Genre: Psychological Horror
Format: eBook (ARC)
Pages: 230
Rating: ★★★★
Synopsis:
Enter the unsettling world of The Dark Within, a psychological horror that blurs the lines between nightmares, reality, sanity and madness.
Alex Parker, a financial analyst in his late 20s, has built a new life in Chicago, far from his dark origins as the son of a serial killer. But the past has a way of catching up, especially when the present is haunted by life like nightmares. Alex's dreams transform into vivid, terrifying experiences of murder that eerily reflect the grisly actions of the "Chicago Slicer," a new terror stalking the city.
As these nightmares invade his waking life, Alex's grip on reality slips. His close friends, including Maya, who is desperately searching for her missing brother Liam, become unwittingly involved in his spiraling descent. When Alex's nightmares start to predict real events, like the disappearance of his friend Ben, he's forced into a harrowing self-investigation. Is he a victim of his own fractured mind, or is there a malevolent force at play?
Review:
"Hissing whispers filled the air, darting through the shadows like unseen phantoms. They taunted him, their words incomprehensible yet laden with malice, a language that echoed from the depths of his fear."
As a young boy, Alex was warned by his father to never go near or enter the shed. No reason was ever given. But when he hits a ball through the window, he goes in and from that moment on, life was and never will be the same. The hidden horrors have been unleashed from within.
20 years later, in the city of Chicago, Alex established a new life for himself. A steady job and good friends. But there is something disturbing and sinister occurring in the city. Someone stalking the city, committing murder. Methodically in his ways, he never leaves a trace of evidence, and the victims vanish without a trace. One by one, the group of friends begin to disappear.
Alex has been having vivid nightmares, placing him at the scene of the crime while in a state of dreaming. He is confused as to why this is happening, and his friends seem to not believe him when he tells them it feels so real. The only logical explanation is it is just a dream.
The "Chicago Slicer" is among them. The question is, who is it? Will Alex figure out why he sees the killings occur in his nightmares? Will the serial killer eventually be caught? Will the real nightmare end?
There is so much foreboding darkness within this story. A creeping dread. As the storyline builds, there are scenes that are chilling, disturbing, and there is a sadness that settles in. As the beginning of the synopsis states, this is a psychological horror that blurs the lines between nightmares, reality, sanity, and madness. As Alex is the one experiencing this within the pages of the book, the reader certainly feels like it is invading one's mind as well. Questioning what the hell is happening. A mind bender, blurring one's thoughts, believing one thing, or maybe not. Feeling terrible for Alex and what he has experienced as a child, and yet, questioning his character as an adult. Who is he, really? Is he something else than what he presents as or is there something even more sinister occurring that is deeply hidden within him?
As a debut novel, the author is giving a glimpse into his writing style. Clearly a talent to be appreciated. And as with many authors, as time goes on, their writing becomes stronger. There were some disconnections, but nothing too serious that detracted too much from the story.
Psychological Fiction
Horror
Dread and sadness.
An unreliable character/Narrator
Indie Authors
Please consider giving this one a read!
Goodreads Author Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/R.A.-King/author
Author Website Link:
About the author
R.A. King is the author of "The Dark Within" (3/28/25), Channel 137 (8/1/25), and "The Purity Protocol" (3/1/26). He is a horror enthusiast, avid movie watcher, and dedicated film collector. With a deep appreciation for the eerie and unsettling, he finds inspiration in the dark corners of storytelling. When not writing, he explores horror films across all subgenres and time periods, always searching for the next great scare.
Review Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/
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