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Devil Makes Three: Three Novellas Of Horror

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“With a unique style all his own, Richard Beauchamp is a name that should most definitely be on the radar of any folk horror fan.” - Tony Evans, author of Wicked Appalachia and Sour

"A trio of fantastically deep, dark fear-enducing stories. Beauchamp touches on extremely uncomfortable yet important historical social issues while sending shivers down spines. Cerebral but engaging. As I've heard authors like Brian Keene and Joe Hill say about other up and coming horror authors, 'this guy's got chops!'" Joshua Loyd Fox, author of In the Shadows They Wait, I Won't Be Shaken, The ArchAngel Missions and owner of Watertower Hill Publishing.


Randol Scroggins is a man trying to get out from the shadow of his past. Fleeing from the Mississippi lowlands to the foothills of Madison County, he’s trying his best to start over. But darkness comes in many forms, and Randol is about to find out how hungry it can be…

Deep in the Missouri Ozarks lies the seemingly bucolic town of Buck’s Point, which disgraced union colonel Arnold Mayhew has been tasked with occupying to help clear the way for the railroad. It soon becomes clear however, that there is a good reason why no army holds sway here…

Arkansas State Police detective Arden Colefield was born with a special gift, though if you ask him, it’s more of a curse. Dispatched to northwest Arkansas to investigate a string of strange kidnappings, Arden must rely on every shred of cop instinct, plus his extrasensory perceptions, to uncover a horrifying conspiracy that goes beyond not just the limits of the law, but time and space itself...

Three stories. Three unique locales bound only by the ancient mountains that stretch across state lines.

From the author that brought you Horror In The Collected tales of Ozark Horror, and Thrall, Richard Beauchamp once again thrusts the reader into his nightmarish reimagining of the pristine, bucolic foothills of the Ozarks, told with the authority that only a lifelong native of the hills could muster...

412 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

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Richard Beauchamp

48 books24 followers

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5 stars
15 (48%)
4 stars
12 (38%)
3 stars
3 (9%)
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1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones.
353 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2025
adrenaline-dilated: action packed , atmospheric .. complex, multilayered plots, requiring full attention...gave this one another reread and I enjoyed it better the second time around.
three pretty solid novellas from different timelines... can't believe it's been that long (almost 2 months) since I last finished a book/collection. reading slump is real 🤣🤦‍♀️
Profile Image for Books For Decaying Millennials.
274 reviews59 followers
May 8, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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Observe if you will, Herein we find Author Richard Beauchamp, If you are in anyway familiar with his craft, then welcome back. However, if Devil Makes Three marks your first time being drawn by Richard's Story telling...well then it's your first, but mark my words, it won't be your last.
For me, Devil's Make Three is not my first Richard Beauchamp Rodeo. Does that mean I knew what was coming. Oh absolutely not, the moment you start to think you know what Richard is going to write, he up and surprises you. You can follow him along a path into the Wooded depths of the Ozarks. But, you have no idea where you are going to end up, and at some point along your journey, Richard stepped off the Trail. He'll pop up behind you when you least expect it.
Each Tale in this trio is delivered With Richard's signature delivery of raw emotion rooted in the human heart (for good or ill). existential Horror birthed from both the Hills and beyond the light of human knowledge.
Richard writes of Missouri, and the Ozarks as a whole,as if they were an extension of himself. I don't mean that in any kind of starry eyed, whimsical sense. Richard does not ignore the ugliness of reality, nor does he seek to whitewash or erase the ugliness and pain that makes up so much of the nations history.
The first story is a meditation on confronting the past, and perhaps finding a path to healing. It also contains perhaps one of the most Feral, unbound and dare I say "Magickal" scenes of intimacy I have ever read.
The second story made me give a fist pump in the air, because you can't go wrong with Horror set during the American Civil War [ Note: for evidence of this go read Richard's Novel " And They Will Suffer"].
The Final Tale felt like I was freebasing Carpenter and Cronenberg with a waves of X-Files. That story went places I did not foresee. What a ride!
Devil Makes Three showcases the author flexing his writing muscles, demonstrating that you can have a style, you can have an energy that inhabits your prose, but that in no way has to limit your range, or the scope of your imagination.
Profile Image for Char.
444 reviews5 followers
July 16, 2025
*ARC review*
My rating is closer to a 4.5 star but while I absolutely loved this book the 3rd novella just didn't hit that spot for me. It's fantastic don't get me wrong but felt more like alien horror than the vibe I usually get from Appalachian or Ozark horror, and alien horror just isn't my thing.
Richard's writing is absolutely fabulous though and even though I didn't enjoy the last story I still wanted to read it because he writes such a good story arc and the first 2 novellas are so worth the read. They're that perfect wtf of folklore mixing with horror that I love so much.
Profile Image for Milt Theo.
1,997 reviews171 followers
May 8, 2025
This trio of novellas has it all: creature feature, black magic, sci-fi horror, backwoods monsters, paranormal noir, historical horror, aliens, werewolves, Native American lore - I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture: the stories are dense and wide-ranging, set in the Ozarks but each approaching its theme in totally its own way every time.

The imagery in the first two stories gave off very strong Clive Barker vibes, though the characters often follow Stephen King motifs in acting and thinking. The third novella is something entirely different altogether: neither easily summarized nor as gritty as the others, it sets itself apart by combining the paranormal detective trope with the Men in Black conspiracist folklore, taking both in a unique direction.

The first novella, "The Ravenous Dark," was the most enjoyable, taking off from a Native American grandmother of the Osage tribe taking revenge on the "white devils" through very dark means; come present day, the darkness has spread, and a lumberjack finds himself right in the middle of it. I loved the characters and the story's premise.

The second tale is set during the American Civil War, has a truly authentic feel, with excellent dialogue and attention to historical detail, and keeps the tension very high throughout thanks to a solid plot and extraordinary characterization. A colonel faces a small town reverend, with mysterious creatures killing his men or, to be precise, infecting them with some kind of disease which transforms them into monsters. Great ending as well.

The last novella is X-Files meets body horror; an outstanding, imaginative and suspenseful tale of aliens kidnapping children in Arkansas, and a couple of detectives taking the case without realizing the mess they're stepping into. This is a very complex story, with lots of plausible-sounding sci-fi jargon, very strong characters and an ambitious plotline which culminates in a terrific ending!

To sum up, "Devil Makes Three" is a brilliant novella collection by a fantastic author whose writing is brimming with authenticity and passion for the genre, for both the people and the setting of his stories. This makes for a consistently honest and unpretentious writer's voice you're not gonna find anywhere else! Highly recommended!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,311 reviews18 followers
May 2, 2025
I was invested in the three stories that Richard Beauchamp told in this collection, it had that Gothic horror element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this genre. I thought it was great that each story had a different location and was what I was looking for. I really enjoyed They Lurk Like Dreams, as it was my favorite of the three. I really enjoyed the way Richard Beauchamp wrote this and can't wait for more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
147 reviews
June 2, 2025
Here's my review of my latest read, Devil Makes Three, 3 Novellas of Horror, by Richard Beauchamp. With stories taking place within the Ozarks, during various time periods, they contain some native American culture and memorable characters, including strong female ones.

You’ve got a story about a curse on the land, from back in 1835, that comes to a head as Randol Scroggins tries to go back to living a normal life after troubles with the law. Something as simple as a coworker’s car trouble evolves into a night of terror for a number of people, leading to two descendants from the time the curse was first put upon the land, to join forces and battle against an evil entity together. Some characters I liked, some not so much, while some I found to show great courage.

Next up, a story surrounding union Colonel Arnold Mayhew, charged with clearing land for the railroad while keeping the rebels at bay. He soon finds out that the rebels and the local townspeople aren’t the only obstacles in his men’s way, as nightmares beyond anything a soldier could have imagined start to unfold. It’s a great story that kept me on the edge of my seat, but I felt that the ending was a little bit rushed, though certainly not enough reduce my enjoyment.

And last, as Arkansas detectives Arden Colefield and Natalie Harker work to solve the mystery of children going missing from a small town called Mountain Grove, they are faced with so much more than typical abductions. Depending on each other, as well as Arden’s “gift” of extrasensory perception/synesthesia, they quickly learn that there are sinister forces at play, much more than police training could have ever prepared them for. Great story, but an ending that left me wanting more. However, that’s more of a personal preference. You’ll have to read it for yourself and see if you agree with me or not.

Though I did enjoy all three novellas, and the author’s strong ability to tell stories, I enjoyed them in varying degrees. And so, overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5, highly recommending it to any fan of horror.
Profile Image for Kristy.
62 reviews5 followers
June 25, 2025
Review of Devil Makes Three by Richard Beaucamp

Devil Makes Three is a collection of three novellas, each one more intriguing than the last. Richard Beaucamp’s writing is captivating, with a remarkable depth of knowledge and attention to historical detail that truly immerses you in each story.

The level of research and care that went into crafting these narratives is clear on every page. You can tell that Beaucamp wanted to do justice to the historical contexts woven throughout, and for the most part, it works beautifully. The stories are intricate, layered, and thought-provoking.

That said, there were moments where the wealth of detail occasionally weighed the pacing down. But given the historical content and the author’s commitment to accuracy, it makes sense why that level of detail was included.

Overall, Devil Makes Three is a compelling and immersive read. If you enjoy rich historical storytelling with dark, intricate plots, this collection is definitely worth your time.
Profile Image for Jamie Cassidy.
39 reviews5 followers
May 5, 2025
📖 Review: Your new favorite indie horror author?! 📖

The Devil Makes Three is a collection of three horror novellas from one of the most unique authors in our community. Richard/Shadrick writes with an unrivaled combination of strikingly descriptive prose, and uniquely hillbilly charm. This trilogy of tales is a perfect entry point for one of my favorite guys in the game.

My favorite of the bunch, They Lurk Like Dreams, reminded me of King's "The Outsider" with a twist.

The other two novellas really captures Beauchamp's "bread & butter" with southern-fried characters, augmented historical horror & plenty of rending flesh & viscera.

I affectionately refer to Beauchamp as the "Hillbilly Clive Barker" due to his unique gift of describing absolute carnage with a rare eloquence. The Devil Makes Three is a prime example of this gift. Pick it up and you too may become an avid Beauchamp-ion.

Final Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,157 reviews69 followers
May 21, 2025
I enjoyed reading these three short horror stories. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills and the ability to pull me into the character's worlds with ease. The creation of strong, engaging characters made the story hard to put down with non-stop action. I also enjoyed the growth of the characters in each story that made the stories entertaining to read. This is a great collection of stories where each are unique to each other. I really enjoyed reading this collection and I highly recommend this book.
319 reviews6 followers
May 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this trio of horror novellas. This is the first book I've read by the author, but I'm definitely going to have to look into more of his work. The stories are dark, and while each is set in or around the Ozarks, each tale is completely distinct. Sometimes in groups of stories like this, the stories will blur together in the same setting with only minor variations. That's not the case here. The biggest common thread in Devil Makes Three is that I'm glad I'm not the one facing these situations. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Michael Myett.
112 reviews3 followers
January 26, 2026
This book contains 3 very creepy, independent novellas all based in the Ozarks and all about 130 pages in length.
All very easy to read in one sitting, good story telling with interesting and engaging characters. My favorite was The Ravenous Dark but I really enjoyed them all.
I would recommend to all fans of horror. I listened to the audio book while reading along to the kindle.
I will read more by this author.
13 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2025
Not bad at all. A fun folklorie (Is that a word?) set of three tales that lead you down a winding path of small town America and suitably awful terror. It great read for late at night and a lot of enjoyment in this one. Give it a bash, but lock the doors first!
17.1k reviews178 followers
May 21, 2025
Get ready to be scared as you read these three haunting tales. Each one will take you on a creepy adventure so beware. You have been warned
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and was a wonderful collection
Profile Image for Jennifer Loschiavo.
1,242 reviews19 followers
May 22, 2025
He truly knows how to absolutely mess with your mind body and soul. I had goosebumps like i was watching a truly great horror movie. Well paced and detailed. The suspense and tension is out of this world. Loved it.
Profile Image for Rachel.
87 reviews
January 2, 2026
Definitely creepy stories! Will definitely look forward to more from this author!
68 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2025
This book was a grisly three-novella tour of the Ozarks. I particularly liked "The Gnashing," a Civil War yarn which seems like it would be perfect for a movie or a miniseries.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews