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Chigger Lives Here
Chigger is the bad one. And it’s time for him to take his medicine.
Our narrator awakens in Smithfield Mental Health Care Facility after a failed suicide attempt has left him with nearly total memory loss. Under the care of staff psychiatrist Dr. Lorey, the narrator adopts the alias ‘Sam’ and begins regular therapy sessions in the hope of recovering his true identity. Sam soon discovers that he does have some recall, but only from the violent and traumatic childhood he endured with his unruly sibling, remembered only by the nickname ‘Chigger’.
The more Sam remembers about his troubled childhood, the stranger things become at Smithfield. Sam begins to question his own sanity when he finds himself haunted by a malevolent adult version of Chigger. With the help of a fellow patient named Kristy, Sam begins to uncover the truth behind Smithfield and why it seems Chigger is intent on tormenting him from beyond the grave.
Our narrator awakens in Smithfield Mental Health Care Facility after a failed suicide attempt has left him with nearly total memory loss. Under the care of staff psychiatrist Dr. Lorey, the narrator adopts the alias ‘Sam’ and begins regular therapy sessions in the hope of recovering his true identity. Sam soon discovers that he does have some recall, but only from the violent and traumatic childhood he endured with his unruly sibling, remembered only by the nickname ‘Chigger’.
The more Sam remembers about his troubled childhood, the stranger things become at Smithfield. Sam begins to question his own sanity when he finds himself haunted by a malevolent adult version of Chigger. With the help of a fellow patient named Kristy, Sam begins to uncover the truth behind Smithfield and why it seems Chigger is intent on tormenting him from beyond the grave.
378 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
4 people are currently reading
949 people want to read
About the author
Michael Handy
2 books21 followersMichael Handy was born and raised on Cape Cod, MA. He has worked as a fine artist, a musician, a graphic designer, a digital artist and a writer. He also once ate ice cream with a fork. Mike is married to his high school sweetheart and they reside in central Massachusetts with their child and family dog. The Dread Room is Mike’s second novel, following the unparalleled worldwide smash success of his debut novel, Chigger Lives Here, self-published in 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 7, 2022
We start off on a maddening journey of self discovery and mystery narrated by “Sam”. At times very visceral, I was immersed in the story and what our narrator was experiencing.
Michael shows off his poetic script, and you can see the talent on each page. However this does, at times, take away from the intensity of the story. The reader can become bogged down by descriptions and prose and lose the momentum of the actual plot.
Despite finding out about this book in a “Horror” group, there is so much more going on in this story, and even a love subplot. This book will appeal to many, as it felt like a mystery, psychological thriller, and had some romance thrown in as well!
Michael shows off his poetic script, and you can see the talent on each page. However this does, at times, take away from the intensity of the story. The reader can become bogged down by descriptions and prose and lose the momentum of the actual plot.
Despite finding out about this book in a “Horror” group, there is so much more going on in this story, and even a love subplot. This book will appeal to many, as it felt like a mystery, psychological thriller, and had some romance thrown in as well!
January 19, 2023
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a funny thriller/mystery/horror book. It focuses on a patient who tried to commit suicide in a mental institute. It's very intriguing and keeps you guessing on what happens next, why something else happened and what everything means. Definitely worth the read!!
This was a funny thriller/mystery/horror book. It focuses on a patient who tried to commit suicide in a mental institute. It's very intriguing and keeps you guessing on what happens next, why something else happened and what everything means. Definitely worth the read!!
November 22, 2022
As a piece of standalone art, this book is splendid because it made me feel something and was extremely effective in making my mind alter my bodily reactions.
The author’s ability to restrain himself from giving too many clues about the conclusion early on is so incredibly impressive and well-advanced beyond that of a first time author.
I can’t believe how carefully he unveiled each small glimpse of what was to come with such tact and delicate precision.
I was hooked early on with his ability to describe the atmosphere in a way that didn’t feel forced or sloppy. I could see the different areas of the asylum in my head, and I had a vivid image in my mind of exactly how the characters looked. Furthermore, the characters were so well-developed, it never felt like their personalities came from the same mind.
One of the most impressive things about the story was the way in which the author made us, as readers, really care about the main characters. I don’t know if a female reader would find the budding relationship in the book as relatable as I did, but I found myself constantly concerned for the feelings of the primary female character.
The way Handy intertwined a story of abuse, sadness, redemption, triumph, and true love in one tight little package was astounding. There were familiar notes of The Butterfly Effect and Adam Green’s Spiral, and that’s not a bad thing considering they’re both feature-length films. The author has a refined, genuine talent and has now made a fan of me. I hope there’s more to come and I’m 100% here for it.
The author’s ability to restrain himself from giving too many clues about the conclusion early on is so incredibly impressive and well-advanced beyond that of a first time author.
I can’t believe how carefully he unveiled each small glimpse of what was to come with such tact and delicate precision.
I was hooked early on with his ability to describe the atmosphere in a way that didn’t feel forced or sloppy. I could see the different areas of the asylum in my head, and I had a vivid image in my mind of exactly how the characters looked. Furthermore, the characters were so well-developed, it never felt like their personalities came from the same mind.
One of the most impressive things about the story was the way in which the author made us, as readers, really care about the main characters. I don’t know if a female reader would find the budding relationship in the book as relatable as I did, but I found myself constantly concerned for the feelings of the primary female character.
The way Handy intertwined a story of abuse, sadness, redemption, triumph, and true love in one tight little package was astounding. There were familiar notes of The Butterfly Effect and Adam Green’s Spiral, and that’s not a bad thing considering they’re both feature-length films. The author has a refined, genuine talent and has now made a fan of me. I hope there’s more to come and I’m 100% here for it.
January 11, 2023
Thank you for the free copy through a giveaway!
Great book! Loved the premise and the writing, for the most part.
I will say, I guessed that Sam was actually Chigger around 49% of the way through. Lorey mentioned Sam having stretch marks, as if he used to be bigger, and it clicked for me then.
I didn't see all of the twists coming, though, so that was a nice surprise, actually being surprised!
Would definitely read more from this author!
Great book! Loved the premise and the writing, for the most part.
I will say, I guessed that Sam was actually Chigger around 49% of the way through. Lorey mentioned Sam having stretch marks, as if he used to be bigger, and it clicked for me then.
I didn't see all of the twists coming, though, so that was a nice surprise, actually being surprised!
Would definitely read more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2023
Slow Burn
Slow and hard to read depictions of abuse; but the ending picks up like a freight train and I found myself glued
Slow and hard to read depictions of abuse; but the ending picks up like a freight train and I found myself glued
July 26, 2024
**Goodreads Giveaway
Very engaging, good characters, thought I knew what was going on and was somewhat right but was still kept on my toes til the end
Very engaging, good characters, thought I knew what was going on and was somewhat right but was still kept on my toes til the end
November 19, 2024
This book had me gripped the whole way through!!!! It had so many twists and turns and never let up until the end!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews