Being a bookseller for many years, I knew William W Johnstone was synonymous with the classic western but I had never read his horror. Was happy to see his old 80’s horror novels were reissued. Rockinghorse was fun! Had 80’s nostalgia which, when written was current. Loved the spooky house. There was many aspects to the horror ranging from the haunted horse to the house to the odd wood folk to the satanic lore. Definitely will check out more of his horror

A interesting horror novel I liked the premise of the rocking horse

Quite fast paced with few moment that will have you looking over your shoulder

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

This had me turning pages, had some really gruesome and creepy scenes. Something about it had that 80's horror movie feel. Classic 80's horror. I really loved the idea with the evil rocking horse.

The central horror is revealed early on: an "innocent" rocking horse that resides in the house. Only this rocking horse is ANYTHING but innocent. On top of taking an everyday item that will quickly get your own heart hammering in fear, we are soon thrust into a tangle of evil cult members, complications/deaths from Lucas' family, sinister human elements, and "unknown" supernatural creatures that inhabit the woods surrounding the large mansion.

This book had non-stop action--and virtually every fear-inducing tactic you could envision! Some of the scenes were so torturous, that I was simply amazed at how easily Johnstone could switch between them and the more gentle, emotional ones involving the children, and innocence unfairly lost.

Highly recommended!

I think this was a good, old school, kind of pulp horror writing style, but I don't think this particular story is for me. I would love to try another novel by the same author.