A haunted house (sort of) tale from Barker with a bit of YA thrown in.

The story of a group of friends in their last year in high school before heading to college. When one inherits a house on an island a quarter mile off the coast of his hometown from his grandmother, they go and visit and party but things aren’t what they seem with the house and indeed the island.

I enjoyed this overall but it did feel a bit all over the place with its ideas, pacing and character development. Some parts were pretty clever and creepy while others felt tacked on and unnecessary(I’m looking at you sherrif and missing girl story arc).

I thought I was enjoying the book more than I was. It’s overly long and really inconsistent with its story telling.

Still there was enough there to keep me entertained overall. It’s just not one of Barkers better efforts.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

Let me begin by saying I'm a huge J.D. Barker fan. I've read everything he's authored, as well as the books he's co-authored with James Patterson.

This is the first one I can't give five stars to. Sorry, J.D.

I'll readily admit I'm not a fan of ghost stories and supernatural adventures. With that admission on the table, let me add that this book goes about 70 pages too long. It exhausted me . . . . not in a good way. Whereas I usually am disappointed when a Barker book ends, this one seemed like a giant weight had been lifted. Sorry, J.D.

On the positive side, J.D. continues to be a master of the adjective. He describes scenes like no contemporary author. His words are precise and alive. He captures tension and wrings it dry. (I'm almost convincing myself this is worthy of 4.5 stars). Sorry, J.D. I can't go higher than four.

Holy freaking crap! I literally stayed up all night to finish this. I LOVE this author and this book was absolutely mind blowing. The characters were phenomenal. The story like was both fast paced and creepy as hell. My heart was pounding through all of this one. The paranormal side of this story was impeccable and gave me literal chills. Amazingly well written. I was so sad when I reached the end, this is one of those rare books you wish you could read again for the first time.
This one would get a bonus star from me. A MUST READ!

Would you like to own a beautiful island? All you have to do is die to get there.

AS usual, J.D. Barker writes a very spooky scary tale involving a group of young people "enjoying" their last summer before college. Sun, sea, boats, freedom, and adventure are on their score card. However, what they get is a tad different from their expectations.

Billy Hasler and David Spivey are good friends. When David inherits an island and a home from his eccentric grandmother, it seems like he has hit the jackpot. Little do David "Spivey" and his friends know that the island is a bewitched place and that grandma has a list of unusual rules that guests must follow. But it is all in fun right, until it's not.

One of their friends is into the occult and as they delve into legends, spells, and incantations, they awaken an evil spirit and are required to feed this spirit, named Emerson.

J. D. Barker is always able to raise the hair on my neck with his tales that weave lots of eeriness and creepiness and this one certainly does not fail at those things.
If you read this tale, do not skip the author's note for it too will send those shivers up your spine once again!

J.D. Barker delivers a masterclass in atmospheric horror with Something I Keep Upstairs, a chilling tale of friendship, secrets, and the dark forces that linger just beyond our comprehension.

Seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler and his best friend David Spivey expect an unforgettable summer of freedom when David unexpectedly inherits an old house on a secluded island. But their adventure takes a sinister turn as they uncover the island’s disturbing past—and awaken an ancient evil that refuses to stay buried.

Barker expertly blends supernatural horror with psychological suspense, crafting a story that feels both timeless and fresh. The eerie setting, slow-burning dread, and escalating tension make this a must-read for horror fans. With its spine-tingling moments and deeply unsettling atmosphere, Something I Keep Upstairs will keep you up long after you’ve turned the final page.

I really enjoy this authors books so was excited to read this one....it did not let me down!

J.D. Barker's "Something I Keep Upstairs" is a masterful blend of supernatural horror and coming-of-age narrative that captivates from the first page.

Barker's talent for creating atmospheric tension is evident throughout the novel. His vivid descriptions and nuanced character development draw readers into a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. The haunted house, a central character in its own right, is portrayed with chilling detail, making it a memorable and haunting presence in the narrative.

Barker has crafted a story that is both terrifying and thought-provoking, solidifying his place as a standout author in contemporary fiction. This novel is a must-read for fans of horror and suspense, promising a reading experience that will linger long after the final page is turned.


📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, J D Barker and Hampton Creek Press / Simon & Schuster | 📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

Thank you NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press, and J.D. Barker for this advanced copy.

This book was very different from the previous Barker books that I loved. But, I still really enjoyed this one! It was a creepy ghost story that kept me wondering what would happen next.

The Author’s Note was so interesting and yes, I started my searching immediately.

I am a big JD Barker fan, so I was very excited when “Something I Keep Upstairs” was available as read now on NetGalley. Despite being a fan of the author, I usually stray away from thrillers with supernatural elements, it always feels like a cop out for me, but Barker worked his magic and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time waiting for the next twist. I really enjoyed it, especially the author’s note and historical tie ins.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well this was fantastic. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

I would like to truly emphasise how gripping this story is. I have worked a 9-5 today AND read this book front to back. Every time I thought I had a plot twist all figured out, I was in fact, totally bamboozled. This was really one of those books where you have no idea what’s coming next and you can’t stop reading because you HAVE to know. The characters were all extremely believable, and were accompanied by a very creepy and atmospheric setting.

I can’t put into words how much I enjoyed this and I’m very much looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

"Something I Keep Upstairs" is a haunting exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the darkness lurking just beyond our understanding. It will keep you on edge until the final chilling page.

I was intrigued by this book as it looked like something I would enjoy reading. It started off slow but there are lots of twists and turns in it to keep you reading. While not one of my favourite books it was a very good read and one I would say put this in your 'to read' pile of books for this year. I gave 4 stars as there were a few spelling mistakes and wrong words used in the copy I received off netgalley but still enjoyed all the same. Well worth a read if you get chance!

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker is an eerie and suspenseful thriller that delivers plenty of tension, even if it doesn’t fully capitalise on its chilling premise. The story follows a protagonist haunted—literally or figuratively—by something lurking just out of sight, blending psychological horror with Barker’s signature fast-paced storytelling.

The novel excels in atmosphere, with Barker crafting a creeping sense of dread that keeps you turning the pages. The protagonist’s descent into fear and uncertainty is compelling, and the mystery at the heart of the book unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing. However, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, and a few key moments lean more on familiar horror tropes rather than breaking new ground.

While the tension is well-sustained, the final act feels slightly rushed, with an ending that leaves more questions than answers. That said, Barker’s sharp prose and knack for unsettling storytelling make this a gripping read. Something I Keep Upstairs may not be his strongest work, but it’s still an entertaining and atmospheric thriller. A solid 3.5 stars—great for fans of slow-burning psychological horror with a sinister edge.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC!!

While this started off slow, once it picked up I simply could not put it down!! It was very creepy and twisty!!! Had me locking the doors and keeping the lights on creepy!!
Absolutely recommend if you enjoy creepy and eerie reads!!

Okay, this book was amazing! It got off to a bit of a slow start, but it picked up right away and I could not put it down. When I got to the last 25%, I was up from 1am-3am just so I could finish it.

This story is so dark and twisted. When Billy’s friend, Spivey, inherits a mysterious house on Wood Island, they are met with some creepy rules that go along with the house.

When he and his friends decide to do a seance to turn the house into a “haunted house”, they unleash an evil entity named Emerson, who has been plaguing this island for generations and there is no end to it.

This story will show you the true meaning of friendship, trust and sacrifice. What would you be willing to sacrifice for eternal life, peace and riches?

If you like dark and creepy stories, I definitely recommend this one. This book will stick with me for a while and now I want to dive into more of this authors books😍

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again, So, so, so good!

I picked this up as I'd enjoyed some of Barkers other work.
I hadn't realised it was YA , and that was a bit of an issue.
In fact, the way our main character behaved had me wondering who this book WAS aimed at, which is how I discovered it wasn't me 😁

Setting that aside, the story had some good bits, but also some not good bits, and it was very much a mixed bag.
At the end I was pleased with how it all came together. There were moments of tension and a scare or two.
During though, sometimes it felt a little overlong.
Not my favourite Barker, but still decent.

What a complex, twisty, creepy book.

This story was a bit mind blowing. How did JD Barker come up with this? It was crazy how it all connected in the end and how it all ended up making sense. It was beautifully written and you can tell JD put a lot of work into research. It was such a sad and tragic story with so many twists. It was hard to keep up! I had to know what on earth was going on at Wood Island and who could Billy trust!

Some scenes in this book were truly haunting. Without giving too much away the scene where Spivey cringed every time he heard what was going on “upstairs”, the snap and shriek followed by silence played on a loop. That one will stick with me for a while…

So why the 4.5 stars instead of 5? Well, it was a bit long winded in some spots. Some descriptions and parts of the plot drug on quite a bit.

All in all, it was beautifully written and one of the most complex and unique books I’ve read in a very long time. Round of applause for JD, because wow.

J.D. Barker's new mystery/thriller "Something I Keep Upstairs" is a fast and pleasant read, but one that I found ultimately lacked the focus necessary to elevate it to the next level. It's a story of a group of teenage friends who are spending time at one of their group's newly inherited island home where nothing is as it initially seems. The story's narrator is Billy (perhaps the least interesting of the group, but that I think was a smart decision to ground the tale), a relatively average kid who plays sports and is dating Kira. His best friend, Spivey, learns that his seldom-seen grandmother has passed and left him her estate. The island and the house on it are the stuff of legend; there are tales of discovered skeletons, an old coast guard station, and, most interestingly, the fact that sometimes the house seems to be much newer looking than it should be... or perhaps much older than you thought it was, depending on the character's perspective.

Spivey is the book's most compelling character. He's been dealing with leukemia off and on, he's not athletic like his best friend Billy, and he's not the most popular kid around. Having a secluded house away from everyone's parents and various other authority figures seems like a real blessing. But his late grandmother's attorney is always hanging around, and he keeps reminding Spivey that the house and island have a set of very specific rules. Those rules and their origins are the book's most intriguing mystery, of course, but the relatively lengthy novel unfortunately waits until vary late in the game to start dishing out answers, and at that point they come at a rapid clip that really diminishes the sense of joyous revelation that I tend to hope for in stories of this sort.

Another issue I found was that the book sidelined Spivey himself more and more in its back half, instead starting to focus on a relatively generic police chief and his investigation. There's a lackluster missing girl element in the mix that never feels as important as one assumes it was supposed to be, giving off major red herring vibes from the moment the concept is introduced. It's clear why Spivey is sidelined in favor of two of the other kids (Alesia and Matty, who have their own ideas for what to do with the island and its secrets) when the book's final outpouring of answers begins, but it lessened the impact of what J.D. Barker was trying to accomplish. There's a handful of twists that aren't effective because the groundwork to set them up was either too rarely implied or was handed out mere pages before the reveal.

That being said, Barker's a strong writer, and the pages fly by. There's a bit of an over-reliance on teenage love pains that don't quite ring true, but the suspenseful and more action packed elements and scarier chapters are handled very well. I found myself doing the classic "just one more chapter" routine throughout my time with the book, which should tell you that despite my complaints there's still a lot to recommend. While I personally think another few drafts could have shortened and shaped this into something stronger, I still would recommend any horror and mystery fans give it a shot.


3.5/5

493 pages

5 stars

I’m in the minority here, for I loved this book. Mr. Barker exceeded my wishes with this novel. It was exciting, dramatic, creepy and had a supernatural twist.

New Castle, New Hampshire. It is quite the place. There are reputed hauntings in several areas. Creepy tales abound.

While the book mainly focuses on seventeen- year old David “Spivey,” Billy Hasler and their friends, it has a more mature theme. There are several families intertwined in the tale, each with their own stories of heartache and pain.

When Spivey inherits a home on nearby Wood Island from his mysteriously deceased grandmother, he and Billy celebrate their newfound freedom. But. The island home comes with a list of proscriptions and its very own strange attorney.

The innocent teens have no idea what they have gotten into.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Whaley is doing his research. He is faced with a puzzling conundrum. Things can’t be what they seem. He digs into the police archives and the town library. A young girl disappears, adding to his problems.

A nightmare is set to commence.

Mr. Barker does a fantastic job of laying out the story, seamlessly tying events and their consequences. The characters were fully fleshed out. I felt like I knew them. I witnessed the conditions of the old house and received delightful surprises along the way. I loved this book. I still remain a true J.D. Barker fan and will continue to read his novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press - Simon & Schuster/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in the review are solely my own.

J.D. Barker’s Something I Keep Upstairs is a gripping and atmospheric horror novel that delivers spine-tingling suspense from start to finish. When Billy and his friends uncover the sinister past of an isolated island house, their summer of freedom turns into a fight for survival against an ancient, malevolent force.

Barker masterfully blends psychological dread with supernatural horror, creating an eerie, slow-building tension. While some plot elements feel familiar, the immersive writing and well-developed characters keep the story engaging.

This haunting thriller will keep you turning pages—and sleeping with the lights on.

J.D. Barker has always been a favourite author, providing heart-pounding books that always keep you on your toes as you read.

This story is set in New Castle, New Hampshire and involves the lives of Billy Hasler and his childhood friend David Spivey. David inherits a creepy old house from his grandmother but there are rules that go with this gift. To Billy, David and their friends this seems unbelievable, the house is secluded and can only be accessed by boat providing them with the perfect destination to do what teenagers do best, party.

But there are strange activities occurring and no one’s lives will ever be the same. Initially I was completely engrossed wondering what was going on and where the story was taking me. But as the book progressed, I felt my excitement waning, I found it hard to keep track of at times, there is a lot happening, but it was difficult to grasp where the author was going. Normally I would rate this author’s books with a huge five star but unfortunately this one did not meet the mark.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.