Oh hi π» Boils and Ghouls… you didn’t expect to hear from me so soon, did you?
Well, I have a special treat here, just for you…
If you’re into Cosmic Horror and are just itching for a spellbinding, short n’ spooky reading experience… then you’ll want to creep reading this particular book review.
Please refer to my Ratings + Review Policy to see how I formulate and curate my reading experiences on my socials.
Advanced Reader Copy Review For
A Novella
Genre: Horror
Goodreads book excerpt:
This Horror Novella releases on October 7,2025.
to be alerted to when new ARC reviews are posted…
graphic made using Canva
Rating: ππππ
click on the image to go to my Goodreads page
If you like the writing style and structure of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke…
π»ππ»
You’ll enjoy Sabrina Tells Maddie the Truth About her Past
I.M.P.O π
in my pΗssΗssod personal opinion
What did you think of the story?
Cleverly written and very captivating, especially because you are essentially reading the transcripts of a recorded conversation between two people the entire time, Sabrina and Maddie, to understand the entire premise, along with brief intersections of ongoing news reports to give you the full context.
Did the novella live up your expectations?
Totally, and then some… as I was left guessing until the very, very end, truly just who’s past I was really learning about… (which I thought was a very clever magic trick for this novella to perform, and succeeded in doing.)
How was the reading XP?
I really enjoyed how the story was deliveredβthrough found footage-style news articles, video clips and the transcripts of recorded phone callsβalthough, I did find that made it harder to latch onto the multiple directions we were going within the story, to learn the truth about Sabrina’s past.
I did find after revisiting some of my highlighted portions that it really connected for me. So kudos George for really captivating my morbid curiosity way after my reading XP; making me very engaged in truly comprehending what I just read and eager to connected those cosmic dots…
Are you a Horror writer/author looking for ARC feedback on your upcoming book(s)?
Please summon the attention of this ghostly presence via the Contact form.
I want to thank you, Boils and Ghouls, for taking the time to read my honest review of George Bachman’s upcoming Horror Novella and please, keep your eyes peeled π for when it releases this upcoming spooky szn.
Let’s continue the Summerween spirit π»π with some more unsettling spooky treats!
As we say goodbye ππ» to the last Sunday of July 2k25, we slowly creep towards August with much morbid curiosity…
And I’m sure that’s exactly why you’re here, Boils and Ghouls, to learn about our upcoming adventures down into the darkest depths or unknowingly beyond the other side…
Morbid & Mor(e)bid Curiosities | August 2025
Oh hello, boils and ghouls… do we ever have ourselves in for some horrific scares this August! ππ
It was a close call for one of the book club picks π«£ with multiple polls needed to finally select our scare, but we finally settled upon our two choices for next month’s morbid curiosities…
Our August Morbid Curiosities π Book Club Reads Are…
self-created graphic design using Canva
π The Deep by Nick Cutter (2015)
Goodreads book description
A global plague (wait a minute, didn’t we just…) of unknown origin and no known cure? But, a possible discovery DEEP beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean…
Yeah, I feel like this book will haunt my dreams for an endless amount of time after reading, due to my own personal fears and anxieties, but also, as I’ve heard that the writing style of Nick Cutter (moreso than his other alias, or real name, Craig Davidson) can truly get underneath your skin and isn’t for the faint of heart!
Nick or Craig Which books have you read?
Check to see if this book title is available in your area:
πͺ΅ Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson (2023)
Goodreads book description
I’m such a fan of the location, the Celtic folklore surrounding the story and also how it centered around a children’s TV show that isn’t quite how one remembers… (give me this Channel Zero Creepypasta vibe!)
I’ll admit, I wasn’t familiar with this book until one of our Morbid Mavens put it on my radar when thinking about suggestions for August, but I’m so glad that we are tackling this one as a group, because I feel there will be so much to unpack once the book it opened…
read more & join Fablejoin the club to interact & suggest your morbid curiosities
Check to see if this book title is available in your area:
Both our Double Trouble Morbid Curiosities π will begin on Friday, August 1st within our haunted clubhouses on Fable (mark your calendars π & join us, if you dare…)
Do you like to read HORROR books?
Do you like to vibe with the most spectacular souls in existence?
I’m floored with how many Morbid Mavens have begun flocking into our haunted clubhouses these days, and it fills my creepy heart up with so much love!
We now are reaching over 385 engaged and eager souls haunting the halls of the clubs, just ready to read the darkest and most disturbed Horror books available.
For August, we had 17 suggestions to narrow down to our Morbid Eight π± and as always, we welcome our trusty/crusty Cursed Wheel to guide our selections…
our cursed wheel of names (using the monthβs graphic image)
I also used the cursed wheel to determine where to put the Morbid Eight π± amongst the two haunted clubhouses…
While I had my heart set on reading Lost in the Garden for August, I was happy to see Paradise Rot made it to the Mor(e)bid Curiosities book club poll!
However, as we know from previously reading, that paradise will have to be left rotting, for now…
The Morbid 8 π±
It was almost impossible to decide between two books in one of our clubs that we had to post another poll just to decide between them…
first round results 31% tiedposted the second poll to choose between The Deep & The Rotting Room
That fight did not let up in our second poll either, Boils and Ghouls, with many of us Mavens just sitting and waiting to see the final results…
And… with 51% of the Mavens making their final decision, we all are going on quite the journey next month with these Horror books!
As our saying goes, “…the mor(e)bid, the merrier…” so if you like book clubs and want to check out the Fable app, we would be happy if you could…
Check out her spooky cute outfits and other Halloween content over on her Instagram and also, consider joining us in the #100daysofhalloweenhappy Challenge…
It’s almost like my soul is recharging (even though Mercury is cookin’ in the Microwave until the 11th of August π) when I think about this upcoming Spooky Szn… and I’m so glad I’m not the only one who comes back into my body once I recognize Halloween is approaching!
So now that I’ve caught up on the first day of the Halloween Happy challenge, let’s continue and catch up with the second day…
Day Two π Something Orange
I’ve been seeing so many amazing orange-themed Horror book stacks on Instagram and thought I’d take a photo of my little color-coordinated orange section to contribute my portion of yesterday’s challenge π
subscribe for more creepy content…
1761879660
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Halloween 2k25 π
Day Three πͺ About Me
Now I think it’s time I properly introduce myself and share some facts, Boils and Ghouls, about your friendly neighborhood East Coast ghost (blogger)
Hi ππ» I’m Court(-ney) and my pronouns are she/they…
Actually, let’s start with introducing you to my two very special furr-miliars
Hoover (she/her) & Parker (he/him)
They are both around the same age (senior 15 year old perma-kittens) with the combined energetic forces of the fiercest angels and darkest demons… Keep an eye out for more of these cute creatures in my blogs to come! π
And now, to share with you all, some pieces of my soul…
#1 Horror Is My Happy Place
There’s no need to list off everything… or we’ll be here a long time indeed…
but if you’re new here ππ»π I’ve got just the introduction post for you to read!
I am a scaredy-cat who loves everything to do with Horror π and my undying obsession with it is what allows my morbid curiosity to guide me towards the most disturbed and darkest corners of the universe π«£
also, maybe I’m a wee bit obsessed with IASIP, too π
When it comes to books, movies, tv shows, video games, board games, art, media, etc… if it’s HORROR-branded then you’ve really captured my curiosity!
#2 I Love Art & Design
art of escaping one’s own former self and insecurities, finally embracing who you are within
I am fueled by curiosity and creativity and, as a crafty soul, I’m very passionate about incorporating art & design elements into all aspects of my life- from painting, drawing, clay-making to sewing new clothing items and upcycling thrifted pieces in various ways, using the coolest techniques!
With my background in UX Research and Graphic Design, I’m compassionate towards the users and always considering how to make a lasting positive impact with every design decision that’s crafted, and want to make art that can leave a lasting impression for the better, to make you think and feel in ways that truly allow you to embrace your authentic self.
#3 Music & Singing Fuel Me
Be still And go on to bed Nobody knows what lies ahead And life is short To say the least We’re in the belly of the beast πΆ
Be Still – The Killers
My entire life has been centered around music, in the strangest yet most comforting way. And no, I don’t come from any famous singer/songwriters (I don’t think?) but my family has always had a love for music in some shape or form. My dad and I would sing while going on car rides, cooking or around a campfire, and really bonded over our mutual love of music. My uncle was a concert promoter in Newfoundland and really brought the Breezeway bar to life at Memorial University, booking musicians and hosting such incredible moments within those walls, so I felt that I grew up with an ingrained passion for music! When I hit junior high, I enrolled in voice lessons and from there, with 5+ years of lessons and experience, it has been my emotional regulator ever since!
From just casually singing to performing on stage, music captures the heart and soul of everything around.
The Levee, St. John’s NLThe Rockhouse, St. John’s NL
There’s a beautiful quote I had on a Hot Topic tank top in my teen years that read,
Where words fail, music speaks.
And truer words have not been spoken ever since…
#4 Forever & Always A Yogi
I’ve been practicing yoga as long as I can remember and truly feel that the positive impacts I’ve experienced from my practices, the mindful changes within my life and the behaviors it has put forth and helped me maintain, are invaluable to building resilience within yourself among today’s uncertain world. It’s something that allows you to be in control of your breath, your movements and your space, which is empowering and needed.
My essence and inner spirit truly identifies with being a yin yang symbol β―οΈ as I’m one who seeks out darkness to understand and ground myself within the light, therefore it’s a constant chase for balance between the two.
My Libra sun screams for the need to balance all aspect of one’s life, even if it is an impossible task… while the rest of me trying to remain calm amongst all the chaos!
Oh, and I guess side note: I dabble in Tarot and Astrology.
#5 I’m From St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada)
Signal Hill in St. John’s
I was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, an island located in the Atlantic ocean that happens to be the oldest and most easterly city in North America… so it’s no wonder I grew up on tremendous amounts of ghost stories and unsettling folklore (and grew to absolutely love it!)
While I might not live there as we speak, the energy I’ve taken from the province will always have a place within my creepy heart.
#6 I’m Obsessed with Skulls π
taken in the Paris Catacombs, July 2022
Maybe it was from CSI and crime shows, or maybe from all the Horror media growing up, but I have such a fondness for π
and yes, those photos were taken in the Paris Catacombs…
which I think it could be a really good storytime for another blog, so I think I’ll keep you curious (if you are…)
I seriously cannot wait for Halloween this year! I hope to plan some creepy/cute costumes for a few photoshoots and also attend a Halloween party or two?!
Drop a π if you’ve read this post, and share how you plan on celebrating 100 days until Halloween π
Until we meet again,
I summon you to introduce yourself in the comments…
Drop a π€ Break a name