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The Midnight Book Club #6
Box of Bones
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Jim is an American expat teaching English in the Philippines. After a night out with his girlfriend in one of the country's remote provinces, he wakes to find himself in a pitch-black coffin--and quickly running out of oxygen. With only his cell phone and his own wits to rely on, it's a race against time to escape the claustrophobic death trap.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2016
About the author
Jeremy Bates
49 books1,882 followersUSA TODAY and #1 Amazon bestselling author Jeremy Bates has written over twenty novels and novellas, selling more than one million copies worldwide. His work has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film and television by major studios. Midwest Book Review has likened his storytelling to that of Stephen King and Joe Lansdale, calling him a "master of the art." Bates is a KDP Select All-Star and the recipient of the Australian Shadows Award and the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award. He was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book honors chosen by readers.
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 16, 2016
I've been meaning to check out Bates' World's Scariest Places collection simply because it sounds like a great idea. This novella is sort of a glimpse into that series, an introduction if you will and based on this, it might be a venture well worth undertaking. Fast paced, frighteningly realistic tale of a man who finds himself buried alive far, far from home. Killer ending too. Lots of creepy fun and a perfectly entertaining way to spend an hour. Recommended.
January 18, 2019
*4.5 Stars
This seems to be Jeremy Bates’ forte, the short story that quickly pulls his readers in and hits them over the head with an unanticipated ending. In that sense, Box of Bones does not disappoint.
Jim’s story is an interesting one, and one that is not completely absurd. He gets himself in over his head in a foreign country to find himself trapped in a coffin. Is there any good way for this to end?
Bates takes us through Jim’s thoughts, actions and conclusions as we wait for Jim’s time to run out. This immersion into Jim’s mind was flawless; I felt like I was trapped with Jim. Try this! Calm down! Don’t do that! My fate was Jim’s fate.
If you’re looking for a quick, fun read to keep you from exploring overseas, Box of Bones is just the thing.
This seems to be Jeremy Bates’ forte, the short story that quickly pulls his readers in and hits them over the head with an unanticipated ending. In that sense, Box of Bones does not disappoint.
Jim’s story is an interesting one, and one that is not completely absurd. He gets himself in over his head in a foreign country to find himself trapped in a coffin. Is there any good way for this to end?
Bates takes us through Jim’s thoughts, actions and conclusions as we wait for Jim’s time to run out. This immersion into Jim’s mind was flawless; I felt like I was trapped with Jim. Try this! Calm down! Don’t do that! My fate was Jim’s fate.
If you’re looking for a quick, fun read to keep you from exploring overseas, Box of Bones is just the thing.
September 1, 2016
Jeremy Bates is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the horror genre. Box of Bones is a short read at 79 pages, but with every one of those pages packed with outstanding writing and forward motion, it’s a thrilling ride. The main character, Jim is an American expat teaching in the Philippines. Jim’s life goes from bad – the victim of a stabbing – to worse when he wakes up in a coffin.
This story is fast paced and at times, spine tingling. Loved it.
This story is fast paced and at times, spine tingling. Loved it.
May 14, 2019
If you have a fear of being buried alive and if closed, small spaces give you the creeps, Box of Bones will play with your nerves. Jeremy Bates won’t spare you as he brings your nightmare into reality. But you can’t blame him; it is his job to give you the chills and makes your heart pound deafeningly in your head. Especially when he does it so well.
May 20, 2025
I like not being buried by words but… ⚰️
March 25, 2017
Jim is an American ex-pat working as a teacher in the Philippines when he is attacked and sealed in a wooden coffin with just his mobile phone. His oxygen supply is running out. Can he escape before death seals his fate?
An obvious comparison can be made between this short story and the Ryan Reynolds' movie Buried. In both the protagonist is buried alive in a coffin with a mobile phone and must find a way out before the oxygen expires.
An excellent, claustrophobic, short story with an unpredictable twist at the end.
An obvious comparison can be made between this short story and the Ryan Reynolds' movie Buried. In both the protagonist is buried alive in a coffin with a mobile phone and must find a way out before the oxygen expires.
An excellent, claustrophobic, short story with an unpredictable twist at the end.
June 13, 2016
Waiting to be Found!
I have read all of Jeremy Bates books and every one of them were great. Once you start reading one of his books you can't stop until you're finished.I I can't wait until another book is out so I can read it.
I have read all of Jeremy Bates books and every one of them were great. Once you start reading one of his books you can't stop until you're finished.I I can't wait until another book is out so I can read it.
March 31, 2020
Another great story
Wow. Had my heart pumping. Another one read straight through. I know when I read one of Jeremy Bates' books that it will be exciting. This was especially descriptive. I enjoy learning little bits of other cultures when I read. Can't wait for the next one!
Wow. Had my heart pumping. Another one read straight through. I know when I read one of Jeremy Bates' books that it will be exciting. This was especially descriptive. I enjoy learning little bits of other cultures when I read. Can't wait for the next one!
June 19, 2017
Unexpected ending.
This is a very enjoyable novella. Keeps you engaged and intrigued. I was not expecting the way it ended but, I don't know what to say without adding spoilers. If you have a few hours to put into a book I recommend this one.
This is a very enjoyable novella. Keeps you engaged and intrigued. I was not expecting the way it ended but, I don't know what to say without adding spoilers. If you have a few hours to put into a book I recommend this one.
April 28, 2020
Another good one from Jeremy Bates
Though this wasn’t my favorite of his and lacked the horror of some of his other stories, I still fully enjoyed it. And of course that ending was crazy, though I should have expected it from Bates.
Though this wasn’t my favorite of his and lacked the horror of some of his other stories, I still fully enjoyed it. And of course that ending was crazy, though I should have expected it from Bates.
November 17, 2021
A man wakes up disoriented in the dark. He bumps his head and discovers he is in a coffin. We follow the thoughts he has during both the hysteria and terror. Twist ending. I love buried alive stories as they are the only real thing that terrifies me.
April 23, 2022
Great short story by Jeremy Bates. Jim is an American working as a teacher at a school in the Philippines. He has been dating Candy, a girl from the Philippines. They are out together at a bar. After going outside to go to the bathroom, Jim wakes up in a coffin. Wonderful twist at the end.
September 18, 2018
Bates is a fantastic writer and story teller. When you're sure you know what the eventual twist will be, he sneaks up on you with something so much better.
March 2, 2019
Box of Bones
was really surprised how good this short novel was. This author really held my interest and I would love to read more of his books.
was really surprised how good this short novel was. This author really held my interest and I would love to read more of his books.
September 25, 2020
Scary and actually believable. Good language and hardly any errors.
February 28, 2022
Fast paced
The story is well written and keeps your interest until the end. I can recommend this short story to you
The story is well written and keeps your interest until the end. I can recommend this short story to you
January 30, 2023
Very scary situation to find yourself in. If you weren't claustrophobic before you would be
July 23, 2025
Jim pisses off a husband of a girl he is seeing and ends up in a coffin. Will he get out in time? it was an ok read. not great but not horrible.
March 4, 2024
Not real exciting, but a surprise ending to the proverbial buried in a coffin alive story
March 4, 2018
Boy, this was one fucked up tale of having one's life flashing before your eyes, with the added bonus of reflection on what you've done in your short young life, and making that call to your parents...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews