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Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black: A Detective Story
February 1958. On the run from a botched job, private detective John Henie arrives in the town of Odder’s Cottage, Rhode Island where he worms his way onto the murder case of Kelly Bragan, a local drunk discovered with his liver ripped from his body. As he struggles with his own debilitating alcoholism, Henie follows a series of otherworldly clues pointing him to increasingly cosmic revelations.
589 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 6, 2025
"There's a tremendous aching hurt about small towns - no, about company towns. Sure, the cities have their monsters and their nightwalkers and their thieves, but the cities also have the artists and the hopeless romantics. The cities have tragedy. Invention. Smut. Sex - this place feels like a dustbin that collects dumb teenagers and exhausts them into broken-back geezers."
Disclaimer: I was offered a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted my rating, and the below thoughts are mine alone.
There is, in my opinion, no greater sin a book can commit than leaving us devoid of feeling. We read, I believe, to feel. And so, when I stumble across a book like Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black, that can elicit such a strong, visceral emotional reaction within me, it feels almost like magic. I am utterly stunned, and completely blown away by Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black. It's not often that I even read detective stories - the genre feels so saturated, and its difficult to wade through it all to find a good book. Thankfully, in this case, that book found me. For sure, this is a slow burning story but its never slow in a boring way, it's actually a delicately unfurling thing, it's kind of like being wrapped in the hellish embrace of a Venus fly trap.
H.T. Boyd is a masterful storyteller. There's quite simply no other way to put it. This book feels so intensely atmospheric, so cinematic, that it pulls you away from the comfort of wherever you may be reading it, and flings you right in amongst the filth and grime. It's a gritty, disgusting thing, caked in dirt and cigar smoke and the cloying stench of old booze. It's something to be in awe of, the way that this author commands language in such a foul way. I pride myself on seeking out books like this, on reading authors like this, who are entirely unafraid to write with authenticity. This is a bleak and depressing novel, and it feels so hopeless. Happiness is a fleeting thing in this story, yet somehow it never feels overwrought with despair. Everything just... Clicks.
There's a lot of wonderful things that could be said about Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black. It's superbly written, for one, the story is both gripping and gruesome, it's bloody, it's upsetting and grotesque, and it's also a novel that feels so deeply personal, so intimate. It feels like peering at the inner workings of this authors soul. But, without a doubt, the single greatest thing about this novel is its protagonist. John Henie is so, so captivating, so fantastically crafted. He's an awful man, a liar, a cheat, a drunk, but there's something about him that I just couldn't help but adore. H.T. Boyd so tenderly navigates extremely distressing topics with this book, he's delicate and almost kind in his portrayal of alcoholism, there's a real vulnerability to it all. It was like peering into the worst parts of my soul.
"In this dull light, he finds a haunted house. Not ghost haunted. Not demon haunted. Something else. Something... Something less remarkable. Something - sadder and dirtier. Ghosts of mold. Ghosts of water logging. Ghosts of rust. Ghosts of alcohol. "
Disclaimer: I was offered a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted my rating, and the below thoughts are mine alone.
There is, in my opinion, no greater sin a book can commit than leaving us devoid of feeling. We read, I believe, to feel. And so, when I stumble across a book like Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black, that can elicit such a strong, visceral emotional reaction within me, it feels almost like magic. I am utterly stunned, and completely blown away by Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black. It's not often that I even read detective stories - the genre feels so saturated, and its difficult to wade through it all to find a good book. Thankfully, in this case, that book found me. For sure, this is a slow burning story but its never slow in a boring way, it's actually a delicately unfurling thing, it's kind of like being wrapped in the hellish embrace of a Venus fly trap.
H.T. Boyd is a masterful storyteller. There's quite simply no other way to put it. This book feels so intensely atmospheric, so cinematic, that it pulls you away from the comfort of wherever you may be reading it, and flings you right in amongst the filth and grime. It's a gritty, disgusting thing, caked in dirt and cigar smoke and the cloying stench of old booze. It's something to be in awe of, the way that this author commands language in such a foul way. I pride myself on seeking out books like this, on reading authors like this, who are entirely unafraid to write with authenticity. This is a bleak and depressing novel, and it feels so hopeless. Happiness is a fleeting thing in this story, yet somehow it never feels overwrought with despair. Everything just... Clicks.
"The alcoholic, he lives in a sequenced binary of drunkedness then sobriety, then drunkedness, then sobriety. Henie - he's been drunk, nonstop for - ten years? Twenty years? Thirty? It's hard to pinpoint just when he changed from the rollercoaster to the endless whirly-gig, This perpetual blackout of everyday shitfacery where I-me-we don't even tally the number of drinks on the scoreboard. Sure, there have been reprieves. Attempts for a jailbreak. Gasps for air. But this has always been us. In this long shadow of stupor."
There's a lot of wonderful things that could be said about Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black. It's superbly written, for one, the story is both gripping and gruesome, it's bloody, it's upsetting and grotesque, and it's also a novel that feels so deeply personal, so intimate. It feels like peering at the inner workings of this authors soul. But, without a doubt, the single greatest thing about this novel is its protagonist. John Henie is so, so captivating, so fantastically crafted. He's an awful man, a liar, a cheat, a drunk, but there's something about him that I just couldn't help but adore. H.T. Boyd so tenderly navigates extremely distressing topics with this book, he's delicate and almost kind in his portrayal of alcoholism, there's a real vulnerability to it all. It was like peering into the worst parts of my soul.
"In this dull light, he finds a haunted house. Not ghost haunted. Not demon haunted. Something else. Something... Something less remarkable. Something - sadder and dirtier. Ghosts of mold. Ghosts of water logging. Ghosts of rust. Ghosts of alcohol. "
October 7, 2025
Atmospheric, gritty, and immersive. This slow-burn noir folds classic detective vibes into something stranger and a protagonist you can’t look away from. The voice is vivid, the dialogue pops, and the setting feels lived-in. An okay read overall.
August 27, 2025
”He says to the man, your soul is your own to save.”
In Go You and Touch That Beautiful Black by H.T. Boyd, our narrator is John Patrick Henie, a pathetic, drunken man living precariously through odd jobs he can get as a detective. It’s 1958, and he’s bunking in his car and running up a tab at a boozy dive until he comes into contact with Otis “Hux” Huckobey, a friend from the war. The two men went through a traumatic incident together, and now that Hux is a cop, he looks to Henie for assistance with a case in which a man was murdered and his liver was taken. Henie sees it as a chance to reinvent himself, and leaps at it.
This is not the straightforward noir story one might expect; yes, there’s the guzzling of booze and enough cigarette smoking one could cut the air with a knife, but there’s a supernatural bent to it. Said supernatural angle was what drew me to the tale and kept me hooked. I couldn’t put it down; I just wanted to keep reading. There was a humor to it on occasion—and definitely from Henie, who would come out with a quip every now and again. There was also a tragedy to it, that the people brought about their own destruction even after being warned what would happen.
Random thoughts:
•The ages are little off in some parts it seemed like, such as it’s established John is 49 and Hux is 35 but in a picture from the war (14 years ago) they’re 28 and 22. There are also some typos and discrepancies (something is said to have happened in 1934 and then afterward it’s said that was 40 years ago) but nothing too major.
•The author was really good with description so that I felt as though I was in the place, even if said place was gross and dismal, like the opening scene in the men’s dirty bathroom.
•So delightful that something said at the very beginning comes to fruition at the end of the novel. Utterly satisfying.
•The characters were great. Henie was perfect as a character one can both sympathise with as well as be repulsed by. Hux was a sweetie, loyal, forgiving, and optimistic as he counted his blessings. Even Hux’s “mean” wife Lady was interesting; I don’t agree with her actions at the end of the book, but who on earth could fault her for some of the stunts she had to endure which earned her wrath?
•The lore of the supernatural creature was fantastic, as were its motives.
I would recommend this to people who enjoy digging into characters and those who like an atmospheric read so vivid it feels very real. This would be phenomenal to pick up in the autumn.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In Go You and Touch That Beautiful Black by H.T. Boyd, our narrator is John Patrick Henie, a pathetic, drunken man living precariously through odd jobs he can get as a detective. It’s 1958, and he’s bunking in his car and running up a tab at a boozy dive until he comes into contact with Otis “Hux” Huckobey, a friend from the war. The two men went through a traumatic incident together, and now that Hux is a cop, he looks to Henie for assistance with a case in which a man was murdered and his liver was taken. Henie sees it as a chance to reinvent himself, and leaps at it.
This is not the straightforward noir story one might expect; yes, there’s the guzzling of booze and enough cigarette smoking one could cut the air with a knife, but there’s a supernatural bent to it. Said supernatural angle was what drew me to the tale and kept me hooked. I couldn’t put it down; I just wanted to keep reading. There was a humor to it on occasion—and definitely from Henie, who would come out with a quip every now and again. There was also a tragedy to it, that the people brought about their own destruction even after being warned what would happen.
Random thoughts:
•The ages are little off in some parts it seemed like, such as it’s established John is 49 and Hux is 35 but in a picture from the war (14 years ago) they’re 28 and 22. There are also some typos and discrepancies (something is said to have happened in 1934 and then afterward it’s said that was 40 years ago) but nothing too major.
•The author was really good with description so that I felt as though I was in the place, even if said place was gross and dismal, like the opening scene in the men’s dirty bathroom.
•So delightful that something said at the very beginning comes to fruition at the end of the novel. Utterly satisfying.
•The characters were great. Henie was perfect as a character one can both sympathise with as well as be repulsed by. Hux was a sweetie, loyal, forgiving, and optimistic as he counted his blessings. Even Hux’s “mean” wife Lady was interesting; I don’t agree with her actions at the end of the book, but who on earth could fault her for some of the stunts she had to endure which earned her wrath?
•The lore of the supernatural creature was fantastic, as were its motives.
I would recommend this to people who enjoy digging into characters and those who like an atmospheric read so vivid it feels very real. This would be phenomenal to pick up in the autumn.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2025
This is a slow burn horror noir, with a late 1950s recovering alcoholic detective as a central character (that is, recovering after the first half of the book lol, though even then it's debatable if any actual recovery is taking place). He's definitely not the most virtuous of men, yet the guy acts so grounded I couldn't help rooting for him throughout, and following his shenanigans with great interest and even greater pleasure!
Both the writing and the characterization (there's a large cast) are superb; even the first half of the novel, which is my reason for calling the book a slow burn, has an amazingly complex secondary plot, which gives the cause for the detective's ending up in the place where the meat of the novel transpires. The second half is essentially a second book altogether, and it's the one most people have in mind when praising the whole book. No doubt it does take a long time to get there. But it's fun all the way!
The second half then: simply put, it's a marvel, and the less said about it, the better: full of surprises, nasty twists, and riveting story turns, coupled with tidbits of wisdom and attacks of existential self-doubt. And the mystery! Wow. All readers should dive blind into that part of the plot, enjoying the mystery as much as possible. And it's a genuinely intriguing supernatural mystery, so no spoilers! Let's just say that the cover makes sense only afterwards.
In sum, I recommend the book highly. I found it hugely entertaining, extremely well-written, and I especially loved the shocking ending. There are many ways to interpret it (as an allegory about alcoholism, as the culmination of a creature feature, as the climax of a witchcraft tale, or simply as one man's path to redemption), but it's really the best ending possible I think, and surely worth the investment (the book is more than 600 pages!). H. T. Boyd is now one of my favorite authors!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Both the writing and the characterization (there's a large cast) are superb; even the first half of the novel, which is my reason for calling the book a slow burn, has an amazingly complex secondary plot, which gives the cause for the detective's ending up in the place where the meat of the novel transpires. The second half is essentially a second book altogether, and it's the one most people have in mind when praising the whole book. No doubt it does take a long time to get there. But it's fun all the way!
The second half then: simply put, it's a marvel, and the less said about it, the better: full of surprises, nasty twists, and riveting story turns, coupled with tidbits of wisdom and attacks of existential self-doubt. And the mystery! Wow. All readers should dive blind into that part of the plot, enjoying the mystery as much as possible. And it's a genuinely intriguing supernatural mystery, so no spoilers! Let's just say that the cover makes sense only afterwards.
In sum, I recommend the book highly. I found it hugely entertaining, extremely well-written, and I especially loved the shocking ending. There are many ways to interpret it (as an allegory about alcoholism, as the culmination of a creature feature, as the climax of a witchcraft tale, or simply as one man's path to redemption), but it's really the best ending possible I think, and surely worth the investment (the book is more than 600 pages!). H. T. Boyd is now one of my favorite authors!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 18, 2025
Go You and Touch That Beautiful Black is a brilliant detective story. It has everything you need: a detective fighting for his position on the force, a raging alcoholic turned Private Investigator and an unexplainable, horrific murder that shakes the foundations of a small town. Oh, and that PI and detective have quite the history!
This is one of those rare novels where I absolutely had a tough time liking the main character, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes. John Henie is definitely a one-of-a-kind character, under his onion-like layers of alcohol and false bravado he is a man of depth and, in every sense of the word, substance; there were moments that I sympathised with him greatly and moments where I wanted to be the murderer and target him myself.
Aside from the murder/mystery, which I don’t want to talk too much about because it is so worth reading it yourself, I particularly enjoyed the characters in this novel. Otis and his wife, Lady, are an interesting pair – he is trying to get by and do something that makes a difference, while she wants nothing in her life to change, except maybe obtaining a higher ranking in social status. You can imagine the turmoil the arrival of John Henie creates in this household! I struggled to really come to like Lady by the end of the story, but I admire her convictions and ultimately, that is what kept her and her husband out of the worst of trouble.
H.T. Boyd is a fantastic storyteller; the story is well constructed and there wasn’t one dull moment for me. I’ve seen people argue that the story is a bit slow at the start, but that was not my experience. You’re introduced to Henie while he is in the middle of a case and boy, what a ride that is. I am actually a little bit disappointed that this plotline did not circle back around by the end of the story in some way – I kept holding my breath for it to ruin Henie’s progress at the most critical moments. Honestly, for the amount of people that have a reasonable vendetta against Henie, he’s had a fairly peaceful time getting to the bottom of this murder. But that said, this murder/mystery did not go in the direction that I thought it would and that gave me the greatest kick of all! It’s not like anything I have read or seen before, though I would highly recommend it to fans of Robert Bloch and Stephen King.
I’ve said it about H.T. Boyd’s writing before and I will say it again – how can one write so beautifully about things that are so horrific!?
Final Rating: 4.6/5.
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy for my honest review.
This is one of those rare novels where I absolutely had a tough time liking the main character, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes. John Henie is definitely a one-of-a-kind character, under his onion-like layers of alcohol and false bravado he is a man of depth and, in every sense of the word, substance; there were moments that I sympathised with him greatly and moments where I wanted to be the murderer and target him myself.
Aside from the murder/mystery, which I don’t want to talk too much about because it is so worth reading it yourself, I particularly enjoyed the characters in this novel. Otis and his wife, Lady, are an interesting pair – he is trying to get by and do something that makes a difference, while she wants nothing in her life to change, except maybe obtaining a higher ranking in social status. You can imagine the turmoil the arrival of John Henie creates in this household! I struggled to really come to like Lady by the end of the story, but I admire her convictions and ultimately, that is what kept her and her husband out of the worst of trouble.
H.T. Boyd is a fantastic storyteller; the story is well constructed and there wasn’t one dull moment for me. I’ve seen people argue that the story is a bit slow at the start, but that was not my experience. You’re introduced to Henie while he is in the middle of a case and boy, what a ride that is. I am actually a little bit disappointed that this plotline did not circle back around by the end of the story in some way – I kept holding my breath for it to ruin Henie’s progress at the most critical moments. Honestly, for the amount of people that have a reasonable vendetta against Henie, he’s had a fairly peaceful time getting to the bottom of this murder. But that said, this murder/mystery did not go in the direction that I thought it would and that gave me the greatest kick of all! It’s not like anything I have read or seen before, though I would highly recommend it to fans of Robert Bloch and Stephen King.
I’ve said it about H.T. Boyd’s writing before and I will say it again – how can one write so beautifully about things that are so horrific!?
Final Rating: 4.6/5.
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy for my honest review.
September 17, 2025
Gritty and raw, this slow-burn story really gets under your skin.
Who is John Henie? Well, he’s definitely learning throughout this book. He’s flawed and he knows it but he makes it work. I really didn’t know if I’d like him, but I found him charming, and he really grew on me. His tenacity in the face of this otherworldly mystery is commendable.
I loved the inner monologues of John and how he wasn’t afraid to voice these things. He and Hux worked well together, even if people didn’t approve (ahem Ladybird).
The horror in this was the constant battle John faced and the drab company town he ended up in. The way things progressed was slow and steady, and honestly very satisfying to me.
This was my second book by H.T. Boyd and certainly not my last!
I received a free copy of this book for review thanks to BookSirens.
Who is John Henie? Well, he’s definitely learning throughout this book. He’s flawed and he knows it but he makes it work. I really didn’t know if I’d like him, but I found him charming, and he really grew on me. His tenacity in the face of this otherworldly mystery is commendable.
I loved the inner monologues of John and how he wasn’t afraid to voice these things. He and Hux worked well together, even if people didn’t approve (ahem Ladybird).
The horror in this was the constant battle John faced and the drab company town he ended up in. The way things progressed was slow and steady, and honestly very satisfying to me.
This was my second book by H.T. Boyd and certainly not my last!
I received a free copy of this book for review thanks to BookSirens.
November 14, 2025
This book rips
John Heinie, a deadbeat alcoholic and private detective, gets a call from a friend of his to come and help investigate a grisly homicide in a sleepy Rhode Island mining town. He attempts to keep the sorry slop of himself intact while he tries to piece together all the threads of this rapidly evolving, violent, and bloody case
At first glance, I really didn't think I would be as hooked into a detective mystery story as I was. The fact of the matter is that this book defied any preconceived expectations I put on it. The story is so rich, and the characters are brilliant. They're somehow at both times detestable and endearing. The book is also far from a cookie cutter standard detective mystery too; with shades of horror, both cosmic and supernatural, spiced throughout.
Despite it's size I surprisingly blew through this book, thanks in no small part to how sucked into this story and it's characters I was. I absolutely needed to know what came next and holy crap what a ride it was
John Heinie, a deadbeat alcoholic and private detective, gets a call from a friend of his to come and help investigate a grisly homicide in a sleepy Rhode Island mining town. He attempts to keep the sorry slop of himself intact while he tries to piece together all the threads of this rapidly evolving, violent, and bloody case
At first glance, I really didn't think I would be as hooked into a detective mystery story as I was. The fact of the matter is that this book defied any preconceived expectations I put on it. The story is so rich, and the characters are brilliant. They're somehow at both times detestable and endearing. The book is also far from a cookie cutter standard detective mystery too; with shades of horror, both cosmic and supernatural, spiced throughout.
Despite it's size I surprisingly blew through this book, thanks in no small part to how sucked into this story and it's characters I was. I absolutely needed to know what came next and holy crap what a ride it was
June 19, 2025
I had the privilege to read this novel in advance and buckle up “Johnny Boy”, this one was one hell of a ride!
★★★★★
This slow burn detective story was dark, surreal, layered and absolutely unforgettable. From the very first page I got pulled into a gritty and emotionally charged world that felt both raw and surreal, blurring the lines between truth and illusion. It reminded me of some great X-files episodes!
The story has a weight to it which slowed me down in the best way possible, I felt every moment and had them linger in my head whenever I put the book down and I took my time with this one.
The writing is once again beautiful and brutal, with sharp humour and characters that I grew to love in my own special way.
Whatever comes next from H.T. Boyd, sign me up, count me in, I’m here for it!
Now I need a drink, but just one, and nothing green or minty.
★★★★★
This slow burn detective story was dark, surreal, layered and absolutely unforgettable. From the very first page I got pulled into a gritty and emotionally charged world that felt both raw and surreal, blurring the lines between truth and illusion. It reminded me of some great X-files episodes!
The story has a weight to it which slowed me down in the best way possible, I felt every moment and had them linger in my head whenever I put the book down and I took my time with this one.
The writing is once again beautiful and brutal, with sharp humour and characters that I grew to love in my own special way.
Whatever comes next from H.T. Boyd, sign me up, count me in, I’m here for it!
Now I need a drink, but just one, and nothing green or minty.
December 12, 2025
This is Boyd's best one yet! It's got a unique story with insight and some humor. The way Boyd writes is really refreshing and different. This isn't your typical detective mystery and I think that's why this story worked so well for me. I feel like I can't say too much more about it or I'll give it away. I loved the characters. I could picture the story so vividly.
July 23, 2025
Go You And Touch The Beautiful Black by HT Boyd
From the opening pages, I knew this was going to be something special. A detective story set in 1958, the unfolding mystery is led by John Henie, a rock bottom alcoholic working as a PI, and Otis Huckobey, the "good" detective on the police force of Odder's Cottage, Rhode Island, an Irish quarry town. One of the town's drunks is found dead, their abdomen sliced with quick precision and missing their abused liver. With no immediate suspects and increasingly bizarre clues, Henie and Hux are stretched to consider a mantid monster is to blame.
John Henie is fully realized in all his inebriate glory. I felt so close to him, I could practically feel his blueish-black stuble, smell his mint schnapp infused halitosis. Most of all, I believed his PI expertise, his struggle to survive, and his pain. The pain of his past and the pain of his fight for sobriety, complete with nightmarish withdrawals. Despite his filth, he is charming. His probing and questioning on the case become as seductive to the reader as the alcohol that seems to always be within arms reach.
I felt so wrapped up in the case, I was in the Biscayne with Hux and Henie inhaling their cigarette smoke and swigging cheap coffee. The way their backstory is told is as enthralling as the main plot. The novel is firmly planted in that late 1950s noir feel and masterfully wades deeper into filthier otherworldly horror. Boyd has crafted a truly unique story that rewards the attentive reader, from little details to layerd symbolism. The prose drips with style and nuance. The setting descriptions create a mood like an Edvard Munch painting in greyscale, peppered with neon green.
Not only was Boyd sure to leave threads of the mystery for the reader to pick up on and question, but also impressively did the same for the personal threads of the characters, leading to a shocking, yet touching ending. Those last hundred pages were twisiting my guts around. This gets a standing ovation from me. Out 9-2.
https://www.instagram.com/rickysrocki...
#htboyd #detectivenovel #noir #horror #preymantis #mantis #mantid #bookreview
#privateinvestigator #bestbooksof2025
From the opening pages, I knew this was going to be something special. A detective story set in 1958, the unfolding mystery is led by John Henie, a rock bottom alcoholic working as a PI, and Otis Huckobey, the "good" detective on the police force of Odder's Cottage, Rhode Island, an Irish quarry town. One of the town's drunks is found dead, their abdomen sliced with quick precision and missing their abused liver. With no immediate suspects and increasingly bizarre clues, Henie and Hux are stretched to consider a mantid monster is to blame.
John Henie is fully realized in all his inebriate glory. I felt so close to him, I could practically feel his blueish-black stuble, smell his mint schnapp infused halitosis. Most of all, I believed his PI expertise, his struggle to survive, and his pain. The pain of his past and the pain of his fight for sobriety, complete with nightmarish withdrawals. Despite his filth, he is charming. His probing and questioning on the case become as seductive to the reader as the alcohol that seems to always be within arms reach.
I felt so wrapped up in the case, I was in the Biscayne with Hux and Henie inhaling their cigarette smoke and swigging cheap coffee. The way their backstory is told is as enthralling as the main plot. The novel is firmly planted in that late 1950s noir feel and masterfully wades deeper into filthier otherworldly horror. Boyd has crafted a truly unique story that rewards the attentive reader, from little details to layerd symbolism. The prose drips with style and nuance. The setting descriptions create a mood like an Edvard Munch painting in greyscale, peppered with neon green.
Not only was Boyd sure to leave threads of the mystery for the reader to pick up on and question, but also impressively did the same for the personal threads of the characters, leading to a shocking, yet touching ending. Those last hundred pages were twisiting my guts around. This gets a standing ovation from me. Out 9-2.
https://www.instagram.com/rickysrocki...
#htboyd #detectivenovel #noir #horror #preymantis #mantis #mantid #bookreview
#privateinvestigator #bestbooksof2025
August 17, 2025
… I have never read a book so noir.
I have read some gothic stories, yes, but this book’s nuance is something else. I gambled when I signed up for this ARC because I was interested on the title. The title was so bizarre and the cover was so strange.
And the content was so noir, it became beautiful, much like the title.
Enters John Henie, a private eye with excess baggages and he decided to create more in this journey. Here we deep-dived into a mind of an alcoholic in 1958, and the picture was not pretty - it was insane, grotesque, and pathetic. But somehow I grew fond of John Henie over the story, he is actually such a strong character who just made every terrible decision ever made but stood tall and sucked it all in.
I was constantly reminded of John Hartigan from Sin City while reading this but John Henie was way more darker and brutally honest. I really love the wordings in this book and I had to put it down a couple of times because some of the scenes were so strong and overwhelming. The storyline is easy to follow and the characters development was depicted splendidly, there were no abrupt stops to create (unnecessary) tensions and the chapters are titled well. The author is being consistent throughout the book; he poured all of his heart and soul and it shows - and pays off. I love how I couldn’t root to ANY of the characters here–this is probably an odd statement but I appreciate the author’s way to make them all appear humans … and indeed, humans are like these people. Reading this book became hard as it connects too damn strong to reality, and I honestly think that it is a good thing.
The revelation was shocking, to say the least. I was really preoccupied with John Henie until I was literally shocked reading the last parts. Two small plot holes that didn’t bother me (but worth mentioning) are the photographs of one of the characters (this doesn’t actually make sense because back then developing photographs requires skill and money–somehow this doesn’t fit the plot), and also the Maiden’s name … she was not named (and actually implied as not important) but it would be nice to mention her in brief passing especially if she’s one of the characters mentioned in the book.
This is my first book of HT Boyd and I believe he is a good writer, he could provoke so many emotions when previously I would have cared less about alchies. Even though I probably will take breaks from his writings (because this is a really strong book), I am more than willing to read more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have read some gothic stories, yes, but this book’s nuance is something else. I gambled when I signed up for this ARC because I was interested on the title. The title was so bizarre and the cover was so strange.
And the content was so noir, it became beautiful, much like the title.
Enters John Henie, a private eye with excess baggages and he decided to create more in this journey. Here we deep-dived into a mind of an alcoholic in 1958, and the picture was not pretty - it was insane, grotesque, and pathetic. But somehow I grew fond of John Henie over the story, he is actually such a strong character who just made every terrible decision ever made but stood tall and sucked it all in.
I was constantly reminded of John Hartigan from Sin City while reading this but John Henie was way more darker and brutally honest. I really love the wordings in this book and I had to put it down a couple of times because some of the scenes were so strong and overwhelming. The storyline is easy to follow and the characters development was depicted splendidly, there were no abrupt stops to create (unnecessary) tensions and the chapters are titled well. The author is being consistent throughout the book; he poured all of his heart and soul and it shows - and pays off. I love how I couldn’t root to ANY of the characters here–this is probably an odd statement but I appreciate the author’s way to make them all appear humans … and indeed, humans are like these people. Reading this book became hard as it connects too damn strong to reality, and I honestly think that it is a good thing.
The revelation was shocking, to say the least. I was really preoccupied with John Henie until I was literally shocked reading the last parts. Two small plot holes that didn’t bother me (but worth mentioning) are the photographs of one of the characters (this doesn’t actually make sense because back then developing photographs requires skill and money–somehow this doesn’t fit the plot), and also the Maiden’s name … she was not named (and actually implied as not important) but it would be nice to mention her in brief passing especially if she’s one of the characters mentioned in the book.
This is my first book of HT Boyd and I believe he is a good writer, he could provoke so many emotions when previously I would have cared less about alchies. Even though I probably will take breaks from his writings (because this is a really strong book), I am more than willing to read more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2025
I received an ebook version of this book through BookSirens, now I am giving my honest review.
First I must admit that I was tempted more than once to quit reading this book. I was confused and angry, couldn't get a hold of this book. I just read and seemed to not be able to make a story from all the words I read.
It made me angry to read about a grown man drinking so much, that it nearly kills him.
At first this book was not a pleasure at all.
After reading a review in which I recognized this, but in which the writer wrote that the second part was to be better, I decided to hang on and keep reading.
The part where Henie moves into Hux's home, is the most interesting. I dislike Lady very much. And these words don't even cover my dislike. She's a character in this book I would have loved to strangle with my bare hands. And having said that, I feel for Hux, having a wife like that. And at the same time wondering how on earth she could have stolen his heart.
Twist, turns, more corners rounded and Henie's situation doesn't get any better, even though some things in the book got my hopes up.
Can't really put this book in a category, it's a mystery with some nice detective work, it has a bit of witchcraft, a bit of sci-fi. What category you pick, it's a dark book in all of them.
And after all's been read, I don't dislike the book as much as I did in the beginning. It's okay, but very, very mirthless. It weighs heavy.
First I must admit that I was tempted more than once to quit reading this book. I was confused and angry, couldn't get a hold of this book. I just read and seemed to not be able to make a story from all the words I read.
It made me angry to read about a grown man drinking so much, that it nearly kills him.
At first this book was not a pleasure at all.
After reading a review in which I recognized this, but in which the writer wrote that the second part was to be better, I decided to hang on and keep reading.
The part where Henie moves into Hux's home, is the most interesting. I dislike Lady very much. And these words don't even cover my dislike. She's a character in this book I would have loved to strangle with my bare hands. And having said that, I feel for Hux, having a wife like that. And at the same time wondering how on earth she could have stolen his heart.
Twist, turns, more corners rounded and Henie's situation doesn't get any better, even though some things in the book got my hopes up.
Can't really put this book in a category, it's a mystery with some nice detective work, it has a bit of witchcraft, a bit of sci-fi. What category you pick, it's a dark book in all of them.
And after all's been read, I don't dislike the book as much as I did in the beginning. It's okay, but very, very mirthless. It weighs heavy.
August 13, 2025
Thank you H.T. Boyd for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel!
This entire novel was very well written and the dialogue was phenomenal. Each character had their cadence and I really enjoyed how Boyd reflected that in his writing. The dialogue really read so naturally.
The characters themselves were so well written and all I can say is “Dammit John Henie” and I can’t explain that further because I cannot spoil anything haha. But he is one of the best written characters I have read, my heart was aching for him throughout most of the novel, really took me on an emotional roller coaster.
The cosmic horror aspects were well written and very very unique, the creature??? It was so cool and the fact that there was a history to it made it even better.
Now the reason that it wasn’t five stars is there were moments that I thought things were too described. It worked well for a majority of the novel but there were moments where things felt very repeated and elongated? Story structure and pace was perfect, just clashed with the writing style a few different times despite really liking the writing style lol. If this book was like 100ish pages shorter (without changing plot and pacing) I think it would’ve been five stars.
I was also able to guess how the novel was going to end (but not when or exactly how it was going to go down), though there were a few curve balls on the way that I was not prepared for like WHAT??? My jaw was dropping, I was curious how Boyd was going to pull everything together and damn did he do it well.
This entire novel was very well written and the dialogue was phenomenal. Each character had their cadence and I really enjoyed how Boyd reflected that in his writing. The dialogue really read so naturally.
The characters themselves were so well written and all I can say is “Dammit John Henie” and I can’t explain that further because I cannot spoil anything haha. But he is one of the best written characters I have read, my heart was aching for him throughout most of the novel, really took me on an emotional roller coaster.
The cosmic horror aspects were well written and very very unique, the creature??? It was so cool and the fact that there was a history to it made it even better.
Now the reason that it wasn’t five stars is there were moments that I thought things were too described. It worked well for a majority of the novel but there were moments where things felt very repeated and elongated? Story structure and pace was perfect, just clashed with the writing style a few different times despite really liking the writing style lol. If this book was like 100ish pages shorter (without changing plot and pacing) I think it would’ve been five stars.
I was also able to guess how the novel was going to end (but not when or exactly how it was going to go down), though there were a few curve balls on the way that I was not prepared for like WHAT??? My jaw was dropping, I was curious how Boyd was going to pull everything together and damn did he do it well.
August 6, 2025
My third HT Boyd book and so far, my favorite!
I started it in June thinking I’d just read a little and come back to it as I already had a long summer reading list. Ended up shooting up the list right then and there.
In a word I would call it immersive. Every time I would sit to read a spell, I felt very drawn into the world this story takes place in. Excellent escapism. Like x files meets mid century noir.
I started it in June thinking I’d just read a little and come back to it as I already had a long summer reading list. Ended up shooting up the list right then and there.
In a word I would call it immersive. Every time I would sit to read a spell, I felt very drawn into the world this story takes place in. Excellent escapism. Like x files meets mid century noir.
August 7, 2025
This was an unexpected new favorite! I had an arc of this book and I absolutely loved it. It has a little bit of everything- mystery, thriller, horror, crime, and sci-fi. I totally didn’t see the twist coming and the ending really tied it all together. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
August 12, 2025
H.T. Boyd has done it again! He has officially secured his spot as one of my favorite authors. Everything he writes is phenomenal!
GYATTBB follows private detective, John Henie, as he investigates a homicide in a small town. Sounds pretty normal, right?? WRONG! This case quickly consumes Henie’s life, pulling him deeper and deeper into its web. Theories surface from every direction, some grounded in reality and others far stranger and harder to explain.
I cannot get over H.T. Boyd's ability to create deeply human characters. John Henie is a terrible person. He is constantly drunk, lies often, and makes more mistakes than I can count. Despite all of this, he is fascinating to follow. His flaws make him feel real, and watching him navigate the chaos of this case is as frustrating as it is captivating.
If you love realistic characters, messy lives, and mysteries that spiral into the unexpected, you should read this!
GYATTBB follows private detective, John Henie, as he investigates a homicide in a small town. Sounds pretty normal, right?? WRONG! This case quickly consumes Henie’s life, pulling him deeper and deeper into its web. Theories surface from every direction, some grounded in reality and others far stranger and harder to explain.
I cannot get over H.T. Boyd's ability to create deeply human characters. John Henie is a terrible person. He is constantly drunk, lies often, and makes more mistakes than I can count. Despite all of this, he is fascinating to follow. His flaws make him feel real, and watching him navigate the chaos of this case is as frustrating as it is captivating.
If you love realistic characters, messy lives, and mysteries that spiral into the unexpected, you should read this!
November 20, 2025
I had to sit with my thoughts on this one. John Henie is one of my favorite characters ever. His story winds through shadowy corners and carries this feeling of ever-present dread as he faces his demons from the very first page. Boyd writes gnawing worry like it’s a love language, his words will reach into your ribcage and rearrange everything.
Soft horror, sharp edges, and a man who cannot stop making bad choices. What more could you ask for?
Soft horror, sharp edges, and a man who cannot stop making bad choices. What more could you ask for?
August 6, 2025
“Alcohol is a time machine. That’s what we drunks are—that’s what we really are—we are time travelers, addicted to the drug of time travel. But the time machine is imperfect. And it spits you in strange places.”
HT Boyd has such unique ideas and his execution of those ideas is exceptional. I’ve been a fan of his since I read Leutogi and everything he writes is a must buy for me.
This story in particular is painfully real and all the more amazing for bringing uncomfortable issues into the light.
Pros:
Characters: There’s phenomenal character development, both for the MC and every side character. I couldn't help but love/hate Henie, pity him, be disgusted by his choices, want him to hurt, want him to get better, want him to fail, want him to succeed. What a beautiful/horrible man Boyd created.
World building: Excellent. I could practically taste the gritty air of Odder’s Cottage. All the locations feel as real as the people that inhabit them. Boyd’s attention to detail is phenomenal.
Cons:
None for me but readers must be in the mood for a long, slow, dark, heavy read. There’s over 600 pages in this tome and sensitive subjects include (but aren’t limited to) alcoholism, PTSD, and death.
Final thought:
I went and touched that beautiful black and you should too.
HT Boyd has such unique ideas and his execution of those ideas is exceptional. I’ve been a fan of his since I read Leutogi and everything he writes is a must buy for me.
This story in particular is painfully real and all the more amazing for bringing uncomfortable issues into the light.
Pros:
Characters: There’s phenomenal character development, both for the MC and every side character. I couldn't help but love/hate Henie, pity him, be disgusted by his choices, want him to hurt, want him to get better, want him to fail, want him to succeed. What a beautiful/horrible man Boyd created.
World building: Excellent. I could practically taste the gritty air of Odder’s Cottage. All the locations feel as real as the people that inhabit them. Boyd’s attention to detail is phenomenal.
Cons:
None for me but readers must be in the mood for a long, slow, dark, heavy read. There’s over 600 pages in this tome and sensitive subjects include (but aren’t limited to) alcoholism, PTSD, and death.
Final thought:
I went and touched that beautiful black and you should too.
June 20, 2025
The book started out real slow for me. My main genre that I really devour is dark romance and things of that nature and horror. But I’ll read anything because you never know where you find a good story. The writing style was really good. It got to the point of I just needed to know who done it. There were so many many conflicting thoughts but in the end we find out and it was a shock. Only thing, who’s witch #3. If you’re Inyo detective books, I say give this a read. It’s slow but it’s a detective trying to find the killer. So many things happen throughout before it gets us where we need to be and things to fall into place. And the ending is not where you were expecting this to end. When you get
The answers it’s not what you expect.
The answers it’s not what you expect.
October 15, 2025
ITA
John Patrick Henie è il protagonista di questo libro, un detective privato che però per qualche motivo è senza soldi, senza casa “the wandering professional” e alcolizzato.
All'inizio del libro lo troviamo a New York alla ricerca della figlia di un personaggio importante, ne seguirà un caso con risvolto rocambolesco.
Durante l’indagine un suo amico, Otis Huckobey, lo va a trovare chiedendogli consiglio dato che John è un abile Detective. Da principio John rifiuta, ma una svolta lo obbliga ad andare da Otis.
Il caso che sta seguendo Otis è la misteriosa morte di Kelly Bragan, una persona del posto, viene trovato sul viale poco prima di casa, completamente ubriaco, senza vita, con un buco nel ventre e mancante il fegato.
Il caso è a dir poco inspiegabile, in più: a chi servirebbe il fegato di un alcolizzato?
Il caso a cui Otis e John indagano andrà a toccare la situazione lavorativa e personale delle persone del posto con la solita dicotomia: persone benestanti e poveracci. Inoltre c’è un dettaglio che torna sempre quando si cerca di capire il caso, un dettaglio che parla di leggende o superstizioni, di streghe e di una creatura che dà la caccia a chi beve troppo, il Viderhoffa.
Ho trovato la storia in alcuni punti interessante e anche coinvolgente, la vicenda attorno a John, la sua storia personale, i suoi mostri, i suoi incubi e il caso a cui indaga con Otis. E soprattutto il modo in cui John indaga al caso è geniale e bizzarro nello stesso tempo. D'altra parte ci sono delle cose molto ripetitive: John, come detto all’inizio è un alcolizzato, e ci sono frasi, modi di dire che si ripetono, forse troppo.
Il finale, anche se atteso, è divertente. Personaggio odiatissimo Ladybird, la moglie di Otis, non ho capito perché ha fatto quello che ha fatto e a che pro.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
John Patrick Henie is the main character of this book, a private detective who, for some reason, is penniless, homeless, “the wandering professional,” and an alcoholic.
At the beginning of the book, we find him in New York searching for the daughter of an important figure, which leads to a case full of adventure twists.
During the investigation, his friend Otis Huckobey visits him to ask for advice, given that John is a skilled detective. At first, John refuses, but a twist in the investigation forces him to go to Otis.
The case Otis is working on is the mysterious death of Kelly Bragan, a local man found on the street just before his home, completely drunk, lifeless, with a hole in his stomach and his liver missing.
The case is inexplicable, to say the least. What's more, who would want the liver of an alcoholic?
The case Otis and John are investigating will touch on the working and personal situations of the locals with the usual dichotomy: the wealthy and the poor. In addition, there is a detail that keeps coming up when trying to understand the case that speaks of legends or superstitions, of witches and a creature that hunts those who drink too much, the Viderhoffa.
I found the story intriguing and engaging in places, particularly the plot surrounding John, his personal history, his demons, his nightmares, and the case he investigates with Otis. Above all, the way John investigates the case is both brilliant and bizarre at the same time. However, there are some very repetitive elements: John, as mentioned at the beginning, is an alcoholic, and there are phrases and expressions that are repeated, perhaps too often.
The ending, although predictable, is entertaining. Ladybird, Otis's wife, is a much-hated character, and I didn't understand why she did what she did or to what end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
John Patrick Henie è il protagonista di questo libro, un detective privato che però per qualche motivo è senza soldi, senza casa “the wandering professional” e alcolizzato.
All'inizio del libro lo troviamo a New York alla ricerca della figlia di un personaggio importante, ne seguirà un caso con risvolto rocambolesco.
Durante l’indagine un suo amico, Otis Huckobey, lo va a trovare chiedendogli consiglio dato che John è un abile Detective. Da principio John rifiuta, ma una svolta lo obbliga ad andare da Otis.
Il caso che sta seguendo Otis è la misteriosa morte di Kelly Bragan, una persona del posto, viene trovato sul viale poco prima di casa, completamente ubriaco, senza vita, con un buco nel ventre e mancante il fegato.
Il caso è a dir poco inspiegabile, in più: a chi servirebbe il fegato di un alcolizzato?
Il caso a cui Otis e John indagano andrà a toccare la situazione lavorativa e personale delle persone del posto con la solita dicotomia: persone benestanti e poveracci. Inoltre c’è un dettaglio che torna sempre quando si cerca di capire il caso, un dettaglio che parla di leggende o superstizioni, di streghe e di una creatura che dà la caccia a chi beve troppo, il Viderhoffa.
Ho trovato la storia in alcuni punti interessante e anche coinvolgente, la vicenda attorno a John, la sua storia personale, i suoi mostri, i suoi incubi e il caso a cui indaga con Otis. E soprattutto il modo in cui John indaga al caso è geniale e bizzarro nello stesso tempo. D'altra parte ci sono delle cose molto ripetitive: John, come detto all’inizio è un alcolizzato, e ci sono frasi, modi di dire che si ripetono, forse troppo.
Il finale, anche se atteso, è divertente. Personaggio odiatissimo Ladybird, la moglie di Otis, non ho capito perché ha fatto quello che ha fatto e a che pro.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
John Patrick Henie is the main character of this book, a private detective who, for some reason, is penniless, homeless, “the wandering professional,” and an alcoholic.
At the beginning of the book, we find him in New York searching for the daughter of an important figure, which leads to a case full of adventure twists.
During the investigation, his friend Otis Huckobey visits him to ask for advice, given that John is a skilled detective. At first, John refuses, but a twist in the investigation forces him to go to Otis.
The case Otis is working on is the mysterious death of Kelly Bragan, a local man found on the street just before his home, completely drunk, lifeless, with a hole in his stomach and his liver missing.
The case is inexplicable, to say the least. What's more, who would want the liver of an alcoholic?
The case Otis and John are investigating will touch on the working and personal situations of the locals with the usual dichotomy: the wealthy and the poor. In addition, there is a detail that keeps coming up when trying to understand the case that speaks of legends or superstitions, of witches and a creature that hunts those who drink too much, the Viderhoffa.
I found the story intriguing and engaging in places, particularly the plot surrounding John, his personal history, his demons, his nightmares, and the case he investigates with Otis. Above all, the way John investigates the case is both brilliant and bizarre at the same time. However, there are some very repetitive elements: John, as mentioned at the beginning, is an alcoholic, and there are phrases and expressions that are repeated, perhaps too often.
The ending, although predictable, is entertaining. Ladybird, Otis's wife, is a much-hated character, and I didn't understand why she did what she did or to what end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2025
This was a fantastic read. The first half of the book dragged on quite a bit as we were introduced to the characters and setup, but by the end I couldn't put it down and I found myself thinking about it constantly when I wasn't reading. It's less of a plot-driven book and more existentialist / character-driven, going deep into the mind of an alcoholic and how that has affected his life and the lives of those around him as he hunts for a killer who may or may not exist. Much of the book was fueled by quirky, intelligent, and dark conversations, with a very natural and realistic speaking style that adds so much complexity and humanity to the characters and story. The author in general has a very unique voice that doesn't play by the rules and excells at world description and outstanding metaphors.
I loved how down to earth and real this book seemed, despite its interplays with existentialism, exaggeration, and otherworldliness. Like life, the mystery is tragic, and important, and irrelevant. If you're looking for a book that has elements of suspense, a hateable main character struggling through his growth arc, and which is able to capture a real slice of human tragedy that will stick with you for a while, I highly recommend giving this book a full read through.
Disclaimer: I was given an advanced reader copy, but this has not impacted the honesty of my review.
I loved how down to earth and real this book seemed, despite its interplays with existentialism, exaggeration, and otherworldliness. Like life, the mystery is tragic, and important, and irrelevant. If you're looking for a book that has elements of suspense, a hateable main character struggling through his growth arc, and which is able to capture a real slice of human tragedy that will stick with you for a while, I highly recommend giving this book a full read through.
Disclaimer: I was given an advanced reader copy, but this has not impacted the honesty of my review.
January 1, 2026
A gritty noir that takes you on a ride to strangeness!
After Leutogi (which I loved), I was looking forward to meeting yet another complex main character, and this book delivered exactly that. The writing is immersive and punchy. I was sucked into this universe where everything feels solid and tangible, even when weird things start happening. John is an alcoholic with a long list of sins he's running away from, but somehow I was able to empathise with his disastrous behaviour. The fact that he never stops investigating is appealing, because like him, I also want to know what the heck is going on. The book cover eventually makes sense!
The story is about the cases, but it is also about John's fight for sobriety and desire to be a better man. I wish the ending was a little more introspective, but it makes sense for John. He is who he is. The horror that exists for him is as out there as it is from within himself.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
After Leutogi (which I loved), I was looking forward to meeting yet another complex main character, and this book delivered exactly that. The writing is immersive and punchy. I was sucked into this universe where everything feels solid and tangible, even when weird things start happening. John is an alcoholic with a long list of sins he's running away from, but somehow I was able to empathise with his disastrous behaviour. The fact that he never stops investigating is appealing, because like him, I also want to know what the heck is going on. The book cover eventually makes sense!
The story is about the cases, but it is also about John's fight for sobriety and desire to be a better man. I wish the ending was a little more introspective, but it makes sense for John. He is who he is. The horror that exists for him is as out there as it is from within himself.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
June 27, 2025
I was selected to beta read and review GYATTBB, and I hope I forever am hand chosen ahead of time to read Boyd's novels first. This one is somewhat a mix between Mind Hunter, The X- Files, and some other cosmic television show I am not aware of currently but I just know this one will fit in there, too. We meet former detective John Henie as he is sought out by Hux, tasked in finding the killer who is taking organs out of bodies with medical precision. This one is a slow burn, and is more so a character study than a plot heavy book. Boyd writes both our main characters so well yet so opposite of each other, and I really enjoyed getting to learn about what made both tick. There are some dialogue heavy moments that made me applaud the author because it's so unlike anything else I've read by him. I really don't want to go into a play by play or risk a spoiler, so let me finish this by saying I really loved the cosmic horror components, the detective aspects of the story, as well as the underlying sense of dread and tragedy that permeates our MMC as he goes along and seeks out the murderer. If you love flawed characters, authors who never put themselves into a box, or original content reminiscent of nostalgic times- check this one out.
July 21, 2025
If your favorite part of "gritty crime thrillers" is the grit, this is the book for you.
It's gritty, gross, and gruesome in the best way. I feel like I was grimacing uncomfortably the whole time I was reading. Which isn't to say I didn't like it; books that get a visceral reaction out of me are my favorites.
This book places you FIRMLY in the narrator's brain - a place you definitely don't want to be. Reading a story from the perspective of someone who you really can't root for, even if you try, is a complex and engaging experience.
I don't want to spoil anything here, so most of this is just commentary on the atmosphere of the story and the reading experience. It took a few chapters for me to be all in. Once the real mystery of the story is revealed it's a full force sprint to the end that really kept my attention and led to me staying up late to finish. There's good twists, satisfying reveals, and a lot of good tension. Everything you want from a horror/thriller.
This was my first story from H. T. Boyd, and I'd absolutely read whatever he puts out next!
It's gritty, gross, and gruesome in the best way. I feel like I was grimacing uncomfortably the whole time I was reading. Which isn't to say I didn't like it; books that get a visceral reaction out of me are my favorites.
This book places you FIRMLY in the narrator's brain - a place you definitely don't want to be. Reading a story from the perspective of someone who you really can't root for, even if you try, is a complex and engaging experience.
I don't want to spoil anything here, so most of this is just commentary on the atmosphere of the story and the reading experience. It took a few chapters for me to be all in. Once the real mystery of the story is revealed it's a full force sprint to the end that really kept my attention and led to me staying up late to finish. There's good twists, satisfying reveals, and a lot of good tension. Everything you want from a horror/thriller.
This was my first story from H. T. Boyd, and I'd absolutely read whatever he puts out next!
September 2, 2025
4.25 🌟 rounded down
Several things went through my mind when I first saw this book. Mainly...what the hell does that title mean? And...What is this bug doing on the front cover? Then I read the blurb and was still lost, but interested in reading it. The answers to both of those questions aren't presented until about 60-70 % of the way through the book, but I highly recommend reading it to find them out for yourself.
Go You and Touch That Beautiful Black was clever but crude, and funny in a subtle way. Private Detective John Henie isn't the most likable main character, and you can practically smell him through the pages. His flaws make him relatable, though at certain points, I was yelling at him to get his shit together. The story captivated me, and I read it in just a few short days. This novel was a wild ride start to finish, and I really wasn't prepared for some of the revelations towards the end.
I would gladly read another novel by H.T. Boyd again.
Recommended for fans of dark, gritty detective stories. (But if alcoholism is a trigger for you, I would perhaps steer clear of this one.)
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Several things went through my mind when I first saw this book. Mainly...what the hell does that title mean? And...What is this bug doing on the front cover? Then I read the blurb and was still lost, but interested in reading it. The answers to both of those questions aren't presented until about 60-70 % of the way through the book, but I highly recommend reading it to find them out for yourself.
Go You and Touch That Beautiful Black was clever but crude, and funny in a subtle way. Private Detective John Henie isn't the most likable main character, and you can practically smell him through the pages. His flaws make him relatable, though at certain points, I was yelling at him to get his shit together. The story captivated me, and I read it in just a few short days. This novel was a wild ride start to finish, and I really wasn't prepared for some of the revelations towards the end.
I would gladly read another novel by H.T. Boyd again.
Recommended for fans of dark, gritty detective stories. (But if alcoholism is a trigger for you, I would perhaps steer clear of this one.)
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
September 8, 2025
At first I found the length of the book a bit daunting. I am not sure why, I have read books much longer (a certain very prolific horror author comes to mind). After getting into the story I saw why it needed to be that long. There is a lot of story here. The main protagonist, John, is a very complex character. He is a charming and good natured but smarmy alcoholic. He tries, but the allure of the bottle is too much to overcome and I'm not sure that deep down he really wants to get sober. The cast of characters surrounding him are varied, but all can be recognized as people one may know outside of fiction. Their various personalities are full bodied and written well. The deeper we delve into the story, the more bizarre it becomes. It stays that way throughout the story. Quite the tale here, I enjoyed it.
I received a copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
I received a copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
July 11, 2025
📗 Go You and Touch That Beautiful Black
(detective mystery)
‼️Advanced reader copy
✨ The Vibe:
Cigarette ash, a fog of lies, and just another bottle of booze. Is it real or just an old tale whispered too many times by the drunks?
✨ Plot Snapshot:
Who is killing drunks? The only way to stay alive is to stay sober, if you even believe in “these” kinds of things 😉
☠️ Content Warnings:
Alcoholism / binge drinking
Murder and dismemberment
✨ What It Gave Me:
That slow-burn tension I live for- two messy, magnetic partners unraveling a case while trying to figure out if they’re chasing a killer or a ghost story. I couldn’t put it down. The way the lies peeled back was chef’s kiss, and the main character? Disgusting in the best, most human way. I love a protagonist who’s unwashed, unreliable, and absolutely unfit for polite society.
✨ Would I recommend?
ABSOLUTELY
(detective mystery)
‼️Advanced reader copy
✨ The Vibe:
Cigarette ash, a fog of lies, and just another bottle of booze. Is it real or just an old tale whispered too many times by the drunks?
✨ Plot Snapshot:
Who is killing drunks? The only way to stay alive is to stay sober, if you even believe in “these” kinds of things 😉
☠️ Content Warnings:
Alcoholism / binge drinking
Murder and dismemberment
✨ What It Gave Me:
That slow-burn tension I live for- two messy, magnetic partners unraveling a case while trying to figure out if they’re chasing a killer or a ghost story. I couldn’t put it down. The way the lies peeled back was chef’s kiss, and the main character? Disgusting in the best, most human way. I love a protagonist who’s unwashed, unreliable, and absolutely unfit for polite society.
✨ Would I recommend?
ABSOLUTELY
August 17, 2025
This was such a beautifully strange read. It's the perfect mixture of detective, folklore and paranormal.
John’s personality is sarcastic and phenomenal throughout the entire novel. He gives an indepth look at alcoholism and the struggle to stay sober.
I loved how things got stranger as the novel went on and the other-ness of the whole situation.
So this one is definitely a long haul. With the length of the book, it almost felt like the exposition was a separate novel. I understand that it was there to give us a look into John's life and why he had to leave, but it honestly dragged on a bit too long for me despite the ridiculousness and hilarity of the situation.
still totally recommend if you love a good dective novel and are willing to suspend a bit of disbelief for the paranormal.
John’s personality is sarcastic and phenomenal throughout the entire novel. He gives an indepth look at alcoholism and the struggle to stay sober.
I loved how things got stranger as the novel went on and the other-ness of the whole situation.
So this one is definitely a long haul. With the length of the book, it almost felt like the exposition was a separate novel. I understand that it was there to give us a look into John's life and why he had to leave, but it honestly dragged on a bit too long for me despite the ridiculousness and hilarity of the situation.
still totally recommend if you love a good dective novel and are willing to suspend a bit of disbelief for the paranormal.
December 3, 2025
Have you ever read a book that feels like it was written for you? Because this one ticks ALL my boxes.
Listen, I'm not gonna lie to you. This is a long one. But for me - as someone who greatly appreciates the journey just as much as the destination - it was absolutely worth it. Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black is a triumph of existential exploration of the darkest parts of ourselves. It's got murder! It's got mystery! It's got cosmic dread and cryptids! It's got trauma! It's got all the beautifully detailed world-building and vibrant, distinct character voices you'll find in Boyd's work.
This book truly is a journey - one we go on with Henie as he attempts to solve not just his cases, but questions about himself, his life, and his place and purpose in the world... if he even has one.
Five stars, set atop a beautiful black sky.
Listen, I'm not gonna lie to you. This is a long one. But for me - as someone who greatly appreciates the journey just as much as the destination - it was absolutely worth it. Go You And Touch That Beautiful Black is a triumph of existential exploration of the darkest parts of ourselves. It's got murder! It's got mystery! It's got cosmic dread and cryptids! It's got trauma! It's got all the beautifully detailed world-building and vibrant, distinct character voices you'll find in Boyd's work.
This book truly is a journey - one we go on with Henie as he attempts to solve not just his cases, but questions about himself, his life, and his place and purpose in the world... if he even has one.
Five stars, set atop a beautiful black sky.
July 11, 2025
I had the tremendous privilege to read this book in advance, and boy was it a FANTASTIC read. I have to start by saying that this is the second novel by Boyd I have read, and he is very quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This story, these characters, all of it is perfection.
Private Investigator aka “Private Dick” John Henie finds himself in hot water, leading him to join a case with “Good Detective” Otis Huckobey. In the small town of Odder’s Cottage, a local working man is found dead with his liver missing. We follow Henie and Hux to figure out who, or what, committed the crime.
Who is John Henie? An absolutely train wreck, that’s what. One of my favorite things about Boyd’s writing is his characters. They are so well thought out, so real, so flawed. I feel like I know John Henie more than some of my closest relatives.
Boyd is sarcastic, witty, and visceral. Everything in his novels are intentional. Every. Single. Detail. I never feel like I am missing any piece of information. Please, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy!
Private Investigator aka “Private Dick” John Henie finds himself in hot water, leading him to join a case with “Good Detective” Otis Huckobey. In the small town of Odder’s Cottage, a local working man is found dead with his liver missing. We follow Henie and Hux to figure out who, or what, committed the crime.
Who is John Henie? An absolutely train wreck, that’s what. One of my favorite things about Boyd’s writing is his characters. They are so well thought out, so real, so flawed. I feel like I know John Henie more than some of my closest relatives.
Boyd is sarcastic, witty, and visceral. Everything in his novels are intentional. Every. Single. Detail. I never feel like I am missing any piece of information. Please, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy!
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