Witch 13

It has been a while since I have read a good evil witch story, so Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney was a treat for me. I loved how the story emerged from an atmospheric and spooky setting…and how the witch was incredibly dangerous. This book has a lot of nods to witches in traditional fairy tales and stories like The Wizard of Oz while maintaining a contemporary setting in Connecticut. This fast-paced supernatural horror novel made for a really fun afternoon read!

If your Horror preference is for Implacability, come right over here and peek around this dark, dark corner. Patrick Delaney has a funky expansive locked-room Mystery for you that is rife with Implacable Horror, a locked room that is not just one room, not a castle or an isolated island. No, this is an entire small community in Connecticut! Isolated, here in the 21st century, cut off by an unnatural Storm, technology failing (no telephones, no dispatch radio, connection to outside world destroyed, electricity out), subject to monstrous unimaginable Evil which taunts and torments and is a cosmic puppet master negotiating the lives of unsuspecting trapped humans and wildlife, till one wonders if anyone can, will, survive!

Set in a small town in Connecticut, a mysterious witch arrives to wreak havoc on an isolated community. The setting was vivid and engaging, and the illustrations throughout the story made it feel extra atmospheric. The mystery of the witch and her unsettling demeanor made this book difficult to set down, especially as the secrets were revealed. I'm not always a fan of police procedurals, but nevertheless I found this book to be very enjoyable, and would be a great read for lovers of horror and creepy supernatural antagonists!

Loved! I adore any book about witches and the fact that this one has LGBT representation makes it all the better.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4543742531

I thought that the authors writing style is amazing. I was super excited to read this book. The story is different than any others I've read lately, and it gave me a spooky feel. I felt like the story was rushed though while at some points it seemed slow. I was a little confused at the beginning of the book and at the constant switch of characters leading the chapters was a little confusing as well. All together it was a pretty good story that is worth a read.

This was so good. The writing was easy to understand that book was interesting to get into. I think that maybe the motivation and actions of the witch were a bit confusing and I didn't really understand the end, but it was still enjoyable. The deaths were really interesting in how they happened and how they were written. I really enjoyed this book.

This story is very atmospheric, and definitely gives off creepy, spooky vibes.
A bloody, spooky Christmas ish story??? OK!

The side stories and the non-witch characters didn’t quite work for me, but anytime the witch or the effects of the witch were in a scene, I was hooked. I thought the witch parts of the storyline were brilliant! She was this huge, menacing, but silent presence. The author had a very unique take on a witch story.

Thank you Net Galley and Oblivion Publishing for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

I loved this dark witch story. It was well written with a well executed and creepy storyline and well developed characters. It was so atmospheric and chillingly gothic in its narrative and I loved the cultural nod to other well known witches in literature. I couldnt put this book down and I read it really quickly, I love books about witches and dark and disturbing reads and this combined the two. A really good read.

A creepy dark witch story. Was very unnerving, especially the first chapter. I liked how the story is different from most things that have been released lately and I absolutely loved the illustrations! The illustrations made it feel like I was reading a children's book but knowing full well that the disturbing and gothic atmosphere was far from a children's book. A good read

Witch 13 is the perfect book for a cold winter night. It is really well-written with great characters. I really enjoyed the plot especially the witch and all the mystery surrounding her. It is pretty gory so prepare yourself.

After reading Silvers Hollow, I marked Patrick Delaney as an author to watch. So when Witch 13 was made available, I jumped at the chance to read it. I found myself once again impressed with the author's writing, character development and overall dark style.

An atmospheric and creepy thriller, Witch 13 starts out with a bang and just keeps the action rolling. Real characters, a strong protagonist and a twist at the end that will make you want to stay the whole thing over saying "What the f-- did I miss?"

Thank you to Netgalley, Oblivion Publishing and of course, the exceedingly talented Patrick Delaney for allowing me the honor of reading this ARC.

All opinions are my own.

I found myself unable to put this book down, and a couple of times thought about not finishing it.
To say I was surprised at how it ended would be an understatement, didn't see it coming,I was left with questions.
Not the usual type of book I normally read, but I did enjoy it.

Holy hell this book was FUN. Witch 13 reads like a movie in the same vein as Autopsy of Jane Doe, Woman in Black, and Blair Witch Project.
The entire book takes place over one night, set mostly inside of a small-town police station. Cut off from the rest of the world due to a raging storm, increasingly strange things happen in the presence of an honest to God witch. Like, with the pointy hat and everything. Despite an almost comical appearance, the witch is absolutely terrifying - an almost Lovecraftian entity capable of leaving pure carnage in her wake.
Although I wasn't huge on the writing - imo, the prose was a tad simplistic and some characters leaned 1-dimensional - the fast-paced story, genuinely creepy scenes, and terrifying antagonist sold me. Did I mention that the witch is terrifying?
This comes out in June, and I think this would be an excellent fun Halloween read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishing house for a chance to read an ARC of this book! Witch 13 is a hauntingly dark read full of twists and turns--really great read!

It's Sterlings last night as Sheriff & she is reminiscing on the actions that lead to her resignation while being farewell by her staff. But the appearance of a woman dressed like a classic witch in a black dress & pointed hat turns what was suppose to a quiet night into a nightmare.

It starts off creepy & just escalates from there. Right from the first chapter I was hooked right in. Patrick Delaney has created an atmospheric horror story of a witch I would be scared to see any time. Has the classic elements of a raging storm while everyone is confined to one space. You feel the fear & dread whats to come. Has some great bloody scenes. I loved the Witch, she was such a great character who was so menacing while doing very little.

There was an event at the end I wish had been given a bit more explanation to. Other than that enjoy this story & is perfect for curling up with on a cold night or when the rain is falling.

Thank you to Netgalley & Oblivion Publishing for this ARC in exchange for honest review.

This was a good spooky story. Set over one day and night in a small town, the mysterious witch is the centre of strange and horrific events. Things get more and more weird and intense as the night progresses. A good twist at the end, with a possibility for more books to come
Enjoyed it a lot.

“Cleanup on aisle five”

On her final shift Sheriff Sterling Marsh hopes for a quiet night of paperwork and celebrating with her friends/work colleagues. Fate however has other plans when she arrests a witch. This night is going to be one she will never forget!

I stumbled across this book by accident, I’d never heard of the author before and simply tried my luck based on the description. I’m really glad I did, what a fun book it turned out to be. The prose was fantastic giving enough description for me to really imagine the world Patrick wanted me to see. There were some really nice twists and troupes on familiar genres. I almost wanted to know more about certain parts of the story (which I’ll probably reach out to the author to see if he is going to touch on in future books).
I didn’t find this book scary but that’s not a knock on this book as I’m rarely scared by horror these days sadly (although I’m always on the look out for something that might!!). I think other people will find this book unnerving.
All in all I’d definitely recommend checking this book out and will be checking out Patrick’s back catalogue!

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley but the reviews below are my own.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting but it wasn't this, I was pretty impressed. It gave me similar feelings to watching a horror movie. The parts full of action had me glues to my kindle, the lulls had me begging these idiots to leave.

I took one star because I figured out the end about 30% through.

I love the inclusion of the pictures every so often. Every timeI was graced with one I was amazed at how well it matched up to the image the authors words built in my head.

The deaths were gruesome and exactly what the story called for.

Over all great book if you like horror or thrillers.

Brilliant, creepy and addictive. A fantastic horror story, that chills you to the bone. It is full of brilliant twists and turns. A must read.

Thank you to Netgalley, Oblivion Publishing, and Patrick Delaney for providing me with an ARC of Witch 13 in exchange for an honest review! I requested this book so quickly when I saw the beautiful cover, the spooky description, and the LGBTQIA tag. The story ended up going in a different direction than I anticipated, leaning more into traditional horror (with a dash of Lovecraftian horror in the second half). It was just so much fun!

The story follows Sheriff Sterling Marsh as she finishes her last shift before leaving her job. It’s close to Christmas, so she’s expecting a pretty laid-back night as she attends a holiday goodbye party with her co-workers. Unfortunately, things take an unexpected turn when strange happenings pop up throughout their small town. At the heart of it all is a witch. The witch refuses to speak and barely moves, but there’s a menacing air surrounding her. Why has she come into town, and what exactly is she capable of?

There’s been a recent trend in contemporary fiction to write about witches who readers want to root for, but this book does not follow suit. The witch is very creepy, and you learn little to nothing about her until the end of the novel. It’s so unnerving to read along, because you know there’s something not right about her… but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. I was on the edge of my seat wondering when she’d truly come out of her stoic shell.

I’m a picky reader, but I enjoyed Witch 13! I’ve been dipping my toes into cosmic horror in recent months, and this book helped to scratch my itch for a weird, spooky read. I think my favorite part was just how entertaining it was. The characters are mostly stuck in a police station with the witch. So, there’s a locked room mystery, as worse and worse things keep happening. This is certainly not a cozy, calm read— it’s got scares, gore, and lots of deaths written in very unique ways. I found that really fun and easy to get into, but I don’t necessarily think it’s for everyone.

I liked Delaney’s writing. He does a great job of describing situations so you feel like you’re right there with the characters. I could hear the rain rattling the windows and see the lightning illuminating the walls of the police station. In a horror novel, having strong imagery is essential to pulling off the scares. There are a couple deliciously creepy scenes that almost gave me goosebumps. He also writes the characters well— they feel fully developed and fleshed out.

The book mostly sticks with Sterling, but the perspective does occasionally shift to other characters as they face different experiences. I liked pretty much all of the characters, except Chase (he was such a jerk!). Sterling is fairly morally grey, but I appreciated having a queer protagonist and empathized with some of her struggles. The other side characters also had unique personalities, and it was easy to get invested in them as you learned more about their lives. Everyone felt real.

It’s not a perfect book, but all of the twists and scares outweighed the negatives for me. Some parts in the first half are slow. The beginning is good, because it sets everything up, but it takes awhile to get to the action with the witch. Some chapters felt repetitive, especially while the characters were still sitting around the police station. I questioned the timeline sometimes, because so much happened within like 12 hours. Maybe time stamps on the chapters would have helped keep things clearer about what was happening when.

Also, this is more of a minor complaint, but there were so many metaphors and similes used. The descriptions were so lovely without them that they felt unnecessary. Near the end, I was getting a little tired of reading "like" and "as" every other paragraph.

All in all, though, I had a great time reading this novel! Horror that actually embraces the supernatural is so much fun for me. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes Stephen King or other dark horror writers. It would be a perfect Halloween pick, as it reads just like a horror film. I’ll definitely pick up other books by Patrick Delaney in the future. It looks like his novels are in the same universe, so I want to read more to see if I can get a few questions answered.

4 out of 5 stars.

P.S. It has great illustrations that appear every few chapters! Some of them are quite chilling.

398.2 Fiction and fairy tales.

Witch 13 could quite easily be put into the fairy tale category. It encompasses many fairy tale traits. It has a good versus evil theme, magical elements, a near impossible puzzle to solve, a forest, a castle and of course gingerbread. But this is no ordinary fairy tale, certainly not one you would tell to a youngster safely tucked in their bed eagerly awaiting their bedtime story.

I was given the opportunity to read this novel through NetGalley with permission from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the title and cover art. I am a bit of a sucker for a good scare. I was not disappointed.

Delaney weaves his tale of storms and witches with great skill drawing you in with his every word. He is able to bring you face to face with the challenges set for Stirling on her last day on the force in such a way that you are with her every step of the way.

While I cannot fault Delaney in putting the reader front and centre in the action I will admit at times it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The decisions of the main characters were very questionable. While I was mentally berating the characters and wanting to put this book down in disgust for their poor choices I found it difficult to stop reading, just like trying not to watch a drunken friend take that monumental tumble, only not as funny.

Unlike your classic fairy tale this one has a twist. A twist of such colossal proportions it will leave you speechless.

Regardless of wanting to shake some sense into the characters I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will be on the lookout for Patrick Delaney's previous titles and would recommend this to anyone that likes an edge of your seat thriller.

I just reviewed witch13. A good and creepy book with an unsettling eerie atmosphere and a scary character.

The first thing I would like to say is this book made me keep the lights on and I couldn't read any of it at night, which for horror is perfect. I don't know what I was expecting for this book other than a bone-chilling witch story. I was initially drawn in by the cover which in this case is perfect for the book and ties in with the illustrations throughout the book which really added to the creep factor of the book. The mind games that are played on the characters were what truly got to me and Delaney did this so well.
One thing I wasn't quite prepared for was how sad Witch 13 would be I want to avoid spoilers but there were elements of this book that choked me up while terrifying me all at once. Sterling is a very grey person and I to the end still can't decide how I feel about her.

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney is a wonderful romp through a dark and stormy night. I didn't love any of the characters but the tone of the book kept me reading. I love horror and so much has been overdone but this is a nice fresh take on a witch story. I loved it and I hope that Mr. Delaney will be giving us more of these kinds of stories.

Witch 13 is a bloody, violent, unpredictable Holiday tale.
This story was deliciously eerie. The stormy night setting, rather than coming off as cliche, dropped me immediately into the dark mood of the book. Delaney doesn’t stop with visual description. He elegantly infuses all the senses until I was trapped in the setting, unable to put the book down. Everything from the damp, the sounds of the storm, the smells of rot and gingerbread, and the heart-racing experiences created a spider web that wrapped around me and didn’t let go until the end.

The setting and story had me more enthralled than the characters, I have to admit. I rarely pick up books that have cops as main characters but I’m glad I did this one even if I couldn’t really thrum up sympathy for Sterling. I just couldn’t figure out why she felt so hard done by the world. Yes, she is dealing with grief, but honestly, I felt like she was simply the female version of the older jock who was mourning their glory days.
Even Max, who I found to be the most sympathetic of characters, was weirdly written. In one moment he comes off as an older kid who is very smart and good with puzzles. In another moment he is calling his mother “Mommy” which my own 6 year old doesn’t even call me. Delaney does the same with other child characters, like he’s not entirely sure how to write them in their ages and blends the intellect of an older child with the emotional maturity of one very young. I don’t think this was necessary for sympathy or for being terrified of the Witch, since I found myself sympathizing and scared for them despite these discrepancies.

The action and story line in this book, while compelling and exciting, I think would make an even better horror movie. Delaney has a knack for creating a scene that plays in technicolor in my mind. I could watch it play out and was even holding my breath in some moments, wondering what was going to happen. Would they live? How would they die? It was great!
If we ever are blessed by a Witch 13 movie – I could see it brilliantly done either by the makers of Silent Hill or by the studio that gave us Gretel and Hansel (or perhaps a collaboration for the best results). I felt both movies in how this books was written. The cop hero fighting monsters and dealing with interpersonal drama. The gore! And the eerie setting with fairy tale fear sprinkled on top.

Also, I LOVED the illustrations. I couldn’t find the artist name or clarify if Delaney did them himself or if it was the same artist as the cover designer, Ross Nischler, but whoever did them did a fantastic job.

Lastly, I think that Witch 13 would be well loved among the SCP community. For those unaware, SCP stands for Secure. Contain. Protect. The SCP Foundation could easily be the community Bill belongs to and thats all I can say without spoiling too much of the story.

Recommendation

Lovers of Silent Hill, Gretal and Hansel, modern fairy tales, and the SCP Foundation will enjoy this winter tale as much as I have. Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney is an edge-of-your-seat ride into horror.

This is a good book for any horror fan. I felt lost a couple of times but that's probably due to my reading style. This would be awesome to have an audiobook release for those readers who enjoy both at same time.

This is my first book by Patrick Delaney courtesy of NetGalley, and it was such a fun ride.
This story follows Sheriff Sterling Marsh who is finishing up her last shift before laying down her badge. The book mostly sticks with Sterling, but it has a few other characters you experience throughout the night. There are some truly creepy scenes, and from the first moment you know something is off with the Witch- but you just don't know what. This is a small sleepy town full of superstition and one rainy night they lose all communication. The book has some great illustrations scattered throughout that help really tie in the story together.

“Witch 13” by Patrick Delaney is intense, unsettling, bizarre, and unpredictable. This is one of those spooky horror stories that dig deep into the human psyche to understand what it is that makes people afraid and how those fears can be used against them. For those who enjoy a gruesome and terrifying novel that will make their skin crawl, this is a perfect read!

On the eve of her resignation, Sterling Marsh’s celebration with her co-workers goes awry when a stranger comes to town and disrupts the peace. Even though Sterling cannot pin down why she gets the heebie-jeebies from this stranger, she knows there’s something off about them. Maybe it’s the fact they don’t talk, or blink, or hardly even move unless prompted. Or maybe it’s due to the fact they wear a black pointed hat and a witch’s garb that sends off warning signals.

When Sterling takes them to the station to hold them for questioning, her co-workers begin to drop like flies. Though she can’t explain how it’s all connected to the witch when they’re locked up in a cell, she knows they’re responsible. If Sterling doesn’t put a stop to this witch, she worries their power will extend beyond the station, and it won’t be just her workmates who will suffer from the witch’s wrath.

"Witch 13" was brilliantly executed! (Excuse the pun). Delaney brings back the fascination people have of witches, along with their admiration and fear of them. This awe that surrounds their power and existence, along with the chilling recognization that they are ancient creatures beyond this realm is astoundingly realistic in this novel. Delaney plays up the fantasy in the gory bits but remains true to the longstanding history of what people have always believed witches to be (with a little spin on it, of course).

The witch is at the center of the story and is likely the most captivating character due to the dark vibes she exudes. It’s hard to say much about this figure without giving too much away, but readers will definitely share in Sterling’s fear of going insane as rationality (there is no proof the witch is scheming against the town) and gut instinct (that the witch is definitely pulling the strings) duel throughout the novel.

Readers will enjoy the characters in this novel who are diverse and come with their own slew of issues—probably why they’re easy prey. It’s easy to be drawn into the storyline when there is a lot of intrigue around the cast and how they affect the chaos that ensues in the tiny town.

As far as witch stories go, Delaney’s is original and thought-provoking. There is a lot of psychology that goes into the creation of the characters that makes them multi-faceted but at the same time, their complexity adds to the horror that permeates the story. Sterling and her fellow co-workers’ fears, desires, ambitions, and regrets become exposed and they will fall prey to their weaknesses.

This is a story that must be read! It’s terrifying, intense, and highly addictive. “Witch 13” by Patrick Delaney is set to be published on May 3rd, 2022. Make sure to save the date and add it to your reading lists so you can read it the second it’s available!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Oblivion Publishing, and the author for providing me with a free e-arc of "Witch 13" and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review!

Sinister, unnerving and definitely the result of what happens if you read fairytales backwards on a full moon. Witch 13 is one of those stories that quite literally gives you goosebumps and makes you double check the door is locked just one more time.

With beautiful illustrations, this was not only visually appealing but was fully of visceral descriptive world-building that was captivating and transporting. Taking the horrendously overdone cliches like the dark windy night and the woman working alone and turning them on their head, transforming them into violently haunting horror,

On the eve of her resignation, Sheriff Sterling Marsh prepares for a bleak winter in Drybell, Connecticut, after a string of bad decisions leaves her life in shambles. Two weeks before Christmas and expecting a long night of paperwork and quiet celebration with the friends she’s grown to know and love, she’s surprised when an unnerving stranger appears in the form of a witch.

Great book. Interesting characters. Wonderful artwork. Scary and compelling. A++++

IT’s A BOOK REVIEW, MY PRETTIES!

WITCH 13 by Patrick Delaney

Five witchy wands of mayhem, dude. I’m sitting here 12hours later still going “wtf did I just read?”

Witch 13 is a police procedural with a truck crash, blizzard, & an angry lady with a gun. Insert porcelain-skinned witch & puzzle-obsessed little boy. Set to spin cycle. Bake on 350 for…wait. No.

Sterling is the above-mentioned angry lady. She’s got crazy issues with her parents, her past, & her partner. When the world starts crashing down & people start dying Sterling flies further & further off the rails in a desperate attempt to prove she’s not crazy & save the people around her.

This book was 110% NOT what I expected. I was freakin’ scared! I quickly learned that reading at night was a bad idea as I had to watch cartoons just to fall asleep after! In my defense, it was dark & Mike wasn’t home & there were rats. Y'all know I got serious rat issues!

Writing: SUPERB
Plot: Intense.
Speed: perfect
Continuity: A+
Characters: Diverse
Originality: EXCELLENT!

100% recommend this book to horror fans. I didn’t see the ending coming & even tho I had to walk away to get the images outta my head a bit, I couldn’t stand NOT reading it. I had to know what was gonna happen. Totally not the author's fault I’m a big baby.

Possible triggers: Domestic violence, drugs, blood, gore, rats!

Did I mention rats? Insert maniacal witchy cackle here. Can you hear it?


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Witch 13 Pub Date 07 Jun 2022 Thank you #netgalley and #patrickdelaney for allowing me to read the ARC

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Witch 13 is a dark and twisted take on your favourite fairytales. I absolutely loved the Prologue! It set the tone and jogged my memory. There was a sense of familiarity, and just enough shock to pull me into the main story.
The plot reads like a horror movie. It's perfect for a rainy day read - the darker, the better - but I must admit that the ending of Witch 13 is the real winner. Looking back, I can't believe that I didn't see it coming, and that you-got-me moment was like a slap to the brain. I hope that these characters get a second story!

First off, thank you NetGalley, Oblivion Publishing and Patrick Delaney for allowing me an ARC of this book!

Which 13 is a supernatural horror novel that has a very film noir meets monster movie feel to it and needless to say, I enjoyed every minute of it.

The writing moves the plot along quickly and leaves you at the edge of your seat, wondering what is going to happen next. The author’s world building and character development was well balanced, allowing the reader to see everything clearly as if they were sitting down and watching a horror movie, which is exactly what I want. And that ending!! It was perfect and I didn’t see it coming.

My one complaint is that there are moments that some of the information included seemed to be a bit redundant and unnecessary.

The other thing to note is that the characters are not that likeable. Which doesn’t bother me one bit, mainly because I love a villain and the characters definitely leave you rooting for the witch. The one downside to not liking the characters though is that their internal dialogue can become a bit tedious.

But in all, if you are a horror fan, I highly recommend this novel and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I’d picked this up through NetGalley when requesting another book I’d seen I like supernatural books and this sounded like it hit all the markers. Instead I found myself disliking the main character from the beginning finding her a bit whiny. She’s finishing her career as the town sheriff the same day all hell comes to her small town literally. She’s messed up and she’s going away to fix it or hide, Sterling has a sad history which you learn through the ongoing story but I still didn’t care about her.
Now some of the secondary characters Georgia, Rosa and Max yes they seemed likeable but not Sterling or Chase her deputy and work partner.
I read it in just over a day as it was fairly easy short chapters.
If you like police stories with a hint of darkness then this is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This was a 3.5 star read for me.

I was intrigued by the cover of this book and when i saw it was marked both horror and LGBTQIA I knew i needed to read it.

I typically don't read much of the blub of books so I didn't know what to expect going in. It starts off as if it's a pretty standard crime thriller, getting to know the detective and setting up the mystery. I personally found that a lot of the first part felt like an info dump about the character, very little of what you learned about them felt like it happened organically. I found that really slowed down the pace and it took me a while to get into the story. I did really enjoy the setting and scene descriptions. It was very easy to imagine everything taking place right in front of my eyes.

The story really picked up about 2/3 of the way in and I didn't put it down until it finished. At this point i felt like I learned more about Sterling in a natural way and it made her feel a lot more real and allowed me to feel more of a connection to her.

It was definitely very tense and had a lot of great horror aspects but I feel like the ending resulted in some earlier parts of the plot not really making sense or being tied up. While Im a big fan of an ending that keeps you guessing, it just made me wonder what the point of some of the earlier scenes were.

One thing that did put me off a bit was the focus on describing the three main female character in great detail and telling you a lot about there like straight away but barely touching on Chase. It felt odd to me and given that he was pretty important to the character i feel like this left him kind of flat.

Overall i think this was a good read. It kept me guessing, it has strong Goth vibes, and I had a good time with it.

Thank you NetGalley and Oblivion Publishing to allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and view expressed in this review are purely my own and not affiliated with any brand.

This was a fun book. Patrick Delaney did an excellent job of writing in a way that caused me to be able to hear voices or feel the chills. This is a story full of twists and turns that keeps the reader on their toes and you never know what is going to happen next. I’m really glad that I got an opportunity to read this book.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for giving me a free ARC. This book was a very enjoyable and entertaining read. This book read in a way that made me feel as if I was watching a horror movie. The events unfolded in only a short time period which allowed the book to never have a dull moment. As a reader who is a fan of horror movies I loved this book and the style in which it was wrote. The characters are all relatable and some grow on you more than others. Also the post twists in this book I did not see coming for the most part which also lended a big hand in why I loved this book so much.

*arc provided by netgalley and publisher*
3.75 ✨
WOW. this book was beautifully descriptive, horrifying, and a wild ride. It was such a blast, special thanks to the publisher and Patrick Delaney for writing it. I highly recommend for horror fans, I have read my fair share of horror books and this one takes the cake! I can’t say I’ve ever read a book that’s wigged me out like this one. let’s just say reading this in the middle of the night was not my smartest move! the descriptions, and jump scares in this book were very effective. This book would’ve gotten a higher rating, I just felt the plot was lacking a little. It didn’t feel like there was a motive for the witch (we didn’t find out until the very last few pages) I felt like the authors writing was SO. GOOD. which is why the witches backstory felt so way too simple and felt vague. I’m hoping that Patrick has plans for some more stories about the other witches, because there’s twelve more that I can’t wait to read about!!

We’ve heard about police dealing with psychics. We’ve read about police dealing with ghosts. We’ve read about mysteries and wiccans. But what would happen if a witch was arrested by the police?
Not a wiccan, a witch. A devil worshipping, straight from the candy-house, eats children alive for breakfast witch?

For fans of the witch from The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

I like Patrick Delaney's writing. He never disappoints. This was a unique, interesting take on the witchy trope. I enjoyed it.

Went into this with no expectations all I knew was that it must have witches in it. I didn't know how much I missed just a good scary witch story until I read this book.

Our main players, Sheriff Sterling Marsh, her deputy Chase his son Max and fellow coworkers Rosa and Georgia are working the night shift at the station when a winter storm cuts them off from the outside world.

Drybell is usually a quiet small town, so Marsh expects her last night on job to be quiet like any other night. However, a series of events leads to the arrest of a women dressed as a witch.

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Really enjoyed this story. It kept me on my toes and had me talking to the book in exclamation points more then once! The ending was epic and if our author decided to write more about these witches I would be the first in line to read it! I don't feel I can say more without spoiling anything so just read it!

The illustrations in this book are so good and so creepy they really do add to the atmosphere of the story!!

This was a really unexpected surprise with a totally new concept ( personally doesn't tend to happen with horror, very often).

Sheriff Sterling Marsh is on her last night as the Sheriff in Drybell, Connecticut, with it also coming upto Christmas she expects another normal quiet evening with her work colleagues and maybe a little leaving party.

Little did she know that a huge storm is stirring up which will bring with it a nightmare evening for all who work with the police department.

Sterling is called to the City Hall with a women screaming down the phone asking for help. Sterling goes by herself to find out what is wrong, little did she expect to find in the dark a witch?? She doesn't move she doesn't talk but Sterling hears voices and shadows around the witch and also sees a death of a local women, so she takes the witch into custody, from here the storyline escalates and also Sterling life and secrets start to come out, really good story, with a great concept that keeps you interested from the start. Recommended read

As someone who loves young adult fiction and mysteries, this was the perfect marriage! Couldn’t put it down, was Halle invested in seeing the outcome… The words were rich and jumped off the page and you felt as if you were there, I literally broke out in a sweat more than once. What an outstanding read!

Good lord, this book was good. I've been a fan of Delaney's other works, but truly I think this tops as my favorite.

I loved that the reader is dropped into the story and Delaney writes relatable characters that I instantly fell in love with. Sterling is the sheriff in Drybell and moving onto other things. Though her last shift promises to be a doozy as a mysterious witch comes into the towns midst. What follows will blow your mind until the last page.

Let's talk about the witch for a moment too- thank you Patrick for making the witch seriously terrifying!!!!!!!! And I mean scary.

If you want to read an original horror with lots of mayhem and jump scare moments, run, don't walk, to pick this up.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Witch 13 definitely had its creepiness. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The prologue definitely set me up for a wild adventure that I never saw coming. Each twist and turn, made me shake my head and comment "run" so many times. Yet, the people never truly did until it was almost too late.

Enter the terrifying and strange witch. First, we don't know much about her other than the fact that likes to stand and stare at a wall. Which is super creepy if you ask me. She doesn't talk, blink, or move really. So, when every person with the precinct - no, the whole town - starts acting kind of crazy. Well, we all know who is suspect #1. The witch.

Once we start to learn more about the witch, things definitely start to make sense. Even a bit creepier if you think about it. There's little action scenes and drama throughout the book but the main one was kind of disappointing. It just made the ending feel rushed and I was expecting something else since the book was so creepy.

In the end, I really enjoyed most of the book. Heck, all of it really until the last couple of chapters. If this ever became a movie, or show, I would totally watch it. Other than that, I'm really happy that I got the chance to jump into this and look forward to the next one Patrick writes.

Very interesting book and not at all what I expected. Ended in a bit of a cliffhanger, which always annoys me, but was an original concept that looks promising for future.books. I would very much like to know what happens next!

Award-winning author Patrick Delaney grew up in varying cities in the greater Los Angeles County, where he attended Canyon High School. Throughout his childhood he pursued various forms of art, from writing short stories to drawing and modeling. Throughout his undergraduate career he gradually polished his debut novel "Dante's Town of Terror", which would go on to win the gold medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards(IPPY) in the horror category for 2018. His most recent novel is Witch 13.

The night before her resignation and half a month before Christmas, Sheriff Sterling Marsh faces a dreary life in Connecticut. Suddenly, reports of odd events begin coming into the office, and when Marsh investigates, she finds the common element is a mysterious creature dressed like a witch. Not some new-age, wicca witch gone horribly astray after one too many bad mushrooms, but a classic fairy tale witch—black hat, sinister laugh, black clothing, etc. The further that Sheriff Marsh investigates, the more she’s convinced that something otherworldly is at play, especially when the town gets isolated from the outside world due to a sudden and unnatural storm.

Witch 13 is an interesting concept of a novel. Delaney takes a classic trope, the aged cop facing one last battle before riding off into the sunset, and flips it on its head with a horrific twist. All the elements of a classic mystery are there, from the burnt out police officer whose lead a life of regrets and poor decisions, to the small town elements and familiar locals, only Delaney subverts reader expectations thoroughly by introducing a witch straight out of folkloric nightmares and tearing everything down.

What makes the novel even more interesting are the illustrations that accompany the chapters. They’re chalklike, possibly charcoal like, but add an atmospheric and ethereal element to the story that really works to build reader anticipation.

