Scared the pants off of me! Builds its scares on very real and richly evoked cultural and historical dynamics, and utterly unique in the fears and scares it presents. I loved this story-- feels modern and classic all at once.

Sharpson does an excellent job of weaving horror and mythology in this supernatural story. You know a story isn't going well when it starts with someone discovering a corpse on a country road. For fans of genre blends including horror, romance, and murder mystery. For fans of a queer love story, pagan cults, Suspiria, and Twin Peaks.

This book starts off so strong! It is creepy and dark and weird. I loved it. Then for a long majority of the book, things slow down and all the paranormal/supernatural stuff pretty much stops. I like slow burn horror but I felt bored with what was happening a lot of the time.
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I preferred the chapters that took place in the past because they seemed more intriguing. I just wanted to learn more about the TV show and what the point of the beginning of the book was because it was wild. For the most part I wasn't a huge fan of the characters Betty and Ashling and personally didn't feel a connection. I oftentimes found I didn't really care to read about their everyday lives.
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By the end things picked back up and got messy. In a good way. I don't feel like there was a big secret or anything surprising in the end, but what it lacks in mystery it makes up for in the frightening and strange. I really enjoyed my overall time with this one and love how unsettled it made me feel. I would recommend it for the atmosphere and vibes alone.
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I'm catching up on old reviews but still want to say thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary:

Most of us remember children's shows as happy memories—they're bright and cheerful, leaving fuzzy yet happy memories lingering in our minds. Unfortunately, as one family will prove, that isn't true for all of us.

Betty is falling hard for a girl named Ashling, and it's getting harder to avoid the secrets lurking around her. It starts out innocuous enough, but it doesn't take long for Betty to realize that there's something seriously dark happening, and delving too deep may cost them everything.

My Review:

To put it mildly, there’s a lot to unpack in Knock Knock, Open Wide. We have heaps of lore (Celtic), romantic subplots, family dynamics, creepy kid’s shows, the works. It’s a lot to dive into, which pretty much means it’s the perfect setting for a horror novel.

I feel like this is the third novel I’ve read in recent years that focused on a creepy kid’s television show. What’s with the recent societal obsession with them? I’m not complaining; I’m just curious about where they’re coming from.

While this may be the third (I think) novel with that basis, that’s where the similarities end. Knock Knock, Open Wide isn’t afraid to go off the deep end, and it certainly isn’t afraid to take readers with it.

The best part about this novel, outside of the plot and characters, has to be the writing style. I love the way Neil Sharpson describes a scene. It felt so visceral (too much so, in some cases), which is ideal for a graphic horror novel like this.

Highlights:
Fantasy Meets Horror
Set in Ireland
LGBTQ+

Trigger Warnings:
Trauma
Body Horror

This ended up being a delightfully creepy read that melded those mildly terrifying half-remembered children's shows with the terror of starting out on your own post college, and things you're never entirely sure that you half remember from your childhood. Add a dash of Irish folklore and you have the perfect weird between setting. Eerie, and definitely worth a read through this fall.

I’ve tried multiple times to read this one and I just can’t get into it. Maybe if it gets an audiobook one day I will give it another shot.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Horror mixed with Celtic folklore. If you're a fan of both, you'll devour this one. Personally, I don't know much about Celtic folklore so I was a bit lost, but it was still a compelling read.

The writing in this is superb, and utterly terrifying. The descriptions are visceral, disturbing, and just...good. I know it sounds silly to say good, but it genuinely is a great work of horror fiction, with layers of interpersonal conflict, creepy atmosphere, and a horrifying antogonist.

I think I maybe don’t know enough about Celtic folklore to get this. The writing was good but the story didn’t interest me much. I was intrigued but I felt distant from it.

I'm not sure how to adequately review this novel. Sharpson writes with elegance and poignancy, but I felt I was missing a great deal of context. There are so many references to Irish folklore and culture that breathe life into the story, but I ultimately finished this read with a longing for more. And perhaps that's part of the point.

If you're a fan of horror steeped in folklore, this is sure to whet your appetite.

In addition to having an absolutely stunning cover, this book was incredible. This book ties together horror elements and mythology elements to create an atmospheric tale of secrets, magic, and fractured bonds. It had me on the edge of my seat and I would highly recommend picking it up!

Original, devastating and brilliant. Creepy . Disturbing - don't read after dark!
Queer love story surrounded by folklore and horror - does it ever get better? NO!
All of is just so well done - cannot wait for the next from this author!

Thank you so much for thinking of me for this book, but alas this one wasn't for me. I struggled to get into it and, in the end, didn't finish. BUT I love the creepy atmospheric feels and know exactly who I can hand sell this too so I'm glad I gave it a shot.

"Knock Knock, Open Wide" by Neil Sharpson is a chilling supernatural tale that weaves horror and Celtic myth into a story of fractured family bonds and hidden secrets. The narrative unfolds with the discovery of a corpse on a desolate Irish country road, leading to a night of unspeakable terror for Etain Larkin. Two decades later, Betty Fitzpatrick becomes entangled in a relationship with the troubled Ashling Mallen, uncovering a dark family history and a mysterious connection to a long-forgotten children's TV show. Sharpson's storytelling skillfully combines suspense and Irish folklore, creating a haunting and intriguing narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel explores the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural, making it a compelling and spine-tingling read.

I quite literally couldn't put this book down; it just trapped me, and honestly it kind of ruined my Monday. I had stuff to do!

This story begins as a deeply horrifying tale of old Irish folklore intruding on the already bleak life of a young woman (and that first section is so disturbing, I had to read something else before I could sleep); it kind of maintains that, switching back and forth between time periods and viewpoints, but somehow it also becomes a tender love story, and an examination of generational trauma, and a look at how hard just being in a family is, and yeah. I cried a few times before the end.

I went in with very few expectations and was still surprised by this book; the title could be better, the cover could definitely be better, but the story was fantastic.

Well written, beautiful and dark! I enjoyed reading this one and look forward to other books from this author.

It took me a while to read Knock Knock, and at one point I went to review it only to realize I'd never finished it. Normally, I would take that as a sign and just let it drop, but not this time. I love books that include Irish lore. I have this belief that if wild supernatural stuff is going to happen in this world, it's going to happen to the Irish.
Anyway, I'm glad I did go back, because this is a good book. The characters are relatable, their relationships believable, and the story went places I wasn't expecting.

Neil Sharpson's Knock, Knock, Open Wide takes readers on a chilling journey through the Irish countryside, where secrets lurk beneath the surface and the veil between the living and the dead is dangerously thin. Weaving together elements of horror, Celtic mythology, and family drama, Sharpson builds a compelling narrative that will leave you feeling haunted long after you turn the last page.

The story centers around Etain Larkin, a young woman who returns to her ancestral home in Ireland following a devastating accident. As Etain unravels the mysteries surrounding her family's past, she discovers a chilling truth - her family is bound by an ancient curse, and she may be the key to breaking it.

Sharbon's writing is masterfully atmospheric, creating a tangible sense of dread and unease. The descriptions of the Irish landscape, both beautiful and desolate, serve as a constant reminder of the power of nature and the ancient forces that lie beneath the surface. The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations. Etain, in particular, is a compelling protagonist, her strength and resilience shining through even in the darkest moments.

The novel seamlessly blends elements of horror and Celtic myth, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere. The supernatural elements are never gratuitous, instead adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story. The inclusion of real Irish folklore adds an element of authenticity and depth to the world-building.

Here are some of the things I loved about the novel:

The atmosphere: Sharpson creates a masterfully chilling atmosphere that will leave you feeling on edge.
The characters: The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations.
The blend of horror and Celtic myth: The novel seamlessly blends elements of horror and Celtic myth, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere.
The pacing: The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The ending: The ending is satisfying and leaves the reader with something to think about.
Overall, Knock, Knock, Open Wide is a chilling and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of horror, Celtic mythology, and family drama. It is a well-written and well-crafted novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Here are some additional thoughts and considerations:

The novel may be too dark and suspenseful for some readers.
The inclusion of supernatural elements may not appeal to all readers.
The novel is relatively long, but the pacing is excellent, and the story is never dull.
If you are looking for a chilling and suspenseful read, I highly recommend Knock, Knock, Open Wide.

Knock Knock, Open Wide was a fun spooky novel with so many elements I enjoyed. It was creepy and creative, and I loved the Irish Folklore.

This novel started out very strong and I was very invested in the characters and couldn’t wait to find out where the story was going.

It did kind of lose me a little bit towards the end with so much happening and the dual timelines. There were a couple important things that happened in the beginning I completely forgot about. It also had me craving a little bit more horror, but overall I did enjoy this book and would recommend!

I really loved this book. It had a little bit of everything - horror, mystery, romance, humour - plus I really loved the characters.