Billy Hasler's best friend, David Spivey, has just won the jackpot. After the passing of a grandmother that he never knew, he has inherited Wood Island. An entire island! Problem is, even though there are no adults, there is a long list of rules to follow. And despite no one being around to tattle, it will be known... and there will be repercussions.

I initially saw this on Netgalley in the thriller section and....no. This is a horror novel. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with that, but I did want to mention it. There is a witch or two, a curse, ghosts...and more. Once I was in the right mindset, this book was terrific. I mean, who wouldn't want to inherit a little island where no one really has jurisdiction that can only be reached by boat? My anti-social self does! Of course, there is Emerson to worry about...

In the town of New Castle, New Hampshire, Billy and his friend David discover a mysterious house on an island that holds a dark past. As they uncover the secrets of the house, they awaken an ancient evil that puts their lives in danger.

I am absolutely obsessed with JD Barker's reads! His ability to send shivers down your spine and paint vivid scenarios is unmatched. Picture a secluded house on an island, harboring centuries of sinister secrets and a strict set of rules. You must stay alert to follow the twisted plot, or risk getting lost in the darkness.

The characters evolve from the past to the present, unveiling a multigenerational tale of evil that will keep you on your toes. Some characters may be hard to root for, leaving you questioning if you've stumbled into a cult-like read.

I won't spoil too much, but let's just say this book is a medium-paced rollercoaster of creepy thrills. If you enjoy spine-chilling stories about friendship, sacrifice, and the unknown terrors lurking in the shadows, then this is the book for you. With JD Barker at the helm, you can expect nothing less than a cleverly crafted, bone-chilling read. So, grab your nightlight and dive in - if you dare!

Thank you, Hampton Creek Press / Simon & Schuster, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There are a lot of characters to keep up with in Something I Keep Upstairs. Once I connected the dots, I got it. The story line was good. I found it a little challenging at time because I had a hard it envisioning what was being described.

It was a suspenseful and tragic tale of a hungry house that goes back generations. No spoilers.

I have not missed or been disappointed by a single J. D. Barker book and this is no exception. I agree with many of the other reviewers, this read more like a YA book, but it was a great haunted story. Thanks for the ARC and look forward to his next book!

Having read the 4MK series already, I was excited to dive into this one. I enjoy J.D. Barker's writing style. This one comes across a little more on the YA side, but I didn't mind that too much. I love a good, haunted house spooky and suspenseful story that kept you on the edge of your seat. This book solidified this author as an automatic read for me

This was a longer book. Which wouldn’t normally bother me but it did read very YA to me. I do love a good haunted house though. I guess it was just not what I had in mind. It was however a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Fast paced and delightfully spooky!! An excellent summertime horror read.

Thanks to NetGally et al., for the ARC

First of all I’m very thankful to have received this ARC! This book was amazing as it sounds. The plot. The story. I absolutely love this book. Highly recommend

3.5 stars

I’ve read a few JD Barker books before, so I was really excited to pick this one up. As usual, I didn’t read the description ahead of time—I like going in blind—but this one definitely caught me off guard.

It has a very YA vibe, which isn’t usually my thing, but I have to admit… I couldn’t stop reading. The story follows Spivey, who inherits his grandmother’s house on an island. His friends come to hang out, hoping for a fun adults free time, but things get weird fast. There’s some dark, occult stuff going on, and the house itself kind of takes on a life of its own. It’s creepy, atmospheric, and you can tell something’s not right from the start.

It’s a longer read, and if haunted house stories or YA thrillers aren’t your favorite, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re into eerie, slow-burn suspense with a supernatural twist, it’s worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Something I Keep Upstairs by JD Barker comes out May 13, 2025.

💚📚ARC Book Review 📚💚

Something I keep upstairs by J.D. Baker

Pub Day: 13th May 2025

If you love haunted island mysteries with deep, dark secrets, this one’s calling your name. It was supposed to be the perfect summer. One last adventure before college for Billy and his friends. But when Spivey inherits his grandmother’s eerie, isolated mansion on an island off the coast of New Hampshire, their getaway turns into a descent into shadows, secrets, and something sinister that's been waiting to be unleashed. At its core, this story explores the power and fragility of childhood friendship, the cost of broken trust, and how far people will go in their pursuit of wealth and immortality. The mansion has rules. But of course rules are made to be broken. What starts as a carefree escape soon spirals into a chilling tale of sacrifice, haunting history, and malevolent forces.

Expect creepy coastlines, a decaying house with a disturbing past, and a slow build that suddenly rockets into chaos. While some parts feel a bit drawn out at first, the second half grips hard and doesn’t let go.

This is a tame, twisted, haunting story perfect if you love your scares with a side of emotional depth and friendship tested in the darkest ways. Although I wonder by it's titled 'something I keep upstairs'

Thanks to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review

The first 35% or so of this book started a little slow, and I agree with another reviewer that it felt like a YA novel at the beginning.

BUT holy crap. The rest of the book...I COULDNT put it down. The suspense was so good. We're there a few plot holes? Sure. But honestly, it didn't matter to me at all. For almost 500 pages, this was a super quick read and creepy! I'd recommend for anyone who likes possessions, haunted houses, ghosts, and maybe some weird cult stuff?

"In the Sleepy Coastal Town of New Castle" follows seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler and his best friend David Spivey, who find an unexpected turn of events when David inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island. Excited about the prospect of spending their final summer before college without parental supervision or responsibilities, the boys set off for the island, eager for adventure.

As they explore their new surroundings, they become intrigued by the island's dark history. However, their innocent curiosity soon leads them to uncover an ancient evil that has long been buried beneath the surface. Faced with eerie occurrences and unsettling revelations, the carefree summer they envisioned takes a terrifying twist. The boys must confront the malevolent forces they have awakened and grapple with the consequences of their actions.

As the tension escalates, friendships are tested, and the line between reality and nightmare blurs. Billy and David must summon their courage to confront the island's sinister legacy, navigating fear and danger that threaten not only their lives but also the bonds between them. Ultimately, what started as a quest for adventure becomes a battle for survival against an overwhelming darkness that has haunted the island for generations. The fate of their summer—and their lives—hangs in the balance as they strive to escape the island's grasp and reclaim their future.

This was my first book by this author, and I will totally be reading more. I love the setting of the book. It did drag a bit in the middle but over all it was a great read and kept me interested. This book has a lot of suspense and mystery and I love that in a book.

A good take on the classic ghost story genre. There were some genuinely creepy moments and enough mystery to hook me. It did feel like it dragged a bit in the middle, but overall it was a great read. The setting in a New England coastal town makes this a perfect book to take on vacation this summer.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley/Publishers for the eARC!

This just might be THE book of the summer!!!

Barker is amazing at keeping you engaged and in supense. THIS BOOK WAS SO BIZARRE AND SO ENTERTAINING! Its so fleshed out and intentional with every single word. There were chapters I found my gut so full with anxiety and anticipation. I felt like I was there! The history/backstory aspect of this book is chef's kiss!💋 I absolutely loved the captains log chapter. Spooky stories with a historical element are my absolute favorite! Add the fact that Barker is one of my favorite writers and this takes place over the summer on a creepy island where who knows what's actually going on... Perfection! Probably the best new summer read you could pick up this year and honestly years to come! History, teen/small town drama, a mystery, and horror with similar vibes to I Know What You Did Last Summer. It checks all the boxes! Something I Keep up Stairs is a masterpiece! Oh and make sure to read the author note!

I really enjoyed the 4MK series so I had high hopes for this book . I found it too long things dragged on and the characters weren’t very entertaining . The premise was interesting and the beginning I enjoyed.
Thank you Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book has it all! Ghosts, haunting, séances and teenage horror flick feels. I enjoyed the haunted house aspects of the book as the island and house feel like their own characters. The historical backstory fit well with the plot. Very enjoyable read that kept me watching the shadows in the corners of the room.

"Something I Keep Upstairs" by J.D. Barker is, without a doubt, my favorite read of the year. If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales with a dark, psychological twist, this book will not disappoint. Set in the quaint (and let’s be real, creepy) town of New Castle, New Hampshire, the story follows seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler and his best friend David Spivey. When David inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island, it seems like the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy the summer. What could go wrong? Well, pretty much everything.

From the very first page, Barker pulls you in with atmospheric writing and descriptions that are deliciously unsettling. I found myself reading with one eye on the page and the other nervously scanning the room for any lurking shadows. The tension between Billy and David escalates in ways that will keep you turning pages faster than a haunted house chase scene. And don’t even get me started on the twists—they hit you when you least expect them, leaving you questioning everything.

One of the book’s most brilliant tricks is its ability to make you feel like you’re never quite sure what’s real. Are Billy’s experiences truly happening, or is he losing his grip on reality? The story weaves in so many moments of confusion and suspense, you’ll be wondering if you need to check under your own bed for something lurking.

The pacing is spot on, giving you just the right amount of buildup before delivering a punch you won’t see coming. And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys creepy little details that make your skin crawl (like I do), you’re in for a treat. Trust me, you’ll never look at an old house on an island the same way again.

Oh, and let’s just say—whatever you do, don’t forget to feed Emerson. Trust me on this one.

In all seriousness, J.D. Barker has crafted a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It’s the kind of book that keeps you up at night, both because you need to finish it, and because the aftermath leaves you with chills. If you love a psychological thriller with horror elements, this one is a must-read. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you…

Wow, that is all I can say about this book! I could not put it down. I have not read a book like this before, it was so unique! The characters were interesting and different and really made you feel like a part of the group. The story was so good, it kept me guessing. I just had to get to the end to see how this story wrapped up. This is an awesome story of friendship, betrayal, ghosts and more! I will definitely be reading more stories from this author as this is my new favorite book I've read this year!

I honestly could not put this book down. I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to the horror genre first timers. The cover gives Nicholas Sparks vibes, but the inside is anything but. The only beef that I had is that a 17 year old in the 2000’s would never make a Richard Nixon reference, let alone even know who the guy is…probably. READ THIS BOOK!