Don't Look Inside

Very mediocre at best. The writing is clear. Characters are very superficially explored and the plot is completely predictable. Might be better for readers new to the "horror" genre, but for those who have "been around the block" a complete yawner. In fact, I would say that I sort of wish I hadn't looked inside.

Sometime the synopsis is much more suspenseful than the story itself.
The synopsis had me thinking I was going to be on pins and needles, or I was going to have some sleepless nights. It didn't do either.
Like the saying goes, a movie based on a book is never as good. Why? Because when we read a good book, our minds conjure up our own individual images that make the book as good as we think it is.
I'm actually a horror movie fanatic and I get off on the suspense of a horror movie. I love the rush of being scared or shocked. However, I haven't watched many horror movies based on books, so I don't have a preconceived notion of what's to happen.
I love reading a good horror book. They're so much more intense than a movie because the mind is flooding with all types of images. Our minds are the directors when we read. Unfortunately my mind's directing capabilities couldn't make this book as gripping as I'd hoped it to be.
I really wanted a book that made my pulse pound, a book that made me have to hold my breath waiting for the unexpected, a book that scared me in the middle of the day. This book didn't do anything close to what I was hoping for.
Maybe, in a sense, I have a high tolerance to horror.

This book was very dark and creepy With a legitimate surprise ending that you wont see coming which is very rare for a horror novel in this day and age. A well written book that you wont be able to put down

Wow. Expected suspense and mystery but got so much more. The story was well written and a real page Turner. Once I started reading couldn't seem to stop. Every chapter read lead to the next to in anticipation of the outcome. Kudos Mr. Black. You managed to take the reader to the brink of insanity and snatch them back before it's too late. Looking forward to you next book. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading the works of author Spike Black. Don't Look Inside is a dark and somewhat twisted tale of a “demonic” book. The novel starts off in the hands of a baby-sitter named Lizzie. Once the book is finished with Lizzie, it passes through person after person bringing mayhem and chaos into each life. The book starts to exact hideous punishments on whoever comes in contact with it. The plot does have a few twists however, I was able to pretty much figure out what would happen next as the story continued. The premise of the novel was getting revenge on people who have committed unthinkable acts in their lives. The story had a steady pace and the characters were fairly engaging. Another plus was the lack of grammatical errors. Overall, a good story to curl up with on a dark night.

It pretty much reads like an episode of Supernatural but there are problems with it. I'll try my best to not give big spoilers away but look away if you can't handle reading further....Ok, first this book and those that come across it all have a connection in their own ways to children/babies. If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about. However, Rihanna and her boyfriend did not. Because they didn't it doesn't offer a cohesive reason why the book would be bound to do what it did to them. Sorry, it doesn't work. Now if their destination directly involved babies or children then absolutely it would have fit. I would also like to add that the first two victims died in the same way they had committed their past crimes while Rihanna and her boyfriend did not. They hadn't yet committed a crime but it doesn't sync with the other two. Also, at the station there was the cell area and the "do not leave open" or whatever signs there along with the "scree" sounds of the alarm. There's no real premonition here that adds to the book. The book is not bound by any means to this area. The other scene later when we come back here either and why something has to "appear" in this area just doesn't add up. We're put here for a jump scare and a "visit" to offer some communication to the main character that doesn't fall in place with how the book works. I also had a huge problem with the main character opening the book and receiving "the big reveal" when this does not go in line with how the book operates. If there had been a larger reason to make the character stand out more to be worthy of that reveal and not fall into the same fate of what happened to the others then I could buy that option. Now if in her past she has saved a child I could feel the effects of the book would be negated and I could believe she had been worthy. Not like it is currently. If these parts were fixed I believe you'd have a much more solid story in my opinion.

From all of the positive reviews, I couldn't wait to jump into this book. As an avid horror/ thriller reader this sounded so promising. What a let down! It was never scary or even creepy for that matter. There was potential there but the author's writing was so anticlimactic. The story's flow was disjointed and just implausible. If you are truly looking for something that keeps you awake at night, this is not the one.

The individual tales are fairly quick and simple. Some of the characters have more depth than I’d expect for the length of their stories. The slide into the final, most revealing tale happened rather suddenly, which disoriented me a little bit. The writing was decent and the stories were interesting. I particularly liked the final tale, which showed some nice originality in how it played out.

I’m afraid this is going to be a very short review! The structure is simple and smooth, and the lack of complexity isn’t a negative. It’s just a fun, quick horror read!

do you enjoy reading about ghosts, revenge or even haunted books? if you do then this book is definitely for you. This book was perfect for me. Full with spooky suspense and a never ending page turner. You won't want to read in the dark, trust me. This book actually had me looking over my shoulders and looking for lingering shadows. Want to know more this read this book. It's too good to end but it did and I enjoyed the bittersweet ending.

OMG... This is a must read. GREAT book, I literally couldn't put it down. I was glued from the first page til the last. Speaking of which, what an ending I was shocked. Don't look inside has everything, suspense, thriller, ghosts, fear (did I mention FEAR). Read this during the day, because at night when the lights go out you won't see what's right in front of you before it's GOTCHA......

And so you skipped town, to start life afresh
But still you smelled her burning flesh.
Quit running Elizabeth, for now it’s time
You’ll pay for your despicable crime.”

I haunted book? Why not! The story starts off creepy enough; a babysitter starts reading a bedtime story to her charge when the cover of the book changes and the writing in the book starts to sound awfully familiar to her. It’s perfect to people who get paranoid easily.

“Cat’s Curiosity” is the name of the book of horrors, and it’s a little sadistic when it’s not haunted. I’d actually like to read more of those silly, yet morbid, poems that we get glimpses of. And when the cover of the book changes into the scratched words “Don’t Look Inside”, the poems become deliciously creepy.

The book makes it’s way around to a few other people until it catches the attention of Sergeant Della Kirby and Sergeant Graham Andrews. This is where the story starts to get a bit frustrating. I was honestly happy with the book floating from one person to another and just reading their stories without actually knowing the origin of the book, but of course it had to get complicated. It could have worked if the origin of the book wasn’t as close to the main characters at it was, and with the origin of the book some of the hauntings started to seem completely random instead of vengeful.

The setting of the book is in England, but it can easily be exchanged for the US. You don’t really have any solid dialog that places the reader in that small English town other than the American sergeant describing the differences in the forces (guns vs. no guns, driving, etc…), which was completely irrelevant and useless information.

Overall, the story had creepy moments but the characters and storyline were lacking. It’s a good quick read if you’re not looking to go into anything deep.

I liked the overall story. The author really drew me in and I couldn't put it down. He's great at building suspense. I really loved this book until.....it abruptly ended with no resolution of plot lines. Why is the city haunted everwhere??? And REALLY NEEDED to better explain what happened. It wasn't clear enough on WHO killed the BABY and WHY?

Fantastic tale! I love a good horror story, but in today's world, horror isn't about the goosebumps on your arm, or the quickened breath you take as you anticipate what is around the next corner, it's about how bloody, gross, and violent a tale can be. This was a good old fashioned horror novel, just violent and bloody enough to tell the story but isn't the central theme. It will be hard to give you enough information to make you want to read this book without ruining the experience for you.
This is basically about a book that has something to say to everyone who reads it. What's contained on the pages depends on what your past holds. A cute, non-consequential story for some, a living nightmare for others. There, that's about all I can say, and that might even be too much.
I had a hard time putting this one down, it was not only creepy, it was exciting and satisfying. It had suspense, horror, action, mystery....what else can you ask for in one book. I gave it five stars, not because it is the best horror novel I have ever read, but because if a book entertains you and makes you think about it after you turn the last page, then it fulfilled the writer's quest, and is deserving of a great rating. So many horror tales build up and are great until you get to the last chapter, then the author doesn't know how to deliver an ending worthy of the tale. Not a problem with this book. The end comes and it feels natural and complete. Give this one a try.

I found the story to be interesting but pretty sloppy. The only chilling part is really the first scene in the book, but it was a good hook. I just wish the ending was better because the idea behind this ghost story is really good.

This book is simply wonderful. The plot is very well constructed, every single page making you read one more and one more and one more. The twists and turns are so unexpected that each chapter turns you into a detective, trying to figure out what happened. It's a perfect combination between mystery, psychological thriller and the supernatural genre. It will surely give you a scare you'll remember.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A true page tapper. Great creepy storyline with descriptive writing that keeps you wanting more. This book is well written, with a well developed plot and edge of your seat suspense. I would rank Mr. Black with two of my favorite authors; Stephen King and Jack Ketchum. I hope to see many more books by Spike Black and I plan to read them all! (I have preordered his next book.)

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I really don't know where to begin. I truly loved this book. It was impossible to put down. It's been a while since I read something I couldn't put down. I have been getting into scary books lately and I definitely would not want to be home alone while reading this. You definitely won't be disappointed, I highly recommend, but I would not recommend reading this while you are home alone!

Okay there is only one way to describe this book, freaking creepy as hell. I would say it should be read on a dark night by a camp fire, actually don't do that you might have a heart attack, its that freaking creepy. It's not your run of the mill horror story, you really shouldn't look inside....but you will....you've been warned.

The premise of this book is something that I really enjoy. The idea of a ghost being tied to a book, and the book haunting people was really interesting. But I really felt like there was a lot more that could be done with it. It wasn't bad, I enjoyed reading it, but it was another one of those story lines with a lot of potential that fell flat in a lot of ways.

This book is without a doubt the best ghost story I have read in a long time. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good ghost thriller.Mr Black has risen to the top of my list of favorite authors. It is not extremely violent but anyone with a good imagination will not be able to put it down.

An extremely well written horror that keeps you on the edge of your seat. A spooky story with a twisted plot and dramatic turns that made this book impossible to put down. The author's way of interweaving the story plot was a smooth and seamless transition. I hadn't ever thought about how books pass between people connecting them together until I read "Don't Look Inside". I am very impressed with the works of Spike Black and will continue to rate him as one of my favorite author's. Move over Stephen King.... You've got competition!!!

Such an original ideal for a horror book who couldn't resist looking into a book with the words Dont look inside? The characters draw you in and the story keeps you turning pages until the end. One of the better books I've read for awhile. Looking forward for the next release from this author!

I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review. Spike Black is a gifted writer. I loved Don't look inside. I could not put it down, it kept me guessing. I was very surprised at the end, never expected the turn outcome. I recommend this book to anyone that loves horror stories. I cant wait to read some of this authors other books.

I absolutely loved this book! It was interesting and thrilling from beginning to end. What I thought would be a typical ending didn't happen here. The book is based in the UK, but the protagonist is from the US. I personally liked that. The storyline was so cool! I'm starting Leave This Place tonight. Looking forward to more books, Mr. Black.

Pretty straight forward well written ghost story, I could defiantly see this one being told around a campfire or dark stormy night. Clean, only one or two f bombs that I can remember if that's something you're worried about.

I love suspense and murder mysteries but I almost felt that this was written for a teenager. I don't understand what all the 5 star ratings were about. I finished the book feeling unsatisfied and sorry I wasted my time.

Brace yourself. Just when you think those three little words DON'T LOOK INSIDE don't apply to YOU, it's too late. Seriously, DON'T LOOK INSIDE is more than a suggestion, it's a warning.

This fast paced book begs to be read with the lights on. I must admit that I was hesitant to open the book, however, positive those three words weren't meant for me, I jumped right in. I was spellbound to the very last word. Definitely didn't see the ending coming as it did.

If you are having trouble with insomnia, this book won't help, but it will be well worth the bags under your eyes. DON'T LOOK INSIDE is a roller-coaster of a read so be sure to fasten your seat belt.