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The Mannequins
In the deep woods of California, there’s an old decaying mansion with a terrible secret. When any enter its doors, the house claims them, propelling them to a land in a different reality, run by a man who calls himself, the Preacher. If you play by his rules, you live a life of luxury, but if you displease him? With a flick of his wrist, you are transformed into a living doll, a mannequin, and there is no escape… until the madman is done playing with you.
238 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2014
25 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Salpeter
18 books269 followersElyse Salpeter is an author who loves mixing "the real with the fantastic" in her books. She likes nothing better than taking different scenarios and creating worlds where things just aren't what they appear to be.
Her 6-book supernatural thriller series, beginning with THE HUNT FOR XANADU are about a brilliant and fearless young woman named Kelsey Porter, whose life is steeped in Buddhist spiritual mysteries and she is constantly discovering the world around her is not what she believed it to be.
Her YA paranormal suspense series, FLYING TO THE LIGHT and FLYING TO THE FIRE are about a young deaf boy who knows what happens to you when you die and now people are after him for the answers.
Horror novel, THE MANNEQUINS, is about a film crew that enters an abandoned mansion and disappear, while her short story horror collection, RICKET ROW, is filled with little creepy tales, guaranteed to keep you up at night.
The WORLD OF KAROV and THE RUBY AMULET, take us to a fantasy world where twins, good and evil, and magic are all intertwined.
Lastly, her sci-fi worlds, with a dystopian novel called THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT about a virus that has attacked the world and a short story collect called TITANIUM FLOW which is rife with alien worlds, genetic testing, trans-galaxy romance, and robots!
When she's not writing, she’s training for sprint triathlons, eating shock food with her Gastronaut Club and delving into all the newest and greatest social media apps. Needless to say, her kids can’t believe she’s on TikTok!
Please come on over and learn more about her at her webpage at www.elysesalpeter.com or her blog at www.elysesalpeter.wordpress.com
If you would like to join her mailing list, please do so here: http://www.elysesalpeter.com/contact-...
Her 6-book supernatural thriller series, beginning with THE HUNT FOR XANADU are about a brilliant and fearless young woman named Kelsey Porter, whose life is steeped in Buddhist spiritual mysteries and she is constantly discovering the world around her is not what she believed it to be.
Her YA paranormal suspense series, FLYING TO THE LIGHT and FLYING TO THE FIRE are about a young deaf boy who knows what happens to you when you die and now people are after him for the answers.
Horror novel, THE MANNEQUINS, is about a film crew that enters an abandoned mansion and disappear, while her short story horror collection, RICKET ROW, is filled with little creepy tales, guaranteed to keep you up at night.
The WORLD OF KAROV and THE RUBY AMULET, take us to a fantasy world where twins, good and evil, and magic are all intertwined.
Lastly, her sci-fi worlds, with a dystopian novel called THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT about a virus that has attacked the world and a short story collect called TITANIUM FLOW which is rife with alien worlds, genetic testing, trans-galaxy romance, and robots!
When she's not writing, she’s training for sprint triathlons, eating shock food with her Gastronaut Club and delving into all the newest and greatest social media apps. Needless to say, her kids can’t believe she’s on TikTok!
Please come on over and learn more about her at her webpage at www.elysesalpeter.com or her blog at www.elysesalpeter.wordpress.com
If you would like to join her mailing list, please do so here: http://www.elysesalpeter.com/contact-...
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 21, 2018
5 stars for creepiness and concept, likeable characters and enjoyable read!
March 1, 2015
With The Mannequins, Elyse Salpeter has created a thrilling, entertaining and cleverly elaborated horror story. Jack is a very likeable character who wants to free those who are kept prisoner. I was drawn into the story right away. The author tells the story in a very intense way - giving the reader the opportunity to get somehow involved as well. As the story proceeds you learn more about the characters and - you automatically start to be anxious about them. This is a book for you if you appreciate a refined horror story. This is not a slasher.
This is a book to read again. Highly recommended!
This is a book to read again. Highly recommended!
January 10, 2018
An interesting and different story. My main qualm with it is that it is not particularly well written - it lacks a certain finesse and descriptive style in it's writing. The plot is quite good though and I enjoyed the split perspective of flashbacks throughout the piece. I would have given this book 3 stars until I got to it's ending - it's quite anti-climatic and a bit dull which was disappointing.
An alright read and a stand-alone story, just not very well-written and a bad ending lets it down.
An alright read and a stand-alone story, just not very well-written and a bad ending lets it down.
May 27, 2023
I really enjoyed the premise and the setups, but overall the execution in most areas fell very flat for me and left a good deal wanting. Plot progression felt clunky at times and there wasn't a real sense of discovery as we learned more and more about the world of the story, things just sort of felt like they happened.
May 29, 2017
This book is so badly written than it reads like unedited fan fiction for a nonexistent TV show.
That's what makes it so much fun.
That's what makes it so much fun.
November 21, 2019
Truly frightening
This was a well thought out book, that was terrifying. I was actually afraid of the Preacher. I wanted them to get out of the house safely.
This was a well thought out book, that was terrifying. I was actually afraid of the Preacher. I wanted them to get out of the house safely.
June 5, 2015
It seems this book was really rather not for me. I just couldn't get into it. The premise was fascinating but I found that in practice it wasn't scary. The descriptions were thorough but I never found them that particularly scary. Even from a suspense point of view I just wasn't ever that interested or even worried.
For the start of the book I had a difficult time getting interested. As the book went on I found that the plot could be a little jumpy- going from not knowing about something to talking about it as though it was normal. And then the way that the characters got out of things in our dimension had a ring of impossibility to them. Also, descriptions of the Preacher, his abilities, and his past (or lack thereof) never really felt complete, convincing, or scary to me.
So, surprisingly, I'm here with this rather contradictory review to the norm. 2 stars: uninteresting and for horror really not scary
For the start of the book I had a difficult time getting interested. As the book went on I found that the plot could be a little jumpy- going from not knowing about something to talking about it as though it was normal. And then the way that the characters got out of things in our dimension had a ring of impossibility to them. Also, descriptions of the Preacher, his abilities, and his past (or lack thereof) never really felt complete, convincing, or scary to me.
So, surprisingly, I'm here with this rather contradictory review to the norm. 2 stars: uninteresting and for horror really not scary
October 29, 2016
15 years they spent on the other side? Then all of a sudden, with little to no effort, they're out and everyone is free and it's over??? This had so much potential!!! What an amazingly terrifying yet Doctor Who -esque concept of Mannequins trapped in a mansion in a world where time passes like normal outside but can be frozen within the walls! Touch a mannequin become a mannequin, the mirrors.... it was a short novel but could have been turned into a longer novel and made breathtakingly terrifying.
Great story, weak ending.
Great story, weak ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2015
This was such a creepy story! From the people turned into mannequins, to the town with no way out, to the Preacher who apparently can't be killed and whose main source of entertainment is the suffering of his prisoners, this story was chilling. I was constantly regretting that I'd read this right before bed! If you're looking for a horror story that will keep you turning the pages, this one is for you.
January 5, 2017
Twilight Zone. That's what I thought of as I read this book. I heard Rod Serling's voice. Smelled his cigarette smoke. From beginning to end. I mean this as the utmost compliment. I completely enjoyed the ride. At the end of 2016 I was on a skid as far as books were concerned, I couldn't find one that kept me interested . . . until The Mannequins. For me it was one of those can't put down (keep in mind I am not a fast reader). Read this today and enjoy!
December 23, 2014
A phenomenal first (that I have read) horror effort for this fantasy author. Between this and her fantasy/adventure Xanadu series, I think this author is well on her way to finding her niche and building a fabulous career. If you haven't read Elyse Salpeter, you are missing out on one of the rising stars of indie publishing.
February 23, 2017
Interesting idea, needs editing badly
Three stars for the concept. The idea is a good one, new and interesting. Unfortunately the writing and editing are not so good. Too many errors in grammar and even using the wrong words at times. It could be a much better read with some significant editing.
Three stars for the concept. The idea is a good one, new and interesting. Unfortunately the writing and editing are not so good. Too many errors in grammar and even using the wrong words at times. It could be a much better read with some significant editing.
November 11, 2014
A fast paced read and very enjoyable.
November 23, 2014
Loved this novella! The Preacher is the stuff of nightmares. Salpeter is definitely an up and coming author to keep an eye on.
September 29, 2016
Not a flawless book, but an interesting concept and it kept my attention. A nice, quick, fun read.
April 17, 2017
The only thing that kept me drawn to this was the character of the Preacher-although one demential, he was a very convincing villain.
The premise was wonderful and so full of potential, but there was a massive hole in the plot for me. They were trapped for 15 years on the other side then all of a sudden, after a couple conversations and half assed effort, they're out and the book ends. I was expecting a very dramatic fight, so that was a little bit of a disappointment. It was a decent read but I don't think I'll pick it up again!
The premise was wonderful and so full of potential, but there was a massive hole in the plot for me. They were trapped for 15 years on the other side then all of a sudden, after a couple conversations and half assed effort, they're out and the book ends. I was expecting a very dramatic fight, so that was a little bit of a disappointment. It was a decent read but I don't think I'll pick it up again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
June 29, 2017DNF 11% - Too B movie for me
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews