Want to try it yourself? Call the phone number shown on book's cover: 212-629-1951 and listen to the voicemail message for main charact...
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reviews
Jun 15, 2009
Keith
rated it: 
Just this morning I finished a book that has paved new ground in literary history. The book is <span style="font-style: italic;">Personal Effects: Dark Arts</span> by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman. I've been a fan of J.C.'s work for some time as he successfully podcast a wonderful action/adventure/thriller trilogy called <span style="font-style: italic;">7th Son</span>, which he completed in 2007.
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Jun 03, 2009
Scott
rated it:
This book has innovative packaging, with all kind of bells and whistles like ID cards from the characters, bits of evidence, clues and other cool things, but screw all that -- if you base books on story and action, this one is for you.
PERSONAL EFFECTS: DARK ARTS is a flag planted firmly in the sand by a major new voice, J.C. Hutchins. This kid brings his A game. A blind serial killer locked in the bowels of a last-stop insane asylum is the key to a brutal mystery. Art therapist Zack More...
PERSONAL EFFECTS: DARK ARTS is a flag planted firmly in the sand by a major new voice, J.C. Hutchins. This kid brings his A game. A blind serial killer locked in the bowels of a last-stop insane asylum is the key to a brutal mystery. Art therapist Zack More...
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Jun 17, 2010
Americanogig
rated it: 
This book is so amazingly interactive! Letters, websites, ID cards, realistic crime scene photos; it reminds me of when I was a child and played things like Mystery Date or the princess games where you have little physical accoutrements to further engage you in the story. Unfortunately, the story itself was a little lackluster – seemed to be more of a concept book than something that could live up to its accessories. A young psychiatrist is determined to break through to a new patient accused
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Jun 22, 2009
Laura
rated it:
6/19/09, p. 114: Read about this online. According to the website: "Dark Art combines the experience of a traditional thriller novel with a multimedia-fueled “out of book” narrative. Clues in the novel — and items that come with the novel, such as ID cards and photos — propel readers into an online experience where they become protagonists themselves."
6/22/09: I think I'm too much of a traditional reader to appreciate this as a book. I also like computer games however, and More...
6/22/09: I think I'm too much of a traditional reader to appreciate this as a book. I also like computer games however, and More...
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Jun 10, 2011
Wendy
rated it: 
First the negatives: This is a typical novel for entertainment purposes, not overly deep or insightful. The main character is an art therapist, but it portrays an extremely unrealistic image of what art therapy is and what an art therapist does. This character makes several poor ethical decisions without note, probably because the author doesn't know enough about the job. He is solving mysteries through patient art -- not likely. There is no mention of training or credentials -- not that there n
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Jun 16, 2009
Jeff
rated it:
Written very well, could hardly put it down at night. The ARG part of the novel was nice, though it didn't lend much to the story besides a visual, and sometimes auditory bonus. Hutchins' descriptions of the items were detailed enough that you didn't need the driver's license and copy of the painting and arrest records. The voice mail was also a nice touch, but will it still be around in 5 years when someone new comes to the book? The PixelVixen707 blog is a nice touch, brings a sort of reality
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Jul 03, 2009
selena
rated it:
Zach Taylor is an art therapist recently employed at Brinkvale Psychiatric. He can be reached at (212) 629-1951. With a dark history of his own, he uses his gift for art to help the most troubled of patients. Which is why his boss gives him the case of Martin Grace, an alleged multiple-murderer.
The book itself opens with a very official and convincing psychiatric report for the patient, Martin Grace. Even before you get to the "strict security measures are necessary" part, More...
The book itself opens with a very official and convincing psychiatric report for the patient, Martin Grace. Even before you get to the "strict security measures are necessary" part, More...
Jun 23, 2009
Matthew
rated it:
One of the first books I've actually "read" in quite some time. Ahh, the technological wonder of Audiobooks and podiobooks. Thanks to Audible, J.C. Hutchins, Scott Sigler, and my 45 minute drive to and from work, I listen to a lot of books. This one, while capable of being put in audio form, will lose some of it's magic if it is ever podcasted because of the "Personal Effects" the book comes along with. For those of you that haven't heard of this book then you need to
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Dec 09, 2010
Reacher
rated it:
This book contains some really interesting and new ideas plot wise, but totally fails in delivering them. The author has genuine creative talent, just not as a writer.
The book is in no way scary, frightening, or even tense.
I often felt as if it was being written with film rights in mind. It showed.
The protagonist, Zachary, is unconvincing: he cries, he's scared of the dark, and even fights with a kitchen skillet.
Did the C.I.A. really need to be br More...
The book is in no way scary, frightening, or even tense.
I often felt as if it was being written with film rights in mind. It showed.
The protagonist, Zachary, is unconvincing: he cries, he's scared of the dark, and even fights with a kitchen skillet.
Did the C.I.A. really need to be br More...
May 09, 2011
Alex
rated it:
Ever seen a book on sale and just grabbed it because you needed a read? Dark Art was this. The narrative was distinct and entertaining, at least at first, and the fact that it came with pieces of evidence and ID to enhance the immersion of the story was an interesting ploy.
That said, the entertaining nature of it faded after the first hundred or so pages. The story ended without really addressing the source of the evil. I can appreciate that the characters made mistakes and suffere More...
That said, the entertaining nature of it faded after the first hundred or so pages. The story ended without really addressing the source of the evil. I can appreciate that the characters made mistakes and suffere More...
Jun 19, 2009
Chuck
rated it:
J.C. Hutchins is a master of writing fiction that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you are reading it. This book draws you in and you find yourself investigating the case right along the hero Zach Taylor. The 'personal effects' of his patient Martin Grace help you piece together what is going on as well as directing you to other places outside the confines of the book for more in depth information and clues. However, the book isn't just a mystery. It scares the living daylig
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Jul 15, 2009
Geoff
rated it:
This book is truly a step in a new and exciting direction.
If you haven't already seen it - here's the DL: it comes with a collection of "artifacts" such as notes, birth certificates, insurance cards, etc, etc - hence the "Personal Effects" piece of the title. These serve to connect the reader with the story on a personal, interactive level. Rather than just reading the descriptions of these items, you can study them and try to identify the clues that feed the na More...
If you haven't already seen it - here's the DL: it comes with a collection of "artifacts" such as notes, birth certificates, insurance cards, etc, etc - hence the "Personal Effects" piece of the title. These serve to connect the reader with the story on a personal, interactive level. Rather than just reading the descriptions of these items, you can study them and try to identify the clues that feed the na More...
Jun 29, 2009
Blake
rated it:
I finished this book literally minutes ago, and I loved every page of it. J.C. Hutchins has crafted a smart, crafty horror/thriller that would be a worthy print debut for anyone working in the genre. But along with Jordan Weisman and St. Martin's Press, this book goes further than anything I've ever seen, actually providing you with documents, cards, and other items that expand upon the world of the novel. Every website mentioned in the book is real. The phone numbers are real. This is half book
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Jul 01, 2011
Barb
rated it:
I read it as an e-book so didn't get all of the extras, but that's no problem. The content totally stood on it's own. Started reading yesterday afternoon, read until about 4:00am, then picked it up first thing and finished it this morning. Spooky stuff, great story, walked the line between skeptical and paranormal really well. It was also fun to check out some of the websites mentioned in the book (some are no longer active, but I really like the concept). J.C. Hutchins mixes amazing content w
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Nov 19, 2009
April
rated it:
Blech. Sounded interesting and I suppose it was just barely interesting to hold my interest. Although I did just skim through the last 6 or 7 pages. I thought it was going to be a mystery that we would get to help solve with the addition of all of the extras stashed in the cover of the book, photos, ids, drivers licenses, death certificates, etc. That stuff ended up being pretty darn pointless. The story was just ok with lots of is it supernatural or are the characters crazy elements. They glaze
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Aug 27, 2009
Trisha
rated it: 
I bought this book after reading about it on NPR's website because I was fascinated with the "stuff" that came with it. Funny thing though, that once I started reading it I never even really looked at the stuff that was there besides the one phone number to call early in the book. This book was exciting and kept me wanting to read more and more. In fact I stayed up until 3:30 AM in order to finish it!
Overall the gimmick that lured me in had very little to do with what was More...
Overall the gimmick that lured me in had very little to do with what was More...
Oct 06, 2010
Jodi
rated it:
I really enjoyed Personal Effects: Dark Art. J.D. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman are talented writers who use their imagination and creativity to the fullest when coming up with a story that is a mystery with humor and reality mixed in. I really like the interaction between the main character and his brother and girlfriend. The way they are written gave me a perfect picture in my mind of what these two would look like. The tension between father and son is palpable as well, that's how good this boo
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Dec 07, 2009
Brendan
rated it:
I learned about Dark Art from an Escape Pod podcast that included an ad for the book. Hutchins and Weisman have crafted a multi-modal book that builds on its story with a series of inserts including things like a driver’s license and medical reports, death certificates, etc. They’ve created a number of websites and some phone numbers to call as well.
The story follows Zach Taylor, an art-therapist working at an horrifying psychiatric hospital, “Brinkvale,” investigates a patient cha More...
The story follows Zach Taylor, an art-therapist working at an horrifying psychiatric hospital, “Brinkvale,” investigates a patient cha More...
Jun 03, 2010
Meredith
rated it:
I was intrigued because of the mystery/interactive aspect of the book, which in the end was not worth it at all. There really was no need to "follow the clues", read the extra paperwork given, visit the websites, and call the cell phone. None of what I thought was going to be interactive turned out productive. Maybe it was fun to hold the "driver's license" and "artwork" of one of the main characters, but it certainly wasn't needed. I thought I was going to be part
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Oct 13, 2009
Doug
rated it:
Well, what can I say?
The idea behind this book was superb, but the execution was severly lacking. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Dark Arts: Personal Effects I'll give it to you in a nutshell. You are given a short mystery / horror novel which also comes with props in the form of documents and photos that were featured in the book. Additionally, the websites and prominent phone numbers, when searched or called, turn up actual (though manufactured) websites and voicemai More...
The idea behind this book was superb, but the execution was severly lacking. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Dark Arts: Personal Effects I'll give it to you in a nutshell. You are given a short mystery / horror novel which also comes with props in the form of documents and photos that were featured in the book. Additionally, the websites and prominent phone numbers, when searched or called, turn up actual (though manufactured) websites and voicemai More...
Jul 17, 2009
Jason
rated it:
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally.)
So are you familiar yet with this new type of creative project that's been catching on in the 2000s more and more, known as an "Alternative Reality Game" or ARG? Essentially started with a bang by entrepreneur and USC professor Jordan Weisman with the phenomenal 2001 experiment More...
So are you familiar yet with this new type of creative project that's been catching on in the 2000s more and more, known as an "Alternative Reality Game" or ARG? Essentially started with a bang by entrepreneur and USC professor Jordan Weisman with the phenomenal 2001 experiment More...
May 14, 2009
Anthony
rated it:
This hasn't even come out yet and I can't wait to get it. With all the vlurbs (video blurbs) done by the likes of Jason Vorhees' father, Scott Sigler an other horror novelists claiming the book freaked them out and made it hard for them to sleep, how can you not want it. Plus with all the tangible stuff that comes with the book, it will be an all engrossing, total immersion experience.
Aug 15, 2009
Normally I would be put off by this modern, interactive stuff, as a certified geezer, but this looks cool. For example, if you call a phone # that is used in the book, you actually get a related recording that perhaps helps you solve the mystery. I'm a sucker for serial killers too.
Dec 25, 2009
Kim
rated it:
The concept of the book was clever and could have been intriguing. However, the writing was very basic and the author took too much time putting in details that weren't necessary. This book was slow, mundane, and not written very well. I don't recommend it.
Dec 31, 2009
Allison
rated it:
I got turned on to Hutchins from the FDO - Scott Sigler. I was excited to read this book because of the concept, and over all it was an entertaining read.
The big problem with it is it takes a little while to get to the hook of the book. Hutchins strings you along with side stories - mostly centered around the relationships, or lack there of, that Zach has - before you get to the real action of the story.
The add ons are a nice touch, but they don't contribute much to th More...
The big problem with it is it takes a little while to get to the hook of the book. Hutchins strings you along with side stories - mostly centered around the relationships, or lack there of, that Zach has - before you get to the real action of the story.
The add ons are a nice touch, but they don't contribute much to th More...
Aug 06, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Great concept for a book, making it an interactive reading experience. However, the writing just wasn't that great. Wish I could have seen a better writer handle the book, and come up with a fresher plot.
Aug 21, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
OK, loving this book! It's dark and scary and weird and creepy...I love it, but I'm going to need to buy another nightlight...maybe one of those glowey salt crystal lamps, OR glow in the dark wall paper :)
Aug 30, 2009
Lowell
rated it:
I did enjoy the ride that is Personal Effects: Dark Arts! The first thing I did when I got the book was to call Zack's voice mail and listen to his message!
Sep 05, 2009
Idaho
rated it:
Different. I have yet to fully explore the "personal effects" but I think the book went far enough that it could\should have stood on its own.
Oct 25, 2009
Janet
rated it: 
The idea behind this book was intriguing (innovatively packaged with evidence and clues and ID cards, a phone number to call, etc.) but the story just didn't live up to the gimmick. Seemed shallow and didn't grab me.
