Title: Wilson

Author: Jack Finn

Release date: February 10th, 2026

*Huge thanks to Jack for sending me a digital copy of this one!*

It’s been a few years since Jack and I connected – I think first on IG – and I absolutely love the variety of posts he shares, highlighting so, so many books. Up until now, I simply haven’t managed to read one of this yet, but when he reached out and asked if I’d be down to check out his newest, ‘Wilson,’ I was all over it. The cover (from Blaine Daigle, an amazing author himself!) was great and the synopsis sounded right up my alley. It read like a monster-of-the-week X-Files episode, which had me stoked!

What I liked: Set in the 1940’s, Wilson works in a sideshow carnival, traveling the country and bringing in townsfolks to see the animals and the freaks. He’s a loner, an odd-ball, but a key component to the day-to-day enjoyment of the show to those who attend. He has a camera and he takes a photo of those who’ll pay, so they have a picture to remember the day. But his camera isn’t all that it seems to be. It has an extra button. A special button. A button that allows Wilson to connect with their soul.

Finn sets things up nicely while also playing rough shod with the idea of ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ Wilson doesn’t care that the camera connection seems to be growing, seems to be demanding more of him and that he simply can’t control the desires he gets from what the camera gives him.

As the story progresses, we get to see the hold Wilson finds himself under, but as the darkness takes over, a light shines – Dahlia. A beautiful woman visits, one who – for some unknown reason to Wilson – attaches to him and wants to see the elephants.

There’s a marketed tone shift here and it works really nicely to let the reader know something’s off with Dahlia, but something’s off with Wilson’s addiction to the photos.

This sets up the ending really nicely, spinning the story on its head and ensuring that we get an finale that did the build up justice.

What I didn’t like: We get a little bit of a backstory regarding how Wilson gets the camera etc. but I would’ve really loved to have learned more and maybe even had a flashback or two of it previously being used. Not a big thing, but I think a slightly missed opportunity for more of the dark element that camera brought to the story.

Why you should buy this: This novella ended up being a perfect take on the ‘monster-of-the-week’ idea I was hoping it’d be when I dove in. Snappy chapters, deft storytelling and the darkness Finn gives us what a perfect mix of unsettling and brutal. This was a ton of fun, and a book I think folks will really dig, especially if you enjoy carnival/circus themed horror.