Mark Norman's luck takes a turn when he lands a job as a live-in home health aide for elderly siblings Roy and Alma Walgrave at Alden Manor. Despite the eerie atmosphere of the rundown mansion, Mark sees an opportunity to ingratiate himself with the wealthy siblings and dreams of inheriting their fortune. However, his plans take a dark turn when he begins to experience unsettling phenomena in the house.

Initially dismissing Lisa's warnings about evil lurking in the manor, Mark soon finds himself haunted by nightmares and confronted with disturbing secrets hidden within its walls. As he grapples with the possibility of a sinister force at play, Mark is torn between his desire for financial gain and the growing fear for his own safety.

In the past, Mark has relied on his instincts to escape precarious situations, but as the mysteries of Alden Manor unravel, he realizes that leaving may not be an option. Caught between greed and terror, Mark must confront the malevolent presence lurking in the shadows before it's too late.

In "The Dark Hour," author K.J. Young delivers a chilling tale of suspense and supernatural intrigue, exploring the depths of human greed and the consequences of unchecked ambition. With its atmospheric setting and gripping plot twists, this gripping thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The book has an interesting premise, but the protagonist seems unwilling or unable to understand the world around them, making it hard to really get into this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Nightsky Press for a copy of The Dark Hour by K.J. Young. In exchange for an honest review.


The Dark Hour by K.J. Young is a spine-tingling and atmospheric thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Mark Norman's luck takes a turn when he becomes a live-in home health aide for elderly siblings Roy and Alma Walgrave, residing in the enigmatic Alden Manor. Drawn in by their eerie aura and boundless wealth, Mark becomes entangled in their lives, harboring dreams of inheriting their fortune. As he dismisses Lisa's warnings about the house's malevolent nature, he starts experiencing his own inexplainable encounters. The mansion's dark history unfurls in a chilling nightmare and unsettling truths, forcing Mark to confront the sinister force lurking within. This book will have you guessing to the very end!

Great chilly thriller book
Pretty creepy, like maybe you do not want to read this while you are in bed for the night
So we have Alma and Roy - sweet pair but there is just something off with them or is it just that strange old people vibe, they are super wealthy and I am pretty sure that they are hiding some secrets.....
So this is a book that is hard to review bc you can't say too much or you will ruin/give away too much of the book. This book is about being in the moment with it and feeling like you are right there with the characters and in their situations.
Well written and the characters are all important to this book
Pov: Present tense, which makes it even creepier

So thankful to have read this book, and thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance and the ARC. The above review/opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary.

This book was a little dark and creepy but unfortunately I had trouble connecting with the story. I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't feel connected, however, as a very well seasoned thriller reader the characters felt a little flat and the story was a bit predictable. I do think that this story would be great for new readers to the thriller genre.

I'm not sure if it was the audiobook narrator, but I had trouble getting into this book. The writer had potential, but I kept waiting for more to happen. I'd try another book by this author, but this book left me somewhat underwhelmed

This book started off so well, it was gripping, I was enjoying the story and I wanted to know what was going to happen. We got to know the characters which was good considering how short the story is but the ending really let me down with this book, It felt unrealistic and unbelievable and really disappointed me.

I made it about 70% through this book until I could not finish it. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable and the characters in this book were not enjoyable.

Mark, an aimless and unemployed young man, interviews for a position as a home health aide for an affluent elderly sister and brother living in a mysterious old mansion within a seedy warehouse district. The ancient siblings are perfectly pleasant while asking odd questions about his health and family history.

Mark is hired and, for all intents and purposes, is adopted and made heir. Within a week.

As Mark’s backstory is revealed, it shows he’s is not a good guy. Neither is his girlfriend. Or the old people. Or the doctor. Or “the society.”

I probably could have finished the book, except for Monica. Her character is paper-thin and predictable in her stereotypical behavior. And really, Mark? He is hard to get to know or like.

The writing is very dry. The mystery is thinly veiled and even if I guessed wrong at the mystery I don’t not care to hear the real ending.

I just did not care enough about the characters or the story to finish the book.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* So, anyone ever seen the skeleton key? I did read this whole book but it was super clear from the beginning where it was going, still creepy but i took breaks

This story was unrealistic, predictable from the start and had hardly one redeemable character, but yet, was incredibly fun!

I had the audio version and I thought it was well done overall. There were quite a few characters and each had a distinct voice.

The pacing was consistent throughout though the ending seemed more rushed in comparison. The epilogue was fantastic, cherry on top!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

This one just didn't register for me, I'm not sure why. I may have to try again and give it another real shot but I found it really difficult to get into. I wasn't compelled by the story. I guess it just wasn't one for me!

I received this in audio copy form and honestly I struggled a lot with the narrator.

The story itself was pretty creepy but felt quite predictable in places, overall though it wasn't bad and I'd like to read more of this authors work. Final rating 3.5 stars.

Major Get Out vibes I'm terms of DO NOT TRUST ANYONE. Sickening. Scary. And downright creepy. I disliked how it wasn't a better lead up to the plot twist however. It felt cheap and rushed.

This was too dark and creepy for me. I wasn't able to finish it but appreciate being picked for an ARC! Thank you!

Although predictable, I found myself on the edge of my seat rushing to find out exactly I was right and wrong about.

Well written for its genre. It definitely creeped me out and gave me chills at times.

The audiobook was well done and I could listen to the narrator for all my mysteries.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook!

I thought this was a pretty fun read. I could tell where it was going but I still enjoyed the ride. It had a 70's horror movie vibe to it that I appreciated and the author had a great way of depicting the MC in all his pompous, irresponsible glory. This is normally a character type that would irritate me but this was one time where I kind of relished it. If you enjoy nostalgic horror movies and Riley Sager/Grady Hendrix type of books, I think this read will be right up your alley. Thank you to Netgalley and Nightsky Press for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Nightsky press for this audio ARC for The Dark Hour for my honest review.

Starting off with the positives even if there’s not many, this book is definitely eerie and really creepy. Something about Roy and Alma too is creepy. The premise of this book was really great and I was excited to read this even more but the narrator for this audiobook wasn’t the best, very monotone and not much emotion which sucked the life outta this book. Mark is a very boring character too. Lisa I enjoyed though. This has no thriller aspect to this at all just creepiness and weird almost paranormal stuff happening so this would be just mystery, sci-fi. Some parts of this book was boring and predictable for sure.. but overall this book isn’t too horrible. I do say if you don’t like boring, or dull characters then you might not like this but if you love creepy and eerie like paranormal stuff, stuff that goes bump in the night then yeah you might like this. I was hoping for a more thrilling and exciting listen but I’m disappointed. ⭐️⭐️1/2

This was a strange book. I like that it was quick read/listen, but I think that didn’t really help out the story since it breezed over the good parts.

The MC Mark takes on a job as a health aide, but the job is way too good to be true. All the red flags were going off, but he is to shallow and greedy to see any of it.

I have two big gripes about this book. One, it isn’t a mystery on what is going to be the twist when it is obvious from the beginning. I feel like Young could have just gone into more details on what was going to happen since it is obvious to the reader.

Two, the MC Mark is so unbelievably unlikeable. He has zero redeeming qualities I had a hard time listening to him. Not only was Mark awful, the rest of the characters were not that great either. It made it hard to want to engage in the plot line.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Nightsky Press for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Dark Hour.

Narrator: Craig A. Hart
Published: 02/27/23

Don't judge me or judge me -- the results are the same, I liked this creepy mess. The story is convoluted, however, it really has to be that way in order to achieve the ending. I'm not going to spoil or repeat the synopsis. This is first genre mystery & thriller with the second (convoluted) Sci Fi & Fantasy -- enough said.

Best read when your mind is rested, you have the day off and you want entertained.

The narrator is good.

FYI -- I cannot find my notes and I don't recall if there was profanity. I'm going 3.5 stars and rounding up because I don't know. If there are F-bombs, I would go 3.5 and not round up.

I listened to the audio version of The Dark Hour as an ARC read through NetGally. I was intrigued by the storyline and description. During the book, I felt as if I were just waiting and waiting for more twists and/or scary parts. I could sense something sinister, but it took much too long to find out the truth. If there were more hints throughout the story, I would have enjoyed this book more.