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The Devil's In the Next Room
On an isolated farm deep in the New Hampshire woods, Brian Davidson spends his days caring for his brother Bo, who suffers from a childhood head injury, and their ailing mom. Together, the brothers have managed to live a peaceful life, but the shadows around their home have begun to shift.
Dead bodies start turning up nearby: horrifically twisted, covered in carved symbols, mouths agape in frozen screams. As the disturbing events creep closer to home, Brian begins to sense that his family's past might hold the key to this hideous mystery.
The bonds of family are brutally tested as darkness closes in, and some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Dead bodies start turning up nearby: horrifically twisted, covered in carved symbols, mouths agape in frozen screams. As the disturbing events creep closer to home, Brian begins to sense that his family's past might hold the key to this hideous mystery.
The bonds of family are brutally tested as darkness closes in, and some secrets refuse to stay buried.
340 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2025
166 people are currently reading
1505 people want to read
About the author
John Durgin
27 books603 followersJohn Durgin is a proud active HWA member and lifelong horror fan. Growing up in New Hampshire, he discovered Stephen King much younger than most probably should have, reading IT before he reached high school—and knew from that moment on he wanted to write horror. He had his first story accepted in the summer of 2021 in the Beach Bodies anthology through DarkLit Press. His debut novel, The Cursed Among Us was released June 3, 2022, and went on to become an Amazon bestseller. Next up, his sophomore novel titled Inside The Devil’s Nest, released in January of 2023, followed by his debut collection, Sleeping In The Fire in June of 2023. In 2024 he released two more novels, Kosa and Consumed by Evil through Crystal Lake Publishing.
Twitter- @jdurgin1084
Website- www.johndurginauthor.com
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Twitter- @jdurgin1084
Website- www.johndurginauthor.com
Instagram- @durginpencildrawings
TikTok- @johndurgin_author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 3, 2025
“The Devil's in the Next Room” by John Durgin is another one of his brilliantly written horror novels, which centers on a solid story that emphasizes family, trauma, and the occult. I enjoyed all the characters, but felt this needed more horror in the grand scheme of things.
Before I dive into my review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Cancer
- Violence against animals
- Domestic violence
- Parental abuse
- Dementia
- Kidnapping
- Abduction
- Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, the Prologue to this novel was incredible. It was horrific, creepy, and immediately drew me in. Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but it was such an excellent start to this story. Especially seeing the graphics at the beginning of each chapter, which feature an evil-looking skull. I love it when authors do this, as it brings me back to my teenage years, when I read horror paperbacks, and every chapter had a graphic image to enhance the immersion.
The overall story is one of brothers, family, lies, sacrifice, trauma, and what happens when you make a deal with the devil. The way Durgin wrote this story was very effective, as it allows you to connect with the characters and understand what anyone would go through in similar situations.
Seeing how everything unfolded with Brian and Bo was a good reading experience. It’s a unique story, and even though I enjoyed it for the most part, some parts dragged on more than I would have preferred. It’s challenging to write a book with alternating timelines. Even though Durgin did a good job with it, never confusing things, I’m not a fan of when events from the past are recapped in the present.
This novel gave me “Misery” by Stephen King vibes, just taken to a different level. Even with that, the story didn’t pace as much as I had hoped, with some parts repeating themselves, until some wild plot twists unfolded to have things pick up again.
I wish this novel had more horror in it than story. It’s very character-driven, but at times, it gets repetitive. The horror that is in “The Devil's in the Next Room” will have you making many weird faces. This is where Durgin shines and leaves his mark. It’s a nice blend of gory horror intertwined with supernatural and demonic elements.
The ending delivered, especially after those plot twists are revealed, and all those thrills and suspense go into overdrive. It was a powerful ending where everything was wrapped up nicely, and it left me satisfied. I was hoping for something else, but it was decent.
I give “The Devil's in the Next Room” by John Durgin a 3/5 for being an emotionally charged story, but it needed a bigger jolt of horror to bring it all together. The horror scenes that were in here were superb and terrifying. I just wanted more of that, rather than something so heavy in terms of story, dialogue, and some repetitiveness. Either way, I always enjoy everything Durgin writes as he’s one hell of an author, and someone to keep an eye on in the horror genre.
The Hollow Souls were here.
Before I dive into my review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Cancer
- Violence against animals
- Domestic violence
- Parental abuse
- Dementia
- Kidnapping
- Abduction
- Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, the Prologue to this novel was incredible. It was horrific, creepy, and immediately drew me in. Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but it was such an excellent start to this story. Especially seeing the graphics at the beginning of each chapter, which feature an evil-looking skull. I love it when authors do this, as it brings me back to my teenage years, when I read horror paperbacks, and every chapter had a graphic image to enhance the immersion.
The overall story is one of brothers, family, lies, sacrifice, trauma, and what happens when you make a deal with the devil. The way Durgin wrote this story was very effective, as it allows you to connect with the characters and understand what anyone would go through in similar situations.
Seeing how everything unfolded with Brian and Bo was a good reading experience. It’s a unique story, and even though I enjoyed it for the most part, some parts dragged on more than I would have preferred. It’s challenging to write a book with alternating timelines. Even though Durgin did a good job with it, never confusing things, I’m not a fan of when events from the past are recapped in the present.
This novel gave me “Misery” by Stephen King vibes, just taken to a different level. Even with that, the story didn’t pace as much as I had hoped, with some parts repeating themselves, until some wild plot twists unfolded to have things pick up again.
I wish this novel had more horror in it than story. It’s very character-driven, but at times, it gets repetitive. The horror that is in “The Devil's in the Next Room” will have you making many weird faces. This is where Durgin shines and leaves his mark. It’s a nice blend of gory horror intertwined with supernatural and demonic elements.
The ending delivered, especially after those plot twists are revealed, and all those thrills and suspense go into overdrive. It was a powerful ending where everything was wrapped up nicely, and it left me satisfied. I was hoping for something else, but it was decent.
I give “The Devil's in the Next Room” by John Durgin a 3/5 for being an emotionally charged story, but it needed a bigger jolt of horror to bring it all together. The horror scenes that were in here were superb and terrifying. I just wanted more of that, rather than something so heavy in terms of story, dialogue, and some repetitiveness. Either way, I always enjoy everything Durgin writes as he’s one hell of an author, and someone to keep an eye on in the horror genre.
The Hollow Souls were here.
October 16, 2025
Why is the Davidson family on the run? What happened to the father? What about his relationship to Marcus? Why is Bo, Brian's younger brother a halfwit? The course of action takes off when Brian is hit by his horse on their remote farmland and he can't move his legs any longer, their mother dies... it starts like King's Misery and ends up in an incredible tight story of brotherly love between forces of evil. Holy Moly, what a nasty cult we find inside this book with the skull masks, child abduction and soul stealing. A true horror fest and folklore horror at its very best. The author's imagination is running wild pushing the plot on to to its burning final. This dark and nail biting novel is among his very best so far. Highly recommended!
May 12, 2025
A story of two brothers facing the darkness that’s been chasing them throughout their lives.
Some parts were totally wild, like the surprise in the barn loft, what the Hollow Souls do to their victims, and what happened to Bo. Other times I did wish the story had more movement in the plot setting. The boys are on the farm for a large chunk of time in the story, and I was getting antsy hoping they’d go on the offence.
I can’t say this is my favourite Durgin book, but it’s definitely well crafted like all his stories. It’s one to check out, but just be aware it’s more of a slow burn (in my opinion).
Some parts were totally wild, like the surprise in the barn loft, what the Hollow Souls do to their victims, and what happened to Bo. Other times I did wish the story had more movement in the plot setting. The boys are on the farm for a large chunk of time in the story, and I was getting antsy hoping they’d go on the offence.
I can’t say this is my favourite Durgin book, but it’s definitely well crafted like all his stories. It’s one to check out, but just be aware it’s more of a slow burn (in my opinion).
August 3, 2025
What Has Invaded the Davidson Farm?
Small backstory:
Two brothers, Brian and Bo Davidson live together as Brian looks out for Bo as he had a head injury when he was a kid so Brian keeps close tabs on Bo. When odd things begin happening on the outskirts of their farm and around the small town with dead bodies they worry that something is coming. The bodies are not just dead but they are unrecognizable and twisted which has everyone concerned of why the people have died.
Though Brian thinks he might know what is happening as he remembers something from the past that his dad had been involved in and now he wonders if the sins of the past have stepped into the present!
That is about all I can hand out with a small backstory so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This book has the creepiest cover which drew me right into the book though the story was a little bit of slow burn for me in the beginning as I was trying to figure out what was going on but the author, John Durgin goes back and forth throughout the book with two separate timelines.
There is a timeline back to the past which tells the story of the characters father and what he became involved in - then it skips forward to the present of what the brothers are having to go through along with what is happening in their small town.
Eventually I was able to figure out how everything connected but it took me a little bit to connect the dots and then it was like a door opened for I could see what horrors laid within this story as there is a cult involved but I didn't find that out till half through the book. The author talks about the cult early on but I didn't realize that it was actually a cult till about the 40% to 50% mark. It was just chock full of mystery and creepiness throughout most of the book. All in all it was a great spooky story that kept my attention. Giving this book four "Creepy Cult" stars!
Small backstory:
Two brothers, Brian and Bo Davidson live together as Brian looks out for Bo as he had a head injury when he was a kid so Brian keeps close tabs on Bo. When odd things begin happening on the outskirts of their farm and around the small town with dead bodies they worry that something is coming. The bodies are not just dead but they are unrecognizable and twisted which has everyone concerned of why the people have died.
Though Brian thinks he might know what is happening as he remembers something from the past that his dad had been involved in and now he wonders if the sins of the past have stepped into the present!
That is about all I can hand out with a small backstory so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This book has the creepiest cover which drew me right into the book though the story was a little bit of slow burn for me in the beginning as I was trying to figure out what was going on but the author, John Durgin goes back and forth throughout the book with two separate timelines.
There is a timeline back to the past which tells the story of the characters father and what he became involved in - then it skips forward to the present of what the brothers are having to go through along with what is happening in their small town.
Eventually I was able to figure out how everything connected but it took me a little bit to connect the dots and then it was like a door opened for I could see what horrors laid within this story as there is a cult involved but I didn't find that out till half through the book. The author talks about the cult early on but I didn't realize that it was actually a cult till about the 40% to 50% mark. It was just chock full of mystery and creepiness throughout most of the book. All in all it was a great spooky story that kept my attention. Giving this book four "Creepy Cult" stars!
July 2, 2025
2.5 stars.
This one didn't quite work for me... The idea was solid, and there were some truly horrific scenes that I appreciated, but I think that the way in which it was told (for the most part) just took away from those "good" moments.
Brian, his mentally challenged brother, Bo, and their mom are living on a remote farm, purposely cut off from the rest of the world.. Years ago, choices their now-deceased Father made put them in line of a deadly cult. The cult itself was unique, and I would have loved some "show, not tell" moments from the leader's perspective. Unfortunately, we didn't get that.
The majority felt like Brian "thinking" to himself, and very repetitious at that. We do go back to an earlier timeline that led to their current placement, but that part felt mostly unnecessary--except for a couple of scenes. Because of this, the book felt like it didn't progress much until the last few chapters.
The ending did pick up quite a bit, which is why I rounded up, but the earlier parts just didn't work for me, personally. Many people have enjoyed this one more, so if it sounds like something that interests you, I suggest picking it up for yourself. I have read--and enjoyed--at least one other book by this author, and would definitely try another book by him in the future.
This one didn't quite work for me... The idea was solid, and there were some truly horrific scenes that I appreciated, but I think that the way in which it was told (for the most part) just took away from those "good" moments.
Brian, his mentally challenged brother, Bo, and their mom are living on a remote farm, purposely cut off from the rest of the world.. Years ago, choices their now-deceased Father made put them in line of a deadly cult. The cult itself was unique, and I would have loved some "show, not tell" moments from the leader's perspective. Unfortunately, we didn't get that.
The majority felt like Brian "thinking" to himself, and very repetitious at that. We do go back to an earlier timeline that led to their current placement, but that part felt mostly unnecessary--except for a couple of scenes. Because of this, the book felt like it didn't progress much until the last few chapters.
The ending did pick up quite a bit, which is why I rounded up, but the earlier parts just didn't work for me, personally. Many people have enjoyed this one more, so if it sounds like something that interests you, I suggest picking it up for yourself. I have read--and enjoyed--at least one other book by this author, and would definitely try another book by him in the future.
March 7, 2025
A brother's bond, sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes, sometimes its not.
Bo knew he had to forgive his brother for what happened, because they are brothers and thats what you do right?
A awful dad, and rough life dont help them much growing up, but their mom managed to move them somewhere safe, and well secluded, and things were okay for a bit, even with Bo having a permanant mark on him from their dads fucked up choices, a mental one that leaves a long mental scar.
But their mom dies, and with that, goes any sembelance of peace and things they forgot, or things they were made to bury starts to come to the surface, and with it, maybe wtahever is on the outskirts of the property, hunting, stalking, waiting for them, or is the call coming from inside the house?
When you have a spotty dark past, repressed memories, and you cant trust anyone or anything around you, how can you escape a hell, that's slowly closing in.
This was atmospheric, you breathed in the horror and the tension, it was in every page turn, be it digital or real.
Bo knew he had to forgive his brother for what happened, because they are brothers and thats what you do right?
A awful dad, and rough life dont help them much growing up, but their mom managed to move them somewhere safe, and well secluded, and things were okay for a bit, even with Bo having a permanant mark on him from their dads fucked up choices, a mental one that leaves a long mental scar.
But their mom dies, and with that, goes any sembelance of peace and things they forgot, or things they were made to bury starts to come to the surface, and with it, maybe wtahever is on the outskirts of the property, hunting, stalking, waiting for them, or is the call coming from inside the house?
When you have a spotty dark past, repressed memories, and you cant trust anyone or anything around you, how can you escape a hell, that's slowly closing in.
This was atmospheric, you breathed in the horror and the tension, it was in every page turn, be it digital or real.
March 19, 2025
John Durgin is a must-read author. His upcoming novel, The Devil’s In The Next Room, shows us how he immerses the reader in an amalgamation of real-life fears with occult horrors.
Everyone is in for a treat with it giving Of Mice and Men and Missery book Esc vibes with a big dash of unearthly horror. His character development in the novel is top-notch. John shows the humanity and humility of a person out in strenuous situations. This was such a thoughtful read for me and I will be reading more of him. I also can't wait to see him at Books & Brews 2.0 at the Wynham Hotel in Noblesville, Indiana.
I want to thank John Durgin for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
February 21, 2025
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝...𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.
An unsettling, occult-infused horror story set deep in the woods of New Hampshire, this story is about one man's deal with the dark side and the effects it has, both immediately and years later.
Brian Davidson spends his days working on the farm he shares with his ailing mother and his brother Bo, who suffered a head injury in childhood. Bo can be difficult to deal with and is prone to outbursts, but for the most part, life is peaceful. But when dead bodies start turning up nearby that are covered in strange carved symbols, and the mouths are contorted into a horrific scream forever preserved by death, Brian knows that the thing his family has been hiding from for years has found them.
Told in alternating points of view with one of the most unsettling, chilling prologues I've read recently, this book serves as a reminder that when you make deals with darkness, the devil is always, always closer than you think. Thank you so much to the author for this early copy. This book is expected to publish June 3, 2025.
An unsettling, occult-infused horror story set deep in the woods of New Hampshire, this story is about one man's deal with the dark side and the effects it has, both immediately and years later.
Brian Davidson spends his days working on the farm he shares with his ailing mother and his brother Bo, who suffered a head injury in childhood. Bo can be difficult to deal with and is prone to outbursts, but for the most part, life is peaceful. But when dead bodies start turning up nearby that are covered in strange carved symbols, and the mouths are contorted into a horrific scream forever preserved by death, Brian knows that the thing his family has been hiding from for years has found them.
Told in alternating points of view with one of the most unsettling, chilling prologues I've read recently, this book serves as a reminder that when you make deals with darkness, the devil is always, always closer than you think. Thank you so much to the author for this early copy. This book is expected to publish June 3, 2025.
June 22, 2025
OF MICE AND MEN meets DOCTOR SLEEP
This was a great book. Very well told and a fantastic story.
I felt connected to Brian & Bo almost immediately. The similarities to Of Mice and Men made me love this book even more as I absolutely adore OMAM. Along the way I couldn’t help but think of The True Knot gang from DOCTOR SLEEP, but these villains within this book were unique enough to separate them. Marcus especially sounds like he’s got a Face I would love to use as a trampoline.
A great story and I spent a lot of time rushing to get to the next chapter as I simply HAD to know what was going to happen.
My first read of this author, but will not be my last.
Highly recommend.
This was a great book. Very well told and a fantastic story.
I felt connected to Brian & Bo almost immediately. The similarities to Of Mice and Men made me love this book even more as I absolutely adore OMAM. Along the way I couldn’t help but think of The True Knot gang from DOCTOR SLEEP, but these villains within this book were unique enough to separate them. Marcus especially sounds like he’s got a Face I would love to use as a trampoline.
A great story and I spent a lot of time rushing to get to the next chapter as I simply HAD to know what was going to happen.
My first read of this author, but will not be my last.
Highly recommend.
March 28, 2025
The bond between brothers is unbreakable
John killed it with this title. He carefully crafted a tale of dread that had me hooked from the first chapter. A tale of two brothers and the trials and tribulations they face makes for a great story with an even better ending. In my opinion this is one of John’s darker titles that showcases the evolution of his writing and how he has grown as an author.
John killed it with this title. He carefully crafted a tale of dread that had me hooked from the first chapter. A tale of two brothers and the trials and tribulations they face makes for a great story with an even better ending. In my opinion this is one of John’s darker titles that showcases the evolution of his writing and how he has grown as an author.
July 22, 2025
The Devil’s in the Next Room by John Durgin is a story about family and the lengths a mother will go to, hiding painful secrets, to keep her children safe for as long as she can. But when her protection is gone, the brothers must find a way to navigate what comes next together.
If you’re looking for a horror tale that doesn’t just frighten you, but that shakes you psychologically, this one is a must-read! Just don’t plan on sleeping well afterward…
I cannot wait to see what John writes next!
Content Warning: Cancer, loss of a parent, child abuse, and more.
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-d...
If you’re looking for a horror tale that doesn’t just frighten you, but that shakes you psychologically, this one is a must-read! Just don’t plan on sleeping well afterward…
I cannot wait to see what John writes next!
Content Warning: Cancer, loss of a parent, child abuse, and more.
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-d...
April 6, 2025
John Durgin's "The Devil's in the Next Room" is a tightly plotted, character-driven, and extraordinariy dark, occult horror novel. With a small cast and emotionally upsetting family scenes, minimum gore and a fully supernatural premise, it reads like a freaking blend of Steinbeck's "Mice and Men" (the book's first half) and King's "Misery" (the second half), with some violent twists reminiscent of Brian Evenson's story "Two Brothers" (though far less religiously oriented).
Durgin's vivid descriptions of two brothers (one of which is mentally disabled) slowly having to face the dire consequences of their father's legacy, his involvement with the occult and his irresponsible acts towards his family, kept me engaged throughout. The revelations are occasionally shocking, the flashbacks, by contrast, always brilliantly placed. The explanations of the supernatural happenings have an uncanny inevitability, as if this family were always destined to carry these secrets to the grave. The ending, finally, puts everything in perspective, though I would have appreciated a bit more background on the occult elements of the story. The final scene also troubled me a bit (Brian's actions felt far more callous than expected), but that's just me.
This is the kind of book that shows that a family's burdens and past sins are sometimes part of who we are; the present, as much as our understanding of ourselves, does not make sense without allowing what's gone before to affect us now. Also, knowing when to let go. Durgin has written a beautiful book, full of heart, putting people doing bad things into the spotlight, refraining, however, from judging ot condemning them. Recommended!
Durgin's vivid descriptions of two brothers (one of which is mentally disabled) slowly having to face the dire consequences of their father's legacy, his involvement with the occult and his irresponsible acts towards his family, kept me engaged throughout. The revelations are occasionally shocking, the flashbacks, by contrast, always brilliantly placed. The explanations of the supernatural happenings have an uncanny inevitability, as if this family were always destined to carry these secrets to the grave. The ending, finally, puts everything in perspective, though I would have appreciated a bit more background on the occult elements of the story. The final scene also troubled me a bit (Brian's actions felt far more callous than expected), but that's just me.
This is the kind of book that shows that a family's burdens and past sins are sometimes part of who we are; the present, as much as our understanding of ourselves, does not make sense without allowing what's gone before to affect us now. Also, knowing when to let go. Durgin has written a beautiful book, full of heart, putting people doing bad things into the spotlight, refraining, however, from judging ot condemning them. Recommended!
April 6, 2025
How far would you go to keep your family safe…… The bond between brothers is unbreakable. Bryan spends his days on his isolated family farm in the woods of New Hampshire with his brother Bo, who suffered a traumatic brain injury when young. Bryan’s days are filled with caring for Bo and the farm. When bodies begin to turn up with strange symbols carved into them, Bryan has to weigh what family secrets need to stay hidden to protect Bo. When the families dark history refuses to stay in the past, the brothers are faced with an evil beyond comprehension.
June 6, 2025
The Devil’s in the Next Room by John Durgin
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazing and intense horror story!
I couldn’t read it fast enough. It’s very well written and kept me completely sucked in!
The Davidson family has gone through a lot of trauma and mom thought it was best to move her 2 boys, Brian and Bo, to a remote farm, away from any further harm. They were able to live a peaceful farming life for many years until mom passed away and their awful past horrors caught up with them. Lots of horrible secrets are revealed that will change Brian and Bo forever.
This story is filled with suspense, creepiness and a true darkness. The character development is fantastic. As a reader I felt I understood so much about each family member. The story brought out all kinds of emotions as well; grief, trauma, love, jealousy, regret, pain…
I was lucky to get an arc of this book, and I can happily say that I’ve loved all of the books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading from John Durgin.
🔥This book is out now and it’s a must read!!🔥
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazing and intense horror story!
I couldn’t read it fast enough. It’s very well written and kept me completely sucked in!
The Davidson family has gone through a lot of trauma and mom thought it was best to move her 2 boys, Brian and Bo, to a remote farm, away from any further harm. They were able to live a peaceful farming life for many years until mom passed away and their awful past horrors caught up with them. Lots of horrible secrets are revealed that will change Brian and Bo forever.
This story is filled with suspense, creepiness and a true darkness. The character development is fantastic. As a reader I felt I understood so much about each family member. The story brought out all kinds of emotions as well; grief, trauma, love, jealousy, regret, pain…
I was lucky to get an arc of this book, and I can happily say that I’ve loved all of the books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading from John Durgin.
🔥This book is out now and it’s a must read!!🔥
February 27, 2025
This book being summarized as “Of Mice and Men meets Misery” had me incredibly excited to read it as I love both of those books and their movies but what Durgin does in this book is 100 times better. The grief, the burden of family secrets, the suspense and tension throughout make this a page turner that was hard to put down. All of Durgin’s books are favorites of mine and he is becoming one of my all time favorite authors. This story takes any expectations you have and shoots them through the roof. This story of brothers surviving and discovering family secrets quickly turns into multiple action packed scenes that are some of the best I’ve read.
March 19, 2025
Yet another solid read from John Durgin. I truly enjoyed the family dynamic of this one. The two brothers, the backstory and how all of that played together in the end was emotional, to say the least. Highly recommended if you like a douse of Steinbeck with your horror/supernatural.
February 23, 2025
What can I say? John Durgin has given us another intense and creepy novel with The Devil’s in the Next Room. I’ve mentioned this before and this novel just further confirms that Durgin is a must-read author for me.
Durgin masterfully blends real-life horrors with occult horrors, creating an unsettling and immersive experience. The author knows exactly when to switch between different points of view, and each perspective is easy to follow, keeping the narrative fluid and engaging. I found myself just as captivated by the backstory as I was by the current timeline, which is a rare feat. Durgin excels at building real suspense and frustration, keeping me on edge throughout. It's a thrilling, well-paced read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Durgin masterfully blends real-life horrors with occult horrors, creating an unsettling and immersive experience. The author knows exactly when to switch between different points of view, and each perspective is easy to follow, keeping the narrative fluid and engaging. I found myself just as captivated by the backstory as I was by the current timeline, which is a rare feat. Durgin excels at building real suspense and frustration, keeping me on edge throughout. It's a thrilling, well-paced read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
June 26, 2025
review to come.
February 26, 2025
Oh boy are you all in for a treat in June! I had the fun opportunity to read the ARC The Devil’s In The Next Room by John Durgin and it was fantastic! It’s giving Misery mixed with some occult vibes. I enjoyed the character development as much as I enjoyed the plot! A five star read!
June 2, 2025
John Durgin never disappoints! His novels always hook me early on and keep my attention. This one is no different! The great character development will have you feeling like you care about brothers, Brian and Bo as they navigate loss, survival, and brotherly love. There’s an impending dread that you feel building up throughout the story. What lengths would you go through to keep your family safe from some very dark past secrets? What do you do when the secrets rear their ugly head right outside your door?
If you’re a fan of John Durgin’s work please don’t skip this one. If you haven’t read one of his novels, it’s the perfect time to start. The Devil’s in the Next Room will get you in your feels while keeping the sense of fear and darkness that you expect from a horror novel
The Devil’s in the Next Room releases June 3. Do yourself a favor and grab your copy asap!
If you’re a fan of John Durgin’s work please don’t skip this one. If you haven’t read one of his novels, it’s the perfect time to start. The Devil’s in the Next Room will get you in your feels while keeping the sense of fear and darkness that you expect from a horror novel
The Devil’s in the Next Room releases June 3. Do yourself a favor and grab your copy asap!
March 11, 2025
This is my fourth novel by this author and he never disappoints. With this book he proves that his story telling only gets better with time, as this is officially my favorite book by him so far. The premise of this story was so original, I was compelled instantly and it gripped my attention the entire time. I found myself thinking about the book while I wasn’t reading it, which is always a good sign. The jumps between the past and present were easy to follow and necessary for the building of the story, I appreciated the depth the author gives the reader. In all it was a great experience and I applaud him for executing such a fantastic idea in such a captivating way. Full of grief and terror with supernatural and real life horrors, this book offers the reader an exhilarating ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat til the last page.
July 27, 2025
The Devil’s in the Next Room delivers a haunting mix of supernatural horror and raw emotion, rooted in grief and loss. The tension builds steadily, creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere throughout. Dark, emotional, and beautifully crafted
April 13, 2025
Total dark and twisti book! Just when you think you know what’s going on, you don’t. Crazy plot, creepy, and a little heartbreaking. Definitely recommend
June 3, 2025
I went into this one blind and rather enjoyed the experience. It kind of gave of "Of Mice n Men" vibes with the dynamics between the two brothers. This author is really good at capturing emotional situations. I also enjoyed the slowly impending doom created by the bad guys. I will need to read more from this author as I really enjoyed his writing style.
December 23, 2025
It's not often I write a two-for-one book review, but then again, it's not often that I fly through a pair of books as rabidly or rapidly as I did "You Invited It In" and the sequel, "You Need to Leave," both by author Sarah Jules.
Let me start by saying "You Invited It In" scared the hell out of me. I love reading horror, and I've definitely seen my fair share of books and stories that creeped or grossed me out. There have been plenty that made me feel unsettled, and others written so well, I felt fully engrossed in the plot and setting. But I can't remember the last time a book left me so disturbed I actually turned on the lights and did a quick-take around the room to make sure there was nothing lurking in the dark--until "You Invited It In."
In "You Invited It In," a young widower named Felix is raising his adolescent son, Asher, after the untimely death of his wife in a car crash. When his well-meaning brother, Eli, alerts him to an alleged psychic named Lilith who appears to be bilking money from people who have recently lost loved ones, Felix gets angry and decides to expose her as a fraud.
Offering pretenses of a "haunting," Felix invites Lilith to his home to perform an overpriced cleansing ritual. Although he's sure the whole thing, like Lilith, is completely bupkis, it isn't long after she leaves that strange occurrences suggesting a real begin to take place in Felix's house. When it becomes apparent that the target of the manifestation's escalating manipulation and violence is young Asher, Felix realizes he made a horrible mistake in letting Lilith into their lives--because she hadn't been alone.
This book is terrifying. I know it's cliche to say I couldn't put it down, but seriously: I couldn't stop reading, that's how sensational Jules's writing is. I had to know what happened next. It's like an amusement park ride, one of those water slides that starts of leisurely enough but soon leaves you plummeting down a steep precipice and into raging rapids below. Likewise, Jules lures you in gently, but once you're hooked, she drags you into dark and vicious waters and doesn't let go.
"You Need to Leave" takes place in the months following the events in "You Invited It In." While I can't go into much by way of summary because that would spoil the ending of "You Invited It In," suffice it to say that the dark forces Felix and his family unwittingly tapped into find new ways to follow and torment them.
Like its predecessor, "You Need to Leave" is extremely well-written. While I really enjoyed it, it didn't quite have the same emotional impact as "You Invited It In," at least not for me, but that's because Jules set the bar really high with the first book. She's a phenomenal storyteller, one who understands that although supernatural events scare, the key to a good horror story lies in readers relating to the human characters, and wanting to see them escape unscathed (even if sometimes they don't).
Long story short: Both "You Invited It In" and "You Need to Leave" are fantastic reads. Of the two, "You Invited It In" was my favorite, and it provided some genuinely original, terrifying moments that are going to stick in my mind for a long time yet to come--not to mention probably keep me sleeping with a light on, too. Sarah Jules just leaped to the top of my favorite-authors list, earning herself an "automatic buy" designation with my Amazon account.
Let me start by saying "You Invited It In" scared the hell out of me. I love reading horror, and I've definitely seen my fair share of books and stories that creeped or grossed me out. There have been plenty that made me feel unsettled, and others written so well, I felt fully engrossed in the plot and setting. But I can't remember the last time a book left me so disturbed I actually turned on the lights and did a quick-take around the room to make sure there was nothing lurking in the dark--until "You Invited It In."
In "You Invited It In," a young widower named Felix is raising his adolescent son, Asher, after the untimely death of his wife in a car crash. When his well-meaning brother, Eli, alerts him to an alleged psychic named Lilith who appears to be bilking money from people who have recently lost loved ones, Felix gets angry and decides to expose her as a fraud.
Offering pretenses of a "haunting," Felix invites Lilith to his home to perform an overpriced cleansing ritual. Although he's sure the whole thing, like Lilith, is completely bupkis, it isn't long after she leaves that strange occurrences suggesting a real begin to take place in Felix's house. When it becomes apparent that the target of the manifestation's escalating manipulation and violence is young Asher, Felix realizes he made a horrible mistake in letting Lilith into their lives--because she hadn't been alone.
This book is terrifying. I know it's cliche to say I couldn't put it down, but seriously: I couldn't stop reading, that's how sensational Jules's writing is. I had to know what happened next. It's like an amusement park ride, one of those water slides that starts of leisurely enough but soon leaves you plummeting down a steep precipice and into raging rapids below. Likewise, Jules lures you in gently, but once you're hooked, she drags you into dark and vicious waters and doesn't let go.
"You Need to Leave" takes place in the months following the events in "You Invited It In." While I can't go into much by way of summary because that would spoil the ending of "You Invited It In," suffice it to say that the dark forces Felix and his family unwittingly tapped into find new ways to follow and torment them.
Like its predecessor, "You Need to Leave" is extremely well-written. While I really enjoyed it, it didn't quite have the same emotional impact as "You Invited It In," at least not for me, but that's because Jules set the bar really high with the first book. She's a phenomenal storyteller, one who understands that although supernatural events scare, the key to a good horror story lies in readers relating to the human characters, and wanting to see them escape unscathed (even if sometimes they don't).
Long story short: Both "You Invited It In" and "You Need to Leave" are fantastic reads. Of the two, "You Invited It In" was my favorite, and it provided some genuinely original, terrifying moments that are going to stick in my mind for a long time yet to come--not to mention probably keep me sleeping with a light on, too. Sarah Jules just leaped to the top of my favorite-authors list, earning herself an "automatic buy" designation with my Amazon account.
February 28, 2025
One of the great attributes this author has to be; is his humility. When you finish reading one of his books; his afterword thanks so many people. His family is very important to him as well as the followers from BOH. That is where I met Mr. Durgin. He asked for some ARC reviewers for The Cursed Among Us and I joined the team. Financial reasons keep me from joining his Patreon, oh if only I could win the lottery! Anyways, I digress. This book is ‘another knock it out of the ballpark’ (book reference) kind of story. From the moment I began reading this book to the satisfying end, I will put this book on my Top 10 of 2025. I realize this is only February but this book is that good. This author writes about real human emotions. From being jealous toward a sibling to being scared to death of dying. All the characters this book were amazing (except Marcus, what a d0u3! He was) and I was rooting for the brothers all the time. This book was terrifying and emotional. I never yelled so much at a book in my life! Thanks for an exemplary read and I look forward to more of your books.
February 28, 2025
A good story, in my opinion, is one that pulls you into a vortex of emotion…holds you there…then cuts you loose to fall back to earth. This novel exceeded this expectation for me. The absolute isolation & tension I felt while reading certain parts were deliciously agonizing. The characters were so well fleshed, and the connections between past & present were perfection! If you love a highly atmospheric family-in-occult-conflict type horror -this is it. I love when you follow an author from their very first novel to the present ones, to see their growth in weaving such amazing stories that keep exceeding the previous ones? Love it so much! Also, much love for Astra;)
June 9, 2025
Not what I expected...but so much better
When I first started reading, I almost DNF it. It started a bit slow, but I'm so glad I kept reading. The evil that lurks in this author's writing is something to be admired. It is definitely not what I expected, but through dark, soul snatching twist and turns, the story revealed itself in a way that didnt allow me to put it down. Definitely 5 stars 🌟
When I first started reading, I almost DNF it. It started a bit slow, but I'm so glad I kept reading. The evil that lurks in this author's writing is something to be admired. It is definitely not what I expected, but through dark, soul snatching twist and turns, the story revealed itself in a way that didnt allow me to put it down. Definitely 5 stars 🌟
April 2, 2025
"They say a brother's bond is unbreakable."
Nothing could be more true for Brian and Bo Davidson. Brian has always felt responsible for his younger brother Bo ever since a childhood accident left him with a traumatic brain injury. On an isolated farm with his dying mother and impaired brother, Brian begins to hear of nearby murders that bear similarities to events from his childhood that he'd rather forget. As he uncovers the truth about his family and their past, he must also face the truth about himself if he's going to protect his brother.
Lies, secrets, and family trauma abound in this book. John is able to expertly weave the three together to create a twisty and suspenseful novel that kept me engaged the entire time. I really enjoyed the dual timeline POV in this book, as it really helped build the story up in a way that felt really natural. The continual growth in John's writing is evident to me in this book and makes me excited to see what he does next!
Thank you, John Durgin, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Nothing could be more true for Brian and Bo Davidson. Brian has always felt responsible for his younger brother Bo ever since a childhood accident left him with a traumatic brain injury. On an isolated farm with his dying mother and impaired brother, Brian begins to hear of nearby murders that bear similarities to events from his childhood that he'd rather forget. As he uncovers the truth about his family and their past, he must also face the truth about himself if he's going to protect his brother.
Lies, secrets, and family trauma abound in this book. John is able to expertly weave the three together to create a twisty and suspenseful novel that kept me engaged the entire time. I really enjoyed the dual timeline POV in this book, as it really helped build the story up in a way that felt really natural. The continual growth in John's writing is evident to me in this book and makes me excited to see what he does next!
Thank you, John Durgin, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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