*Advanced Read Copy*

Deciding to read this was certainly a case of judging a book by its cover - I mean how could you resist picking this up after seeing it? And I'm happy to report that the book lived up to its cover.

Its premise is somewhat simple - a series of murders mimicking a recently published book by a well-known horror author. Is this the work of a deranged serial killer taking inspiration from the book? Is it the author himself, who has a dark history and suspiciously can't remember the weekend he spent writing the book? Or is something darker, more supernatural occurring in the town of Crooked Tree altogether?

The storyline was captivating, making the book hard to put down. As more of the plot unfolded, you couldn't help wanting to learn more about what was going on in Crooked Tree and at the Blackwood Estate. Like any good horror novel, the mood was tense throughout and full of vivid scenes that cause your spine to tingle just a bit. The crimes were pretty gruesome, but never felt over the top, and they added perfectly to the stakes of the book and the sense of danger as the chaos unfolds in town. I absolutely loved the relationships between the characters that Markert was able to establish and develop quickly.

Heart and fear are at the crux of what makes a good spooky read, and this book has plenty of both. Do yourself a favor and grab this book for a perfect Halloween read.

Thank you, @netgalley for the ARC!