I received an advance copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book has been on my radar since I first heard about it several months ago, and I am so thankful to have received an ARC ahead of release. I did not doubt that I would enjoy the book, but I had no idea how much I would love it or how I would still be thinking about it days later. The book delves deep into a Hollywood writer’s struggles between pleasing the studio executives who feed the masses and staying true to himself. With a healthy dose of humor, horror, and a lot of heart, Tingle has crafted a compelling tale that will freak you out while making you think.

The story focuses on Misha, a gay Hollywood writer in his late 30s who has had many hits and misses in his career but is currently riding high on an Oscar nomination for best live-action short. When the book kicks off, Misha is called in to speak with his boss about the direction in which the TV show that Misha writes for is headed. At the forefront of the show are two female detectives who have been moving toward a romance, but rather than celebrate their relationship, the studio heads want Misha to kill them off “for ratings” because nothing sells like a good gay tragedy. When Misha refuses to play along, he begins to be terrorized by characters from past horror movies that he has written. At first, he thinks really twisted cosplayers are stalking him, but the more it happens, the more Misha realizes these monsters are very real. What do they want? And what will happen to Misha if he doesn’t agree to “bury his gays”?

What really makes the book shine are the unforgettable characters that Tingle has crafted. Misha’s character is relatable and flawed, making him easy to root for as he navigates the murky waters of show business. I really related to Misha in that he is from a small town in Montana, and he’s not really “out” in his hometown, nor has he publicly announced he is gay to anyone in Hollywood. All his friends know, but Misha has never felt it necessary to shout it from the rooftop. However, his guilt over feeling more comfortable staying in the closet than living an authentic life often eats at him, adding to the complexity of his character and the struggles he endures throughout the book. I think a lot of gay folks can relate to this – I know I could.

Tingle’s unique voice and perspective really elevate the topics addressed in the book. He fearlessly explores the darker side of Hollywood while championing diversity and inclusion. The book is a powerful commentary on the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in media and the dangers of catering to the lowest common denominator. It also speaks to how society views us and how the narrative of who we are is driven by how the media chooses to tell our stories. Yes, some LGBTQIA+ stories are tragic, but there are also some really happy and uplifting stories. We are people, and we don’t feel or love any differently. We’re only tragic because so many straight people choose to paint us this way.

What I loved most about this book is that Tingle doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy themes and injects plenty of wit into the narrative. The dialogue is razor sharp, and the pacing is fast and furious, making for a quick read. The monsters that haunt Misha are downright terrifying. What makes them even more scary is that they adhere to the rules that Misha set when he initially wrote their characters, and in some cases, he never wrote in a way to defeat them. Amping up the horror is the sci-fi element that adds an intriguing layer of complexity. The blend of genres keeps the plot fresh and unexpected.

If you’ve not yet preordered this book, this is your sign to get on it. This is a must-read for LGBTQIA+ fans in search of a book filled with sci-fi, horror, and thought-provoking social commentary. This is a book that will scare you silly and make you think at the same time. I’ll definitely experience it again in the near future. It’s that good.