i knew id need all the answers to this plot as soon as i started. its one of those books where you want to stay sat so you can get to know what and why it all happens. with the season changing here and things getting darker it felt like this book came at just the right time. a carnival where a brother goes missing. ouch. i cant imagine how you would keep sane with the guilt you'd feel if like Norah you somehow felt your brothers tragedy was your fault. if you'd just stayed with him, if you hadn't fought, if you were there when the bad things was going to happen? and you felt that all from Norah. to have that place be an attraction that then just goes and opens up soon after the death? not ok. but Norah decides to go back and look for answers. i think what made this extra brill was that creepiness you get from the corn maze feels real. and you just know you'd get this scared about the place too. ive seen far too many people being chased through corn mazes to ever not be creeped out by them(criminal minds im looking at you!)
as a sibling you can also see how you'd get annoyed at your brother and just go off in a huff thinking he can finish it all by himself. so there. but this is one version of the horror story they've all been told that comes true. because her brother doesn't come out, not alive anyway.
its then up to Norah to try face this place once again. for closure or something she has to go back. i know you have grief and guilt Norah. but what are you doing going back to this place!?
this isn't a book that gives you a complex bad guy. you are not going to feel sorry for this misunderstood damage human. oh no. hes just baaaaaad.
i really liked that straight forwardness to this one. dont get me wrong i love a twisty and thought provoking plot of good-ish and bad-ish guys and everything in between. but this was just jump right in enjoy the ride and there is definitely a bad guy type of read. it was fun to have that.
another really intesnse and suspense filled book by an author im really enjoying.

Five stars! Perfect for Halloween.

Halloween carnival + slasher is just what I needed. It is a wholly entertaining, well-crafted story that deserves all the kudos.
Highly recommended!!

I'm not a big fan of horror stories per se but a slasher/horror story released just in time for Halloween. What can go wrong? Especially when it's written by Noelle W. Ihli. We don't go all out for Halloween here in Britain like they do in the USA but I appreciate the concept. The Thicket is a sort of 'theme park' for Halloween which attracts visitors because of the extremely gory props and effects. That is until two people are killed there. One a 12 year old child. If anything this increases The Thicket's popularity with the local teens and the resident serial killer. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Thicket despite the constant silly teen banter about sex and alcohol and drugs. It was well written. There were plenty of surprises and the ending was especially good. Noelle W. Ihli can obviously turn her hand to several genres. Definitely recommended if you're looking for something a little bit different to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Noelle did it again! Another amazing thrilling book i could just not put down! I was very kindly given a ARC copy and I cannot thank you enough! A perfect horrifying book just in time for Halloween!

This was so fun, like a 90‘s slasher movie in a book - an absolutely perfect October read! Multiple POVs and fast paced, this was so tense and bloody and I loved every second!

Many thanks to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for the e-book.

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

I loved this brooding, dark, claustrophobic and nerve jangling story. The author does a fantastic job of building the tension throughout and you can really feel yourself immersed with the characters, my heart was pounding several times along with them as I channeled their panic and utter horror.

I'd most definitely recommend this one to others, it would make a perfect Halloween read!

this book had me on the edge of my seat!! it was tense, atmospheric & the perfect october read. the writing really pulled me into the story & there was such an unsettling feeling hanging over everything that kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. i was constantly questioning things & trying to piece everything together.
it had me ✨ stressed ✨

i did feel like the story fell a little flat in the middle & there were a few parts i wished had moved a bit quicker especially considering how strong the beginning & ending were. that being said, the atmosphere was SO, SO good & it definitely delivered on the tension & spooky vibes.
overall, this absolutely deserves a spot on everyone’s october tbr! the perfect book to curl up with on a dark autumn evening when you’re in the mood for something creepy, tense & a lot of unsettling.


✨ 4.5 rounded up