Captivating and compulsively readable - I have not been so caught up in a story like this in awhile. It was chilling and unsettling in the best way.

I absolutely love a haunted house story. I was also charmed by the descriptions of teenagers in 2010 - which is when I was 15 - and found it extremely nostalgic. I haven't read a thriller/horror novel that felt so...real? Relatable? It felt like I was experiencing an urban legend, something I would have discussed with my friends at a sleepover or movie night.

The book was long, but I didn't feel the length at all. It felt so nicely laid out and seeing all the pieces fall into place was so satisfying. I absolutely loved this book and I feel like it'll live in my brain for a good long while.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I’ll be thinking about Billy for a long time. JD Barker is the closest author to match Stephen King with horror that gets under your skin, memorable characters, and outstanding writing. Something I Keep Upstairs is nothing short of a classic to add to the horror genre. Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance. I’ll be recommending this for my book club!

I often felt like I was right beside Billy going through things with him. This author never disappoints and this book is a great example of why he is a must read. The horror is well written and paced. The characters are interesting. It's completely unique in the genre which isn't easy to achieve.

David Spivey’s grandmother dies suddenly on a rare visit to the mainland. Some say it was a suicide, while others say it was just natural causes. Either way, David suddenly is the owner of a private island that everyone wants to own, even his own parents. The island comes with strict rules, no one under the age of 16 can set foot on the island and once someone visits the island they have to stay the night. So the battle begins as David is still a teenager and he has leukemia. David’s parents are trying to declare he needs to be under parental control and his best friend’s (Billy Hasler) father is trying to buy out David’s right to own the island. David decides to make a stand and live on the island and follow the islands rules. Little does he know that the rules have deadly consequences for him and his best friend. Soon what seems like a good time, turns to horror.

After finishing this book, I’m reminded just how unique JD Barker really is. Having read 4MK, I went into this one expecting a certain type of thriller—but this was something entirely different. A completely different genre, and yet I loved it just as much. Barker’s writing style pulls you in, even when the story veers into the strange and unexpected.

This book gives the reader a lot to think about. It’s packed with mystery, not in the usual twist-and-turn kind of way, but more in a slow-burn, layered sense. Every character—at any point in the plot—seems cloaked in some kind of mystery. Spivey and his entire family especially had this eerie, enigmatic presence that kept me intrigued the whole time.

I honestly wish this had been a series. There’s just so much going on, and not enough space to fully develop every storyline. Emerson, for example—his backstory is missing, and it feels like that could be an entire book on its own. Geraldine’s lineage? Still a mystery. And that ending—Keith and Whaley’s final moves didn’t line up at all with what we were led to believe. Same with Emerson’s location; it clashes with the historical facts, and I’m left wondering, why?

There are so many questions I’d love to ask, but I won’t—because I don’t want to spoil anything. Despite the confusion, I found it absolutely fascinating. I just really hope there’s a follow-up, because this world Barker built has so much more to give.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Hampton Creek Press / Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release: May 12, 2025
Author: JD Barker
Publisher: Hampton creek press/Simon & Schuster

Rating: 4 ★ 

In the quiet town of New Castle, New Hampshire, seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler’s summer takes a dark turn when his best friend, David Spivey, inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island. With no parents or rules to worry about, it seems like the perfect spot for one last adventure before college. But as they start uncovering the island’s unsettling history, they accidentally stir up an ancient evil that’s been lurking for generations.

Something I Keep Upstairs is a chilling story about friendship, sacrifice, and the hidden darkness that can change everything when it’s finally unleashed.

Something I Keep Upstairs is a spooky, atmospheric story about a teenager who inherits a house on a sinister island — and everything spirals from there. Told through the perspectives of Billy, the best friend, and Chief Whaley, the local police chief, the story switches between different “cycles” or timelines, which at times made it a little tricky to follow.

From the very beginning, Barker creates an intense, creeping sense of dread. It gave me major ‘90s teen horror vibes — dark, violent, and layered in the best way. The house on Wood Island comes with strange rules (like feeding Emerson and never answering the phone), and as Spivey and his friends dive deeper into the island’s secrets, the lines between reality and horror start to blur. It’s not just a haunted house story — there’s witchcraft, survival, hidden town history, and an unsettling sense that something is very wrong.

I loved the eerie, chilling atmosphere and how the story slowly peeled back its secrets instead of dumping them all at once. The tension builds naturally, and when no one else seems to notice the danger, it feels even more real. There’s also a creative twist on reality and perception that makes even the quieter moments feel like they’re ticking toward disaster.

That said, the second half of the book dragged a little for me. There were so many plot points layered together that it started feeling a bit overwhelming, and I definitely had to push myself through the final stretch rather than flying through it like I usually do with Barker’s books. The ending got a little too wordy and complicated, which dulled some of the razor-sharp tension he built earlier on.

Still, even with a slightly messy ending, the emotional core stayed strong. The characters felt believable and flawed in a way that kept me invested, and the creepy setting of Wood Island was just so vivid. Overall, while it’s not my favorite Barker novel, it’s a creepy, creative ride that blends mystery, horror, and paranormal elements really well. If you’re into chilling, small-town thrillers with a supernatural twist, this one’s worth picking up.

Favorite Quote:
"it's not always the loudest voices your have to worry about; sometimes it's the silence that speaks the loudest."

This is the spooky story of a teenager that inherits an island that is sinister to say the least. A sordid town’s history unfolds throughout this tale. Told from the perspective of this teenager’s best friend and the local chief of police. Alternating between “cycles”, this book was difficult to follow for me. I did enjoy this book, but I did feel that it dragged on a bit to sort through the second half of the book that had A LOT of plot points to sort through which made it harder to follow. I had to push myself to finish this versus being unable to wait to continue reading. Thank you Hampton Creek Press-Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

JD Barker has written an intense, high-stakes horror story, this time wrapped around a killer premise. A teenager inherits a mysterious island, one riddled with secrets he’s not remotely prepared for. From the opening pages, the sense of isolation and creeping dread is palpable, and it only deepens as the mystery unfolds.

This felt like a 90s horror, more specifically a 90s teen horror that is done right. It's dark, violent, and layered, with a structure that slowly peels back the truth rather than dumping it in your lap. The story leans into small-scale terror. The entire town not in on the horror, but a select few caught in something the rest couldn’t even comprehend. That only enhances the tension—when no one else sees the danger, it feels more real, not less.

I've already mentioned the strong 90s teen horror energy, but it's smarter, darker, and with a fascinating twist on reality and dimensional overlap. Barker plays with perception in genuinely shocking ways, making even the quiet moments feel like ticking time bombs.

The ending stumbles a bit. It becomes overly wordy and convoluted, slightly dulling the razor edge tension found in the rest of the book. That said, it never loses its atmosphere or emotional core, and the characters—believable, flawed, and well drawn—anchor the madness in something human.

If the finale had held its shape better, this would have been a knockout. As it is, it’s still a brutal and gripping read—and one of Barker’s more creatively twisted concepts to date.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book for an honest review.

3.5*
Reading this book was like being in the middle of a panic attack. There's so much happening and it boggles the mind. It's hard to stay if it is a horror story or a story of friends so I'll say it is a bit of both - terms and conditions apply.

Wood Island, the setting of this book, is spooky and evil. When the only resident of the island dies, the house on the island is transferred to the grandson. Now inheritances are mostly tricky but this one is deceiving at best. The adults try to keep Spivey from leaving his family to take up his ownership of the house but he chooses to settle out there to live a stress free summer with his friends. The property ownership gives him a lot of rights so he is able to keep unwanted people out.

Then slowly the mystery of the island unravels and we are put into a fever dream of sorts. We don't know what's real. The horror elements start raining down on the island and secrets keep building up until they finally start to literally explode towards the last 25% of the book. Giving away anything would mean giving away a lot so I just leave you with this - expect witchcraft, survival, murders, self-harm.

I just wish the book was shorter because it went on and on towards the end.

Something I Keep Upstairs by JD Barker, there’s so much to this story… Billy‘s best friend David who they call by his last name Spivey, inherits a home from his grandmother who died at the coffee shop in town. The home is on Wood Island and there’s many rules to staying there. One, makes certain the pilot light is lit too, do not answer the phone three, make sure to feed Emerson and on and on the rules were strange and the home is stranger. what does a 16-year-old with his own island home do but invite his friends get drunk do drugs and summon spirits. One of their friends Alicia is incredulous that no ghost live in the opulent manner and is determined to summon one strange things start to happen and although they do see people who aren’t there Billy feels possessed more than he feels haunted while on the island. When 15 year-old Lily goes missing from the mall Captain Whaley is determined to find her. Billy‘s daddy who he doesn’t get along with is also researching the home and what he finds is strange to say the least. Spivey‘s parents also big Billy to get him to go home they say Spivey who was in remission from leukemia now has an advanced case and must do his treatment but Billy has never seen his best friend look better. I haven’t even mentioned the lawyer yet and OMG All of it makes for one strange book. I am not big on long winded narratives but I must say JD Barker has a talent for keeping me reading I found this whole book interesting and couldn’t wait till it’s conclusion but like most grade books when I was done it was a bittersweet feeling because I had nothing else to read and just wanted more of it. So what does he keep upstairs… I have no freaking idea! Such a great read if you love great mysteries with a paranormal bent then you will absolutely love this one.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #JDBarker, #SomethingIKeepUpstairs,

As a general rule I usually avoid this genre of book. However, when J. D. writes a book, this girl is going to read it immediately.

So on that note, I did find myself drawn into the story. There is intrigue and suspense and it is definitely creeped me out at times, not on a horror way, more of a chilling way.

If you're into a mysterious, haunting, thriller type story with some very real locations and history blended in, get to reading. Nik Nok.

The plot follows two teens, Billy and Spivey, and their friends as they navigate an unforgettable summer.
When Spivey’s estranged grandmother passes away, he inherits her house on Wood Island. Hoping to make the most of their time together, they launch "Project Poltergeist," transforming the house into a haunted attraction.

But the house itself has strange rules, like “don’t answer the phone”, “keep the pilot light lit” and “Emerson must be fed,” which hints at something far more sinister.

As the teens dig deeper, they unravel chilling secrets tied to the island and their own family histories. Add in some witchy lore and a town steeped in hidden truths, and you’ve got the makings of an atmospheric thriller.

Told through the alternating perspectives of Billy Hasler and Chief Whaley, the story unfolds in layers, blending folklore and mystery to keep readers intrigued. The eerie tone draws you in from the very first page. While the pacing lags a bit in the second half and the characters don’t always fully land, the rich atmosphere and unsettling twists make up for it.

Though it doesn’t quite top Barker’s 4MK series for me, Something I Keep Upstairs is a creepy, entertaining read that mystery and horror fans are likely to enjoy. With its mix of small-town secrets and supernatural suspense, Barker delivers another solid addition to his catalog.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC! Something I Keep Upstairs is released May 13th 2025!

Watch the pilot light, it's been known to go out.

Thank you to Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of Something I Keep Upstairs. This was my first J.D. Barker, so I went in with no expectations and absolutely fell in love. The story starts with Spivey, who has just inherited a whole island with a beautiful house off the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire from his grandmother. Spivey invites his best friend Billy to come check it out with him the first time, along with Billy's girlfriend Kira, their friend Matty, his sister Izzie, and her friend Chloe. While you think this is where things start to unravel, the story's events were set in motion long before the group's first arrival on the island. What initially seems like good-natured haunted Ouija board fun turns sinister quickly, and everyone needs to decide whether they want to accept their fate... because Emerson must be fed.

I got Stephen King vibes in the overlap between the "real" and the supernatural, such that the absolutely unreal became believable. Billy was a great narrator. The book was extremely well-written, the mystery a long slow burn until the final culmination of events that had me glued to the page. I felt very strongly the end would make or break the story, and in my opinion, it made it. It was a slow wade in but I enjoyed it throughout. I can't wait to check out other books by this author!

Wood island. Everyone comes home. I loved it! This book has so much to unpack. I found myself saying what the hell multiple times. Every time you think you have it figured out, a new twist starts. The imagery made me feel as tho I was on the island with Billy. Jump into this book and make sure you follow the rules. Emerson will not famish.

When Spivey inherits his grandmother's island and home, it comes with rules. His parent's can't visit and no one under 16 can set foot on the Island. There are also notes, more rules or reminders like don't lock the doors and remember to feed Emerson. I would be excited for a new pet with that note but they don't find a cat or dog and maybe Emerson is long gone… but maybe not.

Some carefree teenage days soon turn dark because you know, what teenage boy doesn't break a few stupid rules. Once it gets to that point, the book really picks up. You wonder if it is all happening or just inside their head, what is real and what is just being spooked and seeing things that are really innocent.

Overall, it is a good read. But the slow start with the YA feel and the length of it makes it a 4 star read for me. I don't mind a long book if the pacing is there but this was slow then packed a lot in some parts. It is hard to say too much without spoilers but worth the read especially if you like locked room horrors. Whether you are into just general creepiness, paranormal, occult etc, this has a little bit for everyone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hampton Creek Press for the advance copy for review.

Wow! What a read - a great thriller that had me thinking WTF! JD barker has done it again wtih a breathless read!!

There's an island off the coast of New Hampshire, or is it Maine -- no one seems to be sure, that has an identity all of its own. There's one house, one inhabitant, one way to get on and off the island. And there are some quirky rules to follow, like no one under 16 is allowed to step foot onto the island and Emerson must be fed. (Who is Emerson?) When David Spivey inherits the island upon his grandmother's untimely death, he begins to have some interesting experiences. Things heat up when a girl goes missing and random strangers start to appear on the island. And, don't forget, never let the pilot light go out!

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I'd heard Barker can be wordy in his writing, so that's not why at all. I think the story suffered from a focal point. The author was trying to do too much with the plot. At some point, the "main" character/protagonist/narrator switches. It's unclear how to describe the person. There are time jumps in the middle of a page. Is it a ghost story? A haunted house story? A story about teenage rebellion? A story about demonic possession? A story about witches? A story about a missing girl? A love story? It needs a lane. Even after finishing the nearly 500 pages, I wasn't certain I knew what the author was trying to convey, and I certainly have no idea why it's titled as it is. That remains unclear.

Wow! If you enjoy creepy, supernatural, well written thrillers, this is for you.

Billy Hasler and David Spivey are best friends. They come from very different backgrounds, with Billy's Dad being a successful business man and David's mum having addiction issues, but, they are very close and Billy is especially protective of David as he has cancer.

On an island across from where they live in New Hampshire, USA, is a house solely occupied by Billy's grandmother whom he has only seen once in his life and who never visits the mainland.

Things take a weird turn when Billy's grandmother dies suddenly and he inherits, not only the house but the island. However, a series of rules must be followed....one of which is "Make sure Emmerson is fed"...who is Emmerson?

This book starts out as an innocent, fun, read but soon turns into a spooky horror story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are well rounded and interesting and my only issue with it, is, there were times it seemed to meander and I lost focus. But, overall, I found this to be a riveting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview this cracking read.

PS - and this is REALLY important..... read the authors note at the end of the book.....brilliant!

I have not read this book yet, so cannot give my opinion. The title sounds very interesting and cant wait to read this if I am fortunate enough to get a chance to receive and review this. If not I will certainly look for this in my local bookstore or library.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Hampton creek press and the brilliant author J.D.Barker for an early copy of his book to read.

Another terrific read,a dark chilling book from J.D.Barker. Billy and his friends heading to college, his best friend Davy Spivey has a place on an island and they have a party before college begins.its doesnt go to plan. Hidden in the darkness danger is lurking...another intriguing read from this author.im looking forward to his next book.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.