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The Hen House
HELL JUST GOT WORSE. It used to be, the most terrifying thing about Hunter State Penitentiary was its electric chair. Not anymore. Something has found a way inside and has turned the place into its own private hunting ground, killing guards and prisoners alike, ripping them to pieces and feasting upon what's left. And Hunter Maximum Security Prison has now become THE HEN HOUSE.
- GenresHorrorWerewolves
232 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2021
About the author
Lee Murphy
10 books11 followers2026 marks the release of LIVING PROOF, my tenth novel which tells the story of Leanidas Cairn, a five hundred year-old true vampire. Upon her discovery she is connected to a series of grisly murders and put on trial. Everything about her existence will be shown to the entire world and it will change mankind forever.
This year marks the arrival of my NINTH NOVEL titled THE HEN HOUSE. It's a terrifying horror story about what happens when a werewolf gets into a maximum security prison and turns the place into a feeding ground.
I currently have eight novels in publication-- five of which chronicle the adventures of my fictional cryptozoologist George Kodiak. The subjects covered so far are Bigfoot, Canada's Ogopogo, the Honey Island Swamp Monster, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Chupacabras.
My other three books are stand-alone novels. Ygor is a re-imagining of the Frankenstein story as told from Ygor's point of view and was written and published before the film Victor Frankenstein was made. Redneck Frankenstein is a comedy which poses the question: what if Dr. Frankenstein, instead of being a brilliant European surgeon, was really a backwoods redneck? Lastly, Psychic Shower is a science fiction horror story about weaponizing a piece of equipment recovered from the famous Roswell saucer crash of 1947.
This year marks the arrival of my NINTH NOVEL titled THE HEN HOUSE. It's a terrifying horror story about what happens when a werewolf gets into a maximum security prison and turns the place into a feeding ground.
I currently have eight novels in publication-- five of which chronicle the adventures of my fictional cryptozoologist George Kodiak. The subjects covered so far are Bigfoot, Canada's Ogopogo, the Honey Island Swamp Monster, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Chupacabras.
My other three books are stand-alone novels. Ygor is a re-imagining of the Frankenstein story as told from Ygor's point of view and was written and published before the film Victor Frankenstein was made. Redneck Frankenstein is a comedy which poses the question: what if Dr. Frankenstein, instead of being a brilliant European surgeon, was really a backwoods redneck? Lastly, Psychic Shower is a science fiction horror story about weaponizing a piece of equipment recovered from the famous Roswell saucer crash of 1947.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 5, 2025
✒︎3 stars
This book was way out of my wheelhouse. I almost never read horror books and I rarely read book that aren't at least somewhat mainstream. I checked this book out from my local library after one of my librarians there implored me to read it. I didn't know that this was what she got up to in her free time.
I had a hard time getting into this book, but I tried to keep an open mind. I wanted to finish it for my local librarian. I do enjoy the occasional horrifying thing (Saw is one of my favorite movies and the franchise is my all-time favorite in terms of the genre), so I kept going. The Hen House is set in a prison that houses some of the worst kinds of people known to man, and I mean the worst kinds of people. It also frequently executes prisoners who are on set on death row. Set in the late 50s, early 60s, I believe, the government was much more efficient at executing people then. (Much shorter list.) The prison is terrible enough on its own, but when prisoners, guards, and outsiders start reporting horrible deaths and other strange happenings... things get a whole lot weirder.
I found that the plot was throughly suspenseful. I mean, despite the horror included that I'm usually not too inclined to read about, I found myself wanting to keep reading and find out what happens. The characters were all mostly terrible people, but I found that this added to the horror of it all. I mean, it wouldn't be disturbing if every person we read about was a saint, would it? The main character wasn't nearly as bad as the rest, so I found myself rooting for him a lot. The action scenes has me on the edge of my seat, especially one of the chapters near the end that takes place in a car.
Although I did like all of this, I found that I just wasn't a huge fan of this book simply because its not my preferred genre. I don't mind gore and I honestly didn't find the gore in this book to be too overdone, but this book had quite a few scenes centering around rape and sexual assault. I'm not trying to yuck anyone's yum, but that's usually where I personally tap out when it comes to horror of any kind. Other than that, I found that the book ended really abruptly with no real explanation for where the beast terrorizing the prison came from. I would have loved to see a longer resolution with the characters.
Overall, this was a pretty obscure book and not something I would usually read, but by the end I found myself enjoying the plot quite a bit, however, it was just too much for me in terms of the grotesque.
This book was way out of my wheelhouse. I almost never read horror books and I rarely read book that aren't at least somewhat mainstream. I checked this book out from my local library after one of my librarians there implored me to read it. I didn't know that this was what she got up to in her free time.
I had a hard time getting into this book, but I tried to keep an open mind. I wanted to finish it for my local librarian. I do enjoy the occasional horrifying thing (Saw is one of my favorite movies and the franchise is my all-time favorite in terms of the genre), so I kept going. The Hen House is set in a prison that houses some of the worst kinds of people known to man, and I mean the worst kinds of people. It also frequently executes prisoners who are on set on death row. Set in the late 50s, early 60s, I believe, the government was much more efficient at executing people then. (Much shorter list.) The prison is terrible enough on its own, but when prisoners, guards, and outsiders start reporting horrible deaths and other strange happenings... things get a whole lot weirder.
I found that the plot was throughly suspenseful. I mean, despite the horror included that I'm usually not too inclined to read about, I found myself wanting to keep reading and find out what happens. The characters were all mostly terrible people, but I found that this added to the horror of it all. I mean, it wouldn't be disturbing if every person we read about was a saint, would it? The main character wasn't nearly as bad as the rest, so I found myself rooting for him a lot. The action scenes has me on the edge of my seat, especially one of the chapters near the end that takes place in a car.
Although I did like all of this, I found that I just wasn't a huge fan of this book simply because its not my preferred genre. I don't mind gore and I honestly didn't find the gore in this book to be too overdone, but this book had quite a few scenes centering around rape and sexual assault. I'm not trying to yuck anyone's yum, but that's usually where I personally tap out when it comes to horror of any kind. Other than that, I found that the book ended really abruptly with no real explanation for where the beast terrorizing the prison came from. I would have loved to see a longer resolution with the characters.
Overall, this was a pretty obscure book and not something I would usually read, but by the end I found myself enjoying the plot quite a bit, however, it was just too much for me in terms of the grotesque.
March 16, 2026
I loved this book. The setting of a prison and this beast sneaking around was very spooky. The book was a rollercoaster ride. The suspense was high and I was on the edge of my seat many times. Though i did think the wolf was Stoney, he was such a prick, it turned out to not be anyone. The werewolf never did have a name, that I remember. This is one of the best werewolf novels I've read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2021
Wild Ride
Characters were well developed and defined and the location very descriptive. Non stop suspense, action and graphic gore. I would like to know exactly what the creature was. At first I was leaning towards Werewolf and Wendigo.. Overall I enjoyed this story. Couldn't put it down! I'm retired so I didn't have to!
Characters were well developed and defined and the location very descriptive. Non stop suspense, action and graphic gore. I would like to know exactly what the creature was. At first I was leaning towards Werewolf and Wendigo.. Overall I enjoyed this story. Couldn't put it down! I'm retired so I didn't have to!
January 25, 2023
Werewolf or Skin walker ,( doesn't really specify which), attacks in and around a prison during the early /mid 1950s. Really good story, but it had a couple of bits of animal cruelty that I could've done without.
January 21, 2022
A horror novel set in a prison. Now, I don't know about you, but many opportunities come to mind with such a concept, albeit more of the horror man is capable of committing. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of that in the book, which is set in 1954 and remember, circumstances in prison were somewhat… different back then.
But no, it's not the horrific crimes of certain individuals or the abuse of the guards that is the most dangerous element in the confines of this prison, it is a creature stalking the corridors. Now, when I read about that, I figured the options would be quite limited (it is a prison setting after all) but I was pleasantly surprised.
Despite the somewhat limited setting, the book more than manages to keep the interest, moving from excellent character development, the circumstances of (working in) the prison, the puzzlement of who or what could be responsible for such heinous atrocities, to the thrilling occurrences themselves, which had me frequently putting the book down, just to keep myself from rushing (and taking a breather 😉).
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, which was realistically written, had – as said before – excellent character development, twists, surprises, suspense and, of course, outright horror. A question or two remain at the end but I think most readers will have a satisfying answer for themselves after finishing.
Highly recommended.
But no, it's not the horrific crimes of certain individuals or the abuse of the guards that is the most dangerous element in the confines of this prison, it is a creature stalking the corridors. Now, when I read about that, I figured the options would be quite limited (it is a prison setting after all) but I was pleasantly surprised.
Despite the somewhat limited setting, the book more than manages to keep the interest, moving from excellent character development, the circumstances of (working in) the prison, the puzzlement of who or what could be responsible for such heinous atrocities, to the thrilling occurrences themselves, which had me frequently putting the book down, just to keep myself from rushing (and taking a breather 😉).
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, which was realistically written, had – as said before – excellent character development, twists, surprises, suspense and, of course, outright horror. A question or two remain at the end but I think most readers will have a satisfying answer for themselves after finishing.
Highly recommended.
February 15, 2022
I truly enjoyed this book. In grad school I majored in Prison Management so I am familiar with a lot that was discussed about the prison the story mostly takes place in. Studying the history of corrections takes you to some of the dark places described in the book especially during the mid 1950s. This book went in a completely unexpected direction. The beast of Hunter Penitentiary would have been an apt title for this book.
And even using this title you would not know exactly who or what it was referring to. The electric chair, the missing prisoner, the vicious second in command, the old place itself - was it haunted? Yes it was but the monster is a real thing. Beyond your imagination. Do you like Creature Features? How about a good and gory werewolf story? You have found the perfect book to satisfy those cravings.
And even using this title you would not know exactly who or what it was referring to. The electric chair, the missing prisoner, the vicious second in command, the old place itself - was it haunted? Yes it was but the monster is a real thing. Beyond your imagination. Do you like Creature Features? How about a good and gory werewolf story? You have found the perfect book to satisfy those cravings.
January 2, 2022
Page turner!
I Loved reading this book. It has a good flow and had moments that creeped me out I definitely recommend reading this book to anyone that loves books about werewolves.
I Loved reading this book. It has a good flow and had moments that creeped me out I definitely recommend reading this book to anyone that loves books about werewolves.
November 7, 2021
big bad assed werewolf feeding on prisoners locked up in jail. much blood and gore, violence, surprise ending.
November 17, 2021
what a great read!!
I was fully engaged the whole time! I can’t wait to read another book by this author. He knows how to tell a story.
I was fully engaged the whole time! I can’t wait to read another book by this author. He knows how to tell a story.
December 2, 2021
Great Story
Very well put together story. Scary and the build up to the end was fantastic. I will definitely read another of this authors work.
Very well put together story. Scary and the build up to the end was fantastic. I will definitely read another of this authors work.
December 4, 2021
Really good
Really good read! First time reading anything from this author. I would definitely recommend this book to others. Gotta love werewolves!
Really good read! First time reading anything from this author. I would definitely recommend this book to others. Gotta love werewolves!
January 29, 2022
Read “The Hen House “
If you like monsters, criminals, prison escapes and some great action, adventure and horror please read this book and enjoy!! Finished the book in one sitting.
If you like monsters, criminals, prison escapes and some great action, adventure and horror please read this book and enjoy!! Finished the book in one sitting.
March 8, 2022
Wow what a story
Anyone who wants a suspenseful and action packed book will love this. It's a different kind of story and look at a creature that can't exist.
Anyone who wants a suspenseful and action packed book will love this. It's a different kind of story and look at a creature that can't exist.
May 31, 2023
The villain in this story had me so frayed at the edges I couldn't look outside the windows of my house for fear of seeing those vile yellow eyes. It has been a long time since I have read about a monster like this. The "perfect killing machine" variety is common, but few books give the creature room to play uninhibited. In "The Hen House," Lee Murphy gives us a creature playing by its own rules rather than that of the story structure.
Completely unhinged, it terrorizes the darkness (and later the daylight). I adored how proactive and voracious it was- werewolf, skinwalker, or something else. Until we get to this point of the story about a quarter of a way in, we're thrown into the horrors of prison life with a sadistic guard in Stoney and an even more sadistic prisoner, Ray Willis. The main lead Edgar and his family throw in some much-needed "calmness" when allowed.
The only minor complaint I have is not describing characters. There are so many of them it can be difficult to get a face to the name. These people's lives make up for that as the story goes on, but until their characters are fully developed, I wasn't envisioning anything more than blank faces. Stoney's evil with the woman towards the end did feel a little tacked on- even with Chekov's chair, and it went on longer than the monster's scenes.
Otherwise, I can't find a reason NOT to give, "The Hen House" five pulverized rib cages because I haven't been this exhilarated (and traumatized) in a long time. The ending absolutely makes up for the carnage beforehand though. Talk about catharsis. I was cheering for the heroes- and we need more genuine gang-ups on baddies.
Completely unhinged, it terrorizes the darkness (and later the daylight). I adored how proactive and voracious it was- werewolf, skinwalker, or something else. Until we get to this point of the story about a quarter of a way in, we're thrown into the horrors of prison life with a sadistic guard in Stoney and an even more sadistic prisoner, Ray Willis. The main lead Edgar and his family throw in some much-needed "calmness" when allowed.
The only minor complaint I have is not describing characters. There are so many of them it can be difficult to get a face to the name. These people's lives make up for that as the story goes on, but until their characters are fully developed, I wasn't envisioning anything more than blank faces. Stoney's evil with the woman towards the end did feel a little tacked on- even with Chekov's chair, and it went on longer than the monster's scenes.
Otherwise, I can't find a reason NOT to give, "The Hen House" five pulverized rib cages because I haven't been this exhilarated (and traumatized) in a long time. The ending absolutely makes up for the carnage beforehand though. Talk about catharsis. I was cheering for the heroes- and we need more genuine gang-ups on baddies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2022
Found an absolute gem in Amazon Kindle. This popped up and I have to admit the incredibly bad cover art made me almost not give this a try - and I am SO happy I did.
This is one of the best horror novels I’ve read in a long, long while, and don’t get how this guy has not gotten more attention.
It takes place during the 1950’s at a maximum security prison, and from the first chapter on (describing an inmate’s last minutes before being executed via electric chair!), it’s gripping. The characters are fully developed and rounded, the historical accuracy is on point, and the terror (both from the monster and the human monsters) is just WOW.
The whole book reminds me of back when King was at his peak, with an unholy mashup of the plot of Shawshank Redemption and Silver Bullet.
Somebody has to get this guy a real publisher!
This is one of the best horror novels I’ve read in a long, long while, and don’t get how this guy has not gotten more attention.
It takes place during the 1950’s at a maximum security prison, and from the first chapter on (describing an inmate’s last minutes before being executed via electric chair!), it’s gripping. The characters are fully developed and rounded, the historical accuracy is on point, and the terror (both from the monster and the human monsters) is just WOW.
The whole book reminds me of back when King was at his peak, with an unholy mashup of the plot of Shawshank Redemption and Silver Bullet.
Somebody has to get this guy a real publisher!
May 10, 2022
The Hen House is an excellent werewolf horror novel. I thoroughly loved it. It was such a great and interesting story that is very well written.
Murphy wrote some great characters that you actually care about. The story if I had to say is a cross between The Shawshank Redemption and Silver Bullet. The story was full of incredible werewolf action, but interestingly enough, the word "werewolf" is not mentioned a single time in the story.
For fans of werewolf stories, you can't go wrong with this one.
Murphy wrote some great characters that you actually care about. The story if I had to say is a cross between The Shawshank Redemption and Silver Bullet. The story was full of incredible werewolf action, but interestingly enough, the word "werewolf" is not mentioned a single time in the story.
For fans of werewolf stories, you can't go wrong with this one.
September 17, 2025
Very unique and enjoyable take on a werewolf story. Had some great scares and the characters were fun and varied. The best scene in my opinion was which was SO tense and creepy, I was properly spooked after!
I would have given it 5 stars but I found the ending very disappointing after an otherwise great read so it lost a star for that. It never reveals who the monster is or WHY it's terrorizing this specific prison, and I really wanted at least somewhat of an answer or a twist or something. It just kind of... ended.
Other than that, great book.
I would have given it 5 stars but I found the ending very disappointing after an otherwise great read so it lost a star for that. It never reveals who the monster is or WHY it's terrorizing this specific prison, and I really wanted at least somewhat of an answer or a twist or something. It just kind of... ended.
Other than that, great book.
March 21, 2022
Not bad
Overall a very satisfying read. A few grammatical errors brings you out out the book a few times, but nothing too bad. Character development is pretty good, especially in certain characters that you are begging to see get mauled. I would have liked more information and backstory on the werewolf and his human counterpart.
Overall a very satisfying read. A few grammatical errors brings you out out the book a few times, but nothing too bad. Character development is pretty good, especially in certain characters that you are begging to see get mauled. I would have liked more information and backstory on the werewolf and his human counterpart.
April 16, 2022
A caveat to my rating
This was a really good book. So why only 2 stars? Normally I stop reading a story and give it 1 star when a dog is killed. There's just no point to add that into a book....none! And there is multiple dogs killed in this one. But it was such a compelling read, I had to finish it. But I doubt I'll read another book by Lee.
This was a really good book. So why only 2 stars? Normally I stop reading a story and give it 1 star when a dog is killed. There's just no point to add that into a book....none! And there is multiple dogs killed in this one. But it was such a compelling read, I had to finish it. But I doubt I'll read another book by Lee.
April 16, 2022
Heck of an exciting read!
I am not a great reviewer. All I can say is this is a exciting read. There is not a dull page. If this is your genre read this one. If you just looking for a different story, try this one out you won't be disappointed.
I am not a great reviewer. All I can say is this is a exciting read. There is not a dull page. If this is your genre read this one. If you just looking for a different story, try this one out you won't be disappointed.
May 22, 2022
I liked the premise, liked the writing and the setting. My two concerns: too many characters, hard to keep straight and it just stopped. No explanation for the two monsters. Perhaps there is a sequel.
June 22, 2022
Good story from beginning to end
This book isn't the typical Werewolf story. This creature isn't your everyday Werewolf. Don't wait until the moon is full to lock your doors, that would be your deadliest mistake.
This book isn't the typical Werewolf story. This creature isn't your everyday Werewolf. Don't wait until the moon is full to lock your doors, that would be your deadliest mistake.
July 2, 2022
Pretty good page-turner.
This was a unique story. Kept my interest and kept me turning those pages. A few unanswered questions but other than that it was a decent idea for a book and a fun read.
This was a unique story. Kept my interest and kept me turning those pages. A few unanswered questions but other than that it was a decent idea for a book and a fun read.
October 21, 2022
A Really Well Written Werewolf Horror
This book should get more attention than it has. It’s very well written and held my attention for days. I’ll be checking out more of this authors work as he publishes more!
This is perfect autumn read. It’s truly unsettling and very gory.
This book should get more attention than it has. It’s very well written and held my attention for days. I’ll be checking out more of this authors work as he publishes more!
This is perfect autumn read. It’s truly unsettling and very gory.
December 25, 2022
Great read
This was a great werewolf book! Straight horror without any romance or a tortured soul looking for release from their, “curse”. Just straight up evil killing machine versus the good guys.
This was a great werewolf book! Straight horror without any romance or a tortured soul looking for release from their, “curse”. Just straight up evil killing machine versus the good guys.
February 28, 2023
Truly a I can't put it down novel
PRISONS ARE TO KEEP PRISONERS IN ,NOW SOMETHING IS GETTING IN AND KILLING PRISONERS AND GUARDS . ITS PURE EVIL, LOVES EATING HUMANS. BEAR ,WOLF, LARGE DOG OR WEREWOLF OR SOME PREHISTORIC ANIMAL THAT BULLETS WILL NOT STOP 🌹
PRISONS ARE TO KEEP PRISONERS IN ,NOW SOMETHING IS GETTING IN AND KILLING PRISONERS AND GUARDS . ITS PURE EVIL, LOVES EATING HUMANS. BEAR ,WOLF, LARGE DOG OR WEREWOLF OR SOME PREHISTORIC ANIMAL THAT BULLETS WILL NOT STOP 🌹
December 20, 2025
What an interesting read. Great pacing. I wish there was a bit more description, especially with the fort, and I would have liked to know who the monster was in the end. And also why was he in the prison? There was no backstory and that was a bummer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2022
It's hard to put down
Not a bad little yarn. Certainly well written. I enjoyed it. Ending was a little off and a lot was left unresolved. Otherwise good.
Not a bad little yarn. Certainly well written. I enjoyed it. Ending was a little off and a lot was left unresolved. Otherwise good.
May 12, 2022
Interesting book
It was a good read with lots of
excitment. I didn't want to put it down once I began teading
It was a good read with lots of
excitment. I didn't want to put it down once I began teading
June 6, 2022
Edge of your seat book!!
The book was amazing, I could not put it down!
Am hoping there will be a part 2.
Well done!
The book was amazing, I could not put it down!
Am hoping there will be a part 2.
Well done!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews