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Last Entry: A Hallow Fest Series Novella
Not yet published
Expected 31 Oct 26When Malachai welcomes Lana and her friends into his Halloween scare house attraction, he already has plans to kill them all. It’s what Hallow Fest was designed for.
But everyone in the group has secrets, and Lana seems to know far more about the house, and the man who runs it, than she should.
As the night descends into bloodshed, Mal begins to suspect that Lana isn’t the victim she pretends to be. Trapped inside the house of horrors, hunter and prey find themselves dangerously drawn together.
Because while Malachai came to Hallow Fest to hunt, he may have finally met his match.
***
A spicy slasher horror.
But everyone in the group has secrets, and Lana seems to know far more about the house, and the man who runs it, than she should.
As the night descends into bloodshed, Mal begins to suspect that Lana isn’t the victim she pretends to be. Trapped inside the house of horrors, hunter and prey find themselves dangerously drawn together.
Because while Malachai came to Hallow Fest to hunt, he may have finally met his match.
***
A spicy slasher horror.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 31, 2026
About the author
Tamsin St. James
4 books19 followersTamsin writes all shades of horror, drawing inspiration from local legends and her Classics degree. Living on the windswept coast of Cornwall with her partner and their rescue dog, she can often be found walking under stormy skies, and through empty, unnerving woodlands. Usually with a coffee in hand.
She is best known for Hollow Secrets, her debut novel. She also has a short, Poe-inspired story in the horror anthology Love Drips Red on Dunwich End.
She is best known for Hollow Secrets, her debut novel. She also has a short, Poe-inspired story in the horror anthology Love Drips Red on Dunwich End.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 12, 2026
The best way to read this book. In the dark, with a scary movie playing in the background. It makes for the perfect scary-reading experience.
Last Entry features a haunted house you go into but don't come out of. Mal runs the haunted house, while Lana and friends are the last group to go in. Lana loves all things spooky, but is she ready?
Something about Lana draws him in. Although Mal is a serial killer, he notices her intense smile. He wonders what is lingering behind that smile.
It's always nice to return to the horror genre that started my reading journey. It's as spooky, gory, and full of twists, with a touch of romance and some twists I didn't see coming.
If you’re looking for a quick slasher of a book, this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was such an amazing read. The second I started it, I could not put it down. The entire concept of the Hallow Fest is the perfect setting for a slasher series. Serial killers actually killing in haunted attractions? Sign me up! The attention to detail was amazing. The description of the haunted house was really intriguing and I loved the layout of it. When the group first gets to the house Mal was in the middle of throwing bodies into dumpsters which is a detail I just really liked. It made it clear to the reader the haunted house has zero survivors and the “props” are far from props.
I really enjoyed each of the killing scenes and how they were written. It was really helpful getting an insight on the group of friends before they went into the house because it was very easy to be rooting for who would die first. How Lana’s best friend and boyfriend clearly had something going on. The way everyone interacted in the car and at the beginning of the festival.
There were so many unexpected turns that I definitely did not see coming. I won’t spoil anything but let’s just say everything is not as it seems.
As for our killer, Mal has zero remorse and I really feel his perspective was well written for a cold killer in this for fun. The way he thinks, how calculated and quick he is in killing. He doesn’t think twice about it. It becomes clear Lana captivates him in a way he hasn’t been before. He was losing the thrill of doing this after his partner left but she brought that spark right back. It’s quite interesting how that whole plot unraveled.
The chemistry between Mal and Lana was on fire throughout this! The part in the basement was 🥵 The ending was also extremely unexpected and I’m definitely going to be thinking about it for a while. If you like slashers with a bit of spice, this is the perfect book for you. I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the books in this series.
I really enjoyed each of the killing scenes and how they were written. It was really helpful getting an insight on the group of friends before they went into the house because it was very easy to be rooting for who would die first. How Lana’s best friend and boyfriend clearly had something going on. The way everyone interacted in the car and at the beginning of the festival.
There were so many unexpected turns that I definitely did not see coming. I won’t spoil anything but let’s just say everything is not as it seems.
As for our killer, Mal has zero remorse and I really feel his perspective was well written for a cold killer in this for fun. The way he thinks, how calculated and quick he is in killing. He doesn’t think twice about it. It becomes clear Lana captivates him in a way he hasn’t been before. He was losing the thrill of doing this after his partner left but she brought that spark right back. It’s quite interesting how that whole plot unraveled.
The chemistry between Mal and Lana was on fire throughout this! The part in the basement was 🥵 The ending was also extremely unexpected and I’m definitely going to be thinking about it for a while. If you like slashers with a bit of spice, this is the perfect book for you. I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the books in this series.
October 11, 2026
ARC REVIEW:
Thank you to the author for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lets get into it.
If you liked I know what you did last summer meets Haunt, then this is for you. You ARE the target audience for this novella by Tasmin St. James. To clear some things up, this is not a romance. This is a HORROR. And you should know that much before going into it.
I really enjoyed the concept and just from the first few pages I knew this book was for me. However I will say the pacing was a little off and at times I wished we had some more action, more interactions between main characters that weren't what seemingly was surface level.
Now I do have to say, to have me intrigued and kept interested in a book I felt lacking in pace, is impressive in itself and this was largely done by plot twists hitting us and some of them I genuinely did not see coming. Like my flabbers were gasted. Though at times I do think we needed a little more tension, fear building and execution.
I do feel like this book would have rated higher had it been longer, and that's just nit picking of me because I feel like sometimes with novellas we lose a lot of development that perhaps was needed.
Whilst this didn't hit all the points for me, I do think for others, it will not only have you hooked, but the plot twists themselves will leave you reeling and wondering if you really did read what you just read. The answer? You did.
I'm not sure if I'm tempted by the rest of the novellas in this series.
Thank you to the author for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lets get into it.
If you liked I know what you did last summer meets Haunt, then this is for you. You ARE the target audience for this novella by Tasmin St. James. To clear some things up, this is not a romance. This is a HORROR. And you should know that much before going into it.
I really enjoyed the concept and just from the first few pages I knew this book was for me. However I will say the pacing was a little off and at times I wished we had some more action, more interactions between main characters that weren't what seemingly was surface level.
Now I do have to say, to have me intrigued and kept interested in a book I felt lacking in pace, is impressive in itself and this was largely done by plot twists hitting us and some of them I genuinely did not see coming. Like my flabbers were gasted. Though at times I do think we needed a little more tension, fear building and execution.
I do feel like this book would have rated higher had it been longer, and that's just nit picking of me because I feel like sometimes with novellas we lose a lot of development that perhaps was needed.
Whilst this didn't hit all the points for me, I do think for others, it will not only have you hooked, but the plot twists themselves will leave you reeling and wondering if you really did read what you just read. The answer? You did.
I'm not sure if I'm tempted by the rest of the novellas in this series.
October 12, 2026
Halloween, a haunted attraction, spice 🌶️, and a little unaliving?
This is perfectly done and gave me everything I wanted in a novella! I absolutely go hard core for stories that center in a haunt/theme park type of setting and this did not disappoint. The story flows so quickly and I ate it up.
I caught on to what was going to happen before it was revealed, but did not know the context of why until it was slowly revealed. As I was reading, I kept trying to guess at the why. It was not why I though, but it was equally as horrific.
Once game on became game on, it became a dark delight. You feel the adrenaline as if you were there, running from room to room. The claustrophobia of no way out sets in.
The end was a twist that I didn’t expect, and made me a little sad, honestly. I understand why it was done, and in that context it is perfect, but I remain a little sad.
Well done! If you enjoy dark romance and Halloween horrors, this is for you!
I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
This is perfectly done and gave me everything I wanted in a novella! I absolutely go hard core for stories that center in a haunt/theme park type of setting and this did not disappoint. The story flows so quickly and I ate it up.
I caught on to what was going to happen before it was revealed, but did not know the context of why until it was slowly revealed. As I was reading, I kept trying to guess at the why. It was not why I though, but it was equally as horrific.
Once game on became game on, it became a dark delight. You feel the adrenaline as if you were there, running from room to room. The claustrophobia of no way out sets in.
The end was a twist that I didn’t expect, and made me a little sad, honestly. I understand why it was done, and in that context it is perfect, but I remain a little sad.
Well done! If you enjoy dark romance and Halloween horrors, this is for you!
I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC REVIEW**
This read was so fun. I’m a retired scare actor so any story with a haunted house or scare park has me wrapped around their fingers already.
A group of friends goes to a scare park, led by the FMC Lana. She’s excited to go to this super popular haunted house and her friends are seemingly less excited about it.
The MMC doesn’t hide it, he’s a serial deleter and uses his haunted house as his killing grounds.
So as this group of friends go into the haunted house, friends go missing.
Without giving too much further away- this was such a fun read! Perfect for Halloween time! There was a couple twists that I honestly didn’t expect which was nice!
As the background of the characters unfolded, it really tied some things together. And my god, Lana shocked me.
Overall my rankings:
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This read was so fun. I’m a retired scare actor so any story with a haunted house or scare park has me wrapped around their fingers already.
A group of friends goes to a scare park, led by the FMC Lana. She’s excited to go to this super popular haunted house and her friends are seemingly less excited about it.
The MMC doesn’t hide it, he’s a serial deleter and uses his haunted house as his killing grounds.
So as this group of friends go into the haunted house, friends go missing.
Without giving too much further away- this was such a fun read! Perfect for Halloween time! There was a couple twists that I honestly didn’t expect which was nice!
As the background of the characters unfolded, it really tied some things together. And my god, Lana shocked me.
Overall my rankings:
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a great snack-sized, spooky read. I absolutely loved it. Some great twists to be had here. I didnt put the book down, or even drink my tea, the whole time I was reading. I was that riveted. A great slasher book for sure. I do so enjoy a good horror story, especially at this time of year.
Watching things from a “sweet” girl’s view, as well as from the view of the serial unaliver is a great switch in the reading. The fact that we know right off the bat who the killer is made things very interesting.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Hallow Fest books!
Watching things from a “sweet” girl’s view, as well as from the view of the serial unaliver is a great switch in the reading. The fact that we know right off the bat who the killer is made things very interesting.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Hallow Fest books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tamsin St. JamesLast Entry: A Hallow Fest Series NovellaAbsolutely loved this. It was a quick fun read perfect for halloween season. Now I'm off to find the other Hallow Fest books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a fun quick read. I almost wish this was a longer book because the concept was fantastic. What if the scare house was actually real and the worker was out to kill everyone? It was brilliant and did leave me on the edge of my seat. And then that twist and ending! I'm glad I stubbled upon this ARC on Threads because I really really enjoyed it. It's perfect for spooky season. Thank you so much Tamsin for letting me read before publication date!
Review of advance copy
*** ARC Review ***
This book follows Lana and her group of friends who are going to a Halloween fest. You go in thinking the FMC knows nothing about what is truly going on. You slowing begin to connect the dots and realize nothing is what it seems. Who will come out alive? Spice is included but not the focus point. If you enjoy slasher movies and anything horror this is definitely a book you want to read to get into the Halloween spirit.
This book follows Lana and her group of friends who are going to a Halloween fest. You go in thinking the FMC knows nothing about what is truly going on. You slowing begin to connect the dots and realize nothing is what it seems. Who will come out alive? Spice is included but not the focus point. If you enjoy slasher movies and anything horror this is definitely a book you want to read to get into the Halloween spirit.
October 13, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
This does not in any way shape or form alter my overall rating or review of this book!
I believe that this book is such a fun spooky read! I loved the plot. Definitely recommend for a short read for a rainy fall day!
This does not in any way shape or form alter my overall rating or review of this book!
I believe that this book is such a fun spooky read! I loved the plot. Definitely recommend for a short read for a rainy fall day!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Perfect quick read for spooky season. The haunted fair/scare house setting creates an opportunity for anything happen.
October 12, 2026
Perfect novella for Halloween! It was spooky, gory, and had a little bit of spice to top it all off. The plot was great. Can’t wait to read the others in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Perfect Halloween novella. Spice. Spooky themed. Yes and yes
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great read. I read it in one night. Could not put it down once I started.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you souch to the auther for the arc 🖤🖤🖤
This was a perfect spooky Halloween novella! It was creepy, gory, and twisty, with a little spice 😝
This was a perfect spooky Halloween novella! It was creepy, gory, and twisty, with a little spice 😝
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews