TW for DV, CSA, SA, alcoholism, cutting

The Nightmare Man is a creepy, bloody story about nightmares come to life. If you're into a serial killer story, this has everything you're looking for in spades.

For me, this book was a bit of a mess. Genuinely creepy in some scenes, but enough, "Seriously?" moments that it took me out of the story.

It's funny, because when I went to search for this to review, I could NOT remember the title of this book. It's understandable problem if you've read it.

The Nightmare Man? The Scarecrow? The Screamer? Mr. Dreams? The Boogeyman? The Tooth Fairy? All are name dropped in this book (along with both the name of the person who embodies/is possessed by the bad guy AND the person who had the nightmares that gave birth to them.)

That's a lot of names, histories, timeline, and whereabouts to keep track of in a book. After awhile, it all started to feel like messy gobbledygook to me, (especially when "chainsaw man who likes to cut down trees" was introduced as a villain the 96% mark.)

It's funny because at one point a character actually says of this smallish town: "there seemed to be an overly high number of cases that not only registered as bizarre, but macabre enough to name." Yeah, no shit. Eventually the author does get around to explaining why Crooked Tree is serial killer central, (and it's a solid argument when it's revealed) but until, then it all strains credibility.

What bugs me is that there is a brilliant book INSIDE this one. I can almost see it and wish an editor had seen it too. The elements ARE scary. The mythology is solid. The characters are interesting (though sometimes their banter and actions defied logic so much it made me literally LOL). It had a solid paranormal element and some good old fashioned human evil characters.

I guess it bummed me out that I didn't love it. But I'm sure it'll push all the right buttons for someone else. Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a old-skool horror novel, like the ones you used to sneak out of the library as a kid in the 80's, then this is you go to book! It is very well written, has good character development but it is also a bit cheesy. The names of the characters for example got my eyes rolling: Detective Blue and Officer Black? Hmmm...

The story is a slightly more original take than what you would expect: a psychologist treats children with terrifying nightmares and he is very capable at his job. He also has erected an asylum on the grounds of his property, a grand and dark house at the outskirts of the woods atop a hill overlooking the city and the asylum. Do you get the heebie-jeebies yet? No, well then know that about every monster that lives in the still of the night is about to get real !

The whole book is carried by two main characters: rookie Detective Blue and her father Detective Mills. I enjoyed their banter and their complicated relationship in general, it worked really well. Also the third main character, the author named Bookman (yes, indeed!) is unlikable, but very interesting. The first half of the book is defined by the development of these characters, and I thought it was very well done. The second half is centered more about the plot development, and there is where it went a bit downwards for me. The author threaded a lot of different plotlines together and it got a bit murky because of that.

All in all it is well written, but I'm afraid I'm expecting more goosebumps when I read a horror novel.

We've got a new Horror King on the block!

Looking for a crazy horror story? You've found one! An excellent read for Stephen King/Dean Koontz lovers.

This debut book is a crazy ride that will bend your mind as you try to understand what's happening while the events unfold.

Markert did a fabulous job of keeping the reader in the dark until the very last minute! Loved the writing style, the tension he created within the story and the main characters, even with all their faults.

Walking the line between creepy and horror, The Nightmare Man does a great job of being less about gore and more about scary scenes that may get stuck in your brain to think about in the dark! That's my favorite kind of scary story!

I've always been a vivid dreamer and as a kid I had recurring nightmares that were really scary! So this story hit really hard... and I loved it!

Dreams, nightmares, legend, lore, bad people, monsters, unreliable narrators, old scary mansions, missing children, creepy scenes, high action, detectives with secrets - this one has it all!

Releasing in Jan of 2023 - I expect this to make a big splash in the Horror genre and am so excited to be here for Markert's launch into the publication world!

Thank you to @crookedlanebooks for this ARC. It was a fantastic, five star read! All opinions expressed are my own.

The Nightmare Man is thriller/horror tour de force that almost falls apart under the weight of its wild ambition.
There’s so much that’s just wonderful about this book about what happens when someone seems to be copying killings out of a horror authors books, and of course is not that simple. What unfolds is a journey into nightmares, family secrets, generational traumas and abuse, possession, the supernatural and so much more. J.H. Markert crams this story to overflowing with plot and characters and mostly handles it expertly until the last 100 pages or so when things start to feel like too much. Still it is a journey worth taking and I feel like it’s a book people will be talking about. I had an awesome time in this nightmare! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

What was I thinking? I mean, it's literally called The Nightmare Man. I should've known better than to stay up late reading this right before bed, but there I was, messing up my sleep for a week.

Essentially, this story takes the "you're not safe in your dreams" trope to the next level with lots of gore, terror, and horror — plus a dash of police thriller and a sprinkle of dysfunctional families for good measure. However you categorize it, The Nightmare Man is scary!

I could've used a little more answers for the "why" for all this craziness, but I really enjoyed the references to real-life nightmare art, music, and folklore to give this thing credence. When you bring nightmares into the real world and back them up with concrete evidence… *shudder!*

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Nightmare Man.

I love anything scary so I was excited when my request was approved.

Mills has been a detective in his small town for a long time, a small town plagued by gruesome and bizarre killers. When he arrives at the scene of a gruesome murder (and bodies begin piling up), he soon realizes the deaths are connected in some way to Ben Bookman, a horror novelist and the heir to an ancestral home with a frightening history.

First, what I liked; the origins of Blackwood and the Bookman legacy. the purpose of the books, and how they affected the town and community.

Now, what I didn't like: the Bookmans. Talk about one screwed up family, but then what family isn't?

Why are they so screwed up? Because of their ancestor?

I didn't like Ben Bookman, even though one of the narrative threads is from his POV.

His character is weak; things happen to him, but he doesn't take initiative. His daughter is far strong than he is, but maybe that's the point.

Detective Mills ends up being the dominate character and personality, not surprisingly considering how he's tied into the Bookmans' twisted family legacy.

There's some timeline hopping, offering readers insight into the past, and it wasn't confusing to follow.

I found the writing style decent, the writing okay, a bit choppy at times, though I'm not sure if that's due to the author or editor's fault.

The ending was messy; the inmates have escaped from Arkham, there are a few plot holes left dangling, and the author seems to hastily write up a tidy-ish ending for the key players, which felt unsatisfying.

Overall, I liked the premise of The Nightmare Man, but the writing lacked flow and some of the characters were not well developed.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Nightmare Man definitely had its creepy moments. I'll admit that I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. Okay, all of it. The entire mystery took me on a horrific rollercoaster ride. One, that would probably make me pee in my pants from all the screaming.

There's a lot of characters throughout the book. Of course, one might look a bit closer towards the detectives and the author. Yet, we have so many supporting characters that were quite interesting as well. I honestly had no idea who to trust and who to suspect. Throw in some demons, nightmares, and anything else made to distract me from the truth and I was hooked. Completely and unapologetically attached to this. I couldn't put it down until I got to the very end.

Other than that, some of the reveals grossed me our or made me cringe. It will depend on when it happens though and who it involves. Some made me sad too. Especially towards the end when so many things are happening and lots of death.

In the end, I'm so happy that I got the chance to jump into this thriller. Could totally see it becoming a movie and wouldn't be mad if we got another book with the nightmare man!

I think this book would be a perfect late summer/early autumn read. Markert creates an interesting 'villain' and the lore that is slowly built up around the murders kept me captivated. I felt that this work was effective as a modern imagining of folk-horror, where the creation of elemental monsters is not relegated to the distant past, but is an ongoing invention. I look forward to reading more from this author.

If you are in the mood for a spooky and suspenseful mystery, this one is for you!

Novelist Ben Bookman returns to his ancestral home and discovers a gruesome story, much like the fiction he writes, is unfolding there in real life. How could the killer possibly know how all these tales of horror play out before publication? Ben desperately wants to end this madness, clear his name, and help detectives find the true evil . . . but how is that possible when the evidence keeps pointing back at him?

Find out on January 10th, 2023

I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Nightmare Man for my unbiased evaluation. 4 stars

This was an intriguing concept and I was excited to dive into this story. I started and stopped, started and stopped again. Tried very hard to get into it and it just wasn’t for me. I loved the idea and am sure it will be fantastic read for some. I encourage all to give it a read if your a fan of this genre as it could be your fav.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.

Ben has just finished and released his latest book, he finished in one weekend that he can't really remember but he knows something good didn't come out it. Little does he know, that in the sleepy small town where his family home is; his book is slowly coming to life and not in a good. Ben writes horror novels and his books are the things of nightmares.

Detective Mills remembers Ben, but he doesn't know their worlds about to collide after he finds the Peterson family dead in the barn. Plus a little girl disappeared a week or so ago. Bad things are happening in New Haven. Mills knows his time is running out, but he hopes he can figure out what is going on before it is too late.

Ben's life begins to fall apart right after a tragedy occurs at his first book signing. Soon the police are looking at him because of the murders that are just like what happened in his book. Can Ben figure out the truth of his family's house and what happened the weekend he finished the book.

I will be honest I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I usually just read mysteries or thrillers and every now and then some other genre. I don't always like horror books, but this one was so good. The story was fresh and interesting and I was drawn in. I was also very excited with the way the book ended and the prospect that there might be more in this world. I don't recommend reading this late at night. It might just bring Nightmares.

THE NIGHTMARE MAN often feels like it is obviously paying homage to great stories and storytellers; I can see some liking that, but I found it distracting and a bit frustrating. However, there are some gritty and memorable scenes/visuals scattered throughout this book, as well as ideas. It's difficult to say why I didn't enjoy this novel more than I did--it brought to mind BOOK OF ACCIDENTS by Chuck Wendig. Like that title, I felt that the story would be one I'd better enjoy as a movie or TV show than I did as a book. The writing wasn't poor at all, but I couldn't latch onto the author's voice; it wasn't distinctive enough. As such, I had a tendency to lose interest and want to skim the pages. Again, some great ideas here and a lot of familiar ground in the horror community, but maybe not a groundbreaking novel to write home about. I could see myself giving this author another chance later, though, and that's a good sign.

Spoiler free:

The idea of real life starting to mirror an author’s horror stories had me excited to read this book! As an avid Stephen King fan, I can only imagine the possibilities (and terror) that would result from a storyline like this.

Ben Bookman (what a name) is the self-proclaimed Nightmare Man. Author of The Scarecrow and other horror novels, he’s a bit of a pretentious toolbag and acts like a petulant child when he can’t get his way. Local crime scenes are mirroring his newest novel perfectly so in steps Detective Winchester Mills (again, what a name) to investigate.
If you’ve read Mr. Mercedes, Detective Mills will feel like a familiar character.

This story hops along back & forth on the timeline, and has multiple POV. It’s not hard to follow along with the switches. It’s slow to start, but when the chaotic action does ramp up, it doesn’t let up until the start.

There were some discrepancies in the story that stuck out. I can’t say what they are without spoiling things, so I’ll just say they annoyed me. Do they take away from the story? I’m not sure. Maybe others won’t notice them but they stuck out for me.

The formatting of the book on the Kindle made it quite difficult to read. Everything was left-aligned, so dialogue at the end of one paragraph often butted up against dialogue that started the next paragraph, making it hard to follow. Having to re-read sections multiple times to figure out who was speaking really took away from the story for me. There were some other minor formatting issues, but hopefully everything is corrected before publication.

Rating: I would give this book a solid 4 for a good plot & fun premise. But I gotta give it a 3 (3.5 if NetGalley & Goodreads allowed half-star ratings) because the formatting made it difficult to read.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

All my book reviews can be found on:
Instagram - @rolandreviews
Goodreads - Katie&Roland

4 Stars!

I started The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert completely blind. I was unfamiliar with the author, but the story sounded interesting, and I felt compelled to give the book a try. I was hoping that the story would live up to the promise, and I was not disappointed.



Ben Bookman had always found writing to not just be his job but also his passion. He felt as if he did not so much as write his horror novels as much as he was a channel for them to be told. As the heir to Blackwood mansion, a home built by his grandfather who treated the insane and seemingly cured them by removing their dreams, he should be used to the odd. After all, his grandfather kept a room full of blank books that he was never able to talk about with anyone else. Ben always thought there was something different about his stories which brought him fame and money but never happiness. His worst fears were realized when his latest novel, The Scarecrow, was set to be published and the horrors of the novel started to be played out in real life. Maybe there was something more to his stories than simple imagination.



Ben becomes the prime suspect for the murders almost immediately and no one will believe his innocence. In fact, Ben has begun to question his own sanity. He knows he is not a murderer. He also knows that there is something strange, maybe supernatural, that is bringing his book to life. Ben finished the book over the course of a weekend that he cannot remember. He more than finished the book that weekend at Blackwood mansion. He wrote almost the entire thing. Or did he? Ben knows that he must delve into the secret of that weekend and the secret that has haunted his family for decades if he is going to stop the murders. Ben has been named The Nightmare Man by his fans and the media for his horror novels, but will he be up to the task when the horror escapes from the page and threatens him in real life?



The Nightmare Man drew me into the story quickly and Markert keeps it moving along at a brisk pace throughout. It is not a perfect story by any means, but it is entertaining and paced so that any flaws with the story are moved past quickly (if not glossed over completely). The novel moves at a breakneck pace through the first half of the story and the reader is kept gasping for breath with every new revelation and murder. There are so many subplots introduced that it can be a little difficult to keep them all straight at times. Markert is packing a lot into this novel and it comes across in a seemingly disorganized manner at the beginning. While the story had my attention, I was wondering how he was going to pull it all together in the end. I was caught up in the story but a little worried about where it was heading.



Markert is able to pull it all together in the second half of the novel and craft a compelling read that packs a punch at the end. The Nightmare Man is a strong work of horror that walks along the edge of extreme at times with its violence and sex but never crosses the line into gratuitous. Markert has a vision for the novel from the beginning and writes a thrilling novel from beginning to end. Mixing a family secret with the horror of nightmares come to life, The Nightmare Man is a novel that is sure to haunt the reader long after the final page (and maybe even take up residence in the reader’s dreams to turn them to nightmares). Originality can be difficult to find sometimes but Markert has a unique idea that he executes to near perfection. There are twists in the novel that are sure to surprise even the most jaded of genre fan. The Nightmare Man is a shocking novel with a plot that is actually a fresh idea rather than a fresh take on an old premise. I did not know what to think when I started the novel and it exceeded any expectations I could have held. This book is highly recommended for horror fans and for anyone who is looking for a thrilling read and who does not mind a little bit of blood splattered on the pages.



I would like to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this review copy. The Nightmare Man is scheduled to be released on January 10, 2023.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this I had such a harddddd time reading this I would start and stop and I always trying to finish books and pushed my way through this.

Some really interesting concepts that I would have liked to see fleshed out a little more. I enjoyed the read, and some of the reveals were well done, but it's not going to stick with me. I'd recommend it for someone looking for a little scare and a pretty easy read, but I won't be coming back to re-read it again and again.

Wow, this was good! Loved the old school horror reminiscent of Stephen king’s earlier work. From start to finish I was trapped in the story devouring the pages. Nightmares come to life. Cops trying to take those nightmares away. Lots of serial killers coming to life and causing small town havoc. Yes please. I will be seeking out more from J.H Markert because with story telling this great I can’t wait to read everything.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

Here's a book about nightmares in a way that's never been done before. It's reminiscent of The Nightmare on Elm Street with a modern crime thriller feel. Ben Bookman, a horror novelist, wrote his best book yet spending some time at his ancestor's ranch in a blacked out haze. Now, he wants to recreate the magic for the sequel. Meanwhile, Detective Mills is trying to solve murders that mirror what happened in Bookman's popular book. Ben is the prime suspect but he can't remember anything of what he did while writing.

My favorite part of this story is how so many threads fit together seamlessly. It's masterful how many mystery plots come together. Markert makes so many promises, and he delivers on every single one. I couldn't put this one down. It is an absolute must-read for people who want a dark mystery with a cosmic twist.

Wow. This story is like something straight out of a Stephen King novel. Immediately you are thrown into a hellish nightmare filled with corpses around every turn. Where dream turns to reality more than once.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Not one moment did it give pause or slow down. Back to back horror, death and deceit line the pages. With every chapter will you get closer to the killer(s) or be thrown into a nightmare of your own?