Cold Black River

by Jay Bower, Megan Stockton

On a cold December afternoon, ten-year-old Tucker Smith enters the Christmas fair with his father.

He never comes home.

Parents Abbie and Dane are consumed by fear, guilt, and the growing suspicion that someone knows exactly where their son is. Their marriage begins to fracture beneath the strain, every day without their son driving them further apart.

Then a note arrives. Tucker is alive, and if they pay the ransom they can have him back.

Scrambling to secure the funds, they wage everything they have on one final chance to save their child… but the ransom is only the beginning, and the truth waiting for them may be more horrific than they can handle.

Genres: Horror, Suspense

326 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

JAY BOWER is a horror author living outside St. Louis, MO in the forest of Southern Illinois. He spends his time reading, writing, and convincing his wife the dark stories he writes do not involve her.

One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.

He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.

Reviews

[Josette Thomas]

After reading this book, I needed a day or two to sit with my thoughts. When I pick a book to read it is because I like when something bad happens the book either has a good outcome or a not so good outcome. As. I read through the pages I could see that this book was going to wring my emotions out dry. A simple mistake can make a situation begin that no one knows how it will end. Having a child disappear right from under one’s nose is the most terrible thing that can happen to a parent. The not knowing and the thoughts that race through the heads of a mother and a father can be terrifying. Wondering if they are alive, is someone taking care of them, and how the child is doing in such a scary spot. Family is either a support or adds or the drama. In this case the family had support not knowing how another family member was involved. The visceral reaction the parents had about their son were so real, I could her their screams in my head. What follows after their devastating news becomes something that a parent might come to do when it comes to their child. I truly felt sorry for the heathens that used a child as a bargaining chip. This book was both heartbreaking and terribly sad. I was not happy with the end; I felt shame at our system that protects bad guys.

[Jennifer Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute gut-wrencher. This family endures more pain and suffering than anyone should ever have to experience. It all begins when a father makes the innocent mistake of letting his son walk a few feet away from him, confident that he can still see him and that nothing could possibly go wrong. Unfortunately, he couldn’t have been more wrong.
That’s when the story completely flips. The child is abducted, and his parents are thrown into an unimaginable nightmare. They endure one heartbreaking ordeal after another, doing whatever they can to find their son and bring him home. The desperation, fear, and helplessness felt throughout the story are incredibly powerful.
This is a deeply heartbreaking and emotional read that will stay with you long after you finish it. And if you’re going into this one hoping for a nice, happy ending… don’t. This story pulls no punches and leaves you with a whole lot of feelings.
Heartbreaking, horrifying, and emotionally brutal—this one will wreck you.

[Kayla Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before diving into this book, I read all the warnings that it was a tearjerker, but I admit I didn’t believe them. I mean, how sad could a book be? Turns out I was wrong. This book had me SOBBING! It was so tragic and heartbreaking.

What starts as a normal outing for a father and a son ends in despair when the son ends up getting kidnapped. Of course the parents do everything in their power to get him back, but things go so horribly wrong so fast.

This book explores a lot of themes—addiction, loss, and toxic relationships. I honestly had no clue how much this book would make me think about life in general. Especially with that ending. It was a reflection of how unfair life can be, and that for as much as we don’t want it to, sometimes, the bad prevails over the good and justice isn’t served.

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan and Jay make a wonderful team. Cold Black River is one of those books that truly broke me. A young boy disappears for Christmas and the parents have to find them. However, retrieving the son proves to be a gut-wrenching experience as dark secrets come out. The feeling of hopelessness is felt throughout the book. Megan and Jay do a wonderful job with the character development ranging from feeling terrible for the parents to feeling hatred for the villain.

Let's just say the ending to this book is dark and will leave you broken. That's all I can say without spoiling the story. Man oh man, I'm pissed off at the authors, but in a good way. Cold Black River is a story of suspense and thrills, but prepare yourself mentally. Believe me, you're not ready for the ending!

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good but so painful 😭

*Heavy sigh* This one hurt. Like REALLY hurt. I sobbed, I wanted to throw my phone, my chest physically hurt while reading this.

A parents worst nightmare, your child disappearing in the blink of an eye. Dane was trying to make his son happy, allowing him to go to the petting zoo, while he ordered their hot chocolate (extra marshmallows of course!). But in an instant Tucker was gone, the world crashing down around Dane. Abbie blames him for their son's disappearance, he also blames himself. They will do anything to get their boy back and find the monster that ruined their Christmas and entire lives.

This is definitely a trigger heavy book, please make sure you are comfortable with the topics before reading.

[Shanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tucker disappears during a Christmas fair when his dad looks away for a second. Police are useless so Tucker's dad chases every lead he finds. And he finds way more than he bargained for.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were so well written that Abbie and Zanes guilt, pain, and anger bled from every page. Jay and Megan did a fantastic job of building the suspense, making me wonder what is going to happen next. I also enjoyed the alternating viewpoints. Gave a little insight into what was going on in everyone's head.

[Amber Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke me. Absolutely destroyed me. It’s a gut punch straight to the moon. As a mother I felt this story deep in my bones. Deep in my soul. Even though I was perpetually horrified, I could not put it down. These 2 authors are amazing on their own, but together? Forget about it. We typically think of horror being something supernatural. Something that most likely doesn’t exist. Bower & Stockton prove that humans are the real monsters, and they exist everywhere. I very highly recommend this book, but be prepared for nonstop devastation.

[Caleb S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart.
Cold Black River is the product of two authors who have proven to be strong voices on their own and even stronger together. Most horror collaborations turn into two authors trying to outdo each other with over-the-top gore. This is not the case. Bower and Stockton took this plot to heart and made every word count, and did a great job doing it together. Although cowritten, it was so smooth to read that I would have never known it wasn’t a single, amazing writer.
With relatable characters, a heartbreaking plot, steady pacing, and an ending that will leave you screaming, you will not regret this read.
Cold Black River may be the best independently published book I’ve ever read and I believe it would do well on shelves around the world alongside leading horror thrillers.
I LOVED this book!

[Stefanie Silvestri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tucker disappears from a Christmas festival when his dad looks away for just a moment. His parents and the police quickly begin searching for him, desperate to bring him home. This book is packed with twists and turns that keep you guessing. Once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down because you’ll be dying to find out what happens next.

[Misty Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am at a loss for words after finishing this book, it was truly incredible. It was an emotional rollercoaster that had me laughing, crying, and occasionally wanting to shake the FMC in frustration. I felt every single emotion while reading this. If you enjoy horror novels that are deeply emotionally resonant, this is a must read.

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

time I wish I could get back

I kept hoping the book would get better, it didn’t. The whole thing just seemed too far-fetched for me to enjoy the book. Certain characters just really annoyed me, I won’t go into details due to spoilers. Rating this one star is being generous, in my opinion.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I read this in one sitting. It's very fast paced, and will send you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This book is going to stay in my head for a long time. I would definitely recommend this.

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do believe the scariest monsters on earth are humans. And this book proves just that. A simple Christmas outing turns into a family's worst nightmare. This book shattered my heart into pieces. It's a thriller that keeps you turning pages. And that ending 😭 I was definitely not expecting that.

[Stacy Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the hecht did I just read. What a great ride of emotions, anger, sadness, more anger. You cannot put the book down. Megan and Jay knock it out of the park. You will not be disappointed. A must read.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the foolish paternal blunders at the Christmas fair early on, Bower and Stockton successfully craft a chilling, dead of winter atmosphere. The novel is a quick read that's packed with suspenseful plot twists, sinister captors, and simple, yet highly effective characterizations.

[dottie sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will tear you apart and leave you gasping for air! Prepare to cry and be outraged all st the same time!

[Scooby2]

DNF

[Kathy Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man! This is such a fantastic book.
Thank you for the ARC.

It’s about a family torn apart by an unthinkable tragedy.
Gutted, heartbroken and devastated. I loved it!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not sugarcoat. Terrifying, ruthless. Stomach churning. Riveting.

[Eva Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I was sucked in from the first line. So heart wrenching. Love both these authors. What a gut punch.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tucker vanished from the Christmas festival when his father looks away momentarily. Now his parents are trying to get him back. They may know who took him. Full of twists turns. Heart pounding read full of hope determination and a parents love.