Patrick Tumblety's "Come Out & Play" was an unusual read, a debut novel that leaves you scratching your head trying to decide whether there's a deeper meaning you missed, or you should just take everything at face value and enjoy the book as is. I admit this dilemma haunted me throughout the book: it's written in a young adult style, though the issues it touches upon are quite heavy, starting from mental health issues, OCD, invasive thoughts, agoraphobia and paralyzing guilt (giving the impression it's a story of psychological horror), slowly transforming into a sort of creature feature (in a dark fantasy style), suddenly turning into an entirely different direction (zombies and/or vampires infecting the suburbs), and ending up in a totally unexpected territory (a ghost story -I think- with strong medical horror vibes and several nods to generational/family trauma). So it's not unrealistic to imagine that I've probably missed some point the author wanted to make.

That said, the story did have a solid core: three friends (a young man, Scott, the main character, Sarah, the girl he's in love with and Chris, his best friend) find themselves trapped both physically (in a house, in their own neighborhood) and psychologically (in their own mind, a place full of grief, failure, and indecision). Allegories aside, this makes for a riveting tale of overcoming obstacles in one's life, where the unreliable narrator is oneself, the monster lives in one's own mind, but one keeps feeling the threat is everybody else!

4.25 rounded down to 4.

Thanks to NetGalley and Uncomfortably Dark Horror for an advanced copy of Come Out & Play.

Come Out & Play was a fantastic debut novel by Patrick Tumblety, focusing on the themes of grief and guilt, and overcoming those thoughts to be able to move on and live life. The physical manifestation of this, as these bizarre/disgusting monsters, was a wild and unique perspective. I loved the zombie-esque feel, and the friendship amongst the main characters. Everything also tied together in a satisfying conclusion.

I've known Patrick for about 10 years now, and I'm extremely proud of all that he has accomplished. As his debut novel, this didn't disappoint at all! His love and appreciation of Stephen King shines through in his writing, with nods to It, The Shining, Pet Sematary, and Cujo (and probably more that I haven't read). I also loved that some parts had a Night of the Living Dead feel to it. Lots of classic horror combined in a new unique, thoughtful story.

If you're a fan If Stephen King you should definitely check out this novel!

This novella takes mental illness, grief, and trauma and twists them into a terrifying creature feature...sort of.

Scott has OCD and has been housebound since the death of his mother. He blames himself for her death and has a voice in his head which torments him with horrible thoughts.

But one night, something happens to his neighbours. Something that makes them almost rabid and blood thirsty. And they seem to have their eyes on him.

Zombies? Vampires? A parasitic disease controlling them? Poison? It'll be up to Scott and his two best friends to figure this out before they, too, become infected or killed.

This book sets up this world nicely. And once the "things" make an appearance, it's a non stop brutally bloody race to find an answer. But there are also secrets to be revealed which will shed more light on the situation.

Using OCD and grief as the mental reflection of these infected humans is a great touch. It adds more to the story than just another monster tale and, by the end, even takes a heart warming turn.

I recommend this novella.