A Connecticut Nightmare

by J.M. Barlog

It was all supposed to be so simple and so perfect. Seven days before Clare's due date, Hal and Marla would drive from Chicago to Connecticut to arrive in time to share in the birth of their newest grandchild. At the same time, they would care for their grandson Kyle, since Clare's husband was on a navy deployment and couldn't be there for the birth.

After all, how difficult can it possibly be to care for a precocious five-year-old? And Clare would only be in the hospital a day or two after delivering. Grandparents are perfectly capable of attending a young child for that long, right?

But the new addition to the Masters household was anything but what everyone was expecting. For eight days, life would become a hellish nightmare for Hal, who must muster every ounce of courage and faith from deep inside his soul to confront something he could neither understand nor safeguard his family against.

This book will scare you. When your heart starts pounding, set the book down and walk away until the palpitations subside. And remember, it's only a story ... it isn't real ... or is it?

165 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2010

About the author

Barlog grew up in Chicago before serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force.

He has authored numerous novels across many genres. Windows to the Soul, his debut novel, won the Readers' Choice award for suspense at an Illinois 'Love Is Murder' Mystery Conference.

But his greatest accomplishments are his three children and his grandchildren.

Barlog currently lives with his wife in Southern California, where he is busy writing sequels to his popular novels The Heart of the Lion, Minno, and A Connecticut Nightmare.

Reviews

[Susan Mackie Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of electronic books, and will usually skip over books that can only be downloaded, but A Connecticut Nightmare looked so intriguing that I made an exception. I'm glad I did! Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I found myself drawn to my Kindle app anytime I had a few free minutes, devouring this compact tale of terror.

Hal and his wife, Marla, traveled to Connecticut for the birth of their new grandchild. Their son in law was deployed in the Navy, which left their pregnant daughter alone with their five year old grandson. Hal and Marla planned to stay for four weeks to help their daughter care for the boy and the newborn. At first, Hal wasn't so sure about spending a month with the little grandson he hadn't seen in three years, but he soon bonded with the child. Slowly, Hal discovered that something was desperately wrong, and that his entire family was in grave danger. A backslidden Catholic, Hal must return to his faith if he was to have any hope of saving the family he loved.

I can't tell you more without spoiling the story, but suffice it to say that A Connecticut Nightmare is a satisfying tale of horror in the most innocent of places: our own home. Enjoy!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like quick reads that are creepy this one's for you. It's about a five-year-old possessed that goes after his grandfather when the grandparents come to visit on the eve of their new grandchild's arrival. The structure makes for a perfect setting to terrorize the grandfather. It also plays out more realistic, in my opinion, in that only the grandfather sees the 'demon' side of the child, which makes him look unstable to his wife and daughter. It's easy to relate to the grandfather's fear as the story develops. I must say the characters in this one feel real right from the first page.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can sum up this book in one sentence. A possessed five-year-old strikes terror into his grandfather. But the ending is something you can't anticipate. This is not the kind of book you want to read if you have to babysit an obnoxious five-year-old boy alone. No, this is fiction. It can't be true. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Rachel Naughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The writing was so vivid that the entire time I felt like I was standing in their house with a cup of coffee watching the family live the story. The interactions between the characters kept it interesting right up to the very end. However, some parts are not for the squeamish.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, creepy book. Read it in one sitting. Turned out to be a good Halloween read.

[Grace Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not at all what I was expecting! It sucked so badly and with only a few, and I mean only a FEW decent part thrown in is why I am giving it two stars.

[brenda centamore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

Kept me guessing through the whole book. Hopefully a second book to continue this story. Keeps you guessing what is you g to happen next.

[DONNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

It kept my attention throughout the book. I totally enjoyed it. Read
it in one non stop evening. Good book.

[Michelle Barone newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very unbelievable