Horror Book Review: Stephen by Amy Cross

 

Gruesome and revolting, yet oddly gripping. That is what you too will be thinking when you read this week’s Horror Book Pick: Stephen by Amy Cross.

The book was first published in October 2017 and the new version on Kindle has been published in July 2022. The novel has since then been on the bestsellers list and garnered positive reviews. In fact, the book is even now on the number one spot in British Horror Fiction.

So what makes this book so unique?

Many horror fans have called it the most disgusting book they have ever read yet they also found it hard to put it down because of the gripping story.

While most horror fans found the book enjoyable, there were some who found the themes to be repulsive and stomach-churning.

If you search for the book, chances are that you will come across quite a lot of discussions and reviews about the infamous Chapter 28. Now, the author does use the protagonist to talk to the readers and tell them to avoid the chapter and go to the next one. It is a warning that those who are squeamish and easily disturbed, must heed.

My curiosity was piqued and I did manage to read Chapter 28. Suffice to say, you may not want to read this book while eating or drinking anything.

Quick Book Review of STEPHEN by Amy Cross

Beryl Seaton is our protagonist and in the prologue she explains how she is ready to write her story about all the events that occurred in Grangehurst where she worked as a governess for the Brooks family.

 She goes into a flashback, in the year 1899 when she saw an advertisement for a governess. She meets Doctor Elliot Brooks who is deeply unimpressed by her. He rejects her but as she heads out, she manages to aid a man who has had an accident. Her quick response to catastrophe is what impresses Dr Brooks who then hires her.

When she reaches Grangehurst, she notices that it is quite of the way and quite large and daunting. She is greeted by Doctor Brooks who initially welcomes her but suddenly changes his demeanor when she questions about the Lady of the house as well as the baby she is supposed to look after.

As Beryl goes upstairs to meet Mrs. Brooks and initially finds her odd before finding her friendly as she talks to her. But Beryl is eager to meet the baby she will be taking care of. That is when she realizes why she couldn’t hear the baby crying before.

The baby is dead. Mrs. Brooks is deranged and believes the baby to be alive. Beryl is horrified.

The novel will have you hooked from the very first chapter because Beryl is portrayed as just the woman who looks like she needs our sympathy and protection.

But if you’ve read the reviews, like me, then apparently Beryl’s character takes an interesting turn as well.

No one is as they seem and nothing is as it seems in this book.

There is something deeply unsettling in the chapter that opens up to Grangehurst. The author instills curiosity as Beryl checks out her surroundings. The couple is not what they want to appear to be and as a reader we quickly catch on to that.

The twist in chapter three will leave you stunned. It may be uncomfortable and even a little morbid, but perhaps you will want to test yourself to see how far you can go before you decide to close the book.

Amy Cross conjures up a vivid scene that is dark and gothic, and eerie from the prologue.

To Read or Not to Read?

Of course I want to read further. While I am not a fan of books and movies that rely heavily on gore, I do enjoy a story that is well-told. Amy Cross does manage to write a compelling horror tale that I would want to continue reading, although there are a few typos here and there.

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