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Slaughter Lake
For a group of friends, Slaughter Lake is about to earn its name…
It’s been years since Rebecca and her closest college friends vacationed at Slaughter Lake. What once was an annual trip became a distant memory filled with campfires and the peaceful serene landscape of their exclusive vacation spot.
Then when an unlikely invitation calls them to return to where their fondest memories were created, it seemed impossible to ignore.
Like the water’s calm surface, everything appears to be normal. But underneath, something more sinister awaits – a past left buried – dark secrets that refuse to drown and die.
At Slaughter Lake, the truth is more likely to kill them than to set them free.
**Contains extreme violence and gore**
It’s been years since Rebecca and her closest college friends vacationed at Slaughter Lake. What once was an annual trip became a distant memory filled with campfires and the peaceful serene landscape of their exclusive vacation spot.
Then when an unlikely invitation calls them to return to where their fondest memories were created, it seemed impossible to ignore.
Like the water’s calm surface, everything appears to be normal. But underneath, something more sinister awaits – a past left buried – dark secrets that refuse to drown and die.
At Slaughter Lake, the truth is more likely to kill them than to set them free.
**Contains extreme violence and gore**
- GenresHorror
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2022
26 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
David Viergutz
29 books190 followersDavid Viergutz is a disabled Army veteran, a law enforcement veteran, a husband and a proud father. He's also a storyteller, an author of thrillers and horror novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 18, 2023
3.5 stars. I’m not sure what it was, but I struggled to get through the first half of the book. It was just a lot of background and dialogue between all of the main characters. I hate using the word boring, but it just felt overly prolonged, and it made it hard for me to get beyond it. The second half was a typical slasher set up. A jaded, unstable person goes after his guests at an isolated location, taking them out in overly complicated ways. You have a final girl at the end and the killer’s body (No spoilers) is never found, so it all ends of an uncertain note. The whole story was just very ok for me. I felt like it needed something to set it apart from other similar stories, but instead just maintained common tropes and standards.
July 22, 2023
This was my first book from Jay and David. Boy, was this ever a page-turner, especially toward the middle and end. It was a bit of a slow start but the payoff is huge. It's rather gorey and gruesome, which was perfect for me. It's the classic tale of the weird one in any friendship circle.
Jude is one heck of a sick bastard, that's all I can say without spoiling it. Man oh man, this is one of the best books I've read this year. Well done!
Jude is one heck of a sick bastard, that's all I can say without spoiling it. Man oh man, this is one of the best books I've read this year. Well done!
October 22, 2022
With the title and the cover, you know that things aren't going to go well for the group at Slaughter Lake. And with the building animosity between the members of the group—the growing suspicion, the reluctancy to hang out after five years, the instances of broken trust—it's only a matter of time before things go south.
I hoped above all hope, for the characters' sake, that the authors were going to take this into the territory of ferocious wolves and bears surrounding the cabin—a creature feature our beloved characters would have some chance of escaping with their lives.
I was wrong. So wrong...
When Bower and and Viergutz decided to amp up the action, it was nonstop blood splatter. I cringed, shivered, and "oh man"-ed my way through the last half of this book. It was beautiful.
Definitely buy it!
I hoped above all hope, for the characters' sake, that the authors were going to take this into the territory of ferocious wolves and bears surrounding the cabin—a creature feature our beloved characters would have some chance of escaping with their lives.
I was wrong. So wrong...
When Bower and and Viergutz decided to amp up the action, it was nonstop blood splatter. I cringed, shivered, and "oh man"-ed my way through the last half of this book. It was beautiful.
Definitely buy it!
October 27, 2022
I enjoyed this story by Jay Bower and David Viergutz. The first half of the book is leading up to the trip to a cabin on Slaughter Lake. The second half of the book is full of brutal satisfaction.
Years ago, Rebecca and her friends used to go to a cabin out at Slaughter Lake when they were in college. As the years pass, they lose touch with Jude, one of their friends. Jude is an odd guy, kinda creepy and all that. By chance, Rebecca and her fiance run into Jude and they invite him over for a cookout with the old gang. During the cookout, they bring up Slaughter Lake and decide they should go for a weekend, hang out again like they used to. The weekend at Slaughter Lake will be one to remember.
While the ending was predictable, the story getting up to the end was not predictable. Lots of gore and cringe worthy parts in this story. This would be a fantastic book to take with you on a camping trip!
Years ago, Rebecca and her friends used to go to a cabin out at Slaughter Lake when they were in college. As the years pass, they lose touch with Jude, one of their friends. Jude is an odd guy, kinda creepy and all that. By chance, Rebecca and her fiance run into Jude and they invite him over for a cookout with the old gang. During the cookout, they bring up Slaughter Lake and decide they should go for a weekend, hang out again like they used to. The weekend at Slaughter Lake will be one to remember.
While the ending was predictable, the story getting up to the end was not predictable. Lots of gore and cringe worthy parts in this story. This would be a fantastic book to take with you on a camping trip!
July 21, 2024
This book follows a group of friends who head to their beloved vacation spot, Slaughter Lake. When returning, they are expecting to have a relaxing time, reliving memories of the past. But that doesn’t happen, I mean look at the name of the lake.
What I liked:
- The slasher scenes! Lots of gore, blood and grossss; the writing was descriptive and fun.
- Ella’s character. She was the only likeable character for me, out of everyone.
- The quick pace at the halfway point to the end.
- And of course discussing it in a group read was hilarious! 😂
What I didn’t like:
- The dialogue between the characters was 🥱
- It was a pretty predictable plot from the beginning. I wanted a twist!
- All the other characters besides Ella.
With such a mixed bag of reviews, I would still recommend it!
What I liked:
- The slasher scenes! Lots of gore, blood and grossss; the writing was descriptive and fun.
- Ella’s character. She was the only likeable character for me, out of everyone.
- The quick pace at the halfway point to the end.
- And of course discussing it in a group read was hilarious! 😂
What I didn’t like:
- The dialogue between the characters was 🥱
- It was a pretty predictable plot from the beginning. I wanted a twist!
- All the other characters besides Ella.
With such a mixed bag of reviews, I would still recommend it!
July 17, 2024
I was very excited to read this book; it had all the essential ingredients to bake a cake, and yet it ended up a mulch of madness. I think it is a 5-star story with 3-star writing, but the reason I give it 1 star is because the story was strung together like a pasta shell necklace, which is nice when your kid brings it home from kindergarten, but you certainly do not want anyone else's.
Aside from that, the story felt like 5 stars because we have seen it already; it is called Scream. Except, here you know how it will end from the start, and you also know who the villain is. The only plot twist is underwhelming, and not enough groundwork was laid for it to be pulled off successfully.
I truly am sorry; my words are harsh, but I truly want to save others the money and time that I lost reading this.
Aside from that, the story felt like 5 stars because we have seen it already; it is called Scream. Except, here you know how it will end from the start, and you also know who the villain is. The only plot twist is underwhelming, and not enough groundwork was laid for it to be pulled off successfully.
I truly am sorry; my words are harsh, but I truly want to save others the money and time that I lost reading this.
July 19, 2023
I felt like this book was missing something. Friends go to a cabin to reunite and catch up but ends up in a bloodbath. It’s been done before. I didn’t dislike it, but unfortunately it won’t be memorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
This book was fantastic! I honestly would love to see it turn into a movie it was that good. And the ending 😳
September 19, 2022
DAMN!!! That was bloody good!!!
This was the perfect story to read on a dreary raining day, cuddled in some blankets ready to be horrified from all of the gore seeping out of its pages!
It was like the perfect slasher movie. Where it starts off slow and slightly creepy, giving you an eery feeling something bad is going to happen. While introducing you to all the characters, getting to slowly know them, and possibly thinking you know who is slightly more unhinged than the others. Knowing all the time that there is a possibility that none of them may survive to the end!
When all of the characters in play decide to head up to Slaughter Lake for the perfect reunion getaway, you can only guess what might befall them – or not as some parts may totally shock you.
I loved this story and could not get enough of it. Really well written with fantastic characters and filled with an intense buildup to one hell of a twisted ending!
Be ready to be creeped out!
This was the perfect story to read on a dreary raining day, cuddled in some blankets ready to be horrified from all of the gore seeping out of its pages!
It was like the perfect slasher movie. Where it starts off slow and slightly creepy, giving you an eery feeling something bad is going to happen. While introducing you to all the characters, getting to slowly know them, and possibly thinking you know who is slightly more unhinged than the others. Knowing all the time that there is a possibility that none of them may survive to the end!
When all of the characters in play decide to head up to Slaughter Lake for the perfect reunion getaway, you can only guess what might befall them – or not as some parts may totally shock you.
I loved this story and could not get enough of it. Really well written with fantastic characters and filled with an intense buildup to one hell of a twisted ending!
Be ready to be creeped out!
September 20, 2022
Rebecca and her fiancé Samuel run into Jude, an old friend from college, at a local shopping mall. Jude invites them and another couple, Ella and Cade, to meet at his family’s remote cabin in the woods for a weekend. They arrive, but some of the party feel that Jude not acting normally, while some think that he is and are looking forward to a pleasant weekend, getting caught up on what has happened since they last saw each other over five years ago. The story continues to tell what happens during this trip…
This is a horror novel and does contain some graphic scenes. I did think that the story would have benefitted by including more suspenseful elements, leading up to the conclusion of the story.
This is a horror novel and does contain some graphic scenes. I did think that the story would have benefitted by including more suspenseful elements, leading up to the conclusion of the story.
September 19, 2022
At the beginning you wonder when the horror is going to kick in but when it does. Blam it just comes out of nowhere and leaves you feeling creeped out and uneasy.
But it isn’t the main event yet and there are certainly hints as to what will be coming when a story from their previous stay at the cabin comes to light. The tension the writers keep up is intense.
I know ratcheting up the tension is such a cliche but there is no other way to describe what happens once you get further than half way through.
The gore is imaginative, grim and toe curlingly detailed.
I read this in a day and didn’t want it to stop.
A nice twist on the cabin in the woods story.
But it isn’t the main event yet and there are certainly hints as to what will be coming when a story from their previous stay at the cabin comes to light. The tension the writers keep up is intense.
I know ratcheting up the tension is such a cliche but there is no other way to describe what happens once you get further than half way through.
The gore is imaginative, grim and toe curlingly detailed.
I read this in a day and didn’t want it to stop.
A nice twist on the cabin in the woods story.
September 19, 2022
A group of friends use to visit Slaughter Lake once a year. But over time they slowly drifted apart and their time together at Slaughter Lake became a distant memory.
Then one day they ran into each other and the memories came flooding back. Memories that were not as happy as they all made them out to be once upon a time. They decided together at Slaughter Lake once again for old times' sake. My opinion was that everyone was just trying to impress the other for their own purposes. Whatever they may have been.
When I read the summary for Slaughter Lake I couldn’t wait to dive in as the summary made it sound so sinister and ominous. I couldn't wait to see what waited for this group of friends once they reached Slaughter Lake.
What I found between the pages of Slaughter Lake was somewhat different than I expected. But let me tell you I was hooked anyway. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough to see where it all was going to lead. I couldn't wait to find out more about these characters and their past. Or at least that was what I was looking forward to.
What lay between the pages of Slaughter Lake did not disappoint me in the least as the mystery and suspense flew off the pages. I felt like I was there right in the midst of everything that was going on between the characters. The descriptions were so vividly written that I had no problem whatsoever seeing it all in my head as if I was a part of the story itself.
I sorely enjoyed reading Slaughter Lake and would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little ominous and chilling. Grab your copy of Slaughter Lake today!
Then one day they ran into each other and the memories came flooding back. Memories that were not as happy as they all made them out to be once upon a time. They decided together at Slaughter Lake once again for old times' sake. My opinion was that everyone was just trying to impress the other for their own purposes. Whatever they may have been.
When I read the summary for Slaughter Lake I couldn’t wait to dive in as the summary made it sound so sinister and ominous. I couldn't wait to see what waited for this group of friends once they reached Slaughter Lake.
What I found between the pages of Slaughter Lake was somewhat different than I expected. But let me tell you I was hooked anyway. I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough to see where it all was going to lead. I couldn't wait to find out more about these characters and their past. Or at least that was what I was looking forward to.
What lay between the pages of Slaughter Lake did not disappoint me in the least as the mystery and suspense flew off the pages. I felt like I was there right in the midst of everything that was going on between the characters. The descriptions were so vividly written that I had no problem whatsoever seeing it all in my head as if I was a part of the story itself.
I sorely enjoyed reading Slaughter Lake and would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little ominous and chilling. Grab your copy of Slaughter Lake today!
September 20, 2022
This was a fantastic book that blended two of my favorite kinds of horror. The first half of the book is a well written slow burn that lets you get to know the cast of characters. That slow burn gets you invested in the characters before the shift to the pulse pounding, non-stop violence of a brutal slasher in the second half. The kills were gory and intense as a psychopath enjoyed himself as much as a kid at an amusement park. This all built up to a fast paced conclusion that left me wanting more in the best possible way.
September 28, 2022
So I was given an opportunity to read this book thanks to the author Jay Bower in exchange for an honest review. I will say this… it starts off slow.. but give it a chance.. let it absorb into you like a fine wine and bam you’ll be panting to the end before you know it. For being such a short gasp of breath it leaves you dealing until the end with the added “why”. It also brings about another final girl, and she at first is quiet but in the end does not disappoint. I look forward to seeing where these authors take this story and how the final girl ends up. Highly recommend
October 16, 2022
Slaughter Lake is a freaking trip. It starts all nice and all, and then boom. Blood, guts, gore, oh, and death! Wow, just wow! I read this in one night (yes, at night but with the lights on). It’s funny how you root for the characters, but you know some will die. This well-written freaky horror show will make you squirm in your seat but still turn the page. The descriptions were so vividly written that I gaged a few times. Or maybe that’s just me. I absolutely loved this book. Excellent job, Gentlemen.
September 19, 2022
A fairly quick but not necessarily easy read. After the setup, the story revolves around the evil that some men can do. As the title and book jacket imply, Slaughter Lake will live up to it's name. Some pretty graphic violence but none that I personally found too TOO much, so it depends on the type of books you read. All in all, the story reads like a modern horror flick. If you are into these then you will enjoy the ride.
July 31, 2023
This was such a fun summer read. You can’t really go wrong with a gang of naive characters, a psycho killer, and a cabin along the lake.
I highly recommend checking this one out if you’re a fan of slasher movies or cheesy b-horror greatness. It has a level of predictability that has you itching to scream “DON’T DRINK THAT”, sprinkled with some gruesome body horror and an antagonist that you just want to punch in the…😡
I highly recommend checking this one out if you’re a fan of slasher movies or cheesy b-horror greatness. It has a level of predictability that has you itching to scream “DON’T DRINK THAT”, sprinkled with some gruesome body horror and an antagonist that you just want to punch in the…😡
August 1, 2023
Nice little read, quick story, entertaining, gory. A little unrealistic (but that’s okay). To the point character introductions. I like that the book wasn’t overloaded with unnecessary characters.
A group of friends reunite with an old (weirdo) highschool friend for the weekend, off to a secluded cabin. Shit spirals downward pretty much right away for the friends.
The plot was a good one and held my interest throughout.
Looking forward to a possible part 2.
A group of friends reunite with an old (weirdo) highschool friend for the weekend, off to a secluded cabin. Shit spirals downward pretty much right away for the friends.
The plot was a good one and held my interest throughout.
Looking forward to a possible part 2.
September 20, 2022
WOW!!!! What an absolutely thrilling read this was!
Brutal and horrifying but kept me glued as I needed to know what happened next.
Read in one sitting and I loved it.
The plot and story line are well written with great world building.
Characters are well fleshed out and believable.
Recommend reading highly.
Brutal and horrifying but kept me glued as I needed to know what happened next.
Read in one sitting and I loved it.
The plot and story line are well written with great world building.
Characters are well fleshed out and believable.
Recommend reading highly.
October 18, 2022
Yes the name said it all. No surprise what the book was about. That's fine, it was expected. What I didn't expect was how bad it was because of the reviews I saw on here. Typical slash story but I didn't think it was well written at all. Read and finished in 3 hours tops. Thank goodness I got it from my Kindle Unlimited so it didn't cost anything for this disappointing read.
December 16, 2023
Pretty good callback to slasher horror. As mentioned many times over, the first half is rather slow. The characters are your typical group of the good girl, her fiance who has a secret, and the two stoner/oversexed friends. A funny backstory for Ella that I wish had been fleshed out more. The second half is action packed and a real page turner. A nice set up for a sequel at the end as well.
March 27, 2025
I lived this book. It felt like an 80’s horror movie. I enjoyed this bloody ride out to Slaughter Lake. I’ve read Jay Bower before, but never David Viergutz. I couldn’t even tell that it was written by 2 different people. Well blended mess of gore. I was lucky enough to meet them at Scares that Care charity author event. I’ll look for more by both of them this weekend!!
September 18, 2022
This reminded me of some of my earliest experiences with horror. Everything seems bright and happy and normal. As the darkness creeps in, things turn swiftly to full-blown gore. As a note, the authors take their time world-building for the first half of the book making for a slow burn beginning.
September 19, 2022
When I heard about this novel I was excited, because both David Viergutz and Jay Bower are fantastic writers. And they sure delivered!
The story has great main characters and a creepy villain who’s doing horrible things to innocent people. Excellent choice for a dark and stormy autumn night !
The story has great main characters and a creepy villain who’s doing horrible things to innocent people. Excellent choice for a dark and stormy autumn night !
September 19, 2022
As always a brilliantly written, suspenseful, horror story! It grips you from the first paragraph & had me chilled to the last word! I do recommend for all lovers of horror! You will not be disappointed!
November 7, 2022
This suspenseful story, written by two talented authors is binge worthy. Rebecca and her Fiancé decide to go back to the Lake, just like they did when younger. Only this time, fun won’t be in the cards. A book to keep you up until you finished and got to the end.
November 11, 2022
Great book
Really good story, with a great cast of characters. Not for the young or those that are easily queasy , really gory. But I enjoyed the book. I recommend this to anyone that loves gory stories.
Really good story, with a great cast of characters. Not for the young or those that are easily queasy , really gory. But I enjoyed the book. I recommend this to anyone that loves gory stories.
December 31, 2022
An excellent slasher horror book. A page-turner full of suspense and gore coupled with a good storyline. The anticipation of knowing something horrible is about to happen kept me on the edge of my seat. And when it does, oh boy!
January 22, 2023
Loved this book. It packed a serious punch for being less than 200 pages. Old friends reconnect, plan a trip and head out to a really messed up “vacation”. Must read for anyone who likes slasher style books that are more extreme than the stuff you see on TV.
August 3, 2023
4.5 stars
This was my first book from Jay and David and I loved it! Read it in two-ish hours. Only issue I had with it is that it was a little predictable in the way that it was set up — but it was still a page turner! Definitely recommend.
This was my first book from Jay and David and I loved it! Read it in two-ish hours. Only issue I had with it is that it was a little predictable in the way that it was set up — but it was still a page turner! Definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews