Mostly Murders

Ad/PR/Patrocinado. Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this ARC of The Chain House by J.H. Markert, publishing today, Oct 6, 2026.

Sal Batise, after nearly twenty years on death row, carried an aura of energy some swore they could feel like a subtle, low-level current that made arm hair stand erect and brought all senses to celebrity-like attention.

This book completely took over my life for a day, turning it into a frenzied binge read as I was completely engrossed in the intricate, twisted, and engaging story unfolding in The Chain House.

Convicted cult leader Sal Batise has agreed to one last interview before his scheduled execution. But instead of choosing a journalist from a big network, Batise picks Sam Harper, an anonymous young filmmaker nobody has ever heard of before. Then Batise claims he is Mallard Malone, the pen name of a famous thriller writer with his own, frenzied followers aching for bloodshed and revolution.

A kidnapping occurs. Former cult members resurface. And as the stakes rise higher and higher, it becomes clear that there is a twisted game of life and death being played out by and around Batise, and that Sam is well and truly trapped in the deadly web surrounding the psychopathic cult leader and his demented followers.

The Chain House is full of plot twists and revelations, and each one is equally shocking and intriguing, making this a truly unputdownable novel. J.H. Markert doesn’t hold back, delivering bombshell after bombshell in a carefully crafted story that continues to present the reader with startling and horrifying discoveries, as seemingly unconnected characters and events are effortlessly linked, with chains restraining and connecting people, physically, emotionally and metaphorically.

It is a story of bullies and vigilantes, rage and revenge, betrayal and amends, mind games, manipulation and control. It is gruesome and ghastly, emotional and touching, and perfectly plotted and executed, delivering maximum impact in every single chapter. A truly intelligent, devious, chilling and highly entertaining read with lots of heart, thrills, trauma, dread and horror.

Horror – Mystery thriller