Bestselling author J.D. Barker tells the tale of a haunted house off the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire in Something I Keep Upstairs, a theme and location that is right up my alley. Barker nails the picturesque coastal town while giving us an unsettling tale of friendship and malevolence.

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

In the sleepy coastal town of New Castle, New Hampshire, seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler’s life is about to take a terrifying turn. When his best friend David Spivey inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island, it seems like the perfect place to spend their final summer before heading off to college. No parents. No police. No responsibilities.

As they dig into the island’s dark past, they awaken an ancient evil that has influenced generations. What begins as an innocent summer adventure quickly descends into a nightmare.

J.D. Barker kicks Something I Keep Upstairs off with a deceptively simple premise—a carefree summer adventure on an inherited island house with friends–that quickly morphs into something much more sinister. Barker excels at setting up its atmospheric location with vivid authenticity that truly resonated with me as a New England native. The setting acts almost like another character within the story. This intricate landscape is not just a backdrop but an integral part that enhances the creeping dread permeating each chapter.

While the overall plot, story and pacing were wonderful to experience. Character development presents a faltering step to me–I found myself challenged to be fully invested in the group of characters as I found it hard to related to them. Attaching emotionally to characters in a thrilling tale is important to me as it helps keep me on edge and care what happens to each of them. However, I found it hard to get super immersed with these characters and care about any consequences the group may incur.

Barker crafted certain scenes genuine suspense that did send a bit of shivers down my spine. However, some plot elements feel extraneous—detours veering away from the central story that detract slightly from momentum while adding little substance to overall progression. These didn't take away completely from enjoying the story, it just added a bit I length I felt that were unnecessary overall or I could live without.

Despite these minor hiccups, Something I Keep Upstairs proved to be a truly enjoyable and fun read worth my time. J.D. Barker does a remarkable job setting up the location and keeping the haunts feeling real. While I wasn't a big fan of the characters, I am sure there are many people who will be when they dive into this novel. In the end, the pacing, theme and location made for a great experience.

This was a dark tale full of dread, tension, and eeriness. There is a sense of unease flowing throughout the book which only grows stronger as the pages turn. This kept my attention and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next! A really good on the edge of your seat book, a ghost book just to put that out there. Although I did feel that it went on a little longer than necessary which was forgiven. I felt connected to the main character, Billy, and his friendship with Spivey was well written. His love for his friend pulled me in. I also loved Kira, though she drove me a little crazy at times it still was done and presented well.

First I want to thank the publisher for sending my an ARC of this thrilling novel!

Alright, let’s talk about Something I Keep Upstairs. J.D. Barker takes us to the salty, wind-swept coast of New Castle, New Hampshire, where two teenage friends, Billy and David, think they’ve landed the perfect summer hangout—a creepy old house on a secluded island. Obviously, things go sideways fast because, well… mysterious island + weird history = bad idea. And let me tell you, Barker does not hold back on the eerie vibes. You can practically smell the ocean and feel the goosebumps creeping up your arms.

Now, did I love the setting? Absolutely. The small-town feel, the isolation, the sense that something just isn’t right—Barker nails it. But the story itself? It had moments where it felt a little all over the place. Like, there’s horror, mystery, coming-of-age elements, some heavy themes… it’s a lot. Not necessarily a bad thing, just a bit scattered at times.

That said, it’s a hell of a read. Creepy, immersive, and packed with moments that will have you side-eyeing any dark corners in your house. If you’re into supernatural thrillers with a strong sense of place and a touch of nostalgia, this one’s worth picking up.

Thank you to J.D. Barker, NetGalley and Hampton Street Press for the ARC.

This was a chilling story of a private island with a lot of dark history. I found the premise fantastic. Overall, I enjoyed this book but at times I found it scattered and extremely inconstant with the pacing and storytelling. Some storylines felt unnecessary but there were also some really great creepy moments too and I loved the authors note. This was my first J.D. Barker novel and I will be looking for another.

Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

Incredible, A truly addictive and fantastic tale that I read in ONE sitting.
Unputdownable.. If that’s even a word?
Fans of Stephen King will LOVE this thrilling and thoroughly entertaining story that is full of gasp out loud moments that are terrifying and chilling,
I’m afraid to say that as soon as you start reading you have no choice but to put life on hold!
Literally! STOP EVERYTHING!
It’s a novel to devour greedily until the very last sentence.
Nothing else to say apart from I LOVED it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend highly.

This was a great thriller, full of twists and high in tension and suspense. I also thought the premise was quite original and found it a bit too chilling to read at night (in a good way!) This is my first book by J. D. Barker and won't be my last.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Spivey, a teen with Leukemia, inherits his grandmother's house on a private island after her strange death. The private island has a lot of strange rules that are overseen by Marston, the Conservator. Rules including; No one under 16 allowed on the island, don't lock any doors, and don't answer the phone. Spivey invites new friends over to party there and they live an excellent life of debauchery and nefarious intent. Unfortunately, when one so young inherits, everyone else seems to want a piece of the pie. Spivey's own parents are trying to take the Island and house away from him, enlisting the help of his best friend's father. Spivey's best friend is caught in the middle and doesn't know who to trust. And the house is not what it seems.

This was a trippy story about sharks, witches, and ancient deals.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this book!

I enjoyed this book. It flowed quickly and really kept my interest. The only thing that drove me a little nuts was that there is NO WAY high school kids talk the way these kids talked in the book. That bugged me a bit and I tried really hard to get past that. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the ending.

Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this as much as I had hoped. It was a bit too tweeny/YA for me and dragged on, losing my interest. Thanks for the ARC as I probably wouldn't have tried a book by this author otherwise.

A mysterious house sits alone on an island, which sits off another island with a small town. Of course, the house has stories, handed down through generations. When an unassuming teen inherits the house and the island, a group of friends learns which of those stories are true and how their lives are connected to the house.

Told through the eyes of a teenaged boy who gets sucked in to the magic of the island and a police chief desperate to untangle fact and lore, Something I Keep Upstairs puts me in mind of Stephen King’s small-town horror stories. There’s the isolated New England town, the creepy man who threatens anyone who stands in the way of a malevolent force, and a group of kids getting in way over their heads with supernatural entities. Full of twists and turns, unexpected connections, and centuries-old ghosts (demons?), it was a fun read, if a little on the long side. I found the teenage narrator and the police chief to be believable and was rooting for them both.

"Something I Keep Upstairs" by J.D. Barker is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Barker's talent for weaving complex narratives and creating multi-dimensional characters is evident throughout the novel. The story revolves around a protagonist who discovers a hidden room in their attic, leading to a series of chilling and mysterious events.

Barker's writing style is both engaging and immersive, drawing readers into a world filled with secrets, tension, and unexpected twists. The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with just the right amount of suspense to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed. The author's ability to blend psychological elements with a classic mystery plot makes for a compelling read.

Overall, "Something I Keep Upstairs" is a must-read for fans of thrillers and mysteries. J.D. Barker has crafted a tale that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, leaving readers eagerly anticipating his next work. If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing until the very end, this one is definitely worth picking up.

wow this was really good. i was hooked from the start. this was twisty,mind blowing.this is my first book by this author and i will be reading more.

Up on Goodreads now, live on the blog on 12 May:

’m a huge J.D. Barker fan (when he writes alone that is, I’m not a fan of the recent collabs with other authors) so I was thrilled when my beady eye caught sight of Something I Keep Upstairs! Honestly, they had me at that tagline. A haunted house? Sign me up! While Something I Keep Upstairs didn’t quite grab me as much as his earlier books, I did have a great time with it, even though I’m sure I fried my brain. Frankly, I could sum up my reading experience quite nicely using one emoji: 🤯.

Yup. My brain is fried, my mind is blown, don’t expect too much from this review, as my ability to form coherent thoughts has pretty much left the building. But I’ll try!

So this starts out as a rather straightforward coming-of-age story, with seventeen-year-old David Spivey inheriting a small island including a quite luxurious villa and thinking he’s now king of his own castle and nothing can ruin his summer. Said inheritance comes with a rather strange and mysterious set of rules, though. Kids under sixteen aren’t allowed on the island, doors must not be locked, the phone must not be answered, and oh yes, Emerson must be fed. But there is no one on the island, so who or what the hell is Emerson? I was immediately intrigued.

As the story progresses, it gets darker, creepier, and weirder. And quite sad, too, in a way. At multiple points in the story, I had no idea which way was up, I was entirely discombobulated. Mostly in a good way. I will not try to explain, because that would lead us straight into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say that if you’re in the market for a dark, creepy, mind-boggling chiller, you should definitely add Something I Keep Upstairs to your list.

Something I Keep Upstairs is out in digital formats and audio on 13 May, and in hardcover on 3 July.

Massive thanks to Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

Creepy. Unnerving. Suspenseful and twisty. Did I mention unnerving? Even when you get to the end, is it really the end? This was the first JD Barker book I've read, discovered by the author's post in a Facebook group for Psychological Thrillers, and it very definitely messes with your head. I received it as an ARC from Hampton Creek Press/Simon & Schuster via Netgalley.

Wow! Alright I loved this.

I read the first book in the 4MK series from this author- it wasn’t insta love unfortunately- but I just had to give them another chance. I found that first book to be a bit of a slog for some reason and did not pick up the rest of the series, I’m definitely rethinking that now!

This one was super good and the author notes at the end was the cherry on top. I love a great historical- paranormal- thriller- mystery. I had NO idea where it was going which kept me on the edge of my seat for sure. It was like throwing so many things at the wall to see what stuck and having everything stick and just come together so well.

I highly recommend it and will definitely be going back to other books.

Thank you so much for the gifted ebook in exchange for a review! All opinions are my own.

This book is a wonderful rollercoaster of a read. It is a departure from J>D.Barkers usual thrillers.
This story takes place in rural New Hampshire It starts off with us meeting 17 year olds Billy Hasler, David Spivey and Billy's girlfriend Kira.
David Spivey was left a house on an island by his grandmother whom he had not seen in years. It came with many restrictions. The evil in this book started hundreds of years before. This book is about friendship, loyalty, sacrifice ,love and evil.
It was very creepy and I found it hard to read at night. The author uses the house as a main character along with the unknown evil Emerson.
I would recommend this book even if you are not a fan of supernatural novels

What an incredibly fascinating story!! This book definitely entertained the creep factor; there were a few scenes that had my eyes bugging out of my head! While I found the story dragging on in some places, I certainly understand the need for all that character building! Some themes present couldn’t be glossed over and I am grateful for the authors attention to detail!

A really good take on "the haunted house" trope. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! The writing was excellent, great character development, and wonderful suspense throughout. I was constantly left guessing and the twists were shocking! 100% recommend.

4.5⭐️
(ARC review) — Thank you to author J.D. Barker and his publisher Hampton Creek Press. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the May 2025 release of Something I Keep Upstairs. I’m a big fan and absolutely loved the 4MK thriller series so I was excited to get an advance copy. I also loved a good haunted house and horror story. Well, I got way more than I bargained for. Atmospheric, gripping, chilling and twisty! So much more than a horror/ghost tale. Very dynamic. I was hooked right from the start and I was kept guessing until the very end. Love it when that happens!! Barker is becoming a fav for thrillers!! Highly recommend this book, especially curled up by a fire, in the Fall, with the lights down low. #perfection