The Worst in Us by Elias Witherow

 

The Worst in Us by Elias Witherow - 307 pages

Driven home by grief, Cole returns to his family after being away for five years. He soon discovers that his brother, Joe, is locked in a bitter feud with a family who wants everything he's built for himself. As things begin to escalate and tempers start to flare, Cole finds himself pulled into a world of violence, hatred, and unchecked rage. There are no heroes. There are no villains. There is only the worst in us.

Wow, this book escalated quickly...I'm not sure what to think about this book.  The author does a good job of painting the picture of the closeness of Cole and his family.  The book starts nice, by showing us how Cole comes back to his small town after tragedy strikes.  Things quickly go south as his brother Joe is feuding with the Morrison brothers.  I found myself having to pause several times, as this book does have a few triggers (animal death, rape, violence).  This book truly was about the worst in these characters.

Mean Spirited by Elias Witherow

 

Mean Spirited by Elias Witherow - 270 pages

An alcoholic teacher and father’s world spirals out of control when a former student is killed and he is left with her dog and the dark presence that follows it.

Matt Matheny teaches during the day, drinks at night, and barely hides his functioning alcoholism from his veterinarian ex-wife, Lucy, and his six-year-old son, Mikey. His world spirals out of control when a former student is killed, and he's left with her dog, Conehead. But something isn't right with Conehead. A dark presence follows him, and very soon, people around him die. Matt realizes the only way to protect his son is to sober up and work with Lucy to expose the dog’s mysterious past and face a secret so shocking—an evil so relentless—that it threatens to unleash hell on an entire town.

This horror novel pays homage to Stephen King’s Cujo, and films like It Follows and The Strangers. It is a haunting and suspenseful exploration of the unseen and the supernatural, set against the seemingly tranquil backdrop of rural West Virginia. Nick Roberts masterfully builds tension and atmosphere, creating a sense of impending doom with meticulous detailing and vivid imagery. The psychological exploration elevates the narrative, making Mean Spirited a compelling read for those who seek a blend of horror, mystery, and emotional depth.

Whether you are a seasoned fan of the genre or a curious newcomer, Mean Spirited promises a gripping and thought-provoking journey into the realms of the supernatural.

Wow, this is a messed up book!  I didn't like it as much as his other books but it was still pretty good and horrific.

The Worst Kind of Monsters by Elias Witherow

 

The Worst Kind of Monsters by Elias Witherow - 482 pages

There's a dog sneaking into your daughter's bedroom and whispering in her ear. There's something horrible in that storm over the ocean. What does "feed the pig" mean? What are those ropes in the sky? Why is Dad acting so funny? In these dark tales you will experience every type of horror imaginable. It is so gruesome, frightening, and demented that only the bravest of readers will make it through these pages.

This book was just OK.  I guess after reading his novels "The Black Farm" and "Return to the Black Farm" that my expectations for this one was a bit higher than it was able to deliver.  I found it a bit redundant story to story; and while some of the ideas were good, the endings seemed to fizzle out for me.

The Third Parent by Elias Witherow

 

The Third Parent by Elias Witherow - 272 pages

No one knows where he came from. No one knows what he wants. No one dares ask about his strange physical abnormalities. For a quiet suburban neighborhood, things are about to change. And it starts with a knock at the door. Follow his rules. Don't call the police. Listen to his lessons. That's what Jack and his family were told. Held captive in their own house, they must face a growing storm of mental and physical trauma as they try to just stay alive. But even if Jack can survive the horror of his childhood, will his tormentor ever leave him alone? And who is he really? Who is Tommy Taffy?

This author comes up with some messed up stories; I love it!  Perfect for horror fans but not for the faint of heart.   Love the premise of this book; where Tommy Taffy comes from.  

Return to the Black Farm (The Black Farm #2) by Elias Witherow

 

Return to the Black Farm (The Black Farm #2) by Elias Witherow - 255 pages

RETURN TO THE BLACK FARM is a direct sequel that follows Nick as he is forced to confront the aftermath of his actions. The Farm is in ruins. The Pig has vanished. Everything Nick loves hangs in the balance unless he can find a way to make things right. But at what cost? And can he really survive the terrors, new and old, that await his return?

Wow, what a great sequel!  I was not sure how the author would pull this one off but holy crow he did!  He does a great job of introducing new characters as well as keeping the old ones.  Fans of extreme horror definitely need to check out this series!

The Black Farm (The Black Farm #1) by Elias Witherow

 

The Black Farm (The Black Farm #1) by Elias Witherow - 325 pages

After the loss of a child along with a slew of agonizing misfortunes, Nick and Jess decide to end their lives. Unable to cope with the misery that fills their days, they commit one last act together and die in loving relief.
But when Nick wakes up, he soon realizes that death isn't the gentle darkness he expected. Panicked and horrified, he struggles to understand the twisted abominations and hellish world he's now trapped in.
Driven by desperation and a sudden will to survive, he sets out to find Jess and is unable to cope with the thought of her having to suffer through the terrors this new reality holds.
But nothing could prepare him for the nightmares he found... nothing could prepare him for The Black Farm.

*Trigger warning: There is a brief rape scene so be aware

I am not sure what the heck I just read but holy crow, it was AWESOME!  The mere idea of this place existing is horrifying in of itself.  Existing in a place for eternity where there are all kinds of mutilated beasts whose only enjoyment is the torture of Suicidals.  The only way out is to die and respawn somewhere else and do it all over again?  Yikes.  I love the creativity of this author and will definitely read the next in the series.  For those that like horror this is a must read!