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Don't Go Outside At Night: Living Among Dogmen: Year One
After her divorce, Tess Kearney leaves the city behind, looking for a quieter life on the edge of southwestern Ohio’s wooded corridor. Sycamore Run Estates feels like a reset. A small estate of just eight homes set outside town, with large lots overlooking open fields and surrounding farms, all backing onto deep woodland. Open space. Fewer people. Room to breathe.
Her eighteen-year-old son, Justin, finds a landscaping job within weeks. He starts making friends and spends more time out, enjoying the openness of the area and the distance from crowded streets. Tess adapts to a slower pace, getting used to working remotely and a more relaxed lifestyle.
But something has lived in the woods behind Sycamore Run Estates long before the houses were built.
And it notices the newcomers.
At first, the details are easy to overlook. Footprints that don’t match anything familiar. Strange noises at night. Objects appearing on the back patio. Tess told herself it’s just part of adjusting to life near the woods... that is until the small things start adding up.
And gradually, Tess understands something she never imagined when she signed the paperwork. There are rules in this estate. Rules no one explains. Rules that have nothing to do with fences or property lines.
And the first one is Don’t go outside at night. Because the residents of Sycamore Run Estates are hiding something. And sooner or later, Tess and Justin are going to find out the horrifying truth.
Her eighteen-year-old son, Justin, finds a landscaping job within weeks. He starts making friends and spends more time out, enjoying the openness of the area and the distance from crowded streets. Tess adapts to a slower pace, getting used to working remotely and a more relaxed lifestyle.
But something has lived in the woods behind Sycamore Run Estates long before the houses were built.
And it notices the newcomers.
At first, the details are easy to overlook. Footprints that don’t match anything familiar. Strange noises at night. Objects appearing on the back patio. Tess told herself it’s just part of adjusting to life near the woods... that is until the small things start adding up.
And gradually, Tess understands something she never imagined when she signed the paperwork. There are rules in this estate. Rules no one explains. Rules that have nothing to do with fences or property lines.
And the first one is Don’t go outside at night. Because the residents of Sycamore Run Estates are hiding something. And sooner or later, Tess and Justin are going to find out the horrifying truth.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2026
About the author
Luka T. Jacobs
36 books51 followersLuka T. Jacobs is an author with a passion for cryptids, particularly Sasquatch and Dogman. Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia, Luka now calls the picturesque Illawarra region of New South Wales home, where she resides with her partner and their cheeky little dog, Finnigan.
With a deep love for animals and a keen sense of adventure, Luka's fascination with the mysteries of the natural world fuels her storytelling. Drawing from her background in Graphic Design and Art, she brings a unique visual flair to her writing.
As an avid traveller and explorer of the unknown, Luka continues to seek inspiration from the wild and untamed corners of the world, eager to share her imaginative worlds with readers everywhere.
With a deep love for animals and a keen sense of adventure, Luka's fascination with the mysteries of the natural world fuels her storytelling. Drawing from her background in Graphic Design and Art, she brings a unique visual flair to her writing.
As an avid traveller and explorer of the unknown, Luka continues to seek inspiration from the wild and untamed corners of the world, eager to share her imaginative worlds with readers everywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 19, 2026
While it was a slow burn, my personal enjoyment is high per usual with her books. That final chapter was wild!
March 19, 2026
My scoring system
⭐ Don't quit your day job
⭐⭐ It was tough to finish
⭐⭐⭐ A solid read
⭐⭐⭐⭐ That was fun!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I need more. If you don't give it, I'm going to kidnap you Misery-style, without shattering your ankles, of course.
First of all, let me say how glad I am all three books in this series came out on the same day. As usual, I wanted to pace myself, take my time reading the first book. Then perhaps take a break with something else before going to the second part. Well...that's not going to happen.
This series is a bit of an outlier in Jacobs' work. The subject matter is similar but the style is somewhat different. Her fantastic writing is still the same, but this feels different, hard to explain, a bit of a vibe, I suppose.
As always, Jacobs doesn't shy from the human element in this book but it is much more present here, which is logical considering the story but when done wrong, it can easily ruin a book. Here, that isn't the case by far.
The first book of the series starts off relatively slow; we get to meer Tess and her son Justin, adjusting to a new life after their move. We get to know the neighbourhood, their new friends....and the local fauna. What works especially well in this book, is that Jacobs takes her time setting things up. Yes, there are signs something strange is around, but they are subtle at first and only slowly escalate and even then, they are few and far between. This, however, works perfectly in installing a sense of dread, where sometimes the things that aren't explicitly said are even more frightening, because the reader is left to wonder what really happened.
Again another masterfully told tale by Jacobs and on to part two!
⭐ Don't quit your day job
⭐⭐ It was tough to finish
⭐⭐⭐ A solid read
⭐⭐⭐⭐ That was fun!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I need more. If you don't give it, I'm going to kidnap you Misery-style, without shattering your ankles, of course.
First of all, let me say how glad I am all three books in this series came out on the same day. As usual, I wanted to pace myself, take my time reading the first book. Then perhaps take a break with something else before going to the second part. Well...that's not going to happen.
This series is a bit of an outlier in Jacobs' work. The subject matter is similar but the style is somewhat different. Her fantastic writing is still the same, but this feels different, hard to explain, a bit of a vibe, I suppose.
As always, Jacobs doesn't shy from the human element in this book but it is much more present here, which is logical considering the story but when done wrong, it can easily ruin a book. Here, that isn't the case by far.
The first book of the series starts off relatively slow; we get to meer Tess and her son Justin, adjusting to a new life after their move. We get to know the neighbourhood, their new friends....and the local fauna. What works especially well in this book, is that Jacobs takes her time setting things up. Yes, there are signs something strange is around, but they are subtle at first and only slowly escalate and even then, they are few and far between. This, however, works perfectly in installing a sense of dread, where sometimes the things that aren't explicitly said are even more frightening, because the reader is left to wonder what really happened.
Again another masterfully told tale by Jacobs and on to part two!
April 2, 2026
What a Story!
Damn! What an awesome opening buildup to the story! No one can write like Luka Jacobs can. From the very get go, the tension builds like a rolling wave. And you know its coming,you know its only gonna get terrifying worse. Its no wonder she is my favorite author!
Damn! What an awesome opening buildup to the story! No one can write like Luka Jacobs can. From the very get go, the tension builds like a rolling wave. And you know its coming,you know its only gonna get terrifying worse. Its no wonder she is my favorite author!
March 19, 2026
Creepy Dogman Thriller.
This is certainly one of the creepiest Dogman tales from Luka.T.Jacobs. Within the storyline are some true encounters testimony, shared with Luka by a couple who had such occurrences happen personally to themselves.
Which adds to the suspense that starts to build throughout this first book. If you love creature features, you'll love all of Luka's books. Luka's Dogmen and Bigfoot aren't dumb animals, they're sentient creatures, capable of supporting hierarchical family structures and yet, manifesting extreme animal savagery.
So, if you're new to Luka's books, you're in for thrilling ride and about to learn, why you don't go outside at night. Enjoy.
This is certainly one of the creepiest Dogman tales from Luka.T.Jacobs. Within the storyline are some true encounters testimony, shared with Luka by a couple who had such occurrences happen personally to themselves.
Which adds to the suspense that starts to build throughout this first book. If you love creature features, you'll love all of Luka's books. Luka's Dogmen and Bigfoot aren't dumb animals, they're sentient creatures, capable of supporting hierarchical family structures and yet, manifesting extreme animal savagery.
So, if you're new to Luka's books, you're in for thrilling ride and about to learn, why you don't go outside at night. Enjoy.
April 20, 2026
Edge of your seat
This book makes you look into the shadows and imagine what you are seeing. All of our instincts as human beings at the forefront of your mind fight or flight. What would you do if it was you? Absolutely immersive I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read more. I'm glad I got to read this amazing story! It takes a very creative author to translate fear from page to thought. This book absolutely delivers it's not too long but long enough to get the story told without dragging or skipping the boring bits. There are no boring bits!! Love this author and cannot wait to read additional tales.
This book makes you look into the shadows and imagine what you are seeing. All of our instincts as human beings at the forefront of your mind fight or flight. What would you do if it was you? Absolutely immersive I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read more. I'm glad I got to read this amazing story! It takes a very creative author to translate fear from page to thought. This book absolutely delivers it's not too long but long enough to get the story told without dragging or skipping the boring bits. There are no boring bits!! Love this author and cannot wait to read additional tales.
March 31, 2026
4 Stars
This is the start to what should be a good series although this book was slow without much excitement. Luka Jacobs books are usually action packed. Hopefully the next book will see more of the Dogman.
This is the start to what should be a good series although this book was slow without much excitement. Luka Jacobs books are usually action packed. Hopefully the next book will see more of the Dogman.
April 25, 2026
Always a great read.
Luka T. Jacobs is one of my favorite authors and I love every single book that she has written. She adds details like maps and illustrations that make things come even more alive in your imagination.
Luka T. Jacobs is one of my favorite authors and I love every single book that she has written. She adds details like maps and illustrations that make things come even more alive in your imagination.
May 10, 2026
Creepy
This was an amazing addition to Luka's books. I loved every page and read it in less than a day. The characters are well done, and the plot is well thought out. You have to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. On to the next one.
This was an amazing addition to Luka's books. I loved every page and read it in less than a day. The characters are well done, and the plot is well thought out. You have to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. On to the next one.
June 2, 2026
This was an interesting story, not much really happens (which the author explains in the beginning) but it is written so well I really enjoyed it.
Intriguing, exciting and rather addictive!
I’m going onto the second one straight away!
Intriguing, exciting and rather addictive!
I’m going onto the second one straight away!
March 21, 2026
Suspenseful and frightening
This is one of the most suspenseful and frightening books I've read in a long time. I'll be starting book 2 in about second. Thanks Luka!
This is one of the most suspenseful and frightening books I've read in a long time. I'll be starting book 2 in about second. Thanks Luka!
April 15, 2026
Quite possibly the worst book I have ever read. I normally try to find the good in all the books I read, but I could not find any here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Home
Tess has just purchased a new house. Her new home is in a secluded area surrounded by woods. Strange things began to occur. Odd sounds in the woods, objects appear in her fenced in yard. Who are what is out there? Spine chilling.
Tess has just purchased a new house. Her new home is in a secluded area surrounded by woods. Strange things began to occur. Odd sounds in the woods, objects appear in her fenced in yard. Who are what is out there? Spine chilling.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews