This one sounded like it was going to be crazy. There was just too much going on in this one that added nothing to the overall story. I did not like this.

Chris and his two daughters, Emma and Kayla are hiking in the wilderness when his youngest daughter badly hurts her leg. Miles away from the car and any type of phone signal, they fear the worst until they find a house. They are welcomed in by the owner, Carla and her son offers help, rest and a meal. But are they really safe? While cleaning up, Chris finds Emma has gone missing from the sofa, but she can’t walk. Where has Emma gone, then the weirdness escalates when Miss Sydney is introduced to the group. Can Chris find Emma and escape alive?
A engrossing psychological thriller that will keep you wanting me and will easily read in one sitting. A new author to me, but will definitely be looking out for more by Caleb Stephens.

So except for the mistakes in the blurb, I really enjoyed this story. Only one of the sisters is mad at their father, as she’s the only one who knows what he did. That’s Kayla, a fifteen-year-old. And the other sister doesn’t break her ankle, she breaks her leg, which is so much worse for the situation, especially because she’s just seven or eight years old. I would suggest these errors get fixed before publishing or it will cast doubt on the quality of the story, which is quite good, although a bit too long. Since we know they’ll find shelter at a farm, the plot would flow better if they reached it quicker than they do. That’s really when the fun begins, and the pace picks up. Although it is a bit odd that there are flashbacks in the narrative for the woman at the farm, Clara, before we even meet her.

There’s not much more to say about what happens because of keeping the story a mystery. Clara does have an interesting backstory, and there’s much more going on with that farm than you would think. It’s almost more like a horror story than a mystery, per se. It’s a bit more graphic at times than your typical thriller. And readers who have ‘triggers’ would have a field day with warnings about this one. I think that’s what makes it stand out, though, that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I could see this as an 80’s horror movie, for sure. I really hope this author’s next book is in the same vein - I would love to see what other ghoulish stories he can come up with!

Thank you NetGalley and Joffee books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

And then I must say holy guacamole. I haven’t read a book this frightening, sad and hopeful (at the same time!) in…well, ever I think.

A widowed father takes his two daughters on a hiking adventure to try to reconnect. One daughter gets lost chasing a bunny and then they all get caught in a storm. They try to navigate unfamiliar wilderness with no cell coverage. Fortunately Chris (the father) and Kayla (the older sister) find Emma, but find her severely injured. As Chris carries his daughter through the woods they finally spot a house. Hoping for warmth and a phone they knock at the door and find Clara, a woman tending to a neglected ranch with her son Billy, a large boy of 30 with the mind of a child but the strength of a bodybuilder.

Throughout the book we learn of Clara’s story which is incredibly sad, a childhood of severe abuse from both parents, an eventual marriage to a man she loved and her intense desire to have a family and someone to love her. There are two people in her life, her childhood friend Sydney and her son Billy.

Chris and his daughters are scared when they arrive at the house and they have every right to be so. While this book is difficult to read at times because of the intense abuse, it also reads with a steady wonder of “who will be alive at the end of this book - I must know!”

A really tense and addictive read that combined old-school horror in the vein of Texas Chainsaw Massacre with the psychological mystery and unreliable narrators of a cat-and-mouse thriller. I really enjoyed this and it will be very popular with readers looking for satisfying twists and shocking drama without ever being overly gratuitous with its depictions of violence

Wow. This was massively suspenseful and intense. This was more than horror, it was pure terror. Chilling and freakishly scary, edge of your seat and hold your breath.

The author fleshed out the characters in the early chapters, establishing backgrounds for the reader, before throwing them all together and letting the sparks ignite. The story goes from a disaster to a nightmare very quickly but is written in a way that makes it all very believable.

A brilliant, twisty read.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

OMG CalebStevens has totally out done himself this time! When dad Chris takes his daughters Kayla and Emma to walk the Colorado trail they are still reeling from the death of his beloved wife Lexi. Soon after arriving for the last night of camping did Chris goes fishing and Kayla walked away from the campsite to try to get a cell signal when they both return sister Emma is missing.

Soon after they find little Emma stuck with a massive boulder on her foot it’s raining and sleeting snow and dad Chris knows he must get them to shelter. The first night they find shelter in a cave but when they wake the next morning Chris doesn’t know which way goes back to the campsite but while standing on the rock trying to get a cell signal he sees a home in the distance. While Chris carries Emma to what he hopes will be safety and health he trips on the foot bridge in Andrews himself when they finally make it to the Home he saw in the distance this is when they meet Clara. Clara grew up in the farmhouse and was abused by her father he used to lock her in the dark room in the barn one day while banging on the door to get out a blue eyed girl open the door and ask if she wants out and would she like to play Clara is overjoyed her parents don’t allow her to have friends and she is super excited to have one in Sydney. Sydney has some disconcerting qualities but Clara pushes them to the side as she is excited to have a friend when Chris Kayla and Emma arrived at her door she couldn’t be more accommodating and welcoming she invites them in uses her medical knowledge on Emma‘s leg cleans it and even makes the little family dinner right before dinner however Calen notices a big Hulking shadow in the hallway this is when they need Billy he has the mind of an eight-year-old put the body of a sumo wrestler Kayla is a little leery of Clara and young Billy but Chris is just happy to have the help unfortunately when he goes to make a call do to the violent snowstorm the phone service goes out and when he fell on the foot bridge he lost his cell phone and has no way of making a call he is determined however to use Clara‘s truck the next day to get little Emma to the hospital for proper medical help but the next day the houses secrets will be revealed in danger will be a parent but who is friend and who is full who should they fear and who should they ask for help. Despot is one twisted piece of work and OMG I absolutely loved it! From beginning to end it captivate your attention and imagination throws it into overdrive and process the Excelerator until the end if you’ve never read a book that made your stomach flip-flop as if you were on a roller coaster then you need to read the girls in the cabin by Caleb Stevens you will not be disappointed. This is one of the best horror books I have read this year and I have read some really great ones . I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

SPOILERS

3.5 stars

I wasn't too far into this book when I had a good guess where it might be going, and then I kept looking for clues to prove me right.
It ups the tension quite dramatically several times, but there's always a low level feeling of on edge.
The isolated setting is perfect, the chaos of the farm adds to it all.
I very much enjoyed it, but felt the finale a bit sudden and sentimental, but not bad.
A new author to me, and one I'll look for again

This is the first book for me by this author and it was good! It was a great thriller!
It kept me reading and then a big twist I didn't see coming! There is violence in this book so if you're not a fan I wouldn't recommend it to you!
I look forward to reading more of this author's books! Thank you Net galley for allowing me to read and review this book!

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Holy moly! This was a crazy read that keeps you on your toes the entire way through wondering what’s coming next!

Set in Colorado, the twists in this story keep it moving. The characters are dark and not likable. Sisters are displeased with their father, and mom is gone. Camping was not a good idea. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. It is dark and frightening.