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Harmed and Dangerous
A Paranormal Thriller for readers of Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due and Grady Hendrix
Put yourself in Kyra’s place.
You're seventeen years old, lost and alone in a remote town in Louisiana. You're searching for the birth parents you never knew. The heat is crippling. The river often floods, washing houses away and lifting corpses from the ground.
The locals treat you with suspicion. You don't belong here. They're hiding something. All over town, in nooks and hidden alcoves, there’s evidence of a forbidden faith. They keep the old ways here, but no one will tell you what they are.
There's an intangible presence following you. Hiding in your peripheral vision. You can't see, hear or touch it, but you know it's there, waiting for its chance to claim you.
Then the episodes start.
Your vision goes and when it returns you're seeing the world as it was fifteen years ago. Physically you're in the present, but everything you see happened a decade and a half ago.
Suddenly you realize.
You’re seeing through the eyes of the serial killer who murdered your birth mother. He takes control of you, forcing you to watch as he stalks and brutally murders her.
And there’s nothing you can do to stop him. Because he died by lethal injection more than a decade ago.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!
Put yourself in Kyra’s place.
You're seventeen years old, lost and alone in a remote town in Louisiana. You're searching for the birth parents you never knew. The heat is crippling. The river often floods, washing houses away and lifting corpses from the ground.
The locals treat you with suspicion. You don't belong here. They're hiding something. All over town, in nooks and hidden alcoves, there’s evidence of a forbidden faith. They keep the old ways here, but no one will tell you what they are.
There's an intangible presence following you. Hiding in your peripheral vision. You can't see, hear or touch it, but you know it's there, waiting for its chance to claim you.
Then the episodes start.
Your vision goes and when it returns you're seeing the world as it was fifteen years ago. Physically you're in the present, but everything you see happened a decade and a half ago.
Suddenly you realize.
You’re seeing through the eyes of the serial killer who murdered your birth mother. He takes control of you, forcing you to watch as he stalks and brutally murders her.
And there’s nothing you can do to stop him. Because he died by lethal injection more than a decade ago.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!
- GenresSupernatural
528 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2026
About the author
Jasper Bark
51 books179 followersJasper Bark finds writing author biographies and talking about himself in the third person faintly embarrassing. Telling you that he’s an award winning author of four cult novels including the highly acclaimed ‘Way of the Barefoot Zombie’, just sounds like boasting. Then he has to mention that he’s written 12 children’s books and hundreds of comics and graphic novels and he wants to just curl up. He cringes when he has to reveal that his work has been translated into nine different languages and is used in schools throughout the UK to help improve literacy, or that he was awarded the This Is Horror Award for his last anthology ‘Dead Air’. Maybe he’s too British, or maybe he just needs a good enema, but he’s glad this bio is now over.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 21, 2026
This genre-defying book, full of original ideas, beautiful prose, and heartwarming moments, tells a powerful family story through a tale of serial killers, unorthodox travels to the past through other people's eyes, and detailed references to voodoo practices and associated lore. The closer I got to the end, the harder it was to avoid those emotional punches in the gut, not to mention the impact of those shocking revelations piling on me in the last third's chapters. Storytelling of such elegance, clarity, and depth in a book of this size is rare; despite the numerous unsettling situations and complicated twists, the book is extremely readable and entertaining at the same time. The insights achieved by the main character - an adopted teen who feels lost and desperate, her relationship to her parents collapsing as she can't stop wondering about her biological parents - felt like eternal truths, painfully real and life affirming in ways only the very best coming-of-age stories can provide. It's quite unusual to find so much hope in a horror novel where mutilated bodies are mentioned left and right, eyeballs get scooped out regularly, and police harassment and child abuse are integral parts of the plot.
The supernatural is taken for granted from the very first pages, which makes what follows go faster and brings tension and suspense from the get go. I found this quite smart, since any lingering skepticism would certainly demand an outrageous suspension of disbelief when the "remote viewing" scenes start coming up completely out of the blue. This approach to the plot - keeping the weird and the familiar tightly, organically connected - allows the real important aspects of the story to shine through all the shocking reveals: family, friendship, and, well, again, family, whether found, blood or adopted. The father-daughter relationship especially is as much a central element of the story as the characters themselves! (Moms do get a bit of the short straw in this one.)
The Southern Gothic atmosphere coupled with the psychological intensity of the reveals and the strong thriller vibes, make this book the perfect read for anyone who enjoys moral complexity and emotional intelligence in a horror story, and doesn't mind a bit of anxiety and gore on the way to love and hope. Highly recommended!
The supernatural is taken for granted from the very first pages, which makes what follows go faster and brings tension and suspense from the get go. I found this quite smart, since any lingering skepticism would certainly demand an outrageous suspension of disbelief when the "remote viewing" scenes start coming up completely out of the blue. This approach to the plot - keeping the weird and the familiar tightly, organically connected - allows the real important aspects of the story to shine through all the shocking reveals: family, friendship, and, well, again, family, whether found, blood or adopted. The father-daughter relationship especially is as much a central element of the story as the characters themselves! (Moms do get a bit of the short straw in this one.)
The Southern Gothic atmosphere coupled with the psychological intensity of the reveals and the strong thriller vibes, make this book the perfect read for anyone who enjoys moral complexity and emotional intelligence in a horror story, and doesn't mind a bit of anxiety and gore on the way to love and hope. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
HARMED AND DANGEROUS is very inventive, a time travel story like no other. What if you could go back in time and change the past? The task could prove to be even more difficult, if you were only visiting the past through the eyes of another person living in that timeline.
That's the premise of the novel and it enters into horror and Twilight Zone territory when the time traveler learns about what may have caused childhood trauma, as the viewpoint is through the eyes of a serial killer. Worse yet, the killer has a connection to Kyra, the main character.
Bark pulls readers into this world almost effortlessly, as Kyra and other characters in the story are engaging and easy to empathize with. He understands every character's point of view and shares it with us.
The author describes this work as a Southern Gothic, paranormal thriller - - which says it best. Indeed. As it winds its way through ever-meandering and engaging side trips, I came to love these characters and worry about them fiercely. Near the end the tale morphs into what it may always have been about at the core - - a heart-warming story about the important of family.
EXTRA NOTES
I love the imagery in Chapter 1:
Constance lumbered down the aisle, stretching and yawning to shake off the sleep. Kyra was dragged along in her wake, like a minor planetary body, uncertain how to break out of Constance's orbit.
Stepping from the bus was like crossing a threshold. The cool, sterile air of the bus was replaced by the dirty, humid fug of New Orleans. The heat was so intense Kyra could taste it at the back of her throat, like cayenne pepper in a gumbo. Her pores yawned open and sweat soaked into her parched clothes.
She was pulled along in Constance's wake instead, like an errant piece of luggage, or a helium balloon losing its buoyancy.
Bark seems to know his way around Louisiana or he's just a great researcher as the background of this story feels very realistic. (I'm assuming Bark still resides in the U.K.)
It is impossible not to notice the symbolism and inclusion of so many 'eyes' in various forms. Even the main character's name, Kyra, which is pronounced k-EYE-rah.
More cool word imagery . . . .
Kyra had flown up the stairs like a cinder carved by the inferno of her rage.
She just wanted this pain and anger to let up, to leave her alone so she could breathe for a few minutes. But it didn't. It built and built inside her. A pressure with no valve and no release.
The burn an open wound, soothed by the night air, throbbed its morse code of pain.
Thanks to Jasper Bark and Crystal Lake Publishing for providing an advance digital review copy. I wrote this review without obligation.
That's the premise of the novel and it enters into horror and Twilight Zone territory when the time traveler learns about what may have caused childhood trauma, as the viewpoint is through the eyes of a serial killer. Worse yet, the killer has a connection to Kyra, the main character.
Bark pulls readers into this world almost effortlessly, as Kyra and other characters in the story are engaging and easy to empathize with. He understands every character's point of view and shares it with us.
The author describes this work as a Southern Gothic, paranormal thriller - - which says it best. Indeed. As it winds its way through ever-meandering and engaging side trips, I came to love these characters and worry about them fiercely. Near the end the tale morphs into what it may always have been about at the core - - a heart-warming story about the important of family.
EXTRA NOTES
I love the imagery in Chapter 1:
Constance lumbered down the aisle, stretching and yawning to shake off the sleep. Kyra was dragged along in her wake, like a minor planetary body, uncertain how to break out of Constance's orbit.
Stepping from the bus was like crossing a threshold. The cool, sterile air of the bus was replaced by the dirty, humid fug of New Orleans. The heat was so intense Kyra could taste it at the back of her throat, like cayenne pepper in a gumbo. Her pores yawned open and sweat soaked into her parched clothes.
She was pulled along in Constance's wake instead, like an errant piece of luggage, or a helium balloon losing its buoyancy.
Bark seems to know his way around Louisiana or he's just a great researcher as the background of this story feels very realistic. (I'm assuming Bark still resides in the U.K.)
It is impossible not to notice the symbolism and inclusion of so many 'eyes' in various forms. Even the main character's name, Kyra, which is pronounced k-EYE-rah.
More cool word imagery . . . .
Kyra had flown up the stairs like a cinder carved by the inferno of her rage.
She just wanted this pain and anger to let up, to leave her alone so she could breathe for a few minutes. But it didn't. It built and built inside her. A pressure with no valve and no release.
The burn an open wound, soothed by the night air, throbbed its morse code of pain.
Thanks to Jasper Bark and Crystal Lake Publishing for providing an advance digital review copy. I wrote this review without obligation.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kyra is a true crime junkie, particularly when it comes to Billy-Ray Johnson, a serial killer from Yeuxville who mutilated his victims, appearing and disappearing like he was never there.
So when Kyra gets in trouble at school and falls out with her parents, she heads to Yeuxville to walk the paths of Billy-Ray. But she finds that some crimes leave a mark that won’t let go.
Harmed and Dangerous is an incredible mix of true-crime investigation, southern gothic, and urban legend. You can clearly see the impeccable level of research and knowledge that has gone into this story, and I flew through the pages, desperate to know what happened next. Cliffhangers in almost every chapter? Yes, please!
The characters are complex and well defined with incredible world-building and great use of dialogue. It’s easy to visualise every character, and they will stick with you more than you realise. The ending made me tear up, I was so involved with Kyra and her dad. And that is the mark of a truly great writer.
This is one that will stay with me, and it deserves so much hype. If you like true crime, history, southern charm and legend, paranormal horror, or just a gripping who-dunnit: you’re gonna love Harmed And Dangerous.
So when Kyra gets in trouble at school and falls out with her parents, she heads to Yeuxville to walk the paths of Billy-Ray. But she finds that some crimes leave a mark that won’t let go.
Harmed and Dangerous is an incredible mix of true-crime investigation, southern gothic, and urban legend. You can clearly see the impeccable level of research and knowledge that has gone into this story, and I flew through the pages, desperate to know what happened next. Cliffhangers in almost every chapter? Yes, please!
The characters are complex and well defined with incredible world-building and great use of dialogue. It’s easy to visualise every character, and they will stick with you more than you realise. The ending made me tear up, I was so involved with Kyra and her dad. And that is the mark of a truly great writer.
This is one that will stay with me, and it deserves so much hype. If you like true crime, history, southern charm and legend, paranormal horror, or just a gripping who-dunnit: you’re gonna love Harmed And Dangerous.
March 17, 2026
I am a sucker for a great cover, often grabbing a book for that reason alone, so take a look at Harmed And Dangerous by Jasper Bark. The girl is in shadows, walking into the light. Is that going to be a good thing? The spin Jasper put on the title, Harmed And Dangerous, made me even more curious. He even added an opening illustration. I love when an author goes the extra mile.
Harmed And Dangerous by Jasper Park is the eighth book in the Bark Bites Horror series, but don't worry if you haven't read the previous books. Harmed And Dangerous is a stand alone story.
How about a location? A remote town in Louisiana. I'm sure nothing can go wrong there.
How about a young girl, Kyra, on her own, looking for answers to her past?
How about a little paranormal action going on, Kyra seeing through the eyes of the serial killer that murdered her mother?
Oh yeah. It checks a lot of boxes for me and I was quickly drawn into the world Jasper Bark created. Delilah was a wonderful surprise and an awesome character. Like Kyra, I saw through the eyes of Billy Ray, the serial killer who had been put to death by lethal injection more than ten years ago.
Things are not always as they seem and Jasper Bark kept me on my toes, trying to see what was coming before it arrived. I don't believe I have ever time traveled, like Kyra will. She has one foot in the past and the other in the present. It raises questions like...if you could change the past.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Harmed And Dangerous by Jasper Park is the eighth book in the Bark Bites Horror series, but don't worry if you haven't read the previous books. Harmed And Dangerous is a stand alone story.
How about a location? A remote town in Louisiana. I'm sure nothing can go wrong there.
How about a young girl, Kyra, on her own, looking for answers to her past?
How about a little paranormal action going on, Kyra seeing through the eyes of the serial killer that murdered her mother?
Oh yeah. It checks a lot of boxes for me and I was quickly drawn into the world Jasper Bark created. Delilah was a wonderful surprise and an awesome character. Like Kyra, I saw through the eyes of Billy Ray, the serial killer who had been put to death by lethal injection more than ten years ago.
Things are not always as they seem and Jasper Bark kept me on my toes, trying to see what was coming before it arrived. I don't believe I have ever time traveled, like Kyra will. She has one foot in the past and the other in the present. It raises questions like...if you could change the past.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
February 2, 2026
Kyra has a fascination for serial killers and one in particular, Billy-Ray Johnson. When curiosity and discovery combines, she is compelled to visit the scenes of his crimes in Yeuxville, a small southern town where they keep the ‘old ways’.
This is a mammoth outing from Jasper Bark who seamlessly combines true-crime investigations with folklore, ancient religions and supernatural discoveries.
What stands out in all Bark’s work is the immersive storytelling. You see, feel and smell the surroundings and become instinctively aware when something feels wrong. Your apprehension builds as you silently urge Kyra to look closer. Pretty impressive stuff!
This is a mammoth outing from Jasper Bark who seamlessly combines true-crime investigations with folklore, ancient religions and supernatural discoveries.
What stands out in all Bark’s work is the immersive storytelling. You see, feel and smell the surroundings and become instinctively aware when something feels wrong. Your apprehension builds as you silently urge Kyra to look closer. Pretty impressive stuff!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is so very unique. As an avid true crime fan, I really related to and enjoyed many themes in this novel. I felt the heartache, sadness, joy, and love from these characters. Each one is delicately handled. The author led me on a heart racing journey that was hard to put down! I felt like I stepped into this book, and it was very hard to leave it. Overall, it is a thrilling novel for fans of thriller, horror , small-town mysteries.
May 2, 2026
If any of you have had the privilege of reading Jasper Bark, you have been blessed with one of the finest writers I know. Bark takes horror to a new level, and he takes risks. This is reflected in his latest release, HARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Kyra is on a mission. She wants to go back to where she was born to discover more about her birth parents, and her mother’s life and death, at the hands of a serial killer. She needs to know who her father was, and since she is a serial killer groupie, it gives her the chance to
research the crimes of her favourite serial killer, Billy-Ray. In Yeauxville, there is Delilah, a woman she befriended online, who shares Kyra’s passion for Billy-Ray.
The weirdness happens straight away; She finds an eyeball on the bus, and this starts the story.
HARMED AND DANGEROUS is a book that is difficult to put down. Jasper Bark writes unforgettable characters who become more like people, in black and white. His writing takes you into the story and puts you there in this Southern Gothic novel.
This story has more twists and turns than the Tour de France. And the big surprise at the end is so well done, with such satisfaction, you can turn the last page, and be haunted by the book’s powerful message for months.
There is so much to love about this book: the plot, the arc, the characters, the pacing. This is exactly what a paranormal thriller should be: a pedagogical how-to manual. Jasper hits this one out of the park.
Kyra is on a mission. She wants to go back to where she was born to discover more about her birth parents, and her mother’s life and death, at the hands of a serial killer. She needs to know who her father was, and since she is a serial killer groupie, it gives her the chance to
research the crimes of her favourite serial killer, Billy-Ray. In Yeauxville, there is Delilah, a woman she befriended online, who shares Kyra’s passion for Billy-Ray.
The weirdness happens straight away; She finds an eyeball on the bus, and this starts the story.
HARMED AND DANGEROUS is a book that is difficult to put down. Jasper Bark writes unforgettable characters who become more like people, in black and white. His writing takes you into the story and puts you there in this Southern Gothic novel.
This story has more twists and turns than the Tour de France. And the big surprise at the end is so well done, with such satisfaction, you can turn the last page, and be haunted by the book’s powerful message for months.
There is so much to love about this book: the plot, the arc, the characters, the pacing. This is exactly what a paranormal thriller should be: a pedagogical how-to manual. Jasper hits this one out of the park.
May 21, 2026
My head is still reeling from this book. I'm honestly having trouble forming the words I need to for how to begin. But as they say, the beginning is best.
I don't read longer stories too often, but when I do, I can't help but appreciate how much more in-depth the plot and character development can go. What I just read ... no .... what I just experienced was not a simple story unraveling like a spool of thread. What I experienced was a masterful tapestry woven from many different threads all at once. The result? A breathtaking, death defying, intricate story about what one girl goes through, all the people she encounters that have been delicately woven in at just the right moments, to explaining connections and a storyline that not only keeps you guessing, but also leaves you sat in awe once you discover the next piece to the puzzle. But wait! There's more!
This story also spoke to me on a personal level. Like the main character, I was adopted at a young age with no memory of my original blood family. The anger she goes through, that frustration of not knowing, not having answers, not having closure, not having control over a decision that literally affects your entire life... I get that. The wondering what your parents must have been like or would they welcome you with open arms if you find them. How do you feel about your current parents or even how to explain to them all these thoughts racing through your head at all times? This fact about the main character made this story even more raw for me.
If you haven't read the book premise yet, this story is about a girl named Kyra who, in her journey to find her parents, accidentally ends up retracing the night her mother died through the eyes of the man that killed her.
This is a supernatural horror/paranormal thriller splattered wall to wall with crime, voodoo, and mystery! If you know me at all, you know I just love trying to figure out the mystery before it is revealed. Sometimes, I get to jump up and say, "Ha! I freaking knew it!" While other times, I was so far off the marker that I can't help but marvel at how creative and intense a road the author can take you down.
This book has shown me things I have NEVER heard of or read anywhere else. Each moment, eloquently described in such detail, you'd swear you were there! Unraveling each characters' emotions to help you better understand the decisions they made! You are in a rushing river, wide with a fast current, each moment bringing you closer to the heart, the truth, the core of what drives this story, and all who inhabit it. No need to worry about drowning, The author, Jasper Bark, wants you to safely travel down this river to the end, engaging your imagination with every stroke!I don't mind saying, I shed a few tears here and there and at one point, I was so riddled with sobs that I had to sit the book down for a moment and cry out all these built up emotions inside my heart.
If you like supernatural horror, crime, conspiracy, family, mystery, and emotional depth, I think this book is right up your alley! When you dive in, let your heart guide you.
I don't read longer stories too often, but when I do, I can't help but appreciate how much more in-depth the plot and character development can go. What I just read ... no .... what I just experienced was not a simple story unraveling like a spool of thread. What I experienced was a masterful tapestry woven from many different threads all at once. The result? A breathtaking, death defying, intricate story about what one girl goes through, all the people she encounters that have been delicately woven in at just the right moments, to explaining connections and a storyline that not only keeps you guessing, but also leaves you sat in awe once you discover the next piece to the puzzle. But wait! There's more!
This story also spoke to me on a personal level. Like the main character, I was adopted at a young age with no memory of my original blood family. The anger she goes through, that frustration of not knowing, not having answers, not having closure, not having control over a decision that literally affects your entire life... I get that. The wondering what your parents must have been like or would they welcome you with open arms if you find them. How do you feel about your current parents or even how to explain to them all these thoughts racing through your head at all times? This fact about the main character made this story even more raw for me.
If you haven't read the book premise yet, this story is about a girl named Kyra who, in her journey to find her parents, accidentally ends up retracing the night her mother died through the eyes of the man that killed her.
This is a supernatural horror/paranormal thriller splattered wall to wall with crime, voodoo, and mystery! If you know me at all, you know I just love trying to figure out the mystery before it is revealed. Sometimes, I get to jump up and say, "Ha! I freaking knew it!" While other times, I was so far off the marker that I can't help but marvel at how creative and intense a road the author can take you down.
This book has shown me things I have NEVER heard of or read anywhere else. Each moment, eloquently described in such detail, you'd swear you were there! Unraveling each characters' emotions to help you better understand the decisions they made! You are in a rushing river, wide with a fast current, each moment bringing you closer to the heart, the truth, the core of what drives this story, and all who inhabit it. No need to worry about drowning, The author, Jasper Bark, wants you to safely travel down this river to the end, engaging your imagination with every stroke!I don't mind saying, I shed a few tears here and there and at one point, I was so riddled with sobs that I had to sit the book down for a moment and cry out all these built up emotions inside my heart.
If you like supernatural horror, crime, conspiracy, family, mystery, and emotional depth, I think this book is right up your alley! When you dive in, let your heart guide you.
February 18, 2026
A twisty and unique true crime/paranormal thriller that was thoroughly entertaining and never outstayed its welcome.
The story follows Kyra, a seventeen year old serial killer obsessed girl with a mysterious background who is having anger issues and striking out against school and her parents alike. She decides to runaway back to the town where she was born to find out more about a famous serial killer, Billy-Ray that was active back when she was a toddler.
There, she meets with her online friend Delilah who is equally obsessed about Billy-Ray and an array of interesting characters. The town itself has a past that strays into the voodoo and aren't exactly welcoming to visitors. Every person she meets and gets to know has their own mystery and motivations to do what they do and the way they are portrayed and their character development really makes this book stand apart.
There is lots to enjoy here, the mystery of Kyra's background and the motivation behind Billy-Ray's killings, the mystery of the town and its background and the characters that live there are all connected and its done in a way that keeps the reader engaged and interested throughout.
Its a lengthy and highly entertaining book that definitely deserves a lot of attention when it releases in just a few short days.
The story follows Kyra, a seventeen year old serial killer obsessed girl with a mysterious background who is having anger issues and striking out against school and her parents alike. She decides to runaway back to the town where she was born to find out more about a famous serial killer, Billy-Ray that was active back when she was a toddler.
There, she meets with her online friend Delilah who is equally obsessed about Billy-Ray and an array of interesting characters. The town itself has a past that strays into the voodoo and aren't exactly welcoming to visitors. Every person she meets and gets to know has their own mystery and motivations to do what they do and the way they are portrayed and their character development really makes this book stand apart.
There is lots to enjoy here, the mystery of Kyra's background and the motivation behind Billy-Ray's killings, the mystery of the town and its background and the characters that live there are all connected and its done in a way that keeps the reader engaged and interested throughout.
Its a lengthy and highly entertaining book that definitely deserves a lot of attention when it releases in just a few short days.
May 6, 2026
I took longer than usual to read this book, not because it wasn't good or it was too long, but because I found it very heavy emotionally. Bark immerses you in Kyra's emotions. I got overwhelmed with her sadness, confusion, anger, guilt, fear her sense of being betrayed and finally her grief.
I've always enjoyed books by this author, but this one hit way different. What you think is going to be a straight forward story about a serial killer turned into a sort of coming of age story.
This is a unique ghost story that'll have you feeling everything the main character feels.
I've always enjoyed books by this author, but this one hit way different. What you think is going to be a straight forward story about a serial killer turned into a sort of coming of age story.
This is a unique ghost story that'll have you feeling everything the main character feels.
February 26, 2026
I loved the amount of research Mr Bark clearly did for this story. The southern aspects were perfect as was the voodoo and cop stuff.
I was really struggling with a reading slump during this book but it got me out of it like I knew it would.
The eyeball stuff is unforgettable and the “presence” I still feel lingering. The characters had so much depth and were thoroughly formed. Somehow all the supernatural stuff just seemed realistic and the way it was described felt like I was watching them.
Lastly the acknowledgements made me laugh. Sneaky again Mr Bark!
I was really struggling with a reading slump during this book but it got me out of it like I knew it would.
The eyeball stuff is unforgettable and the “presence” I still feel lingering. The characters had so much depth and were thoroughly formed. Somehow all the supernatural stuff just seemed realistic and the way it was described felt like I was watching them.
Lastly the acknowledgements made me laugh. Sneaky again Mr Bark!
February 22, 2026
Overall, this was a really strong novel with a lot to like about it. The multiple storylines and different time periods that go into the central story here, featuring the developed storyline about the main girl’s obsession with true crime and how she becomes obsessed with the concept of the killer targeting the town in the past, set up a fantastic character arc over the course of the book. By the time it starts to evolve into a series of adventures involving her being transported into the past and observing the events through the eyes of another victim being involved in the crime spree of a serial killer, there’s a lot of intrigue with the crazy scenario given a little bit of leeway into how much empathy develops for the characters. With the atmosphere of the situation touching heavily on the Southern Gothic style, influenced heavily by the massively entertaining setting in the heart of Louisiana, the approach here is impressive and highly likable as we get further into the story.
The more this explores the idea of tempting fate and altering the past as she becomes invested in the mind of the serial killer, this changes style somewhat into being more of a paranormal situation than the true-crime fascination that had been utilized. While still keeping focus on dealing with the killer and his rampage through the town, this offers up the kind of shocking revelations involving who she is and how everything in town connects together, accomplished through a fascinating exploration of voodoo rites and rituals that are utilized frequently throughout here. The intricate nature of what’s covered here ties together quite nicely, especially with what those revelations imply, which all creates a remarkably fun style here, as there’s only the issue about its length that tends to bring it down. The writing is fine, and the imagery is quite detailed, but there are a lot of moments where the story has a lot to spell out, so it does get a bit hefty in the second half. As this is the only issue, though, it’s not even detrimental in the slightest.
5/5
The more this explores the idea of tempting fate and altering the past as she becomes invested in the mind of the serial killer, this changes style somewhat into being more of a paranormal situation than the true-crime fascination that had been utilized. While still keeping focus on dealing with the killer and his rampage through the town, this offers up the kind of shocking revelations involving who she is and how everything in town connects together, accomplished through a fascinating exploration of voodoo rites and rituals that are utilized frequently throughout here. The intricate nature of what’s covered here ties together quite nicely, especially with what those revelations imply, which all creates a remarkably fun style here, as there’s only the issue about its length that tends to bring it down. The writing is fine, and the imagery is quite detailed, but there are a lot of moments where the story has a lot to spell out, so it does get a bit hefty in the second half. As this is the only issue, though, it’s not even detrimental in the slightest.
5/5
February 22, 2026
This book was an absolute masterpiece of a book. There was so much action, danger, ghosts, lots of historical facts. Kyra was my most favorite of all the characters. She had the kind of personality that made her very real. She had angry feelings all the time and decided she needed to resolve the issues in her life in order to become a better person. The scenes of Kyra looking through others’ eyes was an interesting experience. Until I read to the point where Kyra discovers the truth about her past; I would never had guessed the outcome. Kyra learns that her whole life had been hidden. Once she uncovers the truth it was too much to handle. The people Kyra met along her journey were a mix of interesting individuals. The South has always seemed to be a complicated mix of really cool traditions but also horrible actions done by horrible people. Until Kyra had arrived in Yeuxville, she had no clue about the spiritual practices in the town she visited. Once she began having the weird experiences; Kyra was in deep and she became more concerned about whom to trust. In the end she had more clarity about her place in life.
May 12, 2026
What a magnificent book! I barrelled through it over two evenings, despite the 450-ish page-count, and frankly no word was wasted. And even when it is verbose, who wouldn’t want to spend time with an author who has clearly watched so many true crime documentaries it’s unhealthy? This novel can’t be said to tread new ground, but what it does do is possess Bark’s uniquely suave and genuine voice, all the while amping up the discomfort and underlying friction like a serial killer obsessed with rope burns. Like so much of his writing, how he portrays protagonist Kyra’s troubled life is a film in prose form, where you can almost feel the camera trickery and piercing cinematography - there’s one section in the middle of the book, playing on the idea of the eyes being windows to the soul, where you cannot help but see everything in filmic terms. From immoral cops to self discovery, and from Clive Barker-ish voodoo to a sense of neo-noir frostiness which will appeal to any lover of the first series of TRUE DETECTIVE, this is utterly fabulous.
February 23, 2026
I could not wait to leave a review for this book.
There are so many adjectives I could, and should, use. Superb, marvellous, stonkingly good...
Jasper Bark is one in a trillion with his tales and this latest is an absolute gem. Jasper uses such delicious words like bifurcate and meniscus. He weaves such wonderful characters throughout.
Kyra is an angry teenager who is led down a path to surprising, if not brutal, revelations. Would you forgive the person who set the chain of events in motion? Would you firgive a killer? What would you do to protect those you love?
Using the Loa and vévés, interwoven with fetishes, I felt at home with Béatrice and the town beliefs. A well-researched, integral, part of the story and I would expect no less from this author.
All in all, I bloody loved this and love this author!
There are so many adjectives I could, and should, use. Superb, marvellous, stonkingly good...
Jasper Bark is one in a trillion with his tales and this latest is an absolute gem. Jasper uses such delicious words like bifurcate and meniscus. He weaves such wonderful characters throughout.
Kyra is an angry teenager who is led down a path to surprising, if not brutal, revelations. Would you forgive the person who set the chain of events in motion? Would you firgive a killer? What would you do to protect those you love?
Using the Loa and vévés, interwoven with fetishes, I felt at home with Béatrice and the town beliefs. A well-researched, integral, part of the story and I would expect no less from this author.
All in all, I bloody loved this and love this author!
February 28, 2026
This multi-genre novel drew me in gradually and refused to let go. We meet Kyra, A high school student obsessed by serial killers, who is seeking answers to her own past. To that end, she runs away to rural Louisiana and that is where the fun begins. Her favorite serial killer, Billy Ray Johnson, hailed from the town. Through a form of black magick, Kyra begins to see the town as it was fifteen years in the past through Billy Ray's eyes. She wants to alter the past but sometimes the past isn't as it seems.
I wasn't sure at first if I would like this book but I really did. It grew on me the more I read. It was definitely worth my time.
I wasn't sure at first if I would like this book but I really did. It grew on me the more I read. It was definitely worth my time.
May 7, 2026
Jasper Bark is one of my favorite authors because most of the time I have an idea as to where the plot begins based on the synopsis but I have no idea how far off the beaten path that Jasper will take the story.
With that being said, this book has the least in common with all of his other books as it more or less stays within the lines of the synopsis for the story.
Being honest, this story is probably my least favorite out of all of the stories that he's written. I'm also not grading this story on my own personal preferences but rather on the quality of the story itself.
This is Jasper writing for a mainstream audience. This is a story whose target audience are both parents trying to keep their bond alive with their children during the messy years between the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood and for children who may need help learning to understand their parents and both the good and bad choices that they made while attempting to raise you.
Which means that I am not a part of that target audience.
With that being said, this book has the least in common with all of his other books as it more or less stays within the lines of the synopsis for the story.
Being honest, this story is probably my least favorite out of all of the stories that he's written. I'm also not grading this story on my own personal preferences but rather on the quality of the story itself.
This is Jasper writing for a mainstream audience. This is a story whose target audience are both parents trying to keep their bond alive with their children during the messy years between the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood and for children who may need help learning to understand their parents and both the good and bad choices that they made while attempting to raise you.
Which means that I am not a part of that target audience.
February 26, 2026
Kyra has always been interested in serial killers—-particularly one, Billy-Ray Johnson, from Yeuxville, LA.
However, as Krya enters Yeuxville, she starts experiencing visions of past events through the eyes of Bill-Ray, exposing the buried dark secrets of Yeuxville.
Just when I thought I accurately predicted a plot point of this story, it throws me one surprises after another. This story had a lot of twists and turns that keeps you on your toes.
However, as Krya enters Yeuxville, she starts experiencing visions of past events through the eyes of Bill-Ray, exposing the buried dark secrets of Yeuxville.
Just when I thought I accurately predicted a plot point of this story, it throws me one surprises after another. This story had a lot of twists and turns that keeps you on your toes.
February 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this! The plot was really unique and kept my interest throughout. There was thrilling twists, heartwarming moments, and even some humor sprinkled in. Definitely give this a read if you're looking for something different!
February 20, 2026
if you could change the past would you? What if it made everything worse.
March 23, 2026
Well written, really good read
May 6, 2026
Harmed and Dangerous is a wild ride...
Jasper Bark has excelled himself with this epic story. Kyra, a seventeen year old desperate to trace her birth parents, acts on an impulse, and runs away from her adopted parents with 10,000 stolen dollars in her backpack, and dreams of connecting with her roots.
From the outset, everything Kyra thinks she understands about her life, herself, and her past, start to unravel. From 'chance' encounters with strange voodoo mystics, to trying to fathom her place in her own world, this journey was never going to be easy. Add in the fact that Yeuxville is a place where 'the old ways' are still very much part of the resident's lives, and Kyra is fighting to simply exist in an alien town that doesn't welcome newcomers.
Everything Kyra thinks she knows about her past is shattered, when she begins to have visions of the past - the Yeuxville of fifteen years ago. What is truly disturbing, is that these are visions witnessed through the eyes of the dead serial killer she is obsessed with, Billy-Ray Johnson - the same serial killer who murdered her birth mother. Her whole life is now a riddle that she needs to solve, but the odds of her even getting out of Yeuxville alive, are becoming slimmer with every encounter. Nothing is what it first appears to be, and the twists and turns the story takes makes this a truly thrilling tale, one which demands the pages should not stop being turned, until everything is revealed.
At the heart of this compelling story beats living, breathing and vital relationships - especially the precious one between Kyra and her adopted father. The love and trust they shared, and Kyra's desperate need to understand her past, seem at odds, but the strength of that relationship is astonishing, and this story is not merely about the strange things Kyra is confronted with.
This wonderful Southern Gothic paranormal tale is woven skillfully, and with so many colourful threads, not all of which are comfortable to try and untie. Kyra has known trauma, and reacts by self-harming; her past threatens to overwhelm her future, and she struggles to know what she really wants and needs. She is struggling with her own identity, and trying to find herself, to understand her sexuality, and to know what she might want from her future, and this is so more than a surface-level story. Throw in memorable characters, Voodoo, murder, visceral scenes and a palpable sense of the humid uncomfortable heat of this Louisiana town, and the result is a spicy gumbo of a story, that keep on giving more with every helping.
Jasper Bark writes with an informed and respectful voice, when he blends 'the old ways' into this story. There is no sense that he has anything but an insider's awareness of how thin the veil is between the tangible world around us, and other realities. This is glimpse into a place where the offerings made on private altars are absorbed greedily - and those who fail to show respect are likely to suffer the consequences. His ability to capture the sense of a place is akin to being able to go through some kind of strange transportation device, to land in an alien environment. The simmering, oppressive heat of the bayou seeps though every page, and the very fabric of time seems to shimmer in the overlapping past and present.
This is a story which lingers, long after the final page has been read, and I am still trying to recover from the glimpse I was given into a world where nothing is as it first appears, and where the journey is not guaranteed to end well. As much a coming of age journey, as a haunted vision of lives irreversibly trapped in the patterns of their inherited traumas, Harmed and Dangerous is an epic, dark and at times disturbing story. It is also a wonderful exploration of the bond between family members, especially those who have come to be family, though adoption. It carries a deep, strong message of hope, albeit one which must be bought with the appropriate sacrifice... after all, we should remember to appease those who watch, and wait, even if they demand we bleed.
Harmed and Dangerous is solid 5 * read, and I can't wait to delve deeper into the gloriously twisted mind of Jasper Bark! xXx
Jasper Bark has excelled himself with this epic story. Kyra, a seventeen year old desperate to trace her birth parents, acts on an impulse, and runs away from her adopted parents with 10,000 stolen dollars in her backpack, and dreams of connecting with her roots.
From the outset, everything Kyra thinks she understands about her life, herself, and her past, start to unravel. From 'chance' encounters with strange voodoo mystics, to trying to fathom her place in her own world, this journey was never going to be easy. Add in the fact that Yeuxville is a place where 'the old ways' are still very much part of the resident's lives, and Kyra is fighting to simply exist in an alien town that doesn't welcome newcomers.
Everything Kyra thinks she knows about her past is shattered, when she begins to have visions of the past - the Yeuxville of fifteen years ago. What is truly disturbing, is that these are visions witnessed through the eyes of the dead serial killer she is obsessed with, Billy-Ray Johnson - the same serial killer who murdered her birth mother. Her whole life is now a riddle that she needs to solve, but the odds of her even getting out of Yeuxville alive, are becoming slimmer with every encounter. Nothing is what it first appears to be, and the twists and turns the story takes makes this a truly thrilling tale, one which demands the pages should not stop being turned, until everything is revealed.
At the heart of this compelling story beats living, breathing and vital relationships - especially the precious one between Kyra and her adopted father. The love and trust they shared, and Kyra's desperate need to understand her past, seem at odds, but the strength of that relationship is astonishing, and this story is not merely about the strange things Kyra is confronted with.
This wonderful Southern Gothic paranormal tale is woven skillfully, and with so many colourful threads, not all of which are comfortable to try and untie. Kyra has known trauma, and reacts by self-harming; her past threatens to overwhelm her future, and she struggles to know what she really wants and needs. She is struggling with her own identity, and trying to find herself, to understand her sexuality, and to know what she might want from her future, and this is so more than a surface-level story. Throw in memorable characters, Voodoo, murder, visceral scenes and a palpable sense of the humid uncomfortable heat of this Louisiana town, and the result is a spicy gumbo of a story, that keep on giving more with every helping.
Jasper Bark writes with an informed and respectful voice, when he blends 'the old ways' into this story. There is no sense that he has anything but an insider's awareness of how thin the veil is between the tangible world around us, and other realities. This is glimpse into a place where the offerings made on private altars are absorbed greedily - and those who fail to show respect are likely to suffer the consequences. His ability to capture the sense of a place is akin to being able to go through some kind of strange transportation device, to land in an alien environment. The simmering, oppressive heat of the bayou seeps though every page, and the very fabric of time seems to shimmer in the overlapping past and present.
This is a story which lingers, long after the final page has been read, and I am still trying to recover from the glimpse I was given into a world where nothing is as it first appears, and where the journey is not guaranteed to end well. As much a coming of age journey, as a haunted vision of lives irreversibly trapped in the patterns of their inherited traumas, Harmed and Dangerous is an epic, dark and at times disturbing story. It is also a wonderful exploration of the bond between family members, especially those who have come to be family, though adoption. It carries a deep, strong message of hope, albeit one which must be bought with the appropriate sacrifice... after all, we should remember to appease those who watch, and wait, even if they demand we bleed.
Harmed and Dangerous is solid 5 * read, and I can't wait to delve deeper into the gloriously twisted mind of Jasper Bark! xXx
February 28, 2026
Harmed and Dangerous is my first ever read by Jasper Bark and I really enjoyed it!
Harmed and Dangerous follows a young girl named Kyra, who, at the age of 17 is searching for her birth parents. Her search brings her to Louisiana, where it is hot and humid, where the river can wash away houses and lift corpses from the ground, scattering their bones. The towns people are suspicious of her, the officers want her to leave town, but immediately upon entering the town she feels a presence. Almost like something she can see in her peripheral vision but is gone when she looks. The town has an atmospheric vibe of forbidden faith. Then, the episodes start. She is still physically in town, in her timeline, but she is seeing things through the eyes of someone else. Through the eyes of a serial killer, the one that killed her birth mother. He is showing Kyra how he followed her mother and watched her, all the events that took place leading up to the murder. And all Kyra can do is watch. Because he is already gone, died by lethal injection more than a decade ago.
The story was captivating and had me hooked. I thought the time travel aspect of it, being able to see what happened in the past while still being in the present, was very interesting and done really well. It wasn't confusing at all. The story flows really well. To be honest, towards the beginning when she was waiting for her friend and a guy rolled up in a van, I thought for sure she had been catfished and was about to be kidnapped by a killer of her own since that was their shared common interest. The story played out really well though and was suspenseful and enjoyable.
I recommend giving this one a read if you're in the mood for something spooky and a little thrilling.
Harmed and Dangerous follows a young girl named Kyra, who, at the age of 17 is searching for her birth parents. Her search brings her to Louisiana, where it is hot and humid, where the river can wash away houses and lift corpses from the ground, scattering their bones. The towns people are suspicious of her, the officers want her to leave town, but immediately upon entering the town she feels a presence. Almost like something she can see in her peripheral vision but is gone when she looks. The town has an atmospheric vibe of forbidden faith. Then, the episodes start. She is still physically in town, in her timeline, but she is seeing things through the eyes of someone else. Through the eyes of a serial killer, the one that killed her birth mother. He is showing Kyra how he followed her mother and watched her, all the events that took place leading up to the murder. And all Kyra can do is watch. Because he is already gone, died by lethal injection more than a decade ago.
The story was captivating and had me hooked. I thought the time travel aspect of it, being able to see what happened in the past while still being in the present, was very interesting and done really well. It wasn't confusing at all. The story flows really well. To be honest, towards the beginning when she was waiting for her friend and a guy rolled up in a van, I thought for sure she had been catfished and was about to be kidnapped by a killer of her own since that was their shared common interest. The story played out really well though and was suspenseful and enjoyable.
I recommend giving this one a read if you're in the mood for something spooky and a little thrilling.
February 20, 2026
Jasper Bark has become something of a guilty pleasure; I didn't realize how many of his books I'd already devoured until I started writing this review. His work brings me back to being a kid, excited at the bookstore to see a new James Herbert release.
First, full disclosure. I read this as an ARC. But I don't give out ratings if they're not deserved; I've even written back to authors and publishers in the past to let them know I couldn't give a good-faith review on an ARC.
With that out of the way, I can say that Harmed and Dangerous is one of those stories that kept me reading. At times, I've got the attention span of a gnat—thanks so much, social media—and don't read like I used to, but I found it hard to put this one down.
Every step is filled with sensation: the sights, the sounds, the smells of this backwater bayou come through in lush detail. Underlying everything is a supernatural current; there's possession, some imaginative ethereal travel through time and space, and a healthy dose of the kind of "old ways" that might be experienced in such a place.
There are plenty of twists and turns, and no shortage of peril for Bark's poor protagonist: he definitely believes in sending his characters to hell and back. Throw in a well-rounded supporting cast of characters, all of whom have agendas of their own, and for this reader, it was an excellent ride.
First, full disclosure. I read this as an ARC. But I don't give out ratings if they're not deserved; I've even written back to authors and publishers in the past to let them know I couldn't give a good-faith review on an ARC.
With that out of the way, I can say that Harmed and Dangerous is one of those stories that kept me reading. At times, I've got the attention span of a gnat—thanks so much, social media—and don't read like I used to, but I found it hard to put this one down.
Every step is filled with sensation: the sights, the sounds, the smells of this backwater bayou come through in lush detail. Underlying everything is a supernatural current; there's possession, some imaginative ethereal travel through time and space, and a healthy dose of the kind of "old ways" that might be experienced in such a place.
There are plenty of twists and turns, and no shortage of peril for Bark's poor protagonist: he definitely believes in sending his characters to hell and back. Throw in a well-rounded supporting cast of characters, all of whom have agendas of their own, and for this reader, it was an excellent ride.
May 1, 2026
Unforgettable!!! It's all in the eyes!!!
Kyra has an unusual hobby she loves reading and researching serial killers especially lately it is Billy-Ray Johnson from Yeuxville. She decides that she wants to visit the place where his crimes happened.
Kyra is 17 years old and ends up being in Louisiana searching for her birth parents as she was adopted. After her journey she feels a strange presence around her peripheral vision. That's when she starts having scary episodes which are dangerous and put her life at risk.
The town she is in don't like stranger's and they are not making her feel welcome at all. It feels like they are hiding something. Is it evil? This town do certain things that they call them "The Old Ways!! You'll understand more if you read the book.
Kyra episodes are that she is seeing through the eye's of the serial killer she's been following, it's very descriptive it feels like you are with Kyra whilst it's happening, scary, creepy and so tense.
There are some quite graphic scenes in this book, if I didn't have any triggers about eyes, I do now. OMG 😲 the eyes!!! Not for the squeamish.
Loved this read, it's the first story I have read by this author and it won't be my last.
A father and daughter relationship you won't want to miss!! I won't forget this for a while!!!
Kyra has an unusual hobby she loves reading and researching serial killers especially lately it is Billy-Ray Johnson from Yeuxville. She decides that she wants to visit the place where his crimes happened.
Kyra is 17 years old and ends up being in Louisiana searching for her birth parents as she was adopted. After her journey she feels a strange presence around her peripheral vision. That's when she starts having scary episodes which are dangerous and put her life at risk.
The town she is in don't like stranger's and they are not making her feel welcome at all. It feels like they are hiding something. Is it evil? This town do certain things that they call them "The Old Ways!! You'll understand more if you read the book.
Kyra episodes are that she is seeing through the eye's of the serial killer she's been following, it's very descriptive it feels like you are with Kyra whilst it's happening, scary, creepy and so tense.
There are some quite graphic scenes in this book, if I didn't have any triggers about eyes, I do now. OMG 😲 the eyes!!! Not for the squeamish.
Loved this read, it's the first story I have read by this author and it won't be my last.
A father and daughter relationship you won't want to miss!! I won't forget this for a while!!!
Review of advance copy
I am on the Crystal Lake Street Team and requested this book. Let me tell you this one lured me and hooked me right off the bat. I read it in 2 days! I am still thinking about the characters. I love true crime and basic human interactions and Voodoo. The way Jasper weaves the timelines in and out is superb! If you are or know anyone that has the touch of abilities he really has knocked it out in way that few have. The feelings of angst and alienation and then doubting oneself! When I review books I don’t want to give away too much of the story. I love how it blends finding ones true self with having to hide ones true self and then finding the ones who will love and accept you. Pick this one up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lucky enough to get to do the ARC on this and I loved it!
I’m an absolute sucker for anything set in Louisiana, it’s one of the places on my need-to-visit list. But when you combine it with a main character who loves true crime, is desperate to uncover her own history, and who is being “haunted” by an unknown presence, then I was always going to be totally hooked from the start.
The plot is so good, really well-managed and timed perfectly, the characters are excellent, and the descriptions of her surroundings are so real you feel like you’re there with her.
This was an easy five stars for me. I’ll definitely be looking for more by Jasper Bark!
I’m an absolute sucker for anything set in Louisiana, it’s one of the places on my need-to-visit list. But when you combine it with a main character who loves true crime, is desperate to uncover her own history, and who is being “haunted” by an unknown presence, then I was always going to be totally hooked from the start.
The plot is so good, really well-managed and timed perfectly, the characters are excellent, and the descriptions of her surroundings are so real you feel like you’re there with her.
This was an easy five stars for me. I’ll definitely be looking for more by Jasper Bark!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was delighted to receive an ARC from the publisher.
I knew nothing of Mr. Bark or his uniquely chaotic and astounding imagination. This book pulls you in, shakes you by the back of the neck and then hangs you up to dry. Bark's writing is rich and immersive, at once mundane then on a dime, surreal and gripping. Kyra is such a wonderful protagonist and the Louisiana setting skillfully realised. A real page turner.
I knew nothing of Mr. Bark or his uniquely chaotic and astounding imagination. This book pulls you in, shakes you by the back of the neck and then hangs you up to dry. Bark's writing is rich and immersive, at once mundane then on a dime, surreal and gripping. Kyra is such a wonderful protagonist and the Louisiana setting skillfully realised. A real page turner.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What an outstanding novel! Jasper knocked this out of the park.
I'm typically not a true crime consumer (in literature, anyway), but I might dabble after this one. I think what kept me invested was how Jasper merged the paranormal aspects with the true crime. But what sold me was how he wove in the relationship between Kyra and her father. Not to mention his storytelling is so good, and his prose is immersive.
I'm typically not a true crime consumer (in literature, anyway), but I might dabble after this one. I think what kept me invested was how Jasper merged the paranormal aspects with the true crime. But what sold me was how he wove in the relationship between Kyra and her father. Not to mention his storytelling is so good, and his prose is immersive.
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