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Hampton Heights: One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"Marvelous, tender, and unpredictable, Hampton Heights captures the uncanniness and discomfort of early adolescence. There’s a pinch of Ray Bradbury, a soupçon of Stephen King, a dash of fairy tale logic, but Dan Kois makes something entirely his own out of this familiar and always pleasurable territory."—Kelly Link, author of White Cat, Black Dog
From the author of the Washington Post notable novel Vintage Contemporaries, something completely a hair-raising and rollicking adventure set on one night in 1987, when six paperboys must confront a slew of monsters as well as their own personal demons in a haunted Midwestern neighborhood.
On a cold winter’s evening in 1987, six middle-school paperboys wander an unfamiliar Milwaukee neighborhood, selling newspaper subscriptions, fueled by their manager Kevin’s promises of cash bonuses and dinner at Burger King. But the freaks come out at night in Hampton Heights. Sent out into the neighborhood in pairs, the boys will encounter a host of primordial monsters—and triumph over them.
Sigmone, who is bussed to a white school, is stuck with Joel, a white kid who idolizes Black culture. Mark, who's wrestling with his sexuality, joins his secret crush, Ryan. Nishu and Al are outsiders; one is a second-generation immigrant, the other a poor kid in a rich school. Over the course of one eventful evening, the three pairs will encounter the wild things of Hampton Heights—werewolves, witches with a centuries-old story to tell, and a creepy, ancient monster who feeds on memories. Meanwhile, Kevin is having an adventure of his own, seducing a beautiful woman in the neighborhood’s tavern . . . but who is actually in control? As the night nears its end, everyone will reunite for a cataclysmic finale.
Funny, thrilling, outrageous, and sneakily beautiful, Dan Kois’s Hampton Heights captures without sentimentality the dreams and fears of teenage boys in a tender horror-comedy about camaraderie, bravery, vulnerability, and the terrifying prospect of growing up.
From the author of the Washington Post notable novel Vintage Contemporaries, something completely a hair-raising and rollicking adventure set on one night in 1987, when six paperboys must confront a slew of monsters as well as their own personal demons in a haunted Midwestern neighborhood.
On a cold winter’s evening in 1987, six middle-school paperboys wander an unfamiliar Milwaukee neighborhood, selling newspaper subscriptions, fueled by their manager Kevin’s promises of cash bonuses and dinner at Burger King. But the freaks come out at night in Hampton Heights. Sent out into the neighborhood in pairs, the boys will encounter a host of primordial monsters—and triumph over them.
Sigmone, who is bussed to a white school, is stuck with Joel, a white kid who idolizes Black culture. Mark, who's wrestling with his sexuality, joins his secret crush, Ryan. Nishu and Al are outsiders; one is a second-generation immigrant, the other a poor kid in a rich school. Over the course of one eventful evening, the three pairs will encounter the wild things of Hampton Heights—werewolves, witches with a centuries-old story to tell, and a creepy, ancient monster who feeds on memories. Meanwhile, Kevin is having an adventure of his own, seducing a beautiful woman in the neighborhood’s tavern . . . but who is actually in control? As the night nears its end, everyone will reunite for a cataclysmic finale.
Funny, thrilling, outrageous, and sneakily beautiful, Dan Kois’s Hampton Heights captures without sentimentality the dreams and fears of teenage boys in a tender horror-comedy about camaraderie, bravery, vulnerability, and the terrifying prospect of growing up.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 14, 2024
This is a very weird book, you guys. But it's weird in a good way, not weird in a “I can't believe I suffered through this nonsense” sort of way. There are succubi and trolls and witches and werewolves and Burger King (one of these is not like the others), and it is a wild and entertaining ride.
Hampton Heights focuses on a group of paperboys (and their irresponsible boss, Kevin) who are sent out into Milwaukee's most bizarre neighborhood to sell newspaper subscriptions. When the boys are split up into pairs in order to canvass the neighborhood, this novel essentially becomes a series of interconnected short stories. Each pair (plus Kevin) have their own separate supernatural experiences while exploring Hampton Heights, and they don't meet up again until the very end.
My favorite story of the bunch was probably Ryan and Mark's adventure with the witches. There's something about it that's so magical and fairy tale-ish and perhaps even a little heartwarming. I'm just ever so slightly surprised that the witches' cottage wasn't made of gingerbread, because it seems like it should be that sort of tale.
Al and Nishu's experience with the troll is also a tremendously entertaining read – it's funnier and more lighthearted than the other chapters. What do you do when a troll is giving you problems? You trap it upside down in a backpack, of course!
Really, all of the boys' adventures are quite amusing and there wasn't a one of them that I didn't enjoy. And Kevin? Well, let's just say that Kevin should never be left alone in charge of children ever again and leave it at that. I mean, this book is set the 80s and I can say from first-hand experience that parents were a little more lax when it came to the quality of their kids' adult supervision back then, but I'm pretty sure that even my parents wouldn't have approved of Kevin's shenanigans.
While this book definitely has some horror elements, it's not scary at all. If you're not generally a horror fan, no worries – there's no blood or gore or jump scenes (can books have jump scenes?) or anything of the sort. There are monsters and supernatural occurrences, but they're more Hocus Pocus than A Nightmare on Elm Street, if that makes any sense.
So, yeah – this was a super fun and enjoyable read and I loved every minute of it. My overall rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
Hampton Heights focuses on a group of paperboys (and their irresponsible boss, Kevin) who are sent out into Milwaukee's most bizarre neighborhood to sell newspaper subscriptions. When the boys are split up into pairs in order to canvass the neighborhood, this novel essentially becomes a series of interconnected short stories. Each pair (plus Kevin) have their own separate supernatural experiences while exploring Hampton Heights, and they don't meet up again until the very end.
My favorite story of the bunch was probably Ryan and Mark's adventure with the witches. There's something about it that's so magical and fairy tale-ish and perhaps even a little heartwarming. I'm just ever so slightly surprised that the witches' cottage wasn't made of gingerbread, because it seems like it should be that sort of tale.
Al and Nishu's experience with the troll is also a tremendously entertaining read – it's funnier and more lighthearted than the other chapters. What do you do when a troll is giving you problems? You trap it upside down in a backpack, of course!
Really, all of the boys' adventures are quite amusing and there wasn't a one of them that I didn't enjoy. And Kevin? Well, let's just say that Kevin should never be left alone in charge of children ever again and leave it at that. I mean, this book is set the 80s and I can say from first-hand experience that parents were a little more lax when it came to the quality of their kids' adult supervision back then, but I'm pretty sure that even my parents wouldn't have approved of Kevin's shenanigans.
While this book definitely has some horror elements, it's not scary at all. If you're not generally a horror fan, no worries – there's no blood or gore or jump scenes (can books have jump scenes?) or anything of the sort. There are monsters and supernatural occurrences, but they're more Hocus Pocus than A Nightmare on Elm Street, if that makes any sense.
So, yeah – this was a super fun and enjoyable read and I loved every minute of it. My overall rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
June 16, 2024
This is marketed as adult horror, but it reads more like a middle-grade novel with f-bombs. It was definitely entertaining and I enjoyed the boys’ adventures, but it wasn’t what I expected. There were elements of both fantasy and horror, but this is mostly a mild adventure story about paper boys running into trouble in a strange neighborhood after dark. It’s fun and funny with 1980s vibes, but it’s never scary.
September 16, 2024
It is a foggy, winter’s night in Hampton Heights, Wisconsin. Soon it will be getting dark, casting shadows in a neighborhood totally alien to the six paperboys roaming its streets. It is an odd time of day—and year—to be tasked with selling subscriptions. Kevin—their newspaper delivery manager—says it is mandatory. The young entrepreneurs are promised $20 to the highest sellers, and dinner at Burger King. For these boys, it is their Holy Grail.
Kevin divides the boys into three groups of two (warning: this action will send you into the horror genre! Never split up!). Al and Nishu head north; Ryan and Mark: south; Joel and Sigmone set off west; and Kevin heads off to a tavern. With instructions to return to the van by 8:30, the boys trudge through snow with their lists of names and addresses, while Kevin orders a beer. What ordeals will they encounter? Will Kevin get lucky?
After this introduction, each of the three groups and Kevin are given their own story lines. A drunk Kevin goes to the home of a women he meets at the bar. Sigmone and Joel run into the former’s grandfather. Ryan and Mark meet a friendly, grandmotherly woman. Al and Nishu get a run of luck. But Hampton Heights—and one’s experience there—are not what they may seem to appear. You may run into a troll, werewolf, or witch. And then there is Kevin and....
At only 208 pages, this is a quick and enjoyable read; the title is almost longer than the book itself (Hampton Heights One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The main narrative of selling newspaper subscriptions serves as the frame for the four stories contained within the book. The stories have flavors of mystery, horror, and fairy tale.
It is horror-lite, a cozy horror novel filled with humor and insight. Dan Kois is an experienced writer; he writes for and edits Slate, and has written other books, fiction and non-fiction. This book is well written. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank Harper Collins and NetGalley for introducing me to a new author, and to read and review this book.
Kevin divides the boys into three groups of two (warning: this action will send you into the horror genre! Never split up!). Al and Nishu head north; Ryan and Mark: south; Joel and Sigmone set off west; and Kevin heads off to a tavern. With instructions to return to the van by 8:30, the boys trudge through snow with their lists of names and addresses, while Kevin orders a beer. What ordeals will they encounter? Will Kevin get lucky?
After this introduction, each of the three groups and Kevin are given their own story lines. A drunk Kevin goes to the home of a women he meets at the bar. Sigmone and Joel run into the former’s grandfather. Ryan and Mark meet a friendly, grandmotherly woman. Al and Nishu get a run of luck. But Hampton Heights—and one’s experience there—are not what they may seem to appear. You may run into a troll, werewolf, or witch. And then there is Kevin and....
At only 208 pages, this is a quick and enjoyable read; the title is almost longer than the book itself (Hampton Heights One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The main narrative of selling newspaper subscriptions serves as the frame for the four stories contained within the book. The stories have flavors of mystery, horror, and fairy tale.
It is horror-lite, a cozy horror novel filled with humor and insight. Dan Kois is an experienced writer; he writes for and edits Slate, and has written other books, fiction and non-fiction. This book is well written. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank Harper Collins and NetGalley for introducing me to a new author, and to read and review this book.
September 13, 2024
It’s 1987 on a cold winter evening in Milwaukee, WI and six middle-school paperboys are out selling newspaper subscriptions with the promise of Burger King at the end of it all. That night, they end up in the unfamiliar neighborhood of Hampton Heights where things are far from normal.
HAMPTON HEIGHTS by Dan Kois really leaned into the spooky creatures and tropes (with Milwaukee references galore!!)
I really loved that this story took place over the course of one evening and that, for the most part, none of the characters really knew one another at the start, making the ending really beautiful with a strong coming of age feel.
This book is broken up into different chapters following each set of characters as they’re broken up into pairs and, while I wasn’t a fan of every vignette, there were some strong standout ones and the imagery was really well done!
I do feel that the target audience for this book is ~the teenage boy~ with the fart jokes and playboys and overall sense of humor, but I enjoyed it regardless!
Thanks to Harper Perennial for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Publication Date: September 17
HAMPTON HEIGHTS by Dan Kois really leaned into the spooky creatures and tropes (with Milwaukee references galore!!)
I really loved that this story took place over the course of one evening and that, for the most part, none of the characters really knew one another at the start, making the ending really beautiful with a strong coming of age feel.
This book is broken up into different chapters following each set of characters as they’re broken up into pairs and, while I wasn’t a fan of every vignette, there were some strong standout ones and the imagery was really well done!
I do feel that the target audience for this book is ~the teenage boy~ with the fart jokes and playboys and overall sense of humor, but I enjoyed it regardless!
Thanks to Harper Perennial for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Publication Date: September 17
September 22, 2024
Thank you so much partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for the gifted copy!
✨ Hampton Heights: One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
by Dan Koi’s
Published September 17, 2024
About the book 👇🏽
On a cold winter’s evening in 1987, six middle-school paperboys wander an unfamiliar Milwaukee neighborhood, selling newspaper subscriptions, fueled by their manager Kevin’s promises of cash bonuses and dinner at Burger King. But the freaks come out at night in Hampton Heights. Sent out into the neighborhood in pairs, the boys will encounter a host of primordial monsters—and triumph over them.
🍔 My thoughts:
Such a fun read!! It’s a quick one you’ll be able to read in one sitting and completely binge without regret. The adventures of these kids had aspects of both fantasy and horror but it was never terrifying and that’s not a bad thing! If cozy horror is a thing… this falls perfectly within that bracket. It was magical in a way I was not expecting and it even has witches. And it is witch week so this can also fall into a witch week read for me. This story is incredibly imaginative and the cover art fits the story perfectly. Hampton Heights is out now!!
Happy reading 📖 🐺🗞️✨🍔
✨ Hampton Heights: One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
by Dan Koi’s
Published September 17, 2024
About the book 👇🏽
On a cold winter’s evening in 1987, six middle-school paperboys wander an unfamiliar Milwaukee neighborhood, selling newspaper subscriptions, fueled by their manager Kevin’s promises of cash bonuses and dinner at Burger King. But the freaks come out at night in Hampton Heights. Sent out into the neighborhood in pairs, the boys will encounter a host of primordial monsters—and triumph over them.
🍔 My thoughts:
Such a fun read!! It’s a quick one you’ll be able to read in one sitting and completely binge without regret. The adventures of these kids had aspects of both fantasy and horror but it was never terrifying and that’s not a bad thing! If cozy horror is a thing… this falls perfectly within that bracket. It was magical in a way I was not expecting and it even has witches. And it is witch week so this can also fall into a witch week read for me. This story is incredibly imaginative and the cover art fits the story perfectly. Hampton Heights is out now!!
Happy reading 📖 🐺🗞️✨🍔
September 12, 2024
OMG this was fun. The author manages to capture 80s lightning in a bottle in this cross between Stranger Things, Stand By Me and Grimm's Fairy Tales. This novella tells the story of 6 boys and their boss selling newspaper subscriptions in a very peculiar neighborhood in Milwaukee late in the evening. The boys pair off in groups of 2 and run headfirst into the more unorthodox members of the neighborhood. As with many 80s movies, this story transforms all the anxieties that could not be spoken of at that time and transforms them into monsters that these young boys can grapple with and become a little more mature and powerful themselves. The characters are fantastic and the warmth is palpable. I love that the ending revolves around Burger King. I'm so glad I requested this book on NetGalley.
July 21, 2024
I received an uncorrected proof from Goodreads Giveaways for this book coming out in September 2024. I had read the synopsis and then the back cover of the book when I received my copy. I was not sure what to think of this book, but I was curious. I read the first section of the book where I was introduced to the main characters of the book, and it was like ok, interesting. The next section took the book in a very different direction, and I was like ok. I put the book down after that because I wasn't sure about the book. It reminded me of a B-movie, and I wasn't sure if it was going to be a good B-movie or a really bad B-movie. I'm so glad I picked the book back up and continued the story. It got intensely better, and I could not wait to turn the pages. Please read this book and do not go into it trying to say it fits in one genre when it fits into every genre.
May 14, 2024
Publication date: 9/16/24
Genre: horror/comedy
Six adolescent paper boys are enticed to canvas for their local newspaper in the infamous Hampton Heights neighborhood in exchange for a Burger King feast. However, what they don't know is that creatures and cryptids lurk around every corner.
This unexpected, clever twist on fighting your own demons and coming of age was quite the adventure!! Not only was it a fun read, but it made me laugh. There were super eerie parts that made my skin crawl due to Mr. Kois's prose. I also love love LOVED the fairy tale/folklore aspects that were woven into each pair's story.
Thank you Netgalley, Harper Perennial, and those involved in allowing me to read this ARC! What a privilege!
Genre: horror/comedy
Six adolescent paper boys are enticed to canvas for their local newspaper in the infamous Hampton Heights neighborhood in exchange for a Burger King feast. However, what they don't know is that creatures and cryptids lurk around every corner.
This unexpected, clever twist on fighting your own demons and coming of age was quite the adventure!! Not only was it a fun read, but it made me laugh. There were super eerie parts that made my skin crawl due to Mr. Kois's prose. I also love love LOVED the fairy tale/folklore aspects that were woven into each pair's story.
Thank you Netgalley, Harper Perennial, and those involved in allowing me to read this ARC! What a privilege!
August 5, 2024
Harper Perennial provided an early galley for review.
I had the pleasure back at the PLA Convention in April 2024 to hear Kois talk about this upcoming novel. I liked the aspect of suburban horror tied to it being a period piece set in the late 1980's. It really enticed me to add it to my to-read list.
As a writer, I liked the way Kois has this novel structured. The opening chapter introduces our main cast, followed by the next four chapters telling the parallel exploits of each of the pairs and their boss. The final chapter pulls it all together. It works very well to move the story along, keep the focus on a specific arc, and give the reader easily digestible portions. The overall shorter length of this novel means there is not a lot of filler as well, which is always appreciated.
As for the story itself, I found the opening and closing chapters the strongest, followed by the Kevin chapter and the Nishu/Al chapter. The Sigmone and Joel chapter was next, though it is more about the former of the two with the latter sort of along for the ride. I found the Mark and Ryan chapter to be the one that least kept my interest.
Kois has a strong voice when it comes to the realistic/everyday aspects. This definitely has encouraged me to check out his earlier novel from 2023.
I had the pleasure back at the PLA Convention in April 2024 to hear Kois talk about this upcoming novel. I liked the aspect of suburban horror tied to it being a period piece set in the late 1980's. It really enticed me to add it to my to-read list.
As a writer, I liked the way Kois has this novel structured. The opening chapter introduces our main cast, followed by the next four chapters telling the parallel exploits of each of the pairs and their boss. The final chapter pulls it all together. It works very well to move the story along, keep the focus on a specific arc, and give the reader easily digestible portions. The overall shorter length of this novel means there is not a lot of filler as well, which is always appreciated.
As for the story itself, I found the opening and closing chapters the strongest, followed by the Kevin chapter and the Nishu/Al chapter. The Sigmone and Joel chapter was next, though it is more about the former of the two with the latter sort of along for the ride. I found the Mark and Ryan chapter to be the one that least kept my interest.
Kois has a strong voice when it comes to the realistic/everyday aspects. This definitely has encouraged me to check out his earlier novel from 2023.
September 20, 2024
This short novel promises 80's nostalgia and a night filled with creepy and magical occurrences. A group of teen paperboys are brought to the Hampton Heights neighborhood in Milwaukee, WI one evening for their annual subscription canvassing. The boys partner up and hit the streets to go door to door to sell papers. Each set of boys ends up getting a dedicated magical adventure that reads more like a short story. However, the individual narratives are eventually woven back together with a cohesive ending. Witches, werewolves, trolls, and other monsters lurk within the Heights. Some of the boys ignore warnings of locals and end up in some terrifying situations. The danger was almost claustrophobic, and I was tense for the whole novel! I loved the diversity of the boys; from race, class, and sexuality, and how that influenced their perspective and experience in the Heights (as well as how universal 14 year old humor is regarding a 'fart tape').
Spooky, fun, and a reminder of teenage angst, this read is a fun coming-of-age story for readers who like their books a little on the strange side!
Spooky, fun, and a reminder of teenage angst, this read is a fun coming-of-age story for readers who like their books a little on the strange side!
September 16, 2024
A comedic horror that was entertaining and just odd enough to make one question, “what did I just read?”
The basis of the story is about six, thirteen year old newspaper delivery boys in 1987, who are taken in by the their lackluster manager, Kevin on a risky contest. A contest to see who can secure more subscriptions for the grand prize of cash and a dinner at Burger King.
The neighborhood, seems dubious, slightly off limits to a majority of the boys, wealthier than most with odd happenings.
Kevin’s a born slacker and instead of being responsible? Watching out for the teens, he secures himself at the bar outside the neighborhood and things just go wonky from there.
It shows Kevin as lacking at adulthood, irresponsible.
The six boys are then paired off in groups of two, to fend for themselves in unknown territory, in both salesmanship and location. What could these young men learn?
Along the way, interesting folks are met, and the boys glean info about one another and try to survive the night.
This is supposed to be about bravery and pre adulthood but somewhere? The execution seems to fall flat.
Entertaining but not the book for me.
Thanks to Harper Perennial for this arc, it was worth a shot.
The basis of the story is about six, thirteen year old newspaper delivery boys in 1987, who are taken in by the their lackluster manager, Kevin on a risky contest. A contest to see who can secure more subscriptions for the grand prize of cash and a dinner at Burger King.
The neighborhood, seems dubious, slightly off limits to a majority of the boys, wealthier than most with odd happenings.
Kevin’s a born slacker and instead of being responsible? Watching out for the teens, he secures himself at the bar outside the neighborhood and things just go wonky from there.
It shows Kevin as lacking at adulthood, irresponsible.
The six boys are then paired off in groups of two, to fend for themselves in unknown territory, in both salesmanship and location. What could these young men learn?
Along the way, interesting folks are met, and the boys glean info about one another and try to survive the night.
This is supposed to be about bravery and pre adulthood but somewhere? The execution seems to fall flat.
Entertaining but not the book for me.
Thanks to Harper Perennial for this arc, it was worth a shot.
September 25, 2024
Beware the 12-year-old boy humor in this otherwise fun and campy horror adventure reminiscent of Stranger Things.
I generally like camp horror as long as it isn’t too gross, and this one is more fun than icky, and the ick of it is more about being trapped inside the minds of adolescent boys than anything too creepy or upsetting.
Milwaukee wouldn’t be my first choice for a setting for pretty much anything, but it works well here as the Anytown, USA locale where things aren’t quite what they seem as a group of kids attempt to sell newspaper subscriptions to earn the ultimate prize: 20 bucks and a trip to Burger King.
There’s not a lot here that we haven’t seen before, but it’s fun and funny and also sweet in a way, and a great horror lite read for spooky season.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I generally like camp horror as long as it isn’t too gross, and this one is more fun than icky, and the ick of it is more about being trapped inside the minds of adolescent boys than anything too creepy or upsetting.
Milwaukee wouldn’t be my first choice for a setting for pretty much anything, but it works well here as the Anytown, USA locale where things aren’t quite what they seem as a group of kids attempt to sell newspaper subscriptions to earn the ultimate prize: 20 bucks and a trip to Burger King.
There’s not a lot here that we haven’t seen before, but it’s fun and funny and also sweet in a way, and a great horror lite read for spooky season.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
August 1, 2024
What a wild ride! This book had such a spooky aesthetic. It gave me all the Stranger Things vibes plus the atmospheric read I was craving.
Six boys running newspaper routes are tasked to go to a new neighborhood (Hampton Heights) to see who can sell the most subscriptions. Twenty dollars and a Burger King dinner is up for grabs! The boys are split into groups of two by their boss Kevin. This neighborhood though has secrets. The boys and Kevin will encounter strange things and scary creatures-from werewolves, to witches, to trolls. Will they survive?
Fabulous eerie vibes with tons of 80’s references. Don’t miss this haunting and harrowing read:) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Six boys running newspaper routes are tasked to go to a new neighborhood (Hampton Heights) to see who can sell the most subscriptions. Twenty dollars and a Burger King dinner is up for grabs! The boys are split into groups of two by their boss Kevin. This neighborhood though has secrets. The boys and Kevin will encounter strange things and scary creatures-from werewolves, to witches, to trolls. Will they survive?
Fabulous eerie vibes with tons of 80’s references. Don’t miss this haunting and harrowing read:) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2024
Dan Kois perfectly captures the spooky essence of the 80s in 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐞, 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧, blending nostalgic vibes with an epic coming-of-age horror story. From the very first page, readers are transported back to a time when paper routes were a rite of passage, fast food meant choosing between Burger King or McDonald’s, and a $20 prize was enough to fuel a teen’s excitement.
The story follows a group of paperboys and their 20-something manager, who set out on what seems like a routine canvassing mission to drum up new newspaper subscriptions in the neighborhood of Hampton Heights. Divided into three pairs, with each chapter offering a unique perspective from one of the groups, the boys are determined to outdo one another and claim the top spot. However, as they venture deeper into the heart of Hampton Heights, they soon discover that the neighborhood hides secrets far more terrifying than anything they could have imagined. What starts as a straightforward task soon spirals into an otherworldly ordeal, as the boys confront monsters they never expected to face.
Kois doesn’t just nod to the 80s; he immerses you in it. The atmosphere is rich with period details, whether it’s the music that blasts from a passing car, the offhand cultural references, or a character’s description of a cassette-turned-fart tape. Every anecdote and detail is a loving tribute to the era, but the story never loses its momentum. It’s as captivating as it is nostalgic, striking a perfect balance between the innocence of youth and the terror of the unknown, and I absolutely loved every bit of it.
𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 is an enjoyable read that straddles the line between adult and young adult horror. While marketed for adults, the horror is more atmospheric than terrifying, offering beautifully written scenes that evoke the charm of an ’80s coming-of-age film blended with the vibe of ‘80s horror movies. 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 is a must-read for anyone who craves the taste of 80s nostalgia served with a generous side of horror fun.
(Thank you so much, Harper Perennial, for entrusting me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!)
The story follows a group of paperboys and their 20-something manager, who set out on what seems like a routine canvassing mission to drum up new newspaper subscriptions in the neighborhood of Hampton Heights. Divided into three pairs, with each chapter offering a unique perspective from one of the groups, the boys are determined to outdo one another and claim the top spot. However, as they venture deeper into the heart of Hampton Heights, they soon discover that the neighborhood hides secrets far more terrifying than anything they could have imagined. What starts as a straightforward task soon spirals into an otherworldly ordeal, as the boys confront monsters they never expected to face.
Kois doesn’t just nod to the 80s; he immerses you in it. The atmosphere is rich with period details, whether it’s the music that blasts from a passing car, the offhand cultural references, or a character’s description of a cassette-turned-fart tape. Every anecdote and detail is a loving tribute to the era, but the story never loses its momentum. It’s as captivating as it is nostalgic, striking a perfect balance between the innocence of youth and the terror of the unknown, and I absolutely loved every bit of it.
𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 is an enjoyable read that straddles the line between adult and young adult horror. While marketed for adults, the horror is more atmospheric than terrifying, offering beautifully written scenes that evoke the charm of an ’80s coming-of-age film blended with the vibe of ‘80s horror movies. 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 is a must-read for anyone who craves the taste of 80s nostalgia served with a generous side of horror fun.
(Thank you so much, Harper Perennial, for entrusting me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!)
September 23, 2024
Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for my copy of HAMPTON HEIGHTS. This book published September 17! She’s a little baby still. Go get yourself a copy.
This story reminds me of Stranger Things, Stand by Me and all the crazy nightmare fairy tales we’ve been told all our lives. I love the nostalgia, the friendship and the fart jokes. Written in separate chapters that could be short stories and loads of Milwaukee references. This one is definitely entertaining.
This story reminds me of Stranger Things, Stand by Me and all the crazy nightmare fairy tales we’ve been told all our lives. I love the nostalgia, the friendship and the fart jokes. Written in separate chapters that could be short stories and loads of Milwaukee references. This one is definitely entertaining.
September 28, 2024
What a crazy thing did I just read?
I love it!
Smart, funny, and really crazy!
First, I thought, it was just a crazy mess for these boys, then though I discovered interesting lines and mix of the stories.
So it's not a bad crazy, it's a really good fun crazy, a logical, interesting crazy that deserves your time.
I love it!
Smart, funny, and really crazy!
First, I thought, it was just a crazy mess for these boys, then though I discovered interesting lines and mix of the stories.
So it's not a bad crazy, it's a really good fun crazy, a logical, interesting crazy that deserves your time.
September 25, 2024
This gets a lot of points for being odd and strange. It’s like an episode of Twilight Zone mixed with Ray Bradbury, Stephen King and even some Lovecraft. The nod to fairy tale lore is fun as well. I’d love to see this become a series and see what happens next.
August 30, 2024
This is 100% middle grade, with some slight adult language. I did get lost for quite awhile when everyone was a werewolf, but while this wasn’t fully for me, it’s a specific audience.
September 3, 2024
This book wasn’t what I expected it to be. The way I had heard it described it felt like it was going to be a lot more horror and a lot less fantasy than it was.
That being said, this was cute.
I really, really liked Ryan and Mark’s section. It was so sweet, and it was so tender, and I would read a whole book that was about Mark and Ryan and their adult lives. Without their story I think this would have been a 3 star read, but they gave it another whole star.
That being said, this was cute.
I really, really liked Ryan and Mark’s section. It was so sweet, and it was so tender, and I would read a whole book that was about Mark and Ryan and their adult lives. Without their story I think this would have been a 3 star read, but they gave it another whole star.
September 21, 2024
"What's funny is the ghosts don't care if we smoke," said Greg.
Jenny took a drag. "No, they love it. 'Join me in the afterlife!'"
The best Amblin movie Amblin never made -- and a terrific novel!
Jenny took a drag. "No, they love it. 'Join me in the afterlife!'"
The best Amblin movie Amblin never made -- and a terrific novel!
Read
August 3, 20244.7
September 23, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
Creepy and suspenseful to start. As the characters go door-to-door canvassing it took a turn into casual fairy tale/fantasy territory that I didn’t love. I liked the dark, almost over-the-top (in the best way) Intro and Kevin chapters, it just clashed with the lighter fairy tale style stories for the kids’ chapters for me (readers who prefer the fantastical/magical stories may feel the opposite!).
Energy: Wary. Heartwarming. Venturesome.
🐕 Howls:
The lighter kids’ perspective chapters when they encountered their horrors. The commentary within the story sometimes felt heavy-handed yet a bit dumped into the story.
🐩 Tail Wags:
Charming, nostalgic writing style. Atmospheric tone. The kids’ perspective chapters just before they encountered their horrors. The foreshadowing and omniscient third person narrator. Feeling of unease. Effectively using “show-not-tell”. Felt like connected series of short stories. The characters and their development. The realistic teen friendships.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in small town near Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Perspectives: Jumping to different perspectives as needed. There’s the route manager/driver overseeing the door-to-door canvassing for six kids 12-14 years old. They are from various backgrounds, each with a different motivation for doing the paper route and a different approach to the assignment and making new friends.
Timeline: 1987. December, just before the Holidays.
🔥 Fuel: Unease. Intriguing hints relating to future events.
📖 Cred: Magical Realism
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Rusty van. Predawn gloom. Burger King. Neon beer signs. The Paperboy video game! Gingerbread. Playboy magazine. Lucky rabbit’s foot.
• Coming-of-age boyhood friendships
• Preteen job struggles quest
• Gradually getting to know the characters (with depth)
• Hook-up gone wrong
• Werewolves, magicians, trolls, witches fairy tales
• ‘something’s off’ neighbourhood
• Tales exploring racism, cultural appropriation, sapphic romance, classism, greed, and materialism.
• Parallel plots connecting
• Get-comfy-and-listen-in third person narration style
• Reader tagging along with the characters, fly-on-the-wall
• Vivid, atmospheric Midwestern Americana
Content Heads-Up: Nicotine (cigarettes). Sexual content (consenting; descriptive). Body fluids (descriptive). Loss of parent (very brief recall; as baby). Racism (double standards, bias, prejudice). Cultural appropriation (kids). Homophobic slur (historical; kids). Bullying (preteens; historical; racist and homophobic slurs; name-calling).
Rep: Black, White, Hispanic, and Indian American. Second gen American. Diverse body shapes and sizes. Cis. Hetero. Bi. Lesbian. Dark, freckled, brown, olive, and pale skin tones.
📚 Format: Library Digital
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
Creepy and suspenseful to start. As the characters go door-to-door canvassing it took a turn into casual fairy tale/fantasy territory that I didn’t love. I liked the dark, almost over-the-top (in the best way) Intro and Kevin chapters, it just clashed with the lighter fairy tale style stories for the kids’ chapters for me (readers who prefer the fantastical/magical stories may feel the opposite!).
Energy: Wary. Heartwarming. Venturesome.
🐕 Howls:
The lighter kids’ perspective chapters when they encountered their horrors. The commentary within the story sometimes felt heavy-handed yet a bit dumped into the story.
🐩 Tail Wags:
Charming, nostalgic writing style. Atmospheric tone. The kids’ perspective chapters just before they encountered their horrors. The foreshadowing and omniscient third person narrator. Feeling of unease. Effectively using “show-not-tell”. Felt like connected series of short stories. The characters and their development. The realistic teen friendships.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in small town near Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Perspectives: Jumping to different perspectives as needed. There’s the route manager/driver overseeing the door-to-door canvassing for six kids 12-14 years old. They are from various backgrounds, each with a different motivation for doing the paper route and a different approach to the assignment and making new friends.
Timeline: 1987. December, just before the Holidays.
🔥 Fuel: Unease. Intriguing hints relating to future events.
📖 Cred: Magical Realism
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Rusty van. Predawn gloom. Burger King. Neon beer signs. The Paperboy video game! Gingerbread. Playboy magazine. Lucky rabbit’s foot.
• Coming-of-age boyhood friendships
• Preteen job struggles quest
• Gradually getting to know the characters (with depth)
• Hook-up gone wrong
• Werewolves, magicians, trolls, witches fairy tales
• ‘something’s off’ neighbourhood
• Tales exploring racism, cultural appropriation, sapphic romance, classism, greed, and materialism.
• Parallel plots connecting
• Get-comfy-and-listen-in third person narration style
• Reader tagging along with the characters, fly-on-the-wall
• Vivid, atmospheric Midwestern Americana
Content Heads-Up: Nicotine (cigarettes). Sexual content (consenting; descriptive). Body fluids (descriptive). Loss of parent (very brief recall; as baby). Racism (double standards, bias, prejudice). Cultural appropriation (kids). Homophobic slur (historical; kids). Bullying (preteens; historical; racist and homophobic slurs; name-calling).
Rep: Black, White, Hispanic, and Indian American. Second gen American. Diverse body shapes and sizes. Cis. Hetero. Bi. Lesbian. Dark, freckled, brown, olive, and pale skin tones.
📚 Format: Library Digital
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
September 26, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
I LOVED this quirky book, and especially in the beginning, it gave me some moments of breathtaking laughter... 5 stars from this reviewer, and here are the details...
Dan Kois’s “Hampton Heights” is a thrilling and nostalgic dive into the supernatural, set against the backdrop of 1980s Milwaukee. This novel masterfully blends elements of horror, coming-of-age, and dark comedy, creating a story that is eerie yet heartwarming and somehow...familiar.
The narrative follows six middle-school paperboys on a cold winter’s evening in 1987. What starts as a simple task quickly turns into a night of terror as they encounter a host of supernatural creatures, including familial werewolves!
Kois excels in creating a diverse cast of characters, each with a distinct voice and personality. Sigmone, one of the few Black kids at his school, teams up with Joel, a white kid who idolizes Black culture. Mark, struggling with his sexuality, pairs with his secret crush, Ryan. Nishu and Al, both outsiders in their own right, navigate the night’s horrors with wit and imagination. The dynamics between these characters are authentic and engaging, capturing the essence of early adolescence with all its awkwardness and bravery.
The writing is delightfully immersive, with Kois capturing the era’s atmosphere and the boys’ camaraderie with a refreshing lack of cynicism. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, and the pacing keeps readers captivated.
“Hampton Heights” explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the transition from childhood to adolescence.
“Hampton Heights” is a standout novel that combines the nostalgic charm of 1980s-themed adventures with the chilling thrills of supernatural horror. Dan Kois has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and terrifying, capturing the essence of youth and the universal quest for belonging. This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven horror and coming-of-age tales.
I LOVED this quirky book, and especially in the beginning, it gave me some moments of breathtaking laughter... 5 stars from this reviewer, and here are the details...
Dan Kois’s “Hampton Heights” is a thrilling and nostalgic dive into the supernatural, set against the backdrop of 1980s Milwaukee. This novel masterfully blends elements of horror, coming-of-age, and dark comedy, creating a story that is eerie yet heartwarming and somehow...familiar.
The narrative follows six middle-school paperboys on a cold winter’s evening in 1987. What starts as a simple task quickly turns into a night of terror as they encounter a host of supernatural creatures, including familial werewolves!
Kois excels in creating a diverse cast of characters, each with a distinct voice and personality. Sigmone, one of the few Black kids at his school, teams up with Joel, a white kid who idolizes Black culture. Mark, struggling with his sexuality, pairs with his secret crush, Ryan. Nishu and Al, both outsiders in their own right, navigate the night’s horrors with wit and imagination. The dynamics between these characters are authentic and engaging, capturing the essence of early adolescence with all its awkwardness and bravery.
The writing is delightfully immersive, with Kois capturing the era’s atmosphere and the boys’ camaraderie with a refreshing lack of cynicism. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, and the pacing keeps readers captivated.
“Hampton Heights” explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the transition from childhood to adolescence.
“Hampton Heights” is a standout novel that combines the nostalgic charm of 1980s-themed adventures with the chilling thrills of supernatural horror. Dan Kois has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and terrifying, capturing the essence of youth and the universal quest for belonging. This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven horror and coming-of-age tales.
September 14, 2024
Dan Kois is a new author for me, and the premise for this one seemed so fun, especially for this time of year! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book was…interesting. I’m a little torn on how I felt about it. On the one hand, the book was very well written and also really unique—it’s spooky with the monsters and mythological creatures the boys encounter, but it’s also really funny at parts and even heartwarming, at least certain chapters. On the other hand, I didn’t totally understand how the monsters and the spookiness related to the underlying story/the characters. I wanted more explanation about the monsters too—if I’m going to suspend belief in a book and believe in fantasy elements, I want some explanation, lol. Why were there so many monsters in this neighborhood in Milwaukee??
Reading about the boy’s lives and different backgrounds and experiences in the same town was my favorite part of the book, and I enjoyed reading them coming together to deal with whatever they encountered. The Ryan and Mark chapter was far and away my favorite one and had the best message of the book, in my opinion. Kevin’s chapter confused me a lot, and maybe that’s where my confusion on the whole story started, since it was one of the earliest chapters. The ending was a little weird too…I don’t want to spoil it, but the very last scene I’m literally unsure what was happening.
All in all, I don’t think this kind of book is for me, but I didn’t hate it either because of the great writing and the boy’s characters. This is a great spooky season book with all the monsters and if you’re into unique/genre bending books, I think you’ll enjoy this one!
This book was…interesting. I’m a little torn on how I felt about it. On the one hand, the book was very well written and also really unique—it’s spooky with the monsters and mythological creatures the boys encounter, but it’s also really funny at parts and even heartwarming, at least certain chapters. On the other hand, I didn’t totally understand how the monsters and the spookiness related to the underlying story/the characters. I wanted more explanation about the monsters too—if I’m going to suspend belief in a book and believe in fantasy elements, I want some explanation, lol. Why were there so many monsters in this neighborhood in Milwaukee??
Reading about the boy’s lives and different backgrounds and experiences in the same town was my favorite part of the book, and I enjoyed reading them coming together to deal with whatever they encountered. The Ryan and Mark chapter was far and away my favorite one and had the best message of the book, in my opinion. Kevin’s chapter confused me a lot, and maybe that’s where my confusion on the whole story started, since it was one of the earliest chapters. The ending was a little weird too…I don’t want to spoil it, but the very last scene I’m literally unsure what was happening.
All in all, I don’t think this kind of book is for me, but I didn’t hate it either because of the great writing and the boy’s characters. This is a great spooky season book with all the monsters and if you’re into unique/genre bending books, I think you’ll enjoy this one!
September 19, 2024
This is subtitled "One Harrowing Night in the Most Haunted Neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin", marketed as Stranger Things meets Stand by Me, and endorsed by Grady Hendrix. Obviously, I had to read it. I ended up switching back and forth between reading the digital copy and listening to the audiobook while I did a puzzle, drank apple cider, and burned a fall candle, and the whole vibe was just A+. I will start by saying don't confuse this with a kids book just because the main characters are mostly children. But for someone who wants a spooky read and isn't into dark or heavy horror, this is a fun way to dip your toe in for Halloween season.
It's 1987 and we are following six middle schoolers and their adult chaperone as they go door to door in a strange town attempting to sell newspaper subscriptions. The book is divided into four sections, following the 3 pairs of boys and their chaperone separately, so the book almost reads like an anthology of four short stories. We get a succubus, werewolves, witches, trolls, and monsters, along with unique and interesting characters. There's definitely elements of the Losers Club (It) and the Party (Stranger Things) here, albeit less connection to characters because of length.
All in all, this is good spooky fun, and I'll keep an eye out for this author's other works! Thanks to Harper Perennial for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
It's 1987 and we are following six middle schoolers and their adult chaperone as they go door to door in a strange town attempting to sell newspaper subscriptions. The book is divided into four sections, following the 3 pairs of boys and their chaperone separately, so the book almost reads like an anthology of four short stories. We get a succubus, werewolves, witches, trolls, and monsters, along with unique and interesting characters. There's definitely elements of the Losers Club (It) and the Party (Stranger Things) here, albeit less connection to characters because of length.
All in all, this is good spooky fun, and I'll keep an eye out for this author's other works! Thanks to Harper Perennial for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 28, 2024
A sweatily adolescent but ultimately sweet-natured boys' coming-of-age paranormal tale. Stranger Things adjacent, of course, since it's 1988 and we have six boys of varying ethnicities--one's Black, which is immensely relevant to the story, and one's Indian, which barely is--being dropped off in an odd Milwaukee neighborhood on Halloween to rustle up newspaper subscriptions. (Fun subcultural allegiances signaled via shoutouts to the arcade game Paperboy, Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again," the Replacements, Kareem's detestation of early-70s Milwaukee.) The feel is more YA than adult horror, though with a decent, if that's the word, quantity of teen-boy muckiness.
Each group of two boys gets a distinct adventure, each tracing a different path toward growth and self-knowledge. We've got werewolves, witches, trolls, possibly some sort of lamia (unclear), with one story nicely mixing racial and class antagonisms with monster rivalries; a dark queer fairy tale; and maybe the least resonant, a tangle with a troll, though watching the boys troll the troll (turns out that being trollish is no match for being 13), whose invective is classical in tone, is decently funny.
Is it great? No. But it's sweet and fun and would make a nice little 90-minute Netflix show, which it probably will be.
Each group of two boys gets a distinct adventure, each tracing a different path toward growth and self-knowledge. We've got werewolves, witches, trolls, possibly some sort of lamia (unclear), with one story nicely mixing racial and class antagonisms with monster rivalries; a dark queer fairy tale; and maybe the least resonant, a tangle with a troll, though watching the boys troll the troll (turns out that being trollish is no match for being 13), whose invective is classical in tone, is decently funny.
Is it great? No. But it's sweet and fun and would make a nice little 90-minute Netflix show, which it probably will be.
September 17, 2024
A fun little read (or listen, in my case). Basically, six paperboys and their supervisor go out to a different neighbourhood to canvas for subscriptions. The kids are sent off in pairs and each pair experiences a different bizarre situation, while also getting to know each other and themselves.
It was a nice, light diversion. Characters were believable and well written, the dialogue rang true, and there were some real laugh out loud moments. Of the four stories, I found the troll story the most emotionally resonant, and the witch story the creepiest (anything to do with manipulating the flow of time gives me the willies).
I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started it, and based on the first story, I was kind of anticipating something much more grim and gruesome. But then the werewolves showed up, and I started feeling confused. (There was this TV show I really enjoyed, Grimm, and I thought, ok, are we going that route? Not really, but there were definitely parallels.) But by the end of the werewolf story, I felt I had more of an idea of the direction of the book, and its general vibe.
This was a cute bildungsroman with some gross-out humor, some pathos and a little bit of spookiness to ease us into the autumn season.
It was a nice, light diversion. Characters were believable and well written, the dialogue rang true, and there were some real laugh out loud moments. Of the four stories, I found the troll story the most emotionally resonant, and the witch story the creepiest (anything to do with manipulating the flow of time gives me the willies).
I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started it, and based on the first story, I was kind of anticipating something much more grim and gruesome. But then the werewolves showed up, and I started feeling confused. (There was this TV show I really enjoyed, Grimm, and I thought, ok, are we going that route? Not really, but there were definitely parallels.) But by the end of the werewolf story, I felt I had more of an idea of the direction of the book, and its general vibe.
This was a cute bildungsroman with some gross-out humor, some pathos and a little bit of spookiness to ease us into the autumn season.
September 29, 2024
3.5 rounded up
This book is bonkers in all the best ways! Hampton Heights gave me Stranger Things vibes but slightly less scary (I’m a scaredy cat, what can I say?) It harnesses familiar comedic camaraderie as we follow a group of paperboys selling subscriptions in an unsettling Milwaukee neighborhood one evening in 1987.
At just under 200 pages, Hamptons Heights is a quick read that you can fly through in one sitting. It’s broken up into four main vignettes, all of which read like their own fairytale adventure. It made for an entertaining reading experience and I definitely had my favorite stories and characters by the end.
I should reiterate that this book is about preteen boys, so some of the humor is outfitted towards that demographic, but there were so many other laugh-out-loud moments (especially in Nishu and Al’s vignette) that had me rolling.
What You’ll Find:
🗞️ Adolescent paperboys
🚐 A sketchy van with unstable doors
🐺Territorial werewolves
💨 Fart recordings (re: adolescent boys)
🧙🏼♀️ Storytelling witches
🧌 A memory-consuming troll
🏘️ Spooky Milwaukee suburbs
🍔 Burger King
Many thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy!
This book is bonkers in all the best ways! Hampton Heights gave me Stranger Things vibes but slightly less scary (I’m a scaredy cat, what can I say?) It harnesses familiar comedic camaraderie as we follow a group of paperboys selling subscriptions in an unsettling Milwaukee neighborhood one evening in 1987.
At just under 200 pages, Hamptons Heights is a quick read that you can fly through in one sitting. It’s broken up into four main vignettes, all of which read like their own fairytale adventure. It made for an entertaining reading experience and I definitely had my favorite stories and characters by the end.
I should reiterate that this book is about preteen boys, so some of the humor is outfitted towards that demographic, but there were so many other laugh-out-loud moments (especially in Nishu and Al’s vignette) that had me rolling.
What You’ll Find:
🗞️ Adolescent paperboys
🚐 A sketchy van with unstable doors
🐺Territorial werewolves
💨 Fart recordings (re: adolescent boys)
🧙🏼♀️ Storytelling witches
🧌 A memory-consuming troll
🏘️ Spooky Milwaukee suburbs
🍔 Burger King
Many thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy!
September 29, 2024
Hampton Heights took me on a thrill ride. I took a break from everything else to stay immersed in this wondrous novel.
It's a fast-paced, captivating read. I loved the strong characterizations, and the place comes alive complete with a sense of history–actual and fantastical. There's a diverse cast and fantastic suspense.
Harmon has a deft touch with tone, hitting notes ranging from poignant, through scary, sexy, freaky, gritty, raw, and truly funny. He gets kids, and he gets adults, too.
I’m impressed by the amount of sensitive material that he handles well. He has a masterful touch with real horrors faced by kids, and he serves up chills in a magical romp with great depth to it. I felt like I got to be part of a motley group where everyone gets to belong. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Harper Perennial for the ARC via NetGalley for consideration. This Is my unbiased opinion.
It's a fast-paced, captivating read. I loved the strong characterizations, and the place comes alive complete with a sense of history–actual and fantastical. There's a diverse cast and fantastic suspense.
Harmon has a deft touch with tone, hitting notes ranging from poignant, through scary, sexy, freaky, gritty, raw, and truly funny. He gets kids, and he gets adults, too.
I’m impressed by the amount of sensitive material that he handles well. He has a masterful touch with real horrors faced by kids, and he serves up chills in a magical romp with great depth to it. I felt like I got to be part of a motley group where everyone gets to belong. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Harper Perennial for the ARC via NetGalley for consideration. This Is my unbiased opinion.
March 29, 2024
“Hampton Heights” is a strange and fun journey into the world of nostalgic 80s horror. Set in a haunted Midwestern neighborhood, the story follows a group of young paper boys as they confront various monsters and supernatural entities, with each chapter focusing and weaving together each character’s eerie tale. While "Hampton Heights" may not be terrifying in the traditional sense, it does capture the essence of 80s horror—think more "The Goonies" than "The Exorcist." It's a fun and entertaining read that taps into the nostalgia of that era.
“Hampton Heights” is a perfect choice for fans of nostalgic horror looking for a fun and slightly spooky read that doesn't veer into intense frights.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Perennial for the opportunity to read and review "Hampton Heights” before its publication date.
“Hampton Heights” is a perfect choice for fans of nostalgic horror looking for a fun and slightly spooky read that doesn't veer into intense frights.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Perennial for the opportunity to read and review "Hampton Heights” before its publication date.
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