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The Snow and The Darkness
Jason and Valerie wanted a nice, leisurely vacation, visiting Jason’s brother in Virginia, but Mother Nature intervened, delivering a hellacious snowstorm to the region. With their transportation plans thwarted, the travelers find themselves on a deserted road in the middle of the night, a blizzard raging all around them, and a suspicious stranger has joined their midst. To Jason, the newcomer seems a little off. He might just be a run-of-the-mill drunk, but Jason senses something else—a streak of sadism seems to emanate from him. Little does Jason know, the stranger is the least of their worries. There’s something else out here in the woods, a creature that purrs as it feasts on human flesh, an abomination lurking in the snow, hidden in the darkness. But even if Jason and Valerie manage to survive, there’s one more surprise waiting for them, with a revelation that will test their very humanity.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2014
240 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Warren Wilson
3 books8 followersMatthew Warren Wilson grew up in the Pacific Northwest where he began writing at a very young age. As an adult he attended the University of Washington and obtained a degree in creative writing. He lives in the Seattle area with his wife and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 29, 2014
A couple of truisms would have served two brothers and their girlfriends well, had they followed them. For one, if your gut tells you something is a bad idea, it probably is. Second, it can be dangerous to pick up hitchhikers.
A blinding snowstorm and freezing temperatures form the backdrop for this novella. Add a cabin set deep in the woods, burly brothers in flannel shirts, their crazed Ma and Pa in the house, the barn with its pedestals and freakish pets, and the stage is set.
This was a freebie download. Worth the read, but a little on the random side.
A blinding snowstorm and freezing temperatures form the backdrop for this novella. Add a cabin set deep in the woods, burly brothers in flannel shirts, their crazed Ma and Pa in the house, the barn with its pedestals and freakish pets, and the stage is set.
This was a freebie download. Worth the read, but a little on the random side.
December 6, 2025
In the spirit of the 'Unholy Holidays' Bingo challenge, I dove into this quick winter horror read.
The Snow and The Darkness, by Matthew Warren Wilson, plunges the reader into a nightmare born from a simple attempt to beat a crippling East Coast snowstorm. Jason and his girlfriend, Valrie, are picked up at the airport by Jason's brother Frank and his companion, Lucy. When a police roadblock prevents them from reaching Frank's house, they opt for a risky detour to avoid an overnight hotel stay. This decision leads them to pick up a stranger, become stranded, and experience the most violent night of their lives.
My Take
I found The Snow and The Darkness to be a quick read with a strong start that immediately grabbed my attention. The book excelled at evoking genuine discomfort in certain sections. However, the pacing lagged a little after the middle. While the threat level felt entirely believable within the context of the story, the central creature itself was, in my opinion, not terrifying. Ironically, I find that the real horror ultimately comes from human behavior.
I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Rating Breakdown:
✦Violence/Gore - 4/5
✦Suspense/Pacing - 3/5
✦ Fear Factor - 3/5
✦The Creature/Threat - 3/5
✦Character Depth/Motivation - 3/5
✦Intrigue/Plot Complexity - 2/5
✦Resolution/Satisfaction - 3/5
Despite the dip in pacing, this short read delivers on its promise of a violent night.
Content warning: This story features explicitly detailed scenes of attempted rape, sexual assault, and dissociation.
November 11, 2014
When two brothers and their girlfriends get detoured from a trip to the brother's house during the worse snowstorm of the year and pick up a hitch-hiker, they find out something is very wrong with him and has brought something dark with him from out of the snow. Can they escape from their dangerous predicament before it is too late? Read and find out.
This was a pretty good novella I got as a free ebook from Smashwords and it's a great and spooky read to read for Halloween and All Hallow's Read. Definitely check it out for yourself.
This was a pretty good novella I got as a free ebook from Smashwords and it's a great and spooky read to read for Halloween and All Hallow's Read. Definitely check it out for yourself.
March 8, 2014
A family of crazy psychotics who prey on travelers to feed their hungry pets. But they aren't your typical pets...oh no...they are something different altogether. A very good story set during a very bad snowstorm. There is a reason why it is said that one should never pick up a hitchhiker.
November 11, 2014
Started off great..........dark eerie atmosphere........two young couples stranded in a blizzard........massive snowstorm........weirdo hitchhiker........monsters in the woods........
BUT........while pretty darn creepy and (warning) graphically gruesome, for me, the bedroom scene turned the story from a suspenseful grisly horror novel to laughable and ridiculous, hence the 2 Star rating. Not great, but only 152 pages and free on iBooks.
March 8, 2015
Have you ever been trapped in the spiraling descent into hell that comes from someone else’s bad decisions? Well, that is The Snow and the Darkness.
Jason made one bad decision, getting onto the plane during one of the worst recorded snowstorms. After that, everything was completely out of his hands. His brother takes over and seems completely incapable of making a good choice. The series of events lead to a great story with many unforeseen twists.
The general premise of the story has been done many times over. A group of kids (young adults) traveling at night, pick up a mysterious stranger and it all goes to hell. I simplify a bit, but we have all seen the movies or read the books. The key to making this work is how the author gets you from the beginning to the end.
Matthew Warren Wilson does a good job of telling the story. The characters are well written and believable, I think that at one time or another we have all found ourselves in a situation where someone else’s decision put us in an uncomfortable place. The Snow and the Darkness takes it to the extreme.
All in all, the story was good and entertaining. The “monsters” threw me a bit at first, but I like how it all got tied together in the end.
3.5 Stars
Jason made one bad decision, getting onto the plane during one of the worst recorded snowstorms. After that, everything was completely out of his hands. His brother takes over and seems completely incapable of making a good choice. The series of events lead to a great story with many unforeseen twists.
The general premise of the story has been done many times over. A group of kids (young adults) traveling at night, pick up a mysterious stranger and it all goes to hell. I simplify a bit, but we have all seen the movies or read the books. The key to making this work is how the author gets you from the beginning to the end.
Matthew Warren Wilson does a good job of telling the story. The characters are well written and believable, I think that at one time or another we have all found ourselves in a situation where someone else’s decision put us in an uncomfortable place. The Snow and the Darkness takes it to the extreme.
All in all, the story was good and entertaining. The “monsters” threw me a bit at first, but I like how it all got tied together in the end.
3.5 Stars
March 27, 2015
What?!
I normally would have stopped reading this book at the induction of the creatures, but I just couldn't look away! I had to know how it ended! Well played sir, well played!
I normally would have stopped reading this book at the induction of the creatures, but I just couldn't look away! I had to know how it ended! Well played sir, well played!
April 12, 2017
Good
Gorey but thought it was a good read. Found myself on edge wondering what was next. Would be interested in more books by this author.
Gorey but thought it was a good read. Found myself on edge wondering what was next. Would be interested in more books by this author.
February 15, 2024
This was a short one, only about 90 pages. I really liked it. It was really fast-paced. I wish there was more of it or a prequel/origin story.
September 1, 2014
Wow... I read this book in almost one sitting.
Jason and his girlfriend Valerie, and his brother and his brothers girlfriend.... are all caught in a horrible snow storm. They pick up a stranger.... can't really let him die out there, can they? Well.... maybe they should have.
This was really a creepy page turner... and the way it ended really leaves the door open for a part two. That would be awesome :)
Jason and his girlfriend Valerie, and his brother and his brothers girlfriend.... are all caught in a horrible snow storm. They pick up a stranger.... can't really let him die out there, can they? Well.... maybe they should have.
This was really a creepy page turner... and the way it ended really leaves the door open for a part two. That would be awesome :)
March 21, 2014
Bloody, unusual and original. Good fast read that will keep the pages turning. Psycho hunters prey on humans to feed their freakish pets. Gory, graphic and very entertaining. I enjoyed this horror tale a lot.
June 2, 2014
This book was really quite good! I very much enjoyed reading it. The author managed to take an unbelievable situation and make it believable. The creature in the story is remarkable. I would read from this author again.
February 9, 2015
If I would have had to rate this book at the very beginning, I would only have given it 2, possibly 3, stars, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit and it has given me something to ponder in the way that we use the word "monster".
November 13, 2017
4.5-star read!
For a book with just over a hundred pages, this book is packed with a lot of story. Somehow the author managed to make the book feel like three distinct stories in one. I enjoyed one "sub-story" after the next. As the book progressed, the steaks kept getting higher and higher; to the point that I started getting nervous for the main character.
There were a lot of surprising character deaths throughout this read. This kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also surprisingly gory. I personally have never been grossed out by a book before reading this one. Well done, Mr. Wilson.
My only gripes with the book :
Though the mysterious creature in this novel is a pivotal point in the synopsis for this book, I felt like this story could've gone on without them and would probably be better off. That being said, I did find myself surprisingly feeling attached and protective of them, especially the first one.
In typical horror genre fashion, I didn't agree with many characters' decisions; from Lucy to Jason to Frank. There were no shortages of bad decisions made throughout this book. I guess these bad choices had to be made to progress the plot, but that still didn't make them any less annoying to read.
I also feel like the final character death felt tact on. It ultimately felt like a plot device to create the situation for the ending.
Ultimately I'm glad I read this book. I've been waiting a year to read it (i.e.: for it to feel cold enough outside to match the atmosphere of the story) and it was definitely worth the wait. I strongly recommend it!
For a book with just over a hundred pages, this book is packed with a lot of story. Somehow the author managed to make the book feel like three distinct stories in one. I enjoyed one "sub-story" after the next. As the book progressed, the steaks kept getting higher and higher; to the point that I started getting nervous for the main character.
There were a lot of surprising character deaths throughout this read. This kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also surprisingly gory. I personally have never been grossed out by a book before reading this one. Well done, Mr. Wilson.
My only gripes with the book :
Though the mysterious creature in this novel is a pivotal point in the synopsis for this book, I felt like this story could've gone on without them and would probably be better off. That being said, I did find myself surprisingly feeling attached and protective of them, especially the first one.
In typical horror genre fashion, I didn't agree with many characters' decisions; from Lucy to Jason to Frank. There were no shortages of bad decisions made throughout this book. I guess these bad choices had to be made to progress the plot, but that still didn't make them any less annoying to read.
I also feel like the final character death felt tact on. It ultimately felt like a plot device to create the situation for the ending.
Ultimately I'm glad I read this book. I've been waiting a year to read it (i.e.: for it to feel cold enough outside to match the atmosphere of the story) and it was definitely worth the wait. I strongly recommend it!
February 11, 2024
The Snow and The Darkness by Matthew Warren Wilson is a dizzying whirlwind of gore and violence with a touch of humanity in the oddest of places. in almost fifty-six years of reading horror, i thought i'd seen it all...i stand corrected.
The Snow and The Darkness takes a familiar theme, picking up a hitchhiker during a stormy (blizzard) night and the consequences that follow. Matthew Warren Wilson takes this and twists it in ways I'm still reeling from. it was awesome!!
highly recommended.
5 stars out of 5.
The Snow and The Darkness takes a familiar theme, picking up a hitchhiker during a stormy (blizzard) night and the consequences that follow. Matthew Warren Wilson takes this and twists it in ways I'm still reeling from. it was awesome!!
highly recommended.
5 stars out of 5.
October 29, 2024
Well, that was wack-a-doodle. Such a crazy book! I do enjoy a weird story and this was certainly one of the weirdest I've read. If you can't deal with gore, don't read this one, though it wasn't as gory as some I've come across. Very entertaining and a quick read as well. Just what I wanted for this Halloween season. It has horrifying humans, weird creatures and a cold and desolate setting. The ending was okay but I kinda' wish it was different - not wanting to spoil anything.
December 8, 2019
Snuggles & Cuddles
What a great read. I was impressed with the thought put in this book. Two brothers and their girlfriends pick up a stranger walking in a snow storm from hell. What little did they know was the snow storm from hell would be the first of many hells they would face. Read this book, it is so good.
What a great read. I was impressed with the thought put in this book. Two brothers and their girlfriends pick up a stranger walking in a snow storm from hell. What little did they know was the snow storm from hell would be the first of many hells they would face. Read this book, it is so good.
April 4, 2024
An Intriguing Read
Two brothers and their girlfriends foolishly try to drive to their destination in a blizzard. They don’t make it. The rest of the story is their struggle to survive two maniacal killers and an otherworldly thing.
Then the story gets real strange.
There is lots of gore in this tale so be forewarned.
Two brothers and their girlfriends foolishly try to drive to their destination in a blizzard. They don’t make it. The rest of the story is their struggle to survive two maniacal killers and an otherworldly thing.
Then the story gets real strange.
There is lots of gore in this tale so be forewarned.
October 22, 2017
GREAT READ
I really enjoyed this book. I was enthralled with it from the first day I picked it up all the way to the end. Your emotions will run wild! I highly recommend this book to those who love horror books. This book will have you on your toes!
I really enjoyed this book. I was enthralled with it from the first day I picked it up all the way to the end. Your emotions will run wild! I highly recommend this book to those who love horror books. This book will have you on your toes!
December 22, 2017
Weird
Weirdest book I've ever read. Zero character development, but that's ok for this short story. Plenty of action and gore, if you like that sort of thing. Wasn't really scary at all, just gory as hell.
Weirdest book I've ever read. Zero character development, but that's ok for this short story. Plenty of action and gore, if you like that sort of thing. Wasn't really scary at all, just gory as hell.
February 3, 2018
Good read
Very interesting this story was very good i like the author imagination about how the animals were created and the weird way they looked he should have let cuddles get his revenge on Val
Very interesting this story was very good i like the author imagination about how the animals were created and the weird way they looked he should have let cuddles get his revenge on Val
September 24, 2021
Great read
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were greay and i loved the plot. Would love it if the author would continue the storyline and give us more of Cuddles!
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were greay and i loved the plot. Would love it if the author would continue the storyline and give us more of Cuddles!
December 30, 2021
Really liked the idea of the story - two young couples driving in a snowstorm, pickup a someone on the road get stranded etc. The story starts really well, is interesting and has a good deal of suspense. Then as you start to figure out what is going on.....no. The evildoers and their "pets" are just ridiculous and really disgusting. Author never really explains how or why. Main characters are in an impossible situation and then suddenly they are ok.
January 17, 2022
Terrible ending
Good overall, but the worst ending. Vividly writen, good characters. The choices we all make every day. Were they could lead if we're not careful, or at least lucky.
Good overall, but the worst ending. Vividly writen, good characters. The choices we all make every day. Were they could lead if we're not careful, or at least lucky.
August 23, 2024
TW: gore, mutilation, blood thirsty monster, SA
This is a very gory and tense reads. Lots of blood (and i meant a lot), psychos and chopping actions.
The writing is good, just don't read it after meal, like me 😆.
The ending a little too abrupt though.
This is a very gory and tense reads. Lots of blood (and i meant a lot), psychos and chopping actions.
The writing is good, just don't read it after meal, like me 😆.
The ending a little too abrupt though.
February 16, 2025
Best book ever, so much detail. The characters are amazing and I almost feel as if I'm right there with them! Some people are saying it's too scary or unrealistic but it's supposed to be! I absolutely love this and if your into horror you NEED to check it out.
May 13, 2019
Started out interesting, turned gruesome, became crazy, but finished sort of satisfying...?
June 25, 2019
This book is not for the faint of heart! Really gruesome! Right up my alley.😉 Good, quick read.
December 6, 2019
Freaky
I know family comes in all different ways but for the country creeps , they are a whole new breed. WOW!
I know family comes in all different ways but for the country creeps , they are a whole new breed. WOW!
March 29, 2022
Good book
Couldn't put it down. Good book. Lot of suspense to keep you wondering what is happening. I recommend this one.
Couldn't put it down. Good book. Lot of suspense to keep you wondering what is happening. I recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews