What Whispers in the Darkness

by Andrew F. Balog

Trapped at a desolate inn during a merciless blizzard, a couple discovers they're not guests—they're prey. As an ancient evil warps their reality, their desperate escape leads them into something far more sinister. Now, in a remote cabin where darkness itself has a pulse, they must confront an unspeakable the inn wasn't keeping them in—it was shepherding them toward a fate worse than death.

112 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2025

About the author

Andrew F. Balog is an American novelist, born in 1990, and grew up in a quaint lakeside town on Lake Champlain, New York. His deep-seated passion for storytelling emerged early in his life. Balog embarked on his career in the film industry, where he spent over a decade refining his skills and received numerous national and international awards for his work. Ultimately, he chose to return to his first passion: writing novels. Today, he resides on a small farm in upstate New York with his wife, Margaret, and their three children. Balog remains steadfastly devoted to the core principles of his life: faith, family, and the art of storytelling.

Reviews

[Heather Mylek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This book will take you on a wild ride! Many twists and turns!! It kept taking me in different directions! Really enjoyed and will totally read again! Highly recommend!!

[Mahika Guha · Rating 3 out of 5]

met the author and was intrigued with the synopsis to get the book. i’m a sucker for horror because im trying to get into that genre. i think it’s a good start for debut novel.

the only thing pushing it away from a high rating is that i was confused. i get their night at the inn but i was imagining them walking in the snow barefoot bc they were sleeping just before, but somehow they have boots on? obviously not everything needs to be explained but i was imaging them just running out of the inn room. so much happened in little time i couldn’t process cause we moved on. maybe it is a skill issue for me???

we had a little interstellar moment and the book kinda gave unreliable narrator because i was confused on what actually happened. like did the driver actually die? what of the parents of the little girl? jason and mia escaped without them looking for them? and then on the last chapter there was a narrator switch for like one sentence that had me confused cause someone missed it when editing. and like so mia’s arm was ok afterwards and cops said blood wasn’t hers but that was all an illusion but after the illusion dropped her arm was still ok. so the whole night with the inn also never happened because they were back in the car like nothing happened, but the inn had happened because that’s what started it but it also didn’t happen. or at least when the two left the inn the first time didn’t happen cause then her arm wouldn’t have been chopped. so when they were thrust into the car at the end it was so everything seemed like an illusion but mia remembered bc she offed herself to rid the illusion. lwk still lost when jason and mia were in the cellar of the parents of the girl. that whole arc i was a little lost bc ur telling me no one else was able to get away? there just happened to be a door to the outside that wasn’t guarded by anything? i swear i am not hating i was just confused but maybe im overthinking this.

did enjoy the book because it was a quick read but i think ill reread to understand better cause i might just be stupid and skimmed things by accident. when the next book comes out i’ll have to read it cause it most likely will answer some questions i have bout the ending lol

[Ann Marie Piche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Andrew Balog makes a snowstorm look like an unearthly creature more powerful than the fiercest nor'easter.

Jason and his wife Mia are caught in one of those snowstorms when the couple takes refuge in The Hollow Rest Inn nestled within the mountains of Vermont. But rest wouldn’t come to either one. The moment they enter their motel room Jason senses and feels with every part of his being that something is not quite right.
There’s a relentless and sinister dark shadow following their every move. It’s not long before this unsuspecting couple is drawn into a spine-chilling horror, setting them on a path to flee into the stormy darkness of night and running from the onslaught of terrifying attacks.

The author lays out a masterfully written plot with not only a scary external conflict, but also shows each character struggling through their own internal conflict filled with fear and dark secrets of their own.

In Andrew Balog's debut novella, What Whispers In The Darkness readers will be drawn in by every sentence and every word written across the pages. Words filled with the highly intense drama of an emerging nightmare for both Jason and his wife Mia and when they think this nightmare is over, they will find that it has only just begun.

This psychological thriller is a fast-paced read with unforeseen twists and turns that will strike fear into the minds of the most hardiest of thrill-seeking readers.

A five-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ haunting suspense
Well Done, Author, Andrew Balog

[Adriana Serrano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me dio mucha ansiedad la historia como que era una pesadilla que no acababa!

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great fast-paced book! once I started it I couldn't put it down.
I absolutely loved how eerie it was.
And i was impressed that it had the perfect level of suspense. I really enjoyed it.

note to self.
dont get stuck in a snowstorm.

[Leah Janssen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plan on a harrowing tale of a fever dream-like adventure with twists and turns that you may need time and space to digest. This is not a cozy storyline that you can leisurely follow with a cup of tea; you need to put all of your distractions aside. Prepare to be completely engulfed in the journey of Mia and Jason as they face their worse fears and are tested to the brink of their human capacities: physical, mental and emotional. I felt raw emotions with this one….. fear, anger, the sadness of physical pain and emotional loss, true love, and hope in this short 107 page book.

My experience was that this work is palleted like a decadent dessert. The prose is positively delectable; and at times, heavy with theme, intellect and graphic detail. I truly enjoyed the beauty of both the not only the imagery, but the amazing use of vocabulary.

The fact that I was unable to predict the storyline in even the slightest was impressive enough— however, the creativity and language Andrew showcased here in his first published work are at a highly advanced level, which was a welcome treat. I would give this first book a 4.5, and only deduct half a star for some minor distractions like redundancy in terminology. This is a great new author that has already hooked readers into what he is capable of on the next one.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

[Jeanette Constantine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like supporting new authors. This book has a short introduction and jumps right into craziness with an abundance of adjectives, verbs and some non-everyday use of words. My interest spiked three quarters the way through the book, where-as then I felt it was a page turner. Will definitely take a chance on reading his next book.

[Risse Constantine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a good “psychological thriller” so bought this right from the author. Very amateur and nothing psychological or thrilling about it. Written like a typical guy tho, lacking details in places then giving too many unnecessary details, and jumping around with his ideas. Didn’t have a good flow. The basic outline and plot are there, but not even build up.

It’s only 114 pages. Less than an hour to read.

I do look forward to seeing if there is growth in his next book.

[Laura Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to give such a low rating to a new author, and maybe this book is just for other readers and not for me. I just felt very confused. The book felt so rushed even in the first couple chapters, and I felt like there were so many adjectives to describe something within the book. I get the author trying to paint the picture for the reader, but describing every little thing every other sentence was so overwhelming it took away from the story. I felt like the story had a lot of great potential, and the author is on the right track. The way this was delivered was so hard for me personally to digest. I hope you take this review as constructive criticism and keep going in your writing journey!

[Aminika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful debute novella! Story follows a couple that gets stranded in a snow storm and seeks refuge in a run down motel... from there the story takes on so many twists and turns. The writing style is very vivid & descriptive, making the story play out like a movie in your mind as you read. The characters are easy to connect with, and you don't find out what happens until they do which makes it more fun to follow along. Great bingable horror story for a stormy night!

[Alan Loewen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs An Editor

I hate to give negative reviews, but the story desperately needs editing. It is overwrought with adjectives and filled with logic problems.

The basic outline is solid, an inn being haunted by a terrible evil that warps reality around it, but the presentation needs to be refined. This is a first draft released too soon.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat with many twists and turns. I enjoyed the surprises and would read again.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short horror

I can see a little bit of Steven King in this book. It really reminds me of a good classic horror movie.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!

Just when you thought you knew where the story was going, it took you in a different and wonderful direction. This book was fantastic.

[Margaret Balog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it all figured out.. Plot twist! I thoroughly enjoyed the journey it took me on. Looking forward to reading more books from this author.

[lorainexo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just when you thought you knew where it was going, it took a whole turn. A really fun and quick read, and ends with a cliffhanger.

[Renée · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book right from the author at a local book event and found the synopsis very fascinating! However, it was just not the book for me. I love a good psychological thriller with twists and turns, but this book had multiple twists one right after another with not enough depth or time for them to fully hit me. I wish the scenes weren’t so quick and that there was time to immerse yourself in the story. With so much happening from one paragraph to the next, I struggled to keep up with what was going on at times, which I also understand matches the theme of the book, but I think some pauses within the story would have been helpful. I hate rating books low, but I just don’t see myself reading it again. I did enjoy the hook at the end for the next book. I wish the author the best on future books!

[A.A. Saxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Andrew at my local Barnes and Noble, what a super friendly guy and I can tell he is so passionate about his writing. He explained the premise of the story and I was sold immediately and bought a copy which he signed for me.

I read the novella (116 pages I believe) in a little over 2 hours. From the premise Andrew gave me I knew I was going to enjoy this book and then upon opening the book and seeing a quote from Stephen King (who is my absolute favorite author) I was even more excited to read this story. I was hooked from page one and could not put it down. Such an incredibly haunting and fast paced story with a lot of twists and turns I did not see coming at all.

Really looking forward to anything Andrew publishes next!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - Balog delivers a atmospheric narrative that blends horror with surreal, almost dreamlike elements. At times I truly thought this might have been a dream.

What stood out most was the emotional rawness and the way trauma and mental illness are explored. And with definite splatter punk moments.

It was a bit abstract and repetitive at times. And could have used a bit more editing. But I think it could be amazing fleshed out as a full length novel. I’ll definitely keep this author on my radar.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Barnes and Noble where the author was describing this book.
Horror/thriller is not typically a book genre that I read but I was sucked in with the way that the author was talking about it.
As you are reading it, you think you know how it will end but it take a different direction that works out so much better.
I read this book in one sitting and I can’t wait for the second one!

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up
This was a wild ride from start to finish, and I never knew what to expect. Just when you think it’s over, the bad keeps going. Will definitely be taking a chance on reading the next book

[Chelsea Flouton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books starts strong into the plot of the story, there are twists and times where I thought it was over but it was just beginning. The ending was subtle for a horror story but preludes to more books to come from this author. I will be on the look out for his next book!

[Kyle Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Met Andrew at the local Barnes and Noble! Great enthusiasm for the book and you can tell in his writing! I really enjoyed the fast paced ride I was taken on in the book. I highly recommend this read and can’t wait to read more from Andrew in the future!

[Allie Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly gripping novella

You would not know that Andrew is a new author by the way he wrote this extremely descriptive and vivid story. I loved all the twist throughout the book and it ended perfectly. Although not my usual genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this read!