The Extra

Name: The Extra
Price: 17.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798897320226

✍️ Annie Neugebauer

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$17.99

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A novella about eleven campers when only ten left.

The Extra initiates the Outsiders Sequence series by focusing on a small group trapped in an impossible situation. Neugebauer uses the framework of a backpacking trip to explore themes of identity and paranoia. The plot hinges on the discrepancy between memory and reality, as everyone recalls the same ten people despite eleven being present. This creates a unique form of suspense that relies on psychological discomfort rather than gore. The inclusion of a preview for The Other offers a glimpse into the broader narrative arc. The writing style mirrors the tension of classic horror films, emphasizing isolation and distrust. It is a tightly wound story that demands attention to detail.

Key Themes

alpine paranoia dissociative anxiety group dynamics

Literary Context

This novella sits within the tradition of alpine horror and supernatural fiction, drawing comparisons to John Carpenter’s cinematic work. Published by Shortwave in 2026, it continues the Outsiders Sequence, appealing to fans of tense, character-driven dread.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

John Carpenter · Clay McLeod Chapman · Stephen King's short fiction · Tense supernatural thrillers

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Shortwave 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798897320226

📝 Description: The Extra

Annie Neugebauer delivers a claustrophobic novella that captures the alpine paranoia found in John Carpenter’s The Thing. Ten individuals begin a backpacking trip, yet eleven people establish camp on the first night. Every participant retains clear memories of the group, creating a chilling mystery regarding the identity of the extra person. This narrative generates dissociative anxiety that intensifies with each page turn. The story is structured as a tight, isolated thriller where trust erodes under the weight of impossible geometry and hidden threats. Neugebauer’s background in crafting tense supernatural fiction positions this work as a standout entry in modern horror. The book suits readers who enjoy psychological dread and group dynamics under pressure. It may not appeal to those seeking expansive world-building or traditional jump scares. Clay McLeod Chapman highlights the text’s unnerving quality, noting its eerie tension. This edition includes a special preview of The Other, which serves as the second installment in the Outsiders Sequence. The narrative relies on immediate sensory details and the slow unraveling of reality rather than complex lore. Readers will find themselves questioning their own perceptions alongside the characters. The isolation of the setting amplifies the fear of the unknown. This is a concise, impactful read for fans of tight plotting.

💎 Our verdict on The Extra

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Neugebauer crafts a masterclass in atmospheric tension, utilizing the backpacking trip framework to explore profound paranoia and dissociative anxiety. The narrative effectively mirrors the suspense of classic horror films, emphasizing isolation and distrust among a small group trapped in an impossible scenario. By focusing on the discrepancy between memory and reality, the text generates a chilling mystery regarding identity without relying on traditional jump scares or expansive lore. This approach suits readers who enjoy psychological dread and tight plotting. The inclusion of a preview for the subsequent installment adds value, while the overall tone remains consistently unnerving. It is a standout entry in modern horror that prioritizes sensory discomfort and the slow unraveling of sanity over complex supernatural mechanics.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking psychological dread and group dynamics under pressure will find this novella compelling. It offers a claustrophobic experience where trust erodes rapidly, appealing to those who enjoy unraveling reality alongside characters. The focus on immediate sensory details and the slow disintegration of sanity provides a unique suspense that relies on discomfort rather than gore. Fans of tight plotting and isolationist narratives will appreciate the unnerving tension and the challenge of questioning their own perceptions. It is an impactful read for those who prefer concise storytelling that demands attention to detail, offering a chilling exploration of identity and paranoia within an impossible situation.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Neugebauer crafts a masterclass in atmospheric tension, utilizing the backpacking trip framework to explore profound paranoia and dissociative anxiety. The narrative effectively mirrors the suspense of classic horror films, emphasizing isolation and distrust among a small group trapped in an impossible scenario. By focusing on the discrepancy between memory and reality, the text generates a chilling mystery regarding identity without relying on traditional jump scares or expansive lore. This approach suits readers who enjoy psychological dread and tight plotting. The inclusion of a preview for the subsequent installment adds value, while the overall tone remains consistently unnerving. It is a standout entry in modern horror that prioritizes sensory discomfort and the slow unraveling of sanity over complex supernatural mechanics.