What do you think?
Rate this book
It Comes Back
It knows what you did... It will use it against you.
Everyone feels guilty about something. Some people's guilt is small, but others aren't so lucky. Some people are forced to live every day knowing they let a person they loved die. Officer Bianca Vale is not one of the lucky ones.
After his wife is stabbed seven times in the back, Ray Cutter is arrested and detained at the Yucca Valley police station as the obvious suspect. Bianca, fresh off another failed date, takes on the night shift simply biding her time until the San Bernardino police pick up Ray and transport him to prison. However, what begins as a routine detention for Bianca and her colleagues quickly escalates as a sinister force manifests itself as each officer's greatest regret and picks them off one by one.
Bianca is not the only person at the police station racked with guilt and when the officers are forced to come to terms with their own pasts, no one is safe. Especially when the police station loses all contact with the outside world. If Bianca hopes to make it through the night, the only key might be Ray himself.
From the screenwriter of Return of the Living Dead 3 and The Kindred, comes a new entry of terror!
Everyone feels guilty about something. Some people's guilt is small, but others aren't so lucky. Some people are forced to live every day knowing they let a person they loved die. Officer Bianca Vale is not one of the lucky ones.
After his wife is stabbed seven times in the back, Ray Cutter is arrested and detained at the Yucca Valley police station as the obvious suspect. Bianca, fresh off another failed date, takes on the night shift simply biding her time until the San Bernardino police pick up Ray and transport him to prison. However, what begins as a routine detention for Bianca and her colleagues quickly escalates as a sinister force manifests itself as each officer's greatest regret and picks them off one by one.
Bianca is not the only person at the police station racked with guilt and when the officers are forced to come to terms with their own pasts, no one is safe. Especially when the police station loses all contact with the outside world. If Bianca hopes to make it through the night, the only key might be Ray himself.
From the screenwriter of Return of the Living Dead 3 and The Kindred, comes a new entry of terror!
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
Published February 27, 2024
39 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 3, 2023
This was a short and intense supernatural story, which I read in one sitting.
One night Ray Cutter is arrested, after his wife Alison is fatally stabbed seven times in the back.
Once he’s captured, he tells the two officers that he needs to see Officer Bianca Vale. Unbeknown to Bianca, who has just started her night shift at Yucca Vale police station, she and Ray are connected by the loss of a loved one, who was abducted and murdered by “The Bathtub Killer”.
Ray is detained at the small station until morning, when the San Bernardino Police can collect him and transport him to jail. Over the course of this one night, an evil supernatural force takes over the station, and the officers and Ray, are pitched in a battle between life and death.
I really enjoyed this short, supernatural story, which also focuses on the guilt people sometimes feel, when they lose a loved one.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I would like to thank BookSirens, and Encyclopocalypse Publications, for providing me with a free ARC, for which I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
One night Ray Cutter is arrested, after his wife Alison is fatally stabbed seven times in the back.
Once he’s captured, he tells the two officers that he needs to see Officer Bianca Vale. Unbeknown to Bianca, who has just started her night shift at Yucca Vale police station, she and Ray are connected by the loss of a loved one, who was abducted and murdered by “The Bathtub Killer”.
Ray is detained at the small station until morning, when the San Bernardino Police can collect him and transport him to jail. Over the course of this one night, an evil supernatural force takes over the station, and the officers and Ray, are pitched in a battle between life and death.
I really enjoyed this short, supernatural story, which also focuses on the guilt people sometimes feel, when they lose a loved one.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I would like to thank BookSirens, and Encyclopocalypse Publications, for providing me with a free ARC, for which I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
July 17, 2023
A short and brutal cautionary tale about holding on to grief and guilt with supernatural elements. It was a generally engaging story but at certain places I felt that it could have used some more editing.
April 30, 2023
A gruesome little tale about guilt and supernatural entities.
It was hard to get a read on the characters as it was a shorter story, but the main characters were well written. The writing was driven and detailed.
I guess overall, the plot was a bit confusing to me. Was the Butcher supernatural? How can this thing affect so many people. The ending was left ambiguously and I think I would’ve preferred to see a clear cut resolution instead.
Thank you to the author & BookSirens for a copy!
It was hard to get a read on the characters as it was a shorter story, but the main characters were well written. The writing was driven and detailed.
I guess overall, the plot was a bit confusing to me. Was the Butcher supernatural? How can this thing affect so many people. The ending was left ambiguously and I think I would’ve preferred to see a clear cut resolution instead.
Thank you to the author & BookSirens for a copy!
May 12, 2023
“It Comes Back” police procedural with supernatural elements. The Yucca Valley Police Department encounters an evil force that reminds officers of their previous mistakes.
The author provided background to each character and their tragedies, which added was intensity to the story. You could feel their regret, and it evoked a sense of empathy. Penney touched on a person's memories of past mistakes.
Since that is something we can all relate to, the novella could have been executed better. There
was an abundance of telling rather than showing.
A lot of time at the police station. Officers are walking, talking, closing doors. This slows down the pacing. The action scenes did not create any tension for me. There seemed to be a lack of creepiness which was desired by the evil forces that haunted these people. At several points throughout the novella, the author would end a chapter with “It was here, and it was following her/him.” This phrase became repetitive.
This wording propelled me towards the conclusion. I needed to know what was coming. The ending answered all my questions. It had everything crime, action, gore, unexplained evil. It could have been a movie style novella.
April 24, 2023
I was immediately drawn to this book, on the creepy cover alone! It's a quick read, but very intense, action-packed, and with characters you can relate to and care for. Frankly, I went in not knowing exactly what to expect, the synopsis merely whetted my appetite, making me curious about the form of evil involved. It turned out to be a totally nasty spin on a Freddy Krueger-type of horror: an evil from beyond the grave comes back to life and wants to stay here permanently, drawing on all kinds of guilty memories of whoever tries to stop it, and reviving them against them. In the book you follow a Yucca Valley police officer, Bianca, who's already involved -unknowingly- in what's happening, and has to deal with the evil invading her entire police department. Just when you think you know who's responsible behind the invasion, the curveball from left field comes and, well, it ties everything together but also changes everything. I loved every page. And, apparently, this is not the last time we'll see Bianca! Excited for more from this author!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2023
I chose this one based entirely on the cover. It catches the eye.
Anyways, in here we have Ray, a man who is running from the cops as his wife was just stabbed in the back and killed. He is hoping to be arrested and taken to the police station where Bianca, the other mc, works.
He thinks she will believe him about not killing his wife and that it was a demon who uses your guilt to manipulate you.
Even after everything that happens, Bianca falls for the manipulation. Only the fact that her dead niece starts to change in front of her into the naked gray man, is when she figures out that maybe something is up.
There is a fight and Bianca
This story has potential. It needs to be edited not only for overusing adverbs, but for the flow of the story. It was chunky in places and honestly, what was that epilogue about? The way the words were used was nothing like the other parts of the book.
Anyways, in here we have Ray, a man who is running from the cops as his wife was just stabbed in the back and killed. He is hoping to be arrested and taken to the police station where Bianca, the other mc, works.
He thinks she will believe him about not killing his wife and that it was a demon who uses your guilt to manipulate you.
Even after everything that happens, Bianca falls for the manipulation. Only the fact that her dead niece starts to change in front of her into the naked gray man, is when she figures out that maybe something is up.
There is a fight and Bianca
This story has potential. It needs to be edited not only for overusing adverbs, but for the flow of the story. It was chunky in places and honestly, what was that epilogue about? The way the words were used was nothing like the other parts of the book.
March 6, 2023
A Horrifying Dip into the Guilt We Hold Onto!
John Penney has created a truly creepy and gory adventure around the guilt we harbor everyday. Whether it's from early stages in our lives or something we did recently, the creature in this story will twist it and gnarl it into something deadly. This story is a medium paced novella and it's got a lot going for it. It puts you in the middle of the action right away and then let's you trace the slow creep of this evil hunting some of the characters in the story. Honestly I really enjoyed it and look forward to exploring other John Penney adventures in the future.
John Penney has created a truly creepy and gory adventure around the guilt we harbor everyday. Whether it's from early stages in our lives or something we did recently, the creature in this story will twist it and gnarl it into something deadly. This story is a medium paced novella and it's got a lot going for it. It puts you in the middle of the action right away and then let's you trace the slow creep of this evil hunting some of the characters in the story. Honestly I really enjoyed it and look forward to exploring other John Penney adventures in the future.
April 14, 2023
A fast paced, terror filled story about the trials of life and guilt that lingers.
