This book has it all! Ghosts, haunting, séances and teenage horror flick feels. I enjoyed the haunted house aspects of the book as the island and house feel like their own characters. The historical backstory fit well with the plot. Very enjoyable read that kept me watching the shadows in the corners of the room.

"Something I Keep Upstairs" by J.D. Barker is, without a doubt, my favorite read of the year. If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales with a dark, psychological twist, this book will not disappoint. Set in the quaint (and let’s be real, creepy) town of New Castle, New Hampshire, the story follows seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler and his best friend David Spivey. When David inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island, it seems like the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy the summer. What could go wrong? Well, pretty much everything.

From the very first page, Barker pulls you in with atmospheric writing and descriptions that are deliciously unsettling. I found myself reading with one eye on the page and the other nervously scanning the room for any lurking shadows. The tension between Billy and David escalates in ways that will keep you turning pages faster than a haunted house chase scene. And don’t even get me started on the twists—they hit you when you least expect them, leaving you questioning everything.

One of the book’s most brilliant tricks is its ability to make you feel like you’re never quite sure what’s real. Are Billy’s experiences truly happening, or is he losing his grip on reality? The story weaves in so many moments of confusion and suspense, you’ll be wondering if you need to check under your own bed for something lurking.

The pacing is spot on, giving you just the right amount of buildup before delivering a punch you won’t see coming. And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys creepy little details that make your skin crawl (like I do), you’re in for a treat. Trust me, you’ll never look at an old house on an island the same way again.

Oh, and let’s just say—whatever you do, don’t forget to feed Emerson. Trust me on this one.

In all seriousness, J.D. Barker has crafted a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It’s the kind of book that keeps you up at night, both because you need to finish it, and because the aftermath leaves you with chills. If you love a psychological thriller with horror elements, this one is a must-read. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you…

Wow, that is all I can say about this book! I could not put it down. I have not read a book like this before, it was so unique! The characters were interesting and different and really made you feel like a part of the group. The story was so good, it kept me guessing. I just had to get to the end to see how this story wrapped up. This is an awesome story of friendship, betrayal, ghosts and more! I will definitely be reading more stories from this author as this is my new favorite book I've read this year!

I honestly could not put this book down. I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to the horror genre first timers. The cover gives Nicholas Sparks vibes, but the inside is anything but. The only beef that I had is that a 17 year old in the 2000’s would never make a Richard Nixon reference, let alone even know who the guy is…probably. READ THIS BOOK!

I received this book through NetGalley, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to discover new authors and share my thoughts.

Something I Keep Upstairs was a gripping and intense read that kept me hooked from start to finish. J.D. Barker masterfully builds suspense, weaving a chilling and unpredictable story that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page. The eerie atmosphere, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists made for a thrilling experience. I enjoyed the psychological depth of the story and how it kept me guessing until the very end.

Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to exploring more from this author!

Good book! Keep me wanting to keep reading! My first by this author and i will read more !! Highly recommend this author !!

Creepy long winded paranormal story... I wanted to love it, but it was repetitive and long winded. What got me was the authors note. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
98% of the story happens in the past and there’s little reason to set the book in the future, though it does provide some closure.

Creepy, heartfelt, and otherworldly, this was another hit from J.D. Barker. This author certainly has a way with words, pulling you in every time, whether it's the setting, characters, dialogue, or the plot itself. There is something compelling about each one of his books, this one included. Set in a real world location made this more creepy than it already was, creating an unsettling feeling throughout the entirety of the story. The atmosphere was perfect with its wide array of teenagers, an old curse, and an isolated location. This was a unique story that will leave its reader feeling satisfied yet disturbed. Four and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Hampton Creek Press, for this ARC.

I can't stop thinking about this book. It is was simply excellent. Definitely creepy where I had to keep a light on before bed LOL. It was a great supernatural thriller that kept me wanting to read more and more. I stayed up late a few nights in a row to devour this book.

Something I keep upstairs is a thrilling and spooky book about Billy, who has a friend named David AKA Spivey, who inherits a creepy house on its little island. In my opinion, Billy is a good and likeable teen who is excited to join Spivey on his new island and bring his girlfriend along. He is a loyal and overall mature kid and is protective of Spivey who has had a less than perfect life, with neglectful parents who have their own set of issues. Spivey thinks his luck is about to change now that he has this house his grandma left him in her will. These young kids are excited to enjoy their summer on this island away from their parents to just hang out and party, but something more sinister is at play.
The house has a history that turns into a nightmare for Billy and his friends. A few chapters cover the Chief of Police's point of view, and it is interesting to see things from his perspective. The ending did keep me up at night as I pondered all that I had read. I kind of just laid there stunned with the twists. The book is descriptive and the imagery it provides makes you feel like you are right there. This book is a 4.5 stars. First I have read from this author and it won't be my last.

If I had to quickly summarize this absolute masterpiece, I would say it's a chilling coming of age story about friendship and family with undertones of generational trauma set in haunted house where everything and nothing is and isn't what it seems to be. I don't want to give away the secrets tucked away so perfectly within these pages but I know late at night when hear the house make a noise or feel like I'm not alone, my mind will definitely drift to what I read. If you're a fan of Stephen King or Joe Hill, you will devour this book.

It took a while for me to get into this, as it’s a slow read with A LOT going on, but once I really got into it, I was hooked. It was nail biting suspense, jaw on the floor thrills, heart pounding intensity, generation defying eeriness…all the things you want in a spooky book set in the East coast to keep you up at night.

Billy and David are friends who inherit a mysterious house on a mysterious island and awaken a curse. That's all you need to know before diving into this "chiller" of a book. Warning....it's long. Much like Stephen King, J. D. Barker has a lot to say and could stand a little bit of editing. Don't let that deter you from this very good, very suspenseful book from a grand master (IMO) of horror. It's a long ride but the thrills are worth it.

I was delighted to be gifted an arc of this book as Dracul is one of my favourite reads. I really liked this book, but man it went on forever. At nearly 500 pages it felt so long and very drawn out. It took me weeks to finish it. In the end I didn't really care what happened because the ending felt like it was already going on for almost the last 25% of the book.

Having said all that, the story and premise is good, I liked the characters, the small town vibe and the mysterious house on its own little island. It's well written and you end up caring about this little town and it's inhabitants. However, 3 stars from me, in my humble opinion, as it is just far too long and far too slow paced for me.

Enjoyable and engrossing characters. Written well. More please. Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for the ARC. 4/5

This is one scary book! JD Barker hasn’t disappointed me thus far. His novels are creepy, suspenseful and seriously twisted. Something I Keep Upstairs is no exception. Billy is a likable kid. He has a girlfriend, a bestie and a group of friends. He is strong, mature and extremely loyal. Still, he is only seventeen, so he makes mistakes due to inexperience. Spivey, his best friend, has had a crappy life, with neglectful parents and lifelong leukemia. His luck changes when his estranged grandma passes, leaving him a mansion on a private island. But it may be the opposite to a blessing in disguise, when a very old curse starts sucking Spivey, Billy and their friends into a living nightmare. Some chapters follow the Chief of police, who is an interested bystander that sees what’s happening from the outside and the more he finds out, the more obvious it seems that the Spivey mansion is more dangerous than the kids think. There was a subplot that didn’t quite mesh with the rest of the story, but everything else was very effective. I loved the description of the house, the sea and the island, and it is almost like being there. The mansion is so awesome that I’d probably risk a curse just to spend some time there. A few twists were unexpected and the last part was so suspenseful that I couldn’t stop reading. The ending left me speechless. I hated it, so that’s how I know it works. Simply excellent horror.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Hampton Creek Press / Simon & Schuster.

This book gripped me and didn't let go till the end!

A deeply unsettling story brimming with tension and dread. You have this eerie sense of unease building with every page turned, intensifying as the story unfolds.

Billy Hasler and his friend David Spivey inherit a mysterious house on a remote island, expecting a summer of freedom before college. Instead, they awaken an ancient evil that has haunted the island for generations.

The house isn't just a setting-it's a living force, shifting its structure, distorting reality, and pulling its inhabitants deeper into its dark history. As Billy and David unravel the island's secrets, time itself seems to twist, blurring the line between past and present.

The novel blends suspense, mystery, and psychological horror. It features strong and relatable characters, gripping tension, and an unsettling sense of inevitability. This haunting tale will keep you glued to the pages, eager to uncover the unknown.

I loved it! Not the type of book I usually read, but I'm glad I did!

Thank you Hampton Street Press, J.D. Barker and Netgalley for this ARC!

I found this book after seeing an ad for the contest to spend a night on Wood Island. After following the twists and turns and how it all plays out, I can confidently say that I'll let someone else win the contest. I was good right up until the Author's note at the end. That changed my mind completely on the contest.
Amazing spooky thriller book and will definitely not be my last Barker book! Till next time "Nik Nok."

I LOVE JD Barker and this did not disappoint. I did enjoy the supernatural elements and couldn’t put it down! Lots of twists and turns but not a single loose end. No complaints at all! 5 stars!

Something I Keep Upstairs is a captivating horror/thriller with a supernatural storyline. In this book we meet best friends, Billy and Spivey. They live in a small New Hampshire town where all the locals know each other and embrace the history and surroundings. Near the end of school, Spivey inherits a mysterious house/island just off the coast of their town with some strange stipulations and rules, and an even stranger executor of the estate. Spivey decides this the perfect opportunity for him and his friends to move in and blow off some steam over the summer.

As the teens explore the house and the house's history, there are some ties to spirits and witchcraft which the teens start to learn more about. A few have always been drawn to dark subjects and others embrace opportunities to have dreams and desires fulfilled. We learn about the town's dark past as a quarantine area for ships with sick passengers and the teen's parents experience with these same dark forces.

After reading Barker's more recent books that were faster paced thrillers, this is more of slow burn that continued to escalate as we learn about the origins of the house, the reasons for the strange rules and what the teens really got themselves into. This focuses on those ancient evils that plant themselves somewhere and influence poor souls over decades or perhaps even centuries. I like how Barker called out Pet Semetary and the perilous choices that are made in impossible scenarios. Also, the innocent choices that have dire consequences.

I liked the characters in this book, typical teens that are experimenting with alcohol, coming to terms with their sexuality, and dabbling into the unknown. As with life, sometimes you accidentally stumble into the point of no return. The book also plays with timelines and has good misdirection of the characters and their actions. I like that the ending is a little open that hints at Billy's outcome and final choices but doesn't spell it out.

I recommend this book as it is a well-developed horror novel that gives you those creepy vibes you expect when coming across a good horror plot. Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the advance copy.

If you like haunted houses, specifically ones on an isolated island with a sordid history in New England, then I’ve got a story for you.

Billy‘s friend Spivey has just inherited his grandmother’s house located on an island previously used by the Coast Guard. As with most inherited houses, this one comes with some rules and what good are rules if not made to be broken. What starts out as some innocent fun turns into something much more sinister.

The first half of the book I had a hard time getting into for a few reasons. The biggest issue I had is that it felt very much like a YA novel, and the characters themselves were very one-dimensional. It also seemed like nothing really happened until a little over halfway of the novel then things went from 0 to 60 super fast. Once things started going, I was able to get immersed into the story and wanted to figure out how it was all going to end. There were some questions that I don’t feel like I ever got answered, but that could’ve just been me thinking too hard into the concept of what was going on. But other than that, everything else was tied up nicely.

The author’s note at the end is extremely relevant to the book. I love to understand the backstory of towns and places, and let’s just say based on the author’s note I went down a Google rabbit hole. It lent a much creepier perspective to the novel.

Overall, this was certainly a good read and I would recommend those who enjoy horror/supernatural at a more tame level.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.