Face Off

by Stacy Claflin

The shadows at Brannon House don't just watch… They remember.

When Billa feels eyes following her every move in her cottage on the edge of the estate, she dismisses it as paranoia—the lingering trauma of her kidnapping. But as the sensation intensifies, she reluctantly considers the one place she swore she'd never move the mansion.

Meanwhile, new mother Kenzi is harboring secrets that even she may not fully understand—memories hidden away by time, trauma... or something far darker. As she searches for her missing psychiatric files from Radley Institution, disturbing questions emerge. Was her time there longer than anyone has admitted? And what really happened in the abandoned theater on the grounds?

When Billa's kidnapper resurfaces with more demands, the family's fragile peace shatters. Carol, the devoted auntie, grows increasingly protective of the newborn as strange occurrences plague the estate.

As the walls of Brannon House close in, one thing becomes the past isn't just haunting them, it's hunting them.

Will they uncover the truth before history claims another victim… or are the Brannons bound to bleed for their legacy?

Genres: Psychological Thriller

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

About the author

Stacy Claflin writes about complex women overcoming incredible odds. Whether it's her Gone trilogy of psychological thrillers, her ongoing Transformed paranormal saga, or her Seaside Hunters sweet romance series, Stacy's three-dimensional heroines shine through.

Decades after she wrote her first stories on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer that weighed half a ton, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time author.

When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys watching TV shows like Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, and Once Upon a Time.

Join Stacy's newsletter to get free books: http://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter/

Reviews

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to this series. Each book brings us more pieces into Kenzies past to unravel the mysteries of Bannon house a the Bannon family. Looking forward to the next installment!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Tonya Bryant Gillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenzie starts sleepwalking again and finds herself in the attic. She has painted a run down theatre. She has no idea what this means. Memories are slowing flashing through her mind, but just glimpses that she can’t piece together. Billa has been receiving strange notes.

This story really took off, from page one I couldn’t stop reading. My heart racing to find out what is going to happen next. I was up late turning pages. This was a fast paced story that kept me guessing the entire time. I think this is one of the best books in this series. Well they all are great, but this one really had me clueless as to how it would end. And I was completely off on the ending of this one. The twists and turns really kept me guessing.

I really enjoyed this book!

[BJayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest installment of the Brannon House series grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go. Stacy Claflin weaves a suspenseful story that includes fractured memories of time spent in a mental institution as a child (what really happened there?), snippets of songs that come and go, sleepwalking and waking up in your house but with no idea where you are (it’s a really big house), plus danger around every corner. Can anyone be trusted? And how can you know who when you’re not sure you can trust your own memories?

This was a psychological thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. Suspense-filled and kept my rapt attention. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face Off - a review by Rosemary Kenny.


Stacy Claflin's 8th Brannon House novel, Face Off, has overtones of The Shining, as it seems the past is tormenting its inhabitants.

Mysterious goings-on and seemingly supernatural influences from her past abound and everyone's nerves are shredded. 
Can Kenzi, Billa, Ember and Luke unravel the dangerous truth before someone dies?


Vibrant, realistic characters in a storyline that will keep you digging your fingernails into the edge of your seat throughout...Face Off is a tense, psychological thriller.

Read it today...but please, don't have nightmares!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it was only that easy for Billa and Kenzi.
Memories and events - reliving those brings more confusion, fears and the unknown to those living on Brannon Mansion property. Each family member along with Luke are trying their hardest to help solve the mysteries of Kenzie and Billa's past while staying at Radley under the "care" of Dr. Staven and others.
Remembering how Laurel was part of their pasts, brings more fear, than add on the memory dust that was used, which is causing issues even today.
Is Laurel going to end her own life, does she know even more? After her journal entry - so many questions floating in my mind - the next book can't come soon enough!

[Melanie Robertson-King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down with this book yesterday afternoon and didn't move from the chair until I finished it. I was hooked from the beginning!

The usual cast of characters returns, and this time, someone else. Is this person good or evil? You'll have to read the book to find out.

There's not as much action inside the Brannon mansion, but that's a good thing. Let some of the other places take center stage for a change. The old theatre is the perfect place.

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this story is disturbing as can be.

Bills thinks Crazy Pants, her kidnapper is out for her again while Kenzie gets spooked by some costumes and masks Ember found in the mansion. A mask triggers memories of an old theater but there's no theater at the Brannon Mansion so it must have been at Radleys.

Kenzie wants to find out the truth about what happened to her there so Ryker and Bills apply to work there. Unfortunately they step right into the play...

I don't want to think about how hypnosis and meds can brainwash people. It's scary and disturbing but a page turner nonetheless.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billa is still recovering from her kidnapping. Kenzi has the new baby. And their past isn’t staying buried. There were so many unexpected revelations. We learn more about Billa and Kenzi’s childhoods and what those poor girls had to deal with. At one point I thought this might be the last book in the series, but there is a lot more story to tell. This was an excellent continuation of the series with a stunning ending.

I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful but missed the mark🤔

2.5-3 🌟 stars
Yes, the story has unpredictability and suspense in spades. But, for me, it was a miss. I kept reading through every twist and turn, every spooky corridor and haunting set of footsteps, every confused move of venue and frantic run through the woods. But the mysteries hanging over Kenzi and Billa just never got resolved to my satisfaction. Too nebulous for my taste.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this series but this latest addition has left me with chills waaaaaaay after it has finished! There’s so much going on as Kenzi and Billa try to figure out who is after them and what happened in their past. There’s break ins and mysterious notes, flashbacks and an old theatre and I have to say this one definitely creeped me out the most. It’s dark, it’s suspenseful, there’s so many secrets and twists and turns as we head back to the institute and head first into more danger and drama and that ending OMG!

[erika bairefield bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book in the series so far! You really start to get a clear picture of what Kenzi, Billa, and even Ryker have been through, to make them the way they are now. The seemingly random kidnapping, what they all went thru in the last book, is starting to come into view. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Lost Echos.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story.
We get really close to the origins of what happened to Kinsey in the past,
And learn that she wasn't the only one with a background in her family at the mental facility she was at as a child.

On an emotional rollercoaster for most of the characters in the book.
The author leaves us with a huge cliffhanger.

[Cyndi Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this book creeped me out so much! How dare the author make me hold my breath at times while visualizing the psychological tortures in this book??? Oh wait, that's right, I voluntarily read this book, and would do it again. ;). BTW - cliffhanger ending. Read at your own risk. I challenge you.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is real edge-of-your-seat reading.
As much as Kenzi wants answers to what happened to her during her time spent at Radley, I can't help but believe that some things are better left in the past.
Be prepared to burn the midnight oil with this one.

I received a free copy of this book through BookFunnel, and have chosen to leave a review.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riviting

I couldn’t put the book down. I was pulled in from the beginning so many twists and turns and surprises. This book doesn’t disappoint. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in the Brannon House series. It’s a great psychological thriller. It’s an edge of your seat mystery full of drama and suspense. An interesting continuation of the story.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creepy, well planned out suspense story. Brannon house will give you goosebumps. This is a stubborn, resilient family who will fight for each other when a stranger tries to take control of their lives. I was really surprised at the end.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billa’s life seems upside down once again and she she doesn’t know what to do. Her past has come back to haunt her once more. Full of suspense and danger that will keep you reading well after bedtime. Love everything this author writes.

[Carrie Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! Amazing series

[Patricia Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this installment. Got to go start the next one now :)

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure for Kenzi and her family. Billa plays a major role in this book. We are still discovering new secrets and getting a few answers. This story kept me glued to my kindle until the end. The author did an amazing job of making me feel like I was with the characters whether in the woods, their house or at the institute. Looking forward to the next book.

[April Flach · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't as good as the previous books. It stars to veer away from the original storyline of the house being cursed. Still suspenseful, still well written. I was just a little confused I guess. I feel like I missed something. There are things left unanswered.

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great continuation of Brannon House. This is chock full of suspense and mystery, a great psychological thriller that will have you eagerly turning the pages.