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Abducted
The X-Files meets Gone Girl, in which a man claiming to be a missing child from nineteen years ago returns to the small town from where he famously vanished, but the town's retired police sergeant who failed to solve the boy's missing persons case two decades prior doesn't buy the man's claim and suspects that something much more sinister is at work.
- GenresHorror
310 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
10 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Barb
73 books93 followersPatrick Barb is an author of weird, dark, and spooky tales, currently living (and trying not to freeze to death) in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His published works include the dark fiction collections The Children’s Horror and Pre-Approved for Haunting, the novellas Gargantuana's Ghost, Turn, and JK-LOL, as well as the novelette Helicopter Parenting in the Age of Drone Warfare. He is the editor and publisher of the anthology And One Day We Will Die: Strange Stories Inspired by the Music of Neutral Milk Hotel. His forthcoming works include the Killer VHS novella Night of the Witch-Hunter from Shortwave Publishing and his debut sci-fi/horror novel Abducted from Dark Matter Ink. His 2023 short story "The Scare Groom" was selected for Best Horror of the Year Volume 16. Visit him at patrickbarb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 31, 2025
I thought I had a good enough grasp of what I was getting myself into: UFOs, alien abductions, conspiracy theories, the Greys, and the mystery of a child that disappeared years ago, suddenly coming back as an adult - well, I got all that and more! Little did I expect, however, how heavily emotional this tale would turn out to be: a mother's grief developping into a messy obsession, a female cop deeply committed to the case, the despair of a sister whose testimony noone believed, and the sheer variety of bizarre twists and weird details - not to mention the absolutely unexpected ending, whereupon the book pretty much throws everything up into the air and catches them back in a novel, unfamiliar arrangement; how did Patrick Barb plot all this without going off the rails at some point and giving up? Kudos!
That said, "Abducted" is clearly meant to be a straightforward if occasionally complex sci-fi horror story, leaning towards a thriller as well: it puts right into the center the failed police investigation of the child's disappearance, and draws all the long-term consequences of the failure's impact on the family and the cop responsible for it. Very strong in the characteriztion department, admittedly a bit confusing with its insistence of not revealing necessary details all at once, but wildly inventive in its premises and its conclusions: triangulating itself in relation to love, grief and obsession, taking full account of the enmity between the mother and the female cop over the missing child who's supposed to have come back, the story has so many layers and exploits wonderfully so many crucial ambiguities, it's bound to satisfy a wide variety of readers. Highly recommended!
That said, "Abducted" is clearly meant to be a straightforward if occasionally complex sci-fi horror story, leaning towards a thriller as well: it puts right into the center the failed police investigation of the child's disappearance, and draws all the long-term consequences of the failure's impact on the family and the cop responsible for it. Very strong in the characteriztion department, admittedly a bit confusing with its insistence of not revealing necessary details all at once, but wildly inventive in its premises and its conclusions: triangulating itself in relation to love, grief and obsession, taking full account of the enmity between the mother and the female cop over the missing child who's supposed to have come back, the story has so many layers and exploits wonderfully so many crucial ambiguities, it's bound to satisfy a wide variety of readers. Highly recommended!
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July 30, 2025A big thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of the book to blurb!
ABDUCTED is multi-angled, surreal, and weird in the best way with hints of an absurdist tone, exploring the desperation of human nature and the way we convince our minds of both dangerous truths and untruths. Barb weaves a tale akin to true crime shows, meditating on the power of grief and loss and the way trauma might change us both physically and psychologically, of conspiracies and those familiar becoming strangers. For fans of Parasyte: The Grey and Nope—this unsettling and uncanny story will have readers gasping for breath every page.
ABDUCTED is multi-angled, surreal, and weird in the best way with hints of an absurdist tone, exploring the desperation of human nature and the way we convince our minds of both dangerous truths and untruths. Barb weaves a tale akin to true crime shows, meditating on the power of grief and loss and the way trauma might change us both physically and psychologically, of conspiracies and those familiar becoming strangers. For fans of Parasyte: The Grey and Nope—this unsettling and uncanny story will have readers gasping for breath every page.
December 3, 2025
I purchased a copy of this book, from the author, at One Of Us - Midwest Horror Con, in Iowa City, Iowa, this past September. All views and opinions are my own.
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The Abducted plays out amidst swirling eddies of Fog, where light is scarce and shadow ever present. There is a balancing act modern humans walk, it's a knives edge we call "accepted reality" "normalcy", treading that thin line can mean training yourself to ignore the peculiarities that bubble up. Accepting a forced narrative that "there's nothing to see", moving with the herd. Childrens' minds, perhaps even their eyes are more open and accepting to what exists beyond the normal. I think that perhaps, that is one of the most terrifying aspects of Patrick's book. When a child is raised to tell the truth, and does so to their parents, to those whom they love and trust, and are shunned and ridiculed.
Because, for adults to accept the existence of something beyond the normal, and reckon with it being just outside the door, or in your bedroom, is too much to handle. So quickly did civilized humans forge the warning tales about the fey and changelings.
Readers familiar with abduction literature, or even just Unsolved Mysteries and True Crime stories will immediately be drawn into this story. It's like a mutated amalgamation of The X-Files, Cronenberg films and one of the darker "Lifetime Original Movies" (No joke, if you've seen them, you know what I mean. It's a story webbed with strange veins that become bigger and menacing as things are revealed. Scrolled amidst these veins is a story of people, who've had trauma and the existential fear brought on by answered questions, become buildings blocks of who they are. The eddies and currents of Fog that overlay this book are infused what growing sense of paranoia, dread and buried horror.
Horror that reaches into the realm of the Cosmic, of High Strangeness, of what lies beyond the boundaries of the confines of this small blue ball, Horror like this can take many shapes, evoke many feelings. It's into that area where the emotions predate words, those deep rooted instincts, fears that reside deep in the hind brain. That primal spot that stays by the campfire, looking up to night sky, waiting for whatever is out there to blink, to show itself.
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The Abducted plays out amidst swirling eddies of Fog, where light is scarce and shadow ever present. There is a balancing act modern humans walk, it's a knives edge we call "accepted reality" "normalcy", treading that thin line can mean training yourself to ignore the peculiarities that bubble up. Accepting a forced narrative that "there's nothing to see", moving with the herd. Childrens' minds, perhaps even their eyes are more open and accepting to what exists beyond the normal. I think that perhaps, that is one of the most terrifying aspects of Patrick's book. When a child is raised to tell the truth, and does so to their parents, to those whom they love and trust, and are shunned and ridiculed.
Because, for adults to accept the existence of something beyond the normal, and reckon with it being just outside the door, or in your bedroom, is too much to handle. So quickly did civilized humans forge the warning tales about the fey and changelings.
Readers familiar with abduction literature, or even just Unsolved Mysteries and True Crime stories will immediately be drawn into this story. It's like a mutated amalgamation of The X-Files, Cronenberg films and one of the darker "Lifetime Original Movies" (No joke, if you've seen them, you know what I mean. It's a story webbed with strange veins that become bigger and menacing as things are revealed. Scrolled amidst these veins is a story of people, who've had trauma and the existential fear brought on by answered questions, become buildings blocks of who they are. The eddies and currents of Fog that overlay this book are infused what growing sense of paranoia, dread and buried horror.
Horror that reaches into the realm of the Cosmic, of High Strangeness, of what lies beyond the boundaries of the confines of this small blue ball, Horror like this can take many shapes, evoke many feelings. It's into that area where the emotions predate words, those deep rooted instincts, fears that reside deep in the hind brain. That primal spot that stays by the campfire, looking up to night sky, waiting for whatever is out there to blink, to show itself.
October 14, 2025
Shlocky with good descriptions of the fearsome and scary monsters. The plot felt flimsy and I GET IT the main character has grey hair.
October 6, 2025
Not my typical read, but I'm glad I picked this novel from a local author while in Minneapolis.
September 1, 2025
Very good stuff!
I very much enjoyed this book! Good pacing, great characters and a fun premise. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I very much enjoyed this book! Good pacing, great characters and a fun premise. I look forward to reading more from this author!
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July 30, 2025Patrick Barb has crafted a deeply unsettling and visceral entry into the alien abduction horror genre. Full of mystery and twists, ABDUCTED keeps you guessing and pulls no punches.
- Jendia Gammon, Nebula and BSFA finalist author of ATACAMA and DOOMFLOWER
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Thank you to both the publisher and the author for providing me with a review copy.
- Jendia Gammon, Nebula and BSFA finalist author of ATACAMA and DOOMFLOWER
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Thank you to both the publisher and the author for providing me with a review copy.
September 26, 2025
Patrick Barb spins a tale of small-town crime, horror, alien abduction, and conspiracy in
Abducted
, his latest novel from Dark Matter Ink.
In 2005, Police Sergeant Stacy Keppler worked her first big case: the abduction of Matt Freeman, a young boy taken from his bedroom in the dead of night. The only witness to the crime: Matt's older sister, whose story of "Gray Men" was dismissed by almost everyone, causing the case to eventually go cold.
Now, nineteen years later and on the eve of her retirement, Stacy receives news she never expected to get: they've found Matt Freeman alive. But the young man who has returned is...different. Changed. And things about his story just aren't adding up. Skeptical of the official narrative and determined to learn the truth, Stacy heads down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and cover-ups in an effort to finally solve the case that has haunted her for decades.
The use of alien adduction around a missing loved one and the Gray Men who have taken said loved one is nothing groundbreaking. It's how Patrick Barb expands on this that makes Abducted something more special. Barb blends conspiracy theories, hidden cover-ups, potential forces beyond human, and grief to craft a tale that is something deeper than an episode of The X-Files .
Abducted is a slow-burn horror novel featuring gritty police work and the families and loved ones affected by the missing. However, the return of the missing loved one brings more questions than answers. This novel sees us diving more into unresolved guilt and emotion, than jump scares that one might expect. Listed in the science-fiction and horror genre, this coasts closer to the sci-fi side of things, while doing a great job balancing conspiracy and cosmic horror.
Patrick Barb's Abducted is for those looking for a slower-burn cosmic horror that has a deeper human connection. This novel is a thrilling mystery with touches of horror and human frailties. Looking forward to more from Barb in the future.
Abducted is available at bookstores everywhere from Dark Matter Ink. The audiobook, narrated by Jessica Gurd, is available via Audible!
In 2005, Police Sergeant Stacy Keppler worked her first big case: the abduction of Matt Freeman, a young boy taken from his bedroom in the dead of night. The only witness to the crime: Matt's older sister, whose story of "Gray Men" was dismissed by almost everyone, causing the case to eventually go cold.
Now, nineteen years later and on the eve of her retirement, Stacy receives news she never expected to get: they've found Matt Freeman alive. But the young man who has returned is...different. Changed. And things about his story just aren't adding up. Skeptical of the official narrative and determined to learn the truth, Stacy heads down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and cover-ups in an effort to finally solve the case that has haunted her for decades.
The use of alien adduction around a missing loved one and the Gray Men who have taken said loved one is nothing groundbreaking. It's how Patrick Barb expands on this that makes Abducted something more special. Barb blends conspiracy theories, hidden cover-ups, potential forces beyond human, and grief to craft a tale that is something deeper than an episode of The X-Files .
Abducted is a slow-burn horror novel featuring gritty police work and the families and loved ones affected by the missing. However, the return of the missing loved one brings more questions than answers. This novel sees us diving more into unresolved guilt and emotion, than jump scares that one might expect. Listed in the science-fiction and horror genre, this coasts closer to the sci-fi side of things, while doing a great job balancing conspiracy and cosmic horror.
Patrick Barb's Abducted is for those looking for a slower-burn cosmic horror that has a deeper human connection. This novel is a thrilling mystery with touches of horror and human frailties. Looking forward to more from Barb in the future.
Abducted is available at bookstores everywhere from Dark Matter Ink. The audiobook, narrated by Jessica Gurd, is available via Audible!
October 11, 2025
Patrick Barb’s debut novel has everything I wanted in an abduction tale: a Gen-X protagonist with a mysterious past and a long career in law enforcement, conspiracy theories and the people who believe them, and terrifying creatures both human and non-human. P. Barb draws you in slowly but surely like a tractor beam, taking you on your own journey of sights, sounds, and terror. This book has so many viscerally graphic moments that I felt like I was watching the movie. His characters are complex, nuanced, and frankly identifiable, which makes their story feel all the more real.
I enjoyed every part of the journey I was taken on, along with its satisfying conclusion. Get lost in the story, let the world of “Abducted” carry off your little gray cells to another world!
I enjoyed every part of the journey I was taken on, along with its satisfying conclusion. Get lost in the story, let the world of “Abducted” carry off your little gray cells to another world!
October 30, 2025
I liked this book for the season we’re in: Fall, Halloween. It’s a good, fun and engaging read.
October 11, 2025
Suspenseful and mysterious with a unique and interesting take on body snatching aliens, Patrick Barb has written a must read sci-fi horror novel.
October 22, 2025
Really enjoyed this slice of sci-fi horror! Some unpredictable twists, compelling and memorable characters, accessible and engaging prose, and a killer ending. Incredible work. Do yourself a favor and grab yourself a copy!
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September 20, 2025they had me in the first have, not gonna lie.
4 stars for first 2/3
4 stars for first 2/3
July 29, 2025
The last few chapters of ABDUCTED had my jaw on the floor just as much as I was checking the room to make sure that Some Guy wasn't sneaking around the corner to get me.
When Matt Freeman went missing, his sister, the only witness, insists that it was a group of Gray Men that took him from his bed in the middle of the night. Nineteen years later, a man claiming to be Matt is found by Some Guy, which pulls Stacy, the detective on Matt's case, out of retirement to find out what really happened and if this is actually Matt. ABDUCTED feels like X-Files meets Gone Girl, throwing a thrilling procedural drama into a sci-fi horror that had me turning the pages as fast as I could.
As ABDUCTED unfolds, multiple POVs are introduced to reveal what is actually going on. Each POV has a distinctive feel, including how each character's trauma affects the story. There were moments, especially with Cassidy and Malek, that felt like I was feeling their feelings. Patrick Barb's writing is so intense at times that the story felt real, including the terrifying parts. There is a real mystery that is built from the very beginning, and as each part of that mystery is discovered, the story develops into a complex thriller that stretches across multiple genres.
The story takes place in a small town which feels just as alive as the characters.I really loved getting to know more about Stacy, as she felt like the heart of the book. ABDUCTED has moments that are genuinely terrifying, and the detail in which those parts are written really stood out to me.
What I loved most about ABDUCTED was the characters. Each character was allowed to be flawed, broken, and fully live in their faults. Ruth, Matt's mother, in particular was a character that I both resented and loved at the same time. Her motivation really brought a deep element to the story that I connected with on so many levels.
ABDUCTED is perfect for people who grew up watching the X-Files or love a good alien story. Barb has created a world with a lot of detail, characters, and plot that will draw you in quickly and won't let go until the very end.
When Matt Freeman went missing, his sister, the only witness, insists that it was a group of Gray Men that took him from his bed in the middle of the night. Nineteen years later, a man claiming to be Matt is found by Some Guy, which pulls Stacy, the detective on Matt's case, out of retirement to find out what really happened and if this is actually Matt. ABDUCTED feels like X-Files meets Gone Girl, throwing a thrilling procedural drama into a sci-fi horror that had me turning the pages as fast as I could.
As ABDUCTED unfolds, multiple POVs are introduced to reveal what is actually going on. Each POV has a distinctive feel, including how each character's trauma affects the story. There were moments, especially with Cassidy and Malek, that felt like I was feeling their feelings. Patrick Barb's writing is so intense at times that the story felt real, including the terrifying parts. There is a real mystery that is built from the very beginning, and as each part of that mystery is discovered, the story develops into a complex thriller that stretches across multiple genres.
The story takes place in a small town which feels just as alive as the characters.I really loved getting to know more about Stacy, as she felt like the heart of the book. ABDUCTED has moments that are genuinely terrifying, and the detail in which those parts are written really stood out to me.
What I loved most about ABDUCTED was the characters. Each character was allowed to be flawed, broken, and fully live in their faults. Ruth, Matt's mother, in particular was a character that I both resented and loved at the same time. Her motivation really brought a deep element to the story that I connected with on so many levels.
ABDUCTED is perfect for people who grew up watching the X-Files or love a good alien story. Barb has created a world with a lot of detail, characters, and plot that will draw you in quickly and won't let go until the very end.
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November 12, 2025DNF @ barely 20%
No stars because I didn't read all of it to make a fair judgement.
I'm writing this as a fan of Barb in general, but I didn't like this one much at all. It felt bloated with convoluted descriptions. The characters were not very interesting or well fleshed out. The plot takes so many twists and turns in the first few chapters that I lost track of what was happening or why.
What got me to quit, and I think people should know, is that there is graphic, needless animal death thrown at you pretty early on.
Click for spoiler:
I'm not one who is normally turned off by animal death or cruelty in horror. I've read a lot of terrible things if you look at my review history. But this moment above is thrown at you with no build up or foreshadowing. Just feels like there could have been a better way to do it. Sorry Barb, this isn't your best. Check out some of his short story collections to see his best writing.
No stars because I didn't read all of it to make a fair judgement.
I'm writing this as a fan of Barb in general, but I didn't like this one much at all. It felt bloated with convoluted descriptions. The characters were not very interesting or well fleshed out. The plot takes so many twists and turns in the first few chapters that I lost track of what was happening or why.
What got me to quit, and I think people should know, is that there is graphic, needless animal death thrown at you pretty early on.
Click for spoiler:
I'm not one who is normally turned off by animal death or cruelty in horror. I've read a lot of terrible things if you look at my review history. But this moment above is thrown at you with no build up or foreshadowing. Just feels like there could have been a better way to do it. Sorry Barb, this isn't your best. Check out some of his short story collections to see his best writing.
September 4, 2025
Content warning:
October 23, 2025
Tropey and underwhelming, with some decent enough characterisation.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews