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The Flowers at Flood House
Flood House was meant to be a fresh start. A quiet escape in Stillwater where Seth Dorsey could care for his mother, caught in dementia’s grip.
But when Seth wakes up to dried flowers he didn’t hang in his basement and starts noticing unsettling changes in and around the house, he’s forced to ask whether the unexplainable is real, or something more sinister is at work.
The Flowers at Flood House is a horror novella that offers a new twist on the haunted house. An unsettling tale that takes readers on a dark and supernatural descent into loss, grief, and coming face-to-face with the memories that haunt us.
But when Seth wakes up to dried flowers he didn’t hang in his basement and starts noticing unsettling changes in and around the house, he’s forced to ask whether the unexplainable is real, or something more sinister is at work.
The Flowers at Flood House is a horror novella that offers a new twist on the haunted house. An unsettling tale that takes readers on a dark and supernatural descent into loss, grief, and coming face-to-face with the memories that haunt us.
- GenresHorrorHorror Thriller
Paperback
First published July 31, 2025
3 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Walker
3 books16 followersJ.J. Walker is a horror author who loves writing unsettling stories about small towns, old houses, and characters that examine what it means to be human.
Originally from the UK, he currently calls Canada home.
Originally from the UK, he currently calls Canada home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
September 13, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Flowers at Flood House is a short horror novel that gave me goosebumps throughout. This book gives readers a new spin on typical haunted house stories, and I really enjoyed how the book navigated some heavy subjects such as dementia, loss, grief, and revenge. This was a unique story with relatable imprefect characters. The book sets the tone of unease from the first few pages to the last and leaves you wanting to read on after each chapter.
The Flowers at Flood House is a short horror novel that gave me goosebumps throughout. This book gives readers a new spin on typical haunted house stories, and I really enjoyed how the book navigated some heavy subjects such as dementia, loss, grief, and revenge. This was a unique story with relatable imprefect characters. The book sets the tone of unease from the first few pages to the last and leaves you wanting to read on after each chapter.
July 2, 2025
They stayed in the kitchen like statues, listening with alert ears as something unwelcome moved in the room above them.
After reading and loving Waxwing Creek, I jumped at the chance to read this author's work once again. I have no regrets whatsoever.
There's something about J.J.'s writing that instantly draws me in. The way that he sets the tone of the book immediately, letting readers know what they can expect. The way that he crafts his characters that I instantly feel a connection with them. The way that his work, despite being short, can pack the punch of a full novel. All these things combined make for a great reading experience.
The Flowers at the Flood House was a wonderfully written haunted house novella. It was creepy, dark, disturbing, tragic, and has an interesting backstory. I loved the gothic atmosphere and the imagery. The story flowed well and didn't feel rushed at all. Despite this being a novella, I didn't feel like I was reading a short book. The story was cohesive, easy to follow, and didn't leave any plot holes. This is something I've encountered in other short stories/novellas.
I really enjoyed this one and loved the mention of Waxwing Creek. #iykyk!
Thank you to Netgalley, After Dusk Press and J.J. Walker, for my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving my review voluntarily. <\u>
After reading and loving Waxwing Creek, I jumped at the chance to read this author's work once again. I have no regrets whatsoever.
There's something about J.J.'s writing that instantly draws me in. The way that he sets the tone of the book immediately, letting readers know what they can expect. The way that he crafts his characters that I instantly feel a connection with them. The way that his work, despite being short, can pack the punch of a full novel. All these things combined make for a great reading experience.
The Flowers at the Flood House was a wonderfully written haunted house novella. It was creepy, dark, disturbing, tragic, and has an interesting backstory. I loved the gothic atmosphere and the imagery. The story flowed well and didn't feel rushed at all. Despite this being a novella, I didn't feel like I was reading a short book. The story was cohesive, easy to follow, and didn't leave any plot holes. This is something I've encountered in other short stories/novellas.
I really enjoyed this one and loved the mention of Waxwing Creek. #iykyk!
Thank you to Netgalley, After Dusk Press and J.J. Walker, for my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving my review voluntarily. <\u>
August 14, 2025
I wasn’t able to get invested in this story initially. The characters just really threw me off. The concept, complex grief, writing were great. The pacing/ending felt off and ultimately these were what drove my rating down from 3 stars.
Thank you anyways to NetGalley, the author, and After Dark Press for a copy.
Thank you anyways to NetGalley, the author, and After Dark Press for a copy.
July 22, 2025
4.5 stars- rounded up to 5
„What could go wrong in five minutes?“
I absolutely adored this book. It was the perfect length, the pacing was wonderful, and the author’s writing truly complimented the story itself.
I often find that when I read shorter novels, it feels as though the story is rushed and that there is too much information in too little time- but that wasn’t at all the case here. The characters and their backgrounds were kept fairly simple without it making me feel like I’m missing part of their personalities. Big round of applause for that, because it’s something that takes a lot of talent.
Everything was wrapped up well at the end, and it didn’t at all feel like it was cut off too soon. It left me thinking about the story without feeling unsatisfied with the ending.
Overall, I truly loved this book. I can’t wait to see more from this author.
Thank you to Booksirens for providing me with this amazing ARC! All opinions shared are my own, and I am providing this review willingly.
„What could go wrong in five minutes?“
I absolutely adored this book. It was the perfect length, the pacing was wonderful, and the author’s writing truly complimented the story itself.
I often find that when I read shorter novels, it feels as though the story is rushed and that there is too much information in too little time- but that wasn’t at all the case here. The characters and their backgrounds were kept fairly simple without it making me feel like I’m missing part of their personalities. Big round of applause for that, because it’s something that takes a lot of talent.
Everything was wrapped up well at the end, and it didn’t at all feel like it was cut off too soon. It left me thinking about the story without feeling unsatisfied with the ending.
Overall, I truly loved this book. I can’t wait to see more from this author.
Thank you to Booksirens for providing me with this amazing ARC! All opinions shared are my own, and I am providing this review willingly.
July 5, 2025
I really did not like this at all. If I'm completely honest, I was really bored reading this.
There's a lot of over exaggerated moments in this book. Screams from nothing that's particular upsetting, just peculiar.
I didn't connect with the characters, especially the sisters. They acted liked bickering teenage girls which mostly annoyed the crap out of me.
There's a lot of over exaggerated moments in this book. Screams from nothing that's particular upsetting, just peculiar.
I didn't connect with the characters, especially the sisters. They acted liked bickering teenage girls which mostly annoyed the crap out of me.
June 24, 2025
ARC Reader via Net Galley:
⭐️3.75. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was definitely a quick, fast paced read that was super easy to get into. I don't know if I would categorize this book as horror, as it truly felt like more of just a thriller to me. That being said, I feel like the build up was great, but I don't feel like the there was a moment in this book where there was a super tangible plot twist of where I was really surprised at what was going on. I did love the writing style and would look into other books by this author.
⭐️3.75. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was definitely a quick, fast paced read that was super easy to get into. I don't know if I would categorize this book as horror, as it truly felt like more of just a thriller to me. That being said, I feel like the build up was great, but I don't feel like the there was a moment in this book where there was a super tangible plot twist of where I was really surprised at what was going on. I did love the writing style and would look into other books by this author.
June 24, 2025
An incredible grief horror novella! (More and more I'm convinced that this form is the most impactful for the telling of horror stories.)
In "The Flowers at Flood House," J. J. Walker has come up with an awesome new spin on the haunted house horror trope: a house that's traumatized by its past, and needs to remember. The way the story develops around this idea is sheer perfection, and left me speechless. The characters feel totally relatable and realistic (Seth, the new owner who's moved into the house with his mom, who suffers from dementia; Yanna, the strong female lead, who befriends Seth while dealing with her own trauma, the loss of her mother; Gina, Yanna's pragmatic sister, a cop, emotionally unavailable yet equally impacted by her mother's loss); the pacing, quick and effective; the imagery of the flowers, the employment of memory as a conceptual vehicle for the supernatural - and the ending, definitely a huge shock! (Bonus: tiny easter eggs if you've read the author's "Waxwing Creek"!)
In sum, a solid story I eagerly recommend!
In "The Flowers at Flood House," J. J. Walker has come up with an awesome new spin on the haunted house horror trope: a house that's traumatized by its past, and needs to remember. The way the story develops around this idea is sheer perfection, and left me speechless. The characters feel totally relatable and realistic (Seth, the new owner who's moved into the house with his mom, who suffers from dementia; Yanna, the strong female lead, who befriends Seth while dealing with her own trauma, the loss of her mother; Gina, Yanna's pragmatic sister, a cop, emotionally unavailable yet equally impacted by her mother's loss); the pacing, quick and effective; the imagery of the flowers, the employment of memory as a conceptual vehicle for the supernatural - and the ending, definitely a huge shock! (Bonus: tiny easter eggs if you've read the author's "Waxwing Creek"!)
In sum, a solid story I eagerly recommend!
July 13, 2025
3.75 stars
Seth's mom suffers from dementia. As her full time caretaker, he settles them at Flood House, hoping the small town remoteness will bring her peace. But as night falls, she gets angry and agitated. There's a strange man in the house, she cries. She doesn't like him. She doesn't like the dried flowers he hangs from the rafters. Even as Seth tries to calm her, and explain that there is no one there, he sees motion from the corner of his eye and smells petals in the air.
This is a short novella, coming in at 88 pages on my phone, set in the same general world as Waxwing Creek, although the stories are entirely separate, and you can absolutely read one without the other. Like Stephen King's Derry, Walker's Hunt has bad energy. That malevolent miasma crops up again in THE FLOWERS AT FLOOD HOUSE set in nearby Stillwater.
The brevity of this work for and against it. I found it a little harder to connect with. Things moved so quickly, I didn't feel the connection between Seth and Yanna that the text was telling me was there. But as the story progressed, I found I liked the snapshot style. It complimented the theme of memories, how they can be traitorous and one-sided, exaggerated moments that don't show the whole picture of events. As more happened (and A LOT happened for such a short page-count), it felt like I was slotting each scene into a larger album. This is a different take on a haunted house that I would love to see explore more.
I look forward to more from this author!
Seth's mom suffers from dementia. As her full time caretaker, he settles them at Flood House, hoping the small town remoteness will bring her peace. But as night falls, she gets angry and agitated. There's a strange man in the house, she cries. She doesn't like him. She doesn't like the dried flowers he hangs from the rafters. Even as Seth tries to calm her, and explain that there is no one there, he sees motion from the corner of his eye and smells petals in the air.
This is a short novella, coming in at 88 pages on my phone, set in the same general world as Waxwing Creek, although the stories are entirely separate, and you can absolutely read one without the other. Like Stephen King's Derry, Walker's Hunt has bad energy. That malevolent miasma crops up again in THE FLOWERS AT FLOOD HOUSE set in nearby Stillwater.
The brevity of this work for and against it. I found it a little harder to connect with. Things moved so quickly, I didn't feel the connection between Seth and Yanna that the text was telling me was there. But as the story progressed, I found I liked the snapshot style. It complimented the theme of memories, how they can be traitorous and one-sided, exaggerated moments that don't show the whole picture of events. As more happened (and A LOT happened for such a short page-count), it felt like I was slotting each scene into a larger album. This is a different take on a haunted house that I would love to see explore more.
I look forward to more from this author!
November 10, 2025
J.J. Walker delivers a wonderfully atmospheric and unsettling novella here. The writing is strong, the tension simmers, and the creeping dread is handled with a delicate, almost poetic touch. The imagery of the dried flowers appearing around the house was genuinely eerie and gave the story a uniquely haunting flair.
However, while the emotional themes of grief and dementia are explored with sensitivity, I felt the connection between the house and its past was tenuous at best. The story hints at something deeper within Flood House’s history, but those seeds never fully blossom into a clear or satisfying link. I was left wanting more depth and cohesion between the supernatural elements and the house’s backstory to really anchor the haunting.
However, while the emotional themes of grief and dementia are explored with sensitivity, I felt the connection between the house and its past was tenuous at best. The story hints at something deeper within Flood House’s history, but those seeds never fully blossom into a clear or satisfying link. I was left wanting more depth and cohesion between the supernatural elements and the house’s backstory to really anchor the haunting.
July 19, 2025
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from netgalley.
A short novella about a haunted house and the dangers of a past that will not stay buried. Seth is a recent arrival in the small town in Stillwater, having moved there with his mother to take better care of her since her dementia has been causing her to behave erratically. But the small town is not a big fan of newcomers, especially not those who can be found wandering the streets at night… naked. The only person who does not seem to hate him is Yanna, a woman who also lives in town and the only person he can call when he begins to see and smell the strange things that haunt his mother.
The story moves fast and I found the connection between Seth and Yanna sweet, despite how little time they have to develop it. I think finding similarities in one’s experiences amidst grief can certainly lead to deeper and faster connection than otherwise possible, so that was something I enjoyed.
I also quite enjoyed the way the story was told in short sequences, the way frailty of memory was explored and how trauma and grief affected all characters in the story, including the house. I enjoy haunted house stories where the house has character and despite how short the story was that was something that was well done here!
I unfortunately did not much care for Gina, Yanna’s sister, or Yanna’s relationships with other people in town. There were a few scenes that I think could have been removed to instead focus more on Yanna’s relationship with the house and with Seth. As these scenes were very short, they did not really add that much to Yanna’s character and with a story that is so short it can sometimes be better to really dig into the main relationships instead. In general, some parts of this novella could have been more fun if they had been explored in more detail. I also wish the mother's dementia had played a bit more of a role, since I feel that it was advertised as playing a much bigger role than it ended up doing.
All in all however I found this to be an intriguing short read with some great imagery, an interesting weaving together of a few timelines and an interesting exploration of how sometimes solving an older haunting can help you deal with your own pain.
TW: ableism, death, grief, gore, gun violence, murder, violence
A short novella about a haunted house and the dangers of a past that will not stay buried. Seth is a recent arrival in the small town in Stillwater, having moved there with his mother to take better care of her since her dementia has been causing her to behave erratically. But the small town is not a big fan of newcomers, especially not those who can be found wandering the streets at night… naked. The only person who does not seem to hate him is Yanna, a woman who also lives in town and the only person he can call when he begins to see and smell the strange things that haunt his mother.
The story moves fast and I found the connection between Seth and Yanna sweet, despite how little time they have to develop it. I think finding similarities in one’s experiences amidst grief can certainly lead to deeper and faster connection than otherwise possible, so that was something I enjoyed.
I also quite enjoyed the way the story was told in short sequences, the way frailty of memory was explored and how trauma and grief affected all characters in the story, including the house. I enjoy haunted house stories where the house has character and despite how short the story was that was something that was well done here!
I unfortunately did not much care for Gina, Yanna’s sister, or Yanna’s relationships with other people in town. There were a few scenes that I think could have been removed to instead focus more on Yanna’s relationship with the house and with Seth. As these scenes were very short, they did not really add that much to Yanna’s character and with a story that is so short it can sometimes be better to really dig into the main relationships instead. In general, some parts of this novella could have been more fun if they had been explored in more detail. I also wish the mother's dementia had played a bit more of a role, since I feel that it was advertised as playing a much bigger role than it ended up doing.
All in all however I found this to be an intriguing short read with some great imagery, an interesting weaving together of a few timelines and an interesting exploration of how sometimes solving an older haunting can help you deal with your own pain.
TW: ableism, death, grief, gore, gun violence, murder, violence
July 20, 2025
Thank you to After Dusk Press, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review
Well, where to start...I feel like I have stumbled across a hidden gem. The Flowers at Flood House is a deeply unsettling exploration of grief and memory. At just 106 pages, J.J. Walker has expertly crafted a story that never feels rushed or overstuffed. This Horror novella blends supernatural horror with deep psychological resonance — there are no cheap scares here, it's a story about how trauma can literally consume you when left unexamined. Flood House is less a setting than a living, grieving presence - I would argue it is the main character. A sentient house haunted by its own history — a structure that absorbs, reflects, or even perpetuates human grief, violence or guilt—is a well-established motif in horror literature and film, with different authors putting their own spin on it. Think about Hill House in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and The Overlook Hotel in Stephen King's The Shining. I do not make these comparisons lightly. Walker is definitely a name to watch.
Walker is a new writer to me, his bio states he "loves writing unsettling stories about small towns, old houses, and characters that examine what it means to be human" and if this book is anything to go by, I’ll be reading everything he writes! Next on my TBR list is Waxwing Creek, not an anthology but a collection of interconnected horror stories, set in the town of Hunt, described in The Flowers of Flood House as having a "seedy underbelly".
The following eerie description made me want to read it immediately
When I moved into my first fully furnished, very small, rented home, in each room a vase of dried flowers had been placed in a central position. They were heavily dust laden, devoid of colour, devoid of life - they gave me the creeps. The first task I undertook in my new home was to gather them all together and stow them in a cupboard - there they would stay, unobserved, until the day I moved out 2 years later. I never gave them another moment's thought. As I opened the cupboard on moving day, to return them to their original places, I remember thinking that there seemed to be more of them than I remembered...
Since then I have always thought that dried flowers were kind of creepy...now I know why...
#TheFlowersAtFloodHouse #NetGalley
Well, where to start...I feel like I have stumbled across a hidden gem. The Flowers at Flood House is a deeply unsettling exploration of grief and memory. At just 106 pages, J.J. Walker has expertly crafted a story that never feels rushed or overstuffed. This Horror novella blends supernatural horror with deep psychological resonance — there are no cheap scares here, it's a story about how trauma can literally consume you when left unexamined. Flood House is less a setting than a living, grieving presence - I would argue it is the main character. A sentient house haunted by its own history — a structure that absorbs, reflects, or even perpetuates human grief, violence or guilt—is a well-established motif in horror literature and film, with different authors putting their own spin on it. Think about Hill House in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and The Overlook Hotel in Stephen King's The Shining. I do not make these comparisons lightly. Walker is definitely a name to watch.
Walker is a new writer to me, his bio states he "loves writing unsettling stories about small towns, old houses, and characters that examine what it means to be human" and if this book is anything to go by, I’ll be reading everything he writes! Next on my TBR list is Waxwing Creek, not an anthology but a collection of interconnected horror stories, set in the town of Hunt, described in The Flowers of Flood House as having a "seedy underbelly".
The following eerie description made me want to read it immediately
"There was something about Hunt’s trees that felt darker and denser, with leaves that always looked wet. She told him about the places she’d already looked for him. A bingo hall desperate for a lick of paint. A dive bar called Roseland. A motel called Waxwing Creek..."
When I moved into my first fully furnished, very small, rented home, in each room a vase of dried flowers had been placed in a central position. They were heavily dust laden, devoid of colour, devoid of life - they gave me the creeps. The first task I undertook in my new home was to gather them all together and stow them in a cupboard - there they would stay, unobserved, until the day I moved out 2 years later. I never gave them another moment's thought. As I opened the cupboard on moving day, to return them to their original places, I remember thinking that there seemed to be more of them than I remembered...
Since then I have always thought that dried flowers were kind of creepy...now I know why...
#TheFlowersAtFloodHouse #NetGalley
July 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review for The Flowers at Flood House by J.J. Walker
The Flowers at Flood House is a fast-paced, unnerving descent into haunted house horror with a refreshingly different twist. J.J. Walker doesn’t just rely on the usual creaks and shadows this story feels more visceral, more psychological, and oddly beautiful in its decay.
From the start, you’re dropped into a tense atmosphere that only grows more claustrophobic as the characters uncover the sinister history of Flood House. The house itself is richly described, almost a character in its own right, and the imagery especially the flowers adds an eerie poetic layer to the horror.
What I appreciated most was how the book took familiar haunted house tropes and twisted them into something that felt original. There’s a looming dread, but also moments of raw emotion and strange beauty. The pacing is tight, the scares are smart, and the ending left me unsettled in the best way.
This isn’t just a ghost story it’s a meditation on grief, memory, and the things we leave behind. A solid 4-star read for horror fans looking for something chilling yet thoughtful.
The Flowers at Flood House is a fast-paced, unnerving descent into haunted house horror with a refreshingly different twist. J.J. Walker doesn’t just rely on the usual creaks and shadows this story feels more visceral, more psychological, and oddly beautiful in its decay.
From the start, you’re dropped into a tense atmosphere that only grows more claustrophobic as the characters uncover the sinister history of Flood House. The house itself is richly described, almost a character in its own right, and the imagery especially the flowers adds an eerie poetic layer to the horror.
What I appreciated most was how the book took familiar haunted house tropes and twisted them into something that felt original. There’s a looming dread, but also moments of raw emotion and strange beauty. The pacing is tight, the scares are smart, and the ending left me unsettled in the best way.
This isn’t just a ghost story it’s a meditation on grief, memory, and the things we leave behind. A solid 4-star read for horror fans looking for something chilling yet thoughtful.
January 12, 2026
The Flowers at Flood House is a horror novella that offers a new twist on the haunted house. An unsettling tale that takes readers on a dark and supernatural descent into loss, grief, and coming face-to-face with the memories that haunt us.
This is a short but nightmarish novel. It's not what I would consider a traditional haunted house story though it originally presents that way. Seth and his ill mother hear footsteps when no one is there, see flowers where none should be, and hear voices where no person could possibly be. Pretty cut and dry as horror novels go, but this is more than ghost. This novel explores the possibility that a house could be haunted by events that happen within it, to the past of the house, not the past of those living in it.
A pretty good story that I really enjoyed.
Recommended. Published 7/25/2025
Thanks to @netgalley and After Dusk Press for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
This is a short but nightmarish novel. It's not what I would consider a traditional haunted house story though it originally presents that way. Seth and his ill mother hear footsteps when no one is there, see flowers where none should be, and hear voices where no person could possibly be. Pretty cut and dry as horror novels go, but this is more than ghost. This novel explores the possibility that a house could be haunted by events that happen within it, to the past of the house, not the past of those living in it.
A pretty good story that I really enjoyed.
Recommended. Published 7/25/2025
Thanks to @netgalley and After Dusk Press for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 29, 2025
This was my first book by this author and WOW! I’ll be diving into his other works very soon!
“The Flowers at Flood House” is a novella that packs the punch of a 400 page novel. Nothing in this story felt rushed and I got all the feels from it—terror, sorrow, yearning. It gives an extremely unique spin on the average ‘haunted house’ story we all love, but going forward I will always find something lacking in them after reading this one. I loved the character development in Seth and Yanna. They were the duo I didn’t know I needed! Gina—don’t get me started at that woman. *insert eyeroll* I don’t think anyone will take too kindly to her while reading this.
Once again, I loved this story. On my way to grab his other books now!
**Thank you so much to J.J. Walker and BookSirens for this complimentary e-ARC in return for my honest thoughts!**
“The Flowers at Flood House” is a novella that packs the punch of a 400 page novel. Nothing in this story felt rushed and I got all the feels from it—terror, sorrow, yearning. It gives an extremely unique spin on the average ‘haunted house’ story we all love, but going forward I will always find something lacking in them after reading this one. I loved the character development in Seth and Yanna. They were the duo I didn’t know I needed! Gina—don’t get me started at that woman. *insert eyeroll* I don’t think anyone will take too kindly to her while reading this.
Once again, I loved this story. On my way to grab his other books now!
**Thank you so much to J.J. Walker and BookSirens for this complimentary e-ARC in return for my honest thoughts!**
July 1, 2025
This had a lot of potential ! The messaging behind this with the idea of memories and how they linger and stay and can be triggered by anything really worked well and I loved the way it was executed ! I do think this would have gotten a higher rating if it was a fully fleshed out book because at points the storyline felt disjointed and jumpy with some things being mentioned and no overall explanation so drew me out of the story at points ! But it was super fast paced and an easy read and I definetly do want to read more from j.j in the future !
Thank you victory editing and netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for a honest review !!!
Thank you victory editing and netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for a honest review !!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2025
What a hauntingly beautiful book. I loved this book. It has a gripping tale of horror, kidnapp and murder but all is revealed in the most astonishing of ways . I read this book in 1 sitting i just couldn't but it down. It had me guessing to the very end and the ending was bbrilliant.A 5 star read. Im definitely going to read the other books from J. J Walker. I highly recommend this book if you love horror books as much as I do. You will not be Disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 17, 2025
This starts at a quick pace and I felt that the author draws you in from first page and really sets the scene. There is a general feeling of tension and dread throughout the book and that builds throughout. This is what I call subtle horror. It’s not overly explicit or far fetched, I really liked that part. It’s a satisfying combination of supernatural haunting and the horror of human behavior. Love this guys writing, will definitely look up more books from him.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 18, 2025
3 🌟
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a pretty well-built story. The narrative was haunting, and the mystery surrounding the house was horrorific (complementary) in some parts.
I found the characters compelling and key to compliment this story.
I fear that this had a lot of underdeveloped potential. Some parts of this novella felt a bit rushed and left some things unsaid that left me wanting more, especially towards the end.
I will check out more of this author because they have a gripping voice.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a pretty well-built story. The narrative was haunting, and the mystery surrounding the house was horrorific (complementary) in some parts.
I found the characters compelling and key to compliment this story.
I fear that this had a lot of underdeveloped potential. Some parts of this novella felt a bit rushed and left some things unsaid that left me wanting more, especially towards the end.
I will check out more of this author because they have a gripping voice.
July 21, 2025
This is psychological horror well executed.
We have a house hunted by the memories of the murder committed in there, but also, by the pain of guilt, of grief.
I've read books of houses whose ultimate act it's either to take the people it is tormenting with it, or that has been destroyed by the end of the book, but it this book, it's refreshing to see a character whose ultimate motivation is to liberate it from the trauma it was given, and by doing that, Yanna also works on her own pain and grief.
Thank you J.J. Walker, for giving me a chance at reading your book.
We have a house hunted by the memories of the murder committed in there, but also, by the pain of guilt, of grief.
I've read books of houses whose ultimate act it's either to take the people it is tormenting with it, or that has been destroyed by the end of the book, but it this book, it's refreshing to see a character whose ultimate motivation is to liberate it from the trauma it was given, and by doing that, Yanna also works on her own pain and grief.
Thank you J.J. Walker, for giving me a chance at reading your book.
July 30, 2025
3.5 stars
A really unique and twisted horror, this was a lot of fun to read. It was very short, which is where most of my criticisms come in, I wish there was more character development and suspense built in. However, for a quick read it was a creepy and entertaining story!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #TheFlowersatFloodHouse #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A really unique and twisted horror, this was a lot of fun to read. It was very short, which is where most of my criticisms come in, I wish there was more character development and suspense built in. However, for a quick read it was a creepy and entertaining story!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #TheFlowersatFloodHouse #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2025
A quick, easy thriller novella. If you’re looking for something you can easily digest in one sitting then this was a decent little story. I really enjoyed JJ Walker’s writing style. It pulled me in immediately and held my attention through the duration of the story. It’s shelved as horror but it was definitely more thriller than horror. There were many parts that had me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to checking out more books by this author in the future.
June 23, 2025
The Flowers at Flood House by J.J. Walker. I don’t know if this really classifies as a ‘horror’ but I did really enjoy the different take on the meaning of a haunted house. This is a good one sitting read thriller novella with some seriously ‘unsettling’ moments. I will be looking for other J.J. Walker stories.
Thank you NetGalley, After Dark Press and J.J. Walker for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley, After Dark Press and J.J. Walker for the ARC.
June 24, 2025
Thanks to Net Galley and After Dusk Press for the ARC
The Flowers at Flood House is an interesting little novella.
It delves into the idea of a haunting not my ghost but by memory and thats a fun little concept.
It evolves into a murder mystery that would probably appeal to thriller readers more than horror imo.
Recommend for fans of Simone st james
The Flowers at Flood House is an interesting little novella.
It delves into the idea of a haunting not my ghost but by memory and thats a fun little concept.
It evolves into a murder mystery that would probably appeal to thriller readers more than horror imo.
Recommend for fans of Simone st james
July 31, 2025
This was a unique look at a haunted house and I was thoroughly engrossed in the story. This left me satisfied for a horror novella and that’s not always the case so I really liked this!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and the author for this arc.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and the author for this arc.
June 27, 2025
ARC Read: BookSirens
In this novella, Yanna and Seth are investigating the case into the haunting memories of Flood House. Trying to unravel the mystery of its murderous past.
It was an okay read and the one part I couldn’t help but laugh when I imagined the man exploding into flowers.
In this novella, Yanna and Seth are investigating the case into the haunting memories of Flood House. Trying to unravel the mystery of its murderous past.
It was an okay read and the one part I couldn’t help but laugh when I imagined the man exploding into flowers.
August 12, 2025
I was given an advance digital copy of this novella through NetGalley.
While very short, this novella gave a spin on the haunting trope that I very much enjoyed. The characters were flushed out well enough where I did not feel as though the story was rushed and I was missing anything, yet at the same time I would have enjoyed learning more and would have read an extended version of this.
I found the ending to be an interesting twist. 3.5 stars.
While very short, this novella gave a spin on the haunting trope that I very much enjoyed. The characters were flushed out well enough where I did not feel as though the story was rushed and I was missing anything, yet at the same time I would have enjoyed learning more and would have read an extended version of this.
I found the ending to be an interesting twist. 3.5 stars.
August 1, 2025
I had no clue what I was getting into when I requested the e-arc for this one, but I prefer going into books blind. This did not disappoint. A mix of grief horror and a haunted house that you could feel the experiences of the author bleeding into. I'm a sucker for grief stories. Haunting stories, not so much. This worked really well for me, though. I love the premise, but I won't get into that here for spoiler reasons. The twist on the typical haunting tale was perfect, and I didn't see it coming. I will definitely be checking out more from this author and keeping an eye out for any new work he releases.
Thank you to Netgalley, After Dusk Press and J.J. Walker, for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, After Dusk Press and J.J. Walker, for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 11, 2025
4.25
I really enjoyed this! I couldnt help but read it all in one sitting even though there were other things I desperately needed to be doing 😭 I had to read it on my ipad (which I absolutely hate doing) because I was having issues with my kobo, but I was having such a good time with the book that I barely even noticed lol
The writing is compulsively readable and easy to immerse yourself in, it kept me entertained the whole time only minimal moments of boredom. The story moves through a few different timelines, and I honestly enjoyed all of them equally, which is rare for me. They each brought tension, intrigue, and added to the story in a necessary way.
The book is short so it’s hard to explain the plot without giving too much away, just know that even though the synopsis mentions dementia it isnt actually brought up all that much. Personally that didn’t bother me at all and I liked what the book ended up being about, I just wish it was longer 😭
Definitely recommend if you’re after a quick horror novella (with extra short chapters) I'm interested to see what this author comes out with next <3
I really enjoyed this! I couldnt help but read it all in one sitting even though there were other things I desperately needed to be doing 😭 I had to read it on my ipad (which I absolutely hate doing) because I was having issues with my kobo, but I was having such a good time with the book that I barely even noticed lol
The writing is compulsively readable and easy to immerse yourself in, it kept me entertained the whole time only minimal moments of boredom. The story moves through a few different timelines, and I honestly enjoyed all of them equally, which is rare for me. They each brought tension, intrigue, and added to the story in a necessary way.
The book is short so it’s hard to explain the plot without giving too much away, just know that even though the synopsis mentions dementia it isnt actually brought up all that much. Personally that didn’t bother me at all and I liked what the book ended up being about, I just wish it was longer 😭
Definitely recommend if you’re after a quick horror novella (with extra short chapters) I'm interested to see what this author comes out with next <3
July 8, 2025
First I would like to thank the Author and NetGalley for the opportunity to experience this book. I truly appreciate it.
This book was really interesting. The story follows a man who moves his mother, suffering from dementia, into a new house in an attempt to give her a better quality of life. But as the house seems to whisper its dark secrets, the boundaries between past and present blur in unsettling ways.
However, the true hook of the story lies in the supernatural element. After the mother's death, the protagonist, along with his close friend, begins to experience strange phenomena in the house, witnessing vivid memories from its past. These glimpses into the home's history reveal disturbing and tragic events.
Overall, The flowers at Flood House is a gripping and haunting read, perfect for fans of both psychological drama and supernatural thrillers.
This book was really interesting. The story follows a man who moves his mother, suffering from dementia, into a new house in an attempt to give her a better quality of life. But as the house seems to whisper its dark secrets, the boundaries between past and present blur in unsettling ways.
However, the true hook of the story lies in the supernatural element. After the mother's death, the protagonist, along with his close friend, begins to experience strange phenomena in the house, witnessing vivid memories from its past. These glimpses into the home's history reveal disturbing and tragic events.
Overall, The flowers at Flood House is a gripping and haunting read, perfect for fans of both psychological drama and supernatural thrillers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2025
This book was simply..... weird. I think a large part of why I found it so strange is because it is a novella so there is absolutely nothing about this story that is fleshed out to its true potential.
Let's begin with the house. I'm still not sure what the heck was going on here. Random things seem to change, but they are so slight (except for the flowers in the basement) that at first people don't notice them? A new carpet in the hallway, or a photograph hanging where there wasn't one before. There were other things that happened as well (such as voices and apparitions), but I'm going to discuss them a bit later on when I get to the overall plot.
Then we have the characters'. First we have Seth and his mother. We know that his mother is suffering from dementia and that due to her erratic behaviors neither of them are well-liked in the quiet town of Stillwater. In fact, Yanna seems to be the only person in the entire town who shows any kind of compassion towards them. But of course her sister Gina, who also happens to be a high ranking member of the police department loathes them causing her and Yanna to argue like a pair of high-schoolers for seemingly no reason. Oh, and Seth and Yanna are able to trauma bond a little bit over losing someone close to them, and they seem to have crushes on each other. Do you see what I mean? It's hard to even care about these characters when we know so little about them.
And finally, the plot. This was probably the most confusing piece of it all because the synopsis says that this book "takes readers on a dark and supernatural descent into loss, grief, and coming face-to-face with the memories that haunt us" except, it doesn't. Yes Seth and Yanna have both experienced grief and loss in their lives, but the house doesn't reflect any of that. Instead it focuses on something else that tragically happened in the house in the past that wasn't resolved. None of the "memories" the house shows them has anything to do with them, or their losses.
At the end of the day, for me, this book didn't deliver on what it promised, but I think that is more because the author needed more time to really bring this idea to life. They have a solid and descriptive writing style and enough plot points that I hope in the future they decide to revisit this idea, not only fleshing everything out more, but also adding more horror elements as right now, I would call this one more a psychological thriller than a horror.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Let's begin with the house. I'm still not sure what the heck was going on here. Random things seem to change, but they are so slight (except for the flowers in the basement) that at first people don't notice them? A new carpet in the hallway, or a photograph hanging where there wasn't one before. There were other things that happened as well (such as voices and apparitions), but I'm going to discuss them a bit later on when I get to the overall plot.
Then we have the characters'. First we have Seth and his mother. We know that his mother is suffering from dementia and that due to her erratic behaviors neither of them are well-liked in the quiet town of Stillwater. In fact, Yanna seems to be the only person in the entire town who shows any kind of compassion towards them. But of course her sister Gina, who also happens to be a high ranking member of the police department loathes them causing her and Yanna to argue like a pair of high-schoolers for seemingly no reason. Oh, and Seth and Yanna are able to trauma bond a little bit over losing someone close to them, and they seem to have crushes on each other. Do you see what I mean? It's hard to even care about these characters when we know so little about them.
And finally, the plot. This was probably the most confusing piece of it all because the synopsis says that this book "takes readers on a dark and supernatural descent into loss, grief, and coming face-to-face with the memories that haunt us" except, it doesn't. Yes Seth and Yanna have both experienced grief and loss in their lives, but the house doesn't reflect any of that. Instead it focuses on something else that tragically happened in the house in the past that wasn't resolved. None of the "memories" the house shows them has anything to do with them, or their losses.
At the end of the day, for me, this book didn't deliver on what it promised, but I think that is more because the author needed more time to really bring this idea to life. They have a solid and descriptive writing style and enough plot points that I hope in the future they decide to revisit this idea, not only fleshing everything out more, but also adding more horror elements as right now, I would call this one more a psychological thriller than a horror.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
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