The writing in this is superb, and utterly terrifying. The descriptions are visceral, disturbing, and just...good. I know it sounds silly to say good, but it genuinely is a great work of horror fiction, with layers of interpersonal conflict, creepy atmosphere, and a horrifying antogonist.

I think I maybe don’t know enough about Celtic folklore to get this. The writing was good but the story didn’t interest me much. I was intrigued but I felt distant from it.

I'm not sure how to adequately review this novel. Sharpson writes with elegance and poignancy, but I felt I was missing a great deal of context. There are so many references to Irish folklore and culture that breathe life into the story, but I ultimately finished this read with a longing for more. And perhaps that's part of the point.

If you're a fan of horror steeped in folklore, this is sure to whet your appetite.

In addition to having an absolutely stunning cover, this book was incredible. This book ties together horror elements and mythology elements to create an atmospheric tale of secrets, magic, and fractured bonds. It had me on the edge of my seat and I would highly recommend picking it up!

Original, devastating and brilliant. Creepy . Disturbing - don't read after dark!
Queer love story surrounded by folklore and horror - does it ever get better? NO!
All of is just so well done - cannot wait for the next from this author!

Thank you so much for thinking of me for this book, but alas this one wasn't for me. I struggled to get into it and, in the end, didn't finish. BUT I love the creepy atmospheric feels and know exactly who I can hand sell this too so I'm glad I gave it a shot.

"Knock Knock, Open Wide" by Neil Sharpson is a chilling supernatural tale that weaves horror and Celtic myth into a story of fractured family bonds and hidden secrets. The narrative unfolds with the discovery of a corpse on a desolate Irish country road, leading to a night of unspeakable terror for Etain Larkin. Two decades later, Betty Fitzpatrick becomes entangled in a relationship with the troubled Ashling Mallen, uncovering a dark family history and a mysterious connection to a long-forgotten children's TV show. Sharpson's storytelling skillfully combines suspense and Irish folklore, creating a haunting and intriguing narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel explores the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural, making it a compelling and spine-tingling read.

I quite literally couldn't put this book down; it just trapped me, and honestly it kind of ruined my Monday. I had stuff to do!

This story begins as a deeply horrifying tale of old Irish folklore intruding on the already bleak life of a young woman (and that first section is so disturbing, I had to read something else before I could sleep); it kind of maintains that, switching back and forth between time periods and viewpoints, but somehow it also becomes a tender love story, and an examination of generational trauma, and a look at how hard just being in a family is, and yeah. I cried a few times before the end.

I went in with very few expectations and was still surprised by this book; the title could be better, the cover could definitely be better, but the story was fantastic.

Well written, beautiful and dark! I enjoyed reading this one and look forward to other books from this author.

It took me a while to read Knock Knock, and at one point I went to review it only to realize I'd never finished it. Normally, I would take that as a sign and just let it drop, but not this time. I love books that include Irish lore. I have this belief that if wild supernatural stuff is going to happen in this world, it's going to happen to the Irish.
Anyway, I'm glad I did go back, because this is a good book. The characters are relatable, their relationships believable, and the story went places I wasn't expecting.

Neil Sharpson's Knock, Knock, Open Wide takes readers on a chilling journey through the Irish countryside, where secrets lurk beneath the surface and the veil between the living and the dead is dangerously thin. Weaving together elements of horror, Celtic mythology, and family drama, Sharpson builds a compelling narrative that will leave you feeling haunted long after you turn the last page.

The story centers around Etain Larkin, a young woman who returns to her ancestral home in Ireland following a devastating accident. As Etain unravels the mysteries surrounding her family's past, she discovers a chilling truth - her family is bound by an ancient curse, and she may be the key to breaking it.

Sharbon's writing is masterfully atmospheric, creating a tangible sense of dread and unease. The descriptions of the Irish landscape, both beautiful and desolate, serve as a constant reminder of the power of nature and the ancient forces that lie beneath the surface. The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations. Etain, in particular, is a compelling protagonist, her strength and resilience shining through even in the darkest moments.

The novel seamlessly blends elements of horror and Celtic myth, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere. The supernatural elements are never gratuitous, instead adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story. The inclusion of real Irish folklore adds an element of authenticity and depth to the world-building.

Here are some of the things I loved about the novel:

The atmosphere: Sharpson creates a masterfully chilling atmosphere that will leave you feeling on edge.
The characters: The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations.
The blend of horror and Celtic myth: The novel seamlessly blends elements of horror and Celtic myth, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere.
The pacing: The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The ending: The ending is satisfying and leaves the reader with something to think about.
Overall, Knock, Knock, Open Wide is a chilling and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of horror, Celtic mythology, and family drama. It is a well-written and well-crafted novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Here are some additional thoughts and considerations:

The novel may be too dark and suspenseful for some readers.
The inclusion of supernatural elements may not appeal to all readers.
The novel is relatively long, but the pacing is excellent, and the story is never dull.
If you are looking for a chilling and suspenseful read, I highly recommend Knock, Knock, Open Wide.

Knock Knock, Open Wide was a fun spooky novel with so many elements I enjoyed. It was creepy and creative, and I loved the Irish Folklore.

This novel started out very strong and I was very invested in the characters and couldn’t wait to find out where the story was going.

It did kind of lose me a little bit towards the end with so much happening and the dual timelines. There were a couple important things that happened in the beginning I completely forgot about. It also had me craving a little bit more horror, but overall I did enjoy this book and would recommend!

I really loved this book. It had a little bit of everything - horror, mystery, romance, humour - plus I really loved the characters.

This was a difficult finish for me. I'm willing to give it another go down the road. It started out pretty good and then I just got real bored.

A young Irish woman goes missing after getting engaged and shows up several days later with no memory of what happened. Years later, her twin girls tour a television set of a childrens’ show, which inspires one of them to be in children’s tv production for a career. A couple of weeks later, the othet child disappears. Years later again, the remaining child is in college, trying to take care of her unloving mom and denying her feelings for the girl she lets herself have for just a little while. All over the backdrop of Irish folklore and a hidden horror.

5 full stars! I loved the folklore. Loved the horror and mystery elements. The characters. Just wanna hug them. And the pacing was great. It jumps around a lot, but it builds a puzzle of the full picture in a really cool way. Do recommend.

"Knock Knock, Open Wide" is unlike any novel I have ever read. It was a horror novel, but it was also a love story and a mystery and a story about found family and about finding yourself in the midst of unspeakable horror and tragedy. This book is as tender as it is terrifying and I don't think I will ever forget this story. I will carry it with me, hoping to recommend it to just the right person so that when they finish it we can look at each other and be glad that we had someone else to share the experience with.

At its core, "Knock Knock, Open Wide," is a story of supernatural and incomprehensible generational trauma that seems to follow the Larkin family. Etain Larkin spends the majority of her youth trying to dodge the wrath of an unloving mother who resents her family's downturn into poverty. She manages to slip away one evening to a party, and when her on-again-off-again boyfriend proposes, it should be the start of the happiest chapter of her life. Instead, as she drives home she finds herself on an unfamiliar road. Through the pouring rain, she sees a corpse on the side of the road and stops to save his body from being ravaged by a dog. She stops at the nearest farmhouse hoping for help but instead finds herself being dragged into a sequence of events so unimaginable and so traumatic that she will be forever changed.

Her own daughter, Ashling, has had to bear the brunt of her mother's descent into paranoia and alcoholism and has escaped to university determined to free herself from the shackles of her family's pain. When she finds herself, the girl her mother always deemed unworthy of love, falling head-over-heels for a fellow member of the Dramatic Society, Betty, she can't stop herself from trying to push away her would-be lover in order to protect her from the horror of her life. The closer Betty comes to her inner circle the more determined Ashling is to get to the bottom of the horror that has plagued her family. The secrets she sorts through seem to draw her closer and closer to the edge of an unthinkable conspiracy, centered around a beloved Irish children's show. Ashling realizes that every child who's watched along has a slightly different viewing experience, and although there are some differences in the stories they see play out across the screen, she alone seems to be the only viewer who has seen a black goat puppet that pops out of his box to bring naughty children to a grisly end.

A truly stunning sophomore effort, "Knock Knock, Open Wide" shows us just how close the line between the supernatural and the horrible is to our regular world. Once doors to that other realm have been pried open, they can very rarely be shut again. A truly unforgettable horror novel, and one that has all the makings of a modern classic, Neil Sharpson has become a must-buy author for me after reading this novel. I will be snuggling down under my blanket a little tighter tonight and maybe plugging in a nightlight after getting a glimpse of just what might be waiting for me in the shadows. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Tor Nightfire for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of "Knock Kock, Open Wide," in exchange for an unbiased review!

Atmospheric and immersive. This is a recommended first purchase for collections where horror is popular.

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As far as horror books go this one was further into the creepy territory than horrific. The slow dread of somethin coming was strong, and the ‘oh god really?’ was a solid factor in the later portion. As far as staying power though? I’m not so sure on it.

Knock, Knock, Open Wide has at it’s core the disappearance of a young girl and the kidnapping (years earlier) of a young woman. These two events are closely connected, horrifyingly so, and over the course of the book we find out why and how. It’s a story told over alternating time lines and view points and it moves quickly. Each section is broken into smaller sections which makes the whole thing fly by, so pacing in this is fantastic.

The characters themselves have a fantastic voice, and I genuinely liked the humor and the interaction between our characters. Truly the only failing in this novel for me is that I’m simply not sure on the staying power. Because the horror wasn’t as intense as I anticipated this one sits more solidly in the creepy area and those books eventually fade for me.

I do recommend this one, especially for fans of Irish Folklore and those books that have a slow creeping factor to the. The kids show that repeats through the story genuinely freaked me out - that part will stick with me.

4 out of 5 Black Boxes - I ain’t going in there.

This book was creepy at its best!! I need a movie however I am not sure cinema could do it justice. But I need to see this on the screen. If you are addicted to everything spine tingling creepy then this is the book to pick up!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed Knock Knock, Open Wide. I was pleasantly surprised that the general description of the book, is only one aspect of the story. Definitely a book to keep you up at night.