A review by joeb94
All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Short Review: The only good thing about this book is the last pages
Long Review:
 

This book came with all the right ingredients for a spine-tingling horror-thriller: a creepy castle, eerie children, a mysterious mother… yet somehow, it managed to turn all that into one giant snooze-fest. I’m new to horror, and even I can tell you—this book is anything but scary. The rare “scary” moments didn’t deliver any real chills, and the thrill was non-existent. Honestly, the story just dragged along, and it’s hard to justify the patience it takes to get through to the ending, which felt like a last-minute patch job.

The main character (whose name I can barely remember) is shallow, and her “anxiety” feels like it was tossed in whenever the plot needed a little spice, only to be forgotten in the next chapter. Speaking from experience, her anxiety wasn’t portrayed realistically. The supporting characters had potential—Evie, the kids, the maid—but they’re all left hanging in the background, which is a shame. The one redeeming aspect? A glimpse of chemistry between the lead and Evie, though it only scratched the surface.

Overall, the writing was okay—not terrible, not great. If you’re looking for chills or thrills, this one might disappoint.