REVIEW: The Bonus Room by Ben H. Winters

Genre: Horror | Mystery

Release Date: Expected 1st August 2023

Publisher: Quirk Books

When Alex and Susan visit the apartment on Cranberry Street, Susan immediately knows they need to live here. It’s less than $4000 a month which is a steal for Brooklyn, has more room for their daughter and has the bonus room which she finally turn into an art studio of her own. It might be a bit old, and they might not be allowed in the basement but it’s perfect.

It’s a dream come true - until the nightmare starts. Strange noises in the air, the sensation of crawling on her skin, strange dots of a blood-like substance on her pillow, the shadow something scuttling in the corner of her eye. But the landlady swears it’s fine, and the exterminator agrees — so if it’s not a bug infestation, what is it?

“She had a powerful memory, of walking through the living room in the silence and darkness, of being watched. She almost said it, almost said ‘I felt them watching me’, but then didn’t."

TBR is a subtle, sinister little story — one that doesn’t rely on blood and shocks to frighten, but instead engages all the senses and invokes a deep sense of dread that you just can’t figure out and leaves you will a chill in your spine.

The setting is dark, visceral and evocative, creating a strange balance of realism and horror in seemingly normal places. Everything has a malicious aura, which makes it difficult to work out where or who this evil energy is coming from. A shadow is cast over everybody and everything, and as we slowly learn about the lives of our characters it doesn’t make it any clearer — they are so very human and could either be villains or victims, everyone capable or great good or terrible evil.

As our main narrator, watching Susan’s anxiety turn into almost a silent descent into feverish paranoia and chaos was morbidly compelling — I felt her isolation, her fear, her anger that she was the only one worried about his unholy infestation. It was compulsive, obsessive and utterly maddening.

For all fellow horror lovers, TBR is one that needs to be on your TBR lists - but don’t read it before bed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review. This title was previously published under the name 'Bed Bugs'.

Please check content warnings before reading as this book contains scenes that may be upsetting or triggering for readers.

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