Where Evil Resides: Robur Copse Book 1

by L. B. Romero

In the Southeastern United States, a small mountain town is dying. A European pharmaceutical company, with a strange obsession for Egyptian culture, swoops in to rebuild and provide jobs, breathing in new life—but with a hidden cost.
Leon Rook loves his little town. Though as a small-town cop, he didn’t sign up for danger. When Leon hunts a missing young woman, he discovers that his precious town hides deep, dark secrets that his superiors don’t want him to discover.
Mysterious and deadly happenings amass around Kaira Forest and the presence of a serial killer just scratches the surface. When Leon comes face to face with humanoid Venus flytrap bioweapons, he must take them down with the help of some teenagers and their high school science.
Because Robur Copse is…Where Evil Resides.

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2025

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Evil Resides by L. B. Romero
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up to 5 stars

This one was different for me—in the best way. I don’t usually gravitate toward sci-fi, but Where Evil Resides completely pulled me in with its eerie atmosphere, slow-burning suspense, and haunting originality.

Set in the misty, mysterious Robur Copse, this story blends speculative sci-fi with psychological horror and a creeping sense of dread that never lets up. I genuinely didn’t know what to expect next, and that made the reading experience feel fresh and unforgettable.

L. B. Romero’s writing is cinematic and immersive—I could see the fog, feel the tension, and sense that something was deeply wrong in the woods. The plot was tight, the twists hit hard, and the sci-fi elements were thought-provoking without being overwhelming for a genre newbie like me.

If you’re looking for something outside the usual haunted house tropes, this book brings a smart, eerie twist to the idea of where evil truly resides.

Highly recommend for fans of dark speculative fiction, mysterious small towns, and sci-fi with a sinister edge. 👁️🌲💀

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[John Bitsko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I loved the storyline. The story moves at a good pace. The characters are well developed. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that was jam packed with sensory input and written with a breakneck pace that left you with mental whiplash? That’s this book. Welcome to the chaos, hang on tight; his one has everything from a serial killer to monster plants!

I received this book as an ARC copy from Book Sirens, and it took me a while to decompress and compile my thoughts about Where Evil Resides because the plot moved fast and with the shift in perspectives it felt a little bit like being on a tilt-a-whirl while I was trying to make sense of my surroundings. This is an excellent effect for a horror novel because it keeps the reader unsettled. The novel gets full marks for unsettling.

Giving us the story of a reinvigorated small town, this book casts a gloomy light on things as a teenager, a police officer, and an orphan try to unravel a mystery surrounding a bio-tech company (seriously grown up, horror-laden, scooby doo vibes anyone?). I sank right into the ominous settings. The characters were complex and several – especially the Hunter – were very problematic! I don’t think I will forget the trophy room any time soon.

The author has written that the story is influenced by Resident Evil (which I know nothing about) but I did feel like there were wisps of Area X from Annihilation by Vandermeer only with a corporate overlord vibe and at the opposite end of the spectrum as far as pace. I would also say this is reminiscent of some of Dean Koontz’ early sci-fi novels – the ones before Odd Thomas.

While this was a book that kept me turning pages, left me suitably unnerved, and had a fascinating plot, I did feel like there was a lack of context. I understand the relevance of the project at the biotech lab, but I don’t really grasp the origin and connection with the supernatural creatures. They’re horrifying in the reading, but they don’t make much sense once I put the book down. I also felt like the book shifted between truly excellent writing on some pages, with fascinating imagery and unique turns of phrase, and then others where it felt like someone just jotted their thoughts down quickly and never went back to polish the work, where the voice didn’t really change among the characters. That actually contributed to the sense of confusion as the perspective switched because things wouldn’t make sense until I realized we’d had that switch.

While the novel sets up a sequel pretty well, I am curious to see where that sequel takes us. I hope the sequel provides more structural support for the ending of this first and provides a better context for the origin of the Venuses. I sense that a lot of the missing pieces to the puzzle could be fleshed out through understanding the origins a little bit better.

All in all, this was a good book if you want to read something creepy, with horrifying events, enough emotionality to make you care but with a strong focus on the plot and not those emotions.

Despite the solid horror narrative this book was a 3-star read for me because of the inconsistencies in the writing and the lack of clarity around some of the elements.

[Trevor Ortez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Where Evil Resides by L.B. Romero
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Where Evil Resides is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that draws you in with its small-town charm—and then twists that charm into something far more sinister. L.B. Romero crafts a dark, compelling tale with strong character development and realistic, engaging dialogue. Each point of view feels grounded and purposeful, weaving together a larger mystery that steadily builds tension.

The pacing is well-balanced, allowing space for emotional depth without ever dragging. As the story unfolds, layers of dread and suspense grow naturally, and by the final act, it becomes nearly impossible to put down. The ending delivers a wonderfully chilling twist that leaves just enough unanswered to keep you thinking long after the final page.

Highly recommended for fans of survival horror and small-town mysteries with a sinister edge. I’ll definitely be watching for more work from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Feed me Seymour"

This book was a wild ride. 3.5 stars rounding up. The beginning was tough for me to get into. I was getting strong Little Shop of Horror vibes off the bat so I kept wanting the humor vibes. The cleaner and hunter are characters I wont forget anytime soon. I liked how the different storylines tied together in the end.

[Josette Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Evil Resides was a 4star read for me. This book is told in multiple points of view and took a little long for me to figure out the characters but was overall a fantastic read filled with mystery that kept me on my toes. I love that I could not predict the ending which kept me hooked the entire time. I found myself trying to read faster because I had to know what was going to happen next! I would definitely read more from this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Purple Bookish Frog (Bonnie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The synopsis promised a mysterious small-town tale with a cop investigating a missing woman, a serial killer lurking in the shadows, and—most intriguingly—giant Venus Flytraps. That premise alone had me hooked.

Thankfully, the book did not disappoint. The pacing kept me engaged, the characters felt compelling, and the atmosphere was richly immersive. While there were areas that could have been fleshed out further, particularly in the beginning with world building, the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

I’m giving it 4 stars—a solid debut from L.B. Romero that showcases immense potential. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for book two!

[Mark Bertrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Romero’s hands, evil isn’t a presence—it’s a process. This novel doesn’t entertain so much as it ritualizes the decay of conscience.
—Mark Bertrand PhD, Righter’s Doom

[Michael Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-read horror novel, which moves along briskly. The creepiness starts in the prologue, where our antagonist works in a hospital where some very strange experiments are happening. In the town of Robur Copse, cats and dogs are disappearing at an alarming rate, and Officer Leon Rook investigates. Leon is an odd fit as a police officer, as he hates guns and can barely pass his range test to keep his job. He is soon sucked into the investigation of a missing high school coed. From there, the plot thickens, as a group of high school kids is stalked by creatures made at the hospital. The horror grows as the kids start meeting grisly deaths. The carnage builds to a satisfying climax, but leaves a few unanswered questions for the next book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Evil Resides is a gripping blend of psychological horror and supernatural suspense that keeps you unsettled from the first page. L.B. Romero masterfully builds a slow-burning tension, crafting a setting where dread seeps into every corner, and nothing is quite what it seems.

The novel follows a protagonist caught between the rational world and the creeping realization that something ancient and malevolent is at play. Romero’s writing is atmospheric and cinematic—moody descriptions, chilling imagery, and well-paced reveals make it hard to look away, even when you want to.

While the plot leans into familiar horror tropes, it’s the emotional undercurrent—grief, guilt, and the haunting past—that gives the story its deeper resonance. The ending is both satisfying and deeply unsettling, staying with you long after the final chapter.

If you enjoy horror that toys with your perception of reality and leaves you questioning what truly lurks in the shadows, Where Evil Resides is well worth a read.

[L. O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right out of the gate, the unease creeps into your mind...the setting is ominous and we get a sense from a few clues that all is not well in Robur Copse. Officer Leon Rook is a character we identify with because he's not perfect, but he's smart and he's driven. We're rooting for him to find out what's going on with missing pets and a missing woman. The fear in the back of your mind ratchets up a few notches with the glimpse into the antagonist's point of view, and, well, let's just say, there are a few other characters and situations that will raise your goosebumps and make you want to read with all the lights on.

It's a well-written book, with excellent prose, good pacing, and characters/plot you can get into. If you want to be freaked out, you'll love this dive into a town with dark secrets.

[Nataliesimmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything: secret labs, creepy forests, corporate corruption, ancient myth references, and plant monsters that give serious The Last of Us vibes. I loved the setting; it felt eerie and alive, and the slow reveal of the town’s secrets kept me hooked. One of the most original horror novels I’ve read in a while.
The atmosphere in this book is incredible, moody, decaying, and immersive. Leon’s investigation kept me turning the pages, and once the Venus flytrap creatures showed up, I couldn’t stop reading. I’m still thinking about the pharma company and their creepy Egyptian obsession, such a unique layer to the story.

[K. Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Evil resides is an astonishing debut novel. This horror novel hooked me instantly. A dying Southern mountain town, a mysterious European pharmaceutical company with Egyptian ties – the unease builds brilliantly.

Leon Rook, a small-town cop, is a fantastic protagonist. He uncovers deep, dark secrets, blending supernatural elements with a gripping plot.

The Venus flytrap bioweapons are utterly horrifying and unique. The high school science angle, with teenagers fighting for survival, adds unexpected fun.

[Adrienne Deeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.B. Romero beautifully weaves mystery and horror into this fast paced novel that hooked me from the start. Romero is a master of suspense. The characters pulled me into the story, even the ones that didn't make it. I'm still looking over my shoulder to make sure I won't be the next victim.