Steve Stred's Blog, page 2

Book Review: The Knave of Graves by S.J. Shank

Title: The Knave of Graves

Author: S.J. Shank

Release date: July 24th, 2025

*Huge thanks to S.J. for sending me a digital ARC of this one!*

It was only last August of 2024 that I read Shank’s debut novel, ‘Mountain Fast,’ a historical fiction horror novel about a group of soldiers heading to a fortress where nobody wants to go.

It was really well done, very densely layered and the atmosphere Shank created was top notch. Amazingly, I got to meet up with Shank at DreadCon later in the year and we chatted like old friends.

Fast forward to early this year and I saw Shank announce his next novel, ‘The Knave of Graves.’ The cover looked great and the synopsis was intriguing and when he reached out to see if I’d give it a go, I was very excited. He warned me that it wasn’t horror, but I love to read pretty much anything, so that wasn’t a concern.

And, while ‘Knave…’ isn’t horror per se, it walks the line very closely, especially with the supernatural elements.

What I liked: The novel follows Jeppo, caretaker of the graves within the town, as well as the sacred bones that lie within. He left the town when he was younger to train at the Academy, but has returned without completely his teachings after his father has died and he needs to take over for him. The town has paid his way to go to the Academy, so he has a debt owed to pay off. That doesn’t mean he isn’t without some magical powers, and these powers help him within his job. On top of that, he’s developed a tentative working pact with the witch who lives near, trading things when needed and overall he’s built himself a solid and stable life, though one that he finds lonely.

It all changes when an outsider visits from a large city and wants to hire Jeppo to manufacture him knock off Academy jewelry that has charms infused within. Jeppo can see a better life for himself by doing so, but he suspects something is off with the man and soon enough we learn his instincts are right.

Shank does a wonderful job of fully forming Jeppo, creating a character you connect with, want to see better himself, while still knowing that there are secrets within the man that will only be revealed over time.

Those secrets are slyly teased out when this stranger reveals what he really is and wants to collect the skull of the Saint buried within the graveyard. This is a problem, for Jeppo has already promised the skull to two others, including the witch, and this is when the battle of good versus evil begins and we see Jeppo try to work all of his tangled mess together into some way to save the town and those within it.

Along the way, Shank infuses this with a lot of wry humor, including a hilarious angle of a flock of geese accidentally falling in love with Jeppo.

Throughout, I really connected with what Shank was trying to do and how the character of Jeppo was a study in an individual fighting internal desires with external realities.

What I didn’t like: I will say, because of the historical nature of this one, and the thoroughness that Shank writes with, some of the dialogue did feel stilted and a bit dry. It made sense as to ‘why’ they spoke like that and said things how they did, but for this reader, some of it was didn’t have the impact it should’ve.

Why you should buy this: This read closer to a ten-episode HBO series than a novel. Shank does a wonderful job of creating this world and the characters within and from start to finish you feel fully immersed in the land you find yourself in.

Shank has easily carved himself a slot in the historical fiction world and readers who love those settings will find themselves very happy with this one.

Book Review: If You Knew Me by S.P. Miskowski

Title: If You Knew Me

Author: S.P Miskowski

Release date: September 23, 2025

*Huge thank you to S.P. for sending me an advanced digital copy of this one!*

Fandom.

Six letters that when put together in that way form a work that seems to hold so much more weight than it should. I should know. As – perhaps – the world’s most prominent fan of Canadian author Andrew Pyper, I’ve seen the stereotypical idea of how people view fandom with almost every single Pyper post I make. And I get it. Stephen King’s Misery set the table for what horrible rabid fandom can look like and with the rise in stalking and obsession that has seemingly ramped up over the last decade (which I presume is directly related to the proliferation of social media), I understand why people post Annie Wilkes memes/gifs or send them via DM’s when I post stuff.

And that perfectly highlights the double-edged sword of fandom. There’s an expectation now that people go too far, that people grow obsessed and with unchecked mental health issues often associated with extreme fandom, not only does it become an expectation, but it also becomes an ‘I told you so’ mentality after the fact.

Case in point is ‘If You Knew Me.’ This book is a powerful examination of what unchecked mental health issues multiplied by obsessive fandom looks like. It reminded me a lot of the movie ‘The Fan,’ which starred Robert de Niro and Wesley Snipes. If you’ve not seen it, I highly recommend you do.

In that movie, it’s a fan obsessed with a sports star. In this book, it’s a fan obsessed with a former TV star. And with the way this one unfolds, Miskowski does a phenomenal job of unsettling us readers.

What I liked: The book follows Parker, a recently unemployed woman who longs to be a writer, but hasn’t found that story yet. While housesitting at her aunt’s place, who formerly owned a large online magazine company, she finds a story pitch that was sent in and unopened. Inside, she finds Ann Mason’s story, detailing something she did as a teen, something awful, but she only told one other person – the former lead in a short-lived detective show that she loves.

From there, Parker travels to Ann’s place in Arizona in the hopes of interviewing her. Once there, Ann’s left and Parker begins to find cracks in Ann’s story.

Miskowski deftly interweaves Ann’s dictated storyline with Parker’s interviewing of those around Ann – a neighbour, a former employer – and it works far more efficiently than a lot of mixed media/epistolary style books have for me. It allows the reader to effectively see the chaos inside Ann’s head, while also connecting with Parker.

The first half of the book smoothly rolls along. But the second half. The second half is a full sprint towards an ending that seems foretold but unexpected. I kind of knew what would be coming, but all the while Miskowski kept things so schizophrenic on Ann’s side, that I just didn’t know for sure, wasn’t 100% in what I thought I knew and that amplified the tension.

The ending/epilogue was also a really great use of mixed media but also a snarky look at online commenting and internet trolls.

What I didn’t like: There were two things of note for me. The first was that it took me a minute to get into the epistolary aspect of the novel. I often struggle with storytelling in this style and it took a bit for my brain to get on board.

The second was that there’s a bit later on about Parker’s grandma that is necessary to the story and Parker’s narrative, but for me at least, it seemed to take some steam off the train that was thundering down the track.

Why you should buy this: I for one can’t wait to see this book all over Tik Tok. I can’t imagine this won’t be in every second video about what psychological thrillers had the poster up all night finishing it. This is a book that could be categorized very easily as ‘propulsive.’ It never lets up, never allows you to take a breather to figure out all the chess pieces that are moving in the background and the fact that Miskowski describes a half dozen episodes so fully of a fake TV show shows the depth and detail that go into everyone of her novels.

This one is a taut, nerve-wracking thriller that absolutely blew me away and reinforces why Miskowski is a living legend. Get on this one, you’ll not be disappointed.

Audiobook Review: Oracle 3 – Murder at the Grandview by Andrew Pyper & Craig Davidson & performed by Joshua Jackson

Title: Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview 

Author: Andrew Pyper & Craig Davidson

Narrator: Joshua Jackson

Release date: June 12th, 2025

 

In September of 2024, I was in Toronto to attend DreadCon,. 

It was my second trip to Toronto in consecutive years to celebrate something horror with Andrew Pyper. 2023 was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Andrew’s The Demonologist, and I found myself there a year later, this time to host a panel with Andrew and Craig Davidson about pseudonyms, as all three of us used them in our writing.

When I was out there in 2023, Andrew had revealed to me the news about the upcoming William release as Mason Coile, and – while on the train to the Hockey Hall of Fame – I told him (smugly I might add) that even if he’d not shared the details, I would’ve known he’d have written it because of the prose. I’ve often spoken of Andrew’s writing voice, his prose, and those of you reading this right now who know Andrew’s work inside and out will be nodding your head. Andrew wrote like only Andrew. 

After reading both the screenplay and the novel of William, I reaffirmed to Andrew that even under the Mason Coile moniker, it was Andrew Pyper’s writing and he found that hilarious.

So, on the way to DreadCon, Andrew in the drivers seat, myself in the passenger seat, we discussed a bunch of stuff, and I asked Andrew about Oracle 3. I’d like to think I’m a smart fella, though sometimes it takes me a bit to catch on, and Andrew’s reply was one that didn’t click until the details of Oracle 3 were released. He said “It’s done and dusted. It’s currently waiting for Joshua Jackson to find time in his schedule to perform it again but it should be out next year.” And then he added – “We’ll see if this one puts that prose theory of yours to the test.” Now, at the time, I just assumed he’d be referring to the change in structure. Oracle had been a single narrator in a single book. Oracle 2 was a full cast and production with ten episodes. So, returning to a single book single narrator performance was what I thought Andrew had been alluding too.

Alas, I was wrong and it became clear while I was in Toronto for the third consecutive year, in February of 2025, but this time at Andrew’s celebration of life. While there, I was talking to Craig Davidson and I asked him if he could spill the beans on the title of the third Mason Coile book. He’d mentioned in the memorial he’d provided for the Globe and Mail about helping Andrew finish a book, and to the masses, we all assumed that was the third Coile book that’d been mentioned in the Publishers Weekly announcement for Exiles. Craig said he had no idea and that Andrew had done that on his own. (I’ll add, Andrew had mentioned to me in the car ride to DreadCon that the third Coile was done, but wouldn’t share the title either). It clicked then, that Craig had helped finish the third Oracle and this was confirmed when the release information and preorders were announced.

So, that’s a VERY long-winded way of me saying, Oracle 3 had me intrigued. Andrew and Craig previously wrote an unpublished novel together and a short story, but nothing that’d been publicly available. Craig – who is one of the nicest guys in the world – has the monumental ability of being a chameleon when it comes to writing. His structure and prose is very different as Craig Davidson compared to his alter egos Nick Cutter and Patrick Lestewka. That made me hopeful that he could work along Andrew and emulate the Pyper-prose that has been a constant in my life for a decade. 

I had no doubt that the narration would be phenomenal – Joshua Jackson’s performance as Nate Russo in the previous two were fantastic – so I was confident there. And, knowing Craig had worked with Andrew through an outline and key points, increased that confidence. But to me – a Pyper super fan – I was still stressing about how it would play out. How Andrew’s series would potentially conclude in the literary hands of another, even if those hands were from one of Canada’s biggest authors.

What I liked: The story follows Nate Russo, along with Claire and Tillman, head to a remote location in northern Ontario to investigate a murder. There, in a derelict former lodge – The Grandview – a reunion of friends was taking place, when one of them met a gruesome ending.

Now, if you’ve read/listened to the previous two audiobooks in this series, you’ll already know that Nate has powers – he can read people, see their thoughts and memories when he touches them and has a dark passenger – The Bone Man. Once on the island, Nate knows there’s more going on than a simple disagreement that turned deadly. Something else is there. Something worse than The Bone Man.

As the story picks up, we learn that two of the friends were also trying to use this trip as a way to get the others to invest in a synthetic drug they’d developed, one that opens your mind and let’s you go on a wonderful trip. Known as Blue Dragon, Nate wonders if the drug might’ve opened the door to something from somewhere else to slip through and infiltrate the Grandview.

Throughout, we get this cat and mouse game, this is it or isn’t it storyline that propels the plot forward. Even as things on the island are revealed and discoveries are made, the listeners never fully get a solid answer. Yes, this is something else. No, this is just a person having a bad trip. But that all begins to change with the introduction of The Traveler. 

It’s here that the story really takes off and we go from a mass market thriller to a more straight forward horror story. It’s here where we see the shift from Davidson the literary writer, to Cutter the horror author. Things get dark. Dirty. Mucky. And by God, things get Pyper prosed.

There are brief moments in here where I’d believe Andrew wrote parts of it. From what I gather, and what Craig’s said in interviews and in the author’s note at the end, he wrote this off of Andrew’s outline and the two of them meeting up and discussing things. But my goodness did Craig manage to conjure some truly spot-on and phenomenal Andrew moments throughout.

The ending and epilogue of this both allude to a firm ending for Nate Russo’s journey, but also keep the door freshly open for more, and honestly, seeing what Craig’s done here, I’d be up for more in the series.

Nate Russo is one of Andrew’s greatest creations, and Craig wholeheartedly did that character justice.

What I didn’t like: In this case, the only thing I wasn’t too sure about, was the relationship between Nate and The Bone Man. Coming in, from the previous two, I’d come to believe it was a certain mutually-beneficial arrangement between the two, and it seemed to see-saw back and forth throughout this one. It’s a minor thing, and most likely a very purposeful thing based on how the plot plays out, but it’s what struck me.

Why you should buy this: If you loved the first two, you’ll absolutely love this one. Even though I only could listen to it in 20 minute increments on my drive to and from work each day, I was completed invested and couldn’t wait to dive back in each time. Jackson’s performance was great, and his ability to bring each character to life was spectacular. 

Craig Davidson has absolutely delivered a wonderful, loving and phenomenal book in the Oracle series, and I can’t thank him enough for doing this for Andrew and for his fans. 

A taut, fast-paced, who-dunnit, the third book in this series proves that Nate’s story is only getting started and I hope we see more entries down the road.

https://www.amazon.com/Oracle-Murder-Grandview-Book/dp/B0F2NR3GZF/

https://www.audible.com/pd/Oracle-3-Murder-at-the-Grandview-Audiobook/B0F2NXDNVW

Book Review: Veil by Jonathan Janz

Title: Veil

Author: Jonathan Janz

Release date: September 16th, 2025

*Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a digital ARC of this one!*

I’ve been reading and reviewing long enough to remember the YEAR OF JONATHAN JANZ. If you’ve not heard that, well you missed out on getting a couple new Janz releases plus I think almost a dozen re-releases, all within the same year. This was maybe 2017 or 2018 and it was a gloriously amazing time to be a Janz fan! Throughout Janz’s literary career, one thing has become absolutely paramount in every single story he writes. The man cares about his characters. What I mean about that, is it’s very very veeeerrry rare to find a one-dimensional character in his story. There’s not a lot of folks just there to be there and not move the story along and you’ll learn what makes them tick.

That was what had me so excited when ‘Veil’ was announced. Janz hasn’t been afraid to subgenre hop in the horror world – he’s done everything from werewolves to vampire’s to spooks and specters and ghosts and everything in between. But he’s not done anything truly in the alien/sci-fi world, and fresh off the alien desecration that Adam Nevill unleashed with ‘All the Fiends of Hell,’ I couldn’t wait to see what Janz had up his sci-fi sleeve.

What I liked: The story follows high school teacher John, who is dealing with a heavy life. He’s separated from his wife Iris, constantly fighting with his older son and trying to stay connected to his younger daughter. And on top of that, he feels like a lesser person, dealing with a significant limp from a leg length discrepancy from an accident when he was younger. But that all pales in comparison to what’s begun to happen around the world. Without any sort of rhyme or reason, people are going missing, plucked from the sky by something… never to be seen again.

We’re thrown into the deep end immediately. John and his son go for a walk to the store, discussing father and son issues, and what’s happening in the world, when his son rounds a corner and is just… gone.

That moment, quite early on, is the launching point for the world to turn upside down as the sky opens and hundreds of thousands begin to be plucked and disappear. Video footage emerges, curfews are enacted and after John’s wife also gets taken, him and his daughter hunker down and do their best to survive. Of course, there’s a nut job vigilante in the neighborhood, wanting to make sure all the dwindling supplies are stored in one place – for safe keeping naturally – and its those moments were we see how the novel also alludes to real life events – Covid and political upheaval and even presciently to what’s happening with ICE in the US right now. Janz does a phenomenal job of twisting this from first being an abduction novel and turning into a story about a father doing everything and anything it takes to try and find those he loves the most.

As it progresses, we learn what has arrived and what they’re doing and there’s a hard line that gets drawn between here and there and Janz plays those cards perfectly, showing us what just may await those who pierce the veil.

The final quarter of the novel is a full sprint. It’s tough to really describe everything without having spoilers, but I will say it worked really well to have this earth and non-earth juxtaposition where we feel grounded and then frantic.

The ending is a mix of heartwarming and heart wrenching and honestly that’s exactly what this book needed.

What I didn’t like: Two things stuck out to me. The first was that I found the son disappearing felt almost like it happened too soon. It was the rare moment in the book where I felt like we didn’t get enough of the father-son dynamic to really grab a strong grasp of their relationship before the son was gone.

The second was that the aspect of here versus there seemed like it was too easy to traverse across. Again, I don’t want to be a Spoiler McSpoilface, so I’ll leave it there.

Why you should buy this: Horror and sci-fi have been pals for ever since books began to be written and movies filmed. So, it should be noted that while this is ‘sci-fi’ it’s grounded in the horror genre and shows Janz’s horror sensibilities time and time again. This was frantic. Chaos infused claustrophobia. It was a father desperately trying to find his family and things from elsewhere arriving and wrecking havoc.

Janz is an elite writer, one who has honed his writing voice and mastery of prose over decades now, and once you begin a Janz book, you know you’re in sure and steady hands.

This book was achingly perfect and is sure to connect with long-time fans and bring in plenty of new fans and I expect to see this book – especially with that cover – become a mainstay on social media for many years to come.

Exclusive Interview: Craig Davidson on Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview and Helping Andrew Pyper complete the series!

Back in 2021, Andrew Pyper unleashed Oracle upon us. It was a departure for Andrew, in that it was an Audible exclusive, audio-only release. Fans were thrilled to have a new Pyper ‘book,’ and Andrew delivered, introducing us to one of the best main characters he’s created in Nate Russo and the hauntingly perfect antagonist, known as The Boneman. While long-time Pyper fans flocked to this release, thousands of new readers/listeners discovered Andrew because of the narrator – one Joshua Jackson. I’ve written in the past about how well of a job Jackson did bringing this world to life, and when Oracle 2: The Dreamland Murders was announced and Jackson was back as Russo, fans were elated. Even more exciting was the news that Oracle 2 was a full production. 10 episodes with a cast performing the parts, a soundtrack, and an audio side performing/producing the accompanying noises, Oracle 2 fully brought the experience to life.

After that, there was some radio silence regarding whether we’d get Oracle 3. On my end, I frequently queried Andrew – Is it happening? Is Jackson on board? I’d usually bring it up every 2 or 3 months, to which Andrew would reply something along the lines of “I think so.”

In 2024, when I was in Ontario for DreadCon, on the drive out, I asked Andrew again about Oracle 3 – after we’d chatted about Exiles and the third Coile book (Andrew was very evasive about the third Coile book!) and he told me at that time that the manuscript was done and it was now just a matter of Joshua Jackson scheduling in the time to perform it.

As we sadly know, at the beginning of 2025, Andrew passed away following an 18-month battle with cancer. After Andrew passed, his good friend, Craig Davidson (also known as Nick Cutter in the horror world) contributed a very moving tribute about Andrew in the Globe and Mail. Within, Craig mentioned that he helped Andrew complete one of his books and initially, the chatter was that Craig had helped finish the third Coile book. But not long after, it became known that Craig had assisted Andrew in completing the Oracle 3 manuscript.

Now, on the eve of Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview, Craig was kind enough to answer some questions about the Audible release and what might come in the future.

Steve – Craig, first off, thanks for doing this. I’d spoken with Andrew back in 2023 and again in 2024 about Oracle 3 and he said it was at various stages of completion. In late 2024, at DreadCon, he’d told me it was finished and that it was waiting Joshua Jackson to record the narration aspect.

At what stage did you become involved?

Craig – I guess I was involved from the beginning, when Oracle 3 was pitched to Andrew. Back in 2023, I’ll say (I’m terrible with dates), Andrew and I met at a place we often did in Bloor West in Toronto – I’ve told this story partially, elsewhere, so I am repeating myself to a degree but … so I knew by then that Andrew had cancer, but this was the first time I’d met him since he’d told me. He looked, well, like a man who had cancer. Paler, thinner, but still Andrew.

We chatted about a lot of things, obliquely. His diagnosis, his plans, his … well, frankly, his lifespan as he was given to understand it. And at that time – and this could be as much a factor of his mindset in light of this terrible diagnosis as much as anything his physicians had told him – he was on a short clock. He never said how short, perhaps he had been given no indication of that from his doctors, but he seemed to view it as short and as such, he wanted to spend it wisely.

From a writing perspective, that meant (as I came to see it) the Mason Coile books, of which I believe he wrote 2 after his diagnosis, amazingly. And beyond that, I think he spent time writing meaningful work for his children, his wife, and others in his life. So, with those being his main focus, there was this Oracle series … and he told me during that lunch that Amazon had made an offer, a significant one, for the third book but he’d turned it down – he simply lacked the bandwidth.

So, after that lunch I was walking home and in a bad/scared/miserable state of mind, I guess unsurprisingly … Andrew and I had talked about a whole lot of things, but one mainstay was the nuts and bolts of writing for a living. Turning down a contract the size of which Amazon had been offered was unthinkable for the Andrew I knew … but that was the pre-cancer Andrew, and his priorities had vastly altered.

Anyways, walking home I got a notion and called my agent (also Andrew’s agent) Kirby and told him, basically: Listen, I’ll write that Oracle book for Andrew. If Amazon’s into that. Morbidly, I thought if Andrew was right about his short clock, well, his wife could use the money.

And Amazon agreed. Andrew and I agreed to do it. Andrew wrote an outline, I followed it as well as I could. I did my best. I had fun, in light of circumstances. Mainly, it gave Andrew and I another reason to hang out. I think, as one gets ill in such a way, the usual process is to retreat: into family, into the home, into a small set of routines. And ultimately Andrew did so, and we all understood, but until then Andrew and I would continue to meet for lunches and dinners and talk writing, and books, and his own work (he kept crushing it right until the end, the man was an absolute machine of happy industry) and, yes, Oracle.

So, if anything, the book gave us that. And I’m glad.

Steve – Was it daunting to jump into this world that Andrew had created? Nate Russo is a textbook Pyper lead – a bit world-weary, sardonic but ultimately has an internal hope that things will get better. You and Andrew previously wrote a novel together, but this is a bit of a different situation, coming in to help him complete this work. Was there any type of preparation that you did?

Craig – I think these Oracle books are the closest to Andrew’s own personality, as you state it in your question: sardonic, hilarious, world-weary, but ultimately and pervasively hopeful. So there’s a huge fear of screwing that up for readers who loved the first two books, but I suppose it’s the same I’d feel stepping into almost any writer’s shoes, or they into mine – in the end, because there was very little other option in the matter, and because Andrew gave his permission … and I think he probably found it kinda cool to have another writer, a buddy and co-writer, take a crack at his creation – and he was nothing but generous and thoughtful and supportive in his notes and emails about it … anyway, for all those reasons I just dove in. Other than reading/listening to the Nate Russo books, and another work Andrew directed my attention to, no, there was no other preparation.

Steve – Oracle was a singular book with a singular narrator. Oracle 2 was a full production release, with multiple episodes and a full cast performing the script. Now, with Oracle 3 returning to a singular book with a singular narrator, did anything change in the approach to this one? Andrew previously told me that he found the story far more straight forward for the 3rd than for the 2nd.

Craig – Yes, I think narratively it’s more straightforward? It’s a locked-room whodunnit of a certain stripe, though with the usual supernatural overtones. The Boneman causing havoc. Those wonderful, rich characters Andrew created, abetted by a cast of ne’er-do-wells or possible ne’er-do-wells in an old, abandoned hotel. Lots of shadowy hallways, empty rooms, and brooding ghosts.

Steve – What can we expect with Oracle 3? Or rather what can you share! Anticipation is high for the third entry in Nate Russo’s story and other than the synopsis, us fans haven’t been given much to go on. Was this based on a real incident and fictionalized?

Craig – I don’t think it was based on a real incident as far as I was given to understand, though it harkens to Andrew’s own childhood/teenage-hood and perhaps some work he once did, a summer job at a lodge? And it’s a story about a certain time of life, a time Andrew had come to and I as well, where we look back at our lives with a certain wistfulness for those paths traveled and not traveled and how those made us into the people we are. So, very human and relatable, as I think is a hallmark of Andrew’s work.

Steve – Lastly, and thank you again so much, Craig for taking the time to do this, is this the end of the Oracle series? Or has Andrew potentially shared any ideas for future Russo adventures with you with the possibility that you’ll continue the series? It was always interesting to discuss this series with Andrew. On the one hand, he said he didn’t like to get bogged down with a ‘series.’ Having to keep working on a single world over and over again when there were so many other places to explore. But he also said he loved watching Russo grow and change and deal with everything he was dealing with. So, I’d be curious – as would all of the fans! – to know if Andrew had left us with more potential entries in the Russo world or not.

Craig – I really don’t know where it might go, Steve. As of now, we may have reached the end of this particular road, but never say never!

(Craig and Andrew in 2017 on The Dark Side tour)

*

I greatly appreciate Craig doing this interview, as well as how phenomenal of a friend he was to Andrew, Andrew’s family, and for stepping up and getting Oracle 3 completed.

Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview releases TOMORROW, June 12th, 2025 and is an Audible exclusive!

You can still preorder today – links to US and CAN Audible below. As well – buy Andrew’s books, support one the greats AND buy Craig’s books and support a phenomenal author, who – much like Andrew was – is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.

Audible CANADA Link:

https://www.audible.ca/pd/Oracle-3-Murder-at-the-Grandview-Audiobook/B0F2P2RG8D

Audible US Link:

https://www.audible.com/pd/Oracle-3-Murder-at-the-Grandview-Audiobook/B0F2NXDNVW

Book Review: Experimental Film by Gemma Files

Title: Experimental Film

Author: Gemma Files

Release date: December 3rd, 2015

It’s very rare for me to every return to a DNF, but something about this book lingered since I tucked it away almost five years ago. It was an odd thing. Often, after I’ve decided a book isn’t for me, it simply goes away and doesn’t take up any storage in my brain. But not this one. And after having recently read ‘A Book of Tongues’ the first in Gemma’s Hexslinger series, I knew it was time to return to this one.

Now, it could be a case of personal life stuff, time, distance from the DNF, I’m not sure, but this time the book connected with me immediately and I was hooked.

Is this a book I liked? Absolutely. Is this a book I’d recommend? Absolutely. Is this a book for everyone? No, I don’t think so. But that’s ok. Because for those who connect with this book… wow, this is an experience that is immersive.

What I liked: The book follows Lois, former film critic/reviewer who is trying to deal with her son’s autism diagnosis at the same time as being fired from her job. Searching for something to keep her going through the exhaustion and emotional drain, she attends an experimental film viewing, and while there notices something about a particular piece of film that could unlock a lost portion of Canadian Film History.

It’s here where the seeds are planted for the ‘oddness’ to slowly seep in. If you’re looking for a book filled with action and in your face spooks and scares, go elsewhere my friends. This is not the book you’re looking for.

No, what this book is, really, is a love story. I know that sounds odd, but throughout, this story focuses on the marriage between Simon and Lois, their love and trust and support of each other – no matter the circumstance – and their partnership and parenting of their son. Those moments, when Clark is there, are the pure highlights of the book, but in a way, also the most mundane. Some readers really won’t care for them. But those were the moments that shone through the most for me. Times when Clark would start singing and his parents would join in. Later on, when Lois is in hospital and Clark has just left the hospital, Clark comes to visit her and the they break into an animated interaction which had me grinning. It’s those moments that ground the story, shape it into a real-world narrative, that feels very meta and fourth-wall breaking. In fact, large parts of this book, I kept thinking of the main character as ‘Gemma’ and not ‘Lois,’ even after someone would refer to her as ‘Lois.’ It felt very personal, very non-fiction, and I think, in this case at least, it is what helped me connect more with the story and elevated the ‘ghost/haunting’ aspects even more.

Throughout, after Lois links the film she saw with this particular part of film history, we get little glimpses of the ‘oddness.’ It’s not until she – and her co-author on this project – go to the Vinegar House to get more insight into this film and the woman that made it, that things really get strange. It was a solid narrative shift at that point where you can subtly feel Gemma ramp things up and they keep ramping up until the very end. We have a solid foil, of a former colleague of Lois’ who wants in on this project, after they themselves get fired, and we get a great supernatural BINGO moment that really ripped the Band-Aid off.

When all was said and done, this morphed from a slow-burn ghost tale to a taught, frightening, unnerving paranormal explosion.

What I didn’t like: This is a dense read. It’s very heavy, and at times, hard to digest with the teeny-tiny chess pieces that Gemma moves. It happens so transparently, but so deftly, that you can easily miss small moments that work towards a significant scene later on down the road. It’s akin to a throw away line of dialogue in GRRM’s series in book one that has repercussions for a character in book three. So, go in with an open mind and for those who like to annotate when they read, get ready to have thousands.

Why should buy this: As I said before, this book is definitely not for everybody, but I think everybody who reads this – and finishes it – will be greatly rewarded. At its core is a solid, moving family whose relationship is paramount to pushing the narrative forward. It’s sweet, heartwarming and not what we traditionally see in fiction, especially dark fiction.

This novel simmers, it glows and then sparks with a kinetic energy that’s almost palpable. And I’m so glad I returned to this one and saw it through. Because it was fantastic.

Book Review: This Does Not End Well by Adrian J. Walker

Title: This Does Not End Well

Author: Adrian J. Walker

Release date: June 13th, 2025

*Huge thanks to Adrian & Last Dog Books for a digital ARC of this one!*

JFC.

What. The. Hell. Did. I. Read.

Ok, let me back up.

Recently, I was perusing the interwebs, and thought – ‘wait a minute, what’s Adrian J. Walker’s next book?’ So, as one does, I sought out his website to see. A number of years ago, friend and fellow reviewer, Tony Jones, insisted I read Adrian’s ‘The End of the World Running Club.’ When Tony tells you to read a book, you listen. And I did. And it was marvelous. At the time of writing this, I still haven’t read the sequel, simply because there was no Kindle edition here in Canada (and I read purely ebooks these days). Saying that, I just had a lightbulb moment and realized I can get it direct from his website. Palm meet forehead. (Edited to add – the link leads to the Amazon UK page to buy the ebook, so I still can’t buy it. Wump. Wump.) But anyways, back then, I decided to explore Adrian’s bibliography and while I really liked ‘The End…’ I absolutely LOVED ‘The Human Son.’ In fact, that book is one of my all-time favorites.

When I found Adrian’s new website, I discovered that he was going the route Adam Nevill has gone, in that he’s taking back control of most, if not all of his books, and I greatly admire that. I bought a few ebooks, signed up for his newsletter, clicked the ‘support my writing’ button and supported, and was excited for his next book – ‘This Does Not End Well.’ When Adrian’s newsletter sent out an email about potential digital ARC’s available, I signed up immediately. So, huge thanks to Adrian for sending one.

Now, I’ve rambled on long enough about how this book ended up on my Kindle. Let’s talk about the book.

And JESUS. CHRIST. The BOOK.

Recently, I read Michael Wehunt’s upcoming novel, ‘The October Film Haunt,’ and that truly messed with me. Gave me nightmares – which is very, very rare for books to do – and it threw me for a loop.

At the same time as starting that book, I started this one. And I had to pause this one. From the very beginning – even from the ominous cover of this book – I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle reading both of those books at the same time. This book has a dirt to its prose. Its dirty. Once you start reading it, you’ll smell mildew and wonder if the corners of your rooms are moving or decaying.

This book.

Jesus.

What I liked: The story follows Adam – husband and father, who is dealing with some difficult things in life. His father has early onset Alzheimer’s, which seems to be progressing. His son was ruthlessly bullied at school. And he’s had a bit of a mental break, destroying Christmas. All these things lead to him and his wife, Roisin, making the decision, that for his sake and the family’s wellbeing, they’ll leave London and move to France.

Adam goes ahead to find a place, and after he locates the perfect family home for them, he’s getting ready to leave when the realtor suggests he look at one more place. A bit remote, amply land, and quiet.

Yes, dear reader, this is the moment where we all collectively scream – DON’T LOOK AT IT! But, as you all already know, he does. And Adam is immediately spellbound. The land is wonderful, the trees are pristine and the house – though old and in need of major work – is just what they’re looking for.

From this point on, the book grows darker. It’s as though Walker managed to weave his fingers into my Kindle settings and dim the light ever so slightly. Adam, along with his father and son, go ahead to the home, to prepare it for his wife and daughter’s arrival in a few weeks. They’ll set up the furniture, get the hot water going and stock the fridge with food. Except that doesn’t happen. Upon arrival, they learn the furniture is delayed, the drive is in such poor condition they can’t get oil delivered to get hot water and every single local refuses to make eye contact with them – those who bought that house.

Throughout, we see a spiral. Or rather, we experience it. And, if this had been an author not as seasoned and experienced as Walker, I could see how it would all fall apart. But it doesn’t. Christ, it doesn’t. And honestly, that’s what makes me the most frustrated about this whole thing. I wanted it to fall apart. I didn’t want to go along for the ride, see how the house and the land withered and clutched these three. I wanted to get to the end and scoff and say – ‘Ah, too bad, if only the ending hadn’t ruined it for me.’ Because the ending didn’t ruin anything. It made the book all the better and all that worse. Because this book consistently and thoroughly breaks the fourth wall. Just when you’re least expecting it – BAM – Adam speaks directly to you, and it’s that element that ruthlessly twists how this book reads.

The final quarter of this book is borderline schizophrenic. But pristine. Written with a full-throttle mental anxiety element that is only heightened by the journal-aspect of how this is written. And no, this isn’t epistolary, not in the traditional sense. But the way it’s written and told to the reader works so very well to unsettle and unnerve.

And like I mentioned, the ending of this is heartbreaking and fantastic and seriously phenomenally deranged.

What I didn’t like: While I did love the journal aspect, I did miss the traditional formatting of Chapter One, Chapter Two etc. etc. But even then, the journal formatting allowed for this book to unravel in a way it couldn’t have if it had chapters, so maybe just ignore what I said, ha!

Why you should buy this: Of the thousand of so books I’ve read in the last decade, very few books have effected me the way this one has. In fact, I could probably list maybe ten (?) maybe, that unnerved me to the level that this one did, but also emotionally effected me in the same way. The title isn’t misleading. It isn’t a ‘gotcha’ phrase or twisty take, the title is exactly what you’ll get. But Walker decides to absolutely mess with you, take you by the neck and hold you against the wall while you look into your own eyes and all the while you’ll be questioning whether any of that is happening or not. Because it isn’t. Because it is.

A novel that will force you to take a long, hot shower once done, this one also forces you to want to return right to the start and re-read it immediately upon finishing it. Because it’ll take hold of you. By the neck. With your own hand. And won’t let go. Or maybe it will. Or maybe it won’t.

Outstanding.

JFC.

Snag it at his website here;

https://www.adrianjwalker.com/books/detail/this-does-not-end-well

Book Review: Seed by Shelly Campbell

Title: Seed (Dark Walker Series Book 3)

Author: Shelly Campbell

Release date: June 13th, 2025

*Huge thanks to Eerie River for sending me a digital ARC of this one!*

I have to admit, that way back in 2021, when I read ‘Gulf’ – and was blown away – I never could’ve predicted the scope of the world/world’s Campbell had waiting to unleash over the three book Dark Walker Series.

With ‘Gulf’ we had a – on the surface at least – simple story of a teenage boy who goes to a cabin with family and discovers something behind a door. It was phenomenal and when the sequel, ‘Breach,’ arrived a few years later, we got to see the door fully open and everything behind it and beyond exposed and out in the open.

So, beware – going forward, there may be inadvertent spoilers for book two (and a bit for book one) simply because we’re here, at book three of the series. I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise!

What I liked: The book picks up not long after book two – so here be potential spoilers! – and we find that David has survived being shot and the Embassy has saved his life. Though, he’s now stuck in what he calls his ‘hamster wheel,’ a clear glass, round cage designed to not let him ‘blip’ or travel between dimensions.

The book hangs on a few threads (not in a bad way!) to progress us along. First, David’s former team is being held hostage and the woman he loves (Charlie) is imprisoned. Second, his family is in danger, the darkness is growing closer and he doesn’t think it’ll take long until they’re found. And lastly, he needs to get out of here, and he can’t. His friend Cory visits, but things seem different and after he overhears a conversation between him and the one in charge of his imprisonment, he’s not sure who he can trust.

This all comes to a head when Cory helps David, David reveals he can blip  without the need of a touch piece and they head off to try and save David’s family.

From that point on, the novel becomes more of a revelatory piece, where we learn the truth of everything that’s gone on, who David is and we see him get to connect with family and Charlie and Cory.

With this shift, it took us from a bit of a harder sci-fi story and offered a heightened emotional aspect that was buried through the first two-thirds. To me, it was this softening of the characters and connection of family with events that elevated this finale of the series. It went from a solid ‘good’ to a ‘great’ conclusion, which made me so very, very happy.

Of course, the scenes with the dark walkers was pristine, and though they weren’t in here as much as previous books, it was their inclusion that also ramped things up in the best way possible.

The ending was touching and sad, and was a perfect way to close the door on everything that came before. I often get to the end of a series and think that I hope we’ll maybe see more down the line, but in this case, I think Shelly absolutely closed this one in the most perfect way possible and I’d be happy to see this concluded and closed. (Of course, if we get a fourth or related book, I’ll be reading it!)

What I didn’t like: There’s two things I want to address and the first isn’t really a ‘didn’t like.’ Having finished book three, I actually think a lot of the revelations that happened within would’ve been better, or heightened the stakes of David’s quest, if they’d occurred in book two. It’s hard not to discuss it – BECAUSE THAT’S MASSIVE SPOILERS! – but I think the things David learned and what Cory creates, would’ve been a fundamentally altering building block in book two and would’ve caused book three to be that much more emotionally charged. It all still works, but my brain screamed that too me once done!

The second thing – and this is just me closing something – but the character of Angus (whom I felt was particularly useless in book one!) returned briefly and I felt that once again, his inclusion wasn’t warranted, but it was fun to see what becomes of his character.

Why you should buy this: HEY YOU! YEAH YOU! THE ANNOYING READER WHO SAYS THEY WON’T START A SERIES UNTIL IT’S DONE BECAUSE ROTHFUSS AND GRRM HAVE TRAUMATIZED YOU! IT’S DONE! START IT NOW! But seriously, if you’ve not read book one, go grab it. If you’ve read the first two, you’re in for a treat with what Shelly does in book three. David is a phenomenal lead, Charlie is a great second and Cory makes for the dependable muscle, three elements that will have you rooting for success and crying when things go bad. The Dark Walker series was fantastic and to see this coming from a Canadian author and a Canadian press makes me smile even more!

Book Review: The October Film Haunt: A Novel by Michael Wehunt

Title: The October Film Haunt: A Novel

Author: Michael Wehunt

Release date: September 30th, 2025

*Huge thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Michael Wehunt for the digital ARC of this!*

Like many readers, my first foray into Michael’s work was through his phenomenal debut collection, ‘Greener Pastures.’ And, like many readers, one of the stories in that collection that stood out most to me was ‘October Film Haunt: Under the House.’ Told through multiple POV’s and using a found-footage narrative, it was unsettling like few stories before.

Fast forward almost a decade from when ‘Greener Pastures’ was released and Wehunt is delivering his debut novel, ‘The October Film Haunt,’ which excitedly jumps from where that story led us and carries us is a wildly imaginative and creepy journey.

I was beyond excited when this was announced, as Michael’s work is stunning, but while reading it, I came to realize this was written on another level all-together. Even for Michael. I say that, because in my long life of reading, very few books have ever invaded my dreams. Sure, I’ve had a lot of crazy dreams – and if I’m being honest, 99% of all of my dreams are apocalyptic, so there’s that to discuss with someone one day – but typically, whatever it is I’m reading, I don’t dream about. But this novel was different.

The last time I had such vivid, waking dreams that invaded my brain and held me so tightly was during the four-year period when I was researching (and joined) a cult on the dark web. I saw things there that deeply disturbed me, changed my beliefs about everything out there and settled into my psyche and decayed. And I haven’t felt that since leaving that group behind.

Until I read this book.

What I liked: The story follows Jorie Stroud. She’s fled her abusive husband with her son to remote Vermont to start again, while still on a self-imposed exile from her past life as a film blogger. Her, along with her friends Beth and Colin, used to have a blog where they dissected horror films, but also went to various locations where they took place to discuss them in greater detail. After an incident where Jorie fictionalized one such stay, birthing an urban legend life to an unknown film’s demon, a teenage girl died, and she holds herself accountable.

Things are moving along in her life now, though. She’s got some editing clients. Has a decent job at a local grocery store and she’d doing the best that she can for her and her son.

Until odd things begin. Teaser trailers for a supposed sequel to ‘Proof of Demons,’ the movie that Jorie, Beth and Colin brought to a larger group, pop up online. And though Colin died years prior, Jorie feels the need to contact Beth and try and reconnect, to see if anything’s happening to her.

Wehunt sets the stage marvelously. We get some extra players – Coleman, an older man with terminal cancer who suddenly realizes what happened to his brother when they were kids is related to this new movie. We get Jorie’s neighbor, Mrs. Compton, who is there to help take care of her son, but wavers between standoffish and ecstatic. And we get Trevor Henderson, creator of Siren Head, who created the original Pine Arch Creature in Proof of Demons, who starts to see the same people in green sheets with cameras, just like the rest of them.

As each chapter unravels and more pieces to the puzzle are revealed, Wehunt does a magnificent job of elevation your heart rate. You suddenly wonder if things within the book are actually going viral online, in the real world. It has to do with the meta elements, but also a harkening back to the old days when we all watched The Blair Witch Project and wondered if it was just a movie… or a documentary.

I want to go on and on about more elements, but I fear those will fall into spoiler territory, but I have to mention that the elements carried forward from Under the House, but also the supernatural creep that happens, was fantastic and perhaps the most powerful element within.

The last few chapters were perfect and the ending – though jarring – was quite possibly the best non-jump scare, jump scare I’ve ever read.

What I didn’t like: Often times, books with multiple POV’s that are switched from chapter to chapter seem to slow any momentum, and I found that to be the case for the first quarter. It felt like every time we were were on the cusp of some new details, the chapter ended and the next one started out with no tension or revving of an engine. Once things get established, that faded, but in the beginning I definitely noticed it.

As well, I personally wasn’t a fan of the Trevor Henderson meta character. Because I interact with him, DM occasionally and he’s been super kind to my son, his introduction took me far out of the ‘fiction’ aspect of the book. It’s the same thing when you’re reading a fantasy book or a horror book and a character pops up named in ode to one of your author friends and it kind of breaks the fourth wall. Saying that, the Trevor angle was fantastic and I just told myself to get over it, ha!

Why you should buy this:  This isn’t an easy read. No, it’s a heavy, weighted, cloud-covered story that sucks the air from the room and drops the temperature with ease. But such is the case with all Wehunt stories, no matter the length.

‘The October Film Haunt: A Novel’ does what few books ever do to me. It made me anxious and untrusting of random people on the street. It made me question whether this was ‘just a book,’ or was it part of a larger, meta, viral angle that has us all being played by Michael, who is sitting back with a grin on his face while moving the marionette strings.

Much like ‘The Blair Witch Project’ moved a generation of us moviegoers at the ends of the 90s, ‘The October Film Haunt’ is poised to usher in a similar movement for readers here in the mid 2020’s. I worry we may not be ready for it. But we should be.

The Pine Arch Creature is about to arrive.

The shadows are already moving.

Book Review: A Book of Tongues by Gemma Files

Title: A Book of Tongues (Hexslinger #1)

Author: Gemma Files

Release date: January 1st, 2010

I don’t know how many years ago now, I was having a conversation with Andrew Pyper and he told me there were two books I absolutely HAD to read. The first was Sara Gran’s ‘Come Closer,’ and the second was ‘Experimental Film’ by Gemma Files. At the time, I only knew of Files as being Canadian Horror Royalty. Having one of the most recognizable and longest lasting career in Canada based around Speculative and Horror fiction, Gemma was ‘must read’ as Andrew stated.

I read and loved ‘Come Closer,’ but at the time, I wasn’t in the right mindset for ‘Experimental Film,’ so after reading maybe a quarter of the book, I set it aside, determined to return to it at some point in the future.

It was around that time, that I had another book pal tell me I had to read ‘A Book of Tongues.’ If I wanted to read a weird-western-horror-queer-fantasy style mashup, then that would be the book – and the series – for me to dive into.

I grabbed the first book, but after the original publisher ceased, I purchased the digital boxset of all three books. When it came to the top of my TBR recently, I was elated, because I’d been meaning to dive in sooner. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had been told three things by my book pal previously – it’s wild, one character is completely ruthless, and there is a lot of male on male fornication. Color me intrigued.

What I liked: The story follows the Rev, Asher Rook, who has returned from the dead. Along with his sidekick/lover, Chess, they’ve fled from the confederation army and formed a gang, killing and stealing as they go. Rev’s foray – though brief – to the other side has gotten the attention of a Mayan Goddess, who seeks him out.

Meanwhile, Morrow – a mole working their way into the gang – battles his feelings and his orders.

As I said, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book is grimy and unflinching. It actually reminded me of what Seth McFarlane’s movie, ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ would’ve been like had it not been a comedy. A sideways glance deemed disrespectful means a quick draw and an exploded head. Chess is a complex character that often steals the spotlight with his wit, disdain for everyone but the Rev, and his insatiable lust for having the Rev fuck him. He’s a character you unexpectedly find yourself rooting for.

The Rev is a looming figure, one that seems happy to keep his powers hidden, only to then unveil them and do as he pleases. That was a huge plot aspect that resonated throughout – the complexity of their relationship and what was love versus lust versus forced acts. Files handles it really solidly.

The storyline involving the Goddess was a solid foil angle for the Rev and Chess and ultimately works as a distraction over Morrow’s growing storyline and ultimately what happens in the final quarter and sets up things to continue in book two.

What I didn’t like: It did take me a bit to find the flow in this book. It has a jarring prose angle to it that really forced my brain to work hard to follow along, but once I did, it was smooth sailing.

Though some reviews say that there is a lot of detailed male/male sex within, I didn’t find it to be lewd, over-the-top or grotesque. It was pretty much what I would expect it to be. But if you prefer to stay away from books with a decent amount of sex in it, then this one might not be for you.

Why you should buy this: With the Splatter-Western novels continuing to grab readers and the Fantasy-Western subgenre becoming more and more prominent, it should be a no-brainer to grab this and read it, considering it was released over a decade ago.

Files is a living horror legend, an inspiration to many, many writers working today and this book showcases a different arsenal in her writing tool box, that will have readers very happy.

Now, I turn my sights back to ‘Experimental Film.’