Behind a Deadbolt

Name: Behind a Deadbolt
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798900419329

✍️ Ryan M Williams

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$9.99

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A short story about a content creator facing paranormal threats from obsessive followers.

Williams delivers a standalone tale focused on Brie, a digital influencer managing her career behind the scenes. The plot highlights the exhausting reality of brand negotiations and legal reviews. It contrasts this professional stress with the growing danger from a stalker in her neighborhood. The story emerges from Williams' year-long writing project, where he produced one narrative weekly. This structure ensures a tight, immediate reading experience. Brie's struggle illustrates the dark side of online fame. The narrative does not offer easy solutions to her problems. It presents a chilling look at how digital connections can become dangerous. The text remains concise and focused on this central conflict.

Key Themes

parasocial relationships content creation stalking

Literary Context

This book sits within the contemporary horror landscape, specifically addressing the modern phenomenon of influencer culture and online parasocial dynamics. Williams draws on his previous work in the Dead Things series to inform this exploration of digital-age fears.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King's short fiction collections · Grady Hendrix's horror novels · Joe Hill's standalone tales

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Glittering Throng Press 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798900419329

📝 Description: Behind a Deadbolt

Ryan M Williams returns with Behind a Deadbolt, drawing on the expertise established in his Dead Things series. This volume presents a distinct narrative where parasocial dynamics shift into paranormal territory. The story centers on content creator Brie, who manages the hidden labor of her online presence. Readers observe her negotiating brand deals and reviewing contracts with legal counsel. The narrative also covers her interactions with accountants and the increasing intensity of her followers. One specific threat involves a man lingering outside her building, creating an atmosphere of unease. Williams structures this work as part of the Super Great Challenge. This project required writing one unique story each week for a full year. Each entry is designed to be consumed in a single sitting. The book suits readers who enjoy short fiction that blends modern digital culture with supernatural horror. It may not appeal to those seeking long-form epics or traditional gothic settings. The text relies on the tension between public performance and private vulnerability. The format offers a compact experience for busy browsers. Williams uses his established voice to explore the costs of fame. The story does not shy away from the gritty details of contract law and financial management. It juxtaposes these mundane tasks with the creeping dread of being watched. The narrative remains grounded in the reality of content creation while introducing eerie elements. This approach creates a specific type of tension that feels immediate and relevant.

💎 Our verdict on Behind a Deadbolt

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Williams delivers a concise and focused tale that effectively blends modern digital culture with supernatural horror. The narrative excels in its tension between public performance and private vulnerability, illustrating the dark side of online fame through Brie's struggle. By juxtaposing the gritty details of contract law with the creeping dread of being watched, the story creates an atmosphere of unease that feels both immediate and relatable. This approach ensures a tight reading experience, making it ideal for those who prefer short fiction over long-form epics. The work does not offer easy solutions, presenting instead a chilling exploration of parasocial dynamics shifting into paranormal territory. It is best suited for readers who enjoy contemporary horror that critiques the hidden labor behind online presence.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the darker side of modern digital life will find this book compelling as it transforms mundane professional stresses into sources of genuine dread. The narrative appeals to those who enjoy tightly plotted short stories that require only a single sitting, offering an immediate and intense experience. It is particularly suitable for fans of psychological horror who appreciate the juxtaposition of contract law and financial management against paranormal threats. By focusing on the exhausting reality of brand negotiations and legal reviews, the text provides a chilling look at how digital connections can become dangerous. The compact format offers a perfect escape for busy browsers seeking to explore the costs of fame without committing to a lengthy epic.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Williams delivers a concise and focused tale that effectively blends modern digital culture with supernatural horror. The narrative excels in its tension between public performance and private vulnerability, illustrating the dark side of online fame through Brie's struggle. By juxtaposing the gritty details of contract law with the creeping dread of being watched, the story creates an atmosphere of unease that feels both immediate and relatable. This approach ensures a tight reading experience, making it ideal for those who prefer short fiction over long-form epics. The work does not offer easy solutions, presenting instead a chilling exploration of parasocial dynamics shifting into paranormal territory. It is best suited for readers who enjoy contemporary horror that critiques the hidden labor behind online presence.