J.D. Barker’s *Something I Keep Upstairs* is an atmospheric and chilling haunted house novel that delivers suspense and even makes you feel for the "bad guys."

Set on a fog-laced island off the coast of New Hampshire, the story follows seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler and his friends as they spend a summer in a mysterious Victorian house inherited by Billy’s best friend, Spivey. What starts as a carefree adventure quickly spirals into a nightmare as the group uncovers the island’s sinister past and awakens ancient, lurking evil.

Barker excels at creating a vivid sense of place—the isolated island and its foreboding mansion become characters in their own right, amplifying the creeping dread that permeates the novel. The supernatural elements are handled with a slow-burn approach, building tension and unease rather than relying on cheap thrills. The house’s strange rules and the enigmatic presence of Emerson add a whole other layer of mystery that had me continually changing my view on what was really happening.

One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of friendship and sacrifice. The bond between Billy, Spivey, and their friends is tested as secrets unravel and the stakes rise. In my opinion, those limitations of friendship are what really add the horror and emotional weight. Themes of generational trauma, loss of innocence, and the burden of inheritance are woven seamlessly into the narrative, grounding the supernatural in relatable human experience.

I saw some reviews that said the character development could be deeper, and I do agree with that assessment. While I found some of the cast believable, others were too static. This, I feel, was the author's biggest weakness -- making some of his characters too black and white. Billy's dad, for example, was... I don't want to say he was the stereotypical finger-steepling, sharp-nosed villain. But honestly, he is kind of portrayed that way. Some of the things he did (even in hindsight when you know the whole story) are really ridiculous and unrealistic. So the story lost a star in that respect from me.

The pacing is generally strong, with short chapters and escalating suspense, though a few plot detours felt slightly extraneous. Still, these minor issues did not detract from my overall enjoyment.

My other major complaint was that at times, it felt more like a YA horror novel than a real horror novel. Part of that was likely the abundance of teenage characters, of course, but some of the actions and themes lent themselves better to YA than true horror, too.

In summary, the story is rich in atmosphere, emotionally resonant, and genuinely unsettling. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and had no major complaints beyond the few predictable and unrealistic characters. If you’re looking for a haunting, character-driven ghost story that lingers after the final page, give this one a shot.

So… I really wanted to like Something I Keep Upstairs, but honestly, it just didn’t work for me—and the witchcraft stuff? Totally over the top.

The setup had potential: a group of teens spending the summer on an island with creepy vibes and mysterious history. But then it veered hard into this wild, over-the-top witchcraft angle that felt like it belonged in a completely different book. I’m talking ancient rituals, sudden hallucinations, people floating—it was like The Craft met Scooby-Doo, but without the charm or coherence.

Honestly, it felt like the book was trying way too hard to be edgy and supernatural, but it just came off as messy and kind of ridiculous. I kept waiting for it to settle into something compelling, but instead it just got more absurd.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for this honest review.

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker is the perfect summer read: gripping, atmospheric, and impossible to put down! From the very first page, the story pulled me in with its chilling premise and masterful suspense. Barker’s writing is sharp and immersive, making it easy to lose yourself in the twists and turns of this psychological thriller.

The book’s description hints at secrets lurking just out of sight, and Barker delivers on that promise tenfold. The tension builds steadily, leaving you guessing until the very end. The characters are richly drawn, and the pacing is flawless, making it one of those rare books you’ll want to devour in a single sitting.

If you’re looking for a thriller that’s equal parts spine-tingling and addictive, this is it. Something I Keep Upstairs is a standout in the genre, and I highly recommend it for your summer reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review.

There is a lot of elements to this story. It’s reads like an 80s horror film. There’s horny teens, an inherited party house, occult activity. A group of seniors, in a small town find out one of them just inherited a house. The house comes with rules that you must follow. When strange things start to happen a couple of the kids start asking questions. I did enjoy the small town elements that help the story and the ending made it worth the wait. I listened to it as an audiobook. When it was about halfway through I thought the story was wrapping up only to find out we still had 7 hours left to go. I gave it 3 stars because I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it.

It appears that other than the 4MK Thriller series (which I loved and devoured), I have a hard time connecting with Barker's books. I had high hopes for this one from reading the synopsis alone. However, once I started it I realized it was going to be a completely different reading experience than anticipated. I had a very difficult time connecting with any of the many characters in the story due to how incredibly unlikable they all are. I think whereas Barker was going for suspense and horror, it was just too convoluted leaving me confused and frustrated. Not my favorite.

I enjoyed so many parts of this book. I loved the small town/isolated island setting. The haunted house/atmosphere. The coming-of-age horror.

I liked most of the characters, especially our protagonist, Billy. The antagonist, the mysterious entity named Emmerson, was terrifying. We never learned quite what this thing is; a house, a demon, a monster. There was one character that I absolutely detested and I had to read fast through the toxic masculinity. One of the supposed friends of all the kids on the island. He had no redeeming qualities and his dialogue made me want to skip ahead so I didn’t have to listen.

The narration was very good. It was a longer audiobook but didn’t feel like a chore to get through. Great story; witchcraft and mystery.

Want a quick creepy thriller that keeps you thinking after you’ve finished? Yup, this will be that book! Kept me sucked in the whole time definitely recommending this read to friends!

Normally, I love Barker books but this one was missing something, while having way too much of others. Too many characters, yet none of them likable. Too much going on so I couldn’t seem to engage with the story. And it was just too long, I was done way before the book was. It definitely has a creepy atmosphere and the narrator of the audiobook did a great job, it just didn’t hold my interest. My thanks to RBmedia for providing an audio review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

There was a lot going on in this audiobook, in a good way. There was the mystery and the horror and the relationships between the kids that felt so nostalgic. The switches between time periods were well done, and I realized it was long only because it was taking me so long to get through. I liked the narrator too, and thought the presentation was great.

A high school kid inherits a house on an island from his grandmother but it comes with a bunch of rules. A high school girl goes missing. Something evil from the past is awakened that has been haunting the island for generations. The local Sheriff starts to unravel it but the more he tries to figure it out the more confusing it gets.

I listened to this on audio and maybe that was my problem. Because I really REALLY wanted to love this thriller and I didn’t. At first I thought it was because the narrator sounded kinda whiney but nope, it really was the story. I don’t know if the author was going for super suspenseful but he ended up just going for super confusing. It took forever for the story to really get going and once it did, it just stayed kinda flat.

Unfortunately, I will be DNFing this one... I'm having a very hard time connecting to the characters which makes it a little too hard to really get into the story for me.

I have loved J.D. Barker for a while now and when I tell you "Something I Keep Upstairs" is one of his best, it's the truth! Great book and narrator was awesome.

A great mystery with suspense and an unreliable narrator that keeps us on our toes, so well done! A great blend of some things seeming as simple as they appear while others being a jaw dropping surprise.

J.D. Barker has once again written a nail biting, edge of my seat, thriller! It is full of lies, evil, and secrets. Finding out the truth can could destroy everything.

This was a solid, unsettling haunted house story. It was a bit slow at the beginning but it picked up about ⅓ of the way in and really kept my attention from then on. I went in to this book completely blind, so I will admit it was not what I was expecting at all. I don’t typically gravitate toward supernatural books, but I didn’t dislike it at all! The author’s note at the end was also excellent and really added to the story! I’ve read multiple J.D. Barker books and definitely look forward to reading anything he writes in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

J.D. Barker's "Something I Keep Upstairs" is a gripping and atmospheric read that caught me off guard in the best way possible. Going into the book, I had no inkling it was building toward a paranormal thriller, and Barker masterfully kept me guessing through most of its pages. The slow-burn setup and clever misdirection made the eventual twists all the more satisfying.

The story unfolds mainly in New Castle, a small island in coastal New Hampshire, a setting that Barker brings to life with vivid detail. The moody, seaside backdrop perfectly complements the narrative, grounding the eerie and mysterious elements in a way that feels both authentic and immersive. It's the kind of book that reads like a movie; cinematic in its pacing, dialogue, and imagery. I could easily see tis translating into a major motion picture, with its blend of suspense, emotional depth, and supernatural intrigue.

Barker's storytelling prowess and the unforgettable setting make this a must-read for rans of thrillers with a paranormal twist. Highly recommend diving into this one without spoilers for maximum impact!

The synopsis instantly reeled me in: mystery, thriller, horror. Needless to say, I was so excited when my ARC request had been approved.

Upon beginning the book, I was immediately turned off by the narrator’s voice. Grant it, I understand that we cannot help our God-given tone of voice and I feel that he did as well as he possibly could have with what he had. It just simply did not suit me, causing me to have a difficult time taking the story seriously and focusing on the words.

On another note, I felt like the story line had great potential. However, I felt like it was haphazardly thrown together. I was confused and frustrated until the very end, which left me disappointed.

By far, the biggest downfall for me was the witchcraft, biblical references, unnecessary sexual scenes, and crude language. I would not have requested this book, if I was aware of any of these topics. I found it to be greatly offensive and disrespectful towards my, One and Only, Heavenly Father.

I truly appreciate the opportunity given to me to listen and review this read. I do wish the very best for this author. Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley!!

Thank you, RBmedia, and NetGalley for letting me review this audiobook, Something I Keep Upstairs.

This was a gripping, haunting novel that you do not want to read at night. I personally was scared at some moments in this novel; however, I am sure that this may be something the author, J.D. Barker, was hoping for.

The inherited house on an island, passes over the parents, to their child. This child, and his friends decide to spend their last summer, hanging out on the island.

One thing about this house on the island is, there are rules you must follow. Of course, they are not taken seriously and not followed by all.

This is an all lights on, gripping the edge of your seat, haunting house, nightmare.

I loved how well written this novel was, because it leaves you with questions throughout, but those questions are eventually answered, which makes you want to keep reading to find out what everything means. Even when explained, it is still otherworldly, and leaving you with your mind ruminating, and wanting to sleep with your lights on. Lights are very important in this novel.

This haunting house and island, ends with your mind blow. J.D. Barker mastered how to end a novel, with an ending you would never expect and will leave you in complete shock.

If you enjoy haunted houses/islands, shock factor, and an intense emotional factor, this is the book for you. I am still ruminating over this book, and this book will not leave my mind. It is now shelved in my brain, which may also happen for you.

Leave it to Barker to keep me on the edge of my seat! He never fails to give us a twisty and gripping book that has you saying 'what just happened' at the end. Something I Keep Upstairs is no exception! The narrator also did an absolutely fantastic job at bringing the story to life and making me feel like I was in the pages of the book!

I consider it to be both a blessing and a curse that my introduction to the writing of J.D. Barker came with The Fourth Monkey. While I now want to read almost everything that he writes, I have found that, for me, nothing I’ve read since quite measures up. The good news about Something I Keep Upstairs, a novel about a haunted house on a secluded island near New Castle, New Hampshire, is that it may have come the closest to hitting that high mark. The main character is a seventeen-year-old high school student named Billy Hasler whose friend David Spivey (‘Spivey”) inherits the house from a grandmother he didn’t know well. Spivey is a bit of a loaner until he gets the house, which becomes a party place for kids looking to get away from parents and responsibilities. The house comes with mysterious rules which, of course, have consequences if broken.

The book starts off really strong introducing the characters while slowly building the tension. When the first house rule is broken you can feel a sense of dread that something bad is about to happen. And boy things do go south quickly!

The central characters have complexities and face various moral dilemmas. I really liked Billy and found him to be easy to root for. Spivey, now suddenly rich and popular, is very relatable. You know he is going to enjoy his new status. Of course, this wouldn’t be a horror book without some bad kids and a few creepy adults, all of whom elevate the narrative.

If I were to change one thing about the book, I’d probably make it an hour shorter as there were a few places where the story dragged a bit in my opinion.

This audiobook is narrated by Michael Crouch. I’m embarrassed to say that I wasn’t familiar with his name, but I had listened to him before read Memorials by Richard Chizmar and I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones. Despite the fact that he’s in his 40’s, he is perfect for books with young protagonists (as is evidenced by the three books I’m familiar with). I enjoyed listening to him immensely and will pay better attention to his work going forward.

Thanks to RBmedia and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to listen to Something I Keep Upstairs. The above opinions are my own.