Headlights by CJ Leede is an FBI mystery set within a horror novel, all taking place in Colorado. There is also a horrormance subplot with a spicy scene that is so unbelievably messed up. The book also serves as both an ode to Stephen King and to John Denver. In many ways, it could double as a travel guide for Aspen and Denver, Colorado. Headlights is an amalgamation of ideas. It doesn’t always work, but I appreciate the ambition, and the book is never boring.
Stephen King is clearly a major influence, with The Shining being highlighted throughout the novel. My copy is signed, and Leede wrote “Shine on,” a reference to The Shining that also becomes a recurring phrase in the story. Since The Shining was inspired by Colorado’s Stanley Hotel, this novel feels like a love letter to both the hotel and King’s work. That sequence was easily the highlight of the book for me as a lifelong King fan, especially since The Shining is my favorite of his novels. Leede also cleverly weaves other King titles into the narrative. I caught five references, though there could easily be more.
John Denver is a big part of the novel in songs and his biography. A trigger for the main characters trauma is through Annie’s Song. Leede makes these peaceful songs haunting.
The writing is excellent. The cadence of Leede’s prose is beautiful, especially when we are inside Daniel’s head. The mystery itself is intriguing, but the reader is kept in the dark for more than half the novel. I’ve had fellow readers tell me they DNFed the book because of this, and I can’t say the thought never crossed my mind. I felt we needed answers or at least a stronger sense of direction much sooner. The novel immediately became more engaging once Danny finally got on the right track, but that doesn’t happen until around the 65% mark. From there, the final third is a freight train of momentum, revelations, and payoff. Nearly all of my favorite scenes are in the back half.
Colorado is not simply a setting in this novel, it becomes an identity. By the time you finish the book, you’ll come away with an impressive knowledge of Colorado from both a tourist’s and a longtime resident’s perspective. You’ll probably have a travel bucket list by the end. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a novel that explored its setting in such depth. Sometimes those details enhance the narrative beautifully, while other times it feels as though Leede simply wanted to share another interesting fact about Colorado, whether it naturally fit the story or not.
The horror is ever present, even during the spicy scene. The novel blends grotesque body horror, cosmic horror, and graphic gore. The descriptions often feel almost clinical, giving them the unsettling realism of true crime while still embracing supernatural horror.
The book feels like The Shining and its many ghosts mixed with the investigative procedural elements and brutal realism of True Detective.
The ending features a fantastic return to where everything began. I didn’t love every aspect of the explanation behind the murders, as that reveal didn’t completely work for me. I loved the epilogue and the emotional meaning it gave to one character’s journey.
Headlights by C.J. Leede was first published on June 9, 2026, by Tor Nightfire.
Why did I read Headlights by C.J. Leede?
C.J. Leede has been on my radar for quite some time, ever since her debut Maeve Fly. Headlights is her third novel.
She was one of the authors I was most looking forward to meeting at AuthorCon in February 2026. I bought both Maeve Fly and American Rapture to have signed. While talking with her, I noticed she had ARCs of Headlights. I had recently been rejected for the book on NetGalley and, because of the wolf on the cover, I assumed it was a werewolf novel that would fit my Monster of the Month project. When I mentioned that, she laughed and told me it wasn’t a werewolf novel and admitted it was difficult to describe. Then she handed me an ARC and told me I should read it.
C.J. Leede is an absolute ball of joy. She was incredibly friendly, smiling the entire time we talked. I mentioned that I hadn’t yet read Maeve Fly, but that Brian McAuley, who mostly writes slashers, had told me it was a horror novel not to miss. After finishing Headlights, Maeve Fly will definitely be my next Leede novel.
Plot Summary:
Daniel is an FBI agent on his final day before leaving to enlist in the Army when he receives a phone call telling him, “It’s happening again.”
Five years earlier, he left Colorado after an unsolved murder investigation suddenly went cold. The killings involved strangers found wearing the skin of their victims, yet each killer claimed to have no memory of ever meeting the person they murdered.
This time, however, something is different. One victim is discovered alongside a survivor. It’s the first time anyone has lived through one of these attacks, and Daniel is convinced this changes everything. The case also feels deeply personal because the survivor was found at the same location where Daniel’s mother was murdered years earlier.
Who or what is behind these horrific crimes?
What I Liked:
The writing is beautiful. Leede has an incredible command of language, and many of her sentences practically sing off the page.
The spicy scene is unforgettable because of where it takes place and everything happening around it. The romance itself is hot, but everything surrounding it is disturbing. It’s one of those scenes I’ll probably never forget.
I really liked what “headlights” ultimately came to symbolize. I loved how the title evolved into something much more meaningful than its literal definition, becoming a metaphor for finding light in darkness.
The final confrontation was excellent. It was everything the novel had been building toward and delivered a satisfying climax.
Tillman ended up being my favorite character. I didn’t care for him at first, but by the end of the novel I absolutely loved him. His character arc surprised me in the best way.
What I Disliked:
The explanation behind the murders was just okay. It reminded me a little of an anime I’ve seen, and it ultimately pushed a little too far into territory that didn’t completely work for me.
I also disliked how long the reader remains in the dark. Waiting until roughly the 65% mark before providing meaningful answers is simply too long. I think Daniel needed at least one substantial clue or investigative lead much earlier, even if it eventually proved to be a dead end.
Recommendation:
Headlights is a truly one of a kind novel that won’t be for everyone. There is a lot to admire, but most of what I loved comes in the back half of the book. Once it gets going it is incredibly rewarding.
Stephen King fans will especially appreciate all the references and the ways Leede pays tribute to his work. The novel also doubles as an unexpected love letter to Colorado, making Aspen and Denver feel like characters in their own right.
I can only cautiously recommend this one. I think the payoff in the second half is strong enough to justify pushing through the slower, more frustrating first half. At the same time, I completely understand why some readers choose to DNF it.
I will definitely continue reading C.J. Leede. Maeve Fly is next on my list.
Rating:
Headlights by CJ Leede
3.5 out of 5
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