I have read Kill Creek okay i own it, so I knew I was going to love Midwestern Gothic. I was right. I highly recommend this books to fill the novella love that you need so desperately. All four of them are fantastic.

If you have ever read anything by Scott Thomas, this definitely felt like a Scott Thomas book. As the title suggests, it was very midwestern, and I say that in a good way. I loved Violet and Kill Creek, so it didn't come as a surprise when I found that I really enjoyed Midwestern Gothic. As with any anthology or short story collection, there were some I enjoyed more than others but it still felt cohesive without being repetitive or too similar, but also not so far out there either. I also enjoyed the connections to Kill Creek, which I read at least 4-5 years ago and still remember pretty vividly. I think it is the perfect late summer read on a hot, hazy day. Thanks to Inkshares for my eARC. Midwestern Gothic will be published 9/17.

REVIEW WILL BE POSTED TO INSTAGRAM CLOSER TO PUB DAY; NETGALLEY REVIEW WILL BE UPDATED TO INCLUDE INSTAGRAM LINK AT THAT TIME.

Just finished this collection of 4 novellas. So original, so scary, so good. I really liked the last novella entitled One Half of a Child's Face; plenty of dark frightening imagery. Highly recommended.

OMG, you guys, this is, like, absolutely amazing! I was totally hooked from the title to the very last page. Every second, every word, was a perfect blend of eerie and captivating, bringing the Midwest to life in the most hauntingly beautiful way.

The story weaves through the heart of the Midwest, painting vivid pictures of small towns, and the kind of chilling atmosphere that you can practically feel in your bones. The characters felt so real, like people I might run into at the local diner or see at a town festival. Each one was crafted with such depth and authenticity that I found myself completely invested in their journeys.

Scott Thomas has this incredible talent for making the ordinary seem extraordinary, and the way he captures the essence of Midwestern life is just spot-on. The mix of gothic elements with the familiar settings I know and love was both thrilling and nostalgic. It’s like he took the Midwest I’m familiar with and gave it this dark, enchanting twist that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The plot twists were perfectly timed, and the suspense was, like, totally unbearable in the best possible way. I couldn’t put the book down because I just had to know what would happen next. Every story pulled me deeper into the mystery and the beautifully eerie world Thomas created.

In short, if you love a good gothic tale with a Midwestern twist, "Midwestern Gothic" is a must-read. Scott Thomas has crafted a story that’s haunting, mesmerizing, and absolutely unforgettable. Five stars, no question about it! This book is, like, an instant favorite and a total masterpiece!

I'd like to thank Netgalley for the online copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This horror anthology won’t haunt you for eternity, but it’s well-written, well-plotted, and draws on themes and tropes that many readers will find utterly terrifying. I’m not the biggest fan of gothic/cosmic horror, but I can appreciate a good scary story, and Scott Thomas knows how to write all things creepy and creative. It is made clear at the beginning of the book that this anthology has ties to the authors’ beloved horror novel Kill Creek, however as someone who has not read the book, I can’t recall any context being needed in order to understand and enjoy Midwestern Gothic. Go forth!

The Door in the Field ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
-I could taste the Midwest in this one. Corn fields, dusty roads, cold air and an open sky full of stars…if we’re keeping score, The Door in the Field wins on vibes alone
-The writing in this story appealed to me the most. It’s dripping in ambience, the dialogue flows and the characters possess a kind of depth that is somewhat lacking in the overall plot of the story.
-The mythos behind the story is - to put it bluntly - extremely cool! A very creepy (if a little obscure) concept.

Wear Your Secret Like a Stone ⭐️ ⭐️
-My least favourite story; had a super creepy and interesting windup, but ultimately fell flat and amounted to very little.
-Of all four stories, this one had the most “plot armour,” and convenience, and I don’t feel that it was paced or mapped out as well as its counterparts. The beginning had a great hook, but the lacklustre and rushed finale just couldn’t balance out the slow middle of the story.

The Boy in the Woods ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
-Overall, this was objectively the most solid story in the mix. It has a simple premise, effective horror (mainly body horror) and a knife-sharp little twist right at the end.
-I expected a little more in the way of clarity around the Big Bad, but I believe that the story suffered from its short length. A fair amount of time was spent focusing on the main character and his lot in life; while I enjoyed the comparisons to childhood trauma and nostalgia, it just wasn’t entirely necessary - or as effective - in such a short piece of fiction. I would have preferred a deeper dive into the spooky happenings at Camp Cottonwood.

One Half of a Child’s Face ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
-Like The Boy in the Woods, this story features an emotionally damaged main character who is thrust into a fight for survival against unadulterated evil.
-Probably the most obscure concept in this collection. I liked it, but it didn’t overwhelm me with terror. The last sentence, however, is an absolute jump scare!

Overall, this is a solid collection…I just wouldn’t go into it expecting a huge amount of scares or extremely disturbing subject matter. The stories are much more focused on particular themes, and immersing the reader in the ambience of the Midwest. From a prose perspective, I can agree that Scott Thomas is a very talented and fluent writer; despite the lacking scares, I found myself enjoying - for the most part - all of these stories for one reason or another. If you have a low tolerance for spookiness, or you like your horror a little more literary, I’d definitely check this anthology out.

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshares Publishing for the ARC. All opinions expressed in the above review are voluntary and are my own thoughts.

My thanks to Netgallery and Inkshares for the ARC.

Confession: I added this to my "To Read" pile based on the cover artwork and the synopsis and I didn't even register the author, or that I had read his previous title Kill Creek. It was a pleasant realisation once I noticed the first nod to Kill Creek here, and it suddenly made sense why I was captivated so quickly with this book. Much like Creek, Midwestern Gothic is a stunning piece of writing. And while I definitely enjoyed Creek, I'm happy to say I loved Gothic so much more. Rest assured, however, you do NOT need to have read one to enjoy the other. This book is completely stand-alone.

Scott Thomas succeeds where many less talented writers would flounder, and breathes new life into some rather familiar horror themes. The stories themselves aren't anything particularly *new* per-se, but are handled so beautifully and written so intoxicatingly that I was never bothered by a feeling of familiarity. Instead, I happily lapped up every page. Thomas conjures up vivid imagery in a way I don't often encounter and he develops fleshed out, believable characters that fully captivate me. I really just love his writing style, if that isn't clear yet.

Below are some of the notes I jotted down whilst reading:

- 5% in and I'm already feeling this. Can already tell this will be a 4 or 5 star read...
- Loving how delightfully *readable* this is. There's such a flow that really works for me. So much world-building that actually propels me forward instead of derailing my interest.
- Characterisation is perfect. Every single character is so expertly defined in my head. Fully realised.
- Definitely getting some Derry, Maine/Stephen King vibes here...

To sum it up, Midwestern Gothic has cemented Scott Thomas as an auto-buy for me. His writing prowess is enough to keep me coming back for more and I hope a future book will just scare me senseless. The final novella, One Half of a Child's Face, also proves he could deftly insert himself into the domestic thriller genre if he wanted a break from the cosmic horror. ;)

A collection of horror stories from various authors. Short reads that will entice your imagination. Recommended to read before bed.

Midwestern Gothic features four novellas that all take place in Kansas. They cover beings that haunt a construction site, a terrifying trip to a summer camp, an odd painting and a book display that may reveal a town’s dark secret.

This was my first time reading this author’s work, and I’m so glad I did. Thomas did an amazing job pulling me into each story. Each one was creepy in its own way and packed full of dread. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say The Boy in the Woods. I loved the setting, the story idea and, of course, the unexpected ending. It was perfect! I would definitely recommend this collection to horror lovers. There’s a good variety here and the writing is great!

You have heard of Southern gothic stories, surely. They’re dark, they’re dreadful, they make your skin crawl. Allow me to introduce to you… Midwestern Gothic. It’s kind of like Southern gothic except this time we’re in Kansas because the Midwest has its own horrors lurking. Won’t you come in and have a look?

Midwestern Gothic is comprised of four spine-chilling novellas.

In The Door in the Field, after volatile construction worker Rayland Allen is provoked at work, his boss takes him out for a drink at an off-the-grid backwoods bar but the night takes a turn that he wasn’t expecting… A real bloody turn.
In Wear Your Secret Like a Stone, big-box store worker Tara Bright picks her favorite horror book for the store’s Halloween display but when a customer complains and she is forced to remove it, she realizes that the book is much more disturbing than it originally seems.
In The Boy in the Woods, Eddie Reicher is dropped off at summer camp and notices some scary, dark changes in the counselors.
In One Half of a Child’s Face, Sienna Franklin notices something odd happening with a peculiar painting and the children who come in to contact with it.

Each novella begins with its own art work—think a cover for the individual novellas—which was an unnecessary but welcomed touch that delighted me because it helped to drop me in to the mood of the story that followed. Thomas creates such vivid, life-like atmospheres which made for four truly riveting stories. From cosmic horror and serial killers to folk horror and a bloody summer camp, there is something for every horror lover in here.

”What is the source of Midwestern Gothic? Where did the evil originally root itself? Not in the structure but in the very land upon which the structure was built.”

Thank you Inkshares Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/17/2024!

Midwestern Gothic is a collection of four short stories, though novellas would be a better description. Written by the author of Kill Creek, these stories seem to be an extension of this book. However, I have not read Kill Creek, but did not feel any sense of displacement.

Let me rate each story one by one:

The Door in the Field - 3 stars
This one started off well enough and was proceeding in a leisurely fashion before suddenly turning unexpectedly gory. I was expecting some violence (okay I was expecting vampires), but even so, this level of violence caught me unawares. I also did not understand the ending? So is Rayland an accessory or not??

Wear Your Secret Like a Stone - 2 stars
I could not see the point of this story at all. There were some scary scenes that made me scared to turn the page, but they just petered out? What was all that for then? I liked this one least.

The Boy in the Woods - 4 stars
At last a story I could sink my teeth into. And I was quite happy with it, even with the high levels of violence and gore. Some things could have been omitted but I think gore-induced horror was what the author was going for. Perfect content for a slasher movie.

One Half of a Child’s Face - 5 stars
Finally, FINALLY, a story I loved. I loved psychological horror - the one in which we know there is evil but we cannot see it. One Half of a Child’s Face did it beautifully. Though some parts are unexplained (what happened to Mr. Lonely?) and the ending was overly cinematic, the entire story was thoroughly gripping. This one gets all the stars.

All in all, an anthology collection that I liked. Did not give me nightmares (for most part), but I enjoyed them.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

4 Stars! As a fan of Kill Creek, I had high expectations for Midwestern Gothic, and Scott Thomas did not disappoint. This collection of novellas lives up to the hype, delivering a haunting and immersive experience that showcases Thomas's talent for creating atmospheric horror.

Each story in Midwestern Gothic is a testament to Thomas's skillful storytelling. The novellas are distinct yet unified by their setting and the pervasive sense of dread that permeates every page. The writing is beautiful, with rich descriptions and nuanced characters that draw you into their eerie worlds

Midwestern Gothic is a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and anyone who appreciates well-crafted, spine-chilling tales. Scott Thomas has once again proven his prowess in the genre, delivering a collection that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is terrifying.

All hail the king of Midwestern Gothic!

(Thank you to Netgalley, Inkshares, and Scott Thomas for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Scott Thomas has really knocked it out of the park with this incredible collection of four novellas (with a fun tie to the fictional authors from his first novel, Kill Creek).
There are shades of everything from Gothic horror to folk horror, from cosmic horror to body horror; and all executed with complete mastery.
There's also a very interesting examination throughout on how much we take from the land, the violence we commit both to and on the land itself, and how that comes back to haunt anyone - even the innocent.

Each of the four novellas have a beautifully designed, full-color cover (by Tim Barber) to fit the individual stories.

We open with 'The Door in the Field', a story about a construction worker named Ray. After there's a violent incident on the job, his boss takes him to a sketchy bar out in the middle of nowhere and things get increasingly dark and creepy and weird from there. To me, all the stories have a folk horror vibe, and this one has a cool, cosmic feel to it as well. "We gave the soil its first taste of our blood. Who among us will satiate its thirst?"

Our second novella, 'Wear Your Secret Like a Stone', tells the tale of Tara, her love of a extreme horror novel that's important to her, and the startling journey she must go on to discover the novel's deeper and darker connections to both her and the very place that she's been dying to leave behind. More great Gothic/folk horror vibes. "Salvation comes at a price."

'The Boy In the Woods' is our third novella... Our little hero, Eddie, made me think of Jason Voorhees, if he'd had a different camping experience.
This one has cool, Cabin Fever-ish body horror vibes, mixed with a little of the hellishness that is Nick Cutter's 'The Troop'. It's a gruesome story. It's bleak as hell. I loved every page.
(Not sure what that says about me, but moving right along)

Our final novella, 'One Half of a Child's Face' is my favorite of the bunch. (It also has the most haunting cover art, in my opinion.) This story revolves around a mother, Sienna, the difficulties she's currently enduring, and the fierce love she has for her daughter Maya.
I think it's best to go into this one as blindly as possible, so all I'll say is that it was an awesome way to wrap up an awesome book. "We planted seeds only to let the life they sprouted wither."
4.75 / 5

Good morning Netgalley and beyond. Its Sunday and I am here to do my weekly reviews for the ARC/s i've recieved. First of all. Thank you Netgalley and Scott Thomas.

Second hello everyone,
This book was SO good. I loved all the novellas. Each story was as good as the last. This was a good creepy book. I can't wait to buy it once it comes out.

This is a can’’t miss collection of novellas tied together by fictional horror writers. Each story has such a distinctive voice and tone it’s amazing they are written by the same person. I especially loved the second novella about the big box store employee.who goes on a quest that might not have an ending she expects or wants. Highly recommended for horror fans.

So far in 2024 this is in my top 3. Every story was great and loved the the Kill Creek throwback/same universe stuff. Scott Thomas deserves to be included in the upper echelon of horror/thriller writers. 5 incredible stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I know that this one has already received a lot of praise, and I can understand that this is definitely a good cup of tea for others. However, unfortunately, this one was just not for me. I found the horror elements of the stories a bit lacking, and unfortunately they just weren't fleshed out enough.

I think this book was trying to be as spooky as the name let on, but there was just some pieces missing for me. I was hopeful that the short stories would be tightly woven horror and that there was going to be some more detail fleshed out in the plot, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. They dragged on, but not quite in the right way.

I do think the writing style was enjoyable and there were some beautifully phrased bits, but all around, unfortunately, this one was just not for me,

Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for a chance to review this book.



This was a fun book filled with four short stories. Each one different than the last. If you've read 'Kill Creek' then you should enjoy this one too.

Each story more thrilling than the last. Each one pulls you in a different direction of thrills and horror, so if one story doesn't chill you, then next one is sure to. I look forward to whatever Scott Thomas puts out next.

A novel that delves into the eerie and surreal aspects of life in the American Midwest, wrapped in the aesthetics and mood of a gothic tale. The story generally revolves around unsettling and mysterious events that uncover the darker underbelly of small-town America, blending horror elements with the pastoral settings of the Midwest. The novel explores themes such as isolation, the decay of the rural landscape, and the haunting legacies that linger in these communities. Midwestern Gothic tends to use the environment—its vast fields, decaying farms, and quiet towns—as a character in itself, contributing to the overall atmosphere of suspense and foreboding. Thomas weaves together the supernatural with the mundane, creating a chilling portrayal of a region that is both familiar and disturbingly strange. This genre, often reflecting a sense of despair and decline, provides a perfect backdrop for a gothic tale set against an American rural landscape.

Interesting read. I enjoy this authors style of writing. It leaves me excited to read more of his work. Great character development

MIDWESTERN GOTHIC by Scott Thomas is everything I loved about Kill Creek. The tension, the atmosphere, and the land. The damn haunted land. Taking inspiration from the four authors in Kill Creem, each short story here is a blast. The Boy in the Woods is my favorite. A beautiful take on camp horror, and I love how the trope is set on its head. A little bit of Friday the 13th Jason origin buy only Jason is the hero in this one. At least how I interpreted it. These are four utterly horrifying, buy more importantly, entertaining and satisfying. Highly recommend.