Tag: bill wood

BE RIGHT BACK by Bill Wood

~ Ricardo ~ Leave a comment
This review first appeared in Booklist on March 1, 2026.

It’s been a year since the Sanera Four put a stop to the Carrington Ghoul and the vicious killing spree that shocked their small California town. Now, most of the gang are off at college, trying to put the whole traumatic affair behind them. But when they are drawn back to Sanera for a festival honoring the victims of the tragedy, they quickly learn that the past is never truly past. The Carrington Ghoul has somehow returned, now accompanied by other murderous figures from local legend, bearing a message every horror aficionado knows: sequels are always bigger, bolder . . . and so much bloodier. In this follow-up to the Scream-inspired Let’s Split Up (2025), Wood faithfully adheres to the sequel rules established by the famous film franchise, delivering a knowing, gleeful escalation of mythology, mayhem, and meta-commentary alongside its seasoned meddling kids. A thrilling entry in the modern slasher scene, standing right alongside Lisa Springer’s There’s No Way I’d Die First (2023) and Justine Pucella Winans’ How to Survive a Slasher (2025).

LET’S SPLIT UP by Bill Wood

~ Ricardo ~ Leave a comment
This review first appeared in Booklist on September 1, 2025.

When the mutilated bodies of two popular students turn up inside an ancient, decrepit mansion on the outskirts of Sanera, California, rumors spread like wildfire—chief among them that the gruesome deed was the work of the malevolent spirit said to haunt the historic house. Friends Amber, Cam, and Jonesy are particularly shaken by the news of their murdered classmates. With encouragement from Buffy—the new girl in town, eager to make a good impression—they set out to unravel the mystery. Whether the culprit is a supernatural slayer or a living, breathing killer, the bodies begin to pile up. And when the intrepid friends become targets themselves, they must come together as a group . . . or die. Debut author Wood wears his influences on his bloody sleeves, delivering a fast-paced homage to the slasher genre, brimming with knowing winks and genuine thrills. While it treads familiar ground, Wood’s enthusiasm for the material is evident and infectious, making for a lively read. Readers who enjoy horror with a healthy dose of playful self-awareness will have a great time solving mysteries with these meddling kids.