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There Used to Be People Here
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26In 1970s Mississippi, a Black detective and his temporary partner are assigned to a case that shifts from murder to paranormal conspiracy with life-altering repercussions.
Wenton, Mississippi: A man enters the bathroom of a local gay bar and doesn't come back out. Instead he's found cold, on the floor, and facing the wall. And no one seems to know how this happened.
Samuel Barkley is Wenton's only Black detective. Assigned to the case, Samuel's one goal is to keep his head down with eyes on moving up in the police ranks. But it's not easy with Harvey, a new, temporary partner who Samuel can't seem to like...or hate. Nor with the cold, questioning eyes and fake smiles from those in town. Persistent. Judging. Wrong. Samuel is reaching his breaking point.
As his investigation leads him to a curious plane crash cover-up, Samuel's placid existence is turned on its head. Because what crashed in Wenton isn't a plane. There are others here. They like it here. And if Samuel can't stop them, they will find a way to stay.
With shades of The X-Files and S. A. Cosby, There Used to Be People Here deftly explores race, queerness, and existing as other in a society that demonizes everything different.
Wenton, Mississippi: A man enters the bathroom of a local gay bar and doesn't come back out. Instead he's found cold, on the floor, and facing the wall. And no one seems to know how this happened.
Samuel Barkley is Wenton's only Black detective. Assigned to the case, Samuel's one goal is to keep his head down with eyes on moving up in the police ranks. But it's not easy with Harvey, a new, temporary partner who Samuel can't seem to like...or hate. Nor with the cold, questioning eyes and fake smiles from those in town. Persistent. Judging. Wrong. Samuel is reaching his breaking point.
As his investigation leads him to a curious plane crash cover-up, Samuel's placid existence is turned on its head. Because what crashed in Wenton isn't a plane. There are others here. They like it here. And if Samuel can't stop them, they will find a way to stay.
With shades of The X-Files and S. A. Cosby, There Used to Be People Here deftly explores race, queerness, and existing as other in a society that demonizes everything different.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 26, 2026
Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Scott Sigler’s Infected with a hearty dose of In the Heat of the Night. How great to see a big publisher take on a young writer’s first novel with a gay, black, neurodiverse main character that blends sci-fi and horror, and the civil rights era. I’m surprised this is being released in November, it would have made a great summer read. One of the streamers needs to option the book ASAP as it would make a great limited series.
Thanks to NetGalley and thee publisher for an early look.
Thanks to NetGalley and thee publisher for an early look.
Review of advance copy
Let it be known that I am the first person to review this book on good reads, and also among the first people to read this book. Kennedy I love you and Samuel and Harvey! Me and Samuel have the same nervous tick and therefore we’re twinsies.
Now being for real. This is one of THE BEST scifi and horror novels I’ve ever read! Kennedy is a master of balancing a tense, high-stakes atmosphere with beautiful and fully realized character moments. I cannot express how genuinely fantastic this book is!!! I CANNOT WAIT for it to hit the shelves!
Now being for real. This is one of THE BEST scifi and horror novels I’ve ever read! Kennedy is a master of balancing a tense, high-stakes atmosphere with beautiful and fully realized character moments. I cannot express how genuinely fantastic this book is!!! I CANNOT WAIT for it to hit the shelves!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’m going to vague here because there’s so much story for you to uncover, but Kennedy Cole’s debut queer-sci-fi procedural crime noir (wow that was a mouthful) is a highlight for me for 2026. I normally steer away from procedurals, but this book is the perfect cocktail of The X-Files meets S.A. Cosby! Taking place in rural South America during the 1980s, not only is our protagonist detective Samuel dealing with trying to figure out the case, but visible homophobia and racism are running rampant. Cole’s genre-blend of storytelling is a massive undertaking yet she expertly crafted the amazing start to what I believe to be a very popular series!
September 17, 2026
3 stars Thank you to BookBrowse and NetGalley for the download in exchange for an unbiased review. Expected publication November 3, 2026 by Berkley.
I guess I did not realize that this was a sci-fi when I got it. I do read sci-fi and enjoy most of what I choose, however I had some problems with this book. The premise was ok but I had some problems with the execution. I can't quite put my finger on it, but every so often the writing in the book seemed displaced, like maybe the author had been away from the story for too long and was trying to connect again to the story? That is the best I can describe it - just a blip in the story.
I also thought that it was too long. The third quarter of the story could have been sized down to one chapter and most of it eliminated. By that time we understood the dilemma of racism, knew how the 'pearls' worked and could foresee the connection between the detectives. I began to think 'will this ever end?'
Proverbial space ship story, but the aliens were a bit unique. Set primarily in a police department in the 1970's Mississippi south and lead by a Black detective - Samuel, the only Black detective in the area. So will the mysterious 'pearls' be solved or will they wipe out mankind? Will Samuel live to solve the mystery?
A space ship landing, aliens, and a strange Black police detective - combine to tell the tale.
I guess I did not realize that this was a sci-fi when I got it. I do read sci-fi and enjoy most of what I choose, however I had some problems with this book. The premise was ok but I had some problems with the execution. I can't quite put my finger on it, but every so often the writing in the book seemed displaced, like maybe the author had been away from the story for too long and was trying to connect again to the story? That is the best I can describe it - just a blip in the story.
I also thought that it was too long. The third quarter of the story could have been sized down to one chapter and most of it eliminated. By that time we understood the dilemma of racism, knew how the 'pearls' worked and could foresee the connection between the detectives. I began to think 'will this ever end?'
Proverbial space ship story, but the aliens were a bit unique. Set primarily in a police department in the 1970's Mississippi south and lead by a Black detective - Samuel, the only Black detective in the area. So will the mysterious 'pearls' be solved or will they wipe out mankind? Will Samuel live to solve the mystery?
A space ship landing, aliens, and a strange Black police detective - combine to tell the tale.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 debut stars
In this debut novel from Kennedy Cole, two detectives find themselves on a very strange murder case. As Samuel, the only Black detective in Wenton, Mississippi, works with his partner Harvey on the case, things get more and more curious. And no one can explain what the worms are in the murdered victim’s mouth. Could this have anything to do with the nearby plane crash?
Harvey and Samuel decide they need to investigate the crash site. They discover the FBI standing guard and are even more suspicious. Samuel struggles to feel accepted in town and by some of the old-guard police officers.
Strange things are happening in Wenton, and more mysterious murders take place. What has hit the town? Can the FBI put a stop to it? As the FBI takes over the case, can Samuel and Harvey leave it behind?
I liked Samuel’s relationship with his sister and I rooted for them. Harvey grew on me as we learned more about him. I don’t read much sci-fi, but this felt like an appropriate read for the spooky month of October. Hold on for a wild, out-of-this-world ride with this one, with some surprising twists!
My thanks to Berkley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 11.3.2026.
In this debut novel from Kennedy Cole, two detectives find themselves on a very strange murder case. As Samuel, the only Black detective in Wenton, Mississippi, works with his partner Harvey on the case, things get more and more curious. And no one can explain what the worms are in the murdered victim’s mouth. Could this have anything to do with the nearby plane crash?
Harvey and Samuel decide they need to investigate the crash site. They discover the FBI standing guard and are even more suspicious. Samuel struggles to feel accepted in town and by some of the old-guard police officers.
Strange things are happening in Wenton, and more mysterious murders take place. What has hit the town? Can the FBI put a stop to it? As the FBI takes over the case, can Samuel and Harvey leave it behind?
I liked Samuel’s relationship with his sister and I rooted for them. Harvey grew on me as we learned more about him. I don’t read much sci-fi, but this felt like an appropriate read for the spooky month of October. Hold on for a wild, out-of-this-world ride with this one, with some surprising twists!
My thanks to Berkley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 11.3.2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Feeling: so gross 😝
I’m curious about: The infestation described in the opening scene. Great element!
"The roads glowed with a centipede trail of streetlights, and yet somehow, the crescent moon seemed to outshine every single lamp. Its crooked face beamed down on Samuel in the form of a tilted smile. When he looked up to spot the shape in the black, Samuel couldn’t help but stare at the soft white curve, bent like a sanded-down whale’s tooth. The moon followed the Pontiac GTO as it raced across Wenton, Mississippi, and arrived in the slanted driveway of Harvey Wilkins." p127
Final thoughts: I wish I liked this more. I found the plot to be weighed down and occasionally buried by other elements such as theme and character development. The elements just are not balanced here. In the end, I found that the plot had travelled so far from where it started, but without the necessary progress markers, so it was hard to understand the ending. The prose is very heavy and I found it to be dull in places, despite its lyricism. In general, this one is okay.
What worked:
🎨 The descriptive writing is astonishing-- beautiful and bleak and a little surreal.
What didn’t:
🐛 The scifi element, which contains the book's plot, was my favorite part. Gory, undignified, absolutely disgusting lol! Unfortunately, I thought it was too irregular. Other elements overwhelmed the plot to the point I sometimes just forgot what a scene was supposed to be doing there.
Who this is for: Scifi readers, historical horror readers
Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!📚
Content Notes:
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insects, bees, gore, forced eating, anti-queer language and violence, bureaucracy, racism, racial violence, systemic racism
I’m curious about: The infestation described in the opening scene. Great element!
"The roads glowed with a centipede trail of streetlights, and yet somehow, the crescent moon seemed to outshine every single lamp. Its crooked face beamed down on Samuel in the form of a tilted smile. When he looked up to spot the shape in the black, Samuel couldn’t help but stare at the soft white curve, bent like a sanded-down whale’s tooth. The moon followed the Pontiac GTO as it raced across Wenton, Mississippi, and arrived in the slanted driveway of Harvey Wilkins." p127
Final thoughts: I wish I liked this more. I found the plot to be weighed down and occasionally buried by other elements such as theme and character development. The elements just are not balanced here. In the end, I found that the plot had travelled so far from where it started, but without the necessary progress markers, so it was hard to understand the ending. The prose is very heavy and I found it to be dull in places, despite its lyricism. In general, this one is okay.
What worked:
🎨 The descriptive writing is astonishing-- beautiful and bleak and a little surreal.
What didn’t:
🐛 The scifi element, which contains the book's plot, was my favorite part. Gory, undignified, absolutely disgusting lol! Unfortunately, I thought it was too irregular. Other elements overwhelmed the plot to the point I sometimes just forgot what a scene was supposed to be doing there.
Who this is for: Scifi readers, historical horror readers
Rating: ⭐⭐.5
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!📚
Content Notes:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
insects, bees, gore, forced eating, anti-queer language and violence, bureaucracy, racism, racial violence, systemic racism
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Exciting sci-fi horror thriller that’s fun, scary and great to add to your Halloween reading list!
It’s the 1970s and strange things are going down in Wenton, Mississippi. Samuel Barkley is Wenton’s only Black detective when he’s assigned to an investigate the death of a man in a gay bar’s bathroom. As he investigates he learns of a plane crash, but finds it’s no plane. As things go on it’s clear things are not normal in Wenton. In too if this is the Southern story of racism.
From the first sentence you are caught up in a strangeness. Then before that chapter is done, you’ve read some of the best horror writing (albeit it gory). In fact this is one of the few books I’d say meets really well written horror. Trigger warning: body horror and gore aplenty. But in the character of Samuel you meet a really cool, likable character. His story is every black man’s story in the South, especially the ‘70s South, but he has such a dignity.
I really don’t want to give way the story - it’s best to enjoy by reading it yourself! But if you’ve seen any of the Invasion of the Bodysnatchers’s movies, you will understand the plot. While I’ve seen these movies, I did think the author may have relied too heavily on that plot but that doesn’t take away from how good the book is.
This is book for lovers of sci-fi horror or anyone who likes a good horror story read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for granting me access to this ARC.
It’s the 1970s and strange things are going down in Wenton, Mississippi. Samuel Barkley is Wenton’s only Black detective when he’s assigned to an investigate the death of a man in a gay bar’s bathroom. As he investigates he learns of a plane crash, but finds it’s no plane. As things go on it’s clear things are not normal in Wenton. In too if this is the Southern story of racism.
From the first sentence you are caught up in a strangeness. Then before that chapter is done, you’ve read some of the best horror writing (albeit it gory). In fact this is one of the few books I’d say meets really well written horror. Trigger warning: body horror and gore aplenty. But in the character of Samuel you meet a really cool, likable character. His story is every black man’s story in the South, especially the ‘70s South, but he has such a dignity.
I really don’t want to give way the story - it’s best to enjoy by reading it yourself! But if you’ve seen any of the Invasion of the Bodysnatchers’s movies, you will understand the plot. While I’ve seen these movies, I did think the author may have relied too heavily on that plot but that doesn’t take away from how good the book is.
This is book for lovers of sci-fi horror or anyone who likes a good horror story read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for giving me an advanced copy of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This one of the most unique, gripping stories I’ve read in a long time. Sci-fi is not usually my cup of tea, but this book was a stunning debut.
We follow Samuel and Harvey, two police officers who become unlikely partners as they solve an invasion of the body snatchers-esque horror plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. On top of it all, they’re facing period typical 1970’s southern racism and homophobia at every turn. These themes are tackled with nuance, and land with realism in a story that is otherwise out of this world with its descriptions of the science behind everything.
If you’re looking for a story with depth, beautiful prose, characters you’ll find yourself easily endeared towards, and incredibly detailed sci-fi, this one is for you.
This one of the most unique, gripping stories I’ve read in a long time. Sci-fi is not usually my cup of tea, but this book was a stunning debut.
We follow Samuel and Harvey, two police officers who become unlikely partners as they solve an invasion of the body snatchers-esque horror plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. On top of it all, they’re facing period typical 1970’s southern racism and homophobia at every turn. These themes are tackled with nuance, and land with realism in a story that is otherwise out of this world with its descriptions of the science behind everything.
If you’re looking for a story with depth, beautiful prose, characters you’ll find yourself easily endeared towards, and incredibly detailed sci-fi, this one is for you.
August 2, 2026
(Review of an ARC)
Certainly a striking debut!!!
Samuel was a great main character. Quiet, brave, and unapologetically himself, despite facing severe racism and lack of opportunity as a Black police officer in 1970s Mississippi.
The eeriness of each scene was unsettling. Kennedy Cole crafts every sentence so well. Either I was disturbed by what Samuel and Harvey were uncovering, or felt defeated right along with them for every setback.
The last chunk of the book is the best: urgent and heartbreaking and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Can’t wait to read more by this author!
Certainly a striking debut!!!
Samuel was a great main character. Quiet, brave, and unapologetically himself, despite facing severe racism and lack of opportunity as a Black police officer in 1970s Mississippi.
The eeriness of each scene was unsettling. Kennedy Cole crafts every sentence so well. Either I was disturbed by what Samuel and Harvey were uncovering, or felt defeated right along with them for every setback.
The last chunk of the book is the best: urgent and heartbreaking and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Can’t wait to read more by this author!
Want to Read
October 14, 2026Let it be known that I am the first person to review this book on Goodreads, and also among the first people to read this book. Kennedy, I love you and Samuel and Harvey! Me and Samuel have the same nervous tick and therefore we’re twinsies.
Now being for real. This is one of THE BEST scifi and horror novels I’ve ever read! Kennedy is a master of balancing a tense, high-stakes atmosphere with beautiful and fully realized character moments. I cannot express how genuinely fantastic this book is!!! I CANNOT WAIT for it to hit the shelves!
Now being for real. This is one of THE BEST scifi and horror novels I’ve ever read! Kennedy is a master of balancing a tense, high-stakes atmosphere with beautiful and fully realized character moments. I cannot express how genuinely fantastic this book is!!! I CANNOT WAIT for it to hit the shelves!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Real rating: 4.25
This book is not even close to what I was expecting.
I was expecting a thriller. This leans more towards horror, which I, unfortunately, am not a fan of at all.
However, I am aware enough to know that my only real problems with this novel entirely have to do with the fact that I do not like horror.
From a subjective standpoint, I would rate this 4 stars. From an objective standpoint, I think this is about 4.5 stars.
The book itself is actually really good. Very well written.
The first, I want to say, 7 or so chapters had me really uneasy. I kept stopping. There was no such thing as “easing” the reader into this novel. From the first page, in fact, the tone is set. There’s a lot of body horror and gore and the author does not shy away from describing it. Shout out to her because I could imagine everything whether I liked it or not.
But once I got about a third-way in and got accustomed to the vibes of the novel, I couldn’t put it down.
This is excellent (and disgusting). I would highly recommend it.
Real rating: 4.25
This book is not even close to what I was expecting.
I was expecting a thriller. This leans more towards horror, which I, unfortunately, am not a fan of at all.
However, I am aware enough to know that my only real problems with this novel entirely have to do with the fact that I do not like horror.
From a subjective standpoint, I would rate this 4 stars. From an objective standpoint, I think this is about 4.5 stars.
The book itself is actually really good. Very well written.
The first, I want to say, 7 or so chapters had me really uneasy. I kept stopping. There was no such thing as “easing” the reader into this novel. From the first page, in fact, the tone is set. There’s a lot of body horror and gore and the author does not shy away from describing it. Shout out to her because I could imagine everything whether I liked it or not.
But once I got about a third-way in and got accustomed to the vibes of the novel, I couldn’t put it down.
This is excellent (and disgusting). I would highly recommend it.
October 7, 2026
Hell yes, introduce that there are aliens right off the bat in chapter one. Kennedy Cole did not make us wait for it to get real. There Used to be People Here is an emotional look into two investigators fighting not only their internal demons but also the horrors of society all while hunting down aliens. It felt as if X-Files was two dudes from the 1970’s.
I was very impressed with how well developed Samuel and Harvey were. They felt like real people with real feelings. Our insights into Harvey are more limited because it’s told from Samuel’s perspective but I was still emotionally invested in them both.
The vibes:
small town Mississippi
1970’s police officer racism
alien critters
murder investigation
grief and loss
FBI goons
cozy diners and a queer bar
My only complaint is how long it took them to figure out what we as the reader know from chapter one. However, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I have access to 50 years of science fiction that they don’t.
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I was very impressed with how well developed Samuel and Harvey were. They felt like real people with real feelings. Our insights into Harvey are more limited because it’s told from Samuel’s perspective but I was still emotionally invested in them both.
The vibes:
small town Mississippi
1970’s police officer racism
alien critters
murder investigation
grief and loss
FBI goons
cozy diners and a queer bar
My only complaint is how long it took them to figure out what we as the reader know from chapter one. However, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I have access to 50 years of science fiction that they don’t.
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The S.A. Cosby meets The X-Files comp is absolutely spot on for this one. This book has that gritty, atmospheric 1970's feel, set in a small Southern Mississippi town where an African American detective is investigating the murder of a gay man. The setting and time period are woven so deeply into the story that you can practically feel the heat, the tension, and the weight of everything happening around these characters.
There is also a very loud message running underneath the mystery, and honestly, I really appreciated it. The book doesn't exactly whisper about what it has to say, but it works. Then you throw in the body horror surrounding the murders, and suddenly you've got a combination of Southern crime, social commentary, and genuinely creepy horror that was right up my alley.
This was dark, gritty, weird, and absolutely my kind of fun. I had a really great time with this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kennedy Cole, and Berkely Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
There is also a very loud message running underneath the mystery, and honestly, I really appreciated it. The book doesn't exactly whisper about what it has to say, but it works. Then you throw in the body horror surrounding the murders, and suddenly you've got a combination of Southern crime, social commentary, and genuinely creepy horror that was right up my alley.
This was dark, gritty, weird, and absolutely my kind of fun. I had a really great time with this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kennedy Cole, and Berkely Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As Betty Davis once said, “ Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.” or in this novel’s case a bumpy week for the residents of a small 1970’s Mississippi town! The author,Kennedy Cole, has somehow managed to merge In the Heat of the Night, The Twilight Zone, The Walking Dead, The X-files and The Stepford Wives into one wonder of a novel. The writing is delicious and creepy, the characters jump off the page, and the plot is a mixture of sci-fi, historical fiction and a hard look at racism and homophobia. You’d think it might be too much, all at once, but somehow it works and you find yourself flipping pages to find out what happens to Samuel and Harvey. It’s hard to believe this a debut novel. This reader is hoping for a sequel! Thanks to Bookbrowse.com, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy.
First and foremost, I really don't think this book should be marketed as horror. I was so disappointed when I reached about a third of the way through and had the realization of, "Oh... that's it?" I went in expecting so much more from the horror aspect, and it just never delivered on that front for me.
That being said, if we take away the thriller/horror expectations, I genuinely love what the author was trying to do here. The combination of sci-fi, historical fiction, mystery, and some incredibly descriptive gore had SO much potential. There were so many elements I enjoyed, but unfortunately, the execution just wasn't quite there. This is a big book, and while the plot itself was interesting, there were several moments when I found myself wondering, "Are we done yet?"
The story also became incredibly long-winded, and I think the author tried to follow too many different paths at once. Instead of everything coming together in a meaningful way, the story started to feel convoluted, and by the end, I wasn't entirely sure what I was supposed to take away from it all.
Also, can we talk about how this book lowkey has such a beautiful love story? I was NOT expecting that, and it ended up being one of the more surprising aspects of the entire book.
One thing I will say is that this book made me deeply uncomfortable, and I know that was intentional. The 1970s storyline follows the only Black detective in an incredibly racist and homophobic town, and some of the things he experiences are genuinely sickening. There were multiple moments when I felt nauseous reading what was being said and done. It was uncomfortable in a way that was difficult to shake, and honestly, I found myself taking away more from this aspect of the story than from the sci-fi or mystery elements themselves.
Ultimately, I really appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, and I can see the potential in this story. There were so many interesting ideas here, and I wish they had come together more cohesively. Unfortunately, by the end, the execution fell flat for me, and I was left wondering what the overall point was supposed to be. I wanted so badly for all the pieces to come together, but they just never quite did.
First and foremost, I really don't think this book should be marketed as horror. I was so disappointed when I reached about a third of the way through and had the realization of, "Oh... that's it?" I went in expecting so much more from the horror aspect, and it just never delivered on that front for me.
That being said, if we take away the thriller/horror expectations, I genuinely love what the author was trying to do here. The combination of sci-fi, historical fiction, mystery, and some incredibly descriptive gore had SO much potential. There were so many elements I enjoyed, but unfortunately, the execution just wasn't quite there. This is a big book, and while the plot itself was interesting, there were several moments when I found myself wondering, "Are we done yet?"
The story also became incredibly long-winded, and I think the author tried to follow too many different paths at once. Instead of everything coming together in a meaningful way, the story started to feel convoluted, and by the end, I wasn't entirely sure what I was supposed to take away from it all.
Also, can we talk about how this book lowkey has such a beautiful love story? I was NOT expecting that, and it ended up being one of the more surprising aspects of the entire book.
One thing I will say is that this book made me deeply uncomfortable, and I know that was intentional. The 1970s storyline follows the only Black detective in an incredibly racist and homophobic town, and some of the things he experiences are genuinely sickening. There were multiple moments when I felt nauseous reading what was being said and done. It was uncomfortable in a way that was difficult to shake, and honestly, I found myself taking away more from this aspect of the story than from the sci-fi or mystery elements themselves.
Ultimately, I really appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, and I can see the potential in this story. There were so many interesting ideas here, and I wish they had come together more cohesively. Unfortunately, by the end, the execution fell flat for me, and I was left wondering what the overall point was supposed to be. I wanted so badly for all the pieces to come together, but they just never quite did.
August 23, 2026
I absolutely adored this sci-fi historical thriller, which dips its toe in a lot of different genres and is effective in all of them. The two leads, Samuel and Harvey, are both so appealing and I was so invested in the arc of their relationship, first as work partners, then as friends, and then to an even deeper connection. The science fiction aspect of the novel feels like a throwback in the best possible way--a body horror/invasive alien species story that is genuinely terrifying and threatening. Just as horrific is the pervasive racism Samuel faces being the only Black detective in his small Southern town of Wenton, MS. Cole does such an effective job of showing how the racism in the town is just as toxic as the terrifying alien invasion. It all builds to a breathtaking climax and a truly gratifying resolution. Science fiction at its finest! I loved it.
September 8, 2026
I loved this book and it makes me happy that there are still writers of science fiction in 2026.
I picked up this book to cover for my local paper for a review but ended up reading this whole book in one sitting I was so hooked on it. Samuel and Harvey's characters were one's that helped drive the story forward. Samuel, a detective who is a bit closed off to those around him, has a heart of gold when he meets his new partner, Harvey. The two work together to solve the mystery of an unknown cause of death for locals in their town. The relationship between the twos characters work well, especially as their relationship is developed beyond a co-worker level.
Cole wrote this book true to it's time period. After reading this book, I praise Cole for writing the harsh realities of being a Black male in the deep South. Her writing is true to the time period, even the way other characters treat one another and dialogue. I truly am happy that Cole did not sugar coat and romanticize the era but instead kept the true realities of a Black man in the South.
I recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to take a step into Science Fiction reading. While the book starts off as a mystery, the science fiction elements still hold throughout the novel. If you are really interested in anything with aliens or unidentified beings, I would recommend this book.
I picked up this book to cover for my local paper for a review but ended up reading this whole book in one sitting I was so hooked on it. Samuel and Harvey's characters were one's that helped drive the story forward. Samuel, a detective who is a bit closed off to those around him, has a heart of gold when he meets his new partner, Harvey. The two work together to solve the mystery of an unknown cause of death for locals in their town. The relationship between the twos characters work well, especially as their relationship is developed beyond a co-worker level.
Cole wrote this book true to it's time period. After reading this book, I praise Cole for writing the harsh realities of being a Black male in the deep South. Her writing is true to the time period, even the way other characters treat one another and dialogue. I truly am happy that Cole did not sugar coat and romanticize the era but instead kept the true realities of a Black man in the South.
I recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to take a step into Science Fiction reading. While the book starts off as a mystery, the science fiction elements still hold throughout the novel. If you are really interested in anything with aliens or unidentified beings, I would recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! I had to sleep on this before I wrote this review because There Used to Be People Here (TUTBPH) was just SO GOOD. It’s difficult to convey how amazing this book is in a vague way, but I try to keep my reviews spoiler free, because that’s part of the beauty of horror. The twists and turns that keep you up at night, not just because you’re terrified to sleep, but because you have to know what happens next and who is going to make it out alive. And I absolutely could not put TUTBPH down.
The intent of some horror is to terrify, and it gets stuck in the surface level jump scares and thrills, but really great horror is terrifying because it makes you think and reevaluate. And that’s what makes TUTBPH a great horror novel. It has so many layers below the initial body horror and creepy murders, that it makes you question everything you know to be true and whether or not the powers that be can be trusted.
TUTBPH manages to achieve this in a way that also endears the main characters to you. While you’re reading you will find yourself so scared for them because you love them and what they’re finding in each other so much that you don’t want anything bad to happen to them. And you get attached in spite of yourself, knowing full well they might not make it out alive.
On top of the luscious prose and page-turning plot, Kennedy Cole has also naturally crafted commentary on racism and homophobia in the American South in the 1970s. Although as a Southerner myself, I might argue many people in tiny, backwoods towns still face a similar experience as Samuel and Harvey and this will resonate with a lot of readers. The commentary isn’t in your face. It’s baked into the character struggles and the story, especially through the eyes of Samuel, a Black detective (who I suspect is also neurodiverse) in a time when the South was barely desegregated. His badge and status doesn’t gain him any respect and really puts a target on his back by the white folk around him who feel threatened by his achievements. Cole leaves the reader and the main character questioning what’s more horrific: the outcome the monster brings or the world Samuel and Harvey have been living in already.
I am a fan of a lot of things that I would comp this book to, so it’s not a shocker that I love it. If you’re a fan of X-files, Supernatural, Sinners, Unsolved Mysteries, or any kind of police procedural media and can deal with the gruesomeness of body horror, then read this book. Warning: Chapter 1 isn’t for the faint of heart, so be prepared. If you can make it through that, you are in for an unstoppable ride that will make your heart pound, bring you to tears, and also, from time to time, make you laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy.
An amazing debut. I cannot wait to read what Cole writes next.
The intent of some horror is to terrify, and it gets stuck in the surface level jump scares and thrills, but really great horror is terrifying because it makes you think and reevaluate. And that’s what makes TUTBPH a great horror novel. It has so many layers below the initial body horror and creepy murders, that it makes you question everything you know to be true and whether or not the powers that be can be trusted.
TUTBPH manages to achieve this in a way that also endears the main characters to you. While you’re reading you will find yourself so scared for them because you love them and what they’re finding in each other so much that you don’t want anything bad to happen to them. And you get attached in spite of yourself, knowing full well they might not make it out alive.
On top of the luscious prose and page-turning plot, Kennedy Cole has also naturally crafted commentary on racism and homophobia in the American South in the 1970s. Although as a Southerner myself, I might argue many people in tiny, backwoods towns still face a similar experience as Samuel and Harvey and this will resonate with a lot of readers. The commentary isn’t in your face. It’s baked into the character struggles and the story, especially through the eyes of Samuel, a Black detective (who I suspect is also neurodiverse) in a time when the South was barely desegregated. His badge and status doesn’t gain him any respect and really puts a target on his back by the white folk around him who feel threatened by his achievements. Cole leaves the reader and the main character questioning what’s more horrific: the outcome the monster brings or the world Samuel and Harvey have been living in already.
I am a fan of a lot of things that I would comp this book to, so it’s not a shocker that I love it. If you’re a fan of X-files, Supernatural, Sinners, Unsolved Mysteries, or any kind of police procedural media and can deal with the gruesomeness of body horror, then read this book. Warning: Chapter 1 isn’t for the faint of heart, so be prepared. If you can make it through that, you are in for an unstoppable ride that will make your heart pound, bring you to tears, and also, from time to time, make you laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy.
An amazing debut. I cannot wait to read what Cole writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to the NetGalley team at Berkley for an ARC of There Used to Be People Here!
This is not my usual genre, so I won't get into typical horror genre conventions here. But despite this being something I wouldn't typically pick up, I'm glad I did. I do have the privilege of having been in the same creative writing program as the author, and from the few classes I've taken with Kennedy, I knew that the writing of this book would be great.
I loved the topics that this book discussed. Kennedy did such a great job at portraying both the racism and homophobia that the characters face in a way that truly made it feel authentic and real, which, in my opinion, upped the tension and made certain later scenes feel much more devastating and gut-wrenching. Particularly, the scene in the other town that "changed" and Samuel almost gave in, because on one hand I could understand why Samuel could want that "change", to want to embrace it, because the racism he experienced was horrible and uncomfortable and violent. In this "changed" town, he would have gotten a chance to live without that fear, that constant looking over your shoulder. But I also understood that it wasn't authentic change, it wasn't real in the truest sense and would never be as impactful as true change.
Another thing that I liked about this book was the portrayal of small southern towns. I typically read fantasy, romance, and romantasy, so I'm used to small towns being idealized and painted with rose tinted glasses in fiction, but as someone who was born and raised in a small southern town (and still lives in one), small towns can be wolves in sheep's clothing. Kennedy really portrayed the ugly of small towns in a way that felt real. You leave and then you come back and you likely never leave again because as much as it is home, it is also a prison (of our own making? Likely).
I loved how Samuel and Harvey's friendship and then later relationship developed. You could tell from the beginning that despite Samuel's hesitance, there was an immediate draw between them and an understanding that, from Samuel's perspective, was once in a lifetime. Somehow, with each other, they bore their fears on their sleeves despite trying to hide them but they weren't weaknesses to each other, which I think is beautiful.
And lastly, the unsavory, homogenous parasitic visitors. They were executed in a way I wasn't expecting, but I enjoyed it. The mystery of what they were built up overtime, revealing more and more as to what Samuel and Harvey were dealing with. The alarm I felt as the symptoms kept popping in people that Samuel and Harvey met was so high, especially at the bar that Cassie worked at. The interrogation of Jessie was actually terrifying. As the mask slipped from the "thing" controlling Jessie and they revealed that they were not only conscious, but higher thinking. Up to this point, I thought for sure they were only driven by instinct, but them having higher thinking was terrifying. All of the lore behind it was really wild and clever.
Once again, Kennedy did a really great job with There Used to Be People Here. Such a great debut!
This is not my usual genre, so I won't get into typical horror genre conventions here. But despite this being something I wouldn't typically pick up, I'm glad I did. I do have the privilege of having been in the same creative writing program as the author, and from the few classes I've taken with Kennedy, I knew that the writing of this book would be great.
I loved the topics that this book discussed. Kennedy did such a great job at portraying both the racism and homophobia that the characters face in a way that truly made it feel authentic and real, which, in my opinion, upped the tension and made certain later scenes feel much more devastating and gut-wrenching. Particularly, the scene in the other town that "changed" and Samuel almost gave in, because on one hand I could understand why Samuel could want that "change", to want to embrace it, because the racism he experienced was horrible and uncomfortable and violent. In this "changed" town, he would have gotten a chance to live without that fear, that constant looking over your shoulder. But I also understood that it wasn't authentic change, it wasn't real in the truest sense and would never be as impactful as true change.
Another thing that I liked about this book was the portrayal of small southern towns. I typically read fantasy, romance, and romantasy, so I'm used to small towns being idealized and painted with rose tinted glasses in fiction, but as someone who was born and raised in a small southern town (and still lives in one), small towns can be wolves in sheep's clothing. Kennedy really portrayed the ugly of small towns in a way that felt real. You leave and then you come back and you likely never leave again because as much as it is home, it is also a prison (of our own making? Likely).
I loved how Samuel and Harvey's friendship and then later relationship developed. You could tell from the beginning that despite Samuel's hesitance, there was an immediate draw between them and an understanding that, from Samuel's perspective, was once in a lifetime. Somehow, with each other, they bore their fears on their sleeves despite trying to hide them but they weren't weaknesses to each other, which I think is beautiful.
And lastly, the unsavory, homogenous parasitic visitors. They were executed in a way I wasn't expecting, but I enjoyed it. The mystery of what they were built up overtime, revealing more and more as to what Samuel and Harvey were dealing with. The alarm I felt as the symptoms kept popping in people that Samuel and Harvey met was so high, especially at the bar that Cassie worked at. The interrogation of Jessie was actually terrifying. As the mask slipped from the "thing" controlling Jessie and they revealed that they were not only conscious, but higher thinking. Up to this point, I thought for sure they were only driven by instinct, but them having higher thinking was terrifying. All of the lore behind it was really wild and clever.
Once again, Kennedy did a really great job with There Used to Be People Here. Such a great debut!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There Used to Be People Here is my first read by Kennedy Cole, and now I fully understand why this book is being described as “X‑Files meets Southern Gothic.” (I am a big fan of X-files and Ryan Coogler and bringing it back to tv). The paranormal thread got me immediately, and the way this author blends eerie, unexplained phenomena with the very real tension of 1970s Mississippi made this such an intriguing read. The story opens with one of the strangest deaths I’ve seen in a mystery, a man walks into the bathroom of a local gay bar and simply never comes back out. When he’s found, he’s cold, facing the wall, and there’s no clear explanation for what happened to him. That singular moment sets the tone for the entire book, quietly unsettling, atmospheric, and full of questions that don’t have easy answers. At the center of it all is Samuel Barkley, Wenton’s only Black detective. the author writes him with such grounded complexity. Samuel is determined to keep his head down and move up the ranks in the department, but being a Black detective in 1970s Mississippi means every interaction is loaded, every stare, every “polite” smile, every assumption about who he is and what he’s capable of (SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE). You feel the weight he carries, not just from the case but from the town itself, pressing in on him from all sides. His dynamic with Harvey, his temporary partner, adds another layer that is uneasy, tense, and never quite predictable. The investigation takes a sharp turn when Samuel uncovers hints of a plane crash cover‑up except what crashed in Wenton wasn’t a plane at all. This is where the paranormal element really kicks in. The "others" who have arrived in Wenton aren’t just visitors, they like it there, and they have no intention of ever leaving. The cover‑up becomes more than a mystery, it’s a commentary on who gets protected, who gets erased, and how far people will go to hide the truth. The plot moves between grounded police procedural and eerie, speculative suspense. There are twists, some being subtle, some sharp and the tension builds steadily as Samuel realizes the danger isn’t just supernatural. It’s also human. The ending lands in that sweet spot between unsettling and satisfying. It doesn’t tie everything up neatly (and honestly, it shouldn’t), but it gives Samuel the clarity he’s been fighting for and left me thinking about the cost of truth. I really liked this book, and I can't wait to read the next one. I know I say this all the time, but I hope Netflix or Amazon Prime makes this into a mini-series. #netgalley #thereusetobepeoplehere
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kennedy Cole’s There Used to Be People Here opens with the structure of a murder investigation, but it is clear early on that the novel is more interested in what the case reveals about the people carrying it out. Set in 1970s Mississippi, it centers a Black detective working with a temporary partner as they move through a landscape shaped by fear, violence, and the pressure of being watched. The paranormal element enters gradually, but the book never treats it as separate from the social reality around it.
What stays with me most is the way Cole lets character and setting do so much of the work. The detective’s position as both investigator and outsider gives the story a natural tension, and the temporary partnership sharpens that feeling by introducing an unstable human dynamic into an already uneasy case. Their interactions matter because they are not just solving a mystery; they are navigating class, race, authority, and the limits of trust in a place where history feels actively present.
The novel’s horror comes less from abrupt shocks than from accumulation. Cole gives the reader enough detail to make the world feel lived in, then steadily introduces elements that disturb that familiarity. The result is a story where the murder plot and the paranormal conspiracy begin to reflect each other. The supernatural does not overwrite the social concerns; it deepens them.
I also appreciated how the book handles queerness and belonging without isolating those themes from the larger historical moment. The characters are moving through a community where identity can feel dangerous, private, or difficult to name, and that tension gives the story emotional weight. Instead of turning those concerns into statements, Cole folds them into the detective work, the atmosphere, and the relationships at the center of the novel.
This is a strong fit for readers who like historical horror that pays attention to character psychology and setting as much as plot. It is eerie, grounded, and carefully controlled, with a sense of dread that builds through consequence rather than spectacle.
What stays with me most is the way Cole lets character and setting do so much of the work. The detective’s position as both investigator and outsider gives the story a natural tension, and the temporary partnership sharpens that feeling by introducing an unstable human dynamic into an already uneasy case. Their interactions matter because they are not just solving a mystery; they are navigating class, race, authority, and the limits of trust in a place where history feels actively present.
The novel’s horror comes less from abrupt shocks than from accumulation. Cole gives the reader enough detail to make the world feel lived in, then steadily introduces elements that disturb that familiarity. The result is a story where the murder plot and the paranormal conspiracy begin to reflect each other. The supernatural does not overwrite the social concerns; it deepens them.
I also appreciated how the book handles queerness and belonging without isolating those themes from the larger historical moment. The characters are moving through a community where identity can feel dangerous, private, or difficult to name, and that tension gives the story emotional weight. Instead of turning those concerns into statements, Cole folds them into the detective work, the atmosphere, and the relationships at the center of the novel.
This is a strong fit for readers who like historical horror that pays attention to character psychology and setting as much as plot. It is eerie, grounded, and carefully controlled, with a sense of dread that builds through consequence rather than spectacle.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Berkeley for my gifted copy!
There Used To Be People here ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it. Kennedy Cole is a poet. Her words moved me. Her lyrical sentences lulled me. This book was a work of art.
I am fascinated by this blend of sci-fi horror Cole has managed to craft. It was like a more racially charged version of Men in Black with tinges of The Faculty, and even a little bit of Razorblade Tears. That’s my favorite book of all time, so, high praise. Kennedy Cole has THAT voice. Sharp, full of wisdom and depth. It makes you think about more than just the storyline. And I love that most.
This book was just moving. Damn powerful. Engaging. Lonely. Melancholic. The commentary hasn’t changed much since the late 1970s, when this book takes place, which is the most depressing thing to realize. It reminds me of that story: a young Black man is protesting the unjust killing of another Black man, and his grandma was giving him tips on how to protest safely. She tells her grandson that she protested the same things 50 years prior. Time has rushed by, but life is still not easy for Black people, let alone a Black man trying to find his sexual identity in a small southern town in the 70s.
That’s what I mean when I say Cole crafted this incredible sci-fi blend. Yes, there is a story here, but there are also rivers of plot lines under the surface that make this story stick to your soul. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Highly recommend.
There Used To Be People here ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it. Kennedy Cole is a poet. Her words moved me. Her lyrical sentences lulled me. This book was a work of art.
I am fascinated by this blend of sci-fi horror Cole has managed to craft. It was like a more racially charged version of Men in Black with tinges of The Faculty, and even a little bit of Razorblade Tears. That’s my favorite book of all time, so, high praise. Kennedy Cole has THAT voice. Sharp, full of wisdom and depth. It makes you think about more than just the storyline. And I love that most.
This book was just moving. Damn powerful. Engaging. Lonely. Melancholic. The commentary hasn’t changed much since the late 1970s, when this book takes place, which is the most depressing thing to realize. It reminds me of that story: a young Black man is protesting the unjust killing of another Black man, and his grandma was giving him tips on how to protest safely. She tells her grandson that she protested the same things 50 years prior. Time has rushed by, but life is still not easy for Black people, let alone a Black man trying to find his sexual identity in a small southern town in the 70s.
That’s what I mean when I say Cole crafted this incredible sci-fi blend. Yes, there is a story here, but there are also rivers of plot lines under the surface that make this story stick to your soul. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a creature feature set in a small Mississippi town in the '70s with the only black detective in the police department. It blends a deliciously disgusting creature, racism, and homophobia while also delivering a truly hideous "thing" seeking to take over.
Yes, this novel combines the worst aspects of bigotry and homophobia which were pretty standard down south at the time and, for the most part, it works. After being partnered with another detective, Samuel and Harvey uncover something not natural after a brutal murder at a gay club. But this won't be the only murder by a longshot.
A heavily guarded secret in the woods, the FBI not being cooperative, and a grisly body count is going to lead to something bigger and more horrifying than it first appears.
The relationship which develops between Samuel and his white partner Harvey is rocky at first but they'll have to trust one another if they want to survive what's coming. While there is some foretellling as to where the relationship is heading, it does change their personal feelings in the later stages of the book.
There are a couple of twists which might catch you off guard but in a good way! And the very first chapter is not for the squimish. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Yes, this novel combines the worst aspects of bigotry and homophobia which were pretty standard down south at the time and, for the most part, it works. After being partnered with another detective, Samuel and Harvey uncover something not natural after a brutal murder at a gay club. But this won't be the only murder by a longshot.
A heavily guarded secret in the woods, the FBI not being cooperative, and a grisly body count is going to lead to something bigger and more horrifying than it first appears.
The relationship which develops between Samuel and his white partner Harvey is rocky at first but they'll have to trust one another if they want to survive what's coming. While there is some foretellling as to where the relationship is heading, it does change their personal feelings in the later stages of the book.
There are a couple of twists which might catch you off guard but in a good way! And the very first chapter is not for the squimish. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺!
I'm not sure an opening line or chapter for that matter has ever hooked me as much as this novel's did. Mind you, I haven't ever read a police procedural or any cosmic horror, so it was new territory for me. And I truly couldn't ask for a better introduction. I laughed. I cried. I couldn't keep my jaw off the floor. It was that good!
Samuel and Harvey live rent-free in my head—like give them the deed! Their dynamic was such a standout element for me, rightfully pulling on the heartstrings while bringing joy to a grim plot. And the asexual rep?! My little ace heart! Beyond our main men, the side characters are 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 well-rounded and bring something unique to the table in every situation, courtesy of Kennedy’s incredible prose and dialogue.
Speaking of Kennedy's writing, can we talk about how incredibly rich and atmospheric it was? I couldn't stop annotating even the most minute of scenic details. Then there's, of course, our plot which, if you're a fan of science fiction and horror, you'll love. This paranormal conspiracy illuminates the central themes in such a fascinating way, complimented by the human troubles our main character's encounter because, at the end of the day, some monsters are just human.
Kennedy's debut is truly phenomenal and a book you don't want to miss. Thank you so much to Kennedy Cole and Berkley for the gifted copies! I will be indulging in many rereads of this over the years just you wait.
I'm not sure an opening line or chapter for that matter has ever hooked me as much as this novel's did. Mind you, I haven't ever read a police procedural or any cosmic horror, so it was new territory for me. And I truly couldn't ask for a better introduction. I laughed. I cried. I couldn't keep my jaw off the floor. It was that good!
Samuel and Harvey live rent-free in my head—like give them the deed! Their dynamic was such a standout element for me, rightfully pulling on the heartstrings while bringing joy to a grim plot. And the asexual rep?! My little ace heart! Beyond our main men, the side characters are 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 well-rounded and bring something unique to the table in every situation, courtesy of Kennedy’s incredible prose and dialogue.
Speaking of Kennedy's writing, can we talk about how incredibly rich and atmospheric it was? I couldn't stop annotating even the most minute of scenic details. Then there's, of course, our plot which, if you're a fan of science fiction and horror, you'll love. This paranormal conspiracy illuminates the central themes in such a fascinating way, complimented by the human troubles our main character's encounter because, at the end of the day, some monsters are just human.
Kennedy's debut is truly phenomenal and a book you don't want to miss. Thank you so much to Kennedy Cole and Berkley for the gifted copies! I will be indulging in many rereads of this over the years just you wait.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What the what just happened? I ended up liking this a lot more than I expected.
Once I got about a third of the way in, I couldn't put it down. The writing is fantastic, the pacing kept me hooked, and the author fully committed to the atmosphere from the very first page. There is absolutely no slow build here—you know immediately what kind of story you're stepping into.
The body horror and gore are intense, and the descriptions are incredibly vivid. I could picture every scene, whether I wanted to or not, which is honestly a testament to how strong the writing is.
The biggest surprise for me was realizing this is much more horror than thriller. Horror had never really been my genre...which also made me stop and wonder, when did I become a horror junkie?
The first several chapters had me genuinely uncomfortable and taking breaks, but that's completely on me, not the book. Once I settled into what the story was doing, I was all in.
If you're a horror fan who enjoys graphic body horror, unsettling imagery, and a story that refuses to pull its punches, I think you'll have a great time with this one. This is not a fluffy romance... If you are dipping your foot in to horror, this may not be the pool for you - yet!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy. #ThereUsedtoBePeopleHere #NetGalley
Once I got about a third of the way in, I couldn't put it down. The writing is fantastic, the pacing kept me hooked, and the author fully committed to the atmosphere from the very first page. There is absolutely no slow build here—you know immediately what kind of story you're stepping into.
The body horror and gore are intense, and the descriptions are incredibly vivid. I could picture every scene, whether I wanted to or not, which is honestly a testament to how strong the writing is.
The biggest surprise for me was realizing this is much more horror than thriller. Horror had never really been my genre...which also made me stop and wonder, when did I become a horror junkie?
The first several chapters had me genuinely uncomfortable and taking breaks, but that's completely on me, not the book. Once I settled into what the story was doing, I was all in.
If you're a horror fan who enjoys graphic body horror, unsettling imagery, and a story that refuses to pull its punches, I think you'll have a great time with this one. This is not a fluffy romance... If you are dipping your foot in to horror, this may not be the pool for you - yet!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy. #ThereUsedtoBePeopleHere #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There Used to Be People Here was such an interesting mix of mystery, horror, and the completely unexpected. I went into it not really knowing what to expect, and I honestly think that worked in its favor. The atmosphere was creepy without relying on constant gore, and there was this underlying feeling throughout the book that something was very wrong, even when I could not quite put my finger on what.
I really enjoyed Samuel as the main character and especially liked following his investigation as everything started getting stranger. The 1970s Mississippi setting also added a lot to the story, particularly with the way race, sexuality, and being seen as an outsider are woven into the larger mystery. There were definitely moments where I thought I had figured out where things were going, only for the story to take me somewhere else.
I did feel like the pacing slowed down in a few places, which kept this from being a full five stars for me, but the overall story pulled me back in. The further I got, the more curious I became about what was actually happening and how everything was going to come together.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who likes their horror with a good mystery and something a little different from the usual formula. It was unsettling, strange, and memorable, and I am definitely curious to see what Kennedy Cole writes next.
I really enjoyed Samuel as the main character and especially liked following his investigation as everything started getting stranger. The 1970s Mississippi setting also added a lot to the story, particularly with the way race, sexuality, and being seen as an outsider are woven into the larger mystery. There were definitely moments where I thought I had figured out where things were going, only for the story to take me somewhere else.
I did feel like the pacing slowed down in a few places, which kept this from being a full five stars for me, but the overall story pulled me back in. The further I got, the more curious I became about what was actually happening and how everything was going to come together.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who likes their horror with a good mystery and something a little different from the usual formula. It was unsettling, strange, and memorable, and I am definitely curious to see what Kennedy Cole writes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
August 21, 2026Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF @ 72%
Let me start off this review by being VERY transparent: this book was not meant for me and I should not have picked it up. I love science fiction and the paranormal, I dabble in horror, but I do not enjoy historical fiction OR crime novels that follow police/detectives. Because of this, I am deciding not to rate this novel. It wouldn't be fair. I wanted to support a local author, and although I enjoyed the writing and the social commentary, I could not stay rooted in this story.
I wanted more from Samuel. I felt like there was a barrier that kept me from understanding him and it only really was lifted about 70% into the story (which, in my opinion, is far too late). I had NO connection to any of the other characters. The romance between Samuel and Harvey felt forced, and up until their moment shortly after Harvey's confession of being at the boy's bar during the time of the attack, their interactions felt awkward and they had no chemistry. But, in honor of being completely transparent, this may be due in part for me utilizing Netgalley's "Read Aloud" feature. I am going to try to finish the book, however I don't want to keep forcing myself to pick this up. I'll probably buy a copy to support the author, or check it out from my library.
DNF @ 72%
Let me start off this review by being VERY transparent: this book was not meant for me and I should not have picked it up. I love science fiction and the paranormal, I dabble in horror, but I do not enjoy historical fiction OR crime novels that follow police/detectives. Because of this, I am deciding not to rate this novel. It wouldn't be fair. I wanted to support a local author, and although I enjoyed the writing and the social commentary, I could not stay rooted in this story.
I wanted more from Samuel. I felt like there was a barrier that kept me from understanding him and it only really was lifted about 70% into the story (which, in my opinion, is far too late). I had NO connection to any of the other characters. The romance between Samuel and Harvey felt forced, and up until their moment shortly after Harvey's confession of being at the boy's bar during the time of the attack, their interactions felt awkward and they had no chemistry. But, in honor of being completely transparent, this may be due in part for me utilizing Netgalley's "Read Aloud" feature. I am going to try to finish the book, however I don't want to keep forcing myself to pick this up. I'll probably buy a copy to support the author, or check it out from my library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There Used to Be People Here by Kennedy Cole follows two detectives in a small Mississippi town in the 1970s as they try to solve a very strange murder.
This book was pitched as The X-Files meets S.A. Cosby so I was immediately intrigued. I do see why that would be the comparison after reading this but unfortunately, this book wasn’t what I expected it to me.
There is a horror element to this that felt like it often took a backseat to the social commentary happening in the book. It felt like there didn’t even need to be a horror element in this book and it was forced in just to have something else.
The writing was also a little over the top for this kind of book. I felt myself really bogged down by all the tiny details. I also just have a hard time with books that follow police officers/detectives because it can just feel really formulaic.
I do think the social commentary surrounding racism and homophobia was what really shined in this book. Even though it takes place in the past, the conversations are still incredibly relevant today. The bond between the two detectives was by far my favorite part.
As much as I love horror and all things creepy, I actually think I would have liked this book more if it would have just been historical fiction. I understand adding the horror element to make it more unique but it took away from the story to me.
This book was pitched as The X-Files meets S.A. Cosby so I was immediately intrigued. I do see why that would be the comparison after reading this but unfortunately, this book wasn’t what I expected it to me.
There is a horror element to this that felt like it often took a backseat to the social commentary happening in the book. It felt like there didn’t even need to be a horror element in this book and it was forced in just to have something else.
The writing was also a little over the top for this kind of book. I felt myself really bogged down by all the tiny details. I also just have a hard time with books that follow police officers/detectives because it can just feel really formulaic.
I do think the social commentary surrounding racism and homophobia was what really shined in this book. Even though it takes place in the past, the conversations are still incredibly relevant today. The bond between the two detectives was by far my favorite part.
As much as I love horror and all things creepy, I actually think I would have liked this book more if it would have just been historical fiction. I understand adding the horror element to make it more unique but it took away from the story to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kennedy Cole's debut paranormal thriller is a fast-paced ride through 1970s Alabama and all the socioeconomic realities of that time of place to boot. While the plot hits beats that are familiar to fans of stories like The X-Files, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Jordan Peele movies, the book is best when exploring the broken emotions of its main character, Samuel, and his growth from a desire to be invisible to living life more fully.
I appreciated that Cole explored themes of racism, homophobia, and xenophobia, and found that those themes fit well with the mechanics of her sci-fi thriller plot. I'll admit to being more invested and intrigued in the earlier sections of the novel, when much of the goings-on were still mysterious and alarming, but I still found the book as a whole entertaining. Cole's prose work is oftentimes overly didactic in telling rather than showing, but the core ideas were strong enough to keep me reading.
I also enjoyed reading the author's afterword where she spoke to her lifelong desire to be a published author and how she is clearly overjoyed at having reached that goal. Way to go, Kennedy! Keep writing.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel in exchange for my honest review!
I appreciated that Cole explored themes of racism, homophobia, and xenophobia, and found that those themes fit well with the mechanics of her sci-fi thriller plot. I'll admit to being more invested and intrigued in the earlier sections of the novel, when much of the goings-on were still mysterious and alarming, but I still found the book as a whole entertaining. Cole's prose work is oftentimes overly didactic in telling rather than showing, but the core ideas were strong enough to keep me reading.
I also enjoyed reading the author's afterword where she spoke to her lifelong desire to be a published author and how she is clearly overjoyed at having reached that goal. Way to go, Kennedy! Keep writing.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There Used to Be People Here is such a smart mash-up of genres. Take a slow-burn 1970s Mississippi murder mystery, drop in a Black detective who's just trying to survive the racism and homophobia baked into small-town policing, and then let it all tip sideways into full-on paranormal conspiracy, and somehow it works. Samuel is a great lead, weary and guarded in a way that makes total sense given who he is and where he's stationed, and his prickly dynamic with his temporary partner Harvey gave the book a nice slow-burn tension that kept me hooked even before the "what crashed in Wenton isn't a plane" reveal kicks things into gear. I loved how the horror elements never feel like they're just there for shock value because they're doing real work exploring otherness, suspicion, and what it means to not belong in a place that's already decided you don't. If I'm nitpicking, the back half moves fast enough that a couple of side characters and threads felt a little underdeveloped compared to how rich the setup was. Still, this is a confident, atmospheric debut with a killer premise, and I'd easily recommend it to anyone who likes their mysteries with a side of the uncanny. 4 stars! It's smart, eerie, and worth the read.
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