Be My Friend by Mique Watson is the perfect cross between a true crime podcast and the real-life horrors of the internet. Clocking in at 100 pages, this novella will live with you far after you’ve finished it. And if you’re not a fan of the splatterpunk genre, reader beware!
I picked up Be My Friend from a random Instagram comment, and to be perfectly honest, it was the start of a bit of a grotesque rabbit hole for me. Eagle-eyed viewers might have noticed that I’m more of a fan of the psychological horror genre, but this novella was the perfect thing to get me out of that comfort zone. And I was definitely out of my comfort zone. Mique Watson’s story reads like a true-crime podcast and follows the story of a missing boy who has been pulled into a disturbing web. The book will have you read interviews with his family, interviews with the police, and the missing boy’s chat history with a mysterious online figure.
SHORT, DISTURBING, AND UNIQUE
I thought the length of this was perfect for me. I’m not a fan of shorts, but I’ve been struggling to keep up with the larger horror novels on my list. This story was just the silver bullet I needed. The format is different but totally works to make the reader feel like they’re the one unravelling this story and fighting to save Jacob Stewart. The story of the missing boy is told through a variety of sources (news articles, interviews with family, police accounts, chat logs), and it builds up this feeling that you, as the reader, are a pivotal part of saving this boy. It creates such a unique attachment to the story that has absolutely devastating results.
It’s been weeks and I am still thinking about this story.
READER BEWARE— YOU’RE IN FOR A SCARE
My only real critique of this book may not be a critique at all. Technically, I feel that this book falls into the splatterpunk sub genre, and it is not for everyone. If you’re not used to dark topics and brutal gore, this might not be for you. Have I read things far gorier than this? Yes. But few things have turned my stomach like Be My Friend did. The emotional attachment you build is really used to punish the reader (in the best way), but I cannot make it clear enough that this book is not for everyone.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I loved it. As someone stuck in a slump, this has definitely been a novella to pull me out. It’s dark, it’s fucked up, and it’s incredibly memorable. A new format can breathe some life into your Kindle, and I absolutely devoured this short story. If torture and gore doesn’t scare you off, I’d say give Be My Friend a go and let me know how you like it!