This was a quick, engaging middle grade book. I love scary stories with small, hidden towns cutoff from the real world. They always make for good scares and quirky characters.

The little town of Escrow made for the perfect creepy setting. I read through this book quickly. I really wanted to know what the heck was going on with the scarecrow. I think this book had just the right amount of silly scares for a young reader. I was left with several unanswered questions at the end, but I don’t think it takes away from the overall enjoyment of the story.

If you are a reader who enjoys middle grade scares or knows someone who does, I recommend you read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for providing me with a digital arc of this book!

It Watches in the Dark is a standalone horror/middle grade story, and Jeff Strand's debut in the genre. As it is intended for kids, this story has just the right amount of tension mixed with humor. It felt properly kid-ish, and the stakes felt high enough to propel the story forward.

I did find a few moments to be more weird than scary, which is not an element of horror I think most kids would appreciate. The telepathic, night walking scarecrow was a terrifying antagonist, but his story wasn't explored enough and his motivations were frankly confusing. It seemed he went back and forth often on what it was that he really wanted. The ending also fell a bit short for me. I thought the introduction of human-sized crows was a clever twist on the scarecrow story, but it didn't make sense why they left certain people alone. It's hard to say whether this was a stylistic choice, as the kids themselves had no clue what was happening, or if it was intentional. All in all, I enjoyed this story quite a bit. 3/5 stars.

This is a tricky book to review. The overall premise is a solid one and it's not something I've read before. However, the story itself felt a bit shallow at times and because of this, the tension didn't build as much as I'd have liked. A huge telepathic killer scarecrow could have been a proper scary baddie - and kids love being scared! - but it all felt like the book was written by someone who isn't used to writing for children or doesn't work with children of this age group and felt the need to 'kidify' everything. And the ending was a little...odd?

Not a bad book, but not one I would ultimately recommend.

Well written but overall felt weird more than horror. Wordy at times but then lacking at others. Hard to get into overall.

Jeff Strand's Y.A. horror novels have always been a favorite of mine. This is his first middle-grade novel and I think his particular style translates well to the age range. Very funny and spooky!

Jeff Strand does it again with this novel, it had everything that I enjoyed from the genre. It had a scary concept and thought it was a really well done children’s horror novel. The characters felt like they dealt with the supernatural elements. I enjoyed how good the plot was and it had everything that I wanted.

60/100 or 3.00 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a strange read, but not in the way you would expect. The dialogue wasn't good in the beginning. I know it was meant to try and unsettle the reader, but it wasn't done as well as I hoped. The second half's dialogue was better, but not great. (I'm not saying with what specifically wasn't working to avoid spoilers.) The ending was decent, which is why I am giving it three stars instead of two and a half.

Love anything Jeff Strand writes always quick reads and keeps you interested!!! Love his books!!!

This book was very good paced and a good spooky read !!!

As always, well written, twists and turns! Will continue to read books by this author as he never disappoints!

Thanks NetGalley fir letting me read and review

I was so excited that NetGalley let me read this ARC, because I'm already a huge fan of Jeff Strand and his comedy horror writing. This is a middle school book, and perfect for those budding horror fans.
The children are on the river with their dad when their boat capsizes and the dad hits his head and is unconscious. The children save him from the water and stop at the first likely looking place for help, where they end up dealing with some very irrational seeming townsfolk.
Throughout the book, the children have to be strong, brave and smart while confronting what may or may not be real danger. The action never lets up. What a fun ride!

Who said a book needs to be long to be good? No one. That's who!

This book was a quick read and it pulled me in from the first couple of pages. It had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. I really enjoyed it. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The ending had me wanting more.

This book was seriously amazing. I'd rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I'm going to be looking into other books the author has written. Very well done!

This was a fun, little spooky book! I really thought the pacing was great and I had a good time reading it.

This is a wonderfully horrid little book. Just as the gruesome cover promises, Jeff Strand's foray into middle grade is packed with chills, thrills, and - duh - the worst scarecrow you'll ever encounter. IT WATCHES IN THE DARK begins with a harrowing canoeing accident .... and the tension never lessens from there.

A fever dream of fear, I loved how vividly Strand conjured the unsettling atmosphere around Escrew. At times, the scenes did feel quite disjointed ("and THIS happened and THIS happened") and it seemed as though the plot wasn't always thick enough to hold the concept. The magic (?)/worldbuilding was similarly vague, and I wondered if there were lost opportunities to explore more of the scarecrow lore (especially given what happens in the end!).

Overall, though, a fun and pacey horror that is perfect for Goosebumps fans! I read this around Halloween, and it's not one I'll forget anytime soon.

Thank you, Jeff Strand and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

This was definitely an interesting read. I couldn't put it down for a minute. Every chapter was full of suspense or something eerie. You were worried about what was going to happen to the main characters and if their father was safe. It was just Wow! This is the first YA horror written by this author, and all I have to say are good things. It's fast-paced and definitely a keeper, in my opinion. It steadily got stranger and the suspense just amazing.

A book about a town that has no modern technology has no contact with the modern world, and they worship a scarecrow. The scarecrow keeps them safe and protected, but from what exactly and is it all that nice? Read and find out. Is this town as nice and grand as it seems? Read and find out. Will the main characters get out and save their father? Read and find out.

This book I just enjoyed it immensely. It earned every star I'm giving it and hope to read more in the future from this author similar to this. You don't have to worry about gore, so if any of the above interests you read it!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

I really enjoyed ‘it watches in the Dark’ I would highly recommend it and I will definitely be looking for more of Jeff Stands adult horror books.

Rating 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jeff Strand is famous for his funny horror, out possibly his terrifying comedy. “It Watches in the Dark” is his first middle grade book, and while it’s not as madcap hilarious or as gory-filled s his adult work, it’s still definitely his style.

Protagonists in a bad situation and over their heads? Check. Bad guys explaining in perfectly reasonable tones why the horrific events had to happen? Check. Giant scarecrow? Ok, that’s new.

Oliver and Trisha are camping with their father when an accident in some rapids leaves them lost and trying to find help for their injured dad. They find it in a small and creepy town, where the townspeople worship a giant scarecrow in the town square. Which is fine, if bizarre. Until the scarecrow starts to talk to them, and tells them to do things…

There is violence, and danger, and mental invasion, and scary things, and one scene of threatened physical torture. But no “onscreen” death, no real blood, no gore, no adult language. Just really, really creepy.

Thanks to NETGALLEY for an advance copy.