Kill Creek had such a smooth flow that kept my interest until the very last pages. Great premise from gathering well known horror writers at a haunted house for an over night interview, what could go wrong? Great debut from the author, and after reading Kill Creek he will definitely be in my radar.

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas is a horror novel.  It is his debut horror novel, and I really hope it is not his last.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Inkshares, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Four very different authors of horror are invited to spend Halloween Night at the haunted Finch House (Kill Creek House) to be interviewed for a web-based live talk show.  The interviewer is well-known for his unconventional techniques, but the $100,000 payout entices them all to take part.

Author Sam McGarver, often criticized for being too mainstream, is struggling with his next book.  TC Moore, who writes erotic and brutal horror, already has an idea for her next one.  Daniel Slaughter may be losing his publisher, as more of his Christian readers start wondering about the horror stories he is promoting to teenagers.  Sebastian Cole is a literary horror genius, but also way past his prime.   These four (along with the interviewer and his videographer) may spend only one night in Kill Creek House, but the house will leave a lasting impression.   This impression follows them home.   Their only escape may be to return.

Scott Thomas nailed this book.  Although I didn’t get into it immediately, when I did, I didn’t want to put it down.  I loved how he described horror from the perspectives of each author.  He gave the characters real depth, gradually filling in their back-stories.  He wove very different characters together until they became allies, friends, united in their quest, and then he made you doubt their survival, and their loyalties.  The House itself took on a bigger character than all others, and you felt its power.  His vivid descriptions left you doubting nothing.  You were there. 

Thomas is a really gifted writer.  He understands horror!

This is more than a haunted house tale.  This is a true horror novel.  Definitely recommend this book to all who like the genre.

If you think this will be a typical haunted house story you are completely wrong!Kill Creek will leave you wanting more.

"Rumors are its life, stories its breath. And when you have served its purpose, it will cast you aside. It will forget you."

"And then you, too, will be forgotten."


FINALLY! A horror novel that delivers! It's been a while since I've read such a gripping and satisfying horror novel. This is a debut novel for Scott Thomas, and it's no wonder it has taken him years to perfect. The writing is simply hypnotic. It has that slow tantalizing build up, but then it grips you ever so tight with gore and mayhem as you approach the end.

If you want to know what the novel is about, read the synopsis. I won't divulge much about the overall storyline/plot. But rather, I'm so blown away by Mr. Thomas' writing that I'd rather speak more about that. The character development was amazing. Each one of the authors were so different, and although Sam was the main character, the others didn't lack appeal. Their pain seems to be their driving force as authors, this is ultimately what connects them, while none of them realize it. Mr. Thomas does an excellent job at teasing the reader with what these characters have suffered through; providing us only with enough to understand their is pain from the past, but not entirely the full story. All is not revealed until absolutely necessary making it that more climatic.

The descriptive writing was fantastic, each setting was described in such detail that it made the novel that much more compelling. The similies that were used were so imaginative that it only entices the reader onward. For example:

"He gripped his left forearm, and the scarred flesh beneath his tattoos twisted awake like a reptile in the warm sun."

"The structure loomed over him, the peak of the triangular roof like a fang sinking into the purple clouds of the darkening sky."

"The trees blocked out any trace of the blue sky, their bushy limbs clasped over the road like the hands of a strangler."

"But their eyes were drawn to the beech tree, the hanging tree, whose twisted branches had been devoid of life last autumn. In the months since, it had experienced a disturbing resurgence. Vibrant strings of green leaves draped its body like living jewelry. Thick vines snaked up its gnarled trunk, wrapping tightly to its splitting bark, holding it together, keeping it whole. A few leaves fluttered free in the light breeze, but the rest stuck tight, the long strands of greenery swaying back and forth like pendulums counting down the seconds to their arrival."

What I think I found most interesting when reading the novel were all the hidden omens I seemed to have come across. At the time I would find myself highlighting lines in the novel, not knowing why, but simply that they stuck out to me, their words catching in my mind. Only later to reveal their true meaning. Now, I can't say for certain that it was Mr. Thomas' intention, but if not it's oddly coincidental and it makes his writing all the more extraordinary. There were several, but the two that stuck out for me are:

"The soul was a parasite."

"He's not coming out. We'll never see him again. He's crossed over into another place, a dark place, a world that devours you whole."

When you read the novel, see if you catch the connection as I did.

I want to thank NetGalley, Inkshares, and Scott Thomas for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review. Mr. Thomas, I look forward to your next novel, only, I hope it doesn't take 10 years to complete... I'm simply anxious for more.

This is a hard book to review because while reading some chapters i absolutely loved it but then others i struggled with and didn't feel that i connected with the characters at all. Overall it was okay but i think some parts could be smoothed out.

Kill Creek was the best book I've read this year. The book started off with a great synopsis. At first, I did find myself quite confused with what exactly was happening as this book did have several elements... as it should. The plot revolves around four authors who are persuaded into doing 'interviews' with a popular streaming website. Some agree to promote upcoming projects and others to resuscitate their careers. We later find out the interview would be taking place in a home that was once occupied by the Finch sisters. As the plot thickens and twists we realize that "haunted house" has morphed into something so much worse. My only regret is that the story ended.

Do you ever read books where the story completely reels you in and captivates you, but you also stop mid-paragraph and think, "Damn, that's good writing"? The entirety of this book was that experience for me, because the writing is so solid throughout. Instead of the author just saying, "It started raining," we get an entire paragraph devoted to the imagery of rain.

The writing is what initially captured me, even within those initial few sentences, but the story kept me wanting more. I lost sleep to finish this book. I put my homework on the backburner for this book. It haunted me whenever I stepped away from it, because I was always craving more of it. I will say that there are some tropes and cliches that were blindingly blatant (specifically the four authors, the haunted house, etc.), but all of the characters, including the house itself, were fleshed out, well developed, and honestly were somewhat believable. The plot took a different direction that I imagined it would, which was a nice change from a stereotypical haunted house novel. The ending was extremely action-packed, a bit on the gory side, and somewhat predictable, but that never stopped me from devouring it.

A Horror/Thriller Novel with a Difference

Scott Thomas' Kill Creek starts out like an ode to Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House, then makes a left turn to become a refreshing and original novel that has become one of my favourite horror novels of the year.

Thomas manages his plot and characters masterfully to become a knock out with an interesting cast of characters and an even more phenomenal plot that involves the reader from the start. This is a must for any reader of horror or thrillers and this is definitely a writer to look out for in the future.

The main premise of the novel is four famous horror authors who write in the different sub genres are invited to an interview by the number one web host in a house with a haunted and sinister past. The story then takes it's own sharp twists and turns to an ending that is explosive and interesting. It starts out as a standard haunted house story but it becomes its own unique addition to the ghost story.

Thomas takes his plot and makes it unique. At the moment, there is are plenty of new horror novels out there that really does not push the boundaries on structure or plot but Kill Creek really turns the genre into something exciting and worthwhile.

This is a real break out hit and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a great plotted novel with excellent characters, page turning action and deeply involving story. This is a sure fire winner.

Intense read. Had me uncomfortable at times. Terrifying. Would recommend to all my horror fan friends.

A ghost story that could’ve been much shorter. All in all, it was an okay read. Some parts were truly scary and gave me chills. Moreover, to follow main characters’ lives was interesting even in non-creepy parts (first 1/4 of the book). But closer to the end, either I felt a bit tired or the author, because I was struggling to keep myself interested in what was going on in the book and keep reading. Also, the final part looked a bit plain for such story.

I love haunted house books. This one takes the usual house with a tragic past and makes things a lot more interesting by bringing four horror writers together within its supposedly haunted walls. I've read an awful lot of horror novels over the years and loved seeing how each character interpreted the house's tricks, influenced by the style of horror they write. There are a few genuinely chilling moments and the whole thing is a fun read.

This was a very suiting book to be reading in November. The dark evenings, the rain and the wind making noises outside my window. And Kill Creek sending chills down my spine. Truly recommend it!

The set up was interesting and the scares decently well done, but I couldn't escape the intrusive(ly masculine) nature of the author's voice when he was describing his female characters.

I enjoy so much this reading. It's being a long time since I want a good horror story. You did this. thank you for that.

This is the only book I've ever read that gave me chills. Very well written. Messes with ones mind. I'd say if Stephen Kings books "It" and "The Shining" had a baby, it would be "Kill Creek". It was very reminiscent of both books. I give it a 4 star only because the end got quite ridiculous. A little to over the top for me. It's a good book.

This was really disappointing. Considering how long the book was spent with the characters, they were had very flat characterizations. The horror was a little overkill. But that could be because I like my horror with subtlety and others might like the horror events as subtle as a brick hammer. And then the book ended on a sequel hook which I found really annoying.
My star rating is based on that I found this a very entertaining book even though the horror and characters weren't compelling to me.

This book was about an old house with a tragic past that ends up being the setting for an impromptu meeting/interview for a bunch of horror writers.
Chills and thrills follow with a brutal pathway to the history of the house and what it seemingly wants.
I found this book a bit slow to start with but I'm glad I persevered even if the ending wasn't as satisfactory as I would've liked.
Blood and gore abound, supernatural terror and a decent storyline made for an entertaining plot and fairly interesting characters.
Worth a read

This is a fun book.

The house is extremely eerie. While any habitual horror reader will figure out exactly what the house is doing pretty early and easily, the book is creepy enough that you can't help but stay with it to see what happens.

But don't get me wrong, there are surprises in the book. Each of our characters deals with their own personal horrors as well, adding depth to the story.

While much of the book relies on good old fashioned suspense (and very well done suspense, at that), be prepared for some gruesome slice and dice later in the book.

A very well done tale and I want to read the author again!

*ARC Provided via Net Galley

Once-in-a-while you stumble upon a book which defies all expectations and hits the nail slap bang in the centre of the head, “Kill Creek” by Scott Thomas did exactly that for me. Ironically there is nothing at all original about this highly entertaining debut novel which does borrow many ideas from other books. However, it messes around the horror clichés so cleverly the result is an intoxicating read which I sped through in a few nights.

I only picked up the book in the first place because I saw Shane Keene’s name recommending it: "A slow-burn, skin-crawling haunted house novel that had me on the edge of my seat until the last page. This debut establishes Scott Thomas as a force to be reckoned with on the horror scene. "Few know horror as well as this dude and I am more than happy to follow his lead.

The publisher Inkshares operates with a crowdfunding model instead of agents and acquisition editors in deciding what to publish. Their community of readers can pre-order a book project on Inkshares.com, and if the project hits its funding limit, Inkshares brings the book to life by providing editorial services, design, production, national distribution, and marketing. If “Kill Creek” is a good example the quality of novel that comes out of Inkshares then I will be paying a very close interest to their future releases. Shane Keene also recommends this publisher highly, who also recently released “A God in the Shed” by J-F Dubeau which has picked up a lot of praise in the horror world, including Shane.

What of the “Kill Creek” plot then? Like I said, nothing new, but cleverly manipulated into a very clever haunted house novel. The prologue tells us this is a house with a dark past, and when two spinster sisters Rachel and Rebecca Finch purchased it in 1975 it already had developed a dark reputation stretching back to the days of slavery. Some years later Rachel invites Dr Adubel, a well-known paranormal expert to spend time in the house, he writes a book about his experiences and “Phantoms of the Prairie” becomes a bestseller. The house then shoots right to the top of the most haunted places in America lists.

Flip forward some years to the main part of the story, a popular internet supernatural TV host invites four very well-known horror writers to spend a night in the house. In some ways this is the oldest cliché in the horror book; spending a night in a haunted house! However, the author really spices it up, as what is to follow is a slow burner which builds wonderfully over the duration of the novel. In actual-fact, very little of the novel takes place in the house, but it casts a long and dangerous shadow.

Many of the most entertaining sequences derived from spotting traits, or at least guessing, which authors Scott Thomas might have based his four bestselling authors on? Maybe it was nobody at all, but I have a feeling it was bits and pieces from real authors ranging from Stephen King to RL Stine. All four were very well-defined characters with Sam McGarver probably the main character who suffers from writer’s block and currently teaches literature at college. We also have Sebastian Cole, seen as the grandfather of modern horror fiction, a very cool female author TC Moore who writes violent and sexually explicit fiction and Daniel Slaughter a prolific teen writer whose novels usually have a strong Christian message. Sam and TC are the biggest characters, but the plot is revealed from all four points of view.

Although “Kill Creek” does borrow from classics such as “The Haunting of Hill House” I really liked the way the author avoided stereotypical haunted stuff, there are no creaking staircases or branches clicking against tree windows, instead you have a paranoid and complex haunting story which is highly recommended. You’ll be rooting for Sam and TC in no time at all, right up to the terrific ending. Scott Thomas is a horror writer to watch out for.