Bestselling author J.D. Barker tells the tale of a haunted house off the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire in Something I Keep Upstairs, a theme and location that is right up my alley. Barker nails the picturesque coastal town while giving us an unsettling tale of friendship and malevolence.
For a haunted house to be born, somebody has to die.
In the sleepy coastal town of New Castle, New Hampshire, seventeen-year-old Billy Hasler’s life is about to take a terrifying turn. When his best friend David Spivey inherits a mysterious house on a nearby island, it seems like the perfect place to spend their final summer before heading off to college. No parents. No police. No responsibilities.
As they dig into the island’s dark past, they awaken an ancient evil that has influenced generations. What begins as an innocent summer adventure quickly descends into a nightmare.
J.D. Barker kicks Something I Keep Upstairs off with a deceptively simple premise—a carefree summer adventure on an inherited island house with friends–that quickly morphs into something much more sinister. Barker excels at setting up its atmospheric location with vivid authenticity that truly resonated with me as a New England native. The setting acts almost like another character within the story. This intricate landscape is not just a backdrop but an integral part that enhances the creeping dread permeating each chapter.
While the overall plot, story and pacing were wonderful to experience. Character development presents a faltering step to me–I found myself challenged to be fully invested in the group of characters as I found it hard to related to them. Attaching emotionally to characters in a thrilling tale is important to me as it helps keep me on edge and care what happens to each of them. However, I found it hard to get super immersed with these characters and care about any consequences the group may incur.
Barker crafted certain scenes genuine suspense that did send a bit of shivers down my spine. However, some plot elements feel extraneous—detours veering away from the central story that detract slightly from momentum while adding little substance to overall progression. These didn’t take away completely from enjoying the story, it just added a bit I length I felt that were unnecessary overall or I could live without.
Despite these minor hiccups, Something I Keep Upstairs proved to be a truly enjoyable and fun read worth my time. J.D. Barker does a remarkable job setting up the location and keeping the haunts feeling real. While I wasn’t a big fan of the characters, I am sure there are many people who will be when they dive into this novel. In the end, the pacing, theme and location made for a great experience.
Something I Keep Upstairs hits bookstores everywhere on May 13, 2025 from Hampton Creek Press. The audiobook, narrated by Michael Crouch, is available for pre-order at Libro.fm!
