Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this ARC! I absolutely loved this book!! So unique and well written, it gripped me from the first chapter and kept me holding on until the last page.

What a wonderful debut by Scott! Can’t wait to see what he writes next.

Thank you @tornightfire for the #gifted copy of this e-arc!

I have realized this year I am super picky with which horror books I like and let me tell you this one was a winner! If you’re in the mood for a spooky paranormal horror story this one is for you!

This story is about a man named Charlie who travels home after his father passes away unexpectedly. When he arrives he learns that his inheritance consists of 4 records. Odd. Maybe. But legend has it that when they are played together the gates of hell open! Eek! Temptation and curiosity gets the best of Charlie, his siblings and friends and they give it a whirl. 😱 Immediately he has some “special powers” that allow him to see dead people. The race is on to try and save not only his life but his family’s too!

💭 I am blown away that this is Scott’s debut novel! This is the perfect spooky season book that you will not be able to put down! This book felt nostalgic because of the record store and I absolutely loved the music references! The characters were all really well done and I especially loved the relationship between Charlie and his Dad and also Charlie’s Dad and the store manager. The dark and gritty vibe in this book is exactly what I am looking for in a horror book. The pacing was great and the ending was match up was perfect! Make sure you add this to your TBR for fall. You won’t be disappointed!

This was so much more than just horror.

There is amazing character development, with a great cast of very different individuals we learn and get to know, seeing the varying dynamics between them all.

We experience sibling relationships and the broken bonds between father and son, among other various relationships between others.

At the heart this is horror, and some of my favorite kind. It’s said, between those in the know, that if you play these four integral records at the same time, something is achieved, though it’s not necessary a good something. And when Charles, his sister Ellie, and the two employees of their recently deceased father’s Seattle staple record store, Ana and Dale all get mixed up in this, they are plagued with seeing the dead. A new development that has some benefits, but more importantly, had one incredible downside.

This story was so well written, so multifaceted, that I couldn’t put this book down. For a debut, I was blown away and I, personally cannot wait to see what else Scott Leeds has in store for us.

This Novel is my 41st book this year, and thus far it has jumped to my Top Three!
( All are still pending. BUT.. IT'S there..For sure)

This book was composed with symphonic horror, choral character development, and like a CD in the 90's, you do not want to skip a track or put this cacophony of a novel down for one moment. Unfortunately, for me, I had to put it down more than I life; but my own horrors must be vanquished.

Scott Leed's debut novel: Schrader's Cord is absolutely captivating. The novel is high octane on character development, family trauma, and issues and conversations that signed my own skin like a lit cigarette to my forearm. Scott to me, is like a Pavlov/King duo. His take on psychology makes me salvate, wanting to continually read his work, as he writes like one of the greatest in the horror/thriller/realm. Leed is strong in character creation. I resonated well with the characters and empathized through disputes, fear, and self-reflections. I am an 80s baby, a lot of the references were around that age bracket or a little younger, so it was much appreciated I did not have to google a term to keep up with the times.

Leed's writing is artistically dismal, leaving you with resolve. It's like a jack and ginger, or a favorite meal, or a hug from that pet/person (depends on the day) you didn't know you needed. His writing felt like home. Home isn't always a haven, but home is home. There is always a locked door, awaiting your key, to open that door and let you bask in true and undeniable comfort. The novel had many graphic, gorey twists with splattered detail, which is drenching enough and some for horror fans. Fear in this book comes in many ways; put on a vinyl, maybe some Portishead, or Mazzy Star, something easy; chill out and read this one. It is a must read.

I did a 5 chapter read while just hanging out in the city and found the book intriguing. Charlie’s return to his father and the things that brings him were as scary as I like in books and I’m going to continue this book, but I foresee this as a 5 star read.

Thank you NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Scott Leeds for the advanced copy of Schrader's Chord in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

It's admittedly been quite awhile since I've delved into the horror genre, but this book was definitely a good one to reintroduce myself with. I really enjoyed the concept of the book and I found myself connected to the characters very easily. (And for that reason there were a couple parts that made me very emotional!)

I probably should've seen the ending coming but I didn't and I thought it was really interesting. I'll definitely be reading more from this author in the future!

When Charlie Remick’s father dies under mysterious circumstances, Charlie returns home to help his sisters plan the funeral. Upon returning home, he learns his father left him two things: the family record store and a black case containing four records. Legend has it that when those four records are played together, the sound they make (known as Schrader’s Chord) opens a gate to hell. Curiosity apparently killed the cat because Charlie, his sister and two friends play the records and see first hand just what the sound is capable of. Now surrounded by horror, they must try to close this gate before they all are dragged into hell.

Eerie, creepy and interspersed with bits of horror, this book was the perfect read to start off spooky season. A bit of a slow burn to start, once the black case of records came into the story, they were a character all their own! I loved the idea of the records, when played together, making this horrible sound that caused all kinds of mayhem; I found it to be unique and refreshing. The journey Schrader’s Chord took these characters on was wild, entertaining and a little scary!

This book releases September 5, 2023. Thanks to Tor Nightfire for the ARC! This was a great buddy read for the #thrillerfriendsbuddyread too. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.

4.5 stars. Dragged slightly in some places, but overall I was really impressed with this. Both a unique concept and a unique ending that I really liked.

I got to review this one early and was super excited for a spooky horror with ghosts! I have already been trying to get ready for spooky season after all. I enjoyed this one for the most part, but I felt like it was unneccesarily long at points. It starts off with the perfect amount of creepy vibes to set the tone. We keep getting pieces of information that don't really tell us much yet. But the ghosts start out quick! We are then introduced to Charlie who works to discover bands and is called the Man with the Magic Ear, who has just learned that his father is dead. Naturally it couldn't be a good story if we didn't have unresolved issues between Charlie and his father.
I think the author threw a lot of characters at us in this book and sometimes they were just extra pieces. Yet it was hard to know at the time who was a vital character. Eventually the story centers on the four main characters listening to the records and unleashing something they don't understand. With the help of Raymond, Charlie's dead father, they attempt to find a way to save themselves. However, this requires Charlie and Raymond to work through the resentments that have stood between them for years now. Towards the end of the book the ghost dynamic and the haunting really pick up.
I enjoyed the spooky elements of this book and one of my absolute favorite things was that the author had a reason for the main ghost to be doing all the things that he was doing! It was interesting to see the way the author chose to create the situation for silencing Schrader's Chord, which also builds into the ghosts motivations for things. Overall, it was a great story with lots of spooky vibes.

Paranormal horror is my absolute favorite and after reading the synopsis I just knew this one would be a winner.

Schrader’s Chord is centered around Charlie Remick. Charlie is traveling back to his hometown of Seattle after learning of his father’s passing. After he arrives, he discovers that he has inherited four vinyl records that according to legend, when the records are played the gates of hell open. Curiosity gets the best of Charlie, his twin sister, and their two friends and after playing the records they are immediately swarmed by a malevolent force and are given the power to see the dead. But time is running out. If Charlie wants to save his own life, as well as his sister’s and friends' lives, he must find a way to close the gate before it’s too late.

Mix equal parts rock n’ roll and paranormal horror and you will get Schrader’s Chord. Page after page I could not put this one down. This addictive and compulsive read had me sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails in anticipation of what would come next. I loved all of the characters in this book and all of the music references. Not only is this a fantastic horror story but it’s also a story of familial bonds and explores the complex father and son relationship. It's hard to believe that this is Leed’s debut novel! He truly writes like a seasoned horror novelist and I am already anticipating whatever he writes next.

Schraders Chord by Scott Leeds will be available on September 3. A massive thanks to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the gifted copy!

THIS WAS SO DANG GOOD AND I'M SO GLAD I GOT A LIL TASTE OF THE SPOOKINESS BECAUSE GOOD GOLLY. I'M READY FOR THE HALLOWEENIE TIMES TO COME.

I am so thankful to Scott Leeds, Tor Nightfire, PRH Audio, and Netgalley for granting me advanced audio and digital access to this wickedly unique killer of a read. Schrader's Chord is set to hit shelves on September 5, 2o23, and yall PREORDER THIS NOW! OR ELSE.

Charlie Remick and his sisters are suffering the sudden and unexpected passing of their father, who took his own life, leaving them cryptic messages, a box of old records, and his beloved record store to run. Charlie is less than enthusiastic about keeping his father's legacy growing in the form of a dusty old record store. Still, his employees feel very differently, for this shop has been their home and livelihood for quite some time.

At their father's wake, a sickly-looking man crashes the party to steal that random box of inherited records and almost makes away like a bandit before he falls to his brutal and gory death. After Charlie and the record shop workers crack open the box and listen to the records, death is in their rearview window, steadily chasing after them. Not only is the mythical creator of these tunes, Schrader, out to get them, but they can see and commune with the dead and long gone, and that means their resurrected father as well.

Time is running out, and there's minimal direction on reversing the tides and setting this age's old spirit to rest. Schrader's Chord will keep you on the edge, wanting more after every chapter.

A lot of music fiends will tell you that vinyl creates the best sound, there being something in the particular granularity in the music that gives it a texture like nothing else. It's the same with cinema; sure, modern technology might be great, but recording on actual film transforms the performance, makes it something more than what it first was. <i>Schrader's Chord</i> is this experience, but in literature. You can practically see the film grain, hear the grooves of the record. It's old-school horror, complete with needle drops designed to make your air harms stand up.

But for all that <i>Schrader's Chord</i> shows off its roots in <i>The Evil Dead</i> and <i>Hellraiser</i>, it stands up to sing out its own classical arias. There's plenty of blood and ghosts, but the horror is all anchored in human relationships, softening its bass-thumping adrenaline with tender moments of attunement with emotion and art. The book might be about deadly records summoning portals to the land of the dead on its face, but it's really all about our relationships to each other through our relationship to art. It is at times funny, at times scary, all times smartly-constructed and authentically heartfelt.

I came to <i>Schrader's Chord</i> because it oozed '80s horror vibes and promised a bonkers ride; but what Leeds produces in this novel is much, much more than just a clever playlist and curious b-sides. The novel bursts with creativity and love, not just for horror and for literature and for music, but for human relationships and the complications they bring to the feelings we have about the world and our place in it.

In a year absolutely jam-packed with fantastic literature, <i>Schrader's Chord</i> is a stand-out work of art. It is easily among my favorite novels this year.

<b>Disclosure Note: I was provided a free copy of <i>Schrader's Chord</i> from Tor Nightfire in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. The review above is a reflection of my experience with the book and is in no way influenced by either the publisher or the author.</b>

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

The Remick family are rarely in the same room. Five years ago, after the death of his mother, Charlie Remick decided that he wanted nothing more to do with his father Raymond. When, out of the blue he received texts and calls from both his sisters, Charlie knew something was wrong. He was told his father had died by suicide. Answering his sisters’ pleas, Charlie took the 3000 mile journey back home to attend the wake.

Raymond’s big passion in life was his record store, The Cuckoo’s Nest. His lifelong obsession was one of the many reasons that Charlie felt slighted. On hearing that his father had bequeathed store to him did not make Charlie a happy man. Determined to refuse the inheritance, on the advice of his sister Ellie, Charlie decided to take some time over his options and visited the store. Now run by Ana and Dale, great friends of Raymond, Charlie is amazed at the condition of the store as it was something of a wreck when he was young. Under Ana’s guidance the store is now a welcoming, well established and well run outfit. However, what all three discover amongst Raymond’s effects leaves them in no doubt that there are sinister events unfolding.

This is a debut novel that is amazing! From the start it is compelling and mesmerising, with the story unbelievably well told for a newly published author. The style and mode of delivery is comparable to some of the best and the imagination of the writer is exceptional, from the building of suspense in The Cuckoo’s Nest to the Final Destination undertones, he takes no prisoners and is not afraid of killing off likeable characters, something few authors are willing to do. Not fully horror, there is a fair amount of supernatural and fantasy, but the blend is very well done. I can see that the liberal sprinkling of the music references may grate on some readers, but I didn’t mind them at all, very much a trip down memory lane for me!

I love horror, I love music, so this book is a great collaboration of both. Let’s see what this new kid on the block comes up with next, this one has set the benchmark pretty high!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Nightfire.

A mad composer created a musical chord to open the way between the worlds of the living and the dead. When Charlie figures out how to play the chord, the consequences for him and those he loves are terrifying. Scary and chilling scenes abound, as do pop culture musical references, making this a great read for horror and music fans.

"Schrader's Chord" by Scott Leeds is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the power of music to heal and connect. Leeds' writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a world where a single chord can unlock hidden emotions and bridge the gaps between people. The characters are richly developed, and their intertwining stories create a compelling narrative that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. With its exploration of love, loss, and the transformative nature of music, "Schrader's Chord" is a must-read for those seeking a heartfelt and resonant literary experience.

Really interesting concept for a novel but I couldn't find anything in me to care about the people this was happening to at all. Might be for somebody but it definitely was not for me at all.

Charlie Remick is known as The Man with the Magic Ear for the Sony BMG label, signing bands who have both talent and selling potential. He's launching his latest find (in need of a band name change; who's going to buy an album from The Mightier Ducks?) when the bad word comes in from his sisters: his father is dead, found hanging from a tree in the back yard. Can he come home for the services? His twin Eleanor and older sister Susan are making all the preparations, and though there was plenty of bad blood between himself and his father, Charlie agrees. His travels will take him much farther than New York to Seattle. His inheritance will include a much more piece of his dead father's legacy than his vinyl records store. He will inherit a box of discs his father found, physical artifacts tied to an old ghost story about a song that could open the door between the living and the dead.

That story is one Raymond Remick told all three of his children: Long ago, an old, infamous composer named Ivan Schrader longed to speak once more with his dead wife. He discovered that a certain set of notes could do the trick. Apparently, Raymond got some kind of funding to globetrot and seek out the music. His search yielded four one-sided albums of a very special nature that might contain the infamous song.

However, something is after them.

At first, this appears to be Louis Godwin, a desperate, apparently dying man who needs the records for unspoken purpose. He is plagued by the dead, ghostly visions of his dead but still acerbic wife as well as a host of strangers. Only by obtaining the records can he hope to … accomplish something. His presence and passion puts Charlie in danger.

And while he wrestles with this part of his inheritance, Charlie must also contend with the fate of that record store and its employees: British ex-pat Dale Cernin and rock enthusiast Ana Cortez. His kneejerk response is just to sell the place, shut it down and move on with his life. But at the behest of the lawyer executive of the estate, Charlie reconsiders. After meeting Mis Cortez and falling for her, he's put in a very unfortunate position indeed.

Everything comes to a head when Charlie, Ana, Dale, and Eleanor Remick decide to listen to the albums. They must be played on four record players simultaneously, and what they hear will forever change all of their lives. The old ghost story has kernels of truth, the dead are made visible, and one of them has a vendetta against those who hear Schrader's infamous chord. With their lives on the line and their sanities at stake, Charlie and his companions must solve an old mystery and find a way to close what should never have been open.

Scott Leeds weaves together threads focusing on the living, the dead, and the power of music with the rocking dark fantasy novel, Schrader's Chord.

Leeds' novel is being billed as a horror novel, and it certainly has its shares of blood and darkness. At heart, however, it's much more aligned with the kinds of things Gemma Files and Clive Barker have penned, a tale of the fantastique where worlds begin to overlap, revelations lead to nigh-impossible choices over life-and-death matters, and powerful beings (seen only to a few) vie for control of very special artistic creations. There are shades of Barker's The Great and Secret Show and Sacrament here. There are nods to Files' Experimental Film. But Leeds does everything possible to take the material to a very personal place, leaving a stamp upon it.

Leeds' prose is good, propulsive. The characterizations are solid. The author indulges in few too many pop culture and horror flick references for my own preference (everything from Ducktales to Stanley Kubrick gets invoked here; far fewer musical mentions than one might expect), but those are part of the author's voice and the book's charm. There are several well developed suspense scenes and a villain whose motivations are appropriately mysterious and sinister. There is one sequence where it really shines brightest, however.

Although the author has split the narrative into four portions, the novel divides into two large sections. The first half brings Charlie back into his family's domain, introduces the set of Schrader's records, introduces the threat, and culminates with revelations about the album's power. The second half deals with the ramifications of the first part, as barriers collapse, Charlie discovers the real supernatural threat, and undertakes a mission to find a way to save himself and his loved ones. There's a transition point in that first section which allows the supernatural world leaks into the mundane one that also happens to be one of the most thrilling portions of the book, a lengthy sequence recounting what happens when those albums are played as the composer intended.

The author's craft is exceptional in this specific sequence, in the slow accrual of information, the building of a creepy atmosphere, and the attentiveness to all the eerie potential. That piece is exquisite, moody and tense, nightmarish. I actually had gooseflesh while reading it (in the middle of a thunderstorm, I might add), and suffered a related nightmare that evening. Win.

The book that leads up to this sequence is good, the remaining novel following it is also good, particularly when it veers into road story territory and we get the feeling that anything can happen. Neither of those sections quite hits the brilliant highs of that transitional sequence, unfortunately. Still, there are several quality suspense and emotionally honest moments to be found. What plays out while these characters participate in that strange ritual, however, has some unquantifiable dark magic. It's the lightning in a bottle moment for the book. To employ the author's own penchant for relating things to pop culture: This is akin to the Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper sequence of True Romance. Everything else about that movie is enjoyable, but that scene is brilliant, happens early, and achieves heights the rest (entertaining, slick, and downright cool as we could hope for) never gets close to.

I suppose that makes Leeds' book the True Romance of Tor Nightfire's horror line: Clever, well-crafted, and as terrific an example of all the cooler aspects of its genre of choice as we might wish for.

Pop culture references aside, Schrader's Chord is a solid page turner of supernatural suspense and dark fantasy with one mind meltingly great moment, a lot of good ones, and no bad ones.
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A special thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heart-Shaped Box meets The Haunting of Hill House? I don’t think I could’ve requested this faster. And oh my goodness, was it a great read! I was completely invested by page one and the character development was unreal (something that’s hit or miss in the genre). I loved the sprinkle of Final Destination this book had, too. Leeds, thank you for this rock-n-roll journey! I found the book to have engrossing writing and horror scenes, it was sufficiently scary, and the ending wrapped up in a satisfying way. I also love books that look at difficult family relationships, and we definitely got that with Charlie and his dad, Raymond. Overall, highly, highly recommend to all horror fans. I’ll be spending my Fall begging everyone to pick this one up.

I was engrossed with this book from page one. I love horror/spooky books that have great character development, and this one is stellar in that department. I felt connected to these characters and was fully locked into their journey. Leeds takes time to let the story gradually reveal itself, giving the reader enough crumbs to munch on before the party starts. I loved the world the author created, with rules and boundaries that made sense and allowed the narrative to swing into emotional territory to enhance the high stakes. I read this in one day and highly recommend it.