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Nowhere
Mare of Easttown meets The Outsider in this spine-tingling and twisty debut about a series of disappearances in a small, fundamentalist town and what one broken family must do to remain together as dark forces close in.
After losing her young son in an accident, Rachel Kennan throws herself into her career as police chief of a small Virginia town to avoid focusing on her grief. Meanwhile, her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer whose alcoholism led to the devastating tragedy that changed everything, struggles to redeem himself before his family completely falls apart. Their two daughters are the only things keeping Rachel and Finn together, but the girls have demons of their own.
At the same time, a disturbing crime rocks their tightknit, religious community, sending Rachel chasing leads in a place that does not take kindly to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest starts calling to the children, fear spawns hate among the townspeople, placing the Kennan family directly in the line of fire. Left with no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must come together to face threats inside and out.
A haunting family saga and a disquieting horror debut, Nowhere draws from Appalachian folklore to caution us that true terror is what we bury in our own hearts.
After losing her young son in an accident, Rachel Kennan throws herself into her career as police chief of a small Virginia town to avoid focusing on her grief. Meanwhile, her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer whose alcoholism led to the devastating tragedy that changed everything, struggles to redeem himself before his family completely falls apart. Their two daughters are the only things keeping Rachel and Finn together, but the girls have demons of their own.
At the same time, a disturbing crime rocks their tightknit, religious community, sending Rachel chasing leads in a place that does not take kindly to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest starts calling to the children, fear spawns hate among the townspeople, placing the Kennan family directly in the line of fire. Left with no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must come together to face threats inside and out.
A haunting family saga and a disquieting horror debut, Nowhere draws from Appalachian folklore to caution us that true terror is what we bury in our own hearts.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2025
101 people are currently reading
22.8k people want to read
About the author
Allison Gunn
1book112followersAllison Gunn is a researcher, writer, and tarot reader with a penchant for all things whimsical and strange. An alum of University of Maryland, Allison has extensively studied marginalized communities as well as folklore.
She currently resides in the wonderfully weird land of West Virginia with her twin daughters, precocious pup, and one seriously troubled tabby.
Allison is represented by Logan Harper with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Her debut horror novel, NOWHERE (Atria | 2025) is currently available for pre-order.
She currently resides in the wonderfully weird land of West Virginia with her twin daughters, precocious pup, and one seriously troubled tabby.
Allison is represented by Logan Harper with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Her debut horror novel, NOWHERE (Atria | 2025) is currently available for pre-order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
October 12, 2024
3.5 stars!
After losing her young son in an accident, Rachel Kennan throws herself into her career as police chief of a small Virginia town to avoid focusing on her grief. Meanwhile, her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer whose alcoholism led to the devastating tragedy that changed everything, struggles to redeem himself before his family completely falls apart. Their two daughters are the only things keeping Rachel and Finn together, but the girls have demons of their own.
At the same time, a disturbing crime rocks their tightknit, religious community, sending Rachel chasing leads in a place that does not take kindly to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest starts calling to the children, fear spawns hate among the townspeople, placing the Kennan family directly in the line of fire. Left with no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must come together to face threats inside and out.
A haunting family saga and a disquieting horror debut, Nowhere draws from Appalachian folklore to caution us that true terror is what we bury in our own hearts.
I had some mixed feelings about this one. In the beginning, I loved it It has a very creepy atmosphere, and it's a little scary. I kept wondering what is in those woods! The children's nursery rhyme songs were very creepy too, coming from the woods.
The first death was very grotesque and the descriptions of it freaked me out. I felt so sorry for Rachel and Finn losing their son Aiden in an accident It is so heartbreaking. They are together just because of their children. They are coping with so much grief. Their family is falling apart. I enjoyed the supernatural aspect in this book.
When I got to the second half it seemed to lose its fizzle. The book seem to be very repetitive of everything that happened in the first half. Nothing really happened new. I love the folklore in the book and wanted more of it, and also wanted more creepiness. It bored me and I thought it was really strange. I just wanted the book to end. Even though I didn't enjoy the second half I did like it.
This was a buddy read with Debra! Check out her review!
I want to thank Netgalley, Atria Books for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After losing her young son in an accident, Rachel Kennan throws herself into her career as police chief of a small Virginia town to avoid focusing on her grief. Meanwhile, her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer whose alcoholism led to the devastating tragedy that changed everything, struggles to redeem himself before his family completely falls apart. Their two daughters are the only things keeping Rachel and Finn together, but the girls have demons of their own.
At the same time, a disturbing crime rocks their tightknit, religious community, sending Rachel chasing leads in a place that does not take kindly to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest starts calling to the children, fear spawns hate among the townspeople, placing the Kennan family directly in the line of fire. Left with no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must come together to face threats inside and out.
A haunting family saga and a disquieting horror debut, Nowhere draws from Appalachian folklore to caution us that true terror is what we bury in our own hearts.
I had some mixed feelings about this one. In the beginning, I loved it It has a very creepy atmosphere, and it's a little scary. I kept wondering what is in those woods! The children's nursery rhyme songs were very creepy too, coming from the woods.
The first death was very grotesque and the descriptions of it freaked me out. I felt so sorry for Rachel and Finn losing their son Aiden in an accident It is so heartbreaking. They are together just because of their children. They are coping with so much grief. Their family is falling apart. I enjoyed the supernatural aspect in this book.
When I got to the second half it seemed to lose its fizzle. The book seem to be very repetitive of everything that happened in the first half. Nothing really happened new. I love the folklore in the book and wanted more of it, and also wanted more creepiness. It bored me and I thought it was really strange. I just wanted the book to end. Even though I didn't enjoy the second half I did like it.
This was a buddy read with Debra! Check out her review!
I want to thank Netgalley, Atria Books for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2024
*screams in frustration and throws book across room* WT-ever-loving-F was that about?? This book was scary and suspenseful and well-written, but I hate-read the entire thing because just about every character in it is absolutely awful. And that includes the main character, as she's the most horrible of them all. I mean, I get it, grief can make you act in ways you wouldn't normally act and can tear relationships apart, but Rachel is � and you should cover your ears here if you're of a sensitive disposition � a raging bitch throughout this entire novel. Her husband Finn is only marginally better and the townspeople are � well, they deserve everything they get, let's just put it that way.
But, yeah, this book is scary. I don't often get creeped out by what I read, but I read this last night before bed and then kind of didn't want to turn the lights out (and may or may not have dinked around on my phone for half an hour to bleach my brain before doing so). This is apparently the author's debut novel and I'm super impressed, because she really knows how to write horror. The plot is solid, and it grabbed me from the very start and didn't let go until the incredibly f'ed up ending. I've absolutely no complaints there.
Rachel, though � ugh. Dolores Umbridge made me seethe less. She continuously makes stupid, brash decisions with no thought for the safety or feelings of others. She knows better than everyone else and won't listen to reason because SHE'S THE CHIEF (Chief of Raging Bitchdom, amirite?) and takes it as a license to act like a twat. I hated her with a fiery passion � which means that I liked her way, way more than she likes her husband. I mean, that scene with Finn and Charlie and Lucy and the woods? Who TF goes straight to ?? And both she and Finn deserve a smack in the head for the way they talk about their kids. “Aiden was so perfect and the most wonderful thing in the world and we loved him so much � and, oh yeah, we have these two daughters and they're alright, I guess.� The townspeople are assholes and hate Rachel and Finn for all the wrong reasons, but they almost certainly would have hated them just as much had they gotten to know them because who wouldn't??
The supernatural parts, though? Bloody fantastic. I don't know if this novel is based on actual folklore or if everything is totally the author's invention, but it's wonderfully creepy (and also more than a little traumatizing).
So, yeah. 4.5 stars for the writing and negative 1,000,000 stars for the Kennans and their shitty, dysfunctional family. Negative 999,995.5 stars seems a little harsh, though, so I'll just round up to a four. If you can get past the awful characters, Nowhere is really an excellent and well-executed horror read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.
But, yeah, this book is scary. I don't often get creeped out by what I read, but I read this last night before bed and then kind of didn't want to turn the lights out (and may or may not have dinked around on my phone for half an hour to bleach my brain before doing so). This is apparently the author's debut novel and I'm super impressed, because she really knows how to write horror. The plot is solid, and it grabbed me from the very start and didn't let go until the incredibly f'ed up ending. I've absolutely no complaints there.
Rachel, though � ugh. Dolores Umbridge made me seethe less. She continuously makes stupid, brash decisions with no thought for the safety or feelings of others. She knows better than everyone else and won't listen to reason because SHE'S THE CHIEF (Chief of Raging Bitchdom, amirite?) and takes it as a license to act like a twat. I hated her with a fiery passion � which means that I liked her way, way more than she likes her husband. I mean, that scene with Finn and Charlie and Lucy and the woods? Who TF goes straight to ?? And both she and Finn deserve a smack in the head for the way they talk about their kids. “Aiden was so perfect and the most wonderful thing in the world and we loved him so much � and, oh yeah, we have these two daughters and they're alright, I guess.� The townspeople are assholes and hate Rachel and Finn for all the wrong reasons, but they almost certainly would have hated them just as much had they gotten to know them because who wouldn't??
The supernatural parts, though? Bloody fantastic. I don't know if this novel is based on actual folklore or if everything is totally the author's invention, but it's wonderfully creepy (and also more than a little traumatizing).
So, yeah. 4.5 stars for the writing and negative 1,000,000 stars for the Kennans and their shitty, dysfunctional family. Negative 999,995.5 stars seems a little harsh, though, so I'll just round up to a four. If you can get past the awful characters, Nowhere is really an excellent and well-executed horror read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.
March 18, 2025
5⭐️!!!!
This book was INCREDIBLE! I almost can’t believe this is her debut book. This book is bone chilling from cover to cover. The way she built suspense, eeriness, and horror was unmatched. I will be reading all future books by this incredibly gifted author
Update: I’ve read this twice now and not a day goes by where I don’t think about it in some capacity! Whether it’s revisiting characters or specific scenes, or walking my dog near the forest and being a bit extra aware of my surroundings due to the fear (in the best of ways!) that this book gave me! Waiting at the edge of my seat for the next book by Allison Gunn!
This book was INCREDIBLE! I almost can’t believe this is her debut book. This book is bone chilling from cover to cover. The way she built suspense, eeriness, and horror was unmatched. I will be reading all future books by this incredibly gifted author
Update: I’ve read this twice now and not a day goes by where I don’t think about it in some capacity! Whether it’s revisiting characters or specific scenes, or walking my dog near the forest and being a bit extra aware of my surroundings due to the fear (in the best of ways!) that this book gave me! Waiting at the edge of my seat for the next book by Allison Gunn!
March 21, 2025
Final rating tomorrow.. but at least 4.5 stars! Thank you Atria books for the early copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
Video review:
If you liked� (part 4):
Video review:
If you liked� (part 4):
October 5, 2024
respectfully, my first and last horror book� 🩷
the writing was phenomenal and my ass was scared the entire time, i have become the most jumpy person in the last twenty four hours that my ice dumping in the freezer scared the ever loving fuck out of me :)
disrespectfully, fuck rachel kennan 🖕🏻
i cannot tell you how many times i almost dnf’d this because i just couldnt fucking stand her. she was a raging bitch, i could not stop rolling my eyes at how she kept telling people to stfu with their woe is me bullshit but would turn around and play fucking victim EVERY TIME WE GOT HER POV. finn and her children deserved a way better life and truly i wish he could have gotten all of them out in time before this story could take place, which yes i know theres no book if he did but idc. they deserved better and rachel can rot 🩷
the writing was phenomenal and my ass was scared the entire time, i have become the most jumpy person in the last twenty four hours that my ice dumping in the freezer scared the ever loving fuck out of me :)
disrespectfully, fuck rachel kennan 🖕🏻
i cannot tell you how many times i almost dnf’d this because i just couldnt fucking stand her. she was a raging bitch, i could not stop rolling my eyes at how she kept telling people to stfu with their woe is me bullshit but would turn around and play fucking victim EVERY TIME WE GOT HER POV. finn and her children deserved a way better life and truly i wish he could have gotten all of them out in time before this story could take place, which yes i know theres no book if he did but idc. they deserved better and rachel can rot 🩷
February 21, 2025
The story told in this novel is brave and terrifying, a twist on classical folk superstitions that is dark and fearless. In addition, the juxtaposition between the characters� inner turmoil with the external events creates a twisted narrative that exists in a liminal place between private and public, personal and performative, which is really fertile ground for exploring humanity.
Unfortunately, that is as far as my praise for this book can go. I thought the atmosphere/world-building, the character and character development, and the writing itself were all not as great as the ideas that are the heart of this story. The world-building feels quite minimal. There is nothing that locates this story in any specific place, even with the main characters� constant disdain for their adopted town taken into consideration. This could be any rural community anywhere near a forest, and even that felt absent geographical specificity. Are the woods behind the main character’s house? Are they a few miles away off the side of the highway? Are they behind the church? Are they out at the town limits where the meth labs are? There just felt like a convenient patch of forest nearby where and whenever the story needed it, it felt disconnected from any actual sense of space. Nothing really located me in the rural south save for the ancillary characters� accents, and it just felt disconnected from place in a way that made it hard for me to feel involved in the story. The characters all felt cartoonish. The ancillary characters were all stereotypical, backwards hicks; not a single one had any other aspect of their identity that came through. The main characters felt like they were wrapped around an interesting set of conflicting emotions, but they felt like they were turned up to eleven right from the beginning, and nothing they did, especially Rachel, felt realistic (for this world). Everything felt fabricated to be as extreme as possible, which seemed to be justification for their bad decisions, bad decisions necessary for the plot to move forward, but it didn’t feel convincing. Maybe more importantly, there is no meaningful character development. The place the characters are at the end of the story is different than where they were at the beginning, but that is because they change on a dime, without any meaningful introspection or process. It is a constant hot and cold that just feels convenient and uninteresting. There is a plot thread regarding Rachel taking medication for some mental illness but we don’t know what it is, and after being mentioned briefly it isn’t touched on again, so maybe there is something there to support her constant emotional seesawing, but if so it wasn’t brought out in any meaningful way. All of her actions in the back half of the book felt disconnected from the reality she had been living in and that the story had been setting up for us in the first half, and it didn’t feel satisfying.
I think in large part this comes to the writing, which by and large fell flat, to me. The prose itself was competent enough and had a decent amount of narrative propulsion, and the dialogue felt realistic. But the chapters were so short that you never had time to really spend meaningful time in any character or any scene. As we swapped POVs across most chapters it felt disjointed, since I never felt any anchor with the characters, like every chapter was skimming the surface. It felt like there was a plot checklist and each chapter existed long enough to check off the next item on that list, and no longer. So, the connection across chapters and the deeper connection to the world or the characters just didn’t feel like it had any presence. While a dark and interesting story with the promise of complicated and engaging characters at its center, instead this felt like flat, stereotypical or expected characters doing exactly what was needed of them to move the plot to its next point. This included some story beats that didn’t really make sense and felt like they were added just to increase tension, but just left me disconnected from the internal cohesion of the story.
So, while I really liked the story and the ideas, I didn’t love this novel. I won’t mention what common folk tale/superstition it is playing with, to not give anything away (though it is obvious just from the jacket copy), but I really liked the conceptual work of the story. As I said, when we know the full backstory of the two main characters then they are actually really interesting, and I think their internal conflicts are a great playground for this story. However, we learn their histories through exposition, not their actions, and their actions as we experience them don’t reflect the tortured nuance that the exposition promises. The novel does have important ideas not just about family but about responsibility, forgiveness, and grief. There are questions about what it means to live an authentic life, being your authentic self, instead of changing who you are to meet others� expectations, and whether that can do anything other than destroy you. So, really interesting and exciting questions, and the story and characters were an exciting vehicle to explore those questions, but in the end the pieces didn’t come together in a way that worked for me.
I want to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Atria Books, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, that is as far as my praise for this book can go. I thought the atmosphere/world-building, the character and character development, and the writing itself were all not as great as the ideas that are the heart of this story. The world-building feels quite minimal. There is nothing that locates this story in any specific place, even with the main characters� constant disdain for their adopted town taken into consideration. This could be any rural community anywhere near a forest, and even that felt absent geographical specificity. Are the woods behind the main character’s house? Are they a few miles away off the side of the highway? Are they behind the church? Are they out at the town limits where the meth labs are? There just felt like a convenient patch of forest nearby where and whenever the story needed it, it felt disconnected from any actual sense of space. Nothing really located me in the rural south save for the ancillary characters� accents, and it just felt disconnected from place in a way that made it hard for me to feel involved in the story. The characters all felt cartoonish. The ancillary characters were all stereotypical, backwards hicks; not a single one had any other aspect of their identity that came through. The main characters felt like they were wrapped around an interesting set of conflicting emotions, but they felt like they were turned up to eleven right from the beginning, and nothing they did, especially Rachel, felt realistic (for this world). Everything felt fabricated to be as extreme as possible, which seemed to be justification for their bad decisions, bad decisions necessary for the plot to move forward, but it didn’t feel convincing. Maybe more importantly, there is no meaningful character development. The place the characters are at the end of the story is different than where they were at the beginning, but that is because they change on a dime, without any meaningful introspection or process. It is a constant hot and cold that just feels convenient and uninteresting. There is a plot thread regarding Rachel taking medication for some mental illness but we don’t know what it is, and after being mentioned briefly it isn’t touched on again, so maybe there is something there to support her constant emotional seesawing, but if so it wasn’t brought out in any meaningful way. All of her actions in the back half of the book felt disconnected from the reality she had been living in and that the story had been setting up for us in the first half, and it didn’t feel satisfying.
I think in large part this comes to the writing, which by and large fell flat, to me. The prose itself was competent enough and had a decent amount of narrative propulsion, and the dialogue felt realistic. But the chapters were so short that you never had time to really spend meaningful time in any character or any scene. As we swapped POVs across most chapters it felt disjointed, since I never felt any anchor with the characters, like every chapter was skimming the surface. It felt like there was a plot checklist and each chapter existed long enough to check off the next item on that list, and no longer. So, the connection across chapters and the deeper connection to the world or the characters just didn’t feel like it had any presence. While a dark and interesting story with the promise of complicated and engaging characters at its center, instead this felt like flat, stereotypical or expected characters doing exactly what was needed of them to move the plot to its next point. This included some story beats that didn’t really make sense and felt like they were added just to increase tension, but just left me disconnected from the internal cohesion of the story.
So, while I really liked the story and the ideas, I didn’t love this novel. I won’t mention what common folk tale/superstition it is playing with, to not give anything away (though it is obvious just from the jacket copy), but I really liked the conceptual work of the story. As I said, when we know the full backstory of the two main characters then they are actually really interesting, and I think their internal conflicts are a great playground for this story. However, we learn their histories through exposition, not their actions, and their actions as we experience them don’t reflect the tortured nuance that the exposition promises. The novel does have important ideas not just about family but about responsibility, forgiveness, and grief. There are questions about what it means to live an authentic life, being your authentic self, instead of changing who you are to meet others� expectations, and whether that can do anything other than destroy you. So, really interesting and exciting questions, and the story and characters were an exciting vehicle to explore those questions, but in the end the pieces didn’t come together in a way that worked for me.
I want to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Atria Books, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 11, 2024
ARC for review. To be published March 25, 2025.
“Where I’d put this book on my shelf, Alex.� HAhahahahahaha�.I kill myself.
In this debut novel Rachel Kennan is police chief in the small town of Dahlmouth, Virginia, outside Roanoke. She recently lost her eight year old son Aidan in a car accident where the vehicle was operated by her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer who was drunk at the time. The two are trying to deal with the pain and are only staying together for their daughters, teenager Charlie and young Lucy, both of whom are troubled following what happened. This whole family is barely holding it together. If they are.
Then a disturbing crime takes place and an ominous force seems to be calling the children of the town, making them disappear. What is happening in Dahlmouth?
First, ignore the cover copy because it really doesn’t give an accurate idea as to what this book is about. Given that, I thought I would like the book that was described pretty well, but this book wasn’t that. I really wanted to like it, since the writer lives in wild, wonderful West Virginia, but, other than the end, which I actually did appreciate, the book just seemed like a whole lot of running around in the woods to me.
“Where I’d put this book on my shelf, Alex.� HAhahahahahaha�.I kill myself.
In this debut novel Rachel Kennan is police chief in the small town of Dahlmouth, Virginia, outside Roanoke. She recently lost her eight year old son Aidan in a car accident where the vehicle was operated by her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer who was drunk at the time. The two are trying to deal with the pain and are only staying together for their daughters, teenager Charlie and young Lucy, both of whom are troubled following what happened. This whole family is barely holding it together. If they are.
Then a disturbing crime takes place and an ominous force seems to be calling the children of the town, making them disappear. What is happening in Dahlmouth?
First, ignore the cover copy because it really doesn’t give an accurate idea as to what this book is about. Given that, I thought I would like the book that was described pretty well, but this book wasn’t that. I really wanted to like it, since the writer lives in wild, wonderful West Virginia, but, other than the end, which I actually did appreciate, the book just seemed like a whole lot of running around in the woods to me.
Want to read
July 12, 2024This sounds intriguing and right up my alley�.I live in Virginia and this only adds to my desire to read and review this novel.
Who else loves a good unexplained supernatural mystery??
Who else loves a good unexplained supernatural mystery??
November 19, 2024
Okay, I started this during the daytime, knowing I'd be scared. I had the heebie jeebies from the get-go. Just finished it, and it's dark out... and I'm going to have to go devour an entire romantic comedy now, just to be able to sleep later. The little kids terrified me. The changes in the 2 main characters were lovely to see, but I was shocked by the ending. Such a thrilling ride, I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning.
August 6, 2024
“Nowhere� is a small town, woods aesthetic thriller that focuses on the town Police Chief, Rachel. Rachel’s family is in the process of grieving the loss of one of their children when her focus is shifted onto drastic events that begin to take place in town
Read if you enjoy:
Police procedures / investigative work
Small town thrillers
Nature
Multi layered horror
Rival families
Religious chaos
Subtext / psychological - personal growth themes
Folklore (Appalachian)
Thank you to Atria Books, Allison Gunn and NetGalley for the EARC!
Publish date: March 25th 2025
Read if you enjoy:
Police procedures / investigative work
Small town thrillers
Nature
Multi layered horror
Rival families
Religious chaos
Subtext / psychological - personal growth themes
Folklore (Appalachian)
Thank you to Atria Books, Allison Gunn and NetGalley for the EARC!
Publish date: March 25th 2025
March 9, 2025
3.5
Dahlmouth, is a very small creepy town in Virginia. Rachel is the police chief and her and her family are relatively new to the town. The most serious crime this town has seen is by the meth manufacturing family, until a grizzly discovery is found in the woods. Rachel begins to investigate and realizes there’s something more sinister going on. Meanwhile, Rachel‘s family is still reeling from the death of their son, Aiden. Her two daughters each are handling the death in their own ways. The younger of the two Lucy draws strange pictures and Charlie the teenager spend as much time with her friends as possible. I can’t go into too much further without running into spoilers, but this novel certainly is very creepy.
The atmosphere of the woods and the children were done perfectly. You could feel the sense of dread building up in the town with each page you turned. However, it seemed it went from slow dread to full on action that sort of lost my interest at that point. I liked the parts with the church as well as some of the lore that was vaguely touched up upon. I think more of this would helped build more depth or filler in between the beginning and the end.
Overall, this is a very creepy book and would recommend to those who like supernatural horror with some Appalachia lore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dahlmouth, is a very small creepy town in Virginia. Rachel is the police chief and her and her family are relatively new to the town. The most serious crime this town has seen is by the meth manufacturing family, until a grizzly discovery is found in the woods. Rachel begins to investigate and realizes there’s something more sinister going on. Meanwhile, Rachel‘s family is still reeling from the death of their son, Aiden. Her two daughters each are handling the death in their own ways. The younger of the two Lucy draws strange pictures and Charlie the teenager spend as much time with her friends as possible. I can’t go into too much further without running into spoilers, but this novel certainly is very creepy.
The atmosphere of the woods and the children were done perfectly. You could feel the sense of dread building up in the town with each page you turned. However, it seemed it went from slow dread to full on action that sort of lost my interest at that point. I liked the parts with the church as well as some of the lore that was vaguely touched up upon. I think more of this would helped build more depth or filler in between the beginning and the end.
Overall, this is a very creepy book and would recommend to those who like supernatural horror with some Appalachia lore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2024
Nowhere reminds me of the folklore that my grandparents would share. Nowhere leads you in, fearful of what will happen next. Such a great telling of this story, a lot is going on and keeps you on the edge. I don’t want to say too much, for fear of ruining it for someone. Lucy was my favorite character in the story. Such a surprise ending. If you love creepy, suspenseful, supernatural, horror, this is a must read. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Allison Gunn for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Pub date March 25, 2025
March 23, 2025
I’ve discovered recently that I’m a huge fan of Appalachian horror stories (if you hear something, no you didn’t) and this one was especially unsettling! Children are always creepy, including my own sometimes, and this book took that to a whole new level! And that end, it really got me 😳 As someone who was born and raised in the area of Virginia where this took place, I could appreciate a lot of elements of the story. I listened to the audiobook and was up until 3 am listening to this book 2 nights in a row. It definitely kept me up and the narrator was a great choice to tell this story.
March 25, 2025
NOWHERE is such a well-executed horror AND a debut?! WELL DONE!
Rachel Kennan is the police chief of a small Virginia town who throws herself into her career to avoid grieving the loss of her son. Meanwhile, her husband Finn, a washed-up writer and alcoholic is struggling to make amends for the accident that led to the family's tragedy. Their daughters are the only thing keeping them together considering they hate each other. When a heinous murder rocks their town and suddenly children start disappearing, the Kennan family is forced to rely on each other as they face an ominous force.
First off, the fact that this is the author's debut has me STUNNED! The writing is so gripping and vivid, building tension and creating a gritty atmosphere that places the reader at the scene. There's a feeling of eerie darkness that takes over the entire story. This is horror and crime done right! The characters are so well-developed, even if they are dysfunctional and horrifying (literally and figuratively); you can't help but feel some sort of emotion towards them. I whipped through the first half in one sitting, the writing is just that compelling. This story has many themes, including grief, religion, substance abuse, sexuality and more. There is also some gore so you've been warned. It reminded me of the season of American Horror Story: Roanoke.
If you enjoy books with creepy children, folklore and The Outsider by Stephen King, you'll love this!
Rachel Kennan is the police chief of a small Virginia town who throws herself into her career to avoid grieving the loss of her son. Meanwhile, her husband Finn, a washed-up writer and alcoholic is struggling to make amends for the accident that led to the family's tragedy. Their daughters are the only thing keeping them together considering they hate each other. When a heinous murder rocks their town and suddenly children start disappearing, the Kennan family is forced to rely on each other as they face an ominous force.
First off, the fact that this is the author's debut has me STUNNED! The writing is so gripping and vivid, building tension and creating a gritty atmosphere that places the reader at the scene. There's a feeling of eerie darkness that takes over the entire story. This is horror and crime done right! The characters are so well-developed, even if they are dysfunctional and horrifying (literally and figuratively); you can't help but feel some sort of emotion towards them. I whipped through the first half in one sitting, the writing is just that compelling. This story has many themes, including grief, religion, substance abuse, sexuality and more. There is also some gore so you've been warned. It reminded me of the season of American Horror Story: Roanoke.
If you enjoy books with creepy children, folklore and The Outsider by Stephen King, you'll love this!
March 12, 2025
Nowhere
Allison Gunn
4.25 / 5
Opening with a painful, yet beautifully vulnerable "Author's Note", it is clear from the start that Nowhere is a novel born from a painful place ... and that we're going to embark on a transformative journey alone, together.
A beautifully written, heartbreakingly hopefully horror novel.
I definitely recommend checking it out.
Allison Gunn
4.25 / 5
Opening with a painful, yet beautifully vulnerable "Author's Note", it is clear from the start that Nowhere is a novel born from a painful place ... and that we're going to embark on a transformative journey alone, together.
A beautifully written, heartbreakingly hopefully horror novel.
I definitely recommend checking it out.
August 13, 2024
4.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun read the whole way through. The author did an incredible job creating a creepy atmosphere and building tension. I was genuinely shaken up by many of the scenes - that forest scene with Charlie is still lingering in my mind.
The horror was multi-layered and masterfully put together. There was the horror of the unnamed threat in the forest, but also the horror of being a hated outsider in a small community, the horror of family trauma, the horror of denying your authentic self. All these themes played off each other perfectly, building dread in the reader in multiple ways.
My only minor criticism is I feel like there was room to expand on Michelle's involvement in the story. Not only was her relationship with the main character incredibly compelling, but I think there was an opportunity for her to have played a larger role in unraveling the mystery of the forest.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun read the whole way through. The author did an incredible job creating a creepy atmosphere and building tension. I was genuinely shaken up by many of the scenes - that forest scene with Charlie is still lingering in my mind.
The horror was multi-layered and masterfully put together. There was the horror of the unnamed threat in the forest, but also the horror of being a hated outsider in a small community, the horror of family trauma, the horror of denying your authentic self. All these themes played off each other perfectly, building dread in the reader in multiple ways.
My only minor criticism is I feel like there was room to expand on Michelle's involvement in the story. Not only was her relationship with the main character incredibly compelling, but I think there was an opportunity for her to have played a larger role in unraveling the mystery of the forest.
March 19, 2025
3.25 stars
I won a free advance copy in a ŷ giveaway. Thank you to Atria Books for sending it to me!
I’ll freely admit horror is a genre I don’t frequently read but the Mare of Easttown comparison had me intrigued. Rachel Kennon is a police chief of a small town in Virginia. Her family was rocked by tragedy and they are struggling to keep things together. Rachel is called to a rather disturbing scene and when more crimes follow, it will rock the community and put Rachel and her family in danger.
The story has a bleak and creepy vibe to it and a family dealing with grief adds to this depressing atmosphere. The story held my interest for quite awhile but the characters hampered my enjoyment. In theory, I should feel invested in this family as they navigate a horrific loss but they started to grate on my nerves. I was also thrown off by some of the dialogue. Backwards attitudes and small minded opinions are not uncommon but the writing for some the characters, main and supporting, felt forced and over the top to the point it was inauthentic.
Flawed characters are fine but give me a reason to keep following them. My frustration kept building and the horror elements didn’t land because I was mentally checked out of the story somewhere around the 2/3 mark.
My review sounds grumpy but anytime I rate a book 3 stars or higher it means my overall opinion leans more in a positive direction than negative. I just write whatever sticks in my mind the most. NOWHERE had potential but was a little messy in the execution.
I won a free advance copy in a ŷ giveaway. Thank you to Atria Books for sending it to me!
I’ll freely admit horror is a genre I don’t frequently read but the Mare of Easttown comparison had me intrigued. Rachel Kennon is a police chief of a small town in Virginia. Her family was rocked by tragedy and they are struggling to keep things together. Rachel is called to a rather disturbing scene and when more crimes follow, it will rock the community and put Rachel and her family in danger.
The story has a bleak and creepy vibe to it and a family dealing with grief adds to this depressing atmosphere. The story held my interest for quite awhile but the characters hampered my enjoyment. In theory, I should feel invested in this family as they navigate a horrific loss but they started to grate on my nerves. I was also thrown off by some of the dialogue. Backwards attitudes and small minded opinions are not uncommon but the writing for some the characters, main and supporting, felt forced and over the top to the point it was inauthentic.
Flawed characters are fine but give me a reason to keep following them. My frustration kept building and the horror elements didn’t land because I was mentally checked out of the story somewhere around the 2/3 mark.
My review sounds grumpy but anytime I rate a book 3 stars or higher it means my overall opinion leans more in a positive direction than negative. I just write whatever sticks in my mind the most. NOWHERE had potential but was a little messy in the execution.
January 8, 2025
This book was spooky. I started reading this at night and it had me creeped out. The atmosphere is fantastic. I was completely immersed and intrigued to find out what was going on throughout this story.
Rachel and her husband Finn are still grieving from the loss of their son when Rachel gets called out to a crime scene in the woods. There is a very mysterious death and children start to go missing.
There is a lot of mystery behind all of the disappearances and tensions rise as everyone starts to become uneasy.
The characters are extremely unlikable but it doesn’t make the story any less good. In fact, I think it might make the story better. I appreciated the glimpses of real life drama within this story. The characters were incredibly cruel to each other and it made me see how marriage really might be for some.
I was engaged in this story till the very end, and this certainly is not a story where you will have any sort of happy ending. If you love dark, mysterious, scary reads then you will probably love this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Rachel and her husband Finn are still grieving from the loss of their son when Rachel gets called out to a crime scene in the woods. There is a very mysterious death and children start to go missing.
There is a lot of mystery behind all of the disappearances and tensions rise as everyone starts to become uneasy.
The characters are extremely unlikable but it doesn’t make the story any less good. In fact, I think it might make the story better. I appreciated the glimpses of real life drama within this story. The characters were incredibly cruel to each other and it made me see how marriage really might be for some.
I was engaged in this story till the very end, and this certainly is not a story where you will have any sort of happy ending. If you love dark, mysterious, scary reads then you will probably love this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2025
Do not whistle in the woods, look into the trees, or enter the woods at night. Good advice if you want to avoid the monsters and supernatural phenomena that lurk in the Appalachian mountains. But curiosity and disbelief often supersede the legends of regional folklore. These rules—as well as spells and talismans—have no place in modern society; we know better. Besides, only the old folks believe in this and their ways are long gone. So when the children begin entering the woods, no one stops them. And if and when they come back, no one notices that they have changed. Sounds promising, doesn’t it?
Rachel and Finn Kennan are new to the area. She is the new sheriff who doesn’t listen to anyone or answer her phone; two very important attributes that are overused as plot devises. Finn is a failed, alcoholic, writer who is a whiny liar; important reasons why his wife acts as she does. If she would listen and answer her phone, and if he would be anyone else but himself, there would be no plot.
There are elements in the book that are promising: missing, unwanted children; a fractured family dealing with trauma; outsiders entering a closed and suspicious town in a remote area; and a clash of the old, superstitious ways, and the new, Christian ways. The Appalachian folklore (a mixture of Native American and Scottish culture and legends) and setting should make this a good foray into folk horror. However, the unlikable, static, and stereotypical characters do not allow the fear and dread that are driving forces in good horror to develop.
This is not a book that I would recommend.
I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Rachel and Finn Kennan are new to the area. She is the new sheriff who doesn’t listen to anyone or answer her phone; two very important attributes that are overused as plot devises. Finn is a failed, alcoholic, writer who is a whiny liar; important reasons why his wife acts as she does. If she would listen and answer her phone, and if he would be anyone else but himself, there would be no plot.
There are elements in the book that are promising: missing, unwanted children; a fractured family dealing with trauma; outsiders entering a closed and suspicious town in a remote area; and a clash of the old, superstitious ways, and the new, Christian ways. The Appalachian folklore (a mixture of Native American and Scottish culture and legends) and setting should make this a good foray into folk horror. However, the unlikable, static, and stereotypical characters do not allow the fear and dread that are driving forces in good horror to develop.
This is not a book that I would recommend.
I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 22, 2025
I don’t usually mind dark books, in fact I seek them out but this one was a lot. It was bleak and depressing and parts took it too far for me. I def liked the first half better than the last and can see what the author was trying to do with the creepy folklore vibes but ultimately this didn’t land for me. The narrator was new to me and she was good though!
September 20, 2024
Nowhere is a novel about a family who moved to a small town where Rachel the mother became the Chief of the local police. The family never really fitting in & starts to have odd things happening that lead them to find out more about the town than anyone was ready for.
I am going to start off with saying TRIGGER WARNINGS.
This story was so harsh and sad that it was hard to get through at times but I am glad I did because the story was gripping, the writing was vivid and horrifying. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a really good horror/thriller. 4.5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me ARC access. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am going to start off with saying TRIGGER WARNINGS.
This story was so harsh and sad that it was hard to get through at times but I am glad I did because the story was gripping, the writing was vivid and horrifying. I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a really good horror/thriller. 4.5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me ARC access. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 28, 2025
The description of the book and the allure of folk superstition sucked me in but it pains me to say I think the execution just didn't work for me at all.
I'll try to be tactful but it's hard to contain just how aggravating this book was.
The characters are thinly developed and the plot, while interesting and genuinely spooky at times is overshadowed by very jarring and unrealistic dialogue.
Every line feels like it's designed to be a zinger and sucks you right out of any atmosphere. 99% of the book is the main character cursing, yelling and giving attitude to everyone else and the other 1% is every single character completely ignoring logic or their own senses.
They way people act makes no sense but it's hard to even care enough about the characters to complain.
I love Atria and am thankful to them and Netgalley to have had the opportunity to review this in advance in exchange for an honest review. I wish it weren't so, but it definitely didn't come together for me.
I'll try to be tactful but it's hard to contain just how aggravating this book was.
The characters are thinly developed and the plot, while interesting and genuinely spooky at times is overshadowed by very jarring and unrealistic dialogue.
Every line feels like it's designed to be a zinger and sucks you right out of any atmosphere. 99% of the book is the main character cursing, yelling and giving attitude to everyone else and the other 1% is every single character completely ignoring logic or their own senses.
They way people act makes no sense but it's hard to even care enough about the characters to complain.
I love Atria and am thankful to them and Netgalley to have had the opportunity to review this in advance in exchange for an honest review. I wish it weren't so, but it definitely didn't come together for me.
September 4, 2024
I was completely floored to read that this is a debut novel. The author has either spent years perfecting her craft or she’s just a genius � the book is that good.
This is small town horror with a tinge of crime.
Our main character and her husband are exceedingly flawed, barely living through extreme grief, and so busy hurting each other that they can’t see what’s happening to their children.
The book is heartbreaking and the horror aspects of it are extremely creepy.
I loved every page of this and can’t wait to read something else from the author!
� ARC via Publisher
This is small town horror with a tinge of crime.
Our main character and her husband are exceedingly flawed, barely living through extreme grief, and so busy hurting each other that they can’t see what’s happening to their children.
The book is heartbreaking and the horror aspects of it are extremely creepy.
I loved every page of this and can’t wait to read something else from the author!
� ARC via Publisher
March 25, 2025
Audiobook/Book Review 📖🪵🎧
thank you so much partner @atriathrillers @atriabooks + Simon Audio for the gifted copies and audiobook!
Nowhere
by Allison Gunn
Narrated by Leanne Woodward
About the book 👇🏽
Kennan throws herself into her career as police chief of a small Virginia town to avoid focusing on her grief. Meanwhile, her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer whose alcoholism led to the devastating tragedy that changed everything, struggles to redeem himself before his family completely falls apart. Their two daughters are the only things keeping Rachel and Finn together, but the girls have demons of their own.
At the same time, a disturbing crime rocks their tightknit, religious community, sending Rachel chasing leads in a place that does not take kindly to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest starts calling to the children, fear spawns hate among the townspeople, placing the Kennan family directly in the line of fire. Left with no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must come together to face threats inside and out.
🪵 My thoughts:
Yup. Unexpectedly and happily surprised by this one. I couldn’t put it down. I finished this one last week and I’m still thinking about it. Equal parts read and listened to this book, both I’d recommend. The audiobook narrator was so good, and had me on the edge of my seat! I was creeped out and deeply unsettled but I liked it! It’s a mashup between horror and drama with folklore all wrapped into one and 100% right up my alley. I went in completely blind and again, really loved it. If you’re looking for something dark and unnerving, you gotta read this one, especially if you like appalachian stories that’ll give you a good fright! If you read by season� this would be a good one to read around spooky season (halloween if it’s not year round for you). Nowhere is out TOMORROW 3/25/25!!
Happy reading 📖 🪵🎧
thank you so much partner @atriathrillers @atriabooks + Simon Audio for the gifted copies and audiobook!
Nowhere
by Allison Gunn
Narrated by Leanne Woodward
About the book 👇🏽
Kennan throws herself into her career as police chief of a small Virginia town to avoid focusing on her grief. Meanwhile, her husband, Finn, a washed-up writer whose alcoholism led to the devastating tragedy that changed everything, struggles to redeem himself before his family completely falls apart. Their two daughters are the only things keeping Rachel and Finn together, but the girls have demons of their own.
At the same time, a disturbing crime rocks their tightknit, religious community, sending Rachel chasing leads in a place that does not take kindly to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest starts calling to the children, fear spawns hate among the townspeople, placing the Kennan family directly in the line of fire. Left with no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must come together to face threats inside and out.
🪵 My thoughts:
Yup. Unexpectedly and happily surprised by this one. I couldn’t put it down. I finished this one last week and I’m still thinking about it. Equal parts read and listened to this book, both I’d recommend. The audiobook narrator was so good, and had me on the edge of my seat! I was creeped out and deeply unsettled but I liked it! It’s a mashup between horror and drama with folklore all wrapped into one and 100% right up my alley. I went in completely blind and again, really loved it. If you’re looking for something dark and unnerving, you gotta read this one, especially if you like appalachian stories that’ll give you a good fright! If you read by season� this would be a good one to read around spooky season (halloween if it’s not year round for you). Nowhere is out TOMORROW 3/25/25!!
Happy reading 📖 🪵🎧
September 3, 2024
Nowhere by Allison Gunn is a horror/thriller set in Dahlmouth, a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. Rachel, the town's chief of police, and her husband Finn, an unemployed journalist, are trying to keep their family together after their 8 year old son Aiden dies in a car accident. Finn was driving drunk when the accident happened, and neither he nor Rachel have forgiven him for it. The book takes place about a year after the accident, when the town's children begin disappearing.
The book starts slow, giving a lot of backstory to the family & their history both before moving to Dahlmouth, once they arrived in town, and around the car accident. The plot picks up and starts to get creepy around 20%.
While this book had good bones, I had some huge issues, especially with Rachel's character. Rachel is one of the most unlikeable characters I've read in a long time, to the point where this would have been a DNF if it wasn't for all the creepy forest kids saving the plot. She's written as queer, but her queerness is simultaneously used as a weapon against Finn while making her a villain to the townsfolk. She's horribly selfish & mean, and I honestly couldn't tell if it was the author's intention for her to be so awful or if it was the way I was reading her. But she wasn't the only terrible character. Honestly, none of the characters were likable, Rachel was just the worst of the whole bad bunch.
Told mostly from alternating POVs between Rachel & Finn, I found Rachel's chapters to be almost unbearable. Finn was the only character I kind of liked, and he drunk driving killed his son, so that says a lot about the rest of the group here.
I will say that at about 60% to the end, the story was creepy & stressful, which is the only reason I finished. I alternated between loving the creepy parts and hating every single character, so I'm just rating this middle of the road. If I didn't hate Rachel so much, this honestly would have been a 4 or 5 star read for me, but her character made it painful to read. But the creepy forest was really so good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Nowhere in exchange for my honest review.
The book starts slow, giving a lot of backstory to the family & their history both before moving to Dahlmouth, once they arrived in town, and around the car accident. The plot picks up and starts to get creepy around 20%.
While this book had good bones, I had some huge issues, especially with Rachel's character. Rachel is one of the most unlikeable characters I've read in a long time, to the point where this would have been a DNF if it wasn't for all the creepy forest kids saving the plot. She's written as queer, but her queerness is simultaneously used as a weapon against Finn while making her a villain to the townsfolk. She's horribly selfish & mean, and I honestly couldn't tell if it was the author's intention for her to be so awful or if it was the way I was reading her. But she wasn't the only terrible character. Honestly, none of the characters were likable, Rachel was just the worst of the whole bad bunch.
Told mostly from alternating POVs between Rachel & Finn, I found Rachel's chapters to be almost unbearable. Finn was the only character I kind of liked, and he drunk driving killed his son, so that says a lot about the rest of the group here.
I will say that at about 60% to the end, the story was creepy & stressful, which is the only reason I finished. I alternated between loving the creepy parts and hating every single character, so I'm just rating this middle of the road. If I didn't hate Rachel so much, this honestly would have been a 4 or 5 star read for me, but her character made it painful to read. But the creepy forest was really so good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Nowhere in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2025
Dahlmouth, Virginia, is a tiny town in Appalachia full of methamphetamines, religious fervor and the typical conservative nature of a small southern population. It’s the kind of place where you either escape after high school, or subject yourself to a life of poverty and/or drug abuse. Rachel Kennan is the Chief of Police in this sleepy town, but this town is about to wake up after a teenage boy runs into the police station, claiming he and his friend found something horrifying in the woods.
Rachel and her partner Jeremy figure the kid is having a meth-induced hallucination, but they humor him and head out to see what he’s so hysterical about. After seeing it, Rachel calls her estranged husband Finn and tells him to get their daughters from school and get them home. Immediately. She doesn’t go into detail, as she and Finn rarely speak. He was drunk driving when he got into an accident that killed their son, and from that moment on, their marriage was all but over. He lives in the basement of their home now, but they stay together for their daughters - who are now in a lot of danger.
The marriage is the least of their concerns when their older daughter comes home…different. She finagled her way out of the house, met up with some friends, and from that moment forward, she was changed. Soon, more and more of the youth in this town start disappearing, and the town is blaming Rachel. The queer, barely married woman from a larger city isn’t exactly welcome, and when her daughters become involved, the town believes sin has everything to do with it. Before long, the Keenan family is just trying to stay together and alive, while Rachel also tries to deal with missing people and a town going haywire.
Horror books often amuse me, but I must say, this one was so creepy and suspenseful that I started getting chills. I feel like my review doesn’t do it justice (the synopsis does, definitely read that!) because this book was fantastic. This intertwines Appalachian folklore with modern social horror, and does it very well. The writing is phenomenal, and this isn’t your typical “there’s something spooky in the woods� horror story. This was both heartbreaking and terrifying, with a perfect ending. Also, this is a fiction debut! I can’t think of anything I’d change. Five stars.
(Thank you to Atria Books, Allison Gunn and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on March 25, 2025.)
Rachel and her partner Jeremy figure the kid is having a meth-induced hallucination, but they humor him and head out to see what he’s so hysterical about. After seeing it, Rachel calls her estranged husband Finn and tells him to get their daughters from school and get them home. Immediately. She doesn’t go into detail, as she and Finn rarely speak. He was drunk driving when he got into an accident that killed their son, and from that moment on, their marriage was all but over. He lives in the basement of their home now, but they stay together for their daughters - who are now in a lot of danger.
The marriage is the least of their concerns when their older daughter comes home…different. She finagled her way out of the house, met up with some friends, and from that moment forward, she was changed. Soon, more and more of the youth in this town start disappearing, and the town is blaming Rachel. The queer, barely married woman from a larger city isn’t exactly welcome, and when her daughters become involved, the town believes sin has everything to do with it. Before long, the Keenan family is just trying to stay together and alive, while Rachel also tries to deal with missing people and a town going haywire.
Horror books often amuse me, but I must say, this one was so creepy and suspenseful that I started getting chills. I feel like my review doesn’t do it justice (the synopsis does, definitely read that!) because this book was fantastic. This intertwines Appalachian folklore with modern social horror, and does it very well. The writing is phenomenal, and this isn’t your typical “there’s something spooky in the woods� horror story. This was both heartbreaking and terrifying, with a perfect ending. Also, this is a fiction debut! I can’t think of anything I’d change. Five stars.
(Thank you to Atria Books, Allison Gunn and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on March 25, 2025.)
March 3, 2025
After experiencing the loss of her young son in an accident, Rachel Kennan focuses on her role as police chief of a small Virginia town. Her husband, Finn, a writer dealing with alcoholism, seeks to make amends and rebuild his family. Their two daughters remain a connecting factor between Rachel and Finn, while each family member faces their own challenges.
A disturbing crime shocks their close-knit, religious community, leading Rachel to pursue leads in a place that is unwelcoming to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest begins calling to the children, fear breeds hostility among the townspeople, putting the Kennan family directly in harm's way. With no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must unite to confront threats both internal and external.
A haunting family saga and unsettling horror debut, "Nowhere" draws from Appalachian folklore to remind us that true terror lies within our own hearts. Initially, I found the book engaging with its eerie atmosphere and suspenseful elements. The children's nursery rhyme songs emanating from the woods were particularly unsettling. The first death was grotesquely described, evoking a strong reaction.
The loss of Rachel and Finn's son Aiden in an accident is profoundly tragic, highlighting their struggle to stay together for the sake of their children amidst overwhelming grief. Their family dynamic is portrayed as being on the verge of collapse. The supernatural aspect of the book added to its intrigue.
However, the second half of the book seemed to lose its momentum. It felt repetitive, echoing events from the first half without introducing new developments. While I appreciated the folklore elements and desired more of the eerie content, the repetitiveness led to a sense of boredom. Despite my reservations I did enjoy the book and look forward to reading more from the author.
I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley, the author Allison Gunn, and the publisher Atria Books, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of Nowhere.
A disturbing crime shocks their close-knit, religious community, leading Rachel to pursue leads in a place that is unwelcoming to outsiders. When an ominous force in the forest begins calling to the children, fear breeds hostility among the townspeople, putting the Kennan family directly in harm's way. With no choice but to rely on each other, Rachel and Finn must unite to confront threats both internal and external.
A haunting family saga and unsettling horror debut, "Nowhere" draws from Appalachian folklore to remind us that true terror lies within our own hearts. Initially, I found the book engaging with its eerie atmosphere and suspenseful elements. The children's nursery rhyme songs emanating from the woods were particularly unsettling. The first death was grotesquely described, evoking a strong reaction.
The loss of Rachel and Finn's son Aiden in an accident is profoundly tragic, highlighting their struggle to stay together for the sake of their children amidst overwhelming grief. Their family dynamic is portrayed as being on the verge of collapse. The supernatural aspect of the book added to its intrigue.
However, the second half of the book seemed to lose its momentum. It felt repetitive, echoing events from the first half without introducing new developments. While I appreciated the folklore elements and desired more of the eerie content, the repetitiveness led to a sense of boredom. Despite my reservations I did enjoy the book and look forward to reading more from the author.
I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley, the author Allison Gunn, and the publisher Atria Books, for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of Nowhere.
March 24, 2025
Nowhere by Allison Gunn is a creepy and atmospheric supernatural horror novel. It is well-written, with immersive descriptions and easy-to-follow dialogue. Something in the woods wants the children—in fact, it wants them all.
Police chief Rachel Kennan lost her son to a tragic accident involving her husband, and her family never really recovered. Everyone has secrets, and what lurks in the woods will exploit them.
Nowhere is a gritty and raw exploration of what happens when what is hidden in darkness comes to light, and the facades begin to crumble. Using Appalachian folklore as the vehicle, the novel reveals how the town of Dahlmouth, Virginia, is exposed and torn apart from within, beginning with the children.
This is an entertaining read, although not a happy one. Deep, psychological, supernatural, and disturbing, it is engaging and suspenseful, making for a quick read. I couldn't put it down. I will definitely read more by this author, whose skillful blend of psychological tension and supernatural horror kept me captivated throughout. I appreciate the authors notes as well. They add another layer of understanding to the metaphor.
Trigger warnings should be noted: death of a child, religious oppression, homophobia, smoking, alcoholism, drug use, domestic violence, gruesome scenes, etc.
#queer #horror #supernatural #police #writer #religiousoppression #homophobia #childdeath #murder #sapphicsubplot #notaromance #Appalachia #Virginia #folklore
I received this free ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
Police chief Rachel Kennan lost her son to a tragic accident involving her husband, and her family never really recovered. Everyone has secrets, and what lurks in the woods will exploit them.
Nowhere is a gritty and raw exploration of what happens when what is hidden in darkness comes to light, and the facades begin to crumble. Using Appalachian folklore as the vehicle, the novel reveals how the town of Dahlmouth, Virginia, is exposed and torn apart from within, beginning with the children.
This is an entertaining read, although not a happy one. Deep, psychological, supernatural, and disturbing, it is engaging and suspenseful, making for a quick read. I couldn't put it down. I will definitely read more by this author, whose skillful blend of psychological tension and supernatural horror kept me captivated throughout. I appreciate the authors notes as well. They add another layer of understanding to the metaphor.
Trigger warnings should be noted: death of a child, religious oppression, homophobia, smoking, alcoholism, drug use, domestic violence, gruesome scenes, etc.
#queer #horror #supernatural #police #writer #religiousoppression #homophobia #childdeath #murder #sapphicsubplot #notaromance #Appalachia #Virginia #folklore
I received this free ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
August 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
In the small religious town of Dahlmouth, the Kennan family sticks out like a sore thumb. After suffering the loss of their son, Rachel and Finn have given up on working on their marriage. The only reason they stay together is for their two daughters. When a series of crimes happen one after another, Rachel's investigation reveals a terrifying force from the forest that wants the town's children.
This book was absolutely bonkers. It was nothing like what I was expecting. I hated almost all of the characters, but I think that was kind of the point. Rachel and Finn had such a toxic relationship, and everyone in that family was dealing with such intense grief. I think Allison Gunn did a fabulous job of depicting grief and how it manifests differently in everyone. There were definitely some tough topics touched on in this book, so just be warned that this might be a hard read for some people.
Fans of Appalachian folklore especially will love this book. The lore was so interesting, and I will definitely be doing more research on the folklore of that region. I already have a healthy () respect for the woods, and now I don't think you could pay me to go in there. It probably wasn't a good idea to read this book right before I go on a hike this weekend.
A solid 4 stars for this debut horror novel from Allison Gunn!
In the small religious town of Dahlmouth, the Kennan family sticks out like a sore thumb. After suffering the loss of their son, Rachel and Finn have given up on working on their marriage. The only reason they stay together is for their two daughters. When a series of crimes happen one after another, Rachel's investigation reveals a terrifying force from the forest that wants the town's children.
This book was absolutely bonkers. It was nothing like what I was expecting. I hated almost all of the characters, but I think that was kind of the point. Rachel and Finn had such a toxic relationship, and everyone in that family was dealing with such intense grief. I think Allison Gunn did a fabulous job of depicting grief and how it manifests differently in everyone. There were definitely some tough topics touched on in this book, so just be warned that this might be a hard read for some people.
Fans of Appalachian folklore especially will love this book. The lore was so interesting, and I will definitely be doing more research on the folklore of that region. I already have a healthy () respect for the woods, and now I don't think you could pay me to go in there. It probably wasn't a good idea to read this book right before I go on a hike this weekend.
A solid 4 stars for this debut horror novel from Allison Gunn!
March 11, 2025
We might be closing in on Spring, but I’m on a horror and thriller kick. Nothing like sunny weather to get you in the mood for something dark and scary.
It’s been a year since Chief Rachel Kennan’s son was lost in an accident and she cannot let go. With two daughters to still take care of, Rachel and her husband Finn have been pretending to tolerate each other. When a disturbing murder takes place in the town, Rachel’s investigation will dive deep into Appalachian folklore and into the town’s secrets.
A haunting family saga combined with Appalachian folklore, Nowhere will keep you on the edge of your seat. While I didn’t find it to be extremely ‘scary� (anytime children are involved I do get the creeps), Allison Gunn has created an atmospheric story. Though Rachel was hard to like and so was basically every other character in the book, the relationship between Finn and Rachel was complex and filled with grief. I was completely drawn into this story almost immediately, but the second half seemed to lack the same ‘oomph� as the first. However, the supernatural aspect was woven perfectly into the story and I’m dying for someone to turn this into a TV Show.
Comparatively, if you enjoyed Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman last year, then Nowhere will be a great fit for you.
Nowhere comes out March 25, 2025. Huge thank you to Atria for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my:
Tiktok @speakingof.books
It’s been a year since Chief Rachel Kennan’s son was lost in an accident and she cannot let go. With two daughters to still take care of, Rachel and her husband Finn have been pretending to tolerate each other. When a disturbing murder takes place in the town, Rachel’s investigation will dive deep into Appalachian folklore and into the town’s secrets.
A haunting family saga combined with Appalachian folklore, Nowhere will keep you on the edge of your seat. While I didn’t find it to be extremely ‘scary� (anytime children are involved I do get the creeps), Allison Gunn has created an atmospheric story. Though Rachel was hard to like and so was basically every other character in the book, the relationship between Finn and Rachel was complex and filled with grief. I was completely drawn into this story almost immediately, but the second half seemed to lack the same ‘oomph� as the first. However, the supernatural aspect was woven perfectly into the story and I’m dying for someone to turn this into a TV Show.
Comparatively, if you enjoyed Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman last year, then Nowhere will be a great fit for you.
Nowhere comes out March 25, 2025. Huge thank you to Atria for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my:
Tiktok @speakingof.books
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