The ups and downs of this one.....i was on a roller coaster throughout this entire book. I loved Marshall's character. this was so beautifully written. i had never heard of this author & I'm not sure why more people aren't talking about this book. only thing i didn't like about the book was the snakes. i absolutely hate snakes!!

Wow! This is such an immersive fiction novel that hits everything I love in a good book. This is a first for me by this author and definitely not the last

Marshall just got his license. It’s the 90s and he’s in high school enjoying life. That is until he’s pulled over by a cop and receives a ticket. Only this isn’t an ordinary town cop and his behavior is borderline terrifying. Marshall also notices the young girl in the back of his squad car. While she doesn’t look happy she doesn’t appear in danger. He’s hoping the whole thing can be forgotten about, and hidden from his mother

That is until the girl he saw in the back of the cop car is all over the news months later for being reported missing in the town over. When Marshall brings his ticket into the station, months later, the cops have never heard of the officer that pulled him over, nor is that ticket in their database

With Marshall being the last person to see the girl alive, he pairs up with a PI to help the case. Nightmares or hallucinations, harm to those around him, and a somewhat supernatural occurrence is just the start..

Told in the perspective of Marshall, this story is full of character development, suspense, and an overall good time read. I definitely recommend this to all fiction fans

I have never heard of this author before, but after reading this book I’ll definitely be diving into everything he has written and will write!

I loved this book! I was fully engaged from page one and was enthralled to the very end. The whole time I was reading this book I was getting huge 1980s Stephen King vibes!

I couldn’t put this book down and I read it in one day, which is quite a feat for me considering it’s about 60% thicker than most books I read!

This is a horror novel, but it has much more depth than that. At its heart it is a coming-of-age story, which includes a sweet high school romance, family issues, family histories, unexpected friendships, and even some humor. This book is the kind of horror I love – one where the horror is subtle yet terrifying and takes place in a community of regular people.

The characters were amazing and likeable. I felt like I knew the main characters personally and I was fully invested in their lives. Now that I have finished the book I kinda miss them and that is a rare occurrence for me.

I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book. This book will undoubtedly make my top reads of 2025 list! I’m so glad I read it. Now, please excuse me while I go get copies of this author’s other books!

Thank you @netgalley and @AtriaBooks for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Do you remember those old SNL skits where Stefon gave club reviews on Weekend Update? Well, just like his reviews, this book has everything: Y2K references, young love, unexpected friendships, lots of humor, 90s references, mystery, snakes, small towns, secrets, rock climbing, and the supernatural. Not exactly what you expect in a book classified in the horror genre - but it really works!

Sixteen-year-old Marshall Miller just got his driver's license. He drops his mom off at home and is thrilled to go for a little ride to hang out with some friends. Unfortunately he's pulled over pretty quickly by a police officer who is acting a little strangely. Marshall witnesses something truly bizarre that soon turns into a missing persons mystery. Being curious and feeling uneasy, Marshall teams up with a local private investigator named Noah Storm. Noah is battling his own demons and has secrets of his own, things that Marshall has to figure out that will lead to more questions (yes, I'm trying to be vague because you really just have to read it for yourself). Things in the world get more bizarre as time approaches the new millenium. There are mentions of Columbine and other horrific occurances that impacted everyone at that time (and lots of mentions of Y2K). And things in Marshall's hometown get more bizarre as he gets more embroiled in this mystery.

Overall, Lost Man's Lane by Scott Carson was an enjoyable read that is a mix of horror, coming-of-age tale, and mystery. It made you cheer for Marshall as he persisted, laugh out loud at some of his antics, and maybe even shed a tear at some of the pain the characters go through. I think it was just a little too long for me and that is why I rated it a 4 instead of a 5.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I ended up really liking this one. There was definitely something very reminiscent of King in the coming-of-age/boyhood encountering horror elements in this story and I found it very nostalgic.

This thriller got my attention right away but lost it a bit on the way. I loved the premise but it was a bit slow for taste. I could see it being well loved by others but was a little off for me!

Joe Hill (one of my favorite writers) recommended this in a recent newsletter, so I went into it without paying much attention to the "supernatural thriller" description. The "Author's Note" that opens the book says it's a true ghost story, so I should have considered myself warned. The narrative begins with the day narrator Marshall Miller got his driver's license. His very first drive is interrupted by a disturbing incident: he is ticketed for speeding by an odd police officer named Maddox, with a terrified-looking young woman in the back of his cruiser. Later, he recognizes the young woman when she is reported missing and tells his story to the police. This leads him to meet a private investigator named Noah Storm, who is working on the case and makes him a celebrity after appearing on TV.

The story slips into a slow rhythm for a while. Marshall's daily life continues as he attends high school and explores his relationships with his longtime neighbor Kerri Flanders, his mother, and several classmates. He begins a summer job with Storm, but they cannot find a police officer named Maddox or any clues about the missing woman. So far, there have been unexplained story elements, but nothing explicitly supernatural. Just before the halfway point that changed when Marshall found Noah shot to death in his office. After calling the police, he was shocked to see Noah emerge, looking healthy and alive.

Of course, this completely destroyed his credibility as a witness, and he also lost his job. Marshall is in a holding pattern but somehow feels he must prepare, so he goes on a bodybuilding program and learns rock climbing. When he next meets Noah, he is ready, and Noah reveals the whole history that had been eluding him. It explains all of the mysteries in the story, going back to the meeting with Maddox at the beginning. By now, a demonic snake who has been possessing people on a regular murder cycle for hundreds of years seems perfectly reasonable. Noah and Marshall work together to defeat the enemy in an epic climax.

I read a lot of novels in this general space, including ones written by Joe Hill and his father, Stephen King (who has also praised the book). But for some reason, I had trouble accepting the ghost story aspects of this one, although it was not enough to prevent me from finishing the book and mostly enjoying it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Readers Copy.

Lost Man's Lane is about a teenager who explores the darkness hidden within his hometown. I was excited to read another book by this author, but sadly this bookk was not for me. The book was too long for me and I had a hard time following the plot of this one. The premise was interesting and the characters were good. Though this one was not for me, I would still suggest you give it a try since there are a lot of 3 or 4 star reviews for this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange of my honest review of Lost Man's Lane by Scott Carson.

I'll start by saying Scott Carson's Lost Man's Lane was great. Initially, I started this book because I was intrigued and the first few pages/chapters were captivating. Ultimately I continued reading the book because I just had to know what was next.

Carson introduces us to Marshall Miller who's strange encounter with a local sheriff, sets him on a journey of self discovery. Lost Man's Lane is a coming of age story that follows Marshall as he sorts out being who he is while discovering who he could be. Marshall lives a normal teenage life in Indiana on the cusp of the new millennium. Marshall's first-person narrative walks us through the year 1999 and how substantial the year was. I calculated my age being only a couple years younger than Marshall, and his recollection of the Columbine massacre as well as the Y2K conspiracies, dropped me right back into those strange times.

Ultimately Marshall's story goes deeper than that. While he contends with outside uncertainties, he also struggles with the strange encounter with a sheriff. During a routine stop, Marshall notices a missing girl is in the backseat of the sheriff's car. After telling his story, a local PI, Noah Storm, takes Marshall under his wing. He teaches Marshall various tricks of the PI trade in hopes they can eventually solve the mystery of the missing girl that's in the sheriff's car.

Scott Carson writes Lost Man's Lane as if he's writing an autobiography. Most of the novel feels like a conversation with an old friend. I absolutely loved the pacing, the structure, and the depth Carson goes into. Many times a 1st person novel falls short of character development, yet doesn't fall short in this aspect. Sure, we only know Marshall's point of view, relying on his view of the characters, there's still so much depth in every person we encounter.

That brings me to something I couldn't help but notice. Carson does not introduce characters into this novel that isn't important or significant. The beauty of first-person narratives is that unnecessary actors don't bombard us.

As I try hard to find my gripes with this novel... I'm at a loss. Initially, I felt this novel was an allegory of how conspiracies have permeated our lives for good and evil. This novel reminds me of a time when we would dismiss such conspiracies. Describing a time when we'd lock up the conspiracy theorists or at the very least. separate them from their families, painting them as the town crazy person. Now we elect them to represent us in the Senate or House of Representatives, Supreme Court and Executive office.

Scott Carson's Lost Man's Lane transitions from a coming-of-age story to a good old-fashioned ghost story. The slow-brewing supernatural aspect of this read keeps the reader on edge. Marshall is such a great narrator, that his voice easily captivates readers.

In conclusion, Scott Carson's Lost Man's Lane was great. The journey taken with Marshall to self-discovery was worthwhile. Carson doesn't fluff this novel with unnecessary characters or conversations. He also offers answers to questions that permeate throughout the read. It's definitely recommended for lovers of Supernatural suspense novels.

Marshall Miller's unsettling experience and the ensuing investigation reveal layers of small-town secrets and personal turmoil in this novel, which also explores themes of trust and perception through Marshall's journey from a troubled witness to a determined seeker of truth. His credibility is challenged, but his quest for answers uncovers hidden narratives and dark truths about his community and family.

Scott Carson's storytelling delivers a gripping, atmospheric narrative reminiscent of his previous works, where psychological tension and eerie settings intertwine. The development of Marshall’s character, alongside the novel’s eerie ambiance, enhances the suspense and depth of the plot. The story's exploration of a seemingly serene town with deep-seated mysteries reflects Carson’s skill in weaving complex, immersive tales. Fans of psychological thrillers with a focus on character-driven narratives will find this novel particularly engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book was fine, Probably would have enjoyed it more if it had been an audiobook!

I think this author is incredibly talented & writes a very descriptive mystery. This wasn’t the mystery for me unfortunately. I had trouble connecting & getting lost in the story. I think many people will enjoy this immensely.

Thanks to NetGalley & Atria for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Because of my lower rating, I will not be sharing my review anywhere else.

I liked this one a lot! The beginning reminded me of "No Exit," and it inspired me to keep turning the pages in this one. It is fast paced and engaging up through the end, and a great beach read.

Fairly sure now that we’re halfway thru 2024 this will be one of my top reads/listens of the year. I’ll describe it as a slow-burn supernatural mystery/horror-tinged Bildungsroman. If you like the Charlie Parker series by John Parker this book felt the same to me in tone as that series. It had a big twist that I did not guess and I loved the ending. Maybe I loved it so much because much as the main character is remembering his youth in 1999 it also made me think back and reminisce about those same years since in 1999 I was 19.

Scott Carson is a pseudonym for Michael Koryta, I have read several books under his real name and this is my second book under this pseudonym. I’ve enjoyed them all and will definitely continue to read his books.

Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A captivating, atmospheric thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked the paranormal elements and Carson’s attention to detail.

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely struggled to get into this novel. It got rave reviews so I held on until about 30% but I couldn’t get into it. I was confused if I was in the past or the future. And it was incredibly slow. I am in the minority, so don’t take my word for it!

Awesome book! I see Scott Carson becoming a new favorite author of mine like Stephen King. Th book was full of so much detail and it brought the story to life. I was on the edge of my seat while reading and cannot wait to read more!

A supernatural thriller with a quote from Joe Hill? You know it's going to be a doozy. Lost Man's Lane starts out as Marshall Miller heads out on his own for the first time since getting his license, only to be pulled over a short time in. After he is pulled over by a cop named Maddox, the cop drives away and Marshall sees a young woman crying in the back seat. He then realizes it's a girl on Missing Posters in his town.

What happens after that had me transfixed through the entire story. At any given moment I was enthralled, creeped out, trying to figure out what could possibly happen next and was unable to stop turning the pages. I really enjoyed how Marshall begins to unravel the mystery of it all. And the ending - oh my! It was a strong one.

This was my first by Scott Carson and most definitely will not be my last. I recommend checking this one out - especially if you're a fan of Stephen King.

Thank you, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lost Man’s Lane was a wild, trippy, read. Equal parts mystery, thriller, and paranormal, I was hooked from the beginning and stayed hooked until the end.

The setting of this book was a complete throwback to my own life attending college in Bloomington in 1999 and the early 2000’s. Unreal parallels, though I spent more time on campus and at Nick’s than in the state forest!

The characters came to life on the page. Marshall—your typical nerdy high school kid who wants to be cool. Kerri—the cool girl next door that Marshall secretly loves. The meteorologist mom. Jerry, the Y2K conspiracy theorist. Noah, the exotic PI who seems to mysteriously know everything. Corrupt cops. The Weller (we’ve all known someone like him).

Looking back now that I’ve finished, this book is so many things—but most of all, it’s an observation about what life was like at the turn of the century. It’s also a novel about family and found family, and a little bit of a celebration of how old folklore stays alive. Yes, it has its creepy moments—but I left this book feeling like I had just read a really uplifting book. Maybe I’m the weird one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free advance copy of Lost Man's Lane by Scott Carson in exchange for honest feedback.

This was the first novel I have read by Scott Carson (pen name of NYT best-selling author Michael Koryta) but it sure won't be the last. Channeling classic Stephen King, Lost Man's Lane is a coming of age horror story featuring protagonist Marshall Miller, a Bloomington, Indiana high school student whose single mom is the local TV weather anchor (and prompts the cringey "It's Miller Time!" chant from local yahoos). Marshall is mostly worried about fitting in, keeping up with the cool kids, and coaxing his nascent love life along. But on the day he finally gets his driver's license, Marshall is pulled over by a strange, mean cop with a crying teenage girl in the back of the cruiser - a girl who is reported missing shortly thereafter. The name the officer writes on the ticket, Corporal Maddox, doesn't exist. And is that a thumbprint or a burn mark on the ticket? The following day, Marshall spots a rattlesnake in his house. Are these things connected, or a product of Marshall's imagination?

With these building blocks, Carson spins a spooky yet relatable tale. Told over the course of eleven months at a time when cell phones were new but teens were still teens, I was immediately hooked. Four stars only because it could have been 100 pages shorter, but I'll be checking out Carson / Koryta's back catalogue immediately. Don't miss this one.