What do you think?
Rate this book
Horror in Small Towns #2
The Corruption
No one in Northberry talks about the missing children.Every six months, a child vanishes without a trace. When private investigator Barry Torres gets hired to find one of the missing girls, he gets more than he bargained for. The more he questions the townsfolk, the more he becomes convinced that they are collectively hiding something from him - out of fear that their child will go missing next. It soon becomes clear that his arrival was expected, and that he's being closely watched at all times. By the time Barry finds the dark truth that has its claws on the town, he's already in danger himself, and he has to make a tough decision.Risk his life to find a little girl, or run and let the disappearances continue.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2021
135 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Boris Bacic
54 books466 followers"Boris is my favorite author on Nosleep, he's always killing it with his stories!"
"The security guard series is the best one ever!!"
"I love the subtle connection between each story."
"Like R.L. Stine, but better."
"I want to see this book as a Netflix mini-series!"
"No one can scare me like Boris."
Both traditionally and self-published, Boris is a prolific writer whose horror novels often find themselves on the #1 bestselling ranks. With the books he has published, he is quickly becoming a big name in the horror community.
His stories have been narrated by famous YouTube and podcast narrators, including MrCreepypasta, CreepsMcPasta, DrCreepen, etc. His book, Tales of a Security Guard, is currently in the works to become a short film.
"The security guard series is the best one ever!!"
"I love the subtle connection between each story."
"Like R.L. Stine, but better."
"I want to see this book as a Netflix mini-series!"
"No one can scare me like Boris."
Both traditionally and self-published, Boris is a prolific writer whose horror novels often find themselves on the #1 bestselling ranks. With the books he has published, he is quickly becoming a big name in the horror community.
His stories have been narrated by famous YouTube and podcast narrators, including MrCreepypasta, CreepsMcPasta, DrCreepen, etc. His book, Tales of a Security Guard, is currently in the works to become a short film.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 11, 2023
I Want A Sequel!
This was a fantastic story! Barry himself really makes this a fantastic read. Not only is the town weird but there are lots of twists too. Big twists I never saw coming. And that ending sure demands a sequel. Because I want to know what happens next. This was simply fun to read and it sure captured my imagination.
This author is quickly becoming a favorite!
This was a fantastic story! Barry himself really makes this a fantastic read. Not only is the town weird but there are lots of twists too. Big twists I never saw coming. And that ending sure demands a sequel. Because I want to know what happens next. This was simply fun to read and it sure captured my imagination.
This author is quickly becoming a favorite!
June 17, 2022
A real disappointment!
I really like Boris Basic and have rated his other books highly but, this one was a great disappointment. We had a former police detective, now an alcoholic private investigator, who was as handy with his fists as he was with his gun. He was also a graduate of the unreconstructed police charm school. He had a tragic personal life and after losing his daughter to a deranged killer, his life, career and marriage fell apart. What followed was the story of his attempts to save another young child from a murderous cult. His actions, however, became more extreme as the threatened deadline approached. Nothing was what it seemed, the bad guys were good(ish) and the good guys were bad(ish). A mishmash of a tale and I struggled to make it to the end. It won't, however, put me off other books by this author.
I really like Boris Basic and have rated his other books highly but, this one was a great disappointment. We had a former police detective, now an alcoholic private investigator, who was as handy with his fists as he was with his gun. He was also a graduate of the unreconstructed police charm school. He had a tragic personal life and after losing his daughter to a deranged killer, his life, career and marriage fell apart. What followed was the story of his attempts to save another young child from a murderous cult. His actions, however, became more extreme as the threatened deadline approached. Nothing was what it seemed, the bad guys were good(ish) and the good guys were bad(ish). A mishmash of a tale and I struggled to make it to the end. It won't, however, put me off other books by this author.
March 4, 2022
3.5 to 4 stars from me. I couldn't make up my mind - a lot i liked and some i didnt.
"It was so painfully in plain sight, and yet, he didnt see it" - a sentence towards the end of the story that sums it up, although, the reader will probably spot what Barry didnt. I know i did, and i was hoping i was wrong. Unfortunately i wasnt. There was another twist that i didnt see coming so that was nice.
Overall the story was ok, nothing groundbreaking- pretty run of the mill stuff. There is a tiny, tiny hint of supernatural goings on but it's on the last page, which was too late for me. I wanted more! Hey ho, never mind. The writing was decent and held my attention, which was good.
My first read by Boris Bacic and i enjoyed it, will certainly look out for more of his stories.
"It was so painfully in plain sight, and yet, he didnt see it" - a sentence towards the end of the story that sums it up, although, the reader will probably spot what Barry didnt. I know i did, and i was hoping i was wrong. Unfortunately i wasnt. There was another twist that i didnt see coming so that was nice.
Overall the story was ok, nothing groundbreaking- pretty run of the mill stuff. There is a tiny, tiny hint of supernatural goings on but it's on the last page, which was too late for me. I wanted more! Hey ho, never mind. The writing was decent and held my attention, which was good.
My first read by Boris Bacic and i enjoyed it, will certainly look out for more of his stories.
July 12, 2024
Could have been fantastic. Not executed well enough for me. Very good at setting creepy scenes but just gets lazy in the ending of most of his books.
December 8, 2025
They have been abducting children since the late seventies and sacrificing them to what they believe is an ancient deity.”
A retired homicide detective turns to becoming a private investigator after several years of battling alcoholism. Taking on a case so many declined, he worked ruthlessly to take down the Cult; The Butterflies and put an end to their murders and sacrifices. Convicting their leader to a lifetime in prison, loyal followers decided to pay him back in the most horrific of ways. Kidnapping his young daughter (Clair), they tethered her to a tree before settling her ablaze while still alive and conscious. Screaming for her father, he arrived too late to save her and instead watched her scream in agony as she burned alive. With his marriage to Racheal falling apart, he turned more to the bottle to cope with the loss. When they divorced, she tried to remain amicable to him but he pushed her further away at every turn. Now, Barry knows what it feels like to be truly alone as he works out of a decrepit office, his clients far and few between.
They believe that sacrificing pure souls—in this case children—will appease the deity and keep the curse at bay.”
When Lydia Burrows arrived in his office with an insane tale of a cult in the small town of Northberry, he didn’t expect the hunt for a little girl to become such an insane adventure. Portrayed as Alexandra’s worried mother, he took the case worth $10,000 and immediately began tracking down leads and witnesses. Seeing countless inconsistencies and people willing to cover and hide the truth, he struggled to find any leads worth tracking. Using violence and threats didn’t seem to faze many people, and his only source of support was Lydia herself. As he pays a visit to the grieving father (Harry Burrows), he learns his wife passed away years ago and the other woman was merely an aunt, not her mother. When two armed people arrived to kill him, he lucked out and survived this encounter. With more people desperate to kill Jim and the sacrifice only two days away, time was no longer on his side. Tricked by Lydia, he managed to find Alexandra where she was being hidden by a rebel of the cult. With her now taken and truly at risk, it’s a slippery slope of time left. When Melissa, a leader of the rebels, finds him, they agree working together presents the best chances of finding the little girl alive. When they arrived at the edge of the mine, they managed an all out shoot out which left Lydia sacrificing herself instead of the child. As it continued to collapse around them, few would make it out alive. With a few months behind him of this incident, he never expected Melissa to waltz into his life with photos of the Corruption taking over the town. Black goo oozed from the nine, covering trees, streets and houses at an alarming rate. Unable to be penetrated by sunlight, it looks merely like a black and empty abyss. Would he now have to return and try to undo the curse, or would he leave well enough alone finally?
“Five more children in Northberry have disappeared, all in the span of six months.”
A retired homicide detective turns to becoming a private investigator after several years of battling alcoholism. Taking on a case so many declined, he worked ruthlessly to take down the Cult; The Butterflies and put an end to their murders and sacrifices. Convicting their leader to a lifetime in prison, loyal followers decided to pay him back in the most horrific of ways. Kidnapping his young daughter (Clair), they tethered her to a tree before settling her ablaze while still alive and conscious. Screaming for her father, he arrived too late to save her and instead watched her scream in agony as she burned alive. With his marriage to Racheal falling apart, he turned more to the bottle to cope with the loss. When they divorced, she tried to remain amicable to him but he pushed her further away at every turn. Now, Barry knows what it feels like to be truly alone as he works out of a decrepit office, his clients far and few between.
They believe that sacrificing pure souls—in this case children—will appease the deity and keep the curse at bay.”
When Lydia Burrows arrived in his office with an insane tale of a cult in the small town of Northberry, he didn’t expect the hunt for a little girl to become such an insane adventure. Portrayed as Alexandra’s worried mother, he took the case worth $10,000 and immediately began tracking down leads and witnesses. Seeing countless inconsistencies and people willing to cover and hide the truth, he struggled to find any leads worth tracking. Using violence and threats didn’t seem to faze many people, and his only source of support was Lydia herself. As he pays a visit to the grieving father (Harry Burrows), he learns his wife passed away years ago and the other woman was merely an aunt, not her mother. When two armed people arrived to kill him, he lucked out and survived this encounter. With more people desperate to kill Jim and the sacrifice only two days away, time was no longer on his side. Tricked by Lydia, he managed to find Alexandra where she was being hidden by a rebel of the cult. With her now taken and truly at risk, it’s a slippery slope of time left. When Melissa, a leader of the rebels, finds him, they agree working together presents the best chances of finding the little girl alive. When they arrived at the edge of the mine, they managed an all out shoot out which left Lydia sacrificing herself instead of the child. As it continued to collapse around them, few would make it out alive. With a few months behind him of this incident, he never expected Melissa to waltz into his life with photos of the Corruption taking over the town. Black goo oozed from the nine, covering trees, streets and houses at an alarming rate. Unable to be penetrated by sunlight, it looks merely like a black and empty abyss. Would he now have to return and try to undo the curse, or would he leave well enough alone finally?
“Five more children in Northberry have disappeared, all in the span of six months.”
October 11, 2021
The Corruption is a a dark short story by Boris Bacic. I have had the opportunity to read several of Mr, Bacic’s short stories and they are all incredible. I always wonder what will he do in the next story? I find that each story is incredible and then I read the next and it is even better than the last, as if that were any way to make improvements! The protagonist in our story is Barry Torres was a police detective turned private investigator. He is hired to locate a missing child from the community of Northberry. Barry finds that the people of Northberry are holding back critical information. He finds that about every 6 months a new child disappears. They fear that if they talk with Barry that their children will disappear as well. Barry soon discovers that his arrival was expected. He finds that he is being watched at all times. He seeks the truth and now knows that truly is something hiding in the dark. There is something reaching it’s dark claws out to take him. How will he save the children? How will he save himself?
Bacic’s writing is brilliant! It pulled me in from the beginning and held on to me until I turned the last page. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an adept story line that keept me in encapsulated. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel
Bacic’s writing is brilliant! It pulled me in from the beginning and held on to me until I turned the last page. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an adept story line that keept me in encapsulated. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the novel
April 18, 2022
"The consequences can depend on a lot of things. If you have a family, they go after them first."
I grew up in a small town - just about 1200 people. Thankfully it was nothing like the town of Northberry! Yikes!!
In this story, we have Detective Barry Torres, a former homicide detective, who after a tragic loss, is barely scraping by with his own PI company. He is hired by Lydia Burrows to find her daughter Alexandra, who has gone missing in the town of Northberry. She is one of 6 that have disappeared in the last six months. Unable to refuse the rather large sum of money offered, Barry takes the job, but when he arrives in Northberry, not everyone is pleased that he is there. What he uncovers, leads to a strange cult that believes that an evil "Corruption" will infect the town without the sacrifice of the innocent. Can he stop the next ritual in time to find and save Alexandra? Or, will he find himself dead at the hands of the cult?
There was a twist toward the end, that, in hindsight, I should have seen coming, but totally didn't. And that ending made me say "Uh oh!"
I really enjoyed the story. This is another book in this author's Horror in Small Towns series (They can be read in any order)
I would categorize this one as more of a thriller than horror. Even so, it was creepy in parts due to the cult aspect, and yes, there were some casualties, and it was tense, for sure.
Great series and I'd recommend anyone who loves a good spine-chill to check them out!
I grew up in a small town - just about 1200 people. Thankfully it was nothing like the town of Northberry! Yikes!!
In this story, we have Detective Barry Torres, a former homicide detective, who after a tragic loss, is barely scraping by with his own PI company. He is hired by Lydia Burrows to find her daughter Alexandra, who has gone missing in the town of Northberry. She is one of 6 that have disappeared in the last six months. Unable to refuse the rather large sum of money offered, Barry takes the job, but when he arrives in Northberry, not everyone is pleased that he is there. What he uncovers, leads to a strange cult that believes that an evil "Corruption" will infect the town without the sacrifice of the innocent. Can he stop the next ritual in time to find and save Alexandra? Or, will he find himself dead at the hands of the cult?
There was a twist toward the end, that, in hindsight, I should have seen coming, but totally didn't. And that ending made me say "Uh oh!"
I really enjoyed the story. This is another book in this author's Horror in Small Towns series (They can be read in any order)
I would categorize this one as more of a thriller than horror. Even so, it was creepy in parts due to the cult aspect, and yes, there were some casualties, and it was tense, for sure.
Great series and I'd recommend anyone who loves a good spine-chill to check them out!
May 23, 2023
Not what I was expecting! Much more of a private eye type of story… but with a couple twists. And I liked it! Usually going into a book, I sort of know what I’m about to read, and if it changes drastically, I’m not down. However, I really enjoyed this. Plus I like how the author usually answers my questions in his stories which makes it feel more real for me. I do think Boris needs a better copy editor though. For instance our protagonist Barry holsters his gun when he believes everything is calm, but then when something starts to happen and he has to make a run for it, he has to take his hand off his gun, which makes the gun fall into a pit. This is like two lines after the holstering. Don’t care though, can’t wait to read the next horror in a small town book!
November 1, 2021
Another great creepy read from author Boris Bacic! Barry Torres is a depressed, alcoholic former homicide detective, now private detective. When he is hired to find a young girl who has been abducted, he knows that he has to take the case/ Since he feels responsible for his own young daughter's abduction and murder by a cult, this case really brings back the horrible memories.
The author has created a great story with a lot of emotion, creepy characters and great atmosphere. I highly recommend this book (as well as others by this author) to anyone who enjoys creepy stories without a lot of violence but plenty of great writing and twists.
The author has created a great story with a lot of emotion, creepy characters and great atmosphere. I highly recommend this book (as well as others by this author) to anyone who enjoys creepy stories without a lot of violence but plenty of great writing and twists.
January 25, 2023
fantastic but……
This book is fantastic. I only gave 3 stars because I have become spoiled reading Boris Bacics books, and this one simply wasn’t as good as the others I’ve read. There were also several typos which I have not seen in his books before.
If your a fan of this author I would pass on this book. If you’ve never read his books then you probably will enjoy it. I would recommend a different one of his books though. Suicide town was a really good one that I highly recommend.
This book is fantastic. I only gave 3 stars because I have become spoiled reading Boris Bacics books, and this one simply wasn’t as good as the others I’ve read. There were also several typos which I have not seen in his books before.
If your a fan of this author I would pass on this book. If you’ve never read his books then you probably will enjoy it. I would recommend a different one of his books though. Suicide town was a really good one that I highly recommend.
October 18, 2021
Barry Torres is a depressed investigator who drowns his sorrows in alcohol. Who would want to enlist his services? He is rather surprised when Lydia insists that he find her missing niece in Northberry. Barry finds that the people of Northberry are hostile. Why are children going missing? What dark history does the town have? Will Barry survive? The author gives a graphic description of the eerie scenario surrounding the town. Gripping and scary.
February 11, 2022
I have read several books by Boris Bacic, and this is one of my favorites so far. I like the missing children angle, the small town, the cult, the mystery. The main character is a grump, but you can't help feel for him and his past. It helps keep him on the case. If you like a good creepy small-town horror story, you won't want to miss this one. I received this book as an ARC copy as well as purchasing it. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Read
April 6, 2022Something different
Well this was different. I love small town horror and this didn't disappoint. But i thought it was different to Boris Bacic s other books ive read. More a kind of thriller. Really enjoyed the main characters irreverent attitude to just about everyone and everyone. He's a Private eye looking for a kidnapped young girl. Whom he finds but it's not quite what he expected. Another enjoyable read. Next on my list of Boris books is Camp Firwood. 🏕
Well this was different. I love small town horror and this didn't disappoint. But i thought it was different to Boris Bacic s other books ive read. More a kind of thriller. Really enjoyed the main characters irreverent attitude to just about everyone and everyone. He's a Private eye looking for a kidnapped young girl. Whom he finds but it's not quite what he expected. Another enjoyable read. Next on my list of Boris books is Camp Firwood. 🏕
May 14, 2022
The game is afoot detective Barry and your quarry may not be who you think it is. A man with a sad story goes to a town with a sad story to find a girl with a sad story. This book has very vivid characters and a good location as well as a good storyline. Drama, fear, suspense, hope, creepiness, horror, and action tell the tale. Very easy to read and get into, hard to put down. I loved it and would read any book they may pick up where it left out.
August 6, 2025
Was an alright book for it being part of the series but it certainly had its perks and not so good perks.
The plot of the corruption was very new to me a mean books based on cults are still new to me but won't stop me from reading them.
The characters were all good as well really did like the main character detective.
The ending was a shock to me but won't stop me from reading more from this amazing author.
The plot of the corruption was very new to me a mean books based on cults are still new to me but won't stop me from reading them.
The characters were all good as well really did like the main character detective.
The ending was a shock to me but won't stop me from reading more from this amazing author.
October 31, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
March 20, 2022
The Corruption - 5/5
By Boris Bacic
Now this was a culty book that i just loved!
Super fast paced and was filled with just enough mystery that I could not put it down.
Filled with betrayal, loss and grief - this was a brilliant thriller! I loved how it was almost a police procedural and would LOVE to see this book made into a movie. This was brilliant!
By Boris Bacic
Now this was a culty book that i just loved!
Super fast paced and was filled with just enough mystery that I could not put it down.
Filled with betrayal, loss and grief - this was a brilliant thriller! I loved how it was almost a police procedural and would LOVE to see this book made into a movie. This was brilliant!
January 11, 2024
An excellent read!
The characters were wonderfully fleshed out. There development bring you to want to know more about them. It literally keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you hold your breath without even realizing it. If you enjoy horror mysteries I wholeheartedly recommend you read this book.
The characters were wonderfully fleshed out. There development bring you to want to know more about them. It literally keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you hold your breath without even realizing it. If you enjoy horror mysteries I wholeheartedly recommend you read this book.
October 1, 2021
Solid read
I'm so glad I found this author. I've read several of his books and I haven't been disappointed yet. I refuse to give any spoilers so read the description as its spot on. A sequel to this book would be awesome ( hint hint).
I'm so glad I found this author. I've read several of his books and I haven't been disappointed yet. I refuse to give any spoilers so read the description as its spot on. A sequel to this book would be awesome ( hint hint).
November 16, 2021
Spin tingling read! All ages will want to emerge themselves in this awesome adventure.
Author superbly misdirected psychological protagonists. The ending was shocking and captivates the readers attention. What a story. Well done, Boris Bacic! PottsvillePA_MON; 11152021.
Author superbly misdirected psychological protagonists. The ending was shocking and captivates the readers attention. What a story. Well done, Boris Bacic! PottsvillePA_MON; 11152021.
February 19, 2022
Excellent!
I've become a fan of Mr. Bacic over the past couple of years and really enjoy his stories. The Corruption is by far one of my favorites, although I love them all. Excellent work, sir. I anxiously await the next one.
I've become a fan of Mr. Bacic over the past couple of years and really enjoy his stories. The Corruption is by far one of my favorites, although I love them all. Excellent work, sir. I anxiously await the next one.
May 19, 2022
The ending had me screaming thanks to a major cliffhanger but overall, the whole entire story-line was incredible. I love the plot twists and the outcome of the tale. I love his work and still do. I would love a part 2 to this story. :)
July 6, 2022
I was disappointed with this one. I'll keep reading Bacic because his story ideas are unique and he's great at hooking a reader with suspense, but this one just felt like a tired old cop story. Sorry...
November 3, 2022
amazing writer
Wow! Just, wow! Loved the book and the writing. The story had me from the start, but best of all the writer does an amazing job of keeping the reader engaged. Highly recommend.
Wow! Just, wow! Loved the book and the writing. The story had me from the start, but best of all the writer does an amazing job of keeping the reader engaged. Highly recommend.
February 6, 2023
Not his best
I've read quite a few books by this author. For some reason I did not connect to this one. A number of errors, weird word usage, disconnected happenings. The premise is good and the story came together but it felt like a chore to finish it.
I've read quite a few books by this author. For some reason I did not connect to this one. A number of errors, weird word usage, disconnected happenings. The premise is good and the story came together but it felt like a chore to finish it.
March 5, 2025
Very Lovecraftian
A detective is hired to find a missing girl in a very secluded small town.
A kidnapping turns into a very dark conspiracy that could possibly be a threat to the entire world.
Reminded me a lot of Lovecraft's work.
Very fun!
A detective is hired to find a missing girl in a very secluded small town.
A kidnapping turns into a very dark conspiracy that could possibly be a threat to the entire world.
Reminded me a lot of Lovecraft's work.
Very fun!
August 2, 2025
Great book
Mr Bacic is the best horror story writer that I have read. He makes you feel like you are there with the cast of characters. I loved the ending. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction horror stories.
Mr Bacic is the best horror story writer that I have read. He makes you feel like you are there with the cast of characters. I loved the ending. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction horror stories.
January 21, 2022
A little slow in places, but still a great story. Seems like quite the set up for more books!
April 5, 2022
Fun!
Exciting, fun and a really great read. Lots of twists and turns to keep you reading. I have to say that this is my favorite author!!
More, please!!
Exciting, fun and a really great read. Lots of twists and turns to keep you reading. I have to say that this is my favorite author!!
More, please!!
February 13, 2023
Awesome book!
Omg this book is really good. I enjoyed reading this book. Was really good from start to finish. This is my 5th book I read of Boris Bacic's books.
Omg this book is really good. I enjoyed reading this book. Was really good from start to finish. This is my 5th book I read of Boris Bacic's books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews