The Rose Man

by Terry M. West

It’s 1987. Dane Morrison, a middle-aged ad agency sales rep, meets an enigmatic street rose salesman during a hot summer in Houston, Texas. As Dane learns more about the Rose Man, Dane’s dreams and reality become a hellish playground for the unearthly vagabond. And as Dane soon discovers, where love and hope are found, the Rose Man walks… The Rose Man is an early, award-winning story from critically-acclaimed horror author, Terry M. West. Thought lost until it was found on a recovered computer drive, The Rose Man presents one of Terry M. West's most unique horror characters. This story is presented with an introduction from the author as well as story notes.

Genres: Horror

30 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2014

About the author

Terry M. West is an American horror author. His best known works: What Price Gory, Car Nex, Dreg and his Night Things series. He was a finalist for 2 International Horror Guild Awards and he was featured on the TV Guide Sci-Fi hot list for his YA graphic novel series, Confessions of a Teenage Vampire. Terry was born in Texas, lived in New York for two decades and he currently hangs his hat in California.
www.terrymwest.com

Reviews

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisty, very satisfying. Loved its implacability!

[Kayla Krantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short yet immersive read. Perfectly spooky and suspenseful. As a Houston resident, I thought the author captured the tone of the city pretty well in this tiny piece. I wish the story was longer, it was that good!

Narration was perfect.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free at my request but the opinion is of my own. Dane impulsively buys a rose for his wife as a good gesture. He finds out that the guy was stolen from and wants to help. But suddenly his life is turned upside down and roses are never looked at the same.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome short horror story.I can't say much,since it is so short! Andrew Start was the perfect narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

[timj26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect introduction to this author as he even manages to make roses terrifying
Well narrated and highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this story for a honest review in return.

"The Rose Man" is the twelfth release within the author's single shot series. In this short, Dane Morrison meets an old man who is selling roses on the side of the road. Upon their meeting, Dane's dreams and the waking world become twisted and soon he finds himself in grip of the supernatural.

The Rose Man is a unique character that snuck through my defense. I knew with this author's previous work that I should expect a nice twist or something completely different that what I expect. In this case Mr. West caught me and boy was it ever worth it.

"I understand ," Carol replied. She crouched back over. "He's green, Dane! My husband is dead and green!"

"The Rose Man" was thought to be lost but recently the author recovered it. It's clear why this story won first place in the1987 Guilded Quill Awards. My only complaint with this short is I feel like The Rose Man is such an enigmatic figure that he deserves more; or well the fans need more of him.

If you are a fan of Mr. West's previous works, then this is a must read. For newcomers, it's a great short to introduce you to the author's twisted mind.

[Shadow Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the summer of 1987. Dane Morrison, and his wife Helen, have been happily married for twenty years. The single red rose he bought for her was an impulse buy, as much for her as it was for the vagrant he purchased it from. Dane didn’t know, couldn’t possibly know, that this single act of tenderness & goodwill would be the beginning of a horrifying journey.
While at work the following week, Dane was thinking about the rose that he had purchased for his wife, and smiling to himself. His smile was short lived, however, as he watched his co-worker stroll into the office late. Again. He looked like shit, and smelled of alcohol, but what Dane noticed was the six roses that Willie was carrying.
Dane saw The Rose Man again on his way home from work, and was surprised to learn that he had been robbed. Some thief snatched a bunch of red roses from The Rose Man’s hand as he drove by. He didn’t tie the two events together right away. But when his co-worker died a grisly death, it was a connection that could not be ignored.

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[Kevin Lintner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry M. West first wrote The Rose Man in 1987 but never released until this year. It is a great story that exhibits the natural writing talent that Terry pours into all of his works whether they be short stories or full length novels. "The Rose Man" tells the story of a man named Dane and his encounter with a Creole street peddler who sells individually wrapped roses. Things start out gently and then unfold into a nerve jangling tale of supernatural revenge and horrible death. I was very impressed with West's ability to bring the Creole dialect to life and I can assure it is spot on. As with all of West's works that I have read, I was never bored and thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rose by Any Other Name

I read a lot of Terry West books. This is one of his better ones. A different subject, which kept my interest. The ending was different than I thought. I'll think twice before I handle any roses and I'll keep an eye on who I buy them from.

[Kerry]

This short tale of the supernatural will leave readers with a different perception of the world and those who people it. And roses, well, they still smell sweet, but watch for their thorns!

It is easy to see why Terry M. West's early tale won an award!