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Dead Eleven
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2023)On a creepy island where everyone has a strange obsession with the year 1994, a newcomer arrives, hoping to learn the truth about her son’s death—but finds herself pulled deeper and deeper into the bizarrely insular community and their complicated rules…
Clifford Island. When Willow Stone finds these words written on the floor of her deceased son’s bedroom, she’s perplexed. She’s never heard of it before, but soon learns it’s a tiny island off Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula, 200 miles from Willow’s home. Why would her son write this on his floor? Determined to find answers, Willow sets out for the island.
After a few days on Clifford, Willow This place is not normal. Everyone seems to be stuck in a particular day in 1994: They wear outdated clothing, avoid modern technology, and, perhaps most mystifyingly, watch the OJ Simpson car chase every evening. When she asks questions, people are evasive, but she learns one Close your curtains at night.
High schooler Lily Becker has lived on Clifford her entire life, and she is sick of the island’s twisted mythology and adhering to the rules. She’s been to the mainland, and everyone is normal there, so why is Clifford so weird? Lily is determined to prove that the islanders’ beliefs are a sham. But are they?
Five weeks after Willow arrives on the island, she disappears. Willow’s brother, Harper, comes to Clifford searching for his sister, and when he learns the truth—that this island is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined—he is determined to blow the whole thing open.
If he can get out alive….
Clifford Island. When Willow Stone finds these words written on the floor of her deceased son’s bedroom, she’s perplexed. She’s never heard of it before, but soon learns it’s a tiny island off Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula, 200 miles from Willow’s home. Why would her son write this on his floor? Determined to find answers, Willow sets out for the island.
After a few days on Clifford, Willow This place is not normal. Everyone seems to be stuck in a particular day in 1994: They wear outdated clothing, avoid modern technology, and, perhaps most mystifyingly, watch the OJ Simpson car chase every evening. When she asks questions, people are evasive, but she learns one Close your curtains at night.
High schooler Lily Becker has lived on Clifford her entire life, and she is sick of the island’s twisted mythology and adhering to the rules. She’s been to the mainland, and everyone is normal there, so why is Clifford so weird? Lily is determined to prove that the islanders’ beliefs are a sham. But are they?
Five weeks after Willow arrives on the island, she disappears. Willow’s brother, Harper, comes to Clifford searching for his sister, and when he learns the truth—that this island is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined—he is determined to blow the whole thing open.
If he can get out alive….
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2023
588 people are currently reading
50336 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Juliano
2 books436 followersJimmy Juliano is a writer and high school educator. Several of his stories have gone viral on the Reddit “NoSleep” forum, and his debut novel DEAD ELEVEN is currently in development at A+E Studios. He lives outside Chicago with his wife, daughter, and miniature Goldendoodle.
DEAD ELEVEN will be published on June 27, 2023 by Dutton Books. Pre-order and more info: www.jimmyjuliano.com
DEAD ELEVEN will be published on June 27, 2023 by Dutton Books. Pre-order and more info: www.jimmyjuliano.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,323 reviews
August 4, 2023
“Don’t look at them. Don’t follow them. Run to your mother!”
This horror suspense thriller from Chicagoan, Jimmy Juliano, has been on and off my TBR for months. I was initially intrigued by an incredible cover, lure of 90’s nostalgia, and an enticing plot. However, after reading early reviews, readers either loved it or really disliked it.
I decided to take a chance and listen to the audiobook. It is read by a large cast of narrators, who all do a fantastic job.
Harper travels to Clifford Island in order to find his estranged missing sister, Willow. Willow traveled there in search of clues about her son who recently passed away. What he finds is a community stuck in 1994, repeating the same events at the same time like clockwork. What is really going on? Why are these people stuck in a time loop? Where is Willow?
This book is LONG. The suspense is drawn out for hours upon hours with little pay-off in the end. If you enjoy a very slow burn mystery, maybe this will work better for you. I didn’t find the plot to be very intriguing or scary, and didn’t care for the direction it took in the end. The theme of grief is explored ad nauseum. Even the ‘90s nostalgia didn’t win me over.
However, Juliano does do a nice job of using different types of media. It adds another level to the storytelling and is well executed in the audiobook.
Overall, I am sorry to say that I couldn’t wait for this book to end. I was really hoping that I would like this one, but unfortunately didn’t connect with it.
2.5/5 stars rounded up because it’s a debut
This horror suspense thriller from Chicagoan, Jimmy Juliano, has been on and off my TBR for months. I was initially intrigued by an incredible cover, lure of 90’s nostalgia, and an enticing plot. However, after reading early reviews, readers either loved it or really disliked it.
I decided to take a chance and listen to the audiobook. It is read by a large cast of narrators, who all do a fantastic job.
Harper travels to Clifford Island in order to find his estranged missing sister, Willow. Willow traveled there in search of clues about her son who recently passed away. What he finds is a community stuck in 1994, repeating the same events at the same time like clockwork. What is really going on? Why are these people stuck in a time loop? Where is Willow?
This book is LONG. The suspense is drawn out for hours upon hours with little pay-off in the end. If you enjoy a very slow burn mystery, maybe this will work better for you. I didn’t find the plot to be very intriguing or scary, and didn’t care for the direction it took in the end. The theme of grief is explored ad nauseum. Even the ‘90s nostalgia didn’t win me over.
However, Juliano does do a nice job of using different types of media. It adds another level to the storytelling and is well executed in the audiobook.
Overall, I am sorry to say that I couldn’t wait for this book to end. I was really hoping that I would like this one, but unfortunately didn’t connect with it.
2.5/5 stars rounded up because it’s a debut
July 16, 2023
The cover drew me in on this one because yes I am a 90's child and any cover with a VHS tape is appealing to me.
I wouldn't classify this as horror but it was interesting I will say. The ending was a little meh but the overall plot of an entire island being stuck in this loop of 1994 is super interesting.
I wouldn't classify this as horror but it was interesting I will say. The ending was a little meh but the overall plot of an entire island being stuck in this loop of 1994 is super interesting.
July 10, 2023
2.5 stars
I really didn’t like the format of this book because it felt very gimmicky. It’s a mix of letters, text messages, interviews, and articles not to mention the multiple character POV’s. The mixed format resulted in a lack of depth in the story. I also had a difficult time forming any connection to the characters; they are all very surface level.
The overall mystery was certainly interesting but it was clear by the halfway point what was going on. I felt this book was way too long and it could have been written as a novella. Because of the length and slow pacing, it lacked any tension and the climax wasn’t as impactful as it should have been. Juliano’s style of writing and way of telling the story simply didn’t work for me. This could have been a genuinely creepy horror story if he had incorporated more descriptive details in order to create a foreboding atmosphere. Honestly, this book had so much potential but I was unfortunately let down by the execution.
I really didn’t like the format of this book because it felt very gimmicky. It’s a mix of letters, text messages, interviews, and articles not to mention the multiple character POV’s. The mixed format resulted in a lack of depth in the story. I also had a difficult time forming any connection to the characters; they are all very surface level.
The overall mystery was certainly interesting but it was clear by the halfway point what was going on. I felt this book was way too long and it could have been written as a novella. Because of the length and slow pacing, it lacked any tension and the climax wasn’t as impactful as it should have been. Juliano’s style of writing and way of telling the story simply didn’t work for me. This could have been a genuinely creepy horror story if he had incorporated more descriptive details in order to create a foreboding atmosphere. Honestly, this book had so much potential but I was unfortunately let down by the execution.
July 11, 2023
This had a lot of potential, but it ended up falling very flat, the flatness of it glaring. It does very little (if anything) to dig beyond the surface of the story. I think there's maybe 250 pages worth of story here and the extra is just repetitions and relaying the same information but in other ways.
I think the structure didn't do it any good, it was very fragmented and also redundant. I don't even know exactly who the main character is supposed to be? Cause we have 1. Willow, grieving for her lost son, going to this island to look for information on him and 2. Harper, Willow's brother, looking for her, going to this island to find her. Which means that many, many, many times in POV chapters of both of them, we see them finding the same information and observing the same things. What is the point in that? They're not really observing in different ways, either (because all chapters are in-book written by Harper anyway!).
And then there's a bunch of other POV chapters or texts or articles where we're also kind of relayed the same info. But not in a way that shifts our perspective. Because we know from the opening that Harper has written this book about this, we know he's alive, but for some of the POVs, it's clear that it's not necessarily what happened, but what Harper has inferred happened.
And what's more, this structure ends up spelling out everything for us, but it does it multiple times. Weirdly, every story beat works to undermine the next story beat, which completely deflates any tension. We (relatively) know what happens in one chapter, and then just a few pages later, there's no tension in confrontational moments, because we know already the confronted person is lying. That's as much as I can say without spoiling.
The flatness also extends to all of the characters. Probably because the writing style is quite basic and I really think more writing experience and editing would have given it any sort of urgency and emotional resonance.
And thematically, I'm baffled what it's trying to say. The political subtext ends up being very creepy, possibly, I don't know if it's intentional on the part of the author or just a subconscious slip.
One could argue there's no political subtext in this, it's just a story about grief! But once again, I have no idea what it's trying to say about grief, in how everything shakes up. It's all just so muddled and confusing.
I think the structure didn't do it any good, it was very fragmented and also redundant. I don't even know exactly who the main character is supposed to be? Cause we have 1. Willow, grieving for her lost son, going to this island to look for information on him and 2. Harper, Willow's brother, looking for her, going to this island to find her. Which means that many, many, many times in POV chapters of both of them, we see them finding the same information and observing the same things. What is the point in that? They're not really observing in different ways, either (because all chapters are in-book written by Harper anyway!).
And then there's a bunch of other POV chapters or texts or articles where we're also kind of relayed the same info. But not in a way that shifts our perspective. Because we know from the opening that Harper has written this book about this, we know he's alive, but for some of the POVs, it's clear that it's not necessarily what happened, but what Harper has inferred happened.
And what's more, this structure ends up spelling out everything for us, but it does it multiple times. Weirdly, every story beat works to undermine the next story beat, which completely deflates any tension. We (relatively) know what happens in one chapter, and then just a few pages later, there's no tension in confrontational moments, because we know already the confronted person is lying. That's as much as I can say without spoiling.
The flatness also extends to all of the characters. Probably because the writing style is quite basic and I really think more writing experience and editing would have given it any sort of urgency and emotional resonance.
And thematically, I'm baffled what it's trying to say. The political subtext ends up being very creepy, possibly, I don't know if it's intentional on the part of the author or just a subconscious slip.
One could argue there's no political subtext in this, it's just a story about grief! But once again, I have no idea what it's trying to say about grief, in how everything shakes up. It's all just so muddled and confusing.
September 16, 2025
A super unique and thought-provoking story, with a wonderfully-produced audiobook to boot. I'm so glad I finally made time for Dead Eleven.
I'll admit, it took me a minute to adjust to the flow of this one, and by a minute, I mean about 15%, but once I did, OMG, I couldn't stop. I needed answers.
This is such a fascinating set-up. I really don't want to say too much about the plot, as I feel like it would be best enjoyed if you go in knowing as little as possible.
We do mainly follow three distinct POVs. Willow, her brother, Harper, and a teenage girl, Lily. As I met these characters at the beginning of the story, each one was more interesting than the last. It was hard to be introduced to them and not walk away with a million questions.
My mind was spinning in such a fun way. As you are told in the synopsis, the meat of this story is set on Clifford Island, and the questions revolve around the island itself.
It's an odd place, with the residents seemingly stuck on one day in 1994. Lily has grown up there, but both Willow and Harper travel there from away.
Their observations are a large part of how you, the Reader, learn about the traditions and practices on this island. Lily though, seems fed up with the way things are; like she's willing to make a change. Will these three individuals be the actors that finally cause a change on Clifford?
While the ultimate trope, or ideas used to explain what is going on, aren't my favorite, this is probably the best I've seen it done. I was really impressed with this.
I loved the unsettling vibes that Juliano successfully carried throughout this detailed narrative. It's a fantastic debut. I'll be at the edge of my seat until I know what he plans to release next. If it's half as good as this, we're in for a treat.
If you are a Horror Reader who craves a creepy atmosphere, full of mysterious dangers and lots of captivating characters, you absolutely need to give this one a shot. It's perfect for this time of year!
I'll admit, it took me a minute to adjust to the flow of this one, and by a minute, I mean about 15%, but once I did, OMG, I couldn't stop. I needed answers.
This is such a fascinating set-up. I really don't want to say too much about the plot, as I feel like it would be best enjoyed if you go in knowing as little as possible.
We do mainly follow three distinct POVs. Willow, her brother, Harper, and a teenage girl, Lily. As I met these characters at the beginning of the story, each one was more interesting than the last. It was hard to be introduced to them and not walk away with a million questions.
My mind was spinning in such a fun way. As you are told in the synopsis, the meat of this story is set on Clifford Island, and the questions revolve around the island itself.
It's an odd place, with the residents seemingly stuck on one day in 1994. Lily has grown up there, but both Willow and Harper travel there from away.
Their observations are a large part of how you, the Reader, learn about the traditions and practices on this island. Lily though, seems fed up with the way things are; like she's willing to make a change. Will these three individuals be the actors that finally cause a change on Clifford?
While the ultimate trope, or ideas used to explain what is going on, aren't my favorite, this is probably the best I've seen it done. I was really impressed with this.
