I loved this. It has all the small town New England spooky vibes that I love. Perfect for Summerween and Spooky season. This was a quick, easy, fun read that was worth staying up late to read. Posted to Goodreads and Tiktok

I’m always a little weary of a thriller with paranormal aspects but sometimes it just works. That can be said for Salem’s Fall by Rektok Ross. While I’m not sure I would classify this one as a thriller, it absolutely carried a level of suspense that made it difficult to put down. This will definitely be a fall favorite: with a badass FMC, Halloween, creepy vibes and a black cat named Lucky, readers will be sure to eat this one up. I also enjoyed the sprinkles of romance throughout the story (surprising for me, I know) and I loved how the author was able to take a popular trope (enemies to lovers) and make it work in a mystery/suspense novel. This is an unputdownable read for anyone who loves mystery, a dash of supernatural/paranormal, romance and haunting Halloween vibes!

I am a fan of this author and enjoy her books. I love Halloween settings and this one was haunting, and filled with scenarios from a community trying to save their yearly rituals. But on this day, there is always sacrifices which involve murder.

James Woodsen is a young associate with a Boston firm who gets to defend Damien Blackhollow. He has been accused of murdering his fiancée. He is charming, but dangerous. James and Damien are drawn to each other and their chemistry is undeniable, BUT it might come with a price.

I was blown away with the first reveal, and let me say they just kept coming. James has a cat named Lucky! Does Lucky live up to the name?

I had a good time reading this! I loved the witchy vibes and the little romance it had! I could not figure anything out while reading so when I got to the end I was shocked! Highly recommend this book!

I absolutely LOVED this book - & was not expecting the turn this plot would take! What a ride!!

James is a junior associate working at one of the top criminal defense firms in the state. But success does not come easy to her - she is beautiful & is constantly having to prove & defend herself against people who assume she uses that to try & work her way to the top of her field. After landing a high profile murder case, this could be exactly what she needs to not only advance in her career, but also earn the respect she deserves if they were to win.

But this case is DARK: involving ritualistic sacrifices, cults, & the dark history of a nearby town, Salem's Falls. & their suspect is an arrogant, good looking billionaire, who seems guilty - or is he?

Once James starts working this case, strange things begin happening & she finds that this could potentially be linked to her own past. She is determined to figure out what is going on - no matter the cost.

Not only was the storyline surrounding the case suspenseful, but also the romantic plot line. This has dark romance themes that I absolutely loved!

This book is PERFECT for your spooky season TBR! It has dark, witchy, gothic vibes - but then I almost got dark but cute hallmark vibes, if that makes sense. Definitely going to be recommending this one this Halloween season!! Not to mention, I am OBSESSED with the cover!!

Thank you to Rektok for the opportunity to read & review this arc: available August 5th.

I came for courtroom drama and stayed because the line between obsession and attraction blurred so fast I dropped my snack.

James is the kind of character who doesn't just walk into fire, she cross-examines it, argues it into submission, and then questions whether it’s metaphorical or actually demonic.

She's in Salem's Fall to save her career, but we know she’s walking straight into a gothic nightmare with red flags shaped like cheekbones.

James’s descent from razor-sharp logic into gothic spirals?
Immaculate character work.

Damien Blackhollow…..Arrest Me, Maybe?
He’s an enigmatic billionaire accused of murder. Like, of course he is. His name is Damien Blackhollow…did we expect a tax consultant?

Honestly? The courtroom scenes had my brain fully activated. The investigation into Damien's past had me fully unwell. And the romantic tension?? Chef's kiss of dread and desire.

The romance tiptoes the knife’s edge between danger and devotion and I loved not knowing which way it would fall until the very end.

You need this book in your life. Preferably while it’s raining outside and you’re questioning your taste in men.

Thrilling spooky and fast paced. I absolutely loved this story and read it in one sitting. The perfect fall thriller full of secrets, lies, betrayal and supernatural shenanigans. James is trying so hard to become a rising star at her law firm and after a big mistake cost her she’s trying her best to get back on everyone’s good side. The case of a lifetime comes across her desk and she will do anything to prove her worth and solve the mystery - but will it all be more than she can handle. With the help of her furry friend Lucky she finds her self smack in the middle of a lot more than she bargained for and possibly falling for the one person she shouldn’t. Overall this story was delightfully twisted and mysterious!!

Salem’s Fall is the first book I’ve read by Rektok Ross. While the premise was promising, the execution didn’t work for me. The story opens with a strong setup and atmospheric writing, but as the plot progressed, it became increasingly over-the-top and hard to stay engaged. James was a frustrating main character throughout the story. She resents being judged or underestimated, yet repeatedly ignores procedure and makes reckless decisions. Her reaction to criticism seemed misplaced especially when she disregards protocols that would earn her professional respect. I also had concerns about how certain side characters were represented. James’s best friend, Katie, is Asian American, and there’s a moment in the story where James comments on how easy Katie’s life is because of her wealth. This line stood out because it overlooks the complexities of privilege especially considering James’s own advantages that go unacknowledged. The writing in the beginning was engaging, and I liked the mix of legal drama with eerie small-town mystery. However, the second half included too many unnecessary details which slowed down the pace. I ended up skimming large sections. I was hoping the story would come together in a satisfying way, but unfortunately, it didn’t. Although this book wasn’t a match for me, others may connect with it differently.

Salem’s Fall is a fantastic, exciting mystery that pulls you right into Boston in October. The vivid writing and rich fall atmosphere make the story feel alive. Fun, captivating, and perfect for fans of seasonal mysteries!

this was insane!! i genuinely didn’t know how this was going to end!! i had multiple guesses that seemed sooo right but i was wrong on every single one 🤣

i highly recommend!! this would be the perfect summerween read or fall read!!

A few chapters into SALEM’S FALL where echoes of ancient witch trials stir the air, the tension and suspense had me instantly hooked. What begins as a lawyer-on-the-rise story that quickly twists into a nightmare adventure that sends my heart hammering.

James Woodsen is both stunned and electrified when her law firm lands the enigmatic Damien as their big client! As she’s tasked with gathering evidence for his defense, she stumbles upon Salem’s Fall - a place where the eerie defies logic and the unfathomable feels so real! Her search for truth grows perilous, and each revelation would cost her dearly!

I love James' intelligence, tenacity and fearless resolve - her stubborn streak gives her just the right edge. And her loyal feline companion, Lucky, adds a delightful surprise in unexpected ways!

So, buckle up. Once you enter SALEM’S FALL, you’re in for a chilling ride, where otherworldly forces lurk, and spine-tingling suspense wraps around you and won’t let go.

AMAZING!!!! The suspense was so good and the twist, jaw dropping! This is the absolute perfect fall or summerween book! I literally cannot say enough good things about this book. Ross really knows how to pull you in and keep you flipping pages late into the night.

‘For those who fell for the monster - and learned how to bite back.’ 🍁

I love this dedication just as much as I love this book- which if you can’t already tell from my 5 ⭐️ rating, is very much. 😌
I honestly haven’t read many thrillers, normally I am a fantasy-romantasy girlie, but Salem’s Fall has shown me exactly what I have been missing out on! This book really took me by surprise as to how much I would enjoy it! 🎃

This book follows James Woodsen: the youngest female attorney working at Boston’s most elite criminal defence firm. James is used to being underestimated, (despite graduating top of her class at Harvard!), her beauty is the first thing people seem to notice and to value her for. It also doesn’t help that she made a terrible mistake on her first ever case, something that her colleagues never allow her move past. She is given one final chance to redeem her career, being put on one of the most sought after legal case in years- the murder of the fiancé of dangerously charming billionaire and socialite Damien Blackhollow. Throughout her research, she is lead to the small New England town of Salem Falls, which she discovers has a long, dark history full of ritualistic murders and mysterious secret societies. Will James be able to get to the bottom of the mysterious, gruseome murder and restore her reputation? Or will she prove the naysayers right? 🧡

🍁 ‘One thing I’ve learned- people are quick to dismiss someone who looks like me. Young. Blonde. Female. Dressing to be taken seriously doesn’t always fix the problem, but it helps.’ 🍁

I loved James as a character! I love that she is incredibly smart and deductive, but also doesn’t let her male colleagues deter her from enjoying what she likes and being a girls girl. I love that she can absolutely ace a murder trial and is a top Harvard graduate, but also wears cute pink and colourful suits and loves Starbucks coffee. She gives off Elle Woods vibes in this way! I really love characters that show that you don’t need to choose between being professional and being girly/ accepting your femininity, that you can be and do both and one doesn’t take away from the other- this is an important message! I also absolutely ADORED Lucky, I love that he had such a big role in the book- I loved all of the references to him having a hard life as a cat because all he does is sleep and eat all day, and that he knows when James is feeling upset or needs comfort. As a cat lover, this reminds me of exactly how I am with my cat. 😂 It was also a nice touch that ultimately his judgement of Damien ended up being right!

🍁 “Well Lucky’s… Lucky. He’s the best. Always around, especially when I need him most. Almost like he knows.” ‘Smart cat.’ “He is. Smarter than most people.” 🍁

The setting being in spooky Salem Falls during the autumn and Halloween season is something I really enjoyed too! Rektok Ross did an amazing job of combining both the spooky, scary aspects of Halloween which help to make the murder case even more frighting, with the contrasting cozy, cute, aesthetic elements we associate with fall, like pumpkin spice lattes and cute Halloweeny shops and decorations. This add so much to the setting of the story, using these 2 contrasting vibes of the town that invoke 2 completely different emotions together to complement one another! I haven’t read another book that has done this so well! This really sums up an overarching theme in the book- that something doesn’t have to be defined in one way- a place can be scary but also cozy and aesthetic, a girl can be very smart but also girly, a man can be dark and mysterious, but also alluring. 🎃

🍁 ‘You know what I said back there, right? That I’d die for you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I would’ve bled for you. Burned for you. Without you, I’m already dead.’ 🍁

If you want a thriller with all the spooky, scary but cozy autumn Halloweeny vibes, with a smart FMC who embraces her femininity, an adorable cat and all of the slow burn tension and twists you could want, definitely give Salem’s Fall a read! 🧡

Thank you Netgalley and to the Publisher for providing me with this ARC to read, I absolutely loved it! 💗

ARC Review: I read Salem's Fall in ONE DAY. From the first page, I was pulled into the layered mystery and suspense, and it kept me on the edge of my seat, not putting it down until I reached the last page. I really appreciated the minimal spice, it gave more weight to the story itself and kept the focus on the mystery, which unfolds at a perfect pace. If you're in the mood for an action-packed fall read that blends legal drama with haunting secrets dating back to the witch trials, Salem’s Fall is the one for you!

James, the fierce and determined FMC, has fought to earn her place (and respect) as a junior associate at one of the top criminal defense firms. After a career-jeopardizing mistake, she’s handed a high-stakes case that could make or break her future. Determined to prove herself, she’s ready to fight for justice… until she learns her client is Damien, a dangerously handsome billionaire and the prime suspect in a chilling and gruesome murder. As James travels to the eerie town of Salem’s Fall in search of the truth behind the murder to clear her client, the case unravels in unexpected ways. Damien’s dark family secrets and mysterious past cast growing doubt on his innocence. Secrets surface. Emotions rise. And soon, the stakes aren’t just legal, they’re personal.

The fourth chilling installment in Ross’s horror series—but don’t worry, it’s the perfect place to jump in.

In Salem’s Fall, Harvard Law grad James Woodsen lands the opportunity of a lifetime: defending billionaire Damien Blackhollow, accused of murdering his fiancée. But the case takes her to Salem’s Fall, a town with unsettling ties to her own family history.

As the body count rises and Halloween draws near, James begins to question everything—especially whether Damien is guilty… or something far worse. With Rektok Ross you know that the evil is coming, it's just a matter of how and when.

#Ic13books #SalemsFall #RektokRoss

Salem’s Fall by Rektok Ross, this is about a junior associate at an influential criminal law firm trying to find her place and make her name after making a rookie mistake. unfortunately there are those at the law firm that won’t let James forget it but one of them is not Quinn one of the partners in the guy responsible for having her there in the first place. When he asked her to be on a blowout case about a billionaire named Damien Black Hollow she agrees and wants to make him proud it’s too bad one of her biggest negaters Mark is also working on the case. When things beyond her control make her look ill equip to be on the team Quinn gives her an out and it’s one she quickly takes but soon she learned the client Damien will take his business elsewhere unless James is reinstated as a team member. this isn’t going to be your run of the mill murder trial nor is Damien you’re run of the mill clients he causes James to feel a great dislike for him but at the same time feels drawn to him but she also harbors affection for Quinn she knows she must keep her feelings at bay to focus on the case but soon it’s not her heart on the line but her life. when the book 1st started I did roll my eyes a couple of times and thought I wasn’t going to like this book because why wouldn’t this brilliant junior lawyer tell her boss that her mom was killed the exact same way but this is just one example of times I thought James didn’t act like the smart young attorney she was supposed to be once it got into the paranormal and she visited Salem‘s fall by then I was all in this really turned out to be an awesome read the only thing that would’ve made it better is if had Lucky started talking but I know it wasn’t that type of book but boy was lucky a smart smart cat. I really didn’t get her attraction to Damien especially after she found out everything she didn’t know about him but despite that I rated this book for stars and totally agree with everyone of them. I couldn’t wait to read this book and it did not disappoint. I love the authors books and felt so lucky to be an early reader of this one and can’t wait to read more from her in the future. What a great Halloween read if you love mystery the paranormal and spooky happenings especially secret organization type stuff you’ll absolutely enjoy this book. #Netgalley#Ike13Books,, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #RiktokRoss, #SalemsFall,

I received this ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.
**** contains spoilers******


This book started off really good and then took a turn i wasn’t expecting, supernatural (which was interesting). The relationship between Damian and James (FMC) came out of left field, like i could feel the sexual tension between them but the tenderness Damian expressed was surprising. The novel did end with a lot of questions unanswered: like i get The Veil was responsible for the killings but who ordered them if it wasn’t Damien or Lucian? Did the ritual work? The one their dad did in the 90s helped their company out of bankruptcy or whatever, but the company was doing fine so what was the reason for the ascension ritual when everyone already accepted Damien as the leader? Idk..just my thoughts, obviously read too much into this but I love cultish stuff. Oh! Another thing, the FMC, James, wow was she not smart a lot of times when she’s supposed to be a smart attorney. And her cat? If he was so smart (i wanna say her familiar but she’s not a witch) why did he lead her out of the mansion when it was all a ruse—i know a cat couldn’t possibly know but there’s something different about this cat that we never find out.

If you are addicted to all things fall like I am, this is the perfect thriller for you. Salem’s Fall is an intricate balance of psychological thriller, legal battles, secret societies, romance, and all of my fall favorites creating a mysterious and exciting novel. Although I’m enjoying this as part of summerween, it is definitely the perfect October read curled up with a pumpkin spice latte, a cozy blanket, and your favorite little furball.

Witchy vibes
Secret Society
Mysterious murders
Conspiracy theorists
Female making her way in a male dominated field
Black cat familiar
Gothic manor
Love triangle
Morally gray, broody, obsessive, mysterious billionaire
Law Partner & Junior Associate

Thank you NetGalley and Rektok Ross for allowing me to read an advanced copy. My opinions are all voluntary and my own.