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The Keeper
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26245 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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 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
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
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
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 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
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.
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
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 received from Author
This is Matt Clark creepiest book yet! As a mother, this story was particularly chilling. The story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. As with all of Matt's books, the characters are written SO well that felt like they were people that I know. You do NOT want to miss this one.This book will have you sleeping with the lights on!
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The horror smacks you in the face in the opener and then drops to a simmer, with Clark cranking up the heat bit by bit until the explosive ending. I really cared for the characters even as they were making mistake after mistake. The plot points are familiar, but done with excellent care and craft!
The horror smacks you in the face in the opener and then drops to a simmer, with Clark cranking up the heat bit by bit until the explosive ending. I really cared for the characters even as they were making mistake after mistake. The plot points are familiar, but done with excellent care and craft!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to BookSirens, Matt Clark, and the publisher for granting me access to this ARC.
The author is a very good writer!! The introduction to the story of the house was very intriguing as well. However, it felt a little too reminiscent of the Watcher in New Jersey. It was a little predictable for me, but still a good read!
The author is a very good writer!! The introduction to the story of the house was very intriguing as well. However, it felt a little too reminiscent of the Watcher in New Jersey. It was a little predictable for me, but still a good read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's a keeper!
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