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The Dream Killer
Meet Ethan Webman—a man living a quiet, unremarkable life until he discovers the body of a missing girl—her face splashed across headlines nationwide—in his basement. With no alibi and suspicion mounting, he must prove his innocence before it’s too late.
His quest leads him to James LaRoche, a scientist who believed people could kill within their dreams. As Ethan unravels a global conspiracy, every clue ensnares him deeper, unveiling horrors beyond imagination. Welcome to... The Dream Killer.
His quest leads him to James LaRoche, a scientist who believed people could kill within their dreams. As Ethan unravels a global conspiracy, every clue ensnares him deeper, unveiling horrors beyond imagination. Welcome to... The Dream Killer.
324 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2025
5 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Adam Cosco
9 books65 followersAdam Cosco is an award-winning author and filmmaker whose work dives deep into the shadows of the human psyche. A graduate of the prestigious American Film Institute, Adam cut his teeth in Hollywood before turning his focus to novels—crafting stories that blend horror, psychological suspense, and dark satire.
His novels—Little Brother, Say Goodbye to Jonny Hollywood, Lowlands, The Heart of a Child, and his latest mind-bending thriller The Dream Killer—have captivated readers with their atmospheric dread and sharp psychological insight.
Fearless, provocative, and impossible to ignore, Adam Cosco writes the kind of stories that leave a mark.
His novels—Little Brother, Say Goodbye to Jonny Hollywood, Lowlands, The Heart of a Child, and his latest mind-bending thriller The Dream Killer—have captivated readers with their atmospheric dread and sharp psychological insight.
Fearless, provocative, and impossible to ignore, Adam Cosco writes the kind of stories that leave a mark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
March 7, 2025
Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on The Dream Killer by Adam Cosco, a thriller that twisted my mind like a pretzel! 🥨 I received this eARC from Booksirens in exchange for my honest review—so here it goes!
📖 A Gripping Opening! The book kicks off with Ethan, who wakes up feeling uneasy as helicopters circle his house 🚁. There’s a missing girl, and the FBI is hot on the trail! The tension is palpable, and I was immediately hooked. But then Ethan discovers a mysterious piece of paper with a triangle and three dots on it. 🤔 What could it mean? This was a fantastic setup, and I flew through the first half of the book like it was a race! 🏎️💨
😬 The Plot Takes a Turn! Things really take a dark turn when Ethan finds the missing girl wrapped up in a rug in the basement, along with that same insidious symbol etched into her back. 😱 At this moment, I was on the edge of my seat, trying to put the pieces together!
The introduction of Sophia, who seems to hold the answers Ethan desperately seeks, added layers to the story that I found intriguing—reminiscent of Shutter Island! 🏝️ However, I must admit, the plot twist that occurred about halfway through threw me for a loop. 🚦 It was a wild 180-degree shift that left me a bit disoriented.
🧠 A Complex Narrative- Cosco’s intelligence shines through in his plotting and character development. 🌟 It’s clear he crafted an intricate narrative; however, I struggled with the sudden changes in the storyline. It’s as if my brain was attempting to keep pace with a marathon runner! 🏃♂️💨
Although the ending ties up most loose ends and makes sense (mostly! 🤷♀️), the middle section felt like a puzzle I couldn’t quite solve. I appreciate the author's creativity, yet the complexity might be best suited for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with an expansive intellectual grasp. 🧩
🤔 Who Would Enjoy This Book? I would recommend The Dream Killer to those who love psychological thrillers and can tackle dense plots with a strong cerebral edge. 🧠💪 If you thrive on complexity and enjoy unraveling mysteries that require a bit of thought, this book might be right up your alley!
In conclusion, while I found The Dream Killer enjoyable and appreciated the author's genius, the unexpected plot twists left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. 😅 Thank you, Adam Cosco, for the opportunity to read your work!
Happy reading, everyone! 📚💖 Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️😊
📖 A Gripping Opening! The book kicks off with Ethan, who wakes up feeling uneasy as helicopters circle his house 🚁. There’s a missing girl, and the FBI is hot on the trail! The tension is palpable, and I was immediately hooked. But then Ethan discovers a mysterious piece of paper with a triangle and three dots on it. 🤔 What could it mean? This was a fantastic setup, and I flew through the first half of the book like it was a race! 🏎️💨
😬 The Plot Takes a Turn! Things really take a dark turn when Ethan finds the missing girl wrapped up in a rug in the basement, along with that same insidious symbol etched into her back. 😱 At this moment, I was on the edge of my seat, trying to put the pieces together!
The introduction of Sophia, who seems to hold the answers Ethan desperately seeks, added layers to the story that I found intriguing—reminiscent of Shutter Island! 🏝️ However, I must admit, the plot twist that occurred about halfway through threw me for a loop. 🚦 It was a wild 180-degree shift that left me a bit disoriented.
🧠 A Complex Narrative- Cosco’s intelligence shines through in his plotting and character development. 🌟 It’s clear he crafted an intricate narrative; however, I struggled with the sudden changes in the storyline. It’s as if my brain was attempting to keep pace with a marathon runner! 🏃♂️💨
Although the ending ties up most loose ends and makes sense (mostly! 🤷♀️), the middle section felt like a puzzle I couldn’t quite solve. I appreciate the author's creativity, yet the complexity might be best suited for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with an expansive intellectual grasp. 🧩
🤔 Who Would Enjoy This Book? I would recommend The Dream Killer to those who love psychological thrillers and can tackle dense plots with a strong cerebral edge. 🧠💪 If you thrive on complexity and enjoy unraveling mysteries that require a bit of thought, this book might be right up your alley!
In conclusion, while I found The Dream Killer enjoyable and appreciated the author's genius, the unexpected plot twists left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. 😅 Thank you, Adam Cosco, for the opportunity to read your work!
Happy reading, everyone! 📚💖 Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️😊
October 10, 2025
This one really hits the ground running and just keeps going.
It's hard to explain why I liked this book without giving away spoilers that would have ruined it for me, so I'll just say; the middle of the story had me raging and the ending left me with a vague sense of sad emptiness that was oddly beautiful.
It's hard to explain why I liked this book without giving away spoilers that would have ruined it for me, so I'll just say; the middle of the story had me raging and the ending left me with a vague sense of sad emptiness that was oddly beautiful.
March 19, 2025
This was a whirlwind.... I was mentally drug back and forth constantly questioning what was really going on! If you enjoy psychological thrillers/horror, then you are gonna love this one.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 28, 2025
This one is a bit of a conundrum as far as the rating goes. I think I'm going with a 3.5 because I appreciated how creative the story was, but the format didn't really work for me and I liked the first half of the book more than the second.
It read as if the author took a fully formed screenplay and then reformatted it into fiction instead. Essentially, if you've ever looked at a script and seen the way the action is written out, that's how this novel feels. I'm not sure how else to describe it. I eventually got used to it, but I can honestly say I've never read another book that's been written in this manner, and although I think it may have also been done for meta reasons, I didn't love it.
The strongest aspect of "The Dream Killer" is its ideas, which are twisty and interesting and fun. This is a dark sci-fi tale with horrific elements, and for the most part I didn't know what was going to happen next. I was on board. Ethan was a compelling and sympathetic main character. There were fun little surprises throughout the text as well, such as actual working websites linked to the ones mentioned in the e-book. I love it when authors use mixed media like that. It just makes everything feel more real and shows that a lot of effort went into crafting the world.
That said, a little over halfway through the story the characters changed in ways that put me off and the plot then lost some of its intrigue. One could argue that this was just part of the illusion of the story, but I thought about that and it sort of made sense but also sort of didn't, so I'm 50/50 on the reasoning. Either way, the tonal shift knocked the rating down for ME.
Another minor pet peeve, but I got tired of Sophia smirking in every other paragraph, or a “hint of a smile touching her lips.” I eventually noticed a lot of repetition in the descriptions as well, such as various sounds “cutting through the silence like a knife.” And especially in the last few chapters, there are many instances of Ethan’s pulse pounding and his breath becoming shallow.
The book lost me for a bit at the end, but then it brought me back. (I wasn’t really into the third act reveal, but I loved the actual ending.)
I picked this one up because of the dream aspect in the plot, the rave reviews, and the comparison one reviewer made to "Minority Report," a movie that is in my all-time top ten. This book was a mixed bag, but if you don't mind the formatting it's probably worth a read just for its interesting story ideas. Currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
Biggest TW: Animal harm/death, Mention of sexual abuse
It read as if the author took a fully formed screenplay and then reformatted it into fiction instead. Essentially, if you've ever looked at a script and seen the way the action is written out, that's how this novel feels. I'm not sure how else to describe it. I eventually got used to it, but I can honestly say I've never read another book that's been written in this manner, and although I think it may have also been done for meta reasons, I didn't love it.
The strongest aspect of "The Dream Killer" is its ideas, which are twisty and interesting and fun. This is a dark sci-fi tale with horrific elements, and for the most part I didn't know what was going to happen next. I was on board. Ethan was a compelling and sympathetic main character. There were fun little surprises throughout the text as well, such as actual working websites linked to the ones mentioned in the e-book. I love it when authors use mixed media like that. It just makes everything feel more real and shows that a lot of effort went into crafting the world.
That said, a little over halfway through the story the characters changed in ways that put me off and the plot then lost some of its intrigue. One could argue that this was just part of the illusion of the story, but I thought about that and it sort of made sense but also sort of didn't, so I'm 50/50 on the reasoning. Either way, the tonal shift knocked the rating down for ME.
Another minor pet peeve, but I got tired of Sophia smirking in every other paragraph, or a “hint of a smile touching her lips.” I eventually noticed a lot of repetition in the descriptions as well, such as various sounds “cutting through the silence like a knife.” And especially in the last few chapters, there are many instances of Ethan’s pulse pounding and his breath becoming shallow.
The book lost me for a bit at the end, but then it brought me back. (I wasn’t really into the third act reveal, but I loved the actual ending.)
I picked this one up because of the dream aspect in the plot, the rave reviews, and the comparison one reviewer made to "Minority Report," a movie that is in my all-time top ten. This book was a mixed bag, but if you don't mind the formatting it's probably worth a read just for its interesting story ideas. Currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
Biggest TW: Animal harm/death, Mention of sexual abuse
March 14, 2025
I received this book last night as an arc. I have finished it in less than 24hrs. This book was so hard to put down, I literally flew through it. I would have finished in one sitting if I could. This story follows Ethan, he finds a young girl in his basement who is dead yet he has no recollection of how she got there… this book gave shutter island vibes. It literally will throw you for a loop, but I loved it. Anything psychological has me sold. I loved the characters and I also loved the fact I must have said wtf many times lmao.
This is my first book from this author but I’m running to add all of his other books to my tbr. I loved the psychology behind the story and I loved reading about the conditioning aspect. Honestly the last 10% I would not have predicted but there are many plot twists throughout that will keep you thoroughly engaged.
I would definitely recommend.
This is my first book from this author but I’m running to add all of his other books to my tbr. I loved the psychology behind the story and I loved reading about the conditioning aspect. Honestly the last 10% I would not have predicted but there are many plot twists throughout that will keep you thoroughly engaged.
I would definitely recommend.
April 10, 2025
This book had me questioning literally everything—including if I was still awake while reading.
Ethan finds a dead girl in his basement (normal Tuesday?), and from there it spirals. Hard. Nothing is real. Dreams bleed into reality. Timelines? Shattered. The rules? Gone.
It’s confusing in the exact way it’s meant to be—because you’re not supposed to feel safe here. You’re supposed to feel like you’re spiraling right alongside the main character. And wow, mission accomplished.
There’s lore. QR codes. An actual website. It makes you feel like you’re in the middle of it all, and it’s unnerving in the best way.
You will say “wtf” more than once. Probably five times. Maybe more.
Some parts feel purposely chaotic—and it works.
It’s weird. It’s layered.
Is this review even real? Who knows anymore.
April 10, 2025
This psychological thriller pulled me in right away. The concept of dream-based murders was unique, and the twist was seriously shocking—it stuck with me. Fast-paced and dark, though I wish the ending had a bit more closure. Still a great read.
February 6, 2025
ARC review!
I really enjoyed this book! If you have ever seen the movie “Shutter Island”, if definitely gives those vibes. You have to really pay attention in this book or you will honestly start to question your sanity (i know i did😅).
Overall, i really enjoyed this book. I love how it all tied together in the end & i love how it kept you guessing the entire time.
thank you, Adam, for a copy of this ARC for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book! If you have ever seen the movie “Shutter Island”, if definitely gives those vibes. You have to really pay attention in this book or you will honestly start to question your sanity (i know i did😅).
Overall, i really enjoyed this book. I love how it all tied together in the end & i love how it kept you guessing the entire time.
thank you, Adam, for a copy of this ARC for an honest review!
May 30, 2025
Woah…. You all?! This book is straight cuckoo bananas in the best way! It will mess with your head and leave you questioning reality and making you think! Also, a bit of appreciation for the cover art because its pretty spectacular.
Cosco’s education really shines through as this book is cinematic. Ethan was a sympathetic character and Cosco did very well with bringing him to life on the page. Sophia was mysterious and honestly, I did not really see where this was going to go. The major twist halfway through the book left me reeling. I loved the “found footage” aspect of it and the wild ride I was taken on. Think major Shutter Island vibes. Thank you so much @adam_cosco for my copy!
Cosco’s education really shines through as this book is cinematic. Ethan was a sympathetic character and Cosco did very well with bringing him to life on the page. Sophia was mysterious and honestly, I did not really see where this was going to go. The major twist halfway through the book left me reeling. I loved the “found footage” aspect of it and the wild ride I was taken on. Think major Shutter Island vibes. Thank you so much @adam_cosco for my copy!
April 11, 2025
The Dream Killer by Adam Cosco
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a very interesting and shocking horror story! This book has a bit of everything; thrills, crimes, creep, mystery, sci-fi and major twists! I was questioning my left, right and up & down, as I read this wildly intense story!
The story focuses on Ethan, who finds a dead girl in his basement and begins having a difficult time deciphering reality from dreams.
I definitely did not know which direction the story would take from chapter to chapter. It kept me on my toes with curiosity, excitement and sometimes a bit of confusion with so many twists and turns.
It’s very wild when pieces begin to tie together!
Thank you to Adam Cosco & BookSirens for a copy of this truly twisty story!!
*It’s out now, so make sure to get your copy!!*
The book isn’t just a story, but an experience!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a very interesting and shocking horror story! This book has a bit of everything; thrills, crimes, creep, mystery, sci-fi and major twists! I was questioning my left, right and up & down, as I read this wildly intense story!
The story focuses on Ethan, who finds a dead girl in his basement and begins having a difficult time deciphering reality from dreams.
I definitely did not know which direction the story would take from chapter to chapter. It kept me on my toes with curiosity, excitement and sometimes a bit of confusion with so many twists and turns.
It’s very wild when pieces begin to tie together!
Thank you to Adam Cosco & BookSirens for a copy of this truly twisty story!!
*It’s out now, so make sure to get your copy!!*
The book isn’t just a story, but an experience!
February 17, 2025
ARC RECIEW
This is the first book I've read by Adam and the first book I've read with this type of psychological thriller and I really liked It! It was a proper play with your mind story and I loved it! It felt like a mixture of stranger things and Inception and I couldn't put it down!
I liked the fact this book was separated into thirds, like 3 acts and it all makes sense. It's well written, fast paced which is great because it makes you want to know what happens in the next chapter.
I will admit, sometimes I got a bit confused; but I'm also not the brightest crayon in the box 😅 But the more I read on the more things made sense.
I highly recommend this book if you want something to really twist with your mind and to keep you guessing throughout!
Thank you again Adam for letting me read this!
This is the first book I've read by Adam and the first book I've read with this type of psychological thriller and I really liked It! It was a proper play with your mind story and I loved it! It felt like a mixture of stranger things and Inception and I couldn't put it down!
I liked the fact this book was separated into thirds, like 3 acts and it all makes sense. It's well written, fast paced which is great because it makes you want to know what happens in the next chapter.
I will admit, sometimes I got a bit confused; but I'm also not the brightest crayon in the box 😅 But the more I read on the more things made sense.
I highly recommend this book if you want something to really twist with your mind and to keep you guessing throughout!
Thank you again Adam for letting me read this!
May 17, 2025
First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer for this novel. I leave this review voluntarily.
★★★☆☆
While reading this book I felt just as confused as Ethan. I didn’t know what was real and as much as I can enjoy suspense and confusion this story sometimes left me feeling too confused. Maybe this is what it was meant to do, but personally that made me struggle to make sense of it and enjoy it to the fullest. It’s a very original story with elements that I really enjoyed (for example the links and QR code that take the story from the page into the real world gave it an extra dimension that fits with the whole theme of this book). I would say, see for yourself, give this one a go.
