Spider to the Fly by J.H. Markert is a chilling and atmospheric thriller that expertly blends psychological tension with a creeping sense of dread. From the very first page, Markert creates an unsettling mood, pulling readers into a twisted web of secrets, deception, and danger. The story unfolds with a gripping mix of slow-burn suspense and shocking revelations, keeping the tension high throughout.

The characters are well-drawn, particularly the protagonist, whose journey into the darker corners of the mystery is both compelling and unnerving. Markert does an excellent job of exploring themes of manipulation and fear, making every interaction feel charged with hidden motives. Some twists are more predictable than others, but the novel’s eerie tone and strong character dynamics keep it engaging. The writing is immersive, creating a vivid sense of place that enhances the novel’s ominous atmosphere.

The pacing is well-handled, though some sections could have been tightened to maintain momentum. However, the final act delivers a satisfying and haunting conclusion that lingers long after the last page. Spider to the Fly is a gripping psychological thriller with a dark, unsettling edge—a solid 4-star read for fans of eerie, suspenseful storytelling.

Sleep Tight by this author was really good, so obviously I wanted to read this book. Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. Ellie is obsessed with the I-64 murders when she saw her face on one of the victims. She becomes obsessed with finding out how this person who isn't her, died.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this ARC of J. H. Markert's 'Spider to the Fly.'

This is an enjoyable, twisty and turny serial killer thriller.

The Spider has been murdering and dumping (mainly) marginalized women along I-64 in Kentucky for nearly two decades and then Ellie -the seeming twin of one of the victims - becomes obsessed with finding him, writing a bestselling book and establishing a thriving online community dedicated to naming the victims and finding the killer. And then, all of a sudden, the problem - many problems - land on her doorstep.

Ellie knows more than everyone about the killer and his victims so she develops a love-hate relationship with law enforcement and, as such, is central to the plot and the story in multiple ways.

You have to be on the ball to keep up with the twist, turns, and twins but it's good fun.

Wow!! I have never read a Markert book before but this got me hook, line, and sinker. Suspenseful and creepy and loads of fun. Lots of twists with untrustworthy characters (really, the best kind of mystery). Will be looking out for more of Markert's books in the future!

🌟🌟🌟 and 1/2
The build up and overall premise of this novel were done very well, however the ending felt a little lacking. I'm always down for a twist, but not a big fan when an ending goes around multiple twists and turns. I was also sad for one of the characters ending after the build up in the end. I would still absolutely recommend this novel and it's a great read, especially for mystery lovers.

I love J. H. Markert's books, and this one was no exception. After seeing a serial killer's victim looks exactly like her, Ellie ends up writing a true crime novel about the killer and gets engrossed in catching them. Who doesn't like a true crime aficionado who is trying to help solve a crime? This book, like Markert's others, kept building as it went on with twists and turns I definitely did not see coming! Obviously, since this book revolves around a serial killer, it was dark and creepy. It did not take me long to get through because Markert kept sprinkling more twists into this tale. I won't lie, the ending was a bit sad, and I am still thinking of this book!

A great read which gave me cult vibes mixing in silence of the lambs with another under tone of what happened when the spider was a child. It quick fast paced with so much going on you cannot believe many of the characters stories.

I cannot say enough about what a RIDE Spider to the Fly was. I have only read one of J.H. Markert’s other works (Sleep Tight), but Spider to the Fly was absolutely next-level, and I devoured it in a single day.

Ellie Isles has some issues. She’s a single mom to a teenage daughter, Amber, and found herself obsessed with the I-64 murders once she realized one of the victims looked hauntingly similar to her. Ellie wrote a book about the murders, Bloody Highway, and founded a website centered around true crime and amateur sleuthing, which also maintains a database of information on homeless and unhoused to help with identifying John and Jane Does. The website is called the Spider Web. She has been going to therapy for a year to work through some past trauma, and her therapist, Dr. Ian Brock, seems to be making headway.

The Brocks are near royalty in the small town of Ransom - Ian is the adopted son of Bart and Karina Brock, and their philanthropic pursuits bled over into their home life, as the adopted parents of Ian, Stephanie, Royal and Kevin. Ian is the father of twin boys - Jon and Jeremy, and his wife, Annie, has always silently stood behind him though she always had a feeling that something wasn’t right.

When the Brock family home is burned to the ground and Dr. Ian Brock has to leave an appointment with Ellie suddenly, the story that follows is equal parts unbelievable and unputdownable as the story weaves itself into a web that nobody could possibly see coming.

A serial killer novel on its’ surface, Spider to the Fly will leave readers awestruck and thinking “what did I actually just read” in the best way possible.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel prior to publication!

This was a tense, unsettling, and very dark book that was simply incredibly well written. I also couldn't have asked for a better ending!

A terrifying new tale of twisted horror by the new Master of Horror: J.H. MARKERT.

If you love a good scare and stories with twists and turns you’ll never see coming, then Spider To The Fly has to be at the top of your 2025 #tbrlist (to be read list.)

You need to know that this book stays with you. Every time you leave your house, and even when you are by yourself & home alone, you will think about Spider To The Fly and Serial Killers.

Driving in your car … Spider To The Fly.

SERIAL KILLERS

Grocery Shopping … Spider To The Fly.

SERIAL KILLERS

Walking in the woods … Spider To The Fly.

SERIAL KILLERS

It is impossible not to think about this book and wonder if it is based on a true story.

It definitely could be.

I would love to know what other people think. Do you think something similar to the plot in this book actually happened in real life?

I do.

I couldn’t put this book down. It didn’t matter that it was 4am and I had to get up in a couple hours, I HAD TO keep reading.

I devoured this book.

SPIDER TO THE FLY is meticulously plotted and cleverly believable – so horrifically plausible.

Peter Farris calls J.H. MARKERT the “clear heir to Stephen King.” I say that he has pushed Stephen King off the top of the horror shelf and J.H. MARKERT is now not only the king, he is the Emperor of All Things Horrific.

Although this book does not come out until September, you can pre-order it now so that it arrives on your doorstep on release day.

I rate SPIDER TO THE FLY as 5 out of 5 Stars and give it a 10 out of 10 Star rating for scaring readers half to death.
Thank you to #NetGalley #JHMarkert and #CrookedLaneBooks for giving me a free advance review copy of this ebook.

I loved this book so much that I am trying to find out how to get my hands on a hardcover copy for my collection and to have an autographed hardcover copy would make my year.

BUY THIS BOOK – IF YOU LOVE HORROR, IT DESERVES A SPECIAL PLACE ON YOUR BOOKSHELF!!!

Markert is aan of many talents. I absolutely love his older books that were more " magical realism". A lot of people don't even know it's the same author. I actually didn't till I looked it up because of similarities in writing. He has books under James Markert as well.
He has since started writing more scary, thriller, horror types. They are just as well written. I personally like the magical realism more, but will definitely read them all..
This was my favorite thriller by him, so far.

While reading this I very much felt the tension a fly is feeling as a spider is approaching. This book is dark and unsettling. It had me looking over my shoulders as I was reading it at night.

The plot is very original and while I guessed some twists I did not guess them all. Ellie is a strong main character and I feel she could easily lead a series if the author decides. I have a feeling this book would make a great TV series or movie. I am giving it 4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, J.H. Market, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

This story definitely lived up to the title!! What a crazy web of how everyone is connected and all the lives affected in the process. Ellie is so resilient and strong as well as her daughter! The plot build up was perfectly written! I was never bored or not intrigued by every page. I will continue to read this authors work and definitely be recommending this to everyone!!! So grateful I got the opportunity do read this!

This was a good read. The ending was really well written and I really enjoyed how it was set up. The twist was very good and the fact that the baddie was who he was, was nuts! I recommend this book for anyone who loves true crime and following a detective storyline.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

J.H. Markert’s “Spider to the Fly” is a chilling psychological thriller that blends true crime obsession, deep-seated trauma, and a relentless serial killer into an intricate web of mystery. Following Ellie Isles—a woman whose fascination with the elusive "Spider" killer stems from a victim who eerily resembles her—Markert crafts a suspenseful, twist-filled story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Ellie has dedicated years to tracking unidentified victims through her online community, a space where true crime enthusiasts work to give names to the nameless. This aspect of the story is particularly compelling, shedding light on the forgotten and overlooked victims of crime in a way that feels both tragic and noble. Through her work, Ellie has gained access to inside information from law enforcement, a premise that feels both plausible and fresh. But when a new break in the case sets off a series of shocking revelations, Ellie finds herself tangled in something far bigger than she ever imagined.

Markert’s prose is atmospheric and immersive, creating a sense of creeping dread that lingers on every page. His writing is undeniably engaging, and once the story picks up, it’s impossible to put down. Twists abound, and while some readers may see them coming, others will be left reeling. The killer, known as the Spider, is one of the book’s most unsettling elements—his grotesque signature and ritualistic nature add a disturbing layer to the mystery.

However, where “Spider to the Fly” excels in concept and tension, it occasionally falters in execution, mainly with the character writing. Ellie is an intriguing protagonist, but her obsession sometimes feels repetitive, leaving her character development feeling somewhat stagnant. The book juggles multiple narrative threads—Ellie’s past, the serial killer chase, law enforcement’s involvement, and unsettling family dynamics—but at times, it struggles to balance them, leading to an occasionally disjointed pacing.

That being said, Markert’s talent for crafting eerie, suspenseful storytelling is undeniable. “Spider to the Fly” is a gripping, layered thriller that delivers moments of true horror without relying on supernatural elements—proving that human monsters can be just as terrifying. Fans of dark thrillers and true crime-inspired fiction will find plenty to enjoy.

Ohhhh this is creeeeepy and dark! Just what i want from a good horror novel. This may honestly be my top J.H. Markert book!

First, let's clear up one thing before we proceed: vacuum your floors before you read this book so you don't think that a big piece of lint is a spider coming to attack you, okay? ((I've never swept more aggressively, but my floors look great now, so I suppose I can thank J.H. Markert for that one.))

Now that we've cleared THAT up, get Spider to the Fly added to your TBR RIGHT NOW. This thriller is deliciously bingeable and utterly twisted in all of the best ways. I really enjoyed the way the true crime angle was used in this book, and the "long lost twin" storyline felt fresh and not like the same recycled thing we see dished out ad nauseum. With the multiple angles and viewpoints, I was initially concerned that the pacing would feel off, but that was not the case here at all.

The characters in this book are also developed perfectly for what they need to be, which isn't a feat easily achieved. Even the characters who aren't likeable are fascinating, and the ones who are likeable are still presented with their own flaws.

Now, I don't include spoilers in my reviews, so I'll share this next part with vague detail: I have seen other reviews mentioning certain things as far-fetched. But, a) this is a work of fiction, and b) if you are familiar with the shady side of history, certain things are not as far-fetched as one may think. ((That will make perfect sense once you read the book, which we have already established you are doing, remember?))

This book is the perfect blend of crime thriller and suspense, so if that's your book vibe, then this is going to be a must-read for you. Markert is always an instant-buy author for me and Spider to the Fly goes to prove that he doesn't miss!

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and J.H. Markert for this complimentary copy.))

AHHHHHHH THIS BOOK WAS SO SCARY! Total vibes of an old-school horror movie like Freddy Krueger. I fell into this world like I was falling into quicksand. This had perfect levels of creepy, intriguing, and outright jumpscares. Completely caught off guard by the ending, reading this is a whirlwind. Now I am going to have to go back and read the author's back titles.

Ellie is a single mom and true crime author. She has been following the Spider serial killer who kills women along an interstate (in a gross but specific way) since his 17th victim looked exactly like her. She has a social media following of people who like true crime participating and trying to help catch the killer. Secrets are revealed throughout the entire book- big reveals at 30%, 45%, 60%- lots to keep the reader guessing.

I found it intensely readable, liked the characters and the pacing. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, so I did find myself doing a "Search" in my kindle for the characters name, but I found it very juicy and anxiety inducing.

spoiler: <spoiler>Was the father of Amber, Ellie's daughter, the guy with the tattoos, ever revealed? I read this quickly because I was stressed but this was an open end that I didn't see...? Anyone else?</spoiler>

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. Book to be published September 2, 2025.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

The suspense!! I loved this more than Sleep Tight, fun thriller that keeps you wanting to read! The pacing was great and the characters added to the suspense!