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The Siren of Groves Peak
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26Groves Peak, Maine is home to a dark secret. The successful lobstering community is ready for summer, but a murder at sea changes everything. People are dying in the small coastal town, and the lobstermen are on edge.
Only one man knows the truth. His closet of skeletons is about to open, and no one is safe. Not even his daughter or her best friend. As a supernatural fury, homegrown dangers, and buried secrets coalesce into a series of real-life nightmares, friendships are tested, and heroes will fall. The Siren of Groves Peak reveals the true monsters in us all.
"Horror hits like a hurricane in this creature-feature masterfully layered with terror, dread, and scares so jarring they just might leave you seasick without ever leaving land." — Nick Medina, author of The Whistler and Indian Burial Ground
"A rising star in the genre. Highly recommended!" — Ronald Malfi, author of December Park and Senseless
"Rolfe is the real deal, folks, and anything he writes is well worth checking out."
– Gord Rollo, author of The Jigsaw Man and The Crucifixion Experiments
"An intense tale reminiscent of classic works by Jack Ketchum or Stephen King"
– Booklist
Only one man knows the truth. His closet of skeletons is about to open, and no one is safe. Not even his daughter or her best friend. As a supernatural fury, homegrown dangers, and buried secrets coalesce into a series of real-life nightmares, friendships are tested, and heroes will fall. The Siren of Groves Peak reveals the true monsters in us all.
"Horror hits like a hurricane in this creature-feature masterfully layered with terror, dread, and scares so jarring they just might leave you seasick without ever leaving land." — Nick Medina, author of The Whistler and Indian Burial Ground
"A rising star in the genre. Highly recommended!" — Ronald Malfi, author of December Park and Senseless
"Rolfe is the real deal, folks, and anything he writes is well worth checking out."
– Gord Rollo, author of The Jigsaw Man and The Crucifixion Experiments
"An intense tale reminiscent of classic works by Jack Ketchum or Stephen King"
– Booklist
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 30, 2026
About the author
Glenn Rolfe
76 books647 followersGlenn Rolfe is a singer, songwriter, and author of over eighteen books. He has studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University, toured in a minivan with his punk rock friends, played the Hard Rock Cafe in Denver, hosted a radio show at Bates College, and dreams of surfing in the Pacific Ocean one day with his future pet goat.
He loves the books of Stephen King, Brian Keene, Ronald Malfi, Jack Ketchum, and Richard Laymon, the music of Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Pre-Reputation Taylor Swift, Kiss, and Billy Joel, and soaking in the sun and eating pier fries at Old Orchard Beach.
His kids love him despite his weirdness, so who could ask for more?
He is hard at work on many more books and songs.
Stay tuned!
He is the author of When the Night Falls, Until Summer Comes Around, August's Eyes, Blood and Rain, The Window, and more. Stay tuned for his next thrilling Maine horror novel, The Siren of Groves Peak (2026)
Richard Chizmar, New York Times and USA Today Best Selling-Author of Gwendy’s Button Box, says of Rolfe’s Blood and Rain: “A wonderful throwback to the fun and bloody days of paperback horror glory!”
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 1, 2026
The Siren of Grove Peak by Glenn Rolfe is a supernatural horror / folk horror story and it’s very much a slow burn. Not a lot kicks off straight away, it’s more that gradual build of “something isn’t quite right here” that creeps in over time.
It’s set in Grove Peak,a small town that feels very normal at first, the kind of place where people confidently say “nothing ever happens here” like that’s not tempting fate. There’s a siren legend tied to the area, and the story slowly shifts from local folklore and background rumours into something much more unsettling as things start to unfold.
The atmosphere was a strong point for me. It keeps a steady sense of unease throughout, where nothing overly dramatic needs to happen for you to still feel like something is off. It’s more of a quiet, creeping tension than anything loud or in your face.
The characters feel grounded and believable, reacting in a human way—questioning things, rationalising them, and often trying to explain away what’s happening rather than immediately accepting the strange reality of it.
The writing is straightforward and easy to get into, which helps the pacing a lot. It doesn’t overcomplicate things and lets the atmosphere and story build naturally.
As for the ending, it fits the tone of the book well and leans more towards lingering unease than a completely neat resolution, which suits the style of the story overall.
This would likely appeal most to readers who enjoy slow-burn supernatural horror, atmospheric folk horror, and stories that focus more on creeping tension and mood rather than fast-paced action or constant scares.
Thank you NetGalley, Flame Tree Press, and the author Glenn Rolfe for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: June 30th 2026
It’s set in Grove Peak,a small town that feels very normal at first, the kind of place where people confidently say “nothing ever happens here” like that’s not tempting fate. There’s a siren legend tied to the area, and the story slowly shifts from local folklore and background rumours into something much more unsettling as things start to unfold.
The atmosphere was a strong point for me. It keeps a steady sense of unease throughout, where nothing overly dramatic needs to happen for you to still feel like something is off. It’s more of a quiet, creeping tension than anything loud or in your face.
The characters feel grounded and believable, reacting in a human way—questioning things, rationalising them, and often trying to explain away what’s happening rather than immediately accepting the strange reality of it.
The writing is straightforward and easy to get into, which helps the pacing a lot. It doesn’t overcomplicate things and lets the atmosphere and story build naturally.
As for the ending, it fits the tone of the book well and leans more towards lingering unease than a completely neat resolution, which suits the style of the story overall.
This would likely appeal most to readers who enjoy slow-burn supernatural horror, atmospheric folk horror, and stories that focus more on creeping tension and mood rather than fast-paced action or constant scares.
Thank you NetGalley, Flame Tree Press, and the author Glenn Rolfe for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: June 30th 2026
June 24, 2026
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I love horror but I’m not really a fan of Sirens or mermaids, but I have read the author’s work before, and thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m so glad I decided to read this one.
I’m not going to say too much about the story, as you can read the premise, but it’s set in a small lobstering community called Groves Peak, Maine, which sounds absolutely divine. It’s the start of the summer season, and the locals are getting excited, and looking forward to a successful lobster 🦞 haul. But this all changes, when a dead body is found, and it’s just the beginning of a summer of terror, with more to come.
I loved all of the metal and rock references 🤘🏼 I also loved how badass Lizzy and Willow are, and the strong friendship they have. My heart also broke for the Siren, and her loss.
I also shed a little tear, at the very end, but don’t tell anyone 🤫
Highly recommended!
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Glenn Rolfe, Flame Tree Press, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 30 June 2026
I’m not going to say too much about the story, as you can read the premise, but it’s set in a small lobstering community called Groves Peak, Maine, which sounds absolutely divine. It’s the start of the summer season, and the locals are getting excited, and looking forward to a successful lobster 🦞 haul. But this all changes, when a dead body is found, and it’s just the beginning of a summer of terror, with more to come.
I loved all of the metal and rock references 🤘🏼 I also loved how badass Lizzy and Willow are, and the strong friendship they have. My heart also broke for the Siren, and her loss.
I also shed a little tear, at the very end, but don’t tell anyone 🤫
Highly recommended!
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Glenn Rolfe, Flame Tree Press, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 30 June 2026
Read
June 8, 2026*Huge thanks to Glenn Rolfe for a digital ARC of this one!*
I’m fast approaching a decade of reading Glenn’s signature brand of horror and throughout that time – including when he released a few books under a pseudonym – he’s created a phenomenal fictional grouping of towns in Maine, that he uses to set his novels within.
That’s very apparent within his newest, the murderous mermaid rampager known as ‘The Siren of Groves Peak.’ This is a treasure trove of Easter eggs when it comes to all of his books and I suspect should you give this one multiple reads, even more will pop their heads up, but as is, if you’ve been reading Rolfe for any length of time, expect to be smiling a bunch when you connect this one to his other books.
I’ve got a love/hate relationship with mermaid/siren horror. On one hand, it can be fascinatingly in depth. On the other, it can often times feel repetitious and same-old-same-old.
Going in, I was excited to see what Glenn did, knowing his penchant for character-driven stories and emotional narratives.
What I liked: The novel takes place in Groves Peak, a lobster town that for some time has had plentiful hauls. The men all know why, and some of their wives do to, but for the most part, the residents are unaware of the deal that’s been made. A siren is behind their success. She’s been there for decades and made a deal. She’ll seduce the men in the hopes of conceiving a baby – the thing she wants most in the world – and in return she’ll ensure the lobster fill their traps. This is all well and good until a murder takes place and everything is thrown for a loop.
The majority of the story follows Lizzy and Willow, young women who’re also the daughters of two of the towns more prominent fisherman, though Lizzy’s dad has fallen on hard times. He’s an alcoholic who’s never quite recovered from his wife packing up and leaving one night, years ago, and though he’s searched for her, she’s never been found.
Rolfe gives us tidbits of how lobster fishing fuels each life, and as that fishing dries up, stress mounts and more and more bodies are discovered. Rolfe paints a vivid picture of what the coastal town is like, and in doing so, does such a great job that you’ll feel drenched and freezing while reading.
The final quarter of the book is essentially a full-throttle series of revelations and discoveries. The towns secrets are revealed as is the individuals who played various parts in everything and Glenn does a superb job of packing this with a ton of action and a ton of emotion.
What I didn’t like: In this particular novel, I found there to be a few too many characters. In doing so, I just didn’t care about them to any degree. Sure, folks like Vernon and Lenora have a role to play, but I don’t think their storyline added much to it, considering similar characters were introduced to a degree as well. Though Glenn does this within each of his novels, in this case I found it just felt like every few chapters more and more characters were introduced, which distracted from the main ones I was wanting to follow.
Why you should buy this: If you’ve been a long-time reader of Glenn’s books, you’ll be all over this and love it. If you’ve never read any of his books, this is a great jumping in place. It features all of Glenn’s hallmarks in storytelling, as well as those aforementioned Easter eggs, which will make for great ‘a-ha’ moments when you read his other books.
The siren is done really well and thankfully, Glenn doesn’t spend much time humanizing it to any degree. We see how it reacts when things take a turn and we get to see it turn into a hideous, vengeance-filled monster, which was a lot of fun.
Overall, Rolfe’s delivered another fantastic novel, one that nestles really nicely into his ever-expanding bibliography.
I’m fast approaching a decade of reading Glenn’s signature brand of horror and throughout that time – including when he released a few books under a pseudonym – he’s created a phenomenal fictional grouping of towns in Maine, that he uses to set his novels within.
That’s very apparent within his newest, the murderous mermaid rampager known as ‘The Siren of Groves Peak.’ This is a treasure trove of Easter eggs when it comes to all of his books and I suspect should you give this one multiple reads, even more will pop their heads up, but as is, if you’ve been reading Rolfe for any length of time, expect to be smiling a bunch when you connect this one to his other books.
I’ve got a love/hate relationship with mermaid/siren horror. On one hand, it can be fascinatingly in depth. On the other, it can often times feel repetitious and same-old-same-old.
Going in, I was excited to see what Glenn did, knowing his penchant for character-driven stories and emotional narratives.
What I liked: The novel takes place in Groves Peak, a lobster town that for some time has had plentiful hauls. The men all know why, and some of their wives do to, but for the most part, the residents are unaware of the deal that’s been made. A siren is behind their success. She’s been there for decades and made a deal. She’ll seduce the men in the hopes of conceiving a baby – the thing she wants most in the world – and in return she’ll ensure the lobster fill their traps. This is all well and good until a murder takes place and everything is thrown for a loop.
The majority of the story follows Lizzy and Willow, young women who’re also the daughters of two of the towns more prominent fisherman, though Lizzy’s dad has fallen on hard times. He’s an alcoholic who’s never quite recovered from his wife packing up and leaving one night, years ago, and though he’s searched for her, she’s never been found.
Rolfe gives us tidbits of how lobster fishing fuels each life, and as that fishing dries up, stress mounts and more and more bodies are discovered. Rolfe paints a vivid picture of what the coastal town is like, and in doing so, does such a great job that you’ll feel drenched and freezing while reading.
The final quarter of the book is essentially a full-throttle series of revelations and discoveries. The towns secrets are revealed as is the individuals who played various parts in everything and Glenn does a superb job of packing this with a ton of action and a ton of emotion.
What I didn’t like: In this particular novel, I found there to be a few too many characters. In doing so, I just didn’t care about them to any degree. Sure, folks like Vernon and Lenora have a role to play, but I don’t think their storyline added much to it, considering similar characters were introduced to a degree as well. Though Glenn does this within each of his novels, in this case I found it just felt like every few chapters more and more characters were introduced, which distracted from the main ones I was wanting to follow.
Why you should buy this: If you’ve been a long-time reader of Glenn’s books, you’ll be all over this and love it. If you’ve never read any of his books, this is a great jumping in place. It features all of Glenn’s hallmarks in storytelling, as well as those aforementioned Easter eggs, which will make for great ‘a-ha’ moments when you read his other books.
The siren is done really well and thankfully, Glenn doesn’t spend much time humanizing it to any degree. We see how it reacts when things take a turn and we get to see it turn into a hideous, vengeance-filled monster, which was a lot of fun.
Overall, Rolfe’s delivered another fantastic novel, one that nestles really nicely into his ever-expanding bibliography.
June 11, 2026
Small-town horror at its best! This book was exactly what I needed right now. I, like many other people have been obsessed with Widow's Bay lately, and this book scratched an itch for me because I've been OBSESSED with all thing's small-town and costal town horror books.
I loved getting to know the characters in this book while the slow buildup of the story grows. Some of them you wanted to strangle and some you just wanted to be there with and become friends with. This shows how great of a writer Rolfe is by how he can make you love or hate someone. He really knows how to write great characters.
The supernatural elements were great and spooky. This is a very atmospheric story and you kind of feel like you're right there in it. Parts of it were quite shocking in the best way. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this!
I loved getting to know the characters in this book while the slow buildup of the story grows. Some of them you wanted to strangle and some you just wanted to be there with and become friends with. This shows how great of a writer Rolfe is by how he can make you love or hate someone. He really knows how to write great characters.
The supernatural elements were great and spooky. This is a very atmospheric story and you kind of feel like you're right there in it. Parts of it were quite shocking in the best way. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Sirens of Groves Peak by Glenn Rolfe
4.10 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Est. Pub. Date: June 30, 2026
Flame Tree Press
Below the waves…
💡 Orbs Prologue: Visiting an estranged relative living in Groves Peak has afforded me some recreational diving time. Strapped up with my trusty oxygen tank, I braved the wintry, murky waters. Through a bit of research, I discovered that a large vessel capsized in the 1950s and lies upon the ocean bottom awaiting discovery. Thrusting both fins, I propelled myself further down into the darkness, as if being whisked away into some sort of foreign black hole. As my eyes acclimate to the surroundings, a mixture of bubbles faintly distorted the unsettling feeling of dark brown seagrass, tendrils reaching upward in slow, lethargic motions. And then an object, heavily splotched with algae, began to rise from the sediment…..
🧐 A small glimpse: In Groves Park, a fishing community founded on the riches afforded by catching lobster, Glenn Rolfe has cast his fishing line in search of readers' souls. While following a plethora of the townfolk, two main protagonists float to the surface: Lizzy and Willow. These two have been besties since grade school, garnering a trust that can only be broken by the absurdity of a lie so ridiculous it seems wholeheartedly implausible. The town is under siege. Lobster pots remain strangely empty, and the killings have shocked the entire town. Lizzy and Willow find themselves squarely in the middle of a problem that has deeply affected Groves Peak generation after generation. But how can one have these deep, dark secrets within a place where everyone knows each other’s business? As the dominoes begin to fall like a stack of freshly crushed bodies, Lizzy's and Willow’s lives become intertwined into a complex web of lies and deceit. Glenn Rolfe reminds us that even the smallest of places have deep, dark secrets in their closets.
👍 Orbs Pros: My second book by Rolfe, the first being a collection of stories called Unusual Occurrences, which, I might add, was a 5-star read for me, satisfied my horror needs! It is abundantly clear that Rolfe’s writing style appeals to me. I read his books as if I were living in the scene, taking in the gripping suspense and living within terror’s grasp. Lizzy and Willow! Their camaraderie between the two oddballs seemed relatable. They weren’t the "cool kids" in school, yet they bonded over their non-conformity. The villain! Oh my! Without giving too many spoilers, the delusional rampage was somewhat justified, however horrific that may seem.
👎 Orbs Cons: One character! Yes, one character who reminded me of Trevor Philips, the drug-induced psychopath of GTA 5 fame and debauchery! While perhaps one might say this was part of Rolfe’s mastery. He wrote a fictional character that I so loathed that I found myself perturbed by his existence. But what really irked me was this person’s unrealistic ability to take punishment and keep coming back. On to my next small complaint…were there too many characters? There were times of jumping back and forth between characters where I got lost in the sauce. I had to do some mental gymnastics in my geriatric attempt to remember the names and their subsequent part in the tale. Maintaining a solid reading flow became a challenge at times.
Highly Recommended! This was an enjoyable read! Yes, I had issues arise, but I want to state for the record that you may not and probably won’t have my forgetful-mind issues. A horror novel that treads somewhere on the ocean surface while being abundantly aware of the perceived dangers of swimming in the open sea. That said, Rolfe is a fabulous author and one whose work I will continue to consume!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: A corroded steel mast rests as if asleep upon the rocky seabed. Rounded octagon-shaped windows appear in what still stands as the captain’s quarters. The stillness elicits a frightening beauty, as if witnessing something that ought not be discovered. Moving closer, upon the broken shards of a deteriorating deck, small debris lingers as animal life now calls this their home. Sudden movements dart into my periphery. Slicing, like incisors, cutting through flesh. The fluid nature stifles my watchful gaze. A mermaid, or rather a mythical siren, has invaded my space. Her flawed attractiveness is enhanced by a beautiful, entrancing voice that compels me forward into her tight grip. Deep into my eyes she stares, mesmerizing and all-encompassing. And then she opens her mouth… A deep fear overwhelms me as she displays a maw that a grizzly bear might envy. I will not make it home, that is for certain, and together this rickety boat and I will lie silently as companions.
Many thanks to Flame Tree Press for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.10 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Est. Pub. Date: June 30, 2026
Flame Tree Press
Below the waves…
💡 Orbs Prologue: Visiting an estranged relative living in Groves Peak has afforded me some recreational diving time. Strapped up with my trusty oxygen tank, I braved the wintry, murky waters. Through a bit of research, I discovered that a large vessel capsized in the 1950s and lies upon the ocean bottom awaiting discovery. Thrusting both fins, I propelled myself further down into the darkness, as if being whisked away into some sort of foreign black hole. As my eyes acclimate to the surroundings, a mixture of bubbles faintly distorted the unsettling feeling of dark brown seagrass, tendrils reaching upward in slow, lethargic motions. And then an object, heavily splotched with algae, began to rise from the sediment…..
🧐 A small glimpse: In Groves Park, a fishing community founded on the riches afforded by catching lobster, Glenn Rolfe has cast his fishing line in search of readers' souls. While following a plethora of the townfolk, two main protagonists float to the surface: Lizzy and Willow. These two have been besties since grade school, garnering a trust that can only be broken by the absurdity of a lie so ridiculous it seems wholeheartedly implausible. The town is under siege. Lobster pots remain strangely empty, and the killings have shocked the entire town. Lizzy and Willow find themselves squarely in the middle of a problem that has deeply affected Groves Peak generation after generation. But how can one have these deep, dark secrets within a place where everyone knows each other’s business? As the dominoes begin to fall like a stack of freshly crushed bodies, Lizzy's and Willow’s lives become intertwined into a complex web of lies and deceit. Glenn Rolfe reminds us that even the smallest of places have deep, dark secrets in their closets.
👍 Orbs Pros: My second book by Rolfe, the first being a collection of stories called Unusual Occurrences, which, I might add, was a 5-star read for me, satisfied my horror needs! It is abundantly clear that Rolfe’s writing style appeals to me. I read his books as if I were living in the scene, taking in the gripping suspense and living within terror’s grasp. Lizzy and Willow! Their camaraderie between the two oddballs seemed relatable. They weren’t the "cool kids" in school, yet they bonded over their non-conformity. The villain! Oh my! Without giving too many spoilers, the delusional rampage was somewhat justified, however horrific that may seem.
👎 Orbs Cons: One character! Yes, one character who reminded me of Trevor Philips, the drug-induced psychopath of GTA 5 fame and debauchery! While perhaps one might say this was part of Rolfe’s mastery. He wrote a fictional character that I so loathed that I found myself perturbed by his existence. But what really irked me was this person’s unrealistic ability to take punishment and keep coming back. On to my next small complaint…were there too many characters? There were times of jumping back and forth between characters where I got lost in the sauce. I had to do some mental gymnastics in my geriatric attempt to remember the names and their subsequent part in the tale. Maintaining a solid reading flow became a challenge at times.
Highly Recommended! This was an enjoyable read! Yes, I had issues arise, but I want to state for the record that you may not and probably won’t have my forgetful-mind issues. A horror novel that treads somewhere on the ocean surface while being abundantly aware of the perceived dangers of swimming in the open sea. That said, Rolfe is a fabulous author and one whose work I will continue to consume!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: A corroded steel mast rests as if asleep upon the rocky seabed. Rounded octagon-shaped windows appear in what still stands as the captain’s quarters. The stillness elicits a frightening beauty, as if witnessing something that ought not be discovered. Moving closer, upon the broken shards of a deteriorating deck, small debris lingers as animal life now calls this their home. Sudden movements dart into my periphery. Slicing, like incisors, cutting through flesh. The fluid nature stifles my watchful gaze. A mermaid, or rather a mythical siren, has invaded my space. Her flawed attractiveness is enhanced by a beautiful, entrancing voice that compels me forward into her tight grip. Deep into my eyes she stares, mesmerizing and all-encompassing. And then she opens her mouth… A deep fear overwhelms me as she displays a maw that a grizzly bear might envy. I will not make it home, that is for certain, and together this rickety boat and I will lie silently as companions.
Many thanks to Flame Tree Press for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow, this book was incredibly good! I don't even know where to start, so I'll first say thank you to the author for giving me an arc copy of this book. I really appreciate it. I definitely plan to read more books by the author now too because this was very well written. I guess the thing that will stay with me the most is the characters. There are a lot in the book, but I geniunely was interested in knowing more about all of them. I absolutely loved Lizzy and Willow and their friendship. I hated Shawn and Paul with such an intensity that I believe is also a sign of good writing honestly. But for the most part all the other characters fell into the category of being flawed in some ways but also very human and therefore mostly easy to root for. There was emotional complexity to them and a realness. Some were not people I'd personally hang out with, but I still found myself invested in their individual stories as well as their roles in this story. I found the story actually really thought provoking in terms of morality I guess. There are basic rights and wrongs in life but I think its natural people have their different lines based on intentions, empathy, etc. You might say something is wrong but kind of understand it or you might say it just doesn't matter the reason. It is all interesting to think about. I enjoyed that. The horror of what is happening in the town is fascinating, suspenseful, and chilling. Also, I was so wrapped up in all the town drama too. I read most of this book with wide eyes like oh my god that person just did that?! It was 100% a page turner and every page had my full attention. I haven't personally really read anything about sirens before so that was new to me. I really liked the siren character. I thought the different ways she was seen was really cool. Which brings me to another thing. I really liked the setting. The town was a character of it own. I'm weirdly very drawn to fishing town type stories even though I certainly don't have much experience with it. I did once go lobster fishing with a friend's family and actually had a lot of fun trying to get the rubber bands on the lobster claws. This whole story had an atmosphere about it that I really enjoyed and I was hooked right away. It was an excellent story. I'm keeping this spoiler free but one thing at the end had me devastated but I dont think its bad. Its just a sign of how invested I was. I actually cried quite a bit for some of these characters stories. To me thats good. I like to feel things when I read and as strange as it sounds the more crying the better. It was good! I'm on my way to find my next book by this author. I need more. I may read more siren books now too. A neat kind of creepy they are. I'd give this book 6 stars if i could though. It's just so good and i really loved it. When i got towards the end I was torn between wanting to read fast to know what happens and wanting to slow down because I wasn't ready for it to end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this one. Going in, I expected horror and mystery, but I didn’t expect to get this invested in the characters and their lives.
There are a lot of characters in this story, and each one has their own struggles, secrets, and personal issues. If you're someone who loves getting pulled into everyone's drama and trying to connect the dots, this book definitely delivers .Surprisingly, even with the large cast, it never felt messy or overwhelming to me. The connections between the characters were easy to follow, and everything flowed together naturally. The pacing and narrative felt really smooth from beginning to end, and I found myself genuinely caring about what was happening to several of them.
One small thing I struggled with was keeping track of some characters' ages. I occasionally had trouble picturing whether certain characters were middle-aged, older, or around the same age as others, especially when relationships or backstory details came up. Since the town has history tied to earlier decades, I sometimes found myself imagining everyone older than they probably were.
Also, can we talk about how Glenn Rolfe really said, "Here's your horror... but here's your emotional damage too" 😭 There were several moments that hit me emotionally in ways I wasn't expecting. I think I might actually be the worst horror reviewer because why am I getting emotional over a horror book? 😂 But I guess that's just the empath in me. Give me creepy scenes, gore, and nightmare fuel, and somehow I’m over here getting attached to characters.
I've read horror with intense gore, disturbing scenes, and all kinds of nightmare fuel before, but I don't think I've had a horror novel actually make me emotional like this one did. And then I made the mistake of listening to Just Breathe by Pearl Jam afterward... yeah, that definitely did not help my feelings 😂
And saving the best for last: the horror elements. Early on, the book gives you little glimpses and slowly builds the tension, but once the final stretch hits? That’s when things really kick in. The macabre and gore come in stronger, and it definitely pays off.
If you're trying to branch out into horror or want something that mixes mystery, emotion, small-town secrets, and horror elements together, I'd recommend giving this one a try.
Huge thanks for the ARC!
There are a lot of characters in this story, and each one has their own struggles, secrets, and personal issues. If you're someone who loves getting pulled into everyone's drama and trying to connect the dots, this book definitely delivers .Surprisingly, even with the large cast, it never felt messy or overwhelming to me. The connections between the characters were easy to follow, and everything flowed together naturally. The pacing and narrative felt really smooth from beginning to end, and I found myself genuinely caring about what was happening to several of them.
One small thing I struggled with was keeping track of some characters' ages. I occasionally had trouble picturing whether certain characters were middle-aged, older, or around the same age as others, especially when relationships or backstory details came up. Since the town has history tied to earlier decades, I sometimes found myself imagining everyone older than they probably were.
Also, can we talk about how Glenn Rolfe really said, "Here's your horror... but here's your emotional damage too" 😭 There were several moments that hit me emotionally in ways I wasn't expecting. I think I might actually be the worst horror reviewer because why am I getting emotional over a horror book? 😂 But I guess that's just the empath in me. Give me creepy scenes, gore, and nightmare fuel, and somehow I’m over here getting attached to characters.
I've read horror with intense gore, disturbing scenes, and all kinds of nightmare fuel before, but I don't think I've had a horror novel actually make me emotional like this one did. And then I made the mistake of listening to Just Breathe by Pearl Jam afterward... yeah, that definitely did not help my feelings 😂
And saving the best for last: the horror elements. Early on, the book gives you little glimpses and slowly builds the tension, but once the final stretch hits? That’s when things really kick in. The macabre and gore come in stronger, and it definitely pays off.
If you're trying to branch out into horror or want something that mixes mystery, emotion, small-town secrets, and horror elements together, I'd recommend giving this one a try.
Huge thanks for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Groves Peak, Maine is a lobstering community that has a dark secret. A deal has been made, promises have been kept, and the lobster traps were full. Everything was running smoothly until a murder at sea changed everything! Vengeance has come to town and there will be a reckoning. As the body count rises, tensions are on edge, secrets are revealed, and life as the Groves Peak community knows it will be forever changed.
This book had me reflecting on who the true monster was in this book. The Siren of Groves Peak also reminded me of the midnight creature features that I used to sneak out of my bedroom to watch after my parents went to sleep. It has a supernatural element in the form of the siren. This book also has themes of rage, vengeance, loss, pain, and deception.
The Siren of Groves Peak is the 7th book by Glenn Rolfe that I have read. As with his other books, The Siren of Groves Peak was wonderfully written, well thought out, dark, horrific, and brimming with nostalgia. This book is dripping with tension, dread, danger, and revenge. There are some vivid scenes of violence in this book. This book also provides readers with various POV's of the human characters which also packs a punch when the you-know-what hits the fan. And it will hit and it will be bloody.
Dark, horrific, gripping, tense, and hard to put down! If you enjoy the horror genre and have not read a book by Glenn Rolfe, you are missing out.
Thank you to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book had me reflecting on who the true monster was in this book. The Siren of Groves Peak also reminded me of the midnight creature features that I used to sneak out of my bedroom to watch after my parents went to sleep. It has a supernatural element in the form of the siren. This book also has themes of rage, vengeance, loss, pain, and deception.
The Siren of Groves Peak is the 7th book by Glenn Rolfe that I have read. As with his other books, The Siren of Groves Peak was wonderfully written, well thought out, dark, horrific, and brimming with nostalgia. This book is dripping with tension, dread, danger, and revenge. There are some vivid scenes of violence in this book. This book also provides readers with various POV's of the human characters which also packs a punch when the you-know-what hits the fan. And it will hit and it will be bloody.
Dark, horrific, gripping, tense, and hard to put down! If you enjoy the horror genre and have not read a book by Glenn Rolfe, you are missing out.
Thank you to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had some reservations about this one, once it became clear to me that this was going to be a story with a huge (and I do mean HUGE) cast: fishermen and their daughters, fishermen and their wives, fishermen who mated with a sea creature, fishermen and ... well, you get the idea! I shouldn't have worried, however: Rolfe captures every little detail of the coastal town drama with such subtlety and vigor, it felt like binging a superb horror series and wanting more! The characters are so well-drawn, their struggles and family issues so relatable, their flaws realistic, and their fears absolutely grounded in the real world, despite the story's fantastic elements.
I was almost immediately invested in the tale and really enjoyed the author's storytelling technique of filling out the big picture slowly, the narrative hinting at the town's secret story like completing a puzzle, without any moments of confusion or the slightest boredom. In fact, once I realized what's at stake (and this is indeed a story with very high stakes!), everything flowed smoothly and very fast, with several crucial emotional upheavals (especially towards the heartbreaking ending).
I hated the siren, though. She's a monster. Sure, I get where she's coming from and she's surely justified in her rage and bitterness. Others may even feel she deserves one's support and empathy, but I for one had very little patience with her obsessions. She was killing everyone left and right, after all - and I'd spent so much time and energy caring for these same characters who felt her wrath and experienced her revenge first hand. Plus, she ends up killing my favorite character! Ouch. She was carrying half of the story, dang it!
Rolfe really gets it when it comes to small town family drama. It's rare to find an author who can do dialogue like Rolfe, who can blend the supernatural into human issues with such mastery! This is a intense read I highly recommend!
I was almost immediately invested in the tale and really enjoyed the author's storytelling technique of filling out the big picture slowly, the narrative hinting at the town's secret story like completing a puzzle, without any moments of confusion or the slightest boredom. In fact, once I realized what's at stake (and this is indeed a story with very high stakes!), everything flowed smoothly and very fast, with several crucial emotional upheavals (especially towards the heartbreaking ending).
I hated the siren, though. She's a monster. Sure, I get where she's coming from and she's surely justified in her rage and bitterness. Others may even feel she deserves one's support and empathy, but I for one had very little patience with her obsessions. She was killing everyone left and right, after all - and I'd spent so much time and energy caring for these same characters who felt her wrath and experienced her revenge first hand. Plus, she ends up killing my favorite character! Ouch. She was carrying half of the story, dang it!
Rolfe really gets it when it comes to small town family drama. It's rare to find an author who can do dialogue like Rolfe, who can blend the supernatural into human issues with such mastery! This is a intense read I highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The residents of Groves Peak, Maine, have kept a secret for generations. They know why their small coastal town flourishes and why their lobstermen always have the most bountiful catch, even when others catch next to nothing. For some, it's just the way of life. For others, the secret is more than they can bear. One man has taken it upon himself to betray The Siren of Groves Peak, and now her rage knows no bounds.
I loved the small coastal town setting. Was I meant to feel more sympathy for the Siren than those who faced her wrath? I don't know, but I did. She may have gone overboard seeking her revenge against some who never wronged her, but she was just a poor, lonely creature who couldn't help what she was. The bargain she struck with the lobstermen was a deal they made willingly, and she kept her promises. There were only a very few of her victims that I felt anything for. Some of the humans were more monstrous than the siren.
This was a fast-paced story with themes of drug addiction, alcoholism, and murder in addition to the mythical folklore aspects. Flawed characters with intriguing backstories made the multiple points of view work well. If you're in the mood for a seafaring horror, this one comes ashore just in time for your summer beach read. The body count and blood flow will rise as high as the tide if the siren has her way.
My thanks to Flame Tree Press for the paperback ARC.
I loved the small coastal town setting. Was I meant to feel more sympathy for the Siren than those who faced her wrath? I don't know, but I did. She may have gone overboard seeking her revenge against some who never wronged her, but she was just a poor, lonely creature who couldn't help what she was. The bargain she struck with the lobstermen was a deal they made willingly, and she kept her promises. There were only a very few of her victims that I felt anything for. Some of the humans were more monstrous than the siren.
This was a fast-paced story with themes of drug addiction, alcoholism, and murder in addition to the mythical folklore aspects. Flawed characters with intriguing backstories made the multiple points of view work well. If you're in the mood for a seafaring horror, this one comes ashore just in time for your summer beach read. The body count and blood flow will rise as high as the tide if the siren has her way.
My thanks to Flame Tree Press for the paperback ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There’s something uniquely unsettling about small-town horror, and this novel delivers that eerie atmosphere in spades. In Groves Peak, an unspoken bargain has shaped the town for generations: the men must answer the Siren’s call, and the women must pretend not to notice. In return, the town thrives. But when one especially cruel act shatters that fragile agreement, men start turning up dead.
This is an intensely atmospheric story that embraces slow-burn horror. Rather than rushing into it, the novel takes its time immersing readers in the lives of its characters and the rhythms of everyday life in Groves Peak.
What makes this story especially compelling is its moral complexity. At first glance, it’s easy to cast the Siren as the villain, but the deeper the story goes, the more that assumption is challenged. Every character carries flaws, secrets, and questionable choices. That emotional and ethical ambiguity kept me deeply invested from start to finish.
Dark and powerful. This will be loved by readers who prefer folksy water horror, slow burn tension, and dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of small-town life.
This is an intensely atmospheric story that embraces slow-burn horror. Rather than rushing into it, the novel takes its time immersing readers in the lives of its characters and the rhythms of everyday life in Groves Peak.
What makes this story especially compelling is its moral complexity. At first glance, it’s easy to cast the Siren as the villain, but the deeper the story goes, the more that assumption is challenged. Every character carries flaws, secrets, and questionable choices. That emotional and ethical ambiguity kept me deeply invested from start to finish.
Dark and powerful. This will be loved by readers who prefer folksy water horror, slow burn tension, and dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of small-town life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love maritime folklore, creature features, or stories about isolated communities being forced to reckon with their own history, this is an excellent weekend read.
Groves Peak, Maine, is a picture-perfect, incredibly prosperous coastal town built entirely around its tight-knit lobstering community. But the town's legendary success has always rested on a foundation of buried secrets and a generational understanding that the local men keep strictly to themselves.
Everything shatters when a violent death occurs out at sea. The tragedy triggers a domino effect, awakening a vengeful, supernatural fury hidden deep in the local waters. As the town's booming economy begins to dry up and a series of bizarre nightmares take hold, two lifelong best friends, Lizzy and Willow, find themselves inadvertently digging into the town's history—unwittingly dragging decades of deeply hidden, destructive truths right into the open.
The only negatives for me are, a little bit of character crowding and the ending could've had a happier ending. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
A big thank you to #Netgalley anf #flametreepress for sending me this eARC!
Groves Peak, Maine, is a picture-perfect, incredibly prosperous coastal town built entirely around its tight-knit lobstering community. But the town's legendary success has always rested on a foundation of buried secrets and a generational understanding that the local men keep strictly to themselves.
Everything shatters when a violent death occurs out at sea. The tragedy triggers a domino effect, awakening a vengeful, supernatural fury hidden deep in the local waters. As the town's booming economy begins to dry up and a series of bizarre nightmares take hold, two lifelong best friends, Lizzy and Willow, find themselves inadvertently digging into the town's history—unwittingly dragging decades of deeply hidden, destructive truths right into the open.
The only negatives for me are, a little bit of character crowding and the ending could've had a happier ending. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
A big thank you to #Netgalley anf #flametreepress for sending me this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Groves Peak is a small coastal Maine town and they've been successful at lobster harvesting even when other towns went dry. The reason is simple, they have help from a siren. The siren ensures their success in exchange for sexual favors from the men because she's alone and wants an offspring. When it finally happens, one of the men will do something horrible that sets the siren off and she'll go on a bloody rampage of revenge against all the men in town to get her justice.
But this is just one aspect of this terrifying novel. It has a great human element with multiple characters and a twisty narrative. While everyone knows about the siren it's had a negative impact on quite a few lives and those will be examined throughout. It's this human aspect which really sits at the heart of the book and it makes the siren's vendetta of disturbingly bloody violence even more impactful. You won't want to read during a dark stormy night! I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
But this is just one aspect of this terrifying novel. It has a great human element with multiple characters and a twisty narrative. While everyone knows about the siren it's had a negative impact on quite a few lives and those will be examined throughout. It's this human aspect which really sits at the heart of the book and it makes the siren's vendetta of disturbingly bloody violence even more impactful. You won't want to read during a dark stormy night! I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky to receive and ARC of this from the author and wow, the cover gave me the creeps, so absolutely let me read it!
A small town ( I know another one, but damnit they are my favorite!) with a dark secret, what other kind could a town have.
When murders start popping up, everyone is on edge, things like this don't happen in Grove Peaks or it hasn't in a long long time, so long that most have forgotten.
The Siren's call summons all men, a deal was brokered and now the time to pay has come and she wants a child.. All those years of prosperous lobstering she's blessed the town with, for such a small price.
Things could have been fine I suppose but when she finally gets her child, one of the men called does something terrible ( no spoilers) and in a revenge fueled rage she decides all men must pay.
I absolutely loved this, after reading Windows Of Winding Gale and The Boatman recently, I was really looking for more seaside type horror and this was EXACTLY what I was after.
A small town ( I know another one, but damnit they are my favorite!) with a dark secret, what other kind could a town have.
When murders start popping up, everyone is on edge, things like this don't happen in Grove Peaks or it hasn't in a long long time, so long that most have forgotten.
The Siren's call summons all men, a deal was brokered and now the time to pay has come and she wants a child.. All those years of prosperous lobstering she's blessed the town with, for such a small price.
Things could have been fine I suppose but when she finally gets her child, one of the men called does something terrible ( no spoilers) and in a revenge fueled rage she decides all men must pay.
I absolutely loved this, after reading Windows Of Winding Gale and The Boatman recently, I was really looking for more seaside type horror and this was EXACTLY what I was after.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book opens on the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean with the murder of a child. Although we know who the murderer is right from the get go, we don’t know why they did it, or the secrets behind the heinous act.
This story is a twisty romp through the fishing town of Groves Peak on the East Coast of the US, where a siren is wreaking havoc through the small population. Told through multiple POVs and an interconnected cast of characters, we unveil a curse from the sea, lots of relationship drama and deceit, and a swatch of horrific and sensual cryptid horror. I enjoyed the drizzly atmosphere of the fishing town, the gritty lobster fishery, the shady dealings of the flawed characters, and the bloody horror of Millinginia, the ethereal and brutal Siren of Groves Peak.
Mystery, blood, booze, deceit, sex, and mermaids. What more could you ask for in a book?
This story is a twisty romp through the fishing town of Groves Peak on the East Coast of the US, where a siren is wreaking havoc through the small population. Told through multiple POVs and an interconnected cast of characters, we unveil a curse from the sea, lots of relationship drama and deceit, and a swatch of horrific and sensual cryptid horror. I enjoyed the drizzly atmosphere of the fishing town, the gritty lobster fishery, the shady dealings of the flawed characters, and the bloody horror of Millinginia, the ethereal and brutal Siren of Groves Peak.
Mystery, blood, booze, deceit, sex, and mermaids. What more could you ask for in a book?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The town of Groves Peak has a curse, but it is also a blessing. All the men, regardless of marital status, must answer the siren's call. She wants a child more than anything...and she will do anything to get it. For their obedience, she brings the sea creatures up from the depths. The lobstermen are incredibly successful. When it all goes south, and the unthinkable happens, the siren goes on a murderous rampage. None of the men are safe.
This story is a darker look at mermaids and sirens. Not the stunning beautiful, harmless creatures. Instead, a ruthless, violent, unforgiving creature of immense strength. Her justified rage is unforgiving.
I devoured this book. The characters felt real...especially with how flawed they were. Nobody was perfect or innocent. The storyline was fantastic. Very well done, and a fun read!
This story is a darker look at mermaids and sirens. Not the stunning beautiful, harmless creatures. Instead, a ruthless, violent, unforgiving creature of immense strength. Her justified rage is unforgiving.
I devoured this book. The characters felt real...especially with how flawed they were. Nobody was perfect or innocent. The storyline was fantastic. Very well done, and a fun read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When I first picked this book up, I honestly didn't expect to love it. This isn't my typical horror subgenre and was definitely outside of my comfort zone. From the very beginning, I was completely engrossed in the story. I hated putting it down and would have happily finished it in a single sitting.
This book follows the people of Groves Peak and the things they've done over the years to appease the siren that lives in the sea in exchange for abundance and economic stability. It's something everyone in town is aware of, but no one dares to speak about out loud.
This book could have easily been so outrageous that it felt silly, but instead it was an incredibly wild and captivating ride. I loved every single page.
I'll definitely be picking up other books by this author!
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my own opinion.
This book follows the people of Groves Peak and the things they've done over the years to appease the siren that lives in the sea in exchange for abundance and economic stability. It's something everyone in town is aware of, but no one dares to speak about out loud.
This book could have easily been so outrageous that it felt silly, but instead it was an incredibly wild and captivating ride. I loved every single page.
I'll definitely be picking up other books by this author!
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love "Monkey's Paw/Be careful of the bargains you strike" stories and this book fills the bill. A story of a lobstering town's desperation and later, greed, and the secrets that lead to the downfall of everyone involved. We know the responsible party right at the outset, but the methodical deaths slowly begin to reveal the one secret that damns them all. This is not just a horror story of gory deaths. It's a statement on how a person's greed and hunger for power will eventually come back to haunt them. In other words, karma is a bitch.
I am a long-time fan of Glenn Rolfe's books. This is one of his best. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys the type of story I mentioned above, and folk horror in general.
I am a long-time fan of Glenn Rolfe's books. This is one of his best. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys the type of story I mentioned above, and folk horror in general.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Groves Peak has a tail to be told. This tail is going to be dark full of murders, disappearances, and revenge. Sit back tight and watch the dark tides roll in as the town secrets are exposed. Beware No one is safe in Groves Peak.
I loved this book. It started off slow but it quickly build-up momentum . I love the action-packed storytelling and its characters. Highly recommend if you love folklore horror.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I dove into this one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! This book has so many different attributes. It’s a mythological creature story. A story about the darkness of human nature. A revenge story. And a small town horror story packed full of secrets and grief. It’s very well rounded with great dialogue and developed characters. This may have been my first book by Glenn, but it definitely won’t be my last!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*thanks Netgalley for the ARC copy for me to read and give my personal review*
4.5 stars
If you like folklore type horror then you will enjoy this book. The Mystery of this little ocean side town was full of revenge terror and gore. Overall i did like the book was above average read.
4.5 stars
If you like folklore type horror then you will enjoy this book. The Mystery of this little ocean side town was full of revenge terror and gore. Overall i did like the book was above average read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Glenn throws you right into the deep end here and drags you up through the silt. As he always does. Another top notch book to add to his extensive arsenal of horror.
Glenn just gets that small-town vibe right.
Seek it out. I think you'll dig it.
Five stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Glenn just gets that small-town vibe right.
Seek it out. I think you'll dig it.
Five stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoyed this novel and the local folklore of the town (that immediately is revealed to not just be rumours...). One of my favourite things about it was that the focus wasn't on the characters you might expect for a story about a siren.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Folklore, gore, and seafaring revenge - heck yeah
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It's a killer sex mermaid book from an author whose bio identifies him as a Richard Laymon fan. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I think this is the first novel about a siren that I've ever read and it wasn't at all what I expected in terms of plot (which is a good thing!). Very much enjoyed it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With The Siren of Groves Peak, Glenn Rolfe delivers a gritty, terrifying blend of supernatural, and human, revenge. Secrets, lies and old wounds are brought to the surface as horrific murders, which the police seem uninterested in investigating, occur.
Groves Peak is like many small, coastal towns. It has its share of problems: drugs, alcohol, abuse and infidelities. But unlike those other towns, Groves Peak and its lobstermen have had decades of prosperity, even when the catch has been poor elsewhere, thanks to an agreement made with a siren years ago. Until now. Something has changed and people are being killed.
This is a well-paced tale that kept me guessing until the end. Many of the characters are not what they seem, and strength, sacrifice and betrayal are found in unexpected places. The story lines all come together like a wonderful seafood chowder, each adding it's own flavor to a delicious ⭐⭐⭐⭐ result.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press for providing an eARC to review through NetGalley!
Groves Peak is like many small, coastal towns. It has its share of problems: drugs, alcohol, abuse and infidelities. But unlike those other towns, Groves Peak and its lobstermen have had decades of prosperity, even when the catch has been poor elsewhere, thanks to an agreement made with a siren years ago. Until now. Something has changed and people are being killed.
This is a well-paced tale that kept me guessing until the end. Many of the characters are not what they seem, and strength, sacrifice and betrayal are found in unexpected places. The story lines all come together like a wonderful seafood chowder, each adding it's own flavor to a delicious ⭐⭐⭐⭐ result.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press for providing an eARC to review through NetGalley!
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