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The Boy in the Woods
Today was supposed to be Eddie Reicher's last day at summer camp. But when his parents can't come to pick him up, Eddie must spend one more night at Camp Cottonwood.
At first, he's thrilled. Not only does he get to hang out with the older counselors, but his secret crush is staying over until morning too. Best of all, the other campers - the ones who mercilessly made fun of Eddie's disfigured face - are long gone.
But as sun sets, an unholy terror creeps in. Something evil has infected the counselors, and Eddie willhave to do everything he can - even kill - if he hopes to survive the night.
At first, he's thrilled. Not only does he get to hang out with the older counselors, but his secret crush is staying over until morning too. Best of all, the other campers - the ones who mercilessly made fun of Eddie's disfigured face - are long gone.
But as sun sets, an unholy terror creeps in. Something evil has infected the counselors, and Eddie willhave to do everything he can - even kill - if he hopes to survive the night.
84 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2020
5 people are currently reading
2144 people want to read
About the author
Scott Thomas
4 books1,005 followersScott Thomas is the Stoker-nominated author of Kill Creek, which was selected by the American Library Association's reader committee as the top horror book of 2017. Originally from Coffeyville, Kansas, Scott attended the University of Kansas where he earned degrees in English and Film. He has written TV movies and teleplays for various networks including Netflix, Syfy, MTV, VH1, the CW, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and ABC family. Scott was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on R.L. Stein's The Haunting Hour. He lives in Sherman Oaks, California with his wife and two daughters. Violet is his second novel.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 1, 2020
What the fuck??? Terrifying
November 3, 2020
Eddie Reicher is a ten-year-old boy suffering. A tragedy left his face severely disfigured and kids can be so cruel. Finished with another season of summer camp, his parents don't pick him up and he is forced to spend another night there with only the camp staff, teen counselors, and one other camper who is left behind too.
The perfect set up for a night of horrors.
Horror lovers are familiar with all the classic tropes and I'm willing to bet that 'Summer Camp Slashers' is a favorite.
THE BOY IN THE WOODS delivers on all expectations for an action-packed, page-turning, gore-soaked, good time. Eddie is a favorable character that readers will invest in emotionally, making his journey through this worst night of his life, suspenseful and worrisome.
There were a few aspects of this story that I felt needed more exposition and I think the character development, apart from the main protagonist, was too thin; hurried.
There's also something I wish I could say about the ending but it's too spoilery and future readers will discover it for themselves anyways, but I loved the ending. It chilled me the more I thought about what the implications mean.
THE BOY IN THE WOODS creeps up its readers with a stealthy, intensifying dread. My heart never felt safe.
The perfect set up for a night of horrors.
Horror lovers are familiar with all the classic tropes and I'm willing to bet that 'Summer Camp Slashers' is a favorite.
THE BOY IN THE WOODS delivers on all expectations for an action-packed, page-turning, gore-soaked, good time. Eddie is a favorable character that readers will invest in emotionally, making his journey through this worst night of his life, suspenseful and worrisome.
There were a few aspects of this story that I felt needed more exposition and I think the character development, apart from the main protagonist, was too thin; hurried.
There's also something I wish I could say about the ending but it's too spoilery and future readers will discover it for themselves anyways, but I loved the ending. It chilled me the more I thought about what the implications mean.
THE BOY IN THE WOODS creeps up its readers with a stealthy, intensifying dread. My heart never felt safe.
October 31, 2020
"He was born with the face of God's favorite angel."
Scott Thomas has such a gripping writing style. His stories always seem to reach out and hold me steady in anticipation of the next scene. The Boy in the Woods is a short little novella that did just that. Following Eddie as he deals with bullying just because of an accident that left him deeply scarred was so sad. Add to his sad story a bunch of camp counselors loosing their minds and becoming killers and WOAH!
I really enjoyed this novella. It was the perfect length and had the perfect amount of gore. I'm left with a feeling of wanting to know more and also it being the perfect novella. It packed the right amount of creepines and camp slashery goodness!
Thank you so so much to Inkshares, Scott Thomas and also Night Worms for this amazing Halloween day reading!
Scott Thomas has such a gripping writing style. His stories always seem to reach out and hold me steady in anticipation of the next scene. The Boy in the Woods is a short little novella that did just that. Following Eddie as he deals with bullying just because of an accident that left him deeply scarred was so sad. Add to his sad story a bunch of camp counselors loosing their minds and becoming killers and WOAH!
I really enjoyed this novella. It was the perfect length and had the perfect amount of gore. I'm left with a feeling of wanting to know more and also it being the perfect novella. It packed the right amount of creepines and camp slashery goodness!
Thank you so so much to Inkshares, Scott Thomas and also Night Worms for this amazing Halloween day reading!
January 25, 2021
THE BOY IN THE WOODS delivers on all expectations for an action-packed, page-turning, gore-soaked, good time. Eddie is a favorable character that readers will invest in emotionally, making his journey through this worst night of his life, suspenseful and worrisome.
There were a few aspects of this story that I felt needed more exposition and I think the character development, apart from the main protagonist, was too thin; hurried.
There's also something I wish I could say about the ending but it's too spoilery and future readers will discover it for themselves anyway, but I loved the ending. It chilled me the more I thought about what the implications mean.
THE BOY IN THE WOODS creeps up its readers with a stealthy, intensifying dread. My heart never felt safe. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
There were a few aspects of this story that I felt needed more exposition and I think the character development, apart from the main protagonist, was too thin; hurried.
There's also something I wish I could say about the ending but it's too spoilery and future readers will discover it for themselves anyway, but I loved the ending. It chilled me the more I thought about what the implications mean.
THE BOY IN THE WOODS creeps up its readers with a stealthy, intensifying dread. My heart never felt safe. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
October 8, 2022
Scott Thomas’ The Boy In The Woods is a big step up from his last novel, Violet. I had a great time reading this. Was it the most original thing I’ve ever read? No, of course not. Was it a bit predictable at times? Sure. But it was SO damn fun that none of that other stuff bothered me much at all. Plus, I am a huge sucker for summer camp stories (I was a 90s kid who was obsessed with Salute Your Shorts, so what can I say?).
And the setup here is a frightening one. Imagine being at summer camp with no other campers, stalked by counselors out for your blood. Creepy stuff.
Part coming-of-age tale, part slasher, and pretty much all action, this novella felt like the literary equivalent of watching a fun 90 minute horror movie on a Saturday night. It was the perfect length to tell the story it needed to tell, centered around a protagonist you can identify and sympathize with, and had just enough of a twist to keep things fresh.
In short, this is a solid little novella to read if you need a quick blood-soaked adrenaline fix.
4/5 stars.
And the setup here is a frightening one. Imagine being at summer camp with no other campers, stalked by counselors out for your blood. Creepy stuff.
Part coming-of-age tale, part slasher, and pretty much all action, this novella felt like the literary equivalent of watching a fun 90 minute horror movie on a Saturday night. It was the perfect length to tell the story it needed to tell, centered around a protagonist you can identify and sympathize with, and had just enough of a twist to keep things fresh.
In short, this is a solid little novella to read if you need a quick blood-soaked adrenaline fix.
4/5 stars.
November 18, 2022
☆☆☆½
Short and creepy.
Short and creepy.
November 2, 2020
“Eddie Reicher was a freak. They all said it, and so that’s what he believed.”
•
Scott Thomas has done it again with this gripping horror about a night at camp gone terribly, terribly wrong. Young Eddie-Dog Face-Reicher is bummed about staying at Camp Cottonwood one more night, wishing his parents could’ve picked him up on schedule like the other kids’ parents. But maybe it won’t be so bad! After all, he’s not alone. The cool camp counselors are also staying behind as well as June, the one person who never treated Eddie like “The Freak” everyone else thought he was. But when night falls and an unknown evil starts making its way through camp, Eddie wishes more than anything to go home.
•
I read THE BOY IN THE WOODS easily in a day! In only 142 pages, the story had such a strong, steady build up to the terror awaiting somewhere in the woods. What I absolutely loved about it, was the fact that I had no idea what was in store for Camp Cottonwood and those left behind! I found myself anxiously asking questions and taking guesses as to what it was I needed to be afraid of. Plus it’s gory, it’s creepy, and I will be shocked if this story doesn’t make you itchy.
•
THE BOY IN THE WOODS is the perfect, quick read to make your skin crawl and it’s available on the inkshares website!
(Special thanks to Inkshares, Night Worms, and author Scott Thomas for this surprise copy for review! )
#NightWormsBookParty
•
Scott Thomas has done it again with this gripping horror about a night at camp gone terribly, terribly wrong. Young Eddie-Dog Face-Reicher is bummed about staying at Camp Cottonwood one more night, wishing his parents could’ve picked him up on schedule like the other kids’ parents. But maybe it won’t be so bad! After all, he’s not alone. The cool camp counselors are also staying behind as well as June, the one person who never treated Eddie like “The Freak” everyone else thought he was. But when night falls and an unknown evil starts making its way through camp, Eddie wishes more than anything to go home.
•
I read THE BOY IN THE WOODS easily in a day! In only 142 pages, the story had such a strong, steady build up to the terror awaiting somewhere in the woods. What I absolutely loved about it, was the fact that I had no idea what was in store for Camp Cottonwood and those left behind! I found myself anxiously asking questions and taking guesses as to what it was I needed to be afraid of. Plus it’s gory, it’s creepy, and I will be shocked if this story doesn’t make you itchy.
•
THE BOY IN THE WOODS is the perfect, quick read to make your skin crawl and it’s available on the inkshares website!
(Special thanks to Inkshares, Night Worms, and author Scott Thomas for this surprise copy for review! )
#NightWormsBookParty
November 2, 2020
Eddie's parents can't pick him up on time from summer camp. So, he has to spend one more night at Camp Cottonwood. The summer hasn't been great for Eddie, he's been bullied for the scars on his face. On this last night, the teenage counselors along with Eddie and another young camper will face something truly evil and they won't all make it home from camp.
I devoured this novella. It grabs you by your neck and never lets go. I loved Eddie and his partner in survival, June. I desperately wanted them to be ok and as a result, I was jumping at every rustle of leaves and creeping shadow. If you're craving a quick read that packs a big punch, check out 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴.
I devoured this novella. It grabs you by your neck and never lets go. I loved Eddie and his partner in survival, June. I desperately wanted them to be ok and as a result, I was jumping at every rustle of leaves and creeping shadow. If you're craving a quick read that packs a big punch, check out 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴.
November 1, 2020
Knocked this out in about an hour and really enjoyed it! Biggest takeaways for me, and what made this so great, are the edge-of-your-seat suspense and the wonderfully detailed imagery of the setting. This is a short read, and after a big of exposition it rips along at a break-neck pace. I was constantly fearing for the safety of our leads, and the author does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension and the gore!
I also really enjoyed the setting of the summer camp (classic horror fare). The story did a great job of putting me right there in the moment and helping me picture exactly what was happening. Especially that scene in the dark pit of the amphitheater...oh man. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I believe I was also having flashbacks to Boy Scott camp (which were less bloody, but sometimes just as horrifying).
The plot is fairly routine, which is mostly why I knocked off a star, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Reminds me of a blend of camp slashers, a little of Cabin Fever, and definitely some of Sean Seebach's THE BUCK STOPS HERE. All in all it was a blast to tear through and I would definitely recommend it!
I also really enjoyed the setting of the summer camp (classic horror fare). The story did a great job of putting me right there in the moment and helping me picture exactly what was happening. Especially that scene in the dark pit of the amphitheater...oh man. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I believe I was also having flashbacks to Boy Scott camp (which were less bloody, but sometimes just as horrifying).
The plot is fairly routine, which is mostly why I knocked off a star, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Reminds me of a blend of camp slashers, a little of Cabin Fever, and definitely some of Sean Seebach's THE BUCK STOPS HERE. All in all it was a blast to tear through and I would definitely recommend it!
November 1, 2020
Review of “The Boy in the words by Scott Thomas”
This book was released on Halloween and oh what a treat this was. I couldn’t help but think of Sleep Away Camp and The Evil Dead. A coming of age campfire horror story that Scott meticulously made his own. I love a good twist on some of the horror classics while also being original in its own way. I also think he really captured the essence of camp going as a kid which I really loved.
Eddie has come to the end of his camp stay but his parents can’t pick him up so he is forced to stay another night with the camp counselors. At least, his bullies have gone home and no one is left to comment on his dog-eaten face. Then, the night takes a turn for the worst and there is something more sinister going on at the camp.
I love how atmospheric this story was with the cabins, mosquitos, camp bullies, young crushes, and teen camp counselors. I couldn’t help but draw from campy horror movies I watched growing up and feeling transported there while I was reading. Eddie, bless his little heart, has so many emotions from crushes to bullying. I couldn’t help but love Eddie and feel for him and his struggles. I also want to praise the author for the originality of the monster. I’m still just like wow! While I kinda predicted the ending, it still didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. I gave this a 5 ⭐️
This is a #nightwormsparty . I want to thank @scottthomas @inkshare and @nightworms for sending this book for an honest review.
This book was released on Halloween and oh what a treat this was. I couldn’t help but think of Sleep Away Camp and The Evil Dead. A coming of age campfire horror story that Scott meticulously made his own. I love a good twist on some of the horror classics while also being original in its own way. I also think he really captured the essence of camp going as a kid which I really loved.
Eddie has come to the end of his camp stay but his parents can’t pick him up so he is forced to stay another night with the camp counselors. At least, his bullies have gone home and no one is left to comment on his dog-eaten face. Then, the night takes a turn for the worst and there is something more sinister going on at the camp.
I love how atmospheric this story was with the cabins, mosquitos, camp bullies, young crushes, and teen camp counselors. I couldn’t help but draw from campy horror movies I watched growing up and feeling transported there while I was reading. Eddie, bless his little heart, has so many emotions from crushes to bullying. I couldn’t help but love Eddie and feel for him and his struggles. I also want to praise the author for the originality of the monster. I’m still just like wow! While I kinda predicted the ending, it still didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. I gave this a 5 ⭐️
This is a #nightwormsparty . I want to thank @scottthomas @inkshare and @nightworms for sending this book for an honest review.
November 2, 2020
Summer Camps seemed always equal parts fun and frightening. As someone who has been reading horror since I was a teeny little thing, I could put a scary tinge to just about anything.... and especially so to camp scenarios... and the more horror stories I hear/read about these camps, the happier I get that I never attended one. Thomas, who brought us Kill Creek and Violet, now brings us this novella about Camp Cottonwood, and let's just say it has helped to nudge the equal parts of fun and frightening to the more frightening scale.
Kids are mean, annoying, spirited, blunt, resilient and malleable. Eddie is bullied because of a disfigured face so staying another night at Camp because his parents couldn't make it to pick him up on time isn't the ideal scenario, but at least most of the kids are gone... right? Thomas does a great job of putting us inside Eddie's head and bringing us to the summer camp atmosphere. Which, quite frankly, is always fun to read because you knoooooow some shit is going to go down... and it certainly does here.
I won't go into too much detail as this novella only spans 90 pages, but I'll certainly remain phantom itchy for a while and wonder about that ending. 😉 With Cabin Fever vibes and damp forest smells, let Thomas transport you back to young summer nights and be extra careful when that sun goes down. Can someone please scratch my back for me?
Kids are mean, annoying, spirited, blunt, resilient and malleable. Eddie is bullied because of a disfigured face so staying another night at Camp because his parents couldn't make it to pick him up on time isn't the ideal scenario, but at least most of the kids are gone... right? Thomas does a great job of putting us inside Eddie's head and bringing us to the summer camp atmosphere. Which, quite frankly, is always fun to read because you knoooooow some shit is going to go down... and it certainly does here.
I won't go into too much detail as this novella only spans 90 pages, but I'll certainly remain phantom itchy for a while and wonder about that ending. 😉 With Cabin Fever vibes and damp forest smells, let Thomas transport you back to young summer nights and be extra careful when that sun goes down. Can someone please scratch my back for me?
November 3, 2020
Coming of age? Slasher? Camp setting? Oh my gosh - be still my heart! This novella already has all of my favorite qualities when it comes to horror books and movies... and for it to be written by Scott Thomas I knew I was in for an even bigger treat! Thomas has a way of pulling you in with his descriptions. Everything was perfectly set up: the setting with the campers and counselors, mosquitoes (trust me... you will definitely be itching during and after reading this one), emotions, conversations, motives, bullying, etc. Thomas really puts a unique spin on the slasher trope, the campfire tale, and the misunderstood killer we always seem to be up against... and as always he makes you scratch your head and wonder, "Whoa... what if...?!"
Thank you to Scott Thomas and Ink Shares for allowing the Night Worms to do this for a Night Worms Book Party!
Thank you to Scott Thomas and Ink Shares for allowing the Night Worms to do this for a Night Worms Book Party!
October 31, 2020
So Scott Thomas got a new book out for Halloween…
Since reading “Kill Creek” I wanted to read all things by him, so when I knew he would get a novella out I bought it and stopped everything I was reading (including “Violet” also by him) and dived into the eighty-something-page story.
And I only stopped once I'd finished it.
“The Boy in the Woods” is a story placed in your typical Summer Camp near a lake and what happens when two campers, Eddie and June, have to stay an extra night and intrude in the counselors last night on camp. But when they start acting crazy and murderous, the kids have to try and escape them.
What makes it special and an amazing read is the characters and the way they are presented to us. With just a few sentences we get to know them and create our own versions of what they might be like outside of camp.
The only exception is the main character. We get a closer look at Eddie, and at what his life is either during his time at camp or at home.
You see there is a different thing about him that’s not common for a main character - when he was a kid he was attacked by a dog and his face is disfigured.
Everything in this novella makes it a great read, especially for the date it was released on.
So go out and buy it! What are you waiting for?
Since reading “Kill Creek” I wanted to read all things by him, so when I knew he would get a novella out I bought it and stopped everything I was reading (including “Violet” also by him) and dived into the eighty-something-page story.
And I only stopped once I'd finished it.
“The Boy in the Woods” is a story placed in your typical Summer Camp near a lake and what happens when two campers, Eddie and June, have to stay an extra night and intrude in the counselors last night on camp. But when they start acting crazy and murderous, the kids have to try and escape them.
What makes it special and an amazing read is the characters and the way they are presented to us. With just a few sentences we get to know them and create our own versions of what they might be like outside of camp.
The only exception is the main character. We get a closer look at Eddie, and at what his life is either during his time at camp or at home.
You see there is a different thing about him that’s not common for a main character - when he was a kid he was attacked by a dog and his face is disfigured.
Everything in this novella makes it a great read, especially for the date it was released on.
So go out and buy it! What are you waiting for?
November 3, 2020
Eddie always detected the morbid joy that laced what was intended as empathy, like arsenic in warm milk. _Scott Thomas
Camp Cottonwood will be a camp ground you’ll add to your list of memorable campsites. Eddie Reicher’s parents didn’t make it in time to pick up Reek the Freak from camp, what a shame! Good for you and I though!
The Boy in the Woods released on Halloween as a digital novella from Inkshares. Thank you to the publisher, our author and NightWorms for a fun, freaky adventure in a campground full of infectious counselors with an appetite for destruction!
This story is well written, well paced and chalk full of creepy-ass characters. If you are a fan of creature features, slashers, or good ol’ fashioned camp ground tales to share around the fire pit, this one is for you!
Fans of classic horror camp tales, will certainly be taking up this coming-of-age tale for some time to come. This is the kind of story you encourage others to read to lure them further into horror.
Fans of David Morrell, Hunter Shea, R.L. Stine, early King- will want to embark on this camping adventure as Thomas continues to impress with his spot-on creation of terrifying atmosphere that will have you checking your pulse and rapidly turning pages!
Camp Cottonwood will be a camp ground you’ll add to your list of memorable campsites. Eddie Reicher’s parents didn’t make it in time to pick up Reek the Freak from camp, what a shame! Good for you and I though!
The Boy in the Woods released on Halloween as a digital novella from Inkshares. Thank you to the publisher, our author and NightWorms for a fun, freaky adventure in a campground full of infectious counselors with an appetite for destruction!
This story is well written, well paced and chalk full of creepy-ass characters. If you are a fan of creature features, slashers, or good ol’ fashioned camp ground tales to share around the fire pit, this one is for you!
Fans of classic horror camp tales, will certainly be taking up this coming-of-age tale for some time to come. This is the kind of story you encourage others to read to lure them further into horror.
Fans of David Morrell, Hunter Shea, R.L. Stine, early King- will want to embark on this camping adventure as Thomas continues to impress with his spot-on creation of terrifying atmosphere that will have you checking your pulse and rapidly turning pages!
November 2, 2020
Review will be posted soon...
July 1, 2024
This was such a creepy and gross summer camp slasher novella! It read so cinematically and the gore and tension were delightful.
I just wish the protag's story didn't hinge on Facial Difference and self-loathing, or I wish that the author had taken us on more of a nuanced journey. This aspect felt tired, cliched, and offensive.
I just wish the protag's story didn't hinge on Facial Difference and self-loathing, or I wish that the author had taken us on more of a nuanced journey. This aspect felt tired, cliched, and offensive.
December 20, 2020
3.75/5
I had a good time with this one. It was a unique spin on the summer camp horror trope. At first it’s a coming-of-age story with a kid who is an outsider, then it becomes a balls to the wall gorefest. Don’t wanna spoil nothing, but the gory parts of the story were the best parts.
I’m a sucker for summer camp horror. They’re fun and they remind you of your childhood even if you never went to a summer camp because it’s not about the camp it’s about the kids or teenagers. So this story made me feel nostalgic.
It also helped this was a novella instead of being a novel because it’s a simple story and there’s no reason for it to be fleshed out anymore than it should be. It went right to the point, nothing bloated or overwritten, which was good.
The one issue I had with the story is it took itself a little too serious with such an over-the-top plot that would’ve worked better with more humor in it. The ending had me feeling sad and the stuff in this story that happened should’ve leaned more towards horror comedy which I’m a fan of.
I’m looking forward to more of Scott Thomas’s work in the future.
I had a good time with this one. It was a unique spin on the summer camp horror trope. At first it’s a coming-of-age story with a kid who is an outsider, then it becomes a balls to the wall gorefest. Don’t wanna spoil nothing, but the gory parts of the story were the best parts.
I’m a sucker for summer camp horror. They’re fun and they remind you of your childhood even if you never went to a summer camp because it’s not about the camp it’s about the kids or teenagers. So this story made me feel nostalgic.
It also helped this was a novella instead of being a novel because it’s a simple story and there’s no reason for it to be fleshed out anymore than it should be. It went right to the point, nothing bloated or overwritten, which was good.
The one issue I had with the story is it took itself a little too serious with such an over-the-top plot that would’ve worked better with more humor in it. The ending had me feeling sad and the stuff in this story that happened should’ve leaned more towards horror comedy which I’m a fan of.
I’m looking forward to more of Scott Thomas’s work in the future.
November 1, 2020
"𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬. 𝘏𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦."
Scott Thomas released a special novella this Halloween called The Boy in the Woods and I was lucky enough to get a copy. Thanks @inkshares !
The Boy in the Woods is the perfect origin story for a campfire tale you think you've heard before. A boy is left behind waiting for his parents to pick him up at summer camp, the camp counselors are acting strange and something is lurking in the dark...
The meat of the story may be familiar, but the seasoning is special. There's the rapidly increasing sense of dread that Scott Thomas does so well, and the scenes are so descriptive you'll be swatting at imaginary mosquitoes!
It's short, it's spooky and there's enough gore for any Horror fan.
I had fun reading it and I'd recommend it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5
Scott Thomas released a special novella this Halloween called The Boy in the Woods and I was lucky enough to get a copy. Thanks @inkshares !
The Boy in the Woods is the perfect origin story for a campfire tale you think you've heard before. A boy is left behind waiting for his parents to pick him up at summer camp, the camp counselors are acting strange and something is lurking in the dark...
The meat of the story may be familiar, but the seasoning is special. There's the rapidly increasing sense of dread that Scott Thomas does so well, and the scenes are so descriptive you'll be swatting at imaginary mosquitoes!
It's short, it's spooky and there's enough gore for any Horror fan.
I had fun reading it and I'd recommend it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5
August 9, 2022
I'll be the first to say that I will gladly gobble up anything Scott Thomas writes and leave a happy and beaming review no matter what. But I swear, it's justified! Like, read Kill Creek and tell me Scott Thomas won't go down as one of the greats.
The Boy in the Woods was a delightfully spooky and surprisingly heartfelt novella and I really enjoyed it. It was short and sweet, and still managed to send a chill down my spine (which is admittedly hard to do). I enjoyed the very on-the-nose Friday the 13th references, because, come on. A summer camp? Counselors left alone on the last day? You wouldn't be able to hold back, either.
I recommend this for fans of Thomas that haven't read it, or just anyone looking for a quick but masterful horror story to settle in with for the night!
As always, happy readings!
The Boy in the Woods was a delightfully spooky and surprisingly heartfelt novella and I really enjoyed it. It was short and sweet, and still managed to send a chill down my spine (which is admittedly hard to do). I enjoyed the very on-the-nose Friday the 13th references, because, come on. A summer camp? Counselors left alone on the last day? You wouldn't be able to hold back, either.
I recommend this for fans of Thomas that haven't read it, or just anyone looking for a quick but masterful horror story to settle in with for the night!
As always, happy readings!
February 11, 2021
Short and entertaining. Filled with action, gore and brutality. Can Eddie and June escape the monsters chasing them through the woods? Can you stand the suspense when you hear a twig snap in the underbrush?
“He had once heard that the weight of a soul was a few grams, but the unbelievable heaviness left by its absence was immeasurable.”
“He had once heard that the weight of a soul was a few grams, but the unbelievable heaviness left by its absence was immeasurable.”
November 29, 2020
A decent novella about a little boy who is stuck at camp and the craziness that goes on that final night. It had some pretty creepy moments and the ending was interesting. I don't want to spoil anything but I recommend going into this "blind." As short as it was, I was invested in the MC and his live interest.
4/5
4/5
February 12, 2022
I love Summer Camp horror!!
January 18, 2021
This was a short and fast-paced coming-of-age story about boy at a camp caught in a slasher nightmare, where he suddenly has to face a murderous horde of camp counselors. Together with his secret crush he tries to escape the horrors at Camp Cottonwood, overcoming his self-consciousness but also possibly laying the foundation for the birth of some different kind of monster. Both funny and sad, this straight-forward yet also profound story will stay with you for a while. Be sure to add this one to your TBR pile!
December 21, 2021
I loved this novella! It made me feel like I was in Sleepaway Camp or Friday the 13th, but with a group of possessed camp counselors that wish to hunt down the only two campers left in their care. I thought the pacing of this story was well done, and I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen next. It had great heart, tension that continued to build as the story went on, and characters that you couldn't help to root for. Give it a shot!
November 1, 2020
Well, that was fun but damn I'm itchy.
July 9, 2023
A Nightmarish Journey: A Review of ‘The Boy in the Woods’ by Scott Thomas
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Scott Thomas’s ‘The Boy in the Woods’ takes readers on a chilling and suspenseful ride through the dark recesses of a summer camp, delivering on the promise of a blood-soaked, page-turning horror novella. Anchored by a relatable protagonist and an atmosphere dripping with dread, this tale will surely satisfy fans of the genre.
Eddie Reicher, a young boy burdened by a disfigured face and the scars of childhood taunting, finds himself stranded for another night at Camp Cottonwood. With only the company of the camp staff, teen counselors, and a fellow camper left behind, the stage is set for a night of unspeakable horrors. Thomas skillfully portrays Eddie’s suffering and resilience, creating a character that elicits genuine empathy from readers. As the suspense escalates, we are compelled to follow Eddie’s journey through his worst night, feeling the weight of his fear and determination.
While ‘The Boy in the Woods’ succeeds in crafting an atmosphere of constant danger and a sense of impending doom, there are moments when the narrative falls short in providing sufficient exposition. Certain aspects remain shrouded in mystery, leaving unanswered questions that might have enriched the overall experience. Additionally, aside from Eddie, the supporting characters lack the development needed to truly make them shine.
However, the ending of ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is worthy of special mention. Without venturing into spoiler territory, I can say that it left me with a lingering sense of unease and provoked contemplation about its implications long after I closed the book. It is an ending that horror aficionados will relish, encapsulating the relentless terror that permeates the entire novella.
Scott Thomas skillfully weaves a web of increasing dread, never allowing readers’ hearts to find respite. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency that keeps us engaged until the final pages. Thomas’s evocative prose paints vivid images of gruesome encounters, immersing readers in a chilling atmosphere where every shadow conceals an unknown horror.
Drawing on classic horror tropes, particularly those associated with “Summer Camp Slashers,” ‘The Boy in the Woods’ delivers an action-packed and gore-soaked experience that will leave fans of the genre satisfied. While the depth of character development could have been more pronounced, the overall impact of the novella remains undeniably effective.
For those seeking a suspenseful and unsettling read that will keep them guessing and haunt their thoughts long after the last page is turned, ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is a worthy choice. Brace yourself for a nightmarish journey that peels back the veneer of summer camp nostalgia and reveals the darkness that lurks within its deepest corners.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Scott Thomas’s ‘The Boy in the Woods’ takes readers on a chilling and suspenseful ride through the dark recesses of a summer camp, delivering on the promise of a blood-soaked, page-turning horror novella. Anchored by a relatable protagonist and an atmosphere dripping with dread, this tale will surely satisfy fans of the genre.
Eddie Reicher, a young boy burdened by a disfigured face and the scars of childhood taunting, finds himself stranded for another night at Camp Cottonwood. With only the company of the camp staff, teen counselors, and a fellow camper left behind, the stage is set for a night of unspeakable horrors. Thomas skillfully portrays Eddie’s suffering and resilience, creating a character that elicits genuine empathy from readers. As the suspense escalates, we are compelled to follow Eddie’s journey through his worst night, feeling the weight of his fear and determination.
While ‘The Boy in the Woods’ succeeds in crafting an atmosphere of constant danger and a sense of impending doom, there are moments when the narrative falls short in providing sufficient exposition. Certain aspects remain shrouded in mystery, leaving unanswered questions that might have enriched the overall experience. Additionally, aside from Eddie, the supporting characters lack the development needed to truly make them shine.
However, the ending of ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is worthy of special mention. Without venturing into spoiler territory, I can say that it left me with a lingering sense of unease and provoked contemplation about its implications long after I closed the book. It is an ending that horror aficionados will relish, encapsulating the relentless terror that permeates the entire novella.
Scott Thomas skillfully weaves a web of increasing dread, never allowing readers’ hearts to find respite. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency that keeps us engaged until the final pages. Thomas’s evocative prose paints vivid images of gruesome encounters, immersing readers in a chilling atmosphere where every shadow conceals an unknown horror.
Drawing on classic horror tropes, particularly those associated with “Summer Camp Slashers,” ‘The Boy in the Woods’ delivers an action-packed and gore-soaked experience that will leave fans of the genre satisfied. While the depth of character development could have been more pronounced, the overall impact of the novella remains undeniably effective.
For those seeking a suspenseful and unsettling read that will keep them guessing and haunt their thoughts long after the last page is turned, ‘The Boy in the Woods’ is a worthy choice. Brace yourself for a nightmarish journey that peels back the veneer of summer camp nostalgia and reveals the darkness that lurks within its deepest corners.
November 3, 2020
The summer camp atmosphere in 'The Boy in the Woods' was completely immersive, and I loved every second of it...the cabins, the lake, the dynamics between the counselors and campers, the mosquitos, and stories about something lurking in the woods....guys, you know how much I love Friday the 13th, and while I wouldn't go as far as to make that comparison outright, I will say that the summer camp vibes definitively excited my camp horror loving heart.
It's the end of summer camp for Eddie, which would seem like it should be a relief since he's been bullied over the course of his entire stay. (Kids are mean, ya'll...and anytime I read about bullying, it just makes my heart ache.) Eddie's parents can't come pick him up, so he is forced to stay one more night at Camp Cottonwood with only the counselors for company through the night. However, once the sun goes down, things gets weird, malevolent, and downright scary! The counselors all seem to have gone mad with murderous delight, and Eddie is left to fend for himself and fight to survive the night.
This novella brings all the spooky, all the creepiness, and all the gory camp horror that I crave. Eddie was such a likeable character, and I found myself rooting for him all the way through, even after reading the last lines. There were parts of the story that I did predict along the way, but there were other parts that blindsided me and left me surprised. If you have a horror loving heart and are looking for a quick and satisfying read to sink your teeth into, I think this novella may be for you!
**Thank you @inkshares and @scottthomascaresaboutyou for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.**
It's the end of summer camp for Eddie, which would seem like it should be a relief since he's been bullied over the course of his entire stay. (Kids are mean, ya'll...and anytime I read about bullying, it just makes my heart ache.) Eddie's parents can't come pick him up, so he is forced to stay one more night at Camp Cottonwood with only the counselors for company through the night. However, once the sun goes down, things gets weird, malevolent, and downright scary! The counselors all seem to have gone mad with murderous delight, and Eddie is left to fend for himself and fight to survive the night.
This novella brings all the spooky, all the creepiness, and all the gory camp horror that I crave. Eddie was such a likeable character, and I found myself rooting for him all the way through, even after reading the last lines. There were parts of the story that I did predict along the way, but there were other parts that blindsided me and left me surprised. If you have a horror loving heart and are looking for a quick and satisfying read to sink your teeth into, I think this novella may be for you!
**Thank you @inkshares and @scottthomascaresaboutyou for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.**
January 3, 2021
2.5 stars
It seems that I will be that one guy who gave this novella a low rating, but it is what it is.
I heard about this novella from the video of booktuber Gaby "Gabbyreads" in her "Spooky Halloween reading vlog". She said that she found this novella a little (maybe a little more than a "little") disturbing and said she doesn't recommend eating before reading it.
I was quite excited (but expectationless TO MENTION) since I trust her recommendations because she started reading A LOT of horror themed books lately and comparing her to me I would say she is "an experienced horror [genre] reader".
Personally I didn't find anything special (horror-wise) about this book. Maybe it's the small format of only 70 pages (on my ereader) that didn't do it for me which is interesting since I think I'm more of a plot driven reader (didn't yet figured it out).
Overall I didn't find story to be interesting; I didn't find horror aspect to be horrorESQUE at all; the cause of the whole thing stayed an enigma. As I said, maybe the format just didn't do it for me.
At least it was a nice time killer since my wifi stopped working and I didn't want to go to bed just yet. Read this novella in 2 and a half hours so it was quite a fast read.
Thing I wanted to commend is the writing. I found myself constantly highlighting some parts of the text. I really like the way Scott Thomas writes. I think this is the main reason I didn't give this novella plain 2 stars.
It seems that I will be that one guy who gave this novella a low rating, but it is what it is.
I heard about this novella from the video of booktuber Gaby "Gabbyreads" in her "Spooky Halloween reading vlog". She said that she found this novella a little (maybe a little more than a "little") disturbing and said she doesn't recommend eating before reading it.
I was quite excited (but expectationless TO MENTION) since I trust her recommendations because she started reading A LOT of horror themed books lately and comparing her to me I would say she is "an experienced horror [genre] reader".
Personally I didn't find anything special (horror-wise) about this book. Maybe it's the small format of only 70 pages (on my ereader) that didn't do it for me which is interesting since I think I'm more of a plot driven reader (didn't yet figured it out).
Overall I didn't find story to be interesting; I didn't find horror aspect to be horrorESQUE at all; the cause of the whole thing stayed an enigma. As I said, maybe the format just didn't do it for me.
At least it was a nice time killer since my wifi stopped working and I didn't want to go to bed just yet. Read this novella in 2 and a half hours so it was quite a fast read.
Thing I wanted to commend is the writing. I found myself constantly highlighting some parts of the text. I really like the way Scott Thomas writes. I think this is the main reason I didn't give this novella plain 2 stars.
April 4, 2022
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Brief Summary: A boy with a disfigured face - a cause for ridicule and cruelty by his peers and some adults too- stays an extra night at his summer camp because his parents missed their flight. Only things start getting bad, really quickly. Something is wrong with the grown-ups, who seem rather...bloodthirsty.
Trigger Warnings: gore
Positives:
- It felt like watching a movie, something I love in horror books
- It didn't go with one horror cliche I thought it would.
- My favourite part is
Negatives:
- I know it's not possible for a short story, but I would have liked a bit of explanation about what is going on. I don't really mind it though.
Overall: I love stories that feel like movies, that they don't drag on. I love those kind of endings. So if you like fast-paced horror books, I certainly recommend this!
Brief Summary: A boy with a disfigured face - a cause for ridicule and cruelty by his peers and some adults too- stays an extra night at his summer camp because his parents missed their flight. Only things start getting bad, really quickly. Something is wrong with the grown-ups, who seem rather...bloodthirsty.
Trigger Warnings: gore
Positives:
- It felt like watching a movie, something I love in horror books
- It didn't go with one horror cliche I thought it would.
- My favourite part is
Negatives:
- I know it's not possible for a short story, but I would have liked a bit of explanation about what is going on. I don't really mind it though.
Overall: I love stories that feel like movies, that they don't drag on. I love those kind of endings. So if you like fast-paced horror books, I certainly recommend this!
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