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decommissioned: a horror
Life isn't fair.
Blaine Goodwin moves into the Lighthouse on Skyreef Refuge to save the old place. Their husband, Harvey, restores places to their former glory; Blaine is the one who preserves them, revitalizes them, bringing them into the light once again. There's something special about coming to an old home nobody's lived in for years and making it feel human again.
The longer they reside in the Skylight, though, the stranger things become. Words whisper on the winds; storms batter the island; saltwaters consume them in living rot; the day-to-day of their lives becomes swallowed by the something that never left the old decommissioned lighthouse. Uncovering the spirit won't satisfy her, however. She wants something more from them; she wants something she lost herself, long ago. Blaine's quest of restoration instead becomes one of searching, understanding, and reaching through the veil to the hands clawing out from the other side.
A ghost story like no other, a horror will take audiences on a tense, terrifying journey through the haunted saltscape of New England. In exploring the cursed nightmare that is Blaine's life on Skyreef Refuge, author Nicole Mello gives readers an ethereal, evocative story of horror, home, and humanity that is cinematic, intimate, and will leave you questioning what matters, what doesn't, and what it truly means to be alive.
Blaine Goodwin moves into the Lighthouse on Skyreef Refuge to save the old place. Their husband, Harvey, restores places to their former glory; Blaine is the one who preserves them, revitalizes them, bringing them into the light once again. There's something special about coming to an old home nobody's lived in for years and making it feel human again.
The longer they reside in the Skylight, though, the stranger things become. Words whisper on the winds; storms batter the island; saltwaters consume them in living rot; the day-to-day of their lives becomes swallowed by the something that never left the old decommissioned lighthouse. Uncovering the spirit won't satisfy her, however. She wants something more from them; she wants something she lost herself, long ago. Blaine's quest of restoration instead becomes one of searching, understanding, and reaching through the veil to the hands clawing out from the other side.
A ghost story like no other, a horror will take audiences on a tense, terrifying journey through the haunted saltscape of New England. In exploring the cursed nightmare that is Blaine's life on Skyreef Refuge, author Nicole Mello gives readers an ethereal, evocative story of horror, home, and humanity that is cinematic, intimate, and will leave you questioning what matters, what doesn't, and what it truly means to be alive.
- GenresHorror
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2022
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Mello
14 books32 followersqueer storyteller, dark comedian, emotional writer, hopeless romantic, cheerful publisher, horror obsessor, atavistic cryptid, humanity lover, excited creator, chaos advocate, constant learner, everyday appreciator, mistake maker, art enjoyer, professional pretender, and dream weaver, by trade.
author by profession.
nicole currently resides in massachusetts with their husband. they encourage everyone reading this to question everything, be true to themselves, stay hydrated, and treat others with kindness.
author by profession.
nicole currently resides in massachusetts with their husband. they encourage everyone reading this to question everything, be true to themselves, stay hydrated, and treat others with kindness.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 24, 2023
I was lucky enough to have seen bits of this as an advanced preview and I’ve been obsessed since the first page.
The author knows how to weave incredible imagery, existential dread, and the beauty of the human condition together into a gripping story. Exciting and innovative ways of depicting the passage of time help you immerse yourself in the mysteries of the island. This isn’t just a ghost story - it’s a story about life. Don’t miss it!
The author knows how to weave incredible imagery, existential dread, and the beauty of the human condition together into a gripping story. Exciting and innovative ways of depicting the passage of time help you immerse yourself in the mysteries of the island. This isn’t just a ghost story - it’s a story about life. Don’t miss it!
April 16, 2023
an incredible piece of work through and through, and the first book in years that i've stayed awake into the wee hours for because i just couldn't put it down.
for me, a lot of horror novels end up being too annoying to continue with because the characters are irritating to start with. decommissioned doesn't fall into that rut.
from the incredible nonbinary protagonist blaine to the spectral menace herself, the characters are charming in their own special ways and you're in turn compelled to follow them through their harrowing tale, hoping for the best.
and without giving away anything, it doesn't disappoint. especially if you're a fan of clear resolutions.
definitely recommend, nicole mello is one to watch <3
for me, a lot of horror novels end up being too annoying to continue with because the characters are irritating to start with. decommissioned doesn't fall into that rut.
from the incredible nonbinary protagonist blaine to the spectral menace herself, the characters are charming in their own special ways and you're in turn compelled to follow them through their harrowing tale, hoping for the best.
and without giving away anything, it doesn't disappoint. especially if you're a fan of clear resolutions.
definitely recommend, nicole mello is one to watch <3
October 31, 2022
Full Disclosure, I was given early access to this book as it was being written and gave feedback at the time:
This book grabbed me from the premise and didn’t let go until the final page. There are elements of the horror that are so disturbing and evocative that, even if you were disgusted like I was, you literally cannot stop reading just to find out what will happen next.
I loved this book, I cared so deeply for the characters and their journey and I wish I could read it again with fresh eyes.
This book grabbed me from the premise and didn’t let go until the final page. There are elements of the horror that are so disturbing and evocative that, even if you were disgusted like I was, you literally cannot stop reading just to find out what will happen next.
I loved this book, I cared so deeply for the characters and their journey and I wish I could read it again with fresh eyes.
March 30, 2025
I love the premise of this book. But found it's bit slow. Very cool characters and plot line. Just wish it moved a bit faster.
August 25, 2025
It took me a long time to get through this, but that's more because I got this book on my phone than anything else. It's well written, well paced, and so, so chilling and terrifying.
Yes.
Yes.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews