Member Reviews
With twists and turns coming up every chapter, Who Haunts You by Mark Wheaton is sure to keep readers guessing until the very last moment! Going into this book, I expected a good spooky ghost story. What I found was so much more! I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers that are sure to give you goosebumps! This book was received via NetGalley.
Surprisingly good read!! I went in with no expectations but this thriller gave me similar vibes to other murder mysteries that i’ve really liked and that made me enjoy it even more!
The characterization of Bex was really well done and I appreciate the spookiness of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mark Wheaton for the ARC.
Disclaimer: The acceptance of this ARC did in no way affect my rating.
The title and cover are what grabbed my attention for this book, and I wasn’t disappointed! I liked how Bex, the main character, gave representation to the neurodiverse, since they are underreported in fiction. But I felt like the fact that she was neurodivergent was mentioned a few too many times
There was a decent mix of mystery and supernatural themes, which made this a great read for Halloween.
Thank you Netgalley and Mark Wheaton for the audiobook!!! I listened to this for Halloween and it was very fitting!! Some creepiness to it ant it just had me wondering what was going on!!! I love a good psychological with a supernatural twist!!! Highly recommend!!!
This book made me feel like I was going crazy... So in other words, it was fabulous! It blew my expectations out of the water!
"Who Haunts You" is a creepy horror/mystery story about an Autistic high school student who starts to see patterns in the sudden deaths of her classmates. I started listening to the book based on the title and cover, so how the story unfolded and exactly what it was about was a mystery to me going in. I really enjoyed it and thought it had a nice balance of supernatural and mystery. Following Rebecca's perspective was unique and interesting. The story was incredibly fast-paced, and I finished it in one sitting. I would recommend this book and read more from this author.
This was a quick listen for me, I was able to get through it in a few sittings while working.
Bex was a relatable character. More relatable than most YA characters in books. Most are beyond naive and annoying. It’s why I have trouble with YA books.
It wasn’t exactly scary or twisty, but it was a decent story for around Halloween time.
All in all, I’d recommend the quick listen.
I quite enjoyed this and was pleasantly surprised to have finished it as quickly as I did.
The protagonist, Bex, is a likeable character. I appreciated her uniqueness, complexity, and the representation of neurodiversity - though I cannot completely speak to how accurate it is. Bex navigates the horrors within this story with grace and urgency.
I listened to the audiobook and furiously flipped through the e-book simultaneously and, before I knew it, we had reached the end! Truly, I could've done with a few more chapters to extend and flesh-out the ending. Annalee Scott was a fine narrator. However, as somebody who is easily squeamish, I found the whispered sections of dialogue difficult to get through. But overall, Who Haunts You is a good option for young adults or those looking to dabble into the thriller category!
Thank you to NetGalley and Off Limits Press for the ALC/ARC copy. All opinions are my own!
I had a difficult time rating this book a four as I genuinely loved reading it but I felt there were some serious plot holes. I will start with the things I enjoyed!
In the past I have found books written from a teens perspective to be insufferable and annoying but not here! Rebecca is a truly lovable character with her weird quirks and compulsions. I was hooked from the very beginning due to her intoxicating inner dialogue. I commend the author for writing a flawed yet relatable character that the reader wants to befriend. I also found the general plot incredibly enticing, teens from the same high school, all with high class ranks, being murdered one after the other in totally different ways. I think this book truly has all the bones to be amazing.
The reason I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars is because of the ending. I still have no idea how this story all tied together even after the "killer" was revealed. I am not sure whether this is a paranormal story or not. I think either route, a paranormal entity taking out teenagers or an actual flesh and blood killer, could have worked but I believe it's supposed to be both? I found the ending confusing, and I was left with many unanswered questions.
This author has an amazing ability to write enjoyable characters, keep the cadence of the story moving and keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I would definitely read another book by this author!
this was definitely a good book! the twists and turns were well written and so were the characters. however , the constant reminder of the main character being autistic and how it was portrayed felt a bit pushed
This a gripping YA paranormal mystery that seamlessly weaves suspense into the multiple and sudden teenage deaths in a community. Bex, with her unique perspective as a character on the autism spectrum, adds a fascinating psychological twist to the story. The book is a captivating exploration of the supernatural and the mind.
Annalee Scott's narration adds an extra layer of depth to the story. She skillfully captures the suspense and mystery, but what stands out is her portrayal of the ghost's voice, which is genuinely chilling.
The ending felt like there may be a sequel to the story and I sure hope so because I need to know what Bex will do next.
