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Bleak Haven #4
Fear Farm
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Welcome to Bleak The town you won't (or can't!) leave...
The nail-biting conclusion to the Bleak Haven series, in Vincent Ralph's signature, terrifying style!
The Fear Farm fright-fest is the one night of the year when Bleak Haven’s residents are happy to be afraid.
Most people turn a blind eye to the "accidents" that have previously blighted the attraction, but seventeen-year-old Tori Swift has other ideas.
Convinced that there’s an aspiring killer in their midst, Tori auditions alongside her classmates, perfecting her role as the ideal villain while secretly searching for the real thing.
But when tragedy strikes, a murderer is suddenly on the loose in a place where everyone pays to be terrified.
The nail-biting conclusion to the Bleak Haven series, in Vincent Ralph's signature, terrifying style!
The Fear Farm fright-fest is the one night of the year when Bleak Haven’s residents are happy to be afraid.
Most people turn a blind eye to the "accidents" that have previously blighted the attraction, but seventeen-year-old Tori Swift has other ideas.
Convinced that there’s an aspiring killer in their midst, Tori auditions alongside her classmates, perfecting her role as the ideal villain while secretly searching for the real thing.
But when tragedy strikes, a murderer is suddenly on the loose in a place where everyone pays to be terrified.
240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 15, 2026
6 people are currently reading
6133 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Ralph
15 books745 followersVincent Ralph is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of YA thrillers 14 Ways to Die, Lock the Doors, Secrets Never Die, and One House Left. He is an Edgar Award nominee, winner of the Southern Schools
Book Award, and the author of picture book A Boy Called Book.
The first two novels in the Bleak Haven series - Dead Fake and Night Terror - will be published in January 2026.
Book Award, and the author of picture book A Boy Called Book.
The first two novels in the Bleak Haven series - Dead Fake and Night Terror - will be published in January 2026.
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April 1, 2026Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC! Fear Farm by Vincent Ralph comes out on September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Fear Farm” by Vincent Ralph, the last Bleak Haven book, is basically what happens when a creepy haunted attraction turns into an actual slasher movie; and honestly, it’s a pretty fun (and bloody) ride.
This is the final book in the Bleak Haven series, and while you can read it on its own, you’ll definitely get more out of it if you already know how messed up this town is. Bleak Haven has a history, and Fear Farm is just the latest addition to its long list of bad decisions. The series definitely goes out with a bloody bang with this book.
The story follows Tori, who takes a job at Fear Farm, which is a popular haunted attraction where teens act as killers and victims for customers. But immediately things start feeling off almost immediately. People have been getting hurt on this property for years, including Tori’s own sister, and Tori is convinced it’s not just “accidents.” So naturally, she decides to investigate from the inside.
Tori’s motivation adds a lot to the story. She’s not just trying to solve a mystery; she’s also dealing with her own trauma after surviving a past abduction. There’s this strong underlying theme of her wanting to take control and fight back against the kind of evil she couldn’t stop before, which makes her easy to root for (even when she makes some questionable decisions later on).
The first half leans more into mystery than horror. There’s a lot of setup, like learning the layout of the farm, meeting a lot of characters, dealing with weird training rituals and hazing, and noticing little red flags that something isn’t right. There’s even a documentary producer filming the place, which adds another layer of “something bad is definitely going to happen here.”
And then the second half hits—and it goes full slasher. No holding back, even for a YA book.
A killer in a pig mask starts hunting down the employees during a rehearsal, and from there it’s chaos. The deaths are brutal, creative, and nonstop, and the whole thing feels like you’re watching a horror movie play out in real time. If you like classic slasher vibes (final girl energy, masked killer, people dropping one by one), this part absolutely delivers.
Tori pretty much steps into that “final girl” role, and while she’s determined and tough, she also makes some frustrating choices in the heat of the moment, which, to be fair, is very on-brand for the genre.
The twists are another highlight. The killer’s identity is genuinely surprising, and there are a couple more turns near the end that keep things interesting. Some of it might stretch believability a bit (especially when you think too hard about the logistics), but it’s easy to overlook when you’re caught up in the action.
The ending wraps things up pretty well, especially for a series finale. It’s not completely happy, but it gives Tori some closure and shows her starting to heal, which feels earned after everything she’s been through. That said, it can feel a little rushed compared to how strong the buildup is.
Overall, “Fear Farm” is a solid, entertaining slasher with a good mix of mystery, tension, and emotional depth. It starts a bit slow, but once it gets going, it really gets going. If you’re into spooky season reads, masked killers, and chaotic final girl energy, this one is definitely worth picking up.
“Fear Farm” by Vincent Ralph, the last Bleak Haven book, is basically what happens when a creepy haunted attraction turns into an actual slasher movie; and honestly, it’s a pretty fun (and bloody) ride.
This is the final book in the Bleak Haven series, and while you can read it on its own, you’ll definitely get more out of it if you already know how messed up this town is. Bleak Haven has a history, and Fear Farm is just the latest addition to its long list of bad decisions. The series definitely goes out with a bloody bang with this book.
The story follows Tori, who takes a job at Fear Farm, which is a popular haunted attraction where teens act as killers and victims for customers. But immediately things start feeling off almost immediately. People have been getting hurt on this property for years, including Tori’s own sister, and Tori is convinced it’s not just “accidents.” So naturally, she decides to investigate from the inside.
Tori’s motivation adds a lot to the story. She’s not just trying to solve a mystery; she’s also dealing with her own trauma after surviving a past abduction. There’s this strong underlying theme of her wanting to take control and fight back against the kind of evil she couldn’t stop before, which makes her easy to root for (even when she makes some questionable decisions later on).
The first half leans more into mystery than horror. There’s a lot of setup, like learning the layout of the farm, meeting a lot of characters, dealing with weird training rituals and hazing, and noticing little red flags that something isn’t right. There’s even a documentary producer filming the place, which adds another layer of “something bad is definitely going to happen here.”
And then the second half hits—and it goes full slasher. No holding back, even for a YA book.
A killer in a pig mask starts hunting down the employees during a rehearsal, and from there it’s chaos. The deaths are brutal, creative, and nonstop, and the whole thing feels like you’re watching a horror movie play out in real time. If you like classic slasher vibes (final girl energy, masked killer, people dropping one by one), this part absolutely delivers.
Tori pretty much steps into that “final girl” role, and while she’s determined and tough, she also makes some frustrating choices in the heat of the moment, which, to be fair, is very on-brand for the genre.
The twists are another highlight. The killer’s identity is genuinely surprising, and there are a couple more turns near the end that keep things interesting. Some of it might stretch believability a bit (especially when you think too hard about the logistics), but it’s easy to overlook when you’re caught up in the action.
The ending wraps things up pretty well, especially for a series finale. It’s not completely happy, but it gives Tori some closure and shows her starting to heal, which feels earned after everything she’s been through. That said, it can feel a little rushed compared to how strong the buildup is.
Overall, “Fear Farm” is a solid, entertaining slasher with a good mix of mystery, tension, and emotional depth. It starts a bit slow, but once it gets going, it really gets going. If you’re into spooky season reads, masked killers, and chaotic final girl energy, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Want to Read
April 10, 20264.5/5 – A Thrilling, Gory Finale That Delivers on the Bleak Haven PromiseVincent Ralph saves the best (or should I say, the most terrifying) for last with Fear Farm, the nail-biting conclusion to his Bleak Haven series. If you've made it through Dead Fake, Night Terror, and Corpse Creek, this one feels like the chaotic payoff the cursed town has been building toward all along.The premise is deliciously sinister: Fear Farm is the one night a year when the residents of Bleak Haven actually want to be scared. It's their annual fright-fest, a Halloween-style event where "accidents" are politely ignored and the line between fun and fear blurs into something far more dangerous. Ralph leans hard into his signature style—twisty, gory, and relentlessly tense—turning what could have been a standard slasher setup into a town-wide nightmare that ties together the lingering horrors, curses, and secrets from the previous books.
@StMartinsPress
What works brilliantly here is how Ralph uses the festival setting to ramp up the stakes. The atmosphere is thick with dread from the opening pages: corn mazes (or whatever twisted attractions await), masked figures, screaming crowds, and that constant underlying sense that something in Bleak Haven is feeding on the fear itself. The pacing is breakneck, with short, punchy chapters that make it almost impossible to put down once the "accidents" start turning deadly for real. Ralph's teen protagonists feel authentic—flawed, scared, and increasingly desperate as they realize the town won't let them escape its grip.The gore level is satisfyingly high without feeling gratuitous; it's classic Vincent Ralph horror that echoes the visceral thrills of his earlier YA standalones like 14 Ways to Die and Lock the Doors, but with the added depth of a shared universe. The way he weaves in callbacks to the earlier installments—echoes of deepfakes, night terrors, and whatever fresh hell Corpse Creek introduced—gives the whole series a satisfying cohesion. By the end, many of the town's darkest mysteries click into place in ways that feel earned rather than convenient.If there's a minor critique, it's that some threads resolve a touch quickly in the final act (a common challenge in series finales), and readers completely new to Bleak Haven might feel a bit lost without the context of the prior books. But for fans, it's pure catnip.Overall, Fear Farm is a strong, scary capstone that cements Bleak Haven as one of the most fun and creepy YA horror settings in recent years. It has modern Goosebumps energy with sharper teeth and real emotional weight. If you're into twisty, atmospheric horror with a cursed-town vibe, this series (and especially its finale) is a must-read.Highly recommended— just don't plan on sleeping easy afterward. Welcome to Bleak Haven... the town you won't (or can't) leave.
@StMartinsPress
What works brilliantly here is how Ralph uses the festival setting to ramp up the stakes. The atmosphere is thick with dread from the opening pages: corn mazes (or whatever twisted attractions await), masked figures, screaming crowds, and that constant underlying sense that something in Bleak Haven is feeding on the fear itself. The pacing is breakneck, with short, punchy chapters that make it almost impossible to put down once the "accidents" start turning deadly for real. Ralph's teen protagonists feel authentic—flawed, scared, and increasingly desperate as they realize the town won't let them escape its grip.The gore level is satisfyingly high without feeling gratuitous; it's classic Vincent Ralph horror that echoes the visceral thrills of his earlier YA standalones like 14 Ways to Die and Lock the Doors, but with the added depth of a shared universe. The way he weaves in callbacks to the earlier installments—echoes of deepfakes, night terrors, and whatever fresh hell Corpse Creek introduced—gives the whole series a satisfying cohesion. By the end, many of the town's darkest mysteries click into place in ways that feel earned rather than convenient.If there's a minor critique, it's that some threads resolve a touch quickly in the final act (a common challenge in series finales), and readers completely new to Bleak Haven might feel a bit lost without the context of the prior books. But for fans, it's pure catnip.Overall, Fear Farm is a strong, scary capstone that cements Bleak Haven as one of the most fun and creepy YA horror settings in recent years. It has modern Goosebumps energy with sharper teeth and real emotional weight. If you're into twisty, atmospheric horror with a cursed-town vibe, this series (and especially its finale) is a must-read.Highly recommended— just don't plan on sleeping easy afterward. Welcome to Bleak Haven... the town you won't (or can't) leave.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This one was a thrill! Through 2 books we’ve heard of the Fear Farm Massacre and now we get to hear what happened that night! Tori Swift has audition to be a part of Bleak Haven’s Fear Farm for the last two years, this year her third, she finally gets a part. Fear Farm is the town’s answer to all the horrors that have occurred in Bleak Haven, a horror attraction that brings the scary. But Tori knows there is something seriously wrong with Fear Farm, has been for years. There’s a killer there and Tori is going to catch them. You she knows what kind of evil can lurk in the shadows. Once before she had the chance to stop a monster and didn’t, now it haunts her everyday. She’s not about to let it happen again. As this year’s Fear Farm gets underway it’s clear, to Tori at least, that someone is once again up to their old tricks. Props being where they shouldn’t, oh and someone stabbed her. Then on the night of the cast’s dress rehearsal the first person dies. Soon the remaining cast is being stalked by someone in a pig mask. Tori was right all along. But who are they and why are they doing this? Tori’s determined to make it out alive, both her and her best friend. But with danger at every turn, and no idea who to trust, can they survive? A super intense story that had me hooked from the beginning! It’s fast paced and intriguing and I read it in one day! Vincent Ralph does an excellent job with another dark and twisted tale from Bleak Haven! Tori’s history and her determination to catch a killer no one even believed existed was captivating! And once the killings started I had to know who was behind the mask! Definitely one of my favorites of the Bleak Haven series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of Advanced Copy Received from NetGalley
In “Fear Farm”, we follow Tori as she goes on a journey to find out if there is a serial killer causing havoc to the annual fright-fest, and we read along as she dives head-in to the action. Instead of staying on the outskirts, she auditions to be an actual part of the fright-fest. This book reads as a slasher film-turned book, and I greatly enjoyed that! It was fun to go through each chapter knowing that someone was the “bad guy”, but not quite knowing who. It definitely kept me guessing!
The premise of this book drew me in, despite not having read the other books in the series. I believe you can read this one as a stand-alone, though I'm sure you definitely miss some context and plot points. It was a short read, and I wish it was just a little longer!
In “Fear Farm”, we follow Tori as she goes on a journey to find out if there is a serial killer causing havoc to the annual fright-fest, and we read along as she dives head-in to the action. Instead of staying on the outskirts, she auditions to be an actual part of the fright-fest. This book reads as a slasher film-turned book, and I greatly enjoyed that! It was fun to go through each chapter knowing that someone was the “bad guy”, but not quite knowing who. It definitely kept me guessing!
The premise of this book drew me in, despite not having read the other books in the series. I believe you can read this one as a stand-alone, though I'm sure you definitely miss some context and plot points. It was a short read, and I wish it was just a little longer!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Tori knows that something sinister is behind the "accidents" that happen every season at Fear Farm. Despite her sister's near-death experience, Tori auditions for this season's event with the determination to solve the mystery. When Tori's suspicions become true and a masked assailant starts picking them off one by one, Tori may not survive the night to solve the mystery.
Fear Farm is my first read in the Bleak Haven universe. I didn't feel confused having not read the other books. While this one will definitely appeal to seasoned horror fans, I think the slasher style is a bit much for younger readers or readers who "think" they want to read horror. I think the ending wrapped up a little too nicely and lacked the necessary backstory to make it believable. Definitely a solid pick for horror fans, but probably not one I plan on purchasing.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
Fear Farm is my first read in the Bleak Haven universe. I didn't feel confused having not read the other books. While this one will definitely appeal to seasoned horror fans, I think the slasher style is a bit much for younger readers or readers who "think" they want to read horror. I think the ending wrapped up a little too nicely and lacked the necessary backstory to make it believable. Definitely a solid pick for horror fans, but probably not one I plan on purchasing.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 out of 5 stars
YA Horror
This is my third book I've read from this author and I loved this one just as much as they other two. Vincent Ralph writes horror in a way that I can put the book down. I would never want to visit Bleak Haven. Bleak Haven has always been a place where fear is currency, but the annual Fear Farm fright-fest pushes that idea to its limit. 17 year old, Tori refuses to accept that the town just keeps having accidents happening. She auditions for Fear Farm so she can play a villain to maybe catch one instead. What happens when Tori comes face to face with a murderer, will she make it out alive?
YA Horror
This is my third book I've read from this author and I loved this one just as much as they other two. Vincent Ralph writes horror in a way that I can put the book down. I would never want to visit Bleak Haven. Bleak Haven has always been a place where fear is currency, but the annual Fear Farm fright-fest pushes that idea to its limit. 17 year old, Tori refuses to accept that the town just keeps having accidents happening. She auditions for Fear Farm so she can play a villain to maybe catch one instead. What happens when Tori comes face to face with a murderer, will she make it out alive?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The final book of the bleak haven series! I guess all good things must come to an end, but I could have kept reading more of these stories. As for the series itself, they are all most reads, and while you could read any of them as a stand alone (including this book) you definitely benefit from reading them in sequential order!
I loved the atmosphere of this book, it made for a perfect conclusion and really helped wrap things up in a way this series deserved. A great book and a standout series
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!! Such a privilege to get to review this series!
I loved the atmosphere of this book, it made for a perfect conclusion and really helped wrap things up in a way this series deserved. A great book and a standout series
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!! Such a privilege to get to review this series!
April 8, 2026
This was such a satisfying ending to the series
I think out of all 4 this was my favourite I think mainly because it reminded me of a good old fashioned slasher which is always my favourite and this one also included a creepy farm a pig mask two killers and lots of dropped bodies’
I really didn’t suspect the killer until almost the end which was great because it added to the suspense of the book!
I think out of all 4 this was my favourite I think mainly because it reminded me of a good old fashioned slasher which is always my favourite and this one also included a creepy farm a pig mask two killers and lots of dropped bodies’
I really didn’t suspect the killer until almost the end which was great because it added to the suspense of the book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Vincent Ralph for the opportunity to read and review this ARC! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fear Farm was dark, unsettling, and completely addictive from the very first chapter. Vincent Ralph created such an eerie atmosphere that I felt tense the entire time, never fully trusting anyone or anything happening around the characters. The suspense built perfectly, and every reveal kept me hooked even more. This was the kind of thriller that keeps your mind racing long after you finish reading.
Fear Farm was dark, unsettling, and completely addictive from the very first chapter. Vincent Ralph created such an eerie atmosphere that I felt tense the entire time, never fully trusting anyone or anything happening around the characters. The suspense built perfectly, and every reveal kept me hooked even more. This was the kind of thriller that keeps your mind racing long after you finish reading.
Review of advance copy
Brilliant conclusion to the Bleak Haven series. I love the world that Vincent Ralph has created. You never know how twisted Bleak Haven can get until you’ve read all 4 in the series. I also loved reading each book and spotting little Easter eggs from the other books and characters. I enjoyed each one in their own unique way and a loved how different they all were. I’m also a big fan of the jumps in time from one book to the next. I only wish there were more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was fun! I have to admit that I was a little bored at times during the first half, but the second half is pure slasher goodness! The deaths were gruesome, plentiful and varied. The twists were shocking, and the writing is engaging. What more could you want? Fear Farm would be the perfect read for spooky season! I'm disappointed to see this is the conclusion to the Bleak Haven series. It seems like there are still so many stories that could be told. Even though I liked some more than others, I very much enjoyed this series overall and would definitely recommend it! Love the covers as well!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A perfect slasher novel! I didn't realize this was part of a series when I requested it. So, I'll definitely have to go back and read the others too. If you're a fan of gorey, fast paced, horror reads that feel like you're watching your favorite scary movie, then this one's for you!
Thabks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.
Thabks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.
March 8, 2026
This might be my favorite in the series! I love a good slasher and boy did this one deliver. We’re back in Bleak Haven in the late 90’s this time and our MC is determined to figure out who’s behind all the dangerous shenanigans going on at Fear Farm. It goes full slasher and I’m here for it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, for providing the copy of Fear Farm by Vincent Ralph. I loved this book right away, even though I’m not a horror fan. The story was immersive, and the writing was easy to read and engaging. This is a great addition to the Bleak Have series! 4 stars
May 6, 2026
Happy to return back to the twisted town of Bleak Haven in Fear Farm. This one starts out quick and never lets up. Fear Farm is a great addition to this series, it’s dark, graphic, and overall a little unsettling.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another great creepy installment from the town of Bleak Haven..
This one takes place on Fear Farm.. a place the town goes to to be scared.. but not all the scares are for show!
These books are stand alone in the same town... read them in any order
This was my fave!
This one takes place on Fear Farm.. a place the town goes to to be scared.. but not all the scares are for show!
These books are stand alone in the same town... read them in any order
This was my fave!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
He’s done it again! Another bright hot slasher. It burns quick. This one may actually be my favorite. It was a fun concept. Not too many characters, and I genuinely didn’t guess a twist. I also appreciated there was no sappy ending. Because no one wins in a slasher they only survive
Want to Read
December 26, 2025I can’t wait, but I just can’t stand how AI-generated covers look. 😭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. The final installment of the bleak haven series was an absolute hit! It was definitely my favorite out of the four books.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
What a great story. It had the perfect amount of thrills and dread. Loved the atmosphere and, of course, the characters. Bonus is that the cover is really cool.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
If you like your heart rate going up and sitting on the edge of your seat while reading a book. FEAR FARM is the book for you!!! The book cover says it all!! Wow!!!
May 12, 2026
4⭐️
This book was absolutely insane. It completely transformed from the first half of the story. Currently watching Enchanted to heal myself after the sheer terror I felt reading this…
This book was absolutely insane. It completely transformed from the first half of the story. Currently watching Enchanted to heal myself after the sheer terror I felt reading this…
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you St. Martin’s Press Group for sending me the advanced copy. Great book! Beginning was a little slow, but then it picked up pretty good. Great addition to the series! Vincent Ralph is an author I enjoy reading. Thanks again, St Martin’s Publishing Group.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews