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The Key and the Countess
“LOVE. LIFE. FAMILY. ALL YOU’VE EVER WANTED. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DRINK.”
When an ancient evil is unearthed from the bottom of Georgian Bay, everything in Key Harbour will change. Mutilated animal corpses. Mysterious disappearances. Strange dreams of a Woman in Black. Life in Key was quiet and peaceful. A small marina town. A close-knit community. But soon, Isaac Matthews and the townsfolk must each make an impossible decision, which won’t only determine the fate of everyone in Key Harbour, but perhaps, everyone with a pulse.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO PROTECT THE ONES YOU LOVE?
WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE FOR ETERNAL LIFE?
“I will protect you. I swear it,” Hutch pledges and smiles. This feeling of devotion, so utterly and completely, makes him feel more alive than he ever has before. “Tell me what you need… my Countess.”
Just one word, when whispered, sends a cold chill down his spine, as if a thousand spiders with thousands of legs were dancing upon his back. Yet, he knows he will comply, for his life is hers, now and forever.
Blood.
When an ancient evil is unearthed from the bottom of Georgian Bay, everything in Key Harbour will change. Mutilated animal corpses. Mysterious disappearances. Strange dreams of a Woman in Black. Life in Key was quiet and peaceful. A small marina town. A close-knit community. But soon, Isaac Matthews and the townsfolk must each make an impossible decision, which won’t only determine the fate of everyone in Key Harbour, but perhaps, everyone with a pulse.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO PROTECT THE ONES YOU LOVE?
WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE FOR ETERNAL LIFE?
“I will protect you. I swear it,” Hutch pledges and smiles. This feeling of devotion, so utterly and completely, makes him feel more alive than he ever has before. “Tell me what you need… my Countess.”
Just one word, when whispered, sends a cold chill down his spine, as if a thousand spiders with thousands of legs were dancing upon his back. Yet, he knows he will comply, for his life is hers, now and forever.
Blood.
466 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2025
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Michael Neeb
37 books14 followersMichael Neeb lives in Brantford, Ontario. A husband and a father, voice-over actor and writer. In the winter he can be found strumming a guitar and playing hockey. In the summer you can find him fishing unsuccessfully or golfing terribly and enjoying the lakes of Northern Ontario. And always reading, watching, or listening to stories.
Website - www.michaelvo.ca
TikTok - @michaelreadsandwrites
Facebook - www.facebook.com/michael.neeb.372/
Website - www.michaelvo.ca
TikTok - @michaelreadsandwrites
Facebook - www.facebook.com/michael.neeb.372/
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 28, 2025
Thank you to Michael Neeb for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
4 stars
Spoiler-free summary
Set just after COVID, the story takes place in a small, isolated island town where strange dreams, disappearances, and a looming presence slowly disrupt the quiet life. As fear spreads and the town becomes cut off, the line between survival and sacrifice begins to blur.
My thoughts
1. My emotions & overall experience
Once I really started reading this book, my curiosity just kept building. The chapters are short, so it always feels like you’re making progress, which I loved, especially since I usually don’t enjoy long books. But damn, this one worked.
I finished it within 10 hours, and that says something. The major events were well spaced out, so you actually get time to digest the plot. And honestly… thank god for this book. After a long time, it made me want to read again and helped pull me out of a reading slump.
I love vampires, and yes, it reminded me of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, with strong Dracula vibes too. It was funny when it needed to be funny (which is harder than it looks), and I genuinely enjoyed myself.
The author did a fantastic job with this one. Definitely give it a try.
2. World-building & setting
I really liked the world-building. The storytelling is vivid, and you can easily picture the scenery the author describes. The isolated town setting worked really well, especially with the whole “no outside help” situation.
It strongly reminded me of the movie Tremors, with the town being stormed in, completely cut off, and forced to survive on its own. The post-COVID backdrop added to that eerie, end-of-the-world feeling, and winter only made everything more bleak and intense.
Some scenes were pretty gruesome—a full horror show, and I liked that.
3. Plot & pacing
The book was medium-paced but never boring. That said… there are plot holes (more on that later).
4. Main & side characters
Father Mackie: Lol, I really liked Father Mackie’s character the most. Even in the face of death, he stood his ground and fought valiantly. You know who Mackie reminded me of? The legendary Burt Gummer!
Isaac: The protagonist, Isaac… I also found myself rooting for him.
The Countess: Man… I was actually rooting for the Countess at first, but her recruitment decisions were awful.
Hutch:
Jak:
Beverly: I liked the teacher. She was so badass.
Kat & Ashley: Absolutely loved the mother-daughter duo roasting the Countess.
“Go fuck yourself, bitch.” Kat, you go, girl.
5. Plot logic, questions & negatives
6. Final Thoughts
The ending was bittersweet.
This is a horror book, and I actually liked that about it. Some of the descriptions were genuinely unsettling, and the author did a good job creating atmosphere through the writing. Despite my complaints, I really enjoyed this book. It made me care, it made me laugh, and it got me back into reading.
So yes—I would continue reading this author’s work.
4 stars
Overprepared? Maybe. But, who’s laughing now, huh?
Spoiler-free summary
Set just after COVID, the story takes place in a small, isolated island town where strange dreams, disappearances, and a looming presence slowly disrupt the quiet life. As fear spreads and the town becomes cut off, the line between survival and sacrifice begins to blur.
My thoughts
1. My emotions & overall experience
Once I really started reading this book, my curiosity just kept building. The chapters are short, so it always feels like you’re making progress, which I loved, especially since I usually don’t enjoy long books. But damn, this one worked.
I finished it within 10 hours, and that says something. The major events were well spaced out, so you actually get time to digest the plot. And honestly… thank god for this book. After a long time, it made me want to read again and helped pull me out of a reading slump.
I love vampires, and yes, it reminded me of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, with strong Dracula vibes too. It was funny when it needed to be funny (which is harder than it looks), and I genuinely enjoyed myself.
The author did a fantastic job with this one. Definitely give it a try.
2. World-building & setting
I really liked the world-building. The storytelling is vivid, and you can easily picture the scenery the author describes. The isolated town setting worked really well, especially with the whole “no outside help” situation.
It strongly reminded me of the movie Tremors, with the town being stormed in, completely cut off, and forced to survive on its own. The post-COVID backdrop added to that eerie, end-of-the-world feeling, and winter only made everything more bleak and intense.
Some scenes were pretty gruesome—a full horror show, and I liked that.
3. Plot & pacing
The book was medium-paced but never boring. That said… there are plot holes (more on that later).
4. Main & side characters
Father Mackie: Lol, I really liked Father Mackie’s character the most. Even in the face of death, he stood his ground and fought valiantly. You know who Mackie reminded me of? The legendary Burt Gummer!
Isaac: The protagonist, Isaac… I also found myself rooting for him.
The Countess: Man… I was actually rooting for the Countess at first, but her recruitment decisions were awful.
Hutch:
Jak:
Beverly: I liked the teacher. She was so badass.
Kat & Ashley: Absolutely loved the mother-daughter duo roasting the Countess.
“Go fuck yourself, bitch.” Kat, you go, girl.
5. Plot logic, questions & negatives
6. Final Thoughts
The ending was bittersweet.
This is a horror book, and I actually liked that about it. Some of the descriptions were genuinely unsettling, and the author did a good job creating atmosphere through the writing. Despite my complaints, I really enjoyed this book. It made me care, it made me laugh, and it got me back into reading.
So yes—I would continue reading this author’s work.
October 30, 2025
A bloody romp with shades of Salem's Lot and The Village of the Damned. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced readers copy and it got me right in the mood for the spooky season. The characters were great, the plot was well executed, and the violence just to the right side of grotesque. To me the strongest element (besides a loyal dog who deserves a medal) was the town. It felt like a real place, a character in its own right, full of small town charm and dark secrets for the evil to exploit.
January 20, 2026
I just finished reading this book and was SO surprised at how much I enjoyed it as this is not my typical genre. But it's so well written and addictive.
You get to know the characters in this small town in northern Ontario and feel their love for this place, and their fear and cheer them on when they come together to save their town from a vampire.
If you like books with vampires, but in the creepy sense and not like in a Romance novel then I bet you will love this Canadian written book full of Canadian things including the town.
it's so good.
You get to know the characters in this small town in northern Ontario and feel their love for this place, and their fear and cheer them on when they come together to save their town from a vampire.
If you like books with vampires, but in the creepy sense and not like in a Romance novel then I bet you will love this Canadian written book full of Canadian things including the town.
it's so good.
November 19, 2025
This book had me frantically turning the page to find out what happened next! The town felt like a true Northern Ontario small town and I could really imagine the characters as people I knew in my real life. A classic vampire story but with unexpected twists that had me gasping and needing to put the book down to wrap my head around what happened.
Highlights: Cash the dog (the goodest boy who ever was) and Priest Mackie (stoner and Lord of the Rings fan)
Highlights: Cash the dog (the goodest boy who ever was) and Priest Mackie (stoner and Lord of the Rings fan)
November 2, 2025
There aren't many books where I turn the page frantically to see what happens next, but I sure did with The Key and the Countess. The story itself was phenomenal. The action was described in a way that made me feel like I could actually see the characters as their journeys unfolded. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
December 7, 2025
The Key and the Countess was my first read for December, picked up under the suggestion of the author — and honestly, I’m glad I listened. This book blends small-town charm, atmospheric winter horror, and a surprising amount of gore into a fast, highly entertaining vampire story.
The novel follows Isaac, the fire chief of Key Harbour, and a memorable cast of townspeople. I genuinely grew attached to a few of them — especially Cash, Isaac’s dog, and Father Mackie, who delivers Lord of the Rings references and the occasional pot-laced wisdom. The town feels lived-in, warm, and believable… which makes the intrusion of horror hit even harder.
Everything shifts when Isaac helps a friend recover a shipwreck from the early 1900s. Something ancient awakens beneath the water, and from there the book escalates quickly. Without giving anything away, the threat that emerges is powerful, bloodthirsty, and absolutely relentless. The gore surprised me — in a good way — and added real stakes to the story as Key Harbour finds itself fighting for survival.
The vibe reminded me of a mash-up of classic horror influences: Nosferatu, Midnight Mass, Salem’s Lot, and From Dusk Till Dawn. All the best parts of the vampire genre rolled into one snowy, wintry setting. The December backdrop adds an extra layer of coldness and isolation that fits the story perfectly.
This book is fun, brutal, cinematic, and surprisingly emotional at times. If you love vampire stories that lean into atmosphere and gore, this is a fantastic winter read. Highly recommended.
The novel follows Isaac, the fire chief of Key Harbour, and a memorable cast of townspeople. I genuinely grew attached to a few of them — especially Cash, Isaac’s dog, and Father Mackie, who delivers Lord of the Rings references and the occasional pot-laced wisdom. The town feels lived-in, warm, and believable… which makes the intrusion of horror hit even harder.
Everything shifts when Isaac helps a friend recover a shipwreck from the early 1900s. Something ancient awakens beneath the water, and from there the book escalates quickly. Without giving anything away, the threat that emerges is powerful, bloodthirsty, and absolutely relentless. The gore surprised me — in a good way — and added real stakes to the story as Key Harbour finds itself fighting for survival.
The vibe reminded me of a mash-up of classic horror influences: Nosferatu, Midnight Mass, Salem’s Lot, and From Dusk Till Dawn. All the best parts of the vampire genre rolled into one snowy, wintry setting. The December backdrop adds an extra layer of coldness and isolation that fits the story perfectly.
This book is fun, brutal, cinematic, and surprisingly emotional at times. If you love vampire stories that lean into atmosphere and gore, this is a fantastic winter read. Highly recommended.
February 6, 2026
Thank you so much to Michael for the opportunity to read this! This isn’t my usual genre, but I found myself enjoying this way more than I had anticipated!
The first half was 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, which at the time felt a little bit slow, but as the story progressed it made sense as to why so much of the beginning was dedicated to it. For me, this story is 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻, and I found myself being invested in certain characters and wanting to know what was going to happen to them. The detail that went into shaping the characters, individually as well as their relationships with each other, really made for 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 for me as a reader (and I’m sure for others as well) as the plot progressed. The ending was 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 and I feel like each of the characters got their moment which I liked.
I do wish we got more backstory on the Countess, maybe a flashback chapter or two from her past or something like that would have been interesting. But overall, the Countess was a creepy, manipulative, and brutal antagonist, which I enjoyed!
This was my first read by this author, and I really liked the writing style. Although I don’t typically gravitate to 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 writing, this was really 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄. There was also a good amount of 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 elements written in, character and plot wise. All this paired with 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 made it an 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱!
—
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
Star: 4⭐️/5
Spice: 0🌶️/5
Emotion: 2💧/5
⚠️ I would recommend looking into possible trigger warnings prior to reading this book, as it touches on some darker elements ⚠️
The first half was 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, which at the time felt a little bit slow, but as the story progressed it made sense as to why so much of the beginning was dedicated to it. For me, this story is 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻, and I found myself being invested in certain characters and wanting to know what was going to happen to them. The detail that went into shaping the characters, individually as well as their relationships with each other, really made for 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 for me as a reader (and I’m sure for others as well) as the plot progressed. The ending was 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 and I feel like each of the characters got their moment which I liked.
I do wish we got more backstory on the Countess, maybe a flashback chapter or two from her past or something like that would have been interesting. But overall, the Countess was a creepy, manipulative, and brutal antagonist, which I enjoyed!
This was my first read by this author, and I really liked the writing style. Although I don’t typically gravitate to 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 writing, this was really 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄. There was also a good amount of 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 elements written in, character and plot wise. All this paired with 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 made it an 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱!
—
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
Star: 4⭐️/5
Spice: 0🌶️/5
Emotion: 2💧/5
⚠️ I would recommend looking into possible trigger warnings prior to reading this book, as it touches on some darker elements ⚠️
December 30, 2025
The Key and The Countess
The Key and The Countess & The Coven of Toben Island series
By Michael Neeb
🗝 Vampire thriller
⛴️ Small town thriller
🗝 Vampire Shifters
⛴️ Cinematic experience
🗝 Heroic MMC
⛴️ Countess Vampire Queen FMC
HOLY. Did this book have me hooked from the get go! I could NOT put it down!
The prologue itself had my interests piqued when man is protecting his Countess or well her coffin, aboard a cargo ship in the 1800's when a bad storm hits and the ship sinks but he is willing to give his life to ensure she is safe.
Fast forward to the present when the fire chief of Key Harbour's best mate is determined he has found the mother load and that they must go diving to uncover it asap, only what they find may not be the answer to his prayers, in fact it may unleash a darkness onto their little town that they just may not be able to stop.
Absolutely incredible heartstopping read that will have you losing sleep because you just need to know what happens!
The Key and The Countess is available now 😘🖤
#vampirethriller #smalltownthriller #vampires #bookishthoughts #bookreview
The Key and The Countess & The Coven of Toben Island series
By Michael Neeb
🗝 Vampire thriller
⛴️ Small town thriller
🗝 Vampire Shifters
⛴️ Cinematic experience
🗝 Heroic MMC
⛴️ Countess Vampire Queen FMC
HOLY. Did this book have me hooked from the get go! I could NOT put it down!
The prologue itself had my interests piqued when man is protecting his Countess or well her coffin, aboard a cargo ship in the 1800's when a bad storm hits and the ship sinks but he is willing to give his life to ensure she is safe.
Fast forward to the present when the fire chief of Key Harbour's best mate is determined he has found the mother load and that they must go diving to uncover it asap, only what they find may not be the answer to his prayers, in fact it may unleash a darkness onto their little town that they just may not be able to stop.
Absolutely incredible heartstopping read that will have you losing sleep because you just need to know what happens!
The Key and The Countess is available now 😘🖤
#vampirethriller #smalltownthriller #vampires #bookishthoughts #bookreview
February 17, 2026
Neeb roots you in the tiny, very Canadian town of Key Harbour and then sends you deep into the underbelly of a classic gothic horror.
It combines everything you could want: a small town whose characters are undeniably steeped in Canadianisms, whose townsfolk show both the good and the bad sides of humanity. It's an epic adventure of survival and love of community, with classic themes and vampires who actually bite. It’s violent, eerie, funny, and a wild ride.
There is a section around the 50% mark (e-book) where our story takes on intentional, pivotal character development. While these chapters were alluring and eye-opening, back to back they felt just a tiny bit dragged out. I don’t know how else Neeb could have spread it out, and I wholeheartedly understand why it was done this way. It’s simply a small nitpick that slowed the trajectory of the story a bit, and the only area of the book that gave me pause.
However, as someone who typically does not dabble in horror, this was amazing. I was genuinely impressed by Neeb’s writing. You feel as though you’re a member of the town. Every character feels whole, their quirks and actions undeniably instinctive.
I was enthralled by the story and proud of a fellow Canadian who created this wonderful work of art. Now I just need Jared Keeso to turn this tale into a limited Crave series. Somehow I know he’d do it so right… and I have ideas.
It combines everything you could want: a small town whose characters are undeniably steeped in Canadianisms, whose townsfolk show both the good and the bad sides of humanity. It's an epic adventure of survival and love of community, with classic themes and vampires who actually bite. It’s violent, eerie, funny, and a wild ride.
There is a section around the 50% mark (e-book) where our story takes on intentional, pivotal character development. While these chapters were alluring and eye-opening, back to back they felt just a tiny bit dragged out. I don’t know how else Neeb could have spread it out, and I wholeheartedly understand why it was done this way. It’s simply a small nitpick that slowed the trajectory of the story a bit, and the only area of the book that gave me pause.
However, as someone who typically does not dabble in horror, this was amazing. I was genuinely impressed by Neeb’s writing. You feel as though you’re a member of the town. Every character feels whole, their quirks and actions undeniably instinctive.
I was enthralled by the story and proud of a fellow Canadian who created this wonderful work of art. Now I just need Jared Keeso to turn this tale into a limited Crave series. Somehow I know he’d do it so right… and I have ideas.
January 20, 2026
As a reader who doesn’t normally gravitate toward vampire books, The Key and the Countess struck me differently.
What pulled me in wasn’t the genre, it was the characters. The relationship between Isaac and Ashley (and her daughter) had me invested fast. I found myself wanting to fight for them, to root for their victory against Countess Elizabeth… who, if I’m being honest, mesmerized me. She was magnetic, terrifying, and oddly captivating in a way only a truly well-written villain can be.
When the unlikely band of heroes, made up of the residents of Key Harbor who refused to bow, and finally decided to push back, I buckled in for the ride.
And that ending? Completely unexpected. Jaw-dropping. I didn’t see it coming at all.
Am I a convert to this genre? I’m not sure. But The Key and the Countess is absolutely one of my top reads.
What pulled me in wasn’t the genre, it was the characters. The relationship between Isaac and Ashley (and her daughter) had me invested fast. I found myself wanting to fight for them, to root for their victory against Countess Elizabeth… who, if I’m being honest, mesmerized me. She was magnetic, terrifying, and oddly captivating in a way only a truly well-written villain can be.
When the unlikely band of heroes, made up of the residents of Key Harbor who refused to bow, and finally decided to push back, I buckled in for the ride.
And that ending? Completely unexpected. Jaw-dropping. I didn’t see it coming at all.
Am I a convert to this genre? I’m not sure. But The Key and the Countess is absolutely one of my top reads.
November 30, 2025
I loveddd this! As someone who grew up in the Midwest and spent countless summers in a small lake community similar to Key Harbor, I really enjoyed how the community, scenery, and people were described. The author took time to develop each character and made you feel invested in each of their stories.
As someone who also grew up LOVING Twilight and all things vampirey, this scratched my itch for a true and bloody vampire tale. Great read that I couldn’t put down!!
As someone who also grew up LOVING Twilight and all things vampirey, this scratched my itch for a true and bloody vampire tale. Great read that I couldn’t put down!!
January 26, 2026
Honestly can’t believe how action packed and horror this book w as gonna be. I live in Brantford so someone recommended this Author to me bcos he’s local and I’m so glad I enjoyed this book. Also liked his previous book which wasn’t perfect but a page turner too. The characters in this book were relatable and wasn’t silly at all. Tho not all but the fact that it’s an engaging book and read this under 24hrs says a lot. Looking forward to his next book.
January 28, 2026
Michael Neeb's THE KEY AND THE COUNTESS is a sprawling vampire epic set in a Northern Ontario town full of people you genuinely care about. The story reads like a devilishly clever mash-up of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT and MIDNIGHT MASS, but is still very much its own thing -- and unabashedly Canadian (why didn't I ever realize a hockey stick could be turned into a vampire-slaying stake?). This one is full of the scares and action one expects from the genre. I had a bloody great time!
November 30, 2025
A gripping vampire story. A large cast of characters that are fun to follow. This book is perfect for horror and Vampire fans, and reminded me of Stephen King’s Salems Lot in the best kind of way!! Also, the setting is phenomenal!!
December 6, 2025
The character development was both engaging and deliciously gory, and the detailed descriptions really brought each personality to life. Every chapter left me eager to see what would unfold next, and the slow build toward the finale was incredibly intense. Highly recommended!
December 9, 2025
A refreshing new take on a familiar genre, The Key and the Countess is a terrific delve into darkness that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
February 21, 2026
wow
Love a good vampire story! Mixed with themes of family and sacrifice, it’s a thrilling combination for a father who loves horror
Love a good vampire story! Mixed with themes of family and sacrifice, it’s a thrilling combination for a father who loves horror
December 30, 2025
Amazing book, I haven’t read a vampire novel with this type of heart and soul poured into it in a long time. Bravo Michael Neeb! This is officially one of my top 5 for the year! Full review on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8yVAoq8/
February 26, 2026
A great book for fans of Midnight Mass & Weapons.
Non-romantic vampire plot ✅
Northern Ontario setting ✅
A perfect mix of likeable and unlikable characters ✅
I’m not one to actively choose a vampire story but the author was kind enough to send me a copy of this book and I’m so glad he did! **I am under no obligation to say anything positive about the book**
I absolutely love that the book is based in Northern Ontario. If you grew up in Ontario and have taken trips to literally any lake community north of Barrie you’ll appreciate the vibe of the town. The characters suit the location so perfectly and I was rooting for so many of them (and also for the demise of so many of them).
I loved that the story mainly focuses on the MC and a handful of other characters but we get chapters from a variety of the town’s residents which really allowed for the story to be fully told from every perspective possible.
I won’t get into the story too much as I don’t want to spoil anything, but whether you love vampire stories or avoid them, I think this book is a great read!
P.S: This book has one of my favourite covers ever and I’m so happy to have a physical copy for my shelf!
Non-romantic vampire plot ✅
Northern Ontario setting ✅
A perfect mix of likeable and unlikable characters ✅
I’m not one to actively choose a vampire story but the author was kind enough to send me a copy of this book and I’m so glad he did! **I am under no obligation to say anything positive about the book**
I absolutely love that the book is based in Northern Ontario. If you grew up in Ontario and have taken trips to literally any lake community north of Barrie you’ll appreciate the vibe of the town. The characters suit the location so perfectly and I was rooting for so many of them (and also for the demise of so many of them).
I loved that the story mainly focuses on the MC and a handful of other characters but we get chapters from a variety of the town’s residents which really allowed for the story to be fully told from every perspective possible.
I won’t get into the story too much as I don’t want to spoil anything, but whether you love vampire stories or avoid them, I think this book is a great read!
P.S: This book has one of my favourite covers ever and I’m so happy to have a physical copy for my shelf!
December 8, 2025
Omg this book, guys!!
I can’t believe I finished it. It’s been a while since a horror book made me want more especially in the vampire genre. I devoured this book, but at the same time I didn’t want it to end. And after that ending? I want mooore. I need to know what happens next 😮😮
If you’re looking for a vampire horror novel, this one is perfect. It’s so well written, the plot and suspense are on point, and you connect with the characters so easily. I literally felt like I was in Key Harbour because it was so easy to get pulled into the story.
And the ending… omg. Shocking. I needed a couple minutes after finishing just to process that it was actually over.
I can’t believe I finished it. It’s been a while since a horror book made me want more especially in the vampire genre. I devoured this book, but at the same time I didn’t want it to end. And after that ending? I want mooore. I need to know what happens next 😮😮
If you’re looking for a vampire horror novel, this one is perfect. It’s so well written, the plot and suspense are on point, and you connect with the characters so easily. I literally felt like I was in Key Harbour because it was so easy to get pulled into the story.
And the ending… omg. Shocking. I needed a couple minutes after finishing just to process that it was actually over.
January 19, 2026
Well written, a page-turner from the start to finish! I couldn't put it down! It was like the Midnight Mass series on Netflix, and the 2007 movie 30 days of night had a child, wrapping it all with a 80s horror movie feel. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good vampire tale that'll leave you begging for more.
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