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The Knock-Knock Man
Who is The Knock-Knock Man? A ghost, a killer, or the figment of a frightened boy’s imagination?
It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.
Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…
Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…
It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.
Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…
Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…
- GenresHorror
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2022
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Russell Mardell
10 books43 followersRussell Mardell is a novelist, playwright, and producer based in the South West of England.
He is the author of the novels, Stone Bleeding, Bleeker Hill, Darkshines Seven and Cold Calling, and the short story collection, Silent Bombs Falling on Green Grass.
Having studied film production in London he has also worked on various short films and is an associate producer on the award-winning documentary, Rise: The Story of Augustines.
Russell is also one of the founders of The Salisbury Literary Festival
He is the author of the novels, Stone Bleeding, Bleeker Hill, Darkshines Seven and Cold Calling, and the short story collection, Silent Bombs Falling on Green Grass.
Having studied film production in London he has also worked on various short films and is an associate producer on the award-winning documentary, Rise: The Story of Augustines.
Russell is also one of the founders of The Salisbury Literary Festival
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 5, 2022
My review Is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
When I read the outline of this story I knew it was one I would love as I was hooked into the American Supernatural TV series. But with reading the outline of this story with a supernatural presence, mixed with a police investigation I decided it was best to read this book during the day, but now I have read this creepy chilling mystery I’m left wondering will I get nightmares?
Ernie Lipkiss and police officer Ali friendship started since their first evening call out together at Hanging Twitch. Her father DCI Davenport used to say nothing ever happened there.
I loved the mystery surrounding what really happened in Deveraux estate. A boy told Ali he had seen a ghost. Ernie of course wanted to know the truth. Ernie didn’t believe in ghosts. Something strange begins to happen to him, with his life flashing in front of him before he tragically died.
The saddest thing about Ernie’s death is that it was an open and shut case, on the theory he killed himself, as no one else was there.
Maggie who used to be a journalist is convinced Ernie was killed.
Ali is offered money to do Ernie’s night shift to prove to Maggie that there are no ghost, no ghouls and no bogeyman or knock knock man. PC Ali Davenport is determined to find out what happened to Ernie Lipkiss.
This is the best supernatural mixed with the police department that I have ever read.
All fans who watched the American Supernatural TV series will want to read The Knock–Knock Man !
When I read the outline of this story I knew it was one I would love as I was hooked into the American Supernatural TV series. But with reading the outline of this story with a supernatural presence, mixed with a police investigation I decided it was best to read this book during the day, but now I have read this creepy chilling mystery I’m left wondering will I get nightmares?
Ernie Lipkiss and police officer Ali friendship started since their first evening call out together at Hanging Twitch. Her father DCI Davenport used to say nothing ever happened there.
I loved the mystery surrounding what really happened in Deveraux estate. A boy told Ali he had seen a ghost. Ernie of course wanted to know the truth. Ernie didn’t believe in ghosts. Something strange begins to happen to him, with his life flashing in front of him before he tragically died.
The saddest thing about Ernie’s death is that it was an open and shut case, on the theory he killed himself, as no one else was there.
Maggie who used to be a journalist is convinced Ernie was killed.
Ali is offered money to do Ernie’s night shift to prove to Maggie that there are no ghost, no ghouls and no bogeyman or knock knock man. PC Ali Davenport is determined to find out what happened to Ernie Lipkiss.
This is the best supernatural mixed with the police department that I have ever read.
All fans who watched the American Supernatural TV series will want to read The Knock–Knock Man !
May 14, 2022
I’m the first to rate and review this book on GR. Always good…when the book is good. And this book was quite good.
An intriguing blend of a detective mystery and a supernatural tale with a distinctly British flavor and a credible backstory.
Fifteen months ago, Ali had a case that nearly ruined her. It nearly ruined her police career and left her scarred physically and psychologically. Now, her old best friend and former colleague, Ernie, was found dead from an apparent suicide.
Ernie’s wife doesn’t believe it. Neither does the teenage paranormal investigator who likes to sneak around on the spooky premises where Ernie used to work security.
Ali decides to find out the truth for herself. She gets Ernie’s old security job for a week and decides to see what she can see. Or with a title like that, hear what she can hear.
The tapping on the window, though, is best to ignore. So say all the locals. Out of respect for their macabre past.
But is it mere dark folklore or is there a killer roaming around? Leave it to Ali to find out.
And interesting premise executed quite nicely. The only detractor might possibly be the overall pacing, there was something ever so slightly slow about it. But overall, a perfectly decent read. Atmospheric and entertaining with well realized characters. Fans of dark genre fiction might enjoy this. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
An intriguing blend of a detective mystery and a supernatural tale with a distinctly British flavor and a credible backstory.
Fifteen months ago, Ali had a case that nearly ruined her. It nearly ruined her police career and left her scarred physically and psychologically. Now, her old best friend and former colleague, Ernie, was found dead from an apparent suicide.
Ernie’s wife doesn’t believe it. Neither does the teenage paranormal investigator who likes to sneak around on the spooky premises where Ernie used to work security.
Ali decides to find out the truth for herself. She gets Ernie’s old security job for a week and decides to see what she can see. Or with a title like that, hear what she can hear.
The tapping on the window, though, is best to ignore. So say all the locals. Out of respect for their macabre past.
But is it mere dark folklore or is there a killer roaming around? Leave it to Ali to find out.
And interesting premise executed quite nicely. The only detractor might possibly be the overall pacing, there was something ever so slightly slow about it. But overall, a perfectly decent read. Atmospheric and entertaining with well realized characters. Fans of dark genre fiction might enjoy this. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
May 23, 2022
If you hear him it may already be too late. A mix of detective and supernatural story. Fifteen months ago Ali had a case that almost destroyed her. That ended with five dead at an old mansion deep in the woods. Ali and her colleague Ernie are having trouble digesting what they both saw. They leave the force before they are pushed. Present day Ernie takes a job as night watchman at a dilapidated building that is due to be demolished and ends up taking his own life or was he murdered? Ali takes over his job and decides to investigate what caused his demise. This started off as a creepy read and soon descending into what the hell I am reading. I felt the author did not know how to end this book and literally through the kitchen sink at it. This is not The Whisper Man and not even a mediocre copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 5, 2024
Again another book with an amazing premise but poorly executed. This book had an identity crisis, it didn’t know whether it wanted to be a thriller or a horror and ultimately the disparity between those two elements jarred the whole narrative. Longwinded at times with confusing plot lines it was a strange read. With more careful editing I think it could have been better.
July 2, 2022
You can find this review and all my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After Ernie Lipkiss is found dead in the abandoned office building where he worked the security night shift, his old partner Ali Davenport is called in. While police are ruling Ernie's death a suicide, his partner believes that he was murdered. She implores Ali to take on the night shift and prove that he didn't jump to his death, he was pushed, and not just by anyone, by the Knock-Knock man. This revelation throws Ali back fifteen months prior to the devastating events that ended her career in law enforcement and labelled her as a pariah. She takes the case because she is still haunted by the presence of the Knock-Knock man and is determined to uncover the truth once and for all. She knows that she saw him at the Deveraux Estate the night that a young man lost his life, and she intends to prove that he exists, whether man, ghost or other. She befriends a young ghost hunter by the name of Will who has video evidence of someone being in the building...but is it the someone that Ali is so desperately searching for?
I've been on quite a horror kick this year, so when I saw this one pop up on Netgalley I had to request it. The cover drew me in and I feel like it gives an unsettling vibe, which is what I've been searching for. I will admit though, this one really fell short for me, and I'm not sure if it's because I expected something totally different, or if I just got the wrong idea after reading the blurb.
There was some definite creep elements that popped up in this book, and I did have a couple of instances reading this before sleep that I thought maybe I should have picked something else. The first night that Ali is working the night shift in the building, I had chills and goosebumps from certain scenes which I feel shows that Mardell definitely has the ability to write a creepy and atmospheric story. I think what made this book rate lower for me is that it came across mostly as a police procedural than a horror, and that's just not what I was after. It felt like there was a whole lot of setup happening in the beginning, which I get, but it just seemed to drag on for so long before anything really happened, and I honestly really struggled with it. The pacing just wasn't there and it was a bit of a slog for me to get through.
The story, for a portion, is told through alternating chapters of present day and fifteen months ago, so we get the full picture of what happened to put the Knock-Knock man on Ali's radar and everything that went down at the Deveraux Estate which ended her career and turned her into a hot mess. I was really interested in the happenings at the Deveraux Estate and I kind of wish that the book had have been written about that instead of the events after. There was some great scenes in the Deveraux house that gave major creep vibes and I was pretty invested in them as it really drove home the question of - who or what is the Knock-Knock man? I spent a lot of the book not knowing whether he was a regular person, or a supernatural being, which I liked. And there was some touches on the possibility of occult involvement and secret societies. I kind of wish the whole secret societies thing was touched on a bit more because these people are mentioned a handful of times and we get a brief rundown of their organisation, but they don't really play a part except for one thing (IYKNK) and I felt like it was a thread that should have been followed a bit more to add a bit more excitement and mystery to the story. The legend of the Knock-Knock man was really well thought out and definitely terrifying, I was always afraid (and still am) of looking out a darkened window to fine a face peering back in at me, so that was a winner. I just wanted it to be more than what it was and I found that I was pretty disappointed when everything was revealed, all the steam kind of went out of the sails for me at that point.
The characters well written well enough, I didn't overly like Ali though, I know she was going through a lot and I love a flawed character but she had such a huge chip on her shoulder which just overshadowed everything else about her. I really enjoyed the character of Will and I'm sad that Ernie wasn't still around in the present part of the story because I really enjoyed him as well. The character of the Knock-Knock man was so well written, this really shows that Mardell has the great ability to write a truly unsettling, and scary antagonist which is no small feat. Being able to instill fear with a character that you only have glimpses of or are hearing about second hand is amazing, and I really applaud Mardell for that.
Overall, I feel like there were a lot of little details in the story that could have done with some more exploration and deeper diving to really round the story out a bit more. Small things like the repeated mention of the cat at the office building, I thought would lead to something or have more of a point, but it just sort of dead ended, the same with the church and the priest, which I found confusing as they were made significant in the story itself (to me anyway) yet lead nowhere and I still don't understand the point of placing so much significance on them. The same goes for the constant throwback to Ali's father and the beach house and the dress he bought her, it was just sort of there and didn't add anything to the story for me. I wanted more from the occult angle and the secret society and feel that they could have really added something extra to the story. It read more like a crime novel than a horror so it fell a bit short for me because that's not what I was looking for. All in all, it's not a bad story it just didn't live up to my expectations. If you don't mind a solid mystery that keeps you guessing and a spiky protagonist with a lot of unresolved issues, and some threads not being tied up or into anything, give it a crack.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After Ernie Lipkiss is found dead in the abandoned office building where he worked the security night shift, his old partner Ali Davenport is called in. While police are ruling Ernie's death a suicide, his partner believes that he was murdered. She implores Ali to take on the night shift and prove that he didn't jump to his death, he was pushed, and not just by anyone, by the Knock-Knock man. This revelation throws Ali back fifteen months prior to the devastating events that ended her career in law enforcement and labelled her as a pariah. She takes the case because she is still haunted by the presence of the Knock-Knock man and is determined to uncover the truth once and for all. She knows that she saw him at the Deveraux Estate the night that a young man lost his life, and she intends to prove that he exists, whether man, ghost or other. She befriends a young ghost hunter by the name of Will who has video evidence of someone being in the building...but is it the someone that Ali is so desperately searching for?
I've been on quite a horror kick this year, so when I saw this one pop up on Netgalley I had to request it. The cover drew me in and I feel like it gives an unsettling vibe, which is what I've been searching for. I will admit though, this one really fell short for me, and I'm not sure if it's because I expected something totally different, or if I just got the wrong idea after reading the blurb.
There was some definite creep elements that popped up in this book, and I did have a couple of instances reading this before sleep that I thought maybe I should have picked something else. The first night that Ali is working the night shift in the building, I had chills and goosebumps from certain scenes which I feel shows that Mardell definitely has the ability to write a creepy and atmospheric story. I think what made this book rate lower for me is that it came across mostly as a police procedural than a horror, and that's just not what I was after. It felt like there was a whole lot of setup happening in the beginning, which I get, but it just seemed to drag on for so long before anything really happened, and I honestly really struggled with it. The pacing just wasn't there and it was a bit of a slog for me to get through.
The story, for a portion, is told through alternating chapters of present day and fifteen months ago, so we get the full picture of what happened to put the Knock-Knock man on Ali's radar and everything that went down at the Deveraux Estate which ended her career and turned her into a hot mess. I was really interested in the happenings at the Deveraux Estate and I kind of wish that the book had have been written about that instead of the events after. There was some great scenes in the Deveraux house that gave major creep vibes and I was pretty invested in them as it really drove home the question of - who or what is the Knock-Knock man? I spent a lot of the book not knowing whether he was a regular person, or a supernatural being, which I liked. And there was some touches on the possibility of occult involvement and secret societies. I kind of wish the whole secret societies thing was touched on a bit more because these people are mentioned a handful of times and we get a brief rundown of their organisation, but they don't really play a part except for one thing (IYKNK) and I felt like it was a thread that should have been followed a bit more to add a bit more excitement and mystery to the story. The legend of the Knock-Knock man was really well thought out and definitely terrifying, I was always afraid (and still am) of looking out a darkened window to fine a face peering back in at me, so that was a winner. I just wanted it to be more than what it was and I found that I was pretty disappointed when everything was revealed, all the steam kind of went out of the sails for me at that point.
The characters well written well enough, I didn't overly like Ali though, I know she was going through a lot and I love a flawed character but she had such a huge chip on her shoulder which just overshadowed everything else about her. I really enjoyed the character of Will and I'm sad that Ernie wasn't still around in the present part of the story because I really enjoyed him as well. The character of the Knock-Knock man was so well written, this really shows that Mardell has the great ability to write a truly unsettling, and scary antagonist which is no small feat. Being able to instill fear with a character that you only have glimpses of or are hearing about second hand is amazing, and I really applaud Mardell for that.
Overall, I feel like there were a lot of little details in the story that could have done with some more exploration and deeper diving to really round the story out a bit more. Small things like the repeated mention of the cat at the office building, I thought would lead to something or have more of a point, but it just sort of dead ended, the same with the church and the priest, which I found confusing as they were made significant in the story itself (to me anyway) yet lead nowhere and I still don't understand the point of placing so much significance on them. The same goes for the constant throwback to Ali's father and the beach house and the dress he bought her, it was just sort of there and didn't add anything to the story for me. I wanted more from the occult angle and the secret society and feel that they could have really added something extra to the story. It read more like a crime novel than a horror so it fell a bit short for me because that's not what I was looking for. All in all, it's not a bad story it just didn't live up to my expectations. If you don't mind a solid mystery that keeps you guessing and a spiky protagonist with a lot of unresolved issues, and some threads not being tied up or into anything, give it a crack.
May 27, 2022
If you like your detective fiction dark, then this is the book for you! Ghosts, mysterious histories, odd characters, secrets, flashbacks and a helping of violent conflict all add up to a great story, full of twists and turns.
Russell Mardell’s trademark otherworldly storyline is here transported into a more conventional context, but that probably makes it even more scary and closer to home.
Russell Mardell’s trademark otherworldly storyline is here transported into a more conventional context, but that probably makes it even more scary and closer to home.
February 19, 2023
I was disappointed. I thought the premise had great potential, but the titled “Knock Knock Man” barely makes an appearance. The book seems to waiver back and forth as to whether the events are supernatural or not without ever committing to one or the other. The main protagonist isn’t very likeable, which in itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it made it hard to invest much in whatever happens to her.
June 13, 2022
If you're a police officer, and you say that you've seen a ghost then things probably aren't going to go well for you. In fact, that's what happened to Ali Davenport. She's living a less than satisfying life when she's dragged back into the past by the death of her friend, Ernie. Ernie also left the force after admitting to having seen a "ghost" and he was working security in a dingy, creepy building one night... and seemingly committed suicide.
The problem is that Ernie's wife doesn't believe he would kill himself, and Ali isn't so sure either. She becomes involved, yet again, when she agrees to finish the job Ernie was working in order to see for herself what may have happened. From the moment she finds out how her partner killed himself - she's convinced it isn't true. After all, people who are afraid of heights don't throw themselves off great heights. It doesn't make sense, and she is drawn back in.
This story is a perfectly balanced mixture of the supernatural and reality. There's a gritty feeling to the world that Ali is moving through. As she has struggled to deal with her past, she's let things go a bit. Her life is degrading slowly around her. It's all a reflection of the battle she's trying to suppress... what happened to her? What did she see?
I don't want to give away the plot of this book, as part of the joy is the long and winding road to figuring out the "mystery". But there are some things about this book that really stand out. Ali is a great character; her thoughts are dark, her life a bit of a slog, but she's determined to face whatever she needs to to figure out what happened to her friend. Once amateur investigator, Will arrives on the scene, the interplay between the two characters contributes to the reader's understanding of the hurdles Ali has to face. I liked the way the author played these two characters off against one another - they each help to point out characteristics of the other.
There's a fair amount of dialogue in this book, and the plot unwinds slowly. I didn't mind that, because the writing was enjoyable and there were enough pieces of the puzzle revealed along the way that I felt as though I was part of the investigation. I'll also willingly admit that I didn't see the ending coming, and that's always great when I'm reading a mystery.
This is a very well-written, perfect mix of genres that will leave you fighting the urge to glance over your shoulder when you head down the hallway in the dark. Great summer read for lovers of the supernatural and mystery alike!
The problem is that Ernie's wife doesn't believe he would kill himself, and Ali isn't so sure either. She becomes involved, yet again, when she agrees to finish the job Ernie was working in order to see for herself what may have happened. From the moment she finds out how her partner killed himself - she's convinced it isn't true. After all, people who are afraid of heights don't throw themselves off great heights. It doesn't make sense, and she is drawn back in.
This story is a perfectly balanced mixture of the supernatural and reality. There's a gritty feeling to the world that Ali is moving through. As she has struggled to deal with her past, she's let things go a bit. Her life is degrading slowly around her. It's all a reflection of the battle she's trying to suppress... what happened to her? What did she see?
I don't want to give away the plot of this book, as part of the joy is the long and winding road to figuring out the "mystery". But there are some things about this book that really stand out. Ali is a great character; her thoughts are dark, her life a bit of a slog, but she's determined to face whatever she needs to to figure out what happened to her friend. Once amateur investigator, Will arrives on the scene, the interplay between the two characters contributes to the reader's understanding of the hurdles Ali has to face. I liked the way the author played these two characters off against one another - they each help to point out characteristics of the other.
There's a fair amount of dialogue in this book, and the plot unwinds slowly. I didn't mind that, because the writing was enjoyable and there were enough pieces of the puzzle revealed along the way that I felt as though I was part of the investigation. I'll also willingly admit that I didn't see the ending coming, and that's always great when I'm reading a mystery.
This is a very well-written, perfect mix of genres that will leave you fighting the urge to glance over your shoulder when you head down the hallway in the dark. Great summer read for lovers of the supernatural and mystery alike!
May 17, 2022
This book is creepy. It's uncanny. It's one of those stories that makes you question if things are real or imagined, if the monsters are supernatural or all too human.
Police officer Ali Davenport gets more than she bargained for on what should be a routine call. Driving down a dark country road by herself, she discovers a teenage boy stumbling catatonically in the opposite direction right about the same time she hears gunshots and her partner calling for help over the radio. Further down the road, she'll find herself deep in a house of horrors.
The bizarre events of that night will throw Ali's life into a tailspin, and the hovering specter of a mysterious man/ghost with a face like the moon will haunt her dreams. The young boy she picked up along the road mumbled about him, told Ali that the ghost knocks twice on the window, and don't ever look to see who is there or he'll worm his way inside your mind and your life will never be the same.
Now Ali has that moon-faced man in her head, and she can't get him out.
Fifteen months later, Ali's partner, Ernie, since retired, ends up dead under suspicious circumstances. It is Ali's job to pull herself out of her isolating depression and pick up where Ernie left off, investigating the reports and the legends of the Knock-Knock Man. She'll work and butt heads with ghost hunters, detectives, and shifty cabbies and come up against tales of secret societies, family curses, and those who have sold their souls to the devil himself.
The book moves along steadily, giving out just enough line to keep you reeling in little by little. Is the Knock-Knock Man a man? A ghost? A soulless ghoul? Are the legends of devil worship in the woods true or just small-town rumors? Did Ernie actually commit suicide, or did someone--or something--kill him? Is Ali herself in danger? Are the feelings of being watched just in her head, or is something really out there?
I found this book immensely enjoyable. I was drawn into the mystery and the legends, and I had no idea until right at the very end just where this story was going to end up. The usual tropes? Yes, but used in a unique enough way that the book felt like something new and intriguing.
Police officer Ali Davenport gets more than she bargained for on what should be a routine call. Driving down a dark country road by herself, she discovers a teenage boy stumbling catatonically in the opposite direction right about the same time she hears gunshots and her partner calling for help over the radio. Further down the road, she'll find herself deep in a house of horrors.
The bizarre events of that night will throw Ali's life into a tailspin, and the hovering specter of a mysterious man/ghost with a face like the moon will haunt her dreams. The young boy she picked up along the road mumbled about him, told Ali that the ghost knocks twice on the window, and don't ever look to see who is there or he'll worm his way inside your mind and your life will never be the same.
Now Ali has that moon-faced man in her head, and she can't get him out.
Fifteen months later, Ali's partner, Ernie, since retired, ends up dead under suspicious circumstances. It is Ali's job to pull herself out of her isolating depression and pick up where Ernie left off, investigating the reports and the legends of the Knock-Knock Man. She'll work and butt heads with ghost hunters, detectives, and shifty cabbies and come up against tales of secret societies, family curses, and those who have sold their souls to the devil himself.
The book moves along steadily, giving out just enough line to keep you reeling in little by little. Is the Knock-Knock Man a man? A ghost? A soulless ghoul? Are the legends of devil worship in the woods true or just small-town rumors? Did Ernie actually commit suicide, or did someone--or something--kill him? Is Ali herself in danger? Are the feelings of being watched just in her head, or is something really out there?
I found this book immensely enjoyable. I was drawn into the mystery and the legends, and I had no idea until right at the very end just where this story was going to end up. The usual tropes? Yes, but used in a unique enough way that the book felt like something new and intriguing.
May 30, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Knock-Knock Man by Russell Mardell is an absolutely terrifying horror/thriller novel that will have you scared out of your mind. The story revolves around Ali, a disgraced police officer who is being called back to deal with the stories of The Knock Knock Man, a figure that appears when you hear two knocks. Is he a real monster or the figment of a kid's imagination? Will Ali be able to figure it out before the Knock Knock Man comes for her next?
Here is a chilling excerpt from the Prologue:
"He thought of two more things before he died. He thought of his dear friend, Ali, and his guilt at not telling her the truth of that night when he had the chance. More than anything, he wished he had done that. Not to give her closure, at least not anymore, but to give her a warning. Then, before darkness drew down, and Ernie finally let go, another thought came to him as soft as a whisper. It was the same thought he'd had every day for the last fifteen months.
I don't believe in ghosts.
It seemed a little stupid now."
Overall, The Knock-Knock Man is an unputdownable horror/thriller that will appeal to fans of The Chalk Man or the Unsub series. One highlight of this book is how scary it was. It was. There were moments when I was scared to keep reading but also scared to look away. The "Knock Knock Man" in particular is such a scary concept. I did take off 1 star, because the ending was sort of unsatisfying. I felt like the terror that was so major in the beginning of the book ended up fizzling out by the end. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
The Knock-Knock Man by Russell Mardell is an absolutely terrifying horror/thriller novel that will have you scared out of your mind. The story revolves around Ali, a disgraced police officer who is being called back to deal with the stories of The Knock Knock Man, a figure that appears when you hear two knocks. Is he a real monster or the figment of a kid's imagination? Will Ali be able to figure it out before the Knock Knock Man comes for her next?
Here is a chilling excerpt from the Prologue:
"He thought of two more things before he died. He thought of his dear friend, Ali, and his guilt at not telling her the truth of that night when he had the chance. More than anything, he wished he had done that. Not to give her closure, at least not anymore, but to give her a warning. Then, before darkness drew down, and Ernie finally let go, another thought came to him as soft as a whisper. It was the same thought he'd had every day for the last fifteen months.
I don't believe in ghosts.
It seemed a little stupid now."
Overall, The Knock-Knock Man is an unputdownable horror/thriller that will appeal to fans of The Chalk Man or the Unsub series. One highlight of this book is how scary it was. It was. There were moments when I was scared to keep reading but also scared to look away. The "Knock Knock Man" in particular is such a scary concept. I did take off 1 star, because the ending was sort of unsatisfying. I felt like the terror that was so major in the beginning of the book ended up fizzling out by the end. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
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June 15, 2022Who is The Knock-Knock Man? A ghost, a killer, or the figment of a frightened boy’s imagination?
It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.
Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…
Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…
This is a very gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.
Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…
Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…
This is a very gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
January 3, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and RedDoor Books as well as the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley redDoorBooks #RussellMardell #KnockKnockMan
The concept of the Knock Knock Man is incredibly cool, but the first half of this book was difficult to get through. Way too much procedural police stuff to wade through before we get to the good stuff, which, for me, is the ghost.
Ex-police officer, Ali, is traumatized by her partner and friend’s apparent suicide. It seemed like an open and shut case. However, Ernie’s girlfriend, Maggie, is convinced that he was killed by a supernatural presence, namely, The Knock Knock Man. Ali agrees to work his overnight shift as a security guard in order to prove that there is no Knock Knock Man. This is a great story that took too long to get going. I felt like this story could have been cut by ⅓ and been much more effective. The characters were wooden and unlikable. The ending was unsatisfying.
The scenes in the dark building were creepy and atmospheric, which tells me that this author knows how to write a good horror story. I have no complaints about the author’s talent. I love the Knock Knock Man as a character and an idea. I would have loved to have seen more of that and heard more ghost stories. I do have to give the author credit for a good, creepy entity. The amazing thing is that the Knock Knock Man is introduced largely through second person accounts and still manages to be foreboding. Well done there!
Overall, I have to say that, while this book is certainly not bad, I needed more horror and less procedure. I still have this Russell Mardell on my radar though. Maybe I’ll get my horror in the next one.
#NetGalley redDoorBooks #RussellMardell #KnockKnockMan
The concept of the Knock Knock Man is incredibly cool, but the first half of this book was difficult to get through. Way too much procedural police stuff to wade through before we get to the good stuff, which, for me, is the ghost.
Ex-police officer, Ali, is traumatized by her partner and friend’s apparent suicide. It seemed like an open and shut case. However, Ernie’s girlfriend, Maggie, is convinced that he was killed by a supernatural presence, namely, The Knock Knock Man. Ali agrees to work his overnight shift as a security guard in order to prove that there is no Knock Knock Man. This is a great story that took too long to get going. I felt like this story could have been cut by ⅓ and been much more effective. The characters were wooden and unlikable. The ending was unsatisfying.
The scenes in the dark building were creepy and atmospheric, which tells me that this author knows how to write a good horror story. I have no complaints about the author’s talent. I love the Knock Knock Man as a character and an idea. I would have loved to have seen more of that and heard more ghost stories. I do have to give the author credit for a good, creepy entity. The amazing thing is that the Knock Knock Man is introduced largely through second person accounts and still manages to be foreboding. Well done there!
Overall, I have to say that, while this book is certainly not bad, I needed more horror and less procedure. I still have this Russell Mardell on my radar though. Maybe I’ll get my horror in the next one.
June 19, 2022
The Knock-Knock Man✊✊🧟♂️
by @russellmardell
Ad|Gifted
@reddoorbooks
Who is The Knock-Knock Man? A ghost, a killer, or the figment of a frightened boy’s imagination?
It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.
Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…
Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…
My Thoughts💭
Atmospheric and creepy👀
Blending the supernatural with crime, the author kept me spinning until the end.
Brilliantly written, with engaging characters, that had be transfixed.
A thrilling rollercoaster ride!
by @russellmardell
Ad|Gifted
@reddoorbooks
Who is The Knock-Knock Man? A ghost, a killer, or the figment of a frightened boy’s imagination?
It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.
Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…
Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…
My Thoughts💭
Atmospheric and creepy👀
Blending the supernatural with crime, the author kept me spinning until the end.
Brilliantly written, with engaging characters, that had be transfixed.
A thrilling rollercoaster ride!
June 21, 2022
thank you @netgalley and @reddoorbooks for my advanced reader’s copy of this book!
Ali Davenport is a police officer who is forever haunted by one night that changed everything: the night she encountered the Knock-Knock Man. after working a horrifying case involving the death of a young boy alongside an older couple’s suicides, Ali and her colleague Ernie both swear that they spotted the Knock-Knock Man that night, a man that the young boy warned them about prior to his death.
while the case has continued to impact Ali’s mental state & professional credibility, she faces even more trauma after learning that Ernie was found dead at the building where he worked as nighttime security. though his death was ruled a suicide, Ali is more inclined to believe that this is all somehow related to the Knock-Knock Man. and she is not alone, as others suspect that the building has paranormal activity, and that the Knock-Knock Man may be the supernatural force himself.
Ali pledges to find answers on behalf of her friend Ernie after agreeing to take on his remaining overnight shifts. with the help of a young and curious ghost hunter named Will, she untangles a deep-rooted history about the Knock-Knock Man; though not without putting a huge target on all of their backs first.
i’m gonna be honest, this one didn’t do it for me at all. i thought it was incredibly slow and hard to follow along at times. it took me a long time to read because I just really wasn’t excited about finishing it. I didn’t find any of it scary or spooky, and the twists did nothing for me; in my opinion, they were far-fetched and didn’t resolve a lot of the plot. the title and cover had me stoked for a spooky thriller, but I was pretty disappointed despite my high hopes.
on a positive note, I have still seen some great reviews for it on Goodreads, so I encourage you to do more research on the book & check it out yourself if it sounds like something up your alley! published on May 19 and available to you now.
Ali Davenport is a police officer who is forever haunted by one night that changed everything: the night she encountered the Knock-Knock Man. after working a horrifying case involving the death of a young boy alongside an older couple’s suicides, Ali and her colleague Ernie both swear that they spotted the Knock-Knock Man that night, a man that the young boy warned them about prior to his death.
while the case has continued to impact Ali’s mental state & professional credibility, she faces even more trauma after learning that Ernie was found dead at the building where he worked as nighttime security. though his death was ruled a suicide, Ali is more inclined to believe that this is all somehow related to the Knock-Knock Man. and she is not alone, as others suspect that the building has paranormal activity, and that the Knock-Knock Man may be the supernatural force himself.
Ali pledges to find answers on behalf of her friend Ernie after agreeing to take on his remaining overnight shifts. with the help of a young and curious ghost hunter named Will, she untangles a deep-rooted history about the Knock-Knock Man; though not without putting a huge target on all of their backs first.
i’m gonna be honest, this one didn’t do it for me at all. i thought it was incredibly slow and hard to follow along at times. it took me a long time to read because I just really wasn’t excited about finishing it. I didn’t find any of it scary or spooky, and the twists did nothing for me; in my opinion, they were far-fetched and didn’t resolve a lot of the plot. the title and cover had me stoked for a spooky thriller, but I was pretty disappointed despite my high hopes.
on a positive note, I have still seen some great reviews for it on Goodreads, so I encourage you to do more research on the book & check it out yourself if it sounds like something up your alley! published on May 19 and available to you now.
July 10, 2022
Knock Knock…whatever you do, do not look over.
The blurb really caught my attention. This is a balance between a detective mystery and a supernatural presence which is always good fun to read.
Fifteen months ago, Ali worked on a case that destroyed her and changed her life. She discovered the Knock Knock man. She is now a disgraced police officer and she works hard to forget what happened that night. But the past she worked so hard to bury comes back to haunt her when her best friend and colleague, Ernie, committed suicide. No one seemed to believe he would jump off a building and so Ali decides to put aside her past and investigate what happened. Is the Knock Knock nan a mere folklore or is something sinister waiting for Ali?
I find the pacing a little slow but I thought the plot was interesting enough for me to read till the end. The plot started off quite creepy (It was giving me Boogeyman and Crooked man vibes) but some parts fell a little flat for me especially when Ali was investigating Ernie’s death. I enjoyed reading about Ali’s past and how the Knock Knock man came about.
I also love Ali’s character. Despite what happened to her, she is still determined to seek the truth and stood by what she witnessed. Although the ending was not what I expected, I was glad that it ended that way! Can’t give too much away otherwise I will spoil the whole plot.
Thank you Netgalley and Red Door Books for the arc.
The blurb really caught my attention. This is a balance between a detective mystery and a supernatural presence which is always good fun to read.
Fifteen months ago, Ali worked on a case that destroyed her and changed her life. She discovered the Knock Knock man. She is now a disgraced police officer and she works hard to forget what happened that night. But the past she worked so hard to bury comes back to haunt her when her best friend and colleague, Ernie, committed suicide. No one seemed to believe he would jump off a building and so Ali decides to put aside her past and investigate what happened. Is the Knock Knock nan a mere folklore or is something sinister waiting for Ali?
I find the pacing a little slow but I thought the plot was interesting enough for me to read till the end. The plot started off quite creepy (It was giving me Boogeyman and Crooked man vibes) but some parts fell a little flat for me especially when Ali was investigating Ernie’s death. I enjoyed reading about Ali’s past and how the Knock Knock man came about.
I also love Ali’s character. Despite what happened to her, she is still determined to seek the truth and stood by what she witnessed. Although the ending was not what I expected, I was glad that it ended that way! Can’t give too much away otherwise I will spoil the whole plot.
Thank you Netgalley and Red Door Books for the arc.
December 18, 2024
i’m a little burned out so it took me like three weeks to read this and the operative question the whole time was ‘is it me or the book that’s in the way of me finishing the book?’ i don’t have conclusive answers to that question. there’s some legitimately spooky stuff in this book but the fashionable split timeline stuff wasn’t a great look on this story. also: did he pick a lane? or did he just do prose overdubs to cloud the issue in the back half? i’ve said it before but it bears repeating: i have never written a novel. i feel gross giving novels tepid reviews. who elected me judge judy and executioner? but also i’ve read a ton of books this year and the comparison between the best and this one is largely unflattering, and i can’t help that. i love spooky english lore, which is a big plus for the knock knock man. i don’t love books that commit to being spooky hard in the first half and then check the swing. big minus. also the narrator was icky but not conclusively icky, so the pivots into ‘oh she’s doing violence now’ felt largely unearned and i don’t feel like i got to know any of these people or got an insight into understanding why they behaved this way? maybe i should have not reviewed it. it’s fine. there are people who this is for, i’m just pretty sure i’m not them.
May 20, 2022
This book turned out not to be what I expected— and I literally just finished it and haven’t digested it fully. I expected horror, and I did get that, but the book is mostly a police/investigative thriller with spook at its core. The author has an unusual way of writing, his sentences are long and detailed like Stephen King, yet heavy with prepositions and an inordinate amount of semi-colons. But main character Ali is delightfully naive and full of denial. The atmosphere of this book is dark and heart-racing. All that said, I’m not sure what really happened.
The book balances the present and fifteen months earlier and research into the deeper past. The sections about the recent past are rich and action driven, while what moves the plot forward in the present seems to be the villain explaining things.
Also, one of the main characters in the book was murdered and the protagonist, Ali, sets out to solve the murder (which she does). What I find amazing is how the author (Mardell) crafts this dead character as vibrantly as if he were still alive.
In the end, I would like to think it’s a book about dipping into your own darkness.
The book balances the present and fifteen months earlier and research into the deeper past. The sections about the recent past are rich and action driven, while what moves the plot forward in the present seems to be the villain explaining things.
Also, one of the main characters in the book was murdered and the protagonist, Ali, sets out to solve the murder (which she does). What I find amazing is how the author (Mardell) crafts this dead character as vibrantly as if he were still alive.
In the end, I would like to think it’s a book about dipping into your own darkness.
May 26, 2022
The Knock-Knock Man was well creepy. I mostly read it at night on the dark and I had to look over my shoulder a few times. The author has a knack of giving the reader chills and building up a blanket of mystery around the man and the myth. Personally, I found the book to be a good blend of a supernatural tale and a police drama.
As you can gather from the previous paragraph, it was definitely the supernatural element that grabbed me. However, as the story drew to a conclusion, I still found myself satisfied. The plot was wrapped up well and had a realistic ending. My only (minor) issue was that the pacing was a bit slow for the first half-to-three-quarters of the book. One other great thing about the ending was that I didn’t see it coming. There is nothing worse when reading a mystery as realising the ending halfway through.
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2022/05/2...
As you can gather from the previous paragraph, it was definitely the supernatural element that grabbed me. However, as the story drew to a conclusion, I still found myself satisfied. The plot was wrapped up well and had a realistic ending. My only (minor) issue was that the pacing was a bit slow for the first half-to-three-quarters of the book. One other great thing about the ending was that I didn’t see it coming. There is nothing worse when reading a mystery as realising the ending halfway through.
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2022/05/2...
June 13, 2022
2.5 out of 5, rounding down to 2.
It took me so long to finish The Knock Knock Man, and I mean SO long. I don't think I can count on one hand how many times I almost gave up on it.
Don't get me wrong – it's not a bad book by any means. The first few pages were good... but after that, I simply couldn't get into it. The pacing was way too slow for my liking, and it felt like nothing exciting was happening until around the 60% mark. It wasn't until the 65% mark that I started really enjoying it, though. It's a shame, really, since I had high hopes for this book.
Also, I was constantly lost, even during long reading sessions. I don't have a problem with books that jump from scene to scene, as long as the transitions are good... which they aren't in this book.
Plot-wise, it was alright, I guess. I didn't find this scary, not in the slightest, but I actually like the twist. The writing was also pretty decent. It's really just the pacing that ruined it for me.
It took me so long to finish The Knock Knock Man, and I mean SO long. I don't think I can count on one hand how many times I almost gave up on it.
Don't get me wrong – it's not a bad book by any means. The first few pages were good... but after that, I simply couldn't get into it. The pacing was way too slow for my liking, and it felt like nothing exciting was happening until around the 60% mark. It wasn't until the 65% mark that I started really enjoying it, though. It's a shame, really, since I had high hopes for this book.
Also, I was constantly lost, even during long reading sessions. I don't have a problem with books that jump from scene to scene, as long as the transitions are good... which they aren't in this book.
Plot-wise, it was alright, I guess. I didn't find this scary, not in the slightest, but I actually like the twist. The writing was also pretty decent. It's really just the pacing that ruined it for me.
June 23, 2022
The Knock-Knock Man by Russell Mardell is a very in-your-face story about a legend about a man or ghost showing up at a person's window and knocking twice and, if the person sees this man/ghost's face, they end up dead. But is it a ghost or a man? Former police officer Ali Davenport goes through so much just to find out what happened to her friend and former partner Ernie and if his death was really a suicide and to find out who and what this Knock-Knock Man is.
This book really had me from the beginning. It was so good, when I put it down, I always wanted to pick it up again and continue reading it. I always wanted to know what happened next. It is definitely worth the read. It's full of twists and turns and excitement. I would recommend it to all my fellow reader friends, for sure. I love this book. Thank you to Netgalley and RedDoor Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this.
This book really had me from the beginning. It was so good, when I put it down, I always wanted to pick it up again and continue reading it. I always wanted to know what happened next. It is definitely worth the read. It's full of twists and turns and excitement. I would recommend it to all my fellow reader friends, for sure. I love this book. Thank you to Netgalley and RedDoor Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this.
May 17, 2022
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Somewhat of a throwback to the old school boogeyman stories mixed with modern day police thriller. Two officers lives are forever changed after the horrific discovery at a wealthy man's house and the five bodies that resulted from their encounter. Ali Davenport and her partner Ernie both left the force after that case. But when Ernie dies while acting as a security guard at an abandoned building, Ali is persuaded to take his place. She soon discovers that the mysterious Knock-Knock Man who was at the center of her last case may have followed her home.
Overall, it was decently written and had a number of surprises throughout. For some reason every time I picked the book up to continue reading I had a hard time recollecting everything that happened previously, so that took me out of the story a bit. 3.5/5*
Somewhat of a throwback to the old school boogeyman stories mixed with modern day police thriller. Two officers lives are forever changed after the horrific discovery at a wealthy man's house and the five bodies that resulted from their encounter. Ali Davenport and her partner Ernie both left the force after that case. But when Ernie dies while acting as a security guard at an abandoned building, Ali is persuaded to take his place. She soon discovers that the mysterious Knock-Knock Man who was at the center of her last case may have followed her home.
Overall, it was decently written and had a number of surprises throughout. For some reason every time I picked the book up to continue reading I had a hard time recollecting everything that happened previously, so that took me out of the story a bit. 3.5/5*
June 6, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Ali is a British police officer who recently got off a case that affected her so deeply she had to leave the force. Called back to action after her partners death. She starts to investigate further the crime that ended her career. This book was a mix of supernatural and crime thriller. It was a pretty good book and parts of it were amazing. It was a bit slow to start and Some parts fell flat and left me wanting more. I gave this book a 3 because it was overall pretty good but I was hoping for more. I received a copy of this book as an ARC and am leaving a voluntary review. Thank you to #netgalley and the author for letting me review this book!
June 3, 2022
Ali left the police force in disgrace 15 months earlier following a bloodbath of a murder scene. When her former partner dies by supposed suicide, questions are raised about murder or involvement by the Knock-Knock man, described the night of the earlier incident by a teenage boy as a ghost or...something. It's unclear for most of the story if this is a supernatural thing or an actual person. This was good in that I was interested to keep reading and find out more, but I didn't end up liking the resolution of it all that much. 3 stars.
June 8, 2022
This is such atmospheric book! And creepy! Showing my age but I totally saw The Knock Knock Man as horror version of moonface 🙈 😂I loved that this fleets between different storylines and shows what happens when the past comes in to the present.
I loved Ali and Will’s friendship and how they solved what had happened, my favourite part was Ali and Walters phone conversation across the buildings, so freaky!
I really like the authors writing style, so plan on reading his previous books.
I loved Ali and Will’s friendship and how they solved what had happened, my favourite part was Ali and Walters phone conversation across the buildings, so freaky!
I really like the authors writing style, so plan on reading his previous books.
January 27, 2023
"Folk horror noir" sold me on this book, and that's pretty much what it is. It gives me big THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW vibes in a few places, with the is-it-supernatural-is-it-not held in tension throughout, and because I was invested in the story itself I found myself not minding if it turned out to be either way. I enjoyed the antiheroine protagonist, and the premise was creepy enough to hold my attention.
March 1, 2023
The knock-knock man by Russell Mardell.
Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried. Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night.
A good read. Good story and characters. 4*.
Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried. Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night.
A good read. Good story and characters. 4*.
May 25, 2022
This book is creepy!!! It's one of those stories that makes you question if things are real or not or if the monsters are supernatural or all too human. Read this really fast. I’d definitely say 3/5⭐️ Definitely a book I’ll be sharing about.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed it! I will be reading more of his books soon.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed it! I will be reading more of his books soon.
June 11, 2022
My Review - ⭐⭐⭐.5
Definitely a creepy read and not one to miss if you like a spooky read. I loved Ali & Will, thought they were really well written characters. I liked the mix of paranormal experiences mixed into a mystery/detective type story.
All in all a good read, not my fave of the year but a solid book.
Definitely a creepy read and not one to miss if you like a spooky read. I loved Ali & Will, thought they were really well written characters. I liked the mix of paranormal experiences mixed into a mystery/detective type story.
All in all a good read, not my fave of the year but a solid book.
June 13, 2022
This was a good thriller/paranormal/detective book. It is a bit to keep track of in the story because of how many little stories are playing out. It is about a mystery that kills people and the story follows our main character Ali as she deals with the demons of her past and faces her demons in the present. It is a good boogeyman type of story.
November 29, 2023
Near the beginning of the novel they describe the spooky bad guy's face as something along the lines of a smiling moon, which meant all I could imagine the whole way through was that bizarre moon emoji going around killing folk. But that is definitely a My Dumbass Brain problem not a book problem.
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