What do you think?
Rate this book
Night of the Prowler
Assist the customers. Stock the shelves. Sweep the floors. Take out the trash. Survive the night.
Zoe Doyle, an eighteen-year-old girl saving up for college and her first car, is working the night shift by herself at a secluded gas station for the first time. Her hopes for a normal night quickly diminish as she meets the local creeps, but she perseveres. Then she hears a news bulletin on a radio: A suspected serial killer undergoing a psychiatric evaluation has escaped from a nearby mental institution. Alone and afraid, her imagination runs wild.
Is he coming here? Did I already see him? Is he watching me now?—she thinks.
Unbeknownst to her, she’s correct. The hyperviolent serial killer known as the Prowler is heading her way... and he’s killing everyone in his path.
Jon Athan, the author of 2020’s Do Not Disturb, brings you a shockingly suspenseful and violent slasher inspired by the classics. Can you survive the night of the prowler?
WARNING: This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
Zoe Doyle, an eighteen-year-old girl saving up for college and her first car, is working the night shift by herself at a secluded gas station for the first time. Her hopes for a normal night quickly diminish as she meets the local creeps, but she perseveres. Then she hears a news bulletin on a radio: A suspected serial killer undergoing a psychiatric evaluation has escaped from a nearby mental institution. Alone and afraid, her imagination runs wild.
Is he coming here? Did I already see him? Is he watching me now?—she thinks.
Unbeknownst to her, she’s correct. The hyperviolent serial killer known as the Prowler is heading her way... and he’s killing everyone in his path.
Jon Athan, the author of 2020’s Do Not Disturb, brings you a shockingly suspenseful and violent slasher inspired by the classics. Can you survive the night of the prowler?
WARNING: This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2021
127 people are currently reading
1406 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 - 30 of 130 reviews
May 29, 2021
What a quintessential slasher novel. An asylum inmate who killed his family and many more escapes. On his new killing spree Eugene, better known as the prowler, meets new victims he murders in the vilest ways possible. Will Zoey Doyle who works nightshift at a small rural filling station survive "daddy's" disgusting deadly advances? This is a page turning extreme slasher story if there ever was one. Urban legends meets a story full of gore and depravity. Killing is Eugene's business because he simply likes it. He want to make his kills suffer in the worst possible ways. Can the police hunt him down or will this nasty well drawn character prowl on in the suburbs and our all imagination? Hell of a tale. The prowler might be lurking in your neighborhood. Highly recommended, nail biting stuff!
May 19, 2021
Will Zoe be a final girl?
This is Jon Athan’s 49th published novel, and he has been called the American Matt Shaw – due to the volume of work he produces and the depravity of his wicked imagination. Yes, like the ones before, this one is an EXTREME horror…and a homage to slasher movies and stories.
Zoe works at Hanson’s Fuel Center, in the middle of nowhere, and this is her first nightshift. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she has to brave this shift alone. Collin Schneider, who worked the dayshift, has a major crush on her, but is too shy to act on it. Zoe, with the sixth sense women seem to possess, knows about the crush, but she is a little grossed out by him and not interested.
Will Collin came back during her shift?
The serial killer known as The Prowler has escaped an insane asylum and is on a killing spree. He killed his own family – wife and kids – very sadistically and he is a man who likes to inflict pain and torture, without feeling any remorse.
Their paths are destined to cross.
With creepy customers and an overactive imagination, Zoe fears the killer is heading her way. And, she’s right.
What will happen when he comes for her?
Look, this story will be a blasts to those who are looking for highly entertaining, mindless slasher horror. Just don’t think any further about what is possible and realistic, eat your popcorn and enjoy the show. In fact, the final confrontation takes things so far it almost becomes silly.
Why almost?
Well, the things the killer does in this book – Just. Plain. Wow!
There is a scene of genital mutilation which will make the spit dry up in your mouth and make it difficult to swallow.
Also, one of the main reasons I am a fan of the extreme horror genre, is that all bets are off. There doesn’t have to be a formula to follow, the good guys doesn’t have to win, the hero doesn’t have to survive. It makes it one of the only genres where anything can actually happen and it throws predictability out the window.
Which brings me back to the question:
Will Zoe be a final girl?
I am rating this on entertainment value alone – like I said, this is not the type of story you want to analyze.
Well done, Mr. Athan.
This is Jon Athan’s 49th published novel, and he has been called the American Matt Shaw – due to the volume of work he produces and the depravity of his wicked imagination. Yes, like the ones before, this one is an EXTREME horror…and a homage to slasher movies and stories.
Zoe works at Hanson’s Fuel Center, in the middle of nowhere, and this is her first nightshift. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she has to brave this shift alone. Collin Schneider, who worked the dayshift, has a major crush on her, but is too shy to act on it. Zoe, with the sixth sense women seem to possess, knows about the crush, but she is a little grossed out by him and not interested.
Will Collin came back during her shift?
The serial killer known as The Prowler has escaped an insane asylum and is on a killing spree. He killed his own family – wife and kids – very sadistically and he is a man who likes to inflict pain and torture, without feeling any remorse.
Their paths are destined to cross.
With creepy customers and an overactive imagination, Zoe fears the killer is heading her way. And, she’s right.
What will happen when he comes for her?
Look, this story will be a blasts to those who are looking for highly entertaining, mindless slasher horror. Just don’t think any further about what is possible and realistic, eat your popcorn and enjoy the show. In fact, the final confrontation takes things so far it almost becomes silly.
Why almost?
Well, the things the killer does in this book – Just. Plain. Wow!
There is a scene of genital mutilation which will make the spit dry up in your mouth and make it difficult to swallow.
Also, one of the main reasons I am a fan of the extreme horror genre, is that all bets are off. There doesn’t have to be a formula to follow, the good guys doesn’t have to win, the hero doesn’t have to survive. It makes it one of the only genres where anything can actually happen and it throws predictability out the window.
Which brings me back to the question:
Will Zoe be a final girl?
I am rating this on entertainment value alone – like I said, this is not the type of story you want to analyze.
Well done, Mr. Athan.
August 3, 2023
3.5 stars. This was a very standard Halloween-esque masked killer story. Chapters alternated for a good portion of the book between faceless victims, back to our lead, Zoe, who was a pretty good character. I did like her internal monologues as she was forced to work the overnight shift at a seedy gas station, akin Gas Station from Body Bags. So Eugene, our antagonist, slashes, gashes, and mashes his victims, with the standard sexually violent Jon Athan touch, and there is blood galore. Nothing was done badly, it just followed the basic formula. The one scene with Eugene, AKA The Prowler, and Zoe with the needle made me winch, so that was nice and icky. I did love the fact that Athan referenced the Simpsons arcade game, which I probably dropped hundred of dollars worth of tokens at growing up. Such an amazing game. If you like Athan's writing already, this will be an average experience, but for anyone new, I'm not sure if this will win you over or not.
January 7, 2024
Now this is the ultimate in what I call a top-notch slasher. The Night of the Prowler makes the movie SAW seem G Rated in comparison. I have not read anything this gruesome, vividly detailed and unbelievably stomach churning to date. This is not for those with weak stomachs - but hardcore horror fans will not be disappointed.
April 26, 2021
An edge-of-your-seat slasher story with loads of gore and violence. Sometimes I wanted the shake the main target for her naivety, but the suspense kept me fully involved in this narrative of a monstrous predator who will stop at nothing to catch his prey. I greatly hope that the author is planning on a sequel.
July 8, 2024
Still five stars after a Reread. Very good and intense.
--
This was such a good slasher story, hard to put down and very gruesome. The Prowler was definitely a terrifying character. Think this was the first book by Jon Athan I've read but will definitely read more.
--
This was such a good slasher story, hard to put down and very gruesome. The Prowler was definitely a terrifying character. Think this was the first book by Jon Athan I've read but will definitely read more.
April 27, 2021
Night of the Prowler, by Jon Athan is a great brutal, slasher story.
I thought this book was going to be a story with a silent killer .
Because, at first Eugene wasn’t talking , he was like a malevolent presence who was brutally killing people without motive . I found his silence terrifying. I naively thought that a silent killer was scarier . But I was wrong , very wrong. And then he started to talk.
Eugene Hodges likes to scare his prey before he killed them. If he likes you, he’ll talk to you, to amplifier your fears. He´ll tell you , every messed up things he’s going to do to you before he end your life , in horrendous tortures .
Because his preys’s fear and cries excites him. He likes them immobile and scared out of their mind.
If Jon Athan write a sequel, Eugene will become a legend. Eugene would be so happy, to be famous. He’s a narcissistic sociopath.This killer is so messed up , he inflicted tortured on his victims I never heard about . Tortures , i didn't think, that someone could think of doing such things .
For me, Eugene is the new Michael Myers , but the talking version on steroids and cocaine .
I highly recommend this book to extreme horror fan .
I can’t wait to read the sequel !!
Please , please , Jon Athan could you write one ?!?!!!
I asked politely .😇😄
I thought this book was going to be a story with a silent killer .
Because, at first Eugene wasn’t talking , he was like a malevolent presence who was brutally killing people without motive . I found his silence terrifying. I naively thought that a silent killer was scarier . But I was wrong , very wrong. And then he started to talk.
Eugene Hodges likes to scare his prey before he killed them. If he likes you, he’ll talk to you, to amplifier your fears. He´ll tell you , every messed up things he’s going to do to you before he end your life , in horrendous tortures .
Because his preys’s fear and cries excites him. He likes them immobile and scared out of their mind.
If Jon Athan write a sequel, Eugene will become a legend. Eugene would be so happy, to be famous. He’s a narcissistic sociopath.This killer is so messed up , he inflicted tortured on his victims I never heard about . Tortures , i didn't think, that someone could think of doing such things .
For me, Eugene is the new Michael Myers , but the talking version on steroids and cocaine .
I highly recommend this book to extreme horror fan .
I can’t wait to read the sequel !!
Please , please , Jon Athan could you write one ?!?!!!
I asked politely .😇😄
April 29, 2021
Well I finally finished this read and it was awesome. This is just a straight up brutal, gory, violent slasher style read that just comes out of the gate full throttle. I really dig the way it ended and I hope Jon Athan does a sequel because this was just a easy violent read with some brutal kill scenes. If you are into slasher reads check this one out.
May 2, 2021
A Cut Above the Rest!
Night of the Prowler by Jon Athan is my first dive into his world of slashers, but certainly not my last! It isn’t that I was unaware, and in fact I own many of the titles of his previous slashers. Such as, Butcher Road, Camp Blaze, Spit and Die, The Social Media Murders, and Do Not Disturb. Am I proud that this was my first, no. However, if you aren’t so much of a fan of some of the heavier topics Jon writes about that are rooted in very real life scary issues I suggest you check out some of his slashers, psychological horror, and other various types of writing he has tackled.
Night of the Prowler felt like a perfect slasher for me to start with in Jon’s catalog. I actually used to work at a gas station/convenience store, and I experienced and saw some crazy things. Therefore, I could really relate to the main character Zoe. My mom hated that I worked at a gas station. She always feared I’d be shot, or robbed, or beaten because of all the meth heads, and I WAS IN UNIVERSITY! So I cannot imagine a mother’s fear for a teenager.
Night of the Prowler starts off in a great way. Of course, as I mentioned the main character Zoe is getting ready to work a night shift at Hanson’s Fuel Center. Her mother, Catherine, is not pleased and is worried. The 90s nostalgia starts off quick in the story with throwbacks to songs, and culture references. I love that!
Zoe calms her mom down, and lets her know she won’t be alone. That either Collin or her manager Randy will be there. Much to her surprise when she arrives Zoe realizes Collin has just worked a shift, and she finds out that Randy had a family emergency. So she will be at the gas station all alone! She is at least comforted that she has her trusty Sony Discman to get her through her shift. However, her batteries soon die, and she doesn’t have money to buy any. With Randy keeping a hawk eye on the inventory she has no choice but to try an old radio.
This is when she hears that a lunatic has escaped from the asylum not close, but not far from where she is. Her mind runs wild! However, she finds a station that is alright. As the customers come and go one finally arrives that fits the description of The Prowler! Zoe asks a frequent customer to stay until he leaves, and luckily he does.
At this point in the story Athan has already started a great story using two points of view. One being Zoe the other The Prowler. After, the weird man leaves Zoe begins getting strange, and lewd phone calls. She is sure it is the weird man that she knew was The Prowler, because he asked for an application! The phone numbers to Hanson’s are right at the top!
As The Prowler causes devastation and death where he goes, Zoe fears that their paths will cross and meet sooner than the morning comes. Will Zoe be in for a nightmare? Is it all in her head? Or will she be just another number left on the killing floor?
This novel was fantastic! It was fast paced, gory, and fun to read. Some of the kills are over the top, but that is the fun of it! It is just like classic slashers that many love, including myself. There is a lot of vibes I got that The Prowler played off of classic slasher films. Such as body language, weird quirks, and more. I actually caught one big one that Jon mentions in his letter to the readers at the end. I really love that cult classic! However, he says many influenced Night of the Prowler, and if you know Jon Athan he loves his Urban Legends which also have influence here!
Overall, I must give Night of the Prowler by Jon Athan four and a half stars out of five stars. I only noticed a couple small things, and that is if my time period is correct. I broke it down that this takes place around 1995 to 1996 period frame, now if I’m wrong I apologize Jonny. However, if I’m correct there is a mention of an LED lantern, and these were not readily available until around the early 2000’s. The other would be that Zoe has mixed tapes (cd’s), which again if the time period is what I think a CD burning drive for a computer at the time was fairly pricey (around $1,000.00). Nevertheless, I do remember mix CD’s floating around, so it could be a friend that gave it to her. These are such small details I only deducted half a star, and if I am wrong I’d give a full five stars. I’m round up to five anyways. The story was fun, not bogged down, the kills were awesome, and the finale was absolutely fantastic! I cannot wait to read more of the slashers by Jon Athan, and as always Jon’s writing was superb, his anatomy is always on point, and he paints a fantastic picture with words. Until next time, my friends.
If you would like to join an amazing book lover’s Facebook group check out mine and my wife Brandy’s group Book Nerds at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/73539...
Or the exclusively horror themed group Horror Nerds which Indie Horror Authors can promote, are promoted, and loved. As well as all things Horror related check out our sister group Horror Nerds at https://www.Facebook.com/groups/87427...
Night of the Prowler by Jon Athan is my first dive into his world of slashers, but certainly not my last! It isn’t that I was unaware, and in fact I own many of the titles of his previous slashers. Such as, Butcher Road, Camp Blaze, Spit and Die, The Social Media Murders, and Do Not Disturb. Am I proud that this was my first, no. However, if you aren’t so much of a fan of some of the heavier topics Jon writes about that are rooted in very real life scary issues I suggest you check out some of his slashers, psychological horror, and other various types of writing he has tackled.
Night of the Prowler felt like a perfect slasher for me to start with in Jon’s catalog. I actually used to work at a gas station/convenience store, and I experienced and saw some crazy things. Therefore, I could really relate to the main character Zoe. My mom hated that I worked at a gas station. She always feared I’d be shot, or robbed, or beaten because of all the meth heads, and I WAS IN UNIVERSITY! So I cannot imagine a mother’s fear for a teenager.
Night of the Prowler starts off in a great way. Of course, as I mentioned the main character Zoe is getting ready to work a night shift at Hanson’s Fuel Center. Her mother, Catherine, is not pleased and is worried. The 90s nostalgia starts off quick in the story with throwbacks to songs, and culture references. I love that!
Zoe calms her mom down, and lets her know she won’t be alone. That either Collin or her manager Randy will be there. Much to her surprise when she arrives Zoe realizes Collin has just worked a shift, and she finds out that Randy had a family emergency. So she will be at the gas station all alone! She is at least comforted that she has her trusty Sony Discman to get her through her shift. However, her batteries soon die, and she doesn’t have money to buy any. With Randy keeping a hawk eye on the inventory she has no choice but to try an old radio.
This is when she hears that a lunatic has escaped from the asylum not close, but not far from where she is. Her mind runs wild! However, she finds a station that is alright. As the customers come and go one finally arrives that fits the description of The Prowler! Zoe asks a frequent customer to stay until he leaves, and luckily he does.
At this point in the story Athan has already started a great story using two points of view. One being Zoe the other The Prowler. After, the weird man leaves Zoe begins getting strange, and lewd phone calls. She is sure it is the weird man that she knew was The Prowler, because he asked for an application! The phone numbers to Hanson’s are right at the top!
As The Prowler causes devastation and death where he goes, Zoe fears that their paths will cross and meet sooner than the morning comes. Will Zoe be in for a nightmare? Is it all in her head? Or will she be just another number left on the killing floor?
This novel was fantastic! It was fast paced, gory, and fun to read. Some of the kills are over the top, but that is the fun of it! It is just like classic slashers that many love, including myself. There is a lot of vibes I got that The Prowler played off of classic slasher films. Such as body language, weird quirks, and more. I actually caught one big one that Jon mentions in his letter to the readers at the end. I really love that cult classic! However, he says many influenced Night of the Prowler, and if you know Jon Athan he loves his Urban Legends which also have influence here!
Overall, I must give Night of the Prowler by Jon Athan four and a half stars out of five stars. I only noticed a couple small things, and that is if my time period is correct. I broke it down that this takes place around 1995 to 1996 period frame, now if I’m wrong I apologize Jonny. However, if I’m correct there is a mention of an LED lantern, and these were not readily available until around the early 2000’s. The other would be that Zoe has mixed tapes (cd’s), which again if the time period is what I think a CD burning drive for a computer at the time was fairly pricey (around $1,000.00). Nevertheless, I do remember mix CD’s floating around, so it could be a friend that gave it to her. These are such small details I only deducted half a star, and if I am wrong I’d give a full five stars. I’m round up to five anyways. The story was fun, not bogged down, the kills were awesome, and the finale was absolutely fantastic! I cannot wait to read more of the slashers by Jon Athan, and as always Jon’s writing was superb, his anatomy is always on point, and he paints a fantastic picture with words. Until next time, my friends.
If you would like to join an amazing book lover’s Facebook group check out mine and my wife Brandy’s group Book Nerds at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/73539...
Or the exclusively horror themed group Horror Nerds which Indie Horror Authors can promote, are promoted, and loved. As well as all things Horror related check out our sister group Horror Nerds at https://www.Facebook.com/groups/87427...
May 12, 2021
This book is a perfect example of why I love Jon Athan so much! My favorite sub-genre of horror is human horror/slashers and Athan writes them so damn good! The blood, the gore, the over the top kills..it's just perfection! Another 5/5 demented skull read by one of my most favorite extreme horror writers 💀
October 18, 2022
HELL. YES. This was an absolute blast! It’s a slasher book that knows exactly what it is. No, I don’t need a plethora of over-described characters and tons of exposition and backstory. Give me full-on carnage and splatter from start to finish. Period. Done. I loved Zoe’s 90’s grunge aesthetic, and the way Jon Athan wrote her as someone strong and capable,, yet maintained all the fears that would be distinct to a woman tasked with taking the night shift all by herself. The wholly warranted paranoia of strange men coming in at such late hours feels as terrifying for us as it is for her. All the while, The Prowler has broken free from the institution he was held in and is wreaking havoc across the town. This has some of the most inventive and GRUESOME kills I’ve ever read. Each gore scene was more stomach-churning than the last! This is what a slasher ought to be. An adrenaline-filled, edge-of-your seat splatterfest that holds nothing back. 👏
October 18, 2024
“You do know, don’t you? That’s good. It’s better that way. I like it when they know what’s going to happen but they can’t do anything
This book is one of my biggest fears. I work as a bartender on the side and sometimes I have to work alone. Being blonde and a woman makes me think the worst while I’m working. You always hear or see the horror of people being attacked or kidnapped. That’s where my mind leads when I’m working alone. People are crazy nowadays and you can’t trust them. This book freaked me out.
The story is quick and short but I had to keep putting it down due to the subject. It freaked my s**t. It was horrifyingly gruesome and I really enjoyed it. The more disgusting the better. I was not prepared for the mind of the killer but I got there and I was impressed.
If you love f**ked up reads with a twisted killer then this is for you. The shaved ice scene will forever haunt me. Will definitely read more by this author.
This book is one of my biggest fears. I work as a bartender on the side and sometimes I have to work alone. Being blonde and a woman makes me think the worst while I’m working. You always hear or see the horror of people being attacked or kidnapped. That’s where my mind leads when I’m working alone. People are crazy nowadays and you can’t trust them. This book freaked me out.
The story is quick and short but I had to keep putting it down due to the subject. It freaked my s**t. It was horrifyingly gruesome and I really enjoyed it. The more disgusting the better. I was not prepared for the mind of the killer but I got there and I was impressed.
If you love f**ked up reads with a twisted killer then this is for you. The shaved ice scene will forever haunt me. Will definitely read more by this author.
April 28, 2021
18 year old Zoe has the misfortune of working the overnight shift at a gas station out in the middle of nowhere. Tonight she finds out that she's going to have to be alone for the entirety of her 8 hour shift while there is a serial killer out on the loose in her town.
The suspense in this book was A1 and the torture scenes were creative, but besides that there was nothing really special or unique here. Most of it is just mindless torture involving characters who we dont know enough to care about and for that reason the violence and depravity loses a lot of its impact. The last 25% of the book WAS pretty good though....so I'll give it that.
Im giving Night of The Prowler 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐
For in-depth video reviews, please subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/UptownHorrorRev...
The suspense in this book was A1 and the torture scenes were creative, but besides that there was nothing really special or unique here. Most of it is just mindless torture involving characters who we dont know enough to care about and for that reason the violence and depravity loses a lot of its impact. The last 25% of the book WAS pretty good though....so I'll give it that.
Im giving Night of The Prowler 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐
For in-depth video reviews, please subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/UptownHorrorRev...
January 2, 2025
I rarely find a slasher book that keeps my attention for the entirety, but this was an exception.
I felt incredibly anxious at times for the main character, Zoe.
The descriptions of slaughter were brutal and imaginative.
I felt incredibly anxious at times for the main character, Zoe.
The descriptions of slaughter were brutal and imaginative.
May 16, 2021
I have been meaning to check out this author for ages and it was the cover & title of this book that sold it to me straightaway.
All I can now say is 'Wow'. I love a good slasher story and Jon Athan wrote one amazing one here!.
I loved the 90's story setting which I assumed by the music, use of Cd's, a mobile phone been rare etc and this I felt added to the authenticity. The characterisation range was brilliant, with some feeling very unreliable. As a Mum of a teenager I was so in tune with the fear of Zoe's Mum, your letting your child earn money and gain independence but your natural instinct is to protect them too as you are aware of their naivety/lack of life experience and the dangers out there that they may come across.
And the book hits off with a big danger, in the shape of a psychiatric patient considered very dangerous who has escaped from local asylum and poor young Zoe learns this from the radio news bulletin on her first overnight shift manning the gas station ALONE.
A few twists threw the story in to different directions than I expected but this only added to the suspense. Some of the violent graphic scenes of torture and death had me really squirming they were that sick and the psychological aspects ramped up the tension and left me rooting for the prowler to be caught or be killed.
I literally read the whole book in two gulps as I became totally consumed wanting to know the outcome. The ending wasn't what was expected but it was spot on and leaves it open for the sequel which I can't wait for, hurry please Mr Athan I NEED more!!!
P.s I think the author notes at the end were a fascinating addition.
All I can now say is 'Wow'. I love a good slasher story and Jon Athan wrote one amazing one here!.
I loved the 90's story setting which I assumed by the music, use of Cd's, a mobile phone been rare etc and this I felt added to the authenticity. The characterisation range was brilliant, with some feeling very unreliable. As a Mum of a teenager I was so in tune with the fear of Zoe's Mum, your letting your child earn money and gain independence but your natural instinct is to protect them too as you are aware of their naivety/lack of life experience and the dangers out there that they may come across.
And the book hits off with a big danger, in the shape of a psychiatric patient considered very dangerous who has escaped from local asylum and poor young Zoe learns this from the radio news bulletin on her first overnight shift manning the gas station ALONE.
A few twists threw the story in to different directions than I expected but this only added to the suspense. Some of the violent graphic scenes of torture and death had me really squirming they were that sick and the psychological aspects ramped up the tension and left me rooting for the prowler to be caught or be killed.
I literally read the whole book in two gulps as I became totally consumed wanting to know the outcome. The ending wasn't what was expected but it was spot on and leaves it open for the sequel which I can't wait for, hurry please Mr Athan I NEED more!!!
P.s I think the author notes at the end were a fascinating addition.
April 23, 2021
Classic slasher
Throughout the book I kept putting myself in the main character 's shoes. What is she doing wrong? What would I do in this situation? Well, I would have died! I was eating while reading it and had to stop reading a few times. Good quick read, totally rooting for the prowler to die, the people who died, died really gory/gruesome deaths!! Must have a sequel!
Throughout the book I kept putting myself in the main character 's shoes. What is she doing wrong? What would I do in this situation? Well, I would have died! I was eating while reading it and had to stop reading a few times. Good quick read, totally rooting for the prowler to die, the people who died, died really gory/gruesome deaths!! Must have a sequel!
June 2, 2021
Did I DNF this book? Yes. Did i still rate it 3 stars? Also yes. I DNF'd this book at about 54%, I absolutely loved Zoe and the suspense of her situation. The moments with the prowler were extremely well written, it just isn't what I want or need at this time. For me at this time its just a bit excessive but ill try again another day
June 1, 2021
Lots of old-school slashy goodness in this one. All kinds of fun, I really enjoyed it.
August 21, 2024
Great extreme slasher! Very likeable female mc and a very scary villain. Brutal and creative kills. And an absolutely thrilling last act that had me on the edge of my seat. What's not to like?
May 14, 2024
Slashers + Jon Athan is always a fun time!
Night of The Prowler was captivating and kept me flipping through the pages. The beginning of the novel was shaping up to be one of my favorite slasher novels ever! The buildup was fantastic and the second chapter was one of the craziest I’ve seen in a book like this.
The reason I’m only giving this read 4 stars is because I feel like it could have been so much more. A lot of the characters that were killed off only existed in that one chapter; there wasn’t a solid group of characters that made me wonder who will go next. This book focuses mainly around the main final girl and The Prowler, which is fine but I felt like the ending was kind of basic and didn’t do a whole lot for me.
Still a good read overall but had potential to be elite. In terms of rankings against other slashers by Jon Athan, I believe this is a big improvement from Spit and Die, but I still prefer Cannibal Creek and Do Not Disturb.
Night of The Prowler was captivating and kept me flipping through the pages. The beginning of the novel was shaping up to be one of my favorite slasher novels ever! The buildup was fantastic and the second chapter was one of the craziest I’ve seen in a book like this.
The reason I’m only giving this read 4 stars is because I feel like it could have been so much more. A lot of the characters that were killed off only existed in that one chapter; there wasn’t a solid group of characters that made me wonder who will go next. This book focuses mainly around the main final girl and The Prowler, which is fine but I felt like the ending was kind of basic and didn’t do a whole lot for me.
Still a good read overall but had potential to be elite. In terms of rankings against other slashers by Jon Athan, I believe this is a big improvement from Spit and Die, but I still prefer Cannibal Creek and Do Not Disturb.
May 16, 2021
Loved.it
This read in my opinion was brilliant, a typical serial killer read but with that extreme violent nature of a psychotic killer, whom gets fixated on something or someone. But what a nasty piece of work this one is. You were captivated from the start with how brutal this killer was and how he got excited by trying different ways to hurt and torture his victims. He would use whatever he could find and use it in the most horrific way. I'd love to read a sequel to this, as it could go so many ways and with different outcomes. A great short novel, fast paced and packed with brutal mindless violence. Definitely recommend but not for those of a weak stomach or easily offended.
This read in my opinion was brilliant, a typical serial killer read but with that extreme violent nature of a psychotic killer, whom gets fixated on something or someone. But what a nasty piece of work this one is. You were captivated from the start with how brutal this killer was and how he got excited by trying different ways to hurt and torture his victims. He would use whatever he could find and use it in the most horrific way. I'd love to read a sequel to this, as it could go so many ways and with different outcomes. A great short novel, fast paced and packed with brutal mindless violence. Definitely recommend but not for those of a weak stomach or easily offended.
July 20, 2021
Okay, so here's the thing. Before I was pregnant I was able to down these gorey books no problem .. but now I just can't seem to do it. But Jon Athan is also a highly entertaining author. I had to skim through the bloody parts because it honestly made me feel like I was going to faint lol. But the whole concept of this book was just top notch .. a teenager working the graveyard shift ALONE at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, a psychotic serial killer on the loose ... what are the odds of him visiting her? Give this one a read if you're able to handle it!
January 6, 2024
A great slasher novel I wish I'd read earlier. The Prowler is a villain I'd like to see more of. He was the right amount of deranged and I'm so glad Jon went with a talkative lunatic rather than a silent mystery killer like the majority of books in this subgenre.
This book, to me, is a reminder to read more of Athan's backlog and not just his new releases.
This book, to me, is a reminder to read more of Athan's backlog and not just his new releases.
March 21, 2022
Inspired by slasher films like Black Christmas and The Intruder while giving a nod to classic Urban Legends such as The Hookman, this was a easy, campy read.
September 2, 2023
4.5 stars, rounding up to 5 - this is about as perfect a slasher book can be. Jon Athan is also an incredibly gifted writer, the language here is so smooth, descriptive, yet direct. This is a lean, 200 page novel,paced super well with some of the best graphic horror and violence I have ever read.
I like slashers that don't take themselves TOO seriously, and Night of the Prowler, while being very simplistic in its ideas and tropes (an early scene is two kids making out at night in a cornfield), is executed so well by balancing suspense, violence, and stakes by just being a fun, entertaining horror ride.
As a fan of slashers (movies at least), this is absolutely a 5 star must read if you're a fan of this horror sub-genre. I guess my .5 taken off is that it's maybe too simplistic at times, and the very ending is kind of dumb, but whatever that is the point with these kinds of stories, so anyway, this is a new favorite horror book - I LOVED this.
I like slashers that don't take themselves TOO seriously, and Night of the Prowler, while being very simplistic in its ideas and tropes (an early scene is two kids making out at night in a cornfield), is executed so well by balancing suspense, violence, and stakes by just being a fun, entertaining horror ride.
As a fan of slashers (movies at least), this is absolutely a 5 star must read if you're a fan of this horror sub-genre. I guess my .5 taken off is that it's maybe too simplistic at times, and the very ending is kind of dumb, but whatever that is the point with these kinds of stories, so anyway, this is a new favorite horror book - I LOVED this.
September 7, 2023
4.5! ⭐️
This was my first “slasher” in the extreme horror genre and I had a lot of fun with it! I really could have sat and read it in one sitting if given the time, because I did not want to put it down.
I loved the set up as it goes between Zoe, a teen working her first overnight shift alone at a gas station, and the serial killer who just escaped a mental hospital. So you get to see what he’s up too, and it also builds the tension with Zoe’s fear and wondering what might just be in her head.
Definitely gory and not for the faint of heart. And yes some things that occur are absolutely ridiculous. But it was still entertaining nonetheless in my opinion.
If you enjoy the genre, and want something fun and that isn’t that deep, definitely recommend picking this one up! This was also my first from the author, and I can’t wait to pick up more from him.
This was my first “slasher” in the extreme horror genre and I had a lot of fun with it! I really could have sat and read it in one sitting if given the time, because I did not want to put it down.
I loved the set up as it goes between Zoe, a teen working her first overnight shift alone at a gas station, and the serial killer who just escaped a mental hospital. So you get to see what he’s up too, and it also builds the tension with Zoe’s fear and wondering what might just be in her head.
Definitely gory and not for the faint of heart. And yes some things that occur are absolutely ridiculous. But it was still entertaining nonetheless in my opinion.
If you enjoy the genre, and want something fun and that isn’t that deep, definitely recommend picking this one up! This was also my first from the author, and I can’t wait to pick up more from him.
July 25, 2021
Night of the Prowler is a fun gruesome ride. Jon Athan writes well. His prose is clear and compelling. His characters are well drawn and you care about the good guys. And best of all Night of the Prowler is filled with heart pumping suspense the likes of which Alfred Hitchcock would envy.
Yes, Night of the Prowler has more than a bit of the old Ultra-Violence and torture porn. But that's what you sign up for with an Athan release. The prowler himself starts off like a Michael Myers type and later on is as loquacious as Jack Lemmon! And the tale has one creepy ending.
Suffice to say Night of the Prowler is a well crafted work of extreme horror. Never work the night shift at a petrol station and read it; it may frighten you to death!
Yes, Night of the Prowler has more than a bit of the old Ultra-Violence and torture porn. But that's what you sign up for with an Athan release. The prowler himself starts off like a Michael Myers type and later on is as loquacious as Jack Lemmon! And the tale has one creepy ending.
Suffice to say Night of the Prowler is a well crafted work of extreme horror. Never work the night shift at a petrol station and read it; it may frighten you to death!
June 2, 2023
Reading this was such a cinematic experience! I was getting so many vibes of classic slasher movies and I loved it! I did not want to put the book down it was that good! Some scenes had me flinching and I’m all here for it since it’s a rare accomplishment. It was gory! The killer is psychotic and boy is he fu*ked up. It was my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read more. My first book of the month a 5⭐️! I started June with the perfect book.
August 4, 2024
Boy oh boy this book.. this freaking book. I couldn’t put it down once I started. I really enjoyed the story telling and the characters. It was very easy to hate the villain and really pull for all the others. And I will say even at the times I was squirming most I couldn’t stop reading which I thought was a testament to the author on his writing ability! If you like splatter punk and horror I 10/10 recommend if you can’t do vivid details maybe not so much!
dnf
February 12, 2022DNF 18% - No rating. Usually I can handle Jon Athan’s gruesome tales. This one wasn’t going so well for me. If you’re interested in some good slasher stories, I highly recommend his books. Perhaps I’ll pick this back up at some point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews