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25 Gates of Hell by Brian Keene |Review
25 Gates of Hell is perpetually locked in the darkness. It is a frank and conclusive investigation of how dark humanity can be. 25 stories from 25 writers, each one steeping into the fires of hell unsure of whether they could escape again. As the title suggests, each story is focussed on the opening of hells gates and the implications upon mankind. Each one is gritty, dark as hell and it kept my black heart beating for a little while longer. 25 Gates of Hell reminded me just why I love Horror short stories. They are quick to the point, devastating to the point of despair and they can display…
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Their Silent Graves by Carla Kovach | Review
Their Silent Graves is a book published by bookouture…that meant I was in! if I had a checklist of elements that made an exceptional police procedural read then this book would have been ticked to death. A story that has the reader on the edge of the edge of their seat and considering walking anywhere but through the woods. If you are looking for a novel that will whittle away the hours, then you’ve come to the right place. Their Silent Graves is the seventh book released in the DI Gina Harte series. It’s the first one that I’ve picked up but didn’t feel that I was missing great chunks…
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Secret Santa by Andrew Shaffer | Review
Secret Santa was a mixed bag. A run of bad luck has hit Lussi Myer. She’s behind in her share of the rent, she’s lost her beloved editor role in a publishing house and she needs to find something fast! As you delve into this kind of dark comedy horror you realise that a lot of things aren’t as they seem. She lands the position of Senior Editor in the prominent publishing house of Blackwood-Patterson. Well, of course there is the small matter of her interview going horrendously and the boss taking a heart attack right in front of her. When she arrives at the hospital to visit him, she…
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Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay | Review
Well hold the mother-fucking door! Allow me to go on record and declare that there will never be a better time to read Paul Tremblay’s Survivor Song than 2020, and I managed it by the arse of my pants! Tremblay is a decorated horror novelist that I am ashamed to say have never read, until now. The guy has a huge responsibility on his shoulders, but he is still swimming, still telling stories that stay with the reader. This story is going to be one that I will remember and hold in regard to the year 2020. I’m waffling (not unlike the victims of the super rabies that have taken…
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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini |Review
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars more accurately to sleep through the damn book. This was nothing like I had been expecting. It didn’t hold my attention and very much felt like a plot that is seen through -out the genre but without any aspect of originality. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but this nearly drove me to tears. The characterisation suffered for the plot and it was hugely disappointing. Although there is action within the first few chapters; it just lacked any punch or emotion, even at this point I wasn’t sure if I should plough forward. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is very…
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Out in the Cold by Stuart Johnstone | Review
I have been so incredibly lucky as of late in my crime novels, but Out in the Cold surpassed all my expectations. It has an original plot, intriguing main characters and a writing style that is so sharp that it threatens to slit your throat. If I thought that it couldn’t get better than that opening chapter, I’d be sorely wrong. Have you ever found yourself in an untenable situation at work? Well Detective Sargent Colyear has a master’s in it. A situation that wasn’t his doing but takes the rap for it, nonetheless. Out in the Cold (although I’m not a huge fan of comparisons) could have easily been…
