After a boy, Sully, is injured in an abandoned tunnel and left in a coma, the town is determined to wall it up. When Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner finds twin bodies at the tunnels entrance left with lullabies, she starts to think that maybe the superstitions aren’t completely off kilter. Soon after, Sulky briefly awakens from his come to give his older brother a message.

Mister Lullaby was easily a five star read for me! I absolutely loved it and I want and need more! Sully is trapped in Lalaland with other coma patients in a world filled with evil creatures of sleep and that alone gave me the heebie jeebies. I received this book as an ALC and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was listening to it. The narrators did a phenomenal job bringing to life such a creepy story. I was completely engrossed in this scary story and I’d recommend it to everyone! This is the second book I’ve read by this author and now J.H. Markert is an autobuy author for me! I am so sorry my review is so late. I read it in November and I am still catching up on reviews. Mister Lullaby is available now and I still need to get my hands on a finished copy!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my advanced copy and the chance to review it honestly.

Happy reading!

Mister Lullaby is the type of easy-going horror that make for a quick, enjoyable read. It is filled with international lullabies and their folklore roots. These make for engaging ways to tell stories because there is a “dreamworld” that opens many story-telling possibilities. These nightmares that come to life keep the tensions going until its conclusion. My favorite part is the use of an abandoned train tunnel as the source of horror that haunts the town. This gave the nostalgic vibes that brings to mind the coming of age horror of Stephen King like It, Silver Bullet and The Body.

The narrators read the chapters in the type of gentle voice that one might hear during bedtime stories, which is a nice touch. Their voices were very comforting. Love touches like these.

I have a bit of mixed feelings baout this book. I think the story line was very interesting (and creepy at times) but it was difficult to get into the book as there were so many characters and POV's to keep track of which is the main reason for me this book cannot get more than 2 stars. I think the book would have benefited to maybe sticking to 3 POV's max in the beginning and maybe at the halfway point explore more POVs. I also feel like there were a lot of unanswered questions and not in a good way at the end of the book that should have been easy threads to just tie up at the end but were just left there and kind of forgotten.

Okay. I will begin with the fact that horror is not really my thing, but I wanted to give it and this book a try. With that said, this book was way to scary for me!

However, if you are a fan of Stephen King, you will most likely love it. Dead mutilated bodies begin showing up from the beginning, and just keep coming throughout this long book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

It’s no secret that this was a year packed full of new horror releases, but 2023 seems to have saved me one of the best for last. J.H. Markert’s Mister Lullaby is a haunting novel that truly surprised me, delivering a seamless blend of visceral darkness and supernatural horror that left me feeling both discomfited but eager to read more.

Set against the backdrop of a creepy little town named Harrod’s Reach, the story first directs our attention to an abandoned train tunnel that locals around the area all know well. Strange things have been occurring there for as long as anyone can remember, ranging from the eerie to the gruesome. A few who have ventured inside have never returned. Severed limbs have also been mysteriously recovered from within its depths. And one year, a child named Sully Dupree suffered an unfortunate accident while inside the tunnel, leaving him in a coma. Despite calls from the frightened townsfolk to have the tunnel’s entrance walled up, authorities have been reluctant, unwilling to give into superstitions. Regardless, any attempt at sealing it would inevitably fail, as the bricks would crumble and fall apart for seemingly no reason at all. Then one day, two bodies are discovered at the tunnel, with messages with references to lullabies left upon them.

Following a long stint in the military, Sully Dupree’s older brother Gideon returns home to Harrod’s Reach, just in time for his kid brother to briefly awaken from his coma and impart a message, hinting at the existence of a twisted, unseen world beyond our own. Enlisting the help of his childhood friend Beth Gardner, now the Deputy Sheriff, Gideon seeks to uncover the mystery behind this nightmarish realm called LaLaLand, where Sully’s mind is trapped alongside those of other children whose physical bodies are also frozen in slumber. Fighting a silent war, they are working together to keep the evil from this dream world from breaking through to the other side. However, in the waking world, a troubled man starts to hear voices in his head from an entity he calls Mr. Lullaby, and following his directions, begins hunting down and killing any coma patient he can find.

Readers who enjoy sinister tales that push the boundaries will have a great time with this one, especially if you have a penchant for supernatural horror that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. Mister Lullaby is also my first book by J.H. Markert and it certainly won’t be the last. The author’s skill lies in creating a unique and frightening mythology that shines through brightly in this novel’s plot which unfolds through multiple perspectives, forming an overall picture of fear and suspense. Both the real world and the nightmarish LaLaLand were vividly brought to life, the juxtaposition between these two different realities resulting in an added layer of complexity.

While it’s true that the narrative starts slow, it is never boring, as the momentum eventually builds to an urgency that keeps propelling us towards the climactic ending. One of the novel’s strongest aspects is the exploration of its characters—their past and present, as well as their knotty and complicated relationships forged through shared trauma. Backstories and personal struggles are revealed in tandem with revelations surrounding the old train tunnel, with the town’s grisly history serving as both a backdrop and a character in its own right. As secrets are unearthed and the stakes get higher, I found myself both captivated and appalled by the visceral horrors that unfold. All I can say about this is, Mister Lullaby is definitely not for the faint of heart.

And if the allusions of the cover aren’t immediately obvious, there are also strong echoes of Stephen King’s influence here, but also of Joe Hill’s NOS4R2, though at the end of the day, Markert’s voice is distinct. If you relish the weird, the uncanny, and the macabre, do yourself a favor and pick up Mister Lullaby, a darkly imaginative tale of horror which will burrow into your thoughts and stay there for a long time.

This is my first book I have read by J. H. Markert but The Nightmare Man is waiting in the wings. This is a folk horror novel about small town secrets. All the perspectives were engaging and kept my attention. There is some very horrifying things that happen to some people in this book. The idea of cluster violence is a fascinating phenomenon, how it seems violence gathers in one place at a particular time. This had the small town, big secrets plot that I like in my horror novels. It reminded me of John Saul or Stephen King's works. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because the ending seemed open-ended.

If you enjoy small town folk horror you definitely will enjoy this.

This book is not exactly a sequel to The Nightmare Man, somewhat of an extension in another part of the world with new characters. I’m not much of a horror reader but I loved Nightmare Man and was exited to see what nightmares were coming to life next!

This was more of a slow burn buildup. Overall the concept was interesting. The spooky tunnel, Lala land linked to the normal world through coma patients, the mares escaping. I liked the story, but found the ending to be very abrupt and there were a few too many characters I had trouble keeping up with. I wish there was more with Beth and Gideon’s story. I had both ebook and audio, and listened to mostly audio. I enjoyed the narration and narrators helped set a dark and creepy atmosphere.

Gideon returns home to Harrod’s Reach after being discharged from the military with a purple heart and a limp. He's not anxious to be home, a place he fled after being blamed for his younger brother Sully's coma. His welcome home party, thrown by his mother without his knowledge - or desire - is interrupted by a phone call that Sully had woken up. Upon rushing to their house, Sully is under once again. But the wheels are in motion...

A young woman from Charleston, SC, suddenly wakes up from her coma with a mission - she must go to a town in Nebraska, Harrod’s Reach, and see a boy named Sully. She met Sully in Lalaland, a place where coma patients live. Something big is brewing and she knows he needs her help.

A man named Teddy, who has spent his entire life with odd lumps in his skull is wandering around the country killing dead heads - people in extended comas. A voice has been helping him on his journey - telling him where to go, who to kill. Until one day he sees a bus and the voice tells him to buy it. He repaints the bus, names it Mister Lullaby, and moves toward Nebraska, picking up the most undesirable passengers he can find en route to kill Sully.

But what will happen when everyone arrives in Harrod’s Reach?

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Nightmare Man, I was so stoked to read this book. Horrible crimes with supernatural elements, a creepy tunnel, and people being put to sleep with lullabies. Honestly, this book just left me disappointed. I found it so confusing. The timeline seemed to be jumping around a bit, although it helped after I realized it was not in chronological order. There were tons of characters to keep track of. It just seemed all over the place, and the ending was a bit abrupt. I want to know what happened to Sully and the other coma patients. Was the sheriff okay? What about the rest of the town? So many unanswered questions.

Overall this was fine, but I was really hoping for a story more similar to The Nightmare Man. At this point, I may or may not pick up the author's next book. I did enjoy the multiple narrators though.

I did like the story, very creepy at times. I did sometimes feel lost by the amount of POVs there were, also sometimes the story felt like it was moving slow. Overall the book was good. I thought the narrator did a really good job.

This was a solid audiobook. I did enjoy the dual narration and in fact, feel like without the audio, I probably would have given up on the story itself. Well done on keeping me engaged enough to push through!

Full review:

Mister Lullaby is the 2nd-novel that I have read from Horror author, J.H. Markert and honestly, after my experience with this, I'm starting to second guess my feelings on The Nightmare Man, which I thought I had fun with. This story just did not work for me at all.

In this one, which is almost completely lost from my mind, we're in the small town of Harrod's Reach. Most of the action centers around an old railway tunnel and the fantastical, horrifying properties it may hold.

We follow a whole host of people as they deal with the repercussions of the nature of the tunnel. There's quite a few individuals in comas, there's a lot of characters in general and every once in a while there was a bit of a coherent storyline that I was actually intrigued by.

I know this is coming off as all sorts of salty, and I apologize for that, but these are the general feelings I walked away with; confusion and disappointment. In fact, I was confused by this right from the start. I found it muddled and hard to track, and definitely not an easy narrative to settle into. I'm not trying to work too hard here. I read for fun and escape. I don't want to be taking notes in order to follow a cast of characters.

Don't get me wrong, there were glimmers of interest, things I wanted to learn more about, but those portions never lasted long enough to really hook me. There were a lot of moving parts, and many of those parts were things I had seen before. It felt like a Hodge-podge of Joe Hill and Stephen King ideas rolled into a ball and thrown in a casserole dish, trying to make something delicious, but it burned in the oven.

And that's how I walk away. Burned.

With all of my venting out of the way, I am sure this review helps you not at all, because I am also going to say, if you are interested in this book, PICK IT UP!!! At the end of the day, I know nothing. This is simply my opinion based upon my own personal reading experience. Everyone's taste is different and everyone enjoys different things. I have read quite a few reviews and I know a lot of Readers are enjoying this. You could be one. I would never tell someone not to read a book and I'm not going to here.

There's a book for every Reader and a Reader for every book. The fact that I didn't enjoy this means absolutely nothing. Regardless of my experience, I want to thank the publisher, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

I am 1 - 1 with this author now and do plan to pick up whatever he releases next. I am hoping this particular story is just a one-off for me and that I will love the next one!

A Kentucky author so of course I am going to read and listen to this one! And I had the opportunity to meet him at a book signing event and have already read The Nightmare Man (you MUST read this one too) Short chapters going back and forth between two timelines this small town horror novel is a must read for me. An old train tunnel at Harrods Reach is closed due to an injury to Sully Dupree. He is placed in a medically induced coma. Sully and others are fighting from this nighmarish place called Lalaland. They are trying to keep the creatures there from crossing over the dream barrier into the real world. You will be introduced to Maddy who is able to wake up from her coma and Teddy, who is haunted by his past and an eerie voice. They will all have to come together with a plan to stop this.

Words that I would use to describe this? Creepy, disturbing, sinister, vivid, scary.... I could go on. This is very similar to an old school Stephen King novel.... too bad spooky season has past us or I would be unable to sleep!

There is quite a bit going on in this one. Lots of moving parts on a collision course with one another. An entire town’s fate that hangs in the balance.

Well written and executed. Felt almost a bit Stand-ish there for a minute. My only peeve was that the end felt hurried, and there was a lot left hanging. I am assuming there is to be a follow up volume.

“When the seashell calls. You answer.”

Loved this....loved this...loved this. I wish the ending was a little better but honestly I did enjoy this listen. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and it was an interesting concept for a story. Brought back some thoughts of other horror novels I have read in the past.

An enjoyable listen for someone who wants a little mystery, a little horror..but not all the blood and guts.

Where there is a way in, there is also a way out.
The small town of Harrods Reach was built around a natural railroad tunnel, and has long dealt with a number of odd tragedies and disappearances occurring near the tunnel.
Dark and captivating, MISTER LULLABY by J. H. Markert was reminiscent of Joe Hill’s NOS4A2 with similar (but different enough) elements. There was actually another aspect of the story that reminded me of another Joe Hill book.
I can see how Markert has been compared to Stephen King with his great characters and his fantastical story arcs.
Bonus if you have read Nightmare Man, as it is talked about in this book, but not necessary to the overall story

This is my second title by this author, and while I really enjoyed it, I think it could have landed better if there was just a bit less going on. Some of the plot (and frankly, some of the punch of the horror) was lost in what (to me anyways) came off as auxiliary information. Overall I really ate this up and just think it could have used a bit more editing. The bones were good and kept me engaged.

Wowza! The author really outdid himself with this spooky thriller. For me it was reminiscent of old school Dean Koonz or Stephen King. It was simply outstanding and high on the creep factor. I wouldn't call it the scariest thing I've ever read - - that honor will forever belong to "It." It was, however, an inventively creative and spooky book that shows the author's imagination ran wild.

The author gives you bits and pieces from different character points of view throughout the story. It was quite interesting to see how everything finally comes together in the end. The story itself focuses on an area that you visit in your dreams known as LaLaLand. It's inhabited by creatures that are unimaginable and people that are often worse than the animals.

The boundary between LaLaLand and our world is wearing thin and if it breaks, horrendous monsters will be freed to prey upon this world. Not only that, but Mister Lullaby will have unchecked free reign. All fo this leaves the residents of Harrod's Reach trying to desperately fight the evil from taking over their small town.

I listened to the audiobook and it was done quite well. The narration was excellent and kept me immersed in the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early listening copy. I chose to listen to it and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert

Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia, and @jamesmarkert74 for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for my #honestbookreview! This gothic horror read is out November 21! 💀

The decrepit old train tunnel in small town Harrod’s Reach is synonymous with macabre and creepy tales and an air of darkness. When young Sully Depree found his way into the cave and shortly after fell into a coma the town became determined to wall it off. But Deputy Sheriff is hesitant to buy into the lore until she finds two dead bodies at the entrance to the tunnel. Left with each is a strange lullaby on a card. Shortly thereafter Sully briefly awakens and begins listing off names of other coma patients. In another place, Mister Lullaby is rising to power and preparing for a war…

This book had absolutely no right to be this horrifying and mystifying. This is a book I legitimately would not let myself read late at night for fear of nightmares and thrillers are my go to/preferred genre. This had the dark suspense feel of The Angel Maker and the terrifying mysteriousness of Rules for Vanishing. The shifting POV was done flawlessly and really amped up the suspense and helped progress the plot. I highly recommend for those wanting to be delightfully terrified!

TWs: coma patients, loss of a loved one, haunting, murder, gore, more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - 4.5/5

Even the most soothing melodies can hide a dark secret.…

Book Information

“Mister Lullaby” by J. H. Markert is a 309-page mystery/horror with a publication date of November 21, 2023. The audiobook version, which spans 12 hours and 8 minutes is narrated by David Bendena and Lauren Ezzo. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

In the eerie town of Harrod’s Reach, a recent injury to young Sully Dupree leads to the decision to seal the ominous train tunnel. Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner discovers two corpses marked with cryptic symbols, and Sully, in a coma, reveals his mind trapped in a nightmarish realm called Lalaland. There, he and other coma patients fight to prevent dream creatures from entering the waking world. Simultaneously, a man haunted by his past, influenced by a sinister voice named Mr. Lullaby, targets coma patients for harm.

My Thoughts

"Mister Lullaby" by J. H. Markert is an eerie and engaging tale that weaves a tense and creepy narrative within the backdrop of a small-town horror. The story unfolds through the perspectives of a large group of well-crafted characters, skillfully navigating two different timelines. Markert employs a sinister vibe, skillfully building suspense and horror throughout the narrative.

The narrative unfolds through short chapters, each told from the viewpoint of a character, contributing to a slow and steady pace that keeps readers engrossed. The writing itself is commendable, with the author's ability to maintain a sense of tension and darkness throughout the novel.

One of the intriguing aspects of "Mister Lullaby" is its unique world-building. I am always intrigued when a storyteller makes something we all touch every day, like sleeping/dreaming, into a realm that few have awareness of. Markert also explores a fascinating premise by building a horror story around lullabies and delving into the folklore and history surrounding them. The concept of something universally soothing and relaxing being turned into a source of fear adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. This chilling twist on lullabies will have you double-checking your Spotify playlist before bedtime.

The use of two narrators, Bendena and Ezzo, proves to be a wise decision, as both contribute significantly to bringing the story to life and helping to manage the multitude of characters.

My biggest criticism of the book is the ending which appears rushed, leaving characters and subplots unresolved and suggesting a potential sequel. This abrupt conclusion may disappoint readers (like me) who prefer a more conclusive ending, as it feels like a setup for a future story rather than a satisfying resolution.

Recommendation

"Mister Lullaby" is a compelling read with its unique premise, well-developed characters, and skillful execution of a small-town horror narrative. Its dark and suspenseful atmosphere makes the novel a noteworthy addition to the horror genre. Markert transforms the innocuous tunes of bedtime into a macabre masterpiece that will echo in your thoughts long after the final page. Recommended.

Rating

4 Sleepless Stars

Wow, this was a creepy and weird read! I am a little terrified to go to sleep now! But once I started I couldn't put the book down. And the ending, cliffhanger much!!!! This was my 1st read by J.H. Market but will not be my last!
#MisterLullaby
#NetGalley

J.H. Markert's story telling reminds me a lot of Stephen King and the narration on this audiobook was perfect. To me this book wasn't "scary" but it was definitely creepy and interesting. Horrific things are going on in a small town - but nothing so over the top that my brain fizzles out trying to imagine it all. That's where "horror" stories lose me sometimes. I enjoyed the characters and I liked the time jumps which gave us a back story to the villain. All in all I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the sequel.