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Tenants
Linda Gianni is looking for a way out.
After a bad breakup, Linda finds an ad in a local paper for rooms to rent at the Blackridge Apartments, a beautiful turn-of-the-century building with charm and style. On the surface, it’s exactly what she wanted, but some things are too good to be true.
As she struggles to cope with the sudden changes in her life, she’s dealt blow after blow that further isolates her and keeps her at the mercy of her landlord and mysterious neighbor, Audrey.
Blackout nightmares, hidden doors, and the disappearance of her closet friends only add to her confusion as she searches for answers and tries to unlock the secrets of the Blackridge.
Do you know who your neighbors are?
After a bad breakup, Linda finds an ad in a local paper for rooms to rent at the Blackridge Apartments, a beautiful turn-of-the-century building with charm and style. On the surface, it’s exactly what she wanted, but some things are too good to be true.
As she struggles to cope with the sudden changes in her life, she’s dealt blow after blow that further isolates her and keeps her at the mercy of her landlord and mysterious neighbor, Audrey.
Blackout nightmares, hidden doors, and the disappearance of her closet friends only add to her confusion as she searches for answers and tries to unlock the secrets of the Blackridge.
Do you know who your neighbors are?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2019
50 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Motz
17 books51 followersChristopher Motz grew up on a steady diet of horror and science fiction from some of the genres heavyweights: Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Richard Laymon, William Hope Hodgson, Ray Bradbury, and Peter Straub. From a young age, Christopher was an avid reader and always had the goal to one day publish his own work.
His debut novel, “The Darkening,” marks the beginning of a journey that has been years in the making, but it’s only one step forward. The joy in writing is not knowing exactly where the journey will take you, where your characters will lead you, or how it’ll all turn out in the end.
This author’s story has yet to be written.
Christopher grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, and his work mirrors that way of life. His work is peppered with his own memories of growing up, the friends he had, the places he has seen. It makes for a very authentic atmosphere in his stories and creates a touchstone for others who have similar memories of their childhood.
While he spends most of his time writing, Christopher still finds time to read his favorite authors, along with up-and-comers in a variety of genres. “The best way to become a good writer is to become a good reader.”
Outside of writing, Christopher is an avid collector of classic rock and heavy metal records, and for the past twenty years has been a drummer in a variety of different bands. In 2011 he married his High School sweetheart, and with his step-daughter and dog, Oy, has started a new chapter of his small-town story.
His debut novel, “The Darkening,” marks the beginning of a journey that has been years in the making, but it’s only one step forward. The joy in writing is not knowing exactly where the journey will take you, where your characters will lead you, or how it’ll all turn out in the end.
This author’s story has yet to be written.
Christopher grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, and his work mirrors that way of life. His work is peppered with his own memories of growing up, the friends he had, the places he has seen. It makes for a very authentic atmosphere in his stories and creates a touchstone for others who have similar memories of their childhood.
While he spends most of his time writing, Christopher still finds time to read his favorite authors, along with up-and-comers in a variety of genres. “The best way to become a good writer is to become a good reader.”
Outside of writing, Christopher is an avid collector of classic rock and heavy metal records, and for the past twenty years has been a drummer in a variety of different bands. In 2011 he married his High School sweetheart, and with his step-daughter and dog, Oy, has started a new chapter of his small-town story.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 27, 2019
Linda moves into a beautiful flat, away from her obtrusive ex-boyfriend. The landlord Al Sterling seems to be very friendly when showing her the Blackridge building. But where are the other tenants and why is it so quiet in there? The novel turns into a real festival of horrors with many reminders on Rosemary's Baby and The Shining. Extremely creepy, nicely plotted, with evil entities regular demons or devils are rather harmless in comparison. Can Linda leave the Blackridge behind and end the horrors? What about her friends? There are so many uncanny scenes in this book (e.g. the Dollar store or the Italian restaurant or the run down neighbourhood or the way up to the apartment on the 7th floor). Also the sinister Blackridge building will cause nightmare to you. What are Al and Audrey in the end and what is their aim? Who is the Queen they refer to? Well, even the Shadowking from The Darkening and The Traveler is mentioned here. This was a fantastic book full of real horror with some explicit sex and nasty violence. This definitely is no book for the faint hearted. Well plotted, page turning, an incredibly good modern horror novel with references to past stellar horror books every enthusiast knows. Highly recommended!
May 5, 2021
Wow! This story turned out to be a horror gore fest!
A small backstory:
Linda Gianni wants to be on her own and out from under her parents. Linda also has a controlling ex-boyfriend which is Christian who is ticked off that Linda is no longer with him. So Linda decides to find an apartment that is close to her parents in case they need her but far enough away from Christian so he cannot find her.
Linda finds an apartment complex called the Blackridge which at first seems to be just what she needs and it seems to be a very nice place. The more she becomes settled into the apartment there are little things that are off to her including a small panel door in her pantry that she cannot figure out why it is there. Her landlord, Al Sterling just gushes with likeability every time he sees her and to Linda it feels that he is trying too hard. Also the apartments are just too quiet and she wonders where the other neighbors are located as she hasn't seen any except for one woman, Audrey.
As time goes on, Linda starts having bad dreams along with blackouts where she doesn't remember much of nothing and when her friends come over to hang out with her things get weird real fast which sends Linda's world topsy-turvy as things in the Blackridge are really an optical illusion and everything she sees is really not what it seems to be including Al and Audrey. When the horror of her situation becomes clear it might be too late to run as the Blackridge has decided to not only claim her body but her soul as well!
What is happening at the Blackridge? Who are Al and Audrey? What plans does the Blackridge have in store for Linda? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This book kind of started out slow but then gradually as things started happening to the character, Linda then it became more of a mystery and suspense story. Once I made it past the 50% mark the story just took off as more things started happening in the story which made this book fast paced and this book ended up turning into a gore fest near the last half of the book which I was not expecting!
I never thought I was going to become entrenched in blood and gore until I made it to about the 65% mark then the book exploded with a blood geyser that almost turned into a volcano of gore! It is a good thing I had my gore suit handy as it was definitely needed for this book!
Then this author was not done with me yet as I ended up getting another "twisted" surprise which really sent this book into "high horror" gear and I was careening through the book at break neck speed to see what was going to happen next! I can say that I literally finished the last 40% of the book within a few hours as there was no way I was putting it down till I saw what happened to the very last page! Giving this one five "apartment gory horror" stars!
A small backstory:
Linda Gianni wants to be on her own and out from under her parents. Linda also has a controlling ex-boyfriend which is Christian who is ticked off that Linda is no longer with him. So Linda decides to find an apartment that is close to her parents in case they need her but far enough away from Christian so he cannot find her.
Linda finds an apartment complex called the Blackridge which at first seems to be just what she needs and it seems to be a very nice place. The more she becomes settled into the apartment there are little things that are off to her including a small panel door in her pantry that she cannot figure out why it is there. Her landlord, Al Sterling just gushes with likeability every time he sees her and to Linda it feels that he is trying too hard. Also the apartments are just too quiet and she wonders where the other neighbors are located as she hasn't seen any except for one woman, Audrey.
As time goes on, Linda starts having bad dreams along with blackouts where she doesn't remember much of nothing and when her friends come over to hang out with her things get weird real fast which sends Linda's world topsy-turvy as things in the Blackridge are really an optical illusion and everything she sees is really not what it seems to be including Al and Audrey. When the horror of her situation becomes clear it might be too late to run as the Blackridge has decided to not only claim her body but her soul as well!
What is happening at the Blackridge? Who are Al and Audrey? What plans does the Blackridge have in store for Linda? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This book kind of started out slow but then gradually as things started happening to the character, Linda then it became more of a mystery and suspense story. Once I made it past the 50% mark the story just took off as more things started happening in the story which made this book fast paced and this book ended up turning into a gore fest near the last half of the book which I was not expecting!
I never thought I was going to become entrenched in blood and gore until I made it to about the 65% mark then the book exploded with a blood geyser that almost turned into a volcano of gore! It is a good thing I had my gore suit handy as it was definitely needed for this book!
Then this author was not done with me yet as I ended up getting another "twisted" surprise which really sent this book into "high horror" gear and I was careening through the book at break neck speed to see what was going to happen next! I can say that I literally finished the last 40% of the book within a few hours as there was no way I was putting it down till I saw what happened to the very last page! Giving this one five "apartment gory horror" stars!
September 6, 2025
DNF at 43%. I think Christopher Motz is a tremendous writer. This story just didn't connect with me for some reason. I think that the length, clocking in at well over 300 pages, was a bit daunting, but I really struggled with the characters and overarching premise. Nothing was written badly and I think that fans of hauntings and psychological thrillers and such will have a great time. But this was just a mismatch for my personal preferences. I did really enjoy the general creepy atmosphere and some of the amazing, grisly, and disturbing visuals, most notably the Dollar General incident with the baby. Again though, nothing was grabbing me enough to make me want to go the distance and cover another 200 pages. However, there is a lot of good stuff in here and I really hope that my inability to see this through does not hinder anyone else from enjoying it.
August 1, 2019
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Such a great, engrossing story. I’ll admit, I didn’t care for most of the characters but the story was just so good that it wasn’t an issue. I was impressed by the level of gore, too.
Full review to come.
Such a great, engrossing story. I’ll admit, I didn’t care for most of the characters but the story was just so good that it wasn’t an issue. I was impressed by the level of gore, too.
Full review to come.
March 8, 2019
Loved this. Reminded me of Rosemary's Baby. Never moving again. Glad we have no neighbors where we live. Kept my lights on.
February 20, 2019
Scary as hell
A young woman Linda is looking for a new place to live after having to move back home to her parents when she split up with her abusive boyfriend. A beautiful apartment and a cheap rent, it's too good to be true..
A young woman Linda is looking for a new place to live after having to move back home to her parents when she split up with her abusive boyfriend. A beautiful apartment and a cheap rent, it's too good to be true..
March 10, 2019
WOW!
If something seems too good to be true, then there is probably a catch and in Linda's case,it's a huge horrific one. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good old fashion horror story with supernatural elements.
If something seems too good to be true, then there is probably a catch and in Linda's case,it's a huge horrific one. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good old fashion horror story with supernatural elements.
June 13, 2019
Not for the faint hearted!
Normally, I would avoid a straight forward horror novel like the plague. Yes, I enjoy the supernatural and things that go bump in the night but this story was way outside my comfort zone. That said, it was a very well written book, the characters had depth and the plot was well constructed. It reminded me of the film "Rosemary's Baby". I have to say, I enjoyed reading it.
Normally, I would avoid a straight forward horror novel like the plague. Yes, I enjoy the supernatural and things that go bump in the night but this story was way outside my comfort zone. That said, it was a very well written book, the characters had depth and the plot was well constructed. It reminded me of the film "Rosemary's Baby". I have to say, I enjoyed reading it.
August 12, 2019
A Raging Nightmare
A deal of a lifetime quickly becomes a raging nightmare straight from the depths of hell. Motz is a true horror master unsettling his readers in every way imaginable and unimaginable. He has created a strange atmosphere in this story that manages to keep the reader from ever being able to guess what will happen next in the macabre world of Al Sterling, Blackridge and its tenants. I am very much looking forward to reading more from this very talented author.
A deal of a lifetime quickly becomes a raging nightmare straight from the depths of hell. Motz is a true horror master unsettling his readers in every way imaginable and unimaginable. He has created a strange atmosphere in this story that manages to keep the reader from ever being able to guess what will happen next in the macabre world of Al Sterling, Blackridge and its tenants. I am very much looking forward to reading more from this very talented author.
March 15, 2019
This book is so twisted!! I loved it
October 22, 2019
My nightmares began halfway through the book and continued for 2 nights after the last word had been read. Such is the level of terror Tenants injects into the psyche.
Tenants by Christopher Motz is a story of supernatural terror that will wreck your brain and sleep patterns.
I would like to address an Amazon review I saw to illustrate my points. It is a 3-star review in which the reviewer calls Tenants “Unrealistic and hurried.”
Allow me to properly elaborate on these terms in reverse order.
Hurried: Tenants is fast-paced. Something is always going on. The tension is relentless. Even descriptive moments have a feel of leading you toward something. This is neither light reading nor relaxing reading. Tenants violates your brain.
Unrealistic: Dear God, I hope so! Tenants is supernatural horror. It is demonic and gruesome. Why in the world would one expect such things to be realistic? This is horror. It is not a simple supernatural thriller. It is supernatural horror. How "realistic" should supernatural horror be? The setting and setup are all too realistic as it is. After the nightmares Tenants gave me, I do not wish to discuss how "realistic" the demonic stuff is or isn't.
Very strange. And confusing.
The reviewer, not the book.
All of that being said, Tenants does have some elements of a Thriller, as many horror thrillers do. Some of the characters are purposefully presented as enigmatic; it is part of the suspense. Other characters are presented with forthright simplicity—ordinary people in a twisted situation. I find it a very effective approach for this story. I feel the psychological horror part of this is aimed primarily at the reader, as in it horrifies your psychological make up! Again: it gave me nightmares. Not an easy thing to do.
Christopher has already been properly briefed on my nightmares. He expressed all due concern for my loss of sleep. And he laughed. A true creative. ::eyeroll::
Tenants has a strong supernatural element with a touch of cosmic horror, depending on one’s interpretation. It is also suspenseful, intriguing, twisted, and creepy. This is hardcore horror for supernatural horror fans.
Tenants by Christopher Motz is a story of supernatural terror that will wreck your brain and sleep patterns.
I would like to address an Amazon review I saw to illustrate my points. It is a 3-star review in which the reviewer calls Tenants “Unrealistic and hurried.”
Allow me to properly elaborate on these terms in reverse order.
Hurried: Tenants is fast-paced. Something is always going on. The tension is relentless. Even descriptive moments have a feel of leading you toward something. This is neither light reading nor relaxing reading. Tenants violates your brain.
Unrealistic: Dear God, I hope so! Tenants is supernatural horror. It is demonic and gruesome. Why in the world would one expect such things to be realistic? This is horror. It is not a simple supernatural thriller. It is supernatural horror. How "realistic" should supernatural horror be? The setting and setup are all too realistic as it is. After the nightmares Tenants gave me, I do not wish to discuss how "realistic" the demonic stuff is or isn't.
Very strange. And confusing.
The reviewer, not the book.
All of that being said, Tenants does have some elements of a Thriller, as many horror thrillers do. Some of the characters are purposefully presented as enigmatic; it is part of the suspense. Other characters are presented with forthright simplicity—ordinary people in a twisted situation. I find it a very effective approach for this story. I feel the psychological horror part of this is aimed primarily at the reader, as in it horrifies your psychological make up! Again: it gave me nightmares. Not an easy thing to do.
Christopher has already been properly briefed on my nightmares. He expressed all due concern for my loss of sleep. And he laughed. A true creative. ::eyeroll::
Tenants has a strong supernatural element with a touch of cosmic horror, depending on one’s interpretation. It is also suspenseful, intriguing, twisted, and creepy. This is hardcore horror for supernatural horror fans.
August 18, 2019
There were elements in this book that I really did not like, and to me they could be avoided with a little more imagination.
I never like when alcohol is used as a way to escape from one's problems, but I guess here it was a good mean to justify the constant feeling of - i'm not sure if what's happening is real or a dream - necessary to keep the story going in the right direction.
Overall though, the story is engrossing and unique. Kind of Rosemary's baby meets The cabin in the woods (which is one of my favoutie movies ever, by the way).
The scenery is very effective and gorgeously depicted.
I will definetely read more from Motz in the future.
I never like when alcohol is used as a way to escape from one's problems, but I guess here it was a good mean to justify the constant feeling of - i'm not sure if what's happening is real or a dream - necessary to keep the story going in the right direction.
Overall though, the story is engrossing and unique. Kind of Rosemary's baby meets The cabin in the woods (which is one of my favoutie movies ever, by the way).
The scenery is very effective and gorgeously depicted.
I will definetely read more from Motz in the future.
June 2, 2021
AMAZING! This is how Lock Every Door should have been written. I enjoy reading through the dark twisted mind of Christopher Motz. A Supernatural thriller so twisted it keeps you wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews