THURSDAY NIGHT AT HENRY'S: A NOVELLA

by Ella J. Hodet, ALAN M. HODET

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2026

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

review of advanced copy received from author

Generally speaking I love horror, all types of horror ranging from thrillers to pure gore. This was a real treat in the sense that this was an almost atmospheric horror.

We follow Timothy as he returns to his late father’s bar - Henry’s Bar. The implication is that he is planning to sell the bar; his heart hasn’t been in it since his father passed. Later we learn that maybe his heart had never been in it at all, but that’s true for a lot of family run businesses. What started as one person’s dream can easily become a cement block dragging you down to a depth you never wanted.

Once inside the bar the night begins to take a turn, as Timothy starts to see the ghosts from the patrons who spent every Thursday night there - and the night only gets worse from there. There are some major things that I loved about this story.

I enjoy Silent Hill, and this gives a perfect Silent Hill vibe. If you know, you know. The sense that there is a guilt and dread haunting the narrative is heavy through the entire novella. Particularly a moment early on where our boy Tim is trying to get out of the back door and he is able to open the door, step outside and smell the air but then finds himself right back in the bar.

I loved the bar patrons, for the length of the story we’re given such a night glimpse into their lives. Not particular horror but I love that type of aesthetic, these people who’s highlight is to go to the local Dive and be together at least once weekly.

Now the things I did not love. I will include a spoiler warning only because in my opinion it’s always better to go in blind

I feel we learn the twist that Timothy poisoned the bar patrons over his ex wife’s cheating far too early on. I think this could have been saved for closer to the ending, which would have kept us guessing longer.

In the same vein, because we know about the aforementioned twist, I feel some portions become a little repetitive. Again I understand that there was not a lot of length and so it wasn’t something that ruined the story, but I felt at times we were watching Timothy repeat his thoughts, moods and actions which can get a little dry.

Overall I really enjoyed this story, I would give it a 4-4.5 out of 5. If you enjoy a good ghost story this one will be for you.

[Ginger Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thursday Night at Henry's is a short horror novella about a man facing up to his past. It's grim, atmospheric, and has a truly chilling ending. Despite it being so short, I did feel like Henry's still dragged a bit. Perhaps it would have been better as a short story instead of a novella. Just my opinion. I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.

[Savannah Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obtained a complimentary copy from the author. The narrative drew me into a mental puzzle alongside the main character with both of us having the same questions. This book is an ideal candidate for a movie. I feel fortunate that I’m not in Timothys shoes, trapped in a time loop and surrounded by people, as the lack of answers would be drive anyone mad. I would love to learn more about Henry and Timothy, specifically regarding the matter Timothy wanted to speak about with his father. Timothy is really in a psychological horror and I’m so happy it’s not me.

[Kassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timothy steps back inside the bar he took over from his father to finally sale it. But once Timothy is inside it turns out he cant leave. As the night continues his past comes back to him and he is faced with the choices he made.

This was a fast paced novella, really makes you want to think twice before making choices that will alter your life forever. Timothy story is one I would not one to step into!

[Michelle Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! Timothy walks into his father’s empty bar, which is now his bar. He is struggling with a few things as he walks through the bar until…. Well Timothy is tossed into the Twilight Zone with a bit of Groundhogs day mixed in. A gripping short read for those who like thrillers, horror, suspense and more.

[G.B. Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so well presented to the reader. The words are almost elegant and yet at the same time spooky. It has some twilight zone vipes that I love. I felt like I was there, right there with the gang at the bar as the events unfolded, and the ending, ha! Perfect! I highly recommend it!

[Meaghan Chelucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short novella but it really keeps you on your toes. Each page had me anxiously reading faster to see what was going to happen next. It has both suspense and horror aspects. Gave me The Shining vibes.

[Tyler Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. I would recommend this book for any fans of mystery, suspense or mild horror. I was drawn to this book immediately and was hooked from start to finish. Very well written and fun to read.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really interesting read, I enjoyed the tropes and themes very much. It had me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a novella before but I’m so glad I did it’s beautifully written and easy to get drawn into if you let it it’s almost like being stuck in the loop with them I cannot wait for even more from this

[Kelly McNamee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a creative story. When I read the blurb, I was immediately interested. From the beginning the story was a little hard to get into, but once you kept reading it was so good. I loved the ending

[Aimee Stortz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written, quick read book that had me confused in the best way. I thought I knew what was happening and where it was going, but I was so wrong. Great book!

[Casey Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read I love that it had a paranormal element to it which are my type of books to read it had me interested in the book once I started reading I had to find out what was going to happen next awesome read would recommend 5star for me 😊

[Mescha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Very mind twisting and psychological, the slow reveal of the twist and story leaves you wanting to know more and the ending was shocking but you can't help but feel somewhat satisfied.

[Brittney Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had a lot of detail, the bar sounded like a great place to be. It also didn't make much sense until the end. Once it all came together, i was like OH. So yea, it was really good, eventually.

[Charlene's Bookish Archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this was creepy in a completely different way. 😳 Thursday Night at Henry's takes a simple setting, a bar that should be empty and turns it into a seriously unsettling psychological nightmare.

The premise immediately grabbed me. Timothy returns to Henry's Bar expecting to finish dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy, only to discover the place is somehow operating exactly as it did before. The lights are on, the regulars are back, the karaoke is playing… except everyone inside is dead.

And Timothy knows exactly why.

What I really enjoyed was that the horror isn't just about the supernatural situation surrounding the bar. It's about guilt, revenge, obsession and the stories we tell ourselves to justify the things we've done. Timothy is forced to confront the consequences of his choices, and the longer he remains trapped inside, the more his version of events begins to unravel.

The atmosphere was probably my favourite part. There's something incredibly unsettling about taking an ordinary, familiar place and making it feel completely wrong. A bar full of familiar faces should feel welcoming, but here it becomes claustrophobic and increasingly disturbing.

I also liked the mystery surrounding what is actually happening. Why can't Timothy leave? Why are the dead still there? And, perhaps most importantly, can he trust his own understanding of what happened?

For a novella, it packs a surprising amount into its story. It's psychological horror rather than relying purely on shock value, and the tension comes from watching Timothy slowly realise that he may have to face much more than he expected.

A dark, unsettling and atmospheric psychological horror about revenge, guilt and consequences that refuse to stay buried.

If you enjoy supernatural mysteries, morally complicated characters, claustrophobic settings and psychological horror that gets inside your head, this is definitely worth picking up.

And let's just say… I don't think I'll ever look at a quiet bar with the same confidence again. 👀🍺

[Curt Dunnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thursday Night at Henry's" by Ella J. Hodet and Alan M. Hodet is an enjoyable 4-star read!
Timothy Hetfield returns one final time to the bar he once ran after taking it over from his father, Henry. However, the evening turns out to be nothing like he expected.

While some novellas can feel rushed, this one is paced perfectly. The story gradually reveals
Timothy's past as events unfold in the present, allowing everything to come together naturally without leaving important questions unanswered. It also serves as a thoughtful reminder that our actions have consequences.

Overall, this was a satisfying novella, and I look forward to reading more from these authors.

Thanks to Ella J. Hodet and Alan M. Hodet for providing me with a free copy of this book and the opportunity to share my voluntary and honest review.

[Melissa Monte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thursday Night at Henry’s kept surprising me. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen there was another little twist that proved me wrong. I really liked everyone at the bar and I was invested even though there were several. I also kept thinking I bet Timothy is sorry now! Loved the ending for him.

The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts. It felt warm yet claustrophobic which was perfect for a psych horror novella. It was also easy to follow without ever feeling generic.

My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer. I would have loved to spend more time with these characters and this stories. I definitely recommend this to psych horror fans. Ready for book 2!

[Lisa Partington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful, unsettling short read.

I really enjoyed the slow-building horror of Thursday Night at Henry’s, especially Timothy’s dawning realisation that he can’t simply walk out of the nightmare he has found himself in. The story is short enough to read in one sitting — it took me about two hours — but it still feels complete, with plenty of tension packed into its 130 pages.

The clock imagery worked particularly well for me. I found myself checking my own clocks to make sure they hadn’t skipped a beat.

I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A typical day slowly turns into something totally unexpected and unbelievable for the MMC in this story . This story gives off feelings of dread and sadness throughout the entire book. Turns out, there is certainly a good reason to be unhappy. And, the reader definitely finds out why. I felt sorry for the MMC having taken actions he never should have, for many reasons. This novella was well-written, easy to follow and moved at a quick pace. It was a bit spooky, angsty and intense. I enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend this short book.

[Nikki B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thursday Night At Henry's was a really short, paranormal, psychological horror story. It's one of those stories that is twisty with that air of disturbance. I love that even though it was a very entertaining story about Timothys' past and the decisions he made and the guilt he carried, there was also a very valuable lesson to be learned in there! I enjoyed the chilling, eerie vibe to the story. For a quick read, I thought this was pretty well put together. I enjoyed it.

[Mirjam De · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little bit to get into the writing style, but English is not my main language. Yet by the end of chapter one I was already curious on what would happen next.
Without giving anything away, the end is really not what you'd expect, in a positive way.
Good psychological suspense, I am absolutely recommending!

[Jen Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read is like working a puzzle box (in the best way!) We follow our main character as he makes one last visit to his late Father's bar, and it turns into a Twilight Zone-esque evening. If you enjoy twisty psychological horror with paranormal elements, give this novella a read!

[LashayBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short suspenseful and a bit disturbing. Keep me on the edge of my seat.