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The Evil Inside
A NEW MILLENNIUM.
On 31 December 1999, Australian advertising creative Guy
Russell arrives in New York along with his fragile wife and their
young son. A painful tragedy has led them to swap Melbourne for
Manhattan, and seek a fresh start.
A NEW BEGINNING.
With a new job secured at a thriving midtown agency, and
temporary residence obtained in the Upper West Side's Olcott
Hotel - a building with a morbid history of its own - Guy feels that
now is the time to lay his troubles to rest.
A NEW NIGHTMARE.
Yet something won't let him. And as a sinister force from Guy's
past begins to scratch its way back into his present, the behaviour
of his son, Callum, also starts to become increasingly disturbing
and chilling.
As Guy begins to believe that Callum is being possessed by this
dark force, others fear he is gradually dispossessing himself of his
own sanity. And as Guy grapples with whether the evil tormenting
him is in his surroundings, his son, or his own mind, he pushes
himself ever closer to the edge.
On 31 December 1999, Australian advertising creative Guy
Russell arrives in New York along with his fragile wife and their
young son. A painful tragedy has led them to swap Melbourne for
Manhattan, and seek a fresh start.
A NEW BEGINNING.
With a new job secured at a thriving midtown agency, and
temporary residence obtained in the Upper West Side's Olcott
Hotel - a building with a morbid history of its own - Guy feels that
now is the time to lay his troubles to rest.
A NEW NIGHTMARE.
Yet something won't let him. And as a sinister force from Guy's
past begins to scratch its way back into his present, the behaviour
of his son, Callum, also starts to become increasingly disturbing
and chilling.
As Guy begins to believe that Callum is being possessed by this
dark force, others fear he is gradually dispossessing himself of his
own sanity. And as Guy grapples with whether the evil tormenting
him is in his surroundings, his son, or his own mind, he pushes
himself ever closer to the edge.
- GenresHorror
309 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2014
3 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Philip Taffs
3 books14 followersI got fired from an ad agency and began writing 'Bubby' that very afternoon.
(Coincidence?)
It was rejected everywhere you can possibly be rejected across 3 continents before finally being picked up by those geniuses at Quercus in London - who were smart enough to also publish 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.
I had a short story - about Elvis not really being dead and entering an Elvis impersonators competition - published in a generous magazine that paid me $900 when I was broke… and won a PEN International Award for another one about a butcher’s assistant who gets locked in a freezer…but that's another story.
When I'm not writing, I'm watching old movies or screaming at the Carlton Football Club.
It's hard to believe but I have two sons who love me.
(Coincidence?)
It was rejected everywhere you can possibly be rejected across 3 continents before finally being picked up by those geniuses at Quercus in London - who were smart enough to also publish 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.
I had a short story - about Elvis not really being dead and entering an Elvis impersonators competition - published in a generous magazine that paid me $900 when I was broke… and won a PEN International Award for another one about a butcher’s assistant who gets locked in a freezer…but that's another story.
When I'm not writing, I'm watching old movies or screaming at the Carlton Football Club.
It's hard to believe but I have two sons who love me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 13, 2024
The Evil Inside left me somewhat conflicted in my opinion of it hence my delay in writing my review as I wanted to reflect on the book and how it sat with me after a few weeks.
I was immediately drawn into this novel, Philip Taffs writing style is taut, snappy with easy to digest paragraphs and no long-winded waffle to get in the way. It did not take me long to read this book and it really is what I would call a page turner, I was desperately eager to find out what the ending was going to throw up to me.
Sometimes the way a book is pitched can do it a disservice, this novel presents as a terrifying horror novel, something super creepy and scary so of course I had high expectations for it to be exactly that. I read a lot of horror and dark fiction and to me this book only just squeezes itself into the horror genre, I think lovers of really strong horror might find this a bit lukewarm but on the other hand readers who normally would not go near horror should try this novel as it will give them just the amount of chills they need.
A major strength of the book in my opinion are the characters. Watching Guy in gradual emotional and mental decline was quite fascinating and it puts a spin on the plot that has you second-guessing Guy's perspective on everything. He is a man on a path of self-destruction it seems, or is he? His wife stood out as a strong character and the tension in their marriage over events going on around them were relatable and dramatic, quite thought-provoking. Then we have their son Callum who is acting strange and Guy is getting really freaked out by it. Has the past come to haunt him?
I loved the back story from Guy's childhood and younger years, now that WAS a surprise and was very chilling, those elements weaving their way back into his present were done really well. My opinion of Guy was constantly fluctuating and I think Taffs wrote it to be just like that for the reader. Trying to grasp Guy was like trying to hold on to the wind at times in this book.
The pace of the book was interesting to me. I could not stop reading yet I would not say it was really fast-paced which sounds like a huge contradiction. The writing and the storytelling had me engaged fully but I kept wondering where the really super scary moments were going to happen, however they do and they did but this horror fan wanted more. However I do read VERY dark stuff that most people can't cope with so my comparison novels are extreme. The book is atmospheric at times and is highly emotionally charged for nearly all of it.
I really did not have any idea where the book was heading, I was trying to pick up on hints and guess the ending but could not. It was a surprise and not what I would have predicted at all. I liked that a lot. I enjoyed this read but my best advice to readers is to not expect it to be more horrific than it is, by going in with no expectations I predict readers will see the strengths in this book. Taff is certainly gifted with his character development and weaving of sinister memories and moments that you won't be expecting. It's almost a borderline psychological thriller/mild horror.
