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Dyer Lane
Don’t go looking for the supernatural at Dyer Lane, it’s waiting to be found and it’s always hungry.
Dyer Lane is a place enveloped in urban legends. It has a sinister past with layers of dark secrets full of witchcraft, cults, murder, and the supernatural. One night, a group of friends decide to go there in hopes of having a paranormal experience. Unknowingly, they begin a chain of events that will forever impact them.
Among the crew is a college nursing student named Cora, who works in the Emergency Department at a local hospital as a Medical Scribe. Years after the sudden passing of Cora’s father, she still struggles with anxiety and grief. When a strange diary is found in an abandoned shed off Dyer Lane, Cora welcomes the distraction of solving a mystery.
She becomes increasingly interested in reading the entries of a teenager from the 1990s named Heather, whose writing escalates to a disturbing level, detailing a murder of a local boy who had gone missing.
The coincidences become too alarming to ignore, and Cora seeks help from a local journalist, who covers cold cases in the area and tries to resume a normal routine, delving back into life as a nursing student.
However, Dyer Lane has a magnetic pull, and it all comes together in a twisted ending on Halloween Night, as the powers of Dyer grow and morph to become more than Cora or any of her friends could have imagined.
Dyer Lane is a place enveloped in urban legends. It has a sinister past with layers of dark secrets full of witchcraft, cults, murder, and the supernatural. One night, a group of friends decide to go there in hopes of having a paranormal experience. Unknowingly, they begin a chain of events that will forever impact them.
Among the crew is a college nursing student named Cora, who works in the Emergency Department at a local hospital as a Medical Scribe. Years after the sudden passing of Cora’s father, she still struggles with anxiety and grief. When a strange diary is found in an abandoned shed off Dyer Lane, Cora welcomes the distraction of solving a mystery.
She becomes increasingly interested in reading the entries of a teenager from the 1990s named Heather, whose writing escalates to a disturbing level, detailing a murder of a local boy who had gone missing.
The coincidences become too alarming to ignore, and Cora seeks help from a local journalist, who covers cold cases in the area and tries to resume a normal routine, delving back into life as a nursing student.
However, Dyer Lane has a magnetic pull, and it all comes together in a twisted ending on Halloween Night, as the powers of Dyer grow and morph to become more than Cora or any of her friends could have imagined.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2022
26 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Marie Aitchison
5 books125 followersOnce upon a time I worked as a Registered Nurse, now I write stories to entertain people and make them want to sleep with a nightlight on. I earned my BSN and Public Health Nursing credentials from Sacramento State University. When I'm not writing, you will find me reading and reviewing books on Instagram @topshelfbookreviews. I love stories that are strange, frightening, emotionally driven and witty. Dyer Lane is my first novel, but I have plans to contribute many more to the horror/thriller genre in the years to come. I live in Northern California with my husband and our two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 9, 2022
Thank you so much to my friend Marie for giving me the pleasure of reading her fantastic debut novel early 💚
I have been needing a horror novel to GO THERE and not stay in the “tame/predictable” territory everything seems to be staying in nowadays, and this book full on went there. Like holy sh*t did it go there 😳 Marie is the horror queen herself and I knew I shouldn’t have expected anything less than something so horrifying, creepy, and all out insane 🤯
Not only was this book so fascinating and disturbing, but I was so invested in the characters. I genuinely loved them so much and they made the story that much more incredible to me. The pacing was great, the scare factor is 1000% there, and I was on the edge of my seat. The ending was so gripping and it absolutely gutted me. Not only did this book scare me (which is very hard to do, might I add), but it also made me bawl my eyes out! To say this debut novel is a must read would be an understatement. Go pick it up now!!!
I have been needing a horror novel to GO THERE and not stay in the “tame/predictable” territory everything seems to be staying in nowadays, and this book full on went there. Like holy sh*t did it go there 😳 Marie is the horror queen herself and I knew I shouldn’t have expected anything less than something so horrifying, creepy, and all out insane 🤯
Not only was this book so fascinating and disturbing, but I was so invested in the characters. I genuinely loved them so much and they made the story that much more incredible to me. The pacing was great, the scare factor is 1000% there, and I was on the edge of my seat. The ending was so gripping and it absolutely gutted me. Not only did this book scare me (which is very hard to do, might I add), but it also made me bawl my eyes out! To say this debut novel is a must read would be an understatement. Go pick it up now!!!
October 14, 2022
When I watched Blair Witch Project in a theatre alone, I thought it was extraordinary. Until I read this book called "Dyer Lane".
Dyer Lane is extraordinarily, disturbingly, wickedly, ghastly, uncannily, menacingly, alarmingly, and fearsomely great!
Here are the ✋ 🤚 reasons why:
1. 😵💫 It has a "possession" trope that is the most terrific for me when I read horror books because they are closer to reality
2. 🧟♂️ A mix of witchcraft, cult, murders, and whatnot
3. 👯♀️ Fantastic story development with a bit of romance and friendships to die for
4. 📝 A fast-paced book with an engaging writing style and short chapters
5. 🧏♀️ Excellent main character's growth throughout the book
6. 👩⚕️ The author chose healthcare as the main character's professional field, and my respect has quadrupled for healthcare workers
7. 📓 Smartly introduced another story in journal-style writing
8. ⏳Cleverly intersected elements from two different timelines
9. 🎬 I was blown away by the climax, didn't expect that ending
10. ✍🏻 Super intelligent storytelling in a debut novel
You can't afford to miss this book as your spooky read this season.
Dyer Lane is extraordinarily, disturbingly, wickedly, ghastly, uncannily, menacingly, alarmingly, and fearsomely great!
Here are the ✋ 🤚 reasons why:
1. 😵💫 It has a "possession" trope that is the most terrific for me when I read horror books because they are closer to reality
2. 🧟♂️ A mix of witchcraft, cult, murders, and whatnot
3. 👯♀️ Fantastic story development with a bit of romance and friendships to die for
4. 📝 A fast-paced book with an engaging writing style and short chapters
5. 🧏♀️ Excellent main character's growth throughout the book
6. 👩⚕️ The author chose healthcare as the main character's professional field, and my respect has quadrupled for healthcare workers
7. 📓 Smartly introduced another story in journal-style writing
8. ⏳Cleverly intersected elements from two different timelines
9. 🎬 I was blown away by the climax, didn't expect that ending
10. ✍🏻 Super intelligent storytelling in a debut novel
You can't afford to miss this book as your spooky read this season.
September 9, 2022
Need a recommendation for a scary book to read for spooky season? Have I got the book for you!!
Dyer Lane, the debut novel from bookstagrammer @topshelfbookreviews, aka Marie Aitchison, is bursting with love for the horror genre. With nods to movies like scream and books like IT, this is a paranormal mystery that is sure to scare and delight.
“Everybody dies. The fact that we will one day breathe our last breath is truly the only thing that’s ever guaranteed to each hand every one of us.”
The novel starts with some college kids partying and daring each other to head to Dyer Lane, the site of some urban legends and plenty of creepy stories. they end up going there, taking some pictures and finding a journal. The journal ends up being from a missing girl from one of the urban legend stories they heard about.
From here, the story splits into two POV…the present day and the journal entries from 1997. This is so well done and adds so much perspective and history to the story. As the friends read and try to understand what’s written in the journal, it correlates to events happening with the friends today. What is going on? Can they solve the mystery in time to save themselves?
The story is filled with classic horror moments of “NOOO! Don’t get out of the car” and “why are you going back there!” as well as teen angst, witchcraft, friendships, and romance. It’s got a terrifying demon that may or may not be real. And through it all, the friends try to figure out the mystery and take care of each other along the way.
“You are like a jewel and reflect back the light of whoever you are around, shining the best of others back at them. Don’t lose that glimmering part of who you are to fit a box that others have built for you.”
I loved the character development in this! Marie was a nurse and there are several scenes at the hospital where her knowledge shines through. Some of the side characters are my favorite - the cute older women, Janet, at the hospital needs her own book! The friends all have to decide who to trust and what they believe. I enjoyed the deeper discussions on death and the afterlife. And that ENDING!!! AH!! So much happens in those last 40 pages and the story comes full circle.
This as a thrill ride that kept me on my toes and was a lot of fun!
CW: It writing feels very YA with the teens/college kids and themes of bullying, dating, and drinking but be aware there is mature content here with horror gore, a murder, demon possession, and some non graphic sexual content.
I love this for Marie's debut book. I can feel so much of her heart and her passions in this book. I think this is just the start for her and can't wait to read more.
TO ORDER: Amazon Link
If you want to see more of what I'm reading each day, follow me on my Bookstagram
To watch my monthly updates and author chats, check out my Book Tube channel
To read my in depth reviews and see author Q&A's, head to my blogAll audio books are from Libro FM to support my local bookstore, The Book Bar in Denver.
Dyer Lane, the debut novel from bookstagrammer @topshelfbookreviews, aka Marie Aitchison, is bursting with love for the horror genre. With nods to movies like scream and books like IT, this is a paranormal mystery that is sure to scare and delight.
“Everybody dies. The fact that we will one day breathe our last breath is truly the only thing that’s ever guaranteed to each hand every one of us.”
The novel starts with some college kids partying and daring each other to head to Dyer Lane, the site of some urban legends and plenty of creepy stories. they end up going there, taking some pictures and finding a journal. The journal ends up being from a missing girl from one of the urban legend stories they heard about.
From here, the story splits into two POV…the present day and the journal entries from 1997. This is so well done and adds so much perspective and history to the story. As the friends read and try to understand what’s written in the journal, it correlates to events happening with the friends today. What is going on? Can they solve the mystery in time to save themselves?
The story is filled with classic horror moments of “NOOO! Don’t get out of the car” and “why are you going back there!” as well as teen angst, witchcraft, friendships, and romance. It’s got a terrifying demon that may or may not be real. And through it all, the friends try to figure out the mystery and take care of each other along the way.
“You are like a jewel and reflect back the light of whoever you are around, shining the best of others back at them. Don’t lose that glimmering part of who you are to fit a box that others have built for you.”
I loved the character development in this! Marie was a nurse and there are several scenes at the hospital where her knowledge shines through. Some of the side characters are my favorite - the cute older women, Janet, at the hospital needs her own book! The friends all have to decide who to trust and what they believe. I enjoyed the deeper discussions on death and the afterlife. And that ENDING!!! AH!! So much happens in those last 40 pages and the story comes full circle.
This as a thrill ride that kept me on my toes and was a lot of fun!
CW: It writing feels very YA with the teens/college kids and themes of bullying, dating, and drinking but be aware there is mature content here with horror gore, a murder, demon possession, and some non graphic sexual content.
I love this for Marie's debut book. I can feel so much of her heart and her passions in this book. I think this is just the start for her and can't wait to read more.
TO ORDER: Amazon Link
If you want to see more of what I'm reading each day, follow me on my Bookstagram
To watch my monthly updates and author chats, check out my Book Tube channel
To read my in depth reviews and see author Q&A's, head to my blogAll audio books are from Libro FM to support my local bookstore, The Book Bar in Denver.
September 12, 2022
Dyer Lane is a place enveloped in urban legends. It has a sinister past with layers of dark secrets full of witchcraft, cults, murder, and the supernatural. One night, a group of friends decide to go there in hopes of having a paranormal experience. Unknowingly, they begin a chain of events that will forever impact them.
Dyer Lane is spine-chilling, creepy, gory, horrifying and deliciously disturbing!! This debut left NOTHING to the imagination. Blood, guts, witchcraft and the supernatural …it’s ALL there and I DEVOURED it. Picture every horror movie you’ve ever watched and put it on these pages. The parts I read alone, in our empty breakroom at the ER made me check the windows, thinking I was seeing faces peeking inside. 🫣
The parts that took place while Cora was working in the ER were SPOT ON (the 💡 scene, IYKYK) 😅
This was a STUNNING debut by my friend Marie and I can’t wait to read everything she has in store for us!! 👏🏽
Read if you liked:
• My Best Friend’s Exorcism
• Stephen King novels
4.5 ⭐️
Dyer Lane is spine-chilling, creepy, gory, horrifying and deliciously disturbing!! This debut left NOTHING to the imagination. Blood, guts, witchcraft and the supernatural …it’s ALL there and I DEVOURED it. Picture every horror movie you’ve ever watched and put it on these pages. The parts I read alone, in our empty breakroom at the ER made me check the windows, thinking I was seeing faces peeking inside. 🫣
The parts that took place while Cora was working in the ER were SPOT ON (the 💡 scene, IYKYK) 😅
This was a STUNNING debut by my friend Marie and I can’t wait to read everything she has in store for us!! 👏🏽
Read if you liked:
• My Best Friend’s Exorcism
• Stephen King novels
4.5 ⭐️
November 25, 2024
I purchased this book after hearing it was based in Sacramento. It’s pretty cool to see the tidbits about areas I am familiar with.
It started off spooky-got downright SCARY! Definitely a great start as the writer’s debut horror novel.
It had good flow and kept me reading.
Knocked down a star due to a plot hole or two, and some editing errors.
All in all, a good book!
Warning: if you are sensitive to anything demonic- don’t read this! If you want to scare the pants off yourself, go for it!!!
It started off spooky-got downright SCARY! Definitely a great start as the writer’s debut horror novel.
It had good flow and kept me reading.
Knocked down a star due to a plot hole or two, and some editing errors.
All in all, a good book!
Warning: if you are sensitive to anything demonic- don’t read this! If you want to scare the pants off yourself, go for it!!!
September 16, 2022
Well goodbye to sleeping for the next week 😂
This book is creepy. And dark. And depraved. And graphic. And intense. And I could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Seeing as I’m not a horror reader (like…at all) I was nervous going into this. And, to be fair, my nervousness was warranted because holy shit Marie, this book is DARK. It takes place on Dyer Lane, an allegedly haunted street NEAR WHERE I LIVE, so it also felt very close to home. That all being said, I was so invested in the characters and in their journey to find out what happened to the girl whose gruesome journal they found. This book is full of paranormal activity, murders, and suspense, and anyone who loves a spooky, gory read is in for a (trick-or-) treat 🍬
Perfect when paired with spooky season, all the lights on, and your partner at home for when you hear scary noises 🙃 4.5 ⭐️
This book is creepy. And dark. And depraved. And graphic. And intense. And I could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Seeing as I’m not a horror reader (like…at all) I was nervous going into this. And, to be fair, my nervousness was warranted because holy shit Marie, this book is DARK. It takes place on Dyer Lane, an allegedly haunted street NEAR WHERE I LIVE, so it also felt very close to home. That all being said, I was so invested in the characters and in their journey to find out what happened to the girl whose gruesome journal they found. This book is full of paranormal activity, murders, and suspense, and anyone who loves a spooky, gory read is in for a (trick-or-) treat 🍬
Perfect when paired with spooky season, all the lights on, and your partner at home for when you hear scary noises 🙃 4.5 ⭐️
October 9, 2022
Creepy concept? Check. Gore? Check. Surprise ending? Check. Crystals and magic? Check. Halloween content? Check. Great pop culture references? Check. The list really goes on.
If you are a fan of the horror genre, you definitely need to check out this book! I enjoyed the characters and I liked the wait to see who (if anyone) was going to die. My only real complaint is with the epilogue, it left me feeling a little conflicted about whether I liked its inclusion. I understand why it was there, and part of me really likes how Marie managed to subvert our expectations with the horror genre with it, but I think I would have liked the ending a little more if we were just left with the reveal and nothing else. Otherwise, I was enthralled with this unique concept. Dyer Lane is Aitchison's first novel and I am so excited to see what she comes up with next.
Definitely support a fellow Bookstagrammer and go get this book, you will not be disappointed!! I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.
If you are a fan of the horror genre, you definitely need to check out this book! I enjoyed the characters and I liked the wait to see who (if anyone) was going to die. My only real complaint is with the epilogue, it left me feeling a little conflicted about whether I liked its inclusion. I understand why it was there, and part of me really likes how Marie managed to subvert our expectations with the horror genre with it, but I think I would have liked the ending a little more if we were just left with the reveal and nothing else. Otherwise, I was enthralled with this unique concept. Dyer Lane is Aitchison's first novel and I am so excited to see what she comes up with next.
Definitely support a fellow Bookstagrammer and go get this book, you will not be disappointed!! I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.
September 11, 2022
I was truly impressed with this debut horror novel. I couldn’t put it down and found myself really invested in the characters. The pacing was just right and I was genuinely scared at times. The ending was absolutely wild and so messed up!
I enjoyed reading about northern California locations that I’m very familiar with and loved the Nor Cal slang- I was hella entertained. I may have even shed a tear reading the acknowledgment and I look forward to reading more from Marie Aitchison.
This was a great book to kick off spooky season and I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed reading about northern California locations that I’m very familiar with and loved the Nor Cal slang- I was hella entertained. I may have even shed a tear reading the acknowledgment and I look forward to reading more from Marie Aitchison.
This was a great book to kick off spooky season and I highly recommend it.
September 30, 2022
"I have always lived my life like a shark, keep moving forward, or die."
.
Thank you Marie Aitchison for a copy of Dyer Lane! I ended up purchasing a paperback, too, because I definitely want this book on my shelf ;)!
.
I typically gravitate away from horror and anything paranormal/supernatural, but I've been friends with Marie on Instagram for a few years and knew that I needed to read her book because we have such similar reading tastes and she's just an awesome person!
.
That being said, Aitchison also knows how to write. I was sucked into this story immediately and it had that unputdownable quality that I love in a book. I spent much of the day sneaking in as many chapters as I could, making sure all the lights were on in the house ;), and then diving back in for more.
.
There were some elements of the story that I really loved. Aside from the gripping writing style, I always enjoyed a glimpse into the nursing profession and medical world. These scenes added a fun element to the story. Additionally, this book brought on an air of nostalgia. The main premise revolves around the haunting tales of Dyer Lane - are they just urban legends or is Dyer really haunted? When I was in high school, my friends and I had a similar spooky place, Ball Cemetery, that we used to drive to and explore, seeking out all the thrills and chills. The first chapter of this book transported me right back to high school; those trips to the cemetery were always insanely scary but also gave you an adrenaline high, and I felt that reading this book. (Google Ball Cemetery in Springfield, NE - some freaky stuff reportedly happened there...)
.
I enjoyed the characters in the story and was rooting for our MC, Cora. I also really liked Avery - total book boyfriend material.
.
Folks, if you want a spooky read for October, this is the book for you! I am glad I branched out of my usual genres and read Dyer Lane because I so enjoyed this story!
.
Thank you Marie Aitchison for a copy of Dyer Lane! I ended up purchasing a paperback, too, because I definitely want this book on my shelf ;)!
.
I typically gravitate away from horror and anything paranormal/supernatural, but I've been friends with Marie on Instagram for a few years and knew that I needed to read her book because we have such similar reading tastes and she's just an awesome person!
.
That being said, Aitchison also knows how to write. I was sucked into this story immediately and it had that unputdownable quality that I love in a book. I spent much of the day sneaking in as many chapters as I could, making sure all the lights were on in the house ;), and then diving back in for more.
.
There were some elements of the story that I really loved. Aside from the gripping writing style, I always enjoyed a glimpse into the nursing profession and medical world. These scenes added a fun element to the story. Additionally, this book brought on an air of nostalgia. The main premise revolves around the haunting tales of Dyer Lane - are they just urban legends or is Dyer really haunted? When I was in high school, my friends and I had a similar spooky place, Ball Cemetery, that we used to drive to and explore, seeking out all the thrills and chills. The first chapter of this book transported me right back to high school; those trips to the cemetery were always insanely scary but also gave you an adrenaline high, and I felt that reading this book. (Google Ball Cemetery in Springfield, NE - some freaky stuff reportedly happened there...)
.
I enjoyed the characters in the story and was rooting for our MC, Cora. I also really liked Avery - total book boyfriend material.
.
Folks, if you want a spooky read for October, this is the book for you! I am glad I branched out of my usual genres and read Dyer Lane because I so enjoyed this story!
October 1, 2022
4.5/5!
I’m so proud of my friend Marie for creating this dark debut novel! Marie and I have been chatting about spooky books and our love for them for a while now, so it comes as no surprise to me that her book was able to deliver on all the gory, creepy, unsettling moments we love!
Our main character, Cora, is well-rounded and easy to connect with over her experiences on Dyer Lane. There’s a great range of emotions from Cora and the cast of secondary characters throughout the story. This book is so much more than just a straightforward horror story. It deals with grief, anxiety, doubt, and even love in a way that is relatable for readers to see those emotions and experiences reflected in their own lives. I loved the lighter moments and the nostalgia within the story that balances detailed and vivid scenes of horror. Personally, I could have gone for more gore and horror, but I think this will be a perfect mix for the majority of readers.
I can’t wait to see what comes next from Marie!
I’m so proud of my friend Marie for creating this dark debut novel! Marie and I have been chatting about spooky books and our love for them for a while now, so it comes as no surprise to me that her book was able to deliver on all the gory, creepy, unsettling moments we love!
Our main character, Cora, is well-rounded and easy to connect with over her experiences on Dyer Lane. There’s a great range of emotions from Cora and the cast of secondary characters throughout the story. This book is so much more than just a straightforward horror story. It deals with grief, anxiety, doubt, and even love in a way that is relatable for readers to see those emotions and experiences reflected in their own lives. I loved the lighter moments and the nostalgia within the story that balances detailed and vivid scenes of horror. Personally, I could have gone for more gore and horror, but I think this will be a perfect mix for the majority of readers.
I can’t wait to see what comes next from Marie!
March 29, 2023
Aitchison commented on a story where I didn't choose a romance that I loved in a book and damn if she wasn't right. I love the love that Cora and Avery have for each other, infinitially! I loved the modern references throughout and some of the gore was truly gruesome. She wrote what she knows being a former registered nurse herself.
The tension built throughout and that ending, as a horror fan was so gnarly, then it ripped out my heart and stomped all over it. Yes, I guess I just admitted to having a heart, don't @ me! Do check this one out though. I look forward to whatever Aitchison comes out with next!
The tension built throughout and that ending, as a horror fan was so gnarly, then it ripped out my heart and stomped all over it. Yes, I guess I just admitted to having a heart, don't @ me! Do check this one out though. I look forward to whatever Aitchison comes out with next!
October 2, 2022
This is what a horror book should be like. Holy moly. Pages (kindle screen) was turning at rocket speed. Read the whole book just today. Highly recommend.
December 13, 2022
🖤Book Review: Dyer Lane by Marie Aitchison🖤
Ok, so like imagine if The Bright Lands had a baby with any Stephen King book, and then that baby grew up in a troubled home and never went to therapy - that’s Dyer Lane.
Extraordinarily gory, scary, and spine-tingling with a propulsive plot and the right amount of characterization to keep you turning pages. There were so many fun pop-culture references and excellent descriptive language which made reading this book so fun. Oh…and you may never want to eat pancakes again. You’ve been warned.
This debut novel is self-published and has so much to unpack!
It is something special to see your friend’s art come to life and make its way into the hands of readers. I’m so glad I got to be one of them.
Are you brave enough to read this book?
Ok, so like imagine if The Bright Lands had a baby with any Stephen King book, and then that baby grew up in a troubled home and never went to therapy - that’s Dyer Lane.
Extraordinarily gory, scary, and spine-tingling with a propulsive plot and the right amount of characterization to keep you turning pages. There were so many fun pop-culture references and excellent descriptive language which made reading this book so fun. Oh…and you may never want to eat pancakes again. You’ve been warned.
This debut novel is self-published and has so much to unpack!
It is something special to see your friend’s art come to life and make its way into the hands of readers. I’m so glad I got to be one of them.
Are you brave enough to read this book?
October 25, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
As debut novels go, Marie Aitchison did a great job! Dyer Lane was a very unique possession story and I was super intrigued about it going in after seeing it on bookstagram. I really enjoyed the core plot and the horror itself was WILD. (TW for body horror, gruesome scenes/imagery, death; please check for any additional warnings you may find disturbing.)
While I did enjoy this, I do have a few things to note. I will say I lost focus a couple of times while reading as there were quite a few unnecessary scenes that didn’t really add anything to the story. As a reader, I would’ve rather seen that time being utilized to better develop the characters. While Cora, our MC, was pretty whole as characters go, I feel her friends could’ve been built up more and their storylines could’ve been more solid. I was also not the biggest fan of the ending; it just fell flat for me after a pretty intense climatic scene.
All in all, this was a decent read and if you’re looking for a good possession/haunted story, give this a go!
As debut novels go, Marie Aitchison did a great job! Dyer Lane was a very unique possession story and I was super intrigued about it going in after seeing it on bookstagram. I really enjoyed the core plot and the horror itself was WILD. (TW for body horror, gruesome scenes/imagery, death; please check for any additional warnings you may find disturbing.)
While I did enjoy this, I do have a few things to note. I will say I lost focus a couple of times while reading as there were quite a few unnecessary scenes that didn’t really add anything to the story. As a reader, I would’ve rather seen that time being utilized to better develop the characters. While Cora, our MC, was pretty whole as characters go, I feel her friends could’ve been built up more and their storylines could’ve been more solid. I was also not the biggest fan of the ending; it just fell flat for me after a pretty intense climatic scene.
All in all, this was a decent read and if you’re looking for a good possession/haunted story, give this a go!
October 17, 2022
This was a fun one! Very gory, very fast paced, very unpredictable and SHARP turns. Filled with excellent pop culture references and with a Halloween party in the mix it was the perfect October read. If you’re a fan of the genre definitely check it out. I read it in a day because there was no place to walk away from it, you need to know what’s going on.
The only issue I had, and what dropped it from a 5 to 4 star was the ending. Although it was unpredictable and really took me by surprise I wish it had of ended there and not with the weird epilogue.
The only issue I had, and what dropped it from a 5 to 4 star was the ending. Although it was unpredictable and really took me by surprise I wish it had of ended there and not with the weird epilogue.
October 13, 2022
Apparently I like horror with demons and the occult now?
Great debut, catch my staying away from every country lane in my area now 😅
Great debut, catch my staying away from every country lane in my area now 😅
April 2, 2023
Picture this, a nursing student with a group of great friends who are having fun one night, smoking a little reefer, drinking some Bacardi and they decide to explore the infamous Dyer Lane (look it up if you’ve never heard it before, I had to google it!) They end up finding a dead girl’s diary in a shed and from there on shit hits the fan.
This book was UNFRIGGIN-believable! This was just a pure, horrific & emotional indulgence. I started reading and could not stop. I have read a lot of books and I have to say, a horror story has never made me bawl my eyes out in the end! This is the author’s 1st novel and it absolutely did not disappoint. If she’s thinking of a part 2, I would be so excited! But overall, I’m excited and anticipating her next book!
This book was nostalgic for me too because Heather’s diary is from 1997 and that’s when I was a teen as well so, I loved that aspect of it too!
This book was UNFRIGGIN-believable! This was just a pure, horrific & emotional indulgence. I started reading and could not stop. I have read a lot of books and I have to say, a horror story has never made me bawl my eyes out in the end! This is the author’s 1st novel and it absolutely did not disappoint. If she’s thinking of a part 2, I would be so excited! But overall, I’m excited and anticipating her next book!
This book was nostalgic for me too because Heather’s diary is from 1997 and that’s when I was a teen as well so, I loved that aspect of it too!
October 25, 2023
This was a great debut from this author. Honestly, a great read for spooky season.
I really enjoyed seeing more of an inside perspective from a health care professional and that clearly carried over in the descriptions of some of the more gruesome elements. There were certainly a few scenes that had me grossed out.
The writing as well done and it helped to create this very atmospheric tale about Dyer Lane (someplace I will never go!).
I did find the story lulled a little bit in the middle and focused more on the nursing and that element rather than keeping up the momentum with Dyer Lane and the creepy elements it brought forth. But overall, I really enjoyed this and think it's a great paranormal thriller/horror.
I really enjoyed seeing more of an inside perspective from a health care professional and that clearly carried over in the descriptions of some of the more gruesome elements. There were certainly a few scenes that had me grossed out.
The writing as well done and it helped to create this very atmospheric tale about Dyer Lane (someplace I will never go!).
I did find the story lulled a little bit in the middle and focused more on the nursing and that element rather than keeping up the momentum with Dyer Lane and the creepy elements it brought forth. But overall, I really enjoyed this and think it's a great paranormal thriller/horror.
January 1, 2026
Dyer Lane was definitely on the slower-paced side, but honestly, there were enough creepy moments sprinkled throughout that it kept me invested and wanting to finish. It had that steady, eerie build where you’re not flying through it, but you’re also not bored because something always feels a little off.
What really drew me to this book in the first place was finding out that Dyer Lane is a real location with real back-lore—and the fact that it’s only about an hour and a half from where I live made it even more intriguing. That alone definitely motivated me to pick it up and probably made me more sucked in than the average reader. There’s just something extra creepy about a story feeling close to home.
I also love a good possession and/or creepy legend story, and this book absolutely delivered on that front. And those last 40 pages?! Completely had me on edge. The descriptions were genuinely unsettling, and I was thoroughly creeped out in the best way.
The book wasn’t perfect, but I still really enjoyed it overall and would definitely read more from this author.
P.S. I listened using the Virtual Voice audio (as that’s all that was available) while reading along, and while it was mostly bearable, there were a few hiccups. Some words and phrases were read a little strangely—most noticeably “IV” (as in intravenous, which was used several times throughout the book as some of the main characters were nurses/paramedics), which the voice kept reading as the Roman numeral four. If I hadn’t been following along with the text, I would’ve been very confused about why the number four kept popping up randomly in the middle of a sentence where it made absolutely no sense 😂 There were a couple other small moments like that too, so it’s just something to keep in mind if you plan on listening to the audio only. 👍🏼
What really drew me to this book in the first place was finding out that Dyer Lane is a real location with real back-lore—and the fact that it’s only about an hour and a half from where I live made it even more intriguing. That alone definitely motivated me to pick it up and probably made me more sucked in than the average reader. There’s just something extra creepy about a story feeling close to home.
I also love a good possession and/or creepy legend story, and this book absolutely delivered on that front. And those last 40 pages?! Completely had me on edge. The descriptions were genuinely unsettling, and I was thoroughly creeped out in the best way.
The book wasn’t perfect, but I still really enjoyed it overall and would definitely read more from this author.
P.S. I listened using the Virtual Voice audio (as that’s all that was available) while reading along, and while it was mostly bearable, there were a few hiccups. Some words and phrases were read a little strangely—most noticeably “IV” (as in intravenous, which was used several times throughout the book as some of the main characters were nurses/paramedics), which the voice kept reading as the Roman numeral four. If I hadn’t been following along with the text, I would’ve been very confused about why the number four kept popping up randomly in the middle of a sentence where it made absolutely no sense 😂 There were a couple other small moments like that too, so it’s just something to keep in mind if you plan on listening to the audio only. 👍🏼
December 2, 2022
It’s me, hi. I’m the problem, going into books blindly, it’s me! When Megan Styles reenacts her reaction to the ending of a book and causes you to choke on your dulce de leche brioche French toast at brunch while dying laughing, you immediately tell her you are prioritizing the shit out of said book. And by prioritize, I mean reading immediately because she so graciously sent you a surprise copy via Kindle on your flight home :’)
Was I informed this book was a horror novel? No, I was not! Did I ensure I had my big girl panties strapped tight to my bookish behind? No, I did not! Was my earth shattered by the plot and bizarre ending of this debut? No, it was not! HEHEHEHEHEEEE!
Dyer Lane is the urban legend of NorCal – rumored to be haunted AF with a mysterious past involving mUrDeRrRrRr! Long story short: Cora is a nursing student who comes across a diary of a young girl whilst engaging in typical young adult fuckery while drunkenly exploring an abandoned shed. The journal belongs to some goth chick named Heather from the 90’s and is overflowing with entries explaining spine tingling, gruesomely eerie turned deadly events that all originated at….. yup, you guessed it! DYER LANE! DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNNNN!
What quickly transpires is some downright demon shit that infiltrates Cora's life with a heap of gore for some shits n’giggles!
The ending was bizarre.
I am glad I survived :’)
OKAY OFF TO GO MENTALLY PREPARE TO HEAR THE AUTHOR ON @megansbookishlifepodcast BYEEEEEEE!
Was I informed this book was a horror novel? No, I was not! Did I ensure I had my big girl panties strapped tight to my bookish behind? No, I did not! Was my earth shattered by the plot and bizarre ending of this debut? No, it was not! HEHEHEHEHEEEE!
Dyer Lane is the urban legend of NorCal – rumored to be haunted AF with a mysterious past involving mUrDeRrRrRr! Long story short: Cora is a nursing student who comes across a diary of a young girl whilst engaging in typical young adult fuckery while drunkenly exploring an abandoned shed. The journal belongs to some goth chick named Heather from the 90’s and is overflowing with entries explaining spine tingling, gruesomely eerie turned deadly events that all originated at….. yup, you guessed it! DYER LANE! DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNNNN!
What quickly transpires is some downright demon shit that infiltrates Cora's life with a heap of gore for some shits n’giggles!
The ending was bizarre.
I am glad I survived :’)
OKAY OFF TO GO MENTALLY PREPARE TO HEAR THE AUTHOR ON @megansbookishlifepodcast BYEEEEEEE!
October 8, 2022
I finished this spooky read yesterday. We are reading this for our book club for October. I can't wait to discuss this, so much packed into it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I totally gave this 5 stars for the spooky paranormal vibe!
The premise of this one, 7 friends, all college age, out drinking and partying as those college kids will do. They decide to visit Dyer Lane an area known for crazy things happening!
They pull over and 4 of the friends go to investigate the area, while 3 stay with the car. They find a spooky, run down shack with some crazy items: dried blood, old candles a pentagram on the floor, a ouija board, and a dusty old book. They keep the book and decide to look through it.
It's a diary, of a group of friends that visited Dyer Lane in the late 90's. It details some crazy things..
Our college kids have a few series of questionable encounters..all leading up to Halloween.
The writing is so descriptive and will give you the scary movie vibe. Twists and turns around every corner.
#bookstagram
#crazybooknerd
#spookybookforoctober
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I totally gave this 5 stars for the spooky paranormal vibe!
The premise of this one, 7 friends, all college age, out drinking and partying as those college kids will do. They decide to visit Dyer Lane an area known for crazy things happening!
They pull over and 4 of the friends go to investigate the area, while 3 stay with the car. They find a spooky, run down shack with some crazy items: dried blood, old candles a pentagram on the floor, a ouija board, and a dusty old book. They keep the book and decide to look through it.
It's a diary, of a group of friends that visited Dyer Lane in the late 90's. It details some crazy things..
Our college kids have a few series of questionable encounters..all leading up to Halloween.
The writing is so descriptive and will give you the scary movie vibe. Twists and turns around every corner.
#bookstagram
#crazybooknerd
#spookybookforoctober
October 16, 2025
Perfect for spooky season 👻 I don’t usually read horror (hi, it’s me, anxious + sleep-deprived postpartum mom 😅), but a friend convinced me to buddy read this one—and wow, I’m glad I did.
Dyer Lane follows Cora, who finds herself unexpectedly acquiring a mysterious diary that was found in a haunted shack and becomes entangled in the dark history of Dyer Lane—a real abandoned road near Sacramento known for eerie legends and crime. What starts as curiosity spirals into obsession as Cora uncovers secrets that link past and present… and learns that sometimes the real horror is betrayal.
Emotional, tense, and atmospheric—this book explores grief, friendship, paranoia, and the power of fear. It definitely spooked me (shame on me for reading it in the middle of the night while breastfeeding😂), but I couldn’t put it down.
Rating: 4/5 (only because I’m a chicken and prefer cozy endings lol)
If you want something unsettling and addictive this October—Dyer Lane.
Dyer Lane follows Cora, who finds herself unexpectedly acquiring a mysterious diary that was found in a haunted shack and becomes entangled in the dark history of Dyer Lane—a real abandoned road near Sacramento known for eerie legends and crime. What starts as curiosity spirals into obsession as Cora uncovers secrets that link past and present… and learns that sometimes the real horror is betrayal.
Emotional, tense, and atmospheric—this book explores grief, friendship, paranoia, and the power of fear. It definitely spooked me (shame on me for reading it in the middle of the night while breastfeeding😂), but I couldn’t put it down.
Rating: 4/5 (only because I’m a chicken and prefer cozy endings lol)
If you want something unsettling and addictive this October—Dyer Lane.
October 19, 2022
Weird, but Good
I’ve never read a book like this before. I was suggested by someone in my book club and we thought why not? It’s Halloween time and a good scary read would be fitting. The book did not disappoint. This is the story of a parallel group of friends who coincidentally have similar bad things happen in their lives but from different times. You have normal every day occurrences, witch craft, demons, and after life events. I hated the ending but I liked the ending because it does give hope. I would recommend it for sure.
I’ve never read a book like this before. I was suggested by someone in my book club and we thought why not? It’s Halloween time and a good scary read would be fitting. The book did not disappoint. This is the story of a parallel group of friends who coincidentally have similar bad things happen in their lives but from different times. You have normal every day occurrences, witch craft, demons, and after life events. I hated the ending but I liked the ending because it does give hope. I would recommend it for sure.
August 7, 2023
This book is perfect for spooky season. It has everything I want from a story - it was mysterious, creepy, fun, and philosophical all in one. The story was well-paced and had great character development. The book included all sorts of scares from old urban legends to paranormal encounters. The suspense builds as you read from not knowing who you can trust. Also, it features lots of fun Easter eggs that you will pick up on if you’re from the greater Sacramento area. I did NOT see the ending coming at all and was very happy with this author’s debut story. I can’t wait to read more from her!
October 19, 2022
This book was chosen for my book club and definitely outside of my choice of reading. This was a super creepy paranormal book. It is well written and I really liked the characters.
Cora and her friends take late night ride to check out the "haunted Dyer Lane." What they find is questionable but what follows is darker than it appears and will make you think twice before going into the woods in the dark ever again.
Curiosity can be good until it isn't.
Cora and her friends take late night ride to check out the "haunted Dyer Lane." What they find is questionable but what follows is darker than it appears and will make you think twice before going into the woods in the dark ever again.
Curiosity can be good until it isn't.
October 26, 2022
Having grown up very close to the infamous Dyer Lane and hearing all of the spooky stories, I couldn’t pass up reading this debut novel. I tend to rate books based on how well they keep my short attention span, and Dyer Lane was a page-turner throughout. However, the ending (no spoilers!) was a bit gruesome for my taste. Nevertheless, it was a fun spooky season read. Thanks, Marie, and bravo to you on your first novel. I look forward to your future novels!
October 7, 2023
I didn’t dislike this book, it was just far too long making it a bit boring at times. I just personally don’t vibe with some of the main themes. The medical stuff was cool, but too in depth to keep my attention. Possession doesn’t scare me *too* badly in books, I mostly just laugh. I also wanted more scary, but because some things felt too drawn out, I unfortunately slept with the lights off just fine. Lol I could still recommend this book to those who enjoy cheesy 90’s horror films!
September 27, 2022
This was compulsively readable and a great first book for the start of spooky season. I couldn’t put it down. So when the ending hit, I was even more dissatisfied. For a self-published book, this was a pretty solid three stars for me until the ending. With some proofreading and editing, this would go up at least another star for me. Lots of potential here though!
August 21, 2023
If you like 90s horror movies like Scream, The Craft, The Exorcist, then this is a must read. Also, it has some fun ER medical scenes and plenty of pop culture to keep people engaged. It's scary, well written, and a must read especially during October and Halloween season (there is even a Halloween party and pumpkin carving). The twist at the end is wild.
February 10, 2025
I have yet to find a horror book that scares me…UNTIL NOW!!! the author’s descriptions of the horrors happening to the characters is amazing and disturbing the best way!!! Great read! Dyer Lane was near my hometown and I grew up hearing some of the crazy stories mentioned in the book. Absolutely love this book. Now one of my top 5 reads ever!
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