This book is about a creepy, bloody Christmas-killing fiasco that I found a bit gruesome in spots, but also wildly tense and entertaining. Set in a freezing cold replica of a town, this story is a locked room mystery gone wild. Full of peril around every corner, you wonder which of the six characters trapped there will survive and who the killer is. I enjoyed the mostly unpredictable journey this book took me on. Fans of slasher horror and noir thrillers will like this book. Barrie Kreinik did an amazing job narrating the audiobook.

Good Christmas horror is hard to find.

Unfortunately, I did not find it here. I am in the minority, once again, so you might find yourself loving this dark holiday novel.

I actually thought You Better Watch Out was going to be campy. I was wrong. It’s not meant to be humorous, so it succeeds at not being funny, although I might have laughed bitterly near the end.

The basic premise was unique enough, and I did find some entertainment within it, but the story was weakened by how formulaic the actual execution was. We know who will be killed and, while we don’t know how their deaths will transpire, the path leading up to each one feels all too familiar. The victims are all poorly developed and wholly unlikable, and throwaway characters are not, for me, the mark of a good story.

Although I prefer stories without graphic violence, an exceptional story helps me accept any unpleasant imagery that runs on a repetitive reel through my head. The gratuitous gore in You Better Watch Out was not something I could look past, though. Obviously, I didn’t think this was an exceptional story, but even if I’d liked it more, I still don’t think it needed to be that gruesome. This clearly existed to shock the reader, and it succeeds in the discomfort it aims to cause, but it felt like such a shallow addition to a very basic narrative.

Despite all of this, I was ready to give it three stars until the last 17% of the audiobook. That twist ruined everything. I want to be kind with my words. I really do. But if you want honesty, the best I can muster is that I thought it was really dumb. It’s funny because the idea of what was revealed did briefly pass through my mind earlier in the story, but considering the possibility doesn’t make it something I can accept as good storytelling. It contradicted some major plot points in the book, which made the preceding content completely absurd. Had the authors done a few things differently earlier in the book, I might have appreciated the twist a bit more, but that wouldn’t change how the final chapters all felt rather generic or, in the case of the epilogue, completely unnecessary.

I shouldn’t have watched out for this one at all, and now all I can do is sit here and pout.


I am immensely grateful to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

I’m impressed by how much a punch this book packs for how short it is. It’s an engaging read where it’s easy to binge in one sitting. It’s fast paced and kept you on your toes trying to figure out who the serial killer is. I appreciate that each of the characters were distinct making them easy to keep straight. I thought the ending and overall plot was incredibly well done. It kept me guessing throughout the entire read and had me shocked with the final reveal. In hindsight, the crumbs were all there to help readers identify the individual, but it was just so well done. I really enjoyed the audiobook. I thought Kreinik’s narration added to the overall suspense, terror, and creep vibes going on. I would definitely recommend checking out the audiobook.

Five “Random” people abducted then left in a fake town full of deadly boobytraps.
A bloody, grotesque adventure to stay alive. The twists at the end, holy shit. Did not see that coming. A great holiday slasher, highly recommend.

🎧 Book Review 🎧 It’s the most wonderful time of the year again and the iconic pairing are out in full force: the holly and the ivy…hot cocoa and marshmallows…serial killers and Christmas cheer? When Jessica wakes up in a strange contrived town with a group of strangers days before Christmas, the fight to survive is on! James S. Murray’s You Better Watch Out is a fast-paced thriller that packs a punch but with a light and engaging tone that flies by in a breeze!

This was such a fun read. It was like a thriller Christmas version of saw 😂 the facts that Murr was the author is amazing! The bonus chapter is probably my favorite thing ever!!!

ARC Review (Audiobook version)- 3 ⭐

Publication date: Oct 15, 2024

Waking up in a blizzard with no recollection of how he got there, Eddie comes to in a strange town. He begins to explore and finds others within the same strange town also with now knowledge of how they got there. As he tries to place the events leading up to his arrival together, one by one, the others begin to disappear as it appears someone is hunting them down and killing them. Will they survive and escape this seemingly ghost town or will they too become butchered?

This one was lacking for me. I really wanted to like it more than I did, however the locked-in theme of the novel made me like it more than I would have otherwise. The characters were not very developed--not much differentiation between them as there could have been. They lacked depth. While they were interesting, they could have used more fleshing out. The title also wasn't as holiday themed as I would have hoped based on the title and cover. While the over shows as knife wrapped up in Christmas themed wrapping paper and the title is "You Better Watch Out', this novel lacks much Christmas theme and spirit. Only a few sentences hint that the time of year is Christmas, however the story could have taken place at any time during the winter--nothing really made is especially Christmas or holiday themed at all. I feel this should have weighed heavier in the book and more could have been written to ensure a true "holiday thriller".

Now onto the better parts of the book--the horror description and final "twist" of the book were really good--I commend both authors on this. The visualization that I got from the novel was great, some parts were pretty gruesome, but if you're into that its great. The twist I didn't see coming AT ALL and I was actually blown away because I never would have guessed it at all.

Overall I would recommend giving this book a chance. It was a good thriller--just not as much holiday as I would have expected or liked.

Ooohhhhh this was awesome. A gory, Christmas-themed, closed room, slasher book. Set in way way way upstate New York, the characters wake up in an old-timey town where nothing is what it seems and none of them are safe. It’s snowing, it’s below zero, there’s a bear, and they’ve all been robbed of their possessions and have to survive.

The twist at the end was shocking. The epilogue was a perfect end (please write a sequel!) The narration was perfect for this winter read (and I have no idea how they did it because I’d definitely be squeamish reading this out loud!)

If you’re in the mood for a gory (don’t underestimate this) holiday read, you’ve found it!

Predictable but with some fun moments, I did enjoy You Better Watch Out. I feel bad for saying it but I don't think Barrie Kreinik was the best narrator for this because even by the end I was not vibing with her reading (I feel bad because she did well with Starling House, which I enjoyed).

When I say this is predictable, I mean for people who enjoy battle royale type stories, where there is a hunt with only one (or two) left standing. Murray and Wearmouth give us some fun endings for the various characters in the book, some pretty original and gruesome, but the over-arching story is derivitive and I don't know that enough original is done to make it worth it. Fans of the subject may get annoyed by the predictability.

The big twist was telegraphed early on and regularly but the reveal was still fun, I think. I do think the ending dragged out a bit and the very last chapter was unnecessary, I think. I was also hoping for a bit more dark humor, or maybe the humor is there and comes across better in writing and the narrator just didn't read it right... which is something I couldn't help but wonder during most of the story, due to odd choices in tone and inflection at times. But maybe this is meant to be more serious? I'm unsure because it is sometimes goofy.


For fans of: Escape Room, Cube, Saw, Predators, Better Watch Out (a very similarly themed Christmas horror film)

This was good! A fun, fast paced popcorn thriller with a gripping plot that catches your attention and holds it throughout. I genuinely did not expect the twist in this which added to my enjoyment. Almost wish this was longer, but that’s okay. I’d definitely pick up their next read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

You Better Watch Out is your typical slasher vibe horror. I love Impractical Jokers so jumped on the chance to read a book by Murr.
That being said I wish this had more of his humor. Rachel Harrison and Grady Hendrix both do a great job merging humor and horror and I was hoping this would do the same.
I did enjoy it though, if you are looking for something to scratch that 90's slasher film itch this is a good one for that!

This was a difficult review because I am not a fan of horror. So I am writing this for people who like this genre, because if I were to rate it from my perspective, it would be a 2 ⭐, but as a horror, I would give it a 4 ⭐.

There was an intriguing plot, very interesting characters, and quite a bit of horror. And I did want to find out what in the world was going on, so I did want to get to the end. I would say the book did get me hooked- I wanted to know what was going on and where the book was headed next.

If horror is your thing, this is the book for you. especially Christmas-esk. If you don't like horror, don't dip your toe in with this one. It is thriller light, horror heavy.

You Better Watch Out
James S Murray; Darren Wearmouth
Narrator Barrie Kreinik
Macmillan Audio

If you think Karma is a bitch, you better not go to Olde Forge!

Let’s pretend that Saw and a locked room challenge had a baby in a snow globe then you would have You Better Watch Out. This is a graphic holiday horror thriller to not miss!

This book was full of flawed characters that, in a normal setting you would hate, but by the end of the book you will cheer them on. The action is relentless and almost suffocating (in a good way). I leave you with this - if anyone says spoiler alert - skip that review. You want to go into this blind

I only have one complaint that takes it from a 5 to a 4 - Right in the ding dang heart of action Eric has a flash back. Ugh. I mean the story redeems itself so don’t worry. - I will not be posting my complaint on my IG page - just giving my honest feedback on here.

I LOVED this book! It takes place at Christmas time, so I guess it will be considered a Christmas horror story (kind of like how Die Hard is considered to some a Christmas movie: And IT IS as I watch it every year! My ex-husband introduced me to Die Hard, but I will keep the tradition of watching it on Christmas Eve/ Christmas as it has become MY yearly enjoyable tradition!)

You Better Watch Out will not be for everyone: It is very gory and as the book continues the deaths one up each other by becoming more intense, gruesome, and dare I say…inventive?

We first meet Eddie who I considered the main character despite the book description seemingly focusing on Jessica as the main character. We have several strangers who all wake up after being drugged, kidnapped and in the middle of nowhere. This is a shorter novel that is very fast paced from the beginning. It’s a race for survival if anyone is going to make it. And you really don’t know if any of our characters will make it to the end. We have what I thought was a great twist and I am asking the authors: Can we PLEASE have a second book?!?!?!

The narrator is Barrie Kreinik who was perfect! Her narration really helped to bring this disturbing story to life for me!

If you want a different kind of Christmas novel, (which would also be perfect to read now at Halloween!) that’s not all cheery “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!” Just remember it’s on the gruesome side, so be ready.

MANY THANK YOUs to the publisher Macmillian Audio for granting me an advanced listening copy. As you can tell, I LOVED it!

Definitely not my typical read. I am not a fan of gore but if you are… you’ll love this short Christmastime horror 🤢

Eddie is a thief - an elderly couple in his sights to rob.. when all of a sudden he wakes up in an unknown place with other criminals and they’re all trying to escape. One by one people are being killed off and the rest are desperately trying to escape.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio + NetGalley for my ALC

#MacAudio2024

Thanks to NetGalley, James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth, and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an advanced audio recording of the book You Better Watch Out in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The theme here is similar to the movies Escape Room and the Saw franchise. It is super fast paced and attention grabbing from the start. The narrator did a great job making it feel spooky and mysterious. I could not wait to find out what would happen next. It also has a great twist at the end. I think it would make for a great slasher film.

Title:: You Better Watch Out ( A Thriller)
Arthur(s): James S. Murray & Darren Wearmouth
Publishing Co.: Macmillian Audio
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Publication Date: October 15, 2024
Length:
Rating: 4.5 stars
TW’s:
* Murder
*Grotesque death(s)
* Kidnapping
* Addiction

Tropes:
*Thriller/Murder Mystery
*Locked-Room

Ho, Ho, HO-ly Christmas serial killer thriller!! Who knew that Murr (from practical jokers) was an author? Not this girl! I absolutely loved this fast-paced thriller! Six strangers are drugged, kidnapped, and dropped in a nowhere town just 48 hours before Christmas and are picked off one by one as they try to work together to escape back to civilization.

The characters, their development, plot, and plot twist *Chef's Kiss*

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Macmillian Audio for an advanced copy of You Better Watch Out in exchang for an honest review.

This was a good, quick book. It kept me interested the whole time. There were a couple things that happened that didn’t make sense and the ending left me feeling like something was unfinished. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it.

Wow. What did I just read?! I did not know Murr wrote horror and I certainly didn't know what to expect going into this.
This is kind of a Christmas book. Not in a hallmark way obviously. It would be a good one to read between Halloween and Christmas. It also kind of reminds me of the Saw movies. I did NOT see the twist coming, but the ending itself was predictable.
I think this creepy book is going to stay with me for awhile.
Thank you MacMillan Audio for the ALC!

You better watch out

Several people wake up in what appears as a deserted town. Eddie, who was about to mug an elderly couple before blacking out. Trinity, who had an obvious head wound upon arrival. Jess, who also appears with a concussion. Each person was kidnapped through means of violence, injections and chloroform.

Others arrive with similar experiences and injuries. They find themselves in a creepy fenced in town with others who also share their recent memory loss and have no idea why they are where they are. There is a snowstorm in the town to make matters worse. Oh yea… and people are dying in this town full of traps.

They have to work together, but can they trust each other?

This quick read was definitely thrilling and had me at the edge of my seat from the very beginning!

Narrator did a nice job with various character voices and expressive emotion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for honest review. Out on 10/15!