Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker
Blurb:
For a haunted house to be born, somebody has to die.
In the sleepy coastal town of New Castle, New Hampshire, seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler's life is about to take a terrifying turn. When his best friend David Spivey inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island, it seems like the perfect place to spend their final summer before heading off to college. No parents. No police. No responsibilities.
As they dig into the island's dark past, they awaken an ancient evil that has influenced generations. What begins as an innocent summer adventure quickly descends into a nightmare.
"Something I Keep Upstairs" is a haunting exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the darkness lurking just beyond our understanding. It will keep you on edge until the final, chilling page.
Review:
I was excited to see a new book from an author that I always seem to enjoy. This is the one and only J.D. Barker. I was interested to see this marketed as a chiller, somewhere in between a horror and a thriller. So begins a book that seems to have a life of its own. I was able to do this as an audio, and I found myself binging it as I was sucked into what was happening in the life of these characters. I thought that I had an idea where the story would head, with an old house on an island being the centerpiece of the story. That is when the story truly takes a twist and I was just flabbergasted at each new reveal, each coming at the perfect timing to just take my breath away. It is told from a first person narrative, with some chapters of the sheriff giving a break as well. This is a book that will bring a chill to the summer months as more and more readers find the depths of what this story truly is.
The strength of the novel is a strength of J.D. Barker. He is able to write with a way to fully experience the emotions of all of the humans. It is descriptive in the perfect amount, from smells to touch, they all help to fully encapsulate the scene and make it real. I found myself shocked at how I would feel the same emotions as some of the characters. I really enjoy the books that are able to do this, making it hard to pull myself back out of the story. The depth of the novel is something that will come as a shock to many readers, truly seeming like there is no way that there could be more surprises. The nice thing is that it all felt natural. It captures that teenage rebelliousness and leads it into them being pulled into this mystery in a way that could be very realistic. I know that the experiences of these characters is something that many people will be able to relate with, lending a way for the connection to start early. There are some scenes and ideas that are a little more mature for readers, but not necessarily graphic. This could be something that some readers may not want to read.
Overall, this is a fantastic stand alone novel for a quick summer read. It will be something that feels like one to be enjoyed while lounging on a beach, maybe even in the same town that is the stage for the book. I know that this is a book that will steal many readers' plans for sleeping or even others as they will find it difficult to put down. It is one that will stick in the mind and make them question going into an old house again. I believe that this book is definitely a great mix of horror, psychological thriller, and even a cop mystery. It all leads to an explosive finish that will leave readers gasping for breath and wondering how it could happen. Fans of horror or thrillers should definitely add this chiller to their TBR lists at the soonest opportunity. I know that I will be continuing to read more from Barker and also looking into more books from the narrator. It is just a top notch read!
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
