Release date: September 25 2025
Publisher: Ink Road
Pages: 387
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars
Synopsis
Mia and Johnny have always been there for each other – particularly since their father was revealed to be a serial killer and is now serving a life sentence for murdering thirteen people.
Review
This gripping YA horror story follows siblings Mia and Johnny. Mia and Johnny are the children of an infamous serial killer who is currently serving life in prison for his crimes. Attempting to put the past behind them, Mia and Johnny attend university in Edinburgh. There, Johnny is offered the job of a lifetime, to interview Vlad Tepez, one of the most famous rock stars in the world. Tepez mysteriously vanished from public life, and if Johnny can find out why, it could make his career, but Vlad isn’t everything he seems. When two students turn up dead at the university, Mia begins to investigate; however, her investigation goes in a direction she absolutely did not expect.
This was such a compelling read. It was fast-paced, engaging, and I absolutely raced through this one. I really enjoyed McCaw’s writing style; it was atmospheric, and it really brought the 1980s to life. I loved the mixed media format of this book – the story features diary entries, interviews, newspaper clippings, and transcripts from a radio show. I thought this really added another dimension to the story, and it was such a fun way to see the story unfold.I thought the characters were terrific. Mia is strong and determined, but also struggling with the knowledge of what her Dad did. I really liked Johnny too, who becomes entangled in a romance that isn’t what he expects. There is lots of character development for both protagonists, and both POVs were really fascinating. I loved the 80s vampires and it was very reminiscent of The Lost Boys and Lestat, which I absolutely adored. If you’re a vampire fan or you’re looking for a fresh take on the Dracula story, They Own the Night is definitely a book you don’t want to miss – this one should absolutely be on your TBR for spooky season.
The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich is a dark and addictive gothic horror that follows psychiatrist Mina Murray. Mina receives an email from her old best friend, begging for help. Mina makes the decision to travel back to the Welsh town she left behind. Mina soon discovers Lucy has a strange illness, similar to a strange patient she had back home. As Mina tries to unravel the mystery of Lucy’s illness, she must confront the past she left behind.
Rainforest is the new terrifying horror tale from Dark Matter author Michelle Paver. Dark Matter is one of my all time favourite books, and I’ve reread it many times, so I was very much looking forward to reading this dark tale, this time set deep in the rainforest. Simon Corbett is an entomologist, determined to salvage his career; he takes a job in the heart of the jungle. As Simon carries out his research, he soon learns that something dark and deadly might be lurking in the jungle with him.
Blood on Her Tongue is a dark and intriguing gothic horror tale that follows a woman named Lucy who is travelling to stay with her twin sister Sarah who has become unwell. When Lucy arrives she finds Sarah is deathly ill and has been diagnosed with temporary insanity caused by a brain fever. Lucy’s terrified Sarah will be committed to a lunatic asylum, but when Sarah starts acting even more strange Lucy discovers just what lengths she will go to in order to protect her sister.
(Don’t) Call Mum is a tense and gripping novella that follows Leo as he catches a train back to his home in Malacstone in the North East of England. There’s a disgruntled passenger who got on the train by mistake and things are tense onboard the carriage. When the train breaks down in the middle of nowhere as night falls, Leo and the passenger begin to sense something sinister. Is it just being stuck in the middle of nowhere? Or is there something far more sinister trying to board the train?
Heads Will Roll is a dark and addictive slasher horror from The Shadow Glass author Josh Winning. The story follows Willow who signs up to attend Camp Castaway following her cancellation on social media. The camp is a digital detox with no phones or technology of any kind. When Willow arrives she soon learns the story of Knock Knock Nancy – a local legend about a witch who was killed where the camp now sits. Willow doesn’t believe the story, but when campers begin vanishing Willow must uncover the truth behind the tale if she has any hope of getting out alive.
We Used to Live Here follows the story of Eve and Charlie, a couple who spend their days buying houses, doing them up and then moving on to the next one. They’ve recently purchased an old house in a remote location and are in the process of renovating when one day they get a knock at the door. There’s a man and his family standing there asking if they can take a look around as this was the man’s childhood home. Reluctantly, Eve lets them take a look around. As the family wanders round strange things begin to occur and Eve begins to wonder if she’s losing her mind or if there’s something seriously wrong with the house.
Murder Road is the newest dark and twisty release from Simone St. James. The story follows newlyweds April and Eddie as they’re driving to their honeymoon resort. They take a wrong turn late at night and find themselves on a dark and deserted road. As they drive they come across a young woman alone and in trouble. Offering to give her a ride they pick her up only to find she’s covered in blood. They see some mysterious headlights and the woman tells them nothing except “he’s coming.” Eddie and April soon find themselves entangled in a murder investigation, but will they be able to unravel the secrets of Atticus Line?
Ally Wilkes’s All the White Spaces was one of my favourite reads of 2022 so Where the Dead Wait was one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. The story follows William Day who is haunted by a failed expedition to the Arctic. Hailed in the papers as a cannibal and murderer, his reputation has never recovered. Thirteen years since the failed expedition, Day’s second in command Jesse Stevens has gone missing on another voyage in the Arctic. Day sees his chance to restore his reputation but will he be able to face the ghosts of his past?
C J Cooke is fast becoming my go-to author for fast paced gothic horror novels you can’t put down. The Ghost Woods tells the story of two women who travel to Lichen Hall, a remote estate in the Scottish Borders where unmarried women can go to give birth. When Pearl arrives in 1965, she soon learns all is not as it seems and there are some strange things going on. There she meets a mother and a young boy who live on the grounds of the estate and together they unravel a mystery darker than they ever imagined.
The Bibliophile Chronicles 