Mike Thorn's Blog, page 25

Glamorous Book Gal Reviews Shelter for the Damned

"A gifted horror writer weds the realities of real world terror to the realities of supernatural terror….which is what Mike Thorn does exceptionally well."

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Sunshine Somerville Reviews Shelter for the Damned

"To sum up my thoughts on this book in one word, I’m IMPRESSED. [...] Though the premise and setting aren’t particularly abnormal, the author digs deep into the psyche of the main character and warps everything into a maddening descent from ordinary suburban life to a truly horrifying nightmare."

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Chris Patrick Carolan Reviews Shelter for the Damned

"What Thorn explores to great effect [...] is what you don’t see when walking those streets at night. Malice lurking behind practiced smiles. Violence hidden behind manicured lawns."

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Today on This is Horror: "Look Out For … Shelter for the Damned by Mike Thorn"

"With this short novel, Thorn tackles unknown sentient horrors, teenage rage, violence, and toxic masculinity in a stunning and intimate debut."

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Tor Nightfire's List of Anticipated 2021 Horror Releases Includes Shelter for the Damned

"We made it through 2020, folks. We did it! As a reward, we’ve got an absolutely stacked year ahead of us when it comes to 2021’s new horror books. There are already over 100 titles on our radar for this year, with more expected to be announced for publication in the fall and winter. New releases include Grady Hendrix, Rivers Solomon, Stephen Graham Jones, Brian Evenson, Cassandra Khaw, Richard Chizmar, Zoje Stage, Josh Malerman, Cynthia Pelayo, Gemma Files, Ramsey Campbell, Catriona Ward, Chuck Wendig, Jeffrey Ford, V. Castro, and many, many, many more."

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Candace Robinson Interviews Mike Thorn

What inspired Shelter for the Damned?

Like most creative projects, Shelter for the Damned took inspiration from numerous places. I wanted to write something in the suburban horror tradition, and I wanted to write something with adolescent characters. I drew a lot on the novels of Hubert Selby Jr. and Jim Thompson, specifically their pessimism and their unblinking commitment to disturbed protagonists devoured by their own demons ...

Read the full interview.

“To Exist, but Not Be There”: Terence DeToy Reviews Shelter for the Damned

“The novel’s pacing is relentless. You may find yourself breathing only during page turns. Thorn has a real knack for building intensity to a fever pitch and letting the effect carry over into the action. His prose is smooth and his dialogue stretches the anger of juvenile angst without forcing it into unnatural banter. What’s really terrifying about this novel is its fidelity to the suburban experience—that is, what’s scary is how realistic so much of it is.”

Read the full review on Tuerlemot (warning: plot spoilers).

Shelter for the Damned Included on Read by Dusk's 30 Most Anticipated Horror Books of 2021

Check out the full list.

Night Worms Cover Reveal: SHELTER FOR THE DAMNED by Mike Thorn

On February 26, 2021, JournalStone will release Mike Thorn’s debut novel, Shelter for the Damned. This grisly, pessimistic, supernatural tale is Thorn’s contribution to the great tradition of suburban horror.

Visit Night Worms for an exclusive cover reveal (art by Trevor Henderson).

Pre-order directly from JournalStone.

Pre-order through Amazon.

Pre-order through Barnes & Noble.

Mike Thorn’s Story “Deprimer” Included in Vastarien, Volume 3, Issue 2

Mike Thorn’s new short story “Deprimer” is included in Vastarien: A Literary Journal, volume 3, issue 2. Pre-order here.