As a veteran in law enforcement, Detective Winchester Mills had seen the darkest side of people. But his latest case of murder mirroring popular author Ben Bookman’s latest novel rattled him to the core. Digging deeper into the case, both risked unleashing a secret neither of them ready to face.

Even though one of the main plot points was predictable, this was an enjoyable story. A lot of things happened throughout the book, but everything comes together at the end.

The Nightmare Man is a story of breaking free. It would appeal to readers who enjoy horror with supernatural element.

The Nightmare Man began as a crime thriller and turned into so much more. It weaves together the supernatural with the natural in all the best ways.

I gave this a book out of five stars. I like all the different aspects. I loved the ending, I didn’t see it coming. I plan on getting a finished copy of this.

THE NIGHTMARE MAN, by J.H. Markert is what I consider to be a mash up of different genres: horror, mystery, police procedural, thriller, and even dark fantasy. We begin with Detective Mills--whose closure rate is unprecedented--and the arrival of Ben Bookman, a horror novelist with his latest horrific book.

When real life crimes start mimicking the bizarre murders in Bookman's own book, it causes Mills, and his daughter, detective Blue, try to delve deeper into the mystery of this connection.

"What if nightmares are real, Father?.... What if sometimes they get out?"

Could you imagine a scene any more horrific? Your worst nightmares brought to life?

This is what the characters in this book are looking at.

I found the first half to be quite compelling, learning about the characters, and their connection with the various nightmares being acted out. However, after about the half way point, new characters--who often didn't seem to help, or add to the story at all--(other than to further confuse the main idea), kept popping in. This really took me out of the story several times, and I had to go back to make sure I didn't miss anything .

Overall, a strong beginning, with an overly complex ending.

This book is told in 3rd person from alternating POVs from the main characters of Detective Mills and Ben with flashbacks to “before”. This book was a super fast paced page turner. I really enjoyed the main characters and was hooked from the very first page. I loved how unique and creepy this book was. It definitely has some imaginative folklore but I really loved that aspect because it made it different from other horror books I’ve read. I definitely will be keeping an eye out for this author’s next horror book 👀 definitely recommend this one!

"Scarecrows scare. That's what they do...."

The story of the Nightmare Man was quite unique, fascinating and creepy. The fight of good vs evil takes the form of the never-ending struggle of the Nightmare Man vs Mr. Dream. I was frustrated at first since the story introduced a lot of new threads and characters that seemed very random and unconnected and wondered if I should continue but I am glad I did! Every thread that seemed random began to slowly connect in the final 100-150 pages leading to the showdown/climax and revelation that was chilling and awesome.

Ever since Supernatural aired, I have a soft spot for the Winchester name and Detective Winchester Mills definitely lives up to the name. The brooding hero who has shouldered the burden of a power that destroyed so many before him. The description of the setting of the Blackwood estate and mansion was atmospheric and you could feel the dread, doom and bone-chilling evil emanating from the place...especially the Atrium which is the root of all the evil in the book.

Be patient with this book and you will not be disappointed.

This book also has the potential to be turned into a good movie so if Hollywood ever thinks about it I just hope they don't make a mess of it.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author J. H. Markert for the e-Arc of the book. I finished reading the book before the publication date but got delayed in writing a review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I really enjoyed the Stephen King esk feeling of this book. I do with we got more background on the nightmares in the book. I liked the dual narrative between Mills and Ben. I would recommend this one to those who enjoy Stephen King style horror books. I’ll be checking out more from this author.

I really enjoyed this. Not much horror feels fresh to me these days and this did feel like new ideas and a fresh take on the "horror author has horrible things happening" trope. It didn't scare me, necessarily, but definitely had some creepy imagery and ideas.

Ben Blackwood’s nightmare began as a child, when his younger brother Devon disappeared. Blackwood Manor, owned by Ben’s grandfather Robert, was always an unsettling place, especially The Atrium, where Robert conducted his psychotherapy sessions. Robert also owned and operated an asylum, and he was known world-wide for his success in helping people rid themselves of their nightmares. As an adult, Ben became a popular horror writer, and was confronted at a book signing event by a stranger who accused Ben of stealing his nightmare. The stranger then shot himself and died in front of Ben, prompting an immediate police investigation.

Detective Winchester Mills was extremely concerned about the increase in murders in the small town of New Haven. He and Detective Samantha Blue had been called to a horrific scene where a family had been murdered and the bodies sewn inside corn husks and hung from the barn rafters – a scene described in Ben Bookman’s latest novel. When a second family is found in a similar way, Ben Bookman is considered the prime suspect. However, Winchester believes there is something more to the case, some hidden meaning, and he felt that the Blackwood estate had something to do with it.

Super creepy and captivating, The Nightmare Man dragged me in and held me there, compelling me to keep reading until the end. Ben is obviously tormented by his upbringing at Blackwood, as is his sister Emily, also a psychiatrist, though their trauma manifests in very different ways. I liked how J.H. Markert kept me guessing, offering small bits of information over the chapters, going back in time to provide a foundation for the craziness and nightmares flooding New Haven.

Ben Bookman always wanted to be a horror writer, as a child his interest was cultivated during his summers spent at his eccentric uncle's property, Blackwood mansion. His uncle filled his mind with tales of legends and lore with mysterious creatures and entities. Now, Bookman, dubbed The Nightmare Man, has realized his long-time dream and is a bestselleing novelist. On the eve of the release of his latest horror novel, The Scarecrow, a crazed fan commits suicide at a book signing, right in front of Bookman. Soon he learns that the stories from his previous novels and The Scarecrow have become a reality and that he has become the prime suspect, is it a copycat serial killer or something else?

This book was so well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the characters, their dynamics and their relationships. The story was intense, immersive, suspenseful, and chilling; there was such an unexpected twist at the end as well, which was delightful.

I enjoyed this book and thought it had a lot going for it. A great setting and premise and well developed characters. It also has a great classic, throwback horror style which was one of its biggest pluses for me. Parts of it reminded me of early King which was a great thing. Unfortunately, it also had a lot going on, too much really. I wanted it to be more focused. The ending could have been better as well. I think the novel had so many moving parts that it made it difficult to wrap it all up in a satisfying manner. Overall, it was a mixed bag for me. Thank you to @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for my arc.

As an avid lover of Nightmare on Elm Street, this cover just really appealed to me - and rightfully so. Instead of Freddy coming after you in your dreams, we get THE SCARECROW. Nothing like a family killed and "bundled inside cocoons stitched from corn husks, hung from the rafters of a barn" to really get your nerves on fire. Did I mention that this reflects the opening scene of Ben Bookman's book? Ah, the plot thickens with blood. Also, who has a room full of books without words? Just Ben's grandfather, no big deal. Intrigued yet? You should be.

I love that this book is exactly as you would expect - the marketing team did a fantastic job. I love disturbing crime - top that off with a supernatural cherry and hallelujah, we've got ourselves a spine tingling story, folks. Prepare yourselves for all the crazy and interesting characters. They were all a lot of fun to get to know. And do not pass this up because you might think this is a bit procedural - it has detectives, yes, but this is horror through and through. You'll even like the procedural part - just trust me on this.

I think what I love best about this read is its unpredictability. Few books surprise me these days so when they do it's an automatic love. Pick this up if you like feeling creeped out, unlikable characters and lots of blood. Bring a fly swatter though because woah.

4.5⭐️

Detective Mills and his daughter, Detective Blue, investigate a strange murder where the victims, a family, are found in a barn and hanging within cocoons. But the daughter is still alive and taken to the hospital. A similar murder occurs not long after - a couple found in the same manner and who had seen a scarecrow in the corn field that had run off when they tried to approach it. The murders resemble the murder’s in local horror writer, Ben Bookman’s newest book. Detective Mills and Detective Blue dive deeper into Ben’s life, and the reality they find is much more than they could have imagined in their wildest dreams - or nightmares.

This book is complex and layered and full of unexpected twists and turns. This was a lot of fun to read and try to figure out! The plot and the writing were excellent, and overall a great read.

The Nightmare Man

[Blurb goes here.]

This is an enthralling book. It captures you right from the start. Still, I wouldn't call it scary, not in the least, but that's my opinion. To me, this was a who-done-it with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy, which is a good thing. Better yet, there's quite a lot of mysteries to solve, turning the story into a domino maze, once the main piece falls down, the others follow. It all starts with a book written by Ben Bookman, nick-named The Nightmare Man, the book's early release in—of all places—NetGalley, prompts a series of gruesome copy-cat murders, before it hits the shelves. Ben becoming the main suspect. Why wouldn't he? He has a lot (and I do mean a lot) to hide.

I really liked most of the characters in the story, all of them flawed. All of them searching for some sort of redemption.

What I didn't quite enjoyed where a few of the flashbacks (or backstories), all too convenient, people remembering key plot twists, vital to solving each mystery. When reading a detective story, the puzzle is all there, waiting for it to be solved. Here you have missing clues, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

This is a well written book. I will be in the look out for more from this author.

Ben Bookman, a novelist and heir to the Blackwood estate spent a weekend at his family's home to finish his latest horror novel, The Scarecrow. But then the story comes to life... Detective Mills is called to the scene of an appalling murder scene; one that mirrors a scene from Ben's book. Then another family is murdered and Detective Mills and his daughter, Detective Samantha Blue work hard to find the link between the author and the murders.

The Nightmare Man is original, fresh, and it surprised me. The author writes of the brutality of deaths naturally and with skill, teasing the reader with snippets of new information here and there. A mesmerising and thoroughly terrifing story.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Absolutely fricken amazing! If you have ever had a nightmare, and who hasn't? Or you suffer from night terrors, this book will not only resonate with you but will scare the heck out of you! I hope...oh I hope that Markert is planing for this to be a series.
Highly recommended. I listened to the audiobook version which just added to the overall creepiness.
Thanks to @netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Book Summary:

Ben Bookman has been hard at work on his latest novel, The Scarecrow. He even heads home – to Blackwood mansion – to get it written. Unfortunately, the events of his book seem to be coming to life, and that means the town of New Haven is in for a horrible time.

Enter Detective Mills, the person responsible for investigating a gruesome murder. A murder that eerily matches up with Ben's book. You can see where this is heading. What is real? What is fiction? And what can humanity do when the lines between the two begin to blur?

My Review:

Wow. Wow! This is the first novel I've read by J.H. Market and guys, I'm hooked! The Nightmare Man is such a chilling and fantastic read. If you love stories where the lines of fact and fiction blur, you will love this book.

Oh, right, it's also pretty horrifying. The marketing of The Nightmare Man (T. Kingfisher meets Cassandra Khaw) is so painfully spot-on here! Seriously, I've never seen a more accurate comparison. As a fan of both authors, I mean that in the best way possible.

The Nightmare Man is worth the read, especially for horror and mystery fans. You'll also probably enjoy it if you like darker fantasy novels.

Highlights:
Nightmares turned Real
Mystery/Horror
Scarecrows
T. Kingfisher Vibes (yes, please!)

Trigger Warnings:
Missing Children
Serial Killer

The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert is a 2023 Crooked Lane Books publication.

I seldom read new horror novels, excepting one or two favorite authors, but this one was pointed out to me as one I might want to check out.

I figured it wouldn’t hurt to step outside of my comfort zone just a little bit, as well. So, this was maybe an unusual pick for me to read during the Christmas season.

The story starts off with a grisly crime scene, one that mimics passages from horror novelist Ben Bookman’s latest book. Things spiral downwards from there as Ben becomes a prime suspect.

As horror novels go, this one is unique. There is the requisite gore- apparently a requirement in horror novels these days, as ‘atmosphere’ doesn’t compute any longer- but, that said, it’s a smart thriller with some interesting twists.

One will have to go slow and remain focused as it would be easy to get lost or confused in some parts. After the initial adrenaline rush, the story does lose momentum a bit- but eventually the pieces begin to fit together nicely.

Overall, not really knowing anything about the work of the authors this novel was compared to, and not being in the loop for what counts as a good horror/thriller anymore- I can only say I thought this is probably one that could appeal to more of a mainstream readership, because while violent, it doesn’t depend on that alone- it does have a plot and an interesting premise. I am glad I gave it a try and will consider trying out more books by this author.

Blackwood Mansion holds secrets. No one knows this better than Ben Bookman, the boy who grew up in the mansion, and who was so influenced by its mystique that he became a bestselling horror author. But after making a name for himself as a successful writer (he is literally nicknamed The Nightmare Man), his past is coming back to haunt him. Someone is acting out the grotesqueries in his novels - murdering in the same ways, targeting the same victims as those described within the pages of his books. Naturally all accusations turn to Ben himself. After all, without his twisted imagination, these things would never have happened. But is it really that simple? Although Ben denies all culpability, time is quickly running out for him and detectives to find the real killer. Failing to do so will not only result in more lives lost, but also the unleashing of thousands of living nightmares, personalized to everyone’s worst fears.

This book is a prime example of how sometimes I wish there were two separate rating categories: one for plot, and one for writing quality. As far as plot creativity and concepts, The Nightmare Man is a four-star novel. Unfortunately, the writing style and quality got in the way of the story and prevented me from becoming fully immersed in the terrifying world that Markert conjured. For one, there seems to be a lack of trust in the reader; many things are spelled out that could be left up to the audience’s imagination and filled in by virtue of being an attentive and experienced reader. More than a few scenes were clumsily overexplained and I found it frustrating.

The second pitfall was that Markert seemed to be overly ambitious. There were so many moving pieces, so much backstory, so many bread crumbs laid in the exposition that had to be recovered by the end of the novel. I felt that Markert should have taken a page from his protagonist’s book and given all the different “monsters” (loosely used here) their own, fully-fleshed out novels rather than cramming them into one. The result of his choice to sandwich all the terror into one text lessened the impact and just left me feeling as though I was missing important details due to the sheer amount of information.

So is this a criticism for the writer or the editor? Here is where I feel conflicted about this particular review. But taken as a whole, two-stars is where Nightmare Man ended up landing. A great story with an execution that left something to be desired.

Much thanks to J.H. Markert, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review

J. H. Markert's horror debut is a disturbing masterpiece reminiscent of Stephen King's "The Dark Half." I might have to start sleeping with a dreamcatcher over my bed now! Old school horror at its finest.