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Something Here is Very Wrong: A supernatural extreme horror novel
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 14, 2026
《4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️》
Joe Olsen isn't running from a killer... he is the killer. Known as the Belton Ripper, he's managed to evade capture while terrorizing the town, leaving local police chasing shadows. But with pressure increasing and suspicion creeping closer, Joe makes a calculated move, relocating his family to the quieter town of Bradwell, where he can disappear and continue his twisted routine undetected. In his new home, Joe believes he's found the perfect setup with a secluded basement where he can indulge his darkest impulses without drawing attention, sparing his wife from his violence. But almost immediately things begin to unravel. Locked Doors won't stay shut. Objects move when no one is looking. His sleep is plagued by nightmares that feel like warnings. And then there's Edna, the ever watchful neighbor who always seems to appear at the worst possible moments. As Joe struggles to maintain control, the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Because in this house, something isn't just wrong, it may be more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.
Getting a story from the killer's perspective is already unsettling, but living inside Joe's head was a whole nother experience. He's calculating, disturbing, and somehow convinced he's in control the entire time, which makes his slow unraveling even more satisfying. And then things start to feel... off. The basement. The doors. The dreams. EDNA! I don't know what I was expecting going in, but it definitely wasn't that! The tension creeps quietly and then just tightens, until you're questioning everything right along with Joe. It's dark, it's uncomfortable, and there is definitely something very wrong here! Definitely add this one to your TBR if you're looking for a supernatural extreme horror novel that will linger after the last page!
Thank you so much Justin for allowing me to read an early copy! As always can't wait until the next story!
Joe Olsen isn't running from a killer... he is the killer. Known as the Belton Ripper, he's managed to evade capture while terrorizing the town, leaving local police chasing shadows. But with pressure increasing and suspicion creeping closer, Joe makes a calculated move, relocating his family to the quieter town of Bradwell, where he can disappear and continue his twisted routine undetected. In his new home, Joe believes he's found the perfect setup with a secluded basement where he can indulge his darkest impulses without drawing attention, sparing his wife from his violence. But almost immediately things begin to unravel. Locked Doors won't stay shut. Objects move when no one is looking. His sleep is plagued by nightmares that feel like warnings. And then there's Edna, the ever watchful neighbor who always seems to appear at the worst possible moments. As Joe struggles to maintain control, the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Because in this house, something isn't just wrong, it may be more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.
Getting a story from the killer's perspective is already unsettling, but living inside Joe's head was a whole nother experience. He's calculating, disturbing, and somehow convinced he's in control the entire time, which makes his slow unraveling even more satisfying. And then things start to feel... off. The basement. The doors. The dreams. EDNA! I don't know what I was expecting going in, but it definitely wasn't that! The tension creeps quietly and then just tightens, until you're questioning everything right along with Joe. It's dark, it's uncomfortable, and there is definitely something very wrong here! Definitely add this one to your TBR if you're looking for a supernatural extreme horror novel that will linger after the last page!
Thank you so much Justin for allowing me to read an early copy! As always can't wait until the next story!
May 7, 2026
ARC Review
If you are a True Crime, Extreme Horror or Supernatural Horror fan this might be right up your street.
In this story we follow Joe, on the surface he is a family man He lives with his wife and daughter and runs his own restaurant business. This serves as a perfect facade for what is lurking within Joe.
He is a serial killer known as The Belton Ripper He has evaded the police while committing a string of brutal murders of young girls.
Joe decides to move his family to a nearby village slightly out of the area he has been using as his hunting ground. He finds the perfect house complete with a basement that he intends to sound proof so that he can really take his time with his next victims. He has an end goal of keeping a permanent sex slave down there.
Joe’s relationship with his wife is based on control, sadism and misogyny. Intimacy without violence doesn't do It for Joe and She has the scars to prove it.
Soon Joe begins to unravel things arent where he left them, doors he knows he has locked are open and nightmares that feel as if they are trying to te him Something are haunting him.
He begins to make mistakes and suspicion is mounting from the nosey neigh-bour, his wife and the police.
Is Joe loosing his mind or is Something unexplainable happening?
Either way, Something Here Is very wrong.
I knew i was going to love this. In true Boote Style this story originated trom a true Crime case much like the. Monster Series.
I say It all of the time, but no one writes a true crime style story that is also extreme Horror like Justin.
I loved that the supernatural elements in this book were subtle, makes You question if it is actually Supernatural or is it a delusion of a broken mind.
The torture scenes in this book are brutal, imaginative and depraved yet you can’t look away.
If you are a True Crime, Extreme Horror or Supernatural Horror fan this might be right up your street.
In this story we follow Joe, on the surface he is a family man He lives with his wife and daughter and runs his own restaurant business. This serves as a perfect facade for what is lurking within Joe.
He is a serial killer known as The Belton Ripper He has evaded the police while committing a string of brutal murders of young girls.
Joe decides to move his family to a nearby village slightly out of the area he has been using as his hunting ground. He finds the perfect house complete with a basement that he intends to sound proof so that he can really take his time with his next victims. He has an end goal of keeping a permanent sex slave down there.
Joe’s relationship with his wife is based on control, sadism and misogyny. Intimacy without violence doesn't do It for Joe and She has the scars to prove it.
Soon Joe begins to unravel things arent where he left them, doors he knows he has locked are open and nightmares that feel as if they are trying to te him Something are haunting him.
He begins to make mistakes and suspicion is mounting from the nosey neigh-bour, his wife and the police.
Is Joe loosing his mind or is Something unexplainable happening?
Either way, Something Here Is very wrong.
I knew i was going to love this. In true Boote Style this story originated trom a true Crime case much like the. Monster Series.
I say It all of the time, but no one writes a true crime style story that is also extreme Horror like Justin.
I loved that the supernatural elements in this book were subtle, makes You question if it is actually Supernatural or is it a delusion of a broken mind.
The torture scenes in this book are brutal, imaginative and depraved yet you can’t look away.
March 25, 2026
“Something Here Is Very Wrong” - A lot here is very very wrong!
★★★★☆ (4,5)
Brutal, Vile and Evil! Justin knows how to write characters and stories that make you feel uncomfortable and deliver a sense of darkness and depravity that make his novels unputdownable. Even if you wanted to, there is no looking away!
The fact that this was inspired by a true story and given it’s own unique twist makes it all the more disturbing.
Thanks again Justin for the ARC, getting to read your novels in advance is always a thrill!
★★★★☆ (4,5)
Brutal, Vile and Evil! Justin knows how to write characters and stories that make you feel uncomfortable and deliver a sense of darkness and depravity that make his novels unputdownable. Even if you wanted to, there is no looking away!
The fact that this was inspired by a true story and given it’s own unique twist makes it all the more disturbing.
Thanks again Justin for the ARC, getting to read your novels in advance is always a thrill!
March 7, 2026
Thilled to be able to get a ARC 😃
‘Everything was going to work out just fine’ I like your confidence Joe 😂 ‘thwapp’
What I enjoy most about Justin Bootes’ stories are the writing styles- I can see it playing out in my mind as I read along. I really get into the story! As well as the deep, dark, insane stories, of course AND the fact that true crimes are incorporated! Icing on the cake for a horror fan like myself! 🧁
Twisted, delusional and sick? Absolutely! Bloody brilliant? YES! Do I expect anything less from J.Boote? Nope! Another great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Well played 👍🏻 Thwapp!
**FYI** check trigger warnings before diving into this one***
‘Everything was going to work out just fine’ I like your confidence Joe 😂 ‘thwapp’
What I enjoy most about Justin Bootes’ stories are the writing styles- I can see it playing out in my mind as I read along. I really get into the story! As well as the deep, dark, insane stories, of course AND the fact that true crimes are incorporated! Icing on the cake for a horror fan like myself! 🧁
Twisted, delusional and sick? Absolutely! Bloody brilliant? YES! Do I expect anything less from J.Boote? Nope! Another great read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Well played 👍🏻 Thwapp!
**FYI** check trigger warnings before diving into this one***
May 6, 2026
A serial killer is causing terror in Belton. Young women are being taken, tortured, killed, and throw out like garbage. Everyone is scared and on high alert. Joe Olsen decides to move his wife and daughter to the nearby town of Bradwell. Not because of the killings, but for far worse reasons.
Joe and his wife Hannah have a complicated relationship. He offers her a deal to stop hurting her. He wants a sex slave to do with whatever he pleases with, leaving Hannah alone. When she agrees, she feels guilt. She knows what her husband is doing, who he truly is, but she needs to keep her daughter safe. When her elderly neighbour Edna keeps warning her of things she's seen, she gets the courage to do what needs to be done. But is it too late? Will Joe finally stop his dirty little secret?
Boote can do no wrong in my eyes and he continues to prove how great he is! The supernatural element in this was great! I loved it. Joe is a sadist and he does his craft well. You will love to hate him. Edna made me sad. Her character is very important in this story. My biggest hate has to be Hannah. This is loosely based on a true story and knowing the wife knew everything and agreed, makes Hannah's character repulsive to me. I loved this one and fans of extreme horror will also love this! Brutal murders, cannibalism, ghosts, and more! Another banger from Boote!
Joe and his wife Hannah have a complicated relationship. He offers her a deal to stop hurting her. He wants a sex slave to do with whatever he pleases with, leaving Hannah alone. When she agrees, she feels guilt. She knows what her husband is doing, who he truly is, but she needs to keep her daughter safe. When her elderly neighbour Edna keeps warning her of things she's seen, she gets the courage to do what needs to be done. But is it too late? Will Joe finally stop his dirty little secret?
Boote can do no wrong in my eyes and he continues to prove how great he is! The supernatural element in this was great! I loved it. Joe is a sadist and he does his craft well. You will love to hate him. Edna made me sad. Her character is very important in this story. My biggest hate has to be Hannah. This is loosely based on a true story and knowing the wife knew everything and agreed, makes Hannah's character repulsive to me. I loved this one and fans of extreme horror will also love this! Brutal murders, cannibalism, ghosts, and more! Another banger from Boote!
April 4, 2026
Justin Boote has carved out a niche for himself by exploring the fragile boundary between reality and psychological collapse. In Something Is Very Wrong Here, he delivers a narrative that functions less like a traditional story and more like a slow burning fever dream, designed to keep you in a state of perpetual disorientation.
The story centers on a protagonist who begins to notice small, inexplicable fractures in his daily life. What starts as a series of "glitches": misplaced items, slight alterations in familiar surroundings, and uncanny interactions rapidly escalates into a full scale assault on his perception of the world. The horror isn't found in a monster under the bed, but in the terrifying realization that the "here" you inhabit might not be what it seems.
Highly recommend this one!
The story centers on a protagonist who begins to notice small, inexplicable fractures in his daily life. What starts as a series of "glitches": misplaced items, slight alterations in familiar surroundings, and uncanny interactions rapidly escalates into a full scale assault on his perception of the world. The horror isn't found in a monster under the bed, but in the terrifying realization that the "here" you inhabit might not be what it seems.
Highly recommend this one!
April 21, 2026
Dang man, this one...this one got me good! I love me some extreme horror, but this one, ohffff, I could feel my face twisting in was I didn't know it could. I almost lost my lunch a few times. I will question hamburgers for the rest of my life after reading this one.
Joe and his family decided they needed a change of scenery, so bought a house about an hour away from where they previously lived. Their daughter Joanne having to switch schools, but shortly after they moved learned of a schoolmate disappearing and turning up murdered. The Olsen's seemed like your typical happy family on the outside, but what happens behind closed doors, is anything but!
If you have triggers or are sensitive to certain content, this one is probably not for you, but if you can handle the extremes, then by all means, go out and get you this book. Keep a barf bag near by while reading and you'll be fine! 😉
Joe and his family decided they needed a change of scenery, so bought a house about an hour away from where they previously lived. Their daughter Joanne having to switch schools, but shortly after they moved learned of a schoolmate disappearing and turning up murdered. The Olsen's seemed like your typical happy family on the outside, but what happens behind closed doors, is anything but!
If you have triggers or are sensitive to certain content, this one is probably not for you, but if you can handle the extremes, then by all means, go out and get you this book. Keep a barf bag near by while reading and you'll be fine! 😉
March 28, 2026
A hammer to the head will do it. That was Joe’s first k*ll. The family makes a move to pastures new and Joe thinks he’s got it all figured out as to how to get away with his horrific crimes. But Joe begins to unravel. His mind plays tricks on him and he can’t work out his own reality.
My heart truly broke for Sarah in this story. I felt her pain, so raw, so visceral. Edna is a bad ass bish! She had hints of Muriel from The Haar! I want to grow old and be a bad ass bish too! Boote’s brutal stylings litter pages and I was very much compelled to read on.
My heart truly broke for Sarah in this story. I felt her pain, so raw, so visceral. Edna is a bad ass bish! She had hints of Muriel from The Haar! I want to grow old and be a bad ass bish too! Boote’s brutal stylings litter pages and I was very much compelled to read on.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a suspenseful tale of extreme torture horror with strong thriller vibes, and a dash of the supernatural on top! The thriller and torture part draws on a true story, though the reality is even more absurd and much harder to grasp fully than the fictional version. I much prefer the supernatural elements to the downright inexplicable evil of the real case - they do make for a better story. Even so, Boote manages to bring out faithfully all the insanity, the perversion and the darkness of the main character: a family man who enjoys torturing young women and plans to keep a sex slave of his own in the basement.
Every one of the torturing scenes are described in graphic detail: there's indeed a lot of gore, several instances of marital abuse, many awful sexual attacks, psychological violence as well, and plenty of brutality. The role of the wife is approached with some empathy, but psychological exploration of her enabling her husband's perversions doesn't go very deep. In fact, this is a plot driven book, so characterization is not the first thing one might praise the novel for: its strength lies elsewhere; namely, in the terrific pacing, the nail-biting suspense, and the satisfying resolution.
That said, it's an extreme horror book through and through, so readers expecting just another domestic thriller or a true crime story (with elements of the paranormal) will be unpleasantly surprised. Boote takes for granted psychopathy and perversion (misogynism and an incel type of ideology included), and builds a riveting tale without sugar-coating anything! Highly recommend.
Every one of the torturing scenes are described in graphic detail: there's indeed a lot of gore, several instances of marital abuse, many awful sexual attacks, psychological violence as well, and plenty of brutality. The role of the wife is approached with some empathy, but psychological exploration of her enabling her husband's perversions doesn't go very deep. In fact, this is a plot driven book, so characterization is not the first thing one might praise the novel for: its strength lies elsewhere; namely, in the terrific pacing, the nail-biting suspense, and the satisfying resolution.
That said, it's an extreme horror book through and through, so readers expecting just another domestic thriller or a true crime story (with elements of the paranormal) will be unpleasantly surprised. Boote takes for granted psychopathy and perversion (misogynism and an incel type of ideology included), and builds a riveting tale without sugar-coating anything! Highly recommend.
May 5, 2026
This book didn’t ask for my attention—it took it and locked the door behind me.
Something Here Is Very Wrong by @author is the kind of story that doesn’t just get under your skin—it settles there, burrowing deeper the longer it lingers in your mind. There’s no respite, no moral comfort to be found here—just Joe Olsen, a man whose belief that his problems would be solved if everyone else would just leave him to his hobbies is chilling in its simplicity.
Joe isn’t chaotic—he’s methodical, controlled, and utterly convinced he’s justified. You watch him build his own downfall, brick by brick, with the gut-wrenching realization that the whole time, the house he’s built is slowly rotting beneath him. But he won’t see it until it’s too late. And the basement? Absolutely not.
And then there’s Edna. EDNA. Why is she always there, lurking just beyond the edge of every scene? She’s always ten steps ahead of everyone, including the narrative itself? Her quiet influence is one of the most unsettling aspects of the story, a reminder that nothing is ever as it seems. It’s as if she’s pulling the strings of the plot—and of your thoughts. Every time she appears, you feel like the ground beneath you shifts, just a little.
This isn’t a rollercoaster ride—it’s a meticulously constructed, deliberate descent into something far darker than you can fully comprehend, and once you’re on that path, there’s no turning back. Every word grips you tighter, forcing you deeper into a world where nothing is safe, and everything feels like it’s about to unravel.
I was trapped in every sentence, every turn of the page, and now, even after finishing, this story refuses to let me go.⛓️
Something Here Is Very Wrong by @author is the kind of story that doesn’t just get under your skin—it settles there, burrowing deeper the longer it lingers in your mind. There’s no respite, no moral comfort to be found here—just Joe Olsen, a man whose belief that his problems would be solved if everyone else would just leave him to his hobbies is chilling in its simplicity.
Joe isn’t chaotic—he’s methodical, controlled, and utterly convinced he’s justified. You watch him build his own downfall, brick by brick, with the gut-wrenching realization that the whole time, the house he’s built is slowly rotting beneath him. But he won’t see it until it’s too late. And the basement? Absolutely not.
And then there’s Edna. EDNA. Why is she always there, lurking just beyond the edge of every scene? She’s always ten steps ahead of everyone, including the narrative itself? Her quiet influence is one of the most unsettling aspects of the story, a reminder that nothing is ever as it seems. It’s as if she’s pulling the strings of the plot—and of your thoughts. Every time she appears, you feel like the ground beneath you shifts, just a little.
This isn’t a rollercoaster ride—it’s a meticulously constructed, deliberate descent into something far darker than you can fully comprehend, and once you’re on that path, there’s no turning back. Every word grips you tighter, forcing you deeper into a world where nothing is safe, and everything feels like it’s about to unravel.
I was trapped in every sentence, every turn of the page, and now, even after finishing, this story refuses to let me go.⛓️
April 3, 2026
Something Here Is Very Wrong, written by J. Boote, is a dark and depraved look into the life of Joe, a serial unaliver and his mancave. J. Boote has done it again with his horrific depiction of what is in the mind of someone like Joe. Bravo, Justin! This one was fantastic!
Joe seems like your typical family guy. He has a wife, Hannah, and a daughter, Joanne. Under the illusion of a great father and husband lies the abusive man who has an insatiable hunger for doling out pain. When his wife no longer satisfies his cravings, he strikes a deal for a sex slave to be kept in his mancave. Oh, did I forget to mention he is the “Belton Ripper” who savagely violates and sadistically murders young women and uses his restaurant business as a cover to dispose of his victims’ remains? Oh, my bad!
In true Boote fashion, the story was influenced by real-life people. How scary is that?! He has a knack for delving into the darkest recesses of human behavior. The villains in his stories are your next-door neighbors or even family members. I love it!
Thanks to J. Boote for gifting me an eARC of Something Here Is Very Wrong. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Joe seems like your typical family guy. He has a wife, Hannah, and a daughter, Joanne. Under the illusion of a great father and husband lies the abusive man who has an insatiable hunger for doling out pain. When his wife no longer satisfies his cravings, he strikes a deal for a sex slave to be kept in his mancave. Oh, did I forget to mention he is the “Belton Ripper” who savagely violates and sadistically murders young women and uses his restaurant business as a cover to dispose of his victims’ remains? Oh, my bad!
In true Boote fashion, the story was influenced by real-life people. How scary is that?! He has a knack for delving into the darkest recesses of human behavior. The villains in his stories are your next-door neighbors or even family members. I love it!
Thanks to J. Boote for gifting me an eARC of Something Here Is Very Wrong. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Joe, Hannah and their ten-year-old daughter Joanne move into their new home. Joe has plans for the basement. For his side hustle, when he’s not running a restaurant. That’s when things start to escalate, in true J. Boote fashion. And if you’ve read Boote before, you already know this is bad for everyone involved.
This book is not just horror. It’s grooming, abuse, torture, and the darkest parts of the human mind. But it’s also about survival, and endurance. And it’s loosely based on a true story, which somehow makes it worse.
In Norway we call it Easter Crime–reading scary books, watching crime shows, and eating too many snacks. This would be the perfect Easter read.
If you can handle it.
If you like extreme horror, and I do mean extreme, you should read this book. It’s fast, brutal, shocking, and laced with the supernatural–something Boote does disturbingly well.
Books like this is why I read horror. And why I sleep with the lights on.
-Vibeke 🖤
Thank you, Justin, for trusting me with your work. It’s an honor to beta read for you.
April 21, 2026
What happens when a man is raised to hate women? You get Joe.
This isn't a spoiler. Boote tells you exactly who Joe is from the very first pages: a serial killer, an abuser, a man who sees women as objects to own and control. What unfolds from there is a deeply unsettling journey through his psychology, his crimes, and the supernatural forces that begin to creep into his story.
The horror here isn't just the violence, it's the banality of it. The way monsters like Joe exist in the real world, hiding in plain sight. Boote based the story on a real case, and he details that inspiration at the end, which somehow makes everything you just read even more shocking.
Incredible, the things people do. The monsters that walk among us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So grateful to the Author for this Arc!
This was a wild ride! From the first page , the audacity and misogyny of the main character inspires hate and also page turning.
Joe is a husband and father who has a dark side... he hates women and likes to take his aggression out on them. Eventually Joe grows tired of mutilating his wife and they agree he can have a sex slave in their basement.
However this decision is not all that haunts this basement.
If you are a woman, prepare to cringe. A lot. This author knows how to creature a picture , I could see the basement, I could smell it. Unfortunately I could also imagine the excruciating pain this guy inflicted.
With elements of true crime, this book really is dark and twisted. A lot like the world we live in, and thats the true horror.
This was a wild ride! From the first page , the audacity and misogyny of the main character inspires hate and also page turning.
Joe is a husband and father who has a dark side... he hates women and likes to take his aggression out on them. Eventually Joe grows tired of mutilating his wife and they agree he can have a sex slave in their basement.
However this decision is not all that haunts this basement.
If you are a woman, prepare to cringe. A lot. This author knows how to creature a picture , I could see the basement, I could smell it. Unfortunately I could also imagine the excruciating pain this guy inflicted.
With elements of true crime, this book really is dark and twisted. A lot like the world we live in, and thats the true horror.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A vicious killer stalks the streets of Belton, targeting young women. It could be anyone and the police have no clues, no witnesses. As though a ghost. Worried himself, but for different reasons, Joe Olsen moves his wife and daughter to nearby Bradwell. He hopes he will be safe here, not from the killer, but from the hordes of plainclothed detectives, journalists, paranoid residents making his job even harder. Because Joe is the Belton Ripper and unless he makes a drastic change, he risks capture.
He also has another reason; the new house has a basement and he dreams of having his very own sex slave; this way his long-suffering wife won’t have to put up with the whippings and beatings. Soon, his dream comes true but something is very wrong. The basement door is often open despite ensuring it’s always locked. Things are moved around. He starts having terrifying nightmares that seem too real to be dismissed. And then there’s his neighbour, Edna, an elderly lady living alone. How does she always seem to interrupt him in the worst moment? Yes, something here is very wrong and Joe needs to fix it. And quick.
Another great read from Justin "J" Boote, who sets the bar high when it comes to violent stories. This one feels like a mix of his regular books mixed in with the Monsters series, something which is a good thing. The characters are great as always and the supernatural element doesn't take away from the raw depraved actions within. If you're a fan of Boote, give it a go.
He also has another reason; the new house has a basement and he dreams of having his very own sex slave; this way his long-suffering wife won’t have to put up with the whippings and beatings. Soon, his dream comes true but something is very wrong. The basement door is often open despite ensuring it’s always locked. Things are moved around. He starts having terrifying nightmares that seem too real to be dismissed. And then there’s his neighbour, Edna, an elderly lady living alone. How does she always seem to interrupt him in the worst moment? Yes, something here is very wrong and Joe needs to fix it. And quick.
Another great read from Justin "J" Boote, who sets the bar high when it comes to violent stories. This one feels like a mix of his regular books mixed in with the Monsters series, something which is a good thing. The characters are great as always and the supernatural element doesn't take away from the raw depraved actions within. If you're a fan of Boote, give it a go.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me saying WTF JOE on numerous occasion that even my partner was like I need to know more about Joe!!
Well ladies and gentlemen Joe will take you on a vile and brutal journey. Joe is rotten from inside out, all aspects of Joe's life are overcome with fear, control and sickening desires. There is very little Joe gives a damn about, well apart from anyone trying to stand in the way of his wants and needs.
Justin did so well writing this that he tricked me into thinking i may not like this book in the first two pages, then dropped me into the pits of hell that consumed me until i finished the book.
Well played Justin, well played.
Well ladies and gentlemen Joe will take you on a vile and brutal journey. Joe is rotten from inside out, all aspects of Joe's life are overcome with fear, control and sickening desires. There is very little Joe gives a damn about, well apart from anyone trying to stand in the way of his wants and needs.
Justin did so well writing this that he tricked me into thinking i may not like this book in the first two pages, then dropped me into the pits of hell that consumed me until i finished the book.
Well played Justin, well played.
April 15, 2026
When a new J. Boote title is released, you know you're in for some brutality and highly descriptive scenes of derangement and this one is no exception. It's a highly entertaining novel that blurs the line between the true reality of the story its based on and fiction, with a good dose of supernatural added on top.
In this one, we find ourselves thrown into the world of Joe, a disturbed serial killer who started his killing spree at an early age and is now a family man. Together with his wife Hannah and his daughter Joanne, they move to a new neighborhood, the true reason being Joe's intention of renovating the basement for his depraved urges that are getting the better of him of late.
At first, he uses it to satisfy his sexual urges for extreme bondage with Hannah who is a reluctant participant but then he has the idea of taking a sex slave. He manages to convince Hannah so that he can go ahead with his plan in place of her. Meanwhile, he cruises the streets at night and hunts victims so that he can take out his more extreme urges on them. The only problem is the nosy next door neighbor, Edna, an old lady who harbors a secret of her own.
The story is a lot to handle, its subject matter is vile and disturbing and definitely not for the faint of heart. However, for those who can handle it, they will find a highly inventive extreme horror that will keep you intrigued until its satisfying conclusion.
In this one, we find ourselves thrown into the world of Joe, a disturbed serial killer who started his killing spree at an early age and is now a family man. Together with his wife Hannah and his daughter Joanne, they move to a new neighborhood, the true reason being Joe's intention of renovating the basement for his depraved urges that are getting the better of him of late.
At first, he uses it to satisfy his sexual urges for extreme bondage with Hannah who is a reluctant participant but then he has the idea of taking a sex slave. He manages to convince Hannah so that he can go ahead with his plan in place of her. Meanwhile, he cruises the streets at night and hunts victims so that he can take out his more extreme urges on them. The only problem is the nosy next door neighbor, Edna, an old lady who harbors a secret of her own.
The story is a lot to handle, its subject matter is vile and disturbing and definitely not for the faint of heart. However, for those who can handle it, they will find a highly inventive extreme horror that will keep you intrigued until its satisfying conclusion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Justin never disappoints with his extreme work, and "Something Here is Very Wrong" is no different.
The main character, Joe, is definitely rotten within. His marriage to Hannah is one based on submission, fear, and his urges to whip Hannah into oblivion.
But even that, at some point, gets boring, and Joe's urges grow. Realizing he can no longer take them out with his daughter's mother, he decides to take matters into his own hands...
This one will linger, vile and disgusting, just the way we like it.
The main character, Joe, is definitely rotten within. His marriage to Hannah is one based on submission, fear, and his urges to whip Hannah into oblivion.
But even that, at some point, gets boring, and Joe's urges grow. Realizing he can no longer take them out with his daughter's mother, he decides to take matters into his own hands...
This one will linger, vile and disgusting, just the way we like it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Even if this is not officially of the author's Monsters series, it is still fitting to be a part of that, as the level of gruesomeness contained by this book is beyond any level of comprehension or ability of holding your food in when reading it, same as most of the Monsters books.
Grim details of torture methods (I honestly can't figure out the over the edge imagination of the author), and the heartbreaking effects of those on the victim (physically and mentally), mixed with a bit of supernatural, just enough to spice the story a bit more, makes the perfect way of spending your weekend.
Grim details of torture methods (I honestly can't figure out the over the edge imagination of the author), and the heartbreaking effects of those on the victim (physically and mentally), mixed with a bit of supernatural, just enough to spice the story a bit more, makes the perfect way of spending your weekend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was one of the most unhinged and incredible extreme horror books I've read in ages. At times, I truly felt guilty for enjoying the story and was looking over my shoulder embarrassed to be caught reading such filth. The ending was so damn satisfying. Justin Boote has done it AGAIN! Nasty as sin, brutal as hell, and extremely entertaining. Many thanks for the ARC!
10/10 ☠️ bloody stars for this gem of a book!!!
10/10 ☠️ bloody stars for this gem of a book!!!
April 6, 2026
Just finished this one and wow—what a ride. It was amazing from start to finish, with a story that’s both deeply unsettling and genuinely scary in the best way. The atmosphere really sticks with you. And that twist? Such a fun, clever touch that made the whole experience even better.
At this point, I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, and this book is no exception. Already looking forward to the next one!
At this point, I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, and this book is no exception. Already looking forward to the next one!
April 6, 2026
I have yet to read a book by J. Boote that doesn't amaze me and horrify me at the same time. . .edge of seat. . .more like "hold my beer" as you fall out of the seat still holding the book because you can't put it down. I have a personal rule. . .DO NOT eat while reading Boote's books.
Throw up warnings in chapter 17 and 24. . .I was in public and hope nobody saw me because I couldn't hide the gagging reflex.
INCREDIBLE READ AGAIN!!!!
Throw up warnings in chapter 17 and 24. . .I was in public and hope nobody saw me because I couldn't hide the gagging reflex.
INCREDIBLE READ AGAIN!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Joe will always treat women the way his father treated his mother. His concepts warped, his wife is his instrument. But familiarity breeds contempt: he needs more, he will take more.
In a similar vein to the Monsters series, Boote takes a true crime story and presents it in bloody, gory detail.
No holds barred.
In a similar vein to the Monsters series, Boote takes a true crime story and presents it in bloody, gory detail.
No holds barred.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I very much enjoyed this book, It is phenomenal and I honestly feel that Joe is one of the scariest main characters yet due to his sadistic perversions. The concept of mixing sub genres was a thrill and kept my interest, another win for fat cat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was so much fun to read. Exactly like watching a vile true crime doc but more through the killers perspective. We get a super close and personal look into Joe and his family’s life. This was hard to put down!
Review of advance copy received from Author
wow this story enthralled me. this has to be my favorite so far. with Edna being an actual ghost and saving Sarah. what an ending. I knew she was a ghost because of when he went to find her she was never home. always popping up unexpected lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
Joe has it all, a family, his own business and now he's a homeowner, everything is perfect... Or is it?
A serial killer is on the loose, targeting young women and mutilating them, worrying Joe's young daughter and his wife. On top of that, strange things have been happening in their new, perfect home, and their neighbour won't stop knocking...
Thank you to Justin for the ARC of this book!
This book was a masterful blend of serial killer and paranormal horror, mixing two timeless tropes into one.
It's sometimes hard to read a book when the main character is unlikeable, but this was not the case here at all. Everything he did was calculated, methodical, logical. He came across as a formidable and intimidating man and then suddenly he was a loving husband and father, a testament to how well written the character of Joe was.
The gore and torture was visceral, graphic and toe curling. It hit even harder with everything happening in the current climate. I could feel the fear of the victims lift off the page and stab itself over and over into my brain and chest.
I'm claustrophobic, so one part in particular really really had me feeling uncomfortable!
I loved the paranormal aspects, the subtle ways it confused the main character and had him doubting himself, and when it is finally revealed? Perfection!!
I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book if you're looking for a longer read from Justin!
A serial killer is on the loose, targeting young women and mutilating them, worrying Joe's young daughter and his wife. On top of that, strange things have been happening in their new, perfect home, and their neighbour won't stop knocking...
Thank you to Justin for the ARC of this book!
This book was a masterful blend of serial killer and paranormal horror, mixing two timeless tropes into one.
It's sometimes hard to read a book when the main character is unlikeable, but this was not the case here at all. Everything he did was calculated, methodical, logical. He came across as a formidable and intimidating man and then suddenly he was a loving husband and father, a testament to how well written the character of Joe was.
The gore and torture was visceral, graphic and toe curling. It hit even harder with everything happening in the current climate. I could feel the fear of the victims lift off the page and stab itself over and over into my brain and chest.
I'm claustrophobic, so one part in particular really really had me feeling uncomfortable!
I loved the paranormal aspects, the subtle ways it confused the main character and had him doubting himself, and when it is finally revealed? Perfection!!
I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book if you're looking for a longer read from Justin!
April 21, 2026
Brilliant
I absolutely love J.Boote . His writing is graphic,the stories menacing,and the main characters are gut wrenching sociopaths ‼️
Highly recommended
I absolutely love J.Boote . His writing is graphic,the stories menacing,and the main characters are gut wrenching sociopaths ‼️
Highly recommended
Review of advance copy received from Author
Something Here is Very Wrong, ya think? I enjoy the author's work, especially because of the twist on true crime stories. This was a brutal story. If you have lady bits, you better believe you'll be clenching your tooter and your shooter. Even with the Boote twist, it still read like a true crime story.
Joel is a husband and father. But he has a dark side. The freaks come out at night, is how I describe Joel. His wife made an agreement with him. Now that things are getting closer to home, she feels she might have made a horrible decision.
Joel is a husband and father. But he has a dark side. The freaks come out at night, is how I describe Joel. His wife made an agreement with him. Now that things are getting closer to home, she feels she might have made a horrible decision.
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