Vicious

Name: Vicious
Price: 14.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780975638088

✍️ Chloe Spencer

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$14.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A viral video forces a woman to kill again to protect her lover from a dangerous past.

Gertie joins a school board hoping for peace, but her attempt to hide Earl’s body and propose to Bea fails when social media exposes them. Bea’s hidden identity is compromised, revealing her to an abusive ex-husband and other threats she fled. Spencer writes a story where digital fame becomes a lethal weapon. The plot moves from romantic hope to desperate survival as Gertie realizes that maintaining their safety requires extreme measures. The narrative explores how past sins follow us into new lives, especially when technology removes the ability to stay hidden. This is a tale about the cost of love in a hyper-visible world.

Key Themes

social media exposure domestic horror queer romance

Literary Context

Published in January 2025 by Slashic Horror Press, this work sits within the contemporary horror genre. It reflects modern anxieties about digital privacy and viral culture intersecting with personal safety. The story addresses current societal fears regarding online visibility and its real-world consequences for marginalized individuals.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Tana French · Paula Hawkins · R.L. Stine

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Slashic Horror Press 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780975638088

📝 Description: Vicious

Chloe Spencer delivers a darkly comedic thriller in Vicious, published by Slashic Horror Press. The narrative centers on Gertie, who has recently joined a school board and seeks to bury her former accomplice Earl while proposing to her partner Bea. This plan unravels when a video of their slow dance goes viral on TikTok. The sudden attention forces Bea out of hiding, exposing her to an abusive ex-husband and other dangerous figures from her past whom she had successfully evaded. Spencer constructs a plot that blends domestic drama with supernatural horror elements. The story examines the consequences of public visibility for those seeking privacy. Gertie must confront the threats targeting her lover to protect their future. The narrative does not shy away from the violence required to maintain their safety, pushing Gertie to embrace a vicious nature. This approach appeals to readers who enjoy contemporary gothic fiction with a satirical edge regarding social media culture. It may not suit those preferring traditional haunted house stories without modern technological twists. The book is organized around the escalating tension between Gertie’s desire for a bloodless life and the violent reality of her past. Spencer, known for sharp character work, uses the viral moment as the catalyst for all subsequent conflict. The story remains tightly focused on the relationship between Gertie and Bea, making their survival the central stake. Readers seeking a fast-paced horror novel with a queer romance at its core will find this title aligns with their preferences. Those looking for slow-burn atmospheric dread might find the pace too rapid.

💎 Our verdict on Vicious

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Chloe Spencer crafts a tightly focused narrative that effectively blends domestic drama with supernatural horror, creating a unique atmospheric tension. By using a viral video as the catalyst for conflict, she demonstrates how digital exposure can dismantle carefully constructed safety, forcing characters into desperate survival modes. The book excels in its satirical critique of social media culture, turning online visibility into a source of genuine peril. While it may not satisfy readers preferring classic, isolated haunted house stories, it strongly resonates with those who enjoy contemporary gothic fiction with a modern twist. The character work remains sharp, driving the plot through escalating stakes that question the very nature of privacy and love in an age where nothing stays hidden for long.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a sharp, satirical take on modern digital culture will find this title compelling. It appeals to those who enjoy darkly comedic thrillers where technology acts as a lethal weapon rather than a mere tool. The narrative offers a fresh perspective on the cost of love in a hyper-visible world, making it ideal for audiences tired of traditional haunted house tropes. Those interested in psychological horror that examines how past sins follow us into new lives will appreciate the tension between Gertie’s desire for peace and the violent reality she must confront. It provides a thrilling exploration of domestic drama intertwined with supernatural elements, catering to fans of contemporary gothic fiction who want their scares delivered with a biting edge regarding social media fame.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Chloe Spencer crafts a tightly focused narrative that effectively blends domestic drama with supernatural horror, creating a unique atmospheric tension. By using a viral video as the catalyst for conflict, she demonstrates how digital exposure can dismantle carefully constructed safety, forcing characters into desperate survival modes. The book excels in its satirical critique of social media culture, turning online visibility into a source of genuine peril. While it may not satisfy readers preferring classic, isolated haunted house stories, it strongly resonates with those who enjoy contemporary gothic fiction with a modern twist. The character work remains sharp, driving the plot through escalating stakes that question the very nature of privacy and love in an age where nothing stays hidden for long.