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Dropcloth Angels
He came, He sawed, He ate… All that are left behind of the victims are their heads, placed together with the painted angels, rendered in the victim’s own blood. The acts, captured on video, are sent elsewhere… Now Zoe Beaupre, a hooker with an imaginary monkey and sister of the serial killer’s latest conquest, must band together with a mismatched posse of saviors in order to bring him down. Little does Zoe know, but the deeper into the madman’s world they trek, more and more is revealed about snuff films…and Gideon, the puppet master who will stop at nothing to see her dead.
480 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2012
About the author
Gerald D. Johnston
3 books2 followersI was born at a very young age, but managed to grow into both my skin, and my big boy underwear. This was good.
Breaking news flash: I'm writing again!
About what...I have no fkn clue, but I'm sure there'll be words.
Breaking news flash: I'm writing again!
About what...I have no fkn clue, but I'm sure there'll be words.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 7, 2012
Zoe isn't exactly a model citizen. She's a hooker with a drug addiction, a bad attitude, and a penchant for talking to the imaginary Purple Monkey. Zane is an artist. He carves ordinary women into beautifully bloody paintings and captures it all on film. Their worlds collide when Zane creates a gruesome masterpiece out of Zoe's angelic sister.
Gideon is a businessman. He knows how much people will pay to see a brilliant performance like that.
I was lucky enough to read the manuscript of Dropcloth Angels before it was published. It's both a horror story about a serial killer and a character study of two perverse and determined individuals. Zoe counts as the good one, but she's far from being, well, good, with her foul mouth and unrepentant ways. Zane, meanwhile, is charming and sophisticated, the kind of villain you can't help being in awe of.
And then there's Purple Monkey. The smart-mouthed Purple Monkey is a childhood toy come to life—and a complete nightmare for Zoe. A figment of her imagination, he seems to show up whenever she least needs him and torment her.
Johnston drew me in from the get-go with his unique voice and knack for suspense. He really gets into his characters heads and lets the reader get to know them—their philosophies, their drives, their ways of thinking. He's also not afraid to "go there" when it comes to the plot, so if you have a weak stomach, beware. This isn't a book for the squeamish ones. But it's certainly a book that will mesmerize you with its twisted vision, one that is disturbing yet irresistible.
Gideon is a businessman. He knows how much people will pay to see a brilliant performance like that.
I was lucky enough to read the manuscript of Dropcloth Angels before it was published. It's both a horror story about a serial killer and a character study of two perverse and determined individuals. Zoe counts as the good one, but she's far from being, well, good, with her foul mouth and unrepentant ways. Zane, meanwhile, is charming and sophisticated, the kind of villain you can't help being in awe of.
And then there's Purple Monkey. The smart-mouthed Purple Monkey is a childhood toy come to life—and a complete nightmare for Zoe. A figment of her imagination, he seems to show up whenever she least needs him and torment her.
Johnston drew me in from the get-go with his unique voice and knack for suspense. He really gets into his characters heads and lets the reader get to know them—their philosophies, their drives, their ways of thinking. He's also not afraid to "go there" when it comes to the plot, so if you have a weak stomach, beware. This isn't a book for the squeamish ones. But it's certainly a book that will mesmerize you with its twisted vision, one that is disturbing yet irresistible.
January 11, 2013
Chilling but fantastic. Looking forward to reading his next.
August 19, 2013
Since this book was written by a local author I had to give it a chance and am I ever glad I did! The pacing was perfect, the characters flawed and entertaining. However, I did find Zoe to be a bit annoying as I neared the ending which seemed a bit too rushed for my liking (hence the 4 and not 5 star rating).
What I absolutely loved is the unpredictability. As you start into the story you think it is going to go in one direction, then quickly veers off into another.
It's impossible to stop laughing for the majority of the Harry Funshine introduction, his dogs, and his lack of driving skills. For those reasons alone I would recommend this book!
As I understand it, this is Gerald D. Johnston's debut novel and for a first timer this book was truly epic. I am looking forward to getting my hands on his next novel.
What I absolutely loved is the unpredictability. As you start into the story you think it is going to go in one direction, then quickly veers off into another.
It's impossible to stop laughing for the majority of the Harry Funshine introduction, his dogs, and his lack of driving skills. For those reasons alone I would recommend this book!
As I understand it, this is Gerald D. Johnston's debut novel and for a first timer this book was truly epic. I am looking forward to getting my hands on his next novel.
June 8, 2014
This book starts off strong with a visceral horror story that makes Hannibal Lecter look wimpy. It's well-polished and the writer has a strong voice and a vivid style. I do feel it could have used a little polishing, especially as it went on, as more errors crept into the text. The tone also changed at certain points--it nearly becomes comedy for a while. The author is very talented and I can see him finding a deeper, darker niche than other horror writers, if he chooses. He's daring and inventive, willing to go to places even the Stephen King's of the world aren't willing to go. I see myself having the same issues I see in this and other similar books, where having a good developmental editor could have made a really good book even better by polishing up the rough spots.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews