Chelsea Knight is a horror author from Essex who loves atmospheric stories, countryside walks with her dogs, and a good cup of coffee. She writes character‑driven, nature‑tinged horror that leans into emotions. When she’s not working on her next book, she’s usually outside, daydreaming new ideas or chatting with readers online. Dead Things Grow Here is her debut novel.
I ended up DNFing this at around 65%. As a debut novel, I can see the potential and there are definitely some interesting ideas here, but it ultimately wasn’t for me.
The story felt a bit flawed in places with certain elements not fully making sense or coming together clearly. I also found the shifts in perspective very confusing! it’s written in first person, but occasionally switches into third, which disrupted the flow.
There were also some noticeable grammatical and formatting issues that made it harder to stay immersed in the story.
That said, I do think the author shows promise, and I’d be open to seeing how their writing develops in future works.
received this book as an arc from the author, so first off, thank you!
This story has a very atmospheric horror feel. We are dealing with creepy woods, a creepy cabin. While also touching on topics of grief/trauma. It's a slow-burn type horror that I actually really enjoyed in this story.
I could picture the setting in my mind. There were a couple things I wish we could have got a bit more explanation on, but for a debut horror novel - I was impressed.
I had this book as an ARC, and I absolutely loved it. I flew through it. Anything cabin and woods vibes you just know it’s going to be gripping. The writing style and chapter lengths made it really easy to read. I enjoyed that there was more to it than just horror, it followed a story and you built a bond with the characters which made you more invested.
I don't like to write bad reviews, I really don't like it... but I have to be faithful to what I was asked and be sincere in my opinion and I will not stop giving it because it does not meet the expected. Well, where to start? First make a note that the book was advertised as a horror book, but it is nothing more than a thriller/suspense, and I have read thriller books with more horror. Second the development of events it is toooooooooooooo slow, which led to despair and almost to give dnf, but I waited and read until the end in the expectation that the end leaves me with my jaw dropped ... but in the end everything goes too quickly, without nexus, without explanation, leaving the reader without understanding well what he has just read... I'm sorry Chelsea 😰😓 I really tried and wish you every success!💕 I hope you will find readers who understand the true context of the book and appreciate it. Thanks for the opportunity.
I tried reaching out to the author but to no avail.
The jumping from past to present tense at the beginning was a smidge erm overwhelming? "I recalled" "i sat" "i breathed" to then "i am" (present tense). Maybe picking a tense would help "i sit" "taking a deep breath" etc. And keep it all present tense?
Another example would be "i am a practical man. Always have been. I have been interested in science my whole life. My father was a professor at the same university i worked (should be work) at now." Its written in present until you get to the word worked which is past tense.
it also jumps alot between first and third person. if it had a serious editorial overhaul and things fixed it has the potential to be a good read.
I was so hooked on this book! It was utterly brilliant! I loved all aspects, it was so chilling, so well described. I didn't know fully what was going to happen and that's what makes it even better.
I also love that Amelia gets so worried about her professor and doesn't let Lucas deter her!
The only thing I wish for is that there was a full explanation over what exactly was happening to her professor but even without that, it was still brilliant and still had me hooked from start to finish! The prologue on its own was enough to hook me in, and as the story progressed it just got better and better! Felt like I couldn't put it down!!
A simple, but later-brutally told horror venture into an unknown that is equal parts familiar in theme, and yet ambitious simultaneously in making an independent identity of itself. Said ambition, I will admit, is sometimes not as visual as it is simply relayed, what with the to-and-fros of narratives we are constantly acquainted with, and thenceforth grow attached to. However, what creeping threats and revelations we came across in the further discovery of one very missing professor, none were to really be misconstrued. In that latter clarity, the simplicity of the piece's language was a benefit.
At times, it does read as quite a fledgling; some inconsistency with the tenses and, most notably when in the thick of one's own pace, the changes between first-person and third-person POV did tend to bring one abruptly back to reality, rather than leave one immersed in the established murky and woodland world. There were moments, even, where it could've perhaps been intentional, if not for its recurrence in the most random places.
Well suited for the casual and yet quiet horror reader, whose silence entails that their preference is as mysterious and unsettling as the mythos of a woods such as the one herein.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a story about two uni students amelia and lucas who set off on a journey to a cabin in Scotland in search for their professor who has gone missing.
They get to this cabin and weird things begin to happen which do not go unnoticed such as, tapping windows, creaking, eerily silence, muddy footprints and blood.
Lucas lost his mom due to mental health and also the professor, lucas begins to what he seems to be is hallucination and is anxious he's going to be like his mum but is he really hearing things, is it real or is it make believe?
As they go in search for the professor strange things happen including finding missing items and reading through the professors emails.
This book is creepy, eery and gets your adrenaline going. This is such a page Turner I couldn't put it down, every page was captivating and I was seeking for more I needed to know what happened. I felt like my own detective.
If you like a psychological horror Twisted memories Slow burn dread
Then this is the book for you.
Thank you to the amazing author Chelsea for giving me an arc copy of this book for am honest review.
The prologue starts with Professor Anderson, & had me hooked me in from the beginning, the eerie unsettling feeling that washed over me while reading it made me instantly want to know more.
After receiving some strange emails from the professor, Amelia & Lucas, his students, decide to go out to the cabin & help him. They think he could be spiralling, but the closer they get to the cabin, stranger happenings seem to be capturing Amelia’s attention.
I love how the forest is almost its own character. It seems to play on different emotions of the people in the forest. Lucas is vulnerable & still dealing with grief & he finds the forest calming playing on this feeling to isolate him, whereas Amelia is sensing something strange & uncomfortable, an uneasy feeling.
I liked how Lucas’ dream from before they even left foreshadowed the events to come.
The ending left me feeling just as uneasy as the beginning but it was such a good read. Very interesting & definitely gets into your head.
Dead Things Grow Here by Chelsea Knight This book had me hooked on the prologue. I could not put it down! I needed to know what was going to happen next, and what was in the woods. This was a dual POV between Amelia the FMC and Lucas the MMC. They go searching for Amelia’s professor that has gone missing in his cottage in the woods. Strange things begin to happen! They begin see things to make them think they are crazy. As the reader, you aren’t sure if it’s supernatural or a figment of the imagination. Characters are carrying around past grief and mental illness history in family members. NO Spoilers! You will have to read it for yourself. The author held my interest with suspense the entire time. If you enjoy edge of your seat psychological thriller with a slow burn horror, grief, and trauma that has crazy characteristics, this is for you.
Thank you, Chelsea Knight, for the opportunity to read this eARC in return for reading and review of
After having the privilege of reading an early draft of Chelsea Knight's Dead Things Grow Here, I am so thrilled to see this haunting story officially out in the world. This book captures a fantastic "creepy" vibe, centered around Amelia and Lucas as they travel to a remote countryside cabin to check on a professor whose emails have taken a dark, concerning turn. The mystery is expertly layered, with the suspense building steadily until you are completely hooked. Because the chapters are short and the perspectives switch between characters, the pacing feels incredibly fast, making you want to find out what happens next as quickly as possible. The finale was a particular highlight for me, I absolutely did not see that ending coming! Whether you grab the paperback or the hardback, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a mystery that keeps them guessing until the very last page.
I was honoured to read this book before the release date. It’s has a gripping and atmospheric journey — part eerie mystery, part psychological exploration, and all immersive storytelling. Chelsea masterfully balances tension with deeper character development. I especially appreciated the way she weaves the past into the narrative, builds the characters’ relationships, and reveals their internal struggles.
Dead Things Grow Here will appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric mysteries with emotional weight. It’s a story that rewards patience and reflection. finished the book in just a day and a half! Even when I had to stop reading, my mind kept returning to the story — wondering what would happen next and how it would all end.
I am not typically a horror girly but this book HAD ME!
Am I slightly too scared to go look in my mirror right now? Yes absolutely. The next time I see my reflection will go one of two ways, either I will very quickly walk away and hide under blanket like my gal or I’ll study it so long it will start be creepy in itself.
I really liked the horror elements of this book, I did have a moment where I was internally shouting for the main characters to leave but imo that’s a sign of a good book.
The book was well written and a good length, the characters had a lot of depth and interest about them and it was just a gripping read!
As a side note, I was very excited to have received an ARC copy for this book! Thank you very much for this opportunity to read before release!
Firstly I would like to thank Chelsea for letting me arc read this book. Dead things grow here is a horror/thriller novella! Let’s talk about this book, I enjoyed the storyline but for me personally it was a little too slow burn for my personal preference. Does this take away from the fact it has a good storyline? No it doesn’t, I really enjoyed the psychological aspect of the book, it does touch on some sensitive topics involving death/suicide/mental health and psychological trauma but this book approaches this with respect. If horror/thriller with a little of psychological thriller isn’t your thing i wouldn’t recommend this book but if that sounds like a bit of you then you should definitely read Congratulations on first debut novel
I went into this book hopeful, as the story sounds like it'd be just my sort of thing! Unfortunately I find myself having to DNF at about 1/3 through, because I'm simply not connecting with it.
The Prologue started well, but then became very confusing as it moved from first person to third because it appeared the narrator died! Or did he... interesting tension, but odd nonetheless.
Also the protagonists didn't engage me, as neither seemed quite real - there's a lot of telling over showing, and I found it hard to really know who they are or sympathise with their journey.
I was given the opportunity to ARC read Dead Things Grow Here and I’m not even gonna lie this book is creepy and scary, but like in the best way. The kind where you’re reading and side eyeing your surroundings and looking over your shoulder. Honestly I was a little unsettled but I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what was going to happen next. The authors writing is so descriptive in a way that you can feel and see everything as it’s happening. The buildup was absolutely crazy! It follows Amelia and her friend Lucas as they search for their missing professor, Mr. Anderson, in a creepy forest with a hidden lake. There are some feelings and a splash of romance between Amelia and Lucas, but this is definitely a psychological horror. As a heads up, there are some heavier themes (mental health and suicide), so check your triggers if you need to but if you like psychological horror that makes you uncomfortable in the best kind of way and keeps you hooked the entire read this is definitely for you! It’s a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me
I received this as an ARC read and firstly thank you so much for sharing this book with me! I genuinely loved the setting of this book. There was a fantastic slow build up of tension and suspense that had me genuinely on edge. I find that hard to achieve in a lot of thriller books and the author did it excellently!!!
The only issue I have is that there was a lot of swapping tenses in the book which didn’t make too much sense and appeared accidental. I think it is more an editing error that I hope is picked up before release!
Other than that this book is fantastic and I do recommend it. Well done Chelsea and thank you!
I was very lucky to receive a copy of this book before it was published and all I can say really is, “oh my god”. The prologue alone had me hooked. The whole horror aspect was beautifully portrayed and explained. The emotions of fear, love and loss. I honestly don’t know where to begin other than this book was and is amazing. I’m not much a fan of horror, jump scares and all but if horror books can be this good then I’ve been seriously sleeping on the genre. It’s phenomenal and I completely ate it up.
I received this book as an ARC. Let me just say that this is really creepy. For someone who has been to a remote cabin in the woods with friends with a pond on the premises, this would have been a great read to freak myself out with. It displays a depth of grief that is often not expanded upon. I love how the forest is incorporated with those who experience grief and uses their emotions to pull them further in. In a way, it reminded me of the film The Forest starring Natalie Dormer. Chelsea Knight mentions that this is her debut into the publishing world, and I think it is a great start.
The prologue and the epilogue were my favorite parts of this book! The story was great too but the prologue hooked me and the epilogues sealed it up so nice. This is an atmospheric mystery horror read, and if you like those vibes then I highly recommend checking them out. The author did a great job at capturing the eerie aspects of this story and was very visually detailed. This is also a little haunted house vibey which I love. I love the psychological torment in horror reads and this book also included that!
I got the opportunity to read the book before the release date and it’s amazing it had me on the edge of my seat soon as I started reading I couldn’t put the book down I got so into it I highly recommend giving it a read a massive well done to the author of the book you have smashed it can’t wait to see what else you right I’m looking forward to more books 😊
✨ARC REVIEW✨ amazing. chills. this book succeeded with the eerie horror vibes. i love a good horror book and this definitely got the bill.
i can’t really say to much without giving it all away so just know it’s good. i’m stingy with 5⭐️ ratings and this was just that good. this was my most anticipated arc read and dude i am so happy i got to read this be sure to check it out on 3/28
This book was soo creepy! I had an amazing time reading this and I really enjoyed it! 🖤 Amelia & Lucas were the cutest!! 🫶🏻 Highly recommend if you’re looking for a thriller/psychological horror! I read this while staying in a cabin for the weekend and made the experience even more unnerving, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing 🖤💀
I loved where this book was going, however it left too many questions unanswered. Such as who/what were the shadows? Why were they there? I felt the forest needed a bit more of a back story to it, as the police were clearly aware of...something. I'll definitely read more of this authors if and when she writes more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It was such a great read, it had the perfect writing pace, you really felt the feelings of the creepy, surroundings. For Anyone who loves horror this is the book for you! It dose a great job keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
This was my first horror read in a long time and I loved it! Flew through it as it’s an easy read & if you like story, horror & creepy cabins in woods I would definitely recommend you to give this a read.
i'm lucky to have been asked to read this book on early release, and wow. Chelsea has spiked my interest in reading these sort of novels when im more into the buisness books. highly recommended.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was eerie, unsettling and mysterious. It was a slow burn horror and the build up was amazing, making you wonder if things are really going on or are they just mentally ill. What is it in the forest that calls for them? Feeding on their grief to lure them to its grasp. The ending was shocking to me and unpredictable, raising so many questions and leaving my imagination to run. It was an absolutely amazing debut psychological horror novel and I can't wait to read more from Chelsea in the future possibly 🥰