4th out of 223 books
—
233 voters
The Well
by
Peter Labrow (Goodreads Author)
Trapped. Missing. Cursed. Fourteen-year-old Becca Richards and her stepbrother have fallen to the bottom of an ancient well. Their parents are away; they won't be missed for days. The predatory man who had been stalking Becca now switches his attentions to her best friend. Two women who know where Becca is trapped are desperate that she should never escape. Over the course...more
Paperback, First Edition, 260 pages
Published
March 21st 2011
by Lulu
(first published December 25th 2010)
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For me, The Well by Peter Labrow was one of those books that took a little while for me to really get into. But, after a while I had a really hard time putting it down. I even sat in the bathtub for two hours reading and topping off the hot water.
When I first started this book, I wondered ‘how could he possibly write an entire book about a couple kids stuck in a well?’ Peter Labrow managed to do it and do a wonderful job on it. I know I’m beginning to be one of those reviewers who never have a...more
When I first started this book, I wondered ‘how could he possibly write an entire book about a couple kids stuck in a well?’ Peter Labrow managed to do it and do a wonderful job on it. I know I’m beginning to be one of those reviewers who never have a...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Firstly, before writing my review I would really like to thank Mr Peter Labrow himself for sending me a signed copy of his book. I feel totally honoured.
I enjoy horror fiction so was really looking forward to reading this book, and I have to say I haven’t read anything this good in ages. 'The Well' is Peter Labrow’s debut novel. It is a darkly gripping tale about how we respond to the hand fate has dealt us and the consequences of our choices.
The story follows fourteen-year-old Becca Richards an...more
I enjoy horror fiction so was really looking forward to reading this book, and I have to say I haven’t read anything this good in ages. 'The Well' is Peter Labrow’s debut novel. It is a darkly gripping tale about how we respond to the hand fate has dealt us and the consequences of our choices.
The story follows fourteen-year-old Becca Richards an...more
I was rapidly drawn into this superbly simple concept, from which threads of complexity reached out and interwove.
I was initially curious as to how this "bottle story" could sustain 120,000 words but the trials and tribulations faced at the bottom of the eponymous prison had me captivated. It is tightly-plotted and never drags. Peter Labrow takes you into the darkness and makes it utterly real. Every horrible facet of that experience is totally believable, and incomprehensibly awful.
And then, be...more
I was initially curious as to how this "bottle story" could sustain 120,000 words but the trials and tribulations faced at the bottom of the eponymous prison had me captivated. It is tightly-plotted and never drags. Peter Labrow takes you into the darkness and makes it utterly real. Every horrible facet of that experience is totally believable, and incomprehensibly awful.
And then, be...more
If you enjoy reading horror/drama/thriller novels, you will LOVE this one! I started reading this on Tuesday on my phone while my students were taking their exams. I was hooked after the first few pages. When some of the students turned in their exams, they actually startled me, I was THAT into the story!
Becca and her step-brother have fallen into a well. Sucks, right? Well, it gets worse. Their parents are out of TOWN and they are in an area where people tend to avoid like the plague (you know,...more
Becca and her step-brother have fallen into a well. Sucks, right? Well, it gets worse. Their parents are out of TOWN and they are in an area where people tend to avoid like the plague (you know,...more
You know when you start reading a book and you get drawn into the World inside the pages? The outside World ceases to exist or at the very least becomes an irritating distraction... What about when you start talking to the characters? Instinctive vocal reactions warning them against the routes they are about to go down. Dreams about the story invading your sleep... this was The Well for me. I didn't expect to love the book as much as I did. But as soon as I cracked it open that was it, hooked.
It...more
It...more
It's an unusual experience to read a book written by someone that one actually knows - there is an undercurrent of determination to enjoy it in appreciation of their hard work. Luckily I am unable to be anything but honest so this review is entirely unbiased!
Before I cracked the spine of this book I hesitated for a few seconds, worried that I wouldn't like it because I'm not particularly drawn to the horror genre. I am proud and relieved however to say that by the end of the fourth page I was al...more
Before I cracked the spine of this book I hesitated for a few seconds, worried that I wouldn't like it because I'm not particularly drawn to the horror genre. I am proud and relieved however to say that by the end of the fourth page I was al...more
(Note: I am being very careful to avoid spoilers)
The Well by Peter Labrow starts off with a couple going away for a weekend and leaving their 14 and 16-year-old children, Matt and Becca, home alone. Like teens tend to do, they plan a bit of mischief and start making excuses to their friends and even their parents about where they‘ll be and why they’ll be out of touch. Those excuses come back to haunt them when both of them end up at the bottom of an abandoned well. No one knows they’re there. No...more
The Well by Peter Labrow starts off with a couple going away for a weekend and leaving their 14 and 16-year-old children, Matt and Becca, home alone. Like teens tend to do, they plan a bit of mischief and start making excuses to their friends and even their parents about where they‘ll be and why they’ll be out of touch. Those excuses come back to haunt them when both of them end up at the bottom of an abandoned well. No one knows they’re there. No...more
Contemporary horror with a supernatural twist. The Well is a horrifying blend of supernatural evil and the darker side of human nature. Peter Labrow weaves a tortured tale of horrors, past and present, that entangle and ensnare both victim and malefactor. The lives of multiple characters are entwined in this realistic, emotional story. Labrow presents flawed characters that are at once identifiable and believable. These are characters that readers can have strong feeling for. I found myself tens...more
The Whitaker Estate, on the outskirts of the town of Bankside, is old, neglected and largely deserted, its only regular visitors wildlife and schoolkids. Like many an old and dilapidated place, it has a colourful past and has, as a result, attracted its fair share of local gossip and superstition. Reading this, you may be forgiven a certain sense of déjà vu: this is, after all, the stuff of horror. However, Peter Labrow adds an intriguing twist to the formula. The estate, it transpires, also has...more
"The Well" by author Peter Labrow is an amazing tale that is three very good works in one: it has Horror, it is a great Crime Drama and it is a Thriller that is immensely that. In the beginning, I sat down, preparing myself for horror. When it became a crime story, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself slightly disappointed when it suddenly turned paranormal on me; however, in the end, it all worked together beautifully. Labrow could have settled for his story simply being a Thriller, and h...more
Genre: Horror
Publisher: indie/self-published
Where I got it: I won it! Amazon
Warnings: violence, adult themes
The review (spoilers past this point):
The Well could easily be called The Surprise.
I think the first thing I thought when seeing this book was "how on earth do you keep a story going about some people trapped in a well?"
The answer is "with a lot of care".
What makes The Well so compelling is the human element. The narrative follows several lives over the course of a week, beginning with Bec...more
Publisher: indie/self-published
Where I got it: I won it! Amazon
Warnings: violence, adult themes
The review (spoilers past this point):
The Well could easily be called The Surprise.
I think the first thing I thought when seeing this book was "how on earth do you keep a story going about some people trapped in a well?"
The answer is "with a lot of care".
What makes The Well so compelling is the human element. The narrative follows several lives over the course of a week, beginning with Bec...more
May 18, 2011
Tobyann Aparisi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone that loves a great thrill ride
Recommended to Tobyann by:
author
First off I would like to thank Peter Labrow for giving me the opportunity to read this truly brilliant book.
I often don't like to regurgitate the stories book' entail, but describe the feelings and emotions that books give me as I read them. I hope this book will transform you as it did me.
This is a true escape and gripping read, you will not want to put this book down. Scenes are so vivid that you can nearly smell the waters surrounding Becca. The depth of the characters give you a hauting loo...more
I often don't like to regurgitate the stories book' entail, but describe the feelings and emotions that books give me as I read them. I hope this book will transform you as it did me.
This is a true escape and gripping read, you will not want to put this book down. Scenes are so vivid that you can nearly smell the waters surrounding Becca. The depth of the characters give you a hauting loo...more
Stayed up until 2 am to finish this rollercoaster of a book, which grips you from the very first page and just doesn't let go. As soon as Becca and her stepbrother fall into The Well you're tipped over the edge and hurtle on through twists and turns which literally made me jump out of my skin. The characters are so well drawn - some engage, some repulse, and they linger in your thoughts until the next time you pick up the story. Most gripping book I've read in years.
When this book started I was a bit worried. How can any writer hold my attention for an entire book that starts out early with the protagonist already trapped in a well? But Labrow deftly weaves a plot full of intrigue that will have you turning pages quickly once he hits his stride.
I appreciated the attention to detail. Every single plot point was wrapped up in the conclusion even though there were a number of complex plot lines. I wish all books were as well written from a technical standpoint...more
I appreciated the attention to detail. Every single plot point was wrapped up in the conclusion even though there were a number of complex plot lines. I wish all books were as well written from a technical standpoint...more
I was really excited about reading this book after reading all the reviews & can definitely say that it did not let me down. This book was full of suspence, so much in fact that I had to stop myself from flicking to the end to find out what was going to happen, it was just too exciting (in a good way obviously). This is a none stop thrill & will be a book that I will read again and again.
Dec 29, 2011
Adam
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror,
psychological-thriller
I am a great fan of James Herbert and in the past have read most of his books. However, I have been trying a variety of new authors' books and after reading the excellent reviews on The Well, I thought I'd give it a go. I was not disappointed!
The Well keeps you captivated from start to finish. I usually take my time reading a book but this one was hard to put down.
Many other reviewers have already given good accounts of the story so there's no need to reiterate, but I'd like to say "Well done!"...more
The Well keeps you captivated from start to finish. I usually take my time reading a book but this one was hard to put down.
Many other reviewers have already given good accounts of the story so there's no need to reiterate, but I'd like to say "Well done!"...more
I really liked this book. As has been said several times before that once you start, it's very hard to put it down. How true. The story gets going very quickly and doesn't really let up until the conclusion. Peter has done such a superb job to make the characters believable that you feel you are there with them and experience all the emotions they go through. In particular the feeling of claustrophobia is almost unbearable.
It’s hard to believe that this is his first novel and I look forward to t...more
It’s hard to believe that this is his first novel and I look forward to t...more
Received this book free in First Read Giveaway. Really enjoyed it, so suspenseful and intriguing. I found myself yelling cautions at the characters throughout and feeling a sense of dread right along with them. The author really found a way to draw the reader in to the storyline and made me feel like I was right there in the middle of the action. A must-read for suspense lovers.
I really enjoyed this work, it had some genuinely creepy moments. I'm a fan of the works of Richard Laymon, Bentley Little, Jack Ketchum, Stephen King and Clive Barker. Of those authors only Clive Barker has ever really 'scared' me - Labrow has managed what the others failed to do.
The work does have some gross out moments (nowhere near what you get in a Laymon/Little work) the only complaint I'd have however is the use of the Raven - a bit clichéd.
The work does have some gross out moments (nowhere near what you get in a Laymon/Little work) the only complaint I'd have however is the use of the Raven - a bit clichéd.
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Peter Labrow is a writer of psychological horror, based in Cheshire in the UK. His goal is to write 'dark, gripping stories' that people find hard to put down. Populated by flawed characters with ambiguous motives, his writing deftly mixes the supernatural with frighteningly normal terrors. Having written marketing copy for over twenty years, Peter published his first novel, The Well, in 2010 - fu...more
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Feb 19, 2012 03:22pm