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The Keeper
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy
Olivia and Brent move into their beautiful home in Charleston, hoping for a new start.
The house at 124 Aldrich is perfect. Just the right size for a family, but why did the other families leave so suddenly? It was someone’s dream home, and Olivia and Brent have to save their family before the house takes over.
This book is creepy, scary, and disturbing from page one, and it just keeps getting better… Try to put this book down, I dare you…..
This book made me never want to go in my basement again- A well paced, must read horror thriller.
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The house at 124 Aldrich is perfect. Just the right size for a family, but why did the other families leave so suddenly? It was someone’s dream home, and Olivia and Brent have to save their family before the house takes over.
This book is creepy, scary, and disturbing from page one, and it just keeps getting better… Try to put this book down, I dare you…..
This book made me never want to go in my basement again- A well paced, must read horror thriller.
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2026
I read The Keeper by author Matt Clark.
Brent and Olivia Parker have bought their dream home. The got such a deal on a magnificent old classic home. This is the place they will start to grow their family. Olivia is expecting again..after a heartbreaking miscarriage. This will be the home that heals them…..
They do not know the house’s secrets. It’s….complicated history. When letters begin coming from The Keeper saying the house and everything in it is spoken for they hope initially it’s some weird prank. It’s not.
I need to talk to someone about this book. I need to process this. A ‘creepy as…heck’…support group. I read a lot of horror and spooky tales. This…this story had me like “how can it be like this already at 1% in”! And then it decides to just keep on going. Building. Dread. Dark. Cold. Suspense. What’s real? Twists! Creepy doll, creepy song, creepy letters, creepy fog! …..all the things I love in a horror book and then get mad because I get so spooked out. And that does NOT happen often.
For me…this had Stephen King feels. The kind of breath holding gut not right vibes of The Shining, Salems Lot. For me it was what I love so much…classic timeless universally scary terror…set in the place that is supposed to be our sanctuary. Our home. Atmospheric. Characters I seamlessly invested in. And ones I wanted destroyed. The palpable tension and hesitancy to hope.
That’s it. No notes. Read it. Not at night.
Definitely recommend!
I received an advance reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Brent and Olivia Parker have bought their dream home. The got such a deal on a magnificent old classic home. This is the place they will start to grow their family. Olivia is expecting again..after a heartbreaking miscarriage. This will be the home that heals them…..
They do not know the house’s secrets. It’s….complicated history. When letters begin coming from The Keeper saying the house and everything in it is spoken for they hope initially it’s some weird prank. It’s not.
I need to talk to someone about this book. I need to process this. A ‘creepy as…heck’…support group. I read a lot of horror and spooky tales. This…this story had me like “how can it be like this already at 1% in”! And then it decides to just keep on going. Building. Dread. Dark. Cold. Suspense. What’s real? Twists! Creepy doll, creepy song, creepy letters, creepy fog! …..all the things I love in a horror book and then get mad because I get so spooked out. And that does NOT happen often.
For me…this had Stephen King feels. The kind of breath holding gut not right vibes of The Shining, Salems Lot. For me it was what I love so much…classic timeless universally scary terror…set in the place that is supposed to be our sanctuary. Our home. Atmospheric. Characters I seamlessly invested in. And ones I wanted destroyed. The palpable tension and hesitancy to hope.
That’s it. No notes. Read it. Not at night.
Definitely recommend!
I received an advance reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
September 2, 2026
ARC book
It’s giving The Watcher, a tv show I really enjoyed. And I started off really enjoying this one, but then my interest slipped as I continued. What’s strong here for the most part is the writing itself. There are some pacing issues in some spots but the actual horror scenes are written quite eloquently. What I found difficult to relate to were the main characters. This book falls for the typical horror movie problem — why don’t they just leave the house?! Granted they do about a third of the way in, but from the first instance I would’ve been out of there. Overall, if you’re interested in reading some scary scenes this book is for you. I would have been gripped more if there had been more character developed and a bit more deepening of the plot overall.
It’s giving The Watcher, a tv show I really enjoyed. And I started off really enjoying this one, but then my interest slipped as I continued. What’s strong here for the most part is the writing itself. There are some pacing issues in some spots but the actual horror scenes are written quite eloquently. What I found difficult to relate to were the main characters. This book falls for the typical horror movie problem — why don’t they just leave the house?! Granted they do about a third of the way in, but from the first instance I would’ve been out of there. Overall, if you’re interested in reading some scary scenes this book is for you. I would have been gripped more if there had been more character developed and a bit more deepening of the plot overall.
September 9, 2026
I picked this book randomly because I love horror, and it did not disappoint. The story pulled me in right away, I finished it quickly. The creepy factor was on point. It had me jumping at random noises and shadows in my own home! But that is exactly what I am looking for in a scary book/story. I enjoyed it so I have already recommended it to someone else! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2026
This was an arc read for me and oh my was it a ride! I highly recommend if you want non stop twists, suspense and intrigue. I couldn't put this one down, I had to know more. I let out several breaths I didn't know I was holding and by the end, I wanted a cigarette and I don't even smoke!
Thank you Mr. Clark.
Thank you Mr. Clark.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Keeper is one of those books where there’s quite a lot that I liked, but I came away feeling a little conflicted about it.
The strongest part for me was the atmosphere. The old house is a fantastic setting for a horror story. From the moment Olivia and Brent move in, there’s this constant feeling that something is wrong, and I thought the book did a good job of making the house itself feel like a character. The basement, the strange noises, the letters, the things appearing where they shouldn’t be; there are some genuinely creepy moments throughout. I also really liked the way the supernatural elements gradually became more prominent rather than everything being explained immediately.
There are some really unsettling ideas here as well, particularly the connection between the house, pregnancy and the “blood of innocence.” Some of the imagery gets pretty nasty, and there were definitely moments where the book managed to make me uncomfortable in exactly the way a horror novel should.
I also enjoyed the different threads of the story. The historical sections, particularly the glimpses into the house’s past, helped build the sense that what was happening to Olivia and Brent wasn’t just some random haunting. Detective Meeks was another character I enjoyed, and I liked having someone investigating the strange events from outside Olivia and Brent’s increasingly distorted perspective.
Where I struggled was with the pacing and some of the character decisions. There were stretches where I felt like the story was circling the same revelations without moving things forward quite as quickly as I’d have liked. At the same time, when the story finally does start accelerating, it becomes very intense, and I sometimes felt like the transition from slow-burn haunted-house horror to full-on supernatural nightmare was a little abrupt.
I also found myself getting frustrated with the characters at times. There are several moments where I was internally screaming at them to just leave, tell someone, or make what seemed like the obvious decision. Their decisions pulled me out of the story rather than increasing the tension.
The final act is probably where I’m most divided. There are some great horror sequences and some genuinely disturbing imagery, but I think I preferred the earlier sections when the nature of the threat was more mysterious. Once everything starts being revealed, some of the ambiguity and creepiness that had made the first half so effective was lost for me.
That said, I did enjoy the book overall. The setting is excellent, there are some genuinely creepy moments, and the central idea behind the haunting is interesting. It just didn’t quite hit the mark consistently enough for me to go higher than three stars.
A solid supernatural horror read with a great creepy-house atmosphere, some memorable imagery and plenty of unsettling moments, just one where I think the execution was a little uneven.
The Keeper is one of those books where there’s quite a lot that I liked, but I came away feeling a little conflicted about it.
The strongest part for me was the atmosphere. The old house is a fantastic setting for a horror story. From the moment Olivia and Brent move in, there’s this constant feeling that something is wrong, and I thought the book did a good job of making the house itself feel like a character. The basement, the strange noises, the letters, the things appearing where they shouldn’t be; there are some genuinely creepy moments throughout. I also really liked the way the supernatural elements gradually became more prominent rather than everything being explained immediately.
There are some really unsettling ideas here as well, particularly the connection between the house, pregnancy and the “blood of innocence.” Some of the imagery gets pretty nasty, and there were definitely moments where the book managed to make me uncomfortable in exactly the way a horror novel should.
I also enjoyed the different threads of the story. The historical sections, particularly the glimpses into the house’s past, helped build the sense that what was happening to Olivia and Brent wasn’t just some random haunting. Detective Meeks was another character I enjoyed, and I liked having someone investigating the strange events from outside Olivia and Brent’s increasingly distorted perspective.
Where I struggled was with the pacing and some of the character decisions. There were stretches where I felt like the story was circling the same revelations without moving things forward quite as quickly as I’d have liked. At the same time, when the story finally does start accelerating, it becomes very intense, and I sometimes felt like the transition from slow-burn haunted-house horror to full-on supernatural nightmare was a little abrupt.
I also found myself getting frustrated with the characters at times. There are several moments where I was internally screaming at them to just leave, tell someone, or make what seemed like the obvious decision. Their decisions pulled me out of the story rather than increasing the tension.
The final act is probably where I’m most divided. There are some great horror sequences and some genuinely disturbing imagery, but I think I preferred the earlier sections when the nature of the threat was more mysterious. Once everything starts being revealed, some of the ambiguity and creepiness that had made the first half so effective was lost for me.
That said, I did enjoy the book overall. The setting is excellent, there are some genuinely creepy moments, and the central idea behind the haunting is interesting. It just didn’t quite hit the mark consistently enough for me to go higher than three stars.
A solid supernatural horror read with a great creepy-house atmosphere, some memorable imagery and plenty of unsettling moments, just one where I think the execution was a little uneven.
Review of advance copy
I don't hand out five stars very often, but this one earned it.
I picked this up because I love haunted house horror, and I figured I knew what I was getting into. I was wrong.
This book got under my skin in a way that doesn't happen often anymore. There were multiple nights where I told myself, "One more chapter," and then looked at the clock an hour later. Once things really start happening in the house, it becomes almost impossible to put down.
What I loved most was that the story doesn't rush. It lets you sit with the dread. The letters were creepy enough on their own, but then every new discovery somehow made everything worse. I kept thinking I had a handle on where the story was going, and I really didn't.
Brent and Olivia actually felt like people. They're carrying so much baggage before anything supernatural even starts happening, and that made me care about what happened to them. Their relationship felt believable, which isn't something I can say about a lot of horror novels.
The house was probably my favorite character. It never felt like just a setting. Every room had me waiting for something awful to happen.
I also have to mention the ending because horror endings are tough to pull off. I won't spoil anything, but I was nervous going into the last fifty pages because so many horror books fumble the ending after building up all that tension. This one didn't. It stuck the landing for me, and the last chapter left me sitting there for a minute after I finished it.
If I had one complaint, it's that there were a few places where the writing got a little too lyrical for me. Not enough to hurt the book, just enough that I noticed it once or twice. Honestly, that's about all I can nitpick.
If you're into creepy haunted house stories with supernatural horror, mystery, and characters you actually care about, I think you'll have a great time with this. I'll definitely be reading whatever this author writes next.
I picked this up because I love haunted house horror, and I figured I knew what I was getting into. I was wrong.
This book got under my skin in a way that doesn't happen often anymore. There were multiple nights where I told myself, "One more chapter," and then looked at the clock an hour later. Once things really start happening in the house, it becomes almost impossible to put down.
What I loved most was that the story doesn't rush. It lets you sit with the dread. The letters were creepy enough on their own, but then every new discovery somehow made everything worse. I kept thinking I had a handle on where the story was going, and I really didn't.
Brent and Olivia actually felt like people. They're carrying so much baggage before anything supernatural even starts happening, and that made me care about what happened to them. Their relationship felt believable, which isn't something I can say about a lot of horror novels.
The house was probably my favorite character. It never felt like just a setting. Every room had me waiting for something awful to happen.
I also have to mention the ending because horror endings are tough to pull off. I won't spoil anything, but I was nervous going into the last fifty pages because so many horror books fumble the ending after building up all that tension. This one didn't. It stuck the landing for me, and the last chapter left me sitting there for a minute after I finished it.
If I had one complaint, it's that there were a few places where the writing got a little too lyrical for me. Not enough to hurt the book, just enough that I noticed it once or twice. Honestly, that's about all I can nitpick.
If you're into creepy haunted house stories with supernatural horror, mystery, and characters you actually care about, I think you'll have a great time with this. I'll definitely be reading whatever this author writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Charleston South Carolina 2025
The house on Aldrich Road sat empty in the cold, and waited. Evil is patient.
Brent and Olivia just wanted a fresh start in the beautiful home at 124 Aldrich Road. It was the first house Olivia had loved at first sight and she couldn't believe it was so affordable. That should have been the first clue that all was not well. They should have run and never looked back.
Oh my goodness! Where do I begin? I've seen other reviewers call The Keeper a haunted house story but 124 Aldrich is not haunted; it's possessed. It knows what it wants. The Prologue was blood-soaked and frightening; so frightening I had to turn on my overhead light. There were too many dark corners and shadows in my room. After the gruesome opening, things calmed down but the tension and uneasiness began to grow as we find out more about the history of the house, as well as, Brent and Olivia. The story picked up steam at roughly 60% and it was a truly terrifying ride until the end!
I cried at one point in the book. It wasn't a death or anything, it was just a moment that hit close to home. The themes of trauma, grief, guilt, and a longing for what could have been felt real and anchored the supernatural aspects of the story. The characters were likeable and well written (they do make some questionable decisions though), the twists were unexpected, and the conclusion...you'll have to read it to find out! If you are looking for a good, old-fashioned, truly scary story, look no further. The Keeper will be released on September 1, 2026. Don't sleep on this one!
Many thanks to Matt Clark and Bloom and Bone Press for the opportunity to read this story in advance of the publication date. My review is voluntary and no compensation was received.
The house on Aldrich Road sat empty in the cold, and waited. Evil is patient.
Brent and Olivia just wanted a fresh start in the beautiful home at 124 Aldrich Road. It was the first house Olivia had loved at first sight and she couldn't believe it was so affordable. That should have been the first clue that all was not well. They should have run and never looked back.
Oh my goodness! Where do I begin? I've seen other reviewers call The Keeper a haunted house story but 124 Aldrich is not haunted; it's possessed. It knows what it wants. The Prologue was blood-soaked and frightening; so frightening I had to turn on my overhead light. There were too many dark corners and shadows in my room. After the gruesome opening, things calmed down but the tension and uneasiness began to grow as we find out more about the history of the house, as well as, Brent and Olivia. The story picked up steam at roughly 60% and it was a truly terrifying ride until the end!
I cried at one point in the book. It wasn't a death or anything, it was just a moment that hit close to home. The themes of trauma, grief, guilt, and a longing for what could have been felt real and anchored the supernatural aspects of the story. The characters were likeable and well written (they do make some questionable decisions though), the twists were unexpected, and the conclusion...you'll have to read it to find out! If you are looking for a good, old-fashioned, truly scary story, look no further. The Keeper will be released on September 1, 2026. Don't sleep on this one!
Many thanks to Matt Clark and Bloom and Bone Press for the opportunity to read this story in advance of the publication date. My review is voluntary and no compensation was received.
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC for this one!
Oh my..I loved this one..so much...I went in blind, didn't even know what the story was nor what genre this belonged to, but oh my..
This is a horror story that doesn’t just creep—it gives you nightmares. Clark’s story builds with relentless tension, pulling you into a world where dread is the air itself. The narrative is sharp, the pacing tight, and every chapter feels like a step deeper into a nightmare you just can’t wake up from.
The villainous entity at the heart of the book is so unique. A figure of smoke and eyes that glow with menace, it’s less a character than a force of nature, a clear embodiment of fear itself. Making it one of the most chilling antagonists I’ve read in recent horror. I found myself haunted by images and moments long after finishing, proof of how deeply the book burrows under your skin.
Brent and Olivia, the central characters, ground the terror with human vulnerability. Brent’s stubborn resilience and Olivia’s quiet strength make them compelling anchors, their emotional arcs pulling you deeper into the Keeper’s shadow. Together, they give the story its heart, even as that heart is constantly under siege.
What struck me most is how cinematic the whole experience feels. The imagery is vivid, the suspense finely tuned, and the villain iconic enough to anchor a film adaptation. I can easily imagine The Keeper on the big screen, a horror movie that would leave audiences shaken.
Oh my..I loved this one..so much...I went in blind, didn't even know what the story was nor what genre this belonged to, but oh my..
This is a horror story that doesn’t just creep—it gives you nightmares. Clark’s story builds with relentless tension, pulling you into a world where dread is the air itself. The narrative is sharp, the pacing tight, and every chapter feels like a step deeper into a nightmare you just can’t wake up from.
The villainous entity at the heart of the book is so unique. A figure of smoke and eyes that glow with menace, it’s less a character than a force of nature, a clear embodiment of fear itself. Making it one of the most chilling antagonists I’ve read in recent horror. I found myself haunted by images and moments long after finishing, proof of how deeply the book burrows under your skin.
Brent and Olivia, the central characters, ground the terror with human vulnerability. Brent’s stubborn resilience and Olivia’s quiet strength make them compelling anchors, their emotional arcs pulling you deeper into the Keeper’s shadow. Together, they give the story its heart, even as that heart is constantly under siege.
What struck me most is how cinematic the whole experience feels. The imagery is vivid, the suspense finely tuned, and the villain iconic enough to anchor a film adaptation. I can easily imagine The Keeper on the big screen, a horror movie that would leave audiences shaken.
Review of advance copy
This is a relentlessly paced full blown horror book where every chapter brings more and more terror to the story.
A man and his pregnant wife sink all their savings into a house. It seems perfect for their needs and it signifies a fresh start after a previous miscarriage.
Yeah, we all know that's not going to happen! They begin to receive creepy letters from the "keeper" of the house. Whoever or whatever it is talks about the blood of innocents and knows she's pregnant even though they've told nobody.
From there, horrifying spectars, odd music from an old radio in the basement, and deaths occur at a break neck speed and no matter where they go or what they do, this follows them, refusing to let them leave until it gets its blood of the innocent.
There are other characters which will flesh out the narrative and discover things even more terrifying than the couple thought. As the events ramp up it becomes obvious that everything they've lived for is in the balance if they can't escape.
This is way more than a haunted house book. It's evil, horrific, and the stellar pacing will keep you on the edge. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Book Sirens. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A man and his pregnant wife sink all their savings into a house. It seems perfect for their needs and it signifies a fresh start after a previous miscarriage.
Yeah, we all know that's not going to happen! They begin to receive creepy letters from the "keeper" of the house. Whoever or whatever it is talks about the blood of innocents and knows she's pregnant even though they've told nobody.
From there, horrifying spectars, odd music from an old radio in the basement, and deaths occur at a break neck speed and no matter where they go or what they do, this follows them, refusing to let them leave until it gets its blood of the innocent.
There are other characters which will flesh out the narrative and discover things even more terrifying than the couple thought. As the events ramp up it becomes obvious that everything they've lived for is in the balance if they can't escape.
This is way more than a haunted house book. It's evil, horrific, and the stellar pacing will keep you on the edge. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Book Sirens. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy
3☆
Charleston, SC 1947 - The Incident happened at 124 Aldrich Road.
2025 - Olivia and Brent moved into the long abandoned but restored house. Immediately very scary things happened.
The beginning of this novel was strong and quite scary. I was ready for a terrifying ride, but after the first quarter of the novel the energy quickly faded.
The characters were rather flat and one dimensional. Brent was a more satisfying character than Olivia. I found her to be quite bland, without much emotional depth and annoying.
I was hoping to get more of the backstory of the house and the genesis of the haunting but it was not explained. I had more unanswered questions than I like from a novel.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
Favorite Quote:
"Evil looks at the most carefully built thing in your life and wants to rip it apart. Not because it needs what's inside. Because ripping it apart is the point."
Father Alden
Charleston, SC 1947 - The Incident happened at 124 Aldrich Road.
2025 - Olivia and Brent moved into the long abandoned but restored house. Immediately very scary things happened.
The beginning of this novel was strong and quite scary. I was ready for a terrifying ride, but after the first quarter of the novel the energy quickly faded.
The characters were rather flat and one dimensional. Brent was a more satisfying character than Olivia. I found her to be quite bland, without much emotional depth and annoying.
I was hoping to get more of the backstory of the house and the genesis of the haunting but it was not explained. I had more unanswered questions than I like from a novel.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
Favorite Quote:
"Evil looks at the most carefully built thing in your life and wants to rip it apart. Not because it needs what's inside. Because ripping it apart is the point."
Father Alden
September 8, 2026
The Keeper is a creepy, atmospheric horror story that makes excellent use of the classic “dream house that turns into a nightmare” premise. Brent and Olivia's move to 124 Aldrich Road starts with hope and quickly becomes something much darker, with unsettling letters, strange occurrences, and a growing sense that they are being watched.
The atmosphere is easily the strongest part of the book. The old house, basement, disturbing messages, and steadily escalating supernatural elements create plenty of genuinely tense moments. The story also has some effective twists and an ending that will likely leave readers thinking about what they just read.
There were a few slower sections, and I would have liked a little more explanation about certain aspects of the house and its history, but overall, The Keeper is an entertaining and unsettling haunted-house horror novel. A good choice for readers who enjoy creepy houses, supernatural mysteries, and stories that build toward a dark and memorable finale.
The atmosphere is easily the strongest part of the book. The old house, basement, disturbing messages, and steadily escalating supernatural elements create plenty of genuinely tense moments. The story also has some effective twists and an ending that will likely leave readers thinking about what they just read.
There were a few slower sections, and I would have liked a little more explanation about certain aspects of the house and its history, but overall, The Keeper is an entertaining and unsettling haunted-house horror novel. A good choice for readers who enjoy creepy houses, supernatural mysteries, and stories that build toward a dark and memorable finale.
August 2, 2026
I received this book as an advance reader copy.
The keeper begins so very strong, drawing you in quite like the very house itself.
Conceptually, this book is brilliant. A plot that cannot fully be told without spoiling, but enjoyed and kept relevant all the way through.
Personally, I found the writing to lull quite a bit come the main meat of the book, becoming a little repetitive and almost akin to padding. Some parts felt more befitting to being visually displayed in a movie rather than a book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing by any means! In fact, I do fully believe that this book would do absolute wonders on a screen, something I myself would reach for to experience.
The end picks up again, in a way that keeps you on your toes. I was left wishing I had more answers, and part of me really does hope to somehow find those answers, even if it is left deliberately vague.
Overall, it was an interesting concept.
3/5*
The keeper begins so very strong, drawing you in quite like the very house itself.
Conceptually, this book is brilliant. A plot that cannot fully be told without spoiling, but enjoyed and kept relevant all the way through.
Personally, I found the writing to lull quite a bit come the main meat of the book, becoming a little repetitive and almost akin to padding. Some parts felt more befitting to being visually displayed in a movie rather than a book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing by any means! In fact, I do fully believe that this book would do absolute wonders on a screen, something I myself would reach for to experience.
The end picks up again, in a way that keeps you on your toes. I was left wishing I had more answers, and part of me really does hope to somehow find those answers, even if it is left deliberately vague.
Overall, it was an interesting concept.
3/5*
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would say this one sits around 4.25 stars for myself. This is one of those books that I could not read at night, and found that I still felt creeped out during the day while reading.
We follow Olivia and Brent with their move into a house that has some history. There are some very eerie moments in the house right off the bat that really caught my attention, and I found it was easy to feel absorbed in the house story. I found myself chewing out the characters with some of their decisions, but what horror would it be without me being the person telling them not to do things that deep down I know they are going to do!
I did find myself not feeling connected to the characters, along with some moments were a bit slower. Outside of that I really did enjoy the haunted house, the feeling of being watched, and the writing.
Thank you to the author for allowing me the chance to read an early copy in return for my honest review!
We follow Olivia and Brent with their move into a house that has some history. There are some very eerie moments in the house right off the bat that really caught my attention, and I found it was easy to feel absorbed in the house story. I found myself chewing out the characters with some of their decisions, but what horror would it be without me being the person telling them not to do things that deep down I know they are going to do!
I did find myself not feeling connected to the characters, along with some moments were a bit slower. Outside of that I really did enjoy the haunted house, the feeling of being watched, and the writing.
Thank you to the author for allowing me the chance to read an early copy in return for my honest review!
Review of advance copy
I have just finished The Keeper by Matt Clark and WOW!!
This book was addictive from the very start and was very tough to put down.
We follow Brent and Olivia into moving into a new house and what comes to be makes them question everything in their reality.
My favourite thing about this book was the way the story was described - it was told in a way where I was able to vividly picture everything that was on the page - which is what made this book so scary!
The only reason for taking off a star is I simply wanted more! Without spoiling anything - I personally wanted abit more of an explanation for a few things and was left with a few unanswered questions that I would have liked answered.
Overall I loved the book, it was spooky, it was twisty and I highly recommend you read it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was addictive from the very start and was very tough to put down.
We follow Brent and Olivia into moving into a new house and what comes to be makes them question everything in their reality.
My favourite thing about this book was the way the story was described - it was told in a way where I was able to vividly picture everything that was on the page - which is what made this book so scary!
The only reason for taking off a star is I simply wanted more! Without spoiling anything - I personally wanted abit more of an explanation for a few things and was left with a few unanswered questions that I would have liked answered.
Overall I loved the book, it was spooky, it was twisty and I highly recommend you read it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC of The Keeper by Matt Clark through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Creepy. Scary. Unsettling. This book had me nervous the entire time, constantly wondering what was going to happen next. There was this feeling of dread hanging over the story that kept me on edge and made it incredibly hard to put down.
And THAT ENDING?! 😳
I’m still a little awestruck and honestly sitting here wondering, what did I just read?! It was disturbing, unexpected, and definitely one of those endings that makes you rethink everything you just read.
I really enjoyed this one. If you like books that make you uncomfortable, keep you guessing, and leave you thinking about them after you’ve finished, The Keeper is worth adding to your list.
⭐️ 4.5/5
I’ll definitely be reading more from Matt Clark!
Creepy. Scary. Unsettling. This book had me nervous the entire time, constantly wondering what was going to happen next. There was this feeling of dread hanging over the story that kept me on edge and made it incredibly hard to put down.
And THAT ENDING?! 😳
I’m still a little awestruck and honestly sitting here wondering, what did I just read?! It was disturbing, unexpected, and definitely one of those endings that makes you rethink everything you just read.
I really enjoyed this one. If you like books that make you uncomfortable, keep you guessing, and leave you thinking about them after you’ve finished, The Keeper is worth adding to your list.
⭐️ 4.5/5
I’ll definitely be reading more from Matt Clark!
Review of advance copy
I enjoyed the book, but, to be honest, there were too many problems with the writing, so I can't recommend it as highly as I'd have liked to: troubles with the uneven pacing, the choice of phrase, and certainly the last third of the book feels rushed and too eager - as if the author had a good thing in his hands, and then went on to slowly deconstruct it. Summarized, everything would sound incredibly good ( the haunting, the historical sections, the visceral imagery, the atmosphere of dread, the overall nastiness in the author's approach to his characters), but when it comes to the execution, the book suffers (abrupt and badly prepared changes in the precise conception of the haunting's nature, excessively repetitive in the manner of reveals and twists, not all that realistic characters).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2026
Olivia and Brent fall in love with an old, beautiful house, which under normal circumstances would be out if their price range, but somehow is within their price range. That alone should have been a red flag, but after a miscarriage and now a cureent oregnancy they wanted a fresh start. When they move in, they have that feeling where something isnt right, and then bizarre things start to happen, music from strange places, letters from the keeper of the house, it's like one nightmare after another.
The story also goes between the current day and the past of the house and how they both relate to each other. It was very easy to put yourself into the characters position, and you could imagine how they fell in love with the house, as it really sets the scene for the whole story.
Thank you to #booksirene and #Matt Clark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story also goes between the current day and the past of the house and how they both relate to each other. It was very easy to put yourself into the characters position, and you could imagine how they fell in love with the house, as it really sets the scene for the whole story.
Thank you to #booksirene and #Matt Clark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
DNF at 17%
Unfortunately, The Keeper just wasn't the right fit for me. Horror is such a subjective genre, and while the premise and cover immediately caught my attention, the story itself didn't quite work for my reading taste.
The writing style didn't flow naturally for me, which made it difficult to stay immersed. I also found some of the dialogue and repeated expressions a little distracting, so I struggled to connect with the story and characters.
For readers who enjoy classic, B-movie style horror, this may be exactly what you're looking for. It simply wasn't the kind of horror I personally enjoy, so I've decided to DNF at 17%.
Wishing Matt Clark all the best with the release, and I hope this one finds the readers who'll appreciate it more than I did.
Unfortunately, The Keeper just wasn't the right fit for me. Horror is such a subjective genre, and while the premise and cover immediately caught my attention, the story itself didn't quite work for my reading taste.
The writing style didn't flow naturally for me, which made it difficult to stay immersed. I also found some of the dialogue and repeated expressions a little distracting, so I struggled to connect with the story and characters.
For readers who enjoy classic, B-movie style horror, this may be exactly what you're looking for. It simply wasn't the kind of horror I personally enjoy, so I've decided to DNF at 17%.
Wishing Matt Clark all the best with the release, and I hope this one finds the readers who'll appreciate it more than I did.
Review of advance copy
I love ghost stories; it's probably my favorite horror subgenre, so I’m naturally biased to favor them whenever one falls into my hands. But this story doesn’t need that bias to shine. It goes beyond the typical ghost story to delve into a deeper, more ancient evil.
Excellently written. Perfectly paced. Gripping from page one. Well-rounded characters. Atmospheric and terrifying. The story pulls you in with the force of a black hole. It kept me glued to my seat until I finished it. And I’m sure I’ll read it again, because it has too many layers I’ll happily peel off in successive readings. The Keeper has become one of my favorite haunted house stories.
One word: excellent.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Excellently written. Perfectly paced. Gripping from page one. Well-rounded characters. Atmospheric and terrifying. The story pulls you in with the force of a black hole. It kept me glued to my seat until I finished it. And I’m sure I’ll read it again, because it has too many layers I’ll happily peel off in successive readings. The Keeper has become one of my favorite haunted house stories.
One word: excellent.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really liked this one. I'm a sucker for haunted house stories, and this one felt like a lot of my favorite haunted house movies. There was some really good scares, and the villain was quite frightening. I really enjoyed the unique way the author described the terrifying Keeper, and the cover really helped me to visualize what this monster looked like. The opening scene was devasting, the ending was excellent, and there was plenty of scares throughout. The only reason I'm not rating this five stars is because I felt the story did drag a bit in the beginning. I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.
September 12, 2026
I received this as an ARC copy and enjoyed reading it! Married couple Brent & Olivia move into their dream home, baby on the way and excited for the future - but the former owner of the house has other plans, from beyond the grave!
I liked the premise, it definately has its creepy moments and makes you feel unsettled. The underlying theme i took from it was guilt, which has manifested into something malevolent. For a horror novel it definitely does it job on getting under your skin in parts - I would have liked a bit more from the ending, it felt like it was building up to something more but other than that, it was a good horror novel!
I liked the premise, it definately has its creepy moments and makes you feel unsettled. The underlying theme i took from it was guilt, which has manifested into something malevolent. For a horror novel it definitely does it job on getting under your skin in parts - I would have liked a bit more from the ending, it felt like it was building up to something more but other than that, it was a good horror novel!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As my first Book Sirens ARC and introduction to Matt Clark, I had high hopes. The story itself is great, the characters are well-drawn, and the atmosphere is wonderfully tense. Unfortunately, the phrasing kept tripping me up. The book relies heavily on over-description and jarringly repetitive language (such as "crawling to a crawl"). It gave the text an amateurish feel that became quite off-putting. I loved the story elements, but the writing style wasn't for me.
As my first Book Sirens ARC and introduction to Matt Clark, I had high hopes. The story itself is great, the characters are well-drawn, and the atmosphere is wonderfully tense. Unfortunately, the phrasing kept tripping me up. The book relies heavily on over-description and jarringly repetitive language (such as "crawling to a crawl"). It gave the text an amateurish feel that became quite off-putting. I loved the story elements, but the writing style wasn't for me.
Review of advance copy
I finished this book in 2 days, it's so enthralling I couldn't put it down. This book is all momentum from the start and never lets up between the action of the house , the raw emotion and details from the characters , the strange goings on I never knew what was going to happen next and the end completely blew my mind. I just thought for sure I had it figured out and that I knew what would happen but I was wrong. ''I received an advanced readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review at my leisure of my own free will."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Keeper
By Matt Clark
Pages 245
Release Date Sept 1, 2026
Knives 🔪 🔪 🔪 🔪 🔪
The Keeper keeps an eye on the house on 124 Aldrich Road. Everyone that moves in belongs to him. If only Olivia knew she wouldn't have moved in. The Keeper has his sights on her. The Keeper is going to make sure that Home Sweet Home is just a false sense of security.
This was a steady unpredictable read. I honestly was blown away at the ending. I highly recommend this book to others
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
By Matt Clark
Pages 245
Release Date Sept 1, 2026
Knives 🔪 🔪 🔪 🔪 🔪
The Keeper keeps an eye on the house on 124 Aldrich Road. Everyone that moves in belongs to him. If only Olivia knew she wouldn't have moved in. The Keeper has his sights on her. The Keeper is going to make sure that Home Sweet Home is just a false sense of security.
This was a steady unpredictable read. I honestly was blown away at the ending. I highly recommend this book to others
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Solid 3.5 book
Very interesting read that read more like watching a horror movie than reading a book. The prose was strong and descriptive, but the events didn't build from the middle onward. Which brings criticism #1. Brent and Olivia have no reason to return to the house after things go sideways. It's not believable that they stay.
Criticism #2 is that Brent and Olivia feel hollow like placeholder characters for the audience. They're very flat. Every other character felt more real.
Still an entertaining read. Very creepy story.
Very interesting read that read more like watching a horror movie than reading a book. The prose was strong and descriptive, but the events didn't build from the middle onward. Which brings criticism #1. Brent and Olivia have no reason to return to the house after things go sideways. It's not believable that they stay.
Criticism #2 is that Brent and Olivia feel hollow like placeholder characters for the audience. They're very flat. Every other character felt more real.
Still an entertaining read. Very creepy story.
Review of advance copy
As a big fan of haunted house stories, the premise of The Keeper sounded very promising. It was creepy, suspenseful and fast-paced. I loved the twist at the end. It's not just another haunted house story, it's original and definitely a must read if you want a book that will scare you and keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Im going to actually admit this book scared the crap out of me. Reading in the dark may not have been the best idea. Why the dolls? Dolls are always so so creepy.
This entity is just the worst once you are in its grasp you’re definitely not getting away!! No happy endings here. Really enjoyed it and seriously made me feel so uncomfortable and jumpy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entity is just the worst once you are in its grasp you’re definitely not getting away!! No happy endings here. Really enjoyed it and seriously made me feel so uncomfortable and jumpy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This one didn't really work for me. The premise was intriguing and I liked the creepy cover art, so I really thought I would have a scary good time reading it. Unfortunately, I ended up being mostly bored, somewhat confused and a little annoyed by the hodge podge of many "borrowed" horror movie concepts. It wasn't a poorly written book, it just didn't turn out as I hoped.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Have you ever fallen in love with a house? Would you ignore all that is warning you to leave?
The Parkers move into a beautiful to them house and start receiving messages, letters. From The Keeper. Telling them they know. And they are watching.
A great haunted/stalker aspect to this story. Will make you rethink moving into a too good to be true house.
I received this book for free from Booksirens
The Parkers move into a beautiful to them house and start receiving messages, letters. From The Keeper. Telling them they know. And they are watching.
A great haunted/stalker aspect to this story. Will make you rethink moving into a too good to be true house.
I received this book for free from Booksirens
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