 When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is one of those stories that sneaks up behind you, taps you on the shoulder, and then proceeds to tear open your ribcage, not just for the horror, but for the feelings hiding underneath it.
It starts with Jess, a down-on-her-luck actress working nights at a diner, who finds a terrified little boy outside her apartment. Then his father shows up. Then a monstrous, snarling something follows them, then before you can even take a breath, you’re neck-deep in blood, grief, and metaphor. Cassidy writes like he’s exorcising trauma of his own. The book has that raw, desperate energy where you can tell the author is saying something real under all the gore. I mean, yeah. It's a horror novel. There are claws, there’s a wolf-thing, there are moments you’ll physically cringe, but it’s also about broken people trying to do the right thing when they don’t even know what that is anymore. Jess isn’t a perfect protagonist by a long shot. She makes choices that make you want to scream at the page. But she feels real. Exhausted. Angry. Trying to hold it together while the universe kicks her. And that’s what makes the whole thing even better. The monsters are terrifying, sure, but the human parts hurt more. There’s a stretch in the middle that feels like running downhill too fast, you’re not sure if you’re still in control, but you can’t stop. By the end, I was overcome with with dread and weird compassion for everyone involved. It’s bloody, it’s tender, it’s messed up. And I loved it. If you like horror that feels personal and uncomfortably human, if you want to be wrecked a little, When the Wolf Comes Home delivers. Maybe don’t read it right before bed unless you want to dream in teeth and regret. 5 out of 5 existential howls. Check out the book at the library or download the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 This book unsettled me in the best way. It’s set in small-town Minnesota and immediately took me back to my own childhood. I grew up in the shadow of Jacob Wetterling and Jonny Gosch disappearing. Adults were constantly warning us we were gonna get kidnapped, but at the same time they basically let us roam wild like little feral animals until dark. That mix of freedom and fear is all over this book.
Lourey captures it perfectly through Cassie’s eyes, the secrets, the predators everyone pretended not to see, the unease simmering under small-town life. Reading it felt way too familiar, like someone cracked open the childhood I remember but didn’t want to think too hard about. Creepy, raw, and unforgettable. Check out the book at the library. Aimee Clark, Library IT  The Fletchers, Step, DeAnne, and their kids, just moved to Steuben, North Carolina. It's the early '80s, and this small town has a big problem: kids are vanishing. Step's a software developer (who, hilariously, thinks PCs are a fad), and they're a devout Mormon family (as is the author), so you get a real feel for their life. They're dealing with their own stuff, too, so they're kind of distracted when their eight-year-old, Stevie, starts spending all his time with his imaginary friends, which was not a great choice. Turns out, those "friends" know way more than anyone realizes. It's a slow burn, but things get creepy. And get ready to cry,this book will destroy you. Have tissues ready, preferably the whole box. I think about this book years later.
Reserve the audiobook online with your library card. If you prefer a physical copy, contact us about getting one through interlibrary loan. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  C.J. Box is best known for his three series, but he also offers a handful of standalone novels. Blue Heaven happens to be my favorite.
In northern Idaho, retired police officers commit a murder witnessed by a 12-year-old girl and her little brother. The trouble deepens when these corrupt ex-cops already know the kids' identities and the details of their mother's search. They manage to persuade the overwhelmed rural sheriff to bring them on board for the investigation. The children’s unexpected salvation comes from an old-school rancher on the brink of foreclosure. Yet, in a community now overrun by affluent newcomers fleeing the city, he finds himself unsure of whom to trust. How can he possibly protect these kids when he doesn't even know who his real enemy is? This story struck a personal chord as it mirrors the loss of family farms, blending a ticking-clock thriller fueled by greed over land deals with a heartfelt portrayal of small communities uniting in the face of adversity. Overall, it was a fantastic read. Interested? Reserve the physical copy at the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  In 1975, a 13-year-old girl from a wealthy family vanishes from a summer camp. Oddly, her older brother disappeared from the same camp 14 years earlier. To make things even stranger, her parents own the camp.
This story dives into class divides—the wealthy camp owners, their privileged friends, and their children who attend, contrasted with the local workers hired to maintain the camp and its grounds. It’s a tale of power, privilege, and the secrets that simmer beneath the surface. This was such a gripping, eerie read. The mix of mystery and atmosphere totally pulls you in, and the creepy, woodsy vibes blows you away. The story keeps you guessing, and the characters feel so real. If you’re into dark, twisty tales with a lot of feels, this is your book. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! We even have it in Large Print! Use your SPL card to reserve the eBook or audiobook. |
The SPL StaffWe work here at the library, and we’re into all kinds of books! How Do I Get These Books?See our Quickstart Guides page for information on how to use the online catalog and how to get eBooks and audiobooks for your specific device. You can also contact us there if you need more help!
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