The Forgotten Borough

De: Christopher Feinstein

Narrado por: Christopher Feinstein

It's 1993. No cell phones. No internet. Just a new school, a vicious bully, and a neighbor who is definitely not normal.

Twelve-year-old Ryan DiSalvo just wanted to survive the first day of seventh grade. Instead, he stumbled upon a vampire.

But his fanged new acquaintance isn't the real threat. A far greater evil has been feeding on the borough for generations, an evil that hides in plain sight.

When the adults refuse to see the truth, it’s up to the kids to fight back.

Class is in session. The Monster Squad is about to go to war.

©2025 The Evil Cookie Publishing (P)2025 The Evil Cookie Publishing

Not what I expected

When I first started the book I had no idea I would take a turn the way it did. But I was pleasantly surprised. Each event that happened, had to happen the way it did and you found that out in the end.

Great story. Great Narrator

Love the atmosphere and the storytelling. Chris has the ability to really suck you into a story

Incredible

I've been a long time lister of Haunted American History and one of the most memorable and incredible aspects is Chris' storytelling and his stories. The Forgotten Borough stems from an earlier short story that he shared on his above mentioned podcast. Let me tell you... the evolution of that story into the full length novel is fantastic. The way he crafts is story is remiscent of the great Stephen King. On the surface it's a book about a boy and s vampire in Staten Island. but underneath the transparent and albeit careful woven layers is a book about humanity, growth, love, history, good and evil, and above all an unforgettable journey. Truly a mustered and exceptionally a wonderful immersion listen.

Highest Praise for The Forgotten Borough

Highest Praise for The Forgotten Borough

I’ve been a lover of books in the ‘spooky / horror / suspense’ genre for decades. Admittedly, I have my favorite top three authors and tend to view new authors with a bit of skepticism. When one of my favorite podcasters announced they had written a book within this genre, I had to check it out.

Released in October 2025, Christopher Feinstein's debut horror novel, The Forgotten Borough, combines urban folklore with supernatural horror in a coming-of-age story. Within the first few minutes, it was apparent the author and I share a love for the “King of Horror.” I was hooked.

Drawing on the well-known dark and eerie history surrounding Staten Island, The Forgotten Borough follows the unfolding tale of 12-year-old, Ryan DiSalvo. As though beginning seventh grade isn’t tough enough, Ryan is navigating his first day at a new school, in a new town, and quickly becomes the target of the school bully. If only this were Ryan’s biggest threat.

Meeting up with two other kids, this band of outcasts become the “Monster Squad.”

As Ryan discovers his new neighbor is not exactly what he appears to be, the Monster Squad discovers an even greater evil – one that woven into the very fabric of the town’s history – one that local grown-ups are unwilling or unable to see. Threatened by a real-world, supernatural force of evil, the Monster Squad – through shared strength, resilience, and loyalty - take matters into their own hands to fight back against the “Cropsey-esque” supernatural threat plaguing their home.

Feinstein effectively utilizes the unique character and history of Staten Island, which is often considered the "forgotten" part of New York City. He excels at using the borough's real-world eerie backdrop and local folklore to create an authentic and unsettling sense of place for a horror novel. I would have liked a deeper dive into the origin of the greater evil (no spoilers!); what are the origins, what are the mechanics, how does this evil stay hidden in plain sight? Strong narrative drive, effective use of cliffhangers, clarity of written voice, storytelling craft – all top-notch. I’d have to say Feinstein’s primary strength is the seamless integration of both realistic coming-of-age themes with the classic supernatural horror plot. This narrative is simultaneously relatable and terrifying.

This listen may not be for you if you are not a fan of “splatterpunk” or horror. If you are into non-stop, plot-only momentum or are sensitive to the “child-in-peril” trope may not find The Forgotten Borough appealing.
However, if you’re a fan of Stephen King, and like analog-era, nostalgia themed, “kids-on-bikes” horror, I cannot recommend this audiobook highly enough!

Thank you, Mr. Feinstein – two thumbs way, way up, on your debut novel!

A fun, exciting, unique story, and very well written

I can’t believe this is Mr. Feinstein’s first novel. He tells a story with such vivid pros that I found myself stopping and rereading certain passages because they’re just so beautifully written. It’s a compelling read and an original twist on a vampire story.