Crossroads

By: Laurel Hightower

Narrated by: Linda Jones

Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

How far would you go to bring back someone you love?

When Chris' son dies in a tragic car crash, her world is devastated. The walls of grief close in on Chris' life until, one day, a small cut on her finger changes everything. A drop of blood falls from Chris' hand onto her son's roadside memorial, and, later that night, Chris thinks she sees his ghost outside her window. Only, is it really her son's ghost, or is it something else - something evil? Soon Chris is playing a dangerous game with forces beyond her control in a bid to see her son, Trey, alive once again.

©2020 Off Limits Press LLC (P)2020 Fireside Horror

Critic Reviews

"There's a single note that plays through all of Laurel Hightower's Crossroads, and in that note you can hear a mother's justified devastation, a lover's acceptance, and the haunting displacement of a ghost. Refreshingly nuanced character, down to earth in the rightest of ways, Crossroads will sincerely move you. There is a big mind, and an even bigger heart, behind this book." (Josh Malerman, The New York Times best-selling author of Bird Box and Malorie)

Dark tale of self-destruction

Every day Chris visits the crossroads where her son Trey died some years prior in a car accident. Some blood from an accidental cut during one of her visits will change things forever. This is a short and beautifully written book, full of sentiment and meticulously crafted characters. The raw emotions and despair trap the reader into a dark and profound story. Just a word of warning, as there are sensitive topics included in this book, like self-harm and suicide, so it might not be for everyone. This is a story of a downward spiral of self-destruction, a fall with no return, Despite being this a short book, it took me somehow a long time to get through it. Chris was not especially likable, and there was something about Trey that never sat well with me. I think it was the fact that I knew more or less from the start what was happening that it was just too much for my suspension of disbelief, and I was just waiting for the outcome. The rhythm felt quite slow at times. I guess the story itself did not have much content to be more than a short story, but the beautiful writing made up for it. Linda Jones’s narration was exceedingly beautiful and very moving. I think it was what I liked the most from the audiobook. The story was okay but I am not sure. I would have stuck with it if it was not for Jones’ narration. You could hear the raw emotions in her voice. A brilliant performance. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

One of the best listens of 2020!

This book gives you all the feelz! This short novella has so much emotion packed in to it. I knew it was going to be intense because I had seen a few reviews for it but man! It's really emotional and I don't even have kids! The writing is beautiful. The story is so heart breaking. The characters are realistic and I liked all of them. This is the first thing I've read by Ms. Hightower. I hope to read a lot more from her and to see what she does next. This book was read by Linda Jones. She does such an outstanding job. I enjoyed listening to her tell me this sad tale. I received a copy of the audio book in exchange for a honest review.

Keep an eye on Laurel Hightower

After the death of her son, Chris' grief is all consuming. She regularly visits the site of his death and talks to him. One night she sees his ghost outside her house. The reader gets to see just how deep Chris' grief runs and what she's willing to do to see her son again. Crossroads is a deep examination of a mother in grief. The depths of her sadness are intimately explored and empathetically presented. You will genuinely feel for this character. Laurel Hightower is an author on the rise

Crossroads

Wow!This one is one you want to just keep reading with no interuptions.A woman whos son died will do anything to see him again.She stumbles on a possibility and it is horrific! Linda Jones was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Excellent novella

Crossroads is a tight, well paced, and heartbreaking story. It conveys the grief of losing a child (even if you’ve never had one), in a compelling way, along with the sacrifice a parent is willing to make for her child even after their loss. Narrator Linda Jones does a fantastic job with the story. This is my first read by Laurel Hightower, but it surely won’t be the last.

The Dark Entity and Grief

Chris is so overwhelmed by the death of her adult son Trey that tragically died a couple of years ago that she unwittingly unleashes a dark energy that preys upon her. I love the concept and storyline even though it is heartbreaking and brings me to the point I wanted to cry for her. The characters are well written and developed. The ending was a definite major wow moment. I loved how the author chronicles the major character's life in such a way that you feel the pain that she is feeling. Narrator Linda Jones does a stellar job at bringing the characters to life in such a way that they feel like living people. I highly recommend this book it may not be your typical horror novel but it does make you wonder what else is out there. This review is honest and unbiased.

This incredible story emotionally gutted me!

Chris is a woman haunted by the memory of her late son Trey. Her life quickly fell apart after finding him dead at the sight of a tragic car accident. Now, she spends her time isolated and alone except for her trips to the memorial site where she found her sons lifeless body and the visits her imagination conjures of Trey. But what if there was a way to see him for real? Blood has a way of calling to dark things that have the ability to grant your deepest desires only, blood isn't always enough. More sacrifices are needed. How far would you go to bring back someone you love? CROSSROADS is the much anticipated novella by Laurel Hightower. I was really excited to see something new come from Hightower since reading WHISPERS IN THE DARK which was one of my absolute favorite reads last year. She has this amazing ability to emotionally charge her stories with characters that are relateable. I would follow Chris to hell and back in her journey to save her son from deaths harrowing grip. Also, Dan was such an enjoyable character. Ladies, get you a man like Dan. CROSSROADS is an incredible story that emotionally gutted me. Laurel Hightower is a favorite author of mine in the #HorrorCommunity and in my opinion, anything she writes is a must read. This short novel about a grief stricken mother who will do anything, even appease a dark entity for one last chance to see her son might be one the best books I've read in 2020. Crossroads by Laurel Hightower ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I took a chance...and am glad that I did.

I was looking for something new to listen to today, and rather than download something by a familiar author or narrator, I opted to download this novella Crossroads by Laurel Hightower and narrated by Linda Jones. The author and narrator were both unknown to me. With Crossroads, Laurel has written the kind of tight story that doesn’t allow you to lose interest. And I just can't imagine anyone but Linda telling the story. The story works on many levels. I highly recommend it.

Hightower Just Ripped Out My Heart

Rating: 9.0/10 Crossroads is a heartstring puller of a novella; one that will have you mopping up your emotions long after the last page is turned. I’d been hearing amazing things about Crossroads from the horror community, but just hadn’t had the time or, honestly, the emotional occupancy to get through this 110 page novella. I read the synopsis, had a Q&A with the author, and even flipped through several reviews, but 2020 has just exhausted me to the point where this novella could truly break me. Luckily, it didn’t, but by George did it come super close. Hightower immerses you completely into her story of loss, grief, and a very bleak sense of hope while also telling a story that feels so real. I cannot close to imagining what it is like to lose a child and I believe that played a huge part in how I quickly became emotionally tied to Chris. I can’t say I would go to the same lengths as she did, but grief does some crazy things to the psyche. It is hard to put into words exactly how great this novella is without: A. Spoiling it & B. Finding said words but I’m going to leave it at this: Hightower’s novella feels like required reading in the horror genre. It has all of the elements that a 400 page novel could produce in such a short form, and will leave you an emotional wreck (still waiting to see how long it lasts as I just finished the story). Also, if you have the opportunity to give it a listen, Linda Jones knocks the narration out of the park. Looking forward to seeing more titles from Fireside Horror.

Merry Christmas, Here’s a GUT PUNCH!

Hightower’s novella here punched me in the gut. Crossroads is as effective a horror story as it is a family drama. And it’s oh so bleak. A questionable read during the Year From Hell (2020)! If you enjoy horror of the grief variety, sink your teeth into Crossroads, and don’t let go. You will spiral down with the main character. Linda Jones gave a laudable performance on the audiobook. She offered an easy-to-listen-to voice and narrated certain moments with such emotional nuance. Bravo!