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Wilson

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Perfect for fans of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Carnivale.

For years, Wilson has travelled with a carnival of oddities across 1940s America, a serial killer hidden among the workers and attractions. Working the carnival’s photo booth, Wilson possesses a camera with the hidden ability to capture the secret dreams and desires of its subjects on film. However, in doing so, the camera carves a pathway into the person’s mind that Wilson can traverse in their dreams.

Transforming into a beast of incredible strength, cruelty, and insatiable hunger; Wilson hunts, rends, and devours his victims in their dreams, leaving their corporeal bodies little more than empty husks. He is the perfect serial killer. Undetectable. Untraceable.

However, Wilson is losing control. He is killing more often and closer to home, incurring the ire of the carnival’s proprietor and arousing the suspicions of the local police department. Despite endeavoring to curb his murderous desires, Wilson encounters Dahlia, a woman so flawless the camera only sees her as she is. Wilson becomes consumed with the thought of preying upon the woman, and defiling this living vision of perfection.

The desire to kill Dahlia draws Wilson into a web of deception and terror that even the most vicious serial killer cannot escape.

There is always a more skilled hunter.
There is always a more lethal killer.
There is always a more terrifying monster.

141 pages, Paperback

Published February 10, 2026

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Jack Finn

17 books15 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Rhea.
104 reviews29 followers
April 13, 2026
Many thanks to Jack Finn for providing me with a digital copy of this book. This review is voluntary.

This short punchy novella hits like a high-quality horror flick. ‘Wilson’ by Jack Finn is a great midnight snack when that horror itch hits you and you don’t have much time to spend reading. It’s got a bit of a Freddy Krueger vibe in the way the titular character consumes his victims, but it digs much deeper than your average slasher.

The story follows Wilson, who inherits a "special" camera. This isn't your standard DSLR; when it takes a photo, using a special bottom lever, the developed picture reflects the subject’s deepest, darkest desires, showing them exactly how they want to be seen. Wilson then uses these insights to hunt them down.

What I absolutely loved about it:

- The Psychology of a monster: The book sidesteps the tired "nature vs. nurture" trope. Wilson is just bad news, plagued by a darkness that great power only manages to amplify.

- The prose: Even though Wilson is a pretty despicable guy, I actually loved being inside his head. Mr. Finn has this incredible ability to paint horrifying scenes in a way that’s strangely appealing and alluring.

- Character depth: Even the episodic characters felt real and complex, which is a total rarity for such a short format.

When a detective entered the scene and started putting things together I got instantly hooked, because the horror turned into a mystery to be solved and I enjoyed the panic that swelled in Wilson’s chest when the photography-enthusiast detective started asking the right questions. But this was not the turning point. Oh no, we get there with the introduction of Dahlia.

The moment she shows up, the ‘bigger fish in the sea’ rule definitely applies. While the camera shows her exactly as she is, it’s clear there’s more to her than meets the eye. The ending delivers a satisfying sense of karma and hints at a much larger, intricate world. I hope for more stories in this universe, because the world-building potential here is massive.

And to end in the same spirit- ‘Wilson is not a good boy’, but he makes for a fantastic read. If you want a dark, psychological horror with a karmic twist, you’ll love this one.
Profile Image for Steve Stred.
Author 90 books684 followers
Read
February 13, 2026
*Huge thanks to Jack for sending me a digital copy of this one!*

It’s been a few years since Jack and I connected – I think first on IG – and I absolutely love the variety of posts he shares, highlighting so, so many books. Up until now, I simply haven’t managed to read one of this yet, but when he reached out and asked if I’d be down to check out his newest, ‘Wilson,’ I was all over it. The cover (from Blaine Daigle, an amazing author himself!) was great and the synopsis sounded right up my alley. It read like a monster-of-the-week X-Files episode, which had me stoked!

What I liked: Set in the 1940’s, Wilson works in a sideshow carnival, traveling the country and bringing in townsfolks to see the animals and the freaks. He’s a loner, an odd-ball, but a key component to the day-to-day enjoyment of the show to those who attend. He has a camera and he takes a photo of those who’ll pay, so they have a picture to remember the day. But his camera isn’t all that it seems to be. It has an extra button. A special button. A button that allows Wilson to connect with their soul.

Finn sets things up nicely while also playing rough shod with the idea of ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ Wilson doesn’t care that the camera connection seems to be growing, seems to be demanding more of him and that he simply can’t control the desires he gets from what the camera gives him.

As the story progresses, we get to see the hold Wilson finds himself under, but as the darkness takes over, a light shines – Dahlia. A beautiful woman visits, one who – for some unknown reason to Wilson – attaches to him and wants to see the elephants.

There’s a marketed tone shift here and it works really nicely to let the reader know something’s off with Dahlia, but something’s off with Wilson’s addiction to the photos.

This sets up the ending really nicely, spinning the story on its head and ensuring that we get an finale that did the build up justice.

What I didn’t like: We get a little bit of a backstory regarding how Wilson gets the camera etc. but I would’ve really loved to have learned more and maybe even had a flashback or two of it previously being used. Not a big thing, but I think a slightly missed opportunity for more of the dark element that camera brought to the story.

Why you should buy this: This novella ended up being a perfect take on the ‘monster-of-the-week’ idea I was hoping it’d be when I dove in. Snappy chapters, deft storytelling and the darkness Finn gives us what a perfect mix of unsettling and brutal. This was a ton of fun, and a book I think folks will really dig, especially if you enjoy carnival/circus themed horror.
Profile Image for ScarlettAnomalyReads.
728 reviews43 followers
March 14, 2026
I got to read this early in exchange for a honest review, thank you!

This is 3.50 rounded up to 4

I went into this one pretty blind and a first time read from this author, but will definitely be checking out more from them in the future.

Wilson, one of this guys that just seems to sink into the background, which is great when you're a serial killer.. Even better with a job in a traveling circus, never in once place too long and plenty of victims.

Wilson's job is working a photo booth and the camera is just about as fucked up as he is or maybe they are just a match made in hell, but their hunger for misery and murder are all but consuming they chew through the dreams and prey on their victims.

The camera had me intrigued, I do love a cursed fucked up object of any kind and this camera was a doozy, if he pressed a button it allowed him to see their inner most them and secret desires..

Then Dahlia appears and things change.. She's different and seems to want to be around Wilson unlike most people.

This was a really creepy story and had big Freddy vibes but still different enough to keep be wondering how it would turn out.

The ending was actually what sold me on this one and made me pretty excited to check out more from Finn, it was not what I was expecting exactly and I really liked that choice.
Profile Image for Milt Theo.
1,960 reviews168 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 10, 2026
Carnival horror at its best! Jack Finn's well-crafted novella of supernatural horror, focuses on the titular Wilson, a beautifully fleshed-out character, one you simply love to hate: owner of a mysterious, old camera, he's been assigned a booth in Hamish's Traveling Carnival, taking pictures of the families visiting the place - but there's a catch: were Wilson to press the lower lever on the camera, he'd get access both to the subject's inner desires, and their dreaming minds! Being the utterly evil person that he is, this has turned him into a Freddy Krueger-type of serial killer: he's been killing people in their dreams, feeding himself and the supernatural entity residing in the camera with the poor, innocent, captured souls - until Wilson makes the mistake of taking a picture of the wrong person!

The book is full of interesting characters, suspenseful and creepy scenes, as well as a few revolting killings. The cast is large (a crow included), though the story is straightforward, easy to read, Finn's prose crystal clear, and fast-paced. What I loved most, however, was the ending! It's truly inspired and twisty, giving us a glimpse into a intriguing world reaching beyond the going-ons in the novella. In fact, the world-building towards the end was fascinating: I want more!

Although there were a couple of distractions in the story (for example, a mirror is mentioned extensively in the beginning, and also shown on the cover), and the plot occasionally crosses into dark fantasy rather than staying this side of horror, ultimately the tale is really enjoyable and interesting from start to finish. If you love stories of carnivals, serial killers, and magical objects, this will certainly satisfy the craving for a brilliant story figuring all three! I for one will be keeping an eye out for any new forays into this mesmerizing world.
Profile Image for Jason.
Author 10 books498 followers
February 26, 2026
My thanks to Jack Finn for sending me an advanced copy to read for both review and an upcoming interview.

I went into Wilson as blind as possible. I had heard what it was about, but I have a superpower for forgetting things like that. And I'm glad that I did this time around, because Wilson blew my socks off. I cannot claim to have a wide knowledge of carnival horror. I have read more than a few, but despite that, Wilson feels very original to the subgenre to me.

Wilson works and travels for a carnival in the 1940s. His job is to take pictures of the people who come. His camera is one he's owned most of his life, and it has a special power. If you hit the second, lower trigger, the picture will develop, revealing the subject's true identity. And then they die horrible deaths. There's a serial killer on the loose. Is it connected to the camera?

All in all, I loved Wilson. As I already mentioned, what goes down within the pages felt original to me. The elevator pitch is Nightmare on Elm Street meets Carnivale. That's spot on. There is a supernatural element in which people are dying in their dreams at the killer's monstrous hands, while the overall vibe of the carnival itself, outside of dreamland, is like that of the early 2000s HBO television show. No one ever said those two series could be combined into one small book, but here we are.

I highly recommend Wilson. I think it's a gem of a book.
Profile Image for Josh White.
35 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2026
I really like the mechanism in stories where the audience sees danger long before the characters. In Rosemary’s Baby, for instance, you can spot it everywhere—in the neighbors, the rituals, the husband—before Rosemary herself can process what’s happening.

Wilson by Jack Finn plays with this, as well. The titular character is a fascinating monster—a serial killer hiding inside a 1940s carnival, armed with a camera that opens a door into his victims dreams. But despite his brutal killings and seemingly becoming untouchable, he strolls past blazing red flags when he meets an obviously suspicious stranger in Dahlia. The reader knows something is up, but Wilson can’t see this. And it railroads him into an insane collision with the supernatural (or, I guess, MORE supernatural, given his camera is already pretty supernatural).

What makes this work is how carefully Jack Finn charts Wilson’s decline. You can feel his control slipping, his rationalizations thinning, his hunger bleeding into arrogance. So when Dahlia enters, his hubris blinds him.

The final act veers into territory I genuinely didn’t expect, and that unpredictability is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The ending is wild, dark, and deeply satisfying, and I promise you, like Wilson, will not see it coming. This book is a great read and excellent edition to the carnival horror subgenres.
Profile Image for Carly.
91 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 1, 2026
Wilson
Author: Jack Finn
Genre: Paranormal Horror
Release Date: February 10, 2026

Set in a travelling carnival, we follow the MMC Wilson through his daily routine running a Photo Booth - whose description left me wanting a shower. Both he and his living quarters are filthy. His camera has the ability to show the subjects desires and in doing so allows Wilson access to their dreams. There is a familia history behind the camera and while Wilson is the “owner” his boss seems to have more control over its use. The writing provides excellent world & character building.

It would have been nice to have some additional story behind how Wilson is physically affected by the “beast” and the inclusion of the crow(s). While there is some explanation of their presence it seemed a but disjointed.

This Novella certainly leaves an ending for the continuation of “The Grande Ole Traveling Carnival” and its cast of characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#bookstagram #reviews #books  #ARC #indie

Profile Image for Eric Woods.
Author 17 books66 followers
February 2, 2026
A story told from the perspective of a serial killer, this novella follows a 1940s carnival photographer named Wilson who uses a special camera. It has the ability to show the subject as they truly want to be. But after the picture is taken, the subject becomes the target of Wilson. He enters their dreams and brutally murders them. But he’s only supposed to kill one per town so as to not arouse suspicion before the carnival leaves for the next town. But Wilson’s appetite to kill is growing. I loved getting into the mind of this killer and seeing the background of how he came to acquire the special camera. When he meets his foil in Dahlia, the twists and turns begin, and the intensity rises to a boiling point until the brutal finale. A nice, quick, horrific serial killer tale.
Profile Image for Jesy Joy.
136 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 25, 2026
I know I use the term "wild ride" a lot but this one cannot be called anything else. I went into this blind, as I prefer to do, and, honestly, I spent most of the book thinking "what the fuck is going on?" but that is absolutely not a bad thing. The main character of this book is so well written, you can feel his mental facilities declining. You can understand how close he is to completel falling over the ledge. The ending of this book is so wild and unexpected, but absolutely satisfying. Tiny notes in the book suddenly make more sense and it is really cool to be able to put all those pieces together.

Thank you so, so much Jack Finn for sending me this for my birthday!
Profile Image for K. Bengston.
Author 2 books24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 1, 2026
I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts are my own.

This is my second book by Finn, and let me say that after this one, I’ll be working backwards through his catalog.

Wilson is very well crafted, and the titular character is a standout. The story idea alone is unique, and Finn executed the premise without a hitch. The characters and concept are far more complex than they seem, especially given the novella’s length.

Would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ and is looking for a quick in-and-out read! 🤘

Thank you to Jack Finn for providing me the ARC.
Profile Image for Wendy.
161 reviews
April 2, 2026
If a photograph could reveal your deepest desire… would you still want to see it?

Wilson takes photographs for carnival goers, but his is no ordinary camera. With the flick of a special lever, Wilson can see their deepest desires reflected in the photos and this allows him to start hunting. I couldn't resist this tale with it's traveling carnival setting. It had just the right amount of creepiness and although there was some gore, it wasn't over the top. It also has a solid twist that I didn't see coming.
Profile Image for Ronald McGillvray.
Author 8 books109 followers
February 18, 2026
The concept of having a camera that can capture your most secret dreams and desires is more than intriguing. Having the camera also being a portal into your private, nightly dreamscape, however, is downright frightening. Meet Wilson, a guy you would walk by without a second glance, unless of course you stop to have your picture taken at his carnival booth. Looking for a quick unsettling read? Then pick-up “Wilson” by Jack Finn and pray you don’t meet Wilson in your dreams.
Profile Image for Coy Hall.
Author 36 books243 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 30, 2026
An imaginative and wicked novella about a carnival worker, his mysterious camera, and his savage desires. Finn does some nice world-building to put the reader into a 1940s traveling show, giving just enough detail to bring that period to life without overdoing it. Well-paced. Good characters. And a satisfying ending. Enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Andrea.
185 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2026
I liked this book a lot. It definitely has a Carnivale feel to it, with maybe a little Something Wicked This Way Comes thrown into the mix.
Wilson is an excellent main character. The plot is engaging right from the start and keeps you intrigued to the last page.
I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
149 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 30, 2026


Wilson has a special camera. It gives him a special abilities. He can go into people dreams. He can turn their dreams into a nightmare.

Steady paced novel. With a very unpredictable ending. Highly recommend if you want a quick read.
Profile Image for Ryan.
506 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 4, 2026
4.5/5

This is a gritty post-WWII read where a down-on-his-luck carny goes up against an evil camera. It captures much more than simple landscapes, spiraling into a story rife with cruelty and dark, supernatural harm.
Profile Image for Brian Bowyer.
Author 62 books280 followers
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
January 9, 2026
Fantastic!

I had a blast with this one. WILSON seized me from the first page and didn't let me go. I'm looking forward to reading more by Finn. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Leighah.
356 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 22, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the old school carnival feel to it. As nasty as the main character was I thought he was great and couldn't wait to see what horrible thing he would do next. I wasn't expecting how this story ended but must admit it was clever. I will be reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews