S.T. Ashman’s latest thriller, *You Can’t Stay*, is an electrifying exploration of obsession and the unknown, masterfully blending elements of horror, crime, and suspense. Following his earlier cult hit *I Kill Killers*, Ashman proves once again that he knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats with a story that is as haunting as it is addictive.

The narrative centers around Esther, a struggling addict who finds herself racing against time when her sister mysteriously vanishes. The stark reality of her life as a marginalized individual creates a poignant backdrop for her relentless search. Ashman’s characterization of Esther is raw and relatable; her determination to find her lost sibling in the shadow of societal indifference draws readers in, ensuring we root for her every step of the way.

Set against the chilling landscape of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the novel intricately weaves a tale reminiscent of *The Blair Witch Project* meeting *Vikings* and *Annihilation*. The atmosphere is thick with tension and fear as Esther discovers a chilling pattern of disappearances linked to the same cursed location where the government has inexplicably sent numerous groups, only for them to vanish without a trace.

Ashman expertly crafts an unsettling sense of dread throughout the novel. The blend of past secrets and present dangers is thoroughly engaging, prompting readers to question what horrors lie hidden within the wilderness. The sense of the uncanny is ever-present—the feeling that not only are the mountains alive with unseen terror, but that some truths are far too dangerous to be uncovered.

What sets *You Can’t Stay* apart is Ashman’s ability to not only tell a compelling story but also to delve deep into the human condition; Esther’s personal struggles with addiction and her fierce love for her sister highlight the lengths one will go to for family, even when the odds are stacked against them. The theme of searching for lost things—be it loved ones, truth, or even sanity—resonates powerfully, capturing the essence of human vulnerability and strength.

As the plot thickens and more layers of the mystery unfold, readers will find themselves frantically turning pages—each revelation more shocking than the last. The pacing is relentless, and just when you think you have a handle on the narrative, Ashman serves another twist that leaves you breathless.

*You Can’t Stay* is not just a story about disappearances and the secrets that lie in the woods; it is a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding desire to seek answers, no matter the cost. S.T. Ashman has undoubtedly delivered another tour de force that will remain in the minds of readers long after they’ve turned the final page. For those who dare to venture into this harrowing tale, prepare for a journey that is equal parts terrifying and transformative. Just remember: some secrets are best left buried.

This was an excellent read and one I would heartily recommend. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was a fast paced, gripping horror that I loved from beginning to end. I love the woods setting and the characters made me care what happened to them and especially what happened to the main character’s sister, which is at the crux of the plot. Be careful when you dive into this book, you may not find your way out.

This was creepy, eery and I couldn't put it down!! Id definitely recommend this book. I still think about it now

Thank you to S.T. Ashman and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this! It’s incredibly fast-paced - it reads like an action movie! At one point, a character says: “Not in a million years did I think I’d die in some Norse spin on The Blair Witch Project,” and isn’t that spot-on? This is pure action. It's fun, gory and packed with tons of fascinating mythology woven into a crazy story.

We follow the POV of two characters: Esther, a descendant of the Abenaki people, looking for her sister, who’s been missing for two years, and Ryder, an ex-military man and worshipper of Norse gods, trying to find his way back to his son. They join a mission in a strange forest, and things quickly go off the rails. Now the group must uncover a government conspiracy and fight their way through woods that will do anything to make sure they don't leave.

If you like supernatural horror and a story that keeps you turning the pages, this is a must-read!

While I did enjoy this, it wasn't as scary as I was hoping it would be. I was more intrigued by the story line than I was spooked out. It was still a very twisty and enjoyable read and recommend it to anyone who enjoys page turning thrillers.

Oh my goodness, I went into this book blind, so I didn't know what to expect! I don't even know how to classify this one as it combines elements of thriller, mythology, Nordic myth, Indigenous myth, and good old-fashioned horror!

Every year, a group of people are commissioned to go into a private forest in the woods of New Hampshire, with a tank of something top secret. Only a few people in the government know what the mission is about. Esther is only there because she's heard a rumor that her sister might be there somewhere. So she trades places with a soldier to insert herself on the trip. Big mistake. She gets so much more than she bargained for!

You'll fall in love with some of the characters, pity some, and just wait for some to disappear. You'll feel the cold, the terror, and the dark. But you won't be disappointed - this book will keep you engaged to the end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advance reader's copy. This author was new-to-me, but I am definitely adding S. T. Ashman to my list of backtitles!

Much different than the IKK trilogy. I enjoy this writer’s writing style even if this topic wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea. Looking forward to seeing what she does in the future!

I loved this horror thriller. It's a while since I've read horror but I'll definitely be including more in my reading list going ahead. It's spine chilling to just the right degree and the multiple POVs keep you addicted and wanting more.

I also loved the mythology aspects as there's Norse and Native American mythology woven into the story but with a modern take.

I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves horror/ thriller but especially Stephen King fans .

Rounding up to 4 because I feel a lot of people will like the things that I just couldn’t handle and I don’t like to hold it against authors for my triggers to sensitive content.

This was a fast paced read. The story was a good one. Super eerie! Very gripping. I finished it a couple weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it. Definitely want to check out her other book!

Very interesting!
All in all this book was a great story.
The writing was beyond interesting and intriguing. It held my attention. And I loved the story.

Pull me back in the room! WoW. . . . . .You Can't Stay by S. T. Ashman was one of the best books I have read!
It was Brilliant horror and action packed thriller!!!! Full of brilliant twists and turns that had me glued to my kindle and I had to finish this book, it was so addictive. . . . Now, I want to read more by this author, I love the way she writes, she played with my head! and I could not turn the pages over on my kindle to find out what happens next and what really happens when you venture the woods! It was so good.

I highly recommend You Can't Stay. . . . Fantastic Book and a great holiday read. I ended up reading it in 1 day and I am so glad I found a new author I can get my teeth into!

I loved the cover, very eye catching and perfect for the book.

This is a fantastic book that gripped me right from the start. It is perfectly paced and is full of twists that not only did I not see coming but also blew my mind. I loved it

The novel has grit and emotion, along with heart pounding suspense. Labeling this as strictly a thriller or horror seems limiting; I would describe it more as a fantasy thriller.
The inclusion of native culture and Norse mythology in the storyline was engaging and informative.
S.T. Ashman consistently crafts distinctive plots that are difficult to put down.
Interestingly, I usually don’t gravitate towards fantasy, yet I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
The ending wrapped up superbly, bringing a few tears of joy to my eyes. The author even included a humorous reference that her fans will appreciate.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley, S. T. Ashman, and Victory Editing for the eARC! This book offered a unique and fast-paced reading experience, enriched by the integration of Native history and beliefs. It also had a wonderfully creepy undertone. Highly recommended!

Told through a dual POV, you can’t stay follows Esther’s desperate search for her missing sister - one that quickly spirals into something far more sinister. As Esther’s dig deeper, she uncovered a disturbing pattern of disappearances in New Hampshire white mountains, all seemingly buried by government secrets. When she joins a group sent into the wilderness, determined to find answers, she soon learns that some truths were never meant to surface.

The story is a thrilling blend of who, supernatural suspense, fantasy, mystery, all infused with Rich, mythology, and folklore. The pacing had me fully hooked – I couldn’t put it down and found myself constantly wondering what twist would come next. A huge thank you to NetGalley, S.T. Ashman, and Timeless Papers for the ARC. This was a wild ride, and I highly recommend it to fans of dark, genre-bending fiction.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thrillers are some of my favorite books because of their quick and engaging writing. This book had that. It had some horror plus psychological thriller aspects mixed in with Norse mythology. I wasn't sure how the author was going to do all of that but she did it well!

As a longtime reader of S.T. Ashman's work, I’ve come to expect tightly wound thrillers with psychological depth, morally complex characters, and a creeping sense of dread that refuses to let go. You Can’t Stay delivers all of that—and then some.

Set against the eerie, isolating backdrop of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the novel follows Esther’s relentless search for her missing sister. The setting itself feels like a character: vast, cold, and hiding something sinister just beneath the surface. Ashman uses this isolation masterfully to build tension, crafting a world where nothing feels safe, and no one is above suspicion.

What sets this book apart—even from her previous work—is its emotional core. Esther is not just a vehicle for suspense; she’s a deeply human protagonist, driven by grief, guilt, and an unwavering determination that makes every twist hit that much harder. Ashman's background in psychotherapy shines through in the psychological realism of her characters, grounding the suspense in something that feels both intimate and terrifying.

“You Can’t Stay” by ST Ashman is a horror thriller supernatural fantasy mashup between True Detectives, Blair Witch, and The Ritual with deep-reaching Indigenous roots. This story clutches the reader by the throat and doesn’t let go. It was truly difficult to put down.

Obsessed with finding out what happened to her sister who disappeared two years ago, Esther embarks on a dangerous trek into a remote forest surrounded by a towering steel wall, Jurassic Park style. What is the chilling wall designed to keep inside? And, why is the government sending in an elite level of military soldiers, men trained and programmed to ruthlessly kill? Will Esther finally discover the truth about her sister’s disappearance?

The woods are not what they seem. Time moves differently inside. The forest shifts and changes and tricks, harboring terrifying ancient secrets in its thick, insidious shadows.

Twists and turns, layers upon layers of Norse and Native mythos, richly nuanced characterization driven by a compelling and fast-paced plot, propel the reader into the black heart of hell.

If intrigue, violent clashes between ancient forces and beliefs, action, and supernatural Evil personified, is your flavor, this is a great choice.

An extremely well-done story by a very talented author.

5/5

PS To each their own, sincerely. I couldn’t help but think that anyone who rates this as a one star, clearly has NOT had the displeasure of reading the 1 star books I have! haha

S.T. Ashman's "You Can't Stay" is an utterly original take on the "evil witch in the woods" horror trope, or to put it in the book's own words about what's going on inside, a "Norse spin on The Blair Witch Project"... with soldiers! Genre-wise, it's a very clever mash up of horror and fantasy, as it pits the American Army against a witch-like figure lurking deep in the woods of New Hampshire - a place, apparently, where both Norse mythology and Native American lore vie for dominance against nature itself. It's fast-paced, with brilliant characterization and extraordinarily detailed; the author even hired appropriate experts to check everything's been respected properly, since a lot hangs on the faithful representation of the Pequqwket Tribe and the Abenaki People, on the one hand, and Vikings, on the other. The result is an amazing tale of government cover-ups, human sacrifices, monster attacks, and the meaning of sisterhood. (And is that terrific ending the promise of a sequel or what?) A must-read for everyone who enjoys backwoods horror, conspiracies, and Viking mythology!

Oh my goodness. This was really WILD. All over the place at times but I did love the Viking vibes. I’ve heard a lot about IKK by this author and will check that one out. Recommended if you’re up for chaos in kind of a fun highly creepy way.