What do you think?
Rate this book
Tender Eyes
Tender Eyes
– A Novel by Matt Heart
Nestled just beyond the misty backroads of Hollows Creek, Tender Eyes, Ohio is a hidden gem—a town renowned for serving the most unforgettable meals in America. Food critics, travelers, and culinary enthusiasts alike flock from across the country, lured by the promise of a dining experience unlike any other. But for those who venture too far, who stay too long, the town has a way of making sure they never leave hungry… or at all.
When Daniel Kearns, a world-renowned food critic, arrives to review Tender Eyes' famed cuisine, he expects to uncover a town built on passion and tradition. Instead, he stumbles upon something far more sinister—something buried beneath the surface, hidden behind warm smiles and perfectly plated dishes. As his investigation deepens, his curiosity turns to paranoia, and paranoia to terror, when he realizes that in Tender Eyes, the secret ingredient isn't just love.
Some meals should never be tasted. Some places should never be explored. And in Tender Eyes, Ohio, once you're on the menu... there's no way off.
Nestled just beyond the misty backroads of Hollows Creek, Tender Eyes, Ohio is a hidden gem—a town renowned for serving the most unforgettable meals in America. Food critics, travelers, and culinary enthusiasts alike flock from across the country, lured by the promise of a dining experience unlike any other. But for those who venture too far, who stay too long, the town has a way of making sure they never leave hungry… or at all.
When Daniel Kearns, a world-renowned food critic, arrives to review Tender Eyes' famed cuisine, he expects to uncover a town built on passion and tradition. Instead, he stumbles upon something far more sinister—something buried beneath the surface, hidden behind warm smiles and perfectly plated dishes. As his investigation deepens, his curiosity turns to paranoia, and paranoia to terror, when he realizes that in Tender Eyes, the secret ingredient isn't just love.
Some meals should never be tasted. Some places should never be explored. And in Tender Eyes, Ohio, once you're on the menu... there's no way off.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2025
About the author
Matt Heart
35 books10 followersMatt Heart is a BMA award-winning international singer-songwriter and the author of the Cold Fever Books universe—an ever-growing collection of horror, thriller, and supernatural novels for both young adults and adults. His catalog ranges from chilling YA classics like Nightmare in a Toy Store and the Cold Fever series to darker, hard-hitting adult titles such as The Tender Eyes Series, The Boney Man, Ash Wednesday, Iniquity, Ding Dong Witch, and The Incredible Bobbi Myers
With a passion for storytelling that spans more than three decades, Matt masterfully blends elements of horror, mystery, suspense, and psychological depth, crafting unforgettable characters and vivid, atmospheric worlds. His books are known for their cinematic pacing, bold twists, and emotional punch—drawing readers deep into stories that linger long after the last page.
When he’s not writing, Matt enjoys traveling, creating music, and spending time with his family. Married to his high-school sweetheart for over 32 years, he is a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. His life experiences, musical background, and love for storytelling all feed into his imaginative fiction.
Whether you love the eerie fun of Goosebumps-style adventures or the intense, visceral storytelling of adult horror, Matt Heart delivers.
Discover more at www.ColdFeverBooks.com and step into worlds where nothing is what it seems—and every page has a pulse.
With a passion for storytelling that spans more than three decades, Matt masterfully blends elements of horror, mystery, suspense, and psychological depth, crafting unforgettable characters and vivid, atmospheric worlds. His books are known for their cinematic pacing, bold twists, and emotional punch—drawing readers deep into stories that linger long after the last page.
When he’s not writing, Matt enjoys traveling, creating music, and spending time with his family. Married to his high-school sweetheart for over 32 years, he is a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. His life experiences, musical background, and love for storytelling all feed into his imaginative fiction.
Whether you love the eerie fun of Goosebumps-style adventures or the intense, visceral storytelling of adult horror, Matt Heart delivers.
Discover more at www.ColdFeverBooks.com and step into worlds where nothing is what it seems—and every page has a pulse.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 24, 2025
Available 27 July 2025
Tender Eyes ~ See what Matt did there? If you have read the book description you will get it!
Matt has created a cast of characters who are very much like many American families, looking amazing on the outside but with flaws on the inside. Lies, infidelity and broken trust are the growing mold that afflicts the Kearns family. Yet, the Kearns' are likeable and relatable, the family you want to have barbecues with.
The antagonists of this novel are also well developed. Dana becomes the woman you want to throttle. The citizens of Tender Eyes are the type of people who are too friendly, causing immediate mistrust. Then there is Carl, the owner of the town cafe that is rumored to serve the best food for miles around. Carl devolves from being creepy to a monster.
Tender Eyes is the darkest, most disturbing novel Matt Heart has written to date. It portrays one of the most frightening ways humans can treat other humans. Emotional, spiritual and physical abuse are terrible, the horror of watching someone torture and slowly kill someone you love is worse. Then to know that the desecration of your loved ones body is next is mind numbing.
There is a moderate amount of gore but much more in the way of building tension and suspense in Tender Eyes. I would recommend this book to any horror lover.
Tender Eyes ~ See what Matt did there? If you have read the book description you will get it!
Matt has created a cast of characters who are very much like many American families, looking amazing on the outside but with flaws on the inside. Lies, infidelity and broken trust are the growing mold that afflicts the Kearns family. Yet, the Kearns' are likeable and relatable, the family you want to have barbecues with.
The antagonists of this novel are also well developed. Dana becomes the woman you want to throttle. The citizens of Tender Eyes are the type of people who are too friendly, causing immediate mistrust. Then there is Carl, the owner of the town cafe that is rumored to serve the best food for miles around. Carl devolves from being creepy to a monster.
