I had so much fun reading this book, I read it all in one day which I haven’t done in forever. First off, I love the pulpy, nostalgic cover. It totally drew me in before I even started. Right from the first chapter I was hooked. This is a classic slasher horror that belongs in the same conversations as I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream. It’s very witty and funny, and leans into LA/privileged stereotypes that add a good amount of social commentary. The twists and misdirection were so well done, I honestly did not see that ending coming. Overall, it was a super entertaining, bloody good read. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves horror, especially the millennium-era of horror.

I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.

If you love slashers, read this book! (& do NOT pass up the author’s note)

This felt like a comfort slasher film as I laughed at the quips & banter between the characters while trying to guess who might be their killer. I was never bored!

Some characters were unlikable, but not insufferably so like I see in a lot of slasher films/books. In some ways I cared about them even when I didn’t like them!

I appreciate how the trauma the main character has previously experienced informs her experiences at the retreat. She is a strong, relatable, & realistic protagonist.

There was some great commentary on cultural appropriation, capitalism, mental health, cult tactics, etc.

It was also fun when the perspectives switched for some of the kills.

This is a fun, bloody, atmospheric time AND its narrative & characters have substance!

Thank you Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review:

Hannah, our unreliable narrator, is experiencing the grief of losing a loved one. Her job is in turmoil and she has isolated herself from her friends. Her best friend Tess, arranges for their toxic friend group to go Experience a private and secretive retreat in the middle of the desert with an up and coming Guru — for healing. Nothing is what it seems and one by one Hannahs friends start to go missing in this fun, fast paced slasher novel. It’s perfect for summerween and spooky season!

Lots of blood, lots of killing, lots of guilt and grief. This was my first slasher book and wow, it was gory lol but I enjoyed the entire storyline and the unexpected twist! It definitely gave Scream vibes! I really liked the writing and Hannah’s character. Can’t wait to check out more from this author.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars on The Storygraph.

Breathe In, Bleed Out is the perfect campfire read. It’s truly everything that a slasher should be: fun, gory, and just suspenseful enough to pull you in and keep you hooked.

In the author’s note, Brian McAuley outlines his lifelong love affair with horror. A passion that most definitely shows through in his writing. This book features many classic horror/thriller tropes - an experimental vacation in an isolated setting, an unreliable narrator, the classic group of friends, and a masked killer hunting them down one by one. McAuley manages to weave these tropes into the story in a way that feels like an homage to the genre’s most beloved movies rather than a mixed bag of cliches. Though this book stands on its own, it is deeply evocative of some of my favourite horror media, making it well worth the read for fans of classic slasher films, American Horror Story, A24 horror films, and Scream Queens (there’s a particular scene that reminded me of a certain deep fryer incident).

Despite being fairly baseline - not straying from what we've come to expect from this genre - Breathe In, Breathe Out is a compelling read. Well paced and packed with gore, it does a wonderful job of scratching the itch to consume something dark and thrilling. In fact, it wastes no time doing so. Within the first few chapters we see our first helping of gore as well as an additional brush with death.

The characters are fairly one-dimensional and none of them are particularly likeable, each serving their purpose well but not going far beyond their respective roles. This does nothing to take away from the story, however - especially when we consider the viewpoints of our antagonists - although it doesn’t serve to create any memorable depth.

While not entirely shocking, the twist at the end was an enjoyable one, and our journey to get there proves that McAuley understands the art of leading a reader through a story. He showcases a clear understanding of technical writing skills as he walks the reader down each path of speculation until deciding to let you in on the truth alongside his characters.

All in all, Breathe In, Breathe Out is a quick and digestible dose of entertainment for horror lovers, making it a good choice for anyone in search of their next palate-cleansing scary story fix.

A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this ebook for Camp NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Thank to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary early release copy of Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley.

Breathe In, Bleed Out was a book that had me hooked from start to finish. From the first chapter I was immediately drawn into Hannah character and the events surrounding the mysterious wilderness trip. I found all of the characters in this story to be the unlikable type but they are all written in a nice weirdly likeable sort of way. I’m feeling a bit iffy about the spiritual retreat side of things but once the strange and mysterious killer is introduced I didn’t mind it as much. There was so much strange stuff going on in Breathe In, Bleed Out that it definitely kept me on edge, I tried to guess what was happening but none of my guesses were correct.

This was a decent slasher novel, the deaths were gory and rather unique. The story sometimes felt a bit slow but there was always something happening to keep me interested whether it was the strangeness of the retreat, drama/tension between characters, the mysterious killer lurking around, the mystery of what happened to Hannah’s fiancé, and of course the death scenes. I didn’t know who to trust during my whole read because all of these characters came off as unreliable. I was quite literally jumping back and forth about who to trust. Overall I’m landing on a 3.5 rating, while I was surprised with the ending of the book I’m having some mixed feelings about it.

This was such a fun, amazingly crafted, gory, roller coaster of a time. I couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Hannah, who tragically lost her fiancé on a camping trip one year ago. Her best friend ropes her into a spiritual retreat in the heart of the Joshua Tree desert to help her on a path to some much needed healing. I would say she gets what she’s looking for, but not in the way she expected. Because there is a murder. And then another, and another… Or is there?

Everything about this felt creative and fresh while also paying homages to some great past works. I’m not too familiar with slasher genre history, so I really enjoyed the author’s note at the end about the inspiration behind this story and his other works. I also was specifically reminded of Midsommar, which, to me, is a huge plus.

I recommend this to horror fans and those dipping their toes into the genre (like me)! McAuley does a great job of quickly crafting complex characters who you want to root for (or not). Also, what a fun title and cover. Instantly drew me in and I have no regrets!

This was a great slasher book. Just when you thought you had it all figured out you were proven wrong. I was not expecting that plot twist near the end. This book was great and I would read it again.

I’m always down for a good slasher, and this one was such a fun ride! It had everything I look for: plenty of gore, annoying characters, and a remote setting.

The whole “locked room” vibe at a spiritual retreat in the desert was perfect. It gave me Friday the 13th summer camp energy, with that eerie feeling of being cut off from the outside world.

I also loved the touch of an unreliable narrator. You’re constantly wondering is there really a killer, or is Hannah losing it? We get a decent amount of Hannah’s backstory, but the other characters felt a bit flat. That kind of worked for me, makes it easier not to get too attached when bodies start dropping.

Overall, it’s fast-paced, bloody, and just a good time. I had fun trying to figure out who the killer was, and the ending definitely surprised me. A perfect pick for Summerween or if you’re just in the mood for something slashy and entertaining!

Read if you’re into:
🩸 Gory deaths
🔑 Locked room thrillers
🔪 Slashers
🔪 One by one…

Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley 🩸

I love my slashers and this one was an absolute treat.

McAuley serves us up a bloody and wildly entertaining ride. Breathe In Bleed Out doesn’t just respect the slasher genre it carves it up and happily dances in the aftermath.

At the center of it all we have Hannah, our Final Girl. Hannah is not your typical survivor. She’s raw, grieving, and completely done with playing nice. Her trauma adds real weight to the chaos, and watching her unravel (and fight like hell) was one of the most satisfying arcs I’ve read in a horror novel recently.

The setup? An off grid wellness retreat gone wrong, a culty guru, a legend about murderous miners, plus a group of eccentric side characters stranded in the middle of it all. It’s the perfect slasher cocktail.

And what really makes this story shine is the tone. It’s nostalgic in a way that honors the campy, chaotic energy of ’80s horror, while still delivering real emotional depth. Beneath the body count, there’s a raw look at grief, healing, and the demons we carry.

🎬 If someone doesn’t buy the film rights, I will personally riot.

A quick and campy slasher story. I enjoyed it just as much as the other books from this author. It was a straightforward story. It was a little predictable, but if you're looking for a fun and gory book for vacation, this one is good.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

thank you to the publisher, author, and netgalley for having this title as part of the 2025 camp netgalley selection

i was hooked from the first page and the momentum kept going the entire book. this is exactly what i needed to get out of a slump and cannot recommend it enough, perfect slasher/summerween vibes. the writing was so engaging and each death came at the perfect time. the almost paranormal, don't believe anything that's happening nature worked so well for this story.

i loved that Hannah had the dominate pov and then as each character came to their untimely end they got their own third person pov. it fully immersed me into the story and made it impossible for me to stop reading. i truly felt like i was spiraling with Hannah. every time i thought i knew who it was i was wrong and i loved the guessing game. the only thing that prevented this from being a five star was the ending, i wanted more from the big reveal. there was so much anticipation that kind of just fizzled out. either way i will definitely be reading more from this author.

You know I love a good summer slasher! Breathe In, Bleed out is an absolute masterpiece of a slasher novel. Brian McAuley does an incredible job at world building. The pacing was perfect, and I spent a majority of the book on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed getting to know all of our main characters, and I pretty much suspected everyone at some point, and I was still blown away by the twist.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to review an advance reader copy of Breathe in, Bleed Out!

First I want to start by saying I love a good slasher and this one did not disappoint! This novel encompasses thrill, mystery, nightmares, and spiritual wellness in the form of one woman's trauma leading her to go on a spiritual retreat with her estranged friends. During her time there, she begins to unravel, questioning whether her nightmares exist only in her mind or if they’ve somehow taken on a terrifying physical form.

I ate this one up!!! I could not put it down and often found myself rushing to get home so I could find out what happens next. The author did a great job at keeping me guessing what was real and who the killer was. My mouth dropped when it all was revealed!

Additionally, I felt that the author did a great job at representing different cultures, religions, and indigenous people in a respectful way while calling out how often we see spiritually being highjacked by capitalism.

I think I need to go back to reading books about feminist witches because my recent attempts at branching out to different genres have not been going well at all. Slashers aren't necessarily my thing, but I don't mind some slashing if there's a great story to go along with it. Unfortunately, this book does not have a great story.

Imagine a low-budget slasher film, one that you find in the dregs of Pluto TV or Tubi or one of the other free movie streaming apps, and then make the characters 7,000 times more annoying. That is this book. I don't think you're supposed to root for the killer to take out the final girl, but that is exactly what I was doing by the end.

But no worries! Not only are the characters insufferable, but events of this book are all completely ridiculous! The reasoning behind the creation of the retreat is ridiculous, the killer's motives are ridiculous, and the flashbacks to Ben's death are ridiculous. It's all kind of entertaining in a very campy sort of way, but it's also not exactly good.

I do understand, though, that this isn't really supposed to be fine literature. Sometimes what you need is a book you can roll your eyes at, and this is definitely that book. And I did LOL when it was revealed that the Silicon Valley powers-that-be turned down a bazillion-dollar software project because it would have been “unethical” in a privacy-invading sort of way. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Also, I do like the title because it makes me think of “Machinehead” by Bush which was one of my favorite songs in high school.

There's a ton more I'd like to say about this book, but it's hard to discuss the details and not spoil anything. I will say, though, that I'm obviously in the minority here. Lots of other reviewers have loved this book. If you usually enjoy slashers, don't let my review dissuade you from reading this one because you might just think it's great.

2.45 stars, rounded down. (We really need half-stars, Goodreads!)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 2, 2025.

A relaxing retreat in the middle of the desert, with no phone, no cars, and only nature as your constant companion? What could be better than that? That’s what Hannah thought as well. Haunted by the death of her fiancé, she cannot break the cycle of nightmares and visions she keeps seeing. And when you are desperate enough to heal, you’ll take any lifeline. So, into the desert she goes-hoping she will start to feel a sense of hope and change. And that is what makes her relatable as a character.

McAuley keeps the tension at a low simmer for the first last of the book, but quickly ramps it up after bringing our unwitting victims to the spiritual retreat. The story quickly turns into a slasher book with no hope of escape. You’re on the edge of your seat wondering who the next victim will be, and who the killer is. What’s even more unnerving is the killer Leatherface’s someone face, and kills their victims sadistically while wearing it.

As the story continues, and victims drop like flies, you find yourself rooting for Hannah and her survival. You want her to come out on top-especially finding out the truth about what happened with Ben. You want her to be your Final girl, and be the last woman standing. You also want her to find out who the killer is, and take them out. But McAuley doesn’t make it easy to find the conclusion and truth. He gives us twist after twist, and keeps us guessing until the reveal of the desert killer.

This was a fun mystery thriller/slasher book that doesn’t feel dull or something rehashed. Horror and thriller fans will enjoy this one. 4.25 stars.

Thank you to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the ARC of Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley — available September 22nd!

I love a good slasher novel that embraces genre tropes with wit and self-awareness—and Breathe In, Bleed Out delivers on that front. 🧘🏼‍♀️🩸🌵🙌🏻

McAuley’s dialogue snaps, his kills are gruesome and clever, and the retreat satire adds texture beyond body count. The core of grief anchors the horror in something emotionally real.

That said, if you crave deep character arcs or literary nuance, it might feel thin—though the emotional stakes are there through Hannah.

The pacing is solid, the tidbits of dark humor is surprisingly effective, the kill scenes are impressive and we are given a grounded final girl with Hannah. The character development beyond Hannah isn’t too deep but that didn’t bother me at all. McAuley keeps you guessing and throws in all the red herrings. It sure did catch me off guard!

If you’re a horror fan craving visceral slasher thrills or maybe enjoy tongue-in-cheek satire of the wellness culture, this one is a fast-paced, bingeable, blood-soaked page-turner perfect for spooky season!

For what it sets out to be, McAuley crafts an adrenaline ride that stitches together fun, gore, and dark reflection on grief. It’s a guilty-pleasure with purpose.

Breathe In, Bleed Out is a smart, gory love letter to the slasher genre—an entertaining escape with emotional muscle beneath the carnage. Brian McAuley cements himself further as a top-tier slasher novelist, delivering both chills and chuckles in equal measure.

Want a witty, smart, and bloody read this fall? This one’s well worth inhaling.

4.5 stars

3.75⭐️
This was a bloody good time and I felt like I was reading a script from a 90's slasher movie. I did spend much of the time annoyed by the characters, and I would have liked a bit more from primary protagonist, but overall I enjoyed the ride. If you're sensitive to gore, this isn't the book for you, but the plot kept me guessing (though I did suspect the killer mid-way through) and it actually provided some worthwhile commentary on the wellness industry, cultural appropriation, and feminism. I finished it in a day and will definitely check out more from this author when I'm in the mood for murder.

Broken characters? CHECK. A creepy legend come to life? CHECK. A twisty end that leaves the reader gasping for air? CHECK.

This book encapsulated everything you love and fear in a slasher story. I saw it described as scream meets a yoga retreat and that could not be more accurate. Without giving too much away, I truly loved the main character’s journey- she was so…human.

This books sucked me in and I couldn’t stop reading it until I knew who the killer was. Literally- it’s 8 am on a Sunday and I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet. I’ve already told close friends that they need this book when it comes out. Heck, I need this book when it comes out.