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The Gated
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jul 26394 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 23, 2026
About the author
Todd Morgan
17 books24 followersTodd Morgan writes psychological thrillers, dark mysteries, and guided journals about resilience, healing, and rebuilding after hard seasons of life.
His books are shaped by real-life experience, emotional honesty, and a belief that struggle can be turned into something meaningful. His first title, Smart Strategies for Better Living, became a #1 bestseller during its free promotional launch, connecting with thousands of readers seeking practical, grounded advice.
In nonfiction, Todd is the creator of the guided-journal series Life, Rewritten, Toxic Ties, and Rebuilding After…, each designed to help readers feel seen, supported, and stronger as they work through change, loss, and complicated relationships.
In fiction, he is the author of the Greybridge Noir Mystery series, a seven-book collection of dark standalone stories featuring detective Jack Mercer, along with suspense novels including The Last Quiet Move, Northern Bite, and Message in the Mirror. His fiction is known for atmospheric tension, buried secrets, and the psychological cost of truth.
Across every genre, Todd writes with one purpose: to create books that stay with people.
His books are shaped by real-life experience, emotional honesty, and a belief that struggle can be turned into something meaningful. His first title, Smart Strategies for Better Living, became a #1 bestseller during its free promotional launch, connecting with thousands of readers seeking practical, grounded advice.
In nonfiction, Todd is the creator of the guided-journal series Life, Rewritten, Toxic Ties, and Rebuilding After…, each designed to help readers feel seen, supported, and stronger as they work through change, loss, and complicated relationships.
In fiction, he is the author of the Greybridge Noir Mystery series, a seven-book collection of dark standalone stories featuring detective Jack Mercer, along with suspense novels including The Last Quiet Move, Northern Bite, and Message in the Mirror. His fiction is known for atmospheric tension, buried secrets, and the psychological cost of truth.
Across every genre, Todd writes with one purpose: to create books that stay with people.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Todd Morgan for providing me with an ARC copy of *The Gated* in exchange for an honest review.
*The Gated* is a thriller about the Halloway family, who unexpectedly inherit a house inside a gated community from someone with no obvious connection to them. What first appears to be the solution to their financial problems soon turns into something far more unsettling. The house, and the community surrounding it, hide a dark secret along with a history of unexplained deaths.
The premise immediately caught my attention, especially because I have read Todd Morgan's previous books and enjoyed both his writing and the way he explores social influence, group pressure, and the dynamics of small communities. Those themes are present here as well, and the ending delivers a twist that reflects the almost absurd level of social influence I was hoping to see.
Unfortunately, I found the journey to that ending disappointing. While I liked the overall idea, I never really connected with the characters, and many parts of the story felt forced. The family's behaviour often did not make sense to me. They are introduced as being under serious financial pressure, yet suddenly neither parent seems to have a job. The children appear to go to school, except when they seemingly do not. The mother rarely exists outside the kitchen, and at one point the father is surprised to find her simply standing there instead of cooking or cleaning, as if those are the only things she would normally be doing.
The book also contains many observations and assumptions that are presented as important without giving the reader enough reasoning behind them. One example is a neighbour leaving the house around lunchtime, which is immediately treated as suspicious because apparently nobody leaves their house at that time unless they are hiding something. The main characters often jump to conclusions in a similar way, making connections that seem to skip several logical steps without explaining how they got there. Instead of building tension, these moments often left me confused.
I also struggled with the writing style. I noticed the same sentence structure appearing over and over again, often using a "not this, but that" construction. There were also frequent attempts to describe emotions and atmosphere by explaining what something was or was not like, and after a while this became repetitive and pulled me out of the story.
That is a shame because I do think *The Gated* has a lot of potential. The central idea is interesting, the commentary on community and social influence is still there, and I genuinely liked the ending. I just did not enjoy the way the story was built and presented, and that unfortunately had a significant impact on my overall experience.
*The Gated* is a thriller about the Halloway family, who unexpectedly inherit a house inside a gated community from someone with no obvious connection to them. What first appears to be the solution to their financial problems soon turns into something far more unsettling. The house, and the community surrounding it, hide a dark secret along with a history of unexplained deaths.
The premise immediately caught my attention, especially because I have read Todd Morgan's previous books and enjoyed both his writing and the way he explores social influence, group pressure, and the dynamics of small communities. Those themes are present here as well, and the ending delivers a twist that reflects the almost absurd level of social influence I was hoping to see.
Unfortunately, I found the journey to that ending disappointing. While I liked the overall idea, I never really connected with the characters, and many parts of the story felt forced. The family's behaviour often did not make sense to me. They are introduced as being under serious financial pressure, yet suddenly neither parent seems to have a job. The children appear to go to school, except when they seemingly do not. The mother rarely exists outside the kitchen, and at one point the father is surprised to find her simply standing there instead of cooking or cleaning, as if those are the only things she would normally be doing.
The book also contains many observations and assumptions that are presented as important without giving the reader enough reasoning behind them. One example is a neighbour leaving the house around lunchtime, which is immediately treated as suspicious because apparently nobody leaves their house at that time unless they are hiding something. The main characters often jump to conclusions in a similar way, making connections that seem to skip several logical steps without explaining how they got there. Instead of building tension, these moments often left me confused.
I also struggled with the writing style. I noticed the same sentence structure appearing over and over again, often using a "not this, but that" construction. There were also frequent attempts to describe emotions and atmosphere by explaining what something was or was not like, and after a while this became repetitive and pulled me out of the story.
That is a shame because I do think *The Gated* has a lot of potential. The central idea is interesting, the commentary on community and social influence is still there, and I genuinely liked the ending. I just did not enjoy the way the story was built and presented, and that unfortunately had a significant impact on my overall experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved how this book explored the idea of a community following the rules and procedures in place, even with deadly consequences, because that was how things had always been done.
The family in this book unexpectedly inherits a house from a distant “relative”, and from the beginning things feel off. I loved the mystery of the unexplained dimensions and hidden rooms in the houses, the unexplained deaths, and the way the community watches, but never interferes.
The twist at the end got me, and the last 10% of the book was fast paced and had me enthralled.
The middle dragged a little for me, as I felt like the process the family took to uncover the mystery was far too lengthy and repetitive. Considering the intricacies of the mystery, I think it had to be, and I honestly don’t say this as a condemnation as much as an awareness that I think it will appeal greatly to the more detail oriented readers who love to pick apart every last nuance.
I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author as I loved the themes and psychological motives he explored.
The plot was well executed and I loved the way nothing quite added up until the ending, when it all made sense at last. That is what makes a thriller or mystery satisfying, so this one won’t leave you wanting.
The family in this book unexpectedly inherits a house from a distant “relative”, and from the beginning things feel off. I loved the mystery of the unexplained dimensions and hidden rooms in the houses, the unexplained deaths, and the way the community watches, but never interferes.
The twist at the end got me, and the last 10% of the book was fast paced and had me enthralled.
The middle dragged a little for me, as I felt like the process the family took to uncover the mystery was far too lengthy and repetitive. Considering the intricacies of the mystery, I think it had to be, and I honestly don’t say this as a condemnation as much as an awareness that I think it will appeal greatly to the more detail oriented readers who love to pick apart every last nuance.
I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author as I loved the themes and psychological motives he explored.
The plot was well executed and I loved the way nothing quite added up until the ending, when it all made sense at last. That is what makes a thriller or mystery satisfying, so this one won’t leave you wanting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into The Gated by Todd Morgan really wanting to like it, and while I can appreciate the premise and what the story was aiming for, it ultimately just wasn’t for me.
The biggest issue I had was the pacing. Much of the book felt extremely slow and, at times, repetitive, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged. I found myself struggling to push through certain sections and nearly DNF’d it more than once. It often felt like the story was dragging without enough forward momentum to keep me invested.
What made this more frustrating was the ending. After such a slow buildup, the conclusion felt rushed in comparison, almost as if everything suddenly sped up too quickly. I couldn’t help but think that if the rest of the book had matched the pacing of the final portion, my overall experience would have been much stronger.
That said, I do think the core idea of the book is interesting and has a lot of potential. With tighter pacing and less repetition, this could have been a much more compelling read for me.
Overall, I’d give it 3 stars; not a bad book, but one that didn’t quite hit the mark.
The biggest issue I had was the pacing. Much of the book felt extremely slow and, at times, repetitive, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged. I found myself struggling to push through certain sections and nearly DNF’d it more than once. It often felt like the story was dragging without enough forward momentum to keep me invested.
What made this more frustrating was the ending. After such a slow buildup, the conclusion felt rushed in comparison, almost as if everything suddenly sped up too quickly. I couldn’t help but think that if the rest of the book had matched the pacing of the final portion, my overall experience would have been much stronger.
That said, I do think the core idea of the book is interesting and has a lot of potential. With tighter pacing and less repetition, this could have been a much more compelling read for me.
Overall, I’d give it 3 stars; not a bad book, but one that didn’t quite hit the mark.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is not a genre I normally read but I was excited to give this book a go.
Nathan Holloway his wife and two kids inherit a house in a dubious neighbourhood. Everything looks too perfect yet not quite right. People are warily watching their arrival. Once moved in, things seem off. Hidden rooms, the blueprints don’t match the house, neighbours are being weird, bodies are discovered. What does the previous owner Martin Quill have to do with all this? The family embarks on discovering the mystery.
This book is a 4 star read for me because, although I liked the characters and the premise of this story, the writing style was not for me, especially the dialogues between the characters. In a sense I could see this being played out on a theatre stage. Nothing much happened and the ending was a bit strange. It did not feel like a true psychological thriller, more like a mystery. I enjoyed reading it though, as it was so different from what I normally choose.
I want to thank the Author Todd Morgan for giving me the chance to read his book an I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Nathan Holloway his wife and two kids inherit a house in a dubious neighbourhood. Everything looks too perfect yet not quite right. People are warily watching their arrival. Once moved in, things seem off. Hidden rooms, the blueprints don’t match the house, neighbours are being weird, bodies are discovered. What does the previous owner Martin Quill have to do with all this? The family embarks on discovering the mystery.
This book is a 4 star read for me because, although I liked the characters and the premise of this story, the writing style was not for me, especially the dialogues between the characters. In a sense I could see this being played out on a theatre stage. Nothing much happened and the ending was a bit strange. It did not feel like a true psychological thriller, more like a mystery. I enjoyed reading it though, as it was so different from what I normally choose.
I want to thank the Author Todd Morgan for giving me the chance to read his book an I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
July 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this one. From the beginning, there was this constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right, and it kept me wanting to know what was really going on. The quiet tension builds little by little instead of relying on nonstop action, which made everything feel even more unsettling.
One of my favorite parts was the family dynamic. Each character brought something different to the story, and I liked seeing how they reacted to everything happening around them. The mystery kept growing, and every answer seemed to lead to even more questions.
The atmosphere is what really stood out to me. The neighborhood felt eerie in a way that was hard to explain, and that creeping sense of unease stayed with me throughout the book. It made it easy to picture everything and kept me turning the pages to see where it was all leading.
If you enjoy slow-burn suspense, creepy small-town mysteries, and stories that keep you guessing without giving everything away too soon, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
One of my favorite parts was the family dynamic. Each character brought something different to the story, and I liked seeing how they reacted to everything happening around them. The mystery kept growing, and every answer seemed to lead to even more questions.
The atmosphere is what really stood out to me. The neighborhood felt eerie in a way that was hard to explain, and that creeping sense of unease stayed with me throughout the book. It made it easy to picture everything and kept me turning the pages to see where it was all leading.
If you enjoy slow-burn suspense, creepy small-town mysteries, and stories that keep you guessing without giving everything away too soon, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4/5 ⭐
I am so incredibly honored to have received an ARC of 'The Gated.' Getting to read this book early was an amazing experience.
🥰📚
Todd Morgan Books has crafted an incredibly atmospheric psychological thriller that kept me on edge from the very first page. The setting is deeply unsettling, dripping with an eerie and creepy vibe that grows more intense with every chapter.
The standout element for me was the community itself. The residents are profoundly creepy, hiding behind pleasant smiles while masking dark, buried secrets. You can feel the tension in the air, making the entire reading experience wonderfully claustrophobic and tense. It is a slow burn mystery that delivers pure psychological dread.
Thank you so much to the author, Todd Morgan, for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read and review this preview before its official release. ✨
This book officially releases on July 23rd 2026.
I am so incredibly honored to have received an ARC of 'The Gated.' Getting to read this book early was an amazing experience.
🥰📚
Todd Morgan Books has crafted an incredibly atmospheric psychological thriller that kept me on edge from the very first page. The setting is deeply unsettling, dripping with an eerie and creepy vibe that grows more intense with every chapter.
The standout element for me was the community itself. The residents are profoundly creepy, hiding behind pleasant smiles while masking dark, buried secrets. You can feel the tension in the air, making the entire reading experience wonderfully claustrophobic and tense. It is a slow burn mystery that delivers pure psychological dread.
Thank you so much to the author, Todd Morgan, for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read and review this preview before its official release. ✨
This book officially releases on July 23rd 2026.
June 30, 2026
A slow-burn, atmospheric mystery with great quiet tension.
Thank you to the author for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first page, The Gated creates a wonderfully unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the story. Todd Morgan masterfully builds a mystery filled with quiet tension, eerie discoveries, and a growing feeling that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface.
The author’s descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of the neighborhood, keeping a sense of unease alive from beginning to end. Rather than relying on constant action, the story gradually unfolds its secrets, rewarding readers who pay close attention to every detail.
Readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense, layered mysteries, and rich, atmospheric storytelling will appreciate the deliberate pacing and immersive world Morgan has created.
Thank you again to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to the author for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first page, The Gated creates a wonderfully unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the story. Todd Morgan masterfully builds a mystery filled with quiet tension, eerie discoveries, and a growing feeling that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface.
The author’s descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of the neighborhood, keeping a sense of unease alive from beginning to end. Rather than relying on constant action, the story gradually unfolds its secrets, rewarding readers who pay close attention to every detail.
Readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense, layered mysteries, and rich, atmospheric storytelling will appreciate the deliberate pacing and immersive world Morgan has created.
Thank you again to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Gated is the second book I've read by Todd Morgan, and once again, I was pleasantly surprised.
The story is well-paced, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked from beginning to end. Every chapter made me question what was really going on, and I constantly found myself coming up with theories about the mysteries unfolding. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story took a completely different direction.
The ending was something I definitely didn't see coming, but it tied everything together perfectly and made the entire journey feel worthwhile.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. If you're a fan of psychological suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end, this is one to add to your TBR.
A huge thank you to Todd Morgan for the opportunity to read this ARC. I truly enjoyed every page, and I hope you'll enjoy it just as much when it's released.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story is well-paced, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked from beginning to end. Every chapter made me question what was really going on, and I constantly found myself coming up with theories about the mysteries unfolding. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story took a completely different direction.
The ending was something I definitely didn't see coming, but it tied everything together perfectly and made the entire journey feel worthwhile.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. If you're a fan of psychological suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end, this is one to add to your TBR.
A huge thank you to Todd Morgan for the opportunity to read this ARC. I truly enjoyed every page, and I hope you'll enjoy it just as much when it's released.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my second book by this author and I can definitely say I enjoy his writing style. He has a way of pulling you into the story and keeping that uneasy feeling in the background that makes you want to keep reading past your bedtime.
The atmosphere in this one was probably my favorite part. That gated community gave off creepy, unsettling vibes from the start and I loved slowly uncovering the secrets hiding beneath the surface. The mystery unfolded at a nice pace and I found myself constantly trying to figure out what was really going on.
I also liked that the characters felt believable and the tension kept building without relying on nonstop action. It was more of a slow-burn psychological thriller that kept me invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoy suspense with an eerie setting, plenty of mystery and the feeling that something just isn’t right, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Todd Morgan.
The atmosphere in this one was probably my favorite part. That gated community gave off creepy, unsettling vibes from the start and I loved slowly uncovering the secrets hiding beneath the surface. The mystery unfolded at a nice pace and I found myself constantly trying to figure out what was really going on.
I also liked that the characters felt believable and the tension kept building without relying on nonstop action. It was more of a slow-burn psychological thriller that kept me invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoy suspense with an eerie setting, plenty of mystery and the feeling that something just isn’t right, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Todd Morgan.
July 13, 2026
ARC Review
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. I did enjoy the storyline and the way the author described the community, its rules, and the mystery surrounding it. However, I’m not a fan of the slow-burn trope in thrillers, and for me, the pacing dragged on for too long before everything finally started to come together near the end.
I also found parts of the book to be repetitive throughout several chapters. Another issue I had was the lack of characterization. There weren’t many details or descriptions of the characters, which left me wondering about things such as the ages of the children—were they younger kids or older teenagers? There also wasn’t much backstory provided, making it difficult to fully connect with them.
Overall, it was an okay read. Despite my disappointment, I’m still interested in reading other books by this author in the future.
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. I did enjoy the storyline and the way the author described the community, its rules, and the mystery surrounding it. However, I’m not a fan of the slow-burn trope in thrillers, and for me, the pacing dragged on for too long before everything finally started to come together near the end.
I also found parts of the book to be repetitive throughout several chapters. Another issue I had was the lack of characterization. There weren’t many details or descriptions of the characters, which left me wondering about things such as the ages of the children—were they younger kids or older teenagers? There also wasn’t much backstory provided, making it difficult to fully connect with them.
Overall, it was an okay read. Despite my disappointment, I’m still interested in reading other books by this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Todd Morgan, for giving me a chance to be an ARC reader for your newest book, "The Gated". I had so enjoyed the other books you've written that I was excited to see what this newest was all about, and so requesting to become an ARC reader was the quickest way for me to get to read it.
There were goosebumps creeping over the back of my neck the entire book from start to finish, and at times I had to put the book down and give it a rest so I could regain my sense of equilibrium!
It was one eerie read from start to finish, and I'll certainly be recommending it to the readers I know. Sometimes Psychological Thrillers are too intense for me but this one was the exception, and I was finally able to regain my breath as I closed the book upon completion.
Looking forward to more, more, more!
There were goosebumps creeping over the back of my neck the entire book from start to finish, and at times I had to put the book down and give it a rest so I could regain my sense of equilibrium!
It was one eerie read from start to finish, and I'll certainly be recommending it to the readers I know. Sometimes Psychological Thrillers are too intense for me but this one was the exception, and I was finally able to regain my breath as I closed the book upon completion.
Looking forward to more, more, more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was flattered that Mr. Morgan reached out to see if I might be interested in previewing his ARC The Gated. The premise sounded great and the cover was just eerie enough to grab my attention. As it is releasing on July 23rd, I decided I needed to move it straight to the top of my list and dug in!
Without giving too much away, let's say there was enough mystery, intrigue and so so many questions surrounding the new neighbors/townspeople that I was hooked. Were there otherworldly forces or were there nefarious citizens causing the deaths? Who knows?
The main reason this is not a five star for me, is that it DID lag a bit in the middle and my brain struggled to focus at times with the complexity of the case.
However, I truly enjoyed the outcome and the moral message I gleaned from the reading.
Thank you Todd Morgan for the ARC!
Without giving too much away, let's say there was enough mystery, intrigue and so so many questions surrounding the new neighbors/townspeople that I was hooked. Were there otherworldly forces or were there nefarious citizens causing the deaths? Who knows?
The main reason this is not a five star for me, is that it DID lag a bit in the middle and my brain struggled to focus at times with the complexity of the case.
However, I truly enjoyed the outcome and the moral message I gleaned from the reading.
Thank you Todd Morgan for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this from the author for an arc read. I gave it 3.75 stars.
The story follows a family who inherit a house from a very distant relative and come to the small gated community because of this. Nathan and Erin bring their children Owen and Tessa and they all try to get acquainted with the town and it's occupants. They learn quickly that there are rules. Rules that can't be broken without consequences. Death's have been happening around the perimeters of this town and Nathan and Owen are determined to found out why.
When they find a secret room in the house they inherited they quickly realize there are more secrets and lies being told and everyone of the towns people seem to be in on it.
The plot twists and the reveal gave me the feel of books similar to M. Night Shyamalan.
The story follows a family who inherit a house from a very distant relative and come to the small gated community because of this. Nathan and Erin bring their children Owen and Tessa and they all try to get acquainted with the town and it's occupants. They learn quickly that there are rules. Rules that can't be broken without consequences. Death's have been happening around the perimeters of this town and Nathan and Owen are determined to found out why.
When they find a secret room in the house they inherited they quickly realize there are more secrets and lies being told and everyone of the towns people seem to be in on it.
The plot twists and the reveal gave me the feel of books similar to M. Night Shyamalan.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Gated by Todd Morgan arc review .
Honest non spoiler review .
This is the second book I’ve read by Todd , first one I loved , this one left me with more questions than answers .
The book starts off with Nathan getting an unexpected phone call about a distant unknown family member . Red flag number one . His wife Erin and him kinda go back and forth on what to do , eventually they decided to make the trip .
We kind of find out more once they get to where they need to go , but also leaves us so many more questions . I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened in this book, I do have to say , Nathan’s son Owen is way too smart for his own good . And the people around? Creepy and odd .
Thank you Todd for letting me arc read ! It was
a pleasure.
Honest non spoiler review .
This is the second book I’ve read by Todd , first one I loved , this one left me with more questions than answers .
The book starts off with Nathan getting an unexpected phone call about a distant unknown family member . Red flag number one . His wife Erin and him kinda go back and forth on what to do , eventually they decided to make the trip .
We kind of find out more once they get to where they need to go , but also leaves us so many more questions . I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened in this book, I do have to say , Nathan’s son Owen is way too smart for his own good . And the people around? Creepy and odd .
Thank you Todd for letting me arc read ! It was
a pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m grateful to have been chosen as an ARC reader for The Gated. Here are my honest thoughts on the book. It was an interesting story, but I I found I couldn’t fully immerse myself in it. Everything to me felt like it was happening too quickly making it at times feel unbelievable. And their children’s involvement didn’t really work for me. If their suspicions had gradually built up over months rather than immediately the pacing would have been smoother and felt more intense in my opinion. I love a good mystery though and appreciated the direction the story took and overall I still enjoyed it and liked the twist at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Gated builds its tension through atmosphere and silence, letting unease settle in slowly rather than rushing to reveal its hand. The story turns an unexpected inheritance into a quiet unraveling, where every detail feels slightly off in a way you can’t quite name. Todd Morgan’s writing is clean, deliberate, and deeply sensory, pulling you into a place that seems ordinary until it isn’t. The pacing rewards readers who enjoy psychological suspense that grows in layers instead of shocks. It’s a compelling, quietly unnerving read that keeps tightening its grip the deeper you go.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A tense and unsettling mystery that slowly builds into something much darker. The eerie atmosphere of the unnamed gated community is the real star of the story, with secrets, hidden messages, and growing paranoia keeping the pages turning. While the plot takes its time revealing the truth, the suspense is rewarding, and the Holloway family's search for answers makes for an engaging read. A solid choice for fans of slow burn suspense, creepy neighborhoods, and mysteries with a touch of the uncanny.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC FROM THE AUTHOR
Not my usual genre but overall a good read.
The story follows a family that inherits a home in a gated community where the atmosphere is eerie, strange, and full of mystery. A mystery that the family quickly starts to try and solve.
The first part of the book had me on the edge of my seat and even a little spooked (reading at night and easily done FOR ME). The middle seemed to drag a bit. But it still held my attention. I do wish there was a little more description of the characters. Especially the main ones. But like I said, overall a decent & quick read.
Not my usual genre but overall a good read.
The story follows a family that inherits a home in a gated community where the atmosphere is eerie, strange, and full of mystery. A mystery that the family quickly starts to try and solve.
The first part of the book had me on the edge of my seat and even a little spooked (reading at night and easily done FOR ME). The middle seemed to drag a bit. But it still held my attention. I do wish there was a little more description of the characters. Especially the main ones. But like I said, overall a decent & quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book and found myself invested in the story and the characters. My only real criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed. I also think there was an opportunity for a different plot twist that could have left the story open for another book, as I would have happily continued reading about these characters. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but the ending stopped it from being a 4-star book for me.
I really enjoyed this book and found myself invested in the story and the characters. My only real criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed. I also think there was an opportunity for a different plot twist that could have left the story open for another book, as I would have happily continued reading about these characters. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but the ending stopped it from being a 4-star book for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Realisticly,this was 4,8⭐ for me,but there is only option for full stars.
In my opinion,this is Todd Morgan's best work so far,and I truly enjoyed the book.Although some characters didn't hold my attention ( for example - Tessa ),the plot and the ending were really good,and there were a few scenes that glued me to the page and I couldn't stop reading it.And comparing it to his previous work,I could see the progress in his writting style.I'm really looking forward to read more from him.
In my opinion,this is Todd Morgan's best work so far,and I truly enjoyed the book.Although some characters didn't hold my attention ( for example - Tessa ),the plot and the ending were really good,and there were a few scenes that glued me to the page and I couldn't stop reading it.And comparing it to his previous work,I could see the progress in his writting style.I'm really looking forward to read more from him.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The whole vibe is so deliciously eerie, the anonymous gated community, the too-quiet houses, the neighbours who clam up the second you get near ! I love how it slowly unfurls from “great fresh start!” to “wait, literally nothing here is right”, its too quiet, neighbours who won’t talk, warnings instead of answers.
It builds tension so well, and the secrets run way deeper than you think. Proper gripping, spooky psychological thriller—couldn’t put it down!
It builds tension so well, and the secrets run way deeper than you think. Proper gripping, spooky psychological thriller—couldn’t put it down!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I really liked it.
You can actually feel the spooky vibes coming through the pages of his books. I got cold chills reading it esp when they got to the house and things just weren’t adding up and everyone was acting so weird and creepy. Thank you Todd for allowing me to read this book.
You can actually feel the spooky vibes coming through the pages of his books. I got cold chills reading it esp when they got to the house and things just weren’t adding up and everyone was acting so weird and creepy. Thank you Todd for allowing me to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Not my usually read but I liked the story. Intriguing how people do something because it is just the way. Not knowing why? Just because. At some point for me repetetive attention on details but some readers love that. The townies were creepy. And the end, well damn. Will be reading more of this author.
July 14, 2026
I really enjoyed the tension in this book. We never knew what was coming next, who was part of it all, or why everything was happening. No matter how many times I tried to guess what/why things happen the way they did, I didn’t even come close to the reality of it all! Overall a very fun suspenseful story. Thanks for the opportunity to read it!
Review of advance copy
this was a great keep you on the edge of you seat read. i found this to be a story i didnt wanna to put down. I can't express how it had me feeling what was gonna come next and what I thought it be wasn't that at all
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall interesting book! There were a few spots that jumped a little and I felt confused but despite that it was a good read!
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