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The Vessel: A Horror Novel
As a child, Josh Finley is abducted by pedophile Michael Traynor.
After 19 days of unimaginable horror, he manages to escape, but in the aftermath, he has amnesia from the trauma. The last thing he remembers of his time in captivity is seeing the dead body of another of Traynor’s young victims.
Ten years later, FBI Special Agent John Rodriguez asks for Josh’s help to try and identify the murdered boy and find where Traynor buried the remains. Rodriguez says Traynor is willing to cooperate, but on one
He’ll only talk to Josh. In coming face-to-face with the man who has haunted him for so many years, Josh uncovers darker secrets than he ever imagined possible, and a horrifying fate that this time, he cannot hope to escape.
After 19 days of unimaginable horror, he manages to escape, but in the aftermath, he has amnesia from the trauma. The last thing he remembers of his time in captivity is seeing the dead body of another of Traynor’s young victims.
Ten years later, FBI Special Agent John Rodriguez asks for Josh’s help to try and identify the murdered boy and find where Traynor buried the remains. Rodriguez says Traynor is willing to cooperate, but on one
He’ll only talk to Josh. In coming face-to-face with the man who has haunted him for so many years, Josh uncovers darker secrets than he ever imagined possible, and a horrifying fate that this time, he cannot hope to escape.
- GenresHorror
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2025
23 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Howard
21 books47 followersS.E. Howard lives in Kentucky where she works as a registered nurse, certified in toxicology (a fitting field given her side-hustle writing horror stories). Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies, and her short story “You’ve Been Saved” was also adapted for the screen in the 2022 GenreBlast film anthology Worst Laid Plans. Her horror novels The Vessel and What Lies Unseen are available now through Aethon Books / Wicked House. For more information, visit online at www.sehoward.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 2, 2026
I binged this is a little less than 24 hrs. I listened to “The Dark Mind Podcast” covering this book and knew I had to read it.
As a child, Josh was abducted and suffers amnesia due to the traumatic event. The FBI approach Josh to help them with an ongoing investigation because his perpetrator will ONLY talk to him about other victims. Grappling with his trauma, Josh learns more about the event, while growing closer to the handsome agent Rodriguez. (Lemme tell you, I ship Josh and Rodriquez hard!)
Howard’s “The Vessel” is gay AF and uncovering the mystery of the what and why behind Josh’s abduction is mind blowing! Get ready for the occult, cool demons, cute dogs (that are totally fine the whole time btw), the secret lives of cam boys, and MORE!
This will probably be one of my top 10 reads of the year. No doubt.
As a child, Josh was abducted and suffers amnesia due to the traumatic event. The FBI approach Josh to help them with an ongoing investigation because his perpetrator will ONLY talk to him about other victims. Grappling with his trauma, Josh learns more about the event, while growing closer to the handsome agent Rodriguez. (Lemme tell you, I ship Josh and Rodriquez hard!)
Howard’s “The Vessel” is gay AF and uncovering the mystery of the what and why behind Josh’s abduction is mind blowing! Get ready for the occult, cool demons, cute dogs (that are totally fine the whole time btw), the secret lives of cam boys, and MORE!
This will probably be one of my top 10 reads of the year. No doubt.
March 1, 2026
As a child, Josh was kidnapped and abused. As an adult, a new horror begins.
The Vessel is an effectively dark alchemy of murder, mystery, and cults. Howard effectively combines what starts as a crime thriller with what is slowly revealed to be a supernatural horror, culminating in a few twists I didn't see coming. All of this is led by Josh, a man who wears his trauma on his sleeve.
A dark ride, and not for the faint of heart, but a recommend all the same. Sometimes, a little darkness is good for the soul, and on that front The Vessel delivers.
The Vessel is an effectively dark alchemy of murder, mystery, and cults. Howard effectively combines what starts as a crime thriller with what is slowly revealed to be a supernatural horror, culminating in a few twists I didn't see coming. All of this is led by Josh, a man who wears his trauma on his sleeve.
A dark ride, and not for the faint of heart, but a recommend all the same. Sometimes, a little darkness is good for the soul, and on that front The Vessel delivers.
December 21, 2025
Overall great book, definitely recommend. Threw me off having a supernatural aspect to it, but didn't mind.
March 8, 2026
I enjoyed the read. I would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews