Ring of Knives

The Dead Man #2

by James Daniels, Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin

Matt Cahill was an ordinary man leading a simple life until a shocking accident changed everything. Now he can see a nightmarish netherworld that exists within our own. Now he's on a dangerous quest for the answers to who he is and what he has become...and engaged in an epic battle to save us, and his soul, from the clutches of pure evil. Matt believes an institutionalized madman may hold the secret to defeating Mr. Dark, the horrific jester with the rotting touch who has tormented him ever since his miraculous resurrection. So he infiltrates a lunatic asylum, where is swept up in a spiral of bloodshed and insanity, all stoked by supernatural forces that he's never faced before....and that might just drive him to madness. His only chance of escaping with his life and sanity intact is to face the unspeakable terror that awaits him deep in the asylum's fog-shrouded woods...and within the Ring of Knives.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Supernatural, Fantasy

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2011

About the author

I was reader from a really young age. My grandmother let me sleep overnight at her country home in the attic. This also happened to be where she kept her personal library. I was introduced to Stephen King and the methods of his particular brand of marketed madness. I also read Anne Rice before Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

I have always thought of myself as a writer. I think the litmus test for that is if you write even if you're not told to do it let alone paid to do it. I write because I want to and very few things make me happier than coffee, a comfortable chair and a blank page waiting to be filled with whatever dragon is roaming in my brain that day.

Btw, I find it slight disconcerting that profile here requests a date of DEATH. I'm fortunate if I remember some manager holidays. I don't have a date to die planned yet. There's no expiration date on my birth certificate. I'm not a gallon of milk with a "sell by" date, but I appreciate the thought. :>

I am a private person by nature. Some things are better left unsaid. But when it comes to reading, to writing, to the craft of telling tale, I am open to all topics.

Reviews

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 at 100 so pages takes us a little deeper in the world of our main protagonists quest. The story has fair share of action and supernatural. When reading book 1 I was hearing similarities to the Gunslinger by King I feel from this part it's more Repairman Jack style by Paul Wilson. The way the story is written It would have been better just to release a novel length saga rather than novella's.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelled by a desire to shed solitude and seek brethren, Matt Cahill is lead to a decrepit mental institution in search of Jesse Weston, a man whose former life experience mirrors Cahill’s. What Cahill’s omnipresent Mr. Dark is to him, the Rotting Man is all encompassing for Weston. More than a mere shadow and quick scare; the Rotting Man is a different kind of evil – one that presents Cahill with a terrifying glimpse into a possible future.

‘The Ring of Knives’ is a sharp story of pure terror with a slight twist. Praised for its supernatural elements, the Dead Man series takes a deeper look into the cruelty of man in a setting where ramifications are non existent and blood flows as frequently as water. Author James Daniels does a great job at instilling a constant sense of dread throughout Cahill’s ordeal against orderlies and oddities as he fights tooth and nail to save an abandoned yet mysterious soul from her torture-mad minders.

Action packed from the opening stanza to the bloody conclusion. ‘The Ring of Knives’ conjures images of heinous acts portrayed through Daniels storytelling in descriptively disturbing detail – the inhabitants of the institution will take some time to leave you – particularly those paramount to this novellas conclusion. This is horror, pure and simple - 4 stars.

[Edwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series chucks most of the backstory and characters from the first book and sends Matt Cahill on a road trip to try to determine why he was resurrected, why people around him are prone to looking rotten to him then inexplicably turning evil, and the haunting of a spectre that he calls Mr. Dark. Cahill ends up at an horror infested mental hospital where the story turns into a sort of an action book with Cahill fighting evil orderlies and rescuing a pretty girl. The story is more focused that the first book and I actually liked it a bit better.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of these books. Over a decade ago, I downloaded the first three. They were very inexpensive, and I am finally getting around to reading them. Too brutal for me, but I would think that those who like horror or the grimmest of grim dark, would like these.

[Gef · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and reviewed the first novella in The Dead Man series, Face of Evil, back in March and thoroughly enjoyed it. I basically summed it up as a book version to a strong season premiere of a very promising TV show. So, now that I've read the second book in the series, Ring of Knives, does the series hold onto its momentum, or does it falter?

Matthew Cahill is now a vagabond, following the events of Face of Evil, with an innate sixth sense that allows him to literally see the evil simmering in people under the influence of an evil force he knows as Mr. Dark. It's not exactly a gift though, since he seems to be a magnet for evil now, and the evil people in the world appear to him with rotting, festering, disgusting features. And, when Matt winds up at the Carthage Mental Health Center, he finds himself surrounded by evil.

He's there to meet with a doctor who treated a patient with a similar ability to Matt's, though the other guy was labeled crazy and placed in a padded room. And, Matt half-wonders if he might be crazy, too. When he arrives at the health center though, the patient has been transferred and the doctor is up and gone. After forming an unlikely--and temporary--bond with one of the employees, Matt learns that the doctor isn't gone--he's been committed.

While I'm not sure how well Ring of Knives works as a stand-alone, it is definitely a strong follow-up to Face of Fear. James Daniels tapped into the Matt Cahill character quite well, and offered up a great dilemma as Matt investigates a mental patient with a similar affliction to his own and the ominous facility where he was housed. An insane asylum isn't exactly a unique backdrop for a horror or suspense tale, but there was enough there in a tightly woven novella to give it its own flavor.

There were moments where it felt a bit by the numbers, but that was during the first half of the book. By the time the story passed the halfway mark, all bets were off, and the climax was a nice pay off.

If Ring of Knives accomplishes one thing without question, it is the fact that The Dead Man is a book series worth reading, with a base level established in terms of tone and quality. I won't go so far as to say it's as good or better than Face of Fear, but it's close enough to make a satisfying read and hungry for the next installment The third book in the series, Hell in Heaven, is out now with Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin back in at the helm, and I am definitely on board for that one.

[Tyson Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a saying in the music industry that the second album is the hardest. You are backing up your first work in the series and the pressure is on to not just come up with new material but to create something better. But what do you do with the band that changes its entire lineup and releases a new album? Well normally you would avoid it like a "Guns 'n' Roses"* Chinese Democracy album.

James Daniels has had the unenviable task of taking on the second installment of the Dead Man series of novellas started by Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin. Now James has taken an interesting tact with the second novel: he has tried to outdo Lee and William and succeeded. Given the high standard set in the first novella, Face of Evil, this is no mean feat.

When we left Matt Cahill he was starting his trek to discover why he made an amazing recovery from his mild case of death and why he can now see evil as other's souls are eaten away by it. Seeking answers he is trying to speak with another who has been similarly afflicted. What better setting for a horror novel than a psychiatric hospital!? This book expands upon how Matt's story and hints at Mr Dark. But Mr Dark isn't who Matt has to be worried about in this book.

So James has done this series proud and has created a thrilling, suspenseful read. I really enjoyed this sequel and I pity the poor writer following on from James. They don't have to just be as good or better than the first, now they have to top this one as well.
http://thetysonadams.blogspot.com/201...

*It hasn't been Guns 'n' Roses since Slash left.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4.5: THE DEAD MAN: RING OF KNIVES by James Daniels,Lee Goldberg, and William Rabkin is an interesting paranormal novella.This is the second in "The Dead Man series",but can be read as a stand alone. It is fast paced,action paced, a quick read that is full of surprises. Matt is who after being dead for three months,found and is now alive has a secret (gift) although,I am sure he does not call it a gift.For he sees in evil in people as decaying bodies,pus draining sores on their faces and other nasty and bad smelling things. Matt is out to found out the truth of good vs evil.He believes if he can found out who Dr. Dark really is he will be able to find out the truth.He really doesn't know if he is good or evil.I myself vote for good.While on this journey takes him to a mental facility,a "nuthouse" in every sense of the word, he will find that evil is in all of us.For he finds more evil here than he thought possible.He try to save not only himself but also a young teenage girl,who they are trying to defile.This is a fast paced,action packed,thriller with paranormal,a little fantasy and a lot of evil.It is sure to please any and all thriller,action,suspense,fantasy and paranormal readers.While this is a quick read packed into a huge story it will have you wondering what is next.This book was received for the purpose of review from the Kaye Publicity and the author details can be found at Createspace and My Book Addiction and More.

[Nathan Shumate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the series establishes the pattern: once-dead, now-living man Matt travels around, trying to find answers about his condition and his new ability to see the evil in other people, while being drawn into creepy crap wherever he goes. (Also established in the pattern: there's usually one sex scene, which in this case is a flashback to his dead wife.) In this installment, in search of answers from another person who was listed in a psychology text as having had a similar condition, Matt gets embroiled in bizarre demon worship in a secluded psych facility, which is exactly one level worse than the stuff you always suspect goes on in psych facilities.

Being a short and quick read, it doesn't take the time to answer questions it raises about how exactly a facility in a heavily regulated industry could go to hell'n'gone without anyone noticing (there's not even the kind of lampshading that makes, say, Stephen King's original "Children of the Corn" short story work), but it's a quick and visceral adventure. Not in itself a reason to get into the series, but an acceptable installment.

Disclaimer: Because of the unelected dweebs at the FTC who wouldn’t know the First Amendment if it wore a thong and gave them a lap dance, I must hereby announce that the media reviewed herein was received gratis from the distributor of said media with the understanding that I would comment on said media in this blog.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Cahill is the Dead Man. Caught in an avalanche while on a skiing trip, his frozen body is found three months later and, when it thaws, he's still alive.

And he sees things now that others can't. The evil in people before something bad happens. He also sees Mr. Dark, an obviously monstrous figure.

Matt is headed to an Carthage Mental Health Center to interview a patient named Jesse Weston that he'd read about in a book. He'd been trapped for days alone on a ledge after a companion had been killed in a fall. Now he spoke of a figure called Rotting Jack who came t him. Matt wanted to find out if it was the same as Mr. Dark.

When he arrives, he's told that Weston had transferred out and the Doctor who'd arranged he interview was now a patient. But Matt knows something is not right. The place is dirty and he;s told the administrator and the head nurse had simply left.

Before the night is over, Matt must face the ring of knives and Rotting Jack to rescue a young woman patient. And face his own enemy, in the process learning more about himself, what he has become, and what the future holds.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. Literally breathtaking. Book 2 branches over into the supernatural more than the first one, but it's done in an interesting and believable way...if the idea of walking death can be believable. However, I think in this novel it is, although I'm still uncertain if the main character, Matt Cahill, has figured out yet whether he's good or evil. It's clear from the reader's point of view which one he is.

This story is about a man in search of his own identity. He went through a near death (and possibly just death) experience in the first book and he's trying to figure out exactly who he is and what his purpose is in this second book. This leads him on a search to an insane asylum where he wishes to interview a man who went through the same thing that he did in hopes of unraveling this mystery.

This series is a must read for anyone interested in mysteries, thrillers, or horror. The main character is trying to save the world and himself, one decaying corpse at a time, who could ask for more?

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Cahill is living on the road these days, all his possessions in a rucksack except for his grandfather’s ax. He has traveled to a mental health center in Washington state, where there is a man who apparently also sees the strange sores on people’s faces, and the same strange entity, although this patient calls him Rotting Jack. However, things are very much awry at the mental health center – doctors and administrators have been going missing, and the aides seem to be mostly using their work time to smoke and watch TV. What evil is lurking in this place? Is there anything Matt can do to stop the spread of evil?

We learn more about Matt, what has happened to him, and he starts to formulate a purpose to his return to life. We also are given some more of his past and memories. The action is fast and furious, and the one-liners are great – I laughed several times. Fans of dark suspense/thrillers and horror should love this series.

[Holly West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second installment of the Dead Man series is a great start to Matt Cahill's journey in finding out what he is. The first, FACE OF EVIL, was mostly set-up, explaining how Cahill came to be what he is--I really consider the second, RING OF KNIVES, to be the first episode in which we see Cahill in action.

In it, Cahill is on a quest to meet Jesse Weston, a man he suspects is in the same situation as he is, hoping to learn something about himself. But when he arrives at Carthage, the mental institution where Jesse resides, Cahill learns that Jesse is no longer there and that the doctor who treated him has mysteriously disappeared as well.

RING OF KNIVES is an excellent novella--concise, well-written, atmospheric, with the right touches of gore, humor, and adventure. I'm off to read the third installment right now.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. Book 1 introduced us to Matt Cahill and Mr. Dark. Book 2 seemingly didn't continue where number 1 left off. Thus, lending more credence to this coming across as a TV series that should be, but only exists in novella form. I wonder if the 3rd book will be the same, or will the Annica character that was a part of this episode continue on. Anyway, this was a much darker story than the last. Thus, this TV show could only be produced for HBO or Showtime to keep it in its true form. Also, it reminded me of an X-Files, or Millenium episode in terms of mood. The eerie mental hospital where things have gone wrong, learning what the true ring of knives is, and the glowing tree (truly horrible), all fit within those other universes. Well, there are many more where this one came from, so we'll continue to see what happens to Matt and Mr. Dark.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second novella in the series did not disappoint, either, although I didn't care for it as much as the first. Daniels kept the story going well, although I enjoyed the writing style of the first much more. The protagonist attempts to find some answers to the mystery surrounding "Mr. Dark." It kind of reminded me of the novel in the Dexter series where the author tries to explain the origins of Dexter's "Dark Passenger." In Dexter's world, that flopped, as no explanation was necessary; in this world, though, it made more sense.

I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series. They're cheap enough on Kindle, and they're free (one per month) to borrow if you are an Amazon Prime member.

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I'm hooked on this series. After reading the first book of the series, "Face of Evil". I liked the premise but was a little disappointed that there was no action until the last 20% of the book. I was hoping that it was just setting up the rest of the series, AND I WAS RIGHT! Book 2 Ring of Knives was non-stop action. The writing was just as good as the first one but this book was where the action was at. The only reason this book didn't get 5 stars is the length. It (just like the first one), ends way to soon. That is ok though, it gets me to the third one quicker. Already bought it! Great series so far.

[Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleased to find that the second book in The Dead Man series is a lot better than the first. This time, Matt has to deal with shenanigans at a nightmarish psychiatric institution, when he drops by to visit an inmate who may have the same troubles that he has. James Daniels does a good job of maintaining a tight pace with plenty of gory, disturbing and blackly funny incidents while parceling out clues as to what kind of path Matt might go down if he doesn't keep on top of things.

My reaction to the third book in the series will decide whether I'm hooked on The Dead Man or if it's a once-in-a-while deal.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm completely hooked on this series of shorts. I can easily finish one in a day and want to tear through them all but I'm trying to be restrained and allow myself to enjoy the anticipation of the next story...I should note this is not my normal genre. I haven't read a King or Koontz in years. I fell into the series because James Reasoner is involved and I'm working my way through the 10 books in his Civil War series. The first in The Dead Man series popped up as a "you might be interested in..." on Amazon and I'm glad it did!

[Ryne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second entry in The Dead Man series focuses more on the main character searching for answers and feels largely like a second episode in a television series. Like it's predecessor it's short, I finished them both in approximately 2 hours, but I kind of enjoy the episodic nature of the series since it prevents me from getting bogged down with a long adventure. This is a really cool, original mystery/horror series and if you're not reading yet you should.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an improvement over the first book, The Dead Man, and I really enjoyed that one. We get a lot more building on the mystery/mythology of Matt's condition. I'm especially interested in the connection between Rotting Jack and Mr. Dark and if they are one and the same. The implementation of the white stag is also another puzzle. I will definitely make sure that I read the third installment.

[Lenae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Round two: Matt is searching for answers (being dead for three months can make you question a few things) and thinks that he's found a man that can help him. Still a great concept but just like in the first one I have some issues with the transitions....speedbump. If my brain has to stop and think about it too much its hard to get lost.

[C.S. Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one. I thought the first one had a smoother feel to it. It still offered up plenty of violence and horror. Remember if you are reading this series you are reading pulp. LIke a Doc Savage only with gore. Again, the book did enough to keep me satisfied and moving forward to the next installment.

[Joel Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in this series rocks like the first one. Full disclosure - I'll be writing an installment later this year. Love the outsized world in these books. Action, humor and horror - can't beat it.

[Lisa Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same review as Book 1, but for heaven's sake, this was a blood bath. Ewww. And what the heck happened to the jack-o'-lantern monster weirdo? I think he might be wandering around my neighborhood.... watch out kiddos.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much better than the disaster that was book one. Even better writing wasn't enough to save the book for me. At this point I am done with the series. I don't get why it gets such high ratings. Feeble at best.

[Ed Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the series, which is aiming to release a new book every month or so. The books aren't very lengthy, but are a fun summertime read. Looking forward to the next one.

[Debra]

Book 2 in Dead Man series.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as Book 1. Storyline is getting a little too "off-the-wall." The third book will tell if this series is a keeper.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first one.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd in a series. First one was just fun, mindless, page-turning silliness.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am finding this series intriguing and entertaining. They are short but packed with action - a good quick read.