What do you think?
Rate this book
Four: A Novella
From the author of Embrace the Darkness, Tunnels, and The Artist comes Four. Four friends spend a night away camping in the English countryside, each taking a turn to tell a horror story that will terrify the others. But the group soon discover that there is more to be afraid of than just some campfire tales, and that no one is as innocent as they seem.
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
Published September 18, 2019
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Blakey-Novis
89 books71 followersAuthor of The Broken Doll, parts 1 & 2, both released in 2017. Author of 6 collections of short horror stories: Embrace the Darkness, Tunnels, The Artist, Karma, The Place Between Worlds, and Home, as well as the horror novella Four. Author of a children's book, Grace and Bobo, co-written with his daughter. Editor of Indie Writers Review magazine, and co-founder of Red Cape Publishing P.J. also has stories in numerous anthologies.
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
February 26, 2019
A 5 star collection of chaotic awesomeness!
Tales within a tale entailed, this novella length collection of campfire terrors is very dark and diverse in content, as four friends take a trip into the English countryside. Their intended destination, a pub some hundred miles away, so of course, there will be the need to stop for the night and set up camp. Here’s where things get really dark.
Novis seamlessly weaves these individual tales together, as the four take it in turns around the campfire in an attempt to scare each other. The characters are well represented, the friendships between the four (two are a couple) are somewhat strained, adding to the tension each story builds throughout the book. From ghostly tales, mysterious killers in the woods, to aliens, possession, serial killers – Novis pulls you in with alarming ease, showcasing his impressive skill at narrating a variety of different and horrific topics, then wrapping them all into one terrifying bundle of fear.
This is a fairly quick read, one that you can’t put down once you start, and one you will be sure to revisit on occasion. The wrap up at the end was a masterful twist. You know there will be one, as most tales of terror do, but you will not expect it when it hits you. A brilliant, highly enjoyable and chilling read by ten hells of a wikked author!
Highly recommended reading for all Horror freaks.
Tales within a tale entailed, this novella length collection of campfire terrors is very dark and diverse in content, as four friends take a trip into the English countryside. Their intended destination, a pub some hundred miles away, so of course, there will be the need to stop for the night and set up camp. Here’s where things get really dark.
Novis seamlessly weaves these individual tales together, as the four take it in turns around the campfire in an attempt to scare each other. The characters are well represented, the friendships between the four (two are a couple) are somewhat strained, adding to the tension each story builds throughout the book. From ghostly tales, mysterious killers in the woods, to aliens, possession, serial killers – Novis pulls you in with alarming ease, showcasing his impressive skill at narrating a variety of different and horrific topics, then wrapping them all into one terrifying bundle of fear.
This is a fairly quick read, one that you can’t put down once you start, and one you will be sure to revisit on occasion. The wrap up at the end was a masterful twist. You know there will be one, as most tales of terror do, but you will not expect it when it hits you. A brilliant, highly enjoyable and chilling read by ten hells of a wikked author!
Highly recommended reading for all Horror freaks.
November 5, 2020
I love to camp. In the beginning, I could smell the camp fire burning and even got a few chills from the crisp night air. Not only do you get four different stories told around a campfire, a bigger story is happening to these campers. It was short, but a very appropriate length for this type of story. The ending was the best. In all honesty, I wasn't thrilled by the alien and ghost stories, but those things just don't interest me. But the ending made it all worthwhile
February 26, 2019
Four invites readers along on a camping trip with a small group of friends who take turns telling each other scary stories in the dark English countryside. Weaved within a larger story, the novella provides chilling fireside tales of murder, alien abduction, ghosts and vigilante justice. As each short story unfolds, cracks and strains within the friendship of the group come to the surface, and the overarching story takes a sinister turn.
Blakey-Novis does an excellent job of creating a unique style within each of the stories to match the personality of the character telling the tale. Some of the tales are filled with gruesome images and heart-pounding near escapes, while others take a more subdued approach of psychological terror. The final story told by one of the characters seeps into the main plot creating an awesome twist that I did not see coming.
My only criticism is that the end of the novella becomes a bit weighed down by exposition and I would have preferred more of the information dotted through the main storyline rather than all clumped together at the end. While some of the details must be concealed from the reader to maximize the twist at the climax, there were bits of the characters’ backgrounds which could have been relayed earlier in the story without spoiling the end.
That being said, Four is an intense and fantastic read. As with the author’s other works, I found this nearly impossible to put down. I enjoyed this novella so much that I actually read it twice, and I’m sure that I’ll revisit it in the future.
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this work by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Blakey-Novis does an excellent job of creating a unique style within each of the stories to match the personality of the character telling the tale. Some of the tales are filled with gruesome images and heart-pounding near escapes, while others take a more subdued approach of psychological terror. The final story told by one of the characters seeps into the main plot creating an awesome twist that I did not see coming.
My only criticism is that the end of the novella becomes a bit weighed down by exposition and I would have preferred more of the information dotted through the main storyline rather than all clumped together at the end. While some of the details must be concealed from the reader to maximize the twist at the climax, there were bits of the characters’ backgrounds which could have been relayed earlier in the story without spoiling the end.
That being said, Four is an intense and fantastic read. As with the author’s other works, I found this nearly impossible to put down. I enjoyed this novella so much that I actually read it twice, and I’m sure that I’ll revisit it in the future.
*Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this work by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
December 14, 2022
I enjoyed this one. Multiple stories told from different perspectives. Each revolving around the main campers before moving onto the main story. I enjoyed all of them and the wrap up was great. Looking forward to the sequel mentioned at the end of the book, 'Three'.
February 26, 2019
Peter Blakey-Novis has taken a cherished past time, and with his twisted mind, weaves a wicked tale that will make you look at your friends and ask – Do I really know them? On any camping trip, ghostly tales inevitably begin to surface around the fire after a few drinks. Novis uses this mechanism to divulge the inner most secrets of close friends. Each of the four stories has a nugget of personality regarding the character telling it, which as the story unfolds, reminds you of a contortionist at a macabre carnival that coils their body into an unrecognizable form, and the horrific gasp as the sound of the last joint pops out to complete the grotesque sight, reveals the nature of what people are capable of when pushed to their limit. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.
February 26, 2019
I began reading these tales of terror expecting an anthology and was enjoyably surprised by a unique twist in story telling. A group of friends head off into the wilds on a hiking/camping weekend and sitting around the fire do what all campers traditionally must do - tell scary stories.
This is a story, within a story, within a story, what a great concept and an ending you'll never guess.
Horrific and enjoyable.
This is a story, within a story, within a story, what a great concept and an ending you'll never guess.
Horrific and enjoyable.
May 31, 2019
This book was great. I loved the fact the author was able to tell mulitple short horror stories into one whole story, well done!
Four campers tell their creepy stories around the fire, at night, with booze, and a score to settle. I thoroughly enjoyed each one, and the conclusion was music to my ears lol. This author better not keep me long waiting on the sequel... I want it NOW!!
Four campers tell their creepy stories around the fire, at night, with booze, and a score to settle. I thoroughly enjoyed each one, and the conclusion was music to my ears lol. This author better not keep me long waiting on the sequel... I want it NOW!!
February 26, 2019
FOUR is a novella based on the horror classic "campfire tales" kind of stories but with the complexity of different narrators making up their own versions. From monsters to possession, Blakey-Novis takes you to a trip of terror and nightmares.
Excellently written, the author perfectly crafts the change of voice, narration and jumps from one scene to the other. He makes you feel comfortable with traditional horror elements ("it was a dark and stormy night...") to, afterwards, throw a grenade when least expected.
This is the third work I got by him, and he's always a pleasure to read. Without baroque descriptions or endless paragraphs, he locates you in the scene with amazing ease. In this case, you can perfectly feel the fire, the forest and the relation between the characters.
A quick read, perfect to curl up under a blanket in a rainy afternoon, if you don't expect to sleep at night, of course.
Blakey-Novis is an author I always recommend, because of his versatile inspirations and variety of plots, he has a coffin for every corpse. Any horror reader can enjoy his writing, no matter which genre you come from.
Excellently written, the author perfectly crafts the change of voice, narration and jumps from one scene to the other. He makes you feel comfortable with traditional horror elements ("it was a dark and stormy night...") to, afterwards, throw a grenade when least expected.
This is the third work I got by him, and he's always a pleasure to read. Without baroque descriptions or endless paragraphs, he locates you in the scene with amazing ease. In this case, you can perfectly feel the fire, the forest and the relation between the characters.
A quick read, perfect to curl up under a blanket in a rainy afternoon, if you don't expect to sleep at night, of course.
Blakey-Novis is an author I always recommend, because of his versatile inspirations and variety of plots, he has a coffin for every corpse. Any horror reader can enjoy his writing, no matter which genre you come from.
May 12, 2020
I recieved a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I'll start by saying that the premise interested me. It took me back to my childhood favourite TV show 'Are You Afraid Of The Dark'. I was, however, a tad concerned it wouldn't be for me with the opening. It felt like it might veer off towards a bit of YA territory (thankfully it didn't) and the narrative style wasn't something I was used to (that also changed very quickly).
As it went on my concerns vanished and I found myself hooked on an interesting story connected together by four brilliant campfire tales. My YA fears were put to bed (its very dark and bloody in places).
The mix of characters is a good one and the way they mesh together feels very real. Each character was very different from everyone else in the group and this was reflected in their wonderful tales.
It certainly sets up the sequel very well and has me very interested in picking up the sequel. All in all its a very fun, enjoyably creepy read/listen.
I initially thought the narrator's voice wasn't for me, but it grew on me fairly quickly and, other than the habit of going up at the end of sentences from time to time, I had no real issues with it.
I'll start by saying that the premise interested me. It took me back to my childhood favourite TV show 'Are You Afraid Of The Dark'. I was, however, a tad concerned it wouldn't be for me with the opening. It felt like it might veer off towards a bit of YA territory (thankfully it didn't) and the narrative style wasn't something I was used to (that also changed very quickly).
As it went on my concerns vanished and I found myself hooked on an interesting story connected together by four brilliant campfire tales. My YA fears were put to bed (its very dark and bloody in places).
The mix of characters is a good one and the way they mesh together feels very real. Each character was very different from everyone else in the group and this was reflected in their wonderful tales.
It certainly sets up the sequel very well and has me very interested in picking up the sequel. All in all its a very fun, enjoyably creepy read/listen.
I initially thought the narrator's voice wasn't for me, but it grew on me fairly quickly and, other than the habit of going up at the end of sentences from time to time, I had no real issues with it.
June 30, 2021
Not that I go camping much anymore, but as a kid I did a lot. We'd go on school camps and try to come up with the scariest tales around the crackling fire. Living in Australia's Outback we had lots to fall back on. Four took me back to those days and I enjoyed this tale of four stories told around the campfire, with a bigger one happening at the same time to the campers. I thought it was clever, seamless in weaving the stories together, and original. Well written and I will certainly read more from Blakey-Novis. It took me a while to get around to finishing this one (with my TBR pile a mountain high distracting me), but I'm glad I did! Great read.
May 13, 2022
Four friends are storytellers during the night around a campfire . Whose story is scarier? Also there is a personal background. What these friends think about each other? Cool story collection will make you wonder.
February 28, 2019
I liked Four: A Novella. I liked the format of slipping from the main characters to the stories they tell while sitting around a camp fire. It felt smooth and wasn’t over done. P.J. Blakey-Novis kept these transitions simple.
The characters are established quickly, and again smoothly. We don’t get hit over the head with too much unnecessary information.
The use of gore is not overdone and fits in nicely with the feel of the story.
I found the layout of the story very pleasing. I don’t get much time to sit and read, so most of my reading is in bite-sized chunks. This book was written for someone like me in mind. P.J. Blakey-Novis breaks the scenes down into nice sized sections that were just the right length for the whole. I’d be interested to know how many drafts this went through because it’s tightly written book.
Definitely worth checking out.
The characters are established quickly, and again smoothly. We don’t get hit over the head with too much unnecessary information.
The use of gore is not overdone and fits in nicely with the feel of the story.
I found the layout of the story very pleasing. I don’t get much time to sit and read, so most of my reading is in bite-sized chunks. This book was written for someone like me in mind. P.J. Blakey-Novis breaks the scenes down into nice sized sections that were just the right length for the whole. I’d be interested to know how many drafts this went through because it’s tightly written book.
Definitely worth checking out.
May 23, 2022
Four by P.J. Blakey-Novis is a novella broken out by the four stories that a group of friends tell around the campfire. Each tale has an element of truth, but do any of these stories have more truth than they think?
My goodness. This novella doesn’t just pack a punch of horror; it has a quick combination of a jab, a cross, and a hook, before finishing with an uppercut!
Once I started reading this tale, I didn’t look up from the pages until I hit the final sentence.
DO NOT READ THIS ONE WHILE CAMPING! There are so many fears here all bundled into one. If I ever go on a camping trip again, I will certainly be side-eyeing everyone constantly and I will not ask everyone to share their scary stories.
Horror fans, go pick up a copy of this one today!
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author per request of an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
CW: Brief mentions of sexual assault and rape.
My goodness. This novella doesn’t just pack a punch of horror; it has a quick combination of a jab, a cross, and a hook, before finishing with an uppercut!
Once I started reading this tale, I didn’t look up from the pages until I hit the final sentence.
DO NOT READ THIS ONE WHILE CAMPING! There are so many fears here all bundled into one. If I ever go on a camping trip again, I will certainly be side-eyeing everyone constantly and I will not ask everyone to share their scary stories.
Horror fans, go pick up a copy of this one today!
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author per request of an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
CW: Brief mentions of sexual assault and rape.
May 5, 2019
"Four" is a fantastic concept. A novella made up of four separate short stories, so fantastically put together that you're never quite sure where the next hit is going to come from... Or if the threat is real.
The pacing is perfect, with Blakey-Novis knowing exactly when to be spooky, when to throw in a bit of light-hearted comedy and when it's time for a spot of violence. The characters are well-rounded, interesting and, above all, realistic.
"Four" is a quick read. One that will leave you crying out for more. Luckily for us, there appears to be a sequel on the horizon.
The pacing is perfect, with Blakey-Novis knowing exactly when to be spooky, when to throw in a bit of light-hearted comedy and when it's time for a spot of violence. The characters are well-rounded, interesting and, above all, realistic.
"Four" is a quick read. One that will leave you crying out for more. Luckily for us, there appears to be a sequel on the horizon.
June 24, 2020
Audiobook Review -
I was really surprised by Four. It's about four friends who end up telling unique campfire stories. They have to use the four friends around the fire as the main characters and then are given a topic. I loved the setup and the thread of the friends connecting the stories. The overall novella is well written and has one hell of a twist.
Also the narrator does a great job keeping the excitement and thrill going. Definitely worth the quick listen and at the end the narrator says there will be a follow up book in 2020. I'll be one-clicking that book!
I was really surprised by Four. It's about four friends who end up telling unique campfire stories. They have to use the four friends around the fire as the main characters and then are given a topic. I loved the setup and the thread of the friends connecting the stories. The overall novella is well written and has one hell of a twist.
Also the narrator does a great job keeping the excitement and thrill going. Definitely worth the quick listen and at the end the narrator says there will be a follow up book in 2020. I'll be one-clicking that book!
February 21, 2023
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 24, 2019
(I listened to an audiobook version of this novella.)
I enjoy camping...and the thought of sitting around the campfire telling scary stories really drew me in. I loved the twist at the end, since I kept expecting outside forces to appear and wreak havoc.
I'm hoping that this novella gets expanded into a full story or that there is at least a sequel to it.
(The narrator also did an excellent job.)
I enjoy camping...and the thought of sitting around the campfire telling scary stories really drew me in. I loved the twist at the end, since I kept expecting outside forces to appear and wreak havoc.
I'm hoping that this novella gets expanded into a full story or that there is at least a sequel to it.
(The narrator also did an excellent job.)
December 17, 2019
It was my very great pleasure to narrate and produce the audiobook of this novella.
Four stories within a story, cunningly constructed with a shocking twist at the end. All told in P J Blakey-Novis' trademark fast-paced no-nonsense style.
Great fun to read.
Four stories within a story, cunningly constructed with a shocking twist at the end. All told in P J Blakey-Novis' trademark fast-paced no-nonsense style.
Great fun to read.
September 24, 2021
I liked the concept of this book and especially liked the last story told around the campfire. It was interesting how the friends put themselves in their various stories. Short but worth listening to.
January 18, 2022
Audible review. Four friends go camping. Each tells a campfire story. Scary. Exciting. Funny. Fun. The last one, Martha, puts a twist on her story you won't soon forget!
The narrator did such a good job telling these stories, I found myself thinking they were true. A very fun read/listen.
The narrator did such a good job telling these stories, I found myself thinking they were true. A very fun read/listen.
February 3, 2022
This was really good.Four short horror stories told around a campfire are just part of the bigger story. Davis Sweeney-Bear was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
February 3, 2022
This was really good.Four short horror stories told around a campfire are just part of the bigger story. Davis Sweeney-Bear was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
February 27, 2023
This was my first time reading this author and I liked it. Camping with friends and telling scary stories. I did not see that coming in the end. I can't wait to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Red Cape Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Red Cape Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2022
This novella (Camp Fire Tales) was a great book. It starts out as just a few friends going camping.
However, each individual tells their own tale which ends with a "twist".
However, each individual tells their own tale which ends with a "twist".
December 17, 2022
Stop right there and read this book right now. This has to be a beginning of a horror movie?! Please. I need that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 31, 2025Read it until the end.
June 11, 2025
4 friends go backpacking and one night decide to tell scary stories. This book is each of their scary stories and I enjoyed it! It kept my attention and the stories were authentically creepy.
November 27, 2024
An intriguing and enjoyable concept for a series of four short ghost stories that are both connected and separate. The narrative unfolds as four friends embark on a hike and settle down for the night, each sharing a different spooky tale, whether it's ghostly, horrific, or even worse. However, not everything is as it seems, and one of these stories may have more truth than fiction.
What I appreciated about the book was the variety of tales, each told by a different character, and all featuring the same characters in different settings. These stories are brief, akin to what friends might share around a campfire.
The revelation at the end adds a layer of enjoyment, transforming the collection from a mere series of stories shared among friends into something darker.
What I appreciated about the book was the variety of tales, each told by a different character, and all featuring the same characters in different settings. These stories are brief, akin to what friends might share around a campfire.
The revelation at the end adds a layer of enjoyment, transforming the collection from a mere series of stories shared among friends into something darker.
December 7, 2019
Wow, short but thrilling. This wasn't quite what I expected but was actually much better. The tales told around the campfire were all very different and well told and really fit in well with the characters.
Quite gruesome in places, as of course it should be. The characters were well defined and believable and the ending left me very keen to read the sequel.
The narrator was also very good and gave a nicely credible performance.
I received a free copy of this audiobook either from the author or a promotion or giveaway and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.
Quite gruesome in places, as of course it should be. The characters were well defined and believable and the ending left me very keen to read the sequel.
The narrator was also very good and gave a nicely credible performance.
I received a free copy of this audiobook either from the author or a promotion or giveaway and am voluntarily writing an honest and unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews