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shrikebait's review
1.0
I'm of the opinion that this book is largely uncredited "borrowed" material. Let me explain.
Initially, I was so excited to recognize the parallels between McKinley Manor and the infamous McKamey Manor haunted house...but then the similarities kept adding up, until I realized McKinley Manor was a near carbon copy of McKamey Manor. At no point does the author credit the material taken directly from McKamey Manor.
Some especially egregious examples:
-Private Facebook group with audition videos
-Dog food as the only price for admission
-Onesies for degradation
-Hundred-page contract/waiver outlined over hours
-Meeting at a park before transport via truck to the haunt
-Prize money that is speculated to never have existed
-No safe word and proud of it
-Police called before each haunt as a warning
The largest deviations from the real McKamey Manor are the fictional murders. Without spoiling how it goes down, I really did not find that it redeemed the aforementioned issues.
I sincerely hope that Booth acknowledges that this book crosses the line from referencing to copying. I also hope to see more originality in future books to show his growth as an author.
Thank you for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Initially, I was so excited to recognize the parallels between McKinley Manor and the infamous McKamey Manor haunted house...but then the similarities kept adding up, until I realized McKinley Manor was a near carbon copy of McKamey Manor. At no point does the author credit the material taken directly from McKamey Manor.
Some especially egregious examples:
-Private Facebook group with audition videos
-Dog food as the only price for admission
-Onesies for degradation
-Hundred-page contract/waiver outlined over hours
-Meeting at a park before transport via truck to the haunt
-Prize money that is speculated to never have existed
-No safe word and proud of it
-Police called before each haunt as a warning
The largest deviations from the real McKamey Manor are the fictional murders. Without spoiling how it goes down, I really did not find that it redeemed the aforementioned issues.
I sincerely hope that Booth acknowledges that this book crosses the line from referencing to copying. I also hope to see more originality in future books to show his growth as an author.
Thank you for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
mostlyreadinghorror's review
4.0
If you have any interest in the inner workings of extreme haunts-pick up this book now!
This story is told through a series of interviews following the aftermath of the tragic Mckinley Manor Massacre, an extreme haunted house attraction in a small town in Texas. Thats it, thats the story and really all that you need to know. This is a pretty straight forward story that I didn't know I needed in my life and I read it in one day.
Clocking in at 124 pages this is a perfect short read to add to your TBR especially during the Halloween season. In this story we get a first seat glimpse into the origins of an extreme haunt. The twisted mind of the creator behind Mckinley Manor and the cult following obsessed with the attraction and its lore. After reading the synopsis for this novella, it immediately reminded me of the famed Mackamey Manor a real extreme haunt in TN that has a cult following and sounds like an absolute nightmare.
Some of the Survivor-style obstacles that the patrons have to endure at Mckinley Manor are downright disgusting-or are they? Interview style stories can be a hit or miss for me, but it was very well done here and I felt it really contributed to the tension. Trust me once you start you will not want to finish, I could have easily devoured this in one sitting, but ya know-life. The ending is pretty shocking and took a turn I wasn't expecting. I can't say that I particularly liked it, but it did surprise me.
This book comes with my highest recommendation-I think its the perfect thrilling read balanced with a well developed plot. I feel like this novella would appeal to audiences that enjoy true crime. Happy Reading!
This story is told through a series of interviews following the aftermath of the tragic Mckinley Manor Massacre, an extreme haunted house attraction in a small town in Texas. Thats it, thats the story and really all that you need to know. This is a pretty straight forward story that I didn't know I needed in my life and I read it in one day.
Clocking in at 124 pages this is a perfect short read to add to your TBR especially during the Halloween season. In this story we get a first seat glimpse into the origins of an extreme haunt. The twisted mind of the creator behind Mckinley Manor and the cult following obsessed with the attraction and its lore. After reading the synopsis for this novella, it immediately reminded me of the famed Mackamey Manor a real extreme haunt in TN that has a cult following and sounds like an absolute nightmare.
Some of the Survivor-style obstacles that the patrons have to endure at Mckinley Manor are downright disgusting-or are they? Interview style stories can be a hit or miss for me, but it was very well done here and I felt it really contributed to the tension. Trust me once you start you will not want to finish, I could have easily devoured this in one sitting, but ya know-life. The ending is pretty shocking and took a turn I wasn't expecting. I can't say that I particularly liked it, but it did surprise me.
This book comes with my highest recommendation-I think its the perfect thrilling read balanced with a well developed plot. I feel like this novella would appeal to audiences that enjoy true crime. Happy Reading!
bookishcatlady's review
5.0
Having gone down the rabbit hole of the actual haunted house this book is loosely based upon, I could not wait to read this and am so happy to have been able to, thank you Book Sirens for the advanced copy!
Written in a documentary style, this novel is fast paced and highly enjoyable even if you haven't heard much about the real one.
Sure the story is disturbing but it is well written and this book has an amazing and unexpected twist. Definitely the perfect read for haunted house spooky season.
I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Written in a documentary style, this novel is fast paced and highly enjoyable even if you haven't heard much about the real one.
Sure the story is disturbing but it is well written and this book has an amazing and unexpected twist. Definitely the perfect read for haunted house spooky season.
I am leaving this review voluntarily.
cabinet_13_review's review
4.0
Rated up. My Rating 3.5/5
The thing I liked most about The Last Haunt is the way it is written. Told in a sort of documentary, epistolary style through interviews and statements about the notorious attraction and its equally infamous founder. It gives it a grimy or gritty feel which is all the more appealing.
Taking inspiration from the real-life extreme haunt, McKamey Manor, Max Booth adds mystery, thrill, suspense, and a neat little twist to his McKinley Manor. With references and nods to popular culture and horror movies, Max roots it into a reality that is believable.
Thanks to Cemetary Gates Media, and Max Booth III for the advanced copy. My review is honest and voluntary.
The thing I liked most about The Last Haunt is the way it is written. Told in a sort of documentary, epistolary style through interviews and statements about the notorious attraction and its equally infamous founder. It gives it a grimy or gritty feel which is all the more appealing.
Taking inspiration from the real-life extreme haunt, McKamey Manor, Max Booth adds mystery, thrill, suspense, and a neat little twist to his McKinley Manor. With references and nods to popular culture and horror movies, Max roots it into a reality that is believable.
Thanks to Cemetary Gates Media, and Max Booth III for the advanced copy. My review is honest and voluntary.
_terah_hansen_'s review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, Murder, and Vomit
loveinthethymeofcollards's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
enchantressreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Vomit, Death, and Murder
ameliareadsstuff's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Last Haunt is an enjoyable horror novella that tells the story of an 'extreme' haunted house through a series of interview transcripts. I enjoyed the epistolic format and the unfolding mystery, and I appreciate Booth's attempts to really set the novel in the present moment just through the character's attitudes and language.
The book never quite reaches the level of horrific end the dark subject matter teases, but I did enjoy the nature of the ending regardless, given the level of repugnantness of some of the characters. That said, I'm not sure the novel was reaching for that level of horror; there's an interesting mix of morbidness and dark humour that was mostly successful, though I can see it not working for every reader.
The book never quite reaches the level of horrific end the dark subject matter teases, but I did enjoy the nature of the ending regardless, given the level of repugnantness of some of the characters. That said, I'm not sure the novel was reaching for that level of horror; there's an interesting mix of morbidness and dark humour that was mostly successful, though I can see it not working for every reader.