The Other Side of Elsewhere

by Brett McKay

Ret McCoy was always the new kid, but after three years in the small town of Riverton, he thinks his family may have finally settled. He and his friends have the perfect summer planned before they start sixth grade, and his new job at the local mortuary promises enough pocket money for all the sodas they can drink.

A dare from an older boy quickly ruins their plans. Everyone knows to stay away from the Crooked House, but after Ret and his friends take on the dare to spend the night in the abandoned house, they become caught up in the house’s dark history.

Later, an outsider buys the house. When people start to disappear, Ret is determined to solve the mystery before it swallows the entire town. His obsession with the Crooked House and its strange new owner threatens to put him and his friends in danger more terrifying than anything they could have imagined.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Young Adult, Suspense

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

When Brett McKay is not conjuring demons and bloodthirsty psychopaths to put on paper, he sells landscaping. He loves all types of music, but hard rock and heavy metal fuel him the most. He enjoys the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and curling up in front of a good movie with his wife and a bucket of popcorn.

Brett lives in Utah with his wife and two sons. Fall is his favorite time of year because he gets to decorate his house for Halloween much too early for his neighbors.

His short story, Ol' Betsy, was the winner of 2018's Seattle Crypticon. He is also an active member of The International Thriller Writers.

https://twitter.com/BrettMcKay8

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/brett...

Reviews

[Jason Parent · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something evil in the Crooked House. Ret McCoy is a young boy dared to spend the night there. What starts as a typical haunted house story blossoms into a complex plot focused around a powerful force infesting Ret's community.

A unique, coming-of-age plot, strong writing, and interesting characters drive this novel. A highly recommended read!

[Beth Agejew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a bit of Stand by Me, throw in some Super 8 and Stranger Things and add a pinch of Joss Whedon and you have Brett McKay's coming of age story, "The Other Side of Elsewhere." This thriller drew me in and I couldn't put it down. It's an absolute MUST read. I can't wait to read more of Mr. McKay's books.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.

It’s the summer of 1982 and 12-yr-old Ret McCoy is happy. After moving around a lot his family has been in Riverton, Utah for three years. He and his friends, Gary and Jax, are nearly inseparable. They were spending their summer vacation riding bikes and just hanging out when they accept a dare by an older kid to spend the night in the Crooked House, a long abandoned house that everyone believed was haunted. Everything changed after that night. When people start disappearing, Ret seems to be the only one seeing the extreme weirdness going on, but he can’t make the adults believe him. That’s when he takes matters into his own hands. In the words of the Lost in Space robot: Danger, Will Robinson, danger!

Ret is 12 so this is kinda on the cusp of Middle Grade and Young Adult. It’s a little hard to believe that the adults can’t see what’s going on, because really, it’s very weird, but it’s always easier to consider any type of explanation over a supernatural one. The adults do a lot of rationalizing, but that’s expected. The kids do a lot of sneaky things that give me nightmares. LOL The supernatural part is pretty cool though for some reason it just doesn’t gel perfectly for me. I guess because there’s no real explanation about how it all gets started and the reason why. Okay, so there is mention of a Big Bad, but I have no idea how it all fits in. The supernatural stuff mostly starts off page and we’re dropped into it, so I guess I just want to know exactly how the new owner of the Crooked House fits into it all. All-in-all though this is a great spooky, and at times kinda scary, paranormal YA mystery.

[Ronald Keeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Side of Elsewhere by Brett McKay is written as if from the point of view of a twelve-year-old boy, Ret. He is at a happy place in his life. It is summer (no school) and he has successfully lived with his family for an uninterrupted period of three years. Ret has friends; he is comfortable that a lifestyle marked by almost annual family relocations is over. True, his dad works two jobs and is rarely around. His mom also works full-time, although only one job. Then she returns home to become the parent figure in the family that must do everything, household chores and administration of family discipline. And true, his oldest brother orders him around and his youngest brother annoys him. It is good that his second older brother is a reliable confidante. But Ret is happy to spend time with a couple of close friends, Gary and Jax. And he enjoys the company of several other neighborhood kids, up to thirty, in an occasional community water fight.

Close friends at Ret’s age seek adventure. Racing bikes down steep hills to see if the results are less than broken bones and damaged bikes is an adventure. Accepting dares from older kids is an adventure. Spending a night in an abandoned house is an adventure. Especially if the house is not completely abandoned; it is at least occupied by a rumored ghost. When the three boys accept a dare to spend a night in the “crooked” house, the rumor, named Mathilda, was confirmed as far as Ret was concerned. Mathilda even went so far as to steal Ret’s pillow. At some point, she would even visit Ret’s home to return the pillow. Somewhere around this event, this story gets creepy. A returned pillow coupled with a steadily increasing number of disappearing people draws the reader into a mystery that develops slowly in a clever, nuanced way.

It should not be a surprise that a novel written from a tween point of view does not include sexual or violent language. There is a description of what a French kiss might be. There are a few “hells” and “damns” as kids on a sleepover dare to be vulgar like the big people (older kids and adults). This is a safe read for all ages. There is the attraction of a ghost story that does not include graphic gore. This is a book I recommend for readers who are studying English as a Second Language; the story can hold reader interest while not sending them scrambling for a dictionary every fifth word.

From the beginning of the story, my attention was drawn to McKay’s descriptive language. The reader can easily build a mental picture of the crooked house, both interior and exterior, by slowing down reading speed just a bit and dwelling on building mental images. The same is true of the description of Dead Man’s Hill. Here is a line that caught my attention: “In usual Victorian-mansion style, there were fourteen steps, narrow and steep.” (Kindle Location 474). Was this the result of research? Was it usual to have fourteen steps in a Victorian style mansion? The thorough attention to detail in description continues throughout the novel but it impressed me immediately from the beginning.

This is a solid four Amazon star read. I read it after reading Damage Inc also by Brett McKay.

[Karen Sebeika · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well written story told by the main characters pov so well told i almost felt as though i was in the story but glad i wasn t so creepy and scary loved that it wrapped up the story and didn t leave you hanging very stephen kingish story in my opinon i can t wait to read his next work

[Dan Lawton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. A group of adolescents from the same neighborhood have some adventures over a summer, including breaking into "The Crooked House" that's haunted by spirits and ghosts. There is a supernatural element that was a little much for me toward the end, but the build up to it was well done. Some of the characters spoke and thought above their years, which seemed off, but the story as a whole was good. Brett McKay is a good writer and it shows, and though the ghost/supernatural aspect of it wasn't my favorite, the quality of the story deserves a good rating.

A quick, easy read with lots of mystery and intrigue. Worth a try if you're into ghost stories/paranormal/etc. And if not, like me usually, you may find it satisfying still as there's some depth to it with some back stories that make it well worth the time.

[Aina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. I really liked this! I thought the book is super easy to read but also full of details and doesn't dumb down for the audience. The narrator, 12-year-old Ret, is entertaining and speaks the way I think tweens that age do - a mixture of naivety and exaggerated bravado. One of the things he and his best friends, Jax and Gary, does during the summer is forming their own "gang" which is stalled before they got into a "life of crime". I found that hilarious. I remember being that age and thinking everything was life-or-death important. But in Ret's case, it actually is! A dare takes him and his friends into the Crooked House, an abandoned mansion with a dark history. They escape with memories of a ghostly vision but soon, a stranger moves into the House. Then people start going missing and it's up to Ret, his friends and a new girl, Dawn, to figure out how to save the day.

The book is set in the 80s so there's a nostalgic vibe to the setting - from biking in the summer to sharing the house phone with family members. I'm sure many will say it's reminiscent of Stephen King's IT but it has its own charms. One thing it doesn't shy away from is showing death - and plenty of it! But the book also shows the resilience of children and the strength of friendships.

This would be a 5-star read for me if not for the epilogue. I thought it was an unnecessary downer for what had been an exhilarating ride through paranormal evil. I think it's to show that childhood friendships couldn't last but after what the characters had gone through, I thought they deserved better than that. Still, I enjoyed what came before.

Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

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[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was always the new kid but finally after three years he is part of the town. His friends and him are dared to spend the night in the crooked house. They do it but he becomes more interested in the house. Then someone buys it and people begin to disappear. He is determined to find out what is happening in the house. See if he will

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book made me think of a middle school Stephen King. I liked the characters. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I am voluntarily posting this review. This is my honest review.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE OTHER SIDE OF ELSEWHERE is an excellent horror thriller with a credible twelve-year-old protagonist-hero. Think THE INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS meets IT.

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining coming-of-age tale and spooky ghost story merge in a fast-paced read about friendship, loyalty, and bravery set in a town that is faced with a powerful, supernatural evil.
Recommended to those who enjoy Stand By Me and It.
Favorite character: Rosco!

[Vicky Quenault · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like a Stephen King story for kids. Think IT, but suitable for ten year olds. It has the iconic small town, strong friendships and kids facing evil that adults tend to dismiss or just not see.
Its compelling in an understated and subtle way. It lacks that almost compulsive need to get to the end of the story, instead gently hooking you until you realise you’ve reached the end without pausing.
I received a complimentary copy from VRO in return for an honest review.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me The Other Side of Elsewhere had two levels. The first, higher level, is one that potential readers with comparable tastes are likely going to experience much the same. The second level is one that very few will connect with in the same way as I did. It’s at a much more detailed and personal level. Whether it is positive, negative, or even something that registers will vary by reader. I’ll try to explain.

At the high level this is a paranormal suspense or thriller novel. The protagonist is a twelve year-old boy and I don’t think it would be a stretch to call it a coming of age story as well. If when the story takes place is ever spelled out, I missed it, but there are subtle clues that would lead me to believe anytime in the period from the 70s to the early 80s would be a reasonable assumption. This could and I think would appeal to a wide range of ages, from young adult to a not-at-all-young adult who might have been coming of age when the story takes place. While the story isn’t happening in current times I think regardless of when you were 12, whether a couple years ago or several decades, you’ll be able to relate to Ret, the protagonist in the story. (Girls, might not see themselves in Ret, but they’ll surely see their brother or some other boy they knew.)

For me, much of this story, both in the behavior of Ret and his friends as well as the environment and culture of their hometown, were just like where I lived at twelve. In fact, Ret’s hometown is a real town in Utah, about 50 miles from where I grew up in the same period the story took place. I found myself nodding my head at something specific thinking that the author had it just right. But a few times I’d stop nodding and start wondering how the average reader would react. Would they understand the specific? Not likely. But maybe they’d get a sense for what was being said without understanding. Some of these things were terminology specific to the religion that dominates Utah like Primary (religious instruction for younger children) or Relief Society (a women’s organization within the Mormon church). Others weren’t religious, but still Utah specific, like a reference to the Dee Burger Clown (the “mascot” for a long-defunct fast food chain). I think these things were infrequent enough to not be a serious issue for those who don’t understand the reference. For those who do, it makes the story that much more credible and authentic.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Roxie Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review and more on my blog at [Roxie Writes].

‘The Other Side of Elsewhere’ by Brett McKay
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Finished on January 18, 2019
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $7.99 on Kindle | $13.30 in Paperback

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Ret McCoy has lived in the town of Riverton for three years and finally feels like he can settle down. His family moves a lot making him no stranger to what it’s like being the new kid. He’s made friends in Riverton, and they have planned the most exciting summer ever together before the start of seventh grade. When he’s offered a job at the local mortuary, he figures he can make some decent pocket money. But he doesn’t realize it's going to open his world up to the supernatural experience of a lifetime.

Riverton is home to The Crooked House — an ancient home that is the stuff of urban legends. Everyone stays away from it, even the adults. An older kid dares Ret and his friends to spend the night inside, though, and they can’t refuse. Staying in the house wraps them up in its dark history.

Shortly after their stay, a mysterious stranger moves into the house, and people in town start to disappear. Ret knows the two are connected, and he’s determined to solve the mystery, but he has no idea of the terrors he will discover in the process.

MY REVIEW:
‘The Other Side of Elsewhere’ is an extremely enjoyable read. I love stories about childhood friendships and adventures, especially when there is a paranormal element.

I did not expect what The Crooked House held inside of it. It’s not often that a novel can surprise me, but this one did.

Ret is an endearing character. He’s sweet and loyal and tender-hearted. He’s the perfect protagonist for a story like this. He has an eclectic group of friends, and their friendship is reminiscent of all of our childhoods, I think.

The ending felt a little odd to me after the connections formed throughout the kids’ adventures, but aside from that I liked this book a lot. I would definitely recommend it to my friends who like coming-of-age stories.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy in trade for an honest review.

It's the summer of 1982 and things are going well for 12 year old Ret McCoy. He's always been the new kid on the block, but after three years in the small town of Riverton, he's feeling settled. He has his two best friends, Gary and Jax and they have all of the summer holidays ahead of them.

Like most kids, they're getting bored of doing the same thing every day, then two older boys from the neighbourhood dare them to spend the night in an abandoned house called Crooked House. Wanting to seem brave in front of the older boys, Ret readily accepts the dare much to the annoyance of his friends. But they go ahead and end up getting caught up in its dark history.

Then one day, an outsider moves into the house. The boys witness this outsider acting strangely and then suddenly, people start disappearing. Ret knows something weird is going on in the house and sets out to solve the mystery before someone else he knows disappears. But is he really prepared for what he's going to find?

Think pet sematary, Amityville horror, stranger things and stand by me all rolled into one. This book had me hooked from the start and I just couldn't put it down. I could feel the suspense building and was pulled in to the story. The ending made me assume that a sequel was in the works.

[Hectaizani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy's coming of age intertwined with his experience of a haunted house. Ret McCoy is your typical twelve-year-old boy getting into mischief with his friends. The older kids dare them to spend the night in the Crooked House. The Crooked House is old and delipidated and has been empty for more years than anyone can really remember. But is it haunted? The boys think so but they can't turn down a dare.

Reminiscent of Steven King"s "It" and "Stand By Me" in that all three involve adolescents who reach the turning point of their life where they have to make mature choices to save their friends. No cannibal clowns but there is a creepy funeral home director. A paranormal thriller if you will.

Ret McCoy is a sympathetic character whose actions are sometimes a little bit more mature than the average male adolescent. The supporting cast of his friends and family are more or less fleshed out. The author did a good job incorporating supernatural elements into his story which in the end turns out to be a little more than a simple haunted house after all.

I received a complimentary review copy from Voracious Readers Only (and the author) in return for the promise of an honest review.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ret McCoy is twelve years old and happy that his family has stayed in the same town for three years especially since his parents have barely stayed in one place for more than one year for the last several years. He has a bunch of friends that he hangs out with and has adventures and has three brothers that are annoying but are his family. Then he is dared to spend the night in the Crooked House. Things don’t go as planned and Ret starts to believe the stories about the house being haunted. Then someone buys the house and people start disappearing. Ret decides to take a good look into the Crooked House to find out what is really happening.

This is a great mystery geared toward tweens. You have a ghost, people disappearing, and a home life that is strained. I really liked Ret, he is a good kid and I was glad that he was determined to solve the mystery.

This is a great, descriptive book that had me hooked from page one and didn’t let me go until the end. This is the first book I have read from Brett McKay but it won’t be my last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook via Ebook Discovery to give an honest review.



You know this is a good book for teens as even though it had a few fighting with supernatural scenes there was nothing scary or bad language. We are introduced to Ret who plans to have a great summer with his friends but little does he know his great summer will take a dark turn. When dared one night to stay in the Crooked House it all goes weird from there. A ghost pops up, people start disappearing and then coming back only to be a really changed person. Ret knows it will be up to him and his friends to solve this mystery. Especially once one of his friends goes missing. Ret gets told multiple times not to interfere but how can he not. The house is calling to him to stop whatever evil is going on within those walls, but will he be able to. I really liked the mystery surrounding the house and how far Ret was willing to go to stop the evil brewing there. I would like to see another story about the things that are hidden within the house. I think this would be one book I would have my 12-year-old read as he may enjoy a bit of mystery, friends coming together and the supernatural.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year old Ret is enjoying summer, other than the fact that his father works two jobs and is never home, while his mother works only one job but is exhausted from taking care of everything at home. He and his friends Gary & Jax are doing jumps and stunts with their bicycles on Dead Man’s Hill, when an older boy suggests they spend the night in the Crooked House. This is an abandoned old house that everyone says is haunted. So what to 12 year old boys do when given a dare that could be dangerous? They accept it, of course. Imagine their horror when real paranormal events happen!

This could best be described as a supernatural coming-of-age story. Ret goes through a lot as the summer goes on- more paranormal events; fear of the local mortician’s new employee, who Ret ends up working with; a family shakeup; people start disappearing. Then climax is extremely tense and well done. It’s a great middle school book, and I enjoyed it a great deal as an adult. Four stars.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes a book's downfall is not the story or how well the author writes, but more in what readers are attracted to it and what the target audience should be. This book started off feeling a bit simplistic with too many characters and a bit loose on the structure. Since the point of view is supposed to be a young boy I felt that maybe that was the point, but it still distracted from my enjoyment of the story. I wondered frequently if Mr. McKay had included every single childhood friend in the book and if it were part memoir. Then the story veered towards the paranormal and completely lost me. I am not the target market for this book and my rating partially is based on that and partially based on what I felt was a good story that needed some serious revision work. So if you enjoy a good young adult supernatural kind of book and don't mind that it feels like a draft, this might be the book for you.

A copy of this book was provided by BookSends in exchange for an honest review.

[Sam Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a complimentary copy of this novel through Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
What a pleasure to read a story set when the times were much simpler, a time when kids enjoyed playing with their friends riding bikes and building dens and the complexities of modern life were unimaginable.
The story revolves around Ret, a boy and his family who constantly move from one town to another and who thinks that finally he has found a permanent home, and his band of friends. The carefree days of summer vacation take a darker tone after the boys are dared to stay in a haunted house overnight, then a ghost appears and townsfolk disappear only to return changed and the book takes on a supernatural theme. Loved Ret and his dogged determination to find out the truth even when he is scared to death.
Thoroughly enjoyed this easy reading plot, probably aimed at the Young adult market.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ebook through Vocarious Readers only.

I enjoyed this book and the story. The end however, was another issue. But I digress. The story had a "Stephen King" feel to it which I was okay with because it was different than Mr. King's stories. Our main character was a kid in the summer who was bored and like to do stuff with his friends. A strange man moves into the creepy house next door to him and weird stuff starts to happen like people missing, dying or changing their personalities all together. So for 90% of the book, it was interesting, creepy and a page turner. Sigh. Without giving too much away, let's just say the end was confusing me. Why wait so long to find the girl? I get it you want to make a sequel... I totally understand but how about let him wait 5 years and then try to find the girl. Plus really you are going to let that last sentence hang like that? Ugh. That's why my 4 star review dropped to a 3 and a half.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review - thank you.

I chose to read this book due to comparisons I had seen to Stand By Me and Stranger things. The comparisons were accurate and I enjoyed the book.

The friendship between Ret and the other children was a strong theme throughout. The descriptions of the town and the haunted house were vivid and really set the scene.

The parents and adults took such a long time to take the kids seriously that it got a bit frustrating and felt a little drawn out at one stage, but often parents are slow to believe anything out of the ordinary, I guess!

I liked the characters and their bond and overall this was an enjoyable book.

The ending was true to life in that sometimes the close bonds we have as children, that seem unbreakable at the time, are broken down purely by circumstances and how life moves on. People drift apart and go their separate ways. A little sad, but a true observation.

[Darren Bourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in return for an honest review (joined a Facebook group highlighting some of the works by some authors including Mr. McKay).

I really enjoyed this book, reminding me a lot of some early Stephen King works (The Body (forgive me, I am thinking that this is the literary version of Stand By Me) and IT) in that it is centered around a small town, the strong friendship amongst pre-teenage boys and kids facing evil that is seemingly missed by the adults. I found the book to be very compelling in an understated and subtle way, in that when I started reading it that I was gently hooked very gently until I realized that I had finished the book in less than 24 hours (and had really could not put it down).

As I mentioned, I really enjoyed this book and would easily give it five stars.

As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.

[teresa pogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this story. I don't usually like supernatural stories but this one was well written and believable. Ret and his friends are looking for an adventure since its summer. They find more than they wanted. I am taken back to my childhood when reading this book. Kids on bikes, a small town where everyone knows you, no cell phones, no satellite TV, and people had to talk instead of texting. I was surprised by the ending although it works. I think everyone would enjoy this story although ten's may find the simplicity of the summer hard to understand since they never experienced life before cell phones. I have never read anything written by Brett McKay before but now I want to read other books by him.

[Lucy Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I thought the relationships between the characters were believable and I enjoyed that it was children who were involved in solving the mystery of the town (had very Stranger Things vibes which I liked). The atmosphere and the events happening in the town were also very intriguing and kept me wanting to read on.

The one thing I would say I didn't like was the ending, I would have liked a bit more detail about the things causing the strange events in the town and the house and the motivations behind that because it felt a bit rushed and a little bit anticlimactic.

Overall, though it was a good read especially as I said if you liked Stranger Things or paranormal mysteries and you're looking for something fun and short to read.

[Rinku Geeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the adventures Ret went on, alone and with his friends. Almost midway through the book, there was a time, when i found it difficult to put down the book.
But then, it got a little too supernatural for my taste.
So, overall, I liked the run up to the actual reveal...
It started sounding very much like Stranger things, in my opinion.

The characters have been written well - Ret, Dawn, Ret's friends....even some smaller (shorter span) characters like Mrs. Beaumont was likable.
And I didn't quite get the angle regarding the issues in Ret's parents' marriage as well as Sheriff Packard's....I thought it might develop into some common cause or something...

[Twila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read! McCay's descriptions, narrative, and dialogue bring Riverton and its youth to life. Unlike many characters in today's fiction, Ret and his friends are unpredictable. Their friendship sneaks up on them and, together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Ret's boyish imagination leads them all into a terrifying adventure and reveals a dark truth that changes them forever. Pick up The Other Side of Elsewhere to find out whether change is good. Thanks to voraciousreadersonly.com for introducing me to Brett McCay's genius and a new supernatural series to pursue. I'm so glad I found a book that didn't force me into a cringe-worthy negative review.

[Lonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about a 12 year old boy, Ret, and his friends are about to enjoy their summer by riding bike and just hanging out. On a dare, they spend a night in a house believed to be haunted. Strange things begin to happen in their small town.

The characters are well developed, great descriptions that made me feel like I was there. My heart was racing during some of the scarier parts (the cave incident especially). I recommend this book to people who like scary ghost stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. I look forward to reading more books by Brett McKay.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ret and his friends are enjoying summer and having fun when they decide to spend the night in the Crooked House. A ghost scares them away and then the house is inhabited but something is wrong. People are disappearing then coming back but not as themselves just what is going on.

This was an interesting read. To start with I wasnt sure but it picked up as the story went on. It's not my usual sort of genre but I find it worth the read. The ending was really good if kind of sad. It was lacking a little in detail and atmosphere but a good read despite that.