𝑳𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇-𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆, 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓, 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈.

An absolute must-read for slasher fans, BREATHE IN, BLEED OUT was campy, nostalgic, creepy, with some truly perceptive insights into human nature.

Hannah has suffered a truly traumatic event. She and her fiancé Ben went on a wilderness trip, but only Hannah came back. Only Hannah knows what happened the day Ben died, and she won't talk about it even with her close friends. Also, no one knows that Ben has been haunting her ever since through horrific waking nightmares replete with imagery; the crunch of snow, the bright sheen of blood, and the accusing look in Ben's eyes.

After being placed on leave at work, Hannah is adrift with too much free time. So when her friend group gets an exclusive invitation to a restorative spiritual retreat in Joshua Tree, Hannah reluctantly agrees, determined to put the past behind her.

Right away, we have all the ingredients for a grade-A slasher...a remote location, a charismatic yet mysterious guru, and a journey to 'self-discovery' that quickly descends into hell on Earth when an unnamed killer begins targeting the group and killing them one by one, each kill grislier than the one before.

I didn't figure out the identity of the slasher until right before the big reveal because I was so caught up in the story. This one is completely immersive and pulls you in to Hannah's world right away. For me, Ben's death speaks to the guilt we often feel when we take on burdens that aren't ours to carry.

The author's notes are NOT to be missed! Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the early copy. This title is expected to publish September 2, 2025.

Breathe In, Bleed Out was a refreshing surprise. This book read like a 90s slasher movie with elements of 80s sprinkled in for effect. I found myself experiencing watching Scream for the first time, that whodunit, you think you know but you don’t, type of horror thriller. If you take “New Age+Camp Crystal Lake+Scream+Final Destination Style Action = VIBES OF THIS BOOK!!!!!” I highly recommend this book if you like strong FMC with a little attitude, a few laughs sprinkled throughout and a keep you guessing, whodunit style ending! Picture a gruesome Scooby Doo reveal!
Meet Hannah, late twenties something who just lost her fiancé in a horrible accident while hiking in the wild. Hannah is a med student and is trying to get back on track with her life, minus Ben. She realizes, after a mistake, that she needs to take a break and what better opportunity than a free, new age, healing retreat. A place to unplug and get back to who she is. However, this retreat doesn’t end up being healing at all. Bodies start turning up and Hannah must figure out what’s going on, in order to save herself.
Highly recommend this read and I will be going to check out more of this author’s books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

McAuley mentions putting up a tent and gathering around in sleeping bags with a horror rental- and that's exactly the vibe this book brought to the function, to me. Hannah is struggling after the death of her fiancé; not only his death, but the traumatic experience of being responsible for dragging his death back to civility during a snowy hike. She is plagued by memories and near hallucinations where she is certain she is conversing with Ben, usually seeing him disfigured and covered in blood. Left to her own devices, Hannah distances herself from her best friend and any semblance of a social life. When her birthday comes, said best friend Tess ends up convincing her to start fresh on a wilderness retreat with a group of old friends. Guru Pax is instantly charming and whimsical, sharing his mystical goodness with the rest of the group to varied results. This book truly had NO BUSINESS being as funny as it was- some of the insiders, pop culture references, and reactions by the characters were so good. I think it's worth noting that good or bad qualities, this action made each character jump off the page. Some segments were close to suspending belief, but I honestly had so much fun with this one. This is my third by this author, and I think it cemented McAuley as an auto buy for me. His love for slashers as a genre- down to technicalities and nuances- shines through in every piece of literature he pens, and it's a joy for a fan to experience. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and rate an eARC!

thank you poisoned pen press & netgalley for this arc!!

like i told adam cesare after a screening of clown in a cornfield this week, i've been determined to read my way through a bunch of slashers -- i feel like they can be soooo hard to accomplish in novel form because they either take themselves too seriously or not seriously enough, and it's really challenging to strike that balance between thrilling unease and campy humor.

reading this, you can tell the author has a huge love for the slasher genre. the kills were creative and the twists were entertaining and honestly, by the time i got to the end, i liked this a hell of a lot more than i thought i would when i was in the first half. i wouldn't call this scary, but mcauley delivered exactly what he set out to do, and i think this would be SUCH a fun summer slasher to watch in a drive-in (or, in this case, to binge read during an end-of-summer storm in september).

A fun, kill-centric slasher, Breathe In, Bleed Out perfectly delivers on its intent—a sensorial slasher filled with familiar (but endearing) character stereotypes, ample humor, and inventive death scenes. It’s a welcoming change of pace to read something that prioritizes the visceral experience over deep symbolism or social commentary.

Retreats in isolated geographical locations seem to be a popular setting in this year’s genre fiction, and Breathe In, Bleed Out features one of the more vividly rendered ones, with just the right amount of lore sprinkled in. If I had to nitpick, I did find the killer’s identity a little out of left field—a bit of an “oh, that’s it?” moment after a slew of more intriguing possibilities.

Breathe In, Bleed Out doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s a strong homage to franchises like Scream or Friday the 13th, with some very creative storytelling decisions thrown in. As someone who’s read several of Brian McAuley’s works (Candy Cain Kills remains my favorite), this is another solid addition to his growing body of work.

Like the author says in his notes at the end, every final girl needs a back story. I loved that Hannah was messy. I loved that she had raw emotions and baggage and wasn’t handling it in the healthiest way. While we got her story, I was worried we weren’t going to get the slasher we were promised. But as soon as we get to the retreat. McAuley makes do on his promise. Slasher fans will appreciate the artist kills and multiple threads leading you to suspect everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brian McAuley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Hannah after she suffered a tragic horrifying hiking trip with her fiancé. When her life starts to spiral her friend Tess invites her to a new age retreat with some of their college friends. As people start disappearing, Hannah realizes this wasn’t the spiritual retreat she was looking for.

If you’re a fan of slashers, then I think you’ll really enjoy this one. You can tell the author is a fan of Scream and just wait fir the twist at end.

BOOK REVIEW: Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley

Thank you to @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for the ARC of Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley in exchange for an honest review!

Publication date: September 2nd, 2025

4.5 ⭐️

Synopsis:

Following the death of her fiancé Ben during a tragic hiking trip in the snowy mountains, Hannah is left haunted by vivid nightmares and a reality that’s slowly slipping through her fingers. In a desperate bid for healing, she joins a group of old friends- now distant since the loss- for a tech-free spiritual retreat in Joshua Tree. As she confronts her grief, trauma, and fractured relationships, the line between transcendence and complete unraveling begins to blur. Will this journey help her reclaim her mind, or push her even further into the abyss?

Review:

This book was such a fun, fast paced bloody twisty time! The author teases so many possible truths and theories throughout the book that you’re never quite sure which thread to trust, and that tension makes for an addictive read.

Each character felt nicely layered and carried emotional weight and secrets that kept me guessing. One line from the author’s note particularly resonated with me: “After all, there’s no mask more deceptive than the human face.” That idea is woven so cleverly into the story’s twists, making you question motives, identities, and realities right up to the final pages.

Final thoughts:

While I absolutely loved the way the story played out and ended in a general sense, I did find myself wishing for just a bit more closure on a few plot points and characters. That small detail kept it from being a full five stars for me- but honestly, this was still a really fun read that I won’t soon forget!

Recommendation:

Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun, fast paced psychological slasher with plenty of twists and thrills!

Themes:

🩸 Grief & Trauma
⛏️ Psychological struggle
🧘‍♀️ Spirituality vs Exploitation
🕉️ Isolation & Disconnection
🐍 Trust & Deception

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I didn’t think this would be my first Brian McAuley read, but it was and it did not disappoint! It hit every sweet spot that I crave in a slasher horror. The wellness retreat setting was such a fresh idea and each character was perfectly irritating in their own unique way.

It was definitely a page turner. I was able to finish this read in 2.5 days. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for some gory Scooby Doo/Scream/final girl vibes. I wouldn’t change a thing about this story; it was fun, cheesy, and a perfect 10 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brian McAuley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is a short and not at all sweet slasher type novel! I whipped through this one and I loved the gore, the unique kills and the twists. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

If you love slashers, then this is perfect for you! After reading the Author’s Note, you can tell the author is a fan of Scream! And the twist at then end was jaw dropping.

We follow Hannah after she suffered a horrific hiking trip with her fiancé. When her life starts to get out of control, her BFF Tess invites her to a new age retreat with a few of their college friends. As people start disappearing, Hannah realizes this wasn’t the spiritual retreat she thought it was.

If you’re a fan of slashers, then I think you’ll love Breathe In, Bleed Out!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Breathe In, Bleed Out in exchange for my honest review!

Oh man, this author writes slashers in a unique way that I absolutely love. I thought Curse Of The Reaper was amazing and Candy Cain Kills was kick ass. But with this one, he raises the bar on what a slasher novel should be.

A woman who's suffered a horrific event while hiking with her boyfriend has separated herself from her friends. She has nightmares about that day and even waking hallucinations as if her dead boyfriend is stalking her.

One day her best friend insists that she, along with a group of other friends, go to a weekend spiritual retreat deep in the desert. This exclusive invite only retreat features meditation, yoga, organic raw meals, crystals...all of that woo woo new age stuff.

She reluctantly agrees to it. This retreat is basic, has no modern conveniences and is run by a white guy who goes by the name Guru Pax. But, oddly, she starts feeling better about herself. She's been addicted to Xanax and thinks, perhaps, this retreat might be life changing for her despite the cheesiness of it all.

Of course, when her friends start being slaughtered one by one, this retreat becomes a race for survival. As the bloody rampage continues it becomes obvious they've been targeted. But by whom?

This novel reminds me, happily, of Scream. There's several possible killers and your mind will run wild as the book points towards certain characters with a suspicious eye. Of course it will be revealed at the end and it's a complete mind fuck! Never saw that coming.

You've got a whole group of great characters, a twisty narrative which always keeps you guessing, and the desert atmosphere is perfectly defined and puts you right in that environment.

It's also a lot of fun! I always love a good slasher book and this one will be at the top of your list. A brutal, bloody, high octane read. I highly recommend it.

This was so much fun! I'm a fan of the Candy Cain series so I was so pumped to read this and it did not disappoint!

This is a fast paced, slasher romp that reminds me of some of my favorite slasher films of the early 2000s. It has the horror, of course, but it also has moments that literally made me laugh out loud.

I don't want to give anything away with this one because it has a little bit of a twisty nature, but I will say that Brian McAuley nailed it and I had such a good time reading this book.

"She coughs blood, splattering her face and dripping down to the yoga mat. The energy drains from every chakra as she settles into shavasana. Her final corpse pose."


I enjoyed my time with this book. I don't have the luxury of time to read as much nowadays.. So busy lately esp starting a new job that I find myself having a hard time keeping up with my reading goal. Lovely cover aside, this is just exactly what I need. Nothing too complicated - a fun, campy, slasher read. It exudes Scooby-Doo vibes and I don't mind. It is not too extreme but still had unique/fun kills. The last 90% gave me a whiplash but I was right about my red herring. It doesn't top Candy Cain kills for me though but still def worth a read. I love the theme of going on a retreat for escapism or self-discovery with lots of yoga practice (Sana all). It makes me miss yoga classes so much. 🥹 I also don't care what anyone says but one thing I know for sure, I will never stop purchasing my peppermint essential oil. Iykyk. 😅
The benefits and pitfalls of spiritual self-discovery, impalement by crystal and immolation by essential oil are set pieces around which the author built his story. Reading the author's notes about his inspirations for writing horror also brought a different wave of warmth and nostalgia.


"She coughs blood, splattering her face and dripping down to the yoga mat. The energy drains from every chakra as she settles into shavasana. Lauren’s final corpse pose."


I enjoyed my time with this book. I don't have much time to read as much nowadays.. So busy lately esp starting a new job that I find myself having a hard time keeping up with my reading goal. Lovely cover aside, this is just exactly what I need. Nothing too complicated - a fun, campy, slasher read. It exudes Scooby-Doo vibes and I don't mind. It is not too extreme but still had unique/fun kills. The last 90% gave me a whiplash but I was right about my red herring. It doesn't top Candy Cain kills for me though but still def worth a read. I love the theme of going on a retreat for escapism or self-discovery with lots of yoga practice (Sana all). It makes me miss yoga classes so much. 🥹 I also don't care what anyone says but one thing I know for sure, I will never stop purchasing my peppermint essential oil. Iykyk. 😅
The benefits and pitfalls of spiritual self-discovery, impalement by crystal and immolation by essential oil are set pieces around which the author built his story. Reading the author's notes about his inspirations for writing horror also brought a different kind of warmth and nostalgia.

Big thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for the arc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh this was SO GOOD! To be fair, I’m a slasher fan. But I wasn’t disappointed at all. It’s a little slow burn but I still loved the journey it took me on. The characters, the writing kept me engaged the whole time. I mean, I did read this in a day. And now I’m sad it’s over! And the kill scenes were gruesome and bloody, perfect for horror fans!! Read this book!

We need more books like this in the world. It was a fun horror novel that subverted expectations and created surprising twists. I love that Brian McAuley dealt with the problematic side of horror without being too preachy with his 'wokeness'.

This was a great read and I will recommend it to my customers.

I was so excited to receive an early copy of Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley, out 02/09/25. I was hooked from the first page. The retreat was an excellent setting for the story and every character added something different. A great read which did not disappoint; I also loved the talking coyote reference 😂

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Brian McAuley once again proves his talent for crafting outstanding slasher stories, and Breathe In, Bleed Out is no exception. His latest novel delivers a horrifying, Scream-inspired tale filled with Final Destination-style kills, all built around a gripping whodunnit mystery.

Hannah has been running from her demons ever since she emerged from a harrowing wilderness trip without her fiancé. No one knows exactly what happened the day Ben died, and Hannah would like to keep it that way... even if his ghost still haunts her with vivid waking nightmares that are ruining her life. So when her friend group gets an exclusive invitation to a restorative spiritual retreat in Joshua Tree, Hannah reluctantly agrees in search of a fresh start.

Despite her skepticism of the strange Guru Pax and his belief in the supernatural world, Hannah soon finds healing through all the yoga, sound baths, and hot springs offered at the tech-free haven. But this peaceful journey of self-discovery quickly descends into a violent fight for self-preservation when a mysterious killer starts picking off retreat attendees in increasingly gruesome ways. As the body count rises and Hannah's sanity frays, she'll have to confront her dark past and uncover the true nature of a ruthless monster hellbent on killing her vibe for good.

Breathe In, Bleed Out's setting is a fresh and almost unexpected twist that sets the book apart from other book or film slashers. Taking place at a mindfulness retreat designed for attendees to get a fresh start, the tranquil atmosphere is a stark contrast to the chaos of a bloody killing spree. The juxtapose of quiet and serene with blood, gore and murder just adds tension and excitement to the story. Not to mention the suspense around uncovering the killer's identity which makes you turn the pages even faster.

McAuley crafts some outstanding characters in this stories and Hannah is just another to add to this list. While the entire cast of characters seems deeply flawed, Hannah stands out, as her story is shaped by the loss of her fiancé amongst other things. This tragic event gives credence her story providing insight into her motivations and struggles, making her a character you root for. Unlike the others, who really come across as those in desperate need of a spiritual reckoning, Hannah's story feels deeply personal. I found myself cheering for Hannah's redemption–not only just to survive the horrors that await in Joshua Tree.

While the novel was a quick read, it didn't compromise on anything. I was treated to insightful character moments, intense and gory kill scenes, and a thoughtful, satisfying conclusion. Brian McAuley delivers a classic slasher story, typically written for the screen, in a fast-paced novel that you can easily devour in one sitting.

Breathe In, Bleed Out is a fantastic slasher horror novel that fans of the genre, especially those who loved Scream, will enjoy. Brian McAuley delivers a unique final girl with a protagonist with her own emotional baggage, seeking a fresh start, only to find herself fighting for survival. With its intense narrative and wonderfully crafted characters, Breathe In, Bleed Out is a must-read from one of the best in the genre.

I posted my review on Instagram, @the.bookworm.chronicles

Breathe in, bleed out by @ brianmcwriter
Release date : September 2, 2025

I am thrilled that I was approved for an ARC copy of Brian’s new novel, Breathe In, Bleed Out, that truly is something for slasher fans! I have been following Brian’s work since I read his debut novel Curse of the Reaper in October of 2023 and have been devouring his other work since. His writing is cinematic, making you feel like you’ve just stepped into a horror film and his characters are flawed and real which makes it easy to route for them (or in some cases despise the jerks and creeps).

This novel follows our main character Hannah who is riddled with grief after an accident that killed her fiancé. Her best friend, knowing that she has been running from her demons ever since, convinces her to attend a restorative spiritual retreat with her friend group. Hannah reluctantly agrees in the hopes that she can find a fresh start. What starts out as a peaceful journey soon turns violent as a mysterious killer starts picking off the attendees one by one. As the bodies start pilling up Hannah’s sanity unravels. Who can she trust? Can she even trust herself?

Just like any good slasher I was rooting for the survivors, yelling at the characters when they inevitably do something stupid that leads to their demise (don’t these people know the rules for how to survive a horror movie!?), marveling at the creative kills, falling for the red herrings, and trying to guess who dun it (unsuccessfully in my case). I really appreciated all the nods to horror and slasher fans while still feeling fresh and not a copy cat of something that already exists.

I absolutely recommend that you pick this one up in September! I read it in just a few days and am sad it’s over! Can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks you @brianmcwriter and @poisonedpenpress for the eARC! This is my first one so it feels extra special.

I previously read Candy Cane Kills, and while I found it fun, I was ultimately left wanting a little more. With Breathe In, Bleed Out, McAuley definitely steps it up and delivers a solid campy slasher novel!

First off, the setting is great. The remote desert retreat allows for a realistic 'no cell reception' plot that feels nostalgic rather than trite. Also, the characters varying and evolving attitudes towards some of the Guru's antics are highly entertaining. The interactions between the friends are well done and believable.

The kills are probably the best part (*read the Authors note at the end, because it absolutely gives insight on the inspiration). They are creative and borderline silly, but a few are genuinely horrifying. The scenes aren't too drawn out, but deliver enough to leave you unsettled.

While I enjoyed this book a lot, there were a few small reasons I couldn't give it 5 stars. The pacing was a bit off, being slower in the first 3rd, and focusing very heavily on our main characters backstory. But once the action does eventually get going, it moves along quite quickly. Secondly, the mystery aspect gets somewhat convoluted by the end. There are many suspects and a ton of shenanigans going on here. It did make it impossible to 'know' who the killer is, although the reveal isn't completely out of nowhere...although it is bizarre.