The Chain House

by J.H. Markert

A dangerous cult leader, days away from execution, reveals he is the famous author behind a bestselling series. With his death, the final, unpublished manuscript—and the crucial evidence it contains—will never see the light of day. 

In the tradition of Stephen King, this page-turning thriller from author J. H. Markert is packed with mindbending twists.

Days before his execution, notorious cult leader and mass murderer Sal Batise grants an unlikely interview to a young filmmaker, Sam Harper.

This interview could launch Sam’s career. But his carefully planned questions—including the one about the recently kidnapped governor’s wife—fall apart when Batise seizes control. 

On live TV, Batise claims that he is Mallard Malone, the anonymous author of a blockbuster thriller series. Stay his execution, and he’ll release the final unpublished manuscript that holds the key to finding his victims’ bodies.  

At the same time, a ransom note arrives with a single demand to save the governor’s Batise’s execution must go on as planned. 

As fiction and reality collide, Batise refuses to talk to anyone but Sam. 

Sam teams up with Jennifer Daley, a childhood survivor of Batise’s cult, to locate the missing manuscript and uncover the truth behind their own ties to Batise, as the clock ticks down to the execution—and the fate of the governor’s wife.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Also writes under James Markert.

J. H. Markert is a producer, screenwriter, husband, and father of two from Louisville, Kentucky, where he was also a tennis pro for 25 years. He graduated with a degree in History from the University of Louisville.

Reviews

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️BANGER ALERT‼️

My sweet fellow thriller fiends, I present to you James Markert’s ultimate masterpiece! I give you all my guarantee that this novel will be a favorite of 2026! And boy, is it a BANGER!!!!

Sal Batise is a notorious cult leader who is about to be executed in just a few days. He is granted a last televised interview with a new documentarian, Sam Harper.

He claims to know where another body is buried with hopes to grant a stay. But, does he have so much more to reveal.

Holy F*** this book was SPECTACULAR! Once I started, I couldn’t stop! You absolutely won’t be able to put this one down. It’s nail-biting good. My heart was literally going to explode out of my chest towards the end. Highly suspenseful and an epic tale you won’t forget.

The less you know the better. Excellent characters to root for and it even pulls at your heartstrings. This story has EVERYTHING!

This is your sign to pre-order your copy now!

ALL OF THE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🔥 Be on the lookout for my friend’s @bibliopeeks review! We highly agree!!!

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for my gifted copy!

[mo • lesmotsdemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley.
Overall, it was an engaging read. It had a strong start, that set the tone. It was a well-crafted complex story with multiple storylines and timelines entangled. And it was fast-paced and suspenseful. Every storyline was important and added elements to the overarching plot; they all contributed to the story. Some points of view were more compelling than others for me, but I understood their presence and appreciated what they added to the story. I wanted some elements of the plot to be developed a little bit more, these elements felt more one-dimensional than they should have been (one in particular, but I won’t say which because I don’t want to spoil). The ending was slighly unrealistic and unhinged, and it did not grip me as much as the rest of the story did. It was too much in some ways. But I still definitely recommend this story.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Michelle Kenneth - PerfectionistWannabe.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early copy of this book at StokerCon, and an eARC from the publisher.

I am a huge J.H. Markert fan and this book did not disappoint.

This book reminded me of all of the reasons why I loved Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lecter series. The intrigue, the rush to save someone before a serial killer kills them, tie in that prisoner inside helping them find the serial killer before it is too late. Boy, this was like reliving those moments when you were on the edge of your seat, racing to the end to see what happens.

What I also found interesting were the tie-ins to current events and the grumblings going on underneath the surface. A class war, so to speak. Charles Manson tried to start a race war. Sal Batise, a modern day Charles Manson, is the leader of a cult that sends his followers out to kill wealthy people. After being caught after they killed the Hawthorne family, the majority of the cult is behind bars.

But as Batise nears his execution, he has one last chain to pull. He puts all of his people in place, including those who don't know what role they play in this game. Dead or alive, Batise will have his wish come true.

One of my favorite things that Markert does is he adds Easter eggs into his books that link the book to another previous story he's written. While this book is a standalone, Markert's fans appreciate the reference to a previous book, because it is like you are in on a deeper secret. You know something other people new to Markert's books are not privy to. It helps you to understand the worlds that Markert builds.

In this world (similar to the Nightmare Man universe), it's filled with a network of criminals (much like our society today). This is a race to save those who find themselves chained up in The Chain House before an all out war breaks out. It is a time for revenge.

Excellent book. I enjoyed it so much, I had a hard time putting it down. It was just so good. I cannot wait to read what's next.

[mamabearbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chain House is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets The Silence of the Lambs, with a dash of cult.⁣
⁣
Every character feels fully realized, the twists are absolutely insane, and somehow it's genuinely funny in places without ever lowering the tension. You are always thinking it can’t get any worse, but then it does, but you’re thrilled to see how the characters respond to the new challenge. That is, if you can trust them. ⁣
⁣
J. H. Markert somehow balances dark, disturbing, suspenseful, and hilarious all in one story. I couldn't put it down.

[Justinstaysreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

When i got approved for this from NetGalley, i freaked out! I enjoyed sleep tight so much so i knew this was going to be another banger. This book absolutely blew me out of the water and DELIVERED. Without spoiling the book, there is a method for the madness. The puzzle becomes clear as the novel progresses. None of the people chained are random, and Sal Batisse was a fantastic villain. It reminded me a little of the following on fox, serial killer who has a network of people who does his bidding. It was fantastic, and memorable.

Thank you NetGalley, out in October!

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read and ARC of this book. I have read several books by this author and this one didn't disappoint. This kept me enthralled from beginning to end. The character development was good and the plot was amazing. I didn't want to put this down. Another great book by this amazing author!

[Domilė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC!🤍

Honestly, this was everything I wanted from a horror/thriller book. Lots of questions, plenty of plot twists, and deeply developed character portraits. A complete treat!🤌🏻🍭

One of the main characters in the book is Sal Batise, a famous cult leader and serial killer who has been sentenced to death. But before his execution, he is allowed to meet with a young man whose goal is to learn everything about the criminal and turn it into a documentary film.

And that’s when the real chaos begins... The mayor’s wife gets kidnapped, Batise’s cult followers start burning down the homes of the wealthy, and the true author behind the books describing various murders and their real locations is revealed. And that’s not even mentioning the different POVs... Oh, and the infamous “Chain House”...⛓️‍💥⛓️🥵

This is definitely worth reading if you’re interested in cults, serial killers, and books that hide much more than just beautiful stories.🖤

[Gabby Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author J.H. Markert for gifting me with this ARC to review.

I loved almost every second of this book and need a physical copy now!

Liked:

-cult leaders are going to do cult leader things. Batise is who Manson wished he was as a cult leader. But like all of the cult leaders that came before, their hubris leads to their inevitable downfall. Before Batise was arrested and convicted for the murder of the multiple people, he was living out a drug infused constant orgy on a remote piece of land he called Freedom. Breaker of Chains was his moniker and I can see how vulnerable, tired, and angry people would flock to someone like that.

-kidnapping/ransom plot. The governor’s beloved wife has been kidnapped by an insane person and forced into a house of horror and the only way to get her back is to publicly murder Batise. I do have to say that Beth Hawthorne is one impressive woman and I get why not only is her husband her ride or die but also the public.

-untangle the lies and deception to get to the truth. I love how certain characters backgrounds were revealed and how despite good intentions, the truth will eventually finds its way to the surface. I can’t imagine all the emotions that poor Sam had to go through in the span of 24 hours.

Disliked:

-wish there was more “before” scenes of The Collective. I love flashback scenes where you can experience the scene along side the character. We get that a couple of times but I wish we could’ve had more from The Raven, Jennifer, and honestly I think it would’ve been interesting to get 1 or 2 from Batise.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up because holy smokes, was this enthralling.

I read The Chain House on a 2.5-hour flight from Boston to St. Louis, and I was genuinely going to be annoyed if we landed before I finished it. Once this book gets going, the pacing is absolutely relentless.

Some of the plot points were a little predictable, but I honestly didn't care because I was having such a great time. The premise alone is enough to hook you, but it's the execution that really delivers. The whole thing reminded me a bit of the first season of The Following with Kevin Bacon. It was dark, tense, and constantly escalating.

The characters are one of the book's biggest strengths. Sal is obviously a villain, but the other major antagonist who enters the story is on an entirely different level of terrifying. Markert does a great job making even the bad guys compelling.

The ending felt a little rushed, but it somehow worked. It fit the novel's overall momentum, like a snowball rolling downhill that just keeps getting bigger and faster until everything crashes together.

If you're a fan of cult thrillers, serial killer stories, cat-and-mouse investigations, and horror that never lets up on the tension, I highly recommend picking this one up. It's also an easy recommendation for fans of the first season of The Following or anyone who enjoys fast-paced horror thrillers with memorable villains.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you love thrillers where every chapter ends with shocking surprise and surprise, then “The Chain House” by J.H. Markert absolutely delivers. This book is a nonstop race against the clock packed with creepy cults, serial killers, kidnappings, shocking reveals, and enough twists to make your head spin.

The story kicks off with Sam Harper, a filmmaker who's been given the opportunity of a lifetime: the final interview with infamous cult leader and death row inmate Sal Batise just hours before his execution. Sounds straightforward enough, until Sal casually announces on live television that he's actually the anonymous author behind a wildly popular thriller series. Oh, and the unpublished final manuscript supposedly contains clues that could lead investigators to more of his victims, including the governor's long-missing sister. Meanwhile, the governor's wife has just been kidnapped, and suddenly everyone is racing against the clock while Sal somehow continues pulling the strings from his prison cell.

Honestly, the premise alone had me hooked, but the execution (no pun intended) was even better. Sal is the kind of villain you love to hate; he is equal parts charismatic, manipulative, and absolutely terrifying. He gave me serious Charles Manson-meets-Hannibal Lecter vibes, always seeming ten steps ahead of everyone else. Every time I thought I'd figured out where the story was heading, another reveal completely changed the game.

The pacing is relentless. Once the interview begins, it barely lets you breathe. Between the kidnapping, the hunt for the missing manuscript, the investigation into the cult, and Sam teaming up with cult survivor Jennifer to uncover decades-old secrets, I flew through this book because I had to know how everything connected.

I also really liked the characters. Sam and Jennifer both have deeper connections to Sal than they initially realize, and uncovering their pasts added an emotional layer beneath all the chaos. Markert also does a great job showing just how terrifying cult leaders can be; not because of supernatural powers, but because of the horrifying influence they have over other people.

My only complaint is that after such an intense buildup, the ending felt a little rushed. I would've loved another chapter or two to let everything settle because the finale arrived faster than I expected. Even so, it didn't take away from how much fun I had getting there.

Overall, “The Chain House” is a dark, twist-filled thriller that's impossible to put down. If you're into creepy cults, serial killers, psychological mind games, hidden identities, and stories where the villain somehow stays in control even from behind bars, this one is an easy recommendation.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚⛓️🐦‍⬛

This felt like a love letter to fans of Mindhunter, True Detective, and cult stories. In it, a cult leader on death row attempts to receive a stay of execution by dangling valuable information and revelations in front of an unlikely interviewer. As our brave MC puts the pieces together and untangles the web of the past, he brings many secrets to light.

It's a classic premise for good reason, it aligns with the public's love of true crime and sinks it's hooks in with the promise of complex paths and twists galore - all of which this story delivers. The cadence of events is quick and there's a lot of moving parts. There's the MC's story, a number of side characters, shifting POVs, timeline flipping, and a ticking clock element. The characters fit familiar archetypes and it's rewarding to "figure them out". And there's this really fantastic component of the book publications and how they're used as foreshadowing (and they're written in reverse, how cool!)

Most of themes worked well for me and there was a good sense of tension, but at certain points it felt far too busy. Once the reveals started coming, they were fast and furious which was certainly entertaining but at times it felt the entire focus was on the next best twist vs sticking with something for a bit to create a more immersive atmosphere and environment. As an example, it was tricky for me to get a lock on everyone's approximate age (despite trying to correlate relationships and timelines) and my gauge kept resetting with certain pieces of new info. I will say, everything was addressed and I think that's a real testament to the skill of this author. It's certainly an elaborate thought-out story, but it felt very jumpy at times. I think the writing style fit the nature of this book but it personally wasn't for me, it flipped between mostly short/curt with moments of grandiosity which kinda added to the "too much going on" feel.

Overall it was exciting read and is well-suited for the true crime audience. It's complex and has a lot of twists (which I'd argue was it's downfall but I respect the ambition). Despite some pacing snafus, it's a relatively quick read which is aided by some pretty enthralling section. Definitely recommend if this genre is up your alley. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the privilege of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐ 3.75 ⭐

[Dani Moth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this book. The premise caught me, the book cover caught me even more, and the first couple of pages were a nice hook. But it was all downhill from there.

For the first few chapters, I kept wanting to compare it to Riverdale doing Cape Fear—but not the good seasons of Riverdale, the later seasons where everyone kind of looked like they were being held hostage. The only difference is that at least Riverdale could, for the most part, effectively foreshadow and land a twist, neither of which this book seemed capable of doing. What was initially interesting to me later read not as foreshadowing but as an overt advertisement of every single twist that followed, which made each reveal feel lame and obvious.

Fortunately for us all, the Riverdale comparisons eventually started to wane. Unfortunately, that's because I started playing 4chan bingo with the book instead. It really does have it all: Charles Manson, a weird obsession with Hitler, misogyny, sensationalization of mental health issues, inane pop culture references, even more inane classic rock references (which felt like a personal attack because how dare you bring Led Zeppelin into this), the TCC (but not even utilized well), V for Vendetta, Fight Club, and arguably even a Joker reference. But most egregious was the fact that the B-plot seemed to have been ripped off wholesale from Infinite Jest, thus completing the internet edge-lord package.

That still wasn't the part that upset me, though. I was kind of having fun with that. What upset me was the fact that there was potential here. There were so many interesting, bold choices that felt so obvious to me, but the author chose to take the tropey, cliché, predictable path instead. Time and time again, he chose the least interesting option, which made the whole thing feel rote. On top of that, the author seems to think his readers are stupid, explaining the most basic themes multiple times throughout the book as though we won't get it otherwise, and I can't help but resent a book that talks down to me while not even remotely earning it.

It gets half a star for Carl and half a star because I did come out of it madly shipping two of the characters, but they were absolutely not the characters the author wanted me to ship.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Markert has a knack for taking a premise that already sounds bonkers and somehow making it even more compelling.

The Chain House begins with a cult leader awaiting execution who claims to be the anonymous author behind a wildly successful thriller series. From there, the story launches into a relentless race against time filled with kidnappings, long-buried secrets, and twist after twist. Once again, Markert demonstrates why he's one of the most inventive voices in modern horror. Blending psychological horror, crime thriller, and mystery, The Chain House hooks readers from the opening chapter and never loosens its grip.

The atmosphere is one of the novel's greatest strengths. A constant sense of unease lingers over every scene, fueled by the impending execution, the lingering influence of the cult, and the suspicion that every character is hiding something. Short chapters and multiple perspectives keep the pacing brisk, making it difficult to put the book down. The mystery unfolds in carefully layered pieces without becoming confusing, and watching the separate storylines converge is immensely satisfying. Markert is particularly skilled at planting subtle clues that seem insignificant at first but later reveal their true importance. Rather than relying solely on graphic scares, the horror is driven by mounting tension, paranoia, and psychological dread.

The novel's biggest weakness is that its ambition occasionally works against it. With a large cast of characters, interconnected histories, and several overlapping mysteries, there are moments when it's challenging to keep everything straight. Although most of the plot threads are resolved effectively, a few twists land with less impact than others. Still, these are relatively minor issues in an otherwise engrossing and well-crafted story.

Overall, The Chain House is an ambitious, suspenseful, and highly entertaining novel filled with memorable moments that linger long after the final page. Readers who enjoy stories featuring cults, serial killers, psychological suspense, and intricate mysteries that keep them guessing until the very end will find plenty to love here.

[Willie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 #𝗝𝗛𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸!

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 has all the ingredients for a 5 ⭐ read.

⛓️‍💥 Suspense
⛓️‍💥 Mystery
⛓️‍💥 Cult
⛓️‍💥 Cult leader who idolized Manson
⛓️‍💥 Hidden identities
⛓️‍💥 Tension
⛓️‍💥 Count-down
⛓️‍💥 Buried bodies
⛓️‍💥 Kidnapping
⛓️‍💥 Masked Murderer
⛓️‍💥 Found Family


🤘 And it’s executed Perfectly!
This is a fast-paced thriller full of secrets and mystery and SO much tension. Tension and suspense because of the short timeline and the countdown to execution time. An Execution that cult leader Sal Batise has skirted 3 times already and is trying to do again.


💭
𝙰 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛, 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚎𝚡𝚎𝚌𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚜 𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜. 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕, 𝚞𝚗𝚙𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚞𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚝—𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜—𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚍𝚊𝚢.


🤯 This was absolutely brilliant and such an exciting read trying to piece all the clues and hints together along the way. We had bombs dropping left and right that were confirming suspicion while others left you with more questions.


📕 One of my favorite aspects of this book was the fact that Sal Batise’s book series not only laid out details to current (and past & future) events, but he wrote the series in 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞! And the final installment, which is actually Book 1, is the ace up his sleeve. What he believes will keep him alive yet again. But, it’s missing. Along with all the answers…

🤓 𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘵 “𝘚𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘛𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 “𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘺”. 𝘔𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.


💥 You Don’t want to miss this!
🗓️ ᑕOᗰIᑎG OᑕTOᗷEᖇ 6

✅ ᴬᵈᵈ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵀᴮᴿ
🛒 ᴾʳᵉ⁻ᵒʳᵈᵉʳ ⁿᵒʷ

🙏 Tԋαɳƙ Yσυ so much CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC and the honor of an early read!

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Harper is granted the unlikely opportunity to interview Sal Batise, a cult leader on Death Row with no more pardons left. At least, that’s what everyone thinks until he reveals that he has another trick up his sleeve. And it’s extra complicated by the fact that someone else really wants to make sure he’s executed. So much so that they have held the governor’s wife for ransom. No brainer, right?

Not quite…because he’s Mallard Malone, the anonymous author! And he’s ready to publish the final book in a wildly popular dystopian series. Eh, ok, but besides the fact everyone should have pegged him as Malone, who cares? Well, remember that pardon? Sal will only provide the lone copy if he’s pardoned. The lone copy that happens to reveal where more victims of Sal are buried. Including…the governor’s sister who disappeared decades ago. What?!

All of that aside, why was Sam chosen for the interview when he’s not even a journalist, he’s a filmmaker? Sam thinks it’s because he’s working on a documentary about Sal and his cult. But it’s so much more than that, and Sal relishes the opportunity to surprise Sam every chance he gets with one crazy reveal after another. Keep in mind, this is all occurring on the day of Sal’s scheduled execution, so it’s pretty much non-stop action at this point.

I can’t stress how awesome this story is, like every book by this author. It’s dark and creepy, yet also has a wry humor and is touchingly sentimental at the same time. And also, as a sufferer of misophonia, I appreciate the realistic description of this often misunderstood condition. I’ve never related to a character as much as in that scene!

My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Chain House in exchange for my honest review.

★★★★★

Holy shit. Five stars and I’d give it more if I could. No spoilers.

I’m not exaggerating when I say The Chain House is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The premise, the thought that had to go into this plot, the writing, the dialogue.. everything just worked for me. I couldn’t read it fast enough, but at the same time, I really didn’t want it to end.

I loved the way the story slowly unfolded and how the dread just kept building as everything started coming together. The character development was fantastic, I actually cared about what happened to these people, and the twists were INSANE. There were multiple times I thought I knew where things were headed, only to be completely wrong.

I honestly can’t think of a single thing I disliked about this book. My only complaint is that I wanted MORE. I would have loved a little more information in the last couple of chapters. And PLEASE let there be a sequel because I need to know what happens next and how exactly everyone plans on dealing with the absolute chaos.

If you like horror/thrillers, cults, serial killers, wild twists, mounting dread, or stories where you can’t help but root for the underdog, READ THIS BOOK!! It definitely leans more thriller than horror, but as someone who loves both, it hit every single mark for me.

I hope they make this into a movie. Wow.

This was my second J. H. Markert book (first one was Mister Lullaby, and I have Sleep Tight and The Nightmare Man on my TBR). I'm a big supporter of e-books and audiobooks, but I WILL be buying a physical copy of The Chain House when it is published in October 2026!

[Crystal Eubanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading THE CHAIN HOUSE! There are so many elements in this book that I was not expecting. It’s a pretty quick read, and is easy to follow. So, glad I got approved for this one. I’m a JH Markert fan for sure!

Sal Batise is on death row. Sal is the former leader of a cult that was responsible for the deaths of many, in what was supposed to be the start of a class war, between the have’s and have-not’s. Sal desires to grant one last interview before his execution date. He has many apply for the privilege. He turns down multiple news stations and grants the interview to Sam Harper, a young man of no connection to popular networks. Why did Sal grant access to Sam? Sal also claims to be the author of a series of books authored by the Mallard Malone, and knows the location of deceased missing victims. When the governors wife, Beth, goes missing, Sal may be the only way to find out where she is. Someone on the outside is holding Beth hostage. The captor’s demand is that Sal be executed, in public, by firing squad, while being televised. Sal, of course, only wants his stay of execution, in exchange for where the captor may have Beth, and the location of the last book, and the burial locations. Who will get their wish? Will a stay be granted? Will this be televised? What is in the missing book?

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the author for my gifted copy for my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chain House is a twisted psychological thriller featuring cults, complicated family dynamics, and seemingly endless mystery.

We follow Sam, an aspiring filmmaker who has just received the interview of his life; he is set to sit down with Sal Batise, an infamous cult leader with a big personality and more than one trick up his sleeve. Sal is set to be executed within a day, making this interview critical to solving a string of other crimes Sal may have played a hand in. As the clock ticks, insanity unfolds.

Whoooo this story had me completely gripped from page one - I felt like I was in my own race against the clock! I came for the cult but stayed for the sheer mystery of it all. The stakes were incredibly high and the time winding down in the background provided a sense of urgency that keeps the reader turning pages.

Sam and Jennifer were a dynamic duo and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the cast. Sal’s charisma was captivating and definitely Manson-coded. The family dynamics were incredibly complicated and I loved seeing it all play out, have your popcorn ready for the DRAMA.

I’ve much more to say but don’t want to get in to spoiler territory - you just have to experience it yourself.

Overall, this is an insane page-turner that will leave you reeling. The author builds exceptional dread with stellar pacing, I’ll continue to read all of his works.

Thanks to Crooked Lane for the gifted copy - all opinions are my own.

[RavenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest, the first quarter of this book had me a little worried. There were so many moving pieces that the story initially felt messy and somewhat unfocused. But once everything found its footing, The Chain House transformed into a gripping kidnapping and murder mystery wrapped in the disturbing world of a cult.

Told through dual timelines, the novel alternates between the cult's past, seen through the eyes of the children who lived it, and the present day as the cult leader awaits execution. It's an ambitious structure with a lot of characters, mysteries, and plotlines to juggle. At times, I still felt there was one thread too many, but for the most part Markert keeps everything moving at an engaging pace. What impressed me most was how the story steadily built momentum. Once the pieces began to click into place, I found myself completely invested in uncovering the truth behind the disappearances, the murders, and the cult itself.

This feels like a bit of a departure from J. H. Markert's previous work, but it's one that paid off. While it isn't without a few structural hiccups, it's an entertaining, fast paced thriller with plenty of twists to keep the pages turning. I had a great time with it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and J.H Markert for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THAT'S the fuck!!!

This book managed to break my eight month reading slump, so that alone deserves very high praise. The Chain House was so addicting, whenever I wasn't reading it I was dying to get back home so I could continue the story. The premise is fascinating, and every additional detail you learn about Mallard Malone and the novels makes it even better. Not a single moment of this story is boring. Even though at times certain details can be predictable, something else is guaranteed to catch you off guard in the next chapter. The way things are revealed to you so fast makes your head spin, and it gives you a rush as if you're counting down the hours and minutes to Sal's execution alongside the characters.

One thing that stood out to me was Markert's execution of multiple POV's. Typically, I find myself either confused or bored by multiple POV's, but this didn't happen once during my read of The Chain House. The chapters were short enough and the plots of the characters overlapped enough that you never felt like you were missing any action just because a POV switched. There was always some information you wanted to know from each POV up until the very end, so every change in POV was welcome.

I'm excited to read this again once it's published to see what has changed, because I truly could not get enough of this book. This is my first J.H. Markert, and it most certainly won't be the last.

[Krystelle (based on the novel by Stephen King) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I appreciate what this book was trying to do. A semi-successful marriage of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and the Manson murders, with just a dash of The Family cult, ‘The Chain House’ is massive in scope. In a way, it feels like it accomplishes what ‘Longlegs’ was trying to do, but slightly more successfully.

Firstly, the good. I really did enjoy the cult flashbacks, and the details given to the reader about Batise. Sam was really well written, although I do wish we were given a little more about the past for both of them.
It delivers in spades in terms of twistiness, and it gives the reader a lot to work with in terms of how it puts the story across.

Structurally, it jumps around just that bit too much for me, and I found that it was perhaps too ambitious in scope in places. I could have done with a little bit more in terms of the characterisation but there just wasn’t time to expand on everyone to the level that I would have liked.

I think anyone who is after a heady thriller will love this book, but it will just take a little to overlook some of the structure and the way that things jump around to absolutely adore it.

[storriebooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped on the chance to snag an ARC copy of The Chain House and I'm so glad I did because WOW. This book was exactly the intense read I needed, and coming from J.H. Markert I had no doubts it would be. From the final days of a Manson-esque cult leader on death row to the cat-and-mouse game being played, The Chain House is gripping and tense. In following the trail of horrific activity connected to Sal Batiste each twist and turn just pulled me further into the story as a reader and constantly kept me guessing.

I also really loved the connections to Markert's other work. Don't let that element scare you away, though. This is a stand-alone... unless we get to hear more about the Raven and the Mongoose in a future release...or a Sal prequel...

The Chain House is a fast-paced thriller and is perfect for anyone who loves cult vibes, race-against-time mysteries, and wholely intriguing character arcs. Absolutely get this book on your TBR, preorder lists, and local library requests ASAP!

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, & JH Markert for this complimentary copy.))

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of The Chain House by J.H. Market!

Ever since reading The Nightmare Man a few years ago, J.H. Market has become an auto-buy author for me, and The Chain House absolutely lived up to my expectations. This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and even when I wasn’t reading, I found myself thinking about the story and trying to piece everything together. I flew through this one and honestly wish it didn’t have to end!

The best way I can describe this book is if Charles Manson was mixed with The Silence of the Lambs. It was dark, unsettling, suspenseful, mysterious, and incredibly entertaining. Market does such a great job creating an atmosphere that keeps you feeling uneasy while still making you desperate to find out what happens next.

The only reason this wasn’t a 5-star read for me was that I felt the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, and I wanted just a bit more time with the characters and the aftermath.

Overall, this was a phenomenal read, and after reading the acknowledgements, I’m really hoping we get another Double Feature year in 2027!

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another knock out for Markert, I am definitely already reading his next one, so maybe I'm a little crazy but I do love his books and this one was about a fucked up cult, double win for me.

Oh and the drama, imagine being a famous cult leader and like the day before your going to be put to death you drop the bomb that you're the author behind a best selling series, which by the way, I hope he finished because damn, what a cliff hanger, but that would be too easy, he's holding the final book hostage in exchange for a stay, no big deal use your imagination for a ending, but the ending reveals all the real life victims locations and that is something big. .. But the governor's wife has been kidnapped and won't be released unless Batise is executed as planned..

Now, is this just last minute theatrics to get a rise out of everyone or is this somehow true? Well, Sam is going to find out, he's been granted the only inteview and it goes odd the rails immediately.

This was tense and dramatic, I kept catching myself leaning into my ereader like somehow that would help me read faster, because what is going on??

Absolutely loved it.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sal Batiste is a Manson inspired cult leader, down to the convincing of the members he does to do his dirty works. Sam Harper is the young caretaker who is tasked with filming Sal's final death row confessions prior to execution, responsible for finding bodies and answers surrounding the cult. When Jennifer enters the picture, Sam is even more emboldened by his journalistic endeavors, and we find another person connected to the cult, as she was a child on the ranch, rescued from a closet and returned to normal society. While I adored the fast and tense pace, to the point chapters, and characters we learned about, I honestly wanted even more. I'd love a sequel on Sal's deeds, back in the day. Markert is indeed so similar to King in style- his vibe is so perfect for those who grew up on SK horror, like me. Twisted Tree was so intriguing, I just couldn't help but want more- which might be the best critique I can give a book. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Kelly Veit · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐒🔥🔥🔥folks! This is one brilliant crazy ride, captivating from the first page! I had never read any of Markert’s books but I decided to give it a go when I saw it on NetGalley. WOW am I ever glad I did. I will be deep diving into his backlist!

This was like a horrifying car accident I couldn’t look away from. I really wanted to read it all in one sitting but, alas, other duties called. The story was so well thought out from beginning to end. The characters have great depth, sometimes a bit confusing but it all becomes clear in the end. The atmosphere is very dark and very creepy. The short chapters and fast pacing kept me turning the pages. I really didn’t want the book to end!

I’m not going to reiterate the summary but I’ll just say that if you like face-paced, suspenseful, dark thrillers with a cult influence revolving around a few psychopaths then this one is for you. But beware - you will be creeped out which, come on, who among us doesn’t love that?!

✨Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, oh, man...if I could give this one more than 5 stars, I would. I have read almost all the books by this author, and this one takes the cake. It seems so different than others by him, but still so amazing! This is more of a cult-style murder horror with so many twists and unexpected happenings that I absolutely could not put it down.
The whole story circles this really sweet dude named Sam who is just oblivious and normal. He gets the chance to interview this absolute puzzle master of a cult leader named Batiste. I was on board from the jump just to see how this whole interaction and interview went, seeing as how Batiste only has a matter of hours to live when the interview takes place. The absolute downfall from this interview to all the revelations Sam finds out is a total mind-blowing read. Even the bad guy in the book, who is just off the charts cruel, is oddly someone you can feel sad for.
I had all the feels with this one. Love it. What a talented author to keep me guessing what type of book I am reading next with him!!!

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a roaring twisted freight train of suspense, horror, and twists that'll have you reading with eyes wide open.

A young man making a documentary about an infamous cult leader who's about to be executed for murders is chosen by the killer to give his last interview before his execution.

But with the claim that he is the author of a series of books which the world has read and that the plot of this series holds more secrets than anyone imagines, the interview turns into a race against time to rescue the governors wife from a deranged psychopath and, along the way, dark secrets will turn many lives upside down.

With a detailed plot, surprises around every corner, and a breath taking pace, you'll definitely want to get this one. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

I struggled with how to rate this. It took me a bit to get into this and I found it to be predictable. However, once I hit 20% I locked in and finished it in one sitting, actually staying up past 1:00 AM because I couldn't put it down. It is a testament to the author's skill that even though I was guessing twists accurately, I was still invested and wanted to see how it ended. This one mentions events that happen in Spider to the Fly (I don't think you need to have read that to enjoy this) and now I find myself wanting to read that as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Drish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chain House by J.H. Markert

Thank you so much for sharing this ARC with me @netgalley and @crookedlanepublishers.

J.H. Markert has officially become an auto-buy author for me because The Chain House is an absolute masterpiece.

A death-row cult leader, a documentary filmmaker searching for the truth, a masked killer, kidnapped children, hidden identities, and long-buried family secrets—this book has everything a thriller lover could ask for.

The suspense never lets up, every twist hits harder than the last, and the multiple POVs keep you hooked until the shocking finale. The atmosphere is dark, eerie, and impossible to shake off.

If you love cults, psychological thrillers, creepy mysteries, and stories that keep you guessing till the very last page, pre-order this one now.

⭐ 5/5 — Easily one of my favourite thrillers of the year.

📖 Publishing: 6th October