Michael Noe's Blog, page 7
October 6, 2017
It Always Bites You In The End - Michael Fisher&nbs...
It Always Bites You In The End - Michael Fisher 5/5 stars
I have to admit that lately I haven't been reading a lot of horror, but it's not because I'm bored with the genre. I've become hooked on suspense thrillers. Why am I mentioning this while reviewing Michael Fisher's latest release? Because at it's core, it's exactly what a suspense thriller is, but there's also a bit of the supernatural in there as well to give it a little kick. Fisher is a talented writer that has essentially created the perfect book, and It Always Bites You In The End keeps you guessing until the very last page. The bodies began piling up, and they all seem to be linked to the tattoos that the deceased have recently acquired. Sounds pretty simple right? You would think so, but that's not true at all, and the mystery only seems to deepen the further you get.
At the heart of it all is Mac, a cop who is assigned to these cases. This is a great character that injects a lot of black humor into his narrative. At times, he can be a bit of a jerk, but he's the kind of guy you want to hang out with despite his flaws. You can feel his frustration with the cases, and it often seems as if there's real connection to the cases. These are all bizarre deaths that make no sense, there's no acceptable answer for them at all. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop, and it quickly became one of my favorite novels because it was not only well written, but stands apart from your typical suspense thriller. It's a lot of fun to read, and doesn't follow the normal rules of the genre. Fish has created something unique, and I hope we get to see more of these characters.
Fisher is a talented writer that has uses his tattoo background to give the story its backbone. The detail, and character development is flawless and keeps the pages flying. It Always Bites You In The End never slows down until the end, and even then it merely pumps the brakes a little. Fish gave me a copy of the book to write an honest review, and while I thought I was getting a simple suspense thriller I got something far more unique.
I have to admit that lately I haven't been reading a lot of horror, but it's not because I'm bored with the genre. I've become hooked on suspense thrillers. Why am I mentioning this while reviewing Michael Fisher's latest release? Because at it's core, it's exactly what a suspense thriller is, but there's also a bit of the supernatural in there as well to give it a little kick. Fisher is a talented writer that has essentially created the perfect book, and It Always Bites You In The End keeps you guessing until the very last page. The bodies began piling up, and they all seem to be linked to the tattoos that the deceased have recently acquired. Sounds pretty simple right? You would think so, but that's not true at all, and the mystery only seems to deepen the further you get.
At the heart of it all is Mac, a cop who is assigned to these cases. This is a great character that injects a lot of black humor into his narrative. At times, he can be a bit of a jerk, but he's the kind of guy you want to hang out with despite his flaws. You can feel his frustration with the cases, and it often seems as if there's real connection to the cases. These are all bizarre deaths that make no sense, there's no acceptable answer for them at all. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop, and it quickly became one of my favorite novels because it was not only well written, but stands apart from your typical suspense thriller. It's a lot of fun to read, and doesn't follow the normal rules of the genre. Fish has created something unique, and I hope we get to see more of these characters.
Fisher is a talented writer that has uses his tattoo background to give the story its backbone. The detail, and character development is flawless and keeps the pages flying. It Always Bites You In The End never slows down until the end, and even then it merely pumps the brakes a little. Fish gave me a copy of the book to write an honest review, and while I thought I was getting a simple suspense thriller I got something far more unique.
October 4, 2017
Don't Wake Up - Liz Lawler 3/5 stars &...
Don't Wake Up - Liz Lawler 3/5 stars
Not only did I receive a review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I also bought a copy through Amazon's Kindle First program
Wow, this was one book that I was really not digging. Lawler sets us up with a great beginning, but Alex Taylor is not a great lead character. I get it in hindsight, I really do. This is a woman we're supposed to think is crazy, so crazy that she made this crazy abduction. From the outset it does seem that way. There's no evidence at all that Alex was abducted. Problem is, Alex is a borderline alcoholic and annoying. When writing a book like this it's important to have something about the lead character you can relate to, but here, not the case. I was ready to throw the towel in on this and just give it a bad review. Not because the story was bad, but the lead character was boring, and if anything I wanter to see her die a horrible death.
Then something happened. Around chapter Twenty an amazing thing happened. The secondary characters were given a chance to shine, which allowed me to actually care about Alex. We begin to know more about the character and are even given some insight into who she is. Don't Wake Up is an interesting novel that starts slow, but once it picks up speed it's a decent suspense thriller that wants to give us something unique, and almost does. Problem is, the first half isn't all that great, and I really didn't care if Alex was imagining it, or if it really happened. It was the subtle shift that made this an interesting whodunnit, and provides a bit of distance from your average suspense novel.
The how, and even the why of Don't Wake Up will truly blow your mind. Comes totally out of left field and lifts the novel out of mediocrity. Had Lawler started the book as strongly as she finished it, we'd easily have a must read book on our hands. With the way its structured you have to make it to chapter twenty before the book becomes something you can't put down. Not a lot happens, and it's Alex who bogs the book down, but once you hit that chapter it's full speed ahead. It takes a while to hit her stride, but as a first time author it's easily forgivable. This is still a decent read, and if you're a fan of suspense I would certainly urge you to check this one out. Lawler has given us something different which is great to see in a genre cluttered with authors who attempt to create something different and end up a clone of someone else.
The end is something I never saw coming, and the reasoning behind it blew my mind. I love books that take sharp left turns, and take you for a bit of a ride. Lawler is a decent author who I can't wait to read more from. I just hope her follow up doesn't take so long gain speed. What we have is a decent novel that could have been perfect, but settles into worth a read status. Just be warned, you may hate this book for the first nineteen chapters, but don't give up. Trust me., it's worth it.
Not only did I receive a review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I also bought a copy through Amazon's Kindle First program
Wow, this was one book that I was really not digging. Lawler sets us up with a great beginning, but Alex Taylor is not a great lead character. I get it in hindsight, I really do. This is a woman we're supposed to think is crazy, so crazy that she made this crazy abduction. From the outset it does seem that way. There's no evidence at all that Alex was abducted. Problem is, Alex is a borderline alcoholic and annoying. When writing a book like this it's important to have something about the lead character you can relate to, but here, not the case. I was ready to throw the towel in on this and just give it a bad review. Not because the story was bad, but the lead character was boring, and if anything I wanter to see her die a horrible death.
Then something happened. Around chapter Twenty an amazing thing happened. The secondary characters were given a chance to shine, which allowed me to actually care about Alex. We begin to know more about the character and are even given some insight into who she is. Don't Wake Up is an interesting novel that starts slow, but once it picks up speed it's a decent suspense thriller that wants to give us something unique, and almost does. Problem is, the first half isn't all that great, and I really didn't care if Alex was imagining it, or if it really happened. It was the subtle shift that made this an interesting whodunnit, and provides a bit of distance from your average suspense novel.
The how, and even the why of Don't Wake Up will truly blow your mind. Comes totally out of left field and lifts the novel out of mediocrity. Had Lawler started the book as strongly as she finished it, we'd easily have a must read book on our hands. With the way its structured you have to make it to chapter twenty before the book becomes something you can't put down. Not a lot happens, and it's Alex who bogs the book down, but once you hit that chapter it's full speed ahead. It takes a while to hit her stride, but as a first time author it's easily forgivable. This is still a decent read, and if you're a fan of suspense I would certainly urge you to check this one out. Lawler has given us something different which is great to see in a genre cluttered with authors who attempt to create something different and end up a clone of someone else.
The end is something I never saw coming, and the reasoning behind it blew my mind. I love books that take sharp left turns, and take you for a bit of a ride. Lawler is a decent author who I can't wait to read more from. I just hope her follow up doesn't take so long gain speed. What we have is a decent novel that could have been perfect, but settles into worth a read status. Just be warned, you may hate this book for the first nineteen chapters, but don't give up. Trust me., it's worth it.
October 3, 2017
Halloween Carnival Vol 1 (Various Aut...
Halloween Carnival Vol 1 (Various Authors) 4/5 stars
I received a copy of Haloween Carnival from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's official, Halloween is officially upon us and Hydra has come to get us in the Halloween spirit with a new anthology series. I loved the cover, but let's go ahead and be honest here by admitting this isn't exactly what I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it, but I wasn't exactly sure how this was going to end, or even what it was trying to achieve. When you think of Halloween stories you expect scary, but none of these are. That's not a bad thing, and if anything, it sets up the series to be something different which it achieves nicely. Two of these stories have a nice Twilight Zone feel to them, and are powerful in their delivery. The theme here is Halloween, and that's pretty much it.
Demon Air, Strange Candy, and #makehalloweenscaryagain are the standout stories. Each offer a different take on the theme and are truly the gems in this collection. The other stories aren't bad at all, and whoever compiled this collection did a great job with such a short anthology. Bad news is if you came here for something scary, or even gory, you came to the wrong place. Halloween Carnival isn't about the scares, or even the gross out. It's a collection you can read around a bonfire, or aloud with a group of friends. It captures the spirit of Halloween and the fact that anything can happen on such a magical night. Hydra once again has a fine collection on their hands, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
I received a copy of Haloween Carnival from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's official, Halloween is officially upon us and Hydra has come to get us in the Halloween spirit with a new anthology series. I loved the cover, but let's go ahead and be honest here by admitting this isn't exactly what I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate it, but I wasn't exactly sure how this was going to end, or even what it was trying to achieve. When you think of Halloween stories you expect scary, but none of these are. That's not a bad thing, and if anything, it sets up the series to be something different which it achieves nicely. Two of these stories have a nice Twilight Zone feel to them, and are powerful in their delivery. The theme here is Halloween, and that's pretty much it.
Demon Air, Strange Candy, and #makehalloweenscaryagain are the standout stories. Each offer a different take on the theme and are truly the gems in this collection. The other stories aren't bad at all, and whoever compiled this collection did a great job with such a short anthology. Bad news is if you came here for something scary, or even gory, you came to the wrong place. Halloween Carnival isn't about the scares, or even the gross out. It's a collection you can read around a bonfire, or aloud with a group of friends. It captures the spirit of Halloween and the fact that anything can happen on such a magical night. Hydra once again has a fine collection on their hands, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
October 1, 2017
Stephen King - It  ...
Stephen King - It
It isn't an easy novel to read, but not because of its length. That's only a smart part of what makes it so hard to get through. It was written way back in 1986, a time when people weren't so politically correct, or required a trigger warning to go along with whatever they read or watched. People weren't easily offended so the themes that King places in his novel didn't seem so politically incorrect. If you're easily offended, this is clearly not a novel you should read. There is a bit of racism, and homophobia mixed into the central plot, but there's something march darker, and far more sinister to worry about here. If It had teeth, it would bite, and bite hard.
It is simply put, a masterpiece of horror fiction and easily one of the best books that King has ever written. The story premise itself is simple, but King goes even further by placing the town of Derry as a character. The story of Pennywise is embedded in the town itself, you can even say that It has made the town so prosperous. That’s what makes the book so terrifying. The Blackspot, The Kitchener Ironworks explosion are linked to the monster called IT, and in the Derry interludes you get back stories that detail key events in Derry’s dark history. These interludes add to the sinister history of It, or if you prefer Pennywise the dancing clown. This is a book that puts a dark sinister face on childhood fears, and the adults simply look away. King has a knack for creating novels that crawl under your skin, and then fester inside your brain.
He's is a master at creating characters we can get behind, and even loathe. As Bowers slowly goes insane you slowly watch his descent in horror and you want to look away, but can't. This is a character that is the very definition of terrifying and almost as terrifying as Pennywise himself. As adults we see them latch onto the past even when they can’t remember it. It’s in who they marry, what jobs they now have as adults. This is all a product of the power of IT and how it’s still guiding their lives twenty-seven years later. There are some who say the novel is too detailed, but this novel simply wouldn't work at a smaller length. It would leave far too many holes, and we wouldn't even know the true history of IT and how long It’s been in Derry.
IT is the kind of novel you don't just read. Because of it's size, it exhausts you, and forces you to take part in a complex story that weaves through it's one thousand pages slowly, and methodically. This is an author proving that he's capable of creating a perfect novel. While most may feel that IT is a product of an authors excess, it's not. Derry is just as much a part of the story as The Losers Club are. Without those interludes, chunks of the story wouldn't make sense. The power of what IT is, as well as the power it holds is embedded into the town's history. It's become a classic because of the various themes that run throughout its pages.
There was a time when King redefined the horror genre. He gave it a soul, and a face that we could identify with. No one else could have created a novel like this without it becoming tedious, or overwhelming. King takes on a ride through the darkness and you remember what it's like to be a kid again. Not many authors can do that. Some may find It too long, and maybe a bit boring, but everyone will have differing opinions. To me, this is a book that finds an author creating a masterpiece that transcends all genres, and becomes more than just a horror book. It is truly terrifying, but there's so much more to it than mere horror. It's a novel about fear, and the power of imagination.
It isn't an easy novel to read, but not because of its length. That's only a smart part of what makes it so hard to get through. It was written way back in 1986, a time when people weren't so politically correct, or required a trigger warning to go along with whatever they read or watched. People weren't easily offended so the themes that King places in his novel didn't seem so politically incorrect. If you're easily offended, this is clearly not a novel you should read. There is a bit of racism, and homophobia mixed into the central plot, but there's something march darker, and far more sinister to worry about here. If It had teeth, it would bite, and bite hard.
It is simply put, a masterpiece of horror fiction and easily one of the best books that King has ever written. The story premise itself is simple, but King goes even further by placing the town of Derry as a character. The story of Pennywise is embedded in the town itself, you can even say that It has made the town so prosperous. That’s what makes the book so terrifying. The Blackspot, The Kitchener Ironworks explosion are linked to the monster called IT, and in the Derry interludes you get back stories that detail key events in Derry’s dark history. These interludes add to the sinister history of It, or if you prefer Pennywise the dancing clown. This is a book that puts a dark sinister face on childhood fears, and the adults simply look away. King has a knack for creating novels that crawl under your skin, and then fester inside your brain.
He's is a master at creating characters we can get behind, and even loathe. As Bowers slowly goes insane you slowly watch his descent in horror and you want to look away, but can't. This is a character that is the very definition of terrifying and almost as terrifying as Pennywise himself. As adults we see them latch onto the past even when they can’t remember it. It’s in who they marry, what jobs they now have as adults. This is all a product of the power of IT and how it’s still guiding their lives twenty-seven years later. There are some who say the novel is too detailed, but this novel simply wouldn't work at a smaller length. It would leave far too many holes, and we wouldn't even know the true history of IT and how long It’s been in Derry.
IT is the kind of novel you don't just read. Because of it's size, it exhausts you, and forces you to take part in a complex story that weaves through it's one thousand pages slowly, and methodically. This is an author proving that he's capable of creating a perfect novel. While most may feel that IT is a product of an authors excess, it's not. Derry is just as much a part of the story as The Losers Club are. Without those interludes, chunks of the story wouldn't make sense. The power of what IT is, as well as the power it holds is embedded into the town's history. It's become a classic because of the various themes that run throughout its pages.
There was a time when King redefined the horror genre. He gave it a soul, and a face that we could identify with. No one else could have created a novel like this without it becoming tedious, or overwhelming. King takes on a ride through the darkness and you remember what it's like to be a kid again. Not many authors can do that. Some may find It too long, and maybe a bit boring, but everyone will have differing opinions. To me, this is a book that finds an author creating a masterpiece that transcends all genres, and becomes more than just a horror book. It is truly terrifying, but there's so much more to it than mere horror. It's a novel about fear, and the power of imagination.
September 3, 2017
Teeth Marks - Matthew Weber 5/5  ...
Teeth Marks - Matthew Weber 5/5
Once in awhile I get review copies of books from authors, but I've never gotten one with a barf bag. I’m serious, Matthew Webber sent me not one, but two barf bag with a couple of his releases. As I began to read Teeth Marks I prepared myself for the most vile horror money could buy, but then I relaxed because the bag isn't really necessary. It’s a great marketing tool, but I kept waiting to be horrified, or at least offended, but it just didn't happen. I’m not complaining at all because if anything, Teeth is exactly the kind of horror I enjoy. It jumps and jives all over the place, and it’s well written. The guy has talent, and I plan on reading more of his stuff as soon as I can get my hands on it.
The beauty of Teeth Marks is the originality of these stories. As a collection It flows well, and there’s a great deal of darkness mixed with black humor. Webber is the kind of writer who wants people to notice him and he does this by writing stories that connect with the reader. You never know what to expect, and that’s the beauty of it all. There’s not a bad story here which means if you aren't a fan midway through there’s something wrong with you, or maybe you’re just not a horror fan. The stories are short, but the odd thing is they all work. You don’t feel cheated at the end which happens with a lot of these collections.
Webb isn't content to chase trends either. Each story deals with something unique. Even Burt’s Top Secret Spice Mix has something to offer aside from being just another ghost story. As I read Teeth Marks I could tell that this is a writer who truly loves the horror genre, and he’s out to make his mark. Best of all at the end there are story notes that tells you where the ideas for each story came from. If you’re looking for some really great horror that can also be violent, and disturbing, you have to read Teeth Marks. You won't regret it.
Once in awhile I get review copies of books from authors, but I've never gotten one with a barf bag. I’m serious, Matthew Webber sent me not one, but two barf bag with a couple of his releases. As I began to read Teeth Marks I prepared myself for the most vile horror money could buy, but then I relaxed because the bag isn't really necessary. It’s a great marketing tool, but I kept waiting to be horrified, or at least offended, but it just didn't happen. I’m not complaining at all because if anything, Teeth is exactly the kind of horror I enjoy. It jumps and jives all over the place, and it’s well written. The guy has talent, and I plan on reading more of his stuff as soon as I can get my hands on it.
The beauty of Teeth Marks is the originality of these stories. As a collection It flows well, and there’s a great deal of darkness mixed with black humor. Webber is the kind of writer who wants people to notice him and he does this by writing stories that connect with the reader. You never know what to expect, and that’s the beauty of it all. There’s not a bad story here which means if you aren't a fan midway through there’s something wrong with you, or maybe you’re just not a horror fan. The stories are short, but the odd thing is they all work. You don’t feel cheated at the end which happens with a lot of these collections.
Webb isn't content to chase trends either. Each story deals with something unique. Even Burt’s Top Secret Spice Mix has something to offer aside from being just another ghost story. As I read Teeth Marks I could tell that this is a writer who truly loves the horror genre, and he’s out to make his mark. Best of all at the end there are story notes that tells you where the ideas for each story came from. If you’re looking for some really great horror that can also be violent, and disturbing, you have to read Teeth Marks. You won't regret it.
August 7, 2017
Just Another Week In Suburbia - Les Zig 5/5 ...
