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The Reader's Resort
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 27, 2026
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
E. M. Jones
2 books21 followersE. M. Jones writes supernatural thrillers set in the Midwest. His stories explore themes of death, redemption, and trauma. When he's not thinking about ghosts, he's playing football with his sons or wandering bookstores with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh how my brain tried desperately to piece this puzzle together from the very beginning! It was mysterious, tense, and haunted. This story will make your skin crawl and the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
EM Jones nailed it with the setting of this book – a retreat that any reader will absolutely swoon over. Carefully curated themed rooms, hand selected books custom picked for each guest, in a sprawling resort with all the amenities and the best cozy places to read. Imagine floor to ceiling shelves of books, rolling ladders, all the things readers dream of. But not all is what it seems - there are some very ominous things happening within the walls and beneath the floor boards of this seemingly serene getaway.
Our main character, Florence, arrives for this once in a lifetime stay, and things already seem off. As the tension is building, she finds herself more and more involved in a real-life thriller. A decades old secret has decided to surface, and she finds herself smack dab in the middle. She takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. Multiple story lines and characters, hidden passageways, haunting and horrifying creatures, delusions, hallucinations, crimes unfolding. The Reader’s Resort will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through to the twisted end.
I rate this 4.5 stars rounded up because it had everything: ghosts, mystery, crime, psychological twists, even a slight hint of romance… and a book about books? Perfection. I knew instantly this book was a must read and its sinister vibes did not disappoint!
I received an advance copy from the author for an honest review of this book.
EM Jones nailed it with the setting of this book – a retreat that any reader will absolutely swoon over. Carefully curated themed rooms, hand selected books custom picked for each guest, in a sprawling resort with all the amenities and the best cozy places to read. Imagine floor to ceiling shelves of books, rolling ladders, all the things readers dream of. But not all is what it seems - there are some very ominous things happening within the walls and beneath the floor boards of this seemingly serene getaway.
Our main character, Florence, arrives for this once in a lifetime stay, and things already seem off. As the tension is building, she finds herself more and more involved in a real-life thriller. A decades old secret has decided to surface, and she finds herself smack dab in the middle. She takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. Multiple story lines and characters, hidden passageways, haunting and horrifying creatures, delusions, hallucinations, crimes unfolding. The Reader’s Resort will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through to the twisted end.
I rate this 4.5 stars rounded up because it had everything: ghosts, mystery, crime, psychological twists, even a slight hint of romance… and a book about books? Perfection. I knew instantly this book was a must read and its sinister vibes did not disappoint!
I received an advance copy from the author for an honest review of this book.
Review of advance copy
I will admit it took me longer to read this book than I had anticipated. I have been sick and it's been a little hard to concentrate. The more I read on this book, the more I needed to find out what happens next.
It really kept me on the edge of my seat. Florence, who lost her best friend, Chloe, in high school, goes to the one place her and Chloe always wanted to go. The Readers Resort. She wanted to try to talk to her one last time because it's rumored to be a haunting resort and she hoped to see her one last time.
What Florence encountered was much different and worse. It's a supernatural book containing ghosts and other elements she was not expecting. Characters were great. When Robert popped up in the book there was something off about his character from the beginning and after reading more, you would understand why.
It was a really good book, in my opinion, and I recommend it for anyone who likes ghost stories and on the edge of your seat.
The only thing I had an issue with, because it didn't go into details about it, was towards the end in the cellar. I don't want to give it away, but when you read it, you will understand. I just wonder if anyone else is confused about the two events that happen in the cellar. There were no details and who was the one-legged figure helping Alyssa at the end?
It really kept me on the edge of my seat. Florence, who lost her best friend, Chloe, in high school, goes to the one place her and Chloe always wanted to go. The Readers Resort. She wanted to try to talk to her one last time because it's rumored to be a haunting resort and she hoped to see her one last time.
What Florence encountered was much different and worse. It's a supernatural book containing ghosts and other elements she was not expecting. Characters were great. When Robert popped up in the book there was something off about his character from the beginning and after reading more, you would understand why.
It was a really good book, in my opinion, and I recommend it for anyone who likes ghost stories and on the edge of your seat.
The only thing I had an issue with, because it didn't go into details about it, was towards the end in the cellar. I don't want to give it away, but when you read it, you will understand. I just wonder if anyone else is confused about the two events that happen in the cellar. There were no details and who was the one-legged figure helping Alyssa at the end?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Florence and her best friend Chloe always dreamed of going to the Reader’s Resort. Those plans ended abruptly when Chloe died at 17. Now, many years later, Florence has made up her mind to go to the resort. But first, she’s going to stop to see Chloe at her gravesite to extend an invitation to meet her at the resort.
Upon Florence’s arrival at the resort, she gets right into her quest to meet up with Chloe. She goes to her room and begins a makeshift seance. However, someone other than Chloe arrives in her room. After Florence’s initial trepidation, she becomes intent on learning more about the apparition who came to see her. What Florence learns, however, is that getting a read on whats going on at the Reader’s Resort might come at a cost she never saw coming.
This book gripped me right from the start, setting the tempo for the rest of the story. I was honestly worried that the initial intrigue would drop off at some point. It’s difficult for a book to start with a bang and not lose momentum. This book did just that. I was not only interested by surprised by the twists and how much I loved the characters. If you’re looking for a ghostly slasher book, this is it. I highly recommend it.
Upon Florence’s arrival at the resort, she gets right into her quest to meet up with Chloe. She goes to her room and begins a makeshift seance. However, someone other than Chloe arrives in her room. After Florence’s initial trepidation, she becomes intent on learning more about the apparition who came to see her. What Florence learns, however, is that getting a read on whats going on at the Reader’s Resort might come at a cost she never saw coming.
This book gripped me right from the start, setting the tempo for the rest of the story. I was honestly worried that the initial intrigue would drop off at some point. It’s difficult for a book to start with a bang and not lose momentum. This book did just that. I was not only interested by surprised by the twists and how much I loved the characters. If you’re looking for a ghostly slasher book, this is it. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s far from a secret that I think EM Jones is an absolute stand out author. Everything he writes is completely perfect, if you ask me. So you can guess ahead how much praise I have for this story! As with The Darling Killer, the atmosphere, characters and locations of this story are so beautifully written, it feels as though you are a part of the action. It truly feels like you could know these characters. Each one, both good and bad, are written so completely they feel like real lives being lived as you read along. The twists and turns follow right along with the character development as each piece of plot falls into place. I was hooked from the first line and this one never let me down.
Plus, come on. A reading-themed hotel where the rooms are custom curated for you? Where do I sign up?
Plus, come on. A reading-themed hotel where the rooms are custom curated for you? Where do I sign up?
Review of advance copy received from Author
E.M. Jones writes thrillers that transport you in time and space. His prose is moody and atmospheric, and The Readers Resort encapsulates everything the genre should be.
In most thrillers, characters exist to further the plot. This story refuses that shortcut. I felt the humanity of the characters within the first few pages, and by the time the story demanded something of them, I was already invested in ways I didn’t anticipate.
The writing put me inside this world completely. The details are physical, the dread is visceral. Texture, sound, smell, all of it alive on the page. I wasn’t reading so much as inhabiting.
The plot is ruthless and the pacing is relentless (in the best way). I was captivated from start to finish, and this story has, quite literally, haunted me since reading.
If you like atmospheric supernatural thrillers, read this book.
In most thrillers, characters exist to further the plot. This story refuses that shortcut. I felt the humanity of the characters within the first few pages, and by the time the story demanded something of them, I was already invested in ways I didn’t anticipate.
The writing put me inside this world completely. The details are physical, the dread is visceral. Texture, sound, smell, all of it alive on the page. I wasn’t reading so much as inhabiting.
The plot is ruthless and the pacing is relentless (in the best way). I was captivated from start to finish, and this story has, quite literally, haunted me since reading.
If you like atmospheric supernatural thrillers, read this book.
March 25, 2026
The author does a great job of being descriptive and detailed, while getting to the point. I like that!
I usually like books with different perspectives.
It seems a bit busy at first but the author does make them easy to follow and keeps you interested!
Florence definitely has a past but she’s a strong, badass, well developed FMC
Robert is all action
And Logan is an unlikely hero
It wasn’t suspenseful until it was and it was and it KEPT GOING!! Once it started taking several unexpected turns right in a row, I couldn’t put it down.
A little bit of 💕✨romance✨💕 with your thriller?
“A ghost had stolen his baby, and for what?” LOL
I usually like books with different perspectives.
It seems a bit busy at first but the author does make them easy to follow and keeps you interested!
Florence definitely has a past but she’s a strong, badass, well developed FMC
Robert is all action
And Logan is an unlikely hero
It wasn’t suspenseful until it was and it was and it KEPT GOING!! Once it started taking several unexpected turns right in a row, I couldn’t put it down.
A little bit of 💕✨romance✨💕 with your thriller?
“A ghost had stolen his baby, and for what?” LOL
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
WOW! I honestly loved every minute of this book. It pulled me in from the beginning and never let go. This is the kind of book that lives in your head long after you close it! The creepy resort setting, the mystery, the twists, the ghost. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. If you love dark, suspenseful reads that keep you guessing, you need this one on your TBR. Absolutely loved it! Thank you so much E.M. Jones for letting me be an arc reader!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is perfect for someone who is obssessed with books, like me..most of the small details and mentions of books are so immersing for someone who loves to read. The mystery thriller element was heart pounding and fast paced. The story was also very emotional and heart wrenching. Without spoilers, the multiple POVs really bring something special to the story. This is a layered horror/ thriller/ mystery story that will stick with
you.
you.
March 26, 2026
This book had me from the first page. I couldn't put it down.
If you like thriller suspense and want to be lost in a book trying to figure out what happened,Pick up this book up. You
will not be disappointed.
The story was so well written and the plot was perfect, It has you guessing and on your toes the whole book. You think you may know what will happen but you get a surprise and it’s completely different than what you thought.
I can’t wait to read more from E.M. Jones
If you like thriller suspense and want to be lost in a book trying to figure out what happened,Pick up this book up. You
will not be disappointed.
The story was so well written and the plot was perfect, It has you guessing and on your toes the whole book. You think you may know what will happen but you get a surprise and it’s completely different than what you thought.
I can’t wait to read more from E.M. Jones
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this story from beginning to end! I’m so glad I read it and lived through the vibrant characters!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews