This is a book in three parts. It started off strong, and then I disliked each part more than the previous. 

The premise is very interesting. A haunted payphone swallows up a kid and the only witness (with a troubled past) because the prime suspect. But this book quickly devolves into something I did not quite love. I think it has all the elements of a great story, but some additions of not so great storytelling overshadowed them. 

I think if this was a novella with only part one of the story, it could have easily been a 3.5 (maybe higher) rated read for me. The premise is interesting and although we follow the MC and know what happens, the negative reactions that he receives are pretty plausible. You want to root for him because we know the horror, and it makes for an overall likeable MC. 

What didn't work for me is that the second and third part seem to try to keep building on the initial part but in a way that overly complicates (and me eventually ruined) the initial part. This book also pretty heavily leans into negative stereotypes of mental illness, in a way that seemed completely unnecessary to the plot of the story. 

Disclaimer: I received a gifted print ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.