"Old Country," co-authored by Matthew Query and Harrison Query, is a pulse-pounding thriller that immerses readers in a world of suspense, danger, and survival. With its tense plot, well-drawn characters, and heart-pounding action, the book offers an adrenaline-fueled reading experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Query brothers demonstrate their adeptness at crafting a gripping narrative right from the start. The story follows the harrowing journey of the protagonist through a treacherous landscape filled with unknown threats. The pacing is relentless, driving the narrative forward with a series of high-stakes encounters and heart-stopping moments.

The characters in "Old Country" are authentic and relatable, each with their own motivations and vulnerabilities. As the protagonist faces seemingly insurmountable challenges, readers become invested in their survival and rooting for their success. The authors' ability to balance intense action with moments of introspection and camaraderie adds depth to the characters' development.

The writing style is tight and efficient, reflecting the urgent nature of the story. The book excels in creating a palpable sense of tension and danger, drawing readers into the characters' predicaments and making them feel as if they are right alongside them on their perilous journey.

While the book excels in its suspenseful storytelling, some readers might hope for more intricate world-building or further exploration of certain themes. However, the authors' focus on the immediate challenges and the protagonist's determination to survive ensures that the story remains tightly woven and action-packed.

In conclusion, "Old Country" is a riveting and adrenaline-charged thriller that showcases the Query brothers' ability to deliver an engaging and fast-paced narrative. For those seeking a book that offers non-stop action, suspense, and a gripping tale of survival against the odds, "Old Country" is a thrilling and satisfying choice.

This wasn’t for me unfortunately but Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this title.

This arc is unreadable, I did try but the text is all over the place size wise and says Hodder and Stoughton randomly all over the place. I'm sorry I did try, it was just too distracting. I will probably just buy a copy eventually.

This was a very entertaining and, at times, genuinely creepy folk horror. I thought that the basic concept of a land-based ancient spirit that must be appeased was really well done and I liked the fact that the authors had considered why the inhabitants wouldn't just leave, I found Harry absolutely insufferable as a protagonist, although his traumatic military history clearly played a part in his behaviours, but there were times when I was genuinely concerned for Sasha as his wife, given his self-destructive character. I loved Dan and Lucy and the setting itself was really strongly present throughout the narrative. We got a real sense of the scale of the country and just how empty it was, which added nicely to the tension. There were times when the manifestations were genuinely unnerving, which I appreciated and overall, this was a really solid and well told horror that I would definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Boy, did this book sound exciting. Lonely farmstead, weird folklore, dark rituals to keep the horror at bay.
Well.
What it actually boiled down to was this:
Our MCs, a young couple who are both impressively unlikeable, move to this farm and are told that:
A happens in spring. You have to do B.
C happens in summer. You have to do D.
E happens in the fall. You better do F.
So spring rolls around. A happens. They do B. Phew!
Summer. C happens. They do D. All is well.
Fall: You guessed it. Something shows up, they deal with it. It's pretty boring, actually. Even when something unexpected happens (a winter Occurence; an unplanned pregnancy; the realization that they can never move away from their farm) they deal with it just fine. Is it spooky? No. Scary? No. Exciting? Hell no.
I HATED Harry, the self-righteous ex-soldier-with-issues. I was absolutely bored with Sasha, his hot-yet-smart lady love, who apparently is too stupid to use contraception despite the fact that she's moved to the middle of effing nowhere with an unstable dude and two fuddy-duddy boomer neighbors as her only company. Schools, doctors, playmates? Nope. At first I held out hope that this would serve as the catalyst for some kind of action (will they maybe sacrifice the baby to appease some hitherto unseen spooky force that actually DOES something? Maybe enter into some kind of Rosemary's Baby situation?), but nope. There's a tiny bit of hand wringing on her part, and then they just sail on.
Much is made of the revelation that once you own this piece of land, you can never leave it, uh-oh, uncool, especially with a baby you were too dumb to keep from making, but thankfully there is a way out: you just need to DEAL WITH YOUR SHIT. This is a quote. It's also the only explanation given as to how our MCs end up living happily ever after on Horror Ranch. Apparently, they DEALT WITH THEIR SHIT.
(I like to believe I have a fairly high WTF threshold, but this book made me curse out loud on the subway.)

I don't know. On top of the less than gripping action, you get some less than stellar prose ("Ben found that the effort to form full words seemed only to expedite his bereavement by simplifying the flooding of his lungs, and abandoned the attempt.") as well as dialogue than can only be described as excruciating, especially as the authors apparently don't seem to believe in commas -- it's all "Sash are you okay!?" and "It's fine love." (no, not a commentary on the quality of their relationship) and "I just fell over, won't even be a bruise ok?"
It's all. So. Juvenile. I didn't hear about the Reddit connection until weeks after finishing this, but I have to say I'm not surprised; these guys aren't writers.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC, but to me this book fell way short of the hype.

Old Country is beautifully raw and barbaric. A masterclass in suspense. A fully immersive experience – the rugged landscape, the weather and the deep seated fear made me take note.

Holy mother… this book! I’ve heard about the hype surrounding it, and let me tell you, it doesn’t do it justice. Old Country is a dangerous book that might lead to your heart-stopping.

It’s a reading experience. The build-up is slow and startling. You can feel the unease creeping into the shadows of your mind. I felt panicky at the reveal to come. You knew something was ready to jump out but the when was very much a threat on the wind. There was always something perceived that had me on edge. My body was wrought with tension, and I resembled a coiled spring.

Harry, an ex-marine, Sasha, and their retriever, Dash, have made a massive leap of faith by buying a rural ranch in Idaho. It’s been Harry’s dream since being honourably discharged from active service after being hit by an IED. After meeting Sasha, he knew he wanted to share all his dreams and aspirations with her. Their forever home is surrounded by lush meadows, forests, and breathtaking mountainscapes. They buy without viewing the property, and when they arrive for the first time, they know instantly that this was a gamble that paid off.

Their neighbours quickly introduce themselves as Lucy and Dan, a couple in their 70s who’ve been living in the Idaho wilderness for many years. They tell them about the rules for surviving in the sticks, and things start to get very weird. Harry doesn’t like what he’s hearing – a spirit that takes a new form during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. Let’s be realistic; it sounds like the ramblings of a madman, right? However, Harry and Sasha must follow these rules to the letter; otherwise, the spirit can reach them and harm them. It sounds very sinister, and as the seasons start emerging, the couple realise that Lucy and Dan were right – they are bound by the spirit of the land.

Authors like to add an edge to their stories; this is no exception. Old Country uses the ancient myths and superstitions of a long-gone age and implements them into the tale with gusto and fervour. The authors succeeded in injecting the right dose of horror and creeping dread as the trap of the spirit closes in on them. Harry and Sasha see the events through two different sets of glasses. One tackles it with the military precision he was accustomed to, and Sasha is much quicker to adapt to their strange circumstances.

I enjoyed the dual-person POV, but I did struggle at times with harry’s single-minded focus. He could act selfishly and needs to deal with his hair-trigger temper. Old Country was almost unbearable to watch. The events would unravel with the speed of an avalanche. I wondered how much would be revealed to us and how much I’d still be left to slot into place.

This is a sort of marmite book: you love it or hate. Even if there's potential i didn't care for the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

https://lynns-books.com/2022/08/22/old-country-by-matt-query-and-harrison-query/
4 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Unique and Compelling Horror Story

I have to hand it to the author(s), this is such an unusual kind of horror story that it’s absolutely compelling and I could barely put it down.

I’ll just give a very brief outline of the plot. A young couple and their dog move to the wilderness in pursuit of the dream existence. No more rat race. They buy an almost-too-good-to-be-true ranch and settle in to a life of self sufficiency and idyllic vistas. They can’t believe their good fortune until their closest, and in fact only, neighbours pay them a visit and give them some well needed advice. Essentially there is a malevolent and unknown presence within the valley that manifests during each season in a different form. Basically, there are rules for living on the land, rules that if not followed cause chaos and death.

What I really liked about this is the actual concept. It’s so unique (to me at least) – not particularly the idea of a malicious spirit making its presence felt, so much as the incredibly strange way in which it does so. I’m not going to give any hints here because I think readers need to discover the story for themselves. What I will say is that there are some very creepy ideas here that without doubt make your skin crawl and this is seriously heightened by the ever increasing sense of impending doom that is ramped up with each new season.

In terms of the characters. Well, Harry and Sasha are quite an easy to read couple. They have a strong bond and a desire to protect each other which is just as well considering what they’re about to go through. For me however, the dog, Dash, stole the show. In fact, they’d have been pretty much lost without their canine companion as he saved the day more than once. In fact in that respect Harry could be a little annoying at times in terms of his decision making. I do understand that he is suffering (Harry is an ex-marine suffering from PTSD following a terrible incident) but he had a kind of macho fuelled obsession with wanting to fight against things that simply can’t be fought against – and he just wouldn’t give up which was a bit frustrating sometimes. That being said, he does listen to his wife and she is without doubt the voice of reason here.

I have to say that the winter ‘show’ gave me the heebies. Each successive season becomes progressively more bleak, which is almost a strange parallel now I think about it with the challenges and the weather gradually becoming more bleak.

Criticisms. I thought the ending was a little rushed and there was definitely an element of those in the know keeping others in the dark a little – like why not simply talk and share information instead of skirting round the issues and beating about the bush.

That said, I enjoyed this. It was a quick read. It hooked me very quickly. I enjoyed the no-nonsense style of writing which portrays the beauty of the place and makes the horrors taking place that much more stark and it’s one of those reads where I felt like for the majority of the time I was simply gobsmacked.

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

Having heard this was a Reddit sensation that was being picked up for the screen make me very interested to give this a read. Unfortunately, I found this a pretty big let down. I found the main character Harry irritating, rude and a bit of a ass. I preferred Sasha's character and did like how you could tell the difference in the chapters narration when it switched between them both.

I loved the neighbours Dan and Lucy and their relationship, as well as the setting (and Dash, the adorable golden retriever) and I did really enjoy a lot of the darker and more scary parts of the book, but I also found parts problematic.

I wish there was more touched on about the Native American background and how it all worked. I have read another 'Reddit horror thread turned book' which included the Native American culture a lot which well incredibly well, so I think Old Country missed a mark.

Some areas were also just too unnecessarily descriptive. We spent half a page being taught how to plant posts around fields and more than a few pages about guns and hunting and I think the book could've been shorter without them.

I think the plot was a great idea but it just didn't come across well as a book.

DNF - I had no expectations going into this & knew that the premise of the story follows a tale as old as time but, it intrigued me. The prologue alone turned me off from fostering any level of intrigue or desire, as is, unfortunately, so often the case with prologues. There seem to be so many people who have adored this anticipated read. I am therefore left feeling that it has made its way into the hands of readers who will not mind the approach, the writing style, or the structure.

An exhilarating and totally satisfying read. A breakneck fast, brutally good page-turner. Yet another fine outing from the master of horror! Hits the ground running and the pace never misses a beat.

I really struggled with this one so will not be providing a review. A lot of people seem to like it so I'd prefer to let their reviews tell the story in this case.

Sasha and Harry move to an isolated valley in the country where they are one of the few families living there. They have barely settled in when they learn some very disturbing news about the valley from their neighbours. There are dark and dangerous times ahead for the couple as they accept and learn the ways of the land and the evil that lies within.

I absolutely loved the setting and it was easy to get lost in the idyllic scenery and country life. I enjoyed the ominous tone and slow creeping dread of what was to unfold. We learn about the history and lore of the land gradually through the point of view of both Sasha and Harry. The premise is certainly original with very creative story building. The evil that unfolds is chilling and breaks the mould in many ways, making it fresh and compelling.

There were aspects of this book that could have been better for me. I found the characters’ backstories to be overdone especially at the start and Harry’s flash backs didn’t seem to always drive the story. The dialogue felt unnatural in places and I also felt like information was being repeated too much. Bearing in mind this story was originally a Reddit thread, I understand why things might be a little out of sync in book form. I would have loved to see the plot developed more and a better paced ending.

Overall, it was an entertaining mix of horror, supernatural and folklore with a lot of intrigue and original ideas that is worth reading and experiencing yourself.

“Strange things happen in old country like this”

Former Marine Harry, and his wife Sasha (and not forgetting their adorable golden retriever Dash) have bought a home in the Grand Teton area, with 50 glorious acres of land and the most stunning views of the Teton mountains, along with starry skies that go on forever. They agree that life is going to be very good here. However, when they meet with their nearest neighbours Dan and Lucy, they tell them that there is an evil spirit in the valley, and in order to keep it at bay, there are certain strange rituals that must be carried out to the letter, in order to stay safe. Not only that, but the spirit takes on an increasingly disturbing form with each season.

Well, Dan and Lucy are an elderly couple, and Harry and Sasha think they are either quite mad, or for some reason they want rid of them. It turns out that they are neither of those things, and everything they said was true!

The manifestations that Harry and Sasha experience are truly terrifying, and Dash the dog plays a huge part here, sensing and recognising that the spirit is on its way, and bless him, doing his best to protect his owners.

As the storyline unfolds, the tension and dread is unbearable. I spent the entire time thinking how blessed I was to be merely reading about it from the comfort of my armchair, and not be experiencing something so truly horrifying. Enjoyed it though!

Sasha and Harry are one of those married couples who have such differing personalities that they actually go together really well. Harry's stubborn, pig headed and quick to anger when he can't easily fix a problem. This becomes very apparent when both Sasha and Harry meet their neighbors who tell them about the spirit that haunts the valley. Sasha is more even tempered and trusting than Harry, and is inclined to believe their neighbors who have no reason to send them on what Harry believes is a wild goose chase.
It's only when things start to happen as their neighbors said it would that Harry starts to believe. But things soon escalate.

This book is a fresh take on a haunted house story, it was really engaging, creepy, thrilling and I really enjoyed it. I loved the descriptions of the ranch and the valley that it's set in, I could really visualise what a beautiful place it is. I did also find myself shouting at Harry's terrible decisions.

I would like to thank Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

DNF at 17%.

I’m so disappointed - I’ve been looking forward to this book for months, and was really excited to get an advanced copy to review.
The story follows Harry and Sasha, a couple who are making their dream move to a rural home with land of their own - but the land has some dark history.
The main character, Harry, is just thoroughly unlikable. I get that he has PTSD but he’s also just a bit of a know-all toxic masculinity type and his wife Sasha was really two dimensional. I realised when I’d started to skim read this early into the book that it wasn’t for me - when you’re almost a fifth of the way in and nothing has happened it’s time to move on! I really didn't care what happened to either of them - my main concern was their dog!
A big bugbear (and once I’d noticed it, it stood out even more!) was the writer using ‘yah’ instead of ‘yeah’. I couldn’t help but read it in a posh British accent! That was just one example of the unrealistic dialogue that felt stilted and was a major readability issue.
I believe this story began life as a Reddit thread. Maybe it read better there when it was shorter and more punchy - in novel format, it just doesn't work.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC, which I received in return for an honest review.

Old Country is a horror novel about a couple who move into an isolated ranch only to discover that the area is plagued by a spirit that requires specific rituals to keep the inhabitants safe. Former marine Harry and his wife Sasha move to their new home in a valley by some mountains, fulfilling their dream of living in the wilderness. Their only neighbours are an older couple a while away, and then Joe, whose family have been living on the land for hundreds of years. When the neighbours warn Harry and Sasha that their idyll requires strange rituals each season to stop the spirit manifestations that change with the season, it is clear that nature isn't so peaceful after all.

Told alternatively from Harry and Sasha's points of view, the novel follows a classic slow burn horror structure, with each season coming as they have to face the terrors that await. The first half or two-thirds of the book is fairly slow, but it is quite gripping as you wait for what will happen, whereas the ending is much faster, with perhaps not as much of a satisfying conclusion pacing-wise. The isolation and dread manifests a bit less predictably than I expected, as the start sets up how there's no one around, but the book doesn't rely on any 'must get to the nearest phone/town' type plot points but rather the characters really do embrace the isolation.

In terms of characters, Harry is the real focus, and a lot of the book is about his time as a marine and his PTSD, to the extent that you don't even get much of Sasha when she's narrating. Their dog, Dash, is a real standout character, and highly important to the book, which often isn't the case with pets in horror books which just serve as something to get killed early on to show the menace. Dan and Lucy, the neighbours, are fine, but it's a shame that Joe, who is mentioned quite a lot, barely appears, and the book does gloss over the different relationships to the land that the white characters have versus the Native American characters, despite it being implied to be very important.

The concept of the book and elements of the spirit haunting, with the strange seasonal manifestations, are interesting and the book is enjoyable to read, bar some overly detailed passages about caring for a ranch. The execution perhaps doesn't quite follow through on the conceit and the ending doesn't feel like it takes into account everything that has been set up, especially in terms of the ancient nature of the spirit, but it's a decent horror read that you wouldn't want to read in an isolated location.

A young couple (and their adorable golden retriever) give up there hectic lives in Denver and buy a 55 acre ranch in Idaho. An idyllic, beautiful place to make a life and maybe bring up a family. But Sasha and Harry soon find out that their new life comes with some very strange rules and breaking those rules could have very serious consequences.

This is a wonderfully original, spooky story with an amazing setting and tons of atmosphere. I very rarely get scared by a book but this one really got me.. Highly recommended.

A slow burner to start with but I so glad I stuck with it. A youg couple are living their dream, to own their own home in the middle of a beautiful valley. They are so happy until they meet their closest neighbours who say that the valley is cursed and they hand them a list of rules to keep them safe. At first I was intrigued then I became immersed in the tale that was unfolding. The tension and suspense were palpable and the impending doom was chilling.The terror was slowly ramping up to a nerve shredding crescendo. They will finally found out that terror and menace will impact on everything that they do. This tale gave me goosebumps on my goosebumps. A new version of terror and so highly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.