Scratches is an amazing debut novella from Joshua Marsella! For a short tale of just 67 pages, it sure gives the reader a one-two punch; one with spooky jump scares, and another with stomach-dropping terror.
Once you read this novella, my photo will make more sense! I also have to admit that I’m pretty spooked by the stain at the bottom of our basement stairs now… and I will certainly be thinking of this tale each time I see it moving forward!
Let’s dive in to my quick review!
My Thoughts on Scratches by Joshua Marsella
This novella was organized so perfectly. Each chapter was written in a way that perfected finished that scene, but also made you really antsy to read more! I loved how each chapter built and built until a certain event… and from there it was all out intensity!
This is another one to pick up when you have an hour or so to just read it cover to cover; you will not want to put it down!
I absolutely loved the main character! While struggling with a mother that was a bit emotionally distant and who had suddenly developed a drinking problem, he was still able to stay strong. I also loved his curiosity as he worked to figure out two mysteries!
While he mainly kept to himself, he was able to lose himself in his favorite horror stories! I was so excited to see that he had posters of Pet Sematary, Hellraiser, and Friday the 13th on his walls and that he stayed up late to watch Are You Afraid Of The Dark? and read Creepshow comics!
The mother was also an interesting character. It was really difficult to see her struggling, but once you learned more about her history, it certainly all made sense.
As this tale had wonderful plot, great writing style, plenty of horror, and amazing characters… I cannot recommend this one highly enough! Go snag it today!!
My Favorite Passages from Scratches
Warm beer was her least favorite kind, but she wouldn’t let a drop go to waste.
A couple hours later Connor was on a deep sleep before he was abruptly awakened by an ear-piercing scratching noise coming from somewhere in the darkness beyond the tattered sheets.
Horror movies and dark cellars are a perfect recipe for the heebie jeebies.
Some truths are better left a mystery.
A familiar sense of terror she hadn’t felt since she was a small girl hit her like the front end of a buick.
My Final Thoughts on Scratches
I absolutely loved that this story seemed so innocent at first. But then we started to get these quick little spurts of sudden terror that were perfect jump scares! Soon enough, the tale spiraled into a tale that won’t let you put it down!
I can’t believe this was a debut novel! I’ll definitely be here for whatever Joshua writes next!
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I have lots of short horror and apocalypse books that need attending to! I’ll be doing a clearout of them along with that reading list I constructed. I don’t think I have anything by this author though.
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I just finished it too, and I agree! It held my interest throughout and you can tell through the main character “Connor” that Joshua has been a life-long horror fan. I hope the ideas keep coming for JM!
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