Pros:
This was fun. The pacing was scorching fast, which held me gripped to the screen. The back-ground to each character and their tragedies was intense, and I felt empathy and concern for their mistakes and melancholic memories. The horror aspect was good, delivering chills during the murders and moments with the dark human-like figure.
Opportunities:
The story itself can greatly benefit from a tighter edit and development. Peppered throughout the story are the use of weak adverbs and verbs which take the reader away from the scene. Slowly, slowly, angrily, angrily, quickly, quickly, etc. She looked, she walked, he waved. Far too much telling and not enough showing when needed during the intense action scenes. As a visual reader, I need to see the events unfold and it was difficult with this one.
Thank you for allowing me the pleasure to read It Comes Back. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with it in the future.
Pros:
This was fun. The pacing was scorching fast, which held me gripped to the screen. The back-ground to each character and their tragedies was intense, and I felt empathy and concern for their mistakes and melancholic memories. The horror aspect was good, delivering chills during the murders and moments with the dark human-like figure.
Opportunities:
The story itself can greatly benefit from a tighter edit and development. Peppered throughout the story are the use of weak adverbs and verbs which take the reader away from the scene. Slowly, slowly, angrily, angrily, quickly, quickly, etc. She looked, she walked, he waved. Far too much telling and not enough showing when needed during the intense action scenes. As a visual reader, I need to see the events unfold and it was difficult with this one.
Thank you for allowing me the pleasure to read It Comes Back. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with it in the future.
April 15, 2023
It Comes Back is a thought-provoking take on how guilt can tear you up enough to destroy you. John shows how holding guilt inside can eat away at you until there's nothing left, and it made for a really raw story.
My one problem is that it took a long time to get an explanation for what was happening. The book was almost finished before I finally got some idea as to what was going on and why. It got to be a little frustrating that all this stuff was happening, but I had no real clue who or what was responsible.
Poor Bianca is in for a rough time, it seems. Ray's story feels unfinished. After everything that he did, it didn't feel like he had any concrete resolution to his experiences. I feel like I missed a step in his character development from what prompted the ritual and where he was mentally when Bianca met him.
This was a solid read, but it definitely leaves a lot of things unanswered. Thank you, BookSirens and Encyclopocalypse, for the ARC! Everything in this review is my honest opinion.
My one problem is that it took a long time to get an explanation for what was happening. The book was almost finished before I finally got some idea as to what was going on and why. It got to be a little frustrating that all this stuff was happening, but I had no real clue who or what was responsible.
Poor Bianca is in for a rough time, it seems. Ray's story feels unfinished. After everything that he did, it didn't feel like he had any concrete resolution to his experiences. I feel like I missed a step in his character development from what prompted the ritual and where he was mentally when Bianca met him.
This was a solid read, but it definitely leaves a lot of things unanswered. Thank you, BookSirens and Encyclopocalypse, for the ARC! Everything in this review is my honest opinion.
April 17, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow. I was not expecting everything that happened in this book to be so great.
I will say that the beginning was a little confusing to keep up as it was switching between a few different characters. Some of it was a little drawn on when doing the back stories. I wish there would have been more being told about the "villain" of the story who connected all of these characters. There were a few moments where I couldn't stop reading, I wanted to read everything that was going to happen. I actually found myself trying to figure out the end while trying to go to sleep. Definitely a horror thriller book. Keeps you wanting more. There was one error that I found while reading where the incorrect character name was mentioned, and it did make me have to re-read the paragraph. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and storyline. This could be a movie, as I feel it gives off IT vibes along with the Babadook. Glad I got to read it! Well-written and great cover art.
Wow. I was not expecting everything that happened in this book to be so great.
I will say that the beginning was a little confusing to keep up as it was switching between a few different characters. Some of it was a little drawn on when doing the back stories. I wish there would have been more being told about the "villain" of the story who connected all of these characters. There were a few moments where I couldn't stop reading, I wanted to read everything that was going to happen. I actually found myself trying to figure out the end while trying to go to sleep. Definitely a horror thriller book. Keeps you wanting more. There was one error that I found while reading where the incorrect character name was mentioned, and it did make me have to re-read the paragraph. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and storyline. This could be a movie, as I feel it gives off IT vibes along with the Babadook. Glad I got to read it! Well-written and great cover art.
May 4, 2023
Supernatural horror with the characters' guilt, the deaths of their loved ones, and rectifying a wrong as the central themes.
A considerable portion of the narrative details armed officers' efforts to survive and escape their police station sans electricity, which consists of a lot of opening and closing doors. I admit reluctantly that the writing didn't hold my focus, nor did I experience suspense or tension while reading this part of the book. It's very onomatopoeic, so I think my experience would've been different listening to this as an audio book.
The writing in other scenes is definitely cinematic, especially the first chapter, Charlotte's "beautiful garden" and keys scenes, the big finale, and the sequel hook.
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse Publications for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A considerable portion of the narrative details armed officers' efforts to survive and escape their police station sans electricity, which consists of a lot of opening and closing doors. I admit reluctantly that the writing didn't hold my focus, nor did I experience suspense or tension while reading this part of the book. It's very onomatopoeic, so I think my experience would've been different listening to this as an audio book.
The writing in other scenes is definitely cinematic, especially the first chapter, Charlotte's "beautiful garden" and keys scenes, the big finale, and the sequel hook.
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse Publications for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2023
*I received a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the concept of this story, but I wasn't crazy about the execution. But, it reminded me a bit of the film "Last Shift", and I enjoyed the single location of the police station.
I found the first half more effective than the second half. I liked the mini stories of guilt we discover from several of the characters, and the death scenes were pretty good. The opening section was creepy, and the visuals of the horror were simple but effective.
It was a little mixed up in terms of POV - we get Ray and Bianca but it sort of switches between the two at times and I struggled to get a fix on either. Maybe just one of them would have been enough to tell the story?
To be honest, supernatural horror isn't always my jam, and I enjoyed the stories of guilt eating away at people more than the horror itself.
I liked the concept of this story, but I wasn't crazy about the execution. But, it reminded me a bit of the film "Last Shift", and I enjoyed the single location of the police station.
I found the first half more effective than the second half. I liked the mini stories of guilt we discover from several of the characters, and the death scenes were pretty good. The opening section was creepy, and the visuals of the horror were simple but effective.
It was a little mixed up in terms of POV - we get Ray and Bianca but it sort of switches between the two at times and I struggled to get a fix on either. Maybe just one of them would have been enough to tell the story?
To be honest, supernatural horror isn't always my jam, and I enjoyed the stories of guilt eating away at people more than the horror itself.
June 11, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this Author and I cannot wait to read more. I read this book in one sitting, so brew a pot of coffee and settle in for the ride. This story is scary in all the right ways- blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. The majority of the story takes place in an out of the way police station where Ben has been taken after his wife has been found dead in their home. Once Ben arrives at the police station strange things begin to happen and the staff finds themselves locked in the building with an evil that will stop at nothing until it has claimed every soul for it's own.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2023
A big thank you to Book Sirens and the author for providing me with an advanced readers copy free of charge. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
This was a very quick read both due to its length( more of what I would consider a novella), and its fast paced writing style. I appreciated the 80's horror feel of this one. All action all the time! There was not a lot of time given to character development but the bits of backstory we were given was done very well and never felt like an info dump. I thought the characters actions and reactions were well written and believable. I do wish that this had been a little longer as I was left wanting more at the stories conclusion.
This was a very quick read both due to its length( more of what I would consider a novella), and its fast paced writing style. I appreciated the 80's horror feel of this one. All action all the time! There was not a lot of time given to character development but the bits of backstory we were given was done very well and never felt like an info dump. I thought the characters actions and reactions were well written and believable. I do wish that this had been a little longer as I was left wanting more at the stories conclusion.
March 9, 2023
Old school horrific fun. What is the "It" from the title? You eventually find out, but it doesn't really matter. This mean and bloody narrative screams forward at breakneck speed with just enough background to keep things going and you don't actually need it all explained. And then it does explain it and loses a little bit of steam in the process but that's made up for with an ending right out of a horror movie.
This was definitely entertaining.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was definitely entertaining.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 19, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a modern story, but it has a B-grade late 80s vibe. In Yucca Valley, a police department encounters an evil force that reminds the officers of their worst sins. The kills relate to their darkest secrets and are fun to read. Whether they deserve it or not, they're getting it. There isn't much fleshing out of the characters, but it's a fun horror book.
A short book that will keep you interested. I enjoyed it, and my friend saw it on my phone and thought the cover was "badass."
This is a modern story, but it has a B-grade late 80s vibe. In Yucca Valley, a police department encounters an evil force that reminds the officers of their worst sins. The kills relate to their darkest secrets and are fun to read. Whether they deserve it or not, they're getting it. There isn't much fleshing out of the characters, but it's a fun horror book.
A short book that will keep you interested. I enjoyed it, and my friend saw it on my phone and thought the cover was "badass."
April 27, 2023
My thanks to the publisher for a chance to read this. I will say this, this is an interesting story. However, I had a really hard time getting into it and had a hard time staying into it. The characters are interesting in their own right and the evil that is present is well thought out. I guess my issue was the fact that it was going back and forth so quickly that I had a hard time keeping track of where I was until the end really. If there is a second in this story I will pick it up to see what happens and I will recommend it. It just wasn't totally for me.
June 26, 2023
An exciting supernatural horror story that reminds you of why you enjoy films like It Follows, and The Ring. Each sequence builds and builds until you are met with a satisfying climax and an ending that makes you wonder more.
This was one of the most fun horror stories I’ve read in awhile and kept me wanting to turn the page just to see how this gripping tale could possibly end. Would it be total destruction or inner tranquility? I do not want to say more, as I think this story is worth going in mostly blind. 4/5
This was one of the most fun horror stories I’ve read in awhile and kept me wanting to turn the page just to see how this gripping tale could possibly end. Would it be total destruction or inner tranquility? I do not want to say more, as I think this story is worth going in mostly blind. 4/5
March 7, 2023
I really enjoyed It Comes Back by John Penny. The author also happened to be the screenwriter for one of my favorite 90s horror movies, Return of the Living Dead 3. This book has the nostalgic feel of watching one of those good 90s horror movies, like ROTLD3 or Demon Night. The characters were relatable, the action was intense, the horror was scary, and most of all, it was fun. I read an ARC of this book and my review is voluntary.
May 19, 2023
This was a good book. I did think that some parts of it were cliché, and that those parts could have been avoided. That being said, the storyline did keep my interest, and I did like the main character, Bianca. I'm glad I gave this book a read, and I would be interested in reading other stories by this author!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 24, 2023
I loved this story. It was original and so well written. I would have loved to have more characters with more elaborate stories of guilt, just to see what would happen. I'm not a huge fan of cliffhangers but I understand the need to set up a continuation. Bravo! Glad I read this!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2023
What an action-packed thrill ride! Loved how this took off and never slowed down. Full of heart-thumping horror right after the characters are introduced. Really enjoyed this. Looking forward to more books by Penney!
April 29, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free via Book Sirens and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Not a new idea but well written with good characterisation. Atmospheric with real tension and flowing easy read. Well worth a read and I'll be checking out other titles by the author
Not a new idea but well written with good characterisation. Atmospheric with real tension and flowing easy read. Well worth a read and I'll be checking out other titles by the author
May 8, 2023
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse and BookSirens for providing a review copy.
It Comes Back is a fast-paced novella that centers around guilt. I found it to be well-written and a very interesting concept. I loved the action-packed ending and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.
It Comes Back is a fast-paced novella that centers around guilt. I found it to be well-written and a very interesting concept. I loved the action-packed ending and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.
Read
March 3, 2023A must have. Awesome book to read I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2023
I absolutely loved this book.. I was hooked from the first page . It was full of surprises. highly recommended!
May 19, 2023
I don’t want to spoil anything, it was an intense gory read. Sometimes dragged on a bit but otherwise enjoyable and bloody entertaining :)
June 6, 2023
This book reminded me of Event Horizon (my favourite movie), if Even Horizon was set in a police station instead of a spaceship. Short, no-nonsense horror, just the way I like it.
April 9, 2023
Psychological, supernatural horror dealing with guilt and loss is the backbone of this well crafted tale. It is fast paced and held my interest to finish in one sitting.
The only reason I have marked this as a three star read is down to my own personal taste- in that it didn’t really get there for me and not a criticism of the story / author
I received an arc of this book and leave this review freely.
The only reason I have marked this as a three star read is down to my own personal taste- in that it didn’t really get there for me and not a criticism of the story / author
I received an arc of this book and leave this review freely.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews