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What Digs Itself Free
Zap Rogers has made a career out of exploiting others, most of whom are dead. With one of the most successful, longest running ghost hunting shows on the market, he and his team have raked in the cash. But with market trends shifting, Zap and his crew are no longer relevant, and are losing market share to younger, more hip trends.
Scrambling to remain in the spotlight, Zap and his crew order new gear in an attempt to give the show a facelift. But when a mysterious package arrives from a secret admirer, things begin to take a sour turn. Investigations are seemingly sabotaged, weird sightings around the house have everyone on edge, Zap’s plagued with nightmares of a mysterious old hag, and the manifestations are not only haunting, but starting to get physical.
With the help of an old colleague Zap begins investigating the occurrences, following the trail right back to his own selfish behavior. Now Zap must do everything in his power to stop the malevolent entity before this investigation turns into his last.
Scrambling to remain in the spotlight, Zap and his crew order new gear in an attempt to give the show a facelift. But when a mysterious package arrives from a secret admirer, things begin to take a sour turn. Investigations are seemingly sabotaged, weird sightings around the house have everyone on edge, Zap’s plagued with nightmares of a mysterious old hag, and the manifestations are not only haunting, but starting to get physical.
With the help of an old colleague Zap begins investigating the occurrences, following the trail right back to his own selfish behavior. Now Zap must do everything in his power to stop the malevolent entity before this investigation turns into his last.
- GenresHorror
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
5 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Stoney Brooks
2 books11 followersStoney Brooks is a good old fashioned SoCal boy, with a healthy touch of Gypsy blood. After multiple moves, he’s landed back in his childhood stomping grounds of San Bernardino County, dragging along his wife, two kids, and smattering of barnyard critters.
A finance professional by day, he holds multiple distinguishing titles. By night, he crafts dark stories tinged with just a touch of humor to cut the tension. Stoney is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Horror Authors Guild.
A finance professional by day, he holds multiple distinguishing titles. By night, he crafts dark stories tinged with just a touch of humor to cut the tension. Stoney is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Horror Authors Guild.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Couldn't get past the really, really obnoxious writing.
|| Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC ||
|| Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC ||
January 21, 2026
ARC REVIEW
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Zap, although an unlikeable character due to his egotistical nature and womanizing ways, showed a softer side through his love and devotion to his niece. The book was well-written, with a spooky atmosphere, particularly in regards to Zap's interest in all things cursed. In the end, his lies caught up to him. I am eager to read more books from this author and recommend checking this one out.
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed this one. It’s fast paced, properly eerie in places, and packed with some genuinely great moments.
Zap is an absolute nightmare and I found him hilarious. I’m convinced the author knew exactly what they were doing with him. He’s exaggerated, sure, but also uncomfortably close to a certain real life ghost hunter with very similar traits. That thin line between satire and reality made his character even more hilarious.
I liked the overall storyline, though I did struggle a bit with the direction of certain threads, especially the nephew and aunt dynamic. It felt slightly thrown in for shock value rather than fully developed. I kept waiting for it to justify itself a little more.
That said, it was hugely entertaining and I had a great time reading it. And Rose? Brilliant. I would absolutely read a whole book centred on her backstory.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. This review is my own.
Zap is an absolute nightmare and I found him hilarious. I’m convinced the author knew exactly what they were doing with him. He’s exaggerated, sure, but also uncomfortably close to a certain real life ghost hunter with very similar traits. That thin line between satire and reality made his character even more hilarious.
I liked the overall storyline, though I did struggle a bit with the direction of certain threads, especially the nephew and aunt dynamic. It felt slightly thrown in for shock value rather than fully developed. I kept waiting for it to justify itself a little more.
That said, it was hugely entertaining and I had a great time reading it. And Rose? Brilliant. I would absolutely read a whole book centred on her backstory.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. This review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
<- this is an auto warning from Goodreads, just FYI
I'm so disappointed with this book. Heads up, this review will be filled with spoilers and my anger.
I went in blind (which I do recommend IF you decide to read this) and the first half was great! One of the spookiest books I had read in a long time and I have read a LOT of them. Then the second half came around and killed all of that. You should see all my notes where I'm yelling at the main character (spoiler - there's a LOT of them). I'll try to keep this review as short as I can.
A lot of nonsensical events happened, my fave character Rose was reduced to a damsel in distress and her character building screeched to a halt, and they didn't explain how the enemy was killed! The girl clearly didn't die (or die and was revived) so saying 'death was the answer' doesn't make any sense.
The MC should of died from his wounds within minutes but I guess Rose threw her plot armour on him. They don't say anything about their friend that was killed (and apparently the detective doesn't know about that??) or the fact that the girl, who was non verbal, is suddenly able to speak. I guess being possessed by a demon and stabbed by her uncle cured her of that? Somehow??
I *really* didn't like how the MC decided to be a white knight in the second half. It came out of nowhere too. One second he's so resentful of her despite her trying to save his life and the next second he's basically in love with her and she's reduced to a nodding, compliant, and unquestioning piece of furniture.
The MC was a raging asshole throughout the whole book, including when he was dying, and didn't deserve that redemption ending. It's implied that he married Rose within a few months after having his femoral artery slashed open (which is a 6 - 8 week recover time btw) and has a new show that he's already filming??
Number one - Rose, you can do so much better! I know she's naught but an agreeable husk of her former character but still, she can do better. Secondly, how he managed to pitch a new show, have it picked up, signed the contracts, organised the team to film, researched the locations, flew to location, and THEN start filming in the same time span as he was recovering and getting married is beyond me. It clearly isn't with his previous manager as they dumped the show for having the exact same content. Ugh!
I have more issues with the book but I'll save them for my screaming pillow. This review is already long enough.
I'm so mad at everything that undid the first half. It really feels like it was rushed and not edited properly (I found NUMEROUS errors and nonsensical sentences) which is really disappointing.
If you do still want to read it, read up until he burns the box and close the book immediately. Pretend that was the ending because what follows is just awful writing and characterisation.
I'm so disappointed with this book. Heads up, this review will be filled with spoilers and my anger.
I went in blind (which I do recommend IF you decide to read this) and the first half was great! One of the spookiest books I had read in a long time and I have read a LOT of them. Then the second half came around and killed all of that. You should see all my notes where I'm yelling at the main character (spoiler - there's a LOT of them). I'll try to keep this review as short as I can.
A lot of nonsensical events happened, my fave character Rose was reduced to a damsel in distress and her character building screeched to a halt, and they didn't explain how the enemy was killed! The girl clearly didn't die (or die and was revived) so saying 'death was the answer' doesn't make any sense.
The MC should of died from his wounds within minutes but I guess Rose threw her plot armour on him. They don't say anything about their friend that was killed (and apparently the detective doesn't know about that??) or the fact that the girl, who was non verbal, is suddenly able to speak. I guess being possessed by a demon and stabbed by her uncle cured her of that? Somehow??
I *really* didn't like how the MC decided to be a white knight in the second half. It came out of nowhere too. One second he's so resentful of her despite her trying to save his life and the next second he's basically in love with her and she's reduced to a nodding, compliant, and unquestioning piece of furniture.
The MC was a raging asshole throughout the whole book, including when he was dying, and didn't deserve that redemption ending. It's implied that he married Rose within a few months after having his femoral artery slashed open (which is a 6 - 8 week recover time btw) and has a new show that he's already filming??
Number one - Rose, you can do so much better! I know she's naught but an agreeable husk of her former character but still, she can do better. Secondly, how he managed to pitch a new show, have it picked up, signed the contracts, organised the team to film, researched the locations, flew to location, and THEN start filming in the same time span as he was recovering and getting married is beyond me. It clearly isn't with his previous manager as they dumped the show for having the exact same content. Ugh!
I have more issues with the book but I'll save them for my screaming pillow. This review is already long enough.
I'm so mad at everything that undid the first half. It really feels like it was rushed and not edited properly (I found NUMEROUS errors and nonsensical sentences) which is really disappointing.
