"Nowhere" follows a police chief named Rachel and her family after a terrible accident caused them to lose a child. Soon after, strange things begine to happen in the small town of Dahlmouth that is surrounded by woods in the Appalachian Mountains.

What I loved:
- Personally, I'm a huge fan of Appalachian folklore which is why I wanted to read "Nowhere" and began about 20% of the book.
- The prologue really grips you and draws you into story.
- Lucy. Sweet baby Lucy

And that's about it.

What I didn't love:
- I have never hated so many characters in one story. Except for Lucy. I don't want to say much more about the characters in case I'd give anything away.
- Until you get to the folklore, it felt slow.
- After the inital folklore, I felt it fell flat. While the folklore continues, I expected it to be scarier and it wasn't all that scary (to me). Which was a disappointment. I was struggling to finish after about the 50% mark.

In other words, the folklore started off strong in a perfect setting. The characters (besides Lucy) were greatly disliked and it was very slow paced.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

It had a lot of good points, but there were many unanswered questions at the end, and I need a sequel. I loved the eerie vibes and the folklore, but the ending was disappointing.

They were spot on when they said this book was Mare of Easttown meets The Outsider! It’s a gritty horror drama that unveils a spine tingling chill with each chapter and infuses gore, psychological thrills, and a creepiness factor of its very own. I found myself shaking off some of the creepier bits by reading something a little more light! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were scenes throughout that were heartbreakingly real and made me feel for the characters and their plight at each turn. The ending was also superb, which is always something that makes me nervous when the book is really well-written. I look forward to more from Allison Gunn. (This book would be an excellent movie!)

A pretty interesting mystery and thriller. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy mystery books. Definitely not perfect but certainly an enjoyable time to read.

The description of the book and the allure of folk superstition sucked me in but it pains me to say I think the execution just didn't work for me at all.

I'll try to be tactful but it's hard to contain just how aggravating this book was.

The characters are thinly developed and the plot, while interesting and genuinely spooky at times is overshadowed by very jarring and unrealistic dialogue.

Every line feels like it's designed to be a zinger and sucks you right out of any atmosphere. 99% of the book is the main character cursing, yelling and giving attitude to everyone else and the other 1% is every single character completely ignoring logic or their own senses.

They way people act makes no sense but it's hard to even care enough about the characters to complain.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to review this in advance but it definitely didn't come together for me.

This debut from Allison Gunn is a deliciously, dark, horror story. When I say dark. I mean dark. There are no likable characters and there are no happy endings. If you enjoy bleak horror that makes you question reality, check out this novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The description of this book caught my attention, but the book was much different from what I expected. Ultimately, I just didn't like or care about the main characters, Rachel & Finn. I liked to overall plot, but would have liked a little more background/detail on the supernatural part of the story.

When Atria reached out and offered this one, I snatched it! The cover is so good and it was being compared to Mare of Easttown, which I loved! I also love reading debuts and finding new voices. This horror was so well done, I was shocked that this is a debut! It had all the key elements I love, family drama, creepy kids, atmospheric.. I read this in just over a day! It is so well written and the vivid details really bring the book to life! The ending had me questioning everything, it’s not wrapped in a pretty bow.. but I appreciate the risk the author took with that! It worked for me! This would make a great horror movie or series!

Nowhere by Allison Gunn is a thriller set in a small town that has its own share of mystery and oddness. Rachel is the chief of police, living with husband (estranged) Finn, and their daughters Charlie and Lucy. Nowhere has a good story for a thriller. Gunn's writing is great building tension and suspense. Gunn nailed the description of small towns and the vibe it brings (religious folk). Gunn also uses the themes of grief, loss and guilt to drive the story. OVerall, it was a good read, but I found it trailed at the end.

“Nowhere” by debut author Allison Gunn is a creepy, unsettling, thriller/murder mystery full of strange and inexplicable occurrences in a small fundamentalist town. A chilling read perfect for readers who enjoy the grotesque, family tragedy, revenge, and themes of folklore.

Rachel Kennan takes her job as police chief in a small Virginia town quite seriously. Mostly, it’s the only thing keeping her sane after the loss of her youngest son in a tragic accident. And, perhaps, it's a distraction from how much she hates her husband, Finn, a washed-up journalist whose alcoholism led to the tragic accident. Even though Finn tries to redeem himself, his guilt always gets in the way. The only reason they attempt a “civil” relationship is for their two daughters, but they have demons of their own.

Meanwhile, a disturbing murder has Rachel scrambling for answers and leads on who is responsible, and her quest only ends up with dead ends and a lot of upset community members. Yet, when the children begin to go missing, called into the woods by an unseen entity, the townspeople’s fear causes them to turn on one another. But even in their madness, there is one thing they can all agree upon: none of this would be happening if it weren’t for the Kennan family. Left with only themselves to rely on, Rachel and Finn must find a way to end the chaos that’s descended on their town or give themselves to it.

There aren’t a lot of likeable characters in this book. A lot of them suck, quite honestly. But is it due to whatever unseen force existing on the fringes of the town, affecting people’s emotions, or are the people in this book just genuinely, utterly despicable? That’s something readers have to decide for themselves. It seems like a bit of both, which only adds to the unsettling and chilling aspect of what is happening to the townspeople. Even though Rachel and Finn aren’t likeable, a lot of their arguing and hatred toward one another feels repetitive and, in turn, stunts any character growth throughout the story. Yet, there are times when it is possible to sympathize with their situation, making it easier to stick with the story and develop an investment in their fate.

The ending is slightly predictable in that there is hope for an alternative ending, but ultimately, it plays out as expected. This doesn’t ruin the story, though. From the grizzly murder at the start to the oldest Kennan daughter displaying odd behaviour, and the children starting to go missing, there’s enough happening to raise a lot of questions and instill this eerie sense of something bigger taking place. Not to mention Gunn’s brilliant and atmospheric writing perfectly sets up the setting so it feels isolating, dark, and threatening. It makes it seem like this small town of Virginia is the best and only place for things to go seriously and horribly wrong, which they do. While readers may pick up on some hints and clues throughout the book regarding the folklore aspect, it doesn’t spoil the bloodbath that ensues.

“Nowhere” is a spooky, gory, unending horror that will keep readers on the edge of their seats even after the story is over. Expected to be published on March 25th, 2025, this is one book to be on the lookout for. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for providing me with an e-arc of this story and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

This book is incredible. It had me scared to turn off my lights, it had me angry at certain characters, it was one I could not put down. I cannot wait to read more by this author, the writing sucked me right in. Fantastic book.

Nowhere by Allison Gunn, Rachel Cannon is a wife mother and sheriff of a small Appalachian town. After a recent tragedy her and husband Finn have separated. every day for Rachel is a battle she battles with her teenage daughter Charlie, she battles with ignoring her puppy dog husband Finn, she battles the townspeople and most of all she battles her authentic self but something is invading her town that’s going to make all those battles look like child’s play. let me just say I loved the story but wasn’t a big fan of the ending. There was one aspect of the ending I did like but another that I did not. I really enjoy paranormal stories especially ones like this with a great plot and can totally appreciate Rachel’s plight . I was going to comment on the stereotyping but since the author grew up in a fundamental church as the pastor’s daughter, it really is her story to tell isn’t it? This is a great book and if you’re looking for a great paranormal southern creepy story than you definitely should read this one.#MyHonestReview, #NetGalley, #AtriaBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #AllisonGunn, #Nowhere,

4/5 stars. I enjoyed this one! I loved the setting (since I am from Virginia) . The story had a lot of fun creepy lore as well as great representation. I love police procedurals so this was a hit for me! Will definitely look for more from this author

Nowhere by Allison Gunn is a well-done, eerie thriller that gave me strong True Detective vibes. Even though I’m not usually into procedurals, this one kept me hooked with its unsettling atmosphere and slow-burn tension. The mystery is layered and the writing is sharp.

"Nowhere" by Allison Gunn is a spine-chilling journey that'll have you sleeping with the lights on. This book delivers on its promise of creepiness, and once you start, you won't be able to look away.

At the heart of this eerie tale is Rachel, the police chief of Dahlmouth. She's a complex character, wearing a mask of strength while grappling with grief-fueled anger towards her husband. Rachel's not exactly likable, but her raw, flawed nature makes her feel real and adds depth to the story.

Dahlmouth itself is a character, a small town where something sinister is brewing. When a hiker's body is found in the woods, Rachel and her team are thrust into a mystery that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural. The build-up is intense, especially when it comes to the children - trust me, you'll be thoroughly creeped out.

What sets "Nowhere" apart is its exploration of beliefs, both old and new. The contrast between ancient superstitions and modern skepticism creates a palpable tension that kept me on edge. I found myself constantly questioning: are these hallucinations, or is there really something otherworldly at work?

The book doesn't shy away from tough themes. Rachel's queerness and the community's lack of acceptance add another layer of conflict, especially when intertwined with the town's tight-knit religious community. It's a reflection of real-world issues that grounds the supernatural elements.

The ending? It's the kind of conclusion that'll have you mulling over the story long after you've turned the last page.

If you're a horror enthusiast looking for your next spine-tingling read, "Nowhere" should be at the top of your list. It's creepy, thought-provoking, and will have you questioning what's lurking in the shadows of your own town.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my free books.

This one definitely lives up to its advertised hype, and the queer elements of the story helped give it a more unique edge in a rather stuffed genre. I can totally appreciate Allison Gunn's writing style, at times both atmospheric and engrossing, even when describing the mundane moments of the story (or the grotesque ones!) That being said, the unlikeability of the characters was a turn-off for me.

For a debut novel, I am extremely impressed! The writing was flawless and really took you deep in to the characters and the story. I really disliked Rachel but I think that was how it was supposed to be. She was just so hard and rigid. She didn't really have any redeemable qualities. The horror elements were spot on and really added to the overall fear of the book. The premise was really interesting to me but overall I felt like it was missing something. I think I wanted to know more about "nowhere". I wanted to know more about where the children had been and what happens when someone gets there. Is it Heaven?, Hell?, where exactly are they going. This was a really great debut and I will definitely read more of what she writes in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

Thank you @netgalley for my copy! I love a debut, especially a horror debut rich with folklore. This is a hard one to rate. I enjoyed the first half of the book. It was creepy AF and I loved the messy dynamics between our main character, Rachel. I enjoyed the lush atmosphere and the police procedural part.

The second half of the book was SO repetitive. It lost steam and the creepy vibe for me. There was a lot of buildup and the conclusion felt a bit rushed. I wanted more about the Appalachian folklore and less domestic drama, I guess. All in all, this was a solid debut, and I am curious to see what else Gunn has in store.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 4
Plot development: 5
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

Can I just pause for a moment and ask the question what in the flying F**K did I just read?
I am from Virgina although I live closer to Richmond than the Appalachian.
Some of things I have heard about the other part of this state could have actually been based on a true story. This book was Fantastic.
Rachel was an idiot, Finn was a fool, I loved me some Lucy all the way to the end. The rest I am still not sure what part they played.
This was some backwoods, country, possibly based on some true stuff type of story. Had me hooked until the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Altria for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.