BBNYA 2025 Finalist Spotlight: Carousel by Sarah McKnight
There is something uniquely unsettling about carnival stories. Beneath the lights, music, and nostalgic atmosphere often lurks something darker - the sense that danger is quietly waiting behind the spectacle.
Carousel by Sarah McKnight leans fully into that eerie atmosphere, blending gothic horror elements with the strange dreamlike tension that only a nighttime carnival can create. As a finalist in the BBNYA 2025 competition, this indie horror novel immediately stands out for its striking visual identity and ominous premise.
About Carousel by Sarah McKnight
If you enjoy atmospheric horror filled with unsettling carnival imagery, creeping tension, and gothic undertones, Carousel promises a chilling ride into the shadows.
Carousel By Sarah McKnight
Published by Independently Published on April 2024
Genres: Horror, Thriller
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 288
Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin…
All Laura Fitzpatrick wanted to do was tell her lab partner, Maddie, how she really feels about her, but when a perfect opportunity falls into her lap, Laura does what she does best – chickens out.
Then, Laura is dared to check out the abandoned carnival grounds outside of town, and she seizes the opportunity to prove to herself and others that she can be brave after all. To her surprise, Maddie isn’t about to let her go alone.
As they explore the eerie property, they’re thrust into an endless night of terror, where danger lurks around every corner. With a century-old mystery waiting to be uncovered, Laura must learn what true bravery means if she hopes to get herself – and Maddie – out of the Plum Creek Carnival alive.
Whatever you do, don't let the Carnival Man see you...
Why This Book Stands Out
What immediately caught my attention about Carousel is how strongly it embraces atmosphere. Even before opening the book, the imagery alone creates a sense of unease - glowing carnival lights paired with something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
Carnival horror has a long tradition of blending wonder with fear, and this story appears to lean into that contrast beautifully. The combination of gothic visuals, mysterious warnings, and the unsettling figure of the Carnival Man gives the book a cinematic quality that feels especially fitting for readers who enjoy horror driven as much by mood and tension as by outright scares.
As part of this year's BBNYA finalists, Carousel also highlights the creativity and genre variety thriving within the indie author community.
Reader resources:
Curious to learn more or see how this story is resonating with other readers?
Before we move on, here's a quick look at the author behind the story.
Meet Sarah McKnight
About Sarah McKnight
Sarah McKnight has been writing stories since she could pick up a pencil, and it often got her in trouble during math class.
After a brief stint teaching English to unruly middle schoolers in Japan, she decided she wasn’t going to put off her dream of becoming a writer any longer and set to work.
With several novels in the making, she hopes to tackle issues such as anxiety, depression, and letting go of the past - with a little humor sprinkled in, too.
A St. Louis native, she currently lives in Pennsylvania with her wonderful husband and three cats.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Buy
If this finalist sounds like your kind of read, you can explore purchase options below.
Support Local Bookshops
While Carousel is not currently listed individually on Bookshop.org, readers can still browse Sarah McKnight's available titles there while supporting independent bookstores.
Kindle | Paperback
If these links do not route to your region's Amazon store, please let me know and I will happily send you the correct one. Using my links does not cost you anything extra, but it does help support my site and indie author features.
About BBNYA
The Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is a yearly competition where book bloggers from around the world read and score books written by indie authors. From hundreds of submissions, a small group of finalists is selected, culminating in one overall winner.
The award celebrates the creativity and diversity of independent publishing while helping readers discover incredible books beyond the traditional publishing spotlight.
BBNYA Website
@BBNYA_Official
@The_WriteReads
More BBNYA 2025 Spotlights & Reviews
Explore more of my BBNYA 2025 reviews and spotlights.
Closing Notes
Thank you to The Write Reads, BBNYA, and Sarah McKnight for allowing me to spotlight this finalist today.
Please consider congratulating the author in the comments or sharing this post with a fellow reader who enjoys discovering great indie books.
Happy reading - and thank you for supporting indie authors and stories worth discovering.
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