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A Song After Dark
Norman thought he'd hit the jackpot when he met Zach, trading his boring straight-A lifestyle for one filled with parties, drugs and more girls than he ever imagined he'd meet in his lifetime.
But there’s something dangerous about Zach, something not quite right. For Zach has a dark secret, that once revealed will drag his newfound sidekick into a nightmare world mired in death and destruction.
Be wary of strangers and careful what you wish for.
Sometimes A Song After Dark can be chilling to hear.
But there’s something dangerous about Zach, something not quite right. For Zach has a dark secret, that once revealed will drag his newfound sidekick into a nightmare world mired in death and destruction.
Be wary of strangers and careful what you wish for.
Sometimes A Song After Dark can be chilling to hear.
- GenresThriller
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2011
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 21, 2011
Well, first e book i've read! This book is definitely for anyone who can't believe what extremes they would go to, just to be excepted/popular. The disillusion of youth, the attitude of being better than everyone, and the ability to manipulate people (like a puppet master). Found the book entertaining to say the least, twisted and difficult to put down. Just remember....be careful what you wish for!!!
May 16, 2013
Zach's a psychopath i never felt so much hatred for a character before.
P.S. I love the playlist, give more action in the story.
P.S. I love the playlist, give more action in the story.
July 10, 2017
I'm going to say that this book is filled with sex, drugs, and violence done very well.
June 11, 2023
I enjoyed this dark tale about troubled teens and trying to fit in. Would probably be closer to a Larry Clark film and definitely not a John Hughes movie.
October 2, 2015
Though very dark and violent, this book is an excellent read. Given the nature of the content, it certainly is not a book for everyone. It’s an interesting and disturbing example of what a deadly combination peer pressure, bullying, the process of socialization, and parenting can be. As Norman tries to navigate his way through the end of his teenage years, he falls prey to the town “bad boy”, pretty girls, and his parents. We watch helplessly as Norman tries to fight his loneliness and find his place in the world.
The main character in the novel is Norman. Norman is a seventeen-year-old boy who is somewhat of a social outcast. He is an only child of parents that are overbearing and controlling. The antagonist in the story is Zach. Zach is essentially a sociopath with no sense of morality or compassion. His father is a self-made millionaire who has taught his son to stand up for himself and take what he wants. He is left to fend for himself most of the time as his parents lead very busy lives promoting their business and themselves.
The story is told from two points of view. It is told in the first person from Norman’s point of view. It allows the reader to get into Norman’s head—to get a peek at how he is affected by what his parents do and say, what Zach does and says, and how his peers treat him. The story also is told, at times, in the third person point of view. This point of view is used to relate Zach’s behavior. We are kept out of the dark recesses of his mind and only witness his depraved actions. Using the two points of view is a very smart way for the author to convey all of the information the reader needs.
Reading the book was like watching a train wreck. Although I felt thoroughly appalled, frightened, and sickened by the events, I had to keep reading to find out how and where it would all end. I kept wishing Norman would talk to his parents or the police or someone, but I understood why he did not. And each time he allowed himself to be manipulated and bullied by Zach into drugs, sex, and unimaginably heinous crimes, I just wanted him to find someone to believe in—someone to trust. He tried so hard to pull himself up through the nightmare of an existence that Zach had plunged him into, clutching at all that his parents, school, and church had taught him. In the end, does he prevail? And at what cost? The author leaves that up to you to decide. A very well delivered debut novel.
The main character in the novel is Norman. Norman is a seventeen-year-old boy who is somewhat of a social outcast. He is an only child of parents that are overbearing and controlling. The antagonist in the story is Zach. Zach is essentially a sociopath with no sense of morality or compassion. His father is a self-made millionaire who has taught his son to stand up for himself and take what he wants. He is left to fend for himself most of the time as his parents lead very busy lives promoting their business and themselves.
The story is told from two points of view. It is told in the first person from Norman’s point of view. It allows the reader to get into Norman’s head—to get a peek at how he is affected by what his parents do and say, what Zach does and says, and how his peers treat him. The story also is told, at times, in the third person point of view. This point of view is used to relate Zach’s behavior. We are kept out of the dark recesses of his mind and only witness his depraved actions. Using the two points of view is a very smart way for the author to convey all of the information the reader needs.
Reading the book was like watching a train wreck. Although I felt thoroughly appalled, frightened, and sickened by the events, I had to keep reading to find out how and where it would all end. I kept wishing Norman would talk to his parents or the police or someone, but I understood why he did not. And each time he allowed himself to be manipulated and bullied by Zach into drugs, sex, and unimaginably heinous crimes, I just wanted him to find someone to believe in—someone to trust. He tried so hard to pull himself up through the nightmare of an existence that Zach had plunged him into, clutching at all that his parents, school, and church had taught him. In the end, does he prevail? And at what cost? The author leaves that up to you to decide. A very well delivered debut novel.
October 23, 2013
A song after dark is another book that I received from story cartel for reviewing. The summary seemed to be very interesting and I had not read a book like this one since a very long time. The book is a psycho thriller based on the lives of two teenage boys who are very different from each other but somehow get together and their lives change. I was very excited when I began reading the book but it somehow did not live up to my expectation. Here is what I think of the book.
Cover-page: the cover-page is nothing great. It gives you an idea of being a thriller but that is it. There is no factor which draws you towards the book. It could have been much much better. But I still decided not to judge the book by its cover.
Characters: the book is about two teenage boys. Zach is the school stud boy. All the girls like him. He scores well. He is very rich and drives a mustang. Norman, on the other hand needs to study very hard to score, gets picked up and dropped to school by parents and practically invisible to girls.
Characters are very strong. They are not unique but well portrayed by the author. They keep you interested in the book throughout.
Concept: the concept is very interesting. Its psycho thriller which will keep you glues to the book throughout.
Story line: Zach has everything in life but there are things that nobody knows about him. He is a psycho killer who is identifies a brother in Norman. He wants Norman to be like him. Norman on the other hand is unaware of all these secrets. He just wants to be friends with Zach and have some social life. Both of them become good friends till they realize one is not what the other is looking for.
Language: language is very simple and to the point. The style of writing is also very detailed and interesting. It is no classic but a good story book.
Good points: good concept. Strong characters. Interesting storyline.
Not-so-good points: just as it happens always, the book fails to keep up with your expectations when it comes to the end. The end is very abrupt and without a thunder which one would expect it to be. Shear disappointment towards the end.
Overall: well, should you read it or not? For me a good end is as important as a good story line. I would hate to read a book which does not have a clean end. Thriller lovers are going to hate the book too. I would not recommend this to them. Shall give it 2 and half on 5.
Cover-page: the cover-page is nothing great. It gives you an idea of being a thriller but that is it. There is no factor which draws you towards the book. It could have been much much better. But I still decided not to judge the book by its cover.
Characters: the book is about two teenage boys. Zach is the school stud boy. All the girls like him. He scores well. He is very rich and drives a mustang. Norman, on the other hand needs to study very hard to score, gets picked up and dropped to school by parents and practically invisible to girls.
Characters are very strong. They are not unique but well portrayed by the author. They keep you interested in the book throughout.
Concept: the concept is very interesting. Its psycho thriller which will keep you glues to the book throughout.
Story line: Zach has everything in life but there are things that nobody knows about him. He is a psycho killer who is identifies a brother in Norman. He wants Norman to be like him. Norman on the other hand is unaware of all these secrets. He just wants to be friends with Zach and have some social life. Both of them become good friends till they realize one is not what the other is looking for.
Language: language is very simple and to the point. The style of writing is also very detailed and interesting. It is no classic but a good story book.
Good points: good concept. Strong characters. Interesting storyline.
Not-so-good points: just as it happens always, the book fails to keep up with your expectations when it comes to the end. The end is very abrupt and without a thunder which one would expect it to be. Shear disappointment towards the end.
Overall: well, should you read it or not? For me a good end is as important as a good story line. I would hate to read a book which does not have a clean end. Thriller lovers are going to hate the book too. I would not recommend this to them. Shall give it 2 and half on 5.
August 5, 2013
If you like horror books, this is a good book for you. If not or if you are new to the genre, this book might not appeal to you. I read it with an open mind. While I have not read many horror books, I read this one because I got it from Library Thing to read and review. The story involves Norman, a teenager who has no social life and few friends, and Zack, a dark persona/teen who befriends him. Norman thinks having Zack as a friend is the greatest thing that ever happened to him, until he becomes fully involved with Zack and begins to see just how dark Zack can be. The youths pal around together for some time getting into a myriad of situations Norman feels uncomfortable with and which he knows deep down are not right and could lead to bigger troubles. Zack is of the son of a rich IT businessman. His parents pay no attention to him and let him do whatever he wants. Even in his dealings with his parents, Zack crosses the line (e.g. using his father’s ATM card to withdraw huge sums of money), but no one questions or stops him. In contrast, Norman has very involved parents who appear to care very deeply about who their son is and what he does. The only thing I found wrong with them is how Norman’s father disciplines him by hitting him with his belt or forcefully by his hand. I am not sure why the author did this unless he wanted to hint at possible abuse. Norman is a normal teenager, just trying to fit into life around him. Zack is evil through and through, but, I suspect, would give anything to have parents like Norman’s, who care. As the story evolves, we see Zack become darker and darker and Norman begin to realize just who he is until, he finally decides friendship with Zack is not worth the effort. The author has definitely crafted a dark, rotten to the core psychopathic character in Zack. This book is good, though, as I said, not for everyone. As I read, I wondered why the author chose to write a book as dark as this and what sort of person he really is, if he can produce something like this. I also wondered whether anyone, young or old, would get ideas while or after reading this. If you are interested in books such as this, then you probably would like it. I did not particularly care for it.
March 12, 2013
Seventeen year old Norman has been invisible his whole life. His parents have shielded him from life, never allowing him to make any decisions or have any friends that might lead him astray from the path they have chosen for him. But Norman is tired of always toeing the line, tired of having no friends and never being able to make his own decisions. Norman has no idea how life changing missing his school bus ride home one afternoon will be.
Zach, one of the popular kids whom Norman has always wanted to be accepted by, is behind the school smoking a joint. When Zach is friendly with Norman and suggests that they hang out one day, Norman is stunned. When Zach gives Norman a ride home and gives him his cell number so Norman can call him and they can 'hang' together sometime, Norman is elated...things are finally turning around for him!
Norman's parents think Zach is terrific because he comes from the right background and gets straight A's but they don't know him the way Norman does. As Norman and Zach get to know each other better, Norman is at first all behind all the things Zach suggests. Norman starts to wonder though about Zach after a series of events make him question Zach's friendship. As Norman starts to draw away from Zach, things heat up and Norman is left wondering just how far Zach is willing to go, and how far he already has gone.
A well written psychological thriller about two young men, friendship and how far one must go to find acceptance.
I received my copy through LibraryThing Giveaway and my review was unsolicited.
Zach, one of the popular kids whom Norman has always wanted to be accepted by, is behind the school smoking a joint. When Zach is friendly with Norman and suggests that they hang out one day, Norman is stunned. When Zach gives Norman a ride home and gives him his cell number so Norman can call him and they can 'hang' together sometime, Norman is elated...things are finally turning around for him!
Norman's parents think Zach is terrific because he comes from the right background and gets straight A's but they don't know him the way Norman does. As Norman and Zach get to know each other better, Norman is at first all behind all the things Zach suggests. Norman starts to wonder though about Zach after a series of events make him question Zach's friendship. As Norman starts to draw away from Zach, things heat up and Norman is left wondering just how far Zach is willing to go, and how far he already has gone.
A well written psychological thriller about two young men, friendship and how far one must go to find acceptance.
I received my copy through LibraryThing Giveaway and my review was unsolicited.
December 22, 2014
I received this book for free through a Library Thing giveaway.
This book only took me two days to read, which means I could not put it down.
We all have met someone destructive in our lives, and some of us are lucky enough to get away from them. Unfortunately, Norman wasn't lucky enough to get away from Zach.
This book is indeed gruesome with a lot of violence and sex. However, it is needed. You see the cold case files documentaries all the time, and this is a wonderful story of what happens before the cold case. The only part I didn't really like was all the cats that were killed. However, many serial killers kill animals before people.
Zach is an outcast, however he is egotistical and maniacal. Norman is an outcast too, but you couldn't help but love him. He was sweet to Lisa and tried to be the best son he could be.
This book was great in that it showed two point of views, Norman and then Zach from chapter to chapter. It really showed how naive Norman was at first when he met Zach. The newspaper articles in the book too are a key part to this novel.
I would recommend this book to everyone really, it is a warning to perhaps be more careful in who you find to be your friend. Also to be more aware of what is going on right before your eyes in the case of the other characters.
This book only took me two days to read, which means I could not put it down.
We all have met someone destructive in our lives, and some of us are lucky enough to get away from them. Unfortunately, Norman wasn't lucky enough to get away from Zach.
This book is indeed gruesome with a lot of violence and sex. However, it is needed. You see the cold case files documentaries all the time, and this is a wonderful story of what happens before the cold case. The only part I didn't really like was all the cats that were killed. However, many serial killers kill animals before people.
Zach is an outcast, however he is egotistical and maniacal. Norman is an outcast too, but you couldn't help but love him. He was sweet to Lisa and tried to be the best son he could be.
This book was great in that it showed two point of views, Norman and then Zach from chapter to chapter. It really showed how naive Norman was at first when he met Zach. The newspaper articles in the book too are a key part to this novel.
I would recommend this book to everyone really, it is a warning to perhaps be more careful in who you find to be your friend. Also to be more aware of what is going on right before your eyes in the case of the other characters.
March 21, 2013
I received a free copy of this ebook from Librarything member giveaway and my review was unsolicited. This is the second Grant Palmquist book I have read and again was very impressed. I am a avid reader of horror novels and have found Grant Palmquist to be an excellent writer in the genre. This book made me feel like I was going to the darker areas of my mind. I really liked the story line and the character development. In short this book was about a seventeen year old boy who has been invisible his whole life. His parents are very over productive and don't allow him to do anything! But Norman rebels and is befriended by Zach a fellow classmate that is very popular with the ladies. Zach goes on and becomes a bad influence on Norman and Norman finds himself struggling to decide how far into Zach's dark world he wants to go. This book made me feel disturbed inside in a good way like some of Jack Ketchum's books! I highly recommend this book and look forward to more books by Mr. Palmquist.
June 22, 2014
A Song After Dark by Grant Palmquist
Norman was a straight A student, not popular and often picked on. When he met Zach a popular "party boy". He thought his life would change. It sure did but not the way Norman expected. He is about to find out the truth about Zach and if Norman doesn't act quick he is going to get pulled into Zach's twisted, sick world.
A fast paced psychological, thrilling story. Norman just wanted to fit in, he was real and desperate for friends. I did like Norman,in society today there are many "Norman's". I really liked the story line, quite original. Filled with nail-biting tension and surprises, I could not put it down. Well written, it felt as if I were part of the story, I like that in a book.
Those who like (Psychological)suspense/thrillers/murder will enjoy A Song After Dark.
Norman was a straight A student, not popular and often picked on. When he met Zach a popular "party boy". He thought his life would change. It sure did but not the way Norman expected. He is about to find out the truth about Zach and if Norman doesn't act quick he is going to get pulled into Zach's twisted, sick world.
A fast paced psychological, thrilling story. Norman just wanted to fit in, he was real and desperate for friends. I did like Norman,in society today there are many "Norman's". I really liked the story line, quite original. Filled with nail-biting tension and surprises, I could not put it down. Well written, it felt as if I were part of the story, I like that in a book.
Those who like (Psychological)suspense/thrillers/murder will enjoy A Song After Dark.
May 22, 2013
Everyone meet Norman, a young seventeen year old, who has no social life, no friends, and no girls talk to him. His parent's are controlling, strict, and wont buy him a car either, so he rides the bus. Any back talk and his father takes a belt to him. Then meet Zach, he has everything. Zach has the life, get's any girl, and he can stay out all night and his parent's wont care. But Zach has a darkness in him that comes out slowly. As Norman leans on Zach to mold him into a cool person who can talk to girls, Zach's trying to mold Norman into something dark. Just goes to show you that I believe evil comes from within. This was a great fast paced read, and I thought the ending was great but a slight disappoint to how it ended.
May 25, 2013
OH MY GOD!!! This was freakin AWESOME!! This was my first horror story and it was wonderful. The main character Norman is awkward and lonely and he finally becomes friends with a guy he has wanted to be friends with forever Zach! Who is so freakin scary and gross he makes you want to throw up in your mouth a little!! CATS AND DOGS!!!! Thats all i'm sayin!!! This book is thrilling, scary, gross, and REAL!! It was so scary because it could ACTUALLY happen. This book got the reaction from me that the author wanted!! A pucky feeling in your stomach and you crusing out loud!! If you want a thriller, this is the book for you!!
March 27, 2013
I won this book from LibraryThing's Member Giveaways.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and I was a little surprised about how dark this book was. It is very well written, in my opinion, and the author seems to draw the reader right into the story. I, myself, like dark, psychological thriller-type books and movies, so this book was interesting to me. I liked how the author wrote from two different perspectives. All in all, I did like this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and I was a little surprised about how dark this book was. It is very well written, in my opinion, and the author seems to draw the reader right into the story. I, myself, like dark, psychological thriller-type books and movies, so this book was interesting to me. I liked how the author wrote from two different perspectives. All in all, I did like this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 9, 2012
I would have liked to give this book more stars because it should have been a good horror suspense book for me, but because I just can't read about animal torture and killing, it kind of put me off. But as far as the writing style and how the story was put together and the deeper feelings that were explored in this book concerning youth loneliness, acceptance etc. it was well written. If you like dark, creepy, disturbing books, this is the one for you!
May 6, 2013
This was an excellent dark thriller. It pulled me in from the beginning and the characters were so well developed. I like the fact that he did it bit by bit. Although it was a bit predictable, it was written very smoothly and fluently. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes good vs. evil books.
May 10, 2014
Another unique and impeccably written dark teen story about a regular boy who befriends a fellow student who is initally presumed to be a rebel type but later on turns out to be a real psycho. ... Book Review: A Song After Dark By Grant Palmquist » Katarina Nolte
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September 10, 2012
Again, Palmquist weaves a story and then lets the ending fade away
May 16, 2013
Decent story about a young, homicidal maniac and him trying to pass on his ways to an unknowing protege.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews