FBI Special Agent Daniel Stansfield is ready to walk away from the job for good but on his last day, he’s pulled back to Denver with a chilling message: it’s happening again. Seemingly innocent people are waking up on the side of the highway wearing the skin of victims they’ve never met, each with a strand of a stranger’s hair tied around their tongue. As Daniel digs deeper, every clue leads him into the shadows of his own traumatic past, and he’ll have to confront what’s been hunting him all along before he and the people he loves become the next victims.
I was absolutely addicted to this story for the first 60%. Completely locked in, couldn’t put it down, fully consumed. Then it floundered a bit for me somewhere in the middle. I’m honestly not 100% sure what made me lose interest but there was a stretch where my grip on the story loosened. The good news is it all came back around and by the end I was right back in it.
What I loved most is that this book is like four genres blended into one fever dream. It’s a police procedural, supernatural horror, a haunted house story, and something almost dreamlike all at once, and somehow Leede makes it all work together. The references to The Shining were a great touch and the writing overall is compelling and really well crafted. I loved the supernatural elements and how everything ended up connecting by the end, it’s the kind of book that rewards you for sticking with it.
Fair warning though: this one leans more horror than thriller. There’s definitely some gory content and it earns that label. I wouldn’t say anything was “boo” scary, but trigger warning for graphic violence and blood if that’s not your thing. If you can handle the darker stuff, the payoff is worth it.
This was my first Leede book and now I want to go back and read everything else. 4 stars and I’m really glad I picked this one up. If you’re looking for something that feels like The Shining meets a true crime fever dream set in the frozen Colorado wilderness, this is your book.
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP | ★★★★
Headlights comes out June 9, 2026. Huge thank you to Tor Nightfire for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books
