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Forest of Bones: A Short Winter Horror Story
Armed with her well-worn Field Guide to Cryptids of North America and a macabre sense of enthusiasm, Ana’s mission to visit and capture evidence of every known cryptid in the United States puts her on the trail of the elusive Covey Devil. Not many people are willing to spend their winter break looking for monsters, but Ana’s trio of friends seem up for whatever the adventure entails.
When they’re led deep into the snowy woods by its mysterious, eccentric caretaker, Ana and her fellow cryptid hunters find out exactly why it’s called the Forest of Bones.
And there will be no turning back.
FOREST OF BONES is an upper YA/New Adult short with a winter setting that will appeal to AMERICAN HORROR STORY and BUZZFEED UNSOLVED fans and those who like a little horror around the holidays.
When they’re led deep into the snowy woods by its mysterious, eccentric caretaker, Ana and her fellow cryptid hunters find out exactly why it’s called the Forest of Bones.
And there will be no turning back.
FOREST OF BONES is an upper YA/New Adult short with a winter setting that will appeal to AMERICAN HORROR STORY and BUZZFEED UNSOLVED fans and those who like a little horror around the holidays.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2019
About the author
Jessie Thomas
11 books38 followersJessie hails from the land of chicken wings and snow, otherwise known as Buffalo, NY. She's an indie author who writes historical fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance.
Jessie earned a B.A. in Television and Film Arts at SUNY Buffalo State, where her full-length screenplay, POST MORTEM, was nominated for the Michael Collyer Fellowship Award in Screenwriting from the Writer’s Guild of America, East.
When she isn't writing, Jessie enjoys reading, watching and analyzing her favorite TV shows, discussing fictional characters, eating ice cream, and spending time with her pets.
Jessie earned a B.A. in Television and Film Arts at SUNY Buffalo State, where her full-length screenplay, POST MORTEM, was nominated for the Michael Collyer Fellowship Award in Screenwriting from the Writer’s Guild of America, East.
When she isn't writing, Jessie enjoys reading, watching and analyzing her favorite TV shows, discussing fictional characters, eating ice cream, and spending time with her pets.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 29, 2020
3.5 Stars Read this with some friends at Horror Aficionadoes!
"What is that?"
"A victim," Lady Covey said of the morbid photograph. Though it was in black and white, the massacre still bled through. Ana could hardly identify a human being in that lump of chewed up flesh and bone.
Skyler walked around them, following the remnants of a stone wall that had crumbled and collapsed more than it stood the test of centuries.
Bones had been used to fill in the gaps—skulls with a dusting of light snow in their hollow eyes, long
femurs and whole ribcages and vertebrae. The bones had become part of the forest, piled along the tree trunks in neat lines and circles as if it had been done with ritualistic intent.
This was a fun little read. I mean people did stupid stuff even in a short story. The ending is what got me. I didn’t see that one coming and I loved it!!
The book is free at the time of my review on kindle US.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
February 16, 2020
This was a very entertaining and compelling read with a nasty twist at the end. four young women are ghost hunting and in search of the Covey Devil (not to be mixed with the Jersey Devil). Lady Covey (she lives close by the woods the evil reportedly lives) shows them the way to an old graveyard and a former settlement. Then the evil strikes. Will our four friends survive its attack? The author comes up with a nasty enjoyable twist at the end. Very straight classic horror tale. No frills, lots of thrills. Recommended!
December 31, 2021
This was a creepy horror story about four young women in search of a sighting of the Covey Devil or some type of proof that it exists in the spooky, dark, desolate woods known as the Forest Of Bones.
I found this story to be a fun, spooky, entertaining and quick read with no extraneous frills or fillers, plus excellent editing. These four naive women could never have predicted what would happen that night and why they went out on a snowy, winter night and not quite dressed for the weather is beyond me but I'm so glad they did because it made the atmosphere deliciously frightful. I would definitely recommend this fast little horror story to anyone who enjoys the coldness of winter with their creature feature books!
I given this story of rating of 3 1/2 FRIGID 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
I found this story to be a fun, spooky, entertaining and quick read with no extraneous frills or fillers, plus excellent editing. These four naive women could never have predicted what would happen that night and why they went out on a snowy, winter night and not quite dressed for the weather is beyond me but I'm so glad they did because it made the atmosphere deliciously frightful. I would definitely recommend this fast little horror story to anyone who enjoys the coldness of winter with their creature feature books!
I given this story of rating of 3 1/2 FRIGID 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
August 8, 2020
This was a very atmospheric short horror story with a twist I didn't see coming. Although, I did have a hard time concentrating for a lot of it for some reason.
July 26, 2020
These girls! 🙄
This story is ok. It's really short and has a good ending. However, I had some issues. The biggest one was why are these ladies go out into the woods in winter, while it's snowing! At night! To look for a cryptid. That just bugged me so bad. I guess the ending clears it up but Ana friends were idiots to go with her. They all seemed so unprepared for the journey. Well, Ana gets what she wanted.
This story is ok. It's really short and has a good ending. However, I had some issues. The biggest one was why are these ladies go out into the woods in winter, while it's snowing! At night! To look for a cryptid. That just bugged me so bad. I guess the ending clears it up but Ana friends were idiots to go with her. They all seemed so unprepared for the journey. Well, Ana gets what she wanted.
July 27, 2020
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because there were no grammatical errors in the kindle version! HOORAY!
A quick read, I loved the plot and some of the ideas here, I just found the characters a little cliched and some of the writing a bit stunted at times. I'll definitely look out for more of Thomas's work.
A quick read, I loved the plot and some of the ideas here, I just found the characters a little cliched and some of the writing a bit stunted at times. I'll definitely look out for more of Thomas's work.
July 26, 2020
Wow. A powerful punch packed into one short story. This one kept me guessing and anticipating where it would go next. A really fun, great tale.
February 18, 2023
Great ambiance, super creepy read. And that ending! *chef’s kiss* Not much to say about this short story without spoilers, but I loved it. 🖤
December 13, 2019
I wrote it so I'm biased, of course.
But I think AMERICAN HORROR STORY and BUZZFEED UNSOLVED fans will enjoy this one!
But I think AMERICAN HORROR STORY and BUZZFEED UNSOLVED fans will enjoy this one!
April 21, 2020
A group of cryptids (those interested in cryptozoology) heads into a remote area to find the Covey Devil, a creature that reminds me of the Jersey Devil of the Pine Barrens. They meet their human contact, a woman named Lady Covey. This woman warns the group she isn't responsible for what happens if they decide to go into the creature's woods. Let's just say the group follows Lady Covey into the forest, a place packed with bones. From there, mayhem ensues. This is a short story but well worth the read.
January 16, 2020
A really fun, spooky winter read that keeps you guessing up until the very end! It combines all my favorite things: cryptids, a ragtag paranomal investigation team, and a chilly winter setting. Definitely make yourself a cup of cocoa to go with this one :)
November 8, 2020
I read this so fast! It is a short story, but I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I love this author's writing style and the visuals she creates with her words! Great story with a twist I did not see coming!!!
March 30, 2021
Short, but not sweet!
Forest of Bones is a quick romp in the forest that will leave you looking behind your back. Her characters may be searching for a devil, but Thomas reminds us there is more than one kind of monster!
Forest of Bones is a quick romp in the forest that will leave you looking behind your back. Her characters may be searching for a devil, but Thomas reminds us there is more than one kind of monster!
December 5, 2020
Genuinely found this scary to read. A thrilling little horror story perfect for the winter season! And specifically a great pick for anyone who is into creepy forest settings such as myself.
January 1, 2021
What a delightfully twisted story! Four friends go searching for a monster in a snowy forest in winter. What could go wrong? I adored this. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 9, 2020
"Ana couldn't see anything through the snow. It made the forest feel smaller than it was. Made the unknown so much bigger. ...She had that distinct, crawling sensation up her spine of someone else's eyes watching her from a distance."
That tingling, crawling sensation is exactly what I felt while reading this short story. Ana is on a winter road-trip with a few of her friends with the goal of capturing evidence of an elusive cryptid, the Covey Devil. From page one, you get the sense that something might be a little "off" and it soon becomes very apparent that Ana's story is about to take a very sinister turn. This short story is extremely well written with just the right amount of character development to get you involved in the storyline. I loved every second of the growing sense of dread the author wove into the story, and I highly recommend this as a quick, fun winter horror read. I'll definitely be looking out for more by Jessica Thomas!
That tingling, crawling sensation is exactly what I felt while reading this short story. Ana is on a winter road-trip with a few of her friends with the goal of capturing evidence of an elusive cryptid, the Covey Devil. From page one, you get the sense that something might be a little "off" and it soon becomes very apparent that Ana's story is about to take a very sinister turn. This short story is extremely well written with just the right amount of character development to get you involved in the storyline. I loved every second of the growing sense of dread the author wove into the story, and I highly recommend this as a quick, fun winter horror read. I'll definitely be looking out for more by Jessica Thomas!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews