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Bennytown
For nearly sixty years, Bennytown has been America’s most exciting family theme park destination. Under the watchful eye of cultural icon Benny the Bunny, the park has entertained generations of children with its friendly atmosphere and technologically innovative rides. Park founder Fletcher Dorian’s dream lives to this day, with Bennytown acting as a beacon of joy and wonder, where magic is real and dreams come true.
Bennytown once saved sixteen-year-old Noel Hallstrom’s life, and to repay it, Noel has applied for a summer job. Though the work is messy and the hours are bad, Noel is happy to be a part of the Bennytown family, until he sees the darkness beneath the surface. Strange, mechanized mascots walk the park perimeter. Elegantly dressed cultists in wooden Benny masks lurk in the darkness. Spirits of the many who’ve died in the park roam freely, and every night the park transforms into a dark dimension where madness reigns and monsters prowl.
Noel is about to find out more about Bennytown than he ever wanted to know, and that its darkness might have designs on him…
Bennytown once saved sixteen-year-old Noel Hallstrom’s life, and to repay it, Noel has applied for a summer job. Though the work is messy and the hours are bad, Noel is happy to be a part of the Bennytown family, until he sees the darkness beneath the surface. Strange, mechanized mascots walk the park perimeter. Elegantly dressed cultists in wooden Benny masks lurk in the darkness. Spirits of the many who’ve died in the park roam freely, and every night the park transforms into a dark dimension where madness reigns and monsters prowl.
Noel is about to find out more about Bennytown than he ever wanted to know, and that its darkness might have designs on him…
- GenresHorror
328 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2020
About the author
Matt Carter
13 books152 followersMatt Carter is an author of Horror, Sci-Fi, and Superhero fiction. He has used his lifelong love for writing, history and the bizarre to bring novels like Almost Infamous: A Supervillain Novel, Pinnacle City: A Superhero Noir (co-authored by his wife, Fiona J.R. Titchenell) and the Prospero Chronicles young adult horror series (also co-authored by Titchenell) to life. He is represented by Fran Black of Literary Counsel and lives in the usually sunny town of San Gabriel, CA with his wife and the myriad of strange fictional characters and worlds that live in his head.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews
June 30, 2020
***Actual Rating: 5/5 allinmyhead Stars***
“How MUCH do you believe in Bennytown?” was the question I found myself constantly asking when reading this book. For starters, Bennytown was a family friendly theme park, featuring Benny the Bunny, Flora Fox, Snapper Gator, Pedro Parrot, Stumbles the Clown Dog, and so many more lively characters that appealed to children and adults alike. Everyone believed in Bennytown because it was a place where no one would get hurt, be lost, or feel lonely. It was an escape from reality when life became too much, when people you loved abandoned you (either by accident or on purpose), or when you simply needed somewhere to clear your mind. It was also a place people visited with their beloved ones to celebrate a milestone they reached, a special occasion such as birthdays, or a consolation prize after experiencing some sort of failure. In other words, Bennytown had always been an easily accessible paradise for everyone…until Noel, the male protagonist, unveiled the darkest and scariest truths about Bennytown.
Interestingly, Bennytown was like a combination of Final Destination, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for me. The lesser-known (and scary) bits and bobs of the park were scattered in the “ordinary” pace of the story, a.k.a. among the chapters from Noel’s POV, whereas the overall information about the sacred place was eloquently depicted throughout the entire book. What intrigued me most was despite the fact that the story was told from different POVs—some of which were from decades ago (in the very beginning of the foundation of Bennytown), while some of which were from nowadays—all of the historical and recent events in Bennytown somehow mixed in one, blurring the invisible line that kept the past and the present apart. That being said, the brilliant writing of this story successfully lured me into the rabbit hole and later on, encouraged me to embark on a journey I initially wasn’t sure I wanted to be a part of.
Without further divulging the story, all I could tell you was that I REGRETTED NOTHING after discovering almost everything about Bennytown with Noel and his friends/foes. Those juicy details regarding both the happy, once-in-a-lifetime joyrides and the tragic, gut-wrenching incidents throughout the making and crafting of Bennytown were enticingly worth exploring. What I didn’t expect, though, was how much effort and energy I could possibly put in this story. I mean, Bennytown was my very first horror/thriller novel I’ve read in my entire life, so I honestly had no clue what to feel or get from the book. Mercifully, it’s safe to say that I not only survived the sophistication of Bennytown but also came out wiser than ever.
Much to my surprise, even though the majority of Bennytown inevitably creeped me out, it actually got me forming random thoughts on subjects I usually didn’t pay attention to such as loneliness, guilt, and desire. In other words, the rational and practical part of me didn’t quite believe in Bennytown since I think the main purpose of horror/thriller stories was to test the limits of our endurance for basic humanity. Needless to say, Bennytown certainly prompted me to face, embrace, and hopefully conquer my deepest fear, even though I didn’t even know what that was, with its own charm…and by charm, I was talking about the unknown whispering, inhuman howling, and restless murmurs in the cheerful Bennytown.
In short, I personally think Bennytown is a trip worthy of taking and of course, a book worthy of reading, as the characters and what they’ve been through in the seemingly lovely theme park will leave an unforgettable impression on you. Better yet, they willeffortlessly mess with your head also redefine yourself and whatever elements making you YOU, if that made sense. All in all, I can’t believe I’m saying this but
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BENNYTOWN!
After all, we all need something to shake ourselves loose for the time being and nothing beats the goose-bumps-causing horror/thriller novel, Bennytown. Isn’t THAT exciting?
***Thanks to Owl Hollow Press for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
“How MUCH do you believe in Bennytown?” was the question I found myself constantly asking when reading this book. For starters, Bennytown was a family friendly theme park, featuring Benny the Bunny, Flora Fox, Snapper Gator, Pedro Parrot, Stumbles the Clown Dog, and so many more lively characters that appealed to children and adults alike. Everyone believed in Bennytown because it was a place where no one would get hurt, be lost, or feel lonely. It was an escape from reality when life became too much, when people you loved abandoned you (either by accident or on purpose), or when you simply needed somewhere to clear your mind. It was also a place people visited with their beloved ones to celebrate a milestone they reached, a special occasion such as birthdays, or a consolation prize after experiencing some sort of failure. In other words, Bennytown had always been an easily accessible paradise for everyone…until Noel, the male protagonist, unveiled the darkest and scariest truths about Bennytown.
Interestingly, Bennytown was like a combination of Final Destination, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for me. The lesser-known (and scary) bits and bobs of the park were scattered in the “ordinary” pace of the story, a.k.a. among the chapters from Noel’s POV, whereas the overall information about the sacred place was eloquently depicted throughout the entire book. What intrigued me most was despite the fact that the story was told from different POVs—some of which were from decades ago (in the very beginning of the foundation of Bennytown), while some of which were from nowadays—all of the historical and recent events in Bennytown somehow mixed in one, blurring the invisible line that kept the past and the present apart. That being said, the brilliant writing of this story successfully lured me into the rabbit hole and later on, encouraged me to embark on a journey I initially wasn’t sure I wanted to be a part of.
Without further divulging the story, all I could tell you was that I REGRETTED NOTHING after discovering almost everything about Bennytown with Noel and his friends/foes. Those juicy details regarding both the happy, once-in-a-lifetime joyrides and the tragic, gut-wrenching incidents throughout the making and crafting of Bennytown were enticingly worth exploring. What I didn’t expect, though, was how much effort and energy I could possibly put in this story. I mean, Bennytown was my very first horror/thriller novel I’ve read in my entire life, so I honestly had no clue what to feel or get from the book. Mercifully, it’s safe to say that I not only survived the sophistication of Bennytown but also came out wiser than ever.
Much to my surprise, even though the majority of Bennytown inevitably creeped me out, it actually got me forming random thoughts on subjects I usually didn’t pay attention to such as loneliness, guilt, and desire. In other words, the rational and practical part of me didn’t quite believe in Bennytown since I think the main purpose of horror/thriller stories was to test the limits of our endurance for basic humanity. Needless to say, Bennytown certainly prompted me to face, embrace, and hopefully conquer my deepest fear, even though I didn’t even know what that was, with its own charm…and by charm, I was talking about the unknown whispering, inhuman howling, and restless murmurs in the cheerful Bennytown.
In short, I personally think Bennytown is a trip worthy of taking and of course, a book worthy of reading, as the characters and what they’ve been through in the seemingly lovely theme park will leave an unforgettable impression on you. Better yet, they will
***Thanks to Owl Hollow Press for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
June 29, 2020
I finished this creepy, teen horror last night. The writing was excellent and the story really pulled me in. I loved the main character Noel and found him really likeable. I also loved how the author brought Bennytown to life and the evil that lurked within. The plot was great with a few things I didn't see coming at all.
Noel gets a job at Bennytown on the day of his 16th birthday. He's always loved Bennytown and credits it with bringing him back to himself after the tragic death of his mother when he was a child. But Bennytown is not all that it seems and we get to know this with the other character chapters throughout the book. We get a chapter from a range of characters that have died in Bennytown going back to when it first opened almost 60 years ago. For me these chapters, although insightful, didn't connect me with the characters and they were soon forgotten as Noel's story continued. They all made sense as the book came to its conclusion but I did forget many of the characters names from the past and found myself wondering who they were again when the denouement was being laid out. This in no way detracted from the ending which I was not expecting at all.
All in all, this is a great read with so very interesting and nasty characters as well as a very likeable main character to tie the story and plot together. This is an author that I will definitely be following and looking forward to reading more of his work.
Noel gets a job at Bennytown on the day of his 16th birthday. He's always loved Bennytown and credits it with bringing him back to himself after the tragic death of his mother when he was a child. But Bennytown is not all that it seems and we get to know this with the other character chapters throughout the book. We get a chapter from a range of characters that have died in Bennytown going back to when it first opened almost 60 years ago. For me these chapters, although insightful, didn't connect me with the characters and they were soon forgotten as Noel's story continued. They all made sense as the book came to its conclusion but I did forget many of the characters names from the past and found myself wondering who they were again when the denouement was being laid out. This in no way detracted from the ending which I was not expecting at all.
All in all, this is a great read with so very interesting and nasty characters as well as a very likeable main character to tie the story and plot together. This is an author that I will definitely be following and looking forward to reading more of his work.
July 28, 2020
If you know me, you will know I am a huge fan of horror and thrillers. I absolutely love this book! There is so much to love about it, and the twisted story it tells.
For a start, the pace and details are perfection. Like any great read, this book sets the scene, with lots of world building, past and character detail. After that, it flows beautifully, with a nice amount of fast paced action, you find yourself thrown in to the crazy world of an impossibly scary story. We would all hate to find that the most popular place we love is actually up to something rather sinister.
The characters are also stunning. I felt as though I knew them and ruby was part of what was taking place.
The flow and storyline as brilliant and really make this book addicting. I highly recommend it
For a start, the pace and details are perfection. Like any great read, this book sets the scene, with lots of world building, past and character detail. After that, it flows beautifully, with a nice amount of fast paced action, you find yourself thrown in to the crazy world of an impossibly scary story. We would all hate to find that the most popular place we love is actually up to something rather sinister.
The characters are also stunning. I felt as though I knew them and ruby was part of what was taking place.
The flow and storyline as brilliant and really make this book addicting. I highly recommend it
September 24, 2020
An addictive, sinister thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seat. Weird, quirky and eerie – all in the best of ways.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 8, 2020
This was a fun, somewhat sinister horror story. The creep factor set in almost immediately. It grew throughout the book until the somewhat surprising end. A great October read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for a digital ARC. My review is strictly voluntary.
Thanks to the author and publisher for a digital ARC. My review is strictly voluntary.
August 6, 2020
Do you believe in Bennytown?
16-year-old Noel certainly does, having taken a job at America’s favorite family theme park. Our lead soon feels there is something off about Bennytown. Strange messages are written on tables, creepy voices come from speakers, a never heard of character named Wilbur the Walrus appears in old park photos… mysteries are at the forefront of this beloved place. To keep this review spoiler free, the synopsis alone drew me in, divulging certain details, although going into the novel blind has its own benefits.
Full of original park characters like Pedro Parrot, Stumbles the Clown, Flora Fox, and its leader, Benny the Bunny, Matt Carter’s world feels truly lived in. Fans of stories set in locations that either feel mundane or particularly safe and happy, only to have the author slowly reveal bits of creepiness sprinkled throughout will really enjoy this story. There were moments reading it that gave me chills, wondering what’s to come for Noel and Bennytown itself.
Another reviewer mentioned Bennytown being a combination of Final Destination, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I agree with all three comparisons, with a mix of 1981’s The Funhouse and random bits from Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Ray Bradbury’s classic Something Wicked This Way Comes. The reader can tell that this author is a fan of the horror genre.
Alternating between following Noel in the present day with chapters through the park’s nearly 60-year history, Carter shows the dark sides of Bennytown, leading the reader to be keyed into its horrors, while poor Noel is still without the full information. The chapters from the past are some of the more tense ones in the novel, and I would have loved to see even more. Without going into too much details regarding the powers behind Bennytown, I feel there is enough of a backstory to serve a sequel, or possibly even a prequel. Bennyworld, anyone?
16-year-old Noel certainly does, having taken a job at America’s favorite family theme park. Our lead soon feels there is something off about Bennytown. Strange messages are written on tables, creepy voices come from speakers, a never heard of character named Wilbur the Walrus appears in old park photos… mysteries are at the forefront of this beloved place. To keep this review spoiler free, the synopsis alone drew me in, divulging certain details, although going into the novel blind has its own benefits.
Full of original park characters like Pedro Parrot, Stumbles the Clown, Flora Fox, and its leader, Benny the Bunny, Matt Carter’s world feels truly lived in. Fans of stories set in locations that either feel mundane or particularly safe and happy, only to have the author slowly reveal bits of creepiness sprinkled throughout will really enjoy this story. There were moments reading it that gave me chills, wondering what’s to come for Noel and Bennytown itself.
Another reviewer mentioned Bennytown being a combination of Final Destination, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I agree with all three comparisons, with a mix of 1981’s The Funhouse and random bits from Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Ray Bradbury’s classic Something Wicked This Way Comes. The reader can tell that this author is a fan of the horror genre.
Alternating between following Noel in the present day with chapters through the park’s nearly 60-year history, Carter shows the dark sides of Bennytown, leading the reader to be keyed into its horrors, while poor Noel is still without the full information. The chapters from the past are some of the more tense ones in the novel, and I would have loved to see even more. Without going into too much details regarding the powers behind Bennytown, I feel there is enough of a backstory to serve a sequel, or possibly even a prequel. Bennyworld, anyone?
December 16, 2022
This book was…okay. It wasn’t bad. There were quite a few moments where I was itching for more. However, it wasn’t amazing either. Honestly, if you feel meh about it like I do, I would 100% recommend Duncan Ralston’s Ghostland. It’s got a lot of similar elements and I have to say even some similar plot beats. I’m a huge sucker for books like Bennytown and Ghostland. Horror that takes place in theme parks. Or any other horror like that that had a fun catch. Horror with a reality show twist? Cool. On a boat? Awesome. The thing with Bennytown, and I saw a few other reviews cite this too, is that some of the characters get lost. Especially the ones in the flashbacks. Don’t get me wrong, I loved those bits. They were some of the best parts. But it got to a point when I began to get a little confused as to who was who. And the main character Noel, I often found myself wishing for just a little refinement with his character. A lot of stuff was done well. Especially his relationship with his dad. But I just felt that there were weakness that could have been fixed up a little. Overall, I got big Escape from Tomorrow vibes from Bennytown.
June 10, 2023
Intriguing Amusement Park Horror
So, if like me, you search for niche horror within the genre, and you are excited to read any sort of horror taking place in an amusement park, give this a go. Although there were some gaps in the plot and should be considered very light horror, it is still a very unique read.
Matt crafted each chapter around a specific character and a moment in time, while the main plot focused on Noel. The character development was excellent. What was lacking for me was the development of the story and plot. Somewhere around the introduction to Elle, I felt that that the author started to lose the thread of the story and then raced to a conclusion that seemed at odds with what he had previously been building.
Still, absolutely worth picking up and reading.
So, if like me, you search for niche horror within the genre, and you are excited to read any sort of horror taking place in an amusement park, give this a go. Although there were some gaps in the plot and should be considered very light horror, it is still a very unique read.
Matt crafted each chapter around a specific character and a moment in time, while the main plot focused on Noel. The character development was excellent. What was lacking for me was the development of the story and plot. Somewhere around the introduction to Elle, I felt that that the author started to lose the thread of the story and then raced to a conclusion that seemed at odds with what he had previously been building.
Still, absolutely worth picking up and reading.
August 6, 2020
Although this was a young adult horror story, dings I love horror I asked to receive the book for free in exchange for my honest review. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is a book I would have gladly paid for. With likable and intriguing characters a great plot and surprises throughout the book I couldn’t get enough and read it in one day. I truly enjoyed it.
July 16, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A theme park, a creepy conspiracy, secret societies, ghosts, creative and gruesome deaths, an unreliable narrator. What’s not to like?
As much as I loved Noel’s segments, I loved the flashback chapters even more. Just these little segments in time throughout the park’s history. This was a captivating little page-turner!
As much as I loved Noel’s segments, I loved the flashback chapters even more. Just these little segments in time throughout the park’s history. This was a captivating little page-turner!
October 14, 2020
I believe in Bennytown!
Matt Carter’s Bennytown is a hallucinogenic ride through a very happy–and very scary–amusement park called Bennytown. Benny is a person in a giant bunny costume, and he has other happy friends who hang out with him. There are rides, restaurants, places to get photos and autographs, and more. Noel and his father own season passes, so they’ve gone hundreds of times. After Noel’s mother died, going to Bennytown was what finally got Noel talking and interacting again–he has a lot of reason to love the place. On his 16th birthday, his father rousts him from bed, makes him dress up, and drives him to Bennytown to get a job there. It turns out he’s just what they’re looking for, and his first job is working at an ice cream stand. Before long he’ll find out that Bennytown has secrets–an awful lot of them. Garcia, one of the janitors, offers to show him some of the secret places, and she becomes his guide. As Noel works, he gets more and more into the “one great family”-ness of the place, and his girlfriend is getting worried about him.
The book see-saws back and forth between Noel in 2019 and various other workers and visitors from 1958 (while the park was being built) onward. I didn’t feel dizzy or lost, because nothing hinges on the reader remembering exactly who was in what time frame. It’s a great way to introduce us to a great many dangers and wonders without having to shoehorn a way to fit Noel into all of them. It also serves to show the reader just how Bennytown got its start, and what its creators and maintainers have done with it.
I love watching Noel get pulled slowly, gradually, and oh-so-smoothly into the thing that is Bennytown. Before long he can’t bring himself to swear (or use other terms on the list of “Poison Words”), doesn’t want to hear anything bad about the park from his girlfriend Olivia, and somehow manages to survive a night stuck in the park–there’s a safety reason why no one is allowed in overnight! The ways and means of churning through bodies are myriad and impressive. This is a highly creative semi-slasher-type horror. It has a surprising amount of depth behind why the park is the way it is.
There are hidden clubs for VIPs, a mysterious “redemption program” for troublesome employees, a system of tunnels (“Rabbit Holes”) beneath the park, multiple murderers stalking the grounds, and more. And through it all we follow Noel, who just wants to be a part of the Bennytown family.
Content note: gore, sex, sexual assault (f on m), implication of child molestation, and animal harm. It isn’t too intense–it’s just varied.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/10/r...
Matt Carter’s Bennytown is a hallucinogenic ride through a very happy–and very scary–amusement park called Bennytown. Benny is a person in a giant bunny costume, and he has other happy friends who hang out with him. There are rides, restaurants, places to get photos and autographs, and more. Noel and his father own season passes, so they’ve gone hundreds of times. After Noel’s mother died, going to Bennytown was what finally got Noel talking and interacting again–he has a lot of reason to love the place. On his 16th birthday, his father rousts him from bed, makes him dress up, and drives him to Bennytown to get a job there. It turns out he’s just what they’re looking for, and his first job is working at an ice cream stand. Before long he’ll find out that Bennytown has secrets–an awful lot of them. Garcia, one of the janitors, offers to show him some of the secret places, and she becomes his guide. As Noel works, he gets more and more into the “one great family”-ness of the place, and his girlfriend is getting worried about him.
The book see-saws back and forth between Noel in 2019 and various other workers and visitors from 1958 (while the park was being built) onward. I didn’t feel dizzy or lost, because nothing hinges on the reader remembering exactly who was in what time frame. It’s a great way to introduce us to a great many dangers and wonders without having to shoehorn a way to fit Noel into all of them. It also serves to show the reader just how Bennytown got its start, and what its creators and maintainers have done with it.
I love watching Noel get pulled slowly, gradually, and oh-so-smoothly into the thing that is Bennytown. Before long he can’t bring himself to swear (or use other terms on the list of “Poison Words”), doesn’t want to hear anything bad about the park from his girlfriend Olivia, and somehow manages to survive a night stuck in the park–there’s a safety reason why no one is allowed in overnight! The ways and means of churning through bodies are myriad and impressive. This is a highly creative semi-slasher-type horror. It has a surprising amount of depth behind why the park is the way it is.
There are hidden clubs for VIPs, a mysterious “redemption program” for troublesome employees, a system of tunnels (“Rabbit Holes”) beneath the park, multiple murderers stalking the grounds, and more. And through it all we follow Noel, who just wants to be a part of the Bennytown family.
Content note: gore, sex, sexual assault (f on m), implication of child molestation, and animal harm. It isn’t too intense–it’s just varied.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/10/r...
March 4, 2023
ISN'T THAT EXCITING?
I decided to give Bennytown a try as I love theme parks and enjoy a good horror story now and then. Bennytown is merely that. A good horror story. It’s not the kind that will give you nightmares or the kind that will make you check the locks on your doors before going to bed. It’s a bit creepy at times and sometimes a little gory. However, there’s nothing shocking and the things that could be disturbing are described so blandly, it’s easy to pass over them. So, the book is good, but it will be quickly forgotten. Despite the thirty-seven times (yes, I counted) someone in the book asks, “Isn’t that exciting?” the book is not exciting.
And that’s a shame. It started off great. The premise was good and interesting and I had a hard time putting the book down for the first part or so. Somewhere in the middle of the book, though, it began to lose its charm and steam. There were no more surprises. Over and over again we learn from Noel, the main character, that something just ain’t right about Bennytown as something else weird happens to him. Yet, time and time again, despite all the signs that Bennytown is something beyond a family friendly vacation destination, Noel continues to work there and continues to see signs that things just aren’t right, yet he continues to work there. He continues to repeat, “I believe in Bennytown” (thirty-six times, though it feels like a lot more).
And that’s where the real problem lay for me. Yes, I get it. Noel is loyal to his favorite amusement park, a place that is giving him a chance to work his first job. But, why? Why is he so loyal to this place, even after he begins to realize things are out of whack there? We’re given plenty of information about the layout of Bennytown, the names of the characters in the park, and all that, but what’s missing is whatever the magic is that drew him here in the first place. Yeah, it’s alluded that Bennytown was there for him when he “lost himself” after his mother passed, but what does that mean? It’s like a whole portion of his life that we’re supposed to just understand, so there’s no need to explain it. We know the cartoon characters that inspired the park are Benny the Bunny, Pedro the Parrot, Dare the Hare, etc. but there is nothing really said about where these characters came from. We don’t get any clue as to what their cartoons are like or why they are so important to Noel. It's one thing to understand that these are cartoons that Noel has watched and enjoyed, but when the main character has a cult-like devotion to these characters, I need to understand why.
Nothing is really fleshed out in this book. There are a ton of characters, which is fine, but there’s no strong definition between them. Somewhere in the middle of the book Noel stayed late after work to hang out with his new friends. There are several of them, but they all seem to have the same personality and it’s a bit of a drag to get through, trying to remember who is who. There’s a Jimmy, a Lance, a Garcia, maybe someone named Monica, I think there’s a Lorraine… I could not keep track. They’re all just faceless interchangeable caricatures, not even actual characters, sort of like Benny Bunny or Wilbur Walrus or Pedro Parrot or whatever the cartoon characters were called.
At one point Noel’s girlfriend says he’s changing due to working at Bennytown. If he actually had changed, I couldn’t detect it. All through the book he’s the same boy. He’s a naïve sixteen-year-old (on the immature side) obsessed with his job and with Bennytown and doesn’t really ever veer from that.
The moment the book really lost me is when Noel finds out there’s some huge reward for finding a missing character costume. The Walrus. Wilbur or Willie or Wilson… I forget now. Anyway, the costume, for whatever reason, has come up missing years ago and there’s a huge reward for its return for some nonsensical reason and Noel finds it in the most predictable of places. So, yay, I guess.
The third act was so bland and boring and repetetive I slogged to get through it to see if it ever reaches a climax or a decent ending. No, not really. That’s really too bad because, as I mentioned, the book had a solid start and a lot of promise. It felt as if the author got tired of his own story and put less and less effort into it as he went along. There is a big twist at the end, but it’s pretty easy to see it coming from about halfway through the book. So, I’m giving the book three stars. The first part alone would be around four stars, the second part dangles between two and three stars, and the third part is a solitary star for being so anti-climactic.
I decided to give Bennytown a try as I love theme parks and enjoy a good horror story now and then. Bennytown is merely that. A good horror story. It’s not the kind that will give you nightmares or the kind that will make you check the locks on your doors before going to bed. It’s a bit creepy at times and sometimes a little gory. However, there’s nothing shocking and the things that could be disturbing are described so blandly, it’s easy to pass over them. So, the book is good, but it will be quickly forgotten. Despite the thirty-seven times (yes, I counted) someone in the book asks, “Isn’t that exciting?” the book is not exciting.
And that’s a shame. It started off great. The premise was good and interesting and I had a hard time putting the book down for the first part or so. Somewhere in the middle of the book, though, it began to lose its charm and steam. There were no more surprises. Over and over again we learn from Noel, the main character, that something just ain’t right about Bennytown as something else weird happens to him. Yet, time and time again, despite all the signs that Bennytown is something beyond a family friendly vacation destination, Noel continues to work there and continues to see signs that things just aren’t right, yet he continues to work there. He continues to repeat, “I believe in Bennytown” (thirty-six times, though it feels like a lot more).
And that’s where the real problem lay for me. Yes, I get it. Noel is loyal to his favorite amusement park, a place that is giving him a chance to work his first job. But, why? Why is he so loyal to this place, even after he begins to realize things are out of whack there? We’re given plenty of information about the layout of Bennytown, the names of the characters in the park, and all that, but what’s missing is whatever the magic is that drew him here in the first place. Yeah, it’s alluded that Bennytown was there for him when he “lost himself” after his mother passed, but what does that mean? It’s like a whole portion of his life that we’re supposed to just understand, so there’s no need to explain it. We know the cartoon characters that inspired the park are Benny the Bunny, Pedro the Parrot, Dare the Hare, etc. but there is nothing really said about where these characters came from. We don’t get any clue as to what their cartoons are like or why they are so important to Noel. It's one thing to understand that these are cartoons that Noel has watched and enjoyed, but when the main character has a cult-like devotion to these characters, I need to understand why.
Nothing is really fleshed out in this book. There are a ton of characters, which is fine, but there’s no strong definition between them. Somewhere in the middle of the book Noel stayed late after work to hang out with his new friends. There are several of them, but they all seem to have the same personality and it’s a bit of a drag to get through, trying to remember who is who. There’s a Jimmy, a Lance, a Garcia, maybe someone named Monica, I think there’s a Lorraine… I could not keep track. They’re all just faceless interchangeable caricatures, not even actual characters, sort of like Benny Bunny or Wilbur Walrus or Pedro Parrot or whatever the cartoon characters were called.
At one point Noel’s girlfriend says he’s changing due to working at Bennytown. If he actually had changed, I couldn’t detect it. All through the book he’s the same boy. He’s a naïve sixteen-year-old (on the immature side) obsessed with his job and with Bennytown and doesn’t really ever veer from that.
The moment the book really lost me is when Noel finds out there’s some huge reward for finding a missing character costume. The Walrus. Wilbur or Willie or Wilson… I forget now. Anyway, the costume, for whatever reason, has come up missing years ago and there’s a huge reward for its return for some nonsensical reason and Noel finds it in the most predictable of places. So, yay, I guess.
The third act was so bland and boring and repetetive I slogged to get through it to see if it ever reaches a climax or a decent ending. No, not really. That’s really too bad because, as I mentioned, the book had a solid start and a lot of promise. It felt as if the author got tired of his own story and put less and less effort into it as he went along. There is a big twist at the end, but it’s pretty easy to see it coming from about halfway through the book. So, I’m giving the book three stars. The first part alone would be around four stars, the second part dangles between two and three stars, and the third part is a solitary star for being so anti-climactic.
December 1, 2023
Come for the rides, stay for the horror...
This novel really surprised me, it starts out with some coming-of-age vibes with a young man getting his first job in an amusement park and slowly builds up the weird factor as it goes along.
The entire story is at at times almost too on the nose with its Disneyland references, an amusement park with themed "lands" built around colorful cartoon characters and the artificial sense of childhood innocence that parks like these seek to emulate. But as always, there are dark secrets and urban legends around that our young protagonist soon finds are sometimes not even close to the truth. There's even a Walt Disney-type park mentor called Dorian Fletcher whose spirit, both figurative and literal permeates the park alongside his main character Benny the Bunny.
Some reviews have likened this novel to the movie Thirteen Ghosts, and I can certainly see the resemblance, especially when the story takes a full turn into the supernatural. Can't say more about the plot without spoiling it so I'll just say that it's a worthy horror read and if you like the theme park setting, even better.
This novel really surprised me, it starts out with some coming-of-age vibes with a young man getting his first job in an amusement park and slowly builds up the weird factor as it goes along.
The entire story is at at times almost too on the nose with its Disneyland references, an amusement park with themed "lands" built around colorful cartoon characters and the artificial sense of childhood innocence that parks like these seek to emulate. But as always, there are dark secrets and urban legends around that our young protagonist soon finds are sometimes not even close to the truth. There's even a Walt Disney-type park mentor called Dorian Fletcher whose spirit, both figurative and literal permeates the park alongside his main character Benny the Bunny.
Some reviews have likened this novel to the movie Thirteen Ghosts, and I can certainly see the resemblance, especially when the story takes a full turn into the supernatural. Can't say more about the plot without spoiling it so I'll just say that it's a worthy horror read and if you like the theme park setting, even better.
March 8, 2024
I am, as i’m pretty sure i’ve said before, a sucker for a horror novel set in a theme park. Probably because I worked at the theme park of all theme parks and don’t have the most positive feelings towards my time there. Probably something I should talk to my therapist about.
I texted my BFF:
“This one is giving me the ick, not because it’s scary, but because the author was either a former employee, or REALLY memorized the wiki for park deaths and the “no one dies here” vibes. Like, shit they say in the orientation and shit they practice on stage, absolutely sends chills down my back. Outside of the paranormal shit, it’s an exaggeration, but not by much, of the place i worked”
And she replied with “oh no. Nooooo.” She gets it.
The book was one of the better ones. It needed a little more editing. A character’s name was spelled one way, jumped to a different way, and then went back to OG spelling.
The character thought “i’ve gotta get out of her” instead of here.
A character “kept tugged” on her sweater.
Just little things that needed a tick mark before publishing.
But it was good fun, even if my theme park trauma had me setting it down and walking away for a while. Lol
I texted my BFF:
“This one is giving me the ick, not because it’s scary, but because the author was either a former employee, or REALLY memorized the wiki for park deaths and the “no one dies here” vibes. Like, shit they say in the orientation and shit they practice on stage, absolutely sends chills down my back. Outside of the paranormal shit, it’s an exaggeration, but not by much, of the place i worked”
And she replied with “oh no. Nooooo.” She gets it.
The book was one of the better ones. It needed a little more editing. A character’s name was spelled one way, jumped to a different way, and then went back to OG spelling.
The character thought “i’ve gotta get out of her” instead of here.
A character “kept tugged” on her sweater.
Just little things that needed a tick mark before publishing.
But it was good fun, even if my theme park trauma had me setting it down and walking away for a while. Lol
August 19, 2023
Went a weird place, but entertaining. I would have liked it better had Noel stayed the good guy, the "twist" of him offing his girlfriend was unnecessary and I don't feel the time was taken to really build his decent to murder, then mass murder, it just kinda happened with one conversation of convincing. He goes from saving everyone to killing kids in a chapter... sad, cuz if not for the last 1/4 it could have been a much better book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2021
Intriguing and creepy
Horror is not my usual genre, but I read this as part of a book club. It was interesting and suspenseful, with an intricate plot line that drove the story forward nicely. It was indeed horrifying and the ending surprised me greatly! I would definitely recommend this book to those 18 + who are fans of the horror genre.
Horror is not my usual genre, but I read this as part of a book club. It was interesting and suspenseful, with an intricate plot line that drove the story forward nicely. It was indeed horrifying and the ending surprised me greatly! I would definitely recommend this book to those 18 + who are fans of the horror genre.
March 1, 2023
The story kept my attention. Disneyland meets American Horror Story, with a hint of Lovecraft. I loved every minute of it and finished it in about 2 days. Only 4 stars because the Kindle version had some spelling errors and font issues. One screen would be bold, then next would be faded, some fonts were bigger, the rest were smaller, etc.
June 7, 2023
This book was wonderfully terrifying. The deeper the lore got, the more gruesome it became. I'm dying for a sequel. There's definitely a potential for either a satisfying redemption arc or a complete dive into insanity and I'm here for both! If you like ghost stories with a rich background (vs pure mystery throughout) I highly recommend. I believe in Bennytown!
June 7, 2021
What a fun trip!
I loved this Book! No one else, I have read in my Lifetime, has ever been able to inter weave two stories into one, the way this author has!
Looking forward to checking out MORE!!!
I loved this Book! No one else, I have read in my Lifetime, has ever been able to inter weave two stories into one, the way this author has!
Looking forward to checking out MORE!!!
March 2, 2023
I get scared easily so I almost stopped reading Bennytown. I couldn't stop thinking about Bennytown though so I kept going. I'm so glad I did! Matt Carter created a very interesting world, with fun and often shocking twists. I'm sad that it's over. I believe in Bennytown.
January 13, 2023
As someone who grew up loving theme parks, and now loves horror too, this was perfect
August 31, 2023
An equally charming and horrifying tale of amusement and trauma.
March 21, 2025
Horror ambientato in un parco di divertimenti "malvagio" che fa il verso a Disneyland, perchè se quello è il luogo più felice della terra, Bennytown non lo è.
Al romanzo gioverebbe una spuntatina delle parti più prolisse e noiose, cioè il racconto quotidiano del lavoro del protagonista come dipendente di Bennytown. Va avanti tantissimo senza che niente di spaventoso accada.
Poi l'autore ha voluto, secondo me, concentrare troppi aspetti horror in uno: ecc...
Tutto troppo, da una parte ero confusa e dall'altra annoiata dal protagonista e dalla ripetizione fino allo sfinimento di "I believe in Bennytown".
Al romanzo gioverebbe una spuntatina delle parti più prolisse e noiose, cioè il racconto quotidiano del lavoro del protagonista come dipendente di Bennytown. Va avanti tantissimo senza che niente di spaventoso accada.
Poi l'autore ha voluto, secondo me, concentrare troppi aspetti horror in uno: ecc...
Tutto troppo, da una parte ero confusa e dall'altra annoiata dal protagonista e dalla ripetizione fino allo sfinimento di "I believe in Bennytown".
October 7, 2023
This was fantastic and more people need to read it!
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