, and that they may never escape.”
January 10, 2025
There are two stories in this novel. The first is a folklore legend about a South American shaman who is doomed to forever search for his lost love; that does not belong to him. The other is how guilt can help us to manifest fear: the fear then changes one’s perspective so that they never face original feelings of guilt. I found this book powerful. After I finished reading this book I needed a few moments to gather my thoughts. I have so many emotions regarding this book. I am having a hard time writing them down. The relationship between children and parents can be so complex. Sally both loved and hated her father. What she did in a spur of the moment thought affected her deeply. It would be easy to condemn her actions until, that is, the reader puts themself in the same position. No one really knows what they will do in another’s place. I felt terrible for all the things Sally experienced. The aspect of Jason finding something evil in Peru added even more mystery to this book. When everything comes together at the end of the book I admit I cried a few tears. The message within these pages is a powerful one…one I will not forget.
January 7, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! Author Roland Blake has written a crackerjack of a psychological horror tale of a young lady named Sarah, whose father had recently died tragically, resulting in terrible nightmares. One evening, she meets Jason (not THAT Jason!), with whom she quickly falls in love. And the feeling is mutual.
But is it?
All is well, then Sarah moves in with Jason and notices something is not quite right.
Meanwhile, miles and miles away, another young lady, Laura, hears the name "Sarah" everywhere she turns. She doesn't know anyone named Sarah, but she's inexplicably pulled in Sarah's direction.
Is Sarah in danger from her new love?
Is Laura supposed to help her, even though she doesn't know who, or where she is?
How are the two ladies connected?
Mr. Blake has craftfully woven this story, using multiple points of view, in a way that keeps the suspense and the frights going. The very beginning is a little slow, but it doesn't take long for this one to take off, and when it does, hold on!
Great book, highly recommended. 5 Stars!
But is it?
All is well, then Sarah moves in with Jason and notices something is not quite right.
Meanwhile, miles and miles away, another young lady, Laura, hears the name "Sarah" everywhere she turns. She doesn't know anyone named Sarah, but she's inexplicably pulled in Sarah's direction.
Is Sarah in danger from her new love?
Is Laura supposed to help her, even though she doesn't know who, or where she is?
How are the two ladies connected?
Mr. Blake has craftfully woven this story, using multiple points of view, in a way that keeps the suspense and the frights going. The very beginning is a little slow, but it doesn't take long for this one to take off, and when it does, hold on!
Great book, highly recommended. 5 Stars!
May 20, 2025
I haven’t read the full book yet, but the summary alone gave me chills. The mystery surrounding Sally’s father, her eerie new relationship, and Laura’s strange experiences in another city all hint at a dark, twisty story. It sounds like one of those thrillers where everything connects in an unexpected way, definitely adding this to my to-read list!
January 7, 2025
Sally thinks she has found Mr. Right. But things start getting strange. Can anyone help her. Haunting read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews