Trey Stone is a Norwegian author who pens his gripping tales in English. He has already carved a name for himself in the world of psychological thrillers and speculative fiction. With four novels and a collection of short stories under his belt, he’s best known for ‘At the Gate,’ a mind-bending psychological thriller that’s left readers questioning reality itself. He is an archaeologist as well as a guitarist in two bands, Dark Delirium and Maryon. He spends his free time reading books, playing video games, or working out.
He began his writing journey in 2015 with ‘The Consequence of Loyalty,’ and hasn’t looked back since. Now, he’s about to break new ground with his first Norwegian-language novel, Fjordbeist—a young-adult adventure that promises to be as thrilling and imaginative as his earlier work.
Below is a review of his book ‘At The Gate.’ Buckle up cause it’s a wild ride. I am very thankful to Trey for sending me a copy of this book.
‘At The Gate’ is a deeply unsettling psychological thriller that blurs the boundary between illusion and truth, consciousness and dream. The narrative centres on Joseph Podwall who checks in at ‘The Gate’ hotel. He is weary, quiet, and burdened by more than just luggage. He is grieving the loss of his daughter who was murdered and is at the hotel to take his own life. He was looking for a quiet and undisturbed place.
But from the moment he stepped foot into the hotel, nothing was quite as it appeared. Floors were becoming smaller, trouble finding his room, the elevator not working although he was sure he heard the whirring sound of machinery inside, suspicious staff and him not remembering how long he had been there, all become evidence of something sinister at work.
To make sense of it all, he starts to investigate. He finds that Bryan, the concierge is always unusually present at the desk. Other guests like Baker and Carver never seem to leave their spots. He meets Alyssa who is enigmatic, perceptive, and clearly hiding something. Joseph takes her help in uncovering the secrets the hotel is hiding. But can he truly trust Alyssa. Is she an ally or a manipulator?
The book is a mindfuck. Nothing is as it seems at all. As you go down the rabbit hole, it keeps getting deeper and deeper. It’s Alice in Wonderland in a much more disturbing and twisted way. This is psychological terror at its finest, where the hotel becomes more than a setting; it becomes a metaphor for the mind—its shifting corridors, locked rooms, and eerie repetitions echo Joseph’s internal chaos.
Stone does not deliver cheap scares. There are no jump-scares in print, no monsters lurking in shadows—just a relentless sense of dread that tightens like a noose. Each sentence builds momentum, like a heartbeat growing louder. The pacing is fast. You never know what new information will be thrown at you on the next page.
Just as the characters, you start to feel there is nothing outside The Gate. It becomes the microcosm of all your fears and your past which never lets hold of you. The mystery is handled with expertise. Every answer leads to more questions. Every revelation changes the entire shape of the story. And just when you think you’ve grasped it all, the floor drops beneath you, sometimes literally.
However, the ambiguity that makes the novel so fascinating can also make it feel disorienting. It can be hard to keep up with the fast-paced narrative and the side characters are not as well developed as the main ones. Despite this, it is one of few books that make a deep impression on your psyche.
This is not a story that ends when you close the book. It lingers in your thoughts, your dreams, and the quiet moments between. It is like entering a nightmare you’re not sure you want to wake up from. It’s intense, emotional, and strange in all the best ways. The most incredible thing about this book is that it is inspired by real events and this fact does not help at all.
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will truly unnerve you, one that refuses to hold your hand or offer simple answers—check in to At The Gate. Just be warned: once you enter, you may never truly leave.
The book is available on Amazon , Inked in Gray , and the author’s own website . It is a must read. Go check it out and let us know your thoughts.
The author is available on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter.
Do you like psychological thrillers? Suggest your favourite ones in the comment section.
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