What do you think?
Rate this book
SOS
There’s an abandoned farmhouse on the edges of Chicago suburbia. The locals call it the Smitty House. It represents an bygone era, slowly swallowed by seas of new subdivisions. But the Smitty house is different. It has a dark history… where evil things happened.
Accidents. Suicides. Murders.
It’s the kind of house people avoid looking at for too long.
Across the street from the Smitty house lives Rudy, a teenage boy with a golden retriever named Maggie. She can’t stop fixating on the house. From Rudy’s bedroom window, Maggie whines and stares at the Smitty house like it’s watching her back. Like it’s trying to communicate.
When Rudy finally starts paying attention, he realizes something is staring back.
That’s when the signal starts.
And the horror.
Accidents. Suicides. Murders.
It’s the kind of house people avoid looking at for too long.
Across the street from the Smitty house lives Rudy, a teenage boy with a golden retriever named Maggie. She can’t stop fixating on the house. From Rudy’s bedroom window, Maggie whines and stares at the Smitty house like it’s watching her back. Like it’s trying to communicate.
When Rudy finally starts paying attention, he realizes something is staring back.
That’s when the signal starts.
And the horror.
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Michael Stone
8 books74 followersMichael Stone crafts stories of speculative and contemporary fiction. His work can be found in online publications and print anthologies. When he’s not creating post-apocalyptic and supernatural worlds, he’s helping institutionalized veterans transition from service by guiding them through career exploration and self-reflection. Outside of his writing endeavors, he plays fetch with his pups, Maggie and Macy, and spends quality time with his family of six, exploring the vibrant culture of the Windy City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 1, 2026
A dark and forbidding long empty house across the street. strange lights flashing from upstairs story's of murder and witchcraft with many missing people and occupants including our main character Rudy's mother. Rudy with Maggie [ his loyal dog] and best friend and neighbor Jayson are determined to find out the real story and hopefully his mother. round up to 4.25 big stars !!
June 1, 2026
ARC Review
SOS
Author: Michael Stone
Release Date: June 1, 2026
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Tropes: Abandoned House, Missing Persons
While the author did not intend this story to be a full novel, I feel like it could have easily been expanded into a longer story. While a shorter story, it’s one of my favourites by Michael Stone. I loved the inclusion of Maggie’s chapter, it gives more perspective into what’s happening. It has all the things you want in a horror story: haunted(?) house, creepy basement, unsettled family pet who won’t stop staring, dark figures & weird smells. It would have been great to see Laura have a POV from a “Ghost Chasers” perspective. The characters and settings are descriptive and immersive.
There was a moment when I though it was going to give “Old Yeller” vibes…not cool.
When you consider the authors past, this book isn’t just a horror story, it feels like one big metaphor for overcoming.
#bookstagram #readersofinstagram #reviews #books #indie
SOS
Author: Michael Stone
Release Date: June 1, 2026
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Tropes: Abandoned House, Missing Persons
While the author did not intend this story to be a full novel, I feel like it could have easily been expanded into a longer story. While a shorter story, it’s one of my favourites by Michael Stone. I loved the inclusion of Maggie’s chapter, it gives more perspective into what’s happening. It has all the things you want in a horror story: haunted(?) house, creepy basement, unsettled family pet who won’t stop staring, dark figures & weird smells. It would have been great to see Laura have a POV from a “Ghost Chasers” perspective. The characters and settings are descriptive and immersive.
There was a moment when I though it was going to give “Old Yeller” vibes…not cool.
When you consider the authors past, this book isn’t just a horror story, it feels like one big metaphor for overcoming.
#bookstagram #readersofinstagram #reviews #books #indie
June 13, 2026
First off: Five stars to Maggie for being the goodest puppers.
I loved everything about this book. Haunted houses, timeline flashbacks, and doggos will always be a must read for me. I really enjoyed the multiple timelines that helped the reader understand the history behind the haunted house without causing confusion. Sometimes with multiple timelines, things can get confusing. Not “SOS” though! The different storylines were woven together cohesively, and kept me engaged.
The writing of the stories in this book evoked quite a bit of emotion out of me. The characters were well written which gave way to the emotional responses I alluded to. The ambience helped tie everything together. The horror aspect was well done, but not too much of it for anyone trying to dip their toes into this genre. This book absolutely lived up to the spooky haunted house vibes you’d expect. This book was worth the wait to read, and I highly recommend anyone reading this review to go snag a copy. You won’t be disappointed!
I loved everything about this book. Haunted houses, timeline flashbacks, and doggos will always be a must read for me. I really enjoyed the multiple timelines that helped the reader understand the history behind the haunted house without causing confusion. Sometimes with multiple timelines, things can get confusing. Not “SOS” though! The different storylines were woven together cohesively, and kept me engaged.
The writing of the stories in this book evoked quite a bit of emotion out of me. The characters were well written which gave way to the emotional responses I alluded to. The ambience helped tie everything together. The horror aspect was well done, but not too much of it for anyone trying to dip their toes into this genre. This book absolutely lived up to the spooky haunted house vibes you’d expect. This book was worth the wait to read, and I highly recommend anyone reading this review to go snag a copy. You won’t be disappointed!
June 17, 2026
An abandoned house in the neighbourhood. A distress signal. Teenage boys Rudy and Jason get caught up in the mysterious history of the house. Is someone trapped inside, or is the house haunted?
The book starts as a captivating coming-of-age story in which grief plays a major role. Rudy is such a great character, and Michael Stone really makes you feel for him.
As the story progresses, the mystery surrounding the house slowly unfolds and the sense of dread steadily creeps in.
Once you learn more about the house, its history, and its previous inhabitants, that dread turns into full-on creepiness, with a touch of gore every now and then.
The ending brought an unexpected twist, and suddenly I found myself feeling sad instead of creeped out. This book really is an emotional rollercoaster.
I enjoyed it a lot.
And of course, Maggie is the goodest girl. (I also appreciated the note at the beginning that Maggie remains safe throughout the book. I'm always a bit hesitant to read books featuring animals, because I can't stomach anything bad happening to them.)
The book starts as a captivating coming-of-age story in which grief plays a major role. Rudy is such a great character, and Michael Stone really makes you feel for him.
As the story progresses, the mystery surrounding the house slowly unfolds and the sense of dread steadily creeps in.
Once you learn more about the house, its history, and its previous inhabitants, that dread turns into full-on creepiness, with a touch of gore every now and then.
The ending brought an unexpected twist, and suddenly I found myself feeling sad instead of creeped out. This book really is an emotional rollercoaster.
I enjoyed it a lot.
And of course, Maggie is the goodest girl. (I also appreciated the note at the beginning that Maggie remains safe throughout the book. I'm always a bit hesitant to read books featuring animals, because I can't stomach anything bad happening to them.)
June 3, 2026
This is the third book I've read from Michael Stone and it's another banger. It's a paranormal tale of a kid who wants to figure out the truth of what happened to his missing mother. However, there is a strange looking house that's an eyesore on first sight. However, many dark secrets lie inside, including the idea of many people going missing.
My favorite character was Maggie by far. Yes, I love dogs, but Michael did a wonderful job building the character of Rudy's loyal companion. The story starts off innocent enough, but once you get to the middle, you're in for a ride that you can't stop turning the pages on.
If you read between the lines, you'll see this story is one big story about overcoming and has plenty of emotional moments. I truly enjoyed this one.
My favorite character was Maggie by far. Yes, I love dogs, but Michael did a wonderful job building the character of Rudy's loyal companion. The story starts off innocent enough, but once you get to the middle, you're in for a ride that you can't stop turning the pages on.
If you read between the lines, you'll see this story is one big story about overcoming and has plenty of emotional moments. I truly enjoyed this one.
June 16, 2026
This is the second book I've read by this author and I loved this book as well. It's a great mix of haunted house with spooky vibes and a creepy, smiling, and murderous old woman haunting its halls, while also about a teen and his dog dealing with the grief of his missing mother. It was a beautiful tribute to Maggie and she sounds like the best dog. The ending was not what I was expecting, but I think it was a perfect ending! I'd also say, if a house has crucifixes painted outside and is sealed up tight.. you should probably stay out!
June 27, 2026
I really really wanted to love this. The story started off really strong, and Maggie is such a good doggie. The character building lacked, and I felt the story rushed and not a lot of plot building. I didn’t enjoy the dog perspectives in the story either it made it feel silly and not at all creepy. I feel like points were touched on and brought up but then never revisited. A lot just wasn’t making sense and the book fell flat because of it.
June 12, 2026
We are following roughly three characters. Rudy who is a boy whose mom is missing, Rudy's friend, and Maggie who is a golden retriever and senses A lot wrong with the house across the street.
It was an interesting concept that felt more like a thriller than a horror to one. Flared the idea of a house that is seemingly sos signals. The execution just didn't quite match the concept. 3 thank you to BookSirens and the pivots for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was an interesting concept that felt more like a thriller than a horror to one. Flared the idea of a house that is seemingly sos signals. The execution just didn't quite match the concept. 3 thank you to BookSirens and the pivots for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2026
This book is what I wish the movie Good Boy was. Maggie is everything.
Read
June 7, 2026The book did get me interested initially, but I did feel like the book took awhile after that. This was my first true ‘horror’ book so the part where it was pretty gruesome, caught me by surprise (it was pretty gross). I didn’t really know what to rate it, so I gave it a 2. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 30, 2026
Fabulous advertisement for Golden Retrievers. I got one a couple of days after finishing this book. Ten star dog.
July 8, 2026
SOS is a haunted-house horror novel with a very sincere heart. It begins with a missing mother, a grieving father, a son who cannot fully let go, and a golden retriever who still seems to understand that something is wrong. That emotional foundation is the strongest part of the book.
The setup works well. Sarah Crawford disappears, leaving behind a family that never really recovers: Philip tries to move forward, Rudy remains trapped between hope and grief, and Maggie keeps watching, waiting, and sensing something the humans around her cannot quite face. Three years later, the abandoned Smitty house across the street becomes more than a neighborhood eyesore. It becomes the place where old pain, buried violence, and unanswered signals begin to converge.
Maggie is easily the best part of the novel. A dog at the center of a horror story can become manipulative or overly sentimental very quickly, but here she mostly works because she is tied directly to the book’s emotional core. She is not just a cute companion. She is the last living thread connecting this broken family to Sarah, and her loyalty gives the story its warmth.
Rudy also gives the book some of its better human moments. His grief, stutter, anger, friendship with Jason, and conflicted relationship with his father all feel grounded in a recognizable teenage pain. The book is strongest when it stays close to that emotional reality: a kid trying to grow up around an absence no one knows how to explain.
The Smitty house is a strong horror image. I liked the contrast between the expanding suburb, the ordinary school routines, the new construction, and this one old house that refuses to be absorbed or forgotten. It feels like a wound in the neighborhood. The SOS signal idea is also effective because it turns the haunting into a call for help rather than just a threat.
Where the book worked less well for me was in its execution. The emotional ideas are strong, but the prose often explains them too directly. Grief, love, trauma, hate, and healing are all important to the story, but the novel sometimes tells the reader what those feelings mean instead of trusting the images to carry them. The dog, the window, the abandoned house, the missing mother, and the signal are already powerful enough.
The tone also shifts unevenly. At different points, SOS wants to be a family grief story, a teenage friendship drama, a haunted-house novel, a folk-horror story, and a more violent supernatural revenge tale. Some of those pieces fit together, but not all of them feel equally developed. The Baba Yaga and Lesnik elements are interesting, but they sometimes feel added onto the haunting rather than fully grown from it.
Still, I appreciated the book’s heart. SOS is not the most polished horror novel I have read recently, and it is more explicit than its images require, but it has a clear emotional purpose. It is about grief that keeps calling, love that refuses to disappear, and the strange possibility that loyalty — even a dog’s loyalty — can reach places where people cannot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The setup works well. Sarah Crawford disappears, leaving behind a family that never really recovers: Philip tries to move forward, Rudy remains trapped between hope and grief, and Maggie keeps watching, waiting, and sensing something the humans around her cannot quite face. Three years later, the abandoned Smitty house across the street becomes more than a neighborhood eyesore. It becomes the place where old pain, buried violence, and unanswered signals begin to converge.
Maggie is easily the best part of the novel. A dog at the center of a horror story can become manipulative or overly sentimental very quickly, but here she mostly works because she is tied directly to the book’s emotional core. She is not just a cute companion. She is the last living thread connecting this broken family to Sarah, and her loyalty gives the story its warmth.
Rudy also gives the book some of its better human moments. His grief, stutter, anger, friendship with Jason, and conflicted relationship with his father all feel grounded in a recognizable teenage pain. The book is strongest when it stays close to that emotional reality: a kid trying to grow up around an absence no one knows how to explain.
The Smitty house is a strong horror image. I liked the contrast between the expanding suburb, the ordinary school routines, the new construction, and this one old house that refuses to be absorbed or forgotten. It feels like a wound in the neighborhood. The SOS signal idea is also effective because it turns the haunting into a call for help rather than just a threat.
Where the book worked less well for me was in its execution. The emotional ideas are strong, but the prose often explains them too directly. Grief, love, trauma, hate, and healing are all important to the story, but the novel sometimes tells the reader what those feelings mean instead of trusting the images to carry them. The dog, the window, the abandoned house, the missing mother, and the signal are already powerful enough.
The tone also shifts unevenly. At different points, SOS wants to be a family grief story, a teenage friendship drama, a haunted-house novel, a folk-horror story, and a more violent supernatural revenge tale. Some of those pieces fit together, but not all of them feel equally developed. The Baba Yaga and Lesnik elements are interesting, but they sometimes feel added onto the haunting rather than fully grown from it.
Still, I appreciated the book’s heart. SOS is not the most polished horror novel I have read recently, and it is more explicit than its images require, but it has a clear emotional purpose. It is about grief that keeps calling, love that refuses to disappear, and the strange possibility that loyalty — even a dog’s loyalty — can reach places where people cannot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Have you ever read a book that is equal parts unsettling, spine-chilling, and heartwarming? If not, make sure to check out “SOS” by Michael Stone.
In a Chicago suburb sits the Smitty House, an old, run-down home infamous for suicides, murders, and accidents. The story follows Rudy, a teenager who has been living in a world of uncertainty since his mother went missing several years ago. He has a stutter, experiences, nightmares, and faces humiliation at school, with all starting the week his mother went missing. Maggie, his golden retriever (there is a forward mentioning that the dog survives - this is not a spoiler), she comes obsessed with the house and stares at it with a sense of dread. Rudy sees a blinking light and, when investigating the mystery that is the Smitty House, discovers a terrifying presence within the house. What was once a creepy neighborhood tale becomes a struggle for survival.
Like The Shimmering and Lovely Flesh, I loved this story by Stone. It starts off as a slow burn where you are introduced to the characters and the history of the Smitty House and then grabs you by the throat and propels you forward, full speed ahead. There is a tense climax and satisfying conclusion.
Stone’s previous books have detailed, thoughtful plots and this story is no different. One of the reasons why I enjoy his writing so much is the attention he pays to strong character development. The characters are not just names on paper. Instead, they jump out of the page and have a life of their own. Interestingly, in this story, the Smitty House feels like a well-rounded character.
Well, this is a fantastic horror story, the thing I like most about it is that it is heartwarming. Specifically, showing you the unconditional love and loyalty that a dog has for their human. I relate very strongly to this as I’m a golden retriever owner as well, and it was amazing to see the massive and crucial role that a dog has on a story. Dogs are amazing animals, and Stone captures a person’s love for their companion perfectly.
Long story short, this is a must read for everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to read and provide my thoughts on this story!
In a Chicago suburb sits the Smitty House, an old, run-down home infamous for suicides, murders, and accidents. The story follows Rudy, a teenager who has been living in a world of uncertainty since his mother went missing several years ago. He has a stutter, experiences, nightmares, and faces humiliation at school, with all starting the week his mother went missing. Maggie, his golden retriever (there is a forward mentioning that the dog survives - this is not a spoiler), she comes obsessed with the house and stares at it with a sense of dread. Rudy sees a blinking light and, when investigating the mystery that is the Smitty House, discovers a terrifying presence within the house. What was once a creepy neighborhood tale becomes a struggle for survival.
Like The Shimmering and Lovely Flesh, I loved this story by Stone. It starts off as a slow burn where you are introduced to the characters and the history of the Smitty House and then grabs you by the throat and propels you forward, full speed ahead. There is a tense climax and satisfying conclusion.
Stone’s previous books have detailed, thoughtful plots and this story is no different. One of the reasons why I enjoy his writing so much is the attention he pays to strong character development. The characters are not just names on paper. Instead, they jump out of the page and have a life of their own. Interestingly, in this story, the Smitty House feels like a well-rounded character.
Well, this is a fantastic horror story, the thing I like most about it is that it is heartwarming. Specifically, showing you the unconditional love and loyalty that a dog has for their human. I relate very strongly to this as I’m a golden retriever owner as well, and it was amazing to see the massive and crucial role that a dog has on a story. Dogs are amazing animals, and Stone captures a person’s love for their companion perfectly.
Long story short, this is a must read for everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to read and provide my thoughts on this story!
Review of advance copy
This is my fourth read by Stone and so far he has not let me down!
I’m always drawn to a good haunted house story, and once you add a dog, I’m completely invested. The haunted house backstory is what stands out most for me. It gives off strong “the house as a living entity” energy, layered with religious curses, occult undertones, and traces of a brutal past tragedy. Stone then deepens it further by weaving in Slavic folklore, which adds another compelling dimension. The house’s history is tightly threaded into the present through themes of parental loss and the supernatural abilities of a fiercely loyal canine companion.
There’s a remarkable amount packed into such a short novella, and Stone handles it with real skill. SOS is a slow-burn, atmospheric story that builds dread through implication rather than direct exposition. Past and present are tightly interlocking old tragedies don’t remain buried, they actively shape what’s happening now. The result is a strong blend of occult imagery, religious curse motifs, and folklore influences. The house feels almost aware, as if it carries memory, reacts to trauma, and has been shaped by everything it has witnessed. This creates a slow, suffocating sense of inevitability rather than relying on jump scares.
When the gore does appear, it’s executed with precision, not for shock alone, but for impact and narrative purpose, which is something I’ve come to really appreciate about Stone’s writing.
Overall, SOS is a well written, fun read and for a horror novel, this one has an impressive amount of heart. It’s deeply character-driven, emotionally grounded, and intensely human at its core, while still managing to be tense, unsettling, and genuinely eerie.
I’m always drawn to a good haunted house story, and once you add a dog, I’m completely invested. The haunted house backstory is what stands out most for me. It gives off strong “the house as a living entity” energy, layered with religious curses, occult undertones, and traces of a brutal past tragedy. Stone then deepens it further by weaving in Slavic folklore, which adds another compelling dimension. The house’s history is tightly threaded into the present through themes of parental loss and the supernatural abilities of a fiercely loyal canine companion.
There’s a remarkable amount packed into such a short novella, and Stone handles it with real skill. SOS is a slow-burn, atmospheric story that builds dread through implication rather than direct exposition. Past and present are tightly interlocking old tragedies don’t remain buried, they actively shape what’s happening now. The result is a strong blend of occult imagery, religious curse motifs, and folklore influences. The house feels almost aware, as if it carries memory, reacts to trauma, and has been shaped by everything it has witnessed. This creates a slow, suffocating sense of inevitability rather than relying on jump scares.
When the gore does appear, it’s executed with precision, not for shock alone, but for impact and narrative purpose, which is something I’ve come to really appreciate about Stone’s writing.
Overall, SOS is a well written, fun read and for a horror novel, this one has an impressive amount of heart. It’s deeply character-driven, emotionally grounded, and intensely human at its core, while still managing to be tense, unsettling, and genuinely eerie.
Review of advance copy
4.5☆
I have become a Michael Stone fan! I really like his style of writing horror. And...when the dog not only lives but is a hero....!!!
I enjoyed the haunted house aspect of the book, the history of what made the house a scary place to be. Rudy's, and his friend, Jason's, exploration of the house was so believable in that I felt like I was right beside them. Stone nailed the banter between Rudy and Jason perfectly.
Stone took a different approach to the folklore of Babba Yaga. It worked for this book.
SOS is so much more than a horror story. It has elements of a coming of age story, a best friend's tale and a testament of love; love between parents and children, as well as the pure love of a dog for her people.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to Michael Stone, publisher and Booksirens for the opportunity.
Favorite Quote:
"There's a reason the metaphor, 'A dog is a man's best friend,' resonates so deeply with us. It's intertwined with what we want in our friends: loyalty, someone who's sensitive to our emotional needs, forgiving and capable of loving unconditionally. It's a high standard, and most of our friends can't hold a candle to it."
I have become a Michael Stone fan! I really like his style of writing horror. And...when the dog not only lives but is a hero....!!!
I enjoyed the haunted house aspect of the book, the history of what made the house a scary place to be. Rudy's, and his friend, Jason's, exploration of the house was so believable in that I felt like I was right beside them. Stone nailed the banter between Rudy and Jason perfectly.
Stone took a different approach to the folklore of Babba Yaga. It worked for this book.
SOS is so much more than a horror story. It has elements of a coming of age story, a best friend's tale and a testament of love; love between parents and children, as well as the pure love of a dog for her people.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to Michael Stone, publisher and Booksirens for the opportunity.
Favorite Quote:
"There's a reason the metaphor, 'A dog is a man's best friend,' resonates so deeply with us. It's intertwined with what we want in our friends: loyalty, someone who's sensitive to our emotional needs, forgiving and capable of loving unconditionally. It's a high standard, and most of our friends can't hold a candle to it."
June 7, 2026
This was a creepy, haunted-house mystery with paranormal vibes. The main character, 14-year-old Rudy Crawford, becomes fascinated with the abandoned farmhouse across the road—especially after his dog, Maggie, has been showing unusual interest in it for some time. When a mysterious light begins flashing into his bedroom window at night, almost like an SOS in Morse code, Rudy and his best friend Jason can't resist investigating.
Their curiosity is heightened by the fact that Rudy's mother disappeared three years earlier, adding an emotional layer to the mystery. Already struggling with bullies and life without his mum, Rudy is a relatable protagonist, and the story has a definite YA feel despite its darker themes.
The writing is excellent, creating a tense, eerie atmosphere that kept me hooked throughout. I felt uncomfortable reading it in the middle of the night. The horror elements are present for most of the book, with plenty of suspense and unsettling moments. While the journey is dark and creepy, the story ultimately delivers a satisfying, hopeful ending.
I received a free advanced reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Their curiosity is heightened by the fact that Rudy's mother disappeared three years earlier, adding an emotional layer to the mystery. Already struggling with bullies and life without his mum, Rudy is a relatable protagonist, and the story has a definite YA feel despite its darker themes.
The writing is excellent, creating a tense, eerie atmosphere that kept me hooked throughout. I felt uncomfortable reading it in the middle of the night. The horror elements are present for most of the book, with plenty of suspense and unsettling moments. While the journey is dark and creepy, the story ultimately delivers a satisfying, hopeful ending.
I received a free advanced reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
June 9, 2026
SOS is exactly the kind of story I gravitate toward. It has that slow, creeping unease baked right into something as ordinary as a suburban street, which makes it even more effective. The abandoned Smitty House feels like a character on its own, the kind of place you’re not supposed to think too hard about, but of course everyone does anyway.
I really enjoyed how quickly this moved while still building a solid sense of dread. It never drags, but it still manages to make you feel like something is off long before anything is confirmed. The idea of something “communicating” from the house is simple, but it sticks with you in a way that’s hard to shake.
Rudy and Maggie ground the story nicely, especially through Maggie’s fixation on the house, which adds an extra layer of unease. It keeps you wondering what’s real, what’s imagined, and what’s about to break loose.
Overall, this was spooky, fast, and genuinely engaging. It flew by in the best way, and I’m definitely interested in seeing what comes next from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed how quickly this moved while still building a solid sense of dread. It never drags, but it still manages to make you feel like something is off long before anything is confirmed. The idea of something “communicating” from the house is simple, but it sticks with you in a way that’s hard to shake.
Rudy and Maggie ground the story nicely, especially through Maggie’s fixation on the house, which adds an extra layer of unease. It keeps you wondering what’s real, what’s imagined, and what’s about to break loose.
Overall, this was spooky, fast, and genuinely engaging. It flew by in the best way, and I’m definitely interested in seeing what comes next from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 26, 2026
This is the second book I've read by Michael Stone, and as much as I loved The Shimmering, this book blows it away, in my opinion. Rudy is a teenage boy, whose mother disappeared three years prior, and lives with his father and loyal family dog, Maggie. Rudy is a character you can't help but love and want to jump in and protect, especially when faced with the local bullies.
But there's an even more intriguing 'character,' a boarded up abandoned house shrouded in mystery and a tragic history. Rudy and best friend Jason are happy to ignore the house's presence, that is until one night a light from the house blinks over and over, and the pair through research discover that the house is somehow communicating to the outside world, 'SOS.'
What ensures is a dangerous expedition, where reality and the supernatural come together in a third act that has the reader on edge, and the fate of each character hangs in the balance.
The writing in this book is simply beautiful, Michael's skill at blending words is like art that builds a piece so stunning, you'll hang it on the walls of your subconscious to admire for years to come.
But there's an even more intriguing 'character,' a boarded up abandoned house shrouded in mystery and a tragic history. Rudy and best friend Jason are happy to ignore the house's presence, that is until one night a light from the house blinks over and over, and the pair through research discover that the house is somehow communicating to the outside world, 'SOS.'
What ensures is a dangerous expedition, where reality and the supernatural come together in a third act that has the reader on edge, and the fate of each character hangs in the balance.
The writing in this book is simply beautiful, Michael's skill at blending words is like art that builds a piece so stunning, you'll hang it on the walls of your subconscious to admire for years to come.
June 17, 2026
Rudy's mother disappeared three years ago. He and his dog spend a lot of time in his room with the dog staring at the old house across the street. Occasionally he thinks he sees a shadow in the window. One night when he and his friend Jason are in his room, they see a bright light flashing from that window. I won't spoil the book, but you may need a strong stomach to continue.
This book is one scary haunted house story! The author builds the background steadily and develops the characters until we know them well. Even though I anticipated where the book was heading it was still spooky with some unexpected twists. Perhaps the most well developed character is the house itself. It is well described with information on its background. It's derelict state adds to the creepiness. You just know something evil is going to happen. You can feel the dread. My favorite character is probably Maggie the dog who plays an integral part. I will give one spoiler to ease your mind--The dog does not die! This book was easy to read and went fast. If you like scary stories this is a good one.
This book is one scary haunted house story! The author builds the background steadily and develops the characters until we know them well. Even though I anticipated where the book was heading it was still spooky with some unexpected twists. Perhaps the most well developed character is the house itself. It is well described with information on its background. It's derelict state adds to the creepiness. You just know something evil is going to happen. You can feel the dread. My favorite character is probably Maggie the dog who plays an integral part. I will give one spoiler to ease your mind--The dog does not die! This book was easy to read and went fast. If you like scary stories this is a good one.
Review of advance copy
Rudy lost his mother. Maggie misses Mom, too. Rudy should not have to go through this heartache and pain. Then there's the house! Maggie stares at it all the time. There were parts in this story that kept me turning page after page. Then there were parts that threw me off. I love when settings are in past and present. Usually those flashbacks fill the reader in on what's happening. With this story, I felt there wasn't enough detail to explain the story of the house. I understand the violence but not a real reasoning for the extreme hate. The lack of background on the families made it hard for me to stay with the story. I have to watch the story in my head, I spent time wondering what happened here and there.
June 12, 2026
This was a great, creepy story about an abandoned possibly haunted house across the street. we all have one of those rights, like how every town has an Elm Street. Teenager Rudy has just been going through the motions of life since his mother vanished. Since her disappearance, Rudy's dog Molly has been acting weird about the house across the street. One night, Rudy and his best friend Jason are hanging out when they see flashing lights coming from one of the windows across the street. They call the police who find nothing, so they decide to investigate themselves. What will they find in there? What is the tale of the house across the street? And, what does Molly know? You need to read this book to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars rounded up
SOS by Michael Stone is a unique haunted house, coming of age story. One of the unique things about it is that one of the main characters is a dog. A few chapters are even told from the dog's POV which was interesting. There are a few scenes that genuinely gave me the creeps and will be seared into my brain forever (thank you for that Mr. Stone!). If you like haunted house stories that are a bit different, and especially if you're a dog lover, I think you'll love this book!
SOS by Michael Stone is a unique haunted house, coming of age story. One of the unique things about it is that one of the main characters is a dog. A few chapters are even told from the dog's POV which was interesting. There are a few scenes that genuinely gave me the creeps and will be seared into my brain forever (thank you for that Mr. Stone!). If you like haunted house stories that are a bit different, and especially if you're a dog lover, I think you'll love this book!
June 26, 2026
WOW. I absolutely love SOS by Michael Stone! It is genuinely one of the most heartwarming horror-thrillers I have ever read. That is entirely because of Maggie, the amazing golden retriever. I loved that we got a few chapters from her POV. She is so lovely, faithful, and completely fearless when facing the unknown. Her efforts to remind lost souls about kindness were beautiful. I loved it—this book is definitely a keeper!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 5, 2026
Every town has that abandoned, dilapidated, and supposed haunted house hiding in the corner. One day, Rudy notices an SOS signal coming from the Smitty house.
I really enjoyed this read. It has a mixture of old world curses, haunted house elements, and the horrors caused by humans themselves. Plus, Maggie, the faithful golden retriever, brings a glimmer of hope in the whole story.
Michael Stone has done it again. The range on this dude is pretty incredible. His writing has never disappointed me.
“Maggie doesn’t understand hate. Only love.”
I really enjoyed this read. It has a mixture of old world curses, haunted house elements, and the horrors caused by humans themselves. Plus, Maggie, the faithful golden retriever, brings a glimmer of hope in the whole story.
Michael Stone has done it again. The range on this dude is pretty incredible. His writing has never disappointed me.
“Maggie doesn’t understand hate. Only love.”
June 5, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
I'm a huge sucker for any coming of age horror, and SOS is a worthy entry. Add one Very Good Dog, and I'm all the way onboard. There are some extremely creepy moments throughout the book, even before the MC makes it into the house. The writing is good and the story made me want to keep turning the pages. It did make me miss the Very Good Dogs I've known in my lifetime, but that is hardly a complaint. 4 stars
I'm a huge sucker for any coming of age horror, and SOS is a worthy entry. Add one Very Good Dog, and I'm all the way onboard. There are some extremely creepy moments throughout the book, even before the MC makes it into the house. The writing is good and the story made me want to keep turning the pages. It did make me miss the Very Good Dogs I've known in my lifetime, but that is hardly a complaint. 4 stars
June 20, 2026
3.5
Follow Rudy and his dog maggie one night Rudy sees flashing from an abandoned house. Its a signal, an invitation. A headless girl, baba yaga, and Rudys mom dwell inside the house.
Overall an ok read. Rudy is a bigger person than i am for forgiving where I would not have. Glad the dog lives.
Follow Rudy and his dog maggie one night Rudy sees flashing from an abandoned house. Its a signal, an invitation. A headless girl, baba yaga, and Rudys mom dwell inside the house.
Overall an ok read. Rudy is a bigger person than i am for forgiving where I would not have. Glad the dog lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mongo is appalled!! 5 stars.
Review of advance copy
A-ma-zing, this was so good, I was sad it came to an end. I've read some other works by this author and it just keeps getting better.
I received a free ARC, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a free ARC, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
July 8, 2026
Great read
Took me second to read this considering how shory of a novel it is but im glad i did very good storyline and scary build up.
Took me second to read this considering how shory of a novel it is but im glad i did very good storyline and scary build up.
July 12, 2026
Maggie is the only character I liked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews