The Still

by Bella Dean Joyner

A malevolent spirit condemns a man to madness and grips a once peaceful town in terror.

Haunted by disembodied voices, Deric can no longer differentiate between hallucinations and reality. Something sinister lives in his house, distorting his perceptions and controlling his consciousness.

In the grasp of a darkness that he cannot subdue or escape, he seeks vengeance on the residents of the sleepy mountain town, each murder more sickening than the last.

As Sheriff Haines gets closer to discovering the truth behind the mutilated bodies piling up in Edelleen, Deric begins to unravel and the dark figure lurking in the shadows of the still starts to take on a life of its own.

But with a failing marriage and exposed affair sending his personal life and career spiraling, will Sheriff Haines be able to put his personal conflicts aside in time to stop the killings? Or will Deric lose the battle between conscience and horror, unleashing unabated evil onto Edelleen?


A fast-paced, gripping psychological thriller, the first from this debut author. If you are a fan of Stephen King or Dean Koontz, this right up your alley.

Genres: Horror

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2020

About the author

An avid consumer of all things horror, Joyner enjoys reading books from the paranormal and occult subgenres and watching horror movies. Likenesses of the horror classics like Michael Meyers, Pennywise the clown, Jason Voorhees, and Chucky line the walls of her office along with more recent cinematic terrors such as Annabelle, Valak, and Kayako Saeki. Guarded by her cat, Phoenix, Joyner uses this creative sanctuary as a writing retreat and a home of operations for her other career as a freelance fiction editor.

To follow Joyner's writing, reading, and traveling adventures or to subscribe to her newsletter, please feel free to visit her website. You can also follow her blog where she reviews works by other horror authors you might be interested in.

Be looking for the launch of her new series in January 2022!

Reviews

[MadameD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4/5
Narration 5/5

[lynda dwight · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love stephen king read this

Reminds me of stephen king's books . A page turner and don't expect the ending.. didn't want it to end when it did. Hope there is more like this or a continuation considering what is at the very end ..

[Yawatta Hosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon...

[Jacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! My only disappointment was that there is only one book by this author! While reading this I was reminded of Stephen King and Dean Koontz! I hope Ms. Joyner can get some more books written soon!

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something evil lurks in a small, quiet town. A new detective is obsessed with the beautiful woman who stood him up. Soon he finds himself doing things, hearing things and seeing things. Is it madness or stress and what is really going on? As the body count rises, the investigation falters. The daughter of two of the victims attracts the detective. Will she be the solution or another victim?

This is a creepy, atmospheric novel. It is compulsive reading as the story unfolds. It is not a question of whodunnit ut rather a vigil to see if and how it can be stopped. More spooky than suspenseful, it is an enjoyable read.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Great read. Enjoyed the characters and their interactions. Reading it from the killer’s point of view alongside everyone else’s was invigorating.

[Deric Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an author to watch and a book to read

This was an amazing debut! Following this twisted and often funny path down its dark road to the end was exhilarating and gripping.
I can't wait for the next book!

[Justin Boote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Written in a very clear, concise way, the serial killer described in this book is chiling and terribly cruel, and yet we discover it may not be entirely his own fault the horrific acts he commits, which leads to many questions as to the how's and why's of what he does. The answer may lie in his in his own mind or the shadow that follows and whispers to him constantly, urging him on...
Fully and professionally edited, which also makes it even smoother to read, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, 'Whispering.' Definitely recommened for fans of serial killer novels with unexpected twists and turns.

[Tamsin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always skeptical about reading new authors. I tend to look at the reviews and will sometimes reread the book based on suggestions that are in the reviews. I read this book the very first publishing and again recently. As an author she did an amazing job with this book. I was hooked the first chapter. Her character is well written. I don't want to post to much because I do not want to give away spoilers but it is a must read if you love finding new and surely up and coming authors.

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

BIZARRE!

This was surely one of the most bizarre, spooky, unreal book I have read in more than forever. Inhabiting unthinkable deranged, depraved, creature in the soul of man. Then again in today's world the scenario could be said about our politicians.

[Amanda Konarek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining read

Fun story that was just different enough than everything else out there to keep my attention. I will read more by this author.