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Wasp Canyon

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WHEN THE DARKNESS COMES, THE TEETH AND THE CLAWS COME WITH IT.

Jessica Cleary took up running the Arizona hiking trails as a way to cope with the recent loss of her father. While out on a run in Wasp Canyon, Jessica stumbles upon a gruesome scene and finds herself injured and running for her life.
There is something lurking inside Wasp Canyon—something vicious, cunning, and with an insatiable appetite. When people in town start falling victim to a mysterious predator and the police are unable to offer any explanation, Jessica decides it's time to stop running—it's time to stop running and fight.

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2021

93 people are currently reading
320 people want to read

About the author

Danielle McCrory

4 books10 followers
Danielle McCrory was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She attended school in Tucson and Flagstaff, and has degrees in Graphic Design and Physical Therapy. She currently lives in Tucson with her husband, Ryan McCrory, and their two cats, Brodi and Jaxson.

Danielle loves horror movies, animals, rainy days, and Halloween. In addition to her love for all things scary, she is also an avid reader and lover of books. Danielle’s love for reading was passed along by her father, who taught Danielle how to read with Goosebumps books, of which she had many. Danielle then went on to read Fear Street novels, before turning to Stephen King, Michael Crichton, and Michael Connolly. Danielle’s favorite author is Stephen King.

While Danielle often entertained the idea of becoming a writer, she didn’t give the dream much serious thought until her father passed away from cancer in 2020. She turned to writing as a way to cope with her loss, and ended up writing a full length novel about a young girl who also lost her father. This novel, Wasp Canyon, follows a grieving girl as she makes a horrific discovery on a hiking trail and finds herself battling demons much darker—and much more dangerous—than her grief alone.

Danielle loves writing because she believes there are still so many scary stories left untold, and she is thrilled to get the opportunity to tell some of these stories. She is currently working on her next two novels, which she plans to release next year. Danielle’s love for writing continues to grow, and she is always looking for more books to add to her library.

“There’s nothing like curling up with a hot cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, and the most gruesome horror novel you can find.”
-Danielle McCrory

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5 stars
139 (49%)
4 stars
91 (32%)
3 stars
40 (14%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Kay Oliver.
Author 11 books198 followers
January 30, 2022
" . . . as Americans across the country celebrated their independence with burnt hotdogs and patriotic medleys, the monsoons arrived in Tucson, Arizona. Thunder rumbled, lightning competed with fireworks, and rain poured down over the scorched earth. And deep inside the walls of Wasp Canyon, something stirred."

I snagged a copy of this book because the cover looked awesome and the title was intriguing. I absolutely loved it; gobbled up every page. This is a must read for anyone who loves chilling stories and mysterious monsters.

This story was fast paced from beginning to end. The descriptions were immersing and rose the chill factor when it came to the creature poor Jess finds herself hunting--being hunted by. Utterly fantastic writing and well-developed characters who quickly became my friends on this crazy and intense journey. The ending was totally satisfying. I look forward to more from this author!
1 review1 follower
August 18, 2021
Loved this book!
Great read from beginning to end.
Reminiscent of old school Stephen King!
Profile Image for Megan Plumlee.
4 reviews39 followers
February 25, 2022
I usually don’t post reviews, I’m more of a lurker, but wow. This book was so much fun. Really well written, and kept my interest from beginning to end. A great creature feature and I really loved the protagonist of the story. A little bit of gore, horror and suspense and just overall a fun read.
Profile Image for Horror Reads.
920 reviews334 followers
July 14, 2024
This is a thrilling creature feature which has a monster of legend and a great location to set the story.

The creature in question is the chupacabra, the legendary "goat sucker". But the backdrop of Tuscan Arizona really added another layer to it. I loved how descriptive the author was in describing the desert and various fauna and flora found there.

When a young woman takes up running to help get over an all consuming grief for her deceased father, she takes to a hiking trail which eventually leads to Wasp Canyon. All is going well and it seems to be working. Until, on her run back one day, she trips over a rock that wasn't there before. She tripped because of something in front of her on the path...a dead body. And that definitely wasn't there on her way in.

Now injured and seeing a body which has been horrifically mutilated, she comes face to face with a monster. Barely escaping with her life, she tries to tell everyone what she saw but nobody believes her, of course.

What follows is a terrifying action filled story as her and her best friend attempt to find a way to stop the beast. With more and more bodies piling up, the skeptical sheriff has to make a choice about whether to believe her or not. But he can't wait long because whatever is doing this is hungry for more blood.

This book reminds me of 80s style creature novels. It gets to the point and stays on course doing nothing more than letting the horrors loose upon the reader!

I truly enjoyed this exciting novel and I recommend it.
Profile Image for ❀ Crystal ✿ -  PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS .
2,533 reviews310 followers
October 22, 2022
Jess is struggling since the death of her father and nothing seems to get her out of her funk. Her therapist recommends she take up running and while hesitant Jess gives it a shot. Everyday on the path through Wasp Canyon Jess makes it further and eventually she makes it to the canyon itself. Soon though her quiet peaceful morning runs come with the feeling of dread and she feels as if there are eyes on her. Honestly I questioned Jess’s sanity a few times just because she would run alone on the deserted trail day in and day out, just seems like an Unsolved Mystery waiting to happen. Inevitably one day while on her run Jess is attacked and even finds a body. Knowing what she saw Jess is shunned by her mother and the police who think she either hallucinated or saw a crazed animal. Her determination leads her to do research (much more than the police bother with) and eventually on a quest to at the very least find proof before the thing kills again. It was a fairly quick read and pretty exciting, gotta admit this was my first read about
3 reviews
August 23, 2021
Are you ready for moments of terror in the darkness? This book caught my attention because of its title, its southwestern setting, and the vibrant and scary cover! It pulled me in from the start and kept my interest. A young woman on her own is attacked and becomes aware of a dangerous creature lurking in the darkness and attacking others in her town. You'll have fun and experience moments of terror as you join Jessica in her search. I loved this book! Wasp Canyon is definitely worth checking out. 5 Stars!!
356 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2021
Wasp Canyon should have "Beware of dangerous beast" signs posted everywhere

I knew running could get me in trouble...haha. Run for your life would have been a good title for this book which I loved. The scare factor in this book is fantastic and the creature was well thought out. I simply couldn't stop reading. The characters came alive and I felt their terror. I would love to read another cryptid adventure book from this author.
Profile Image for Terry and dog.
1,015 reviews34 followers
March 7, 2022
Spunky girl alert
Engaging story.
I really liked the way the main character progressed along the way. Monster was cool, a good setting and devoted sidekick. I loved the ending as well. My kind of horror story. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
2 reviews
August 25, 2021
Stephen King needs to step aside! Ms. McCrory IS the new Stephen King female counterpart! Can’t wait for her next thriller!
6,273 reviews81 followers
January 2, 2024
Something horrible is killing people in Tucson, and only a young woman who is not all mentally stable has any idea what it is.

Not really scary, or grotesque, or ironic. It's just sort of there.
1 review
August 14, 2021
Greetings! My name is Ryan McCrory, and as you may have noticed, I have the same last name as the author of this book. Yes, she is in fact my beautiful wife. Now, you may be asking yourself: “How could I possibly trust a book review written by the author’s husband? Of course he will only have positive things to say about his lovely wife.” Let me clear this up for you right now. I am perfectly capable of being critical of my wife. Take her cooking—not great. Peanut butter and jelly does not a chef make. She also makes us late to almost every social engagement we have. Sure she’ll try and blame me, but we all know it’s her—making sure her shirt matches her shoes or checking to see if the cats are safe, asleep, and in their beds (like they always are) before we can finally leave. She is also tone deaf. Can’t find a good note even in the shower. So, as I have said, she may not be a good cook, or punctual, or a singer, but boy is she one hell of a writer. This book is a rollercoaster ride of a thriller that surprises you with emotional complexity butting up with spectacular gore. Grief gives way to humor in a very well-constructed story. It is great story telling. It grabbed me from page one, and I think this book is going to grab you too—with claws.
Profile Image for Kathy Jackson.
Author 1 book6 followers
November 13, 2021
I grabbed this book when it popped up as something I might like on Kindle Unlimited. With all my favorite authors not getting new releases out, I figured it was time to expand my favorites list.

This book was very good. The main character, Jessica, was well written. I felt like she was an long time friend by the end of it. She seemed more human than a lot of other stories I read - she made mistakes, had epiphanies, struggled with the every day challenges of just being alive.

I didn't find this book scary or intense - but I read creature fiction exclusively so that could have been the why.

Awesome creature - great description of it. Don't miss this one!
33 reviews
January 27, 2023
ridiculous

lol 😂 wat a joke i could hardly finish this so called horror book also the writing sucked big time too much unnecessary detail i had to skim the book jus to finish it horrible read !! where r all the good writers hiding!! waste of my time
12 reviews
October 28, 2021
Wow

Loved this book. My heart was pounding at the end. More please!! I would welcome more from this talented writer. I look fed the characters.
Profile Image for Laura.
2,536 reviews84 followers
April 5, 2025
A cunning monster is lurking in the darkness biding his time to strike...
This one started slow with setting the story but once it got moving it was SO good! The character is such a relatable character and I couldn't help but root for her and for the officer as well since he has a story that is revealed. Such an addicting listen thanks to the narrator, Jacci Prior. I really felt like Jacci embodied Jessica's character very well. The tones and inflections used were spot on. I binged this one in a day. It was that good!
Will Jessica survive or will she be it's last slaughter before the monster vanishes again?

A very special thanks to the author for the gifted audiobook.
Profile Image for Dianne McMahan.
589 reviews11 followers
August 4, 2023
Great read about a mythical monster who terrorized a neighborhood & what happened when it came up against a couple of really mad twenty something ladies.
You'll enjoy the camaraderie between friends & tingle all over about the fear we all have encountering the unknown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
220 reviews2 followers
May 9, 2022
Wasp Canyon

This was a very well written novel. I was surprised to see it was the author's debut. Also very well edited. The action might have been slow to start, but when it did, wow! Genuinely scary moments, the ending well done. I hope we see more of these characters, they are well worth knowing. Would make a good movie too, if they didn't do it on the cheap and get silly with it.
Profile Image for Molly.
81 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2021
Good story, I liked the premise of it. As someone who hikes a lot, it was nice to read a hiking horror novel that didn’t have some “Bigfoot” monster that’s been played out. This is definitely my first chupacabra read!
73 reviews
April 4, 2022
Shudder...in a good way

Great creature feature. A good hypothesis for my favorite cryptic. Enjoyable MC, very believable. Don't read at night...or check if the raccoons turned over the garbage can.
Profile Image for Sarah B.
1,335 reviews29 followers
October 31, 2023
An Exciting Thrill Ride!!

This was the perfect story to read on Halloween! Its scary, has lots of action plus has a bloodthirsty creature with plenty of sharp teeth! The dread builds slowly and you just know that something bad is going to happen. This one does not disappoint. Its just like one of those fun creature movies.

I liked the characters in here too. The main character is trying to recover from her father dying and it has left her depressed. Her therapist told her to take up an outside sport, which is how she quite literally runs into the nasty creature! The story has great descriptions too and that really brings the scenes to life. I have never been out west or to Arizona where this story takes place but yet I could "see" the hard packed trail, the cactus and of course the creature itself. The attack scenes are also very well written.

I also like that as the story progresses Jess (the main character) has revelations as she figures things out. Its very realistic. Plus she is quite the hero!

I also liked the cop in here. He faces his phobia, one he had since a young child. And that is not easy. In some ways I think he is a bigger hero than Jess.

A great fun read!

And yesterday while I was out with my cousin I was telling her this story in the car. She got so hooked on it that we drove right past our destination! I will have to tell her the rest of it today as when I was telling it to her I was only about halfway through the story.

Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Ziggy Nixon.
1,169 reviews36 followers
Read
January 7, 2025
I will be perfectly safe out there.

No rating, DNF at 50%. I thought I might be able to go on a little further but once I hit "“Here me out!” she exclaimed." that was my sign from the Book Gods to stop.

I know what I saw, whether anyone believes me or not.

My reaction is that this has got to be one of the dullest books I've come across in years. It seems every single teeny tiny step, every detail is printed for us to read. Most noticeably, the main protagonist - and I do sympathize with her struggles with grief, don't get me wrong - is just so painfully boring. And along with having to put up with her nonsense, the first quarter of the book seems like it was written more by the Tucson tourist board - using Wikipedia to get their botanical facts in order! - than a writer trying to establish any kind of plausible story. And I use the word plausible very loosely as "the creature" is so damn obvious from the get-go, there are no surprises at all. As someone who has read his share of cryptid-based books over the years, this is easily the silliest approach to same I've seen.

Be stronger. Be better. Don’t die. Don’t die don’t die don’t die.

So I'm done with the small favor of not rating this book because I am truly stunned at the ratings it has received so far. Ciao.
Profile Image for Crystal.
537 reviews11 followers
November 18, 2024
✨ALC Review✨

This is a story about grief as much as it is also a thriller.

Jessica’s father has recently passed and she’s been in a deep depression. Her mother has convinced her to see a therapist. It’s not really helping until the therapist suggests physical activity such as running. So she starts running in Wasp Canyon. Until the day she narrowly escapes, seriously injured and having seen some horrific things.

Something cunning and extremely violent is preying on the Wasp Canyon area. Jessica thinks she’s figured out what she saw, but no one believes her. She’s going to have to make them believe, but can she do that and make it out alive?

This was a fast-paced thriller of a book. I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next. The narration by my girl @jaccipriornarrator is on point. There’s a very intense scene where she’s voicing Jessica and her best friend that is excellent. All the stars!

I was given this ALC by the author and Jacci. All thoughts are mine alone.

#thriller #thrillerbooks #horrorbooks #horror #audible #audiobooks #narrators #waspcanyon #daniellemccrory
Profile Image for Shelby.
74 reviews
October 4, 2024
A young woman named Jessica takes up running as a way to cope with the grief of losing her father. She finds a secluded path that leads to Wasp Canyon and it quickly becomes her go to spot for her runs.

One day while out running, Jessica takes a nasty spill. She’s in pain, trying to get out of the canyon, when she spots a mutilated body along the path. Jessica panics and tries to run out of the canyon, but something begins chasing her…

This was a crazy story from start to finish. It seemed interesting while I was browsing a book to read on my kindle, so I decided to pick it up. I’m so glad I did because this had me hooked for a few days.

The creature in question was terrifying, I loved the way it’s described. I also enjoyed Jessica’s character development and how she navigates grief, as well as how she deals with the creature.

A solid read, I recommend!
Profile Image for Esmeralda.
148 reviews5 followers
February 5, 2026
Using running as a coping mechanism in the process of grief after losing her father to cancer, the main character of this book will soon get into more interesting [to read: creepy] situation where she will have to deal with greater monsters [within and without].
Might this plot be a metaphor of how the greatest challenges can activate our deeper strength that will help us overcome anything?
Or that the actual frustration of not being able to save a beloved person from their own cruel fate will determine us to save others just to compensate for the initial loss?
The ending is open to interpretation - because none of these hypothesis might be actually true or viceversa.
1,149 reviews7 followers
October 5, 2021
A young woman grieving the death of her father starts running on the advice of her therapist. She choses an isolated trail in the unpleasantly named Wasp Canyon. As her mood lightens and her grief dissipates she becomes stronger. She will need her strength to fight a lethal predator lurking nearby.

This was an okay read. The plot was good but the dialogue was awful, clunky, clumsy and dated. The journey from debilitating grief to a healthier outlook was believable. 2.5 stars
Author 4 books
July 6, 2023
Slow to Start, but a Good Read

There were some parts in the beginning I had to skip over, just unnecessary to the story. But once it got going, it was a page turner.
The main character was relatable but could have had more depth. The scenes were vivid but not overly described, which is a plus.
It's the first book I have been able to finish in a while, overall I think it's well written.
Profile Image for Jill Forker.
17 reviews3 followers
August 18, 2023
I rarely rate or review but this book was so good that I felt it was necessary! I too lived in Tucson Arizona at one time so I loved that it was set in that City and the surrounding mountains. I love a good monster story. this one keeps you jumping from the very beginning. Lots of suspense. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to any other horror books that this author hopefully writes in the future.
83 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2024
I got this book for free a few months ago with a stuff your kindle and it was a very pleasant read.

One thing I liked a lot was the constant referrals to specific memories in their pasts to describe how they felt in the present. I think it’s an important way to show how trauma can reappear at any moment.

This was a very interesting read and kept my attention the whole time. I definitely recommend reading this!
Profile Image for bookish.thingz_.
37 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2024
First time reading a book by the author and it won’t be the last! The story was thrilling, with suspense that had me on the edge of my seat. The ending gave me goosebumps! it felt incredibly real, and I don't scare easily! Haha.

I highly recommend reading this book & giving the audiobook a listen. The narration was absolutely excellent, keeping me engaged from start to finish.
I enjoyed it both as an audio experience and while reading it on KU, which made it a great combination! 🤗
5 reviews
August 29, 2024
Some books are good books to read but not one you need to buy to have in your collection. That's why a 3. Borrow it if you like mild horror, overcoming depression after a loss, and characters you can realate to. It's got a little bit of everything. Easy read without the same story lines different names type of book. You might even want to visit Wasp Canyon for a nice hike after.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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