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The Boy at No. 9 Whitlock
Out of print.
Paperback
Published February 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 12, 2024
The Boy at Whitlock No. 9 is a coming-of-age horror story like no other.
Haunting, heartbreaking, and beautifully executed. It's a difficult read, not so much because of the supernatural elements but rather because of the human monsters. I know pieces of this one will echo through my mind for a long time yet.
If you're looking for a chilling coming-of-age story, this may be the one for you.
Haunting, heartbreaking, and beautifully executed. It's a difficult read, not so much because of the supernatural elements but rather because of the human monsters. I know pieces of this one will echo through my mind for a long time yet.
If you're looking for a chilling coming-of-age story, this may be the one for you.
December 3, 2024
A short, sharp, shock of a book!
Didn’t really know what I was expecting when this little book turned up on my doorstep, the cover doesn’t hint at the sorrow and horror within, if anything it’s very understated. But the horror and grief and palpable dread within make this a story to remember.
Also the father in this book is a total asshole, loved how L. Stephenson made me hate him so much!
Didn’t really know what I was expecting when this little book turned up on my doorstep, the cover doesn’t hint at the sorrow and horror within, if anything it’s very understated. But the horror and grief and palpable dread within make this a story to remember.
Also the father in this book is a total asshole, loved how L. Stephenson made me hate him so much!
November 25, 2024
The story of Matthew Rose is haunting and harrowing. There were plenty of raw emotional moments in here that had me wincing almost as much as the twisted and scarily creative body horror. Definitely one for gore lovers!
September 7, 2024
The Boy at No. 9 Whitlock is a quick, gruesome read that’s sure to pierce your heart, as well as surprise you with the amount of nuance Stephenson managed to pack into so few pages.
As I’ve come to expect from him, Stephenson utilizes language in such a remarkably evocative way that the scenes in this book played out in my head crisp and clear, teasing my senses (the way I crinkled my nose in secondhand pain and covered it with my hand at the opening scene, lol). He also knows how to subtly destroy all my feelings with the most casual observations that might, to the skimming eye, seem like completely normal, innocuous sentences (I wish I could tell poor Matthew that sometimes “family” means absolutely nothing).
This is a story that urges readers to look a little deeper and sit with the text: a conversation piece read. Themes of guilt, personal responsibility, and the nature of punishment run deep here, to name only a few. Then, of course, there is the obvious: don’t mess with things beyond human understanding and never trust a demon (I had to, how could I not).
A layered read that’s bound to live rent free in your head well after you’ve put the book down.
Content to be aware of: (internalized) homophobia, child abuse, violence and animal cruelty, self-harm and suicide.
As I’ve come to expect from him, Stephenson utilizes language in such a remarkably evocative way that the scenes in this book played out in my head crisp and clear, teasing my senses (the way I crinkled my nose in secondhand pain and covered it with my hand at the opening scene, lol). He also knows how to subtly destroy all my feelings with the most casual observations that might, to the skimming eye, seem like completely normal, innocuous sentences (I wish I could tell poor Matthew that sometimes “family” means absolutely nothing).
This is a story that urges readers to look a little deeper and sit with the text: a conversation piece read. Themes of guilt, personal responsibility, and the nature of punishment run deep here, to name only a few. Then, of course, there is the obvious: don’t mess with things beyond human understanding and never trust a demon (I had to, how could I not).
A layered read that’s bound to live rent free in your head well after you’ve put the book down.
Content to be aware of: (internalized) homophobia, child abuse, violence and animal cruelty, self-harm and suicide.
September 23, 2024
The author provided me with a physical ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
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Starts as a Spark and quickly becomes a bright flame that burns fast and hot. this is a story that will come at you from out the shadows, knee you in the stomach, and keep at you till your ribs are caved in, one lung is collapsed and your heart is spasming. There is a terrible beauty in this tragic tale. I found myself pausing periodically, not becauseL. Stephenson's writing was too extreme. With each twist of the knife, every human act of pain driven by fear, or unrequited love or self loathing, each time I was drawn to take a moment. It was akin to savoring a sip of a nicely aged single malt whiskey (I'm partial to highland malts myself).
Amongst each fresh wave of pain and suffering Matthew and those he care about try desperately to snatch small moments of love and tenderness. The Boy at No.9 Whitlock will leave you starring into space, taking measured deep breaths. Stephenson takes your heart and mind on the proverbial ride, leaving you dumped in the roadside ditch. You'll dust yourself off, and find yourself thinking back over Matthews journey. That is the sign of a great story, it beats the tar out of you, and leaves you wanting more.
-
Starts as a Spark and quickly becomes a bright flame that burns fast and hot. this is a story that will come at you from out the shadows, knee you in the stomach, and keep at you till your ribs are caved in, one lung is collapsed and your heart is spasming. There is a terrible beauty in this tragic tale. I found myself pausing periodically, not becauseL. Stephenson's writing was too extreme. With each twist of the knife, every human act of pain driven by fear, or unrequited love or self loathing, each time I was drawn to take a moment. It was akin to savoring a sip of a nicely aged single malt whiskey (I'm partial to highland malts myself).
Amongst each fresh wave of pain and suffering Matthew and those he care about try desperately to snatch small moments of love and tenderness. The Boy at No.9 Whitlock will leave you starring into space, taking measured deep breaths. Stephenson takes your heart and mind on the proverbial ride, leaving you dumped in the roadside ditch. You'll dust yourself off, and find yourself thinking back over Matthews journey. That is the sign of a great story, it beats the tar out of you, and leaves you wanting more.
February 17, 2025
While short, this is the book version of 'here for a good time, not a long time.
A gut-wrenching, horrifying, breakneck story that I couldn't put down. The protagonists were incredibly likable, and the antagonists were beyond despicable. And, though their stay was brief, one of the most memorable and viciously evil entities I've ever encountered in a horror book.
This is the first Stephenson story I've read, but I can't wait to see what else they have to offer.
A gut-wrenching, horrifying, breakneck story that I couldn't put down. The protagonists were incredibly likable, and the antagonists were beyond despicable. And, though their stay was brief, one of the most memorable and viciously evil entities I've ever encountered in a horror book.
This is the first Stephenson story I've read, but I can't wait to see what else they have to offer.
October 7, 2024
Matthew Rose's whole existence is dripping with grief, sorrow, pain, and hopelessness. You can't help as you read sinking deep down in the grief and despair this young man experiences. L Stephenson is a gifted writer, and as evident in this short story, you will feel all the feels and your heart will grieve. Tragedy, a demon, and one heck of a story!
September 22, 2024
Matthew Rose will break you. Stephenson shows that horror isn’t all about sending chills down one’s spine; sometimes, it can be about moving the heart.
October 15, 2024
4.5 rounded up
*Review to come
*Review to come
April 1, 2025
A dark coming of age story that turns grief on its head.
This story’s theme is horror and contains abuse, grief and bullying, which might trigger some readers.
This tale is extremely fast paced, and packs quite a punch for a short story.
Well worth a read, and I will be checking all around the room before I go to bed tonight!
This story’s theme is horror and contains abuse, grief and bullying, which might trigger some readers.
This tale is extremely fast paced, and packs quite a punch for a short story.
Well worth a read, and I will be checking all around the room before I go to bed tonight!
October 14, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Boy At No. 9 Whitlock' by L.Stephenson
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, GOTHIC, CHILLING, GRUESOME AND PAGE TURNING EXPLOSIVE MUST READ HORROR!!!
Well, what can I say about this brilliant and chilling novella apart from it has my surname in the title (my name is Kirsty Whitlock) so ummmmm...... what more could you ask for? End of review. Grab your copy now and if your local i will even sign it for you lol!!
No.... seriously... (OK I was serious about buying it but...) on with my review......
This book is extremely well written with vivid and evocative descriptions that really put you in the storyline, feeling the hair on your arms raise and putting you on the edge of your seat!!!
i absolutely loved L. Stephenson's debut novel 'The Boatmore Butcher' and must admit that although Stephenson amazingly gave this book my surname as the title and in it I must admit that I was a bit dubious as to whether he would be able to write another book that was just as good and as chilling as that one was!! Well, i am pleased to say that I had absolutely nothing to worry about!! Although this book is short at just 86 pages making it more of a novella Stephenson has managed to ram a lot in those pages!! In this story we meet 12 year old Matthew Rose who has had an awful twelve years from bad parents to horrible bullies things still manage to go from bad to worse!! It is a story filled with horror, revenge, gruesomeness, romance, family and so much more!! If you want to discover more about this hair raising book then grab your copy today! I promise that you will not regret it!!! i absolutely loved the fantastic illustrations throughout the book which added to the chill in the air when reading it so a HUGE congratulations to both L.Stephenson and the other illustrator Ronaldo Katwaroo for those!! I absolutely loved this book I mean Just OMG!!! The gruesome, unique and I must say, extremely clever, killings, the backstory, the action, the characters, the absolutely MIND BLOWING TWISTS AND TURNS!!! This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie and I hope to God he is busy writing his next book because I need them in my life now. The looks I was getting from my partner because of the amount of times I shouted out 'WTAF!!' , 'OMFG!!' and 'No FLexking way did THAT just happen' I seriously lost count. I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING this book is!!! There are just no words. My advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! If you love horror, crime, unique, mind blowing, action packed ... Do you know what...whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I absolutely LOVED this addictive, explosive, creepy, horrific, chilling page turner!!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the characters to the settings to the brutal deaths. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Stephenson absolutely smashes it out of the park with this one!! It really is an absolutely addictive, chilling page turner that there was no way I could put down until I had finished it. I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to my book for a couple of hours!! Stephenson's evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I just cannot wait to get hooked into his next book!!! I have just never come across a book or movie anything like this one and I doubt I will again!!!! I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT!!! This book will suck you in and keep you gripped in the pages until your thrown out at the end with a racing heart!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! Get ready to pick your jaw up from the floor at the many, many twists that you will NEVER see coming!! I would like to take this moment to thank you again L.Stephenson for choosing my surname to use at the title and street name in your book, you genuinely have no idea how much it means to me and I must admit I am so glad that i loved it as I was a bit worried that I may not and would have felt awful if that was the case as I always have been an honest reviewer and would have had to say something but I LOVED the book, LOVED that you used my surname and I genuinely cannot wait to see what you come out with next!!! i absolutely love your fantastic, graphic and gruesome imagination in coming up with this storyline and images and here is to many, many more!!!
Clear your schedules before turning a single page as this book is truly unputdownable!!! Genuinely one of the best horrors I have ever read!!!
This book is one of the BEST horrors and definitely the best horror novella I have ever read !!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a couple of hours!!! When the hell is this being made into a film and when are you bringing your next book out as I need my next slasher hit!!!
Well done L.Stephenson on yet another absolutely addictive and explosive page turner!!! This is the exact reason you are in my top 3 favourite horror author list as well as my top 3 male author list!!! Congratulations on another absolutely fantastic success and here is to what is guaranteed to be many more 🥂
Overall an absolutely addictive, action packed, horror novella that will keep you turning the pages until you've devoured the book in hours!!
#TheBoyAtNo9Whitlock #LStephenson #L._stephenson #l_stephenson #RonaldoKatwaroo #Bookstagram #BookBlogger
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Review for 'The Boy At No. 9 Whitlock' by L.Stephenson
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, GOTHIC, CHILLING, GRUESOME AND PAGE TURNING EXPLOSIVE MUST READ HORROR!!!
Well, what can I say about this brilliant and chilling novella apart from it has my surname in the title (my name is Kirsty Whitlock) so ummmmm...... what more could you ask for? End of review. Grab your copy now and if your local i will even sign it for you lol!!
No.... seriously... (OK I was serious about buying it but...) on with my review......
