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Condemned in Carcosa
There are places into which darkness won’t follow you. Places where something worse is already waiting.
Still running, Travis and Leslie take shelter in a crumbling mansion deep in the woods. A place their pursuers won't approach, which should be reassuring but isn't.
The house has its own agenda. Its doors don't open the way they came in. Its walls hold visions of the past that don't stay past. And somewhere in its rooms, a journal describes a dinner party that ended in a way nobody wrote down.
The King in Yellow is patient. He has been patient for a very long time.
Travis Daniels has survived a cult, a wilderness, and his own unraveling sense of reality.
Condemned in Carcosa asks the question none of the previous cases did.
What if there's no getting out of this one?
For fans of Robert W. Chambers, H.P. Lovecraft, and horror that closes in from every direction at once.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!
Still running, Travis and Leslie take shelter in a crumbling mansion deep in the woods. A place their pursuers won't approach, which should be reassuring but isn't.
The house has its own agenda. Its doors don't open the way they came in. Its walls hold visions of the past that don't stay past. And somewhere in its rooms, a journal describes a dinner party that ended in a way nobody wrote down.
The King in Yellow is patient. He has been patient for a very long time.
Travis Daniels has survived a cult, a wilderness, and his own unraveling sense of reality.
Condemned in Carcosa asks the question none of the previous cases did.
What if there's no getting out of this one?
For fans of Robert W. Chambers, H.P. Lovecraft, and horror that closes in from every direction at once.
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!
- GenresHorror
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 1, 2026
Overall, this was an immensely enjoyable continuation in the series. That this works so well as a standalone, where it manages to foregoes the adventures the couple has been on previously with a recap of their other missions that would've worked as a great refresher for previous readers to catch up on what happened or to turn into a chance for newcomers to get up-to-date on what their past stories, keeps up the previous traditions of starting everything on it's own story. This takes a fun turn away from the previous entries by offering their arrival and investigations with a new haunted house storyline that's immensely fun to explore, taking on the traditional tropes of the genre while introducing the kind of supernatural Lovecraftian-style that's incredibly satisfying overall.
That satisfaction comes about even more with the attention to the tone present here, as the same mixture of crime/noir-style interactions that the investigators partake in while also offering the kind of cosmic horror action that has been integrated since the beginning continues to be explored. Focused on their interactions at the abandoned mansion, where their slowly-dawning realization about the demonic forces controlling their stay in the house and how it all connects to the journey so far, this offers the chance to go into a surreal mixture at times with the interactions they endure, and the end result is a rather enjoyable time. With a zippy, brief reading time that makes for an immersive time that does have a minor issue in that there's little time to explain things, so a lot of the particulars in the story seem a bit overwhelming, this becomes a great time with a lot to like about it.
5/5
That satisfaction comes about even more with the attention to the tone present here, as the same mixture of crime/noir-style interactions that the investigators partake in while also offering the kind of cosmic horror action that has been integrated since the beginning continues to be explored. Focused on their interactions at the abandoned mansion, where their slowly-dawning realization about the demonic forces controlling their stay in the house and how it all connects to the journey so far, this offers the chance to go into a surreal mixture at times with the interactions they endure, and the end result is a rather enjoyable time. With a zippy, brief reading time that makes for an immersive time that does have a minor issue in that there's little time to explain things, so a lot of the particulars in the story seem a bit overwhelming, this becomes a great time with a lot to like about it.
5/5
August 1, 2026
I found out after I started reading that this book is part of a series. I was reluctant to begin reading since I had not read the books before. Turns out, this book can be a standalone story. There are hints and implications of previous situations for Travis and Leslie but the story had enough bite to draw myself into the story. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Travis and Leslie. From clues in the story, these two have quite the history together. Now I want to read the other books in the series because I am really intrigued. I really enjoy stories with the occult, parallel dimensions and stopping the end to the world. So if this will be the storyline with the other books, I am all for it.
August 17, 2026
The third installment in the 'Travis Daniels' series did not disappoint. It was a quick, creepy read that blended 'King in Yellow' mythos with the vibes of a cosmic horror 'Clue'. I really enjoyed it and hope for more stories from this world. 4.25⭐️
August 3, 2026
Condemned in Carcosa by JP Behrens
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What a fun continuation of the Travis Daniel’s mystery! I was not expecting a sequel that dove into the haunted house trope but with JP’s well developed prose around the mystery it was very well executed. I loved the background we got on Mandeville. Travis is an exceptional character and the descent into madness was very fun to experience as a reader.
The way this one was written with the diary entries was an intriguing layer in the already intricate mystery. I really liked the parallels in this one and can’t wait to see how the story continues to develop.
Highly recommend reading the series in order to fully understand how intricate the overall storyline is.
Thank you JP and Crystal Lake for the ARC!!
August 5, 2026
Brilliant Take!
Detective Daniels and Lestlie have found an old abandoned house to lay low in.
However, this house is far more than it appears, and just entering it may have doomed the entire universe.
A very brilliant take with Robert Chambers mythology.
I love this series!
Detective Daniels and Lestlie have found an old abandoned house to lay low in.
However, this house is far more than it appears, and just entering it may have doomed the entire universe.
A very brilliant take with Robert Chambers mythology.
I love this series!
Read
July 24, 2026I gave this a 4/5. I enjoyed the plot and the witchy "woowooness". I can't wait to dive into other realms.
August 16, 2026
and now we firmly return to the world of the mythos of Cthulhu with not only style of the story but the characters although I do think that there is an element of setting up a larger story to be explore later (well that is my hope at least),
The story this time is more a mystery and has some very interesting ideas which I have to say I feel are a homage (rather than a rip off) to some of the classic writers of the original stories.
It is wise not to forget the roots of this story and where ( and I suspect why) the inspiration for this story comes from.
The question is will we see more from this series - I for one sincerely hope so.
The story this time is more a mystery and has some very interesting ideas which I have to say I feel are a homage (rather than a rip off) to some of the classic writers of the original stories.
It is wise not to forget the roots of this story and where ( and I suspect why) the inspiration for this story comes from.
The question is will we see more from this series - I for one sincerely hope so.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Leslie and Travis are locked inside a house. With no ways to escape they just have to wait. It has been a while since the house had any living visitors. The house finally has an audience to share a ghostly tale with.
It is a quick novella. There is a story within the story. If you like to read about haunted houses this could be the book for you
August 1, 2026
Interesting take on the Play
I'm glad to finally have another Travis Daniels story! This one was a fun, Clue-like take on the King in Yellow play.
This is short so it takes no time getting into things. A Lovecraft or Chambers fan will definitely have fun with this one. I just wish we got a little more of the game being played.
I'm glad to finally have another Travis Daniels story! This one was a fun, Clue-like take on the King in Yellow play.
This is short so it takes no time getting into things. A Lovecraft or Chambers fan will definitely have fun with this one. I just wish we got a little more of the game being played.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
JP Behrens, perhaps best known for Portrait Of A Nuclear Family, returns with the latest entry in the Travis Daniels Investigations series. For those unacquainted with these books, they are set in late 1920s America and are best described as a mix of hard-boiled noir and Lovecraftian terror. Think a Philip Marlowe story if the detective were dropped into the world of In The Mouth Of Madness.
It's a little tough to explain fully what this story is about without spoiling the others in the series as well. In general terms, this is a haunted house story that leans towards the surreal and, as with the other Travis Daniels Investigations, the cosmic side of horror. It takes place in an abandoned mansion strongly implied to be called Carcosa, which is a hint that this moves a little further outside of the Lovecraft influence. There are nods to Robert W. Chambers' story collection The King In Yellow, and the fictional play of the same name plays a big part in the narrative.
This isn't a book you should use as your introduction to the series, honestly. It directly follows on from the events of book two, which does the same from book one, and there is little in the way of recaps or anything to bring you up to speed. If you've read the previous books, then you'll likely already know if you want to pick this up – I can say it's just as good as the other entries in the series.
If you haven't read them and they sound interesting to you, I would recommend giving them a try. They're all novella length; I found them quick and engaging reads, not quite single-sitting but not far off. The first especially is fantastic, and I'll happily follow Behrens and Daniels into the fourth instalment as soon as I possibly can.
It's a little tough to explain fully what this story is about without spoiling the others in the series as well. In general terms, this is a haunted house story that leans towards the surreal and, as with the other Travis Daniels Investigations, the cosmic side of horror. It takes place in an abandoned mansion strongly implied to be called Carcosa, which is a hint that this moves a little further outside of the Lovecraft influence. There are nods to Robert W. Chambers' story collection The King In Yellow, and the fictional play of the same name plays a big part in the narrative.
This isn't a book you should use as your introduction to the series, honestly. It directly follows on from the events of book two, which does the same from book one, and there is little in the way of recaps or anything to bring you up to speed. If you've read the previous books, then you'll likely already know if you want to pick this up – I can say it's just as good as the other entries in the series.
If you haven't read them and they sound interesting to you, I would recommend giving them a try. They're all novella length; I found them quick and engaging reads, not quite single-sitting but not far off. The first especially is fantastic, and I'll happily follow Behrens and Daniels into the fourth instalment as soon as I possibly can.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a haunting and thrilling next adventure set in the world of Travis Daniels. Right from the start, danger looms around every corner for Travis and Leslie and leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering how they're going to solve this latest mystery. I loved this entry and can't wait to see what comes next!
Thank you Crystal Lake for gifting me a copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Thank you Crystal Lake for gifting me a copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a very good book. The plot was really interesting and the characters were so varied that it made the whole story come alive. I love books that make me want to read a book that’s mentioned and this definitely happened with this story. I enjoyed both of the main characters’ development and changing and thought the supernatural elements were very well done throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable story in this very good series.
August 4, 2026
Condemned in Carcosa is book 3 in the Travis Daniels Invastigations series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Travis and Leslie are locked inside a haunted mansion called Carcosa. The house gives off sentient vibes with spooks, chills, and ghostly apparitions. The story is a quick read and you fly through it, but I did find myself having a bit of a hard time trying to keep my focus. It was a little bit slower in pacing than what I like but the story was a great read
Travis and Leslie are locked inside a haunted mansion called Carcosa. The house gives off sentient vibes with spooks, chills, and ghostly apparitions. The story is a quick read and you fly through it, but I did find myself having a bit of a hard time trying to keep my focus. It was a little bit slower in pacing than what I like but the story was a great read
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fast paced and intriguing, CONDEMNED IN CARCOSA had me hooked from the very beginning. Although this is my introduction to Travis Daniels in book 3, I'm already excited to continue reading what else Behrens has in store for our detective, and also I'm excited to go back and read the first 2 books!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews