3.5
The peace and calm of small town of New Castle, New Hampshire is about to be shaken. After seventeen-year-old David Spivey inherits a home on a remote island from his estranged grandmother, his group of teenage friends decided it is the perfect place to spend the rest of their summer before heading to college in the fall. David's best friend Billy retells the events of the summer and the ancient evil they awoke on Wood Island. The summer of fun quickly changed to one of darkness and sacrifice where things aren't as they seem.

This one took me a little bit to get into it, but as the story unfolds, it kept me listening. The story is narrated by Billy as he watches his best friend change while living on the island. I can't go into too much of the storyline without spoilers, but my only complaint with this one was it seemed to go on forever and at 492 pages, it is a longer one. There is a while in the middle where I felt like there wasn't much progress being made in the story, but it did give some history and backstory during that time. After finishing the book, there was an author's note that made me like the story more and gave background into the author's wanting to tell this story. Something I Keep Upstairs is a young adult horror, mystery, ghost thriller. Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook for review.

This book was a SLOG. Idk about all the great reviews, it was a messy, slow mishmash of haunted island and like murder mystery? I don't even really know, I listened to the audio and sort of zoned out towards the end b/c I was so bored. It reads like a YA book, but also a not great one. Regrets.

This was my first book by J.D Barker and I’ll likely check out his others. I listened to it on audio and loved the narrator. The story revolves around a creepy house on a secluded Island and a group of friends, one of them whom inherits the island from his estranged grandmother. Things are not exactly what they seem and start to get strange very quickly. There were some elements of the story I didn’t vibe with and I thought were not fully developed like the witchcraft part - there should of been more backstory or maybe just left that part out. The second they mentioned “Emerson must be fed” I HAD to know who or what the heck he was. Overall I rated it 3 stars and thought it was pretty good. Recommended if you like mystery books with creepy houses, teenagers and sacrifices. Publishing later this month

Thank you RBMedia and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my review.

When Billy’s friend Spivey inherits a home on an island, it comes with a set of odd rules they are required to follow. Spiveys parents are not allowed on the island, anyone on the island at sundown must stay until sunrise, and Emerson MUST be fed. I love a creepy haunting story and this one didn’t disappoint; an ancient evil haunted house that demands a sacrifice for the promise of everlasting health and wealth. It took me a little bit to get into but about halfway through I was pretty sucked in.
The narration was also great, engaging, and well done.

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Baker
Went in blind and was surprised by how heavily paranormal this one leaned—definitely not my usual genre. The story got a little convoluted in the middle and I found myself a bit frustrated with the side stories at times, but it still held my interest. It was eerie, intriguing, and offered some solid entertainment value. If you’re into ghosts and shadowy secrets, this might be your thing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ — 3.5 stars 14+ for mild language, moderate creepy/haunting themes, and mature writing style.

That's to Netflix Galley and J.D. Baker for the ARC.

I hadn't read JD Barker before, but definitely would again. This was a wild story - I liked it, but must admit I found it a bit convoluted in the final revelations. Things progressed with a deliciously slow and complex build throughout most of the story, in a way I found delightfully engaging - particularly given the narration, which I thought suited the story perfectly. I must admit a predilection for author-read audiobooks - who better to know the pacing and tone of a story than the author, after all? - and Barker definitely kept my attention throughout the book. It's a dark and twisty tale full of back-stabbing and vengeance, and moved at a solid pace throughout most of the story. The ending felt a bit rushed, given the lead-in, but on the whole I found it thoroughly enjoyable and will definitely look for more from the author - especially if he reads them himself!

This is my favorite read of 2025 so far! Billy's best friend Spivey inherits a house on a nearby island, creating the perfect hangout away from their parents and responsibilities. It is soon discovered that the house has dark secrets and is far from normal. I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook! I usually like my horror books to be on the shorter side, but I could easily have read another hundred pages of this. The atmosphere and tension throughout kept me turning the pages. It's hard to get into more without spoiling the book, but you've got to get your hands on this book if you enjoy a paranormal horror!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I liked the narrator. It’s funny I listened to another audiobook with the same narrator (my first of hearing him) just a couple of weeks ago and the books could not have been more different. I think this one started really strong, but it lost me near the middle. The ending was better than I was expecting and especially creepy with the author’s notes about why he used a real location and even some real events. This book is horror heavily focused on the supernatural, so be aware of that. It worked for me, but it wasn’t what I was expecting when I picked this one up. This is Billy’s story of the summer before he turned 18. His friend inherited an island and it seemed the perfect place to spend a summer and hang with friends. But there is clearly something strange about this island. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars which I rounded up because It was an enjoyable read.

This book scared me. Atmospheric, dark, creepy, eerie story, things not being what they seem, complex and very nicely written characters, beautiful descriptions of the locations, I felt like I was there looking at everything develop. Truly great horror story, nothing unnecessary in it, I enjoyed it a lot! The narration was also excellent, all emotions and characters were portrayed in a great way.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy of Something I Keep Upstairs. The premise sounded so interesting I couldn’t wait! It was good however a little hard to keep track of things at times. Definitely did not imagine it would be even half as long as it was.

This book had an interesting storyline and characters that kept you entertained most of the time. The narration was also great ! I do wish the book was a little shorter though because it felt like it draped on a bit at parts. Other than that I really enjoyed !

JD Barker is one of my favorite authors for dark and twisted thrillers. This book was a tad bit slower than I’m use to with him but still delivered all the chills I’ve come to expect from him. Excellent audio!

It honestly breaks my heart that my very first ARC ended up being a DNF, especially because I was so excited to dive into Something I Keep Upstairs. The synopsis promised a gripping and chilling thriller, and I went in fully expecting to be hooked from the first page.

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters and found myself feeling distant from the emotional and narrative threads of the story. As much as I wanted to push through, I realized this thriller leaned in a direction that just didn't align with the kind I usually gravitate toward. The tone and pacing felt different from what I expected, and ultimately I found myself unable to stay engaged.

That said, I truly believe every book has its reader—and I’m sure Something I Keep Upstairs will find its audience. The premise remains compelling, and I’m grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to give it a try.

The formula of Haunted house + creepy southern town + group of kids slowly uncovering the dark secrets is so well done in this book. I felt immersed in this world and loved the journey to the bittersweet ending. There were a lot of characters and sometimes I struggle to keep up but outside of that I had a lot of fun listening to this story and I am looking forward to checking out some other books by J.D. Barker now.

I was excited to see a new book from an author that I always seem to enjoy. This is the one and only J.D. Barker. I was interested to see this marketed as a chiller, somewhere in between a horror and a thriller. So begins a book that seems to have a life of its own. I was able to do this as an audio, and I found myself binging it as I was sucked into what was happening in the life of these characters. I thought that I had an idea where the story would head, with an old house on an island being the centerpiece of the story. That is when the story truly takes a twist and I was just flabbergasted at each new reveal, each coming at the perfect timing to just take my breath away. It is told from a first person narrative, with some chapters of the sheriff giving a break as well. This is a book that will bring a chill to the summer months as more and more readers find the depths of what this story truly is.

The strength of the novel is a strength of J.D. Barker. He is able to write with a way to fully experience the emotions of all of the humans. It is descriptive in the perfect amount, from smells to touch, they all help to fully encapsulate the scene and make it real. I found myself shocked at how I would feel the same emotions as some of the characters. I really enjoy the books that are able to do this, making it hard to pull myself back out of the story. The depth of the novel is something that will come as a shock to many readers, truly seeming like there is no way that there could be more surprises. The nice thing is that it all felt natural. It captures that teenage rebelliousness and leads it into them being pulled into this mystery in a way that could be very realistic. I know that the experiences of these characters is something that many people will be able to relate with, lending a way for the connection to start early. There are some scenes and ideas that are a little more mature for readers, but not necessarily graphic. This could be something that some readers may not want to read.

Overall, this is a fantastic stand alone novel for a quick summer read. It will be something that feels like one to be enjoyed while lounging on a beach, maybe even in the same town that is the stage for the book. I know that this is a book that will steal many readers' plans for sleeping or even others as they will find it difficult to put down. It is one that will stick in the mind and make them question going into an old house again. I believe that this book is definitely a great mix of horror, psychological thriller, and even a cop mystery. It all leads to an explosive finish that will leave readers gasping for breath and wondering how it could happen. Fans of horror or thrillers should definitely add this chiller to their TBR lists at the soonest opportunity. I know that I will be continuing to read more from Barker and also looking into more books from the narrator. It is just a top notch read!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker is a haunting, atmospheric read that kept me hooked from the start. I had the chance to experience both the ebook and the audio ARC, which added an extra layer of immersion—especially with the eerie narration. The story follows a group of teens spending the summer on a mysterious island, where they uncover a dark presence tied to an old mansion. The pacing is tense, and the blend of supernatural horror with emotional depth makes it more than just a typical scare-fest. Some parts are intense and twisty, but if you enjoy creepy stories that stay with you, this one’s definitely worth picking up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Thank you #Netgalley Hampton Creek Press/Simon and Schuster, and the author for this eARC along with the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on May 13, 2025

I do not know author J.D. Barker, but after reading Something I Keep Upstairs, I will be checking out anything else he's written. I grew up on 70s/80s horror (both books and movies), and this one felt like coming home. A bit of John Saul mixed with Dean Koontz, add a dash of Stephen King and you have a hit.

So familiar, yet intriguing on it's own. It's listed as mystery/thriller on Netgalley, with a young adult tag on Goodreads, but it was horror to me in the sense of dread with mystery, not gore. While reading it, I immediately recalled 1980s horror movie, The Fog, featuring an island, an old tale, illness, isolation ...... all of it hit a core memory and made me love the story.

From Barker's website:

<b>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.</b>

Absolutely recommend this one and the only reason it's 4, not 5, stars was the length. On audio it was over 15 hours and at times felt repetitive.

My only exposure to JD Barker has been the 4MK Trilogy (which I loved) and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ARC for this new story.

I didn't read much about the plot before starting this book, so the entire premise was unexpected. It felt like a classic Stephen King story. It was spooky and suspenseful but still a lot of fun.

The narrator also did a very good job of performing all the parts in a way that made me feel like I was listening to someone tell me a story. It felt very natural.

Thank you RBMedia and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So very disappointed that this came from one of my faves, J.D. Barker. It didn't have the punch of his other works. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

Something I Keep Upstairs
Audiobook by J.D. Barker – ★★★☆☆

This was my first experience with J.D. Barker's work, and I went into it not knowing quite what to expect. The title and premise intrigued me, and I was hoping for a suspenseful, maybe even creepy, story that would keep me hooked from start to finish. While there were definitely moments that grabbed my attention, overall, I found this book to be confusing and a little overwhelming.

One of the highlights of the experience was the audiobook narrator. The performance was strong, with good pacing, distinct character voices, and the kind of expressive tone that helps you stay engaged. I appreciated the effort and professionalism in the narration—it definitely helped me get through some of the more complicated sections of the story.

As for the plot itself… this is where things got tricky. The story starts off with promise, setting up what feels like a central mystery, but then it branches off into multiple plotlines that evolve in very unexpected and sometimes baffling ways. Just when I thought I was beginning to understand what was going on, the story would shift direction or introduce a new twist that didn’t always feel earned or connected. Some of the subplots were interesting on their own, but the way they were layered and intertwined made it hard to keep track of who was who, what was happening, and how it all tied together.

There’s clearly a lot of ambition here—Barker isn’t afraid to experiment and push boundaries—but for me, it ended up being too much all at once. The book seemed to go in so many different directions that it lost its core focus. By the end, I was left scratching my head, unsure if I had missed something major or if the confusion was part of the design.

I wouldn’t say it was a bad book—it had moments of suspense, solid writing, and intriguing ideas—but it just didn’t fully land for me. I prefer a tighter narrative with more clarity, and this one felt like it was trying to do too much. That said, I’m not completely turned off from reading more of J.D. Barker’s work in the future. I can see the appeal, especially for readers who enjoy twisty, unpredictable stories with a darker tone.

All in all, I’d give it three stars. Not quite what I was hoping for, but not a total miss either.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.