I loved Shine’s debut novel The Watchers when I read it last year, I loved his modern take on the gothic horror genre so I was elated to see that Shine was keeping with this direction with his next novel The Creeper. I wasn’t sure how Shine would be able to top the tense and terrifying atmosphere of The Watchers but believe me when I say that he certainly managed it and finishing The Creeper left me incredibly unsettled, and incredibly grateful that I decided to read the novel during the day rather than before bed.

The characters were all very well written and all made an impact regardless of how often you saw them in the novel. The mysterious prologue with a terrified Fiona in, what appears to be, her final moments perfectly set the tone for the novel and immediately had me hooked. In fact, I didn’t put this book down once until I had finished it, I just couldn’t tear myself away. I became so invested in the mystery of ‘the creeper’ and the lives of Ben, Chloe and the strange Dr. Alec Sparling. Even when Ben’s thoughts and actions made me want to shout at the page (because that’s how tense the book made me!).

Once again, Shine expertly uses the environment to his advantage when building the tension and the unease with every page. The detailed descriptions of the isolated village of Tír Mallacht somehow made such a rural village, one that is almost lost to nature, feel so claustrophobic. Even before Ben and Chloe set foot there, you are already on edge with all the secrecy that surrounds the village, its inhabitants and the project that has sent them there.

It’s not only Shine’s descriptions of the setting that creates the unnatural atmosphere, but the way he describes the villagers themselves and, ultimately, ‘the creeper’. There’s something uncanny, or, unheimlich, about all of them. Not only do the villagers have the classic signs of an isolated, gothic, setting like being wary and standoffish with strangers, but somehow Shine manages to take this one step further. Especially with the adults’ desperate attempts to keep the children from interacting with Ben and Chloe.

As this is a fairly short novel, one perfect to devour within a day (or night, if you’re brave enough), getting the pacing right is crucial and it’s something that Shine does very well. From the opening lines the reader is thrown into the madness and the chaos of the world of ‘the creeper’. I loved how fast-paced the novel was as a whole, how the story of ‘the creeper’ can so quickly infect someone and how life as you know it can dramatically change forever before you realise it. The one aspect around the plot and pacing I was hoping would be more important was Ben’s daughter Aoife, especially with the urgency that surrounded her towards the end of the novel. However, keeping the book to this length keeps the plot and the horror from losing momentum which I appreciate.

Overall, even hours after finishing the book I genuinely feel wary now it is dark outside. I’m finding myself doing everything I can to avoid looking out the window just in case. So, if you’re looking for a stunningly, spine-chilling, novel to keep you up at night then The Creeper is certainly one for you! Just be careful, if you read this at night, first be sure to close the curtains or pull the blinds before you dive in, in case… uh-oh.

Theres very few tmes when i see a book and just kNOW im going to enjoy it and this wasa one of them. From the get go i was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed it the entire time! Im super excited to read more by this author now!

I read AM Shine’s debut novel, The Watchers, and was hugely impressed. So, I couldn’t wait to read his second offering.

Ben French is a historian and he’s broke. Working in dead-end jobs in an Ireland still recovering from the financial crisis, he jumps at the chance to do some actual historical research when offered the chance by Dr Sparling, a reclusive and eccentric academic. He’s teamed up with archaeologist Chloe Coogan (who takes the job for similar reasons) and they are despatched to Tir Mallacht, a remote village that seems trapped in a in the distant past, all its citizens in abject poverty and with no access to modern technology. The locals, too, are unwelcoming and want Ben and Chloe to just go.

Shine’s conjuring of sense of place is brilliant, and like his debut, this novel makes great use of Irish folklore and mythology. This is a brilliantly conjured supernatural tale, a disturbing and disconcerting story; there’s not much violence, it’s not a slasher horror, but is chilling and atmospheric.

Personally, I didn’t like The Creeper quite as much as The Watchers, but that’s not an insult to this second book. The Watchers set such a high bar, that even a brilliant read like this struggled to meet it. But this is still a great read, and I’d recommend both Shine’s titles.

I really enjoyed reading A. M. Shine’s The Watchers so I was incredibly intrigued to see what the author would write next. The Creeper follows two researchers – Ben and Chloe – who are invited to take part in a research trip by Dr Sparling. He sends them to a remote village in Ireland – a village that has no contact with the rest of the world. He asks them to gather their stories, find out their history and ask them what they know about the creeper. When the arrive the locals say very little and refuse to talk about the creeper. Then a little girl tells them the story – three times you see him and each night he comes closer. When Ben and Chloe are visited by a sinister figure watching them, they begin to realize the creeper might be more than just a legend. Will they be able to uncover the truth and save themselves from this monster?

A. M. Shine has a really terrific way of hooking you with a really intriguing premise and keeping you hooked right till the very last page. I loved the tense, sinister atmosphere in this book and I enjoyed the way it continued to build and build as we reached the final chapters. The Watchers had quite a few scenes that genuinely had me reaching to turn on all the lights and The Creeper was exactly the same. Shine really has a knack for creating spine-tingling stories and I will definitely be reading whatever they write next.

The story is quite a quick read and the twists were definitely not what I was expecting. I really enjoyed Shine’s writing style and the characters in this story are really fascinating. Ben is trying to save his career and be a better Dad. I liked the way the friendship between Ben and Chloe developed as they attempt to escape from the creeper. Dr Sparling is also a really interesting character and not what I expected at all. The Creeper is a dark, thrilling horror tale one that is bound to have you turning pages long into the night. This book is absolutely perfect for spooky season so if you’re looking for something to send a shiver down your spine, this one should absolutely be on your reading list.

Loved the premise of this and the book was super..... except for the ending, it did nothing for me which was a shame. If it had been more of a classic horror/supernatural ending I would have been a lot happier

Looking for a creepy, unsettling and downright terrifying story? Well look no further because here we are. This was absolutely fantastic! Fantastic writing, fantastic story and fantastically fantastic! I am a fan for life!!

3.9 ⭐️
A mix of the movies: The Ring, The Hills Have Eyes, and Smile

THE GOOD:
1. The writing is STEEPED in metaphors, which is really difficult to get through at first, but then becomes sort of gorgeous after your brain gets used to the style.
2. The freezing Irish environment lends itself to producing much of the horror, and having just escaped England in winter, I can sympathise.

THE BAD:
1. While the author used initials, I had a feeling it was a man, which turned out to be right. The female parts were written flatly in a way that only a man could. And the dialogue between the two main characters is seriously cringe. They like flirt in a really stunted, superficial, and unattractive way.
2. I couldn’t help thinking the whole time just how uncomfortably similar it was to the horror movie Smile. And the sad/interesting thing is that this book was published Sept 15, 2022 and the movie came out 14 days later (Sept 29). Fishy.

I can’t possibly include the other positives that I’d like to include in my review because they’re major spoilers. All I can say is that I really disliked the turn it took at the end; HOWEVER, it made me sit down and really think through how everything could have possibly happened. Which I love.

Thank you for the ARC. One note though, my copy could really do with another round of edits before being published to the world at large... but I'm a little late with my review so fingers crossed things got fixed! Lol

Creeper

When researchers Ben and Chloe are hired by Dr Alec Sparling to do some cryptic work, they find themselves upon a village in Ireland, unheard of. The people of the village never leave and families have stayed there forever, isolated from the outside world and fearful of the thing that is out there. But the people are strange and unusual and are wary of Ben and Chloe who find themselves unwelcomed. It only when a young girl tells them of a curse. A curse about a sinister figure of the night. A sinister figure to be feared of. Each night edging closer until the third time you see him, he will be close enough, close enough to come and get you.

Ben and Chloe soon find that they’re actually on the trail to to figure out if there is truth to the tale and about what and who is the Creeper. But are they safe in the village? And are they safe from the curse?

The tale surrounding seeing him three times, sounded really scary first time I heard it and gave me chills. The tale surrounding the Creeper felt a lot like a cross between the Slenderman and the Candyman.

We learn a bit about Ben and Chloe and the author delves into the doctor’s background, his connection to the creeper and why he called upon them. Ben is so sweet and thoughtful to Chloe, I really loved their relationship and they make for a great team. They also have a daughter, both of whom will do absolutely anything for her. I was fearful for all the characters when things were really starting to buildup. Even though they are protagonists with flaws, it made me think of how would we react with a curse surrounding us. Everyone has the potential to react differently as the author explores.

The description is atmospheric, eerie and spine-chillingly creepy. The buildup towards the end is also nothing of brilliant. I found myself on the edge of my seat with this one, rooting for the main characters.

I’m glad I read most of this during the day as I think it’s one of those books that will definitely need to be read in day light if you’re scared easily. But if you’re looking for something to scare you silly, this is definitely the one. It’s even more scarier and creepier than his debut novel, The Watchers and I didn’t think that was possible! This one will shock you, thrill you, enthral you and have you gripped.

This was almost another 5 star from A. M. Shine but the ending ruined it slightly for me.

The majority of this book was absolutely terrifying; I could count on one hand the amount of books that have genuinely scared me but both books by the author would be there. This one was far superior in the amount of scares and the quality of them, there was actually a couple of nights I had to sleep with the light on 🙈 and most of the scares brought tears to my eyes they were that frightening.

I enjoyed both the main characters of Ben and Chloe, the latter being absolutely hilarious at points which helped to break up the tense atmosphere. The character of the little girl will stay with me for a long time, she was utterly terrifying always popping up the way she did (it seemed worse in the audiobook).

Unfortunately for me the ending let the book down in my opinion, I felt it was far too confusing to the point where I'm still not entirely clear what happened; along with that there were a few unanswered questions which is one of the biggest pet peeves for me in books.

Apart from that, thoroughly enjoyable and I can't wait to see what the author brings out next; I'm sure it will be just as atmospheric and terrifying as this.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Head of Zeus and A. M. Shine for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*

I really enjoyed The Watchers by A.M. Shine, and by "enjoyed," I mean, "It scared the crap out of me." It was incredibly unique and weird and intense and unlike nearly anything I've ever read. I expected the same from The Creeper and I got it. The first half was a little slow, but to be honest, I love the following in books:
- Ireland. Really, just Ireland. I've always wanted to visit that country and it is steeped in folklore and myth
- Researchers. It never goes well for them, does it?
- Remote/abandoned villages
- Something creepy people won't talk about

Those will nearly always lead to a good story and it did in this book. You know that things are going to get creepy when there are woods involved, and I love that again, A.M. Shine makes me never want to enter the forest again. It's a solid story, and one that I recommend if you want to be really creeped out.

Dark and dare I say creepy. The Watchers got me but this one amped things up! I was hooked and scared from the prologue! You’re going to think you know what happens, and you’re going to be right, but then you’re going to be totally wrong!

I love how his horrific stories are soaked in Irish legend and folklore. Don’t read this late at night in the dark!! AM Shine has quickly jumped onto my “I’ll read whatever they publish” list.

Thanks to Netgalley, AM Shine and Head of Zeus for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Creeper is a very scary story imbued with the power of folktales. A.M. Shine builds a strong sense of foreboding from beginning to end. The tale of the Creeper is already scary, but reading first hand accounts through the protagonists, Ben and Chloe, is enough to give the reader nightmares. I read this in one sitting, and I cannot dare myself to look out my window at night. Overall, this is an entertaining and terrifyingly fun read that toys with its readers along the way.

I wanted to love this book so much and was turned off pretty quickly unfortunately, some sexist characters I had no need to read from, still interested in The Watcher from te author, this one wasn't for me unfortunately

This one started off great with an incredibly creepy story, but the twist at the end made the book completely fall apart for me. I have SO many questions of logistics and how the entire plot could have worked. Unfortunately, it ultimately was a bit of a flop, but I did enjoy most of the journey.

I received a free copy from Netgalley to review and I found it to be ok. I can see that generally it has good reviews but I struggled to keep going to be honest. I found a large part of the problem was that I didn't find a connection with the two main characters Ben and Chloe. Looking at the other reviews, I am just going to say this wasn't for me on this occasion.

4 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2022/12/05/the-creeper-by-am-shine/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Scary, atmospheric shocking and creepy

Yes, this book does exactly what you would expect with a title like The Creeper. It’s a strange mix of Irish folklore, horror and urban legend.

The story opens with a gripping start. We then move on to follow our main POV Ben French. Ben, a historian, is a little down on his luck and so when he’s offered an interview for a position by a wealthy man called Alex Sparling he jumps at the chance. When he arrives he meets the only other candidate, Chloe Coogan, an archaeologist. The two are offered the chance to carry out some research for Spalding and the rewards for doing so are high. But, this is a highly secretive undertaking requiring them to sign non-disclosure agreements before they even set out the door – it all seems a little off somehow and if something seems too good to be true then it usually is.

Tir Mallacht is quite literally a village forgotten in time. It doesn’t seem to exist on any maps and can only be reached by a hard day’s hiking. Ben and Chloe have been tasked with visiting the village and trying to glean any information they can from the villagers whether it be how they live, why they have isolated themselves from the modern world and anything else they can dig up of historic or archaeological significance and they’ve also been tasked with asking the villagers about the Creeper. When the two eventually arrive they receive a frosty reception. A number of villagers are selected to talk to Ben but the interviewees prove to be close lipped and evasive. Only one little girl speaks to them, without the permission of her elders, and seems to take great delight in willingly telling them of the local myth – ‘The Creeper – Three times you see him. Each night he comes closer… on the fourth night – uhuh! Well, nobody knows what happens on the fourth night because nobody is seen again to tell the tale. If that isn’t creepy enough, as the darkness approaches everyone withdraws indoors, shutters and doors are tightly locked and the place becomes like a ghost town with only Ben and Chloe remaining outside.

I don’t want to say too much more about the plot because it would be far too easy to give away spoilers so will instead give an overview of my feelings.

Well, firstly, this started off a little slowly but I think the pace was necessary in order to help build a bigger picture and to develop tension. Basically the story only covers a very short time span so it would have been very easy to simply speed forward but the author gives us a feel for Ben and Chloe, both new to each other, setting out all hopeful on an adventure that promises rewards should they succeed. They’re both a bit sceptical about the place and the superstitions but when they eventually arrive the condition of the village and its inhabitants is something of a shock to say the least.

Ben likes to remain steadfast in his belief that the bogeyman doesn’t exist and that such stories only gather strength from word of mouth and fear. Of course, after having spent a freezing cold night out in a tent with very little warmth or protection (not to mention other strange occurences) well, he’s only too happy to put as much distance as possible between himself and this isolated village. Chloe is a much more hopeful kind of character, generally upbeat and likeable, she pretty soon decides the whole venture is a lost cause and after a fairly terrifying night can’t wait to hightail it out of there too.

The setting is really well portrayed. The village is overbearingly, almost cloyingly, creepy. The villagers themselves are a strange bunch. A couple of hundred years of inbreeding coupled with lack of any proper nutrition has left them with many problems and they come across as both scared yet scary and not a tad paranoid. The whole place is filthy, drab and depressing and you better believe that I would have been out of there in a New York minute.

Then we come to the real crux of the story. The Creeper. This is one of those dark tales that feels appropriate to share round a campfire on Halloween. The origins stretch back a couple of hundred years and although much has been lost over time it seems like dark and diabolical forces may have been involved. The feel could be likened to The Ring or The Candyman where to invoke ‘something’ usually leads to death.

Now, let’s talk about the ending. I still don’t know what to think or feel about it. Put simply this was something of a shock. I just didn’t second guess what was really going on here and I admit that this was twisted and unexpected, not to mention, well downright surprisingly shocking. Did I mention the shock of it all? Not to mention a bit brutal and a little gruesome. Intrigued much?

Not for the faint of heart, scary, creepy and twisted. And, one more time couldn’t possibly hurt – shocking!

I received a copy through Netgalley,courtesy of the publisher for which my thanks, the above is my own opinion.

Another eerie, mind-bending, and absolutely stunning book from the one and only A. M.

After reading The Watchers I really thought that Shine may have hit the nail on the head and produced a masterpiece of horror that would be impossible to top, let alone replicate.
However, it seems that Shine's hammer is still swinging and this book is another instant favourite of mine.

I'm not going to be going into too much detail about the book, want to keep the story safe and sound for first time readers.

This tale of darkness, historical curses, superstitions, and the faults of humankind is a winding road through peaks and valleys of terror and dread.

The world building is, as The Watchers, unmatched. You're immersed into the mind of Shine and you are left entirely at the will of the story. The characters are perfectly fitting and there isn't a single one that I would change. You travel through theories in your mind but are constantly interrupted by the pace changes of the book, all before you can form a single coherent guess as to what the ending may be. It is written perfectly to guide you to a conclusion and then shatters your expectations with a twist full of action and emotion that feels like an entire book in itself!

This is A. M. Shine's second book! From a breathtaking debut to an outstanding second, I cannot wait to see what Shine has in store for us in the future. This is a tale that will stay with me for a long time.

This one didn't work for me. I read the author's first book, The Watchers, when it came out and on the first go I was not in the right mood for it so I put it aside. When I picked it up again I loved it. The sense of dread and fear really palpable and it was a creepy story. When I saw this book was coming out I couldn't wait to read it. I started it and...found it boring? So I put it aside because maybe I am not in the right mood again. Only I kept trying to read it again and again and it didn't work for me. It wasn't creepy, it didn't have that atmosphere that I would want to make this a great read. The Creeper was just...meh? I didn't get the dread or the fear for your life that the characters should be experiencing. I don't know why but the writing didn't work for this story. I didn't care about any of the characters, I didn't care what happened, I skimmed the last half just to see what was going on and when I was done I felt very meh about the whole thing. So a bit disappointed as I loved the first book so much.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book

So disappointed by this book! I was ready to enjoy a good creepy read after Halloween and it fell so flat. The characters had no depth: a random creep who likes to play with people’s lives; an absent father who’ll do anything just to earn some money and use his history degree; and the only female character in the book who we know as having an archaeology degree and a jacket with a fur hood…

The story had such premise (although not overly original) but it just became ridiculous especially in the last 10%. The last chapter was the only glimmer of horror and I feel the first chapter had almost nothing to do with the rest of the story!

All in all, a very disappointing read.

Superstitions only survive if people believe in them…

Renowned academic Dr Sparling seeks help with his project on a remote Irish village. Historical researchers Ben and Chloe are thrilled to be chosen – until they arrive.

The village is isolated and forgotten. There is no record of its history, its stories. There is no friendliness from the locals, only wary looks and whispers. The villagers lock down their homes at sundown.

It seems a nameless fear stalks the streets, but nobody will talk – nobody except one little girl. Her words strike dread into the hearts of the newcomers. Three times you see him. Each night he comes closer…

That night, Ben and Chloe see a sinister figure watching them. He is the Creeper. He is the nameless fear in the night. Stories keep him alive. And nothing will keep him away…

For a reader like me, The Creeper by A.M. Shine is the perfect nightmare fuel. I have a tendency towards night terrors and on more than one occasion I’ve woken in the middle of the night utterly convinced there is someone in the room standing over me*. With that in mind, I am either absolutely the worst or the very best audience for this novel. I’m a glutton for punishment so I’ll assume I’m the best.

For researchers Ben and Chloe, the opportunity to make some much-needed money by interviewing the inhabitants of a remote village couldn’t have come at a better time. A reclusive academic offers them the chance to discover the truth behind an old Irish legend. The villagers however, are an insular, distrustful bunch. Their entire lives are bound by the rules that surround an entity known as the Creeper. To these simple souls, an abrupt intrusion by outsiders is tantamount to blasphemy. The interviews don’t go according to plan, and after failing to get the answers they are looking for, Ben and Chloe decide to leave. On their journey home a strange figure appears in the distance.

Where the folk horror of The Creeper excels is in picking apart the nature of belief and superstition. Initially, our two protagonists are dismissive of the villagers and their archaic lifestyle. Ben is particularly sceptical. He is the sort of person who is constantly looking for the rational explanation in all things. He can’t allow himself to accept any other possibility. The idea that the Creeper could be real is too ridiculous to entertain.

A horror that slowly burrows its way directly into my brain like this always leaves a distinct impression. I remember the first time I saw Ring I was unsettled for days. The Creeper emanates that same air of disquiet. It’s that growing feeling of uncertainty, of everything being not quite right. An air of tension that builds slowly, chipping away at your sanity in tiny increments. There is a sense of desperate inevitability hangs heavy over events. The Creeper is coming and he will get you eventually.

Though The Creeper is firmly rooted in the realms of psychological horror, there are some moments of physical trauma peppered throughout the narrative that also manage to illicit shock. As an aside, top marks to the author for the use of the word ‘creamy’ in a horror novel. So very, very icky.

If you are looking for a modern take on old-school folk horror then I can heartily recommend The Creeper. With subtle nods to the likes of The Wicker Man and James Herbert’s back catalogue, I’m sure you’re going to be pleased and horrified in equal measure.

The Creeper is published by Head of Zeus and is available now.

My musical recommendation to accompany this read is the soundtrack to Slender Man by Ramin Djawadi and Brandon Campbell. It has a suitably ominous tone that captures the unsettling nature of the novel.

*My other half will confirm this is sometimes paired with me screaming at full volume**.

**I know, I’m quite the catch aren’t I?