In the summer of 1970, two friends dared to uncover the secrets of a burned asylum… and found the doorway to Hell.
Hartford, Connecticut. 1970. When Christopher D’Artainian and Henry Snow set out to explore the ruins of the long-abandoned Arlen Mental Asylum, they expect nothing more than ghost stories and local legends. But the deeper they venture into the ashes, the more they realize that some legends are real—and some doors should never be opened.
What begins as a rekindled adventure quickly spirals into a terrifying descent into darkness, where the line between the living and the damned blurs. Because sometimes, Hell isn’t a distant place below us. Sometimes, it’s closer than you think.
A chilling tale of haunted asylums, demonic secrets, and 1970s small-town horror, this supernatural thriller is perfect for fans of Stephen King, Stranger Things, and classic paranormal mysteries.
Dare to enter Arlen Asylum… if you’re ready to face what waits inside.
A contemporary American author and master storyteller, Donald Morrison is renowned for weaving intricate tapestries of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Boasting an impressive catalog of over 30 published works, Morrison captivates his readers with narratives that delve into the dark and thought-provoking corners of the human experience. His ability to blend spine-chilling suspense with a profound sense of dread sets him apart in the literary landscape. Synonymous with names like King and Koontz, Morrison's writings are not just a journey through terrifying realms and thrilling escapades; they're an exploration of the shadows that lurk within us all.
I received this book for an honest review by the Author, Donald Morrison whom I discovered on twitter. I found out that Morrison and I have something in common, we both love Stephen King! For those of you who know me well, probably know that I screamed when finding this out! Of course, I can’t compare anything to Stephen King because of his sick and twisted ways, but I will say that this story did remind me a lot of one of Kings stories.
I enjoyed this story a lot and I highly recommend reading it if you love a good horror/suspense story! I was thinking he was gonna try too hard to make this story scary. But it was scary, and I WAS sitting at the edge of my seat reading it! Every step that Chris and Henry took made me anxious for the next part of the story. I was sad when it drug on a little bit when they were on the path towards their mission but then again maybe I just was in a hurry to read on.
I loved both of the characters as well, how they picked right up after months of not speaking to each other, how it seemed like they were inseparable. They grew up together with a ton of memories and most of their conversations made me laugh out loud! They both have a great sense of humor. I was very shocked at the secret Chris has been keeping about his past, the reason for his drinking and depression. It made my head spin! I couldn’t believe what he was capable of.
I did not like the ending! I was expecting so much more to happen! You just have to read the book to understand why because I don’t want to spoil it for those who are interested!
I found several errors in the copy I received from Morrison and a few repetitive words that didn’t let the story flow right but I didn’t let that stop me from loving the story and reading on! I give it 4 1/2 stars!
This is one of those books I picked up and within a few pages, was completely drawn in to. The tale of two friends seemed relatable and their whole plan seemed like something I would love to do. With the end of every chapter, I was quickly on to the next, I couldn't put this one down! A quick but chilling read. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. The author shared my love for Stephen King, so it was easy to see where this book was headed: into the realm of the odd, the unusual, the unnerving. A deliciously fun read.
Creepy, Dark, Scary and visually intense. Definitely left me with chills when I was done... If you like the darker side of Stephen King or Clive Barker, then this book is right up your alley.