4 stars from me for all the elements of the book that I really liked, just missing out on that fifth star because the pitch and build up of how much horror the book might contain is a touch misleading in my opinion. Because of that however I think the book will appeal to a broader range of readers than just hard-core horror fanatics. I will definitely be eager to read any further books from Philip Taffs. I will never look at electricity power points the same way again now.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of the book given to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks so much for reading my review! If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request. 🐱I love to read other reviews and talk about books we are reading.
If you are an Author and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book please just message me.
You can also find me on
Twitter @bookishcats
(I follow back) and on Amazon U.K. where I am a Top 500 Reviewer as Booklover Catlady.
I was immediately drawn into this novel, Philip Taffs writing style is taut, snappy with easy to digest paragraphs and no long-winded waffle to get in the way. It did not take me long to read this book and it really is what I would call a page turner, I was desperately eager to find out what the ending was going to throw up to me.
Sometimes the way a book is pitched can do it a disservice, this novel presents as a terrifying horror novel, something super creepy and scary so of course I had high expectations for it to be exactly that. I read a lot of horror and dark fiction and to me this book only just squeezes itself into the horror genre, I think lovers of really strong horror might find this a bit lukewarm but on the other hand readers who normally would not go near horror should try this novel as it will give them just the amount of chills they need.
A major strength of the book in my opinion are the characters. Watching Guy in gradual emotional and mental decline was quite fascinating and it puts a spin on the plot that has you second-guessing Guy's perspective on everything. He is a man on a path of self-destruction it seems, or is he? His wife stood out as a strong character and the tension in their marriage over events going on around them were relatable and dramatic, quite thought-provoking. Then we have their son Callum who is acting strange and Guy is getting really freaked out by it. Has the past come to haunt him?
I loved the back story from Guy's childhood and younger years, now that WAS a surprise and was very chilling, those elements weaving their way back into his present were done really well. My opinion of Guy was constantly fluctuating and I think Taffs wrote it to be just like that for the reader. Trying to grasp Guy was like trying to hold on to the wind at times in this book.
The pace of the book was interesting to me. I could not stop reading yet I would not say it was really fast-paced which sounds like a huge contradiction. The writing and the storytelling had me engaged fully but I kept wondering where the really super scary moments were going to happen, however they do and they did but this horror fan wanted more. However I do read VERY dark stuff that most people can't cope with so my comparison novels are extreme. The book is atmospheric at times and is highly emotionally charged for nearly all of it.
I really did not have any idea where the book was heading, I was trying to pick up on hints and guess the ending but could not. It was a surprise and not what I would have predicted at all. I liked that a lot. I enjoyed this read but my best advice to readers is to not expect it to be more horrific than it is, by going in with no expectations I predict readers will see the strengths in this book. Taff is certainly gifted with his character development and weaving of sinister memories and moments that you won't be expecting. It's almost a borderline psychological thriller/mild horror.
4 stars from me for all the elements of the book that I really liked, just missing out on that fifth star because the pitch and build up of how much horror the book might contain is a touch misleading in my opinion. Because of that however I think the book will appeal to a broader range of readers than just hard-core horror fanatics. I will definitely be eager to read any further books from Philip Taffs. I will never look at electricity power points the same way again now.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of the book given to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks so much for reading my review! If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request. 🐱I love to read other reviews and talk about books we are reading.
If you are an Author and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book please just message me.
You can also find me on
Twitter @bookishcats
(I follow back) and on Amazon U.K. where I am a Top 500 Reviewer as Booklover Catlady.
September 6, 2016
This all starts on 31st of December, New Years Eve [and my birthday!]
A great time for a brand new start for them leaving behind some sad times and moving to Manhattan from Melbourne Australia.
His wife is very fragile and this author brings this to our attention early on in the book, you can feel the unease as it relays.
Guy gets life to some reasonable order to move on with life and his family and better themselves when others things start to happen which slowly takes in his son Callum.
I am not a particular fan of strong horror, so for this to be classed as such I would most definitely land it into the thriller/mild horror area.
There are certainly some chilling moments.
The author nudges us along whilst reading this story with a firm hand on your back knowing that something sooner or later is going to make you gasp, but not in the horror sense of things.
Its certainly not a fast paced book, so be surprised you may be more laid back reading this but on the flip side, Philip Taffs adds a sense of 'just one more chapter', not because its nail biting but more because its a slow paced easy read that just pulls you along nicely.
I don't think I am giving anything away when I say that they had lost a baby. Surrounding this comes a lot of emotions and unexpected events.
Like I say, I had some surprises within the pages of this book, and because of this, I give it 4 stars for holding my attention.
July 28, 2016
Guy and Mia rush to the hospital. She’s pregnant and bleeding. A decision is made to terminate the pregnancy so that she will be able to try again sometime in the future. This decision was not made easily and Mia soon falls into a depression.
Making a move from Australia to New York was to be a new beginning for both of them … and for their young son, Callum.
But Mia is withdrawing even further and Callum’s behavior is becoming strange. Guy begins to think that Callum is possessed by the devil and fears for his own sanity.
Is he really seeing the awful things he says he does? Is the lost baby haunting Callum? Holding him in judgment for its death? Or is he truly losing his mind? And why does he think his long-dead mother is somehow responsible?
Horror is not a genre I normally read. However, the cover drew me in, as well as the description. The book is well-written, the plot is tight, and the characters were believable. Watching Guy go from one end of the human spectrum to the other was fascinating. And there were times that 3-year-old Callum scared the daylights out of me.
If you are a horror buff, you will really enjoy this one.
Many thanks to the author / Catlady Booklover Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Making a move from Australia to New York was to be a new beginning for both of them … and for their young son, Callum.
But Mia is withdrawing even further and Callum’s behavior is becoming strange. Guy begins to think that Callum is possessed by the devil and fears for his own sanity.
Is he really seeing the awful things he says he does? Is the lost baby haunting Callum? Holding him in judgment for its death? Or is he truly losing his mind? And why does he think his long-dead mother is somehow responsible?
Horror is not a genre I normally read. However, the cover drew me in, as well as the description. The book is well-written, the plot is tight, and the characters were believable. Watching Guy go from one end of the human spectrum to the other was fascinating. And there were times that 3-year-old Callum scared the daylights out of me.
If you are a horror buff, you will really enjoy this one.
Many thanks to the author / Catlady Booklover Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
January 3, 2015
Hmmm I didn't hate this book, but neither did I love it.
The good points:
Taffs' writing style (short, snappy chapters).
The gradual portrayal of Guy's descent into a paranoid, depraved funk.
Being able to read the book in an Australian accent (because it was told in first person POV).
The not so good points:
I didn't like Guy. I think if he had been that bit more likeable from the beginning I might have been drawn into the story, but as it were I thought he was an arse from the get go and found it hard to care about him or his problems.
The storyline itself wasn't as scary as I'd expected. There were large chunks where Guy was doing ad campaigns and getting drunk after work that sometimes I would forget I was reading horror. Also, it would have been good if his flashbacks had been fleshed out since they're pretty integral to the story, and I think a bit more on Violet could have enhanced the creepiness factor.
All in all it wasn't a terrible book, but it wasn't great either.
I'd certainly read any future works by Taffs, but I'd hope for a protagonist that I could get on board with next time.
The good points:
Taffs' writing style (short, snappy chapters).
The gradual portrayal of Guy's descent into a paranoid, depraved funk.
Being able to read the book in an Australian accent (because it was told in first person POV).
The not so good points:
I didn't like Guy. I think if he had been that bit more likeable from the beginning I might have been drawn into the story, but as it were I thought he was an arse from the get go and found it hard to care about him or his problems.
The storyline itself wasn't as scary as I'd expected. There were large chunks where Guy was doing ad campaigns and getting drunk after work that sometimes I would forget I was reading horror. Also, it would have been good if his flashbacks had been fleshed out since they're pretty integral to the story, and I think a bit more on Violet could have enhanced the creepiness factor.
All in all it wasn't a terrible book, but it wasn't great either.
I'd certainly read any future works by Taffs, but I'd hope for a protagonist that I could get on board with next time.
August 24, 2016
My rating is: 3.5
I received The Evil Inside from Maxine Booklover Catlady in exchange for an honest review. I should say this is a book that comes with mixed feelings when you read it, you love it and you hate it equally. I believe it is a strength since it leaves an impact on you and that is a trait of a talented author. The plot is good, the writing is short and quick, the characterization is well built, although, it is more focused on the main character Guy Russell and little invested on other characters, Mia, Callum, etc. Maybe, the author did this in purpose in order to draw the readers' full attention on the hellish internal journey that Guy Russell will begin.
Guy and Mia moved to New York with their son Callum searching for a new fresh start after the tragedy that happened in their hometown in Australia. Losing their unborn baby is something they want to leave behind with a new place, new job, new country. It's New York where they landed and where Guy started his new job at an Advertising company owned by an old friend. Their new temporary home is nothing but the Hotel Olcott, an old building with a dark past. And there Guy begins to witness the disturbing changes creeping slowly to his household, in his wife's withdrawing attitude verging towards breakdown, his son's eerie behaviour. All this and the whole surroundings will bring Guy back to his dark childhood, to his relationship with his mother, to his deep secret buried for a long time.
I should say that the author succeeds to describe the slowly downfall of the main character, and his transformation from a normal caring father and husband to the paranoid unhinged thing he became. It is a self-destruction we witness here, a lost soul tortured by guilt and confusion. The paranoia will subdue, confusion will rule along with fear, suspicion, degradation; in brief, it is a psychological chaos, a mental wreck, all this is combined to describe Guy Russell. As for the other characters, the author gave a brief picture of their traits and dilemmas, speaking here of Mia and Callum. He only shows a Mia, bereft mother, unable to overcome the loss of her baby, drowns herself in booze and oblivion, receding and withdrawing from her reality, her husband and her son Callum. She is also bitter and evasive. As for Callum, the author portrays him only through the eyes of Guy, waving between normality as his child and strangeness and monstrosity as "not his child".Another strength attributed to the book is the flashbacks between the present and the past of Guy Russell, the author gives us bits of that dark past, he tantalizes our curiosity and makes us wonder what actually happened then; slowly he reveals the outrageous relationship between son and mother, engaging us through those flashes to look carefully into the childhood of Guy to see the true evil there, how twisted the human nature can be, how low the bottom someone can reach.
I gave the book a rating of 3.5 because sadly the author fails to introduce the sense of dread and fear, even the descriptions of the supposedly unnatural creepy events are more like boring and dull. And that's why the book should be included under the genre of psychological thriller, because the actual horror here emanates from the disturbing transformation of Guy and the inevitable gloomy disastrous destiny he is rolling down to, with a snow ball effect of his paranoia and hallucinations.
The writing style is short, effective, smooth and vivid. The author didn’t need long complicated phrases to attract the reader's attention and engage them with the story. However, the author couldn’t shake away the impact of his advertising background which resulted into unnecessary scenes of Guy’s work tasks, made them a bit tedious to follow. The backstory of the Hotel Olcott needs to be more detailed with respect to its effects on the changes happening in Guy’s life, as it stands blurry and confusing .The author didn’t tell clearly if the hotel’s notorious history was haunted and if that is implicated in Guy's downfall.
Overall, The Evil Inside is a good debut you would really enjoy reading if you are searching for a disturbing psychological horror, but definitely it won't be the one for you if you are the hardcore horror seekers.
My thanks go again to Maxine for sending me the book.
I received The Evil Inside from Maxine Booklover Catlady in exchange for an honest review. I should say this is a book that comes with mixed feelings when you read it, you love it and you hate it equally. I believe it is a strength since it leaves an impact on you and that is a trait of a talented author. The plot is good, the writing is short and quick, the characterization is well built, although, it is more focused on the main character Guy Russell and little invested on other characters, Mia, Callum, etc. Maybe, the author did this in purpose in order to draw the readers' full attention on the hellish internal journey that Guy Russell will begin.
Guy and Mia moved to New York with their son Callum searching for a new fresh start after the tragedy that happened in their hometown in Australia. Losing their unborn baby is something they want to leave behind with a new place, new job, new country. It's New York where they landed and where Guy started his new job at an Advertising company owned by an old friend. Their new temporary home is nothing but the Hotel Olcott, an old building with a dark past. And there Guy begins to witness the disturbing changes creeping slowly to his household, in his wife's withdrawing attitude verging towards breakdown, his son's eerie behaviour. All this and the whole surroundings will bring Guy back to his dark childhood, to his relationship with his mother, to his deep secret buried for a long time.
I should say that the author succeeds to describe the slowly downfall of the main character, and his transformation from a normal caring father and husband to the paranoid unhinged thing he became. It is a self-destruction we witness here, a lost soul tortured by guilt and confusion. The paranoia will subdue, confusion will rule along with fear, suspicion, degradation; in brief, it is a psychological chaos, a mental wreck, all this is combined to describe Guy Russell. As for the other characters, the author gave a brief picture of their traits and dilemmas, speaking here of Mia and Callum. He only shows a Mia, bereft mother, unable to overcome the loss of her baby, drowns herself in booze and oblivion, receding and withdrawing from her reality, her husband and her son Callum. She is also bitter and evasive. As for Callum, the author portrays him only through the eyes of Guy, waving between normality as his child and strangeness and monstrosity as "not his child".Another strength attributed to the book is the flashbacks between the present and the past of Guy Russell, the author gives us bits of that dark past, he tantalizes our curiosity and makes us wonder what actually happened then; slowly he reveals the outrageous relationship between son and mother, engaging us through those flashes to look carefully into the childhood of Guy to see the true evil there, how twisted the human nature can be, how low the bottom someone can reach.
I gave the book a rating of 3.5 because sadly the author fails to introduce the sense of dread and fear, even the descriptions of the supposedly unnatural creepy events are more like boring and dull. And that's why the book should be included under the genre of psychological thriller, because the actual horror here emanates from the disturbing transformation of Guy and the inevitable gloomy disastrous destiny he is rolling down to, with a snow ball effect of his paranoia and hallucinations.
The writing style is short, effective, smooth and vivid. The author didn’t need long complicated phrases to attract the reader's attention and engage them with the story. However, the author couldn’t shake away the impact of his advertising background which resulted into unnecessary scenes of Guy’s work tasks, made them a bit tedious to follow. The backstory of the Hotel Olcott needs to be more detailed with respect to its effects on the changes happening in Guy’s life, as it stands blurry and confusing .The author didn’t tell clearly if the hotel’s notorious history was haunted and if that is implicated in Guy's downfall.
Overall, The Evil Inside is a good debut you would really enjoy reading if you are searching for a disturbing psychological horror, but definitely it won't be the one for you if you are the hardcore horror seekers.
My thanks go again to Maxine for sending me the book.
January 19, 2015
This is what I like to call a Marmite book. By that, I mean, you will either love it or hate it. We can all think of books where the population is divided down the middle, and in this case I’m falling on the side of really enjoying it.
If the truth is to be told, the book isn’t quite as scary as I had hoped for. I’d been expecting a real scare, one of those rare books which seem harder and harder to find. It was a spooky read, but not a book to make you scared of the dark. Nevertheless, as so many books I have read in the genre as of late seem to fall in that category I cannot complain, especially when other aspects of the book won me over.
The writing style is great, really easy to follow along, with some amusement thrown in. A lot of recent books I have picked up have been lacking in a real writing style, something unique to the author, yet this book certainly has that. As always, a unique writing style makes the book refreshing.
The characters are interesting, all unique. Our main character, Guy, is certainly interesting. As his sanity becomes questionable his past is revealed. It is a past which has been done before, yet it is made unique in a number of ways. Troubled past it may be, but this time we’re given different details to read. Once again, it is something refreshing.
Overall, it was lacking in some areas (mainly the fact that events played out too quickly towards the end) yet overall it was an extremely satisfying read. A great first book and I cannot wait to see what else is to come from the author.
If the truth is to be told, the book isn’t quite as scary as I had hoped for. I’d been expecting a real scare, one of those rare books which seem harder and harder to find. It was a spooky read, but not a book to make you scared of the dark. Nevertheless, as so many books I have read in the genre as of late seem to fall in that category I cannot complain, especially when other aspects of the book won me over.
The writing style is great, really easy to follow along, with some amusement thrown in. A lot of recent books I have picked up have been lacking in a real writing style, something unique to the author, yet this book certainly has that. As always, a unique writing style makes the book refreshing.
The characters are interesting, all unique. Our main character, Guy, is certainly interesting. As his sanity becomes questionable his past is revealed. It is a past which has been done before, yet it is made unique in a number of ways. Troubled past it may be, but this time we’re given different details to read. Once again, it is something refreshing.
Overall, it was lacking in some areas (mainly the fact that events played out too quickly towards the end) yet overall it was an extremely satisfying read. A great first book and I cannot wait to see what else is to come from the author.
November 26, 2014
Described on the front cover as: 'A terrifying, engaging page-turner'
Terrifying rating: 0/10
Engaging rating 0/10
Page-turner rating: 10/10
The book was indeed a page turner. I skimmed through the last half of the book just to get to the end.
It wasn't scary, wasn't entertaining and there weren't any likeable characters.
It was full of pointless sex scenes that remind me of a terrible movie you might find on after midnight, which resorts to porn as it has now substance or entertainment value.
The only part of this book that i liked was the front cover, it was cool and quite creepy.
I know hate it for leading me to buy this book.
I don't like to be too harsh when any writer has put in the effort to write a book (the writing was ok), but this was just not good at all.
1.5 out of 10
Billy
Terrifying rating: 0/10
Engaging rating 0/10
Page-turner rating: 10/10
The book was indeed a page turner. I skimmed through the last half of the book just to get to the end.
It wasn't scary, wasn't entertaining and there weren't any likeable characters.
It was full of pointless sex scenes that remind me of a terrible movie you might find on after midnight, which resorts to porn as it has now substance or entertainment value.
The only part of this book that i liked was the front cover, it was cool and quite creepy.
I know hate it for leading me to buy this book.
I don't like to be too harsh when any writer has put in the effort to write a book (the writing was ok), but this was just not good at all.
1.5 out of 10
Billy
March 10, 2016
I found this book quite shocking (in a good way…if there is a good way!). I was so completely caught up in the story I just didn’t see the climax of the book coming and when it did…WHAM! It knocked my socks off. I finished reading a couple of hours ago but I feel the book is still very much with me and giving me goosebumps. Brrrrr…
Guy and Mia are expecting their second child but the very worst happens leaving the couple heartbroken and bereft. In an attempt to rebuild their lives Guy decides to move his family from Australia to New York. Shortly after their arrival in The Big Apple strange things start to happen and their 3 year old son, Callum seems to be in the midst of it all.
This is quite a disturbing story. Scrap that, this is a VERY disturbing story. A very disturbing chilling story about a nice normal family man being pushed to the edge of his sanity. I want to write so much more about this book but I’d be giving the plot away, which I just can’t do to you.
I found Philip Taffs writing style very easy to read so breezed through this novel in under 24 hours. I really struggled to put it down and socialise with my (poor) family, it was that good.
It’s a great well written story which I devoured. Four and a half stars our of five.
Many thanks to Philip Taffs for providing me with a copy of The Evil Inside in exchange for an honest review.
Guy and Mia are expecting their second child but the very worst happens leaving the couple heartbroken and bereft. In an attempt to rebuild their lives Guy decides to move his family from Australia to New York. Shortly after their arrival in The Big Apple strange things start to happen and their 3 year old son, Callum seems to be in the midst of it all.
This is quite a disturbing story. Scrap that, this is a VERY disturbing story. A very disturbing chilling story about a nice normal family man being pushed to the edge of his sanity. I want to write so much more about this book but I’d be giving the plot away, which I just can’t do to you.
I found Philip Taffs writing style very easy to read so breezed through this novel in under 24 hours. I really struggled to put it down and socialise with my (poor) family, it was that good.
It’s a great well written story which I devoured. Four and a half stars our of five.
Many thanks to Philip Taffs for providing me with a copy of The Evil Inside in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2016
A young family move to New York to make a clean start after tragic events, but their new start is tainted by events none of them can put behind them. The results are for all in the family to decline mentally as communication and relationships become strained. Can the family endure and come through the challenges of a new country intact?
I felt a bit disappointed by this horror read once I had finished it, mainly due to the fact I severely disliked Guy Russell, who had, in my opinion, very few redeeming qualities and didn't seem particularly committed to his family or his job, rather just his own hedonistic existence.
I didn't find the story scary or particularly spooky and to me this read more like a psychological thriller than a horror, even though I didn't feel the author had a particularly great grasp of psychology to call this a psychological thriller.
The positives of this book was that I was intrigued enough to be curious as to how the story would end to actually read it to the end, but I will be making a point to do more research before I accept a book as a horror read on face value again.
I felt a bit disappointed by this horror read once I had finished it, mainly due to the fact I severely disliked Guy Russell, who had, in my opinion, very few redeeming qualities and didn't seem particularly committed to his family or his job, rather just his own hedonistic existence.
I didn't find the story scary or particularly spooky and to me this read more like a psychological thriller than a horror, even though I didn't feel the author had a particularly great grasp of psychology to call this a psychological thriller.
The positives of this book was that I was intrigued enough to be curious as to how the story would end to actually read it to the end, but I will be making a point to do more research before I accept a book as a horror read on face value again.
April 6, 2025
3.5 stars.
January 28, 2021
A slow-paced book about a man named Guy who seems to be losing his mind over the course of months due to a handful of events in life. The ending was shocking and non-expected but for sure a good one. I rate it three stars because it lacked action and it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be but, nonetheless, worth the read!
September 24, 2016
I received a free copy from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
Dread. The whole story filled me with almost unbearable dread. From the beginning right up to the amazing conclusion. Let's start from the beginning, shall we? Losing a baby must be one of the worst things that can happen to a person. Having to make the decision whether to let the baby live with the risks it entails, or not, must be horrific. But seen from Guy's eyes, it is not sad, it is creepy. Next up is the city of New York. I lived there around the time that Guy moves there from Australia. Yes, the city is crazy but I never saw anything creepier than cockroaches. Again, seen from Guy's eyes, the Big Apple is sinister (fun fact: that's what Sinatra means in Italian, at least according to one of Guy's friends). Let's keep going: kids. Well, there are the girls from The Shining, but mostly kids are loud but not creepy. Seen through Guy, his son Callum is evil incarnate. Now, is it all really happening or is Guy losing his mind? I really wasn't sure but the sense of dread impregnates everything: his job, his wife, his job... There are pop culture references that lightened up the mood but mostly I cringed while reading every word. If you want to be scared, reading while checking the sockets over your shoulder in case they talk, this is the book for you. Five enthusiastic stars from me.
Dread. The whole story filled me with almost unbearable dread. From the beginning right up to the amazing conclusion. Let's start from the beginning, shall we? Losing a baby must be one of the worst things that can happen to a person. Having to make the decision whether to let the baby live with the risks it entails, or not, must be horrific. But seen from Guy's eyes, it is not sad, it is creepy. Next up is the city of New York. I lived there around the time that Guy moves there from Australia. Yes, the city is crazy but I never saw anything creepier than cockroaches. Again, seen from Guy's eyes, the Big Apple is sinister (fun fact: that's what Sinatra means in Italian, at least according to one of Guy's friends). Let's keep going: kids. Well, there are the girls from The Shining, but mostly kids are loud but not creepy. Seen through Guy, his son Callum is evil incarnate. Now, is it all really happening or is Guy losing his mind? I really wasn't sure but the sense of dread impregnates everything: his job, his wife, his job... There are pop culture references that lightened up the mood but mostly I cringed while reading every word. If you want to be scared, reading while checking the sockets over your shoulder in case they talk, this is the book for you. Five enthusiastic stars from me.
September 28, 2016
DESCENT INTO MADNESS
Entertaining and disturbing story that comes slowly to the boil.
The story is told through the voice of Guy Russell, an advertising copywriter, who is also a husband and father to a young son. When the family's second child is tragically stillborn, Guy takes his heartbroken wife and child to New York. There he hopes the change of scene will help restore the family to the normality it enjoyed in earlier times, and also to further his career. But what Guy finds in New York is not healing but a sequence of frightening events that grow in severity and strangeness to a very disturbing conclusion.
I’ll leave it there in order not to spoil what happens for interested readers. Suffice it to say that a lot of nasty stuff goes down.
There is a lot to recommend the book. I particularly enjoyed the author’s use of telling the story through the voice of Guy, who is damaged by the family tragedy much more than he than he lets on. He is also either unwilling or unable to acknowledge the severity of the events as they unfold. Guy has a fondness for alcohol which casts doubt in both his mind and the reader's as to what is actually happening to the family—all of which makes the story very compelling.
In the end, The Evil Inside is a story about a man struggling to keep his family together in the face of events he can’t quite understand and hostile forces he won’t comprehend until it’s tragically too late. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Entertaining and disturbing story that comes slowly to the boil.
The story is told through the voice of Guy Russell, an advertising copywriter, who is also a husband and father to a young son. When the family's second child is tragically stillborn, Guy takes his heartbroken wife and child to New York. There he hopes the change of scene will help restore the family to the normality it enjoyed in earlier times, and also to further his career. But what Guy finds in New York is not healing but a sequence of frightening events that grow in severity and strangeness to a very disturbing conclusion.
I’ll leave it there in order not to spoil what happens for interested readers. Suffice it to say that a lot of nasty stuff goes down.
There is a lot to recommend the book. I particularly enjoyed the author’s use of telling the story through the voice of Guy, who is damaged by the family tragedy much more than he than he lets on. He is also either unwilling or unable to acknowledge the severity of the events as they unfold. Guy has a fondness for alcohol which casts doubt in both his mind and the reader's as to what is actually happening to the family—all of which makes the story very compelling.
In the end, The Evil Inside is a story about a man struggling to keep his family together in the face of events he can’t quite understand and hostile forces he won’t comprehend until it’s tragically too late. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
April 16, 2020
A very strange but compelling book. Phillip Taffs keeps you guessing right through the book as how the story is going to end. And when it does end, well I'll not spoil it for those who have not yet read it. Kept me hooked throughout.
July 31, 2016
This is one of those books that you can’t put down. It moves along beautifully although not fast paced, like runny honey, delicious enough with a bind to keep you enthralled not to put it down. You just have to find out what happens next! I usually stay away from the horror genre -psychological thriller being more my thing. I was surprised that this is classified as horror as to me it is more of the latter genre until the latter part of the book when boy did it take me by surprise. A friend had put that they had to think about this book for a few days before they could write the review. I can totally understand why as this left me reeling and gawping at the pages in angst. Guy has changed continents to pursue his career. Once in the USA his wife loses their baby and this affects the whole family in ways they never could have imagined. Mother, father and son each have their own issues to deal with, some with help, and some that they just don’t know where that image/dream/nightmare came from.
This is a very well written book with characters that you easily empathise with. You don’t quite know where the story is going other than there are clues along the way that Guy has some disturbing memories. I won’t give anything away but be prepared for a surprise to say the very least.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
This is a very well written book with characters that you easily empathise with. You don’t quite know where the story is going other than there are clues along the way that Guy has some disturbing memories. I won’t give anything away but be prepared for a surprise to say the very least.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
January 12, 2015
Again, a fairly familiar premise with a family seemingly haunted by the spirit of a dead child, through the vivid imaginings of the remaining child and so on. However, I rather enjoyed this simplistic tale with Taff’s nice depiction of New York life, a husband in crisis, and a sinister building as a backdrop to the whole affair (The Shining anyone?) As Guy’s mental and physical state deteriorates, to the chagrin of his nearest and dearest, Taffs provides a wholly believable portrait of Guy’s distress, leading us along inch by inch to the causes of his unravelling. The story trotted along at a good pace, and this was a relatively quick and fairly satisfying read.
July 23, 2016
After reading the description (perhaps not thoroughly enough) I had hoped for a good psychological thriller and the first half of the book seemed to lead there, slow-paced but relatable. But the more paranoia grows and we learn about Guy's childhood, the less I could emphasize and I lost interest.
Yes, guilt combined with horror movies, conspiration theories, lots of alcohol and drugs have certainly the potential to make you paranoid. But as the story is told it isn't creepy or thrilling, it doesn't really show the evil inside.
Thanks to Maxine's Booklover Catlady Publicity for the free copy in exchange for my honest review that this time unfortunately could not be more positive.
Yes, guilt combined with horror movies, conspiration theories, lots of alcohol and drugs have certainly the potential to make you paranoid. But as the story is told it isn't creepy or thrilling, it doesn't really show the evil inside.
Thanks to Maxine's Booklover Catlady Publicity for the free copy in exchange for my honest review that this time unfortunately could not be more positive.
March 24, 2015
Started off great! I was looking forward to reading a real treat of a horror and based on the start, it seemed very promising. Unfortunately, all I really determined from this book was that it was really silly.
I didn't "get" this book at all. The "horror" was basically non existent - instead much focus was put on unnecessary sex scenes and his career.
The author attempted a twist at the end which went completely over my head and didn't impress me at all. This booked lacked so much. Shame.
I didn't "get" this book at all. The "horror" was basically non existent - instead much focus was put on unnecessary sex scenes and his career.
The author attempted a twist at the end which went completely over my head and didn't impress me at all. This booked lacked so much. Shame.
February 24, 2015
Philip Taffs has more than delivered on his debut novel. More psychological thriller than horror, the author builds an atmospheric and engaging account of a family in crisis and an ominous past. The drama builds to create a menacing page turning tale, ultimately building to a climactic and satisfying conclusion.
October 2, 2015
There are plenty of books out there and it's only a far smaller subset that can be considered true page turners. "The Evil Inside" makes for a magnificently intense read where disparate threads coagulate into one horrifying cloak of psychological torment and horror. Am eagerly awaiting the filmic interpretation of this tome.
January 28, 2015
Easy to read, a real page turner with a shocking twist at the end. Great first novel.
December 12, 2017
Could not put this book down. highly recommend it.
March 13, 2016
I definitely found the story entertaining and the book was hard to put down but if you are looking for a scary/horror novel (like I was) this is not it. It's still a good read though.
March 1, 2022
How on earth people liked this book is a mystery to me. The main character is not likeable at all. He’s such a horrible person from the beginning. The fact that the author kept filling the book with such useless details like advertising projects info (no one cares?) useless to the plot and the Sinatra bits… skipped. Boring.
The ending left me shocked not due to the fact I didn’t expect it, but because of the last scene at the hotel - no spoilers so won’t add anything else, but I felt disgusted.
I’ve read books in the past I didn’t like, but this one goes right at the top of the list, hence why I had to write a review. Binned.
The ending left me shocked not due to the fact I didn’t expect it, but because of the last scene at the hotel - no spoilers so won’t add anything else, but I felt disgusted.
I’ve read books in the past I didn’t like, but this one goes right at the top of the list, hence why I had to write a review. Binned.
July 27, 2017
I found this book very slow to start, by the time I got halfway through nothing major had happened. However I loved it once it finally got started. Then the end came. Where there was suppose to be a huge climax, I was left disappointed. However I did like the idea of the story which is why I gave it 3 stars. It just needed to be better written.
June 8, 2023
Sorry but ' A terrifying, engaging page-turner' for me it's not.
I was waiting & waiting for something to happen but unfortunately I was left thinking....oh is that it.
The book just left me thinking I'd wasted hours reading it.
I was waiting & waiting for something to happen but unfortunately I was left thinking....oh is that it.
The book just left me thinking I'd wasted hours reading it.
August 3, 2018
A dark story.... but ends with a poodle and a parrot in Central Park :D
March 22, 2017
Good storyline but the audible version wasn't for me made it hard work as narration I found whiny and irritating, sorry. would recommend to read not listen, didn't see that ending coming.
January 17, 2015
This book was reviewed on Dark Matter Zine; for more reviews, interviews and articles, go to Dark Matter Zine. Alternatively, this link is just to Dark Matter Zine's reviews.
A review by C J Dee
Guy Russell has just relocated with his wife and their young son to New York from Melbourne after they lost their second child. While the family get off to a good start in America, their lives begin to crumble. Guy’s wife descends into alcoholism and depression, even going so far as to attempt suicide. Guy begins an affair with a coworker and slips back into drug abuse. Their son, Callum, begins to exhibit bizarre tendencies towards cruelty and an obsession with the lost child. Guy begins to suspect an evil is taking over his family as revenge for the past he has struggled to keep buried for decades. He is the only one who can save his family and his sanity, but the battle for his soul is a losing one.
The Evil Inside has some good plot points that had potential. However, these points have been mixed with cliched tropes, a dislikable main character, uninteresting minor characters, plot devices that are crammed into the main plot and served up as a hot mess.
A good example of the things the story could have done without? A conspiracy theory subplot about Frank Sinatra having organised the assassination of JFK. Every time it came up I kept expecting there to be a solid point to it. Every time I was disappointed.
I had never before come across the evil-Albino trope but had heard of it from Dark Matter’s managing editor. So I was a bit horrified (the only point in the book that elicited this response) to find that a ‘dangerous looking’ drug dealer who guarded an area of a nightclub that was ‘only for the seriously perverted’ was a person with albinism. This fact does nothing to add to the plot. The character is only mentioned a few times after the initial introduction, usually as the ‘asshole albino’. There was no need for the dangerous looking drug dealer to be a person with albinism except to further spread the tripe— sorry, trope.
I don’t like giving away endings, even on books I can’t in good conscience recommend. However, the ending of The Evil Inside was unsatisfying. It tied up points at the last minute causing those points to be rendered completely unnecessary to the story.
The Evil Inside is labelled as being a ‘terrifying, engaging page-turner’ but I found it to be filled with worn out cliches, predictable attempts at scares and characters who are more disgusting than terrifying.
A review by C J Dee
Guy Russell has just relocated with his wife and their young son to New York from Melbourne after they lost their second child. While the family get off to a good start in America, their lives begin to crumble. Guy’s wife descends into alcoholism and depression, even going so far as to attempt suicide. Guy begins an affair with a coworker and slips back into drug abuse. Their son, Callum, begins to exhibit bizarre tendencies towards cruelty and an obsession with the lost child. Guy begins to suspect an evil is taking over his family as revenge for the past he has struggled to keep buried for decades. He is the only one who can save his family and his sanity, but the battle for his soul is a losing one.
The Evil Inside has some good plot points that had potential. However, these points have been mixed with cliched tropes, a dislikable main character, uninteresting minor characters, plot devices that are crammed into the main plot and served up as a hot mess.
A good example of the things the story could have done without? A conspiracy theory subplot about Frank Sinatra having organised the assassination of JFK. Every time it came up I kept expecting there to be a solid point to it. Every time I was disappointed.
I had never before come across the evil-Albino trope but had heard of it from Dark Matter’s managing editor. So I was a bit horrified (the only point in the book that elicited this response) to find that a ‘dangerous looking’ drug dealer who guarded an area of a nightclub that was ‘only for the seriously perverted’ was a person with albinism. This fact does nothing to add to the plot. The character is only mentioned a few times after the initial introduction, usually as the ‘asshole albino’. There was no need for the dangerous looking drug dealer to be a person with albinism except to further spread the tripe— sorry, trope.
I don’t like giving away endings, even on books I can’t in good conscience recommend. However, the ending of The Evil Inside was unsatisfying. It tied up points at the last minute causing those points to be rendered completely unnecessary to the story.
The Evil Inside is labelled as being a ‘terrifying, engaging page-turner’ but I found it to be filled with worn out cliches, predictable attempts at scares and characters who are more disgusting than terrifying.
August 7, 2016
Guy, Mia, and Callum arrive in New York from Melbourne for a fresh start. They leave behind the sadness of losing their second child before she was born. They feel that putting miles between their old life and the new, will help to heal their sadness.
Guy has a good job in an advertising agency and they have a temporary home at the Olcott Hotel. Mia is not working but spending time with Callum helping him to adjust to their new life.
Gradually Mia's mental health becomes very fragile. She is starting to drink to blot out the sadness of losing Bubby and feels disillusioned with their new life. Their babysitter/nanny Esmeralda has a fall whilst looking after Callum. She falls from the arm of the sofa whilst adjusting the curtain cords. She is in a coma and the outlook is not promising.
As his marriage starts to fall apart, so Guy begins the feel the strain. There are some very dark forces behind his growing paranoia, and his distressing past begins to take over. Mia makes a decision to go back to Australia with Callum and Guy begins to realise that their new life is not working. He is losing his grip on reliability and his boss and friend Bob, has major concerns about his ability to do his job.
Mia heads off to “get her head together” leaving Callum with Bob and his wife, with twice weekly visits to Guy. Guy sees changes in Callum and fears that his past is catching up with him. Is this influenced by his own past, somewhere he is too afraid to go to? He continues his affair with Lucy from work and the arrival of friends from Australia, sees him tip over the edge. The combination of booze and drugs does nothing to help his tenuous grip. He spirals into complete chaos, the consequences of which are fatal. Lucy announces that she is pregnant but will go ahead with the baby with or without him. The evil inside him will continue into his this new life? Can he risk it?
The end of this sad tale is devastating but well written. To capture such a chilling story takes some doing, and Taffs does it well. The plot is well thought out and Taffs does justice to a unbalanced mind.
My thanks to Booklady Catlover for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
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