My favorite vacation destination is Tennessee. The beautiful Smoky Mountains; Memphis – the home of The King (not Stephen, but Elvis!); and Nashville – Music City are all places I could visit repeatedly. Secret Basements by Robert Essig manages to put a creepy spin on the backwoods of my favorite state.
Jennifer is a recovering addict trying to distance herself from the streets of Chicago. When her elderly uncle Charlie in Tennessee needs the help of a live-in caretaker, she decides that’s the perfect opportunity to start over and prove herself to her mom and sister back in Chicago. Charlie doesn’t make her job easy. He’s a grouchy old man with what seems to be an evil side. The small town he lives in seems a bit “off” as well. There are many secrets throughout this book. Secrets in Jennifer’s family; in the town; even in deserted basements. Once the suspense ratchets up, it doesn’t stop! And that ending! I was on the edge of my seat as I finished the book. With plenty of creepy small town vibes throughout and some added gore, I consider Secret Basements an excellent thriller and horror combination. I would recommend it to any fan of horror or suspense.
I’m happy to give Secret Basements four out of five stars. Many thanks to D&T Publishing. I received an electronic copy of this book for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. The opinions expressed here are completely my own.
Mysteries and Mayhem 