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The Cold Visitor
The Cold creeps in…
All her life, Sally Washington has kept a dark secret: every half-century, her family is summoned by a disturbing entity known as the Visitor and forced to endure a cruel ritual. Two decades since her last encounter and contentedly married in her twilight years, Sally believed she would never experience such horrors again—until, unannounced, a new ritual begins.
The Door takes shape…
Herbert, Sally’s devoted husband, knows nothing of the rite that has been passed down like a curse through his wife’s bloodline, but must now face the grim truth.
The Static gathers…
As the ritual intensifies, malign influences transform the couple’s home into a frozen nightmare, fraught with danger and dreadful revelations.
The Visitor grows near…
Terrified but united by the love they share, time ticks closer to the ritual’s crescendo, when Sally and Herbert will finally confront the Visitor…and face the most hideous decision imaginable.
The Cold Visitor marks a departure for Jonathan Butcher, and sees him moving capably away from the extreme and into the cosmic.
All her life, Sally Washington has kept a dark secret: every half-century, her family is summoned by a disturbing entity known as the Visitor and forced to endure a cruel ritual. Two decades since her last encounter and contentedly married in her twilight years, Sally believed she would never experience such horrors again—until, unannounced, a new ritual begins.
The Door takes shape…
Herbert, Sally’s devoted husband, knows nothing of the rite that has been passed down like a curse through his wife’s bloodline, but must now face the grim truth.
The Static gathers…
As the ritual intensifies, malign influences transform the couple’s home into a frozen nightmare, fraught with danger and dreadful revelations.
The Visitor grows near…
Terrified but united by the love they share, time ticks closer to the ritual’s crescendo, when Sally and Herbert will finally confront the Visitor…and face the most hideous decision imaginable.
The Cold Visitor marks a departure for Jonathan Butcher, and sees him moving capably away from the extreme and into the cosmic.
- GenresHorror
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
18 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Butcher
32 books252 followersSplatterpunk Award-nominated author who writes disturbing horror with a difference.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 10, 2025
A chilling family cure, a ritual, a marriage, a visitor....
The Cold Visitor: A haunting horror about a cosmic curse is a dark tale about Sally Washington and her family curse that she thought she would not experience again! But sadly, there is a chill in the air, their home has grown colder, and Sally knows something that her husband does not, that a visitor will be stopping by....
The Cold Visitor: A haunting horror about a cosmic curse was an interesting book and played out like a movie in my mind. I felt for the loving couple who hoped to spend their twilight years together in happy married bliss. But now that an unwanted visitor will be stopping by...
I enjoyed the mounting sense of dread, the heartbreaking realizations, the declarations of love, the tension, and the acceptance. The couple loves each other but Sally's family has been cursed for generations. She thought she and her husband Herb would be safe, she thought wrong!
This is a book that quietly sneaks up on you, taps you on the back, then spooks you to the core. It's chilling, eerie, creepy, and seeps into you bit by bit, until it has you in its grasp. I found this to be a fast read as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. This was a unique, dark, and horrific tale that delivered while breaking readers hearts and chilling them to the bone.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Jonathan Butcher and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
The Cold Visitor: A haunting horror about a cosmic curse is a dark tale about Sally Washington and her family curse that she thought she would not experience again! But sadly, there is a chill in the air, their home has grown colder, and Sally knows something that her husband does not, that a visitor will be stopping by....
The Cold Visitor: A haunting horror about a cosmic curse was an interesting book and played out like a movie in my mind. I felt for the loving couple who hoped to spend their twilight years together in happy married bliss. But now that an unwanted visitor will be stopping by...
I enjoyed the mounting sense of dread, the heartbreaking realizations, the declarations of love, the tension, and the acceptance. The couple loves each other but Sally's family has been cursed for generations. She thought she and her husband Herb would be safe, she thought wrong!
This is a book that quietly sneaks up on you, taps you on the back, then spooks you to the core. It's chilling, eerie, creepy, and seeps into you bit by bit, until it has you in its grasp. I found this to be a fast read as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. This was a unique, dark, and horrific tale that delivered while breaking readers hearts and chilling them to the bone.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Jonathan Butcher and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 11, 2025
I've dipped my toe into cosmic horror a time or two before with mixed results.
The set up here is outstanding and with different main characters I may have actually enjoyed this. Most early reviewers have not only sung it's praises but have mentioned that it was the main characters that truly endeared them to the story.
The exact opposite happened for me.
There was something hokey about the banter between Sally and her husband, Herbert. At first I loved the fact that Butcher chose two characters nearing their twilight years to tell this story. While I understand that even at near 70 Herbert's always been a "class clown" of sorts, I found his lame jokes sprinkled throughout the utter madness unfolding around them as very off-putting. The humor seemed to be of the juvenile variety which isn't the humor I like at all. I never found myself spooked much less scared by anything that was happening. And my goodness if I never hear "geez Louise" again it won't be too soon.
Maybe this one gets better but at just over 50% I'm calling it quits. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Jonathan Butcher for my complimentary copy.
The set up here is outstanding and with different main characters I may have actually enjoyed this. Most early reviewers have not only sung it's praises but have mentioned that it was the main characters that truly endeared them to the story.
The exact opposite happened for me.
