What do you think?
Rate this book
What Sleeps Beneath
All Ryan wanted from life was to be cool enough for the girl of his dreams to notice him. If that meant he had to break into the town’s abandoned asylum and steal a trophy for the school bullies, so be it. What he didn’t expect was to find a corpse in the basement.
An old, withered corpse with a wooden stake in its heart…
A stake he accidentally knocked free…
Prompted to return by a strange dream, he discovers that some legends are real, and finds himself face to face with an actual vampire. It’s a truly mind-blowing experience, and he can’t even share it with his best friend, Hunter.
But when Hunter goes missing—the first in a trio of disappearances that rock the small town—Ryan discovers that the cause is even more monstrous than his new “friend.” Whatever happens next, Ryan knows his life will never be the same again—provided he survives…
WHAT SLEEPS BENEATH
An old, withered corpse with a wooden stake in its heart…
A stake he accidentally knocked free…
Prompted to return by a strange dream, he discovers that some legends are real, and finds himself face to face with an actual vampire. It’s a truly mind-blowing experience, and he can’t even share it with his best friend, Hunter.
But when Hunter goes missing—the first in a trio of disappearances that rock the small town—Ryan discovers that the cause is even more monstrous than his new “friend.” Whatever happens next, Ryan knows his life will never be the same again—provided he survives…
WHAT SLEEPS BENEATH
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2019
6 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
John Quick
12 books56 followersIf you ask his wife, John Quick is compelled to tell stories because he’s full of baloney. He prefers to think he simply has an affinity for things that are strange, disturbing, and terrifying. As proof, he will explain how he suffered Consequences, transcribed The Journal of Jeremy Todd, and regaled the tale of Mudcat. He lives in Middle Tennessee with his aforementioned long-suffering wife, two exceptionally patient kids, four dogs that could care less so long as he keeps scratching that perfect spot on their noses, and a cat who barely acknowledges his existence.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 13, 2020
Summary:
Upon exploring an old abandoned insane asylum with his friend Hunter, Ryan falls through the floor into the basement. After dislodging a wooden stake from a long dead corpse's chest, he discovers vampires are indeed real.
To make matters worse, Hunter's death is only the first of a string of childrens murders that begin to sweep through town. It comes down to Ryan and some unlikely new friends to stop the murderer and protect the rest of the kids in town.
Personal opinion:
What Lies Beneath started out similar to a typical newly awakened vampire story. It did, however, have a few unexpected twists that set it apart from the others. Although I am not usually the biggest vampire fan, I do have to admit I really liked this one! (It may have something to do with the lack of 'hot' sparkling vampires and a non-damsel-in-distress needing to be protected or saved!)
The characters are easy to connect with and root for, as well as believable. The plot itself stayed interesting throughout the book, making you anxious to see how it all turns out.
John Quick has written yet another great story with this one including vampires, death, unlikely friendships and of course lots of blood. This is the third book of his I have read and have loved every one of them so far. He has a simple, easy to follow writing style without much 'fluff' filling in his books.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good vampire story.
Upon exploring an old abandoned insane asylum with his friend Hunter, Ryan falls through the floor into the basement. After dislodging a wooden stake from a long dead corpse's chest, he discovers vampires are indeed real.
To make matters worse, Hunter's death is only the first of a string of childrens murders that begin to sweep through town. It comes down to Ryan and some unlikely new friends to stop the murderer and protect the rest of the kids in town.
Personal opinion:
What Lies Beneath started out similar to a typical newly awakened vampire story. It did, however, have a few unexpected twists that set it apart from the others. Although I am not usually the biggest vampire fan, I do have to admit I really liked this one! (It may have something to do with the lack of 'hot' sparkling vampires and a non-damsel-in-distress needing to be protected or saved!)
The characters are easy to connect with and root for, as well as believable. The plot itself stayed interesting throughout the book, making you anxious to see how it all turns out.
John Quick has written yet another great story with this one including vampires, death, unlikely friendships and of course lots of blood. This is the third book of his I have read and have loved every one of them so far. He has a simple, easy to follow writing style without much 'fluff' filling in his books.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good vampire story.
May 14, 2020
* Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! *
Big thanks to Pete at Bloodshot books for sending this one my way.
This is my second John Quick book after ‘Consequences‘ and so far both books have delivered.
I didn’t actually read the synopsis for this one! Pete sent a selection to read and review and I’m familiar with John’s name. So it was a no brainer for me to just dive in.
What I liked: I mentioned I didn’t read the synopsis prior, so I was a bit dismayed to realize soon into the book that it was in fact, a vampire novel. I’ve lost my love of vampires, but will always give a book a chance. (Oddly, when I read this, another book I was reading was also a vampire novel!) The story is really well done. Two teens need to grab something from the abandoned asylum on the edge of town to become friends with some cool kids. Something happens and one of the kids makes contact with a vampire discarded in the basement. What I really loved with this book was the relationship between our main character and the vampire. As both grew to trust each other and become friends. Of course, things are not all fun and games and when kids begin to disappear and turn up dead, we get to see Quick ratchet up the action.
Much like the other vamp book I had on the go, this one features a teen love story and once again, I was really drawn to it. Seeing these two connect and be connected with the other going’s on was a high point.
What I didn’t like: Some of this book felt all too familiar. That’s sometimes the problem with vampire books, there’s not a lot of new ground to cover and not a lot of ability to steer to new directions.
Why you should buy it: Quick can write a fantastic story and both of the two books I’ve read from him were coming-of-age gems, so if that’s your bread and butter, by all means – don’t pass this one up. The action is great, the vampire is a very strong character, which was a nice change, seeing him as human versus monster and the ending will have you distraught.
Big thanks to Pete at Bloodshot books for sending this one my way.
This is my second John Quick book after ‘Consequences‘ and so far both books have delivered.
I didn’t actually read the synopsis for this one! Pete sent a selection to read and review and I’m familiar with John’s name. So it was a no brainer for me to just dive in.
What I liked: I mentioned I didn’t read the synopsis prior, so I was a bit dismayed to realize soon into the book that it was in fact, a vampire novel. I’ve lost my love of vampires, but will always give a book a chance. (Oddly, when I read this, another book I was reading was also a vampire novel!) The story is really well done. Two teens need to grab something from the abandoned asylum on the edge of town to become friends with some cool kids. Something happens and one of the kids makes contact with a vampire discarded in the basement. What I really loved with this book was the relationship between our main character and the vampire. As both grew to trust each other and become friends. Of course, things are not all fun and games and when kids begin to disappear and turn up dead, we get to see Quick ratchet up the action.
Much like the other vamp book I had on the go, this one features a teen love story and once again, I was really drawn to it. Seeing these two connect and be connected with the other going’s on was a high point.
What I didn’t like: Some of this book felt all too familiar. That’s sometimes the problem with vampire books, there’s not a lot of new ground to cover and not a lot of ability to steer to new directions.
Why you should buy it: Quick can write a fantastic story and both of the two books I’ve read from him were coming-of-age gems, so if that’s your bread and butter, by all means – don’t pass this one up. The action is great, the vampire is a very strong character, which was a nice change, seeing him as human versus monster and the ending will have you distraught.
September 4, 2019
John Quick is an exceptional author. I've honestly never read a book about vampires before. I read mainly horror books dealing with the paranormal, but a friend suggested John on his FB page and I'm glad he did. The characters are strong. You feel their pain, understand their sorrow, and root for Francis to always be immortal. Each character was likeable, except for the killer, but John had you hate him from the very beginning. The story flowed well and I was upset when it ended. Would highly recommend this book if you like vampires.
September 8, 2019
I loved, this book. John Quick is a new author to me, and I found his writing style a very easy to read and get into.The voices of his characters were so original and they drew me into the story. I really liked the Francis, his attribute could of alone kept me hooked, If I was a vampire he would be how I would likely turn out to be, I liked how Quick ended as well. The story had had neat little bow on top at the end but it could lead to another book, which I hope will be the case. 4 starts!
May 26, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this. It's a vampire tale with a difference, the characters are well-developed and likeable, and the plot surprising and engaging.
October 27, 2025
4.5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed this different version of A vampire tale ! without saying to much to ruin
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews