Three years ago, a tragedy strikes a small town, leaving a mother without her child.
Stricken with grief, Josephine struggles to cope with life after her son's tragic and untimely passing. As time goes on, she grows desperate and dabbles with forces beyond comprehension...
Some things are better left buried.
Gordon Ellis, fresh off a bitter divorce and a failed business venture, leverages everything he has into purchasing a diner, hoping to start fresh. But business is far from booming and Gordon can't seem to shake his substance abuse issues. He enlists a reality television production, Diner Deliverance, in a last ditch effort to salvage his business, and his future. But finances and and substance abuse issues are about to be the least of Gordon's problems...
The events Josephine sets in motion soon spiral out of control, and everyone, including Gordon, will pay.
Get ready to meet Teddy in the new horror novel from Imadjinn and Splatterpunk award nominated author, John Lynch!
Immerse yourself in terror with Imadjinn award nominated horror author, John Lynch.
As a writer, John is committed to delivering horror books that pull no punches. He believes that characters and story are just as important as good scares. This is no more evident than in his debut novel, The Warrior Retreat, which was nominated for the Imadjinn awards best horror novel.
A United States Marine Corps veteran who served 4 years active duty infantry, by day he works 70 hour weeks at his job. By night, he's toiling away at the next book or unwinding on a PS5.
John Lynch has found his voice with his new book, THE DINER. A strong offering of nearly every emotion, Lynch finds a way to make you love and hate so many characters. Usually known for his "high-explosive horror" Lynch has put that formula aside opting for "horror with heart" in this novel.
I want to thank John lynch for allowing me to review this ARC copy of this book.
Gordon Ramsey move over, Johnathan James is taking over the culinary scene in dinner deliverance. The Dinner, is the perfect representation of Addiction, and grief. No matter how bad you want something. Maybe it’s best that some doors stay closed.
The story begins with a young man who has an LD getting murdered at a dinner he worked at. Flash forwarding to this same boy getting resurrected and taking revenge on those who did him wrong.
I think the story was good for what I knew coming in. I LOVED the dinner aspect and the show aspect. The Gordon Ramsey-Johnathan James act alike was a nice place into the story. I also, thought the plot building for Gordon Ellis was really well thought out and in depth. It showed how far in the hole of addiction he was with alcohol. The zoo scene showed how real these things can be and how scary they are when you aren’t always in the right frame of mind. The slashing was decent with some good kills and brutality thrown in.
I did not care for the first part as much and felt like it could have been shaven off quite a bit. I understanding wanting to build the scene and grief that Josephine was feeling for her deceased son but it felt like it carried on a bit too long. Same with her husband’s abuse and treatment of Teddy. I wish they focused more on the last 1/3 of the book more than the first. I wish the ending was a bit more concrete personally.
Overall, I think the book is decent and worth a read if you like grief, despair, and having to pull yourself out of addiction with a bit of slasher mixed in. The book comes out 22-Sep-2026 so go check it out!!!
I’ve been a huge fan of slasher horror ever since I first watched Scream as a kid. Since then, I’ve read a lot of slasher novels, so there was no way I was passing up the chance to read The Diner by John Lynch.
I probably would’ve enjoyed this book even if it had been just an average slasher because that’s one of my favorite horror subgenres. But The Diner is much more than that.
It delivers exactly what you’d want from a slasher. We’ve got brutal kills and gore. It’s also always better when it’s revenge-fueled. At the same time, it brought important themes like addiction and bullying. I always appreciate when a horror novel can entertain me while also highlighting real issues.
There’s plenty of fun mixed in too. If you’re a fan of those chaotic, drama-filled kitchen shows, you’ll definitely be entertained by that side of the story. After all, the title is The Diner.
Solid characters, engaging storyline, and some excellent slasher scenes. 4.25 ⭐️ from me!
“More digging, and now his face is partially exposed. His features are mangled and burned, the way the murderers left him, but his eyes are open. His mouth is moving as if to talk but he doesn’t speak. Dirt falls from his head as he sits up.”
It’s been some time since Lynch has been hyping us up for this release, and let me tell you, it’s 100% worth the wait! This book was fantastic! Such a solid slasher!
It’s fast paced and engaging while still keeping the character development on point and telling the story in a way that was a 10/10 for me. Such a good balance between the actual storyline and the gore. This is how I love my slashers done!! Lynch nailed it.
The story both feels familiar and yet completely new and refreshing. I think The Diner is a book a lot of horror readers seek out to find and while there’s some amazing books out there, this one will be a favorite for many.
I reached out to John through TikTok and he was kind enough to send me an ARC copy! Full transparency, this was the first bite of John’s work that I’ve devoured and it did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style/humor. He does an excellent job changing POVs(There are a few).I liked the slightly open-ended way the novel ended (def read the epilogue) and all the gore and gruesome scenes in between. Thank you so much for sharing your writing with us, what a fantastic occult horror! (Others described this as a slasher but for me I don’t think this description is as accurate 🤷🏻♀️)
I love a good slasher movie but a slasher book is top tier perfection! And The Diner hit it out the park. We got bullies, we got a drunk, an abusive husband, a sweet boy with disabilities, a loving mother and there’s blood! Lots of blood! This story is about how far a mother will go to heal her hurt when her only child is taken away from her. As a mother, I felt Josephine’s pain and suffering and I understood why she did what she did. Would I have done it? I like to think I would not but sorrow and heartbreak makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do.
Wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this creepy, yet sad, book. Teddy was murdered and Mom would do anything to have him back. This book had me from go. A destroyed mom missing her son willing to do desperate things to see him again. Now he’s back and how is that going? Read this character driven book and find out. I was given this book from the author for an unbiased review.
I picked up "The Diner" for review because it's authored by John Lynch, of "The Warrior Retreat" fame (which I unreservedly recommend). I knew I was in for a wild ride whatever the book's premise. But all I had to go on was Matt Seff Barnes' creepy cover, since I skipped the synopsis. I thought it'd be just another revenge tale, or a slasher. I love both kinds of stories, so I knew I'd enjoy myself. And well, what do you know, the book is indeed a slasher, and a revenge tale, and sure, the synopsis is right after all ("Pet Sematary meets Hatchet and Kitchen Nightmares") - but, and here's the rub: the story is far, far more than all of that. There's blood and carnage, of course, but there's also sorrow and pain and loss and so much unresolved psychological baggage, the book might easily be read as brilliant grief horror or a riveting supernatural psychological thriller! In fact, that's how I read it myself.
In my reading, "The Diner" is a harrowing and cleverly plotted, not to mention gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, tale, about a parent's love for their child. The first half focuses on a mother's inability to let go of the loss of her intellectually disabled teenage son - the poor boy was horrifically murdered in the titular diner. That part of the book chronicles the mother's insistent and single-minded forays to the supernatural with the aim to bring back her boy. Despite the domestic abuse she herself is facing, she never gives up - and she succeeds. The book's second half picks up the story of the diner's new owner, the father of a little girl, recently divorced from his wife. He's an out-of-towner, middle-aged man, facing so many problems (marital, financial, brutal alcohol addiction), it's a real wonder he's still on his two feet, still struggling to make everything work, all for the sake of his little daughter. Both the obsessed mother and the alcoholic father are strong, interesting, absolutely relatable, and fully fleshed-out characters; just wait till their stories cross - stand back and watch the fireworks explode. No, I don't mean romance - hell no - I mean war! That's in the last third of the book, when the diner has become the setting of a Kitchen Nightmares type of show! By that point, I couldn't put the book down.
Lynch's storytelling is flawless, and he's right on target everytime. If you are looking for a hard hitting, breakneck read that will hook you from very early on, don't miss this!
Two years ago, I read an ARC from this author and spotted The Diner listed at the back as "coming soon." One look at that cover and I knew it had my name written all over it. I couldn't wait to read it. And I'm glad to say, it was worth the wait. We meet 17-year-old Teddy, a boy born with an intellectual disability and facial deformities, who spends his days working in a small-town diner. Instead of kindness, he's met with relentless cruelty from the locals, who mock, bully and abuse him simply for existing. Watching Teddy's story unfold genuinely shattered me. My heart broke for him, and yes... I cried. When Teddy is brutally murdered after finishing work one evening, his grieving mother, Josephine, refuses to let him go. After three desperate years searching for a way to speak to him, or somehow bring him back, she finally succeeds. But Teddy doesn't come home the same. What follows is an absolutely savage, revenge-soaked slasher that had me grinning through every gloriously brutal kill. After everything Teddy endured, I was shamelessly rooting for the carnage, and honestly? Most of them had it coming. Every death felt satisfying, creative and long overdue. I also loved the Kitchen Nightmares-style TV show centred around the diner. It added a really fun layer to the story and made the setting feel even more alive before everything descended into blood-soaked chaos. Heartbreaking, horrifying and packed with righteous revenge, this one delivers emotion and gore in equal measure. If you love your slashers with a huge emotional payoff, don't sleep on this one.
🩸 The Panic Verdict: A heartbreaking opening that will rip your heart out, followed by a gloriously brutal revenge spree that stitches it back together with blood.
Teddy has a disability but is not letting it get the better of him. He is so inspiring. He has a job and is determined to show his capability. The horrible names and the judgment he receives is so cruel. John highlights how people can be in this book. Bullying and mistreating women is also seen. I probably shouldn't say it but I really hope the bully get's his comeuppance.
An argument, but what could it be about?
This is so intense, graphic and horrifying. A Murder takes place.
Divorcee Gordon tries to rebuild the diner, the same diner where the murder happened. “Shiny metal exterior with a bright red roof. Red and white checker board flooring. Classic - looking tables. It almost appears normal, but nothing normal ever happens in this diner…
Alcoholism is tackled in this book and it's so important to highlight the struggles so many people face with alcoholism.
“Some doors should not be opened” What chaos lies ahead?
This book shows how deeply a mother's love is. How far a mother will go to talk to her Son beyond the grave but talking to ghosts have consequences …
Next level horror. It's mindblowing. Gruelling in the best way. It's sick.
A missing daughter, can they find her before she is abducted?
I have never read anything quite like this. It's next level out of this world.
A bloodthirsty predator prawls the woods. The boy that died comes back to life to cause havoc, what will he do?
Is anyone safe?
This is so intense.
The Irony.
Fans of Dexter will love this.
Someone is watching.
The ending is gory, emotional and brilliant. A few twists.
I first read John Lynch with his debut, The Warrior Retreat. I went into that book blind, only knowing the general concept. I came away very impressed and couldn’t wait to see his future works. Fast forward a number of years, and Lynch has just penned his longest story yet, a story that’s part slasher, part grief horror, and a damn good time. He pitched the book as Pet Sematary meets Hatchet meets Kitchen Nightmares. That’s the perfect comparison, and the way it all meshes together works perfectly. After now reading all of Lynch’s work, it’s clear he has a style that he’s perfected. We get an inciting incident early on that makes us feel for the characters (both protagonists and antagonists) and then we spend a good chunk of the novel building up to the horrors of the final act through great character work and decisions that some characters will live (or die) regretting. Let’s face it—they mostly die. Teddy isn’t one to give many second chances after all.
There are some brutal deaths mixed in with the great storytelling, and I think this is a slasher that will do quite well heading into spooky season. The book releases September 22nd, just in time for Halloween
All I want this summer is summer slashers, and John Lynch’s new release certainly delivered.
Josephine is grieving the death of her son, Teddy, and will do anything for one last chance to speak with him. We follow her as she navigates her grief and searches for a way to communicate with the dead. Meanwhile, Gordon Ellis, newly divorced, buys the diner for a fresh start, but his substance abuse and financial troubles follow him into this life. Still, Gordon’s problems are nothing compared to what is about to unfold there. I do not want to delve further into the story because I want readers to experience it for themselves.
The two storylines come together effectively. The Diner gripped me from the beginning with its mix of revenge, vengeance, grief, violence, gruesome kills, and unexpected twists.
It’s always fun going in blind to a book. This is my first read by John and it definitely did not disappoint. This book reminded me of Monstrilio. A son is murdered at the local diner and a mom will do anything to bring him back. I can relate to this because I am a mom and will do anything for my daughters. While we can do anything as a parent, we can often struggle. Gordon struggles with alcohol and after an attempted abduction, his ex wife doesn’t allow him to see her. He believes that fixing up The Diner is the solution to everything. How do these characters all come together? Read The Diner on its release day on September 22nd!
*The Diner* was a fun, quick read that kept me entertained from start to finish. While the story moved at a good pace and held my attention, I found the plot to be fairly predictable. I also struggled to connect with any of the characters, as none of them were particularly likable or easy to root for. By the end, it felt like everyone got exactly what they deserved, which fit the story well.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't especially memorable. If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller with plenty of drama, it's worth picking up, but it ultimately landed as just an okay read for me.
Thank you to the author for an advance copy in return for a honest review.
Teddy, a special needs young man, got a job at the local diner. After an altercation that happened while he was working he was murdered.
His mom, his only support was devastated losing her only child. She tried everything to contact him on the other side and got nothing. She got in contact with a stranger on the internet who had her meet him in Mexico saying he could help her. What happens next is something out of a horror movie...
A mother's love and grief go deep and she will do anything to see or talk to her child again. Be careful what you wish for....
4.5/5⭐ This book was such a great example of incredible story telling! Every character had a fleshed out personality, and no one felt like filler. I love the combination of paranormal, slasher, & grief horror. With plenty of gory details! Kitchen Nightmares has always been one of my favorite binge shows, so adding in those vibes was really the icing on the cake! I absolutely loved this one, and will be digging into more of the authors work asap!
Teddy works at The Diner until one night when his life is taken. His mother wants him back no matter what. She finds a way to bring her son back. Will he be the same? The Diner is open again, and Teddy is leaving his house. Heart pounding slasher. Amazing characters parts where you feel the characters' pain.
This book had me hooked right from the start. It really makes you think about what you would do when faced with something so horrible you don't know how to go on. Then when you think you have found the way to end the pain, things are not always what they seem. If you are looking for a horror book that will stick with you and you will not want to put it down, be sure to check this one out.
The start of this book is heart breaking. The rest of the book feels like a one way trip into 80's slasher crazy town. I had so much fun reading this story. The pacing is great, the characters are great (to hate) and I'm not gonna lie I was rooting for the bad guy all the way through. Definitely worth the read.
I have been reading John Lynch for awhile and always enjoy, but this may be one of his best! Well-written, fast paced, a page turner for sure. A boy is murdered and his mother will do ANYTHING to bring him back. What could go wrong, right? This story gives off some familiar feels in a new way.
This was such a fun - "they got what they deserved" slasher. Revenge, gore, supernatural vibes, and plenty of unlikable characters you can't wait to get killed off. What more could you ask for?
John Lynch brings grief and gore in his newest novel The Diner. Lynch tells an emotional story filled with addiction, loss and murder From the very start this book sinks its hooks in you and does not let go until the final word. If you are a fan of slashers this is definitely the book for you.
📚🪓Arc review🪓📚 I knew I wanted to read this the min I saw the cover. And it didn't disappoint. A classic slasher book that needs to be in your tbr immediately. This gruesome story will have you wanting to punch a few characters in the head. A mother's grief has taken her places she never thought she would ever go. A father's addiction that will literally cost him is life if he isn't careful. A son's revenge... well let's just say you need to read the book to find out. You're not ready for Teddy🪓 Move over John Carpenter there's a new Slasher master in town... John Lynch!