This collection of novellas from Kill Creek author Scott Thomas was a definite win for me. I did read Kill Creek in preparation for this, but it isn’t necessary. Kill Creek fans will enjoy how each novella honors one of the authors in the previous work.

The first, about an abducted construction worker, was probably the weakest in the collection for me, It took me longer to get through and didn’t chill me as much as the rest. Next, a young woman discovers her town’s link to an old folk tale. While not viscerally scary, it did resonate with me, and was one of my favorites. In The Boy in the Woods, a young boy’s camp experience turns into a slasher nightmare, and my favorite, One Half of a Child’s Face, deals with a woman clinging to her child through a custody battle with her ex-husband.

Some of these stories hit differently and I had varying reactions to all, but overall it was extremely positive. I love the setting and the tie ins to Kill Creek. Will definitely read anything by Scott Thomas in the future.

This book was neat! It’s a collection of 4 novellas that I believe are deeper dives into some other books that Scott has written, but you don’t need to read them to enjoy these stories (I haven’t!)

The first two were good and filled with lots of dread, the 3rd story really fucked me up haha and the 4th was a masterpiece! Truly so well thought out and executed.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC 😊 would def pick this one up if you are into creepy mid paced thrillers specifically centered around small towns in the Midwest.

In MIDWESTERN GOTHIC, author Scott Thomas (Kill Creek) offers up four very enjoyable horror tales. These novellas were creepy and messed with my head in all the best ways.
The BOY in the WOODS was my personal favorite.

Check it out!

Midwestern Gothic was incredible. I am a huge fan of the macabre, creepy, unsettling, all that is gothic and this story collection knocked it out of the park! My goodness, this was such a refreshing read. I finished it within a night and it left me staring at the wall when I finished. I recommended this to my book club and hope we pick it up in the fall ! This is such a great read for spooky season!

It’s official: Scott Thomas can do no wrong! I’ve adored every single one of his novels. Short story collections aren’t my favorite genre, but I decided to take a chance on one of my favorite authors. I’m sure glad I did! Midwestern Gothic has everything I love about Thomas’s works: compelling plots, well-developed characters, and truly chilling scares. The first two stories were 5 stars, the second two 4 stars. Can’t wait to see what Thomas comes up with next. I will be adding the hard copy of this collection to my library as soon as it comes out.

“It’s not one shadow we live in but a series of shadows cast by objects we don’t even know are there. Most people focus only on the sunlight because that’s the way you get through life—you think of warmth and try to ignore the shiver that runs down your spine or the prickling of your skin when you suddenly pass unexpectedly through darkness.”

Scott Thomas’s new creepy collection includes four novellas that show the real face of the American heartland. Set in Blantonville, Kansas which will be familiar to those who have read “Kill Creek”, each story unveils the true horror that runs deep into the history of this land.

“The Door in the Field” is about a construction worker who goes for drinks at night at a strange bar near the woods. This leads him down a bloody path.

In “The Boy in the Woods”, a young boy named Eddie is bullied for the way he looks. At the end of summer camp he has to spend an extra day with the councillors. All is as expected until night time when something infects them and Eddie has to fight or kill to survive.

“One half of a child’s Face” is dark story about a women who shares custody of her daughter with her ex and his girlfriend. From her home she can see into their apartment and finds herself watching them. However in the neighbouring apartment she notices a strange new painting, over the following days the children of this apartment complex circle around it as though its been calling to them. Here is where the horrors become real.

“Wear your secret like a Stone” is about a store clerk who has her halloween book of choice recommendation removed from the shelves after a customer complains about it being too gory and inappropriate. Hell bent on knowing why she tries to find this customer. This leads her to secrets she wasn’t prepared for.

This collection is a great example of gothic horror. Each story encapsulates these traits really well and leaves the reader feeling unsettled yet wanting more.

I have enjoyed reading this collection and having previously read Kill Creek it was fun to see little references made to that novel.

Overall a great wee collection fans of gothic horror will enjoy.

Four Novellas in one, and a lot to take in. Those who enjoyed Kill Creek will dive into these and get lost.
They have the same thrill and excitement.
Highly recommended.

Scott Thomas returns with Midwestern Gothic, a collection of four novellas loosely interconnected under what we can perhaps begin to see as the “Thomas extended universe.” Events and characters from Kill Creek are referenced in each story, but aren’t overtly necessary for your comprehension. This collection feels a bit backloaded as the final two are superior than the opening couple, but each has its moments to shine. Scary and suspenseful, as we’ve come to expect from Thomas.

There's a lot to like in this collection of novellas from Scott Thomas. For starters, fans of his debut novel, Kill Creek, will be treated to each of the stories included referencing, and in some cases centering around the four authors from the aforementioned book. If you haven't read it (though you should) the inclusion does not necessitate any previous knowledge to enjoy the story. True to its name, Midwestern Gothic focuses in on the heartland. These are stories of strangeness set in small-town rural America, and arguably, the setting for each one acts as a hinge on the plot, excepting perhaps "One Half of a Child's Face". If you need any further selling points, the collection clocking in at over 400 pages gives every story a fair amount of breathing room, providing fleshed-out worlds and living characters.
"The Door in the Field" mixes cursed media, true crime, and an unsettling cosmic backdrop for a story that races out of the gate. "Wear Your Secret Like a Stone" scratches that 'small town with a sordid history' itch, and as such, was my favorite in the collection. "The Boy in the Woods" sees Thomas putting his own unique spin on Friday the 13th and Nick Cutter's The Troop, promising to make it a reader favorite. Finally, "One Half of a Child's Face" takes us home with a little Rear Window, and dare I say, some Ghostbusters 2.
Overall, a strong collection where each story feels fully realized without overstaying its welcome. Completely human without ever losing sight of the things that go bump in the night.

Four novellas display human nature in its scariest form while fighting for survival. These downright creepy, haunting stories will stay with the reader long after the final page. Each tale portrayed characters with distinct personalities and the choices they made when faced with the horrors in their world. This was my first from this author, and I have to say, I am dying to read his previous work if this was any indication of his talent for storytelling. These were exceedingly descriptive, with fully developed characters, which is a nearly impossible feat for novellas. Each story had an originality that you don't see often when you read as much as I do. With a gothic, haunting atmosphere, this was a brilliant read for any horror fan out there. Four Stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Inkshares, for this ARC.

Scott Thomas is a master of horror and “Midwestern Gothic” is a terrifyingly terrific collection. 4 knockout Novellas that will have you thanking the horror gods for Scott Thomas. I was in a bit of a reading rut and this collection snapped me out of it. Thomas gave us one of the finest haunted house novels ever in “Kill Creek” and here he works in the same universe but delivers starkly different horrors. While there are some connecting threads each one stands on its own as a masterwork of horror storytelling. While he may not be as “prolific” as some, in my opinion he can stand along side the horror greats. Read it! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

What a delicious taste of the sweat and fear I've come to expect from southern-style gothic horror. This collection explores the oppressive overbalance of the Bible Belt so well, and it truly forces the reader to engage with their discomfort both while reading but long after you put each story down. This book truly evokes that discomfort, the heat, the terror, and the dread of long American summer nights I'm sure many people can relate to. Definitely pick this one up! I'll be sure to read the author's other work after enjoying this one so much.

This was my first time reading a book by Scott Thomas and I'm definitely interested in reading his other work now! This is a collection of four novellas, my favorite being the last one. They all maintained tension throughout and did also make sense as a collection. The stories were creepy, and the characters were compelling.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

"In our galley letter for Violet [also by Scott Thomas] referring to the dominance of the horror greats, we wrote that nothing tall grows in the shadow of a great oak. We humbly submit this collection of novellas as more than a seedling in the shade of these great oaks." Inkshares

"...now I know that Kill Creek isn’t the only stain on this world. It’s not one shadow we live in but a series of shadows cast by objects we don’t even know are there. Most people focus only on the sunlight because that’s the way you get through life— you think of the warmth and try to ignore the shiver that runs down your spine or the prickling of your skin when you suddenly pass unexpectedly through darkness."

Author Scott Thomas writing style, if you've sampled his other works, often involves a story within a story, which I quite like. These novellas are no exception. I enjoyed April Staudt's Roeland Park, Kansas trek to meet her mysterious father. "My father was once two people [she says]. This is the story of how he became a third." and so begins the first story within a story. Scott Thomas is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. His books almost keep me entranced. I can't explain it, but the prose has a melodic, uncanny vibe to it that I can't get enough of. If you enjoyed Kill Creek, go immediately and preorder Midwestern Gothic, which releases Sept 17th.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of short story anthologies, Scott Thomas writing speaks to me. Outstanding work on these. I will now be circling back for Violet.

I really enjoyed the pace and the characters. In each story I was rooting for the protagonist and 3 of the 4 stories I was disappointed by what happened. I flew through each story quickly wanting to know what happened. The writing is great but I just feel that not every scary story needs a terrible ending. We have enough of that in the real world.

A brilliant collection of novellas, this is a perfect addition to the horror genre. My favourite amongst them was the last novella. It was the perfect blend of creepy, spine-tingling and at the same time well written. (Round off rating at 3.75 stars).

3/5 stars

When I got approved to read an advanced copy of Scott Thomas' newest book, "Midwestern Gothic", I literally squealed out loud. I ADORE "Kill Creek"and was giddyyyyyyy to read this book!

Unfortunately, this one was SUCH a bummer. I've been avoiding writing this review simply because I really, really, REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to love this book....and I just don't.

"Midwestern Gothic" is a collection of 4 novellas, each with a sightly different vibe.

1: The Door in the Field - my least favorite. I probably would have dnf'd if it wasn't freaking Scott Thomas. Slasher, gore gross.
2: Wear Your Secret Like a Stone- erm, this one confused me. Characters were cool, but idk what the heck actually happened.
3: The Boy in the Woods - summer camp terror. Think monster in the woods.
4: One Half of a Child’s Face - kindaaa Hitchcock, "rear window" type of energy.

It pains me to write this review, because Kill Creek really is one my favorite horror books...but for me, this follow up missed the mark. With that said, if you are a fan of novellas (or of Kill Creek!), maybe this will do it for you. It just didn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All views expressed are my own.

Thank you to Netgallery and Inkshares for an early release copy of Midwestern Gothic by Scott Thomas, this book will be available for purchase on September Seventh of 2024.

I struggled at first to really get into the writing of Midwestern Gothic, the writing is dense and I found it sometime hard to make sense of what was happening. I know there was some sort of deeper meaning I was suppose to find in each story but it just didn’t click with me.

The first story with Ray I wasn’t particularly interested in but I did make it through, even when the writing was hard to read at times I liked the way characters were written, things were slow at first but once they pick up they get good. The graphic gore and horrific scenes are good! The characters are good, however the first and second story’s were both a little flat for me. I wish they were developed a little more like our last two stories.

The boy in the woods was my favorite of all the short stories, my second favorite has to be One Half of a child’s face, both of these stories felt more fleshed out compared to the first two stories, the endings were also more satisfying then the first two.

Overall my rating for Midwestern Gothic is a 3.5, I would definitely read more from this author.

_Midwestern Gothic_ by Scott Thomas is a collection of horror stories that are engrossing, dark, and are so detailed in the gothic setting of the Midwest that the reader feels like they are there with the characters. _The Door in the Field_ tells the story of Rayland Allen, a construction worker with a harrowing past who falls into a very disturbing discovery that chills the reader. _Wear Your Secret Like a Stone_ follows Tara, a supermarket worker dealing with the loss of a close friend and who dreams of leaving town, who becomes obsessed with an old town legend. _The Boy in the Woods_ centers on the child Eddie who suffers with trauma as he struggles to survive one more night at summer camp. And lastly _One Half of a Child’s Face_ follows Sienna, a voyeur of a nearby apartment building where her family lives, as she watches children in the building mysteriously gather around a sinister painting. All of the stories fill the reader with dread and fear and will keep them engrossed. This is a great gothic horror collection.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This collection works. It's not particularly easy to find a short story collection that grabs your attention with every single one of its tales. Midwestern Gothic did it for me. And if you're familiar with Kill Creek (I was only aware of the plot), you'll find cool easter eggs in here too.

There is a feeling of dread shared by all four stories. I didn't find them to be scary, but they are intriguing and certainly deal with creepy and uneasy topics. I decided to ask for this arc after a friend told me about it and i'm very glad I did.

My favorite one was One Half of a Child’s Face, it really did end the book with a bang. I would recommend Midwestern Gothic to horror fans and non horror fans.