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Screams You Hear

James Morris (Goodreads Author)

4.28 · Rating details · 113 ratings · 34 reviews

Murder and madness infect a small town

For sixteen-year-old Ruthie Stroud, life on tiny Hemlock Island in the Pacific Northwest is an endless sea of boring green, in a place where everybody knows everybody’s business and nothing ever happens. Then her world is ripped apart when her parents divorce and a new man enters her mother’s life. But worse is yet to come.

When she d ...more

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Kindle Edition, 275 pages

Published January 8th 2018 by Inkspot Imaginarium

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4.28 ·

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· 113 ratings · 34 reviews

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Jan 03, 2019 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-giv-twitter, own-paper, 2019

Wow. I’m speechless. This book is awesomely awesome (yep, I said it). This is an action-packed story sure to keep you glued to the book until the very end (and that ending!).

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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May 07, 2018 Jay G rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

4.5/5 Stars!

16 year old Ruthie Stroud lives on Hemlock island, a small island isolated from the main lands. Her world turns upside down when her parents divorce and her mom starts seeing another man. One day, she washes up on shore of the mainlands severely burned, the only survivor of a catastrophic event back on the isla ...more

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Mar 07, 2018 The Behrg rated it really liked it

James Morris excels at finding the right voice when it comes to a YA narrator, and I've been a fan of his work for awhile now. "Screams You Hear" is a step into a much darker pool for Morris, and this novel is layered with moments that will have even the most jaded reader needing a moment to come up for air.

The concept is great, a young high school girl living on a small island off the Pacific Coast uncovers what could be a pathological outbreak resulting in extreme violence from those infected ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 Shanannigans rated it it was amazing

Shelves: horror, young-adult

You MUST read this terror-ific book by James Morris!

After reading his survival story, Feel Me Fall last year, I just knew this one was going to be fantastic and I was right! I loved everything about it and the twist at the end? Holy unexpected Batman!

Like Feel Me Fall, this one starts in the present and flashes back and forth between now and a few days prior. As a new fan, of James’ work, I find that he has a distinct writing style and is particularly skilled at writing flashback type storylines ...more

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Jan 31, 2018 Denise Spicer rated it really liked it

Gripping and ultimately horrifying. Ruthie and her best friend Max face some strange and terrifying happenings in a small island community in the Pacific Northwest. Well-written with interesting characters and setting this story of teen angst is however, depressing in what it says about relationships -- between parents and kids -- and between all individuals. The effects of divorce and the lack of trust between kids and adults and, in fact between all the characters leads ultimately to feelings ...more

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Apr 29, 2018 Didi Oviatt rated it really liked it

Hold onto your seats with this one. The pace is fast and the twists WILL dump you on your rear, and quick!!! Every single page of this book is splattered with jaw dropping content. It's the kind of horrifying scenario that every teen/kid (or anyone really) who lives on a secluded island should have nightmares about.
It starts out with Ruthie waking up in the burn unit of a hospital. The island she's from has literally been completely wiped out in population... all except for her. She's the sole s Hold onto your seats with this one. The pace is fast and the twists WILL dump you on your rear, and quick!!! Every single page of this book is splattered with jaw dropping content. It's the kind of horrifying scenario that every teen/kid (or anyone really) who lives on a secluded island should have nightmares about.
It starts out with Ruthie waking up in the burn unit of a hospital. The island she's from has literally been completely wiped out in population... all except for her. She's the sole survivor of an insanely morbid series of events. She's being questioned by the law enforcement who's trying to figure out what exactly took place. Her recollection is detailed, overflowing with adrenaline, and just flat out bloody terrifying!
So, the story bounced in time, back and forth between the now and the previous few days as the odd events play out. I loved this approach here, and I usually don't. Most books that bounce around leave me a little confused and irritated, but with Screams You Hear it worked out perfectly. The character development was perfect. I especially loved Max her best friend, and Theo her brother. They each bring about their own story and personality dynamics, that in my opinion polish the story over, making it well rounded and actually realistic.
It's hard to explain any details without throwing any spoilers in the mix. So, I'll just give a short and very broad outlook. Basically, the adults in the community snap. Ruthie has her suspicions on what's causing it, which makes total sense. No matter the scientific backdrop, it's murderous, its nasty, its ruthless, and utterly heartless what they do to the kids here. It has a feel of a survival story, more so than anything else, as its coming from Ruthie's point of view.
I debated between 4 and 5 stars for some time. The writing is exquisite, and the story is definitely one of a kind horrifying... But at the same time, because the kids aren't mentally sick the way that the adults are... a few of the scenes were a little too hard for me to stomach.
All in all I enjoyed the read, and will most definitely be reading more from this author!

...more

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Jul 22, 2018 Misty's Book Space rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, sent-by-author, 4-stars

Wow!! This is the first book I've read by this author and I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. It's very addicting and hooks you from the very first chapter.

This book switches back and forth between the past and the present which is done very well might I add and it doesn't ever lose the build up. I would have liked a little more info on what was causing these things to happen. As it is it just seems like a 16 year old said this is why this is happening and pretty much everyone agreed ...more

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May 23, 2018 Robyn rated it it was amazing

Ruthie Stroud, horribly burned and lone survivor, washes up on shore of the mainland. While in the burn unit, she tells a horrifying tale about what happened on her tiny island of Hemlock Cove. Hemlock Cove, population 600, is a small island in the Pacific Northwest. Not much goes on here and everyone knows everyone. Her life has been turned upside down with the divorce of her parents and Ruthie is not happy living in the home of her mother’s current boyfriend. Ruthie feels alone and hurt by her Ruthie Stroud, horribly burned and lone survivor, washes up on shore of the mainland. While in the burn unit, she tells a horrifying tale about what happened on her tiny island of Hemlock Cove. Hemlock Cove, population 600, is a small island in the Pacific Northwest. Not much goes on here and everyone knows everyone. Her life has been turned upside down with the divorce of her parents and Ruthie is not happy living in the home of her mother’s current boyfriend. Ruthie feels alone and hurt by her mother’s actions. The only other person Ruthie is close to is her best friend, Max. While on the way home from school one day, they witness a brutal scene. A local family has been murdered. This sets off a chain of events in their tiny island community that rocks their entire world. Why is Ruthie the only survivor?

Screams You Hear switches from past to present as Ruthie recounts the last few days on Hemlock Cove to a detective tasked with finding out what happened. It is not an easy tale to tell and at times it is downright frightening. James Morris really has a knack for infusing a YA story with a strong horror/mystery that even I had trouble figuring out. The twists were pretty shocking and really help the story move along as the suspense builds even more. I found myself glued to the pages needing to know what happens next. Scenes are action packed and there is a lot of violence which led to me feeling the direness of the situation.

Character development is really strong in this story. I feel that we really got to know Ruthie and her thoughts and feelings along with some of the other teens relevant to the story. Ruthie is a sympathetic character and I felt for what she was going through in her home life with the divorce of her parents, which many young teens go through when their family is split up. It also shows that through all of the chaos how a group of teens bonded together, scared, but determined to stay alive. I found myself really feeling sorry for Ruthie as she lays their, burned and in pain, giving a detailed play by play of the events that have changed her life.

James Morris really has a way with words while describing Hemlock Cove with such vivid imagery. It is almost as if I can picture the tiny island in my mind, the lush grass, the clffs, the white capped water, all so clearly. Although isolated for the most part, it sounded like such a beautiful place until it all turned sour.

I really enjoyed Screams You Hear. it had all of the main things I look for in a story. It was gripping, full of angst, and most times downright terrifying. I had a hard time dragging myself away from the story and as the action and suspense builds, I needed to find out what happened next. Set aside some time and be thoroughly engrossed in a tale filled with emotion, horror and a mystery that needs to be solved. Ride along through all of the shocking twists to a conclusion that will leave you utterly speechless. ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 shane | thebluegreenreader rated it it was amazing

Shelves: initially-read-as-ebook

4.5 stars for Screams You Hear by James Morris!

Many thanks to the author, Mr. Morris, for providing me a copy through a fellow book blogger, Karina of Afire Pages!

Wow, that was one hell of a ride, to be honest.

Screams You Hear was ultimately gripping, terrifying, and full of suspense. This was a quick read for me, and I simply adored it. I loved the overlapping of the past and present perspectives, as well as the writing. Everything was very detailed and clear that I didn't find it confusing at ...more

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Mar 15, 2018 Jim Lay rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars.

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Jul 01, 2018 April Teesdale rated it it was amazing

Shelves: horror, favorites, 2018-read

Wow…. okay. I couldn’t wait to write this review. I was only able to read it at night before bed, so some nights I ended up fighting sleep just to get to the end of the chapter. Even then, I didn't want to put the book down, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that made me turn pages this fast, I kept wanting to read "one more chapter". Every chapter had some type of action in it as well, and the way the chapters ended, I had to know what was coming next, so, I had to keep reading, no matter ...more

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Jan 17, 2018 Ronald Keeler rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

I was surprised that Screams You Hear by James Morris was ranked as #7 in the genre Teen & Young Adult > Horror on the Amazon Kindle website. On the one hand, I suspected as much as I began to read the unusual setting of the novel. It is set on Hemlock Island, population 600, and is told from the perspective of Ruthie Stroud, a teenager. On the other hand, the graphic depictions of horror (but no sex) would get a huge “Censor” stamp from many parents. This may illustrate a point that many I was surprised that Screams You Hear by James Morris was ranked as #7 in the genre Teen & Young Adult > Horror on the Amazon Kindle website. On the one hand, I suspected as much as I began to read the unusual setting of the novel. It is set on Hemlock Island, population 600, and is told from the perspective of Ruthie Stroud, a teenager. On the other hand, the graphic depictions of horror (but no sex) would get a huge “Censor” stamp from many parents. This may illustrate a point that many parents do not read, at least not enough to monitor what their children read.

Going straight to the graphic horror descriptions, the book opens with Ruthie Stroud in a burn ward coming to consciousness and wondering about her appearance, among other things. The entire novel will play out as a story Ruthie tells Detective Perez of the Washington State Police. Lots of people, almost the entire population of Hemlock Island are dead. Most were killed in horribly violent and graphically described situations. Most of the ones that survived killings or murders were burned alive in the fire that Ruthie barely escaped. Reader imagination can run wild here as to the appearance of the victims. For me, a death by fire is almost as bad as it gets. The other part, maybe worse, is surviving death by fire followed by years of disfigurement while attempting rehabilitation. The fiery deaths are the least of the graphically described deaths in this novel.

An island of 600 cannot be much of an exciting place to live. Ruthie doesn’t think so and continually seeks a sign or an event that will signal her real life is beginning, one that will probably take place off the island. She has an older brother who she wouldn’t mind being closer to, but he has a girlfriend, Sasha. Dad had left the family, there was a divorce because mom was having an affair, evidence of which was witnessed by Ruthie. She missed Dad and would have preferred to live with him. Ruthie had a friend, Max, who was as much a social outcast as Ruthie. It was not that Ruthie and Max were shunned by others, they just had no common interest with most students. The two were sad about their lives; Ruthie because of her parent’s divorce which she did not feel responsible for, and Max because of the death of his younger brother, which Max felt guilty about. Ruthie felt bad about the loss of her best friend, Sasha, an event that occurred soon after Sasha became the girlfriend of brother Theo. There is a lot of familial negativity here.

And then the killings begin. First, the Solomon family, a family which lived off the land with no modern technological aid, like electricity, was killed in its entirety. Then a former neighbor of Ruthie’s had two wards disappear. Ruthie noticed the woman had blood on her face and clothes and did not want to answer Ruthie’s questions. Then Ruthie witnessed the sheriff shoot a person in the head for no apparent reason. A common theme seemed to be developing. Adults were killing children. Why would this be? Ruthie had a theory. There had been an oil spill. The company responsible cleaned it with a new type of unproven cleanser that introduced infectious material into the water surrounding Hemlock Island. Somehow, it only affected adults. Bad news for children.

Character development in this novel focuses on the teenage angst that can result from growing up in either isolation or in an area where absolutely everybody knows everybody else. There can be no secrets in such a stifling environment, every family flaw or anomaly will be known by the entire populace. Ruthie’s character is extremely well developed to illustrate this. Max, the hesitant might-be boyfriend is also well developed. Most adult characters are placeholders, present only to move the adolescent characters along. This does not distract from the story.

Morris uses beautiful, detailed language to describe physical settings, such as the forest and the ocean. There is literally a cliff-hanger scene that is very well done. I found this a very entertaining read but only gave it four Amazon stars because of the graphic violence. It is rare that I read a YA novel that I do not want my son to read. And then there is the ending. Quite a shock. If you like to be shocked, read this one.

...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Kaila rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-uno, 2018

When parents make mistakes, worlds shift.

This is the second time I've been unnecessarily thrown when a book takes a sharp left turn toward the horror genre (which is completely on me, diving in after reading just the blurb and not the genre tags). Maybe I need to start seeking out that genre more actively, though? Because this is also the second time I've thoroughly enjoyed a horror novel.

Screams You Hear definitely took me by surprise. It's such a strong, action-packed work of young adult fiction, and I devoured it in just two sittings. When a catastrophe on the small island Ruthie Stroud calls home leaves her as the sole survivor, she must convince the mainland of the horrors from which she barely escaped. The tale is told in two threads, one in the present where Ruthie haltingly shares her story with a mainland detective, and one starting five days in the past on Hemlock Island when the murder of a family acts as a catalyst for the terrors about to unfold.

There's not much I can say about the plot itself without risking spoilers, but you're thrown into the deep end quick. Morris's background in television writing is so clear in his cinematic style. The plot is expertly paced, with suspense and tension always thrumming in the background, and the action scenes are incredibly well-executed; it's like watching a horror movie play out in front of you.

Another strength in the novel is the character development. I especially enjoyed getting to know Ruthie and watching her mend and redefine her relationships with those important to her, even as their world was falling to pieces. She finds a ragtag group of allies in her best friend, her brother, her brother's girlfriend, and even a school bully, and I loved watching them develop the sharper edges necessary to survive. There's plenty of focus on the murderous chaos that has overrun Hemlock Island, but there's also plenty of time to zero in on more poignant moments between a gang of young adults desperate to stay alive.

I had a blast reading this book. It kept me on my toes the whole way through, and the ending sent chills through my whole body. I'm definitely going to be keeping up with Morris's work - fans of YA suspense and horror will definitely want to give Screams You Hear a shot!

Warm thanks to James Morris and Reads & Reels for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads • Instagram • Twitter • Bloglovin' ...more

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Apr 04, 2018 Donna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: highly-recommend, horror, 2018, suspense, action

Guys, I had myself a shoutout on Twitter about this book. But I lost control! I had to yell at ya’ll to READ THIS BOOK!!! But, I realize no one is going to listen to a screaming lunatic. So I’ve calmed down now and I’m all zen and whatever. I’m ready to calmly talk about this lovely, little book.

This is such awesomeness in horror! In my opinion, anyway! This is my first James Morris book, and he is so good at coming up with the most creepy, crazy concept in a book. I found the whole thing terrif ...more

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Jun 07, 2018 Darque Dreamer rated it it was amazing

Screams You Hear is thrilling! This one is full of terror and mayhem! If you are looking for a heart pounding, page turner, look no further, and prepare to be shocked!

Morris is now two for two with his books for me! I absolutely loved this one and devoured it in one sitting, just like Feel Me Fall! It was intense and highly entertaining!

Screams You Hear was incredibly well written. It had horror, emotion, and unpredictable twists. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, bam, I was h ...more

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Mar 02, 2019 Kim rated it it was amazing

I'm just going to start out by saing: called it. Called all of it. Though for one of the twists I did need a hint before being able to call it.

Now you might think that you're supposed to see it as something negative that I was able to "call" the events that happen at the end of the book but that is not what I was going for because I really really loved this book! I was more going for "I'm a genius because there is no way in hell anyone so that one coming" (okay, maybe some people did see it comi ...more

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Nov 30, 2018 Jackie Nolan rated it really liked it

What the hell did I just read?

Those are the words that came out of my mouth as I put the book down after I finished it.

This is one of the most shocking and twisted books that I've ever read. The story caught my attention from the first page. It starts out during present time and then after that we switch back and forth between the past few days and then what's happening now. Even though a lot of the book is told through the past, the story flowed really well and the suspense built throughout th ...more

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May 15, 2018 Jessica Bronder rated it it was amazing

This story starts out with sixteen year old Ruthie Stroud on the mainland horribly burned. She is taken to hospital and the police are interviewing her to find out what happened. Ruthie is from the little Hemlock Island in the Pacific Northwest. Her life was going well until her parents divorced in which she blamed her mother. Another man enters her mother’s life and Ruthie is not adjusting well. Then something happens on the island and all the adults go insane and start killing off the children ...more

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Jul 05, 2018 Ashlea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-review

I do all of my reviews in the form of questions

What made me pick this book up:
I read a review about it on another blog and it sounded awesome.

What did I like about the cover:
I love the creepiness of it. I think it fits the book so well!

What made me read this book:
Like I said, I read a review on it and I just had to read it.

What did I like the most:
Oh man where do I even start with this one?

Literally from the moment I started this book it drug me in. I didn't want to put it down.

The story is ...more

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May 21, 2018 Cassandra **The Bibliophagist** rated it it was amazing

Let me begin by saying this is a secret gem! Get your hands on a copy and enjoy it as soon as you can. Screams You Hear switches between the present in the hospital and the past on Hemlock Island. Ruthie Stroud is merely a teenager but has lived through one of the most horrifying events I have read about in a long time. Told from her point of view, we learn exactly what occurred on that small island, population 600. This novel is full of suspenseful horror, but no sex that would give it a catego Let me begin by saying this is a secret gem! Get your hands on a copy and enjoy it as soon as you can. Screams You Hear switches between the present in the hospital and the past on Hemlock Island. Ruthie Stroud is merely a teenager but has lived through one of the most horrifying events I have read about in a long time. Told from her point of view, we learn exactly what occurred on that small island, population 600. This novel is full of suspenseful horror, but no sex that would give it a category title of any other than young adult. I read my first Stephen King novel before I was even a teenager. This runs along the lines of his work, an edge of your seat gripping and terrifying.

The reader is thrown into the story right away. Ruthie is conscious in the hospital, covered in bandages. She desperately battles the urge to see herself after these horrifying events. She tells her story to Detective Perez of the Washington Police and it unfolds in front of the reader effortlessly. The descriptive details in this novel were amazing. The traumatizing events are recanted with extreme graphic detail. I felt I was with Ruthie, experiencing these events as they were recanted to the Detective.

The character development here relies heavily upon teenage angst, giving many young adult readers something to relate to. The feeling of isolation and lack of control in life is common among many teens, but pair that with living in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else...that is an entirely new layer of isolation and lack of control. I grew up like that, in a small town...we had more cows than people. I could relate to these characters and feel why Ruthie felt trapped and only wanted to escape Hemlock Island.

Since the story takes place in modern times, there is no need for extreme world building. There is, however, a wonderful pace to this plot. This is a book that will keep you up late at night, turning pages, yearning to discover what really happened on Hemlock Island. There is a huge, and I mean really huge, plot twist at the end of the book. I never saw it coming. I actually said "Oh my God!!" out loud when I read about it. It is a shocking turn of events.

This was my first time reading James Morris' work and it will not be my last. He now has a new fan! Grab yourself a copy fo this hidden horror gem. I am grateful to have been given a free copy to review, I not only read a great book but discovered an amazing author in the process.
...more

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Mar 16, 2018 Sheila rated it really liked it

I really liked this creepy little book. It begins with Ruthie waking up in the hospital - she's in the burn unit. She has apparently survived some horrific events. She is the only survivor. Most of the book is her telling of the events that happened leading up to her stay in the burn unit. It's got some serious violence in it, but it's a pretty good book. It has an awesome twist that really surprised me.

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Jan 25, 2019 Suleika Santana -All About Books rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-in-print

My first top read for this year!!! This book is brilliant. Incredibly good and kept me guessing all the time. The ending is incredible. I still cannot believe it, so clever what the author did there. This is another book that I will read again because of how good it is. Will definitely recommend to all my friends.

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Mar 14, 2018 Vikki rated it it was amazing

I must admit I struggle to read the whole book. In the beginning this book did not appeal to me. But I kept reading and I'm glad. The ending took me by surprise. I would read more books by James Morris. Keep up the writing. 😊

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Jan 26, 2018 Michelle Willms rated it it was amazing

Well-written thriller

I loved that this book was so well-written and beautifully edited, allowing the story to truly shine. A quiet island is shaken to its core by a brutal family murder. This first act of violence is followed by people and animals acting strangely. A great read!

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Jan 15, 2018 Lisa Bledsoe rated it really liked it

Jaw dropping!

This book was a twister for sure. I read 3-4 books a week and have never been flabbergasted....that's all i will say!!! Great book

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Sep 24, 2018 Beccie rated it it was amazing

WOW this book was twisted and unexpected. Kept me hooked from page one and one he'll of a surprise. One of my favorites of the year.

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Feb 23, 2018 Elizabeth Spellman rated it it was amazing

What an amazingly creepy book.... Couldn't put it down! Gripping,well written,believable,haunting story and characters!! Loved it!

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Feb 11, 2018 A. Powers rated it it was amazing

Awesome horror story with a unique plot and a sweet twist.

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Sep 08, 2018 Wenny (Wendy A) rated it really liked it

There were some parts in the book that I found that dragged, but once it got going, it was good...and to say I didn't expect the ending? Well played Mr. Morris, well played!!

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Jun 02, 2018 Vivian Delgado rated it it was amazing

Couldn’t stop reading

I started the book and couldn’t stop reading. I finished it in one day. Definitely a must read really good story

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About James Morris

James Morris

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James Morris is a former television writer who now works in digital media. When not writing, you can find him scoping out the latest sushi spot, watching 'House Hunters Renovation', or trying new recipes in the kitchen. He lives with his wife and dog in Los Angeles.

Readers, if you enjoyed one of my books, please feel free to leave a review!