What do you think?
Rate this book
The Flayed One
It comes at night, when the world is a dusty, quiet ball of forgotten memories. The thing of shrieks, of shrill, wanton fears makes its presence known.
At seventeen, Mia Rose Ellis is haunted by a tragic summer and painful secrets. Seeking refuge in the forest behind her house, however, she finds two things that change everything: a rotten corpse and an archaic journal filled with horrifying tales. As Mia begins to read the eerie stories of a terrifying, malicious creature, she begins to realize the forest surrounding her house is more dangerous than she could’ve imagined.
Its origins are the whispered legends of the curious, carved on victims’ hearts.
The town of Oakwood, home to the infamous Redwood Asylum, has always harbored its own sinister enigmas. The journal, however, launches Mia into a world where legends become reality and the frights of the forest follow her home. Will Mia be able to find the help she needs to survive The Flayed One’s malicious hunting game, or will she be its next victim?
At seventeen, Mia Rose Ellis is haunted by a tragic summer and painful secrets. Seeking refuge in the forest behind her house, however, she finds two things that change everything: a rotten corpse and an archaic journal filled with horrifying tales. As Mia begins to read the eerie stories of a terrifying, malicious creature, she begins to realize the forest surrounding her house is more dangerous than she could’ve imagined.
Its origins are the whispered legends of the curious, carved on victims’ hearts.
The town of Oakwood, home to the infamous Redwood Asylum, has always harbored its own sinister enigmas. The journal, however, launches Mia into a world where legends become reality and the frights of the forest follow her home. Will Mia be able to find the help she needs to survive The Flayed One’s malicious hunting game, or will she be its next victim?
- GenresHorror
140 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2021
About the author
L.A. Detwiler
26 books316 followersL.A. Detwiler is the USA TODAY Bestselling thriller author of The Widow Next Door with HarperCollins UK and several other chilling page-turners. Her novel The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter was awarded the bronze medal for thrillers by Readers' Favorite and also translated into Polish. Her novels are noted for their dark, emotional depth and realistic portrayals of haunting topics.
During her final year at Mount Aloysius College, she started writing her first fiction novel, Voice of Innocence, which was published in 2015. She has numerous sweet romances published under Lindsay Detwiler. She has also written articles that have appeared in several women’s publications and websites.
L.A. Detwiler is a high school business teacher and writer in her hometown of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She taught high school English for ten years and also was an adjunct professor. She lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad. They have six cats and a Great Dane named Edmund (He appears in all of her current works; her late mastiff, Henry, is in the earlier novels). When she isn't training Edmund or writing, she is usually rewatching Outlander, drinking coffee, or buying makeup.
Connect with L.A. Detwiler on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok @ladetwiler
During her final year at Mount Aloysius College, she started writing her first fiction novel, Voice of Innocence, which was published in 2015. She has numerous sweet romances published under Lindsay Detwiler. She has also written articles that have appeared in several women’s publications and websites.
L.A. Detwiler is a high school business teacher and writer in her hometown of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She taught high school English for ten years and also was an adjunct professor. She lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad. They have six cats and a Great Dane named Edmund (He appears in all of her current works; her late mastiff, Henry, is in the earlier novels). When she isn't training Edmund or writing, she is usually rewatching Outlander, drinking coffee, or buying makeup.
Connect with L.A. Detwiler on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok @ladetwiler
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 16, 2025
The Flayed One by L.A. Detwiler is a short horror story based around the author's Redwood Forest books.
First, let me thank the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The author did not disappoint with this short story.
I loved the characters. Well, except for Mom, who was a piece of work and deserved everything she got. The plot was well thought out, and relates to other books the author has written, but it's definitely a stand-alone.
This atmospheric tale was really creepy, somewhat chilling, and difficult to put down.
Loved it!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 5, 2023
I felt a disconnect reading this book, it never made me forget I was reading. I wasn't engaged with the characters or cared about them. I'm unsure if it was the writing or the story, but it just wasn't drawing me in. This is just my personal preference, but I wasn't a fan of the characters name "Mia Rose" and it is repeated A LOT. Certain parts of the book felt redundant and trope-y.
August 25, 2021
Very similar to the first book. Almost exactly the same story at times. Still, it was an enjoyable read.
August 1, 2021
If you go into the woods today don't expect to come out unharmed!
Mia Rose knew the Redwood Forest like the back of her hand and after living next to it in her seventeen years she finds peace within the woods.
Or she used to until last summer when everything changed, now the peace and solitude it wants had has gone.
After being dropped off by a school friend just outside the woods Mia Rose was not in a hurry to go home instead she walked to her special place in the woods to be alone.
On arriving Mia Rose found an old journal with the name H.D Wards written on the front.
How on earth had it gotten here?
Mia Rose suddenly heard the most horrific sound like a howling shriek that chilled her bones and the most disgusting smell that was so awful it was hard to describe, out of the corner of her eye she saw the most terrifying monster.
Mia Rose ran home as quickly as she could.
Once home she began to read the journal and wish she had never found it as now The Flayed One wants her.
Can Mia Rose survive? And what does her beloved Grandma know?
Mia Rose knew the Redwood Forest like the back of her hand and after living next to it in her seventeen years she finds peace within the woods.
Or she used to until last summer when everything changed, now the peace and solitude it wants had has gone.
After being dropped off by a school friend just outside the woods Mia Rose was not in a hurry to go home instead she walked to her special place in the woods to be alone.
On arriving Mia Rose found an old journal with the name H.D Wards written on the front.
How on earth had it gotten here?
Mia Rose suddenly heard the most horrific sound like a howling shriek that chilled her bones and the most disgusting smell that was so awful it was hard to describe, out of the corner of her eye she saw the most terrifying monster.
Mia Rose ran home as quickly as she could.
Once home she began to read the journal and wish she had never found it as now The Flayed One wants her.
Can Mia Rose survive? And what does her beloved Grandma know?
July 16, 2022
I really like this author, but...
The Flayed One has some interesting characters and a pretty good story. I enjoyed it as I have the other works I've read by this author, but gosh, she is brutal the way she treats her main characters. If you're a main character in one of Detwiler's story, keep your head down, not that it will do you any good. As a reader, I get invested in characters I like. Big mistake. Truly though, Mia Rose faired better than her mother or Candace in the Christmas Bell where Mom and Candace wound up in basically the same way. I still am holding out hope for a Candace sequel, but that's another story. What I really liked about this one was that the characters were pretty consistent and reacted to situations in ways I could actually believe. Detwiler has become a writer that I look forward to reading.
The Flayed One has some interesting characters and a pretty good story. I enjoyed it as I have the other works I've read by this author, but gosh, she is brutal the way she treats her main characters. If you're a main character in one of Detwiler's story, keep your head down, not that it will do you any good. As a reader, I get invested in characters I like. Big mistake. Truly though, Mia Rose faired better than her mother or Candace in the Christmas Bell where Mom and Candace wound up in basically the same way. I still am holding out hope for a Candace sequel, but that's another story. What I really liked about this one was that the characters were pretty consistent and reacted to situations in ways I could actually believe. Detwiler has become a writer that I look forward to reading.
August 9, 2021
As expected, I read this in daylight and I was glad I did. Lol. This is creepy yet compelling. I do like Mia’s curiosity and brave action. This is a fast-paced, intriguing story and unputdownable. LA delivered another fantastic story!
September 9, 2021
The flayed one deserves a movie. They creep me out! Just imagining those things in the woods is haunting.
December 29, 2024
L.A. Detwiler’s The Flayed One is an unsettling, atmospheric horror that dives into the darkness lurking both within and without. The novel masterfully combines psychological tension with a chilling supernatural narrative, delivering a story that keeps you hooked till the very end.
🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨
The story follows Mia Rose, a teenager grappling with grief and trauma, who finds solace in the ominous Redwood Forest near her home. But her sanctuary turns into a nightmare when she encounters a terrifying figure known as The Flayed One. Described as a monstrous being with razor-sharp claws and decayed flesh, The Flayed One embodies the horror of the forest’s dark secrets.
As Mia delves into the journal of H.D. Wards, an old, mysterious artifact she discovers in the woods, the layers of the forest’s malevolence unravel. The journal chronicles H.D.’s encounters with The Flayed One and hints at a cursed legacy that continues to claim victims. Mia’s journey is not only one of survival but also of confronting her past and the pain she’s buried.
The novel’s strength lies in its vivid descriptions and deeply personal stakes. The Redwood Forest is brought to life with haunting imagery, becoming a character in its own right. Mia’s struggles with her family and her own sense of guilt add emotional weight, making her fight against The Flayed One more compelling.
Favorite Quote:
“When The Flayed One comes for you, make no mistake. You will not be saved.”
While the novel’s pacing is occasionally uneven, the gripping climax and Mia’s ultimate confrontation with the creature deliver a satisfying and horrifying resolution. The Flayed One isn’t just a monster—it’s a symbol of unrelenting fear and unresolved trauma.
L.A. Detwiler crafts a tale that lingers long after the final page. The Flayed One is perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and stories where the supernatural and psychological collide.
#TheFlayedOne #LADetwiler #HorrorReads #AtmosphericHorror #SupernaturalTerror #DarkFiction 🖤🌲
🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨
The story follows Mia Rose, a teenager grappling with grief and trauma, who finds solace in the ominous Redwood Forest near her home. But her sanctuary turns into a nightmare when she encounters a terrifying figure known as The Flayed One. Described as a monstrous being with razor-sharp claws and decayed flesh, The Flayed One embodies the horror of the forest’s dark secrets.
As Mia delves into the journal of H.D. Wards, an old, mysterious artifact she discovers in the woods, the layers of the forest’s malevolence unravel. The journal chronicles H.D.’s encounters with The Flayed One and hints at a cursed legacy that continues to claim victims. Mia’s journey is not only one of survival but also of confronting her past and the pain she’s buried.
The novel’s strength lies in its vivid descriptions and deeply personal stakes. The Redwood Forest is brought to life with haunting imagery, becoming a character in its own right. Mia’s struggles with her family and her own sense of guilt add emotional weight, making her fight against The Flayed One more compelling.
Favorite Quote:
“When The Flayed One comes for you, make no mistake. You will not be saved.”
While the novel’s pacing is occasionally uneven, the gripping climax and Mia’s ultimate confrontation with the creature deliver a satisfying and horrifying resolution. The Flayed One isn’t just a monster—it’s a symbol of unrelenting fear and unresolved trauma.
L.A. Detwiler crafts a tale that lingers long after the final page. The Flayed One is perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and stories where the supernatural and psychological collide.
#TheFlayedOne #LADetwiler #HorrorReads #AtmosphericHorror #SupernaturalTerror #DarkFiction 🖤🌲
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2024
An engrossing and eerie read.
"The Flayed One" delves into the darkest corners of human psyche, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the shadows of the past that never quite fade. It’s a harrowing but undeniably captivating experience.
The pacing is relentless, ensuring that putting the book down feels like an almost impossible task. The prose is both poetic and chilling, with descriptions that linger in the mind long after the final chapter.
"The Flayed One" is like stepping into a realm where the line between reality and nightmare blurs. The author masterfully crafts an atmosphere of creeping dread that slowly tightens its grip, page after page. The characters are not merely figures on a page; they are deeply flawed, hauntingly real individuals whose fates you become intimately invested in.
Overall, "The Flayed One" is a novel that challenges, disturbs, and ultimately leaves a lasting impression.
A must-read for those who appreciate horror with substance.
"The Flayed One" delves into the darkest corners of human psyche, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the shadows of the past that never quite fade. It’s a harrowing but undeniably captivating experience.
The pacing is relentless, ensuring that putting the book down feels like an almost impossible task. The prose is both poetic and chilling, with descriptions that linger in the mind long after the final chapter.
"The Flayed One" is like stepping into a realm where the line between reality and nightmare blurs. The author masterfully crafts an atmosphere of creeping dread that slowly tightens its grip, page after page. The characters are not merely figures on a page; they are deeply flawed, hauntingly real individuals whose fates you become intimately invested in.
Overall, "The Flayed One" is a novel that challenges, disturbs, and ultimately leaves a lasting impression.
A must-read for those who appreciate horror with substance.
July 13, 2022
💭 ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ:
↠ This one was giving me ‘Vecna from Stranger Things’ vibes. We have a creature that preys on vulnerable people with no one to turn to. It comes at night and haunts their nightmares until it eventually kills them.
↠ It also reminds me of sitting around a campfire telling spooky local legends and ghost stories. It kind of has a Goosebumps vibe as well.
↠ The audiobook was really well done and the story translated well to the audio format
↠ Would I recommend? Yes, absolutely!
Find me on Instagram @Firefly.Lane
↠ This one was giving me ‘Vecna from Stranger Things’ vibes. We have a creature that preys on vulnerable people with no one to turn to. It comes at night and haunts their nightmares until it eventually kills them.
↠ It also reminds me of sitting around a campfire telling spooky local legends and ghost stories. It kind of has a Goosebumps vibe as well.
↠ The audiobook was really well done and the story translated well to the audio format
↠ Would I recommend? Yes, absolutely!
Find me on Instagram @Firefly.Lane
January 7, 2022
Scarely good, goosebumps of course. A small town surrounded by first urban legend you go in you don’t come out. People disappear all the time, did they run away? He’s watching a foul odor surrounds him with a shrill scream. If he wants you there is no where to hide. This was very good , I jumped at the slightest noise.
July 30, 2022
Flay
Another look into the haunted mind. This amazing tale brings you more understanding on the mentally troubled minds will she fund answers and be able.to escape
Another look into the haunted mind. This amazing tale brings you more understanding on the mentally troubled minds will she fund answers and be able.to escape
August 8, 2024
This book was SO perfectly written, narrated and told.....that the ONLY thing wrong with it was that it is too short......I could have gone for another 4 or 5 hours! I LOVED THIS!
I have been reading Horror and classic literature for well over 50 years....and this has got to be one of the BEST coming of age, horrific and beautifully tragic tales that I will place right next to 'Summer of Night', 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' and 'Boys Life'! When I found out after i just finished the audiobook; that the author was a female....it blew my mind! The audio book is listed at just a bit over 4 hours....and in my opinion; this was the ONLY bad thing about it. It was just too damned short! I wanted this tale of 'the monster in the woods' to go on for at least another 3 hours. Being an openly gay man and lover of all things horror, this tale could have been like all the other new crap out there these days, but it wasn't. What WAS the supposed 'flayed creature' that was lurking in the woods? What happened to the 50 plus missing people starting from the 1950's and as young as 5 years old? When you meet H.D. Wards this story took off and just got better and better. These 3 characters of Wards, Mia Rose Ellis and Dorothy May will be 3 that I go back to read their stories again and again. Bravo to the author L.A. Detwiler for this achievement!!! I have no idea where someone quoted this as being 'Homophobic....?' Why? I really don't think that they even read it.
This will be a new book that I praise and highly recommend to anyone who loves a great, creepy as hell, tale of the monster in the woods that eveyone thinks does NOT exist! Loved this.
5 Screams
I have been reading Horror and classic literature for well over 50 years....and this has got to be one of the BEST coming of age, horrific and beautifully tragic tales that I will place right next to 'Summer of Night', 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' and 'Boys Life'! When I found out after i just finished the audiobook; that the author was a female....it blew my mind! The audio book is listed at just a bit over 4 hours....and in my opinion; this was the ONLY bad thing about it. It was just too damned short! I wanted this tale of 'the monster in the woods' to go on for at least another 3 hours. Being an openly gay man and lover of all things horror, this tale could have been like all the other new crap out there these days, but it wasn't. What WAS the supposed 'flayed creature' that was lurking in the woods? What happened to the 50 plus missing people starting from the 1950's and as young as 5 years old? When you meet H.D. Wards this story took off and just got better and better. These 3 characters of Wards, Mia Rose Ellis and Dorothy May will be 3 that I go back to read their stories again and again. Bravo to the author L.A. Detwiler for this achievement!!! I have no idea where someone quoted this as being 'Homophobic....?' Why? I really don't think that they even read it.
This will be a new book that I praise and highly recommend to anyone who loves a great, creepy as hell, tale of the monster in the woods that eveyone thinks does NOT exist! Loved this.
5 Screams
May 26, 2023
This was rough, and ended up a DNF less than halfway through. The main character was unlikeable with a modern day Mary Sue-type name, and the attempt to manufacture mystery in the early pages came across as annoying. All of this I could try to wade through, but the writing itself was overly dramatic. Hard pass.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews