Poisoned Pen Press Breathe In, Bleed Out.

by Brian McAuley

Midsommar meets Scream in this blood-soaked new adult horror thriller set in a remote healing retreat, from the author of Curse of the Reaper.

Hannah has been running from her demons ever since she emerged from a harrowing wilderness trip without her fiancé. No one knows exactly what happened the day Ben died, and Hannah would like to keep it that way... even if his ghost still haunts her with vivid waking nightmares that are ruining her life.

So when her friend group gets an exclusive invitation to a restorative spiritual retreat in Joshua Tree, Hannah reluctantly agrees in search of a fresh start.

Despite her scepticism of the strange Guru Pax and his belief in the supernatural world, Hannah soon finds healing through all the yoga, sound baths, and hot springs offered at the tech-free haven.

But this peaceful journey of self-discovery quickly descends into a violent fight for self-preservation when a mysterious killer starts picking off retreat attendees in increasingly gruesome ways. As the body count rises and Hannah's sanity frays, she'll have to confront her dark past and uncover the true nature of a ruthless monster hellbent on killing her vibe for good.

An accomplished thriller in the vein of the slasher horror genre, Breathe In, Bleed Out is a razor-sharp read full of nostalgia for fans of classic horror movies.

Tropes
Horror Thriller
Slasher Horror
One by One
Dark Secrets
Spiritual Retreat

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Adult, Mystery Thriller

298 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2025

About the author

Brian McAuley’s debut novel Curse of the Reaper was named one of the Best Horror Books of 2022 by Esquire. His holiday slasher novella Candy Cain Kills earned praise from Booklist, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. The sequel Candy Cain Kills Again: The Second Slaying will be published in Winter 2024. His short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Dark Matter, Nightmare, Shortwave, and Monstrous Magazines. Brian is also a WGA screenwriter who has written everything from family sitcoms (Fuller House) to psychological thriller films (Dismissed). He teaches as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Screenwriting at ASU’s Sidney Poitier New American Film School. Connect with him on social media @BrianMcWriter

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I need to go back to reading books about feminist witches because my recent attempts at branching out to different genres have not been going well at all. Slashers aren't necessarily my thing, but I don't mind some slashing if there's a great story to go along with it. Unfortunately, this book does not have a great story.

Imagine a low-budget slasher film, one that you find in the dregs of Pluto TV or Tubi or one of the other free movie streaming apps, and then make the characters 7,000 times more annoying. That is this book. I don't think you're supposed to root for the killer to take out the final girl, but that is exactly what I was doing by the end.

But no worries! Not only are the characters insufferable, but events of this book are all completely ridiculous! The reasoning behind the creation of the retreat is ridiculous, the killer's motives are ridiculous, and the flashbacks to Ben's death are ridiculous. It's all kind of entertaining in a very campy sort of way, but it's also not exactly good.

I do understand, though, that this isn't really supposed to be fine literature. Sometimes what you need is a book you can roll your eyes at, and this is definitely that book. And I did LOL when it was revealed that the Silicon Valley powers-that-be turned down a bazillion-dollar software project because it would have been “unethical” in a privacy-invading sort of way. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Also, I do like the title because it makes me think of “Machinehead” by Bush which was one of my favorite songs in high school.

There's a ton more I'd like to say about this book, but it's hard to discuss the details and not spoil anything. I will say, though, that I'm obviously in the minority here. Lots of other reviewers have loved this book. If you usually enjoy slashers, don't let my review dissuade you from reading this one because you might just think it's great.

2.45 stars, rounded down. (We really need half-stars, Goodreads!)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 2, 2025.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this!!
There's nothing I love more than slasher movies and this book was the true embodiment of them. I had so much fun reading it.. It was campy and gory and with an absolutely killer setting..

Hannah is struggling after the tragic death of her boyfriend. Unable to move on, still haunted by his memory, she has isolated herself from her friends and is close to losing her job. But then her best friend offers her to come on a trip with her and rest of their friend group. A trip to the middle of nowhere, to a healing retreat, and she reluctantly agrees. The retreat is slowly starting to work its magic, but then her friends start disappearing and a killer lurks in the shadows.. Or is it just another hallucination?

Slasher movies will forever be my guilty pleasure, I loved watching them and I've clearly been missing out by not reading them too, because this is everything I didn't know I needed. Scream movies are my absolute favourite and this book gave me all the feels they did, which is honestly the highest compliment I can give to this book. It absolutely deliver!!

I'm not going to give any details, don't want to spoil anything by mistake, but I didn't see the killer coming. I just love when I get something wrong, makes the reveal so much more impactful.

It was a dark and fast paced read, full of tension with imperfect characters I either loved or hated. The killings were the perfect amount of terrifying, I do wish they were a little longer though, and I loved all the subtle messages that were delivered throughout the book.
The setting was the best part, so ominous, and if I'm being honest, this spiritual stuff is really not my thing, so for me this was a horror book before the killings even started..

The author's note at the end was perfect, I loved how he told us all about the inspiration behind the book. This is the first book I read by this author, but it will not be my last. I loved his writing style.

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Poison Pen Press for providing me with an ARC.*

[MagretFume · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my slashers and this one was a real treat. 
The story respects and transcend the rules of the genres. 

The characters are worth investing in, there is a lot of misdirections and even more gruesome kills. 
I especially loved the setting of the weird wellness retreat and that the Final Girl has her own bloody traumatic past to bring to the table. 

I loved every page of it and I will definitely read other books from this author. 

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ My Overall Thoughts ✦

This slasher story was a fun one to read! I am new to this author and I will say that I am very impressed by his writing! I will be reading more books from him! This was a very fast paced read, filled with nightmares and terrifying scenes! It is a very dark and tense book, that is filled with a lot of mystery! I had no idea who the killer was and I absolutely loved the twists this novel had! It was definitely action packed, filled with a gripping plot and was full of suspense. This came with a diverse cast of characters, some were likable and some were not. This slasher novel took me on an adventure that I will not forget! While reading this, I felt like I was watching a movie!

✦ Synopsis & Rating ✦

“Breathe In, Bleed Out” is a slasher novel that revolves around a character named Hannah. She is dealing with a very traumatic death of her fiancé and starts having nightmares and difficulty in her life. Hannah ends up going to a retreat with her friends, which was supposed to be a lovely getaway. She plans on healing in this retreat, but things don’t go as planned. It ends up being a disaster, as they start getting murdered one by one! Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars!

✦ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ✦

This book would be perfect for fans of slasher films and novels! It reminded me of the “Scream” movies! Content warnings include violence, gore, mental illness, torture, trauma, grief, death, murder and occult elements.

✦ Thank You ✦

Thank you to Camp NetGalley, author Brian McAuley and Poisoned Pen Press for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

✦ Release Date ✦

This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025!

✦ Book Tropes ✦

╰┈➤ A “Whodunnit” Novel
╰┈➤ Peace & Violence
╰┈➤ Psychological Trauma
╰┈➤ Mental Illness
╰┈➤ Grief Exploration
╰┈➤ Pop Culture References
╰┈➤ Remote Isolated Setting
╰┈➤ Horror Slasher

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥

ツ౨ৎ

[megs_bookrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5-stars**

Breathe In, Bleed Out follows Hannah, a young woman plagued by grief after losing her fiancé on a wilderness excursion.

No one knows the truth of what happened the day Ben died, and Hannah would like to keep it that way. She remembers though, and it haunts her so much she's finding it hard to function in every day life.

When her friend group gets invited to an exclusive Wellness Retreat by Joshua Tree, and she mentions it to her therapist, he thinks it's a great idea and encourages her to go.



In spite of her doubts, Hannah reluctantly agrees. Perhaps it's the fresh start she needs. It can't hurt, right?

As she joins her best friend, Tess, and the rest of their friend group, making their way to Joshua Tree, I quickly wondered, why are these people friends? Or more specifically, why are they friends with Hannah? Offense sort of intended.

It's an odd group, but nevertheless, I was along for the ride. When they get to the town abutting the retreat, the real Slasher vibe starts to set-in. Including a run-in with a hostile local, and a potential historical aspect that could lend its influence to future killings.



And even though I was starting to really enjoy these classic Slasher elements, the character work veered quite quickly into eye roll territory. The stereotypes overfloweth, and Hannah was the biggest jerk amongst them, IMO.

I was feeling like I should have been rooting for her as a potential final girl, yet I found myself rooting for her to be the first victim.



Ultimately, those feelings continued for the rest of the book. While it was a fun Slasher story, it felt very uneven in enjoyment for me as well.

I do appreciate McAuley sticking to a true Slasher style, but at times it leaned too heavily into the character interactions and since they were all so annoying, I just didn't care.

Therefore, I loved the kills and hated the characters. Frankly, I wish the killer would have taken out more of them...



Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Even though this one didn't knock it out of the park for me, I would be interested in checking out more from this author.

[Brandon Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this authors Candy Cain Kills books, and after a bit of a slow start, this turned out to be a really fun slasher with plenty of brutal kills! Definitely recommend the audio- the narrator did a great job.

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I am not the only one who has spent YEARS, wishing there was an 80's slasher film on paper. I can proudly announce, our time has come! 


Honestly if you want to know what this book is like just watch any slasher film. It was such a fun read. In true horror fashion however some parts of it did feel rushed. But when you have someone running around, wearing other people's faces, you tend to not care about that stuff as much lol 🤷🏼‍♀️ 


Overall I think it's a must read for any horror lover. This comes out just in time to add to your spooky season TBR 


Holy sh#t!!!!! .. I started writing this review at 90% and was thinking 3.5 stars.. as you can see my final rating is a little different!! Because, 👏🏼 THAT 👏🏼 ENDING 👏🏼 THOUGH!!!!


Our author is clearly no novice when it comes to horror! And knows exactly how to keep a seasoned horror lover on their toes!

[Court Zierk · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Long live the slasher…

Who would have thought that a miner wielding a pick axe, donning a human face could be so scary? Oh wait, now that I wrote that down, that’s pretty obviously scary. What a great villain.

As terrifying as that is, the scariest thing about this book is the chakra stimulating, yoga posing, kambucha drinking, whole grain eating, wannabe cult leader. I mean that whole wellness retreat thing sends chills up my spine. Like in real life. Those things are freaky.

Sometimes you just need a good “don’t think too hard”, “let the fun shit rip” thriller, and that’s exactly what this book gives. I’m here for it…

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I think when we suffer from trauma, we’re haunted by it. And a haunting can take different shapes at different times.”

i thought this would be a lot more fun than it was. Hannah is suffering from the trauma of losing her fiancé, dealing with the guilt and decides to attend a healing retreat with her best friend and a group of mutual friends that she hasn’t seen in a while. Hannah is an unreliable narrator, but it’s also pretty clear that there’s something sketchy going on at the retreat regardless. when her friends start dying off one by one, Hannah has to quickly get her wits about her to discover who’s the killer and whether it’s her mind playing tricks on her.. or if there might actually be a killer on the loose.

“But you can trace it all back to the same cause. The truth you’re refusing to look in the eye.”

the ending of this book was absolutely ridiculous and not in an amusing or entertaining way. it felt like there were too many ideas being thrown all over the place with no attempt to make sure any of it was coherent. i actually rolled my eyes at a couple of the reveals and was left with some unresolved threads that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. this just was not the horror book for me whatsoever, I was annoyed by it.

⤞ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[NZLisaM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathe In, Bleed Out was a tense, inventive slasher that blended psychological thriller, mystery, and horror with ease!

4.5.

A year after barely escaping a disastrous winter hike getaway in which her fiancé, Ben, was killed, Hannah is still haunted by guilt and silence. Persuaded by her best friend Tess to join a secluded wellness retreat near Joshua Tree, Hannah hopes to reclaim peace. But serenity turns to terror when a masked killer armed with a pickaxe begins picking off retreat guests one by one.

Breathe In, Bleed Out delivered everything I love in horror and thriller fiction – an isolated, eerie setting; an ever-growing sense of unease; escalating tension among the retreat participants; a long list of suspects both in and outside the retreat; and a chilling local legend with a haunting warning rhyme about a vengeful dead miner. The kills were inventive, both in location and method, cleverly using elements unique to the retreat. The deaths were gruesome but never gross. Beyond the kills themselves, the novel read as much like a psychological thriller and mystery as a slasher, making it ideal for readers who might not usually favour the horror genre.

Flawed and complex, the characters’ fiery personalities frequently drove them to storm off, leaving them vulnerable to the killer, precisely the type of characters that make slasher horror more satisfying. Most of the novel was narrated from Hannah’s perspective, our protagonist and likely final girl, with occasional chapters from the POV of the next victim. Hannah was an unreliable narrator from the start, keeping hidden the truth about what happened the day Ben died. This raised a constant, lingering question: was it guilt and self-blame that drove her to silence, or did she play a darker role in his death? Hannah’s voice was a highlight for me – sharp, entertaining, and often laugh-out-loud witty.

This was shaping up to be a five-star read, but I knocked it down half a star – not because the build-up or atmosphere faltered, but because the killer’s final reveal and motivation felt a little underwhelming. That said, everything leading up to that point was near perfect. An earlier reveal resonated strongly with a recent podcast discussion I’d listened to, and the book pushed that concept even further into darker territory, which I absolutely relished.

The title Breathe In, Bleed Out was brilliantly conceived – intertwining the tranquility of a holistic retreat with the brutality of a slasher’s killing spree, creating a striking contrast between peace and violence. It was a thoroughly fun and gripping read – with writing and pacing that were chef’s kiss. It has me eagerly anticipating Brian McAuley’s, Candy Cain Kills duology, which I’m already planning to dive into this December.

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She coughs blood, splattering her face and dripping down to the yoga mat. The energy drains from every chakra as she settles into shavasana. Her final corpse pose."


I enjoyed my time with this book. I don't have the luxury of time to read as much nowadays.. So busy lately esp starting a new job that I find myself having a hard time keeping up with my reading goal. Lovely cover aside, this is just exactly what I need. Nothing too complicated - a fun, campy, slasher read. It exudes Scooby-Doo vibes and I don't mind. It is not too extreme but still had unique/fun kills. The last 90% gave me a whiplash but I was right about my red herring. It doesn't top Candy Cain kills for me though but still def worth a read. I love the theme of going on a retreat for escapism or self-discovery with lots of yoga practice (Sana all). It makes me miss yoga classes so much. 🥹 I also don't care what anyone says but one thing I know for sure, I will never stop purchasing my peppermint essential oil. Iykyk. 😅
The benefits and pitfalls of spiritual self-discovery, impalement by crystal and immolation by essential oil are set pieces around which the author built his story. Reading the author's notes about his inspirations for writing horror also brought a different wave of warmth and nostalgia.




Big thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for the arc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.



4.2✨

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5✨

A 👏🏽BLOODY👏🏽 GOOD 👏🏽TIME👏🏽 I really enjoyed this one, it seriously felt like watching a little slasher film. it's a mix of scream & scooby doo but for adults ya know?? the whodunnit aspect kept me guessing until the very end & when i tell you....I guessed everybody as the killer except the actual killer, baby I could never be Sherlock Holmes because I was way off.

It did take a bit to get to the actual slashing but when we do get there every kill was really gory & creative, think final destination🤔. I will say I thought Luna was going to get the Art the Clown treatment, iykyk.

I also enjoyed Hannah as the main narrator. She's so unreliable I kept thinking is this really happening or is she just crazy, is it only in her head? this was my first book from the author & i will definitely be checking out more of Brian McAuley's work!

You will never catch me at any retreat in the desert that's for sure! I most definitely will be buying peppermint oil in BULK! If you're a slasher fan & want something quick & twisty with funny one liners & a final girl you have to pick this up. 🩸⛏️

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[Tracy P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

When I saw Brian McAuley's Breathe In, Bleed Out on the list as a goodreads choice award nominee for the horror category I made it a priority to read before the end of this year. The hype was high, and with that my expectations rose even higher. I was all: "Yay, Me!"

Fast forward: While entertaining and humorous in parts, the storyline had no rhyme or rhythm that I could latch onto. In short, it was just too kooky - even for me.

The ending (imo) was a disappointing and cringeworthy cliché.

[Chewable Orb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley

Brian McAuley fleshes out a grisly tale marred with consequences. For Hannah, saying no becomes a life-altering event. Fleshed out on a snowy mountainside, Hannah's existence plunges into the abyss. Her life, once full of friends, has derailed into a depressive state. Her work has suffered, and her relationships have ceased to exist. Ben, her now-deceased boyfriend, is gone, taking any piece of comfort with him. A mandated hiatus from work allows time for self-reflection, and she soon accepts an invitation from Tess, her best friend, for a little spiritual R&R that might just be what the doctor ordered. Pax, our self-made guru, is eccentric. Toiling under a torment of excessive rules, Pax has created a private utopia with assurances to help the group’s mindsets. Unfortunately for our cast, the town has a long-standing legend about vicious miners, who are led by Waylon Barlow, who wears a pitchfork and dons a large-brimmed hat. Is there truth to the stories from the townfolk? McAuley reminds me why I adored 80s-style horror, driving the pitchfork full force into the rock face and also readers' veins.

I am a sucker for that horror trope, Scooby-Doo-style who-dun-it ala Scream movies of yesteryear. I took a chance on the book cover. In all its glory, it spoke to me. Chewable, it said, follow me to the dark side, to that place where bad people reside. I gladly followed our characters to a secluded area, ripe for nefarious actions. Interesting characters in tow, I watched the book skitter its way along a cavern filled with treachery, mindful of a spiritual awakening. There is playfulness abound, as McAuley teases the reader with comedic prowess, only to unleash a morbid scene marked for death. McAuley sticks to a plan, reminiscent of so many movies I have previously loved in my younger years. There was no overthinking, no fluff for the sake of descriptive words or unneeded missteps, just straight to the point.

Appreciative. That is my feeling. Kudos to an author who maintained the integrity of what I love about this genre. Sometimes I want to kick back and revel in the simplicity of a chainsaw, Freddy Krueger's bladed fingers, or a red-headed doll with a slight anger management issue. It’s fun, and in this case, I was a detective throughout my read-through as I tried to remember any subtle hints and telltale signs of the killer’s identity. The book comes with the usual warnings of gore and excessive violence. I am giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars, solidly rounding up to 5 stars. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Jan Agaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this started out feeling like media I've consumed before, the last 30% really got my head spinning & jaw dropping, especially at that last twist. I also loved the very end, and all the kills were sick. This is the most riveting slasher that felt like a true slasher that I've read in a long time! I can't wait for more people to read and rave about this. Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC!

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathe In, Bleed Out kept popping up on my feed, and it looked exactly like something I'd enjoy with that awesome cover. The author's name looked familiar, and later I realized he wrote Curse of the Reaper. That was a fun and unique book, so I knew I needed to read this one asap.

This book feels like a classic 80's/90's slasher film. As I was reading, I could see the scenes playing out in my head. As an avid horror movie viewer, it practically had a cozy feel with so many of the same tropes and pacing as the movies I love. The author's note is also basically a love letter to horror, enhances several of his plot choices, and I enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the novel.

It's brilliantly put together and so much fun. My only gripe is that the ending didn't quite hit for me, but overall it still had the feeling of a movie I've lovingly rewatched dozens of times even if some scenes are a little zany. Brian McAuley is definitely a must read author for me after this.

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 ⭐️ Anyone need a walk down the memory lane of Scream franchise? I remember how these films revitalized the entire horror genre and set way for the “new” meta-slasher-sub genre. I mean yes…slasher movies have been there way before 1990s but its popularity tremendously grew with incorporation of comedic elements and a cinematic raise in entertainment value. What’s greats about slasher books or movies is that no matter the plot—the allure, the grittiness, the blurred lines between what’s real and what’s not and fragments of imagination will always remain intact. Breathe in, Bleed Out is no different and just as bingeable as it sounds. It has all the right elements of the slasher sub-genre giving the reader an adrenaline filled thriller ride.

Hannah, a medical intern experiences a traumatic event and has a hard time going forward. She joins a few of her friends to attend a remote spiritual retreat that offers holistic healing. What was supposed to be a rejuvenating trip turns into a trip of slashery and horror. When her friends begin disappearing one by one, Hannah must face her darkest memories in order to survive this action packed nightmare.

What really makes this novel great is how this slasher keeps the reader guessing. I found myself second guessing everything as we got closer and closer to the end & the twist was good. All the characters were fleshed out, kind of messed up but for a shorter novel (300 pages) I found it compacted and well paced. You’ll be putting pieces together until the very end. Even the cultural/historical mentions were so appropriately inserted with the entire aura of the book. I can definitely see this turning into a movie adaptation.

I don’t know how people do these far away spiritual/healing retreats deep in the mountains with no outside communication..they are FREAKY! You couldn’t bribe or pay me enough to join that trip but kudos to those who aren’t afraid of the unknown. With that being said, Breathe In Bleed Out was a trip.

Thanks to Camp NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press and the author Brian McAuley for this eARC!!!

Publication date: September 2, 2025

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ * · Rating 3 out of 5]

guess who the killer was not even 50 pages into the book. this was fun but also not too serious which was kinda unfortunate because at certain points it did feel serious but the ending and the motive was so goofy which tracks for a slasher but here it just felt slightly unrealistic. this is kinda why i stay away from slasher books because they don’t live up to the movies

[♡ retrovvitches ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’ve been so excited to read this and i was not disappointed!! this was a slasher taking place at a wellness retreat. lots of trauma and mental health plot points, and this had a twist i did not expect!! sorta obvious really but i was so engrossed in the actual book and just reading and enjoying it that it never really clicked LOL. either way a great horror read for me

[DianaRose · Rating 2 out of 5]

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

i will not share major spoilers about who the killer was, and although i couldn’t figure it out, once it was revealed i was very aggravated because truly, who would have figured it out???

this was a very disappointing read, i feel as though while the writing was very strong and drew me in, everything else was extremely, frustratingly lackluster.

i felt that while our fmc hannah was recovering from the traumatic death of her fiance, and i understand people grieve differently, she was extremely condescending to her friends, especially when they were trying to be there for her during her grief.

the overall plot was ridiculous, and i feel a lot of problems our characters had with one another were left utterly unresolved, and that their issues were really just to create tension as to who the suspected killer was.

i also listened to the audio through libby and the narrator was the saving grace of this book, i fear!! so kudos to the narrator.

——

another quick horror read, my libby hold is expiring (as per usual😋)

[Frank Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!!

Hannah is still traumatized by the death of her fiancé, Ben, after a disastrous wilderness trip - and she's literally haunted by his ghost in her waking nightmares. When an old friend invites her to a remote, tech-free wellness retreat in J-Tree she reluctantly agrees, hoping for healing through yoga, hot springs, sound baths and reconnecting with old besties.

Upon arrival, Hannah almost immediately begins to suspect the strange leader, Guru Pax, and his belief of the supernatural world and soon after the tranquility soon gives way to terror - people in the retreat start getting murdered in gruesome ways, and as the body count rises, Hannah has to confront her own dark past - even as her grip on reality weakens. Is someone out there taking the group out one by one, or is Hannah just imagining everything, as a result of her recent loss??

This was such a blast—dark, funny, and deliciously slasher-esque. I went into this one with no real expectations, but it ended up surprising me in the best way. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the sense of looming dread kept me glued to the pages as each new murder unfolded - I was hooked! At one point I found myself side-eyeing every character - even the protagonist - and when the truth finally dropped, it still managed to surprise me. The dark humor peppered throughout the most intense moments was incredibly effective, and had me laughing out loud, particularly the line by a soon-to-be victim about being an 'empath!'

If you’re craving a fast-paced, wildly engaging horror-thriller to pull you out of a reading slump, this one absolutely delivers. Once you start, putting it down is nearly impossible. McCauley is officially two for two, and I’ve devoured both of his releases, and I cannot wait to read his next release!!

[CarlysGrowingTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up

An isolation horror that takes classic slasher tropes and vibes and mixes them with the feels of the Scream franchise.

Book Stats:
📖: 304 Pages
Genre: Horror
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: eARC from publisher/Netgalley
Series: Standalone

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 8 Hours 11 Minutes
🎤: Jeremy Carlisle Parker
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: Single POV / Singular narrator
I enjoyed the narrator quite a bit. The voice was please to listen to and was clearly a native Spanish speaker. I never had to adjust my speed.

Themes:
💫: Confronting your past
💫: Loss and Grief

Representation:
🪽: PTSD

Tropes:
💗: Red Herrings
💗: Found family
💗: Retreat setting

🥵: Spice: none
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.

General Thoughts:
I'm happy to report that the vibes inside the book match the vibes on the cover. It definitely gives 70s/80s slasher vibes. With the cheesiness of the Scream franchise mixed in. Overall, a decently fun time!

The book does start off pretty slow with a lot of buildup and character setup. The tension continues to build as slightly horrifying and dreadful occurrences plague our main character Hannah. We are introduced to her group of friends. They are (and remain) fairly one dimensional like they're simply there to further the plot line. But for the type of novel I feel that what we got out of them as characters was sufficient for their role in the story.

Creepy retreat is indeed, extremely creepy. As well as the head "guru" who just has this air about him that is indescribably sinister from the beginning.

The further you get into the book, the less supernatural horror it feels, and it starts to become more of an occul-tish vibe. Being in an isolated area along with a group of sinister people really creates an air of claustrophobia that heightens the unsettling feeling of the novel.

For me personally, this felt like a very plot driven story. The plot and the mystery were really the only reason I was invested. I didn't feel much for any of the characters on an emotional level, and they all feel pretty surface level. But I am very driven to know what's happening and why.

This book is filled with classic slasher horror tropes like red herrings, and things of that nature. The ultimate deaths for the people who perish in feel very over-the-top and that's part of the charm. If you like the horror genre it's not hard to figure out where the author has pulled his main influences from.

I had a silly goofy time with this novel. I did ultimately guess who was behind everything at the end. But the reveal was still pretty shocking regardless because of how it unfolded. I'd read more by this author.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted eARC from the publisher/Netgalley and a audiobook I purchased. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published September 2, 2025.

2 stars, it wasn’t for me, but other people are going to like it just fine, so take the rating with a grain of salt and read the review before deciding if it is right for you.

Hannah’s fiancé Ben died during the very camping trip where the two got engaged and since then she’s been falling apart, taking too many prescription drugs, having terrible nightmares and being suspended from her job as a medical intern at an L.A. hospital.

Her friend Tessa plans a getaway for her and Hannah and three of their friends from college, Jared, Luna and Miles. They are headed to the Avidya Healing Retreat in Joshua Tree, run by Guru Pax. Hannah’s psychiatrist believes it’s a great idea so she heads off.

At first all seems to be well. And then the murders start.

When you read the author’s afterword, you see that the book is exactly what he wanted it to be…it’s a slasher film in book form. I was glad to read that, to see that’s what he intended, because that’s what he did, so, for me, it was just a little too by-the-book (movie?). It would probably work better as a low-budget film. There’s not much nuance here and when the big twist (TM) occurs, I just didn’t care so much. But if you are looking for some mindless killing fun, you might thoroughly enjoy this, it really just depends on your expectations going in. So now you know!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kills were great, premise was cool. The characters were insufferable. They all should have died.

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does Hannah have it in her to be… a final girl?? 😳 AHHH this was so good!! Thank you so much to @scaredstraightreads @poisonedpenpress for this gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰 I was one lucky girl to win this giveaway!! 🖤 #scaredstraightreads

Pub day is 9/2/25!!🥳🥳

Okay slasher lovers… this one is for you!! Guys… I didn’t even realize how much I loved a good slasher until last year.🤷‍♀️ Now I am hooked!! I am now a slasher girlie. 🖤

Our girl Hannah needs to get away…I mean her BF just died…she’s struggling with addiction… and she just messed up at work… BIG time… Nothing a little wellness retreat can’t fix… right?😬😂

Out in the middle of nowhere… no cellphones allowed.. what could go wrong? 😂😳😱

This is my first @brianmcwriter book and I loved his writing!! He was able to make a terrifying slasher… FUN! Yep he did!! I found myself laughing in between the slashing at the amazing snarky dialogue! 👏👏

The twist at the end… mind blowing!! 🤯 I NEVER saw it coming! 😳😳😳

I definitely can’t wait to read more by @brianmcwriter !!

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just. Wow.

This book completely blew me away. It’s brutal, bloody, and full of creative kills. The twists kept me off balance from start to finish, and by the time I reached the ending, I was left absolutely speechless. It’s the kind of slasher that makes you second-guess ever signing up for a “healing” or “spiritual” retreat (which is a hard ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY NOT after reading this).

Hannah is a phenomenal final girl. She’s messy, traumatized, fierce, and unforgettable. I could literally feel her unraveling as the story progressed.

This was the perfect slasher to close out the summer.

Brian McAuley is officially on my auto-buy list. Perfection.

[Brandy Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this hoping for a goofy 80s-style slasher but unfortunately, it didn’t deliver.

I was looking for campy thrills, cheesy one-liners, and fun kills. What I got instead were adults acting like teenagers and a lot of drug use.

I’m not saying it’s a bad book by any means, but it didn’t do much for me in terms of enjoyment.

2.5 ⭐️

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was so much fun! I don't read slasher books as often because I absolutely love slasher films, and books just never seem to add the same level of suspense, but Breathe in, Bleed Out brought everything I'd want in a slasher/thriller. It really feels like I was watching a movie instead of just reading, and after reading the author's bio, that makes sense. There is a great setting established and it follows the rules you'd expect in typical slashers, while also surpassing the limit. 

This starts out immediately with action, and leaves us with a question, so suspense is already created. Each chapter felt like it had an appropriate length and the pacing felt consistent throughout.

But hey now, as a Marine veteran, I'm offended by the portrayal of the Marine dude in the book, haha. We're not all like that! 

This was so enjoyable that I never felt like I wanted to try and guess who was the murderer, I just wanted to be there along for the ride. This weirdly makes me want to go on a retreat.

[Courtney (acourtofbooks_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite type of horror are slashers and finding books with the same vibes are gems to me. Scream is one of my all time favorite movie series so when this one was compared to it and Midsommar, I was immediately sold. Let me tell you the book didn’t disappoint 👏🏻👏🏻 I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time putting my kindle down.

Isolated wellness retreat. Cult vibes. Characters being picked off one by one. Main character is unable to distinguish reality from figments of her imagination. A creative take on the Final Girl theme. Need I say more? Highly recommend horror lovers picking this one up for a bloody good time ⛏️

Also make sure to read the author’s note on this one!! Reading some of the author’s back story and introduction to horror made me appreciate his writing even more.

[Casey Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun with this slasher! Hannah is spiraling after the death of her fiancé, mentally just unwell. Her best friend Tess convinces her to go on a spiritual retreat to some exclusive place near Joshua Tree, along with her old college friends. And cue “Let The Bodies Hit The Floor” because once we’re out there, they start piling up, and in the most gloriously deranged ways! It was exciting, fast-paced and honestly kept me guessing. I thought that I had it figured out too, but alas, I did not. I also really enjoyed Hannah’s sarcasm and sort of bleak outlook on certain things. Looking back at my highlights on my kindle (which I cannot share yet as this is an ARC and not published), I feel like I related to Hannah in some sort of dark ways. I also enjoyed how it makes fun of ridiculous shit in certain circles, like the wellness culture, and rich people who are rich for no reason. It was done well. McAuley obviously touches upon trauma and mental health as well. None of these things are a deep dive, but enough to give this slasher a little bit of substance. Very entertaining. Loved it!

Thank to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC! Book releases 9/2/25.