Just Another Week In Suburbia - Les Zig 5/5
I received a copy of Suburbia from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
As I sit here trying to figure out my review, all I can say is this is a must read. It's anything but a typical week anywhere, and to think this all started over a condom that fell out a woman's purse. It's the catalyst for everything that suddenly goes wrong in Casper's life. This a meek man who slowly sees his entire life slipping away from him, and there's no way to stop the slide. It's more than just obsession that fuels Zig's novel. It's also how we see things, or even don't see them. Throughout the novel we see bits and pieces of just how much of a failure Casper is. The wall in the backyard, his dog who always seems to slip under the fence to irritate the neighbor, and even his own marriage.
It's a powerful novel that bristles with intelligence, and black humor. Once you read it, there's no way to simply stop. Casper is an interesting character, but he's also not very strong emotionally. It's these failures that keep piling up, but this is who he is, and who knows, maybe deep down he knows this as well. This is a week no one would should ever endure, but it's the realism that makes this so readable. Any one of us could end up like Casper, and some one reading this can identify with Casper because they see themselves as this character. It's the reality of it all that makes it so good. Zig is a talented writer that not only places us inside the story, but things derail so quickly there's no time to prepare for it. It's not a feel good story, but this is what makes it so good.
Each character feels real, each situation has a feeling of uncertainty to it. We expect things to work out, and we expect the author to give us a nice warm ending. Just Another Week In Suburbia isn't like most novels. It's a dark, gritty read that explores the dark side of human nature. For some it may come across as bleak, or even hopeless, but that's exactly what I loved about it. Sometimes it's the books you don't expect to make an impact that do. Zig is a writer who seems to be pouring his soul into each chapter, the story is well written and goes places you don't expect. As Casper begins to fall apart there's no way to stop it. It's an engrossing novel, and one that leaves a lasting impression.
Pre-order your copy here
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Week-Suburbia-Zig-ebook/dp/B073W21FKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502141320&sr=8-1&keywords=just+another+week+in+suburbia
I received a copy of Suburbia from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
As I sit here trying to figure out my review, all I can say is this is a must read. It's anything but a typical week anywhere, and to think this all started over a condom that fell out a woman's purse. It's the catalyst for everything that suddenly goes wrong in Casper's life. This a meek man who slowly sees his entire life slipping away from him, and there's no way to stop the slide. It's more than just obsession that fuels Zig's novel. It's also how we see things, or even don't see them. Throughout the novel we see bits and pieces of just how much of a failure Casper is. The wall in the backyard, his dog who always seems to slip under the fence to irritate the neighbor, and even his own marriage.
It's a powerful novel that bristles with intelligence, and black humor. Once you read it, there's no way to simply stop. Casper is an interesting character, but he's also not very strong emotionally. It's these failures that keep piling up, but this is who he is, and who knows, maybe deep down he knows this as well. This is a week no one would should ever endure, but it's the realism that makes this so readable. Any one of us could end up like Casper, and some one reading this can identify with Casper because they see themselves as this character. It's the reality of it all that makes it so good. Zig is a talented writer that not only places us inside the story, but things derail so quickly there's no time to prepare for it. It's not a feel good story, but this is what makes it so good.
Each character feels real, each situation has a feeling of uncertainty to it. We expect things to work out, and we expect the author to give us a nice warm ending. Just Another Week In Suburbia isn't like most novels. It's a dark, gritty read that explores the dark side of human nature. For some it may come across as bleak, or even hopeless, but that's exactly what I loved about it. Sometimes it's the books you don't expect to make an impact that do. Zig is a writer who seems to be pouring his soul into each chapter, the story is well written and goes places you don't expect. As Casper begins to fall apart there's no way to stop it. It's an engrossing novel, and one that leaves a lasting impression.
Pre-order your copy here
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Week-Suburbia-Zig-ebook/dp/B073W21FKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502141320&sr=8-1&keywords=just+another+week+in+suburbia
August 2, 2017
Fiends - Richard Laymon 4/5 stars &nb...
Fiends - Richard Laymon 4/5 stars
Fiend is an interesting short story collection, and at times, it doesn't feel like a Richard Laymon book. The opening novella is classic Laymon, but it for all of its brutality, there's a bit of a disconnect. This is what we've come to expect from the guy, but here, it's just to lure in his faithful readers, and Fiends as a whole just feels nonsensical. Who acts this way? Why are these people so fucking stupid? Laymon is better than this, and as the collection rolls on it's clear that he is. There's a bit of humor that flows through some of these stories. You even have a story called Eats that follows the formula of a pulp detective story, but ends in a such an unexpected way, you can't help but laugh at how it all turns out. Who would have thought that Laymon of all people had a sense of humor?
There are some horror stories, but they aren't what you would expect. Slit is a weird little piece about a man who is addicted to cutting people and becomes obsessed with Lynn, but the twist at the end is what makes this story so interesting. Fiends finds Laymon writing different styles of fiction, and taking his readers on a ride. For the fans, it's an interesting glimpse at a writer experimenting, but this isn't a book for people just discovering Laymon. There's no way you could read this, and go right into a book like Stake, or even Night In the Lonesome October. The only straight horror piece is Fiends, but Stiff Intruders, and The Mask would throw people off due to its subject matter, and dark sense of humor.
I thought it was solid collection that collects Laymon's shorter work written for various magazines and anthologies. We know Laymon was capable of writing dark, brutal fiction, but Fiends shows us another side of Laymon's writing. These stories are a part of the Laymon canon, and prove that he was a great writer. His sense of humor shines through in the majority of these. Sure, it's black humor, but as a fan, it's refreshing to see another side to him. Fiends may not be perfect, but it's pretty damn close.
Fiend is an interesting short story collection, and at times, it doesn't feel like a Richard Laymon book. The opening novella is classic Laymon, but it for all of its brutality, there's a bit of a disconnect. This is what we've come to expect from the guy, but here, it's just to lure in his faithful readers, and Fiends as a whole just feels nonsensical. Who acts this way? Why are these people so fucking stupid? Laymon is better than this, and as the collection rolls on it's clear that he is. There's a bit of humor that flows through some of these stories. You even have a story called Eats that follows the formula of a pulp detective story, but ends in a such an unexpected way, you can't help but laugh at how it all turns out. Who would have thought that Laymon of all people had a sense of humor?
There are some horror stories, but they aren't what you would expect. Slit is a weird little piece about a man who is addicted to cutting people and becomes obsessed with Lynn, but the twist at the end is what makes this story so interesting. Fiends finds Laymon writing different styles of fiction, and taking his readers on a ride. For the fans, it's an interesting glimpse at a writer experimenting, but this isn't a book for people just discovering Laymon. There's no way you could read this, and go right into a book like Stake, or even Night In the Lonesome October. The only straight horror piece is Fiends, but Stiff Intruders, and The Mask would throw people off due to its subject matter, and dark sense of humor.
I thought it was solid collection that collects Laymon's shorter work written for various magazines and anthologies. We know Laymon was capable of writing dark, brutal fiction, but Fiends shows us another side of Laymon's writing. These stories are a part of the Laymon canon, and prove that he was a great writer. His sense of humor shines through in the majority of these. Sure, it's black humor, but as a fan, it's refreshing to see another side to him. Fiends may not be perfect, but it's pretty damn close.
July 30, 2017
Island - Richard Laymon - 5/5 stars &...
Island - Richard Laymon - 5/5 stars
Let's be perfectly honest here and admit that Island is not your typical horror novel. It's far darker, and way more sadistic. There's a layer of grit there too that adds to the tension and uneasiness of how it all develops. Is it perfect? No, it's not. The story is told through the journal of Rupert Conway, and we see things through the eyes of a horny teenager which makes sense because we can see early on that Rupert isn't exactly a hit with the ladies. Hell, when we were eighteen, being stranded on a deserted island with three women would be heaven. As a narrator, he's simply doing the best he can. Instead of telling us everything, he's telling us what he feels we should know. The facts of what's happening, and little else. We see things through his eyes which makes things interesting. It's a unique approach, and pays off well as the story begins hurtles to its conclusion.
Laymon's hero, isn't your typical hero, but it works well because we get to see this character become a man, or at least the man the surviving women need him to be. Rupert isn't likable, and does some real shady things, but we can't help but cheer for him. What he doesn't add is the grief, and raw emotion the women go through as they lose both a father and a husband. Some of their actions left me scratching my head, but sometimes Laymon's female characters are like that. He gives us what most men perceive women to be, and the men act exactly the way women think we act. It doesn't detract from the novel at all though, and Island simply put is one of Laymon's best novels.
Island is brutal in its delivery, and assaults your senses. It's the kind of novel that gets under your skin, and stays there. It's not subtle, and that's what makes it so good. As a writer, he knows how to guide you along so you're invested in the story. Not once does he play it safe, or give us what he thinks we want. He doesn't hold back and even with its flaws it's still a compulsive read. He shows us once again the dark side of human nature, and it's unsettling because when you think of a deserted island you think of Gilligan's Island, not Lord of The Flies, and certainly not Island. While most will balk at Laymon's approach to horror, the fact is, no one wrote the way he did. He had a unique approach to horror, and what he thought it should be. Island is certainly one Laymon's best novels and proves that in horror nothing is safe, even when you're stranded on a desert Island.
Let's be perfectly honest here and admit that Island is not your typical horror novel. It's far darker, and way more sadistic. There's a layer of grit there too that adds to the tension and uneasiness of how it all develops. Is it perfect? No, it's not. The story is told through the journal of Rupert Conway, and we see things through the eyes of a horny teenager which makes sense because we can see early on that Rupert isn't exactly a hit with the ladies. Hell, when we were eighteen, being stranded on a deserted island with three women would be heaven. As a narrator, he's simply doing the best he can. Instead of telling us everything, he's telling us what he feels we should know. The facts of what's happening, and little else. We see things through his eyes which makes things interesting. It's a unique approach, and pays off well as the story begins hurtles to its conclusion.
Laymon's hero, isn't your typical hero, but it works well because we get to see this character become a man, or at least the man the surviving women need him to be. Rupert isn't likable, and does some real shady things, but we can't help but cheer for him. What he doesn't add is the grief, and raw emotion the women go through as they lose both a father and a husband. Some of their actions left me scratching my head, but sometimes Laymon's female characters are like that. He gives us what most men perceive women to be, and the men act exactly the way women think we act. It doesn't detract from the novel at all though, and Island simply put is one of Laymon's best novels.
Island is brutal in its delivery, and assaults your senses. It's the kind of novel that gets under your skin, and stays there. It's not subtle, and that's what makes it so good. As a writer, he knows how to guide you along so you're invested in the story. Not once does he play it safe, or give us what he thinks we want. He doesn't hold back and even with its flaws it's still a compulsive read. He shows us once again the dark side of human nature, and it's unsettling because when you think of a deserted island you think of Gilligan's Island, not Lord of The Flies, and certainly not Island. While most will balk at Laymon's approach to horror, the fact is, no one wrote the way he did. He had a unique approach to horror, and what he thought it should be. Island is certainly one Laymon's best novels and proves that in horror nothing is safe, even when you're stranded on a desert Island.
July 26, 2017
Exposed - Lisa Scottoline 5/5 stars &...
Exposed - Lisa Scottoline 5/5 stars
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
There's good news and bad news. The bad news is Exposed is part of an ongoing series, but the good news is you don't have to read the other books in the series to know what's going on. While the main characters remain intact through each book, there is a stand alone novel, but to be fair, I plan on reading the other books in the series just to see how they measure up. From just this novel alone, I like Bennie and Mary, but as the book goes on you can see cracks begin to form in their partnership because of a case that Mary has just taken on.
Exposed starts out pretty simple. Lisa does mire us in legal hell for awhile, but once you get through that, it's smooth sailing. These parts of the book allow us to see that she's done her research, and it adds a tedious bit of realism to the novel. The draw here is Simon who is a character you can't help but like, and even cheer for. You see what he's going through and your heart breaks for him. The thing is, it feels like a simple legal thriller, but underneath the surface is something far more sinister. This is where Scottoline shines as a writer. She's able to elevate the simplicity of the story and add another layer to it so it becomes a compulsive read you won't be able to put down. When it comes to thrillers, I crave a great story, and characters I can either relate to, or cheer for.
The conflict between the lawyers is nothing compared to what happens to Simon as the case takes a turn into far sinister territory. Exposed is both a legal thriller, as well as a novel full of suspense.At times, it does seem a bit predictable at times, but there's enough twists and turns here to matter, What it boils down to is the story, and how invested in it you become. This is a writer who gives you great characters, and plenty of moments where you begin to question where the novel is heading next. It's the things you don't see coming that really draw you in. It becomes more than just a case of wrongful firing, and becomes something else entirely. Sure, you could say this is nothing more than fluff, but sometimes we need fluff, we need novels that entertain us, and I say thank Lisa Scottoline.
When this is released on August 15, I happen to think it's going to do pretty well, and it should. For fans of fast paced suspense, you can't go wrong with Exposed. It sounds cheesy, but it's the perfect beach novel, and most importantly, it's a book to read when you want to be entertained. Exposed delivers on a variety of fronts, and shows fans that these types of books are popular for a reason. Pre-order yourself a copy, you won't be disappointed.
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
There's good news and bad news. The bad news is Exposed is part of an ongoing series, but the good news is you don't have to read the other books in the series to know what's going on. While the main characters remain intact through each book, there is a stand alone novel, but to be fair, I plan on reading the other books in the series just to see how they measure up. From just this novel alone, I like Bennie and Mary, but as the book goes on you can see cracks begin to form in their partnership because of a case that Mary has just taken on.
Exposed starts out pretty simple. Lisa does mire us in legal hell for awhile, but once you get through that, it's smooth sailing. These parts of the book allow us to see that she's done her research, and it adds a tedious bit of realism to the novel. The draw here is Simon who is a character you can't help but like, and even cheer for. You see what he's going through and your heart breaks for him. The thing is, it feels like a simple legal thriller, but underneath the surface is something far more sinister. This is where Scottoline shines as a writer. She's able to elevate the simplicity of the story and add another layer to it so it becomes a compulsive read you won't be able to put down. When it comes to thrillers, I crave a great story, and characters I can either relate to, or cheer for.
The conflict between the lawyers is nothing compared to what happens to Simon as the case takes a turn into far sinister territory. Exposed is both a legal thriller, as well as a novel full of suspense.At times, it does seem a bit predictable at times, but there's enough twists and turns here to matter, What it boils down to is the story, and how invested in it you become. This is a writer who gives you great characters, and plenty of moments where you begin to question where the novel is heading next. It's the things you don't see coming that really draw you in. It becomes more than just a case of wrongful firing, and becomes something else entirely. Sure, you could say this is nothing more than fluff, but sometimes we need fluff, we need novels that entertain us, and I say thank Lisa Scottoline.
When this is released on August 15, I happen to think it's going to do pretty well, and it should. For fans of fast paced suspense, you can't go wrong with Exposed. It sounds cheesy, but it's the perfect beach novel, and most importantly, it's a book to read when you want to be entertained. Exposed delivers on a variety of fronts, and shows fans that these types of books are popular for a reason. Pre-order yourself a copy, you won't be disappointed.
July 23, 2017
Rather Be Fishing - Lucretia Stanhope - 5/5 ...
Rather Be Fishing - Lucretia Stanhope - 5/5
Rather Be Fishing: Tales of A Monster Hunter was a lot of fun to read because it manages to do everything right. It takes risks, and best of all it places its tongue firmly in its cheek the entire time. Stanhope's novel seems pretty straight forward. Monster hunter battles a variety of monsters. You're expecting a lot of gore, a lot of horror, right? What you get is comedic tale with very little horror. Instead of being just a straight novel, we get short stories which are cases Mike has taken on. This makes the book unique and interesting because each case is different and shows us just how out of shape our hunter really is. You get Mike's story and how he became a monster hunter, but it's told slowly, and evolves organically.
What makes this work is of course the title character. He's sarcastic, sometimes rude, and can never find enough time to fish with his dad. He's not the kind of guy you would expect to be chasing monsters, yet there he is. As a writer, Stanhope has a great skill to make us feel as if the narrator is sometimes unreliable, but that's the beauty of Fishing. It's that novice, almost I need to write this book because no one will believe I do this, type of vibe. Mike admits, he's not a writer, but he manages to pull us in and make us feel as if we're right there with him. The best story here is the one in which he squares off against the zombie. This is where he really shines as a narrator, and you can see his humor come to forefront. He actually calls a guy time and temperature guy, and then in his battle with the ghosts, you see his frustration, and rage at the conclusion of the case.
Rather Be Fishing was a well written novel, and one that would make a great movie, or even a television show. Well written, and a lot of fun to read because it's so well written. It would be easy for a book like this to quickly become boring, but it doesn't. Mike is a character you like, and often forget that he isn't real. When a writer can do that, that's pure talent, and I hope we get see more of Mike's adventures soon. If you're a fan of great, well written novels, you should pick this one up.
Buy your copy here
Rather Be Fishing: Tales of A Monster Hunter was a lot of fun to read because it manages to do everything right. It takes risks, and best of all it places its tongue firmly in its cheek the entire time. Stanhope's novel seems pretty straight forward. Monster hunter battles a variety of monsters. You're expecting a lot of gore, a lot of horror, right? What you get is comedic tale with very little horror. Instead of being just a straight novel, we get short stories which are cases Mike has taken on. This makes the book unique and interesting because each case is different and shows us just how out of shape our hunter really is. You get Mike's story and how he became a monster hunter, but it's told slowly, and evolves organically.
What makes this work is of course the title character. He's sarcastic, sometimes rude, and can never find enough time to fish with his dad. He's not the kind of guy you would expect to be chasing monsters, yet there he is. As a writer, Stanhope has a great skill to make us feel as if the narrator is sometimes unreliable, but that's the beauty of Fishing. It's that novice, almost I need to write this book because no one will believe I do this, type of vibe. Mike admits, he's not a writer, but he manages to pull us in and make us feel as if we're right there with him. The best story here is the one in which he squares off against the zombie. This is where he really shines as a narrator, and you can see his humor come to forefront. He actually calls a guy time and temperature guy, and then in his battle with the ghosts, you see his frustration, and rage at the conclusion of the case.
Rather Be Fishing was a well written novel, and one that would make a great movie, or even a television show. Well written, and a lot of fun to read because it's so well written. It would be easy for a book like this to quickly become boring, but it doesn't. Mike is a character you like, and often forget that he isn't real. When a writer can do that, that's pure talent, and I hope we get see more of Mike's adventures soon. If you're a fan of great, well written novels, you should pick this one up.
Buy your copy here
