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The Ragged
I was upstairs looking out the window before bed when I saw it. The thing was closer to the house than ever before. It was right at the edge of the trees, just staring at the farmhouse.
~Corvus
On his deceased grandfather’s farm, Andrew and his wife Celeste unravel a terrifying secret. A dark and brooding creature lurks just outside the fields at the edge of the forest, Stalking Andrew and Celeste’s every move. What had Andrew’s grandfather, Corvus, been hiding all these years that Andrew had been away?
Missing person’s posters have been plastered on the walls inside the small town’s pharmacy and something bizarre is happening at the inherited farmhouse at night.
Secrets and hidden passageways will expose the truth as to what Corvus was seeing. But it seems as though some of the residents of dry creek might have their own mysteries.
Will Andrew and Celeste survive long enough to tell the tale of The Ragged?
~Corvus
On his deceased grandfather’s farm, Andrew and his wife Celeste unravel a terrifying secret. A dark and brooding creature lurks just outside the fields at the edge of the forest, Stalking Andrew and Celeste’s every move. What had Andrew’s grandfather, Corvus, been hiding all these years that Andrew had been away?
Missing person’s posters have been plastered on the walls inside the small town’s pharmacy and something bizarre is happening at the inherited farmhouse at night.
Secrets and hidden passageways will expose the truth as to what Corvus was seeing. But it seems as though some of the residents of dry creek might have their own mysteries.
Will Andrew and Celeste survive long enough to tell the tale of The Ragged?
- GenresHorror
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2021
17 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Brett Schumacher
9 books107 followersBrett Schumacher is a horror writer and narrator for the "Creepy Ghost Stories" YouTube channel. His favorite themes are cryptids and isolation.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 5, 2022
I loved The Ragged. It’s the perfect horror book to read if you’re not too much into gore but enjoy creepy, suspenseful stories that keep you guessing.
The pace of the book, which is about a couple taking over the farm of a deceased relative, is to the point. It doesn’t drag, spending a good enough time (pages) on characterization. The build-up to the finale is excellent, with enough hints along the way to keep the reader interested. The characters were as interesting as the small town farm setting of the story.
In terms of the mystery, I had two theories in mind post the halfway mark. One of them turned out to be true. However, that’s not bad because I secretly wanted the book to end in such a manner. Moreover, there were still explanations and twists till the very end that I had not guessed.
Even though I am not a regular horror reader or movie watcher, I saw several classic horror story elements. Still, the book does not come across as a re-hash, having plenty of exciting and unique sub-plots.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The pace of the book, which is about a couple taking over the farm of a deceased relative, is to the point. It doesn’t drag, spending a good enough time (pages) on characterization. The build-up to the finale is excellent, with enough hints along the way to keep the reader interested. The characters were as interesting as the small town farm setting of the story.
In terms of the mystery, I had two theories in mind post the halfway mark. One of them turned out to be true. However, that’s not bad because I secretly wanted the book to end in such a manner. Moreover, there were still explanations and twists till the very end that I had not guessed.
Even though I am not a regular horror reader or movie watcher, I saw several classic horror story elements. Still, the book does not come across as a re-hash, having plenty of exciting and unique sub-plots.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2021
I actually really liked this, even though I wasn’t expecting to. The ending was not at all what I was thinking it would be, and the story was really well-crafted without being too drawn out.
August 11, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Finally! A spooky tale that caught me by surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The suspense built as each step began to build on the next, yet each one could be explained by the nonbeliever. I loved the progression and how each of the people involved began to put thing together to reach their own conclusions.
If you love horror books this is one to grab. I recommend this book if you love Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Dean Koonz or many of the newer horror writers. At last there are other story tellers and Brett Schumacher is one of my favorite authors.
Finally! A spooky tale that caught me by surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The suspense built as each step began to build on the next, yet each one could be explained by the nonbeliever. I loved the progression and how each of the people involved began to put thing together to reach their own conclusions.
If you love horror books this is one to grab. I recommend this book if you love Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Dean Koonz or many of the newer horror writers. At last there are other story tellers and Brett Schumacher is one of my favorite authors.
September 20, 2021
Review: The Ragged by Brett Schumacher
I would like to thank Booksirens and Bret Schumacher for sending me an e-ARC of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Generally, I love horror, supernatural and spooky reads but when it’s Autumn that love just amplifies tenfold. The synopsis of the book had me hooked not to mention a name like Corvus and I wasn’t disappointed at all, although the end did, in my opinion let it down. We follow Andrew and his wife Celeste as they slowly begin to unravel a terrifying and dark secret when Andrew inherits his deceased grandfather’s farm. A dark creature lurks just out the land. Stalking and waiting.
Having lived there when younger Andrew isn’t sure just what happened while he was away but becomes increasingly aware something is very, very wrong with the farm. Missing person’s posters are being plastered in the small town’s pharmacy and something is definitely happening at night in the farmhouse.
Starting to investigate Andrew and Celeste begin to uncover secrets of just what Corvus was seeing and doing and it seems that Corvus may not have been the only resident of Dry Creek with secrets.
Firstly, the pacing and writing of this book were fantastic. Schumacher clearly knows this genre well and I never felt that anything was happening too fast or too slow. Sometimes things seemed a little cliched but not so much so that it took away the overall enjoyment of the book. Secondly, The characters on a whole are likeable and believable in the situations they find themselves in for the most part. Thirdly, the cat survived!
I will avoid spoilers but the main reason I am giving this four stars was the ending. It just seemed anticlimactic. It wasn’t easy to guess the twist and it wasn’t that bad per se but when such a brilliant and lavish background and folklore had been built up I felt that it just fell a little short of the mark for me. All in all it was a good read. There was horror, tension and all that good stuff. The ending just wasn’t for me and unfortunately to be honest I had to take away one star.
I would like to thank Booksirens and Bret Schumacher for sending me an e-ARC of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Generally, I love horror, supernatural and spooky reads but when it’s Autumn that love just amplifies tenfold. The synopsis of the book had me hooked not to mention a name like Corvus and I wasn’t disappointed at all, although the end did, in my opinion let it down. We follow Andrew and his wife Celeste as they slowly begin to unravel a terrifying and dark secret when Andrew inherits his deceased grandfather’s farm. A dark creature lurks just out the land. Stalking and waiting.
Having lived there when younger Andrew isn’t sure just what happened while he was away but becomes increasingly aware something is very, very wrong with the farm. Missing person’s posters are being plastered in the small town’s pharmacy and something is definitely happening at night in the farmhouse.
Starting to investigate Andrew and Celeste begin to uncover secrets of just what Corvus was seeing and doing and it seems that Corvus may not have been the only resident of Dry Creek with secrets.
Firstly, the pacing and writing of this book were fantastic. Schumacher clearly knows this genre well and I never felt that anything was happening too fast or too slow. Sometimes things seemed a little cliched but not so much so that it took away the overall enjoyment of the book. Secondly, The characters on a whole are likeable and believable in the situations they find themselves in for the most part. Thirdly, the cat survived!
I will avoid spoilers but the main reason I am giving this four stars was the ending. It just seemed anticlimactic. It wasn’t easy to guess the twist and it wasn’t that bad per se but when such a brilliant and lavish background and folklore had been built up I felt that it just fell a little short of the mark for me. All in all it was a good read. There was horror, tension and all that good stuff. The ending just wasn’t for me and unfortunately to be honest I had to take away one star.
April 11, 2022
Starts out as a pretty bog standard horror novel. Andrew and his wife Celeste return to the isolated Georgia farm where Andrew spent several years with his grandfather after his father's death, to bury the old man, and sift thru the contents of the farm and house before selling it to return home to Massachusetts. It's a typical dying Southern small town. Once the school closes down, it's pretty much just a case of 'when' not 'if'.
Corvus was a hard man, not unfair but a product of his generation. And, unbeknownst to Andrew, superstitious. His grandmother disappeared in the 90's and the town suspect Corvus of foul play, but nothing was ever found or proved. Once Andrew graduated, he moved on and left Dry Lake and his grandfather behind.
The story starts with the funeral and the journey out to the farm. Then the tension gradually begins to ramp up. The house and barn are in sad shape and Celeste is disturbed by the contents of some rooms. An old friend of Andrew's that stayed in Dry Lake resurfaces and ingratiates himself. Celeste starts to feel uneasy. She has strange, hyper-realistic dreams of a white clad woman with bloody antlers in the yard. Andrew starts dreaming and then seeing a monstrous ragged black figure with glowing red eyes.
I give 'The Ragged' this. The tension twists up thru out the story and it doesn't end where you expect it to. All the clues are there, and I picked up on several and was still sideswiped by the finale. Spoiler (and a happy point for me!) the cat survives. : )
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Corvus was a hard man, not unfair but a product of his generation. And, unbeknownst to Andrew, superstitious. His grandmother disappeared in the 90's and the town suspect Corvus of foul play, but nothing was ever found or proved. Once Andrew graduated, he moved on and left Dry Lake and his grandfather behind.
The story starts with the funeral and the journey out to the farm. Then the tension gradually begins to ramp up. The house and barn are in sad shape and Celeste is disturbed by the contents of some rooms. An old friend of Andrew's that stayed in Dry Lake resurfaces and ingratiates himself. Celeste starts to feel uneasy. She has strange, hyper-realistic dreams of a white clad woman with bloody antlers in the yard. Andrew starts dreaming and then seeing a monstrous ragged black figure with glowing red eyes.
I give 'The Ragged' this. The tension twists up thru out the story and it doesn't end where you expect it to. All the clues are there, and I picked up on several and was still sideswiped by the finale. Spoiler (and a happy point for me!) the cat survives. : )
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 24, 2021
In The Ragged, Andrew and Celeste go to Georgia to attend Andrews grandfather’s funeral. After losing his no good father he went to live with Corbin his grandfather who he loved and thought was the best person he knew from his childhood. At the funeral his childhood best friend Jack’s shows up seemingly happy to see him and even brings A bottle of whiskey as a welcome home gift. Their plans are to stay and clear out his grandfathers home to get ready to sell at the estate sale, but things they find and experience during the night and they cut their visit short. It may also cause Andrew to rethink what he knew about his grandfather. When’s the last visit Jack’s pharmacy she is alarmed to see all the missing women on his post board, but why does he almost 30 years old?
I really enjoyed Andrew and Celests relationship. When everything starts happening I thought it was smartly done, but once I thought I figured it out it wasn’t that great, but little did I know I didn’t figure out all of it. The ending is mind blowing and worth reading the book for and when everything starts happening in the middle of the night it really begs The question are they really saying this or is it their imagination? If you like horror you would like this book and even when you think you have figured it out keep reading because you have not. I received this book from Books sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily. Please forgive any errors as I am blind and use dictation but all opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Andrew and Celests relationship. When everything starts happening I thought it was smartly done, but once I thought I figured it out it wasn’t that great, but little did I know I didn’t figure out all of it. The ending is mind blowing and worth reading the book for and when everything starts happening in the middle of the night it really begs The question are they really saying this or is it their imagination? If you like horror you would like this book and even when you think you have figured it out keep reading because you have not. I received this book from Books sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily. Please forgive any errors as I am blind and use dictation but all opinions are my own.
January 3, 2022
The pacing of this book was really good. I loved the relationship dynamic between our two main characters. Their marriage and the way they interacted reminded me a lot of my own marriage so that aspect was really relatable.
I found that I was a little disappointed with the progression of the story ultimately. I wanted a full on supernatural kind of read. And while this book really did keep me guessing and the ending was worth it, I just found myself wanting more.
This book is about a man who travels with his wife to the vacant home of his deceased grandfather after his death. He was raised by the grandfather, even though his own father didn’t get along with the man. But the two shared a coexistence during his adolescence. Now, he must go through his house and assess the property to sell. But upon being back, things quickly get weird for he and his wife.
He learns that his grandfather was accused of killing his own wife, something he never knew about when he was growing up there. And through a series of journals belonging to the man, he hopes to learn more about the man of few words.
The creepy factor was pretty prominent in this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick spooky read.
I found that I was a little disappointed with the progression of the story ultimately. I wanted a full on supernatural kind of read. And while this book really did keep me guessing and the ending was worth it, I just found myself wanting more.
This book is about a man who travels with his wife to the vacant home of his deceased grandfather after his death. He was raised by the grandfather, even though his own father didn’t get along with the man. But the two shared a coexistence during his adolescence. Now, he must go through his house and assess the property to sell. But upon being back, things quickly get weird for he and his wife.
He learns that his grandfather was accused of killing his own wife, something he never knew about when he was growing up there. And through a series of journals belonging to the man, he hopes to learn more about the man of few words.
The creepy factor was pretty prominent in this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick spooky read.
July 29, 2021
What a book - if you're looking for a story that keeps you invested with spine tingling moments then you're in for a treat.
Following the death of his grandfather, Corvus, Andrew and Celeste travel to his farm in Dry Creek to sort it out and in the process uncover a terrifying secret. A dark and broody creature lurks just outside the fields at the edge of the forest, stalking Andrew and Celeste.
I enjoyed the pace of this novel, and it keeps you wanting more. Celeste did ever so slightly get on my nerves when I first started but she grew on me and by then end I was raring for her to go.
The novel is full of twists and turns, and has a fab supernatural undertone to it. I did guess part of the plot but the end totally caught me off guard.
There were moments in the book where I had to keep checking over my shoulder when reading late at night.
Brett Schumacher has wrote quite a unique novel and there are images that will stick in my mind for a long time.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Following the death of his grandfather, Corvus, Andrew and Celeste travel to his farm in Dry Creek to sort it out and in the process uncover a terrifying secret. A dark and broody creature lurks just outside the fields at the edge of the forest, stalking Andrew and Celeste.
I enjoyed the pace of this novel, and it keeps you wanting more. Celeste did ever so slightly get on my nerves when I first started but she grew on me and by then end I was raring for her to go.
The novel is full of twists and turns, and has a fab supernatural undertone to it. I did guess part of the plot but the end totally caught me off guard.
There were moments in the book where I had to keep checking over my shoulder when reading late at night.
Brett Schumacher has wrote quite a unique novel and there are images that will stick in my mind for a long time.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 29, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Ragged is your basic "we inherited a possibly haunted/monster filled house" story. It comes with all the expected frustrations of a story of it's kind, such as classics like: Why on earth would you not try leave soooo much sooner?
I saw and heard a screaming woman in the yard and I'm sure it's fine right?
and last but not least, I've found the previous owners journal and crazed sketches which lay out a nightmare scenario...but...that's cool right?
Look it's not breaking any molds here, but it moved along at a good clip and was a decent enough story that I read it in one sitting. If you're a sucker for any and all haunted house tales I'm sure you'll enjoy this.
The Ragged is your basic "we inherited a possibly haunted/monster filled house" story. It comes with all the expected frustrations of a story of it's kind, such as classics like: Why on earth would you not try leave soooo much sooner?
I saw and heard a screaming woman in the yard and I'm sure it's fine right?
and last but not least, I've found the previous owners journal and crazed sketches which lay out a nightmare scenario...but...that's cool right?
Look it's not breaking any molds here, but it moved along at a good clip and was a decent enough story that I read it in one sitting. If you're a sucker for any and all haunted house tales I'm sure you'll enjoy this.
July 22, 2021
I received a copy through BookSirens and wrote this review of my own volition
This story was a slow burn, for sure, and not it a romantic way. It was creepy and atmospheric, not very quick paced and what’s even better is the ending wasn’t rushed! Hooray! I’ve gone through many stories where the suspense and horror builds slowly over time and then, WHAM! The ending is rushed and haphazardly slapped together and I’m left unsatisfied and wondering what the heck just happened.
Schumacher did a wonderful job in the first half of the story planting little seeds throughout, not giving much away, but nurturing the little seeds just enough to be surprised at the end result. I was surprised… it totally didn’t end the way that I thought it would, which is perfect. This is the kind of thing I look for in a book!
This is my first time reading any of Brett’s books but I’ll be sure now to pay a visit to some of his others and probably even his YouTube channel (who knew? Not me!)
This story was a slow burn, for sure, and not it a romantic way. It was creepy and atmospheric, not very quick paced and what’s even better is the ending wasn’t rushed! Hooray! I’ve gone through many stories where the suspense and horror builds slowly over time and then, WHAM! The ending is rushed and haphazardly slapped together and I’m left unsatisfied and wondering what the heck just happened.
Schumacher did a wonderful job in the first half of the story planting little seeds throughout, not giving much away, but nurturing the little seeds just enough to be surprised at the end result. I was surprised… it totally didn’t end the way that I thought it would, which is perfect. This is the kind of thing I look for in a book!
This is my first time reading any of Brett’s books but I’ll be sure now to pay a visit to some of his others and probably even his YouTube channel (who knew? Not me!)
August 21, 2021
The Ragged was a very interesting read. I really was intrigued by this story. I struggled with a few typographical issues but it really did not take away from the story, it just needs cleaned up a bit.
Andrew returns to his grandfathers house after the old mans passing. He is hoping to understand the distant personality of his last relative. What Andrew and his wife discover is not what they were hoping to find. The mystery builds as the two prepare the farm for sale.
I was left with some questions upon finishing this book, there were a few details that were possibly left out. I did enjoy the story and the twists. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story.
I did receive this copy free and am voluntarily leaving this review .
Andrew returns to his grandfathers house after the old mans passing. He is hoping to understand the distant personality of his last relative. What Andrew and his wife discover is not what they were hoping to find. The mystery builds as the two prepare the farm for sale.
I was left with some questions upon finishing this book, there were a few details that were possibly left out. I did enjoy the story and the twists. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story.
I did receive this copy free and am voluntarily leaving this review .
October 21, 2021
Admittedly I tend not to read many horrors as I have found, of the few I have read, they do nothing for me.
This however creeped me out, in a good way, as when I read horror I wanna feel afraid and not be able to sleep 😂
Creepy farms, folklore and death what more could you want in a horror?
It was well paced with great believable characters (who had a wonderful relationship btw), the length was perfect for this kind of story and I enjoyed it. It could of had a stronger ending, however that's just my opinion others may like it.
If a quick horror read is what you're after this fall go for this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This however creeped me out, in a good way, as when I read horror I wanna feel afraid and not be able to sleep 😂
Creepy farms, folklore and death what more could you want in a horror?
It was well paced with great believable characters (who had a wonderful relationship btw), the length was perfect for this kind of story and I enjoyed it. It could of had a stronger ending, however that's just my opinion others may like it.
If a quick horror read is what you're after this fall go for this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 21, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a really good book. Had a few scary moments, but I did not see that twisy coming!!
Character and story development was good. One of the few slow-burner type books that I enjoyed, and even though it was a slow burn, the author still kept the story moving along.
The book does need an edit though as there were quite a few typos, not the worst I have read by far though when it comes to typos.
Recommended!!
This was a really good book. Had a few scary moments, but I did not see that twisy coming!!
Character and story development was good. One of the few slow-burner type books that I enjoyed, and even though it was a slow burn, the author still kept the story moving along.
The book does need an edit though as there were quite a few typos, not the worst I have read by far though when it comes to typos.
Recommended!!
July 31, 2021
3 1/2 STARS
Nicely done little thriller. The story moves along at a good pace, the thrills spaced well. Written in a straight forward manner with an unforeseen twist at the end that I certainly did not see coming. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
Nicely done little thriller. The story moves along at a good pace, the thrills spaced well. Written in a straight forward manner with an unforeseen twist at the end that I certainly did not see coming. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
August 7, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 10, 2021
This is a well written novella. Excellent plot with strong believable characters. The suspense builds to the very end. Well worth reading
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2021
This book took me a bit to get into. But by about 1/3 way through it was worth it. The plot developed well and the ending was great. Definitely recommend it!
I got this book for free as an ARC and am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
I got this book for free as an ARC and am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews