Pacheco Pass

by Aaron Lebold

Genres: Horror

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2026

About the author

Aaron Lebold is an author of psychological horror, sometimes dabbling in extreme elements. His love of the genre began at an early age with all the best slasher films. Writing has always been something of interest but he didn’t make any serious attempts at it until 2017. Since that time he has completed several novels and novellas. His short stories can be found in various anthologies by various publishers. Some of his short stories have been narrated for the Cryo-Pod Podcast. His novel “Born Sick” took second place at the Godless 666 awards for best novel of 2022.

Reviews

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm embarrassed to say that I found the story far funnier than I expected - despite the shootings and the killings, the dishonesty and the criminality. Blame it on the Ninja Turtles similarities, or the Ghostbusters references! "Pacheco Pass" was unusually lighthearted for a Lebold novel, closer to dark horror comedy than a gruesome ghost story-slash-urban legend tale of a heist gone massively wrong. That said, the crime thriller vibes are extremely strong as well, far stronger than the supernatural or paranormal aspects, which are simply taken for granted. This latter feature reduced most of the creepiness for me, but I was generously compensated by the well-crafted plot twists, the powerful character drama, and the really satisfying ending! (In fact, the story reminded a lot of Sam Raimi's "A Simple Plan" or a Coen Brothers film. I kept wondering how far things would slip out of control.) Clever, quirky, and disturbing, I eagerly recommend you give it a read!

[Mieke Janssens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very original story about a couple of thieves who have to leave their old bank robbing gigs behind but hope to hit jackpot in the desert. Things turn out different than expected...

The story kept me engaged for the most part, although at one point it started feeling a little repetitive. That was solved with a nice, unexpected twist and some action, though.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a group of criminals decide to upgrade their crime; little do they realize they will be setting off a chain of events that alter their life course forever. When one of the group makes a rookie mistake; they all have to change the course they are headed. As they try to figure out a way to lay low; one of the group mentions driving to California where another friend lives. When they get there they are let down about the living situation they find their friend. The group comes up with a devious plan to fleece people using “ghosts’. Only the plan goes downhill really quick. Before long each person discovers the plan is not what they wanted at all. This novel was ridiculously amazing! I read with interest and found myself finishing the book in a few hours. The idea was so outrageous that I could not have imagined where the story would end. If you are looking for a different type of ‘haunted’ story then this is the book to read!

[Caitlyn Sanderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was super excited to read this book as I am from the area and have traveled over Pacheco Pass well over hundreds of times. It was really cool to see Los Banos and Gilroy be mentioned and it felt like I could really place myself into the book while reading it since I know where everything is and what it looks like!!

Really the only things that stuck out to me that I would have fixed are the distances between places, no cell service over the Pass in real life so the cab parts weren't believable lol but if you weren't from the area I guess the reader wouldnt know. Other than that it was a fun little story.

[renee w · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

“My brother saw the ghost again, and now you all need to admit that you saw it too. No more laughing and making fun of it. You all saw it!"


A group of bank robbing friends decided that it’s time to make it big so they set out to the desert on a long haunted road known as Pancho Pass. They rush out in hopes of pursuing a money making scheme by robbing unsuspecting tourists . Sounds easy enough, right? That is until urban legends start to become a reality.

Lebold has once again weaved a tale of suspense , friendships and a long trail of blood .

I highly recommend this as I do all of Lebolds books.

Thank you so much to broken brain publishing and the author for the early read.

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no honor among thieves. Pacheco Pass is a legendary stretch of roadway known for ghosts. A group of criminals, after making a getaway, are determined to benefit from it. This story reads like a movie and kept me on edge. Haunting, death soaked, and dark. I loved the plot, pacing, and overall atmosphere of the book. Honestly this is my favorite Lebold book to date!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a unique ghost story. A group of friends decide to run a scheme in the desert. They are caught off guard once they start to experience ghosts. This is a fast paced and interesting story. It is easy to picture each scene unfolding. You can feel the tension from the characters as they try to stay on their A-game while being distracted by these life-like ghosts.

[Lisa Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! Almost literally. I am an avid reader, but not a particularly fast reader. On a good day I might put in fifty pages, but an average day is somewhere around thirty or forty because you know, life, it gets in my way. But I am here to tell anyone that would like to know about Aaron Lebold’s book, Pacheco Pass, from the very first page I was reeled in hook, line and sinker! And I didn’t let go until I absolutely had too. What would normally take me a week to read took two days. I can’t recall the last time I read a book of any length in that short of time. This book is absolutely marvelous!!

This is my first novel of Aaron Lebold’s and what grabbed my attention about it was the title, Pacheco Pass. For those who don’t know it’s a fifteen mile stretch of California state highway 152 that runs through the Diablo Mountain range between Santa Clara and Merced Counties and I reside within a twenty minute drive of the pass. I’m always taking my family up there for day trips and camp outs at the reservoir. The area is rich in beauty and has a long history dating back thousands of years with Native Americans. It is purported to be haunted. Psychic Sylvia Brown related her experiences while driving through the pass saying she suddenly felt powerful emotions flooding her body. She described her anxiety attack was like suffering in hell.

Being familiar with the authors location I can say it’s obvious he’s either done his homework or he too is also familiar with this notorious locale because he was pretty much spot on with his geographical descriptions which the local ‘home girl’ in me delighted to no end. But the best part of this book for me were the characters. Brad, Colton, Ray, Roy, and Eddie. They’re not good guys, but you like them anyways. You’ll find yourself feeling for them and cheering them on in the way that you want to see them succeed. You want them to be safe. And given what this story is about, (and I can’t explain without spoilers) you need to know that having those feelings for these characters means that this author is really, REALLY, good at what he does!!

5⭐️ All the recommendations!
A book I will never forget and would definitely reread!!

I would like to thank Aaron Lebold and Broken Brain Books for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Nicole Rubbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of thieves set out to an area called Pacheco Pass where they set up a scheme to rob unsuspecting tourists in an area that is notorious for ghost stories.
What they don’t realize is that some of these folktales, may not be just urban legends as an originally expected. Aaron Lebold has written a tale of thievery , murder, and supernatural encounters. I truly enjoyed this twisted tale.