Erica Schneider’s This Cold Night is a chilling exploration of grief, memory, and the terrifying lengths one will go to protect their family. Set within the atmospheric confines of Ferguson Estate, Schneider crafts a gripping tale that blends psychological suspense with tangible horror, ensuring readers are hooked from the very first page.

Rachelle Collins’ return to Ferguson Estate is meant to be a moment of solace, a way to reconnect with fond memories after the loss of a loved one. Instead, it becomes a harrowing journey as the house reveals a sinister secret lurking within its walls. Schneider’s vivid descriptions and sharp pacing heighten the tension, creating an oppressive atmosphere where every creak and shadow feels alive with dread.

What makes This Cold Night stand out is its seamless intertwining of psychological and supernatural elements. As Rachelle confronts her fears, readers are left questioning whether the horrors she faces are manifestations of her own grief or something far more sinister. This ambiguity keeps the story compelling and ensures that the suspense never falters.

Schneider’s writing is both evocative and precise, painting a vivid picture of Ferguson Estate while delving deeply into Rachelle’s emotional turmoil. Her character is relatable and well-drawn, making her struggle to keep her family together all the more poignant.

Fans of atmospheric horror and psychological thrillers will find This Cold Night an unforgettable read. With its eerie setting, complex characters, and relentless suspense, Schneider delivers a masterful tale that lingers long after the final page.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for this copy of "This Cold Night."

"This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen," from King Lear (and I won't spoil why it's quoted in the story.)

I wish this short story by author Schaef was two or three times longer. I wanted to know so much more about Rachelle and Finn and the whole Ferguson clan. They seemed interesting and relatable and kind/caring. And that's a big compliment to author Schaef!

We meet childhood friends Rachelle and Finn at Finn's mother's funeral taking place in the family mansion home. Then the power goes out and their phones are dead and the vehicles won't start.

The action happens quickly and the story moves briskly, but still gives you time to be freaked out. But so haunting - maybe its brevity helps to make it more intense and creepy...? Let me know what you think after you read it.

- I love the cover.
- I wished the content warnings were in the front of the book instead of the back that way the reader knew what was to come.
- After reading this book I felt it wasn't for me. Sadly I DNF'd it. Even though this book wasn't for me it could be for you.

Book: This Cold Night
Author: Erica Schaef
Publisher: Brigids Gate Press, LLC
Pub Date: December 28, 2022

I wish I had reviewed this before Halloween because this was a perfect spooky read. This short story takes place over the course of one night and is terrifying, tense and definitely a gothic thriller. It’s very atmospheric set in an old mansion in the middle of a snowstorm. Everyone is huddled up together in the same room in the creepy mansion and still people are being picked off one by one. I love reading a book that is accurately described as horror and horror is what you actually get. I highly recommend picking this book up. It’s a novella so it’s a fast read.

Thank you Brigids Gate Press, LLC and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date was December 28, 2022.

A fast paced novella but unfortunately I didn't really connect with any of the characters so I didn't have any empathy for them. Also, I didn't find it particularly scary creepy. It reminds me of a movie script where you are told about things instead of being shown them.

A brilliant short horror story that will stay in my head for a while. The atmosphere and setting were great and I loved the pacing. The threat was always there but there were also calm moments which made the horror moments hit so much harder. It was also surprisingly emotional at some points. But again, it helped the horror more than it took away from it. The whole story left me wanting more. I want to know more about the family's back story, the house and especially the something that's haunting it. Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Blitzed through this in one sitting.

The atmosphere was so well set up, especially for a novella, and the pacing was incredible - fast, but still kept me on the edge of my seat. Rachelle was a brilliant protagonist, and her friendship with Finn was so well touched upon.

Really recommend for fans of horror (both psychological and gore), as well as those looking for books with great atmosphere with family themes.

This really felt eerie and creepy. Set in a big old mansion amongst a snow storm. The scene is set and I felt really cold and scared reading this. It felt a bit like Krampus, when the family are huddled up in the house around the fire, not knowing what's going on outside and people being picked off one by one.
With all short stories I wish there was more. I felt tense and kept guessing what is was that was hunting the family. The backstory for the characters was good to build a connection with them which I felt was nicely done for such a short story. Really enjoyed this one

This is a hugely enjoyable, truly ghoulish horror story with heart and loss and some real feels all packed into a relatively short read novella.

Our protagonist had a tough upbringing and was taken under her wing by a loving family who were very much better off than her, but treated her as their own. She grew up with the comfort of their privilege and knowing how it felt to be cherished.

The story begins after the funeral of the matriarch, with all relatives gathered in the stately home as a snowy and dark night begins. The darkness goes beyond just a lack of light, as members of the family are picked off one by one by unknown creatures with a bloodlust beyond imagination.

The story is fast paced, characters built speedily and efficiently, leaving you emotionally invested when it would be better not to be. There is gore, love, respite, terror and a veritable roller coaster of feelings that hurtle you toward a brutal conclusion.

I really enjoyed this and raced through it with glee. Top marks.

I love the setup of the story, the main character's history, and the relationships between the characters. I like that the monster/creature in this book is different from what I normally read on. Recommend as a nice short read.

3.5 stars
This was fast-paced, entertaining, and mildly creepy. There were a couple of plot holes, but otherwise a solid read.

This was a really well done horror novel and worked well with the concept that I was looking for. The characters had that element that worked in the genre and was engaged with everything that I wanted. Erica Schaef was able to create a strong story and characters and I was glad I got to read this.

Scary! This was a short, fast-paced monster story. Perfect for this time of year for most people. Perfect any time of year for me. Even though it is short, the author manages to give a lot of backstory and create a world and a family I could picture and feel a part of. I was scared right along with our characters.

This was such a great read for Halloween and spooky season. This reminds me of The Criminson House movie. Gothic and thrilling

This was a fun novella! While I didn't really care for any characters, the plot was very engaging. Great read for Halloween!

Not my favorite novella. It was fine. Not scary or horrific in any way, in my opinion. 2 stars. I've read a lot of novellas and short, horror story but I guess this one was just not for me. I did not get a sense of the characters. I didn't particularly care when a character was killed. Just meh.

This had all the things I love in horror, I like Alot of horror but I love trapped too situations like this.

But is it haunted or is this just something all in Rachel's head?
This was a very quick read, but was exactly how it needed to be for the impact, Erica built the tension quick and kept it going and if this had been too long, I don't think it would have hit the same.

I finished this in one setting, I had to find out what was actually going on, because you can never trust the characters in books like this.

This is a high reccomend for me if you want a quick, tense, trapped in a isolated area read.
Short stories with actual plot and substance are few and far between lately, but this one was excellent.

This short novella packs a punch and manages to tell a story about family, friendship, and acceptance while a blood thirsty "something" stalks a family.

Set in a sprawling estate of sorts, a family gathers for the funeral of a matriarch. Among them is a woman who isn't related but is just like family as she was taken in almost as their own because of her neglectful mother.

A snowstorm buries them in cold and snow. Phones don't work, electricity is out, and their vehicles won't start. But this is the least of their problems as SOMETHING huge with wings begins hunting them one by one, leaving a blood stained path in its wake.

This story takes place on a single night and the action never ceases as the carnage ensues. Between these gruesome deaths, we'll learn more about the characters and whatever is hunting them.

This is a fantastic, short, and atmospheric novella which is perfect for a quick read alone in the dark. I highly recommend it.