Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Scuttle by Barnaby Walter is one of those books that sinks its claws in from the very first page and refuses to let go. Blending psychological suspense with creeping horror, it follows the unsettling aftermath of a man’s death and the strange, almost supernatural presence that begins to invade the lives of those left behind.

Walter’s writing is crisp and cinematic, drawing you into a story that feels both intimate and claustrophobic. From the start, you can sense that something is very wrong, but the novel never rushes to show its hand. Instead, it simmers, building dread through atmosphere and suggestion rather than cheap scares.

✅ What I Liked:
The tone is perfect. Walter captures that uncanny space between grief and madness, where reality begins to blur at the edges. The slow-burn pacing allows the unease to grow naturally, and by the time the horror truly takes shape, it feels both inevitable and shocking.

The prose is beautifully controlled, precise, rhythmic, and packed with quiet menace. Every scene serves a purpose, every silence feels weighted. I loved how Walter manages to make the ordinary feel menacing: creaks in a hallway, a flicker of movement, an unshakable sense of being watched.

Beneath the horror lies a surprisingly emotional story about loss, guilt, and the human need for connection. It’s this emotional depth that elevates Scuttle beyond standard genre fare.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
If you prefer fast-paced, action-heavy horror, Scuttle may feel slow at first. It’s more about psychological tension than jump scares, more about mood than gore. But for readers who enjoy deliberate, thoughtful storytelling, this restraint is exactly what makes it so effective.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
Because it’s a masterclass in quiet terror. Scuttle will appeal to fans of Shirley Jackson, Andrew Michael Hurley, and Catriona Ward, writers who understand that what’s not shown can be far more frightening than what is. It’s eerie, elegant, and unforgettable.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Barnaby Walter has crafted something truly special with Scuttle. It’s haunting in every sense of the word, emotionally, psychologically, and atmospherically. The writing lingers long after the story ends, leaving you questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. This is intelligent, literary horror at its best.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★★★ – A beautifully written and deeply unsettling tale that proves subtle horror can be the most terrifying of all.