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The Dead Man #1
Face of Evil
From Lee Goldberg... bestselling author of THE WALK and the MONK novels...and William Rabkin, author of the wildly successful PSYCH books... comes the first in an exciting new series of original short novels that blends the horror of Stephen King's THE GUNSLINGER with the action/adventure of Don Pendleton's MACK BOLAN: THE EXECUTIONER...
Matthew Cahill is an ordinary man leading a simple life...until a shocking accident changes everything. Now he can see a nightmarish netherworld of unspeakable evil and horrific violence that nobody else does...
For Cahill, each day is a journey into a dark world he knows nothing about...a quest for the answers to who he is and what he has become...and a fight to save us, and his soul, from the clutches of pure evil.
This book includes a bonus excerpts of THE WALK by Lee Goldberg and DESERT PLACES by Blake Crouch.
And coming soon...more all-new adventures in THE DEAD MAN saga by some of the most talented and successful mystery, western, horror and sci-fi authors out there today.
CRITICAL PRAISE FOR LEE GOLDBERG AND WILLIAM RABKIN...
"You'll finish this book breathless!" New York Times Bestselling author Janet Evanovich
"Leaves you guessing right up until the heart-stopping ending," New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner
"Lee Goldberg can plot and write with the best of them," Mystery Scene Magazine
"William Rabkin nails it...he truly captures PSYCH's manic energy," Bookgasm
"Lee Goldberg gives THE WALK a richness and truthfulness that wouldn't exist if it were only about a cardboard man fighting exterior threats. The story becomes far more poignant because it is about the hero's moral courage as much as it is about a paralyzed world. This is memorable fiction." — Spur-Award winning author Richard Wheeler
"Entertaining and ruefully funny," Honolulu Star Bulletin
"THE WALK is a magnificent novel -- by turns hilarious, scary, sad, witty and ultimately wise on its judgments about the way so many of us live these days. And it's one hell of a page-turner, too," Author Ed Gorman, founder of Mystery Scene Magazine
"Harrowing and funny..." -Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
"With books this good, who needs TV?" Chicago Sun Times
"You'd be hard-pressed to find another recent work that provides so many hip and humorous moments," Bookgasm
Matthew Cahill is an ordinary man leading a simple life...until a shocking accident changes everything. Now he can see a nightmarish netherworld of unspeakable evil and horrific violence that nobody else does...
For Cahill, each day is a journey into a dark world he knows nothing about...a quest for the answers to who he is and what he has become...and a fight to save us, and his soul, from the clutches of pure evil.
This book includes a bonus excerpts of THE WALK by Lee Goldberg and DESERT PLACES by Blake Crouch.
And coming soon...more all-new adventures in THE DEAD MAN saga by some of the most talented and successful mystery, western, horror and sci-fi authors out there today.
CRITICAL PRAISE FOR LEE GOLDBERG AND WILLIAM RABKIN...
"You'll finish this book breathless!" New York Times Bestselling author Janet Evanovich
"Leaves you guessing right up until the heart-stopping ending," New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner
"Lee Goldberg can plot and write with the best of them," Mystery Scene Magazine
"William Rabkin nails it...he truly captures PSYCH's manic energy," Bookgasm
"Lee Goldberg gives THE WALK a richness and truthfulness that wouldn't exist if it were only about a cardboard man fighting exterior threats. The story becomes far more poignant because it is about the hero's moral courage as much as it is about a paralyzed world. This is memorable fiction." — Spur-Award winning author Richard Wheeler
"Entertaining and ruefully funny," Honolulu Star Bulletin
"THE WALK is a magnificent novel -- by turns hilarious, scary, sad, witty and ultimately wise on its judgments about the way so many of us live these days. And it's one hell of a page-turner, too," Author Ed Gorman, founder of Mystery Scene Magazine
"Harrowing and funny..." -Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
"With books this good, who needs TV?" Chicago Sun Times
"You'd be hard-pressed to find another recent work that provides so many hip and humorous moments," Bookgasm
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First published February 10, 2011
60 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Lee Goldberg
159 books2,134 followersLee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including Malibu Burning, Calico, Lost Hills (the first novel in his acclaimed "Eve Ronin" series), 15 "Monk" mysteries, five "Fox & O'Hare" adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Ashes Never Lie, the second in his "Sharpe & Walker" series.. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk and he co-created the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 30, 2011
So, I impulsively download this short novella after reading about it on the Kindle Daily Post. The concept is great: different authors write a continuing story about a guy who is frozen to death but is miraculously revived only to discover that he can literally see evil in other people - festering sores, decaying flesh, etc. The reviews were mostly 4 and 5 stars, and Amazon was offering each of the first six volumes for 99 cents. What a great deal!
Only it isn't. I have no idea why so many people like this. The writing is simply awful. Here's an example: "He'd risen from an imbred family of illiterate, toothless moonshiners to become senior die-cut sorter on the assembly line at Worldwide Patch, which didn't sound like an exceptional achievement, but to him was the evolutionary equivalent of an amoeba miraculously birthing a four-legged, sentient creature capable of crawling out of primordial slime."
This was written by a professional? And it simply does not get any better than that. To add insult to injury, the frequent sex scenes are ridiculous too.
It took me about a half hour to read this story. Trust me - your time is worth WAY more than the two bucks an hour you would spend on this drivel. Avoid at any price.
Only it isn't. I have no idea why so many people like this. The writing is simply awful. Here's an example: "He'd risen from an imbred family of illiterate, toothless moonshiners to become senior die-cut sorter on the assembly line at Worldwide Patch, which didn't sound like an exceptional achievement, but to him was the evolutionary equivalent of an amoeba miraculously birthing a four-legged, sentient creature capable of crawling out of primordial slime."
This was written by a professional? And it simply does not get any better than that. To add insult to injury, the frequent sex scenes are ridiculous too.
It took me about a half hour to read this story. Trust me - your time is worth WAY more than the two bucks an hour you would spend on this drivel. Avoid at any price.
January 27, 2024
Matt Cahill heads out on the slopes with his girlfriend and dies in an avalanche. Three month later, a little girl playing in the snow discovers his body. As his body thaws in the morgue, he comes back to life, but he's not quite the same as he was before he died. He has gained the unfortunate ability to see evil in people and it is up to him alone to take care of. All this while being watched over by "Mr. Dark."
I'm never disappointed reading a Lee Goldberg book, and I found this one just as entertaining. It looks like this is a series that he co-writes with a different author each book. I would enjoy continuing with the series.
I'm never disappointed reading a Lee Goldberg book, and I found this one just as entertaining. It looks like this is a series that he co-writes with a different author each book. I would enjoy continuing with the series.
August 14, 2013
Please note: I read this in February 2012. I originally picked it up free on Amazon, but then noticed the omnibus in my Amazon Vine program that covered the first three books, I think. So this book is one I picked up myself and then did double-duty with Amazon Vine.
My Synopsis: Matt Cahill had just quit his job at the lumber mill in protest over his best friend’s firing when he went on a ski trip with Rachel. Skiing down a double-diamond, black slope, there is an avalanche – while Rachel escapes, Matt is buried alive. Three months later he is found; however, at the morgue, when beginning the autopsy, it is discovered that Matt, impossibly, is still alive. Four days later, he leaves the hospital to go home with Rachel, wanting nothing more than to go back to his life. But what about the strange doctor he saw in the hospital – exactly like one he saw in a nightmare? And why does he see a horrible, rotting wound on his best friend’s face? And who is the mysterious Mr. Dark?
My Thoughts: First in The Dead Man series, “Face of Evil” introduces us to our protagonist and starts him on his journey – trying to understand why he is still live, why he has come back, and what his purpose is in life. Short, but definitely highly readable, this is a must-read for fans of dark suspense and horror. Check it out!
My Synopsis: Matt Cahill had just quit his job at the lumber mill in protest over his best friend’s firing when he went on a ski trip with Rachel. Skiing down a double-diamond, black slope, there is an avalanche – while Rachel escapes, Matt is buried alive. Three months later he is found; however, at the morgue, when beginning the autopsy, it is discovered that Matt, impossibly, is still alive. Four days later, he leaves the hospital to go home with Rachel, wanting nothing more than to go back to his life. But what about the strange doctor he saw in the hospital – exactly like one he saw in a nightmare? And why does he see a horrible, rotting wound on his best friend’s face? And who is the mysterious Mr. Dark?
My Thoughts: First in The Dead Man series, “Face of Evil” introduces us to our protagonist and starts him on his journey – trying to understand why he is still live, why he has come back, and what his purpose is in life. Short, but definitely highly readable, this is a must-read for fans of dark suspense and horror. Check it out!
May 13, 2011
This is a start of a new paranormal saga presented in novella form in parts. The author seems to want to adopt style of publishing to us this stories via serial episodes, similar to Green Mile by King or Michael McDowell's Blackwater saga's approach. The writing style, plot and characters seem to hold up to king standards and a form an interesting thriller of supernatural sorts. I sense and I suppose a lot of readers tend to compare to previous novels also, but this is adopting the Gunslinger by king scenarios, 'the man in black walk across the desert and the gunslinger follows' except here it's the Dead Man walketh looking for answers and destiny. I am hooked so far so will have to move on to second part soon.
July 23, 2011
Fast, mean and nasty - this little novella is the first of a series and although it is a stand-alone tale it definitely will leave you champing at the bit for the next in the series.
March 16, 2011
Back in the day I used to read a host of different serial novels: The Death Merchant, The Executioner, Nick Carter, The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown ….wait I went back to far. Okay rewind it a bit and you get the idea. Someone was smart enough to go back and try to capture the feel and fun that was contained in those types of novels back in the day. Did they carry it off? What do you think? Here is what is in the virtual pages:
From Lee Goldberg... bestselling author of THE WALK and the MONK novels...and William Rabkin, author of the wildly successful PSYCH books... comes the first in an exciting new series of original short novels that blends the horror of Stephen King's THE GUNSLINGER with the action/adventure of Don Pendleton's MACK BOLAN: THE EXECUTIONER...
Matthew Cahill is an ordinary man leading a simple life...until a shocking accident changes everything. Now he can see a nightmarish netherworld of unspeakable evil and horrific violence that nobody else does...
For Cahill, each day is a journey into a dark world he knows nothing about...a quest for the answers to who he is and what he has become...and a fight to save us, and his soul, from the clutches of pure evil.
This book includes a bonus excerpts of THE WALK by Lee Goldberg and DESERT PLACES by Blake Crouch.
And coming soon...more all-new adventures in THE DEAD MAN saga by some of the most talented and successful mystery, western, horror and sci-fi authors out there today. “
I left the last few lines in there because I thought they were important. When I went to the library I enjoyed finding out which in the series of novels I read was there: maybe one from the past that I missed, or a brand spanking new one, but they were always one or the other there. Now Goldberg and his new crew are going to be doing almost the same thing. A different voice each time, giving us a different flav with each story,luv it,luv it ,luv it. A recurring series that is both the same yet different .Can life get any better and as a bonus I have to read them on my Kindle. I went through this first installment like a hot knife through butter. If you had tried to grab my ereader from me while I was cranking through the pages, not only would I have called you a %^$#ard, but I would have thrown an axe at you. Read the story, don’t be one of those people that have a huge puss filled sore growing on your face and try to keep your tongue not only in your face but your cheek.
What are you reading today? Have you checked out our new blogtalk radio show The G-ZONE? Check us out and become our friend on Shelfari, The Novel Spot &Twitter. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Amazon Banner on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
June 24, 2012
This novella reads like the pilot for a campy cable television series, like The Hulk crossed with Tales From the Crypt. There's next to no character development--aside from the fact that the main character simply MUST! CHOP! WOOD!--a weak plot, too many quirky asides that add nothing to the narrative (who cares if the waitress serving him got her nickname because she likes to masturbate while farting in the tub), and a one-dimensional villain with a cartoon name (Mr. Dark). I'd blame this on the limitations created by the length of the book, but if you've read Jack Ketchum's "The Passenger" or James M. Cain's "The Postman Always Rings Twice," you know that's not it. Additionally, while the authors seem to have done some research into the logging industry, they seem to have dropped the ball in nearly every other area the book touches upon, painting ridiculously caricatured portrayals of university research, medicine, and police procedure. If this were on TV, I might watch it, but it wasn't that enjoyable to read.
Naturally, if you were into the Mack Bolan/Casca: the Eternal Mercenary style men's adventure serials, your mileage will probably vary. There's plenty of well described (yet terribly cheesy) sex and gore here to satisfy low expectations.
Naturally, if you were into the Mack Bolan/Casca: the Eternal Mercenary style men's adventure serials, your mileage will probably vary. There's plenty of well described (yet terribly cheesy) sex and gore here to satisfy low expectations.
Read
May 14, 2011I read the first four chapters this morning... WOW!!! If I hadn't had that lunch date with Tina and her boss, I would probably still be reading this. From the opening paragraph, the author grabs you and doesn't let go! Paul Brazill said it best... "whipcracking..."
Awesome story... thank you so very much, Paul!
A person will never go wrong with a book recommendation from Paul D Brazill! :)
Awesome story... thank you so very much, Paul!
A person will never go wrong with a book recommendation from Paul D Brazill! :)
December 9, 2023
I truly despised this book and my distaste is all the more potent as it has elements that really could have been good if the content wasn't treated so flippantly. A story about the horrors of the world, that really doesn't have much to say about them.
June 2, 2011
There is plenty going on here today and tomorrow. If you had a chance to listen in on the blogtalk radio show Barbara Briggs Ward went over her experience at the BEA convention last week:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatiss...
Tomorrow my guests will be authors Robert Elrod and Tom Sumner at 12pm EST. Later on I will be posting on Cody Toye as he is today’s Author’s Spotlight. Okay let’s get into today’s action. There is some stuff swirling around this edition of The Dead Man series, pretty cool stuff in fact. If you haven’t read “The Walk”, which I have, there is a great opportunity here for you to get both of these novels for a great price. Check this out:
“It was two years ago today that, at Joe Konrath's urging, I began my "Kindle Experiment" by making my out-of-print book THE WALK available as an ebook. I've sold close to 20,000 copies of THE WALK since then...and to celebrate, and in a blatant attempt to propel THE WALK into the top 100 on Amazon for the first time, I am selling the book for just 99 cents for the next week.
But to make the offer even sweeter, and to promote my original ebook series THE DEAD MAN, anyone who emails me proof of purchase (at lee@leegoldberg.com) will get a free copy of FACE OF EVIL. That's two books for just 99 cents.
Here's the link to THE WALK on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Walk-ebook/... “
I really had a good time with “The Walk” just go back into my archives for the post or check out my thoughts in the usual places including Amazon that I place my posts.
Here is the synopsis on the latest installment of The Dead Man Series:
“BOOK #4 in the thrilling DEAD MAN saga, the action/horror series that readers and book critics alike are hailing as "an epic tale" that compares to the best of Stephen King and Dean Koontz...
Matt Cahill thought he was alone with his torment, that he was the only one who could see the evil in people’s souls as rotting flesh. But in a small town in Tennessee, terrorized by a vicious serial killer, Matt meets a woman who may see what he does…and together they must confront a horrific and immortal terror that thrives on death.”
I am hooked on this series; no two are the same, and they appear with regularity. My kind of stuff: a fun steady character, different backdrops and situations, and great action. What more can a reader ask for? But to add extra value to our reading experience the author decides to throw in some twists, turns, an axe here and there, bloodshed and some humor. Can you ask for more than that in a good read? My ereader is happy, and so am I. You don’t have to be a fan of horror to enjoy this, just a fan of fun .
Things have changed around here. I am now the published author by Trestle Press of “I Have Chrome Balls, Don’t You?” an “In Between The Collaborations”, “Down Low- Dead” with Vincent Zandri, “The Jersey Shore Has Eyes” with Big Daddy Abel”, “G.S.I Gelati’s Scoop Investigations Psychotic Detectives” with Thomas White, “Who Whacked The Blogger” with Benjamin Sobieck,“Thad and The G-Man’s Most Awesome Adventure” with Thad Brown and the soon to be released “Hotel Beaumont” with B.R. Stateham. All the stories are available @ Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and Smashwords. I am also the host of the wildly popular The G-ZONE blogtalk radio show. Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatiss...
Tomorrow my guests will be authors Robert Elrod and Tom Sumner at 12pm EST. Later on I will be posting on Cody Toye as he is today’s Author’s Spotlight. Okay let’s get into today’s action. There is some stuff swirling around this edition of The Dead Man series, pretty cool stuff in fact. If you haven’t read “The Walk”, which I have, there is a great opportunity here for you to get both of these novels for a great price. Check this out:
“It was two years ago today that, at Joe Konrath's urging, I began my "Kindle Experiment" by making my out-of-print book THE WALK available as an ebook. I've sold close to 20,000 copies of THE WALK since then...and to celebrate, and in a blatant attempt to propel THE WALK into the top 100 on Amazon for the first time, I am selling the book for just 99 cents for the next week.
But to make the offer even sweeter, and to promote my original ebook series THE DEAD MAN, anyone who emails me proof of purchase (at lee@leegoldberg.com) will get a free copy of FACE OF EVIL. That's two books for just 99 cents.
Here's the link to THE WALK on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Walk-ebook/... “
I really had a good time with “The Walk” just go back into my archives for the post or check out my thoughts in the usual places including Amazon that I place my posts.
Here is the synopsis on the latest installment of The Dead Man Series:
“BOOK #4 in the thrilling DEAD MAN saga, the action/horror series that readers and book critics alike are hailing as "an epic tale" that compares to the best of Stephen King and Dean Koontz...
Matt Cahill thought he was alone with his torment, that he was the only one who could see the evil in people’s souls as rotting flesh. But in a small town in Tennessee, terrorized by a vicious serial killer, Matt meets a woman who may see what he does…and together they must confront a horrific and immortal terror that thrives on death.”
I am hooked on this series; no two are the same, and they appear with regularity. My kind of stuff: a fun steady character, different backdrops and situations, and great action. What more can a reader ask for? But to add extra value to our reading experience the author decides to throw in some twists, turns, an axe here and there, bloodshed and some humor. Can you ask for more than that in a good read? My ereader is happy, and so am I. You don’t have to be a fan of horror to enjoy this, just a fan of fun .
Things have changed around here. I am now the published author by Trestle Press of “I Have Chrome Balls, Don’t You?” an “In Between The Collaborations”, “Down Low- Dead” with Vincent Zandri, “The Jersey Shore Has Eyes” with Big Daddy Abel”, “G.S.I Gelati’s Scoop Investigations Psychotic Detectives” with Thomas White, “Who Whacked The Blogger” with Benjamin Sobieck,“Thad and The G-Man’s Most Awesome Adventure” with Thad Brown and the soon to be released “Hotel Beaumont” with B.R. Stateham. All the stories are available @ Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and Smashwords. I am also the host of the wildly popular The G-ZONE blogtalk radio show. Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
February 22, 2011
Full disclosure: Lee posted about the book and asked for reviews and here we are...
The Dead Men: Face of Evil by Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin follows a map that horror fans know all too well since Stephen King, Dean Koontz and others have already blazed. An ordinary person experiences something horrifying/extraordinary that changes his life. In the case of our protagnist Matthew Cahill's life goes from being great to frozen dead, to alive to worse and for lack of a better word, shenanigans ensue.
The plot bounces back and forth a bit in time between the past and present until for the climax is sticks firmly in the present. The adventures of the widowed Cahill begin with his firing from the local saw mill, follow his blossoming relationship with fellow saw mill employee Rachel Owens while his continuing misadventures with Andy Goodis who used to be the high school screw up and continues even after they both get fired from their jobs as a result of downsizing by machine integration and Andy's antics.
The plot begins to set up the sleepy town in Washington State where Cahill and his friends live in just long enough giving the reader a quick overview of minor characters and how their futures will end up. Unfortunately, as the screws twist, we find out many of their futures will not end so bright and cheery.
There start to be two villains in this story, the first being the big bad supernatural styled villain that King, Koontz and other horror writers have written so well in the past called Mr. Dark. The other being a medical school which I throughly enjoyed until the medical school is quickly dropped in favor of Mr. Dark.
Mr. Dark while is great to read, the check and balances of the real world get left behind quite quickly, possibly too quickly. I was half expecting the university to trying to get Matt back or someone in the Police Department to investigate Matt's situation, after leaving two crime scenes and being best friends with Andy. Overall, these facts are throughly ignored so the runaway plot can roll down the hill towards the unsuspecting school children.
Overall, it's a good read and never gets too descriptive for it's own good. A brisk read at best and when the next book comes out I'll be reading it to see how Goldberg & Rabkin takes the characters.
The Dead Men: Face of Evil by Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin follows a map that horror fans know all too well since Stephen King, Dean Koontz and others have already blazed. An ordinary person experiences something horrifying/extraordinary that changes his life. In the case of our protagnist Matthew Cahill's life goes from being great to frozen dead, to alive to worse and for lack of a better word, shenanigans ensue.
The plot bounces back and forth a bit in time between the past and present until for the climax is sticks firmly in the present. The adventures of the widowed Cahill begin with his firing from the local saw mill, follow his blossoming relationship with fellow saw mill employee Rachel Owens while his continuing misadventures with Andy Goodis who used to be the high school screw up and continues even after they both get fired from their jobs as a result of downsizing by machine integration and Andy's antics.
The plot begins to set up the sleepy town in Washington State where Cahill and his friends live in just long enough giving the reader a quick overview of minor characters and how their futures will end up. Unfortunately, as the screws twist, we find out many of their futures will not end so bright and cheery.
There start to be two villains in this story, the first being the big bad supernatural styled villain that King, Koontz and other horror writers have written so well in the past called Mr. Dark. The other being a medical school which I throughly enjoyed until the medical school is quickly dropped in favor of Mr. Dark.
Mr. Dark while is great to read, the check and balances of the real world get left behind quite quickly, possibly too quickly. I was half expecting the university to trying to get Matt back or someone in the Police Department to investigate Matt's situation, after leaving two crime scenes and being best friends with Andy. Overall, these facts are throughly ignored so the runaway plot can roll down the hill towards the unsuspecting school children.
Overall, it's a good read and never gets too descriptive for it's own good. A brisk read at best and when the next book comes out I'll be reading it to see how Goldberg & Rabkin takes the characters.
June 3, 2012
I had heard of this series of books through some online friends and how fast-paced and compelling it was. When it was available temporarily for free as a Kindle ebook I downloaded it right away.
It starts out rather slowly with a few moments of T.M.I (too much information). You know, when the author goes into too much description and you just want him to get along with the story. I really don't need to know that much detail about characters NOT important to the story.
Once I was able to get past that hump the story really picks up and doesn't really let up. I couldn't put the book down.
I'm not a prude but I thought the sex scenes in the book were a little much. That's one of the reasons I won't read certain books that border on Harlequin-romance level of smut even though its filled with action and/or horror.
That being said, I did enjoy the book and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series. The first book left way too many questions that I need answered.
It starts out rather slowly with a few moments of T.M.I (too much information). You know, when the author goes into too much description and you just want him to get along with the story. I really don't need to know that much detail about characters NOT important to the story.
Once I was able to get past that hump the story really picks up and doesn't really let up. I couldn't put the book down.
I'm not a prude but I thought the sex scenes in the book were a little much. That's one of the reasons I won't read certain books that border on Harlequin-romance level of smut even though its filled with action and/or horror.
That being said, I did enjoy the book and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series. The first book left way too many questions that I need answered.
April 9, 2012
The Dead Man: Face of Evil is a great concept and it is an enjoyable "pilot" in the ongoing saga of a man who returns from the dead with the ability to see the evil in his fellow man. I enjoyed this book in the same way that I might enjoy the pilot of a promising television show. Indeed, that is what it felt like. There are a few places where the situations and writing seem stilted and the pace lags. I'm not sure that the main character is interesting enough, but the way that the novella climaxes is great fun, and there are plenty of plot threads to pick up down the road. I will definitely check out #2 and see where this story goes. I love the idea of novella style installments in this new kindle age. I wish that certain TV shows that got their start on the little screen would pick up in this fashion: CARNIVALE! Well, I will read more and I checked my face in the mirror after reading, I'd say that was a success.
January 31, 2012
Brimming with tension and gripping suspense, ‘The Face of Evil’ – the first of the Dead Man series of novellas featuring reanimated corpse Matthew Cahill kicks the series off to a fine start. This had a distinct TV pilot episode feel to it as each scene was delivered in crisp clear detail supported by shock moments of horror. Keeping the elements of gore to a minimum as well as providing a fleeting glimpse into Cahill’s psyche added a level of mystery to the open-book protagonist and hinted at a much more sinister and deeper plot on the horizon. While a lean read, the story behind Cahill's reanimation and quest for answers is chock block full of meaty goodness sure to keep the reader guessing as to where he's heading and what mysteries are due to unfold. Utterly entertaining - 4 stars.
January 12, 2012
While I mildly enjoyed this series (Books 1-5 - getting 2/3 stars per book), there was so much that needed to be fleshed out it left me feeling somewhat shortchanged. Truly, if you can not have a "sense" of what is going on by book #5, we have a problem. Some of that may stem from the fact that several different authors are contributing (some much better than others) and seem to pick up the story line from their last contribution rather than a continuation of the preceding book.
I am stopping at book 5, but will follow the reviews for the remaining books in the series. Interested, but not THAT interested.
Keep in mind folks that this is horror, through and through. Not for the faint at heart. A lot of it is bloody for the sake of being bloody.
I am stopping at book 5, but will follow the reviews for the remaining books in the series. Interested, but not THAT interested.
Keep in mind folks that this is horror, through and through. Not for the faint at heart. A lot of it is bloody for the sake of being bloody.
March 3, 2017
The first entry in The Dead Man series, FACE OF EVIL, is entertaining, odd (in a good way) and downright fun. It is an enjoyable mixture of action, suspense and horror. Humor and a tongue-in-cheek quality add marvelously to this very readable story. A terrific start to the series and I very much look forward to the other books in the series.
June 10, 2012
Really loved the sarcastic, honest writing style. Very unique and refreshing. Definitely looking forward to the next one, as I want to see where this is going.
November 29, 2015
The start of a new series. Yeah! So far so good.
July 14, 2023
According to the creators of The Dead Man series, they are aiming to recreate/evoke the pulp and men's adventure novel style of the 40's up to the 70's. So why should I read this series instead of reading some of the original series there trying to emulate? To be honest, this is a question that I ask myself for everything: books, movies, music etc (so it's not a knock against this series specifically). Well, reading old style stories with modern convention of writing pace and style can have its advantages. Face of Evil was very easy-to-read, had great pacing, some good gory descriptions and an interesting story. I found that the introduction of the villain is a bit lukewarm but I see how they wanted to stretch the mystery around him, but for now I feel they could have been more bombastic about Mr. Dark. Otherwise, I like what I read and will gladly continue the series.
April 23, 2018
"The Resurrection of Matt"
This is a supernatural story about Matt Cahill who has lost his wife to cancer and is thus living a quiet, solitary life. But just as his life starts to turn better, Matt is killed at a ski resort due to an avalanche. After three months frozen in the snow, the medical examiner discovers that Matt is NOT dead. You may believe he's dead, but for Matt, it's just the beginning. There are many twists and turns with an intensive plot. Part spine tingling with some laughter along the way. Naturally, it's Super!
This is a supernatural story about Matt Cahill who has lost his wife to cancer and is thus living a quiet, solitary life. But just as his life starts to turn better, Matt is killed at a ski resort due to an avalanche. After three months frozen in the snow, the medical examiner discovers that Matt is NOT dead. You may believe he's dead, but for Matt, it's just the beginning. There are many twists and turns with an intensive plot. Part spine tingling with some laughter along the way. Naturally, it's Super!
April 14, 2019
The first novella in this multi-book series can be somewhat excused for all the necessary backstory that introduces Matt Cahill, his love interest, and his best friend who is a complete jackass. This encompasses the first two thirds of the book and is entertaining enough. The final third of the book sets up the horror element and it runs off the rails with some hasty plotting and gratuitous gore. I liked it well enough to look forward to the next book in the series, which was probably the intention of the author anyway.
June 7, 2017
A *short* read, can't tell how many pages because kindle edition, but I got it for free. Since it's so short I wish the rest of the books weren't so expensive, as I would absolutely love to continue this series. Fascinating concept, original story, but page length doesn't match price.
April 3, 2022
Amazing
I've read these books once already, it's been awhile through so I thought I read them again. Love how he died and than was able to come back to life and can now see the evil in people and has to try and stop it. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of these
I've read these books once already, it's been awhile through so I thought I read them again. Love how he died and than was able to come back to life and can now see the evil in people and has to try and stop it. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of these
September 20, 2021
Fast reading
I enjoyed the book, however some of the graphic details were difficult to read. However, the graphic details were necessary. I am looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed the book, however some of the graphic details were difficult to read. However, the graphic details were necessary. I am looking forward to the next book.
August 22, 2024
Not bad, but not all that good.
December 2, 2025
2.75 stars really. I have the first three books. This book was only 80 pages, so I might read the other two, if they are short reads as well.
This was a bit too brutal for me, TBH.
This was a bit too brutal for me, TBH.
April 29, 2021
Intriguing early but lost its way
Intriguing early but lost its way. As the story unfolded it became hard to believe. Far too many crazy occurrences.
Intriguing early but lost its way. As the story unfolded it became hard to believe. Far too many crazy occurrences.
June 14, 2011
Things are really starting to take shape in The Dead Man series. After reading the first three books (The Dead Man: Face of Evil, The Dead Man: Ring of Knives, and Dead Man: Hell in Heaven), The Dead Woman feels like the point where the rules of this world have been firmly established and now its time to throw a change-up. We know Matthew Cahill, the man with the ax who came back from the dead with the ability to see the evil festering in people, and we know he's after Mr. Dark, the menacing entity tormenting him and outmaneuvering Matthew in each encounter. But, a series like this can't last long if that's all it is. Enter the dead woman.
Matthew Cahill winds up in the small town of Crawford, Tennessee, which I believe is the furthest he's gone from his former home in California so far, where this whole series began. He's tracking Mr. Dark and figures he's on the right track when, almost as soon as he arrives and goes to the local McDonald's, he hears news of a serial killer terrorizes the area. He's basically broke though, so before he can move on, he takes a job helping an attractive antique shop owner named Abbey in need of a brawny assistant. That leads him to meeting an ill-tempered cop named Dale, who has a past with Abbey.
It's actually Abbey's past that plays a focal point in this novella. She's the dead woman. A person, just like Matt, able to see the rot and decay on the faces of those under the spell of Mr. Dark. And she's had that ability ever since she herself died, decades ago. She looks good for her age though--really good. So Matt gets lucky with Abbey, very unlucky with Dale, and even unluckier with the Blake County Killer.
I really liked this episode in Cahill's journey, but the relationship he has with his grandfather's trusty ax feels now like Thor's hammer. When he doesn't have it, and there comes a point in this story when he's forced to contend with the Blake County Killer without it, he is a mere mortal. That aspect might be a bit too cheesy for some, and I'm probably playing it up more than it actually is, but I think it works for the episodic nature of this series. Part of the ending comes off a bit pat, but there are a couple of good teasers for future encounters in upcoming Dead Man stories that I'm looking forward to reading.
I think The Dead Woman marks the point in the series that new readers will need to go back and read the series from the beginning. If the series creators, Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin, are figuring to put together an omnibus of this series down the line, it'll be a prime product for readers late to jump on the bandwagon.
Matthew Cahill winds up in the small town of Crawford, Tennessee, which I believe is the furthest he's gone from his former home in California so far, where this whole series began. He's tracking Mr. Dark and figures he's on the right track when, almost as soon as he arrives and goes to the local McDonald's, he hears news of a serial killer terrorizes the area. He's basically broke though, so before he can move on, he takes a job helping an attractive antique shop owner named Abbey in need of a brawny assistant. That leads him to meeting an ill-tempered cop named Dale, who has a past with Abbey.
It's actually Abbey's past that plays a focal point in this novella. She's the dead woman. A person, just like Matt, able to see the rot and decay on the faces of those under the spell of Mr. Dark. And she's had that ability ever since she herself died, decades ago. She looks good for her age though--really good. So Matt gets lucky with Abbey, very unlucky with Dale, and even unluckier with the Blake County Killer.
I really liked this episode in Cahill's journey, but the relationship he has with his grandfather's trusty ax feels now like Thor's hammer. When he doesn't have it, and there comes a point in this story when he's forced to contend with the Blake County Killer without it, he is a mere mortal. That aspect might be a bit too cheesy for some, and I'm probably playing it up more than it actually is, but I think it works for the episodic nature of this series. Part of the ending comes off a bit pat, but there are a couple of good teasers for future encounters in upcoming Dead Man stories that I'm looking forward to reading.
I think The Dead Woman marks the point in the series that new readers will need to go back and read the series from the beginning. If the series creators, Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin, are figuring to put together an omnibus of this series down the line, it'll be a prime product for readers late to jump on the bandwagon.
March 6, 2011
The new release is described as "... the first in an exciting new series of original short novels that blends the horror of Stephen King's THE GUNSLINGER with the action/adventure of Don Pendleton's MACK BOLAN: THE EXECUTIONER."
I have not read Pendleton's work, but I have read King's Dark Tower series. And while Face of Evil does carry an unrepentant amount of horror within its pages, though not to an imposing degree, the tone of the story is considerably different from The Gunslinger. It's far more grounded in our world with a protagonist far easier to relate to when reading. Perhaps this is where the Pendleton side of things comes into play.
On a cold February day, a body is discovered frozen under the snow at a ski resort. The body is that of Matthew Cahill, a man declared dead after lost in an avalanche three months prior--but he's not dead. Somehow, defying medical reasoning, Matthew survived. His ordeals, however, are just beginning as a malevolent force is waiting in the wings, ready to torment him and everyone he holds dear. What's worse, Matthew has crossed paths with this entity before and lost his wife in the process.
The book carries a blue-collar charm that provides a nice counter-balance to the more fantastical and gruesome elements of the story. Matthew is a sawmill worker, or was rather in the wake of layoffs, and is a precursor to his fateful encounter with the avalanche while on vacation with his new girlfriend, Rachel. Their budding and tragic romance provides a lot of the backbone to this story, as Matthew has to cope with the loss of his wife, the antics of his best friend, the loss of his job, and the subsequent resurrection from the ice and snow.
A lot for one guy to deal with, and it only gets heavier.
The book is a short novel, running probably closer to novella in length. And that's kind of a kick in the teeth, since the book only offers a small measure of closure in the time the story is told. This is the first book in a series, though. As such, it feels like the season premiere to a very promising show. Since it's a book, I'll have to wait a wee bit longer than a week for the next installment, but I'm a patient guy. Actually, the second installment is due to be released in a few weeks: The Dead Man #2: Hell in Heaven, which is again co-authored by Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin, with the series shaping up to include nine books in total.
I think this will end up being one to keep on eye on throughout the year.
I have not read Pendleton's work, but I have read King's Dark Tower series. And while Face of Evil does carry an unrepentant amount of horror within its pages, though not to an imposing degree, the tone of the story is considerably different from The Gunslinger. It's far more grounded in our world with a protagonist far easier to relate to when reading. Perhaps this is where the Pendleton side of things comes into play.
On a cold February day, a body is discovered frozen under the snow at a ski resort. The body is that of Matthew Cahill, a man declared dead after lost in an avalanche three months prior--but he's not dead. Somehow, defying medical reasoning, Matthew survived. His ordeals, however, are just beginning as a malevolent force is waiting in the wings, ready to torment him and everyone he holds dear. What's worse, Matthew has crossed paths with this entity before and lost his wife in the process.
The book carries a blue-collar charm that provides a nice counter-balance to the more fantastical and gruesome elements of the story. Matthew is a sawmill worker, or was rather in the wake of layoffs, and is a precursor to his fateful encounter with the avalanche while on vacation with his new girlfriend, Rachel. Their budding and tragic romance provides a lot of the backbone to this story, as Matthew has to cope with the loss of his wife, the antics of his best friend, the loss of his job, and the subsequent resurrection from the ice and snow.
A lot for one guy to deal with, and it only gets heavier.
The book is a short novel, running probably closer to novella in length. And that's kind of a kick in the teeth, since the book only offers a small measure of closure in the time the story is told. This is the first book in a series, though. As such, it feels like the season premiere to a very promising show. Since it's a book, I'll have to wait a wee bit longer than a week for the next installment, but I'm a patient guy. Actually, the second installment is due to be released in a few weeks: The Dead Man #2: Hell in Heaven, which is again co-authored by Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin, with the series shaping up to include nine books in total.
I think this will end up being one to keep on eye on throughout the year.
May 16, 2011
This is book #3 in the series and I loved it just as much as the first two. The main character, Matt Cahill, is finally fully realizing that he is dead and he's taking on the role of saving the world quite well. In fact, he glories in the power a little bit in this installment and the result of that is endearing and funny. I love this character because he never seems to realize quite how good he is, and watching him struggle in an effort to do the right thing makes for great entertainment. How these authors created such a likable, out to save the world, good-natured character who also happens to be going down on women, whether in remembrances of things past, or in the present, in almost every book I'll never know. It does make it interesting and I'll admit it's done well. It's smoothly weaved in without mushy or overly sexual scenes. What can I say, these boys know how to write!
So Matt finds himself in a town called Heaven in this installment. It's exactly what it sounds like as it's the last stop for many. Matt is stuck in the middle of a feud that he must fix before he can continue on his mission of scouring the country to find the people who can shed light on who he is and his greater purpose. Once again, between a cyst filled evil, intestine leaking woman, and men fighting with animistic-type power, there are more than a few bodies left in Matt's wake, which after all, is why we're reading this to begin with. It's graphic in a good way and has just enough adult humor to make it a perfect mix and a perfect supernatural thriller in this reader's opinion.
So Matt finds himself in a town called Heaven in this installment. It's exactly what it sounds like as it's the last stop for many. Matt is stuck in the middle of a feud that he must fix before he can continue on his mission of scouring the country to find the people who can shed light on who he is and his greater purpose. Once again, between a cyst filled evil, intestine leaking woman, and men fighting with animistic-type power, there are more than a few bodies left in Matt's wake, which after all, is why we're reading this to begin with. It's graphic in a good way and has just enough adult humor to make it a perfect mix and a perfect supernatural thriller in this reader's opinion.
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