Spine tingling vignettes of true horror in hospitals and aged care health facilities. Skews heavily towards Hollywood fiction with well known ghost trSpine tingling vignettes of true horror in hospitals and aged care health facilities. Skews heavily towards Hollywood fiction with well known ghost tropes but the engaging accounts make up for it. A minor gripe with the last chapter not fitting the theme but overall a decent collection. ...more
Disjointed episodic scenes only linked by virtue of the villainous. No real cohesion, no narrative. Clearly adapted from film, could’ve been much bettDisjointed episodic scenes only linked by virtue of the villainous. No real cohesion, no narrative. Clearly adapted from film, could’ve been much better. On a positive, I do want to watch the source material....more
A group of victims in a support group band together to catch a killer presumably responsible for the deaths of each of one of their family members. LeA group of victims in a support group band together to catch a killer presumably responsible for the deaths of each of one of their family members. Led by Jordan Rivera, the sole survivor of her family's massacre, the group investigates commonalities between each of the crimes and develop a profile of the killer. It's all very daytime TV with events panning out as you'd logically expect. As a fan of Max Allan Collins, his mainstream crime fiction is yet to impress me, especially when compared to his Nate Heller and Quarry books. It doesn't help that the romantic aspects to plot are out of place and the dialogue super cheesy at times. Side note - the narration was on point with Dan John Miller doing his best to breathe some fresh air into what really is a tried and tired formulaic crime book.
Merged review:
A group of victims in a support group band together to catch a killer presumably responsible for the deaths of each of one of their family members. Led by Jordan Rivera, the sole survivor of her family's massacre, the group investigates commonalities between each of the crimes and develop a profile of the killer. It's all very daytime TV with events panning out as you'd logically expect. As a fan of Max Allan Collins, his mainstream crime fiction is yet to impress me, especially when compared to his Nate Heller and Quarry books. It doesn't help that the romantic aspects to plot are out of place and the dialogue super cheesy at times. Side note - the narration was on point with Dan John Miller doing his best to breathe some fresh air into what really is a tried and tired formulaic crime book....more
Sallow Bend is a pretty spooky novel with killer character who lives up to the horror hype. Her page presence is unsettling and supernatural in natureSallow Bend is a pretty spooky novel with killer character who lives up to the horror hype. Her page presence is unsettling and supernatural in nature which bodes well for a good horror story. The only thing which let the book down was the repetitive nature of storytelling in parts with conversations rehashing events multiple times; this felt like it detracted the progressive narrative, putting a stop to a very good plot. Still well worth a read though.
Merged review:
Sallow Bend is a pretty spooky novel with killer character who lives up to the horror hype. Her page presence is unsettling and supernatural in nature which bodes well for a good horror story. The only thing which let the book down was the repetitive nature of storytelling in parts with conversations rehashing events multiple times; this felt like it detracted the progressive narrative, putting a stop to a very good plot. Still well worth a read though....more
Action orientated survival horror which builds upon the 'Stillness' event from the first book in the series. Highly recommend reading VOICES IN THE SNAction orientated survival horror which builds upon the 'Stillness' event from the first book in the series. Highly recommend reading VOICES IN THE SNOW first otherwise the story won't feel as impactful. Does lend itself towards a romance/horror kind of vibe with Doren and Clare's relationship a point of emphasis throughout.
Merged review:
Action orientated survival horror which builds upon the 'Stillness' event from the first book in the series. Highly recommend reading VOICES IN THE SNOW first otherwise the story won't feel as impactful. Does lend itself towards a romance/horror kind of vibe with Doren and Clare's relationship a point of emphasis throughout....more
Pulse pounding, fear inducing survival horror akin to Dawn of the Dead and I Am Legend. A well written cast of characters and some hefty loads of emotPulse pounding, fear inducing survival horror akin to Dawn of the Dead and I Am Legend. A well written cast of characters and some hefty loads of emotional baggage add extra depth. ...more
Lulu loves pain; loves the way it makes her feel sexually and emotionally, yet she's able to turn off the on-switch when the need arises, having develLulu loves pain; loves the way it makes her feel sexually and emotionally, yet she's able to turn off the on-switch when the need arises, having developed a high tolerance for pain she's a pro at controlling her body's desires and stimulus.
She earns a buck pleasuring clients by allowing them to inflict pain on her. Don't misinterpret her cause, Lulu is far from a damsel in distress, this is her occupation chosen by own volition. Accompanied by her trusty puppy eyed bodyguard Danny, Lulu's latest job is for a repeat client, Mr Tak. On face value the set-up is the same; a private room in a hotel, body guard with a line of sight thanks to some hidden cameras, the only thing different about this is the shootout which takes place as soon as Lulu opens the door to the suite. Oh, and the bag of diamonds on the floor, yeah, that's different.
HIT ME is high octane action mixed with a heady dose of Faust's pitch black noir. The underworld meets the secretive world of sex head on in a bloody collision of plasma and body fluids as Lulu tries to make sense of a crime she really should have no part in. Readers familiar with the Angel Dare novels will eat this up in a single sitting (as I did), while readers looking for a story with a unique and totally kick ass protagonist will leave with a belly full of satisfaction. Fingers crossed this isn't the last we've seen of Lulu.
I loved the opening stanza which had the four young women waking to find themselves isolated in a strange environment, bound, gagged, and scared out oI loved the opening stanza which had the four young women waking to find themselves isolated in a strange environment, bound, gagged, and scared out of their minds. The sense of horror and claustrophobia was heady and made for a great introduction into the bloody world so cleverly crafted by author Tim Curran.
Then came the escape and eventual fallback to survival horror troupes mixed with some bizzaro fiction akin to the story's by Carlton Mellick III and the wheels just didn't turn as smoothly as that great opening.
The over-the-top gore and sexplotation fit the tone of the narrative and added a nice cinematic element to the creature feature theme.
I think the repetitive nature of the bestial/human conflict wore me down as the story progressed, with each of the four characters experiencing similar perils and plights as they attempted to survive the night. Still well worth a read, especially if you like your horror raw and oozing blood. ...more