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The Screaming
Liverpool.The 1960s.Vampires.An addict in need of a score decided to rob a house.He picked the wrong house...The Screaming is a short story of bloodsucking horror.If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, this handy scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.THE SCREAMINGBad Language - 5Scary - 7Violent - 8Funny - 4Sexy - 0
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2011
46 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
198 books3,013 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 8, 2021
A fantastic vampire short story! I was enthralled with the setting of the creepy yet beautiful old house.
October 2, 2014
3.5 stars.
Pretty typical short vampire story with an interesting twist at the end. This is one of those short stories that could have easily been extended into a novella or full-length novel very easily.
Pretty typical short vampire story with an interesting twist at the end. This is one of those short stories that could have easily been extended into a novella or full-length novel very easily.
August 2, 2018
A super quick read. It managed to give a creep especially on the scene where Colin and Butts went inside that house which was filled with screaming.
October 24, 2024
A heroin addict robs a house and gets more than he bargained for.
April 24, 2011
Sometimes a short story works, sometimes it doesn't. This one really didn't. There were so many directions this could take if the author had taken a little time. Overall it wasn't a bad read, I just didn't find it exceptional.
This tale is about thugs that raid an abandoned house for antiques but find an antique that should have stayed hidden.
This tale is about thugs that raid an abandoned house for antiques but find an antique that should have stayed hidden.
March 27, 2013
Not one of his better books, but I can forgive that every now and then. Still, with as much as I enjoy this author, I find that I want to read just about anything he's writing out there!
February 1, 2014
This was a great short story. I enjoyed it very much and actually wished it was a full size book.
May 1, 2020
I enjoyed this short. Very different from what I normally read from Konrath. He did a good job with the British dialect. A junkie named Colin is going through withdrawals and his "friend" Butts, says their is a house full of stuff to steak and pawn. They travel a good distant and find an old Vampire chained up down in a trap cellar. It turns out to be Van Helsing. Butts grabs some jewelry and takes off to some guys that will buy it. Colin watches what he thinks is Van Helsing cutting off his own head. He tries to find Butts but cant and passes out outside. Next morning Butts comes back with two guys. They find Colin and throw him into the cellar and he breaks his leg. They were going to come back and kill him so he looked for the knif that Van Helsing used, he noticed that Van Helsing was totally healed up. So he believed that he was a vampire. He took a syringe and took his blood and injected himself with it. He woke up to become a vampire. He took care of the 3 guys and was leaving the house when Van Helsing got him and nailed him To the ground and they both were taken care of by sunlight.
I felt a little bad for Colin since he was always a loser and weak and he finally gets some strength and power and then dies right after.
I felt a little bad for Colin since he was always a loser and weak and he finally gets some strength and power and then dies right after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
A quick read that is imaginative and actually fun to read. Even though it is only a few pages long, there is great character build and the story leaves you sated! I Love the vampire genre and this author did a wonderful job of adding a new story with an interesting style to the genre. I love the way this author writes, he is real and funny, yet gets down to the meat of the story and can really thrill or scare the pants off of you. Awesome short story that anyone who likes the horror and fun of vampires should read!!!
September 6, 2020
Predictable
I’ve read most of the books this author has written and the lack of predictability in both his characters and plot have been one of the things I so enjoy about his writing. This short story however was very predictable which was definitely a disappointment. Despite that the story was still pretty well written thus my three star rating.
I’ve read most of the books this author has written and the lack of predictability in both his characters and plot have been one of the things I so enjoy about his writing. This short story however was very predictable which was definitely a disappointment. Despite that the story was still pretty well written thus my three star rating.
May 29, 2017
Great story,just wish it had been longer, perhaps if enough readers ask J.K will redo the story fleshing it out, now that would be awesome.
Aback story to Van helsing would be gladly received. Not to mention the other characters too. Let's hope it's not to long in the future.
Aback story to Van helsing would be gladly received. Not to mention the other characters too. Let's hope it's not to long in the future.
February 2, 2020
Entertaining
I loved this story!
So we'll written that I could hear their English accents.
Mysterious.
Graphic.
Great characters.
I was actually cheering for the vampire.
Humor, yes the humor!
I loved this story!
So we'll written that I could hear their English accents.
Mysterious.
Graphic.
Great characters.
I was actually cheering for the vampire.
Humor, yes the humor!
July 22, 2021
Excellent Short Story
Why a five star rating? First this was written by J.A. Library and second it was a solid story. As I read the story I was picturing a Hammer film from the 1960s.
Why a five star rating? First this was written by J.A. Library and second it was a solid story. As I read the story I was picturing a Hammer film from the 1960s.
December 20, 2019
Creepy enough and entertaining for a short story. I enjoyed it.
February 5, 2022
Great quick read while taking a hot bath.
July 9, 2022
This was bizarre
July 7, 2024
Very short story regarding vampires..Fun, not scary, with a nice (!) pleasant ending. ☀️
December 14, 2014
I got this book for free from Amazon for my Kindle on December 28, 2011
Jack Kilborn is one of my favorite horror writers. I've read a few books by him and he has not disappointed me yet. They are all amazing!
This was a short story that I wished was a full novel because the story line was great.
Colin and Butt and two addicts in Liverpool in the 1960's. Short on cash and looking for a fast fix.
So Butts mentions an old abandoned house a couple of hours away that he thinks would be a quick and easy job to rob.
They go to the house and hear SCREAMING!! Butts gets scared but Colin encourages him and they go inside to see who is making those shrill screams.
What they find is a shock to them, they find something old and shriveled but dangerous. When Butts goes to find a way to eliminate this creature he doesn't come back.
What happens to Butts and Colin afterwards is something I can't say so I won't spoil the surprise.
Jack Kilborn is one of my favorite horror writers. I've read a few books by him and he has not disappointed me yet. They are all amazing!
This was a short story that I wished was a full novel because the story line was great.
Colin and Butt and two addicts in Liverpool in the 1960's. Short on cash and looking for a fast fix.
So Butts mentions an old abandoned house a couple of hours away that he thinks would be a quick and easy job to rob.
They go to the house and hear SCREAMING!! Butts gets scared but Colin encourages him and they go inside to see who is making those shrill screams.
What they find is a shock to them, they find something old and shriveled but dangerous. When Butts goes to find a way to eliminate this creature he doesn't come back.
What happens to Butts and Colin afterwards is something I can't say so I won't spoil the surprise.
October 26, 2012
Love this short.
Taking place in the 60's a Colin is down on his luck, needing some cash. Him and his buddy Butts go to this house found to be abandon. Upon approach they hear a scream...and of course they go in anyway.
Upon entering they find where the screaming was coming from and find an emaciated Van Helsing. Knowing nothing of the world around him because he's been in the cellar for so long he finds out he is the last vampire in the world.
Colin sends Butts to get a wooden stake, or cross, to finally finish of Van Helsing, per his wishes.
Well Butts never returns....what happens to him and why didn't he return? Read and find out!
Taking place in the 60's a Colin is down on his luck, needing some cash. Him and his buddy Butts go to this house found to be abandon. Upon approach they hear a scream...and of course they go in anyway.
Upon entering they find where the screaming was coming from and find an emaciated Van Helsing. Knowing nothing of the world around him because he's been in the cellar for so long he finds out he is the last vampire in the world.
Colin sends Butts to get a wooden stake, or cross, to finally finish of Van Helsing, per his wishes.
Well Butts never returns....what happens to him and why didn't he return? Read and find out!
June 17, 2013
Colin Willoughby would do anything for a fix. Robbing the ancient house with his side-kick, Butts, sounded like a good idea...
The Screaming is a quick and gripping tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story pays homage to the vampire lore of the old movies based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, but with 1960's era drug addicts and street thugs in England. This is the first work of Kilborn and Konrath that I have read. It won't be the last. :-)
The Screaming is a quick and gripping tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story pays homage to the vampire lore of the old movies based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, but with 1960's era drug addicts and street thugs in England. This is the first work of Kilborn and Konrath that I have read. It won't be the last. :-)
May 7, 2013
This was a short horror story. In typical Konrath/Kilborn fashion, it moves quickly into the easily pictured descriptions of the characters and setting. These are the books that could give you nightmares, so don't read before bed! I thought it was fast-paced and wrapped up quickly, leaving me wanting more...
July 13, 2014
This was my inaugurational read by this author and I am whole-heartedly enthused. Thank you whomever recommended this author to me. Van Helsing's philosophical quotes are gems I treasure from Stoker's novel and I embrace this original continuation of his exploits. I usually seek variety in my hobbies, but after finishing this quickly, I am going to the Jack Kilborn well right again!
March 21, 2011
I just purchased this short story for my Kindle and half-way through realized I had read it in a previously published collection of short stories by Jack Kilborn, I believe. That blows but it was only .99 so meh. *shrugs
Includes Excerpts from Trapped and Endurance
Includes Excerpts from Trapped and Endurance
February 24, 2012
What can I say...I LOVE this author! He's an absolute genius! Although this was only a short story, it captures you right away and doesn't let up. The ending was great...and definitely not what I was expecting. Great short story!!
January 1, 2013
There were some entertaining parts to this short story with clever metaphors and internal life signs. While the characterization and plot turns worked well, the short form created some plausibility issues. Overall 3.5 stars
June 27, 2013
Interesting little story, although I'm not a huge fan of the vampire genre much anymore. I like the idea of this being set in 1960s London, that's kind of fun, although the suicidal vampire seeking redemption feels a little overdone to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2014
Unique spin on the old Van Helsing story! Great short story read.......you can do this one in a few hours. Likeable pathetic characters........... very satisfying ending! Add this one to your Kilborn list of must reads! Happy reading!
May 8, 2015
Short but I tended to get lost in the pause between chapters. Would have to go back and read the previous page to figure out what I was missing. Not your typical vampire synopsis and was still entertaining
January 19, 2022
This was a pretty cool story!
I appreciated the different perspective on vampires and found it quite interesting.
I appreciated the different perspective on vampires and found it quite interesting.
September 20, 2012
Fun short story (read in about an hour) about vampires with some names we all know!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews