Nowhere: A Novel

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.

The beginning gives away the end. The prologue tells you basically how it ends. All that is left is the how. I chose this book because it was an option for a Goodreads challenge, I assume for Pride month. The book description does not make any mention of the main character being gay but the author tried to make it a big part of the story. The sexual orientation of the character did nothing for the story. I feel it would be different if the character happened to be gay and left it. But the author made it a big deal. It was almost a separate story. I just felt it was not incorporated well. The story itself was interesting but as my first sentence says you know how it ends when you start it. I felt it was anticlimactic.

Nowhere is a horror novel that makes you check the locks, turn on every light in the house, and question every strange noise you hear after dark. I finished it in a single day and spent that night staring suspiciously at my hallway. Allison Gunn blends Appalachian folk horror, family tragedy, religious extremism, and cosmic dread into something deeply unsettling. Rachel and Finn Kennan are already drowning in grief after the death of their son, Aiden. Their marriage is fractured, their daughters are struggling, and the small West Virginia town they call home seems determined to turn against them. Children begin disappearing and something ancient stirs in the surrounding woods. The family's private pain starts to become entangled with a nightmare far larger than they could have imagined. Gunn explores the darkness within her characters as thoroughly as the darkness lurking beyond the tree line. Rachel is complicated, angry, and often difficult to like,. Her grief feels painfully authentic. Finn is deeply flawed while being burdened by guilt, addiction, and regret. Neither character is presented as heroic. Instead, Gunn allows them to be messy and broken people trying to survive impossible circumstances. The horror operates on multiple levels. The supernatural elements are terrifying. Particularly, once Charlie encounters the entities inhabiting the woods. The appearance of the "Charlie Thing" remains one of the creepiest concepts I've encountered this year. Gunn creates a constant sense of dread by forcing readers to question what is real, what is grief, and what might be something far worse. The atmosphere deserves special praise. The isolated Appalachian setting feels alive with menace. The woods, town, and people all contribute to a growing sense that something is fundamentally wrong. Gunn leaves many questions unanswered making the story more disturbing. The unknown future becomes far scarier than any detailed conclusion could have been. The ending is bleak, shocking, and unsettling. Gunn refuses to offer easy answers or comforting resolutions. The final pages left me with chills. Particularly, the implications surrounding Lucy Thing and what may come next. It is an ending that gives you chills long after you close the book. Leanne Woodward's narration makes the story even better. Her performance captures the emotional devastation of the family while amplifying the horror. The vocal effects used for certain scenes are incredibly effective. Leanne added an extra layer of unease that had me reaching for the light switch more than once. Nowhere is worth picking up if you enjoy atmospheric horror, Appalachian folklore, fractured families, and stories that leave you feeling profoundly unsettled. Just maybe don't start it right before bed.

They were spot on when they said this book was Mare of Easttown meets The Outsider! It’s a gritty horror drama that unveils a spine tingling chill with each chapter and infuses gore, psychological thrills, and a creepiness factor of its very own. I found myself shaking off some of the creepier bits by reading something a little more light! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were scenes throughout that were heartbreakingly real and made me feel for the characters and their plight at each turn. The ending was also superb, which is always something that makes me nervous when the book is really well-written. I look forward to more from Allison Gunn. (This book would be an excellent movie!)

Thank you to NetGalley and to Atria Books publishing for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 ⭐️s rounded up to 5 ⭐️s What a crazy, creepy ride this was!! Heebie jeebies galore! And that ending!!! 😱🙌 I do have to say that I intensely disliked some of the characters, especially the primary FMC, but not enough to make me stop reading this one!! 👀 I definitely recommend this one to horror lovers! Especially if you like creepy kids!! 👏 Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Allison Gunn for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ TW: suicide, substance abuse, child death