This was SO freaking creepy. Like I had to sleep with the lights on creepy. Essentially, after his wife suddenly dies from anaphylaxis shock from a crazy bite Alfie, our main character is left to raise his twin daughters g alone. Shortly after her death, his daughters bring to "life" the Black Mamba, an invisible, shape shifting, friend. There were total surprises in this book, it definitely kept me on edge and was NOT expecting that ending. All around, it's spooky, but also heartbreaking the way it surrounds grieving such a significant loss. I'd recommend Let Him In as a perfect kick start to Spooky season reads!

3.5 🌟

Alfie awakes with his twin daughters at the end of his bed, telling him that they have a shadow in their room.

As the days progress, the twins start talking about Black Mamba, and the creepiness starts to settle in.

This novel is definitely about the gothic thriller vibes and it does it well. It also works with the theme of grief in one’s life.

The one thing for me that I wish was better is the way the dual perspectives was done. Usually I’m a fan of it, but for this story, I just wasn’t as invested.

It’s a good read for those fans of gothic thrillers, and it also does mesh in with Alex North’s “The Whisper Man,” which is another thriller I enjoyed.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an ARC copy for an honest review!

I can appreciate the imaginary friend angle and it tying into the family history and the attachments of twins. I will never hear Black Mamba and think of anything other than the very demanding imaginary friend that wanted to be there for the twins. I did not see the ending coming at all though. The book is very creepy and easy to get lost into what the characters are trying to navigate as real or imaginary. Very readable and had me freaked out at least once or twice.

Let Him In can be likened to a literary manifestation of Easy Listening Jazz, offering a palatable narrative experience, albeit one I could easily forego. Initially, I held the expectation of a compelling crescendo toward a malevolent climax, yet it failed to materialize to my satisfaction. I would liken the experience to consuming flat soda merely out of thirst, lacking the anticipated effervescence. The quality of the writing is not subpar; however, I envisioned a more ominous trajectory for the storyline. Encountering works of this nature is disheartening due to the prevailing indifference it evokes. Whether infused with adoration or disdain, a work should elicit a more pronounced response. Regrettably, this middling book tends to fade into the literary background

I have no words besides wtf this was so good you must read it. I was shocked confused I thought I knew what was going on and then boom I’d get slapped by change.

This was a great horror story. Had me guessing until the end and even then the author leaves some open questions. Nice spooky read for a weekend in October. Just remember not to invite him in.

This was dark, chilling, and had me glancing over my shoulder as I read this late into the night. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's just something so...off about everything happening in Hart House. Friend does a great job of evoking chills and emotions from the readers, drawing them into the lives of a family riddled with grief. The twins themselves add a bit to the eeriness factor at times. Overall, this is the perfect read for a chill autumn night, when you're cozied up with a hot cup of tea.

What a creepy book and the cover is A+! This is not one to read in the dark (kindle) or while you are alone! This will make me take notice when my child tells me they have an invisible friend. The story takes place in a creepy house that has a recently widowed dad, his two twin girls and their aunt trying to make sense of the invisible friend that both the girls can see. I really want to leave it at that because anything else will spoil the story. Just know don't read it at night or alone. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

“Daddy, there’s a man in our room...”

Months after the death of their mother, twins Cassia and Sylvie awaken their father, Alfie, in the middle of the night with that sentence. Naturally, Alfie thoroughly checks out the girls' room as well as the rest of the house before settling them in his bed for the night. Night after night, the girls come in talking of a man but eventually, the girls stop. Then one day, they tell their father that they made a new friend. They call him Black Mamba, and he is basically a shape-shifter with whom the girls share adventures. Concerned, Alfie contacts his deceased wife's sister (and twin) Julia, who happens to be a psychiatrist. Julia says Black Mamba is just an imaginary friend and not to worry. But is he? As the girls' behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Alfie begins to lean on Julia even more. But Julia is more worried than she is letting on. She knows the history of the house and the weird religious things her parents did there. What exactly IS Black Mamba?

And therein lies my issue with his book. It was very creepy - old house where some bad things happened, odd twin little girls who only like to play with each other, strange religious beliefs, a father who is wallowing in his grief and sees his dead wife. But I feel like the ending was too ambiguous. I'm still not sure what the hell Black Mamba was - a demon? A nightmare? An imaginary friend for mourning children? Their father in a drunken stupor telling them stories during his bender? I am still confused. I would also liked to know more about this mysterious religion that the maternal grandparents practiced. I didn't feel like we got enough information about that.

Overall, the atmosphere was great, but for me the plotline lacked resolution.

First, thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for a review.

Holy H**L! This can't possibly be a "debut novel" - I refuse to believe it. William Friend writes like a seasoned professional, His created characters that are not only believable, but that you actually care about - rare for a debut.

I could rehash the story, but that's been done countless times. What I want to tell you about is the feeling you'll get reading this. Anyone with children can relate to them having an "imaginary friend" - it's a phase almost every child goes through. But, what if that friend isn't so "imaginary"? Or what if a child takes their imagination to a whole new level? William explores these questions in a very eerie, and unsettling way.

This was an easy read, with none of the "hiccups" most new writers experience. I don't know if that's due to his talent, or his editor, but color me impressed. I look forward to more from this fine author.

Perfect book to start off the spooky season! The story line was great with the perfect amount of horror.

I haven't been gripped by a novel like this for a very long time. It is creepy, disturbing and all-consuming, and reaches the pit of the most visceral of emotions.

It is a simple story and immediately identifiable. A newly widowed man struggles to deal with his grief and then his seven-year-old twin daughters tell him that there is a man in their room. Is this man an intruder or an imaginary friend? They say his name is Black Mamba and he begins to take control of the children with dangerous consequences. Professional help is required, especially as the influence of Black Mamba has now infiltrated their children at school.

This book is about grief, life and death, religious belief and the afterlife. It looks at power and control, reality and imagination, science and faith. Above all are the gothic aspects of the past, of buildings and places that are so integral to essence of life. Very atmospheric.

Tensely written in the first person, the story is told by two characters, alternating between the widowed father and his sister-in-law, who is also a psychotherapist, (so somewhere between a psychologist and a counsellor). She represents the science and logic although, through her upbringing, understands both sides, while the father spirals into a depression.

A powerful book expertly written. For those who like psychological fiction or anyone who has to deal with imaginary friends. Absolutely brilliant.

I wanted so badly to love this but if I’m being perfectly honest with you…I have no idea what I just read. I thought this would be a good book for October since it’s spooky season but I didn’t find this to be riveting or scary or thrilling at all. It was hard to force myself to keep going but I wanted to give it a chance & I wanted to be able to review it.

It's officially Fall now, and once my Halloween decor comes out, I'm ready for all the spooky books. Let Him In was just what I was in the mood for, with several creepy elements: twins with an imaginary friend, a big old haunted house, a grieving husband dealing with dark dreams, and his deceased wife's twin who has many secrets of her own. The writing was good (I'm impressed that it's a debut!), and it was such a quick read that I literally read it all in one evening. I enjoyed the backstory of the main characters, and the slow reveals of what exactly had happened in the house, and who the imaginary friend (Black Mamba) might be. It's a mix of horror, psychological thriller, family drama, and suspense, and was just the right amount of each for me. The ending had a few things that felt unlikely, and ultimately left me wondering if I really knew what had happened at all, but I think that's how it was meant to end. If you enjoy slightly open endings, this will be right up your alley. 4 stars for this solid debut. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adding kids into a horror story usually will do one of two things: up the creepiness factor if they are evil or highten the tension if they are in danger. In the case of the twins in William Friend’s Let Him In its actually a bit of both. When they first announce ‘there’s a man in our room’ you’re immediately concerned for them, but then the creepiness starts in when they begin embracing this mysterious entity they call Black Mamba, choosing him over their father. This is a wonderfully disturbing tale. Alfie is struggling, having lost his wife (partner), he is now a single father of twins who are starting act out, claiming there is a magical man in living in their house. Of course Alfie doesn’t believe them or even know the twisted history of the house he is living in, the evil that may still reside there, and enlists the help of his deceased wife’s sister, who happens to be a therapist. It’s a gripping story of loss and grief, taking numerous twists. And while I anticipated the final twist, it was still completely satisfying. I’ve actually gone through this book twice in the last two months. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press I was able to read an eARC and thanks to Dreamscape Media I had the chance to listen to the audio version which features two excellent narrators: Jodie Harris and Jonathan Johns. Whether you choose to read or listen, you’re in for a solidly creepy haunted tale.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RKLRXQ2YCAJIY/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Wow! This gothic horror novel reeled me in early on and kept me guessing for the duration! I adore a creepy, well-written ghost story, and Mr. Friend has delivered that with his debut…..debut!!!!….novel. You must keep that in mind as you read. What the author has accomplished in his debut novel is impressive. His writing style is descriptive and engaging, with an excellent balance between plot advancement and character development.
The tale of Alfie, Julia, Sylvie, and Cassia’s journey through the grief of losing their wife, sister, and mother captivated me. Add in the underlying creep factor provided by a cult-like religion, a possible demon/ghost (or two?), and a house hiding many secrets, and you have the perfectly atmospheric book to read on a cool October evening. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will definitely watch for more of this author’s work!

Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and William Friend for allowing me to read Let Him In.
From the very first page, I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down, but as I was reading this well into the night, in the pitch-black dark, I had to finish it the next morning! I was completely spooked, feeling as though I was being watched from the dark corners of my room!
The entire plot made me want to know more and more about the backgrounds of not only the characters, but of the house and the "religion" of A Church of Christ!
If you are getting ready for spooky season or just want a book that will scare you and have you leaving the lights on at night, I highly recommend Let Him In!!

I am always excited for a debut, especially a horror debut, but unfortunately this wasn’t the one for me…

We know from the synopsis that Alfie’s wife, Pippa, died suddenly nine months before this book begins. She left behind twin daughters, Sylvie and Cassia, and Alfie is now struggling to raise them while coping with his grief. Pippa was also a twin, and Julia is around to help Alfie and her nieces.

Being a psychotherapist comes in handy for Julia, because the twins are having a rough time with their mother’s death. Hart House has been in the family for decades, and the twins are suffering from sleepwalking and seeing things in their room. Well, not things - a man they call Black Mamba.

This was beautifully written, and most horror readers will probably enjoy this one. I’m really particular about the kind of horror genres that I like, and this leaned a little heavy on religion/demonology/ghosts. I also had a few unanswered questions about the house, and this followed the normal (and slightly boring) pattern of a house producing evil. I’m giving this one 2.5 stars, rounded up for being a debut and being a victim of my personal horror preferences.

(Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, William Friend and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

This one started out a bit slow for me, but I pushed through and got really into it about 40% in. At that point, I couldn’t put it down. The story was extremely well written and really explored grief and depression, with a paranormal aspect that kept me wondering what was actually going on all the way to the end. The ending left some room for interpretation, which left me thinking about it long after I had finished reading. Overall, a good read!

I just reviewed Let Him In by William Friend. #lethimin #NetGalley
It was okay-maybe just not really my cup of tea. It's like the author was trying to tell us something but just beats around the bush too much. Still not sure if I am supposed to believe if the story was actually happening or just manipulation.