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Heller
Deep in the fog-shrouded redwoods of the Pacific Northwest, the town of Blackroot conceals a sinister past.
For Delson Heller, a juvenile drug dealer yearning for a better life, the brutal murder of his closest friend shatters any illusion of normalcy. A cryptic video marks Delson and his classmates as targets in a sadistic plot tied to dark secrets from the town's past. As they unravel the mystery, they confront a legacy of violence, stories of a ruthless cult that has haunted the town since its founding, and Skullflower-a mind-altering drug that twists reality and erodes sanity.
With a masked killer closing in and trust fracturing, Delson must protect those he loves while battling the darkness within himself. But as the body count rises and the true mastermind emerges, he faces a harrowing embrace his violent heritage or fight for redemption, risking everything he holds dear.
In a town where secrets refuse to stay buried, Delson's greatest enemy may already control his mind. Will he withstand the horror-or become it?
For Delson Heller, a juvenile drug dealer yearning for a better life, the brutal murder of his closest friend shatters any illusion of normalcy. A cryptic video marks Delson and his classmates as targets in a sadistic plot tied to dark secrets from the town's past. As they unravel the mystery, they confront a legacy of violence, stories of a ruthless cult that has haunted the town since its founding, and Skullflower-a mind-altering drug that twists reality and erodes sanity.
With a masked killer closing in and trust fracturing, Delson must protect those he loves while battling the darkness within himself. But as the body count rises and the true mastermind emerges, he faces a harrowing embrace his violent heritage or fight for redemption, risking everything he holds dear.
In a town where secrets refuse to stay buried, Delson's greatest enemy may already control his mind. Will he withstand the horror-or become it?
376 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2025
17 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 1, 2025
Dylan, I know you're working on the sequel... I need that bad boy ASAP.
Heller is one HELL of a ride from start to finish. If you're a fan of slashers, you're gonna be a fan of this one right here! It starts off following Delson as he simply does his best to exist. He's a complex young man with a lot going against him, but he doesn't allow any of it to stand in his way. Throughout the book it jumps POVs to his friends and family in Blackroot, shining light on the history of its not-so-secret society. There is a lot of chaos and turmoil throughout, and all of it feels well planned. Every turn of the page uncovers more of the mystery with a pacing that allows you to savor the story as it unfolds. There is truly never a dull moment between the front and back covers and when shit hits the fan, it does so SPECTACULARLY.
This story is incredibly well executed. It's exciting, brutal, interesting, and absolutely deranged. You can tell that Dylan put his all into crafting this story. I can't believe this is a debut novel. Go ahead and grab this one IMMEDIATELY.
Heller is one HELL of a ride from start to finish. If you're a fan of slashers, you're gonna be a fan of this one right here! It starts off following Delson as he simply does his best to exist. He's a complex young man with a lot going against him, but he doesn't allow any of it to stand in his way. Throughout the book it jumps POVs to his friends and family in Blackroot, shining light on the history of its not-so-secret society. There is a lot of chaos and turmoil throughout, and all of it feels well planned. Every turn of the page uncovers more of the mystery with a pacing that allows you to savor the story as it unfolds. There is truly never a dull moment between the front and back covers and when shit hits the fan, it does so SPECTACULARLY.
This story is incredibly well executed. It's exciting, brutal, interesting, and absolutely deranged. You can tell that Dylan put his all into crafting this story. I can't believe this is a debut novel. Go ahead and grab this one IMMEDIATELY.
November 19, 2025
Got this as an ARC and it’s 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Heller takes the idea that the son pays for the father’s sins and twists it into something brutal, personal, and impossible to look away from.
Heller County feels alive in the worst way.
Every street, every house, every whispered secret adds to the rot sitting under this town.
What really impressed me was the character work. Delson and Frankie have one of the strongest dynamics in the book. Frankie brings dark humor that cuts the tension, and Delson is the opposite. He’s lived an emotionally sheltered life, raised in addiction and tragedy, and he carries this quiet, old-school cool. A cigarette-smoking, mysterious, Josh-Hartnett-in-The-Faculty type of energy. He’s wounded without being melodramatic, and that weight makes him easy to root for.
And unlike most slashers, you want these characters to make it. Delson, Alissa, Eddie, Rick, Rachel — everyone’s pain, mistakes, and fractured relationships create a level of tension most horror books never touch.
The family secrets run deeper than the sins of the parents. There’s a hidden relationship involving a powerful figure that detonates into pure chaos, complete with a gun fight that should not work but absolutely does.
The old house chapter is one of the best pieces of horror in the novel. It feels like Saw mixed with I Know What You Did Last Summer, only grounded in grief and dread. And that tape? You know something is coming, but it still hits.
Eddie is the man. He became my favorite character in a single moment of vulnerability, and it changed the entire trajectory of how I saw him.
Then the cult-like scene arrives. Bloody, frantic, and haunting. It’s the moment the book stops hinting and shows you the monster this town helped create.
There’s even a pseudo-supernatural twist that I can’t explain without spoiling, but it deepens the unease and blurs the line between fate and consequence.
The death scenes are insane. Violent, unpredictable, and always emotional.
And just when you think it’s over, a Final Destination style death lands with a grin. Am I sick for laughing? Probably. But you knew that already.
Heller is horror about people first, blood second. It’s grim, sharp, and built on consequences. If you want a slasher with depth and actual heart, this one deserves your attention.
Easily 4.5/5
Heller takes the idea that the son pays for the father’s sins and twists it into something brutal, personal, and impossible to look away from.
Heller County feels alive in the worst way.
Every street, every house, every whispered secret adds to the rot sitting under this town.
What really impressed me was the character work. Delson and Frankie have one of the strongest dynamics in the book. Frankie brings dark humor that cuts the tension, and Delson is the opposite. He’s lived an emotionally sheltered life, raised in addiction and tragedy, and he carries this quiet, old-school cool. A cigarette-smoking, mysterious, Josh-Hartnett-in-The-Faculty type of energy. He’s wounded without being melodramatic, and that weight makes him easy to root for.
And unlike most slashers, you want these characters to make it. Delson, Alissa, Eddie, Rick, Rachel — everyone’s pain, mistakes, and fractured relationships create a level of tension most horror books never touch.
The family secrets run deeper than the sins of the parents. There’s a hidden relationship involving a powerful figure that detonates into pure chaos, complete with a gun fight that should not work but absolutely does.
The old house chapter is one of the best pieces of horror in the novel. It feels like Saw mixed with I Know What You Did Last Summer, only grounded in grief and dread. And that tape? You know something is coming, but it still hits.
Eddie is the man. He became my favorite character in a single moment of vulnerability, and it changed the entire trajectory of how I saw him.
Then the cult-like scene arrives. Bloody, frantic, and haunting. It’s the moment the book stops hinting and shows you the monster this town helped create.
There’s even a pseudo-supernatural twist that I can’t explain without spoiling, but it deepens the unease and blurs the line between fate and consequence.
The death scenes are insane. Violent, unpredictable, and always emotional.
And just when you think it’s over, a Final Destination style death lands with a grin. Am I sick for laughing? Probably. But you knew that already.
Heller is horror about people first, blood second. It’s grim, sharp, and built on consequences. If you want a slasher with depth and actual heart, this one deserves your attention.
Easily 4.5/5
December 27, 2025
Heller by Dylan Degrave. What happens when your children are forced to live with the consequences of your past? And what are the odds that all those children, bound together by secrets they never asked for, would grow into such close friends, even as their parents drift apart in later years? Heller explores those questions with a story that primarily follows Delson Heller yet frequently shifts through multiple points of view. No matter whose perspective we’re in, everything inevitably circles back to Delson. The setting itself, Heller County, is steeped in lore and legacy that stretches all the way back to the town’s founding, giving the story a grounded, almost mythic atmosphere.
The book is full of twists, turns, and genuinely unexpected moments. Every time I thought I had finally started to piece things together, DeGrave threw another curveball that left me just as unsure, and just as intrigued, as when I began. It absolutely held my attention and kept the pages turning. As Delson and his crew start to suspect they’re being tracked or watched, they do everything they can to outsmart the killer. Yet somehow, the killer always seems to stay one step ahead, raising the tension with each chapter.
I’d give Heller a solid 5/5 for its readability, originality, and the way it delivers a gripping story that keeps you engaged and wanting more. Drugs are a hell of a thing and never forget… MOONLIGHT MATTERS.
The book is full of twists, turns, and genuinely unexpected moments. Every time I thought I had finally started to piece things together, DeGrave threw another curveball that left me just as unsure, and just as intrigued, as when I began. It absolutely held my attention and kept the pages turning. As Delson and his crew start to suspect they’re being tracked or watched, they do everything they can to outsmart the killer. Yet somehow, the killer always seems to stay one step ahead, raising the tension with each chapter.
I’d give Heller a solid 5/5 for its readability, originality, and the way it delivers a gripping story that keeps you engaged and wanting more. Drugs are a hell of a thing and never forget… MOONLIGHT MATTERS.
December 27, 2025
Wow I am completely shocked and speechless for the first time ever after reading a horror novel! Heller by Dylan Degrave is my favorite book of the YEAR! My favorite horror book of all time now! This is not a 4 or 5 star read. This is a freaking 6 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved Dylan’s writing style and his true passion for horror! This is the first horror novel that I am bawling my eyes out when I finish reading it. This book gave me all of the feels that I needed when it comes to horror! Edge of my seat, covering my eyes, the true horror feeling that you get when you watch a movie, the kills were great, I had nonstop chills going down my spine, and this novel will keep you gasping for air! Dylan thank you so much for this epic horror story! I freaking loved it!
September 6, 2025
This horror novel is everything I could have hoped for and more. It’s not just scary—it’s inventive, fresh, and the kind of story that lingers long after you close the book. The characters are so well-drawn at times it’s hard to remember they aren’t real! The imagery is on another level: vivid, unsettling, and crafted with a dark elegance I didn’t even know I needed until know.
A debut this strong doesn’t just impress—it announces a writer to watch
A debut this strong doesn’t just impress—it announces a writer to watch
November 14, 2025
Heller was a page turner, from start to finish. I finished it in just a few short sittings. Excellent pacing kept me chasing the next clue, the next kill, anything that might reveal answers to Heller County's haunting past. I rarely had time to consider the suspects, as everyone is a suspect in this shady place. This novel doesn’t let up. As I slipped deeper down the tragic rabbit hole that is Heller, I found myself wanting more, and each chapter delivered just that.
November 19, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down!!! Dylan’s attention to detail, from every character to each place and setting paints such a beautifully dark and vivid picture in your head. He keeps you engaged, interested and on your toes the whole time. A literal page turner. I love his own personal element he put into this and how you just keep pulling back layer after layer of the true darkness in Heller County. And just when you thought you figured it out? You didn’t. Well done, Dylan!! I’ll be waiting for more. 😁
December 15, 2025
Wow! what a ride, so many twists and turns and it keeps you guessing right up to the end! When you think you know, you don't. That ending, I don't really know how I really felt about it, what does it mean and will there be an ongoing story to follow? Overall, I really enjoyed reading this, it makes you feel nostalgic for slasher movies and all it's glory! Nice job!
January 4, 2026
Heller is dark, intense, and unapologetically raw. Dylan DeGrave doesn’t soften the edges or offer easy comfort—this book dives straight into obsession, power, and emotional reckoning, and it does so with confidence.
The writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you into a world that feels heavy with consequence. Every page carries tension, and the characters feel disturbingly real in their flaws and motivations. This is the kind of story that makes you uncomfortable in the best way—because it makes you feel something.
If you’re looking for a novel that challenges you, lingers with you, and doesn’t let you look away, Heller delivers.
The writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you into a world that feels heavy with consequence. Every page carries tension, and the characters feel disturbingly real in their flaws and motivations. This is the kind of story that makes you uncomfortable in the best way—because it makes you feel something.
If you’re looking for a novel that challenges you, lingers with you, and doesn’t let you look away, Heller delivers.
January 29, 2026
Heller by Dylan DeGrave is dark, intense, and hard to put down. The atmosphere is creepy from the start, the pacing is fast, and the characters feel real and emotionally grounded. It blends brutal horror with psychological depth in a way that really sticks with you. A great read for fans of gritty, unsettling horror. Highly recommend.
December 6, 2025
Absolutely amazing I couldn’t stop reading! I couldn’t get enough of the entire world and the characters! The mystery around the slasher was so addictive! I can’t wait to more
December 30, 2025
What a FANTASTIC debut novel! I am going to re-read and recommend this book over and over! Can’t wait for the next book so get to writing sir!
October 29, 2025
This book is a love letter to the horror genre and Dylan did a great job with overlapping elements seamlessly in a way that was able to give you a satisfying ending while never being able to guess exactly who it is behind the mask! It was a thrilling and emotional gut-punch of a horror that had me on the edge of my seat! Bravo Dylan, can’t wait to see what you come up with next! 🔪🩸🍁🍂
February 1, 2026
A great debut novel that will have you guessing from beginning to end. Be ready to have the rug pulled out from under you over and over again. "Heller" is one hell of a thrill ride that puts you in the victim's POV and I'm here for it. Everyone better watch out--- there's a new face in slasher/suspense, and like the killer in his novel, is hot on your tails. Run, don't walk to get yourself a copy of "Heller" by Dylan DeGrave. You won't be disappointed.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 stars
Final Score: 5 out of 5 stars
January 20, 2026
I'm changing my review to 5-stars since I gave it a 4.5 on my tiktok review. We always round up in my life!
Heller by Dylan DeGrave - If you know me, then you know that I love a good slasher. This one is 4.5/5 stars for me. It's fast-paced, exciting, brutal, and one hell of a debut!
This is the fresh take on a masked killer, whodunnit, don't get too attached to anyone, kind of book. The exact chaotic energy that I crave in a slasher. It grabs your attention from page one, and it doesn't left up.
A BLOODY debut that delivers, add this to your TBR!
Heller by Dylan DeGrave - If you know me, then you know that I love a good slasher. This one is 4.5/5 stars for me. It's fast-paced, exciting, brutal, and one hell of a debut!
This is the fresh take on a masked killer, whodunnit, don't get too attached to anyone, kind of book. The exact chaotic energy that I crave in a slasher. It grabs your attention from page one, and it doesn't left up.
A BLOODY debut that delivers, add this to your TBR!
January 10, 2026
This book made me feel like I was watching a horror movie unfold in real time.
It is relentless. Suspense layered on top of more suspense, twists stacked on top of secrets, and a constant sense that nothing is safe. This story checked every box for me when it comes to horror—and then went several steps further.
There is plenty of gore. There is a secret society. There is scandal, cult behavior, serial slashers, and a drug with disturbing mind control effects. Every element felt intentional. The author clearly loves the horror genre and understands how to escalate tension without losing control of the story.
The plot follows Delson Heller, whose already difficult life takes a brutal turn when one of his closest friends is murdered. Soon, Delson and his classmates realize they are being hunted by a serial killer who seems to know their every move. As they dig into their town’s dark history, they uncover long buried secrets involving their parents, a cult that has haunted the town since its founding, and a past that refuses to stay buried.
Told through multiple POVs, this book keeps you guessing constantly. Everyone feels suspicious and every revelation made my head spin. I trusted no one and was still surprised when culprits were unmasked. There is one particular moment that was so unexpected, that I actually yelled out loud.
The way past and present collide is expertly done, and the ending? Pretty bold. The stage is set for a sequel.
If you love fast-paced, unpredictable horror with cultish themes, high tension, and twists that actually land, I cannot recommend this enough.
It is relentless. Suspense layered on top of more suspense, twists stacked on top of secrets, and a constant sense that nothing is safe. This story checked every box for me when it comes to horror—and then went several steps further.
There is plenty of gore. There is a secret society. There is scandal, cult behavior, serial slashers, and a drug with disturbing mind control effects. Every element felt intentional. The author clearly loves the horror genre and understands how to escalate tension without losing control of the story.
The plot follows Delson Heller, whose already difficult life takes a brutal turn when one of his closest friends is murdered. Soon, Delson and his classmates realize they are being hunted by a serial killer who seems to know their every move. As they dig into their town’s dark history, they uncover long buried secrets involving their parents, a cult that has haunted the town since its founding, and a past that refuses to stay buried.
Told through multiple POVs, this book keeps you guessing constantly. Everyone feels suspicious and every revelation made my head spin. I trusted no one and was still surprised when culprits were unmasked. There is one particular moment that was so unexpected, that I actually yelled out loud.
The way past and present collide is expertly done, and the ending? Pretty bold. The stage is set for a sequel.
If you love fast-paced, unpredictable horror with cultish themes, high tension, and twists that actually land, I cannot recommend this enough.
November 10, 2025
First off, for a debut novel, this was absolutely amazing. The story is paced to horror/suspense perfection, and the atmosphere drips off every page.
The characters seem so real, that when they die, you FEEL it! It hurts! There’s characters you love, hate, and love to hate!
The slasher element is masterfully executed. And the twists are outstanding!
This is the horror novel I’ve been waiting for! Cannot wait for the sequel, because that ENDING??? Holy f**k!
Five stars no question!
If you love slasher, if you love horror, but not surface level, horror with depth and real heart, this is a brutal and masterful debut!
The characters seem so real, that when they die, you FEEL it! It hurts! There’s characters you love, hate, and love to hate!
The slasher element is masterfully executed. And the twists are outstanding!
This is the horror novel I’ve been waiting for! Cannot wait for the sequel, because that ENDING??? Holy f**k!
Five stars no question!
If you love slasher, if you love horror, but not surface level, horror with depth and real heart, this is a brutal and masterful debut!
December 10, 2025
First words that come to mind?
Millennials in high-school, but the year is 2025. They're haunted by not only the different traumas they have, but a slasher in the midst of it all. There is also a psychological element to this story, that caught me off guard. This book was so hard to put down. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The fast pace and multiple POVs made it feel like you were there. The deaths were creative and some were downright BRUTAL. I thought I had it figured out, and I was wrong. The Final twist is definitely not something I expected, but I loved it! Art takes time, but I need book 2 ASAP!
Millennials in high-school, but the year is 2025. They're haunted by not only the different traumas they have, but a slasher in the midst of it all. There is also a psychological element to this story, that caught me off guard. This book was so hard to put down. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The fast pace and multiple POVs made it feel like you were there. The deaths were creative and some were downright BRUTAL. I thought I had it figured out, and I was wrong. The Final twist is definitely not something I expected, but I loved it! Art takes time, but I need book 2 ASAP!
November 5, 2025
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC of Heller by Dylan, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity. Heller is a great read for anyone who's a fan of slasher horrors that will keep you guessing and introduces some great twists and turns. For this being Dylan's debut novel I am impressed by his writing style and prose. He does a particularly good job with writing the action sequences that will keep you on your toes. Congratulations to him for a fantastic debut and looking forward to whatever he writes next.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews