The Mean Ones

De: Tatiana Schlote-Bonne

Narrado por: Annalee Scott

Midsommar meets The Final Girl Support Group in this horror novel about a woman who survived cult killings as a child and is striving to be "normal," but a spontaneous trip into the woods and the voices in her head keep pulling her to the dark side.

So what if Sadie hears talking dead animals and a strange, comforting male voice in her head? The therapist insists these are just symptoms of PTSD. It makes sense considering that she hid under the bed and watched as her best friends were slaughtered.

But the murders were seventeen years ago, back when her name was Sabrina. Now, she’s Sadie: a perfectly normal 29-year-old. She works as a physical therapist assistant and lifts weights with her boyfriend, Lucas, who’s the sweetest, most considerate man—as long as he’s not angry. But when Lucas spontaneously agrees to join a couples trip to a cabin in the woods, the visions get worse, a strange figure stalks her during the night, and that male voice in Sadie’s head keeps calling, asking her to do things she’s never fathomed.

Sadie’s not sure if it’s her paranoia or something else entirely. But she is sure of one thing—this time, she’s not going to sit idly by as everything starts to unravel.

©2025 Tatiana Schlote-Bonne (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

She is clearly messed up, bit how messed up?

Well written, dark, and haunting. A brush with trauma that is both allegory and real. It unfolds over time in separate eras. Is she traumatized, is she a brat, is she complicit? Great journey to follow.

The Ralac

Just buy it. you won't regret it. Hands down this is a 5+ star book. THE FEMALE LEAD. the banter, the slasher. MY QUEEN. Enough said.

Original & engaging

This goes down as one of only a handful of books that had me so immersed that I naturally finished in in a day and a half. The story just flowed effortlessly and the narration was 100% on point which means a lot to me. If there is a second book I’m all in and if not I hope these two pair up for more intriguing stories together. Instant fan of the author and will seek out more. Give that fast read a go, you won’t regret it! Side note if I read this while camping last week I would have been looking over my shoulder constantly for the antlered woman! 😬

Enjoy this story!

This was an intriguing, creepy listen. I really enjoy this story and the narrator was awesome. so glad I went into this blind because the twist actually caught me off guard. Great listen for the Halloween season.

For Fans of Hereditary and Midsommar. This One Delivers

If you’re a fan of elevated horror like Hereditary, Midsommar, The Witch, or even Netflix’s The Ritual, you’ll love this book. It captures the same eerie atmosphere and psychological tension that make those films unforgettable.

I found myself constantly trying to predict the ending and being wrong every single time. That unpredictability is what makes the blend of horror and mystery so addictive and keeps me listening late into the night.

Can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next!

3.75 Stars. Entertaining but Plot Holes

It definitely kept me entertained but there are a lot of plot holes that don’t add up. I’m not sure why the ending happened even though I enjoyed it. The character herself was confusing to me. She kept saying such stupid stuff that got her into trouble and I’m not she why she got her outcome. But it’s worth a listen for sure.