Thanks to NetGalley and Inkshares for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: October 31st, 2017
350 Pages
Synopsis: At the end of a dark prairie road, nearly forgotten in the Kansas countryside, lies the Finch House. For years it has perched empty, abandoned, and overgrown—but soon the door will be opened for the first time in many decades. But something waits, lurking in the shadows, anxious to meet its new guests. When best-selling horror author Sam McGarver is invited to spend Halloween night in one of the country’s most infamous haunted houses, he reluctantly agrees. At least he won’t be alone; joining him are three other masters of the macabre, writers who have helped shape modern horror. But what begins as a simple publicity stunt soon becomes a fight for survival—the entity they have awakened will follow them, torment them, threatening to make them part of the bloody legacy of Kill Creek.
Kill Creek is a spooky and creepy tale that’s perfect for this time of year. While it’s somewhat derivative, it still had some surprises and I found it quite entertaining.
The first half which follows the four horror authors was definitely my favorite part of the book. You get to know their backstories through their personal narratives as well as the events that lead them all to be part of this publicity stunt at the supposedly haunted Finch House. The tragic history of the house itself is also revealed, and with everything combined, it gave me an eerie and unsettled feeling.
In the second half, the pace slowed down a little at first, with all four authors returning to their respective homes and dealing with the repercussions of their brief stay at Finch House. Once they reunite, at the house, realizing it’s the only way to put a stop to the evil that’s followed them, the pace picks up appreciably and the slow burning suspense turns into the epitome of slasher horror.
Overall, I didn’t think Kill Creek to be the most original book I’ve read in this genre, but it kept my attention and I found it to be a fun and scary read. If you’re a fan of horror writers like Stephen King, Bentley Little and Peter Straub, I think you might enjoy this. I would definitely pick up any future horror stories by Scott Thomas.
Not a fan of horror, but fab review Kim.
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Thank you so much!🎃🎃🎃
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It’s funny that you mentioned Stephen King at the end, because while reading the premise for this one, I thought it was a story that could have been thought up by him. Sounds like a pretty fun and chilling book. Too bad the pacing wasn’t as good as it could have been. As always: terrific review 😀
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It’s definitely Stephen King-lite Michel. And while the pace lagged a bit, it wasn’t really enough to spoil the fun. This was another that I read in two sittings, so it definitely had my attention!🎃
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Great review Kim! I keep shying away from horror just for the simple fact that they always remind me of something or other and never seem to find them overly original. 😦
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Thanks Carrie! This was fun even if totally original.
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Ooh this does sound perfect for this time of year, even if it isn’t totally original! Fantastic review!
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It was definitely fun!
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Fantabulous Review Kim! This looks perfect for the holiday! I’m glad you overall enjoyed this title!🎃👻😱
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Thanks Dani! I do love a good spooky read.😈👻👹👀
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Same here!!!🎃👻😱
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Not all the time or I will keep having nightmares!😱😱😱
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Bwahaha!😈
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Good review of course, but as soon as I saw the cover photo, I could have guessed the rest. I think you summed it up with one word. ‘derivative’
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete. It wasn’t highly original but it kept my attention until the end.
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🙂
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Really fascinating story. I like how the story evolves and how the the author controls the pace (don’t know if it’s intentional or not), but going from slow-pace to slasher horrors sounds pretty fun! Excellent review, Kim! Definitely a timely read too. 😀
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It’s definitely a nice read for Halloween.😈
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That cover was totally giving me the creepy vibes! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Nice review! 🙂
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Thanks Raven. I was going to include a haunted house gif but that cover speaks for itself.🎃
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Ooh, looks very spooky. For some reason, I visualise Finch House as the house owned by the Peacock family in The X Files.
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It’s definitely a spooky read Vinnie. As for the Finch House, that’s an interesting comparison. In the book, it was beautiful when it was first built, but after the murders of the original owners, it and the property began to decay. Even after v the Finch sisters bought it and moved in, I had the sense that they didn’t do all that much beyond putting in an elevator.
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Ooh, very creepy then. It just really reminded me of that horrifying house that the Peacock Family owned.
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😱
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Th Finch House (not Atticus by any chance…?!)
Another fine Review, Kim!
Btw, look behind you…
There was ANOTHER frightful horror unleashed on Halloween night…
https://themedievil.wordpress.com/2017/10/31/the-monastikon-de-mortuis-the-hooded-entity/
Don’t have nightmares 🙂
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Nope. Not Atticus.😁 Thanks for the link Brad!😊
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I know, but a horror version of To Kill A Mockingbird?! (As if Boo Radley wasn’t creepy enough!)
I thot u might appreciate th Link – no eeksome gifs so u’ll b ok 🙂
Cheers!
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So cool!😊
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Idk how I’m so behind on your posts, Kim!! I think I’m going to blame WordPress because they keep throwing you (and about a dozen others) out of my newsfeeds 😩😠.. anyhow, I’m catching up on your reviews now and this one looks awesome! Great review! I’ve been due for a horror for sometime!! 🤔
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No worries Didi! WordPress seems to be even glitchier than usual lately.😒 This is definitely a solid horror story, especially if you’re a Stephen King fan.😱
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Yes, wordpress is on a roll 😣😲… I do love Stephen King!
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