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Thanks to NetGalley and Neoplastic Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
412 Pages
Synopsis: During the 1980s, slashers terrorized America. With machetes and masks, these unstoppable killers stalked college campuses, quiet suburbs, and lakeside cabins.
Thirty years ago, Bobbi Metzger survived a massacre at her 16th birthday party. She spent decades putting her life back together.
Tonight, Bobbi will face a new killer; a high-tech slasher hell-bent on opening the doorway to an abyss of unimaginable horror.
How long can Bobbi survive this nightmare? What will she do to protect the people she loves? How much blood is she willing to spill?
Before I start my review, I need to issue a warning. Do not. I repeat—DO NOT— make the same mistake as I did, and read Mask Beneath Her Face right before bed. If you do, I can guarantee you will have a difficult time falling asleep!
To give you an idea of how much I loved this book, I started it at about 3:00 on a stormy afternoon, took an hour and a half off for supper, and then was fully emersed in it until I finished right before midnight. Then I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling, twitching at every creak in the house and scraping of branches against the window for at least another hour before dropping into an uneasy slumber.
The premise is that there was a huge outbreak of slashers (think Jason, Freddie, Michael Myers, etc.), and claimed untold victims in their bloody mayhem. Bobbi and the other main characters in the stories are all survivors, sort of. Bobbi has spent the years since her sister and friends were massacred running from the supernatural monster that’s still after her. She copes by drinking and popping pills. Jessie, likewise haunted, lives as a recluse, terrified to have mirrors lest the slasher who haunts him, steps out of one to finish the job. Sam, a school counselor, seems to be doing better than his two friends, but is hiding a secret that puts him at risk physically as well as psychologically. And finally there’s young Cris. She’s a victim of human monsters rather than supernatural ones, but as a result has some dark ambitions that will shock the others. These are all flawed characters, yet well-rounded ones and I was surprised by how much I grew attached to them, especially Sam and Cris.
The world-building and plot are just insane. I’ve read other slasher books, but this blows them all out of the water! It’s bloody and gory and thrilling to the extreme. If this was a movie, I probably would have covered my eyes during some of the scenes, but since this is a book I couldn’t do that, hence my trouble sleeping afterwards. The ending is jaw-droppingly perfect, and I’m praying that this is not the last we see of these characters and their terrifying world. Ahem, Rafael? If you read this review I’m begging you to write a sequel, okay?
Mask Beneath Her Face may not be for everyone. It’s extremely violent, and I wouldn’t have been surprised to see blood leaking out from my Kindle, after I finished. But it’s a wonderfully imaginative and unique homage to 1980s slasher flicks and if you’re a fan of these like me, you’re going to gobble this up! Most of you know what a fan I am of Stephen King. Well, in my humble opinion, this is unequivocally King-worthy! But, if you decide to try this, be sure to read it during the day. Preferably in the sun. With lots of people around. And wear running shoes, ‘cause you know, just in case.
beetleypete said:
Great cover, and 5 stars from you. Looks like a really good one indeed, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s perfect for horror lovers Pete.😊
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beetleypete said:
I love my horror, I do. (Norfolk accent required) 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😂
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
I need to read this book. I am the horror Queen and this sounds RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!! I’m so excited! Adding it to my TBR right now!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay! *Fist bump *😊
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Rafael Chandler (@rafaelchandler) said:
If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it! And I’d love to hear your thoughts about it.
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
You’ve got it!
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Beware Of The Reader said:
Wow King worthy Kim? I haven’t read one of his books for a long time but you make this one sound really good!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh yeah! I think King himself would love this Sophie!😊
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Books Teacup and Reviews said:
It sounds so perfectly scary and amazing book. awesome review! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It really is! Thanks Yesha.😊
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Pingback: The Mask Beneath Her Face, by Rafael Chandler ~ 5.0 Stars — By Hook Or By Book – horrorwriter
The Militant Negro said:
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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deesradreadsandreviews said:
Excellent review!! I think this may be too much for me but I’m really tempted!! ❤ 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Deanna! It’s definitely not for everyone.😱
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Rafael Chandler (@rafaelchandler) said:
Thank you so much for the kind words about my novel, Kim! I’ve been a Stephen King fan for thirty-odd years, so the comparison took my breath away. Much appreciated! As for a sequel… Well, you know the deal: evil never dies.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It was my pleasure Rafael. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!😊
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raistlin0903 said:
My first mistake was taking notice of that incredible cover for this book. My second mistake was reading your introduction for this novel, and what it was about. My third mistake was reading the rest of your review and how you basically read this entire novel in a couple of hours. And now: I am doomed. I must track this book down now and buy it. Why do you always write such amazing reviews…..😢😢😢
Haha : just kidding of course> but not kidding about the book itself. This is so my genre of books! Really need this one in my life 😀😀😀😀
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Rafael Chandler (@rafaelchandler) said:
Thanks for the kind words about the cover! An artist named Aeron Alfrey created the spider and sickles, and I designed the heart and text. As for the novel, it’s here (hope you dig it):
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raistlin0903 said:
Oh wow! So cool, thanks for providing the link, and I just realised that you are the author of the book 🙈🙈 That is truly awesome! 😀😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Michel! Isn’t the cover awesome? You really do need to read this ASAP! I know you’re going to like it.🤗
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raistlin0903 said:
Haha….oh trust me, after the cabinet of curiosities, this will be next. And so true this cover really is amazing 😊
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Woot!😊
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Carrie said:
So glad you enjoyed this one since I forgot my Jedi mind tricks when you read my review and you became tempted to request. I will say though I need to sit around and stalk your comments to see how long it takes Dani to see this cover yet again, she just may have gotten over her nightmares of that spider and here he is again. LOL
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
BWAHAHAHA!😈
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robbiesinspiration said:
Oh my goodness, Kim. I don’t think I can read a book like this. I am still scared of Freddie Kruger and I watched that in my teens. Excellent review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Robbie! Michael Myers is the one that terrified me! All I have to do is hear the theme music from Halloween and the hair goes up on the back of my neck.😱 This book definitely is not for everyone.😳
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Diana said:
Oh wow, how can I say no to this book especially after reading your fab review?This sounds like quite an amazing read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Diana! If you love horror and don’t mind lots of gore, this is a must read!😁
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fragglerocking said:
Oh scary biscuits stuff!! #runsinoppositedirection!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
So, SO scary!😱
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LizScanlon said:
LOVE the cover, love the review and I am very intrigued.. thank you for this fantastic review 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Liz. I really cannot recommend this enough.😊
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
Wow- I don’t normally read horror- but honestly- this sounds absolutely sensational- fantastic review!
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
Great review, Kim! It sounds like an interesting read! That covers looks interesting and a bit creepy.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
So good if you’re a horror fan Raven.😊
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
I don’t know how I missed this one but Fantastic Review Book Sister! 😍 The author reached out to me about this one so I will be reading this within the next month or two! Yay!😍😘👯 But still, this cover freaks me out!😵😵😵 This ones definitely going to make me sleep with the lights on!😊
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Don’t read it before bed!😱
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
😱😱😱😱
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
I see a spider on the cover. That’s already a huge “CAUTION” for me hahaha So glad to hear how perfect this horror novel was. A Slasher flick’esque novel that gets YOUR seal of approval? Sounds like an insta-5-stars for anyone who likes this genre. Fantastic review, Kim. 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Lashaan!
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Jen said:
Oh no for reading right before bed EEKS!! Here’s hoping you didn’t have to sleep with every single light on in the house lol! That’s usually the case for me if something is even semi-scary. I’m so glad that the world building and plot were so phenomenal, that’s amazing! And yay for finding such a fabulous book. I’ll be passing this rec on to my Mom. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen. No lights. My hubby would’ve killed me!😁
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Jen said:
LOL!
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mlbradford said:
“Kingworthy” is what draws me – thro another scintillating review – to this book (got such a backlog of books to get thro already!)
If and when it does get a sitting, it will b in th early hrs of th morning anyway.
Read during th day. “Preferably in th sun” – in th Uk? In F-F-February?! Oh deary me, no! 😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😁🤣
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Pingback: Mask Beneath Her Face by Rafael Chandler #horror #thriller – Cover to Cover
(Danielle) Books, Vertigo and Tea said:
This sounds like my cup of tea. I have a weird fondness for all things horror and dark. Great review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Danielle. This was sooo good!😊
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Heather Tasker said:
Woohoo! I won a copy! Definitely reading before bed! 😂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yes! I can’t wait to hear what you think!🤗
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