Kingsburg

by Jim Donohue

Roger Daniels is called back to Kingsburg, where he fled 25 years earlier after the town killed his parents.

And now it wants him.

The last in his bloodline.

See, the Daniels Men have a debt to pay to the town of Kingsburg, and it won't be settled until it has taken every last one of them.

That is, unless the last of the Daniels men can stop it.

Genres: Horror

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

Jim Donohue is a New York author, born and bred. He has been writing since he was a teenager in the Bronx, but he decided to go professional at the age of 68 in February of 2025, with the release of his short story, Hard Labor. He has followed those up with other stories, such as Ramona, Repossession, Blood Diamond, and The Turning, along with a novella called Unliving Legends. His debut novel, The Stranger, was released in November of 2025 to great reviews. He has recently released a collection of short stories called Depths of Degradation.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

“Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come home?"

The setting is a creepy small town and the terrifying boardwalk.

Roger doesn’t know why the town calls to him. He doesn’t know why he is hearing his father’s voice. But then he starts seeing things that cannot possibly be there.

“And on it were children. Children he didn't know. Children that made his skin crawl. Children who weren't completely there."

Roger has a debt to pay, but he has to pay it with his life. Will he survive or will he give the ultimate sacrifice?

“The line between memory, nightmare, and reality was gone."

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.

[lucky 13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

HE IS WAITING... Roger keeps hearing whispers in the wind calling him back to his hometown from some unforeseen source. A small town slow burn ride and a curse that has to be fulfilled 3.5 stars!

[Linda Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can we truly go home again? What if you can but home then doesn't want you to leave? Kingsburg is the town that decides your actions before you have realized that it can. Roger Daniels is bound by blood to Kingsburg, so they say. Does he dare face what is waiting for him? 5 star excellence from Jim Donohue.

[Tina Transformation · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has a way of telling a story that makes me feel like I’m sitting in the front row of a movie, watching every scene unfold right before my eyes.

[Hannah Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Jim Donohue does not have it easy when it comes to my reviews. I know it may seem that way simply because I have yet to write a review pertaining to his books that haven’t been glowing, but with each positive review, the bar I set for him becomes higher. He must do that much more to catch my attention and to impress me.

The last book I reviewed of his, The Stranger, set the bar pretty damned high. If you haven’t read it, you should. It’s a horror western and this endorsement comes from someone who very, very reluctantly grew up in the south of the USA with a very, very southern family. This entire review could just turn into a long rant about how I hate westerns, I swear. But Jim wrote a horror western that I absolutely loved and so, yes. Read it. Read all of his books, honestly, but understand that I went into his newest book with ridiculously high expectations.

… and he exceeded them.

Kingsburg is a masterpiece and very well may be my most favourite thing that he’s written to date. It is a story of debts owed, a hungry entity and a town that is more shadow than town.

There are two main characters in the book. We’ll cover Abigail Cross first. She’s a young woman who comes to the seaside town of Kingsburg to work at the library for the summer and she’s an absolutely lovely character. She is well-rounded, pleasant but no-nonsense and as curious as a cat. Maybe even more so. She is where you really get to dig at the facts of things and her POV is essential to a complete story. Her main focus in the book is taking notes in her diary. She writes about the town, about the people, about the… strangeness. I just loved her a lot.

The next character is Roger Daniels. Roger is a mess but with good reason. A Kingsburg native, he was whisked away from the town at a young age after some terrible events that I won’t spoil for you and spent decades far away from the town. Thankfully, he seems to have grown up pretty normal despite this and therefore we get what we don’t encounter often in this sort of situation—a man with an idea of what’s going on but who still reacts as anyone else would. It brings a sense of realness to the situation without potentially getting annoyed by wanting to toss the book and say, “Why aren’t you picking up on anything?!”

(Please note this does not mean that he knows EVERYTHING. He was just a kid, after all, and some things are buried. Just that this isn’t a main character you’re going to see scream and run like a toddler. He’s gonna get scared but he’s not going to be surprised about it.)

Despite both being main characters, Abigail and Roger’s paths never directly cross. You’ll find out why eventually and it’s sort of an, “Ohhhh,” moment. Or at least it was for me. They’re both still necessary to one another’s tale, so whoever’s POV it is at the time, you’ll never feel like you’re treading into unnecessary waters. (Get it?! You will!)

What they share, of course, is Kingsburg. Abigail is drawn to Kingsburg by forces she can’t explain and Roger is called to Kingsburg by forces he can’t ignore. They are a good balance to one another. Abigail is the logic and Roger is the fear. She’ll give you the reasons; he’ll give you the experience.

This story is about what they experience in their time in Kingsburg. It’s interesting to see how they both have very different experiences and yet, at the end of the day, there’s an undoubted similarity between them. The town is both a literal ghost town and a living, breathing town and it’s done in such an exceptionally interesting way that you will be glued to every page, wondering which side of Kingsburg you will encounter next. (Jim is always so, so good at keeping you guessing.)

I could honestly go on all day about this book and my thoughts, but I do have a strict no spoiler policy and so my mouth is shut in a lot of places. I can’t tell you what is drawing/calling the pair of them there or how it turns out for either of them other than to say that Jim makes it a very eerie process. This is a story about deals made, about the ocean wanting what it is due, and it is also about confronting family trauma. There are so many aspects and angles to this story that it reaches a depth that I don’t encounter terribly often in horror books. (Sorry. Is that mean to say? We’re usually so focused on the scares that we forget the complications sometimes.)

I am not a person who gets scared, but Jim is amazing at painting suspenseful, eerie scenes. Some of them can be loud and in your face but he really shines in the quiet moments, the ones that make you pause as you try to visualize what it is you’re reading. Let’s just say Kingsburg is both a place I’d love to visit and one I’d want to stay away from. (I have no common sense, though, so I guess I’ll get into the car…) He definitely made me pause several times in this book and kind of roll around, thinking, “Ohhh, I love it!” at certain spooky moments. That right there alone means an amazing book in my… book. For lack of a better word. (One day I will know how to review/write properly, I swear it.)

I will say that this book has one of my favourite kind of endings, though I won’t give you a list to choose from. It will, however, undoubtedly have you saying, “What?! No! I need more!” (Jim, I know you’re reading this—I need more!) Everything is wrapped up pretty well whilst not being too tight and it’s a book that will linger with you, digging questions into the back of your skull that you’ll desperately want answers to.

Overall, I think I already mentioned this part, but—yes. By far, this is my favourite book of Jim’s. And that’s not easy to say considering that anything I’ve read, I’ve loved. But he’s really outdid himself with this one and if you haven’t read anything of his before, I suggest you start here. This is Jim at his best and this is a book that I will be so very, very happily adding to my limited collection. (I can only have so many bookshelves sadly!)

… and then when you’re done reading this, go read The Stranger. Even if western horror isn’t your thing. Then you can see not only what I mean about him never writing a bad book, but how extremely talented he is at a range of genres within horror.

This man will probably be the (good) death of me.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingsburg
By Jim Donohue
Publisher: Independently Published
Published Date: June 30, 2026
ASIN: B0H2WWHBDF
Page Count:
Triggers: Violence, death, psychological horror, disturbing imagery, family trauma, supernatural threat, eerie town energy

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀

What Did I Just Walk Into?
Well, apparently I wandered into one of those towns where the welcome sign should say, “Turn around now, sweetheart, we have unresolved business and terrible vibes.”

Kingsburg is the kind of horror story that makes you suspicious of maps, family history, old buildings, local legends, and any place where everyone seems to know more than they are saying. Roger Daniels returns to the town he escaped from decades ago, which already feels like a bad idea. Personally, if a place was tied to the worst tragedy of my life, I would send a postcard that said, “Hard pass,” and keep driving.

But horror characters are braver than me, or less committed to snacks and self-preservation, so back Roger goes. And Kingsburg? Oh, Kingsburg has been waiting like the world’s creepiest landlord with a clipboard.

Here’s What Slapped:
The best thing about this book is how much personality the town has. Not nice personality, obviously. We are not talking charming farmers market and cute little bakery personality. We are talking “something is wrong with this sidewalk and I do not appreciate the way that window is looking at me” personality.

Mr. Jim Donohue gives the setting a pulse, and not the healthy kind you want checked at a yearly physical. Kingsburg feels like a place that remembers too much, forgives nothing, and has absolutely no interest in letting people move on with their lives. Rude? Yes. Effective? Also yes.

I also loved how the story unfolds. It does not just dump all the answers in your lap and say, “Here you go, figure it out.” It pulls you along piece by piece, making you uncomfortable in small doses until suddenly you realize you are fully invested and possibly sitting too still. That is the sneaky kind of horror I love. It does not need to jump out every five seconds. It just stands in the corner and lets you notice it too late.

Roger’s story has real weight because this is not just about spooky nonsense happening for decoration. There is history here. There is family baggage. There is a very unpleasant sense that some things do not die just because people stop talking about them.

And Abigail Cross? I loved her part of the story. She adds another layer to the mystery and helps give the book that digging-through-the-past feeling that makes you want answers even when you know the answers are probably going to be awful. Which, naturally, they are. Thank you, horror.

Another thing that worked beautifully is the way the book makes normal places feel wrong. A street is not just a street. A building is not just a building. A quiet moment is not peaceful, it is suspicious. I love when horror can take everyday spaces and make them feel like they have been holding their breath for years.

The emotional side also gives the story more bite. Roger is not just dealing with a spooky inconvenience and a few bad local vibes. He is carrying the kind of past that follows you even when you pretend it does not. That makes the horror feel personal instead of random. The fear is not just outside him, it is tangled up with memory, grief, bloodline, and all the stuff people would rather shove in a box and never open.

And of course, Kingsburg itself is the biggest menace in the room. Not a person. Not one simple villain. The whole place feels guilty.

What Could’ve Been Better:
For me, this was a five-star read. My only complaint is that Kingsburg is not a real place I can safely visit from the comfort of a locked car with snacks and an escape route. Then again, knowing my luck, the GPS would glitch, the radio would whisper my name, and I would become chapter twelve.

So maybe never mind.

Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Haunted towns, generational curses, supernatural mysteries, family secrets, psychological horror, ghostly encounters, coastal creepiness, and books where the location is clearly doing way too much.

Kingsburg is tense, clever, unsettling, and wonderfully mean in the way good horror should be. Mr. Jim Donohue knows how to build a place you can picture, fear, and absolutely never want to move to. Five stars for a story that grabs hold quietly and then refuses to let go.

Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review

[Angel Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingsburg
By: Jim Donohue
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: June 30, 2026
Content Warnings: Violence, death, psychological horror, disturbing imagery, small-town dread, generational trauma

Some towns do not simply keep secrets. They feed on them.

Kingsburg is an atmospheric horror novel about a town where the past refuses to stay buried and the present is slowly pulled into something much darker than rumor or local legend. Without giving anything away, this is a story built around mystery, history, fear, and the awful feeling that a place itself can be watching.

I had the chance to read this first in beta form, and even then, it was clear Jim Donohue had something special on his hands. But now, having read the final version, I can say without hesitation that this is not just a stronger draft. This is a very good novel. Period.

What makes Kingsburg work so well is its sense of place. The town does not feel like a simple backdrop. It feels rotten, patient, aware, and alive in all the wrong ways. Jim Donohue gives Kingsburg its own identity, turning the setting into one of the most important forces in the novel. The result is not generic haunted-town horror. This is a story with presence.

The pacing is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Donohue understands how to build dread without forcing it. The horror does not need to scream on every page. Sometimes it waits. Sometimes it watches. Sometimes it lets the reader sit with the feeling that something is wrong before revealing how deep that wrongness goes.

The structure gives the story weight. The way the past and present connect adds depth without slowing the narrative, and each piece of the mystery feels purposeful. Nothing feels inserted simply for effect. By the time the story reaches its final act, the payoff feels earned because the foundation has been carefully laid from the beginning.

What impressed me most is that the climax does not rely on spectacle alone. Everything the novel is building toward comes together naturally, and the final stretch carries real emotional weight. It feels personal. It feels generational. It feels like a reckoning.

For me, this is a 5-star read because Kingsburg succeeds on every level I want from this kind of horror. It delivers atmosphere, tension, mystery, emotional depth, and a satisfying payoff. More importantly, it understands that horror is often most effective when it lingers. Long after the final page, Kingsburg remains with you.

Jim Donohue has written a horror novel with atmosphere, teeth, and staying power. The final version is cleaner, tighter, and more confident than the beta I originally read, but what matters most is that the heart of the story was always there. This novel succeeds because it was built on a strong foundation from the start.

🎯 Recommended for:
• Fans of atmospheric small-town horror
• Readers who enjoy slow-burning dread and mystery
• Lovers of horror where the setting becomes a character
• Anyone looking for horror with emotional weight and a rewarding payoff

🚫 Not for:
• Readers looking for nonstop action from page one
• Fans of gore-first horror that prioritizes shock over atmosphere
• Anyone seeking a simple haunted-house story rather than a layered mystery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✅ REAL – This book passed the 3.5 mark. It’s Atmospheric, unsettling, and impossible to put down. Kingsburg is horror done right.

— Angel R. Sánchez

[Andreas Giesbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your New Favorite Moldy Summer Town

Jim Donohue is one of the better-known indie horror authors. With Angel R. Sánchez contributing a promising foreword, it was only a matter of time before I picked up his newest book. And indeed, ‘Kingsburg’ hits a nerve for me. It’s not a brutal, cutthroat horror novel but a slow-burning mystery with plenty of horror tropes. And such slower books are basically the type of book I enjoy the most.

In the book, we follow the fates of Roger Daniels and Abigail Cross as they visit the summer town of Kingsburg. A slightly weird coastal summer town with a Ferris wheel, a spook house, and other joyrides, as well as a tang of salt and algae in the air. For Abigail, the most crucial place is the library, where she takes a summer job back in 1954 that leads to a much longer stay. She explores the library and its archives as well as the remote town, which shows its real face as soon as the summer guests leave. While Abigail—like us—discovers the town for the first time, Roger Daniels is called back to his birthplace by the voice of his long-dead father. Following this call leads to a series of eerie events mixed with recollections of his happier youth.

‘The town preferred the small wrongness to the large one, because the small wrongness made you doubt yourself rather than the town.’

While the story is written at a deliberately slow pace with a focus on a slightly weird atmosphere, the supernatural breaks in quite early in the form of translucent children from another age. That’s probably not even a spoiler, as such a scene is at the center of the striking cover art. This didn’t bother me much, but I have to admit that quite a few tropes are fairly predictable and take away some of the fascination of the town. That changes after quite some time, when the two storylines intertwine more closely and the town reveals a second, far more interesting layer, becoming the true protagonist. Still, I didn’t find most of the scenes particularly innovative, but the myth behind it contains enough original elements to set the book apart from other horror stories.

All in all, I’m still torn about the book. First of all: it’s a good one. Clearly well written, with an interesting myth and solid plotting. The scenes are immersive and lead to a satisfying ending (no spoilers: I would have liked it even more without the epilogue). The characters also have enough depth to connect with, and Abigail’s encounters in particular worked very well, as she shares our experience of exploring the town for the first time.

What makes this a four-star rather than a five-star experience for me is that parts of the story are easy to predict and some other parts of the myth feel a little thin. In a way, the book promises a bit more than it ultimately delivers. Still, this was time well spent and a book I can clearly recommend to anyone looking for an atmospheric mystery set in a rather unusual setting. The writing and proficient worldbuilding make sure this won’t be my last book by the author. I’ll probably saddle up next and ride into the Weird West of ‘The Stranger’.

[K.L. Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small towns are full of secrets. Full things hidden for generations. As an Appalachian, I have quite a bit of experience with this having grown up in what I would call a small village.The rumors the secrets, everything has a mysterious feel.
Kingsburg is a small bay town in New Jersey,and we open with Roger returning to Kingsburg, the issue becomes the town won't let him leave. Nor, will his memories.
Going home isn't always sweet, not in a town where historically every man in your direct line disappears into the bay.
This supernatural thriller grabs you from the first line as you try to learn the secrets with Roger. There also seems to be some fairly heavy IT influence in the book. However if you are writing small town horror it will always seep in.
From the beginning Jim creates a constant sense of dread, and suspense. It stays with you through the whole novel. He also has a gift for picking the perfect time to give you the information needed to build that suspense even more.
This is done through the use of another POV character. Her chapters give you information that Roger doesn’t have, thus, it creates a fear that will seep into your very soul.
You are waiting for Roger to run into the truth that has been hidden within Kingsburg for years, and let me tell you, when the mystery all wraps up, and the boardwalk becomes silent you will wonder what was going on all along.
I think that is what is so compelling about Jim’s writing it is not just cinematic, but incredibly emotional. He has created a world so ingrained in our own that you begin to wonder what secrets could be hidden in your own towns.
The thing I like most of all in this novel is the idea of generational trauma or issues. Maybe it is more like paying for the sins of the father. Either way, Jim really makes you feel for Roger, and his extended family. He is the last, but is still called to Kingsburg. Called to his destiny, to his purpose, but he fights against it.
To find out more you need to read. This is probably his best work yet!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Kingsburg
Author: Jim Donohue
Release date: 6/30/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

"Kingsburg" is an atmospheric, small town horror novel following Roger Daniels and Abigail Cross. Twenty-five years after leaving Kingsburg following the murder of his parents, Roger is called back by forces he can't ignore. Abigain, who is working at the library for the summer, is drawn by forces she cannot explain. Roger, the last surviving member of his family, discovers that the town is home to a malevolent supernatural foce that the "Daniels Men" owe a debt to, and which will not be settled until the town claims what it's owed, unless Roger is able to stop it.

This book was amazing. I love how to town is not just a backdrop for the story but a living, breathing character. It has a lot of personality (and not the nice, friendly kind). Right away, the reader is hit with eerieness and a sense of unease. "Kingsburg" is a story where immediately, I became suspicious of everything: the supporting characters, the Daniels family history, the local legends, and so much more. What makes this book even more unsettling is how, despite leaving due to the murders of his parents, he is still pulled back...

The pacing and tone are fantastic. Roger and Abigail never cross paths in the book but both characters' stories are crucial to advancing the plot. From shifting perspectives, Donohue hands the reader little pieces of information that coalesce into a terrifying climax. I also appreciate how there does not have to be violence and gore, or a jump scare for example, on every page. Sometimes, the build up to something terrifying can be just as creepy as the actual event. Even during the "slow burn" parts, Donohue does a fantastic job of building tension and making the scene feel extremely stressful. The climax ties everything together perfectly and, I do have to say, what a way to end the story on that last page. If you know, you know.

This book is a must read! Make sure to check it out.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingsburg by Jim Donohue
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazing & creepy paranormal-horror novella. I love the spooky premise, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! The imagery is fantastic! Every part of the story is so descriptive and it has a deeply intricate storyline.

The town of Kingsburg is not an ordinary place to live. There’s family connections in this place and several people/families are tied to the town.
Abigail Cross was offered a job as a librarian in this small town of Kingsburg. The things she finds out about this place draw her in. The sea is calling and the town doesn’t feel right. She is going to find answers!!
Roger Daniels was born in Kingsburg, but moved away. Years later, he decides to come back to his hometown and things don’t feel right to him either. He’s learning different things about the town he once lived in, and his family history tied to it. Roger realizes that he is unable to leave Kingsburg no matter how hard he tries. The town will not let him go. The Daniels family blood is tied to the sea. Can the curse be broken?

I enjoyed the dual timelines with Roger in the present and Abigail in the past. It ties the story together so nicely!

I was lucky to get an arc of this fantastic novella!! Jim Donohue is a must read author! His stories are so creative and well written!

**This book comes out June 30th and is a definite must read!! Grab your pre-order now for $1.99!!**
🎠💀🎠💀🎠💀🎠💀🎠

“He is waiting for you…”

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingsburg is right up my alley with a small town that has dark secrets and how one man's life is going to change perhaps forever. When he was a boy, his aunt drove him from the town with a warning to never look back. But as an adult he gets pulled back to this creepy place and now he's unable to leave.

In this town, people who leave always come back because the town demands it. And he is almost immediately thrust into some terrifying supernatural encounters. Voices calling his name with cryptic messages, ghostly apparitions which demand a sacrifice, and the townsfolk themselves who knows who he is but aren't happy about his presence. Yet when he tries to leave, he always winds up back with pieces of himself missing, a warning from the town that he must obey its call or suffer the brutal consequences.

In the meantime, in another timeline, a woman comes to town to be the library's research assistant. And in the basement she'll uncover the dark twisted secrets the town holds. These two narratives will eventually cross and it might be the only lifeline this man has.

Jim has written so many fantastic books ranging from zombies in old Hollywood to a western horror and now takes on small town horror in a uniquely terrifying was. Remember if you ever visit Kingsburg that the town is watching and will decide your fate. I highly recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book through Book Sirens. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim continues to impress with each and every book. Kingsburg is no exception. The setting is a creepy small town that is the same name as the book title. The main character Roger wonders why the town calls him, whether it's the voice of his late father or seeing things that aren't there, but in his mind they are there.

Roger has no idea that he's 'next'. He had to leave the town due to really terrible things that happened to him that you'll need to read for yourself to understand. Jim does a great job setting up the atmosphere and the cover matches the setting of this book. Kingsburg is a thrilling horror story that has plenty of mystery and will keep you wanting to predict what comes next, but will you be able to predict Roger's fate? You'll just have to read for yourself!

Between The Stranger, Unliving Legends, and this one, Kingsburg is up there when it comes to my favorites by Jim.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this story begins with a very slow creeping dread, it continues on to be incredibly intriguing and haunting. Roger is called back to his childhood town of Kingsburg by a seemingly ominous force. He’s not sure who or what is calling him home, but once he is there this menacing entity seems to have a relentless chokehold on him. While trying to uncover the towns hidden secrets, he is faced with terrifying ghosts of the past, seemingly leading him on a crash course to his own demise.

This was a quick, and thoroughly enjoyable read. In typical Jim Donohue fashion, the story line is very atmospheric and multifaceted. He leads with a classic small town mystery and sprinkles in supernatural aspects and a generational curse that needs to be stopped. But how do you stop evil when the town itself is hunting you?

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingsburg’s atmosphere is thick and intense. The town is alive with memories, spooks, and townsfolk who never left and those who were called back. The bay is menacing and silence roars throughout the town. Roger returns to a warped reflection of his childhood town. He’s been called. Wonderfully written with nerve rattling descriptions, Award Winning Author Jim Donohue methodically and intentionally guides the reader through the silent streets, buildings with their ghostly inhabitants, and haunting history—building the intensity of the nightmare superbly. Kingsburg is watching…and waiting…calling. Kingsburg is an absolute treasure for psychological, paranormal, horror fans!

Preorder at jimdonohuebooks.com

[Darcie Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingsburg is the kind of horror novel that doesn’t simply scare you—it gets under your skin and stays there. The town itself feels alive, watching, waiting, and hiding decades of dark secrets. Donohue masterfully builds a slow-burning sense of dread as Roger Daniels is pulled back toward a place he desperately tried to escape.
Atmospheric, haunting, and deeply unsettling, Kingsburg proves that sometimes the most terrifying monsters aren’t creatures—they’re the secrets we inherit. The story kept me turning pages, desperate to uncover the truth while knowing I probably wouldn’t like what I found.
A chilling, unforgettable read that will make you think twice about ever going back home. Highly recommended for horror fans.

[Irina Sandoval-Hickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars for Kingsburg - Arc
This story felt like it came straight from another world. If you love paranormal/ horror mysteries, generational curses, and that unsettling feeling that something has been watching and waiting for far longer than you realize, then this is the book for you.
One line that completely stood out to me was:
“You are chosen. You are blood. You are bound.”
That quote perfectly captures the eerie, haunting atmosphere woven throughout the story. The suspense, the supernatural elements, and the deep connection to a bloodline's dark history kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Great job, Papa Jim! You delivered a chilling and unforgettable read. 👏📚👻🖤

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically eerie and creepy! This book slowly builds momentum and doesn't let go. As I got further into the story, I literally found myself holding my breath waiting for what was to come. It's told in multiple POV's and immediately pulled me in. I loved every minute of this incredible ride. Once you start reading this, you may find yourself unable to leave the town of Kingsburg. Are you ready?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.

[Cassandra Joy Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advanced reader opportunity for Kingsburg and I loved every moment of this paranormal horror story. Roger is in for a scary time when the bay comes calling for him. .. what a ride. Read in one sitting , once you start , you're invested . Put on your brave face and dive in ... it takes what is owed.
I would devour a book two if Jim were to write it ! Awesome novel. You're going to love Abigail Cross

[Danielle Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great 5 star read for jim donohue. It was just long enough to keep the suspense going without getting bored.

Imagine you find out your family owes a debt to a town and now you’re the only one left to pay that debt? What would you do? It’s not the people that are haunting you but the evil spirits of the town.

You will easily be kept at the edge or your seat on this one, so don’t miss out!

[Michelle Godard-Richer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is the definition of creepy, with Roger hearing Kingsburg—the town he fled— whispering his name in the opening scene. Then we meet Abigail, who was drawn to Kingsburg in a past timeline as a library research assistant. Throughout both timelines, Kingsburg emerges as a character onto itself with its rundown spooky vibes and generational history. Fans of small-town horror will enjoy this book.

[Elaine Rainbolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Its just enough creepiness to keep you on edge and keeps the story held together for you wondering what's going to happen. As Roger returns to his favorite amusement park on the boardwalk he wonders about the things he is seeing and hearing.

[Nicole Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. I Loved this book. It held my interest from beginning to end. This author definitely knows how to write Amazing books. I can't wait to read more by this author. I highly recommend this book

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good creepy build up with this book.
A town that seems peaceful and just floating along.
But underneath there are secrets and family connections that just flare up.
Loved the build to the story, the connection, the layers.
Great read

[Jyl Glenn · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Quiet, unsettling, and got under my skin by chapter two. A family name, an old debt, a town that never forgot. Nothing flashy, just the creeping feeling of being watched by something with all the time in the world.

[DS Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me in a chokehold. I was locked in and refused to put it down. My favorite by Jim Donohue so far! Awesome read.

[Danie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My arc review
Definitely a book you will want to get your hands on!!!
This book had me in a chokehold.
I was locked in and refused to put it down.
My favorite by Jim Donohue so far! Awesome read.

[Larae Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Very good book. Jim always knows how to catch your attention. Check out this book and his many others. You won't be disappointed.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you really go back home? !!!!! Better question, DO YOU WANT TO 😅. Such a creepy story that gave me goosebumps. Great book Jim