I loved The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert and was very excited to read Mister Lullaby! In true JH Marker fashion this book scared the absolute be jeebers out of me! I don't recommend reading this at night! Keep the lights on! But there is just something about his novels that you want to look away but curiosity kills you and you keep reading. If you want your pants scared off but in a good way I highly recommend picking up one of these novels.

This was goooood.

Terrifying, fantastical, incredibly human. There’s so much hope and hurt and inescapable doom. Everyone is important and the entire world is in danger. I loved how each character was consistent but still given room to grow and change. And even though everything that happened was absolutely insane and impossible it felt incredibly real and possible.

I only wish it was longer - I want more of what happens in the aftermath!

I didn't realize this was a book in a series when I picked it up. I will be going back to start with The Nightmare Man. I am wondering if this is why I struggled a bit when I started reading it. Was it because I didn't read the first that I struggled? Or was it just me?

I really did love the authors writing style and how he laid out the story. I wanted a bit more from the ending, but will be re-reading after I read The Nightmare Man.

I loved this story so much. I tend to agree with author Peter Ferris that J.H. Markert may be the "true heir to Stephen King" (but I also love horror in general). The author does a great job of creating a world where fantastical things can happen, like having a monster that puts people in comas to trap nightmares, then sending Mr. Lullaby to awake them and unleash the nightmares into our reality. Fun, fun, fun!!! I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

dnf @ 26%
I almost immediately noticed the ableism in the book and I wasn’t a fan. The one main character has a cleft palate and it’s constantly being referred to as a “deformity”. There’s another character named Simon, but the whole town calls him “Simple Simon” because he’s… mentally disabled? And apparently later on he wields a chainsaw? I was reaching close to the dnf button but decided to carry on.

I had dnfed this author’s other book so I was interested in seeing if my feelings would change in this one – I think I lasted longer in the other book. The plot wasn’t much to write about and according to spoiler reviews, it carries on being confusing until the end of the book, ending on a sort of a cliffhanger and not much being explained.

I’ve said this multiple times but I’ll say it again – I don’t mind long sentences. What I mind is when they’re too long and they don’t work as long sentences, that’s where I have an issue. Mister Lullaby doesn’t have well-written long sentences, unfortunately.

This was an absolutely insane ride! It was creepy, intense, and had me questioning everything that was happening throughout the story. My only complaint is that it ended so abruptly and I REALLY need to know what happens next!!

What a unique story with bits of time travel and other-worldly beings. Overall I enjoyed the story but I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked to have a little bit more on the end.

Wow, I hated this book. I had such high hopes for this book after loving Sleep Tight but now it feels like it was written from a completely different author. The story bounced all over the place and confused me, there were way too many characters to keep track of and the ending infuriated me. The whole story read like a bad fever dream and I was expecting so much more. I wasn't scared or freaked out once while reading.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the gifted copy for my honest review!

DNF @25% . I cannot for the life of me get into this story line . So many characters and honestly have no idea what’s even happening , nothing is sticking ! After reading a few reviews from fellow bookstagram friends I think it’s time for me to lay this one to rest.

Mister Lullaby by J. H. Markert is a dark and atmospheric novel that intertwines elements of horror and psychological thriller. The story centers around a haunting figure and explores themes of childhood trauma, grief, and the thin line between reality and nightmare. Markert’s prose is vivid and evocative, effectively creating a sense of unease that permeates the narrative.

The characters are well-developed, each grappling with their own demons, which adds depth to the story. The exploration of how past traumas manifest in the present is compelling, and readers will likely find themselves drawn into the protagonists’ struggles. Markert’s ability to convey emotion and tension is a highlight, making certain scenes genuinely chilling.

However, the pacing of the novel can be uneven, with some sections dragging while others rush through crucial plot points. Additionally, certain twists may feel predictable to seasoned readers of the genre, which could detract from the overall suspense.

Overall, Mister Lullaby offers an engaging premise and strong character work but may not fully satisfy those looking for a tightly woven plot or fresh surprises. It’s a decent read for fans of psychological horror who appreciate character-driven narratives but may leave others wanting more.

Mister Lullaby revolves around a boy in a coma who wakes up with a message, a man back from war with scars, and a man hearing voices deciding to go on a rampage. There's also an abandoned tunnel believed to be haunted, in a small town heavy with suspicion and secrets. The book explores nightmare vs reality, and the possible existence of a different world. This is a slow-burn, character-driven horror, and I was interested in how the characters' relationships unfold in the past and present.

However, I felt the ending was anticlimactic. There was a buildup leading to a possible confrontation or resolution but it was glossed over. While I was interested in the characters, after a certain point I wanted to know more about the dream world and how it's connected to the waking world. In the end, this book has all the right ingredients but felt undercooked to me.

The description of this book is literally my deepest reading desire. And this book was phenomenal! Strange, odd, weird, creative, terrifying... all boxes checked. I love the disturbing, unsettling, eerie idea of an otherworld with monstrous beings, and the pure existential terror induced by the imminent crossover between the two worlds. Few things really freak me out, but the level of dread I feel when I think of this book being played out in real life is indescribable. Marvelous.
This did feel like reminiscent of Stephen King, as the writing is incredibly detailed and fluid, I appreciate that. And the beginning actually made me think of NOS4A2 by Hill (another King connection unsurprisingly) but it (happily) did not read that way, and quickly turned into it's own unique story. I actually didn't like NOS4A2 because of a few specific details (the "monster" for starters) and this fulfilled that creepy otherworld void that I had been missing!

A book where nightmares come to life? Sign me up! Ya'll know I like all the dark and twisty books. Anything can happen in LaLaLand.

I feel the writing is incredibly important in a horror novel. It can make or break the story. The writing was detailed. The writing style and the story both reminded me of Stephen King.

My favorite part was the horns. I can't say anything else, or I might ruin the story.

The ending is WIDE open. There could definitely be a book two! I listened and read this book. IMO, I prefer the physical copy. There is a lot going on, and I had to re-listen to a few parts because I was multitasking, and I missed important detail. It wasn't the narrators at all. This is a personal preference for me. If you can sit and listen to a book and not be distracted, you might love it.

This book came off a little bit more as a thriller for me not so much horror. There was scary aspects and it was creepy. However it was pretty slow paced with a rushed ending.

Reading Mister Lullaby made me want to go back and read The Nightmare Man and though I could have sworn some of the same characters made an appearance, per the acknowledgments everyone was new! That being said, the world felt very similar and that is clearly why it gave me similar vibes. I love J.H. Markert's writing, and this book is terrifying, violent, and eerie in all the best ways. We have multiple viewpoints that never confused me and a shocking ending I never saw coming!

I do always love a full cast for audiobooks, but David Bendena & Lauren Ezzo were such great narrators for Mister Lullaby that I was perfectly content with just the two of them. The pacing of this book never quit, and I have no idea how Markert thinks these things up but I'm glad he does. The paranormal elements and horror are top-notch, and it even made me tear up in a couple of places. This author is so talented and his books under this pen name are perfect for thriller and horror fans alike! If you love the creepy and supernatural, you must pick this up!

Overall I enjoyed this story. Early on, it reminded me a bit of Joe Hill's NOS4A2.

I do think there were some issues with pacing, especially with the rushed conclusion that feels like it would have served better if this was book 1 in a series rather than a stand alone. I think some of the characters could have been explored further as well.

That being said, it was still a good read. This author's previous novel, The Nightmare Man, was one of my favourites last year so I will definitely read more from this author.

I've read "The Nightmare Man" by J. H. Markert and loved it. So, could "Mister Lullaby," his new novel, be as good? Well, honestly... "Mister Lullaby" is BLOODY amazing! Perhaps even better than "The Nightmare Man." I was drawn into this book like a moth to a flame and felt slightly bereft when the ending came. Now I can't wait to read "Sleep Tight."

I tried to get through this several times, but it is too weird, even for me. I kept getting the characters confused and would have to go back to re-read parts, and by then it just became mundane and difficult to continue. The writing style was good! It just isn’t my kind of story, and I couldn’t concentrate enough to keep me turning pages. This was the second book by Makert that I just can’t finish. I know he has a big following, so I will keep trying, but this one isn’t for me.

I have to say this one didn’t grip me as much as the first book did. I just loved The Nightmare Man. It took me quite some time to get into the story and connect with the characters. Also the beginning was a little confusing with the tunnel. It felt very paranormal although it wasn’t. Very atmospheric but the pace was too slow. The ending saved it for me.

Mister Lullaby by J. H. Markert - I ADORED The Nightmare Man. So what happened when I saw the advance copy for the authors next book pop-up? I begged. I sold a kidney. It wasn't pretty. But, hey, I got the book, and it was definitely worth it. I didn't love it AS MUCH as TNM, it definitely had way more supernatural elements than I was expecting, but the writing, the story, and the characters were amazing

This audiobook is narrated by David Bendena & Lauren Ezzo

•Thank you to @crookedlanebooks