The novel is a slow burn, which works well, because it gives Delaney time to develop not just the horror and suspense, but the locale as well. There are times when the novel seems to jump from point to point a bit too much, especially in the early chapters, which almost seem like micro short stories about unique individuals in the small Connecticut town, but if readers give Delaney time to craft his story, their patience is well rewarded and all the threads will weave together into a scary story.

Overall, Witch 13 is a really dark and suspenseful novel that taps into some classic horrors. Delaney takes his time focusing on Sheriff Marsh and her struggles in figuring out this dark, otherworldly mystery, and while the pacing might be a bit slow for some readers, most horror fans will enjoy the way Delaney builds his world, only to tear it down with his witch figure. Horror fans, especially fans of folkloric horror, will really enjoy this novel .

Witch 13 definitely had its creepiness. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The prologue definitely set me up for a wild adventure that I never saw coming. Each twist and turn, made me shake my head and comment "run" so many times. Yet, the people never truly did until it was almost too late.

I’m a picky reader, but I enjoyed Witch 13! I’ve been dipping my toes into cosmic horror in recent months, and this book helped to scratch my itch for a weird, spooky read. I think my favorite part was just how entertaining it was. The characters are mostly stuck in a police station with the witch. So, there’s a locked room mystery, as worse and worse things keep happening. This is certainly not a cozy, calm read— it’s got scares, gore, and lots of deaths written in very unique ways. I found that really fun and easy to get into, but I don’t necessarily think it’s for everyone.

Overall a good book

*I was provided an e-galley copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Witch 13 is an easy, fast paced read which does an excellent job of instilling an acute sense of paranoia and dread in its readers from the get-go.

As a horror/supernatural/thriller fan, I consume a lot of horror media. It’s rare however, where I can say I enjoyed a book in the horror genre - I am very picky!

My favorite thing about this book was the pacing. While some books suffer from a deliriously slow crawl towards plot points or moments of interest - Witch 13 ‘enchants’ you from the very first pages. Making for an entertaining, and at times disturbing, fast paced read.

"What the hell did I just read?" Is what I thought when I finished this. It took me completely by surprise...in a fantastic way. Creepy, hair-raising, suspenseful. Really enjoyed it

This book was SCARY! As an adult, it's been a long time since I can say I wouldn't read a book at night because I might have nightmares! There's been other books done with a similar theme... small town with a big storm rolling through..everyone gets trapped with no way to leave and SOMETHING is out there. Delaney took the story further though. There's really not much location change through the book, but you feel like SO much happens. The witch is terrifying. The idea of her is more terrible than anything she actually does.

I do feel like there are parts that could be fleshed out a little more like Sterling's family. That might have made the ending make a little more sense. The ending was a bit abrupt and I have questions! Maybe that was the author's intent, but still..

I recommend this book. Definitely. If you like witches, if you want to be scared, if you like Stephen King or John Saul, you'll like this book.

This was mostly a solid read for me, in sort of three distinct pieces. Overall, it had very horror-movie vibes, in generally a good way. I loved the art throughout the book.

<b>1. The beginning:</b>

The prologue starts this off with 100% creepy factor and great imagery. We’re introduced to a lot of characters, and while the prose was dense at times, I found it didn’t take away from the story or building tension. This is the “characters begin to suspect something is wrong” phase, and it’s done well with creeping horror vibes.

We also get to know the characters, especially Sterling, more through their thoughts. I’d have liked more delineation between present and flashbacks in the character POVs, because I got lost at times.

<b>2. The middle:</b>

This is the weakest part of the book. I felt that it dragged on, and lost all the tension that had been building in the first third. There was too much time spent in various POV of characters, and random flashbacks, and I frequently felt lost. I can see the purpose in these after finishing the book, but as a first read through, it’s a significant drag. A bit of direction to these, and it’d feel less random.

<b>3. The last third:</b>

Once the action started, it really took off. This went back to the horror movie vibes, and it did it well. Back to both psychological creeping horror, and the more visceral types. Things start coming together about the witch, and some weird world stuff.

<b>As a whole:</b>

This story would have been improved if the middle had been streamlined, both in length and in language for clarity. This would have maintained the narrative/horror tension better, and made the end fit in better. As it is, the end came quite abruptly, and had less impact and less….lightbulb? moment than it could have, if we’d had a more clearly Sterling-centric storyline. Even within the other characters POV, I felt it could have been made cleaner.

<b>Overall,</b> I thought this was well done, and despite the slowness of the middle, I really enjoyed it. The art was beautiful, and added to the atmosphere.

On the last day of her job as Sheriff, Sterling Marsh spends it fighting for her life and that of her friends when a witch finds her way into their small town.

This book is good. I really enjoyed it. I would have read it in one setting if I hadn't had to go to bed. I devoured this book because I just needed to know what was going to happen next. The deaths were very well thought out and not repetitive which is hard to do.

The ending didn't surprise but it was and it could be unpredictable. I like that while I had a few theories, and the ending was one of those, I really enjoyed it and it was a fresh read from a horror/mystery genre.

I got this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

📚 REVIEW: Witch 13

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | Sci Fi & Fantasy

📖 Synopsis: "On the eve of her resignation, Sheriff Sterling Marsh prepares for a bleak winter in Drybell, Connecticut, after a string of bad decisions leaves her life in shambles. Two weeks before Christmas and expecting a long night of paperwork and quiet celebration with the friends she’s grown to know and love, she’s surprised when an unnerving stranger appears in the form of a witch.

A silent, menacing figure, the witch appears to be ripped straight out of a fairy tale, complete with a tall, pointed hat, and black clothing. But when strange things begin happening all over town, Sterling begins to suspect that there may be more to the witch than meets the eye."

🧙 Witches, monsters, a love triangle, death, horror, and action all packed into one narrative. This science fiction novel drew me in right from the start of the prologue. I really enjoyed how much detail and scenary the author included. I really got to picture the whole book playing like a horror movie inside my head as I read. The illustrations added to story making it come even more to life. Overall, I loved the story, I loved his description of the Witch (I could see her, I could smell her, I was creeped out by her), and I loved how suspenseful it was between chapters. To be honest the only thing that really did not satisfy me completely was how it ended. It left me with a lingering sense of, "why, how, what happened next?!". Other than that it was a great page turner. For any Fantasy/Horror fans out there, I 100% recommend it. A big thank you to NetGalley and Oblivion publishing for providing me with an ARC before it even hits the shelves. It will be published on June, 2022.

#witch13 #witch13review #fantasy #horror #bookstagram #books #scifinovel #bookreviewer #netgalley #netgalleyreads #oblivionpublishing #patrickrdelaney #newpatrickdelaneyfan

Part police procedural, part dark fairy tale, part cosmic horror—- this story is essentially the turducken of horror. Except I actually enjoyed this, unlike turducken!

My daily ritual consists of waking up at 4 AM or thereabouts, showering, and driving to work hours before it opens. For myself and a stray cat, our morning existence is one of darkness. The closest streetlamp flickers in the distance. Its post is just out of sight so all I get is an eerie ambiance. It's usually cold. For whatever reason, the nearest office to the streetlamp has deep, dark red light inside that glows. If there's any place to spend time with a witch, this is it.

It's increasingly obvious that Patrick Delaney is a major talent. Hello, world. It has been exciting watching him progress through each book he's written. Witch 13 is his best yet.

It's hard for me, sitting here now in the safety of my living room, to come up with honest flaws. Stories about officers dealing with something unexpectedly supernatural are not uncommon. Delaney is not reinventing the wheel. He is taking that wheel, adding rims to it, and then running you over. It is so deliciously crafted that it reminds me yet again that he could find his place in the film pantheon. Or television. His work transcends literature. There is a rhythmic beat to it all that some people just don't have. I see it in his hands like a bloodied heart.

What a great cast of characters. This is also a different type of Witch than we are used to seeing in media. The payoff is excellent. Particularly the long creepy build-up we experience with what I like to call "Witch.1 Mode". When "Witch.2 Mode" kicks in...

Also, ahem... The House That Fell From The Sky gets referenced? Sign. Sealed. #Delivered.

I'm curious to see where Delaney is going next. If he's building towards a larger universe of connected stories. And can he solve a Rubik's Cube?

First of all the cover of this is fantastic.
Second this book went places I did not expect. I am honestly speechless but in a good way. I can just say I loved this book and this one will go on my shelf once I can buy it in physical form. Thank you so much for this arc.

“She’d closed her eyes and made the decision to let herself feel everything, soak it up while she could, because happiness was a fairy tale, just as much as the witch herself.”

At first glance, this appears to be the typical small-town Christmas horror story. Set in a small town on the east coast, it gives major Stephen King vibes. Sherriff Marsh enters the story on the last night before deciding to bring her current chapter in life to a close and set course on her next chapter. In the small town of Drybell, it’s the typical holiday season with all the wonders of Christmas painted on the town square. It isn’t until a panicking call is received by dispatch that the Sherriff’s life, along with her closest friends and coworkers, is changed forever. Enter our dark force antagonist. Most of us would guess the antagonist is indeed a witch from the title. Everyone’s life is changed over the course of a few hours, and not one person in Drybell will ever forget this frightful night. Delaney takes his readers through twists and turns, keeping you on your feet till the final page. There were probably five or six times I thought I could figure out the direction of the story and how it would end, only to be wrong. I would best describe this book’s genre as mostly horror with fantasy and even mystery elements. Patrick Delaney leaves his readers wanting more till the final word is read.

The book is a fast starter. Delaney does a good job building each character's backstory throughout the entire book. The fact that Delaney is writing a horror book with aspects of fantasy and mystery kept my attention from the first page to the final words. I honestly never wanted to put this one down and finish later. Delaney does a great job making his characters relatable. All of us have encountered each person in the story, and maybe even a little of each of us is seen in all the characters, even the witch! I loved this book because of the HUGE plot twist that I never saw coming.

I felt the book's final chapter was a bit rushed to wrap the book up in a clean little bow. I can acknowledge that the last few chapters were epic, but at the same time, I wish Delaney would have taken a little more time to answer some more important questions. POSSIBLE SPOILER: This said, Delaney could have possibly been leaving the door open to a sequel or prequel to this book. I will leave it there because I don’t want to spoil the end of the story for other readers, as it is truly was a great ending.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a great read, and Delaney keeps you engaged. If you are looking for a book that is more than just a gorefest with no back story and tons of gore, then Witch 13 will fill your cup, and it will run over. This book is due to release until the summer of 2022; I would recommend putting this book on your list to read. It is a fantastic horror book and is an instant classic in my mind.

Thank you Netgalley and Oblivion Books for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was amazing. I've never read anything quite like it. It reminded me of a cross between the Blair Witch Project, Stephen King's Last Shift and Hansel and Gretel. Not quite a dark fairy tale, but very close.

It's Sterling Marsh's last night as Drybell Connecticut's Sheriff and she's prepared for a quiet night of paperwork with her small crew until a storm breed and a mysterious stranger who is dressed like a witch straight from a children's storybook. The night quickly becomes more interesting than Sterling had planned.

This book was creepy. The scenes with the witch gave me the chills at times. It was well written and genuinely scary. It was also quite unique. It drew me in from the first page. The illustrations throughout were incredible and added a lot to the book. My only complaint, and the reason I only give 4 stars and not 5 is that the ending was a bit confusing and I'm not sure what actually happened. I won't give more away because I don't like spoilers. 4 stars. I will actively be seeking out more of Patrick Delaney's books.

An atmospheric and creepy thriller, Witch 13 starts out with a bang and just keeps the action rolling. Real characters, a strong protagonist and a twist at the end that will make you want to stay the whole thing over saying What just happened…,,,

Sheriff sterling marsh decides to put her resignation in after some bad decisions which leaves her life in shambles
The witch appears with a tall pointed black hat black clothing bare feet dead eyes like two gleaming mirrored coins her skin unnaturally pallid and smooth and bare feet no fingerprints and she doesn’t speak sterling wonders if she is deaf and blind and one by one people dying
This book was a bit slow starting at the beginning but it soon livened up and got really good it wasn’t what I expected at all
Well done Patrick Delaney for a well written spooky read to make the hairs on my arms stand up

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney.
On the eve of her resignation, Sheriff Sterling Marsh prepares for a bleak winter in Drybell, Connecticut, after a string of bad decisions leaves her life in shambles. Two weeks before Christmas and expecting a long night of paperwork and quiet celebration with the friends she’s grown to know and love, she’s surprised when an unnerving stranger appears in the form of a witch.
This was a slow starter but then boy did it get good. Creepy and spooky. Omg gave me goosebumps. Please let there be more to come. 4*.

small town spooky , queer witchiness is all I need for a good time. loved this I want more. Representation matters

The atmosphere and scene building is immaculate. Loved the spooky vibe along with characters I could connect to. I enjoyed the lore of this. It felt very immersive and dreadful which I appreciate. Will be posting full Goodreads review and Tiktok review in April.

Loved the spooky vibes of this book! Also really really loved the characters as well. I honestly will be posting this to good reads and my other platforms once this book is released 😊 This book was amazing to be honest I honestly never read anything like this before! It kind of gives me a crossover between different books but this book definitely is a must read! The illustrations were amazing! This book drew me in with the first chapter!😊 Can’t wait to seek out more books from Patrick Delaney!

How creepy can someone get with storytelling these days?

I've read tons of different genre's over my lifetime, and I've very rarely had to "take a break" from reading to relax. I have a pretty vivid imagination, so imagine my surprise with this new to me author and his almost Stephen King-ish type storytelling. This book has all the horror film creepiness one would love - the story at first seemed to sort of bounce around between the characters and the different POVs, but then it all started to meld together in a seamless supernatural tale of fantastical proportions.

While it was an original story, i did find myself comparing the scenario or the setting to be very much an ode to King's stories, and i LOVED that. Witch 13 really creeped my senses, to a point where reading in a room alone at night wasn't comfortable. That hasn't happened in years. That factor alone will have me recommending this book to any other readers who enjoy being scared, freaked out, spooked, or have a general love for the horror/suspsense areas.

I am also not going to lie, this genre is not my typical go to for reading. However, the breathtakingly beautiful almost gothic cover of the Witch herself is what made me stop and take notice. It is so morbidly good, and fits this story so well, that i was intrigued upon reading to find art work sprinkled throughout the book itself. I loved that hidden treat of that, it too felt almost like a nod to an old childhood favorite book everyone fought over to check out of the library - it was very "Scary Tales to Tell In The Dark". The artwork perfectly encapsulated the depictions described in certain points of the story and gave it life. This book will be well received - i truly believe that. With the love folks have for King, old horror B flicks, and the craze of Stranger Things - this book is a wonderful mix of all those things we love. Well Done!

Was a good spooky read. Started for me a little slow but as it went on def got better. Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for ARC.

I saw the cover and that is what intrigued me to read I an glad I did. The plot for me so solid. This is one of those books that can't be described, only read. Would definitely recommend to others.

Thank you to Netgalley, Oblivion Publishing, and Patrick Delaney for providing me with an ARC of Witch 13 in exchange for an honest review! These Thoughts are my own.

This was amazing! The Author's writing is wonderful, easy to follow and he hooks you by the end of the first chapter. We have a Classic/ True Evil Witch with the power to unleash absolute Hell, it has ALL the spooky, creepy, horror vibes! It is a great read for fall/winter if you are a seasonal/mood reader. I did not want to put this book down & will definitely be looking into other works by this author.

Continual mayhem in this modern day, otherworldly tale. From the phenomenal cover to the illustrations throughout, “Witch 13” is a page turner with each developing chapter. I anxiously await the continuance of Sterling’s uncertain future.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Oblivion Publishing for providing me a copy of “Witch 13” in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney comes out 6/7/22 and I read this through Netgalley as an ARC. As always check TW before reading.

The story follows Sheriff Sterling, her deputy Chase, and two other employees of the station, plus deputy Chase's son Max. A storm has moved in to the town of Drybell and strange horrifying things begin to happen around the town. The Sheriff brings the witch in after an incident and even more strange creepy things happen and no one can get through to call for help.

Patrick Delaney creates an atmosphere of uneasiness from the very beginning of the book and continues it through out. With descriptions that bring the character of the Witch to life with what she smells like to different people to what she looks like. Also, how she lures in her unsuspecting victims and what happens to these victims is well written.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It has been a while since I have read a book that as truly creeped me out. I enjoyed the fact that after the prologue the book did not slow down at all and kept the creepy pace. The final act of the book was fantastic, horrifying, and insane. I loved this book from beginning to end and will definitely be reading more by Patrick Delaney.

Wow! What an exhilarating ride! This novel had me mesmerized from page one and everything I thought I knew to expect was WRONG! I always try to formulate the outcome of every story I read to determine its predictability and this book was as unpredictable as they come.

This book sent me through so many emotions: fear, sadness, anger, confusion, contentment... and all of those emotions have lingered with me. I am not typically a fan of horror novels because getting scared by words is quite different from getting scared by movies or haunted houses. However, the author did a fantastic job with his descriptions and dialogue. The pictures helped the fear factor, too! And that plot twist at the end?! Definitely never saw it coming!

Witch 13 is a beautiful blend of supernatural horror, thriller, and adult fairy tale. Sheriff Sterling Marsh is tasked with protecting the small town of Drybell from a quiet menacing presence, a woman who appears dressed as a witch. Strange things start happening throughout the town. Is this woman just someone who is looking for internet fame or is she an actual witch? It has to be a prank because everyone knows that witches aren’t real.
Patrick Delaney is one of my favorite horror authors. He is able to create a fantastical world that is somehow believable. This story does take place on the same universe of The House that Fell from the Sky and Silvers Hollow exist in and there are small Easter eggs for fans of Delaney’s work will delight in, but this should not deter anyone who has not read those books because the stories are not related. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves supernatural horror.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

Wow! This is pure horror with all the gore included! And, it has illustrations... which are seriously freaky! (I thank you for the nightmares but I need an eraser for my brain bc scary).

The plot really centers around a small town sheriff and her deputy on her last night on the job.... and, of course, the witch. There are several issues revolving around the sheriff and why she is leaving that make up part of the story. But, mainly, the focus goes to the witch and her tricks and treats on this Christmas-y night.

I did feel like the chapters jumped around a bit and that the ending was wanting but still a good horror read to check out.

Out June 7th

Whoa! What a ride. It was very fast-paced. The writing style kept me hooked and I didn't find myself losing any interest. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and how real the story felt. The author did a great job painting the setting, so it was easy for me to visualize the scene played out before me. I recommend giving this one a chance!