🩸 Horror Fiction

Winter Scene

✍️ David Berardelli
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$15.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A businessman investigates his friend's suspicious death in a small Ohio town.

David Berardelli presents a narrative centered on John Callen, an Orlando businessman visiting Bern, Ohio. He reunites with Buster, an Army buddy from Iraq who lost a leg to an IED fifteen years ago. The visit turns dark when John finds Buster dead after a fall. Suspecting murder over accident, John investigates the circumstances surrounding his friend's death. The story explores themes of loyalty and the lingering effects of war.

Key Themes
Veteran trauma Small town mystery Military friendship
Literary Context

The narrative is set in Bern, Ohio, a small town near Pittsburgh. It draws on the experience of soldiers returning from Iraq fifteen years prior to the events described. The story reflects on the long-term physical and psychological impacts of war on individuals and their relationships.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King · Dean Koontz
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Gravestone Press 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781786957597

📝 Description: Winter Scene

John Callen travels from Orlando to Pittsburgh for a reunion with an old Army buddy in Bern, Ohio. The two served together in Iraq fifteen years prior, but John has not seen Buster since the friend was shipped home after losing a leg to an IED. This visit marks their first meeting since that traumatic event. The reunion begins positively until John returns from shopping to find Buster dead at the bottom of the stairs. Initial reports suggest a tragic accident, but John suspects foul play. He launches an investigation that reveals his beloved friend was actually the victim of murder. David Berardelli crafts this narrative with precision, drawing on military history and small-town suspense. This book suits readers who enjoy grounded supernatural fiction and gothic mysteries rooted in personal loss. It appeals to those interested in stories about veteran trauma and the complexities of long-term friendship. Readers seeking fast-paced action or high fantasy will likely find the tone too deliberate. The story focuses on emotional weight and investigative detail rather than spectacle.

💎 Our verdict on Winter Scene

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
David Berardelli crafts a precise narrative centered on John Callen’s investigation into his friend Buster’s suspicious death in Bern, Ohio. The story effectively blends military history with small-town suspense, exploring themes of loyalty and veteran trauma. By focusing on emotional weight rather than spectacle, the book suits readers who enjoy grounded supernatural fiction and gothic mysteries. While it may feel too deliberate for those seeking fast-paced action or high fantasy, its strength lies in its atmospheric depth and character-driven plot. The investigation reveals layers of personal loss and friendship complexities, offering a thoughtful read for fans of psychological horror who appreciate nuanced storytelling over adrenaline-fueled thrills.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book offers a compelling exploration of loyalty and the complex aftermath of war for readers who appreciate grounded, atmospheric storytelling over fast-paced action. It is ideal for those interested in how trauma shapes identity and friendship, particularly within the context of military service. The narrative provides emotional weight and investigative detail, appealing to fans of psychological horror who prefer deliberate pacing and character depth. Readers seeking a story that examines the dark undercurrents of small-town life and the enduring bonds of brotherhood will find this work resonant. It serves as a thoughtful examination of grief and suspicion, making it suitable for those who enjoy mysteries rooted in personal loss rather than high fantasy or supernatural spectacle.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

David Berardelli crafts a precise narrative centered on John Callen’s investigation into his friend Buster’s suspicious death in Bern, Ohio. The story effectively blends military history with small-town suspense, exploring themes of loyalty and veteran trauma. By focusing on emotional weight rather than spectacle, the book suits readers who enjoy grounded supernatural fiction and gothic mysteries. While it may feel too deliberate for those seeking fast-paced action or high fantasy, its strength lies in its atmospheric depth and character-driven plot. The investigation reveals layers of personal loss and friendship complexities, offering a thoughtful read for fans of psychological horror who appreciate nuanced storytelling over adrenaline-fueled thrills.

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