The Devil’s in the Next Room by John Durgin is a story about family and the lengths a mother will go to, hiding painful secrets, to keep her children safe for as long as she can. But when her protection is gone, the brothers must find a way to navigate what comes next together.
Content Warning: Cancer, loss of a parent, child abuse, and more.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on The Devil’s in the Next Room by John Durgin –
Set on an isolated farm in New Hampshire, this tale centers on Brian Davidson, a caretaker devoted to his brain-injured brother Bo, their ailing mother, and their farm. At first, the atmosphere is eerie but manageable, but when their mother passes away before she can warn Brian of something that he needs to know, and Brian gets injured, the storyline starts to shift, and the terror begins to close in.
PHEW, with each new book I read from this author, the intensity just keeps ramping up! This one is the most intense yet! Just when you think things can’t possibly get any worse… they do. And somehow, you’re still not prepared for where this tale goes.
This tale is a brilliant balance of horror and emotional depth. The bond between the two brothers is heartfelt and gutwrenching, which only makes the slow unraveling of their world all the more devastating.
Once you pick this one up, be prepared to be sucked right into the darkness.
My Favorite Passages from The Devil’s in the Next Room –
He knew this moment was coming, and he knew it would be soon, yet now that the moment had arrived… it didn’t feel real. Her suffering was over, but theirs was just beginning.
His mother’s mouth was stuck open like a defective Pez dispenser, her lower jaw dangling from her face. Only the partially torn flesh held the mouth in place.
It was odd how a place so wide open could feel eerily secluded. Nobody came to the field at this time of day, and the main road wasn’t visible with the trees blocking it.
My Final Thoughts on The Devil’s in the Next Room –
If you’re looking for a horror tale that doesn’t just frighten you, but that shakes you psychologically, this one is a must-read! Just don’t plan on sleeping well afterward…
I cannot wait to see what John writes next!
Thanks for reading!
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