You know me, I'm always on the hunt for that next thriller/horror story that'll make me regret being alive. Or you know, sleep with the lights on. Same difference. With a cover like this, I knew that I was going to be wowed and check underneath my bed before I go to sleep.

This one started off in the most amazingly weird way. A newly engaged woman finds a corpse on the side of the road and she thinks that putting the body inside of her car would be the best choice of action. Then it gets weirder from there. Things are never what they seem in this book and my brain exploded at the end of all of this. Good or bad, I'm not even sure.

When the author introduced more characters it was kind of confusing. Then you finally find out who they are and then you are left with this omg moment. It was genius on Neil's part. That's what I loved most about this book was finding out how all these characters interconnected with one another. It was a lot of demented fun. And then the last twenty percent happened and that was the wildest time I have ever had. Phew.

Knock Knock, Open Wide was an okay read. There were parts that really had my mind reeling and then it slowed down to the point where I thought about not finishing this up. I'm glad I did though. Others will absolutely go crazy over this book. I think I would have been more obsessed with this book if I haven't been reading the craziest horror novels lately.

I tried, and I failed. I could not get into this one at all. Sorry Netgalley! The story was just not as grasping or developed in the beginning to keep my interest in reading.

On the back of AM Shine’s The Watchers (2021) and The Creeper (2022) horror involving Irish folklore may well find itself back in the bigtime with the arrival of Neil Sharpson’s gripping Knock Knock Open Wide. I wish there were more supernatural tales on the market which dipped into Ireland’s rich history, there are plenty of authors out there up to the task. John Connolly and Kealan Patrick Burke would top my list, but this great pair primarily set their books in the USA rather than the land of their birth. Peadar Ó Guilín is another personal favourite of mine, author of the stunning YA duology The Call (2016-18) which beautifully blends fantasy with Irish folklore and history. Knock Knock Open Wide is good enough to be name-checked with all these great Irish names and I hope Neil Sharpson decides to return to this rich historical area which is perfect for horror novels.

Although it takes some time to reveal its importance to the main plot a children’s TV show lurks in the background. ‘Puckeen’ has been around since the sixties and has not moved with the times becoming very outdated but for some strange reason remains popular, with children desperate to find out what is in the box which is at the centre of the show. This story strand was a perfect blend of creepy and unsettling which had me thinking of kids shows from my own youth, which looked at through the lens of 2023 look vaguely sinister of threatening. Puckeen was such a show and you really do not want to know is in the box.

The story is initially very convoluted with multiple storylines and characters jumping back and forwards from 1979, 1981, 1989, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2015. It is worth paying close attention as it is not obvious how many of the strands connect until well into the story, or how any of it might connect to the TV show Puckeen.

The action starts in October 1979, but the majority of the novel is set between 1999-2003 with Etain Larkin driving home late one night finding a corpse on a pitch-black country road deep in the Irish countryside. There is also a dog, soon joined by other animals, eating the face of the dead man. Stressed and disorientated in the pouring rain she takes the corpse to a remote farmhouse and the couple living there seem to be expecting her. This was a kicker of an opening to Knock Knock Open Wide, with the story fanning and eventually circling back to a few days which would forever change the life of the young woman.

A significant chunk of the story took place on the campus of University College Dublin and concerned the friendship and developing relationship of Betty Fitspatrick and Ashling Mallen, who meet through ‘Dramasoc’ and become obsessed with the amateur dramatics club. Although this was a well-pitched relationship, it probably had too much page time and took away from the developing supernatural story. As the two young women had their personal ups and downs, I was desperate to hear more of the sinister priest (who was badly underused), the digging reporter (from another timeline), the strange ring, or hear more about the kids TV show.

The horror elements, some very Irish, were deftly woven into a story of complicated family history and convincing coming-of-age. Everybody has secrets and the novel implies that weird supernatural forces guide Irish life, hell, I almost believed it! The second half of the novel ramps up beautifully when more revelations are dropped with everything circling back to a key part of Irish mythology and, of course, the TV show. Even if things ended just a little bit too easily, this was a terrific read.

4.5/5

Back in the 70s, a woman named Etain went missing, and before she was found, her fiancé was accused of the crime. Years later, one of his twin daughters went missing, and now the remaining twin, Ashling, tries to keep her new girlfriend Betty from meeting her mother, who was never the same. But as Ashling and a reporter separately investigate the link between the events of that night, a children's TV series, and a mysterious ring, they will discover the horrors that Etain faced.

There were a lot of threads in this story, and it was interesting to watch them all weave together to reveal the horror. Not that things didn't get weird almost immediately! Irish folklore was included in several of these threads, as was the theme of the changeling, and it was all delightfully strange and creepy and unsettling. Because of how the book is structured, with past events and more recent events and newspaper articles, it was a little confusing at first, but once I got into it, I raced to the end.

Prepare to be frightened!
Neil Sharpson has taken Celtic Myths and lore and created a horror story that will haunt you...forever.

After a strange engagement, Etain Larkin find a mutilated corpse on her way home from her betrothed. She decides to take the corpse with her, a choice that begins a night of horror and terror that she never reveals to another person.

Alternating between the story of Etian as a young woman is one of twenty years later when new drama student Betty falls in love with Aishling. It's not long before Betty learns that Aishling's mother Etain is not all that she seems. Creepier yet, is the story of Puckeen - a children's television show that might be the answer to all that keeps us up in the night. If you are ready, take on this book. But make sure you have plenty of lights on!!!!
#torPublishing #Knockknockopenwide #Neilsharpson

This book was very weird. It was many books, most of them not the best, some of them downright terrible, and a couple of them good. I...wish someone else had run with this premise and done something differently with it? I love the premise(s...so many premises, really), and I love some of the lore involved in the execution. The rest of the execution...wooooo boy. I particularly thought parts of the ending didn't...make any damn sense, motivationally and in terms of the central ethos of the book up until that point? It was a lot. I'll say this for it: I'll be thinking about it for awhile.

Title: Knock Knock, Open Wide: A Dark Tale of Multigenerational Horror

Rating: ★★★★★

I have a shelf in my house and on that shelf are some of the best books I have ever read. I am not being dramatic when I say, I will be purchasing this to go on that shelf. On that shelf are books like N0S4A2 by Joe Hill and Geek Love but Katherine Dunn, and a crap ton of Chuck Palahniuk... so you can imagine how I am discerning of books placed on THAT particular shelf.

Neil Sharpson's "Knock Knock Open Wide" is a chilling exploration of multigenerational trauma, interwoven with elements of Irish folklore, irish politics, and the occult. Set against the backdrop of Ireland from the late 1970s to the early 2000s, this horror story takes readers on a terrifying journey through the darkest recesses of the human psyche while also delivering a narrative full of love and resilience.

The novel is a relentless plunge into the depths of horror, where fear resides not just in the supernatural but in the very real traumas of the past. Sharpson masterfully combines elements of very well researched Irish folklore and history, creating a rich and atmospheric setting that becomes a character in its own right. The lush descriptions of the Irish countryside, the grim alleyways of towns and the grey of lonesome roads transport readers to a world where the line between reality and nightmare blurs.

The interweb of female protagonists is one I have not seen in many books. Considering this book was NOT written by a woman, I have to give some extra points to the author for nailing it pretty well. Considering two of the main characters are queer, I find this doubly interesting, but will leave that for a different review.

"Knock Knock Open Wide" is visceral and gory, making this a read for those with strong stomachs, as Sharpson doesn't shy away from graphic and unsettling imagery. There were so many unexpected chapter turns that I was given whiplash (in a good way) trying to figure our what could possibly happen next. I was not disappointed.

What sets this book apart from traditional horror tales is the underlying thread of love that runs through the narrative. Amidst the gore and tension, there is a profound exploration of the power of love and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about. This juxtaposition of love and horror adds depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a spine tingler.

The pacing can be a bit slow in places, as Sharpson takes the time to build tension and develop the characters or expand upon Irish social commentary. There are some characters who's involvement seemed extemporaneous, but did in fact serve their purpose in the tale. I did not like the cover. The cover was not good enough for this book and as a librarian I may simply have passed it on a shelf and not given it a second thought if I hadn't been gifted the galley by TOR. The cover is far to mundane and basic for such a profoundly excellent book.

I If you're a fan of horror that pushes boundaries and explores the human psyche with some added historical twists, this book is a must-read. Just be prepared to keep screaming at the end of every chapter.

A very clever interweaving of Irish folklore and a generational family drama, this novel is a marvel. It took me a moment to get into the past narrative, but the other, more recent one, grabbed me from the get-go. Eventually, the two began to flow together seamlessly, though I still favored the latter.
I’ve read books about the changeling myth, and mostly those usually stick to the traditional formula of replaced babies, but here Sharpton (kudos to the author) chose to do something new and exciting.
The TV show connection was really well done and creepy as all get out. What’s the creepy kids TV shows lately? Mister Magic stomped the same territory. Are people only now catching on to the fact that a lot of TV shows are inherently creepy, especially when viewed as adults?
At any rate, this book was a pleasure to read. The author particularly excels in character development and writes strikingly engaging and realistic women of all ages and lesbians. Quite notable for a male author. In fact, he might write better lesbians than most female and/or lesbian authors do.
But read it for the plot—it’s so interesting. Yes, it’ll take some doing to untangle all the narrative/character strands and make sense of it all, but it’s very well worth it, and you’ll have fun doing it. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley

Very creepy story just in time for the fall season. I love stories based on folklore of the country and this did not disappoint. The story did jump around by years and the ending left me with a few questions as well. Overall thoroughly enjoyed the book.

SHIT!

Okay, I stayed up until 2 AM to finish this one, and frickkkkk, man. I'm still thinking about it, trying to decipher what the FECK I just read. It was five-star worthy, though. Holy moly, I am so thankful to Neil Sharpson, who will be responsible for my ADHD deep dive/hyperfixation onto Irish folklore, so thank you for that. I am also so thankful to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for granting me digital access to this Celtic Gothic GEM that I seriously couldn't put down...

So, back in 1979 Etain Larkin was driving home from a party in Dublin, high on life after being proposed to by her boyfriend, Barry Mallen. She nearly runs into a dying man in the road and dog feeding off of the poor soul. She does her best to scare off the beast and haul the man to her car looking for the closest house to call an ambulance, and that night her life changes forever, for she's abducted by her supposed saviors, leaving the country and her family at a loss, only to reappear days later with no explanation.

Fast forward 20 years, we watch Etain and Barry's surviving daughter Ashling (after the similar disappearance of her twin sister), fall in love with Betty Fitzpatrick who shares an obsessive need to learn about changelings and Irish gothic folklore. What they find leads them to understand the depths of what took Etain back in the 70s and continues to haunt the Mallen descendants for time to come -- and you'll be surprised that what shocks this family has ties to devilish origins, residing through the projections of a children's show, captivating the youth of Ireland.

I am seriously still thinking about this one and CANNOT wait until October 3, 2023, so I can discuss this madness with someone else, because holy freaking PUCKEEN...

What a marvelous tale that combines old lore, family secrets, page turning horror and a touch of romance. Pretty creepy with really imaginative details. I was nervous about the ending but was pleasantly surprised.

4 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I’m not all that familiar with Irish lore, so this was quite fun to learn about. This book was definitely spooky, and well written. I can’t wait to read more by Sharpson after this one.

"Knock Knock, Open Wide" is a strong contender for Book Of The Year for me. Sharpson takes a melange of subgenres and concepts that by all rights shouldn't work together - creepypasta, Irish folklore, the Gothic - and skillfully blends them into a terrifying thrill ride. I raced through this book in a little over a day, picking it up whenever I had five minutes on the subway because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Five stars.

I found this a really captivating read - the horror elements are deftly woven into a story of complicated family and coming-of-age. I hope this also gets made into an audio book - I would love to listen to it read by an Irish person!

Aw man. I wanted to like this one more than I actually did. It sounded so good, too.

There's a popular and super creepy children's program threaded throughout the book that teaches kids to be afraid of misbehaving or else Puckeen, an unseen entity that hides in a black box on the set of the show, will come out and get them.

There's a young woman named Etain who, on her way home from a party, comes across a dead man in the middle of the street being eaten by a stray dog and decides to drive the body to a nearby farmhouse, where she ends up being held for days before somehow making her way back home to her mother and fiance, forever changed by the trauma of it but unable or unwilling to discuss what took place there.

And then there's Etain's daughter Ashling, 20 years later, who struggles to understand and undo the strange curse that's been haunting her family ever since that night.

Sounds wild, right?! While the book definitely has its moments - creatively blending the Irish forklore and horror aspects - it bounced too frequently between Etain's storyline and Ashlings, sometimes going a little too heavy on Ashling's relationship with her girlfriend, which frequently interrupted the flow and had me questioning why so much time was being spent on it when it didn't appear to be immediately connected to the spookier parts of the storyline.

I'm so disappointed. Usually I end up loving Tor books. But this one really dragged for me. So much so that I nearly DNFd it three times. While I don't regret sticking it out and seeing it through to the end, it's not one that will linger with me. There weren't any 'gasp' moments that shocked or wowed me. Honestly, looking back, DNFing wouldn't have necessarily been a bad thing.

This is a fantastic novel that features Celtic folk horror, cosmic horror, and family dysfunction all rolled into a narrative that you will feel in your bones.

Set in Ireland and featuring some very disturbing legends, this book wraps its coils around you like razor wire and slowly cuts away at your heart.

Changelings, a priest who is anything but holy, dead bodies piling up throughout are all included. But Puckeen rules them all.

Puckeen is a children's program. Yet it is the most horrifying part of this book. And I would love to tell you about it. But nothing I can write could come close to the creepiness you will feel as you read. This novel drips dread and terror. It covers about a decade in the lives of several people but the author does it in such a way that it's never distracting.

You definitely need to read this book. It's outstanding and I highly recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

I’m going to preface this review with something that may seem obvious to some but maybe not if you’re like, struggling with severe ADHD on the spectrum: Some books are fine to read slowly, but this is not one of them. It jumps around in time a lot and there are small details that return much later in the story than when they were last mentioned. Unfortunately for me, I read this title over the course of two months. Though this is often not an issue for me, Knock Knock, Open Wide was a bit overwhelming and underwhelming for me---and I think this is largely because I didn’t read it quickly. Looking back on it now, I would recommend this title be with you for a week at most. Otherwise, you might struggle like I did. And I don’t often give myself the green light on this because of my limited time and overstuffed shelves, but I think I will need to read this one again in a year to see how I feel about it if read faster.

Moving on…

The description: “Driving home late one night, Etain Larkin finds a corpse on a pitch-black country road deep in the Irish countryside. She takes the corpse to a remote farmhouse. So begins a night of unspeakable horror that will take her to the very brink of sanity.
She will never speak of it again.
Two decades later, Betty Fitzpatrick, newly arrived at college in Dublin, has already fallen in love with the drama society, and the beautiful but troubled Ashling Mallen. As their relationship blossoms, Ashling goes to great lengths to keep Betty away from her family, especially her alcoholic mother, Etain.
As their relationship blossoms, Betty learns her lover’s terrifying family history, and Ashling’s secret obsession. Ashling has become convinced that the horrors inflicted on her family are connected to a seemingly innocent children’s TV show. Everyone in Ireland watched this show in their youth, but Ash soon discovers that no one remembers it quite the same way. And only Ashling seems to remember its star: a small black goat puppet who lives in a box and only comes out if you don’t behave. They say he’s never come out.
Almost never.”

My review: There are some truly creepy moments in this story, though they are few and far between. I was confused often, and still a little unsure of some things by the end; not because they weren’t explained but because they felt wrong to me. For example, Etain treats Ashling like garbage all her life. Though we are given an excuse as to why she was so dismissive, it still seemed messed up to me. This girl is still your daughter that you raised. How could you be so cruel to her just because of the nature behind her birth? (It’s hard to discuss this without spoilers, if you’re confused by my wording). And as I mentioned in my preface, this story does a lot of jumping around in time and switching characters. This doesn’t usually bother me, but I had trouble with the tone shifts. At times, this felt like three different books crammed together. I would go from utterly enthralled in the story to very much bored and deciding to read something else (this contributed greatly to why I took so long to read this book). I had a similar experience with another recent read. I feel like quite a few of the books I’ve read this year suffered from problematic tonal shifts with long stretches of inaction in the story. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this story despite my complaints. I like reading about foreign folklore. I like stories with cults and cosmic powers. I like mystery blended with my horror. On these notes, KKOW was a success. I struggled getting through it at times but as I mentioned earlier, I’m open to reading it again (and I rarely reread things).

This book was a challenge to read because I wanted to like it more than I did. It was a challenge to start reading from the start. The whole time I kept telling myself to keep pushing forward because I want to see how Irish folklore is woven through horror, but it wasn't worth it. The narrative was off putting from the start. It felt stilted and not engaging then made off handed comments that really took me out of the moment that felt a little unjust such as one about "Arabs and Jews holding grudges." While I imagine this is there to put me in the mind of a character, it felt as if this character came out of nowhere and I wasn't personally ready to care.

I'm wondering if maybe I try again, that might help now that I have a fuller picture of the book, but it was also on me for having particular expectations. I wanted a Brom style book/narrative incorporating Irish folklore.

Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson blends horror and Celtic myth into a story that feels like a fever dream at times. Etain is on her way home from a party when she discovers a corpse on the side of the road. In an attempt to do what she thinks is right, she takes the corpse to a near by farmhouse. This one act ends up traumatizing her for life before it is over with. Twenty years later, Betty is in college and is entranced by Aisling. As the two grow closer, Betty begins to discover darks secrets about Aisling’s past. But what happens when those secrets decide to resurface?

I went into this book completely blind. The cover just drew me in and I knew I had to read it and I’m so glad I did. The lore and myth in this book is done so well because it blends seamlessly into the narrative. This book starts off really strong and creepy and ends the same way. There are parts in the middle that were a little slow. Betty and Aisling’s relationship development bogged down the spooky parts of this book but it helped me feel more connected to the characters.

There are a lot of parts of this book that are wild. It will go from feeling completely normal, like a contemporary book, to just going off the wall. I feel like the abrupt nature of the tonal changes is very much on purpose. This book is going to be something people either love or can’t get through. I don’t see there being a lot of middle ground.

I enjoyed it for the most part. I wish there would have been more of the creepy atmosphere in the slower parts just because when the atmosphere was great, the vibes of this book were perfect. I love a fresh horror book and I think this one really delivers. So if you are like me and you are always looking for something new in the horror genre and you like learning about different mythology and folklore, this is a fantastic book to pick up.

Really wonderful, creepy and engaging on every front! The themes were interesting and the book was beautifully written. Highly recommended to readers of horror especially.