Little Horrors & Deceptions: A Dark Serial Killer Romance Novella

by Lashell Rain

Chasing a killer was her duty—yet in a haunted house full of smoke and mirrors, nothing is as it seems.

Detective Olivia Bennett is relentless in her pursuit of justice, tracking down a killer who strikes fear even into the hearts of the corrupt—the Executioner.

But her entire career hinges when she’s ripped from the case to go undercover at a world-renowned Haunted House to investigate a string of high-profile murders involving a crime family.

But the Executioner isn’t far behind…

Meet Liam, the unexpectedly ultra-attractive owner of the spooky business who’s the number one suspect. As Olivia draws closer to her target, she sees the depth of Liam’s pain, which challenges her perception and leaves her more entangled in his world than she ever expected.

With every encounter, the line between hunter and hunted blurs, igniting a fierce, forbidden attraction that neither can deny.

As their worlds collide, and all the pieces fall into place, the boundaries of right and wrong blend together, and the truth could shatter everything they thought they knew about each other.


Little Horrors & Deceptions is a stand-alone dark romance novella.

Genres: Dark Romance, Halloween, Holiday, Dark, Romance, Spicy, Novella

253 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2025

About the author

Lashell Rain is a foodie fueled by a shameless amount of caffeine and a passion for storytelling. The Texas native lives at home with her two beautiful kids. Between being a mom by day, and a writer by night, she brought her dreams of becoming an author into a reality.

Reviews

[Rebecca Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved the mindfu*k series you’ll actually love this.

[madie dragoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
📱

i wanted to love this but felt like it just didn’t deliver. the haunted-house, undercover-cop meets crime-family premise had so much potential, and the chemistry & suspense were definitely there. but i kept wanting more: more depth, more build, more connection. the romance felt rushed, and the plot at times zigged rather than flowed. still, for a quick dark read it’s fine if your expectations are moderate.

🎃🔍😕💔🕯️🏚️

“chasing a killer was her duty—yet in a haunted house full of smoke and mirrors, nothing is as it seems.”

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope.

This was not it.

[Hecate’s Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.25 🌶️2.5

🏚️Holiday romance
🏚️Dark romance (serial killer)
🏚️Novella
🏚️Gun play 👀
Pet name:Kitten

For the first half I really liked this one! Starting at ~75% though she really lost me. I was more confused by the plot twist than shocked. I liked most of the storyline but both the characters and some parts of the story needed more development.

Still a fun, spicy holiday novella though!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me so much of Butcher & Blackbird and I LOVED that book so I ate this one up in less than a day. There were some typos and misspellings but I tried my best to overlook those and it intrigued me enough to keep reading!

[Kimberly Rahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this book up!! Olivia and Liam are a match made in well darkness and secrets. I NEVER saw that twist at the end coming!! But I was here for it. This one reminded me a lot of the Mindf*ck series but if both of them were unalivers and one of them was an FBI agent.

[Lindsey Eclebery · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT🤯

[Ava Ly · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️.5
.5🌶️

[Pasquina Santina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storyline was unique, but there was a lot of fast moving parts. Makes sense for a novella but the story could have been developed more and made into a proper novel. A good spicy Halloween read

[Queen Aries · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot line was unique & interesting but it was too much of a slow burn for me & the ending felt too rushed.

[Kylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll give it 2.50 because it was good till the twist then it went down hill fast asf

[Alicia M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam/Aiden & Olivia/Jade

This was different from the first book but still had a great plot and spice and love/romance.

So Olivia is a fed who is investigating this huge case, trying to find 'The Executioner'. And I will NOT be spoiling who that is. Anyway, she gets taken off the case and then sent undercover and that's where she met the owners Liam and Derek and beceomes their new employee. She and Liam falls quite quickly for each other but holds back because she's working a case and he doesn't want to mess up the boss and employee relationship. There was alot of push and pull but then they finally give in and it was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.

The twist is that Liam also has his own agenda. His family was murdered and he wants revenge. Through his Haunted House business, he launders money for a very powerful criminal family. The same family that killed his mother and sister because his mom owed them money. So years later, he kills them one by one. His big plan? To get them in one room and finish the rest of the family, burn the house down and leave town. After he finds out that Jade waa actually Olivia and she's a cop, they work together to take them out. When all was done, Olivia waa praised for finding the Executioner and it waa a big thing on the TV. Anyway, she and Aiden, no longer Liam because he "died" in that accidental fire at the Haunted house, they moved in and ended up being more inlove than ever.


Overall I give this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I loved the plot, the twist, the spice and not to mention the love. It was a great book and I really enjoyed it. Plus, Derek and Jonathan, can we get a spin off? I don't know how it would happen but they seem like an interesting couple who could be covering up something of their own. But who is the Executioner? That one was easy and yet twisted so get ready for it.

I recommend this book. It's a quick and spooky novella. The spice waa spicing. It didn't disappoint. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Olivia Bennett is relentless in her pursuit of justice, tracking down a killer who strikes fear even into the hearts of the corrupt—the Executioner.

But her entire career hinges when she’s ripped from the case to go undercover at a world-renowned Haunted House to investigate a string of high-profile murders involving a crime family.

But the Executioner isn’t far behind…

Meet Liam, the unexpectedly ultra-attractive owner of the spooky business who’s the number one suspect. As Olivia draws closer to her target, she sees the depth of Liam’s pain, which challenges her perception and leaves her more entangled in his world than she ever expected.

With every encounter, the line between hunter and hunted blurs, igniting a fierce, forbidden attraction that neither can deny.

As their worlds collide, and all the pieces fall into place, the boundaries of right and wrong blend together, and the truth could shatter everything they thought they knew about each other.

Unfortunately, this was not a great novella for me in my opinion. I had a hard time getting into this book. It held my interests enough to have me keep reading but it was also difficult. I was kind of bored with it. The plot twist that was thrown in there took a minute to even make sense to me because when I was remembering back throughout it didnt really seem like there were any clues to reach that plot twist. It felt like it was just kinda thrown in there in a way. The couple was cute but at the same time everything just felt to meh to me. It was still a novella to get you into spooky spirits for spooky season but just for me personally it was missing so much.

[Samantha Ketchum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2/5 ⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

👻 Halloween Novella
👻 Murder
👻 Halloween Romance
👻 Haunted House
👻 Revenge
👻 Gun Play
👻 Serial Killer x FBI Agent
👻 Sexy Scare Actor
👻 He Falls First
👻 Plot Twist

Chasing a killer was her duty—yet in a haunted house full of smoke and mirrors, nothing is as it seems.
Detective Olivia Bennett is relentless in her pursuit of justice, tracking down a killer who strikes fear even into the hearts of the corrupt—the Executioner.
But her entire career hinges when she’s ripped from the case to go undercover at a world-renowned Haunted House to investigate a string of high-profile murders involving a crime family.
But the Executioner isn’t far behind…
Meet Liam, the unexpectedly ultra-attractive owner of the spooky business who’s the number one suspect. As Olivia draws closer to her target, she sees the depth of Liam’s pain, which challenges her perception and leaves her more entangled in his world than she ever expected.
With every encounter, the line between hunter and hunted blurs, igniting a fierce, forbidden attraction that neither can deny.
As their worlds collide, and all the pieces fall into place, the boundaries of right and wrong blend together, and the truth could shatter everything they thought they knew about each other.

✨My Thoughts:
Wasn’t really a novella that I really cared for, wasn’t as fast paced as most novellas I have read before. I actually had a hard time finishing it. What made the book good was like few chapters . The book actually started to get more interesting. The spice was there, but I just felt for a novella that this book really dragged on.

[Eel Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the setup of this book and was immediately intrigued by the premise of an undercover cop investigating a haunted house while chasing a killer. The concept had so much potential, and I was excited to see where it would go. However, this story turned out to be more focused on the romance than on solving the crime. While the mystery of the Executioner killer was still present, the romance aspect definitely took center stage. And this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't what I was expecting. The story had some great vibes that made it an enjoyable, quick read—perfect for when you want something fun and a bit steamy. One of the most compelling aspects was the moral ambiguity. It blurred the lines between good and evil, love and loyalty, and I found that dynamic really interesting. It kept me questioning the true nature of the characters and their motivations, which added some depth to the romance. Overall, it was a fun quick read with a lot of chemistry between the leads, but if you’re going into it expecting a strong focus on crime-solving, you might be a little disappointed. If you’re in the mood for a quick dark romance with a touch of suspense, this will hit the spot.

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gripping and suspenseful dark romance novella delves into the complexities of a slow-burn relationship, where passion and danger intertwine. It explores the murky depths of moral ambiguity, blurring the lines between good and evil, leaving readers questioning the true nature of love and loyalty.

With its electrifying atmosphere and emotionally charged narrative, the story captivates readers, drawing them into a world where deception and desire collide. The characters are multi-faceted and morally gray, their actions driven by hidden motives and conflicting emotions. As the plot unfolds, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next twist and turn.

This tale of love and deception is perfect for readers who crave stories that challenge conventional notions of romance and delve into the darker aspects of human nature. It is a must-read for fans of morally complex characters, suspenseful plotlines, and emotionally resonant storytelling.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out good. I liked the premise and felt that the writing was getting better then the first book. I already identified the killer within the first couple of chapters, but enjoyed the idea of a haunted house associated with murder…so thought I would give it a chance even though plot points were pretty obvious.


But then, as I started to read, it became very apparent that this was the same thing as the first book…very specific things happened that I had read in a previously very popular book.

The ending was also ridiculous. This could have been something I liked, but it became more obvious that this is again “borrowing” from other popular horror books.

The best part of this book was Buttons the cat.

[Kayla Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Bennet is a federal agent investigating the murders of a vigilante serial killer, The Executioner. After three years and no progress, her captain takes her off the case and sends her to investigate a string of murders related to a large crime family, The Croixs. He sends her to work under cover at a haunted mansion to get some dirt on the mansion's owner, Liam, who has questionable connections to the Croix family.

While working there, Oliva cant deny the connection that sparks between her and her new boss. But as more bodies turn up, Olivia finds there might be more of a connection between herself, Liam, and The Executioner than she originally thought.

- mirror maze
- haunted house
- masked man
- gun play

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Horrors & Deceptions by Lashell Rain is a dark, steamy novella that blends suspense, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. Detective Olivia Bennett finds herself entangled in a haunted house investigation while facing undeniable attraction to Liam, the prime suspect. The tension between them is electric, and the twisty plot keeps you engaged.

While the story delivers on atmosphere and chemistry, the shorter length means some character development and plot points feel rushed, and a few twists are somewhat predictable. Still, it’s a fun, spicy, and suspenseful read for fans of dark romance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️½/5

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don’t consider this a dark romance or dark anything, it’s a great escape story that has a few spicy moments as the FMC, an undercover FBI agent, falls for her lead murder suspect. The MMC steals the show in this book, in my opinion. He’s so sweet on th FMC, his employee that he put hearts next to her name on her employment application. The story is gripping and holds you throughout. It has you puzzling out the why, who, and how does it all tie together. I love the minor characters in this novel, especially Boots, who seems to cause a lot of trouble. Perfect novella for spooky season if you’re looking for something a little spicy with the scare factor of Hocus Pocus.

[Ajaisha Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy mother of plot twists!

Every complaint I had with the first novella in this duet, Little Lies & Valentines, was completely nonexistent in this book. It was short, sweet, interesting, and spicy. The story was very well paced and kept me interested from cover to cover. The characters were well developed and relatable. The romance was wonderful, and the banter felt comfortable and hilarious. This book felt like a hallmark movie with a dark twist. Highly recommend reading this especially during spooky season!

[Ashlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:★★★★
🌶️🌶️🌶️

ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
- "she might have walked up those stairs and out of sight, but she hadn't walked out of whatever twisted fate was entangling us."
- "Jade carter, the woman who could dismantle me with just one glance in my direction with her blue-fire eyes."

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:
THIS WAS INSANELY GOOD FOR A NOVELLA!!! I loved Liam and Olivia so much and the plot twist was so good I loved it. Olivia being undercover and Liam being the one getting revenge for his family and them falling in love was just amazing to me I loved it so much that this book had me blushing and giggling.

[Sharnee Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Loved this so much! It held me captive from the start! Had the perfect amount of suspense, horror, spice and excitement without being over bearing. I loved Oli & Liam’s story and wished there was more background information on both! But it was still an awesome story! And the plot twist at the end 🤯

“This man, potentially a murderer, had me blushing like a schoolgirl caught in a wet daydream.”

“That’s it, kitten,” he purred. “Take what you want.”

[Ashley Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is very clear that this author didn't proofread or pay attention to any details in this book. There are several very obvious mistakes in what the character is wearing from 1 page to the next or even where their vehicle is. The character development is not there, and any time there is supposed to be a scene to give a character depth, it's practically summarized and skipped over. During the smutty scene, the details were as grainy as a stolen blockbuster porno.

[Yasmine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one hell of a plot twist. Omg she was the serial killer her own team was investigating.
She fell had and fast for him (they both did)
It was a spicy book
The fact Jonathan was by her side no matter and didn’t turn her in. That’s an amazing friend.
The proposal on New year’s, love it.
This is a perfect short and dark novella.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia, an undercover FBI agent with secrets.
Liam, a haunted house owned with secrets.
She’s undercover investigating a serial killer….when she falls in love with Liam her plans change.!

I loved the way that these two started falling in love. They both tried to keep it professional, but the lines always get blurred when you try too hard!

[B McMuffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this one more than the previous one. I kind of actually wish it was more than 160 something pages so we could have gotten a more drawn out plot line. I'm not complaining because it was intriguing enough for the length of the novel. The smut do be spicy and ultimately the book is giving more erotica than romance. It was a perfect quick read for the Halloween season.

[Hannah Huffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off having the name Olivia Bennett just gave me the ick and secondly I feel like the author was slightly inspired by mindfuck series and tried to make her FMC like that. The second half of the book was wayyy better and caught my attention the most. I did love the chemistry she had with Liam . 🖤

[Luna Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish there were more

great books. i just wish they were longer but they are definitely great for a quick read on a lazy day. i loved the big twist in this one. i can usually guts
guess the twists but this one had me fooled.

[Stephany · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIAM F**KED HER WITH WHAT?!!!!!!!



I’ll be honest, I almost DNF’d this one. For being a novella, I felt like the first half was pretty slow. Maybe I was expecting more unaliving? But I’m glad I stuck with it because the twist at the end was worth it!