If you do still want to read it, read up until he burns the box and close the book immediately. Pretend that was the ending because what follows is just awful writing and characterisation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
ARC REVIEW:
For fans of “Episode Thirteen” and hauntings in general- It’s easy to have plot holes when dealing with the supernatural; however, “What Digs Itself Free” tied everything up without overstating the obvious. For someone who usually doesn’t get spooked, I could not read this book at night
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For fans of “Episode Thirteen” and hauntings in general- It’s easy to have plot holes when dealing with the supernatural; however, “What Digs Itself Free” tied everything up without overstating the obvious. For someone who usually doesn’t get spooked, I could not read this book at night
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2026
This needs to be made into a movie, I had to read this so slowly because I didn’t want it to end!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love horror movies, especially paranormal ones, and within the last several years, I started reading books based in that genre. So, I was excited to read this one. This book contains all the classic haunting tropes you expect to find, like having a strange encounter and waking up in bed, left wondering if it was just a dream. A bad one.
The story is well written, but there were some moments where it seemed to be a missed opportunity to explain some things, like how he came to be the guardian of his niece Zoey, how old she is, and why she does not talk. We find out snippets later. Especially when she ends up playing a key role in the events of the story.
While I didn't care for the main character, Zap, a stereotypical womanizer, which may be the point. Maybe he is not supposed to be likable. I did, however, enjoy the character Rose until I did not and was disappointed with the way the author wrote her by the second half of the book. She is introduced as this badass clairvoyant who helps ease the spirits she encounters, allowing them to move on. We are told she ends up cleaning up after Zap's messes. By the end of the book, she's just kind of there, deflated to a woman who needs saving, rather than being able to hold her own.
The first half of the book was good. It was like watching one of the indie horror movies I have enjoyed, but in my mind. Then we got to the second half when the characters try to investigate what started it all, where did this entity come from, etc. Rose tells us the box he received and gave to his niece is Dybbuk box, which is never explained in the book. The characters in the book might already know what that is, but those reading it might not. I should not have to google something to understand what is going on, nor should any other reader. The story goes downhill when it shifts from this malevolent spirit intent on destroying Zap to the person who sent the box his way. It got ridiculous. Characters who are predominant in the first half become afterthoughts in the second half, barely being mentioned unless it suits that exact moment in the story. Should they not also have been made aware of what is going on and warned about it? Characters based on the injuries they incurred, and lack of immediate medical care should be dead, but they are not, with no medical explanation how they survived. It is baffling, to say the least.
I was also hoping that somewhere in the story we would discover how the box came into possession of the person who sent it to Zap in the first place, its origin which would tie back to the prologue, and be explained properly, but that does not happen. Otherwise, what was the point of the prologue?
Overall, it was good; there are a few things the author can improve upon, changing up some ways things are described. An example would be "Her eyes were wild." This phrase and other similar phrases are used a lot. Maybe instead of telling us this, describe the action: eyes darting around, scanning the room for something, etc.
I would still recommend this book if horror is a genre you enjoy. It's worth reading even though I dislike how it ended. I would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
The story is well written, but there were some moments where it seemed to be a missed opportunity to explain some things, like how he came to be the guardian of his niece Zoey, how old she is, and why she does not talk. We find out snippets later. Especially when she ends up playing a key role in the events of the story.
While I didn't care for the main character, Zap, a stereotypical womanizer, which may be the point. Maybe he is not supposed to be likable. I did, however, enjoy the character Rose until I did not and was disappointed with the way the author wrote her by the second half of the book. She is introduced as this badass clairvoyant who helps ease the spirits she encounters, allowing them to move on. We are told she ends up cleaning up after Zap's messes. By the end of the book, she's just kind of there, deflated to a woman who needs saving, rather than being able to hold her own.
The first half of the book was good. It was like watching one of the indie horror movies I have enjoyed, but in my mind. Then we got to the second half when the characters try to investigate what started it all, where did this entity come from, etc. Rose tells us the box he received and gave to his niece is Dybbuk box, which is never explained in the book. The characters in the book might already know what that is, but those reading it might not. I should not have to google something to understand what is going on, nor should any other reader. The story goes downhill when it shifts from this malevolent spirit intent on destroying Zap to the person who sent the box his way. It got ridiculous. Characters who are predominant in the first half become afterthoughts in the second half, barely being mentioned unless it suits that exact moment in the story. Should they not also have been made aware of what is going on and warned about it? Characters based on the injuries they incurred, and lack of immediate medical care should be dead, but they are not, with no medical explanation how they survived. It is baffling, to say the least.
I was also hoping that somewhere in the story we would discover how the box came into possession of the person who sent it to Zap in the first place, its origin which would tie back to the prologue, and be explained properly, but that does not happen. Otherwise, what was the point of the prologue?
Overall, it was good; there are a few things the author can improve upon, changing up some ways things are described. An example would be "Her eyes were wild." This phrase and other similar phrases are used a lot. Maybe instead of telling us this, describe the action: eyes darting around, scanning the room for something, etc.
I would still recommend this book if horror is a genre you enjoy. It's worth reading even though I dislike how it ended. I would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and River-Lily Publishing for the eArc
Any spoilers will be hidden.
I'll start this review with first stating that Zap Rogers has two personalites; a selfish, womanizing horndog with an inflated ego and delusions of grandeur, and an unselfish, caring uncle with a chosen family to protect. The first one gets him into more supernatural trouble than he bargained for, the second one is what helps him get out of it. In the first couple of chapters I found Zap's character and the way he acted towards those around him jarring and really unpleasant, his moments with his niece being the only redeeming factor. As the threads of the story came together though, he really couldn't have been any other way for things to unfold as it did.
The pacing of the story was good and as a reader I found myself interested throughout - I wanted to know what happened next. The hauntings occuring around Zap and the crew kept up the suspense, and the glimpses of Rosie trailing behind and cleaning up their mess added to the mystery. I found myself on more than one occasion wanting to follow Rosie's story more, as she seemed the one with actual supernatural talent. The identity of the "mastermind" and why Zap was haunted in the first place was a closely kept secret up until the big reveal, and my first thought when it happened was "yep, I can see why".
Some of my grievances with the story was:
- The book didn't quite live up to my expectations from the prologue and the build-up. I think the author could have taken the story in an even scarier direction by focusing more on the motivations of the supernatural entity itself, rather than that of
-
- The
Things I wish the book could have had:
Justice for Ryan -
Any spoilers will be hidden.
I'll start this review with first stating that Zap Rogers has two personalites; a selfish, womanizing horndog with an inflated ego and delusions of grandeur, and an unselfish, caring uncle with a chosen family to protect. The first one gets him into more supernatural trouble than he bargained for, the second one is what helps him get out of it. In the first couple of chapters I found Zap's character and the way he acted towards those around him jarring and really unpleasant, his moments with his niece being the only redeeming factor. As the threads of the story came together though, he really couldn't have been any other way for things to unfold as it did.
The pacing of the story was good and as a reader I found myself interested throughout - I wanted to know what happened next. The hauntings occuring around Zap and the crew kept up the suspense, and the glimpses of Rosie trailing behind and cleaning up their mess added to the mystery. I found myself on more than one occasion wanting to follow Rosie's story more, as she seemed the one with actual supernatural talent. The identity of the "mastermind" and why Zap was haunted in the first place was a closely kept secret up until the big reveal, and my first thought when it happened was "yep, I can see why".
Some of my grievances with the story was:
- The book didn't quite live up to my expectations from the prologue and the build-up. I think the author could have taken the story in an even scarier direction by focusing more on the motivations of the supernatural entity itself, rather than that of
-
- The
Things I wish the book could have had:
Justice for Ryan -
February 28, 2026
4⭐️
✨ARC Review ✨
✨SPOILERS AHEAD✨
I want to start by saying thank you to BookSirens and Stoney Brooks for this ARC.
Overall I would like to say I enjoyed this book. As a lover of paranormal shows the terminology used in the book is easy to follow. This story follows along Zap and his crew of paranormal investigators as they try to save their dying tv show, but along the way Zap gets haunted by a evil spirit that was contained in a Dybbuk box that was sent to him by a crazy fan.
Zap is a womanizing, self centered, egotistic control freak who has to be the center of attention especially when it comes to his show. Overall he was a character I loved to hate. His biggest redeeming quality is that he took in his niece Zoey from her alcoholic mother. I would like to make it clear that it Zap isn’t SA anyone or forcing them to get with him, he just is “that smooth”
My favorite character has to be Rosie who is a former team member who even after her departure is stuck cleaning up the messes Zap makes. Rosie seems to actually be able to communicate with spirits where as Zap and his crew just enhance their footage and findings to fool the viewers. I wish we could have seen more of Rosie and her spiritual talents.
The one thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars is the factor of child grooming/predator behavior from Noah and his aunt Tisha. I literally gagged when I read that she gave him a Polaroid of hers self in underwear for him to get off too, and his reaction was disgust, but then turned to “who was he to deny himself this gift” and the whole premise that the aunt was saving her virginity just for him once he turned 18 and they could get married. But that didn’t happen since Zap smooth talked her into sleeping with him with big promises of getting married, and then that didn’t happen she took her own life and with that created the Dybbuk box. And now Noah blames Zap for the loss of everything food in his life. I also wish that there would have been a better explanation of what Dybbuk boxes are, as I feel as if you’re not big into the paranormal you would just think it’s a cursed box. While I understand that this does happen in real life (which is absolutely terrible) I just feel like Noah could have had some other back story. Like it could have been his girlfriend or wife just not his aunt.
ALSO! What happened with Ryan??? Did we just leave his corpse in the tub for ever? Or did the police finally get notified of his murder? Like there is no way Zap, Rosie or Adam just left him there right??
This is a book that you can easily get lost in, I’d pick it up and have a hard time putting it back down as I wanted to know what was gonna happen next. If you love paranormal investigation shows or hauntings this definitely will be a book for you.
⚠️ As always please check the trigger warnings ⚠️
#bookstagram
✨ARC Review ✨
✨SPOILERS AHEAD✨
I want to start by saying thank you to BookSirens and Stoney Brooks for this ARC.
Overall I would like to say I enjoyed this book. As a lover of paranormal shows the terminology used in the book is easy to follow. This story follows along Zap and his crew of paranormal investigators as they try to save their dying tv show, but along the way Zap gets haunted by a evil spirit that was contained in a Dybbuk box that was sent to him by a crazy fan.
Zap is a womanizing, self centered, egotistic control freak who has to be the center of attention especially when it comes to his show. Overall he was a character I loved to hate. His biggest redeeming quality is that he took in his niece Zoey from her alcoholic mother. I would like to make it clear that it Zap isn’t SA anyone or forcing them to get with him, he just is “that smooth”
My favorite character has to be Rosie who is a former team member who even after her departure is stuck cleaning up the messes Zap makes. Rosie seems to actually be able to communicate with spirits where as Zap and his crew just enhance their footage and findings to fool the viewers. I wish we could have seen more of Rosie and her spiritual talents.
The one thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars is the factor of child grooming/predator behavior from Noah and his aunt Tisha. I literally gagged when I read that she gave him a Polaroid of hers self in underwear for him to get off too, and his reaction was disgust, but then turned to “who was he to deny himself this gift” and the whole premise that the aunt was saving her virginity just for him once he turned 18 and they could get married. But that didn’t happen since Zap smooth talked her into sleeping with him with big promises of getting married, and then that didn’t happen she took her own life and with that created the Dybbuk box. And now Noah blames Zap for the loss of everything food in his life. I also wish that there would have been a better explanation of what Dybbuk boxes are, as I feel as if you’re not big into the paranormal you would just think it’s a cursed box. While I understand that this does happen in real life (which is absolutely terrible) I just feel like Noah could have had some other back story. Like it could have been his girlfriend or wife just not his aunt.
ALSO! What happened with Ryan??? Did we just leave his corpse in the tub for ever? Or did the police finally get notified of his murder? Like there is no way Zap, Rosie or Adam just left him there right??
This is a book that you can easily get lost in, I’d pick it up and have a hard time putting it back down as I wanted to know what was gonna happen next. If you love paranormal investigation shows or hauntings this definitely will be a book for you.
⚠️ As always please check the trigger warnings ⚠️
#bookstagram
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What Digs Itself Freeby Stoney Brooks is a clear representation of the phrase “Fuck around and find out.” In this ARC that I received from NetGalley, I followed the story of famed ghost hunter Zap Rogers and his crew as they flew from location to location, unearthing hauntings. That is, until a mysterious box shows up on Zap’s doorstep.
Zap Rogers is an utterly unlikeable character, his love for his niece hardly enough to save him from this harsh judgment. Whether he’s meant to be a parody of a certain someone or not is beside the point: he is a user and a manipulator, willing to sink to any low to get what he wants. Usually, that’s in someone’s pants. He lives a surprisingly lonely life outside of work, holed up in a mansion with his niece and housekeeper when he’s not on the road with his crew. The co-stars in this book, Adam, Ryan, and Rose, are far more likeable.
A large portion of the book takes place without Rose, who is never mentioned by name but alluded to up until her entrance in the book. She seems to be the brains of the operation when she returns to the crew, claiming Zap’s left a mess in his wake and that she’s cleaned up every investigation he’s done. This prowess toward helping the deceased is highlighted at one of the locations.
Unfortunately, bringing Rose back isn’t enough to save the falling ratings and the show becomes part of the background after Zap receives a creepy box in the mail. Coinciding with the arrival and opening of the box, (which you’ve probably figured out what kind of box it is by now; however, I’m not one to spoil), an entity arrives that pulls the crews attention away from their show and into a supernatural fight against it.
I really can’t say a lot more about the plot without ruining it, but overall, I loved the fast-paced storytelling. The flow of the story was smooth, and the descriptions were delightfully gross. In fact, at one of them I almost gagged out loud and lovingly shared the line with my boyfriend, who was equally grossed out.
What I didn’t like was an element of the ending that was unexpected and felt a little forced, as the action seemed out of character. After all, the entire novel focused on Zap’s promiscuity heavily and that outcome didn’t fit with his habits.
I definitely look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
Zap Rogers is an utterly unlikeable character, his love for his niece hardly enough to save him from this harsh judgment. Whether he’s meant to be a parody of a certain someone or not is beside the point: he is a user and a manipulator, willing to sink to any low to get what he wants. Usually, that’s in someone’s pants. He lives a surprisingly lonely life outside of work, holed up in a mansion with his niece and housekeeper when he’s not on the road with his crew. The co-stars in this book, Adam, Ryan, and Rose, are far more likeable.
A large portion of the book takes place without Rose, who is never mentioned by name but alluded to up until her entrance in the book. She seems to be the brains of the operation when she returns to the crew, claiming Zap’s left a mess in his wake and that she’s cleaned up every investigation he’s done. This prowess toward helping the deceased is highlighted at one of the locations.
Unfortunately, bringing Rose back isn’t enough to save the falling ratings and the show becomes part of the background after Zap receives a creepy box in the mail. Coinciding with the arrival and opening of the box, (which you’ve probably figured out what kind of box it is by now; however, I’m not one to spoil), an entity arrives that pulls the crews attention away from their show and into a supernatural fight against it.
I really can’t say a lot more about the plot without ruining it, but overall, I loved the fast-paced storytelling. The flow of the story was smooth, and the descriptions were delightfully gross. In fact, at one of them I almost gagged out loud and lovingly shared the line with my boyfriend, who was equally grossed out.
What I didn’t like was an element of the ending that was unexpected and felt a little forced, as the action seemed out of character. After all, the entire novel focused on Zap’s promiscuity heavily and that outcome didn’t fit with his habits.
I definitely look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5
Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this early.
I would give this a 5 however the prologue was a little confusing as to how it connected with the storyline. And certain things seemed to be missing for me. However I am a massive love of ghost hunters and all things spirit related.
The main character Zap I found very much thought himself the "man". When in fact he was an annoying womaniser. But I think it worked for him as I don't think his character would have worked if he wasn't annoying. However you do have the soft side for when he is with his adoptive niece. And you can feel how she is everything to him and he will protect her. But you can feel the pain he has suffered growing up aswell.
I like that we go along with them as they ghost hunt through different locations whilst they film. I loved the mention of all the gadgets people have when ghost hunting aswell. I've always wanted to go on one of them ghost hunting nights. You can feel the love and excitement from Zap that he love his job.
When the parcel arrived with the box I knew something evil was going to be lingering inside. And wow what an evil soul that was indeed. Sadly we see the death of Ryan however I do wish we covered that a bit more cause did they leave him there? And if not how did they report it?
We saw the return of Rose who we didn't know about until Zap had to finally give in and ask for help. We learnt she was going around sending back spirits that Zaps team had disturbed. She was a really interesting character and I'm glad we saw her doing some rituals and that to help spirits move on.
The ending I felt was a little all over the place especially with the injuries which should have potentially killed the characters. However I loved them at the train station, evil spirits on another platform going one way and then going another way. Plus Zoey started talking 😭 Its sad that being injured was what led to her starting to communicate.
I really enjoyed the book and loved the spooky vibe with the spirit not only attacking in sleep but in an awake state. I loved the whole ghost hunters and watching them develop at the end into ghost healers. Honestly that is a really cool concept and has anyone ever made that idea into a show 🤔.
Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this early.
I would give this a 5 however the prologue was a little confusing as to how it connected with the storyline. And certain things seemed to be missing for me. However I am a massive love of ghost hunters and all things spirit related.
The main character Zap I found very much thought himself the "man". When in fact he was an annoying womaniser. But I think it worked for him as I don't think his character would have worked if he wasn't annoying. However you do have the soft side for when he is with his adoptive niece. And you can feel how she is everything to him and he will protect her. But you can feel the pain he has suffered growing up aswell.
I like that we go along with them as they ghost hunt through different locations whilst they film. I loved the mention of all the gadgets people have when ghost hunting aswell. I've always wanted to go on one of them ghost hunting nights. You can feel the love and excitement from Zap that he love his job.
When the parcel arrived with the box I knew something evil was going to be lingering inside. And wow what an evil soul that was indeed. Sadly we see the death of Ryan however I do wish we covered that a bit more cause did they leave him there? And if not how did they report it?
We saw the return of Rose who we didn't know about until Zap had to finally give in and ask for help. We learnt she was going around sending back spirits that Zaps team had disturbed. She was a really interesting character and I'm glad we saw her doing some rituals and that to help spirits move on.
The ending I felt was a little all over the place especially with the injuries which should have potentially killed the characters. However I loved them at the train station, evil spirits on another platform going one way and then going another way. Plus Zoey started talking 😭 Its sad that being injured was what led to her starting to communicate.
I really enjoyed the book and loved the spooky vibe with the spirit not only attacking in sleep but in an awake state. I loved the whole ghost hunters and watching them develop at the end into ghost healers. Honestly that is a really cool concept and has anyone ever made that idea into a show 🤔.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don't know if it was the author's intention to poke fun at a certain someone, but I can tell you that if it wasn't, that's too bad, because that's how I read it, anyway. Entirely too many similarities. Also, I've never requested an ARC faster.
The main character was... the main character. I spent the entire time rolling my eyes, laughing and pointing out passages to my wife. This may sound like a bad thing in a horror book, but for me, it really wasn't. HE wasn't supposed to be the scary part of the story, after all. He was such an *** whose only redeeming quality was his care of his niece. I was disappointed at what happened to one of the team members, who I liked. I was also disappointed at how Zap's story ended, because I was cheering for... things... the entire time. I found him just as ridiculous and unlikeable at the end as I did at the beginning, although I really hope that their new set up works out for them, as it may help shrink his head.
Now, onto the entity - loved it. I could not think of a more fitting entity to go after Za---Zap. I wish she had been after him only, because then she would have been my favourite character. ... you know, she might be my favourite character, anyway. She was eerie, determined and the sheer spirit of FAFO. Finding out her backstory, I know the characters and probably a lot of readers were very EW, SICK, but honestly... I just felt really bad for her. What happened to her, regardless of what she was doing, was undeserved.
As far as the writing went, I enjoyed it. It was easy to read and follow along with and I finished this book in one day. I don't know if it was a problem with my Kindle app or not, but the formatting was way off for this ARC, being entirely justified right and it took me a bit to be able to read it because I kept being thrown by lines that only had one or two words on it. After I got used to that, though, it was easy and fun reading and I will be happy to add this book to my collection when it comes out.
The main character was... the main character. I spent the entire time rolling my eyes, laughing and pointing out passages to my wife. This may sound like a bad thing in a horror book, but for me, it really wasn't. HE wasn't supposed to be the scary part of the story, after all. He was such an *** whose only redeeming quality was his care of his niece. I was disappointed at what happened to one of the team members, who I liked. I was also disappointed at how Zap's story ended, because I was cheering for... things... the entire time. I found him just as ridiculous and unlikeable at the end as I did at the beginning, although I really hope that their new set up works out for them, as it may help shrink his head.
Now, onto the entity - loved it. I could not think of a more fitting entity to go after Za---Zap. I wish she had been after him only, because then she would have been my favourite character. ... you know, she might be my favourite character, anyway. She was eerie, determined and the sheer spirit of FAFO. Finding out her backstory, I know the characters and probably a lot of readers were very EW, SICK, but honestly... I just felt really bad for her. What happened to her, regardless of what she was doing, was undeserved.
As far as the writing went, I enjoyed it. It was easy to read and follow along with and I finished this book in one day. I don't know if it was a problem with my Kindle app or not, but the formatting was way off for this ARC, being entirely justified right and it took me a bit to be able to read it because I kept being thrown by lines that only had one or two words on it. After I got used to that, though, it was easy and fun reading and I will be happy to add this book to my collection when it comes out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, that was an interesting read.
Love it or hate it, it's a good quick read.
Zap the main protagonist, really cares about his adopted disabled niece Zoe, caring for her needs, wants and development whilst being someone you love to hate and honestly feel as if he one of the most self-absorbed, jerk that, personally had a hard not to see the personality being inspired by a well-known male in the same ghost hunting industry. If you know you know it when you read it. (if he is or not, that is whom I thought of right away and found it really funny)
Zap's past comes back to bite him hard, and Zoe (as well as a few unlucky others) get dragged into the fallout.
The story moves fast, throwing plenty of twists around, whilst staying super readable without feeling dumbed down.
It’s the kind of book you pick up for “a chapter or two” and suddenly you’re halfway through.
There are two aspects in this book that make you either love or hate the book.
The prologue and the ending.
The prologue is fantastic and really explains were, "it" comes from, and why it acts the way it does.
I'm not going to say anything about the ending as to not give anything away.
Honestly its fine, I don't have that much of an issue with it.
4-4.5 stars.
1 star for being exactly what it sets out to be.
1 star for having a different take on Ghost hunting.
a Half star for adding what can happen after a ghost hunt is done.
1 star for being easy to read without being simplistic.
1 star for having a really good love to hate main with a good arch.
Overall, I really liked the book and found myself laughing at some points but always wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
Thank you is in order to the Author and publisher for letting me read this book as a digital ARC.
Please note I only pick ARC's that I personally want to read and would buy, pick up and read or read in a book club, as life is too short to read books you don't like.
Love it or hate it, it's a good quick read.
Zap the main protagonist, really cares about his adopted disabled niece Zoe, caring for her needs, wants and development whilst being someone you love to hate and honestly feel as if he one of the most self-absorbed, jerk that, personally had a hard not to see the personality being inspired by a well-known male in the same ghost hunting industry. If you know you know it when you read it. (if he is or not, that is whom I thought of right away and found it really funny)
Zap's past comes back to bite him hard, and Zoe (as well as a few unlucky others) get dragged into the fallout.
The story moves fast, throwing plenty of twists around, whilst staying super readable without feeling dumbed down.
It’s the kind of book you pick up for “a chapter or two” and suddenly you’re halfway through.
There are two aspects in this book that make you either love or hate the book.
The prologue and the ending.
The prologue is fantastic and really explains were, "it" comes from, and why it acts the way it does.
I'm not going to say anything about the ending as to not give anything away.
Honestly its fine, I don't have that much of an issue with it.
4-4.5 stars.
1 star for being exactly what it sets out to be.
1 star for having a different take on Ghost hunting.
a Half star for adding what can happen after a ghost hunt is done.
1 star for being easy to read without being simplistic.
1 star for having a really good love to hate main with a good arch.
Overall, I really liked the book and found myself laughing at some points but always wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
Thank you is in order to the Author and publisher for letting me read this book as a digital ARC.
Please note I only pick ARC's that I personally want to read and would buy, pick up and read or read in a book club, as life is too short to read books you don't like.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was unfortunately pretty disappointed with this one. I had high hopes after reading the prologue, it honestly feels like it’s from a different book all together, but it does introduce the main haunted artifact. I was looking forward to learning more about it, but that never really happened.
I thought the plot was a pretty fun idea, ghost hunters are always a fun topic. Unfortunately they were just lightly covered and it was mainly to mention that their show might be cancelled. There was one really fun scene during a shoot and I wish there was more of that. It was the scariest part in the book.
The characters were just ok, they were pretty flat other than the main character, Zap. He was super unlikable, but that was the point and I do think he was done well. My biggest disappointment was with Rose, she seemed so absolutely cool when she was introduced, but her character completely changed into a sobbing mess that needed comforting. She did do a couple of neat things, but I wish her personality hadn’t changed so much. I also wasn’t fond of Zoey, the main characters niece. She felt thrown in for an easy target of the haunting. It also felt like Zap kept forgetting she existed at parts.
The pacing was quick which I appreciated. I was able to easily read this in a couple of days. One of my biggest issues was with plausibility. There were so many minor things that just didn’t make sense. The dialog was also simple and lacking. The emotions felt a bit forced there.
Overall I did want to finish this to see what ended up happening. It was goofier than I was expecting, but I think that worked really well with the main character. I just wish things were explained more with the haunting and I just really didn’t care for the human bad guy. I wish he wasn’t added in at all.
I thought the plot was a pretty fun idea, ghost hunters are always a fun topic. Unfortunately they were just lightly covered and it was mainly to mention that their show might be cancelled. There was one really fun scene during a shoot and I wish there was more of that. It was the scariest part in the book.
The characters were just ok, they were pretty flat other than the main character, Zap. He was super unlikable, but that was the point and I do think he was done well. My biggest disappointment was with Rose, she seemed so absolutely cool when she was introduced, but her character completely changed into a sobbing mess that needed comforting. She did do a couple of neat things, but I wish her personality hadn’t changed so much. I also wasn’t fond of Zoey, the main characters niece. She felt thrown in for an easy target of the haunting. It also felt like Zap kept forgetting she existed at parts.
The pacing was quick which I appreciated. I was able to easily read this in a couple of days. One of my biggest issues was with plausibility. There were so many minor things that just didn’t make sense. The dialog was also simple and lacking. The emotions felt a bit forced there.
Overall I did want to finish this to see what ended up happening. It was goofier than I was expecting, but I think that worked really well with the main character. I just wish things were explained more with the haunting and I just really didn’t care for the human bad guy. I wish he wasn’t added in at all.
Review of advance copy
First of all, I like Stoney Brooks - and I’m absolutely open to reading more from him.
This is a fast-paced horror novel that plays out like a movie in your head. You don’t need to be into ghost-hunting shows to enjoy it; the story stands on its own. The opening comes in swinging, with believable, flawed characters, well-placed humor, and gore that does not hold back. Early on, this felt like a solid five-star read. The writing flows effortlessly, the plot is intriguing, and I was fully invested in seeing where it would go.
Unfortunately… it mostly just went.
The core entity worked for me, but the additional danger introduced toward the end felt like over-seasoning an already flavorful dish… salt on top of salt. It didn’t add depth so much as dilute the impact of what was already effective.
I will say this: Brooks is unafraid to make readers uncomfortable. Some of the sexual content gave me the ick, but I respect the willingness to tackle unsettling territory without apology. That boldness is clearly part of his voice and I’m here for it!
My biggest issue, though, is the ending. While it technically concludes the story, it doesn’t resolve it. The prologue (set in Poland, 1944) was an absolute banger! But by the end, I was left wondering how that opening truly connected to the present-day story. Instead of circling back to that initial “WTF” moment in a satisfying way, the ending left me with a more confused “wait… what?”
That said, despite my frustrations, I did enjoy this book overall. I’d still recommend it to horror readers, and I’ll likely be sharing it in a horror lit group I’m part of. It didn’t stick the landing for me… but the ride was compelling enough that I’d gladly take another one.
As a final thought, I’d happily volunteer Brooks for a horror Bigfoot novel. It’s been a while since the genre has had a truly standout entry (Devolution still holds that crown), and after reading this, I think he has the right instincts to pull it off.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a fast-paced horror novel that plays out like a movie in your head. You don’t need to be into ghost-hunting shows to enjoy it; the story stands on its own. The opening comes in swinging, with believable, flawed characters, well-placed humor, and gore that does not hold back. Early on, this felt like a solid five-star read. The writing flows effortlessly, the plot is intriguing, and I was fully invested in seeing where it would go.
Unfortunately… it mostly just went.
The core entity worked for me, but the additional danger introduced toward the end felt like over-seasoning an already flavorful dish… salt on top of salt. It didn’t add depth so much as dilute the impact of what was already effective.
I will say this: Brooks is unafraid to make readers uncomfortable. Some of the sexual content gave me the ick, but I respect the willingness to tackle unsettling territory without apology. That boldness is clearly part of his voice and I’m here for it!
My biggest issue, though, is the ending. While it technically concludes the story, it doesn’t resolve it. The prologue (set in Poland, 1944) was an absolute banger! But by the end, I was left wondering how that opening truly connected to the present-day story. Instead of circling back to that initial “WTF” moment in a satisfying way, the ending left me with a more confused “wait… what?”
That said, despite my frustrations, I did enjoy this book overall. I’d still recommend it to horror readers, and I’ll likely be sharing it in a horror lit group I’m part of. It didn’t stick the landing for me… but the ride was compelling enough that I’d gladly take another one.
As a final thought, I’d happily volunteer Brooks for a horror Bigfoot novel. It’s been a while since the genre has had a truly standout entry (Devolution still holds that crown), and after reading this, I think he has the right instincts to pull it off.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 5, 2026
By far the most unrealistic thing about this ghost hunting story with an actual folklore monster included is that everyone recognises the main host of a declining ghost hunting show by sight.
From the opening being in the actual holocaust by way introducing the monster, I would’ve expected this to be referenced at least one other point in the story. It isn’t. There is no explanation why a creature from Jewish folklore is being used as a weapon by one incredibly unhinged man and even how it wound up in America in the first place, just nothing. In place of a smidge of explanation, we have the MMC, Zap, who starts out unlikeable on purpose and remains unlikeable despite the narrative softening around him when he is objectively terrible.
His sole humanising feature is his disabled niece, Zoey, whose role in the story is to be sweet and get possessed. She has no agency outside of that while Zap does everything wrong in this possession situation. The existence of ghosts and the supernatural is never called into question as a plot point so it skips over that potential setback, but it does then introduce a new set of issues. Zap fakes his shows but that wouldn’t be an issue given that ghosts are real and surprisingly active everywhere.
The horror itself follows a mostly familiar playbook with a few surprises given the utter lack of context for the box/monster being used in the first place. But I wasn’t on edge for it, I wasn’t invested in the characters as the focus is entirely on Zap so the threat to the others doesn’t hit as hard as it was needing to.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
From the opening being in the actual holocaust by way introducing the monster, I would’ve expected this to be referenced at least one other point in the story. It isn’t. There is no explanation why a creature from Jewish folklore is being used as a weapon by one incredibly unhinged man and even how it wound up in America in the first place, just nothing. In place of a smidge of explanation, we have the MMC, Zap, who starts out unlikeable on purpose and remains unlikeable despite the narrative softening around him when he is objectively terrible.
His sole humanising feature is his disabled niece, Zoey, whose role in the story is to be sweet and get possessed. She has no agency outside of that while Zap does everything wrong in this possession situation. The existence of ghosts and the supernatural is never called into question as a plot point so it skips over that potential setback, but it does then introduce a new set of issues. Zap fakes his shows but that wouldn’t be an issue given that ghosts are real and surprisingly active everywhere.
The horror itself follows a mostly familiar playbook with a few surprises given the utter lack of context for the box/monster being used in the first place. But I wasn’t on edge for it, I wasn’t invested in the characters as the focus is entirely on Zap so the threat to the others doesn’t hit as hard as it was needing to.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
February 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a quick, easy read that I was able to finish in one sitting, which I definitely appreciated. The pacing made it accessible, but unfortunately, it also felt very repetitive for the first half of the book. It wasn’t until around the 50% mark that things started to feel more engaging.
I liked Ryan and Adam well enough, but Zach was very hit or miss for me. I wasn’t a fan of the way he was portrayed, especially with his “player” personality, and then suddenly Rosie being thrown into the mix, it all felt a bit chaotic and unfocused. That said, the one redeeming quality for Zach was his relationship with Zoe. His bond with his niece was genuinely sweet and added a layer of depth to his character that I wish we had seen more of.
Noah and Tish, however, felt completely out of place. Their storyline made everything feel even more scattered, and it pulled me out of the narrative instead of adding to it. I honestly wish the plot had been more straightforward something like Zach going into a building with the group and things spiraling from there. The direction it actually took just felt all over the place.
The shorter length definitely worked in its favor, but I truly think the story would have been stronger if it had ended after Zach burned the box. That moment felt like a natural and satisfying stopping point.
Overall, this had potential and some solid character moments, but the execution left me wanting something more cohesive.
This was a quick, easy read that I was able to finish in one sitting, which I definitely appreciated. The pacing made it accessible, but unfortunately, it also felt very repetitive for the first half of the book. It wasn’t until around the 50% mark that things started to feel more engaging.
I liked Ryan and Adam well enough, but Zach was very hit or miss for me. I wasn’t a fan of the way he was portrayed, especially with his “player” personality, and then suddenly Rosie being thrown into the mix, it all felt a bit chaotic and unfocused. That said, the one redeeming quality for Zach was his relationship with Zoe. His bond with his niece was genuinely sweet and added a layer of depth to his character that I wish we had seen more of.
Noah and Tish, however, felt completely out of place. Their storyline made everything feel even more scattered, and it pulled me out of the narrative instead of adding to it. I honestly wish the plot had been more straightforward something like Zach going into a building with the group and things spiraling from there. The direction it actually took just felt all over the place.
The shorter length definitely worked in its favor, but I truly think the story would have been stronger if it had ended after Zach burned the box. That moment felt like a natural and satisfying stopping point.
Overall, this had potential and some solid character moments, but the execution left me wanting something more cohesive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Brooks's latest is a sharp, morally charged work of supernatural horror. Zap Rogers built his fame on the dead, turning grief into ratings and hauntings into profit. But as viewership declines and trendier ghost hunters eclipse him, he grows desperate to reclaim relevance. Then a cryptic package arrives. Equipment fails. Footage corrupts. A withered hag invades his dreams and then his waking life. When the disturbances turn violent, Zap is forced to ask himself whether he invited something home or whether it has always been there, waiting for its moment.
Zap is not written as a parody of reality television excess, but as a man who has slowly rationalized his own ethical decline. For him, manipulation is reframed as production value, and the dead are reduced to content. That erosion of conscience becomes the novel’s driving force. This structure reinforces the novel’s moral framework. A restrained 1944 prologue anchors the supernatural in real atrocity, while the present-day narrative exposes the calculated cynicism of paranormal television. One storyline is born of suffering. The other turns that suffering into profit. The entity haunting Zap operates with intent rather than randomness, and the manifestations accumulate with increasing inevitability. By pairing him with a former colleague who approaches the paranormal with humility, Brooks sharpens the moral divide at the heart of the story. The result is horror that reads not as retribution, but as revelation. Lovers of morally grounded supernatural horror will be gratified.
Zap is not written as a parody of reality television excess, but as a man who has slowly rationalized his own ethical decline. For him, manipulation is reframed as production value, and the dead are reduced to content. That erosion of conscience becomes the novel’s driving force. This structure reinforces the novel’s moral framework. A restrained 1944 prologue anchors the supernatural in real atrocity, while the present-day narrative exposes the calculated cynicism of paranormal television. One storyline is born of suffering. The other turns that suffering into profit. The entity haunting Zap operates with intent rather than randomness, and the manifestations accumulate with increasing inevitability. By pairing him with a former colleague who approaches the paranormal with humility, Brooks sharpens the moral divide at the heart of the story. The result is horror that reads not as retribution, but as revelation. Lovers of morally grounded supernatural horror will be gratified.
February 9, 2026
Remember way back in the old days (showing my age here), when YouTube didn’t have premium and we used to have all those ghost hunting shows? I think Ghost Hunter was one of them. Anyway, I digress, but basically a crew goes and investigates some spooky places and sees ‘ghosts’.
That is what Zap and his team do. They have a popular ghost hunting show that was huge in its heyday but now there are younger audiences, and they are tired of seeing the same spiel in a different location. This means that the team must figure out a way to mix it up in order to keep their ratings up and keep their show from being canned.
Aside from that stress, there is also a matter of the horrific nightmares that Zap is having that leaves him unsettled and tired. Nightmares that seem to bleed over into the day when weird things start happening and tragedy befalls them.
I found this book admittedly a little slow to start but then it picks up and boy, does it ever pick up. It is scary in the best way and reminded me a little of Heart Shaped Box. They are different stories and books, but the feeling is much the same. There are things happening that are out of the character's control, and things get desperate as they try to set things straight.
This is my second book by Stoney Brooks, and I’m officially convinced he’s a solid horror writer. I’ve enjoyed both books I’ve read so far, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what he does next.
That is what Zap and his team do. They have a popular ghost hunting show that was huge in its heyday but now there are younger audiences, and they are tired of seeing the same spiel in a different location. This means that the team must figure out a way to mix it up in order to keep their ratings up and keep their show from being canned.
Aside from that stress, there is also a matter of the horrific nightmares that Zap is having that leaves him unsettled and tired. Nightmares that seem to bleed over into the day when weird things start happening and tragedy befalls them.
I found this book admittedly a little slow to start but then it picks up and boy, does it ever pick up. It is scary in the best way and reminded me a little of Heart Shaped Box. They are different stories and books, but the feeling is much the same. There are things happening that are out of the character's control, and things get desperate as they try to set things straight.
This is my second book by Stoney Brooks, and I’m officially convinced he’s a solid horror writer. I’ve enjoyed both books I’ve read so far, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what he does next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 – thank you to River-Lily Publishing & Stoney Brooks for this ARC!
Hmm, this book was ok but it didn’t really hit for me unfortunately.
Zap Rogers is a paranormal investigator with a long-running TV show, and their ratings are starting to tank. Along with his co-investigators, Adam & Ryan, they try to recapture the magic of the early days any way they can think of. However, the hauntings are no longer contained to their investigation locations, and lots of creepy shit starts happening much closer to home.
I really struggled with Zap as a character, particularly the whiplash I felt between his interactions with his niece, Zoey, vs his interactions with literally everyone else. He was so, SO unlikable – I don’t know how any of them tolerated him! I did enjoy how blatantly he is a caricature of Zac Bagans though (and the whole thing as Ghost Adventures in general) – even down to the bedazzled Ed Hardy tees.
The only character I kind of liked was Rose, but she wasn’t consistent and ultimately was just there to prop Zap up with no real agency of her own.
At 257 pages this was a short read, but it really dragged for me in places. The horror was fine, but I was hoping for something a bit creepier/more dread? I don’t know, I think ultimately this book just wasn’t for me but that’s ok!
Hmm, this book was ok but it didn’t really hit for me unfortunately.
Zap Rogers is a paranormal investigator with a long-running TV show, and their ratings are starting to tank. Along with his co-investigators, Adam & Ryan, they try to recapture the magic of the early days any way they can think of. However, the hauntings are no longer contained to their investigation locations, and lots of creepy shit starts happening much closer to home.
I really struggled with Zap as a character, particularly the whiplash I felt between his interactions with his niece, Zoey, vs his interactions with literally everyone else. He was so, SO unlikable – I don’t know how any of them tolerated him! I did enjoy how blatantly he is a caricature of Zac Bagans though (and the whole thing as Ghost Adventures in general) – even down to the bedazzled Ed Hardy tees.
The only character I kind of liked was Rose, but she wasn’t consistent and ultimately was just there to prop Zap up with no real agency of her own.
At 257 pages this was a short read, but it really dragged for me in places. The horror was fine, but I was hoping for something a bit creepier/more dread? I don’t know, I think ultimately this book just wasn’t for me but that’s ok!
Review of advance copy
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4!
Zap Rodgers is a well known and famous ghost hunter. He emerged as one of the leading showrunners and has been in the business the longest. However, despite this his show is at risk and his team has to make some last ditch efforts to save it. This results in Zap biting off more than he can chew and finding a way to succeed over what continues to dig itself free.
I ate this up and flew through the book. I watched many ghost hunting shows in my younger years. I could easily see the similarities and references to Zac Bagans and team from Ghost Adventures. I don't recall having read a horror story with this plot line so it was refreshing to get something different.
Even though I liked the book, I couldn't stand Zap as the main character. He only had minor redeeming qualities towards the end. There were other minor things that were lacking that would have eased my mind. For example, did Zap shower after? When you read it you'll know what I mean. The stories resolution was well done as well. I didn't have but one question.
All in all, would recommend to fans of the genre!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Zap Rodgers is a well known and famous ghost hunter. He emerged as one of the leading showrunners and has been in the business the longest. However, despite this his show is at risk and his team has to make some last ditch efforts to save it. This results in Zap biting off more than he can chew and finding a way to succeed over what continues to dig itself free.
I ate this up and flew through the book. I watched many ghost hunting shows in my younger years. I could easily see the similarities and references to Zac Bagans and team from Ghost Adventures. I don't recall having read a horror story with this plot line so it was refreshing to get something different.
Even though I liked the book, I couldn't stand Zap as the main character. He only had minor redeeming qualities towards the end. There were other minor things that were lacking that would have eased my mind. For example, did Zap shower after? When you read it you'll know what I mean. The stories resolution was well done as well. I didn't have but one question.
All in all, would recommend to fans of the genre!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book has great potential: the premise is fascinating, there's atmosphere, there are creepy scenes, intriguing characters, and plenty of nods to the paranormal scene. It's also easy to see which real person the main character is a caricature of (whether intentionally or not), and that does make for some very good satire. And, to be honest, it did keep my interest throughout, despite its - unfortunately many - flaws.
Which flaws are these? Well, first of all, the uneven pacing: apparently, some themes are far closer to the author's heart, while others are just for show (pun intended). Secondly, so many underdeveloped situations and story turns (especially the traumatic ones). Third, so many inconsistently portrayed characters (especially Zap), who sometimes seem to be meaningfully growing and yet nothing ever changes in the long run (again, this may have been intentional, but it conflcted with the demands of the story: the prologue made me expect a spooky and suspenseful tale, not a cheesy one). Finally, a lot seems to be inserted as an afterthought, not growing organically out of what's gone before.
I think that readers who prefer not to take horror too seriously will enjoy this far more than I did.
Which flaws are these? Well, first of all, the uneven pacing: apparently, some themes are far closer to the author's heart, while others are just for show (pun intended). Secondly, so many underdeveloped situations and story turns (especially the traumatic ones). Third, so many inconsistently portrayed characters (especially Zap), who sometimes seem to be meaningfully growing and yet nothing ever changes in the long run (again, this may have been intentional, but it conflcted with the demands of the story: the prologue made me expect a spooky and suspenseful tale, not a cheesy one). Finally, a lot seems to be inserted as an afterthought, not growing organically out of what's gone before.
I think that readers who prefer not to take horror too seriously will enjoy this far more than I did.
Review of advance copy
This book gave full movie vibes, the prologue was able to draw me right in and i knew from that this was the book for me.
Firstly there are things in this book that will give you the ICK and I'm not talking about the bedroom scene, no not that one, the other one, the first one was gross sure, but if you have kids you've lived it.
Zap stressed me tf out, like dude, shut your mouth for literally 5 minutes and reflect on your inner self. I wanted more of Adam and Ryan, they could have had so much more in this story and Rosie's parts were some I really enjoyed, they felt true horror, like potential conjuring horror which i am here for. Zap obviously had 1 redeeming quality and that was his niece but tbh that's it.
I'm going 5 stars because i did love this story and i was HOOKED, couldn't put it down and when i say that, i mean i was late for work because of it, but it's cool they survived without me.
The only thing i would say i would change would be more from the prologue because it was set in Poland 1944 and it was incredible, I want to see more of the story after that, what started as something meant to protect and how it became something to haunt people with and how it passed hands over the years.
I'd definitely read more books by Stoney Brooks
Firstly there are things in this book that will give you the ICK and I'm not talking about the bedroom scene, no not that one, the other one, the first one was gross sure, but if you have kids you've lived it.
Zap stressed me tf out, like dude, shut your mouth for literally 5 minutes and reflect on your inner self. I wanted more of Adam and Ryan, they could have had so much more in this story and Rosie's parts were some I really enjoyed, they felt true horror, like potential conjuring horror which i am here for. Zap obviously had 1 redeeming quality and that was his niece but tbh that's it.
I'm going 5 stars because i did love this story and i was HOOKED, couldn't put it down and when i say that, i mean i was late for work because of it, but it's cool they survived without me.
The only thing i would say i would change would be more from the prologue because it was set in Poland 1944 and it was incredible, I want to see more of the story after that, what started as something meant to protect and how it became something to haunt people with and how it passed hands over the years.
I'd definitely read more books by Stoney Brooks
March 4, 2026
Ok, I read a ton of paranormal and supernatural stories, but this one honestly gave me the chills.
What Digs Itself Free is a chilling blend of supernatural and horror. The story centers around Zap and his ghost hunting team. With his career in jeopardy, Zap and the team are looking for new, creative way to draw in viewers. As they investigate spooky places, Zap begins to notice things happening within his home and with is niece. When an old colleague reenters the team and he asks for help, she realizes that someone has sent him a dybbuk box and the spirit within it had a weird obsession with him. Now, the spirit refuses to let him go.
This story was captivating. It pulled me in right from the beginning. I read this at night, while iw as home alone and I swear, it had me feeling cold breath on my neck and I was constantly looking over my shoulder. I couldn't put it down though and I ended up finishing it in one sitting.
I thought the story was fantastic and pacing was spot on. I love how Zap's history tied into the malevolent spirited and how he was able to grow from the experience.
I highly recommend giving this a read. This was my first Stoney Brooks book and I need more!!
What Digs Itself Free is a chilling blend of supernatural and horror. The story centers around Zap and his ghost hunting team. With his career in jeopardy, Zap and the team are looking for new, creative way to draw in viewers. As they investigate spooky places, Zap begins to notice things happening within his home and with is niece. When an old colleague reenters the team and he asks for help, she realizes that someone has sent him a dybbuk box and the spirit within it had a weird obsession with him. Now, the spirit refuses to let him go.
This story was captivating. It pulled me in right from the beginning. I read this at night, while iw as home alone and I swear, it had me feeling cold breath on my neck and I was constantly looking over my shoulder. I couldn't put it down though and I ended up finishing it in one sitting.
I thought the story was fantastic and pacing was spot on. I love how Zap's history tied into the malevolent spirited and how he was able to grow from the experience.
I highly recommend giving this a read. This was my first Stoney Brooks book and I need more!!
March 2, 2026
Thanks to Stoney Brooks, River-Lily Publishing and NetGalley for this free advanced copy of What Digs Itself Free. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
This book felt ominous from the very start. The flashback scene that opens the story perfectly set the tone for what was to come.
I'll admit that it took a little while for the present day story to get going. I didn't feel overly connected to Zap the main character through the first quarter of the book - he didn't seem like a nice guy at all.
All of that changed though when the protagonists investigated the abandoned hospital and things really did not go well. The fallout from this incident defined the rest of the book.
The return of Rosie helped round out Zap's character a lot more and explained some of his actions, while having his little niece Zoey caught up in the terrifying events only made it more impactful.
I was satisfied by the end - Zap finally seems to realise what is important in his life and finds some sort of peace. I have my own theories about what the ending might mean, so I'll be in touch Mr Brooks.
This book felt ominous from the very start. The flashback scene that opens the story perfectly set the tone for what was to come.
I'll admit that it took a little while for the present day story to get going. I didn't feel overly connected to Zap the main character through the first quarter of the book - he didn't seem like a nice guy at all.
All of that changed though when the protagonists investigated the abandoned hospital and things really did not go well. The fallout from this incident defined the rest of the book.
The return of Rosie helped round out Zap's character a lot more and explained some of his actions, while having his little niece Zoey caught up in the terrifying events only made it more impactful.
I was satisfied by the end - Zap finally seems to realise what is important in his life and finds some sort of peace. I have my own theories about what the ending might mean, so I'll be in touch Mr Brooks.
March 8, 2026
This is the first book I have read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
Zap Rogers is an unlikable character who has been exploiting people for a long time. Fortunately, most of them are dead. He's been on a long running ghost hunting show and has made quite a lot of money from it. Unfortunately, the climate and market is shifting and he is no longer as entertaining or relevant as he once was.
Zap quickly realizes that he must do something and fast to remain relevant and on top. He orders some new equipment in the hopes of taking the show in a new direction, however, a mysterious package from a secret admirer arrives and soon things take a turn for the worse.
Seemingly overnight, things start to happen that he can't explain. He begins to suffer from nightmares, manifestations that get physical and weird sightings. All of this ends up coming full circle back to the selfish and exploiting behavior of Zap himself.
Overall, this was a great story, and it kept me turning the pages and on the edge of my seat. I recommend this book and you will not be disappointed.
Zap Rogers is an unlikable character who has been exploiting people for a long time. Fortunately, most of them are dead. He's been on a long running ghost hunting show and has made quite a lot of money from it. Unfortunately, the climate and market is shifting and he is no longer as entertaining or relevant as he once was.
Zap quickly realizes that he must do something and fast to remain relevant and on top. He orders some new equipment in the hopes of taking the show in a new direction, however, a mysterious package from a secret admirer arrives and soon things take a turn for the worse.
Seemingly overnight, things start to happen that he can't explain. He begins to suffer from nightmares, manifestations that get physical and weird sightings. All of this ends up coming full circle back to the selfish and exploiting behavior of Zap himself.
Overall, this was a great story, and it kept me turning the pages and on the edge of my seat. I recommend this book and you will not be disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What Digs Itself Free by Stoney Brooks is an atmospheric and moody read that leans heavily into tension and slow-building unease. From the very first pages, the tone is dark and foreboding, and the author does a strong job creating a sense of isolation and dread that lingers throughout the story. The imagery is vivid, and there are several genuinely unsettling moments that stick with you.
That said, the pacing can feel uneven. The slow burn works well at times, but there are stretches where the story drags and the tension plateaus rather than escalates. Some character motivations could have been developed more deeply, which made it harder to fully connect emotionally with their choices.
The concept itself is intriguing and original, and the ending delivers a payoff that will likely satisfy readers who enjoy psychological or supernatural horror. Overall, it’s a solid read with a compelling atmosphere, even if it doesn’t fully reach its potential. Worth picking up if you enjoy eerie, character-driven suspense—but be prepared for a deliberate pace.
That said, the pacing can feel uneven. The slow burn works well at times, but there are stretches where the story drags and the tension plateaus rather than escalates. Some character motivations could have been developed more deeply, which made it harder to fully connect emotionally with their choices.
The concept itself is intriguing and original, and the ending delivers a payoff that will likely satisfy readers who enjoy psychological or supernatural horror. Overall, it’s a solid read with a compelling atmosphere, even if it doesn’t fully reach its potential. Worth picking up if you enjoy eerie, character-driven suspense—but be prepared for a deliberate pace.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to start this review by thanking the author for providing me with a copy of this book. I truly enjoyed every bit of it!
This story has become one of my absolute favorites. I love psychological horror, and this book delivered exactly what I look for: chills and that genuine, unsettling feeling of being watched in the dark. I particularly loved the character Zap; he was a standout for me.
Each chapter felt like entering a world with no escape. Themes like the paranormal, spirits, and the Ouija board have always been fascinating to me, and they were handled perfectly here. While I loved the ending, I must confess that it left me craving even more!
I congratulate Stoney Brooks for his marvelous talent in writing such gripping stories. I also really appreciated the pacing—the way the story gradually took shape was masterfully done.
Final Verdict: 5/5 stars. It couldn't be any other way. Excellent work, and I wish the author much success! You have a loyal fan in me.
This story has become one of my absolute favorites. I love psychological horror, and this book delivered exactly what I look for: chills and that genuine, unsettling feeling of being watched in the dark. I particularly loved the character Zap; he was a standout for me.
Each chapter felt like entering a world with no escape. Themes like the paranormal, spirits, and the Ouija board have always been fascinating to me, and they were handled perfectly here. While I loved the ending, I must confess that it left me craving even more!
I congratulate Stoney Brooks for his marvelous talent in writing such gripping stories. I also really appreciated the pacing—the way the story gradually took shape was masterfully done.
Final Verdict: 5/5 stars. It couldn't be any other way. Excellent work, and I wish the author much success! You have a loyal fan in me.
March 8, 2026
What do you do when your paranormal show isn’t grabbing the crowds like it used to? Revamp of course. At least that’s what Zap thought. So a new wardrobe for the crew seemed like the way to go. But the box that was dropped on his doorstep was not what he ordered. It was creepy honesty. Things started to get really weird after the box.
I had a serious love/hate relationship with Zap. He was kinda a tool. But what I did love was the creep factor that was displayed in this story. Nightmares turning into physical moments. Yeah, no thanks. I loved the cheesy yet spooky vibe of this story. It’s the one thing that I’ve come to love about this authors writing style. He’s got that knack of creepy, spooky, intense, then some cheesy thrown in. I’ve honestly loved the stories that I’ve read from Stoney, and will continue to enjoy these stories. Thx so much for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you.
I had a serious love/hate relationship with Zap. He was kinda a tool. But what I did love was the creep factor that was displayed in this story. Nightmares turning into physical moments. Yeah, no thanks. I loved the cheesy yet spooky vibe of this story. It’s the one thing that I’ve come to love about this authors writing style. He’s got that knack of creepy, spooky, intense, then some cheesy thrown in. I’ve honestly loved the stories that I’ve read from Stoney, and will continue to enjoy these stories. Thx so much for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The past has a way of kicking your ass.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with this complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this book are completely my own.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. The cover and the title draws one in and the first chapter is magnificent. Sadly the rest was only good and not as magnificent as the start. I hated the main character but I do think that, that was the point. I liked the character growth and the storyline, I just felt that the prologue was soo good but a bit detached from the rest of the book. It feels like the idea that was started in the prologue wasn't fully realized. I do believe that the idea would have made the book even better.
All in all the story was good just not as good as the cover and description promised it to be.
Characters 3/5
Setting 4/5
Story3/5
Overall 3.5/5
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with this complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this book are completely my own.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. The cover and the title draws one in and the first chapter is magnificent. Sadly the rest was only good and not as magnificent as the start. I hated the main character but I do think that, that was the point. I liked the character growth and the storyline, I just felt that the prologue was soo good but a bit detached from the rest of the book. It feels like the idea that was started in the prologue wasn't fully realized. I do believe that the idea would have made the book even better.
All in all the story was good just not as good as the cover and description promised it to be.
Characters 3/5
Setting 4/5
Story3/5
Overall 3.5/5
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