How Bad Things Can Get

By Darcy Coates

The Blair Witch Project meets Fyre Fest in this bloody new thriller from the queen of scares, Darcy Coates

It was supposed to be the party of the century: miles of idyllic white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage...and a dark legend nobody dreamed might be all too true.

When an online influencer and several hundred of his most loyal fans land on Prosperity Island, the plan is simple: five days of elaborate games, drinking, and suntanned fun.

A week in paradise should have been a welcome respite. The only survivor of an infamous cult, Ruth wants nothing more than to keep her head down and not draw attention. She's spent decades outrunning her blood-soaked childhood, and her identity is a closely held secret.

But then the true history of the island is revealed...along with its sinister connection to Ruth's past. As guests go missing and games turn deadly, Ruth and the rest of the attendees are forced to question whether they've really been invited to paradise...or whether something much darker--and far bloodier--is waiting for them just beyond the bonfire's light.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 172827026X
• ISBN13: 9781728270265
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Things get really bad!

How bad can things get? Well, this book certainly answers that question! Darcy Coates has quite the talent to weave horror together, whether it is supernatural or just human nature, into stories that are both disturbing yet fascinating and make you totally forget your chores as you keep reading to find out if there is any hope of survivors by the end. This particular tale starts like a dream with a contest and a trip to a lovely island with pristine beaches and fill those beaches with social media stars out for a good time and possibly to win contests set by a famous influencer known wild games and huge cash prizes. What could go wrong? Maybe corners cut for safety, or the history of the island and another one with death cults? It is a nice slow burn horror with a sense of unease that grows as things go askew in horrible ways while people remain blind, except for a few like Ruth, with a secret of her own, or Logan, who is investigating the social influencer. I love the different view points so that the reader can get the whole terrible scene unfolding on Prosperity Island. Though be warned, not everyone survives! I will happily read all that Darcy Coates writes because they are impossible to put down! Like this one that I am so happy to have gotten the chance to devour (but not like the honey! lol)