Tender Eyes is the darkest, most disturbing novel Matt Heart has written to date. It portrays one of the most frightening ways humans can treat other humans. Emotional, spiritual and physical abuse are terrible, the horror of watching someone torture and slowly kill someone you love is worse. Then to know that the desecration of your loved ones body is next is mind numbing.
There is a moderate amount of gore but much more in the way of building tension and suspense in Tender Eyes. I would recommend this book to any horror lover.
March 12, 2026
Based on the synopsis, I guessed what the book would be about, and I’m assuming that was intensional? If not then the final line gives the whole thing away.
It’s very disturbing and graphic, but very well written, and really makes you think about the darker parts of the human psyche. Also the very final twist was interesting and kind of tied up a few loose ends.
Overall, a solid read, not 5 stars bc of the extreme graphic details though.
It’s very disturbing and graphic, but very well written, and really makes you think about the darker parts of the human psyche. Also the very final twist was interesting and kind of tied up a few loose ends.
Overall, a solid read, not 5 stars bc of the extreme graphic details though.
July 31, 2025
Eeeew!!! Gross!! Yet I loved it! The book started slow but it was pertinent to the story so I'm glad I ventured through it. The characters weren't likeable but it added to the atmosphere of the story. I found myself actually wanting something bad to happen to some people and I was not disappointed. If you have an appetite for horror then this book is for you.
"Demons I get. People are crazy. " -- Dean Winchester, Supernatural 1.15, The Benders
"Demons I get. People are crazy. " -- Dean Winchester, Supernatural 1.15, The Benders
September 30, 2025
Deeply disturbing and a psychological scarring suspense that I couldn't put down. "Tender Eyes" is the epitome of deadly horrors that human beings are capable of doing. It's dark, fear instilling and utterly horrendous.
The story follows Daniel Kearns who recently became a food critic and is going to review Tender eyes' famous delicacy. However things turned out to be quite different because this town (Hallows Creek, Ohio) is known for something else.
Soon enough a chain of horrendous events follows. There is gore, torture and death. Therefore some meals should not be tasted. And Tender Eyes is one such place.
It's shocking to me to say that the storyline is utterly captivating. The chain of events that followed as the protagonist found out the truth was well done. And the conclusion...... well that's even more shocking. Let me tell you one thing about this book; not only it's unpredictable it also doesn't have a traditional concluding ending. Expect the unexpected.
The story follows Daniel Kearns who recently became a food critic and is going to review Tender eyes' famous delicacy. However things turned out to be quite different because this town (Hallows Creek, Ohio) is known for something else.
Soon enough a chain of horrendous events follows. There is gore, torture and death. Therefore some meals should not be tasted. And Tender Eyes is one such place.
It's shocking to me to say that the storyline is utterly captivating. The chain of events that followed as the protagonist found out the truth was well done. And the conclusion...... well that's even more shocking. Let me tell you one thing about this book; not only it's unpredictable it also doesn't have a traditional concluding ending. Expect the unexpected.
October 3, 2025
Now THIS is why I read HORROR!!! To be disturbed.....and Matt Heart did it with this quick read of graphic horror in a small town in Ohio.
This is why I read horror......to be scared and creeped out! Matt Heart has taken the horror trope that I fear most; being in THAT small town where nothing or no one is at it seems and takes it to the MAX!
Daniel is an award winning restaurant owner in New York raising his small and young family with his wife Megan. Their son is Daniel Junior and their daughter is Tiffany. When someone from Daniels restaurant tries to come between him and Megan, Tender Eyes is going to take you back to the classic suspense thriller "Fatal Attraction" but do NOT be fooled.......this is the farthest from that story that this tale of horror could go. When Megan finds out that Daniel has cheated again, and he is staying gone from the family till all hours of the night, she gives him one more ultimatum. He decides to sell his award winning restaurant and they move.
Daniel and Megan are about to learn that it is not that easy to run from your problems, a problem like Dana. But Dana is the least of Daniels problem, because Megan and Daniel are going to visit the small town of Tender Eyes, and this is where they find out what real human horror is all about!
WARNING: This book is fast moving, and very graphic in scenes of cannibalism and human torture. Do not go into this well told and written story if these subjects bother you.
Get ready for a FAST moving, and very quick read that is 'Tender Eyes' by Matt Heart.
Highly recommended.
5 Screams
This is why I read horror......to be scared and creeped out! Matt Heart has taken the horror trope that I fear most; being in THAT small town where nothing or no one is at it seems and takes it to the MAX!
Daniel is an award winning restaurant owner in New York raising his small and young family with his wife Megan. Their son is Daniel Junior and their daughter is Tiffany. When someone from Daniels restaurant tries to come between him and Megan, Tender Eyes is going to take you back to the classic suspense thriller "Fatal Attraction" but do NOT be fooled.......this is the farthest from that story that this tale of horror could go. When Megan finds out that Daniel has cheated again, and he is staying gone from the family till all hours of the night, she gives him one more ultimatum. He decides to sell his award winning restaurant and they move.
Daniel and Megan are about to learn that it is not that easy to run from your problems, a problem like Dana. But Dana is the least of Daniels problem, because Megan and Daniel are going to visit the small town of Tender Eyes, and this is where they find out what real human horror is all about!
WARNING: This book is fast moving, and very graphic in scenes of cannibalism and human torture. Do not go into this well told and written story if these subjects bother you.
Get ready for a FAST moving, and very quick read that is 'Tender Eyes' by Matt Heart.
Highly recommended.
5 Screams
July 28, 2025
WOW!! What just happened! What a ride that was!! So many graphic visuals, Matt Heart truly plays a cinema in your head! You will become so invested into the characters, you don’t want the book to end!
May 20, 2026
Book is must read. I love the details. I’m a barber from Chicago and it made my day go by really fast. Love it
October 6, 2025
What a really good book... Honestly I really couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews