“You have trespassed into deep places, and the only way out is deeper still.”

This was a hell of a creepy read. Of course, it's to be expected by a book called The Twisted Ones. I immediately conjured thoughts of Uzumaki by Junji Ito in my mind and to be fair, I wasn't far off. If I had to compare this book to anything it would be a mashup of Uzumaki and The Blair Witch Project. Creepy woods? Check. Haunted ass effigies? Double check. Body morphing on its own into a caricature of undeniable horror???

Baby, triple check.

Mouse has traversed into the woods to try to salvage and perhaps sell her dead grandmother's house. Don't mourn for dearly departed grandmother though, death has not changed Mouse's stance or relationship with her. The woman was awful, evil even. Nobody is shocked or even saddened by her passing. Armed only with her laptop, cell phone, and beloved dog Bongo (!!! sweet baby boy), Mouse is ready to clean out her grandmother's house and make rights with her own debts. Only...fuck, dead evil grandma is a hoarder and this is going to take a lot much more work and time than she bargained for. Oh and there are weird evil half skeleton, half animal creatures out there visiting Mouse in the dead of night, EVERY night. And if that's not creepy enough for you, Mouse chances upon her dead grandfather's diary and manuscript which describe a series of entities called The Twisting Ones. Mouse first puts it down to old age and senility but we should know by now that not everything is what it seems to be. The forest is dangerous and The Twisted Ones are out there. Between the hoarding, strange rocks that force you to obey their will, and demonic effigies, Mouse is not in for a happy trip to grandmother's house in the slightest.

This book was great. It's spooky, well written, atmospheric. The plot is original and cohesive and I've seen it being described as Fairy Folk Horror which is perfect and aptly suited. My only gripe is that the manuscript that Mouse reads (books within books aha) is very confusing and kind of long winded. I don't feel as though I took much from it and in the end all of it wasn't necessary.

The characters, ALL OF THEM, are fantastic. Mouse is a snarky, kick ass, witty young woman and reading her inner and outer thoughts were great. I found myself laughing out loud in many places and related to her in a way I haven't with a character in a long time. Bongo <3 is the best. Mouse's neighbors are all well written and so lifelike. I love it. Even Mouse's evil ass granny who we never encounter because she's dead as fuck, is presented flawlessly. I could feel her evil seeping through the pages.

I love horror. I love being scared. It thrills me and this is probably one of the scariest books I have read all year. Just the thought of an upside down deer skull leering at me in my window at night makes me shiver. The stone scene is still stuck in my mind. This is truly a breathtaking example of horror, subtle but wrenching.

Thanks very much to Gallery/Saga Press and Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Sticks and stones, sticks and stones, sticks and stones and talking bones...

3.5 Stars

“It’s a bit awkward figuring out how to sleep when there might be monsters outside. Do you sleep? Do you stay up all night and risk seeing them? Do you turn the lights on to scare it away or turn the lights off so that it thinks no one’s home?”

After the passing of her grandmother, Mouse has been set with the task of cleaning out her house. Set in the woods of rural North Carolina, Mouse is shocked to discover her not so well liked grandmother was secretly a hoarder. Boxes of rubbish and all sorts of nonsense is stacked floor to ceiling. Rolling up her sleeves, Mouse begins the process of disbanding years of clutter with no help except for her faithful coonhound, Bongo. But while sorting through the soon to be landfill fodder, Mouse uncovers her late step-grandfather’s journal, and within the pages is the rambling of a terrified man that had to live with a shrew for a wife, as well as hiding from what he referred to as “the twisted ones”. With each new day, Mouse begins to discover that perhaps her grandfather’s journal weren’t thoughts randomly written from a man suffering from dementia, but those of a man who had lived in genuine fear of his life…and when the scratches on the window pane and the knocking and clicking noises from the woods come closer and closer, Mouse begins to fear that she too may start to twist herself about like the twisted ones and lay down flat on the ground like the dead ones…

The Twisted Ones is an entertaining read that rambles about like an old ghost story told around a campfire. Enjoyed and would recommend to readers that appreciate tales of horror/fantasy with a back-story of folklore.


**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

“Tomas’s grandma was, it was almost certain, a better person than my grandma. Mine had been wicked enough that even devils would stay clear of her.”

I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at Saga Press. Trigger warnings: death, animal death, gore, blood, violence, rape (implied), abduction, guns, fires.

When Mouse agrees to clean out her dead grandmother’s house in rural North Carolina, she has no idea how bad it is. Her grandmother was a borderline hoarder, and the house will take weeks to clear out on her own, with no internet, a sketchy cell phone signal, and no close neighbors other than a nearby hippie commune. She stumbles on the diary of her step-grandfather, Cotgrave, who, by the end of his life, had descended into paranoia and dementia. He’s convinced that the woods are haunted by creepy beings called the twisted ones. When Mouse discovers a hill that couldn’t possibly exist covered in unsettling rock carvings, she fears he may have been right.

This is a solid horror novel with Wicker Man vibes, but with better plotting and a main character you can actually pull for. (I’m not a fan of The Wicker Man, so take that with whatever grain of salt necessary. “It was a cult!” is my least favorite plot twist after “It was aliens!”) Mouse is fairly average, and that’s what I like about her. She reacts realistically to pretty much every horrifying situation, and most of the time it’s luck more than cleverness that saves her life. Her eye for editing is also a fun detail, and her devotion to her dog, Bongo, is probably her defining feature. Bongo is the second most well-developed character, and I learned more about coonhounds than I ever could have imagined. It’s a little too much sometimes, but I was just complaining in my review of Violet that women in horror novels don’t have enough protective instincts for their children. If they had half the protectiveness for their kids that Mouse has for her dog, they’d be in good shape. I approve. I also enjoyed Foxy, the aging, sassy hippie.

The writing leaves something to be desired. It’s consistent with Mouse’s first-person perspective, but it’s a little more casual than I like in my novels. There’s too much of her inner thought process, which is scattered and full of questions and hindsight reflections, and not enough narrative. That’s more personal preference than anything though, and it has the benefit of putting us completely inside her head. The pace is overall good, and the only time it lags a bit is in the middle when Mouse is reading her grandfather’s manuscript. It doesn’t add a lot to the plot that couldn’t have been better streamlined and summarized, but the author’s note adds some interesting insight into why it’s included.

The best part of this book, of course, is that it’s genuinely creepy. The first half effectively builds atmosphere with the discovery of the rocks, but it’s really the stick and animal monsters that steal the show. (Major Here There Are Monsters vibes, if that’s your thing.) Kingfisher has a knack for capturing the uncanniness of her creatures and, for once, that doesn’t fade the more we see of them. 10/10 would not want to see one outside my window at night. As always, I find the answers to questions less interesting than the questions themselves, so the ending doesn’t quite live up to the suspense. It’s somehow just …less than I expected. However, I appreciate that Kingfisher resists falsely invoking Native American mythology to explain her horrors. It’s one of the more creepy and original horror novels I’ve read lately, recommended for people who are bored with the usual slash/hack thrillers or the typical vampire/zombie/werewolf/etc paranormal horror. It’s different; I’ve never read anything else quite like it.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

3.5 rounded up for great characters

This wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I request so many titles from NetGalley, mostly thrillers, and sometimes I forget the premise, other times maybe I didn’t look closely enough to begin with...

I remember thinking before I started this that I was in for a treat of twisted psycho commune hippies in the woods. Yeah, this wasn’t that. This is really science fiction, fairy tale territory. Some reviewers are saying it was terrifying. It was creepy and suspenseful at times but it didn’t really scare me.

The writing is excellent. I loved the characters. One reviewer said the voice of the characters was too flippant and it took away from the story but I felt exactly the opposite. Mouse, Foxy and even Bongo were excellent characters. Their humor and dialogue (even when Mouse talked to herself which happens a lot) were the things that kept me turning the pages.

If science fiction is your thing then I wholeheartedly recommend this one. The setting that is created in these pages is so rich and surreal. I was highly entertained and will check out other titles from this author. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Saga Press for a copy in exchange for a review.

What an unexpected thrill ride. I mean, I was hoping for a thriller with an original concept, but boy did this one knock those hopes into the dirt. An incredible ride that doesn't let up!

How can I put this simply? I freaking loved THE TWISTED ONES!

It's a horror novel that crosses the line into dark fantasy and has much needed comic relief in places to reduce tension. And unlike some authors, the humor isn't stupid or juvenile.

The writing was flowed seamlessly with strong character development. I loved where the author led me (by the nose) and where I ended up (right where she wanted me).

If you're looking for something new and different to read, stop right now and buy THE TWISTED ONES. They don't get any better than this.  It's coming this fall from Saga Press.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Twisted Ones.

The Twisted Ones is a folk horror novel set in backwoods North Carolina. I could not get enough of Mouse's personality! I loved this caffeine addicted, dog-loving, strong-willed protagonist!
Mouse receives the news that her grandmother has passed and she is needed to lend a favor to her father to help clean out the house so they can figure out their next move. Turns out her grandmother was a hoarder and it is a rather daunting task, especially since the woods behind her grandmother's house are haunted! There are deep-rooted horrors that reside in the forest with a long history tied to them.

I had a lot of fun reading this novel, however it did not scare me like I was hoping. I definitely think it will be eerie and spooky for others but it just didn't do it for me in that regards. HOWEVER, this was a very original work and I can see it placed on Top Horror 2019 shelves this year. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Mouse and her dog Bongo, being a dog lover myself! The lore and creature creation were very well done and very creepy. This book is for dog lovers, creature horror fans, folk horror fans, strong female protagonist fans, and for people who genuinely want to have a fun-filled spook fest. This book will be perfect for Halloween when it hits shelves in October and I will definitely be recommending it to friends and customers!

4 spooky stars. I really enjoyed this one!

Then I made faces like the faces on the rocks, and I twisted myself about like the twisted ones, and I lay down flat on the ground like the dead ones...

This is a retelling--or rather, a sequel--to Arthur Machen's 1904 short story, The White People. (You don't need to know anything about the original story to enjoy this novel, though. I hadn't read it when I read this novel--though I did go back and read it later.) The book alternates between dark fantasy, horror, and weird fiction, with some family drama and comedy thrown in for good measure.

What I didn't like about The Twisted Ones: 1st person narration. (Just a personal choice.)
What I liked about The Twisted Ones: Everything else. Great writing. Good pacing. Funny in parts, scary in parts. Great characters (I love you Foxy!). A really creepy monster.

A simple summary would be that Mouse goes to clean out her deceased grandmother's house, there are some spooky occult happenings, and she ends up crossing over into another world (fairyland, possibly). There are a lot of dark, mysterious powers at work, as well as a lot of family history, that come together in a suspenseful way. Recommended for horror and fantasy fans.

I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!

The Twisted Ones is a great creepy book that I could not put down. There are interesting characters and the plot is interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing house for allowing me an electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. I would say 4/5. Maybe slightly higher.
I loved the main character. And her goofy dog. I could identify with her easily and enjoyed her wit and sarcasm throughout. I liked the fairy tale quality of the story. She needs an escape from the city so she helps her dad by cleaning out her mean-ass, now-deceased grandmother's cluttered, hoarded house. And then she finds a diary from her step grandfather. And then something starts tapping on windows and doors. There's some likable neighbors who help across the street which used to be a hippie commune. The last half or so of the book is filled with some magical aspects and some possibly paranormal happenings. But even when things are extremely tense and serious the characters are amusing and made me laugh even though serious trouble was brewing. I'm very happy I read this book.

Mouse's father asks her to clean out her deceased hoarder grandmother's house and discovers her grandfather's journal, filled with creepy notes about things in the woods. I'm not usually a fan of "horror" but I really enjoyed the writing style of this one and it was an unusual plot, for me. I didn't really think it was scary, but it was weird. I'd probably read something more by this author. Four stars.

A creepy book that made me want to stay up with the lights one! I appreciate the way the author wrote this one because it did indeed feel very scary while I was reading it. That to me is huge because it frankly takes a lot to scare me. I guess I have been desensitized to horror with all the movies I have watched and the books I have read! Anyway, this is a creepy book and I think all horror fans will love it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

I am still unsure of how I feel about the book. Mouse goes to NC to clean out her hoarder grandmother's house after her death and discovers that something evil lurks in the woods behind the house. I loved the characters of Mouse and Foxy, and Bongo the dog. Their snark and general wit kept me afloat at times.

The writing is good. I liked the characters. I just,...maybe this just wasn't the right book for me? I don't usually read this genre. It's hard to rate a book that you're not really sure about. I would definitely read more by this author, and even read this book again, but I probably wouldn't purchase it. With that said, it's definitely worth a read!

A creepy, thrilling horror novel with a fun main character and a lovable goofball of a dog.

Horror is not usually my thing, but I am such a huge fan of anything and everything T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon) writes, that I was willing to go along with the horror and try this one out. I'm glad I checked this out, although I have to say I need to read something light and fluffy and not scary at all after this book.

Our heroine in this novel is Mouse who's trying to help out her elderly father by cleaning out her grandmother's old house after the grandmother dies. Unfortunately for Mouse, grandma was a hoarder, and uncanny things inhabit the woods behind the house. And now they've taken an interest in Mouse...

I saw someone compare this book to a frog getting boiled in a pot--the idea being that you turn the heat up so gradually the frog doesn't even realize it's being cooked. It's a great analogy for Mouse's predicament and a great description of what it's like reading this book. At first things are just unsettling, then creepy, then horrifying, and finally you find yourself jumping out of your skin when you're reading on your phone and the ringer goes off. (Ask me how I know?) The pacing of this is fast, and it's like all the most creepy parts of Kingfisher's other books dialed up to 11. But it also has her trademark sense of humor, and the dog in the book really is a sweetheart. If you enjoy horror I think you'll find this a thrilling read. If you're a scaredy cat like me who loves Kingfisher's stuff I think it's worth checking the book out--just don't read it alone in the dark.

Whoa ho ho. A creepy book. It had me looking over my shoulder. Nice read and I did a new speed read to finish.

Thanks, NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a great, mysterious tale. The book pays homage to Arthur Machen's short story The White People. It was definitely a page turner. A lot of humor in this one. The main character's personality I adored. Definitely recommend.

Full review to come. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Twisted Ones is going to end up on a lot of “Best Horror Books of 2019” lists, and deservedly so. It’s definitely one of the most entertaining horror novels of the year, which is due in large part to Kingfisher’s brilliant blend of humor and horror.

I loved the characters, especially Foxy, the happy goth, and the dog, Bongo. The main character, Mouse, is also someone you can root for, even if she doesn’t always make the best decisions.

Making Mouse an editor gave this book a nice extra dimension that writers, editors, and grammar lovers can enjoy. It was also impressive to see how well Kingfisher handled introducing a book within a book within a book. One of these books contains much of the text from an actual found horror manuscript from the early 1900s, but I won’t spoil the surprise about which one. The author’s note at the back reveals more, if you find yourself wondering.

The publisher has dubbed this a mix between The Blair Witch Project and The Andy Griffith Show, but that doesn’t really give readers a true impression of what’s to come. For example, the Twisted Ones is so much better than the Blair Witch. It’s much more like The Ritual with hints of The Wizard of Oz and Rosemary’s Baby sprinkled in.

As to the humor, it’s (thankfully) not nearly as folksy as The Andy Griffith Show. There’s not a lot of profanity in the book, but the witty, often sarcastic humor is definitely more modern and salty than Mayberry. The first thing the pace and humor brought to mind was the Alexa Bentley Paranormal Mysteries.

There’s a lot of poignant commentary woven into this comedic horror novel, which brought to mind The Handmaid’s Tale and the story of the Virgin Mary. At the same time, those who are upset about horror being filled with political and social commentary will likely be relieved that Kingfisher’s references to these topics are used sparingly.

Overall, this was an immensely enjoyable read. Some may initially find the ending to be a bit underwhelming, but the more I think about it, the more perfect it becomes.

In the backwoods of North Carolina stood the house of Melissa's estranged dead grandmother. Melissa aka Mouse, with her Redbone Coonhound "Bongo" in tow, arrived in her pick-up truck to clean out the house as per her father's request. Grandma,"a nasty piece of work" who was "mean as a snake" was a hoarder. The house was a virtual firetrap: storage bins piled "knee high", newspapers "piled in neatly tied stacks", and "a room of dolls, dead dolls with hyper-realistic faces peeking out from behind boxes." "One [box] was full of papers... [Mouse] riffled it briefly but no stock certificates fell out. Well, a woman can dream."

Frederick Cotgrave, deceased as well, had been married to grandma but occupied his own "nearly empty" room in stark contrast to her hoarding ways. A small black journal on his nightstand piqued Mouse's interest. The writings were bizarre. "Too dangerous to sleep in the woods anymore. They've got my scent now...I made faces like the faces on the rocks...". In Mouse's words,"If Bongo had been scared of the house, I might have left...Bongo thought the place was grand. There were things to sniff." Wrong! Strange occurrences started to mirror Cotgrave's musings.

Creepy, harrowing secrets from long ago start to slowly surface. Mouse counted on Bongo for comfort. She befriended Foxy, a tall hippyish woman, who wore a "riot of mismatched color...somehow all pulled together." Ageless Foxy lived on a nearby commune. Tomas, Foxy's housemate, told Mouse to be careful of "things in the woods around here."

Writing under the pen name T. Kingfisher, Hugo Award winner Ursula Vernon delivers a frightening, creepy horror novel. "The Twisted Ones" additionally portrays the loving bond between Mouse and her dog "Bongo" and their dependence upon each other to quiet their fears. How will this chilling, roller coaster of fear, anticipation and emotion conclude? An engrossing, nail-biting tome I highly recommend.

Thank you Gallery/Saga Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Twisted Ones".

I gobbled this up in about 24 hours! My expectations were set by the dark and creepy cover, so I was surprised when a lot of the book was almost... lighthearted? Don't get me wrong; this is definitely horror, and it goes deliciously weird in the end. But for much of the book the low-key snark of the narrator keeps the tone lighter and less oppressive than I would have anticipated. Overall, though, I found that the book was super engaging and had a great pay-off!