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Trespassers
A group of young drug addicts—led by drug dealer Jared Hatcher—plan to rob the wealthy Cohen family on Halloween to escape their dead-end town outside of Las Vegas. They devise the perfect plan with the perfect victims and the perfect getaway. But one act of violence quickly leads to another, triggering a chain-reaction of never-ending mayhem.
Can the desperate trespassers successfully complete their robbery and leave their lives of despair? Or will the fragile Cohens fight back and save themselves?
Jon Athan, the author of Lovesick and Into the Wolves’ Den, presents a bleak, disturbing, and gory home invasion novel—an unforgettable night of desperation and carnage.
WARNING: This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
Can the desperate trespassers successfully complete their robbery and leave their lives of despair? Or will the fragile Cohens fight back and save themselves?
Jon Athan, the author of Lovesick and Into the Wolves’ Den, presents a bleak, disturbing, and gory home invasion novel—an unforgettable night of desperation and carnage.
WARNING: This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
203 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2019
114 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 29, 2025
I am going to divulge some spoilers here, so reader beware. This was just a very mean-spirited book. It’s more or less a very extended body horror home invasion premise. Started out very strong with siblings Crystal and Cody escaping a very abusive home situation, leaning on a scumbag drug dealer, Jared, to help them along. They plan to rob a rich family, and come upon the Cohens. So the story was pretty good up until this point. Then it sacrifices a ton of foreshadowed plot points, all to keep the focus on the violence and excessive sexual content, including quite a bit of rape, some of which is towards underage girls. Crystal and Cody, Patrick and Dustin, Cody and Jill, and even Dustin and Cody all needed to have their couplings explored much more, each with a very definitive and satisfying conclusion, but none of it happened. And it’s a shame because everything had a really great set up in the early portions of the story, and any or all of those pairings could have had amazing arcs. But instead, all but one person dies, so it was all wasted. I’m not a huge fan of films like Hostel, Saw, and basically most horror movies that have come out since those aforementioned titles caught so much fire. Just all blend together and seem unoriginal. How many times can you watch someone get strapped to a chair, locked in a room, or held captive by intruders, getting mutilated? I like horror and consider myself a lifelong student of the genre. But anyone can write a book about torture, solely to be gross and offensive. However, it takes a level of skill to make the characters all have purpose and a good plot to come full circle, without just depending all of it on just how much gore there is. Violence can be a huge asset to horror, but there is a way to finesse it, which this just did not do. The book was a fairly big letdown along with a way too long runtime. Far from one of Athan’s better stories.
December 9, 2021
Horrific!
The only way you'll stop reading is when it's over, or YOU can't take anymore.
Some extremely disturbing scenes! To the point I can barely rate it. Where do you draw the line?...
I don't know. Trespassers isn't my first dance with Jon's work, but this one tackles one subject in particular that I find incredibly repulsive. But... the need to know what happens compels you to finish.
4 Stars.
The only way you'll stop reading is when it's over, or YOU can't take anymore.
Some extremely disturbing scenes! To the point I can barely rate it. Where do you draw the line?...
I don't know. Trespassers isn't my first dance with Jon's work, but this one tackles one subject in particular that I find incredibly repulsive. But... the need to know what happens compels you to finish.
4 Stars.
August 19, 2025
This book is a home invasion by 2 drug fueled and 1 confused teenager. This book is similar to Strangers and Last House on the Left. The story builds up as the author describes the characters, and shortly thereafter, the home invasion ramps up. There are warnings on the book for the graphic scenes and the child rapes and my personal favorite, the hand in the garbage disposal is about as graphic as you can get.
May 3, 2025
TRESPASSERS BY JON ATHAN.
The king of extreme horror.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I do like to dabble into horror and extreme horror now and again and Jon Athan is the man for it.
One this is for sure after reading this book I can 100% guarantee you is i will never ever open my door at halloween ever again.
Horrific, brutal and disgusting.
The king of extreme horror.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I do like to dabble into horror and extreme horror now and again and Jon Athan is the man for it.
One this is for sure after reading this book I can 100% guarantee you is i will never ever open my door at halloween ever again.
Horrific, brutal and disgusting.
June 9, 2021
A group of teenage addicts/misfits decide to rob a rich families home, but once they get there, the leader of the group see's it as an opportunity to live out all of his psychopathic, murderous fantasies. What was supposed to be a simple home invasion turns into a bloody torture fest that will change all of their lives forever.
This book started out great with polarizing characters and great writing overall, but the problem lies when the actual home invasion begins. I was expecting for a bunch of interesting twists and turns to happen once our group starts to explore this house, but instead it just becomes one of the most gratuitous displays of endless violence and torture that Ive ever read in a book. Many of you know that I love extreme horror, but when you write a book thats just once long, non-stop torture scene the reader just zones out and the story loses its intended effect.
Im giving this book 2 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐
This book started out great with polarizing characters and great writing overall, but the problem lies when the actual home invasion begins. I was expecting for a bunch of interesting twists and turns to happen once our group starts to explore this house, but instead it just becomes one of the most gratuitous displays of endless violence and torture that Ive ever read in a book. Many of you know that I love extreme horror, but when you write a book thats just once long, non-stop torture scene the reader just zones out and the story loses its intended effect.
Im giving this book 2 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐
November 13, 2023
Trespassers was a lot darker than I expected… I’ve read 15 books by Jon Athan (so far) and I’d have to say this was in the top five “most disturbing”.
The beginning of the novel had a fantastic setup! It really built up the villains to kick off this home invasion novel. I love when novels have a good back story to them and Tresspassers delivered in that regard!
The writing style was similar to other works by Jon Athan. Very fast paced, intense, and engaging. But like I said, this was on the darker side. I think this novel could have benefited from removing some of the rape scenes and focusing more on the robbery. In the Groomer, those types of scenes made sense (cause well… that’s what the Groomer is about) but I felt like those scenes didn’t serve the story all that well in Trespassers.
My final opinion of the book is still high. I respect that Jon isn’t scared to go all out. The man doesn’t hold back.
The beginning of the novel had a fantastic setup! It really built up the villains to kick off this home invasion novel. I love when novels have a good back story to them and Tresspassers delivered in that regard!
The writing style was similar to other works by Jon Athan. Very fast paced, intense, and engaging. But like I said, this was on the darker side. I think this novel could have benefited from removing some of the rape scenes and focusing more on the robbery. In the Groomer, those types of scenes made sense (cause well… that’s what the Groomer is about) but I felt like those scenes didn’t serve the story all that well in Trespassers.
My final opinion of the book is still high. I respect that Jon isn’t scared to go all out. The man doesn’t hold back.
October 21, 2019
Disturbing but excellent read
Well this was another great book from Mr Athan and true to nature with it being extreme. This was without a doubt very extreme but at the same time a good read. It also highlights how things like this can and does happen a nd how some people are that intimidated that they follow even though they know it's wrong. It also highlights how drugs can make you change an do the most uncharacteristic things. But all said and done a fantastic storyline and well written and once you start your hooked. Probably wrong choice of words there but you get my meaning hopefully. Well if definitely recommend you give it a try you won't be disappointed.
Well this was another great book from Mr Athan and true to nature with it being extreme. This was without a doubt very extreme but at the same time a good read. It also highlights how things like this can and does happen a nd how some people are that intimidated that they follow even though they know it's wrong. It also highlights how drugs can make you change an do the most uncharacteristic things. But all said and done a fantastic storyline and well written and once you start your hooked. Probably wrong choice of words there but you get my meaning hopefully. Well if definitely recommend you give it a try you won't be disappointed.
November 8, 2019
OMG. It was horrible. Living through that with the characters. an awesome read. I found myself cringing a lot and my mouth dropping open. surprise after surprise. geez. Hope this never happens to anyone
April 22, 2020
Original Goodreads and Amazon reviews lost -
A perfect plan, with perfect victims and a perfect getaway goes horrifyingly wrong - bringing brutal, and bloody results.
If your "Perfect Team" happens to end up being just the opposite - maybe give it a minute to rethink things, instead of trying to keep them abord with threats and violence.
(I'd stab a bitch in the throat for questioning my loyalty once things get rolling, and if said bitch tried that in front of a victim... I might not stop there. Who's loyal now? This lonely rich gal right here 😉).
<----- yeah... in my dreams, right?! That was a dream sequence, haha! But I'm a badass too when I'm in the middle of a story, yelling out at the characters!!!
A perfect plan, with perfect victims and a perfect getaway goes horrifyingly wrong - bringing brutal, and bloody results.
If your "Perfect Team" happens to end up being just the opposite - maybe give it a minute to rethink things, instead of trying to keep them abord with threats and violence.
(I'd stab a bitch in the throat for questioning my loyalty once things get rolling, and if said bitch tried that in front of a victim... I might not stop there. Who's loyal now? This lonely rich gal right here 😉).
<----- yeah... in my dreams, right?! That was a dream sequence, haha! But I'm a badass too when I'm in the middle of a story, yelling out at the characters!!!
October 11, 2025
A group of young addicts led by dealer Jared Hatcher plan to rob the wealthy Cohen family on Halloween to escape their dead-end town outside Las Vegas. But one violent act ignites a night of chaos, blurring the line between predator and prey.
Another disturbing masterpiece from Jon Athan. This book is packed with triggers and is definitely not for the faint of heart. The events within are brutal, unsettling, and often hard to read—but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. It’s an unrelenting, tension-filled story that digs deep under your skin and stirs a whirlwind of emotions. Once again, he proves his talent for pushing boundaries and evoking every feeling imaginable.
Another disturbing masterpiece from Jon Athan. This book is packed with triggers and is definitely not for the faint of heart. The events within are brutal, unsettling, and often hard to read—but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. It’s an unrelenting, tension-filled story that digs deep under your skin and stirs a whirlwind of emotions. Once again, he proves his talent for pushing boundaries and evoking every feeling imaginable.
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April 3, 2021I undertstand this was based on a real crime and Jon's horror is supposed to be realistic, so there isn't always going to be a satisfying, cathartic ending (i.e. the baddie/s get what's comin' to 'em via long, drawn-out vengeance!)... but the ending is probably going to leave me irritated for a fair bit now. On the other hand, the book was emotionally evocative, horrific and well written. I just won't add a rating for this one!
June 29, 2025
Athan is just that guy! Reading slump? Athan .. bored of your current read? Athan.. need a crack book to reach your reading goal? Athan… as I continue to make my way through his collection I am enjoying each book.. this was another good one.
April 14, 2022
Inspired by the Cheshire, Connecticut home invasion murders, TRESPASSERS is one of his bleakest tales to date. A home invasion is one of my worst fears, and this story brought all those fears to the surface. A teenage brother and sister, desperate to escape their abusive household, seek refuge with Jared, a local drug addict. Their plan to rob a well-off family quickly spirals out of control. The carnage is descriptive, and the indignities the children suffer is horrendous.
If you're a fan of extreme horror and can handle all of the triggers, Jon Athan is the author for you.
As with all of his books, his notes are a treasure trove of information. I love knowing what inspires any writer, but knowing what inspires his dark tales is truly fascinating.
If you're a fan of extreme horror and can handle all of the triggers, Jon Athan is the author for you.
As with all of his books, his notes are a treasure trove of information. I love knowing what inspires any writer, but knowing what inspires his dark tales is truly fascinating.
October 22, 2019
TRIGGERED...NOT IN A GOOD WAY
I didn't like this one too much. The reality is bad, horrible things do happen to people but reading about the torture, rape and killing of kids is my NO, NO! This story also reminded me of the horrible crime that occurred in Cheshire, CT years ago (I am a Connectican) in which a woman and her two daughters were murdered during a home invasion that included the same type of theft from the bank, rapes, and fire...yes, I'm triggered and again I feel the bad guy...the main bad guy got off WAY toooooo easy!!! His demise was a cupcake compared to anyone else's...I HATE when that happens; I feel cheated!😱🤔
I didn't like this one too much. The reality is bad, horrible things do happen to people but reading about the torture, rape and killing of kids is my NO, NO! This story also reminded me of the horrible crime that occurred in Cheshire, CT years ago (I am a Connectican) in which a woman and her two daughters were murdered during a home invasion that included the same type of theft from the bank, rapes, and fire...yes, I'm triggered and again I feel the bad guy...the main bad guy got off WAY toooooo easy!!! His demise was a cupcake compared to anyone else's...I HATE when that happens; I feel cheated!😱🤔
November 2, 2019
Never disappointed!!
Always a fast paced, crazy ride with this author.
Love, absolutely love all his books.
Great characters in this one with a few unexpected twist.
Always a fast paced, crazy ride with this author.
Love, absolutely love all his books.
Great characters in this one with a few unexpected twist.
December 18, 2021
The story was well written, but the contents were too...depressing. I liked that Crystal, Cody and Jared got what they deserved, but I wish the Cohens were spared. They were good people and didn't deserve to be tortured and murdered just so two selfish, cowardly, desperate fools and a sadistic psychopath could get what they wanted. Poor Kimberly lost everything. Damn them. May god damn selfish, cowardly desperados like Crystal and Cody Cox, who resort to crime because they are too useless to get what they want through honest work. May god damn psychopaths like Jared Hatcher who kill, rape, rob and exploit people for personal gain and pleasure. And may god damn evil people like Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes, who were real-life monsters in human skin. People like them are a stain on humanity's reputation. I get that Jon Athan likes extreme horror, but this book was...not good. I hope that he doesn't write depressing stories like this anymore in the future. His action books are much better.
January 17, 2022
Jon Athan is a writing wizard. Regardless of how depraved, gory, terrifying & grim his books are, I cannot put them down.
This was no exception. I devoured this today.
In a nutshell - I loved this book. I haven’t read many home invasion horrors so this was something relatively new to me. I did kinda get The Girl Next Door vibes, but this was way more twisted. And I’m ok with it. Not sure what that says about me and my warped mind though…
It was constant edge of your seat “what’s he going to do next?!” territory. When you think it couldn’t get any worse, it did. It just snowballed right until the very end, and then when it was over, I just wanted more.
If you’re a fan of extreme horror then I cannot recommend this book, or Jon Athan in general, enough. His stories are always well put together, they have interesting characters with depth, a great plot & it’s always so well wrapped up.
It’s a 5/5 from me.
This was no exception. I devoured this today.
In a nutshell - I loved this book. I haven’t read many home invasion horrors so this was something relatively new to me. I did kinda get The Girl Next Door vibes, but this was way more twisted. And I’m ok with it. Not sure what that says about me and my warped mind though…
It was constant edge of your seat “what’s he going to do next?!” territory. When you think it couldn’t get any worse, it did. It just snowballed right until the very end, and then when it was over, I just wanted more.
If you’re a fan of extreme horror then I cannot recommend this book, or Jon Athan in general, enough. His stories are always well put together, they have interesting characters with depth, a great plot & it’s always so well wrapped up.
It’s a 5/5 from me.
July 1, 2022
Oh Johnny, you just keep getting better and better,what a fantastic book with a fabulous storyline,this book made me break out in a sweat,get cold shivers,shout out and cry and on several occasions have to put the god dam thing down for a breather!!! Wow... Full of gut wrenching gore that will tear your body apart,make your brain ache and rip your heart straight out of your bloody chest. One of the best authors out there for extreme horror books...I just love your books and you Jon Athan... please never stop writing them and I'll never stop reading them....thank you you're the best!!! 10 out of 10 from me. WARNING!!! If you're easily upset,offended or shocked...please... don't even go here!
May 7, 2024
This was my first Jon Athan book…and now I need more. I haven’t delved too deeply into extreme horror, but for whatever reason found this novel more satisfying than sitting through a horror flick like The Strangers or Last House on the Left. I loved how disturbing it was and that it was straight to the point. Like other novels, it doesn’t get caught up unnecessary details (describing the town, the house, things like that). This was quick and straight to the point. Thank you sir for a great book!
November 3, 2022
Well I read this book in 1 sitting so I guess I have to give it 5 stars right? It had me on the edge on my seat the entire time. This was super bleak and dark and gruesome and heartbreaking and ENTHRALLING. This is my 2nd Jon Athans book and, as a lover of depraved fiction and a complete lack of any triggers, I have to say - he has not yet let me down.
September 12, 2025
Incredible. Frightening. Fun.
Home invasions are terrifying, especially the completely unexpected aspect of them. Athan cleverly describes the fear involved to where you feel like you’re actually in the home being assaulted. This was fast-paced and brutal. Shocking, vile and gorey. The perfect balance.
Home invasions are terrifying, especially the completely unexpected aspect of them. Athan cleverly describes the fear involved to where you feel like you’re actually in the home being assaulted. This was fast-paced and brutal. Shocking, vile and gorey. The perfect balance.
March 12, 2021
One tough read!
As with all Jon Athan books, this was brutal, gruesome and graphic- very difficult to get through at times! But what truly makes this horrifying is that it's based on true events, reminding you of what humans are capable of!
As with all Jon Athan books, this was brutal, gruesome and graphic- very difficult to get through at times! But what truly makes this horrifying is that it's based on true events, reminding you of what humans are capable of!
June 21, 2021
A bunch of fucked up druggies and an innocent teen get caught up in a home invasion going horribly wrong. Book starts off slow but gets crazy about halfway through, ending a complete mess by the end. Recommend for sure
November 11, 2025
This was a scary and deeply disturbing read — at times even hard to get through — but it’s an excellent story. The writing pulls you in, and the emotions it evokes stay with you long after you’ve finished. Not an easy book, but definitely a powerful one.
November 27, 2021
Amazing Read
Love to read books like this one. Very entertaining with every sentence. One of my favorite reads ever. Super gory and full of imaginable details. Wow.
Love to read books like this one. Very entertaining with every sentence. One of my favorite reads ever. Super gory and full of imaginable details. Wow.
July 22, 2022
I was looking forward to getting back to this story every time I put it down.
November 2, 2024
Nice and gritty!
This book is very graphic, detailed, gory, and intense! I enjoyed it, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
This book is very graphic, detailed, gory, and intense! I enjoyed it, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
May 24, 2025
A brutal home invasion thriller
This was another good one. It had very disturbing subject matter that'll haunt you. The fact that this could happen is downright terrifying.
This was another good one. It had very disturbing subject matter that'll haunt you. The fact that this could happen is downright terrifying.
November 13, 2019
I wanted to give this one more stars. It had a great story line and all of the classic Athan shock and gore. But, he crossed the line and just went too far (for me) in this one. You know what you did, Jon, and I just can't bring myself to reward that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews