When a night camping in the woods ends up with a girl being found dead from what looks like animal wounds the whole town is shocked. What killed her? And is this only the beginning?

This was a really creepy body horror novel and I loved it. I was gripped from the first page and couldn't look away from the horror unfolding. This is gory and gruesome and written so well. I enjoyed that this was written from two perspectives of the boy and the father too so we could see how they were both dealing with the events individually and together. If you have a phobia of spiders I maybe wouldn't pick this up but I highly recommend.

This book did not live up to the fun creature feature it was going for. When I started I kept skipping through the chapter to get to the good parts as it was just a lot of talk and wasn't very well written. I was hoping that once we got to the creature parts it would get better...but it didn't. We didn't get to really see the fun parts (the whole thing was a lot of tell not show) and so I ended up DNF-ing this one about 50% of the way through. I figure if I am skipping big chunks of the book looking for good parts that don't come then why I am even bothering? I did keep thinking that this would probably be better as a movie, but then again we would still have all the interpersonal drama stuff that just dragged the story down. It didn't need to be in there and took up way too much of the time on page (at least in the first half). The synopsis drew me in, but the writing didn't work.

Scuttle reminded me so much of the 80s fun, campy horror novels that I love to read. It was so cheesy and immature but it was also very easy to read and to get caught up in. The story did not go where I was expecting it to at all, and it progresses to where it's a bit ridiculous and unbelievable but that made it all the more fun. This book definitely felt more aimed towards a YA audience than adults but if you've read 80s horror then you sort of know what to expect with books like this.
I love reading these types of books! Insect horror for the win!

This was a terrifying and atmospheric story that was full of twists and turns and unexpected reveals. Definitely not one to read with the lights off!

**Book Review: *Scuttle* by [Author]**

*Scuttle* is a thrilling and nightmarish ride that blends supernatural horror with psychological tension, delivering a gripping story that will haunt readers long after the final page. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly innocuous Halloween camping trip, the novel plunges into the terrifying unknown, combining elements of *Carrie* with the chilling, isolated atmosphere of *The Cabin in the Woods*.

The story kicks off when a young girl is found dead, her body marked by what appear to be animal wounds, after a camping trip gone awry. The small neighborhood is rocked by the tragedy, and the question on everyone’s mind is not just *how* she died, but *what* could have killed her. The eerie, unsettling atmosphere surrounding the incident builds with each turn, and the mystery of the girl’s death soon unfolds into something far darker and more sinister.

The author does a masterful job of creating a sense of creeping dread, expertly balancing suspense with shock and terror. The characters are well-drawn, each adding to the tension in their own way. As the story progresses, the focus shifts not just to the gruesome events that transpired but to the broader horror lurking beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. What begins as a chilling thriller quickly spirals into full-blown horror as the nature of the creature responsible for the death—and the evil it unleashes—becomes more apparent.

The pacing is relentless, building towards a nightmarish climax that fans of Stephen King, Catriona Ward, and Chuck Wendig will appreciate. The psychological elements are just as compelling as the physical horror, with the tension between the characters, and their dark secrets, adding layers to the story. The author deftly explores the fragility of the human mind when faced with fear, and the unraveling of the mystery is as much a psychological descent as it is a physical one.

What truly sets *Scuttle* apart is its ability to evoke deep-seated fears, making the reader question not only the supernatural forces at play but also the hidden terrors within human nature. The novel’s conclusion is both horrifying and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a sense of unease that lingers long after they’ve turned the final page.

For fans of atmospheric horror and complex, twisted narratives, *Scuttle* is a must-read. With its disturbing premise, chilling atmosphere, and unrelenting suspense, it’s a Halloween horror novel that truly delivers on its promise of nightmares come to life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5

A fun horror novel! It reminded me of the old school 80s and 90s horror movies. A camping trip gone wrong, a dead girl, and something in the woods. My attention was held from beginning to end, and I’ll probably do a reread at some point. An excellent addition to the horror genre!

Thanks for the opportunity to read!

Scuttle
Barnaby Walter

3.75 / 5

An entertaining creature feature with some knarly deaths, this book (particularly one terrifying scene) had my arachnophobia kicked into overdrive.

I've gotta learn, I can't handle these spider books. 😳🕷️🩸

But, as a horror novel, it certainly did its job. It horrified me.

For fans of creature features from eras past, if you can handle a few spiders, I'd recommend checking this novel out.

3.75 / 5

**Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the eARC of this unique title!**

Scuttle was a quick and easy read perfect for around the Halloween season which is what I was hoping for. Unfortunately it read a bit YA for me - minus the couple of R-rated bits (that I hated.) :(

I didn't ~hate~ the writing I just really don't think it was for me. None of the characters felt very developed for me and the jumps in the timeline were a bit jarring. I also felt that a lot of information that was thrown in was just filler.

Overall, I would give this author another try and I'm chalking this one up to just being a "creature feature" that was a bit thrown together.

I had a blast reading this. It was pure stilton. It was so cheesy - it had all the typical teen "movie" stereotypes. a moody angsy teenager at odds with his step-parent. moving to a new place trying to make friends. falls in with the popular kids, only to be made the target of a prank that spirals out of control. something strange happens after the prank,
theres even an interlude to the novel that has an origin story.
I dont know why this book is classed as scary, It was so ridiculous, I kept finding myself laughing while reading it.
If anyone else enjoyed a good old piss-take of horror, then this book is for you.
I loved it pure comedy.

A creature feature that takes place in the woods ON HALLOPWEEN?! Advertised as Carrie meets The Cabin in the Woods- This book sounded as if it was written for me. All of my favorite things in one book I went in with sky high hopes, unfortunately I was left confused and extremely disappointed.

I had a lot of issues with this book. By the synopsis I was led to believe this book was going to take place during a camping trip in the woods when in reality that's only a chapter or two of this book. As far as Carrie meets The Cabin In the Woods....yeah, no. There was no connection there aside from a brief bit in the woods and a character later seeking revenge.

So many things were thrown into this book with no actual purpose- the mother's addiction, the weird relationship and circumstances between his father and his mother, all of the male characters obsession with Hudson losing his "virginity". This led to a sexual assault scene in the tent where his best friend stood outside and cheered him on essentially? I will note that Hudson wanted to have sex with one person, but was tricked into sleeping with another. I almost stopped reading at this point (I should have) uninformed consent is not consent and that "joke" they played was unacceptable. This event does lead to something within the plot- but there could have been so many other ways to drive the plot.

I couldn't connect to nor did I care about ANY of the characters in this one. Hudson was annoying and everyone else was flat. The creatures origin story was absolute absurdity, and the book literally starts over half way through- right as the action started picking up it screeches to a halt and we start all over again. Right down to a character being obsessed with Hudson losing his "virginity" to the school's "easy" girl.

I just really didn't like anything at all about this book.

Gruesome Creature Feature!

A great horror read for the spooky season! I’ll admit it took me a while to get into but once it got going I found myself reading by torch light under the covers way into the night!

Fans of Carrie, The Fly and the 2024 film Sting will enjoy this book, the writing cannot compare to that of Carrie though I still had a fun time reading it.

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced reading copy, I will certainly be recommending this to fans of horror and/or the downright weird!

Hudson and his friends go camping in the woods. Some of the friends don't come back, the creepy horror starts as more people die. Set in Britain and America this is a horror novel to keep you up at night. Well written and plotted. Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for this review ARC

You know, I really enjoy horror books that make you think. Psychological dread is always part of the scare for me, and this was definitely a factor in this book! Yea it was cringe and scary and gross, but deeper than that in parts as well. Moves at a good pace for a horror novel which keeps your interest throughout, and I enjoyed the characters as well!

Thank you Netgalley, Barnaby Walter and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for the eArc of Scuttle.

I must admit, I was drawn in by the cover and the synopsis. I can't resist a good creature feature. In Scuttle we come across a teen who struggles to fit in socially as well as dealing with family drama. After a camp in the woods goes wrong and a girl is murdered. Who is to blame?

This is a slow burn to begin with and unfortunately, I did find the book and the writing a little clunky and didn't flow for me. However, curiosity got the better of me because it drew me in enough to want to know where it was going. I really enjoyed the premise and the sci fi aspect of this book. The eventual explanation and pay off of Scuttle made me think of a certain HG wells book. There was a nice balance between the plot and character building and the story unfolds in 2 main places which I got a good sense of. Its dark, creepy and atmospheric with some great tense scenes,

Mark Elstob, Francine Brody, Frazer Hadfield narrated Scuttle which I also listened to. I did enjoy the separate narrators who voiced the different characters and were all a pleasure to listen to.

3.5 stars for Storygraph, 3 stars for Netgalley, Amazon and Goodreads

A wonderfully creepy creature feature of a story. I honestly cannot think of a more perfect read for this Halloween. I loved it!

Imaginative and creepy horror tale, borrowing a few classic tropes and weaving a claustrophobic and gory tale that is somehow scary and kind of sad at the same time. Great for good scare!

3.5 stars for this delightfully dark creature feature, perfect for this (or any other) spooky season. The accompanying materials describe it as CARRIE meets “A Cabin in the Woods,” which doesn’t fit AT ALL, did whomever wrote this even read the book? Still good, though.

High school students Hudson and Kenny have planned a big Halloween party in Barret Forest, with Hudson participating against the wishes of his dad, Rex and stepdad, Mattias. Rex had previously taken Hudson from his mom, Adelaide, in the U.S. when she started drinking heavily and using drugs. Now Hudson is hoping for some alone time with his crush, Kirsten.

That’s not what happens at the party. Instead there’s a bit of a blackout from Hudson, but not so much of one he doesn’t have a pretty good idea of what he did. But, how? And why? His dad, who is a good father, comes to the rescue yet again and will do what it takes to protect his boy.

But for the cell phones and video chats and such this book could have taken place in 1981 (probably more feathered hair would be involved. Thanks for bringing that back and giving me nightmares, Miley!). The writing can occasionally be a bit awkward but this is pulpy done right with a satisfying ending. Fun. I’m rounding up, because it’s almost Halloween and the author’s name is Barnaby.

This is a new take on the teenage camping trip gone wrong. When Hudson goes camping with his so called friends, a girl ends up dead and he cannot remember what happens but thinks he might be responsible. He begins to realize that when his rage takes hold of him he begins to change literally! Into a huge spider! As the bodies begin to pile up, Hudson and his father move to the US to live with Hudson's mother who has an explanation on what is happening. The story really goes off the rails and it is horrifically fun. I would describe it as a revenge creature feature with some family trauma and sci-fi dribbled in.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book.

Scuttle by Barnaby Walters, this is a horror story in the true sense of the word when the book begins we meet nice sweet Harrison living with his dad and is new much younger husband. In London Harrison is 15 and has a Best friend name Kenny who loves to read him about being a virgin. On Halloween night the trick is played on Harrison and people wind up dead but soon after things happened that caused Harrison and his dad to have to flee to Texas to live with Harrison‘s mom Adele under assume names. When they arrive Harrison who is now going by Eathan is shocked to learn his estranged mother knows more about what’s going on with him and he insist on knowing it all. They say when you know more about a situation you’re better apt to deal with it but will Harrison knowing help him live like a normal teenager with a normal life or is he just eluding himself. I didn’t know what to put in my review as I didn’t want to ruin it for anyone but OMG from what happens to Harrison to the origin story Adelaide tails tell the ending everything about this book was wholly unexpected and something I totally enjoyed. I love monster horror and I cannot think of one thing that would’ve made this story better it was so awesome I just loved it I really must’ve been in the mood for this book because I absolutely couldn’t put it down and totally consumed it all and wanted more. Can I just say I did feel bad for the husband though he seems so nice. #NetGalley,#HarperCollinsUK, #Barnaby Walters, #Scuttle,

I can't say I loved it, but I also didn't hate it. It could have been more realistic (as realistic as it could get for a kid turning into a spider), i just couldn't see it happening. I needed more background on why and it took a long time before any background was revealed. Token gay person - seems to be in all the books these days. The emotions were just not present, losing a spouse, kids being killed, it just felt empty.