Just when I thought the Mr Dark series might loose its momentum and bore, it deliverd a rip-roaring fast paced story again. Doctor Doom is still on thJust when I thought the Mr Dark series might loose its momentum and bore, it deliverd a rip-roaring fast paced story again. Doctor Doom is still on the scene. What he touchs turns to decay and Matt Cahill armed with a razor sharp axe has the ability to see those infected by Mr. Dark's evil energy. K.Rad is what he wants to be known as, a killing machine trying to claim fame for himself. In reality he is Kevin Radowski a fired factory plant worker who is now even more full of rage and pent up on causing havoc on his ex-workplace. With Mr.Darks influence all in his path will be destroyed, he will do what he does best and multiply the evil in Kevin into a vehicle of rage, macabre and mayhem. Matt Cahill is the people's only hope. This was a fun page-turning series delivered in a short, sharp and deadly fashion. The narrative was flowing and short to the point, Matt cahills axe was sharp as hell and the deadly side was the psychopath K.Rad teamed up with Mr.Dark....more
A nice little short and creepy read. Dolls and talk of voodo on a boat sightseeing tour serve a good chilling little read.
"Dolls of all sizes, in variA nice little short and creepy read. Dolls and talk of voodo on a boat sightseeing tour serve a good chilling little read.
"Dolls of all sizes, in various states of decay, hung from trees like grisly christmas ornaments. Most have lost limbs, eyes, or entire torsos to the passage of time. With their still plump cherub cheeks, they would have been pretty once upon at time, looking at home in a little girls bedroom - a little girl like Taylor. Now, their grimy, cracked complexions and missing eyes made them look more like mutant chunky dolls."...more
This was a pleasant surprise of a story. The Bone Tree is a insidious presence in a cemetery, which is not the only horrors in this story. What made iThis was a pleasant surprise of a story. The Bone Tree is a insidious presence in a cemetery, which is not the only horrors in this story. What made it that much better than just a horror story, was the growing up problems the buddies in this story faced. The main protagonist a white kid tells of his youth and his best pal Bobby a black kid and their discovery of the bone tree. He takes us through his horrors of bullying and racism, due to them being best buddies which others don't approve of. He tells us of his worries of death and the fear of what evil lurks in the shadows and the mysterious bone tree. This story is written so well and does not let up at all. It hooks you in with really good storytelling.
"The trunk of the tree was thick; it's roots were bunched and gnarled rising from the earth in every direction fom it like the knobby knuckles of broken hands. It split out from its trunk in many directions, looking very much like graphing claws; branches twisted like the pain- wracked frame of a fleshless corpse. At each bend there was a knotty snarl of twisted wood, like diseased elderly joints. It had been struck by lightening; it was split and shocked. Still it grew. Somehow though, there was not a shred of greenery or life upon it. It was backless and stark white. The living bones of death."
Malfi immerses you in a cold surroundings, with a person with strange abilities. A group of men on a fishing boat at sea spot a young stranded naked gMalfi immerses you in a cold surroundings, with a person with strange abilities. A group of men on a fishing boat at sea spot a young stranded naked girl in artic conditions stranded on ice. What is she doing in the middle of nowhere? Where is she from? Most people when they see a stranded person and naked would not turn their cheek and not help them to safety, they had really had no reason to not help. When see is rescued and onboard the vessel all things seem to deteriorate and go wrong starting with the gps system and on-board computers not working. The most important tools at sea are navigation systems and communications. Stranded now with a girl with no name help is needed and speedily. The story was engrossing and interesting he achieves in making you feel the fear, isolation and cold weather. Malfi seems to be turning out many good reads lately with some creative settings and characters....more
Stephen King gives us an insight into the world of horror, science fiction film and essential reading. I love nearly all his fiction work and his non-Stephen King gives us an insight into the world of horror, science fiction film and essential reading. I love nearly all his fiction work and his non-fiction novel On Writing was such a great insider view on his writing world. This one is more ramblings and at times became annoying yes he writes good stories but hearing one too many rambles on his view of film and fiction might not really be that captivating for other readers also. He mentions the three important horror classics the vampire, the werewolf and thing with no name novels. If you were a fan of the old cult horror movies you would like this....more
An engaging story involving a twelve year old boy accused of the murder and rape of a young girl. We follow the solicitor in his taking on of the caseAn engaging story involving a twelve year old boy accused of the murder and rape of a young girl. We follow the solicitor in his taking on of the case and the turmoil and hate he faces representing a young boy accused of murder. The public hate him as they know of his identity and the solicitor is bombarded by hate and finger pointing. His wife and a young daughter soon find themselves having to face problems, due to his high profile and sensitive case. It was an interesting read and gives you a observant eye and thought provoking take on young offenders and crimes. Responsibilities, motives and punishment all come again under the microscope as food for thought....more
9/11 a date imprinted on the minds of many a time in history that saw the loss of countless lives and changed the minds and hearts of those that were 9/11 a date imprinted on the minds of many a time in history that saw the loss of countless lives and changed the minds and hearts of those that were left behind forever. Sometimes the truth is darker than fiction. Steve Piacente has penned a story that could have been any one of the stories we have seen on the news in the past, a story about a man Hank Moss who lost his beloved sister in the fallen and gave up all. He put his career on hold, he was a top professional tennis player and had a wife and kid, he enlisted himself to go and fight in Afghanistan and never returned again except in a casket. His wife Isabel (Bella) a strong main character of this story wants the truth on his death and those responsible held accounted for. Bella seeks out the help of Danny a Washington journalist to uncover the truth and bring it out into the open. Danny finds himself seduced by the one strikingly beautiful widower, recently himself out of a marriage with a child to his name, is he on the rebound? Or is he caught in a web of deceit and just a pawn in a game? This story is it just about selling the papers and getting the votes or its more about the truth even though it could dispirit those in a similar position as Hank Moss?
The author Steve Piacente, also experienced as a Washington journalist, knows the world around the journalist character Danny well and weavers the story and hooks you in with the need for truth. There are some really nicely put together descriptive passages in this story and he tackles many feelings in this story of love and loss, trust and dishonesty. For a debut he has done well in tackling a big story of fiction that has quite a non-fiction reality to it.
"They wound up placing a few mementos in her casket-a childhood bible, a family photo, her diary and a lock of her daughters hair. At the wake, five-year-old Sally gestured toward the casket and tugged his sleeve.Is she there, Uncle Hank? That was when Hank decided to put his career an family on hold and go fight in Afghanistan."Hitting tennis balls seems ridiculous right now,"he told Sports Illustrated the day he enlisted."I don't want special treatment from the Army. I just want to go."
"The Secretary of Defense posthumously promoted Hank to corporal and awarded him a Silver Star for gallantry, valor and heroism."A hero and a patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice," the Secretary said."
"The same things once impressed your wife. No more. Your wife not only knows your tricks, she knows every shirt, tie and pair of pants hanging in the closet. After a few years, she doesn't even look up when you go out the door. So an adoring new girlfriend-or boyfriend for the neglected wife-is great for a flagging ego. What no thinks about is that after a little time, once the glow fades, the adoring girlfriend learns to hide the harmonica because the same songs over and over begin triggering migraines that make her feel like her eyes are bleeding."
Also video of the author and book trailer here....more
Some times the less you hear from family members the better. Imagine the notorious Bundies, Dahmers, Masons and Oswalds of this world the trail of firSome times the less you hear from family members the better. Imagine the notorious Bundies, Dahmers, Masons and Oswalds of this world the trail of fire and damage they leave behind for their families. This main protagonist of this story has a brother he would rather not hear off he has done bad in the past and is about to bring the unimaginable to fruition and make himself a mark in history. He receives knowledge, via an unexpected visit from his brothers ex-girlfriend, of his rebirth she speaks of new clean slate in life and finding of God. Living in a little no-name town in the middle of nowhere. One thing he knows is a Leopard doesn't change his spots. His sociopath brother is about to make history in the biblical way of things. The girl manages to get him out into meeting his brother and bizarrely finds himself included his brothers cult plan. His brothers talk of nature, rebirth, destruction and Cain and Abel.
The story hooks you from the offset and does not let up in momentum and page-turningness. It's short a novella that leaves you eagerly in expectation of Book 1 of the saga with The Grant Brothers.
I had been meaning to read this authors other previous novels as there has been some good praise out there. His novels have nice artwork on the cover and good titles. This is another lesser known writer that should be up on the shelves in the main local bookstores.
Are you your brothers keeper? Review also up over here. ...more
"Red Fury he's the Man Try and stop him if you can!"
This novel stemmed from George's novel The Night Gardener where a character Red 'Fury' Jones wa
"Red Fury he's the Man Try and stop him if you can!"
This novel stemmed from George's novel The Night Gardener where a character Red 'Fury' Jones was planted as a fable, he wanted to give a whole story with him in as the bad boy. And what a story it is, well done this is a throwback to the bygone days of Plymouth automobiles, Afro puffs, when single tracks were on 45 records needed of a spacer, no mobiles, social media, or CCTV. Good old detective work knocking down doors and shacking up perps. He delivers a kind of tale that could be quite true by the letter. Red and his Madame Coco are wreaking havoc in town and making themselves known. They are robbing, killing dealers, testers and suppliers. Bobby Odum a tester of substances is the main focus of Frank "Hound Dog" Vaughn a Washington, D.C. cop investigating his death by the gun of notorious Red. He's been smoked and his stash taken, that stash happens to be on loan from The Syndicate an out of town mobsters, a whole load of fireworks is about to go off. The syndicate hire two contract man Lou Fanella and Gino Gregorio. Red is biting off more than he can chew. Derek Strange our other main character a P.I, that George has been running with in previous novels, has been hired by a lady to recover her precious ring that was in possession of the murdered Bobby by the hands of Red. This interlocks Derek Strange a P.I and Vaughan a cop together in an unofficial way in hot pursuit of bringing down and catching the over eager gun totting up and coming bad guy Red.
This is the kind of story I was waiting to read from Pelecanos, he writes with good characters, crisp dialog and slick style. The pace gathers momentum and delivers a satisfying entertaining rumble tumble tale.
Watergate, Afro puffs, colt 22 Woodsman and Plymouth Fury GT Sport V8 are all from a period of time we will look back on and this story makes you feel part of. One Red 'Fury' Jones is leaving behind a trail of fire making this one, a must read.
Settle up and listen to the track of this stories days and featured in this book 'If Loving You is Wrong' by Luther Ingram via a single 45 (don't forget the spacer in the middle) and savor.
A very well done debut. With praise from the likes of James Ellroy on the cover you couldn't go wrong. He was right it does hooks you in also it has a A very well done debut. With praise from the likes of James Ellroy on the cover you couldn't go wrong. He was right it does hooks you in also it has a twist of supernatural. There are twelve ghosts, there was twelve innocents that died over a number of years at the hands of politicians and group members. There was battles and fighting for independence, but the twelve were innocent bystanders that got caught in the trail of fire. One by one the ghosts of the dead want revenge delivered and the twelve responsible taken out. Everybody pays! There is plenty of vengeance and revenge but will there be mercy? The main protagonist a hitman and a member of the group is haunted by the twelve ghosts and they will not leave him be until he has turned on his own men and executed all of the twelve guilty ones. He finds love in the form of Marie, she was married to a cop Jack Lennon. Marie also has a child Ellen. As news spreads that he's responsible for murder of important political figures, will he be able to keep them safe and out of the firing line? This was a real surprise, it grabs your attention and unravels into a thrilling, well written and page-turning story.
A man in a dilemma of sorts divorced and missing his wife. His only real companion at present is a man best friend a puppy. It's fine company animals A man in a dilemma of sorts divorced and missing his wife. His only real companion at present is a man best friend a puppy. It's fine company animals but way out in a middle of no where is not the best place to live especially if you have unwelcome visitors that wish destruction and manipulation. Just don't hurt my fury friends. The main protagonist lost two of the most important things before he moved to this desolate place. Two things that most defined him were being a husband and his career as a teacher, so if any trouble comes knocking at his door he has nothing to loose or does he? He might have yet to experienced the worst of times, as his worst nightmares may soon occur before him. The author absorbs you in the moment and constructs a dark dreary cold atmosphere. He is succeeding continually in writing creative stories, definitely one writer to watch out for. There maybe salvation, damnation, transcendence or perhaps all three.
"From the very corner of his eye he saw them standing there, little hideous silhouettes in the night, silently watching with their horrible eyes."...more