What do you think?
Rate this book
It That Has No Name
Katie Carrollton and her friends decide to spend the first party of their senior year at an old house, recently acquired by her mother's real estate company. The party is set for early October, so preparations begin. First and foremost, they have to gain access to the house without Katie's mother's knowledge. Once that's done, the celebration is on. As the night progresses, the partiers experience unexplainable events. They become the targets of nameless supernatural foes, and their lives are now in danger. Horrific attacks force each party guest to face his or her deepest, darkest fears. Katie soon learns she has a connection to the mysterious house; her ancestors once owned it. Due to frightful occurrences, her own newly realized gifts awaken and could help them stay alive. Katie's unknown family secrets are the key to saving her friends-friends who will be forever changed by this night of terror.
- GenresHorror
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2020
4 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 25, 2021
It That Has No Name opens with a young girl, Evie Harrison, found in her family's home, the sole survivor of an apparent massacre of her family. Evie is rescued and taken to the hospital, but the evil entity from the house manages to reach her regardless. Evie dies before she can tell anyone what happened. The Harrison house stands empty for almost thirty years before a group of teenagers have the misguided notion of holding a party there. Who will survive the night? This is an entertaining story to satisfy fans of horror!
March 1, 2020
I loved every bit of this book and couldn't put it down until it was done. It has an 80's horror vibe that I really like. There are so many creepy scenes through out this story that kept my interest. I am totally invested and cannot wait for the next book!
July 5, 2020
Great read, a true surprise!
I was recommended this book awhile back when I was looking for a good ghost story. This went beyond what I expected in every sense. I really felt connected to the characters throughout the entire story. The story is very well written and descriptive. It was very exciting, I couldn't wait to see what happened next! The ending was truly a remarkable experience! It was left open for another book! I highly recommend this must read dark story!
I was recommended this book awhile back when I was looking for a good ghost story. This went beyond what I expected in every sense. I really felt connected to the characters throughout the entire story. The story is very well written and descriptive. It was very exciting, I couldn't wait to see what happened next! The ending was truly a remarkable experience! It was left open for another book! I highly recommend this must read dark story!
September 29, 2020
A fun and bloody, haunted house story
As I began reading It That Has No Name, a creeping sense of dread was palpable, even as the protagonist, Katie was going through the paces of a typical high school student. This carried through until the night of the party, where I knew something was going to happen, but I wasn’t sure what. I won’t spoil the story, but I will say that when the inevitable happens and the bodies begin to pile up, P.S. Kessell does something here that I appreciate; she puts the reader inside the mind of her characters and not just the main character, but the victims as well.
Too often, characters that are doomed to die are relegated to the sidelines, just waiting for their turn. It’s hard to care when everyone around the main character is nothing more than an extra, but here, I get to know what Katie’s friends are about; what they look like, their hopes and dreams, where they come from and where they hope to go in life. And only then are they taken away, in surprising and brutal fashion.
What we learn as the story progresses lays the groundwork for an interesting world, in both its history and future. I enjoyed It That Has No Name, and I look forward to what comes next.
As I began reading It That Has No Name, a creeping sense of dread was palpable, even as the protagonist, Katie was going through the paces of a typical high school student. This carried through until the night of the party, where I knew something was going to happen, but I wasn’t sure what. I won’t spoil the story, but I will say that when the inevitable happens and the bodies begin to pile up, P.S. Kessell does something here that I appreciate; she puts the reader inside the mind of her characters and not just the main character, but the victims as well.
Too often, characters that are doomed to die are relegated to the sidelines, just waiting for their turn. It’s hard to care when everyone around the main character is nothing more than an extra, but here, I get to know what Katie’s friends are about; what they look like, their hopes and dreams, where they come from and where they hope to go in life. And only then are they taken away, in surprising and brutal fashion.
What we learn as the story progresses lays the groundwork for an interesting world, in both its history and future. I enjoyed It That Has No Name, and I look forward to what comes next.
February 29, 2020
This book reminds me of the 80's when I was a teen! Katie's doing the typical teenage thing wanting to have a hidden party (which are the most fun of course) with a few of her friends and a new crush! As the night goes on something supernatural decides to step in and fuck it all up! What I really like about this book is that it speaks figuratively to anyone who's ever had to fight demons..real...personal...or just in your head..you could find that a little faith might just go a long way!
Great first horror book and definitely looking forward to the next!
Great first horror book and definitely looking forward to the next!
September 19, 2020
I love that Kessell made “it” into a proper noun, that “It” is a tangible creature/demon/shapeshifter when we meet him. Making the unseen force a proper noun intensified the fear of its presence because it validated that the characters weren't hallucinating but actually fighting for their lives.
The book played out like a "Halloween" movie. Getting to know this diverse group of teens, getting into this predicament for a Halloween party, everyone's having a good time, the tables on your romantic bets are turning and then BAM: “The breaking of his neck ended the torture that he had faced at the hand of It that had no name.” (page 139)
At the snap of your fingers (or someone's neck), we're facing off with this seemingly unconquerable evil. The whole book changes, and you fear for every character's life. It's not just at that first death either that you're paralyzed with terror. To the last page, you'll never see any of it coming. Not even what really happens to Jay.
I enjoyed the book, but when I read that Katie fought with the power of God, I loved the book. I will definitely be reading Book 2!
The book played out like a "Halloween" movie. Getting to know this diverse group of teens, getting into this predicament for a Halloween party, everyone's having a good time, the tables on your romantic bets are turning and then BAM: “The breaking of his neck ended the torture that he had faced at the hand of It that had no name.” (page 139)
At the snap of your fingers (or someone's neck), we're facing off with this seemingly unconquerable evil. The whole book changes, and you fear for every character's life. It's not just at that first death either that you're paralyzed with terror. To the last page, you'll never see any of it coming. Not even what really happens to Jay.
I enjoyed the book, but when I read that Katie fought with the power of God, I loved the book. I will definitely be reading Book 2!
January 1, 2022
This book was a recommendation I received on Twitter. I started reading this book and was so hooked on to the story/the characters. I was imagining the story in my mind while I was reading it. If this book is made into a movie, it would be one scary horror movie! I would definitely recommend it to readers! And I can’t wait to start reading the second book in the series.
“It” is scary!!!
“It” is scary!!!
May 20, 2020
I first became aware of 'It That Has No Name', after having been contacted by the author. She had enjoyed and been vocally supportive of a book of mine and being of the mindset of "one good turn deserves another," I figured I would return the favour and purchase a copy of her book.
Happily, it was a smart move on my behalf as I thoroughly enjoyed the ride that this book took me on.
The story follows a fairly traditional 'Slasher' style plot. A group of kids sneak into an old abandoned house to throw, what should be the party of their lives. Unfortunately for them, the house has a dark past, and one by one, the party-goers find themselves being picked off by something unseen and malevolent.
What sets 'It That Has No Name' above the standard slasher fare is the character development. P S Kessell is careful to flesh the characters out before dispatching them so it never feels like the kids are there purely to serve as cannon-fodder. A trope that far too many stories in this genre fall in to.
The antagonist of the story, 'IT', is a truly creepy creation and once the action kicks into high gear, you're never sure where IT might strike and who's next.
I'm informed that there is a sequel on the way I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy. I highly recommend this book, and Kessell is an author to look out for.
Happily, it was a smart move on my behalf as I thoroughly enjoyed the ride that this book took me on.
The story follows a fairly traditional 'Slasher' style plot. A group of kids sneak into an old abandoned house to throw, what should be the party of their lives. Unfortunately for them, the house has a dark past, and one by one, the party-goers find themselves being picked off by something unseen and malevolent.
What sets 'It That Has No Name' above the standard slasher fare is the character development. P S Kessell is careful to flesh the characters out before dispatching them so it never feels like the kids are there purely to serve as cannon-fodder. A trope that far too many stories in this genre fall in to.
The antagonist of the story, 'IT', is a truly creepy creation and once the action kicks into high gear, you're never sure where IT might strike and who's next.
I'm informed that there is a sequel on the way I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy. I highly recommend this book, and Kessell is an author to look out for.
Read
February 24, 2021This book is so well written...from the very first page the author draws you in and you will not want set it down for for a second....so be prepared to tuck in and read it cover to cover. A friend of mine recommended this Author to me and she was right about how incredibly talented ps kessell is...definitely hands down one of my favorite books...you will be left excited for “It Who Has No Name II” The House on Highway 89....Enjoy
February 14, 2021
Katie and her friends decide to throw a party in a house that is known for unsolved murders and missing persons. During the party, the bodies start piling up. Follow along with Katie’s discovery of her supernatural skills and abilities as they battle It, an antagonist of extreme power, strength and skills. Who will survive by the end of the night?
February 23, 2024
It book 1
I had already read book 2 of this series, so some of the later events were not too surprising, my fault entirely. Least surprising was the way P S Kessell lovingly and painstakingly drew 8 adorable characters and murdered the lot of them in satisfyingly gory ways. I thought the book was wonderful and wish I had read it before the second one.
I had already read book 2 of this series, so some of the later events were not too surprising, my fault entirely. Least surprising was the way P S Kessell lovingly and painstakingly drew 8 adorable characters and murdered the lot of them in satisfyingly gory ways. I thought the book was wonderful and wish I had read it before the second one.
August 23, 2020
The novel was poorly written. Sentences were choppy and four to five of the same sentences in a few paragraphs throughout the novel began with the same word. Repeated phrases and mediocre descriptions made for a very dull read of what could have been a very promising storyline.
January 24, 2021
Gripping!
A old house with a deadly secret and the witches of Salem, what could they have in common? The answers lie in the basement but will Katie and her friends survive the night? A perfect treat for horror fans!
A old house with a deadly secret and the witches of Salem, what could they have in common? The answers lie in the basement but will Katie and her friends survive the night? A perfect treat for horror fans!
October 10, 2025
This book surprised me, in the best way. What starts as a typical teen party setup quickly spirals into something far darker, more layered, and emotionally intense. P.S. Kessell doesn’t just deliver scares; she builds dread slowly, through character-driven scenes that make you care about each person before the horror hits.
The supernatural force at the center, “It”, is terrifying not just because of what it does, but because of what it represents. Fear, trauma, ancestral secrets… all of it wrapped in a presence that feels both mythic and personal. Katie’s journey, especially her connection to the house and her awakening gifts, adds depth to what could’ve been a simple slasher setup.
There’s an 80s horror vibe here, but it’s not just nostalgia, it’s atmosphere. The pacing, the emotional stakes, the way each character faces their own demons (literal and figurative), it all works. And the ending leaves you shaken but curious, ready for the next chapter.
I’m really glad I picked this up. It’s the kind of horror that lingers, not just in your mind, but in your gut.
The supernatural force at the center, “It”, is terrifying not just because of what it does, but because of what it represents. Fear, trauma, ancestral secrets… all of it wrapped in a presence that feels both mythic and personal. Katie’s journey, especially her connection to the house and her awakening gifts, adds depth to what could’ve been a simple slasher setup.
There’s an 80s horror vibe here, but it’s not just nostalgia, it’s atmosphere. The pacing, the emotional stakes, the way each character faces their own demons (literal and figurative), it all works. And the ending leaves you shaken but curious, ready for the next chapter.
I’m really glad I picked this up. It’s the kind of horror that lingers, not just in your mind, but in your gut.
June 17, 2023
I had such high hopes for this story, but sadly it is chock-full of run-on sentences, typos, repetitive words and phrases. Such words, like "that". "That" was so overly used, it became extremely distracting, and thus I stopped reading shortly after the first couple chapters. The premise had so much promise, but the way the story was told and the lack of editing made this my first DNF in a very very long time.
May 4, 2022
A must read for horror fans!
Oh, my goodness. If you like thrillers or horror, then “It That Has No Name” is for you! A satisfyingly dark tale, and so different to the usual horror. Great character development, and superb storytelling. I’m not a huge horror fan, normally, but this had me on the edge of my seat. Well done Ms Kessell! I now need a stiff drink.
Oh, my goodness. If you like thrillers or horror, then “It That Has No Name” is for you! A satisfyingly dark tale, and so different to the usual horror. Great character development, and superb storytelling. I’m not a huge horror fan, normally, but this had me on the edge of my seat. Well done Ms Kessell! I now need a stiff drink.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews