What a fun read!!!
I enjoyed so much about this book.
*The originality of the plot - I can’t think of another book that is anything like this. The music becomes the sinister element.
*The well drawn characters- they felt authentic and I both cared and was sometimes frustrated by every one.
*The dynamics of the family- it felt relatable and real.
*And finally the music- the book is one long playlist which is what I did.
*And finally The Sixth Sense vibes this one gave but done in its own unique way.

This book was such a fun read and I could definitely see it being made into a great movie. The only quibbles I had with it was that it just didn’t scare me and what should have been the most exciting moment of the book was a bit of a letdown. Yes, those sound like big problems, but this book was so much fun that they didn’t really matter. I highly recommend you pick this one up for your spooky season reads.

Schrader’s Chord review

5/5 stars for this paranormal horror gem! I absolutely loved it. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

What to expect if you pick this up: While it is a story about a cursed set of vintage records, at the heart of it, this is about family, and specifically about a father and son. The character development was some of the best I’ve read in recent memory. The characters are likeable in spite of their flaws, and they come together well. I felt for them and with them. I had no idea how they were going to come out of this horrific situation, and the ending is both heartbreaking and satisfying. The writing is superb - the book is well-paced and the story captivates throughout.

You’ll like this if: you’re a fan of horror with a heart, you like family drama, and if you like paranormal horro.

Schrader’s Chord by Scott Leeds is one of those rare books that come along every so often that posses an amazing ability to not only immerse and enthrall its reader, but also provide a uniquely layered and symphonic experience that strikingly reminds us of what it means to be human. When this book was sent to me by Tor Nightfire and NetGalley to review I had no idea the journey I was about to embark on with the Remick family nor was I prepared for the laughter, anger, tears, heartache, fear or joy I would experience until I finished the very last page. Not only did this book instantly become one of my top five favorite books I have ever read (Catcher in The Rye, American Gods, Mexican Gothic, The Help, and now Schrader’s Chord) but it has been add to my list of books I would title “Horror for Empaths”.

Schrader’s Chord follows the story of the Remick family and their two friends (Ana and Dale) as they attempt to outrun and outwit a powerful dark force they unleash once playing some killer (haha) haunted vinyl. In a blend of High Fidelity meets Final Destination sprinkled in with a little Ovid, Leeds takes this record store thriller and turns the dial all the way up till you feel your pulse beating like a drum and your ears are bleeding.

This is another Horror novel I can not Recommend enough for my film and book lover community Scott Leeds has spent time loving this industry (horror) and working in film and being a bibliophile and music lover himself and it shows. There’s so many little nuggets in this book that made me squeal from appreciation that took this experience to the next level for me and made it just THAT much better on what was already an excellent story.

I absolutely can NOT recommend this book enough. To sum up Schrader’s Chord a quote from Ana in the book says it best, Schrader’s Chord is “unvarnished and true and utterly human”.

Thank you so much to TorNightfire, NetGalley and Scott Leeds for being able to read, enjoy and provide my response to this great debut.

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.