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The Necklace
In the isolated town of Warlington, escaped convict Daniel Quade is on a relentless quest for revenge against those he holds responsible for his wife’s murder. As a detective investigates a string of mysterious deaths, 18-year-olds Michael and Jenifer are counting down the days until graduation, eager to leave behind their small town and the torment of their difficult home life. But when their paths cross with Daniel, an earth-shattering truth is revealed—he is their biological father.
After a devastating night that leaves Jenifer in a coma and Michael severely injured, he awakens in a remote mansion, where he uncovers long-buried family secrets and the truth about his past. Torn between hatred for the father who abandoned him and grief over his sister’s fate, Michael is thrust into a tangled web of dark powers and hidden agendas.
As he struggles to make sense of it all, he must confront the forces threatening to destroy everything he’s ever known and everything he holds dear.
After a devastating night that leaves Jenifer in a coma and Michael severely injured, he awakens in a remote mansion, where he uncovers long-buried family secrets and the truth about his past. Torn between hatred for the father who abandoned him and grief over his sister’s fate, Michael is thrust into a tangled web of dark powers and hidden agendas.
As he struggles to make sense of it all, he must confront the forces threatening to destroy everything he’s ever known and everything he holds dear.
254 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2025
3 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Stewart
2 books18 followersHi there! I’m J.R. Stewart, a self-published author who believes the power of storytelling can inspire and transform lives.
My journey as a writer began at a young age when I’d spend hours writing short stories and creating picture books for fun. But it wasn’t until a somewhat unexpected moment that I realized writing could be more than just a hobby. One day, my sister Meg—being her usual nosy self—found one of my handwritten stories tucked away in my drawer. When I walked in to find her reading it, I was upset at first. But when she told me she wanted more, something clicked. I kept writing, and that moment, oddly enough, was the spark that eventually led me to publish my books.
I’ve always been drawn to thrillers, horror, and dark fantasy—stories that keep you on the edge of your seat with unexpected twists and turns. My books are a reflection of my interests, each one designed to surprise, captivate, and linger in your thoughts long after the last page. When I’m not writing, you can usually find me reading, baking, knitting, playing piano, or sketching.
My journey as a writer began at a young age when I’d spend hours writing short stories and creating picture books for fun. But it wasn’t until a somewhat unexpected moment that I realized writing could be more than just a hobby. One day, my sister Meg—being her usual nosy self—found one of my handwritten stories tucked away in my drawer. When I walked in to find her reading it, I was upset at first. But when she told me she wanted more, something clicked. I kept writing, and that moment, oddly enough, was the spark that eventually led me to publish my books.
I’ve always been drawn to thrillers, horror, and dark fantasy—stories that keep you on the edge of your seat with unexpected twists and turns. My books are a reflection of my interests, each one designed to surprise, captivate, and linger in your thoughts long after the last page. When I’m not writing, you can usually find me reading, baking, knitting, playing piano, or sketching.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 3, 2025
I wanted to read this after Stewart’s amazing debut with “Split Novella” which was a short, punchy psychological thriller.
“The Necklace” is also a psychological thriller mixed with fantasy! It is the first in a series. We follow two siblings, Michael and Jenifer, who start to discover buried family secrets when a convicted man escapes prison and heads straight for their small town. And after he takes down the people that killed his wife, he’s coming for Michael and Jenifer next!
This was a great fast paced, spooky read! From the first page, the story opens with a bang! And you can’t help but be swept into this small town of horror.
The suspense grew and grew like a ghostly presence until the last 50 or so pages when you get hit several terrifying twists!
I finished this within two days which is fairly fast for me. I did have to put it down before bed though because I was getting creeped out! And then I had to pick it up the next morning to finish the story before the monsters came to haunt me!
The characters were engaging and distinct. I would have liked to see a little more personality of each of them that didn’t just serve as plot development.
There were also a few random redundant lines here and there, and unnatural sounding dialogue lines that I didn’t care for. But I do admit, I can be picky (I went to school for writing and editing) so take my opinion with a grain of salt. My brain never turns off the editing machine.
Overall, a great quick read that will have you hooked from the very first page. If you like Stranger Things x Halloween x a more adult Goosebumps kind of immersive, fun thriller, I highly recommend this for you!
“The Necklace” is also a psychological thriller mixed with fantasy! It is the first in a series. We follow two siblings, Michael and Jenifer, who start to discover buried family secrets when a convicted man escapes prison and heads straight for their small town. And after he takes down the people that killed his wife, he’s coming for Michael and Jenifer next!
This was a great fast paced, spooky read! From the first page, the story opens with a bang! And you can’t help but be swept into this small town of horror.
The suspense grew and grew like a ghostly presence until the last 50 or so pages when you get hit several terrifying twists!
I finished this within two days which is fairly fast for me. I did have to put it down before bed though because I was getting creeped out! And then I had to pick it up the next morning to finish the story before the monsters came to haunt me!
The characters were engaging and distinct. I would have liked to see a little more personality of each of them that didn’t just serve as plot development.
There were also a few random redundant lines here and there, and unnatural sounding dialogue lines that I didn’t care for. But I do admit, I can be picky (I went to school for writing and editing) so take my opinion with a grain of salt. My brain never turns off the editing machine.
Overall, a great quick read that will have you hooked from the very first page. If you like Stranger Things x Halloween x a more adult Goosebumps kind of immersive, fun thriller, I highly recommend this for you!
September 18, 2025
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I really liked it. I finished this book in two days and couldn't stop reading. I got the ebook after seeing a post about it on Instagram, and I thought it was a great read. I've never read something like this before that combines horror, mystery, and fantasy in such an interesting way. I enjoyed how the book's main theme is family and love, which is something not seen often in the books I read, at least. And the horror parts of the book were my favorite. I wish book two were out now. Also, I would 100% try out Mitch's sled! five stars!
October 28, 2025
Wow! This was such a great read, fast paced! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Very unique characters. I enjoyed this book so much! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
December 3, 2025
18 year old twins, Michael and Jenifer, are counting down the days until graduation so they can leave their small town and difficult home life behind. The twins are just going through the motions until their lives are turned upside down when their path crosses escaped convict Daniel Quade. Quade has recently escaped prison and is out on a quest for revenge against those he holds responsible for his wife's death. Michael and Jenifer's lives have been anything but normal, but after a devastating night leaving Jenifer in a coma and Michael severely injured, Michael quickly realizes that not everything is as it seems. Waking up in a remote mansion, he uncovers long-buried family secrets and truths about his and his sisters past. As he struggles to make sense of it all, he must confront forces that are threatening himself and everything he holds dear.
I was a little skeptical going in to this book because I was scared that the horror wouldn't be prevalent throughout the novel, but it surprised me by just how great the horror is written. While the book is a psychological thriller mixed with fantasy, the thrilling parts really do stand out. This book is reminiscent of old Stephen King vibes, think Carrie and Firestarter and Stewart does a great job of writing these scenes that make you feel like you are there witnessing them or like they are a movie playing in your head. There is no shortage of thrilling scenes that keep this a fast paced read.
While I did really enjoy the book, I thought there were some times it got a little repetitive. Every time the symbol was brought up that this secret organization had and the person was wearing, we were reminded of what the symbol looked like, and while that may have been helpful the first or second time the symbol is brought up, I didn't feel like it needed to be brought up every time the symbol was mentioned. Also, I understand that this is part of a series and maybe it's just me being eager for the next installment, but I would have loved more of the lore around the necklace specifically to be dropped in this book. But I will be waiting for the next installment with bated breath to find the answers to my questions.
Overall, this book is a great fast paced read for someone that needs to switch up their genre. While the thrilling parts are prevalent the fantasy is also noted throughout the book and that makes it all the more fun. The book has a little bit of everything from cults to supernatural entities to found families attempting to seek revenge. Perfect for someone who is in a reading slump wanting a fast paced thriller that's not like the others.
I was a little skeptical going in to this book because I was scared that the horror wouldn't be prevalent throughout the novel, but it surprised me by just how great the horror is written. While the book is a psychological thriller mixed with fantasy, the thrilling parts really do stand out. This book is reminiscent of old Stephen King vibes, think Carrie and Firestarter and Stewart does a great job of writing these scenes that make you feel like you are there witnessing them or like they are a movie playing in your head. There is no shortage of thrilling scenes that keep this a fast paced read.
While I did really enjoy the book, I thought there were some times it got a little repetitive. Every time the symbol was brought up that this secret organization had and the person was wearing, we were reminded of what the symbol looked like, and while that may have been helpful the first or second time the symbol is brought up, I didn't feel like it needed to be brought up every time the symbol was mentioned. Also, I understand that this is part of a series and maybe it's just me being eager for the next installment, but I would have loved more of the lore around the necklace specifically to be dropped in this book. But I will be waiting for the next installment with bated breath to find the answers to my questions.
Overall, this book is a great fast paced read for someone that needs to switch up their genre. While the thrilling parts are prevalent the fantasy is also noted throughout the book and that makes it all the more fun. The book has a little bit of everything from cults to supernatural entities to found families attempting to seek revenge. Perfect for someone who is in a reading slump wanting a fast paced thriller that's not like the others.
January 8, 2026
The Necklace was such a surprising and intense read—I honestly couldn’t put it down. J.R. Stewart blends horror, mystery, and fantasy in a way that feels completely fresh. The story follows Daniel Quade, an escaped convict seeking revenge in the quiet town of Warlington, and two teens, Michael and Jenifer, desperate to escape their broken lives. When their paths collide, a shocking truth comes out: Daniel is their father. From that moment on, the story doesn’t let up.
Stewart balances small-town dread with supernatural elements that sneak up on you. The atmosphere is thick with tension—grief, anger, guilt—all wrapped around a core of family and love. Even amidst the violence and horror, there’s this underlying humanity that keeps you emotionally hooked.
The last third of the book is wild. Secrets unravel, the pace quickens, and the horror elements bloom into something dark and fantastical. I especially loved how the story left room for more—book two can’t come soon enough
Stewart balances small-town dread with supernatural elements that sneak up on you. The atmosphere is thick with tension—grief, anger, guilt—all wrapped around a core of family and love. Even amidst the violence and horror, there’s this underlying humanity that keeps you emotionally hooked.
The last third of the book is wild. Secrets unravel, the pace quickens, and the horror elements bloom into something dark and fantastical. I especially loved how the story left room for more—book two can’t come soon enough
January 5, 2026
I gave this book 3.5 stars.
If you like a fast-paced thriller with non-stop action, this book is for you.
Set in a small town, Michael and his sister Jenifer are about to graduate high school when they are forced to flee their home. What follows is a relentless race for survival filled with secrets, danger and twists that keep this story moving. Along the way, the story raises questions about trust, loyalty and how well we really know the people closet to us.
This is an engaging and easy read for thriller fans.
If you like a fast-paced thriller with non-stop action, this book is for you.
Set in a small town, Michael and his sister Jenifer are about to graduate high school when they are forced to flee their home. What follows is a relentless race for survival filled with secrets, danger and twists that keep this story moving. Along the way, the story raises questions about trust, loyalty and how well we really know the people closet to us.
This is an engaging and easy read for thriller fans.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews