#VanDeath

by Brian Asman

Genres: Horror

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Brian Asman is a writer, actor, and director from San Diego, CA. He’s the author of the forthcoming expanded edition of Man, F*ck This House (and Other Disasters) as well as Good Dogs, Our Black Hearts Beat as One, I’m Not Even Supposed to Be Here Today, Neo Arcana, Nunchuck City, Jailbroke, and Return of the Living Elves. He’s recently published short stories in American Cannibal, The Dark Waves of Winter, DreadPop, Pulp Modern, Kelp, and comics in Tales of Horrorgasm.

A film he co-wrote and produced, A Haunting in Ravenwood, is available now on DVD and VOD from Breaking Glass. His short “Reel Trouble” won Best Short Film at Gen Con 2022 and Best Horror Short at the Indie Gathering.

Brian holds an MFA from UCR-Palm Desert. He’s represented by Dunham Literary, Inc.

Find him on social media (@thebrianasman) or his website www.brianasmanbooks.com.

Reviews

[GCR | Book Realm]

I received this ARC through NetGalley.
Out September 22,2026

This had a really strong concept that pulled me in right away. Feuding van life influencers stuck in a survival situation with a masked killer? I was immediately in.

There’s definitely tension, and the pacing can feel fast, which kept me curious enough to keep going. But there were also a lot of moments that felt longer than they needed to be.

I did feel some character pull, but I was more invested in figuring out what was happening than I was fully attached to the characters themselves.

Overall, this was an okay read for me. It kept my interest, but it also felt like it overstayed in places, and that held it back.

I’d still recommend it if you like survival horror, messy relationship dynamics, and that influencer/social media angle mixed into something darker.

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Asman goes full slashery goodness in this novel that's filled with twists and, especially in the latter half, non stop action.

Jason and Morgan are van life influencers and they've been successful. But their relationship is strained at the moment and they can't find a way to get back on track. Morgan is contemplating leaving him and is unsure about continuing their lifestyle while Jason lost most of their money in a crypto scam unbeknownst to her.

When a granola company offers them a collab deal, he convinces Morgan to take it. They pick a beautiful but remote spot for the deal and this might be what gets them back to how they used to be.

Except for the masked killer who has disabled their van and always seems to be one step ahead. Things are going to get bloody of course!

No good slasher would be complete without the whodunit aspect and as the killer is revealed, it takes an even more horrific turn. Not giving anything away but it's not what you originally thought.

Tense, violent, full of pulse pounding action, I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan and Jasper are the hot couple around the van life websites, but in reality they are struggling to get on the same page. After accepting a sponsorship, things get wonky, and the couple must figure out their future, as well as if they'll even have one beyond the night. Both characters were vapid at moments yet so fully fleshed for a book of this caliber of gore. I would have liked to have seen a touch more brutality, but overall I enjoyed Asman's witty take on #VANLIFE culture. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Sukhdave Takhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you netgalley for providing me an ARC so i can read and give my honest review*

The little van that could... well not really. Who doesnt want to go on road trips living out of a Van sounds fun right. Jasper and Morgan do exactly that til they run into alittle van trouble and thats when the fun begins. It started a tad slow like and rollercoaster does but once you on that 1st drop your off and just enjoying the ride. I been on a little slasher grind in reading and this fall right into the above average to me.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--a fun, gory little slasher! Started off slow but once we got to the isolated town near Death Valley and met more of our cast of characters, things revved up for sure. Some good discussion of influencer culture, although there could have been a little more metaphorical skewering along with the very literal kind. A good read for people who enjoyed Breathe In, Bleed Out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[jamie d mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up dearie, for a road trip of a lifetime. Morgan and Jasper find themselves stranded in the middle of the desert. No one can hear their cry for help. All they wanted to do was film content. Now they are trying to survive. 


I loved this book. It was steady paced and very easy to read. I especially liked the unpredictable twist and turns. It gave me the movie “JoyRide” vibes. I would highly recommend this to others. 

[Luke Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up. #VanDeath moves like a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter burning rubber to escape a masked killer. The violence is visceral and the imagery sticks to the windshield, but this wild ride also has genuine heart.

[MagretFume · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great and gory time!
I got sucked right in from the very beginning, the tension and dread are palpable, the setting just right.
There is enough background development to empathize with the characters and root for our unlucky couple.
If you like horror absolutely give it a go!
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for this ARC.

[Kristin Centorcelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun. Scary and fast paced. Pulled me right out of a reading slump.