After reading The Nightmare Man I knew I needed to read more from this weird universe with tunnels to other worlds.

I loved re-visiting old characters like Beth, Jax, Gideon and Sully. We get a lot more back story from each of the characters, which I really liked.

The book slowed down a bit through the middle, but by the last 50 pages it picked up like a rocket and I couldn’t put it down.

Mr. Lullaby was an extremely disturbing antagonist. I loved watching all the monsters from folklore being brought to life.

Beth and Gideon reminded me of gunslingers from Stephen King. But my favorite character was Simple Simon who wasn’t so simple in the other world, Lalaland. He reminded me of Tom Cullen from The Stand.

Read Nightmare Man first and then pick up this awesome sequel!

Well done horror for fans of the genre. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While this wasn't really my cup of tea, I appreciate how Markert wove several plot lines and tropes together to create a novel which will win him new readers.

I loved the nightmare man and i thought it was cool that the two books tied together. This one started off strong for me but i eventually lost interest and also got kind of confused. I wish there was more focus on just a few characters rather than many. I think it made for less character development. I loved the gory bits. But i just felt a bit detached.

I really loved the old school gory horror in this book, the multiple pov's, and the general story-line, but the ending was a bit disappointing for this reader. I am guessing there is going to be a sequel? Even so, the ending really needed to be slowed down and some of the questions answered rather than leaving it all hanging.

I knew I had to get to this book before Spooky Season ended and I am so glad that I did. Markert has a way of weaving and twisting a story together that makes you sit up and take notice. I was riveted to my seat from the moment I cracked the book open. The characters are phenomenally created, with a backstory, and baggage for each and every one. I wanted to get to know them and understand how they fit into the puzzle. The setting is perfectly creepy. I wanted to run screaming from the tunnel, wondering why anyone would want to go down there. Let alone play the game of In-One-Out-One. There is so much history that that links this tunnel to turbulent times in the town of Harrod's Reach. People disappearing, bodies and body parts found in and around the tunnel, people getting hurt and in comas. All linking back to this one place, a place that turned my blood to ice.

Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner is waiting for her childhood friend at his welcome home party. They were born on the same day, during the same storm, and in their hearts, they are twins. Gideon has always been jumpy, the awkward boy, and in love with Beth from as far back as he can remember. He does not know what to expect from his family or friends. What he walks into is chaos. Bodies found earlier that day holding hands outside the tunnel. The bodies do not make sense, they are both killed in completely unusual ways. Other strange occurrences begin to happen more and more. Animals that are not the right color, seashells in Nebraska, and the tunnel coming alive with vines and flowers. Is everything somehow connected and what is happening in this small town?

The other amazing aspect of this book is that Markert's previous novel The Nightmare Man found its place in Mister Lullaby. It made my day to read this! I do not want to say more and give away anything. If you are looking for a terrifying read that will turn your dreams into nightmares defiantly give this book a try. Thank you to J.H. Markert and Crooked Lane Books for this insanely horrifying read.

Mister Lullaby is a hard book to summarize. It is a mix of horror and fantasy (more like magical realism but dark) and it follows many different characters. (Think Stephen King). We have a town that has a mysterious tunnel where many people have disappeared and died in. We also have a man who is on a killing spree and a man who has a brother in a coma from the tunnel. It also jumps around in the timeline as well. It is all hard to explain but it all comes together in the end and ties everything up.

I enjoyed this book! It was very dark and it did scare me at times. I enjoyed all of the characters. We had some unique friendships and relationships throughout. Also, the evil people were very evil and written well. I think the premise was very unique and interesting to read. I liked the different POVs and the different timeline jumps. I love when you go back in time in a story and then everything starts to slowly fall in to place and make sense. Like when an event happens and then you see in the past how it slowly builds to that event. I think it adds another aspect to the story. I also liked how this book played with dreams and creatures.

This took a turn that I was not expecting and it ended in a big bloody way. The ending had me holding my breath and wondering how everything was going to end. I will say that the ending left a lot of questions. I am hopeful that there will be a sequel because I have a lot of questions!

I feel like the story was a bit confusing in the beginning and it took me a bit to get into. I also feel like it leaned a bit more fantasy than I typically enjoy. I think fantasy readers will enjoy that aspect. That is why I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

As a side note, I did not read Nightmare Man by this author but I think it was referenced a few times in this book. I think it would be helpful to read that one first but not necessary. I maybe would have caught more references throughout if I read the other book first. However, this did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. It is like Stephen King, he writes a lot of Easter eggs in his books and you catch them when reading, however, you don't have to read it to enjoy the book.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to a sequel (hopefully!). I definitely need to pick up more by this author and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. Thanks so much to netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book comes out November 21st and I would recommend to Stephen King lovers and people who like horror that is a bit different.

This was a rough one for me.

Mister Lullaby started out strong, and had me interested in the mysteries of the murders by the old train tunnel and the history of what happened to the boy Sully. The setting had the potential to be nice and creepy.

But I found the characters flat and the hopping between timelines and points of view just confused me, rather than intrigued me. At 20%, I decided not to continue reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my review copy of this novel.

This book showed promise from its opening line about Simple Simon with a chainsaw and later, the young man returning from a war. However, as soon as a storyline got going, it switched to another sub-plot. There were too many characters and the author did not give the plot enough time to build suspense before switching to another scenario. I advise the author to pay particular attention to building tension and leave the reader on a cliffhanger, so we are excited to rip through the pages. He definitely has potential to crank out a great story. This is not it.

I was honestly a bit disappointed by this book. As a huge horror fan, I was hoping this would be a lot creepier and gorier, with a little more depth. The book had me hooked in the beginning, but ultimately did fall flat. I was not a fan of the multiple POV's or the romance aspects; however, I was impressed with the creativity of the plot (although the story/world building weren't there). I did enjoy myself reading this novel, but would love to see improvements in later novels!

Rating: 3.5 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 3/5
-Cover: 5/5
-Story: 2.75/5
-Writing: 4.5/5
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal
-Horror: 1.5/5
-Paranormal: 2.75/5
-Fantasy: 5/5
Type: Ebook
Worth?: Yes

Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.

Mister Lullaby is a creepy and atmospheric story. I wasn't all out scared but it did give me the heebie jeebies, that's for sure. I wasn't a big fan of Gideon's family or Beth. All of them were pretty damn shitty and which took away from the story for me. Simon, though, is my big favorite out of all the people in this book. And for the ending, I don't know how I feel. It was left open so there could be book 2.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was legitimately spooky and left me not wanting to put it down. The plot, while fairly intricate, was very well done and I enjoyed how everything connected. I got a bit confused at times because I'd forgotten if what point in time certain things were set in for the longer chapters, especially if they changed point of view. Because of that, there were a few plot points that left me confused until I did realize the specific time chapters were set in .The ending also seemed very sudden, given the rather drawn out nature of the plot in general.

I really enjoyed most, if not all of the points of view. It was a bit disturbing to read from a certain characters point of view, but it did add a lot to the overall plot. Beth also did feel very much like that standard female police officer that seem to be present in books these days. I do wish we got more personality out of her besides "I'm a cop". Overall this definitely was a scary book that left me with chills.

I am such a fan of mystery, thriller, horror books, and Mister Lullaby gave me the creeps in all the horrible, terrible ways, perfect for the fall season. This book will linger with you long after you put it down. If you are a fan of works such as "It", then you will probably be drawn to this, not only for the cover art, but the story has such a sinister vibe. I have been talking this book up so much to my friends and family about their need to read this book during the fall season as the weather turns colder, the leaves fall, and things become a bit more barren. I don't know why, but it feels like the perfect release for this book.
I caught myself reading a few reviews to see if others enjoyed this book as much as I did, and I noticed not everyone fully dives into a book as much as others. I think if you have a vivid imagination and you love when a book can carry you away into the creepy and the horrific, you will probably find yourself with goosebumps and the lights on. However, if you have desensitized yourself to those types of books, I feel you will still enjoy the story, it may simply not be as sinister as it seems for some of us.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to receive an advanced copy for review purposes in exchange for my honest opinion. I think I may have to be on the look out for more books by this author and this publishing company as they seem perfectly up my alley and down my crooked lane.

Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert is a gripping, spine-chilling horror novel that grabs you from the very first page. If you enjoy a mix of Stephen King's "It" and the eerie allure of "Stranger Things," this is a book you won't want to miss. The story unfolds in Harrod's Reach, a small town with a haunted past, especially the old train tunnel around which the town was built. A boy, Sully Dupree, falls into a coma after a terrifying incident inside the abandoned tunnel. Soon, two corpses, each marked with cryptic lullabies, are discovered at the tunnel's entrance. Sully, while briefly awakening from his coma, manages to convey a chilling message.

The narrative artfully alternates between past and present, revealing pieces of a nightmarish puzzle that keeps you hooked. The characters are diverse, each offering a unique perspective and lending depth to the story. The book is peppered with terrifying creatures and nightmarish situations that will have you on the edge of your seat. This was my second JH Markert book (the first being The Nightmare Man). While the book is engaging and suspenseful, the ending feels a bit rushed and leaves a few questions unanswered. However, I would say this was an ideal book to get your through the spooky season.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

I loved the premise of the book, but I spent 40 something percent of my reading time confused by the back and forth in time. There were too many characters and the flashbacks confused me greatly. I do have cognitive issues that may contribute to that if that helps.

I was a confused reader that wanted to love the book so I kept reading

I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately for me, the beginning was very slow and I just could not get into it. I am sure other. fans of this author will enjoy this book, but it is not for me. I am only leaving a rating per netgalley requirements. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

If you want to feel chills, if you want to feel that creepy feeling that makes you look around while reading alone, wondering what is hiding in the darkness, in the doorways... this book, ya'll!!!

Oh no. Just immediately, I was set on edge. A creepy train tunnel, dead bodies appearing in very not great ways. And just the nightmare fuel of this whole story had me in its terrifying grip! I'm not kidding. We all have different specific things in horror that we find scary, but for me, this encapsulates many different scary details and just ...I had no chance getting through this without feeling deeply scared at what is on these pages.

Really intense, scary read!

Out November 21, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

DNF - 30%

"Mister Lullaby" by J. H. Markert is a book that, unfortunately, did not live up to my expectations. While I was initially excited about the premise and the intriguing synopsis, I found myself ultimately disappointed by the execution.

One of the most significant issues I had with the book was the pacing. The story drags, making it difficult for me to feel a sense of urgency or curiosity about what might happen next. The narrative lacks that magnetic pull that keeps readers engaged and eager to turn the page.

Additionally, I noticed that some chapters seemed unnecessary, almost like filler content that didn't contribute much to the overall plot. This added to the feeling that the story was meandering without a clear sense of purpose.

The characters, too, left much to be desired. Many of them lacked attractive personalities, and some were just plain boring. This made it challenging to connect with or care about their fates, which is a critical factor in any book's success. I struggled to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

Even after reading a third of the book, I still found it hard to muster the enthusiasm to continue. The lack of a compelling narrative and engaging characters made it challenging to convince myself that it was worth pushing through to the end.

In the end, not liking "Mister Lullaby" was a significant disappointment for me, given my initial excitement and high expectations. The story's slow pace, unnecessary chapters, unattractive characters, and lack of compelling intrigue left me feeling unsatisfied as a reader. It's a reminder that a promising synopsis doesn't always translate into a satisfying reading experience.

Shades of Joe Hill's NOS4A2 in this complicated tale of small town horror and nostalgic-vibes with American serial killers. The world building and character development were solid, even with the baddies (which is fantastic as so many authors will leave the killers and monsters out of their development beyond they kill/torment/etc). That said I do feel like it was hard to read and not in a horror sense. The shifting points of view combined with the jumping timeline meant that by the second Act I was mentally exhausted trying to keep track of who was who and what was what. By the time Markert circled back to some of the characters I had began to care about, I'd already lost that thread and had to recalibrate. It made the book hard to enjoy despite the fantastic story.

When I was taking notes on this book, I started with all the characters. There are quite a few good ones in this book, like a soldier newly home from Afghanistan, a stripper-turned-mother, and a person with developmental disabilities. As I read on, the characters went to the back burner as a whole new world opens up…

The tiny town of Harrod’s Reach, Nebraska, has an odd past. There is a mysterious tunnel that has claimed many victims over the years - victims who are missing limbs or ending up in comas. As the book goes on, we hear from detectives who, over the decades, tried to figure out the tunnel’s secret. It isn’t until a dying man’s warning that Mr. Lullaby was coming through the tunnel that the town started putting the pieces together.

Who is Mr. Lullaby? Few really know, but he has close ties with Lalaland. What is Lalaland? It’s where people go when their brains are off, but very few people are affected as strongly as some of our characters are. It is a place with mysterious animals of all colors, trees that defy the laws of nature, seashells nowhere near oceans, and where nightmares are born. It’s a land where cigarettes extend your life, fruit trees are poisonous and people are fearless. When those seashells and oddly-colored animals start coming out of this tunnel in rural Nebraska, people in the town instinctively know they’re in danger.

I will say the first half of this book was slow, but it was developing the characters before actually getting into the meat of the story. I thought it was cool how the book dives into the folklore and history of lullabies, and the different ways people of the world have historically looked at sleep and dreaming. The tunnel could represent so much, including time travel and alternate worlds, depending on your perspective. I wasn’t sure about this one in the beginning, but I loved the ending. This is a standalone sequel, and I’d be interested in checking out “The Nightmare Man”. Four stars!

(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, J.H. Markert and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on November 21, 2023.)

I feel rather torn between pure love and slight disappointment. Let me explain why. This might be one of the best books I have ever read. I was completely captivated by ever single page. Mister Lullaby combined horror and fantasy in a way that made my heart race and my palms sweat. From the unique characters to the rich and creepy world building, I was blown away. I could read this over and over and get chills every time. But the ending. If this was going to be a series I wouldn't have minded the ending, but from what I see this is only a standalone. The ending left quite literally every question and concern I had unanswered. Knowing I'll never have the answers I want is very disappointing. But that doesn't make this book any less amazing somehow. Here's to hoping the author decides to continue this story eventually because I need more.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.