This book is extremely well written with vivid and evocative descriptions that really put you in the storyline, feeling the hair on your arms raise and putting you on the edge of your seat!!!
i absolutely loved L. Stephenson's debut novel 'The Boatmore Butcher' and must admit that although Stephenson amazingly gave this book my surname as the title and in it I must admit that I was a bit dubious as to whether he would be able to write another book that was just as good and as chilling as that one was!! Well, i am pleased to say that I had absolutely nothing to worry about!! Although this book is short at just 86 pages making it more of a novella Stephenson has managed to ram a lot in those pages!! In this story we meet 12 year old Matthew Rose who has had an awful twelve years from bad parents to horrible bullies things still manage to go from bad to worse!! It is a story filled with horror, revenge, gruesomeness, romance, family and so much more!! If you want to discover more about this hair raising book then grab your copy today! I promise that you will not regret it!!! i absolutely loved the fantastic illustrations throughout the book which added to the chill in the air when reading it so a HUGE congratulations to both L.Stephenson and the other illustrator Ronaldo Katwaroo for those!! I absolutely loved this book I mean Just OMG!!! The gruesome, unique and I must say, extremely clever, killings, the backstory, the action, the characters, the absolutely MIND BLOWING TWISTS AND TURNS!!! This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie and I hope to God he is busy writing his next book because I need them in my life now. The looks I was getting from my partner because of the amount of times I shouted out 'WTAF!!' , 'OMFG!!' and 'No FLexking way did THAT just happen' I seriously lost count. I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING this book is!!! There are just no words. My advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! If you love horror, crime, unique, mind blowing, action packed ... Do you know what...whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I absolutely LOVED this addictive, explosive, creepy, horrific, chilling page turner!!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the characters to the settings to the brutal deaths. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Stephenson absolutely smashes it out of the park with this one!! It really is an absolutely addictive, chilling page turner that there was no way I could put down until I had finished it. I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to my book for a couple of hours!! Stephenson's evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I just cannot wait to get hooked into his next book!!! I have just never come across a book or movie anything like this one and I doubt I will again!!!! I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT!!! This book will suck you in and keep you gripped in the pages until your thrown out at the end with a racing heart!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! Get ready to pick your jaw up from the floor at the many, many twists that you will NEVER see coming!! I would like to take this moment to thank you again L.Stephenson for choosing my surname to use at the title and street name in your book, you genuinely have no idea how much it means to me and I must admit I am so glad that i loved it as I was a bit worried that I may not and would have felt awful if that was the case as I always have been an honest reviewer and would have had to say something but I LOVED the book, LOVED that you used my surname and I genuinely cannot wait to see what you come out with next!!! i absolutely love your fantastic, graphic and gruesome imagination in coming up with this storyline and images and here is to many, many more!!!
Clear your schedules before turning a single page as this book is truly unputdownable!!! Genuinely one of the best horrors I have ever read!!!
This book is one of the BEST horrors and definitely the best horror novella I have ever read !!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a couple of hours!!! When the hell is this being made into a film and when are you bringing your next book out as I need my next slasher hit!!!
Well done L.Stephenson on yet another absolutely addictive and explosive page turner!!! This is the exact reason you are in my top 3 favourite horror author list as well as my top 3 male author list!!! Congratulations on another absolutely fantastic success and here is to what is guaranteed to be many more 🥂
Overall an absolutely addictive, action packed, horror novella that will keep you turning the pages until you've devoured the book in hours!!
#TheBoyAtNo9Whitlock #LStephenson #L._stephenson #l_stephenson #RonaldoKatwaroo #Bookstagram #BookBlogger
@LStephenson @L._stephenson @l_stephenson @RonaldoKatwaroo @Bookstagram @BookBlogger
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October 6, 2024
Having read Stephenson’s Boatmore Butcher a few months ago, I was excited for the release of this new novella as I enjoy seeing how versatile an author is with their writing.
There is a lot of content packed into less than 100 pages here and I absolutely plowed through it. The plot is directly centred around Matthew and his hardships, as opposed to something much grander, but let me tell you: a lot happens!
I really enjoyed following Matthew and his friends through their day to day life. It’s was certainly filled with sadness, but the kids at play element of things brought me right back to my own childhood. I think it would resonate with a lot of people’s(if you’re not still a foetus) memories of their youth, and hit that nostalgic sweet spot.
Then we get into the growing madness of the book…. Which I really can’t spoil, but it’s very out there and gave me some vintage ‘creature feature’ vibes. There’s a lot of weirdness, and Stephenson’s writing painted the picture incredibly well. The ending too felt like a perfect way to wrap up this succinct novella.
I think if you’re completely new to the author, this is a perfect pick to dip your toe in, but also, it’s an excellent spooky season read, so what are you waiting for?
There is a lot of content packed into less than 100 pages here and I absolutely plowed through it. The plot is directly centred around Matthew and his hardships, as opposed to something much grander, but let me tell you: a lot happens!
I really enjoyed following Matthew and his friends through their day to day life. It’s was certainly filled with sadness, but the kids at play element of things brought me right back to my own childhood. I think it would resonate with a lot of people’s(if you’re not still a foetus) memories of their youth, and hit that nostalgic sweet spot.
Then we get into the growing madness of the book…. Which I really can’t spoil, but it’s very out there and gave me some vintage ‘creature feature’ vibes. There’s a lot of weirdness, and Stephenson’s writing painted the picture incredibly well. The ending too felt like a perfect way to wrap up this succinct novella.
I think if you’re completely new to the author, this is a perfect pick to dip your toe in, but also, it’s an excellent spooky season read, so what are you waiting for?
September 11, 2024
. Stephenson does it again! This book made my dark heart sing! I'm a girl that loved IT (in the way that it presented a younger voice.) I actually think Matthew's Punishment was better. The coming of age type story was delivered with authenticity and the utter nightmare that young adulthood is. That was one thing that really spoke to me, it took me back to those years and that wasn't yesterday, let me tell you!
This is going to be a book you'll want to go blind in to. The author's writing is rich and smooth, like a nice Colombian. How does this book make you feel? Unseated. I couldn't relax for a minute. This book feels akin to treading a field notoriously dotted with land mines. This story has heart, emotion and a pulse so strong I could feel the book vibrate in my shaking hands.
Add to this Stephenson's strong characterization and undeniable authorial voice. I honestly believe that Stephenson is one of the very best in horror fiction. The full package - Plotting, characterisation and tension.
This is going to be a book you'll want to go blind in to. The author's writing is rich and smooth, like a nice Colombian. How does this book make you feel? Unseated. I couldn't relax for a minute. This book feels akin to treading a field notoriously dotted with land mines. This story has heart, emotion and a pulse so strong I could feel the book vibrate in my shaking hands.
Add to this Stephenson's strong characterization and undeniable authorial voice. I honestly believe that Stephenson is one of the very best in horror fiction. The full package - Plotting, characterisation and tension.
April 23, 2025
The Boy at No 9 Whitlock
L Stephenson
02/27/2025
78 Pages
Genre – Horror (but there is a lot more to this than horror)
If I had a dollar for every time I wanted to throw my book across the room or throat punch the father – I would at least have enough money to buy a new bookshelf! It is really hard to write a review for a novella that is so impactful, without giving any spoilers so let me leave you with this – Horror is more than a jump scare. This is a dark fast-burning story with themes—abuse, loss, and bullying—and may be unsettling for some readers. But if you’re ready to dive into a psychological descent with emotional bite, this one lands hard and fast. Short in length, heavy in impact
L Stephenson
02/27/2025
78 Pages
Genre – Horror (but there is a lot more to this than horror)
If I had a dollar for every time I wanted to throw my book across the room or throat punch the father – I would at least have enough money to buy a new bookshelf! It is really hard to write a review for a novella that is so impactful, without giving any spoilers so let me leave you with this – Horror is more than a jump scare. This is a dark fast-burning story with themes—abuse, loss, and bullying—and may be unsettling for some readers. But if you’re ready to dive into a psychological descent with emotional bite, this one lands hard and fast. Short in length, heavy in impact
December 26, 2024
I really enjoy this book. Great ending not what I expected.Another book that you just want to take your time reading.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews