I didn’t finish this, I will start with that. I thought the synopsis sounded really interesting, but right around 34%, I was uninterested. I found it very far fetched that a college girl who saw a dark web video, was able to find the person murdered within a few hours of watching the video. The book lost its appeal and the writing felt a little all over the place.


This wasn’t for me.

DNF @ 15%

I wanted to give this book a fair shot because the concept sounded interesting enough but the writing is just so bad I couldn't force myself to continue. The line that did it for me was "Anna, equally tanned with brown hair in the same general length and style as Kayla's because that general length and style was the style of girls their age..." because.... what? Just a couple of notes, 1) no teen/early 20s girl ever thinks like that and 2) what? I try to give books with a small amount of ratings a fair shot but I can only look past so many cringey lines before I need to give up.

Also not to mention the way Marvin reacts to the photo his wife texts him? In what world would someone get a photo of a naked woman tied to a bed and gagged then not call the cops because it "might embarass his wife"? Absolutely ridiculous. My biggest issue doesn't have anything to do with the idea this might be extreme horror, because I enjoy books that are really dark every once in a while. The issue is just how poorly this book is written. The concept in interesting and the bit of horror I read was vivid enough but the way the characters talk to one another or think just isn't good.

I wish I could've looked past this and enjoyed it like everyone else seems to but this book does not work for me. I don't want to drag the public rating down so it's better to leave it publicly unrated and DNF.

**A Dark and Unforgettable Psychological Masterpiece**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brandon Hughes’ *The Red Room* is a chilling and immersive psychological thriller that takes readers on a haunting journey through the darkest corners of the human mind. From the first page to the shocking conclusion, this novel grips you tight and doesn’t let go.

Hughes masterfully crafts a story filled with tension, mystery, and layered characters who feel incredibly real. The protagonist’s journey into the enigmatic and foreboding "Red Room" is as fascinating as it is unsettling, drawing readers deeper into a web of secrets and lies that unfolds with precision.

The writing is atmospheric and vivid, creating a palpable sense of dread that lingers throughout the story. Hughes strikes the perfect balance between suspense and emotional depth, making the stakes feel intensely personal while keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

What sets *The Red Room* apart is its exploration of themes like guilt, redemption, and the fragility of trust. The twists are expertly executed, and just when you think you’ve figured it all out, Hughes throws in another curveball that leaves you breathless.

This is a novel that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that are as thought-provoking as they are gripping, *The Red Room* is an absolute must-read. Brandon Hughes has delivered a masterpiece of suspense. Highly recommended!

The Red Room by Brandon Hughes is a pulse-pounding thriller that plunges readers into a chilling world of online horror. When Marvin Swiderski receives a cryptic text from his wife, it sets off a deadly chain of events leading him to a sinister plot involving a sadistic killer streaming murders on the Dark Web. Simultaneously, Kayla Sinclair’s accidental discovery of the “Red Room” forces her into a race against time to identify the killer’s victims and stop the horrors before she becomes the next target. With its taut suspense, chilling imagery, and high stakes, Hughes delivers a gripping and horrifying tale that explores the dangers lurking in the dark corners of the internet.

Wow what a book, seriously now this was a book and a half. Had me frightened half to death and reading with the big light on! It’s a must read for anyone who wants the pants frightening off them 😂

A brilliant well written book that I could just not leave down , such a fantastic story that left you guessing right to the end but a really good ending that explained everything that unfolded throughout the book . Brilliant characters that were so well written about you felt you were in their lives with them . A brilliant story told with many a shock and a wow as you read chapter after chapter not wanting to leave it down. I would really recommend this book as a must read.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Red Room. Wow. What a read! What happens when you accidentally see a horrific video that appears to be real. And the video is one that you can’t unsee what you viewed.
A young woman in college, Kayla, has nightmares and turns to her roommates to find out if it’s real or fake.
When reality sets in it’s up to Kayla to do something and she does.
But she is up against powerful people who have the ability to make possible problems go away And Kayla is a problem to these men and women who are part of a deep web conspiracy who have a lot invested to keep their secrets safe and will stop at nothing to continue their very existence.
Excellent book and recommend. You won’t put this book down.
5 stars

I enjoyed this book , frightening and terrifying at times! The writer kept you hooked from the beginning until the end ! This is the first time that I read a book by Brandon Hughes and I look forward to his next story! I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

This book started out strong! I couldn’t put it down. It definitely slows down a lot towards the end and I found myself not interested in picking it back up. But it was good. I just wish it kept the same momentum.

Book Review: The Red Room: A Dark Web Thriller by Brandon Hughes

Rating: 3 Stars

As I turned the last page of The Red Room, I found myself grappling with a mix of intrigue and disappointment. The novel kicks off with a chilling text message that shatters Marvin Swiderski's reality—one that leads him to a cabin, a gruesome discovery, and an insidious plot fueled by a sadistic killer. This killer is not just any murderer; he's someone who thrives on the terror of others, broadcasting his exploits live on the Dark Web for a paying audience. Meanwhile, college student Kayla Sinclair unwittingly stumbles into this dark underbelly while trying to identify the anonymous victims of this twisted serial killer. What follows is a tense pursuit filled with danger as Kayla teams up with a friend and a grieving mother to stop the killer before more lives are lost.

In theory, this premise is gripping. The exploration of the Dark Web and its association with such nefarious activities is undeniably intriguing, tapping into contemporary fears about the dangers lurking online. However, my experience reading the book didn't quite match the intensity promised by its synopsis.

I found the writing to be somewhat clunky at times, which detracted from my immersion in the story. The dialogue often felt forced, lacking the natural flow that one would expect from characters in such dire circumstances. This awkwardness made it difficult for me to connect with the characters on a deeper level, and I often found myself disengaged during pivotal moments that should have been more impactful.

Moreover, The Red Room leaves several loose ends that are never fully addressed. While I appreciate stories that allow readers room for interpretation, in this case, it felt more like unfinished business than an open-ended narrative. This lack of resolution contributed to my overall sense of dissatisfaction with the book.

In conclusion, while The Red Room has an engaging premise and offers a glimpse into the darker sides of human nature, it ultimately fell flat for me. It’s not a bad read—it has its moments—but it also doesn’t rise to the level of greatness I was hoping for. I’d describe it as middle-of-the-road; a three-star experience that might resonate more with those less critical of writing style and plot resolution. If you're intrigued by the subject matter and looking for a quick thrill, it might be worth your time. Just don’t expect to be blown away.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

The book is a quick read but I was left a bit disappointed at the end because I wanted to know more about the people behind the mysterious ‘Red Room’ dark web group.

I absolutely LOVED this dark web thriller. It moved fast, and I loved how I got viewpoints from every leg of movement. Not to mention that the chapters are short, which is always a plus for me and my adhd. Lol!

This was a first from this author for me, it definitely won't be the last!

What is a Red Room? Well it is something that normal people don’t engage in. Red Rooms are found on the dark web where heinous and unspeakable acts happen. This novel delves right into the Red Room premise with the murder of three people. Kayla and Marty main characters in the story unexpectedly come across a murder in a Red Room. Turning into amateur sleuths, they vow to bring an end to this Red Room and bring closure to grieving parents
The concept of the story is really a good one, but the execution is too mundane for such a powerful concept. I feel as though the characters are able to watch videos and find information without much emotion. The character development is weak and things just seem to move too fast. The powerfully rich people that have access to all the information that run the Red Rooms appear to drop the ball on these two that are trying to solve murders of college girls. I give this book at 3.5, I didn’t like or dislike this book. But there just wasn’t enough action or twists and turns to really make this a stand out book

Very good story looking for kidnapped girls being killed on the dark web showing the ingenuity of a pair of young people whose concern was triggered by accidentally seeing a murder video and connecting the dots.

I was immediately captivated with this read. The book cover had me interested and curious - and the first few chapters had me hooked . Lots of twists and turns happen. Full of suspense.

Kayla, a college student, unintentionally stumbles upon a video showing two women being killed by a masked man. The video is connected to the Red Room, a virtual murder website on the Dark Web, where viewers pay thousands of dollars to watch livestreams of women being killed.
Kayla makes it her mission to find out the identity of the anonymous women and to uncover the truth behind the Red Room.

The story sucked me in fast and while some parts were harder to read as a woman because of the topic, it was a fun and quick read…but not necessarily very believable.
It wasn’t as dark as I thought it would be so it would definitely be a good read for someone who doesn’t like the more gruesome scenes. It still left me feeling quite uneasy because of how it points out how easy it is for a woman to become a target of a man and that not even something simple as a short taxi drive is save.

The writing style was very easy to read but too simple in my opinion. There were a few parts where the author started every sentence with the same pronoun which was a bit annoying.

The ending was a bit abrupt and left me wanting more.

Over all a solid 4 star crime investigation thriller.

Do I like stories about the Dark Web? Probably not as it is beyond my comprehension.

However, this story, whilst horrific, was interesting with a student Kayla ending up solving the mystery of the Red Room. Not really sure why the police were not always helpful. The story had missing girls, murders on camera and a satisfactory ending. Not the sort of book if you also wanted humour..

Well written and the author was adept at not making the whole thing too gruesome.

Thanks to Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read and review.

Quick easy read. I felt I wanted something more. Like a good twist or turn. Was a solid read, and would def look into additional titles from this author.

The concept of this book was super interesting and there were so many twists and turns. It was so thought provoking too and made me think about the darker side of the internet and what is hiding behind closed doors. I’m excited to read more from this author in the future.

Kayla and Marty work together creatively to fight against the red room! This book was well written and kept my interest. There were no huge shockers or twists yet it kept me interested and wanting more! Would recommend to others to read.