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The Halloween Stranger
This year's festival welcomed the wrong guest.
In Cedar Hill, Massachusetts, life is quiet and uneventful.
Unless it's Halloween.
Known as Salem's Sister, Cedar Hill has become a Halloween destination thanks to its annual Harvest Festival. This year, recently divorced Claudia Rowan pours everything she has into making it the town's biggest celebration yet. When her blog post goes semi-viral, visitors flood into town, leaving every motel room booked.
Needing the extra cash, Claudia decides to rent out her guest bedroom.It's only for two nights.
How bad could it be?
Then the woman arrives.
There's something unsettling about her—something Claudia can't explain. The more she searches for answers, the stranger things become… until one terrifying question refuses to leave her
Is she in danger?
This is a creepy 30k word psychological Halloween novella built on suspense, mounting dread, and psychological horror rather than violence/blood & gore.
In Cedar Hill, Massachusetts, life is quiet and uneventful.
Unless it's Halloween.
Known as Salem's Sister, Cedar Hill has become a Halloween destination thanks to its annual Harvest Festival. This year, recently divorced Claudia Rowan pours everything she has into making it the town's biggest celebration yet. When her blog post goes semi-viral, visitors flood into town, leaving every motel room booked.
Needing the extra cash, Claudia decides to rent out her guest bedroom.It's only for two nights.
How bad could it be?
Then the woman arrives.
There's something unsettling about her—something Claudia can't explain. The more she searches for answers, the stranger things become… until one terrifying question refuses to leave her
Is she in danger?
This is a creepy 30k word psychological Halloween novella built on suspense, mounting dread, and psychological horror rather than violence/blood & gore.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Halloween Stranger by Shade Owens
4.25 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Behind the mask….
💡 Orbs Prologue: Abnormally bustling, the town of Cedar Hill’s enthusiasm for Halloween festivities has reached a fevered pitch. Strong gusts of wind have littered the streets with maple leaves, coating the asphalt with a palette of autumn colors. As the wicked grin of pumpkins awaits their annual lighting, kids of all ages have begun taking to their costumes. Cedar Hill, a town dripping with strange histories, has been a mecca for those of the deviously inclined. Converging within its center square, children and horror fans alike walk through the spooky festival and take in a one-of-a-kind experience….
🧐 A small glimpse: In this novella written by author Shade Owens, an expensive house mortgage needs to be paid. Newly divorced, Claudia makes the executive decision to rent out a room in her house. She needs the money, and with hotels hard to come by in Cedar Hill’s busy Halloween season, what better way to capitalize on the shrinking housing situation? But she still has trepidations, for who will come knocking upon her door? Enter Ruth, a teenage girl whose affinity for wearing a wooden mask stands on Claudia’s doorstep. Slightly unnerved, Claudia shows Ruth to her room, a place where Shade Owens ratchets up the suspense.
👍 Orbs Pros: Perfect for spooky season! Owens' little nugget of Halloween goodness exudes what I believe will appeal to even the casual horror fan. Opting for a more tame approach, Owens has dialed back the gore without losing a sense of scariness. Striking a solid balance of psychological trauma and good old Halloween feels, it succeeded where it mattered! Interesting character development! Told in multiple POVs, Ruth’s story in particular was extremely well conceived. Several times I paused to exhale at some of her rather eye-opening backstory. Left me wanting to explore more of the author’s catalog! I felt a kinship with Shade Owen’s prose. It remained a breeze to read and yet never lacked. Everything in the plot made some semblance of sense. Relatable for some! For readers who have dealt with an overbearing parent, this one should resonate!
👎 Orbs Cons: Will it be hardcore enough for some? No, but again I think that for what it does, it does very well! This one delivers a fantastic spooky little read that focuses less on the gore aspects. A novella? I fully understand that some do not like reading novellas, but I am here to take a stand! There are some great novellas out there that serve a much-needed purpose of breaking up the monotony of our longer, heavier books. I have often found that the novella's length has not cheapened my reading experiences, and in some cases I might argue you might come to appreciate the lack of fluff!
⚠️ Warnings: Some depictions of blood and violence. Psychological torture and trauma.
Must read! Yep, must read! Throughout my reviews, I get the occasional comment of "I don’t like horror" and "Horror is not my thing." THIS IS IT! This novella in particular would appeal to those readers. Think of it like a great entry point into the horror genre. It was a spooky experience that most can enjoy!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: Behind a charred wooden mask stands someone not quite from here. The teenage girl whose eyes become the only telltale sign that a human lives within. What does the mask mean? Simply a lack of fashion sense or just plain weirdness? For this accessory is very rarely removed. Much like Linus’ blanket, this woody veil shields her from an evil world, the constant target of her fanatical mother’s rage. But why has she come to Cedar Hill? Of course, a fascination with the macabre would be the first thought, and yet there is much more to the story. Shyly, she stumbles up to the stranger’s house. Ruth’s plan has been methodically hatched, but will it work? Knock, knock, knock! Three knocks, of course, an omen of terrible fates. The door creaks slowly open… A young woman answers. A slight gasp and slow exhale leave the woman's mouth. “Hi, I’m Claudia! Are you Ruth?” A jolt of anxiety runs through the girl, and she nods her head emphatically, awash with what must be done!
Many thanks to Shade Owens for the ARC through BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.25 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Behind the mask….
💡 Orbs Prologue: Abnormally bustling, the town of Cedar Hill’s enthusiasm for Halloween festivities has reached a fevered pitch. Strong gusts of wind have littered the streets with maple leaves, coating the asphalt with a palette of autumn colors. As the wicked grin of pumpkins awaits their annual lighting, kids of all ages have begun taking to their costumes. Cedar Hill, a town dripping with strange histories, has been a mecca for those of the deviously inclined. Converging within its center square, children and horror fans alike walk through the spooky festival and take in a one-of-a-kind experience….
🧐 A small glimpse: In this novella written by author Shade Owens, an expensive house mortgage needs to be paid. Newly divorced, Claudia makes the executive decision to rent out a room in her house. She needs the money, and with hotels hard to come by in Cedar Hill’s busy Halloween season, what better way to capitalize on the shrinking housing situation? But she still has trepidations, for who will come knocking upon her door? Enter Ruth, a teenage girl whose affinity for wearing a wooden mask stands on Claudia’s doorstep. Slightly unnerved, Claudia shows Ruth to her room, a place where Shade Owens ratchets up the suspense.
👍 Orbs Pros: Perfect for spooky season! Owens' little nugget of Halloween goodness exudes what I believe will appeal to even the casual horror fan. Opting for a more tame approach, Owens has dialed back the gore without losing a sense of scariness. Striking a solid balance of psychological trauma and good old Halloween feels, it succeeded where it mattered! Interesting character development! Told in multiple POVs, Ruth’s story in particular was extremely well conceived. Several times I paused to exhale at some of her rather eye-opening backstory. Left me wanting to explore more of the author’s catalog! I felt a kinship with Shade Owen’s prose. It remained a breeze to read and yet never lacked. Everything in the plot made some semblance of sense. Relatable for some! For readers who have dealt with an overbearing parent, this one should resonate!
👎 Orbs Cons: Will it be hardcore enough for some? No, but again I think that for what it does, it does very well! This one delivers a fantastic spooky little read that focuses less on the gore aspects. A novella? I fully understand that some do not like reading novellas, but I am here to take a stand! There are some great novellas out there that serve a much-needed purpose of breaking up the monotony of our longer, heavier books. I have often found that the novella's length has not cheapened my reading experiences, and in some cases I might argue you might come to appreciate the lack of fluff!
⚠️ Warnings: Some depictions of blood and violence. Psychological torture and trauma.
Must read! Yep, must read! Throughout my reviews, I get the occasional comment of "I don’t like horror" and "Horror is not my thing." THIS IS IT! This novella in particular would appeal to those readers. Think of it like a great entry point into the horror genre. It was a spooky experience that most can enjoy!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: Behind a charred wooden mask stands someone not quite from here. The teenage girl whose eyes become the only telltale sign that a human lives within. What does the mask mean? Simply a lack of fashion sense or just plain weirdness? For this accessory is very rarely removed. Much like Linus’ blanket, this woody veil shields her from an evil world, the constant target of her fanatical mother’s rage. But why has she come to Cedar Hill? Of course, a fascination with the macabre would be the first thought, and yet there is much more to the story. Shyly, she stumbles up to the stranger’s house. Ruth’s plan has been methodically hatched, but will it work? Knock, knock, knock! Three knocks, of course, an omen of terrible fates. The door creaks slowly open… A young woman answers. A slight gasp and slow exhale leave the woman's mouth. “Hi, I’m Claudia! Are you Ruth?” A jolt of anxiety runs through the girl, and she nods her head emphatically, awash with what must be done!
Many thanks to Shade Owens for the ARC through BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2026
This little novella might just be what you need to get in the mood for the season 🎃 For me it's just right. It's not a horror story. This is filled with suspense and a bit of terror.
Claudia runs a blog for her town, Cedar Hill, Massachusetts. The town has recently become well-known for their Halloween festival. It's been dubbed the, "sister town" of Salem, MA. It's very busy around the Halloween season and the hotels get booked up quickly. Claudia is recently divorced and in need of money. She decides to rent one of her rooms in her home to a girl named Ruth. When she shows up she's wearing a wooden mask. This spooks Claudia a little as the girl does not take it off until she tells her to. The story is told in 3 points of view starting with Claudia and then Ruth. We later hear from someone else as the story begins to come together.
I quite liked this one and it hit the spot for me. The chapters are short and some of them are very suspenseful and leave you hanging. For a novella it really tried to go a little deeper as we learned more about Ruth. At the end there was a lot of terrifying action and I was holding my breath for the characters! I'm intrigued by that cliffhanger ending. Seems as there might be more of the story to come.
Published September 8, 2026
Many thanks to Book Sirens and the author for the Advance Reader's Copy.
Claudia runs a blog for her town, Cedar Hill, Massachusetts. The town has recently become well-known for their Halloween festival. It's been dubbed the, "sister town" of Salem, MA. It's very busy around the Halloween season and the hotels get booked up quickly. Claudia is recently divorced and in need of money. She decides to rent one of her rooms in her home to a girl named Ruth. When she shows up she's wearing a wooden mask. This spooks Claudia a little as the girl does not take it off until she tells her to. The story is told in 3 points of view starting with Claudia and then Ruth. We later hear from someone else as the story begins to come together.
I quite liked this one and it hit the spot for me. The chapters are short and some of them are very suspenseful and leave you hanging. For a novella it really tried to go a little deeper as we learned more about Ruth. At the end there was a lot of terrifying action and I was holding my breath for the characters! I'm intrigued by that cliffhanger ending. Seems as there might be more of the story to come.
Published September 8, 2026
Many thanks to Book Sirens and the author for the Advance Reader's Copy.
August 19, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Told from three points of view, this story definitely kept me on my toes!
Claudia is renting out a room during the Halloween festival, but she starts having second thoughts when Ruth shows up wearing a mask, and refuses to take it off. Ruth is acting strangely, but Claudia doesn’t want to say anything. Then she catches Ruth in her room going through her things. Um…excuse me?! I don’t know about you, but that would be grounds for me to show her the door faster than you can say, “Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya!” Good riddance!
Ruth has been isolated her entire life, and the best way I can describe her home life with her mother is to compare it to Stephen King’s Carrie, minus the telekinesis. When the shoe fits, wear it, and unfortunately, this one fits Ruth’s situation pretty well. Her upbringing definitely explains a lot about her behavior.
I enjoyed this book, but I wasn’t a fan of how it ended. Another cliffhanger?! Well, I’ll be darned, leave a girl hanging, why don’t you! I truly hope there’s a sequel because I need answers. You can’t just leave me standing here with my jaw hanging like the proverbial “cat that ate the canary.”
Overall, an intriguing read with plenty of secrets, strange behavior, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning. Now I just need that sequel!
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
Told from three points of view, this story definitely kept me on my toes!
Claudia is renting out a room during the Halloween festival, but she starts having second thoughts when Ruth shows up wearing a mask, and refuses to take it off. Ruth is acting strangely, but Claudia doesn’t want to say anything. Then she catches Ruth in her room going through her things. Um…excuse me?! I don’t know about you, but that would be grounds for me to show her the door faster than you can say, “Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya!” Good riddance!
Ruth has been isolated her entire life, and the best way I can describe her home life with her mother is to compare it to Stephen King’s Carrie, minus the telekinesis. When the shoe fits, wear it, and unfortunately, this one fits Ruth’s situation pretty well. Her upbringing definitely explains a lot about her behavior.
I enjoyed this book, but I wasn’t a fan of how it ended. Another cliffhanger?! Well, I’ll be darned, leave a girl hanging, why don’t you! I truly hope there’s a sequel because I need answers. You can’t just leave me standing here with my jaw hanging like the proverbial “cat that ate the canary.”
Overall, an intriguing read with plenty of secrets, strange behavior, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning. Now I just need that sequel!
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
Review of advance copy
4☆
A quick read that has a good scare, confusion, and oh my gosh factor! Told from two points of view you get two very different impressions of events. This approach gives you a front row seat to the train wreck that unfolds. I really enjoyed this way of reading the story, some people may not, but it was fun for me.
As a result of way too many misunderstandings a very socially isolated teenage girl, a wary yet self-aware woman, and a crazed religious zealot end up in a firey fight for life on Halloween. An open ending leaves you to believe that there will be more to come.
I received a copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
Favorite Words:
"Mother always taught me that just like people can pretend to be monsters on Halloween, monsters can pretend to be people, too."
Ruth
A quick read that has a good scare, confusion, and oh my gosh factor! Told from two points of view you get two very different impressions of events. This approach gives you a front row seat to the train wreck that unfolds. I really enjoyed this way of reading the story, some people may not, but it was fun for me.
As a result of way too many misunderstandings a very socially isolated teenage girl, a wary yet self-aware woman, and a crazed religious zealot end up in a firey fight for life on Halloween. An open ending leaves you to believe that there will be more to come.
I received a copy for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
Favorite Words:
"Mother always taught me that just like people can pretend to be monsters on Halloween, monsters can pretend to be people, too."
Ruth
Review of advance copy
That cover screams Halloween, and the creepy wooden mask felt like something straight out of The Purge. It immediately caught my attention, and Cedar Hill certainly knows how to celebrate.
The Halloween Stranger takes place during the Cedar Hill Harvest Festival, where the whole town goes all out for spooky season. With bright yellow and orange sugar maples, colonial-style houses rumoured to be haunted and festivities everywhere, I had no trouble picturing the setting. In my head, it had that picture-perfect, cosy small-town autumn vibe, only with a spooky edge to it.
Claudia is one of many locals renting out a room for the festival, and her guest Ruth is certainly an interesting one. She arrives wearing a wooden mask with rectangular slits for eyes that she seems reluctant to remove. Slightly creepy? Absolutely. But it's almost Halloween, so maybe it's not that strange… I guess.
For such a short read, I thought this started really well and was gripping enough to keep me engaged right through to the end. The mystery surrounding Ruth and her mask definitely had me curious about what was going on.
The story eventually took a turn I wasn't anticipating, and while I can understand why the plot went in that direction, it leaned into themes I don't usually care for. That's definitely more of a personal preference than anything else, and with this being a novella, I'll leave it there to avoid giving anything away.
I still had a good time with this shortie, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, creepy read to get them in the mood for spooky season.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Halloween Stranger takes place during the Cedar Hill Harvest Festival, where the whole town goes all out for spooky season. With bright yellow and orange sugar maples, colonial-style houses rumoured to be haunted and festivities everywhere, I had no trouble picturing the setting. In my head, it had that picture-perfect, cosy small-town autumn vibe, only with a spooky edge to it.
Claudia is one of many locals renting out a room for the festival, and her guest Ruth is certainly an interesting one. She arrives wearing a wooden mask with rectangular slits for eyes that she seems reluctant to remove. Slightly creepy? Absolutely. But it's almost Halloween, so maybe it's not that strange… I guess.
For such a short read, I thought this started really well and was gripping enough to keep me engaged right through to the end. The mystery surrounding Ruth and her mask definitely had me curious about what was going on.
The story eventually took a turn I wasn't anticipating, and while I can understand why the plot went in that direction, it leaned into themes I don't usually care for. That's definitely more of a personal preference than anything else, and with this being a novella, I'll leave it there to avoid giving anything away.
I still had a good time with this shortie, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, creepy read to get them in the mood for spooky season.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 12, 2026
What could be better than a spooky Halloween read? A bite-sized novella that really hits different! It's perfect for diving into before you take the kids out on their candy quest.
In this quick story, we meet Claudia Rowan, a recently divorced woman whose viral article brought more visitors to the Harvest Festival in Cedar Hill than ever before. Short on cash, she decides to rent a room for a few days. Then we have Ruth, a 16-year-old with a passion for Halloween, who wants to attend the festival with her crush. However, her strict mother forbids her from dressing up, so Ruth rents a room to keep her plans under wraps. Ruth's mother, a devout woman, believes celebrating Halloween is akin to embracing the devil.
While everything seems to flow smoothly, there's one twist: Ruth shows up at her rental wearing a wooden mask and only takes it off when Claudia asks her to. Ruth embodies the quintessential YA character, caught between her love for the festival and her desire to impress her crush. Naturally, things don’t go according to plan…
I found Ruth’s character intriguing and was drawn in by the story. I wanted to understand her mother’s intentions. You can feel Claudia's paranoia and how young Ruth strives to be a better person than her mother. The ending leaves you hanging, but even if cliffhangers aren’t your cup of tea, I still encourage you to give it a shot. It’s refreshing to end on an open note. The story carries a deeper message: don’t judge others by their actions without knowing the full story, as it can lead to hurting innocent people. Just because you hold different views or beliefs doesn’t mean you should criticize others for theirs.
If you’re into strange and eerie tales, perfect for a Halloween-week read, this one is it! It will entertain you and help you stick to your reading goals. I know my review seems lengthy, but the author has done a fantastic job packing so much into these pages. I believe it will be available on Kindle Unlimited as well. The cover, the narrative, and the overall aesthetic scream “read me on All Hallows’ Eve,” bringing the energy of a haunted stranger to life.
Thank you, BookSirens, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this quick story, we meet Claudia Rowan, a recently divorced woman whose viral article brought more visitors to the Harvest Festival in Cedar Hill than ever before. Short on cash, she decides to rent a room for a few days. Then we have Ruth, a 16-year-old with a passion for Halloween, who wants to attend the festival with her crush. However, her strict mother forbids her from dressing up, so Ruth rents a room to keep her plans under wraps. Ruth's mother, a devout woman, believes celebrating Halloween is akin to embracing the devil.
While everything seems to flow smoothly, there's one twist: Ruth shows up at her rental wearing a wooden mask and only takes it off when Claudia asks her to. Ruth embodies the quintessential YA character, caught between her love for the festival and her desire to impress her crush. Naturally, things don’t go according to plan…
I found Ruth’s character intriguing and was drawn in by the story. I wanted to understand her mother’s intentions. You can feel Claudia's paranoia and how young Ruth strives to be a better person than her mother. The ending leaves you hanging, but even if cliffhangers aren’t your cup of tea, I still encourage you to give it a shot. It’s refreshing to end on an open note. The story carries a deeper message: don’t judge others by their actions without knowing the full story, as it can lead to hurting innocent people. Just because you hold different views or beliefs doesn’t mean you should criticize others for theirs.
If you’re into strange and eerie tales, perfect for a Halloween-week read, this one is it! It will entertain you and help you stick to your reading goals. I know my review seems lengthy, but the author has done a fantastic job packing so much into these pages. I believe it will be available on Kindle Unlimited as well. The cover, the narrative, and the overall aesthetic scream “read me on All Hallows’ Eve,” bringing the energy of a haunted stranger to life.
Thank you, BookSirens, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 4, 2026
The cover of this book drew me in and want to pick it up to read. I’m getting into the Halloween spirit since it is October, and this novella was a perfect way to do it. Claudia is recently single and rents out a room in her house to a young girl named Ruth, who arrives wearing a mask. It is almost Halloween, but she seems to never want to take it off. Claudia starts to worry about her new renter when she displays many concerning behaviors and she is not sure she feels safe with her around. Following the events leading up to Halloween, you won’t believe what happens next. It’s a short read, but it has spooky and creepy vibes that keep you entertained until the end.
September 10, 2026
As soon as I saw this, that was it. Plus Shade wrote this so I expected it wouldn't be boring and that it would satisfy what I needed. And there it is. That's exactly what it was. The story is written from the point of view of three different characters and that excited me right away. I couldn't wait for one character to finish so I could see what the other one was thinking and what actually happened. Fantastic.
Cedar Hill is a place that has a special love for Halloween. Claudia is a divorced woman who decided to rent a room in her house. Ruth is a young woman who rented a room at Claudia's. And Ruth doesn't take off the mask from her face. A mask that is terrifying and that makes Claudia cringe. Halloween is approaching, and Claudia has a feeling that something bad is going to happen. And the person who creates that feeling is Ruth, who is staying at her place, no less.
Shade has composed everything she needed in one story that is not very short, but not too long either. Each character has their place and they are not just superficially described through the pages. You get to know every character, which is great, as the story goes, some things just don't match the characters themselves, which creates even more suspense. I'm definitely thrilled because I love Halloween and this was exactly what I wanted. All in all, great.
Cedar Hill is a place that has a special love for Halloween. Claudia is a divorced woman who decided to rent a room in her house. Ruth is a young woman who rented a room at Claudia's. And Ruth doesn't take off the mask from her face. A mask that is terrifying and that makes Claudia cringe. Halloween is approaching, and Claudia has a feeling that something bad is going to happen. And the person who creates that feeling is Ruth, who is staying at her place, no less.
Shade has composed everything she needed in one story that is not very short, but not too long either. Each character has their place and they are not just superficially described through the pages. You get to know every character, which is great, as the story goes, some things just don't match the characters themselves, which creates even more suspense. I'm definitely thrilled because I love Halloween and this was exactly what I wanted. All in all, great.
September 25, 2026
Decent novella ! Put me in the mood for spooky season
September 8, 2026
I liked the beginning of this book, and I really enjoyed that the story centered around Halloween. Claudia was likeable and the mystery surrounding Ruth and her mask was intriguing. Unfortunately, I felt the story started to feel more unbelievable the further along it went. It also lost a lot of the tension as well. The Halloween Stranger was very well written though. I received a free copy of this story and write this review voluntarily.
September 16, 2026
I received a free ARC from BookSirens for an honest review.
A solid 4.25 stars from me for this novella. I was really creeped out at first with the characters, but then having a multi-POV change was both surprising and also helpful to really get the depth of the story.
The reality of the situation was most enjoyable for me as I believe that the scariest situations are real people. The author did a great job of setting a scene and getting the reader engaged in the atmosphere. I’d highly recommend for spooky season! 👻
A solid 4.25 stars from me for this novella. I was really creeped out at first with the characters, but then having a multi-POV change was both surprising and also helpful to really get the depth of the story.
The reality of the situation was most enjoyable for me as I believe that the scariest situations are real people. The author did a great job of setting a scene and getting the reader engaged in the atmosphere. I’d highly recommend for spooky season! 👻
August 31, 2026
What a great Halloween novella by Shade Owens! This fast-paced read pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me turning the pages. I easily read it in one sitting, and it delivered plenty of suspense, tension, and just the right amount of spooky Halloween vibes. A quick, entertaining, and suspenseful read that kept me guessing until the end. And that ending though, I need more! Highly recommend!
September 12, 2026
Claudia's best friend Naomi convinced her to rent out a room for the Cedar Hill Harvest Festival that happens around halloween. Claudia's first girl she rented the room to is a strange girl who shows up wearing a mask and doesn't talk much her name is Ruth. Ruth had a very strange upbringing, and that's why Ruth a strange girl. This book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the next book. This book is a good, fast-paced Halloweend short book.
Thanks to Booksirens for sendin me an advanced readin copy to read and review.
Thanks to Booksirens for sendin me an advanced readin copy to read and review.
October 3, 2026
Listened to this one.
Fun novella perfect for October. I really liked the narrator. I like the way the story was told with the first part told from one main character’s point of view, then the next part told from the other main character’s point of view, then the remainder of the novel told from three alternating points of view. It left off on a cliffhanger so I’m assuming there’s more to this story.
Fun novella perfect for October. I really liked the narrator. I like the way the story was told with the first part told from one main character’s point of view, then the next part told from the other main character’s point of view, then the remainder of the novel told from three alternating points of view. It left off on a cliffhanger so I’m assuming there’s more to this story.
September 26, 2026
I really enjoy this! The short chapters and different POV make for a quick 160 pages. Perfect with October on the way, it gave me “Carrie” type vibes but that’s a story I love so definitely worth the read to get in the mood for spooky season. The build up of suspense and straightforward description and wording, made me feel like I was in the moments with the characters.
October 5, 2026
The Halloween Stranger
The Halloween Stranger is a good short read about a girl that comes to stay with a girl to get the first Halloween experience ever and to save the girl from her mother's evil ways.
The Halloween Stranger is a good short read about a girl that comes to stay with a girl to get the first Halloween experience ever and to save the girl from her mother's evil ways.
September 12, 2026
I loved this book! Will definitely recommend this book!
September 18, 2026
Be careful who you rent a room to 🎃🖤
September 23, 2026
Based off the cover, I was expecting this to be scary 😬. It started off strong, but the ending seemed rushed and a little over the top.
September 29, 2026
Wicked Awesome
Loved this Halloween book! I read it in one sitting, hanging off the edge of my seat! Fast-paced and frightening!
Loved this Halloween book! I read it in one sitting, hanging off the edge of my seat! Fast-paced and frightening!
October 7, 2026
The perfect short story for Halloween! Definitely didn’t go in the direction I thought it was going in. Great creepy, small town spooky season vibes.
October 1, 2026
Great for spooky season!!
Terrific book!! The way the characters are portrayed is very imaginable. The story line is perfect for a quick read.
Terrific book!! The way the characters are portrayed is very imaginable. The story line is perfect for a quick read.
September 21, 2026
What a fantastic Halloween read! This book had everything. A plot full of suspense, well developed characters and a great ending. Highly recommended.
Read
September 16, 2026Overall an entertaining book had a couple of good twists good if you want and easy fun read
September 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 — 3.75 stars
I went into this completely blind. At first Ruth really creeped me out, especially with that wooden mask she wouldn’t take off. I literally thought this girl was possessed. From Claudia’s POV everything felt creepy and I kept wondering if there was something paranormal going on but then I got Ruth’s side.
I really liked getting the different POVs because once I got Ruth’s perspective, I understood why she was acting the way she was. I actually went from thinking “what is wrong with this girl?” to feeling bad for her.
It was short, fast-paced and kept me interested. The ending definitely had me like “… really?! 👀” It wasn’t a huge OMG plot twist for me, but I wasn’t expecting everything to go in the direction it did.
Definitely it was a fun and creepy Halloween read. Is something I would recommend to get warmed up for spooky season. I’m giving it 3.75 stars because I enjoyed it and it kept me reading, but it wasn’t quite a “OMG everyone needs to read this” book for me. Also, gotta say I’m really picky with my ratings.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
I went into this completely blind. At first Ruth really creeped me out, especially with that wooden mask she wouldn’t take off. I literally thought this girl was possessed. From Claudia’s POV everything felt creepy and I kept wondering if there was something paranormal going on but then I got Ruth’s side.
I really liked getting the different POVs because once I got Ruth’s perspective, I understood why she was acting the way she was. I actually went from thinking “what is wrong with this girl?” to feeling bad for her.
It was short, fast-paced and kept me interested. The ending definitely had me like “… really?! 👀” It wasn’t a huge OMG plot twist for me, but I wasn’t expecting everything to go in the direction it did.
Definitely it was a fun and creepy Halloween read. Is something I would recommend to get warmed up for spooky season. I’m giving it 3.75 stars because I enjoyed it and it kept me reading, but it wasn’t quite a “OMG everyone needs to read this” book for me. Also, gotta say I’m really picky with my ratings.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shade Owens nails the Halloween atmosphere right out of the gate. The plot mostly jumps back and forth between Claudia and Ruth's perspectives, keeping the pacing fast and the tension high. I spent the entire read questioning whether Ruth was actually dangerous or if Claudia was just completely paranoid. Nothing is what it seems, and the suspense never lets up.
The twists work very well and feel totally earned. The clues are planted throughout the story, so the surprises make sense instead of just being thrown in for shock value. The ending wraps everything up perfectly without dragging on or relying on an unearned info dump. If you like spooky Halloween settings, unreliable characters, and intense paranoia, then you will enjoy this book.
Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/th...
The twists work very well and feel totally earned. The clues are planted throughout the story, so the surprises make sense instead of just being thrown in for shock value. The ending wraps everything up perfectly without dragging on or relying on an unearned info dump. If you like spooky Halloween settings, unreliable characters, and intense paranoia, then you will enjoy this book.
Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/th...
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September 15, 2026ARC REVIEW
I officially would NOT be renting out my spare bedroom after reading this. 😂
The Halloween Stranger was such a quick, creepy little read that had me questioning pretty much everyone. What starts out as Claudia simply trying to make some extra money during Cedar Hill’s insanely popular Halloween festival quickly turns into something much more unsettling when Ruth shows up at her door wearing a creepy wooden mask and acting… well, WEIRD.
And honestly, the mask alone would’ve had me reconsidering the whole Airbnb situation. 👀
I really liked how the story kept me guessing about Ruth. Is she dangerous? Is Claudia being paranoid? Is there something much bigger going on? Every time I thought I had figured it out, something else happened that made me question everything again.
The Halloween atmosphere was probably my favorite part. 🎃🍂 Cedar Hill felt like the perfect spooky little Massachusetts town, with the festival, autumn vibes, packed motels, and that underlying feeling that something is just… off. It gave me all the cozy fall vibes while simultaneously making me feel like I should probably lock my doors.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. Getting different perspectives added another layer to the mystery and made it harder to know who to trust. And for such a short novella, there’s actually quite a bit going on. The pacing kept me moving, and once things started getting darker, I was absolutely invested.
This isn't a straight-up, blood-and-guts horror story. It's a psychological, suspenseful thriller with some seriously unsettling moments, which honestly worked for me. And that ending?? 👀 Let's just say I have QUESTIONS.
If you’re looking for a quick spooky-season read that you can finish in one sitting, especially if you like creepy strangers, small-town Halloween settings, questionable decisions, and stories that make you go “wait… WHAT?” — add this one to your October TBR. 🎃
Thanks @booksirens and @shadeowensauthor for the opportunity to be an advanced reader.
I officially would NOT be renting out my spare bedroom after reading this. 😂
The Halloween Stranger was such a quick, creepy little read that had me questioning pretty much everyone. What starts out as Claudia simply trying to make some extra money during Cedar Hill’s insanely popular Halloween festival quickly turns into something much more unsettling when Ruth shows up at her door wearing a creepy wooden mask and acting… well, WEIRD.
And honestly, the mask alone would’ve had me reconsidering the whole Airbnb situation. 👀
I really liked how the story kept me guessing about Ruth. Is she dangerous? Is Claudia being paranoid? Is there something much bigger going on? Every time I thought I had figured it out, something else happened that made me question everything again.
The Halloween atmosphere was probably my favorite part. 🎃🍂 Cedar Hill felt like the perfect spooky little Massachusetts town, with the festival, autumn vibes, packed motels, and that underlying feeling that something is just… off. It gave me all the cozy fall vibes while simultaneously making me feel like I should probably lock my doors.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. Getting different perspectives added another layer to the mystery and made it harder to know who to trust. And for such a short novella, there’s actually quite a bit going on. The pacing kept me moving, and once things started getting darker, I was absolutely invested.
This isn't a straight-up, blood-and-guts horror story. It's a psychological, suspenseful thriller with some seriously unsettling moments, which honestly worked for me. And that ending?? 👀 Let's just say I have QUESTIONS.
If you’re looking for a quick spooky-season read that you can finish in one sitting, especially if you like creepy strangers, small-town Halloween settings, questionable decisions, and stories that make you go “wait… WHAT?” — add this one to your October TBR. 🎃
Thanks @booksirens and @shadeowensauthor for the opportunity to be an advanced reader.
Review of advance copy
This novella was such a fun, quick read to get me in the mood for spooky season. I really enjoyed the whole small town Halloween setting and the creepy feeling of letting a complete stranger into your home and then slowly realizing something just isn’t right.
I liked getting both Claudia and Ruth’s POVs because it had me questioning what was actually going on and who I could trust. There were definitely moments where I was wondering if Claudia was letting her paranoia get the best of her or if she really did have a reason to be suspicious of Ruth. That back and forth kept me wanting to know where the story was going.
Then we also get Ruth’s mother Arlene’s POV and she was a whole different level of deranged. Getting inside her head added another creepy and unsettling layer to everything going on. Between Claudia trying to figure out what she had gotten herself into, Ruth and all the questions surrounding her and then Arlene’s thoughts thrown into the mix, I definitely found myself wondering how all of these pieces were eventually going to come together.
I do wish we had gotten a little more depth in certain areas. I would have loved for some of the tension and creepiness to be drawn out a little longer because the setup had so much potential to get even darker. The ending also came together a little quicker than I expected.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this one. It was an easy, suspenseful read with plenty of Halloween atmosphere, secrets and that uneasy feeling that something is just a little off. Definitely a good one to add to your spooky season TBR if you enjoy psychological thrillers that you can fly through.
I liked getting both Claudia and Ruth’s POVs because it had me questioning what was actually going on and who I could trust. There were definitely moments where I was wondering if Claudia was letting her paranoia get the best of her or if she really did have a reason to be suspicious of Ruth. That back and forth kept me wanting to know where the story was going.
Then we also get Ruth’s mother Arlene’s POV and she was a whole different level of deranged. Getting inside her head added another creepy and unsettling layer to everything going on. Between Claudia trying to figure out what she had gotten herself into, Ruth and all the questions surrounding her and then Arlene’s thoughts thrown into the mix, I definitely found myself wondering how all of these pieces were eventually going to come together.
I do wish we had gotten a little more depth in certain areas. I would have loved for some of the tension and creepiness to be drawn out a little longer because the setup had so much potential to get even darker. The ending also came together a little quicker than I expected.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this one. It was an easy, suspenseful read with plenty of Halloween atmosphere, secrets and that uneasy feeling that something is just a little off. Definitely a good one to add to your spooky season TBR if you enjoy psychological thrillers that you can fly through.
September 7, 2026
🎃👻 4.5 ⭐️
The Halloween Stranger by Shade Owens was such a fun, creepy read for spooky season! 🍂🕯️
This short psychological thriller follows Claudia Rowan, a recently divorced woman who decides to rent out her guest room during her town’s annual Halloween Harvest Festival. What starts out as a seemingly harmless arrangement quickly becomes unsettling, leaving Claudia questioning whether she can trust the stranger she has welcomed into her home. 👀
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this one! The small-town setting, Halloween festivities, and underlying sense of uneasiness created the perfect backdrop for a story filled with suspicion and tension. 🎃
The pacing was another highlight for me. This is a quick read that kept me turning the pages, and the multiple POVs added an interesting layer to the story without giving too much away. I found myself constantly wondering what was going on and trying to figure out who I could trust.
My only reason for taking off half a star is that I wanted a little more! I would have loved additional character development and a bit more time to explore certain aspects of the story.
Overall, The Halloween Stranger was a creepy, atmospheric, and entertaining read that would be perfect for anyone looking for a quick thriller with plenty of Halloween vibes. 🎃🖤
4.5 ⭐️
📖 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
🎃 Halloween & fall atmosphere
🕯️ Psychological suspense
👀 Suspicious strangers
🏡 Small-town settings
😈 Mystery & tension
📚 Quick reads
Definitely worth adding to your spooky-season TBR! 🎃📚
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily* - Annie
The Halloween Stranger by Shade Owens was such a fun, creepy read for spooky season! 🍂🕯️
This short psychological thriller follows Claudia Rowan, a recently divorced woman who decides to rent out her guest room during her town’s annual Halloween Harvest Festival. What starts out as a seemingly harmless arrangement quickly becomes unsettling, leaving Claudia questioning whether she can trust the stranger she has welcomed into her home. 👀
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this one! The small-town setting, Halloween festivities, and underlying sense of uneasiness created the perfect backdrop for a story filled with suspicion and tension. 🎃
The pacing was another highlight for me. This is a quick read that kept me turning the pages, and the multiple POVs added an interesting layer to the story without giving too much away. I found myself constantly wondering what was going on and trying to figure out who I could trust.
My only reason for taking off half a star is that I wanted a little more! I would have loved additional character development and a bit more time to explore certain aspects of the story.
Overall, The Halloween Stranger was a creepy, atmospheric, and entertaining read that would be perfect for anyone looking for a quick thriller with plenty of Halloween vibes. 🎃🖤
4.5 ⭐️
📖 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
🎃 Halloween & fall atmosphere
🕯️ Psychological suspense
👀 Suspicious strangers
🏡 Small-town settings
😈 Mystery & tension
📚 Quick reads
Definitely worth adding to your spooky-season TBR! 🎃📚
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily* - Annie
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