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The Sea, the Stars
Can you hear them whispering? The secrets from the sea, the stars?
When two estranged siblings travel to their dead uncle's hoarder house near the shore, they uncover a deep and dark truth, forcing them to confront their troubled pasts. From the author of The Switch House and Malignant Summer comes a new short novel of trippy terror.
When two estranged siblings travel to their dead uncle's hoarder house near the shore, they uncover a deep and dark truth, forcing them to confront their troubled pasts. From the author of The Switch House and Malignant Summer comes a new short novel of trippy terror.
172 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2022
About the author
Tim Meyer
49 books1,056 followersTim Meyer dwells in a dark cave near the Jersey Shore. He's an author, husband, father, podcast host, blogger, coffee connoisseur, beer enthusiast, and explorer of worlds. He writes horror, mysteries, science fiction, and thrillers, although he prefers to blur genres and let the story fall where it may.
You can follow Tim at https://timmeyerwrites.com
OR like his Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/authortimmeyer
You can follow Tim at https://timmeyerwrites.com
OR like his Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/authortimmeyer
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 14, 2026
This was a very unique experience. It starts off with Garrett, who left his troubled home, allowing his mother to die from her issues and leaving his sister, Jean, behind, too. He carries a high level of guilt for his actions, which culminate when Jean attempts suicide, but is unsuccessful. Garrett returns to her after several years of no communication. They are then tasked with going through their deceased uncle’s home, as they connect with each other once again. Pretty straightforward, right? I wasn’t sure where the horror aspect was going to come in. But then I was pulled into this deeply symbolic, haunting, and, dare I say, cosmic adventure with creatures, doppelgängers, magical conch shells, and other such fantastical elements. Now this is definitely one that you need to take your time with and think deeply about the elements that are introduced. I felt that this was a bold and daring direction to take the story, but feel it may have overcomplicated itself. I was really enjoying the dynamics early on with Jean and Garrett, and felt there was enough there already to have a full and satisfying story. And also plenty of opportunities to add in some simple horror elements, with plenty of the symbolism kept intact, too, all of which would have felt right at home. But that’s just my personal preference. And that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy how Tim Meyer developed this concept, because I did. So if you’re thinking of diving into this book, gear up and put your thinking caps on.
June 18, 2024
A Secret the Ear Should Not Hear...
THE SEA, THE STARS by Tim Meyer
No spoilers. 4 stars. Uncle Jerry had drowned in the ocean off of Tripp's Isle, where he had a small beach house...
Siblings Garrett and Jean inherited Jerry's little house and were going there to clean it out so that they could sell it...
Uncle Jerry was a pack rat...
And among the worthless trash, they found a small treasure chest buried at the bottom of his closet...
... it was dirty and very old and had a moldy smell to it... like the briny sea...
The chest was locked, and they couldn't open it because they didn't have the key...
Later that night...
There was a knock at the door. Garrett opened the door to find a rank smelling package left on the porch...
Inside the package...
... was a foul-smelling black fish egg-like goo, which Garrett promptly took out to the trash can...
Much later that night...
Jean dreamt of swimming in a black ocean by the light of a crescent moon. She felt her spirit leaving her body...
Then...
She woke to whispering voices, trying to lure her outside, prompting her to search for the discarded package...
She felt a strong desire...
... to eat the rotten goo inside. She tasted it and it was delicious, so she ate it all...
Then the voices...
... calmly spoke to her about the beach, the black waters, and the secret that lay just beyond the sea, the stars...
She looked down, and the key to the treasure chest was mysteriously in her hand. Locked inside the old repository was a conch shell...
Then the voices...
... made their demands, and Jean knew she'd have to comply... they wouldn't let her refuse...
They wanted to show her a terrible secret, a knowledge that could never be forgotten...
A secret her ears should not hear...
This was an exceptional story that had my full attention because of the mystery it presented. Unfortunately, I removed a star because the reveal didn't live up to the build-up, and the mystery remained mysterious.
This story would have benefited from a few extra pages to explore the mystery but was still a very good story.
THE SEA, THE STARS by Tim Meyer
No spoilers. 4 stars. Uncle Jerry had drowned in the ocean off of Tripp's Isle, where he had a small beach house...
Siblings Garrett and Jean inherited Jerry's little house and were going there to clean it out so that they could sell it...
Uncle Jerry was a pack rat...
And among the worthless trash, they found a small treasure chest buried at the bottom of his closet...
... it was dirty and very old and had a moldy smell to it... like the briny sea...
The chest was locked, and they couldn't open it because they didn't have the key...
Later that night...
There was a knock at the door. Garrett opened the door to find a rank smelling package left on the porch...
Inside the package...
... was a foul-smelling black fish egg-like goo, which Garrett promptly took out to the trash can...
Much later that night...
Jean dreamt of swimming in a black ocean by the light of a crescent moon. She felt her spirit leaving her body...
Then...
She woke to whispering voices, trying to lure her outside, prompting her to search for the discarded package...
She felt a strong desire...
... to eat the rotten goo inside. She tasted it and it was delicious, so she ate it all...
Then the voices...
... calmly spoke to her about the beach, the black waters, and the secret that lay just beyond the sea, the stars...
She looked down, and the key to the treasure chest was mysteriously in her hand. Locked inside the old repository was a conch shell...
Then the voices...
... made their demands, and Jean knew she'd have to comply... they wouldn't let her refuse...
They wanted to show her a terrible secret, a knowledge that could never be forgotten...
A secret her ears should not hear...
This was an exceptional story that had my full attention because of the mystery it presented. Unfortunately, I removed a star because the reveal didn't live up to the build-up, and the mystery remained mysterious.
This story would have benefited from a few extra pages to explore the mystery but was still a very good story.
July 29, 2023
Garrett takes care of his sister Jean who just tried to commit suicide. Together they want to clean the house of their recently deceased uncle. When they come across a small treasure box the horror soon begins. Why is Jean drawn to the see? What force is trying to manipulate her? What about the neighbors? The novella has its moments but overall it isn't as strong as his other books. Some passages are a bit tedious and the plot is missing the punchline a bit. Otherwise solid dark horror with many eerie motifs and situations!
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April 10, 2023Book Response (no longer use the word "review" and I ditched stars a long time ago)
THE SEA, THE STARS by Tim Meyer
Release Date: September 28th, 2022
General Genre: Horror
Subgenre/Themes: Cosmic, Oceanic, Sibling relationships, Attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, fixer-upper, inherited home
Writing Style: Multiple POV, fast pace, character-driven, cinematic
What You Need to Know: Garrett finds himself reuniting with his sister, Jean under stressful and intense circumstances. He’s forced into caring for her after an attempted suicide even though the siblings have been estranged for some time. Their uncle has also very recently passed away and his beach community “hoarder house” needs to be taken care of. As they dig into the mess of both the house and their relationship, they uncover some startling truths.
My Reading Experience: Good ol’ Kindle Unlimited! Sometimes you just want to binge-read something without paying any money. Do you know that feeling? If you’re not subscribed and you have a Kindle, I highly recommend this service. As a mood reader, you can have hundreds of unread books within arm’s reach but you still don’t want to read any of them. Sometimes you just want something short & sweet; a one-sitting binge. That’s basically what happened when I tucked into Tim Meyer’s, The Sea, The Stars.
I’m already a big Tim Meyer fan, my favorite being his book The Switch House (which you can read an excerpt at the end of this book) and his collaboration with Chad Lutzke called, Wormwood. Meyer has an accessible, easy, smooth prose that I naturally get sucked into and carried away with. His wheelhouse is authentic dialogue and a character-driven storytelling style that appeals to me. He usually can tap some genuine scares too, so an all-around consistent horror author for me. I enjoyed the sibling dynamic here and was reminded of Grady Hendrix’s newest release, How to Sell a Haunted House which deals with the same theme of a troubled sibling relationship forced to put shit aside in order to take care of an inherited house together–but of course, in horror, nothing is that simple.
Final Recommendation: This is the perfect read if you’re looking for those oceanic, beach house, cosmic-cult vibes you can dive into for a few hours.
Comps: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix & The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher,
THE SEA, THE STARS by Tim Meyer
Release Date: September 28th, 2022
General Genre: Horror
Subgenre/Themes: Cosmic, Oceanic, Sibling relationships, Attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, fixer-upper, inherited home
Writing Style: Multiple POV, fast pace, character-driven, cinematic
What You Need to Know: Garrett finds himself reuniting with his sister, Jean under stressful and intense circumstances. He’s forced into caring for her after an attempted suicide even though the siblings have been estranged for some time. Their uncle has also very recently passed away and his beach community “hoarder house” needs to be taken care of. As they dig into the mess of both the house and their relationship, they uncover some startling truths.
My Reading Experience: Good ol’ Kindle Unlimited! Sometimes you just want to binge-read something without paying any money. Do you know that feeling? If you’re not subscribed and you have a Kindle, I highly recommend this service. As a mood reader, you can have hundreds of unread books within arm’s reach but you still don’t want to read any of them. Sometimes you just want something short & sweet; a one-sitting binge. That’s basically what happened when I tucked into Tim Meyer’s, The Sea, The Stars.
I’m already a big Tim Meyer fan, my favorite being his book The Switch House (which you can read an excerpt at the end of this book) and his collaboration with Chad Lutzke called, Wormwood. Meyer has an accessible, easy, smooth prose that I naturally get sucked into and carried away with. His wheelhouse is authentic dialogue and a character-driven storytelling style that appeals to me. He usually can tap some genuine scares too, so an all-around consistent horror author for me. I enjoyed the sibling dynamic here and was reminded of Grady Hendrix’s newest release, How to Sell a Haunted House which deals with the same theme of a troubled sibling relationship forced to put shit aside in order to take care of an inherited house together–but of course, in horror, nothing is that simple.
Final Recommendation: This is the perfect read if you’re looking for those oceanic, beach house, cosmic-cult vibes you can dive into for a few hours.
Comps: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix & The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher,
October 8, 2022
A disturbing tale of Lovecraftian horror by way of Steven King and the Twilight Zone. I've had a craving for creepy marine-based cosmic horror ever since reading John Langan's The Fisherman, and this hit the spot. Meyer conjures some genuinely horrifying imagery, and delivers plenty of twists, chills, and gore. It's a quick read, too. Check this out if you're looking for something dark and weird!
September 4, 2023
“Throughout the history of Tripp’s Isle, it was always believed that certain people shared a special connection with the sea and the stars, that this place sat on a threshold of some other reality. An alien place. That the island was a space that wasn’t quite part of one world or another, that it rested between two separate realities.”
Wow, this was my first book by Tim Meyer and it definitely won't be my last! I loved everything about it: the writing, the plot, the characters, the ideas, the imagery, the creepiness, the suspense, the weirdness.
I would have liked a bit more from the ending, but it was still satisfying. I can't wait to read more from this author!
“Means this place is coming to an end. That the sea and the stars will swallow the shore, and the people of this place will fall into the depths of the void, to be eaten and digested by the great mouth of time.”
"There was no escaping the endless sea and the infinite stars."
Wow, this was my first book by Tim Meyer and it definitely won't be my last! I loved everything about it: the writing, the plot, the characters, the ideas, the imagery, the creepiness, the suspense, the weirdness.
I would have liked a bit more from the ending, but it was still satisfying. I can't wait to read more from this author!
“Means this place is coming to an end. That the sea and the stars will swallow the shore, and the people of this place will fall into the depths of the void, to be eaten and digested by the great mouth of time.”
"There was no escaping the endless sea and the infinite stars."
October 19, 2023
This story begins with Garrett checking on his sister, Jean. She's in the hospital after attempting suicide. Though Garrett has other things on his plate, including the recent death of their uncle and cleaning out his house, he quickly realizes his sister is now his problem for the foreseeable future.
While cleaning they uncover a wood treasure chest that looks and smells like its sat at the ocean's depths for centuries. The mystery of what's inside is enticing but the thing is locked. What dangers might it impose? In a Tim Meyer novel one can never tell . . .
Realities of galaxies and stars, ocean depths, and the land between merge in this otherworldly , dark thriller. A fantastic and thought provoking read with a strong and lasting presence.
While cleaning they uncover a wood treasure chest that looks and smells like its sat at the ocean's depths for centuries. The mystery of what's inside is enticing but the thing is locked. What dangers might it impose? In a Tim Meyer novel one can never tell . . .
Realities of galaxies and stars, ocean depths, and the land between merge in this otherworldly , dark thriller. A fantastic and thought provoking read with a strong and lasting presence.
October 26, 2022
This is Tim Meyer's best book (so far). Not only is it an extremely exciting horror story to read. In my experience it also has a literary value, which, if this development in writing continues, is worthy of a thesis.
The Sea, the Stars is Tim Meyer's best book yet. In my reading experience, the book stands among the stories of H.P. Lovecraft, Anthony Holslag and Edgar Allan Poe. The cosmological motif and vulnerable characters are reminiscent of Lovecraft's work. I associated the psychological theme and the exploration of the inner darkness of the human soul with the work of Anthonie Holslag. And the strongly visually described development of one of the main characters touched Poe's work for me.
While I haven't read all of Tim Meyer's yet, I can say that Garrett and Jean Pryce are among his most intriguing characters. Creativity and (self) destruction are two themes that separately have an important role in the lives of brother and sister. The author initiates a gruesome development for both of them, for which only one word for me: genius! Garrett's development can be read as hauntology supreme (1). Convincing, oppressive and striking, the reader is made clear why Garrett is who he is.
In addition, powerful symbols are used in the story. Examples of this are the sea, the shell and the chest. The sea is a reference to power, mystery, chaos and a place to reflect on the past and hope and look forward to the future. As a metaphor, the sea stands for the mind.
And what Tim Meyer does wonderfully is give an ironic or dark twist to the symbolism. He does this visually strongly with the help of lyrical descriptions such as sea of obsidian. Adding shadows to the symbol makes the development of the main characters in The Sea, the Stars even more intense and scary. And this creates a reference to the work of Alain Badiou: ‘…black is the color of the soul only to the extent that it has been revealed to us by some unforseen event. […] All knowledge is knowledge of black.”(2)
Furthermore, the theme of this lurid black gem is very strong. The story is about a brother and sister who come across a dark truth and are forced to face their past. Tim Meyer shows this through the main characters in two different ways. In Garrett's development, guilt, worry and the past are central as formative factors. As a result, all the elements are present to make a creepy story from the perspective of hauntology and the author does that wonderfully!
Jean's growth process can be called Lovecraftian. The images that describe her development are intense, atmospheric, innovative and above all first-class horror. The difference with Lovecraft is that Meyer uses the cosmological as a revelation whereas in Lovecraft it serves as confirmation of the insignificance of his character. In my opinion, Jean's growth can also be explained in an ontological (Heidegger), nihilistic (Nietzsche) and unconsciousness process (Von Hartmann). These different developments come together in a balanced way in the best story by Tim Meyer (so far) for me!
So 'The Sea, the Stars' is not only his best book (so far) because of the personal reading experience, but also because of the captivating story characters, powerful symbolism with a dark twist and combined themes (hauntology and cosmology). #theseathestars #timmeyer #evilepochpress
The Sea, the Stars is Tim Meyer's best book yet. In my reading experience, the book stands among the stories of H.P. Lovecraft, Anthony Holslag and Edgar Allan Poe. The cosmological motif and vulnerable characters are reminiscent of Lovecraft's work. I associated the psychological theme and the exploration of the inner darkness of the human soul with the work of Anthonie Holslag. And the strongly visually described development of one of the main characters touched Poe's work for me.
While I haven't read all of Tim Meyer's yet, I can say that Garrett and Jean Pryce are among his most intriguing characters. Creativity and (self) destruction are two themes that separately have an important role in the lives of brother and sister. The author initiates a gruesome development for both of them, for which only one word for me: genius! Garrett's development can be read as hauntology supreme (1). Convincing, oppressive and striking, the reader is made clear why Garrett is who he is.
In addition, powerful symbols are used in the story. Examples of this are the sea, the shell and the chest. The sea is a reference to power, mystery, chaos and a place to reflect on the past and hope and look forward to the future. As a metaphor, the sea stands for the mind.
And what Tim Meyer does wonderfully is give an ironic or dark twist to the symbolism. He does this visually strongly with the help of lyrical descriptions such as sea of obsidian. Adding shadows to the symbol makes the development of the main characters in The Sea, the Stars even more intense and scary. And this creates a reference to the work of Alain Badiou: ‘…black is the color of the soul only to the extent that it has been revealed to us by some unforseen event. […] All knowledge is knowledge of black.”(2)
Furthermore, the theme of this lurid black gem is very strong. The story is about a brother and sister who come across a dark truth and are forced to face their past. Tim Meyer shows this through the main characters in two different ways. In Garrett's development, guilt, worry and the past are central as formative factors. As a result, all the elements are present to make a creepy story from the perspective of hauntology and the author does that wonderfully!
Jean's growth process can be called Lovecraftian. The images that describe her development are intense, atmospheric, innovative and above all first-class horror. The difference with Lovecraft is that Meyer uses the cosmological as a revelation whereas in Lovecraft it serves as confirmation of the insignificance of his character. In my opinion, Jean's growth can also be explained in an ontological (Heidegger), nihilistic (Nietzsche) and unconsciousness process (Von Hartmann). These different developments come together in a balanced way in the best story by Tim Meyer (so far) for me!
So 'The Sea, the Stars' is not only his best book (so far) because of the personal reading experience, but also because of the captivating story characters, powerful symbolism with a dark twist and combined themes (hauntology and cosmology). #theseathestars #timmeyer #evilepochpress
March 3, 2023
Cosmic Delight
Tim Meyer’s The Sea, The Stars is an excellent tale of cosmic horror. The imagery is truly unsettling. The relationship and character development between the our two main characters is genuine; complicated and trying, but rooted in family bonds. It’s a dark tale you have to see through to the end. Definitely recommend for fans of cosmic horror.
Tim Meyer’s The Sea, The Stars is an excellent tale of cosmic horror. The imagery is truly unsettling. The relationship and character development between the our two main characters is genuine; complicated and trying, but rooted in family bonds. It’s a dark tale you have to see through to the end. Definitely recommend for fans of cosmic horror.
January 28, 2024
After their uncle’s recent death, siblings Garrett and Jean are the only remaining family members to go through their uncle’s hoarder-type beach house to prepare it for the market. With Jean’s recent trip to the ER due to self-harm, Garrett thinks the fresh sea air and escape will be beneficial for her mental health. That is, until they find secrets hidden in their uncle’s closet. Did he want someone to stumble upon them, or was he protecting his family? Either way, now both siblings must learn to accept their troubled pasts and new realities.
The Sea, The Stars is the second book I’ve read by Tim Meyer, and I enjoy his writing style and the medium-pace of his books. I liked trying to determine fiction from reality as the two siblings’ lives changed over a few days. Although cosmic horror is not one of my favorite horror sub-genres I still found Meyer’s book to be interesting, only focusing on the sub-genre towards the end with sprinklings of it throughout the novel. The Sea, The Stars is a hidden gem that more horror enthusiasts should read!
The Sea, The Stars is the second book I’ve read by Tim Meyer, and I enjoy his writing style and the medium-pace of his books. I liked trying to determine fiction from reality as the two siblings’ lives changed over a few days. Although cosmic horror is not one of my favorite horror sub-genres I still found Meyer’s book to be interesting, only focusing on the sub-genre towards the end with sprinklings of it throughout the novel. The Sea, The Stars is a hidden gem that more horror enthusiasts should read!
December 23, 2025
Im a sucker for stories that toy with the secrets of waterfront communities. There’s something satisfyingly eerie about the depths of the ocean and what mysteries linger in its blackened waves and crawl upon their shores. Jean and Garrett Pryce, while experiencing different hardships in their lives, are faced with an oceanic entity that seems to want their family. The urge to know what it is and what it wants with the Pryce siblings made this book a page turner. It’ll also make you think twice about stepping foot into the ocean or picking up a random shell…
January 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this small cosmic horror story. It's cool how Tim contained it mostly to a holiday island and yet hinted at this larger world just outside of this vacation community. Plus, damn did he add some deeper themes here.
April 22, 2025
After a relative dies, estranged siblings are forced to work together to clean up the mess he's left behind. Part of the mess is a box, which calls to one of them... A short, fun tale of cults and cosmic horror. Great characters and a great read. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2023
The Sea, The Stars by Tim Meyer is another great offering from one of my favorite new authors! A great read with a most satisfying ending you should not miss!
November 9, 2023
Classic Tim Meyer.
What’s not to love?
What’s not to love?
January 26, 2024
I didn't like Garrett but I do love an explosion of righteous violence, so it evened out
August 4, 2024
3.75 stars
December 22, 2024
This is average cosmic horror. Really not original or particularly exciting.
July 4, 2023
I needed a little more
I love how Tim Meyer mixes some weird in with everyday life! I just wish the weird went a little further in this one. I still enjoyed it though.
I love how Tim Meyer mixes some weird in with everyday life! I just wish the weird went a little further in this one. I still enjoyed it though.
August 22, 2023
Cosmic Lovecraftian horror, ocean cults, can't leave town because your mentally unstable sister is growing scales
3/4 💀💀💀
3/4 💀💀💀
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews