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World's Scariest Legends #5
The Dancing Plague
In the sixteenth century hundreds of residents of Strasbourg in Alsace (now France) danced uncontrollable for days on end, many dropping dead from their exertions.
Nearly four hundred years later “the dancing plague” has returned, this time afflicting the residents of an idyllic Cape Cod town.
For twelve-year-old Paul Webber and his two friends, the inexplicable dancing mania is only the beginning of the horror to come.
Nearly four hundred years later “the dancing plague” has returned, this time afflicting the residents of an idyllic Cape Cod town.
For twelve-year-old Paul Webber and his two friends, the inexplicable dancing mania is only the beginning of the horror to come.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2022
217 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Bates
47 books1,849 followersUSA TODAY and #1 Amazon bestselling author Jeremy Bates has written over twenty novels and novellas, selling more than one million copies worldwide. His work has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film and television by major studios. Midwest Book Review has likened his storytelling to that of Stephen King and Joe Lansdale, calling him a "master of the art." Bates is a KDP Select All-Star and the recipient of the Australian Shadows Award and the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award. He was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book honors chosen by readers.
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 19, 2022
I had high hopes for this book thinking it would be set around 1518 when the dancing plague was around. I was wrong however as this is set in the modern day and I was kind of hoping to get some history about what life looked like back in 1518. I'm terribly disappointed in the story I usually like Jeremy Bates books he is still a good author though and I will still continue reading anything he publishes.
June 30, 2022
A slow burn but, stay with it!
This was a very well written 'coming of age' story with elements of gothic horror thrown into the mix. Sadness, tragedy, and a slow descent into alcoholism haunted a best selling author. Just what was the truth behind his latest best selling novel. Was it autobiographical or was it all in his mind? Just read Jeremy Bate's story and make up your own mind.
This was a very well written 'coming of age' story with elements of gothic horror thrown into the mix. Sadness, tragedy, and a slow descent into alcoholism haunted a best selling author. Just what was the truth behind his latest best selling novel. Was it autobiographical or was it all in his mind? Just read Jeremy Bate's story and make up your own mind.
February 5, 2022
" The Dancing Plague" by Jeremy Bates
(Copied and pasted book description from Goodreads.)
In the sixteenth century hundreds of residents of Strasbourg in Alsace (now France) danced uncontrollable for days on end, many dropping dead from their exertions.
Nearly four hundred years later “the dancing plague” has returned, this time afflicting the residents of an idyllic Cape Cod town.
For twelve-year-old Paul Webber and his two friends, the inexplicable dancing mania is only the beginning of the horror to come.
This was my first read by Bates and to be truthful, this story didn't really impress me. I found it to be INCREDIBLY slow. There's hardly any action or dancing until the last portion of the book, and while the three main characters are believable (with Ben being the most likeable), I just wasn't very engrossed in this one. I also hate to say that I found the ending of this story to be utterly ridiculous. I did enjoy the alternating time periods and the premise of the book was fantastic but overall this story wasn't for me. 2.5 🌟
(Copied and pasted book description from Goodreads.)
In the sixteenth century hundreds of residents of Strasbourg in Alsace (now France) danced uncontrollable for days on end, many dropping dead from their exertions.
Nearly four hundred years later “the dancing plague” has returned, this time afflicting the residents of an idyllic Cape Cod town.
For twelve-year-old Paul Webber and his two friends, the inexplicable dancing mania is only the beginning of the horror to come.
This was my first read by Bates and to be truthful, this story didn't really impress me. I found it to be INCREDIBLY slow. There's hardly any action or dancing until the last portion of the book, and while the three main characters are believable (with Ben being the most likeable), I just wasn't very engrossed in this one. I also hate to say that I found the ending of this story to be utterly ridiculous. I did enjoy the alternating time periods and the premise of the book was fantastic but overall this story wasn't for me. 2.5 🌟
December 17, 2021
I was fortunate enough to be an advance reader of this book and enjoyed it a lot. The Dancing Plague tells the story of a small town that begins to experience incidents of people who begin dancing and cannot stop, seemingly unaware of anything around them. A trio of children who are the main protagonists are some of the earliest characters to notice what's going on. These children are well developed and believable characters, I enjoyed them a lot. One of the children is the narrator of the story.
To tell much more about the plot would be a disservice to potential readers. Without spoiling anything, I can tell you that I found the story interesting, suspenseful and scary. I found it difficult to put down once I began reading because I wanted to find out what would happen next.
If you enjoy coming of age stories, suspenseful stories with scary elements, and appreciate characters that seem like real people full of very human flaws, give this book a try, I believe you'll enjoy it.
To tell much more about the plot would be a disservice to potential readers. Without spoiling anything, I can tell you that I found the story interesting, suspenseful and scary. I found it difficult to put down once I began reading because I wanted to find out what would happen next.
If you enjoy coming of age stories, suspenseful stories with scary elements, and appreciate characters that seem like real people full of very human flaws, give this book a try, I believe you'll enjoy it.
July 29, 2025
This was definitely better than the last book I read of his. I'm intrigued to read more.
January 17, 2022
The characters jump off the page. An enjoyable, intense read about childhood friends who fend off bullies and so much more… Ben, Chunk, and Sally face dark forces together, but Ben has many demons confronting him in this coming to age story.
Ben is an author who writes about his childhood home on Cape Cod —I loved the scenery and sense of place, the boyhood shenanigans and the adult shadows that haunt this tormented soul. Great suspense with flowing, page-turning thrills. Great writing. A must read.
Ben is an author who writes about his childhood home on Cape Cod —I loved the scenery and sense of place, the boyhood shenanigans and the adult shadows that haunt this tormented soul. Great suspense with flowing, page-turning thrills. Great writing. A must read.
January 19, 2022
I am always a sucker for coming-of-age horror. The characters really stood out here plus the extremely slow burn of the novel. Since this is only the first half of the full story, I will not judge this on its ending at this point, but, without spoiling it, I found it extremely underwhelming and ridiculous. I really hope the second volume proves me wrong. Despite the last 5% or so, this was a fantastic novel and I can’t wait for the sequel.
October 1, 2024
I have always enjoyed Jeremy Bates' books, but this one was not my favorite of the ones that I have read. I say this because typically the books are based on real things that have happened, while also writing a fictional story on top of it. In this case, he wrote about it without much of the real story being seen. Rumor has it another book will be coming out following this one, which might change my rating once I read that.
January 27, 2022
Astonishing
My favorite in the World's scariest Legends. I could not put this book down unless I was sleeping. SUCH a great story! I'm just on pins and needles for the next installment!!!
My favorite in the World's scariest Legends. I could not put this book down unless I was sleeping. SUCH a great story! I'm just on pins and needles for the next installment!!!
June 24, 2022
I always enjoy books by Jeremy Bates but I really, really liked this one! The story is written from two perspectives, the author today and his 12 year old self. Very, very good. And more to come with another book with the main characters today.
February 8, 2022
Good buildup, weak ending.
April 18, 2024
I finally own part 2. I really can't wait to read the next part because I need to know more...
February 28, 2022
Good book
Exciting and suspenseful. Easy to follow characters and dialog. Weird in a fun sort of way. Try it for a fun read
Exciting and suspenseful. Easy to follow characters and dialog. Weird in a fun sort of way. Try it for a fun read
May 30, 2022
The last 20% you have to read.
This book started slow but getting to the end made it a very impressive book. The best part is that the story could and should continue.
This book started slow but getting to the end made it a very impressive book. The best part is that the story could and should continue.
July 28, 2022
Hated characters and DNF
October 11, 2022
What's happening
The start of The series was so good. Now they are getting worse. The last 3 books were awful. I normally like Jeremy Bates. Not so much now.
The start of The series was so good. Now they are getting worse. The last 3 books were awful. I normally like Jeremy Bates. Not so much now.
September 8, 2023
My summary - book is split between present day writer writing the story of his past where 4 people in his town started dancing and 3 did it until they died. The main character’s mom started dancing and the boy sought out the gypsy that started it and then some of the people turned into werewolves? And killed his father and he almost did too except that this girl danced all night with him and prevented him from changing so he thought that’s what the dancing plague did, but then the girl told him they were just on drugs
My review - almost DNF several times. There was waaay too much conversation between the children and with so much slang. The one kid was infuriatingly annoying and perverted and self-centered. Very little spook. The werewolves were just weird. The parallel between the main character’s sister’s killing by a dog and dad by a werewolf was touching & the prospect of drugs was intriguing.
My review - almost DNF several times. There was waaay too much conversation between the children and with so much slang. The one kid was infuriatingly annoying and perverted and self-centered. Very little spook. The werewolves were just weird. The parallel between the main character’s sister’s killing by a dog and dad by a werewolf was touching & the prospect of drugs was intriguing.
October 2, 2022
Different
Ben is a writer for a living and not just any writer but a NYT Bestseller.
Out of all the books he's written so far, nothing comes close to the one he seems autobiographical, regardless if he's selling it as pure fiction.
It's called The Dancing Plague and according to Ben it's still happening in different parts of the world. But even though his book was therapeutic in a way, was Ben merely delusional about his childhood when the first of the plague started in his hometown or is it really something that cannot truly be measured with science?
This story kind of reminded me of a mash up of Stephen King's short story The Body and Richard Laymond's The Traveling Vampire Show in terms of a young man growing up into manhood. Just when you think the story is going one way, it goes in the opposite.
Now I'm hooked and can't wait to get into book 2!!
Ben is a writer for a living and not just any writer but a NYT Bestseller.
Out of all the books he's written so far, nothing comes close to the one he seems autobiographical, regardless if he's selling it as pure fiction.
It's called The Dancing Plague and according to Ben it's still happening in different parts of the world. But even though his book was therapeutic in a way, was Ben merely delusional about his childhood when the first of the plague started in his hometown or is it really something that cannot truly be measured with science?
This story kind of reminded me of a mash up of Stephen King's short story The Body and Richard Laymond's The Traveling Vampire Show in terms of a young man growing up into manhood. Just when you think the story is going one way, it goes in the opposite.
Now I'm hooked and can't wait to get into book 2!!
March 21, 2022
As usual, I really enjoyed Jeremy's story, mainly written from a child's perspective. One of the things I loved was the throwback to the mid-80s, where the story occurred. Ben (the main character), Chunk (that's not a typo) and Sally's adventures made me reminisce on my time growing up- except I didn't have the weird dancing going on.
My one big drawback is that it seems to take a lo g time for anything to really happen, and it was not until I was about 70% through the book that things really started getting word in Ben's town. However, the book was so well written that I was still engaged until the end. Bates is very open at the start and end of the Book that this is book 1 of a 2 book series, so he may have been trying to stretch a bit.
Highly recommended though.
My one big drawback is that it seems to take a lo g time for anything to really happen, and it was not until I was about 70% through the book that things really started getting word in Ben's town. However, the book was so well written that I was still engaged until the end. Bates is very open at the start and end of the Book that this is book 1 of a 2 book series, so he may have been trying to stretch a bit.
Highly recommended though.
August 4, 2022
Bates is an author I've been following for a while, and though he's had hits and misses in his Places/Legends series, entries like Island of the Dolls and Sleep Experiment have kept me coming back for more.
Without giving away too many plot details, The Dancing Plague probably feels like one of his least refined novels, partially because it's only the first half of one story, and partially because its climax lacks the setup needed to make it feel innate to the narrative being told. It's a slower burn, in the way of It or Summer of Night, but whereas said novels scattered horror throughout their coming of age stories, Dancing Plague saves most of its scares for the final fifty-odd pages, and because of that, certain twists and turns feel relatively left field.
I'm excited to check out its coming sequel, and my rating may very likely change once I'm able to finish the overarching plot, but as it stands it's a well written young adult novel connected to an incomplete horror novel.
Without giving away too many plot details, The Dancing Plague probably feels like one of his least refined novels, partially because it's only the first half of one story, and partially because its climax lacks the setup needed to make it feel innate to the narrative being told. It's a slower burn, in the way of It or Summer of Night, but whereas said novels scattered horror throughout their coming of age stories, Dancing Plague saves most of its scares for the final fifty-odd pages, and because of that, certain twists and turns feel relatively left field.
I'm excited to check out its coming sequel, and my rating may very likely change once I'm able to finish the overarching plot, but as it stands it's a well written young adult novel connected to an incomplete horror novel.
January 29, 2022
The Dancing Plague - 5/5
By Jeremy Bates
This was fun. I had a whole assumption of what this book was going to be - and I was wrong!
SPOILERS AHEAD …..
What starts out as a possible mass hysteria (people dancing until they drop dead) quickly turns into something far more sinister and deadly. We’re talking about werewolves! So, we have a dancing hysteria AND werewolves running around - throw in a crazy gypsy who has the sight and can hypnotise you - well you have got all the makings of an amazing creature feature!
Sadly, this was part one of two. Part two isn’t going to be released until LATE 2022…and we are still at the start.
By Jeremy Bates
This was fun. I had a whole assumption of what this book was going to be - and I was wrong!
SPOILERS AHEAD …..
What starts out as a possible mass hysteria (people dancing until they drop dead) quickly turns into something far more sinister and deadly. We’re talking about werewolves! So, we have a dancing hysteria AND werewolves running around - throw in a crazy gypsy who has the sight and can hypnotise you - well you have got all the makings of an amazing creature feature!
Sadly, this was part one of two. Part two isn’t going to be released until LATE 2022…and we are still at the start.
March 18, 2022
not as intriguing as the other Books in the series
This story is written from a 12 year olds perspective of some thing that happened in his past and now as an adult, he’s writing the story into a book. It was a good concept and it’s written in a lot of detail almost as if you were there but the story takes a while to get heated and interesting. It’s more so about the main characters life as a kid and his family, and then this bad thing happens to him doesn’t happen until the very end. And I’m not sure if I like the direction that Bates took with the story. The other four books in the scariest legends series were definitely better.
This story is written from a 12 year olds perspective of some thing that happened in his past and now as an adult, he’s writing the story into a book. It was a good concept and it’s written in a lot of detail almost as if you were there but the story takes a while to get heated and interesting. It’s more so about the main characters life as a kid and his family, and then this bad thing happens to him doesn’t happen until the very end. And I’m not sure if I like the direction that Bates took with the story. The other four books in the scariest legends series were definitely better.
January 1, 2023
This was relatively enjoyable. Kind of Stephen Kong’s It mixed with werewolves. There were some inconsistencies with dates and time period aspects, like Die Hard being released on VHS in September of 1988, or the photo album/year of birth part. These are minor details but ones that made me wonder if the author just Googled things released in 1988 for context.
My other issue was that some of the characters didn’t act like 12-year-olds. Otherwise a relatively enjoyable read, and I’m interested to see if the sequel can keep its traction.
One more issue: the name of the protagonist here is wrong. It wasn’t Paul, but Ben.
My other issue was that some of the characters didn’t act like 12-year-olds. Otherwise a relatively enjoyable read, and I’m interested to see if the sequel can keep its traction.
One more issue: the name of the protagonist here is wrong. It wasn’t Paul, but Ben.
October 19, 2023
This may be the worst book I ever read, I know there are slow starts, but the dancing didn't happen until halfway through the book, and was only mentioned like twice. Like the author started writing a different book and remembered halfway that that's what it was supposed to be about. But then I guess they got bored of that too, because the novel immediately took another shift in another completely different direction, and then all we were talking about was that.
It's such a shame. The legend of the dancing plague was an incredible treasure that was rich for the taking, it's a shame he didn't just write a book about that.
It's such a shame. The legend of the dancing plague was an incredible treasure that was rich for the taking, it's a shame he didn't just write a book about that.
March 9, 2022
Bates is back, and he's done it again!
I'm a big fan of Jeremy Bates. I've read everything he's put out, and though I can usually get a pretty good idea of where the book will end up, even I didn't see this coming. The story is excellent, the characters believable and the writing engrossing, like always. However this book has its surprises, and damn are they good! I seriously can't wait for the second half of this story. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good read, just as I do all his work. He's an exceptional writer.
I'm a big fan of Jeremy Bates. I've read everything he's put out, and though I can usually get a pretty good idea of where the book will end up, even I didn't see this coming. The story is excellent, the characters believable and the writing engrossing, like always. However this book has its surprises, and damn are they good! I seriously can't wait for the second half of this story. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good read, just as I do all his work. He's an exceptional writer.
January 2, 2023
undecided
Cool story, but I definitely had to skim more than half of it just to get to the interesting stuff.
What really annoys me is that I read this book on kindle unlimited, and then, now that I want to read the sequel to find out what happens, I have to pay 499. I’m not sure if I feel the need to pay that just to find out what happens considering I know I’m going to skim more than half the book again.
That was kind of a sketchy marketing tactic that I’m not very happy about.
I downloaded the sample already, so we will see if it pulls me in enough to buy the book
Cool story, but I definitely had to skim more than half of it just to get to the interesting stuff.
What really annoys me is that I read this book on kindle unlimited, and then, now that I want to read the sequel to find out what happens, I have to pay 499. I’m not sure if I feel the need to pay that just to find out what happens considering I know I’m going to skim more than half the book again.
That was kind of a sketchy marketing tactic that I’m not very happy about.
I downloaded the sample already, so we will see if it pulls me in enough to buy the book
March 26, 2024
This book kept me reading all day and all night. It is based on a legend from 1518 about of plague of dancers who could not quit dancing until they collapsed from exhaustion or died of a heart attack or stroke. It is 1988 and in Chatham, Massachusetts 3 teenagers Ben, Chunk , and Sally investigate what is happening in their small town when several people in town cannot quit dancing. The dialogue between the three had me laughing several times. A sometimes happy and sometimes horrifically sad coming of age story.
December 7, 2025
This was a 3.5 for me. I have read Jeremy Bates since he first started right and you can see how much he has grown and improved his writing over the years. Characters have more depth, the story has more nuances, and prose has improved substantially.
All that being said this one was incredibly slow to get going. It wasn’t till about 60% in that the action and horror actually started happening. Even then it was slow until the last 80%. It feels like he put too much fluff in the bringing then wrapped it up super fast so they could make it two books.
All that being said this one was incredibly slow to get going. It wasn’t till about 60% in that the action and horror actually started happening. Even then it was slow until the last 80%. It feels like he put too much fluff in the bringing then wrapped it up super fast so they could make it two books.
February 12, 2022
The Dancing Plague
I've read the 5 books in this series. A sixth book promised by the author to complete this book out later this year. 2022. I loved all of them and I am totally looking forward to the 6th book. I have to know how it all ends. It keeps your attention and your urgency to know more. Being from Massachusetts myself, this story was more interesting because I know the area that was written about. It was interesting and different. I hope that you read it.
I've read the 5 books in this series. A sixth book promised by the author to complete this book out later this year. 2022. I loved all of them and I am totally looking forward to the 6th book. I have to know how it all ends. It keeps your attention and your urgency to know more. Being from Massachusetts myself, this story was more interesting because I know the area that was written about. It was interesting and different. I hope that you read it.
January 30, 2022
Wonderful characters and original story
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. I love horror stories that involve kids growing up. Jeremy Bates created a story with realistic kids, from the things they say and do to the dialogue they share. I just finished the newest Dean Koonz book and it was not half as good as this book! Keep it up!
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. I love horror stories that involve kids growing up. Jeremy Bates created a story with realistic kids, from the things they say and do to the dialogue they share. I just finished the newest Dean Koonz book and it was not half as good as this book! Keep it up!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews