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Hetty
Hetty Stanley was a schoolteacher. Hetty Stanley was a prudish spinster. Hetty Stanley was a murderer. Hetty Stanley has been dead for more than a century.
Dane Butler is doing his best and his best isn’t enough, but a little luck puts him into an inherited home that shares a property line with a woman and her son. Winona and her son Casey are no better off than Dane, forcing the strangers to rely on one another.
One day, Dane looks up from his computer at the sound of Winona shouting in through his door. Her four-year-old son is missing—no boots and no coat, January in Minnesota. Hours pass. Police scour the woods and begin pointing fingers at the only plausible suspects, but one high-ranking officer knows the painful history. Children have been disappearing from the old schoolhouse property for decades, and although it is impossible, there’s only one likelihood: Hetty Stanley.
To save Casey, Dane and Winona must find the link to Hetty and follow it, no matter how impossible the route seems or what trials they might face and what stakes they must overcome.
"Sprinkled with cultural nods and winks, Hetty emerges from the genres it references to become something distinct. Eddie Generous is handy with an unexpected metaphor and it marks a voice that speaks its own brand of weird."
-- Andrew Pyper, author of The Residence and The Demonologist
"Hetty is unsettling in the best sort of way. Eddie Generous creates a monster right out of every parent’s worst nightmares, the evil that’s been there all along, hidden in plain sight. Hetty scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t put it down.”
-- Leslie Lutz, author of Fractured Tide
Dane Butler is doing his best and his best isn’t enough, but a little luck puts him into an inherited home that shares a property line with a woman and her son. Winona and her son Casey are no better off than Dane, forcing the strangers to rely on one another.
One day, Dane looks up from his computer at the sound of Winona shouting in through his door. Her four-year-old son is missing—no boots and no coat, January in Minnesota. Hours pass. Police scour the woods and begin pointing fingers at the only plausible suspects, but one high-ranking officer knows the painful history. Children have been disappearing from the old schoolhouse property for decades, and although it is impossible, there’s only one likelihood: Hetty Stanley.
To save Casey, Dane and Winona must find the link to Hetty and follow it, no matter how impossible the route seems or what trials they might face and what stakes they must overcome.
"Sprinkled with cultural nods and winks, Hetty emerges from the genres it references to become something distinct. Eddie Generous is handy with an unexpected metaphor and it marks a voice that speaks its own brand of weird."
-- Andrew Pyper, author of The Residence and The Demonologist
"Hetty is unsettling in the best sort of way. Eddie Generous creates a monster right out of every parent’s worst nightmares, the evil that’s been there all along, hidden in plain sight. Hetty scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t put it down.”
-- Leslie Lutz, author of Fractured Tide
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2021
5 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 2, 2021
I haven't read anything this scary in a long time. Not for the faint-hearted, this is graphic and gritty and creepy to boot. The human characters had many layers and were not picture perfect. They had their flaws and baggage but I was cheering them on. The supernatural characters were full on nasty, powerful and hair raising.
I did get a bit confused occasionally and had to re-read to clarify the descriptions so I could visualise what was happening. But the action and the intensity of the dangers were encompassing and I simply Could Not Put This Down. Original and engrossing.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I did get a bit confused occasionally and had to re-read to clarify the descriptions so I could visualise what was happening. But the action and the intensity of the dangers were encompassing and I simply Could Not Put This Down. Original and engrossing.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 23, 2021
Oh, this one is eerie!
In Hetty, Eddie Generous brings us old school chills with the tale of missing children and a very scary school teacher!
As is usual with the author, the characters practically live and breathe. I was so worried about them – and a certain fierce good boy.
The story builds at a good pace, weaving together dark history and a more modern tale that manages to be just as horrifying and heartbreaking.
An excellent read – perfect when you want something chilling!
*ARC via the Publisher
In Hetty, Eddie Generous brings us old school chills with the tale of missing children and a very scary school teacher!
As is usual with the author, the characters practically live and breathe. I was so worried about them – and a certain fierce good boy.
The story builds at a good pace, weaving together dark history and a more modern tale that manages to be just as horrifying and heartbreaking.
An excellent read – perfect when you want something chilling!
*ARC via the Publisher
September 25, 2021
“Hetty” by Eddie Generous is delightfully morbid for its cruel and merciless descent upon two innocent characters who are tortured by an unnatural force of evil that thrives off killing and terrorizing its victims. Fans of horror will be thrilled by this spooky and downright horrifying tale full of dark and unsettling events.
Years ago, a tragic incident left a bunch of schoolchildren and their teacher, Hetty, dead. Ever since, children from the area have been reported missing, never to be found. Locals say Hetty’s not truly dead and her spiteful spirit still roams the property in search of children to steal. Others call it a coincidence. With a stream of violent deaths followed by another missing child, it becomes clear something is amiss with the old schoolhouse that used to belong to Hetty. And as every horror story goes, there is always someone brave enough (or stupid enough) to face their fears, dig deeper into the unknown, and risk everything to find out what truly happened to those missing children. Except in this story, the characters have no choice but to fight against an entity they know nothing about to save a child and rid the world of an unspeakable evil.
This novel was truly and utterly grotesque … a perfect noir horror that's filled to the brim with gore, haunting lullabies, and violent attacks that will chill readers to their very core. Hetty is every child’s and adult’s fear personified. She is the monster people imagine when alone in the pitch-dark—a force of evil no one wants to face. Unfortunately, the characters in this novel don’t have a choice. They must find a way to defeat Hetty or let her continue her ruthless hunt of terror and murder.
Fans of horror should definitely be on the lookout for this novel on its expected publication date of September 18th, 2021. Not only is it filled to the brim with gore, violence, and the unsettling “oh no” moments that are fun to be spooked by, Generous also creates a cast of characters readers will love (and in some circumstances, love to hate). A book in this genre succeeds when it can frighten readers and part of that stems from having characters that are relatable and well-liked. Dane and Winona are definitely a screwed-up duo with lots of issues but they’ll make readers laugh, get angry, and at times be very worried about their sanity.
Thank you to Netgalley and Omnium Gatherum for providing me with a free e-arc and the chance to share my honest opinion in this review.
Years ago, a tragic incident left a bunch of schoolchildren and their teacher, Hetty, dead. Ever since, children from the area have been reported missing, never to be found. Locals say Hetty’s not truly dead and her spiteful spirit still roams the property in search of children to steal. Others call it a coincidence. With a stream of violent deaths followed by another missing child, it becomes clear something is amiss with the old schoolhouse that used to belong to Hetty. And as every horror story goes, there is always someone brave enough (or stupid enough) to face their fears, dig deeper into the unknown, and risk everything to find out what truly happened to those missing children. Except in this story, the characters have no choice but to fight against an entity they know nothing about to save a child and rid the world of an unspeakable evil.
This novel was truly and utterly grotesque … a perfect noir horror that's filled to the brim with gore, haunting lullabies, and violent attacks that will chill readers to their very core. Hetty is every child’s and adult’s fear personified. She is the monster people imagine when alone in the pitch-dark—a force of evil no one wants to face. Unfortunately, the characters in this novel don’t have a choice. They must find a way to defeat Hetty or let her continue her ruthless hunt of terror and murder.
Fans of horror should definitely be on the lookout for this novel on its expected publication date of September 18th, 2021. Not only is it filled to the brim with gore, violence, and the unsettling “oh no” moments that are fun to be spooked by, Generous also creates a cast of characters readers will love (and in some circumstances, love to hate). A book in this genre succeeds when it can frighten readers and part of that stems from having characters that are relatable and well-liked. Dane and Winona are definitely a screwed-up duo with lots of issues but they’ll make readers laugh, get angry, and at times be very worried about their sanity.
Thank you to Netgalley and Omnium Gatherum for providing me with a free e-arc and the chance to share my honest opinion in this review.
August 17, 2021
Had an old timer horror story feel which I enjoyed immensely. A classic for sure, with gore and sinister creatures living outside an old school house. A real page turner!
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
August 30, 2021
Rating: 4.58
Enjoyment: 8/10
For more reviews check my blog: https://frostawingsit.ca/
Hetty Stanley was the town's infamous teacher who killed her pupils over a century ago.
Serendipity brings Dane, Winona, and her son, Casey, together. Mother and son share a property line with Dane. All three had just moved to the town. As outsiders, they lean on each other, finding their footing and adjusting to their new lives.
The town has secrets, and when Casey goes missing, Winona and Dane are in for a rude awakening. Children have been disappearing from the old schoolhouse for decades, and the town is pretty sure Hetty is the one doing the kidnapping.
As the police are looking for Casey, Winona and Dane know their only chance to find the boy alive is to take a crash course in the town's history and do what needs to be done, no matter the cost.
I enjoyed Hetty overall, and I appreciate that Generous took the time to develop Hetty and provide her with enough backstory to justify her status as the book's baddy. I thought her mythology was fascinating, and the scenes in her turf were creepy and atmospheric, dark and haunting. I dreamed of her world the night I finished the book!
The climax was easy to visualize and charged with action and emotion. The only thing I didn't like in the book was a subplot that felt unnecessary, disjointed from the main story, and very unsettling. That is my personal preference, so it might not bother other readers. I recommend checking the trigger warnings for this book, though.
I am definitely keeping my eyes on Eddie Generous and will read other books he pens.
Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Omnium Gatherum, Eddie Generous, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Hetty.
Enjoyment: 8/10
For more reviews check my blog: https://frostawingsit.ca/
Hetty Stanley was the town's infamous teacher who killed her pupils over a century ago.
Serendipity brings Dane, Winona, and her son, Casey, together. Mother and son share a property line with Dane. All three had just moved to the town. As outsiders, they lean on each other, finding their footing and adjusting to their new lives.
The town has secrets, and when Casey goes missing, Winona and Dane are in for a rude awakening. Children have been disappearing from the old schoolhouse for decades, and the town is pretty sure Hetty is the one doing the kidnapping.
As the police are looking for Casey, Winona and Dane know their only chance to find the boy alive is to take a crash course in the town's history and do what needs to be done, no matter the cost.
I enjoyed Hetty overall, and I appreciate that Generous took the time to develop Hetty and provide her with enough backstory to justify her status as the book's baddy. I thought her mythology was fascinating, and the scenes in her turf were creepy and atmospheric, dark and haunting. I dreamed of her world the night I finished the book!
The climax was easy to visualize and charged with action and emotion. The only thing I didn't like in the book was a subplot that felt unnecessary, disjointed from the main story, and very unsettling. That is my personal preference, so it might not bother other readers. I recommend checking the trigger warnings for this book, though.
I am definitely keeping my eyes on Eddie Generous and will read other books he pens.
Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Omnium Gatherum, Eddie Generous, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Hetty.
September 7, 2021
A Bad Frog In A Tainted Pond
There are many kinds of teachers. Some love children and feel joy as they nurture their intellects. Some teach merely as a way to make a living. A few stand at the head of their classrooms and relish the power of being the big frog in the midst of their tiny pond full of helpless polliwogs. Hetty was the kind who'd inspect the shiny apple a student brought as her tribute and then beat them if it had a bruise.
Even though corporal punishment was an accepted part of school at the time, I suspect that her students' fear and excessive bruises caused the town to arrange for her replacement. But, tragically, they were still unaware of what kind of person they were dealing with. Too many are.
I liked Dane and his attitude about life. He'd been damaged but found a mentor who completely altered the direction his life was taking, allowing him to establish a career he never dreamed he'd attain. I admired how his heart wanted to pay it forward and how helping Winona and Casey when he encountered them made him feel good about himself. Playing the part-time hero didn't bring him confidence or peace from past pain, though.
Winona had also been betrayed by someone she loved and trusted. I understood her, both her pain and her poor decisions. Having wariness about accepting help from someone decent is a symptom of being emotionally battered, as is being willing to allow a new abuser into your life, unfortunately. The way things developed as she tried to rebuild a home for herself and Casey is too normal.
Eddie Generous showed a deep understanding of people in the way he created his characters with sweetness and the unsavory in their natures. The possibility of Dane, Winona, and Casey finally having good in their lives while being unaware of the evil drawing nearer made what happened next even more terrifying.
Being betrayed and lack of awareness of impending danger are themes throughout the book, from the students and parents a hundred years ago to the present day. Whether Hetty was also betrayed depends on how you look at it.
I cared about what happened to the central characters, whipping through the pages as the suspense grew. My concern for them testifies to how skillfully the book was written. Generous packed a lot into Hetty, and it's a great, scary read.
The author and publisher made a free ARC available to me via NetGalley, for which I sincerely thank them. A free book doesn't buy my recommendation, however. Instead, I give it freely to this book. It earned all five stars!
There are many kinds of teachers. Some love children and feel joy as they nurture their intellects. Some teach merely as a way to make a living. A few stand at the head of their classrooms and relish the power of being the big frog in the midst of their tiny pond full of helpless polliwogs. Hetty was the kind who'd inspect the shiny apple a student brought as her tribute and then beat them if it had a bruise.
Even though corporal punishment was an accepted part of school at the time, I suspect that her students' fear and excessive bruises caused the town to arrange for her replacement. But, tragically, they were still unaware of what kind of person they were dealing with. Too many are.
I liked Dane and his attitude about life. He'd been damaged but found a mentor who completely altered the direction his life was taking, allowing him to establish a career he never dreamed he'd attain. I admired how his heart wanted to pay it forward and how helping Winona and Casey when he encountered them made him feel good about himself. Playing the part-time hero didn't bring him confidence or peace from past pain, though.
Winona had also been betrayed by someone she loved and trusted. I understood her, both her pain and her poor decisions. Having wariness about accepting help from someone decent is a symptom of being emotionally battered, as is being willing to allow a new abuser into your life, unfortunately. The way things developed as she tried to rebuild a home for herself and Casey is too normal.
Eddie Generous showed a deep understanding of people in the way he created his characters with sweetness and the unsavory in their natures. The possibility of Dane, Winona, and Casey finally having good in their lives while being unaware of the evil drawing nearer made what happened next even more terrifying.
Being betrayed and lack of awareness of impending danger are themes throughout the book, from the students and parents a hundred years ago to the present day. Whether Hetty was also betrayed depends on how you look at it.
I cared about what happened to the central characters, whipping through the pages as the suspense grew. My concern for them testifies to how skillfully the book was written. Generous packed a lot into Hetty, and it's a great, scary read.
The author and publisher made a free ARC available to me via NetGalley, for which I sincerely thank them. A free book doesn't buy my recommendation, however. Instead, I give it freely to this book. It earned all five stars!
September 9, 2021
Hetty Stanley was a cruel, spinster school teacher, who over a century ago killed her entire class. Of course a heinous act this huge would and did create folklore of her haunting the lake she killed the children in. Ever few years a child would disappear from near the lake, keeping her story and the fear alive.
Dane Butler, a struggling writer, inherits a home near the old schoolhouse where Hetty reined in terror. Winona and her four year old son move into the converted schoolhouse to try and start a new life. The two adults form a friendship and Dane forms a bond with the young boy over old '80's video games.
Then as expected, the worst happens. Casey disappears and the hunt for the child and answers begin.
Sounds formulaic, following the path of many a mystery or ghost story. But this one has just that extra little something, that something you find in a good scary horror novel like they used to write. Eddie Generous, whom I have never heard of or read anything from, reminded me of early Bentley Little or Robert Marasco.
Finally a book under the genre of horror that delivers what it promised!
I stayed up late reading, rushing to the end even as I wanted it to last longer.
Definitely recommend to anyone who loved and misses the style of horror that creeps up on you, sinks it teeth in and shakes you around.
Thanks to @Netgalley and Omnium Gatherum for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Dane Butler, a struggling writer, inherits a home near the old schoolhouse where Hetty reined in terror. Winona and her four year old son move into the converted schoolhouse to try and start a new life. The two adults form a friendship and Dane forms a bond with the young boy over old '80's video games.
Then as expected, the worst happens. Casey disappears and the hunt for the child and answers begin.
Sounds formulaic, following the path of many a mystery or ghost story. But this one has just that extra little something, that something you find in a good scary horror novel like they used to write. Eddie Generous, whom I have never heard of or read anything from, reminded me of early Bentley Little or Robert Marasco.
Finally a book under the genre of horror that delivers what it promised!
I stayed up late reading, rushing to the end even as I wanted it to last longer.
Definitely recommend to anyone who loved and misses the style of horror that creeps up on you, sinks it teeth in and shakes you around.
Thanks to @Netgalley and Omnium Gatherum for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 25, 2021
I received a copy for review through NetGalley.
Hetty has characters that are so good. The main characters felt like real people with flaws doing the best they can. I really cared about what happened to them, and I loved rooting them on to stop the evil entity that haunted their area. The protagonists were not the only amazing characters. The creep factor of the ghosts in this story was high. This story boasts a class of fantastic creepy kids and the most evil teacher I have ever encountered.
The small town Minnesota setting was wonderfully realized. I could actually feel the cold in this rural area with frozen pond. The spooky atmosphere of the old school house renovated into a house with a dark history set the mood for one scary story.
The plot great pacing while focusing on character development, and giving the history of the area. There were a lot of really effective scary scenes throughout. The climax was strange, terrifying, and satisfying.
Overall, this was a great book for fans of the dark and macabre. This book did not scrimp on the character development, and is filled with heart that will have readers invested in the outcome of the story.
Hetty has characters that are so good. The main characters felt like real people with flaws doing the best they can. I really cared about what happened to them, and I loved rooting them on to stop the evil entity that haunted their area. The protagonists were not the only amazing characters. The creep factor of the ghosts in this story was high. This story boasts a class of fantastic creepy kids and the most evil teacher I have ever encountered.
The small town Minnesota setting was wonderfully realized. I could actually feel the cold in this rural area with frozen pond. The spooky atmosphere of the old school house renovated into a house with a dark history set the mood for one scary story.
The plot great pacing while focusing on character development, and giving the history of the area. There were a lot of really effective scary scenes throughout. The climax was strange, terrifying, and satisfying.
Overall, this was a great book for fans of the dark and macabre. This book did not scrimp on the character development, and is filled with heart that will have readers invested in the outcome of the story.
August 19, 2021
Hetty by Eddie Generous sounded like a horror story that was right up my alley. It is a supernatural horror that has unsettled spirits, a town full of secrets, and one incredibly brave dog. The writing style and overall atmosphere had a similar feel to Stephen King or Stephen Graham Jones. This could work well for fans of The Broken Girls by Simone St. James or Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
As far as the story goes, I think the plot was solid. Over 100 years ago, Hetty, an old schoolmarm, committed a heinous crime after her school attempted to fire her. Since then, her restless spirit is thought to have caused the disappearance of dozens of children over the years. In the present day, a woman and her son move into the old school house and the "horror" part of the story picks up from there.
I decided to give this a 3 star because, while the idea of the story appealed to me greatly, I felt that the execution just wasn't my style, While reading the book, something consistently felt off. The narration would jump from one scene to another very quickly. It was also often difficult to tell whose POV we were reading from. Within the same scene, we would go from Casey's point to view, to Winona's, to Dane's with no real indication that it was going to happen. At times, this took me out of the story because I had to reread a paragraph over again to understand who I was following. Also, I felt like we didn't get a lot of the inner monologue from the characters, so they felt a little emotionally flat. Because of this, the romance aspect felt a little forced. I never really felt or saw Dane start to have feelings for Winona or vice versa.
After about the halfway point, I realized what felt "off". This reads like a movie rather than a book. the frequent scene jumping, not hearing the character's inner monologue, characters speaking without introduction, etc. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, some people may prefer this. However, it just doesn't work for me.
Some things that I did really like -
- Getting Chauncey's POV. It's not every day that we get to read a story from a dog's perspective.
- The portion of the story that we spend on the "other side" was very imaginative and also heartbreaking.
- The story moved quickly and didn't leave a lot of room to get bored.
Overall 3/5 stars and I wouldn't mind picking up another book from this author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this to review.
As far as the story goes, I think the plot was solid. Over 100 years ago, Hetty, an old schoolmarm, committed a heinous crime after her school attempted to fire her. Since then, her restless spirit is thought to have caused the disappearance of dozens of children over the years. In the present day, a woman and her son move into the old school house and the "horror" part of the story picks up from there.
I decided to give this a 3 star because, while the idea of the story appealed to me greatly, I felt that the execution just wasn't my style, While reading the book, something consistently felt off. The narration would jump from one scene to another very quickly. It was also often difficult to tell whose POV we were reading from. Within the same scene, we would go from Casey's point to view, to Winona's, to Dane's with no real indication that it was going to happen. At times, this took me out of the story because I had to reread a paragraph over again to understand who I was following. Also, I felt like we didn't get a lot of the inner monologue from the characters, so they felt a little emotionally flat. Because of this, the romance aspect felt a little forced. I never really felt or saw Dane start to have feelings for Winona or vice versa.
After about the halfway point, I realized what felt "off". This reads like a movie rather than a book. the frequent scene jumping, not hearing the character's inner monologue, characters speaking without introduction, etc. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, some people may prefer this. However, it just doesn't work for me.
Some things that I did really like -
- Getting Chauncey's POV. It's not every day that we get to read a story from a dog's perspective.
- The portion of the story that we spend on the "other side" was very imaginative and also heartbreaking.
- The story moved quickly and didn't leave a lot of room to get bored.
Overall 3/5 stars and I wouldn't mind picking up another book from this author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this to review.
August 29, 2021
Big thanks to Netgalley, Omnium Gatherum and Eddie Generous (Unnerving) for approving me for this ARC!
I've become a big fan of Eddie's over the years and have always enjoyed seeing where his writing mind will take us. He's never shy to explore different genre's, attempting new variations of the genre's and introducing unique and intriguing characters.
'Hetty' is a prime example of just that. Taking a tried and true basis of a dark story and inflicting it and warping it to suit his story and how he wanted to tell it.
What I liked: The book opens with a bit of back story, of us learning about Hetty and how she was a schoolteacher but also was doing things she shouldn't have been when no one was looking.
Fast forward and we get introduced to two people down on their lucks - Dane, a writer who is struggling with a recent loss and Winona, a young mother who discovers the truth about the man she believed was the one. Now, after becoming friends, they are working towards figuring out life in a new town, a small town with a secret.
Generous does a great job of showcasing how two different people, from two very different upbringings can attempt to co-exist, help each other out while also doing whatever it takes when it comes down to it, to bring back Winona's son.
The build up to Casey's disappearance had some truly, truly creepy moments and the aftermath of the event itself was great with Generous offering some twists and turns that had me flipping the pages, wanting to see just what happens.
What I didn't like: It felt like a life time until the actual event happens and while it was definitely a slow burn to get there, some may find it a bit of slog at moments. As well, I wasn't totally sure about how Dane was reacting to Winona at the beginning. It felt a bit forced, a bit 'off' from his initial introductions.
Why you should buy this: Generous is always an author that you know you can expect an emotional rollercoaster and with 'Hetty,' which may be the longest book he's released thus far, he showcases his willingness to take a story and twist it, making it a dark and frightening piece.
Good stuff.
I've become a big fan of Eddie's over the years and have always enjoyed seeing where his writing mind will take us. He's never shy to explore different genre's, attempting new variations of the genre's and introducing unique and intriguing characters.
'Hetty' is a prime example of just that. Taking a tried and true basis of a dark story and inflicting it and warping it to suit his story and how he wanted to tell it.
What I liked: The book opens with a bit of back story, of us learning about Hetty and how she was a schoolteacher but also was doing things she shouldn't have been when no one was looking.
Fast forward and we get introduced to two people down on their lucks - Dane, a writer who is struggling with a recent loss and Winona, a young mother who discovers the truth about the man she believed was the one. Now, after becoming friends, they are working towards figuring out life in a new town, a small town with a secret.
Generous does a great job of showcasing how two different people, from two very different upbringings can attempt to co-exist, help each other out while also doing whatever it takes when it comes down to it, to bring back Winona's son.
The build up to Casey's disappearance had some truly, truly creepy moments and the aftermath of the event itself was great with Generous offering some twists and turns that had me flipping the pages, wanting to see just what happens.
What I didn't like: It felt like a life time until the actual event happens and while it was definitely a slow burn to get there, some may find it a bit of slog at moments. As well, I wasn't totally sure about how Dane was reacting to Winona at the beginning. It felt a bit forced, a bit 'off' from his initial introductions.
Why you should buy this: Generous is always an author that you know you can expect an emotional rollercoaster and with 'Hetty,' which may be the longest book he's released thus far, he showcases his willingness to take a story and twist it, making it a dark and frightening piece.
Good stuff.
September 18, 2021
I’ve struggled over my review and rating for Hetty the last two days… and finally decided on 3 stars. Here’s why…
The book got off to a decent start, letting us meet Hetty right off. It went downhill a bit from there until about 60% into the story.
While I understand and appreciate a more active way of getting Dane’s and Winona’s backstories, the constant flip flopping, and time warps, made it confusing quite a bit if the time. It also made the story lag quite a bit. We went from immediate action to humdrum daily life for such a large chunk of the book. Had this not been called the scariest book ever by quite a few people, I’d have never made it to the “scary” bits.
Admittedly, the sex scenes in Winona’s point of view with “the Cowboy” very nearly made this a two star read for me. They were unrealistic and had I not known going into the book it was written by a man, those scenes would have made it glaringly obvious. I think I actually cringed a few times.
The creepy factor would spark then die again as the dead kids made their appearances. I’d get excited, thinking things were about to take off, only to go back to the humdrum parts that lagged. Until Casey disappears. That’s when the magic happens …
I wouldn’t call this the scariest book, in fact, I would call it slightly creepy and at times a bit chilling, but as horror goes, it didn’t make my heart race or make me want all the lights on. It was a decent story and seems to be set up for a potential spinoff.
I just don’t think this author’s writing is quite to my taste, even though the idea behind Hetty was rather fabulous.
The book got off to a decent start, letting us meet Hetty right off. It went downhill a bit from there until about 60% into the story.
While I understand and appreciate a more active way of getting Dane’s and Winona’s backstories, the constant flip flopping, and time warps, made it confusing quite a bit if the time. It also made the story lag quite a bit. We went from immediate action to humdrum daily life for such a large chunk of the book. Had this not been called the scariest book ever by quite a few people, I’d have never made it to the “scary” bits.
Admittedly, the sex scenes in Winona’s point of view with “the Cowboy” very nearly made this a two star read for me. They were unrealistic and had I not known going into the book it was written by a man, those scenes would have made it glaringly obvious. I think I actually cringed a few times.
The creepy factor would spark then die again as the dead kids made their appearances. I’d get excited, thinking things were about to take off, only to go back to the humdrum parts that lagged. Until Casey disappears. That’s when the magic happens …
I wouldn’t call this the scariest book, in fact, I would call it slightly creepy and at times a bit chilling, but as horror goes, it didn’t make my heart race or make me want all the lights on. It was a decent story and seems to be set up for a potential spinoff.
I just don’t think this author’s writing is quite to my taste, even though the idea behind Hetty was rather fabulous.
June 23, 2022
I’ve said this in many reviews, and I’ll continue to say it. There are some writers whose work I will just dive into without reading the synopsis because I know they won’t disappoint. Eddie Generous is one such author. And, as a bonus, I never know what I’m going to get. Sometimes it’s a straight-up monster story like
Great Big Teeth
. Other times it’s a family drama with monsters like
What Lurks Beneath
. Occasionally it’s coming-of-age horror like various short works in his collections, and sometimes it’s just flat-out creepy-ass horror like Hetty. Eddie’s work is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. But unlike that box of chocolates, I’ve never bitten into an Eddie Generous tale and didn’t enjoy it.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
November 12, 2021
Hetty by Eddie Generous is a horror genre book and has a chilling vibe where the plot is set in an abandoned school. The author has done a commendable job in writing a twisted and dark horror story. I liked the plot and climax which opens a way for a sequel. I would award 4 stars to the book as I was little bit confused at the end. But, the book is worth a one time read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read the book.
Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
May 19, 2022
This felt very old school horror. I loved it. It doesn't get much creepier than dead school children. Hetty is the kind of book that reminds me why I love this genre.
September 27, 2021
Hetty is a-weepin', a-weepin'...
No spoilers. 4 stars. In 1909 Miss Hetty Stanley believed she had been unjustly fired from her teaching job...
Deeply upset, she went home and harvested some deadly nightshade berries from her yard and baked them into a chocolate cake...
... as a goodbye gesture of goodwill to her class of children...
Weeks later...
Bailiffs Clifford and Benjamin were sent from Thief River Falls, MN to pick up prisoner Hetty in a barred pig wagon...
... but a mob had already taken Hetty down to the frozen pond behind the old schoolhouse, cut a hole in the ice, and put her in it to drown...
Over the years many children and animals have gone missing... after being seen near the old pond... the last missing child reported in 1997...
Writer Dane Butler now owns the old house his deceased grandfather lived in... with a pond in his backyard; The same historical pond...
Winona and her young son Casey have just moved into the old schoolhouse in the lot on the other side of the pond...
Winona and Casey become friends with Dane...
There are old things close yet infinitely far away and Dane knows something bad once happened around that water hole...
Poor Hetty is a-weepin', a-weepin '...
On a bright summer's day...
Hetty why are you weepin', weepin'?...
I'm weeping for my lost ones...
Dearest Hetty we're not lost...
Our souls are here to stay...
This was a good little ghost story that takes place during a bitter winter so cold that it made me a little cold just reading it. It had a very suspenseful conclusion.
No spoilers. 4 stars. In 1909 Miss Hetty Stanley believed she had been unjustly fired from her teaching job...
Deeply upset, she went home and harvested some deadly nightshade berries from her yard and baked them into a chocolate cake...
... as a goodbye gesture of goodwill to her class of children...
Weeks later...
Bailiffs Clifford and Benjamin were sent from Thief River Falls, MN to pick up prisoner Hetty in a barred pig wagon...
... but a mob had already taken Hetty down to the frozen pond behind the old schoolhouse, cut a hole in the ice, and put her in it to drown...
Over the years many children and animals have gone missing... after being seen near the old pond... the last missing child reported in 1997...
Writer Dane Butler now owns the old house his deceased grandfather lived in... with a pond in his backyard; The same historical pond...
Winona and her young son Casey have just moved into the old schoolhouse in the lot on the other side of the pond...
Winona and Casey become friends with Dane...
There are old things close yet infinitely far away and Dane knows something bad once happened around that water hole...
Poor Hetty is a-weepin', a-weepin '...
On a bright summer's day...
Hetty why are you weepin', weepin'?...
I'm weeping for my lost ones...
Dearest Hetty we're not lost...
Our souls are here to stay...
This was a good little ghost story that takes place during a bitter winter so cold that it made me a little cold just reading it. It had a very suspenseful conclusion.
August 24, 2021
An abusive school teacher from long, long ago is about to be forced from her post, so she decides to take her class with her to continue teaching on another plane.
When a single mom and her 4 year old son move into the old school house they develop a friendship with the writer on the other side of their woods. All three are warned to stay away from the murky pool in the writer's back yard. Some say it's the gateway to something evil. The locals seem especially concerned that the young boy not go anywhere near it. Mom is concerned about their interest in her young boy!
One night every parent's nightmare becomes real with the 4 year old disappears without a trace. A search finds nothing. Strange, huge and deadly animals emerge from the woods.and the local lore about the pond begins to become a story that can't be ignored. The only option left is the scariest, but they must find the boy so the into the waters of evil they go.
This was yet another character driven and enjoyable tale of wierdness by Eddie Generous. Thank you to #netgalley for allowing me to read #Hetty. I would recommend this book.
When a single mom and her 4 year old son move into the old school house they develop a friendship with the writer on the other side of their woods. All three are warned to stay away from the murky pool in the writer's back yard. Some say it's the gateway to something evil. The locals seem especially concerned that the young boy not go anywhere near it. Mom is concerned about their interest in her young boy!
One night every parent's nightmare becomes real with the 4 year old disappears without a trace. A search finds nothing. Strange, huge and deadly animals emerge from the woods.and the local lore about the pond begins to become a story that can't be ignored. The only option left is the scariest, but they must find the boy so the into the waters of evil they go.
This was yet another character driven and enjoyable tale of wierdness by Eddie Generous. Thank you to #netgalley for allowing me to read #Hetty. I would recommend this book.
August 24, 2021
ARC REVIEW
The premise of Hetty was what intrigued me, but the writing and the characters made me stay. This book was full of life ….and death, in the best way.
We follow Dane, a struggling writer as he moves to Moreland after he receives an inheritance. He meets Winona, a single mom with a four year old son who is also new to Moreland. She is also struggling financially and they become close.
The story grows at an interesting pace as a reader you already know something about Hetty and the schoolhouse but not much is revealed in the beginning. You anticipate learning more about this ghost legend and her schoolhouse. The anxious anticipation makes reading the story somewhat of a nail biter and the action scenes in the end are worthy of a horror movie. As this is in the horror genre, it has some mature content.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it as a quick and fun read for horror fans.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Thank you to NetGalley,and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
The premise of Hetty was what intrigued me, but the writing and the characters made me stay. This book was full of life ….and death, in the best way.
We follow Dane, a struggling writer as he moves to Moreland after he receives an inheritance. He meets Winona, a single mom with a four year old son who is also new to Moreland. She is also struggling financially and they become close.
The story grows at an interesting pace as a reader you already know something about Hetty and the schoolhouse but not much is revealed in the beginning. You anticipate learning more about this ghost legend and her schoolhouse. The anxious anticipation makes reading the story somewhat of a nail biter and the action scenes in the end are worthy of a horror movie. As this is in the horror genre, it has some mature content.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it as a quick and fun read for horror fans.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Thank you to NetGalley,and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
September 15, 2021
Haunting, mesmerizing and a-weeping, a-weeping
TW: physical abuse, sexual assault, drowning, animal abuse, killing of children and animals, emotional abuse, pedophile
Firstly, I would like to thanks NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I was attracted to this story because of the synopsis. When you have ghosts, legend myths of a schoolhouse and missing children, I'm hooked instantly. This book had the the eerie and chilling atmosphere to it,written meant to get you feel scared. Although, I will be honest, this wasn't as scary as I expected. I do like the characters in this book particularly Dane Butler and Casey, the 4-years-old boy. Both of them make a good pair and I really like their interactions..
In the small town of Moreland, Dane Butler, a struggling writer who lost his benefactor, or a savior Jack and then moved to his dead granduncle's house in order to write a new book set for a movie adaptation. He met the new neighbors, a single mother with a young son who recently moved into a schoolhouse just across his house. They formed a sort of friendship where Dane will always babysit Casey while Winona worked at the diner. However, there is an eerie and sinister vibes tied to the schoolhouse especially the murky and frozen pond behind the house. Casey, the young boy kept seeing children's pale face with black muddy water spilling out from their mouths and they kept chanting "Hetty's a-weeping, a-weeping". What happened to these children's and what stakes would Dane go for the boy?
For the storyline and plot, this was a fast paced story and I found myself immersed in the story easily. It was very easy to read as the writing style is straightforward with horror elements well executed. Some of the scenes are quite scary and very disturbing. There are times I was feeling very uncomfortable and spooked out on the scenes especially involving children's. You could say the story focused more on relationship and characters as we spend mostly on Dane and how he formed friendship with Winona and Casey and ultimately become a part of their life. Personally, I wasn't very keen on Winona, she seems very self-centered but her love for her son goes way and beyond.
There is plenty of explicit and disturbing scenes in the story thus its best not to be read by younger reader. Its not pleasant to read those scenes but they do not go into much details.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read and for a horror book, it was quite good. .
TW: physical abuse, sexual assault, drowning, animal abuse, killing of children and animals, emotional abuse, pedophile
Firstly, I would like to thanks NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I was attracted to this story because of the synopsis. When you have ghosts, legend myths of a schoolhouse and missing children, I'm hooked instantly. This book had the the eerie and chilling atmosphere to it,written meant to get you feel scared. Although, I will be honest, this wasn't as scary as I expected. I do like the characters in this book particularly Dane Butler and Casey, the 4-years-old boy. Both of them make a good pair and I really like their interactions..
In the small town of Moreland, Dane Butler, a struggling writer who lost his benefactor, or a savior Jack and then moved to his dead granduncle's house in order to write a new book set for a movie adaptation. He met the new neighbors, a single mother with a young son who recently moved into a schoolhouse just across his house. They formed a sort of friendship where Dane will always babysit Casey while Winona worked at the diner. However, there is an eerie and sinister vibes tied to the schoolhouse especially the murky and frozen pond behind the house. Casey, the young boy kept seeing children's pale face with black muddy water spilling out from their mouths and they kept chanting "Hetty's a-weeping, a-weeping". What happened to these children's and what stakes would Dane go for the boy?
For the storyline and plot, this was a fast paced story and I found myself immersed in the story easily. It was very easy to read as the writing style is straightforward with horror elements well executed. Some of the scenes are quite scary and very disturbing. There are times I was feeling very uncomfortable and spooked out on the scenes especially involving children's. You could say the story focused more on relationship and characters as we spend mostly on Dane and how he formed friendship with Winona and Casey and ultimately become a part of their life. Personally, I wasn't very keen on Winona, she seems very self-centered but her love for her son goes way and beyond.
There is plenty of explicit and disturbing scenes in the story thus its best not to be read by younger reader. Its not pleasant to read those scenes but they do not go into much details.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read and for a horror book, it was quite good. .
August 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. It was an interesting take on a ghost story. I highly recommend it. I truly believe it should be made into a Netflix original. I'd love to see it play out in live action.
October 5, 2021
First of all Hetty was a kind of unique take on a ghost story. I thought it was fun and pretty well laid out overall. There were grammar mistakes and some possible continuity issues here and there, but overall I would give this book a 3.5*. Hetty herself was not really fleshed out fully in my opinion. I didn't fear her, mostly her "class". The real draw for me was the group of main characters. They were flawed and rough and I kind of enjoyed that raw feel. Nothing polished here. Dane and Winona and Casey. The situation was not ideal and they didn't handle it the best way possible and that was perfect. I actually enjoyed the ending of the book. It wrapped up pretty well. I think I will look for more Eddie Generous in the future.
I received this book for free for my unbiased review.
I received this book for free for my unbiased review.
September 9, 2021
I received a review copy of this through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I might the the only one who just did not like the pacing of this novel. I had so many moments where I thought “oh here we go it’s happening” and boom I was left reading through slow parts.
I will say this… the characters in this novel were awesome and kept me reading… the story is what held me back.
It sucks to not have a glowing review. I just couldn’t take the fast paced to slow paced story anymore.
I might the the only one who just did not like the pacing of this novel. I had so many moments where I thought “oh here we go it’s happening” and boom I was left reading through slow parts.
I will say this… the characters in this novel were awesome and kept me reading… the story is what held me back.
It sucks to not have a glowing review. I just couldn’t take the fast paced to slow paced story anymore.
October 27, 2021
What a deliciously eery and macabre story. Hetty was scary and surprising and I was never really sure what to expect. Filled with characters and nuance and things I didn’t want to happen yet I couldn’t stop reading until I had to (the book ended eventually). Reminiscent of King and Stranger Things-this is a book that you read during daylight. With people. In public.
Really well written and just a damn fine story.
I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions are all mine.
Really well written and just a damn fine story.
I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions are all mine.
September 28, 2021
Hetty is a-weepin', a-weepin'...
No spoilers. 4 stars. In 1909 Miss Hetty Stanley believed she had been unjustly fired from her teaching job...
Deeply upset, she went home and harvested some deadly nightshade berries from her yard and baked them into a chocolate cake...
... as a goodbye gesture of goodwill to her class of children...
Weeks later...
Bailiffs Clifford and Benjamin were sent from Thief River Falls, MN to pick up prisoner Hetty in a barred pig wagon...
... but a mob had already taken Hetty down to the frozen pond behind the old schoolhouse, cut a hole in the ice, and put her in it to drown...
Over the years many children and animals have gone missing... after being seen near the old pond... the last missing child reported in 1997...
Writer Dane Butler now owns the old house his deceased grandfather lived in... with a pond in his backyard; The same historical pond...
Winona and her young son Casey have just moved into the old schoolhouse on the lot on the other side of the pond...
Winona and Casey become friends with Dane...
There are old things close yet infinitely far away and Dane knows something bad once happened around that water hole...
Poor Hetty is a-weepin', a-weepin '...
On a bright summer's day...
Hetty why are you weepin', weepin'?...
I'm weeping for my lost ones...
Dearest Hetty we're not lost...
Our souls are here to stay...
This was a good little ghost story that takes place during a bitter winter so cold that it made me a little cold just reading it. It had a very suspenseful conclusion.
No spoilers. 4 stars. In 1909 Miss Hetty Stanley believed she had been unjustly fired from her teaching job...
Deeply upset, she went home and harvested some deadly nightshade berries from her yard and baked them into a chocolate cake...
... as a goodbye gesture of goodwill to her class of children...
Weeks later...
Bailiffs Clifford and Benjamin were sent from Thief River Falls, MN to pick up prisoner Hetty in a barred pig wagon...
... but a mob had already taken Hetty down to the frozen pond behind the old schoolhouse, cut a hole in the ice, and put her in it to drown...
Over the years many children and animals have gone missing... after being seen near the old pond... the last missing child reported in 1997...
Writer Dane Butler now owns the old house his deceased grandfather lived in... with a pond in his backyard; The same historical pond...
Winona and her young son Casey have just moved into the old schoolhouse on the lot on the other side of the pond...
Winona and Casey become friends with Dane...
There are old things close yet infinitely far away and Dane knows something bad once happened around that water hole...
Poor Hetty is a-weepin', a-weepin '...
On a bright summer's day...
Hetty why are you weepin', weepin'?...
I'm weeping for my lost ones...
Dearest Hetty we're not lost...
Our souls are here to stay...
This was a good little ghost story that takes place during a bitter winter so cold that it made me a little cold just reading it. It had a very suspenseful conclusion.
Want to read
October 23, 2021I found this book to be interesting. You have a haunting oh, you have sex oh, you have missing children all a catalyst for a good horror book. I do intend to get the physical copy so I can have it on my bookshelf and I may reread this during the winter time.
September 22, 2021
3.75 stars, rounded up.
September 19, 2021
I wasn’t sure about Hetty at first and I almost gave up. I’m glad though that I kept reading because Hetty and her children gave me the creeps.
In retrospect I’m glad the book starts slowly and the reader is eased into the story because Hetty is spine chilling and horrifying.
Dane, Winona and Casey are the main characters. Dane and Casey are likable but Winona annoyed me to no end.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
In retrospect I’m glad the book starts slowly and the reader is eased into the story because Hetty is spine chilling and horrifying.
Dane, Winona and Casey are the main characters. Dane and Casey are likable but Winona annoyed me to no end.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
August 29, 2021
impossible the route seems or what trials they might face and what stakes they must overcome.
This book definitely gave me the creeps. Children are always terrifying in horror movies and books, and add some black sludge and you’ve got a nightmare cocktail. I appreciated how Casey’s mom somewhat believed him when he reported these freaky occurrences, even if she didn’t believe him completely. The book was slower than I would have liked, the biggest plot point didn’t occur until 60% of the way through the book. Some transitions (especially in the beginning) were confusing for me to realize we were now in the past or in the present. However, even though the first half was slower than I would have liked, I could not put the last half down. The journey to save Casey is so intricate, you really have to read closely to make sure you have the entire picture painted in your mind. This book is perfect for the beginning of spooky season.
This book definitely gave me the creeps. Children are always terrifying in horror movies and books, and add some black sludge and you’ve got a nightmare cocktail. I appreciated how Casey’s mom somewhat believed him when he reported these freaky occurrences, even if she didn’t believe him completely. The book was slower than I would have liked, the biggest plot point didn’t occur until 60% of the way through the book. Some transitions (especially in the beginning) were confusing for me to realize we were now in the past or in the present. However, even though the first half was slower than I would have liked, I could not put the last half down. The journey to save Casey is so intricate, you really have to read closely to make sure you have the entire picture painted in your mind. This book is perfect for the beginning of spooky season.
October 13, 2021
*Copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Sadly, this book was not great. The characters were uninteresting, the plot was not good, the pacing was non existent and it was not horror, it was just painfully boring. It is a pity, since it was a good pitch for a horror novel and in the beginning it looked cool, but I would not recommend this one at all.
Sadly, this book was not great. The characters were uninteresting, the plot was not good, the pacing was non existent and it was not horror, it was just painfully boring. It is a pity, since it was a good pitch for a horror novel and in the beginning it looked cool, but I would not recommend this one at all.
October 1, 2021
👻 Book Review 👻
👻 Hetty by Eddie Generous
👻 Publication Date -
👻 September 18th 2021
👻 Hetty Stanley was a schoolteacher. Hetty Stanley was a prudish spinster. Hetty Stanley was a murderer. Hetty Stanley has been dead for more than a century.Dane Butler is doing his best. His best isn't enough, but a little luck puts him into an inherited home that shares a property line with a woman and her son. Winona and her son Casey are no better off than Dane, forcing the strangers to rely on one another.One day, Dane looks up from his computer at the sound of Winona shouting. Her four-year-old son is missing-no boots and no coat, January in Minnesota. Hours pass. Police scour the woods and begin pointing fingers at the only plausible suspects, but one high-ranking officer knows the painful history. Children have been disappearing from the old schoolhouse property for decades, and although it is impossible, there's only one suspect- Hetty Stanley.To save Casey, Dane and Winona must find the link to Hetty and follow it, no matter how impossible the route seems or what trials they must face.
👻 I honestly couldn't get into this book. It started off straight away like something I would love but it was just so slow and kept jumping from different times and people. It honestly just confused me, there was no real action or plot until about 60% in. The book was hard for me to concentrate on to enjoy.
👻 Hetty by Eddie Generous
👻 Publication Date -
👻 September 18th 2021
👻 Hetty Stanley was a schoolteacher. Hetty Stanley was a prudish spinster. Hetty Stanley was a murderer. Hetty Stanley has been dead for more than a century.Dane Butler is doing his best. His best isn't enough, but a little luck puts him into an inherited home that shares a property line with a woman and her son. Winona and her son Casey are no better off than Dane, forcing the strangers to rely on one another.One day, Dane looks up from his computer at the sound of Winona shouting. Her four-year-old son is missing-no boots and no coat, January in Minnesota. Hours pass. Police scour the woods and begin pointing fingers at the only plausible suspects, but one high-ranking officer knows the painful history. Children have been disappearing from the old schoolhouse property for decades, and although it is impossible, there's only one suspect- Hetty Stanley.To save Casey, Dane and Winona must find the link to Hetty and follow it, no matter how impossible the route seems or what trials they must face.
👻 I honestly couldn't get into this book. It started off straight away like something I would love but it was just so slow and kept jumping from different times and people. It honestly just confused me, there was no real action or plot until about 60% in. The book was hard for me to concentrate on to enjoy.
June 23, 2022
I’ve said this in many reviews, and I’ll continue to say it. There are some writers whose work I will just dive into without reading the synopsis because I know they won’t disappoint. Eddie Generous is one such author. And, as a bonus, I never know what I’m going to get. Sometimes it’s a straight-up monster story like
Great Big Teeth
. Other times it’s a family drama with monsters like
What Lurks Beneath
. Occasionally it’s coming-of-age horror like various short works in his collections, and sometimes it’s just flat-out creepy-ass horror like Hetty. Eddie’s work is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. But unlike that box of chocolates, I’ve never bitten into an Eddie Generous tale and didn’t enjoy it.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
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