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csistek's review against another edition
4.0
The entire premise of this book is a chef's kiss in itself. I love subversive formats like this, especially when it comes to horror.
The introduction alone was so good that I made my brother read it and then I read it out loud to my parents because it was fascinating. I just loved it.
However.
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the ending was... a bit unsatisfying. Like eating a fast food burger when you're famished. It starts off tasting amazing because you haven't eaten all day and it's hitting all the right spots and the seasoning is honestly quite good--but then you get to the last couple of bites and the magic gets lost. You start cringing a little. And I did just that--cringe--when I finished the last line of the book. This last line was one that a book reviewer I trust deeply said made them "shiver" and now I just wonder if it was actually a shudder because of how corny it was. I honestly think Kraus could have left off the final chapter and it would have been a perfect ending where the second-to-last chapter leaves us.
That said, I definitely give this one a recommend because it was just such a fun ride. I really found myself several times setting the book down to instinctively look up articles and videos from the footnotes--it's just that convincing.
The introduction alone was so good that I made my brother read it and then I read it out loud to my parents because it was fascinating. I just loved it.
However.
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the ending was... a bit unsatisfying. Like eating a fast food burger when you're famished. It starts off tasting amazing because you haven't eaten all day and it's hitting all the right spots and the seasoning is honestly quite good--but then you get to the last couple of bites and the magic gets lost. You start cringing a little. And I did just that--cringe--when I finished the last line of the book. This last line was one that a book reviewer I trust deeply said made them "shiver" and now I just wonder if it was actually a shudder because of how corny it was. I honestly think Kraus could have left off the final chapter and it would have been a perfect ending where the second-to-last chapter leaves us.
That said, I definitely give this one a recommend because it was just such a fun ride. I really found myself several times setting the book down to instinctively look up articles and videos from the footnotes--it's just that convincing.
mcribsy13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Blown Away
raforall's review against another edition
5.0
Star Review in the May 1 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2022/05/what-im-reading-ghost-that-ate-us-by.html
There Words That Describe This Book: verisimilitude, immersive, escalating dread
As a good a true crime book as I'll Be Gone in the Dark except NONE OF IT IS REAL. And yet, people who love True Crime will love the realism here.
Less wink and nod meta than Chasing the Boogeyman by Chizmar because there is very little of Kraus' life here except being from Iowa and understanding the people. It is not a bio with a crime-- it is a true [fictional] crime with so much realism that it is immersive, but also adds a level of creepiness. I think it is more like Reprieve by James Han Mattson.
And, and this is key to me giving a star review, he stuck the landing. He stuck it so much you could read the last page first. Don't do that, because it is better if you don't. but when you get to the last page, you will be glad you read the entire book. And you will have a whole body shiver. What more could you ask for a horror novel.
There Words That Describe This Book: verisimilitude, immersive, escalating dread
As a good a true crime book as I'll Be Gone in the Dark except NONE OF IT IS REAL. And yet, people who love True Crime will love the realism here.
Less wink and nod meta than Chasing the Boogeyman by Chizmar because there is very little of Kraus' life here except being from Iowa and understanding the people. It is not a bio with a crime-- it is a true [fictional] crime with so much realism that it is immersive, but also adds a level of creepiness. I think it is more like Reprieve by James Han Mattson.
And, and this is key to me giving a star review, he stuck the landing. He stuck it so much you could read the last page first. Don't do that, because it is better if you don't. but when you get to the last page, you will be glad you read the entire book. And you will have a whole body shiver. What more could you ask for a horror novel.
nathaliebee's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
spooky_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of true crime, true crime inspired fiction, and the supernatural are going to devour this one!
reformed_geek's review against another edition
5.0
The Ghost that Ate Us has Daniel Kraus inserting himself as an author writing a true crime book that investigates the tragic deaths of a number of staff members at a fast food joint.
The actual incident that leads to the deaths is kept vague to the reader. I guess as this was supposed to have taken place just a few years ago, the basic facts of the crime would be widely known to the book's audience, but it is also a device that shields the ("real") reader from the final fate of characters we get to know over the course of the book.
The true crime presentation of the book is enforced by real-world references and events, with the interviews for the book taking place in 2020 the pandemic is often referenced. The author's previous works are also occasionally referenced.
It really worked. Even knowing it was fictional, I had to google Burger Town just in case (based on Google's auto-fill suggestion I am not the only one).
This was a great read. I enjoyed the style it was written in and the slow, but the ominous, build-up to disaster.
I wouldn't say this was horror, it wasn't particularly scary. I'd call it a thriller. A very good one. Highly recommended.
The actual incident that leads to the deaths is kept vague to the reader. I guess as this was supposed to have taken place just a few years ago, the basic facts of the crime would be widely known to the book's audience, but it is also a device that shields the ("real") reader from the final fate of characters we get to know over the course of the book.
The true crime presentation of the book is enforced by real-world references and events, with the interviews for the book taking place in 2020 the pandemic is often referenced. The author's previous works are also occasionally referenced.
It really worked. Even knowing it was fictional, I had to google Burger Town just in case (based on Google's auto-fill suggestion I am not the only one).
This was a great read. I enjoyed the style it was written in and the slow, but the ominous, build-up to disaster.
I wouldn't say this was horror, it wasn't particularly scary. I'd call it a thriller. A very good one. Highly recommended.
pbanditp's review against another edition
3.0
Daniel Kraus is investigating a three year old supernatural travesty that occurred at a fast food burger joint. The book unfolds through interviews of the survivors and Kraus talking about the videos and notes from the deadly events.
I am not a true crime junkie and this book has that same feeling. I don’t get the connection to the characters that I crave. That is my experience but it seems like others enjoy it. If that is your thing then this is well done.
I am not a true crime junkie and this book has that same feeling. I don’t get the connection to the characters that I crave. That is my experience but it seems like others enjoy it. If that is your thing then this is well done.
annarella's review
5.0
I fell in love with the cover and the I fell in love with this highly entertaining, well written and original book.
There's humour and a book that could be a true crime but it's a novel, the author did an excellent job in creating the notes.
Loved it, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
There's humour and a book that could be a true crime but it's a novel, the author did an excellent job in creating the notes.
Loved it, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
thoroughlymodernreviewer's review against another edition
5.0
(Thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing an ARC!)
Daniel Kraus’s new novel, "The Ghost That Ate Us," is an incredibly difficult book to talk about without venturing into spoilery waters. It's a true-crime facsimile that's more of a rumination on the ways traumatic events can bring people together and irreparably destroy them than it is a tale about the event itself. But it's also a dark, almost satirical critique of both true-crime and paranormal nonfiction - in the best way possible. With a densely constructed plot that slowly builds up to an absolute cracker of a climax, "The Ghost That Ate Us" might be one of the most unique horror stories I've read in a while. But it's also one of the most effective.
We all remember the Burger City Tragedy of June 2017. Six dead after a strange nine months filled with alleged paranormal activity, violent crimes, and bizarre news coverage. But what really happened at Burger City #8 between September 2016 and June 2017? Is there any truth at all to the stories of the Burger City Poltergeist? Or is the whole thing just a hoax, a convenient excuse to shift blame from those who deserve it to some kind of paranormal entity? Daniel Kraus seeks to answer all of these questions and more in "The Ghost That Ate Us," finally telling the true story behind this horrific tragedy. Featuring interviews with the survivors and an in-depth analysis of the available evidence, "The Ghost That Ate Us" weaves together a tale of naivete, opportunism, mismanagement, and brutality that just might finally put a rest to this whole sordid affair.
Of course, "The Ghost That Ate Us" is a work of fiction written in the style of a true-crime book. A style that Kraus both skewers and makes great use of. If you're a true-crime fan, you'll immediately recognize some of the tropes he utilizes (and subsequently pushes as far as they'll go). It's through that combination of fiction and nonfiction that Kraus creates this all-engrossing, dramatic, and horrifying story. And best of all, he avoids the most common trap in true-crime stories by not actually telling readers what the specific crime is until the book’s climax. At times, this sometimes makes the book feel a bit dense and confusing. But as the climax hits, you quickly realize that those earlier, confusing chapters were expertly laying the groundwork for this explosive conclusion. And it's a total delight - a suspenseful page-turner from start to finish.
To be clear, "The Ghost That Ate Us" isn't a comedic book. It's not trying to make fun of true-crime novels or paranormal stories. It is, however, a critique of those genres. Or, at least, the opportunistic, uncaring industry that revolves around them. Because the thing that stands out the most when reading "The Ghost That Ate Us" isn't its bonkers plot (though let me tell you, things get absolutely wild at times) or the novelty of the story's execution. It's the way that Kraus explores the story's characters and how their lives have been irreparably damaged by this traumatic event. Much of the book focuses far more on how the characters are doing nowadays than on explaining the specificities of the Burger City Tragedy and the events that led up to it. And I'm so glad that's the angle he takes because it makes for a far better story.
Viewed within the context of some of Kraus's other books, this focus on the characters’ respective trauma isn't particularly surprising. It's a theme that crops up in books like "Bent Heavens" and "The Autumnal." But it's also so much more interesting than purely focusing on the minutiae of solving this crime or proving/disproving the paranormal aspects. Throughout the book, you grow to truly care for these characters, all of whom came from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds and all of whom were searching desperately for some way out of their situations. These horrifying events united them almost as much as they destroyed them. And that's beyond fascinating. For these characters, the true tragedy doesn't necessarily lie in the traumatic event itself, but in the aftermath. In the scars and guilt it leaves behind with the survivors. And Kraus explores that idea to all of its gut-punching glory.
As far as the horror goes, the supernatural elements certainly take a backseat to everything else. After all, Kraus makes it pretty clear from page one that he's skeptical of the whole Burger City Poltergeist thing. So, most of the book is told from the perspective of someone simply trying to understand why a person might be drawn into either believing or perpetrating such a horrific hoax. And honestly, that's far scarier than something like "The Amityville Horror." "The Ghost That Ate Us" is plenty terrifying without the poltergeist in question. Between the specifics of the actual tragedy and the general societal horror that befalls most of the characters, it's hard to shake how upsetting this book is. The whole thing is basically a waking nightmare, filled with an ever-increasing sense of dread that digs into your soul in the best way possible.
At the end of the day, "The Ghost That Ate Us" is a horrific, brutal, emotional read. It's the perfect combination of fiction and nonfiction, all at once skewering the paranormal/true-crime genres while adhering to most of their tropes. The horror is very visceral and character-driven, with Kraus spending much of the book delving deep into his characters and exploring who they are now and who they were before the tragedy. And that ending - let's just say it's in your best interests to stay as unspoiled as possible. If you're looking for a new scary read, "The Ghost That Ate Us" might just scratch that itch. It's unlike anything I've read in quite a while. And I loved every page of it.
Daniel Kraus’s new novel, "The Ghost That Ate Us," is an incredibly difficult book to talk about without venturing into spoilery waters. It's a true-crime facsimile that's more of a rumination on the ways traumatic events can bring people together and irreparably destroy them than it is a tale about the event itself. But it's also a dark, almost satirical critique of both true-crime and paranormal nonfiction - in the best way possible. With a densely constructed plot that slowly builds up to an absolute cracker of a climax, "The Ghost That Ate Us" might be one of the most unique horror stories I've read in a while. But it's also one of the most effective.
We all remember the Burger City Tragedy of June 2017. Six dead after a strange nine months filled with alleged paranormal activity, violent crimes, and bizarre news coverage. But what really happened at Burger City #8 between September 2016 and June 2017? Is there any truth at all to the stories of the Burger City Poltergeist? Or is the whole thing just a hoax, a convenient excuse to shift blame from those who deserve it to some kind of paranormal entity? Daniel Kraus seeks to answer all of these questions and more in "The Ghost That Ate Us," finally telling the true story behind this horrific tragedy. Featuring interviews with the survivors and an in-depth analysis of the available evidence, "The Ghost That Ate Us" weaves together a tale of naivete, opportunism, mismanagement, and brutality that just might finally put a rest to this whole sordid affair.
Of course, "The Ghost That Ate Us" is a work of fiction written in the style of a true-crime book. A style that Kraus both skewers and makes great use of. If you're a true-crime fan, you'll immediately recognize some of the tropes he utilizes (and subsequently pushes as far as they'll go). It's through that combination of fiction and nonfiction that Kraus creates this all-engrossing, dramatic, and horrifying story. And best of all, he avoids the most common trap in true-crime stories by not actually telling readers what the specific crime is until the book’s climax. At times, this sometimes makes the book feel a bit dense and confusing. But as the climax hits, you quickly realize that those earlier, confusing chapters were expertly laying the groundwork for this explosive conclusion. And it's a total delight - a suspenseful page-turner from start to finish.
To be clear, "The Ghost That Ate Us" isn't a comedic book. It's not trying to make fun of true-crime novels or paranormal stories. It is, however, a critique of those genres. Or, at least, the opportunistic, uncaring industry that revolves around them. Because the thing that stands out the most when reading "The Ghost That Ate Us" isn't its bonkers plot (though let me tell you, things get absolutely wild at times) or the novelty of the story's execution. It's the way that Kraus explores the story's characters and how their lives have been irreparably damaged by this traumatic event. Much of the book focuses far more on how the characters are doing nowadays than on explaining the specificities of the Burger City Tragedy and the events that led up to it. And I'm so glad that's the angle he takes because it makes for a far better story.
Viewed within the context of some of Kraus's other books, this focus on the characters’ respective trauma isn't particularly surprising. It's a theme that crops up in books like "Bent Heavens" and "The Autumnal." But it's also so much more interesting than purely focusing on the minutiae of solving this crime or proving/disproving the paranormal aspects. Throughout the book, you grow to truly care for these characters, all of whom came from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds and all of whom were searching desperately for some way out of their situations. These horrifying events united them almost as much as they destroyed them. And that's beyond fascinating. For these characters, the true tragedy doesn't necessarily lie in the traumatic event itself, but in the aftermath. In the scars and guilt it leaves behind with the survivors. And Kraus explores that idea to all of its gut-punching glory.
As far as the horror goes, the supernatural elements certainly take a backseat to everything else. After all, Kraus makes it pretty clear from page one that he's skeptical of the whole Burger City Poltergeist thing. So, most of the book is told from the perspective of someone simply trying to understand why a person might be drawn into either believing or perpetrating such a horrific hoax. And honestly, that's far scarier than something like "The Amityville Horror." "The Ghost That Ate Us" is plenty terrifying without the poltergeist in question. Between the specifics of the actual tragedy and the general societal horror that befalls most of the characters, it's hard to shake how upsetting this book is. The whole thing is basically a waking nightmare, filled with an ever-increasing sense of dread that digs into your soul in the best way possible.
At the end of the day, "The Ghost That Ate Us" is a horrific, brutal, emotional read. It's the perfect combination of fiction and nonfiction, all at once skewering the paranormal/true-crime genres while adhering to most of their tropes. The horror is very visceral and character-driven, with Kraus spending much of the book delving deep into his characters and exploring who they are now and who they were before the tragedy. And that ending - let's just say it's in your best interests to stay as unspoiled as possible. If you're looking for a new scary read, "The Ghost That Ate Us" might just scratch that itch. It's unlike anything I've read in quite a while. And I loved every page of it.
thechurchofmox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5