23 McCormick Road

by Caitlin Marceau

Everly and Brooklynn are excited to be starting the next chapter of their lives together. With a baby on the way, they’re eager to get settled in their new home where life is perfect. Well, except for the rusted car stuck in their driveway… and the cracks that have started appearing around the house… not to mention the eyes that watch Everly when she’s all alone…

Determined to uncover the secrets hiding at 23 McCormick Road, Everly embarks on an emotional journey that both tests her empathy and teaches her when to hold on—and when to let go.

Genres: Horror, Thriller

58 pages, ebook

First published June 17, 2022

About the author

Caitlin Marceau is a queer Canadian author and illustrator based in Montreal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, is an Active Member of the Horror Writers Association, and has spoken about genre literature at several Canadian conventions. Her work includes Femina, A Blackness Absolute, and her award-winning novella, This Is Where We Talk Things Out. Her second novella, I’m Having Regrets, and her debut novel, It Wasn’t Supposed To Go Like This, are set for publication in 2024. For more, visit CaitlinMarceau.ca or find her on social media.

Reviews

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

23 McCormick Road is home to Everly and Brooklynn and their baby that is on the way. There is also something other lurking there, watching Everly whenever she is alone...

Spooky, unnerving, and delivering everything I wanted a short horror tale to give me.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short book that packed a punch. I read it al, in one sitting because I couldn’t rip myself away. I love books that you can completely absorb yourself in. Thank you to DarkLit Press for the free copy. You can get one too on their website.

I can’t wait to read more books from Caitlin.

[rubie (kenji’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

so easy to read

[Broken Bones Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Marceau's short fiction, her voice and stories. I will say this, however: 23 MCCORMICK ROAD feels a bit awkward at this length. Honestly, I feel like this idea should have been a novella at least, if not a novel. Despite its crunched size, this a nice little haunting with a solid story, likeable characters, and some wonderful imagery. I love the car wrapped in an elm, as seen prominently on the cover. This was not my first from Caitlin, nor will it be my last. She is a writer worth following, so subscribe to her profile wherever possible (Goodreads, Amazon, and the like) for updates on what she has coming next. Also, this novelette is FREE, so this is a good starting point if you haven't yet read Marceau.

[Patience ~ AnotherOddCreature シ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hihihi….Just read it!!

[I'mogén · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free digital copy through Dark Lit Press' Free Horror Library. All opinions are 100% my own.

This short story left me feeling so sad, but in a melancholy way. It was a beautiful ghost story about a couple, expecting a child, moving into their first owned home together.

Despite her wife's scepticism on the matter, Eve keeps seeing signs that she's not alone in the new home and it had something to do with the eye sore of the rusted car lodged into the elm tree at the front of their house.

I adored he queer relationship in this. It felt so authentic and just really lovely to read about as a normal thing. I love stories that focus on the romance, and coming out, but it's equally just so inspiring and realistic to see w/w marriage as a typical thing that just so happens to be, without any homophobia chucked in and this story did that perfectly.

The ghost story itself was so sad, every time I felt myself feeling on edge, I was back in Eve's head and just couldn't help but have empathy to this little, lost soul.

It was a great short story!

Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novellete about a married couple moving into a haunted house. The pregnant wife unknowingly starts befriending the ghost. This evolves into a very classic and a bit predictable ghost story, but it's an easy read, never raises expectations beyond its means, and ends up offering a delightful little tale along with many glimpses into married life. DarkLit Press has made the story avaialble on their site as part of their free library. Worth reading, check all their offerings!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this. A short, slightly frightening horror story, but with a sweet ending! A little phantom adventure which is chilling to some extent, but I felt it was a little on the cozy side of horror due to the finish. I will look for more by this writer & hope this is a good example of their work!

[Erica Robyn Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving into a new home, one of the women settles in nicely. But the other woman is having trouble. What starts as a feeling that she’s not alone, grows into seeing a young boy, she doesn’t know what to do. But soon, with a little help from a neighbor, she knows exactly what must be done.

This one was so chilling, incredibly heartbreaking, but also so hopeful and full of love!

[Bonnye Reed]

Complementary copy from Audrey Walker
Pub date June 17, 2022
DarkLit Press

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going in you expect a haunted house trope but 23 McCormic road is that and more. I wish it was a full novella but enjoyed the story in this form.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much to like here. Boring. No scare factor.

[Margin of Terror · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only problem with this story is that there isn’t more of it.

[Jose Villanueva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick, read! Big fan of this writer!

[Catarina Prata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am absolutly fascinated with Marceau's ability to give you interesting and developed characters within such a short lenght of story. Astounding. A truly, if somewhat predictable, cool ghost story.

[Jelena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, powerful horror story, half cozy haunting, half tragic secret.

[Deborah B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book was short, it touched my heart. Solving an old mystery and believable characters made this read an enjoyable one. 👌

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 4 🌟.

[Emmett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. So far, this author has done me no wrong.

Free EPUB copy from the publisher, DarkLit Press: https://books.bookfunnel.com/darklitp...

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully scary adventure with bliss in the end. I loved it!!!!!!!!!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Brigit (Cosy.horror.corner) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit of a bore :/

[on storygraph (macclown) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so unbearably heartbreaking honestly, some great tension throughout. A great little short story!