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The Evil Inside: A Horror Novel
“Layton delivers another gripping read!” — Michaelbrent Collings
“Horror, terror & demons, get ready for a frightening ride with Marc Layton!” — Janice Tremayne
There's an evil inside, waiting to break free…
For Denise, getting a creaky old house in the heartland of Montana as part of her divorce settlement is just what she needs. She'll be able to work remotely while fixing up her ex's family house, and it will be the perfect fresh start for her two children. But soon after moving in, their life takes a much darker turn.
Denise's troubled son unearths a mysterious collection of Nazi memorabilia, and her 17-year-old psychic daughter starts receiving strange premonitions.
Old family secrets lie waiting to be discovered and a terrifying supernatural force yearns to be released … and all it needs to escape is a naive young boy with a mind it can corrupt.
Gear up for a supernatural horror novel that's filled with disturbing otherworldly forces and plenty of spine-chilling suspense. The Evil Inside is a must-read for fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
“Horror, terror & demons, get ready for a frightening ride with Marc Layton!” — Janice Tremayne
There's an evil inside, waiting to break free…
For Denise, getting a creaky old house in the heartland of Montana as part of her divorce settlement is just what she needs. She'll be able to work remotely while fixing up her ex's family house, and it will be the perfect fresh start for her two children. But soon after moving in, their life takes a much darker turn.
Denise's troubled son unearths a mysterious collection of Nazi memorabilia, and her 17-year-old psychic daughter starts receiving strange premonitions.
Old family secrets lie waiting to be discovered and a terrifying supernatural force yearns to be released … and all it needs to escape is a naive young boy with a mind it can corrupt.
Gear up for a supernatural horror novel that's filled with disturbing otherworldly forces and plenty of spine-chilling suspense. The Evil Inside is a must-read for fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2022
74 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Marc Layton
35 books143 followersMarc Layton is the internationally bestselling horror author of The Haunting Of Bridge Manor, The Evergreen Motel and The Evil Inside. The only child of American expats, he grew up on a farm in northern Germany, went to boarding school in a remote part of Scandinavia and then returned to his familial roots for University in New Hampshire where he then settled. As an avid traveler, a voracious reader and a professional antiques dealer, Layton is never at a loss for inspiration and ever since he can remember he’s been consumed by the things that go bump in the night. Layton lives and works out of a cottage near the water in Portsmouth, NH and spends his free time hiking with his wife and trusty Australian Shepard Lily.
Visit https://linktr.ee/MarcLayton to learn more or find Marc Layton on social @authormarclayton
Visit https://linktr.ee/MarcLayton to learn more or find Marc Layton on social @authormarclayton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 15, 2022
THE EVIL INSIDE by prolific Horror/Thriller author Marc Layton is electrifying and terrifying! The foundation is laid, in the late months of World War II, in a hidden mountain valley in Southern Bavaria, where an insane SS officer uncovers an underground Teutonic pagan temple and the lost "Spear of Destiny," alleged to have pierced Jesus' side just prior to his Crucifixion. A terrifying Cosmic Entity is called forth; and an American soldier snatches the Spearhead as a Souvenir.
Scroll to contemporary Pacific Northwest, and the divorce of a couple in Portland, Oregon. The husband's parents offer their empty ancestral homestead in the Montana mountains to their former daughter-in-law and her two adolescent children. The family homestead was once the home of the American soldier who brought home the spearhead.
Of course something is going to go wrong, and wrongness doesn't delay. Quickly the 14-year-old son, greatgrandson of that thieving, murderous, American soldier, falls under the persuasion of the lost spearhead and the entity to which it is attached.
Caution: THE EVIL INSIDE contains some quite graphic content, including but not limited to Nazi Atrocities, and contemporary horrific events. Sensitive readers, be cautious.
Scroll to contemporary Pacific Northwest, and the divorce of a couple in Portland, Oregon. The husband's parents offer their empty ancestral homestead in the Montana mountains to their former daughter-in-law and her two adolescent children. The family homestead was once the home of the American soldier who brought home the spearhead.
Of course something is going to go wrong, and wrongness doesn't delay. Quickly the 14-year-old son, greatgrandson of that thieving, murderous, American soldier, falls under the persuasion of the lost spearhead and the entity to which it is attached.
Caution: THE EVIL INSIDE contains some quite graphic content, including but not limited to Nazi Atrocities, and contemporary horrific events. Sensitive readers, be cautious.
February 19, 2023
Unexpected Twists
This book starts as a haunting, moves to possession, and broadens to become something more. It reminds me in some ways of F. Paul Wilson's better works. Layton uses all the tropes at his disposal and keeps things moving at a quick snap.
This book starts as a haunting, moves to possession, and broadens to become something more. It reminds me in some ways of F. Paul Wilson's better works. Layton uses all the tropes at his disposal and keeps things moving at a quick snap.
August 5, 2022
I read this as separate novellas, so you're getting a great deal!
I love Layton's stories. They are scary, thrilling, twisty, and well written. I found this one especially scary. I mean, a kid gets possessed and [spoiler]! You've got to read this if you like scary stories. You won't be disappointed!
I love Layton's stories. They are scary, thrilling, twisty, and well written. I found this one especially scary. I mean, a kid gets possessed and [spoiler]! You've got to read this if you like scary stories. You won't be disappointed!
August 1, 2022
This was a perfect creepy ghost story
August 3, 2022
This book is the reason why I like scary stories, I mean, it has everything I want in a ghost story, family moves to an old house ((after a divorce, and they, Denise (mother) Amanda (eldest daughter) and Lucas (younger son) to a really far away from everything house, I don’t really know USA geography but they moved from Portland to Montana and this was a whole day driving)), and strange things start to happen, but they don’t start by being super scary, just weird, like misplaced items, or just tidier. And then, evil starts to lurk around the ones more sensible to it… yeah read on you’ll see, this book is a pearl, you will start and you wont finish until the last page, you’ll get to know very interesting characters and by the end you’ll want a side story with some of the characters, spoilers aside you’ll want so much more, I know I want…
I highly recommend this book series, and I really recommend this author for your horror fix, you’ll fell goosebumps but in a good sense, like you’re watching the hill house late at night and with the lights turned off, and you just say to yourself, just five more minutes and when you look at the clock you’ve watched the whole season and the sun is just coming out… hahah
I got a free ARC copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I highly recommend this book series, and I really recommend this author for your horror fix, you’ll fell goosebumps but in a good sense, like you’re watching the hill house late at night and with the lights turned off, and you just say to yourself, just five more minutes and when you look at the clock you’ve watched the whole season and the sun is just coming out… hahah
I got a free ARC copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
August 15, 2022
An evil has been awakened during WW2 ... and it woke up hungry. Years after the end of the war, and many miles away, a new home has been found and a new chapter begins as the evil starts to slowly invade and take over a small American town. Really nicely done, some very good characters that you do begin to care for. Mark Layton has that talent. Drawing you in and keeping you close to the very end. Perfect read for those rainy autumn days.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
August 12, 2022
Six previously published short stories combined into an enjoyable easily read novel. When published individually I enjoyed them so much that I couldn't wait for the next instalment to come out. For those of us old enough to remember it reminded me of Saturday mornings at the cinema where a short cowboy or detective serial film always left you desperate to see the next episode so you had to buy a cinema ticket the following Saturday. Younger readers, you've now learned some history!
At least the reader of this book will be able to enjoy the full experience without interruption enjoying the content ranging from World War II Europe to present day USA. At the back of my mind I still wonder about the whole concept of 'free will'. How much choice has an individual if he has a demonic artefact with supernatural powers? Is he/she merely a pawn even though he thinks he's in control and is he really responsible for his actions?
Anyway, enough daydreaming – just enjoy the author's hard work as I confess to the usual disclaimer that I received an ARC but all views expressed are my own.
At least the reader of this book will be able to enjoy the full experience without interruption enjoying the content ranging from World War II Europe to present day USA. At the back of my mind I still wonder about the whole concept of 'free will'. How much choice has an individual if he has a demonic artefact with supernatural powers? Is he/she merely a pawn even though he thinks he's in control and is he really responsible for his actions?
Anyway, enough daydreaming – just enjoy the author's hard work as I confess to the usual disclaimer that I received an ARC but all views expressed are my own.
August 12, 2022
This is a brilliant 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 read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
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 read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 3, 2022
After moving to her ex husbands family home things seem better for Dense and her kids. Then Lucas finds a object that was hidden long ago. Something evil uses him to get what it wants. Can it be stopped? Intense read great characters edge of seat terror.
September 17, 2022
THE LOST SPEARHEAD Revisited...
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. This horror novel is the complete set of novellas which began with THE LOST SPEARHEAD...
The saga began with newly divorced Denise Halloway relocating to a house in the woods of Little River Montana...
... the property was gifted to Denise and her children by her ex-inlaws to help the broken family with their new start...
Hidden in the woods...
Son Lucas finds some old folios with pictures of people being tortured and an old spearhead in one of the many outbuildings at the back of the property...
The spearhead was special...
it called to the boy and eventually compelled Lucas to do unspeakable things to others...
Sister Ananda has some special abilities of her own which cause her to get ESP feelings about people and places...
Meanwhile...
A German professor has made a connection between the atrocities during WWII and the spearhead...
Can the professor...
... and Denise's ex-husband stop the entity behind the spearhead from using Lucas to destroy the world?..
This is a horror series that started off on a very good foot but, later on, became a little too ambitious and complex to be a relaxing read (for me anyway).
I've read many horror novels attempting to explain the human tragedy of the Nazis but, in this story, I would have enjoyed it more if the location stayed in America and focused on the spearhead instead of going overseas and bringing in so many other elements.
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. This horror novel is the complete set of novellas which began with THE LOST SPEARHEAD...
The saga began with newly divorced Denise Halloway relocating to a house in the woods of Little River Montana...
... the property was gifted to Denise and her children by her ex-inlaws to help the broken family with their new start...
Hidden in the woods...
Son Lucas finds some old folios with pictures of people being tortured and an old spearhead in one of the many outbuildings at the back of the property...
The spearhead was special...
it called to the boy and eventually compelled Lucas to do unspeakable things to others...
Sister Ananda has some special abilities of her own which cause her to get ESP feelings about people and places...
Meanwhile...
A German professor has made a connection between the atrocities during WWII and the spearhead...
Can the professor...
... and Denise's ex-husband stop the entity behind the spearhead from using Lucas to destroy the world?..
This is a horror series that started off on a very good foot but, later on, became a little too ambitious and complex to be a relaxing read (for me anyway).
I've read many horror novels attempting to explain the human tragedy of the Nazis but, in this story, I would have enjoyed it more if the location stayed in America and focused on the spearhead instead of going overseas and bringing in so many other elements.
February 19, 2023
This novel has a very unsettling and evil vibe. I’ve read two other series by Marc Layton, and out of the ones I’ve read so far, this one takes the cake for the goriest. It takes a lot to disturb me, but boy were my eyes bulging at some of the atrocities in it; it was hard to read some of the gruesome scenes. An evil entity possesses Lucas, a teenage boy, and with its encouragement Lucas commits horrendous acts of torture and violence. He begins with woodland creatures, and eventually moves on to people. Meanwhile, his sister discovers that she has a special gift of her own that she will need in order to stop him.
I usually prefer when books stick to one person’s perspective; however, the switch in this one is beneficial since parts of it take place simultaneously on different continents. I was also satisfied with how everything progressed and ended. There is a prologue novella to this novel that I loved that I think should have been included in this book, but other than that, it’s an amazing read that I would recommend to those who are fans of horror and not squeamish!
I usually prefer when books stick to one person’s perspective; however, the switch in this one is beneficial since parts of it take place simultaneously on different continents. I was also satisfied with how everything progressed and ended. There is a prologue novella to this novel that I loved that I think should have been included in this book, but other than that, it’s an amazing read that I would recommend to those who are fans of horror and not squeamish!
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August 18, 2022I loved this book. I don't like to go into details of a book because I don't want to ruin it for anybody else. All I can say, is that if you like scary stories that draw you in immediately and keep you on the edge of your seat, this author is for you. I came across Marc Layton accidentally and read one of his books and was hooked from then on. He is definitely one of those authors I will read any book he writes, probably over and over again! Take a chance and read anything by Mr. Layton, you won't be disappointed.
I became a part of Mr. Layton's ARC team and gave my honest review of this book.
I became a part of Mr. Layton's ARC team and gave my honest review of this book.
August 25, 2022
I enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. I have enjoyed reading this authors books from the first one I picked up. I enjoyed how he used details to bring the story to life. His attention to details made the story realistic. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat. This is a fast paced story that is shorter and hard to put down. It is an engaging thriller that you don't want to miss. The characters are connectable and creative. I enjoyed what they brought to the story. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what is next for him. I highly recommend this book and this author.
November 5, 2022
This novel is the beginning of a new series involving a evil relic and how just being near the artifact changes a person. When Denise and her family move to the house that her in-laws gave her, it seems like a blessing. Soon weird things start happening. Amanda feels parts of the house feel evil and Lucas goes from being angry at moving to the house to feeling he found a good spot. This book leaves off at Lucas finding the spearhead and beginning to change.
August 25, 2022
Denise moves with her two children into her husband's parents'home after the divorce. The place has a dark history. Her son finds an antique spear and becomes devoid of humanity after getting obsessed with it. Torture and subjugation of others are his main hobby until the situation gets out of control. A gut wrenching page turner which is haunting and terrifying in the extreme.
October 14, 2022
Great book
Wow what a story!! I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. A great cast of characters and a great storyline. I do believe there is evil in this world and it takes special people to fight it. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction and suspense and adventure.
Wow what a story!! I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. A great cast of characters and a great storyline. I do believe there is evil in this world and it takes special people to fight it. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction and suspense and adventure.
December 18, 2022
Ok read
An average horror read. Hits all of the main horror tropes and then some. So much so that it can be off putting to the story because you feel like you know what’s coming. Luckily the story went a down a somewhat original path, even with all the tropes, but the ending fell flat.
An average horror read. Hits all of the main horror tropes and then some. So much so that it can be off putting to the story because you feel like you know what’s coming. Luckily the story went a down a somewhat original path, even with all the tropes, but the ending fell flat.
August 15, 2022
This is a really chilling horror story! Made more so as there are children involved! That always gets me! Well written, frightening, if this is your thing then it is right up your street! I do recommend!
August 15, 2022
The Evil Inside: A Horror Novel By Marc Layton. Denise inherited a house for herself and two kids . What a Evil story. She was better off without all the supernatural that comes with this house. Loved it and enjoyed it. I recommend it…
August 15, 2022
This book is completely captivating and terrifying! There was a lot of heartbreak in this book. A lot of evil and pain, but there was also hope and strength. Diabolically twisted, dark, and unnerving. Everything a horror story should be. I loved it!
August 16, 2022
Another great story from Marc Layton. If you like your horror to keep you awake, this is one for you. I read this in the original serial of short books. You won't have to wait to find out what happens. Perfect book for the upcoming Halloween season.
September 12, 2022
Great horror thriller
I have been looking for a really amazing horror thriller to read and this is it. It was in every essence horror, panic, heart racing and thrilling. I highly recommend this book.
I have been looking for a really amazing horror thriller to read and this is it. It was in every essence horror, panic, heart racing and thrilling. I highly recommend this book.
November 19, 2022
Terror
Nightmares ran wild after reading this at night. The all out small town happenings made me think twice about the small town I live in. I am going to start locking my doors and yet that may not be enough.
Nightmares ran wild after reading this at night. The all out small town happenings made me think twice about the small town I live in. I am going to start locking my doors and yet that may not be enough.
September 15, 2023
Wildly imaginative! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very unique plot. Vivid descriptions. A solid, interesting read!
*I received a complimentary ARC 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 ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
August 6, 2022
If you like scary stories with frightening scenes then this is the book for you. I've said it before and you will soon agree - Marc Layton is The Master of the Macabre. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2022
A truly scary book that will keep you on edge and wanting more at the same time. Marc Layton is the horror story teller to read.
August 17, 2022
WOW! This is one amazing, horrific, scary, suspenseful, tragic novel. I mean if you like scary stuff this is one to read!
I received this as an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I received this as an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 18, 2022
I really enjoyed it. Well written, page turner, great characters, twists & turns, scary. Good job. I received a copy and voluntary leaving a review.
August 18, 2022
This is really a great book to read. I love how the characters are well developed and the plot flows smoothly. It has great creep factor. Would definitely recommend to friends.
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November 6, 2022DNF
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews