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Within The Fog #1
Within The Fog
Throughout history, around the world, there are many examples of the mass disappearance of people living in small towns. Easter Island in 1718, Hoer Verde, Brazil, in 1923, Lake Anjikuni, Nunavut, Canada in 1930, Roanoke Island, Virginia in 1587, all were found deplete of humanity. Meals remained rotting on dinner tables, pets wandered aimlessly, not a soul to be found. The same ancient evil that devastated these places has arrived in a small eastern Colorado town. A fog covers the small town and closes in on Tom Benton and his family. Susan Benton watches the day turn to night from the inside of a store. She is determined to get home to warn her husband and son of all the destruction she witnesses. The evil that lurks within the fog feeds on humanity but has special plans for those with anger deep inside. Bobby Benton has seen the face of evil outside his bedroom window in the darkest hours of the night. The man who appears at his window offers a veil of redemption to those holding onto anger and rage.Let me in…..As the fog wraps around the Benton family home there will only be a narrow chance at survival. The evil that has gathered outside seeks a way in, but young Bobby Benton knows the true risk may be the secrets each member of the family holds. The greatest danger may not be the violent, evil creatures who await them, but each other. Can Tom Benton and his family escape the issues of their past in time to save themselves from Croatoan?
- GenresHorror
200 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2020
132 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Charles Welch
100 books47 followersCharles Welch has been a home designer and builder, a middle school and high school teacher, education administrator, corporate learning and development professional and writer, previously publishing the spiritual book Walking Softly. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Teaching, a Master of Education in Learning and Technology, and an Educational Doctorate in eLearning.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 22, 2021
Where did all the people of Roanoke vanish? What about the mysterious name Coratoan scratched into a tree? Present time the reader finds himself in Wry, small town CO, USA. A strange fog appears (had to think about Stephen King's The Mist or John Carpenter's The Fog) and there seems to be an insidious evil force hidden within. What is it causing harm to all those in the way of the fog? This was an extremely intriguing and page turning horror story about an ancient evil striking again in modern times. The perspective from the "monster's side" is eerie and there are many uncanny moments to live through with the characters. Will the Benton family survive in the end? Good to see that the author continued his story (and it is a story not just some hack and slay) with a follow-up novel (Rage Within the Fog so the title). Definitely have to read that next installment. Highly recommended creepy tale!
October 28, 2020
There is something in the fog. Something ancient. Something nefarious. A fetid and rank gossamer enveloping...tangible...suffocating.
Predators lay within. Evil incarnate. Who will fall victim in a small town? Where are the malevolent voices coming from? Who speaks within the Fog?
A classic tale of horror. Atmospheric. Eerie. For fans of the supernatural Within the Fog will not disappoint. If one likes King, Barker, Herbert and Hutson then one should order a copy of Charle's book and get stuck into a real page turner.
There is something in the Fog...unseen
Something Nefarious and...unclean
An ancient evil, a Predator...from the past
A single minute in the Fog...could be one's last
😵...I will never go out when it is foggy...not now.
Predators lay within. Evil incarnate. Who will fall victim in a small town? Where are the malevolent voices coming from? Who speaks within the Fog?
A classic tale of horror. Atmospheric. Eerie. For fans of the supernatural Within the Fog will not disappoint. If one likes King, Barker, Herbert and Hutson then one should order a copy of Charle's book and get stuck into a real page turner.
There is something in the Fog...unseen
Something Nefarious and...unclean
An ancient evil, a Predator...from the past
A single minute in the Fog...could be one's last
😵...I will never go out when it is foggy...not now.
October 23, 2024
A different approach to vampires
This was a creepy story that had folk horror added to the mix. Stay out of the Fog and be careful not to become the undead.
This was a creepy story that had folk horror added to the mix. Stay out of the Fog and be careful not to become the undead.
October 30, 2020
I loved this book! Dr. Welch has brought horror back in a great way! What is scarier than fog you can’t see in. You just don’t know what’s in there and if you’ll survive it. I rooted for his characters and felt like I was captured in the fog with them. Awesome short read that will have you on the edge of your seat.
February 17, 2022
wow this was wonderful.. it was a tiny bit slow to start but thats because it was setting everything up.. as soon as we got past that it as amazing and terrifying and wonderful and horrifying and i loved it. i love a good horror story and this was for sure that and i cant wait to read more of this by this author and i really love this cover and want to own it in paperback haha.
November 6, 2020
So I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Honestly? I believe this story had so much potential. There were so many places where I could see the story really taking off, but the execution of it just….left something to be desired. That’s why I feel like giving this a two star instead of a three star. It was a decent idea, it just could have been executed differently, which could have made it a five star.
If I had just been reading this on my own, the first chapter might have turned me away from the book and it would be a DNF, because the writing was very choppy and very….simplistic? I’m not even sure if that’s the right word, but there were hardly any contractions or any punctuation other than the period. So that just makes the story sound very formal and stiff, there was no sense of urgency. Even when the action was going down and I knew the characters were trying to hurry and were scared, it was just…stiff.
The fact that the narrative is in third person while it’s in present tense instead of past tense, makes it difficult for me to delve deep into the story and to get lost in the story-telling. I was interested in the concept, I wanted to know what was going to happen because the idea is an interesting one, I believe, but the way the story was being told made it difficult to get lost in it.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there were some bits that gave me a spook. Honestly, if the whole book had been written like that, lord would it have been good, but even with those little spooks, I’m not looking over my shoulder to see if something or someone is behind me. I enjoyed the end of the book, the ending did give me a little spook and I kind of want to read on when the second book comes out, but I don’t know if I will.
Now, I don’t know how I feel about what was done with the Croatoan virus, it’s something that I haven’t seen before in anything and I’m…really not sure how I feel about it. Now, if the writing had been better, the idea of what was done with the virus would have been better and I don’t think I would have minded it as much as I do now.
I also wasn’t a big fan of the sudden switch between POV’s when, for a while there, the audience was with one family. All of a sudden, we’re learning about other people when there’s action going down, when we could have been learning about them earlier on, when it was slow.
All in all, it’s probably not something I’m going to read again, the only reason I would recommend this would be to tell people about what the author did with the Croatoan virus. There’s potential here, there’s massive potential here, but the execution and the writing needs some more fine tuning.
If I had just been reading this on my own, the first chapter might have turned me away from the book and it would be a DNF, because the writing was very choppy and very….simplistic? I’m not even sure if that’s the right word, but there were hardly any contractions or any punctuation other than the period. So that just makes the story sound very formal and stiff, there was no sense of urgency. Even when the action was going down and I knew the characters were trying to hurry and were scared, it was just…stiff.
The fact that the narrative is in third person while it’s in present tense instead of past tense, makes it difficult for me to delve deep into the story and to get lost in the story-telling. I was interested in the concept, I wanted to know what was going to happen because the idea is an interesting one, I believe, but the way the story was being told made it difficult to get lost in it.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there were some bits that gave me a spook. Honestly, if the whole book had been written like that, lord would it have been good, but even with those little spooks, I’m not looking over my shoulder to see if something or someone is behind me. I enjoyed the end of the book, the ending did give me a little spook and I kind of want to read on when the second book comes out, but I don’t know if I will.
Now, I don’t know how I feel about what was done with the Croatoan virus, it’s something that I haven’t seen before in anything and I’m…really not sure how I feel about it. Now, if the writing had been better, the idea of what was done with the virus would have been better and I don’t think I would have minded it as much as I do now.
I also wasn’t a big fan of the sudden switch between POV’s when, for a while there, the audience was with one family. All of a sudden, we’re learning about other people when there’s action going down, when we could have been learning about them earlier on, when it was slow.
All in all, it’s probably not something I’m going to read again, the only reason I would recommend this would be to tell people about what the author did with the Croatoan virus. There’s potential here, there’s massive potential here, but the execution and the writing needs some more fine tuning.
April 19, 2021
I'm a fan of horror and loved watching vampire movies as a youngster.
Within The Fog is an interesting story, which I found very entertaining and I can't wait to read the sequel, Rage Within The Fog.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Within The Fog is an interesting story, which I found very entertaining and I can't wait to read the sequel, Rage Within The Fog.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
December 3, 2020
In a small Colorado town a fog lays over the whole town. It's not the fog that is a problem, but the terror that hides in it. Tom, Susan and their son Bobby are trapped in their home as their neighbors are slaughtered. With little options and time quickly running out, they must fight an evil older than anyone can imagine.
'Within the Fog" is the first in a rumored trilogy and an excellent work of the best kind of horror. The author does a brilliant job of making the "fog" a palpable force that can be felt and feared as you read the story. I live in a small mountain town in Virginia, fog and low clouds are a daily occurrence, but now they take on a whole new meaning.
Mr Welch does a skillful job of taking historical mass disappearances and mixing them with an element of horror that will chill you to the bone. Creating a creepy atmosphere that adds greatly to the horror the fog is about to release.
The characters are all well written and distinct, making them unpredictable, no matter how well you think you know what is coming next. The villains are marvelous, blood thirsty and terrifying, wrecking havoc from start to finish, making the story a fast paced read.
Charles Welch excellently releases the fear, the suspense, the terror slowly, consistently so that you can literally feel it growing as you move forward through the story. The chapters (for me at least) are so well written I found myself saying "ok just one more chapter before bed" and not being able to stop turning pages.
I will mention that the ending of the story comes as a complete shock and I saw it with the full confidence that "you" will not see it coming.
This is a must have for any true fan of the horror genre, it's a must read for fans of fast paced action and if insomnia is your thing, you're going to love this one as well.
'Within the Fog" is the first in a rumored trilogy and an excellent work of the best kind of horror. The author does a brilliant job of making the "fog" a palpable force that can be felt and feared as you read the story. I live in a small mountain town in Virginia, fog and low clouds are a daily occurrence, but now they take on a whole new meaning.
Mr Welch does a skillful job of taking historical mass disappearances and mixing them with an element of horror that will chill you to the bone. Creating a creepy atmosphere that adds greatly to the horror the fog is about to release.
The characters are all well written and distinct, making them unpredictable, no matter how well you think you know what is coming next. The villains are marvelous, blood thirsty and terrifying, wrecking havoc from start to finish, making the story a fast paced read.
Charles Welch excellently releases the fear, the suspense, the terror slowly, consistently so that you can literally feel it growing as you move forward through the story. The chapters (for me at least) are so well written I found myself saying "ok just one more chapter before bed" and not being able to stop turning pages.
I will mention that the ending of the story comes as a complete shock and I saw it with the full confidence that "you" will not see it coming.
This is a must have for any true fan of the horror genre, it's a must read for fans of fast paced action and if insomnia is your thing, you're going to love this one as well.
October 29, 2020
Don't trust the voices in your head.
This book was gripping and eerie almost from the start. The author builds up an atmosphere so frightening, it leaves you both wanting to know what happens next, yet also dreading it.
The creatures of the fog are very cunning, with the ability to get into people's minds and play with their emotions. They are particularly fond of inciting fear and anger. Fear is like nectar to them, and anger like a challenge. Not a great deal is known about these creatures, as they only decimate small, remote towns.
They have been preying on people for several centuries.
The last family that they finally decimate have managed to outwit them thus far. Until the creatures find the weakest link.
The ending is somewhat surprising, yet not altogether unexpected.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and read it quite quickly, as I just had to know what happened next.
I thoroughly recommend this book to all who enjoy a good, suspenseful horror.
I look forward to reading book 2 in this series.
This book was gripping and eerie almost from the start. The author builds up an atmosphere so frightening, it leaves you both wanting to know what happens next, yet also dreading it.
The creatures of the fog are very cunning, with the ability to get into people's minds and play with their emotions. They are particularly fond of inciting fear and anger. Fear is like nectar to them, and anger like a challenge. Not a great deal is known about these creatures, as they only decimate small, remote towns.
They have been preying on people for several centuries.
The last family that they finally decimate have managed to outwit them thus far. Until the creatures find the weakest link.
The ending is somewhat surprising, yet not altogether unexpected.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and read it quite quickly, as I just had to know what happened next.
I thoroughly recommend this book to all who enjoy a good, suspenseful horror.
I look forward to reading book 2 in this series.
October 28, 2020
This was a promising horror story from a new author and it began with an actual 16th century historical mystery. A thriving and prosperous New World settlement is found abandoned. Its inhabitants appear to have suddenly deserted the village, leaving no explanation for later settlers. Our story, however, puts forward a supernatural theory.
The story then moved on into 21st. century America and a small town besieged by vampires, during one night of absolute terror.
Unfortunately, many of the main characters were, in my opinion, one dimensional and I felt that this detracted from an otherwise good story. In particular, we were informed that the chief vampire was formerly human but, what was his story and what had he being doing for the past few centuries?
This was a quick read and possibly deserves a, more in depth, sequel.
The story then moved on into 21st. century America and a small town besieged by vampires, during one night of absolute terror.
Unfortunately, many of the main characters were, in my opinion, one dimensional and I felt that this detracted from an otherwise good story. In particular, we were informed that the chief vampire was formerly human but, what was his story and what had he being doing for the past few centuries?
This was a quick read and possibly deserves a, more in depth, sequel.
February 11, 2022
This book sucks the reader right in and does not let go until the last page. It's not your average vampire story.
Great characters with an awesomely creepy, rural setting, and a couple of surprising twists. I read this is one go because I simply couldn't put it down.
Could it use a bit of polish? Yes. Does it detract from the story? Not particularly. I had more of a struggle with the present tense rather than past tense writing because I'm not used to reading present tense stories. I'm guessing the intent was to put the reader directly into the story, and it definitely does that. Overall, I recommend this book!
Great characters with an awesomely creepy, rural setting, and a couple of surprising twists. I read this is one go because I simply couldn't put it down.
Could it use a bit of polish? Yes. Does it detract from the story? Not particularly. I had more of a struggle with the present tense rather than past tense writing because I'm not used to reading present tense stories. I'm guessing the intent was to put the reader directly into the story, and it definitely does that. Overall, I recommend this book!
March 23, 2022
wow is what I’m thinking….
This is my first book I’ve read from this author and I really didn’t know what to expect. While this book was liven to me to provide an honest review I have been scared to read it, honestly… So here is my review WOW! WOW! WOW! My honest opinion is I loved it…. I didn’t think I would enjoy it so much but I did and I read it in one sitting! I have to admit I will def be reading more from this author! If you are looking for a talented author who know how to keep you interested no matter what look no further. It has just enough suspense to keep you guessing!
This is my first book I’ve read from this author and I really didn’t know what to expect. While this book was liven to me to provide an honest review I have been scared to read it, honestly… So here is my review WOW! WOW! WOW! My honest opinion is I loved it…. I didn’t think I would enjoy it so much but I did and I read it in one sitting! I have to admit I will def be reading more from this author! If you are looking for a talented author who know how to keep you interested no matter what look no further. It has just enough suspense to keep you guessing!
February 7, 2025
The story is a twist on the old legend of Roanoke, throwing a family in a Colorado town into a foggy nightmare. This supernatural tale creates gruesome scenes and instills terror in the family.
Although there were errors, the writing style is well-suited to the plot. The characters were reasonably well described and served as good foils for each other. I appreciated the concept and found it to be creepily effective.
Overall, it’s fantastic horror story that keeps you on edge your seat. The suspense is, the are well-developed, and the plot twists are unexpected and chilling.’s a thrilling read from start to finish, with the right amount of fright to keep you hooked.
Although there were errors, the writing style is well-suited to the plot. The characters were reasonably well described and served as good foils for each other. I appreciated the concept and found it to be creepily effective.
Overall, it’s fantastic horror story that keeps you on edge your seat. The suspense is, the are well-developed, and the plot twists are unexpected and chilling.’s a thrilling read from start to finish, with the right amount of fright to keep you hooked.
January 28, 2022
I was given a copy of this book and it was certainly a chilling tale.
The story was a modern twist on the old story of Roanoke, plunging a family in a Colorado town into the fog. It's a supernatural tale that paints gruesome pictures and terror for the family.
Its writing style suits the plot, though there were grammatical errors. The characters were reasonably well described and a good foil for each other. I liked the idea and thought the storytelling was creepily done.
Overall, a good horror story.
This is part one.
The story was a modern twist on the old story of Roanoke, plunging a family in a Colorado town into the fog. It's a supernatural tale that paints gruesome pictures and terror for the family.
Its writing style suits the plot, though there were grammatical errors. The characters were reasonably well described and a good foil for each other. I liked the idea and thought the storytelling was creepily done.
Overall, a good horror story.
This is part one.
March 23, 2022
Loved the way the vampires were portrayed as vicious and deadly thats the way i like my vampires. The way the book just abruptly ended stopped this from getting 4 stars and some of the dialogue between the characters just didn’t seem natural. I am referring to when Croatoan is outside the house and they are trying to convince him that they are all at the kitchen table talking. Talking about a kids birthday instead of how vampires want to rip you to pieces would have clued in Croatoan that something wasn’t right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2023
If The Fog and 30 Days of Night had a baby...
Tom and his wife Sandy and son Bobby are enjoying a peaceful time in their home...until it wasn't.
A weird fog has come out of nowhere and strange sounds followed by screams and gunfire are heard all over the place. Tom's house is on the outskirts of the small town but is this a blessing or is it a curse?
I enjoyed the story and the crazy ending. Me being a horror reader, I always think of the worse case scenarios and absolutely will not spoil anything.
On to the second one!!
Tom and his wife Sandy and son Bobby are enjoying a peaceful time in their home...until it wasn't.
A weird fog has come out of nowhere and strange sounds followed by screams and gunfire are heard all over the place. Tom's house is on the outskirts of the small town but is this a blessing or is it a curse?
I enjoyed the story and the crazy ending. Me being a horror reader, I always think of the worse case scenarios and absolutely will not spoil anything.
On to the second one!!
March 15, 2024
Excellent Start for a Trilogy
I loved that this story started in Roanoke which has been a long time mystery. I loved how the Author explained what happened to that Village.
The current story is a small town in America and revolves around the Benton family. Little Bobby wakes up in the middle of a night with a scary man at his window asking to be let in.
And then a black fog descends on this town and horror breaks out.
What an amazing story and I’m eager to continue this series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved that this story started in Roanoke which has been a long time mystery. I loved how the Author explained what happened to that Village.
The current story is a small town in America and revolves around the Benton family. Little Bobby wakes up in the middle of a night with a scary man at his window asking to be let in.
And then a black fog descends on this town and horror breaks out.
What an amazing story and I’m eager to continue this series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 31, 2020
I received this book to read for free and preview. The story was interesting, but was a bit too gruesome for my taste. It was, however; well-written with only a few typos. If you are interested in horror stories that are on the gruesome side, then you will really enjoy this one, but I don't feel it is for those who cannot tolerate blood and gore. The author is currently working on the sequel, which should be interesting for those who like this type of fiction.
September 8, 2022
Not the story described
I'm not sure what happened, I downloaded this book, yet upon reading, nothing was as described in the synopsis. The book I read was about a husband sending his wife on a scavenger hunt on their anniversary. I was hoping to read a story as author described, but not so. Maybe I'll try downloading it again when it becomes free and see if I get the true book.
I'm not sure what happened, I downloaded this book, yet upon reading, nothing was as described in the synopsis. The book I read was about a husband sending his wife on a scavenger hunt on their anniversary. I was hoping to read a story as author described, but not so. Maybe I'll try downloading it again when it becomes free and see if I get the true book.
December 3, 2020
Disturbingly-fantastic and shockingly-twisted! Good, old-fashioned horror at its best! A quick, captivating, suspenseful and twisted delight! Weird, quirky and eerie – all in the best of ways. GAVE ME CHILLS!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 6, 2023
Awesome! It’s a really short read and nothing complicated. read it in probably 3hours but it was scary and really entertaining. I’ve been reading some total snoozers lately that have felt impossible to finish so it was nice to read something that I was excited to keep reading. I already own the second one so starting it now!
January 20, 2024
Really good read
This is not the best vampire horror I've read but it is by far the best in a very long time. It has a 30 days of night feel to it but the author didn't copy from that, this stands alone. I knew I would enjoy it so downloaded all 3 books at the same time. This first book was very well written and is quite entertaining.
This is not the best vampire horror I've read but it is by far the best in a very long time. It has a 30 days of night feel to it but the author didn't copy from that, this stands alone. I knew I would enjoy it so downloaded all 3 books at the same time. This first book was very well written and is quite entertaining.
October 28, 2020
A good supernatural horror thriller. I wish the characters were a bit more believable in their conversations, but overall a good spooky read.
Full review here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
Full review here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
February 1, 2021
Horrifying
You come to know the characters and care about them. Then through a series of accidental and self caused events their lives are drastically changed. The ending is a twisted, dreaded, yet somewhat expected outcome.
You come to know the characters and care about them. Then through a series of accidental and self caused events their lives are drastically changed. The ending is a twisted, dreaded, yet somewhat expected outcome.
July 31, 2021
This was a somewhat new take on a very old idea. Definitely needed an editor for grammar, spelling, and word usage (like "isle" instead of "aisle"). Overall, it moved at a good pace and kept my interest. But it wasn't compelling enough to make me want to read more in the series.
November 5, 2021
Wrong book
The description for this downloaded book was supposed to be about an evil within a fog. It a bait and switch. What I got was “Scavenger Hunt”. A tormenting of a woman on her anniversary. The plot was a mess and unrealistic from a point of the characters involved.
The description for this downloaded book was supposed to be about an evil within a fog. It a bait and switch. What I got was “Scavenger Hunt”. A tormenting of a woman on her anniversary. The plot was a mess and unrealistic from a point of the characters involved.
November 10, 2022
I hate kids in horror situations. Oml do I ever.
There were typos going absolutely wild, running rampant throughout this book. It didn’t help that the writing style was so surface-level to where it was liked being lulled to sleep.
There were typos going absolutely wild, running rampant throughout this book. It didn’t help that the writing style was so surface-level to where it was liked being lulled to sleep.
October 12, 2023
Like it!
Enjoyable story and characters were well developed. But the sentences were not put together quite right, causing a stop in the flow of reading in order to figure it out. Better editing? I will read book #2.
Enjoyable story and characters were well developed. But the sentences were not put together quite right, causing a stop in the flow of reading in order to figure it out. Better editing? I will read book #2.
January 7, 2025
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. Smooth flowing. And kept me coming back. I didn't want to put it down. I love how it started at Roanoke and gives a different view as to what could've happened and how it's still happening. Interesting read. Definitely recommend.
December 6, 2020
Excellent, creepy read. Very creatively written using what little is known about Roanoke and Croatoan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews