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Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell Book Review– A Haunting Psychological Thriller You Won’t Forget

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After seeing Lisa Jewell’s name recommended time and time again, I finally picked up one of her books—and now I completely understand the hype. Then She Was Gone is my first read by Jewell, and it absolutely won’t be my last. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with dark twists and emotionally complex characters, this one needs to be on your reading list.

The Plot: A Mother’s Unrelenting Search for the Truth

Then She Was Gone centers on Laurel, a mother whose teenage daughter Ellie vanished without a trace ten years ago. Although time has passed, Laurel can’t let go of the mystery. When she meets a man named Floyd and starts a new relationship, she’s finally starting to feel hopeful again—until she meets Floyd’s young daughter, who looks exactly like Ellie did at that age.

What follows is a chilling unraveling of long-buried secrets, leading Laurel closer to the truth about what really happened to her daughter. The suspense builds gradually but effectively, and when the twist hits, it hits hard.

Writing Style & Pacing

Lisa Jewell’s writing is effortlessly immersive. She uses multiple points of view to peel back layers of each character, giving readers a deeper understanding of their motivations and secrets. The pacing is quick without sacrificing emotional depth, and while it’s a fast read, the story doesn’t shy away from exploring dark and disturbing territory.

About two-thirds of the way through, the tension skyrockets, and I found myself completely glued to the pages. The twist genuinely shocked me—and the ending? Emotional, unexpected, and unforgettable.

Final Verdict: Is Then She Was Gone Worth Reading?

Absolutely. Jewell masterfully blends suspense, emotion, and psychological insight in this gripping thriller. It’s one of those rare books that manages to be both a page-turner and a gut-punch. If you enjoy dark thrillers that keep you guessing and leave a lasting impact, Then She Was Gone is a must-read.

I’m already planning my next Lisa Jewell book—recommendations welcome!

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Veil by Jonathan Janz: The Alien Horror Book I Can’t Stop Thinking About

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I went into Veil not knowing much—just that it was alien horror, and honestly, that was enough to get me excited. Between the creepy premise and all the buzz it’s been getting online, I knew I had to read it. And let me just say: Veil absolutely delivered.

This is easily one of the best alien horror books I’ve ever read. Jonathan Janz does an incredible job of pulling you into the story and making you care about the characters. And the horror? Intense. Terrifying. Relentless.

What Veil Is About (No Spoilers)

The story starts with a parent’s worst nightmare: John’s son, Sam, goes missing one night and never comes home. Pretty soon, it’s not just one kid—it’s people everywhere, all over the world, disappearing without a trace.

John is desperate to protect the rest of his family and figure out what’s going on. As the truth starts to unfold, he realizes something far more terrifying is at play—something not of this world. He joins forces with other survivors to face off against an unseen, merciless enemy. And that’s when things really kick off.

Why It Worked So Well for Me

Alien horror is one of my favorite horror subgenres. There’s just something about the mix of sci-fi and pure dread that hits the sweet spot. Veil nails that balance—creepy and suspenseful with a sci-fi twist that feels fresh, not gimmicky.

The monsters in this book are legitimately scary. Not just jump-scare scary, but the kind that sticks with you after you put the book down. And what I really appreciated was that the horror never felt cheap—it’s rooted in character, in emotion, in high stakes.

But It’s Not Just Scary…

At the core of Veil is a story about family and loss, and that’s what makes it stand out. John’s love for his son drives everything, and you feel it in every page. The emotions are raw and real. You believe in these characters, and that’s what makes the terrifying parts hit even harder.

It’s also just a fast, thrilling read. There’s a cinematic quality to it—like a big-budget horror movie, but with more heart. I couldn’t put it down.

Final Thoughts

If you’re into sci-fi horror, or if you just love a good story that punches you in the gut and then keeps you turning pages, pick up Veil this fall. It’s emotional, intense, and absolutely chilling.

I already know this is going to be one of my top reads of the year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

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Jacked In: A Look Inside Neuromancer’s Futuristic World

Considered to be the book that started the cyberpunk genre, Neuromancer by William Gibson is an incredible look at the future filled with “console cowboys,” cybernetics, cyberspies, artificial intelligence and where corporations own everything..sounds pretty familiar to something like Cyberpunk 2077 right? What’s more astonishing is that this book came out in 1984, long before people had their own personal computers or the interconnectivity of the internet. It’s easy to look back on the book now and pick out the incongruencies of what we know of the internet and computers nowadays, but back then, it must have been a fascinating look at the unknown. I’m not normally a sci-fi reader, but I wanted to try something that was outside of my wheelhouse. While I enjoy cyberpunk for the most part, I’ve actually never read a cyberpunk novel before.

 

The setting and the atmosphere that Gibson creates in Neuromancer is fascinating, but unfortunately I found myself struggling to care for any of the characters in the book. This is a book that you’ll need to be patient with, especially when you’re thrown into the deep end with hardcore sci-fi lingo. Case spends this book in a digital cyberworld called “the matrix” filled with AI-constructs, cyber ninjas, and hovercrafts and a lot of it is told without holding your hand. The plot was a bit convoluted for my tastes but it ended up being an entertaining story. I probably won’t continue the series, but I’m glad I gave it a try! 

What’s a genre you don’t normally read that you’re going to give a try this year?

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Horror and History Collide: Stephen Graham Jones’ The Buffalo Hunter is a Masterpiece

This year is already off to a great start for me when it comes to horror books. Horror was never really my go-to genre, but I’ve found myself drawn to the genre more and more due to its versatility. When you have numerous sub-genres like historical horror, folk horror, body horror, space horror, gothic horror, and countless others, it’s almost impossible not to find one subgenre that speaks directly to you. For someone who loves historical fiction, I’ve naturally been drawn towards historical horror where stories can seamlessly blend rich historical events and characters with terror, demons, and all manners of horror. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is the latest horror novel from acclaimed author Stephen Graham Jones and while this is only the second novel of his I’ve read, it’s by far my favorite of his.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is an epistolary novel that uses a frame narrative to tell us the story of a mysterious Blackfeet man named Good Stab. The novel begins in 2012 where Etsy Beaucarne, a woman trying to cement her place in her university, finds journals from her great-great grandfather Arthur Beaucarne. Arthur is a Lutheran pastor who records the confessions of Good Stab and recounts pivotal moments of his unnaturally long life. We see the horrors, both supernatural and real, inflicted upon Good Stab and the Blackfeet. Stephen Graham Jones does a masterful job mixing fictional horror within the backdrop of a real historical event, the Marias Massacre. The book has plenty of terrifying moments filled with blood, gore, and disturbing imagery.

Stephen Graham Jones does a phenomenal job giving us an engaging, terrifying vampire horror novel, but he also shines a spotlight on a dark moment in American history. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a powerful horror novel that demands your full attention. It’s a book that challenges you and enlightens you on a dark period of American history, a book that gives voice to Native American history that many of us may not have been familiar with. This is a book that I took my time with, absorbing as much of it as I could to fully appreciate what Jones was conveying. It’s not an easy book, but it’s one that is rewarding, and is one of the best horror novels I’ve read.

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Cullen’s Rebellion Ignites with a Gripping Tale of Honor, Bloodshed, and Betrayal.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres of books. However, I’m very selective of what type of historical fiction books I read. Richard Cullen’s Rebellion is exactly the type of historical fiction novel I love, a medieval epic set in the 13th century during the reign of King John. This is the first book in his new “Black Lion” series where the reader is introduced to Estienne Wace, an orphan who is sent to Earl William Marshal, the greatest knight in England’s history. Under his tutelage, Estienne sees firsthand how close England is to breaking apart under King John’s tyrannical rule as well as a growing threat from his French rival, Prince Philip. 

 

Rebellion is a fascinating, character-driven adventure novel that lets us explore this intriguing time period in English history. Estienne learns what it means to be a knight, and we get to see him grow from a frightened orphan, to a respected, loyal soldier under the command of William Marshal. Cullen does an incredible job of painting a realistic, brutal picture of 13th century England where alliances are fracturing and friends face one another on the battlefield as the barons of England rise up against John. 

 

If you love a character-driven historical epic filled with plenty of political intrigue, battles, and a fascinating time period, Rebellion is a book worth checking out. I’m absolutely going to be continuing this series when I get the chance. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell. Check it out!

 
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What Lurks in the Snow: A Review of Ronald Malfi’s Bone White

Paul Gallo’s twin brother, Danny, has always been a bit unreliable. So when Paul hears that his brother has moved up to the remote Alaskan wilderness, to a small, eerie town called Dread’s Hand, he’s skeptical to say the least. A year goes by without any contact from his brother and naturally, Paul gets nervous that something bad has happened to Danny. Paul goes looking for his twin after hearing about a serial killer who has recently been arrested. When Paul arrives, he finds the people of Dread’s Hand reluctant to talk to or help him in any way. But this town harbors dark secrets and a mysterious evil that lurks in the woods.

Bone White by Ronald Malfi was a compelling and chilling horror story. Malfi does a fantastic job making Dread’s Hand feel creepy and alive. Everything about this town was unsettling from the untrusting locals, to the brutal weather, to the myriad of crosses that are lined up on the side of the road…the description of this town was incredible. While I found the book to be a bit slow for me, the atmosphere that Malfi was able to build chilled me to the bone. I actually wish we followed Deputy Ryerson more as I found her to be a more compelling lead character.

Overall, Bone White is a sincerely great, suspenseful, and creepy book. While I wasn’t as invested in the main character and the plotting was a little slow at times, it managed to keep me invested enough to really get me creeped out by the haunting setting and the mysteries of Dread’s Hand. Horror fans will want to check this out, especially if you love horror books set in the cold/winter.

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How Red Rabbit Reinvents the Wild West—with Witches and Demons

I’m not usually the biggest fan of westerns, but every once in awhile I get in the mood. So I decided to give Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian a try and boy was that fun! Old Tom, a self-professed witch hunter, is on his way to Burden County to collect a reward for a local witch. Sadie Grace, who they blame for death and disasters throughout the county. Along the way, Tom and his mysterious ward, “Rabbit”, join two wandering cowboys, a schoolteacher, and a Mexican boy as they make their way north. Throughout their journey, the posse encounters ghosts, demons, cannibals, shapeshifters and other supernatural horrors along the way as they fight to make their way up north. 

I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. When I first read the synopsis, I imagined it would be dark and disturbing, but it was so much fun. The characters are all fleshed out, allowing the reader to get to spend time with each of them rather than the focus being on one sole character. It was such a thrilling ride to follow each of these outcasts as they contend with some of the weirdest and craziest horrors that they come across on their journey. 

Red Rabbit is a blast of a book and while there’s certainly horror and disturbing sequences, I was absolutely addicted to it. Even if westerns aren’t your thing, horror fans will love this book. So good! One of my favorite horror books I’ve read this year. 


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From Warlord to Myth: Peter Gibbons’ Pendragon Brings King Arthur to Life

For those of you who know me, you’ll know how much I adore Arthurian legend. Whether it’s a movie, book, video game, or comic, if it’s Arthurian, I’ll more than likely be interacting with it. With Arthurian April beginning next week, I’m planning on continuing Peter Gibbons’ Arthurian series with Pendragon. I really enjoyed the first book of his series as it reminded me a lot of Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles, my all time favorite Arthurian retelling.