The last thing Adam wants to do is spend a week in a secluded cabin deep in the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by snow and trees. But he has little choice, not when his brother all but begs him. Apparently, his brother believes being isolated from the rest of the world in the Virginian wilderness will help Adam let go of the guilt he’s been carrying for the past year. He couldn’t be more wrong. What starts as a harmless holiday with his brother and friends, soon turns into a fight for survival. Surrounded by ancient Appalachian forests, Adam soon realises they are not alone. Tall, skeletal figures move between the trees, creeping closer to the cabin every day, and leave behind fresh trails of blood. The question is, will the hungry forest claim him first, or will Adam’s guilty conscience?
This is a good quick novella. Silence in the Snow tells the story of Adam. Adam was in a terrible accident one year before the story begins. Presently he is with his brother and friends on a week long getaway in the Appalachian mountains. And, it is snowy. Adam hates the snow.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Is the terror that happens to Adam all in his head, PTSD, a curse or something haunting the woods? How are we to decide?
I was drawn into this book from the start. I found Adam relatable. I share his aversion to snow and driving. The narrative features creepy elements throughout. But that twist was completely unexpected! I really enjoyed this!
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
This book had so many moments that literallv made me cover my mouth! This plot line was so well developed, the characters were so believable that I was sucked into this story immediately. I am not going to say any spoilers, but you will continue to be shocked and horrified by this book. I whole heartedly recommend this book to any that enjoys a good spooky story. <
Silence in the Snow by T.E. Sullivan is one of those rare novellas that manages to be both deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant. From the very first page, Sullivan pulls you into the icy stillness of the Appalachian wilderness and refuses to let go.
Adam, the reluctant protagonist, is already carrying a heavy emotional burden when he’s dragged to a remote Virginian cabin by his well‑meaning brother. What begins as an awkward attempt at healing quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Sullivan excels at turning the natural world into a character of its own—ancient, watchful, and hungry. The creeping dread builds masterfully as tall, skeletal figures drift between the trees, their presence growing more menacing with each passing day.
What elevates this novella beyond a simple survival horror is the way Sullivan intertwines external terror with internal turmoil. Adam’s guilt is as much a threat as the blood‑stained forest surrounding him, and the question of which will consume him first keeps the tension razor‑sharp. The psychological depth adds richness to the story, making every moment feel earned and every revelation hit harder.
Sullivan’s prose is crisp and evocative, painting the snow‑covered mountains with equal parts beauty and menace. The pacing is tight, the characters feel real, and the sense of isolation is almost palpable. By the time the final pages arrive, you’re left breathless—not just from the horror, but from the emotional weight beneath it.
Silence in the Snow is a chilling, thoughtful, and beautifully crafted novella that lingers long after the last line. Perfect for readers who love atmospheric horror.
Thank you so much to Tegan for sending me this! I have to apologise for the late read, life has been busyyy! But I finally got to it!
It’s winter break & unfortunately for Adam it’s being spent deep in the Appalachian mountains. It’s meant to be a “relaxing” break with his brother Liam & friends, a reset from life if you will. But Adam couldn’t think of anything worse, he HATES the snow, hates the mountains & hates the thought of being cooped up there for a full week!
Liam insisted though, he hopes it will help Adam find closure from a tragic accident that’s been plaguing his nightmares for the last year.
But whilst everyone else seems to be having fun Adams nightmares seem to be increasing, he doesn’t know what’s real or not anymore…is he hallucinating or are those broken bodies real? He feels like he’s losing the plot!
This was my first time reading anything from Tegan & I really enjoyed it! I love anything about the Appalachian mountains, it’s those spooky, spine tingling vibes you thrive off when reading about that place!
It was a good build up with an eerie feeling through out. Defo a quick & easy read for me.
Thanks again for the arc! This is now available & out in the world 🤎
I was kindly sent an arc for this by the author and I decided to go in blind. All I knew about it was that it’s set in the Appalachian mountains which I LOVEEEE! This was such a good, fast paced horror story that grips you from the very first page! The story is told from the POV of Adam, our main character who’s experienced something extremely traumatic, and he’s decided to join his brother and his brothers friends on a trip to a cabin in the mountains to try and feel normal and relax.
What was meant to be a trip to forget about his troubles soon turns into his worst nightmare. He starts seeing terrifying things that aren’t there, hearing voices calling his name and luring him in, and we start to see him descend into a state of madness. I literally didn’t know what was real or what wasn’t!
Also, the TWIST?! I loved it. I did not see it coming at all.
Highly recommend downloading this when it’s out! It’s just over 100 pages!!
Silence in the Snow is a fast-paced psychological horror that explores survivor’s guilt in an eerie, isolated setting.
The urban legend-style trope of Skinwalkers in the forest was a fun plot point and one that immediately had me intrigued. I really enjoyed the descriptive gore, which added a sharp edge to the story. Still, I couldn’t help thinking that if it were expanded into a longer novel, there’d be more space for that slow, overwhelming dread and tension to really build and linger. With that said, though, as a novella, it makes sense.
I really enjoyed the twist. I did pick up on the foreshadowing, but it didn't really lessen the impact for me at all.
Thank you to the author for sending me the eARC for review. I'd definitely check out more from the author if she ever decided to write a full-length horror novel.
Oh, there’s a horror novella that takes place in the winter in the legendary Appalachian mountains? You don’t have to tell me twice! For its length it packs quite a gory and horrifying punch! Having grown up in a valley surrounded by the Appalachian mountains in Virginia I’m absolutely fascinated by all the lore associated with them. This book brings isolation, trauma, a snowstorm, and some of the legends (i. e. If you hear someone calling your name in the woods, no you didn’t) all into one story with a twist that I couldn’t have predicted! I know winter is over but who doesn’t love a snowy horror story year round?
Absolutely hooked from the first page. Silence in the Snow was such a well written novella, it was goosebumps inducing, don't read at night, what the hell is happening in all the best ways.
Set against the Appalachian Mountains, Sullivan delivers a psychological horror novella that hooks you early. Following Adam who is reluctantly spending a week in a secluded cabin, what unfolds is a manifestation of Adam’s guilt… or is it?
I love a horror novella and this one did not disappoint 👏
Okay, what? I have no words for that ending. Except that I didn’t see it coming whatsoever. Jaw? On the floor. In this novella we’re following Adam as he’s basically forced by his brother to go with him on a week-long vacation in the Appalachian mountains. And it’s snowing. Adam hates the snow. Prior to the events of this book Adam was involved in an accident and his brother thinks this will work as a break from the guilt he feels. But darkness lurks in every corner in the cabin in the woods they’re staying in. He learns about Skinwalkers, creatures of Native American folklore. They’re shapeshifters and can mimic human voices, they are predators and can fake calling for help. Which is why you must never answer them. The writing is so atmospheric, it’s the scariest part of the story. You can feel exactly what the MC is feeling, see what he’s seeing. Maybe a bit pretentious. But all the descriptions of gore and blood really turned my stomach. So I guess it worked. I liked the formatting of the (I guess) conversation near the end, kind of like a poem. Like one of those you can put words on whichever part of the page you feel like. That also worked well for me. The ending. The twist. That part of the book flowed so smoothly and quickly I had to cover the lower part of the text with my hand. Because my eyes wanted to see the end so badly. Luckily I covered it just in time, and when I read it? Insane. And I’m usually one for guessing ahead of time. I just thought that was all there was to it but I was wrong! It’s a short book, less than 100 pages I believe, so there’s only so long I can go on without giving any spoilers. But I will say it was phenomenal. I did not expect it to be so good. Finally, I simply have to mention how fitting the quote at the beginning of the book is. It’s that one quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest. It really tied it all together. And I love that play to death so I was excited to see a quote from it. Even if it’s the most overused one. I kind of wish it was longer honestly because the rating would’ve probably been even higher, because I could get attached to the characters better. But still I’d say a 4.5/5⭐️ is a great rating. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Appalachian Folk Horror with a twist? Sign me the fuck up!
The snow, the isolation of the cabin, and the creepy sensation of being watched from the woods are brought to life in the most atmospheric way in Silence in the Snow. Whenever Adam, our main character, describes how he feels or what the scenery around him is like, it feels so cold, isolated, and eerie. There’s something that’s constantly off, even when you feel safe for a moment within the cabin walls.
“Fear slithers down my spine like a drop of melted ice.”
“The heat feels amazing, even if it does eat away at the top layer of my skin.” I loved this line because despite the presence of heat, Adam hints that it’s only scratching the surface and underneath he is still freezing cold.
“The cabin no longer feels safe. It’s a living, breathing prison, it’s delusions slowly sending me insane.”
“The silence thick, pressing in on all sides, almost sentient, and I wonder if perhaps I would have been safer in the forest after all.”
I love how the shelter and safety of your community are turned against you in this book. Adam doesn't want to socialize; he just wants to get through this short winter getaway as fast as he can.
The mysteries of the Appalachian Mountains have always been something I found fascinating and this novella certainly explores the creepiest ones. This book blends survivor’s guilt, grief, and creeping insanity, leaving you unsure of what’s real. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Appalachian folklore and wants a bite-sized horror story that they can devour in under an hour.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book hooked me quickly with its sense of isolation and creeping unease. The Appalachian setting feels heavy and watchful, like the forest itself is holding its breath, and that atmosphere stayed with me throughout. I felt a steady undercurrent of dread while reading, the kind that doesn’t rely on constant scares, but instead builds through the feeling that something is deeply wrong. The tension between guilt and survival worked especially well for me, making the horror feel internal as much as external.
Emotionally, I found myself feeling frustrated for Adam at times, but in a way that felt intentional rather than distracting. His guilt is suffocating, and that emotional weight adds another layer to the story’s fear. I appreciated how the book explores how grief and self-blame can distort perception, making it difficult to tell where the mind ends and the horror begins. That ambiguity kept me turning pages.
That said, the book didn’t quite reach five stars for me. While the tension is strong, there were moments where I wanted more breathing room, either more time spent developing certain relationships or a deeper exploration of the mythology behind the forest itself. A bit more clarity or expansion in those areas could have made the story feel even richer and more grounded, especially as the stakes escalated.
Overall, this was an engaging, unsettling read that does a great job blending psychological horror with environmental dread. It’s the kind of story that makes silence feel dangerous and forests feel hostile long after you’ve finished reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love a good creepy story, one where you're not sure what's true, if there's a monster or if it's all in the protagonists head and Tegan has delivered this and more in her bite-sized novella, Silence in the Snow.
Although this book might appear small, Tegan has absolutely jam-packed it with action, flash-backs and an undertone that is equal parts creepy and, well, scary. She's cleverly pulled it together and I have thought about this story at least once a day since I finished, which is incredible (and my curtains are shut at dusk every night now).
There is something so compelling and frightening about the Appalachian wilderness and the stories and lore that comes out of it. The amount of times I've fallen down the rabbit hole and watched videos on it late at night then regretted it immediately is ridiculous - and those are the exact vibes Tegan has recreated here.
We follow Adam a teen boy, dragged on a winter trip by his well meaning brother, trying to get him to forget about a horrific accident from his past. But as soon as they arrive at the remote cabin in the woods, strange occurrences start and with the warning of an old drunk local ringing in his ears, Adam's nightmare has just begun.
Honestly, do yourself a favour and pick this book up, the writing is sharp, concise, pulls no punches and you'll read it in one sitting - Tegan has found a genre she excels at. Give me more!
If you love:
- horror novellas - Appalachian mountains and lore - eerie snowscape vibes - don't let the silence in... - blood and gore - cabin in the woods
I picked this ARC up on a whim, and am really glad that I did so. Silence in the Snow started out your run of the mill ‘cabin in the snowy mountains might have a supernatural problem’ but it quickly became a rather unique story. The book really captures the eerie snowy mountain vibes I was craving, and the descriptions of both the scenery and the horror were beautiful and appalling.
The characters felt like a real group of friends. Liam’s concern for his brother felt realistic, and the way he hovered hinted that there might be more going on with Adam and the accident aftermath. And Adam… a fun character with a surprising edge to him. When things started to go weird, I was quickly curious if any of the other members in the cabin were seeing/hearing the strangeness or if it was only Adam – and if it was only Adam, what about him had the mountains going so feral.
The horror aspects were really enjoyable. I was caught off guard during that kitchen scene. Was so jarring that even I had to do a double take with Adam to make sure I was reading it correctly. If in the mood for a short, eerie little jaunt through the snowy Appalachian Mountains, then this physiological story if a high recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
And I agree with one thing the book says… f*cking hate the snow…
This horror story successfully blends isolation, grief, guilt, and supernatural ambiguity. Although I don't usually read novels written in the first person—it's quite difficult to pull off right—the author nails the voice of its troubled protagonist, Adam.
Adam is a rounded character. His post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor's guilt are portrayed with intensity and consistency. His cynicism, resistance to help, and emotional detachment feel authentic rather than exaggerated. However, the supporting characters—Liam, Lauren, Zach, and Amanda—are less developed.
The novel excels in blurring the line between psychological breakdown and supernatural peril. The introduction of folklore (Skinwalkers) adds another layer, though it occasionally feels slightly under-integrated compared to the more grounded psychological elements. In my opinion, this ambiguity, along with the disturbing imagery, is the story’s strength. The reader is trapped in Adam’s perspective, forced to question what is real, which works very well in building tension.
An absorbing read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
this felt like reading a young person's creative writing class project. also this was supposedly set in Appalachia with presumably American characters but the author consistently used British spellings and vocab. repetitive vocabulary and overusing the same descriptor words was also super grating, idk how many times the sky was described as being black as spilled ink, black ink etc, and every.single.drink was hot/steaming/served in mugs, like jeez. some of the similes the author used also didn't really make any sense.. it felt like an amateur writer trying REALLY HARD to sound eloquent ??
I thought the dialogue felt forced between characters and they had no personality.. like it was so hard to care about any of them because they were just flat props, even the narrator.
just a logistical thing that seemed super far fetched also was that the friend whose family who owned the cabin said they drove out the weekend before to make it ready for guests, but it also mentioned that the cabin was a 6 hour drive away. honestly - you expect us to believe a college student made a 12 hour round trip the weekend before just to make a couple beds? be so fr.
Adam is spending his winterbreak week in the Appalachian mountains together with his brother Liam and some friends. Liam hopes his brother will find solace in the rural wilderness for a terrible tragedy that happend earlier that year, but some tragedies don’t want to be forgotten..
This psychological horror novella is my favorite read of 2026 so far! It gripped me right from the start and refused to let go until the last page. The author did an amazing job with creating a grim and atmospheric setting. I could literally feel the darkness seeping in at a certain point and I’m sure other readers will know exactly which point I refer to. That particular scene, but also many others scared me genuinely and gave me an unsettling feeling. In those moments Adam’s emotions felt so vivid and almost palpable and I’m really impressed how the author managed to do this!
I don’t want to spoil too much which is easy with a novella, so I’ll leave it here, but believe me you don’t want to miss out on this one. Pub date is on the 30th of March. Enjoy!! 🙌🏼🖤🔥 4.5⭐️
As someone who lives in Buffalo, NY and deals with a pretty hefty amount of snow every winter I can confidently say that snow is the enemy. So I immediately understood Adam’s dread. Being trapped in a remote cabin during a snowstorm would be bad enough without something hunting you in the woods.
This book absolutely nails that isolated, cut off feeling. The Appalachian setting adds an extra layer of unease. There’s just something so eerie about those mountains and the lore woven into the story makes it even better. You can feel the weight of the forest like it’s watching, waiting.
The tension builds really well as the group realizes they’re not alone. Add in the storm trapping them in place and it creates that perfect claustrophobic survival horror vibe.
And that twist!! I did not see it coming. It completely caught me off and made the story even more memorable.
It’s atmospheric, creepy, and has just the right amount of gore to keep things intense. My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer!
I have to admit that I've been really into novellas lately. Short, concise, and without any extra plots or boring parts. Also, this is my first time reading something by T.E. Sullivan and I'm very pleased.
Adam goes with his brother and his company to the Appalachian Mountains. Although he doesn't want to be there, he goes to please his brother Liam and perhaps take his mind off the accident that marked his life. But upon arriving in the famous mountains, Adam slowly realizes that things are not as they seem and that no matter how much he runs away from what awaits him, he cannot escape.
The novella itself is written very simply and without any complications. The author even found a way to get into the depths of the main character and very well depicted the struggle in his head and everything he is going through because of the mistake he made.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Twilight is approaching, and the shadows are thick, cloying beasts that move amongst the trees like living things.”
This was a good horror novella set in a snowy mountain. I’m a sucker for wintery, isolated horror books.
The psychological horror aspect was done well. Is the horror real or just a product of poor Adam’s imagination?
And that scene in the kitchen with the potatoes?? Shudder (IYKYK). This was well-written and had some unsettling moments. However, I did find some of the scenes and dialogue to be repetitive, and I wish the characters were more drawn out. We had a good sense of who Adam was: depressed, traumatised, sarcastic, but not really anyone else. I liked the ending, I thought it was strong and effective.
Recommended if you’re after a quick, creepy read. Thank you to the author for the eARC!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily (: *
I loved the overall story, but sometimes the pace moved way too fast. Some scenes felt extremely rushed when they could've benefited from slowing down a bit. I also thought that breaking the story up into sections made the flow a bit awkward. With the first section making up the majority of the story, while sections two and three are very brief, it just felt a bit unnecessary. I think it would've flowed better without those breaks in the pages.
I still really loved the story. I was a big fan of how all of the body horror and gore-heavy scenes are written so vividly descriptive. Overall I would say this is a quick and fun read with some solid horror elements!
Silence in the Snow has been one of the hardest stories for me to rate. The story feels a bit disjointed, as if trying to hit certain plot points in a streamlined manner, rather than giving each scene and character their own time and energy. On one hand, the dialogue falls flat, as if all characters have the same thoughts, feelings, emotions, and little of the dialogue really seems to impact the story in a long term way. On the other hand, the psychological horror aspect is done decently enough. Overall, I give this story a 2 out of 5 stars. Others may enjoy this story, but it's not for me.
Reviewer's Note: This review was provided without compensation, other than a free advance reader copy.
Silence in the Snow was a short novella set in the Appalachian Mountains. It follows a young boy who was in a tragic accident previous and his trauma follows him to this day. On a trip with his brother and some friends, spooky things start to occur.
This novella was CREEPY! It had beautiful, descriptive body gore and horror themes. I thoroughly enjoyed how much this made you feeeel. The twist at the end also tied it up nicely, although I would not have been mad if this went for another 100 pages.
The characters all played their own part in this and I enjoyed the development of the MMC when the final flashbacks occurred.
This was my first time reading T.E. Sullivan, and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved this story so much that I devoured it in one sitting! Being a Psychological Horror Novella, the story gets straight to the point, which I truly appreciated. The characters surprised me, especially Adam—wow! Although I managed to figure out the Plot Twist near the end (I knew I was right!), the execution still left me speechless. The story really crawled under my skin and stayed in my mind. This is exactly the type of story I love: fast-paced, full of intrigue, and drenched in horror. There is nothing more disturbing than psychological horror done right, and the author masterfully evoked that sense of dread. Final thought: Stay out of the woods. A well-deserved 5 stars!
Thank you, BookSirens, for the opportunity to read this wonderful book! I hadn’t read anything by this author before, and it turned out to be a lovely surprise. The story follows Adam, who goes on a holiday trip with his brother and friends, carrying emotional baggage from his past as he tries to heal and feel better. Things take a turn when Adam sees something in the snow that seems to call to him, but what’s real and what’s just a hallucination?
Mix an idyllic cabin, lots of snow, eerie local stories about the woods, and an unsettling silence, and you get the perfect atmosphere. The icing on the cake is that the story is relatively short and easy to read, making it a very engaging experience.
Silence In the Snow was a brilliantly Creepy read. A Forest "Hellscape" with malevolent creatures that made the plot so enticing and Eerie.
The plot introduces Adam a troubled sole (past trauma) who sets of with his brother and friends to The Appalachian Mountains for a getaway.
A "Warning" from a stranger, voices and scary sightings of shapeshifting monsters has Adam questioning his own realities. What really hides in the darkness of our mind!!
A Creepy Jaw Dropping Novella with an ending you won't see coming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“The woods know death. They know what it smells like, and they'll follow it until they can taste it."
if you're after a short psychological horror novella, then this is it.
Adam to his discomfort, tags along with his brother and friends to the Appalachian Mountains for a getaway. His past isn't the only thing messing with him, what lurks in the forest wants him.
I know little about the Appalachian Mountains in general but it does intrigue me. So when the author reached out and explained what this novella is about, I immediately jumped on it.
I can honestly say this is one of the scariest books I’ve come across 😱 The gore is creepy as hell (and some of the best I’ve read), the visuals are terrifying, and the twist at the end leaves you sitting there stunned as it all sinks in.
Adam’s dragged on a getaway trip with his brother and friends to a secluded cabin deep in the Appalachian Mountains, but he soon finds out it’s not as secluded as he thought 👹 The psychological horror plays a big part in this story and for a short 76-pager, it moves fast but hits its mark. I really enjoyed this one!