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BookMail
Sometimes Book Mail is not the best mail...
Lexi just wanted a signed book from her favorite author…
She never expected what he wanted from her in return.
Lexi wants to be the next book influencer. Jacob is a writer who loves to kidnap fans and make them main characters in his upcoming books. They meet as she wants a signed copy of his latest book.
Now Lexi has found herself to be his next victim. While trapped, she uncovers his secret to what makes him a successful writer and it is not his insane habits or his writing skills. Will she be able to turn it on him? Can she use it to be the next big thing?
Lexi tries to survive long enough so that she can turn his story around. Will she be able to change the plot in time, or will her story end with his next bestseller?
Lexi just wanted a signed book from her favorite author…
She never expected what he wanted from her in return.
Lexi wants to be the next book influencer. Jacob is a writer who loves to kidnap fans and make them main characters in his upcoming books. They meet as she wants a signed copy of his latest book.
Now Lexi has found herself to be his next victim. While trapped, she uncovers his secret to what makes him a successful writer and it is not his insane habits or his writing skills. Will she be able to turn it on him? Can she use it to be the next big thing?
Lexi tries to survive long enough so that she can turn his story around. Will she be able to change the plot in time, or will her story end with his next bestseller?
- GenresHorror
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
117 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Jason R. Davis
23 books79 followersJason R. Davis is an Alumni of Columbia College Chicago who has continued on to be an author, event organizer and filmmaker. He is the founder of The Chicago Horror Film Festival and author of the zombie apocalypse series, "Invisible Spiders." Jason spends much of his time promoting and working to develop independent artists and hosts a weekly podcast, "Shriek Speak." For more information please visit jasonrdavis.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
September 29, 2025
"This was just how Jacob Skulz had described it in his book, one she had read multiple times. She had transported herself, though instead of finding herself in some fanciful wonderland, she was in a demented hellscape full of demons, sacrifices and decapitations."
☠️ Lexi arranges to meet Jacob to get her signed book. But things go horrifyingly wrong: she ends up kidnapped and discovers that Jacob uses his fans in twisted ways — he “makes them characters in his upcoming books."
Final girl / good-for-her trope 💃
30% of the book is especially intense and graphic. Has 'Misery' vibes with a twist. The book explores obsession with authors or fandom culture. Psychological horror, identity, control, and survival.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
☠️ Lexi arranges to meet Jacob to get her signed book. But things go horrifyingly wrong: she ends up kidnapped and discovers that Jacob uses his fans in twisted ways — he “makes them characters in his upcoming books."
Final girl / good-for-her trope 💃
30% of the book is especially intense and graphic. Has 'Misery' vibes with a twist. The book explores obsession with authors or fandom culture. Psychological horror, identity, control, and survival.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2025
Sometimes Book Mail is not the best mail...
This line alone from the synopsis was enough to draw me in, as I highly disagreed with this sentiment, because all book mail is good mail, right? In this case, absolutely not! Return to sender.. undeliverable address I DON’T WANT IT.
Lexi AKA LexiSexyReads loves reading horror novels & is all about her social media bookish account. When her favorite horror author offers her a free signed copy, it’s a no brainer and she happily accepts. The catch? He’ll “conveniently” be in the area & would like to meet her to give her the book in person. Against her better judgement, she meets him in a sketchy location & needless to say, Lexi ends up on a missing persons poster!
As a horror fan, I really enjoyed this story! I was not initially expecting the supernatural element of it, but this story could have worked with or without that, as the overall premises was engaging, entertaining & drew me in from the start. If my review has prompted you in any way to read this book, please proceed with caution as the last 30% or so is NOT for the weak, even the author warns you at the beginning of the book! But if you’re like me, and the more insane the better, I would recommend! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“WARNING:
“This book is the most twisted, disturbing piece of fiction I have ever written. This book contains sexual acts that some will find highly disturbing. Please do not read if that may offend you. The end of this book is not for the faint of heart. I would have issues with this ending, and I wrote it.”
~Excerpt From Bookmail Jason R Davis.
This line alone from the synopsis was enough to draw me in, as I highly disagreed with this sentiment, because all book mail is good mail, right? In this case, absolutely not! Return to sender.. undeliverable address I DON’T WANT IT.
Lexi AKA LexiSexyReads loves reading horror novels & is all about her social media bookish account. When her favorite horror author offers her a free signed copy, it’s a no brainer and she happily accepts. The catch? He’ll “conveniently” be in the area & would like to meet her to give her the book in person. Against her better judgement, she meets him in a sketchy location & needless to say, Lexi ends up on a missing persons poster!
As a horror fan, I really enjoyed this story! I was not initially expecting the supernatural element of it, but this story could have worked with or without that, as the overall premises was engaging, entertaining & drew me in from the start. If my review has prompted you in any way to read this book, please proceed with caution as the last 30% or so is NOT for the weak, even the author warns you at the beginning of the book! But if you’re like me, and the more insane the better, I would recommend! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“WARNING:
“This book is the most twisted, disturbing piece of fiction I have ever written. This book contains sexual acts that some will find highly disturbing. Please do not read if that may offend you. The end of this book is not for the faint of heart. I would have issues with this ending, and I wrote it.”
~Excerpt From Bookmail Jason R Davis.
November 14, 2025
I won this fabulous book through a lottery on the Authors TikTok page, on a TikTok live. 1st I need to say the Author Jason and his wife are great people. Second, this is the Authors favorite book. I purchased a different book from the same Author and decided I would read or should I say “listen” to this one first. Because the other books format is print this one was obvious to start with.
About the book: Lexi is the MFMC she is a huge fan of books, and has her favorite authors like the rest of us. Hers happens to be horror authors, and fate would have it this particular author likes to make readers dreams come true, by making them the main characters in his next novel.
Opinion: I loved this book, it was a very unique fun ride that stayed fast paced and entertaining from beginning to end. I hope this author gets more attention, and I recommend this book to those who are fond of the horror genre.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win your audiobook Jason!!! 👻 📖 📕 😈
About the book: Lexi is the MFMC she is a huge fan of books, and has her favorite authors like the rest of us. Hers happens to be horror authors, and fate would have it this particular author likes to make readers dreams come true, by making them the main characters in his next novel.
Opinion: I loved this book, it was a very unique fun ride that stayed fast paced and entertaining from beginning to end. I hope this author gets more attention, and I recommend this book to those who are fond of the horror genre.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win your audiobook Jason!!! 👻 📖 📕 😈
May 26, 2025
Entertaining, got a few laughs out of me. Would do a fine b rated popcorn horror movie
May 12, 2025
*ARC Review* just want to start this off by firstly saying a big thank you to Jason R. Davis for allowing me to read this in return for a honest review
This was my first book by this author and I went in pretty much blind as the front cover was compelling enough. I just knew before I turned the first page that I was going to love every second… and I did!
Lexi is a book influencer climbing the ranks on flix (booktok) and is obsessed with horror/splatterpunk genres. Her favourite author Jacob Skulz who hand delivers a signed copy of his book to her in a creepy parking lot in the middle of the night… nothing to worry about eh? Things turn ugly quickly and lexi finds herself in the middle of a story being created by said psychopathic author, with a spooky supernatural element added!
I honestly found this book terrifying! Each page is coated in suspense and the fact that the author managed to make bookmail scary was brilliant especially as an ARC reader who loves horror and gore! Will definitely be nervous ever buying signed copy’s in the future!
This was my first book by this author and I went in pretty much blind as the front cover was compelling enough. I just knew before I turned the first page that I was going to love every second… and I did!
Lexi is a book influencer climbing the ranks on flix (booktok) and is obsessed with horror/splatterpunk genres. Her favourite author Jacob Skulz who hand delivers a signed copy of his book to her in a creepy parking lot in the middle of the night… nothing to worry about eh? Things turn ugly quickly and lexi finds herself in the middle of a story being created by said psychopathic author, with a spooky supernatural element added!
I honestly found this book terrifying! Each page is coated in suspense and the fact that the author managed to make bookmail scary was brilliant especially as an ARC reader who loves horror and gore! Will definitely be nervous ever buying signed copy’s in the future!
August 8, 2025
Jason Davis delivers a brutal, blood-soaked nightmare in Bookmail—a pitch-black horror tale drenched in gore, demonic possession, and influencer culture gone wrong. Lexi, a content creator chasing online fame by reviewing extreme horror novels, finally gets the chance to meet her favorite author, Jacob Skulz. But what begins as a fangirl dream quickly becomes a waking nightmare when she ends up shackled in his basement, face to face with Jacob’s horrifying muse: a lust-fueled demon named Max.
This book is extreme in every sense of the word—savage violence, escalating madness, and a plot that twists like a serrated knife. Lexi’s fight for survival becomes a full-throttle descent into hell, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Davis rips the floor out from under you.
What really sold me was how self-aware it all is—commentary on toxic fandom, the hunger for internet fame, and the creative price of chasing notoriety. It’s messy, mean, and shockingly clever. If you love your horror unapologetically violent and demonically charged, Bookmail is your next must-read. Buckle up. It gets wild.
This book is extreme in every sense of the word—savage violence, escalating madness, and a plot that twists like a serrated knife. Lexi’s fight for survival becomes a full-throttle descent into hell, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Davis rips the floor out from under you.
What really sold me was how self-aware it all is—commentary on toxic fandom, the hunger for internet fame, and the creative price of chasing notoriety. It’s messy, mean, and shockingly clever. If you love your horror unapologetically violent and demonically charged, Bookmail is your next must-read. Buckle up. It gets wild.
March 27, 2025
BookMail by Jason R. Davis
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⚒️
This is an amazing and super intense horror story! I loved it from the beginning all the way until the final page!
Lexi, an online influencer, is super excited to meet her favorite author and get a signed book from him. He suggests meeting in a parking lot, which Lexi is a little nervous about. This seems like an odd location to meet up, but he’s just an author, what could go wrong? 😈
This author, Jacob, is looking for “assistance” in the form of victims, to help complete his stories! Lexi is in for a wild story!
This book is very well written and super exciting! I was glued to it from start to finish!
This is the 3rd book that I’ve read from Jason Davis and they have all been 5🌟!
I can’t wait to read more stories! He’s a fantastic writer!!
Thank you to Jason Davis for an arc of this amazing book!!
**This awesomely creepy horror story comes out May 20th and is a must read!!**
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⚒️
This is an amazing and super intense horror story! I loved it from the beginning all the way until the final page!
Lexi, an online influencer, is super excited to meet her favorite author and get a signed book from him. He suggests meeting in a parking lot, which Lexi is a little nervous about. This seems like an odd location to meet up, but he’s just an author, what could go wrong? 😈
This author, Jacob, is looking for “assistance” in the form of victims, to help complete his stories! Lexi is in for a wild story!
This book is very well written and super exciting! I was glued to it from start to finish!
This is the 3rd book that I’ve read from Jason Davis and they have all been 5🌟!
I can’t wait to read more stories! He’s a fantastic writer!!
Thank you to Jason Davis for an arc of this amazing book!!
**This awesomely creepy horror story comes out May 20th and is a must read!!**
May 23, 2025
First of all, Jason sent me a physical signed ARC and I am so appreciative of him! It is an honor to be trusted with someone’s art.
Being in the booktok world and book community in general, we all LOVE to receive book mail! It is the BEST mail! The feeling of seeing the package in the mailbox and especially when you didn’t order a book a sweet book fairy has blessed you with some surprise book mail! Well as you can guess there is nothing positive about the book mail in this story!
Lexi has the chance of her lifetime to meet her favorite author in person as he happens to be driving through her area and he has a signed book for her! She is so excited, and this will be so perfect for her Flix account to create some amazing book content. Her friend Amanda isn’t so sure about meeting a stranger in a parking lot at night and discourages Lexi from going but Lexi is not interested. What happens next is a complete horror show for Lexi and eventually, Amanda too. A murder house. Dead bodies and bones. A demon. Survival. Little bit of everything!
This is a fun book and has a wild and brutal ending! Finally glad to have read my first book by Jason. Look forward to more.
Happy reading!📖 And next time you get book mail… BEWARE. 📬🫣
Being in the booktok world and book community in general, we all LOVE to receive book mail! It is the BEST mail! The feeling of seeing the package in the mailbox and especially when you didn’t order a book a sweet book fairy has blessed you with some surprise book mail! Well as you can guess there is nothing positive about the book mail in this story!
Lexi has the chance of her lifetime to meet her favorite author in person as he happens to be driving through her area and he has a signed book for her! She is so excited, and this will be so perfect for her Flix account to create some amazing book content. Her friend Amanda isn’t so sure about meeting a stranger in a parking lot at night and discourages Lexi from going but Lexi is not interested. What happens next is a complete horror show for Lexi and eventually, Amanda too. A murder house. Dead bodies and bones. A demon. Survival. Little bit of everything!
This is a fun book and has a wild and brutal ending! Finally glad to have read my first book by Jason. Look forward to more.
Happy reading!📖 And next time you get book mail… BEWARE. 📬🫣
May 13, 2025
*ARC review*
Lexi is a horror reader and book blogger. She lives and breathes books, the scarier, the better. So when her favourite author tells her he is driving through her town to visit family and would like to personally hand her his new book, obviously she says yes. Only now, she's been kidnapped, and is being tormented by a demon. So this is how the author gets his ideas, huh? Well, Lexie isn’t one to back down. And he has no idea who he is messing with.
Okay, so I'm not religious. But I'm just gonna sit here and pray for a minute, because Jesus, Zeus, Thor, Satan, whoever is listening... if you have one of those Men In Black memory zapper thingies, I wouldn't object to having the end scenes of this book wiped from my memory.
This whole book was super intense, especially those last few chapters. It was gory, it was extreme, it was brutal, and it didn't stop until the very end.
If you read this one, be warned. Read the TWs.
This was my first by this author and I'm definitely going to be reading more.
And no, I didn't only give 5* because I was afraid of what the author would do if I didn't. *she says, clutching at the rosary and cleansing the room*
Lexi is a horror reader and book blogger. She lives and breathes books, the scarier, the better. So when her favourite author tells her he is driving through her town to visit family and would like to personally hand her his new book, obviously she says yes. Only now, she's been kidnapped, and is being tormented by a demon. So this is how the author gets his ideas, huh? Well, Lexie isn’t one to back down. And he has no idea who he is messing with.
Okay, so I'm not religious. But I'm just gonna sit here and pray for a minute, because Jesus, Zeus, Thor, Satan, whoever is listening... if you have one of those Men In Black memory zapper thingies, I wouldn't object to having the end scenes of this book wiped from my memory.
This whole book was super intense, especially those last few chapters. It was gory, it was extreme, it was brutal, and it didn't stop until the very end.
If you read this one, be warned. Read the TWs.
This was my first by this author and I'm definitely going to be reading more.
And no, I didn't only give 5* because I was afraid of what the author would do if I didn't. *she says, clutching at the rosary and cleansing the room*
June 5, 2025
This book took me several days to finish as it was a slow burn. I just didn’t get into it as much as I’d hoped to. It was an okay read. Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC!
April 29, 2025
Woah, that was INTENSE! I finished it in one sitting: the premise intrigued me and kept me going, but it was the second half which really hooked me in and didn't let go until the very end. It's gory and extreme, especially the ending! Plus, it has some nice easter eggs related to the author's other work.
Lexi, a content creator aspiring to be a famous influencer, starts marketing herself as a book reviewer of extreme horror books; she's especially fond of Jacob Skulz, an author writing books full of torture and carnage. She meets him to pick up a signed copy of his new book, and she ends up trapped in his basement. There she learns how Jacob manages to come up with such realistic, over-the-top stories of gore and torture. Jacob's secret is Max, a lusty demon bound to Jacob and helping him to write his books. Lexi, however, won't give up easily, and soon things escalate, going into entirely unpredictable directions. Incredibly, the cast gets even larger, as more people are drawn into the mix; but this is ultimately just Lexi's story, despite the complicated plot twists and the story occasionally being given from other characters' points of view. The ending took me by surprise, it's certainly not what one expects from a typical revenge tale.
I couldn't help picturing Lexi as the character from the found-footage film of the same name; that Lexi, also an influencer who mysteriously disappears, is never found and her fate never revealed; "BookMail"'s Lexi, by contrast, has a story to tell, and it's a story of female rage and graphic violence. So buckle up for an insane horror ride!
Lexi, a content creator aspiring to be a famous influencer, starts marketing herself as a book reviewer of extreme horror books; she's especially fond of Jacob Skulz, an author writing books full of torture and carnage. She meets him to pick up a signed copy of his new book, and she ends up trapped in his basement. There she learns how Jacob manages to come up with such realistic, over-the-top stories of gore and torture. Jacob's secret is Max, a lusty demon bound to Jacob and helping him to write his books. Lexi, however, won't give up easily, and soon things escalate, going into entirely unpredictable directions. Incredibly, the cast gets even larger, as more people are drawn into the mix; but this is ultimately just Lexi's story, despite the complicated plot twists and the story occasionally being given from other characters' points of view. The ending took me by surprise, it's certainly not what one expects from a typical revenge tale.
I couldn't help picturing Lexi as the character from the found-footage film of the same name; that Lexi, also an influencer who mysteriously disappears, is never found and her fate never revealed; "BookMail"'s Lexi, by contrast, has a story to tell, and it's a story of female rage and graphic violence. So buckle up for an insane horror ride!
October 14, 2025
Book Mail follows Lexi, who wants to be the next book influencer. Jacob is a horror writer who kidnaps fans and makes them the main characters in his upcoming books. They meet because she wants a signed copy of his new book. But she soon finds herself as his next victim. While she is trapped, she uncovers his secret to what makes him a successful writer. Can she survive long enough to turn his story around?
I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked the whole time. I did find Lexi a bit cringy, though. But the horror was great in this book. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but the plot twist was wild. This book does have some very out-there moments, which might make some people uncomfortable. But if a horror book does not make me uncomfortable, then I think it is missing the mark, because I want them to make me feel that way. I am also very picky with horror books, and this was wild in the best way. Overall, I really liked this, and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked the whole time. I did find Lexi a bit cringy, though. But the horror was great in this book. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but the plot twist was wild. This book does have some very out-there moments, which might make some people uncomfortable. But if a horror book does not make me uncomfortable, then I think it is missing the mark, because I want them to make me feel that way. I am also very picky with horror books, and this was wild in the best way. Overall, I really liked this, and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
October 26, 2025
Bookmail answers that age-old question; what if that indie author you’ve been supporting is not who you think they are?
When Lexi, a wannabe book influencer meets her favourite author in person to get some signed BookMail it seems like a dream come true…until everything goes black.
The story took me on a journey filled with twists, gore, horror, and humour. I can honestly say that at no point did I expect the story that I got, and I loved that.
Split POVs gave the characters extra dimensions and helped to keep you guessing. There were moments where gore and vivid descriptions made me smell, taste, and almost live the graphic scenes, and there were moments that made me genuinely laugh out loud.
My only reasoning for dropping a star is that I felt at times the story became overly-complicated or unnecessarily graphic and it stuck out a little for me. But that is a personal opinion, and I can heartily say that this is a well-written and incredibly entertaining read.
When Lexi, a wannabe book influencer meets her favourite author in person to get some signed BookMail it seems like a dream come true…until everything goes black.
The story took me on a journey filled with twists, gore, horror, and humour. I can honestly say that at no point did I expect the story that I got, and I loved that.
Split POVs gave the characters extra dimensions and helped to keep you guessing. There were moments where gore and vivid descriptions made me smell, taste, and almost live the graphic scenes, and there were moments that made me genuinely laugh out loud.
My only reasoning for dropping a star is that I felt at times the story became overly-complicated or unnecessarily graphic and it stuck out a little for me. But that is a personal opinion, and I can heartily say that this is a well-written and incredibly entertaining read.
May 21, 2025
I'm still reeling from the clever twists and turns in Bookmail by Jason R. Davis. This captivating story had me hooked from the start, with it's unique blend of horror,mystery and suspense and the literary wit was on point. There are Triggers so please check them out! The author's love for storytelling shines through on every page, making this a must-read for book lovers, I mean who doesn't want to be a book influencer ?
May 7, 2025
I received an ARC for this book. BookMail is the first book I've read by the author Jason R Davies. Please do read the trigger warnings before hand!
The lengths some people will go to to get a signed book from their favourite author!!! I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I assumed it would highlight the dangers of influencers meeting people you don't know by yourself, late at night. Truly shocking and gruesome book. Absolutely loved it.. Will definately check out more work by this author!
+thank you Booksirens for the ARC
The lengths some people will go to to get a signed book from their favourite author!!! I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I assumed it would highlight the dangers of influencers meeting people you don't know by yourself, late at night. Truly shocking and gruesome book. Absolutely loved it.. Will definately check out more work by this author!
+thank you Booksirens for the ARC
June 2, 2025
Jason R. Davis delivers a chilling, fast-paced read that kept me hooked. The atmosphere was eerie, the suspense tight. —amazing and unforgettable. Would definitely recommend!
August 10, 2025
I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed how the chapteres were broken up and the switching between writing formats through out. Kept me on my toes wonder what happens next. I udderly hated the step father in this book, he made me so mad. I loved the ending. I highly reccomend this book, but be sure to check warning, as it is quote graphic.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 11, 2025
I had so much fun reading this book! It kind of gave me Scary Movie vibes with the horror mockery humor spread throughout. I had some good laughs! I was also not expecting a paranormal aspect to be in this story at all. So that was a fun surprise! Overall, I had a good time!
May 29, 2025
This was my first horror book and it was good. Definitely gonna read more of this genre!
October 12, 2025
Overall this book was pretty good. It did have a lot of gore.
July 22, 2025
This is what I call a thrilling tale. The fear, the thrill was maintained. Loved the narration. Beautifully written.
April 29, 2025
This was an intense, well-written, fast-paced horror story, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Lexi wants to be an influencer and is super excited to meet her favorite author and get his new book, but things definitely don't go as expected.
Lexi wants to be an influencer and is super excited to meet her favorite author and get his new book, but things definitely don't go as expected.
May 30, 2025
Oh my god! I loved this book. It was so dark, terrifying and twisted. Lexi’s favourite horror author was in town so he offered to deliver his book himself. Lexi was so excited, she couldn’t decline the opportunity but from there things turn upside down. She finds herself trapped in a room. She finds out all the dark secrets and truth, author has been keeping away from everyone. Can you imagine characters from horror novels happens to be real? Well such kind of book can only come from a twisted mind. Such a mind blowing book. Expect the unexpected, dark secrets, twists, and terrifying truth.
I am leaving my review voluntarily. I received an advance review copy from Booksirens
I am leaving my review voluntarily. I received an advance review copy from Booksirens
May 8, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
-
I need more Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk stories that take place, at least in part, in Wisconsin. Come one people, Ed Gein is from here!
BookMail is one of those books that has the author calling out to the audience. To the Readers, the reviewers, fellow Horror scribes. BookMail is something we know very well, it's something we love. There's nothing like receiving that a new title, or being pleasantly surprised with an edition with a signature and personalized note from an author. It's a dopamine boost, a ray of sunshine...but what if all that was inverted?
inhabiting Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk Community has also meant that, from time to time, unsavory characters, and ugly situations have come to light. In each instance the community has stepped up, helping those harmed, refusing to give a platform for those seeking to do real harm. But Horror is at its best when it forces you to ask "What If?", when you are forced to consider possiblites that make you uncomfortable. Jason Succeeds in achieving this. BookMail could be considered a worse case, if not THE worst case scenario, for those of us who read and review horror.
I have to hand to Jason, his novel may seem like just another piece of grisly "Bad End" extreme horror, but we're not dealing with a straight edged knife here. BookMail is like a Drill Press, the moment we think we understand what is happening, that we grasp the world Jason is laying out, the the drill bit coils further down, pressing into our skulls, into our brains.
Part of BookMail's potency is that it's so very Fresh, and relevant to right now. The Fears, the anger, the Rage, are all dripping straight from the IV tapped into our collective psyche. The author makes a point of not only including a disclaimer and content warning, but goes so far as-to forewarn about possible triggers regarding the ending. For myself, it didn't impact me in any large way. If anything it made me cackle. But that's me, and my sense of humor, as mentioned elsewhere, can be the color and consistency of Hot Tar. Come for the Splatterpunk Nightmare, stay for the Female Rage and Bread Puns!
-
I need more Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk stories that take place, at least in part, in Wisconsin. Come one people, Ed Gein is from here!
BookMail is one of those books that has the author calling out to the audience. To the Readers, the reviewers, fellow Horror scribes. BookMail is something we know very well, it's something we love. There's nothing like receiving that a new title, or being pleasantly surprised with an edition with a signature and personalized note from an author. It's a dopamine boost, a ray of sunshine...but what if all that was inverted?
inhabiting Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk Community has also meant that, from time to time, unsavory characters, and ugly situations have come to light. In each instance the community has stepped up, helping those harmed, refusing to give a platform for those seeking to do real harm. But Horror is at its best when it forces you to ask "What If?", when you are forced to consider possiblites that make you uncomfortable. Jason Succeeds in achieving this. BookMail could be considered a worse case, if not THE worst case scenario, for those of us who read and review horror.
I have to hand to Jason, his novel may seem like just another piece of grisly "Bad End" extreme horror, but we're not dealing with a straight edged knife here. BookMail is like a Drill Press, the moment we think we understand what is happening, that we grasp the world Jason is laying out, the the drill bit coils further down, pressing into our skulls, into our brains.
Part of BookMail's potency is that it's so very Fresh, and relevant to right now. The Fears, the anger, the Rage, are all dripping straight from the IV tapped into our collective psyche. The author makes a point of not only including a disclaimer and content warning, but goes so far as-to forewarn about possible triggers regarding the ending. For myself, it didn't impact me in any large way. If anything it made me cackle. But that's me, and my sense of humor, as mentioned elsewhere, can be the color and consistency of Hot Tar. Come for the Splatterpunk Nightmare, stay for the Female Rage and Bread Puns!
June 4, 2025
**Thank you to BookSirens for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.**
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Jacob Skulz is an accomplished horror writer. Lexi is a super fan willing to meet him in a dark parking lot late at night, alone, to pick up a copy of his most recent book. I mean what could go wrong? Unsurprisingly, it turns out that Jacob has ulterior motives, and he kidnaps Lexi, but in taking her, he gets more than he bargained for.
This is my first book by this author so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into it. The first couple of chapters were completely creepy, not bad, creepy. The plot was similar to your average thriller. And then, about 40% in, the story does a complete 180 and things get real: for Lexi and the reader. References are made to past stories Jacob has written that admittedly sound interesting. I'm particularly intrigued by the plot of Witchy Woman, especially since it feeds so much into the story. There's a particular sequence in the book where Lexi , and I was so uncomfortable the entire time. To me, that was the most horrific part of the story, including the ending. I felt so the entire time and just needed to get through it as quickly as possible.
There's a lot of darkness in the book that reflects how some men so often treat women. In the afterword, the author clearly states this. It's not my interpretation. I was glad to read this after finishing because I wasn't exactly sure what to make of it. Those last 30 pages were intense. More than once I found myself looking away from the page to give myself a bit of a break before plunging back in. Even though you wanted it to happen, you still felt dirty about the graphic nature.
The author noted this was the darkest book he'd ever written in the afterword, but I'm not sure how you get darker than this. I would definitely read another book by this author.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Jacob Skulz is an accomplished horror writer. Lexi is a super fan willing to meet him in a dark parking lot late at night, alone, to pick up a copy of his most recent book. I mean what could go wrong? Unsurprisingly, it turns out that Jacob has ulterior motives, and he kidnaps Lexi, but in taking her, he gets more than he bargained for.
This is my first book by this author so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into it. The first couple of chapters were completely creepy, not bad, creepy. The plot was similar to your average thriller. And then, about 40% in, the story does a complete 180 and things get real: for Lexi and the reader. References are made to past stories Jacob has written that admittedly sound interesting. I'm particularly intrigued by the plot of Witchy Woman, especially since it feeds so much into the story. There's a particular sequence in the book where Lexi , and I was so uncomfortable the entire time. To me, that was the most horrific part of the story, including the ending. I felt so the entire time and just needed to get through it as quickly as possible.
There's a lot of darkness in the book that reflects how some men so often treat women. In the afterword, the author clearly states this. It's not my interpretation. I was glad to read this after finishing because I wasn't exactly sure what to make of it. Those last 30 pages were intense. More than once I found myself looking away from the page to give myself a bit of a break before plunging back in. Even though you wanted it to happen, you still felt dirty about the graphic nature.
The author noted this was the darkest book he'd ever written in the afterword, but I'm not sure how you get darker than this. I would definitely read another book by this author.
June 17, 2025
I have to admit that this book shocked me quite a bit. It went in a direction I really didn't expect.
The book is about a young influencer Lexi (who actually wants to become one) who posts videos about her favorite books. She made an agreement with her favorite author to give her a new signed book. At that time, Lexi never thought in her worst nightmare that she could become the main character in his new book. After meeting in a dark parking lot, Lexi wakes up tied up in a basement room and that's where her nightmare begins. Or maybe her salvation?
The story started in a completely mystery-thriller style. Kidnapping, torture, fight... a very good beginning that can take the reader in different directions and where it's impossible to understand where the story will go. Very quickly, things take an unexpected turn. One part of this story reminded me a lot of Adam Cosco's book - Heart of a Child. It literally dragged me into the memory of Adam's book. I didn't like that part a bit, but okay. Maybe that's the way the paranormal is thought and believed, and that's why there are similarities.
The end of the book blew me away. Literally. But not in a positive way. The depictions and descriptions of torture were really difficult for me at times. I would even say excruciating. I have to admit that the author really gave it a chance to vent. What I like is how the author totally changed the ending showing how we can never know what truly lies in a person and how a person can change and become vial.
As for the book itself and the way it was written, everything is really fine. The book is simply written and very quickly occupies the reader and draws them into the story.
Big thanks to the author and BookSirens for allowing me to read this book. My review is voluntary and has not been influenced by anyone.
The book is about a young influencer Lexi (who actually wants to become one) who posts videos about her favorite books. She made an agreement with her favorite author to give her a new signed book. At that time, Lexi never thought in her worst nightmare that she could become the main character in his new book. After meeting in a dark parking lot, Lexi wakes up tied up in a basement room and that's where her nightmare begins. Or maybe her salvation?
The story started in a completely mystery-thriller style. Kidnapping, torture, fight... a very good beginning that can take the reader in different directions and where it's impossible to understand where the story will go. Very quickly, things take an unexpected turn. One part of this story reminded me a lot of Adam Cosco's book - Heart of a Child. It literally dragged me into the memory of Adam's book. I didn't like that part a bit, but okay. Maybe that's the way the paranormal is thought and believed, and that's why there are similarities.
The end of the book blew me away. Literally. But not in a positive way. The depictions and descriptions of torture were really difficult for me at times. I would even say excruciating. I have to admit that the author really gave it a chance to vent. What I like is how the author totally changed the ending showing how we can never know what truly lies in a person and how a person can change and become vial.
As for the book itself and the way it was written, everything is really fine. The book is simply written and very quickly occupies the reader and draws them into the story.
Big thanks to the author and BookSirens for allowing me to read this book. My review is voluntary and has not been influenced by anyone.
July 28, 2025
Let’s be clear: Book Mail is not here to make you feel warm and fuzzy about the literary community. This book is what happens when true crime, horror fanfiction, and your worst Tinder date nightmare have a deranged baby—and then that baby writes its own novel.
Lexi, a horror-loving BookFlix hopeful, makes one monumentally bad decision and ends up in a hellish game of “let’s see how far we can push her before she breaks.” What starts as innocent fangirl excitement spirals into psychological torment, bodily fluids, multiple personalities (maybe?), creepy basements, and bones—so many bones. And yet, the real horror isn’t the gore or torture. It’s the slow, stomach-turning realization that Lexi’s horror is being authored in real time.
The prose is disturbingly immersive, the pacing tight enough to feel like a noose, and the villain? He’s not just writing a book—he’s writing you. The meta commentary on horror, fan culture, and author obsession slithers in beneath the violence like a rot you can’t scrub off. And Lexi? She’s sharp, sarcastic, and relatable… until she’s not.
Mood: Dark, claustrophobic, disturbing
Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Meta-Splatterpunk
Pacing: Taut and relentless with sharp drops into despair
Trigger Warnings:
• Kidnapping
• Sexual menace (implied and threatened)
• Graphic violence
• Psychological torture
• Disassociation
• Gore
• Vomit, bodily fluids, and yes, bones
• Meta horror realism (reader beware—especially if you’re a content creator)
Rating: 4.5/5 – For being the literary equivalent of a haunted Funko Pop that gaslights you into filming its next unboxing.
Why the rating?
Because it made me want to delete all my social media, burn my TBR pile, and never accept book mail again. That’s impact.
Lexi, a horror-loving BookFlix hopeful, makes one monumentally bad decision and ends up in a hellish game of “let’s see how far we can push her before she breaks.” What starts as innocent fangirl excitement spirals into psychological torment, bodily fluids, multiple personalities (maybe?), creepy basements, and bones—so many bones. And yet, the real horror isn’t the gore or torture. It’s the slow, stomach-turning realization that Lexi’s horror is being authored in real time.
The prose is disturbingly immersive, the pacing tight enough to feel like a noose, and the villain? He’s not just writing a book—he’s writing you. The meta commentary on horror, fan culture, and author obsession slithers in beneath the violence like a rot you can’t scrub off. And Lexi? She’s sharp, sarcastic, and relatable… until she’s not.
Mood: Dark, claustrophobic, disturbing
Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Meta-Splatterpunk
Pacing: Taut and relentless with sharp drops into despair
Trigger Warnings:
• Kidnapping
• Sexual menace (implied and threatened)
• Graphic violence
• Psychological torture
• Disassociation
• Gore
• Vomit, bodily fluids, and yes, bones
• Meta horror realism (reader beware—especially if you’re a content creator)
Rating: 4.5/5 – For being the literary equivalent of a haunted Funko Pop that gaslights you into filming its next unboxing.
Why the rating?
Because it made me want to delete all my social media, burn my TBR pile, and never accept book mail again. That’s impact.
March 28, 2025
I received a BETA of this book & it was a WILD RIDE!! This started off super creepy & addicting! I was obsessed from the very first page! Lexi is obsessed with an author & all of his books. Her & the author set up a plan to meet each other so she could meet him in person & get a signed copy of one of his books. Except they meet in the middle of the night in an empty parking lot & things escalate super quick from there! This took a turn I honestly was not expecting & I guarantee you won’t see it coming either! As a booktoker who supports authors & love receiving signed books & book mail, this hit too close to home for me because this felt so real & this could ACTUALLY HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE! This is a horror and is creepy, gory & very detailed!!!!! If you don’t like horrors or gore then you might want to skip this one, but I promise if you don’t mind those things then you MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!! I don’t like giving anything away about books especially spoilers, but I will say the revenge in this story is TOP TIER! This one is definitely going to be a book I reread again soon because it was such a crazy story and I flew through this sooooo quickly! Read this you will not be disappointed!!!!
October 26, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, I’m glad I picked it up—the concept is unique, creative, and definitely outside my usual lane. On the other hand, it didn’t quite feel like a fully finished product.
This book would really benefit from a strong editorial pass—both developmental and copy. The story has so much potential, but there are noticeable grammatical issues and a lot of missing connective tissue that would elevate the narrative and help it land the way it’s meant to.
My biggest struggle was the structure. It isn’t formatted like a short story, but it also doesn’t read like a fully fleshed-out novel—it’s a full-length concept written in a short-book package. There’s not enough buildup or detail to ground the reader, which leaves the prose feeling choppy and underdeveloped.
The premise? Fantastic. A wannabe influencer getting taken by an author? I was hooked. I just wish the lead-up had been shown rather than told. That’s the overarching issue here—about 85% of the book is “tell, tell, tell” with very little “show.” Without that immersive layer, the reader can’t fully sink into the world; it starts to feel more like reading a summary than living the story.
Now, credit where it’s due: it is creepy. Some of the descriptive moments are genuinely unsettling and absolutely delivered a chill.
In the end, I did enjoy pieces of it—but in the way an editor enjoys a promising first draft. You can see the bones of a really compelling story and just want to grab a red pen (lovingly!) and help shape it into something memorable. I wish this book had that champion behind it, because the potential is here—it just needs that extra level of care to shine.
This book would really benefit from a strong editorial pass—both developmental and copy. The story has so much potential, but there are noticeable grammatical issues and a lot of missing connective tissue that would elevate the narrative and help it land the way it’s meant to.
My biggest struggle was the structure. It isn’t formatted like a short story, but it also doesn’t read like a fully fleshed-out novel—it’s a full-length concept written in a short-book package. There’s not enough buildup or detail to ground the reader, which leaves the prose feeling choppy and underdeveloped.
The premise? Fantastic. A wannabe influencer getting taken by an author? I was hooked. I just wish the lead-up had been shown rather than told. That’s the overarching issue here—about 85% of the book is “tell, tell, tell” with very little “show.” Without that immersive layer, the reader can’t fully sink into the world; it starts to feel more like reading a summary than living the story.
Now, credit where it’s due: it is creepy. Some of the descriptive moments are genuinely unsettling and absolutely delivered a chill.
In the end, I did enjoy pieces of it—but in the way an editor enjoys a promising first draft. You can see the bones of a really compelling story and just want to grab a red pen (lovingly!) and help shape it into something memorable. I wish this book had that champion behind it, because the potential is here—it just needs that extra level of care to shine.
May 21, 2025
Wow, that's all I can say. Jason blew it open with BookMail. While Demon Seed was excellent, this was the next step up. It all starts off with your average book influencer, Lexi, wanting to get a signed copy of a book from her favorite author. However, she will be in for one hell of a ride when the author kidnaps her.
It's not to fulfill his sexual desires, though. The reason is far more sinister: to write his 'own' story using real victims. I'll say this, Lexi was a fun character. She's sassy and overall just a perfect representation of the horror community. There is quite a twist toward the end that will spin this story upside down. I can't spoil it, but I wasn't expecting the tide to turn.
After reading this story, I learned that picking up a book from an author in a totally random place might not be safe. This was one heck of a ride. The cover of the book is awesome, but trust me there is even more to the story than even the cover shows.
It's not to fulfill his sexual desires, though. The reason is far more sinister: to write his 'own' story using real victims. I'll say this, Lexi was a fun character. She's sassy and overall just a perfect representation of the horror community. There is quite a twist toward the end that will spin this story upside down. I can't spoil it, but I wasn't expecting the tide to turn.
After reading this story, I learned that picking up a book from an author in a totally random place might not be safe. This was one heck of a ride. The cover of the book is awesome, but trust me there is even more to the story than even the cover shows.
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