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They Can Come Back
THEY CAN COME BACK is a Southern Gothic horror novel that blends literary suspense, Appalachian folklore, psychological horror, and speculative science into a haunting story of grief, love, faith, and the dangerous hope of second chances.
Three years after an earthquake changed the mountain town of Harrow Creek, North Carolina, unexplained events continue to challenge everything doctors, scientists, and lifelong residents thought they understood. Drawn home by questions no one has been able to answer, oncologist Alex McCreary finds himself caught between empirical truth and impossible experience as old secrets begin to surface beneath Harrow Mountain.
Atmospheric, emotionally resonant, and quietly terrifying, THEY CAN COME BACK is a slow-burning exploration of love, loss, obsession, and the lengths we will go to reclaim what has been taken from us.
Perfect for readers of The Fisherman, Revival, The Passage, The Southern Reach Trilogy, and The Only Good Indians.
Three years after an earthquake changed the mountain town of Harrow Creek, North Carolina, unexplained events continue to challenge everything doctors, scientists, and lifelong residents thought they understood. Drawn home by questions no one has been able to answer, oncologist Alex McCreary finds himself caught between empirical truth and impossible experience as old secrets begin to surface beneath Harrow Mountain.
Atmospheric, emotionally resonant, and quietly terrifying, THEY CAN COME BACK is a slow-burning exploration of love, loss, obsession, and the lengths we will go to reclaim what has been taken from us.
Perfect for readers of The Fisherman, Revival, The Passage, The Southern Reach Trilogy, and The Only Good Indians.
655 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2026
About the author
Scott Ivey
1 book1 followerScott Ivey is a lifelong Southerner whose stories are rooted in the landscapes, folklore, and quiet mysteries of the American South. A professional musician, graphic designer, and lifelong storyteller, he has spent decades traveling the region's back roads, collecting the kinds of places and histories that linger long after they've been forgotten.
His debut novel, THEY CAN COME BACK, blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with literary horror, exploring grief, faith, memory, and the things that refuse to stay buried.
He lives in Alabama with his family and continues to write stories where ordinary places hide extraordinary secrets.
His debut novel, THEY CAN COME BACK, blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with literary horror, exploring grief, faith, memory, and the things that refuse to stay buried.
He lives in Alabama with his family and continues to write stories where ordinary places hide extraordinary secrets.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book took me out of my normal genre. This was my first supernatural gothic horror read and I loved it. It had my mind racing as to what was happening and going to happen. Dr. Alex McCreary was a wonderful character that you were routing for throughout the book. The oncologist who sees his sister's cancer disappearing he went back to find out how. This was a spellbinding story you didn't want to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok im not going to lie this book starts off slow. To the point I almost DNF'd it. Im so glad I gave it a few more pages. Once you got to the end of part 1, it all started to take shape. It is also where the story got hold of my curiosity by the throat and did not let go. A lot of time has been put into the characters in this story. I found myself wanting to hate some them for there flaws but couldn't. I don't particularly like zombie type books, so this one really surprised me. This isn't your typical zombie story and it didn't end in the typical way. Definitely worth a read if you are wanting something a little different to the normal "eat brains" type zombie/small town story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Scott for the ARC of this book, I happily give my honest opinion.
A very good read. I thought the author did a good job setting the scene and discribing a quaint town in that area of North Carolina. (I was just up that way visiting my sister.) The characters are likeable, quirky, and flawed. The town warm and friendly - until it wasn't!
There's a secret hidden deep in the soil, rock, and water that's part miracle and part nightmare. I loved that this story not only told a chilly tale, but it also examined humanity in the different reactions of the main characters to the horrors of this town. I completely felt Julie's panic when she and Alex were trying to get Cody out of this town, felt their heartbreak when they realized they couldn't! I did a lot of nail- biting! The ending was a total surprise. Well done!
A very good read. I thought the author did a good job setting the scene and discribing a quaint town in that area of North Carolina. (I was just up that way visiting my sister.) The characters are likeable, quirky, and flawed. The town warm and friendly - until it wasn't!
There's a secret hidden deep in the soil, rock, and water that's part miracle and part nightmare. I loved that this story not only told a chilly tale, but it also examined humanity in the different reactions of the main characters to the horrors of this town. I completely felt Julie's panic when she and Alex were trying to get Cody out of this town, felt their heartbreak when they realized they couldn't! I did a lot of nail- biting! The ending was a total surprise. Well done!
Currently Reading
October 18, 2026They Can Come Back is Scott Ivey’s debut novel, and I’m impressed by his skill with language and the scope of the story. The prose is often beautiful, with vivid sensory details and a strong sense of rhythm. Its Southern Gothic atmosphere gives Harrow Creek a presence of its own, making familiar houses, gardens, and gathering places increasingly unsettling.
What I find most compelling is the story’s exploration of grief and the desire to reverse death. Nathaniel’s longing for Helen gives the horror an emotional center, raising questions about what it means to bring someone back and whether recovering a body can mean recovering the person. The parallels between his devotion and Alex’s determination to save lives give the story depth.
The town’s relationship to the land is equally striking. The berries, the soil, and the water connect ordinary life to something the people do not fully understand. The same earth that offers healing also carries danger, making the setting essential to the story.
My main reservation is that the richness of the prose sometimes slows its momentum. Images, emotional explanations, and recurring ideas accumulate, occasionally continuing after their meaning has already come through. A more selective edit would give the strongest passages greater impact and leave the reader more room to make those connections.
Still, there is considerable ability here. Ivey brings together bodily horror, human vulnerability, and a deeply rooted sense of place. The question of how far people will go to recover someone they cannot bear to lose gives the book its lasting weight.
What I find most compelling is the story’s exploration of grief and the desire to reverse death. Nathaniel’s longing for Helen gives the horror an emotional center, raising questions about what it means to bring someone back and whether recovering a body can mean recovering the person. The parallels between his devotion and Alex’s determination to save lives give the story depth.
The town’s relationship to the land is equally striking. The berries, the soil, and the water connect ordinary life to something the people do not fully understand. The same earth that offers healing also carries danger, making the setting essential to the story.
My main reservation is that the richness of the prose sometimes slows its momentum. Images, emotional explanations, and recurring ideas accumulate, occasionally continuing after their meaning has already come through. A more selective edit would give the strongest passages greater impact and leave the reader more room to make those connections.
Still, there is considerable ability here. Ivey brings together bodily horror, human vulnerability, and a deeply rooted sense of place. The question of how far people will go to recover someone they cannot bear to lose gives the book its lasting weight.
October 31, 2026
Many thanks to Scott Ivey for allowing me to read his book before the release!
This is such a perfect Halloween read. It does have a slow start with part 1, but that was a grace because after part 1, it just picks up and never lets up. At no point in time did I know what was going to happen next. I am hoping to avoid spoiling anything because this is not a book I would want spoiled for me but the author did such a good job of gradually building up the characters and the setting that I could very easily picture everything in my mind. It was also cleverly written and well-researched. I took my time reading because I didn’t want to miss anything. This is one of my favorite writing styles and I really look forward to the next book.
I also would love an onscreen adaptation provided it sticks to the source material.
If you are looking for a different type of spooky read with a gradual buildup, this one is for you!
This is such a perfect Halloween read. It does have a slow start with part 1, but that was a grace because after part 1, it just picks up and never lets up. At no point in time did I know what was going to happen next. I am hoping to avoid spoiling anything because this is not a book I would want spoiled for me but the author did such a good job of gradually building up the characters and the setting that I could very easily picture everything in my mind. It was also cleverly written and well-researched. I took my time reading because I didn’t want to miss anything. This is one of my favorite writing styles and I really look forward to the next book.
I also would love an onscreen adaptation provided it sticks to the source material.
If you are looking for a different type of spooky read with a gradual buildup, this one is for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, thank you so much to Scott Ivey for the ARC! I'm excited to give my honest opinion and so happy I read this book.
This is definitely a slow burn book, which I enjoy because I like the depth of character development and also getting to know this town as a character itself. As much as I'm sure everyone enjoys coming across characters they instantly adore, I also equally love what this book does which is create characters so human and complex that it takes a little thinking about them and getting to know them first. This book had some great characters and really touching relationships. I felt very pulled into Nathaniel's relationship with Helen and the relationship between Alex, Julie and Cody. This book definitely got me feeling a lot of things and caring about the characters, even when I didn't agree with their choices. The plot is also a really interesting concept. The town is a fascinating setting to explore. I had no guesses as to what would happen, but found the ending to be satisfying. I think there's an undercurrent of unsettling through most of this book, but there are some exceptionally creepy moments too. I like horror moments like in this book which get under your skin. I'll admit that I got a bit lost in some of the more scientifc parts medically and geologically, but that is definitely me. I'm sure some people will particularly love those because they can follow them well. To someone like me it made everything sound credible though. I really enjoyed it. It's unique, intriguing, emotional and actually really got me thinking. I was trying to imagine what I'd do in these situations or how I'd feel if it were people I knew. I really liked the reflection it caused. I might have to try the recipe too. It sounds good. I love blackberries but this book made me a little unsure about the cravings I had for them. It was a great story. Oh the descriptions are beautiful. I highlighted a bunch of sentences that I just really liked a lot. Feels like an excellent time of year to read it as well. I'd definitely recommend this.
This is definitely a slow burn book, which I enjoy because I like the depth of character development and also getting to know this town as a character itself. As much as I'm sure everyone enjoys coming across characters they instantly adore, I also equally love what this book does which is create characters so human and complex that it takes a little thinking about them and getting to know them first. This book had some great characters and really touching relationships. I felt very pulled into Nathaniel's relationship with Helen and the relationship between Alex, Julie and Cody. This book definitely got me feeling a lot of things and caring about the characters, even when I didn't agree with their choices. The plot is also a really interesting concept. The town is a fascinating setting to explore. I had no guesses as to what would happen, but found the ending to be satisfying. I think there's an undercurrent of unsettling through most of this book, but there are some exceptionally creepy moments too. I like horror moments like in this book which get under your skin. I'll admit that I got a bit lost in some of the more scientifc parts medically and geologically, but that is definitely me. I'm sure some people will particularly love those because they can follow them well. To someone like me it made everything sound credible though. I really enjoyed it. It's unique, intriguing, emotional and actually really got me thinking. I was trying to imagine what I'd do in these situations or how I'd feel if it were people I knew. I really liked the reflection it caused. I might have to try the recipe too. It sounds good. I love blackberries but this book made me a little unsure about the cravings I had for them. It was a great story. Oh the descriptions are beautiful. I highlighted a bunch of sentences that I just really liked a lot. Feels like an excellent time of year to read it as well. I'd definitely recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In the heart of Appalachia lies a miracle cure for the world’s worst diseases.
Hope and excitement quickly turn to shock and terror once the true price of that cure becomes clear.
The townspeople seem almost driven to the edge of madness in their desperation to obtain it.
Holdouts, a battle of sorts, and a surprise twist at the end will keep you guessing.
This author’s first book delivers genuine creeps— a solid debut.
Hope and excitement quickly turn to shock and terror once the true price of that cure becomes clear.
The townspeople seem almost driven to the edge of madness in their desperation to obtain it.
Holdouts, a battle of sorts, and a surprise twist at the end will keep you guessing.
This author’s first book delivers genuine creeps— a solid debut.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Got it from the author to arc read started of really slow but once you get into too the next couple chapters you could not put the book down so good can’t wait for the physical copy
thank you Scott can’t wait for more
thank you Scott can’t wait for more
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews