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The Dummy
Walter finds a ventriloquist dummy. A childhood dream come true.
But things begin to shift. Time slips, shadows move, and the line between old trauma and outside influence thins. The dummy sits still through it all.
Watching. Smiling.
What follows is a spiral into ancient horror, obsession, and fractured faith, as Walter uncovers The Dummy's purpose. Whatever lives behind that painted grin has plans for him, and they reach far beyond one broken mind.
But things begin to shift. Time slips, shadows move, and the line between old trauma and outside influence thins. The dummy sits still through it all.
Watching. Smiling.
What follows is a spiral into ancient horror, obsession, and fractured faith, as Walter uncovers The Dummy's purpose. Whatever lives behind that painted grin has plans for him, and they reach far beyond one broken mind.
- GenresHorror
173 pages, Physical, ebook
Published February 1, 2026
4 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 5, 2026
The book started strong with a mysterious ventriloquist dummy found by Walter. His girlfriends Lauren dislikes it at first sight and think it's spooky. Well, soon Walter's behaviour starts to change. He looks neglected and his mind turns violent. How will the story end? To be honest, the story was gory and intriguing at parts but it dragged a bit and became too predictable. Overall a solid read, but nothing too extraordinary. Recommended!
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December 15, 2025*Thanks to Jonny for a digital ARC of this one!*
Recently, I received a DM on IG from Jonny, asking about the potential of me reviewing his upcoming, debut novella. As scheduling would have it, he messaged at a perfect time where I’d managed to whittle away at a few pending books for review and figured I could easily slot this one in throughout January and have it done prior to release date. But after DNFing a novel, I jumped into this one and ripped through it.
Based on the cover alone, I was expecting a fairly straight-forward story about a man finding a ventriloquist dummy and from there odd things happen and its possessed etc. etc. You know, Night of the Living Dummy, but more extreme, less kid friendly. I wasn’t expecting Ward to start off in that vein, but to quickly ramp things up sideways and bring in elements of psychological turmoil and cosmic horror.
What I liked: We’re introduced right off the bat to our main character, Walter. He works hard, enjoys his down time and is head over heels in love with his girlfriend, Lauren. He lives in a modest apartment and the two of them enjoy watching movies and doing dirty deeds to each other when she’s in town, as she travels extensively for her work.
On this particular day, Walter finds a discarded ventriloquist dummy on his way home and decides to bring it with him, having always wanted one. From there, Ward weaves a tale of discomfort and extremities. Walter finds himself entranced with the dummy, even as Lauren hates it and tells him to get rid of it. After a few odd sleep walking moments, Walter finds himself missing time and is unsure about what’s happening during those blackout spells. On top of that, he falls and hits his head right before Lauren heads out of town again.
It’s this moment where things really go off the rails. The dummy’s trance on Walter explodes and Ward gleefully exploits Walter’s psychological breakdown for the readers benefit. Walter becomes manic and essentially insane, seeing what this cosmic entity wants him to see for its own benefit while using Walter as its own ventriloquist doll.
The ending arrives with a buckets-of-blood finale, Ward deftly bringing the story to an end while leaving the door open for further exploration of things.
What I didn’t like: Really, the only thing that didn’t fully work for me was a character popping up throughout – mysteriously – who gets a reveal at the end, though casual readers won’t recognize the name nor will it be a huge revelation. We don’t find out who that character is until the afterword, where we find out it’s actually a character from another author, and they appear in that author’s series of books. I have the first three books of that series, but haven’t managed to read any of them yet, so it’s both an odd choice to hinge this revelation on a character from somebody else, but also just an odd thing to include a character from somebody else. Though it’s a nice reflection of respect and Jonny shares how that author inspired them, it didn’t add to the ‘Tah-dah!’ moment at the end that I think was supposed to be there.
Why you should buy this: This was a very solid, engaging debut novella that took a familiar trope and turned it on its head. Whether the ‘haunted dummy’ idea works for you or not, it won’t matter here, as Ward twists it and runs off into the tentacled/cosmic horror realm really nicely and does so with a huge smile on his face.
This was a lot of fun and definitely makes me eager to see what Ward does next.
Recently, I received a DM on IG from Jonny, asking about the potential of me reviewing his upcoming, debut novella. As scheduling would have it, he messaged at a perfect time where I’d managed to whittle away at a few pending books for review and figured I could easily slot this one in throughout January and have it done prior to release date. But after DNFing a novel, I jumped into this one and ripped through it.
Based on the cover alone, I was expecting a fairly straight-forward story about a man finding a ventriloquist dummy and from there odd things happen and its possessed etc. etc. You know, Night of the Living Dummy, but more extreme, less kid friendly. I wasn’t expecting Ward to start off in that vein, but to quickly ramp things up sideways and bring in elements of psychological turmoil and cosmic horror.
What I liked: We’re introduced right off the bat to our main character, Walter. He works hard, enjoys his down time and is head over heels in love with his girlfriend, Lauren. He lives in a modest apartment and the two of them enjoy watching movies and doing dirty deeds to each other when she’s in town, as she travels extensively for her work.
On this particular day, Walter finds a discarded ventriloquist dummy on his way home and decides to bring it with him, having always wanted one. From there, Ward weaves a tale of discomfort and extremities. Walter finds himself entranced with the dummy, even as Lauren hates it and tells him to get rid of it. After a few odd sleep walking moments, Walter finds himself missing time and is unsure about what’s happening during those blackout spells. On top of that, he falls and hits his head right before Lauren heads out of town again.
It’s this moment where things really go off the rails. The dummy’s trance on Walter explodes and Ward gleefully exploits Walter’s psychological breakdown for the readers benefit. Walter becomes manic and essentially insane, seeing what this cosmic entity wants him to see for its own benefit while using Walter as its own ventriloquist doll.
The ending arrives with a buckets-of-blood finale, Ward deftly bringing the story to an end while leaving the door open for further exploration of things.
What I didn’t like: Really, the only thing that didn’t fully work for me was a character popping up throughout – mysteriously – who gets a reveal at the end, though casual readers won’t recognize the name nor will it be a huge revelation. We don’t find out who that character is until the afterword, where we find out it’s actually a character from another author, and they appear in that author’s series of books. I have the first three books of that series, but haven’t managed to read any of them yet, so it’s both an odd choice to hinge this revelation on a character from somebody else, but also just an odd thing to include a character from somebody else. Though it’s a nice reflection of respect and Jonny shares how that author inspired them, it didn’t add to the ‘Tah-dah!’ moment at the end that I think was supposed to be there.
Why you should buy this: This was a very solid, engaging debut novella that took a familiar trope and turned it on its head. Whether the ‘haunted dummy’ idea works for you or not, it won’t matter here, as Ward twists it and runs off into the tentacled/cosmic horror realm really nicely and does so with a huge smile on his face.
This was a lot of fun and definitely makes me eager to see what Ward does next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first ever ARC read and I was lucky enough to get a direct copy straight for the author (thank you!)
For starters, that doll? Creepy as hell. I absolutely loved it, I read and watched Goosebumps and at the beginning it has a similar feel to that.
I also adore the madness in this story. I enjoyed the slow increase of how Walter is losing his mind, from small things like him losing his phone, to full on blackouts.
Also the gore in this book was astounding, there are some things that happen that I never would've even thought of. I loved it.
This is such a great novella for those who want to start getting into Splatterpunk or Extreme Horror and don't want a full length novel, I would HIGHLY recommend this!!
For starters, that doll? Creepy as hell. I absolutely loved it, I read and watched Goosebumps and at the beginning it has a similar feel to that.
I also adore the madness in this story. I enjoyed the slow increase of how Walter is losing his mind, from small things like him losing his phone, to full on blackouts.
Also the gore in this book was astounding, there are some things that happen that I never would've even thought of. I loved it.
This is such a great novella for those who want to start getting into Splatterpunk or Extreme Horror and don't want a full length novel, I would HIGHLY recommend this!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm a sucker for a horror story featuring a doll/puppet, so I'm so glad the author reached out to me with the opportunity to read this.
We have a little concoction of everything with this snappy book! Some gore, relationships, lil but of smut, creeps, wonder, and a question if this is a true "that doll is a conduit" or is this mental illness as a result of trauma? At least, that's what I started to question as I was reading it.
Brilliant entry into the genre Jonny!
We have a little concoction of everything with this snappy book! Some gore, relationships, lil but of smut, creeps, wonder, and a question if this is a true "that doll is a conduit" or is this mental illness as a result of trauma? At least, that's what I started to question as I was reading it.
Brilliant entry into the genre Jonny!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
Well hell, this one caught me by surprise on multiple levels.
First off, this is a first work from Ward? That's actually surprising, because Ward can WRITE.
Second, I'm not a fan of dolls and/or ventriloquist dummies. They just don't do it for me. And yet, this one, though it took its time with the slow burn, dragged me in.
And third, while I knew exactly where this story was going, read it a million times, I very quickly found out I didn't have a damn clue where this story was going. I truly couldn't have anticipated that last third whatsoever. This story takes that tired old story trope and turns it right on its head. I want to say more, but I don't want to spoil a damn thing.
Finally, the ending. That caught me completely, totally, absolutely by surprise. And I was freaking delighted.
I absolutely, whole-heartedly suggest you pull out your wallet and plunk down the last piaster you can borrow, and read this creepy ass little gem.
Tell Jonny that Tobin from New Hope sent you.
First off, this is a first work from Ward? That's actually surprising, because Ward can WRITE.
Second, I'm not a fan of dolls and/or ventriloquist dummies. They just don't do it for me. And yet, this one, though it took its time with the slow burn, dragged me in.
And third, while I knew exactly where this story was going, read it a million times, I very quickly found out I didn't have a damn clue where this story was going. I truly couldn't have anticipated that last third whatsoever. This story takes that tired old story trope and turns it right on its head. I want to say more, but I don't want to spoil a damn thing.
Finally, the ending. That caught me completely, totally, absolutely by surprise. And I was freaking delighted.
I absolutely, whole-heartedly suggest you pull out your wallet and plunk down the last piaster you can borrow, and read this creepy ass little gem.
Tell Jonny that Tobin from New Hope sent you.
December 15, 2025
What a fun debut novella by Jonny Ward. He was Clea fan of the goosebumps tale “night of the living dead” I mean how could you not be! This was a book written for goosebumps night of the living dummy fans by a fan.
One key difference is that this story is very clearly written for adults. There is plenty of Christian adult situation and loads of Gore and blood and everything else that makes a good horror story.
This is a place where any horror book fan will find themselves right at home. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this and I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
One key difference is that this story is very clearly written for adults. There is plenty of Christian adult situation and loads of Gore and blood and everything else that makes a good horror story.
This is a place where any horror book fan will find themselves right at home. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this and I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
February 2, 2026
3.5 stars. Congratulations to Jonny Ward on his first book! The cover is gorgeous, the premise is sound, and the quality of the author's writing was on point, too. My biggest critique is a very common one for newer writers, which I was also guilty of myself, in that the author tried to tackle way too much in one sitting in their initial outing. This resulted in some pacing issues, especially early on and a convoluted plot, also including a bit of an odd creative decision to include a random character from another author's book, without much context. Again, I could nitpick this to death, but it all came down to the author trying to smush ten pounds of meat into a five-pound bag, to use that old expression. If Ward made this much longer to flesh out all the different plot points around our lead, the internal monologues, the more supernatural aspects, and all that, or just trimmed this down to something much simpler, either option would have resulted in a better result. Again, the effort was there and I liked the creativity and ambitious nature of the author, it just needed to all be fine-tuned.
January 19, 2026
3.5/5 (rounded up for GoodReads)
When Jonny told me he was writing a novella, I told him I needed to read it when it was done. As such, I was very excited when he reached out to me in December with the final product. 'The Dummy' is a really fun read with so many twists and turns. I really loved the slow progression here of our MC losing days, time and his mind under the influence of the dummy in question. Things get out of hand and worse and worse with every passing day leading to complete and utter chaos, violence and derangement. My only criticism was the reveal at the end though I know the relationship there and can understand why that choice was made. I'm not going to reveal anything in the review regarding the ending but I would have preferred something different personally. Otherwise, I think this is a very solid debut, I'm very proud of Jonny and I cannot wait for his next book!
When Jonny told me he was writing a novella, I told him I needed to read it when it was done. As such, I was very excited when he reached out to me in December with the final product. 'The Dummy' is a really fun read with so many twists and turns. I really loved the slow progression here of our MC losing days, time and his mind under the influence of the dummy in question. Things get out of hand and worse and worse with every passing day leading to complete and utter chaos, violence and derangement. My only criticism was the reveal at the end though I know the relationship there and can understand why that choice was made. I'm not going to reveal anything in the review regarding the ending but I would have preferred something different personally. Otherwise, I think this is a very solid debut, I'm very proud of Jonny and I cannot wait for his next book!
December 9, 2025
This novella grabs you and doesn't let go. From the first page, I was invested in Walter's story. The slow, creeping terror that the author portrayed had me looking over my shoulder. This novella sticks with you, not only for the horror that ensues but the underlying message. Jonny Ward is an author to watch.
January 6, 2026
This novella initially caught my attention because of its title and cover art. I’m a big fan of killer dolls, toys, puppets, and dummies - Chucky and Slappy are personal favorites - so this felt right up my alley.
The opening chapter was promising. I really enjoyed the introduction of the ventriloquist dummy and the way its appearance was described: the dusty violet suit, slicked-back hair, and unsettlingly realistic eyes. As a collector of creepy dolls, I could easily picture him fitting right into my own home décor.
However, as the story progressed, it began to move at a very slow pace for me. Much of the tension comes from Walter experiencing memory gaps and repeatedly finding the dummy in different parts of his apartment without recalling how it got there. While these moments may feel unsettling for some readers, I personally kept waiting for the story to escalate further.
A significant portion of the novella focuses on Walter’s personal and sex life, which felt excessive and distracting from the horror elements. This focus pulled attention away from the dummy itself and didn’t add much to the atmosphere for me. I also struggled to connect with Walter as a character, which made the slow burn harder to stay engaged with. The story doesn’t begin to pick up until around 60% in, and I felt the novella could have benefited from tighter editing.
*Spoiler* In the author’s note, Ward mentions intentionally avoiding the trope of a dummy fully coming to life, as it’s been done many times before. I understand that creative choice, but as someone who loves this subgenre, I was hoping for more physical action from the dummy itself. The limited kill count also fell short for me, and I was especially disappointed by the inclusion of a cat’s death, as it’s something I’m personally tired of seeing in horror. With that said, I really did enjoy the final scene involving Walter, a razor and The Dummy, it was pretty effective and made me wish we had seen more moments like that throughout the story, with less repetition and more visceral action.
Overall, while the story didn’t quite align with my personal tastes, I appreciate the attempt to explore a different, more cosmic angle - which did have some creepy moments towards the end. Readers who enjoy slower-burn psychological/possession horror may still enjoy what this novella has to offer.
The opening chapter was promising. I really enjoyed the introduction of the ventriloquist dummy and the way its appearance was described: the dusty violet suit, slicked-back hair, and unsettlingly realistic eyes. As a collector of creepy dolls, I could easily picture him fitting right into my own home décor.
However, as the story progressed, it began to move at a very slow pace for me. Much of the tension comes from Walter experiencing memory gaps and repeatedly finding the dummy in different parts of his apartment without recalling how it got there. While these moments may feel unsettling for some readers, I personally kept waiting for the story to escalate further.
A significant portion of the novella focuses on Walter’s personal and sex life, which felt excessive and distracting from the horror elements. This focus pulled attention away from the dummy itself and didn’t add much to the atmosphere for me. I also struggled to connect with Walter as a character, which made the slow burn harder to stay engaged with. The story doesn’t begin to pick up until around 60% in, and I felt the novella could have benefited from tighter editing.
*Spoiler* In the author’s note, Ward mentions intentionally avoiding the trope of a dummy fully coming to life, as it’s been done many times before. I understand that creative choice, but as someone who loves this subgenre, I was hoping for more physical action from the dummy itself. The limited kill count also fell short for me, and I was especially disappointed by the inclusion of a cat’s death, as it’s something I’m personally tired of seeing in horror. With that said, I really did enjoy the final scene involving Walter, a razor and The Dummy, it was pretty effective and made me wish we had seen more moments like that throughout the story, with less repetition and more visceral action.
Overall, while the story didn’t quite align with my personal tastes, I appreciate the attempt to explore a different, more cosmic angle - which did have some creepy moments towards the end. Readers who enjoy slower-burn psychological/possession horror may still enjoy what this novella has to offer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, thank you so much for sending me an e-copy!!
3 stars! but might be slightly on a 3.2 edge
To kick off I loved how this was written, love the idea! I don't want to spoil anything really but I would have expected something to be more within the story, I think that's why I was so hyped up for it. Also sometimes it felt like the focus would be too much on the surroundings but that's probably just a preference thing for myself. It's a short read with quite a gorey punch but not too much, so for those wanting something that isn't WOAHHHHHHHHHHH then definitely give this a read! I can't wait to see what else Johnny Ward will do!
3 stars! but might be slightly on a 3.2 edge
To kick off I loved how this was written, love the idea! I don't want to spoil anything really but I would have expected something to be more within the story, I think that's why I was so hyped up for it. Also sometimes it felt like the focus would be too much on the surroundings but that's probably just a preference thing for myself. It's a short read with quite a gorey punch but not too much, so for those wanting something that isn't WOAHHHHHHHHHHH then definitely give this a read! I can't wait to see what else Johnny Ward will do!
December 18, 2025
The Dummy is the kind of book that gets under your skin without asking permission.
From the first few pages, there’s this constant sense that something is off not loud horror, not cheap jump scares, but that slow, creeping dread that makes you pause before turning the page. The atmosphere is heavy, the imagery is disturbing in a quiet way, and the story leans hard into psychological horror instead of overexplaining everything.
What surprised me most was how much this book made me feel uneasy even when “nothing” was happening. The tension lingers. The visuals stick with you. And once the story gets its hooks in, it doesn’t let go.
If you enjoy unsettling horror, uncanny characters, and stories that trust the reader to sit with discomfort, this one is absolutely worth your time. This is the kind of book you finish… and then think about way longer than you want to.
From the first few pages, there’s this constant sense that something is off not loud horror, not cheap jump scares, but that slow, creeping dread that makes you pause before turning the page. The atmosphere is heavy, the imagery is disturbing in a quiet way, and the story leans hard into psychological horror instead of overexplaining everything.
What surprised me most was how much this book made me feel uneasy even when “nothing” was happening. The tension lingers. The visuals stick with you. And once the story gets its hooks in, it doesn’t let go.
If you enjoy unsettling horror, uncanny characters, and stories that trust the reader to sit with discomfort, this one is absolutely worth your time. This is the kind of book you finish… and then think about way longer than you want to.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Dummy by Jonny Ward
This is the flagship post for my book reviews on this page! I'm going to try to do these regularly. New books, old books, and ARCs. Let me know what you think! Are there any books you'd like me to review?
Okay, onto The Dummy, by Jonny Ward. I'm thrilled to be able to provide an ARC review for this exciting novella! Definitely don't (over)sleep on this one! The prose is casual, easy to read, and flows nicely. The chapters go by so fast, I literally read this in a day! I couldn't put it down. I just had to know what the heck was up with this dang dummy! You'll question what's real and what's in Walter's head, but when we start to see more POVs, things start not adding up in the best way. Walter is immediately a character you feel like you know, or can relate to. Lauren is genuinely sweet, and their relationship feels like a real snapshot of a couple.
The sense of danger settles in right away, with missing time and phantom movements ramping up the tension in Watler's apartment. I purely devoured the second half of this book, once things really started to go poorly for our main character. The brutal-meter gets turned up REALLY QUICKLY! The end is reminiscent of King's universe, and that's all I'll say on the matter! I was left wanting more! I hope we see some of these characters (which ones? I'll never tell) again someday.
This is the flagship post for my book reviews on this page! I'm going to try to do these regularly. New books, old books, and ARCs. Let me know what you think! Are there any books you'd like me to review?
Okay, onto The Dummy, by Jonny Ward. I'm thrilled to be able to provide an ARC review for this exciting novella! Definitely don't (over)sleep on this one! The prose is casual, easy to read, and flows nicely. The chapters go by so fast, I literally read this in a day! I couldn't put it down. I just had to know what the heck was up with this dang dummy! You'll question what's real and what's in Walter's head, but when we start to see more POVs, things start not adding up in the best way. Walter is immediately a character you feel like you know, or can relate to. Lauren is genuinely sweet, and their relationship feels like a real snapshot of a couple.
The sense of danger settles in right away, with missing time and phantom movements ramping up the tension in Watler's apartment. I purely devoured the second half of this book, once things really started to go poorly for our main character. The brutal-meter gets turned up REALLY QUICKLY! The end is reminiscent of King's universe, and that's all I'll say on the matter! I was left wanting more! I hope we see some of these characters (which ones? I'll never tell) again someday.
December 10, 2025
The dummy - @nerdyverseom
★6.5/10★
the concept of the story is great. ventriloquist dolls are creepy as fuck - always!
personally the book wasn’t disturbing or gorey enough to make me sick, shocked or disgusted.
i would say however, this book would be perfect for someone who prefers the lighter side of horror/gore/splatterpunk
or if you are new to the genre completely this is a perfect book to edge yourself in the deep end. The slight hint of paranormal and alien like themes is something different to.
for this to be the authors first ever novella i am very impressed with the skill, details and descriptions within the writing.
i was not expecting it to turn out the way that it did which was a nice suprise. I am very excited for this book to be published officially and i am gratful to have been an ARC.
fun side note - i could tell it was based in canada just by the way the characters said ‘’ya’’ instead of ‘’yeah’’ haha
Meow
★6.5/10★
the concept of the story is great. ventriloquist dolls are creepy as fuck - always!
personally the book wasn’t disturbing or gorey enough to make me sick, shocked or disgusted.
i would say however, this book would be perfect for someone who prefers the lighter side of horror/gore/splatterpunk
or if you are new to the genre completely this is a perfect book to edge yourself in the deep end. The slight hint of paranormal and alien like themes is something different to.
for this to be the authors first ever novella i am very impressed with the skill, details and descriptions within the writing.
i was not expecting it to turn out the way that it did which was a nice suprise. I am very excited for this book to be published officially and i am gratful to have been an ARC.
fun side note - i could tell it was based in canada just by the way the characters said ‘’ya’’ instead of ‘’yeah’’ haha
Meow
December 9, 2025
I wouldn’t normally go for this trope, but I’m glad I did. Ward gives us his own special twist on ventriloquists/dummies, and I’m sold. Like others have said, you think you know where it’s going…but you don’t. At all.
And that one scene? IYKYK…with the old man’s…yeah. That?! Ward can write graphic scenes. I’ll leave it at that. :)
Phenomenally awesome debut from this author. I can’t wait to see what he writes next. He’s got original ideas that are refreshing to the genre, with a unique style of writing that keeps you interested.
Five stars.
Now write us another book.
And that one scene? IYKYK…with the old man’s…yeah. That?! Ward can write graphic scenes. I’ll leave it at that. :)
Phenomenally awesome debut from this author. I can’t wait to see what he writes next. He’s got original ideas that are refreshing to the genre, with a unique style of writing that keeps you interested.
Five stars.
Now write us another book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
This was so so good!
It was like getting on a bus, casually driving along with not too much care in the world, enjoying your journey.
Then the bus drove faster; thinking 'okay, maybe we're just going down a slight hill'.
And then the road got bumpy ...
The bus drove faster ... and faster.
And before I knew it there's no stopping this bus, there's no brake, everyone is panicking and flapping...
And boom.
× × ✞ × ×
I couldn't believe 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘺 is the authors debut book ... I went to search for more of Ward's books and this is the only one! I'm definitely keeping my eyes peeled for this author
This was so so good!
It was like getting on a bus, casually driving along with not too much care in the world, enjoying your journey.
Then the bus drove faster; thinking 'okay, maybe we're just going down a slight hill'.
And then the road got bumpy ...
The bus drove faster ... and faster.
And before I knew it there's no stopping this bus, there's no brake, everyone is panicking and flapping...
And boom.
× × ✞ × ×
I couldn't believe 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘺 is the authors debut book ... I went to search for more of Ward's books and this is the only one! I'm definitely keeping my eyes peeled for this author
December 9, 2025
3.8 stars!
Though I haven’t read many books like this that have graphic torture and gore, …BUT I LOVED IT! I could tell Walter had a troublesome past from his flashbacks that would eventually catch up to him and BOY DID IT! And the twist at the end when the “girl” walks in was so blissful to me. Good thing I had read Tobin’s first novella to have known who she was. Wonderful job added her to this book btw!
Thank you Jonny for sending me your first novella to read. I enjoyed it immensely!
Though I haven’t read many books like this that have graphic torture and gore, …BUT I LOVED IT! I could tell Walter had a troublesome past from his flashbacks that would eventually catch up to him and BOY DID IT! And the twist at the end when the “girl” walks in was so blissful to me. Good thing I had read Tobin’s first novella to have known who she was. Wonderful job added her to this book btw!
Thank you Jonny for sending me your first novella to read. I enjoyed it immensely!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 🌟 rounded to 4
As a seasoned splatterpunk lover ive read them all...the gory, the gruesome, the ones that make you vomit in your mouth and curb your appetite to the point that you're turned off your food.
This book was purely for entertainment, it didnt scare me, it had some LOL moments, and proved time and time again how creepy dummies really are, especially when they have a painted grin. You KNOW you CANT TRUST THEM 😈
From the moment Walter dragged home that ventriloquist dummy his so-called (childhood dream come true), you can already feel the unease settling in like a cold draft under a locked door.
The story definitely wasted no time slipping into something darker.
The pacing of this novel is fast! And it goes from zero to 100 real quick!
Time fractures, it slows down, and suddenly the shadows are twitching, and suddenly we're not sure if Walter is losing his grip…as he goes from someone who has it together to someone who doesn't know what day or time it is...
But, that dummy?
Oh, it’s always there.
Watching...Smiling...Just Waiting
For those expecting a story about your typical haunted objects, you'll find that this story goes deeper than that, and its that painted grin on that dummy that makes you feel like its alive.
If you love stories that blend mental breakdowns with supernatural menace, or you’re a sucker for cursed objects and creeping dread, this one is absolutely worth picking up, and its definitely a good place to start if you ever want to give Splatterpunk a real hard go!
As a seasoned splatterpunk lover ive read them all...the gory, the gruesome, the ones that make you vomit in your mouth and curb your appetite to the point that you're turned off your food.
This book was purely for entertainment, it didnt scare me, it had some LOL moments, and proved time and time again how creepy dummies really are, especially when they have a painted grin. You KNOW you CANT TRUST THEM 😈
From the moment Walter dragged home that ventriloquist dummy his so-called (childhood dream come true), you can already feel the unease settling in like a cold draft under a locked door.
The story definitely wasted no time slipping into something darker.
The pacing of this novel is fast! And it goes from zero to 100 real quick!
Time fractures, it slows down, and suddenly the shadows are twitching, and suddenly we're not sure if Walter is losing his grip…as he goes from someone who has it together to someone who doesn't know what day or time it is...
But, that dummy?
Oh, it’s always there.
Watching...Smiling...Just Waiting
For those expecting a story about your typical haunted objects, you'll find that this story goes deeper than that, and its that painted grin on that dummy that makes you feel like its alive.
If you love stories that blend mental breakdowns with supernatural menace, or you’re a sucker for cursed objects and creeping dread, this one is absolutely worth picking up, and its definitely a good place to start if you ever want to give Splatterpunk a real hard go!
Review of advance copy received from Author
An eerie, gore-soaked horror of mental torment and supernatural surrealism.
This story focuses on Walter's steady but increasingly violent downward spiral after he adopts a ventriloquist doll. After his loving girlfriend goes on a work trip, Walter experiences maddening thoughts, time distortions, and irrational beliefs, which cascade into a frenzy of animalistic urges and actions.
Firstly, I love a cover that supports creatives and isn't AI-generated. Also, be mindful of trigger warnings - a list is provided at the beginning with a QR code for additional tw's.
I enjoyed the beginning setup and the overall premise of the book. I would have wished for the beginning to have moved along a little quicker, and I think I was expecting more early story doll involvement(moving spots, more environmental interaction), where as he was quite passive, but perhaps that was the point of a psychological torment. I struggled with the intensity of Walter's sudden shift to rage and perhaps needed something to steadily climb there as a realistic transition. Walter acted irrationally and disproportionally to his surroundings, so I think I would have enjoyed more environmental involvement from realistic threats to build this (not an elderly neighbour). I was quite affected by the animal cruelty, which must have been in the QR code that I regret not scanning. When animal cruelty is implied, I think it carries more weight. When it is so overt, it feels really soul crushing, and for me, I immediately detached from the enjoyment of the book. That's just me personally.
I think this was a great plot premise, with some promising aspects around characters and psychological decline. Recommended for fans of extreme horror with psychological elements.
Thank you to the author for sending this digital copy for an honest opinion.
This story focuses on Walter's steady but increasingly violent downward spiral after he adopts a ventriloquist doll. After his loving girlfriend goes on a work trip, Walter experiences maddening thoughts, time distortions, and irrational beliefs, which cascade into a frenzy of animalistic urges and actions.
Firstly, I love a cover that supports creatives and isn't AI-generated. Also, be mindful of trigger warnings - a list is provided at the beginning with a QR code for additional tw's.
I enjoyed the beginning setup and the overall premise of the book. I would have wished for the beginning to have moved along a little quicker, and I think I was expecting more early story doll involvement(moving spots, more environmental interaction), where as he was quite passive, but perhaps that was the point of a psychological torment. I struggled with the intensity of Walter's sudden shift to rage and perhaps needed something to steadily climb there as a realistic transition. Walter acted irrationally and disproportionally to his surroundings, so I think I would have enjoyed more environmental involvement from realistic threats to build this (not an elderly neighbour). I was quite affected by the animal cruelty, which must have been in the QR code that I regret not scanning. When animal cruelty is implied, I think it carries more weight. When it is so overt, it feels really soul crushing, and for me, I immediately detached from the enjoyment of the book. That's just me personally.
I think this was a great plot premise, with some promising aspects around characters and psychological decline. Recommended for fans of extreme horror with psychological elements.
Thank you to the author for sending this digital copy for an honest opinion.
January 24, 2026
I just finished The Dummy by Jonny Ward, a new and upcoming indie author, and I loved this quick, unsettling read.
The story follows Walter, a genuinely nice guy living a fairly normal life—until he comes across a ventriloquist dummy. He’s wanted one since he was a kid, and despite his girlfriend Lauren finding the thing deeply unsettling, Walter is thrilled to finally own it.
Soon, strange things begin to happen. The dummy starts moving around the apartment. Time begins to feel distorted. Walter struggles to tell what’s real and what isn’t. As Lauren grows increasingly worried, she doesn’t realize that an ancient spirit has taken hold of Walter’s mind—and it won’t let go until blood is shed.
And let me be clear: this is not your Goosebumps dummy. This one is absolutely for adults. I’ve always found ventriloquist dummies creepy (looking at you, Night of the Living Dummy 👀), and Ward fully leans into that discomfort. His writing pulls you in fast—I could vividly picture every scene and felt myself unraveling right alongside Walter while desperately worrying about Lauren.
The ending was insane in the best way and left me wanting more.
The story follows Walter, a genuinely nice guy living a fairly normal life—until he comes across a ventriloquist dummy. He’s wanted one since he was a kid, and despite his girlfriend Lauren finding the thing deeply unsettling, Walter is thrilled to finally own it.
Soon, strange things begin to happen. The dummy starts moving around the apartment. Time begins to feel distorted. Walter struggles to tell what’s real and what isn’t. As Lauren grows increasingly worried, she doesn’t realize that an ancient spirit has taken hold of Walter’s mind—and it won’t let go until blood is shed.
And let me be clear: this is not your Goosebumps dummy. This one is absolutely for adults. I’ve always found ventriloquist dummies creepy (looking at you, Night of the Living Dummy 👀), and Ward fully leans into that discomfort. His writing pulls you in fast—I could vividly picture every scene and felt myself unraveling right alongside Walter while desperately worrying about Lauren.
The ending was insane in the best way and left me wanting more.
Read
December 28, 2025The Dummy by Jonny Ward takes a familiar trope and quietly pulls the rug out from under you. I want to say more about how it does that, but I don’t want to spoil anything. Just trust that this book isn’t doing what you think it’s doing, and that’s where the fun starts.
The horror is quiet. There are no cheap scares or constant shocks. Instead, there’s this steady, nagging sense that something is wrong. Time starts slipping, moments stretch or collapse, and you’re never quite sure if Walter is unraveling or if the world around him is. Watching him go from mostly together to completely unmoored is genuinely unsettling, especially as the story leans harder into psychological and cosmic horror without stopping to explain itself.
The pacing is fast and once it ramps up, it really ramps up. And that ending? Bold! Completely caught me off guard in the best way. This is a smart, eerie debut that takes a well-known trope and twists it into something strange and memorable.
The horror is quiet. There are no cheap scares or constant shocks. Instead, there’s this steady, nagging sense that something is wrong. Time starts slipping, moments stretch or collapse, and you’re never quite sure if Walter is unraveling or if the world around him is. Watching him go from mostly together to completely unmoored is genuinely unsettling, especially as the story leans harder into psychological and cosmic horror without stopping to explain itself.
The pacing is fast and once it ramps up, it really ramps up. And that ending? Bold! Completely caught me off guard in the best way. This is a smart, eerie debut that takes a well-known trope and twists it into something strange and memorable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up
A huge thank you to @nerdyverseom for trusting me as one of your ARC readers 🖤
"𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩."
A man finds an abandoned ventriloquist doll and decides to take it home, what could go wrong?
I'll be honest, dolls and any sort of possession horror absolutely terrify me. So when Jonny asked if I'd read his novella, I didn't know what I would walking into. Now that I've finished the story, I can confirm that I am still scared sh*tless of dolls, but I'm so glad I picked this one up before the end of the year.
The fact that this is Jonnys debut novella is wild, each page is filled with growing dread that I just couldn't turn away from. I loved the premise and the big reveal of what the doll truly represented. Poor, poor Lauren should have listened to her gut...
If you were a fan of Goosebumps as a kid, specifically Night of the Living Dummy, & like your books a little more gore filled as an adult, this one is for you!
𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚...
👁️creepy dolls lerking
🧠slow descends into madness
⛪religious trauma
🔪not so HEA
TW: off page rape, animal abuse/death, murder, religious trauma
A huge thank you to @nerdyverseom for trusting me as one of your ARC readers 🖤
"𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩."
A man finds an abandoned ventriloquist doll and decides to take it home, what could go wrong?
I'll be honest, dolls and any sort of possession horror absolutely terrify me. So when Jonny asked if I'd read his novella, I didn't know what I would walking into. Now that I've finished the story, I can confirm that I am still scared sh*tless of dolls, but I'm so glad I picked this one up before the end of the year.
The fact that this is Jonnys debut novella is wild, each page is filled with growing dread that I just couldn't turn away from. I loved the premise and the big reveal of what the doll truly represented. Poor, poor Lauren should have listened to her gut...
If you were a fan of Goosebumps as a kid, specifically Night of the Living Dummy, & like your books a little more gore filled as an adult, this one is for you!
𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚...
👁️creepy dolls lerking
🧠slow descends into madness
⛪religious trauma
🔪not so HEA
TW: off page rape, animal abuse/death, murder, religious trauma
January 22, 2026
I wish I could give this book 4.5 stars but I really enjoyed this book so much. I have always been a Goosebumps fan and the dummy always rubbed me the wrong way. Jonny brought to life more of what it would be like if Goosebumps was Unrated and we were blessed with all of the blood and gore you could imagine.
For his first novella, it is written very well with the characters having depth without going overboard and letting you see little by little Walter going crazy.
It was giving me King vibes with Tales of the Crypt horror.
It’s one of those stories that you don’t forget and makes you think about it anytime you see a dummy waiting to be bought at an antique store. If you want detailed bloody horror with a side of crazy, then this is your book 💋🖤
For his first novella, it is written very well with the characters having depth without going overboard and letting you see little by little Walter going crazy.
It was giving me King vibes with Tales of the Crypt horror.
It’s one of those stories that you don’t forget and makes you think about it anytime you see a dummy waiting to be bought at an antique store. If you want detailed bloody horror with a side of crazy, then this is your book 💋🖤
January 26, 2026
This was a wild and creepy read!! 🙌
Definitely not one for the faint of heart, though!! Graphically gory, it gave me some serious heebie jeebies and had me squirming at times! But such a fun extreme horror read! And a quick one, too!! Definitely recommend checking it out, especially if ventriloquist dummies creep you out! Just be sure to check trigger warnings! 🫣
Thank you to Jonny Ward for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ Looking forward to reading more from you!
Definitely not one for the faint of heart, though!! Graphically gory, it gave me some serious heebie jeebies and had me squirming at times! But such a fun extreme horror read! And a quick one, too!! Definitely recommend checking it out, especially if ventriloquist dummies creep you out! Just be sure to check trigger warnings! 🫣
Thank you to Jonny Ward for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ Looking forward to reading more from you!
December 17, 2025
First off, thank you to Mr. Ward for allowing me to get my hands on an advanced readers copy of his debut novella.
I went into this one thinking this story would be one thing, and it ended up being totally different; and I love that! This one is brutal, bloody and unforgiving. The tension and unease start at the beginning and just grows and grows. And that ending! My eyes were building and mouth was wide as I read that sh*t 🤣 HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!!! Add it to your TBR now
January 17, 2026
Walt’s bagged himself a ventriloquist dummy and this little guy is creepy as f*ck!
Strange things start happening now that Walt has a dummy in his life. He loses whole expanses of time and he can’t work out why. Walt descends into a chaotic mess a million miles from who he used to be and this is where this story really opens up.
The chapters are short in this one and I really enjoyed the writing style. There’s body horror and psychosis dripping through the pages like blood through carpet and I loved it.
Strange things start happening now that Walt has a dummy in his life. He loses whole expanses of time and he can’t work out why. Walt descends into a chaotic mess a million miles from who he used to be and this is where this story really opens up.
The chapters are short in this one and I really enjoyed the writing style. There’s body horror and psychosis dripping through the pages like blood through carpet and I loved it.
December 22, 2025
This is a nicely done horror novella, bordering on splattergore but not over the top about it.
A guy picks up a discarded ventriloquist dummy, setting off his descent into madness. Or perhaps his possession by a great evil. You’ll have to read it to find out which.
This was well written and features a relatable everyman who devolves into something less. Or perhaps evolves into something more. Who can say?
A guy picks up a discarded ventriloquist dummy, setting off his descent into madness. Or perhaps his possession by a great evil. You’ll have to read it to find out which.
This was well written and features a relatable everyman who devolves into something less. Or perhaps evolves into something more. Who can say?
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've always been afraid of Slappy ever since my first childhood XP watching Goosebumps (Thanks, R. L. Stine)—and now Jonny has given me even more reasons to be terrified of ventriloquist dummies...
A wild novella that really sinks into your skin and consumes your attention 🫣 but beware, you're in for various TW scares...
(I appreciated SO much how Jonny handles the sensitive nature of these in his warning before you proceed 🖤)
If your morbid curiosity is getting the best of you, it's your sign to read this one 😏
A huge thank-you to Jonny for reaching out and putting his novella on my reading radar—always happy to read ARCs from indie authors!
A wild novella that really sinks into your skin and consumes your attention 🫣 but beware, you're in for various TW scares...
(I appreciated SO much how Jonny handles the sensitive nature of these in his warning before you proceed 🖤)
If your morbid curiosity is getting the best of you, it's your sign to read this one 😏
A huge thank-you to Jonny for reaching out and putting his novella on my reading radar—always happy to read ARCs from indie authors!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I quite liked this! I grew up with Goosebumps as a kid, so I remember Night of the Living Dummy really well! I had an idea of how I thought this book would go, and all of my predictions turned out wrong, this book kept me guessing. It was a refreshing take on the freaky Dummy plot (loved that you gave your rationale for that in your author's note). Full of suspense, horror and mannnnnnnn those last few pages! I can taste the smell of that dude's apartment and Sprinkles will haunt me for eternity! 😅
I quite liked this! I grew up with Goosebumps as a kid, so I remember Night of the Living Dummy really well! I had an idea of how I thought this book would go, and all of my predictions turned out wrong, this book kept me guessing. It was a refreshing take on the freaky Dummy plot (loved that you gave your rationale for that in your author's note). Full of suspense, horror and mannnnnnnn those last few pages! I can taste the smell of that dude's apartment and Sprinkles will haunt me for eternity! 😅
January 3, 2026
Walter’s story is one that is immediately intriguing. I found myself unable to put this book down! Pulling inspiration from R.L. Stine’s iconic “Night of the Living Dummy,” “The Dummy” is an unsettling and anxiety-inducing slow-burn. It features gnarly body horror, and while you wouldn’t have been able to tell from my facial expressions upon reading, I absolutely loved it!
I wish the dummy was featured more than it was, and the ending left something to be desired. However, this is certainly a creepy read with phenomenal gore-factor. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys gore and body horror!
“The Dummy ” is out on February 1, 2026!
❗️Content warnings: gore, memory lapse, animal cruelty / abuse / death, body horror, self-mutilation
Thank you to Jonny Ward for a ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I wish the dummy was featured more than it was, and the ending left something to be desired. However, this is certainly a creepy read with phenomenal gore-factor. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys gore and body horror!
“The Dummy ” is out on February 1, 2026!
❗️Content warnings: gore, memory lapse, animal cruelty / abuse / death, body horror, self-mutilation
Thank you to Jonny Ward for a ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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