Once Returned

by Darcy Coates

Carol’s husband, Jon, went missing while hiking in the extensive Harob forest. Searches over the following five days failed to find him, and he was assumed dead from exposure.

Two weeks later, Jon knocks on the front door of their home. Carol wants to accept his return as a miracle, but there are too many unanswered questions. Why is he so hostile? Why didn't he contact her sooner? How did he get the bloodstains on his shirt?

And the most disturbing question: is the man sleeping next to her really her husband?

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Horror Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Supernatural, Paranormal

Unknown Binding

First published December 28, 2013

About the author

Darcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.

She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darcy Coates writes spooky mysteries and those I've read have been pretty cool. This short story wasn't of the same calibre, but was worth a read as it didn't take long. Husband goes missing while hiking, returns weeks later, wife realises he's not quite the same. Ending fell flat and questions left unanswered.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in a real Darcy Coates mood, too bad I am now through her books. This one was one of the last 3 I still wanted/had to read, and it was a great read.

What would you do when you supposedly dead husband suddenly pops up outside of your door after 2 weeks of him disappearing? What would you do if you husband isn't the same man as he used to be? How far will you go to find out?

Our MC in this book lost her husband a few weeks ago in the Harob Forest. He was hiking, stuff happened, and he was never seen again..... or that is what she thinks, until a few weeks after the accident he suddenly on her doorstep. Looking dirty, looking pretty bad, but still your husband. I just felt so happy for her, but I was also immediately distrusting this guy. No way that her husband could have survived. Not if they searched so intensely for him.

Our MC also quickly notices that her hubby is a bit different from what he normally is. He looks the same, he feels the same (well except for being very cold). But he doesn't sound like him. He is much more aggressive. And there are other keypoints that are different.

It was amazing to see how it went from happiness (though a lot of distrust and fear as well) to OMG I need to save my kid and my mom, and myself (if possible). We quickly see that Jon isn't who he is, that there is clearly something disturbingly wrong with him. Also around the same time that Jon gets back people start disappearing.

But what is wrong with the hubby? Well we don't find that out until much later, near the ending. Sadly, I was quite disappointed with that ending. I am still not sure what the hubby was, or why it was killing (though I am guessing for the same reason as that he wanted to kill the MC, she stepped over his body, she didn't care to search harder (though she did. :|)). The story just ends with an epilogue, and I was all the more confused. What was going on?

But all in all, this was a short, but oh so awesome short book that I will definitely will be re-reading some day again.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Alexandra II the nine lives of my library · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this was not good. Why did I think a short story would be a good idea?? I don’t like short stories😩

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3 Stars: Little Confusing
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!

Notes: POV = FMC 1st Person
Characters: Carol (FMC) is a protective mom. Ryan (her son) is adorable. Jon (husband) is creepy, as you can expect. He said some jaw-dropping stuff.

Plot/Story: This is a really short story, so we don’t have a lot to work with. I liked the premise and I enjoyed it, but we are left with more questions than answers. Still, this had me on the edge of my seat for one reason: the kid. I’m not swayed much by horror but gods can you get me by threatening a kid. Every time.

General: There are mistakes in here. Names switched on accident, periods missing, etc. I was not a fan of the layout. Maybe it’s the way it downloaded on kindle, I don’t know, but new paragraphs start in the middle of the current sentence and there is no space between any of the paragraphs.

Overall:
Not one of her best.

[Riya Joseph Kaithavanathara · Rating 3 out of 5]

"He maintained eye contact as he placed the chick into his mouth, and
his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed the dead bird whole.
My stomach heaved and I covered my mouth with shaking hands. "

BOOK: Once Returned
AUTHOR: @darcybooks
GENRE: #horror #shortstory
RATING: 3.8 💫

This book is a short horror story, an already seen theme narrated well within the 41 pages. I was thinking for a few days that, its been a while I read a @darcybooks horror novel. If you are interesting in a quick read this is suggested.

• Catchy Title
• Intruiging Cover
• Simple Writing style for a simple story
• This is what we call "Short & sweet"
• A satisfying ending

Those who expect atleast a 100 - 200 page horror novel, this is not it. If you are more into the detailing of the horror story, the tension building pace of reading, there are other books of her.


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[Regina Noviana · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This review might contain a bit of spoilers)

Great potential on the story, eventhough this is not as scary as Darcy Coates' other works that I've read. The thing that I don't like about this book is that the explanation was not enough on what has actually happened to Jon and who was this Jon who came back home after went missing in the woods.

[Martina Boltužić · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok knjiga,malo zastrašujuća, i malo kratka!

[Kriss Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ GOOSEBUMPS

[Cristy Upshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing Read

I feel this was a good short tale. I also feel there could have been more of a storyline and description of the main characters. It kind of felt like it was just slapped on paper. Reminded me of Body Snatchers in a way. Has great potential in exploring additional avenues.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too short, but terrifyingly good

I can not get enough of Darcy's books, and this was no exception. I actually exclaimed out loud at one point in the book, which I don't think I've ever done before. Great book. Highly recommend, along with all of her other books!

[Dominique [plantypageturner] · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, interesting read. I'm a big fan of Darcy Coates and while I enjoyed this, the ending seemed a little abrupt.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carol's husband Jon has gone missing in the forest an hour away from their home. Although Carol and the police have given up, one morning Jon reappears on the doorstep - Carol is thrilled, but Jon's come back different. He's not her husband anymore. Other people in their community start disappearing, and knowing that something is very, very wrong, Carol starts to work toward figuring out what it is.

This is the fourth work of Darcy Coates's that I've read, and like the others, Once Returned was a fun read. I'm never necessarily surprised by what occurs, but Coates's writing is decently spooky and pulls in a lot of classic horror tropes that'll keep fans of the genre interested. Like Ghost Camera, Once Returned feels like a monster of the week episode of The X-Files; it's perfectly paced and just the right length (less than 50 pages.) The story kept me interested even though I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to others. As for re-read potential, I may re-read stories like this come Halloween, but I wouldn't say it's a favourite.

[Alexander Draganov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Тази малка повест е изключително напрегната и с оригинална хрумка, като поставя героите си в ситуация, от която косата ти се изправя. Един недостатък е, че в нея има елемент на мистерия, останала без отговор, но такова е понякога паранормалното – без рационално обяснение 😀 Кратко ревю за кратка, но съдържателна история, изпълваща със задоволство феновете на хоръра.

[Smriti Sawhney · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good horror short story to read.
When Carol's husband returned, she was happy. But the happiness was short-lived as her husband that returned wasn't the same.

There was some mystery that I think could have been answered better. Overall I enjoyed reading this book.

[Kalin Stevey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good, short read. Parts of me feel like it could have been longer but most of me thinks it was the perfect length. It moved at a rapid pace and it really worked. The ending wasn’t my favorite but it didn’t ruin the story either.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

This kept my interest but didn't feel like a Darcy Coates book. It was sort of scary but not quite. I'm working my way through Coates' entire catalogue and I'm glad I ticked this one off my list. Reminded me of the movie Significant Other from a couple of years ago. Same vibes.

[Lore · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is Pet Sematary by Stephen King done wrong. Nothing more to say about it.

[Nathaniel Darkish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little novella

[The_Books_Music_Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars.


This was an interesting story that involved a Crypted, or what I assumed is supposed to be one. Overall I don't have many opinions on this, it was good, I would recommend.

[Canadian_902 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am liking the short stories because I want to keel reading

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little short story!

[JWo1855 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense, quick read that had my eye trying to read faster than I could comprehend.

[Ade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short story but so captivating. Kept me at the edge of my seat.

[andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carol's husband Jon goes missing in Harob forest and despite the help of a search and rescue team, leaves no trace. Three weeks later, he shows up at their door caked in mud and blood, is acting very hostile and so very unlike himself, and is unable to account for his whereabouts.

This was a quick read that took under an hour. The writing was well done and the plot was very eerie and promising. I enjoyed the short chapters and progression of the story, but I would have liked some more tension and suspense building and perhaps a little more explanation as to the events that took place in the forest, for there is clearly a history there. There may have been some allusions to why the events were taking place, but I may also be reading into things a bit more than the author intended. That being said, there were some great moments that caused me to shiver while reading and I would like to read more from this new author.

[Melody Oakerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying and devious

A very well crafted tale of horror and mayhem. I wanted it to continue. Obviously the author meant this to be a full length novel and was convinced to pare it down to a short story. Stop...come back, tell me the rest. It was just too good to be butchered in this way. Tell your editor I said, not this author, ever. Doesn't try to stop the genius at work.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy story from a good horror story author. Not as good as Ghost Camera though so disappointing in that way.

[Halcyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of The X-Files, and I think with a bit more fleshing out, there could have been a Mulder and a Scully walking around in the woods. Mulder looking for his alien of the week, and Scully finding better explanations than that one along the way. ;)

[Conny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Tyiana Sedán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy

I loved this one. Creepy and fast paced, it's a short read which I love. I think Darcy is a talented writer

[Donna King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I would recommend Ms. Coates to my friends.