★★★☆☆
While reading this book I felt just as confused as Ethan. I didn’t know what was real and as much as I can enjoy suspense and confusion this story sometimes left me feeling too confused. Maybe this is what it was meant to do, but personally that made me struggle to make sense of it and enjoy it to the fullest. It’s a very original story with elements that I really enjoyed (for example the links and QR code that take the story from the page into the real world gave it an extra dimension that fits with the whole theme of this book). I would say, see for yourself, give this one a go.
February 14, 2025
Adam Cosco's "The Dream Killer" reads like the horror version of "The Truman Show," with several nods to "Inception" and "Nightmare on Elm Street"! Its complex plot and the incredible twist at the end will surely satisfy even the most jaded horror reader: it's original, wildly imaginative, and written in a lean writing style, very descriptive and direct, though with some unnervingly abrupt transitions from scene to scene.
The book's opening seems to go in one direction (thriller or crime novel), but after some pages you realize (as it often happens with Adam Cosco's books) that you have no idea where the story is going. The second half especially, keeps you wondering what the author has in mind for poor Ethan, the main character who goes from protagonist to bit character and back, and whose reality collapses every couple of chapters!
I kid you not: the book's sci-fi premise may be about killing people by dreaming, but the real trip is Ethan's journey of self-discovery through several emotionally upsetting moments; the scene with his mother was equally anxious-provoking and heartbreaking, for example. Many situations described become far more terrifying when placed in one's own context - though it's hard indeed to imagine one's life getting deconstructed bit by bit in a similarly absurd way (somewhat as if you discovered you're adopted by conspiracy theorists who believe you're an alien sent by the Illuminati to assasinate a celebrity! - yep, the book is THAT wild!). Highly recommended!
The book's opening seems to go in one direction (thriller or crime novel), but after some pages you realize (as it often happens with Adam Cosco's books) that you have no idea where the story is going. The second half especially, keeps you wondering what the author has in mind for poor Ethan, the main character who goes from protagonist to bit character and back, and whose reality collapses every couple of chapters!
I kid you not: the book's sci-fi premise may be about killing people by dreaming, but the real trip is Ethan's journey of self-discovery through several emotionally upsetting moments; the scene with his mother was equally anxious-provoking and heartbreaking, for example. Many situations described become far more terrifying when placed in one's own context - though it's hard indeed to imagine one's life getting deconstructed bit by bit in a similarly absurd way (somewhat as if you discovered you're adopted by conspiracy theorists who believe you're an alien sent by the Illuminati to assasinate a celebrity! - yep, the book is THAT wild!). Highly recommended!
February 12, 2025
Got sent a copy of the book to review so I will say this book is very good but honestly I got just a little confused towards the end. Fully recommend this though it is such a wild ride.
March 23, 2025
This book was twisty, and I did not expect it. It had me overthinking a few times like, Inception or Shutter Island kind of, and I really liked it.
I went in thinking, got it crime thriller ( I haven't read anything by this author yet), and found out real quick. Not everything is as it seems.
This was crime/sci-fi/horror?
Poor Ethan, my brain was turning to jelly, but my guy experiencing this?
Every single turn had me doubting my reality and his. Were they the same, or were we both lead astray?
When you live in a world where people dream to kill instead of just dreaming OF killing, who knows what's real, and what's just another dream?
This had psychological thriller elements to it, which really kept me on edge and wanting more as I turned the pages.
If his other books are like this, this author now has a huge fan.
I went in thinking, got it crime thriller ( I haven't read anything by this author yet), and found out real quick. Not everything is as it seems.
This was crime/sci-fi/horror?
Poor Ethan, my brain was turning to jelly, but my guy experiencing this?
Every single turn had me doubting my reality and his. Were they the same, or were we both lead astray?
When you live in a world where people dream to kill instead of just dreaming OF killing, who knows what's real, and what's just another dream?
This had psychological thriller elements to it, which really kept me on edge and wanting more as I turned the pages.
If his other books are like this, this author now has a huge fan.
August 8, 2025
This was a very good book, it did have slower points that could have been sped up. This book has suspense, a little bit of horror and even some romance. It definitely didn't see alot of plot twists coming. Not the kind of suspense I'm used to but definitely worth the read!
March 2, 2025
Just wow! This was so deep in the psyche and the twist and turns kept me gasping. Adam did amazing job putting you in the moment as the story progressed and keeping you hanging on thinking you knew what was next. Definitely worth a read if you like books that keep you thinking and wondering about what’s really possible and not. Keeps the imagination running wild!
March 12, 2025
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a wild ride this was! It was like reading an acid trip. A David Lynch screenplay mixed with the movie Identity with John Cusack. Oh, and what a trip that the QR code actually works! I've enjoyed everything I've read by Cosco so far and I plan to keep reading. He knows how to keep you on your toes and wanting more. I devoured this book. Simply could not put it down. I was so confused yet so enthralled and I enjoyed the twisty turnies! Definitely a must read!
What a wild ride this was! It was like reading an acid trip. A David Lynch screenplay mixed with the movie Identity with John Cusack. Oh, and what a trip that the QR code actually works! I've enjoyed everything I've read by Cosco so far and I plan to keep reading. He knows how to keep you on your toes and wanting more. I devoured this book. Simply could not put it down. I was so confused yet so enthralled and I enjoyed the twisty turnies! Definitely a must read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2025
🤯🤯🤯 I need a new brain
After the Heart of a Child, I had high expectations for The Dream Killer, and Adam absolutely delivered. It was like waking up from a nightmare, thinking, "Was I ever asleep, or did this all happen when I was awake?
It was packed with tension, and it'll make you feel paranoid, but in the end, it was just something that fuelled my love of horror, and i, for one, absolutely loved it.
Lights! Camera! ACTION!
Broken up into 3 separate parts, this book read like a dream sequence—part horror, part sci-fi, and all fuel for nightmares!
Just imagine stepping into Freddy Krueger’s world, but with a sci-fi twist. Instead of being hunted in your sleep, you’re the one doing the killing… without even realizing it, an experiment run by the (wait for it) Krueger Institute!
Think the movie, Inception, but with bloodshed—where shared dream spaces grant access to someone’s unconscious mind, turning your sleep into a deadly battlefield.
Adam gave it to me Raw, and Unfiltered leading me to believe that everything happening in this book was real, and i thought i pretty much had it all figured out, but then Cosco threw another spanner in the works.
If you think the book 'We Used to live here' was a complete mind twister try reading Dream Killer. It'll make your head spin 360 degrees right around and back again!
From the very first chapter, i was literally hooked. I couldn't get enough that i had to read more.
Part murder who done it, part detective novel, part science experiment, this novel kept me on my toes, making sure I was paying very close attention to every detail. Otherwise, I'd be completely lost.
The pacing was relentless! Every chapter pulled me deeper, making it impossible to put down. Just when I thought I was caught up and knew what was going on, another revelation would send me spiralling again.
Your writing style, as per usual, was razor-sharp! It was so intense, i was completely immersed, and the vividness? it was almost like watching a movie. Adam didn't just tell a story; he made me experience it, and that’s what makes his work so compelling.
The eerie atmosphere adam created was masterful. There was something truly terrifying about dream manipulation, how they can feel real, and how unsettling they can become.
The way lines were blurred between reality and the subconscious made me feel like the horror was something Ethan couldn't escape both while awake and asleep. Some moments had me actually questioning what the hell was going on?
The Dream Killer wasn't just terrifying—it was an experience, one that lingered long after the final page.
Adam has solidified himself as a must-read author for me, and I can't wait to see where your imagination takes us next.
I also personally want to thank Adam for gifting me the physical copy of this book! 🙏
After the Heart of a Child, I had high expectations for The Dream Killer, and Adam absolutely delivered. It was like waking up from a nightmare, thinking, "Was I ever asleep, or did this all happen when I was awake?
It was packed with tension, and it'll make you feel paranoid, but in the end, it was just something that fuelled my love of horror, and i, for one, absolutely loved it.
Lights! Camera! ACTION!
Broken up into 3 separate parts, this book read like a dream sequence—part horror, part sci-fi, and all fuel for nightmares!
Just imagine stepping into Freddy Krueger’s world, but with a sci-fi twist. Instead of being hunted in your sleep, you’re the one doing the killing… without even realizing it, an experiment run by the (wait for it) Krueger Institute!
Think the movie, Inception, but with bloodshed—where shared dream spaces grant access to someone’s unconscious mind, turning your sleep into a deadly battlefield.
Adam gave it to me Raw, and Unfiltered leading me to believe that everything happening in this book was real, and i thought i pretty much had it all figured out, but then Cosco threw another spanner in the works.
If you think the book 'We Used to live here' was a complete mind twister try reading Dream Killer. It'll make your head spin 360 degrees right around and back again!
From the very first chapter, i was literally hooked. I couldn't get enough that i had to read more.
Part murder who done it, part detective novel, part science experiment, this novel kept me on my toes, making sure I was paying very close attention to every detail. Otherwise, I'd be completely lost.
The pacing was relentless! Every chapter pulled me deeper, making it impossible to put down. Just when I thought I was caught up and knew what was going on, another revelation would send me spiralling again.
Your writing style, as per usual, was razor-sharp! It was so intense, i was completely immersed, and the vividness? it was almost like watching a movie. Adam didn't just tell a story; he made me experience it, and that’s what makes his work so compelling.
The eerie atmosphere adam created was masterful. There was something truly terrifying about dream manipulation, how they can feel real, and how unsettling they can become.
The way lines were blurred between reality and the subconscious made me feel like the horror was something Ethan couldn't escape both while awake and asleep. Some moments had me actually questioning what the hell was going on?
The Dream Killer wasn't just terrifying—it was an experience, one that lingered long after the final page.
Adam has solidified himself as a must-read author for me, and I can't wait to see where your imagination takes us next.
I also personally want to thank Adam for gifting me the physical copy of this book! 🙏
March 5, 2025
"Rain lashes down in relentless waves soaking the city in liquid chaos. Ethan trudges along the deserted sidewalk, blood streaking his drenched clothes, his breaths shallow. The streetlights above flicker erratically, casting distorted halos onto the pavement. Each step drags him deeper into the night, where the rain seems alive, whispering conspiracies he can't quite piece together."
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my rating, and the below thoughts are mine, and mine alone.
The Dream Killer is an absolutely wild book, it's the sort of novel that demands your attention, subtle shifts in the storytelling swirl together with this sort of fractured, fragmented, chaotic plot, making things really, really weird. It sets out to intentionally confuse you, reading this book will have you questioning your sanity, it'll have you asking if the world around you is even real. Hallucinogenic and strange, The Dream Killer feels like one of the most intense acid trips in the world, it's all so dreamlike and ethereal, haunting and terrifying. You read the synopsis, you think you know what you're getting yourself into, but you really, really don't - Adam Cosco is the master of pulling the rug from under our feet.
Extremely early on in this novel, it's apparent that Adam Cosco is hyper passionate about the horror genre, this is clearly, an author, who loves horror - the adoration of the craft seems etched into every single word. Many fantastic horror influences make up The Dream Killer, yet, it's still wholly unique and entirely its own thing. It's captivating, so imaginative and refreshing and so very vibrant. There's such a strong voice that's present throughout the book, this is a story that begs to be narrated, that takes our hand and removes us from our own reality, dumping us firmly in its own. This is a passionate novel, it's one that's entirely for the horror fans, for those of us that want to relive the very best horror memories, while also experiencing something new.
There's a real complexity to The Dream Killer, there are so many twists that will completely eviscerate your entire thought process. The book itself is broken down into three scenes, and the transitions between these scenes are pretty jagged and harsh, but this is a clearly intentional move by the author - it makes it like experiencing three interlocking stories at once, while also being deep in the trenches of the worst fever dream you'll ever have. The premise of this novel is insanely cool, but, it doesn't hold a candle to actually experiencing the demented journey of self-discovery you'll be taken on with The Dream Killer. So easily devourable, this is a wild ride, one that every ardent horror fan must experience for themselves.
"The knife parts flesh with a soft resistance, the sound a sickening whisper against the stillness. Each line he carves into her skin feels like an eternity, the symbol slowly taking form - a triangle with three dots, etched with trembling precision."
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my rating, and the below thoughts are mine, and mine alone.
The Dream Killer is an absolutely wild book, it's the sort of novel that demands your attention, subtle shifts in the storytelling swirl together with this sort of fractured, fragmented, chaotic plot, making things really, really weird. It sets out to intentionally confuse you, reading this book will have you questioning your sanity, it'll have you asking if the world around you is even real. Hallucinogenic and strange, The Dream Killer feels like one of the most intense acid trips in the world, it's all so dreamlike and ethereal, haunting and terrifying. You read the synopsis, you think you know what you're getting yourself into, but you really, really don't - Adam Cosco is the master of pulling the rug from under our feet.
Extremely early on in this novel, it's apparent that Adam Cosco is hyper passionate about the horror genre, this is clearly, an author, who loves horror - the adoration of the craft seems etched into every single word. Many fantastic horror influences make up The Dream Killer, yet, it's still wholly unique and entirely its own thing. It's captivating, so imaginative and refreshing and so very vibrant. There's such a strong voice that's present throughout the book, this is a story that begs to be narrated, that takes our hand and removes us from our own reality, dumping us firmly in its own. This is a passionate novel, it's one that's entirely for the horror fans, for those of us that want to relive the very best horror memories, while also experiencing something new.
"The muffled shouting from the trailer spills into the night air, jagged and raw, like the dissonant chords of an unfinished symphony. A few crew members linger nearby, their faces pale under the stark floodlights. Their wary glances flick toward the source of the noise, curiosity warring with apprehension. No one dares to move closer. It's an unspoken rule on set - some storms aren't meant to be weathered, just waited out."
There's a real complexity to The Dream Killer, there are so many twists that will completely eviscerate your entire thought process. The book itself is broken down into three scenes, and the transitions between these scenes are pretty jagged and harsh, but this is a clearly intentional move by the author - it makes it like experiencing three interlocking stories at once, while also being deep in the trenches of the worst fever dream you'll ever have. The premise of this novel is insanely cool, but, it doesn't hold a candle to actually experiencing the demented journey of self-discovery you'll be taken on with The Dream Killer. So easily devourable, this is a wild ride, one that every ardent horror fan must experience for themselves.
"The knife parts flesh with a soft resistance, the sound a sickening whisper against the stillness. Each line he carves into her skin feels like an eternity, the symbol slowly taking form - a triangle with three dots, etched with trembling precision."
August 20, 2025
Hisbook Review 🔵
It begins fast: our protagonist Ethan watches the news about a missing local girl.
Over dinner with his mother, she asks about an item that once belonged to Ethan’s late father. When he goes into the basement to retrieve it — a rug — he instead finds something that shatters his world.
Wrapped inside is the body of the missing girl. A girl Ethan doesn’t remember. A girl he certainly doesn’t remember killing.
From its blurb, I got the impression The Dream Killer would be a supernatural or paranormal thriller. But about a third of the way in, the narrative takes an unexpected shift. At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. I even remarked to my partner that the book had “lost” me. But I persisted — and I’m glad I did.
Ethan is an incredibly unreliable narrator. His fractured psyche bleeds from the page until the reader shares in his disorientation. Like Ethan, I often struggled to separate reality from the dream world, which only deepened the experience.
I’m reluctant to say much more for fear of delving into spoiler territory.
Adam Cosco’s novel is less a conventional thriller and more an exploration of the mind. Reading it feels like slipping into a dream — or perhaps a nightmare — where truth, memory, and perception blur together.
The Dream Killer is unsettling, disorienting, and not at all what I expected. It’s tightly crafted and whilst the ending is somewhat ambiguous, the conclusion ties the story up well.
If you’re looking for a straightforward thriller, you may be frustrated by its turns - especially in the second act.
But if you’re willing to submit yourself to the spiral of Ethan’s unraveling, it’s a rewarding and immersive descent.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It begins fast: our protagonist Ethan watches the news about a missing local girl.
Over dinner with his mother, she asks about an item that once belonged to Ethan’s late father. When he goes into the basement to retrieve it — a rug — he instead finds something that shatters his world.
Wrapped inside is the body of the missing girl. A girl Ethan doesn’t remember. A girl he certainly doesn’t remember killing.
From its blurb, I got the impression The Dream Killer would be a supernatural or paranormal thriller. But about a third of the way in, the narrative takes an unexpected shift. At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. I even remarked to my partner that the book had “lost” me. But I persisted — and I’m glad I did.
Ethan is an incredibly unreliable narrator. His fractured psyche bleeds from the page until the reader shares in his disorientation. Like Ethan, I often struggled to separate reality from the dream world, which only deepened the experience.
I’m reluctant to say much more for fear of delving into spoiler territory.
Adam Cosco’s novel is less a conventional thriller and more an exploration of the mind. Reading it feels like slipping into a dream — or perhaps a nightmare — where truth, memory, and perception blur together.
The Dream Killer is unsettling, disorienting, and not at all what I expected. It’s tightly crafted and whilst the ending is somewhat ambiguous, the conclusion ties the story up well.
If you’re looking for a straightforward thriller, you may be frustrated by its turns - especially in the second act.
But if you’re willing to submit yourself to the spiral of Ethan’s unraveling, it’s a rewarding and immersive descent.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2025
I received this book as an ARC through BookSirens. The review and rating are entirely my own opinion and do not reflect those of BookSirens, the author, editor, or any publishing company now and in the future.
With that said, I've done my best to avoid spoilers so my review will be intentionally vague. Honestly, go experience the story for yourself because it is an experience.
Okay, so...I went into this purely out of curiosity because it sounded interesting. I confess that anything involving dream killers usually has me rolling my eyes, but Adam Cosco's execution was a literal chef's kiss. I went in not liking Ethan (I thought he was whiny, not gonna lie) but as I read and things became more desperate for our protag, I understood the fragility of his mental state.
I have a horrible habit of predicting the outcome of a lot of books and when I tell you I was wrong, I was very wrong. While I toed the line of predicting it, the author does a fine job of shifting the narrative just enough that you question yourself.
Hat's off for the artistry behind making your reader feel like the character.
Warning for others who may be uncomfy with things of a sexual nature, there are a couple of scenes but they don't span so many pages that you feel like a voyeur. Still my least favorite aspect (I'm ace, so take that for what it's worth) but it adds to the overall humanity of our protag.
Thank you to the author, Adam Cosco, and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review.
Now, dear reader, go read and enjoy the ride.
With that said, I've done my best to avoid spoilers so my review will be intentionally vague. Honestly, go experience the story for yourself because it is an experience.
Okay, so...I went into this purely out of curiosity because it sounded interesting. I confess that anything involving dream killers usually has me rolling my eyes, but Adam Cosco's execution was a literal chef's kiss. I went in not liking Ethan (I thought he was whiny, not gonna lie) but as I read and things became more desperate for our protag, I understood the fragility of his mental state.
I have a horrible habit of predicting the outcome of a lot of books and when I tell you I was wrong, I was very wrong. While I toed the line of predicting it, the author does a fine job of shifting the narrative just enough that you question yourself.
Hat's off for the artistry behind making your reader feel like the character.
Warning for others who may be uncomfy with things of a sexual nature, there are a couple of scenes but they don't span so many pages that you feel like a voyeur. Still my least favorite aspect (I'm ace, so take that for what it's worth) but it adds to the overall humanity of our protag.
Thank you to the author, Adam Cosco, and BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review.
Now, dear reader, go read and enjoy the ride.
July 2, 2025
The Dream Killer was definitely a wild ride!
This mystery/thriller begins incredibly fast-paced, and thrusts the reader into the action as it unravels new layers. The premise is interesting, vague, and ambiguous to a point where the reader is not certain whether the book is going to take shape as a sci-fi, crime, psychology, or even magical realism narrative. The story continuously takes unexpected turns that keep the reader's interest and propel the intrigue. The reader has to follow in the characters' footsteps to unravel the mystery and uncover the truth - the book is like an interactive game in that sense! The author even interweaves intertextuality to make the story feel more real - there are video excerpts, movie scenes, reviews, youtube videos, news articles. This approach heightens the sense of urgency and creates an atmospheric chase of the truth.
I do believe that the book would have benefitted from more editing. I needed more setup at the beginning. Some of the clues are unveiled too early, which is oxymoronic in a sense - the fast pacing brings the interest up, but it suffocates the reader as things happen too fast. The second half of the book gets a bit convoluted at times and it was difficult to understand what was going on. Don't get me wrong, this is the author's intent, but they also utilized the same sequences of events too many times back to back.
THE TWIST WAS REALLY GOOD, THOUGH!!!
This mystery/thriller begins incredibly fast-paced, and thrusts the reader into the action as it unravels new layers. The premise is interesting, vague, and ambiguous to a point where the reader is not certain whether the book is going to take shape as a sci-fi, crime, psychology, or even magical realism narrative. The story continuously takes unexpected turns that keep the reader's interest and propel the intrigue. The reader has to follow in the characters' footsteps to unravel the mystery and uncover the truth - the book is like an interactive game in that sense! The author even interweaves intertextuality to make the story feel more real - there are video excerpts, movie scenes, reviews, youtube videos, news articles. This approach heightens the sense of urgency and creates an atmospheric chase of the truth.
I do believe that the book would have benefitted from more editing. I needed more setup at the beginning. Some of the clues are unveiled too early, which is oxymoronic in a sense - the fast pacing brings the interest up, but it suffocates the reader as things happen too fast. The second half of the book gets a bit convoluted at times and it was difficult to understand what was going on. Don't get me wrong, this is the author's intent, but they also utilized the same sequences of events too many times back to back.
THE TWIST WAS REALLY GOOD, THOUGH!!!
May 22, 2025
I read this book at the request of the author for a review. And I’m so glad he reached out, because I loved it. It was twisty and mind bending. There are also videos you can access through the digital copy of the book. I really liked that. The second video set the tone for the end of the book in a way I haven’t experienced before. It was very cool.
Unfortunately for Ethan, he finds the dead body of a missing local girl in his basement. He is sure he had nothing to do with killing her, but he has no idea how she got there. In his research to find out how this is possible, he discovers James LaRoche, a scientist who was studying and also capable of killing people in his dreams. This leads him to Sophia, a film maker with knowledge of LaRoche and his team. The more involved Ethan gets with Sophia, the more confusing and mind bending his life becomes. What is going on and how is any of it possible?
I loved this book. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started. It ended up reminding me of The Last House on Needless Street. Not as much the plot, but how I thought I understood what was going on, then something happened and completely twisted the world. It does come together and make sense at the end, so don’t worry. You won’t be left thinking, wtf did I just read?
Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this amazing book. It’s available on KU.
Unfortunately for Ethan, he finds the dead body of a missing local girl in his basement. He is sure he had nothing to do with killing her, but he has no idea how she got there. In his research to find out how this is possible, he discovers James LaRoche, a scientist who was studying and also capable of killing people in his dreams. This leads him to Sophia, a film maker with knowledge of LaRoche and his team. The more involved Ethan gets with Sophia, the more confusing and mind bending his life becomes. What is going on and how is any of it possible?
I loved this book. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started. It ended up reminding me of The Last House on Needless Street. Not as much the plot, but how I thought I understood what was going on, then something happened and completely twisted the world. It does come together and make sense at the end, so don’t worry. You won’t be left thinking, wtf did I just read?
Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this amazing book. It’s available on KU.
February 12, 2025
When I read the premise of this book - a body lying in someone's house, when they know they're innocent, I'd expected a whole different direction to the story. What I didn't expect was this unique concept of visiting people while dreaming, somewhat like astral projection, but able to commit crimes (even murder) while asleep. A total page-turner, with quite a few details, so you can really picture each scene, this thriller gets crazier after each chapter. I think the ending was mind-blowing too, the way you start to tie loose ends together and everything starts making sense.
I think the only minus for me was that the details in the writing were a bit too much at times, i.e the details in facial expressions and some of the ambience described.
** My thanks to the author, Adam Cosco, for sharing this book with me. It was great to read a thriller after a long time, and this was quite the read!
I think the only minus for me was that the details in the writing were a bit too much at times, i.e the details in facial expressions and some of the ambience described.
** My thanks to the author, Adam Cosco, for sharing this book with me. It was great to read a thriller after a long time, and this was quite the read!
April 8, 2025
Oh wow. This was a phenomenal book. I went into this not really knowing what to expect and with very little insight into what the premise of the book was. Every time I thought I had an idea of where this was going I was turned right around and pushed in a different direction. It was amazing. This book kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. This is exactly what I wanted from a psychological thriller novel. The basis that someone can assassinate people without a trace within a dream making it reality is such a fascinating concept. Not only does this book provide a notion of something so difficult to believe it also provides evidence that it could very well be straight up factual. This may be a work of fiction, but the way Adam Cosco has delivered this work of art on written pages comes across as more fact and that’s what makes this book so good.
April 14, 2025
Adam Cosco's The Dream Killer throws you into a gritty world where espionage manipulation blurs the lines of reality. It had me questioning absolutely everything!!
The protagonist Elias seems to be a generally boring and normal dude, then gets caught up in the middle of the disappearance of a child prodagy, Mary Kay Redding. Ethan discovers her lifeless body in his basement with no memory or understanding of how this could have happened. As the book progresses and Elias tries to figure out what happened to Mary Kay, Elias struggles between what is reality and what is paranoia leaving us as readers questioning the same but also is it part of a greater design?
There are so many twists and turns in this book, leaving you not knowing what is truth and what is not. I would highly recommend this read to everyone. It is not my typical genre, but I still enjoyed myself during this read.
The protagonist Elias seems to be a generally boring and normal dude, then gets caught up in the middle of the disappearance of a child prodagy, Mary Kay Redding. Ethan discovers her lifeless body in his basement with no memory or understanding of how this could have happened. As the book progresses and Elias tries to figure out what happened to Mary Kay, Elias struggles between what is reality and what is paranoia leaving us as readers questioning the same but also is it part of a greater design?
There are so many twists and turns in this book, leaving you not knowing what is truth and what is not. I would highly recommend this read to everyone. It is not my typical genre, but I still enjoyed myself during this read.
May 20, 2025
This book will take you on a wild ride! It is everything you’d want in a psychological thriller and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Right from the very beginning I was hooked and I flew right through this one.
When Ethan finds the body of a missing girl in his basement, he has no idea what happened to her or how she got there. He finds a piece of paper with a mysterious symbol on it, that also matches the symbol on the missing girls back. When trying to find answers, things take a very dark turn. I did not see these twists coming and I love not being able to guess what will happen next.
This whole storyline had such a different and unique concept, I wish I could read this all over again for the first time. This was my first book by Adam and it truly was a fast paced thriller. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a dark, twisty psychological thriller🖤
When Ethan finds the body of a missing girl in his basement, he has no idea what happened to her or how she got there. He finds a piece of paper with a mysterious symbol on it, that also matches the symbol on the missing girls back. When trying to find answers, things take a very dark turn. I did not see these twists coming and I love not being able to guess what will happen next.
This whole storyline had such a different and unique concept, I wish I could read this all over again for the first time. This was my first book by Adam and it truly was a fast paced thriller. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a dark, twisty psychological thriller🖤
February 1, 2025
What the hell did I just read? I am so glad that I stuck with this book. I felt like the first part of the book was very superficial I almost put it down but once I got to the second part I was hooked! I highlighted a quote that encompasses the entirety of this book for me:
“Oh, Ethan,” she interrupts, her voice soft and mocking. “Do you even know what’s real anymore?””
The answer is no… not one single time did I know what was real lol. I really liked this book and I would recommend it to my sister, if I didn’t think she’d get confused. I’m going to look for a physical copy to buy when it comes out. A big thank you to Booksirens and the author, Adam Cosco, for a copy of this ARC, in return for an honest review! ✝️🩵
“Oh, Ethan,” she interrupts, her voice soft and mocking. “Do you even know what’s real anymore?””
The answer is no… not one single time did I know what was real lol. I really liked this book and I would recommend it to my sister, if I didn’t think she’d get confused. I’m going to look for a physical copy to buy when it comes out. A big thank you to Booksirens and the author, Adam Cosco, for a copy of this ARC, in return for an honest review! ✝️🩵
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