Lowfield is an eerily haunting story that sits with you the moment you start it, and are inevitably intrigued enough to finish it as soon as possible. I loved the main setting of PEI in the 1990’s and loved all the callbacks as well, it lent an air of authenticity to the story that was needed. This story is absolutely not for everyone - there is mention of rape, incest, and the main character is kind of a dick - but compelling enough to need to finish the story no matter what. The Lovecraftian feel to the entire story just gave it an extra sense of horror and malice. I am not sure if saying I enjoyed this book is the right phrasing, but I devoured it and can’t wait to see what else the author has written - I’m sure those will be must-reads as well.

I really enjoyed this as a horror novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel in this world. I really felt for Riley and how the story was told. I was invested in what was happening and was engaged from start to finish. Mark Sampson wrote this perfectly and was glad I got to read this.

Lowfield was a haunting and slow burning read that pulled me in with its eerie atmosphere and sense of creeping dread. The setting, Prince Edward Island, was the PERFECT location for this horror. The way the author captured the isolation and quiet eeriness of the home / town gave the story a deeply unsettling edge. It felt like the landscape itself was a character, and it added so much to the overall mood.

The suspense was well done, and I found myself turning pages out of pure curiosity (and a little unease). There were definitely moments that were hard to get through- some scenes were emotionally heavy or unsettling in their intensity- but I think that’s part of what made the book so wild. It didn’t shy away from discomfort, and that made the story feel real in a chilling kind of way.

While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, and there were a few slower sections, I appreciated the way it built tension and delivered a story that felt genuinely haunting. If you’re into quiet horror with a strong sense of place and slow, creeping suspense, Lowfield is worth picking up. Thank you for this arc!!

In Lowfield, Mark Sampson swings for the fences. The word "fun" isn't quite right; cults, incest, insanity, very scary vegetables: they're all here. Riley Fuller visits Prince Edward Island to check out the house he's inherited, an estate called Applegarth. But the book's not called Applegarth, it's called Lowfield, and that abandoned town's pull keeps Riley there well beyond his intended departure.

It's no fun if Riley's well-adjusted. His complicated backstory adds to the rich tapestry of this tale, and it is quite a tapestry: Imagine a Flame Tree Press title, with a Jonathan Janz influence, but written by 1980s Stephen King (King's influence is everywhere here), with some "Last Days" by Adam Nevill and a healthy dose of Robert Marasco's "Burnt Offerings", all set in Prince Edward Island, under a good old cosmic horror black hole sun (figurative, of course).

It's a heady mix, and some parts work better than others. On the whole, though, it's a heck of a good read. I loved it. I will be purchasing it for my library and have also put it in buy lists for friends who will think it's a blast.

A slow burn dark thriller with atmospheric writing and an underlying creep-factor. I enjoyed the history that was weaved throughout even though I usually don't. Superb writing.

A Gripping Mystery with Depth, Though Not Without Flaws

Mark Sampson’s Lowfield is a gripping and atmospheric supernatural thriller that weaves history, grief, and the unknown into a chilling tale set against the eerie backdrop of Prince Edward Island. With its moody setting and slow-burning suspense, the novel expertly builds an unsettling tension that lingers long after the final page.

The story follows Riley Fuller, a police officer seeking refuge from personal tragedy, only to find himself entangled in an even darker mystery. Applegarth, the decaying ancestral home he hopes to reclaim, is more than just a house—it’s a portal to something sinister, something tied to the abandoned village of Lowfield and the island’s buried secrets. Sampson excels at crafting a setting that feels alive (and not in a good way). The descriptions of the house, with its creaking timbers and shadowed corners, are rich and immersive, setting the stage for an unraveling psychological and supernatural horror.

Riley is a compelling protagonist, his grief and trauma adding depth to his character. His struggles with loss and guilt make him relatable, but at times, his internal monologues can slow the pacing, especially in the first half of the book. Some sections dwell a little too much on his past rather than moving the present-day mystery forward, which might frustrate readers eager to get to the heart of the horror.

Where Lowfield truly shines is in its sense of creeping dread. Sampson doesn’t rely on cheap scares; instead, he lets unease seep into the pages, making every revelation feel like a slow descent into madness. The history of the abandoned village is fascinating, and the way it intertwines with Riley’s family history adds weight to the supernatural elements. However, while the buildup is fantastic, the climax feels slightly rushed. After so much careful tension-building, the resolution comes quickly and leaves a few lingering questions that could have used more exploration.

Despite these minor gripes, Lowfield is an engrossing read, perfect for fans of slow-burn horror and gothic mysteries. The combination of eerie atmosphere, psychological depth, and historical intrigue makes it a memorable addition to the genre. If you love books that make you question what’s real and what’s imagined, this one is well worth your time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mark Sampson for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. It has not affected my review.

Riley Fuller is a man suffering life from all quarters. PTSD from an event in the recent past has driven him to look for a fresh start at a large house passed down to him from his father (like his father and so on for 4 generations before) in a rural section of Prince Edward Isle. Once there and in the house, he is so desperate for normalcy that the house seems to bring through quirky and eerie happenings, that he looks past the oddities or rationalizes them away. Discovering a 3-volume diary from his grandfather’s grandfather opens up knowledge of Lowfield and threatens to destroy not only Riley’s newfound peace, but the lives of many, many townsfolks.

Sampson writes a slow burn build for Riley’s life and the life of the surrounding area throughout the early book.that effectively builds the atmosphere readers look for in a story of a haunted individual and a haunted house, but its methodical in its payout. The flow of the build of Riley’s new cadre in Jack and Jessie-Mac was handled very realistically and set up some late-game happenings made that much more impactful. I wasn’t ready for the dinner party, and that was just the roller coaster leaving the gate.

For those sensitive to it, know that there are some possible triggers in the book in Rape, Suicide, Incest, SA, and CSA - a couple in particular that went on way longer than the narrative required, even if it played into the overall setup.

I’m a huge Lovecraft fan and this hit a ton of those buttons I love. Otherworldly gates, disfigured creatures, and more. There’s even a lengthy and sensical nod in Sampson’s world to my favorite Lovecraft tale “The Shadow over Innsmouth” with an encounter with an old drunk fisherman named Obed Marsten, and several mentions of something called the “Lowfield Look.” I loved it.

Know going in that there’s some rough country Sampson is going to cover but the trip to the far side of the novel pays off in a story arc you don’t see often, and I wish there were more haunted man/house stories like it.

So much gratitude to Literary Press Group of Canada, Now Or Never Publishing and NetGalley for giving me access to an early copy of Lowfield!

Being immersed in the descriptions of nostalgic 90's pop culture references and Canadian east coast imagery was quite possibly one of my favorite things to experience, along with the terrifying grip the story had on me to keep reading. A eerily gothic cosmic horror, set in Prince Edward Island 🇨🇦, was packed with disturbing and existentially dreadful consequences, from the very beginning!

This was a truly harrowing and reflective story that had a blend of historical facts mixed with horrific, otherworldly fiction 😱 Sampson's writing is witty, easy to follow, even if the content and topics discussed are hard to stomach. Not for the faint of heart (HEAVY TRIGGER WARNING⚠️), but definitely for the morbidly curious 🫣

A quietly powerful novel about isolation, belonging, and the weight of the past in a rural community. Sampson’s sharp prose and atmospheric storytelling make this a deeply reflective read

Luckily, I read a few of the other reviews before picking this one up, but after requesting. I refuse to read anything that has pedophilia in it. How people can even write about that in a book meant for entertainment is beyond me. I'm going to be generous and give 3 stars, but honestly, I would not recommend this to anyone, and won't read it. You can't unseen things after they end up in your head.

Trigger warnings will be very helpful with this one. If I’d known or even had an indication from the description the amount and types of sexual assault that would be referenced and shown I wouldn’t have requested this one. As I read I mentally prepared for the possibility of a rape scene. I was not prepared for a pedophilia fantasy.

If the author meant to make Riley unlikable and illustrate how women are often thought of as accessories to someone else’s story, well done author. (Side note: I don’t know what potato titted means but I don’t want to read it ever again) It wasn’t enjoyable for me but I may not be the target audience. Plot wise, I actually enjoyed the progression and pacing.

“There was very little life out here, which made it sort of spooky. But still.”

Genre:
General Adult Fiction
Horror:
-Cosmic
-Canadian
-gothic
-occult
-philosophical
historical fiction

Trigger warnings:
Death
Rape
Incest
Suicide and suicidal ideations
Abortion
Sexual assault
Intergenerational trauma and abuse
“So this raises the question:why don’t I leave? If I know that my presence here might cause something terrible to happen, then why don’t I flee from this place and never come back? “

If you are looking for a horror read for the cathartic release that accompanies a happy ending, then please do not pick up this book. It isn't the read for you. It is in every sense of the term a cosmic horror narrative.

I actually really liked this book, but know that it will be very triggering to many people due to the incest and rape that features heavily in the second half of the narrative. That being said there is really no graphic descriptions of any of those things happening and the reader is only made aware that these events when the protagonist is told by other characters that the girls and women of the town have accused their male family members of such horrific abuse and that these events have occurred in the past.

“He knew there was a bigger story—decades or even centuries old, and much darker than he could have imagined—burbling under the surface of his own tale.”

I received a physical copy of this book from the publishing company and an ebook arc copy from Netgalley for reviewing purposes.

Lowfield is a testament to exquisite writing. Its prose is both elegant and meticulously crafted, showcasing the author's undeniable talent. However, despite the beauty of the language and the richness of its narrative world, I found it challenging to connect with the story on a personal level. The narrative, while intricately woven, didn't quite resonate with me, and I struggled to maintain my engagement throughout.

This disconnect is not a criticism of the author's skill; rather, it reflects my own reading preferences. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the book, and I feel that providing a rating would not do justice to the effort invested in this work. As such, I cannot provide ratings on GoodReads and Fable for books I did not finish.

A dark story that really does fit into the cosmic horror genre. I am used to New England as my setting for a great deal of this type of horror but it was refreshing to have a different setting, in this case Prince Edward Island. The pacing is good and the journal/diary entries really helped ramp up the suspense. 4 stars.

Creepy house, suspicious family history, spooky vibes all around!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This is creepy AF. A disgraced cop moves to his families ancestral home for a new start. But the house is wicked and his family history is even more wicked. There’s an abandoned village behind the property where an entity is trying to escape. Really, really disturbing and upsetting things happen. There’s a lot of sexual deviancy in this and it will turn your stomach. Be warned. I kept reading thinking, how much worse can it get? It gets worse. Lots of history about Prince Edward Island as well. Love the cover art. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Sometimes you should not look for secrets within your bloodline…
Riley Fuller is an Off-Duty Sick Mountie that has had a rough few years. He’s middle-aged, an ex-wife, small apartment, and PTSD from watching three of his colleagues murdered. The big question is: should he give into the hope of a second chance or just use his Glock to end his misery?
Riley does get another chance when he finds an old deed in his deceased father’s belongings. The deed is for a house on Prince Edward Island that has been abandoned for the last 65 years. Riley decides to plant roots at Applegarth but is wholly unaware of quite what he has planted in his hopes of a second chance.
I really enjoyed this book, this morally grey character, and Mark Sampson's writing style. I think that it is worth the read.
TW: Sexual Themes (I try my darndest to not give away spoilers, but there are some unpleasant sexual elements in this novel that may not be suitable for some)

This is a well written book. It has some fine lines, a few well conceived set pieces, a fair share of perceptive and insightful observations, and some lean dialogue. Atmosphere and setting is top drawer. That said, try as I might I found neither the characters, nor their situations, nor the overall narrative engaging enough to arouse or hold my curiosity and attention. As a consequence, it doesn't seem fair to write much more of a review, apart from encouraging inquisitive readers to give the book a try.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this e-arc! I’m excited to look into more work from this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mark Sampson’s “Lowfield” is a spooky read with elements of cosmic horror, while also pulling in unique elements of Prince Edward Island’s history and geography.

The plot focuses on disgraced RCMP officer Riley Fuller, who inherits Applegarth - a dilapidated but historic family home. Seeing an opportunity for a fresh start on PEI, he moves in and the house’s dark influence reawakens and begins taking a toll on him… and on the surrounding community. With the help of some locals, including a young and ambitious newspaper reporter, he unravels the mystery of Applegarth’s dark past, while simultaneously grappling with a recent tragedy in his life.

Initially, the similarities to Stephen King, particularly the novel Salem’s Lot (and especially his short story “Jerusalem’s Lot”, which goes into the backstory of that cursed village) were a bit too strong for my liking, but seeing a few wink-and-nudge direct references to King’s setting made me realize it’s more of an homage to his work rather than a duplication.

The only content warning I’d call out is that, as the house reawakens and exerts its influence on the community, there are a lot of mentions of sexual assault, which adds to the grim and unsettling atmosphere but may not be to every reader’s liking.

Overall, “Lowfield” was an enjoyable read and would be great for fans of Stephen King who also want a little Canadian history mixed in with creepy atmosphere and classic horror moments!