There was something hokey about the banter between Sally and her husband, Herbert. At first I loved the fact that Butcher chose two characters nearing their twilight years to tell this story. While I understand that even at near 70 Herbert's always been a "class clown" of sorts, I found his lame jokes sprinkled throughout the utter madness unfolding around them as very off-putting. The humor seemed to be of the juvenile variety which isn't the humor I like at all. I never found myself spooked much less scared by anything that was happening. And my goodness if I never hear "geez Louise" again it won't be too soon.
Maybe this one gets better but at just over 50% I'm calling it quits. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Jonathan Butcher for my complimentary copy.
December 15, 2025
This book has left me feeling cold. Really not enjoying it at all sadly. dnf
July 15, 2025
Absolutely fantastic!
The emotional depth of this book was astounding. This book had me feeling tense, creeped out and honestly rooting for this little old couple to find a way to beat the curse and get rid of the cold visitor!
The emotional depth of this book was astounding. This book had me feeling tense, creeped out and honestly rooting for this little old couple to find a way to beat the curse and get rid of the cold visitor!
July 13, 2025
The cold visitor out 15th July
There’s just something about Jonathan’s writing that instantly gets me. I can’t explain what or why but I just find myself drawn in from the very first page & this was no exception.
First comes the cold, then the door, then the static then finally the visitor. It drops the temperature, plants the voices of malice in your head and then takes over everything you know and love. An ancient curse put upon the family, she thought she’d skipped it but as soon as she felt the cold creeping in she knew it was coming back to get what was owed & this time she’s prepared.
Let me tell you, I genuinely felt spooked reading this!! The creepy sensation filled me, & the minute the temperature dropped it was like it had around me too! It genuinely gave me nightmares! I must of had 2 within the space of reading it! That sense of dread within you is just something else, so much so that I was left thinking about it constantly after finishing reading!
It’s rare a book makes me feel scared but this genuinely had me so anxious especially the last few chapters once the final stage was coming 🫣 Honestly this was just incredible, I will be getting the paperback copy because it’s one il definitely read again in the future & recommend to others!
Well done on your first horror Jonathan, this was perfection!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There’s just something about Jonathan’s writing that instantly gets me. I can’t explain what or why but I just find myself drawn in from the very first page & this was no exception.
First comes the cold, then the door, then the static then finally the visitor. It drops the temperature, plants the voices of malice in your head and then takes over everything you know and love. An ancient curse put upon the family, she thought she’d skipped it but as soon as she felt the cold creeping in she knew it was coming back to get what was owed & this time she’s prepared.
Let me tell you, I genuinely felt spooked reading this!! The creepy sensation filled me, & the minute the temperature dropped it was like it had around me too! It genuinely gave me nightmares! I must of had 2 within the space of reading it! That sense of dread within you is just something else, so much so that I was left thinking about it constantly after finishing reading!
It’s rare a book makes me feel scared but this genuinely had me so anxious especially the last few chapters once the final stage was coming 🫣 Honestly this was just incredible, I will be getting the paperback copy because it’s one il definitely read again in the future & recommend to others!
Well done on your first horror Jonathan, this was perfection!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 11, 2025
"The Cold Visitor," Jonathan Butcher's foray into cosmic horror, not only does it deliver a spectacular and hugely exciting horror tale of two elderly people forced to go against a centuries-old family curse developping within their own house - but also a story of love and willpower against all odds, a deeply thoughtful love story full of heart and determination. Not to mention that the struggle develops in stages, each stage a veritable cornucopia of horrifying moments, a surreal melange of cunningly employed haunted house tropes, psychedelic mayhem, and body horror. Plus, a stellar ending!
The main characters, Sally and Herb, an old married couple determined to uphold their relationship in the face of supernatural adversity, are no superheroes. Initially, Sally harbors secrets, and Herbert, who has gone through too much abuse in a previous marriage, is simply not prepared for them. When Sally recognizes the first signs that her family curse is coming back, she has to open up fully to her husband, and their relationship will be tested. But that's just the first layer of the story. What follows is a progressively darker and darker blend of cosmic/occult/folk/haunted house horror, punctuated with unsettling moments of honesty, dark humor, moral dilemmas, emotional depth, and genuine creepiness.
This is one of those books a horror fan dreams about, feeling they're just too good to ever come true - well, this time around, Butcher has gone the distance, and he's brought the dread and the love and the wonder right to your doorstep! Enter, and experience the Cold for yourself! The Visitor awaits.
The main characters, Sally and Herb, an old married couple determined to uphold their relationship in the face of supernatural adversity, are no superheroes. Initially, Sally harbors secrets, and Herbert, who has gone through too much abuse in a previous marriage, is simply not prepared for them. When Sally recognizes the first signs that her family curse is coming back, she has to open up fully to her husband, and their relationship will be tested. But that's just the first layer of the story. What follows is a progressively darker and darker blend of cosmic/occult/folk/haunted house horror, punctuated with unsettling moments of honesty, dark humor, moral dilemmas, emotional depth, and genuine creepiness.
This is one of those books a horror fan dreams about, feeling they're just too good to ever come true - well, this time around, Butcher has gone the distance, and he's brought the dread and the love and the wonder right to your doorstep! Enter, and experience the Cold for yourself! The Visitor awaits.
August 6, 2025
This might be the scariest book I’ve ever read and one of my favorites.
It’s the type of story that creeps in through the cracks of your mind with existential dread. It’s a slow burn, and it burns beautifully.
Centuries ago, someone in Sally’s bloodline summoned something. A visitor. A cosmic entity. A destroyer. And now, her family has been stuck in a cycle of appeasement, performing a ritual every few decades to keep this entity satisfied.
The signs are always the same and follow an order:
1. The cold
2. The door
3. The static
4. The visitor
And the price? The one you love most.
At its core, this is a love story buried in grief and shadow. We follow Sally and Hubert, an elderly couple who found love later in life; they are flawed, tender, and fiercely human. The book explores forgiveness, mental fragility, devotion, second chances, self-acceptance, and the quiet terror of knowing it all could be ripped away.
The horror lives in the in-between. The liminal spaces. The cold that leaks through the walls. The door that shifts when you’re not looking. A home that suddenly forgets you. And beyond that door: something waiting, watching, and looking to destroy. It’s the idea that the world and universe are shifting, and no one else can see it.
This scared me in a way few books ever have. Quiet. Cosmic. Intimate. It made me feel small and mortal. And loved. And doomed.
There’s so much more I could say about the imagery, the creeping dread, and the lump in my throat, but I’d rather not.
This really is a love story. It’s simple and real, even in the middle of something cosmic, complex, and terrifying. It’s about love, our role and existing in a universe we were never meant to understand.
It’s the type of story that creeps in through the cracks of your mind with existential dread. It’s a slow burn, and it burns beautifully.
Centuries ago, someone in Sally’s bloodline summoned something. A visitor. A cosmic entity. A destroyer. And now, her family has been stuck in a cycle of appeasement, performing a ritual every few decades to keep this entity satisfied.
The signs are always the same and follow an order:
1. The cold
2. The door
3. The static
4. The visitor
And the price? The one you love most.
At its core, this is a love story buried in grief and shadow. We follow Sally and Hubert, an elderly couple who found love later in life; they are flawed, tender, and fiercely human. The book explores forgiveness, mental fragility, devotion, second chances, self-acceptance, and the quiet terror of knowing it all could be ripped away.
The horror lives in the in-between. The liminal spaces. The cold that leaks through the walls. The door that shifts when you’re not looking. A home that suddenly forgets you. And beyond that door: something waiting, watching, and looking to destroy. It’s the idea that the world and universe are shifting, and no one else can see it.
This scared me in a way few books ever have. Quiet. Cosmic. Intimate. It made me feel small and mortal. And loved. And doomed.
There’s so much more I could say about the imagery, the creeping dread, and the lump in my throat, but I’d rather not.
This really is a love story. It’s simple and real, even in the middle of something cosmic, complex, and terrifying. It’s about love, our role and existing in a universe we were never meant to understand.
August 5, 2025
The Cold creeps in...
Wow! I finished The Cold Visitor by Jonathan Butcher last night and you're all gonna want to prepare yourselves for this one. It's such a perfect blend of cosmic-creature-cold horror, all pinned together by Butcher's unbelievable characterisation.
🥶🚪💀
Sally and Herb are living out their senior years in a retirement village. Sally lives to help others and Herb lives to make Sally smile. But Sally has a secret that's about to shatter their lives. In the middle of an unprecedented heatwave the Cold comes calling and sacrifices must be made.
The Visitor demands it.
🥶🚪💀
Seriously, grab this one.
And if you start to see shadows and hear whispers, if you start to feel a sudden chill descend upon your home, you'd better read fast then prepare the Door. The Visitor is coming and the Cold spares few.
Wow! I finished The Cold Visitor by Jonathan Butcher last night and you're all gonna want to prepare yourselves for this one. It's such a perfect blend of cosmic-creature-cold horror, all pinned together by Butcher's unbelievable characterisation.
🥶🚪💀
Sally and Herb are living out their senior years in a retirement village. Sally lives to help others and Herb lives to make Sally smile. But Sally has a secret that's about to shatter their lives. In the middle of an unprecedented heatwave the Cold comes calling and sacrifices must be made.
The Visitor demands it.
🥶🚪💀
Seriously, grab this one.
And if you start to see shadows and hear whispers, if you start to feel a sudden chill descend upon your home, you'd better read fast then prepare the Door. The Visitor is coming and the Cold spares few.
August 8, 2025
A family curse going back hundreds of years threatens an elderly couple with a most horrendous battle that can only end one way. Not so much an "in your face" horror story as much as a creeping relentless invasion into the lives and home of Sally and Herbert. Sally knows what is coming, she's been through it before, but how can she prepare Herbert? What a read this was. I had not read any of this author's work. Perhaps I need to look a bit closer into his catalogue.
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale
July 10, 2025
I cannot even tell you how excited I was for this and it was amazing.
I have read a few things by Jonathan, but this is hands down my favorite, I actually read it twice and I hope this comes out as an audiobook, because I will need it.
From the second I got into the story I was done, and absolutely no way I could stop reading, I love cosmic horror, and this, this hit.
I actually got cold chills from the synopsis, haha cold but really...
"All her life, Sally Washington has kept a dark secret: every half-century, her family is summoned by a disturbing entity known as the Visitor"
Oh OH okay, so, that's terrifying.
Poor Sally had to go through the ritual for her family, but its been awhile, a long while actually, so long that Sally is much older, and thought it was over, at least for her.
But suddenly its not. Will her husband, who knew nothing of this believe her and stick around or will he think as most of us, and go absolutely not.
The ritual starts and the chill pours over them, the closer the Visitor gets, the colder the frost gets, devolving into to an absolute nightmare.
The tension in this story is as palpable as the cold that spread, it crept in slow until it had a hold of my brain.
This is a must read this year.
Thank you so much for letting me read this.
I have read a few things by Jonathan, but this is hands down my favorite, I actually read it twice and I hope this comes out as an audiobook, because I will need it.
From the second I got into the story I was done, and absolutely no way I could stop reading, I love cosmic horror, and this, this hit.
I actually got cold chills from the synopsis, haha cold but really...
"All her life, Sally Washington has kept a dark secret: every half-century, her family is summoned by a disturbing entity known as the Visitor"
Oh OH okay, so, that's terrifying.
Poor Sally had to go through the ritual for her family, but its been awhile, a long while actually, so long that Sally is much older, and thought it was over, at least for her.
But suddenly its not. Will her husband, who knew nothing of this believe her and stick around or will he think as most of us, and go absolutely not.
The ritual starts and the chill pours over them, the closer the Visitor gets, the colder the frost gets, devolving into to an absolute nightmare.
The tension in this story is as palpable as the cold that spread, it crept in slow until it had a hold of my brain.
This is a must read this year.
Thank you so much for letting me read this.
July 30, 2025
Sally and Herb are living in a retirement town. Sally lives to help anyone and everyone and Herb lives to make his wife happy. But Sallys secret is about to come out. In the middle of a heatwave, the cold creeps in…. And it wants its sacrifice.
This was a slow burn at the start as we navigate the relationship between our elderly couple. Their personalities really shining through. Sally making meals for those with dementia and Herb getting his hair cut as he knows Sally loves it. Until Sally breaks the heartbreaking news of what she had to do when the cold crept in previously. A chill in a heatwave, hearing whispers and oh the shadows too. Do you dare enter the world of the elderly couple and see how the cold visitor affects the world?
If you are a creature, mystery sort of person I would highly recommend picking this up!
Butcher has a way with words. He can write the extreme but also the cosmic eerie horror. This one hit spots in my reading life that I didn’t realise I needed and I would love more like this! Great work Jonathan this one is going to shake the world as we know it.
July 29, 2025
The house begins to feel a bit colder than the AC can provide. Neither Sally nor Herbert pay much attention at first. Then Sally resigns herself to telling her wonderful husband what is going to occur in a few days time. What she shares is so unbelievable that I cold visualize the look on Herbert’s face. The more I read this fantastical horror book, the more I realized how hearing a family curse could in fact ensure my compliance. Herbert was so nice. He had been in an abusive relationship so in his love for Sally, Herbert was quite willing to believe whatever he was told. I have never read such a detailed description as the one about what happened to Katie’s body at the door ritual. I was really grossed out and it will probably stick with me for a while. I am starting to become a fan of cosmic horror. I ended up closing my iPad mini when I was done reading because I was broke at the end of this book. Kudos, Mr. Butcher, for giving me the chills.
July 25, 2025
Wow, just wow.
This book was strong from the beginning,
I loved the characters and being English (south west) the setting was also perfect.
A story of love, a curse and bravery.
Just when you thought it was safe to retire!!
I feel like I need to write more but as I have just finished and my brain is still reeling I imagine an update is sure to follow.
I highly recommend this one.
This book was strong from the beginning,
I loved the characters and being English (south west) the setting was also perfect.
A story of love, a curse and bravery.
Just when you thought it was safe to retire!!
I feel like I need to write more but as I have just finished and my brain is still reeling I imagine an update is sure to follow.
I highly recommend this one.
July 20, 2025
Wow.
I had no idea, based on previous work, that I was getting into a kind and wholesome story about good people preparing to take on evil. I mean, the description kinda told me that, but I didn't listen because I was arrogant. Thinking that I knew everything, I dove in and had a great time, against my will! Haha!
Well, what can I say really; it's a great story with wonderful characters who are written with compassion. I recommend it to any fan of the horror genre. This isn't splatterpunk, this isn't extreme horror, this is a good story and you should read it if you have a mind to.
I had no idea, based on previous work, that I was getting into a kind and wholesome story about good people preparing to take on evil. I mean, the description kinda told me that, but I didn't listen because I was arrogant. Thinking that I knew everything, I dove in and had a great time, against my will! Haha!
Well, what can I say really; it's a great story with wonderful characters who are written with compassion. I recommend it to any fan of the horror genre. This isn't splatterpunk, this isn't extreme horror, this is a good story and you should read it if you have a mind to.
June 26, 2025
I’ve enjoyed all the splatterpunk and extreme stories I’ve read by Jonathan Butcher, but this cosmic horror story has absolutely blown me away.
I haven’t felt equal parts sorrow and dread like this since reading The Road by McCarthy and The Haar by Sodergren. Butcher’s talent for descriptive writing is next level, and a large part of me is still stuck in the Washington’s frozen retirement condo.
This story had a chokehold on me, but I forced myself to take multiple days to finish the book because I didn’t want to leave that atmosphere. If this is the next evolution of Butcher’s work, I cannot WAIT to see what’s coming next.
I haven’t felt equal parts sorrow and dread like this since reading The Road by McCarthy and The Haar by Sodergren. Butcher’s talent for descriptive writing is next level, and a large part of me is still stuck in the Washington’s frozen retirement condo.
This story had a chokehold on me, but I forced myself to take multiple days to finish the book because I didn’t want to leave that atmosphere. If this is the next evolution of Butcher’s work, I cannot WAIT to see what’s coming next.
September 16, 2025
I had the privilege of reading The Cold Visitor by Jonathon Butcher as an ARC, and wow—what an unexpected gem this was!
What drew me in initially was the unique perspective: the story is told through the eyes of two elderly characters, Sally and Herbert, a retired British couple living out their golden years. It's rare to find a horror story where the protagonists are pensioners, and even rarer to find one that pulls it off so beautifully.
But don’t be fooled by the cozy setup—things turn chilling very quickly. When Sally notices that Herb is wearing a sweater indoors during a sweltering 100-degree heatwave, she begins to suspect that He is coming. The Visitor. A terrifying, otherworldly force that has haunted Sally’s family for generations—demanding the unthinkable as a sacrifice: a loved one.
What follows is a taut, eerie, and deeply emotional story about love, sacrifice, and secrets that won't stay buried. The horror in this book isn't just jump scares or gore—though there are moments that genuinely creeped me out in all the best ways. It's the slow, creeping dread, the impossible moral dilemma, and the unraveling of a long-held secret that had me hooked.
I couldn’t put it down. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is suffocatingly tense at times, and the emotional weight behind Sally’s choices adds a gut-punch of depth to the terror. The Cold Visitor is as much about the fragility of human connection as it is about supernatural horror.
Highly recommend for fans of quiet horror, psychological suspense, and stories that dare to ask: what would you sacrifice for the one you love?
What drew me in initially was the unique perspective: the story is told through the eyes of two elderly characters, Sally and Herbert, a retired British couple living out their golden years. It's rare to find a horror story where the protagonists are pensioners, and even rarer to find one that pulls it off so beautifully.
But don’t be fooled by the cozy setup—things turn chilling very quickly. When Sally notices that Herb is wearing a sweater indoors during a sweltering 100-degree heatwave, she begins to suspect that He is coming. The Visitor. A terrifying, otherworldly force that has haunted Sally’s family for generations—demanding the unthinkable as a sacrifice: a loved one.
What follows is a taut, eerie, and deeply emotional story about love, sacrifice, and secrets that won't stay buried. The horror in this book isn't just jump scares or gore—though there are moments that genuinely creeped me out in all the best ways. It's the slow, creeping dread, the impossible moral dilemma, and the unraveling of a long-held secret that had me hooked.
I couldn’t put it down. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is suffocatingly tense at times, and the emotional weight behind Sally’s choices adds a gut-punch of depth to the terror. The Cold Visitor is as much about the fragility of human connection as it is about supernatural horror.
Highly recommend for fans of quiet horror, psychological suspense, and stories that dare to ask: what would you sacrifice for the one you love?
September 4, 2025
I’m not crying… you’re crying!
I never thought I’d finish a horror story feeling horrified, shocked, and in awe of how beautiful it was. I absolutely adored this book. I’ve never read cosmic horror before, and while I’m not sure it’s a genre I’d fully dive into, this story… wow. This story was absolutely beautifully written.
Set in a retirement community, it follows characters whose strength, struggle, and growth completely pulled me in. I especially loved the husband character, his struggle to accept his wife’s past and present was so raw and moving. The characters felt so real.
The atmosphere was incredible. I could feel the suffocating heat outside and the bone deep chill inside the house. The descriptions painted everything so vividly it was like I was right there with them.
I completely fell in love with these characters. Thank you for such a hauntingly beautiful horror story. Bravo, what a fantastic and unforgettable read.
I never thought I’d finish a horror story feeling horrified, shocked, and in awe of how beautiful it was. I absolutely adored this book. I’ve never read cosmic horror before, and while I’m not sure it’s a genre I’d fully dive into, this story… wow. This story was absolutely beautifully written.
Set in a retirement community, it follows characters whose strength, struggle, and growth completely pulled me in. I especially loved the husband character, his struggle to accept his wife’s past and present was so raw and moving. The characters felt so real.
The atmosphere was incredible. I could feel the suffocating heat outside and the bone deep chill inside the house. The descriptions painted everything so vividly it was like I was right there with them.
I completely fell in love with these characters. Thank you for such a hauntingly beautiful horror story. Bravo, what a fantastic and unforgettable read.
September 20, 2025
Sally’s family has been burdened with a terrible curse for generations. Every fifty years, a mysterious entity known as the Visitor arrives, demanding a flesh sacrifice in exchange for the safety of humankind. The last time Sally encountered the Visitor was just before meeting Herbert. Believing she’d never face it again in her lifetime, she let herself fall in love. But now, the Visitor has returned, and Sally and Herb must endure the Ritual once more to appease it.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I was completely hooked. I couldn’t put it down and raced through the pages just to see how it all ended. The dual perspectives of Sally and Herbert were handled brilliantly—the transitions were seamless, and the story flowed naturally between them. I could feel their frustration and claustrophobia as they were trapped in their home, caught in the cycle of the Ritual, and it made their struggle all the more real.
Though it began as a slow burn, the tension gradually built until I was fully swept up in the momentum. The pacing, atmosphere, and emotional weight of the story pulled me in completely, and I found myself wanting to do nothing else but read. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Jonathan Butcher’s work after this.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I was completely hooked. I couldn’t put it down and raced through the pages just to see how it all ended. The dual perspectives of Sally and Herbert were handled brilliantly—the transitions were seamless, and the story flowed naturally between them. I could feel their frustration and claustrophobia as they were trapped in their home, caught in the cycle of the Ritual, and it made their struggle all the more real.
Though it began as a slow burn, the tension gradually built until I was fully swept up in the momentum. The pacing, atmosphere, and emotional weight of the story pulled me in completely, and I found myself wanting to do nothing else but read. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Jonathan Butcher’s work after this.
July 29, 2025
Received a copy of this from the author himself and how DARE he write something that was absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking all at once!! I was punched straight through my cold black heart and I don’t know if I’ll be able to recover. Not only was this an epic cosmic horror with an unimaginable monstrosity called The Visitor, but it also followed the most adorable couple I think I’ve ever read about. Sally and Herbert are beautiful people and I loved reading this story through their POVs.
This absolutely broke my heart. I loved how the book was broken up by the phases of the ritual as well, it really helped build up the tension before the Visitor even arrived. And oh my gosh that Intruder and Door was enough to give me nightmares!! So so good. Definitely going to be a favorite of mine this year.
This absolutely broke my heart. I loved how the book was broken up by the phases of the ritual as well, it really helped build up the tension before the Visitor even arrived. And oh my gosh that Intruder and Door was enough to give me nightmares!! So so good. Definitely going to be a favorite of mine this year.
September 1, 2025
It was great to see Butcher expanding to a non splattery horror story. This one was a tale of a family with a cosmic curse placed upon their bloodline.
I initially enjoyed the direction the plot was heading in, and was fond of the main characters. Sadly I felt the momentum slowed down a fair bit and I was frustrated with being stuck in the house with Herb and Sally. Although there were some genuinely creepy moments that cropped up later on, it wasn’t enough to reinvigorate my interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy!
I initially enjoyed the direction the plot was heading in, and was fond of the main characters. Sadly I felt the momentum slowed down a fair bit and I was frustrated with being stuck in the house with Herb and Sally. Although there were some genuinely creepy moments that cropped up later on, it wasn’t enough to reinvigorate my interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy!
August 25, 2025
So not only was this scary as fuck; it's also a constant emotion of dread and pain because of the impending doom. I'm hurt, but in the best way possible.
I'm so here for this type of Visitor horror, and The Cold Visitor went above my expectations. Would not be surprised if I'm going to have nightmares from this.
I'm so here for this type of Visitor horror, and The Cold Visitor went above my expectations. Would not be surprised if I'm going to have nightmares from this.
July 30, 2025
Sally and Herbert, an elderly couple, are living their happiest life in a retirement village, full of love for each other and compassion for those less able. But Sally has a secret - a family curse and a ritual that must be carried out.
The character building is one the best I have ever read - from the opening chapter you are wholly immersed, so when the Cold emerges, as a reader you have no escape, you share every bit of their tension and dread. The elevating horror seeps into every page turn and when the vivid imagery hits, I defy anyone that isn’t completely creeped out! And my heart, my cold black heart, was broken.
This is a stunning novel that will endure.
Highest possible recommendation!
The character building is one the best I have ever read - from the opening chapter you are wholly immersed, so when the Cold emerges, as a reader you have no escape, you share every bit of their tension and dread. The elevating horror seeps into every page turn and when the vivid imagery hits, I defy anyone that isn’t completely creeped out! And my heart, my cold black heart, was broken.
This is a stunning novel that will endure.
Highest possible recommendation!
September 3, 2025
There’s one thing that I’m afraid of, and that alone made this book even scarier.
Being old is a terrifying thought for me, not the process of getting old, but actually being old and limited by age, and Sally and Herb are in their sixties, and they have no choice but to face the cold and everything that comes with it.
Sally’s family has been cursed, and every 50 years or so, they receive a visit from an entity that forces them into a ritual that demands a life be taken.
Sally never thought she would live to see the Visitor again because of her age, so she opened her heart to love and dedicated her life to supporting others. But now, just when this couple is planning to enjoy retirement and travel the world, they find themselves trapped in a house where the temperature keeps dropping, about to fight a battle they are not sure they can win.
The Cold Visitor is a slow burn that focuses on atmosphere, characters, and emotions, always with a sense of dread lurking in the shadows.
You cannot help but root for this couple, who are so likeable and share such good banter. And amidst it all, Herbert just wants to dance, as if that could shake the problems away, which makes him so relatable.
So if you’re looking for something different, with eerie and tense vibes, with characters who could easily be your parents, pick up this book or the audiobook. Both deliver a chilling experience that I definitely recommend.
This review and more here:
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Being old is a terrifying thought for me, not the process of getting old, but actually being old and limited by age, and Sally and Herb are in their sixties, and they have no choice but to face the cold and everything that comes with it.
Sally’s family has been cursed, and every 50 years or so, they receive a visit from an entity that forces them into a ritual that demands a life be taken.
Sally never thought she would live to see the Visitor again because of her age, so she opened her heart to love and dedicated her life to supporting others. But now, just when this couple is planning to enjoy retirement and travel the world, they find themselves trapped in a house where the temperature keeps dropping, about to fight a battle they are not sure they can win.
The Cold Visitor is a slow burn that focuses on atmosphere, characters, and emotions, always with a sense of dread lurking in the shadows.
You cannot help but root for this couple, who are so likeable and share such good banter. And amidst it all, Herbert just wants to dance, as if that could shake the problems away, which makes him so relatable.
So if you’re looking for something different, with eerie and tense vibes, with characters who could easily be your parents, pick up this book or the audiobook. Both deliver a chilling experience that I definitely recommend.
This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube
October 20, 2025
Nice one. My first from Butcher as his typical genre is splatterpunk which I mostly avoid. When I heard this was cosmic I was down. I loved the imagery in this one and the story felt fresh. The Cold Visitor follows senior couple, Herbert and Sally Washington. When a strange, malevolent cycle starts affecting the older couple in their retirement community home, they are pushed into a confrontation with a preternatural entity. Sally has dealt with this intruder before whereas Herb struggles with his acceptance of the situation and even his overall perception of his wife.
Herb and Sally make for a great set of protagonists and I loved that Butcher used older adults. They had a great bond and balanced each other well. There was some questionable decision making from everyone involved, but the story kept me engaged. The pacing was solid but did down shift a bit towards the middle. There are still creepy bits throughout but the casual tone juxtaposed with the situations occurring made it all the more jarring.
I had a pretty good idea of where the book was heading and it stays the course I’d anticipated. But the imagery, character development and world building collide into a really well done novel. Towards the end things felt rushed which left some lingering questions in my mind. I’m not sure if Butcher has a sequel planned, but I’d be down to learn more about Cassia, the Visitor and all of the origins. If cosmic horror is something you vibe with I’d recommend checking out The Cold Visitor.
Herb and Sally make for a great set of protagonists and I loved that Butcher used older adults. They had a great bond and balanced each other well. There was some questionable decision making from everyone involved, but the story kept me engaged. The pacing was solid but did down shift a bit towards the middle. There are still creepy bits throughout but the casual tone juxtaposed with the situations occurring made it all the more jarring.
I had a pretty good idea of where the book was heading and it stays the course I’d anticipated. But the imagery, character development and world building collide into a really well done novel. Towards the end things felt rushed which left some lingering questions in my mind. I’m not sure if Butcher has a sequel planned, but I’d be down to learn more about Cassia, the Visitor and all of the origins. If cosmic horror is something you vibe with I’d recommend checking out The Cold Visitor.
August 24, 2025
The Cold Visitor is a fascinating change of direction which impressed me greatly and clearly shows Jonathan Butcher has a future in mainstream horror and does not need to rely upon gross out tactics to sell books. This is also a fine example of ‘Geriatric Horror;’ genre fiction featuring predominately old people is relatively rare, with Butcher’s offering being every bit as good as Philip Fracassi’s
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre
and Todd Keisling’s entertaining
The Sundowner's Dance
, which are both set in American retirement communities. Why should the Yanks have all the fun? Butcher deliciously relocates the Zimmer frames to the south of England.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
August 7, 2025
This is a fantastically terrifying novel that starts strong and keeps getting creepier as it goes.
This is about an older happily married couple in their late 60s. They've been married for twenty years and love each other very much. And that love is going to be put to the ultimate test.
Sally has a very dark past. Her family is cursed. Every fifty years they have to perform a ritual. It's a long painful ritual: first, the cold, then, the door, then,, the static, and finally.... the Visitor. In order to stop this evil eldritch horror from escaping into the world, they must kill the person they love the most. This has been going on for generations.
It's only been twenty years for Sally but now it's back and the ritual must begin.
This four part ritual is told in gruesome detail and once her husband realizes this thing is real, they are trapped in a frozen wasteland of their home (despite a massive heatwave taking place) and will face absolutely bone chilling monstrosities as this Visitor gets closer and closer.
The love between the characters makes this book even more dreadful as we're aware of what Sally must eventually do at the end. It'll give you goosebumps.
There are a lot of other things in here to uncover and they all come together to form a terrifying, unputdownable book. I highly recommend it.
This is about an older happily married couple in their late 60s. They've been married for twenty years and love each other very much. And that love is going to be put to the ultimate test.
Sally has a very dark past. Her family is cursed. Every fifty years they have to perform a ritual. It's a long painful ritual: first, the cold, then, the door, then,, the static, and finally.... the Visitor. In order to stop this evil eldritch horror from escaping into the world, they must kill the person they love the most. This has been going on for generations.
It's only been twenty years for Sally but now it's back and the ritual must begin.
This four part ritual is told in gruesome detail and once her husband realizes this thing is real, they are trapped in a frozen wasteland of their home (despite a massive heatwave taking place) and will face absolutely bone chilling monstrosities as this Visitor gets closer and closer.
The love between the characters makes this book even more dreadful as we're aware of what Sally must eventually do at the end. It'll give you goosebumps.
There are a lot of other things in here to uncover and they all come together to form a terrifying, unputdownable book. I highly recommend it.
September 8, 2025
Sally has kept a secret for the majority of her life, a secret her husband Herb was not even privy to until now. Every half a century or so, her family has been forced to take part in a ritual for a disturbing entity called The Visitor. The ritual tests your limits in many cruel ways. Sally thought it was over for her lifetime as she completed the ritual only a couple decades prior but she was gravely mistaken, and now Herb will learn the whole truth.
This story was so painfully emotional. Sally and Herb's relationship was perfectly executed because although you truly could sense their love, it wasn't perfect. It was just real. It really resembled how I hopefully picture mine in 40 years. Their relationship being at the forefront of this story gave me so much hope through reading what was bound to be a miserable experience for everyone involved.
The ritual itself was horrid. It happened in drawn out steps so there was downtime for our character's dread to creep in and for doubts to bloom. Jonathan did a great job at creating that tension. I love that he chose to have our MCs be retirement age and the humor he wrote in to cut through the action.
If you can I HIGHLY recommend reading this book in the winter. Preferably with a nice snowfall, and wrapped up in a few blankets. Really immerse yourself.
This story was so painfully emotional. Sally and Herb's relationship was perfectly executed because although you truly could sense their love, it wasn't perfect. It was just real. It really resembled how I hopefully picture mine in 40 years. Their relationship being at the forefront of this story gave me so much hope through reading what was bound to be a miserable experience for everyone involved.
The ritual itself was horrid. It happened in drawn out steps so there was downtime for our character's dread to creep in and for doubts to bloom. Jonathan did a great job at creating that tension. I love that he chose to have our MCs be retirement age and the humor he wrote in to cut through the action.
If you can I HIGHLY recommend reading this book in the winter. Preferably with a nice snowfall, and wrapped up in a few blankets. Really immerse yourself.
August 21, 2025
Sallys worried about her husband. It’s hot out yet he wears a jumper. Uneasy she knows what’s coming…
Sally’s such a peach. She does so much for her local community. Always busy helping out. Her husband Herb and members of the community notice something’s up with Sally. But Sally feels that no one deserves to know what’s up with her.
The cold has returned.
Sally decides she needs to leave and packs a suitcase ready. But Herb implores her to open up and really tell him what’s going on. They decide to embrace the cold together. Herb thinks Sally has lost the plot until he realises the visitor is following them.
I loved the British references in this book. I also loved the dual POV. Herb is such an endearing and funny character. This book gives chilling, creeping existential dread. Herbs character made me laugh, and it got me thinking if Paul will be like that in his sixties too 🤣 He also reminded me of Martin from Friday Night Dinner!
I felt elements and likenesses to Stephen King whilst reading this one. The characters felt so real.
Overall this was a tale of love. A beautifully written tale of enduring love and the sacrifices made for enduring love.
The cold
The door
The static
The visitor
“Shit on a pig!”
August 29, 2025
Butcher opens this novel with immediate tension and mystery that hooks readers for the horrors to come.
One of my favourite elements of this book is Butcher’s choice of protagonists ; a couple in their late 60s that have been together for 20 years and who’s love for each other makes the story carry so much additional emotional weight.
The horror in this book was also very effective, beginning with the idea of a horror, then shadows and whispers and slowly becoming more and more intense and threatening to the couple. The very grounded way in which this book is written ; with a loving couple, a retirement community and the fear of loss being explored, really aids to the emotional impact of reading.
However, I had a few small issues with this book. This book suffers from repetition in many areas such as Herb’s recalling of when he first met Sally, his denial of the situation occurring and Sally’s half-truths (which Herb rarely pushes) quickly become frustrating for the reader..
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and am definitely excited to see what Butcher conjures up in the future. If you like unique protagonists, mystery, terrifying entities and horror with an emotional core then this is the book for you !
One of my favourite elements of this book is Butcher’s choice of protagonists ; a couple in their late 60s that have been together for 20 years and who’s love for each other makes the story carry so much additional emotional weight.
The horror in this book was also very effective, beginning with the idea of a horror, then shadows and whispers and slowly becoming more and more intense and threatening to the couple. The very grounded way in which this book is written ; with a loving couple, a retirement community and the fear of loss being explored, really aids to the emotional impact of reading.
However, I had a few small issues with this book. This book suffers from repetition in many areas such as Herb’s recalling of when he first met Sally, his denial of the situation occurring and Sally’s half-truths (which Herb rarely pushes) quickly become frustrating for the reader..
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and am definitely excited to see what Butcher conjures up in the future. If you like unique protagonists, mystery, terrifying entities and horror with an emotional core then this is the book for you !
October 8, 2025
Sally Washington lives a cursed life. Her father had explained the ritual that must be done every fifty years. Sally was upset when she did her ritual before meeting her current husband. When the “cold visitor” lets her know that she must do her ritual after only twenty years, due to the fact that she didn’t love the person she sacrificed to it. Sally knows that she has no choice. She is telling herself that she needs Herbert to be aware of the ritual. She tries to think of a way to stop the cruel ritual. When she finds a family journal in the attic, she made find the answer to stop it. Will she?
The novel is a horror story that causes anxiety to grow throughout it. The feature of supernatural elements add to the horror of the novel. It kept me turning those pages to learn what's going to happen next. The horror written by the author features multiple perspectives even that of the villain. It is spooky, creepy and disturbing at times due to the ritual. It is a little gross.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The novel is a horror story that causes anxiety to grow throughout it. The feature of supernatural elements add to the horror of the novel. It kept me turning those pages to learn what's going to happen next. The horror written by the author features multiple perspectives even that of the villain. It is spooky, creepy and disturbing at times due to the ritual. It is a little gross.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
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