Ezra's Secret

by P.D. Alleva

NYC. January, 1955.

Something is wrong with Ezra—and it isn’t the kind of wrong you can pray away.

Ever since her fifteenth birthday, the world has begun to slip. Questions about who she is are met with silence, while a strange hum follows her through the city and into her dreams. When a mysterious street vendor offers her a path to the truth, Ezra is drawn into the shadows of Central Park, where an ancient secret waits.

But some truths come at a terrible cost.

As Ezra peels back the layers of her reality, she uncovers a horrifying secret buried beneath years of silence and fear. And she soon learns that the greatest horrors aren't hiding in the shadows.

They're hiding in plain sight.

Ezra's Secret is a chilling psychological horror novel about identity, trauma, and the terrifying cost of uncovering the truth.

Genres: Horror, Psychological Horror, Psychological

140 pages, Hardcover

Published August 18, 2026

About the author

PD Alleva writes thrillers. Whether those thrillers are Sci-Fi Fantasy’s about Alien Vampires attempting to subjugate the human race, or steeped in a haunting mystery, or an urban paranormal fantasy, PD always provides readers with a profound, entertaining, and satisfying reader experience, in a new genre he has coined as alternative fiction. His novels blend mystery, conspiracy, psychology, and action with the supernatural, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Alternative fiction is PD's attempt at describing what readers uncover in any one of his books, a new discovery towards mainstream storytelling. He's been writing since childhood, creating and developing stories with brash and impactful concepts he describes are metaphors for the shifting energies that exist in the universe. PD lives inside of his own universe, working diligently on the Sci-Fi/Fantasy series, The Rose Vol. II, the urban paranormal fantasy series, Girl on a Mission, and Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect, PD’s upcoming horror novel.

To receive the latest updates, sales, beta reading opportunities, book fairs, and giveaways, join PD’s mailing list: http://eepurl.com/gxKH7P

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

No doubt about it. P D Alleva can write a story that will 'rip out the heart of humanity...to be feasted upon'. Ezra's Secret is sure to take you to the depths of hell and back again. It's not enough to say something is wrong with Ezra. Ezra's Secret shares the origin story of Wren Field, the villain from The Sleepy Hollow Incident: A Gothic Tale.

In Ezra's Secret, P D Alleva delves into the psychological trauma resulting from childhood sexual abuse, so brace yourself. His real life world as a trauma therapist makes the story stick to me. It makes me wonder how many times the abuse happens in real life. You had all my emotions roiled up.

P D Alleva, you amaze me with your ability to create such disturbing stories. I love wallowing in the darkness with you.

Ezra's Secret is a fast paced novella that made me cringe, filled with many triggers for those faint of heart, so enter at your own risk.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[David Washburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra is a troubled young girl, navigating her days in a Catholic school that oppresses her wandering mind often. Sister Agnes sees to it that her backside is kept red as a hard consequence while the girl’s home life gives her more reason to let her mind wander.

When a stranger vendor takes root in her mind, Ezra finds herself falling into curiosities. P.D. Alleva uses this troubled character to explore the mind and the darkest corners within it with no handholding through the tragedy of it.

The writing is tight in this novella, wasting no words, and when you learn the secret you will either be triggered or feel a desperate pang in your heart to hug someone.

[Hailey Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra’s Secret by PD Alleva

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

PD has done it again with a story full of heart, deception, and betrayal in the most raw sense.

This is a story about a girl named Ezra who is going through some changes that are leaving her confused and worried. She has no one in her corner and is extremely lonely.

When she meets a street vendor he enlightens her on many facets of life.

This was amazing I knew where it was going with Ezra but the execution did not take away from the story.

There were times that I was tearing up, angry, and elated. PD is a trauma therapist and this really showcased those strengths and understandings he has with these conditions in this novella.

What I did not guess? The fricken ending which I should have known but man you got me good PD! Damn good!

Thank you for the ARC PD!!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scariest aspect of this horror novella is that the terrors that grip Ezra could actually happen, and probably have. The horror is in this unfortunate young woman’s mind and her abusive family is of no help at all. The story lets the reader follow Ezra as she slides deeper and deeper into madness.
I like how the author develops the character of Ezra. She does some terrible things but I couldn’t help sympathizing with her on some level. She is a complex character. This is a short read but well worth the time.

[Yahil Raven]

I have only read two books total from this author and I must say I have not been disappointed. This story sure had its way to hook me from the very star. I loved it. Amazing read.

[Erica Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved how pieces from P.D.'s The Sleepy Hollow Incident showed up in this early origin story of my favorite character Wren! This is a quick read, a real page turner!

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gutted me. My heart broke for Ezra. The amount of emotion that this short read packed in …had to give 5 stars!

[Renee collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to P.D. Alleva for letting me arc read this story!

This story follows Ezra a girl who suffers abuse from her family, I felt so bad for Ezra and I was rooting for her when she got her revenge on everyone that deserved it. This was another 5 star read from this author for me I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves horror just as much as I do!

[Don Anelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, there's a lot to like with this read. The fact that this spends as much as it does dwelling on the main girl, looking deep at the lifestyle she lives in, creates an immensely sympathetic portrayal as we follow along with her life and those around her. With everything here involving this working through the kind of secret-keeping and duplicity that others are creating, which allows the whole thing to be really intriguing as it goes along, the world-building that goes along here tries to piece together the way of life she has. The brevity it accomplishes this with is incredibly effective, using a series of events in the way to get this brought together, learning more about her so that the final half turns this into an immensely shocking and unexpected twist, which is one of the most harrowing concepts featured here to turn this around on its head. The idea of this is well-constructed and makes tons of logical sense within the narrative, making it even more effective as well, and about the only issue here is the reaction to the abuse and trauma this represents, as its openness to deal with such an issue might not be something all will be willing to dive into.

5/5

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but gripping story, Ezra’s Secret is a psychological horror about a young girl who was failed by all who should have protected her.

Alleva hooks you in immediately, and this fast paced story doesn’t let up. Keen readers might pick up on some clues of this mystery from chapter one, but the fully fleshed out story isn’t quite what it seems from the start!

I appreciated the authors note in the end, Alleva speaks on the trauma work he was done in the past, and it shows in his work that he understands and was sensitive to the themes of this novella. I would definitely read more of Ezra’s story in the future!

Thank you to P.D. Alleva and Booksirens for the ARC opportunity!

[Cassandra Joy Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezras Secret

Ezras secret is fantastic.
Check your triggers.
This story has heavy subject matter.
This book, from start to finish, had me hooked. Ezras story will stick with me. What a rough go at life . Gives you a heavy heart while reading for sure.
I look forward to the next installment .
The item in the cave have had an interest in for sometime now and loved to see it incorporated into this story.
Trying to review a book this great with no spoilers is a hard thing to do .
Read the book ! ☆☆☆☆☆☆

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a creepy, and suspenseful read!From the very beginning, Ezra’s Secret pulled me in and kept me wondering what was really going on. There’s a great mix of mystery, secrets, and supernatural elements that make such a great thriller.

I loved the way the story slowly revealed its secrets while building the tension. Just when I thought I had things figured out, there was another twist that made me question everything. The creepy atmosphere definitely added to the fun without making the story too overwhelming.

It’s a quick, engaging read with plenty of suspense. I look forward to the sequel’s and reading more about Ezra’s and Michael’s path.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Ruzsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! Ezra is so desperate to understand what is happening to her that she becomes willing to look in places she probably shouldn’t, and that made her journey all the more unsettling. What a horrifying group of people she is surrounded by. The more she learns, the more I found myself wondering whether finding answers are always a good thing, or if sometimes ignorance really is the safer option. This was really creepy, enjoyed it a lot!!

[Linda Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh the 1950's when women had few choices, and young girls had even fewer choices. Ezra seems to have no one on her side. Her home and school situations are so volatile that she fends off the unimaginable the only way she knows how. Ezra is lured by promises that she will find not only comfort and freedom in a certain special place, but also answers to the questions that plague her in her shattered world. What will she find in the darkness, and can she find her way out again?

[Emily Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting, deeply unsettling read that packs an incredible amount into such a short story. I especially loved the way Alleva explored trauma and dissociation, and how Ezra’s fractured perception became a way of coping with what she couldn’t face. The parallels were disturbing and heartbreaking. Psychological horror at its best—creepy, thought-provoking, and one that will stay with me long after finishing.

[Darcie Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a truly unexpected twist

Ezra clearly has a tough life from the moment the story begins. I was angry for her from the moment I started reading and all the things she had to go through, but as the story continues, let’s just say she finds her courage. I didn’t expect things to end the way they did, but PD Alleva, did a great job of creating a strong image so that the book played like a movie in my mind.

[Sarah N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ezra’s Secret is a haunting, beautifully written novella about a deeply troubled child failed by the people meant to protect her. P.D. Alleva captures your attention from the very first page and never lets go. Highly recommended—but be sure to read the author’s note before beginning.

[Cindy Scurlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75, this is a very quick audio listen. The closer I got to the end I felt like maybe I missed out on something. Turns out I did, I may have to go read the other book now. Turns out Wren may be a pretty intense evil being. 🤣

[BookSplatterBritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally burning.
Poor girl didnt even have a chance

[Katy The Sleepy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books from this author, and I have never been disappointed. The first book I read from this author was Golem and it was fantastic. Since then, I read any book he has available.

In this story we are introduced to fifteen-year-old Ezra. Her world is falling apart, and she has no idea why. The adults around her that she is desperately seeking help and guidance from are hiding a dark secret. While seeking answers she is given a lifeline from a local street vendor. The instructions she's given are to go into Central Park, locate a statue and a cave and then the answers will be revealed. Will Ezra find the answers she's looking for?

I don't want to give too much away here. This being a novella you might think that it can't be in depth or intense. You would be wrong. As usual with his writings, this story is deep, a slow burn that will keep you hooked until the very end. I really cannot say enough good things about this story and as always, I very much look forward to more from this author. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra doesn't have it easy. She has a rough home life with parents that make it clear they wish she didn't exist. The nuns at her school thoroughly believe in corporal punishment any time she doesn't behave the exact way they want her to. She often goes to a place in her mind to get away from it all, much to the dismay of virtually everyone around her. A place that she's about to learn much, much more about; place where she won't be able to hide her secrets from the world much longer.

I went into Ezra's Secret blind, and wasn't expecting such a devastating blow, especially throughout the last half of the book. Prepare yourself emotionally before picking this one up, but it's absolutely worth it.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Ezra turned fifteen, her entire world turned upside down. Struggling with her own identity, she sought guidance from the adults around her, only to be met with an unsettling, absolute silence. It became clear that the adults in her life had been harboring dark secrets from her for her entire existence. Desperate for the truth, Ezra received an unexpected lifeline from a local street vendor who promised her the answers she so desperately sought. To find them, he claimed she only had to venture into Central Park, find a hidden cave, and locate a specific statue. Then, and only then, would everything finally be revealed.

As her family and community began claiming she "had the devil in her"—threatening to institutionalize her for a medical procedure meant to force a cure—Ezra fled. This terrifying ultimatum drove her straight into the shadows of Central Park in search of the truth. For such a short read, Ezra’s Secret packs an immense amount of depth into its pages without ever feeling rushed. The narrative takes its time slowly peeling back the mystery, keeping me completely hooked from the first page until the absolute last. It is a story that will undoubtedly stay with me long after the final page is read.

While Ezra’s Secret is a relentlessly brutal ride from the start, absolutely nothing prepares you for the devastating final act. P.D. Alleva masterfully pulls the rug out from under the reader with a mind-bending plot twist that changes everything you thought you knew about Ezra’s reality. It is a mind-bending surprise that doesn’t just aim for cheap shock value; instead, it brilliantly reframes the entire narrative and ties together her psychological trauma in a heartbreaking, terrifying way. Do yourself a favor and go in as blind as possible.

Relentless, beautifully written, and genuinely shocking, Ezra's Secret is a standout novella in contemporary extreme horror. P.D. Alleva handles a victim's deepest trauma with incredible psychological precision, culminating in a massive twist you won't see coming. It is a brilliant, blood-soaked triumph for seasoned horror fans.

Looking for your next unhinged, five-star horror read? Then you need to pick up Ezra’s Secret by P.D. Alleva. It is short, fast-paced, relentlessly brutal, and features a final twist that will completely shatter your mind.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra has a secret world she escapes into. But why?
She meets a mysterious vendor one day and seems to be led deeper and darker.
It’s hard to put into words the way this story went. It’s dark, unusual, twisted, all in good ways I must add.
If you like the unusual mixed with the wicked this is a must

Edit to add I listened to the audiobook recently and it’s really good. Narrator carries it along so well and adds to the creepiness and twistyness of the story written by PD Alleva.
Both versions are very good

[Angel Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra’s Secret
By: P.D. Alleva
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: August 18, 2026
Length: 117 pages
Content Warnings: Psychological Trauma, Emotional Abuse, Family Dysfunction, Mental Health Deterioration, Dissociation, Manipulation, Cults, Religious Horror, Graphic Violence, Gore, Cannibalism, and Disturbing Imagery

“One never knows when the devil is around the corner.”

After spending some time unable to finish anything, because life continues moving whether we are ready or not, I finally finished Ezra’s Secret by P.D. Alleva.

And honestly, I am still trying to process what I just read.

This is my second book by P.D. Alleva, and his ability to tell a story is above the limit. He creates the kind of mystery that slowly wraps itself around you, tightens its grip, and refuses to let go until the final page.

Set in New York City in 1955, the story follows Ezra, a shy and isolated fifteen-year-old whose reality begins to unravel through disturbing daydreams, strange encounters, and secrets that have been kept from her for far too long. As her mental health deteriorates and the line between reality and illusion becomes increasingly difficult to recognize, a mysterious stranger enters her life with the possibility of answers. But the truth behind Ezra’s identity may be far more horrifying than anything she imagined.

That is all you need to know.

Ezra’s Secret is psychological horror at its strongest. P.D. does not simply place something frightening in front of the reader. He traps us inside Ezra’s uncertainty. We experience her confusion, fear, and isolation without knowing what is real, what is imagined, or who can be trusted.

The atmosphere is filled with constant uneasiness. Something feels wrong from the beginning, but the story refuses to reveal exactly what it is. Instead, the dread continues building as Ezra’s reality becomes more unstable and the secrets surrounding her begin rising to the surface.

And Ezra’s parents?

Absolutely horrible.

I could not stand them. They perfectly represent what happens when the wrong people become parents. Their treatment of Ezra made me angry, but it also made her isolation painfully believable. She is surrounded by adults, yet completely alone when she needs someone the most.

Beneath the supernatural elements, this is also a disturbing story about trauma, neglect, identity, and the consequences of denying someone the truth about who they are. It asks whether evil is something we are born carrying or something created by the people and circumstances surrounding us.

Then came the final twist.

What the actual hell?

I did not see it coming. The revelation arrives at the last possible moment and completely changes how you understand everything that came before it. I finished the book, stared at the ceiling, and could only think:

What just happened?

That is something P.D. does exceptionally well. He allows you to believe that you understand the story before suddenly pulling the ground out from under you. The twist is shocking, but it does not feel included only for shock value. It gives new meaning to the story and leaves you questioning Ezra’s identity, the origin of evil, and whether something born from sin is destined to become part of it.

Ezra’s Secret is unsettling, heartbreaking, mysterious, and completely unpredictable. P.D. Alleva delivered an exceptional piece of psychological horror that held my attention from beginning to end and remained in my mind long after I reached the final page.

If you have not read one of his books yet, you seriously need to change that.

Thank you to P.D. Alleva for providing me with an advance review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

🎯 Recommended for:
• Readers who love atmospheric psychological horror
• Fans of mysteries involving identity, trauma, and buried family secrets
• Readers who enjoy questioning what is real
• Anyone who appreciates endings that completely reframe the story
• Horror readers looking for something disturbing, emotional, and unpredictable

🚫 Not for:
• Readers sensitive to emotional abuse, family trauma, or mental health deterioration
• Anyone uncomfortable with gore, cannibalism, religious horror, or disturbing imagery
• Readers looking for light or straightforward supernatural horror
• Anyone who dislikes stories that deliberately keep them confused until the final revelation

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ REAL – Ezra’s Secret pulled me into Ezra’s fractured reality, kept me questioning everything, and delivered a final revelation that left me staring at the ceiling. Psychological horror with atmosphere, meaning, and one hell of a twist.

— Angel R. Sanchez

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra’s Secret
By PD Alleva
Publisher: Chamber Door Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
ASIN: B0H67TWMDH
Page Count: 117

Triggers: Psychological trauma, identity crisis, emotional abuse, family secrets, mental distress, manipulation, disturbing imagery, supernatural themes

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀


What Did I Just Walk Into?
Well… I expected a creepy little psychological horror novella. What I got was an unsettling descent into identity, secrets, and the kind of horror that quietly sits beside you until you realize it has been there the entire time.

At only 117 pages, this book wastes absolutely no time. It doesn’t rely on gallons of blood or endless jump scares. Instead, it builds an atmosphere that feels slightly… off. Every conversation, every unanswered question, every strange occurrence adds another brick to the wall until you’re completely boxed in with Ezra.

The setting deserves a standing ovation. New York City in 1955 feels alive, but not in the comforting way you’d expect. It feels heavy with secrets, whispers, and things people simply refuse to acknowledge. That backdrop amplifies every unsettling moment.


Here’s What Slapped:
Ezra is an incredibly sympathetic protagonist. Watching her question everything around her while everyone else seems determined to keep her in the dark creates a constant sense of unease. You desperately want someone to tell her the truth, but you also know that truth probably isn’t going to be kind.

The psychological horror is where this novel shines. The fear doesn’t come from monsters jumping out of closets. It comes from doubt, isolation, and wondering whether reality itself can be trusted. The mysterious hum, the dreams, and the encounters in Central Park all build toward something much larger than expected.

I also appreciated that the horror isn’t rushed. Every reveal feels earned, and the mystery unfolds naturally instead of dumping answers all at once. The final revelations reframe everything that came before and leave you thinking long after you’ve closed the book.

For such a short novel, it packs an impressive emotional punch.


What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly, my only complaint is selfish. I wanted more. More pages. More time with Ezra. More exploration of the mythology behind what was happening. When a novella leaves you wishing it were twice as long, that’s usually a pretty good problem to have.


Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Psychological horror
• Slow-building dread
• Identity-driven mysteries
• Supernatural suspense
• Dark coming-of-age stories
• Horror that relies on atmosphere instead of gore
• Stories where the biggest monsters wear familiar faces


Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review

[Cheyenne Joy Mijdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ezra’s Secret by P.D. Alleva
Release Date: August 18, 2026

Thank you, P.D. Alleva and InsideStory, for handing me yet another reminder that my definition of “this was a good time” is probably deeply concerning.

So…
What in the beautifully messed up psychological chaos did I just read?

⚠️ Trigger warnings: childhood sexual abuse, rape, attempted pregnancy termination, murder, body mutilation, and enough emotional damage to make your therapist schedule a double appointment. If any of those are hard limits for you, protect your peace and skip this one. Seriously.

As for me…
I was completely invested.

This story had my stomach tied in knots while my brain kept whispering, “Just one more page. Surely it can’t get worse…”

Narrator: It got worse.
Not in a bad way. In the “I suddenly feel like I need a shower and an emotional support blanket” kind of way.

I don’t want to spoil a single thing because going in blind is exactly how this story deserves to be experienced. But what I will say is this: I wanted to hug the main character, scream at the main character, protect the main character, and occasionally ask them what fresh psychological hell they were dragging me into next.

The story dances on the edge of paranormal without ever fully committing. Personally, I saw something even scarier than ghosts. Trauma. Memory. The terrifying realization that our minds don’t always delete things—they simply lock them away until something finally finds the key.

That idea stuck with me long after I finished reading.
This isn’t a story packed with cheap twists. It’s the slow, uncomfortable realization that sometimes the biggest monster isn’t hiding under the bed. It’s hiding inside memories you’ve spent a lifetime convincing yourself never happened.

And honestly… that’s far more disturbing.
Four beautifully unhinged stars from me.
Why not five? Simple. I’ve read books that crawled a little deeper under my skin and refused to leave. This one definitely unpacked its bags, but eventually it did move out.
Unlike the images it left behind.

Thanks for that.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra's Secret by P.D. Alleva is a short psychological thriller/horror story which eventually introduces the character Wren from the Sleepy Hollow Incident, and this will be the first in Wren's story.


I’d like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.



Okay, another short story that I am reviewing. 

For those that read The Sleepy Hollow Incident by this author, they will realize that this is the story of how Wren came to be.  If not, this can easily be read alone.  Future books will tell more of Wren's story.  

The character of Ezra was heart-breaking, and you could easily sympathize/empathize with her....until you couldn't.

It's a coming of age story about a young, very naive girl, about childhood abuse, about mental illness, and eventually about murder, and then some.  The horror builds slowly, but you know it's coming.  You can feel the tension building.

This was a great short story, and sometimes an uncomfortable read.  The author is good at that.  For such a short read,  this was powerful, taking an unexpected twist that took it from teenage trauma to teenage horror.   I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more about Ezra and Wren in future books.

Seldom do I review short stories, and seldom do I rate them this high.  This deserved every star!


For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Brandon Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC Review**
Title: Ezra's Secret
Author: P.D. Alleva
Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Psychological Horror

"The world is filled with angels and demons. One never knows when the devil is around the corner."
"Darkness is always attracted to the light it seeks to destroy."

The was P.D. Alleva writes is like none other. He has a way with prose that not only make this a well written horror novel, but I dare say it’s close to poetry. The way he delves deep into the human condition and pulls out the darkest part of humanity is what truly makes this horror.

We are introduced to Ezra, and young girl who has felt like she never fit in to the world. She starts to question who she is, but her questions fall on deaf ears. She gets told she has the devil in her and she needs a procedure to get the evil out. When she starts digging into the truth, with the help of a mysterious street vendor, she might just uncover something she wasn't ready to face.

It is no secret that I am a huge P.D. Alleva fan. I first read Golem a couple of years ago, and that was my gateway drug into the complex and intricate universe that Alleva has set up. In Ezra's Secret, Alleva really digs deep into psychological terror that will stay with me for a long time.

This book packs a powerful, emotional punch that left me disassociating myself, with my wife asking me if I was okay, and if there was something wrong. True story. If you are looking for a book that not only has scares, but has heart and soul, Ezra's Secret is the book you need to preorder.

[Luna May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crawled right under my skin and stayed there

I sat down with this one and didn't get up until it was over. One sitting, start to finish — I just couldn't make myself stop. It's the kind of book that gets its hooks in early and slowly tightens until you realize you've been holding your breath without noticing.

Alleva sets it in 1955 New York and the atmosphere is thick from the first page. There's this constant low dread humming under everything, the same way it follows Ezra around the city and into her dreams. You feel her world start to tilt before you fully understand why, and that slow slide is exactly what makes it so unsettling. Nothing about it feels cheap or rushed — it earns every chill.

The way it handles dissociation is something else. This isn't horror that just hides things in the dark and jumps out at you. It goes straight into Ezra's head, into trauma and identity and the awful stuff that gets buried under years of silence, and it treats all of that seriously while still scaring the daylights out of you. By the time the truth starts surfacing, you completely understand why some doors stay shut.

And that line stuck with me — the worst horrors here aren't lurking in the shadows. They're sitting right out in the open, in plain sight, where nobody thinks to look.

If you want psychological horror that actually has something real underneath the scares, Ezra's Secret is it. Creepy, smart, and leaves you sitting with it for a moment once you're done.

[Charlene (Char) ❤︎ ❀˖° ❤︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m honestly speechless this book completely captivated me from start to finish! PD has woven a tale shrouded in mystery, creating an atmosphere thick with dread. It’s psychological horror at its absolute best, taking you on a chilling journey into the unknown. After I read this book I just stared at the wall because WHAT!????

Set in New York in 1955, we follow Ezra, our main character, who feels a bit out of place and is quite timid. As she turns 15, her life takes a darker twist. She often finds herself lost in daydreams, unsure of why they consume her. Her mental health takes a nosedive as we witness her slow descent into a reality that becomes increasingly blurred. And let’s be real her parents are the worst! I really didn’t like them at all; they embody what happens when the wrong people have kids. Then, one day, she encounters a stranger who will change her life forever. As she starts to uncover long-buried secrets, I can’t help but wonder will she be able to handle the truth?

The plot twist at the end? Wow! I absolutely didn’t see that coming; it was such a surprise revealed at the last moment. All I could think was, “Well, damn!” PD has an incredible knack for storytelling and knows just how to pull the rug out from under you! Outstanding job! If you haven’t picked up any of his books yet, you really should!

Thank you PD for providing me a copy of this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.