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Awake In The Dark
Obsessed by the sensationalised murders of a serial killer stalking the streets of North London, subversive artist Jason Jones stands on the brink of commercial success. But when the mutilated body of a friend is discovered too close to home, Jason realises that he isn't the only one fixated on the art of murder.
Drawn towards a dark world of violence and terror that stretches right back into his own tortured past, JJ's fragile lifestyle quickly unravels. Racing against time to unmask a deadly hunter driven by unknown motives, Jones is forced to question the truth of everything he knows and believes in.
"Someone made this happen and I think I know who and I think I know why. But I have to be certain before I set out to find him and do what has to be done. The clock is ticking down to midnight and he’s still out there: My enemy..."
Drawn towards a dark world of violence and terror that stretches right back into his own tortured past, JJ's fragile lifestyle quickly unravels. Racing against time to unmask a deadly hunter driven by unknown motives, Jones is forced to question the truth of everything he knows and believes in.
"Someone made this happen and I think I know who and I think I know why. But I have to be certain before I set out to find him and do what has to be done. The clock is ticking down to midnight and he’s still out there: My enemy..."
399 pages, Paperback
First published December 7, 2014
5 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Paul Laville
2 books6 followersPaul writes from his home in Wiltshire in the UK. He also runs his own sales training company, a fledgeling media company ("Basically we get free stuff from people and then we drink it" he says), and he reads bedtime stories to his two small children. As a consequence of this he's currently enjoying Enid Blyton's 'The Naughtiest Girl' series, and will update his Goodreads bookshelf to reflect this. One day.
His wife is hot, his cat's insane and it kills things at random.
As well as 'Awake In The Dark' he's written SF, an example of which can be found in the new SF & Fantasy anthology 'The World And The Stars' by Deborah Jay Publishing.
Paul says "I'm a big fan of SF, and will definitely be writing more of it!"
For now though, he's happy enough to stay in what he thinks of as The Real World, even though others may disagree with his definition of this.
His wife is hot, his cat's insane and it kills things at random.
As well as 'Awake In The Dark' he's written SF, an example of which can be found in the new SF & Fantasy anthology 'The World And The Stars' by Deborah Jay Publishing.
Paul says "I'm a big fan of SF, and will definitely be writing more of it!"
For now though, he's happy enough to stay in what he thinks of as The Real World, even though others may disagree with his definition of this.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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March 18, 2016Following review is from Kirkus Reviews, June 2015
"Grim, somber, ferocious—a novel to read again.
In Laville’s dark debut thriller, a London artist is tormented by a serial killer seemingly inspired by his work.
Artist Jason Jones is obsessed with a murderer stalking Camden Town and closely follows newspaper articles and social media. But the Camden Killer leaves something for Jason in his storage unit and sure enough, someone seems to be following him.
Jason’s sordid past and secrets may hold the key to unmasking the killer. The narrative consists almost entirely of Jason’s flashbacks after identifying a corpse for the police, and the fractured telling resembles Jason’s jumbled memories. There’s an ambiguity implied by the novel’s structure, almost as if Jason, as narrator, is piecing together a tale he’s either spinning or genuinely can’t immediately recall.
Laville retains mystery by dropping hints of horrors soon to be revealed. The thriller overflows with genuine surprises, and readers are bound to guess a few by sheer chance.
Genre conventions are more prevalent during the final act: Jason’s trust in others gradually declines, and the artist may soon become a murder suspect. But Jason’s personal life, which involves childhood friends James and Jane, is riveting even without the plotline of a stalking serial killer. There’s a legion of grave secrets buried in his history, and just when you think you’ve heard the worst, another much more disturbing revelation unfolds."
- Kirkus Reviews June 2015
Edited for spoilers
See the full review online at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
"Grim, somber, ferocious—a novel to read again.
In Laville’s dark debut thriller, a London artist is tormented by a serial killer seemingly inspired by his work.
Artist Jason Jones is obsessed with a murderer stalking Camden Town and closely follows newspaper articles and social media. But the Camden Killer leaves something for Jason in his storage unit and sure enough, someone seems to be following him.
Jason’s sordid past and secrets may hold the key to unmasking the killer. The narrative consists almost entirely of Jason’s flashbacks after identifying a corpse for the police, and the fractured telling resembles Jason’s jumbled memories. There’s an ambiguity implied by the novel’s structure, almost as if Jason, as narrator, is piecing together a tale he’s either spinning or genuinely can’t immediately recall.
Laville retains mystery by dropping hints of horrors soon to be revealed. The thriller overflows with genuine surprises, and readers are bound to guess a few by sheer chance.
Genre conventions are more prevalent during the final act: Jason’s trust in others gradually declines, and the artist may soon become a murder suspect. But Jason’s personal life, which involves childhood friends James and Jane, is riveting even without the plotline of a stalking serial killer. There’s a legion of grave secrets buried in his history, and just when you think you’ve heard the worst, another much more disturbing revelation unfolds."
- Kirkus Reviews June 2015
Edited for spoilers
See the full review online at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
March 10, 2016
Awake in the Dark is a gripping murder mystery. “Subversive artist” Jason Jones has a near obsession with a series of sensationalised killings. Then one of Jones’ friends becomes the next victim. The nature of the crimes takes on a strange familiarity for Jones, and the answers may lie somewhere in his tortured past.
I was blown away. This is a compelling and original novel by Laville. His portrayal of the art world Jones inhabits is convincing, and the depiction of the grimier districts of London also rings true. This is a very gory, and very bleak book at times. Jones’ twisted history and the motivation behind the murders unfolds with chilling brilliance. Highly recommended.
I was blown away. This is a compelling and original novel by Laville. His portrayal of the art world Jones inhabits is convincing, and the depiction of the grimier districts of London also rings true. This is a very gory, and very bleak book at times. Jones’ twisted history and the motivation behind the murders unfolds with chilling brilliance. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2015
A real page-turner of a debut novel, not for the faint-hearted. The writing is rich and vivid, and the story unfolds in twists and turns, a whirlwind that sweeps you along into the dark world of Jason Jones. Is it a crime thriller? Is it a horror? I couldn’t put the book down long enough to decide. This isn’t just a simple ‘whodunnit’ where everything gets neatly wrapped up at the end, it’s the kind of book that haunts you long after you’ve finished it. I’m looking forward to more from this new author!
November 28, 2015
Such an awesome book! I entered the crazy and chaotic world of the protagonist and met some truly f$¥%#d up characters along the way! I couldn't put the book down! But once I'd finished, I wished I hadn't read the book so damn quickly!
September 18, 2015
Gripping. Couldn't put it down. Well Deserved Five Stars *****
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews