The characters’ inner monologues were so disturbing, bitter, and angry that it made this almost hard to read. However that means it was very well written! No one comes off looking good in the book but the atmosphere created was incredible.

The start of the book was gripping and extremely descriptive; however, the more I was introduced to the characters themselves, the more distant I felt to the story. I feel the characters were shallow and I couldn't connect with any one of them.
I feel the main character, Rachel, a police chief and mother, lacked a lot of personality and responsibility.
There was a -a lot- that was mentioned about each person's characteristics and demeanor that wasn't fully explained in order to make them likeable or to make me care about their role in the story.
There were a few punctuation errors and wording that I, personally, would have done differently, but overall, it was a very easy read.

A body was found in the woods and children go missing. A little girl with almost an extra sense - It screams campfire horror story and reads like i am being told one; however, the slowburn made me not want to finish it at all.
Having to force myself to the end took away any "wow factor" that could have been.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to share my opinion and for my free advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy police and investigative work, rival families, horror, nature, small town thrillers, folklore and rich culture, and themes of personal growth and grief.

A solid and scary debut from Allison Gunn. I love these types of stories and hope Allison has got more scares to cook up for us in the future!

"Nowhere" by Allison Gunn is a horror story that delivers a decent mix of shock factor and paranormal elements. While the book has its moments of spine-chilling suspense and eerie atmosphere, it falls a bit short in terms of overall impact. The plot has some intriguing twists, but it might not keep you fully captivated. If you're into horror with a paranormal twist, you might find it an okay read, but it may not leave a lasting impression.

I was completely floored to read that this is a debut novel. The author has either spent years perfecting her craft or she’s just a genius – the book is that good.

This is small town horror with a tinge of crime.

Our main character and her husband are exceedingly flawed, barely living through extreme grief, and so busy hurting each other that they can’t see what’s happening to their children.

The book is heartbreaking and the horror aspects of it are extremely creepy.

I loved every page of this and can’t wait to read something else from the author!

• ARC via Publisher

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this digital ARC of 'Nowhere' by Allison Gunn.

I love a good Appalachian folk horror yarn and this is a decent one. It's got the lot - small town, deep forests, isolation, deeply religious conservatism melded with the 'old ways,' blow-in big-City out of towners with their progressive ways, the malevolent entity and - of course - the creepy kids.

What this is lacking, unfortunately, is a sympathetic character. With the possible exception of the youngest daughter of the main characters I'm not sure I've ever read a novel where all of the characters were so thoroughly unlikeable. There seems to be some effort to give their unlikability some context or cause but ... so what? I couldn't have cared less for any of them and, for me, that was a real failing. I think you have to be rooting for one side or the other but in this case, nope, nothing about either side or any of the individuals inspired me to care what happened to them. It's good for characters to have flaws, but in this case I found so few redeeming qualities across all of them that it was a chore.

It's a pity because, as I said above, it has all the other bits and pieces to add up to a really terrific book. Thankfully, the author gets the eeriness and creepiness parts right and it saves the book.

This is an actual conversation I had with my husband:
Husband: What are you still doing up? It's 3:00 am.
Me: I'm reading this book and it's very scary.
Husband: Ahhh, makes sense. Want a Pop Tart?
Me: Of course (and continues reading)

I found this story to be very unsettling. I rarely get truly scared when reading. However, I found this spine tingling and chill inducing and I was highly unnerved. I thought I was reading a thriller because I guess I didn't pay close enough attention to the blurb and the category. It was most definitely horror...and it was horrifying and creepy.

This story was really unique and creepy, but it was so depressing. It put me in a reading slump, because I didn't look forward to reading it because it was stressing me out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I almost put this book down a third of the way in because horror is not really my genre.. I picked it up again the next night and couldn’t stop reading it! I don’t want to give away any of the storyline So I will just say it will suck you in, catch your breath and you will hold it until the very end. Wow!

The cover intrigued me, the book did not let me down. This book was a thrilling experience. It offers a rapid-paced narrative infused with an unsettling atmosphere that keeps your heart racing as you eagerly turn each page to uncover the unfolding events. Each encounter and situation will leave you breathless. The female main character serves as the police chief in a remote community where she struggles for acceptance. Following the tragic loss of her son, her life begins to unravel. Mysterious occurrences arise, including the disappearance of children in the town, prompting her to race against time to uncover the truth behind these unsettling events.

An alcoholic who’s married to a cop. With two daughters and a dead son will the family be ripped apart? What’s lurking in the darkness of the trees? Where is Nowhere?

The story was ok. It was like reading a horror movie which I love, but it felt redundant in some spots for a mediocre ending. 3 stars.

I received an advance reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The publish date for this book is March 25, 2025. Pre-orders are available.

This book was SO good! It kept me guessing and I really loved the ending. The character development was wonderful.

Who should read it: People who like thrillers, urban legend-inspired mysteries

I loved this book! The characters were well developed and the story was deliciously creepy. If you’re a fan of something a little spooky, this book is for you! I highly recommend you give this one a try.

When "Nowhere" shifts from a thriller to horror, it is so jarring and unnerving, I immediately had to "lock-in" and find out how the story ends. Throughout all the twists and horrors, "Nowhere" seized my attention and didn't let me go. The start was a bit slow, but like an elevator drop, the lurch from normal to horrifying that kept me in the story.

The townsfolk, as a whole character, are uncomfortable stuck to their beliefs and are another horror in their own. They are characterized as steadfast, outspoken, and overstepping. They are, difficult to feel sympathy for, but as the horror ramps up, you can't help but feel for every single character, stubbornly bigoted townsfolk included.

Allison Gunn offers a beautifully wicked and cruel look at a relationship in peril. Her brutally and unflinching descriptions of Rachel's inner turmoil and Finn's insecurity, make the main horror plot seem less terrifying. She expertly weaves the thoughts of both of the Kennan parents as they try to navigate their lives after their son's accident. It's hard to look away from the Kennan relationship; at times Rachel is too honest, and Finn too sad, but both of these flawed and well-written characters are necessary to band together to give the reader any hope of making it out of "Nowhere".

"Nowhere" by Allison Gunn is a fast horror read that grabs you by your collars, ramps up from whispering to yelling in your face, and leaves you to confront your own complicated feelings about the relationships, grief, and sympathy.

A supernatural mystery that does a great job blending reality with horror--and shows exactly why you shouldn't have children, especially if you live in a small town directly in the woods.

I joke.

Gunn paints a superbly creepy atmosphere, using Appalachian folklore with a southern gothic aesthetic, and the tight, oppressive culture found in rural America.

The real homerun is in the characters though, as Nowhere runs the gambit on terrible people and even worse parents. You can't help but hate the majority of them, but I'm pretty sure that's the point. Not even the main characters manage to sneak out of this one--Rachel is manipulative and an enabler, but Finn isn't any better as a "functioning" alcoholic that can't stand up to his children. You want so badly for them to get their shit together, if only for the sake of the kids.

Lucy's pov was probably my favorite because she's just so darn cute, but I also just really enjoyed her character. Writing children can be difficult, they usually come off as too mature or are infantalized, but I felt that Lucy was an easy balance, both wonderfully innocent yet too perceptive for her own good. Alternatively, I wish we had gotten a little more from Michelle as I think that would have given her ending chapters more punch.

There isn't too much that can be said without spoiling things, but I will leave off with the comment that the ending is intense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Nowhere. When I read the background of this book I wondered could this be a cross between Mare of Easttown and the Outsider? If so, I am in.
Well this is a scary book and it starts with interesting characters, a setting that sets the stage for the ethereal and an eery plot
Rachel is the chief of a small police department with children and a husband who is a has been and lives in the basement. They have had a tragedy in their lives and they are broken
But Rachel pushes on as the hero cop of the small town but she has her own secrets.
But the small town has a history of being strange and thing’s really get weird when A body is discovered that is mutilated. How could this happen here and soon enough other things begin to occur that are not coincidental.
Are the stories told about the strange woods that surround the town gave truth to them? Soon Rachel is caught up in the mystery and has concerns for her own family. And soon everything becomes more complicated and scary. Even though Rachel is strong is she tough enough for what’s coming from the woods? Because something is coming from the woods and they won’t take no for an answer.
Very good 4 stars

This book is truly an American horror novel. I love the religious themes, dark little town, and everything about the mood of this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!

This was my first time reading Allison Gunn but will not be my last! I was drawn in by the cover and so satisfied to feel the same eeriness from the cover throughout the story. Super aesthetic and multi-layered, but would have preferred it not been a police procedural. I still liked it despite this and felt it was more psychological thriller than horror. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

Don’t read this one alone at night!

What a spooky read! Perfect for Halloween coming up. The Appalachian Mountains and their lore was always something that had interested me. This story was told perfectly “don’t look at them and don’t talk to them”. I need this to be a movie ASAP!

All of the characters were so unlikable, however it worked perfectly for the story. I enjoyed reading about the complexity of Finn and Rachel’s relationship and the darkness they had to endure throughout. This story was real & raw!

The ending however, upset me in a good way. Not sure how else it could have ended, it was perfect but upsetting. I really enjoyed this book and the writing style of this author. 10/10 worth a read!