"Something I Keep Upstairs" is a haunting exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the darkness lurking just beyond our understanding. It will keep you on edge until the final chilling page.

I was intrigued by this book as it looked like something I would enjoy reading. It started off slow but there are lots of twists and turns in it to keep you reading. While not one of my favourite books it was a very good read and one I would say put this in your 'to read' pile of books for this year. I gave 4 stars as there were a few spelling mistakes and wrong words used in the copy I received off netgalley but still enjoyed all the same. Well worth a read if you get chance!

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker is an eerie and suspenseful thriller that delivers plenty of tension, even if it doesn’t fully capitalise on its chilling premise. The story follows a protagonist haunted—literally or figuratively—by something lurking just out of sight, blending psychological horror with Barker’s signature fast-paced storytelling.

The novel excels in atmosphere, with Barker crafting a creeping sense of dread that keeps you turning the pages. The protagonist’s descent into fear and uncertainty is compelling, and the mystery at the heart of the book unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing. However, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, and a few key moments lean more on familiar horror tropes rather than breaking new ground.

While the tension is well-sustained, the final act feels slightly rushed, with an ending that leaves more questions than answers. That said, Barker’s sharp prose and knack for unsettling storytelling make this a gripping read. Something I Keep Upstairs may not be his strongest work, but it’s still an entertaining and atmospheric thriller. A solid 3.5 stars—great for fans of slow-burning psychological horror with a sinister edge.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC!!

While this started off slow, once it picked up I simply could not put it down!! It was very creepy and twisty!!! Had me locking the doors and keeping the lights on creepy!!
Absolutely recommend if you enjoy creepy and eerie reads!!

Okay, this book was amazing! It got off to a bit of a slow start, but it picked up right away and I could not put it down. When I got to the last 25%, I was up from 1am-3am just so I could finish it.

This story is so dark and twisted. When Billy’s friend, Spivey, inherits a mysterious house on Wood Island, they are met with some creepy rules that go along with the house.

When he and his friends decide to do a seance to turn the house into a “haunted house”, they unleash an evil entity named Emerson, who has been plaguing this island for generations and there is no end to it.

This story will show you the true meaning of friendship, trust and sacrifice. What would you be willing to sacrifice for eternal life, peace and riches?

If you like dark and creepy stories, I definitely recommend this one. This book will stick with me for a while and now I want to dive into more of this authors books😍

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again, So, so, so good!

I picked this up as I'd enjoyed some of Barkers other work.
I hadn't realised it was YA , and that was a bit of an issue.
In fact, the way our main character behaved had me wondering who this book WAS aimed at, which is how I discovered it wasn't me 😁

Setting that aside, the story had some good bits, but also some not good bits, and it was very much a mixed bag.
At the end I was pleased with how it all came together. There were moments of tension and a scare or two.
During though, sometimes it felt a little overlong.
Not my favourite Barker, but still decent.

What a complex, twisty, creepy book.

This story was a bit mind blowing. How did JD Barker come up with this? It was crazy how it all connected in the end and how it all ended up making sense. It was beautifully written and you can tell JD put a lot of work into research. It was such a sad and tragic story with so many twists. It was hard to keep up! I had to know what on earth was going on at Wood Island and who could Billy trust!

Some scenes in this book were truly haunting. Without giving too much away the scene where Spivey cringed every time he heard what was going on “upstairs”, the snap and shriek followed by silence played on a loop. That one will stick with me for a while…

So why the 4.5 stars instead of 5? Well, it was a bit long winded in some spots. Some descriptions and parts of the plot drug on quite a bit.

All in all, it was beautifully written and one of the most complex and unique books I’ve read in a very long time. Round of applause for JD, because wow.

J.D. Barker's new mystery/thriller "Something I Keep Upstairs" is a fast and pleasant read, but one that I found ultimately lacked the focus necessary to elevate it to the next level. It's a story of a group of teenage friends who are spending time at one of their group's newly inherited island home where nothing is as it initially seems. The story's narrator is Billy (perhaps the least interesting of the group, but that I think was a smart decision to ground the tale), a relatively average kid who plays sports and is dating Kira. His best friend, Spivey, learns that his seldom-seen grandmother has passed and left him her estate. The island and the house on it are the stuff of legend; there are tales of discovered skeletons, an old coast guard station, and, most interestingly, the fact that sometimes the house seems to be much newer looking than it should be... or perhaps much older than you thought it was, depending on the character's perspective.

Spivey is the book's most compelling character. He's been dealing with leukemia off and on, he's not athletic like his best friend Billy, and he's not the most popular kid around. Having a secluded house away from everyone's parents and various other authority figures seems like a real blessing. But his late grandmother's attorney is always hanging around, and he keeps reminding Spivey that the house and island have a set of very specific rules. Those rules and their origins are the book's most intriguing mystery, of course, but the relatively lengthy novel unfortunately waits until vary late in the game to start dishing out answers, and at that point they come at a rapid clip that really diminishes the sense of joyous revelation that I tend to hope for in stories of this sort.

Another issue I found was that the book sidelined Spivey himself more and more in its back half, instead starting to focus on a relatively generic police chief and his investigation. There's a lackluster missing girl element in the mix that never feels as important as one assumes it was supposed to be, giving off major red herring vibes from the moment the concept is introduced. It's clear why Spivey is sidelined in favor of two of the other kids (Alesia and Matty, who have their own ideas for what to do with the island and its secrets) when the book's final outpouring of answers begins, but it lessened the impact of what J.D. Barker was trying to accomplish. There's a handful of twists that aren't effective because the groundwork to set them up was either too rarely implied or was handed out mere pages before the reveal.

That being said, Barker's a strong writer, and the pages fly by. There's a bit of an over-reliance on teenage love pains that don't quite ring true, but the suspenseful and more action packed elements and scarier chapters are handled very well. I found myself doing the classic "just one more chapter" routine throughout my time with the book, which should tell you that despite my complaints there's still a lot to recommend. While I personally think another few drafts could have shortened and shaped this into something stronger, I still would recommend any horror and mystery fans give it a shot.


3.5/5

493 pages

5 stars

I’m in the minority here, for I loved this book. Mr. Barker exceeded my wishes with this novel. It was exciting, dramatic, creepy and had a supernatural twist.

New Castle, New Hampshire. It is quite the place. There are reputed hauntings in several areas. Creepy tales abound.

While the book mainly focuses on seventeen- year old David “Spivey,” Billy Hasler and their friends, it has a more mature theme. There are several families intertwined in the tale, each with their own stories of heartache and pain.

When Spivey inherits a home on nearby Wood Island from his mysteriously deceased grandmother, he and Billy celebrate their newfound freedom. But. The island home comes with a list of proscriptions and its very own strange attorney.

The innocent teens have no idea what they have gotten into.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Whaley is doing his research. He is faced with a puzzling conundrum. Things can’t be what they seem. He digs into the police archives and the town library. A young girl disappears, adding to his problems.

A nightmare is set to commence.

Mr. Barker does a fantastic job of laying out the story, seamlessly tying events and their consequences. The characters were fully fleshed out. I felt like I knew them. I witnessed the conditions of the old house and received delightful surprises along the way. I loved this book. I still remain a true J.D. Barker fan and will continue to read his novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press - Simon & Schuster/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in the review are solely my own.

J.D. Barker’s Something I Keep Upstairs is a gripping and atmospheric horror novel that delivers spine-tingling suspense from start to finish. When Billy and his friends uncover the sinister past of an isolated island house, their summer of freedom turns into a fight for survival against an ancient, malevolent force.

Barker masterfully blends psychological dread with supernatural horror, creating an eerie, slow-building tension. While some plot elements feel familiar, the immersive writing and well-developed characters keep the story engaging.

This haunting thriller will keep you turning pages—and sleeping with the lights on.

J.D. Barker has always been a favourite author, providing heart-pounding books that always keep you on your toes as you read.

This story is set in New Castle, New Hampshire and involves the lives of Billy Hasler and his childhood friend David Spivey. David inherits a creepy old house from his grandmother but there are rules that go with this gift. To Billy, David and their friends this seems unbelievable, the house is secluded and can only be accessed by boat providing them with the perfect destination to do what teenagers do best, party.

But there are strange activities occurring and no one’s lives will ever be the same. Initially I was completely engrossed wondering what was going on and where the story was taking me. But as the book progressed, I felt my excitement waning, I found it hard to keep track of at times, there is a lot happening, but it was difficult to grasp where the author was going. Normally I would rate this author’s books with a huge five star but unfortunately this one did not meet the mark.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first of J.D. Barker's works that I've read and it was solidly good.

I enjoyed the unfolding narrative and the way it braided together the stories of the town of New Castle and it's inhabitants. I felt the voices were believable and the dialogue easy to follow. I was thankful that the setting descriptions were clear. I could absolutely visualize the spaces, the characters and their actions. For me, the pacing could have been quicker. That's just a personal preference, though. It also took me a few chapters to understand the changes from first to third person. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I would absolutely recommend to fellow thriller/mystery/horror readers.

What a ride! So like, imagine thinking you’re about to have the best, most carefree summer ever—no parents, no rules, just chilling with your bestie on your very own island. Sounds perf, right? Yeah, well, turns out this lil getaway spot has history, and not the fun, quirky kind. More like the “oops, we just woke up something we should’ve left alone” kind. And once things start going south, they really go south.

The vibes? Creepy AF. The tension? Off the charts. And the house? Let’s just say it’s got a lot of personality—and not the good kind. This one had me flipping pages way past my bedtime, totally sucked into the eerie atmosphere and the slow-burn unraveling of the island’s dark past.

So why not a five? Okay, so it did drag a bit in places, and some parts got a little repetitive. But honestly, the story still totally delivered on the whole haunted-house-meets-coming-of-age chaos. If you love a mix of paranormal spookiness and friendship drama, this one’s got you covered.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Brilliant, look forward to JD Barker books always, this book kept me guessing what was going to happen next, was absolutely spine tingling, I'd say mystery, supernatural and sad in some ways, couldn't put it down, this author has gone back to his very best, curl up, lock the doors and dive in, can't recommend highly enough, enjoy

“Something I Keep Upstairs” by J.D. Barker, is an intense, haunting story that left me questioning what’s real and what’s not. The eerie atmosphere builds steadily, pulling you into a world full of suspense, horror, and psychological depth. Barker’s writing is, as always, top-notch. This book is another masterpiece from him, blending mystery and horror in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend if you enjoy haunting stories that linger in your mind long after you finish.

This is my first introduction to J.D. Barker's novel Something I Keep Upstairs, and my initial reaction was excitement. I just knew I was in for a treat, and indeed, I was.

The novel is a slow burn, and considering the type of story, it was warranted. This is the most prominent formula for some stories to work, and J.D. Barker executed it perfectly. The characters were engaging and interesting, all with flaws and secrets. The book’s flow wasn’t perfect, and some spots lagged. Overall, it is still a great book.

I rate this book with a strong 4-star. I plan to backtrack his book catalog and read more of his work. He won over a new fan! Fantastic storytelling!

Admittedly, thrillers, or “chillers” as this one is so aptly named, are not my typical read. However, after reading “Something I Keep Upstairs” I may have to add them to my reading rotation.

This book gripped me from the get-go and twist after twist kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. I physically could not put this book down.

J.D. Barker has created a dynamic story that immerses you in the community of New Castle and the mystery of Wood Island. I was equally satisfied and sad when I finished the book, as I was not ready to say goodbye to New Castle and Billy Hasler.

Aside from a few typos, the book was wonderfully written and the story was equal parts compelling, creepy, and suspenseful. I will say that the ending dragged just a touch, but ultimately, it came to a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you very much Hampton Street Press, J.D. Barker, and Netgalley for this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed the read!

Remember - Emerson must be fed.

For a haunted house to be born, somebody has to die.

Something I Keep Upstairs is about a group of friends spending the summer on Wood Island. Spivy, one of the group, has inherited a house with a unique history—something you gradually uncover as the story unfolds. The story is told from the perspective of Billy, a friend of Spivy, but also from the viewpoint of Whaley, a police officer.
I went into it somewhat blindly, not really knowing what to expect besides a haunted house story. There were many moments where I thought, what is going on? The book reads smoothly, the plot is well-structured, and there are some surprising twists. The only downside is that it feels more like a YA book than an adult novel, which I wasn’t expecting.

Overall, it's a fast-paced and intriguing read. It's spooky and mysterious.

Don’t forget to feed Emerson.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Spivy inherits his grandmother’s house after her bizarre death, he and his friends think it’s the perfect spot for one last summer together. But the house isn’t just old—it’s alive with secrets, and then there’s a vengeful presence lurking within, waiting to make itself known.

If you're in the mood for something creepy and scary, then this is the book for you! It has all the classic horror elements: a group of young friends, a mysterious island having eerie rules, and a haunted house with a furious presence. The author crafts a haunting tale that shifts between perspectives, each layer adding to the unsettling atmosphere. While some readers may find the pacing uneven, the novel's climax is both shocking and satisfying. Overall a solid addition to the horror genre.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was very impressed with this story line. I didn’t read about the book before I began reading it so I was completely unaware of the premise of the plot. I was quickly intrigued! J.D.Barker never disappoints me!!
Billy Hasler was an all around good teenager. Trying to be a the best athlete, student, friend, son and boyfriend. He is an easily likable main character. I found myself actually worrying about him!!
What made the book extra special for me was the author’s note included about 90% into the story. I was almost wishing it would have been at the beginning of the story but I I do see the shock value it had being where it is.
Overall, a captivating story !! This book would be an awesome movie!