ONLY FORWARD is one of the most original, mind-bending novels I have had the pleasure to read in as long as I can remember.
I planned to read it sometiONLY FORWARD is one of the most original, mind-bending novels I have had the pleasure to read in as long as I can remember.
I planned to read it sometime this year, but when I put it on my to-read list, my friend Gregor promptly advised me that this deserved my immediate attention.
To begin with, I read the Straw Men trilogy by Michael Marshallmany years ago, and had no idea that the masterful author of those books also wrote under the name Michael Marshall Smith. When I learned this, I sought out books he had written under this name.
According to the author, ONLY FORWARD was his first book, and he set no limits, and he personally warned me to set aside expectations. I did so, gladly.
This book blew away everything I've read in a long time. It was so surreal, but the amazing part was that no matter how strange and hallucinatory it became, it never bogged down, got confusing or lost my interest. It never felt forced. It flowed with the consistency of a dream. I was so intrigued, I read it in two days. Couldn't put it down for anything.
Only Forward is narrated by Stark, a guy who takes care of things that need taken care of. He is a very likeable, yet unreliable character; he seems to have a lot of secrets. He often states that there might be something we might need to know, but he isn't going to waste our time talking about it unless it becomes relevant.
Stark takes on a job that involved finding a very important man who has apparently been kidnapped.
There is the smell of conspiracy right away.
I'm not going to say anything else. This just needs to be read.
What really got me was when part two began. It was about halfway through the book. I was so impressed with how Smith pulled this off, I could not stop reading it. Very cool.
I have this one on the must read again list. It was that good.
I'm just going to say this is the best King novel I have read in a long time. I wrote two different reviews (long and thoughtful, both) and lost internI'm just going to say this is the best King novel I have read in a long time. I wrote two different reviews (long and thoughtful, both) and lost internet signal before saving either one. Not happening again, folks. Buy this and dive in to a genuine treat. King is at his best. It starts out as a coming of age tale told in first person. The narrator, Jaime first meets Charles Jacobs as a six-year old and then their lives intersect over the next fifty plus years. Their fates are seemingly interlocked. Bad things were bound to happen, but I didn't see that ending coming at all. It's bleak, but in the best way. Loved it!...more
I read this book because I found it cheap at the used book store. It didn't really call out to me to read it, but I figured I would try something I knI read this book because I found it cheap at the used book store. It didn't really call out to me to read it, but I figured I would try something I knew nothing about. I have read a few of Shirley's short stories, most notably "Cram", which was a masterpiece of short horror in the most gruesome way. I sure am glad I took a chance on this little baby. Wetbones was a refreshing read for me, taking me back to the feeling I got when I read The Ruins by Scott Smith, or The Descent by Jeff Long. I was not expecting something so grand and apocalyptic in scale. And I was completely blown away! The book is about several different people dealing with the fallout of a series of killings perpetrated by a group of psychic vampire types that feed on and destroy their victim's souls, while manipulating them like marionette's to achieve their own diabolical ends. These dastardly Hollywood big-shots had, at one time, been associated with a man named Ephram Pixie, who has defected from their ranks to seek his own sick thrills manipulating, torturing and murdering people in hideous fashions, some of the victims turning up as steaming piles of blood soaked bones stewing in pools of liquified organs and blood. The story is action packed and filled with gruesome and horrific scenes to rival anything ever produced by the splatter-punk genre - in fact, I now understand John Shirley is considered one of the fathers of that movement - and it never relents. It just keeps picking up steam until all the divergent story-lines come crashing together in what is one of the most crushing and visceral depictions of otherworldly horror and gore I have read in a very long time. For me, this book was transcended my expectations, and mad me a fan of the author right away. There are strong overtones of Lovecraft throughout, and the theme of addiction is dealt with none too subtly. In fact, Shirley poses a most chilling explanation of the origins of human addictions that will make you think twice before picking up any bad habits. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys horror. Unless you think horror is about sparkling vampires. This book is not for the easily offended at all. Five huge stars....more
What a book! I can't rave enough abut this fantastic novel. And to think, this is just the first part of an ongoing series. I can't wait to dig into thWhat a book! I can't rave enough abut this fantastic novel. And to think, this is just the first part of an ongoing series. I can't wait to dig into the second one. There are so many things to recommend within these pages: the characters are over-the-top, complex and driven, during the action sequences the words melt away, and you are no longer reading, but experiencing the events as if you were right there in the middle of it all, and the dialogue is Elmore Leonard quality, gritty, urbane and packed with wit and irony. Every time I thought Wendig had to have exhausted his seemingly endless ability to leave me speechless, he would whip out another turn of phrase that impressed me yet again. I could go on and on, but you just have to read it for yourself to get it. This book definitely has it all. I would warn anyone considering reading this that you had better not have any plans for the rest of the day, because you won't be able to put it down. The present tense narrative moves the story along at such a fast pace. It just doesn't relent. Highly recommended!...more
I woke up early as hell this morning an when I couldn't get back to sleep, I grabbed my NOOK and read the second half of this remarkable book.
I was reI woke up early as hell this morning an when I couldn't get back to sleep, I grabbed my NOOK and read the second half of this remarkable book.
I was recently introduced to James Newman's works when I read his spectacular Animosity, and after I posted my review, my friend, Charlene gifted me a copy of this one for my birthday. What a great present it turned out to be.
This book was unputdownable. From the openig sequence to the last word this story moved at a pace that required seatbelts.
The plot centered around ex-pro wrestler Nick Bullman, AKA The Widowmaker", at the end of his career after an extremely unfortunate meeting with two demented wrestling fans who believe The Widowmaker betrayed them. Bullman is subjected to an an unspeakable form of justice, and forced out of the public eye.
What came next was the stuff of nightmares. Nick's daughter contacts him to ask for help finding his missing granddaughter, and he obliges her, returning to his hometown only to find that he may have gotten in way over his head. But to Nick, it doesn't matter. He has a newfound mission in life; to do what the local law couldn't or wouldn't do: find Sophie and punish those who dared to mess around with his family.
I think what struck me the most about this book was how Newman created an antihero that was flawed but still capable of salvaging himself. Some of the situations are unbelievable, but the people are not. Every one of them resounds with a realism far too rare in today's horror fiction world.
I don't want to spoil anything, so I will leave it at that.
The only thing left to say is "read this book!" Highly recommended!...more
Animosity is my first read from James Newman, and as a caveat I must point out that I was the lucky recipient of a free copy thWell, where do I start?
Animosity is my first read from James Newman, and as a caveat I must point out that I was the lucky recipient of a free copy the author offered in exchange for a fair and honest review.
No problem! I loved it! Hands down, this is the best book I have read this year, and I read a lot. Pretty much constantly if I can manage it.
I have read other reader's reviews and I don't see the need to get all redundant and waste words rehashing what everyone is saying already.
What I will say is that if you want a gut-wrenching, mind-bending, fast paced-in your face dose of what could happen when gossip and slander get out of control and infectious, look no further. James Newman has his finger on the pulse of "real" horror, and he's jabbing it over and over in this book.
The story is about Andrew Holland, best-selling horror author and recently divorced father, who lives on Poinsettia lane, a street like any other in Anywhere USA. When Andy takes his best friend Norman (so named as an homage to Norman Bates) for, a walk and discovers the horribly defiled body of a young girl, it doesn't take long until his neighbors are jacking their jaws and stirring up unsubstantiated rumors that throw a shadow of suspicion upon the unwitting protagonist. Andrew Holland is a well crafted character, and Newman does a great job crafting him as a likeable everyman who just happens to be a famous author before literally throwing him to the wolves, ripping the fabric of his existence away and forcing him into the role of guilty until proven innocent.
As it races towards one of the most insane denouements of any book I have read, things get real heavy and the realistic aspect of the story veers into suspension of disbelief, but it does make perfect sense. I, like so many others, was completely enthralled and ready to believe anything that happened, and welcomed this shift without missing a beat. I read this book in one day, and am eager to delve into more works by the author as soon as possible.
This book takes an unflinching look at the darkest corners of the American dream and dares to reveal them as the nightmares lurking and ready to shatter the illusion of innocence and peace of suburbia at the slightest provocation. Truly a must read. Highly recommended!...more
I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of Jeff Strand's new book in exchange for an honest review. Extremely fortunate. I discovered Mr. Strand'sI was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of Jeff Strand's new book in exchange for an honest review. Extremely fortunate. I discovered Mr. Strand's books about a year ago, thanks to my friends on Goodreads and their wonderful suggestions. I've read several now, and have yet to be disappointed. His books are always fast paced, easy to read and quite hilarious. So when I saw that he was offering copies for reviews on Goodreads I had to jump at the opportunity. Hell, he even sent the book with a personalized message, which was funny in its own right.
So I began this book 'Kumquat' with no information on it at all. There is a special joy for me when I go into a read blindly. I love it. The story simply unfolds on its own with no preconceived expectations. But this one was certainly a surprise.
I don't know what I expected, except comedy. I knew it would be side-splittingly funny; of that, I was confident. I was not wrong. I laughed so hard I almost wound up in the hospital. But the similarity to other Strand works I have read ended right there. This book was not horror at all. I should feel let down by this fact, but I'm not. I am not a ROMCOM kind of guy, either. At least I wasn't until now. If they were all executed like this one, I would be a fan of the genre wholeheartedly. Of course, this should not be classified as a straight up ROMCOM, either. It is actually more of a road trip/romance/comedy/adventure story. Hmmmm. Too long. I give up. All I know is that I fell in love with the characters,they were like friends by the time I was halfway through with the book. They continuously encounter offbeat and zany people on their way to Rhode Island, and the hilarity just erupts off every page.
The sign of a good book for me is when I don't want it to end. That happened with this one. Highly recommended!...more
Wicked Little. This is an early one from this ecclectic author. I enjoyed it immensely. Critics refer to Little as Stephen King without a conscious, aWicked Little. This is an early one from this ecclectic author. I enjoyed it immensely. Critics refer to Little as Stephen King without a conscious, and this book really exemplifies that assessment. If you like Bentley Little, you will love this book....more
Bentley Little's The Association is one wild and crazy book. I read this really fast. It was almost impossible to put down actually. This is one I wouBentley Little's The Association is one wild and crazy book. I read this really fast. It was almost impossible to put down actually. This is one I would recommend to any horror fan. I really enjoyed it. Barry and Maureen are tired of California. They get a great deal on an ideal home in the mountains of Utah. Hell, they even get the seller to come down 15 thousand on the price. They have to join join a homeowner's association, but that's no big deal. They figure it can't be all that bad. Turns out it pretty bad. And it just keeps getting worse. This book is well written all around, one of Little's best....more
I am thrilled to finally be able to rate a Bentley Little novel with five stars. This was the sixth one I have read, and a few of the previous five weI am thrilled to finally be able to rate a Bentley Little novel with five stars. This was the sixth one I have read, and a few of the previous five were not only good, but also contained glimpses of brilliant storytelling on a level few authors of horror fiction are able to achieve. But, until now, Little's books have, for the most part, left me frustrated and disappointed. So, when I picked The Ignored up, figuring I would give this author one more chance to wow me, my expectations were circling the drain. The Ignored is the story of Bob Jones, an average guy carrying out a mundane existence, who lands a job at Automated Interface - puzzling, since he feels horribly unqualified for the position - and slowly begins to realize something is different about him. Not only does he seem to be immediately disliked by his boss and coworkers, but Bob soon finds that everyone basically ignores him there. As Bob struggles with the new job, he becomes increasingly aware of his utter blandness. Is he so average that other people don't even notice that he exists? After many attempts to change himself, to become extraordinary, Bob finds he has not only failed to make any impression, but he has also managed to fade even further into obscurity. So, Bob has a serious problem. The book really gets going from there. Little tells the story in first person from Bob's pov, and that was a wise decision. In this format, he can't introduce a bunch of pointless story lines that meander and fizzle. I don't think this book fits well in the horror genre, but there is a creeping dread prevalent throughout. More along the lines of a Twilight Zone episode. There is quite a bit of social commentary and also plenty of philisophical musings on display here. A first rate read....more
Edward Lorn's novella Crawl is much more than, yet still very much a study in extreme horror. It is also a brief and all too revealing glimpse into thEdward Lorn's novella Crawl is much more than, yet still very much a study in extreme horror. It is also a brief and all too revealing glimpse into the aftermath of a husband's infidelity. We are privy to to the conflicting gamut of emotions felt by the spurned wife as her cheating husband drives her to her mother's home in the middle of the night. The effects of marital indescretions are handled in a knowing and realistic way, and as I read I became so fully immersed in the couple's drama that when the insanity began, it was like a cinderblock to the head. A solid five star read....more
Another grim, unflinchingly disturbing tale of the macabre from Tim Curran. The author has the ability to make you chuckle with one sentence and vomitAnother grim, unflinchingly disturbing tale of the macabre from Tim Curran. The author has the ability to make you chuckle with one sentence and vomit the contents of your stomach the next.
Skin Medicine is the story of Tyler Cabe, a Civil War vet turned bounty hunter, stalking the sadistic "sin city strangler" whose victims are being killed in increasingly more disgusting ways. The killer's trail leads Cabe to a bustling mining town where the sheriff is none other than The Union soldier that left him scarred and vengeful during the war.
Oh yeah, then there is Jacob Lee Cobb, a character I won't describe here for fear of spoiling too much.
As usual, Curran invests a great deal of care in bringing his characters to life, while using language designed to leave you quaking in your boots.
My only complaint is that some of it gets a tad bit repetitive, but not enough to detract a star,
If you like Westerns and hardcore horror, you will love it....more
A bone-chilling novella from the twisted mind of Tim Curran. The descriptions of atrocities perpetrated by demonic and human monsters were vivid and sA bone-chilling novella from the twisted mind of Tim Curran. The descriptions of atrocities perpetrated by demonic and human monsters were vivid and stomach-churning. I think the Vietnam setting was a perfect choice. This is the second book I have read from Curran, and I am hooked....more
I have always heard great things about The Fog, so when I finally found a copy of it, I knew I would be in for a treat. Luckily, I managed to avoid anI have always heard great things about The Fog, so when I finally found a copy of it, I knew I would be in for a treat. Luckily, I managed to avoid any spoilers, so I had no idea what to expect. I love that. I try to avoid blurbs and reviews of boks so I can experience the story with little or no expectations.
This book begins with a bang and, fortunately, this sets off a series of ever louder and more violent bangs. For a book published in 1975, it was surprisingly fresh. There were a few scenes that felt dated, and of course, 40 years on, the technology is going to be antiquated, but that is all of little consequence, and I hardly noticed. Herbert was a masterful purveyor of in your face horror, and I could see him giggling with maniacal glee while writing some of the more outrageous sequences. There are some scenes in The Fog that managed to make this somewhat jaded horror fan squirm, and that's no easy feat.
I won't outline the plot here. It is fairly straightforward, very well developed and the characters were very likeable, their motivations were not too far fetched as to make them ring false or come across as cartoonish. Best of all, it was easy to read. For me, anyway.
I always have loved British humor, having grown up with the likes of Monty Python and Benny Hill, and have only recently discovered that their horror is wonderful as well. I guess it was bound to happen. James Herbert was perhaps the best known modern British horror authors, and I can see why!
If I had to critique anything about this book, there are a few instances where minor players are given a little too much back story, and by the time of the third instance, a pattern did emerge. That aspect became predictable. The other would be the fight scenes. There are an abundance of them, and I did find that I automatically started skimming through some of them; punch, kick, pow! BAM!
These were trivial matters, and never took me out of the story in any way, so I can't let them reflect in my rating.
This was my second James Herbert book, the first having been Moon, which was probably not the greatest place to start with this author. The Fog is bigger and badder, and the action rarely lets you come up for air.
I know I will be indulging in more of the author's backlog, for sure. There are plenty of books, but sadly, since he has passed on, there will be no more new works from this fine author. I will have to pace them out, savor them and make them last.
This collection features several of my favorite shorts by Lansdale, including Tight Little Stitches In A Dead Man's Back and Night They Missed The HorThis collection features several of my favorite shorts by Lansdale, including Tight Little Stitches In A Dead Man's Back and Night They Missed The Horror Show, to name a couple. My only caveat would be that if you are easily offended, then steer well clear of this one. If you like gritty, fearless, gory and often times hilatious horror writing, then you can't go wrong....more
Brilliant novel. The pacing was full tilt, brimming with crisp and believable dialogue and a twist filled plot and suspense to spare. I saw the film whBrilliant novel. The pacing was full tilt, brimming with crisp and believable dialogue and a twist filled plot and suspense to spare. I saw the film when it came out, but had I not, I think I would have still figured out the big surprise by about the halfway point, but it was still a great, tightly written novel....more
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