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Where the Devil Waits
What would you do for all the money in the world? Or to get with the girl of your dreams? What if you could make other people do anything you told them? What if all this and more could be yours just for winning a race…against the devil? A long-abandoned church on top of a mountain in the Pennsylvania backwoods is where the devil waits for anyone brave enough to challenge him. The course runs from the gate, through the cemetery, to the church doors. If you win, the prize is yours. If you lose…you die at sunrise. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? To four college students looking for a good time, nothing could be further from the truth.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2021
14 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Wesley Southard
37 books153 followersWesley Southard is the two-time Splatterpunk Award-Winning and Imadjinn Award-Winning author of The Betrayed, Closing Costs, One for the Road, Resisting Madness, Slaves to Gravity, Cruel Summer, Where the Devil Waits, The Final Gate, Try Again, They Mostly Come at Night, Disasterpieces, and The Better to Eat You With, as well as numerous short stories in various markets. Several of his works have also been translated into Italian and Spanish. He is a graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music and he currently lives in South Central Pennsylvania with his wife and son. Visit him online at www.wesleysouthardhorror.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 3, 2022
Stan is leading his friends do a remote old church on the countryside. He's telling them abouta legend of running with the devil. What happens to the winner? When Frank loses things turn extremely eerie and sinister. You'll soon find out why Stan switched over to black magic. It's about a girl. Will our friends survive? Who will live and who will die? Are the dead really dead? Who can help them? I really enjoyed the "devil's race" motif and the reference to the Van Halen song "Running With The Devil" and Dio's "Last in Line". The storytelling was quick but I would have loved to read more about that old lore of the church and what happened before. This was a bit thin. Otherwise a very compelling and to the point horror novel that read like a movie. Really recommended!
January 29, 2025
To quote Larry David…”Pretty, pretty good.” This was a very quick, exciting adventure with a unique concept at its core. I wished there was a lot more focus on the devil and its lore, without so much focused on Stan’s descent into madness and evil, but that may just be my sole preference. I also felt Stan’s backstory needed more emphasis to make his ambitions more clear and sensible. But the story moves extremely quick, however is easy to follow. There were a few times that things went into unnecessary detail, but with such a small number of characters, it didn’t hurt any part of the book. I was also very happy that the gore was kept to a minimum, as it wasn’t really needed to enhance the scenes. Yes, a horror author really just said that, lol. The finale was a lot of fun, too. Wesley Southard has another good showing here.
January 6, 2022
What would you trade your soul for? Money, power, fame, chicken nuggets? Whatever your soul desires could be yours... if you can win a race with the devil. Up in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, an abandoned church sits waiting for the next person willing to risk it all for what he wants the most. This was a great horror book to be so short. It sucked me right on in.
😈😈😈😈
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June 2, 2021
Final Destination meets Crossroads
Wesley Southard follows up his epic creature feature ‘Cruel Summer’ by teaming with Mark Steensland, himself fresh from two stellar collaborations with horror legend James Newman (‘The Special’ and ‘In the Scrape’) with an action-packed tale of a group of friends and their deal with the devil.
Frank is out with his buddies, enjoying a drink and shooting the breeze, when Stan suggests they take a trip out to a local church where local legends say you can race the devil himself and, if you win, your wildest dreams will come true. Lose, and you’ll be dead by sunrise.
Reluctant at first, Frank is convinced to give it a try. After all, it’s just a legend, right? When two boys race, one wins and one loses and the group find themselves in a desperate battle for their souls before all hell breaks loose.
Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland seem like a perfect writing team. Southards knack for writing a page-turner with a bizarre twist works so well alongside Steensland’s talent for a slow burn that gets under your skin, and both are on display here with ‘Where the Devil Waits’. The premise is a lot of fun and the book wastes no time in getting straight into the action as our group of teens are drinking by chapter one and racing the devil round a graveyard by chapter two. It may conjure an amusing mental image, but these early scenes are eerie and effectively done, avoiding campy and sticking to scary.
Once things are set in motion, the book is relentless. There is so much action packed into these mere 121 pages and there are too many stand-out set pieces to mention them all. An early scene set in a hospital sets the tone in terms of the spectacularly over the top violence, ensuring horror fans here for the blood and guts won’t be disappointed, but there are bigger and bolder things to come. There isn’t a second spare to grow bored while reading this book, and it’s an absolute joy to read in a single sitting.
As fun as it is, a few things do take a backseat somewhat in service to the frantic pace. The characters get little time to develop and, while that wasn’t a major issue for me for the most part, the motivations and actions of a few of the major players would have been better served if a little more time had been spent with them. I would have loved to have read more from Stan in particular, who feels like a more complex character than he comes across. It’s a minor quibble and the book is such a blast that I doubt many will have their enjoyment lessened regardless.
A gloriously gory good time, ‘Where The Devil Waits’ is a great summer read with plenty for horror fans to get their teeth into and I honestly can’t imagine anyone not having a great time reading it.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/richard-m...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
Wesley Southard follows up his epic creature feature ‘Cruel Summer’ by teaming with Mark Steensland, himself fresh from two stellar collaborations with horror legend James Newman (‘The Special’ and ‘In the Scrape’) with an action-packed tale of a group of friends and their deal with the devil.
Frank is out with his buddies, enjoying a drink and shooting the breeze, when Stan suggests they take a trip out to a local church where local legends say you can race the devil himself and, if you win, your wildest dreams will come true. Lose, and you’ll be dead by sunrise.
Reluctant at first, Frank is convinced to give it a try. After all, it’s just a legend, right? When two boys race, one wins and one loses and the group find themselves in a desperate battle for their souls before all hell breaks loose.
Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland seem like a perfect writing team. Southards knack for writing a page-turner with a bizarre twist works so well alongside Steensland’s talent for a slow burn that gets under your skin, and both are on display here with ‘Where the Devil Waits’. The premise is a lot of fun and the book wastes no time in getting straight into the action as our group of teens are drinking by chapter one and racing the devil round a graveyard by chapter two. It may conjure an amusing mental image, but these early scenes are eerie and effectively done, avoiding campy and sticking to scary.
Once things are set in motion, the book is relentless. There is so much action packed into these mere 121 pages and there are too many stand-out set pieces to mention them all. An early scene set in a hospital sets the tone in terms of the spectacularly over the top violence, ensuring horror fans here for the blood and guts won’t be disappointed, but there are bigger and bolder things to come. There isn’t a second spare to grow bored while reading this book, and it’s an absolute joy to read in a single sitting.
As fun as it is, a few things do take a backseat somewhat in service to the frantic pace. The characters get little time to develop and, while that wasn’t a major issue for me for the most part, the motivations and actions of a few of the major players would have been better served if a little more time had been spent with them. I would have loved to have read more from Stan in particular, who feels like a more complex character than he comes across. It’s a minor quibble and the book is such a blast that I doubt many will have their enjoyment lessened regardless.
A gloriously gory good time, ‘Where The Devil Waits’ is a great summer read with plenty for horror fans to get their teeth into and I honestly can’t imagine anyone not having a great time reading it.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/richard-m...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
December 28, 2021
I usually shy away from supernatural/ occult, or whichever category the devil would fall into. I enjoy realistic stories. However, I've been trying to expand my subgenres of reading. And I bet if I took a poll, some people would say that the devil DOES exist. So who's to say if something like this could really happen or not?
It was a quick read. I enjoyed a couple of the characters and was entertained. What else can one ask for from a book?
It was a quick read. I enjoyed a couple of the characters and was entertained. What else can one ask for from a book?
July 7, 2021
Wesley Southard is an amazing writer because he can churn out a great tale in half the pages than my usual preferred writers. I never feel like I have been cheated out of a good story when I finish his works. He also occasionally teams up with other fantastic authors such as this novella’s other co-author, Mark Steensland.
I’m unfortunately not familiar with Steensland’s work but if his style is anything like Where the Devil Waits then he is definitely on my list of new authors to discover. The two writers blend so well with one another, they are like two peas in a very scary pod.
You can read Jennifer's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
I’m unfortunately not familiar with Steensland’s work but if his style is anything like Where the Devil Waits then he is definitely on my list of new authors to discover. The two writers blend so well with one another, they are like two peas in a very scary pod.
You can read Jennifer's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
March 14, 2022
Sometimes my mind craves straight-out no-holds-barred eternal-consequences horror. That satisfies the adventurous inner core that by circumstances isn't ever going to, for example, urban-explore, parkour, excavate subterranean tombs, or be a civilian warrior helping to defend Ukraine's Sovereignty. I'm also never going to race a Supernatural entity across an abandoned church cemetery.
However, authors Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland make it seem, not fun, but tremendously exciting and tremendously terrifying: Eternal Consequences, after all.
A paean to friendship and intuition and "doing the right thing," WHERE THE DEVIL WAITS is a remarkably satisfying and entertaining read.
However, authors Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland make it seem, not fun, but tremendously exciting and tremendously terrifying: Eternal Consequences, after all.
A paean to friendship and intuition and "doing the right thing," WHERE THE DEVIL WAITS is a remarkably satisfying and entertaining read.
February 17, 2022
Wesley Southard is a great writer. This is a very good colloboration. Italian gore horror influenced with a great story. The atmosphere is creepy as hell. This is a story about why you shouldn't race the Devil.
May 23, 2021
Pretty good story
This story is about a bunch of friends and a tale about a race with the devil which became a deal with the devil. To be honest when I heard the concept it sounded a bit weird but quickly it turned out to be very engaging Stan us a cool villain and while it did go a bit over the top near the end I still though it was a very good quick read.
This story is about a bunch of friends and a tale about a race with the devil which became a deal with the devil. To be honest when I heard the concept it sounded a bit weird but quickly it turned out to be very engaging Stan us a cool villain and while it did go a bit over the top near the end I still though it was a very good quick read.
January 8, 2023
Good read
This was a fascinating read. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It was fast paced and has you glued to each word as you read along. I enjoyed the group of friends and how the had a bond but they had that 1 fried that wasn't exactly like the rest. Then Janine she was a young woman whom fell In Love with a friend and though felt bad had to follow her heart especially as things were so wrong between her and her then boyfriend. But he was infatuated and held resentment and that's when things started to go wrong. Great story not extreme but still a good read. Recommended.
This was a fascinating read. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It was fast paced and has you glued to each word as you read along. I enjoyed the group of friends and how the had a bond but they had that 1 fried that wasn't exactly like the rest. Then Janine she was a young woman whom fell In Love with a friend and though felt bad had to follow her heart especially as things were so wrong between her and her then boyfriend. But he was infatuated and held resentment and that's when things started to go wrong. Great story not extreme but still a good read. Recommended.
July 5, 2021
I’m glad this is a fiction story and that I don’t have to actually participate in this race. I’m not a fast runner and the devil would definitely beat me. This story reminds me of the type of movies I used to rent at the video store. I really wish this would become a horror movie because I think it would be great with all of the creepy images and awesome kills that were thrown in. There are some things that happened in this book that I don’t think I will ever forget. Some of it scared me more than any movie ever has.
April 21, 2022
Great story especially the ending!
May 24, 2022
Interesting read
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book. Its a pretty light and quick read, but still manages to cover quite a bit. I enjoyed the characters for the most part. The reason I didn't go with 5 stars is because the final scene of the book seemed very rushed. It left me feeling like a different author quickly threw the final chapter together. All in all I do recommend giving this a try.
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book. Its a pretty light and quick read, but still manages to cover quite a bit. I enjoyed the characters for the most part. The reason I didn't go with 5 stars is because the final scene of the book seemed very rushed. It left me feeling like a different author quickly threw the final chapter together. All in all I do recommend giving this a try.
November 10, 2022
“When the moon is high
The devil waits
At the cemetery gates
To race whoever comes by
If you win,
You get the prize
If you lose,
You die at sunrise.”
What a premise! What an execution of an idea! I absolutely loved this book, staying up wayyyy too late to read it beginning to end.
The church scenes were hair raising, and I loved that the bad guy was able to create such “unique” henchmen (and women). Really eerie and a prequel with the hermit would be awesome to see!
The devil waits
At the cemetery gates
To race whoever comes by
If you win,
You get the prize
If you lose,
You die at sunrise.”
What a premise! What an execution of an idea! I absolutely loved this book, staying up wayyyy too late to read it beginning to end.
The church scenes were hair raising, and I loved that the bad guy was able to create such “unique” henchmen (and women). Really eerie and a prequel with the hermit would be awesome to see!
June 24, 2022
I enjoyed this quick novella.
It is about 4 college students hanging out one night and one of them persuades the group to go check out an old abandoned church with it's wicked past. Their lives will never be the same after this.
I read this within 5 hours and it was perfect for this gloomy rainy day.
This would be a good introduction to Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland.
It is about 4 college students hanging out one night and one of them persuades the group to go check out an old abandoned church with it's wicked past. Their lives will never be the same after this.
I read this within 5 hours and it was perfect for this gloomy rainy day.
This would be a good introduction to Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland.
August 4, 2021
Rarely do I ever read a book in a single day, but this is one of them. The pace is perfect and it feels like you’re watching a B-horror movie (in the best way). My only con is that the story gets a little predictable at times.
June 10, 2022
Where, a 141-page novella, is an excellent, sharp-and-short, distinctive, horror image- and sensory-potent satanic spookshow work, with character-focused action and spiraling-beyond-them consequences and fast pacing. Appropriately, given its cemetery setting, undead uprising and other creepy elements, Where is dedicated to movie director Lucio Fulci, the genre-hopping filmmaker who’s best known for his horror films, e.g., ZOMBIE (1979), THE BEYOND (1981) and THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (1981), though Where’s ending is more comforting than anything in Fulci’s oeuvre.
Where’s stark writing style lends itself to an equally stark screenplay for an excellent hour, hour-and-fifteen-minute short film. Not only that, Where is my favorite Steensland book thus far, and one of my favorite 2022 reading choices. (I haven’t read Southard’s other works.) Worth owning, of course!
Where’s stark writing style lends itself to an equally stark screenplay for an excellent hour, hour-and-fifteen-minute short film. Not only that, Where is my favorite Steensland book thus far, and one of my favorite 2022 reading choices. (I haven’t read Southard’s other works.) Worth owning, of course!
October 29, 2021
Decent story
A very disturbing tale of a Van Halenish running with the devil. I did enjoy most of it. As the end was nearing, I found it absolutely unnecessary to throw in two paragraphs to advise one character is gay. Had nothing to do with the story. Who cares? Plus how does someone shift a car with hands duct taped to a steering wheel. Overall would recommend it for a quick read.
A very disturbing tale of a Van Halenish running with the devil. I did enjoy most of it. As the end was nearing, I found it absolutely unnecessary to throw in two paragraphs to advise one character is gay. Had nothing to do with the story. Who cares? Plus how does someone shift a car with hands duct taped to a steering wheel. Overall would recommend it for a quick read.
September 21, 2022
Where The Devil Waits is a short story and a quick read. It was exciting and suspenseful, so much so that it made me keep turning the pages to see how it ended. A deliciously creepy tale that entertained me immensely. Recommend.
June 30, 2021
Short and quick horror tale. There’s both a lot going on and not enough going on. I liked the overall idea, and there were some good spooky moments but the characters (villain, main victim, 4 friends, detective) felt so undeveloped and rushed that I couldn’t connect with anyone. The surprising exception to this was the Detective Gray character, who gets a tragic and touching backstory right before getting himself murdered. Not even the villain gets this much backstory. Stan gets a the rough pencil sketch treatment as a jealous ex / friend-zoned incel type and not much more. It’s certainly a character but not particularly interesting or compelling.
Overall this felt more like a movie outline rather than a full story.
Overall this felt more like a movie outline rather than a full story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews