Stay Silent: A Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror
Keeley Webb
Reader Reviews
4.9
8 ratings
Karen B.
Feb 25, 2026
Stay Silent
~Keeley Webb
When I received the latest ARC from Keeley, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect … but I can promise you this was not it - in the best possible way. Whether she somehow tapped into my exact reading mood or the book gods simply knew what I needed, Stay Silent landed at the perfect time. I’ve been buried in psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, rom-coms, and finishing up my own book, and this was exactly the gritty, chaos-filled reset my brain was craving. I’d been itching for a zombie read - and wow, did this deliver.
The story kicks off innocently enough with sisters Kayla and Cristy spending the day shopping in the city. After retail therapy and pizza, they cross paths with a sweet little girl named Poppy, who leaves a lasting impression. But everything shatters when Poppy’s father collapses - and then rises. What follows is a moment straight out of The Walking Dead: violence, panic, and the horrifying realization that this isn’t an isolated incident. As the city erupts into chaos, the sisters make a split-second decision to grab Poppy and run.
From there, survival mode is fully activated. An ambulance escape gone wrong, traffic gridlock, another sudden turn, and eventually refuge in a restaurant mid-renovation with owners Nico and Luke - who are understandably skeptical at first. Once reality hits, though, all bets are off.
This book does not pull punches. Danger is everywhere - from evolving zombies to human survivors who are just as terrifying. The atmosphere is brutal, unrelenting, and deeply unsettling. I don’t say this lightly: I am not easily grossed out or triggered, but the sensory detail in this book came closer than anything I’ve read in a long time. The sounds, the smells, the sheer visceral horror - it’s immersive in the most uncomfortable way. Once the first zombie appeared, I was locked in and completely unable to put it down.
And the characters? Phenomenal. Cristy’s emotional vulnerability, Luke’s gruff strength, Kayla’s resilience, Nico’s steadiness - and Poppy. Sweet, brave, hopeful Poppy. She absolutely stole my heart. There’s a sizable cast, but every character has purpose, growth, and just enough backstory to make you care (even Jack … yes, he’s an arsehole). No one feels wasted or unnecessary, and that payoff matters.
Between the intense gore, the emotional gut punches, and the constant tension, Stay Silent is a journey you won’t forget. It’s raw, disturbing, heartfelt, and gripping in equal measure. Be sure to add this to your must read list! Releasing January 3, 2026 and available for preorder now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/44DSjXy
I would like to thank Keeley Webb for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Stay Silent. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~Keeley Webb
When I received the latest ARC from Keeley, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect … but I can promise you this was not it - in the best possible way. Whether she somehow tapped into my exact reading mood or the book gods simply knew what I needed, Stay Silent landed at the perfect time. I’ve been buried in psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, rom-coms, and finishing up my own book, and this was exactly the gritty, chaos-filled reset my brain was craving. I’d been itching for a zombie read - and wow, did this deliver.
The story kicks off innocently enough with sisters Kayla and Cristy spending the day shopping in the city. After retail therapy and pizza, they cross paths with a sweet little girl named Poppy, who leaves a lasting impression. But everything shatters when Poppy’s father collapses - and then rises. What follows is a moment straight out of The Walking Dead: violence, panic, and the horrifying realization that this isn’t an isolated incident. As the city erupts into chaos, the sisters make a split-second decision to grab Poppy and run.
From there, survival mode is fully activated. An ambulance escape gone wrong, traffic gridlock, another sudden turn, and eventually refuge in a restaurant mid-renovation with owners Nico and Luke - who are understandably skeptical at first. Once reality hits, though, all bets are off.
This book does not pull punches. Danger is everywhere - from evolving zombies to human survivors who are just as terrifying. The atmosphere is brutal, unrelenting, and deeply unsettling. I don’t say this lightly: I am not easily grossed out or triggered, but the sensory detail in this book came closer than anything I’ve read in a long time. The sounds, the smells, the sheer visceral horror - it’s immersive in the most uncomfortable way. Once the first zombie appeared, I was locked in and completely unable to put it down.
And the characters? Phenomenal. Cristy’s emotional vulnerability, Luke’s gruff strength, Kayla’s resilience, Nico’s steadiness - and Poppy. Sweet, brave, hopeful Poppy. She absolutely stole my heart. There’s a sizable cast, but every character has purpose, growth, and just enough backstory to make you care (even Jack … yes, he’s an arsehole). No one feels wasted or unnecessary, and that payoff matters.
Between the intense gore, the emotional gut punches, and the constant tension, Stay Silent is a journey you won’t forget. It’s raw, disturbing, heartfelt, and gripping in equal measure. Be sure to add this to your must read list! Releasing January 3, 2026 and available for preorder now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/44DSjXy
I would like to thank Keeley Webb for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Stay Silent. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
Carol G.
Feb 8, 2026
The strength of the writing shone through in this story, and I found myself thoroughly entertained. Keeley Webb's depiction of the infected was raw and unnerving, just the way it should be. The characters were so much more interesting than in any of the films I have seen in this genre, and hopefully someone will pick it up and make it into a movie sometime soon!
Iain E.
Feb 8, 2026
Kayla and Cristy don't know what's about to hit them. When they go shopping, they suddenly find themselves in the middle of some kind of infection. How will they cope? Will they be turned?
Keeley is an amazing storyteller, she takes the reader on an exciting journey. I felt I was part of the story and loved every step of the journey.
Keeley is an amazing storyteller, she takes the reader on an exciting journey. I felt I was part of the story and loved every step of the journey.
Rachel B.
Feb 8, 2026
“Stay Silent” by Keeley Webb absolutely blew me away. WOW! I was hooked from the very first page. This gripping story follows two sisters trying to survive after a devastating virus outbreak that completely changes their world. Every day is a fight for survival, and the danger never lets up.
The suspense is intense—I found myself holding my breath more times than I can count. Keeley Webb’s fast-paced writing, constant threats, and high-stakes tension kept me glued to the pages. The fear, urgency, and emotional bond between the sisters made this story impossible to put down. If you love intense, suspense-filled survival stories, this one is a must-read.
Carina P.
Feb 8, 2026
Holy crap, this book was so freaking good!! The intensity, the pacing, the atmosphere — everything hit exactly the way I wanted it to. It was off‑the‑charts exciting and had me fully locked in from start to finish.
Keeley has this incredible way of writing that makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the chaos, and I was completely immersed the entire time.
I seriously can’t explain enough how much I loved this story. It’s gripping, vivid, and absolutely unforgettable. Without a doubt, it’s sitting at the very top of my 2025 favorites list.
If you want a read that keeps your pulse up and your mind spinning, you’ve found it.
Keeley has this incredible way of writing that makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the chaos, and I was completely immersed the entire time.
I seriously can’t explain enough how much I loved this story. It’s gripping, vivid, and absolutely unforgettable. Without a doubt, it’s sitting at the very top of my 2025 favorites list.
If you want a read that keeps your pulse up and your mind spinning, you’ve found it.
Jolene C.
Feb 8, 2026
Stay Silent is a strong and impressive first step into horror for Keely Webb. What begins as a normal Christmas shopping trip quickly turns into a terrifying epidemic, and the tension never lets up. The infected are fast, evolving, and genuinely frightening, while the survivors and communities feel just as dangerous. Kayla and Cristy’s struggle to stay alive is gripping and unsettling, making this a creepy, fast-paced read that sticks with you long after the last page. A must read for all horror and thriller readers!
Mandy S.
Feb 8, 2026
Bleak, brutal, and fast-paced. Stay Silent throws you into a city on the edge as chaos descends into violent madness. The tension builds quickly, the danger feels constant, and survival comes down to speed and instinct. A gripping thriller that doesn’t give you a moment to breathe.
Cheyenne Joy .
Feb 8, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay Silent by Keeley Webb
First things first: thank you, Keeley, for trusting me with an ARC. Truly appreciated. And yes—she openly says she doesn’t believe in trigger warnings, because you can’t possibly predict what will hit which reader. Honestly? I respect the hell out of that. Life doesn’t come with content warnings either.
Also important public service announcement: the animals are safe. My nervous system thanks you. Immediate plus.
Now. This book.
This book does something.
It slides into your brain easily—dangerously easy, actually. The writing flows so smoothly you don’t notice you’re already halfway in, emotionally invested, slightly unsettled, and low-key preparing your own apocalypse survival plan. Despite sudden shifts, chaos, and people turning into zombie-like shells of themselves, it never felt messy. I could keep up. I wanted to keep up.
Somehow, in the middle of collapse and horror, Keeley manages to build a family. Kayla, Christie, Nico, Luke, and Poppy didn’t just survive together—they belonged together. And against all logic, I felt like I belonged there too. Found family, end of the world edition.
And then… the bunkers.
Absolutely not.
Instant claustrophobia. My chest tightened. My brain screamed. Every instinct yelled get me the hell out of here. If that was the goal—congrats, mission accomplished. I felt trapped just reading it, which is honestly impressive and mildly rude.
The ending?
Yeah. That one sat quietly in my chest and refused to leave. Not a sobbing mess, not emotional devastation—but that dry, internal ache. The kind where you just stare for a second after closing the book. It wasn’t happy. It wasn’t devastating. It was… honest. The kind of ending that understands that even when the world burns, the right people can still make it worth staying.
There’s room for more here. And I hope she takes it.
I’ve never even managed to finish a full episode of The Walking Dead. Lost interest. Didn’t care.
This? This was different. I wanted to be there. I wanted to survive, learn, adapt, heal, and fight alongside them. And even after closing the book—annoyingly—I still kind of do.
So yeah.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Four claustrophobic, brain-scratching, anxiety-inducing, oddly comforting stars.
Brilliant.
Not for the faint-hearted.
Definitely not for the “romantic butterflies and everything will be fine” crowd.
Perfect for those of us who like our stories a little dark, a little twisted, and uncomfortably human.
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay Silent door Keeley Webb
Allereerst: dank je wel, Keeley, voor het vertrouwen en het verstrekken van een ARC. Dat waardeer ik oprecht. En ja—ze zegt zelf dat ze niet gelooft in trigger warnings, omdat het simpelweg onmogelijk is om te voorspellen wat bij welke lezer iets raakt. Eerlijk? Daar heb ik veel respect voor. Het leven komt tenslotte ook niet met waarschuwingen vooraf.
Ook belangrijk om te vermelden: de dieren blijven ongedeerd. Mijn zenuwstelsel zegt dank je wel. Meteen een pluspunt.
Dan. Dit boek.
Dit boek doet iets.
Het glijdt je hoofd in—gevaarlijk makkelijk zelfs. De schrijfstijl leest zo soepel dat je niet eens doorhebt dat je al halverwege bent, emotioneel geïnvesteerd, licht ongemakkelijk, en ondertussen mentaal een eigen apocalyps-overlevingsplan aan het samenstellen. Ondanks abrupte veranderingen, chaos en mensen die veranderen in zombie-achtige schaduwen van zichzelf, voelde het nooit rommelig. Ik kon het volgen. Ik wílde het volgen.
Op de een of andere manier weet Keeley, midden in totale instorting en horror, een familie te bouwen. Kayla, Christie, Nico, Luke en Poppy overleefden niet alleen samen—ze hóórden bij elkaar. En tegen alle logica in voelde ik me daar ook onderdeel van. Found family, einde-van-de-wereld-editie.
En dan… de bunkers.
Absoluut niet.
Onmiddellijke claustrofobie. Mijn borst trok samen. Mijn brein begon te schreeuwen. Elk instinct riep: haal me hier NU uit. Als dat de bedoeling was—gefeliciteerd, missie geslaagd. Ik voelde me opgesloten terwijl ik alleen maar aan het lezen was. Indrukwekkend. En een tikje onbeleefd.
Het einde?
Ja. Dat bleef stil in mijn borst zitten en weigerde weg te gaan. Geen tranenbui, geen emotionele verwoesting—maar die droge, interne pijn. Zo’n moment waarop je na het dichtslaan van het boek gewoon even voor je uit staart. Het was niet gelukkig. Het was niet verpletterend verdrietig. Het was… eerlijk. Zo’n einde dat begrijpt dat zelfs wanneer de wereld instort, de juiste mensen het nog steeds de moeite waard kunnen maken.
Er is ruimte voor meer. En ik hoop dat ze die ruimte ook pakt.
Ik heb nog nooit een volledige aflevering van The Walking Dead uitgekeken. Interesse verloren. Het boeide me niet.
Dit? Dit was anders. Ik wílde daar zijn. Ik wilde overleven, leren, me aanpassen, helen en met hen meevechten. En zelfs nadat ik het boek dichtklapte—irritant genoeg—wil ik dat eigenlijk nog steeds.
Dus ja.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vier claustrofobische, hersenkrakende, angst-oproepende, vreemd genoeg troostende sterren.
Briljant.
Niet voor watjes.
Zéker niet voor de “romantische vlinders-en-alles-komt-goed”-mensen.
Perfect voor wie zijn verhalen graag een beetje donker, een beetje twisted en pijnlijk menselijk heeft.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay Silent by Keeley Webb
First things first: thank you, Keeley, for trusting me with an ARC. Truly appreciated. And yes—she openly says she doesn’t believe in trigger warnings, because you can’t possibly predict what will hit which reader. Honestly? I respect the hell out of that. Life doesn’t come with content warnings either.
Also important public service announcement: the animals are safe. My nervous system thanks you. Immediate plus.
Now. This book.
This book does something.
It slides into your brain easily—dangerously easy, actually. The writing flows so smoothly you don’t notice you’re already halfway in, emotionally invested, slightly unsettled, and low-key preparing your own apocalypse survival plan. Despite sudden shifts, chaos, and people turning into zombie-like shells of themselves, it never felt messy. I could keep up. I wanted to keep up.
Somehow, in the middle of collapse and horror, Keeley manages to build a family. Kayla, Christie, Nico, Luke, and Poppy didn’t just survive together—they belonged together. And against all logic, I felt like I belonged there too. Found family, end of the world edition.
And then… the bunkers.
Absolutely not.
Instant claustrophobia. My chest tightened. My brain screamed. Every instinct yelled get me the hell out of here. If that was the goal—congrats, mission accomplished. I felt trapped just reading it, which is honestly impressive and mildly rude.
The ending?
Yeah. That one sat quietly in my chest and refused to leave. Not a sobbing mess, not emotional devastation—but that dry, internal ache. The kind where you just stare for a second after closing the book. It wasn’t happy. It wasn’t devastating. It was… honest. The kind of ending that understands that even when the world burns, the right people can still make it worth staying.
There’s room for more here. And I hope she takes it.
I’ve never even managed to finish a full episode of The Walking Dead. Lost interest. Didn’t care.
This? This was different. I wanted to be there. I wanted to survive, learn, adapt, heal, and fight alongside them. And even after closing the book—annoyingly—I still kind of do.
So yeah.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Four claustrophobic, brain-scratching, anxiety-inducing, oddly comforting stars.
Brilliant.
Not for the faint-hearted.
Definitely not for the “romantic butterflies and everything will be fine” crowd.
Perfect for those of us who like our stories a little dark, a little twisted, and uncomfortably human.
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay Silent door Keeley Webb
Allereerst: dank je wel, Keeley, voor het vertrouwen en het verstrekken van een ARC. Dat waardeer ik oprecht. En ja—ze zegt zelf dat ze niet gelooft in trigger warnings, omdat het simpelweg onmogelijk is om te voorspellen wat bij welke lezer iets raakt. Eerlijk? Daar heb ik veel respect voor. Het leven komt tenslotte ook niet met waarschuwingen vooraf.
Ook belangrijk om te vermelden: de dieren blijven ongedeerd. Mijn zenuwstelsel zegt dank je wel. Meteen een pluspunt.
Dan. Dit boek.
Dit boek doet iets.
Het glijdt je hoofd in—gevaarlijk makkelijk zelfs. De schrijfstijl leest zo soepel dat je niet eens doorhebt dat je al halverwege bent, emotioneel geïnvesteerd, licht ongemakkelijk, en ondertussen mentaal een eigen apocalyps-overlevingsplan aan het samenstellen. Ondanks abrupte veranderingen, chaos en mensen die veranderen in zombie-achtige schaduwen van zichzelf, voelde het nooit rommelig. Ik kon het volgen. Ik wílde het volgen.
Op de een of andere manier weet Keeley, midden in totale instorting en horror, een familie te bouwen. Kayla, Christie, Nico, Luke en Poppy overleefden niet alleen samen—ze hóórden bij elkaar. En tegen alle logica in voelde ik me daar ook onderdeel van. Found family, einde-van-de-wereld-editie.
En dan… de bunkers.
Absoluut niet.
Onmiddellijke claustrofobie. Mijn borst trok samen. Mijn brein begon te schreeuwen. Elk instinct riep: haal me hier NU uit. Als dat de bedoeling was—gefeliciteerd, missie geslaagd. Ik voelde me opgesloten terwijl ik alleen maar aan het lezen was. Indrukwekkend. En een tikje onbeleefd.
Het einde?
Ja. Dat bleef stil in mijn borst zitten en weigerde weg te gaan. Geen tranenbui, geen emotionele verwoesting—maar die droge, interne pijn. Zo’n moment waarop je na het dichtslaan van het boek gewoon even voor je uit staart. Het was niet gelukkig. Het was niet verpletterend verdrietig. Het was… eerlijk. Zo’n einde dat begrijpt dat zelfs wanneer de wereld instort, de juiste mensen het nog steeds de moeite waard kunnen maken.
Er is ruimte voor meer. En ik hoop dat ze die ruimte ook pakt.
Ik heb nog nooit een volledige aflevering van The Walking Dead uitgekeken. Interesse verloren. Het boeide me niet.
Dit? Dit was anders. Ik wílde daar zijn. Ik wilde overleven, leren, me aanpassen, helen en met hen meevechten. En zelfs nadat ik het boek dichtklapte—irritant genoeg—wil ik dat eigenlijk nog steeds.
Dus ja.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vier claustrofobische, hersenkrakende, angst-oproepende, vreemd genoeg troostende sterren.
Briljant.
Niet voor watjes.
Zéker niet voor de “romantische vlinders-en-alles-komt-goed”-mensen.
Perfect voor wie zijn verhalen graag een beetje donker, een beetje twisted en pijnlijk menselijk heeft.