Wood island. Everyone comes home. I loved it! This book has so much to unpack. I found myself saying what the hell multiple times. Every time you think you have it figured out, a new twist starts. The imagery made me feel as tho I was on the island with Billy. Jump into this book and make sure you follow the rules. Emerson will not famish.

When Spivey inherits his grandmother's island and home, it comes with rules. His parent's can't visit and no one under 16 can set foot on the Island. There are also notes, more rules or reminders like don't lock the doors and remember to feed Emerson. I would be excited for a new pet with that note but they don't find a cat or dog and maybe Emerson is long gone… but maybe not.

Some carefree teenage days soon turn dark because you know, what teenage boy doesn't break a few stupid rules. Once it gets to that point, the book really picks up. You wonder if it is all happening or just inside their head, what is real and what is just being spooked and seeing things that are really innocent.

Overall, it is a good read. But the slow start with the YA feel and the length of it makes it a 4 star read for me. I don't mind a long book if the pacing is there but this was slow then packed a lot in some parts. It is hard to say too much without spoilers but worth the read especially if you like locked room horrors. Whether you are into just general creepiness, paranormal, occult etc, this has a little bit for everyone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hampton Creek Press for the advance copy for review.

Wow! What a read - a great thriller that had me thinking WTF! JD barker has done it again wtih a breathless read!!

There's an island off the coast of New Hampshire, or is it Maine -- no one seems to be sure, that has an identity all of its own. There's one house, one inhabitant, one way to get on and off the island. And there are some quirky rules to follow, like no one under 16 is allowed to step foot onto the island and Emerson must be fed. (Who is Emerson?) When David Spivey inherits the island upon his grandmother's untimely death, he begins to have some interesting experiences. Things heat up when a girl goes missing and random strangers start to appear on the island. And, don't forget, never let the pilot light go out!

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I'd heard Barker can be wordy in his writing, so that's not why at all. I think the story suffered from a focal point. The author was trying to do too much with the plot. At some point, the "main" character/protagonist/narrator switches. It's unclear how to describe the person. There are time jumps in the middle of a page. Is it a ghost story? A haunted house story? A story about teenage rebellion? A story about demonic possession? A story about witches? A story about a missing girl? A love story? It needs a lane. Even after finishing the nearly 500 pages, I wasn't certain I knew what the author was trying to convey, and I certainly have no idea why it's titled as it is. That remains unclear.

Wow! If you enjoy creepy, supernatural, well written thrillers, this is for you.

Billy Hasler and David Spivey are best friends. They come from very different backgrounds, with Billy's Dad being a successful business man and David's mum having addiction issues, but, they are very close and Billy is especially protective of David as he has cancer.

On an island across from where they live in New Hampshire, USA, is a house solely occupied by Billy's grandmother whom he has only seen once in his life and who never visits the mainland.

Things take a weird turn when Billy's grandmother dies suddenly and he inherits, not only the house but the island. However, a series of rules must be followed....one of which is "Make sure Emmerson is fed"...who is Emmerson?

This book starts out as an innocent, fun, read but soon turns into a spooky horror story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are well rounded and interesting and my only issue with it, is, there were times it seemed to meander and I lost focus. But, overall, I found this to be a riveting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview this cracking read.

PS - and this is REALLY important..... read the authors note at the end of the book.....brilliant!

I have not read this book yet, so cannot give my opinion. The title sounds very interesting and cant wait to read this if I am fortunate enough to get a chance to receive and review this. If not I will certainly look for this in my local bookstore or library.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Hampton creek press and the brilliant author J.D.Barker for an early copy of his book to read.

Another terrific read,a dark chilling book from J.D.Barker. Billy and his friends heading to college, his best friend Davy Spivey has a place on an island and they have a party before college begins.its doesnt go to plan. Hidden in the darkness danger is lurking...another intriguing read from this author.im looking forward to his next book.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.

Billy Hasler's best friend, David Spivey, has just won the jackpot. After the passing of a grandmother that he never knew, he has inherited Wood Island. An entire island! Problem is, even though there are no adults, there is a long list of rules to follow. And despite no one being around to tattle, it will be known... and there will be repercussions.

I initially saw this on Netgalley in the thriller section and....no. This is a horror novel. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with that, but I did want to mention it. There is a witch or two, a curse, ghosts...and more. Once I was in the right mindset, this book was terrific. I mean, who wouldn't want to inherit a little island where no one really has jurisdiction that can only be reached by boat? My anti-social self does! Of course, there is Emerson to worry about...

In the town of New Castle, New Hampshire, Billy and his friend David discover a mysterious house on an island that holds a dark past. As they uncover the secrets of the house, they awaken an ancient evil that puts their lives in danger.

I am absolutely obsessed with JD Barker's reads! His ability to send shivers down your spine and paint vivid scenarios is unmatched. Picture a secluded house on an island, harboring centuries of sinister secrets and a strict set of rules. You must stay alert to follow the twisted plot, or risk getting lost in the darkness.

The characters evolve from the past to the present, unveiling a multigenerational tale of evil that will keep you on your toes. Some characters may be hard to root for, leaving you questioning if you've stumbled into a cult-like read.

I won't spoil too much, but let's just say this book is a medium-paced rollercoaster of creepy thrills. If you enjoy spine-chilling stories about friendship, sacrifice, and the unknown terrors lurking in the shadows, then this is the book for you. With JD Barker at the helm, you can expect nothing less than a cleverly crafted, bone-chilling read. So, grab your nightlight and dive in - if you dare!

Thank you, Hampton Creek Press / Simon & Schuster, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There are a lot of characters to keep up with in Something I Keep Upstairs. Once I connected the dots, I got it. The story line was good. I found it a little challenging at time because I had a hard it envisioning what was being described.

It was a suspenseful and tragic tale of a hungry house that goes back generations. No spoilers.

I have not missed or been disappointed by a single J. D. Barker book and this is no exception. I agree with many of the other reviewers, this read more like a YA book, but it was a great haunted story. Thanks for the ARC and look forward to his next book!

Having read the 4MK series already, I was excited to dive into this one. I enjoy J.D. Barker's writing style. This one comes across a little more on the YA side, but I didn't mind that too much. I love a good, haunted house spooky and suspenseful story that kept you on the edge of your seat. This book solidified this author as an automatic read for me

This was a longer book. Which wouldn’t normally bother me but it did read very YA to me. I do love a good haunted house though. I guess it was just not what I had in mind. It was however a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Fast paced and delightfully spooky!! An excellent summertime horror read.

Thanks to NetGally et al., for the ARC

First of all I’m very thankful to have received this ARC! This book was amazing as it sounds. The plot. The story. I absolutely love this book. Highly recommend

3.5 stars

I’ve read a few JD Barker books before, so I was really excited to pick this one up. As usual, I didn’t read the description ahead of time—I like going in blind—but this one definitely caught me off guard.

It has a very YA vibe, which isn’t usually my thing, but I have to admit… I couldn’t stop reading. The story follows Spivey, who inherits his grandmother’s house on an island. His friends come to hang out, hoping for a fun adults free time, but things get weird fast. There’s some dark, occult stuff going on, and the house itself kind of takes on a life of its own. It’s creepy, atmospheric, and you can tell something’s not right from the start.

It’s a longer read, and if haunted house stories or YA thrillers aren’t your favorite, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re into eerie, slow-burn suspense with a supernatural twist, it’s worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Something I Keep Upstairs by JD Barker comes out May 13, 2025.

💚📚ARC Book Review 📚💚

Something I keep upstairs by J.D. Baker

Pub Day: 13th May 2025

If you love haunted island mysteries with deep, dark secrets, this one’s calling your name. It was supposed to be the perfect summer. One last adventure before college for Billy and his friends. But when Spivey inherits his grandmother’s eerie, isolated mansion on an island off the coast of New Hampshire, their getaway turns into a descent into shadows, secrets, and something sinister that's been waiting to be unleashed. At its core, this story explores the power and fragility of childhood friendship, the cost of broken trust, and how far people will go in their pursuit of wealth and immortality. The mansion has rules. But of course rules are made to be broken. What starts as a carefree escape soon spirals into a chilling tale of sacrifice, haunting history, and malevolent forces.

Expect creepy coastlines, a decaying house with a disturbing past, and a slow build that suddenly rockets into chaos. While some parts feel a bit drawn out at first, the second half grips hard and doesn’t let go.

This is a tame, twisted, haunting story perfect if you love your scares with a side of emotional depth and friendship tested in the darkest ways. Although I wonder by it's titled 'something I keep upstairs'

Thanks to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review

The first 35% or so of this book started a little slow, and I agree with another reviewer that it felt like a YA novel at the beginning.

BUT holy crap. The rest of the book...I COULDNT put it down. The suspense was so good. We're there a few plot holes? Sure. But honestly, it didn't matter to me at all. For almost 500 pages, this was a super quick read and creepy! I'd recommend for anyone who likes possessions, haunted houses, ghosts, and maybe some weird cult stuff?

"In the Sleepy Coastal Town of New Castle" follows seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler and his best friend David Spivey, who find an unexpected turn of events when David inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island. Excited about the prospect of spending their final summer before college without parental supervision or responsibilities, the boys set off for the island, eager for adventure.

As they explore their new surroundings, they become intrigued by the island's dark history. However, their innocent curiosity soon leads them to uncover an ancient evil that has long been buried beneath the surface. Faced with eerie occurrences and unsettling revelations, the carefree summer they envisioned takes a terrifying twist. The boys must confront the malevolent forces they have awakened and grapple with the consequences of their actions.

As the tension escalates, friendships are tested, and the line between reality and nightmare blurs. Billy and David must summon their courage to confront the island's sinister legacy, navigating fear and danger that threaten not only their lives but also the bonds between them. Ultimately, what started as a quest for adventure becomes a battle for survival against an overwhelming darkness that has haunted the island for generations. The fate of their summer—and their lives—hangs in the balance as they strive to escape the island's grasp and reclaim their future.

This was my first book by this author, and I will totally be reading more. I love the setting of the book. It did drag a bit in the middle but over all it was a great read and kept me interested. This book has a lot of suspense and mystery and I love that in a book.