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.

I got engaged with this book quite quickly. It is told from multiple POV and with two timelines.
Gideon has recently come back to his hometown after being discharged from the army. His brother Sully has been in a coma for three years and Gideon feels like everyone blames him for the accident. One of his closest friends is Beth who is now the deputy sheriff for the town. In the town there is a tunnel that people are afraid of and children are warned to not go near. Bad things happen there. Weird things happen there. People go missing there.
This book has Stephen King vibes but Markert has added his own stamp. I enjoyed the character development but there is a lot going on in this book and it took me a lot longer to enjoy the sections about Teddy. I loved the incorporation of lullabies from different cultures and I liked how Markert used these to become killers in our world but as mentioned before, there is a lot going on, especially during these parts.
Now let’s discuss the ending - a huge cliffhanger and I really hope there is a second book to answer it (otherwise my rating would be lower and I would be hugely disappointed). If there is a second book, then you can be guaranteed it is on my list to read.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this read this book for an honest review.

I was stoked to see another book by Markert, an author who left such an impression on me last year with The Nightmare Man. A lot of the same elements that I loved before are ever present in Mister Lullaby - it shines in world development, character relationships, and creep-factor. It took me a while to get into the groove of the story, I think due largely to the multiple POVs and time jumps, but once I hit the last third of the book, it was a breeze. The small town setting of Harrod’s Reach made it easy to care about the fate of the characters and the old train tunnel loomed large, almost standing on its own as a character. Overall, though, I struggled with staying consistently interested throughout. It’s a good read for this time of year if you like seeing how multiple storylines all come together, aren’t afraid of a little violence, and like seeing the layers of seemingly straightforward characters peel away to uncover something more interesting (and sometimes, something far more sinister).

This book was too much like It. Even the cover conveys the same vibe. Because of that I just couldn’t enjoy it like I wish I could have. I feel like the author borrowed so much from Stephen King and little from his own imagination

I think my problem with this book were related to editing. While all of the elements in the story are solid, it felt like there was just a ton of stuff being thrown on the page to see what sticks. From a reading experience, it ended up feeling like a bit of a mess. This bummed me out, since I liked the meat of the book.

The premise, characters, town, the history of lullaby land all felt solid to me (in particular, the characters had interesting backstories and were easy to root for) But then we started throwing serial killer on top of serial killer (all with nicknames), and that seemed to muddle up a very clean story which held a lot of promise.

In some respects, this felt like I was joining a horror universe, a few books into a series, and that was a strange vibe. I wish the author would have narrowed the focus, and not tried to link in other stories/characters.

Also, at times the story felt a little derivative of Stephen King. (A slow adult who can see into other worlds? M-O-O-N, that spells "familiar") But it had enough unique things happening that kept me reading.

Thankfully, the ending is a wild ride, with our heroes all grouped together in a town overrun with crazies. I wish we hadn't ended on a cliffhanger. But, these are just personal quibbles. There is some genuinely creepy moments in here which should satisfy most horror lovers.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I even start with Mister Lullaby? When I saw the cover of this work, I immediately felt Stephen King vibes. Going in with high expectations, Mister Lullaby did not disappoint.

Markert takes us deep into the world Harrod's Reach, a quaint town near an abandoned train tunnel, that has known nothing but oddities for majority of it's existence. Murders, severed limbs, earthquakes, psychotic episodes and most notably here, the mysterious coma of Sully Dupree are just a few of the abnormalities to have come from the tunnel. One day, Sully temporarily awakes after 3 years and sets the town on a path to find answers. As we follow Sully's older brother Gideon and childhood friend/deputy sherrif Beth Gardner, the mystery grows and grows. Corpses are found with the words to old lullabies. Townspeople are maimed and murdered. Oddly colored critters are roaming the forrest. The tunnel is hiding more than meets the eyes and it is up to Gideon and Beth to stop it before the entire town is destroyed at the hands (or maybe the words) of Mister Lullaby...

The use of multiple narratives across two time periods provides perspectives that keep the storyline interesting. As the story unfolded, I became more and more engrossed in the world that Markert created. The visuals are so clear and enthralling that I found myself getting lost from reality. The fear in the characters was palpable; my heart was racing through the last quarter of the story. My only qualm is that I don't know what happens! The ending left so much to be desired. And though it added another point of interest to the story, what was the goal of the pseudo love triangle? I hope this is setting us up for a sequel because I want MORE.