Book Summary:

Every town has secrets. Likewise, nearly every town has a location that everyone prefers to avoid. For Harrod's Reach that place is an old train tunnel. It was always creepy, but it became downright alarming after a little boy was left for dead in there.

The town wanted to wall off the tunnel. Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner thought they were taking it too far....until two new bodies were found just outside the tunnel. Now, she'll have to race against the clock to discover what is happening in the dark.

My Review:

Confession time: I may have grabbed Mister Lullaby because that cover had serious IT vibes. That said, it feels like the sort of lingering horror novel that T. Kingfisher would write, so I'd go into this book expecting more of that kind of experience.

However, I should warn you that this book is legit freaky. Like, don't make the mistake of reading it at night levels of freaky. Speaking from experience here – you won't sleep well if you have Mister Lullaby rattling around in your head. (God, even that sentence is kinda horrifying, isn't it?).

This dark read will keep you on the edge of your seat, regardless of how late at night it is. So uh, yeah. Keep that in mind as well. I can tell you right now that I wouldn't watch the adaptation of this book (if it existed). Not because I think it'd be bad, but because I know I couldn't handle it.

Highlights:
Thriller/Paranormal Horror
T. Kingfisher Vibes

The small town of Harrod’s Reach has a history of bad things happening, particularly inside the decrepit old train tunnel around which the town was built. After a young boy by the name of Sully Dupree got injured in the tunnel and was left in a coma as the result, the town decided to board the tunnel up. Then things get really strange. The day that Sully's brother is discharged from the military and comes home to Harrod's Reach, two corpses are found at the tunnel’s entrance, each left with strange calling cards inscribed with old lullabies. Then Sully Dupree briefly awakens from his coma. Before falling back into his slumber, Sully manages to give his older brother a message. Sully's mind, since the accident, has been imprisoned on the other side of the tunnel in Lalaland, a grotesque world inhabited by evil mythical creatures of sleep. Sully is trapped there with hundreds of other coma patients, all desperately fighting to keep the evils of the dream world from escaping into the waking world. Elsewhere, a man troubled by his painful youth has for years been hearing a voice in his head he calls Mr. Lullaby, and he has finally started to act on what that voice is telling him—to kill any coma patient he can find, quickly. Something is waking up in the tunnel—something is trying to get through. And Mr. Lullaby is coming.

I read this author's first book and was excited to read and review this one as well. It did not disappoint. It had everything a great horror book should have - engrossing storyline, good character development, some gruesome parts, some spine tingling parts, some sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat parts. I was drawn into the world that he described and felt like I was right there in the middle of all of the action. This book is perfect for fans of Stephen King and Joe Hill. I highly recommend it!

I am a huge fan of The Nightmare Man. I was so excited to see J. H. Markert's next title, "Mister Lullaby." This stand-alone did not disappoint. I also love how he tied in Mr. Lullaby into The Nightmare Man's universe. This fan girl loved seeing that tie in. It appeased my love for TNM by expanding the universe while we wait for the continuation of TNM.

Since I received an early copy, I'm not sure how much editing was left to ho before final publication, but I will say that I did have difficulties with the timeline. I think there were too many back and forth during the present between different characters that I got confused a lot. Perhaps Teddy's story should have been it's own section leading up to the events. I distinctly remember a point where they are in Harrod's Reach, and then it's Beth's story. Going back to the past and the present at that point confused me. Then it gradually got worse until the last 10% of the book when everyone is in the present.

I'm hoping that got cleaned up a little before publication. Besides that, the story was excellent. I'm looking forward to whatever Markert has for us next.

I liked the author's previous novel, The Nightmare Man, and saw a lot of promise in his horror writing skills. However, Mr. Lullaby didn't live up to my expectations. I expected a scarier narrative and faster pacing. Instead, I got a slow paced convoluted story. The story just wasn't scary or creepy enough to keep me engaged.

Execution=wise, the plot just didn't flow. It seemed as though different scenarios were slapped together, hoping that they would stick and magically transform the narrative into a seamless scary and frightening story. That, did not happen.

There were numerous characters in the novel. And having too many characters can sometimes be a detriment. In this cast, it was. It got confusing as soon as the "extras" were introduced. The narrative then became a mixed bag and I lost focus on the whole plot.

Mr. Lullaby maybe just a one off so it won't deter me from reading other novels from this author. But for now, Mr. Lullaby was a somewhat disappointing one star -- a DNF at 45%

I received a DRC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

The people of Harrod's Reach all know about the abandoned train tunnel. They've used bits of twisted metal from a long ago crash as rustic decor. They've played a game that dates back to the 1800s, daring each other to run from one end to the other. They know about the mysterious deaths in the tunnel, the severed limbs found just outside the entrance. Mister Lullaby by J. H. Markert feels like a Stephen King novel. It's got all of the right elements and the right language, it just didn't capture my imagination the way the author's last book did, maybe because there's so much going on in so few pages.

*Thank you a ton to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

I found myself very much enjoying J.H. Markert's writing style - it was straight forward, and knew where to keep you on your toes in terms of its horror elements. The multiple POVs enhanced the experience of the story, as we get to see how not only people see the current events but also saw in the past events.

Beth Gardner as one of the main characters was a pleasant one to read on. I found myself connecting most with her, finding her thought process from start to end. Then again, all the characters had that likability - and it's not always found in horror novels like these. There's always a chance of the characters being underdeveloped or not having much personality: this isn't a problem that Mister Lullaby has at all, as everyone has their own identity in the novel.

The setting, characters and plot as a whole kept my attention from start to finish, and I would recommend this to any fan of the horror genre!

An engrossing read about a town where there is an old railway tunnel that may be a doorway between our world and a land of dreams and nightmares. I am still processing my thoughts about the book, particularly the ending, but I did like it as I always like this author's novels. 3.5 stars

After reading and LOVING The Nightmare Man by this author I had Mister Lullaby high on my anticipated reads list, and it so did not disappoint. It was equally as creepy, descriptive and atmospheric and, per usual, I was so incredibly fascinated by the sleep element throughout. While I believe it's not required to read The Nightmare Man before this one, I highly recommend it as there was subtle nods to that creepy character throughout.

J.H. Markert is quickly making his way to my favorite authors list, and I can't wait to see what his twisty mind comes out with next. Thank you so much Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for my review copy!

This book was an okay read for me. It had many characters, which at times I found a bit confusing as I did not read it all in one sitting, but I read over a week. I wish I read Nightmare Man first. A bit slow to start, but enjoyed the horror elements throughout the book. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this e-arc.
3 star.

** “What if the make-believe exists? What if that’s what we see when we dream.” **

Under pen name J.H. Markert, author James Markert continues to rebrand into a new style of books with his latest contemporary horror/suspense novel “Mister Lullaby,” a deeply dark and disturbing thriller taken literally from nightmares.

When Gideon Dupree returns home from his stint in the military, trouble seems to arrive in town with him — all revolving around the mysterious and deadly tunnel found near the town. He joins forces with his childhood friend, Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner, to figure out who’s brutally murdering people and leaving their body parts behind, as well as why strange creatures and plants are coming out of the tunnel.

Can they figure out who is committing the horrific murders, and what their connection is to a mysterious Lalaland (“a euphoric mental state detached from the harsher realities of life”) connected to the tunnel, lullabies (“a song or folk poem meant to help a child fall asleep”), and mares (“in Germanic folklore, a malicious creature that sits on people’s chests while they sleep, causing nightmares”).

Markert does an incredible job of developing a world full of horror, intrigue, fear and courage. His fans will also enjoy finding references to his other books written under both pseudonyms.

“Mister Lullaby,” which is due out Nov. 21, will appeal to fans of shows like “Criminal Minds” and authors like Stephen King and Ted Dekker. However, be forewarned this book, unlike Dekker’s, contains a lot of foul language as well as lustful situations. This is very much a mainstream, contemporary novel.

Four stars out of five.

Crooked Lane Books provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I loved The Nightmare Man. I gave it all the stars, and I went into Mister Lullaby with eager anticipation, ready for more. Unfortunately, it just didn't grab me the way TNM did. I gave it a solid try, reading to the 33 percent mark, but that's where I left off. It just felt disjointed, and there were some aspects of the story that I just wasn't able to connect with. Thinking that it might come together, I gave it longer than I initially thought that I would after a description of animal violence, which is a hard stop for me. Thanks for the opportunity to review, and I will be eagerly awaiting J.H. Markert's next book.

This cover is so creepy and glorious. I had to have this after Markert’s last book, The Nightmare Man, left me with just that, NIGHTMARES! I couldn’t recommend it enough. But with this one, I felt like it fell short for me. Maybe I had too high expectations, but it felt a little too procedural for me. It was a little all over the place and the characters weren’t very likable. I wanted to love it, and will definitely rush to read whatever is next for this author. This one, unfortunately just didn’t work for me.

I loved this authors first book so much, and was so excited to get this widget. However, I found it really hard to keep track of all of these characters. There was so much going on, yet it also felt so slow at times. I think the concept was really neat. And it had a good level of horror. I will recommend to those that I know will like this type of book.

4.25 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.


Horror master Markert gives us a standalone, somewhat sequel to The Nightmare Man. When those Nightmares go loose in the world, this novel is born. It is everything a horror novel should be.

Harrod’s Reach is a small town at the crossroads of Nebraska & Kansas. It is heavily forested with a set of abandoned train tracks and an very old tunnel through One Side Mountain. The tunnel has been the site of many horrific events over the years, most recently causing one boy, Sully, to be comatose for the last 3 years.

When Sully’s older brother Gideon comes home from war, the tunnel seems to be coming alive again. Sully awakens from his coma, temporarily, to recite a list of names. What are these names? Town firefighter Jax feels compelled to write them down and to repeat them while leaving a message for his deputy wife Beth.

Meanwhile, Simple Simon, a very large, mostly non-verbal man who lives in the forest, finds two bodies in the forest in front of the tunnel. Were the deaths the result of the tunnel? And what was Doc doing in there before he was attacked too?

The mind of Markert is quite active. This story definitely stands alone from The Nightmare Man, but also weaves elements of that story into it. It is absolutely a book about evil revisiting our world from another and the strength of good people in the face of this evil.

I am a huge fan of J.H. Markert’s writing and can’t wait to see what comes next.

This is the perfect read for Halloween and anytime you want that creepy, horror story. I got all the Stephen King vibes and went down this rabbit hole that I couldn’t stop reading. I’m all for the dark and twisty. The revenge type read. Grab this and prepare to hunker down and delve into the unknown.

Mister Lullaby is a testament to creativity and a chilling, creepy narrative that immediately captivates readers. The author's phenomenal writing style weaves a web of suspense and horror, ensuring readers are hooked from the very beginning. This story is a masterclass in the art of crafting a spine-tingling tale, offering something for every horror aficionado. The blend of creativity and the eerie atmosphere makes Mister Lullaby a must-read for fans of the genre, promising a thrilling and immersive experience that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Mister Lullaby is the second book I've read by this author, and it didn't disappoint. I've been looking for a book that would send chills down my spine, and I finally one.

Mister Lullaby is a gripping and imaginative story that is set in a small town called Harrod's Reach, where strange things start to happen near an old train station in the town.

The story is a little slow to start, but the pace picks up, and the story gets gripping to the point I couldn't put it down. This gives me a mix of Stephen King IT and Stranger Things vibes, both of which I loved reading and watching.

I found the folklore and history of lullabies interesting and liked the way it was incorporated into the story.

I loved the characters. There are plenty of them, but they are well done, and at no point did I feel confused as to who was who. My favourite of them all was Gideon and Beth. I loved their courage and determination to help find out the truth as well as protect their small town.

Although well written, I did feel the ending was a little rushed, and I wasn't a fan of the abrupt ending. I am hoping that this ending means that there is a sequel coming as there are a couple of unanswered questions.

Overall, it's a great spine-chilling book, and I can't wait to read more from this author.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers Crooked Lane Books for my digital review copy (eARC). These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

J H Markert is back again with the latest terrifying plunge into a small town on the brink of murder and mayhem!

Mister Lullaby puts Harrod's Reach center stage. This small town is overdue for a crisis all because of the old abandoned railway tunnel in the center of the town. Once one of the town's young people falls into a coma after exploring this tunnel, they decide something needs to be done. However, something is planning on using this tunnel to enter into our world. Nightmares begin to bleed into reality and not everyone is going to make it out alive.

This is a slow-burn novel whose payoff was next level. Genuinely, this novel takes the time to invest in the characters before showcasing how each character has a role in the final confrontation. I think one of the most powerful parts of Markert's writing style is their ability to tap into real-life grief, trauma, and the overall dark side of humanity. Markert knows how to write a villain, but they also know exactly how to craft the heroes of the tale as well. Dynamic characters that you will root for until the last page. That is one of the strongest parts of Markert's writing in my mind. (In addition to just building great suspense and scaring the daylights out of me.

Readers of this story should also be on the lookout for some Easter eggs from previous works as well. The mention of the Nightmare Man in this novel was such a fun surprise and made me immediately want to dive back into that story as well. However, check this book out! You won't be disappointed!

This is a novel about nightmares. Nightmares that come to life to terrorize the small town Harrod’s Reach. Mister Lullaby is the follow up to The Nightmare Man, but can completely be a standalone. There are small connections between the two books, but they do not effect the story. While The Nightmare Man is the beginning of the nightmare, Mister Lullaby is the horrific aftermath.
The only issue I have with this fantastic novel is that the ending was way to abrupt. It feels like there could be another novel regarding nightmares from Mr. Markert. I certainly hope so.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this e-arc.*

I was excited to read this because The Nightmare Man was so inventive that I couldn’t wait to see what Markert came up with next. Everyone is comparing this guy to Stephen King and I get that. I get that so much because the first half of this story felt like I was reading fan fiction of Doctor Sleep. At one point I almost put it down. But then I hit the halfway point, and I couldn’t have put this book down if I wanted to. I stayed up past my bedtime reading and I was so into it that when my husband rolled over and touched my arm it scared the shit out of me. Lucky for him I don’t sleep with a knife under my pillow.

“Lullabies were full of monsters. Full of dark, disguised by beautiful singsong rhymes. Or was it the sinister disguised by something beautiful?”

Harrod’s Reach is a strange small town with a strange abandoned railroad tunnel in the woods. People go inside and never come out, people find body parts, weird colored animals appear around it—it’s bizarre. Why people still live in this town I have no clue. There is a whole cast of characters in this book (another thing I’m not really a fan of) Deputy Sheriff Beth, Gideon who has just returned from war, Sully who is young boy in a coma, Simon the recluse who lives in the woods, a weird guy named Teddy and many more, and they all come together in this town, near this tunnel. What happens there is bizarre and fantastical and gory and scary and captivating. And even though I wasn’t a fan of the first half of the book, the second half absolutely made up for it and I may be a Markert fan for life.