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Dig
The soil on Crow Island holds secrets, and they’re ready to be unearthed.
J.H. Markert returns with a surreal horror novel perfect for fans of Graveyard Shift and What Moves the Dead.
Eight years ago, a boy took up an axe and slaughtered a dozen people. That odd, troubled boy, Jericho Dodd, has been dead and buried in his father’s yard for years, but ever since that massacre, Crow Island has been a dark and unsettling place.
When Jericho’s father begins digging up the past he buried, a compulsion to dig sweeps over the island and soon everyone else is obsessively churning up dirt, desperate to uncover buried secrets. The compulsion leads to violence and as neighbors turn against each other, the island’s famous tupelo honey, harvested from trees deep in a swamp, changes too.
As dread and paranoia seep up from the ground, it becomes clear that the island itself needs something from its residents–before it digs itself apart for good.
Be careful what you unearth from the dirt before this surreal horror novel can worm its way into you, too.
J.H. Markert returns with a surreal horror novel perfect for fans of Graveyard Shift and What Moves the Dead.
Eight years ago, a boy took up an axe and slaughtered a dozen people. That odd, troubled boy, Jericho Dodd, has been dead and buried in his father’s yard for years, but ever since that massacre, Crow Island has been a dark and unsettling place.
When Jericho’s father begins digging up the past he buried, a compulsion to dig sweeps over the island and soon everyone else is obsessively churning up dirt, desperate to uncover buried secrets. The compulsion leads to violence and as neighbors turn against each other, the island’s famous tupelo honey, harvested from trees deep in a swamp, changes too.
As dread and paranoia seep up from the ground, it becomes clear that the island itself needs something from its residents–before it digs itself apart for good.
Be careful what you unearth from the dirt before this surreal horror novel can worm its way into you, too.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2026
63 people are currently reading
12988 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Markert
8 books965 followersAlso writes under James Markert.
J. H. Markert is a producer, screenwriter, husband, and father of two from Louisville, Kentucky, where he was also a tennis pro for 25 years. He graduated with a degree in History from the University of Louisville.
J. H. Markert is a producer, screenwriter, husband, and father of two from Louisville, Kentucky, where he was also a tennis pro for 25 years. He graduated with a degree in History from the University of Louisville.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
October 19, 2025
Can you dig it???? Dig: A Thriller is dark, creepy, atmospheric, addictive, chilling, and horrific! To quote the author "I dug it."Dig: A Thriller was instantly gripping and I loved the eerie vibe which flowed throughout the book! This book also has dread, a whole lot of digging, acts of violence, and an ominous feel. I was drawn to this book like bees to honey. I could not put it down! J.H. Markert did not disappoint! You can feel that something isn't quite right, but what???
Crow Island has a dark and checkered past which involves slavery and violence. Those who live on the island come from families that have lived there for generations. The island is full of secrets tht run deep. To get to them, you might need to dig! Eight years ago, Jericho Dodd, a young and strange boy, picked up an axe and murdered a dozen people. When his father begins to dig, something is unleashed which causes those on the island to feel a compulsion to dig and acts of violence ensue...
As I mentioned this book was addictive and hard to put down. I loved the creepy and supernatural elements of the book. I also loved the folklore element of Boo Hags. You will need to read for yourself to find out more. I enjoyed the characters and how fleshed out they were from the overworked stressed Sheriff, to Amy, the twin of one of the victims of Jericho Dodd, and to Nate, Jericho's brother. I felt for all of them and rooted for them. As the book progresses all will be put to the test in one way or another.
I enjoyed how this book slowly gets under the reader's skin. I love books where you can feel the dread. You know how movies utilize music to build the suspense or to get viewers heart rates elevated? Most of us know the Jaws song that lets you know the shark is about to make an appearance, or the music in Star Wars, or the music in Halloween that lets us know Michael Myers is about, you get the picture. You might not be able to get the buzzing of bees out of your mind with this book! I thought J.H. Merkert did a great job of building the suspense and getting my heart rate elevated in Dig: A Thriller.
Dark, unsettling, addictive, well thought out, perfectly paced, and hard to put down!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Edelweiss 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 📖
Crow Island has a dark and checkered past which involves slavery and violence. Those who live on the island come from families that have lived there for generations. The island is full of secrets tht run deep. To get to them, you might need to dig! Eight years ago, Jericho Dodd, a young and strange boy, picked up an axe and murdered a dozen people. When his father begins to dig, something is unleashed which causes those on the island to feel a compulsion to dig and acts of violence ensue...
As I mentioned this book was addictive and hard to put down. I loved the creepy and supernatural elements of the book. I also loved the folklore element of Boo Hags. You will need to read for yourself to find out more. I enjoyed the characters and how fleshed out they were from the overworked stressed Sheriff, to Amy, the twin of one of the victims of Jericho Dodd, and to Nate, Jericho's brother. I felt for all of them and rooted for them. As the book progresses all will be put to the test in one way or another.
I enjoyed how this book slowly gets under the reader's skin. I love books where you can feel the dread. You know how movies utilize music to build the suspense or to get viewers heart rates elevated? Most of us know the Jaws song that lets you know the shark is about to make an appearance, or the music in Star Wars, or the music in Halloween that lets us know Michael Myers is about, you get the picture. You might not be able to get the buzzing of bees out of your mind with this book! I thought J.H. Merkert did a great job of building the suspense and getting my heart rate elevated in Dig: A Thriller.
Dark, unsettling, addictive, well thought out, perfectly paced, and hard to put down!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Edelweiss 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 📖
March 25, 2026
A man goes back to a quiet island after his father dies, but something feels very wrong as soon as he arrives. People are digging everywhere, strange things are happening, and it feels like the island is hiding something.
The story takes place on Crow Island, a small place with a dark past. Years ago there was a brutal massacre, and now the town still feels haunted by it. When Nate returns, he sees Amy, who reminds him of someone he lost, and together they start to question what is really going on. The more they look into things, the more secrets they uncover.
At first there are a lot of characters and it took me a little time to keep up, but once I got into it I was hooked. Nate is easy to follow and I liked the connection between him and Amy. The people on the island all feel a bit off, which adds to the tension.
The setting was one of my favorite parts. The island feels creepy and heavy, like something bad is always just under the surface. The strange animals and local stories make it even more unsettling. It is a slower paced story, but it keeps building and pulling you in.
There is a mix of mystery and horror, with a touch of the supernatural that works really well. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed compared to how strong the start was, and I wanted a bit more time with it. But overall I really liked this book. It was eerie, different, and kept me interested the whole way through.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this arc.
The story takes place on Crow Island, a small place with a dark past. Years ago there was a brutal massacre, and now the town still feels haunted by it. When Nate returns, he sees Amy, who reminds him of someone he lost, and together they start to question what is really going on. The more they look into things, the more secrets they uncover.
At first there are a lot of characters and it took me a little time to keep up, but once I got into it I was hooked. Nate is easy to follow and I liked the connection between him and Amy. The people on the island all feel a bit off, which adds to the tension.
The setting was one of my favorite parts. The island feels creepy and heavy, like something bad is always just under the surface. The strange animals and local stories make it even more unsettling. It is a slower paced story, but it keeps building and pulling you in.
There is a mix of mystery and horror, with a touch of the supernatural that works really well. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed compared to how strong the start was, and I wanted a bit more time with it. But overall I really liked this book. It was eerie, different, and kept me interested the whole way through.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I dug it.
October 10, 2025
This is probably the scariest book ever written- nay, the scariest book that will ever BE written... about honey.
The sudden death of the Reverend Dodd, finding him with a stump hand covered in honey, and ultimately finding his diary will uncover the secrets about the massacre 8 years ago on the island. His 10 year old son killed a dozen people with an ax, ending with his suicide. Ten years old, yes, but also 6 feet tall. There was always something not right about that kid. The Sheriff, the reverend, his older brother Nate (now a teacher) and Nate's girlfriend at the time, Amy, who is also the twin sister of one of the victims.
As they put together what happened in the past with the sudden death of the reverend now, there is more and more about monsters, about the island itself, and red crows.
This has heavy Stephen King and Jurassic Park vibes. I can say that JH Markert's horror novels have exquisite pacing, and this is certainly no different. They are creepy, with great dialogue and reveals at just the right moment. You won't want to go to bed until you finish.... and once you finish you won't want to go to bed!
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. Book to be published March 24, 2026.
The sudden death of the Reverend Dodd, finding him with a stump hand covered in honey, and ultimately finding his diary will uncover the secrets about the massacre 8 years ago on the island. His 10 year old son killed a dozen people with an ax, ending with his suicide. Ten years old, yes, but also 6 feet tall. There was always something not right about that kid. The Sheriff, the reverend, his older brother Nate (now a teacher) and Nate's girlfriend at the time, Amy, who is also the twin sister of one of the victims.
As they put together what happened in the past with the sudden death of the reverend now, there is more and more about monsters, about the island itself, and red crows.
This has heavy Stephen King and Jurassic Park vibes. I can say that JH Markert's horror novels have exquisite pacing, and this is certainly no different. They are creepy, with great dialogue and reveals at just the right moment. You won't want to go to bed until you finish.... and once you finish you won't want to go to bed!
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. Book to be published March 24, 2026.
March 24, 2026
"𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴...𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦."
Oof—the lore of Crow Island, a massacre by a boy with an axe, and the seeping dread grabbed me immediately and didn't let go! Eight years ago when Jericho Dodd was just ten years old, he went on a killing spree. Folks had always felt a 'wrongness' about the boy. Now after a shocking event involving Jericho's father, a strange compulsion has swept over the residents of the island causing them to dig, physically—and metaphorically.
Told primarily in three rotating POVs and shifting from past to present, the strange history of the island and long-kept secrets of those living there are slowly unearthed as the urge to dig, dig, dig—in the backyard and in their lives—overcomes everyone. Narrators 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙧𝙞, 𝙒𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙍𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚, and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 add to the rising unease with their haunting performances. As people become more and more obsessed with digging, unhinged violence escalates while the majority of folks band together to find answers.
Reminiscent of old-school 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜, the story gives 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 mixed with 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 vibes, but with mysterious bees, strange tupelo honey and paranoia-inducing nightmares. 𝙅.𝙃. 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙩 homes in on the power of generational trauma, belief, and imagination—showcasing his own stunning creativity—with lush and vivid prose. Thought-provoking and simmering with dread rather than outright scary, this is much different than his previous crime-forward thrillers—it leans into otherworldly fantasy that is spellbinding. Long-time fans will appreciate the easter eggs from his previous novels. If you're a fan of gothic folklore, small-town isolation, and good versus evil, then you'll want to grab your shovel for Dig!
____
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Spotify Audiobooks for my gifted copies. All opinons are my own and given voluntarily.
Oof—the lore of Crow Island, a massacre by a boy with an axe, and the seeping dread grabbed me immediately and didn't let go! Eight years ago when Jericho Dodd was just ten years old, he went on a killing spree. Folks had always felt a 'wrongness' about the boy. Now after a shocking event involving Jericho's father, a strange compulsion has swept over the residents of the island causing them to dig, physically—and metaphorically.
Told primarily in three rotating POVs and shifting from past to present, the strange history of the island and long-kept secrets of those living there are slowly unearthed as the urge to dig, dig, dig—in the backyard and in their lives—overcomes everyone. Narrators 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙧𝙞, 𝙒𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙍𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚, and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 add to the rising unease with their haunting performances. As people become more and more obsessed with digging, unhinged violence escalates while the majority of folks band together to find answers.
Reminiscent of old-school 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜, the story gives 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 mixed with 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 vibes, but with mysterious bees, strange tupelo honey and paranoia-inducing nightmares. 𝙅.𝙃. 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙩 homes in on the power of generational trauma, belief, and imagination—showcasing his own stunning creativity—with lush and vivid prose. Thought-provoking and simmering with dread rather than outright scary, this is much different than his previous crime-forward thrillers—it leans into otherworldly fantasy that is spellbinding. Long-time fans will appreciate the easter eggs from his previous novels. If you're a fan of gothic folklore, small-town isolation, and good versus evil, then you'll want to grab your shovel for Dig!
____
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Spotify Audiobooks for my gifted copies. All opinons are my own and given voluntarily.
February 11, 2026
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for giving me access to this ARC!
The premise of this book is very interesting, but unfortunately, I was not a fan of the way it was executed.
The three main characters--Amy, Nate, and Sheriff Kilbourne--were all theoretically interesting, but despite the book focusing very heavily on digging deep into their characters, all three of them felt somewhat...surface level to me. They did not feel particularly like real people who existed beyond this story, despite the depth the author tried to give them. Sheriff Kilbourne particularly does not have an arc that makes much sense or feels particularly satisfying by the conclusion.
A smaller gripe, but as a teacher Nate was set up immediately as an unlikable character. Part of his background is that he is a middle school teacher who is being placed on leave for grabbing a student hard enough to leave a bruise in order to stop a bullying incident. This is seemingly added to make Nate question if he might "snap" like his brother, but this never goes anywhere, is barely brought up, and Nate does not grow or experience introspection over it at all. More over, the fact that he *grabbed a middle student hard enough to leave a bruise* is treated as a nonissue that only became an issue because the student came from a wealthy family. The only other time it is brought up by Lauren, it is framed as something valiant and she says she told the principal if Nate went, she would also quit, thus saving him from suspension. Again, speaking as a middle school teacher, that entire chain of events is completely ridiculous and I am not a fan. I think it's just an example of knowing too much about what I'm reading, but I can assure you that's not how that would go at all and did not endear me to Nate at all. The fact that it leads absolutely no where and contributes virtually nothing to the book other than making Nate unlikable from the jump does not help.
Sheriff Kilbourne did not have to be a POV character. His arc does not feel meaningfully concluded at all. Moreover, he became a little annoying because the narrative changed between referring to him as Sheriff Kilbourne, Laurence, and Laurence Kilbourne seemingly at random. This wouldn't be jarring at all if it was how characters were referring to him, but this is happening within his own POV chapters.
Amy is interesting in theory and could have been set up for something great, but like Kilbourne he arc doesn't meaningfully go anywhere. More egregiously, she gets an epilogue boyfriend to try and compensate for it.
The plot is incredibly repetitive. It's unfortunate because again the premise and the reality of what was happening was all really cool.
The worst part for me is that in this Southern Gothic novel where characters are living on plantations the only living and named black character falls into the Magical Negro trope. The author tries to reckon with the violent and racist past of the descendants of racist slave owners, but it falls incredibly flat...and then to have that on top of a character falling into one of the most well known racist tropes in fiction? This seriously needed a black sensitivity reader or something because handled correctly, much like the plot and this flat cardboard characters, this could have been REALLY INTERESTING if handled correctly.
The premise of this book is very interesting, but unfortunately, I was not a fan of the way it was executed.
The three main characters--Amy, Nate, and Sheriff Kilbourne--were all theoretically interesting, but despite the book focusing very heavily on digging deep into their characters, all three of them felt somewhat...surface level to me. They did not feel particularly like real people who existed beyond this story, despite the depth the author tried to give them. Sheriff Kilbourne particularly does not have an arc that makes much sense or feels particularly satisfying by the conclusion.
A smaller gripe, but as a teacher Nate was set up immediately as an unlikable character. Part of his background is that he is a middle school teacher who is being placed on leave for grabbing a student hard enough to leave a bruise in order to stop a bullying incident. This is seemingly added to make Nate question if he might "snap" like his brother, but this never goes anywhere, is barely brought up, and Nate does not grow or experience introspection over it at all. More over, the fact that he *grabbed a middle student hard enough to leave a bruise* is treated as a nonissue that only became an issue because the student came from a wealthy family. The only other time it is brought up by Lauren, it is framed as something valiant and she says she told the principal if Nate went, she would also quit, thus saving him from suspension. Again, speaking as a middle school teacher, that entire chain of events is completely ridiculous and I am not a fan. I think it's just an example of knowing too much about what I'm reading, but I can assure you that's not how that would go at all and did not endear me to Nate at all. The fact that it leads absolutely no where and contributes virtually nothing to the book other than making Nate unlikable from the jump does not help.
Sheriff Kilbourne did not have to be a POV character. His arc does not feel meaningfully concluded at all. Moreover, he became a little annoying because the narrative changed between referring to him as Sheriff Kilbourne, Laurence, and Laurence Kilbourne seemingly at random. This wouldn't be jarring at all if it was how characters were referring to him, but this is happening within his own POV chapters.
Amy is interesting in theory and could have been set up for something great, but like Kilbourne he arc doesn't meaningfully go anywhere. More egregiously, she gets an epilogue boyfriend to try and compensate for it.
The plot is incredibly repetitive. It's unfortunate because again the premise and the reality of what was happening was all really cool.
The worst part for me is that in this Southern Gothic novel where characters are living on plantations the only living and named black character falls into the Magical Negro trope. The author tries to reckon with the violent and racist past of the descendants of racist slave owners, but it falls incredibly flat...and then to have that on top of a character falling into one of the most well known racist tropes in fiction? This seriously needed a black sensitivity reader or something because handled correctly, much like the plot and this flat cardboard characters, this could have been REALLY INTERESTING if handled correctly.
March 26, 2026
There is nothing better than reading the first chapter of a book and immediately knowing you’re going to love it. That has been the case with every JH Markert book I’ve read so far. “Dig” was horror at its finest and I loved every moment.
I liked the alternating povs, the lore of the island, and the boo hags. The boo hags! I have already determined that I will be using “boo hags” lore to scare my future grandchildren when I’m older :)
So excited for what this awesome Kentucky author delivers next! 🙌
I liked the alternating povs, the lore of the island, and the boo hags. The boo hags! I have already determined that I will be using “boo hags” lore to scare my future grandchildren when I’m older :)
So excited for what this awesome Kentucky author delivers next! 🙌
December 10, 2025
Dig drops you onto Crow Island, a fictional coast near Savannah that feels real enough to raise goosebumps. The Geechee and Gullah folklore is not window dressing. It is the heartbeat of this story. Boo hags, haints, rituals — they are alive on these pages. And yes, I fully went down the rabbit hole on boo hags and immediately regretted it because nothing prepares you for a skin-shedding spirit that rides your sleeping body and steals your breath. If that doesn’t terrify you, I cannot help you.
This book blends horror, history, supernatural dread, generational trauma, and buried family secrets until you have no choice but to dig for the truth right alongside the characters. Every layer uncovers another lie and another echo from centuries past. Markert handles it with intention. The human darkness and the otherworldly darkness show up with no apology.
I’m not gonna lie — this one got under my skin. I had nightmares. I switched to daytime reading like a coward and still couldn’t look away. Markert, a Kentucky author with a fearless storytelling style, built a world soaked in atmosphere and dread. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your dreams, or what would happen if your worst one came true, Dig belongs on your list immediately.
This book blends horror, history, supernatural dread, generational trauma, and buried family secrets until you have no choice but to dig for the truth right alongside the characters. Every layer uncovers another lie and another echo from centuries past. Markert handles it with intention. The human darkness and the otherworldly darkness show up with no apology.
I’m not gonna lie — this one got under my skin. I had nightmares. I switched to daytime reading like a coward and still couldn’t look away. Markert, a Kentucky author with a fearless storytelling style, built a world soaked in atmosphere and dread. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your dreams, or what would happen if your worst one came true, Dig belongs on your list immediately.
March 28, 2026
4.5 stars
Dig by J.H. Markert is a horror novel about an island and tupelo honey.
Let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
WOW... another winner from this author!
Anyway, I loved how the author took a superstition (boo hags) and brought them to life. Personally I had never heard of them before, but you can google them. They were a great addition to this book. The plot, as are most written by this author, was a little "out there". The island's history played a big part in that plot. I loved it.
The characters were interesting, each bringing their own problem to the story. The island itself was a character, filled with rather unusual components. The tale was told from the perspectives of Amy, Nate, and the Sherriff. Alternating POV's worked well. However, somehow I didn't feel connected emotionally to the characters, although I loved Blue Bottles. I think this is my only complaint with the whole book.
Overall, this was a very dark, atmospheric tale, and I really enjoyed it.
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A character-driven horror that takes place on a creepy island. The island quite literally feels like a cast member. The suspense and dread build quickly to a razor-sharp conclusion. The drive of the island's history and lore were so intriguing.
Read
January 8, 2026Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of the book
Guys. I'm doing it again. I feel terribly sorry, but I'm dnfing again. Whilst the concept of being traumatized by honey sounds intriguing the book just didn't hook me enough and reading it started feeling like a chore.
Wasn't for me
Guys. I'm doing it again. I feel terribly sorry, but I'm dnfing again. Whilst the concept of being traumatized by honey sounds intriguing the book just didn't hook me enough and reading it started feeling like a chore.
Wasn't for me
March 28, 2026
A masterclass on craft.
March 17, 2026
Crow Island is the kind of place where nothing stays buried. Years after a brutal massacre shattered the community, the ground begins to call again…pulling at the people who live there, urging them to dig. What starts as one man unearthing the past quickly spreads, until the entire island is caught in a restless obsessive need to claw through the soil. But the deeper they dig, the more it feels like something beneath them is waking… and it’s hungry for what’s been hidden.
This one doesn’t just unsettle you, it itches. There’s this constant, nagging tension running through it, like something is just slightly out of place and no one can quite name why. The need to dig, to uncover, to know starts to feel almost contagious, and that obsession seeps into everything.The island itself feels wrong in a way that’s hard to pin down. Not loud or chaotic, but watchful. Patient. Like it’s allowing things to unfold exactly as they’re meant to. There’s a quiet inevitability to it that makes everything feel heavier. Atmospherically, it’s thick and consuming. There’s a Southern gothic edge mixed with something more primal and unsettling, where the horror isn’t just what’s happening but why it won’t stop. I also loved how much this leans into buried history and generational weight. The past isn’t just backstory here, it’s active in shaping every choice the characters make. As pieces come to light thru the multiple POVs, it feels less like discovery and more like something being unearthed that never wanted to be found. Overall, this is a dark immersive read that gets under your skin in a quieter more persistent way. It’s eerie, layered, and deeply unsettling. Leaving you with the strange feeling that maybe some things aren’t meant to be dug up at all.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This one doesn’t just unsettle you, it itches. There’s this constant, nagging tension running through it, like something is just slightly out of place and no one can quite name why. The need to dig, to uncover, to know starts to feel almost contagious, and that obsession seeps into everything.The island itself feels wrong in a way that’s hard to pin down. Not loud or chaotic, but watchful. Patient. Like it’s allowing things to unfold exactly as they’re meant to. There’s a quiet inevitability to it that makes everything feel heavier. Atmospherically, it’s thick and consuming. There’s a Southern gothic edge mixed with something more primal and unsettling, where the horror isn’t just what’s happening but why it won’t stop. I also loved how much this leans into buried history and generational weight. The past isn’t just backstory here, it’s active in shaping every choice the characters make. As pieces come to light thru the multiple POVs, it feels less like discovery and more like something being unearthed that never wanted to be found. Overall, this is a dark immersive read that gets under your skin in a quieter more persistent way. It’s eerie, layered, and deeply unsettling. Leaving you with the strange feeling that maybe some things aren’t meant to be dug up at all.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 22, 2025
Dig by J.H. Markert takes place on an island off the coast of GA near Savannah and the island seems to have tremors- earthquakes… something and now everyone is digging, the local priest has a massive heart attack after chopping off his hand, and his son is back to collect his remains. Eight years ago, a boy named Jericho Dodd took up an axe and slaughtered a dozen people. Dodd has been dead and buried in his father's yard for years, but ever since that massacre, Crow island hasn't been the same since. The real terror doesn’t come from what’s on the surface it’s what’s buried beneath. As a grieving father, Rev. Dodd, starts to dig the secrets start rising like something that never wanted to stay dead.
Dig is atmospheric, haunting, and gives an inescapable touch of the supernatural. Boo hags, crows bees and Southern Gothic. Thanks to netgalley and crooked lane books for the E-Arc.
Dig is atmospheric, haunting, and gives an inescapable touch of the supernatural. Boo hags, crows bees and Southern Gothic. Thanks to netgalley and crooked lane books for the E-Arc.
November 26, 2025
I received this from Netgalley for an honest review.
I might give this a touch higher than a 3 ... maybe 3.25 stars.
Here's the thing. At certain points, I loved the story, and at others I didn't.
My description of the book would be complete "chaos," but even so, that was not always a bad thing. A bit like how I liked the story, and I didn't.
Let's start with what I liked about the book. I liked how it started ... with a bang. Which led us to our main characters, who were, more or less, Amy Barnes, Nate Dodd, Sheriff Lawrence Kilbourne and Mr. Passafume. The story pivots around them, and their POVs, and it was the characters that kept me reading. I can safely say they saved the story for me.
What I didn't love was the exaggerated, fantastical feel of how the story evolved. It wasn't at all what I expected when the book started, and it evolved into something hard to take seriously. It did create a dangerous environment for our characters, which provided suspense, but I found it a bit disappointing overall. AND what happened to Jericho? He was a great boogieman, who had existed and never seemed to go away, even though he had been long dead (or was he?), but the ending left me unsatisfied in relation to him.
Overall, though, I liked it enough to say that I will read another from this author. This was my first book by him, and I liked his writing and character development, which is always one of the most important things to me.
I might give this a touch higher than a 3 ... maybe 3.25 stars.
Here's the thing. At certain points, I loved the story, and at others I didn't.
My description of the book would be complete "chaos," but even so, that was not always a bad thing. A bit like how I liked the story, and I didn't.
Let's start with what I liked about the book. I liked how it started ... with a bang. Which led us to our main characters, who were, more or less, Amy Barnes, Nate Dodd, Sheriff Lawrence Kilbourne and Mr. Passafume. The story pivots around them, and their POVs, and it was the characters that kept me reading. I can safely say they saved the story for me.
What I didn't love was the exaggerated, fantastical feel of how the story evolved. It wasn't at all what I expected when the book started, and it evolved into something hard to take seriously. It did create a dangerous environment for our characters, which provided suspense, but I found it a bit disappointing overall. AND what happened to Jericho? He was a great boogieman, who had existed and never seemed to go away, even though he had been long dead (or was he?), but the ending left me unsatisfied in relation to him.
Overall, though, I liked it enough to say that I will read another from this author. This was my first book by him, and I liked his writing and character development, which is always one of the most important things to me.
October 19, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to J.H. Markert and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dig centres on the perspectives of three characters, all of whom are in some way connected to Crow Island and the devastating massacre that occurred 8 years prior, where a boy named Jericho wreaked havoc with an axe. As inhabitants of the island begin giving in to the inexplicable urge to dig, both literally and figuratively, Jericho's presence lingers heavy and rotten in the air, leaving those who knew him believing that he was never truly dead and buried.
There are some fantastic threads in this story, and I found myself intrigued by the links this novel made to the slave trade, uncovering Crow Island's agricultural and financial bounties as being made off the backs of slaves, who have, over time, been erased from history. This was a powerful addition to the story, and the character of Mr Passafume acts as the sole reminder of the black workers who were exploited. I think it would have been great to have more black characters, as it means the only black character is quasi-magical and the point of supernatural knowledge for all the white characters, which does somewhat play into the 'Magical Negro' trope. However, Mr Passafume's backstory is interesting and helps to flesh out his character.
This story hits with increasing moments of shocking violence, which creates the feeling of reality slowly being broken down. I found the boo hags to be unnerving, and I liked the emphasis on their tall, unnatural forms, intelligent dark eyes, and their moments of predatory, inhuman speed. There is a moment where Amy, the sole survivor in her family of Jericho's massacre, is alone in her home trying to survive the night against one of these creatures, and it was the most unnerving moment I felt in the entire novel.
This book was imaginative, creepy, and played its slow descent into madness very well, but there were times that I wanted more of an emotional arc. Amy and the Sheriff's stories never quite reached the same emotional heights for me as Nate's story, as he had to come to terms with the crimes his brother Jericho committed and his relationship to him. Jericho, an unnaturally large 10-year-old whose birth caused the death of him and Nate's mother, is truly tragic. He does not talk, is hated by everyone around him, and seems to have been 'born bad', but despite all this, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He never even had a chance, never had any kindness from those around him, so it made me want the story to have more of an emphasis on this tragic nature, more than a single realisation from Nate towards the end.
I would say that Dig is definitely worth reading. It has some moments and ideas that will make you feel on edge, and while I found the final third of the book didn't uphold the same tension, all the questions in this book are very well answered and reasoned, which leaves you feeling very satisfied. I will say, I wouldn't have minded leaving on a more mysterious note!
Thank you to J.H. Markert and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dig centres on the perspectives of three characters, all of whom are in some way connected to Crow Island and the devastating massacre that occurred 8 years prior, where a boy named Jericho wreaked havoc with an axe. As inhabitants of the island begin giving in to the inexplicable urge to dig, both literally and figuratively, Jericho's presence lingers heavy and rotten in the air, leaving those who knew him believing that he was never truly dead and buried.
There are some fantastic threads in this story, and I found myself intrigued by the links this novel made to the slave trade, uncovering Crow Island's agricultural and financial bounties as being made off the backs of slaves, who have, over time, been erased from history. This was a powerful addition to the story, and the character of Mr Passafume acts as the sole reminder of the black workers who were exploited. I think it would have been great to have more black characters, as it means the only black character is quasi-magical and the point of supernatural knowledge for all the white characters, which does somewhat play into the 'Magical Negro' trope. However, Mr Passafume's backstory is interesting and helps to flesh out his character.
This story hits with increasing moments of shocking violence, which creates the feeling of reality slowly being broken down. I found the boo hags to be unnerving, and I liked the emphasis on their tall, unnatural forms, intelligent dark eyes, and their moments of predatory, inhuman speed. There is a moment where Amy, the sole survivor in her family of Jericho's massacre, is alone in her home trying to survive the night against one of these creatures, and it was the most unnerving moment I felt in the entire novel.
This book was imaginative, creepy, and played its slow descent into madness very well, but there were times that I wanted more of an emotional arc. Amy and the Sheriff's stories never quite reached the same emotional heights for me as Nate's story, as he had to come to terms with the crimes his brother Jericho committed and his relationship to him. Jericho, an unnaturally large 10-year-old whose birth caused the death of him and Nate's mother, is truly tragic. He does not talk, is hated by everyone around him, and seems to have been 'born bad', but despite all this, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He never even had a chance, never had any kindness from those around him, so it made me want the story to have more of an emphasis on this tragic nature, more than a single realisation from Nate towards the end.
I would say that Dig is definitely worth reading. It has some moments and ideas that will make you feel on edge, and while I found the final third of the book didn't uphold the same tension, all the questions in this book are very well answered and reasoned, which leaves you feeling very satisfied. I will say, I wouldn't have minded leaving on a more mysterious note!
October 25, 2025
I really DIG this book! I am giving it all the stars. I was held in rapt attention. My eyes never leaving the page. The pages flicking as if possessed. The atmospheric setting was pure perfection. It elevated the creep factor tenfold. The characters fully formed, they grabbed you and pulled you into the chapters. Playing off each other, bouncing ideas, and trying to keep everyone safe. Have you ever heard of a Boo Hag? I had not before I dug in. I did go down the google rabbit hole of Georgia folklore. Freaking myself out and understanding all of the ways in which you can protect yourself from this horrifying creature. I will leave the details for when you crack open this cover. I still have chills running down my spine, my breathing heavy, my heart pounding, as I imagine Crow Island and its dark past.
Crow Island is named after a bird that has not shown itself in years. Mystifying everyone as to where this name came from. It is a small community that depends upon one another, yet it was built upon slave labor. There have been stories that the island has been cursed starting with the disappearance of the Natives that once called this place home. It has been eight years since Jericho Dodd wreaked havoc with his ax. He was only ten and already surpassing 6' tall. He was not a normal boy; there have always been whispers about Jericho. That people can feel him in the air. It has been 8 years, yet the earthquakes are increasing, the air is changing, and everyone is whispering yet again about Jericho. The words DIG are floating across the heavy air and the people are listening. Holes begin to pop up across the island, people appear possessed, and Amy is noticing that something just isn't right. When Reverend Dodd calls her in distress, she streaks across the field to his home. Only to find him dead, with a jar of this year's Tupelo Honey next to him. This first death causes a domino effect. People are becoming violent, digging for the truth in their backyard. Determined to find what? That is the question.
I just want to do this review justice and get the point across that this is a must read that you need to DIG into. The folklore runs as thick as honey down the pages. Tugging you into the story. Witnessing the horror swirling around the characters. If you want a book that has you researching Boo Hags, the feeling that someone is chasing you, the need to find the truth, this is the book for you. Thank you to J.H. Markert for another stunner and Crooked Lane Books for my gifted copy.
Crow Island is named after a bird that has not shown itself in years. Mystifying everyone as to where this name came from. It is a small community that depends upon one another, yet it was built upon slave labor. There have been stories that the island has been cursed starting with the disappearance of the Natives that once called this place home. It has been eight years since Jericho Dodd wreaked havoc with his ax. He was only ten and already surpassing 6' tall. He was not a normal boy; there have always been whispers about Jericho. That people can feel him in the air. It has been 8 years, yet the earthquakes are increasing, the air is changing, and everyone is whispering yet again about Jericho. The words DIG are floating across the heavy air and the people are listening. Holes begin to pop up across the island, people appear possessed, and Amy is noticing that something just isn't right. When Reverend Dodd calls her in distress, she streaks across the field to his home. Only to find him dead, with a jar of this year's Tupelo Honey next to him. This first death causes a domino effect. People are becoming violent, digging for the truth in their backyard. Determined to find what? That is the question.
I just want to do this review justice and get the point across that this is a must read that you need to DIG into. The folklore runs as thick as honey down the pages. Tugging you into the story. Witnessing the horror swirling around the characters. If you want a book that has you researching Boo Hags, the feeling that someone is chasing you, the need to find the truth, this is the book for you. Thank you to J.H. Markert for another stunner and Crooked Lane Books for my gifted copy.
March 16, 2026
I received a copy of this book via a giveaway - all opinions are my own.
I dare you not to get an itch to Dig after reading this.
Crow Island’s residents have picked up shovels and a compulsion to dig. The obsession among the residents quickly spirals to violence and outright lunacy. It soon becomes apparent that the more the residents *unearth* about the island’s secrets, the more danger they’re in. Strange things have been occurring on Crow Island for generations but now something larger is stirring. Could this be connected to the island’s famous Tupelo honey? Or that strange boy involved in that massacre years ago?
DIG is refreshingly original in both its use of Geechee folklore and of a compulsive outbreak that relates directly to the environment. The dread is established early and never leaves. The setting is vividly painted and as intriguing as it is unsettling. I knew very little about the culture and history around Georgia’s coastal islands. While this is obviously a work of fiction, it did result in me doing some digging on my own and I always appreciate that from a story. Crow Island, a swampy, coastal, terrifying place, comes to life on the pages. The environment was used cleverly to create unease; with the dirt, honey, and air suffocating in vastly different ways.
The island lore was rich and the backstories engaging. While their histories were captivating, the characters themselves did feel a bit flat. I wasn’t truly invested in their outcomes or motivations. With that said, the background cast really delivered on the “creepy townsfolk” feel and the tea is piping hot when it starts pouring!
While there was some repetitiveness to the story, it served to add to the general unease and mania of the island. Removing the Sheriff’s POV could have eliminated much of that as well as some overlap between the POV’s. Ultimately, it didn’t impact my experience much.
I recommend for fans of folklore, sticky horror (IYKYK) and surreal stories. I’m planning to read more by J.H. Markert
I dare you not to get an itch to Dig after reading this.
Crow Island’s residents have picked up shovels and a compulsion to dig. The obsession among the residents quickly spirals to violence and outright lunacy. It soon becomes apparent that the more the residents *unearth* about the island’s secrets, the more danger they’re in. Strange things have been occurring on Crow Island for generations but now something larger is stirring. Could this be connected to the island’s famous Tupelo honey? Or that strange boy involved in that massacre years ago?
DIG is refreshingly original in both its use of Geechee folklore and of a compulsive outbreak that relates directly to the environment. The dread is established early and never leaves. The setting is vividly painted and as intriguing as it is unsettling. I knew very little about the culture and history around Georgia’s coastal islands. While this is obviously a work of fiction, it did result in me doing some digging on my own and I always appreciate that from a story. Crow Island, a swampy, coastal, terrifying place, comes to life on the pages. The environment was used cleverly to create unease; with the dirt, honey, and air suffocating in vastly different ways.
The island lore was rich and the backstories engaging. While their histories were captivating, the characters themselves did feel a bit flat. I wasn’t truly invested in their outcomes or motivations. With that said, the background cast really delivered on the “creepy townsfolk” feel and the tea is piping hot when it starts pouring!
While there was some repetitiveness to the story, it served to add to the general unease and mania of the island. Removing the Sheriff’s POV could have eliminated much of that as well as some overlap between the POV’s. Ultimately, it didn’t impact my experience much.
I recommend for fans of folklore, sticky horror (IYKYK) and surreal stories. I’m planning to read more by J.H. Markert
November 2, 2025
I loved the start of this book- the premise had me hooked from page one- we’re on an island off the coast of GA near Savannah and the island seems to have tremors- earthquakes… something and now everyone is digging, the local priest has a massive heart attack after chopping off his hand, and his son is back to collect his remains. As Nate gets off the boat he sees Amy, the twin of his old flame who died during the island massacre years earlier- and they both agree something is REALLY wrong, and the more the DIG into it the more they realize people are unearthing more than dirt, they’re digging up lies, secrets, betrayal, and a very large skeletons in someone’s closet. The more people dig, the harder it is for them to understand what exactly they’ve found.
The beginning was *chefs kiss* so much crazy happening and all connecting, you can bet I was all in trying to figure it out- and about half way, I did. My only qualm with this book is how rushed the ending felt while trying to tie up ends and get our MCs to the conclusion. I wish it had been a little longer to spend that time to really dig into that ending- I think it needed a bigger shovel, and a little more depth. Otherwise- another fantastic book by JH Market.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The beginning was *chefs kiss* so much crazy happening and all connecting, you can bet I was all in trying to figure it out- and about half way, I did. My only qualm with this book is how rushed the ending felt while trying to tie up ends and get our MCs to the conclusion. I wish it had been a little longer to spend that time to really dig into that ending- I think it needed a bigger shovel, and a little more depth. Otherwise- another fantastic book by JH Market.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC of Dig!
While the story was interesting, there were a few major red flags that I just could not get past. Mostly surrounding the character Blue Bottles as written by a white author. Unfortunately this is yet another depiction of the Magical Negro Trope where Blue Bottles is somehow the only mentioned person of color left on this island and his magic and knowledge is the only way for the plot to progress forward, but without giving the character any real depth. It’s also interesting that while they talk about the island being a plantation and having a horrific legacy of slavery and stealing the land from BIPOC peoples not once, but twice, Blue Bottles says Amy is not like her family’s lineage at all… simply because she made sure Blue Bottles got to keep the bee shack when she inherited the entire island. There is just something about a white author writing a black character who explicitly states that Amy, a spoiled white rich girl, is free from guilt because she gave the black character a piece of land, not even a large piece, that really didn’t sit well with me.
Finally, two of the narrators were good. The last one who voiced the sherif, the reverend, and the author was overacting for his life and jumped the shark.
While the story was interesting, there were a few major red flags that I just could not get past. Mostly surrounding the character Blue Bottles as written by a white author. Unfortunately this is yet another depiction of the Magical Negro Trope where Blue Bottles is somehow the only mentioned person of color left on this island and his magic and knowledge is the only way for the plot to progress forward, but without giving the character any real depth. It’s also interesting that while they talk about the island being a plantation and having a horrific legacy of slavery and stealing the land from BIPOC peoples not once, but twice, Blue Bottles says Amy is not like her family’s lineage at all… simply because she made sure Blue Bottles got to keep the bee shack when she inherited the entire island. There is just something about a white author writing a black character who explicitly states that Amy, a spoiled white rich girl, is free from guilt because she gave the black character a piece of land, not even a large piece, that really didn’t sit well with me.
Finally, two of the narrators were good. The last one who voiced the sherif, the reverend, and the author was overacting for his life and jumped the shark.
November 10, 2025
Dark, foreboding and fast paced. This is easily one of the best horror novels I’ve read all year. It starts running and chapter one and doesn’t stop, for the entire book.
Amy is one of the survivors of a brutal massacre on an island off the coast of Georgia. Nate is the brother of the child who committed that horrible crime. Nate fled the island after the massacre to escape the trauma. Amy stayed to try and rebuild her life. Now both are trying to figure out the collective madness and events that are unfolding on the island while also piecing together what really happened before.
The pacing is absolute perfection and this books grips you from beginning to end. Our timeline shifts back and forth while explaining the events leading up to the brutal massacre on the island, to the current horrors happening. It’s done so masterfully and kept me locked in the whole novel.
My only critique is that a few things got a little weird in the end (a unicorn??) but that didn’t take away my enjoyment of the novel. Anyone who wants a page turning horror oozing with dread, the supernatural and some folklore thrown in will enjoy this one.
Amy is one of the survivors of a brutal massacre on an island off the coast of Georgia. Nate is the brother of the child who committed that horrible crime. Nate fled the island after the massacre to escape the trauma. Amy stayed to try and rebuild her life. Now both are trying to figure out the collective madness and events that are unfolding on the island while also piecing together what really happened before.
The pacing is absolute perfection and this books grips you from beginning to end. Our timeline shifts back and forth while explaining the events leading up to the brutal massacre on the island, to the current horrors happening. It’s done so masterfully and kept me locked in the whole novel.
My only critique is that a few things got a little weird in the end (a unicorn??) but that didn’t take away my enjoyment of the novel. Anyone who wants a page turning horror oozing with dread, the supernatural and some folklore thrown in will enjoy this one.
November 12, 2025
ARC
this book is a mixed bag. Very atmospheric, with folk lore and deep tragic history all while island bound. The islanders have deeps roots, and a shared tragedy that seems to live in every one of their stories.
The writing reminds me of Steven King—-very detailed and almost too wordy. But with very beautiful imagery and wording that builds up the suspense the deeper you go. Much like the premise of the book, the further you “dig” into the story the more complexity you are given.
I struggled a little with how much info was dumped all at once, so many characters and history and so much happening all at once. I almost fees like the author was a bit disjointed in telling this tale and couldn’t focus on one solid plot line. There were stories inside of stories and so many strange occurrences you felt pulled all over this novel.
It was a good story, which would probably make a great mini series , but overall a bit too disjointed for me
this book is a mixed bag. Very atmospheric, with folk lore and deep tragic history all while island bound. The islanders have deeps roots, and a shared tragedy that seems to live in every one of their stories.
The writing reminds me of Steven King—-very detailed and almost too wordy. But with very beautiful imagery and wording that builds up the suspense the deeper you go. Much like the premise of the book, the further you “dig” into the story the more complexity you are given.
I struggled a little with how much info was dumped all at once, so many characters and history and so much happening all at once. I almost fees like the author was a bit disjointed in telling this tale and couldn’t focus on one solid plot line. There were stories inside of stories and so many strange occurrences you felt pulled all over this novel.
It was a good story, which would probably make a great mini series , but overall a bit too disjointed for me
November 5, 2025
This is so so so so good! It’s perfect for spooky season and I wish everyone could have read this for Halloween. This story begins with a massacre that rattles a small island town, but the real terror doesn’t come from what’s on the surface it’s what’s buried beneath. As a grieving father, Rev. Dodd, starts to dig the secrets start rising like something that never wanted to stay dead. This is horror at its best. It’s sharp, eerie and dripping with atmosphere. There is a creeping sense that the land itself is alive and it’s just been lying in wait for someone to disturb it. This isn’t just scary its haunting. Dig is a story that will stick with you and make you think twice before digging too deep…and speaking of digging be sure and look up what a boo hag is.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is March 4, 2025
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is March 4, 2025
March 7, 2026
WOW! I would definitely love to learn about the influence behind this story! If there’s a true history that drove this one because it was absolutely fascinating! I really was captivated and locked in for this one! I am so grateful I was able to read it early! I still have some backlist I need to read from this author I’ve really enjoyed the ones I have read already!!! This will be a popular spring horror you won’t want to miss! I may never think of honey the same again!!!!
February 8, 2026
Thank you so much to @crookedlanebooks and @netgalley for this e-ARC! (and @jamesmarkert74)
If J. H. Markert writes it, I’ll read it. It could be a grocery list and I’d be game. Luckily, Dig is far more interesting than a grocery list. Markert is truly a master of horror. This book honestly had it all: supernatural horror, suspense, gore, and an excellently eerie and atmospheric setting. From the onset you are dropped onto an island that this dripping with dread and truly feels alive. Markert is excellent with the pacing of his books, and Dig was no different. This was a fast paced and wild ride and I couldn’t get enough. Every aspect of this book was well thought out and well written. The characters were superb, the dialogue was intense and interesting, and the reveals were flawlessly timed. The story is so impeccably layered and filled with horror, history, generational trauma, and family secrets, and you have no choice but to dig alongside the characters for the truth. This book is equal parts addicting and terrifying and I loved every second and every word. The pages are dripping with thick folklore which was one of my favorite parts and it is truly the perfect southern gothic horror. I am imploring you to read this book, you will not regret it.
If J. H. Markert writes it, I’ll read it. It could be a grocery list and I’d be game. Luckily, Dig is far more interesting than a grocery list. Markert is truly a master of horror. This book honestly had it all: supernatural horror, suspense, gore, and an excellently eerie and atmospheric setting. From the onset you are dropped onto an island that this dripping with dread and truly feels alive. Markert is excellent with the pacing of his books, and Dig was no different. This was a fast paced and wild ride and I couldn’t get enough. Every aspect of this book was well thought out and well written. The characters were superb, the dialogue was intense and interesting, and the reveals were flawlessly timed. The story is so impeccably layered and filled with horror, history, generational trauma, and family secrets, and you have no choice but to dig alongside the characters for the truth. This book is equal parts addicting and terrifying and I loved every second and every word. The pages are dripping with thick folklore which was one of my favorite parts and it is truly the perfect southern gothic horror. I am imploring you to read this book, you will not regret it.
March 25, 2026
A slow burn, creepy horror story with elements of Southern folklore. There are multiple POV chapters and storylines that converge by the end. It did get a tad repetitive in parts and I think it could have been cut by 50 pages or so, but overall this was a satisfying tale about an island with buried secrets that compels its residents to dig them up.
I received an advanced reading copy on Netgalley in exchange for a review.
I received an advanced reading copy on Netgalley in exchange for a review.
October 24, 2025
This was a dark and atmospheric story about an island haunted by its own tragic past. The author blended elements of folktale horror and reality beautifully, creating a story that felt both timeless and deeply unsettling. The writing was fantastic, rich in tension and eerie imagery and there were several moments that genuinely gave me chills.
If I had to point out a downside, the pacing was a little uneven in places, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. This was a haunting, well crafted tale that lingered with me long after I finished reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
If I had to point out a downside, the pacing was a little uneven in places, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. This was a haunting, well crafted tale that lingered with me long after I finished reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 26, 2026
What a ride!!!!!! What doesn’t this book have for a horror reader. It’s exceptionally well written. I haven’t had a book make my heart pound in forever.
Huge fan of this book.
Be prepared for me to be obnoxious about how much I loved it on socials.
Huge fan of this book.
Be prepared for me to be obnoxious about how much I loved it on socials.
February 8, 2026
While I have not read all of the horror work by J. H. Markert (or James Markert if you're nasty) since he shifted gears from writing historical fiction, I have dipped my toes into some of his work, specifically 2023's The Nightmare Man and 2024's Sleep Tight. I certainly enjoyed them and would gladly put him in the more modern crop of great horror writers that have come along in the last 10-15 years, but I could not say that any of them specifically grabbed me in a way that I was glued to the book. That has all changed with the forthcoming release of Dig. In fact, you could say that I dig the book quite a lot (hey, I'm a dad and I'm gonna rock the dad jokes what can I say?).
Jokes aside, I can say without hyperbole that Dig is my favorite of his work thus far. The book wastes absolutely no time taking your hand and pulling you onto the runaway train that it is and once it starts within the first few pages, it doesn't let up until the very end. I've mentioned in past reviews that I am not a speedy reader, so whereas someone may finish the 300+ pages here within a night or two, it takes me a bit longer. But when I say there were nights where I couldn't wait to finish work and crawl into bed and read there are no jokes involved. I found myself thinking about where the story might take me next and couldn't wait to dig back in (and apologies again).
The story itself is not hard to describe, at least the first stages. Eight years ago, the good Reverend Dodd's younger son Jericho snapped and went on an axe-murdering spree killing several of the locals on Crow Island, including his brother's girlfriend Bridget and her family, leaving only her twin sister Amy behind. While Nate, Reverend Dodd's other son and Jericho's brother, flees the island, Amy remains given the fact that her family has owned the island for generations. So when Reverend Dodd is found dead with his right hand evidently lopped off and other strange occurrences start on the island coinciding with Nate's return, it's clear something is amiss.
To go any further into the plot would be reckless of me as a reviewer, especially since the twists and turns the story takes as you dig into it (did it again) is an important part of the journey. The only potential spoiler-ish thing I will mention is a brief conversation that ties the book into the overarching universe that Markert has built that I popped for.
Markert flies through the story at a nearly breakneck pace, with most chapters lasting between two to six pages and each chapter bouncing between different characters as well. The layout and pacing keeps everything moving at a perfect pace throughout and keeps you invested as you wait to see what happens next to each specific POV that you are given.
Overall, I can't help but think that this is Markert's finest book to date (of the ones I've read of course). While the previous books I've read of his would rank around a 3.5 to a 4.25 star rating, Dig has quickly surpassed the both of them to become the first 5 Star book of his.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review and opinion.
Jokes aside, I can say without hyperbole that Dig is my favorite of his work thus far. The book wastes absolutely no time taking your hand and pulling you onto the runaway train that it is and once it starts within the first few pages, it doesn't let up until the very end. I've mentioned in past reviews that I am not a speedy reader, so whereas someone may finish the 300+ pages here within a night or two, it takes me a bit longer. But when I say there were nights where I couldn't wait to finish work and crawl into bed and read there are no jokes involved. I found myself thinking about where the story might take me next and couldn't wait to dig back in (and apologies again).
The story itself is not hard to describe, at least the first stages. Eight years ago, the good Reverend Dodd's younger son Jericho snapped and went on an axe-murdering spree killing several of the locals on Crow Island, including his brother's girlfriend Bridget and her family, leaving only her twin sister Amy behind. While Nate, Reverend Dodd's other son and Jericho's brother, flees the island, Amy remains given the fact that her family has owned the island for generations. So when Reverend Dodd is found dead with his right hand evidently lopped off and other strange occurrences start on the island coinciding with Nate's return, it's clear something is amiss.
To go any further into the plot would be reckless of me as a reviewer, especially since the twists and turns the story takes as you dig into it (did it again) is an important part of the journey. The only potential spoiler-ish thing I will mention is a brief conversation that ties the book into the overarching universe that Markert has built that I popped for.
Markert flies through the story at a nearly breakneck pace, with most chapters lasting between two to six pages and each chapter bouncing between different characters as well. The layout and pacing keeps everything moving at a perfect pace throughout and keeps you invested as you wait to see what happens next to each specific POV that you are given.
Overall, I can't help but think that this is Markert's finest book to date (of the ones I've read of course). While the previous books I've read of his would rank around a 3.5 to a 4.25 star rating, Dig has quickly surpassed the both of them to become the first 5 Star book of his.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review and opinion.
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