Review: Dark Halls - A Horror Novel

Dark Halls - A Horror Novel by Jeff Menapace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No disrespect to Mr. King, but with this book, Jeff Menapace has cemented his status as my all time favorite supernatural horror author.

Dark Halls holds a few close personal ties for me. It takes place in Pennsylvania, where I grew up, and the protagonist is a male elementary teacher, which is how I began my career. Luckily, that is where the parallels between my life and Ryan's end... although Ryan is my middle name.

Ryan is a new hire at a "cursed" school, which has seen its fair share of murder, suicide, and other tragedies. Though he initially scoffs at the rumors, he quickly realizes there is more truth in these legends than most people realize.

The writing is fast-paced, succinct, and engaging, as has become customary in Menapace's work. While gory at times, it is not overtly so. The supernatural element makes sense in the context of the book, and even sets up a beautiful sequel opportunity. Though I do prefer Menapace to Stephen King now, I did draw some parallels between Pet Sematary and this book.

If you're a fan of Menapace's past work, definitely check this out. While this is in a different genre than his two best selling series (Bad Games and Wildlife), his writing still captured my attention from start to end. Fans of King, Koontz, and other supernatural thrillers will also enjoy this fun and creepy thriller.

Thank you to Jeff for a copy for me to read and review. All opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Comments

Review: Mercy Creek

Mercy Creek by M.E. Browning October 11 - November 5, 2021 Tour Synopsis: In an idyllic Colorado town, a young girl goes missing—and the trail leads into the heart and mind of a remorseless killer. The late summer heat in Echo Valley, Colorado turns lush greenery into a tinder dry landscape. When a young girl mysteriously disappears, long buried grudges rekindle. Of the two Flores girls, Marisa was the one people pegged for trouble. Her younger sister, Lena, was the quiet daughter, dutiful and diligent—right until the moment she vanished. Detective Jo Wyatt is convinced the eleven-year-old girl didn’t run away and that a more sinister reason lurks behind her disappearance. For Jo, the case is personal, reaching far back into her past. But as she mines Lena’s fractured family life, she unearths a cache of secrets and half-lies that paints a darker picture. As the evidence mounts, so do the suspects, and when a witness steps forward with a shocking new revelation, Jo...

Review: Killing Johnny Miracle

Killing Johnny Miracle by JK Franko October 16 - November 10, 2023 Virtual Book Tour Synopsis: Johnny Miracle thinks he’s got it all… and he’s in love, just not with his wife, Mary. He wants a divorce and he’s got leverage. Johnny knows her deepest, darkest secret. He’s going to use that to take everything: her vineyard, her money, and her priceless family heirloom. He’ll do whatever it takes to get it all. But, as Grandma Nellie used to say, “No man, no matter how smart or strong, can compete with a motivated woman.” Mary is a motivated woman, she’s got her own agenda, and it doesn’t include losing. She’s going to kill Johnny. To get away with it, she needs a plan and an alibi. And she thinks she has both. Book Details: Genre: Crime Thriller Publication Date: May 2023 Number of Pages: 350 Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads Published by: Rum House Publishing My Review: I loved the Talion/Roy Cruise saga and have been not so patiently waiting for JK Franko to releas...

Review: Freeze Before Burning

Freeze Before Burning by Nikki Stern December 13-31, 2021 Virtual Book Tour Synopsis: True Crime Fans Iced by Cold-blooded Killer What do a bartender, a priest, and a librarian have in common? They all work in New York City. They’re all true crime fans. And they’re all dead, courtesy of a predator with a chilling approach to murder. Talbot County, Maryland Lieutenant Sam Tate is in the Big Apple to find answers about her own tragic past when she is pulled onto the case of the Dry Ice Killer by an old friend with the NYPD. Drawn to a new colleague, she questions her long-time relationship with her FBI boyfriend. Meanwhile, she’s caught between the demands of an impatient bureaucracy and an especially sadistic sociopath. This may be Sam’s most dangerous case yet—if she survives. My Review: Another thrilling entry into the Sam Tate series, which has been shown to have thrills and action in spades. In this one, Sam is just trying to cool off with a relaxing vacation, but a da...

Books with Bircky

Search This Blog