Release date October 31st, 2023
Nestlings by Nat Cassidy is the type of horror book you want in a horror book. Deeply unsettling, expertly written, and a never ending sense of dread that permeates each chapter.
Ana and Reid have had it rough lately. Due to a complication during childbirth, Ana is left in a wheelchair. Their child is the object of Ana's depression and anger. She loves the baby but she can't help but blame him for her condition. The small apartment they live in is not ideal and the landlord is intrusive, rude, and kind of a slimy fella.
But one day their luck seems to change for the better. They've been chosen from a housing lottery and are offered an exclusive apartment in a wealthy and much desirable building in New York at an astounding price. This could be the change they're looking for, a new beginning, a true home for the family.
Until they move in. That's when Nat Cassidy reminds us almost immediately that he's not writing a "happily ever after." From the creepy employees of the building to reclusive neighbors and strange occurrences, we know there's something going on. The author isn't letting us off the hook though. He keeps the secrets well hidden until they need to be revealed and, even then, the tension and unease continues.
I was so pleasantly surprised when some pieces came together and the ultimate secrets of this building was finally revealed. It left me gobsmacked. What this novel is actually about isn't what you will think it is. It puts a delightfully demented twist on a traditional theme and leaves you breathless by the end.
New York plays a central role in this book and his descriptions make you feel like you're there among the crowds, the skyscrapers, and locations like Central Park. In fact, some of the creepiness could well have been very bizarre in another city or location. But new yorkers have seen their share of weird and these things are quickly dismissed as quirks of the city. It's believable and adds another layer of terror. How far is too far in a city that's seen it all? How long can people dismiss Ana's nightmare before actually giving it attention?
This is one of my favorite horror books of the year and it's going to take you to horrifying places when it releases on October 31st, 2023. I can't recommend this novel enough and you can pre-order your copy at the link below.
Dave from Horror Reads
