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219th out of 228 books
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315 voters
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Coffin County
The small town of Cedar Hill is no stranger to tragedy and terror. Nearly two centuries ago, when the area was first settled, a gruesome mass murder baptized the town with blood. More recently there was the Great Fire, the notorious night the casket factory burned down, taking an entire neighborhood with it.
But no one in Cedar Hill can be prepared for what is t...more
But no one in Cedar Hill can be prepared for what is t...more
Mass Market Paperbound, 334 pages
Published
May 27th 2008
by Leisure Books
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This being my second time reading Braunbeck I would have expected to be used to his lyrical and poetic style of writing but it still shakes me. His writing is different, more philosophical than your average horror stories; his thinking dissects ideas to the core and reaches deeper levels of emotion while still giving the reader a fantasy like story where the reality blurs with magic.
Cedar Hill, Ohio is the fictional place all his books take place in. A place that has murders, terror an...more
Cedar Hill, Ohio is the fictional place all his books take place in. A place that has murders, terror an...more
4 AND 1/2 STARS
Whenever the horror genre begins to wane, I dive into a book by Braunbeck and that sinking feeling always goes away. Coffin County, set in the familiar world of Braunbeck's fictional town of Cedar Hill, delves deeper into the mythology he has created, giving us a look at the past, the present, and the future. And all three are pretty damn terrifying, I'll tell you.
While I wasn't as emotionally affected by this book like I was with Braunbeck's MR. HANDS, I...more
Whenever the horror genre begins to wane, I dive into a book by Braunbeck and that sinking feeling always goes away. Coffin County, set in the familiar world of Braunbeck's fictional town of Cedar Hill, delves deeper into the mythology he has created, giving us a look at the past, the present, and the future. And all three are pretty damn terrifying, I'll tell you.
While I wasn't as emotionally affected by this book like I was with Braunbeck's MR. HANDS, I...more
A book that almost needs two reviews, one for frequent visitor's to the author's infamous Cedar Hill township, and those who have never been before. A great deal of Braunbeck's fiction is set in Cedar Hill, a small American town where 'weird shit happens'. This novel begins to pick away at the reasons why. For the long term reader, there's plenty to make your jaw drop, revelations about several recurring characters, and some of the events that have defined the place over the years. For the Cedar...more
This is the second book I've read by Gary Braunbeck, and like Mr. Hands, it is very confusing and scattered to start but if you stick with it you'll find yourself liking it. He's a good writer, no doubt about that, maybe a little too informal with the antagonists, making them a little funny and less threatening but it dosn't overshadow the dark complexity of the plot. There are two short stories at the end. I'll Play The Blues For You was interesting and pretty good. Union Dues was weird and...more
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The end of time postponed in Cedar Hill, Ohio.
Charlie Smeds, night watchman at the Franklin Beaumont Casket Company, makes his evening rounds and come dinnertime takes his meal outside on the bench across from Talley’s Hideaway. Eugene Talley, the current owner, joins Charlie, two old friends enjoying each other’s company and good food. Out of the darkness, comes a procession of mourners following wagons piled high with the dead. A little girl holding her doll walks behind. She stop...more
Charlie Smeds, night watchman at the Franklin Beaumont Casket Company, makes his evening rounds and come dinnertime takes his meal outside on the bench across from Talley’s Hideaway. Eugene Talley, the current owner, joins Charlie, two old friends enjoying each other’s company and good food. Out of the darkness, comes a procession of mourners following wagons piled high with the dead. A little girl holding her doll walks behind. She stop...more
This is my first Braunbeck novel, I was surprised to find that it has not only the main novel, but a few short stories in it as well. I always think that's a nice touch. My review will be of the main story, Coffin County.
Coffin County has a LOT of promise. The opening is good, the gore is there, the characters are interesting, and there is violence a-plenty. We have an unnamed narrator guiding us along in the tale as we follow Ben Littlejohn (a local police officer on the homicide un...more
Coffin County has a LOT of promise. The opening is good, the gore is there, the characters are interesting, and there is violence a-plenty. We have an unnamed narrator guiding us along in the tale as we follow Ben Littlejohn (a local police officer on the homicide un...more
A 3 and 1/2 star book.
The answer to why do bad things happen to good people is chillingly answered in this book.
I felt like I missed a lot in this book. Not sure if it was because of me or the author. But I like Braunbeck and will assume it was me. I will definetely read more of his stuff. And I'll need to reread this book more carefully at a later date.
The answer to why do bad things happen to good people is chillingly answered in this book.
I felt like I missed a lot in this book. Not sure if it was because of me or the author. But I like Braunbeck and will assume it was me. I will definetely read more of his stuff. And I'll need to reread this book more carefully at a later date.
Coffin County
This book is filled with gruesome images that will haunt my mind for quite some time... blood galore. However, while I did get the jist of the story --maintaining the balance = preventing the end of the world-- I'm still unclear on some points. Kudos to Gary A. Braunbeck for writing an original horror novel, even though I felt unsatisfied when I finished reading it, like I missed something. The story did jump around a bit --the butterfly effect taken to a hideous extreme-- so...more
This book is filled with gruesome images that will haunt my mind for quite some time... blood galore. However, while I did get the jist of the story --maintaining the balance = preventing the end of the world-- I'm still unclear on some points. Kudos to Gary A. Braunbeck for writing an original horror novel, even though I felt unsatisfied when I finished reading it, like I missed something. The story did jump around a bit --the butterfly effect taken to a hideous extreme-- so...more
This latest in the Cedar Hill cycle showcases Braunbeck's skills admirably. As do most of his other novels, it starts in a somewhat scattered fashion (perhaps because his style seems more at home in shorter lengths), but all ties together satisfyingly in the wrap-up. The series is becoming a mosaic greater than the sum of its parts, with familiar characters, themes, and settings lending an air of documentary authenticity to his narratives. I wouldn't suggest this one as a good starting point for...more
This was a Reading List Short List honor title in the Horror category for 2009. For the complete list, go to http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/award...
This is the BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ. Never before have I read an author so beyond horrifying, yet with heartfelt sentiment. Gary, you are the HORROR GOD!
Such a strange book. I found myself slogging my way through it. Parts of the story were riveting and other parts were just dreary and dragged.
Braunbeck is very good at quickly endearing the reader to the characters. He’s also good at bouncing back and forth through time. So just when you’ve begun to empathize with a character or characters, he has jumped to another time period. I’ve seen other authors employ this device, and it often engenders a sense of disconnect and annoyance. But Braunbeck manages to pull it off, causing the reader to invest more and more in the central story. This book is essentially a haunted house story….e...more
Took me right to near the end to figure out what was going on. Because of this, it really kept up my interest. Can't say much more without giving away the plot, but it was very original.
Another great Cedar Hill tale.
Victoria
rated it
Recommends it for:
People who love horror novels
Shelves:
mystery-thriller,
spooky
What a strange book... an interestingly convoluted plot, with clear, character-driven narration that was quite well-written. But it was one of the gorier and graphic books I have ever read - truly horrific in a violent and awful way. The premise was original and though overall, it was quite disturbing, I did enjoy reading it. But it certainly isn't for the faint of heart! The "bonus" short stories at the end were an unexpected surprise, too.
Small town mayhem achieved by a very skillful writer. Despite the existence of preceding novels that tie in to this one, I didn't feel the least bit lost in the narrative and almost all of the characters were fleshed out nicely. The very few that felt like they had an unspoken past were incidental and didn't affect the main plot. I certainly enjoyed this book enough to want to go back and read those preceding novels.
I read every Braunbeck novel/short story that I can in hopes of finding the perfection that was "In Silent Graves" but it hasn't happened yet. ("Keepers" came close.)
"Coffin County" is incredibly original. I have never read anything like it and at times it literally took my breath away. But there is something about the police procedural aspect that takes away some of the magic.
"Coffin County" is incredibly original. I have never read anything like it and at times it literally took my breath away. But there is something about the police procedural aspect that takes away some of the magic.
Read it. Enjoyed it. Not sure if I really understood it. The end left me scratching my head, but hey. Think I'm going to have to read a few more by Braunbeck, as I like his style.
Gruesome and gory, but Coffin County is still an enjoyable read with a few very interesting twists.
So far, this is one of Gary's best in the Cedar Hill series. More when I get to the end.
William
rated it
Fast reading. Lots of action.I thought the plot twist was pretty cool.
Katie
marked it as to-read
Conal Cochran
marked it as to-read
Julie
marked it as to-read
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Gary A. Braunbeck is a prolific author who writes mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mainstream literature. He is the author of 19 books; his fiction has been translated into Japanese, French, Italian, Russian and German. Nearly 200 of his short stories have appeared in various publications.
His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award ...more
More about Gary A. Braunbeck...
His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award ...more
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