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Slattery Falls
Travis, Elsie, and Josh, college kids with a ghost-hunting habit, scour New England for the most interesting haunted locales. Their journey eventually leads them to Slattery Falls, a small Massachusetts town living in the shadow of the Weeks House. The former home of the town’s most sinister and feared resident sits empty. At least that’s what the citizens say. It’s all in good fun. But after navigating the strange home, they find the residents couldn’t be more wrong. And now the roles are reversed. The hunters have become the hunted. Something evil refuses to release its grip, forcing the trio into one last adventure.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2021
4 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
Brennan LaFaro
26 books156 followers Brennan LaFaro is a music teacher by day, horror writer by night, living in southeastern Massachusetts with his wife, two sons, and his hounds. He is the author of the Slattery Falls trilogy, as well as Last Stay, and the horror western, Buzzard's Edge Saga. You can read his short fiction in various anthologies and find him on Twitter at @brennanlafaro or at www.brennanlafaro.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
February 15, 2025
I'm not a big one for hauntings and ghost stories, but I did enjoy this story. The writing was smooth, the wording was crisp, and the pacing was just right. I always enjoy a smaller cast of characters that are written well and do not leave me wondering what they were all about, and Brennan LaFaro accomplished that feat. The background of Weeks and the idea of exploring haunted houses and such brought me back to my high school status as a frequent 'Weird NJ' junkie. And yes, most of the stories were bogus, but there were a few that left me spooked. So this played a bit on my nostalgia, but again, it was just a solid story. I felt like the ending was a little rushed here, but it was satisfactory as a conclusion.
August 5, 2021
As one of the moderators of Horror Aficionados on Goodreads, I see so many new authors in the horror genre, it boggles my mind. Once in a while though, I get a chance to get in on the ground floor, and in my opinion, Brennan LaFaro is taking the writing elevator right on up to the penthouse.
This story of three friends encountering an entity during their ghost hunting adventures captured my attention right from the get-go. The dynamics of their relationships rang true and I genuinely liked them all. I enjoyed the friendly, easy manner of the storytelling and it put me in mind of Stephen King's writing and that "regular person" feel.
Combining short chapters and slowly building atmospheric tension, this narrative pulls the reader along to the final heart-wrenching scenes and then forces them to bear witness.
The only issue I had and it's nothing much, but it felt to me like this story wanted to be a little longer, Or maybe it's just me and I wanted it to be longer.
I think Brennan LaFaro is an author to watch. Mark my words. While we wait, I highly recommend you give this novella a try!
*Thanks to Silver Shamrock for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This it it! Thanks also to the Horror Aficionados that read it with me! Love you guys!*
This story of three friends encountering an entity during their ghost hunting adventures captured my attention right from the get-go. The dynamics of their relationships rang true and I genuinely liked them all. I enjoyed the friendly, easy manner of the storytelling and it put me in mind of Stephen King's writing and that "regular person" feel.
Combining short chapters and slowly building atmospheric tension, this narrative pulls the reader along to the final heart-wrenching scenes and then forces them to bear witness.
The only issue I had and it's nothing much, but it felt to me like this story wanted to be a little longer, Or maybe it's just me and I wanted it to be longer.
I think Brennan LaFaro is an author to watch. Mark my words. While we wait, I highly recommend you give this novella a try!
*Thanks to Silver Shamrock for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This it it! Thanks also to the Horror Aficionados that read it with me! Love you guys!*
August 12, 2021
A terrific haunted house/ghost hunter book!
Slattery Falls
By Brennan LaFaro
This is how a haunted house story is done! Great characters, plot, suspense, twists, world building, and creepy atmosphere! A group of three people are ghost hunters, just because it's interesting until they find a ghost that is a true monster. They give up for ten years until they get a new lead on the one haunting that still scares them. They reluctantly decide to go back. Wow, so crazy! Not me! Exciting ending! Recommend for all haunted house fans!
Slattery Falls
By Brennan LaFaro
This is how a haunted house story is done! Great characters, plot, suspense, twists, world building, and creepy atmosphere! A group of three people are ghost hunters, just because it's interesting until they find a ghost that is a true monster. They give up for ten years until they get a new lead on the one haunting that still scares them. They reluctantly decide to go back. Wow, so crazy! Not me! Exciting ending! Recommend for all haunted house fans!
August 19, 2021
Slattery Falls is a book about a trio of college students who visit the haunted sites of New England to hunt ghosts as a hobby. This concept is awesome and is what got me first excited about this book. At this point, I've read so many haunted house books that they can blur together as one giant glob of decades-old ghosts and creaking foundations. So, I was ready for amateur ghost hunters to shake it up.
There are three different ghost hunting adventures we get to join with the trio, and there are two very different parts to the book: the first part shows us the formation of the trio as well as two distinct ghost hunting adventures, and the second part shows us the trio years later facing their most dangerous ghost. The first two honestly felt a little more realistic, which is weird to say as a non-believer of ghosts, but they reminded me more of stories I've heard from people who say they've witnessed a haunting rather than the sort of prankster ghosts we often see (banging and opening drawers/doors, jump scares, blankets ripped off beds, etc.).
The third ghost hunting adventure didn't seem to fit the vibe I had with the first two adventures though. It was a little jarring and I didn't really like it in this book. But, I think it would have been really cool as a multi-ending visual novel or adventure game. Hear me out! Spoiler ahoy~
Anyway, this was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading more of Brennan LaFaro in the future.
There are three different ghost hunting adventures we get to join with the trio, and there are two very different parts to the book: the first part shows us the formation of the trio as well as two distinct ghost hunting adventures, and the second part shows us the trio years later facing their most dangerous ghost. The first two honestly felt a little more realistic, which is weird to say as a non-believer of ghosts, but they reminded me more of stories I've heard from people who say they've witnessed a haunting rather than the sort of prankster ghosts we often see (banging and opening drawers/doors, jump scares, blankets ripped off beds, etc.).
The third ghost hunting adventure didn't seem to fit the vibe I had with the first two adventures though. It was a little jarring and I didn't really like it in this book. But, I think it would have been really cool as a multi-ending visual novel or adventure game. Hear me out! Spoiler ahoy~
Anyway, this was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading more of Brennan LaFaro in the future.
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June 13, 2023Originally published in SCREAM MAGAZINE
Title: Slattery Falls
Author: Brennan LaFaro
Published: Independent
Slattery Falls is perfect for when you’re in the mood for a fast haunted house horror you can read in one sitting.
A trio of college kids enjoys spending their free time visiting haunted locations. They hear about The Weeks House, a local legend in a small town called Slattery Falls, MA. Of course, once they get there, they quickly begin to realize The Weeks House is not your garden variety abandoned house, there really is something going on in Slattery Falls.
LaFaro spends the first act developing the characters and the dynamic that exists between them in order to draw readers in for emotional investment. Horror is definitely more effective when the audience gets attached to the protagonists. By the time the narrative descends into the bowels of Weeks House, there is some genuine concern that our trio of silly, good-natured friends might not make it out alive.
As far as debut novels go, this is a great example of the depth of LaFaro’s imagination, storytelling voice, and ability to build and maintain horror for the duration of the book.
There are still some things left to be desired. The last third of the book moved at a fast clip which made the ending seem rushed; almost hasty. I felt like there was room for the author to draw it out longer in order to create a balance between the time spent with the build-up in relation to the time spent winding down from the climax.
Also, I feel LaFaro had the reader in the palm of his hand regarding the backstory and historical aspects and maybe just didn’t know it. This will come with experience. He could have spent more time developing those timelines and given us some chapters exploring the antagonist further which would have set Slattery Falls apart from other paranormal, ghost-hunter stories. The components were all there, they just weren’t utilized to their fullest potential. That being said, I believe in LaFaro’s voice and I hope there’s more to come. I would definitely show up for another book by this author.
3 out of 5 skulls
Sadie Hartmann
Title: Slattery Falls
Author: Brennan LaFaro
Published: Independent
Slattery Falls is perfect for when you’re in the mood for a fast haunted house horror you can read in one sitting.
A trio of college kids enjoys spending their free time visiting haunted locations. They hear about The Weeks House, a local legend in a small town called Slattery Falls, MA. Of course, once they get there, they quickly begin to realize The Weeks House is not your garden variety abandoned house, there really is something going on in Slattery Falls.
LaFaro spends the first act developing the characters and the dynamic that exists between them in order to draw readers in for emotional investment. Horror is definitely more effective when the audience gets attached to the protagonists. By the time the narrative descends into the bowels of Weeks House, there is some genuine concern that our trio of silly, good-natured friends might not make it out alive.
As far as debut novels go, this is a great example of the depth of LaFaro’s imagination, storytelling voice, and ability to build and maintain horror for the duration of the book.
There are still some things left to be desired. The last third of the book moved at a fast clip which made the ending seem rushed; almost hasty. I felt like there was room for the author to draw it out longer in order to create a balance between the time spent with the build-up in relation to the time spent winding down from the climax.
Also, I feel LaFaro had the reader in the palm of his hand regarding the backstory and historical aspects and maybe just didn’t know it. This will come with experience. He could have spent more time developing those timelines and given us some chapters exploring the antagonist further which would have set Slattery Falls apart from other paranormal, ghost-hunter stories. The components were all there, they just weren’t utilized to their fullest potential. That being said, I believe in LaFaro’s voice and I hope there’s more to come. I would definitely show up for another book by this author.
3 out of 5 skulls
Sadie Hartmann
July 26, 2021
whoops! This was supposed to be one of my August reads but I started reading it early and couldn't stop. I read it in one evening. It's not very long but I've been in a reading slump for a while now and did not expect to devour it in one day. This is Brennan LaFaro's debut novel and it is GOOD! The story is never dull and moves at a rather fast pace and is rather good. The characters are real and feel like people you know. The main haunted house, Weeks House, is scary and claustrophobic AF. I enjoyed my afternoon ghost hunting with Josh, Travis and Elsie and can't wait to see what Brennan comes up with next!
January 25, 2022
Malevolent Entity!
Backstory:
Three friends (Travis, Josh, and Elsie) are amateur ghost hunters and they go find different places that are haunted, but normally they sneak into the places that are abandoned to test out their ghost hunting skills.
The three of them eventually set their sights on a small town in Massachusetts named Slattery Falls as there is a house there that is suppose to be reeking with evil forces and they want to experience it for themselves. What they don't realize is that the "evil force" has been following them through their lives and it knows that they will be invading its domain as when they step foot in the house their fate is already sealed and doomed!
Thoughts:
I really liked this story as I am a sucker for ghost hunting stories and usually will read the true tales about them or watch those true paranormal shows on tv, so I was really looking forward to reading this story. I can actually say that the story drew me in quick and the author set the pace just right for this story. This was a new author to me and the writing style just flowed along in the book.
There were some spook moments for me within this book as well as some different things happened with the friends as they were exploring the haunted locations and even though the story is fictional I could just visualize how close to the real life ghost hunting could be with the descriptions by the author.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author and I have one more author added to my ever growing horror author list. Giving this one four Evil Entity stars!
For images/gifs of this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
Backstory:
Three friends (Travis, Josh, and Elsie) are amateur ghost hunters and they go find different places that are haunted, but normally they sneak into the places that are abandoned to test out their ghost hunting skills.
The three of them eventually set their sights on a small town in Massachusetts named Slattery Falls as there is a house there that is suppose to be reeking with evil forces and they want to experience it for themselves. What they don't realize is that the "evil force" has been following them through their lives and it knows that they will be invading its domain as when they step foot in the house their fate is already sealed and doomed!
Thoughts:
I really liked this story as I am a sucker for ghost hunting stories and usually will read the true tales about them or watch those true paranormal shows on tv, so I was really looking forward to reading this story. I can actually say that the story drew me in quick and the author set the pace just right for this story. This was a new author to me and the writing style just flowed along in the book.
There were some spook moments for me within this book as well as some different things happened with the friends as they were exploring the haunted locations and even though the story is fictional I could just visualize how close to the real life ghost hunting could be with the descriptions by the author.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author and I have one more author added to my ever growing horror author list. Giving this one four Evil Entity stars!
For images/gifs of this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
June 9, 2021
Brennan LeFaro’s SLATTERY FALLS is a fast-paced tale of friendship and ghosts, love and curses. I adored the relationship between Travis, Elsie, and Josh, and the grim mystery that leads them to the titular town kept me turning pages long after midnight.
February 9, 2025
Filled with nervous excitement
"Trying to escape a vengeful spirit is hard enough, never mind when you’re sweating bullets and have to run hunched over like an absolute dipsht."
Fun, adventurous, really made you feel like you were hanging out with your zany friends. The back and forth banter provides a light hearted humor that soothes your fears and makes you let your guard down for the terrors that await. Slowly, the tension builds in your muscles as you wander the haunted houses with Josh, Travis, and Elsie. There is a nervous excitement that goes with the camaraderie of breaking and entering into haunted houses. That is until things start to get real, get serious, and the demon known as Robert Weeks, that has been taking kids for hundreds of years, starts to focus on our three friends.
"Trying to escape a vengeful spirit is hard enough, never mind when you’re sweating bullets and have to run hunched over like an absolute dipsht."
Fun, adventurous, really made you feel like you were hanging out with your zany friends. The back and forth banter provides a light hearted humor that soothes your fears and makes you let your guard down for the terrors that await. Slowly, the tension builds in your muscles as you wander the haunted houses with Josh, Travis, and Elsie. There is a nervous excitement that goes with the camaraderie of breaking and entering into haunted houses. That is until things start to get real, get serious, and the demon known as Robert Weeks, that has been taking kids for hundreds of years, starts to focus on our three friends.
August 24, 2021
RTC
Probably tomorrow. I have it mostly written.
Good evening all.
Probably tomorrow. I have it mostly written.
Good evening all.
September 20, 2022
Excited ghost hunters. A vengeful spirit. Spooky houses and basements. Underwater tunnels. SLATTERY FALLS has it all and is oozing with creepy atmosphere. There are a few different houses that are investigated in this story and the way they are described just works for me because it left me feeling uneasy and irked but also cautiously intrigued. Slattery Falls is a great debut and I am already eager to read LaFaro's Noose which just came out recently. We've got part paranormal ghost hunter, part urban legend, part haunted house, and all creepy!
August 8, 2021
A vengeful spirit, an urban legend that goes back to the 1800’s and a group of friends that are ghost hunters - well ghost thrill seekers would be a better description… if that sounds something you’re interested in then read on my friends, read on!
I was very excited to read this book when I heard that Silver Shamrock were releasing Brennan LaFaro’s debut - Brennan is a huge supporter of the horror community and I was thrilled to get a copy to review and in turn support him.
If you didn’t know, ghost or the paranormal has become a favourite sub genre of horror for me in recent years with Sarah Perry’s ‘Melmoth’, Beverley Lee’s ‘The Ruin of Delicate Things’ and Michael Clark’s ‘The Patience of a Dead Man’ series. So once I read the premise of this book I couldn’t wait to get to it.
There is something I need to mention here, and it’s something that I need to say because I’m all about honest reviews - these are my opinions, but I need to just mention a few of my hookups on this book first - so we can get to what I loved in a bit.
I found the first 11 chapters a bit of a slog, I didn’t really gel with the narrator of our piece (Travis) it’s not that the opening chapters are bad, but with the wisecracking between Travis and Josh it seemed to just pull me out of the story and the chilling elements that LaFaro was spinning, but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did. As I said this is my opinion, some will most probably love this, some might not be a fan - unfortunately I ended up in the latter category.
This wisecracking nature of the first few chapters, and the way the narrator seemed to be talking directly to me sucked the tension and dread out of the opening. I felt it read in tone more YA than horror - it felt like it was missing something, but what I didn’t realise was that element was waiting just around the corner, and the introduction of Elsie.
One final thing, I did find the ending a little rushed, not the impending doom and the fleeing but rather how they manage to find a way out of their predicament (I can’t say much here about this as it would contain spoilers) it just seemed they went through a hell of a lot and the conclusion was over in about three pages. But don’t get this twisted, this whole section is written brilliantly with regards to the tension and dread and completion of the story.
So the great bits…
Chapter 11 is where the book kicks on a gear and I soon fell under LaFaro’s spell and story telling brilliance (the man has some serious chops people, sit up and take notice). I found with the introduction of Elsie it just seemed to automatically elevate the story, it began to sink its teeth into me and the pace just picked up and whisked me away.
LaFaro soon has Travis detailing to us the story of this vengeful spirit (Weeks), and origin story of some sorts that leads us to Slattery Falls and a case of missing children, a mob and the hanging of the man the town held responsible. This chapter and the following few give the reader an adrenaline rush and I couldn’t read the pages quick enough, when LaFaro is writing this way it shows the true brilliance of the man - there is no wisecracking, no talking to the reader it is straight forward storytelling and I bloody loved it.
I found the Benson House (I think that’s what it was called) fabulously detailed, it’s for me where the story really made itself known, the fear and dread are on point and the character work is well executed - although I had hang ups in the beginning, the characters did grow on me and I was invested in their plight, and that is the mark of a great storyteller.
The haunting aspects of this book are brilliant - there are moments of creepiness, there are moments of horror and the macabre, there are moments I shouted ‘don’t do that’ and ‘run’ - there is one scene in particular when our gaggle of friends find themselves in the basement that chilled the marrow in my bones ‘these were children’ - which LaFaro nailed!
Would I recommend Slattery Falls? You bet your bloody life I would. It’s a fabulous debut from an author who I can see great things coming from in the future, this read like a twisted version of the BBC’s infamous ‘Ghostwatch’ - a slow burn horror that keeps you turning the pages!
I was very excited to read this book when I heard that Silver Shamrock were releasing Brennan LaFaro’s debut - Brennan is a huge supporter of the horror community and I was thrilled to get a copy to review and in turn support him.
If you didn’t know, ghost or the paranormal has become a favourite sub genre of horror for me in recent years with Sarah Perry’s ‘Melmoth’, Beverley Lee’s ‘The Ruin of Delicate Things’ and Michael Clark’s ‘The Patience of a Dead Man’ series. So once I read the premise of this book I couldn’t wait to get to it.
There is something I need to mention here, and it’s something that I need to say because I’m all about honest reviews - these are my opinions, but I need to just mention a few of my hookups on this book first - so we can get to what I loved in a bit.
I found the first 11 chapters a bit of a slog, I didn’t really gel with the narrator of our piece (Travis) it’s not that the opening chapters are bad, but with the wisecracking between Travis and Josh it seemed to just pull me out of the story and the chilling elements that LaFaro was spinning, but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did. As I said this is my opinion, some will most probably love this, some might not be a fan - unfortunately I ended up in the latter category.
This wisecracking nature of the first few chapters, and the way the narrator seemed to be talking directly to me sucked the tension and dread out of the opening. I felt it read in tone more YA than horror - it felt like it was missing something, but what I didn’t realise was that element was waiting just around the corner, and the introduction of Elsie.
One final thing, I did find the ending a little rushed, not the impending doom and the fleeing but rather how they manage to find a way out of their predicament (I can’t say much here about this as it would contain spoilers) it just seemed they went through a hell of a lot and the conclusion was over in about three pages. But don’t get this twisted, this whole section is written brilliantly with regards to the tension and dread and completion of the story.
So the great bits…
Chapter 11 is where the book kicks on a gear and I soon fell under LaFaro’s spell and story telling brilliance (the man has some serious chops people, sit up and take notice). I found with the introduction of Elsie it just seemed to automatically elevate the story, it began to sink its teeth into me and the pace just picked up and whisked me away.
LaFaro soon has Travis detailing to us the story of this vengeful spirit (Weeks), and origin story of some sorts that leads us to Slattery Falls and a case of missing children, a mob and the hanging of the man the town held responsible. This chapter and the following few give the reader an adrenaline rush and I couldn’t read the pages quick enough, when LaFaro is writing this way it shows the true brilliance of the man - there is no wisecracking, no talking to the reader it is straight forward storytelling and I bloody loved it.
I found the Benson House (I think that’s what it was called) fabulously detailed, it’s for me where the story really made itself known, the fear and dread are on point and the character work is well executed - although I had hang ups in the beginning, the characters did grow on me and I was invested in their plight, and that is the mark of a great storyteller.
The haunting aspects of this book are brilliant - there are moments of creepiness, there are moments of horror and the macabre, there are moments I shouted ‘don’t do that’ and ‘run’ - there is one scene in particular when our gaggle of friends find themselves in the basement that chilled the marrow in my bones ‘these were children’ - which LaFaro nailed!
Would I recommend Slattery Falls? You bet your bloody life I would. It’s a fabulous debut from an author who I can see great things coming from in the future, this read like a twisted version of the BBC’s infamous ‘Ghostwatch’ - a slow burn horror that keeps you turning the pages!
July 15, 2022
Huge thanks to Brennan for sending this my way.
When this was first released through Silver Shamrock, I was simply too swamped to accept an ARC – passing on the offer. Brennan’s always been a super nice guy to interact with and connect with, so when he offered up the ARC’s in advance of the sequel coming out, I reached out. Truth be told – I should’ve already purchased this, but sometimes those things slip through the cracks.
I went into this fairly blind, other than knowing it revolved around ghost hunters, which had my interest.
What I liked: The strength of this novella is rooted in Lafaro’s short, snappy chapters and engaging writing. Let’s face it (and I mean ZERO offense here), but the plot isn’t brand new. Because of that, it’s always up to the author to keep the reader guessing and engaged and Lafaro’s prose does just that.
The story follows two friends, Travis and Josh, who connect and decide to investigate haunted houses in their spare time. Along the way, Josh’s cousin, Elsie, joins the crew and the trio continue investigating places. One particular house offers up some horrors and because of that, they stop – but get drawn in years later.
The set up is solid, but it’s the second half that really takes off. Travis and Elsie are now married and keep in touch with Josh. When he says he’s figured out the ‘how,’ ‘who’ and ‘why’ of that last place, they reconvene and strike out, ready to put the hauntings to rest.
The characters are fantastic here and they really do feel like people you’ve known your entire life. The banter is great and even when the feces hits the fan blades, Lafaro keeps the dialogue solid and entertaining.
The ending gives us the emotional gut punch you’d expect in a story like this and while I’m not 100% certain what a sequel will entail, I’m super intrigued to see where we go.
What I didn’t like: I’m all about suspension of belief – that’s half the battle with paranormal/supernatural stories – but I did find it a bit far-fetched that Josh discovered this old journal/diary that had all of this back story. I’m saying that because I don’t believe it’s a spoiler – it’s a fairly typical plot point for ghost hunting/research stories. It was necessary yes – but it was almost a little too convenient.
Why you should buy this: An incredibly solid novella (which I believe was also his debut release), Lafaro played on his strengths by keeping the pace the entire time and keeping the reader guessing. The results work really well to create a horrifying story, one that could be read in a single reading or slowly digested over a few days. Great stuff and I’m keen to see where book two goes!
When this was first released through Silver Shamrock, I was simply too swamped to accept an ARC – passing on the offer. Brennan’s always been a super nice guy to interact with and connect with, so when he offered up the ARC’s in advance of the sequel coming out, I reached out. Truth be told – I should’ve already purchased this, but sometimes those things slip through the cracks.
I went into this fairly blind, other than knowing it revolved around ghost hunters, which had my interest.
What I liked: The strength of this novella is rooted in Lafaro’s short, snappy chapters and engaging writing. Let’s face it (and I mean ZERO offense here), but the plot isn’t brand new. Because of that, it’s always up to the author to keep the reader guessing and engaged and Lafaro’s prose does just that.
The story follows two friends, Travis and Josh, who connect and decide to investigate haunted houses in their spare time. Along the way, Josh’s cousin, Elsie, joins the crew and the trio continue investigating places. One particular house offers up some horrors and because of that, they stop – but get drawn in years later.
The set up is solid, but it’s the second half that really takes off. Travis and Elsie are now married and keep in touch with Josh. When he says he’s figured out the ‘how,’ ‘who’ and ‘why’ of that last place, they reconvene and strike out, ready to put the hauntings to rest.
The characters are fantastic here and they really do feel like people you’ve known your entire life. The banter is great and even when the feces hits the fan blades, Lafaro keeps the dialogue solid and entertaining.
The ending gives us the emotional gut punch you’d expect in a story like this and while I’m not 100% certain what a sequel will entail, I’m super intrigued to see where we go.
What I didn’t like: I’m all about suspension of belief – that’s half the battle with paranormal/supernatural stories – but I did find it a bit far-fetched that Josh discovered this old journal/diary that had all of this back story. I’m saying that because I don’t believe it’s a spoiler – it’s a fairly typical plot point for ghost hunting/research stories. It was necessary yes – but it was almost a little too convenient.
Why you should buy this: An incredibly solid novella (which I believe was also his debut release), Lafaro played on his strengths by keeping the pace the entire time and keeping the reader guessing. The results work really well to create a horrifying story, one that could be read in a single reading or slowly digested over a few days. Great stuff and I’m keen to see where book two goes!
June 5, 2021
SLATTERY FALLS is not just story about ghost hunters, or haunted houses, it’s a gripping supernatural mystery with characters we care about. Written with energy and style, and packed with genuine chills.
August 15, 2021
I sped through this thrilling, ghost-hunting debut in a single day and loved it. The prose is comfortable and easy to digest, characters and their relationships true to real life, and the pace of the plot on point. I'll definitely be in line to read whatever LaFaro churns out next.
August 1, 2021
Review pending!
July 9, 2021
Slattery Falls by Brennan LaFaro is an eerie, tension-filled tale about three friends that have an interest in the paranormal. As the three break in to haunted places, their bond with one another gets stronger. But something else has its eye on them… and it’s about to make itself known.
This is a ghost story that you don’t want to miss!!
Have you ever finished a book and immediately started it over again? For the first time in my reading experience, that’s what happened here. I loved absolutely everything about it. When I hit the final page, I just didn’t want to step out of the story yet!
This is Brennan’s debut novel and you would never guess that was the case. Everything about this story is perfect. The storyline flows so well, the pacing is great, the characters seem like your real-life best friends, and the plot is killer!
Don’t wait. Bump this one to the top of your TBR right away and make sure to go preorder your copy if you’re seeing this before the launch date, July 20th 2021!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
This is a ghost story that you don’t want to miss!!
Have you ever finished a book and immediately started it over again? For the first time in my reading experience, that’s what happened here. I loved absolutely everything about it. When I hit the final page, I just didn’t want to step out of the story yet!
This is Brennan’s debut novel and you would never guess that was the case. Everything about this story is perfect. The storyline flows so well, the pacing is great, the characters seem like your real-life best friends, and the plot is killer!
Don’t wait. Bump this one to the top of your TBR right away and make sure to go preorder your copy if you’re seeing this before the launch date, July 20th 2021!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
August 2, 2021
Brendan LeFaro's debut novel, Slattery Falls, is an engrossing ride about ghost-hunting, forbidden places, and the human need to peek into those places where one shouldn't tread. This is a tightly-paced novel, with the narrative rolling on a good clip, where the events of the story tests the boundaries of loyalty and friendship between three oddball characters who form their own little tribe. It ticks a lot of boxes for this ghost-hunting fan with its creepy urban legends, researching historical archives and a small team piecing clues together. The history of missing children is an especially creepy touch, and the final descent into the haunted Weeks manor is exactly the kind of thrill ride that I like, the kind where the characters keep plunging further into hell, with little of hope of ever seeing the light of day again.
Ultimately, this is a story about friendship and loyalty, tested through a supernatural mystery. Its humanity through in how we stand by those we love, no matter how damaged they are.
Ultimately, this is a story about friendship and loyalty, tested through a supernatural mystery. Its humanity through in how we stand by those we love, no matter how damaged they are.
August 23, 2021
This was a really good paranormal story! It was like a mix between one of those ghost hunter shows and like if a camp fire story or urban legend were actually true or came to life. It was a short story and a really quick read, but got a lot done and made a lot happen in such a short amount of pages. This would be great if you needed something really quick to read.
July 18, 2021
LaFaro has vouchsafed a hell of a debut to the horror community. Slattery Falls is unflinching, and it makes us yearn for paranormal inquiry. The characters are real—we know them and can feel the fostered relationships in our bones. We've been there. And because of that, this book is a place you want to be. And LaFaro's next works are ones you'll want to read.
Liquefy this book, draw it into a syringe, and stab it into your frontal lobe.
Liquefy this book, draw it into a syringe, and stab it into your frontal lobe.
June 16, 2022
Kind of struggling to come up with a review that isn't just a beat-by-beat recap. A group of three friends investigate haunted houses in their twenties with varying degrees of success, then give it up as they got older. Fast-forward ten years, and they think they finally have an explanation for what happened during their scariest foray and they get back together "one last job!" style.
Unfortunately if I were to graph my interest in this book, it'd be a steadily declining slope. I found the beginning more interesting with the introduction of the premise and how the earlier expeditions were described, but the ending felt a little lackluster to me and raised more questions than it answered. Still, the book's got heart and despite a passage or two of monologues I enjoyed the dialogue and banter between the characters. It's also short enough that I don't feel cheated out of my time and I can see recommending it under certain circumstances.
Unfortunately if I were to graph my interest in this book, it'd be a steadily declining slope. I found the beginning more interesting with the introduction of the premise and how the earlier expeditions were described, but the ending felt a little lackluster to me and raised more questions than it answered. Still, the book's got heart and despite a passage or two of monologues I enjoyed the dialogue and banter between the characters. It's also short enough that I don't feel cheated out of my time and I can see recommending it under certain circumstances.
December 20, 2021
EDIT: I did do a video review of this amazing book. And even after a week I still find myself thinking about how LaFaro managed to build and drop the tension with such seeming ease. This book is the best example of a written rollercoaster ride I've read. I've read many books where the rollercoaster feels as though it's just going up and down the same slope, the same issues, but this pushed forward with each dip and climb. The end left a few things unanswered but that sort of made me feel like it was more realistic, we don't always get closure, and for me that made it even more terrifying and wonderful.
This book blew me away. I need some time to get my head into the right words but will update later, and most likely do a video review on my booktube channel hyperactive bookworm. Until then. If you like well written horror and ghost stories, give it a go.
This book blew me away. I need some time to get my head into the right words but will update later, and most likely do a video review on my booktube channel hyperactive bookworm. Until then. If you like well written horror and ghost stories, give it a go.
October 1, 2021
Every so often a book comes along that fully captivates you and swallows you whole, lost between the pages until the very last word has passed through your soul. Slattery Falls is one of those books and it is so much more than a book about ghost hunters. This is a story about the bonds of friendship, about love, and about sacrifice. It's about finding the answers that no one else can and about answering a call that no one else can seem to heed. This tale was the whole package, intrigue, terror, fear, curiosity, coming of age and beyond, love and loss.
LaFaro has penned an excellent tale in his Slattery Falls. Get it for the ghost story, love it for the real story it hides.
Five huge Platinum stars and a standing ovation.
LaFaro has penned an excellent tale in his Slattery Falls. Get it for the ghost story, love it for the real story it hides.
Five huge Platinum stars and a standing ovation.
August 28, 2021
Want a fun, quick read that raises the hair on the back of your neck? Try this debut novella on for size. The story revolves around a trio of ghost hunters trying to solve the mystery of countless missing children...which means they have to go into creepy empty houses in the middle of the night. Reading this was like being in a nightmare, which to me are like free horror movies. Brennan LaFaro puts you right in the shoes of the three heroes and that's exactly where I wanted to be. Press BUY NOW.
July 11, 2021
4.25/5.0
Slattery Falls is the debut novella from Dead Headspace co-host and reviewer, Brennan LaFaro.
Travis, Elsie, and Josh, college kids with a ghost-hunting habit, scour New England for the most interesting haunted locales. Their journey eventually leads them to Slattery Falls, a small Massachusetts town living in the shadow of the Weeks House. The former home of the town’s most sinister and feared resident sits empty. At least that’s what the citizens say. It’s all in good fun. But after navigating the strange home, they find the residents couldn’t be more wrong. And now the roles are reversed. The hunters have become the hunted. Something evil refuses to release its grip, forcing the trio into one last adventure.
Usually, I'm not a fan of ghost stories and hauntings; I've just never felt an appeal toward that kind of horror. So, keep that in mind with this review.
Brennan's writing style drew me in with ease and held my attention. I was engaged by the narration, enough so that I didn't really care that the characters were ghost hunters. I also liked that there was a coming-of-age feel to the story, despite the characters being in their 20s-30s. A lot of the time, I felt like I was reading about a group of a high schoolers getting into trouble breaking into abandoned homes. That wasn't actually the case, of course, but the vibe was there throughout.
For me, it was Part Two that hooked me for the remainder of the ride. Once we jumped ten years and the trio decides to go after the ghost that has taunted them, things became more engaging and interesting. I liked the backstory there, the history of the villain. I especially liked their confrontation with him and the conclusion, even if it was quick.
That's where my minor complaint comes in. This really should have been a novel. Sections that begged for development blew by. Every time I felt something was weak, the fix was easy - a few more pages or perhaps a "side quest." But they just weren't there.
Brennan is a damn good storyteller, as evident in Slattery Falls. If he can take a ghost hunter story and get my attention, he must be doing something right. I look forward to more of his work. Brennan has a special talent that needs to be tapped further.
Slattery Falls is the debut novella from Dead Headspace co-host and reviewer, Brennan LaFaro.
Travis, Elsie, and Josh, college kids with a ghost-hunting habit, scour New England for the most interesting haunted locales. Their journey eventually leads them to Slattery Falls, a small Massachusetts town living in the shadow of the Weeks House. The former home of the town’s most sinister and feared resident sits empty. At least that’s what the citizens say. It’s all in good fun. But after navigating the strange home, they find the residents couldn’t be more wrong. And now the roles are reversed. The hunters have become the hunted. Something evil refuses to release its grip, forcing the trio into one last adventure.
Usually, I'm not a fan of ghost stories and hauntings; I've just never felt an appeal toward that kind of horror. So, keep that in mind with this review.
Brennan's writing style drew me in with ease and held my attention. I was engaged by the narration, enough so that I didn't really care that the characters were ghost hunters. I also liked that there was a coming-of-age feel to the story, despite the characters being in their 20s-30s. A lot of the time, I felt like I was reading about a group of a high schoolers getting into trouble breaking into abandoned homes. That wasn't actually the case, of course, but the vibe was there throughout.
For me, it was Part Two that hooked me for the remainder of the ride. Once we jumped ten years and the trio decides to go after the ghost that has taunted them, things became more engaging and interesting. I liked the backstory there, the history of the villain. I especially liked their confrontation with him and the conclusion, even if it was quick.
That's where my minor complaint comes in. This really should have been a novel. Sections that begged for development blew by. Every time I felt something was weak, the fix was easy - a few more pages or perhaps a "side quest." But they just weren't there.
Brennan is a damn good storyteller, as evident in Slattery Falls. If he can take a ghost hunter story and get my attention, he must be doing something right. I look forward to more of his work. Brennan has a special talent that needs to be tapped further.
July 21, 2021
Slattery Falls is a ghost story, featuring a trio of young ghost hunters: Josh, Travis and Elsie.
It starts when Travis is at college. He meets Josh, and late one night they break into a museum with a reputation for being haunted. Later, they're joined by Josh's cousin, Elsie. Together they explore another haunted house and barely escape with their lives. The word Weeks is crved on the wall, but that remains a mystery for a decade.
Now, Travis and Elsie are married. They're still in touch with Josh, but when he calls one night, he tells them he's finally figured out what Weeks refers to, the Weeks House in Slattery Falls, and if they're ever to put the horror of that night behind them, they'll have to confront whatever hides in Weeks House.
I thought this was a really solid debut novella. The characters are well-written and genuine and serve more than just the plot. The scenes within the haunted houses are tense and well described. The pace is quick, and the plot engaging. I finished it over the course of one day, never leaving it long before picking it back up and delving in once more.
The house in Slattery Falls is given sufficient build up as we hear of the horrors that befell the town, and when we get inside it only gets more mysterious.
There's a great deal to like here. There's the odd occasion where I felt the tension could have been ramped up a little further, and I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending (though it is logical), but it's definitely worth a couple of hours of your time, and Brennan LaFaro could be a name to look out for in the future.
It starts when Travis is at college. He meets Josh, and late one night they break into a museum with a reputation for being haunted. Later, they're joined by Josh's cousin, Elsie. Together they explore another haunted house and barely escape with their lives. The word Weeks is crved on the wall, but that remains a mystery for a decade.
Now, Travis and Elsie are married. They're still in touch with Josh, but when he calls one night, he tells them he's finally figured out what Weeks refers to, the Weeks House in Slattery Falls, and if they're ever to put the horror of that night behind them, they'll have to confront whatever hides in Weeks House.
I thought this was a really solid debut novella. The characters are well-written and genuine and serve more than just the plot. The scenes within the haunted houses are tense and well described. The pace is quick, and the plot engaging. I finished it over the course of one day, never leaving it long before picking it back up and delving in once more.
The house in Slattery Falls is given sufficient build up as we hear of the horrors that befell the town, and when we get inside it only gets more mysterious.
There's a great deal to like here. There's the odd occasion where I felt the tension could have been ramped up a little further, and I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending (though it is logical), but it's definitely worth a couple of hours of your time, and Brennan LaFaro could be a name to look out for in the future.
September 20, 2021
Great debut novella here from Brennan LaFaro that although engaging enough in the beginning, doesn't really come into its own until about two thirds of the way through. Part two is really where it comes into play.
I loved the back story of the Weeks House, loved the mystery and tension built up throughout the rest of the book. It doesn't hang around.
You know, Ghost Hunting stories can feel a little familiar. There's only so much you can do with them. But there is a lot to appreciate here in how the story develops and how the overall experience plays out. To be honest, it could have done with a few more chapters as it neared the end, but man, this is good stuff and wholeheartedly deserves four stars.
I loved the back story of the Weeks House, loved the mystery and tension built up throughout the rest of the book. It doesn't hang around.
You know, Ghost Hunting stories can feel a little familiar. There's only so much you can do with them. But there is a lot to appreciate here in how the story develops and how the overall experience plays out. To be honest, it could have done with a few more chapters as it neared the end, but man, this is good stuff and wholeheartedly deserves four stars.
July 11, 2023
This was a pretty good haunted house story, or should I say haunted houseS story!
There’s an evil entity that a trio of friends needs to defeat. It’s a standard plot and fairly short, but this first book does become a trilogy, so you will get to learn more about some of the characters in the next two stories.
There wasn’t a huge “uniqueness” factor unfortunately, nothing that I found REALLY made this book stand out from similar tales. Therefore, I will not be continuing the series.
If haunted houses, ghosts, and friends fighting evil are your jam, I would definitely recommend giving this one a go!
There’s an evil entity that a trio of friends needs to defeat. It’s a standard plot and fairly short, but this first book does become a trilogy, so you will get to learn more about some of the characters in the next two stories.
There wasn’t a huge “uniqueness” factor unfortunately, nothing that I found REALLY made this book stand out from similar tales. Therefore, I will not be continuing the series.
If haunted houses, ghosts, and friends fighting evil are your jam, I would definitely recommend giving this one a go!
September 24, 2021
Something you should know about me going into this review. First and most important, I am terrified of ghosts. We have a strict no paranormal movies in the dark policy as I likely won’t sleep. Yeah, I know – I’ll return my Horror Card on the way out…
Also, Brennan LaFaro is a friend of mine, and I beta read Slattery Falls way back last year. However, this is my honest review. Despite being scared of ghosts, of course I read stories about them (in the daylight, with all the curtains open and lights on) because we like being scared, right?
But something else I thoroughly appreciate is believable friendships and banter between characters and we get this in spades with these enjoyable characters. It isn’t always easy to pull off a balance like this and a relatable first-person narrator, but LaFaro executed it perfectly.
You can read Janine's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Also, Brennan LaFaro is a friend of mine, and I beta read Slattery Falls way back last year. However, this is my honest review. Despite being scared of ghosts, of course I read stories about them (in the daylight, with all the curtains open and lights on) because we like being scared, right?
But something else I thoroughly appreciate is believable friendships and banter between characters and we get this in spades with these enjoyable characters. It isn’t always easy to pull off a balance like this and a relatable first-person narrator, but LaFaro executed it perfectly.
You can read Janine's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
February 16, 2023
Slattery Falls - A small town with a dark and disturbing past. I read this story in one sitting, as I needed to know the outcome. Following along with three friends turned ghost hunters and the retelling of their investigation into a living nightmare. Brennan does an outstanding job building a terrifying and fascinating world while writing characters in which you not only identify with, but are rooting for until the final page. A haunting and fun ride. Can't wait to dive into Part 2.
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