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Marla
Not yet published
Expected 17 Oct 26Every small town has ghosts. King’s Branch has Marla.
A reclusive young woman who lives with her mother in a creepy Gothic house, Marla Gorman is the stuff of urban legends. Some believe she’s a prisoner. Others claim she’s a witch.
The evening of the first murder, Detective Carl Lancaster sees Marla leering at him from her bedroom window. He sees her again at the exact moment a second man is killed. And though Marla was nowhere near either murder site, Carl is convinced she’s connected to the crimes.
To Carl, Marla is a menace. To social worker Annie Frost, Marla bears a bizarre connection to her past. To Dylan Ellison, a struggling college student, Marla might be the companion for which he’s been longing.
But none of them understands Marla’s true nature. She’s about to plunge them—and everyone in King’s Branch—into an unspeakable nightmare and teach them the true meaning of terror.
"Marla charges hard out of the gate and never stops moving until its final pages. Janz’s tale is propulsive and sometimes gut-wrenching, yet ultimately shot through with a strain of tenderness and heart that I didn’t see coming."
—Nick Cutter, author of Little Heaven
"The nightmare tension and dread Janz generates in Marla is top-notch, and reaches a new level of intensity I’ve not seen in his rich prose before. This is Janz in top form. Marla is dark, disturbing, and beautiful...but mostly it’s terrifying."
—James A. Moore, author of the Blood Red trilogy
A reclusive young woman who lives with her mother in a creepy Gothic house, Marla Gorman is the stuff of urban legends. Some believe she’s a prisoner. Others claim she’s a witch.
The evening of the first murder, Detective Carl Lancaster sees Marla leering at him from her bedroom window. He sees her again at the exact moment a second man is killed. And though Marla was nowhere near either murder site, Carl is convinced she’s connected to the crimes.
To Carl, Marla is a menace. To social worker Annie Frost, Marla bears a bizarre connection to her past. To Dylan Ellison, a struggling college student, Marla might be the companion for which he’s been longing.
But none of them understands Marla’s true nature. She’s about to plunge them—and everyone in King’s Branch—into an unspeakable nightmare and teach them the true meaning of terror.
"Marla charges hard out of the gate and never stops moving until its final pages. Janz’s tale is propulsive and sometimes gut-wrenching, yet ultimately shot through with a strain of tenderness and heart that I didn’t see coming."
—Nick Cutter, author of Little Heaven
"The nightmare tension and dread Janz generates in Marla is top-notch, and reaches a new level of intensity I’ve not seen in his rich prose before. This is Janz in top form. Marla is dark, disturbing, and beautiful...but mostly it’s terrifying."
—James A. Moore, author of the Blood Red trilogy
1 pages, Audio CD
First published October 1, 2022
About the author
Jonathan Janz
61 books2,118 followersJonathan Janz is an author and public schoolteacher. His sci-fi horror novel VEIL is now available, and you can find his story "Lenora" in THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT: NEW TALES OF STEPHEN KING'S THE STAND. He’s represented for Film & TV by Adam Kolbrenner of Lit Entertainment, and his literary agent is Lane Heymont. His ghost story The Siren and the Specter was selected as a Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Horror. Additionally, his novels Children of the Dark and The Dark Game were chosen by Booklist and Library Journal as Top Ten Horror Books of the Year. Jonathan’s main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children. You can sign up for his newsletter (http://jonathanjanz.us12.list-manage....), and you can follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 31, 2022
Marla is book 17 in Earthling Publishing's Halloween Series.
I actually beta-read an early version of this book and was honored to discuss my reading experience over the phone with the author.
I've read several, if not a dozen Janz books and this one is set apart as one of his most spooky offerings, in my humble opinion.
Marla Gorman is a reclusive woman who lives with her mother in a creepy old house in a small town. Of course, all the locals have their stories and opinions about that situation. In classic horror tradition, a string of grisly murders gets the townspeople and local law enforcement all riled up. Fingers start pointing toward Marla.
The death toll rises, and rumors of the frozen expression of fear on the corpses leak to the public, a slasher-esque urban legend rises up.
Pitch-perfect tension and suspense. This is a real Halloween story that is best enjoyed during the spooky season.
I actually beta-read an early version of this book and was honored to discuss my reading experience over the phone with the author.
I've read several, if not a dozen Janz books and this one is set apart as one of his most spooky offerings, in my humble opinion.
Marla Gorman is a reclusive woman who lives with her mother in a creepy old house in a small town. Of course, all the locals have their stories and opinions about that situation. In classic horror tradition, a string of grisly murders gets the townspeople and local law enforcement all riled up. Fingers start pointing toward Marla.
The death toll rises, and rumors of the frozen expression of fear on the corpses leak to the public, a slasher-esque urban legend rises up.
Pitch-perfect tension and suspense. This is a real Halloween story that is best enjoyed during the spooky season.
September 29, 2022
Jonathan Janz is an author who impresses you with plot, makes you care about his characters, and blows you away with his endings. I have devoured and loved every one of his books, and Marla is no different. If the striking cover with Marla’s terrifying face on it doesn’t grab you, then strap in because I’m here to convince you.
In the small town of King’s Branch, Detective Carl Lancaster and his partner, RJ Williams investigate a spree of murders. However something else strange is happening. Detective Lancaster has seen Marla at every crime scene. The problem is, Marla is nothing but an urban legend - the town gossip. They say Marla is held up with her mother in a creepy gothic house. She’s elusive and the townspeople don’t really know her story. The detectives are determined to figure out how Marla is connected to the murders and what’s going on in King’s Branch.
As much as I adore the secondary characters, this is the story of Marla. The heightened suspense creates an ominous tone and a nightmarish feel. Janz has a way of enticing his readers and I was fully invested in every scene. With concise prose, concrete characters, sharp dialogue, and plenty of eerie moments, you’ll be compelled to witness Marla in all of her horrific and mysterious splendor. If you want to solve murders, spend time in a small, familiar town, and figure out the enigmatic Marla, then you need this book!
Available only as a limited hardcover through Earthling Publications.
In the small town of King’s Branch, Detective Carl Lancaster and his partner, RJ Williams investigate a spree of murders. However something else strange is happening. Detective Lancaster has seen Marla at every crime scene. The problem is, Marla is nothing but an urban legend - the town gossip. They say Marla is held up with her mother in a creepy gothic house. She’s elusive and the townspeople don’t really know her story. The detectives are determined to figure out how Marla is connected to the murders and what’s going on in King’s Branch.
As much as I adore the secondary characters, this is the story of Marla. The heightened suspense creates an ominous tone and a nightmarish feel. Janz has a way of enticing his readers and I was fully invested in every scene. With concise prose, concrete characters, sharp dialogue, and plenty of eerie moments, you’ll be compelled to witness Marla in all of her horrific and mysterious splendor. If you want to solve murders, spend time in a small, familiar town, and figure out the enigmatic Marla, then you need this book!
Available only as a limited hardcover through Earthling Publications.
July 3, 2024
Where is this book, I need it, 5 stars already cos it's janz
Updated review after I've actually read..surprise it's still 5 stars!
.
.
I finally read Marla! I'm a big Janz fan, a Janzie? All of his books I've read so far have been my favourites and they take pride of place on my bookshelves, I'm late to the party I know I struggled to find a copy untill my friend Mark very kindly gifted me his! I was overly cautious turning the pages as I didn't wanna tarnish this precious copy 😂 I find Janz particularly skilled at the following, you might wanna sit down its a long list..meshing genres together to deftly create something of a horror smorgasbord, police procedural, mystery/thriller, gothic, family drama and horror, Marla has all of this and a propulsive plot that keeps you walking a tightrope of suspense and just when you think you've figured it out, you haven't, is this a slasher? a supernatural? plot twists abound! Creating nuanced characters that you can't help but invest in and really root for (some you don't) paired with faultless depictions of humanity and relationships makes his stories linger long after you've finished reading, dialogue between characters that feels authentic and honest to god laugh out loud funny, multiple POVs that never distract from the narrative, the characterization as always, is, I believe one of Janz strongest weapons, icky gooey gory gruesome imagery that makes me cringe but can't help but go back for more, this was incredibly creepy and tense and a perfect book for Halloween time (Halloween is everyday right?) Utterly captivating and blood chilling I believe Marla is up there with some of the horror cult classics (I think it actually is I'm just late to the party remember), reminiscent of King but Janz has entirely his own distinct style, peppering the ongoing tension and horror with just enough humour to ease the reader along his nightmarish tales
I'm so glad I got to read this! Have you read this? Have you read Children of the Dark? I won't tell you again... 👀
Updated review after I've actually read..surprise it's still 5 stars!
.
.
I finally read Marla! I'm a big Janz fan, a Janzie? All of his books I've read so far have been my favourites and they take pride of place on my bookshelves, I'm late to the party I know I struggled to find a copy untill my friend Mark very kindly gifted me his! I was overly cautious turning the pages as I didn't wanna tarnish this precious copy 😂 I find Janz particularly skilled at the following, you might wanna sit down its a long list..meshing genres together to deftly create something of a horror smorgasbord, police procedural, mystery/thriller, gothic, family drama and horror, Marla has all of this and a propulsive plot that keeps you walking a tightrope of suspense and just when you think you've figured it out, you haven't, is this a slasher? a supernatural? plot twists abound! Creating nuanced characters that you can't help but invest in and really root for (some you don't) paired with faultless depictions of humanity and relationships makes his stories linger long after you've finished reading, dialogue between characters that feels authentic and honest to god laugh out loud funny, multiple POVs that never distract from the narrative, the characterization as always, is, I believe one of Janz strongest weapons, icky gooey gory gruesome imagery that makes me cringe but can't help but go back for more, this was incredibly creepy and tense and a perfect book for Halloween time (Halloween is everyday right?) Utterly captivating and blood chilling I believe Marla is up there with some of the horror cult classics (I think it actually is I'm just late to the party remember), reminiscent of King but Janz has entirely his own distinct style, peppering the ongoing tension and horror with just enough humour to ease the reader along his nightmarish tales
I'm so glad I got to read this! Have you read this? Have you read Children of the Dark? I won't tell you again... 👀
December 31, 2023
I'm not even going to TRY posting a review right now while GR is having all of these technical issues, but I will go ahead and say that this book was absolutely incredible!! Another win from Jonathan Janz ♥ review coming soon!
April 1, 2026
Boy-oh-boy am I surely grateful to Blackstone right now! I finally read my first Jonathan Janz novel and that means I need to pick up my copy of Veil ASAP. I really want to thank @books_and_biceps9155 for giving me the push.
In the town of King’s Branch, Indiana, people are turning up dead. Their faces frozen in horror and with their eyes a bloody mess. It’s obvious they’ve been mur.dered but in the most unusual ways.
Then, there’s the Gorman House. An old debilitated and creepy old house that Marla and her mother live in. There’s been whispers that something’s wrong with Marla. Why doesn’t she leave the house? Why does she give you that creepy stare from her bedroom window?
Let me tell you that I devoured this novel. Think gothic witchy vibes with a little bit of Carrie thrown in. Hell yeah, right?! One of my favorite parts of his writing is how he gives the story some heart. You get inside of these character’s heads and care for them. OH, and there’s even a dog 🐕.
You gotta add this one to your TBR! It’s unsettling, creepy, and atmospheric and I absolutely loved it! A perfect time for Summerween too. I’ve gotta get a finished copy of this bad boy for sure. I highly recommend it.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the town of King’s Branch, Indiana, people are turning up dead. Their faces frozen in horror and with their eyes a bloody mess. It’s obvious they’ve been mur.dered but in the most unusual ways.
Then, there’s the Gorman House. An old debilitated and creepy old house that Marla and her mother live in. There’s been whispers that something’s wrong with Marla. Why doesn’t she leave the house? Why does she give you that creepy stare from her bedroom window?
Let me tell you that I devoured this novel. Think gothic witchy vibes with a little bit of Carrie thrown in. Hell yeah, right?! One of my favorite parts of his writing is how he gives the story some heart. You get inside of these character’s heads and care for them. OH, and there’s even a dog 🐕.
You gotta add this one to your TBR! It’s unsettling, creepy, and atmospheric and I absolutely loved it! A perfect time for Summerween too. I’ve gotta get a finished copy of this bad boy for sure. I highly recommend it.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 24, 2022
JonathanJanz has crafted a real page turner here. Eerie and suspenseful and a whole hell of a lot of fun for horror fans. Marla is one of Janz’s greatest creations, and whatever you do, don’t look into her eyes! 😳😬😱🎃
October 2, 2022
It's October 1st - officially starting the spooky season for those who don't celebrate all year long like I do. And what a way to start the month! Janz is quickly becoming a favorite horror author of mine and MARLA is my third by this author, and so far my favorite, that I've read.
There's something so deliciously eerie and creepy about the rumors of a reclusive woman in a gothic house that keeps the law enforcement on their toes (at least in this case) and the teens in their glory of testing themselves. Murders, with the faces found in fear, reminded me somewhat of how Samara left her victims in The Ring. But what is truly happening with these atrocities and why is everyone so obsessed with MARLA?
The fun for me is that Marla is the name of my former boss as one of the tertiary characters' names is Jason Karr... which is the name of a friend of mine (though I hope he hasn't met the same fate). I couldn't help but picture them as I read though Marla is certainly not nearly as scary. I also truly love these types of stories. Part slasher with an underlying supernatural feel, Janz truly brings Marla to life.
We get a lot of the various characters and the various POVs keep you right in the action. And you get to know them well enough to care about what happens to them. But we are centered around Marla. You can just feel her leering coming straight off the pages (as if you didn't already feel her just from the glorious cover). When we get towards the end of the story and things start to become cohesive, we truly get a feel of the evil within.
While I wasn't surprised at the last chapter, I really loved the ending prior where we learn about what and who Marla is, where she gets her power and why the people in this town are important to her. There is an increased tension that palpitates with every page turned and keeps you glued to the pages. I know I certainly don't want to be looking into her eyes (and that's hard to do with a cover that seems to follow you everywhere).
I think I'm definitely in the #janzfanz circle of horror fans. Rejoice, be merry and be careful out there.
There's something so deliciously eerie and creepy about the rumors of a reclusive woman in a gothic house that keeps the law enforcement on their toes (at least in this case) and the teens in their glory of testing themselves. Murders, with the faces found in fear, reminded me somewhat of how Samara left her victims in The Ring. But what is truly happening with these atrocities and why is everyone so obsessed with MARLA?
The fun for me is that Marla is the name of my former boss as one of the tertiary characters' names is Jason Karr... which is the name of a friend of mine (though I hope he hasn't met the same fate). I couldn't help but picture them as I read though Marla is certainly not nearly as scary. I also truly love these types of stories. Part slasher with an underlying supernatural feel, Janz truly brings Marla to life.
We get a lot of the various characters and the various POVs keep you right in the action. And you get to know them well enough to care about what happens to them. But we are centered around Marla. You can just feel her leering coming straight off the pages (as if you didn't already feel her just from the glorious cover). When we get towards the end of the story and things start to become cohesive, we truly get a feel of the evil within.
While I wasn't surprised at the last chapter, I really loved the ending prior where we learn about what and who Marla is, where she gets her power and why the people in this town are important to her. There is an increased tension that palpitates with every page turned and keeps you glued to the pages. I know I certainly don't want to be looking into her eyes (and that's hard to do with a cover that seems to follow you everywhere).
I think I'm definitely in the #janzfanz circle of horror fans. Rejoice, be merry and be careful out there.
April 21, 2022
‘Jonathan Janz is one of the few horror writers working today who can truly unnerve his readers. ‘Marla’ is a grippingly suspenseful story, full of brutality, tantalising mystery and sacrifice. From the very first sentence Janz puts us on edge and it doesn’t let up until the final page, where I was a quivering wreck and struggling for breath. There is an unsettling eeriness that permeates each line, ensuring that every page is bleached in torment and beguiling prose - ‘Marla’ showcases one of the genres most chilling voices. Janz has crafted a nightmare of a book!’
Ross Jeffery
Bram Stoker Award-nominated Author of Tome
Ross Jeffery
Bram Stoker Award-nominated Author of Tome
November 12, 2022
MARLA, by Jonathan Janz, is Earthling Publication's Halloween 2022 selection.
All small towns have their local "haunted house", or resident "witch" for others to spread outlandish rumors about. In the town of King's Branch, it happens to be Marla--a young woman, never seen, who has lived with her mother, Irene, all her life. Homeschooled, nobody can even say what she looks like--except in those exaggerated tales.
Until the night Detective Carl Lancaster drives past the Gorman home and sees Marla leering at him from an upstairs window.
"Carl Lancaster believed in evil. After eleven years as a police detective, how could he not?"
Janz nails the small town atmosphere in this novel; their superstitions, rivalries, dramas, cliques, and secrets. The characterization is superb, and I easily felt that I knew each character as the book went on.
". . . You needed imagination to comprehend something like this . . ."
As more people are involved, and the body count rises, a thriller aspect edges its way into the novel as well. The complexity as you mentally weave the strands together in your mind makes MARLA a very difficult novel to put down.
"There's something wrong in the Gorman House."
It's getting increasingly rare to surprise me--in a good way--with any twist lately, but MARLA did just that.
Highly recommended.
All small towns have their local "haunted house", or resident "witch" for others to spread outlandish rumors about. In the town of King's Branch, it happens to be Marla--a young woman, never seen, who has lived with her mother, Irene, all her life. Homeschooled, nobody can even say what she looks like--except in those exaggerated tales.
Until the night Detective Carl Lancaster drives past the Gorman home and sees Marla leering at him from an upstairs window.
"Carl Lancaster believed in evil. After eleven years as a police detective, how could he not?"
Janz nails the small town atmosphere in this novel; their superstitions, rivalries, dramas, cliques, and secrets. The characterization is superb, and I easily felt that I knew each character as the book went on.
". . . You needed imagination to comprehend something like this . . ."
As more people are involved, and the body count rises, a thriller aspect edges its way into the novel as well. The complexity as you mentally weave the strands together in your mind makes MARLA a very difficult novel to put down.
"There's something wrong in the Gorman House."
It's getting increasingly rare to surprise me--in a good way--with any twist lately, but MARLA did just that.
Highly recommended.
June 11, 2022
Every Halloween, horror fans rejoice. For many, it’s to celebrate the spooky season, as the time of the weirdos arrives. But there’s another great reason to get excited. Earthling Publications limited Halloween hardcovers! Last year’s entry, Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi, was one of my top books of 2021. It will, deservedly, be released by Tor Nightfire in 2023. Where to go from there?
The master of the macabre, of course. Nary a horror subgenre exists that Jonathan Janz has yet to put his spin on. Small-town murder mystery might be the closest one can come to nailing this book down, but it’s not that simple or straightforward. Marla has notes of a slasher, but with a larger looming element of supernatural secrecy.
Where Janz shines is in keeping the reader guessing. Marla revels in a quality that keeps its audience slightly off-kilter throughout the runtime. The story is told through multiple points of view, each one providing a different look at the unsettling events transpiring in King’s Branch, then moving on before allowing the reader to dig their heels in and gain firm footing. The balance of POV’s is also a strength. Janz manages to create the aforementioned tension through movement while still allowing us to get to know Dylan Ellison and Detective Lancaster, sprinkling personality and characterization in without distracting from the linear narrative.
The characters matter, therefore the stakes matter. This pays off in spades during act three when the author ties all of the dangling threads together. Jonathan Janz crafts an ending that is ambiguous enough to keep the reader thinking after the story ends, but also satisfying enough to say “That was a hell of a book.”
Earthling Publications and Jonathan Janz have both done it again. Marla is a hell of a book.
The master of the macabre, of course. Nary a horror subgenre exists that Jonathan Janz has yet to put his spin on. Small-town murder mystery might be the closest one can come to nailing this book down, but it’s not that simple or straightforward. Marla has notes of a slasher, but with a larger looming element of supernatural secrecy.
Where Janz shines is in keeping the reader guessing. Marla revels in a quality that keeps its audience slightly off-kilter throughout the runtime. The story is told through multiple points of view, each one providing a different look at the unsettling events transpiring in King’s Branch, then moving on before allowing the reader to dig their heels in and gain firm footing. The balance of POV’s is also a strength. Janz manages to create the aforementioned tension through movement while still allowing us to get to know Dylan Ellison and Detective Lancaster, sprinkling personality and characterization in without distracting from the linear narrative.
The characters matter, therefore the stakes matter. This pays off in spades during act three when the author ties all of the dangling threads together. Jonathan Janz crafts an ending that is ambiguous enough to keep the reader thinking after the story ends, but also satisfying enough to say “That was a hell of a book.”
Earthling Publications and Jonathan Janz have both done it again. Marla is a hell of a book.
September 13, 2022
Marla has to be one of my most anticipated novels of 2022, So when the opportunity came up for people to have the chance to read an ARC of Marla in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at the event. When I finally received Marla in the mail, I couldn't help but tear into it with such force you'd think me a feral animal.
Marla is an intense, thrilling tale of..well...herself. After a number of mysterious deaths in Kings Branch, she becomes the main suspect after Detective Lancaster (one of our MCs) sees her before every murder. For a reason, I could explain, but it would ruin the insane plot twist towards the novel's end. Let's say if I were ever to meet Marla in real life, I would probably pass out from fear. There was such a psychological build-up in Marla that I had to put down the book numerous times because my heart couldn't stop pounding. Especially towards the end of Chapter 12, I didn't pick up the book for days because I was genuinely freaked out. I think it is always a good thing when a horror novel has the ability to scare you in your own home with your own thoughts. Marla, like all of Jonathan Janz's other works, was very well-written, with the flow of the story moving along with such ease you could finish multiple chapters in one sitting. Jonathan Janz created multi-dimensional characters with personalities, strengths, and weaknesses so they felt real, and you cared about them. With Marla being our main character and who the book is all about, the other cast of characters stole the show. Detective Carl Lancaster, Detective RJ William, and Annie Frost (total badass would stan her) brought heart to the town of Kings Branch. In the end, I realized there is nothing in our imaginations that can be as beautiful and as dreadful as Marla. The story of Marla lived up to the hype, in my opinion, and with it being a limited edition, I think there will be readers who will regret not buying this book. If you read it, let me know what you thought of it. To Earthling Pub, thank you again for the ARC, and as always, Happy Reading! x
Marla is an intense, thrilling tale of..well...herself. After a number of mysterious deaths in Kings Branch, she becomes the main suspect after Detective Lancaster (one of our MCs) sees her before every murder. For a reason, I could explain, but it would ruin the insane plot twist towards the novel's end. Let's say if I were ever to meet Marla in real life, I would probably pass out from fear. There was such a psychological build-up in Marla that I had to put down the book numerous times because my heart couldn't stop pounding. Especially towards the end of Chapter 12, I didn't pick up the book for days because I was genuinely freaked out. I think it is always a good thing when a horror novel has the ability to scare you in your own home with your own thoughts. Marla, like all of Jonathan Janz's other works, was very well-written, with the flow of the story moving along with such ease you could finish multiple chapters in one sitting. Jonathan Janz created multi-dimensional characters with personalities, strengths, and weaknesses so they felt real, and you cared about them. With Marla being our main character and who the book is all about, the other cast of characters stole the show. Detective Carl Lancaster, Detective RJ William, and Annie Frost (total badass would stan her) brought heart to the town of Kings Branch. In the end, I realized there is nothing in our imaginations that can be as beautiful and as dreadful as Marla. The story of Marla lived up to the hype, in my opinion, and with it being a limited edition, I think there will be readers who will regret not buying this book. If you read it, let me know what you thought of it. To Earthling Pub, thank you again for the ARC, and as always, Happy Reading! x
May 15, 2025
“Marla” is like a grown up “Fear Street” novel in all the best ways possible. Reading it gave me a little nostalgic high. I loved this story of this small town and the strange girl that lives alone with her mother who seems to be at the center of a string of murders. Awesome spooky scenes, great characters and wonderful pacing. Our main characters’ descent into darkness is chilling and each new revelation about Marla is more terrifying than the previous. This is the perfect spooky season read. Look forward to reading more from Janz.
June 17, 2024
A fantastic genre mashup - part mystery, part police procedural, and a lot of creepy horror and gore. Jonathan Janz is always a go-to author for me - his characters are deep and nuanced, and he's a master at depicting relationships and humanity of all facets.
April 18, 2026
I wanted to love this one because I’ve heard some great things about it. However, I had a hard time connecting to the story. I’m not sure what it was so I’d like to come back to it at some point and try again but for now it felt too slow for me.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐
April 14, 2026
“Marla” reminded me of the 1980s-style pulp horror novels I used to devour as a kid: heavy on the action, a bit light on character development and plot. .
I wish there had been more of a backstory that would explain the history of the Gormon family. I thought there were a few creepy scenes, especially inside the house. The story moves along quite quickly.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I wish there had been more of a backstory that would explain the history of the Gormon family. I thought there were a few creepy scenes, especially inside the house. The story moves along quite quickly.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2022
If you were lucky enough to grab one of these from earthling then your in for a treat. What a great book. Read it in two sittings. Could not put it down and it was pretty damn creepy.
September 14, 2022
Here’s my spoiler free review of MARLA, by Jonathan Janz. I’m no pro, but here’s what I think.
When Earthling Publications announced Marla as their next Halloween Series limited edition release, I initially decided to pass. I had never read anything from the author Jonathan Janz, and hadn’t heard much about him.
After a little while, having heard several mentions of the coming publication, I started paying more attention. The story sounded interesting. Being a fan of the publisher, I decided to preorder the signed and numbered edition.
Within days of that order, I asked Paul Miller at Earthling if I could get an advanced review copy of the book so I could read the book early (and because ARCs are cool).😁 Paul relented and sent me a review copy. I’ve now read it and here are a few thoughts.
The cover art is phenomenal, but what about the story?
The story hits the ground running, while establishing characters on the go. Characters are a strong part of this book, with several that I liked a lot. These are people that I’d like to be around in my own day-to-day life. There are a couple of police detectives Carl and RJ. They are partners, but also close friends and truly good people. There is also a social worker named Annie, who has a bad marriage to a not so great guy, with problematic relationships with her two kids. But she is a sweetheart.
There are also some pretty despicable characters in this book. I mean that these are people bad enough to fit into a “they deserve it” category.
At the end of the day, Marla is a horror story that checks a lot of boxes. It’s a thriller, with suspense. It’s a mystery and a detective story. It’s a family drama that mixes loss with hope. It’s also a plot twist story. You think you know, until you realize you don’t.
There are deaths occuring in this quaint little town, and police detective Carl quickly starts to connect them to each other as well as to the town’s “urban legend”, Marla. Marla is a reclusive teenager that stays shut up a two-story Gothic house on River Road with Irene Gorman. There are stories about Marla, but no real proof that she’s anything other than a strange girl whose mother is overbearing and overprotective.
Carl’s partner RJ doesn’t necessarily agree with Carl, but backs his partner. They proceed with the investigation of the deaths, and aren’t making the police chief very happy in the process. He doesn’t buy any of their theories,and just wants the first of the cases closed asap, while not caring about the second death, or any connections between the two.
Without going any farther with the details, MARLA has won me over. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this book, but I want more from the author. I want more from these characters.
I am truly glad I ordered the limited edition, and it will be a welcomed addition to my collection. I will also be shopping for more Jonathan Janz books going forward. I believe there are still copies of MARLA available at Earthling Publications, so don’t miss out.
When Earthling Publications announced Marla as their next Halloween Series limited edition release, I initially decided to pass. I had never read anything from the author Jonathan Janz, and hadn’t heard much about him.
After a little while, having heard several mentions of the coming publication, I started paying more attention. The story sounded interesting. Being a fan of the publisher, I decided to preorder the signed and numbered edition.
Within days of that order, I asked Paul Miller at Earthling if I could get an advanced review copy of the book so I could read the book early (and because ARCs are cool).😁 Paul relented and sent me a review copy. I’ve now read it and here are a few thoughts.
The cover art is phenomenal, but what about the story?
The story hits the ground running, while establishing characters on the go. Characters are a strong part of this book, with several that I liked a lot. These are people that I’d like to be around in my own day-to-day life. There are a couple of police detectives Carl and RJ. They are partners, but also close friends and truly good people. There is also a social worker named Annie, who has a bad marriage to a not so great guy, with problematic relationships with her two kids. But she is a sweetheart.
There are also some pretty despicable characters in this book. I mean that these are people bad enough to fit into a “they deserve it” category.
At the end of the day, Marla is a horror story that checks a lot of boxes. It’s a thriller, with suspense. It’s a mystery and a detective story. It’s a family drama that mixes loss with hope. It’s also a plot twist story. You think you know, until you realize you don’t.
There are deaths occuring in this quaint little town, and police detective Carl quickly starts to connect them to each other as well as to the town’s “urban legend”, Marla. Marla is a reclusive teenager that stays shut up a two-story Gothic house on River Road with Irene Gorman. There are stories about Marla, but no real proof that she’s anything other than a strange girl whose mother is overbearing and overprotective.
Carl’s partner RJ doesn’t necessarily agree with Carl, but backs his partner. They proceed with the investigation of the deaths, and aren’t making the police chief very happy in the process. He doesn’t buy any of their theories,and just wants the first of the cases closed asap, while not caring about the second death, or any connections between the two.
Without going any farther with the details, MARLA has won me over. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this book, but I want more from the author. I want more from these characters.
I am truly glad I ordered the limited edition, and it will be a welcomed addition to my collection. I will also be shopping for more Jonathan Janz books going forward. I believe there are still copies of MARLA available at Earthling Publications, so don’t miss out.
August 28, 2022
Wow. Another Janz down and another Janz book I am very impressed with. This story propels you along. I found myself sometimes reading faster than I could scroll. The story catches you right away and doesnt let up (in true Janz fashion). I resonated with the characters, as they are very real. The good cop who still has honor and his wise-cracking cop buddy. The housewife with a daughter in rebellion and a son that she can’t talk to because he is always playing games (something I REALLY resonated with there). And the enigmatic Marla. We aren’t sure exactly why people are dying in King’s Branch and we can’t be sure if the deaths and Marla have some kind of connection. I also love how people get what they deserve in his book. I love reading about jerks getting killed in these kind of books haha.
Great tension, characters, dialogue. I can’t say enough. I always love how you can NEVER see what he will do for an ending. His endings are always surprises because you really don’t know what will happen. If it will be a good guys win or bad guys win, you can only read it for yourself to find out. II read this pretty fast and put ALL other books on hold so I could concentrate on this one because Janz is one of my favorite authors. So like Joe Hill and Grady Hendrix I read their new books immediately. I want to thank Jonathan for letting me read it early and Paul at Earthling for the copy of the ARC. 10/10 highly recommended.
Great tension, characters, dialogue. I can’t say enough. I always love how you can NEVER see what he will do for an ending. His endings are always surprises because you really don’t know what will happen. If it will be a good guys win or bad guys win, you can only read it for yourself to find out. II read this pretty fast and put ALL other books on hold so I could concentrate on this one because Janz is one of my favorite authors. So like Joe Hill and Grady Hendrix I read their new books immediately. I want to thank Jonathan for letting me read it early and Paul at Earthling for the copy of the ARC. 10/10 highly recommended.
June 5, 2024
“I don’t like meddlers. I don’t like cruelty. And most of all… I don’t like people who walk out”
————————————————
Witch? Town outcast and simply misunderstood? A murderess? Marla is hard to pin down for the town of King’s Branch, but they’re about to find out just who Marla is and what she is capable of as a detective starts looking into the first of several murders to come.
-and as it turns out, Marla is *not* someone you want to cross.
This comes pretty close to being the perfect Halloween read: Spooky, quick-paced and fun.
————————————————
Witch? Town outcast and simply misunderstood? A murderess? Marla is hard to pin down for the town of King’s Branch, but they’re about to find out just who Marla is and what she is capable of as a detective starts looking into the first of several murders to come.
-and as it turns out, Marla is *not* someone you want to cross.
This comes pretty close to being the perfect Halloween read: Spooky, quick-paced and fun.
May 29, 2023
Absolutely loved this one!! Never had heard of Jonathan Janz before this one but you can bet I’ll be reading more from him!!
This one starts strong, the horror builds throughout, and finishes with a terrifying climax and ending!!
Extremely true and likable (and a few unlikable) characters with believable and honest dialogue takes you through the story as the tale unfolds.
Marla brings it!! She does not disappoint!!
This one starts strong, the horror builds throughout, and finishes with a terrifying climax and ending!!
Extremely true and likable (and a few unlikable) characters with believable and honest dialogue takes you through the story as the tale unfolds.
Marla brings it!! She does not disappoint!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Note: This review was originally published at FanFiAddict.
Ever since its publication as a signed, limited edition hardcover by Earthling back in October 2022 (and good lord, does it ever feel like it’s been so much longer than that!), Janz fanz have been clamoring for a wider release. Thankfully, a new three-book deal announced in February saw Janz joining Blackstone’s Weird Tales imprint, with the long-awaited Marla first up in August. Well, dear readers, having just read an ARC, I’m happy to report that Marla was worth the wait. Cue the waving of Janz handz!
Strange things are afoot in King’s Branch, starting off with the discovery of a murdered man whose body appears to have been pile-driven headfirst into the ground. Soon thereafter, another victim is found whose head has been caved in following a violent collision with his living room ceiling. Little connects one corpse to another, save for their uncommon demise, violently bloodshot eyes, and the terrified expression frozen on their faces. Detective Carl Lancaster believes there’s something even stranger connecting the dead men — a young woman named Marla Gorman. He’s seen her watching him each time he’s called out to a scene, either from her bedroom window or inexplicably standing in the road. Little is known about the Gorman’s, with both Marla and her mother, Irene, shrouded in local rumors. The girl is a shut-in, her mother possibly abusive. Or they’re witches or cultists or god only knows what else. The only thing that’s certain is that Marla is somehow involved, despite never having left her house, and the secrets she keeps could tear King’s Branch apart.
Janz opens Marla with an epigraph quoting Stephen King’s Carrie, tipping his hat early and letting readers in on what they can expect in the pages that follow. While Marla is clearly an homage to King’s classic, and King himself if the town of King’s Branch is anything to go by, it’s very much its own book and Janz treads his own ground within some now very familiar tropes. Or so it seems initially.
We know early on the kind of talents Marla possesses, so much of what drives the story is Carl’s attempts at figuring out and understanding what, exactly, it is he’s dealing with here. While Marla is gussied up as a bit of a horror mystery, readers will inherently know more than the characters — to a degree. Yes, Carrie White serves as an inspiration, but Marla couldn’t be further from that bullied, telekinetic teen. Any initial similarities are lost in the sheer odiousness of Marla, and the more we learn about her and her grand designs, the further she distances herself from her literary forebear. Rest assured, there’s plenty of secrets to uncover and Janz lays in some pretty damn good surprises along the way. For the most part, though, the central focus is on the journey, not the destination. Getting there, after all, is half the fun. And although Marla is a slow-burn, it’s far from slow-paced.
I really dug the point of view Janz brings to the table here, couching it all in familial themes. Carl has lost both his wife and daughter to a tragic accident and the only thing that gets him out of bed is the energetic puppy he’s adopted, and his job, of course. Then there’s Annie, who’s recently returned to full-time employment and is having trouble balancing work and family life, a job in its own right that’s made even more difficult by her idiot husband’s constant sabotaging of her efforts to both connect with and discipline her children. When she forbids her daughter to go to a party, Brian’s right there giving the girl his car keys so she can go enjoy some underage drinking. Brian’s the kind of toxic asshole male Janz is so good at writing, the kind you instantly hate and want to see suffer. Carl’s partner, RJ, has kids of his own and a wife he’s not there for nearly enough, and even less now that bodies are stacking up all around town. And then there’s Marla and Irene, but the less said about them, the better.
As he often does, Janz dangles and unravels the horror through Gothic aesthetics, and there’s few horror contemporaries that plumb the depths of Gothic horror half as well as Janz. He knows the genre inside and out, and he clearly has a deep affection for it, having penned a number of other such works over the years, like The Sorrows, House of Skin, and The Dismembered, to name a few. An ever-present gloom resides over King’s Branch, and the decaying Gorman house is a nasty piece of work. The interior feels claustrophobic and dark, and that’s before you even get to the playroom where… well, you’ll see. Even in the sunny-set scenes, you just know there’s trouble lurking beneath it all. There may be a party going on all around you, but you’re Chief Brody, uneasily sitting on the beach waiting for shit to hit the fan when the shark attacks once more. That’s you, and that’s Carl, too. I suppose that makes Marla Jaws, but I’m pretty sure it’s Janz who’s the real shark here, the sharp-toothed son of a bitch you don’t see coming with a nasty surprise of a lifetime.
Ever since its publication as a signed, limited edition hardcover by Earthling back in October 2022 (and good lord, does it ever feel like it’s been so much longer than that!), Janz fanz have been clamoring for a wider release. Thankfully, a new three-book deal announced in February saw Janz joining Blackstone’s Weird Tales imprint, with the long-awaited Marla first up in August. Well, dear readers, having just read an ARC, I’m happy to report that Marla was worth the wait. Cue the waving of Janz handz!
Strange things are afoot in King’s Branch, starting off with the discovery of a murdered man whose body appears to have been pile-driven headfirst into the ground. Soon thereafter, another victim is found whose head has been caved in following a violent collision with his living room ceiling. Little connects one corpse to another, save for their uncommon demise, violently bloodshot eyes, and the terrified expression frozen on their faces. Detective Carl Lancaster believes there’s something even stranger connecting the dead men — a young woman named Marla Gorman. He’s seen her watching him each time he’s called out to a scene, either from her bedroom window or inexplicably standing in the road. Little is known about the Gorman’s, with both Marla and her mother, Irene, shrouded in local rumors. The girl is a shut-in, her mother possibly abusive. Or they’re witches or cultists or god only knows what else. The only thing that’s certain is that Marla is somehow involved, despite never having left her house, and the secrets she keeps could tear King’s Branch apart.
Janz opens Marla with an epigraph quoting Stephen King’s Carrie, tipping his hat early and letting readers in on what they can expect in the pages that follow. While Marla is clearly an homage to King’s classic, and King himself if the town of King’s Branch is anything to go by, it’s very much its own book and Janz treads his own ground within some now very familiar tropes. Or so it seems initially.
We know early on the kind of talents Marla possesses, so much of what drives the story is Carl’s attempts at figuring out and understanding what, exactly, it is he’s dealing with here. While Marla is gussied up as a bit of a horror mystery, readers will inherently know more than the characters — to a degree. Yes, Carrie White serves as an inspiration, but Marla couldn’t be further from that bullied, telekinetic teen. Any initial similarities are lost in the sheer odiousness of Marla, and the more we learn about her and her grand designs, the further she distances herself from her literary forebear. Rest assured, there’s plenty of secrets to uncover and Janz lays in some pretty damn good surprises along the way. For the most part, though, the central focus is on the journey, not the destination. Getting there, after all, is half the fun. And although Marla is a slow-burn, it’s far from slow-paced.
I really dug the point of view Janz brings to the table here, couching it all in familial themes. Carl has lost both his wife and daughter to a tragic accident and the only thing that gets him out of bed is the energetic puppy he’s adopted, and his job, of course. Then there’s Annie, who’s recently returned to full-time employment and is having trouble balancing work and family life, a job in its own right that’s made even more difficult by her idiot husband’s constant sabotaging of her efforts to both connect with and discipline her children. When she forbids her daughter to go to a party, Brian’s right there giving the girl his car keys so she can go enjoy some underage drinking. Brian’s the kind of toxic asshole male Janz is so good at writing, the kind you instantly hate and want to see suffer. Carl’s partner, RJ, has kids of his own and a wife he’s not there for nearly enough, and even less now that bodies are stacking up all around town. And then there’s Marla and Irene, but the less said about them, the better.
As he often does, Janz dangles and unravels the horror through Gothic aesthetics, and there’s few horror contemporaries that plumb the depths of Gothic horror half as well as Janz. He knows the genre inside and out, and he clearly has a deep affection for it, having penned a number of other such works over the years, like The Sorrows, House of Skin, and The Dismembered, to name a few. An ever-present gloom resides over King’s Branch, and the decaying Gorman house is a nasty piece of work. The interior feels claustrophobic and dark, and that’s before you even get to the playroom where… well, you’ll see. Even in the sunny-set scenes, you just know there’s trouble lurking beneath it all. There may be a party going on all around you, but you’re Chief Brody, uneasily sitting on the beach waiting for shit to hit the fan when the shark attacks once more. That’s you, and that’s Carl, too. I suppose that makes Marla Jaws, but I’m pretty sure it’s Janz who’s the real shark here, the sharp-toothed son of a bitch you don’t see coming with a nasty surprise of a lifetime.
April 13, 2026
Jonathan Janz makes a bold decision to begin Marla with quotes from two classic stories by two giants of horror: Carrie by Stephen King and We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. If those quotes were meant to be aspirational, with hopes that MARLA would live up to those other tales, Janz, without question, succeeded.
Residents of King's Branch have long wondered about Marla Gorman and her mother Irene, who live by themselves on the outskirts of town. Rumors abound about the pair, and especially about Marla, who is rarely, if ever, seen by the people of the town. No one seems to know much about them for certain, and the Gormans rebuff all attempts to pry into their secrets.
When a number of unusual deaths occur in town, with victims that seem to have nothing in common other than a look of terror on their faces, Detectives Carl Lancaster and RJ Williams are assigned to investigate. With only vague, but disturbing suspicions that the deaths might be connected to the Gormans, Lancaster and Williams turn their attention to the pair, only to find much less, and far more, than they expected. And they realize that identifying the likely killer is one thing, surviving long enough to do anything about it is something else entirely.
Janz builds this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ story like a multi-layer dessert, first spreading a base of uneasy suspicion, adding a large helping of fear, and then topping it all with a layer of absolute terror. As you sink your teeth into it, be warned that this is one of those rare stories that also sinks its teeth into you... and it doesn't let go, even after the last spoonful is consumed as the last page is turned.
Buy it. Read it. Thank me later.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an eARC for review!
Residents of King's Branch have long wondered about Marla Gorman and her mother Irene, who live by themselves on the outskirts of town. Rumors abound about the pair, and especially about Marla, who is rarely, if ever, seen by the people of the town. No one seems to know much about them for certain, and the Gormans rebuff all attempts to pry into their secrets.
When a number of unusual deaths occur in town, with victims that seem to have nothing in common other than a look of terror on their faces, Detectives Carl Lancaster and RJ Williams are assigned to investigate. With only vague, but disturbing suspicions that the deaths might be connected to the Gormans, Lancaster and Williams turn their attention to the pair, only to find much less, and far more, than they expected. And they realize that identifying the likely killer is one thing, surviving long enough to do anything about it is something else entirely.
Janz builds this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ story like a multi-layer dessert, first spreading a base of uneasy suspicion, adding a large helping of fear, and then topping it all with a layer of absolute terror. As you sink your teeth into it, be warned that this is one of those rare stories that also sinks its teeth into you... and it doesn't let go, even after the last spoonful is consumed as the last page is turned.
Buy it. Read it. Thank me later.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an eARC for review!
April 16, 2026
To fully appreciate the extent of my excitement, you must first know that I have been waiting a YEAR to read Marla. She was published on a limited run originally and I couldn't find a copy that wouldn't cost me a month's worth of bills. So, when I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early copy of the Blackstone publishing run, you bet your butt I dove into it immediately.
Having said that, Marla had some high expectations to live up to and she did.not.disappoint.
For me, the book started off as a little bit of a slow burn while we meet and learn about the many different characters that make up the story but it is by NO means slow. Once you get a handle on them and where they fit in, the story sort of takes off on its own. Each character contributes to the rising tension built around Marla, a mysterious woman who lives in a gothic house alone with her mother. Fingers are pointed towards her as people keep turning up dead by means that no one can figure out.
Jonathan Janz writes in a way that I was able to visualize and fully allowed me to immerse myself in the town of King's Branch which is normally a challenge for me. This is my third book of his and they all make me feel like they should be movies/shows. His writing also took me through a whirlwind of emotions. I know Marla is supposed to be a terror, but I couldn't help finding myself wanting to give her a hug or a high five at certain times during the book. There were parts that felt like Stranger Things meets the Ring - no spoilers, but you'll know when you get there.
If I'm being honest, it had an ending I would normally kind of hate and I still cannot give this anything less than 5 stars. Marla is filled with horror, supernatural elements, feminine revenge rage, creep, humor, and twists that made me literally 😳.
Thank you, Jonathan, for bringing Marla into the world and thank you, Blackstone for putting this marvelous book into the hands of so many others!
Having said that, Marla had some high expectations to live up to and she did.not.disappoint.
For me, the book started off as a little bit of a slow burn while we meet and learn about the many different characters that make up the story but it is by NO means slow. Once you get a handle on them and where they fit in, the story sort of takes off on its own. Each character contributes to the rising tension built around Marla, a mysterious woman who lives in a gothic house alone with her mother. Fingers are pointed towards her as people keep turning up dead by means that no one can figure out.
Jonathan Janz writes in a way that I was able to visualize and fully allowed me to immerse myself in the town of King's Branch which is normally a challenge for me. This is my third book of his and they all make me feel like they should be movies/shows. His writing also took me through a whirlwind of emotions. I know Marla is supposed to be a terror, but I couldn't help finding myself wanting to give her a hug or a high five at certain times during the book. There were parts that felt like Stranger Things meets the Ring - no spoilers, but you'll know when you get there.
If I'm being honest, it had an ending I would normally kind of hate and I still cannot give this anything less than 5 stars. Marla is filled with horror, supernatural elements, feminine revenge rage, creep, humor, and twists that made me literally 😳.
Thank you, Jonathan, for bringing Marla into the world and thank you, Blackstone for putting this marvelous book into the hands of so many others!
October 6, 2022
Carl Lancaster believed in evil. After eleven years as a police detective, how could he not? Carl and his partner R.J. are investigating a string of brutal murders, er… deaths, in the town of King’s Branch, IN. From an outsider’s perspective, nothing can tie a man planted head first like a javelin into the ground to a young woman who seemingly drowned in the lake after a day of heavy drinking. Of course, these deaths are a tragedy, but there’s no way they could be tied to one another, right? Except for those eerie similarities…
Then we have Marla Gorman, a mysterious young woman, a shut-in who lives with her mother, Irene, in a creepy old house on the outskirts of town. Marla keeps to herself for the most part and would never hurt a fly — or would she?
I can’t speak to how this book compares to other Janz stories but I can tell you that MARLA will not be the last of his I read. His ability to grab a reader by the throat and drag them, willing or not, into his twisted imagination of obsession, dread, and revenge is nothing to be overlooked. I can’t wait to dive in and explore the many layers beneath the brilliance that is MARLA.
As always, I would like to thank Paul Miller at Earthling Publications for introducing me to yet another insanely talented author and for sending me an ARC for early review. This book has rightfully earned its place next to my Malerman, Ahlborn, and Fracassi collections.
MARLA by Jonathan Janz is only available as a limited, hardcover edition being published by Earthling Publications later this month. Few copies remain, so order yours while supplies last. You will not be disappointed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://www.earthlingpub.com/jj_marla....
Then we have Marla Gorman, a mysterious young woman, a shut-in who lives with her mother, Irene, in a creepy old house on the outskirts of town. Marla keeps to herself for the most part and would never hurt a fly — or would she?
I can’t speak to how this book compares to other Janz stories but I can tell you that MARLA will not be the last of his I read. His ability to grab a reader by the throat and drag them, willing or not, into his twisted imagination of obsession, dread, and revenge is nothing to be overlooked. I can’t wait to dive in and explore the many layers beneath the brilliance that is MARLA.
As always, I would like to thank Paul Miller at Earthling Publications for introducing me to yet another insanely talented author and for sending me an ARC for early review. This book has rightfully earned its place next to my Malerman, Ahlborn, and Fracassi collections.
MARLA by Jonathan Janz is only available as a limited, hardcover edition being published by Earthling Publications later this month. Few copies remain, so order yours while supplies last. You will not be disappointed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
http://www.earthlingpub.com/jj_marla....
April 4, 2026
Marla by Jonathan Janz is a dark small town horror that follows three very different people whose lives slowly collide in unsettling ways. Carl is a grieving detective who cannot move on after losing his wife and daughter, Annie is a CPS worker balancing a broken home while caring more for other people’s children than her own, and Dylan is a struggling college student trapped in an abusive household. Each character brings their own baggage, and that emotional weight adds depth to the story as everything begins to spiral.
The story kicks off with a disturbing discovery near the eerie Gorman house on the outskirts of town, and from that moment the tension builds fast. More bodies begin to appear, each one more unsettling than the last, and the mystery pulls these three characters together. Just when it feels like you understand what is happening, the story shifts and proves you wrong. The atmosphere is consistently creepy, with a sense of dread that lingers throughout and keeps you turning the pages.
What really stood out to me was how the horror is layered with character driven storytelling. It is not just about what is happening, but how these characters react to it and what they are forced to confront along the way. The blend of mystery, emotional damage, and supernatural elements makes this a gripping and unsettling read that keeps you guessing until the end.
The story kicks off with a disturbing discovery near the eerie Gorman house on the outskirts of town, and from that moment the tension builds fast. More bodies begin to appear, each one more unsettling than the last, and the mystery pulls these three characters together. Just when it feels like you understand what is happening, the story shifts and proves you wrong. The atmosphere is consistently creepy, with a sense of dread that lingers throughout and keeps you turning the pages.
What really stood out to me was how the horror is layered with character driven storytelling. It is not just about what is happening, but how these characters react to it and what they are forced to confront along the way. The blend of mystery, emotional damage, and supernatural elements makes this a gripping and unsettling read that keeps you guessing until the end.
April 4, 2026
This was my first book by Janz, and I am blown away and flabbergasted?? King's Branch is one of those towns that has dirt roads and water towers, obviously complete with lore and local legends- of which the most popular is Marla. The town can't decide if they want to consider her a recluse by choice, casting spells over the commoners from her throne, or a prisoner of her mother, forbidden to be seen by the townspeople for some mysterious reason. When Detective Carl is responsible for working multiple murders that Marla was seen through the window of at the exact time of the deaths, he must put together what's going on and how she is related. This book also covers the POVs of Annie, a social worker, and Dylan, who is smitten by Marla. This one moves at a slow and leisurely but steady pace, entwining you in the town, its secrets, and its future. I LOVED how deeply immersive each character was, even the bit pieces who only had one section of dialogue. Some of the characters were so deeply twisted I had to put the book down and ponder my own sanity, and some of the descriptions were so grotesquely horrifying I questioned if I'd sleep throughout the night- and I'm in my thirties. My only con would be the ending- I'd have loved a touch more story surrounding the "why" of the legend. Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
April 6, 2026
⭐⭐ 2 Stars (ARC via NetGalley)
Marla had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t quite work for me.
As a horror novel, it sets out to be unsettling and disorienting and it definitely achieves that, but in a way that made it difficult to stay grounded in the story.
Instead of building intrigue, the lack of clarity around what was actually happening left me feeling disconnected rather than invested.
For a book under 300 pages, I was hoping for tighter development and more cohesion. The plot twists and turns in ways that felt more confusing than compelling, and I found myself wanting more explanation and structure to fully understand the direction of the story.
Because of this, it became a bit of a struggle to get through. The tension never quite landed, and by the time I reached the ending, it felt anticlimactic rather than impactful.
There’s a strong concept at the core, but the delivery didn’t fully come together for me.
Tropes & Themes:
• Psychological horror
• Unreliable reality
• Disorienting narrative
• Slow-burn horror
• Reality vs perception
• Surreal horror elements
• Descent into confusion
Marla had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t quite work for me.
As a horror novel, it sets out to be unsettling and disorienting and it definitely achieves that, but in a way that made it difficult to stay grounded in the story.
Instead of building intrigue, the lack of clarity around what was actually happening left me feeling disconnected rather than invested.
For a book under 300 pages, I was hoping for tighter development and more cohesion. The plot twists and turns in ways that felt more confusing than compelling, and I found myself wanting more explanation and structure to fully understand the direction of the story.
Because of this, it became a bit of a struggle to get through. The tension never quite landed, and by the time I reached the ending, it felt anticlimactic rather than impactful.
There’s a strong concept at the core, but the delivery didn’t fully come together for me.
Tropes & Themes:
• Psychological horror
• Unreliable reality
• Disorienting narrative
• Slow-burn horror
• Reality vs perception
• Surreal horror elements
• Descent into confusion
April 11, 2026
Every town has their local gossip and urban legends. For King’s Branch, there’s Marla. A reclusive woman who lives with her mother in a creepy old house. No one knows much about either of them until a string of strange murders overtakes the town. Marla is at the heart of it all, but no one can anticipate the truth.
This is my second year in a row reading an ARC by Jonathan Janz and the second year in a row that it ends up being in my top five reads of the year. This novel is a slow-burn horror masterpiece, dripping with dread and an atmosphere so intense it’s almost tangible. I’ve never experienced a book that made the tension feel this thick.
I had such a hard time putting it down because I had to find out what Marla was. She was such a unique villain. I can’t think of any story with a similar enemy. The twist at the end was so unexpected that I read it twice just to wrap my head around it.
This book flawlessly blends genres: murder mystery, horror, gothic, psychological thriller, and suspense. It releases this August, just in time for spooky season, and you won’t want to miss it!
This is my second year in a row reading an ARC by Jonathan Janz and the second year in a row that it ends up being in my top five reads of the year. This novel is a slow-burn horror masterpiece, dripping with dread and an atmosphere so intense it’s almost tangible. I’ve never experienced a book that made the tension feel this thick.
I had such a hard time putting it down because I had to find out what Marla was. She was such a unique villain. I can’t think of any story with a similar enemy. The twist at the end was so unexpected that I read it twice just to wrap my head around it.
This book flawlessly blends genres: murder mystery, horror, gothic, psychological thriller, and suspense. It releases this August, just in time for spooky season, and you won’t want to miss it!
April 11, 2026
Part Carrie, part supernatural horror, and some good ol' creepy small town vibes, Marla is a fantastic tale of a mother and daughter who are shunned and talked about by the rest of the town. They are the urban legend with stories being shared which may or may not be true.
When a series of grisly murders rocks the small town, a detective will begin to unravel the secrets about Marla and her mother and it will eventually lead him and his partner to the very depths of a terrifying secret. You won't see what's coming and it's a wild twist to the story which will chill you to the bone.
There are several characters who all have their own stories as it relates to this case and they'll eventually come together to paint a horrific picture. But the kills are bloody and gruesome to say the least and the narrative races along and throws horror after horror in almost each chapter. But you'll still be able to understand each character and their motives.
I highly recommend it.
When a series of grisly murders rocks the small town, a detective will begin to unravel the secrets about Marla and her mother and it will eventually lead him and his partner to the very depths of a terrifying secret. You won't see what's coming and it's a wild twist to the story which will chill you to the bone.
There are several characters who all have their own stories as it relates to this case and they'll eventually come together to paint a horrific picture. But the kills are bloody and gruesome to say the least and the narrative races along and throws horror after horror in almost each chapter. But you'll still be able to understand each character and their motives.
I highly recommend it.
April 14, 2026
I tried to find something redeemable within Marla’s character. There isn’t anything. She’s freaking evil. Marla is like a gothic nightmare with the seducing nature of Medusa. Ethereal beauty hides a rotten interior.
The book hints at being a haunted house story, but the house is only a cage that keeps Marla a secret. All of the characters in the book end up in the house at some point, and horrible things happen, but the house is not the problem. It’s Marla! Omg she just doesn’t let up. Bodies are being found all over town, somehow connected to Marla. But she never leaves the house..
I couldn’t put this book down. At first it was the clever way the main characters were introduced. One by one they were given a chapter, a chance to get to know their backstory, then slowly they come together and link up. They really become a force to stop Marla, which is a bad decision. Once they go in the house, it’s a horrific intense ride. Marla gripped me, sucking me in as well.
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