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The Devil's Pocketbook
Erik and Lara are in mourning for their daughter, who was born “incompatible with life”. To get away from their suffocating grief and the ever-present shadow their daughter has cast in their lives since passing, and desperately trying to recover their increasingly rocky relationship, they take a trip to the seaside town of Polperro, in Cornwall. But no sooner have they arrived, than they realise that their grief cannot be so easily eluded. Drawn to the waters, Erik and Lara discover a large Devil's Pocketbook, and inside: the miracle child they could never have. Scylla.
“You will grieve the grief in The Devil’s Pocketbook. You will bear the hope. You will discover, too, cruel wonder in a pod in a rocky bay, even as you think: get away. Ross Jeffery is the two things you long for most in an author of horror: first, he’s fearless. Second, he’s giving. Giving you, the reader, all that fear instead.”
– Josh Malerman, New York Times best selling author of Bird Box and Daphne
“You will grieve the grief in The Devil’s Pocketbook. You will bear the hope. You will discover, too, cruel wonder in a pod in a rocky bay, even as you think: get away. Ross Jeffery is the two things you long for most in an author of horror: first, he’s fearless. Second, he’s giving. Giving you, the reader, all that fear instead.”
– Josh Malerman, New York Times best selling author of Bird Box and Daphne
304 pages, ebook
First published May 23, 2023
89 people are currently reading
1175 people want to read
About the author
Ross Jeffery
28 books363 followersRoss Jeffery is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of 'Tome', 'Juniper', 'Scorched', 'Only The Stains Remain' and 'Tethered'.
His debut collection 'Beautiful Atrocities' was published in the summer of 2022 through Cemetery Gates Media.
His works to date have been self-published / indie-published and his stand-out, self-published and award-nominated series 'The Juniper Trilogy' is getting a well-deserved re-release in late 2022.
He is also a 3x Splatterpunk nominated author and has had his novellas 'Tethered' and 'Only The Stains Remain' translated into Czech.
'The Devil's Pocketbook', his latest and most anticipated novel to date, will be published by DarkLit press in 2023.
Ross lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.
His debut collection 'Beautiful Atrocities' was published in the summer of 2022 through Cemetery Gates Media.
His works to date have been self-published / indie-published and his stand-out, self-published and award-nominated series 'The Juniper Trilogy' is getting a well-deserved re-release in late 2022.
He is also a 3x Splatterpunk nominated author and has had his novellas 'Tethered' and 'Only The Stains Remain' translated into Czech.
'The Devil's Pocketbook', his latest and most anticipated novel to date, will be published by DarkLit press in 2023.
Ross lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
April 17, 2023
When I see/hear the word Folklore, I’m all over it, as this is one of the sub-genres of horror that I love reading about. From bangers (IMO) such as Stolen Tongues -Felix Blackwell to Cunning Folk, and The Ritual - both Adam Nevill, I just can’t get enough. So when Andrew Robert of ‘Darklit Press‘ sent me a copy of The Devil’s Pocketbook by Ross Jeffery, I couldn’t wait to tear into it...and boy, was it everything I wanted, and more!!
This book is about tragedy, loss, and grief, which Lara and Erik, go to the Cornish fishing town of Polperro, to try to put their lives back together and deal with their heartache...but what they find there, is about to destroy their lives even further.
This book was super creepy, causing goosebumps on my skin, reading some parts of it. From beginning to end, this grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
I loved every second of reading this, and I thank Ross Jeffery, Andrew Robert and Darklit Press, for sending me this awesome book. I’ve only read one other by Ross Jeffery which is the absolute heart wrenchingly brilliant ‘Only The Stains Remain’, but I need to read more from this amazingly talented author.
An easy 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is about tragedy, loss, and grief, which Lara and Erik, go to the Cornish fishing town of Polperro, to try to put their lives back together and deal with their heartache...but what they find there, is about to destroy their lives even further.
This book was super creepy, causing goosebumps on my skin, reading some parts of it. From beginning to end, this grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
I loved every second of reading this, and I thank Ross Jeffery, Andrew Robert and Darklit Press, for sending me this awesome book. I’ve only read one other by Ross Jeffery which is the absolute heart wrenchingly brilliant ‘Only The Stains Remain’, but I need to read more from this amazingly talented author.
An easy 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 29, 2023
I’m so proud of this book… from the cover by Francois Vaillancourt, to the interior illustration by Ryan Mills and the stunning introduction by one of my favourite authors (a real pinch me moment) Josh Malerman - I can’t wait for you all to discover Erik and Lara, to be smothered by their grief and to discover what is floating in a rock-pool near the beach of Polperro.
Seaside horror, grief horror, small town horror & folklore.
Huge shout out to DarkLit Press for all their help and belief in bringing this to all you readers out there!
Seaside horror, grief horror, small town horror & folklore.
Huge shout out to DarkLit Press for all their help and belief in bringing this to all you readers out there!
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February 7, 2023A Lynchian fever dream of love and loss. Haunting. Disturbing. Touching. Masterful in every way. A rare psychological terror. Not to be missed.
June 25, 2023
I think my soul left my body for this one, as we follow a heartbreaking story of love and loss. Erik and Lara take a trip to Polperro, in Cornwall. Which by the way the story comes with the cutest little map, which by the way what a genius idea! Because you can use your mini-map to explore the area. Maybe also have a little cry when you realise the relevance of the place in the book. Seriously, Ross really wants to break you! As this book portrays so many aspects of grief. Imagine setting up and getting ready for the birth of your little girl. Only to have the moment of joy turn into a first-time parent's worst nightmare, the visual impact of Ross's descriptions will tear apart even the strongest of wills. The story is beautiful, visually crafted scenes that will break your heart. The details of how Lara's routine had changed since Anne's death, the early rising, emotional outbursts that came along with the grieving process. It all felt so real how intricate details were added to the characters, especially the way they both process the new addition. Watching how this unfolds is both intense and terrifying, you know the reason why she clings to Scylla. Lara feels like her chance to be a mother was ruthlessly stripped from her, which is why she becomes so attached to their new egg sack child. But as we look at things through Erik's eyes we start to realize this is not as much a gift as a curse. Ross rolls pain, suffering, and emotional torment into this book not just for couples but for the reader too. As Lara and Erik try to process their grief the gap only seems to get wider with the child's arrival. Lara's mothering instincts re ignites and blinds her to the possible dangers that lie ahead. Whereas pain has led Erik into deep feelings of regret and guilt, so he ends up going with her decision. The dream is just that, a dream until the true nightmare finally starts to form with horrifying consequences. To think that the gift Lara so desperately wanted, in her pain she pushes away the one person who can save her. Erik has to go through more torture and pain as this witch of the sea, weaves a controlling and convincing web of lies that Lara would rather believe. Leaving it up to Erik to save the person he loves more than anything from succumbing to the darkness. The way it twisted from what I thought was gonna be from sci-fi horror to a folk horror wrapped within a love story. There are moments in this story where it took everything for me not to fall apart. When you see what this does to Lara you cannot help but feel sorry for her, even with the hell she puts Erik through he still refuses to leave. This was psychologically fixating and Ross does not overdo it with the horror aspects of blood and gore. There is no need, the story stands alone with its intense atmosphere and gut-wrenching emotion. Scylla as a character is manipulative and ruthless, this creature seems to feed off the pain she causes and relishes in it. Making her a truly nasty piece of work, especially lines like this one "That was an oversight, her pain and suffering was just too alluring." Every word that came out of her deceitful mouth had me screaming at the pages with rage. I think my next purchase will have to be Only The Stain Remains, especially with how well-formed and structured with care this story was.
May 31, 2024
This was a tough review to write – I've read Ross Jeffery before and thoroughly enjoyed his writing style, his prose, his knack for just pulling you into a story. The Devil’s Pocketbook is an ode to grief. It screams from the pages, its siren’s song, if you will, forcing you to listen, to catch the little nuances in its whispers. It’s a stunningly beautiful story but there was just something that fully stopped me being completely immersed in its plot.
What it all boiled down to was the author not trusting in the reader. I know, I’m sorry. But what I mean by that is how there was repetition in describing little details, as though we’d forgotten what was previously said. It just irked me a bit as it wasn’t just one instance of it.
My favourite was the start of the book – the mechanics of grief and how that translates to daily life was seamless. How does a couple move on after losing their stillborn daughter? How do you move through the phrases of grief and despair when you don’t know how to adapt to this new normal? How do you cope with seeing your partner more put together than you are? Is it acceptable to rage and seethe at them as you fall apart at the weight of everything? How do you stare around the home and cope with the onslaught on memories that assault you? There is no right response to grief and Jeffery does this impeccably. I felt their pain, i looked at my own children and tried to imagine how I'd feel-and found I just couldn’t, it’s incomprehensible. I don’t want to feel what they felt.
The parts that annoyed me a little, where just how much it repeated about Scylla’s hold over Erik’s wife, Lara. We knew that and although Lara was under the hold of the girl, we, the reader were not. Overall, it was a solid read, and I would definitely recommend to others.
What it all boiled down to was the author not trusting in the reader. I know, I’m sorry. But what I mean by that is how there was repetition in describing little details, as though we’d forgotten what was previously said. It just irked me a bit as it wasn’t just one instance of it.
My favourite was the start of the book – the mechanics of grief and how that translates to daily life was seamless. How does a couple move on after losing their stillborn daughter? How do you move through the phrases of grief and despair when you don’t know how to adapt to this new normal? How do you cope with seeing your partner more put together than you are? Is it acceptable to rage and seethe at them as you fall apart at the weight of everything? How do you stare around the home and cope with the onslaught on memories that assault you? There is no right response to grief and Jeffery does this impeccably. I felt their pain, i looked at my own children and tried to imagine how I'd feel-and found I just couldn’t, it’s incomprehensible. I don’t want to feel what they felt.
The parts that annoyed me a little, where just how much it repeated about Scylla’s hold over Erik’s wife, Lara. We knew that and although Lara was under the hold of the girl, we, the reader were not. Overall, it was a solid read, and I would definitely recommend to others.
March 1, 2024
Another case of a cover that didn't speak to me hiding a book that spoke to my core, that's why they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, I guess (not that there's anything wrong with the cover of this book it's just not my vibe you know?).
I liked the characters in this book so much, Erik and Lara were great, and I related to Lara a lot, so her actions made so much sense to me in a terrifying and heartbreaking sort of way.
That ending too, chef's kiss.
I liked the characters in this book so much, Erik and Lara were great, and I related to Lara a lot, so her actions made so much sense to me in a terrifying and heartbreaking sort of way.
That ending too, chef's kiss.
February 7, 2023
A Spoiler-Free Review
In The Devil’s Pocketbook, readers will be treated to a folk horror experience that displays Ross Jeffery’s keen talent for delivering all the scares of classic horror without losing sight of the heart and humanity of his ill-fated protagonists.
If I’ve learned anything about Ross’s work, it’s that he has a knack for bringing his world to life: whether it’s a dry, dying town in the southern US, a barren snowy wasteland, or a charming seaside fishing village, the reader always feels like they’re really there. Polperro, the setting for The Devil’s Pocketbook, is a very real place; however, Ross knows that the key to successful folk horror is to weave the setting into the fabric of the story itself, not just serving as a backdrop, but becoming a character in itself.
And the horror delivered here will be immensely appealing to fans of the folk subgenre, with shades of The Wicker Man, Midsommar, and even Salem’s Lot. Drawing on real legends that haunt centuries-old, isolated coastal villages, readers will be treated to classic folk horror themes in a fresh, inventive new package. The less said here, the better: as the mystery in Polperro unfolds, the tension skyrockets.
In true Ross Jeffery fashion, though, it doesn’t stop there. Ross is endlessly persistent in probing deep into his characters’ hearts, not just putting them through horrific scenarios but examining how grief, trauma, and love can manifest and be confronted in the face of external pressures.
There’s a lot to love about The Devil’s Pocketbook, and I think there’s something for everyone. With a picturesque setting you can get lost in, an ominous and chilling mystery that escalates at pitch-perfect pace, and fleshed-out characters to root for, readers are unlikely to come up for air once they dive into the depths of this powerful story.
In The Devil’s Pocketbook, readers will be treated to a folk horror experience that displays Ross Jeffery’s keen talent for delivering all the scares of classic horror without losing sight of the heart and humanity of his ill-fated protagonists.
If I’ve learned anything about Ross’s work, it’s that he has a knack for bringing his world to life: whether it’s a dry, dying town in the southern US, a barren snowy wasteland, or a charming seaside fishing village, the reader always feels like they’re really there. Polperro, the setting for The Devil’s Pocketbook, is a very real place; however, Ross knows that the key to successful folk horror is to weave the setting into the fabric of the story itself, not just serving as a backdrop, but becoming a character in itself.
And the horror delivered here will be immensely appealing to fans of the folk subgenre, with shades of The Wicker Man, Midsommar, and even Salem’s Lot. Drawing on real legends that haunt centuries-old, isolated coastal villages, readers will be treated to classic folk horror themes in a fresh, inventive new package. The less said here, the better: as the mystery in Polperro unfolds, the tension skyrockets.
In true Ross Jeffery fashion, though, it doesn’t stop there. Ross is endlessly persistent in probing deep into his characters’ hearts, not just putting them through horrific scenarios but examining how grief, trauma, and love can manifest and be confronted in the face of external pressures.
There’s a lot to love about The Devil’s Pocketbook, and I think there’s something for everyone. With a picturesque setting you can get lost in, an ominous and chilling mystery that escalates at pitch-perfect pace, and fleshed-out characters to root for, readers are unlikely to come up for air once they dive into the depths of this powerful story.
May 3, 2023
Ross Jeffery masterfully weaves a story fueled by grief and loss. He paints a vivid and expressive picture of the pain of losing a child.
You can truly feel the trauma and hurt that Erik and Lara are experiencing in their lives. And you can almost understand why, that when as if by some strange magic a new child comes into their lives that maybe somehow, some way, it might help to alleviate some of the pain. Or... Because we know this is a horror story, it may crush them even further than they knew was possible.
A fantastic folk horror tale that resides by the sea in all its stormy glory. The writing is addictive, the emotions are tangible, the need to know what happens next will keep you turning pages, a beautifully evocative and mind-bending tale.
You can truly feel the trauma and hurt that Erik and Lara are experiencing in their lives. And you can almost understand why, that when as if by some strange magic a new child comes into their lives that maybe somehow, some way, it might help to alleviate some of the pain. Or... Because we know this is a horror story, it may crush them even further than they knew was possible.
A fantastic folk horror tale that resides by the sea in all its stormy glory. The writing is addictive, the emotions are tangible, the need to know what happens next will keep you turning pages, a beautifully evocative and mind-bending tale.
April 30, 2023
"Nobody writes grief better than Ross Jeffery." So says Josh Malerman in the introduction to The Devil's Pocketbook. From the opening pages, Jeffery makes you feel the loss of Erik and Lara. The specter of their daughter lives on their hearts and minds, constantly lingering in the background. Jeffery explores this in the words said, the words held back, subtle motions, and interpretations. It sets the stage beautifully for the events to come, and the reader's acceptance of the desperation that comes with loss absolutely hangs on those opening pages. Thankfully, The Devil's Pocketbook unequivocally nails the setup.
From there, the story unfolds to combine folklore, mythology, and human-based horror. With notes of Village of the Damned and The Omen, Ross Jeffery tells a story filled with harrowing terrors, personal anguish, and no shortage of moments, not always easy to read, that will stick with the reader long after they turn the last page.
With three hundred pages of seaside suspense and nautical nerves, The Devil's Pocketbook promises to see itself onto some best of 2023 lists.
From there, the story unfolds to combine folklore, mythology, and human-based horror. With notes of Village of the Damned and The Omen, Ross Jeffery tells a story filled with harrowing terrors, personal anguish, and no shortage of moments, not always easy to read, that will stick with the reader long after they turn the last page.
With three hundred pages of seaside suspense and nautical nerves, The Devil's Pocketbook promises to see itself onto some best of 2023 lists.
December 16, 2025
every person’s mind is like the ocean . There’s the surface where stuff floats . That’s what we let people see. Then there’s the depths where stuff that’s too painful sinks deep down.
I was hooked in this book simply because of the promise of SIRENS and it did not disappoint
Trigger Warnings should be mentioned
🧜♀️ loss of infant
🧜♀️ suicide
🧜♀️ grief
🧜♀️ unintentional domestic abuse
Eric and Laura have suffered immense loss after their baby girl Annie was a still born
they move to a new coastal town to deal with their grief.
One day, they find a small child in a sac struggeling amongst the waves
who is this child? why do they have this strange connection to her? what is the town hiding? can their relationship be saved? Will they be able to overcome their immense grief?
all these questions we read about thim in this poetic horror story of the monster not just outside but within
The story is mainly told from Eric's perspective, something I liked because usually we see stories about losing a child told mostly from the mother's POV
Erik was convinced that grief was a scuttling hole. An Annie-sized hole that ripped deep into his soul, a wound that had torn him asunder and caused him to sink.
and to give me a Siren named Scylla!! top notch
Eventhough I devoured this book in 2 days, and at times was engulfed with the eloquent choice of words, I did find that it was Too Much at times
every sentence and paragraph is heavy with adjectives and adverbs to the point that it felt over
He snaked his fingers inside, the inner lip warm and jelly-like to touch. Erik lifted his hand, the side opening, sinews tearing apart as he pulled the skin open; more yellow gunk flowed onto the rocks in clots as something shifted its weight within.
The themes were repetitive. I understand that Eric's loss was too great, but every chapter was just a repetition of the same inner turmoil
the book could have been shorter with the same effect
Nevertheless, I loved the manifestation of grief and the need to find compensation.
I found this book on Netgalley ARC though it was published in 2023
I was hooked in this book simply because of the promise of SIRENS and it did not disappoint
Trigger Warnings should be mentioned
🧜♀️ loss of infant
🧜♀️ suicide
🧜♀️ grief
🧜♀️ unintentional domestic abuse
Eric and Laura have suffered immense loss after their baby girl Annie was a still born
they move to a new coastal town to deal with their grief.
One day, they find a small child in a sac struggeling amongst the waves
who is this child? why do they have this strange connection to her? what is the town hiding? can their relationship be saved? Will they be able to overcome their immense grief?
all these questions we read about thim in this poetic horror story of the monster not just outside but within
The story is mainly told from Eric's perspective, something I liked because usually we see stories about losing a child told mostly from the mother's POV
Erik was convinced that grief was a scuttling hole. An Annie-sized hole that ripped deep into his soul, a wound that had torn him asunder and caused him to sink.
and to give me a Siren named Scylla!! top notch
Eventhough I devoured this book in 2 days, and at times was engulfed with the eloquent choice of words, I did find that it was Too Much at times
every sentence and paragraph is heavy with adjectives and adverbs to the point that it felt over
He snaked his fingers inside, the inner lip warm and jelly-like to touch. Erik lifted his hand, the side opening, sinews tearing apart as he pulled the skin open; more yellow gunk flowed onto the rocks in clots as something shifted its weight within.
The themes were repetitive. I understand that Eric's loss was too great, but every chapter was just a repetition of the same inner turmoil
the book could have been shorter with the same effect
Nevertheless, I loved the manifestation of grief and the need to find compensation.
I found this book on Netgalley ARC though it was published in 2023
May 19, 2023
The seaside town of Polperro has some dark secrets and Erik and Lara are about to experience all of it. The respite they hoped for goes terribly wrong and the author captures every bit with such brilliant detail. Only the Stains Remain was my first time reading Jeffery’s work and I was blown away. This book has the same impact. So much emotion was felt throughout the story. You feel the hope of something new just like the characters and then are suddenly slammed into just the opposite as things are falling apart and all you can do is helplessly watch.
Everything about this book was gripping. I personally loved the small town of Polperro and the mystery it held. The rain pelting the windows, the waves crashing, Smugglers Inn, all of this really made me want to just dive into this book and experience everything it has to offer and it’s a lot!
The characters were also enjoyable. Erik and Lara’s situation was so heartbreaking, and Jeffery did an amazing job capturing all their ups and downs. Erik was probably my favorite though. For some reason, his struggles really stuck with me the most. Someone trying to keep it together emotionally all while being pushed away, witnessing terrible things, and eventually knowing he is the one that must put an end to all of this.
If you enjoy folklore, mysterious seaside towns and picturesque writing, I recommend picking this one up. It is gut wrenching; it is haunting, and it has earned a spot in my top reads for this year.
"I'm a mother, and you should know that the love of a mother is something even the devil should fear!"
Everything about this book was gripping. I personally loved the small town of Polperro and the mystery it held. The rain pelting the windows, the waves crashing, Smugglers Inn, all of this really made me want to just dive into this book and experience everything it has to offer and it’s a lot!
The characters were also enjoyable. Erik and Lara’s situation was so heartbreaking, and Jeffery did an amazing job capturing all their ups and downs. Erik was probably my favorite though. For some reason, his struggles really stuck with me the most. Someone trying to keep it together emotionally all while being pushed away, witnessing terrible things, and eventually knowing he is the one that must put an end to all of this.
If you enjoy folklore, mysterious seaside towns and picturesque writing, I recommend picking this one up. It is gut wrenching; it is haunting, and it has earned a spot in my top reads for this year.
"I'm a mother, and you should know that the love of a mother is something even the devil should fear!"
June 24, 2023
Although at times I found the characters hard to gel with at times. I felt their thoughts and dialogue a bit too unrealistic. The last 20% of this book really brought everything home. It was relentlessly action packed and I loved every second of it. I'll tell you something else. When Ross digs deep into a scene he really nails it. Chapter sixteen, for example, was so claustrophobic. I could literally feel my air being choked off.
There are genuine eerie moments at times, too, and the brutality is off the charts. I loved all that. And it's true what folks are saying about grief being a strong factor. That epilogue cuts pretty deep.
It's really good work. A solid story with decent pacing, and yes, there really is a lot to admire, but the lead up lacked a little something for me. Don't think it will be a problem for the many, though.
I'm giving this a solid 4 stars. This book deserves to do well. It really does.
There are genuine eerie moments at times, too, and the brutality is off the charts. I loved all that. And it's true what folks are saying about grief being a strong factor. That epilogue cuts pretty deep.
It's really good work. A solid story with decent pacing, and yes, there really is a lot to admire, but the lead up lacked a little something for me. Don't think it will be a problem for the many, though.
I'm giving this a solid 4 stars. This book deserves to do well. It really does.
May 24, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing page turner that has you hooked from the start. I found it scary enough in its exploration of human grief far less the central horror element of the story. You feel the emotional distress of losing a child etched in every sentence giving you the uncomfortable feeling that you are an unbidden voyeur on their distress. I loved the way their humanity was a 'Siren's Call' for the Siren itself and how puny human resistance was in the face of unbridled evil. The denouement is full of well constructed tension and terror as Scylla outwits the Watchers at every turn. Her visceral hatred of puny humans and what she perceives to be their failings, not to mention her almost lust like corrupted desire to absorb them bursts through the authors words in a wave of violence.
One of the most unusual horror stories of recent times that succeeds in making you both uneasy and filled with frustrated terror at the same time.
I read an ARC copy but the review is my own unbiased opinion.
One of the most unusual horror stories of recent times that succeeds in making you both uneasy and filled with frustrated terror at the same time.
I read an ARC copy but the review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 26, 2022
What a stunning book this was. A story at closer quarters than Jeffery's Juniper series (which I've also loved) and, somehow, all the more unsettling for it.
There are elements of the fantastical here, but the story is grounded in the horrifying reality of a couple's grief and it's this which provides the backdrop for the horrors which unfold.
The Devil's Pocketbook is, at times, deeply uncomfortable. There are scenes where you will want to look away, to close your mind's eye, while still feeling that urge to continue.
I haven't even mentioned the closed off fishing community which is so isolated and self contained, it's palpably claustrophobic.
In short, read this book.
There are elements of the fantastical here, but the story is grounded in the horrifying reality of a couple's grief and it's this which provides the backdrop for the horrors which unfold.
The Devil's Pocketbook is, at times, deeply uncomfortable. There are scenes where you will want to look away, to close your mind's eye, while still feeling that urge to continue.
I haven't even mentioned the closed off fishing community which is so isolated and self contained, it's palpably claustrophobic.
In short, read this book.
December 29, 2022
A gut-wrenching, beautifully written portrait of loss, grief and deliverance. The Devil’s Pocketbook marries the emotional heft of a Kieslowski movie with the feverish, horrifying imagination of Barker and Beukes. Jeffery keeps getting better and better - and this one, for me, is his best book yet
September 19, 2023
I believe as a child Ross made other kids cry by telling them scary stories, as an adult he continues to do this but its fellow adults hes making sob, themes of tragedy and loss are at the forefront with a good ol sprinkling of creepy AF, the way Ross depicts grief and trauma is like no other author I've read, it would be kinder to rip my heart from my body than read the heartbreaking prose, that sounds like an insult but its far from it, the emotions are tangible and the writing evocative and haunting the sorrow just consumes the reader, in true Ross style this was soul destroying, but the book comes with a map sooooo who needs a soul anyway 👿
May 24, 2023
A couple suffering after the loss of their child . Go to the seaside to try and heal. They discover a object with something inside. They should have left it. Tugs on heart strings chilling read.
October 25, 2023
Chilling, Haunting, and Brilliant.
Ross Jeffery's best work yet, in my opinion. The atmosphere is masterful, the setting picturesque, and these are characters you'll care about and root for. No one writes loss and grief like Ross Jeffery, and he takes both to another level in this book. It's a must-read novel, to be sure, but it also might leave psychological scars--which, of course, is why we love his stuff in the first place. Highly recommended!
Ross Jeffery's best work yet, in my opinion. The atmosphere is masterful, the setting picturesque, and these are characters you'll care about and root for. No one writes loss and grief like Ross Jeffery, and he takes both to another level in this book. It's a must-read novel, to be sure, but it also might leave psychological scars--which, of course, is why we love his stuff in the first place. Highly recommended!
May 9, 2023
Any book from Ross is pretty much essential reading for me – I knew from Ross’ own tweets during the production of this book that he had searched for a good home for it, and that Dark Lit picked it up, seemed fated – both the author and Press are on stellar paths, both prolific and consistent in both quality and presentation. So, how would it fare against the likes of Tethered (probably my favorite Jeffery book to date)? Would it have the emotional impact of that book, the underlying tension between two people undergoing trauma? Would it have the nastiness of the opening of Tome, the brute blunt force of self-damage and trauma unflinchingly written on the page, making us feel every impact? Or would it be emotion-driven horror, like Only the stains remain? What did Ross have in store for us this time?
This book, more than any other book produced by Ross, has an overwhelming accent of "Englishness" running through it, in my opinion (and I'm English too, remember). Now I get that Ross is English – and this is based in England (as opposed to Tome and Juniper and Scorched, which seem more American in their delivery). And herein lies, for me, something of a quandary I had when reading it (which I'll try to explain below). The situation Ross paints here is complex – a couple overcoming grief and trying to save their marriage are confronted with a child, having “saved” her from the sea from a weird horned cocoon type .2birthing bag". They basically decide to “keep her”, and ignore or downplay or actively misremember the situation in which they found her, and that found child’s attachment to them grows deeper, though, through Ross' narrative and the main character's perception of that event, it is clear it is “wrong” and “abnormal”.
I won’t go into what type of creature she is, I figured it out, and I think you will too, and it’s not a reveal in a sense, it’s quite clear, given her constant mumbling and noise-making – but I struggled with the lengths the characters went to oversee and ignore details of her arriving to them and how she started to infiltrate their lives. Some of that was written as if the characters figured they had been mistaken – which for me, in the real world, in real life, almost never happens – I know what I see, I know what I hear, and I know I will defend those opinions and experiences till I am blue in the face. To trick yourself into thinking – “well maybe I did see that wrong…” or “Maybe I remembered it wrong…” has, quite frankly, almost never occurred in my life. I am adamant about most details in my life. I assume everyone is. I guess I am saying I don’t doubt my own memory. I get other people might do that, but not to events as they happen or just happened. I also understand that the child’s influence is designed to do just that – confuse and suggest otherwise. I think I just didn’t believe it, and that made it frustrating. Having seen exactly this happen in other English books, it seems something of an “English forgetfulness” (I hesitate to use the word…) trope. Characters willingly convince themselves of mistaken experiences. A kind of “that can’t have been right?” moment of enforced doubt.
Is that just my reading of it?
Anyway. I was frustrated and unfortunately that lasted throughout the book due to the very nature of the creature involved. There were elements such as the weapon that the child/creature knew was the only way they could stop her influence and eradicate (kill her) the problem (if the knife was coated with the wife’s blood), which the child/creature then used in a way that ensured it would be coated with the wife’s blood and would be left lying around as the child herself was incapacitated... which seemed – unlikely. It pushed the boundaries of my willingness to believe in the events. If the child knew exactly the possibility of what the knife could be used for (and she did, she could read thoughts. She knew), it wouldn’t have taken any effort to get any of the main protagonists to dispose of the knife in the sea and use, well, anything else, to do what she did.
The grief element here is good, the emotional arguing and examination of their (the characters) own feelings and the perceptions of each other’s feelings steal the show. I think that everyone that has commented on the book has highlighted exactly those things as what drives the book, and they are right to do so. It is well written, the emotional attempts to understand and commiserate with another person’s experiences of grief, show love, compassion, and trust. They rightly steal the show. There’s a great moment with a knife and a hand (that I wanted to be a little nastier, but Ross reigned in the gore in this book. I get that it’s not the horror of this book, which is emotional horror, I just wish a finger or two could have been sacrificed for the greater good :D ) that will have you genuinely uncomfortable, similar to Hightower's "Crossroads", with the possibility of self-mutilation being enforced on a main character. Great stuff. It's just balanced against things like the main character thinking an urn is much lighter than normal but who doesn't open the urn to look inside? Hmm. It's obvious actions that aren't taken here that frustrated me.
I was hard-pressed to rate this one, I think I’m going to settle on rounding up to 4 stars for Goodreads. It entertained me, but it also frustrated me, and that’s a hard balance to equate.
My thanks go to both Ross Jeffery and Andrew Fowlow from Dark Lit, for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
This book, more than any other book produced by Ross, has an overwhelming accent of "Englishness" running through it, in my opinion (and I'm English too, remember). Now I get that Ross is English – and this is based in England (as opposed to Tome and Juniper and Scorched, which seem more American in their delivery). And herein lies, for me, something of a quandary I had when reading it (which I'll try to explain below). The situation Ross paints here is complex – a couple overcoming grief and trying to save their marriage are confronted with a child, having “saved” her from the sea from a weird horned cocoon type .2birthing bag". They basically decide to “keep her”, and ignore or downplay or actively misremember the situation in which they found her, and that found child’s attachment to them grows deeper, though, through Ross' narrative and the main character's perception of that event, it is clear it is “wrong” and “abnormal”.
I won’t go into what type of creature she is, I figured it out, and I think you will too, and it’s not a reveal in a sense, it’s quite clear, given her constant mumbling and noise-making – but I struggled with the lengths the characters went to oversee and ignore details of her arriving to them and how she started to infiltrate their lives. Some of that was written as if the characters figured they had been mistaken – which for me, in the real world, in real life, almost never happens – I know what I see, I know what I hear, and I know I will defend those opinions and experiences till I am blue in the face. To trick yourself into thinking – “well maybe I did see that wrong…” or “Maybe I remembered it wrong…” has, quite frankly, almost never occurred in my life. I am adamant about most details in my life. I assume everyone is. I guess I am saying I don’t doubt my own memory. I get other people might do that, but not to events as they happen or just happened. I also understand that the child’s influence is designed to do just that – confuse and suggest otherwise. I think I just didn’t believe it, and that made it frustrating. Having seen exactly this happen in other English books, it seems something of an “English forgetfulness” (I hesitate to use the word…) trope. Characters willingly convince themselves of mistaken experiences. A kind of “that can’t have been right?” moment of enforced doubt.
Is that just my reading of it?
Anyway. I was frustrated and unfortunately that lasted throughout the book due to the very nature of the creature involved. There were elements such as the weapon that the child/creature knew was the only way they could stop her influence and eradicate (kill her) the problem (if the knife was coated with the wife’s blood), which the child/creature then used in a way that ensured it would be coated with the wife’s blood and would be left lying around as the child herself was incapacitated... which seemed – unlikely. It pushed the boundaries of my willingness to believe in the events. If the child knew exactly the possibility of what the knife could be used for (and she did, she could read thoughts. She knew), it wouldn’t have taken any effort to get any of the main protagonists to dispose of the knife in the sea and use, well, anything else, to do what she did.
The grief element here is good, the emotional arguing and examination of their (the characters) own feelings and the perceptions of each other’s feelings steal the show. I think that everyone that has commented on the book has highlighted exactly those things as what drives the book, and they are right to do so. It is well written, the emotional attempts to understand and commiserate with another person’s experiences of grief, show love, compassion, and trust. They rightly steal the show. There’s a great moment with a knife and a hand (that I wanted to be a little nastier, but Ross reigned in the gore in this book. I get that it’s not the horror of this book, which is emotional horror, I just wish a finger or two could have been sacrificed for the greater good :D ) that will have you genuinely uncomfortable, similar to Hightower's "Crossroads", with the possibility of self-mutilation being enforced on a main character. Great stuff. It's just balanced against things like the main character thinking an urn is much lighter than normal but who doesn't open the urn to look inside? Hmm. It's obvious actions that aren't taken here that frustrated me.
I was hard-pressed to rate this one, I think I’m going to settle on rounding up to 4 stars for Goodreads. It entertained me, but it also frustrated me, and that’s a hard balance to equate.
My thanks go to both Ross Jeffery and Andrew Fowlow from Dark Lit, for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
May 22, 2023
This was a wholly unique take on grief horror...oftentimes, The Devil's Pocketbook is a gut wrenching horror story of loss and the many ways it can destroy us. Even in its calmer moments, there is a perpetual sense of dread that a storm will soon befall the coastal town and ruin everything our broken couple is barely clinging to.
Now, I'm someone who doesn't usually read a book's synopsis prior to reading it. I either know the author already and go on that faith alone, or I've heard so many friends rave about the book that I get it on recommendation. As such, I was not aware this story would be about sirens. And following that surprise, I came to learn so much more about sirens that I didn't know (like how they're aquatic hawks of a sort). Granted, I have no idea how much of this is creative licensing on RJ's part but I thought it was fascinating, nonetheless.
What you SHOULD know going into this story is that it deals greatly in the grief of losing a child. Honestly, I'm surprised I was able to handle it (because for years now, since the birth of my kids, I have not been able to handle stories like this) because the grief is constantly at the forefront of this novel. It is deeply saddening throughout; your heart will break again and again.
Though I will admit the first half of this novel was a little too slow, it really picks up half way through and, once it does, it does not slow down until the end. It's exhilarating and frightening and you can't help but fear the worst the entire ride.
Though I already knew this from Milk Kisses, The Devil's Pocketbook has reminded me that Ross Jeffery is a powerful force in emotional horror and character building. This is definitely a recommended novel for anyone that can stomach the subject matter of falling apart following the death of your child. I can't stress that warning enough.
Well done, Ross! I am now moving into Only the Stains Remain.
Now, I'm someone who doesn't usually read a book's synopsis prior to reading it. I either know the author already and go on that faith alone, or I've heard so many friends rave about the book that I get it on recommendation. As such, I was not aware this story would be about sirens. And following that surprise, I came to learn so much more about sirens that I didn't know (like how they're aquatic hawks of a sort). Granted, I have no idea how much of this is creative licensing on RJ's part but I thought it was fascinating, nonetheless.
What you SHOULD know going into this story is that it deals greatly in the grief of losing a child. Honestly, I'm surprised I was able to handle it (because for years now, since the birth of my kids, I have not been able to handle stories like this) because the grief is constantly at the forefront of this novel. It is deeply saddening throughout; your heart will break again and again.
Though I will admit the first half of this novel was a little too slow, it really picks up half way through and, once it does, it does not slow down until the end. It's exhilarating and frightening and you can't help but fear the worst the entire ride.
Though I already knew this from Milk Kisses, The Devil's Pocketbook has reminded me that Ross Jeffery is a powerful force in emotional horror and character building. This is definitely a recommended novel for anyone that can stomach the subject matter of falling apart following the death of your child. I can't stress that warning enough.
Well done, Ross! I am now moving into Only the Stains Remain.
June 14, 2023
4.5 rounded to 5. This book is dripping with grief and atmosphere. The whole thing is doused with the color scheme on the cover, and you can hear the ocean waves as you read. The horror here is unique and is presented in very creative fashion; the characters seem real, though I sometimes wished we’d seen a bit more of them in their prior life, before the tragedy; and while the reader has some idea of what’s going on fairly early in the book, Jeffery does an excellent job of withholding and delaying just enough.
I’m not the fastest reader in the world, but I tore through this one quickly and enjoyed it very much.
I’m not the fastest reader in the world, but I tore through this one quickly and enjoyed it very much.
May 24, 2023
I am a part of Drew Starling's ARC team and received this book to read and leave an honest review. I had to keep turning the pages, even though I was tired and wanted to go to bed. It shows the disturbing heart break of a family losing their child. The child they uncover on the beach will keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed the book very much and will look for more books by Ross Jeffery.
June 14, 2023
This book will almost bring you to tears before trying to slit your throat with it's wickedly great prose and unsettling narrative.
Grief in horror is nothing new but this author writes about it with a realism that infects your mind. You feel the pain and longing and depression the main protagonists are enduring at the loss of their newborn daughter. It's gut wrenching and heart breaking.
But this grief fuels the terrifying and completely unhinged story about a child who they "find" and decide to keep as their own. And, with this, the horror never lets up.
The couple find themselves powerless to control their actions or thoughts. They do things that are shocking and soon forget exactly what they did or why. And it escalates from there into a full blown creature tale that takes an old legend and presents it in the most horrific light.
This novel is incredible and will have you feeling everything from sadness to shock to waves of fear as the story unfolds.
Small town horror, grief, creature feature, and brutally bloody scenes await in these pages. I definitely recommend it!
Grief in horror is nothing new but this author writes about it with a realism that infects your mind. You feel the pain and longing and depression the main protagonists are enduring at the loss of their newborn daughter. It's gut wrenching and heart breaking.
But this grief fuels the terrifying and completely unhinged story about a child who they "find" and decide to keep as their own. And, with this, the horror never lets up.
The couple find themselves powerless to control their actions or thoughts. They do things that are shocking and soon forget exactly what they did or why. And it escalates from there into a full blown creature tale that takes an old legend and presents it in the most horrific light.
This novel is incredible and will have you feeling everything from sadness to shock to waves of fear as the story unfolds.
Small town horror, grief, creature feature, and brutally bloody scenes await in these pages. I definitely recommend it!
June 14, 2023
Without a doubt this novel will go down as one of the best books in 2023 – not just horror books – all books. This is not something said lightly. Ross Jeffery is a master storyteller. And when it comes to grief horror, there are but a few who I feel can compare to his brilliance. Ross is a phenomenal writer. He writes from his heart. His prose and ability to capture the human condition when it comes to grief, dread, and sorrow is powerful. If you are familiar with reading grief horror, then you know how to prepare for the potential emotional and psychological scars these stories can do to you – but with this gut-wrenching story, there is nothing you can do to prepare yourself. Nothing. It is an understatement to use words like page-turner, gripping, atmospheric, disturbing, and heart-breaking to describe this story. You have to read it yourself to experience the raw emotion and despair these characters are put through with the loss of their child – among other things. A must read if there ever was one!
And if that is not enough to convince you to read this book, allow me to add that there is a beautiful introduction by Josh Malerman. Josh mentions this book was the most powerful rendering of grief he has encountered. I couldn't agree more. And as Josh also mentions, as fans of horror stories, we’re always looking for the deep end. My friends, this book takes you to that deep end and plunges you further down than you thought was possible.
If that is STILL not enough, and you are a fan like me who wants to see more of this in books, then let me also mention there is a table of contents and a map at the beginning, and a couple beautiful illustrations within the story!
Ross, you did it again! Five stars is not enough for how much I loved this book!
And if that is not enough to convince you to read this book, allow me to add that there is a beautiful introduction by Josh Malerman. Josh mentions this book was the most powerful rendering of grief he has encountered. I couldn't agree more. And as Josh also mentions, as fans of horror stories, we’re always looking for the deep end. My friends, this book takes you to that deep end and plunges you further down than you thought was possible.
If that is STILL not enough, and you are a fan like me who wants to see more of this in books, then let me also mention there is a table of contents and a map at the beginning, and a couple beautiful illustrations within the story!
Ross, you did it again! Five stars is not enough for how much I loved this book!
May 23, 2023
One of my favorite subgenres of horror happens to be grief horror, and grief is what’s dripping off the pages in Ross’s latest release; The Devil’s Pocketbook.
“𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭.”
Erik and Lara are mourning the loss of their daughter, who is born “incompatible with life.” They decide to take a much needed reprieve in the small seaside town of Polerro, and while out for a walk, discover a Devil’s Pocketbook in the shallow waters. When they break open the sac, they find a small, cold and pale child inside who tells them her name is Scylla. As they welcome this new child into their lives, bad things start happening and memories of their dead daughter become harder and harder to remember.
“𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘴, 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵.”
Just like a boat caught in a storm, this story will have you feeling a hurricane of emotions. Filled with despair, heartbreak, surprise and fear, there is certainly no lack of feelings emanating from these pages. With tones of Village of the Damned, fans of evil children as well as mythology will want to pick up a copy. There is a reason Ross has become an auto buy author for me, and The Devil’s Pocketbook just proves that point 🙌.
“𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭.”
Erik and Lara are mourning the loss of their daughter, who is born “incompatible with life.” They decide to take a much needed reprieve in the small seaside town of Polerro, and while out for a walk, discover a Devil’s Pocketbook in the shallow waters. When they break open the sac, they find a small, cold and pale child inside who tells them her name is Scylla. As they welcome this new child into their lives, bad things start happening and memories of their dead daughter become harder and harder to remember.
“𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘴, 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵.”
Just like a boat caught in a storm, this story will have you feeling a hurricane of emotions. Filled with despair, heartbreak, surprise and fear, there is certainly no lack of feelings emanating from these pages. With tones of Village of the Damned, fans of evil children as well as mythology will want to pick up a copy. There is a reason Ross has become an auto buy author for me, and The Devil’s Pocketbook just proves that point 🙌.
Read
May 7, 2023Grief is a monster in the seaside town of Polperro. This is more true than you want to believe.
“A mother’s grief was something even the devil should fear.”
This is the story of grief personified, of being alone while in the company of your loved one, of being trapped in a cycle of sorrow and hope, and not knowing which one is worse.
Ross makes you live through the chilling, breathtaking, frustrating, and disturbing scenes with his cinematic writing style. Taste the tangy salt air, feel the cold rain pelt your face, hear the roar of the crashing waves, and smell the fragrant pipe tobacco as Tony draws near with his ever present pipe clutched between his teeth.
Journey with Erik and Lara as they struggle and try to move forward with life.
“they’d been on the wrong page so many times in the previous months, it was nice to know that now they were finally on the same one...both equally scared out of their minds.”
“A mother’s grief was something even the devil should fear.”
This is the story of grief personified, of being alone while in the company of your loved one, of being trapped in a cycle of sorrow and hope, and not knowing which one is worse.
Ross makes you live through the chilling, breathtaking, frustrating, and disturbing scenes with his cinematic writing style. Taste the tangy salt air, feel the cold rain pelt your face, hear the roar of the crashing waves, and smell the fragrant pipe tobacco as Tony draws near with his ever present pipe clutched between his teeth.
Journey with Erik and Lara as they struggle and try to move forward with life.
“they’d been on the wrong page so many times in the previous months, it was nice to know that now they were finally on the same one...both equally scared out of their minds.”
April 16, 2024
Easily one of my top reads for the year.
The storyline had me gripped. The way grief was portrayed, just done so beautifully.
The storyline was executed to perfection. I honestly feel as though I've watched a Film and not read a book. I was obsessed and couldnt put it down!
There is a lot a of focus around memory loss. The way this is written /described is done in such a way, I realised I had forgotten the same events the Character did? It was so strange. I've never experienced anything like that with a book.
It was so damn eerie and creepy, at certain chapters I was grinning thinking "This is what I like".
Just brilliant. 👌🏾
5⭐️
The storyline had me gripped. The way grief was portrayed, just done so beautifully.
The storyline was executed to perfection. I honestly feel as though I've watched a Film and not read a book. I was obsessed and couldnt put it down!
There is a lot a of focus around memory loss. The way this is written /described is done in such a way, I realised I had forgotten the same events the Character did? It was so strange. I've never experienced anything like that with a book.
It was so damn eerie and creepy, at certain chapters I was grinning thinking "This is what I like".
Just brilliant. 👌🏾
5⭐️
May 25, 2023
Wow this book was incredible! I really was immersed in this book especially with the setting! This is a must read for horror fans!
August 26, 2023
Ross Jeffery turns his attention to a seaside folk horror that goes all-in on grief.
Another winning book from Darklit press!
Another winning book from Darklit press!
September 3, 2023
This is equal parts heartbreaking and eerie. Such a different take on the “creepy kid” trope that I love so much. It feels slow at time, but it’s a slowness that holds your attention and the build up to the next “jump scare moment” for lack of a better term makes this a really fun read!
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