This one was dark, but for a whole different reason than the previous ones. Connolly has never been one to shy from dark and grim in his Charlie ParkeThis one was dark, but for a whole different reason than the previous ones. Connolly has never been one to shy from dark and grim in his Charlie Parker series, but here he takes on the subject of child abuse. If you’ve been following the series (and you should if you haven’t) you’ll know that Parker’s life has been somewhat fraught with distress and all kinds of darkness. To paraphrase another review of this book, one would almost hope that the author would give the poor guy a break. Not here, however, as Parker is haunted by his own dead child while he tries to solve the mystery of a disappeared psychiatrist, an investigation which opens up a wormy can of ugly things (notably the aforementioned child abuse). It’s a mystery in the best tradition of detective fiction, but with the trademark tinge of ambiguous supernaturalism slightly tuned down. Just slightly. Because, you see, … hollow men.
This wasn’t the easiest book to read, because of the subject matter. As such, it isn’t an easy review to write, so I’ll stop now and just leave this exit statement: READ THIS SERIES...more
Thanks to my parents, for allowing me to grow up strange. - From the author’s Acknowledgments
It’s clear, as early as the prologue, that Bentley Little Thanks to my parents, for allowing me to grow up strange. - From the author’s Acknowledgments
It’s clear, as early as the prologue, that Bentley Little isn’t afraid to write about things that scratch at the door of your comfort zone. You may argue that some of this is uncalled for. In fact, you wouldn’t be wrong, but in this particular instance there is some method to the madness. So read on.
"I like the dark."
This is a novel about a twisted serial killer. Which is a bit like saying Jason Voorhees has “homicidal tendencies”. The killings in here are uniquely grotesque and macabre. Even though most of it is only described post mortem, it’s still mucho disturbing. If you have a craving for a story that will freak you out a bit, then chances are you’ve come to the right place.
He smelled the nauseous odor of violence.
Suffice to say, this is a frigging uneasy read. Shelve it under Horror and not under something as incongruous as “Thriller” or “Mystery”. It isn’t particularly frenetic, pacing-wise, but Little manages to maintain a level of tension throughout that is just, well, uncomfortable.
The police procedural aspects and investigative techniques described also keep things interesting. This is something that is often lacking in similar novels.
In fact, the whole affair has some good plot development and event progression.
What kind of person would commit a murder like that? And why?
My wife often asks me why I read books like these (i.e. books that make me squirm a bit). Truth be told, I’m not sure... but I do tend to keep coming back for more.
I’m not sure just how “politically correct” this book would be deemed to be, given some of the revelations toward the latter end of the story, and I found the bizarre sexual themes somewhat abrasive and messed up. H.o.w.e.v.e.r. this is a Horror novel so it’s not supposed to be an easy read.
The thing with a book like this: it raises a number of questions that I would typically like to speculate on, but I can’t do it here for spoiler reasons. If you read this for the right reasons, and if you are a Horror junkie, there’s no reason not to enjoy it. You could argue there are some flaws in the Author's logic concerning some aspects of the story, but Horror fiction is full of apparently omnipotent baddies that aren't properly explained (Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers et al). At least Little comes up with an explanation of sorts for his antagonist. In the end, when it comes to this kind of thing... it just ain't about the "logic" after all...
There might be a method to this madness as well, but it was still madness, and he did not understand it.
First the whispers were in a dream. And then they weren’t.
What do you get if you take a strange town in the moors, Halloween, eerie rituals, psychiatr First the whispers were in a dream. And then they weren’t.
What do you get if you take a strange town in the moors, Halloween, eerie rituals, psychiatric problems, a history of tragedy, ghostly sightings, and, well, one or two other things, and dump it in the smelting pot?
”We call it the Blood Harvest.”
What you don’t necessarily get is a fast paced page turner. This is not a criticism. I happen to enjoy a slow burner that handles plot development well.
This is a finely written, but fairly slow, novel about obsession and the terrible things that people do. Or, to be more accurate, the first half of the novel is reasonably slow, but it redeems itself nicely in the second half. In fact, there is a fairly clear divide between the not-so-exciting portion and the quite-a-bit-exciting-what portion.
So this was what it was like then – the nighttime – soft and scented and strangely warm, a place where all the colours had gone, leaving black and silver and moonbeams in their place.
A book like this is always going to be eerie. What with kids playing around in an old crumbling graveyard, at night… and naked, painted men burning effigies every once in a while… and disembodied voices… and mass graves… et al
What in the name of God was going on here?
There are some twists and shocking reveals, of which at least one is a real humdinger insofar as creepy factor is concerned. If I had to describe Blood Harvest in one word, it would be shivery.
”She’s been watching us for a while now,” he said. “Sometimes it’s like she’s always there…”
In a nutshell then – it’s a suspense / mystery book with some dark elements. It doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, but it is nicely written and should appeal to most suspense-heads, particularly those who enjoy psychological thrillers.
3.5 stars.
[He] opened the door to the church crypt. The stale smell of things long since forgotten came stealing up towards him. ...more
It's been mentioned in other reviews, but this particular book does seem to suffer from a bit of an identity crisis: it doesn't quite seem sure of itsIt's been mentioned in other reviews, but this particular book does seem to suffer from a bit of an identity crisis: it doesn't quite seem sure of its main protagonist. You'd think it would be Joe Leaphorn, but it just may not be after all.
That said, it's certainly a rather interesting book. Navajo symbolism and mythology permeate the writing to such an extent that I initially found it somewhat difficult to follow the story, but once you get used to the writing style it actually reads quite fast.
It's a fairly sinister story too, with some scary characters prowling around in the desert. I would have liked to rate it a bit higher, but it isn't quite there yet. There's a lot of promise here, though, and it has atmosphere in spades. This is only book 1, after all, so the characters are still finding their feet at this point.
I'll definitely be looking into the next instalment in the series (Dance Hall of the Dead) and in particular Skinwalkers since it seems to be the book that made Joe Leaphorn "famous" (so to speak).
Recommended to mystery readers who are looking for something unique, as far as setting is concerned. ...more
It’s actually been two weeks or so since I’ve finished this – so this review may be a bit sparse on details.
Not that a lot of exposition is required t It’s actually been two weeks or so since I’ve finished this – so this review may be a bit sparse on details.
Not that a lot of exposition is required to review Open Season. Simply put: I enjoyed it.
While the structure of the story isn’t particularly novel as far as mystery stories or police procedurals are concerned, the environmental aspect certainly is. See, Joe Pickett isn’t a cop or a P.I., he’s a game ranger. However, he apparently isn’t exempt from dealing with murderers and/or crooks on the odd occasion.
This is the first novel in a series, so the character isn’t completely established yet and there are one or two (very) minor pacing issues. However, once things get going they really get going. There are the requisite few twists and surprises, but what really clinched it for me was the white knuckle sequence toward the close of the story and the totally bad-ass ending. Damn, but things get a bit tense there.
I postponed reading The Lincoln Lawyer because I thought it was going to be a courtroom drama with excessive infodumps and tedious pacing. Boy was I eI postponed reading The Lincoln Lawyer because I thought it was going to be a courtroom drama with excessive infodumps and tedious pacing. Boy was I ever wrong. Fortunately, my wife had the foresight to spring it on me as part of our annual must-read agreement for 2015.
The law was a large, rusting machine that sucked up people and lives and money. I was just a mechanic. I had become expert at going into the machine and fixing things and extracting what I needed from it in return.
Don’t misunderstand, though. This is a legal thriller, for the most part, but it also doubles quite deftly as a mystery / suspense novel. A gripping one, at that.
Much of society thought of me as the devil but they were wrong. I was a greasy angel.
The immediacy of first person narrative seemed to suit this story better than most. The protagonist comes across as either a sleazy defense lawyer or a loveable rogue (depending on the events being depicted at the time), but there is an enormous amount of character development as he starts questioning his own morality and reasons for doing what he does - the catalyst, of course, being the specific case that this novel deals with…
It seemed so far-fetched that it might actually be true. And that bothered me.
…and it is a layered one.
The Lincoln Lawyer is a pretty twisty novel. It has a few curveballs up its sleeve, for each time when you finally think you know where the story is headed. It’s easy to see why this was made into a film (which, at the time of writing this review, I haven’t seen yet).
A cold shiver of fear pierced my chest.
This one genuinely had my stomach knotted with tension a few times. It probably won’t change the way I look at the world, but it was nigh impossible to put down and scratched that thriller itch just fine.
“He’s telling us that the devil did it.”
Recommended – an easy 4 and a half, without prejudice
Read as part of “have-to-read” agreement with my wife – 2015 ...more
Readers please take note – you can not start reading the Repairman Jack novels here. You really, really need to go back and start with The Tomb (AdverReaders please take note – you can not start reading the Repairman Jack novels here. You really, really need to go back and start with The Tomb (Adversary Cycle, #2).
Now then :
All The Rage
In a parallel literary universe somewhere between Fringe and Supernatural, consisting of a dollop of Horror, a slice of Science Fiction & Fantasy, a smattering of Techno-thriller, a dash of Action & Adventure and a wee bit of Suspense lies the genre-defying world of the Repairman Jack books.
This entry is no different.
A premonitory worm of unease began to wriggle in [his] gut.
The author paints a rather scary picture concerning the effects of a drug titled, rather aptly, Berzerk. (I’m not particularly fond of crowds myself, but crowds of raging psychotic crazy people? Not fun). Jack is pulled into this in a rather oblique fashion, when he is contracted by a concerned employee to investigate some strong arm tactics against her employer, who just happens to be a big shot in the pharmaceutical industry. Jack obviously uncovers some nastiness and the game commences.
“Never seen anything like it. Like they all went crazy at once.”
I probably did mention this in one of my previous Repairman Jack reviews, but this is one guy you don’t want to piss off. I’ll say one more thing for the Repairman Jack novels: they are tense. When things go right, they go punch-the-sky right, but when things go wrong they go very wrong.
The drug angle was actually not my favourite part of this novel: I was much more partial to Ozymandias Prather’s Travelling Circus and Oddity Emporium. Okay, so obviously everything is connected here, but still. There is a fantastic re-introduction of an old acquaintance, which I can’t go into since it is elite spoiler territory.
A chill ran over her skin.
Yes – the otherness is mentioned (although no new details are forthcoming)
Yes – there are tires that fall out of the sky
Yes – Gia is rather annoying, but at least she doesn’t feature much
Yes – there is a [spoiler]
Yes – you should read this series
And then a scream of fear and mortal agony echoed through the trees, rising toward a shriek that cut off sharply before it peaked....more
The third Repairman Jack novel, and again it’s nothing like the previous two. Conspiracies is the weirdesA dream, or real? And where did it come from?
The third Repairman Jack novel, and again it’s nothing like the previous two. Conspiracies is the weirdest so far; it deals with the sort of fringe – or pseudo-science horror also found in novels like The Bad Place… but with a pulpy charm and an endearing vigilante protagonist that just about makes it irresistible.
Jack felt a raw uneasiness wriggling through his gut, a vague awareness that he was riding toward big trouble.
As I’ve mentioned in reviews before, this kind of thing can be hit or miss, but F. Paul Wilson seems to be playing by his own rules with the Repairman Jack novels. You see, despite being macabre and dealing with horror themes, these books are actually an immense amount of fun to read. They’re also not same-y. That’s to say, each story is clearly definable and unique, despite forming part of a series. This particular book does suffer from coming dangerously close to being hokey, but the author seems well aware of the limitations of the subject matter and manages to steer well clear of pitfalls (for the most part).
He is not alone in the room.
The one consistent thing is that these novels are exceptionally well paced. Like it’s predecessors, Conspiracies just kind of reads itself. Efficient and effective, you have to love that in a book.
We can sense the Otherness on the far side of the door, we can smell its hunger.
This is also the novel that introduces the concept of the Otherness. I’m assuming this is what ties the series together, but since I’ve only read three Repairman Jack novels I can’t say for sure. It does link Conspiracies back to both The Tomb and Legacies. Just how this concept plays out going forward, I’ll have to wait and see. In the end, it’s a labyrinth of tantalizing what-ifs and could-it-be’s. Needless to say, I have already ordered the next three books…
The wonder is gone, leaving only the terror.
Whether you’re shelving these as supernatural thrillers or horror novels, they certainly do pack a fair amount of scares. Since we’re dealing with a series I suppose the edge is slightly blunted since the reader is somewhat assured in the fact that the protagonist will “live to fight another day”, so to speak. However, things do get somewhat eerie, and the cheesy-but-apocalyptic OTT finale was palm-drenchingly tense. Holy catspats!
[He] lay in the dark, trembling, staring at the shadows on the ceiling, afraid to go back to sleep. ...more
Odd little beast this. A short story collection – but with only two stories. One is short, the other shorter. It’s “detective” fiction but it’s a littOdd little beast this. A short story collection – but with only two stories. One is short, the other shorter. It’s “detective” fiction but it’s a little offbeat to be sure.
I recently visited Paris for the first time and it would have been nice to read this at the time. The city features quite a bit.
I quite enjoyed this as a distraction between bigger books. It even has a bit of a philosophical angle.
Life really sucked sometimes. But it didn't have to suck all the time. Sometimes things could be fixed.
Well, this one just read itself.
This is the secoLife really sucked sometimes. But it didn't have to suck all the time. Sometimes things could be fixed.
Well, this one just read itself.
This is the second Repairman Jack novel. It’s a great book. If you’ve read The Tomb (Adversary Cycle, #2) you may be entering this book with a certain expectation. Well, let me just come out and say that Legacies is every bit as good, but without the supernatural elements of its predecessor. No, the “weird” factor in Legacies is driven by pseudo science, and reads more like a conspiracy theory / techno thriller than a horror story. This is a good thing; it’s clear that the series isn’t going to stick to a specific template.
Repairman Jack, of course, is the guy who doesn’t exist. He is also the guy who fixes things. At a price, of course.
Rarely have I read anything containing a more resourceful and quick witted protagonist. He collects old films and action figures, and he belongs to the Avengers and Captain America fan clubs. He also happens to be proficient in hand-to-hand and close-quarter combat and in altering his appearance. He’s a bit like MacGyver, Batman and Sherlock Holmes rolled into one, if you will. Plainly put: he’s the guy you want on your side in a fix.
This carnage was certainly not the work of an average citizen.
Something that I found particularly fascinating in this novel was the “Building Hacking”. I wasn’t familiar with this "pastime", and at first I thought it was something the author made up, but it isn’t. No doubt some dramatic flair has been added and the requisite amount of artistic license exploited, but still. And no, it has nothing to do with computers.
Eighteen months before, she had stared into the face of Mbwun, seen her reflection in its feral red eyes.
First of all: the cover of Reliquary is misleEighteen months before, she had stared into the face of Mbwun, seen her reflection in its feral red eyes.
First of all: the cover of Reliquary is misleading. I have a vague suspicion that the critter depicted is a rather innocuous and extraordinarily baboon-like depiction of Mbwun, because it certainly isn’t a Wrinkler. It was important for me to get that off my chest, because Reliquary is the first Pendergast novel that I read out of sequence. Why? Well, the closing chapters of Relic and the cover art of Reliquary had me thinking that this was going to be a repeat of the previous novel. Well, it isn’t.
[He] jerked his head back instinctively at the sight, but not before his brain had registered something out of his worst nightmare, worse for being vague in the dim light.
This is a fairly spooky novel, and more than a little gruesome at times, but it doesn’t quite manage to maintain the level of terror that Relic did throughout. It’s basically a “zombie” novel (of sorts) dressed up as a mystery thriller, with elements of Heart of Darkness and The Island of Dr. Moreau. Categorising it is basically impossible.
“There are perhaps more types of underground inhabitants, Dr. Brambell, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
There’s a lot of potential for spoilers here, but the basic premise of the plot is: people are turning up dead with their heads missing. Sound familiar? It should. But (obviously) there’s a twist, and I have to commend the authors on the way they tied the two novels together. Even though there is a Mbwun connection, it is rather unique and not quite what I had expected.
[He] saw, with a sense of eerie unreality, that they were cloaked and hooded.
There is a lot of science in here, and it’s again clear that Preston & Child do a lot of research when writing their novels. That said - this novel requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. More so than Relic or, probably, any of the other Pendergast novels I’ve read. Again: I can’t tell you why, since that would be a spoiler.
The one thing the book does seem to suffer from is too many protagonists. This is the last book that features such a big leading cast, and with The Cabinet of Curiosities, Pendergast takes the lead role for himself, which makes for a much sleeker reading experience.
The good news is: the baddies are well and truly frightening. And I do mean frightening.
There was something bestial about their scuttling that turned his blood to ice.
The action moves from the New York museum (Relic) to the New York City underground. Expect scenes involving sewers, tunnels, subways, shafts… and other even more ominous surroundings. In other words, expect a lot of darkness, claustrophobia and downright terror.
In all truth: this is a 3-star book. It’s not as evenly paced as I would have liked and things get rather melodramatic towards the end. However… the sheer level of dread the Wrinklers evoked at times garners another star.
And then the screams began: ululating, rising louder and louder as they rent the soft summer night. ...more
I'll come right out and say that this was, frankly, one of the most bizarre Horror novels I've read. I have since learned that Coffin County is, in faI'll come right out and say that this was, frankly, one of the most bizarre Horror novels I've read. I have since learned that Coffin County is, in fact, part of the bigger Cedar Hill mythos, which explains a lot of things. While, by all indications, this book can be read as a stand-alone, it is probably advisable to read it as part of the bigger whole.
They did something so dreadful, so atrocious, something so horrible that even the Devil was sickened.
If there is such a genre as Apocalyptic Horror then this book will fit the bill. Think in cosmic terms. Think Lovecraft. Think Oh.hell.no.this.can't.be.what.I.think.it.is... can it?
Have not we heard the baying of the wolves at night?
Make no mistake. This book has some hardcore scenes of gore and horror. The faint-hearted need not apply. However, it is rewarding in its own way and may just change the way you look at horror fiction.
Something crawled along the branch from which his body hung.
I would have loved to simplify it for you by stating that this book is about an appalling spree of violence, murder and mayhem being unleashed on the city of Cedar Hill. I would have loved to, but I can't. Despite the fact that this book is about an appalling spree of violence, murder and mayhem being unleashed on the city of Cedar Hill.
It was horrible, sickening, pathetic and tragic and sad - a sadness so vast, deep, and merciless it seemed... infinite.
Coffin County requires concentration, so don't read while sleepy. It is rather unique and will not be to everybody's taste. It borders on surrealistic. It offends and disturbs. It can't decide when it's taking place... It is filled with powerful religious imagery and you're never quite sure what you're reading: is this metaphor or story? Is this a metaphor for the struggle between good and evil or is this the struggle between good and evil? The lines are blurred... between physical and meta-physical, between natural and supernatural. This author not only plays by his own rules... he is inventing a whole lot of new ones.
"How in God's name is this possible?"
File under: I-have-never-read-anything-quite-like-this. It's like staring for much too long at a H.R. Giger painting.
The characters in this book aren't participants. They are merely spectators to a macabre cosmic picture roadshow.
I have made so much more notes, but I have no idea what to say, so I'll stop right here. Right now. ...more
I was a policeman of sorts for thirteen years and I can smell a worried man a mile away.
The reviews for this one are aSuspension of disbelief required
I was a policeman of sorts for thirteen years and I can smell a worried man a mile away.
The reviews for this one are all over the place. It seems that Jack Reacher is one of those “either you love him or you hate him” protagonists and Lee Child is one of those “either you love him or you hate him” writers. It’s also clear that these books rely heavily on action. In fact, as some reviewers have already mentioned, there is a bit of the 80s Action Hero about Jack Reacher. The book was conceived in the 90s, so perhaps it makes sense.
Well, tough shit. He started it, right? Attacking me was like pushing open a forbidden door. What waited on the other side was his problem. His risk. If he didn’t like it, he shouldn’t have pushed open the damn door.
So, Reacher. He is huge (yes, literally) and he doesn’t take any crap. As in none. Expect broken limbs, mashed-in faces, blown-up buildings, and very-dead scumbags, as he sets about solving mysteries. He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, or domestic issues, or any other of the plethora of baggage we have gotten used to in crime fiction. Some argue this makes for a one dimensional character, while others are content to sit back and enjoy the ride. Both these schools of thought have merit, so it’s really the plotting that makes or breaks a book like this.
I calculated angles and estimated distances. I came up with one definite conclusion. It was a hell of a problem.
I read this on my wife’s recommendation, and I enjoyed it. It’s possibly the literary equivalent of a Cinnamon Bun, not all that much nutrition but high on calories. Thing is: I enjoy a Cinnamon Bun every once in a while. I also happened to enjoy the fact that this particular protagonist doesn’t care two hoots about protocol and consequence. Realistic? Maybe not. Fun? Indeedy.
His skull exploded under the impact of the huge bullet. His legs crumpled and he started falling. I fired my last four shells into him before he hit the floor.
Also, bear in mind that Jack Reacher isn’t a detective. Not really. He is ex-Military Police so he has a few skills, mostly in breaking heads to get the information he needs. He also likes to travel…
I wanted the open road and a new place every day. I wanted miles to travel and absolutely no idea where I was going. I wanted to ramble. I had rambling on my mind.
As for the plotting: it wasn’t bad at all, in my humble opinion. I enjoyed the mystery, and the unraveling of it, and the big reveal(s), even though I have to admit that there is at least one brobdingnagian coincidence and a few things that didn’t tie up all thaaat nicely. May I suggest you read this as an action romp, rather than a sophisticated thriller?
The big question here is obviously “will I read the next one?” – hell yes I reckon I will.
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