My favorite kind of horror story, about suburban alienation, the seemingly perfect and the rot it always seems to cover up, and its ultimate failure to keep it at bay.

Dead Eleven is a story about grief disguised as a thriller. It's a bit slow moving, and might have been a better novella.

Dead Eleven is a thrilling dive into nostalgic horror that captivates from start to finish. Set on the enigmatic Clifford Island, a town frozen in the 90s, this novel offers a fresh take on the genre with its unique blend of supernatural intrigue and psychological suspense.

The story follows Willow, who, after losing her son and separating from her husband, relocates to Clifford Island in hopes of a fresh start. However, she quickly discovers that the island is anything but ordinary. The town's residents are stuck in a time warp, and eerie occurrences suggest she might be part of something much darker than she initially imagined.

Author Jimmy Juliano masterfully builds tension and atmosphere, immersing readers in a world where every detail—from the vintage fashion to the unsettling silence—adds to the sense of dread. The novel’s pacing is spot-on, with each twist and revelation coming at just the right moment to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The character development is also top-notch. Willow's journey is both heartbreaking and riveting, as she uncovers the island’s mysteries and confronts her own grief. The supporting characters, particularly her brother Harper, add depth and complexity to the narrative, making the stakes feel even higher.

Dead Eleven stands out not only for its inventive plot but also for its rich, atmospheric setting. The town's eerie charm and the ancient curse that looms over it create a haunting backdrop for a story filled with suspense and surprises. The book’s blend of paranormal elements and psychological drama makes it a standout read for horror enthusiasts.

In summary, Dead Eleven is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping horror story with a nostalgic twist. It’s a mesmerizing, spine-chilling experience that will stay with you long after the last page.

What a perfect cover! What an enticing description!

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano is a standout addition to the horror genre that left a lasting impression on me. I woudn't be surprised to see it decorated with a number of awards after its first year in the sun. It is impossible to remember while reading that this is a debut novel.

The book was able to seamlessly blend cultish vibes and urban legends into the storyline in a way that felt very much American, turn of the century, etc. etc. As a child of the, albeit late, 90s, the nostalgic 90s references sprinkled throughout—from VHS tapes to flannel shirts and the infamous OJ Simpson Ford Bronco chase—added an extra layer of believability to the novel.

Dead Eleven is such a compelling book, both for it's horror elements, the draw of understanding the mystery of it all, and for its trip back in time. This is the kind of book your uncle would love, you know? I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

This was a wild ride. I didn't want to put it down once I started, I had to know what was going on with this island. Well written and gets it's hooks into you.

While the cover screams summer, this creepy horror-thriller mostly takes place in the Wisconsin winter. All I knew going in was that the whole town lives as if it's 1994, and I was pleasantly surprised at how all the weird pieces fit together to explain why. With some missing people, an island full of secrets, culty religious themes, grief- I was hooked. I read this in just a few sittings.

I enjoyed the epistolary format, which I think really helped give the 1994- but- also-present- day vibes. Listening to the audio when the interview parts came up was a good choice.

I feel like a bit more explanation at the end would have tied this up nicely but I don't mind the origin of the evil being a mystery. Overall, a fun little crepy story.

I saw this cover and knew I was in for a nostalgic horror. My favorite kind. Going into it blind, after reading the first page I already was searching for information online regarding the story. I laughed at myself because that’s how believable the formatting of the mixed media is remarkably done. The narrator is trying to discover what really happened to his sister that led to her death on this private land.
It reads like a documentary with multiple interviews. At first, I enjoyed it because it started off really spooky. Then it became really stale after more of the same, which made the ending twist feeling very lackluster. If it would have been cut shorter, it would have been much more entertaining. 2.5 stars

Dead Eleven; A Novel by Jimmy Juliano was not for me, personally. I am still thankful that I got to read this!

A creepy and atmospheric horror novel, with a blend of nostalgia turned evil/menacing and paranormal elements. Very page-turning.

I loved this totally unique horror book! The setting, the characters, the plot were all so well done. It was weird and quirky which is what I love in a horror. Definitely one I'll remember plus add in 90's references and you got me!

The cover of this book is beautiful. I do wish I loved the content of the book as much as the cover. I would say this book is very similar to the village by m night shamlayan. If you enjoy the themes of that movie you will enjoy this book.

This was way too slow for me that I had to DNF!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Very slow moving and not as suspenseful or scary as the description stated. Not a lot happened and had very weak explanations that didn't quite make sense.

This was such a slow read! I didn't think there was enough of a payoff by the end either. The pacing just felt so off and I struggle to pay attention. I was hoping for a super creepy slow burn!

This unique book takes the typical ghost story a bit further, with an entire island being haunted.

I really enjoyed the setting: being from the Midwest, I’ve certainly heard of Door County! There were several creepy moments in the book, but there isn’t over the top gore. I think this book would be appropriate even for people who don’t typically read horror.

I liked the way the book was set up, with chapters told from different POV and in different formats (texts, newspaper articles, etc.).

I was onboard for the first half. Really dug the low-key folk/cosmic horror going on, and the epistolary format works for the subject. But once the ~explanations~ started trickling in, my interest began to dwindle… maybe they come too soon? Or maybe the second half should be trimmed? (Reminder: my ratings are not attempts at objectivity assessing “merits”, merely a reflecting of my taste.)

QUICK TAKE: I found this to be a slog. Mysterious for the sake of mystery without much satisfying payoff. Wanted to love it as much as I loved the cover, and...I didn't.

I loved the premise here - our narrator is investing his sister's disappearance and where she was last seen was a mysterious island where everyone lives like it was frozen in time in the 1990s.
I also loved the thematic connection between the island with how grief can be processed, especially for the character of Willow.
The overall plot didn't live up to the premise for me, and I found some of the characters more engaging than others, but overall it was a fun horror-lite read.

I have told so many people about this book. I loved the oddness, the mystery, and the reveal. Everyone watching the OJ Simpson Bronco highway chase, and other little 90s details, made this fun.

When I heard about a new release horror book about an island of people who live like it’s 1994 24/7, I was like, SAY LESS! I’m in! 😂 because, as a child of the 90s, who has a deep love of nostalgic content from that decade, I was so excited to get into it. And luckily NetGalley approved me for an ARC

And, while I did enjoy the premise of the book, it unfortunately fell a little flat. ☹️ I just felt like the buildup took too long, and I was getting bored at times. I almost DNF’d. I’m glad I didn’t though, because the ending was actually pretty good! I wish the whole book had been as tense and suspenseful and creepy like that!

It definitely has IT by Stephen King vibes. The town reminds me of Derry, and there’s the malevolent creature in the abandoned house as well. And, I mean, I really liked IT, so no complaints on that front really.

I’m from the Midwest so a lot of the scenery is something if familiar with, which is always fun.

Overall, perfectly fine, 3 star read. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️