Matt Cahill spends time amongst the carneys where he is inadvertently the cause of their demise. Starting with an attempted rape of a young woman and Matt Cahill spends time amongst the carneys where he is inadvertently the cause of their demise. Starting with an attempted rape of a young woman and culminating with a needy co dependence with Mr Dark, CARNIVAL OF DEATH delivers a nice chunk of popcorn fiction that’s easily consumed but adds little by way of the dead man mythology and broader end game. The more I read of these novellas the more desensitised I become to what Cahill can and can’t achieve with the all powerful wielding of his trusty axe. That said, CARNIVAL OF DEATH was enjoyable in the moment, just not as memorable as some of the previous entries in the episodic life of the dead man. ...more
Continuing the episodic and almost scripted for TV feel of the previous Dead Man novellas, FIRE AND ICE (#8) author Jude Hardin pits series protagonisContinuing the episodic and almost scripted for TV feel of the previous Dead Man novellas, FIRE AND ICE (#8) author Jude Hardin pits series protagonist Matt Cahill against a determined and disgruntled employee at a chemicals plant in the midst of a killing spree. Mr. Dark has spun his deadly web, sinking his venomous teeth into Cahill’s love interest and K-Rad (killer) alike. Only Cahill has the power to stop this contained mayhem from spreading out to the broader community. FIRE AND ICE is a quick read that doesn’t do all that much to expand upon Cahill’s story but serves well as a mild form of escapism that’s entertaining from start to finish. Kind of MacDonald’s for the mind. ...more
THE BEAST WITHIN Reads like a men's magazine adventure pulp with a supernatural twist. Cahill is cast as a commando of sorts, taking down soldiers witTHE BEAST WITHIN Reads like a men's magazine adventure pulp with a supernatural twist. Cahill is cast as a commando of sorts, taking down soldiers with ease and rescuing the inhabitants of the compound with little regard for his own safety. The action is high octane and more akin to blockbuster action than supernatural drama of pervious instalments. The nature of the episodic novellas is more prevalent here with the plot coming together as a once off read - knowledge of what came before isn't essential but will provide context to Cahill's plight.
THE BEAST WITHIN surprised me. I didn't expect the type of story author James Daniels concocted for the series - and that's a good thing.
There is a theme emerging here…the last two instalments (Hell in Heaven and The Dead Woman) see Matt travel from one small town to the next in search There is a theme emerging here…the last two instalments (Hell in Heaven and The Dead Woman) see Matt travel from one small town to the next in search of the ever elusive Mr. Dark but finding little more than blood thirsty paranormal activity. While entertaining, the repetitiveness is starting to impact on the reader experience. That said, ‘The Dead Woman’ is pretty good – Matt’s story is progressed and the foundations of a larger cause are exposed during an exchange with Mr. Dark. The continuity feels more linked with ‘Face of Evil’ and ‘The Dead Woman’ than the interceding novellas – one could almost assume that this is the direct follow-up to the initial instalment.
The minor complaint I have is the change from grieving husband to overtly promiscuous single derails part of the core characterisation of the series protagonist, Matt Cahill. Initially (re: Face of Evil), after a lot of cajoling did Matt find himself in the arms of another – since then each instalment has him jumping into bed with the first woman caller. Perhaps I shouldn’t be fixated by this as it detracts from what’s shaping as a decent overarching story in the episodic paranormal series of novellas.
Overall, this is a fast paced novella brimming with action and hinting at much, much more. I can’t wait to see where Matt Cahill and Mr. Dark go to next – 3.5 stars. ...more
Brimming with tension and gripping suspense, ‘The Face of Evil’ – the first of the Dead Man series of novellas featuring reanimated corpse Matthew CahBrimming with tension and gripping suspense, ‘The Face of Evil’ – the first of the Dead Man series of novellas featuring reanimated corpse Matthew Cahill kicks the series off to a fine start. This had a distinct TV pilot episode feel to it as each scene was delivered in crisp clear detail supported by shock moments of horror. Keeping the elements of gore to a minimum as well as providing a fleeting glimpse into Cahill’s psyche added a level of mystery to the open-book protagonist and hinted at a much more sinister and deeper plot on the horizon. While a lean read, the story behind Cahill's reanimation and quest for answers is chock block full of meaty goodness sure to keep the reader guessing as to where he's heading and what mysteries are due to unfold. Utterly entertaining - 4 stars....more
Compelled by a desire to shed solitude and seek brethren, Matt Cahill is lead to a decrepit mental institution in search of Jesse Weston, a man whose Compelled by a desire to shed solitude and seek brethren, Matt Cahill is lead to a decrepit mental institution in search of Jesse Weston, a man whose former life experience mirrors Cahill’s. What Cahill’s omnipresent Mr. Dark is to him, the Rotting Man is all encompassing for Weston. More than a mere shadow and quick scare; the Rotting Man is a different kind of evil – one that presents Cahill with a terrifying glimpse into a possible future.
‘The Ring of Knives’ is a sharp story of pure terror with a slight twist. Praised for its supernatural elements, the Dead Man series takes a deeper look into the cruelty of man in a setting where ramifications are non existent and blood flows as frequently as water. Author James Daniels does a great job at instilling a constant sense of dread throughout Cahill’s ordeal against orderlies and oddities as he fights tooth and nail to save an abandoned yet mysterious soul from her torture-mad minders.
Action packed from the opening stanza to the bloody conclusion. ‘The Ring of Knives’ conjures images of heinous acts portrayed through Daniels storytelling in descriptively disturbing detail – the inhabitants of the institution will take some time to leave you – particularly those paramount to this novellas conclusion. This is horror, pure and simple - 4 stars. ...more
The transient nature of Matt Cahill’s place setting is an emerging theme instilling an episodic-like feel to the Dead Man series. The third instalmentThe transient nature of Matt Cahill’s place setting is an emerging theme instilling an episodic-like feel to the Dead Man series. The third instalment lands Matt in a down devoid of modern community and ruled by the paranormal. Deviating from the initial two novellas, ‘Hell in Heaven’ is laden with uncharacteristic actions of the protagonist and misguided continuity plot threads – most notably Matt’s ability to see evil in the form of a persons rotting soul. While the mysterious Mr. Dark was alluded to, I got the sense he was never the intended antagonist, rather, the paranormal being which held the closed town in the palm of her/its hand. The throw-back to an earlier time where waring families gathered arms to ‘own’ a town didn’t fit with the series theme and failed to describe reason for Matt’s involvement. The warring was gruesome and out of place – if written elsewhere it would’ve been good but did nothing to enhance the series. Still, taken as a stand-alone it was ok, and for that I give it a pass grade – 2.5 stars. ...more
A vicious stanza in the ever growing catalogue of catastrophe centred on the undead man, Matt Cahill. Sharp as the axe the supernatural protagonist wiA vicious stanza in the ever growing catalogue of catastrophe centred on the undead man, Matt Cahill. Sharp as the axe the supernatural protagonist wields, ‘Blood Mesa’ cuts deep into the ever growing story of Matt and his drive towards eradicating the elusive Mr. Dark. Derived from a well documented back story, ‘Blood Mesa’ doesn’t add much by way of future continuity plot threads, rather operating in isolation as an orgy of demonic fuelled blood lust and cannibalistic mayhem atop a relatively secluded mesa in New Mexico. Continuing the episodic feel, allowed Reasoner the ability to forge the archaeological digs’ core characters and surface-define their personalities without needing to bed-down an in-depth back story as their contribution to Matt was very much like the original theory behind the penny dreadful, read once then discarded. ‘Blood Mesa’ is told in a similar style to the previous instalments, quick, no-holds barred horror with a nice dose of shock and awe accompanied by small contributions towards the ongoing continuity. Reading this will leave you satisfied while instantaneously yearning for more - 4 stars. ...more
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