A very special thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ALC.
If you’re looking for a spooky audiobook to binge within a day, "Who Haunts You" is a great choice, skillfully navigating the line between a YA murder mystery, supernatural ghost story, and a psychological thriller.
For the most part, this book had me absolutely captivated. But, as the story approached the 80% mark, things took an unexpected turn for the worse, and I found myself a tad lost and somewhat unsatisfied.
To be fair, the story wrapped rather realistically, with a harsh reminder that justice isn't always served, and neurodivergent individuals often fall victim to the system. However, I still couldn't help but wish for a more gripping and satisfying conclusion.
*2.5 rounded up to 3 for Goodreads system*
Thank you to NetGalley and Mark Wheaton for my audiobook arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
"Who Haunts You" sounds so good on paper. Teens in a high school begin dying in seemingly unrelated accidents until main character, Rebecca "Bex" Koeltl discovers connections between the deaths including the fact that all of dead teens believed they were being haunted by dead relatives that their own families swear had never existed. Things take a turn when Bex is visited by her own ghostie...
One thing that I think this book has got going for it is the characterization of Bex. Bex is neurodivergent, awkward, lonely, and man does she hyper fixate. I enjoyed Bex as a character and found her incredibly relatable and realistic. More and more teens today would relate to her just based on how socially anxious she is. That said, although I enjoyed her as a character, her perspective was kind of exhausting for me to listen to. And this may honestly be me not being neurodivergent and also being in my 30s. There were just so many moments that I found the way Bex would respond to a situation just annoying or foolish.
The story itself was interesting but not so interesting that I was super invested. I mean, it took me a LONG time to feel even a bit invested and that happened around the 70-80% mark which for me, is way too long for a book to grab my interest.
Overall, I probably wouldn't read this again or really recommend it. It wasn't awful but it wasn't amazing, you know? For me, it's just there.
Neurodivergent Rebecca "Bex" Koeltl knows that she is a work in progress. She feels like a burden to her mother and sister (not her father though--he left to start a new family ages ago and hasn't been in touch since), a loner in high school (she used to have friends, but not really anymore), and also the only one who can solve the mystery of what's happening to fellow high school seniors at Claremont. As more turn up dead, Bex discovers an alarming connection: the dead teenagers were haunted by relatives who never existed. Soon, Bex starts seeing apparitions of her dead great-aunt Holly, who never lived, couldn't have lived, but who everyone in Bex's life insists lived and died tragically young. As Bex races against time and Holly, she tries to unravel the true source of these hauntings before she is the next to die.
Filled with eerie to startling haunting moments, authentic neurodivergent representation, and a twisted mystery, Who Haunts You is an engrossing read.
WOW! Just wow!
Even though this was only 170 pages, it packed a punch! It was a captivating story from beginning to end! Also, the narrator did an amazing job! The whole creepy voice gave me chills!
I highly recommend to those looking for a quick YA horror read.
*** Thank you to NetGalley and Mark Wheaton for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
Okay.. I usually don't read young adult but I have read quit a bit young adult and I have found some pretty good books with good story plots.
I am amazed how this one was just so woke. I don't understand why the book and characters have to have a disorder. And if you don't like it or believe it then you can pretty much just mind your own business. That is what the main character said to the audience reading the book.
I don't want to read a book about those the main character feels because she has everything under the sun wrong with her. From ADHD to autism, sick anxiety etc and she is just a teenager! Just made me roll my eyes. Start the plot already!
This was really well paced. The angle of writing from the Autistic main character was very good and gave the story a better view point.
A young adult horror with ghosts and an autistic fmc? Yes please.
Many movies, TV shows, and books have been praised for their “great autistic rep” when time and time again it’s just another white teenage boy whom they infantilise. Bex, on the other hand, is a fully-formed character (for once).
Because the book is so short, there wasn’t really time to delve fully into her personality, but I still think she was written very well.
There was a moment at the beginning of the book where I was worried she was going to be written as a *quirky* girl, but my fears were quickly put to rest.
It did take me a little while to get invested in the story, but once I was in it I couldn’t stop listening.
I do wish that the ending of the book had been a bit longer to answer some more questions.
Although this book is YA and geared towards a younger audience, I do think that anyone could enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun, thought-provoking and fast-paced psychological horror. The neurodivergent protagonist was a delight and the narrator was so creepy!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
What a creepy little book! I must say, if you choose to read this book, definitely go the audiobook route. The narrator did a fantastic job making the story feel extra spooky. The ghost whispers… oh my goodness!