The Big Bad Wolf

by Nicolette Olivier

In 1975, a group of college students were murdered in a public library. Ten years later, the son of the lead detective picks up the cold trail, and uncovers a mystery more terrifying and deadly than he could have ever imagined.

Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2025

About the author

Nicolette Olivier is an artist, filmmaker, and multi-genre writer who loves cats.

Contact: polyestercowboyproductions@gmail.com

Reviews

[Claudia DCD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrifying start to my spooky season. Just the right amount of gore for me, more evocative of feeling than super detailed, a ghost story that really messed with my head. The slow unraveling of the mystery and sanity of the characters was my favorite part. Classic horror movie vibes with just a touch of occult for October. The strongest dynamics were the friendships and family relationships. These characters were real because of who they were to each other, how they affected each other. I'll be treading more carefully with my relationships from now on, and with my imagination, too.

[hope linan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, in trade for an honest review. This was facilitated through the Book Lounge Facebook group review team 😊

3.5/5

The Big Bad Wolf was a very interesting first horror read for me. Genuinely, I did struggle a bit with this book as it’s not my typical reading preference. My bad, and totally not the author’s fault!

This book follows Brady Monroe, a married father of two, as he sorts through his deceased father’s belongings. There is a lot of negative history with his father and the task is daunting. Amidst his father’s things, Brady finds investigative reports from his dad’s time as a policeman. This leads him down a chilling and creepy rabbit trial if there ever was such a thing.

Nearly ten years prior, a group of college kids were brutally murdered in a local library. The reports document everything the police knew. What they didn’t know, however, was that the kids had stumbled into something paranormal and evil, to their own demise.

The first portion of this book wasn’t creepy in the slightest. I didn’t feel the horror theme until after page 200 out of 330. The funk and creep was quickly developed in my opinion, which led me to give the rating I did. Brady is not a great main character, either. He’s angry, prone to isolation, and moody with his wife. She’s kind of the glue that holds the family together. The college kids were fairly good characters. I think it could’ve been more compelling if we had more of a backstory for all of them. We really only saw Hannah and her backstory develop.

Also, such horrifying things happened that weren’t horror/paranormal at all. I think it made overall sense to include that, but there weren’t really any trigger warnings to suggest that darker themes would be explored. Maybe that’s a given with horror?

Overall, I think if you enjoy the genre, you would most likely appreciate the book. If I hadn’t wanted to give the author a genuine review, I would’ve probably put the book down. I did get interested in this book once things picked up, but it didn’t smack me upside the head, like I really look forward to 😆

[Milt Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third horror book I've read in as many months figuring a tulpa, namely a thoughtform which takes bodily existence through the power of human imagination. I love the concept, and I appreciate its employment, especially when the author takes advantage of the Philip experiment, a parapsychology experiment in the 1970s in Canada to bring a fictional entity to being. In the case of "The Big Bad Wolf," I suppose the true events on which the novel is based refer to that experiment (as another of the aforementioned books also did, in a big way). I'm still unsure, however, since this is never cleared up: the fictional version here focuses on a group of four friends in the 1970s, ghost hunters, whose failure to actually detect any paranormal activity leads them to the attempt to create a ghost of their own. This is a great premise, and things get even better when one realizes that the attempt not only succeeded, but led to the death of most of them a couple of years later. As the book's synopsis notes, the whole affair is rediscovered in the 1980s by the son of a retired cop, who stumbled upon the 1970s cold case and tried to sort out what happened. The son, a family man with his own problems, picks up the torch, becomes obsessed with the whole thing, and ends up biting far more than he was prepared to chew.

Although all this sounds right up my alley, I had a lot of trouble with the execution. About one third of the book (more than 120 pages) are spent on matters extraneous to the main thread of the story: slow, detailed family drama, interrupted abruptly by student life in the 1970s, and then more family drama, all conveyed through interminable dialogue, since this is a very, very dialogue-heavy book. By the time I realized what the story was about I hated almost all the characters. Things picked up after that, and the middle third of the book was quite exciting. In fact, I enjoyed myself till the last twenty pages, when the story took a strange turn, the narrative spiraling into a rushed and verbose ending. And I'm still in the dark about the book's chosen title (unless the suggestion is that the much-maligned Hanna was the Red Riding Hood?).

That said, the author does have a knack for family scenes; they were the strongest and most immersive parts of the book, the only problem being that they were far too many and extensive for a horror story, trying the reader's (my) patience. With apologies to the author, I would suggest turning the book into a razor-sharp 150 page novella, it'd be the perfect length for this kind of story.

[Shelly P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to read this book. The storyline has a combination of paranormal activity and suspense. Nicolette Olivier developed strong family relationships and friendships through her story telling. Investing in these characters is worth the surprise that awaits you at the end!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First want to thank the author for the opportunity to read this.
This takes place in 1975, where a group of college Students were murdered in a local library.
The author notes this is based on a true story!
Nicolette Olivier did a grad job of bringing together paranormal or supernatural into a murder mystery. You were invested in the characters and the relationship they had.
This mystery was never solved until 10 years later . Then
Was it completely solved?
Nicolette weaved a tale that brings two worlds together as if it seems as one!
I would recommend anyone who like paranormal or supernatural to check out this book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great horror book

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I would like to sincerely thank the author for the opportunity to read this story. Providing a space for honest feedback is what strengthens the Indie community, and I truly appreciate the trust.
​From the very beginning, I had a lingering sense of dread that gut feeling that something terrible was about to unfold. As the plot developed, the characters and the atmosphere blended together perfectly. It is a terrifying and impactful story that kept me on edge.
​Nicolette Olivier demonstrated a masterful command of character development and narrative direction. The concept of college students being hunted in a public library is enough to give anyone goosebumps. It is chilling, claustrophobic, and brilliantly executed.
​I highly recommend this book to any true horror fan. It is a gripping read that earns a well-deserved 5-star rating from me.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read! I loved the story and the way it was told. The dual timelines were managed really well and were held up by very strong characters. All of our MCs were really well-formed and their relationships were very real. I loved the dynamic of the four friends, each with their own issues but coming together to create something very special. (No spoilers in my reviews, ha ha.) Ben’s family too, were completely believable.
The plot itself was really well-managed and well-structured, the two timelines intertwined very well.
If you’re looking for a good, entertaining, plot-driven story, then you’re not gonna go wrong with this. Really, really enjoyable.

[Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn’t 100% sure what to expect going into this book but it was amazing. Really loved the book and didn’t want to put it down but had to due to adulting. Great murder mystery read

[Oh My Bookness · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes place in 1975, where there was a group of college students who were murdered at the local library. In the beginning, the author notes it’s “based on True Events”—that’s a curious mystery you will just have to find out for yourself. It also adds an extra layer to the story.

Unfortunately, this mysterious case runs cold and turns into something more horrifying and terrifying than any one person can imagine. It would be 10 years later when the son of the original lead detective finally picks up the cold trail, but what he discovers is more than anyone could ever expect. It leaves the questions of who, why, and have they done this before? What was their motive? Or, simply put, are they just animalistic like The Big Bad Wolf? In other words, could it be a wolf in sheep’s clothing or someone you would least expect?

As we meet these characters in Boston, Massachusetts, a historical city with its own dark, ominous history and a past that will never be forgotten, they are trying to figure out a cold case that seems to intertwine with more than the human mind could possibly understand or even fathom. We also have an unexpected present that, in its own way, as part of this story, will leave you wondering what’s really going on.

This paranormal murder mystery novel takes you on a journey with well-developed characters that are fleshed out through each page and chapter, allowing you to get to know them over time. The story will lead you into these mysterious murders, but also into a present that is well-known in Massachusetts. The author is able to seamlessly integrate the paranormal or supernatural into a murder mystery case without losing the reader’s interest, weaving a tale together that brings two worlds together so they almost seem like one.

As we read through the book, we learn about each character through their own chapter and their own pages. It may seem like the story is everywhere and nowhere at once, but it’s not. As we learn about these characters, we slowly see an acquaintance or relationship develop between them, and we hear what each has to say and what they are thinking.

Don’t worry, there is a chapter entitled “The Big Bad Wolf” and even more throughout the pages. It is very important to focus on these individual stories because they do connect, even when you think they don’t. What is happening is we are getting to know each individual character until it all comes together towards the end, leading to the climax.

This is a book for those into murder mysteries and possible paranormal activities (and you will just have to read to find out how each plays into the other). You will just have to read to find out how and more.

Do you know what or who The Big Bad Wolf is? Is it a person, an incident, a paranormal crossing, or a revenge plot? You will just have to read to find out!

To all mystery, murder, and Massachusetts enthusiasts, and possible paranormal fans, you will have to read this book, and it will be one you might revisit on an October night.

[Elizabeth Tetzlaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was graciously given a ARC copy and was thrilled at the chance to give a review. This was started off by saying it was a true story which made it more interesting and gave purpose to read even more. The story revolves around two timelines; Brad and his family who is cleaning out his father's residence and a group of friends who are paranormal hunters. What these two have in common is an unsolved case from ten years ago.

As introduced, the entire incident is revisited in the 1980s by the son of a retired police officer, who discovers the cold case from the 1970s and seeks to uncover what transpired. The son, a family man facing his own challenges, takes up the investigation and becomes obsessed with the case.

What is the case? It revolves around the group. The group which has an inability to detect any paranormal activity and forces them to attempt to create a ghost of their own. This concept becomes even more intriguing when one realizes that their attempt not only succeeded but also resulted in the deaths of most of them a couple of years later.

I do have to admit that the dialogue was hard for me, written as spoken and there was a lot of it. But, as the story continued I was able to get used to it and get more involved. This was heavy on character building and very character driven. There was a purpose in this as you will find out as you read. Things improved after that, and the middle third of the book was quite thrilling. In fact, I was enjoying myself right up until the end.

Was this paranormal after all? Read to find out. This would be a great October read.

[Jannetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is interesting. It spans two timelines and quite a few lives. The story begins with a father trying to figure out what to do with the contents of his father’s house. He is reluctant to deal with anything to do with his father and the house, but his sense of duty drives him on. The house has its secrets, and soon they begin to reveal themselves in fearsome ways. Entwined with the revelations found in boxes is the story of several friends from years before and their terrifying experiences, after their haphazard tries at summoning ghosts, which eventually spill into the present. This story moves from the past to the present frequently, and some issues with a few elements, the use of homophones – using a word that sounds the same but has different meanings – queue for cue, is one example. Overall, the storyline drags a bit with the amount of dialogue, the back and forth’ing with the friends, the slow burn of the main character’s struggle with his emotions, but once it gets to the action, those areas are fast-paced, and the supernatural element is interesting in its growth. There is graphic violence, attempted rape, body-shaming, near constant mentions of marijuana use in the students’ lives. After the climactic finish, there is a tidying-up that felt a bit too neat and bucolic, but led to a classic ending note.

[Jennifer Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel this is a 3.5. not quite 3 but not quite 4 stars. the main storyline was very interesting and original. I loved the new take on the paranormal. while I did enjoy the story line I had a few things I didn't enjoy. there were alot of side plot lines that didn't really go anywhere. the first half of the book dragged to me. for a while it was so unclear what the plot line would even be. there were alot of things brought up with no extra detail or explanation (the shoe box, jacks issue with having to have his house locked up like Fort knox, the autopsies). the shoe box was half way explained. alot of times the scene would change abruptly or change to a different character in the next paragraph. no warning. finish one paragraph thinking things are getting good and all of a sudden the next paragraph is someone somewhere else doing something entirely different. no change in chapter or warning. there was alot of spelling issues as well (while im sure it was intentional) it made things hard to read sometimes. (ta instead of to, yer instead of your, 'im instead of him) one last thing that bugged me is they synapse made it seem like the kids were murdered in 1975 when it was actually the end of 76. it says "10 years later son of detective.." then in the book it says 9 years ago. small but slightly annoying to me. while alot of things bugged me I did overall enjoy the book.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Bad Wolf, written by Nicolette Olivier, is a horror set in 1975 and 1985. I am all about horror genres set in that time frame. It is the time of my life when things were much scarier!

The book follows Brady Monroe as he goes through his deceased father’s belongings and home. There is a lot of reluctance as he goes through his father’s things. They were not close. This father was a police officer, and Brady finds police reports and evidence among his things.

The story then shifts to 1975, where a group of college kids is savagely murdered in a library. The build-up to the story is very slow for me, and I had a hard time staying focused without putting the book down. You get to know the characters, and the tension slowly builds.

It wasn’t until late in the book that things got really interesting for me. By this time, however, I just wanted to finish the book. I was not invested in Brady. He was not a likable character.

Thanks to Nicolette Olivier for gifting me an eARC of The Big Bad Wolf. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kriz Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was grateful to receive a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
The story started at a much slower pace than what I usually go for but the plot was far from boring. I understand why the author chose to write in a stylized dialog (phonetic) as it created a more immersive experience but I found myself rereading several lines of the dialog between characters just to understand what was happening.
I enjoyed the concept of a haunting without an actual “ghost”, and the mystery surrounding “Edward” gave him a more sinister vibe. There were definitely some gruesome scenes towards the end and by the time the book is done the reader is questioning what was real and what was not.
Overall, I felt like the ending was a little rushed and I wish we would’ve gotten more pov’s from Crystal and Robbie. Still though I would recommend this book to my friends as it was a quick and entertaining read.

3.5 out of 5 stars. Kudos to the author, I look forward to read more of your work.

Side note beware of trigger warnings before reading, there were several scenes of SA both male and female that left me feeling a little uncomfortable.

[Michelle Koubek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivier's The Big Bad Wolf is a delightful horror mystery.

I'll preface this by saying that I am a HUGE horror fan. I consume some sort of horror every day whether it be in film, book, or television format. That being said, I often am disappointed by how predictable and formulaic plotlines can be. This is not the case for The Big Bad Wolf. It's creative and thoughtful from its characters to its twists.

My favorite part was surprisingly the dual timelines. Usually, I don't like this in stories, but it worked well here. The friends from 1975 hooked me instantly with their dynamic, and their interactions felt authentic. This is truly character and dialogue-driven, so be prepared to feel like you're there with the characters (even in the darkest moments).

I don't like to give too much away in my reviews, so I'm going to avoid that here. All I can say is, it's worth a read if you enjoy the kind of novel that slowly sinks its claws into your skin. This is an interesting and moody read.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this author writes conversational sentences. It is actually how we say words and would spell them in conversation. I like that it’s so different. This was a really unique story. It’s like two very different stories being told and then they mesh at some point. At times it was pretty scary. There was so much suspense and intrigue, and was intense, at times, especially towards the end. It was engaging and gripping, so much so that I didn’t want to put it down. Although the paragraphs were long, the book moved at a rapid pace and was easy to digest. The main characters seemed like people I would like in real life. They were pretty well developed and they fit together pretty well as a group. But what happened to them was heartbreaking. I liked this story. I would definitely recommend it.

[Rebecca Dadds · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Bad Wolf has an interesting premise and moments where the story really shows its potential, but overall it didn’t fully land for me. The opening is very slow, and it took a while before I felt grounded in the world or invested in the characters. The constant jumping between the two storylines made the pacing feel uneven, and instead of building tension, it often pulled me out of the narrative.

By the time the plot started to gain momentum, the ending arrived quickly — almost too quickly — and felt rushed compared to the long build up. Still, the core idea behind the story is compelling, and there are flashes of originality that kept me reading.

A solid concept with some strong moments, but the execution didn’t quite come together for me.

I received a review copy of this book from the author.

[Angela Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably give this 3.5 stars. I thought the premise was good and after awhile I did enjoy the story. There are some really slow parts of the book, it could probably be a bit shorter without losing anything. I was super confused at the beginning of the book as to what was happening. It probably took me until Chapter 6 to figure out we had 2 different timelines. When we first jump in Chapter 3, it came out of nowhere and I had no idea what exactly was happening or who the people were. The 2nd half of the book picked up the pace, there were some shorter chapters and things were broken up a bit more than they were in the first half. I think that helped with the pacing and keeping it more interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title -> The big
bad wolf
Author -> Nicolette Oliver
Rating⭐️ -> 3/5
Genre 🎃 -> Horror/ supernatural
spice 🌶 ->
Main Character 🎎 -> College Students
Book Type 📒 -> Book 1
Main Trigger Warnings ⚠️ -> Little Gore/ graphic shock
Pages -> 425

This book is interesting. The story was told beautifully, you think the book is so calm and nice until a Rollercoaster hits and not physical literally. All the family and friendships were hand in hand. Some ghostly elements were creeping in at the edges, gore a little. Fear was all over leaving lots of imagination
group of young people killed and the mysteries gets stranger and weirder. This was given to me as a arc book to reveiw and it was a good read

[Liz Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I had a little bit of a struggle getting into this book, partly because of the choice to use specific dialect to indicate pronunciation, and partly because the book felt like it had a bit of a slow start. However, once it got going and I got used to the dialect, I loved it. The shifting POV and timeline was very well written and easy to follow, even when it changed within the same chapter. The writing also had a great build of tension and intrigue. It was interesting, exciting, fun, and engaging. I would love to see it made into a movie!

[Melissa workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

This was such a good read. The story pulled me in right away and kept me curious the whole time. I loved the mix of mystery, suspense, and the paranormal elements woven into the story. It slowly builds and keeps you wondering what’s really going on.

The characters felt real and the mystery kept me turning pages because I needed to know what would happen next. It’s one of those books that sticks with you after you finish it.

If you enjoy suspenseful stories with a creepy twist, I definitely recommend giving this one a read.

I received a copy of this book from the author, but all opinions are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder of a group of friends in 1975. A son of a police detective stumbling across the decade old murder case in his father's garage as he's clearing it out. What starts as a simple task of clearing a house quickly turns into something much darker and intense. The Big Bad Wolf takes us on a ride between he two timelines and how they unfold. This book is a well done slow burn horror. Olivier does a great job at creating dread, despair, and a creepy environment. The characters were enjoyable. If you enjoy suspense and horror I would absolutely recommend this book. Very fun horror book!

[Karla W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I will be thinking about this one for a long time! Wow! It was definitely a page turner, and I loved it so much! Would highly recommend. Just 330 pages and a great read! I would absolutely read every book by this author!!! Well done Nicolette!!!

[Yvonne Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that flashes between the past and the present. Creating a vivid picture of every character that I felt I knew them personally just as Brady did. It did take me longer than expected, but was worth the wait in the end.

[Crissy Curlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts slow, took me 2 days to get 50 pages in. Then the story picked up and got crazy..