What do you think?
Crone
A haunting, fearsome story of a father searching for his missing daughter and finding darkness—both human and not—at every turn, from the author of the “exciting, suspenseful, horrifying” (Stephen King) Fever House
Eli Lamp is a broken man. An ex-detective, ex-addict, and long-grieving father whose daughter, Hannah, disappeared a decade before, Eli decimated his old life investigating her abduction and is now indebted to the Crooked Wheel, a local drug gang, as an enforcer. He lives in a rundown trailer at the edge of the woods, where he keeps Hannah’s room in pristine condition and tries to make it through one day at a time.
But when the son of the Crooked Wheel’s boss is found viciously murdered in a crime scene that doesn’t seem to add up, Eli receives a new Find out who the killer is and your debt to the Wheel is clear forever. You’re free. This pursuit brings him into the orbit of Avery Bryant, Hannah’s best friend and the last person to see her before she went missing. Soon, Eli and Avery are entwined in a hunt for answers that spans decades, stretches the realm of possibility, and brings churning to the surface a conspiracy linking not only these current tragedies, but the buried sorrows of Eli’s past.
And though none of them dare say the word "witch," at least not out loud, something lurks in the woods, bent-backed and black-eyed, clawed and vengeful, looming ever closer. . . .
Eli Lamp is a broken man. An ex-detective, ex-addict, and long-grieving father whose daughter, Hannah, disappeared a decade before, Eli decimated his old life investigating her abduction and is now indebted to the Crooked Wheel, a local drug gang, as an enforcer. He lives in a rundown trailer at the edge of the woods, where he keeps Hannah’s room in pristine condition and tries to make it through one day at a time.
But when the son of the Crooked Wheel’s boss is found viciously murdered in a crime scene that doesn’t seem to add up, Eli receives a new Find out who the killer is and your debt to the Wheel is clear forever. You’re free. This pursuit brings him into the orbit of Avery Bryant, Hannah’s best friend and the last person to see her before she went missing. Soon, Eli and Avery are entwined in a hunt for answers that spans decades, stretches the realm of possibility, and brings churning to the surface a conspiracy linking not only these current tragedies, but the buried sorrows of Eli’s past.
And though none of them dare say the word "witch," at least not out loud, something lurks in the woods, bent-backed and black-eyed, clawed and vengeful, looming ever closer. . . .
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 636 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤
Keith Rosson captured my heart and my full attention last year with Coffin Moon. There was something so devilishly-good about that book. The setting, the grittiness of the plot, the characters; it was a whole mood. It all worked for me and has remained in my mind ever since.
To say that I was excited to get an early-copy of this novel, Crone, would be putting it so mildly it wouldn't even register. I was stoked for this and as you can tell from my rating, I wasn't disappointed for a moment.
This novel matches Coffin Moon in tone, so if you also enjoyed that one, I would highly recommend reading this as well. The big difference would be while Coffin Moon is a bit of a vampiric romp, Crone is for the witches in the crowd.
This continues the classic dark Crime Fiction feel that Coffin Moon brought, and is actually even set in the same area of the United States, just in a later time period.
This story follows Eli Lamp, an ex-detective, turned addict, turned ex-addict, whose daughter disappeared 10-years ago. Eli's battled his emotions since Hannah's been gone, but the guilt and grief frequently overwhelm him.
Due to a certain incident Eli got himself involved in while investigating Hannah's disappearance, he's also now indebted to a local drug gang, the Crooked Wheel. They utilize his skills as an enforcer. It's a dark road he's traveled.
We also follow a young woman named Avery. Avery was actually Hannah's best friend, and the two were together on the night that Hannah disappeared. Like Eli, Hannah has also really struggled since that night. The guilt and shame she's felt since Hannah disappeared has definitely defined the trajectory of her life so far.
Avery fled their small town as soon as she graduated high school, unable to stand the whispers and looks any longer. Recently though, she's been having extremely vivid dreams of Hannah calling her back.
After the boss of the Crooked Wheel's son is found brutally murdered, he asks Eli to investigate it, so they can bring the killer to justice. If Eli's successful, he won't owe them any longer. He'll be a free man.
His investigation brings him into the orbit of Avery, recently returned to town, a girl he never thought he'd see again. Soon the two are entwined in a search for answers that all link back to the night their dear Hannah disappeared.
Contrary to everything they might believe in, signs point to a mysterious something lurking the woods. A something with a bent back, black eyes and claws. No one wants to say witch, but it's a thought...
This is such a beautifully-devastating story. My heart aches with the weight of it. It's gritty and violent, showcasing the worst acts that humans can do unto each other.
There's also a rawness to it all, with humanity just bleeding off the page. Rosson does such an incredible job of examining dark emotions, such as guilt, grief and self-doubt, even hate. This is vengeance-fueled story, much like Coffin Moon, and I was completely invested.
I loved the direction Rosson ultimately went with this. I will say the way he laid it all out, it's not a path I would typically enjoy, but I think in this case, just because of the overall emotion of the story, it actually worked. He pulled it off.
If you've never read Rosson before, you've got time. Pick up Coffin Moon before this one releases in September. If you like that vibe, you should absolutely pick this one up as well.
Also, I definitely recommend this for fans of Witchy stories, particularly if you're itching for something opposite of all the Cozy Witchy vibes we seem to be getting lately.
This is full stop a Horror novel. It's violent, gory and full of complicated topics and emotions. It's absolutely stellar and I cannot wait for a hard copy to take residence on my shelves.
Thank you to the publisher, Random House, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This will definitely be making my Best Books of 2026 list!!!
Keith Rosson captured my heart and my full attention last year with Coffin Moon. There was something so devilishly-good about that book. The setting, the grittiness of the plot, the characters; it was a whole mood. It all worked for me and has remained in my mind ever since.
To say that I was excited to get an early-copy of this novel, Crone, would be putting it so mildly it wouldn't even register. I was stoked for this and as you can tell from my rating, I wasn't disappointed for a moment.
This novel matches Coffin Moon in tone, so if you also enjoyed that one, I would highly recommend reading this as well. The big difference would be while Coffin Moon is a bit of a vampiric romp, Crone is for the witches in the crowd.
This continues the classic dark Crime Fiction feel that Coffin Moon brought, and is actually even set in the same area of the United States, just in a later time period.
This story follows Eli Lamp, an ex-detective, turned addict, turned ex-addict, whose daughter disappeared 10-years ago. Eli's battled his emotions since Hannah's been gone, but the guilt and grief frequently overwhelm him.
Due to a certain incident Eli got himself involved in while investigating Hannah's disappearance, he's also now indebted to a local drug gang, the Crooked Wheel. They utilize his skills as an enforcer. It's a dark road he's traveled.
We also follow a young woman named Avery. Avery was actually Hannah's best friend, and the two were together on the night that Hannah disappeared. Like Eli, Hannah has also really struggled since that night. The guilt and shame she's felt since Hannah disappeared has definitely defined the trajectory of her life so far.
Avery fled their small town as soon as she graduated high school, unable to stand the whispers and looks any longer. Recently though, she's been having extremely vivid dreams of Hannah calling her back.
After the boss of the Crooked Wheel's son is found brutally murdered, he asks Eli to investigate it, so they can bring the killer to justice. If Eli's successful, he won't owe them any longer. He'll be a free man.
His investigation brings him into the orbit of Avery, recently returned to town, a girl he never thought he'd see again. Soon the two are entwined in a search for answers that all link back to the night their dear Hannah disappeared.
Contrary to everything they might believe in, signs point to a mysterious something lurking the woods. A something with a bent back, black eyes and claws. No one wants to say witch, but it's a thought...
This is such a beautifully-devastating story. My heart aches with the weight of it. It's gritty and violent, showcasing the worst acts that humans can do unto each other.
There's also a rawness to it all, with humanity just bleeding off the page. Rosson does such an incredible job of examining dark emotions, such as guilt, grief and self-doubt, even hate. This is vengeance-fueled story, much like Coffin Moon, and I was completely invested.
I loved the direction Rosson ultimately went with this. I will say the way he laid it all out, it's not a path I would typically enjoy, but I think in this case, just because of the overall emotion of the story, it actually worked. He pulled it off.
If you've never read Rosson before, you've got time. Pick up Coffin Moon before this one releases in September. If you like that vibe, you should absolutely pick this one up as well.
Also, I definitely recommend this for fans of Witchy stories, particularly if you're itching for something opposite of all the Cozy Witchy vibes we seem to be getting lately.
This is full stop a Horror novel. It's violent, gory and full of complicated topics and emotions. It's absolutely stellar and I cannot wait for a hard copy to take residence on my shelves.
Thank you to the publisher, Random House, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This will definitely be making my Best Books of 2026 list!!!
March 15, 2026
HOLY 😱😱😱😱! That was a killer read! I’m emotionally wrecked inside. I’m speechless, so, just let me catch my breath a minute here.
😭😭😭😭😭
Oh, and guess what? You don’t really need a synopsis when it comes to this author. Nope. You just read it! If you loved Coffin Moon, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll be obsessed with Crone!
Rosson has a style to his writing that has grit and a whole lot of heart. He allows the reader to feel a connection to his characters and gets you feeling all kinds of sh**!
Imagine part Sons of Anarchy, a creature feature, grief horror, and stir that up with some diabolical witchery. I was hooked from page one! I couldn’t get my eyes to read fast enough.
Crone is addictive and brutal while pulling at your heartstrings. I didn’t want it to end and neither will you! And let me clarify this is the third horror novel I’ve ever weeped over. 😭 Get ready folks, this stunner of a novel will hold you hostage.
5 GLORIOUS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 9/26
Thank you to Random House, NetGalley, and Keith Rosson for the gifted copy.
😭😭😭😭😭
Oh, and guess what? You don’t really need a synopsis when it comes to this author. Nope. You just read it! If you loved Coffin Moon, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll be obsessed with Crone!
Rosson has a style to his writing that has grit and a whole lot of heart. He allows the reader to feel a connection to his characters and gets you feeling all kinds of sh**!
Imagine part Sons of Anarchy, a creature feature, grief horror, and stir that up with some diabolical witchery. I was hooked from page one! I couldn’t get my eyes to read fast enough.
Crone is addictive and brutal while pulling at your heartstrings. I didn’t want it to end and neither will you! And let me clarify this is the third horror novel I’ve ever weeped over. 😭 Get ready folks, this stunner of a novel will hold you hostage.
5 GLORIOUS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 9/26
Thank you to Random House, NetGalley, and Keith Rosson for the gifted copy.
September 13, 2026
All the bloody stars for this absolute masterpiece of a book 🙌🏻🐦⬛💚
September 29, 2026
It's a crime novel. It's a witch book. It's a crime/witch book. Thanks for reading.
August 23, 2026
A fantastic dark, gritty, bleak novel that will grip you from page one and not let you up for air.
I don’t even know where to begin! I absolutely loved every bit of this. It starts out with a missing teenager to then move on to rival motorcycle gangs, corruption, drug abuse, and finally witches. You read all of that correctly! Motorcycle gangs and witches! I loved how it all was woven together seamlessly and worked really well together. I also enjoyed the nod to Coffin Moon!
My only quibble was that it felt like the ending was a wee bit drawn out, but not too much to affect my reading experience. I appreciate the fact that I was given answers! This is my second novel by this author and hands-down, my favorite so far.
Highly recommend this, especially just so as a reader, you can experience how all the genres were wonderfully blended together. Can you tell I loved it?!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t even know where to begin! I absolutely loved every bit of this. It starts out with a missing teenager to then move on to rival motorcycle gangs, corruption, drug abuse, and finally witches. You read all of that correctly! Motorcycle gangs and witches! I loved how it all was woven together seamlessly and worked really well together. I also enjoyed the nod to Coffin Moon!
My only quibble was that it felt like the ending was a wee bit drawn out, but not too much to affect my reading experience. I appreciate the fact that I was given answers! This is my second novel by this author and hands-down, my favorite so far.
Highly recommend this, especially just so as a reader, you can experience how all the genres were wonderfully blended together. Can you tell I loved it?!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
hey, thanks Keith for ruining my life
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
WOWZA!!!! Crone is dark, gritty, brutal, horrific, addictive, suspenseful, and hard to put down!!!!!! I mean, seriously, Crone was off the hook fantastic! Once I began reading, I was instantly hooked. Whew! This book put me through the ringer, and I loved every single second of it! Seriously, this book had a little bit of everything and then some.
Hannah was 15 years old when she went missing. Her father, Eli, is a drug addicted broken man who went on a mission of vengeance looking for her. Avery, her best friend at the time, has not been the same since the night Hannah went missing. She is also a broken person in this book. Both are left reeling when Hannah goes missing. Take the two and throw in a supernatural element, a local drug gang, and a witch! Woohoo!
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is fabulous and I loved the vivid descriptions which, at times, had me wanting to cover my eyes. But I put on my big girl panties and soldiered through! This book is not for the faint of heart! It's raw, gritty, dark, twisted, and has many messed up characters. There are shocking and chilling scenes. There are scenes that evoke emotion and scenes which had my heart racing.
This book is dripping with dread, danger, tension, and horrific happenings. It also has moments which were achingly heartfelt and had me feeling for the characters. You may find yourself wondering who is more horrific in this book, the supernatural element or the humans.
This book touches on many things including grief, loss, anger, vengeance, redemption, and addiction. This book has horror and heart. I loved it.
All the stars and then some! I highly recommend Crone.
*Witches Words buddy read with Mary Beth. Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on Crone.
Thank you to Random House 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.
Hannah was 15 years old when she went missing. Her father, Eli, is a drug addicted broken man who went on a mission of vengeance looking for her. Avery, her best friend at the time, has not been the same since the night Hannah went missing. She is also a broken person in this book. Both are left reeling when Hannah goes missing. Take the two and throw in a supernatural element, a local drug gang, and a witch! Woohoo!
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is fabulous and I loved the vivid descriptions which, at times, had me wanting to cover my eyes. But I put on my big girl panties and soldiered through! This book is not for the faint of heart! It's raw, gritty, dark, twisted, and has many messed up characters. There are shocking and chilling scenes. There are scenes that evoke emotion and scenes which had my heart racing.
This book is dripping with dread, danger, tension, and horrific happenings. It also has moments which were achingly heartfelt and had me feeling for the characters. You may find yourself wondering who is more horrific in this book, the supernatural element or the humans.
This book touches on many things including grief, loss, anger, vengeance, redemption, and addiction. This book has horror and heart. I loved it.
All the stars and then some! I highly recommend Crone.
*Witches Words buddy read with Mary Beth. Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on Crone.
Thank you to Random House 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
An exercise in trauma and catharsis, Crone is a story of missing girls, grieving fathers, and the gaping hole that addiction leaves in individual lives and communities at large. It’s a scathing condemnation of the bad men who harm young women, an exploration of the shadowy creatures lurking in the woods, a winding murder mystery conspiracy—and above all, an examination of how for women, there’s no winning: you’re either a youthful victim or a decrepit witch.
Crone deals with the tragedy of loss and addiction, the irresistible substances that blunt memory and soften the harshness, “the world’s edges blurring.” Told in Keith Rosson’s rollicking punk-rock style, Crone forces us to contend with all the darkest corners of humanity—and beyond.
Crone deals with the tragedy of loss and addiction, the irresistible substances that blunt memory and soften the harshness, “the world’s edges blurring.” Told in Keith Rosson’s rollicking punk-rock style, Crone forces us to contend with all the darkest corners of humanity—and beyond.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's been a few days since I finished this and I still have no idea what to say. Crone ROCKED!
There's a limited amount of information I can share, because I think this is one to go into mostly blind. Eli Lamp is an ex-addict, ex-detective, (a good one), a widower, and he's an ex-father too because his daughter was stolen away years ago. In his rage and grief at her disappearance, Eli makes some men pay and then ends up paying for that by working as a damage man for the local motorcycle gang. He suffers with his pain and his guilt as does his daughter's best friend, the one that was with her the night she disappeared. They both are in for some surprises and the reader is as well.
That's all I'm saying about the plot. This is an intense look at the hardest kinds of life, the life of an addict, the life of a domestic abuse survivor, some portions of this are like a gritty crime novel. Other parts are purely hellish and that's where the best bits of the story live, at least for me. What horror fan doesn't love a story with people running through the woods being chased by who knows what in the middle of the night?
There is no shortage of gore and action, grief and hate, and also love-- all manifested into this one intense book: Crone.
Highly recommended!
*ARC from publisher
There's a limited amount of information I can share, because I think this is one to go into mostly blind. Eli Lamp is an ex-addict, ex-detective, (a good one), a widower, and he's an ex-father too because his daughter was stolen away years ago. In his rage and grief at her disappearance, Eli makes some men pay and then ends up paying for that by working as a damage man for the local motorcycle gang. He suffers with his pain and his guilt as does his daughter's best friend, the one that was with her the night she disappeared. They both are in for some surprises and the reader is as well.
That's all I'm saying about the plot. This is an intense look at the hardest kinds of life, the life of an addict, the life of a domestic abuse survivor, some portions of this are like a gritty crime novel. Other parts are purely hellish and that's where the best bits of the story live, at least for me. What horror fan doesn't love a story with people running through the woods being chased by who knows what in the middle of the night?
There is no shortage of gore and action, grief and hate, and also love-- all manifested into this one intense book: Crone.
Highly recommended!
*ARC from publisher
July 21, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I don’t usually like witch shit. Something about their stories makes me check out faster than a runaway broomstick. But Crone broke the mold for me. Probably because it wasn’t a witch book at all.
It was a beautiful exploration of addiction, guilt, loneliness, and the fucked up-ness of families. The witch was purely a literary device that elevated the themes to a supernaturally-charged level.
Rosson is a gifted writer, and he can pen scenes that pull me into its world with ease. I am always transported into the griminess and rawness of them, and his characters jump off of the page with their believability.
Crone was a really good read, and Rosson has reached auto-read status for me.
I don’t usually like witch shit. Something about their stories makes me check out faster than a runaway broomstick. But Crone broke the mold for me. Probably because it wasn’t a witch book at all.
It was a beautiful exploration of addiction, guilt, loneliness, and the fucked up-ness of families. The witch was purely a literary device that elevated the themes to a supernaturally-charged level.
Rosson is a gifted writer, and he can pen scenes that pull me into its world with ease. I am always transported into the griminess and rawness of them, and his characters jump off of the page with their believability.
Crone was a really good read, and Rosson has reached auto-read status for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
holy moly he's done it again!
i'm going to be honest...i did not fully read the synopsis before diving into Crone simply because i know no matter what the story is about, Keith Rosson is going to deliver.
this story follows Eli Lamp, an ex cop & recovered drug addict, as he continues his search for his daughter, Hannah, who went missing 13 years ago. there's a lot to unpack in Crone...drug abuse, gang violence, supernatural elements & dare i say some much deserved payback toward the end
Keith takes his time with Crone, giving us a chance to really connect to the grief & guilt Eli/Avery feel. every character felt real & every single one of them is messed up in their own twisted way. i don't know how he does it, but the way he writes his characters makes you feel for even the bad guys. there's some sensitive topics that he handles with care, he gives just enough details to paint a picture without getting too graphic.
it's bleak, it's gritty, it's bloody, but it's also emotional. it's so moody making it a perfect rainy day read. i don't know what magic he sprinkles into his books but his ability to write horror with heart is honestly unmatched. don't get me wrong...it's no Coffin Moon, but it is a close second. i can't wait to see what he does next!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
i'm going to be honest...i did not fully read the synopsis before diving into Crone simply because i know no matter what the story is about, Keith Rosson is going to deliver.
this story follows Eli Lamp, an ex cop & recovered drug addict, as he continues his search for his daughter, Hannah, who went missing 13 years ago. there's a lot to unpack in Crone...drug abuse, gang violence, supernatural elements & dare i say some much deserved payback toward the end
Keith takes his time with Crone, giving us a chance to really connect to the grief & guilt Eli/Avery feel. every character felt real & every single one of them is messed up in their own twisted way. i don't know how he does it, but the way he writes his characters makes you feel for even the bad guys. there's some sensitive topics that he handles with care, he gives just enough details to paint a picture without getting too graphic.
it's bleak, it's gritty, it's bloody, but it's also emotional. it's so moody making it a perfect rainy day read. i don't know what magic he sprinkles into his books but his ability to write horror with heart is honestly unmatched. don't get me wrong...it's no Coffin Moon, but it is a close second. i can't wait to see what he does next!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
September 21, 2026
A gritty crime noir horror steeped in biker gangs, drug culture and small town desperation, Keith Rosson’s Crone gradually descends into something far stranger, darker and infinitely more disturbing. My thanks to Black Crow Books for the arc.
Rosson’s prose is atmospheric, vivid and utterly immersive bringing the Pacific Northwest to life with a bleak, oppressive beauty. You can practically smell the woods, feel the damp pressing in and flinch at his visceral descriptions of Wire, the novel’s nightmarish made up drug. There’s a gritty fog hanging over everything, the sense of a world where people are simply trying to get by, even when it means making choices that will haunt them.
Eli is a deeply flawed but profoundly sympathetic protagonist. An ex-cop, recovering addict and grieving father, he has made enough terrible decisions to drive him to rock bottom. But he has never forgotten his daughter. He has never stopped trying to find out what happened to her, and despite his addiction, his mistakes and the crushing weight of his grief, he keeps trying to do right by her memory.
That emotional core hits hard. Crone is heartbreaking in its exploration of what happens when grief has nowhere to go - the devastation of not knowing, the guilt and endless what ifs, the desperate need for answers and the terrible possibility that sometimes you simply cannot move on. It's about the people left behind and the lengths we might go to for closure and redemption.
And that gives the horror so much weight.
As the supernatural seeps in, it's visceral, gory and deeply disturbing, with Rosson's wonderfully weird and unsettling take on the Crone pushing into increasingly nightmarish territory. Yet even at its most horrific, the supernatural never feels detached from the grim reality of the world Eli lives in. It all builds to a gloriously vengeful and spectacularly dramatic finale.
Bleak, brutal, beautifully atmospheric and utterly haunting, Crone crawled under my skin and stayed there.
Rosson’s prose is atmospheric, vivid and utterly immersive bringing the Pacific Northwest to life with a bleak, oppressive beauty. You can practically smell the woods, feel the damp pressing in and flinch at his visceral descriptions of Wire, the novel’s nightmarish made up drug. There’s a gritty fog hanging over everything, the sense of a world where people are simply trying to get by, even when it means making choices that will haunt them.
Eli is a deeply flawed but profoundly sympathetic protagonist. An ex-cop, recovering addict and grieving father, he has made enough terrible decisions to drive him to rock bottom. But he has never forgotten his daughter. He has never stopped trying to find out what happened to her, and despite his addiction, his mistakes and the crushing weight of his grief, he keeps trying to do right by her memory.
That emotional core hits hard. Crone is heartbreaking in its exploration of what happens when grief has nowhere to go - the devastation of not knowing, the guilt and endless what ifs, the desperate need for answers and the terrible possibility that sometimes you simply cannot move on. It's about the people left behind and the lengths we might go to for closure and redemption.
And that gives the horror so much weight.
As the supernatural seeps in, it's visceral, gory and deeply disturbing, with Rosson's wonderfully weird and unsettling take on the Crone pushing into increasingly nightmarish territory. Yet even at its most horrific, the supernatural never feels detached from the grim reality of the world Eli lives in. It all builds to a gloriously vengeful and spectacularly dramatic finale.
Bleak, brutal, beautifully atmospheric and utterly haunting, Crone crawled under my skin and stayed there.
September 21, 2026
What an absolute blast from Keith Rosson, and it has gotten to point where I expect no less. I might even say something controversial, this is thus far my favourite of his.
There is something about Fever House and his other books that are such a chaotic cluster of nonsense (lovingly) that it does beg for a mood read. Just like some genres, you have to be in the right mind set to really take it in, I find I typically feel this way about Rosson as a whole. I always enjoy reading his work but it can be incredibly draining when an entire book rides like a roller coaster with only drops.
Crone is different but the same. It has all of the makings of a Keith Rosson book. It is nightmares personified, gorey, character driven, horror fun. However, I didn’t feel like I needed to mood read this. I jumped in with both feet and it was so incredibly easy to ride this ride and I didn’t need to take any breaks at all. It was glorious.
I am such a sucker for witches and female protagonists in stories about witches and he gave us both! One of the protagonists is a father desperate to find out what happened to his missing daughter and our other protagonist is the best friend who feels guilty for her disappearance. I never knew where this was going and it twisted and turned in the most pleasurable ways. Just in time for the spooky season, this is truly one of the best books Rosson has ever written!! Absolutely no notes.
There is something about Fever House and his other books that are such a chaotic cluster of nonsense (lovingly) that it does beg for a mood read. Just like some genres, you have to be in the right mind set to really take it in, I find I typically feel this way about Rosson as a whole. I always enjoy reading his work but it can be incredibly draining when an entire book rides like a roller coaster with only drops.
Crone is different but the same. It has all of the makings of a Keith Rosson book. It is nightmares personified, gorey, character driven, horror fun. However, I didn’t feel like I needed to mood read this. I jumped in with both feet and it was so incredibly easy to ride this ride and I didn’t need to take any breaks at all. It was glorious.
I am such a sucker for witches and female protagonists in stories about witches and he gave us both! One of the protagonists is a father desperate to find out what happened to his missing daughter and our other protagonist is the best friend who feels guilty for her disappearance. I never knew where this was going and it twisted and turned in the most pleasurable ways. Just in time for the spooky season, this is truly one of the best books Rosson has ever written!! Absolutely no notes.
March 16, 2026
5⭐️ I loved Keith Rosson’s last book Coffin Moon and was so excited to receive an arc of Crone! It is Amazing! Horror at its best!!! I was hooked right away and could not put it down! It’s fast paced, emotional, tragic, tense, creepy and gorey.
The story starts with the disappearance of 15 year old Hannah. Her drug addicted dad Eli a former cop, gets clean and dedicates himself to looking for her. After an incident with a motorcycle gang he becomes indebted to Dave Novak their leader.
Some creepy things begin to happen starting with the brutal murder of Dave’s son Anton.
Who is the supernatural force behind the murder? How far will Eli go after years pass to find Hannah? This story is dark and has some really bloody scenes, but it is a story of love and redemption and about as perfect of a horror story as I’ve read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishers, and Keith Rosson for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story starts with the disappearance of 15 year old Hannah. Her drug addicted dad Eli a former cop, gets clean and dedicates himself to looking for her. After an incident with a motorcycle gang he becomes indebted to Dave Novak their leader.
Some creepy things begin to happen starting with the brutal murder of Dave’s son Anton.
Who is the supernatural force behind the murder? How far will Eli go after years pass to find Hannah? This story is dark and has some really bloody scenes, but it is a story of love and redemption and about as perfect of a horror story as I’ve read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishers, and Keith Rosson for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2026
Hot Damn! Rosson has outdone himself again.
Thirteen years ago Eli Lamp lost his daughter, Hannah. She and her friend Avery were walking home from a party in the pouring rain when a van stops ahead. Avery refuses to get inside but Hannah, who is nearly fully blind since birth and uses a cane to navigate, can't imagine continuing on in the rain and in the dark so she approaches the door only to disappear inside. That is the last time anyone ever see's Hannah again.
Eli, a former detective and drug addict, lives everyday awash in grief and remorse. He wishes he could go back in time to be the father Hannah deserved.
Avery will never forget her best friend or the night she disappeared. She has so many regrets about what she could have done differently. Eventually she finds that drugs are the only way to numb her aching heart and mind.
Unbeknownst to either Eli or Avery but their paths are about to cross again and vengeance will be enacted on those who brought harm to Hannah.
This book is the grittiest of gritty crime thrillers tinged in horror of both the human and supernatural variety. Biker gangs, drug runners, and so much blood.
There's also a witch and she is very, very angry.
Rosson has quickly established himself as one of my favorite horror authors. His ability to transport you to the Pacific Northwest and into the lives of his hardscrabble characters is nothing short of amazing. Some scenes of brutality were so unexpected that I literally gasped in shock. I was 100% enthralled the entire time I read this. I can only hope that Rosson is hard at work penning his next masterpiece to punch me in the gut with. ALL. THE. STARS!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my complimentary copy.
Thirteen years ago Eli Lamp lost his daughter, Hannah. She and her friend Avery were walking home from a party in the pouring rain when a van stops ahead. Avery refuses to get inside but Hannah, who is nearly fully blind since birth and uses a cane to navigate, can't imagine continuing on in the rain and in the dark so she approaches the door only to disappear inside. That is the last time anyone ever see's Hannah again.
Eli, a former detective and drug addict, lives everyday awash in grief and remorse. He wishes he could go back in time to be the father Hannah deserved.
Avery will never forget her best friend or the night she disappeared. She has so many regrets about what she could have done differently. Eventually she finds that drugs are the only way to numb her aching heart and mind.
Unbeknownst to either Eli or Avery but their paths are about to cross again and vengeance will be enacted on those who brought harm to Hannah.
This book is the grittiest of gritty crime thrillers tinged in horror of both the human and supernatural variety. Biker gangs, drug runners, and so much blood.
There's also a witch and she is very, very angry.
Rosson has quickly established himself as one of my favorite horror authors. His ability to transport you to the Pacific Northwest and into the lives of his hardscrabble characters is nothing short of amazing. Some scenes of brutality were so unexpected that I literally gasped in shock. I was 100% enthralled the entire time I read this. I can only hope that Rosson is hard at work penning his next masterpiece to punch me in the gut with. ALL. THE. STARS!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my complimentary copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 ⭐
Crone was my first read by Keith Rosson, and I was instantly impressed with his gritty, atmospheric writing style that often gives off classic Stephen King vibes. Part of me wishes I had read some of his earlier work first, because he clearly likes to sprinkle in easter eggs. I think it would’ve been fun to go into this with that background and spot them more intentionally.
The book opens as more of a crime noir, so I kept wondering when the supernatural elements would show up. Around the 30% mark, they came crashing in like a freight train, shattering the realistic crime boundaries and hurling the story straight into dark horror territory. From there, it became a true page‑turner. I loved the large cast of characters and the non‑linear timeline shifts, though I’ll admit it tested my brain at times trying to keep track of everyone and the exact chronological order of events. The pacing is immersive, dropping you straight into the action and holding back the characters’ histories until later. It creates an intense, propulsive drive that makes you read faster to piece the puzzle together.
The last stretch left me with more of a mixed‑bag feeling. The book is trying to do a lot, and sometimes its identity gets messy as it blends crime noir, mystery, thriller, and horror. When you introduce a major supernatural entity, you expect a bit more folklore or mythological depth to support it, and while the story touches on that toward the end, it still felt lacking and left me wanting more. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ending.
Overall, though, it’s a fast‑paced, highly atmospheric ride with some serious jaw‑dropping, genuinely shocking moments. Fans of dark, atmospheric genre‑blenders will find a lot to love here, and I’d absolutely recommend picking up Crone.
Crone was my first read by Keith Rosson, and I was instantly impressed with his gritty, atmospheric writing style that often gives off classic Stephen King vibes. Part of me wishes I had read some of his earlier work first, because he clearly likes to sprinkle in easter eggs. I think it would’ve been fun to go into this with that background and spot them more intentionally.
The book opens as more of a crime noir, so I kept wondering when the supernatural elements would show up. Around the 30% mark, they came crashing in like a freight train, shattering the realistic crime boundaries and hurling the story straight into dark horror territory. From there, it became a true page‑turner. I loved the large cast of characters and the non‑linear timeline shifts, though I’ll admit it tested my brain at times trying to keep track of everyone and the exact chronological order of events. The pacing is immersive, dropping you straight into the action and holding back the characters’ histories until later. It creates an intense, propulsive drive that makes you read faster to piece the puzzle together.
The last stretch left me with more of a mixed‑bag feeling. The book is trying to do a lot, and sometimes its identity gets messy as it blends crime noir, mystery, thriller, and horror. When you introduce a major supernatural entity, you expect a bit more folklore or mythological depth to support it, and while the story touches on that toward the end, it still felt lacking and left me wanting more. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ending.
Overall, though, it’s a fast‑paced, highly atmospheric ride with some serious jaw‑dropping, genuinely shocking moments. Fans of dark, atmospheric genre‑blenders will find a lot to love here, and I’d absolutely recommend picking up Crone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC for review. To be published September 22, 2026.
4 stars
The author wrote last year’s very popular COFFIN MOON (which I haven’t read) so I was looking forward to giving him a try and this gritty story of a disgraced former addict, former cop, his long-missing daughter and a town run by a drug lord was not my usual thing, but the book was a good one.
Evil comes in many forms in this story, and salvation isn’t always in the found in the ways one might expect. We don’t even see the big, bad of the title until halfway through the book, so it’s a fun bit of build-up and there’s plenty of dark to be had besides. This isn’t a light read…and sometimes salvation is hard to come by. We humans seldom make things easy on ourselves.
4 stars
The author wrote last year’s very popular COFFIN MOON (which I haven’t read) so I was looking forward to giving him a try and this gritty story of a disgraced former addict, former cop, his long-missing daughter and a town run by a drug lord was not my usual thing, but the book was a good one.
Evil comes in many forms in this story, and salvation isn’t always in the found in the ways one might expect. We don’t even see the big, bad of the title until halfway through the book, so it’s a fun bit of build-up and there’s plenty of dark to be had besides. This isn’t a light read…and sometimes salvation is hard to come by. We humans seldom make things easy on ourselves.
September 1, 2026
Keith Rosson perfectly blends folk horror, crime detective noir, and witchy supernatural elements in Crone. The book is visceral, gritty, and unflinching, which makes for an entertaining and intense read. The Pacific Northwest backdrop creates an atmospheric, eerie setting. With flawed characters who have plenty of depth and themes of addiction, grief, and atonement make for an extra gripping story.
I truly couldn't find a reason not to love Crone, it's such an original and impressive story that horror readers are going to love!
I alternated between reading the book myself and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Pete Cross who did an excellent job. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Crone by Keith Rosson will be available on September 22.
I truly couldn't find a reason not to love Crone, it's such an original and impressive story that horror readers are going to love!
I alternated between reading the book myself and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Pete Cross who did an excellent job. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Crone by Keith Rosson will be available on September 22.
Read
August 24, 2026*Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital ARC!*
I'll admit I'm late to the Keith Rosson reading game. Somewhere on my Kindle lies his collection 'Folks Songs for Trauma Surgeons' but I've just not managed to get to it. When people told me I HAD to read 'Fever House' I checked it out, but I'd read a lot of rockstar character books over the last few years and needed a break, so I've not gotten to it. Then 'Coffin Moon' arrived & sadly, I'm vampire-d out as well lol. So much so, that when I was writing my own novel, 'Churn the Soil,' I started with vampires as the forest guards but swapped them to ancient-earth entities that resemble dimorphodon's because I couldn't bring myself to do vampires. Now, this may all sound negative - and I promise I'm trying not to sound negative - I'm just letting you know why I've not read a Rosson book yet.
And then came 'Crone.' The synopsis had me hooked, I loved the cover and the title made me intrigued over what Rosson would do with something in the woods. And by now you should know I love all things 'something in the woods.'
What I liked: The novel, for the most part, follows Eli Lamp. A former detective who lives near Portland, his wife died during childbirth and when his daughter was a teen, Hannah disappeared, taken by someone in a van on the outskirts of town. Since then, his life has fallen apart, but he's rebuilding. Though no longer an addict, he's still beholden by the drug gang he grows for, in their debt for keeping him alive after he sought retribution in Portland.
All is ticking along. Until the son of the gang leader turns up dead in a river. And after he's buried, he returns. And all hell breaks loose.
Rosson sets things up nicely in the first quarter. We get the lay of the land, the constant uncertainty of life under the thumb of a deranged ruler and we see how Eli keeps chasing ghosts while keeping the deals in place between the law and those living on the other side of it. We grow to tolerate Eli, though I found I never was able to fully like the man. Why? I'm not sure. But it made for an interesting experience and kept me riveted as the story progresses.
The other portion of the novel is told through Avery's POV. Avery was Eli's daughters friend, with her on the night she was taken. Avery's returned to town, strung out on drugs after having stolen a bunch of cash from her boyfriend. She's returned because she saw her friend in a dream and her friend said she needed to come back.
Avery's storyline works well to not only show us how Hannah's disappearance created a ripple effect around those who loved her most, but also a way to introduce the crone, the thing that lurks in the trees.
As the story progresses, more and more truths are revealed and its in these moments that Rosson highlights the human element of the story, which really makes this one hum along. In lesser hands, these moments may not be even included, which would've kept this novel fairly surface level when it came to emotions and progression.
The final quarter was solid and when the shit hits the fan, it hits the fan solidly. We get answers to questions each reader will definitely have and we learn the history behind the thing in the woods, which was great to learn.
What I didn't like: While I really enjoyed Eli's storyline, I personally don't enjoy the whole backwoods drug gang stuff. It kind of felt a bit like Sons of Anarchy, which I really struggled with watching. So, keeping focused on Eli and Avery, made sure this one hit the right notes. Additionally, (slight spoiler aspect FYI) we do learn about Hannah's disappearance, and I almost wish we hadn't, though it did make for a really great section.
Why you should buy this: If you're already a Rosson fan, then this one's a no-brainer and you'll be all over it. If you've never read anything from Keith yet, I think this one's a great jumping in place. Tight, explosive and repulsive in the right amounts, this novel hooks in and keeps you hooked. The pacing was spot on and the atmosphere throughout was really well done. And most importantly, this isn't your tried and true familiar crone or witch character. This one was fantastically transformed. This book will keep you up long after you should've gone to bed. And you won't even regret it.
I'll admit I'm late to the Keith Rosson reading game. Somewhere on my Kindle lies his collection 'Folks Songs for Trauma Surgeons' but I've just not managed to get to it. When people told me I HAD to read 'Fever House' I checked it out, but I'd read a lot of rockstar character books over the last few years and needed a break, so I've not gotten to it. Then 'Coffin Moon' arrived & sadly, I'm vampire-d out as well lol. So much so, that when I was writing my own novel, 'Churn the Soil,' I started with vampires as the forest guards but swapped them to ancient-earth entities that resemble dimorphodon's because I couldn't bring myself to do vampires. Now, this may all sound negative - and I promise I'm trying not to sound negative - I'm just letting you know why I've not read a Rosson book yet.
And then came 'Crone.' The synopsis had me hooked, I loved the cover and the title made me intrigued over what Rosson would do with something in the woods. And by now you should know I love all things 'something in the woods.'
What I liked: The novel, for the most part, follows Eli Lamp. A former detective who lives near Portland, his wife died during childbirth and when his daughter was a teen, Hannah disappeared, taken by someone in a van on the outskirts of town. Since then, his life has fallen apart, but he's rebuilding. Though no longer an addict, he's still beholden by the drug gang he grows for, in their debt for keeping him alive after he sought retribution in Portland.
All is ticking along. Until the son of the gang leader turns up dead in a river. And after he's buried, he returns. And all hell breaks loose.
Rosson sets things up nicely in the first quarter. We get the lay of the land, the constant uncertainty of life under the thumb of a deranged ruler and we see how Eli keeps chasing ghosts while keeping the deals in place between the law and those living on the other side of it. We grow to tolerate Eli, though I found I never was able to fully like the man. Why? I'm not sure. But it made for an interesting experience and kept me riveted as the story progresses.
The other portion of the novel is told through Avery's POV. Avery was Eli's daughters friend, with her on the night she was taken. Avery's returned to town, strung out on drugs after having stolen a bunch of cash from her boyfriend. She's returned because she saw her friend in a dream and her friend said she needed to come back.
Avery's storyline works well to not only show us how Hannah's disappearance created a ripple effect around those who loved her most, but also a way to introduce the crone, the thing that lurks in the trees.
As the story progresses, more and more truths are revealed and its in these moments that Rosson highlights the human element of the story, which really makes this one hum along. In lesser hands, these moments may not be even included, which would've kept this novel fairly surface level when it came to emotions and progression.
The final quarter was solid and when the shit hits the fan, it hits the fan solidly. We get answers to questions each reader will definitely have and we learn the history behind the thing in the woods, which was great to learn.
What I didn't like: While I really enjoyed Eli's storyline, I personally don't enjoy the whole backwoods drug gang stuff. It kind of felt a bit like Sons of Anarchy, which I really struggled with watching. So, keeping focused on Eli and Avery, made sure this one hit the right notes. Additionally, (slight spoiler aspect FYI) we do learn about Hannah's disappearance, and I almost wish we hadn't, though it did make for a really great section.
Why you should buy this: If you're already a Rosson fan, then this one's a no-brainer and you'll be all over it. If you've never read anything from Keith yet, I think this one's a great jumping in place. Tight, explosive and repulsive in the right amounts, this novel hooks in and keeps you hooked. The pacing was spot on and the atmosphere throughout was really well done. And most importantly, this isn't your tried and true familiar crone or witch character. This one was fantastically transformed. This book will keep you up long after you should've gone to bed. And you won't even regret it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Gritty, bleak, and truly twisted, this book was all kinds of fd up and I absolutely loved it.
Thank you @randomhouse for my gifted copy of Keith Rosson’s upcoming horror-thriller CRONE. If you liked his last novel, Coffin Moon, you’ll absolutely love this one. It’s a perfect combination of Chris Whitaker, Eric LaRocca, and Philip Fracassi and it emotionally pulled me right from the start.
Eli Lamp, a disgraced former detective haunted by his daughter’s disappearance, is offered one chance at freedom when he’s ordered to solve the brutal murder of a local drug boss’s son. Teaming up with his daughter’s former best friend, Eli uncovers a decades-old conspiracy that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural. As the truth emerges, a sinister presence lurking in the woods draws ever closer.
I brought this book to every single thing I did this week because I needed to sneak in some reading anywhere I could get. This book is a horror noir—more literary than you may expect a horror novel, but the horror and trauma experienced in this book is not for the lighthearted. I actually felt that I may get emotional by the end of this book, it is THAT gripping. I need Lee Cronin to develop this twisted book into a movie STAT. Keith Rosson, you have a new fan! STARS: 5, PUB: 9/22
Thank you @randomhouse for my gifted copy of Keith Rosson’s upcoming horror-thriller CRONE. If you liked his last novel, Coffin Moon, you’ll absolutely love this one. It’s a perfect combination of Chris Whitaker, Eric LaRocca, and Philip Fracassi and it emotionally pulled me right from the start.
Eli Lamp, a disgraced former detective haunted by his daughter’s disappearance, is offered one chance at freedom when he’s ordered to solve the brutal murder of a local drug boss’s son. Teaming up with his daughter’s former best friend, Eli uncovers a decades-old conspiracy that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural. As the truth emerges, a sinister presence lurking in the woods draws ever closer.
I brought this book to every single thing I did this week because I needed to sneak in some reading anywhere I could get. This book is a horror noir—more literary than you may expect a horror novel, but the horror and trauma experienced in this book is not for the lighthearted. I actually felt that I may get emotional by the end of this book, it is THAT gripping. I need Lee Cronin to develop this twisted book into a movie STAT. Keith Rosson, you have a new fan! STARS: 5, PUB: 9/22
May 21, 2026
Grit, dirt, terror.
The Blair Witch Project meets Sons of Anarchy meets Snatch.
A small town, desolate highway, dingy motel rooms, despair. A missing girl and a father’s mistakes.
This is an authentic and real horror. Storytelling at its upmost. Bikers, drugs, crime. Layer upon poetic layer of deplorable and sketchy shit. The horror was vivid, visceral and terrifying. This was a wild ride. I loved the Coffin Moon references; the clever weaving of stories. It turned into something complex, human and broken.
Quite possibly one of my favourites ever.
‘That they might use a heart or a liver of an animal besmirched in thorns to call upon an enemy to suffer.’
‘“Old sails, old bodies, old souls. Grasp the mast and fill the hole”. He laughed his child’s laugh…’
‘Whatever’s making that noise, I don’t want to see it.’
‘He stood there, felt the weight of all his wasted years howling around him.’
‘rain, the canopy of night above her, all these trees…’
5 STARS
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
The Blair Witch Project meets Sons of Anarchy meets Snatch.
A small town, desolate highway, dingy motel rooms, despair. A missing girl and a father’s mistakes.
This is an authentic and real horror. Storytelling at its upmost. Bikers, drugs, crime. Layer upon poetic layer of deplorable and sketchy shit. The horror was vivid, visceral and terrifying. This was a wild ride. I loved the Coffin Moon references; the clever weaving of stories. It turned into something complex, human and broken.
Quite possibly one of my favourites ever.
‘That they might use a heart or a liver of an animal besmirched in thorns to call upon an enemy to suffer.’
‘“Old sails, old bodies, old souls. Grasp the mast and fill the hole”. He laughed his child’s laugh…’
‘Whatever’s making that noise, I don’t want to see it.’
‘He stood there, felt the weight of all his wasted years howling around him.’
‘rain, the canopy of night above her, all these trees…’
5 STARS
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This man is an ex-detective, an ex-addict, and currently one bad Tuesday away from becoming a cautionary tale told by three separate social workers. His daughter Hannah disappeared a decade ago, and Eli responded by setting fire to every remaining part of his life trying to find her. Now he lives in a trailer beside woods that absolutely know his name, works as an enforcer for the Crooked Wheel, and goes home every night to a bedroom preserved for a girl who may never come back. Sir. Your coping mechanisms have formed a criminal enterprise.
Then the Crooked Wheel boss’s son gets murdered in a scene so vicious and strange that even the local criminals briefly discover concern. They tell Eli to find the killer and they will wipe his debt clean. Freedom. A fresh start. The mythical final job. Eli hears this and somehow does not immediately recognize that he has wandered into the first ten minutes of every story where a man says, “After this, I’m out,” and then spends the next three hundred pages getting hit with furniture.
The investigation drags Avery Bryant back into his life, and this is where the emotional pressure in the room becomes a structural concern. Avery was Hannah’s best friend and the last person to see her before she vanished. Eli has spent ten years looking at her like she might be the final locked door between him and the truth. Avery has spent those same ten years carrying memories from that night around inside her like broken glass. Their partnership has less of a “let’s solve this together” vibe and more of a “we are both standing at the edge of the same grave and refusing to acknowledge whose shovel this is.”
And Eli’s grief is just unbearable in the most specific way. Hannah’s room is perfect. Untouched. Waiting. The rest of his life can collapse into addiction, debt, violence, and complete moral rot, but that room stays frozen because changing it would mean admitting that time has passed without her. He has built a shrine to the last version of himself who still believed she could come home. That hurt. Moving on before I start crying into the salt rim.
Unfortunately, moving on means returning to the murder, and every answer Eli finds introduces three new liars, two additional crimes, and one man who should never be allowed near a basement. The Crooked Wheel is watching him. The police are giving off the relaxed confidence of people who have definitely misplaced evidence on purpose. Bodies are turning up in ways that do not make sense. Old stories keep attaching themselves to new blood. Every person in town seems to have a secret and at least one deeply upsetting reason for owning a shovel.
And then there is the woman in the woods.
Nobody wants to say “witch,” because apparently these men can participate in organized crime, beat each other half to death, and stare directly at clawed supernatural evidence, but using the word “witch” would make them sound silly. Fine. She is a bent-backed forest resident with black eyes, long claws, and a completely understandable hostility toward the local male population. Call her whatever makes you feel masculine, gentlemen. She is still coming.
The horror creeps in slowly because at first Crone feels like Eli has wandered into the meanest crime novel alive. Everyone is armed. Everyone is grieving. Everyone is either using drugs, selling drugs, recovering from drugs, or making choices that suggest drugs should at least be consulted. Then the woods start pressing closer. The old stories stop sounding metaphorical. The murders begin connecting to Hannah, Avery, and things that happened long before Eli ever understood what kind of darkness he was looking at.
And the really ugly part is that the thing in the woods is not even the only monster here. People have been hurting girls, protecting men, burying crimes, and using addiction and fear as leverage without needing one ounce of supernatural assistance. Eli keeps searching for one creature he can hunt because one creature would make the world feel manageable. Instead he finds a whole ecosystem of human rot, and somehow the clawed woman lurking between the trees starts feeling like the person with the clearest moral position.
By the final stretch, everything goes feral. The timelines slam together. Secrets stop being hinted at and start ripping through walls. Eli is trying to solve a current murder, understand Hannah’s disappearance, survive the Crooked Wheel, and process the fact that folklore may have been standing ten feet behind him this entire time. Several things I thought were separate turned out to be sharing one giant cursed family plan, and the truth about Hannah lands exactly where Eli has been most broken all along.
I’m at 4.5 stars for Crone. This was grief with brass knuckles, a missing-girl mystery soaked in folk horror, and one ruined father trying to beat the truth out of a world that has been lying to him for ten years. Eli is a disaster. Avery has been carrying childhood terror into adulthood. The Crooked Wheel needs to be pushed into traffic. And the woman in the woods? After meeting everyone else, I understand her position.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect the Gang, the Cops, the Best Friend, the Entire Town, and Eventually Every Tree With a Slightly Judgmental Lean
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC, and for once again allowing Keith Rosson to hand me what appears to be a crime story before revealing that it is actually grief in a trench coat carrying a weapon. I would like compensation for emotional damages, but Eli appears to have already collected it.
Then the Crooked Wheel boss’s son gets murdered in a scene so vicious and strange that even the local criminals briefly discover concern. They tell Eli to find the killer and they will wipe his debt clean. Freedom. A fresh start. The mythical final job. Eli hears this and somehow does not immediately recognize that he has wandered into the first ten minutes of every story where a man says, “After this, I’m out,” and then spends the next three hundred pages getting hit with furniture.
The investigation drags Avery Bryant back into his life, and this is where the emotional pressure in the room becomes a structural concern. Avery was Hannah’s best friend and the last person to see her before she vanished. Eli has spent ten years looking at her like she might be the final locked door between him and the truth. Avery has spent those same ten years carrying memories from that night around inside her like broken glass. Their partnership has less of a “let’s solve this together” vibe and more of a “we are both standing at the edge of the same grave and refusing to acknowledge whose shovel this is.”
And Eli’s grief is just unbearable in the most specific way. Hannah’s room is perfect. Untouched. Waiting. The rest of his life can collapse into addiction, debt, violence, and complete moral rot, but that room stays frozen because changing it would mean admitting that time has passed without her. He has built a shrine to the last version of himself who still believed she could come home. That hurt. Moving on before I start crying into the salt rim.
Unfortunately, moving on means returning to the murder, and every answer Eli finds introduces three new liars, two additional crimes, and one man who should never be allowed near a basement. The Crooked Wheel is watching him. The police are giving off the relaxed confidence of people who have definitely misplaced evidence on purpose. Bodies are turning up in ways that do not make sense. Old stories keep attaching themselves to new blood. Every person in town seems to have a secret and at least one deeply upsetting reason for owning a shovel.
And then there is the woman in the woods.
Nobody wants to say “witch,” because apparently these men can participate in organized crime, beat each other half to death, and stare directly at clawed supernatural evidence, but using the word “witch” would make them sound silly. Fine. She is a bent-backed forest resident with black eyes, long claws, and a completely understandable hostility toward the local male population. Call her whatever makes you feel masculine, gentlemen. She is still coming.
The horror creeps in slowly because at first Crone feels like Eli has wandered into the meanest crime novel alive. Everyone is armed. Everyone is grieving. Everyone is either using drugs, selling drugs, recovering from drugs, or making choices that suggest drugs should at least be consulted. Then the woods start pressing closer. The old stories stop sounding metaphorical. The murders begin connecting to Hannah, Avery, and things that happened long before Eli ever understood what kind of darkness he was looking at.
And the really ugly part is that the thing in the woods is not even the only monster here. People have been hurting girls, protecting men, burying crimes, and using addiction and fear as leverage without needing one ounce of supernatural assistance. Eli keeps searching for one creature he can hunt because one creature would make the world feel manageable. Instead he finds a whole ecosystem of human rot, and somehow the clawed woman lurking between the trees starts feeling like the person with the clearest moral position.
By the final stretch, everything goes feral. The timelines slam together. Secrets stop being hinted at and start ripping through walls. Eli is trying to solve a current murder, understand Hannah’s disappearance, survive the Crooked Wheel, and process the fact that folklore may have been standing ten feet behind him this entire time. Several things I thought were separate turned out to be sharing one giant cursed family plan, and the truth about Hannah lands exactly where Eli has been most broken all along.
I’m at 4.5 stars for Crone. This was grief with brass knuckles, a missing-girl mystery soaked in folk horror, and one ruined father trying to beat the truth out of a world that has been lying to him for ten years. Eli is a disaster. Avery has been carrying childhood terror into adulthood. The Crooked Wheel needs to be pushed into traffic. And the woman in the woods? After meeting everyone else, I understand her position.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect the Gang, the Cops, the Best Friend, the Entire Town, and Eventually Every Tree With a Slightly Judgmental Lean
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC, and for once again allowing Keith Rosson to hand me what appears to be a crime story before revealing that it is actually grief in a trench coat carrying a weapon. I would like compensation for emotional damages, but Eli appears to have already collected it.
April 23, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my Advanced Reader’s Copy. This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it did not disappoint. Brutal, gritty, terrifying, heartbreaking. It grabs you and won’t let you go. A must read in modern horror (and an instant read author for me). Don’t sleep on this one, coming 9/22/26.
October 2, 2026
One night, walking home from a party in the pouring rain, 15-year-old Hannah, who is legally blind, accepts a ride and is never seen again. Her best and only friend, Avery, watched her get into the van, and that is all she knows. She didn't see a license plate or who was driving.
I wanted to know more! I wanted this to be about Hannah and the Crone in the woods! Instead, it's more about her father Eli, and how his life spiraled out of control with an especially grotesque addiction to wire, a fictional drug that is shoved under the toenails. Eli is indebted to a drug dealer for some unknown reason that we don't find out about until the book is practically over, in much the way we don't find out what happened to Hannah or anything about the crone until we nearly reach the finale.
The middle of the book dragged for me. It was more crime thriller than horror and mainly about rival drug gangs and crooked cops.
I loved Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson, so I was super excited to get a copy of Crone. I wanted to love this as much and I tried hard, but just couldn't swing it. I could not really connect with any of the characters. I didn't like Hannah's friend, and I tried to like her father, but he was already kind of a loser before her disappearance. I wanted more than violence and gore, but I stuck it out to the end and was at last rewarded with some answers. Sometimes I wish a book was longer because I don't want it to end. This was not one of those times. I did want it to end once the truth was finally revealed. Instead, it dragged on about Avery's friend, whose name already escapes me because I didn't care about her either. I would have titled this book Wire, since the majority of it focused on the drug instead of the Crone. You may enjoy it more than I did, but this book was not for me.
2.5 Stars rounded up
My thanks to Random House for the e-ARC
I wanted to know more! I wanted this to be about Hannah and the Crone in the woods! Instead, it's more about her father Eli, and how his life spiraled out of control with an especially grotesque addiction to wire, a fictional drug that is shoved under the toenails. Eli is indebted to a drug dealer for some unknown reason that we don't find out about until the book is practically over, in much the way we don't find out what happened to Hannah or anything about the crone until we nearly reach the finale.
The middle of the book dragged for me. It was more crime thriller than horror and mainly about rival drug gangs and crooked cops.
I loved Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson, so I was super excited to get a copy of Crone. I wanted to love this as much and I tried hard, but just couldn't swing it. I could not really connect with any of the characters. I didn't like Hannah's friend, and I tried to like her father, but he was already kind of a loser before her disappearance. I wanted more than violence and gore, but I stuck it out to the end and was at last rewarded with some answers. Sometimes I wish a book was longer because I don't want it to end. This was not one of those times. I did want it to end once the truth was finally revealed. Instead, it dragged on about Avery's friend, whose name already escapes me because I didn't care about her either. I would have titled this book Wire, since the majority of it focused on the drug instead of the Crone. You may enjoy it more than I did, but this book was not for me.
2.5 Stars rounded up
My thanks to Random House for the e-ARC
July 9, 2026
Thank you Random House for my free ARC of Crone by Keith Rosson — out September 22!
» READ IF YOU «
🩸 love your horror gritty, brutal, and grief-soaked
🐦⬛ want folk-horror creatures that feel otherworldly
🔪 are here for crime noir with a whisper of the supernatural
» SYNOPSIS «
Eli is a broken man. He’s kicked the drugs but lost his job, and has been grieving his missing daughter for a decade. His former detective skills come in handy for the Crooked Wheel, a local drug gang, to whom he’s more or less permanently indebted. But the boss's son turns up murdered in a bizarre scene, and Eli's given one final offer: find the killer, and his debt is cleared. The search pulls him back to the disappearance of his daughter, and into the path of something far darker—and far less human—than he bargained for.
» REVIEW «
Keith Rosson is the king of dark and gritty crime horror—this isn't atmosphere as set dressing, it's a whole world founded in grief, violence, and imperfect characters. The paranormal bits, when you get a glimpse, are unsettling in a way that keeps you flipping pages faster and faster, but maybe with the light on, mkay? Rosson always manages to perfectly balance the otherworldly with the stark humanity of crime noir, and it’s what makes his books so unique.
Eli is exactly the kind of flawed protagonist I want carrying a story like this. He’s broken, complicit, corrupt, but still trying his best. Nobody here is squeaky clean, not even our saintly missing daughter, which is exactly what makes the characters feel so real and why it all hits that much harder. This is grief horror and small-town noir fused together at the core, and it does not pull a single punch. My fave from Rosson so far!
» RATING «
🏃♀️ I’m Breathless 🏃♀️
» READ-A-LIKES «
• King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
• The Removed by Brandon Hobson
• Sons of Anarchy (TV show)
• Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay
» READ IF YOU «
🩸 love your horror gritty, brutal, and grief-soaked
🐦⬛ want folk-horror creatures that feel otherworldly
🔪 are here for crime noir with a whisper of the supernatural
» SYNOPSIS «
Eli is a broken man. He’s kicked the drugs but lost his job, and has been grieving his missing daughter for a decade. His former detective skills come in handy for the Crooked Wheel, a local drug gang, to whom he’s more or less permanently indebted. But the boss's son turns up murdered in a bizarre scene, and Eli's given one final offer: find the killer, and his debt is cleared. The search pulls him back to the disappearance of his daughter, and into the path of something far darker—and far less human—than he bargained for.
» REVIEW «
Keith Rosson is the king of dark and gritty crime horror—this isn't atmosphere as set dressing, it's a whole world founded in grief, violence, and imperfect characters. The paranormal bits, when you get a glimpse, are unsettling in a way that keeps you flipping pages faster and faster, but maybe with the light on, mkay? Rosson always manages to perfectly balance the otherworldly with the stark humanity of crime noir, and it’s what makes his books so unique.
Eli is exactly the kind of flawed protagonist I want carrying a story like this. He’s broken, complicit, corrupt, but still trying his best. Nobody here is squeaky clean, not even our saintly missing daughter, which is exactly what makes the characters feel so real and why it all hits that much harder. This is grief horror and small-town noir fused together at the core, and it does not pull a single punch. My fave from Rosson so far!
» RATING «
🏃♀️ I’m Breathless 🏃♀️
» READ-A-LIKES «
• King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
• The Removed by Brandon Hobson
• Sons of Anarchy (TV show)
• Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay
September 28, 2026
Years ago, a part of Eli would have liked how scared Derek was, and then the liking it would have bothered him later. Now everything clanged ugly inside, like a single stone tumbling down the dark mouth of a well. He felt small.Keith Rosson is among the more interesting of contemporary American writers. And considering he's, for the most part, writing horror (a genre I'll take to - or tolerate - more on the screen than on the page), I suppose that's a kind of praise on my part.
From the (now) 5 novels I've read (along with one short story collection), it seems clear that Rosson's interest in horror is in taking it to places readers haven't been before. He more than knows the tropes of the genre; he uses them as a base. From there, he freeforms in order to give rein to his unique quality as a storyteller.
Rosson is a passionate storyteller. He seems to genuinely love his job. You can feel him getting excited as he's pulling you along. So, as a reader, I'm largely on his side.
That said... while I think he's a good writer, he hasn't always grabbed me personally. I'm not referring to his ability in storytelling but, sometimes, the story itself that he's telling.
This was true of 'The Devil by Name' (the 'Fever House' sequel, which felt written out of obligation), the bit under-nourished (though still largely effective) 'Coffin Moon' and, now, 'Crone'. To be fair, each of these contain vivid, memorable, powerful scenes. But they can also feel oddly untethered.
My feelings about 'Smoke City' (by far, my favorite to date) and the top-notch collection 'Folk Songs for Trauma Surgeons' are pretty much unqualified. Because those (for me) reach a sort of perfection, I've been more willing to watch Rosson's risk-taking (~ though I've not read 'Road Seven' or 'The Mercy of the Tide'.)
'Crone' I read in one weekend, so at least it's not dull, even if it reads like a slow-burn in its first third. As a rare noir-horror blend, it will bend expectations. The major plus-factors are the protagonist Eli Lamp (Rosson is quite expert with this 'God, Jesus, I *really* fucked up!'-kind of guy.) and one of Rosson's strongest female characters, the enigmatic Vicki Stubbs:
"You got the manners of a fucking street cat," Terry sneered. "You know that?"(I'm not pleased with where Rosson takes Vicki but I can understand the choice.)
Vicki's smile carved years off her face. "That's the kindest thing you could've said to me."
In 'Crone', there's a surfeit of bad guys; really bad; real scum; biker gang / dealer types; any of them would twitch if you suggested reading (or personal improvement) of any kind. As drawn (of the same mold) characters, they can be a bit hard to tell apart. (I had that problem more as the plot thickened.)
Where the story ultimately leads to is fascinating, and satisfying to a degree. And, again, some very dynamic scenes are scattered throughout. Still, something feels... distancing. Or left undone (?) in the effort to wrap-up.
And, of course, other readers of horror may feel that, as is, they're getting what they signed up for (which is why my rating is slightly generous). So maybe keep that in mind.
NOTE: I was very moved by the concluding author's note, which briefly states how and why the novel came to be. That's a thing apart - and yet very much not, once you know.
September 25, 2026
🐦⬛ Crone by Keith Rosson 🐦⬛
Crone by Keith Rosson is a heartbreaking exploration of grief and addiction. Centered in a corrupted small, seaside town, Eli Lamp has been under the control of a drug lord who knows a dark secret of his. Lamp’s daughter went missing over a decade ago, and the ex-cop in him never gave up on searching for her. But when odd events begin happening around town and people start turning up dead, Lamp is given the opportunity to be released of his enforcement duties if he can find the person who killed the drug lord’s son.
Crone kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s gritty and unflinching. There was a certain scene with the town “witch” that made my jaw fall.
Every character had flaws. Each were unlikeable and imperfect in their own ways, but I still rooted for them.
A special thanks to netgalley for the gifted copy of this amazing book, and to @aardvarkbookclub for always picking excellent picks. You make my horror heart happy 🥰
Crone by Keith Rosson is a heartbreaking exploration of grief and addiction. Centered in a corrupted small, seaside town, Eli Lamp has been under the control of a drug lord who knows a dark secret of his. Lamp’s daughter went missing over a decade ago, and the ex-cop in him never gave up on searching for her. But when odd events begin happening around town and people start turning up dead, Lamp is given the opportunity to be released of his enforcement duties if he can find the person who killed the drug lord’s son.
Crone kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s gritty and unflinching. There was a certain scene with the town “witch” that made my jaw fall.
Every character had flaws. Each were unlikeable and imperfect in their own ways, but I still rooted for them.
A special thanks to netgalley for the gifted copy of this amazing book, and to @aardvarkbookclub for always picking excellent picks. You make my horror heart happy 🥰
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
this was so metal, definitely solidified my thoughts that I need to read everything Keith writes. the imagery, the gore, the vengeance, the all-consuming grief and addiction and bleak hope - I ate it up. I wanted a little less telling from the crone backstory/ending but the rest of it was written so well that it's still a 5 star for me. the descriptions of smells and textures were top tier grody mcgrodesssssss (I loved it)
thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my arc!
thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my arc!
September 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this novel. To me, it really came to life during the final third. Once Isabella enters the picture, I was utterly captivated and wished I had had more time with her. We sensed her throughout the sections of drug abuse, but she was more of a shadow. Her reveal was fabulous, and I was hungry to know everything about her. Please don't skip the author's note on this one. It's powerful and important.
October 6, 2026
Haunting, disturbing, and deeply meaningful, Crone is precisely the kind of witchy read I’ve been craving. Keith Rosson is quickly becoming one of my favorite horror writers; I love the stories he tells and the way he tells them.
Crone is about a disgraced cop and recovering addict, Eli Lamp, who is deeply indebted to a local drug gang called the Crooked Wheel. Thirteen years ago, Eli’s daughter Hannah disappeared, and Eli burned his entire life down in his (unsuccessful) search for her. Now, he works as an enforcer for the Crooked Wheel, and his most recent assignment from them puts him closer to the truth about Hannah’s disappearance than he’s ever been before.
Crone is a gritty supernatural noir crime thriller about guilt and shame, regret, grief, and addiction; and although there is a witch in this story (a frightening, original one at that), it’s mostly used as a metaphor to explore those themes. The narrative is shockingly violent at times, poignant and introspective at others, as Rosson weaves his emotionally rich, atmospheric, and pitch-black web. The book is perfectly paced and full of raw, authentic characters that got under my skin, for better or worse. Rosson’s writing is so literary, which makes it all – all the gore, all the emotion – hit even harder.
Crone is my third novel by Keith Rosson, and he just keeps getting better. His books hit all the marks for me; they’re so immersive, with worlds you can’t help but sink into, even if it’s against your will – and they so perfectly balance moments of horror with moments of genuine emotion. I can’t wait for more from Rosson. Thank you to Random House for the complimentary reading opportunity.
Crone is about a disgraced cop and recovering addict, Eli Lamp, who is deeply indebted to a local drug gang called the Crooked Wheel. Thirteen years ago, Eli’s daughter Hannah disappeared, and Eli burned his entire life down in his (unsuccessful) search for her. Now, he works as an enforcer for the Crooked Wheel, and his most recent assignment from them puts him closer to the truth about Hannah’s disappearance than he’s ever been before.
Crone is a gritty supernatural noir crime thriller about guilt and shame, regret, grief, and addiction; and although there is a witch in this story (a frightening, original one at that), it’s mostly used as a metaphor to explore those themes. The narrative is shockingly violent at times, poignant and introspective at others, as Rosson weaves his emotionally rich, atmospheric, and pitch-black web. The book is perfectly paced and full of raw, authentic characters that got under my skin, for better or worse. Rosson’s writing is so literary, which makes it all – all the gore, all the emotion – hit even harder.
Crone is my third novel by Keith Rosson, and he just keeps getting better. His books hit all the marks for me; they’re so immersive, with worlds you can’t help but sink into, even if it’s against your will – and they so perfectly balance moments of horror with moments of genuine emotion. I can’t wait for more from Rosson. Thank you to Random House for the complimentary reading opportunity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 636 reviews