First I want to thank NetGalley, The publisher for the E-ARC! The cover of this book drew me in and it did not disappoint! I’m not usually into paranormal books but anything that’s has to do with children and the unknown creep me out! This book definitely kept me engaged and had a problem with not wanting to put it down!

Solid 3.5 ⭐️!! The characters were really fleshed out albeit, they were unlikeable except for the youngest daughter. There were plenty of times while reading the novel that I was scared! Chilling and interesting if just a little predictable with the introduction chapter. I enjoyed it overall! It was grimy in the best way!

Thank you Atria Books eGalley and NetGalley for the eArc and a fun time! The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

In the small town of Dahlmouth, Rachel and Finn Keenan and their children, Charlie, Aiden, and Lucy try to make a good life. But this was one of the worst places they could have chosen to live.The residents believe that their God and their beliefs are the only ones that are right. Rachel and Finn do not fit into that mold, and they are treated with distain. Perhaps more Finn than Rachel since she is the police chief and gets some respect. Finn though is a writer and what ever he publishes aggravates everyone in this town. Somehow, they still believe they can make a life that works in this backwoods town.
That is until bad things start to happen. The first one destroys the heart of the Keenan family, and it isn’t long before what lies in the woods wants not just this family, but the entire town. Creepy, creepy, creepy, and I could not figure out how Rachel or anyone in this town could beat what was calling from the woods. I was screaming right along with Lucy when she was telling someone who shall remain nameless to run and not look back.
This is one of those books where everything I want to say could potentially be a spoiler. I’m not sure if the description conveys the dread that is lurking between the covers. I can say that I was stunned by the ending. I must have grown up reading too many happily ever after endings, or good triumphing a bit over evil. I am not sure who in this town deserved another chance. Few of the adults, but I would say most of the children. That is it. My lips are sealed until this book publishes and I can talk about it to people who have read it. 4.5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Nowhere” by Allison Gunn is a masterfully crafted horror novel that plunges you into the eerie, atmospheric world of a small Appalachian town where the line between the supernatural and reality blurs in terrifying ways. Set in the remote town of Dalmouth, Virginia, this debut novel delivers a chilling, multi-layered horror experience that is as much about the darkness within people as it is about the horrors lurking in the woods. The characters in this book are not perfect by any means; they are filled with flaws, especially Rachel and Finn, but they both will do anything to protect their family. As someone who lives in Virginia, specifically around 30 minutes away from Roanoke (just like where Dalmouth is located) I couldn’t wait to read this book, and I definitely won’t be going into the Virginian woods anytime soon after finishing this book. There is a good amount of gore and graphic descriptions in this book, which make it an excellent atmospheric horror story.

The story follows Rachel Kennon, a tough, morally complex police chief who relocates her family from Richmond to Dalmouth, hoping for a fresh start. But from the moment they arrive, it’s clear that they are outsiders in this tight-knit, insular community. The Kennon family is haunted by their own demons—Rachel struggles with her hidden sexuality and fractured marriage, while her husband Finn battles alcoholism and grief. As if their personal struggles weren’t enough, a series of bizarre and horrifying events begin to unfold in the town, starting with the discovery of a grotesquely mutilated body in the woods and the mysterious changes happening to the town’s children, including Rachel's own daughters.

Gunn’s writing is richly atmospheric, perfectly capturing the wild, untamed beauty of the Appalachian wilderness while imbuing it with a creeping sense of dread. The forest scenes, particularly those involving the Spirit Folk, or faeries, are among the most memorable and terrifying in the book. I really loved the descriptions of these creatures, especially when they were impersonating humans as changelings. These descriptions felt unique and really sucked me into the world that Gunn created. The horror in the book is not just of the supernatural variety; it’s also deeply rooted in the real-world horrors of being an outsider in a small town as well as family trauma.

The characters in Nowhere are vividly drawn and deeply flawed, making them both compelling and relatable. Rachel, with her rough edges and fierce maternal instincts, is a particularly strong protagonist as she is a morally gray character who just wants to protect her family, almost to a fault (especially towards the end of the book). Her interactions with Finn, a once-promising writer now hollowed out by his own failures, are tense and heartbreaking, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the story. The dual perspectives of Rachel and Finn, along with brief glimpses into the lives of minor characters, create a well-rounded story that explores the impact of the town’s dark secrets on everyone involved.

The horror in Nowhere is expertly layered, combining the immediate terror of the supernatural with the more subtle, insidious horrors of small-town life—gossip, drug use, homophobia, and the casual cruelty of neighbors. Gunn doesn’t shy away from graphic descriptions, especially as the story hurtles towards its fast-paced, chaotic conclusion, where all hell breaks loose and the true nature of the town’s curse is revealed. I absolutely loved the ending of the book and I was speeding along in the last 30% as I couldn’t wait to see what would happen and if the feeling of dread that accumulated while reading the book would be released or not.

Overall, “Nowhere” is a must-read for horror fans, especially those who appreciate stories set in the hauntingly beautiful yet ominous backdrop of Appalachia. With its strong character development, atmospheric writing, and multi-faceted approach to horror, Allison Gunn’s debut novel marks the arrival of a significant new voice in the genre. Whether you’re drawn to supernatural thrillers or stories that explore the darker side of human nature, “Nowhere” is a book that will keep you captivated from start to finish.

This book was AMAZING. it's a perfect paranormal/wtf is going on kind of read to kick off spooky season. I literally had to put this book down several times because I was so scared to see what would happen next. If you're looking for a good suspenseful story this is it! 10 out of 10 recommend.

This one was a creepy mystery horror book which would be perfect for spooky season. Overall had a good plot and enough twists to keep you engaged
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this book

Wow…what a ride. This book had it all - perhaps too much?!

Religious themes, internalized homophobia, body horror, guilt, shame, generational traumas, small town lore, class issues, etc. etc.

I am a fan of LGBTQIA+ horror but this was not what I was expecting in terms of character development (no spoilers!)

It was creepy and atmospheric … children beckoning people into the woods. Also, I mean, children in general am I right?

This book is a difficult one to review succinctly without spoilers…it built tension well, conveyed a palpable sense of dread, and had some gory elements.

Most of the time as I read through the book, my reactions were akin to something like this:

What??

Huh??

ABSOLUTELY NOT.


I will leave you all who are off to read Nowhere with this piece of advice… BUCKLE UP.

In this debut novel Rachel Kennan is police chief in the small town of Dahlmouth, Virginia, outside Roanoke. She recently lost her eight year old son Aidan in a car accident where the vehicle was operated by her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer who was drunk at the time. The two are trying to deal with the pain and are only staying together for their daughters, teenager Charlie and young Lucy, both of whom are troubled following what happened. This whole family is barely holding it together. If they are.

Then a disturbing crime takes place and an ominous force seems to be calling the children of the town, making them disappear. What is happening in Dahlmouth?

First, ignore the cover copy because it really doesn’t give an accurate idea as to what this book is about. Given that, I thought I would like the book that was described pretty well, but this book wasn’t that. I really wanted to like it, since the writer lives in wild, wonderful West Virginia, but, other than the end, which I actually did appreciate, the book just seemed like a whole lot of running around in the woods to me.

Creepy woods, a troubled main character, and some spine-tingling horror? Yup, sign me up. THIS is the type of book they mean when using words like “gripping” and “haunting” to describe them. More often than not, my jaw was wide open and I could not turn the pages fast enough.

The author does a remarkable job of making you truly feel like you are immersed in the horror. I cannot believe this is a debut novel and Allison Gunn is definitely on my immediate buy list now!

A big thank you to Netgalley, Allison Gunn, and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I hate that this book was not for me. I was drawn in by the idea of a mystery, and supernatural happenings. Books that reflect on religion. This is absolutely going to find the right audience, but I am not it. I keep my religion and fiction reading separate. Also I am finding that books set in the Appalachian towns only seem to work sometimes with the horror genre for me, but is not my favorite setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of Nowhere.

WOW! This book was depressing and messy and absolute chaos...but in the best way. The tone of the whole story was so unsettling and I flew through pages to find out what would happen next. Be warned, the ending doesn't tie everything up in a big, tidy bow, but I actually really enjoyed the ending and thought it fit well with the rest of the story. A great debut and I will be on the lookout for more from Allison Gunn!

4.5 chilling stars rounded up!

Nowhere is a fantastic atmospheric small town horror that reminded me why you don't look in the woods at night. This had my skin crawling in the best way and I found myself looking over my shoulder while reading it. I can't ask for much more in a horror book.

I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All of the statements are my own after fully reading the book.

5 stars? 10 stars? 20… stars….?
YEP.
holy scary real
the dialogue was so good
these people felt so realistic despite all the un?realistic things happening! oh my oh my
reminded me of old school stephen king for real honestly
normal town, little things happening, then WAM BAM everything hits the fan at the end
i’m so really (what was i trying to say here? i just re read my review and don’t know where this sentence was going because i typed only that then continued but im leaving it because man i am so really for real)
like i honestly loved these characters and their nuances
i want to rescue them 😭😭 Rachel’s character was soooo well written
Finn pulled at my heart so much because jesus christ
little Lucy Loo was a doll (*ba dum tss* no pun intended)
i even loved Aiden 😭😭
this was SO GOOD. i’ve already recommended it to people and it doesn’t even release until march 2025 dang it!
black eyeballs have always scared me since that one limp bizkit music video

Let's just say, I wouldn't be going in those woods if that was me. ! Absolutely gripping book. Could not put it down

Nowhere is the creepy, shocking, read-it-in-one-sitting-because-you-can’t-put-it-down, horror novel you’ve been waiting on. If you like horror, especially horror set in Appalachia, you need to get your hands on this book yesterday.

The premise of the story is Rachel Kennan, a hardened, rough edged cop from Richmond moves her family to the middle of nowhere Dalmouth Virginia to become the town’s new chief of police. Her family are a little less than ordinary and are immediately seen as interlopers in the small, tight knit community. When the book opens our protagonist has her career, family life, and sanity all hanging by a single slender thread, not to mention her struggles with embracing her hidden sexuality. Things get even worse when a grotesquely mutilated body is discovered in the woods and something strange begins happening to the children of Dalmouth, including Rachel’s own girls…

I won’t veer into spoiler territory here because I think this book is good enough that everyone needs to experience it for themselves. I will however discuss my impressions of the book in general terms.

Right from the beginning this book had an easy to read, cinematic quality that reminded me favorably of S.A. Cosby’s phenomenal book Razorbalde Tears. From the start I could see the story unfolding in my mind with granular clarity and detail and could follow along easily with the well-paced action and exposition. The characters are also extremely vivid. Rachel especially is just the kind of complex, imperfect, messy person I absolutely love to read about. Her interactions with her husband Finn, a onetime writer now a hollow shell of himself, felt compelling and understandable without necessarily being positive or healthy. She’s the kind of character you can’t help but be charmed by even as she makes mistake after mistake. The characters adapt and change too, they don’t remain static in throughout the horrific events of the story, a shortcoming that’s all too prevalent in horror fiction. I don’t buy it when characters go through some of the most terrifying stuff imaginable and then stay completely unchanged as a person.

And the horror, oh my god the horror. This book is actually scary on so many levels! There are shocks, grotesque body horror, and some more lingering terror on a deeper, cosmic level as well. I love when a story manages to play on different levels of fear and this book certainly delivers on that. While death and supernatural creatures are certainly alarming, sometimes the most frightening thing of all is the darkness lurking dormant in ordinary people, the everyday sort of monstrousness in our friends and neighbors.

There is something gratifying about seeing the beginning of something and that’s just the sense I got when reading this debut novel. I felt like I was present to see the start of unique and compelling voice in fiction. The style of this book reads as if Paul Tremblay and S.A. Cosby collaborated while also having a unique tone quite distinct from either of those authors.

Not only will I read anything else this author writes, I’ll await any future titles with the eager anticipation.

“Nowhere” is a small town, woods aesthetic thriller that focuses on the town Police Chief, Rachel. Rachel’s family is in the process of grieving the loss of one of their children when her focus is shifted onto drastic events that begin to take place in town

Read if you enjoy:
Police procedures / investigative work
Small town thrillers
Nature
Multi layered horror
Rival families
Religious chaos
Subtext / psychological - personal growth themes
Folklore (Appalachian)

Thank you to Atria Books, Allison Gunn and NetGalley for the EARC!

Publish date: March 25th 2025

4.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read the whole way through. The author did an incredible job creating a creepy atmosphere and building tension. I was genuinely shaken up by many of the scenes - that forest scene with Charlie is still lingering in my mind.

The horror was multi-layered and masterfully put together. There was the horror of the unnamed threat in the forest, but also the horror of being a hated outsider in a small community, the horror of family trauma, the horror of denying your authentic self. All these themes played off each other perfectly, building dread in the reader in multiple ways.

My only minor criticism is I feel like there was room to expand on Michelle's involvement in the story. Not only was her relationship with the main character incredibly compelling, but I think there was an opportunity for her to have played a larger role in unraveling the mystery of the forest.

This thrilling novel features Rachel Kennan, a police chief, queer mother, and transplant to a small town in Virginia. She and her family are grieving the loss of their middle child when disturbing events start stacking up in this small, conservative community.

The writing is captivating and cinematic, and the clash between the Kennan family and the meth-addled religious community creates a compelling and suspenseful narrative.

The story also draws from Appalachian folklore, creating what felt like a metaphor for purgatory while exploring themes of values, partnership, and personal demons. At the same time, the meth-addled religious community and the Kennans clash over lifestyles and Rachel's role in law enforcement.

Can Rachel forgive her husband and vice-versa? Will Finn and Rachel work together against ominous forces and, more importantly, their internal demons? Can they repair all that is broken?

This gripping page-turner keeps readers guessing. I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.

I truly could not connect with any of the characters. Based off of the description I also thought that I would get more of a "culty" feel, but the story was really just about a small town.