I loved the unsettling vibes that Juliano successfully carried throughout this detailed narrative. It's a fantastic debut. I'll be at the edge of my seat until I know what he plans to release next. If it's half as good as this, we're in for a treat.
If you are a Horror Reader who craves a creepy atmosphere, full of mysterious dangers and lots of captivating characters, you absolutely need to give this one a shot. It's perfect for this time of year!
August 5, 2023
Dead Eleven is a mind bending ghost story unlike any other I encountered to date. All at once, a claustrophobic, spellbinding atmosphere, full of dread and distrust.
I really cannot believe this is Jimmy Juliano’s debut novel. He is an exceptional talent, who I will be watching closely for his next masterpiece. Just, wow.
I really cannot believe this is Jimmy Juliano’s debut novel. He is an exceptional talent, who I will be watching closely for his next masterpiece. Just, wow.
November 7, 2023
This was a coincidental find through my wingman buddy-reader, Brad. You can read his review for this book *here*.
Tragedy has struck a family, a young boy is dead, and the parents - as so many - can't cope with it. Especially the mother, Willow. One day, she finds the name of an island written on the floor of her dead son's room so she goes to check out the place. She never returns as we learn right at the beginning. Her brother, Harper, thus goes in search of her. However, he, too, soon realizes that Clifford Island is WEIRD!
People keep performing strange rituals, watching the same old sports or news recordings, listen to the same old music and don't get me started on the crap they learn in school (yes, I know it's bad now, too, but not this kind of bad).
But WHY? Why are they doing what they are doing? Why the secrecy and lies? Are they really saving the world as some claim?
I got some serious LOST vibes while reading this though the story did turn out slightly different than the series (considering how badly the series ended, that is not a loss).
Naturally, the tale lives off the secret, and that secret was revealed slowly. Perhaps a bit too slowly at times, but I did enjoy the book and the weird-ass array of characters - and the reveal, when it came, was pretty cool.
Tragedy has struck a family, a young boy is dead, and the parents - as so many - can't cope with it. Especially the mother, Willow. One day, she finds the name of an island written on the floor of her dead son's room so she goes to check out the place. She never returns as we learn right at the beginning. Her brother, Harper, thus goes in search of her. However, he, too, soon realizes that Clifford Island is WEIRD!
People keep performing strange rituals, watching the same old sports or news recordings, listen to the same old music and don't get me started on the crap they learn in school (yes, I know it's bad now, too, but not this kind of bad).
But WHY? Why are they doing what they are doing? Why the secrecy and lies? Are they really saving the world as some claim?
I got some serious LOST vibes while reading this though the story did turn out slightly different than the series (considering how badly the series ended, that is not a loss).
Naturally, the tale lives off the secret, and that secret was revealed slowly. Perhaps a bit too slowly at times, but I did enjoy the book and the weird-ass array of characters - and the reveal, when it came, was pretty cool.
July 7, 2023
Clifford Island.
Willow Stone finds these mysterious words written on the floor of her deceased sons bedroom floor. She's never heard of it before and wonders how her son knew about it.
Willow soon discovers it's an island off the Wisconson peninsula so she sets out to find some answers.
Harper hasn't heard from his sister Willow in five weeks. After some digging, he learns that Willow mysteriously took off for a strange place called Clifford Island. In hopes of finding his sister, he sets off for the island. Soon after he arrives, he notices the residents of the island are a bit peculiar and seem to be trapped in the past. The longer he stays on Clifford Island, he learns that the islanders are harboring a sinister secret. Harper plans to blow the whole thing open, but only if he can make it out alive.
I had so much fun with this one! This wildly entertaining story took me on such an adventure with its cultish vibes and urban legends. Out of all the elements of horror, ghost stories are my absolute favorite and Dead Eleven certainly delivered on this. I also loved all of the nostalgic 90s references- VHS tapes, flannel shirts, the OJ Simpson Ford Bronco chase, and many more.
The audiobook is read by a full cast, Lee Osorio, Tanis Parenteau, Annie Q, Shawn K. Jain, Cindy Piller, and Tim Lounibos. All of the narrators did an amazing job!
Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano was published on June 27 from Dutton Books so it is available now!
Willow Stone finds these mysterious words written on the floor of her deceased sons bedroom floor. She's never heard of it before and wonders how her son knew about it.
Willow soon discovers it's an island off the Wisconson peninsula so she sets out to find some answers.
Harper hasn't heard from his sister Willow in five weeks. After some digging, he learns that Willow mysteriously took off for a strange place called Clifford Island. In hopes of finding his sister, he sets off for the island. Soon after he arrives, he notices the residents of the island are a bit peculiar and seem to be trapped in the past. The longer he stays on Clifford Island, he learns that the islanders are harboring a sinister secret. Harper plans to blow the whole thing open, but only if he can make it out alive.
I had so much fun with this one! This wildly entertaining story took me on such an adventure with its cultish vibes and urban legends. Out of all the elements of horror, ghost stories are my absolute favorite and Dead Eleven certainly delivered on this. I also loved all of the nostalgic 90s references- VHS tapes, flannel shirts, the OJ Simpson Ford Bronco chase, and many more.
The audiobook is read by a full cast, Lee Osorio, Tanis Parenteau, Annie Q, Shawn K. Jain, Cindy Piller, and Tim Lounibos. All of the narrators did an amazing job!
Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano was published on June 27 from Dutton Books so it is available now!
May 30, 2024
I had such high hopes for Dead Eleven, intrigued by its concept of an island stuck in 1993, evoking all that good ol' '90s nostalgia, and that's what made my disappointment in this novel all the more bitter. I did not enjoy the writing style, starting with the author's note, which gave away far too much, spoiling the tension before we could even begin.
The book's narrative structure, alternating between Willow and her brother Harper's perspectives, was not only tedious but also disjointed, making it hard to stay engaged. The characterization was also a miss, with Willow's portrayal as significantly younger and more naive than her age and experience suggested.
I also hated the heavy focus on basketball, a personal pet peeve of mine, and found the plot repetitive. Multiple characters uncover the same mystery in a cyclical manner, mirroring the island's time loop. The central metaphor of the island representing grief felt incoherent and ineffective, and the ending did not reinforce the theme of moving on from grief.
Finally, I was seriously let down that the scariest element in the book was simply a red herring (I guess? Or an irrelevant detail? Regardless.). Many plot points were utterly illogical and filled with contrivances and conveniences, including the island's inexplicable control over the mainland and the unconvincing behaviour of its residents.
This book made me angry, wasting the excellent premise on a "horror" novel without tension, coherence, or any actual horror. I wouldn't recommend, unless you are particularly fond of basketball, the '90s, and repetitive storytelling, of course.
Watch me read and review this book (& other nominees in the horror category!) here: https://youtu.be/dVOamSxBvnk
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, blood, violence, body horror, gore, child death, grief
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
The book's narrative structure, alternating between Willow and her brother Harper's perspectives, was not only tedious but also disjointed, making it hard to stay engaged. The characterization was also a miss, with Willow's portrayal as significantly younger and more naive than her age and experience suggested.
I also hated the heavy focus on basketball, a personal pet peeve of mine, and found the plot repetitive. Multiple characters uncover the same mystery in a cyclical manner, mirroring the island's time loop. The central metaphor of the island representing grief felt incoherent and ineffective, and the ending did not reinforce the theme of moving on from grief.
Finally, I was seriously let down that the scariest element in the book was simply a red herring (I guess? Or an irrelevant detail? Regardless.). Many plot points were utterly illogical and filled with contrivances and conveniences, including the island's inexplicable control over the mainland and the unconvincing behaviour of its residents.
This book made me angry, wasting the excellent premise on a "horror" novel without tension, coherence, or any actual horror. I wouldn't recommend, unless you are particularly fond of basketball, the '90s, and repetitive storytelling, of course.
Watch me read and review this book (& other nominees in the horror category!) here: https://youtu.be/dVOamSxBvnk
Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, blood, violence, body horror, gore, child death, grief
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
January 15, 2023
OMG OMG OMG OMG!
I know it's just the start of the year, but I can easily say that this is one of my reads... and I'm going to go ahead and make that prediction now for the end of the year that this feeling will stay true, even then.
Okay, so, like, I am so thankful towards Jimmy Juliano, Dutton, and NetGalley for granting me early access to this 90s horror masterpiece... like yall, I don't re-read books. Still, I could SOOOOO see myself picking this one back up during spooky season for the vibes. A+++++++ on this one.
Willow has gone missing following the loss of her son and the estrangement of her husband. After these losses, she fled her hometown to start a blank slate on Clifford Island off the coast of Wisconsin. This simple, picturesque town is anything but ordinary, for all of its townsfolk seem to be stuck in the nineties. From their fashion sense to their taste in music, and oh forget about modern technology being a thing, Willow learns she's a long way from home and has a sense of normalcy.
Outside of the Cliffordites' odd behaviors, she begins to catch the sense that she's being watched and perhaps not just by a human presence, for one evening, she stumbles upon her dead son -- leading her to believe that she was led to this remote island for a reason. A wild sequence of events pops off going forward, that ultimately leads to her disappearance. This sequence of events happens to be influenced by an ancient curse known as the First One, plaguing the island by disappearing islanders in patterned lines until everyone is completely rid.
In the present day, Harper, Willow's older brother, has arrived on the island to search for his missing sister and slowly understands the mayhem that Clifford Island experiences daily. A town stuck in the nineties with virtually no explanation must guard some secrets and likely knows more than they're putting out about Willow's sudden departure.
Dead Eleven scratched all of my horror movie itches and is packed full of twist after twist, with unreliable characters and paranormal guests!
I know it's just the start of the year, but I can easily say that this is one of my reads... and I'm going to go ahead and make that prediction now for the end of the year that this feeling will stay true, even then.
Okay, so, like, I am so thankful towards Jimmy Juliano, Dutton, and NetGalley for granting me early access to this 90s horror masterpiece... like yall, I don't re-read books. Still, I could SOOOOO see myself picking this one back up during spooky season for the vibes. A+++++++ on this one.
Willow has gone missing following the loss of her son and the estrangement of her husband. After these losses, she fled her hometown to start a blank slate on Clifford Island off the coast of Wisconsin. This simple, picturesque town is anything but ordinary, for all of its townsfolk seem to be stuck in the nineties. From their fashion sense to their taste in music, and oh forget about modern technology being a thing, Willow learns she's a long way from home and has a sense of normalcy.
Outside of the Cliffordites' odd behaviors, she begins to catch the sense that she's being watched and perhaps not just by a human presence, for one evening, she stumbles upon her dead son -- leading her to believe that she was led to this remote island for a reason. A wild sequence of events pops off going forward, that ultimately leads to her disappearance. This sequence of events happens to be influenced by an ancient curse known as the First One, plaguing the island by disappearing islanders in patterned lines until everyone is completely rid.
In the present day, Harper, Willow's older brother, has arrived on the island to search for his missing sister and slowly understands the mayhem that Clifford Island experiences daily. A town stuck in the nineties with virtually no explanation must guard some secrets and likely knows more than they're putting out about Willow's sudden departure.
Dead Eleven scratched all of my horror movie itches and is packed full of twist after twist, with unreliable characters and paranormal guests!
October 5, 2025
I hate Jimmy Juliano. I’ve never met the guy, nor do I know anything about him other than the fact that he is a high school teacher. Still, I hate him because I envy him. Because his debut horror novel “Dead Eleven” is really really good, and I don’t think it’s cosmically fair that a guy can write a great book right out of the gate like that. The jerk.
Okay, so I don’t actually hate him. But I do envy him. The guy clearly has talent, and his first book is a damn near perfect little horror novel that had me hooked from page one until the very end. What more can you ask from a book?
I don’t intend to give any spoilers, and believe me, this book is the type that is just begging readers to spoil it for other readers. You just want to talk about it endlessly at the water-cooler at work, kind of like the first two seasons of “Lost”.
Weird that I bring “Lost” up, because “Dead Eleven” is also set on an island, one that very few people know about, and one on which very strange inexplicable things happen.
The setting is Clifford Island, one of several small islands off the coast of Wisconsin in the Great Lakes region. It boasts a small population, one that remains pretty insular. It has a small downtown with a general store, post office, a school (last year’s graduating class was five kids), and a church. Deep in the woods of Clifford Island is a dilapidated old Victorian home that’s stood for several centuries.
Okay. Nothing too weird, right? To visitors from the mainland, however, the inhabitants of Clifford Island aren’t what you call normal. They don’t allow on the island the Internet, cellphones, or any modern conveniences invented after circa 1994. Oh, and they dress like they are still living in the ‘90s. Oh, and every night, they gather around to watch the O.J. Simpson Ford Bronco chase.
That’s all I’m going to say about it. Seriously, I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises.
Apparently, A+E Studios has already picked this up to be a TV show. It has the potential to be either the next “Lost” or it could suck. My recommendation? Read the book.
Okay, so I don’t actually hate him. But I do envy him. The guy clearly has talent, and his first book is a damn near perfect little horror novel that had me hooked from page one until the very end. What more can you ask from a book?
I don’t intend to give any spoilers, and believe me, this book is the type that is just begging readers to spoil it for other readers. You just want to talk about it endlessly at the water-cooler at work, kind of like the first two seasons of “Lost”.
Weird that I bring “Lost” up, because “Dead Eleven” is also set on an island, one that very few people know about, and one on which very strange inexplicable things happen.
The setting is Clifford Island, one of several small islands off the coast of Wisconsin in the Great Lakes region. It boasts a small population, one that remains pretty insular. It has a small downtown with a general store, post office, a school (last year’s graduating class was five kids), and a church. Deep in the woods of Clifford Island is a dilapidated old Victorian home that’s stood for several centuries.
Okay. Nothing too weird, right? To visitors from the mainland, however, the inhabitants of Clifford Island aren’t what you call normal. They don’t allow on the island the Internet, cellphones, or any modern conveniences invented after circa 1994. Oh, and they dress like they are still living in the ‘90s. Oh, and every night, they gather around to watch the O.J. Simpson Ford Bronco chase.
That’s all I’m going to say about it. Seriously, I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises.
Apparently, A+E Studios has already picked this up to be a TV show. It has the potential to be either the next “Lost” or it could suck. My recommendation? Read the book.
October 8, 2023
4 stars!
Loved the concept, loved most of the execution—I think this debut slightly fumbled the landing. BUT that being said, the vibes and concept were enough to keep this a personal favorite.
Concept: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Imagine this:
You visit an island. Something is off about it. The people are nice, albeit your standard rural area standoffish vibe. The island itself is a beautiful piece of land off the coast of Northern Wisconsin.
But there's something about these people—their clothes are dated, their cars are all rust buckets, their music is 20 years out of date. And weirdest of all... you can't find anything more tech savvy than a Walkman and a boom box.
You realize the town is acting like it's 1994.
And when you catch some members of the town captivated by seemingly "live" coverage of OJ Simpson's car chase in California—and then you catch them watching it multiple nights in a row—you realize something is seriously, seriously weird here. Because the entire town KNOWS it's not actually 1994. But they're acting out the scenario anyway.
And then you find out that people sometimes disappear.
Welcome to Clifford Island. You might not make it off...
Dead Eleven is a horror release that I found out about randomly on Goodreads one day, and IMMEDIATELY knew that I needed to have it. From that pitch you just read, can't you see why?? What a concept.
Layered into that killer concept was a mixed-media, brother/sister, and past/present timeline angle that I found too good to resist. So I bought this and read it almost immediately.
Ultimately, I think this debut did a few things perfectly: the vibes, the lingering/creeping dread, the pulse-pounding "I need to know what happened" element that keeps you reading late into the night.
Where this book fumbled was in the ending. I think it wasn't bad, but it wasn't as spectacular as its first half implied it would be. But then... maybe it will for you. Let me know!
Eagerly looking forward to more horror mixed media from this author.
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Loved the concept, loved most of the execution—I think this debut slightly fumbled the landing. BUT that being said, the vibes and concept were enough to keep this a personal favorite.
Concept: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Imagine this:
You visit an island. Something is off about it. The people are nice, albeit your standard rural area standoffish vibe. The island itself is a beautiful piece of land off the coast of Northern Wisconsin.
But there's something about these people—their clothes are dated, their cars are all rust buckets, their music is 20 years out of date. And weirdest of all... you can't find anything more tech savvy than a Walkman and a boom box.
You realize the town is acting like it's 1994.
And when you catch some members of the town captivated by seemingly "live" coverage of OJ Simpson's car chase in California—and then you catch them watching it multiple nights in a row—you realize something is seriously, seriously weird here. Because the entire town KNOWS it's not actually 1994. But they're acting out the scenario anyway.
And then you find out that people sometimes disappear.
Welcome to Clifford Island. You might not make it off...
Dead Eleven is a horror release that I found out about randomly on Goodreads one day, and IMMEDIATELY knew that I needed to have it. From that pitch you just read, can't you see why?? What a concept.
Layered into that killer concept was a mixed-media, brother/sister, and past/present timeline angle that I found too good to resist. So I bought this and read it almost immediately.
Ultimately, I think this debut did a few things perfectly: the vibes, the lingering/creeping dread, the pulse-pounding "I need to know what happened" element that keeps you reading late into the night.
Where this book fumbled was in the ending. I think it wasn't bad, but it wasn't as spectacular as its first half implied it would be. But then... maybe it will for you. Let me know!
Eagerly looking forward to more horror mixed media from this author.
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
May 2, 2025
4.25/5
Musicie dać tej historii czas…. Jak już Wami zawładnie to będziecie musieli „iść za nią” (Ci, którzy czytali, wiedzą!)
Musicie dać tej historii czas…. Jak już Wami zawładnie to będziecie musieli „iść za nią” (Ci, którzy czytali, wiedzą!)
August 21, 2023
MEH while it had a fantastically intriguing start and middle the ending was so disappointing. This will not be one I remember.
The note to reader in the beginning was Very ominous. Had me seriously questioning if this was for real and furiously researching if Clifford Island was a real place. I was very interested in the beginning.
Then I started to get bored. The brother Harper's chapters are the most dull honestly. Also the Pace feels off. A lot of the book is VERY repetitive...rehashing over things the reader has already learned.
Then the ending totally lost me. Like the twist. It just seems a bit silly. Maybe the end is just running a bit too long or it's the audiobook.
I feel a bit confused by the ancient evil thing. And what that had to do with the dead eleven. I guess it just seems convoluted?
I don't get what this book was trying to say by that ending. 🤔 it just feels really unsatisfying and not what I wanted to see at all. I don't like being stuck and ohhh the good old days the past ya know. Like this grief monster thing just makes no sense to me.
.
.
.
Synopsis: When Willow Stone finds the words: Clifford Island, written on the floor of her deceased son’s bedroom, she’s perplexed. She’s never heard of it before, but soon learns it’s a tiny island off Wisconsin. Willow sets out for the island. After a few days on Clifford, Willow realizes: This place is not normal. Everyone seems to be stuck in a particular day in 1994: They wear outdated clothing and avoid modern technology. When she asks questions, people are evasive, but she learns one thing: Close your curtains at night.
Five weeks after Willow arrives on the island, she disappears. Willow’s brother, Harper, comes to Clifford searching for his sister.
The note to reader in the beginning was Very ominous. Had me seriously questioning if this was for real and furiously researching if Clifford Island was a real place. I was very interested in the beginning.
Then I started to get bored. The brother Harper's chapters are the most dull honestly. Also the Pace feels off. A lot of the book is VERY repetitive...rehashing over things the reader has already learned.
Then the ending totally lost me. Like the twist. It just seems a bit silly. Maybe the end is just running a bit too long or it's the audiobook.
I feel a bit confused by the ancient evil thing. And what that had to do with the dead eleven. I guess it just seems convoluted?
I don't get what this book was trying to say by that ending. 🤔 it just feels really unsatisfying and not what I wanted to see at all. I don't like being stuck and ohhh the good old days the past ya know. Like this grief monster thing just makes no sense to me.
.
.
.
Synopsis: When Willow Stone finds the words: Clifford Island, written on the floor of her deceased son’s bedroom, she’s perplexed. She’s never heard of it before, but soon learns it’s a tiny island off Wisconsin. Willow sets out for the island. After a few days on Clifford, Willow realizes: This place is not normal. Everyone seems to be stuck in a particular day in 1994: They wear outdated clothing and avoid modern technology. When she asks questions, people are evasive, but she learns one thing: Close your curtains at night.
Five weeks after Willow arrives on the island, she disappears. Willow’s brother, Harper, comes to Clifford searching for his sister.
May 19, 2023
Jimmy Juliano's debut horror novel, DEAD ELEVEN, has been on the top of my TBR for months now so I was so excited to pick this one up after I received an advanced copy. This book sounds like it's a combination of NIGHT FILM and THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW and I was utterly intrigued.
The story is centered around a few protagonists, Willow Stone, Lily Becker, and Willow's brother Harper. When Willow finds writing on her deceased son's floor called "Clifford Island", she is confused as this tiny island is not anywhere near where they live. That being said, Willow sets out to this remote island town to investigate. Five weeks after she arrives, Willow disappears. At the same time, Lily Becker is a high school student at Clifford Island, and she is so tired of following the townsfolk's traditions. She has visited places off of the island and she doesn't understand why Clifford Island is stuck in the 90s, literally. Clifford Island's townsfolk acts like they're stuck in 1994, with both traditions and their day-to-day social dialogue. Lily is determined to uncover the truth behind this town. When Willow's brother finds out that Willow has gone missing, he also arrives to the island to find his sister and learn the truth. What is this island town hiding and why are they acting like they're stuck in the 90s?
I really think this book would've been a 5-star read if there was an edit to the story. It's too long and slow for me to fully feel invested, but the ending was great. It took me over 200 pages to really even understand what was going on. I know horror novels tend to be more of a slow burn, but I can't be waiting until 200 pages to be invested in a book unless it's a Stephen King 1,000-pager. That being said, DEAD ELEVEN is utterly unique and the writing style felt very NIGHT FILM in which there were multiple storytelling techniques used to provide the mystery with some umph. If you like slower paced novels, horror novels, NIGHT FILM, or anything Chuck Wendig has ever written, DEAD ELEVEN is the book for you!
The story is centered around a few protagonists, Willow Stone, Lily Becker, and Willow's brother Harper. When Willow finds writing on her deceased son's floor called "Clifford Island", she is confused as this tiny island is not anywhere near where they live. That being said, Willow sets out to this remote island town to investigate. Five weeks after she arrives, Willow disappears. At the same time, Lily Becker is a high school student at Clifford Island, and she is so tired of following the townsfolk's traditions. She has visited places off of the island and she doesn't understand why Clifford Island is stuck in the 90s, literally. Clifford Island's townsfolk acts like they're stuck in 1994, with both traditions and their day-to-day social dialogue. Lily is determined to uncover the truth behind this town. When Willow's brother finds out that Willow has gone missing, he also arrives to the island to find his sister and learn the truth. What is this island town hiding and why are they acting like they're stuck in the 90s?
I really think this book would've been a 5-star read if there was an edit to the story. It's too long and slow for me to fully feel invested, but the ending was great. It took me over 200 pages to really even understand what was going on. I know horror novels tend to be more of a slow burn, but I can't be waiting until 200 pages to be invested in a book unless it's a Stephen King 1,000-pager. That being said, DEAD ELEVEN is utterly unique and the writing style felt very NIGHT FILM in which there were multiple storytelling techniques used to provide the mystery with some umph. If you like slower paced novels, horror novels, NIGHT FILM, or anything Chuck Wendig has ever written, DEAD ELEVEN is the book for you!
November 18, 2023
Ridiculously interesting plot. Definitely will be checking out the author's NoSleep stories on Reddit and all future books for sure.
February 18, 2023
I have never read a book by Jimmy Juliano but I am definitely a fan now. I am hooked. After the death of her son, Willow is drawn to the strange and secretive place of Clifford Island where she thinks she’ll find answers. She befriends local teen Lily who only wants to escape her island home, where everyone is stuck in a time loop of 94. But Willow disappears after five weeks leaving her brother Harper to try and find her. Harper, Willow's older brother, has arrived on the island to search for his missing sister and slowly understands the mayhem that Clifford Island experiences daily. A town stuck in the nineties with virtually no explanation must guard some secrets and likely knows more than they're putting out about Willow's sudden departure. I highly recommend.
June 28, 2023
3⭐️ I liked it but could have been better.
WHAT I LIKED:
*** premise is unique.
*** interesting at the beginning. It's eventful, and you instantly want to read more to find out wtf is going on. Esther was wildin!!!!!
*** format of the story was awesome. multiple POV, dual timelines, & mixed media - interviews, audio recordings, letters, text messages, and news articles. This was a fun and refreshing way to experience the story. This was well done and easily followed.
*** LOST and The Village vibes.
*** Mary and Patches' story was something else, LOL. Low key want a copy for my bookshelf.
*** I had no idea who was truthful and who wasn't, I needed answers. Made me question myself and if I'm rooting for the right characters.
*** the relationship between Harper and Willow, it felt authentic.
*** cover art is incredibly beautiful.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
*** got a little too repetitive with some information being mentioned too many times, like Willow talking about why she went to Clifford Island. Or the interview with Lily and Willow, it felt so redundant. They talked about everything that's already happened in previous chapters.
*** the pace of the story was too slow to be 448 pages. If some of the repetive parts were cut leaving the book under 400 pages, I think my rating would have been higher.
*** text messages were super cringe. I know it was supposed to be between teenagers but still.
*** something in Willows' story that seemed to play a major part was left unexplained.
*** ending had me feeling a little disappointed, I was expecting some sort of resolution. I wanted more imagery, more of a backstory/explanation. The thing that this entire book revolved around wasn't given enough attention. Jimmy Juliano is a talented writer. Had he fleshed this part out more, I firmly believe I would have rated this 4 starts instead of 3... despite the slow pace of the book.
Thanks to @netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for sharing a digital copy for me to read and review. As always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
WHAT I LIKED:
*** premise is unique.
*** interesting at the beginning. It's eventful, and you instantly want to read more to find out wtf is going on. Esther was wildin!!!!!
*** format of the story was awesome. multiple POV, dual timelines, & mixed media - interviews, audio recordings, letters, text messages, and news articles. This was a fun and refreshing way to experience the story. This was well done and easily followed.
*** LOST and The Village vibes.
*** Mary and Patches' story was something else, LOL. Low key want a copy for my bookshelf.
*** I had no idea who was truthful and who wasn't, I needed answers. Made me question myself and if I'm rooting for the right characters.
*** the relationship between Harper and Willow, it felt authentic.
*** cover art is incredibly beautiful.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
*** got a little too repetitive with some information being mentioned too many times, like Willow talking about why she went to Clifford Island. Or the interview with Lily and Willow, it felt so redundant. They talked about everything that's already happened in previous chapters.
*** the pace of the story was too slow to be 448 pages. If some of the repetive parts were cut leaving the book under 400 pages, I think my rating would have been higher.
*** text messages were super cringe. I know it was supposed to be between teenagers but still.
*** something in Willows' story that seemed to play a major part was left unexplained.
*** ending had me feeling a little disappointed, I was expecting some sort of resolution. I wanted more imagery, more of a backstory/explanation. The thing that this entire book revolved around wasn't given enough attention. Jimmy Juliano is a talented writer. Had he fleshed this part out more, I firmly believe I would have rated this 4 starts instead of 3... despite the slow pace of the book.
Thanks to @netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for sharing a digital copy for me to read and review. As always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
October 20, 2024
This was an impulse random pick during vacation and I am so glad that this cover caught my eye. I hadn’t heard of this book, but I am grateful I found it. This book was bizarre and creepy in a very slow burn way. I really liked the style of the book with chapters alternating between perspectives, letters, and transcripts. The main narrator of this book is looking for his sister who disappeared from Clifford Island. When he follows her there to try to find out what happens he realizes that Clifford Island is a very strange place. No one uses cell phones or the internet and all of the clothes are from the 90’s. It’s hard to understand why everyone on the island seems to be stuck in the 90’s, but no one wants to talk to Harper. This book is a very slow burn but it is a fun mystery about a creepy place lost in time.
September 8, 2023
This book has a very creepy vibe to it, which I really enjoyed. The idea of a remote island, populated with people reliving the 1990's, is such an interesting concept for a story. I kept looking on Google Maps to see if I could find this place, because it feels like it could be real.
Now for the main thrust of the plot, I was with it for the majority of the book, but the ending kind of felt anti-climatic for me. The author has done a good job of building up the suspense and leaves the reader wondering what could be true or not. I'm still left with unanswered questions about the exact nature of the threat, but that's ok.
I would recommend this one, especially if you're in the mood for something creepy and sinister.
Now for the main thrust of the plot, I was with it for the majority of the book, but the ending kind of felt anti-climatic for me. The author has done a good job of building up the suspense and leaves the reader wondering what could be true or not. I'm still left with unanswered questions about the exact nature of the threat, but that's ok.
I would recommend this one, especially if you're in the mood for something creepy and sinister.
July 13, 2023
them 4 & 5 star ppl didn’t read this book 💀
September 3, 2023
oh...that's....it...? 🫠
the ghostie parts were creepy though, so solid 3.
the ghostie parts were creepy though, so solid 3.
June 27, 2023
It’s the last Wednesday of June, so it’s book review time! This month, I decided that something on the horror side of things would be nice, so I requested a copy of Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano. It was released yesterday (the 27th) by Dutton (an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group). As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s do the thing!
Dead Eleven follows Harper on his search to find his missing sister, Willow. She struck out on a mission of her own, but disappeared from a mysterious island where everyone seems to be stuck in the past, 1994 to be exact, and Harper is determined to find out what happened to her. But he discovers far more than he bargained for in this creepy little place.
The book opens with a note to the reader, which honestly… I almost skipped it. I rarely read stuff like that because it’s usually useless, but I stopped and figured I should at least make sure it wasn’t important. It’s actually part of the book and not something tacked on by the author or the publisher at the last minute, but still. Skip it. I wish I had. It basically just tells you right up front that the ending is going to be vague and unsatisfactory. I didn’t want to keep reading. Vague endings are not my favorite thing, so that little note made me dread going on. Luckily, things weren’t left as open as this implied, but certain things were definitely not wrapped up at all.
Let’s talk structure. This book is set up as a collection of data and anecdotes, so it’s a little strange to get into, but I mostly liked it. There’s one part from the viewpoint of Jennifer Larson-Quint which comes super late in the book and from nowhere. And it ends up being kind of important. She should’ve been introduced earlier and built up a bit. The random appearance felt like an afterthought. But the rest of the data was collected in an interesting way and the layout of everything else felt natural.
Pacing! This book dragged so much and was so very repetitive. It was just far too slow until the last quarter of the book, then things picked up. But combine that with characters who were mostly unlikable and it makes for a tough read. Then, the monster is kind of disappointing. I almost felt like it would’ve been better not to see the actual monster at all. The “dead things” were cool and creepy, but the thing behind them was best left to the imagination, especially since nothing was really done to defeat it. I’m sorry, but I was far more creeped out by what I had conjured in my head than I was by what was described on the page. It was a let down.
As far as the writing goes, it ranged from really good to sleep-inducing slow depending on the sections. Rita only had a couple of sections from her perspective, but they were the slowest. The rest of the viewpoints were okay. The opening (after the note) was weird and worked really well to create interest. I’m not sure I would’ve kept reading if it weren’t for that scene.
Ultimately, I was disappointed by Dead Eleven. I was hoping for ’90’s nostalgia mixed with creepy horror, but there wasn’t really anything nostalgic about it and the horror was meh at best.
Overall, I gave it one star. I started at three stars, but the more I think about it, the more I find wrong with it. I can’t even find a reason to recommend it to others. It just wasn’t very good to me.
Dead Eleven follows Harper on his search to find his missing sister, Willow. She struck out on a mission of her own, but disappeared from a mysterious island where everyone seems to be stuck in the past, 1994 to be exact, and Harper is determined to find out what happened to her. But he discovers far more than he bargained for in this creepy little place.
The book opens with a note to the reader, which honestly… I almost skipped it. I rarely read stuff like that because it’s usually useless, but I stopped and figured I should at least make sure it wasn’t important. It’s actually part of the book and not something tacked on by the author or the publisher at the last minute, but still. Skip it. I wish I had. It basically just tells you right up front that the ending is going to be vague and unsatisfactory. I didn’t want to keep reading. Vague endings are not my favorite thing, so that little note made me dread going on. Luckily, things weren’t left as open as this implied, but certain things were definitely not wrapped up at all.
Let’s talk structure. This book is set up as a collection of data and anecdotes, so it’s a little strange to get into, but I mostly liked it. There’s one part from the viewpoint of Jennifer Larson-Quint which comes super late in the book and from nowhere. And it ends up being kind of important. She should’ve been introduced earlier and built up a bit. The random appearance felt like an afterthought. But the rest of the data was collected in an interesting way and the layout of everything else felt natural.
Pacing! This book dragged so much and was so very repetitive. It was just far too slow until the last quarter of the book, then things picked up. But combine that with characters who were mostly unlikable and it makes for a tough read. Then, the monster is kind of disappointing. I almost felt like it would’ve been better not to see the actual monster at all. The “dead things” were cool and creepy, but the thing behind them was best left to the imagination, especially since nothing was really done to defeat it. I’m sorry, but I was far more creeped out by what I had conjured in my head than I was by what was described on the page. It was a let down.
As far as the writing goes, it ranged from really good to sleep-inducing slow depending on the sections. Rita only had a couple of sections from her perspective, but they were the slowest. The rest of the viewpoints were okay. The opening (after the note) was weird and worked really well to create interest. I’m not sure I would’ve kept reading if it weren’t for that scene.
Ultimately, I was disappointed by Dead Eleven. I was hoping for ’90’s nostalgia mixed with creepy horror, but there wasn’t really anything nostalgic about it and the horror was meh at best.
Overall, I gave it one star. I started at three stars, but the more I think about it, the more I find wrong with it. I can’t even find a reason to recommend it to others. It just wasn’t very good to me.
October 13, 2023
Dead Eleven is the story of a grieving mother trying to make sense of her young son’s death and she follows a clue to an island in the Great Lakes area where a community of people live that strictly enforce island rules rooted in folklore and fear. When the mother doesn’t return, her brother retraces her steps hoping to locate her. But what he finds there threatens everyone’s existence.
The narrative is told through a multitude of formats that failed to work for me. From narrative to diary to interviews to news articles. And the point of view frequently shifted as did the time. It made the book feel disjointed.
And much of the story was repetitive and weird (not a good kind of weird). What started out bizarre enough to drive my curiosity quickly grew into the proverbial dangling carrot and hundreds of pages later – now bored outta my mind – the plot began to move forward. Right into wacko.
The most glaring defect was the plot. What was it trying to say? It wasn’t left open ended – no! I just didn’t freaking understand it. What was the driving force behind the threat?
I am not sure who the protagonist was supposed to be. There’s as much content from the missing mother as from her brother and other islanders. The content revisited points already covered by other characters yet doesn’t add anything new. Besides that, the characterization was flat.
To me, this was fiction with a dash of horror near the climax. I didn’t find it eerie or suspenseful. There were no vivid descriptions of the setting that would create tension. Everything was dull.
I could not with good conscious recommend this book to anyone.
The narrative is told through a multitude of formats that failed to work for me. From narrative to diary to interviews to news articles. And the point of view frequently shifted as did the time. It made the book feel disjointed.
And much of the story was repetitive and weird (not a good kind of weird). What started out bizarre enough to drive my curiosity quickly grew into the proverbial dangling carrot and hundreds of pages later – now bored outta my mind – the plot began to move forward. Right into wacko.
The most glaring defect was the plot. What was it trying to say? It wasn’t left open ended – no! I just didn’t freaking understand it. What was the driving force behind the threat?
I am not sure who the protagonist was supposed to be. There’s as much content from the missing mother as from her brother and other islanders. The content revisited points already covered by other characters yet doesn’t add anything new. Besides that, the characterization was flat.
To me, this was fiction with a dash of horror near the climax. I didn’t find it eerie or suspenseful. There were no vivid descriptions of the setting that would create tension. Everything was dull.
I could not with good conscious recommend this book to anyone.
September 6, 2023
This was SO GOOD. I typically shy away from horror, but I could handle this (Night Gardener was scarier to me, and that’s middle grade 😂). This read like 11/22/63 and had the best kind of Stranger Things vibes - it was a page turner, and regardless of its almost 450 pages I just flew through it neeeeding to know what was going on. A perfect read before we leave for our Door County trip later this summer!
March 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Dragged down by its thoroughness, Dead Eleven has a great concept, and executes them for the most part with confidence (the isolated island, the idea of being out of sync with the the world), unfortunately there is a lingering lack of dynamism—despite the switch-ups in POV, moments of tension are often drowned out by prolonged, needlessly wordy description, and characters chitchat aimlessly before getting to the point (probably closer to real life behavior, but I would prefer more liberal creative licensee here).
There's nothing egregious to fault Dead Eleven, and as a whole it's a solid, smartly written story about human nature (I get vibes of Silent Hill 2, and Hereditary)—but the overly serious, document-every-minutiae style of writing kind of dampens the excitement and fun of reading a horror story.
Dragged down by its thoroughness, Dead Eleven has a great concept, and executes them for the most part with confidence (the isolated island, the idea of being out of sync with the the world), unfortunately there is a lingering lack of dynamism—despite the switch-ups in POV, moments of tension are often drowned out by prolonged, needlessly wordy description, and characters chitchat aimlessly before getting to the point (probably closer to real life behavior, but I would prefer more liberal creative licensee here).
There's nothing egregious to fault Dead Eleven, and as a whole it's a solid, smartly written story about human nature (I get vibes of Silent Hill 2, and Hereditary)—but the overly serious, document-every-minutiae style of writing kind of dampens the excitement and fun of reading a horror story.
September 10, 2023
Definitely among my top reads of the year!! I was hooked from beginning to end. I was almost disappointed by the ending but it ended up really working for me and now this book lives rent free in my mind!
April 7, 2024
Very imaginative with lots of original quirky elements, albeit a bit silly at times. Very enjoyable!
November 19, 2025
I loved the mystery surrounding this island. The fact that little was mentioned about Clifford Island online was strange, but the way the residents on the island act was even weirder. These people have a set routine for what they do most days, and get anxious if something gets in the way of it. As you keep reading, you learn that an event from their past released something onto the island. According to some of the teens, they are told that if they don’t stick to these strange traditions, this creature or whatever it is will harm the people around them.
The different media additions were great and added a lot to the context to the mystery of what was happening on the island. Along with the normal story, we had text messages, letters, and tape recorded interviews as well.
The reveal near the end of this book was a little morbid. It has a bit of a cult vibe by the end, only the reason for all their strict rules and why they are selective towards who they allow on the island isn’t really religion based . . . It’s something else.
The different media additions were great and added a lot to the context to the mystery of what was happening on the island. Along with the normal story, we had text messages, letters, and tape recorded interviews as well.
The reveal near the end of this book was a little morbid. It has a bit of a cult vibe by the end, only the reason for all their strict rules and why they are selective towards who they allow on the island isn’t really religion based . . . It’s something else.
June 2, 2024
I agree with the other reviews that this was an incredibly slow burn, but so worth reading if you like thrillers mixed with horror. Incredibly well-written. Characters question and challenge a lot of the town’s traditions and practices. Was a great book worth reading.
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