Just in time for Halloween comes Scuttle, a blend of psychological thriller, suspense and plain old horror by Barnaby Walter. Hudson, the son of Rex and his partner Matthias, is a typical teenage boy anticipating a Halloween party in the nearby dark forest. It will be far from what he and his friends imagined and will lead to more terror. When his father realizes what has happened, he and Hudson travel to Texas where Hudson’s mother lives. Neither the change in location nor the change in name (Hudson is now Ethan) have much effect on the family. Some things are inevitable.

Good horror always is firmly planted in reality. High school classes, party plans, girlfriends slowly lead to what lies in the shadows. Barnaby Walter succeeds brilliantly at slowly building suspense as the grotesque evil grows. You’ll actually feel sorry for Hudson as he deals with his unpleasant future. And you will definitely avoid certain common Halloween decorations. Read Scuttle and you’ll know what I mean. 5 creepy stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Barnaby Walter for this ARC.

I'm a big fan of BP Walter's psychological thrillers so, although I rarely read horror, I thought I'd give this a go. I'm a ctually a big spider fan. I love them. In spite of that, this book did exactly what I'd want a horror novel to do. It had all the creeping unease, jump scares and moments of tension needed, as well as a sense of camp OTT fun underlying it. Great writing style that easily readable.

Rating: 3.8/5

I am very much a fan of the writing of B.P. Walter and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of his deliciously dark, noir-influenced psychological thrillers. "Scuttle" represents a shift in genre to something that sits more readily in the world of horror fiction, though with some sci-fi references too. Hence the author's decision to publish under the Barnaby Walter moniker instead of his usual sign-off.

As with his previous work, there is something quite dark about the world that Barnaby Walter takes his audience to - though in "Scuttle" it is presented in a manner that is far more gory and grotesque than the more subtly sinister fashion that typically features in his psychological thrillers. However, in spite of these nightmarish elements that the genre demands, Barnaby Walter's writing is still wonderfully engaging. The plot and characterisation is, as ever, perfectly sound and isn't simply sacrificed for the sake of the shock factor. Fans of horror fiction will, no doubt, pick up on influences from other books and films. I certainly detected echoes of "The Fly", "An American Werewolf in London" and Kafka's "Die Verwandlung" ("The Metamorphosis"). Regardless of whether he publishes more books as Barnaby Walter, or concentrates on extending the B.P. Walter catalogue, I have little doubt that I will be back for more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Barret Forest, spooky and dark becomes the focus of a group of teenagers planning a Halloween party. Hudson wants to go but his father isn't keen on the idea, he's also not particularly fond of his sons friend Kenny who's chief organiser.

Told in alternating chapters by son Hudson and his father Rex this novel works well. Its an interesting and often atmospheric read taking in the run up to the event, the aftermath and how it all came about.

Horror isn't really my thing but when I realised Barnaby Walter is previously read author BP Walter I pulled on my big-girl pants, snuggled under the duvet with a bag of Monster Munch and started reading. Just one chapter I told myself, famous last words.

My thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the review copy, all opinions are my own.

I'm not usually a fan of horror but this one sounded good and was it ever! Sixteen-year-old Hudson goes to his friend, Kenny's Halloween party in the forest hoping to see Kirsten, the girl he has a crush on. But things go terribly wrong and since he's been dreaming of spiders lately, he's not sure what is happening. In the morning, things are completely out of hand and no one can figure out what prompted all this chaos! It's creepy and dark but so well-paced that even as your skin is crawling, your'll be glad you read it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I hadn’t realised that this author writes under another name BP Walter and I have read some of them. This is not my usual choice of genre but I got a request from the publisher. Set in the very near future (next year!), a teenager starts to experience strange feelings, thoughts and actions. If you like Hammer House of Horror movies or The Fly, you will enjoy this. I am glad I continued reading when I hit a “meh” point, wasn’t sure if I was engaged or it. The last third moves the story along and we get a resolution to the main themes. All in all, a bit of fun and escapism, perfect for a winter’s night!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ebook ARC.

What a strange story !! I enjoyed it even though it’s not my normal cup of tea. It’s dark and melancholy but entertaining as well

4+
Sixteen year old Hudson Toussaint-Ray wants to attend a Halloween party in Barret Forest but his father Rex is very reluctant to give his permission. Eventually, Rex changes his mind after all what harm can it do, this is real life not a movie, certainly not Blair Witch. Maybe Rex‘s concerns are to do with the fact that the forest seems alive, perhaps some kind of beast, waiting for who knows what. It certainly has a bad reputation which, of course, teens being teens big up before the party which naturally captures their imagination, increasing their levels of anticipation and maybe Rex’s concerns. Will it be the legendary night the teenagers hope for or something else entirely? Hudson and Rex tell their incredible story alternately, so scuttle over, settle back and best strap yourself in for a bumpy ride.

Barnaby Walter has created something imaginative and different here. Yes, in places there’s a degree of yuck factor and there are scenes that are OTT in a good way but it is also heartbreaking in places and deeply intriguing. There are more dimensions to this than a horror story because there’s a complex domestic situation and Hudson’s unhappiness is clear, especially as it becomes obvious how very different he is from the other teenagers. Viewing the story from two perspectives works really well and creates empathy despite the unravelling of lives.

It’s very well written, all the characters are well portrayed and the story moves at a brisk pace. It becomes scary if not terrifying on occasions and as the plot progresses dread and fear mounts so the tension becomes palpable, the suspense is taut as you’re waiting, waiting, for who knows what to unfold??? It takes a surprising direction and kudos to the author for the references that add some literary weight to the situation. I like the enigmatic end a lot.

Overall, it’s like a horror film you might watch from behind the sofa or peeping between your fingers. As an arachnophobia there’s really only one scene that freaks me out and that’s because it taps into one of my dreads. However, I can firmly say that I love the book and it’s one that will stay with me. A great cover too.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Horror is not typically a genre I tend to read however I was offered the opportunity to read this one, thought it sounded good and figured, why not? Its always good to expand your reading.

And I am really glad I did. Whilst not my usual type of book, I was immediately sucked in by the first few chapters and, after that, the book did not let me go.

Thoroughly enjoyable, well written and highly recommended.

Hudson Ray is a typical teenager. At odds with himself and everyone else, he’s prone to the sulks especially when his dad’s new husband tries to be pally with him. Mattias is only a few years older than Hudson, too young to be his stepfather which is what Rex, Hudson’s dad, wishes he could be.

Both adults feel that Hudson is too much under the influence of Kenny, one of the more ‘confident’ lads at school. When Kenny decides to throw an Halloween party in the local forest, with the partygoers camping out overnight, Rex is strongly opposed to the idea. Reluctantly he gives in (of course he does!) and Hudson is given the go ahead to attend. But from the start, Hudson is wishing his dad had put his foot down and forbidden him to go, as all his nightmares (and a few more!) come hurtling towards him!

As a massive fan of the horror genre, the blurb for this book sold it to me.

As far as the plot goes it is pretty much a generic horror read and follows all the usual rules. I did enjoy it and found it any easy read, though comparisons to King, Ward and Wendig as suggested in the promo are far from accurate.

This could almost be a YA book, and perhaps could be adapted to read as such.

Not sure where the ‘Carrie meets The Cabin in the Woods’ idea comes from, as it is not similar to either!

A good read, though the description for the book is misleading and the story should be read on its own merits.

3.5*

Thank you NetGalley, One More Chapter and Harper Collins UK.

This is absolutely wonderful - a really dark and disturbing thriller with elements of horror! I found it extremely gripping and suspenseful and the tension builds as Hudson and his teenage friends make plans to spend Halloween night in the woods. It also has a coming of age theme and is told from different viewpoints by Hudson and his father. Hudson has a very interesting dysfunctional family background.
I was a bit apprehensive about reading the "horror" genre, but this is extremely well done and is packed with "horrific" surprises and twists against a backdrop of a plausible coming of age theme.
Brilliant! Barnaby Walter has a fantastic imagination and I hope he writes more of this genre.

It's Halloween! The perfect setting for a horror story. While the new kid isn't so sure that he wants to go camping that night, he surrenders to peer pressure and goes along. It isn't long before a presence has infiltrated the small community and some people pay with their lives. Be careful with this book, it might change how you see your environment and you will certainly think twice before camping!
#harpercollins #onemorechapter #scuttle #barnabywalter